H E A L T H Y
L I V I N G
H E A L T H Y
P L A N E T
feel good • live simply • laugh more
GET FIT In Just 20 Minutes a Day
Autism Update
Dietary Changes Offer New Hope
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Sustainable Weight Loss
5 SECRETS YOU SHOULD KNOW
New Paths to Better Health
Start the Year Well!
January 2013 | Las Vegas Edition | NaturalAwakeningsLV.com
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contents 8
5 newsbriefs
8 healthbriefs 1 0 globalbriefs 1 1 ecotip
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12 wellnessprofiles 1 5 fitbody
15 STAND UP AND MOVE! How to Sizzle, not Fizzle by Debra Melani
20 healthykids
16 HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
22 consciouseating
Surprisingly Simple Changes for Feeling Good
24 healingways
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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.
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3 1essS 27 calendar 2 ellnFILE 29 classifieds w RO P 30 resourceguide
advertising advertising &submissions submissions & how how to to advertise advertise To To advertise advertise with with Natural Natural Awakenings Awakenings or or request request aa media media kit, kit, please please contact contact us us at at 201-564-7476 702-483-3255 or or email email Publisher@NanorthNJ.com Publisher@NA-LV.com. . Deadline Deadline for for ads: ads: the the 10th 10th of of the the month. month. Editorial Editorial submissions submissions Email Email articles, articles, news news items items and and ideas ideas to: online at: Editorial@NAnorthnj.com. NaturalAwakeningsLV.com or email to: Deadline Editor@NA-LV.com. for editorial: the 10th of the month. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month. calendar submissions Email calendar Calendar submissions Events to: Calendar@Nanorthnj.com. Deadline Submit Calendar for calendar: Events theonline 10th of at:the month. NaturalAwakeningsLV.com. regional Deadline formarkets calendar: the 10th of the month. Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural regional Awakenings markets Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised Advertise your family products of locally orowned services magazines in multiple serving markets! communities Natural Awakenings since 1994. Publishing To place Corp. yourisad a growing in other markets franchised callfamily 239-449-8309. of locally owned For franchising magazines opportunities serving call communities 239-530-1377 sinceor1994. visit To NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
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TWEAKS
by Kathleen Barnes
20 ADDRESSING AUTISM Families Have Reasons for Hope
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by Brita Belli
22 SUSTAINABLE
WEIGHT LOSS Five Secrets for Feeling
Like Yourself Again by Judith Fertig
24 BE SUPPLEMENT
22
SAVVY
How to Choose Wisely for Optimal Health by James Occhiogrosso
26 NEW YEARS’
RESOLUTIONS FOR A HAPPY HOUSE
by Nancy Somera
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www.NANorthNJ.com NA-LV.com natural awakenings
January 2013
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contact us
contact us Publishers Mary ruetten Nancy Somera
managing editor Nancy Somera editor Martin Miron marketing/advertising Tina Moden design & Production Michele rose Helene Leininger Chelsea * rose National Franchise sales John Voell 239-530-1377 Natural Awakenings Las Vegas 80 Corporate Park Drive Henderson, NV 89074 PH: 702-483-3255 Publisher@NA-LV.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.
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admit that I’m not typically one for making or sticking to a New Year’s resolution. On occasion I have attempted it and even succeeded, but more often I shun the tradition in favor of a natural unfolding of what comes into my life as a new year unfolds. In 2013, I will celebrate my 50th birthday, and as a lifelong learner, I like the idea of resolving to improve my life from the inside out, which likely will mean living a little further outside of my comfort zone, like trying a new food or discovering a new activity each month. Maybe it’s time to try out a new hobby that keeps coming to mind because it’s bound to nurture my soul and introduce me to kindred spirits. Why not hit the whole alphabet, starting with a, b and c through x, y and z? I recently read about a woman that introduced monthly knitting classes into a men’s prison in Baltimore. At first, everyone thought she was crazy; now she has a waiting list of inmates trying to get into her weekly classes. Talk about moving out of one’s comfort zone! Kudos to her and to the brave men that are breaking stereotypes and learning the benefits of patience and focus. Change can be scary, but the rewards are heartwarming. All we have to do is try, even if it’s as simple as smiling at a person we pass on the street; that moment could change their life and our day, too. This month we offer some surprisingly simple “Healthy Lifestyle Tweaks” in our feature article, plus insights for “Sustainable Weight Loss” in the Conscious Eating department, all of which are designed to help readers discover easy-tomake lifestyle adjustments that work for them. As always, our monthly calendars and guides are filled with local resources, offering readers plenty of options and aids for meeting their life goals. It’s undeniable that more people across the United States are exploring alternative options to support their own health and that of their families and the planet. Natural Awakenings is helping to lead the way by publishing in 85 communities so far and counting. “The friend that’s into natural health” isn’t such a rarity anymore. I continue to appreciate the many opportunities for personal growth and learning presented by caring people in our community, and rejoice that life has taught me both to own where I’ve been and embrace where I’m going. We’ve got oodles of new adventures to explore within these pages that are guaranteed to expand our horizons, from calendar events to helpful news and informative articles. Ask our advertisers how they can help you improve your quality of life—starting today. It’s all geared to spark fresh ideas you might like to try in order to make your life flourish. Wishing you all a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year,
Natural Awakenings of Las Vegas practices environmental sustainability by using post-consumer recycled paper and soy-based ink on uncoated stock, avoiding the toxic chemicals and huge energy costs of producing shiny, coated paper that is harder to recycle. For more about why we look the way we do, visit NaturalAwakeningsLV.com.
newsbriefs Converting Your Gas Guzzler to Electric
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earn how to save more money on monthly gas purchases and reduce emissions by joining the Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association for a four-week course on electric vehicles (EV). The non-credit course will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, from January 23 to February 13, at the Community College of Southern Nevada Summerlin Center. This introductory course explains how people are taking control by building their own electric vehicles and using electricity instead of oil products. It is is designed to show participants how to convert a gas-operated vehicle to electric for local driving without being an experienced mechanic.
Location: 333 Pavilion Center Dr., Las Vegas. Tuition is $77. Sign up at lveva.org.
Learn to Write Your Own Memoir
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ife Stories Nevada, a memoir-writing class, is offering five month-long sessions from January through May at locations throughout the Las Vegas Valley. January classes will be held each Friday from 10 to 11:30 a.m., beginning January 4, at the Merrill Gardens at Green Valley Ranch. Life Stories Nevada is a program of the Clark County Cooperative Extension that helps older adults record their life stories for their own benefit and that of future generations. In the four weekly classes, instructors help authors sort through their memories and organize how they want to tell their story. Research has illustrated the importance of personal narratives to improve memory and promote self-esteem, which can lead to extended independence and more successful aging. The program aims to increase residents’ well-being by validating their life stories through both the process of writing them down and sharing them in a supportive setting. To register or for more information, call Jean Norman at 940-5423, email NormanJ@ unce.unr.edu or visit LifeStoriesNevada.org.
Hypnotic WeightLoss Training Course
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he International Association of Counselors and Therapists, an association for holistic practitioners, invites Las Vegas practitioners to register for a course in learning the Hypnotic Fat Ban weight-loss method, to be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., January 26 and 27, at the Circus Circus Hotel & Casino. The two-day training includes all the supplies needed to begin using the technique, as advertised in national health publications. In 2013, Americans are expected to spend nearly $2.7 billion on weight-loss services. As the percentage of Americans that are overweight or obese continues to rise, the demand for this industry’s services strengthens. Upon completion of training, all practitioners receive a free listing on the official Hypnotic Fat Ban web site and a one-year membership in the International Association of Counselors and Therapists. Location: 2880 Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas. For more info and to register (required), call 800-553-6886, email Info@iact.org or visit iact.org. See ad page 21.
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newsbriefs Local Health Experts Wanted for Expo
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he Beauty Health & Fitness Expo, held on March 9 and 10 at the Henderson Convention Center, is accepting vendor and speaker applications for a weekend event that showcases the most exciting and comprehensive range of quality health, beauty and fitness products. The event organizers are offering Natural Awakenings supporters 25 percent off the booth rate. The Expo is bringing practical programs on how to feel better and live longer to all that attend. This event represents the combined effort of medical science, government agencies and local organizations cooperating in reaching a single goal of good health for all. Listen to leading health experts on how to prevent and reverse heart disease, achieve permanent weight loss, protect yourself against breast, prostate and colon cancer and make the changes in your life you’ve always wanted to. The Natural Awakenings Pavilion will be a place to meet and interact with specialists that offer different aspects of spirituality, holistic health alternatives and environment friendly products. Community health professionals will explain and demonstrate simply and scientifically how to live a healthier lifestyle. Visitors will be able to see, hear, feel and even taste the concept of total health. For more information, call 702-331-1350, email Info@ProExpos.biz or visit bhfe.biz. See ad, page 22.
News to share?
Submit editorial online at NA-LV.com (Deadline: the 10th of the month)
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Free Anti-Aging Consultation
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inda Perry, a certified toxicologist with Health in Motion, invites anyone interested in learning more about Product B, an Linda Perry Isagenix antiaging supplement that helps regain and maintain youthful vitality, to contact her for a free private or group consultation. Product B targets teleomeres, thought by some to be the source of aging, and protects individuals from harmful free radicals that can accelerate aging. Through the use of electrical stimulation modalities and other nutritional supplements that promote cellular health, Perry is eager to increase clients’ health, energy and vitality while aging. To schedule a consultation, call 702-239-1069.
ring in the New Year with a 5K race
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ake plans now to ring in the New Year by running in the Chefs for Kids 5K Run/1 Mile Fun Walk, at 9 a.m., January 19, at Wayne Bunker Family Park. Each runner/ walker receives a longsleeved T-shirt, goodie bag and free pancake breakfast, and can participate in a raffle. Fifty percent of the registration fee goes to Chefs for Kids, Inc. (CFK), a nonprofit joint venture of the American Culinary Federation Chefs of Las Vegas and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. The CFK program works to eliminate malnutrition and hunger in children through education and awareness. Chefs teamed up with nutrition educators to develop nutrition curricula for first and second grade children that provide students with the knowledge necessary to adopt healthful eating habits. Las Vegas Track Club (LVTC) will provide race bibs and computerized timing for the race, and trophies will be awarded in the 5K for the top three overall male and female, plaques for the top three 50 and older male and female and certificates for the top three male and female in each category. Age categories begin at 12 and under through 80 years and above.
