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Wheat Belly? Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight
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5 newsbriefs 9 healthbriefs 1 1 ecotip 12 globalbriefs 14 consciouseating 20 healingways
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22 fitbody 24 wisewords 27 calendar
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29 resourceguide 3 1 classifieds
advertising advertising& &submissions submissions
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.
14 BANISHING
WHEAT BELLY
The Drawbacks of a Wheat-Dominated Diet
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by Lee Walker
16 EXPLORING OUR CREATIVE SIDE
Engaging in Community Arts Brings Unexpected Rewards
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by Judith Fertig
20 FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
Taking the Whole Toolbox Approach by Kathleen Barnes
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.
22 INJURY-FREE YOGA
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.
24 JULIA CAMERON
Proven Approaches for Safe Practice
by Lynda Bassett
SPEAKS FROM HER HEART
Creating a Life Beyond Need and Worry by Linda Sechrist
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September 2012
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Creativity
Contact Us
contact us Publishers Mary Ruetten Nancy Somera
Managing Editor Nancy Somera Editor Martin Miron Marketing/Advertising Sandy Donovan 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 © 2012 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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It seems at times that a need for creativity begins to simmer inside me and then bubbles over until I can no longer ignore it. Maybe my brain is trying to balance itself, the right side rebelling against the Publishers Mary Ruetten (left) overworked left side. When this creativity whistle and Nancy Somera blows, I have learned to listen, and as Judith Fertig points out in this month’s feature article, “Exploring our Creative Side,” have experienced joyous personal growth in doing so. When I was a child, I answered this call by writing stories about mystical creatures or inventing a new life for a fictional historical figure. Other times, I would spend entire weekends as architect and interior decorator to Barbie and her friends, designing multi- level condos on my dresser and fashioning furniture and housewares from old tissue boxes, scarves and scraps of fabric. As a grownup, there are days when I escape to the fabric store in search of a new pattern or the perfect material for a window covering or throw pillow. Other times, I get the gardening bug and play with color and texture in plants. When I inherited my grandfather’s Minolta 35mm camera, I enrolled in a photography class and learned about f-stops, darkrooms and developing trays. A few years ago, I stumbled upon a painting class, and because my motivation for taking the class was to escape the left-brain-numbing work of software testing, I rediscovered how liberating it feels to let go of self-critical fears like, “How will it turn out?” and “What will people think?” And that is exactly the point; to let go and create with your own personal style. Whatever creative medium you choose, the act of creation itself, rather than the finished product, liberates and replenishes the soul. The Las Vegas area is rife with spark-igniting opportunities to collaborate in theater, dance, music or countless other artful passions. To help you get started in finding one, we have provided a sampling of what’s out there on page 18. September is also National Yoga Month, which is a perfect reason to take in a class or two around town. If you’re new to yoga, find proven approaches to a safe practice in “Injury Free Yoga,” on page 22, and be sure to read this month’s wellness profile on Bikram Yoga Las Vegas to learn what this local studio has to offer. I plan to renew my commitment to a regular yoga practice after a crazy summer schedule. Pablo Picasso reminds us “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” There’s only one way; go forth and create!
Nancy Somera, Editor
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
JDRF Rock the Walk at Springs Preserve
Win a Free Homeopathic Diet
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tella Chiropractic Wellness Center will hold a free raffle at noon, September 14, at their Henderson office. Visit the center anytime to sign up for a chance to win a free dietary consultation and ARIIX homeopathic diet valued at $150. Patients on this natural diet consume energy-producing calories and are permitted to exercise to effectively reach the goal of 10-to-15-pound weight loss per month. Unlike other calorie and exercise restricting diets, patients enjoy losing weight in a healthy and effective manner with the ARIIX diet. The staff at Stella Chiropractic Wellness Center provides holistic wellness for the entire family through chiropractic care and other healing techniques, promoting natural beauty with many innovative, all-natural products. Location: 375 N. Stephanie St., Ste. 1213. For more information, call 702-932-1798 or visit StellaChiropractic.com. See ad, page 9.
Keep on Truckin’ at The Cycling Studio
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he Cycling Studio kicks off September with a new training session for Las Vegas fitness enthusiasts at 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. As a fitness studio dedicated to indoor cycling, its classes are structured to improve cycling endurance, hill-climbing power and recovery ability. The education and workout provided in each session will prepare participants for upcoming fall fun rides, runs and other local athletic events. Anyone registered for the women-only Goldilocks Ride on October 13 can take the September training session at a discounted fee of $10 per class. Owners and cycling enthusiasts Jeff Olin and Nicole Nastanski offer high-quality indoor cycling classes in a high energy, urban, social studio environment with a real sense of community. Nastanski says, “We always have something new going on to keep riders interested and create some fun. Recent events included a movie night, Triple Dog Dare challenge and Spin-A-Thon fundraising event. We’re even getting ready to hold a special event class for a bride who wants to ride on her wedding day!” For more information, visit TheCyclingStudio.com. See ad, page 24.
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Take a moment to visit www.worldwellnessgroup.net to view our calendar of events and wellness seminars. 3120-A South Valley View Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
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nder the desert moon and stars, guests will party at the Rock the Walk fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., September 14, at the Springs Preserve. Now in its sixth year, Rock the Walk is a family-friendly benefit that serves as a prelude to the chapter’s annual Walk to Cure Diabetes, a walka-thon to raise money and awareness for research on Type 1 diabetes and its complications. Youngsters can play in the natural environment of the Springs Preserve playground as parents mingle, drink fine wines and dine on barbeque. It seems that everyone comes together under the moonlight and stars when Christy Molasky & the Music Junkies takes center stage. Location: 333 S. Valley View Blvd. Individual tickets start at $50 for lawn seating (includes dinner); tables and VIP seating levels include dinner, wine and gift bags. For more information and tickets, call the JDRF Nevada Chapter at 702-732-4795 or visit jdrflv.org. See ad, page 12
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ADHD AnD lEArning iSSuES DOn’T HAvE TO limiT THEir POTEnTiAl
newsbriefs Yoga Aid Sun Salutation Marathon
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The new school year often brings anxiety and frustration especially for kids struggling with learning issues. But success both in and out of the classroom is achievable. The Brain Balance Program® provides lasting results by addressing the root cause at the most fundamental level.
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eople from across the valley will participate in 108 sun salutations at the 2012 Yoga Aid challenge, from 9 a.m. to noon, September 9, at Springs Preserve. The challenge benefits Yoga Gangsters, an organization serving inner city areas by providing a network of free classes, as well as teaching the science and practice of yoga to underprivileged and at-risk youth in schools, hospitals, jails, rehab centers, and through other nonprofit organizations. The inaugural Yoga Aid challenge aims to attract 100 participants and raise $5,000. Internationally, the Yoga Aid challenge takes place in more than 20 countries, with more than 200 events. Angelica Govaert, with Sin City Yoga, is organizing the event and many other studios across Las Vegas have already agreed to be co-sponsors, including Sun Cat Skylights, Blue Sky Yoga, Vegas Hot Yoga and Pilates, Sin City Yoga, Manipura Yoga, Barefoot Sanctuary, Bikram Yoga Green Valley and Namaste Yoga. Location: 333 S. Valley View Blvd. Prizes are available for the top fundraisers and teams. For more information, visit SinCityYoga.com.
Free Classes with Master Gardeners
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he Clark County Cooperative Extension will offer a series of free gardening classes in September and October at Acacia Park, in cooperation with the Henderson Parks and Recreation Department. All classes begin at 9 a.m. and will be taught by master gardener instructors. The line-up includes Growing Cool Season Vegetables in the Las Vegas Valley; Information on Fruit Trees; Growing and Using Herbs; Safe and Sound Insect Control; Backyard Habitat and Patio Conservation; and Tricks & Treats (plant projects for kids). For more information, call the Master Gardener help desk at 702-257-5555, or visit Facebook.com/MasterGardenersOfSouthernNevada.
News to share?
Submit editorial online at NA-LV.com (Deadline: the 10th of the month)
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Department of Interior Promotes Nevada Clean Energy Economy
T
he U.S. Department of the Interior recently released the Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, which assesses the environmental, social and economic impacts associated with solar energy development on Bureau of Land Management administered areas in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. The detailed study was compiled over the last two years as part of a government effort to create a framework for developing renewable energy on public lands. “With a large amount of our land in Nevada part of the Bureau of Land Management, I am encouraged to see a blueprint for development locations for solar developers” says Scot Rutledge, executive director of Nevada Conservation League. “Siting and permitting solar projects has been a major hurdle for developers to overcome in order to maintain the costs of a project,” says Lydia Ball, executive director of the Clean Energy Project. “This plan removes many of the obstacles that have hindered development in key locations in Nevada.” More than 150 businesses have signed Clean Energy Projects Public Pledge to support the development of Nevada’s clean energy economy. Clean Energy Project is a non-partisan, nonprofit tax-deductible organization dedicated to powering clean energy in Nevada and the West. For more information, visit CleanEnergyProject.org.
