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FEBRUARY 2011 | Tallahassee, South Georgia, Gulf Coast | www.natallahassee.com natural awakenings
February 2011
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contact us Publisher Donna L. Konuch Editor Donna L. Konuch Design & Production Susan McCann jaxgraphicdesign.net Advertising Sales For Advertising questions or a Media Kit please send an e-mail to: NATallahassee@yahoo.com Natural Awakenings Tallahassee 3767 Greyfield Dr Tallahassee, Fl 32311 Phone: 850-590-7024 Fax: 850-270-67NA (6762) natallahassee@yahoo.com www.NATallahassee.com www.NaturalAwakeningsMag.com © 2011 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call for a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback. SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available for $18 (for 12 issues). Please call 850-590-7024 with credit card information or mail a check, payable to Natural Awakenings–Tallahassee, to the above address.
Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.
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contents 8
Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
8 healthbriefs
10 healthykids
10 MINDFUL KIDS
12 fitbody 14 globalbriefs
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12 SIERRA BENDER’S
15 ecotip
HOLISTIC BOOT CAMP Redefining Fitness to Empower
17 wisewords
Women from the Inside Out
22 consciouseating 24 healingways
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Inner Awareness Brings Calm and Well-Being by Dan iel Rechtschaffen
by Kim Childs
18 RELAX &
RECHARGE Therapeutic Home Recipes
26 greenliving
Rebalance and Renew Mind and Body
28 naturalpet
by Frances Lefkowitz
22 HAPPINESS IS…
32 inspiration
CHOCOLATE
Dark and Delicious, it’s Blissfully Healthy
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by Gabriel Constans
24 MEDITATION
MADE EASY Try these Simple Tips to Achieve
Better Health, More Happiness and Peace of Mind by Sally Kempton
26 GREEN DRINKS 30
Cheers to Making Eco-Conscious Connections
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by Judith Fertig
Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!
Theodor Geisel
natural awakenings
February 2011
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letterfromthepublisher
N
atural Awakenings magazine is excited to announce a writing contest for 2011! Each month the issues of our magazine usually follow a particular theme. Not only do we provide interesting articles and authors from around the country, as publisher of the Tallahassee/South Georgia region, it is my goal every month to introduce you to the amazing talent of gifted individuals who live right here amongst us! As the leading magazine in the area on natural health, inner growth and Earth-friendly living, we are sponsoring a contest to encourage you to share your knowledge and expertise on a variety of subjects. Some examples of article types could include profiles, how-to articles, artof-living, eco-conscious, children or pet articles. It is open to anyone over the age of 18 who chooses to participate and who would like to share their passion for a particular topic. Writers are encouraged to focus on a style of writing that reflects the magazine format that you see here each month. They are also asked to consider the particular demographic that reads the magazine and what topics our Natural Awakenings readers might enjoy. Selected entries should fall under one of these twelve categories: 1) Health & Wellness, 2) Balance, 3) Natural Foods, 4) Green Homes & Gardens, 5) Women’s Wellness, 6) Men’s Wellness, 7) Living Simply, 8) Vibrant Children, 9) Local & Personal Economy and 10) Uplifting Humanity. Winners of each category will be announced in the magazine and have their article published in the month that corresponds with their particular theme. Additionally, the grand-prize winner will receive a $100 gift certificate from New Leaf Market as well as publication of their article! For further information and rules of entry on the writing contest, please go to our website at http://NATallahassee.com. I sincerely look forward to reading each of the entries and including the winner’s unique point of view in the community resource that is Natural Awakenings. If you know of someone in a particular field that you believe might be a great candidate for our writing contest, please invite them to try. Pass the word! Updates and comments will also be made on our Facebook page at Natural Awakenings magazine – Tallahassee. I am incredibly excited about this idea and hope that you are, too. It is always my goal to bring you the best information from nationwide and local experts. We live in a wonderful area, with wonderful people and experts in a variety of fields. Let’s hear from them! Help me get the word out. Articles should be between 550-650 words in length, and the deadline for submission is Saturday, March 5th, 2011. The grand-prize winner will be announced in the April issue of Natural Awakenings magazine.
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Write on Tallahassee!
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advertising & Submissions How to Advertise
To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at natallahassee@yahoo.com. Deadline for ad space reservation for the March issue is Saturday, February 12.
News Briefs and article submissions
Email articles, news items and ideas to: natallahassee@yahoo.com. Deadline for editorial for the March issue is Saturday, February 5.
calendar submissions
Email calendar events to: natallahassee@ yahoo.com or fax to 850-270-6762. Please see page 31 for details Calendar deadline for March issue is Thursday, February 10.
regional markets
Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 1-239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 1-239-5301377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
COMING IN MARCH
NATURAL FOODS
Spiritual Partnership Seminar and Playshop in Tallahassee
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re you ready to move into a deeper, more fulfilling place in your primary relationship? Or are you yearning to find your soul mate but just haven’t felt the fireworks? Do you sense you might be missing something in your understanding of intimate partnership? Tallahassee couple, Licia and Peter Berry, are hosting a “Spiritual Partnership” seminar and playshop February 18 and 19, in which they’ll be sharing wisdom learned during their 25 year love story. Magical from the beginning, Licia and Peter both recall an experience of “recognition” when they first met, and a growing sense of some larger purpose in their being brought together. Over their marriage, they have encountered tests of their love (for themselves and each other), trials as they both grew in their consciousness, and even journeyed in a 2-year vision quest to save their family. Taking turns growing while remaining committed to the marriage (as well as raising a conscious family!) has not always been easy. Licia considers the intimate relationship as the “temple of initiation”, and the place where we are truly given grist for the mill in order to awaken to our potential. Open to couples as well as single attendees interested in learning more about intimate relationships from a spiritual perspective, the event will be held in Tallahassee . A seminar will be held Friday night and the experiential playshop will be held all day on Saturday the 19th. “Our journey has been one in which commitment to inner union and healing has directly impacted our ability to be present, loving and committed to the larger union of our marriage. The more we each honor our wholeness, the more transformed our relationship has become.” For more info www.LiciaBerry.com/Events.htm or 850-661-9370.
Local Holistic Psychotherapist announces her new talk show on VoiceAmerica.com
V
oiceAmerica.com is the leader in live internet talk radio. They are pleased to announce a new, talk radio show from local licensed social worker and holistic psychotherapist, Dr. Melanie Barton. The Dr. Melanie Show is designed to educate the world about holistic techniques and the benefit of using them combined with Western methods. Her show’s concept is to assist you in connecting with the right resources for your particular issue. She will have a variety of guest hosts to discuss topics of interest to the general public. Dates of her show and upcoming guests for the month of February include: On February 3, Dr. Bolen from Tallahassee will discuss sleep disorders and treatment. On February 10, Dr. Kerry Clark of Jacksonville will discuss Lyme disease and his research. On February 17, Angela Myers ARNP and Eric Myers from Tallahassee will discuss Western meets Eastern healing techniques. On February 24, Dr. Michael Smith from the Life Extension organization will discuss the organization, their research and services. Tune in every Thursday at 2 pm EST for The Dr. Melanie Show, on the World Talk Radio Variety Channel.
natural awakenings
February 2011
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It’s time again for the Scouting for Food, Food Drive
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couting for Food is a community stewardship project aimed at addressing the problem of hunger in the community in which we live and work. Scouting for Food is a project rooted in the very foundation of the Scouting movement and you can help! The purpose is to collect and donate food to help feed individuals, families and children in need in our community. On Saturday, February 5, Scouting volunteers will come by your home to pick up your generous donations. They will then deliver the food to America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend, our local food bank. Second Harvest partners with more than 130 non-profit and faith based organizations to help feed the hungry in the Big Bend region. They help feed more than 30,000 individuals every month! They could not feed the thousands of children and seniors who rely on us without the help of the community, the Scouts, and you. Please look for your donation bag from the Scouts and prepare your donation for pick-up by Saturday, February 5th! If you do not receive a bag, you can still participate and donate. Please call America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend at (850) 562-3033 or visit them at www.fightinghunger.org to find out how and where you can donate. The following items are always needed – canned lean meats, canned vegetables and fruits, hearty soups, beans, and breakfast items including whole grain cereals, nutritious granola bars, grits, and pancake mix. Thank you to the Scouts and the Tallahassee community for your support and for making this year’s Scouting for Food event a huge success!
Zero Balancing course Available
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n a 2009 interview with Massage & Bodywork magazine, Dr. Fritz Smith, an osteopathic physician, explained his understanding of energy as a departure from his traditional medical training. “We have come to understand that energy is consciousness, that vibration holds information and that energy is a basic building block of our bodies,” said Smith, who is the creator of Zero-Balancing. A handson modality, which balances the relationship of energy and structure in the body/ mind with a clear and comfortable deep touch called “interface, Zero Balancing can even facilitate the body’s release of tension held in the bone and ligament. Interface touch creates a clear place of contact so that both client and practitioner are present, attentive, and in the moment. For the practitioner, who remains clearly aware, and the client, who enters into a state of expanded consciousness, Zero Balancing can be a meditative experience as well as an opportunity for the body-mind to reorganize and enhance health. There is a 2.5-hour Introduction to Zero Balancing on February 8 in Naples. “Clients tell me all the time that they feel aligned, grounded and deeply relaxed,” advises Herpich, who notes that the modality is particularly good for anyone going through any type of transition. For information on the February 8 introductory session at Journey Arts, 2950 Immokalee Rd. (Winter View Court #4), Naples, contact Alvina Quatrano at 732266-5276. Elizabeth Allen Martin will teach Zero Balancing 1 in Naples Fl February 24-27. Veriliee Herpich will teach Zero Balancing 2 in Tampa May 2-5. All courses offer continuing education credits. Find out more by contacting The Zero Balancing Health Association at ZeroBalancing.com.
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Fine Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting
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n Saturday, February 12 from 7-9 pm, New Leaf Market will host an evening of fine wines, gourmet food, and live classical music to benefit Oak Ridge Elementary School. The specialty department, deli, and seating area will be transformed into a delightful place to find your new favorite varietal, enjoy an evening out, or stock up on your favorite wines. This extravaganza will feature four wine tasting booths, each presenting excellent examples of wine varietals from around the world with experts on hand to answer your questions. There will also be gourmet food samples from New Leaf Market’s award winning Deli, along with a cheese station, which will feature a Parmesan wheel cracking and tasting. All of this while a classically trained musician creates a beautiful ambiance with soft romantic stylings. This is an excellent opportunity to try many different wines and to sample delicious food, and it is also a wonderful way to support our community. New Leaf Market is a partner with Oak Ridge Elementary School. By doing so, the Co-op agrees to work with the school to enhance education. For every ticket sold, $5 will be donated to Oak Ridge Elementary. Ticket price is $15 per person and includes a complimentary New Leaf Market wine glass, a coupon for $5 off your purchase made that evening, and a $5 donation to Oak Ridge Elementary School. Tickets went on sale January 14 and are available at the service desk.
Blessed and Blissful Soulmates By Arielle Ford “A soulmate is someone you can completely be yourself with. Someone with whom you share unconditional love and when you look into each others’ eyes, you know that you are home. A soulmate is your “safe place to land.” --Arielle Ford
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s someone who teaches others how to manifest their soulmates, and who has been so blessed with the love of my own soulmate, I decided it was time to shine a light on the extraordinary benefits of living with your soulmate as a way to encourage others. Soulmate love heals people while it stamps out loneliness and brings so much more happiness. Soulmate relationships can be compelling, intense, loving communions that have a divine quality to them. They are about connecting on a deep “soul” level as much as every other dimension of human interaction. The soulmate couples we’ve met choose to live with honesty, transparency, deeper love, devotion, openness, vulnerability and trust. My husband, Brian Hilliard, explains it this way: “In a soulmate relationship one plus one does not equal two, it equals eleven. The love generated in this equation is a gift to the soulmate couple and to the world at large.” “The level of trust between soulmates is profound-- and being able to trust another being on so many levels makes life so much easier. You soulmate will mirror your best parts and your shadow self, giving you a chance to heal,” explains Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway, author of Your Interfaith Wedding. This is why the world needs soulmate couples to find each other—as many as possible, and as soon as possible. It is a surefire way to fill our planet with more love.