This winTer, The forecasT is for comforT.
For more information or sponsorship opportunities, call Chef Patrick Simon at 702-632-3777. Online registration is available at Active.com.
Father richard rohr to Lecture in Las Vegas
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tillpoint: Center for Spiritual Development will present renowned speaker Fr. Richard Rohr, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., January 12, at Bishop Gorman High School. Rohr, a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province, Father Richard is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher Rohr and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, home of the Rohr Institute. Rohr has authored numerous books, and his latest work, Immortal Diamond, explores the deepest questions of identity, spirituality and meaning. He likens the true self to a diamond, buried deep within us, formed under the intense pressure of our lives, that must be searched out, uncovered and separated from all the debris of ego that surrounds it. Various ticket options are available, including a premium package that includes the Saturday workshop, coffee and conversation with Rohr on January 13, lunch and a copy of his book. Location: 5959 S. Hualapai Way, Las Vegas. For more information, call Stillpoint at 702-243-4040 or visit StillpointCSD.org.
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ccording to a recent article published in Green American magazine, 93 percent of Americans believe that genetically modified foods should be labeled. However, only USDA-certified organic products cannot intentionally contain genetically modified organisms (GMO), so identifying GMO foods and products in a typical U.S. grocery store is difficult. The following information can help. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirms that large percentages of the nation’s crops were genetically modified in 2011: 94 percent of conventional soy and soy products; 90 percent of cottonseed, a common ingredient in margarine, salad dressings and oils; and 88 percent of corn, contained in breakfast cereals, corn flour products such as chips and tortillas, high-fructose corn syrup, soups and condiments. More than 90 percent of the U.S. canola crop also is now genetically modified. The Independent, one of England’s leading newspapers, reported in 1999 that the artificial sweetener aspartame has been made with genetically modified bacteria since 1965. Aspartame, inconclusively linked with numerous health risks, is present in more than 6,000 products, including diet sodas. Two other ubiquitous artificial sweeteners, Nutrasweet and Equal, also contain aspartame. The USDA further lists 95 percent of the 2009 U.S. sugar beet crop, used to produce conventional sugar, as genetically modified. Non-GMO alternative sweeteners include pure cane sugar and honey from organic farms. Source: GreenAmerica.org
Black Pepper Fights Fat
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www.wholefoodsmarket.com Henderson • Fort Apache • Las Vegas Blvd • Tenaya
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simple, widely available spice and kitchen staple may help us trim our waistlines. New research published in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry gives the nod to black pepper. The study provides evidence of a long-sought explanation for the beneficial, fat-fighting effects of the common seasoning. Piperine, the pungent-tasting substance that gives black pepper its characteristic taste, helps block the formation of new fat cells.
nspiration
Red Meat Raises a Red Flag
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teak is still one of America’s favorite meals, but regular consumption of red meat products comes at a high cost for health. In a recent large study, Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers found red meat to be causally associated with mortality, including from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Senior author Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at HSPH, and his team observed 37,698 men from the HSPH Health Professionals Follow-Up Study for up to 22 years and 83,644 women from the National Institutes of Health Nurses’ Health Study for up to 28 years, all of whom were free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer at the beginning of the study. The researchers assessed diets via questionnaires every four years and documented a combined 23,926 deaths in the two studies, of which 5,910 were from CVD and 9,464 from cancer. Their evaluation revealed that one daily serving of unprocessed red meat (about the size of a deck of cards) was associated with a 13 percent increased risk of earlier mortality, and one daily serving of processed red meat (one hot dog or two slices of bacon) with a 20 percent increased risk. Red meat and related products contain heme (meatbased) iron, saturated fat, sodium and nitrites, as well as carcinogens formed during cooking. The researchers recommend turning to healthier protein sources instead, like fish, poultry, nuts, legumes and whole grains.
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imply drinking a glass of water can prompt better choices at the dinner table, concludes new research by T. Bettina Cornwell, Ph.D., of the University of Oregon, and Anna R. McAlister, Ph.D., of Michigan State University. In separate studies, young adults and children were tested according to their food and beverage choices. When the participants were served a soda, they selected foods that tended to be more salty and calorie-dense. However, when the provided beverage was water, participants ate more raw vegetables.
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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Cut Abuse
Government Steps In to Curb Greenwashing The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued updated green marketing guidelines intended to stop advertisers from making deceptive or unqualified claims about products being environmentally beneficial or eco-friendly, called “greenwashing”. The FTC said that few products deliver the far-reaching environmental benefits that consumers associate with such claims, and they are nearly impossible to substantiate. The revision is the first since 1998, when phrases like “carbon footprint” and “renewable energy” were relatively new. Using input from consumers and industry groups, new sections address the use of carbon offsets, “green” certifications and seals, and renewable energy and renewable materials claims. Marketers are warned not to make broad, unqualified assertions that their products are environmentally benign or eco-friendly. Arthur Weissman, president and CEO of Green Seal Inc., a nonprofit environmental certification organization based in Washington, D.C., says, “We hope that there will be enforcement to help rid the marketplace of the many less-than-credible seals and greenwashing that exist.” The new guidelines are not rules or regulations, but general principles that describe the types of environmental claims the FTC may find deceptive. They do not address use of the terms “sustainable”, “natural” and “organic”. Source: The Christian Science Monitor
People Power
Modified Bicycles Recycle Electronic Waste Harvard graduate Rachel Field, 22, has invented the Bicyclean device, a contender for an international James Dyson Award recognizing the next generation of design engineers. The Bicyclean helps people in Third World countries separate valuable recyclable materials from the mountains of refrigerators, computers, cell phones and other electronic e-waste dumped in their “backyards” by richer nations. She aims to show that the needlessly harmful process can be made healthier, using simple bicycle technology that can be implemented virtually anywhere. Her solution is to stand up a bike in the normal position, but with the back wheel removed and replaced with an enclosed, pedal-powered, grinder-and-separation system. Pushing bits of circuit board down an attached chute onto a grinding mill of coarse cement ejects crushed e-waste fragments. Magnets collect the ferrous metals, and a battery-powered electromagnetic current pushes away non-ferrous metals. The device is more sustainable, plus it deposits and emits much less pollution into nearby waterways and air than other methods.
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Dirty Pool
Great Lakes Under Siege by Global Warming Don Scavia, director of the University of Michigan Graham Sustainability Institute, stated in a regional leaders’ conference that climate change is aggravating the effects of devastating algae blooms in the Great Lakes by increasing the intensity of spring rains that wash phosphorus into the water. Rampant algae levels degrade water quality because as algae decompose, oxygen levels can drop low enough to kill fish. After the United States and Canada signed the initial Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 1972, many local governments banned detergents containing phosphorus and the algae problem faded, but it has returned in the past decade. Analysts note that while the practice of planting crops without plowing the ground may help prevent erosion, it leaves high concentrations of fertilizer phosphorus in the upper layers of soil, where it easily runs off into waterways. A task force of academic and government experts has recommended more than 50 helpful practices, including providing funding and technical assistance for phosphorus reduction projects; authorizing state regulators to require pollution reduction measures in stressed watersheds; and working with farmers and equipment manufacturers to develop fertilizer application methods that avoid runoff. Source: EarthKnowledge.net
ecotip Repair and Reuse
Mending a Throwaway Culture Countries can learn much from each other, and people that know how to fix things now have another model for benefiting their community by reducing the burden on landfills. Conceived three years ago in Amsterdam as a way to help reduce waste, the Repair Café concept—in which citizens gather one or more days a month to socialize while mending clothes and broken household items like coffeemakers and vacuum cleaners—currently operates in more than 30 locations throughout The Netherlands. The effort in sustainability has been bolstered by a government grant, support from foundations and small donations that pay for staffing, marketing and even a Repair Café bus. “In Europe, we throw out so many things,” says Martine Postma, a former journalist who initiated the idea after attending an exhibit on the benefits of repairing and recycling. “It’s a shame, because the things we throw
away are usually not that broken.” “I think it’s a great idea,” says Han van Kasteren, a professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology, who works on waste issues. “The social effect alone is important. When you get people together to do something for the environment, you raise consciousness, and repairing [something] gives a good feeling.” The forum harbors two other positive aspects: It’s a way for handy retirees and others to ply and mentor skills that may have been dormant and also saves families the cost of buying a new product, a common occurrence as repair shops vanish along with handymen that make house calls. The Repair Café Foundation provides lists of tools, tips for raising money, marketing materials and helpful insights for interested groups. To date, Postma has received inquiries from Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, South Africa and Ukraine.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
brain balance centers of henderson Dr. Susan DeVito Learning Center for Children with Educational and Behavioral Difficulties
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fter 16 years as a clinician, Susan DeVito, DC, observed that a growing number of families were suffering the challenges of behavioral issues and learning difficulties in their children. To address this problem, she opened the Brain Balance Achievement Centers of Henderson, an after-school learning center for children with special education needs. The center provides a drug-free program to balance the hemispheres in the brain so kids with attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, Asperger syndrome, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome and other developmental disorders can reach their full potential. The program’s creator, Dr. Robert Melillo, a world-renowned expert in the field of learning disabilities, discovered more than 10 years ago that the source of learning challenges was functional disconnection within the brain. When one side of a child’s brain is weaker than the other, the two hemispheres do not communicate properly, resulting in less-than-optimal function. Children with these challenges come fully equipped, but environmental factors can affect their development, resulting in functional learning challenges. Turning on and strengthening the pathways in the brain for full function and potential is what these children need, not a label or medication. At Brain Balance Center of Henderson, more than 1,100 cognitive and motor functions are assessed to determine whether there is an imbalance. If the child is found to have a weaker hemisphere, a customized program is created to stimulate all function within that side of the brain, strengthening it and improving overall brain function. With the program, children return to the life they were intended to live at home, at school and socially. The center’s success lies in its results. When nonverbal autistic children begin to speak, parents believe their prayers have been answered. When parents witness their kids with Asperger syndrome becoming more social, coordinated and interactive, they know they have found the answer. When ADHD medication is no longer needed and school grades improve, this signals to parents that their child can live a fully productive, happy, healthy and independent life. Brain Balance Achievement Centers of Henderson hosts a monthly open house from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Call 702-778-9500 to RSVP. brain balance achievement centers of henderson Dr. Susan DeVito 11 S. Stephanie St., Ste. 120, Henderson 702-778-9500 BrainBalanceHenderson.com
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Generations Dental
Leanne L. Earnest, Ph.D.