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fresh52 Opens New Market at Town Square
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resh52 Farmers’ & Artisan Market, a Nevada certified farmers’ market, is now offering a weekly market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays, at North Main Street, in Town Square. Shoppers can purchase local farm fresh produce, herbs, nuts, honey, flowers and free-range meats and eggs. A variety of artisanal products is also available, including freshly baked breads and goods, pasta and sauces, jams, soaps and handmade crafts. Plan to spend several hours at the pet-friendly market to enjoy the free kids art park, live entertainment and chef demonstrations. Location: 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas. For more information, visit fresh52.com. See ad, page 13.
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SENIOR SAVINGS PLANS AVAILABLE natural awakenings
September 2012
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insp newsbriefs Calling All Artists and Photographers
N
atural Awakenings’ new Call for Cover Art and Photography campaign is an excellent opportunity for you to reach a large audience by submitting your original work for consideration and placement on our magazine covers. Our free, healthy living publication is available in more than 85 cities in the U.S and Puerto Rico, with a monthly readership of over 3.6 million. Each month, Natural Awakenings magazines across the country take a practical look at the latest natural approaches to nutrition, fitness, creative expression, personal growth and sustainable living. We interview national experts we think our readers would like to meet, and we offer inspiring how-to articles. If your art or photography is selected and printed on any of our covers, you will receive our promotional support via a professionally written bio about you and your work that will include your website and contact information and be featured in any Natural Awakenings magazine that uses your work on the cover. Because Natural Awakenings franchise owners choose their cover art and photography from a selection of several monthly options, we cannot guarantee that your cover will run in each of our 85 markets, but a percentage of publishers will pick your work. Natural Awakenings covers are generally selected based upon their appropriate match to our monthly editorial themes. For more information on submitting artwork, visit NaturalAwakeningsMag. com/covers.
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Garden Grow Boxes at Provident Community Garden
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rovident Community Garden, a nonprofit community garden that is open to the public for growing personal comestibles, is currently building phase II grow boxes, to be available for purchase soon. Ninety grow boxes were completed and sold at the public garden during phase I. To be eligible to purchase a 10-byfour-foot grow box for $125, potential gardeners must obey the garden rules and take introductory gardening classes offered at Provident to learn general garden principles. A $10 monthly fee is also charged to each box owner. For more information about upcoming classes and the purchase of grow boxes, visit ProvidentCommunityGarden.com.
nspiration healthbriefs National Women’s Health & Fitness Day is September 26—Look for a Local Event
Few U.S. Adults Regularly Practice Healthy Habits
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recent American Heart Association (AHA) survey reports that only 12 percent of American adults regularly practice the healthylife trifecta of good nutrition, exercise and oral care. The most common excuse is a lack of time. Of those surveyed, 80 percent said that eating at least nine servings of fruit and vegetables daily is a struggle. About 60 percent find it difficult to log the association’s recommended 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. At least 25 percent don’t brush and rinse twice daily and floss at least once daily. Yet, 90 percent of Americans like the idea of improving their health. The AHA “My Heart. My Life.” initiative offers a straightforward set of solutions to help families understand how to make incremental changes that have long-term health impact (MyLifeCheck.Heart.org). “Whether it is simply adding a 30-minute brisk walk to your day, eating a few more fruits and vegetables with meals, balancing your calories and physical activity to achieve a healthy body weight or creating routine oral care habits—it all contributes to an overall healthier lifestyle,” says Cardiologist Tracy Stevens, a professor of medicine with Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Why Laptops Should be Renamed... and Relocated
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he portable computers that serve as our business and communication “lifelines” may actually be thwarting unborn lives. Researchers suggest that laptop computer (LTC) users should avoid putting the devices directly on their laps, especially for extended periods of time. Recent research reported in the journal Fertility and Sterility examined semen samples from 29 healthy male donors that used an LTC on their laps, near their testes. The scientists found that LTCs connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi resulted in decreased sperm motility and increased sperm DNA fragmentation. A separate study, published in the journal Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health, noted that electromagnetic fields produced by LTCs likely induce currents within the body and can expose developing fetuses in pregnant women to unsafe levels. The researchers concluded that, “[An individual’s] ‘laptop’ is paradoxically an improper site for the use of an LTC, which consequently should be renamed to not induce customers towards an improper use.” natural awakenings
September 2012
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healthbriefs
20-Second Trust Factor
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irst impressions not only count—they are surprisingly accurate, at least when it comes to detecting whether a stranger is “made” to be compassionate, trustworthy or kind. New research by the University of California, Berkeley suggests that it can take just 20 seconds to recognize who is genetically so inclined. Two dozen couples participated in the study and provided DNA samples. Researchers documented them as they talked about times when they had suffered. A separate group of observers that did not know the couples were shown 20-second video segments of only the listeners and asked to rate which participants seemed most compassionate, based on facial expressions and body language. The listeners that received the highest ratings for empathy turned out to possess a particular variation of the oxytocin receptor gene known as the GG genotype. Dubbed the “love hormone”, oxytocin is naturally secreted into the bloodstream and the brain, where it promotes social interaction, bonding and romantic love. “People can’t see genes, so there has to be something going on that is signaling these genetic differences to the strangers,” says Aleksandr Kogan, lead author of the study. “What we found is that the people that had two copies of the G version displayed more trustworthy behaviors: more head nods, eye contact, smiling and open body posture. These behaviors signaled kindness to the strangers.”
Watching Magic Boosts Creativity in Children
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esearchers from Lancaster University have discovered that youngsters watching creative fantasy films improve their own imagination and creativity. The study involved 52 4-to-6-year-old children. The youngsters were split into two groups and shown two short segments of a popular fantasy movie. The findings showed that the group watching the magical scenes generally scored “significantly better” in creative activities than their peers in the other group that saw scenes without any magical content.
Mate Tea Fights Colon Cancer
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ccording to a recent University of Illinois study, bioactive compounds in mate tea, a beverage consumed in South America for its medicinal properties, killed human colon cancer cells in vitro. The scientists attribute this surprising health benefit to the tea’s caffeine derivatives that not only induced death in the cancer cells, but also reduced important markers of inflammation. Source: University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
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ecotip Upcycle It Repurpose Just About Anything Repurposing possessions saves money by reducing consumption and helps the environment by taking pressure off landfills. Common strategies include using old newspapers for stuffing or wrapping and used tin cans to collect cooking grease. Author Jeff Yeager, in his book, Don’t Throw That Away, expounds on such everyday “upcycling”. His tips include using a banana peel to Chicken coop made from shine shoes, sprinkling discarded scrap lumber. crumbled eggshells in the garden as fertilizer and natural pest control, and stuffing dryer lint inside empty toilet paper rolls for fireplace kindling. Instead of merely recycling plastic mesh bags, nest a few together and use them as a kitchen sink scrub pad. Fill empty plastic bottles with water and freeze them to make the refrigerator more energy-efficient, and also to serve as dripless ice cubes for the family picnic cooler. Before discarding old carpet, salvage the best sections to use in smaller spaces, like a bathroom, closet, car floor or pet house. Instead of buying new shelf liners, consider used gift-wrapping paper for kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Scrap lumber, tile and stones can be made into mosaic art designs. A cat scratching post exemplifies another multi-source (carpet and wood) upcycling project. While about 90 percent of U.S. households now have curbside recycling available, the amount of trash each American produces keeps growing. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average citizen currently generates about 4.5 pounds of trash a day, totaling 600 times their body weight over a lifetime unless they seriously practice the three R’s of reduce, reuse and recycle.
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ou can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality. ~Walt Disney
natural awakenings
September 2012
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globalbriefs
Noodle Doodle
News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Creativity is often perceived as an unpredictable event, the product of an unexpected “Aha!” moment. But a pair of Michigan psychologists, Mareike Wieth, of Albion College, and Rose Zacks, of Michigan State University, decided to research the concept. They discovered that problems requiring a flash of illumination to solve are best approached during the time of day when thinkers are not actually at what they feel is their peak. Reporting their findings in the journal Thinking and Reasoning, they assigned 428 students to fill out a questionnaire with 19 questions, including, “What time would you get up if you were entirely free to plan your day?” and “How much do you depend upon an alarm clock?” Participants were categorized as morning, evening or neutral types and randomly assigned to a morning or afternoon testing session. Some problems were analytic in nature, others were inspiration-based. While the more logical type of problem solving showed no statistical difference, morning people scored higher on the insight-demanding challenges in the late afternoon, and vice versa. Wieth and Zacks believe the results depend upon an inhibitory process that suppresses distracting information. It is thought that this system performs less efficiently when individuals are less alert, allowing random thoughts to enter the decision-making process, resulting in more creative thinking.
