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Awakening Humanity
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Green Holidays
Retro-Fresh Family Traditions
ECKHART TOLLE
On Everyday Practical Spirituality December 2013 | Las Vegas Edition | NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
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contents Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
16 EVERLASTING BEAUTY
FROM SOCIETY'S DISCARDS
by Joe Santos
17 SOUL OF SOMANYA:
GIFTS THAT CHANGE THE WORLD
16
by Melody MacDuffee
18 GREEN MERRY MAKING 18 Retro-Fresh Family Traditions by Claire O’Neil
20 TOO MUCH
TOGETHERNESS?
Exercise Helps Keep Family Holidays Merry by Sarah Todd
21 PEACE ON OUR PLATES
20
Mindful Eating for a More Peaceful World
by Judith Fertig
24 HUMANITY’S
ETERNAL QUEST
Eckhart Tolle on the Kingdom of Heaven Within by Eric Nelson
27 PET FIRST-AID KITS
All-Natural Home Health Care by Sandra Murphy
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10 7 newsbriefs 9 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs 14 ecotip 16 greenvegas 17 humanitarian spotlight
12 14
18 greenliving 20 fitbody 21 consciouseating 24 wisewords 27 naturalpet 28 calendar 32 resourceguide
advertising & submissions how to advertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 702-483-3255 or email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsLV.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. Editorial submissions Submit articles, news items and ideas online at NaturalAwakeningsLV.com or email to Editor@NaturalAwakeningsLV.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month. calendar submissions Submit calendar events online at NaturalAwakeningsLV.com. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. regional markets Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
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letterfrompublisher Dear Friends,
Contact Us Publisher/Executive Editor Gabrielle Wyant-Perillo Editor Martin Miron Calendar Editor Michele Perillo Contributors Gena Bunim Marketing/Advertising Tracey Owens Mica Teal Design & Production Meredith Montgomery National Franchise Sales 239-530-1377 Natural Awakenings – Greater Las Vegas P.O. Box 230925 Las Vegas, NV 89105 702-483-3255 Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsLV.com NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
©2013 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Free subscriptions are available for our digital edition by signing up for email list at: NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
Printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink.
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Happy holidays! Before writing this letter to you, my mind was flooded with thoughts to encourage responsible consumerism, volunteerism, health, healing, humanity, consciousness and love, and relate them to the spirit of the season. However, instead of my sought-after inspiration, a song continued to play in my head. So I listened to the “little voice inside” and now share with you one of my favorite songs. Carry it with you. Pass it on. In 1955, the husband and wife team of Sy Miller and Jill Jackson wrote a song about their dream of peace for the world and how they believed each one of us could help create it. The song was first introduced to a group of teenagers selected to attend a weeklong experimental retreat to create understanding and friendship through education in California. The young people were purposefully chosen from different religious, racial, cultural and economic backgrounds and brought together to experiment with creating understanding and friendship through education, discussion groups and living and working together in a camp situation. Miller writes, “One summer evening in 1955, a group of 180 teenagers of all races and religions, meeting at a workshop high in the California mountains, locked arms, formed a circle and sang a song of peace. They felt that singing the song, with its simple basic sentiment – 'Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me,' helped to create a climate for world peace and understanding.” When they came down from the mountain, these inspired young people brought the song with them and started sharing it. And, as though on wings, Let There Be Peace on Earth began an amazing journey around the globe. It was taped, recorded, copied, printed in songbooks and passed by word of mouth. The song spread overseas to Holland, England, Italy, France, Germany, Lebanon, Japan, India; to South America, Central America, Africa, Asia and Australia. The Maoris in New Zealand sang it. The Zulus in Africa sang it. Miller and Jackson were given many humanitarian awards. This simple thought, 'Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me,' first collectively sung on a mountain top in the voices of youth, continues to travel heart to heart, gathering in people everywhere that wish to become a note in a song of understanding and peace—peace for all mankind. Let there be peace on Earth And let it begin with me; Let there be peace on Earth The peace that was meant to be.
Let peace begin with me, Let this be the moment now; With every step I take, Let this be my solemn vow:
With Earth as our mother Family all are we, Let us walk with each other In perfect harmony.
To take each moment and live each moment In peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me.
Wishing you all the peace, love and laughter life can bring,
Gabrielle Wyant-Perillo, Publisher NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
newsbriefs Serenity and Shopping: A Flawless Combination
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lawless Silhouette Wellness Spa knows that with the holiday ahead, it’s nice to find a place to unwind while finishing up a hard day of gift shopping. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through December 21, clients can takes 15 percent off boutique purchases. Also, buy a massage gift certificate of $100 through Christmas and get a free 30-minute massage. Flawless Silhouette licensed specialists offer massage, nail services, sugar hair removal, facials, spray tanning, body contouring, holistic nutrition coaching, Pilates and yoga. Location: 8820 S. Maryland Pkwy., Ste. 115, Las Vegas. For more information, call 702-685-1922 or visit FlawlessSilhouettes.com. See ad, page 5.
Greeting Cards Get Second Life
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t. Jude’s Ranch for Children recycles used greeting cards and creates new holiday and all-occasion greeting cards out of them, which are sold in packs of 10 for $10 to support programs and services for abused, abandoned, neglected and homeless children, young
adults and families. The program is beneficial to everyone; customers receive fun, “green” holiday or other occasion cards they can feel good sending to their friends and loved ones, and the children at St. Jude’s Ranch receive payment for their work and learn about basic job skills and the importance of recycling. Operated by Kids’ Corp., a program designed to teach entrepreneurship skills, the children at the Ranch participate by removing the front and attaching a new back. The result is a beautiful new card made by children and volunteers. For more information or to purchase child-created greeting cards, call 877-977-7572.
Celebrate the Winter Solstice
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he inaugural Solstice Holidaze Celebration & Expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., December 21 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., December 22, at the Alexis Park Resort, in Las Vegas. Musicians, artists, drum circles, crystal singing bowls, a winter solstice celebration, ceremony, meditation, dance, holiday magic and more will provide a one-of-a-kind event that promises to enhance and ignite the spirit of peace, love and joy during this holiday season. The Solstice is experiential, educational, entertaining and peace-filled. The Solstice Celebration benefits Homeless Teens, so please bring a donation of gloves, scarves, socks or head warmers. Tickets are $11 for ages 12 and up. Location: 375 E. Harmon Ave. To get involved, email Info@lightshineevents.com or visit LightShineEvents.com. natural awakenings
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newsbriefs
Experience the Inaugural One Voice Holiday Event
Holiday Cooking Oil Recycling
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he Clark County Water Reclamation District wants people to bring their used cooking oil and grease to the Springs Preserve as part of their Don't be a Pain in the Drain campaign to be safely recycled this holiday season. It's easy to recycle cooking oil. Just use a funnel to carefully pour the used oil back into its original container, seal it and bring it to the Preserve's South Ticketing parking lot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., where a special collection receptacle will be available. To learn more about how to keep sewers free of blockages and overflows caused by fat, oil, grease and grit, visit PainInTheDrain.com.
Control Your Own Food Supply
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MO Free Vegas presents GMOs 101: What, Why & How to Eat Your Way to Health, at 7 p.m., December 12, at The Center. The purpose of this informative and entertaining series is to invite friends and family that are beginning their education about genetically modified organisms in their everyday diet choices. The Bronze Cafe at The Center will be open and ready to serve vegan and non-vegan faire. GMO Free Vegas first came together May 25, 2013, for the first-ever March Against Monsanto, and have since harnessed the energy and passion of nearly 3,000 people. This volunteer effort has been created to further efforts to educate the Las Vegas community about the threat on unlabeled GMOs in our food supply. GMO Free Vegas has joined forces with LabelGMONevada.org to take on legislative issues and create community outreach teams to educate the community. Location: The Center, 401 S. Maryland Pkwy., Las Vegas. For more information, visit GMOFreeVegas.com or Facebook.com/GMOFreeLasVegas.
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nchanted Forest Reiki Center presents One Voice, a multi-faith community celebration, from 7 to 9 p.m., December 13. It's about acting as a community during the holidays. Never in the history of Vegas have two Reiki businesses teamed up for an event like this one. Respecting one another’s religious or cultural practices is what peace on Earth is about. Let’s show our community how to truly love one another. Debbie Veach, owner of Enchanted Forest Reiki Center, and Amy Bartz Barilla, owner of The Reiki Gal, will facilitate songs and prayers from the Jewish, Catholic and Buddhist faiths and celebrate the ideals of faith, regardless of religion or creed during the holiday season. They will also administer tandem Reiki for attendees. Cost is $25, prepaid only at Tinyurl. com/OneVoiceTickets, no tickets at the door. Location: 800 N. Rainbow Blvd. Ste. 100, Las Vegas, For more information, call 702-948-4999 or visit Enchanted ForestReiki. com. See ad, page 15.
Go Take A Hike in the Calico Basin
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as Vegas Trail-Seekers will conduct a hike at 9 a.m., December 7, for beginners or those that haven't had time to hit the trail lately and need to ease back into it, starting from the Red Springs picnic area. The pace will be set by the group. Adults, children age 10 and up and well-behaved dogs are welcome. The group will be walking along the edge of Calico Basin located off Highway 159. The turnoff from H-159 is about one mile before the Red Rock entrance. There will be brief stops for water and a snack. The final leg an easy stroll along two short gravel paved roads. Participants should bring plenty of water and snacks; wear hats and sunglasses; and feel free too use sticks or poles, but there aren’t any big hills or rocks. Hiking shoes are preferred, but any comfortable closedtoe shoe will do. Cameras are welcome, and there are plenty of photo opportunities. Location: Red Springs Picnic Area, Calico Basin Dr., Las Vegas. For more information, call Jennifer at 702-292-9086.
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Christmas Tree Recycling Saves the Environment
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o recycle a high percentage of Christmas Trees from the Las Vegas Valley, provide mulch for Valley parks and gardens and promote the sustainability of live cut trees for the holidays, the Las Vegas Christmas Tree Recycling Committee, comprised of local government agencies, nonprofits and businesses, has worked to keep Christmas trees out of southern Nevada’s local landfill for the past nine years. Recycling a tree helps ensure the sustainability of our community by saving valuable landfill space. Approximately 200,000 trees are sold in Las Vegas Valley and only about 7 percent are recycled. Please recycle trees between December 26 and January 15. 1-800-GOT-JUNK will pick up trees from homes for $30. The fee includes removal of tree and cleanup of pine needles. The tree will then be dropped off at one of the designated recycling dropoff locations. Call or visit 1800GOTJUNK.com. Before dropping off a tree, remove all non-organic objects such as lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments and nails. Foreign objects can contaminate the mulch and ruin the chipper. Flocked trees cannot be recycled.
healthbriefs
Finding Inner Peace Through Hypnosis by Jason Andoscia
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o better understand what inner peace is, start by defining what the opposite means for you. Anger? Anxiety? Fear? Sadness? Stress? Whatever it is, your path to lasting inner peace will be defined by resolving it. If you have been struggling with these emotions for a while, that might sound near impossible, but it isn’t. It might seem obvious that the stress that you feel is a result of dealing with demands at work and at home, but if you seek the answer to where your feelings really started, it might look a lot different than what you see today. Things that may have long faded into your memory can be at the heart of the feelings that you are struggling with today. Experiences and feelings that aren’t resolved are stored in the subconscious mind. Within the subconscious, these feelings seek opportunities for expression. Current life situations can trigger the expression of these withheld feelings, thus triggering the feelings of stress or sadness or anxiety. How do feelings that have been withheld from the past actually get resolved? The answer is forgiveness. Forgiveness of yourself or others is what can really heal. To be willing to forgive, you must first recognize and understand it. Contrary to what some believe, forgiveness doesn’t mean that you are letting yourself or others off from responsibility for their actions nor does it require reconciliation or allow bad behavior. For some people, it requires a willingness to recognize that there are still feelings to resolve. Even though what happened is in the past, and you may consciously believe that you have already let go, it is possible that the subconscious is still holding on. Forgiveness does release the anger, resentment, fear and blame getting in the way of your experience of true inner peace. Certified Hypnotherapist Jason Andoscia, owner of Azure Results Hypnotherapy, offers free consultations. Call 702-372-8275 or visit AzureResults.com.
Peace on Earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas every day. ~Helen Steiner Rice
For locations of recycling dropoff points, call 702-822-7700.