Truvella Reese, DMD Specializing in Family Dentistry
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
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r. Leanne Earnest, a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 30 years experience, specializes in blending traditional clinical treatments with holistic therapies for mental and physical well-being. As a former nurse and marriage and family therapist, she has a special interest in health psychology and the application of mindfulness to facilitate reduction in pain and improvement of health and wellness. “I have a passion for helping people help themselves, which I think is an important pathway for lasting change,” she says. Earnest is a clinical member of the American Psychological Association and has held several board positions on the Nevada Psychological Association. After moving to Las Vegas, she found the best clinical training to be in a program that offered behavioral intervention to young children and their families. “It was a considerable professional adjustment that I’ve come to appreciate more and more over time,” she says. “With strong behavioral training, I was later able to work at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.” “Fifteen years ago, I began a personal mindfulness meditation practice,” Earnest shares. What eventually came of the meditation practice and the broad base of clinical training is the perfect blend of clinical and holistic therapies. Beginning in 2006, Earnest began a long process of integrating intensive clinical training in mindfulness meditation with her traditional western psychological training. Along with her private practice, Earnest now offers eight-week classes of intensive training in multiple modalities of mindfulness meditation that follow the curriculum developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn more than 30 years ago at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is now taught all over the world and in hundreds of locations in the United States. MBSR includes training in body scans, breath awareness, chi gong, yoga and more. Participants come away with a recipe for a mindfulness practice that suits their lifestyle and preferences. Earnest recently launched an eight-week series of classes developed by leading researchers in clinical psychology for the treatment of recurrent depression, called Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Leanne L. Earnest, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist 2340 Paseo Del Prado, Ste. D-307, Las Vegas 702-222-1812
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r. Truvella “Trudy” Reese is finally practicing dentistry in the manner she always envisioned. “After years of working in dental offices that are driven by volume, I am now able to give my patients the time and attention required for quality, healthy, conscientious dental care,” she says. Generations Dental is a small, family-friendly practice that puts personal attention ahead of all else. She sees patients at a relaxed pace—never more than two in one hour—so that she can spend time getting to know the person, not just their teeth. “I work at my own pace and provide my standard of care,” she explains. “My patients genuinely know that I am there for them. I provide the same high quality patient care that I would expect for myself and my family.” Her philosophy is that care begins with education and prevention. Reese teaches her patients the importance of regular visits and takes whatever time is necessary to explain how and why procedures are done. Her patients learn that tackling problems when they are small helps save teeth and keeps mouths healthier. At Generations Dental, all the best technology available is used to enhance proper diagnosis and aid in providing superb treatment. Using state-of-the-art technology makes it easier to get insurance approval and ensures faster payments for dental procedures. With an intra-oral camera, Reese captures detailed images of a problematic tooth and sends them, along with digital X-rays, to the patient and insurance companies, having learned that the old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” is true when it comes to dealing with third parties. She routinely uses the VELscope, a powerful diagnostic tool that uses blue spectrum light to detect a wide variety of oral abnormalities in their early stages. Detecting some abnormalities early, including cancers, can save lives. Reese takes digital X-rays that expose the patient to 80 percent less radiation than traditional film X-rays, and even the practice management software used at Generations Dental is advanced. With this software, new and emergency patients can schedule appointments, and existing patients can manage their dental accounts by reviewing both scheduled and completed treatment, seeing what their insurance has paid and even making payments. Parents can also feel good knowing that the office is regularly cleaned using only all-natural, organic general cleaning products by ECOLAB.
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Generations Dental Truvella Reese, DMD PR 7480 W. Sahara Ave., O Las Vegas • 702-982-0400 FI LE GenDental.com
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natural natural awakenings awakenings January 2013
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Solutions Specialty Pharmacy Thomas Grande, RPh Matthew LaSarso, RPh Gener Tejero, RPh Compounding and Wellness Pharmacy
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olutions Specialty Pharmacy was started with the uniqueness of each patient in mind, treating them as a whole, not merely a composite of laboratory tests. Compounding involves making individualized doses for each patient, including the very young and the elderly that may not need a full dose; medications that have a narrow therapeutic index (very potent), such as those used to treat thyroid disorders; and medications that need to be adjusted because of patients’ changing needs, such as bioidentical hormones. The pharmacists work closely with patients, physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants to monitor the progress of each therapy and may make suggestions to patients and practitioners to improve patient compliance and improve outcome. Understanding that needs vary from patient to patient, depending on their medical history and lifestyle, the trained pharmacists at Solutions Specialty Pharmacy design doses and a delivery system that is specific to each patient’s requirements. Some of their solutions include dermatological preparations for skin disorders, including psoriasis or shingles; compounded bio-identical hormone replacement therapy preparations, along with patient counseling; and pain management solutions for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and other autoimmune-afflicted patients. As a wellness pharmacy, Solutions Specialty does more than dispense medications that treat ailments. They also provide supplements and medications to keep a person healthy. For children, they offer flavored medications that taste good and are sugar-free, lactosefree, alcohol-free and dye-free, if required. They also compound a variety of dosage forms for pets, including topical creams that animals won’t lick off. “Our team works as a unit to deliver the best care possible to the patient,” says Gener Tejero. “From the compounding technician making the medication to the pharmacist giving patient counseling to the employee handing the medication to the patient, we aspire to give the best possible service every time.
Transformations Wellness Center Victoria Stitzer
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he doors at Transformations Wellness Center opened in 2004, and owner Victoria Stitzer has created a welcoming place where people can come for restoration, inspiration and healing. “My practice is about helping people make a conscious choice to live from a place of love, accountability and self-empowerment, while creating a safe place for emotional expansion, intellectual development, physical health and spiritual growth,” says Stitzer. Trained in a variety of healing therapies, Stitzer leads classes and workshops that help restore wellness and balance to the body. “The mind governs the body,” she explains. “The mind commands, the body obeys. Therefore, mental health comes first. Then, everything suddenly begins to make sense and fall into place.” An expert in rapid behavior modification and an inspiring motivator, Stitzer helps clients rid their psyches of emotions and feelings that keep them from creating the bright and compelling future that they desire and deserve. Whether the source is anger, grudges, fear, guilt, worry or shame, Stitzer helps people forgive and move away from the past, making room for transformation in all areas of life. Through nutritional classes, non-invasive detoxification programs and healthy, living-food cooking classes, visitors to her center are often able to lose weight and reverse certain weight-related health issues. She also offers anti-aging services, memory improvement, athletic performance, self-confidence improvement, relief of physical and emotional pain, and rapid healing of the body, using state-of-the-art technology. For Reiki enthusiasts, Stitzer leads weekly free inspirational Reiki circlesMMÍ and offers all levels of Reiki certification training for serious students. “Nothing motivates me more than creating and witnessing instant and permanent transformation in people’s lives,” Stitzer says. “If you are committed to take full responsibility for your health and your life, you can make positive changes and move on with your life, attracting the success you deserve.” Transformations Wellness Center Victoria Stitzer 702-405-9375 TransformLasVegas@yahoo.com Transformations-LasVegas.org
Solutions Specialty Pharmacy 8579 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. B, Las Vegas 702-792-3777 VegasCompounding.com
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STAND UP A ND MOVE! How to Sizzle, not Fizzle by Debra Melani
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s millions of Americans ponder quitting newly launched fitness resolutions after finding it tough to squeeze in toning workouts or sweat off a few extra pounds, researchers implore: Don’t give up. Just pump out 20 minutes a day of any kind of exercise—take a brisk walk, jog, lift weights—and stop sitting so much. Results can bring a healthier, more youthful feeling of well-being, akin to what explorer Juan Ponce de León sought in the Americas long ago. In a recently completed study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers followed up with more than 18,000 middle-aged men and women that had been tested an average of 26 years earlier for cardiorespiratory fitness via a treadmill test. They compared those results with the individuals’ current Medicare data at the Cooper Institute Clinic, in Dallas, Texas “We found those who were fitter had a much lower rate of heart failure, chronic kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, certain kinds of colon cancer and coronary artery disease,” says coauthor Dr. Benjamin Willis. “Fit people that did become ill did so at a much later age than their non-fit counterparts.
They were able to enjoy a healthier life longer.” Researchers found that for every higher MET fitness level (standard metabolic equivalent, a unit for measuring fitness related to the amount of oxygen used by the body during physical activity), the risk of chronic disease decreased by about 6 percent. “So those that can raise their fitness levels by three METs have an estimated 18 to 20 percent reduced risk of developing a chronic disease,” Willis explains. The take-away message is, “Just move,” says study co-author Dr. Laura DeFina. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends investing in a weekly total of 150 to 300 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous exercise, either of which can be broken down into two or three 10-minute increments a day, DeFina confirms. As simple as it sounds, few people are doing it, something New York Times fitness columnist Gretchen Reynolds underscores in her recent book, The First 20 Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How We Can: Exercise Better, Train Smarter, Live Longer. “Most of us sit an average of eight hours a day,
whether it’s at a desk or in front of a television,” Reynolds says. “The human body was not meant to be sedentary.” More than three-quarters of Americans are not meeting exercise recommendations, with one-quarter remaining completely sedentary, the CDC reports. Breaking this cycle does not need to be difficult, Reynolds notes. “You get the benefits from just moving. Start by standing up more and moving around in your office.” Reynolds, who hops on one foot while brushing her teeth and reads standing up using a music stand, says studies have shown that bad things happen to bodies that sit for long stints, even those that start each day with an hour of exercise, and good things happen to bodies that stand often, even if it’s just for two minutes every half-hour. “For instance, when you stand, the big muscles in your legs and back contract, releasing enzymes that stabilize blood sugar,” Reynolds says, echoing findings of a study of more than 120,000 men and women published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. The researchers found that the combination of both sitting more and being less physically active was associated with a significant increase in accelerated death rate, particularly in women, at 94 percent, as well as men, at 48 percent. As Reynolds’ book title suggests, the majority of health benefits are derived from the first 20 minutes of exercise and begin to flatten out after 30 minutes or so. Dr. Carl Lavie, medical director of cardiac rehabilitation and prevention at the Ochsner Medical Center, in New Orleans, points out that this timeframe supports general health. He and Reynolds agree that to reach specific goals, such as increased running speed or dramatic weight loss, moderate levels won’t do the trick, so do more, if possible. The most vital message, experts agree, is to do something every day, consistently. Willis observes that, “The effects can quickly reverse if you stop.” Freelance journalist Debra Melani writes about health care and fitness from Lyons, CO. Connect at Debra Melani.com or DMelani@msn.com.