Bunker Hunker Down is the New up
Designer Matthew Fromboluti, of Washington University, in St. Louis, Missouri, has turned conventional wisdom about modern construction upside-down with his architectural design, Above/Below, submitted for the eVolo Skyscraper Competition. His underground skyscraper would theoretically fill a 900-foot-deep, 300-acre-wide crater left by the Lavender Pit copper mine, in Bisbee, Arizona. A cone-shaped, inverted tower would allow people to live, work and even grow food in a huge cavern, covered by a dome. The building is designed to maintain a comfortable temperature via a passive climate-control system suited to the hot desert environment. A solar chimney provides natural ventilation as the sun heats the air at the surface, causing it to rise and draw cooler air up through vents at the bottom. The moving air passes through wind turbines at the top of the chimney, generating electricity. Fromboluti’s aim is to atone for the mine’s destruction of the landscape by finding new ways to harvest the energy that went into excavating it, suggesting that no design should be considered “off the table” when planning for the future. Source: ForumForTheFuture.org
Creativity on Tap
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Henderson
September 14 | SpringS preServe regiSter: www.jdrflv.org
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Las Vegas Blvd
Fort Apache
Tenaya
Trash Fashions
The Rehabilitation of Plastic The rap on most plastic is that although it can be recycled, it doesn’t decompose in landfills. For a period of time, the city of Houston halted its composting of household yard waste due to the cost of having to cut and empty the plastic bags used in curbside pickup, even though the annual landfill fees exceeded $1 million. But now the service has resumed, based on the use of new, compostable plastic bags that require no special handling; the city even garners income from sales of composted clippings. Dinnerware, such as utensils, plates and cups, is another niche market in which advocates see potential for use of compostable plastics, especially by cafeterias, restaurants and other institutions. Not only are such items not biodegradable, they often end up being thrown out with food waste. Biodegradable polymers that break down in a matter of months are more expensive; for example, the BASF company’s Ecoflex material costs about two-and-a-half times more than the polyethylene it replaces. But proponents say that it provides value by enabling the largescale collection of organic waste, such as grass clippings and food, and that the potential for growth is enormous.
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September 2012
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consciouseating
Banishing Wheat Belly The Drawbacks of a WheatDominated Diet by Lee Walker
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r. William Davis, author of Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight and Find Your Path Back to Health, is a preventive cardiologist who has gone against the grain to expose yet another genetically engineered monstrosity, shedding light on the dark side of today’s commercial wheat crops.
What made you suspect that wheat might be behind numerous health problems? When I recognized that 80 percent of the people that came to see me had diabetes or pre-diabetes, I began asking patients to consider removing all wheat from their diets. This made sense to me due to wheat’s high glycemic index. Foods made from this grain raise blood sugar higher than nearly all other foods, including table sugar. The next logical step was to reduce blood sugar by eliminating wheat—organic, multigrain, whole grain and sprouted—from anyone’s diet. Patients that followed my simple directives and replaced the lost calories with healthy foods such as vegetables, raw nuts, meats, eggs, avocados, olives and olive oil returned three months later with lower fasting blood sugars and lower glycohemoglobin levels, which tests how well diabetes is being controlled. Some diabetics became non-diabetics 14
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and pre-diabetics became non-pre-diabetic. On average, these people each lost about 30 pounds and experienced relief from arthritis and joint pains, acid reflux, migraine headaches, edema and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as other conditions. Some even reported that they no longer needed inhalers for asthma. Initially, it seemed like these positive results were just odd coincidences. However, based on the overwhelming number of incidences, I clearly saw that it was a real and repeatable phenomenon. I began systematically removing wheat from all my patients’ diets and continued to witness similar turnarounds in health. Research related to agricultural genetics, an area largely ignored by medical doctors, and my own interviews with U.S. Department of Agriculture experts substantiated what my own anecdotal evidence has revealed.
Why has wheat suddenly become such a health threat? The wheat we eat today is not the same wheat our grandmothers used for baking. In the 1970s, in anticipation of a global population explosion and world hunger issues, a well-meaning University of
Minnesota-trained geneticist developed a hybridized strain of high-yielding dwarf wheat. By 1985, all wheat products were made from the altered dwarf strain, which now comprises 99 percent of all wheat grown worldwide. By weight, this modern wheat is approximately 70 percent carbohydrate, in a highly digestible form of a starch known as amylopectin A, which converts more easily to blood sugar than nearly all other simple or complex food carbohydrates. Gram-for-gram, wheat increases blood sugar and causes insulin problems to a greater degree than even potato chips or table sugar. Wheat, which now typically comprises 20 percent of all the calories we consume, is in hundreds of prepared foods such as instant soups, salad dressings, candy and granola. In 1970, this wasn’t true. Wheat was only in such foods as bread, rolls, cookies and cake, and it was in a natural form.
How does a wheat-dominated diet compromise health? Eating a wheat-based cereal for breakfast, wheat crackers and pretzels for snacks, two slices of whole wheat
bread for lunch and whole wheat pasta for dinner results in too much exposure to amylopectin A, and repeated spikes in blood sugar levels. This leads to insulin resistance and cultivates the growth of visceral fat in the abdomen, which tends toward diabetes and other inflammatory responses. Even worse, the gliadin protein in wheat is an opiate that stimulates appetite and addictive eating behavior (it does not relieve pain). All this plus the direct intestinal toxic effects of the wheat germ agglutinin protein in wheat add up to a destructive ingredient that spurs acid reflux, bowel urgency and irritable bowel syndrome, and leads to inflammation in various organs.
Describe how eliminating wheat has affected you. Thirty pounds ago, I was an enthusiastic consumer of “healthy whole grains,” who relied on pots of coffee or walking and other exercise to maintain focus and energy. My cholesterol values reflected my wheat-consuming habits: HDL 27 mg/dl [milligrams per deciliter of good cholesterol] (very low), triglycerides 350 mg/dl (very high), and blood
Be Lean
sugars in the diabetic range (161 mg/ dl). I had high blood pressure of 150/90 and excess weight around my middle. Eliminating wheat from my diet reversed all of these conditions without drugs, including the struggle to maintain attention and focus. Overall, I feel better today at 54 than I felt at 30.
Are gluten-free foods the answer? Commercially produced gluten-free foods made with tapioca, cornstarch or rice starch—all poor replacements for wheat—are destructive to the body. Homemade or locally made gluten-free foods absent such ingredients are better, as are the free recipes available via WheatBellyBlog.com. Millet, quinoa and amaranth, whole grains that lack most of the undesirable properties of modern wheat, are better but not necessarily safe in unlimited quantities because most people today have spent their lives overexposed to carbohydrates. Eating only small portions of these non-wheat grains is key. For more information visit WheatBellyBlog.com.
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September 2012
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Exploring Our Creative Side Engaging in Community Arts Brings Unexpected Rewards by Judith Fertig
“Turning, moving, spinning, dresses swirling, music beating, eyes in contact with a partner, then another, then another, then another, and the fiddle turns a corner, the phrase repeats, the dance repeats. You smile. Your body smiles.” ~ Doug Plummer, photographer and contra dancer, Seattle, Washington
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hree years ago, Janine Joslin, a savvy business executive, set her sights on becoming a Dazzler, and today is a proud member of the Leawood, Kansas, chapter of community tap-dancing troupes. “I love to dance and perform, and I felt that had been missing from my own life,” she says. After a friend suggested it, Joslin showed up for her first practice ready to go, wearing tights and tap shoes. Potential Dazzlers must prove they’ve learned the routines before being selected to perform for the public. Luckily, says Joslin, “I’m a quick study,” and soon took her place in this 50-and-up women’s group that likes to routinely Shuffle Off to Buffalo at area retirement facilities, church halls and special events. Learning the stopand-go, Broadwaystyle routines such as Steppin’ Out and Millie is more of a mental challenge than aerobic exercise, comments Joslin. “The main thing is it exercises your brain.” 16
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Performing for appreciative groups is a great feeling, she notes, and helps make the twice-weekly practices worthwhile. Just being around inspiring women has helped Joslin look at aging differently. She’s now applying her business skills to set up her troupe’s first website. Joslin’s experience proves what many dancers, artists, writers, actors and musicians know: Active, hands-on, group participation in the arts is beneficial on many levels.
National Trend
In a recent study commissioned by the Wallace Foundation, Gifts of the Muse: Reframing the Debate About the Benefits of the Arts, the researchers found that, “People that engage in arts in a
group setting develop a sense of community as they exchange favors (such as meeting to learn lines or loaning painting supplies); identify themselves with a cast, music ensemble or choral group; and develop a sense of trust and expectations of reciprocity.” It also noted, “Through the arts of ethnic traditions—such as classical Indian dance, Jamaican steel drums or Japanese raku ceramics—participants develop and maintain their cultural heritage and communicate their cultural identity to outsiders.”
Gateway Experiences
Most art disciplines can be experienced at any age. No previous training or ability is required, just a curious spirit and willingness to participate and learn. Fun options range from a painting party, in which participants set up an easel and paint a canvas at Uncork’d Art, in Washington, D.C. (UncorkdArt. com), to African drumming at DrumRise, in Decatur, Georgia (DrumRise. net). “A drumming class is a great way to reduce stress, have fun, relax and reenergize, all at the same time; it has even been shown to positively affect your immune system,” say co-founders Amy Jackson and Colleen Caffrey.