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healthbriefs
Sprinkle Cinnamon to Avert Alzheimer’s
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innamon is known as an excellent antioxidant that improves fasting blood sugar levels and prevents heart disease. Now new research offers yet another benefit and reason to add this potent spice to our daily diet. Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, have confirmed that cinnamon helps protect against Alzheimer’s disease. They found that the cinnamon compounds cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin help stop the formation of “tangles” of tau protein in the brain, hallmarks of the memory-robbing neurodegenerative disease. The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, says these powerful antioxidants that give cinnamon its potent flavor and scent defend mental function in a unique way. “Take, for example, sunburn, a form of oxidative damage,” explains Roshni Graves, of the university’s Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. “If you wore a hat, you could protect your face and head from oxidation. In a sense, this cinnamaldehyde is like a cap,” protecting against tau proteins. The findings suggest that sufficient cinnamon consumption might stop the progression of Alzheimer’s or even prevent it.
Cocoa Calms Inflammation
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ew can say no to a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter’s night. “Enjoy!” say Penn State researchers. They have found that a little bit of cocoa may be a powerful diet aid in helping to control inflammation and ameliorate related diseases, including diabetes. Numerous current studies link obesity to inflammation in the body. Cocoa, although a common ingredient of chocolate, by itself has low-calorie, low-fat and high-fiber content. The researchers fed laboratory mice the human equivalent of 10 tablespoons of cocoa powder—about four or five cups of hot cocoa—along with a high-fat diet for 10 weeks. The control group ate the same diet without the cocoa. Lead researcher Joshua Lambert, Penn State associate professor of food science, says the study results surprised the team, which did not expect the “dramatic reduction of inflammation and fatty liver disease” associated with obesity. Although the animals lost no weight, the cocoa powder supplement reduced liver triglycerides by 32 percent and plasma insulin levels by 27 percent, indicating it might be a powerful obesity-fighting tool. But there is a catch: Adding sugar, an inflammatory substance in itself, to healthy cocoa will likely neutralize the benefits. Try stevia as a sweetener instead; it’s been used for decades to lower blood sugar. 10
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Cranberries Support Healthy Circulation
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egularly drinking cranberry juice may help control blood pressure, according to new findings presented at the American Heart Association’s High Blood Pressure Research 2012 Scientific Sessions. Cranberry juice, the researchers note, is rich in antioxidants—naturally occurring molecules that have been associated with the blood pressure-lowering benefit. U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers discovered a moderate systolic pressure reduction—about three points—for people that drank two eight-ounce glasses of cranberry juice every day for eight weeks. Because of the sugar calories in juice, consider the alternative of a wholefood cranberry supplement.
To Get More, Give More
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iving away money or spending it on others increases the giver’s sense of personal wealth, according to research by Michael Norton, of Harvard Business School, and co-author Elizabeth Dunn, of the University of British Columbia. The latest in a series of studies showed that people that support others, from helping with homework to shoveling a neighbor’s driveway, feel that they had more time in general and that giving time away relieved the sense of “not having enough time,” even more than gaining unexpected free time.
Use Energy Healing for Canker Sores and Herpetic Lesions Dr. Jim Wright, DDS
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anker sores usually are caused by trauma, most often from a sharp tooth or injury with a toothbrush. Time will heal the ulcerations, because a healthy immune system is designed to fight off the
bacteria and heal the wound. To expedite the healing, swish and gargle with salt water as hot and salty as can be tolerated. The best salt to use for making healing salt water or for daily use on foods is simple canning and pickling salt, because it tests the lowest in mercury. While sea salt and Himalayan salt have become popular, in recent laboratory testing, Morton’s canning and pickling salt is the least mercury toxic. Another simple home remedy for shortening the life of a canker sore is a mixture of half hydrogen peroxide and half water. Place the mixture on a clean cotton swab and dab the affected area at least four times a day for faster healing. Cold sores are from the herpes virus that lives on the trigeminal nerve. While we all have the ability to form these lesions, some people never get them. Once the lesion forms, it is very contagious. The affected area (usually on the lip) starts to get a little tingle, called the prodromal phase. Next, a raised lesion develops that is white or clear. This is highly contagious; do not put any oil or moisturizer on it unless it is a specific medication designed for oral herpes. For patients that want to be proactive and try to avoid an outbreak of cold sores, a new development for these types of lesions is laser treatment. Energy work has roots dating back to early acupuncture, Reiki healing, sacral cranial work, massage and many other modalities. The laser is able to sterilize the lesion, although there is not yet a clinical trial to prove it. Many doctors agree that with repetitive laser treatments, the frequency of the recurrent canker sore or herpetic lesion lessons. Jim Wright, DDS, AIAOMT, AIABDM, is a holistic dentist practicing in Las Vegas. Contact him at 702-281-9900 or HolisticDentistLasVegas.com. To participate in a new clinical trial for individuals that regularly suffer with these lesions, call Debby at 702-281-9900.
Intravenous Nutrient Therapy Are you experiencing chronic fatigue?
Need a boost to fight infection?
Are you suffering from allergies?
The Flu & Cold season is approaching. Fight back by using high dose vitamins & minerals to boost your immune system in an all natural way.
Having problems with memory or concentration? Then “Jump Start” your metabolism with Intravenous Nutrient Therapy to give your cells the energy it needs to work properly. We use nutrients that have been clinically shown to help improve these conditions. The Ultimate Healing Center 10120 S. Eastern Ave. Suite: 100 Henderson, NV 89052
Ultimatehealingcenter.com
Dr. Jeffrey Brown, DO, AOBFP
(702) 871-7004
TYPHOON HAIYAN Since 1945, CARE has worked to deliver lasting change to families and communities in need around the world. When disaster strikes, like super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, CARE is among the first to arrive and the last to leave, bringing immediate relief to those hardest hit. Your donation to CARE will give survivors a chance to rebuild their lives.
DELIVER LASTING CHANGE Visit care.org or call 800.521.CARE
Photo Credit: REUTERS/Erik De Castro, courtesy Trust.org
natural awakenings
© CARE 2013
December 2013
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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Genuinely Greenwashed Six Ploys to Avoid in Eco-Purchases
A report by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing exposes these six “greenwashing” marketing ploys to watch out for when shopping: 1. Hidden Trade Off: A refurbished plasma TV might reduce the need of buying new at first, but new or not, such TVs are energy hogs. 2. No Proof: Can a third party verify claims such as “organic” or “all-natural”? 3. Vagueness: Beware of products claiming to be “chemical-free” or “no hormones added”. 4. Irrelevance: Claims that have no relationship to the product or might be made with any other product in the same category, such as [chlorofluorocarbon] CFC-free shaving gel. 5. Fibbing: A falsehood that can’t be backed up, such as “certified organic” for products for which no such certification exists. 6. Lesser of Two Evils: An attempt to put a green twist on a product that’s inherently harmful to humans and the environment, such as organic cigarettes.
Power Walking
Shoe Insert Generates Electricity
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JOIN US ON: facebook.com/ NaturalAwakenkingsLV twitter.com/ NaturalVegas publisher@ NaturalAwakenkingsLV.com
wo Carnegie Mellon graduates, Matt Stanton and Hahna Alexander, are the founders of SolePower, a company making a shoe insert that stores the power generated by walking and running into a battery that can be instantly accessed via a USB port. Beta testing on the prototype has begun, with release expected next summer. The insert can be paired with any shoe type and feels like a regular, cushy insole, according to Stanton. The battery attaches to the ankle or the top of the shoe, and is charged after 2.5 miles of footsteps with enough power to run an iPhone. Runners needing to power heat-producing mittens in the winter could also benefit. Another application is emergency charging of cell phones and radios during power outages. People in developing nations likewise will have a reliable power source for mobile phones and other essential small electronics. Source: SolePowerTech.com
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Arctic Rescue
Finland Calls for North Pole Sanctuary
practitionerprofile
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he Finnish government has adopted a new Arctic Strategy that calls for a global sanctuary around the North Pole as one of the key demands of the growing Save the Arctic movement, reversing its longheld position of backing corporate interests over the environment. The populace responded strongly to a series of actions taken by Greenpeace against government icebreaker ships aiding corporate oil exploration in order to heighten awareness of the issue. The new Finnish policy reflects a mounting world citizenry’s view that the Arctic deserves protection. Greenpeace points out that companies can wreck the Arctic with little penalty and the current Arctic Council oil spill agreement does nothing to protect the Arctic or impose liability in this the most vulnerable place on Earth. The hope is that the other seven Arctic Council countries will see the light, as well. Sign the petition and pitch in at SaveTheArctic.org.
Tagging Toxins
Online Database Identifies Safe Products SafeMarkets.org offers a new clearinghouse of information gathered by advocates investigating toxic chemicals in food, baby products, toys, furniture, construction materials and other consumer goods. Families, municipalities, builders and businesses can use it to identify potentially harmful products and find safer alternatives. Hosted by the Workgroup for Safe Markets (WSM), it’s a one-stop shop to provide information for consumers, retailers and manufacturers that are demanding safer products, says Beverley Thorpe, a WSM co-leader and consulting codirector for Clean Production Action. Mia Davis, vice president of health and safety at Beautycounter, who is expecting her first child, sees it as a resource for parents to find a full complement of safe products for their families. “More than ever,” she says, “people understand how important it is to shop with companies they trust and to support businesses working to create truly safe products.”
Brain Solutions Inc P. Kirsten Lopez, MA Offering Solutions for the Whole Person
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. Kirsten Lopez, MA, has more than 40 years of experience working with children and adults of all ages, bringing hope to families in challenging situations. Her passion, dedication to professionalism and energy, propel her to help families find success. With expertise in education, nutrition, special needs such as learning disabilities, ASD, behavioral and developmental issues and alternative scientific methods in neuroplasticity, Lopez believes in finding solutions for the whole person. As the founder, in 2010, and Executive Director of Brain Solutions, Inc., Lopez and her staff have helped a broad array of individuals with issues ranging from autism and learning difficulties to anxiety and auditory processing. Nearly four years ago, she opened the doors of the first clinic in Nevada with programs based in neuroplasticity that offer lasting results and use no medications. Clients have reported that their children are more resilient, their stress level has decreased and language skills have improved after treatment. Lopez, who holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in educational leadership, says, “I have always had an interest in the brain and how it functions. Then, through my mid-30s into my 40s, I was extremely ill and could not find any answers. Finally, I found someone who helped me see that my health issues were in large part due to what I was eating. This opened up a whole new way for me to look at what it takes for us to have good health. I now live a very full and active life.” She asserts, “It’s my desire to bring together my experience working with people of all ages as an educator and nutrition advocate, and all of the exquisite science that currently exists, to get people on the road to better health—to a better life.”
Brain Solutions Inc P. Kirsten Lopez, MA 702-340-2248 BrainSolutionsInc.com See ad, page 14.
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ecotip Family Games Generate Goodwill All Year Fun family games based on cards, trivia and charades are quintessential holiday activities. Now a new generation of games adds fresh dimensions of interest and goodwill. Online games—some are free—extend good tidings to people around the world, as well as our environment. Santa is thrilled. Eco games galore: From determining our family’s carbon footprint to making ethical decisions as a business leader or learning how to help child populations vulnerable to pneumonia, EcoGamer.org is a gateway to enriching experiences. More than 20 entertaining websites employ informative, eco-related calculations, games and quizzes. Assist African farmers: Heighten awareness and empathy by experiencing on a virtual basis the immense challenges of life on an African farm, including dealing with disease, drought, a lack of resources and war, at 3rdWorldFarmer.com/ About.html. Free trials are available, plus links to international nonprofit organizations and relief groups. Become a citizen scientist: At FilamentGames.com/projects/citizen-science, players travel back in time to investigate how a lake became polluted and what can be done today to protect our waterways. Developed by the National Science Foundation, in partnership with the University of Wisconsin, it illustrates business, lifestyle and social factors that can harm the environment. Learn and feed: FreeRice.com allows players to automatically help feed hungry people with rice donations through the United Nations World Food Program. Players select from specific subjects: art, chemistry, geography, English, other languages and math. Each correct answer donates 10 grains of rice as participants watch the contents of a virtual bowl gradually fill. Tabletop games: Bioviva (Bioviva.com), Destruct 3 (UncleSkunkleToys.com), ReThink: The Eco Design Game (PlayReThink.com), Xeko (Xeko.com) and Endango (search Amazon.com) are all new takes on the traditional pastime of board games. Some are made of recycled materials, to boot.
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December 2013
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greenvegas
Everlasting Beauty from Society’s Discards by Joe Santos
L Learn the Benefits of Renewable Energy JOIN SOLAR NVs Check website for this month’s topic
Wednesday, December 18 Learn about renewable energy, how a business or individual clean power and get involved in the clean energy transformation! Solar NV raises awareness of solar energy and energy related issues through monthly meetings and annual events.