natural awakenings
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Healthy Lifestyle Tweaks Surprisingly Simple Changes for Feeling Good by Kathleen Barnes
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ll of us have heard the admonition: “Eat lots of veggies and exercise daily and you’ll live a long, healthy life.” There’s no question this advice is sound, but what about other helpfully healthy lifestyle adjustments we can make? Experts attest that doing easy things, such as going braless, walking barefoot or using a plug-in model instead of a cordless phone can all support wellness. Results range from stress relief to prevention of cancer, heart disease and other ailments often associated with aging. “Making some of the simplest changes can have far-reaching positive effects on your health,” contends Frank King, a doctor of chiropractic and naturopathic medicine, president of King Bio Natural Medicine, in Asheville, North Carolina, and author of The Healing Revolution. “When we consider the huge negative effects shadowing the field of prescription drugs, it is just good sense to try things foundational to our health that are
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natural, inexpensive, effective and free of problematic side effects.”
Muscle Testing
“The human body is an excellent lie detector. It is the world’s most sophisticated laboratory, with more wisdom than all medical professionals put together,” says King. His favorite technique is to tap into the body’s vast wisdom using applied kinesiology, or muscle testing. “The principal is simple. When you are telling a truth or when something is good for the body, whether you are conscious of it or not, your body loosens up. When you are telling a lie or the body is rejecting something, your body tightens.” Many holistic practitioners use applied kinesiology as a diagnostic tool. An easy way to use muscle testing at home is to bend forward, fingers stretching toward the toes. Set a baseline truth by saying out loud, “My name is _______,” and notice the length of the stretch. Then utter an untruth, like calling yourself by a different name. Most people
will find their range of motion is noticeably limited in the event of an untruth or something else that is not helpful. A practical solution: Apply this technique in making any choice related to personal health.
Control Electronic Pollution Turn away from using cordless phones and turn off the Wi-Fi. Keep cell phones out of pockets and purses. Move the TV out of the bedroom. These devices emit enormous amounts of radiation, disturbing our sleep patterns, thickening our blood and causing inflammation and a number of associated diseases, according to Dr. Stephen Sinatra, an integrative cardiologist and co-author of The Great Cholesterol Myth. Recent findings of Sinatra’s research team at the University of California-Irvine, published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, confirm that physical contact with the Earth naturally thins blood. “Grounding appears to be one of the simplest and yet most profound interventions for helping reduce cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular events,” the researchers concluded. A recent study of animals by the Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory at Zhejiang University School of Medicine-Hangzhou, in China, shows that exposure to radio and electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) like those found in cell phones can alter some genes. An Indian study by the Bioelectromagnetic Laboratory at Jawaharlal Nehru University-New Delhi suggests that EMF exposure increases the production of free radicals in animal brains, which can lead to inflammation, cancer, heart disease and other serious diseases. Swiss research published in the journal Somnologie by University of Bern scientists shows a clear connection between radio frequencies (RF) and sleep disturbances. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) admits a possible link between extensive cell phone use and exposure to RF waves and brain cancer. Sinatra calls Wi-Fi signals “the new coronary risk factor” and warns, “Be aware that if you are on a computer at home on Wi-Fi, that is toxic
to your body.” A practical solution: Use an ethernet cable to connect computers rather than wireless; switch to an old-fashioned plugin phone with a handset attached; and stay three feet away from cell phones— never wear them. Sinatra says his research shows that men that put a cell phone in a pocket experience a reduction in testosterone within four hours.
Change Footwear In addition to unplugging from potentially harmful devices, Sinatra recommends plugging into Earth’s healing energies. “Our ancestors walked barefoot and slept on the ground. They were connected to Earth’s electrical energies that kept them balanced and healthy,” explains the co-author of Earthing. New research from the University of California-Irvine published in the Journal of Environment and Public Health explains how modern lifestyles tend to separate us from the healing electrical energies of the Earth. Because we rarely walk barefoot or sleep on the ground and most people wear rubbersoled shoes that break the currents, few are benefitting from this wealth of easily accessed healing energies that benefit the heart, brain, muscles and nervous and immune systems. “Practically no one has the slightest notion of an electrical or energetic connection between his or her body and the Earth,” explains Sinatra. “The ground provides a subtle electric signal that governs the intricate mechanisms that help maintain health and make our bodies work, just like plugging a light into a power socket.” Taken together, the research points to many health benefits gained by staying connected with our home planet, which Sinatra reports in Earthing, including reduced inflammation, relief from chronic pain muscle tension and headaches, lower blood pressure and tempered hormonal swings. As a practical solution, Sinatra prescribes taking a little
Ditch Antiperspirant Along with the Bra Most commercial antiperspirant deodorants contain aluminum compounds, which have estrogen-like properties. Because estrogen imbalances can promote the growth of breast cancer tissue, aluminum may have the same effect when absorbed through the skin.
Alkaline Anti-Oxidant Water
Source: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
“vitamin G” (for grounding) every day: Walk barefoot as much as possible. Sit or lie on the ground with as much skin as possible in contact with living things such as grass, trees, pine needles or earth. During the winter, touch grounded electrical outlets or metal plumbing pipes. Also, wear comfortable, leathersoled shoes without socks indoors and out, because leather is an excellent conductor of Earth’s energies.
•Doctors agree cancer and diseases cannot live in an Alkaline body •Home + Office delivery of 3 and 5 Gallon Bottles
Ditch the Bra “Breast cancer is caused by bras,” medical anthropologist Sydney Ross Singer states unequivocally. He is coauthor of Dressed to Kill, with Soma Grismaijer, and director of the Institute for the Study of Culturogenic Disease, in Pahoa, Hawaii. “Bras are designed to change the shape of a woman’s breasts to a culturally approved image,” remarks Singer. “But bras also create a pressure band between the breast and the lymph nodes, causing inflammation and swelling, and causing lymph to back up, restricting the body’s natural detoxification system.” “Cancer-causing toxins are delivered to the breast tissue by the bloodstream and are kept there by the bra,” he explains, likening the toxins to bullets. “The bra holds them in place, pointed directly at the breasts.” Singer’s research, conducted in the early 1990s, showed that women that wore bras 24/7 had a breast cancer
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risk 125 times that of women that never wore bras. Yet Singer’s findings have been largely dismissed by the medical community, and bra manufacturers still offer few wire-free styles. A Harvard School of Public Health study, published in the European Journal of Cancer Care in 1991, also discovered that bra-free women had a lower rate of breast cancer. Because the results were not central to the focus of the university’s research at the time, there’s been no follow-up. A practical solution: Wear a bra as little as possible. If it is sometimes necessary, wear one without wires, and engage in regular breast massage. This can be enjoyable and is an ideal partner activity.
Hum Often Another Singer assertion is that simply humming “mmmmmmmmm” a couple of minutes a day can stimulate the thyroid and increase the production of thyroid hormones of those with an underactive thyroid. The butterfly-shaped gland wraps around the larynx, or
voice box, which Singer contends is part of nature’s elegant design, meant to be stimulated by sound. The Cleveland Clinic reports that 10 percent of the U.S. population age 65 and over suffers from hypothyroidism, with the rate in the general population between 1 and 2 percent. The condition is a special problem for women encountering perimenopause or menopause, when hormone levels can fluctuate wildly. “The medical community has considered the effect of the thyroid on the voice but not the vibratory effect of vocalization on thyroid function,” says Singer. “It stands to reason that humming, singing or quietly talking is preferred to the overstimulation of shouting or yelling.”
Adopt a Pet “Animals are among our best teachers,” says Dr. Carol Roberts, the author of Good Medicine: A Return to Common Sense, who teaches holistic care at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine. “Animal companions give us so much more than they ask for and live in a state of unconditional, open-hearted love.” Roberts notes numerous studies that show the simple presence of a loving animal can lower our blood pressure and slow the heart rate. A CDC heart study, for example, showed subjects that had owned a cat at any time were 40 percent less likely to die of a heart attack. Japanese researchers from Azabu University, in Kanagawa-ken, found that dog owners experienced a spike in oxytocin—a neurotransmitter that helps us
Simple Stress relief resets Brain Function Using the index fingers, find two small knobs, usually about an inch above the midpoint of the eyebrows, known as the neurovascular reflex points. Rest fingers very lightly on these points until a pulse is felt. It may take several minutes. Be patient. Mentally review a current stressor using all the senses; see, feel, smell, hear and taste it. Source: Dr. Frank King, president, King Bio Natural Medicine, Asheville, NC
cope with stress—by simply meeting their pet’s gaze. While people widely recognize that walking the dog is great exercise, other loving interactions with our pets support happiness and health, as well.
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Exercise Artistic Skills Giving oneself artistic license is also healthy, advises Roberts. “Just bring a little beauty into your life, whether it’s choosing which clothing and accessories to wear, arranging a vase of table flowers or dancing to favorite music. Just do something creative every day.” Energy therapists maintain that exposure to creative activities improves circulation to the brain and thyroid; on a psychological level, it also works to improve self-confidence and self-expression. A recent study at the University of Colorado published in the journal Palliative & Supportive Care confirmed that individual art therapy is useful in supporting cancer patients during chemotherapy. Fifty-one of the 54 participants said it helped them to relax, talk about their situation or explore and express emotions to their benefit. Roberts adds, “It’s even better if you join a group engaged in a creative activity. I think people in general do better when we come together to create something beautiful.” These experts’ prescriptions for such simple lifestyle changes have shown how commonsense adjustments in everyday living can have profound, health-altering results, with only good after effects. Kathleen Barnes is a natural health advocate, author and publisher. Among her many books is The Super Simple HCG Diet (Square One). Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.