Such activities allow us to dabble and explore amidst the power of a group and maximize the joy of artful endeavors, which many prefer to the cost of individual lessons. One of the most accessible community arts is choral music, as it requires no special equipment. Singing in a group can also become a community tradition that gathers people of all ages and lifestyles in fellowship and celebration. Since 1882, singing Handel’s Messiah has become an annual highlight for a Swedish wheat-farming community in South-Central Kansas. For three months before Palm Sunday, 200 farmers, homemakers, college students and business owners from the Lindsborg area gather twice weekly to rehearse the three-hour piece (Bethanylb.edu/Oratorio_History.html). Becky Anderson, the owner of Lindsborg’s Swedish Country Inn, who has sung for 41 years, points to a particularly thrilling moment during each performance. “There is just this exhilaration as the audience jumps to their feet yelling, ‘Brava, Brava.’ Golly, that’s fun.” Chicagoans maintain a similar holiday tradition. For 35 years, free Do-It-Yourself Messiah concerts have provided a community-funded uplift (imfChicago.org). Thousands of audience members lend their voices to thrilling performances of this masterpiece, led by a world-class conductor and soloists and backed by an all-volunteer orchestra of local professionals and amateur musicians. Storytelling is yet another community performing art that requires no special equipment. The National Storytelling Network (StoryNet. org) advances the art of storytelling through a national conference and local storytelling guilds. The Lehigh Valley Storytelling Guild, in Pennsyl-
vania, meets once a month at a local coffee house (LVStorytellers.org). Members include professional and amateur storytellers, poets, actors and newcomers that love to practice—or just listen to—this ancient art. Strong community and cultural identity is forged on other stages, as well. The Community Actors Theatre, in San Diego, California’s, Oak Park, performs many plays written by local playwrights exploring themes in black culture (CommunityActorsTheatre.com). For Calvin Manson, a local poet and playwright who teaches acting workshops, the nonprofit venue feels like a mom-and-pop outfit. “They have the raw talent that could be developed into something wonderful. People don’t just learn to be actors and playwrights. They learn to work together, to commit to a common struggle. When they leave, they know how to work with people, to be team players.” Sometimes, a life change can open the door to a creative outlet. As a newly single 30-something, photographer Doug Plummer says that when he fell in with the Seattle contra dance scene in the mid-1980s, “It became my primary social life.” Derived from New England folk dance, two lines of dancers face each other and move to the rhythms of fiddle music. “Since 2003, anytime I’m in New England, I try to stay over on a Monday and catch the Nelson [New Hampshire] dance,” says Plummer. Likening it to participating in the slow-food and similar local movements, he says, “I feel like I’m entering into a mode of slow-dancing.” At the weekly Nelson gatherings, “The dancers will drift in; singles, couples and families with kids,” he relates. “Someone puts out the fiddle case for the
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” ~ Pablo Picasso
$2 admission. Whoever volunteered to bring baked goods sets them out. Harvey shows up with his fiddle, sits on the fold-up chair on the stage. Bob sits at the piano. ‘Line up for a contra,’ barks Don, in a clipped, Yankee accent. ‘First dance is Monymusk.’ Then everyone just joins in.”
Auditioning for the Role of a Lifetime
The next level of volunteer arts participation may involve an audition and a greater commitment. At the same time, these pursuits offer prime opportunities to expand artistic skills and join in something bigger than one’s self. Since 1873, the Cincinnati, Ohio, May Festival has served as a shining example of community showmanship (May Festival.com). Chorus auditions are held in January, rehearsals begin in September and concerts routinely sell out by May. Music critic Nancy Malitz comments, “It’s that special, tiny sliver of the year when everybody stretches. When hundreds of amateur singers accelerate the tempo by devoting every night to rehearsal and every day to thoughts of the concerts to come… when audiences look their finest, clap their loudest.” Lawrence Coleman, a chorus member for 15 years, has found that singing and networking with other May Festival vocalists has paid off in surprising ways. “I’ve recorded and had other singing engagements and opportunities, all because I’ve been connected to the chorus and the people in it,” he says. Coleman also sings with the rhythm and blues gospel group Fo Mo Brothers, performing at area churches and the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion. Coleman remarks, “I have friends in the chorus from very different walks of life. We come together for the single purpose of making great music. People of differing backgrounds and schools of thought can do more than coexist. It’s confirmed for me that we can learn to celebrate our differences when we have a common goal.” Even those that don’t feel inherently artistic can find venturing into an art form unexpectedly rewarding. Channeling an inner Elizabeth Bennett or Mr. Darcy is commonplace in Bay Area English Regency Society waltzes
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Discover the Arts of Las Vegas!
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ommunity arts groups are readily accessible via the Internet. Also, check the calendar sections of local magazines and newspapers and tune into word of mouth. Here is a sampling of what’s out there.
Dance Scottish Country Dancing (LasVegas CountryDance.org) Weekly Friday dances celebrate the beautiful ballroom dance styles of Scotland. Participants will be inspired by the graceful and energetic movements (ages 13 and up). USA Ballroom Dance (USADanceLas Vegas.org) Promotes ballroom dance through monthly social dances, performances, competitions, youth programs. A week of activities is planned for National Ballroom Dance Week, beginning September 21 (ages 13 and up). Ethnic Express International Folk Dancing (EthnicExpressLasVegas.org) An evening of international fun learning Armenian, Bulgarian, Israeli, Arabic, Macedonian, Russian, Greek, Turkish, Chinese and Serbian folk dances and more. No need to bring a partner (ages 8 and up).
Theatre Rainbow Company Youth Theatre (ArtsLasVegas.org/classes/rcyt.htm) A variety of theatrical skills classes, including improvisation, acting, song performance and beginning musical theater dance. Stage management is also offered. Fall classes begin week of September 10 (ages 4 and up). Las Vegas Little Theatre (lvlt.org) Amateur theater company with 10 productions scheduled for the 2012-13 season. The all-volunteer organization invites theatre talent and technical volunteers to become involved. Hollywood Kids Academy (Holly woodKidsAcademy.com) Offers a full spectrum of programs designed to develop children’s talents and abilities in the performing arts. Specializing in musical theater. Classes for fall season begin September 4 (ages 5 to 19). 18
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Music Music 4 Life Drum Circles (Drum CirclesLasVegas.com) Fun, familyfriendly events where people celebrate cross-cultural community life through rhythm and music. The Ensemble Arts Academy (Ensemble ArtsAcademy.com) Music and voice lessons for all ages. Instructors in all instruments are university trained.
Storytelling Storytelling with Karla Huntsman (KarlaHuntsman@gmail.com) Interested in storytelling? Contact Karla Huntsman at 702-834-7020.
Poetry The Poets’ Corner (Meetup.com/ LasVegasPoets) A monthly forum hosted by Keith Brantley for established poets and open mic participants, featuring local poetry talent.
Visual Arts Art from the Heart (ArtAndCoffee.com) Art classes for beginning and seasoned artists, taught by experienced, professional artists in a variety of mediums. Classes are customized to fit different needs and skill levels, and private lessons are available (ages 3 to adult).
Writing Las Vegas Creative Writing Class (Meetup.com/Las-Vegas-CreativeWriting-Class). Join award-winning author Maxwell Drake for free writing workshops hosted by the Clark County Library District. Henderson Writers Group (Henderson WritersGroup.com) A weekly networking and critiquing forum for writers of all skill levels, with resources devoted to education and craft development.
Art Centers West Las Vegas Arts Center (ArtsLas Vegas.org/classes/wlvac.htm) Dance and music classes (ages 2 to adult). Charleston Heights Arts Center (Arts LasVegas.org/classes/chac.htm) Dance and music classes, including ballet, jazz, Zumba and hip-hop.
“When I’m not doing any plays, things just don’t go right. This is my justification. This is my opportunity to just be me.”
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~ Eva Jones, foster parent and member of Community Actors Theatre, Oak Park, California and “longways” dances, in Palo Alto, California (baers.org). Alan Winston, a computer systems administrator and veteran dance caller, observes that these patterned dances appeal to math-science-logic-computer types. “It’s a great place for people that live in their heads to get out and be social,” he says. Appropriately, the dances all feature choreography from Jane Austen’s era. Depending on the theme of the dance—like the sophisticated Cyprians Ball or spirited Return of the Regiments Ball—the ambience may be elegant or rowdy, explains Winston. Dances are taught beforehand to music such as George Washington’s Favourite Cotillion, an 1808 tune performed by musicians playing a clarinet, piano and recorder. Many wear period costumes, while others come in jeans. Winston is usually bedecked in a wine-colored waistcoat with tails that he found on eBay. Plein air painters forsake the indoors to take their paints, easels and canvases outside. Plein-Air Painters of America regularly paint in groups in the fresh air and then hold an exhibition; annual workshops help teach techniques (p-a-p-a.com). At the recent seventh annual Florida’s Forgotten Coast event, in the state’s Panhandle, billed as America’s Great Plein Air Paint-Out, featured artists set up alongside amateurs eager to learn more (PleinAirfl.com). Whatever one’s newly discovered or longtime treasure, individuals engaging in a group arts activity forge strong social bonds, keep ethnic arts traditions alive, learn new things in new ways and experience joyous personal growth. … All while creating something wonderful. Judith Fertig regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings. She’s an awardwinning cookbook author at AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com.
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businessspotlight
SHOULD YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW OWN A NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINE?