Location: Student Union Business Startup Meeting Room
SolarNV.org 16
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as Vegas’ wellknown unaltered fine art photographer, Mica Teal, describes herself as a conscious artist. At the age of 10, she knew what she wanted to be. Teal later became the first in her family to attend college and dedicated three years to the study of graphic design. At some point she decided to create her own art and teach people, rather than make it a job, for fear she may inevitably lose her passion for it. Also a Karuna Reiki practitioner, Teal makes "light art", in which she uses LED lights coupled with long-exposure photography techniques in a darkroom to create abstract photos that tease the eye, but there's an even lighter side to her creativity. Today, according to Teal, she makes healing art to “encourage inspiration so others aspire” through what she calls “Reconstructed Beauty”. “People miss out on a lot of beautiful things in life,” says Teal. “I thought it would be neat to turn trash into something beautiful.” Creating sculptures mostly from recycled materials, Teal
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“grows smiles” with empty water bottles and wire to form objects she calls Forever Flowers sculptures. “My intention is to make people think, feel, see and love their life with my colorful and bright style,” says Teal. “I plant a seed of happiness so [the sculptures] can grow up like a flower, to bloom in the light.” Each custom-ordered piece is hand-colored and sculpted into beautiful five-flower bouquets. “It’s my ode to Mother Nature, who perishes due to our waste,” says Teal. “It’s payback for the water bottles.” In addition, Teal donates some of the proceeds to American Forests (AmericanForests.org), a foundation that protects and restores forests, helping to preserve the health of our planet for the benefit of its inhabitants. For more information, visit Facebook. com/4EverFlower. Joe Santos is a professional writer who is on his way to becoming a holistic metaphysical psychologist.
he nonprofit Soul of Somanya organization serves at-risk young adults in the small town of Somanya, in Ghana, West Africa. This is a place of abject poverty, where most people subsist on about two dollars a day. Soul of Somanya’s artisans, however, support themselves and their families with sufficiency and dignity by creating colorful jewelry and other beaded products out of the recycledglass beads, which is the traditional art form of their tribe. Without these jobs, their prospects would be very grim. One typical 19-year-old girl lives with her father, her ailing mother, three younger siblings and an elderly grandmother. Like most families in rural Ghana, hers is extremely poor, with no running water or flush toilet, and no refrigerator. She cooks the family’s meals over an open fire and washes their clothing by hand. Twice a day, she walks half a mile to a muddy pond where she fills a tub with murky water and carries it home on her head for the family’s drinking, washing and cooking needs. Ever since she turned 18 (the legal working age), she has been looking for a job so that she can help her family out financially, as well, but so far she has had no success. When her father suddenly becomes ill, there is no such thing as disability insurance, welfare or food stamps. The few pesois (pennies) she has been bringing in each day selling onions and cassava
roots from her mother’s backyard garden are now the family’s only income. The girl must find a job. Leaving her elders in the hands of her younger sisters, she borrows three cedis (dollars) from an aunt for a one-way tro-tro (mini-bus) ticket to Accra. For days, she walks from shop to shop, asking for work, then begging for work, and finally begging for food. She competes at one point with snarling dogs for some scraps of huache a storekeeper throws out to them. By the third night, she is dizzy and sick with hunger. She wanders the poorly lit streets, shying away from men that approach her, their intentions written on their faces. But after a week or two, she stops shying away. She has no choice if her family is to survive. Soul of Somanya works to raise the standard of living in this small town. The organization doesn’t offer charity in the usual sense. Instead, it offers jobs—real, living-wage employment. Young artisans report for work five days a week at the Soul of Somanya “factory”, a pleasant house with a long, shaded patio. There, they work in the cooler outdoor air, with plenty of light and a fan for hotter weather. They put in six-hour days with breaks and an hour off for lunch. Their health insurance and social security fees are paid for them, and they receive generous bonuses each December to help make the holidays a time of extra bounty. The benefits trickle
For more information visit SoulOfSomanya.net. Melody MacDuffee is the executive director of Soul of Somanya.
of Som anya
by Melody MacDuffee
of Soul
Gifts thatChange the World
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Soul of Somanya:
down to the community at large. Not only does the organization source nearly all of its materials locally, but Soul of Somanya’s artisans now have well-earned cash to spend in the town’s shops and markets. The local merchants are happy to have new customers. Everyone wins. Eager to learn, the workers take pleasure in discovering their own creativity as they come up with original designs for distinctive jewelry, colorful key chains and decorative fan pulls. Their signature items are beautifully wire-worked and hand-carved Adinkra symbols that are incorporated into earring and rosary designs. With meanings ranging from “Grace under hardship” to “The divinity of Mother Earth,” these traditional African pieces make wonderfully unique and meaningful gifts. If we care enough, we can take the opportunity every single time we spend money to change the world a little bit for the better. Each time we choose to buy ethically produced goods, we cast a vote in favor of fair pay and humane working conditions for the producers of those goods. We also decide where our money is going to end up, whether in the wallet of a CEO, in a struggling small-business owner’s family bank account or in the frayed pocket of a 19-year-old breadwinner in West Africa. A $17 purchase from Soul of Somanya means a whole week of full bellies, proper schooling and decent medical care for a Ghanaian family.
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greenliving
GREEN Merry Making Retro-Fresh Family Traditions by Claire O’Neil
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hroughout the year, Santa’s good girls and boys of all ages make every effort to buy only what’s needed, plus recycle, reuse and repurpose. Then the holidays hit and discipline often gives way to indulgences. The season seems consumed by up-tempo decorating, feasting, shopping, gift-giving and merrymaking at any cost. Yet, creative green living experts show us how easy it is to tweak time-honored family traditions to align with the green way we wish to live and feel even more satisfied with festivities.
Decking the Halls
For Danny Seo, author of Upcycling
Celebrations: A Use-What-You-Have Guide to Decorating, Gift-Giving & Entertaining, “Upcycling is basically a form of recycling that elevates something to a better level than before.” Based in New York City and Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Seo always has an eye out for green possibilities. “Opt for vintage pieces and re-imagine them in new and interesting ways,” he advises. For example, he likes to upcycle a vintage glass cake stand with a collection of bright ornaments for a unique holiday focal point. Michele Johansen, a lifestyle writer in Bellevue, Washington, suggests bringing in the outdoors. Instead
of decorating the tree with tinsel and the home with plastic faux greenery, she suggests stringing popcorn and cranberries on the tree and decking the halls with fresh wreaths and garlands accented with boughs of holly. “Local nurseries are good sources for holiday décor that you can later mulch or put in yard waste bins,” she says. “The smells are much more authentic and festive.” Save energy by using LED lights whenever possible, suggests Sheryl Eisenberg, a writer for the National Resources Defense Council. Plug lights and electronics into a power strip, and then unplug it when not in use to save “ghost” energy pulled by electronics that are plugged in, but not activated. Buy a live tree to later plant or recycle, Seo suggests. This supports regional Christmas tree farmers while retaining the integrity of local forests. Many communities offer recycling of holiday trees to provide mulch or habitat for aquatic life in local lakes.
Keeping the Feast
Organize a cookie exchange to get together and save time and energy on holiday baking, suggests Sara Novak, a food policy and health writer at SereneKitchen.com, from Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. Generally, a hostess asks guests to bring several dozen of their favorite cookies. Once
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BEFORE
AFTER
gathered, attendees share the treats and recipes, taking home several of each variety. To “green it up”, Novak recommends emailing the recipes rather than printing them, encouraging invitees to use fresh and local ingredients and bring favorite reusable containers from home, like a colorful, time-honored cookie tin. For the holiday table, mix and match settings of plates, glasses, linens and cutlery. “Use the real thing,” Eisenberg recommends, “and recruit guests to help wash up afterwards.” She recalls that while growing up, her mother supplemented her silverware with grandmother’s for large holiday dinners. Save your own energy (and sanity) by asking family and friends to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert. The hostess can assign a dish and corresponding recipe or use a potluck approach, says Eisenberg. Leftovers go home in non-plastic, reusable containers.
Gift Giving
Many families enjoy giving traditional gifts to children at certain ages, like dollhouses or train sets. Re-imagine these and, when possible, buy local to save energy and support area businesses, suggests Eisenberg. Cintia Gonzalez, an Australian mom, crafted a dollhouse from an old suitcase, inventively using black chalk-
People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy. ~Anton Chekhov
board paint for the exterior, wooden shelves as floors and fast food ketchup cups as lampshades (Tinyurl.com/ UpcycleDollhouse). Another mom transformed a discarded coffee table into a painted train table for her boys. Upcycle paint chip cards into colorful gift tags, suggests Seo. Plus, use gift wraps that become part of the gift itself, such as placemats swaddling a bottle of wine, fabric to encase quilting supplies or sheet music enveloping concert tickets. As a general rule, “Give experiences, not gifts,” counsels Eisenberg. “Giving loved ones experiences
reduces wrapping paper, ribbon and packaging and is an easy way to be a bit more personal over the holidays. Your teenage niece may love a spa day, complete with hair styling, while your favorite aunt and uncle may be thrilled to attend a local wine tasting. If you think a young child can tolerate a few less presents in exchange for a pass to an ice show or dance class, go for it.” “It’s the holiday experience that counts,” counsels Seo. “It’s what makes memories.” Claire O’Neil is a freelance writer from Kansas City, MO.
Simplifying Gift Giving with the Four Gift Rule by Meredith Montgomery
E
veryone loves opening a great present or the gratification of giving a well-received gift. But too often, the meaning of family gift exchanges is watered down by sheer extravagance. It’s easy for parents to go overboard with holiday shopping when faced with extensive wish lists and tempted by copious toy aisles. For many, implementing the “four gift rule” can help rein in spending and refocus the whole family on the true spirit of the season. The philosophy is simple: in addition to Santa’s delivery, each child is given something to wear, something to read, something they want and something they need. The Knowles family, in Mobile, Alabama, turned to the four gift rule last year to focus more on family and giving to others during the holidays. When the concept was presented to her five children Kimberly Knowles expected to hear heavy sighs and moans of disapproval. She recalls, “We talked to them about the nature of giving and the spirit of Christmas. I presented the four gift rule as a poem to them to help them with their Christmas list and was
pleasantly surprised by their favorable attitude toward simplifying Christmas and keeping the gift-giving to a minimum.” Because the four gift rule can greatly reduce the amount of gifts being given, parents might fear disappointment from their kids on Christmas morning. In the Knowles household, the approach made gift-giving more meaningful. Kimberly explains, “Not only had our children put a lot of thought into their Christmas lists, but we really focused on the individual needs and wants of each of our children. After all the gifts were opened, the kids exclaimed that the four gift rule was a great idea. The joy of what they had received was not about the quantity, but about the quality and thoughtfulness of the gift, something I definitely wanted to impart to my children.” Meredith Montgomery is the publisher of Natural Awakenings Mobile/Baldwin (HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com).
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December 2013
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fitbody
Too Much Togetherness?
Exercise Helps Keep Family Holidays Merry by Sarah Todd
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iven family hopes and often unrealistic expectations that everything will go perfectly, holiday gatherings can sometimes be a recipe for untoward stress. One of the best ways to keep potential ’tis-the-season tensions under control is to carve out some time for exercise, a move supported by research findings at Princeton University. Other experts suggest that from practicing a favorite Eastern modality to taking a natural spin around the neighborhood, we all have instant access to foolproof tactics for staying relaxed, healthy and more even-keeled among kin this winter. To mend nerves frayed by debates at the dinner table, slip into a nearby bedroom for a calming yoga workout. Yoga’s emphasis on controlled breathing makes it ideal for treating family dynamics straight out of Silver Linings Playbook. The Mayo Clinic reports that deep breathing increases the flow of oxygen into the bloodstream, easing headaches, muscular tension and chest tightness. Yogic breathing patterns also are shown to lower resting heart rates, which helps practitioners stay composed in the face of any intra-family disagreements or other stressors. For a quick, relaxing yoga routine, begin with a few breathing exercises before moving into a sun salutation—a sequence of full-body poses, or asanas, performed in a smooth, continuous flow. Begin standing, palms pressed together in the tadasana, or mountain, pose. Then move through a series of motions that sweep the arms over the head, expanding the chest, before dipping into downward dog and plank poses, which help
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increase flexibility and strength. End lying down in the shavasana, or resting, pose with eyes closed and let the quiet settle in. Resistance-training exercises are another option. Release pent up tension by pushing against a wall. Stand about three feet away, lean in and push. Position feet at an angle so that a straight body line forms the hypotenuse of a triangle with the wall and floor. This activity drains the limbs of tightness and stretches out hamstrings and calf muscles, enabling us to walk away feeling light and limber. While some people can happily greet and maintain cheerfulness throughout holiday family times, others may feel a bit anxious. For a sure-fire endorphin boost, try a cardiovascular workout like running, which German researchers published in Cerebral Cortex confirm produces a flood of euphoria on cue. A quick jog or spirited walk outside helps elevate mood while strengthening the immune system, helping to keep feelings of melancholy at bay. Before heading for the door, those stretching their legs outside in colder climates need to dress as if it’s 20 degrees warmer than the thermometer reads. This helps prevent the body from overheating, especially after being sedentary for an extended period. To get the blood flowing beforehand, do some simple stretching or take a few trips up and down the stairs.