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Addressing Autism Families Have Reasons for Hope
by Brita Belli arents of autistic children are encouraged when they witness improvements after eliminating gluten (wheat) and casein (dairy) from their kids’ diets. Now a parental study supports the correlation—for some kids on the autism spectrum, the gluten- and casein-free (GFCF) diet appears to be connected with remarkable changes. Laura Cousino Klein, associate professor of biobehavioral health and human development at the Penn State College of Medicine, helped lead research that surveyed 387 parents or caregivers with affected children. For those diagnosed with combinations of autism and gastrointestinal issues or food sensitivities, the GFCF diet brought marked improvements in their autism spectrum disorder (ASD) behaviors—reducing hyperactivity and tantrums; minimizing constipation and seizures; and improving social behaviors. Klein says scientists are still working to understand the interaction between the brain, gut and behaviors, but recent findings suggest that significant links exist. “One hypothesis is that by eliminating dietary triggers in the presence of food allergies or gastrointestinal distress, you’re reducing inflammation or irritability of the immune system, and that’s affecting the way the brain is functioning,” she says.
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Dietary Turnaround One Racine, Wisconsin, mom, Cindy Schultz, a tireless advocate for her autistic son, says, “As an infant, he either had constipation or diarrhea. There was never a happy medium.” The GFCF diet has improved his health and his ability to communicate. Shauna Layton, in Clinton, Indiana, says her son experienced similar bowel problems and she also saw a remarkable turnaround in his language abilities and social interactions as they adhered to a GFCF diet and eliminated sugar and yeast. Other parents from her online support group, Together in Autism, report similar success. “Some children have never talked, and now they are saying ‘Mom,’ ‘Dad,’ or ‘I love you,’ for the first time,” Layton says. A definitive gut-brain link with autism has yet to be identi-
fied. Some scientists suggest that kids with autism are more likely to have leaky gut syndrome (intestinal permeability), which allows peptides from gluten and casein to escape from the digestive tract, cross the intestinal membranes, enter the bloodstream and go to the brain, causing the neurobehavioral symptoms known as ASDs, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. While the AAP knows of no scientific proof that a GFCF diet will bring benefits, they note that it’s possible, especially in people suffering from celiac disease. Parents have also observed that food dyes can exacerbate hyperactivity in children, a connection unconfirmed by the federal government. In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Advisory Committee suggested further testing, while voting against additional food labeling requirements for potentially problematic dyes. Meanwhile, some parents affirm that eliminating such dyes has helped them better manage their children’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A 2011 study taking into account 35 years of research found that many ADHD children showed significant improvement after eliminating dyes from their diets; it also registered that greater than 70 percent were positively influenced by various dietary changes. The results were promising enough for researchers to conclude, “A trial elimination diet is appropriate for children that have not responded satisfactorily to conventional treatment.”
The Role of Vitamin D A 2012 study in the Journal of Neuroinflammation found that
autistic children had significantly lower levels of vitamin D than control subjects. Vitamin D, the study notes, regulates immune function and thus autoimmunity; when the immune system is disrupted and the body attacks itself, it may play a role in the development of autism. Dr. John Cannell, founder of the nonprofit Vitamin D Council, remarks that fear of sun overexposure has led to the deficiencies. “Vitamin D is not a vitamin,” Cannell clarifies. “It’s a steroid hormone system that begins in the skin. If children aren’t getting any photons of UVB light, they’re not making any vitamin D.” He notes that the rise in autism rates during the last 25 years tracks with increases in 50-plus SPF sunscreen use, more time spent indoors and a rise in breastfeeding. Because breast milk contains low amounts of vitamin D, since 2003 the AAP has emphasized the importance of parents giving vitamin D supplement drops to breastfed infants. The same vitamin D study showed that the severity of autism correlated strongly with deficiencies of this vitamin and that the higher the level, the less severe the symptoms. Cannell has witnessed this phenomenon via a clinic hosted by the Vitamin D Council, recommending increases in vitamin D levels for autistic children to “high normal levels” and reducing vitamin A, which blocks the action of vitamin D. “We have children on 5,000 to 10,000 units of vitamin D a day,” Cannell reports. “We see improvements in terms of sleep, meltdowns, eye contact, cognitive capacity, fine motor skills, language and reading—across the spectrum.” Brita Belli is the author of The Autism Puzzle: Connecting the Dots Between Environmental Toxins and Rising Autism Rates.
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consciouseating
SUSTAINABLE WEIGHT LOSS Five Secrets for Feeling Like Yourself Again by Judith Fertig
Health experts agree that many foods can play multiple roles in weight loss.
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tarting in the 1970s, natural foods advocate and journalist Kathleen Barnes, of Brevard, North Carolina, avidly practiced vegetarianism, yet through the years she still gained weight. Searching for answers, she shared her findings in an array of books that include 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health: A Take Charge Plan for Women (coauthored with Dr. Hyla Cass) and Rx from the Garden: 101 Food Cures You Can Easily Grow. “When I at last learned which key foods to add to my diet, I lost 100 pounds—and kept them off,” says Barnes. Burn fat. Foods with thermogenic properties help heat up the body and may help burn fat. “You feel a flush
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when you eat or drink them,” Barnes notes. Chili peppers, curry powder, horseradish, mustard, garlic, onion, wasabi, ginger, black pepper and radishes are especially good choices in cold weather, when we want to feel warm anyway. The intense flavors delivered by such foods help us to practice the principle of portion control, Chester Ku-Lea, a health and nutrition consultant in Vancouver, British Columbia, says, “Adding these foods to dishes generates a higher rate of caloric burn, and their powerful flavors prompt people to eat far less than they normally would. Plus, red, cayenne and jalapeño peppers, hot sauces and any other spicy foods are all very low in calories.” Enhance mood. We don’t want to feel hungry or deprived when trying to lose weight. The protein in turkey, chicken and cold-water fish like
salmon and mackerel helps us feel more satisfied and on top of things. Barnes also suggests eating low-fat cottage cheese, avocado, wheat germ, whole-grain crackers and bananas to help increase serotonin levels and feelings of well-being. “When you crave something sweet or feel like you’re crashing mid-afternoon, that’s the time to eat a small amount of these foods to get you back on track,” she advises. Julia Ross, author of The Mood Cure and The Diet Cure, agrees. This Mill Valley, California, nutritional psychotherapist recommends complex carbohydrates such as whole grains to keep us on an even keel during weight loss. “This means pushing away the leftover cake and eating sensible carbs to stimulate serotonin,” she says. Promote digestion. The fiber in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains helps move things along in the digestive system, making our bodies work more efficiently. Barnes favors drinking peppermint and other herbal teas and incorporating sage, dill, oregano and other herbs in savory dishes to aid digestion. According to a recent University of Illinois study, soluble fiber found in oat bran, fruits, vegetables and nuts not only facilitates digestion, but also supports the immune system. Professor Gregory Freund, who teaches at the university’s medical school in Champaign, explains, “Soluble fiber changes the personality of immune cells—they go from being pro-inflammatory, angry cells to anti-inflammatory, healing cells that help us recover faster from infection.” Feel full. Hunger pangs can derail anyone’s best efforts to eat better. Barnes learned that liquids, including up to two quarts of water a day, help retain a satisfied feeling. In cooler months, she makes soups that incorporate leafy green vegetables, onion, garlic, chili peppers and herbs. An apple a day might keep the doctor away—and help in other ways, as well. “Apples have a high water content and are packed with fiber, two factors that leave you satiated,” says Keren Gilbert, a registered dietitian and founder of Decision Nutrition, in Great Neck, New York. “For a tasty proteinpacked snack, top apple slices with natural almond butter.” Accept treats. Leaving room for a treat, like a piece of fine chocolate, can leave us feeling satisfied rather than stuffed, says Katherine Harvey, a registered dietitian in Kansas City, Missouri. Indulging in a little sweet treat from time to time reinforces the perception that eating right can be simple and pleasurable, says Barnes. In cold months, she likes to bake apples sweetened with Stevia and cinnamon, or poach pears in fruit juice and spices. She might break open a pomegranate and slowly munch each ruby-colored seed, or stop at a coffee shop to sip a latte made with lowfat milk. Barnes’ evolved natural foods strategy has helped her maintain a desirable weight for many years now. “Sustainable weight loss involves sustainable eating,” she says, “finding healthy foods that we can enjoy for the rest of our lives.” Award-winning cookbook author Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com. natural awakenings
January 2013
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Supplements Versus Pharmaceutical Drugs
healingways
be supplement
savvY How to Choose Wisely for Optimal Health by James occhiogrosso
According to the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements, nearly half of us regularly use some kind of dietary supplement, including vitamins, minerals and botanical herbs.
W
hile mainstream media have recently targeted supplements with alarming coverage about their value and safety, James J. Gormley, former editor of Better Nutrition and author of User’s Guide to Brain-Boosting Supplements, helps set the record straight. In an open letter on the Citizens for Health website, at Tinyurl.com/LetterRebuttal, he contends the worst part about misleading articles is that they
can scare readers away from benefits that safe supplements might offer. He notes that although nothing in life is 100 percent risk-free, supplements are inherently benign, while pharmaceutical drugs frequently have unhealthy side effects. Controversy over supplements seems to arise primarily from misinformation. Following are some guidelines and resources to help ensure their wise use and maximum benefit.
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Natural health practitioners report that their clients tend to mentally group pharmaceuticals and supplements together. However, pharmaceutical drugs are typically synthetic, single-action chemicals that target one body system or organ, causing it to alter its function; they mask symptoms, but do not cure disease. On the other hand, the goal of vitamins, minerals and plant-derived supplements is to provide nutrients to help a troubled body system by supporting health and healing. Some confusion occurs because many pharmaceutical and supplement manufacturers take advantage of people’s desire for a one-bullet solution, which rarely exists in either source. Stephen Lawson, administrative officer of the Linus Pauling Institute, at Oregon State University, maintains that, “Lumping together items like vitamins, minerals and botanicals, each of which can have profoundly different physical profiles and effects on the body, is dangerous and misleading.”