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e are seeking like-minded individuals and teams to share our vision and expansion. Are you, or someone you know in your community, ready to own your own business of publishing a magazine and becoming a leader in helping to improve the lives of people in your community? Then a Natural Awakenings franchise is for you. Available markets across the country are waiting for information that will help local communities feel good, live simply and laugh more. One of the locations below might be right for you or someone you know. Financial consulting assistance is provided to help you capitalize your business.
The Natural Awakenings Story Healthy living entrepreneur Sharon Bruckman launched the first Natural Awakenings magazine in Naples, Florida, in 1994 in response to a strong local holistic health community and thousands of like-minded people eager to connect with each other. The publication was an immediate success. A second, Sarasota edition soon followed. In 1999 John Voell stepped it up, bringing extensive franchise experience to bear in co-founding Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. After establishing a third magazine in Fort Lauderdale, Natural Awakenings quickly spread up the Florida peninsula. Since then, Natural Awakenings has expanded to encompass more than 80 markets across the United States and Puerto Rico. Natural Awakenings is now enjoyed by more than 3.6 million readers. Finding a free copy is convenient via unsurpassed market penetration of more than 42,000 distribution points.
Our Vision Natural Awakenings has expanded into the cyberworld with national and local websites, iPhone app and our new webstore, where readers shop for everything needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle and healthy planet. Myriad marketing, advertising and support materials are available for publishers to implement in their communities to expand awareness and grow revenue streams. Some of these materials and activities include coupon saver sites, e-magazines and newsletters, trade show and expo displays, public relations videos, sponsorships, and local and multimarket ad sales programs. The Natural Awakenings Network discount health program is designed to provide savings to your members while benefitting your advertisers. Long-range plans include continuing to expand our network of publishers to inform and change communities across the nation and beyond.
Natural Awakenings’ Franchises are still Available in These Markets Montgomery, AL Anaheim-Santa Ana, CA Bakersfield, CA Fresno, CA Greater Los Angeles Area: San Fernando Valley, CA Inland Empire, CA Ventura County, CA Santa Barbara, CA Orange County, CA Modesto, CA Riverside-San Bernardino, CA Sacramento, CA Salinas-Seaside-Monterey, CA San Jose, CA Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA Stockton, CA Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, CA Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, CA Colorado Springs, CO Fort Collins-Greely, CO Wilmington, DE-NJ-MD Columbus, GA-AL Macon-Warner Robins, GA Savannah-Hilton Head, GA-SC
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Contact Co-Founder John R. Voell at (239) 530-1377 or go online to NaturalAwakeningsMag.com natural awakenings
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healingways
Functional Medicine Taking the Whole Toolbox Approach by Kathleen Barnes
Once called “alternative” medicine, then “holistic” or “complementary” and later “integrative”, the newest evolution is “functional” medicine, designed to search out the underlying causes of illnesses in order to carry out effective treatment.
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onventional medicine is like a carpenter that only has a hammer to work with, while functional medicine doctors are working with a full toolkit,” says the author of From Fatigued to Fantastic, National Medical Director of Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers, Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, of Kona, Hawaii. Conventional medicine addresses symptoms instead of diseases, explains Los Angeles functional medicine practitioner Dr. Hyla Cass, author of 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health: A Take Charge Plan for Women. “It tends to treat the symptoms with more and more medications that cause a host of other side effects that also need to be treated and can result in declining health, rather than increased vitality.” “Functional medicine, rather than simply ‘chasing symptoms’ while ignoring the causes, searches for and addresses environmental factors, nutritional deficiencies, genetic tendencies, biochemical dysfunctions and emotional and social stressors that can together
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cause the development of symptoms,” adds Dr. Adiel Tel-Oren. He operates Eco-Health Clinics internationally (the U.S. site is in Minneapolis, Minnesota) and serves as president emeritus and professor of nutrition and functional medicine with the California-based University of Natural Medicine. In every case, it takes some investigation to get to the heart of the problems, and the solutions can take many forms. “For example, depression, insomnia and obesity aren’t diseases; they are symptoms,” says Cass. “If we can find the underlying cause of these symptoms, we can address the problem permanently.” An allopathic approach, on the other hand, would routinely recommend a pill to lower temperature for high fever, prescribe a synthetic pill to elevate mood in treating depression, or look to pharmacological anti-inflammatory drugs for simple immune reactions. Tel-Oren is among those that link a vast number of illnesses to stress: “Diverse conditions such as fibromy-
algia, irritable bowel syndrome, heart disease, diabetes, mood and cognitive disorders, various autoimmune disorders, premenstrual syndrome, temporomandibular joint issues, chronic pelvic pain, interstitial cystitis, chronic low back pain, chemical and food sensitivities, allergies, asthma and cancer all seem to share common courses of formation. The common denominator for these disturbances appears to be chronic stress.” Dr. Mark Hyman, chair of the Institute for Functional Medicine, in Lenox, Massachusetts, elaborates: “Functional medicine seeks to create balance in the body by looking at seven keys to achieving wellness: nutrition, hormones, inflammation, digestion, detoxification, energy metabolism and a calm mind. We work through the entire system, help people identify patterns and return the body to balance.” Hyman is a strong advocate of nutrition as the basis for restoring balance to the body. “Food is the most powerful medicine we have, more powerful than any drug, more powerful than anything you’ll ever find in a pill bottle,” he says. Teitelbaum notes, “Conventional medicine is basically run on economics, so doctors are too often influenced by drug company marketing messages masquerading as science that encourage expensive treatments, regardless of their toxicity.” In stark contrast, “Functional medicine instead looks for the lowest cost treatment that is supported by medical evidence.”
Conventional Medicine Case in Point
Fibromyalgia, for example, encompasses a basket of symptoms, usually beginning with overall body pain with specific pain points. Other common symptoms can include extreme fatigue, facial pain, irritable bowel syndrome, memory loss and brain fog, depression, numbness and tingling, palpitations, insomnia and headaches, including migraines. “Until a few years ago, conventional medicine decided you were crazy if you complained of these symptoms,” advises Teitelbaum. “Then some expensive medications came out—promoted by $210 million a year
in advertising; so now, patients are instead being told to take medications with lots of side effects.” The most common conventionally prescribed drugs for fibromyalgia target symptoms of insomnia, depression, nerve pain and inflammation. According to Teitelbaum, the vast majority of people treating with these medications continue to experience the same symptoms over a five-year period; only 25 to 35 percent report some improvement. It’s difficult to determine how many Americans suffer from fibromyalgia because many go undiagnosed (the average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis is five years). Cure4Fibromyalgia.com estimates that 5 million Americans, or approximately 2 percent of the population, suffer from this disease.
Functional Medicine Alternative
“Functional medicine practitioners recognize that fibromyalgia represents an energy crisis in the body and use simple, appropriate and effective treatments with no harmful side effects,” says Teitelbaum. “Most often I use a SHINE protocol that I developed, based on 30 years of treating patients with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, with a 90 percent success rate.” His is just one example of the way functional medicine would treat a difficult-to-diagnose and to treat disease. Cass uses functional medicine very effectively against depression, addiction and a host of women’s health issues. Hyman specializes in managing diabetes and obesity with the tools of functional medicine. “If other medicines worked as well as treatments used in functional medicine, I’d use them, but they don’t,” concludes Hyman. “My Hippocratic Oath says I must help relieve suffering. I can do that with the tools that functional medicine gives me.” Kathleen Barnes is a natural health advocate, author and publisher. Eight Weeks to Vibrant Health: A Take Charge Plan for Women is among her many books. Visit KathleenBarnes.com.
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Natural Health Care Clinic Opens in Henderson
uperior Health Solutions and Lupus of Nevada recently celebrated the grand opening of a new, comprehensive medical clinic at 1661 West Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 280, in Henderson. Modeled after the Mayo Clinic concept, but focusing on natural healing, the clinic is a fully integrated, state-of-the-art medical Dr. Robert facility, designed as a one-stop point of DeMartino care for the ideal patient experience. The clinic is the brainchild of Dr. Robert DeMartino, a board-certified chiropractor and wellness physician who leads the clinic in evaluating a patient’s needs to get to the root of each problem and help patients feel better, thereby improving their quality of life. Superior Health Solutions treats multiple ailments, but focuses on diseases and symptoms that many patients and their physicians deem hopeless. The clinic offers care for diseases such as fibromyalgia, neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, balance issues, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, numbness and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as fatigue, hormone imbalance, thyroid abnormalities, digestive problems, diabetes and autoimmune conditions such as lupus and multiple sclerosis. “So many people have given up hope. I really can’t say I blame them,” DeMartino says. “They have tried almost everything to restore their health. Some have had surgery. Most are taking many, many medications just to get through the day, and their issues still exist. Some may function with it, just suffering with it as a normal part of their everyday lives. For others, it has become debilitating, both physically and mentally.” For more info, call 702-643-9900 or visit SHSLasVegas.com.
natural awakenings
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fitbody Yoga is renowned for increasing physical flexibility, balance and range of motion, while decreasing stress. Yet,
INJURY-FREE YOGA
Proven Approaches for Safe Practice by Lynda Bassett
Between 15 and 20 million Americans practice yoga, spending an estimated $5.7 billion annually on classes and accessories. National Yoga Month, in September, reminds us to always make personal safety a guiding principle during practice sessions. Experts advise the following guidelines for practicing injury-free yoga.