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Exercisers that prefer to stay sheltered from wintry weather entirely have a solid alternative; an indoor cardiovascular workout can mimic jogging’s mood-lifting effects. Try alternating 12 reps of jumping jacks, lunges, squats and crunches to get the heart pumping. Consider a second series for a higher intensity workout. All of it will give muscles that often go slack during holiday loafing a chance to flex. Because these moves don’t require any equipment, such electives are as portable as a travel hair dryer during holiday visits anywhere. After one or more of these solo workouts, many revelers may be ready to up the ante on family togetherness. For a healthy dose of quality time, round up the gang and enlist them in a high-energy outdoor activity like hiking, sledding or even Ultimate Frisbee. Participating in friendly family competition is healthy fun and gives everyone something else to talk about later. Sarah Todd is a freelance writer in Brooklyn, NY. Connect at SarahToddInk.com.
consciouseating
Peace on Our Plates Mindful Eating for a More Peaceful World
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by Judith Fertig
s Earth’s population grows to a projected 9 billion people by 2050, can our global community keep eating flesh like we’ve been doing for centuries? No, according to a 2010 report by the United Nations Environment Programme, an international panel of sustainable resource management experts. Examining the food demands of a growing population and associated environmental and sustainability issues, Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Consumption and Production recommends “substantial worldwide diet change away from animal products.” Making the case for a holistic view, Will Tuttle, Ph.D., suggests in World Peace Diet: Eating for Spiritual Health and Social Harmony that we start to see the connections between our food choices and the health and well-being of ourselves, our families, communities and the world.
Web of Understanding
At the center of the web of life is the food we all share to sustain our bodies. Tuttle insists that we celebrate this and regard each meal as a feast. “Food preparation is the only art that allows us to literally incorporate what we create. It is also the only art that fully involves all five senses,” he says. We honor this wonderful activity most by sharing our
cooking efforts with others, blessing the food and eating mindfully. The problem at the center of life, maintains Tuttle, is that we involve animals in our food chain, an act that “introduces suffering, whether physical, mental or emotional.” This is a truth we try to hide from, what he calls the ”cultural shadow”. “The worst examples include factory farming, but even the best methods ultimately involve killing other animals for food,” he says. One of Tuttle’s more controversial claims is that the herding culture—raising, dominating, selling, killing and owning animals—sets up a harmful physical, emotional and cultural dynamic, extolling domineering and aggressive behavior. “The herding culture requires male dominance and a mentality that might makes right,” observes Tuttle. “It also sees females as primarily breeders, not beings.” Based on contemporary research in anthropology, sociology and psychopathology, he maintains that the actions required to both dominate animals and eat their meat can lead to more aggressive and violent behavior. One recent study seems to support his claim. Dr. Neil Barnard, in his book, Foods That Fight Pain, remarks that, “Plant-based diets also help tame testosterone’s activity.” Barnard cites a Massachusetts male aging study of 1,552 men
photo by Stephen Blancett
ages 40 to 70, which indicated that men eating more fruits and vegetables than meat were less domineering and aggressive, because the increased sex hormone-binding globulin produced by plants helps keep testosterone in check. “If we continue the meat-centric way of eating, we’re going to continue to have the problems that come with it,” says Tuttle. “The way forward is plant-based agriculture.”
Practicing a World Peace Diet The Tuttles shop for fresh, organic and non-GMO (genetically modified organism) foods and favor what they call “blueprint recipes”, that vary from day to day. Each outlines the makings of a dish and encourages cooks to be intuitive in how they fill in the details. For a typical breakfast, for example, Tuttle and his wife, Madeleine, will make a green smoothie that includes kale, banana, apple, grapes, ground flax, chia seeds, cinnamon and fresh ginger. “It’s a flexible drink,” says Tuttle. “We will swap out whatever organic fruits and vegetables we have so that we vary the flavor from time to time.” For example, they might use parsley, spinach, or chard leaves in place of kale, or citrus in place of grapes. Lunch is usually a wrap-type sandwich, sometimes using fresh leaf lettuce or a whole-wheat tortilla. One recent example of such a wrap combined tomatoes, peppers, sprouts, walnuts, tempeh and avocado. A dinnertime blueprint recipe involves a base of cooked rice, quinoa, pasta, mashed potatoes or polenta, topped with a vegetable ragout, cooked or raw. “You could live the rest of your life mixing and matching these ingredients and never have the same meal twice,” notes Tuttle. “We have been doing it for 30 years. If we all choose to eat like this, the world could feed everybody on a fraction of the land now consumed by agriculture.” Learn more at WorldPeaceDiet.org/ articles.htm. Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.
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Peace Blueprint Recipes When sitting down to eat, look at what’s been created to nourish all those gathered. Enjoy the colors, smells, tastes and love that blesses the food. May the principle of Oneness govern all beings.
Green Smoothie
To start the day, use a high-powered Vitamix-type blender to reduce whole fruits and vegetables to a smooth juice. If using a regular blender, cut the fruits and vegetables into small pieces and strain the purée after blending. Yields two servings 1 banana, sliced 1 large apple, peeled, cored and chopped ½ cup seedless green grapes 1 cup chopped kale leaves 1 cup baby spinach leaves 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger 1 Tbsp ground flax seeds ¼ cup ground chia seeds ¼ tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground cloves 1 cup purified water Place all ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. Strain, if necessary, to remove larger pieces; pour into two glasses and serve.
Whole Wheat and Vegetable Wrap
For lunch, a simple wrap can provide a daily change-up mixing in different fresh ingredients plus a plant-based flavoring like dried herbs, spices or garlic stirred into the Vegenaise or homemade eggless mayonnaise. Yields two servings 2 10-inch whole-wheat tortillas 2 Tbsp Vegenaise 1 tsp prepared horseradish, or to taste 1 cup fresh lettuce, torn into pieces ½ cup sprouts ½ cup chopped fresh tomatoes ½ cup shredded fresh carrots ½ cup diced fresh cucumber 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced ¼ cup toasted walnuts Toast walnuts by placing them on a baking sheet in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes. Cool, and then chop. Place the tortillas on a flat surface. In a small bowl, mix the Vegenaise and horseradish together. Spread the mixture on the tortillas. Top each tortilla with half the lettuce, sprouts, tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, avocado and walnuts. Roll each tortilla into a wrap and serve.
Raw Vegetable Ragout with Brown Rice Start dinner with a base of cooked rice, potatoes, quinoa or polenta and top it with a vegetable medley. Yields two servings Rice: 1 cup brown rice 2¼ cups water Raw Vegetable Ragout: 1 cup red bell pepper, cut into strips ½ cup finely chopped celery ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, chopped ¼ cup finely chopped Italian parsley ¼ cup toasted, chopped walnuts 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, minced 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp coarse kosher or sea salt Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Stir in the rice, reduce the heat and simmer covered until tender, about 40 minutes. While the rice is cooking, combine the red bell pepper, celery, Kalamata olives, Italian parsley and walnuts in a medium-sized bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and salt. Pour the dressing over the vegetables, stir until well blended, and then let rest until the rice is done. To serve, spoon the cooked rice onto each plate and top with the raw vegetable ragout. Source: Adapted from Intuitive Cooking, by Madeleine Tuttle (WorldPeaceDiet.org).
Tip: Cook whole-grain or spinach pasta, potatoes, rice or another recommended grain in a large quantity to store in the refrigerator for use in stir-fries, salads and other meals later in the week. 22
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Healthy World Shopping List by Madeleine W. Tuttle Allow an hour to explore and buy the following basics to stock the pantry, always choosing organic and foods that have no genetically modified (GM or GMO) ingredients. In certain Asian traditions, only the most enlightened members of a monks’ community are allowed to cook food for their fellows, with good reason. The more love that goes into meal preparation, the better the outcome will be.
n o i t a r d y H n o i t c a r ret SyStem
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Grains: rice, millet, whole-grain spaghetti or angel hair noodles, couscous, quinoa, buckwheat, wild rice, cornmeal
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Veggies: (in season) pumpkin/squash, leek, onions, garlic, kale, cabbage, ginger, horseradish, broccoli, peppers, mushrooms, carrots, lettuce/greens, sprouts, edamame, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, avocado, cilantro, peas (fresh or frozen), yams, potatoes
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Proteins: tofu, tempeh, seitan; lentils, split peas, beans and other legumes
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Dried herbs: peppermint, Italian seasoning mix, basil, dill, cilantro, paprika, cayenne, curry, turmeric, pepper, nutmeg powder, cumin seeds, rosemary, nutritional yeast Fruits: citrus, apples, bananas, grapes, berries, avocado and others
Additions Meat analogs: Gardein, Tofurkey, Field Roast, Beyond Meat, Sun Burger, Fakin’ Bacon Nuts and seeds: almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts; raisins; flax, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds Oils and sauces: tahini (sesame butter), Vegenaise dressing, tomato sauce, olive oil, coconut oil, tamari or shoyu Sweeteners: Sucanat, stevia, coconut sugar, rice syrup, date syrup/sugar, agave nectar Dairy: plant-based milks (e.g., soy, rice, hemp, coconut, almond, oat, tapioca), cheeses, yogurts, and creams; and nut butters such as almond, cashew, and peanut butters and sesame tahini Others: spelt flour, Celtic salt, vanilla, cacao powder, shredded coconut natural awakenings
December 2013
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wisewords
Humanity’s Eternal Quest Eckhart Tolle on the Kingdom of Heaven Within by Eric Nelson
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intense awareness that there is only the present moment, with no more future to escape into mentally. The result is a lot less suffering. “That is the real spiritual awakening, when something emerges from within you that is deeper than who you thought you were,” says Tolle. “So, the person is still there, but one could almost say that something more powerful shines through the person.” The good news, according to Tolle, is that in order to experience this awakening, “You don’t have to wait for the diagnosis by the doctor or to be put in prison… nor do you have to do 30,000 hours of meditation or live in an ashram for 20 years. Once you get a glimpse of it, you can invite it into your daily life.” For a growing number of people, it’s this understanding of the always present “spiritual you” shining through that has led to significant improvements in their lives, not the least of which is better health. This would seem to indicate that these kinds of spiritual insights aren’t the least bit ethereal or elusive, but decidedly practical. “Spirituality and religion belong in the healing paradigm,” writes Airdre Grant, Ph.D., of Australia’s Southern Cross University, in a study published in the Journal of the Australian Traphoto by David Ellingsen
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o listen to Eckhart Tolle is to be reminded that anything is possible— for anyone. We’re not talking about living a life of leisure, filled with expensive cars, beach homes and extravagant vacations, but an experience brimming with the kind of spiritual insights that make this life not only worth living, but decidedly more fulfilling. The problem is that when people hear the words “spiritual insight”, there’s often an assumption that it’s about something too ethereal to be practical or too elusive to be achieved in this lifetime. This is exactly the point that Tolle, one of the world’s most wellknown spiritual teachers and authors, rebuffed during a talk earlier this year at California’s Stanford University. “Some people awaken spiritually without ever coming into contact with any meditation technique or any spiritual teaching,” he said. “They may awaken simply because they can’t stand the suffering anymore.” He went on to cite examples of those that have either been told they have a short time to live or have been given an exceptionally long prison sentence. In both cases, any thought of a future has been effectively dashed, forcing these individuals into what Tolle describes as an
Spiritual insights aren’t the least bit ethereal or elusive, but decidedly practical.
Take your First Step into a Special Journey
ditional Medicine Society. “They are determinants of health and they are factors in recovery, well-being and longevity.” So where do these insights come from? Is it simply a matter of wishful thinking? Or is it perhaps something more reliable, more effective than that? “Jesus said, ‘The kingdom of heaven is within you,’” observes Tolle, implying that this health-inducing understanding may be a lot closer than we thought. “I think if he lived nowadays, instead of ‘kingdom’, he would have said, ‘dimension’. And ‘heaven’ refers to a sense of vastness or spaciousness. So if we retranslate the words of Jesus into modern terms, [it would be] ‘the dimension of spaciousness is within you.’” “And then Jesus said—when they asked him, ‘Where is the kingdom of heaven and when is it going to come?’— he said, ‘The kingdom of heaven does not come with signs to be perceived. You cannot say, ah, it’s over there or look, it’s over there, for I tell you the kingdom of heaven is within you.’” How comforting it is to be reminded that the proverbial “kingdom of heaven” we’ve been hearing about for at least two millennia—this “dimension of spaciousness”, or what might be characterized as the understanding of our true spiritual identity—is “within you.” It’s within us all, here and now. All that remains is the willingness—and the humility—to put this insight into practice.