Who Needs Supplements? Everyone can benefit from taking the right supplements to address specific health needs. Numerous studies attest that many diseases, especially in older adults, are caused by a deficiency of certain vitamins or minerals. For example, pernicious anemia, common in
Helpful resources Alliance for Natural Health Tinyurl.com/HelpfulReading Dr. Andrew Weil DrWeil.com HerbReference.com Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center lpi.OregonState.edu/infocenter National Institutes of Health Tinyurl.com/NIH-Supplements NutrientReference.com SupplementReference.com
adults over the age of 60, is due to a long-term deficiency of vitamin B12. The condition often proved fatal until researchers discovered that taking such supplements could effectively treat it. Another common nutritional deficiency disease among aging adults is osteoporosis, a loss of bone minerals that often leads to fractures. Its primary cause is chronic deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D levels. The latter is crucial for absorbing calcium—a primary mineral for building bone. According to the National Institutes of Health, older adults are likely to spend more time indoors, plus, even when they are exposed to the sun, their skin does not synthesize vitamin D as efficiently as when they were younger. Serious nutrient deficiencies rarely cause fatal outcomes, but deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals can deter organs from optimal functioning. General medical tests do not always show minor shortfalls, and practice shows that supplementing with the appropriate vitamin or mineral can often both eliminate symptoms and resolve an underlying problem.
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Determining which supplements can best meet individual needs requires sound information. First, determine if a perceived condition could be caused by a vitamin or mineral deficiency, and then identify the best dosage. It is also vital to know how a supplement might interact with any current medications. Most vitamin and mineral supplements are safe when used properly, but always consider asking an experienced professional for guidance; this is especially true for botanicals, because some manufacturers make unsupported claims based only on their own research. Generally, nonprofit organizations such as the Linus Pauling Institute (lpi.OregonState.edu) that do not sell supplement products, present unbiased information.
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Final Word Although conflicting information continues to circulate, abundant scientific evidence verifies that commonsense use of vitamin and mineral supplements is safe and usually helpful. The recommendation is to take enough, but not too much, of a deficiency-specific supplement, along with nutritious foods, in order to achieve a normal balance. A 2009 report by the U.S. National Poison Data System indicated that the number of serious adverse events that year from the use of vitamins, minerals, amino acids or herbal supplements was extremely low, with no related U.S. deaths. Many natural healthcare experts, including naturopaths, nutritionists and dieticians, conclude that supplements are useful and in some cases, necessary, especially when treating a significant nutrient or hormonal deficiency. It’s wise to consult a knowledgeable professional before buying the antioxidant du jour mentioned by a friend from the gym. James Occhiogrosso, a natural health practitioner and master herbalist, specializes in salivary hormone testing and natural hormone balancing for men and women. Find helpful articles at HealthNaturallyToday.com. Connect at 239-4981547 or DrJim@HealthNaturallyToday.com.
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New Year’s resolutions for a Happy House by nancy somera ew Year’s resolutions often address getting back to healthier eating and exercise habits after the bounty of holiday indulgences—but what about our home? With help from EnergyFit Nevada, a Nevada State Office of Energy program administered by HomeFree Nevada, homeowners can get a home fitness check-up and find out how they can improve the health of their home while saving money this winter with energy efficiency upgrades. Residents that take part in the EnergyFit Nevada program can take the first step and sign up for a Home Energy Assessment for only $199, a savings of $300. An EnergyFit Nevada Approved Partner contractor will suggest upgrades, complete the work and subtract eligible rebates. Las Vegas residents Beth and Jim Gillette recently participated in the program and following their energy efficiency upgrades, tested out with a 37 percent improvement. They started with an $11,000 total package that included a new variable speed pool pump, blown-in attic insulation, replacement of one of two heat pumps, and new programmable thermostats. They were only out of pocket $1,700 after all rebates were applied and they figured in their new green mortgage, a separate program with their bank. Better yet, their energy bills were reduced by nearly 40 percent. Homeowners may be surprised to learn how much energy they could be wasting in their homes. Even if it is only a few years old, a house may be frittering away energy due to poor insulation, inefficient appliances or weakened weatherstripping. Leaks in heating ducts also can reduce a home’s air quality while wasting energy and reducing comfort. “Proper air sealing of your home and ductwork can reduce infiltration of attic dust and other contaminants, thereby improving indoor air quality and reducing asthma triggers, and reducing energy use can also reduce air pollution from heating and electrical generation.” says Kevin Dick, Air Quality Management division director, who also serves as president of HomeFree Nevada.
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calendarofevents
MONDAY, JANUARY 14
NOTE: 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. For extended event descriptions and additional listings visit NA-LV.com.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1 LED Holiday Light Show – 5:30pm. Through Jan 6. Nightly holiday drive-through spectacular lit with all-LED energy efficient light displays. More than 450 animated light displays and the world’s largest light tunnel, along a 2.5-mile racetrack. $15-$20 per vehicle. Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd N, LV. GlitteringLightsLasVegas.com.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2 Yoga & Vegetarian Dinner – 6:30-8:30pm. Meditation, yoga and all you can eat vegetarian dinner. The complete package for body, mind and the soul. $10. Govinda’s Center of Vedic India, 7181 Dean Martin Dr, LV. 434-4332. GovindasCenter.com
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5 Building with Cob – 9-11am. Cob is a long-lasting building material made of sand, clay and straw that produces no waste. Join us as we finish building our second cob bench at the community garden. $5 suggested donation. Vegas Roots Community Garden, 715 N Tonopah Dr, LV. 417-0977. GreatBasinPermaculture.org. 5-Elements Meditation – 10-11:30am. Using color, visualization and sound vibrations bathe yourself in harmonizing, healing energies. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a smile and a loving heart. Class will start with 20 minutes of Qigong. Tea and light refreshments. $25. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 239-2680. HealingEnergies. vpweb.com. Grand Opening – 4-7pm. Yoga for The Soul will be celebrating its Grand Opening on. Come see what this new studio has to offer. Door prizes, discounted membership, entertainment and appetizers. Yoga for The Soul, 4450 N Tenaya Way #245, LV. 339-3812. YogaForTheSoul.net.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9 Yoga for Opening the Heart – 6:30-8pm. Learn yoga poses that will connect you with certain aspects of love. Feel peace and happiness as your heart opens. $15. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 823-6512.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10 Free Informational Seminars – 6:30-7:30pm. Do you or someone you know have issues with focus, ADHD, anxiety, learning disabilities, balance, sensory integration, Tourettes, ASD and more? Brain Solutions offers scientifically based programs that can help with no medications. Space is limited. Free. Brain Solutions Inc, 8515 Edna Ave, Ste 110, LV. 340-2248. BrainSolutionsNV.com.
Showing of Urban Permaculture – 5-7pm. We will be showing Geoff Lawton’s new film Urban Permaculture. $5 suggested donation. Usr/lib above The Beat Coffeehouse, 520 Fremont St, LV. 417-0977. GreatBasinPermaculture.org. Lecture: Awaking To Your Inner Guidance & Intuition – 7-8:30pm. Who have I come to be? How can I figure out my life journey? If you have ever asked yourself these questions, then join us for a lecture by April Azzolino, spiritual consultant with The Americana Leadership College. $10. Enchanted Forest Reiki Center, 800 N Rainbow, #140, LV. 9484999. EnchantedForestReiki.com.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3 HealthRHYTHMS Drum Circle – 6:30-7:30pm. Reduce Stress. Beat Burnout. Enhance Your Immune System. Relax and have fun playing drums creating in the moment music and rhythms. $10. Music 4 Life, Inc., 2975 S Rainbow Blvd, Ste B, LV. 8892881. Music4Life.us.
Ultrasound Heart Screenings – 10am-5pm. See Jan. 11 description. Free.
Five Keys to Having Your Best Year Yet – 6:308pm. If you’re tired of just talking about having a great year and actually want to make it happen in 2013, join us as Las Vegas business and life coach, Betty Mahalik shares the five keys to going from ideas to action. Free. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 507-3964. lvccld.org.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11 Ultrasound Heart Screenings – 10am-5pm. Ultrasound is a non-invasive screening that is safe and painless. Images of your organs are presented in real-time for you to see during the screening. No radiation or injections are used. Screenings offered are: Echo (Heart), Carotid, Abdominal Aorta. Must call for appointment. Free. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 369-4216.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 Meet “Richard Rohr On the Road” – 9am-4pm. Renowned speaker Fr. Richard Rohr lectures on his latest book that explores the deepest questions of identity, spirituality, and meaning. $35 - $130 depending on package. Bishop Gorman High School, 5959 S Hualapai Way, LV. 243-4040. StillpointCSD.org. Free Informational Seminars – 10:30am. See Jan. 10 for description. Free. Brain Solutions Inc, 8515 Edna Ave, Ste 110, LV. 340-2248. Brain SolutionsNV.com. Spiritual Experiences Discussion – 4-5pm. Understanding the purpose of your spiritual experiences and discover new spiritual adventures in your daily life. Free. The Spirit Within U, 4780 W Ann Road Ste #4, NLV. 224-4328.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13 Grand Re-Opening & Health Fair – 11am-4pm. Take charge of your health. Great health information from doctors, nutritionist, herbalists and more. Free zyto scan, balloons, face painting for the kids. Sample healthy foods in heated tent. Free. Las Vegas Colon Hydrotherapy, 1815 W Charleston Blvd, Ste 5, LV. 471-0088. LasVegasColonHydrotherapy.com.
Meditation Course: A Mind Revolution – Also Jan 23 & 30. 6-7:15pm. Learn very simple steps to deep meditation. Sharpen your memory and intelligence. Experience bliss. $15. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. Contact Ileana. 823-6512. Spiritual Yoga Class – Also Jan 23 & 30. 7:30-9pm. Improve your physical, mental and spiritual well being. Practice yoga as a spiritual path that leads to enlightenment. $20. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. Contact Ileana. 823-6512.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17 20th Anniversary Celebration – 4-6pm. Join us as we celebrate 20 years of service to our patrons. Enjoy some light refreshments as you are serenaded by world famous Spanish pianist, Antonio Carnota. Free. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 507-3964. lvccld.org.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19 Irrigation Workshop – 9-11am. Interested in properly installing and maintaining irrigation for the health of your plants? Join us as we install irrigation for food-producing plants in the community garden. $5 suggested donation. Vegas Roots Community Garden, 715 N Tonopah Dr, LV. 417-0977. GreatBasinPermaculture.org. Do You Have Your Compass? – 10am-12pm. This is a lecture/workshop on our new life course and where it is taking us. We are all part of this unfolding creation. What direction are you headed? What
We Still On? Call ahead to confirm that the event details haven’t changed and tell them you saw it in Natural Awakenings of Las Vegas.