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ike any kind of movement, yoga involves some risk,” says Devarshi Steven Hartman, dean of the Kripalu School of Yoga, headquartered in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. “The level of risk depends on the individual’s age, physical condition, limitations, emotional state, previous injuries, strength, time of day, awareness, type of movement and how much weight bearing is taking place.” It’s not uncommon for both seasoned athletes and yoga neophytes to push too hard in the beginning. Dr. Loren Fishman, medical director at Manhattan Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, says, “The three leading causes of injury are an overenthusiastic student, improper alignment and poor teaching.”
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Many aspirants feel they have to master a pose right away; thus, a “Type A” person may have the most potential for injury, observes Sadie Nardini, New York City-based founder of Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga and host of Cable TV’s Viera Living’s daily yoga show, Rock Your Yoga. Some instructors may have a vigorous Type A attitude, as well. “Keep looking if you feel pushed,” she advises. Choosing a style is less important than choosing the instructor best suited to the student’s needs. “Finding the right teacher,” says Nardini, “is kind of like dating. Keep looking until you find your match.”
Proven Guidelines
Here are some safe approaches and
Courtesy Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health
as with any form of exercise, injuries may result from improper practice.
injury-prevention tips from experienced yogis. Research the teacher. Investigate a yoga instructor’s credentials before signing up for a class, advises Meredith Montgomery, a board member of the Yoga Health Foundation and publisher of Natural Awakenings ’ Mobile/ Baldwin edition. Read the instructor’s biography to verify his or her professional training, certification and level of experience. YogaAlliance.org maintains a well-respected registry of instructors that have been certified as registered yoga teachers (RYT). Analyze the class level. Consider the name of the class, plus the level of advancement. New students may want to begin with a gentle, restorative or yin-type class. To reduce any risk, “Sign up for classes that are one level lower than where you are,” advises Fishman. Ask how many students are allowed in the class; a smaller size means more one-on-one attention. Speak out. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Fishman emphasizes; get to the class early, introduce yourself to the teacher and perhaps audit various classes. Good instructors always ask students about their health and fitness history. Look for special needs groups. “You can get really specific in choosing the right yoga class, whether it focuses on back care or other therapeutic yoga,” notes Nardini. Exercise caution. Certain areas of the body, like the back, neck and
limbs, are particularly prone to injury, counsels Hartman. “Twisting and contorting poses can cause undue pressure,” so take things slowly and stop if pain occurs. Practice correct alignment. Experts agree that proper alignment is key to injury-free yoga. “There’s a lot to proper alignment; it’s integral to being a yoga teacher,” says Fishman. A good one will walk the room to make sure everyone has the correct form, keeping the vertebrae more or less in line, even in a twisting pose. Seek modifying options. Instructors must teach modifications in poses to accommodate the individual, often using props such as blocks and straps. Learn to breathe. Proper breathing cannot be overemphasized. “Kripalu’s teaching methodology, for example, emphasizes coordinating movement with breath because it is one of the leading ways to prevent injury,” Hartman says. Go with a teacher that understands anatomy. A teacher with such a background knows not only how muscles move, but also how they move together. Experts in yoga understand kinesiology—the natural synergies and limits to muscle and joint movement, according to Fishman. Nardini further emphasizes the importance of teaching transitions between poses. Consider prior injuries. “People think of yoga as a healing practice. That does not [necessarily] mean it will help heal a previous injury,” says Nardini. “It’s possible you can make it even worse.” Those with previous injuries, plus elderly individuals and expectant mothers, must take extra safety precautions. Remember that yoga is not about competition. “Don’t be afraid to take a time out,” says Fishman. “Or go into a child’s or modified child’s pose if you need to.” In the end, “Yoga is about increasing awareness of the body. A wellschooled yoga teacher intends to create individual, empowering experiences,” concludes Hartman. Lynda Bassett is a freelance writer based near Boston, MA. Connect at LyndaBassett.com.
wellnessprofile Bikram Yoga Las Vegas Oleg Vydra, Studio Owner This February, the modern and comforting space of Bikram Las Vegas opened just a mile from the Strip, and the studio has been busy and successful ever since. This month we speak with owner Oleg Vydra. What is the style of the class and its benefits? The style is hatha yoga and the lineage is from Bikram Choudhury to Vishnu Gosh to Paramahansa Yogananda (author of Autobiography of a Yogi). This lineage of yogis has introduced the practice of yoga to millions of people over several generations of time. Yoga works, and has a great effect on the human spirit and human life, which is why it has stood the test of time. Our studio teachers inspire people to do their best, because anyone who attempts to do the postures correctly, to the best of his ability, receives all of the health benefits. What is the atmosphere of the studio like? The vibe in the studio is one of happiness and unity, with a staff working together to create a comforting space for students to evolve through their practice of yoga. The class itself is disciplined and fun. We enjoy having a good time, but we also take our yoga seriously. We believe that we are all working and sharing group consciousness and seriously evolving our minds and our bodies to live healthier, happier lives. How did you become a teacher and studio owner? I was first practicing Bikram yoga to reduce stress when I was in the day-trading stock market industry for years, and then the real estate industry. I also had hereditary lower back issues and accidentally came across Bikram yoga when I was trading in Scottsdale, Arizona, for several months. While between real estate projects when the markets weren’t doing well for me, I decided to attend teaching training in Acapulco for nine weeks. Upon returning, I combined my love for real estate, building and development with yoga to consult on building two other Bikram studios in town, until the opportunity to build my own studio came along. What is the most rewarding yoga training experience you have encountered? It’s all our students’ experiences combined. It’s exceptionally rewarding to provide a business product that people come up to you and thank you for. We see people lose weight, gain flexibility and become happier human beings through their yoga practice in our studio. Students who could barely do anything in the beginning are, years later, competing in the yoga regional competition. I was a young man living with back pain and taking medications to manage it, but after Bikram yoga, the pain is gone. I know from experience that it works.
Bikram Yoga Las Vegas Oleg Vydra, studio owner 5031 Wagon Trail Avenue, Suite 109, Las Vegas 702-547-9642 BikramLasVegas.com
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wisewords Julia Cameron Speaks from Her Heart
CREATING A LIFE BEYOND NEED AND WORRY by Linda Sechrist
breathe
How is unblocking creativity linked to having a prosperous heart and a life of enough?
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I have taught creative unblocking for 35 years. When I’ve asked my students about money, inevitably their responses are emotional exclamations: “Money is the biggest block to my creativity,” or “I feel like I can handle anything but money,” or “Do we have to talk about money?” I believe that every person is creative, and can use his or her creativity to create a life of “enough”. I have worried about money and found that having money does not end this worry. I have also discovered practical tools that have lifted my students and me out of money worries into a prosperous heart. Prospering is something we can do today, no matter how much money we have.
photo by Mark Kornbluth
J
ulia Cameron is an award-winning author, poet, playwright and filmmaker, perhaps best known for her precedent-setting works on creativity, including The Artist’s Way, The Vein of Gold, Walking in this World and The Right to Write. In her latest book, The Prosperous Heart, she presents a 10-week program that guides readers in developing a life that is as full and satisfying as they ever imagined possible.
Prosperity is not just about money, although our relationship to money must be brought out into the light, and we must be brave enough to look at it candidly. Having enough is having a life beyond need and worry. It’s about finding satisfaction in our lives, improving the lives we have, straightening out our finances and creating a life that is enough for us.
What led you to conclude that a prosperous heart is about a spiritual bottom line, rather than a financial one? My experience of this principle has been cumulative. When teaching The Artist’s Way through the years, I have sometimes been moved to give away memberships in a class in order to help creatively stymied individuals that felt they couldn’t afford the 12-week course. While this didn’t add to my bank account, I felt rewarded on a spiritual level as I watched those students blossom over the course of the class.
What tools do you offer readers in The Prosperous Heart? Morning Pages remain the primary tool of a creative recovery and for establishing prosperity. Three daily pages of longhand writing—strictly stream of consciousness—work to provoke,
clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. Counting is another bedrock tool of prosperity; keeping a small notebook tracking every penny in and every penny out puts us in touch with our true values, which is one of the first and finest fruits of prosperity. This daily writing, coupled with counting, brings emotional and financial clarity. Together, they help us discover our true values—both personal and monetary—and uncover the actions that will lead to a life that is truly our own. Abstaining from financial imbalance is simple when we stop debting. A commitment to practicing the tool of abstinence plugs the leaks and our personal lifeboat stops sinking. While this may seem severe, it leads straight to more prosperity. Walking at least twice a week for a minimum of 20 minutes works to put events into a healthier perspective. We may walk out with a problem and walk back in with a solution. Walking also offers the opportunity to encounter sights and sounds that fire the imagination and replenish our inner well of creativity. As we walk, we can experience the richness of the world, as well as our own inner prosperity. I recommend taking a time out once in the morning and once at night, for five minutes, to sit quietly and consciously count your blessings, or simply rest. Time outs also put us in closer touch with our own inner resources. Ideas often come to us during these periods, which prove to be time-efficient and guided by wisdom. Through many years of experience, I have seen how the tools explored in The Prosperous Heart help people from all walks of life come into contact with their true value system. When they act in alignment with their values, they naturally feel a sense of prosperity. When they do what they love and do it well, the money seems to take care of itself. Find the next chapter on personal creativity at JuliaCameronLive.com. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings magazine.