Join the first school in Nevada approved to offer a Masters of Science degree in Oriental Medicine (MSOM).
Eric Nelson is a Christian Science healing practitioner from Los Altos, CA, whose articles on the link between spiritual consciousness and health appear regularly in national online publications. Connect at norcalcs.org.
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natural awakenings
December 2013
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Yoga • Pilates • QiGong T’ai Chi • Meditation Masters Directory
CENTENNIAL HILLS NAMASTE YOGA STUDIO
7240 W Azure, Ste 115, LV 89130 702-979-9050 • NamasteYogaLasVegas.com “Discover the Spirit Within You” Ashtangabased studio with yoga programs designed to soothe your spirit, Reiki healing for the soul and massage therapy for bodily pain and injury recovery. Mention this ad for 50 percent off drop-in pass.
GREEN VALLEY BIKRAM YOGA GREEN VALLEY
1500 N Green Valley Pkwy, HD 89074 702-463-0671 • BikramGreenValley.com All levels welcomed! Come breathe, sweat and transform your body today!
THE GREEN ROOM PILATES
NORTH LAS VEGAS
SPRING VALLEY
THE TREE OF LIFE YOGA & ACCESSORIES
THE PILATES STUDIO, LAS VEGAS
Branch out, cultivate and grow! Expand your yoga practice with yoga classes, Reiki and ayurveda life coach consultations. Custom yoga bolsters, eye pillows, neck and travel pillows and aromamits. Etsy store: Etsy.com/shop/ TheTreeOfLifeYoga.
A beautiful studio with a zen quality. Come and enjoy an invigorating workout for the body and mind!
PARADISE
1171 S Buffalo Drive, #110, LV 89117 702-324-0353 • NaturallyOrganicCenter.com
1537 Ascension Cir, NLV 89031 702-496-1375 • TheTreeOfLifeYoga.com
BAREFOOT SANCTUARY
6689 S Las Vegas Blvd, LV 89119 702-821-5017 • BarefootSanctuary.com Barefoot Sanctuary is the community yoga, meditation, fitness, belly dance and handstand studio inside Whole Foods Market at Town Square.
BIKRAM LAS VEGAS (SOUTHWEST)
3655 S Durango, LV 89147 702-895-9000 ThePilatesStudioLasVegas.com
SUMMERLIN NATURALLY ORGANIC HEALING CENTER
Specializing in multiple wellness modalities including t'ai chi, chi kung (qigong), yoga, meditation and nutritional and herbal medicine. Sifu JC, owner and operator, has over 20 years experience and has brought in high-level teachers and experts to assist you in body, mind and spirit.
SUNRISE MANOR
2510 St. Rose Pkwy, Ste 130, HD 89074 702-990-2622 • TheGreenRoomPilates
5031 Wagon Trail Ave, Ste 109, LV 89118 702-547-9642 • BikramLasVegas.com
BLUE SKY YOGA
A full-service Pilates studio that offers group, semi-private and private instruction on all apparatus. Pilates educational workshops. Achieve a daily, non-invasive, yet challenging, fitness program to stimulate the mind and body.
The largest, modern and most technologically advanced Bikram Yoga Studio in Las Vegas. Less than one mile from the Las Vegas Strip! Lose weight, tone your body and energize your life!
Our vision at Blue Sky is to make yoga available to all, no matter what their financial situation. We offer these sacred teachings by donation only ($12 suggested). Pay what you can.
HENDERSON ASTRID RUDIN
Certified Fitness Instructor • Holistic Movement Therapist • Prenatal & Expressive Yoga Dance Instructor 702-432-0028 Beginner yoga classes-$10. Learn the flow of movement and let go of that which does not serve you. Unfold your strength and power on the mat. Learn to restore what is already in you.
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Greater Las Vegas
WELL ROUNDED MOMMA
3556 E Patrick, LV 89120 702-478-5080 • WellRoundedMomma.com Prenatal and expressive yoga dance instruction at Well Rounded Momma Homestead. Comprised of doulas, childbirth educators, lactation professionals, wellness practitioners and midwives who provide one-on-one consultations and facilitate groups, workshops and classes.
NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
107 E Charleston, LV 89104 702-592-1396 • TeachPeaceNow@yahoo.com
ONLINE YOGA JEWELRY AND CLOTHING/ MANIPURA YOGA
7835 S Rainbow Blvd, Ste 4-40, LV 89139 702-682-6119 • ManipuraYoga.org Unique yoga apparel, accessories and jewelry, including yoga charms, peace pendants, chakra bracelets, original glass pendants, earrings, bracelets, zodiac jewelry and other unique items. Great holiday gifts for yogis. Custom orders available.
naturalpet
Pet First-Aid Kits All-Natural Home Health Care by Sandra Murphy
F
“
irst-aid is the first thing you can do to help an injured animal if you are prepared,” says Dr. Jason Nicholas, owner of The Preventive Vet, in Portland, Oregon. Attention in cases of injury or sudden illness can help a dog or cat stay more comfortable, stop bleeding and provide temporary relief. A pet first-aid kit can resemble a pantry more than a medicine cabinet. Natural components include: Cool water. Purified water kept in a spray bottle can cool overheated pets. For the fastest results, spray near the pulse points, the “armpits” and where fur is the thinnest. Further, a vet will assess if clinical hydration is needed beyond the water bowl. Saline solution. Versatile saline is available at the vet’s office or any pharmacy, and also easy and inexpensive to make at home. Use it to flush debris from eyes, clean wounds and promote healing from incisions. Two teaspoons of non-iodized salt in four cups of boiled water mimics body fluids. The Ohio State University Medical Center website provides a recipe for normal saline solution at Tinyurl.com/SalineRecipe. Vinegar. It acts as a drying agent, especially for floppyeared dogs taking a dip in a pool or natural waterway, which can leave the inner ear moist. “Don’t use vinegar if the skin is red or broken because it will be painful,” says Dr. Jules Benson, vice president of veterinary services at Petplan Pet Insurance, in
Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Never use it more than twice a week. Honey. Apply this sweet unguent to gums to help counteract low blood sugar and shock, particularly when a diabetic pet’s insulin levels are off. Maple syrup is a good substitute. Sugar. Although not recommended in a regular pet diet, sugar can be a topical antibacterial for the short term. Sugar draws water from the wound and dehydrates bacteria, supporting growth of new tissue. Plain yogurt. Adding this healthy refrigerated topping to dry food will activate a sluggish appetite and supply needed cultures to help balance the digestive system. Cornstarch. This non-toxic remedy helps stop minor bleeding from cuts, scrapes and pedicure accidents. Calendula. Also known as pot marigold, calendula cream may be used as an anti-inflammatory. Bug bites, scrapes, sunburn and itching from allergies also benefit from its application. Aloe. Easily grown in a garden or pot and available in gel form, aloe sooths burns, prevents blisters and speeds healing. It also serves as canine Chapstick. “Older dogs often have cracked skin on their noses,” notes Benson. “Aloe helps to heal the skin and keeps the dog comfortable.” Rescue Remedy. Illness or injury brings stress, and one common solution is Rescue Remedy. To relieve fear or anxiety, rub it onto a paw, nose or ears or add the recommended number of drops to water, a
treat or food. It helps dogs, cats, horses, birds, fish and even iguanas. Dosage relies on the extent of stress rather than weight or species. Clean cloths. For bee stings or insect bites on the body, cool compresses can reduce swelling and itching. Wet a washcloth with cold water or for larger welts, wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply for a few minutes at a time. For stings on the face or mouth, it’s best to go to the vet’s office immediately, so that airways don’t swell up and hinder breathing. Miscellaneous supplies. Keep on hand gauze, tape, small scissors, tweezers (for removing objects from the roof of the mouth or splinters), a small flashlight, clean socks to cover a bandage and disposable gloves to keep human germs out of open wounds. A dog in pain may bite without realizing it. Nicholas recommends a basket muzzle, so the dog can easily breathe and pant. When a pet eats or drinks nonfood items or foods they shouldn’t, such as chocolate, grapes or onions, head to the local vet. Veterinarian Jeff Levy, in New York City, who is also a certified veterinary acupuncturist, counsels, “Always keep contact information for your vet, an emergency hospital and animal poison control center handy.” Also, find out where emergency services are located when traveling. Pets can go into shock just like humans. To prevent or reduce the impact, keep the animal warm and provide a deep massage of the ears, at the base, where ears meet the head. A couple of drops of lavender oil on a collar or bandana will help everyone relax. Do not put essential oils directly on the pet, especially cats, as it can be toxic. Just like children, pets may have accidents or get sick after office hours. Stay calm, head for the natural pet pantry and then call the family’s holistic veterinarian. Sandra Murphy is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect at StLSandyM@ yahoo.com.
natural awakenings
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calendarofevents Please call ahead to confirm dates and times. For extended event descriptions and additional listings visit NaturalAwakeningsLV. com. All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month prior to the next month's publication and adhere to our guidelines. Submit listings online at NaturalAwakeningsLV.com. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3
EZ Weight Loss Series-Alkalize or Die – 1-2:30pm. Learn how to pH-balance the fluids in your body, why it’s important. Learn to reverse and prevent many health conditions. Each class in series includes guided imagery for easy memorization. Must RSVP and inquire re: parking. $13. Transformations, 3920 Amy Marie Ct, LV. 702-405-9375. TransformationsLasVegas.com.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5
EZ Weight Loss Series-Kick The Sugar Addiction – 6-7:30pm. Learn how sugar affects blood sugar levels, energy, appetite and cravings. Learn how to reverse and prevent many health conditions. Each class in series includes guided imagery for easy memorization. Must RSVP. $13. Transformations, 3920 Amy Marie Ct, LV. 702-405-9375. TransformationsLasVegas.com.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
Annual Holiday Guitar Concert – 7-8:30pm. Open to the public, for all ages. Enchanting, eclectic, all guitar, holiday music performed by Guitar Society of Las Vegas with Las Vegas Academy for the Performing Arts students. Free. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 702-507-3964. LVCCLD.org.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
The 5 Tibetan Rites-Fountain of Youth – 9:3010am. This program revitalizes, rebuilds the entire body in just 15 minutes, an anti-aging secret. Instructions start at 10am sharp. If elect to participate, wear comfy clothes, bring Yoga mat. Please RSVP. Free. Transformations, 3920 Amy Marie Ct, LV. 702-405-9375. TransformationsLasVegas.com. The Mysteries of Reincarnation Fully Revealed – 1-3pm. Life does not begin with birth or end with death. How does reincarnation really work? Learn
Call for more information! COME OUT AND SAMPLE THE LATEST GREEN DRINKS FROM PURIUM HEALTH PRODUCTS.
Learn how you can Look, Feel & Perform Like a Much Younger Person.
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Greater Las Vegas
the science of controlling the present, determining personal future, and dramatically changing one’s life. Snacks included. $5. Clark County Library, Jewel Box Theatre, 1401 E Flamingo Rd, LV. 702434-8332. GovindasCenter.com. Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health - Caregiver Support – 2-3pm. “ Caring for a Loved One with Memory Loss”. Neurocognitive disorders (Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis) impact everyone involved in care and support. Learn about social services, education programs, other resources available; questions answered. Free. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 702-507-3964. LVCCLD.org. Kids Rhythm Club – 3-3:45pm. Calling all kids to drum together for fun, making new friends. Parents also participate, but activities are child-focused. All ages invited. Ear plugs are provided at no charge. Drums provided by Music 4 Life. $5. $15/family of four. Free/Music 4 Life Health Club members. Music 4 Life Health Club, 2975 S Rainbow Blvd, Ste B, LV. 702-889-2881. Music4Life.us. Community HU – 7:30-8pm. Open the heart to divine love and experience uplifting joy, healing, relaxation and spiritual connection. Free. Naturally Organic Center, 1171 S Buffalo, LV. 702-224-4325.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
The Secret of Destroying Bad Karma Quickly – 6-8pm. Simply believing in karma without changing one’s life so as to avoid undesirable reactions has no real effect. One should have a clear understanding of karma and apply that understanding to one’s life. Then one can live happily. Free. Govinda's Center, 7181 Dean Martin Dr, LV. 702434-8332. GovindasCenter.com.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10
EZ Weight Loss Series-Transform Emotional Eating – 1-2:30pm. This class covers inappropriate behaviors related to food; difficulty with weight loss; identifying emotional eating; explaining the belief system; tools and techniques to break through outdated 'programming'. Guided imagery. MUST RSVP & inquire re: location and parking. $13. Transformations, 3920 Amy Marie Ct, LV. 702-405-9375. TransformationsLasVegas.com.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11
Senior Law Series – 12-2pm. Topic: Small claims proceedings overview. Program covers filing to judgement, information for plaintiffs/defendants. After the lecture there will be time for brief oneon-one sessions with an attorney. Presented by Nevada Legal Services and the Nevada Senior Law Program. Free. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 702-507-3964. LVCCLD.org.
NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
doTERRA Essential Oil Class – 3pm. Learn from an expert a little bit about essential oils while making a homemade essential oil recipe. Visit the website each month for different ideas. Free. Flawless Silhouettes Wellness Spa, 8820 S Maryland Pkwy, 115, LV. FlawlessSilhouettes.com. The Art of Spiritual Dreaming Book Discussion – 4-5pm. Recognize dreams as a source of inner truth and as a key element to spiritual growth. Free. The Spirit Within U, 4780 W Ann Rd, Ste 4, NLV. Spiritual Experiences Discussion – 7-8pm. Understand the purpose of spiritual experiences, discover new spiritual adventures in daily life. Free. Naturally Organic Center, 1171 S Buffalo, LV. 702-224-4325.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18
Drummunication: Transformational Experience – 7-8:30pm. Group empowerment drumming centers on stress release, wellness, healing, unifying community spirit and energizing individuals. Drumming meditation. Instruments provided. $25/ non members. $15/Music 4 Life Health Club members. Music 4 Life Health Club, 2975 S Rainbow Blvd, Ste B, LV. 702-889-2881. Music4Life.us.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27
Intuitive Business Networking Group – 5:158:30pm. Busine$$ 360 offers networking for professionals in the Las Vegas Valley. First Tuesday each month is speed networking happy hour, make quality one-to-one connection, learn of resources to grow business. $25. Sedona, 9580 W Flamingo, LV. 702-706-4383.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31
New Year's Eve Kirtan Celebration – 7pm-1am. Devotional mantra chants celebrating the path of love, culminates with a festive kirtan. Return home to embrace the new year with a smile, a groove, and gratitude in the heart. $8 suggested donation. Govinda's Center, 7181 Dean Martin Dr, LV. 702434-8332. GovindasCenter.com.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25
savethedate
New Year, New You Wholistic Health Fair Sponsored by the Wholistic Health Team, this event features holistic vendors, natural skin care products, workshops and much more.
Saturday, January 25 10 am-3pm • $5
Ultra Violet Extreme Performance Art Center 4544 W Russell Rd., Suites B & C, Las Vegas Monique: 917-916-9917 • Katricia: 702-772-6025
ongoingevents Please call ahead to confirm dates and times. For extended event descriptions and additional listings visit NaturalAwakeningsLV. com. All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication and adhere to our guidelines. Submit listings online at NaturalAwakeningsLV.com.
daily Bikram Yoga – See website for class schedule and rates. Bikram Yoga LV, 5031 Wagon Trail Ave, Ste 109, LV. 702-547-9642. BikramLasVegas.com. Free Counseling Sessions – Pre-Masters MFT Practicum-Intern with a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist provides therapy sessions for relationship issues, loss and grief, infidelity, couples strengthening, life-stage changes and more. Sliding fee scale $25. Free. 3501 W Charleston, Ste 100, LV. Schedule with Caleb: 702-508-9461, x 3. PsychotherapyLasVegas.com. Nevada SPCA Little Critter Adoption – 9am8pm. Adoptions for Little Critters. At times, AYS may have bunnies, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, degus, more. Visit Nevada SPCA.org, a nonprofit, non-kill shelter, to help with a donation or learn more. At Your Service Pet Supplies & Grooming, 55 S Valle Verde Dr, 100, HD. 702-4980416. AtYourServicePetSupplies.com. Piano Lessons – Ages 7 and up. Private piano lessons intended for the beginning or intermediate learner. $20/30 minutes. Summer Trail at Mountain’s Edge. Call or text Dominique: 435-592-0662. Yoga & Meditation – See website for daily class schedule. Just Breathe Wellness Center, 5333 S Arville St, Ste 206, LV. 702-553-6819. JustBreatheWellnessCenter.com Wongu University of Oriental Medicine - Graduate Program – 9:30am-5:30pm. The non-profit school offers a Master of Science Degree in Oriental Medicine. Coursework includes acupuncture, herbology, Taiji, moxibustion, Western medicine, practice management and more. Currently accepting applications. $180/Didactic Unit. $18/Clinical Hour. Wongu University of Oriental Medicine, 8620 S Eastern Ave, LV. 702-463-2122. Start@ Wongu.org. Wongu.org. Stress Reduction Sessions – 10am-2pm. Stressed? Overwhelmed? Sleepless nights? Experience a free stress reduction session. Sessions are available daily. Free. 3663 E Sunset Blvd, Ste 106, LV. 310-739-7673. LVSelfDevelopmentCenter.com. 1230. StayHealthy.info.
sunday
fresh52 Sunday Farmers’& Artisan Market – 8:30am-1pm. fresh52 farmers’ and artisan market is a lively, friendly, open-air market where neighbors and friends come together to celebrate the
community. Free. Sansone Park Place, 9480 S Eastern, LV. 702-900-2552. fresh52.com. Falun Gong Exercise & Qigong Meditation – 9-11am. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is an advanced traditional Chinese meditation system designed to improve mind and body through slow, gentle and smooth exercises. Free. Desert Breeze Park, 8268 Spring Mountain Rd, LV. 702-773-3667. FalundafaLasVegas.blogspot.com/. Taiji with Master Shirfu Jackson – 9-10am. $15. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Taiji Push Hands with Master Shirfu Jackson – 1011am. $15. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. The Dog House Adoptions – 11am-2pm. Extraordinary animals will be on display and available for adoption. Tivoli Village, 302 S Rampart Blvd, LV. Chi is Key Beginner Yoga & Meditation with Isa – 12-1pm. $10/class. $15 with Power Pilates following. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Power Pilates with Isa – 1-2pm. $10/class. $15 with Chi is Beginner Yoga & Meditation before. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Reiki Circle – 2-3pm. $5/class. Practitioners only. Krishna Fest – 6-9pm. A unique night out. Experience mantra chants, vibrant world music, stimulating spiritual knowledge of ancient India. Relax over a super-tasty vegetarian dinner with a diverse range of thoughtful people. Free. Govinda's Center of Vedic India, 7181 Dean Martin Dr, LV. 702-434-8332. GovindasCenter.com.
monday Qigong/T’ai Chi Classes – 8:30-9:30am. Mon and Thurs. All ages and physical limitations. The gentle movements of qigong/T’ai chi are suitable for all levels. Learn how to move and strengthen the body for health, relaxation and vitality. $5. Whitney Senior Community Center, 5712 E Missouri Ave, LV. Kat: 702-743-3786. ThreeTreasuresMQ.com.
Beginning Meditation with Joan Lembo – 121pm. $10. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Gentle Yoga with Joan Lembo – 1-2pm. $10. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Yoga with Jeff – 6:15-7:15pm. Improve strength, flexibility and endurance while clearing the mind through the power of Yoga. Donation. Herbally Grounded, 4441 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 702558-4372. Pet Loss & Bereavement Support Group – 6:307:30pm. Coping with loss of a pet can be difficult and lonely. Dr. Susan Wheeler shares answers with those who are grieving. Small and caring weekly support group in an atmosphere of emotional support and growth. Free. Community Lutheran Church, 3720 E Tropicana. 24-hour phone: 702735-5544. Info4NV.org. Pets702.org. Yoga & Qigong – 7:45-9:15pm. Multi-level Ashtanga yoga class and qigong infuses balancing chi (energy). Donation: $10. 107 E Charleston, LV. 702-325-9923. GoldLightYoga.com.
tuesday Chi Kung/Medical Qigong with Sifu JC – 10-11am. $10. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Momma’s Milk Circle – 10am-1pm. Support group for nursing moms and babies of up to one year of age hosted by lactation specialists. Well Rounded Momma Homestead, 3556 E Patrick Ave, LV. 702-795-2500. WellRoundedMomma.com. Beginner T’ai Chi 29 Tao for Seniors with Doris Fong – 2-3pm. $5. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Beginner Yoga – 4:30-5:45pm. Classical Ashtanga yoga. Multi-level class for new and intermediate students. Emphasis on play, heart opening, alignment, with fun music. Progressive options offered. First Tuesday each month features Beatles music. $10 donation. Blue Sky Yoga, 107 E Charleston, LV. 702-325-9923. GoldLightYoga.com. Simple Thoughts Tutorial and Journaling – 5-6:30pm. Broaden the perception of life’s experiences and be inspired. Journal inspirations. $20. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-610-6497. Yoga for Children with Joan Lembo – 5-6pm. $15. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com.
Energy Yoga – 9:30-10:30am. Increase the body’s natural energy. First class free. $10. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702493-1614.
Spiritual Book Club for Women – 6-8pm. Fourth Tues. First meeting is Meet and Greet and discuss future book choices. Meditation included in each meeting. Suggested donation: $8. Just Breathe Wellness Center, 5333 S Arville St, Ste 206, LV. 702-553-6819. JustBreatheWellnessCenter.com.
Yin Yoga with Carol – 10-11am. $10. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com.
Taiji Chuan with Master Shirfu Jackson – 6-8pm. $15. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com.
natural awakenings
December 2013
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Beginner Yoga Class – 7pm. Flow with the movements, let go of what doesn’t serve. Unfold strength and power on the mat. Learn how to shine inner light. Beginner class restores, rejuvenates what’s already inside. $10. Astrid Stokes: 702-592-5600. Healing Circle – 7-9pm. Free healing every week with different practitioners. Free. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo, LV. RSVP Janee Powers: 702-265-5219.
wednesday Chi Kung/Medical Qigong with Sifu JC – 1011am. $10. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Yoga with Mitch Menik – 11am-12pm. $5-$10 per class, depending on package. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Yoga with Mitch Menik – 11am-12pm. $5-$10 per class, depending on package. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Brain Balance Open House – 2:30-4:30pm. 2nd Wed. For all parents, teachers, educators, administrators and support staff. Learn about groundbreaking, drug-free programs that helps kids with ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, Tourettes, OCD, PDD. Free. Brain Balance Achievement Centers of HD, 11 S Stephanie St, HD. 702-778-9500. BrainBalanceCenters.com.
ing. Bring/meet a friend. Free. Love offerings accepted. Naturally Organic Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-405-9375. TransformationsLasVegas.com. Yoga for Stress Relief – 6-7pm. Yoga poses and meditation techniques for serenity. First class free. $10. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-493-1614. Vinyasa Yoga and Sonic Therapy – 7-8:30pm. This all level Vinyasa flow class includes pranayama and mantra meditation. Learn the secrets of relaxation and explore the practical techniques for a healthy mind, body and soul. Donation based class. Govinda's Center, 7181 Dean Martin Dr, LV. 702-434-8332. GovindasCenter.com.
thursday Green Drinks – Second Thurs. Network with other eco-friendly business professionals. Times/ locations vary. Facebook.com/GreenDrinksLV. Country Fresh Farmers' Market-Water Street – 9am-4pm. Outdoor market selling fruits and vegetables, fresh-baked breads, salsas, honey, jams, loose leaf teas, organic soaps, dolls, jewelry, crafts and more. Free. Downtown HD in Events Plaza, 240 Water St, HD. 702-579-9661. CountryFreshFarmersMarket.com. Good Morning Yoga with Teacher Sharon Prier – 9-10am. $10/class. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com.
Stripped Raw (Holistic Health Classes) with Jacqueline Pascual – 5-6pm. $10. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com.
‘Bet on the Farm’ Farmers’ Market – 10am-1pm. Mario Batali’s and Joe Bastianichу’s sustainable market. Free. Springs Preserve, 333 S Valley View Blvd, LV. BetOnTheFarm.com.
Mary Kay Skincare and Meeting – 5:30-6:30pm. Skincare Classes; 6:30-8:30pm. Open Meeting. Meetings are open to any guest. Special guest event every 3rd Wed features various makeup techniques. Free. Please RSVP. Pink Studio, 6655 S Tenaya Way, Ste 120, LV. 702-371-1037. MaryKay.com/ sglenn2020.
Chi Kung/Medical Qigong with Sifu JC – 1011am. $10. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com.