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path are you creating? Journal and class booklet provided. Tea, coffee and light refreshments. $20. Angel Blessings Wellness Spa, 4485 S Buffalo Dr, LV. 239-2680. HealingEnergies.vpweb.com.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23 Meditation Course: A Mind Revolution – 6-7:15pm. See Jan 16 description. Converting Your Gas Guzzler to Electric – 6-8pm. 4-week non-credit course designed to show you how to convert an existing gas-operated vehicle to electric without the need to be an experienced mechanic. Wednesdays through Feb. 13. Registration required. $77. CSN Summerlin Center, 333 Pavilion Center Dr, LV. lveva.org. Spiritual Yoga Class – 7:30-9pm. See Jan 16 description.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24 Get Clients Now – 6:30-8pm. In this interactive program Las Vegas business and life coach Betty Mahalik will share the new strategies of the marketing game, designed to help you connect, build trust, focus your marketing energies and create a steady stream of referrals for greater profitability. Free. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 507-3964. lvccld.org.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 Ultrasound Heart Screenings – 10am-5pm. See Jan. 11 description. Free.
savethedate SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 Beyond Organic – 10:30am-12:30pm. Free workshop to learn about the mission of Jordan S. Rubin and his Live Beyond Organic message that leads to making positive changes in body, mind, and spirit. The workshop will cover topics in nutrition, hydration, and skincare. Limited to 125 participants. Free – RSVP required at LiveHealthyNV@gmail.com. Clark County Library, 1401 E Flamingo, LV. 608-0810. LiveHealthyNV. MyBeyondOrganic.com. There’s an Herb for That – 11am. Herbs are nature’s powerhouse nutrients that help the body heal itself. Come learn from a trained and experienced herbalist, what herbs best fit your situation and needs. $5. Herbally Grounded Health Store Learning Center, 4441 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 558-4372. HerballyGrounded.com.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27 Sprouting Raw Food Prep Class – 12-2pm. Learn how simple it is to grow a wide variety of sprouted greens in your own home, getting all the nutrition you and your family needs. Included is 7-course meal made out of sprouted seeds, nuts and legumes. Actual cost of food will be added to the cost of the class, but never to exceed $7. $12. Transformations, 9291 Starcross Ln,
LV. 405-9375. Transformations-LasVegas.org. Reiki Practitioners Exchange – 4-6pm. This event is for Reiki practitioners only, from 1st degree to Masters. After a short meditation, everyone receives healing on a Reiki table. Free. Transformations, 9291 Starcross Ln, LV. 405-9375. Transformations-LasVegas.org.
MONDAY, JANUARY 28 Ultrasound Heart Screenings – 10am-5pm. See Jan. 11 description. Free. The Healing Power of Forgiveness – 6-7:15pm. Interactive seminar where you will be given the opportunity to free your mind from unresolved issues and let your spirit fly. Free. Love offerings welcome. Transformations, 9291 Starcross Ln, LV. 405-9375. Transformations-LasVegas.org.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29 Monthly Permaculture Meeting – 5-7pm. Join us as we continue exploring permaculture design in our urban environment. $5 suggested donation. Vegas Roots Community Garden, 715 N Tonopah Dr, LV. 417-0977. GreatBasinPermaculture.org.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30 Meditation Course: A Mind Revolution – 6-7:15pm. See Jan 16 description. Spiritual Yoga Class – 7:30-9pm. See Jan 16 description.
ongoingevents NOTE: 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. For extended event descriptions and additional listings visit NA-LV.com.
daily Bikram Yoga – See website for class schedule and rates. Bikram Yoga Green Valley, 1550 N Green Valley Pkwy, Ste 310, HD. 463-0671. BikramGreenValley.com. Bikram Yoga – See website for class schedule and rates. Bikram Yoga Las Vegas, 5031 Wagon Trail Ave, Ste 109, LV. 547-9642. Bikram LasVegas.com Daily Meditation Classes – 4am, 9am, 2pm, 5pm. 1-hr classes. Chaiya Meditation Monastery, 7925
sunday
Virtue Ct, LV. 456-3838. ChaiyaCMM.org. Falun Gong Exercise & Qigong Meditation – 8-10am Mon-Sat; 9-11am Sun. 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. 773-3667. FalunDafaLasVegas. blogspot.com Hot Pilates & Yoga – One week unlimited access. Free. Body Heat, 8876 Eastern Ave, LV. 432-0028. BodyHeatYoga.com. Yoga & Pilates – See website for class schedule and rates. Vegas Hot!, 5875 S Rainbow Blvd, Ste 206, LV. 257-8171. VegasHot.com.
weekdays Staying Healthy! Radio Show – Mon-Fri. 8-9am
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& 5-6pm. Hosted by Jeffrey Burke, ND, MH on KLAV 1230 am. Enrich your knowledge and learn how to stay healthy all year long. Free. 731-1230. StayHealthy.info.
fresh52 Farmer’s & Artisan Market – 8:30am2pm. Lively, friendly, open-air market. Free. Sansone Park Place, 9480 S Eastern, HD. fresh52.com. Botanical Garden Tours at Lake Loews – 9am. Learn interesting details and receive great information while exposing your senses to Loews’ botanical wonderland. Free. Botanical Gardens at Lake Loews, 1605 Lake Las Vegas, LV. 567-6000. Zen Meditation – 9-10:30am. Sitting and walking meditation practice with pre-recorded Dharma talks from the Chung Tai Monastery. Free. Lohan School of Shaolin, 3850 Schiff Dr, LV. 217-1498. ZenBuddhismLasVegas.com.
monday Yoga with Jeff – 6:15-7:15pm. Improve your strength, flexibility and endurance, while clearing your mind with the power of Yoga. Donation. Herbally Grounded, 4441 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 558-4372. Yoga & Qigong – 7:45-9:15pm. Multi-level ashtanga yoga class and qigong infuses balancing chi (energy). $10 donation. 107 E Charleston, LV. 325-9923. GoldLightYoga.com.
tuesday 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. 7952500. WellRoundedMomma.com. Reiki Healing Circle – 7-9pm. Relax and de-stress in a safe, serene environment of friends and practitioners. Free. 2595 S Cimarron, LV. 702-327-3720. AllAboutLove.ReikiConnection@yahoo.com.
wednesday Brain Balance Open House – 2:30-4:30pm. 2nd Wed. For all parents, teachers, educators, administrators and support staff. Learn about ground breaking, drug free program that helps kids with ADD, ADHD, Aspergers,Tourettes, OCD, PDD. Free. Brain Balance Achievement Centers of Henderson, 11 S Stephanie St, HD. 778-9500. BrainBalanceCenters.com. Health Science Conference Call – 5pm. Get questions answered by scientist Dr. Thomas Brewer. Free. 646-519-5860. Pin: 7123#. TheTotalConcept.org. Product B - Information Meeting – 6:30pm. Scientists have found the ticking Biological “clock” that offers clues on Aging and longevity: telomeres. The health of your DNA’s telomeres could mean the difference for living a youthful healthy life with vibrancy. Free. Health In Motion. 239-1069. ProductB4Plana.com. Inspirational Reiki Healing Circle – 7-9pm. Natural healing through guided meditation. Relax and recharge your mind and body. $5. Call for location. 405-9375. Transformations-LasVegas.org.
thursday Green Drinks – 2nd Thurs. Network with other eco-friendly business professionals. Times/locations vary. Facebook.com/GreenDrinksLV. Country Fresh Farmers’ Market: Water Street – 9am-4pm. Free. Events Plaza, 240 Water St, HD. 579-9661. CountryFreshFarmersMarket.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. 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. 795-2500. WellRoundedMomma.com. Taste & Toast – Closed Jan 3. 5-8pm. Farmers’ market, live entertainment, cooking demos, local artists, beer and wine tasting. Free. Tivoli Village, 302 S Rampart, LV. fresh52.com Solar NV Monthly Meeting – 6:30pm. 3rd Thurs. Featuring speakers from variety of renewable energy disciplines and great place to network with people who share an interest in renewable energy. Free. UNLV, 4505 S Maryland Pkwy, LV. 507-0093. SolarNV.org. South Valley Rose Society Meeting – 7-8pm. 4th Thurs. Various gardening topics each month. Clark County Cooperative Extension Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Rd, LV. 257-5555.
(Qigong) is the art of developing internal energy particularly for health and vitality, mind expansion and spiritual cultivation. $10. Rainbow’s End Natural Foods, 1100 E Sahara Ave, LV. 324-0353. EarthPowers.com. 5 Tibetan Rites – 9:30-10:45am. Introduction to The 5 Tibetan Rites. Free. Call for location. 405-9375. TransformationsLasVegas.org. Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Club – 10am. 2nd Sat. Informative discussion about and display of electric vehicles. Free. Call for location. 277-7544. lveva.org. Kids Rhythm Club – 11-11:45am. 2nd Sat. Drum together for fun, make new friends. $3. 2975 S Rainbow Blvd, Ste B, LV. 702-889-2881. DrumCirclesLasVegas.com. The Art of Spiritual Dreaming Book Discussion – 2-3pm. 4th Sat. Recognize dreams as a source of inner truth and as a key element of spiritual growth. Free. Starbucks, 2120 Rampart, LV. 224-4325.
classifieds
friday Downtown3rd 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. fresh52 Farmer’s & Artisan Market – Closed Jan 4. 9am-2pm. Lively, friendly, open-air market. Free. Town Square, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd S, LV. 900-2552. fresh52.com. Country Fresh Farmers’ Market – 10am. Free. Henderson Pavilion, 200 S Green Valley Pkwy, HD. 579-9661. CountryFreshFarmersMarket.com. Judith Pinkerton Radio Show – 12pm. Call between 12:06 and 12:58 pm at 609-7626 and ask important questions about the right music for stress. All Talk Radio.net. Music4Life.us. Winder Farms Farmers Market – 4-8pm. Farm fresh products, produce, meats, salads, juices, etc. from local vendors. Free. Galleria at Sunset, 1300 W Sunset Rd, HD. First Friday – 6-12pm. Arts festival on 1st Fri each month. Food, drink, art and entertainers. Free. Downtown Arts District, LV. 384-0092. FirstFridayLasVegas.org. Community Hu – 6:15-6:45pm. 4th Fri. Open your heart to divine love and experience uplifting joy, relaxation and spiritual connection. Free. Pure Health Foods, 7575 Washington #129, LV. 224-4325.
saturday fresh52 Farmer’s & Artisan Market – Closed Jan 5. 8am-2pm. Lively, friendly, open-air market. Free. Tivoli Village, 302 S Rampart, LV. 900-2552. fresh52.com. Boot Camp in The Park – 9-10am. Affordable, structured fitness program. $15person/$20pair. Reunion Trails Park, 44 Chapata Dr, HD. CertifiedPersonalTraining@yahoo.com. Chi Kung & Tai Chi Classes – 9-11am. Chi Kung
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY NATURAL AWAKENINGS LAS VEGAS MAGAZINE FOR SALE − Own a business that makes a difference. The current owners wish to transition this turnkey opportunity to someone with similar passion, enthusiasm, and vision. No experience necessary. Training provided. Call John Voell. 239-530-1377.