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September 2012
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na-lv.com Find these departments at na-lv.com this month. Visit, click, enjoy.
healthykids
greenliving
Making Allowances
Eco-Friendlier Floors
Learning to Manage Money at a Young Age
I
nstituting an allowance plan that works best for each child is a sound way to start teaching the value of money, budgeting and saving.
Top Green Choices for What’s Underfoot
M
ore than 4 billion pounds of carpet enter the solid waste stream in the United States every year. Because it’s bulky and comprises multiple materials, discarded carpet is difficult both to dispose of and recycle. Fortunately, there are a host of savvy alternatives that won’t tax the health of our families or the planet.
naturalpet
Doggy Lost… and Found Again Microchips Provide Peace of Mind
I
t’s easy for a dog or cat to slip out an unlatched door, open gate or even a window. Three million lost pets are picked up by animal control agencies each year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Most wandering pets that make it back home have been identified and reunited through tags, tattoos or microchips.
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inspiration
Peace Mail Spreading Good Will on Earth Through Art
P
ainter Franck de Las Mercedes, in New York City, has combined a pair of hopeful concepts—world peace and free art for all—in a quickly broadening art initiative inspired by an “Aha!” moment at the local post office.
calendarofevents
universal form of each asana. One day: $30/All days: $81. Hosted by Namaste Yoga Studio, 7240 W Azure Dr #115, LV. 683-1872. NamasteYogaLasVegas.com. Globalized Soul Screening – 7-9:30pm. Documentary chronicles the world-wide phenomenon of interreligious or interfaith dialogue, considered by some as the distinctive spiritual journey of the 21st century. Question and answer session with the producers will follow the film screening. Run time: 60 minutes. Rated: G. Free. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 507-3964. lvccld.org.
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, SEPTEMBER 4 The 5 Tibetan Rites – 5:45-6:15pm. Intro to The 5 Tibetan Rites. $15. Angel Blessings, 4485 S Buffalo, LV. 252-3502. Transformations-LasVegas.org. Inspirational Reiki Healing Circle – 7-9pm. with Janee Powers and Victoria. Free. Angels Blessings, 4485 S Buffalo, LV. 252-3502. TransformationsLasVegas.org. ©Wilfred Stanley Sussenbach
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Kick The Sugar Addiction – 6-7:30pm. Learn to effectively control your blood sugar and energy levels using guided imagery. RSVP: TransformLasVegas@ yahoo.com. $12.50/class or $69 for all 8 classes. 252-3502. Transformations-LasVegas.org.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 Accessing the Subconscious Mind – 10:30am. Through hypnosis, relaxation and guided imagery, you can have a happier, healthier life. For your added comfort, bring a mat or blanket. $15. Herbally Grounded, 4441 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 558-4372. HerballyGrounded.com.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 Ironman World Championship 70.3 – 6:30am2:30pm. Approximately 1,700 athletes from more than 50 countries compete in one of the toughest triathlon courses in the United States. Throughout the valley. Free to spectators. IronManLLV.com. Yoga Aid Challenge – 9am-12pm. Participate in 108 sun salutations to benefit Yoga Gangsters, an organization serving inner city areas with a network of free yoga. Prizes available for the top fundraisers and teams. Springs Preserve, 333 S Valley View Blvd, LV. SinCityYoga.com. Vegetable Gardening in the Cooler Months – 2-3:30pm. Master Gardener Don Fabbi discusses how to grow vegetables in Nevada in the cooler months. Free. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 507-3964. lvccld.org.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Accessing the Subconscious Mind – 6:30pm. See 9/8 description. $15. Herbally Grounded, 4441 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 558-4372. HerballyGrounded.com. Social Media Event – 6:30-8pm. How to use social media for free publicity. Learn the secret strategies that successful business owners are using to gain greater recognition. $25. RSVP for location. 2523502. TransformLasVegas@yahoo.com.
barbeque. Music entertainment by Christy Molasky & the Music Junkies. Ticket prices vary. Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd, LV. 732-4795. jdrflv.org.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Gardening Class: Vegetables – 9-11am. Learn how and when to plant cool season vegetables in your own garden this fall. Free. Acacia Park, 50 Casa Del Fuego, HD. 257-5555. LVMasterGardeners@ unce.unr.edu. Ho’olaule’a – 9am-6pm. Enjoy two stages of Pacific Islands entertainment, craft vendors, commercial vendors, food vendors, a health fair and a children’s craft area. Free. Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S Water St, HD. 296-2303. HendersonLive.com.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Inner Guidance & Intuition with April Azzolino – 7-8:30pm. Learn about your spiritual energy, why we are here on Earth, balancing intuitive feelings with thinking and trusting your inner guidance. $10. Enchanted Forest Reiki Center, 800 N Rainbow Blvd #140, LV. 948-4999. EnchantedForestReiki.com.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Ashtanga Yoga Workshop – Fri-Sun. 3-day workshop focusing on postures and understanding the
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Caring for a Loved One with Memory Loss – 2-3pm. Learn about the free social services, education programs and other resources available to caregivers. Gain valuable information and get questions answered. Free. West Charleston Library, 6301 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 507-3964. lvccld.org. Sea Food Raw Food Un-Cooking Class – 3-5pm. Learn to make delectable dishes with vegan-only ingredients and sea weed that taste amazing and alkalize your body. Must RSVP: TransformLasVegas@yahoo.com. $12 plus actual cost of food. 252-3502. Transformations-LasVegas.org.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Gardening Class: Herbs – 9-11am. Herbs are easy to grow and have many uses. Learn which ones grow best here, and methods for drying, preservation, and storage. Free. Acacia Park, 50 Casa Del Fuego, HD. 257-5555. LVMasterGardeners@unce.unr.edu. Healthy Kids Festival – 10am-2pm. The goal of the Festival is to raise awareness and target prevention of childhood obesity in the community. Come out and learn how to be healthy and active. Free. Winchester Park & Cultural Center, 3130 McLeod Dr, LV. 948-5975. CokerL@unce.unr.edu. Accessing the Subconscious Mind – 10:30am. See 9/8 description. $15. Herbally Grounded, 4441 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 558-4372. Herbally Grounded.com.
WE STILL ON? Call ahead to confirm that
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Wellness Raffle – 12pm. Win a free dietary consultation and ARIIX homeopathic diet. Visit the center anytime to sign up for a chance to win. Free. Stella Chiropractic Wellness Center, 375 N Stephanie St, Ste 1213. 932-1798. StellaChiropractic.com. JDRF Rock the Walk – 6-9pm. Family-friendly benefit that serves as a prelude to the chapter’s annual Walk to Cure Diabetes. Youngsters play while parents mingle, drink fine wines and dine on
Gardening Class: Fruit Trees – 9-11am. Learn about planting, growing, pruning, and harvesting fruit here in the Las Vegas valley. Free. Acacia Park, 50 Casa Del Fuego, HD. 257-5555. LVMaster Gardeners@unce.unr.edu. There’s an Herb for That – 11am. Study herbs and their use to support healing in the body. Bring your herb questions and health concerns. $5. Herbally Grounded, 4441 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 558-4372. HerballyGrounded.com.
the event details haven’t changed and tell them you saw it in Natural September 14 | jdrflv.org
Awakenings of Las Vegas.
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ongoingevents
com/LawofAttraction-YourWishIsYourCommandLasVegasNV. 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. Inspirational Reiki Healing Circle – 7-9pm. Participate in a group discussion (optional) or simply observe and learn. Experience guided meditation and receive deep personalized healing. Free. Angel Blessings, 4485 S Buffalo, LV. 252-3502. Transformations-LasVegas.org
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
wednesday ©Ekaterina Naimushina
Bikram Yoga – See website for class schedule and rates. Bikram Yoga Green Valley, 1550 N Green Valley Pkwy, Ste 310, HD. 463-0671. BikramGreen Valley.com. Bikram Yoga – See website for class schedule and rates. Bikram Yoga Las Vegas, 5031 Wagon Trail Ave, Ste 109, LV. 547-9642. BikramLasVegas.com Daily Meditation Classes – 4am, 9am, 2pm, 5pm. 1-hr classes. Chaiya Meditation Monastery, 7925 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. Indoor Cycling – See website for class schedule. 60-minute indoor cycling classes in a comfortable, fun, and urban studio environment. Easy online scheduling and reservation system reserves bike for each class. 4840 S Fort Apache Rd, LV. 431-6674. TheCyclingStudio.com. Yoga & Pilates – See website for class schedule and rates. Vegas Hot!, 5875 S Rainbow Blvd, Ste 206, LV. 257-8171. VegasHot.com
tion 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. Spiritual Yoga Fest – 6-9pm. Experience mantra chants with vibrant world music and hear the stimulating spiritual knowledge of ancient India. Free. Govinda’s Center, 7181 Dean Martin Dr, LV. 434-8332. GovindasCenter.com.
weekdays
monday
Staying Healthy! Radio Show – Mon-Fri. 8-9am & 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.