Some people fear that their day will never come, and that they will not be worthy of soulmate love. Claire Zammit, co-creator of the Calling In The One online course, explained it this way. “I always thought I was too much of this or not enough of that, but when I met my soulmate I realized I was just right for the person I was destined to be with. It’s amazing to be loved and appreciated so deeply just for being who you authentically are!” Are soulmate relationships always blissful? No, of course not. Soulmates have work to do in the world and it begins in their own relationships. “Your ‘Twin Flame’ will not only bring you to new heights of ecstasy but also push every one of your buttons and even some you never knew you had!,” adds Rev. Fuhrman. Like all relationships, soulmate unions require time, energy, and attention. Despite the occasional upset, argument or breakdown, soulmates are committed to working through the issues with honesty and transparency, knowing that the foundation for their love is strong enough to weather the storm. Perhaps Stephanie Bennett Vogt explains it best, “Having a soulmate is
a beautiful dance towards wholeness if you’re willing to allow and learn from the inevitable messy bumps that go with the territory of being in a relationship.” About Arielle Ford Arielle is the author of seven books including the international bestselling The Soulmate Secret: How To Manifest The Love of Your Life with the Law of Attraction. Learn more about Arielle at www.arielleford.com and http://soulmatesecretbook.com Arielle along with Claire Zammit, co-creator of the acclaimed Calling in “The One” telecourse will host a free online teleseries called “The Ultimate Soulmate Summit” to help 100,000 people magnetize their Soulmate next Valentine’s Day! Twenty-five of the world’s leading relationship experts including Dr. Helen Fisher, John Gray, Drs. Gay & Kathlyn Hendricks, Alison Armstrong, Debbie Ford, Katherine Woodward Thomas, Christian Carter, and others will lead participants through the process of attracting a Soulmate over the 10 days of the summit. www.ultimatesoulmatesummit. com.
natural awakenings
February 2011
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healthbriefs
Acupuncture Helps Heart Patients
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esearch news from Germany reports that acupuncture can improve exercise tolerance in patients suffering from chronic heart failure. The researchers gave such patients—who were on conventional medication and stable—10 sessions of acupuncture, focusing on the healing method’s pressure points that boost general strength, and according to traditional Chinese medicine, influence the nervous system and inflammation. The control group was treated with placebo needles that did not break the skin. The needles did not increase the heart’s pumping function, but they seemed to have an influence on skeletal muscle strength, and increased the distance that the heart patients were able to walk in a given time. The acupuncture patients also recovered more quickly from the exercise and tended to feel less general exhaustion. This finding could provide a useful option in the future if relatively low-cost acupuncture treatment can work to improve the prognosis for cardiac patients over the long term.
Grapefruit’s BitterSweet Secret
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rapefruit’s piquant combination of sweet and slightly bitter tastes comes with a newly discovered benefit. Researchers have discovered that naringenin, an antioxidant derived from the bitter flavor of grapefruit and other citrus, may be of help to people with diabetes. Naringenin, the researchers explain, causes the liver to break down fats instead of storing them, while increasing insulin sensitivity, two processes that naturally occur during long periods of fasting. The natural compound, the scientists suggest, seems to mimic some lipid-lowering and antidiabetics drugs; it holds promise for aiding weight control, as well as regulation of blood-sugar levels, both vital components in treatment of Type 2 diabetes. “It is a process that is similar to the Atkins diet, without many of the side effects,” notes Martin L. Yarmush, Ph.D., a physician who is the director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Engineering in Medicine and a study author. Earlier evidence has shown that naringenin also has cholesterol-lowering properties and may ameliorate some of the symptoms associated with diabetes.
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Most people try to hide their blushes when they’re embarrassed, but new research published in the journal Emotion suggests that the facial expressions can actually serve an important role in smoothing social interactions. Researchers from the University of Groningen, in the Netherlands, had participants read vignettes about typical social transgressions and mishaps, and then rate how favorably they felt about the faces of the ostensible social culprits. Blushing people were judged more favorably than non-blushers, regardless of the other emotional cues on their face. The researchers argue that blushing signals a sincere acknowledgement of wrongdoing and communicates to others that we won’t make the same mistake again. They concluded that blushing might prevent people from being socially excluded after committing some kind of transgression. It could actually help us, yes, save face. Source: GreaterGood.Berkeley.edu
Source: Public Library of Science 8
Blushing Could Save Face
www.natallahassee.com
Dream on… and Learn Better
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odern science has established that sleep can be an important tool for enhancing memory and learning skills. A new study at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center sheds light on the role that dreams play in this process. “After nearly 100 years of debate about the function of dreams, this study tells us that dreams are the brain’s way of processing, integrating and really understanding new information,” says senior author Robert Stickgold, Ph.D. “Dreams are a clear indication that the sleeping brain is working on memories at multiple levels, including ways that will directly improve performance.” Indeed, according to the researchers, these new findings suggest that dreams may be the sleeping brain’s way of telling us that it is hard at work on the process of memory consolidation— integrating our recent experiences to help us with performance-related tasks in the short run, as well as over the long term. In other words, dreams help us translate this material into information that has broad application in our lives.
Happiness Keeps Growing
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s there any good news about growing old? Researchers reported at a recent American Psychological Association convention in Toronto that an increase of happiness and emotional well-being occurs as people mature. Their study of contributing factors showed that older adults exert greater emotional self-control, have learned to avoid or limit stressful situations and are less likely than younger adults to let negative comments or criticism bother them. Source: HealthDay.com
Diet May Affect Our Internal Clock
Our body’s internal clock, the circadian rhythm, helps it adapt to the cycle of day and night and regulates functions such as sleep and metabolism. Working with lab animals, scientists at Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that a high-fat diet can cause disturbances in this daily rhythm by affecting an animal’s clock-related genes. Significant health consequences include irregular sleep/wake cycles and metabolic disorders.
Stress-Busting Walnuts
Our Renewable Heart A
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groundbreaking Swedish study has demonstrated that heart cells are able to regenerate themselves, overturning the conventional wisdom that the body cannot replace damaged heart cells. Examining the heart tissue of 50 people over four years, the researchers found that on average, new heart cells appeared to replace old ones at a rate of about 1 percent a year in youth and 0.5 percent a year by age 75. Thus, our heart comprises a mosaic of older and newer cells. Scientists hope to learn how to stimulate this organ’s ability to naturally regenerate.
diet rich in walnuts and walnut oil may prepare the body to deal better with stress, according to a team of Penn State researchers. They specifically considered how these foods, which contain polyunsaturated fats, influence our blood pressure. Their studies showed that walnuts and walnut oil have the ability to lower blood pressure, both when we are at rest and in response to stress.
Source: Natural News Network
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February 2011
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healthykids
MINDFUL KIDS Inner Awareness Brings Calm and Well-Being by Daniel Rechtschaffen
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“You feel... more
hen I walk outside, students opening our awareness to what is here run to me from the school and now. Mindfulness, in the forms of playground, but they don’t medical and psychological modaliyell out my last name as they circle ties such as Mindfulness Based Stress around and grab onto my legs, as it can Reduction and Mindfulness Based be a bit much to remember and proCognitive Therapy, is gaining attention nounce correctly. Instead, I usually hear as research suggests that it can im“Hey, Mr. Mindfulness,” or even, “The prove mood, decrease stress and boost Mindfulness Dude!” immune function. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, My job is to help to bring the art Ph.D., and others have been studying and science of mindfulness to students the medical effects of mindfulness for Excerpt from a fourth-grader’s and teachers in schools, juvenile deten30 years with impressive results. Mindfulness Journal tion centers and sports teams, as well as Brought into schools, it can be a to clients in my private psychotherapy powerful antidote to many struggles practice. Happily, research is beginning to show that applyfacing our youth. In the California Bay Area, for example, ing mindfulness can decrease stress, attention deficit issues, the Mindful Schools program has used mindfulness to teach depression, anxiety and hostility in children, while benefitconcentration, attention, conflict resolution and empathy ing their health, well-being, social relations and academic to 10,000 children in 38 schools; 66 percent of these performance. Children can easily learn the techniques, and schools serve low-income children. Inside Oakland’s juvewhen learned young, they become lifelong tools. nile detention centers, the Mind Body Awareness Project offers daylong, silent retreats for teens; although they presMindful Benefits ently live behind bars, they are learning to access greater inner freedom. Mindfulness means intentionally and compassionately
connected to
everything. It felt
sort of like flying.”
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In sports, a season invested in training the Alameda High School’s boys’ basketball team in mindfulness techniques helped us reach the Northern California playoffs, an unprecedented achievement in the school’s athletic history. These youth are learning the attention skills they need to succeed in today’s fast-paced, multitasking world. With practice, students are also learning emotional balance and new ways to feel connected to their communities. The most vital result I see is a new baseline of peacefulness evident in these young people’s minds and bodies. Mindfulness offers a general sense of well-being that all other skills for learning and productivity can build on.
True Education The word education comes from the Latin roots ex, “from within,” and duco, “to guide.” Thus, education originally meant to draw out, to guide a student in unfolding the wisdom that is inherently within each person, at any age. This is a fundamentally different approach than the conventional educational paradigm that approaches students from the outside in and from the top down. In using what I call the “fire hose” method of learning, spewing information at students and penalizing them when they can’t retain what the powers-that-be deem important, we make the mistake of assuming what each child should be, instead of seeing them as they already are. Think of how different each of our own lives would have been if parents, teachers and other mentors helped us learn to become the person we were inherently meant to be. This approach requires us all to discover and utilize our own mindfulness. When parents ask me, “What is the best mindfulness technique to teach my children?” my answer is always, “Your own mindfulness.” Our own mindfulness is already present within us; it’s not something we need to create. Notice all of your thoughts in this moment: your doubts and interests, as well as sensations. Simply become aware of phenomena, without judgment or preference. The natural capacity to open up in the present moment to everything that is happening within and around us is mindfulness, an open, intentional, non-judgmental awareness. When we embody mindfulness practices, we become a living example to the children in our lives. If you are interested in learning how to bring mindfulness practices to youth, begin by offering it to yourself. Join a mindfulness group, do some reading or even better, finish reading right now, let your eyes close, check in to your body and let go into this present moment. Daniel Rechtschaffen, MA, a pioneering trainer in his field, helps implement mindfulness-based curricula in schools and organizations. Collaborations include the Mind Body Awareness Project, Mindful Schools and Mindfulness Without Borders. He also convenes an annual Mindfulness in Education conference and teacher training at Omega Institute (search eomega.org). He has a private psychotherapy practice in the San Francisco Bay Area as a marriage and family therapy intern. Visit MindfulChildren.com and NowCounseling.com. natural awakenings
February 2011
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fitbody Sierra Bender’s
Holistic Boot Camp Redefining fitness to empower women from the inside out. by Kim Childs
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n her early 30s, Sierra Bender was a personal trainer who looked and felt physically fit. Then, one day, her body took a turn that she didn’t see coming. Bender initially mistook the sensation she experienced for a pulled muscle. “I exercised every day and worked as a professional trainer,” she recalls, “but I was so out of my body that I didn’t even know that my uterus had ruptured [from an ectopic pregnancy outside the womb]. That’s how disconnected I was… fit on the outside, but an emotional wreck on the inside.” Today, Bender works to prevent other women from focusing solely on physical fitness and body image at the expense of their emotional, mental and even physical health. Her mission is to redefine health for women so that they understand wellness as a whole-self process and become empowered to 12
Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast
lead truly integrated lives. “Empowerment involves pulling forth what’s already within you,” Bender says. “We’ve mastered the beauty part of looking fit and good, but it doesn’t last, because it’s not coming from the core inside. So, that’s where women are searching.”
Boot Camp Intensive After years of studying yoga, bodywork, energy healing, nutrition and shamanism, Sierra developed the Bender Empowerment Method 4 Body Fit concept that she teaches at her weeklong Boot Camp for Goddesses retreats around the country. The four bodies identified are the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of a person, all of which receive training and treatment in Bender’s workshops. www.natallahassee.com
Boot camp participants hike, practice yoga, learn anatomy and train with weights. They also dance, sing, cry, journal, share secrets, pray and purify themselves via Native American-style sweat lodges. The aim is to heal anything that’s preventing a woman from living her full potential, says Bender, and her methods show people where they most need to work. “One day, you’ll be great at the mental exercises, but not the physical, so that shows where your weakness is,” Bender explains. “Some [students] are great at doing the exercises or workouts, but they can’t sit still or be quiet on a 45-minute hike; so each one is being challenged.” The first technique that Bender teaches is conscious breathing to oxygenate the body and calm the nervous system. That means breathing deeply through the nostrils, filling the lungs and always checking in with the breath during any activity. Improper breathing and stress go hand-in-hand, she says, and because the stress hormone cortisol can cause fat retention, people who discount their breath may feel frustrated when diet and exercise routines seem to fail them. “Breath is what burns fat in the simplest form,” says Bender. “What gives your body energy and vitality? Breath. What keeps you looking young and alive? Breath. Our skin is our largest organ.”
Fitness Made Easier
Kim Davis, a 45-year-old legal secretary from Houston, Texas, enrolled in one of Bender’s workshops in 2008 to lose a few pounds. She says the conscious breathing enhances her workouts. “The best thing I’ve taken away from the boot camp experience is that fitness does not have to be difficult— with hours spent on a treadmill or pumping iron—to be effective,” says Davis. “I no longer feel I have to punish my body into fitness, but instead attain fitness through a loving relationship with my body.” Davis, who went on to become a yoga teacher, says that she and others in Bender’s workshop also experienced emotional and psychological breakthroughs through holding yoga postures and practicing breathing techniques. This led to emotional releases
through tears and words, followed by more lightness in the body, Davis reports.
Holistic Empowerment When teaching yoga and fitness, Bender tells her students which organs, glands and body systems are being affected by each posture. The psychological and emotional relevance of poses like Cobra are also explained to students who may feel uncomfortable in such a heart-opening posture. “Students start to understand that this posture is reflecting their weaknesses and strengths, and they may realize, ‘Okay, I don’t want to open my heart that big; that’s too vulnerable,’” she observes. Getting her goddesses to embrace their vulnerability, strength, inner spirit and authentic power is at the heart of Bender’s work with women and female teens. She advises: “A goddess warrior trusts her intuition and is brave enough to follow it.” For more information about Sierra Bender, her recent book, Goddess to the Core: An Inspired Workout to Maximize Your Fitness, Beauty & Power, and upcoming workshops and events, visit SierraBender.com. Kim Childs teaches Kripalu yoga in the Boston area. Connect at KimChilds.com.