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS BECOME A CERTIFIED HYPNOTIST − Increase your income as you help people lose weight, stop smoking, reduce stress. Intense training event, Feb. 17-24, 2013. Register now to receive, with your program tuition, a free LV hypnosis convention ($350 value). Only 20 seats. Call today: 888-851-5606 for details. AcademyOfHypnosisTraining.com.
Harmonize Your Heart Mind & Soul •Discover Serenity •Find your Center of Gravity •Move your Chi •Energize Your Body and Spirit Qi Gong - The Ancient Art of Peaceful Healing w: (702) 873-1700
c: (702) 239-2680
Angel Blessings Wellness Spa Christy Berry-Ugarte 4485 S. Buffalo Drive Las Vegas, NV
www.healingenergies.vpweb.com
natural awakenings
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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@NA-LV.com to request our media kit.
ADD/ADHD TREATMENT
CLEANING SERVICES
BRAIN BALANCE ACHIEVEMENT CENTER OF HENDERSON
GREEN CLEAN
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 brain-based, not drug based. See ad on page 20 and profile on page 12.
Certified green cleaning company using Green Seal Certified cleaning chemicals and supplies. Sanitary and safe service eliminates gross soils (DIRT) with little to no chemical residual or odor.
11 S Stephanie St, Ste 120, HD 89012 702-778-9500 • BrainBalanceHenderson.com
ANTI-AGING MEDICINE SKIN & WELLNESS CLINIC
9053 S Pecos Rd, Ste 3000, HD 89074 702-263-4001 • TheSkinClinicLV.com Healthy Glowing Skin & Healthy Body. Specializing in medical skin cancer screenings, skin tags, acne treatments, medical and cosmetic youth enhancing treatments, hormone replacement, nutrition programs, menopause symptoms, fatigue, and insomnia.
CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS RED ROCK CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS CENTER
Dr. Margaret R. Colucci 2085 Village Center Circle, Ste 110, LV 89134 702-880-5335 • RedRockChiropractic.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 & pregnancy chiropractic care, auto, work & sports injuries. Serving Summerlin.
STELLA CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTER
Dr. David Stella, DC 4225 E Stewart Ave, Ste 111, LV 89110 702-932-1798 • StellaChiropractic.com Chiropractic solutions for overall wellness and pain relief. Individualized care since 1998. Anti-aging, body work, a r o m a t h e r a p y, n u t r i t i o n a l counseling, detox programs. We welcome you to live the life you were meant to live. See ad, page 11.
Perry Dau 702-522-1898 GreenCleanCS.com
COMPOUNDING PHARMACY SOLUTIONS SPECIALTY PHARMACY 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. See profile, page 14.
sTELLA CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTER
Angela Drake 375 N Stephanie, Ste 1213, HD 89014 702-932-1798 • StellaChiropractic.com Healing modalities for inner harmony and wellness. Certified in Holodynamic Life Coaching, iLipo Ultra + Specialist, DNA Theta Healer, Deeksha Giver, Clairvoyant, H.U.N.A Healer, Energy Healing, Raw Food Fusion and Juice Cleansing. See ad, page 11.
ENVIRONMENTAL LANDSCAPING SUNSTATE COMPANIES
6590 Boulder Hwy, LV 89122 702-798-1776 Info@SunstateCompanies.com Water Smart contractor specializing in landscape construction, grounds maintenance, fertilizer, masonry, concrete, interlocking pavers and tree service. Call for a consultation. See ad, page 18.
FAMILY DENTISTRY GENERATIONS DENTAL
Dr. Truvella “Trudy” Reese, DMD 7480 W Sahara Ave, LV 89117 702-982-0400 • GenDental.com
ENERGY HEALING HEALING ENERGIES QI GONG
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. See profile, page 13.
Christy Berry-Ugarte 702-239-2680 HealingEnergies.vpweb.com
The practice of this serene, balancing and energizing exercise will open your energy meridians and balance your Chakras. I will empower you with flowing movement, breath, color therapy techniques and meditation. See ad, page 29.
HOLISTIC DENTIST BELL CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL AND HOLISTIC DENTISTRY Dr. Michael Bell, DDS 8068 W Sahara Ave, Ste A, LV 89117 702-256-7666 • LVtmjDentist.com
HEALTH IN MOTION
Linda Perry, PT 702-239-1069 Linda@ThorpInstitute.com Decrease stress, increase concentration, and meditate like the monks do with the Thorp Certified Facilitator. Available by appointment or weekly rentals. Call now to reserve your brain spa.
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 6.
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et our New Year’s resolution be this: We will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word. ~ Goran Persson
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FOUR SEASONS DENTAL SPA
Dr. Jim Wright, DDS, AIAOMT 8855 W Flamingo, LV 89147 702-281-9900 • HolisticDentistLasVegas.com Practicing holistic, mercury-free cosmetic and general dentistry in a relaxing spa atmosphere. Specializes in veneers, Lumineers, Invisalign braces, All-on-4 Dental Implants, sleep dentistry, sedation dentistry and teeth whitening. See ads, page 9.
HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY ENERGYFIT NEVADA – HOMEFREE NEVADA
3050 E Flamingo Rd 702-734-2000 • EnergyFitNevada.org
Make your home a healthier home. EnergyFit Nevada provides assistance and rebates that will make your home more energy efficient, healthier and comfortable while lowering your energy bills. Visit Energy FitNevada.org. See ad, page 7.
HORMONE HEALTH HORMONE CENTERS OF NEVADA
Dr. Orlandis Wells, MD OB/GYN 2649 Wigwam Parkway, Ste 101, HD 89074 702-568-6108 • HendersonNVobGyn.com Functional medicine to treat fatigue, weight gain, depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, and hormone imbalances. Treating the root problem – not symptoms, we help patients enjoy their lives and their relationships.
LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPY
REPUBLIC SERVICES
702-735-5151 RepublicServicesVegas.com Facebook.com/RepublicServicesVegas Republic Services o ff e r s c o m p l e t e 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.
Massage has been an essential element of the wellness lifestyle for thousands of years the world o v e r. F o r $ 3 9 / h r y o u c a n experience these traditional techniques. Call today. Feel better now.
LIFE COACHING ANIKA RAY
Akashic Records Expert Practitioner/ C.C. Life Coach 800 N Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89107 702-370-5277 • anikaray88@hotmail.com Akashic Consultations and Life Coaching Sessions. Get clarity and guidance; get rid of the negative patterns and blocks and bring balance into your life. Free initial phone consultation/coaching session.
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 & Thetahealing. Free Reiki circles Wednesdays @7pm. Call 702659-2390. See profile, page 14.
SOLAR ENERGY
YOGA
SOLAR UNIVERSE
BIKRAM YOGA LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas & Henderson SolarUniverse.com 877-43-SOLAR (7-6527) Solar by the ProsNABCEP. Tier 1 product line, best in the business. Best price guaranteed on comparable products. Multiple finance options available – Lease, Zero Down, Non-equity.
STRESS REDUCTION
Oleg Vydra, Director / Owner 702-547-YOGA (9642) BikramLasVegas.com
Lose Weight, Tone Your Body, Energize Your Life! The newest certified Bikram Yoga facility offering 26 classic hatha yoga stretching postures and two breathing exercises taught in a 90minute class. See ad, page 5.
BODYHEAT HOT PILATES & YOGA
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 on page 24 and profile
8876 Eastern Ave, Ste 105, LV 89123 702-432-0028 BodyHeatYoga.com
Hot Yoga, Hot Pilates, Body Sculpt, and Boot camp classes are taught in a state of the art environment with the optimum atmosphere. We have a variety of classes to suit all levels. See ad, page 23.
on page 13.
WEIGHT LOSS
CHUCK WILLIAMS, NVMT4937
3315 W Craig Rd, Ste 105, NLV 89032 702-285-8321 • MassageHelpsThat.com
TRANSFORMATIONS
RECYCLING
OM MEDICAL
Dr. Anil Patel 6841 S Eastern Ave, Ste 100, LV 89119 702-456-7546 • OmMedical.org Providing specialized personal care in weight loss and preventative medicine to avoid major medical problems. Nutrition and fitness counseling, cardiac screening, supplements. Anti-aging and skin rejuvenation services matches inner health with outer beauty.
Wellness CIE AURA
Violet Malagon 702-334-2713• VioletM.CieAura.com Sleep better, increase energy, relieve allergies, manage weight. Revolutionary holographic chips create total balance for life. Like acupuncture without needles. Old Wo r l d m e e t s N e w Wo r l d Technology. No meds, no drugs, non-transdermal, natural, safe. See ad, page 24.
natural awakenings
January 2013
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OWN A BUSINESS THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE LAS VEGAS – HENDERSON
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NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINE IS FOR SALE Great opportunity to own one of Clark County’s most exciting businesses. Natural Awakenings Healthy Living/Healthy Planet free monthly magazine targets the dramatically expanding marketplace of goods and services focused on natural health, fitness, the environment, personal growth, creative expression and green/sustainable living.
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