Inspirational Reiki Healing Circle with Victoria Stitzer Reiki Master – 6-8pm. Donation. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Reiki Healing Circle & Inspiration – 6-8pm. Open to public. Reiki Circles offer a time to give, to receive, and to practice (for practitioners). A special night of learning, interaction, meditation, deep heal-
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive. ~Dalai Lama
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Momma’s Milk Circle – 10am-1pm. Support group for nursing moms and babies of up to one year of age hosted by lactation specialists. Well Rounded Momma, 6000 S Eastern Ave, Ste 9A, LV. 702-795-2500. WellRoundedMomma.com. Mommy Circle – 10-11am. Moms and their babies gather to learn and share along with lactation consultant Amanda. A great place to give and receive information from one another and have support from peers. Free. Flawless Silhouettes Wellness Spa, 8820 S Maryland Pkwy, 115, LV. Morning Meditation – 10-11am. Gently guided meditations for those wishing to begin or deepen their meditation practice. $10. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-493-1614. Senior Memoir-Writing Class – 10-11:30am. Four weekly classes. Life Stories Nevada helps older adults record their life stories for themselves and future generations. Free. Temple Beth Sholom, 10700 Havenwood Ln, LV. 702-940-5423. LifeStoriesNevada.org. Reiki with Angels Meditation – 11:30am12:30pm. Heal, restore and empower oneself. Allow the love of the Angel and the power of Reiki to assist in a spiritual journey. Seek to bring Divine Light into everyday lives. $10. Just Breath Wellness Center, 5333 S Arville, 206, LV. 702-350-1711.
NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
In Rhythm Music Songwriter Workshops – 6-8pm. Find one’s voice and create music in a supportive, safe environment. All levels welcome. $20. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-610-4400. Intuitive Business Networking Group – 6pm8:30pm. Third Thurs. Busine$$ 360 is a group of professionals desiring to grow business with practical intuition. Features a spiritual intuitive coach to answer questions, resolve business challenges. $25. Sedona, 9580 W Flamingo, LV. 702-706-4383. Las Vegas Aikikai – 6-7pm. Aikido, Japanese martial art, teaches that attack is opportunity to defend. Body of instruction includes aikido, bokken (wooden sword), jyo (wooden staff), iaido (sword drawing) and zazen (seated zen meditation). $5/ class. Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 McLeod Dr, LV. 702-879-8792. LVAikikai.com. Solar NV Monthly Meeting – 6:30pm. Third Thurs. Featuring speakers from a variety of renewable energy disciplines. A great place to network with people who share an interest in renewable energy. Free. Check website for meeting room number. UNLV, 4505 S Maryland Pkwy, LV. 702507-0093. SolarNV.org. Deeksha – 7pm. First and third Thurs. Awaken to the natural state of being. Along with trained Deeksha givers, Oneness trainers Debra Apsara and Neal Ong, experience a powerful ancient transfer of energy called Deeksha. Love donations. Unity Center in the Valley, 3037 E Warm Springs Rd, Unit 300, LV. 702-576-1010. OnenessLasVegas.com/.
friday Qigong-T’ai Chi Classes – 8:30-9:30am. Bi-monthly. These ancient Chinese healing arts involve gentle, rhythmic movement exercises, controlled breathing and focused intention. $5. Whitney Community Center, 5712 Missouri Ave, LV. 702-743-3786. Downtown 3rd Farmers’ Market – 9am-2pm. Locally grown fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers and artisanal selections. Guest chef demonstrations. Kids craft zone. Dog park. Largest indoor Farmers’ Market in the valley. Free parking. 300 N Casino Center, LV. Downtown3rd.com. Chi Kung/Qigong – 10-11am. Tues, Thurs; Sat, 9-10am. Chi Kung, the art of developing internal energy for health and vitality, mind expansion and spiritual cultivation uses body movements, rhythmic breathing, visualizations and healing sounds. Sifu JC specializes in Chi Kung, 17 years experience. $10. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. 702-433-3874. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Country Fresh Farmers’ Market – 10am. Free. HD Pavilion, 200 S Green Valley Pkwy, HD. 702579-9661. CountryFreshFarmersMarket.com. fresh52 Friday Farmers’& Artisan Market – 3-7pm. fresh52 farmers’ and artisan market is a lively, friendly, open-air market where neighbors and friends come together to celebrate the community. Located outside Whole Foods at Town Square. Free. Town Square (outside Whole Foods), 6605 LV Blvd S, LV. 702-900-2552. fresh52.com.
Community HU – 3:15-3:45pm. Open the heart to divine love and experience uplifting joy, healing, relaxation and spiritual connection. Free. The Spirit Within U, 4780 W Ann Rd, Ste 4, NLV. 702-224-4328. Yoga for Stress Relief – 4-5pm. Instructor Joan Lembo. $10. Naturally Organic Healing. First Friday – 6-12pm. Arts festival on 1st Fri each month. Food, drink, art and entertainers. Free. Downtown Arts District, LV. 702-384-0092. FirstFriday-LasVegas.org. Homemade Vegan/Vegetarian Dinners – 6-9pm. Friday is vegan/vegetarian dinner night at Govinda’s. Preparations will consist of vegetable stew, rice or pasta, soup, bread, a dessert and beverage for a donation of $8/plate. Senior and student discounts available. $8. Govinda's Center, 7181 Dean Martin Dr, LV. 702-434-8332. GovindasCenter.com. Community HU – 6:15-6:45pm. 4th Fri. Open the heart to divine love and experience uplifting joy, relaxation and spiritual connection. Free. Pure Health Foods, 7575 Washington, 129, LV. 224-4325. Community Drum Circle – 6:30-7:30pm. All ages welcome. Enjoy a large community drumming experience, building one strong voice with many. Bring drum/rhythm instrument or one provided. $10. Music 4 Life, Inc., 2975 S Rainbow Blvd, LV. 702-889-2881. Music4life.us. Teachings of Ven Lama Jigme Rinpoche – 7-8pm. Donation-based class. Donation goes directly to Lama. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Energy Healing Circle – 7:30pm-8:30pm. Circle of healing for self and planet. Give a healing and receive a healing. Love donation. Free. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-467-2472.
saturday fresh52 Saturday Farmers’& Artisan Market – 8am-1pm. fresh52 farmers’ and artisan market is a lively, friendly, open-air market where neighbors and friends come together to celebrate the community. Free. Tivoli Village, 302 S Rampart, LV. 702-9002552. fresh52.com. Chi Kung and T’ai Chi Classes – 9-10am. Learn T’ai Chi and Chi Kung. $10/class. $15/both hours. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 702-433-3874. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Chair Pilates – 9:30am-10:30am. Achieve physical goals through Pilates. Enjoy chair Pilates with Terra. Terra is a highly educated Pilates instructor with over ten years of experience. Semi-private classes are limited to six people. Packages available. $20. Flawless Silhouettes Wellness Spa, 8820 S Maryland Pkwy, 115, LV. Adopt a Rescue Pet – 10am-3pm. Sat-Sun. Largest animal rescue groups, providing safe haven for dogs of abuse, neglect or homelessness. Houses dogs in its programs in foster homes, local boarding facilities and at its “under development” rescue ranch and retirement facility. Petsmart, 2140 N Rainbow Blvd, LV. Petsmart, 171 N Nellis Blvd, LV. 702-798-8663. Petsmart, 6980 N 5th St, LV. AdoptARescuePet.org.
Adoption Open House – 10am-5pm. Come meet adorable adoptables waiting for foster or forever homes. Over 30 beautiful, healthy dogs are waiting for homes. All adoptions include free training. 3652 Procyon St, LV. Southern Nevada Bully Breed Rescue, 702-483-7487, SNBBR.org. The Samadhi Legacy Foundation, 702-768-2383. LV Electric Vehicles Club Monthly Meeting – 10am. EV owners and those interested get together to show and share. Friendly club members answer any questions about EVs. Fun meet-ups almost every week. Free. For location info, contact Lloyd: 702-524-3233, Bill: 702-636-0304 or Jon: 702-2777544. LVEVA.org. Paws 4 Love Pet Rescue Adoptions – 10am-3pm. Promotes lifelong relationships between people and companion animals. Shelter and care is provided for each precious life until adopted into a forever loving home. Petsmart, 531 N Stephanie, HD. 702-5608622. Paws4Love.net. Taiji Chuan Yang Style 48 – 10-11am. Teacher Sifu JC. $10 per class, $15 with preceding Chi Kung/ Mixed Styles class and $20 with following T’ai Chi Fan or Saber. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Happy Home Animal Sanctuary Adoptions – 11am-4pm. Sat-Sun. A no-kill, no cage, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the lives of abandoned and homeless cats and dogs. Offers care and a peaceful living environment for abused, physically handicapped, aged or homeless animals. Petsmart, 9869 S Eastern Ave, LV. 702-203-4134. HappyHomeAnimalSanctuary.org. T’ai Chi Fan or Saber – 11-11:30am. Teacher Sifu JC. $10/class, $15 with preceding Chi Kung/ Mixed Styles and Taiji Chuan Yang Style 48 classes. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Those Left Behind Foundation Adoptions – 11am3pm. Provides a home for pets of people entering assisted living facilities or hospice and can no longer
care for their animals. Helps abandoned, abused and unwanted animals. Educates about the importance of caring for animals. Petco, 7731 W Tropical Pkwy, LV. 702-630-8523. TLBFoundation.org. Yoga – 11am-12pm. Cultivate balance, peace and renewal through Yoga with Susan, Silhouetttes’ Certified Yoga Instructor. Susan’s intention is to nurture the innate healing potential within each student. $10/ class, pay by the month $12. Flawless Silhouettes Wellness Spa, 8820 S Maryland Pkwy, 115, LV. All Fur Love Animal Society Adoptions – 124pm. Petco, 3890 Blue Diamond Rd, LV. Petco, 632 Marks, HD. 702-362-5617. AllFurLoveAnimalSociety.org. The Art of Spiritual Dreaming Book Discussion – 2-3pm. Every fourth Sat. Explore the universe of dreams to reveal spiritual insights, wisdom from the heart, pursue divine purpose in life, recognize dreams as source of inner truth, key element of spiritual growth. Free. Starbucks, 2120 N Rampart, LV. 702-224-4325. Stripped Raw (Holistic Health Classes) with Jacqueline Pascual – 3-4pm. $10. Naturally Organic Healing Center, 1171 S Buffalo Dr, 110, LV. NaturallyOrganicCenter.com. Community HU – 3:15-3:45pm. Open the heart to divine love and experience uplifting joy, healing, relaxation and spiritual connection. Free. The Spirit Within U, 4780 W Ann Rd, Ste 4, NLV. 702224-4328. Mind Body & Soul Saturday – 7pm. Art, meditation, music, and reading performances foster wellbeing through the arts with wellness, massage, Reiki, energy sessions adjacent to a secluded landscaped courtyard that enhances, elevates, enlightens participants face-to-face, one-on-one. $15 for you and a guest. Weston Place, 6600 W Charleston, Ste 123, LV. 702-418-0707. YouTube.com/njaoneart.
Foster Creativity with
the Gift of Music
Holiday gift certificates Private Piano Lessons •raise self esteem •increase coordination •improve concentration •build confidence beginner • Intermediate Lessons
435-592-0662 near Mountain’s Edge
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December 2013
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communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@Natural AwakeningsLV.com to request our media kit. ADD/ADHD Treatment
compounding pharmacy
BRAIN BALANCE ACHIEVEMENT CENTER OF HENDERSON
SOLUTIONS SPECIALTY PHARMACY
11 S Stephanie St, Ste 120, HD 89012 702-778-9500 • BrainBalanceHenderson.com Offering individualized plans to help children with learning difficulties reach their greatest physical, mental, social and academic potential. Customized programs correct imbalance and reduce/eliminate negative behaviors. We are brainbased, not drug based.
Applied Kinesiology ROYAL MEDICAL CLINIC
Daniel F. Royal, DO, HMD, JD 9065 S Pecos Rd, Ste 250 HD 89074 702-938-5055 • RoyalMedicalClinic.com We treat causes not symptoms with unique and natural therapies that are not available anywhere else. They failed? Get the Royal Treatment for energy, weight loss, pain relief, BioIdentical hormones, testosterone, diabetes and more. See ad, page 3.
caregiving CONSUMER DIRECT
877-786-4999 Toll Free ConsumerDirectNV.com A self directed program puts the individual receiving the care in charge allowing you to arrange and direct your own services and supports. You select, train and manage your caregiver. We take care of the program paperwork, so you can take care of… you!
chiropractic wellness RED ROCK CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS CENTER
Dr. Margaret R. Colucci 2085 Village Center Cir, Ste 110, LV 89134 702-880-5335 • RedRockChiropractic.com
Greater Las Vegas
GENERATIONS DENTAL
Dr. Truvella “Trudy” Reese, DMD 7480 W Sahara Ave, LV 89117 702-982-0400 • GenDental.com Eco-friendly, family-friendly dentistry with state-of-the-art technology. Specializing in personal attention and conscientious oral health care. Accepting most insurance plans, new patients welcome.