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Audrey Copeland Independent Consultant
850-294-8575
Audrey.MyArbonne.com
natural awakenings
February 2011
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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Eco-Kudos
America Names Top Smart-Growth Cities The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Smart Growth Awards recognize innovation in everything from creating small public spaces in densely packed urban cores to investing in compact communities and preserving forests and farmland. It all makes for greater livability. This past year, the Big Apple took honors for overall excellence. “New York City has achieved a relatively small carbon footprint, given its size, through its commitment to creating compact and walkable neighborhoods,” according to the agency report. The city has also built dedicated bike lanes and carved out public spaces in urban jungles like Times Square. Portland, Oregon, wins kudos for its realistic growth plan to accommodate an anticipated 600,000 population by 2030, strengthening employment and concentrating commerce, while preserving its neighborhoods and connections with nature. In Maine, 20 towns collaborated in a commercial and tourist byway, while preserving the region’s rural character. San Francisco earned praise for transforming a previously neglected alleyway into the vibrant South of Market retail area, as did Baltimore for its green rehab of an historic building into a mixed-use space that revitalized the surrounding neighborhood.
Urban Psychology
Where We Come From Counts Making a life is about more than making a living, and a University of Michigan study has found that some cities lead with their heart, while others lead with their head. “The place where we grew up or currently reside… defines who we are, how we think about ourselves and others, and the way we live,” suggest researchers Nansook Park and Christopher Peterson. Hence the common query: “Where are you from?” With more than half of the world’s total population living in cities, the researchers maintain that it’s time to assess what is right about urban life. So, they surveyed character strengths among more than 47,000 residents of the 50 largest U.S. cities. They report that heart-strong cities tended to be warmer, less crowded and more community/teamwork oriented, with more families with children, and perhaps kinder and gentler overall. The five highest scoring heart-oriented cities were: El Paso, Texas; Mesa, Arizona; Miami; Virginia Beach; and Fresno, California. Head-strong cities tended to be more intellectual, innovative and creative, with a greater number of patents per capita. They are often labeled as hot spots for talent and high-tech industries. The five top-scoring cities in this category were: San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland, California; Albuquerque; and Honolulu. Some cities scored above average on both counts, including El Paso, Honolulu and Detroit. Is it better to lead with your head or your heart? Each has its own advantages, the researchers conclude. Life may well be good in other towns, too, simply in different ways. 14
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Adult Volunteers We’ve Got Time to Help
The Corporation for National and Community Service reports that 63.4 million Americans volunteered to help their communities in 2009, 1.6 million more than the year before, and the largest single-year spike since 2003. They contributed 8.1 billion hours of service, with an estimated value of nearly $169 billion. Part-time employees proved the most generous, with a 34 percent volunteer rate, according to the Portland Tribune’s analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly 29 percent of those with full-time jobs contributed. About 23 percent of unemployed individuals volunteered. Utah was the top volunteer state, with a rate of more than 44 percent, followed by Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Alaska, all exceeding 37 percent. Large cities were led by Minneapolis-St. Paul; Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City; Seattle; and Oklahoma City, all with at least a third of their residents taking up a cause. Mid-size cities, particularly those in the Midwest, have on average higher volunteer rates than large cities, with volunteers also contributing more hours. Mid-size city stars, with a volunteer rate of between 63 and 40 percent include Provo, Utah; Iowa City; Ogden, Utah; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Madison, Wisconsin.
Marriage Modes
The Rise of New Forms of Family Even as the number of married couples shrinks to just more than half of all U.S. adults, the family—in all of its emerging varieties—remains resilient, says a new Pew Research Center nationwide survey. Most Americans’ definition of family has expanded to encompass either one or two adults living with a child. The vast majority (75 percent) of all adults consider their own family to be the most important and most satisfying element of their lives. Far more married adults say that love (93 percent), making a lifelong commitment (87 percent) and companionship (81 percent) are key reasons to get married, rather than having children (59 percent) or financial stability (31 percent). Unmarried adults viewed these factors in the same order. Asked if they agree that there is only one true love for every person, fewer than 3 in 10 of total survey respondents say, “I do.”
Sonic Valentine
Ninth World Sound Healing Day is February 14 Jonathan and Andi Goldman will lead a five-minute worldwide toning for planetary peace and harmony on February 14 at noon, Eastern Time, when everyone is invited to meet up in the toning chamber at TempleOfSacredSound.org to join in a heartfelt, “Ah.” Those without Internet access are welcome to join in the compassionate chorus with their own heart sound at that time, or to create or join a local sounding event. “We estimate that hundreds of thousands participate each year,” Jonathan says. They are encouraged that independent monitoring of the effects of collective consciousness on worldwide energy fields by Princeton’s Global Consciousness Project and HeartMath’s Global Coherence Initiative, while not conclusive, showed simultaneous upward spikes last year on Valentine’s Day. For details, visit WorldSoundHealingDay.org, listen live to a special radio program at HealthyLife.net beginning at 11 a.m. ET, Feb. 14, and find articles at HealingSounds.com/sounds.
Happiness Index
Most American Adults Say Life is Good A new Rasmussen Reports survey finds that 61 percent of adults rate their lives today as good or excellent. Among the most satisfied are married adults, those with no children at home and people with the highest incomes. Of the 1,000 men and women surveyed, 58 percent consider the years from 18 to 49 as the very best, 17 percent ultimately prefer age 50 and up and 14 percent maintain that childhood takes the cake. The rest are undecided.
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globalbriefs
ecotip
Campus Life
Savvy Switch
Going Back to School in the Golden Years
Why Tap Water is a Better Choice
Retirement communities, typically nestled near beaches or golf courses, are beginning to emerge somewhere else: near university campuses. Educational opportunities and cultural activities there are among the perks for those who feel most alive in ac- tive, intellectually stimulating and intergenerational settings. Alma maters are a special draw for sports fans. About 50 campus-oriented retirement communities exist around the country, estimates Andrew Carle, an industry expert and founding director of the Senior Housing Administration program at George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. Another 50 are planned.
Checkbook Bingo
The Rising Cost of Raising a Child Because few parents do the math, not many would guess that it costs more than $222,000 to bring up the average child in today’s middle-income American family. That’s the latest price tag, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture figures—even before college starts. Although the lion’s share of parental spending today goes toward housing and food, healthcare costs have doubled to 8 percent of the total since 1960. Education, including childcare and extracurricular activities, is up 2 percent, comprising 17 percent of the total childhood bill. Some economists say the USDA estimate is modest, because it doesn’t take into account competitive spending practices among the upper classes. These can range from high-speed Internet access, unlimited smartphone texting and cultural travel to competitive sports, private schooling and expenditures on orthodontia and brand-name status symbols. All are vying to give kids a leg up to success. Source: The Christian Science Monitor
Rocking Change
Social Tools Revolutionize Young Lives Older teens interested in community service or social change have long been able to tap into tailor-made resources, including DoSomething.org, the nation’s largest database of teen volunteer opportunities; it sparked more than a million teens to action in 2010. But, how about tweens, who often find it difficult to make themselves heard? The Do Something! Handbook for Young Activists now empowers younger kids, too, with the tools and know-how to change their world. 16
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Did you know that Americans now drink more bottled water than milk or juice? We buy 30 billion bottles a year, 80 percent of which ends up in landfills for hundreds of years. That’s why Earthfriendly folks use refillable bottles these days. In addition to being eco-savvy, consumers have plenty of reasons to avoid bottled water. According to a four-year study by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), we cannot assume that the bottled water we purchase is necessarily any better regulated, purer or safer than most tap water. Here are some revealing facts: n People typically spend from 240 to 10,000 times more per gallon for bottled water than for tap water. n According to government and industry estimates, at least 25 percent of bottled water (some say 40 percent) is tap water, sometimes with additional treatment, sometimes not. n Independent laboratory analysis in the NRDC study showed that about one-third of the bottled waters tested contained significant contamination in at least one test. That means the levels of chemical or bacterial contaminants exceeded those allowed under a state or industry standard or guideline. n The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate water bottled and sold in-state, effectively exempting 60 to 70 percent of U.S. bottled water from FDA standards. Even when its rules apply, they are weaker in many ways than Environmental Protection Agency rules governing big-city tap water. The majority of the country’s tap water passes the EPA standards. n Tap water test results and notices of violations must be reported to state or federal officials. There is no mandatory reporting for water bottlers; manufacturers have recalled bottled water 100 times, without letting consumers know about it two out of three times. n City water systems must issue annual “right-to-know” reports, telling consumers what is in their water; bottlers successfully killed such a requirement for bottled water. Every American has a right to safe, good-tasting water from the tap. If we choose to buy bottled water, we deserve the same assurances that it too, is safe. Whether our water comes from a tap or a bottle, we have a right to know what’s in it. If bottled water is so pure, why not prove it, with full disclosure on the label? Primary Source: National Resources Defense Council (nrdc.org)
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wisewords
and encounter conflict; if they can work through that, they can get to a point of real love. Real love feels like romantic love, but romantic love is fragile and driven by expectations, whereas real love is durable and lasts through frustrations.
A Conversation with Harville Hendrix, Marriage Whisperer
On the Secrets of a Healthy Relationship by April Thompson
H
arville Hendrix, Ph.D., knows the sorrow of a broken relationship. In 1975, after a 16year struggle to make a failing marriage work, Hendrix and his wife decided to split up. On the day the divorce was final, he was scheduled to teach a class on marriage at a university graduate school. As Hendrix responded to audience questions, he realized that everyone wants to know the secrets of successful marriages—including him. That “Aha!” moment spurred years of research with couples and led to his seminal book, Getting the Love You Want, and the creation of Imago Relationship Therapy with his second wife, Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D. Their partnership of 28 years has produced nine books on intimate relationships and parenting, most recently Receiving Love, and six grown children. Imago Therapy seeks to unearth the hidden agendas that we all bring to our relationships and address them with openness, compassion and fearlessness.
What should you know before getting into a relationship? You need to know what pushes your buttons, whether it’s someone not looking at you while talking or someone being late. You should also know what happened in your childhood that made you sensitive to that. Why? Because the person you
will be attracted to is going to push that button. It’s an opportunity to repair the shut-down part of yourself as you stretch to meet your partner’s needs and become whole in doing so. The divorce rate has been 50 percent for the past 60 years, because people think conflict means you’re with the wrong person. But conflict is growth trying to happen. Every person who falls in love goes through this drama: You meet someone who activates the negative aspects of your parents or caretakers, and your unconscious wants this person, who acts as a parental surrogate, to fulfill the unmet needs of childhood. When such conflict occurs, you know you are in a relationship with the right person. Many people may go to therapy or read self-help books, but if the issue you need to address is triggered only by certain types of people, you can’t work on it until it’s triggered. If you do go to therapy, go together. Therapy can actually be bad for your marriage unless you are in the same room at the same time with the same person helping you work through these issues.
How does real love feel? Romantic love and real love are two forms of the same thing. The feeling of romantic love is one of joy, pleasure, relaxation, excitement and euphoria. Couples eventually will lose that feeling
What can we do to keep and develop intimate connection? We teach couples how to have a different kind of conversation. It is called an Imago Dialogue, in which partners listen deeply to each other with curiosity, empathy and respect: what the other person thinks, how they feel and particularly, what they want in the relationship—and it is all done without criticism. In a dialogue, I will tell you what frustrates me. Time is often a big factor—whether it’s being late or early, time together or alone or time management. We have a primordial need for reliability; what scares children most is parents not being reliable. So I might say, “I need you to show up on time. In childhood, I couldn’t count on people.” You might respond, “Not having parents who kept promises, I imagine you feel frightened when I don’t show up.” Then you come to the behavior needed to respond: For example, “If I’ll be late, I’ll give you a call, so you know when I’ll be there.” It’s all about communication.
If we fail to fix a past relationship, what does it take to make the next one work well? It takes changing the notion that between our marriages, we can get fixed. You are going to take any unresolved problems into the next relationship. The best and only thing you can do is be aware of this and resolve to respond to it differently the next time. Ultimately, the best thing anyone can do for a relationship is to agree to end all negativity. If criticism is the basis of conflict, then appreciation, adoration and empathy are the basis for safety and passion in a relationship. April Thompson is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. Connect at AprilWrites.com.
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RELAX & RECHARGE Therapeutic home recipes rebalance and renew mind and body. by Frances Lefkowitz
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chieving balance on all levels of being is the true measure of vibrant health,” says Thomas Yarema, a multidiscipline physician and director of the Kauai Center for Holistic Medicine and Research, in Hawaii. Integrative physicians and practitioners understand that in many ancient Eastern therapies, including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, well-being is all about balance. In these disciplines, harmony—and by extension, health and happiness—is created by a constant rebalancing of energies, sometimes complementing a natural state and sometimes countering it. Thus, depending on our physical and emotional makeup (easy-going personality? hot-tempered?) and current situation (need a job? getting married?), balance may require a calming down or a boosting up, turning inward or turning outward. Consulting the latest research and advice from scores of experts, Natural Awakenings has created a guidebook of recipes for balancing mind and body. 18
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Whether the immediate need is to relax, refresh, release or recharge, we’ve got a simple to-do to get you back in balance. Try these new approaches today.
Relax
“Change is good,” the saying goes, but even good change, like falling in love or going on vacation—causes stress. Stress is widely reported in medical journals like The Lancet and The Journal of the American Medical Association as linked to health problems from heart disease and diabetes to hair loss and depression. Because stress affects the immune system, frequent colds or bouts with the flu may signal a need to slow down. Fuzzy thinking, forgetfulness and feelings of frustration can also indicate that it’s time to relax. Get Herbal Drinking a cup of herbal tea is a simple, gentle and enjoyable way to “take five.” Herbal educator Dodie Harte, of the Sierra Institute of Herbal Studies, recommends a blend of three common calming herbs: chamomile, linden flower and www.natallahassee.com
passionflower, with a dash of relaxingly aromatic lavender flower. Add a cup of boiling water to a mix of one teaspoon of each herb and a small sprig of lavender, then let steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Apply Pressure Like acupuncture, acupressure is a technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine that works to rebalance the flow of chi, or energy, in the body by stimulating key points along its energy meridians, or pathways. While acupuncture uses needles that puncture the skin and requires a visit to a professional, acupressure stimulates via points on the skin’s surface and can be part of a selfcare practice. “When acupressure points are stimulated, they release muscular tension, promote circulation of blood and enhance the body’s life force energy to aid healing,” explains Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D., founder of the Acupressure Institute, in Berkeley, California, and author of Acupressure’s Potent Points: A Guide to Self-Care for Common Ailments.
To relax the neck and relieve tension headaches, use the point at the base of the skull, just where the head attaches to the neck. Feel for the hollow between the two thick, vertical muscle masses—finding and pressing it will probably elicit a sigh. Put one or both thumbs in that hollow and apply gentle pressure for one to two minutes.
Refresh Perhaps the problem isn’t stress, but a feeling of weariness or listlessness. According to Atlanta psychiatrist Tracey Marks, a medical doctor and author of the new book, Master Your Sleep: Proven Methods Simplified, the continuous flow of electronic information in our smartphone lifestyles may be overstimulating our brains. The first step to refreshing and replenishing is to log off. In short, she says, “Off-hours create better on-hours.” Go Solo Psychologist Ester Schaler Buchholz, Ph.D., author of The Call of Solitude, believes that “alonetime” is a basic need. She supports this belief with a series of infant studies, analysis of historical and anthropological data, and research examining how meditation and rest bolster the immune system. “When we don’t get enough solitude,” she observes. “We get out of touch with ourselves; we get forgetful; we get sloppy.” We may also get angry, anxious and depressed. Take a daily, refreshing, miniretreat by stepping away from the rest of the world for 15 minutes. Find a room with a door and turn off all electronics… then read a book, write a letter, meditate, or just close your eyes and listen to the silence. Sleep “Sleep ends up being one of those things we see as expendable,” says Marks. Yet, a growing body of studies from Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine and other research institutions shows that it is crucial to your mental and physical health, as well as many of the body’s major restorative functions, including tissue repair, muscle growth and protein synthesis. New findings by Beth Israel Deacon-
ess Medical Center even show that the brain uses sleep to consolidate memories and make them more accessible when we’re awake. “We should really think of ourselves as operating on a 16hour battery,” Marks advises, because we must recharge ourselves in order to perform well. Signs of sleep deprivation include irritable moods and an inability to concentrate. Marks’ Countdown to Bedtime routine starts an hour beforehand. Put away the work and turn off the computer. Stop drinking fluids. Take a warm bath or footbath and don pajamas. Read, meditate or listen to music to wind down. Adjust the bedroom temperature to between 68 and 74 degrees and turn off all lights and electronics, covering their LED displays. If it takes more than 30 minutes to fall asleep, get out of bed and do something relaxing until you feel drowsy. “If your mind is busy, write out your thoughts on a problem-solving worksheet,” she suggests. Get Outside Time and again, it has been proven that nature heals. One researcher, from the University of Southern California, has found that even just gazing at a natural landscape, sunset or grove of trees from a window can activate endorphins in the brain that make us feel good. Getting outside is even better. Integrative Psychiatrist Henry Emmons, a physician and author of The Chemistry of Joy, explains that sunlight provides us with vitamin D, which he notes, “… plays a role in many physiological processes, including moods.” Emmons’ prescription: at least 30 minutes outside daily, without glasses, which can filter out healing components of sunlight. Neuroimmunologist and physician Esther Sternberg, author of Healing Spaces: The Science of Place and Well-Being, points to an extensive body of research showing that the colors, patterns and scents of natural environments affect mental and physical well-being. She recommends spending time in gardens and growing your own plants, even if only a window box of herbs.
Release You can’t move forward if you’ve got something holding you back. Sometimes what you need is to let go of whatever’s weighing you down—even if you don’t quite know what it is. Here are feel-good ways to let go of physical and emotional stagnation. Make Noise Many Eastern and Western sacred traditions utilize the healing power of sound through chants, songs, hymns and mantras; but the science behind sound healing is solid. According to Sound Healer Tom Kenyon, the repetitive patterns of music and chant stimulate the reticular activating system in the brain, which can induce a mild, trancelike state. Making sounds and music is even more transformative than just listening. “The way music helps us release is that it helps us remember a little bit more of who we are,” advises soprano and Sound Shaman Norma Gentile, from Ypsilanti, Michigan. Her favorite tip: Sing! Gentile exhorts, “Sing with the radio, with a choir or by yourself.” When you sing, she explains, you breathe deeply and your body vibrates and releases energy. Just sing whatever moves you, from the medieval songs of Hildegard von Bingen (her favorite), to Country & Western ballads. She adds, “There’s no style of music that can’t be helpful and healing.” To release aches and pains, Kenyon applies a different exercise. First, find a quiet, private room where no one will hear you. Then, close your eyes and focus on a part of the body that feels uncomfortable: the lower back or neck, perhaps, or maybe a heavy heart or other emotional unease. Breathe in slowly. Exhale in an audible sigh, letting the sound come from the place of
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discomfort. Expressed sounds will be unique to each individual. Allow the sounds to build, reach a crescendo and then taper off naturally. “This is a simple, but powerful, technique for expressing tension with sound,” promises Kenyon.
minutes. Follow it up with hydrotherapy—a simple shower will do—to help wash away dead skin and impurities. A further detoxing option is to follow up with a hot bath containing two cups of Epsom salts and 20 drops of tea tree oil.
Brush it Out “The skin is the largest organ in the body, and the better it functions as a toxin releaser, the less work the liver and kidneys have to do,” explains Tom Sherman, a bodyworker who teaches at the Acupressure Institute. He suggests daily dry-brushing, a low-tech way to stimulate lymph nodes, open pores, release toxins and exfoliate the skin. Any natural fiber bristle brush with a long handle will do, though Sherman prefers the Yerba Buena palm bristle brush. He also likes the Vital Chi SkinBrushing system developed by Bruce Berkowsky (NaturalHealthScience. com). Dry-brushing is a popular spa treatment with European roots. For basic skin-brushing, remove clothing and gently, but vigorously, rub the dry brush over every part of the body, using circular motions. The basic rule of thumb is to brush toward the heart and in the direction of blood flow. So, starting with the feet, brush in circles up the calves, thighs and buttocks, before moving to the hands and up the arms to the shoulders. Brush down on the neck, but up on the back. Finally, move to the chest and abdomen, brushing counter-clockwise. The whole process should take about 10
Recharge
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After you have de-stressed, refreshed and released, it may be time to ramp up your energy. These final steps are geared to recharge your emotional and physical batteries. Stay in Touch Physical touch in any form stimulates the body, and while massage is typically used to relax and release, it can also revitalize. A recent National Institutes of Health study showed that massage had a positive effect on cancer-related fatigue in patients who were undergoing treatments that drained them of energy. “During an invigorating massage, the therapist uses faster paced, gliding, strokes, rather than slow, sustained, pressure,” explains Kristen Sykora, a licensed massage therapist and spokesperson for the American Massage Therapy Association. In-between visits (locate a local practitioner at Finda MassageTherapist.org), there’s plenty you can do on your own. “Physiologically, when you massage yourself—even when you rub lotion on your skin—you’re asking the blood vessels to open up and bring in blood, nutrients and oxygen into that area,” Sykora says. She suggests
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a simple tapping technique, called tapotement, for re-energizing any area of the body that feels fatigued, such as quadraceps or derrière. To work on quads, sit comfortably, so the muscles are relaxed, make a soft fist and tap gently all over the muscle for one to two minutes. Use either the pinky end of the fist or the underside, where the fingers are curled. Walk A simple way to get moving, walking raises heart rate and breathing capacity, increases circulation of blood and nutrients to all systems of the body and, as new research from the University of Pittsburgh shows, improves memory. It’s a relatively low-impact, safe, form of
exercise that also gets you outdoors, which has its own balancing benefits. Beginners can try for 10 minutes a day at a slow, comfortable pace, while more experienced walkers may shoot for 30 minutes a day at a faster, more invigorating pace. Try Something New Sticking to the safe, familiar and tried-andtrue may seem like an energy-conservation measure, but upsetting your routine and trying new things can re-cultivate a passion for life. And passion, says Marks, helps provide life with meaning and purpose. “It’s important to find pleasures outside of work, even if you do love your job,” she counsels. What will you do? Something you’ve always wanted to do, or used to do and have always wanted to get back to. Or, something you never thought you could do, or think you’re too old to do. Natural Awakenings’ monthly Calendar of Events is a perfect place to start. Take a cooking or art class (local community colleges are great, too) or join a dining or green drinks or birdwatching group (Meetup.com facilitates local gatherings). Learn a new sport (tennis, paddleboarding, salsa dance) or a musical instrument (ukulele, an easy instrument to pick up, is making a comeback). Join a community gardening, handcrafting or reading circle, which are all part of the growing make-it-yourself movement. The list is endless... Frances Lefkowitz’s new book, To Have Not, has been named one of five Best Memoirs of 2010 by SheKnows.com. Connect at FrancesLefkowitz.net.
5 Tallahassee Mini-Retreat Ideas by Elizabeth Barbour
“I
n the relentless busyness of modern life, we have lost the rhythm between work and rest.” writes Wayne Muller in his best selling book Sabbath. “Because we do not rest, we lose our way…Poisoned by this hypnotic belief that good things come only through unceasing determination and tireless effort, we can never truly rest. And for want of rest, our lives are in danger.” Just as the seasons have cycles, so, too, should our days and our lives. Spring is for growth, summer for abundance, fall for letting go and winter is for introspection and rest. Imagine if Mother Nature decided to skip winter one year? It would be terrible and cause a serious imbalance in nature! And yet that’s what we do when we fail to rest – we create chaos and confusion in our own lives. The benefits of rest are enormous: better health, increased mental clarity, renewed perspective, abundant creativity, a happy body and spirit! A great way to claim rest, relaxation and renewal in your life is to plan a retreat – a short getaway from your every day life that will help you relax and recharge. Here are some ideas for rest, renewal and retreat in Tallahassee: 1. Spend a few hours at Maclay Gardens – take a journal, a picnic lunch and nap under a tree. 2. Visit Lichgate Cottage on High St. – walk the labyrinth, enjoy the gardens and hug the magical grandfather Lichgate Oak tree. 3. Drive down to St. Marks or Wakulla Springs or St. George Island – spend an afternoon in nature and watch the stress melt away. 4. Hike the dozens of trails in Tallahassee city parks - Miccosukee Greenway, Forest Meadows and Tom Brown Park are popular spots. 5. Check out www.solituderetreats.com with Geralyn Russell and Elizabeth Barbour – Sign up for their free weekly inspirations or attend a teleclass, a one-day retreat or a weekend getaway. Elizabeth Barbour, M.Ed. is a Tallahassee based speaker, coach and retreat leader. Learn more at www.elizabethbarbour.com or www.solituderetreats. com .
“Spiritual Partnership” FLOORING CENTER
a Playshop facilitated by Licia and Peter Berry
Feb. 18 and 19, 2011 Tallahassee
Michelle Roberts (850) 599-2546 1516-B Capital Circle SE
(850) 877-6600
for more info www.liciaberry.com/Events.htm Specialty Commissioned Collages
For examples more information: You stand on it. We standandbehind it!!
www.LiciaBerry.com
natural awakenings
850-661-9370
February 2011
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consciouseating
Happiness Is…
CHOCOLATE Dark and Delicious, it’s Blissfully Healthy by Gabriel Constans
D
id you know that more than half of U.S. adults prefer chocolate to other flavors and spend $55 per person per year to indulge their hankering? That’s a lot of chocolate— some 3.3 billion pounds annually, or about 12 pounds per chocoholic. The International Cocoa Organization further estimates that by 2015, U.S. chocolate sales will top $19 billion. Yet, Europeans still enjoy the majority of chocolate per capita. Switzerland leads the trend, with its citizens each forking over the equivalent of U.S. $206 a year for the treat. Worldwide, 21stcentury chocolate consumption continues to climb year after year; cocoa seems to be a recession-free commodity. That’s good news for Indonesia and the West African nations that produce 70 percent of Earth’s cocoa beans. It’s widely known that dark chocolate, in particular, is good for our emotional and physical health. The only debate that remains is what quantity is the most advantageous to include in our daily or weekly diet.