8579 S Eastern Blvd, Ste B, LV 89123 702-792-3777 • VegasCompounding.com
We design medicines made for each unique patient and their specialized needs including bioidentical HRT for men and women. We consider a customer’s general well being and offer consultations with appointments.
education Flawless Silhouettes Wellness Spa 8820 Maryland Pkwy, #115, LV 89123 702-685-1922 • FlawlessSilhouettes.com
Let us help you on your road to holistic knowledge and health. We offer holistic health, lactation, CPR and doTerra essential oil classes to help support your well-being. See ad, page 5.
Energy Detoxification TRACEY OWENS, SPIRITUAL MENTOR 251-680-4413 Tracey@TraceyOwens.com Facebook.com/TraceyOwens
Thoughts, feelings and emotional pains manifest as energetic blockages in the physical body. I offer a sacred Energy Detoxification process that clears these blocks, opening channels to clarity, harmony and advanced well-being. See ad, page 15.
energy healing SPIRIT OF THE OWL HEALING ARTS Roxanne Perillo, Reiki Master/Teacher Shamanic Energy Medicine 920-336-6468 • SpiritOfTheOwl.com
Dr. Colucci, a 1989 Palmer graduate, serving the Las Vegas valley for over two decades. Specializing in treating the whole body in family wellness care, pediatric and pregnancy chiropractic care, auto, work and sports injuries. Serving Summerlin.
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family dentistry
NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
Step into your light. Awaken the memory of your healed state by releasing the past, old harmful patterns, fear and feelings of scarcity. Allow yourself to live life fully! Remote healing sessions. See ad, page 15.
.
Functional Medicine
THE ULTIMATE HEALING CENTER
Jeffrey Brown, DO 10120 S Eastern Ave, Ste 100, HD 89052 702-871-7004 • OptimalHealthPC.com The Ultimate Healing Center is a functional medicine practice that incorporates a variety of methods to help heal the body. We identify imbalances and help restore balance so the body can work optimally to heal itself. Dr. Brown believes that the body has its own natural healing mechanisms. See ad, page 11.
Healing Center ENCHANTED FOREST REIKI CENTER, SPIRITUAL ITEMS 'N MORE 800 N Rainbow Blvd, #100, LV 89107 702-948-4999 EnchantedForestReiki.com
Reiki-ShamanicCranial SacralChakra BalancingSound TherapyBars AccessCrystal healers. Plus lots of classes and events such as Reiki Certification, meditations, intuitive studies and much more. Visit our beautiful metaphysical gift shop. See ad, pg 15.
holistic dentist AAA DENTAL & FOUR SEASONS DENTAL SPA
Dr. Jim Wright, DDS, AIAOMT, AIABDM 8855 W Flamingo, LV 89147 702-281-9900 • HolisticDentistLasVegas.com Practicing holistic, biological dentistry with safe removal of mercury according to the standars of IAOMT and IABDM. State of the art early detect cavity mapping, cosmetic, general, specialty dentistry and low sensitivity teeth whitening. Dr. Wright offers holistic, no-prep veneers, Lumineers, Invisalign Braces, dental implants and All on 4 Implant Bridges, sleep and full sedation dentistry. See ad, page 2.
BELL CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL AND HOLISTIC DENTISTRY Dr. Michael Bell, DDS 8068 W Sahara Ave, Ste A, LV 89117 702-256-7666 • LVTMJDentist.com
Holistic dentistry with a whole body approach to create a healthy smile and body. Live microscopic viewing of mouth bacteria. Laser gum disease treatment. Computerized TMJ and bite analysis. Mercury testing and removal. Nutritional testing. Autonomic nervous system analysis. Invisalign. See ad, page 24.
home energy efficiency SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION SWGasLiving.com/Efficiency 1-800-654-2765 EnergyEfficiency@SWGas.com
Delivering smart energy solutions for your home or business. Take advantage of our programs and incentives on residential and commercial high-efficiency equipment and learn a Smarter Greener Better® way to save money and the environment.
Music Education
integrative medicine ROYAL MEDICAL CLINIC
Daniel F. Royal, DO, HMD, JD 9065 S Pecos Rd, Ste 250 HD 89074 702-938-5055 • RoyalMedicalClinic.com We treat causes not symptoms with unique and natural therapies that are not available anywhere else. They failed? Get the Royal Treatment for energy, weight loss, pain relief, Bio-Identical hormones, testosterone, diabetes and more. See ad, page 3. .
DOMINIQUE KOLDEWYN
Private Piano Lessons Summer Trail at Mountain’s Edge 435-592-0662 cell and text Private piano lessons in my home. Lessons are intended for the beginning or intermediate learner, ages 7 and up. Cost is $20 for 30 minutes, plus initial material cost. Gift certificates available. See ad, pg 31.
natural transformation
life coaching
PURIUM HEALTH PRODUCTS
JEANNE R CATHEY
Certified Purpose Intuitive Consultant 702-750-2346 • JeanneCathey@gmail.com JeanneCathey@blogspot.com Inspired intuitive insights for your life’s path and purpose. Uncover your hidden gifts and talents, discover your highest potential, and clear the blocks in your way. Free initial phone consultation.
Glenn Smith, Independent Distributor 702-525-5360 GreenFoodsForMe.com Transform your life with the 10 Day Celebrity Cleanse, take a vacation from processed foods, eat green and get lean. Become part of the Million Mom Movement to regain family health. Promoters wanted. See ad, page 18.
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December 2013
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pet supplies & Grooming
spiritual counseling
wellness
AT YOUR SERVICE PET SUPPLIES & GROOMING
TRACEY OWENS, SPIRITUAL MENTOR
Flawless Silhouettes Wellness Spa
55 S Valle Verde, #300, HD 89012 702-982-4324 AtYourServicePetSupplies.com
Quality, full-service, pet supply store with the best value in the valley. Pet-friendly. On-site “Barkery”. Nutritional experts. Professional grooming available seven days for cats, dogs and little critters. Pet adoptions too! See ad, back cover.
251-680-4413 Tracey@TraceyOwens.com Facebook.com/TraceyOwens
Mentoring, Coaching and Energy Work. Remote sessions involve co-creating powerful intentions, establishing a safe and sacred space for the authentic, true nature within you to come forth without repression to produce mental, emotional and physical shifts. See ad, page 15.
Stress reduction .
Prenatal Guidance
ASTRID RUDIN
Prenatal & Expressive Yoga Dance Instructor Holistic Movement Therapist • Certified Fitness Instructor 702-432-0028 During your pregnancy share the joy of movement through yoga, expressive dance and holistic therapy. Be supported as you find a flow back to your roots. Allow yourself to be guided to the Universal power of womanhood.
recycling REPUBLIC SERVICES
702-735-5151 RepublicServicesVegas.com Facebook.com/RepublicServicesVegas Republic Services offers complete waste and recycling solutions for residential, commercial, industrial and construction customers. Offering free recycling assessments to meet the needs of any sized business or project.
STRESS LESS LAS VEGAS
Leanne L. Earnest, Ph.D. 2340 Paseo Del Prado, D-307, LV 89102 702-222-1812 • StressLessLasVegas.com Dr. Leanne Earnest is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years experience integrating mindfulness meditation with traditional psychotherapy. She teaches proven programs to reduce stress, improve mental and physical health. See ad, page 24.
Universities WONGU UNIVERSITY
8620 S Eastern Ave, LV 89123 702-463-2122 Wongu.org Nevada State Board approved to offer a MS Degree in Oriental Medicine. Didactics with clinical training in acupuncture and herbology ensure competent practitioners. Step into a new career or expand your practice. See ad, page 25.
CO M I N G N E XT M O N T H
Health & Wellness
Rev Up Healthy Choices in the New Year Local & National Experts Show You How For more information about advertising and how you can participate, call 702-483-3255 34
Greater Las Vegas
NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
8820 Maryland Pkwy, #115, LV 89123 702-685-1922 • FlawlessSilhouettes.com
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your body, focus your mind, or just treat yourself, let our licensed specialists take care of you. We offer nails, hair, massage, pilates, yoga, health coaching, aesthetics and body contour. See ad, page 5.
JUST BREATHE WELLNESS CENTER 5333 S Arville St, Ste 206, LV 89118 702-553-6819 JustBreatheTheSunshine@yahoo.com JustBreatheWellnessCenter.com
Vinaysa Flow Yoga & Gong, Gong meditations and “Yogatize” for weight loss classes, workshops and private lessons. Like us on Facebook.
TRANSFORMATIONS
Wellness Center & Intl. School of Reiki Victoria Stitzer, Expert in Rapid Behavior Modification • 702-405-9375 Transformations-LasVegas.org Transform your “Fears into Power”; “Pain into Joy” through powerful proven Mind-Body t e c h n o l o g i e s : N L P - E F TRegressions-Detox-Reiki-Pranic and Thetahealing. Free Reiki circles Wednesdays at 7pm. Call 702-659-2390.
A DV E RTO R I A L
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A Must for Most Americans
e all need iodine, yet most of us don’t get enough of it through our diet. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that iodine deficiency in the developed world has increased fourfold in the past 40 years and now affects nearly three-quarters of all adults. Numerous U.S. practicing physicians quoted widely in the media estimate that the incidence of hypothyroidism in our adult population may be between 30 and 70 percent. Thus, we can’t efficiently produce the thyroid hormones that serve as chemical messengers triggering nearly every bodily function. The presence or absence of iodine affects our every cell. Natural Awakenings Detoxifed Iodine is 100 percent natural, raw iodine in an ethyl alcohol solution. We thank all those that are benefiting from this product and enthusiastically telling us their great results. Available only at NAWebstore.com My wife, who suffered from extreme fatigue and other symptoms, saw a dramatic increase in energy after just a few days of taking the natural iodine drops. Now if she misses a day, she’ll end up falling asleep in the middle of the afternoon, like she used to do before taking the iodine. It works! ~ Aaron My doctor told me that I had a hypothyroid condition, prescribed medication and was happy with the follow-up test results, yet I noticed no positive effects on my overall wellbeing. Within two weeks of using the Natural Awakenings Detoxified Iodine, I had more energy, felt more awake and enjoyed clearer thinking and greater peace of mind. People even comment that I look younger. I am a fan! ~ Larry
Be Aware of Hypothyroidism Symptoms Low thyroid function, or hypothyroidism, is the most recognized and obvious indicator of low iodine intake because the thyroid gland contains more concentrated iodine than other organs. Symptoms can range from extreme fatigue and weight gain to depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, high blood pressure, fibrocystic breasts and a variety of skin and hair problems. Hypothyroidism can further cause infertility, joint pain, heart disease and stroke. Low iodine levels also have been associated with breast and thyroid cancers. In children, insufficient iodine has been strongly linked with mental retardation,
deafness, attention deficient and hyperactivity disorder and impaired growth, according to studies by Boston University, China’s Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and France’s National Academy of Medicine. The answer is simple: Taking the right kind of iodine in the right dosage can rebalance thyroid function and restore health to the thyroid and the whole body.
Reasons Behind Iodine Deficiency Radiation: Almost everyone is routinely exposed to iodine-depleting radiation emitted by cell phones, Wi-Fi, microwave ovens and other electronic devices. Iodized table salt: The human body cannot utilize the iodine added to this product. Low-sodium diets: Failure to use healthy salts to fulfill sodium requirements, plus over-
use of zero-nutrient table salt in foods, leads to iodine depletion. Bromine: This toxic chemical overrides iodine’s abilities to nourish the thyroid, adrenal and other hormone-producing glands. A known carcinogen, it is used as an anticaking ingredient found in almost all baked goods, unless the ingredients specifically cite unbromated flour. Iodine-depleted soils: Due to poor farming techniques, iodine and other minerals in soil have declined, so most foods today are devoid of naturally occurring iodine. Proper iodine supplementation with a high-quality product like Natural Awakenings Detoxified Iodine can prevent harm by protecting the thyroid and other endocrine glands and restoring proper hormone production.
A Few Drops Can Change Your Life! You could feel better, lose weight or increase energy and mental clarity with a few drops of Natural Awakenings DETOXIFIED IODINE daily in water or on your skin when used as directed. An essential component of the thyroid, iodine replacement has been reported to give relief from: • Depression • Fibromyalgia • Hypothyroidism • Radiation
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