Why Chocolate Appeals Eating dark chocolate makes people happy, researchers have learned, because it contains phenylethylamine, the same nurturing hormone triggered by the brain when we fall in love. It’s 22
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no wonder that Madame du Barry and Giacomo Casanova both believed that chocolate was an aphrodisiac. Further, according to the California Academy of Sciences, the theobromine in chocolate acts as a myocardial stimulant, dilator of coronary arteries and smooth muscle relaxant, all inducing good feelings. Researchers at the Harvard Medical School and Boston University School of Medicine recently reported in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that subjects who consistently consumed dark chocolate showed a 40 percent lower risk of myocardial infarction and stroke than those who did not. A study published in the European Heart Journal that tracked almost 20,000 people for 10 years found that people who ate about 7 grams of dark chocolate per day had lower blood pressure and 39 percent less risk of experiencing a stroke or heart attack, compared to those who ate an average of 1.7 grams daily. Scientists have learned that cocoa powder and chocolate contain rich sources of polyphenol antioxidants, the same beneficial compounds found in red wine and many fruits and vegetables that help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Professor Frank Ruschitzka, head of cardiology at University Hospital, in Zurich, www.natallahassee.com
Switzerland, comments: “Basic science has demonstrated quite convincingly that dark chocolate, particularly with a cocoa content of at least 70 percent, reduces oxidative stress and improves vascular and platelet [appropriate blood clotting] function.” Chocolate lovers also will be glad to know that dark chocolate contains more antioxidants per 3.5 ounces than prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, plums, oranges, red grapes, red bell peppers, cherries, onions, corn or eggplant. Gabriel Constans, Ph.D., is a counselor, journalist and author of a dozen books, including Luscious Chocolate Smoothies: An Irresistible Collection of Healthy Cocoa Delights and Great American Smoothies. For more information, visit GoGabriel.com.
A Bite of History Xocolatl was the Aztecs’ word for chocolate, which they called “bitter water” and considered a gift from the gods. Cultivated for 1,000 years, the cacao tree is prolific once it reaches maturity, producing cocoa pods every six months for about 20 years. The beans must be fermented before they begin to taste like the chocolate we know and love. Cocoa was first introduced to Europe when explorer Hernán Cortés brought the beans from Mexico to Spain in the early 1500s. The Spaniards kept their discovery a secret for almost a century, until it was smuggled by monks into France. By the 1650s, cocoa had crossed the channel to England and the North American colonies of the English and Dutch; 1831 heralded the invention of the first chocolate bar in the United States.
Chocolate Smoothies for Valentines
The Sweetie
2 cups orange juice 1 banana ½ cup raspberries ½ cup blueberries ½ cup guava slices ½ cup mango slices 1 Tbsp cocoa powder 1. Place all the fruit and cocoa in a blender and mix on high for one minute. 2. Pour into clear glass and serve. Yields: 4 cups
The Latin Lover
6 oz melted bittersweet dark chocolate 2 cups milk – dairy or non-dairy (soy, rice, nut, coconut or grain) 2 bananas ½ Tbsp flax seed oil 1 tsp cinnamon powder 1. Place ingredients in a blender and mix on medium for one minute. 2. Pour into tall cups and serve. Yields: 5 cups
Want a More Natural Approach? The Velvet Orchid
2 cups chocolate low-fat milk – dairy or non-dairy (soy, rice, nut, coconut or grain) ½ banana, in chunks 1 12-oz package of soft silken tofu 1 cup frozen mango slices 2 oz semisweet chocolate, melted 1. Place all ingredients in a blender and mix on high for two minutes. 2. Pour contents into tall glasses and serve. Yields: 4 cups
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2 cups plain low-fat dairy or non-dairy milk (soy, rice, nut, coconut or grain) ¾ cup vanilla ice cream (dairy or non-dairy) 1 ½ cup chopped walnuts 1 cup canned pineapple chunks, drained 6 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted 2 Tbsp brandy 1. Place all ingredients, except brandy, in a blender and mix on high for about two minutes; add brandy and blend for 10 seconds more. 2. Pour into tumblers or widemouthed glasses.
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February 2011
23
healingways Benson’s Mind-Body Institute and other studies shows that meditation can turn a natural stress response into a natural relaxation response. Instead of the body becoming flooded with chemicals that prepare us to fight or take flight or freeze, meditation releases a flood of calming neurotransmitters and hormones that soothe the system and stimulate immune functions. Meditating helps to bring the body back into balance. According to multiple studies cited in Daniel Goleman’s The Meditative Mind: The Varieties of Meditative Experience, people who regularly meditate experience lower incidences of high blood pressure and heart disease than those who do not. Richard Davidson’s recent studies at the University of Wisconsin demonstrate that regular meditation decreases brain markers for depression, while increasing brain activity that marks states of peace and joy.
MEDITATION MADE EASY Try these simple tips to achieve better health, more happiness and peace of mind. by Sally Kempton
“F
or 20 years, I’ve meditated before stressful meetings, when I’m slammed by deadlines and during all kinds of domestic crises,” reports one successful lawyer. “In the middle of a tough day or any time I feel like I’m about to lose it, I’ve learned that if I close my eyes for two minutes and find that inner place of calm, it will give me the strength to deal with just about anything.” A string of clinical studies since the 1970s supports meditators’ claims that the activity works to counteract the negative effects of both acute and chronic stress. Research from Herbert
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www.natallahassee.com
Constancy is Key The key to such healthful effects is regularity. Conducted occasionally, meditating can give us a temporary emotional lift, but the real benefit comes when we do it every day. Then we learn to tune into the inner state that is the source of meditation’s power to heal the body, calm the emotions and stabilize the mind. Meditators often describe feeling states of increased focus and clarity, a sense of connection and empathy with others and above all, the sense of core inner strength that accompanies them through life, even in crises. But in order to be willing to make
meditation a daily priority, we need to find a way to enjoy it. Otherwise, chances are we won’t stick with it. Meditation for the Love of It shares several core strategies for reaping pleasure from our practice. The first consideration is physical comfort when sitting to meditate. As long as the spine is straight and the chest open, comfort trumps form. Secondly, it helps to approach meditation as an experiment; one we conduct in the laboratory of our inner self. The third basic principle is to find a core practice that feels good to us and that we can relax into. Choose one that focuses and draws attention and energy into the peaceful fullness of a deeply meditative state.
Three Classic Approaches Tuning into the Breath – After assuming an upright posture, sense the flow of breath in and out through the nostrils—cool on inhaling and warm on exhaling. The key is to tune into the sensation of how the breath feels, which also engenders a natural sense of well-being.
Meditation in the Heart – Let the breath flow into the center of the chest, as if it were flowing through the chest wall. As it touches the center of the chest, imagine a soft glow in the heart, like an inner sun. With each inhalation, feel the sun glow. With each exhalation, spread it throughout the inner body. (Note: To find the heart center,
place the right palm over the center of the chest and focus attention on the very center of the body, behind the breastbone). Mindfulness – Beginning with the crown of the head, move attention through the body, focusing next on the forehead, followed by the cheeks, ears, mouth, neck, shoulders, front and back of the chest, stomach, lower back, hips, pelvic area, thighs, knees, calves and ankles. Continue on. As straying thoughts arise, notice them, note them as “thinking,” and return to the practice. To realize a daily practice, begin by sitting for five minutes at the beginning or end of the day. Each day, increase the time spent sitting by one minute, until reaching 20 minutes. Benefits accrue when we practice daily and make it a priority. Sally Kempton is a master teacher of meditation. Her new book, Meditation for the Love of It, includes 20 practices to optimize meditation. A teachers’ teacher, her students include leading teachers of yoga and meditation around the world. Visit SallyKempton.com.
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natural awakenings
February 2011
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COMING IN MARCH
greenliving
GREEN DRINKS special edition
NATURAL FOODS Why eat local, go organic, grow your own or join a community food co-op? Learn more in Natural Awakenings’ March issue.
For more information about advertising and how you can participate, call
850-270-6762 26
Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast
Cheers to Making Eco-Conscious Connections by Judith Fertig
W
hether attendees at a typical Green Drinks gathering choose to sip a fine wine or organic lemonade, the emphasis is on socializing and networking for a “greener” world, one community at a time. Founded by friends Edwin Datschefski and Paul Scott at a London pub in 1989, Green Drinks currently includes more than 700 chapters worldwide. The first and largest North American group, Green Drinks New York City, was launched by Margaret Lydecker in 2002 and currently counts 14,000 members. After moving to the Big Apple, “I was having a hard time finding a community of like-minded people,” confesses Lydecker, a sustainability advisor who helps companies find greener options in the way they source products and services. She adds, “When you have an active dialogue with other www.natallahassee.com
environmentally conscious people in business or government, you begin to find answers and solutions.” Typically, groups around the country partner with a community sports bar, restaurant, or other food and drink establishment to host a Green Drinks event in a private room. The word goes out via email, Facebook, phone calls or postcards, and people come to meet other environmentally conscious people. Although these soirées sometimes include short talks by sustainability experts, they’re essentially casual. Yet in this setting, attendees can make connections that benefit the environment, businesses, the community—and themselves. John O’Neill reports that at one recent Green Drinks social hour in Port St. Lucie, Florida, the owner of a local environmental service business struck up a conversation with a restaurant owner. “The business agreed to take the
leftover grease from the restaurant and use it on their farm,” reports O’Neill. “That’s exactly the kind of thing we want to see happen.” Jim Horlacher, the founder of Kansas City’s Green Drinks, admits, “I primarily do Green Drinks because I like it.” Although the relationship-building is definitely there, he adds, “It’s hard for me to quantify.” Horlacher is a financial planner for First Affirmative Financial Network, a group that helps individual investors put their money where their socially and environmentally responsible values are. “People get to know me at Green Drinks events as someone who walks the walk and talks the talk,” he says. Although Green Drinks’ environmental mission is deliberately simple—attend, engage, connect— some groups take it further. The Seattle Green Drinks chapter also offers a host of more narrowly targeted member groups, including those who want to hear speakers on innovation in sustainability, support Native Americans or conserve wildlife. GreenDrinks-Denver.com offers an It’s Your Business listing on its Web pages for green businesses and products, building public awareness for greener options, including tips for cleanup and recycling during and after public events. Likewise, Green Drinks of Victoria, British Columbia, has a work and career forum that continues to encourage the forging of the links that people make at face-to-face gatherings. Says Seattle Drinks founder Gabriel Scheer, “I’m immensely proud of how the organization has taken a central role in growing our local environmental community.” A founding partner in ReVision Labs, which helps business and organizations incorporate social media and community organizing into their business models, Scheer concludes, “Green Drinks events are helping each community see itself.” For more information visit GreenDrinks. org. Judith Fertig is a freelance writer in Overland Park, KS; see AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com.
A Toast to GREEN DRINKS What happens at a Green Drinks gathering? Attendees like these attest to the power of networking in support of a common goal—and to some surprising outcomes.
“One guy found his girlfriend, his job and his roommate at Green Drinks. I love that.” Margaret Lydecker, founder, New York City chapter
“I think the strangest thing about Green Drinks is that the goals are vague and the benefits hard to quantify— but they are undoubtedly there.” Edwin Datschefski, international coordinator, Green Drinks, London, England
“I came away with seven business cards, five new Facebook friends and information about green building, green certifications and some really cool new green products.” Maria Booker, Tampa.CreativeLoafing.com blogger, Green Drinks event, Tampa
“All sorts of things happen. People find jobs. We’ve had one wedding. A lot of our advertisers and sponsors report increased business dealings.” Gabriel Scheer, founder, Seattle Greendrinks
“I run an environmentally friendly printing company and found more clients through networking at one Green Drinks event than I did in the previous nine years. My business grew so much so that I was able to relocate my operations to a larger facility to accommodate all the work. It is truly extraordinary!” Greg Barber, Green Drinks attendee, New York City
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February 2011
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naturalpet
PURRING FOR PROTEIN Why Canned Food is Best for Cat Health by Dr. Lisa Pierson
Just as with humans, diet comprises the bricks and mortar of health for our pets. Unfortunately, as we have strayed from a healthy diet, so have the feline friends that are dependent upon us for their food.
plant (grain or vegetable) protein and too low in animal protein; 2) the water content is far too low, at just 5 to 10 percent; and 3) its carbohydrate load is too high, as much as 50 percent. This is not what is needed to support a healthy animal.
Protein Puzzle
O
ften ignored principles of proper feline nutrition explain why cats have a better chance at optimal health if they are fed canned food instead of dry nuggets or kibble. Putting a little thought into what we feed our cats can pay big dividends over their lifetime and likely help them avoid experiencing serious, painful and costly illnesses. To begin, it is vital to understand that cats are obligate (strict) carnivores, and are very different from dogs in their nutritional requirements. Cats are designed to have their nutritional needs met by 28
Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast
the consumption of a large amount of animal proteins (meat/organs), instead of those found in plants (grains/vegetables). Plant proteins are less complete than meat proteins. A wild cat’s diet typically consists of rodents, birds, rabbits, lizards and insects. Such natural feline prey are high in animal protein, high in water content (about 70 percent) and low in carbohydrates (less than 5 percent). Most canned foods are of similar proportions. Now, consider three key negative issues associated with dry cat food: 1) as a protein source, it’s too high in www.natallahassee.com
Humans and dogs can take the amino acids provided in plant proteins and, from those, produce any missing amino acids normally provided by animal proteins. Cats cannot do this, and so cannot live on a vegetarian diet. That is why the protein in dry cat food, which is often heavily grainbased, is not equal in quality to the protein in canned cat food, which is meat-based. The protein in dry food, therefore, earns a lower score in terms of biological value. Many pet food companies use grain proteins, such as corn, wheat, soy and rice, which are cheaper ingredients than meat proteins, because this practice contributes to a higher profit margin.
Water for Life Water, too, is vital to life and it also plays a critical role in the health of a cat’s urinary tract. Cats, by nature, have
an extraordinarily low thirst drive and are designed to obtain water as part of their food. People who feed their cat dry food think that the animal is consuming enough water, because they see it drinking from a water bowl, but cats do not make up their water deficit this way. We can think of wet food, packaged in cans or pouches, which is a minimum of 75 percent water (approximating that of a cat’s normal prey), as working to flush out the cat’s internal plumbing several times each day, because such a water-rich diet produces much more urine than a water-depleted dry diet. The fact that urinary tract problems are common in cats, and often life-threatening, underscores the importance of keeping water flowing through the kidneys and bladder, which is critical to the health of this organ system.
Carb Load The high carbohydrate load of dry cat food wreaks havoc on the blood sugar balance of many cats because they lack the necessary enzyme systems to efficiently process carbohydrates. This comes as no surprise, given a cat’s strict carnivore status. While some cats are able to handle elevations in blood sugar levels, many are not, and this can contribute to the development of diabetes. In the 20th century, dry kitten and cat food attracted a huge following due to its convenience and affordability, but informed and caring owners now realize that wet cat food is a far more healthy choice. Veterinarians and enlightened consumers understand that a core principle of nutrition is: pay more for good food now or pay the doctor later. This principle applies to our pets, as well as to us. Finally, no discussion of dry versus canned food would be complete without addressing the myth that dry food is good for a cat’s teeth. In fact, this old tale has no basis in reality. Lisa Pierson is a doctor of veterinary medicine based in Lomita, CA. For more information on how to make the switch to a healthier diet, see the “Transitioning Dry Food Addicts to Canned Food” at CatInfo.org.
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February 2011
29
The Other M oth e r What Nature Can Teach Our Children by Meghan Mick
E
ducation was once considered the development of the whole person – mind, body and spirit. Now with the shift towards standardized tests and away from the arts, our children are experiencing an American public education system that is unbalanced, and one that some argue actually stifles creativity. As parents, we try to fill in the blanks, sending our children to piano lessons, saving up to send them to private schools, or even choosing to educate them at home. There is so much to teach them in order to encourage their development into well-rounded individuals. Within the typical catalog of educational opportunities, Nature is a source of learning that is often overlooked. Allowing our children free time outdoors can encourage creativity, improve concentration, exercise motor skills, improve social skills and impart a sense of wonder and respite in an over-stimulating world.
NATURE ON THE PLAYGROUND
Although any type of outdoor play setting promotes physical activity and provides fresh air, studies have found that the green areas of playgrounds, as opposed to standardized equipment, encourage more creative play. Manufactured equipment is great for attaining motor skills, an essential part of early childhood development. But the incorporation of more natural elements takes the playground a step further by encouraging imaginative play, building and exploration.
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Nature is something that we all share; the opportunities to connect with and enjoy it are not limited by age, income or ability. It has been cited that when playing on standardized equipment, the social hierarchy of children is typically based on physical competence and ability. But when imaginative play in a more natural setting is incorporated, that hierarchy is based more on language and creativity. This fact makes the incorporation of natural elements into our playgrounds even more important. All children need to feel both safe and challenged in order to make the playground a truly “boundless� and integrated environment.
NATURE AND SOCIAL SKILLS
Another benefit of play in nature is social development. In natural areas, children often have to work together to answer questions or complete physical challenges. They exercise their language and social skills by creating their own games where they must communicate rules and procedures. And they must work together (while sharpening their motor skills and spatial awareness) by climbing along fallen trees or making their way across rocky creeks.
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CALMING NATURE
True enjoyment of the outdoors requires observation and restraint, a wonderful alternative to the instant gratification of the high tech environment in which our children are now growing up. Tending to a garden through the four seasons or raising a caterpillar into a butterfly are tasks that require both patience and dedication. Most of us have probably felt the sense of respite that nature can bring when we work in our own gardens or take a walk in the woods. These connections to the natural world are not just heralded by poets; they have a physical effect on us. Research has shown that sick people heal faster when given views of nature, and being outside even reduces the physical symptoms of children with ADHD.
FAMILIES IN NATURE
Parents can encourage a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world by spending time with their children outdoors. No large, elaborate park setting is required. Simply spend time watching a flowerbed on a spring day or dig a small hole in the grass and see what you find. You can also come together with other families to enjoy nature. Family Nature Clubs are a way to experience the outdoors while encouraging community. Larger groups also provide an element of safety or familiarity that parents often appreciate. Red Dirt Discoveries is a local Family Nature Club that was started last Fall to explore and experience the diverse and amazing natural spaces that we have in our area. Please join us on our next outing, or start a Club of your own. Regardless of how you do it, just make the effort and encourage your kids to grow outside!
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For more information on Red Dirt Discoveries and other opportunities to get your children outdoors, please check out the websites below. www.reddirtdiscoveries.org www.childrenandnature.org www.getoutdoorsflorida.org Meghan Mick, LEED AP, is the owner of the design company From the Ground Up and co-founder of Red Dirt Discoveries family nature club in Tallahassee, FL.
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February 2011
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inspiration
Achieve
EMOTIONAL Am I Still A Gemini?
FREEDOM
by Beverly Lavender The report of a 13th zodiac sign based on a constellation, Ophiuchus, caught a great deal of attention last month. In actuality, there are more constellations than you can shake a stick at, many more than 13. However, Western Astrology is based on seasons, solstices and equinoxes, not constellations. It is based on star signs, whose reference points are the tropics that form a ring around the earth. The zodiac we use is from the relationship of our planet to the sun, again not constellations. So yes, your sun sign remains the same. Astrology is a study of mathematical cycles, patterns, geometry, angles, etc. It is a little bit like a weather report. It gives us information of energies present and those on the horizon. Just as Earth is an entire system so is the universe and it is all connected. Gemini or not, you are a spiritual being who was born on the planet at the exact place and moment that resonated with your particular vibration, purpose and frequency signature. Astrology is a tool useful in navigating “Earth University” but it is your free will, heart flame and voice of integrity that defines you. Beverly Lavender is available for private sessions and will be offering astrology classes beginning February 3rd and for six Thursday evenings in February and March. For more information contact Beverly at 850-321-4901 or http:// LavenderMoon.wordpress.com. 32
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Dr. Judith Orloff Shows You How in Her New Book by Karen Adams
W
hat if we all had the power to change our world, both now and in the future, simply by understanding and embracing our emotions? According to Dr. Judith Orloff, psychiatrist and author of the new Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life, we do. “Emotional freedom is being able to increase your ability to love, both yourself and others, by cultivating positive emotions and by compassionately witnessing and transforming negative ones,” says Orloff. It’s about learning how to approach life from a heart-centered place, instead of simply reacting when our buttons are pushed. This loving disposition includes all situations in life, the challenging ones as well as the good ones. “I believe that the point of being alive is to develop our souls,” Orloff says. “I want to blend all aspects—the spiritual, psychological and biological.” www.natallahassee.com
Her holistic approach helps us to use everything that happens to us as material for personal growth. It helps us learn how to work with what she terms, “the energies of emotions”—to master them, instead of allowing them to master us. The first step toward achieving Orloff’s vision of individual emotional freedom is understanding that each person has a natural emotional type to which we retreat under duress. In her book, she counts four basic types, each with its own specific strengths and weaknesses: The Intellectual, who can think his or her way through life, but would benefit from feeling and playing more. The Empath, who is sensitive and compassionate, but can be overwhelmed by others and must set protective boundaries. The Gusher, whose emotions are “out there,” and tends to share everything, but must learn restraint to keep from exhausting others.
The Rock, who is always there for others, but may appear detached, due to disconnection from his or her own inner feelings. Orloff observes that modern life has created an epidemic of what she calls, “emotional vampires,” consumed with their own psychological needs; it’s essential to be able to identify them and respond in healthy ways. She explains that when we’re with someone and our energy level plummets or we feel put down or even ill, these are strong clues that we’re in the presence of an emotional vampire. Here are six main types she discusses in Emotional Freedom: n The Victim has a “poor me” attitude and thinks solutions don’t exist. n The Criticizer puts others down with cutting comments. n The Narcissist needs lots of attention, but has no empathy for others. n The Drama Queen or King loves to create big scenes. n The Controller always tells others what to do. n The Splitter sees everyone as angels or devils, and destroys relationships by
Wednesday March 9, 2011; 8-9:30 p.m. Book Talk & Signing Emotional Freedom Book Tour Miami, FL (Coral Gables store) Books and Books Bookshop 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, FL Contact: BooksAndBooks.com or 305-448-9599
Thursday, March 10, 2011; 7:30-9 p.m. Book Talk & Signing Emotional Freedom Book Tour Atlanta, GA Borders Books (Buckhead store) 3637 Peachtree Rd., NE Atlanta, GA 30319 Contact: Borders.com or 404-237-0707
coverartist
turning people against each other. Her advice? “Emotional vampires get their energy from upsetting you. So, if you’re calm and nonreactive, they’re not going to be interested in you.” Orloff firmly believes that inner peace is the foundation of emotional freedom, and comes from connecting with the spiritual. Once established, an awareness of our innate worth, our own divinity, becomes a lifelong source of refuge and regeneration. That connection constantly reminds us that we are loved. Wherever we are in our journey to emotional freedom, Orloff concludes, one lesson is essential: “Trust that emotions are teachers for your own awakening.” Judith Orloff, M.D., is the author of Emotional Freedom and an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles. For details on her national book tour, visit DrJudithOrloff.com. Karen Adams is a Natural Awakenings editor and freelance writer.
Saturday, March 12, 2011; 1-4 p.m. Workshop & Book Signing Emotional Freedom Book Tour Atlanta, GA Achieving Emotional Freedom Unity Church of Atlanta 4255 Sandy Plains Rd. Marietta, GA 30066 Contact: UnityNorth.org or 678-819-9118
Paisley Hearts by Michael Wertz Michael Wertz says he has always found the act of melding the art of illustration and commerce exciting. “I love to direct that passion into crafting an emotive experience that words cannot,” explains the Oakland, California-based illustrator. “For me, it means I’ve created an image that distills a moment of clarity.” Wertz’s bold, energetic visions leap from his imagination through the pencil he always uses to begin an illustration, and finish as digital collage, monoprints or screen prints. He has been creating images for publishers, designers, advertising agencies and musicians since 1995, when he graduated from California College of the Arts, in Oakland. The artist’s colorful imagery, commissioned by dozens of national clients, has been featured in Communication Arts and American Illustration and recognized by the Society of Illustrators. Today, Wertz runs a printmaking shop called Inky Oxnard, in West Oakland, and lives nearby, as a “… friend to the four-pawed and a lover of all things brightly colored, including love.” View the artist’s portfolio at Wertzateria. com.
natural awakenings
February 2011
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Tuesday, February 1
Law of Attraction & Relationships. 7:45 pm–9 pm. FREE! Throughout 2011 the monthly Law of Attraction classes will focus on using law of attraction skills to create the quality of relationships you want. This will include your internal relationship with spirit and your own unique internal relationships with your sub-personalities, and how these internal relationships within your self show up in your external relationships. New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www.newleafmarket.coop. Reiki- 10:30 am – Noon. Reiki is a way of working with the Universal Life Energy to enhance our own natural healing ability. Join Susie Howell, Usui Reiki Master and Practitioner of 21 years, and her friends. Tallahassee Senior Center Health Suite, 1400 N. Monroe St., 850-891-4000.
Wednesday, February 2 Jung and Gnosticism. 7:45-9:00 pm. FREE! The heart of Gnosticism is the pursuit of the Divine via the quest for knowledge/enlightenment gained through the experience of life. The heart of Jungian thought is the ego’s alignment with Self via the same quest. Although Jung never admitted to being a gnostic, it is clear from his writings that he shared many of the Gnostic’s understandings and insights. In this talk we will explore some of these useful perspectives with particular interest given to Jung’s recently released Red Book. New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www.newleafmarket.coop
Toltec wisdom tradition to the next step. Many people have been awakened to new possibilities of living with greater clarity and integrity through integrating the teachings of The Four Agreements into their daily activities. Now is an opportunity to go even further toward self-mastery. Rev. Bill Williams will facilitate the book study. Everyone is welcome with or without prior experience in the teachings of Don Miguel. Unity of Tallahassee, 2850 Unity Lane, Tallahassee.
Home at Thomasville On Stage & Company Theater, February 11-13, 2011 - - A coming of age story of a young black man from rural South Carolina performed by the Thomasville On Stage & Company community theater group - 117 S. Broad St. – Contact: 229-226-0863, www.tosac.com.
Saturday February 12
John James Audubon: American Artist and Naturalist. (February 4 – May 2, 2011). More than 70 pieces of beautiful art including those done when Audubon traveled in Florida. From the collection of John James Audubon Museum, Henderson, Kentucky and traveled by the Art Services 2000 Ltd. Museum of Florida History, R. A. Gray Bldg, 500 S. Bronough St., downtown Tallahassee, 850-245-6400.
Woodland Gardening & Wild Edible of the Month. 9:00-10:45 am. FREE! Ever wanted to create a garden that looked like the ones in the magazines, but wanted it to be totally edible? If so, please bring a friend and join Backyard Farm for a discussion on woodland gardening. Woodland gardens are surprisingly easy to establish, and once you’ve got them up and running, they often take care of themselves. As most of your plants will be perennials, you’ll be enjoying the “fruits” of your labor in all seasons, year after year. Farmer Pam will also present the wild edible of the month. www. newleafmarket.coop.
Saturday, February 5 Junior Service League’s Annual Bargain Bazaar – 8am– 12 pm, Thomasville Fairgrounds, 2057 GA Hwy 122 (Pavo Rd.), Contact: JSL, 229-226-0390, www.jslthomasville.com.
Monday, February 7 Vegetables from the Sea. 7:45-9:00 pm. FREE! Jill Welch, whole foods educator, will demystify sea vegetables. No matter what your health goals may be, sea vegetables can play a significant role in improving your wellbeing. Sea vegetables add valuable trace minerals to your diet and can detoxify heavy metals from your body. Jill will explain the various types of sea vegetables and prepare some delectable samples. New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www.newleafmarket.coop.
Tuesday, February 8
Backyard Beekeeping in the Big Bend. 7:45-9:00 pm. FREE! This seminar, presented by Master Beekeeper David Hall, will cover a broad overview of beekeeping and local beekeeping resources available in the Big Bend area for the hobby beekeeper. It will also cover: Why beekeeping is important. How you can benefit from getting into beekeeping. Overview of how one can get involved with beekeeping. Q&A. Free honey sampling. New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www.newleafmarket.coop.
Have Fun with Dog Training. 7:45-9:00 pm. FREE! Jean Hewitt, certified dog trainer, will address how to solve common dog training problems. She will show how to teach your dog with fun, positive, and natural training methods. Thinking of getting a dog? Jean will tell you some quick and easy tips that will help you choose the right dog for your lifestyle. Bring your questions about dogs and training to the seminar. New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www.newleafmarket.coop.
The Fifth Agreement, a practical guide to selfmastery, will be offered as a book study at Unity of Tallahassee beginning Thursday February 3 at 7:00 p.m. Don Miguel Ruiz and his son and apprentice, Don Jose Ruiz have just published a follow up to The Four Agreements, taking the teachings in the
Friday, February 11
Friday, February 4
Thursday, February 3
Pulse Oximetry Screenings. 10 am – Noon. A no-cost non-invasive screening that measures the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream. Offered by Hopewell/Desloge Home Oxygen. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.
Theology and Jungian philosophy, which can be very useful in personal growth and daily living. New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www.newleafmarket.coop.
Wednesday, February 9 Hearing Screenings - 10:00 am– Noon, Hearing & Balance Associates of NW Florida. Tallahassee Senior Center Health Suite, 1400 N. Monroe St. 850-891-4000. Jung and the Teachings of the Historic Jesus. 7:45-9:00 pm. FREE! This talk will center on the Gospel of Thomas, which contains 114 individual statements often attributed to the historic Jesus. The perspectives of this text reflect both Gnostic
Restorative Yoga. 2:30-4:00 pm. FREE! Limit 8, Registration required. Restorative Yoga offers a way for you—no matter what your physical ability—to experience postures that gently open the body and release long-held tensions. During class you are carefully guided into postures, fully supported with props, in a way to create the physiological conditions that promote deep relaxation. Instructor: Charlene Cappellini, certified Relax and Renew® trainer, Yoga Alliance certification, Kripalu Yoga Center 2004. Namaste Yoga,1369-B Lafayette Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301, 850-942-2557, www. newleafmarket.coop. Fine Wine & Gourmet Food Sampler. 7:00-9:00 pm. $15 per ticket, 21+. Sample a large variety of wine, try some of the deli’s best and newest creations, and support Oak Ridge Elementary School all at once. Tickets are on sale now at New Leaf Market. Each ticket price includes a $5 coupon good for the day of, a wine glass, and great deals. New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www.newleafmarket.coop.
Monday, February 14 Sweet as Honey: A Beekeepers’s Story. 11:00 am –Noon. What’s all the buzz about? Well, here is an opportunity to “bee” part of our sweet Valentine’s Day celebration. We will learn how honey is produced and all about the amazing art of beekeeping with Bob and Cory Livingston, who were named the 2009 Leon County Farm Family of the Year! Their small operation has grown to include fifty hives housing “too many bees to count.” They produce Tupelo and other honeys, including a prize-winning honey that they call ‘Ocheesee Wildflower’ named for the location where the bees gather various nectars that make a honey that is dark and not-too-sweet. So gather round and taste how sweet it is! Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.
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Reiki- 10:30 am – Noon Reiki is a way of working with the Universal Life Energy to enhance our own natural healing ability. Join Susie Howell, Usui Reiki Master and Practitioner of 21 years, and her friends. Tallahassee Senior Center Health Suite, 1400 N. Monroe St., 850-891-4000.
Tuesday, February 15 Make Your Own Sushi. 7:45-8:45 pm. $5 owners, $7 non-owners. Join self-taught sushi expert Barry Courtney, as he shares his enthusiasm for the avocado roll. Students will learn how to make sushi rice and practice rolling sushi. Yes, students can and will sample their creations! New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www. newleafmarket.coop.
Wednesday, February 16 Nutritional Counseling and Assistance - 12:30 – 1:30 pm - All of your questions about weight loss, eating for a healthy lifestyle, and diabetes will be addressed in a small group venue by a professional dietician. Ongoing monthly program. Offered by Leah Gilbert-Henderson, PhD, LD. Donations appreciated. Pre-registration encouraged. Call 891-4042 to schedule. Tallahassee Senior Center Health Suite, 1400 N. Monroe St.
classified PROPERTIES / RETREATS Need a place for retreat/conferences? Full service facility Georgia Mountains. www. Enota.com 706-896-9966, 800-990-8869.
PRODUCTS / SERVICES
Himalayan salt inhalers for sinus and breathing relief. Helps lower inflammation resulting in a healthier you! Call Sherry Simpson PT @ 877-7310.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
CURRENTLY PUBLISHING NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINES - For sale in Austin, TX; Lexington, KY Manhattan, NY; Pensacola, FL; Southwest VA. Call for details 239-530-1377.
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Jung and the First Black Magician. 7:45-9:00 pm. FREE! This talk will center on the complex of the Magician and, in particular, the dark side of this complex, the Black Magician. We find this complex in texts as old as the Book of Job where he is played by “the Satan” (not to be confused with the image or the Christian devil). But, he may have appeared as recently as in a note from your diary from last week. New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www.newleafmarket.coop.
Thursday, February 17 Eat Healthy, Live Longer. 7:45-9:00 pm. FREE! Eating healthy is not the same as eating foods you don’t like. Whole foods chef Sadiqa Williams will show you just how true that is—all you have to do is come to class. Determined to prepare healthy meals, Sadiqa learned to cook family favorite foods without the unhealthy fats, sugars and salt. New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www.newleafmarket.coop. Chris Botti in Concert - 8:00pm - Thomasville Cultural Center, 600 E. Washington St. - Grammy Award winning trumpeter Chris Botti in Concert. Contact: 229-226-7404, www.tefconcerts.com.
Friday, February 18 “Spiritual Partnership” seminar and playshop. Tallahassee couple, Licia and Peter Berry are hosting an event on February 18 and 19th, in which they’ll be sharing wisdom learned during their 25 year love story. Open to couples as well as single attendees interested in learning more about intimate relationships from a spiritual perspective, the event will be held in Tallahassee. A seminar will be held Friday night and the experiential playshop will be held all day on Saturday the 19th. For more info www.LiciaBerry.com/Events.htm or 850-6619370. Home at Thomasville On Stage & Company Theater, February 18-20, 2011 - - A coming of age story of a young black man from rural South Carolina performed by the Thomasville On Stage & Company community theater group - 117 S. Broad St. – Contact: 229-226-0863, www.tosac.com. Randy Waller & the Country Gentlemen in Concert - 7:30 PM, Thomasville Auditorium, 144 E. Jackson St., Tickets: 229-228-7977, 866-577-3600, www.thomasvillega.com.
www.natallahassee.com
Monday, February 21 How I Beat Fibromyalgia. 7:45-9:00 pm. FREE! Patricia Stephens, Certified Nutritional Consultant and author of Reversing Chronic Disease: A Journey Back to Health, will open the seminar with a telling of her personal recovery. She will include information on endocrine imbalance, brain chemical imbalances, clearing the body of toxins, and examples of a healthy diet. Patricia served as a nutritional consultant for 11 years at the Medicine Man in Thomasville, Georgia. For more information, visit www.reversingchronicdisease.com. New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www. newleafmarket.coop.
Wednesday, February 23 Jung and His “Magdalene”. 7:45-9:00 pm. FREE! This talk will be centered on the significance of the Magdalene archetype in Jungian thought. This complex, which is associated with the Hetaira, is somewhat maligned in modern western culture, but is significant to grasp for anyone who is interested in seeking a higher awareness of themselves. New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www.newleafmarket.coop.
Thursday, February 24 Tooth Power and Mouthwash. 7:45-9:00 pm. FREE! Come and learn from Naturopathic Doctor and Master Herbalist Wendy Creel, how to make your own herbal tooth powder and herbal mouthwash. Wendy will be making her famous toothpowder so come and learn the secrets of doing it yourself. She will also have her personal tooth powder for sale for you to try. New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www.newleafmarket.coop.
Friday, February 25 Thomasville Antiques Show & Sale – February 25-27th, 11 AM – 5 PM, Thomasville Fairgrounds, 2057 GA Hwy 122 – The finest small antiques show in the country! Information: www.thomasvilleantiquesshow.com, 229-225-9354.
Saturday, February 26 Healing Afternoon to Clear, Balance, Energize and Manifest with Beverly Lavender, 1 - 3pm, $25, 1421 Duval Street, Call to register 850-321-4901.
ongoing calendar SUNDAY Unity Eastside Services – 9:30am Meditation Service, 11am Celebration Service and Youth Ministry. 8551 Buck Lake Rd. 850-656-1678, www. transformingourworld.org. Unity of Tallahassee Services – 9:30 & 11am Rev. Bill Williams. Dial-a-Thought 850-562-3766. 2850 Unity Lane, 850-562-5744, www.UnityofTallahassee.org. Pagan Picnic and Red Hills Pagan Council Meeting – 11 am on the second Sunday of each month. Our new location is the Divine Union Spiritual Co-op, 641-B McDonnel Drive in Railroad Square. Come meet local Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, Druids and other Earth worshippers. Bring a potluck dish to share, plates and utensils. Come for the picnic and stay for the RHPC monthly meeting at noon. Tallahassee Buddhist Book Discussion/Meditation Group. 1 to 2pm. Meets every 2nd and 4th Sunday in the Barnes N Noble Cafe in the Tallahassee Mall. Please contact Stacey Turknett for more information stayc1977@yahoo.com or 850-656-7066.
MONDAY Conscious Mastery® Guided Meditations at Crystal Connection from 6-7pm. $10.00. These inner journeys provide a way for you to see more of who you are, your natural talents and what is holding you back. Understanding more about who you are, and what you are attracted to, allows you to stand fully in your personal power. Join Astara Summers, as your Conscious Mastery® Facilitator. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a journal, a pen and a mat for the floor. Chairs are provided. (Crystal Connection is located on Apalachee Pkwy). Contact at 850-228-9888 or www.ConsciousMastery.org. Brain-Body-Memory Balance. 1:30-2:30pm. Low impact, seated exercise. Bring water bottle and wear comfortable clothing. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000. Spiritual Growth/Study Group based on the Edgar Cayce readings. 7pm . Join us or let us help you start your own group. Genevieve Blazek - (850) 893-3269. Chan/Zen Group meets at 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. There are two 20-minute periods of seated meditation punctuated by short periods of either walking meditation or mindful Yoga. Each meeting concludes with a short session of question and answers. If you have no meditation experience, please arrive 20 minutes before the meeting for basic meditation instructions. For more information see us at www. tallahasseebuddhistcommunity.org/mondayevening.shtml. Located at the Tallahassee Buddhist Community in Railroad Square -- 647 McDonnell Drive.
TUESDAY Healing Arts Alliance Meeting – 7-8:30pm 2nd Tues each month. Educational meeting open to all interested in healing arts. Email SusieHowell333@ comcast.net to get meeting announcements. www. healingartsalliance.org.
Men in Unity, Meets at 11:45 am on the second Tuesday of each month at Honey-Baked Ham, on Capital Circle near Mahan Drive. Join the Light Family for a weekly Light Circle – 7:00pm. And, plant a Light Tree to bless your home and the Beloved Mother Earth! Call 850/443-3428 for further information. Life Exercise - 9:30–10:30am (also Thurs). Aerobics, light weights, stretching. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St, 850-891-4000. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000. The book “Dialogue with Death.” 5:30-7:30. An Intermediate class, $90 for 8 weeks. Using a book which tells the story of the Katha Upanishad in a contemporary style easily understood by the modern yogi for inspiration. The first 30 minutes of class is a discussion to understand holistically the path of yoga. Please call or email if interested. Drop-ins are not permitted. At the Sanctuary 2824 Par Lane off Blairstone South. www.lakulishyogatallahassee.com, 222-0291 or email joannadevi@earthlink.net. Seated NIA Yoga (Neuromuscular Intergrative Action). 11:00 am-Noon. Taught by Lori Roberts, certified NIA yoga instructor. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000. Blood Pressure Screenings - 10am-12 Noon (also Wed & Thurs). Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St, 850-891-4000. Tallahassee Senior Center. 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.
WEDNESDAY Brain-Body- Memory Balance. 2:00-3:00 pm. Low-impact, seated exercise. Bring water bottle and wear comfortable clothing. Heritage Oaks. 891-4000. Blood Pressure Screenings. 10am-Noon (also Tues & Thurs). Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St, 850-891-4000. Blood Glucose Screenings. 10:00 am - Noon. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St, 891-4000. Wednesdays at the Sanctuary, 6:00-7:00pm. $12 per class. Gentle stretches to open the body and deepen the breath followed up by a short guided relaxation/meditation. A perfect addition to the middle of the week to glide smoothly to the finish! Drop-ins welcome. At the Sanctuary 2824 Par Lane off Blairstone South. www lakulishyogatallahassee.com, 222-0291 or email joannadevi@ earthlink.net. Prayer and meditation with Dr. Patty Ball Thomas, L.U.T. Noon. Unity Eastside, 8551 Buck Lake Road, admin@unity-eastside.org 656-1678. Gentle Yoga with Geralyn Russell. 10:30-11:45 a.m. At Unity Eastside, 8551 Buck Lake Road. For information, please call Geralyn Russell at 8782843 or email her at yogawithgeralyn@yahoo.com Drop-ins are welcome.
Yoga. 5:30-7:00pm. $80 for 8 weeks, drop-ins welcome. In this class we combine postures with inward focus, conscious breathing and meditative awareness to support us in moving from the periphery of our being to the center. As the process unfolds, tension is released, the body relaxes, the mind calms and the Light within begins to burn a little brighter! At the Episcopal Church of the Advent 815 Piedmont Drive. www. lakulishyogatallahassee.com, 2220291 or joannadevi@earthlink.net. Tallahassee Pagan Meetup - Second Thursday of each month at 7 pm. Come meet local Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, Druids and other practitioners of New-Age spirituality and religion! Make friends, share stories and exchange knowledge. For more information check out http://pagan.meetup.com/1296/ or email KrazyPagan@aol.com. Crystal Connection, 1105 Apalachee Parkway.
FRIDAY Wine Tasting - 5:30-7:30pm. FREE. New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www.newleafmarket.coop. Chair Yoga: 11 a.m. – Noon, by Certified Yoga Instructors Bridget Kamke. A gentle yoga workout for increased mobility, bladder control, self-esteem, and mental focus. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000. Intermediate Modern Dance Classes. 6:308:00pm. The classes are ongoing and can be joined at any time. Enjoy moving to beautiful music from all over the world and develop body awareness, flexibility, strength and coordination. The location is Dance Effects Studio, 2900-2 Crescent Drive, off Capital Circle SE. For more information contact Béatrice Corbin at (850) 224-6369 or at beatricecor@gmail.com. Devotional Chanting and Meditation- 7-9 PM on Second Friday of the month. Enrich your spiritual practice! Join Jeffji in singing easy-to-learn chants from eastern and western traditions. Donations will benefit the church. Unity Eastside, 8551 Buck Lake Road, 656-1678. Drumming Circle. 7-9 p.m. on Third Fridays in the Children’s House behind Unity Eastside’s main building. A willing heart, moving hands and a loving participation is all that’s needed. Some percussion instruments may be provided, but it if you have a drum, please bring it. Contact Mike Smith at msmithdrummerboy37@gmail.com for information. Unity Eastside, 8551 Buck Lake Road, www. unity-eastside.org 656-1678.
SATURDAY Yoga. 9:00-10:15am. $80 for 8 weeks. Breathing, warm-ups and postures to begin the weekend anew, fresh, serene and revitalized. At the Santuary 2824 Par Lane off Blairstone South. http:// lakulishyogatallahassee.com, 222-0291 or email joannadevi@ earthlink.net.
Life Exercise. 9:30 –10:30am (also Tues). Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St, 891-4000.
Tallahassee Farmers Market at Market Square. 8am – 5pm. Year-round. rain or shine. Early Birds get the best selection! The oldest farmers market in Tallahassee. Growers and resellers. Organic and conventionally grown. 1415 Timberlane Rd Tallahassee.
Blood Pressure Screenings. 10am-Noon (also Tues & Wed). Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.
Beer Tasting – 4:30-6:30pm. FREE! New Leaf Market, 1235 Apalachee Pkwy, 850-942-2557, www.newleafmarket.coop.
THURSDAY
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Cleaning
Tina’s Cleaning & Organizing Services To find out how to advertise in CRG,
email TallaAdvertising@naturalawakeningsmag.com
to request our media kit.
ART CLASSES
LEARN TO DRAW & PAINT LIKE THE MASTERS www.BruceBates.com Bruce@BruceBates.com 850-459-1539
Enhance your natural talents with professional guidance. Receive one-on-one evaluation and instruction in a relaxed group setting. Learn the fundamental techniques used by the masters. Set your own goals; choose your own subjects; advance at your own pace while having fun. First lesson free. Weekly lessons. Class sizes are limited. Call 850-459-1539 for more information.
ART Therapy
Licia Berry, Integrative Artist www.liciaberry.com licia@liciaberry.com (719) 850-1890
An artist and art educator with a passion for Jungian psychology, indigenous values, symbolism and writing (and over 25 years of professional experience), Licia blends visual image, written and spoken word, and healing and intuitive arts in original, unique art that reveal profound truths. Licia offers specialty commissioned collages for Rite of Passage, “Message from Spirit”, Birthday, Midlife, and Initiation into New Cycle (wonderful gifts!), playshops and customized Collage Retreats. With an international following on her Blog, FaceBook and Twitter, Licia’s genuine messages of self love and inner wisdom are gently affirming seekers all over the globe.
850-212-1223 Tinacleaning@hotmail.com www.HouseCleaningTallahassee.com
We offer eco-friendly cleaning of your home or office. We specialize in thorough, deep cleaning. This can include organizing your closet, kitchen or garage. We have more than 15 years experience and can provide reliable references.
coaching
Elizabeth Barbour, M.Ed. The Inspired Entrepreneur Life & Business Coach www.elizabethbarbour.com www.inspiredentrepreneur.com 850-893-5211
Ready to shift FROM TIRED TO INSPIRED in your business and life? Elizabeth helps women entrepreneurs to increase the visibility, credibility and profitability of their businesses while practicing self care at the same time! She offers group coaching, individual coaching and leads retreats around the country.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY
healthy solutions, inc.
Rick Ferrall, lmt, 850-294-8069 521 E. College Ave., TLH 32301 www.healthy_solutions@comcast.net
CranioSacral Therapy addresses scoliosis, chronic fatigue and MS, infant disorders, learning disabilities, orthopedic problems, emotional difficulties, chronic neck/back pain, stress and tension related problems, TMJ, brain/spinal cord injuries, and cancer issues. MA24604 / MM11960
healing
Healing Path Alice McCall
Advanced Energy Healer & Counselor BS Psychology, MBA, Hypnotherapist www.healingpath.info: 850-585-5496
I offer phone sessions, specializing in healing serious health issues and unwanted patterns. My book ‘Wellness Wisdom’ has little known information on natural health and healing; inspired by my journey with cancer. Free 15 minutes phone consultation to learn how I can help you.
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healthcare
Integrative Healthcare
N. Elizabeth Markovich, MSN, ARNP 850-878-4434 2016 Delta Blvd. Suite 100 Tallahasee 32308 www.IHCFL.com
We offer primary care, preventive care with a holistic approach. We use special testing with 11 outside laboratories to help find the cause of chronic illness and use a functional medicine approach (www.functionalmedicine.org). We also have hypnosis combined with acupuncture by IB Price MD, massage and cranio-sacral therapy by Angele LaGrave LMT and Nutritional Counseling by Leah Gilbert-Henderson PhD nutrition.Accept Medicare, Blue Cross, Universal, Aetna, others.
FLORIDA WELLNESS CENTER OF TALLAHASSEE 850.385.6664 2339 North Monroe Street (next to Boston Market) www.floridawellnessandrehab.com
At Florida Wellness & Rehabilitation Centers we are committed to keeping up with the latest technologies and treatments to provide our patients with the best rehabilitative experience possible. We believe in educating and encouraging our patients to take an active role in their own treatment.
holistic health
NEW GENESIS CENTER Patrice Bullock, MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner-C www.NewGenesisCenter.com 229-228-9050
A healthcare center-Functional medicine, patient-centered approach, non-drug, science-based, results oriented. Getting to the source of your health problems rather than bandaiding. Simple to complex problems. Skin care, digestive problems to the more complex health problems such as Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Chemical Sensitivity. Extraordinary results & health transformation. Functional medicine approach consults, hormone testing, detoxification, weight loss, expert skincare consult & prof. treatments, colonics, far-infrared sauna, physical therapy, massage therapy,
HYPNOSIS
DARLENE TREESE, Ph.D.
State Board Licensed 850-201-0073
Diplomate in Sports Counseling, National Institute of Sports Professionals. Past President, American Psychotherapy and Medical Hypnosis Association. e-Therapy and TherapyChat/Office-Based Hypnosis and Life Coaching/Professional Seminar Training www. AskDrTreese.com
integrative medicine
Archbold Integrative Medicine Center
John Mansberger, MD, Medical Director. 229-228-7008; 2705 E. Pinetree Blvd. #C, Thomasville, GA 31792.
A holistic team approach to a variety of medical problems. Offering acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, pain relief, natural hormone replacement, Cancer therapy, nutrition, weight control, herbal medicine, yoga and physical therapy. www.archbold.org.
photography
Ansley Studio
Ansley Simmons artist . photographer . owner 229.224.6021 • www.AnsleyStudio.com
Specializing in portraits & weddings. MFA in Photography, Arts Administration Doctoral Student, Art Museum Education Certificate Florida State University
Physical Therapy.
Sherry Simpson, P.T.
354 Office Plaza Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32301 850-877-7310 SSimpsonpt@embarqmail.com
I have over 27 years of experience in physical therapy working with all ages and disabilities. Treatment modalities are primarily hands-on techniques and include myofacial release, craniosacral therapy, visceral techniques, muscle energy and more. Treatments also include gentle movement re-eduction. For any chronic condition as well as for general health, wellness and stress reduction.
professional SERVICES
Southeastern community blood ctr. 1-800-722-2218. Located in Tallahassee; Marianna, FL; Thomasville & Douglas, GA. scbcinfo.org
Blood donors save lives. Is there any greater reward? Save Lives. Give Blood. M-F, 9am–6pm. (Sat. hours in Tallahassee: 9am–1pm)
REAL ESTATE TEAM - KW
LAKULISH YOGA
Debbie Leo - 273-9306 Jennifer Stowell - 567-3223
You can have a green home or find a green home for your family’s health and future. If you’re looking to buy or sell, call Debbie Leo and Jenn Stowell! Your Tallahassee Keller Williams agents.
worship
UNITY EASTSIDE
8551 Buck Lake Road, TLH, 850-656-1678 Rev. Jean Debarbieris Owen, Minister www.unity-eastside.org
Rev. Jean believes the love of God is unfolding in each person, place, Thing. Join us in Worship: Meditation Service 9:30 AM - Celebration Service 11AM; Youth Ministry 11AM, noon prayer Wed.
UNITY OF TALLAHASSEE 2850 Unity Lane, TLH, 850-562-5744, Rev. Bill Williams, Minister,
A ministry that seeks inspiration from the teachings of Jesus and finds common ground with spiritual masters from other traditions. We invite you to join us. Sunday Services 9:30 & 11 AM. Youth Education 11 AM. Wednesday Service at Noon.
Yoga
Hot Yoga Tallahassee www.HotYogaTallahassee.com
1238 Blountstown Highway (West Park Complex) You’re official Hot Yoga Studio in Tallahassee! Variations of Bikram/ Hatha yoga practiced in a heated room allowing for increased flexibility, strengthening of muscles, and full body detoxing. Class schedule and prices are available on our website. Beginners and Advanced students are encouraged to attend!
www.lakulishyogatallahassee.com 850-273-1861 joannadevi@earthlink.net
Yoga is so much more than the postures we are so familiar with --- yoga is the science of the soul --- our ultimate journey! Come and explore yoga with us. We offer hatha yoga classes, chanting with Om Sweet Om, a Bhagavad Gita study group, summer yoga camp for children and periodic workshops to delve deeper into the classical 8-step path to liberation. We are dedicated to upholding the integrity of the original teachings in a loving and sacred environment.
We are healthy and green And going…..Greener! If you have a green business • Natural and recyclable • Green and sustainable home building • Solar systems • Windows, insulation • Air and water purifiers • Environmental • More earth friendly
Advertise healthy, green and clean! Call:
850-284-2348
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How many e-mails did you delete today? Thousands of e-mails are deleted each day, however, 98% of cards are opened and read. Find out how you can benefit your business by an act of giving.
Contact Donna at 850-590-7024 or at http://sendoutcards.com/askDonnahow
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Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast
www.natallahassee.com