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.
sunday 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 informa-
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tuesday Five Tibetan Rites – 6-6:45pm. Discover the five secret rituals from a hidden Himalayan monastery. Free. Angel Blessings, 4485 S Buffalo, LV. 2523502. Transformations-LasVegas.org Brain Balance Parent Open House – 6-7pm. 2nd Tues. Learn how our research-driven drug free approach can help your child overcome social, educational or behavioral challenges and achieve unlimited potential. Free. Brain Balance Achievement Centers of HD, 11 S Stephanie St, HD. 778-9500. BrainBalanceCenters.com. Hatha Yoga Group Class – 6-7pm. A yoga class for all levels, combining postures, breathing and relaxation. $10. World Wellness Group, 3120-A S Valley View Blvd, LV. 338-3309. WorldWellnessGroup.net. Law of Attraction Meetup Group – 7pm. Listen to and discuss a Law of Attraction CD (1 hour in length) together in a like-minded group. $20 for guidebook. Call for location. 575-5086. Meetup.
Brain Balance Educator Open House – 2:304:30pm. 3rd Wed. For all 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. Inspirational Reiki Healing Circle – 7-9pm. Natural healing through guided meditation. Relax and recharge your mind and body. $5. Meadow’s Clubhouse, 2900 S Valley View Blvd, LV. 252-3502. 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. 6000 S Eastern Ave, Ste 9A, LV. 795-2500. WellRoundedMomma.com. Pain-Free Electrically – 12-1pm. 1st Thurs. Learn how the electro acuscope and myopulse can relieve pain and accelerate healing. Free. World Wellness Group, 3120 S Valley View, 1st Fl, Main Rm, LV. 239-1069. ThorpInstitute.com. Taste & Toast – 5-8pm. Farmers’ market, live entertainment, cooking demos, local artists, beer and wine tasting. Free. Tivoli Village, 302 S Rampart, LV. fresh52.com Happy Hour Drumming – 7-8pm. 3rd Thurs. No cocktails needed while we beat drums to the rhythm of happiness making new friends. $5. 6029 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 702-889-2881. DrumCirclesLasVegas.com.
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 – 9am2pm. 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 – 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 (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. 2523502. Transformations-LasVegas.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. 6029 W Charleston Blvd, LV. 702-889-2881. DrumCirclesLasVegas.com. EZ Weight Loss Series Hypno-Nutrition Class – No class 9/29. 11am-12:30pm. Lose excess weight through proper nutrition, breath and no exercise! Learn how to reverse and prevent many health conditions. Different topic each week. RSVP: TransformLasVegas@yahoo.com. $12.50/class or $69 all 8 classes. 252-3502. Transformations-LasVegas.org. Past Lives, Dreams & Soul Travel Book Discussion – 2-4pm. 3rd Sat. Understand your true self through past lives recalls, discover the meaning of your life through dreams. Free. Barnes & Noble, 8915 N Charleston, LV. 224-4325. The Art of Spiritual Dreaming Book Discussion – 2-4pm. 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.
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.
ACUPUNCTURE
CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS
HEATHER BROOKMAN, OMD, RN
ABLE WELLNESS
7380 S Eastern Ave, Ste 125, LV 89123 702-562-2202 (east), 702-546-8358 (west) Heather@HeatherBrookman.com
A Better Life Experience – Dr. Shelly O’Connor 6000 S Eastern Ave, 9A, LV 89119 702-983-0687 • AbleWellness.com
Safe, effective and integrated health care. Acupuncture is safe, comfortable and effective. Relieve insomnia. Free 15-minute consultations available to all new patients.
Dr. Shelly addresses the emotional, chemical and physical roadblocks to wellness with specific chiropractic care, NET, nutrition, fitness and lifestyle coaching. Rather than chasing symptoms, become healthier and maximize your human potential and have A Better Life Experience!
ADD/ADHD TREATMENT BRAIN BALANCE ACHIEVEMENT CENTER OF HENDERSON
11 S Stephanie St, Ste 120, HD 89012 702-778-9500 • BrainBalanceHenderson.com Offering individualized plans to help children with learning difficulties reach their greatest physical, mental, social and academic potential. Customized programs correct imbalance and reduce/eliminate negative behaviors. We are brain-based, not drug based. See ad, page 6.
HEALING HANDS & BEYOND
Dr. R. Hazziez, DC FICPA PTA 3110 S Valley View, Ste 103A, LV 89102 702-333-5326 • Chiro1stChoice@hotmail.com Treating the whole family to achieve wellness through physical medicine. Specializing in prenatal, pediatric, pain management, and manipulation under anesthesia. Webster, Diversified, Thompson, Gonstead, and Activator, S.O.T. & B.E.S.T. techniques.
STELLA CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTER
ANTI-AGING MEDICINE SKIN & WELLNESS CONCIERGE CLINIC
9053 S Pecos Rd, Ste 3000, HD 89074 702-263-4001 • TheSkinClinicLV.com Specializing in anti-agingrestorative health medicine, bioidentical hormone restoration for men and women, medical and cosmetic dermatology. Customized nutrition and hormone balance programs for menopause symptoms, fatigue, insomnia, and obesity.
Dr. David Stella, DC 375 N Stephanie, Ste 1213, HD 89014 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 9.
COLON HYDROTHERAPY PHOENIX STUDIO – A GENTLE CLEANSE
CARDIO KICKBOXING
105 N Pecos Rd, Ste 112, HD 89074 702-407-2510 • AGentleCleanse.com
DRYSDALE JIU JITSU
2000 S Rainbow Blvd, LV, 89146 702-258-0048 DrysdaleJiuJitsu.com Cardio Kickboxing is a highintensity, cardiovascular workout that blends boxing, kick boxing and other martial arts into a nonstop exercise routine. Increase fitness and strength while burning fat. See ad, page 6.
Get rid of your CRAP (Caffeine, Refined sugar, Antibiotics/alcohol, Processed foods/pollutants) Easy, private, immaculate, state-of-the-art equipment. Living healthy through cleansing, nutrition, and supplementation for life. See ad, page 15.
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COMPOUNDING PHARMACY SOLUTIONS SPECIALTY PHARMACY
sTELLA CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTER
8579 S Eastern Blvd, Ste B, LV 89123 702-792-3777 • VegasCompounding.com
Angela Drake 375 N Stephanie, Ste 1213, HD 89014 702-932-1798 • StellaChiropractic.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.
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 9.
ENERGY HEALING HEALING ENERGIES QI GONG 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 24.
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 10.
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. See ad, page 5.
HOLISTIC DENTIST 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 ad, page 7.
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 25.
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION SWGasLiving.com/Efficiency 1-800-654-2765 EnergyEfficiency@SWGas.com
Delivering smart energy solutions for your home or business. Take advantage of our programs and incentives on residential and commercial high-efficiency equipment and learn a Smarter Greener Better® way to save money and the environment. See ad, page 11.
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.
HYPNOTHERAPY WELLNESS HYPNOTHERAPY Elijah David Love, CMS-CHt 702-806-1745 WellnessHypnotherapy.net
NA Fun Fact:
The Natural Awakenings’ iPhone / iPad app is used by 16,362 people & growing. To advertise with us call: 702-483-3255
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Las Vegas
NA-LV.com
Would you like to be happier, healthier, more motivated and peaceful? Call now and learn to harness the power of your subconscious mind, make positive change and live a more satisfying life.
LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPY CHUCK WILLIAMS, NVMT4937
3315 W Craig Rd, Ste 105, NLV 89032 702-285-8321 • MassageHelpsThat.com Therapeutic massage reduces pain, increases function, and wellbeing. I was trained in Alaska by the founder of Integrating Shiatsu in 2001. Experience a new kind of massage. $39/hour. Call now.
NATURAL HAIR CARE HEALTHY HAIR CHICK
Penny Creedon Destination Spa Salon, Horizon Ridge 702-617-6100 x 108 Specializing in ammonia-free hair color and keratin smoothing therapy. Caters to clients with allergies and sensitivities. Free consultation to enhance and improve the health of your hair. See ad, page 25.
RECYCLING RE-NEW RECYCLING
3050 Sirius Ave, LV 89102 702-489-3029 • Re-NewRecycling.com Delivering excellent customer service. We specialize in implementing tailored recycling programs and showing our customers how to reduce waste disposal. Competitive rebates. Free pickup and delivery service for large-volume customers. See ad, page 21.
REPUBLIC SERVICES
702-735-5151 RepublicServicesVegas.com Facebook.com/RepublicServicesVegas Republic Services offers complete waste and recycling solutions for residential, commercial, industrial and construction customers. Offering free recycling assessments to meet the needs of any sized business or project.
REIKI THE REIKI CLINIC
Terry Maurer, Reiki Master 3110 S Valley View Blvd, Ste 202D, LV 89102 702-497-3385 • TheReikiClinic.com Reiki delivers a naturally induced state of peace and well-being. It b a l a n c e s t h e b i o - e n e rg e t i c channels, bringing mental clarity, emotional healing and physical relaxation. Extensive experience with cancer patients.
SOLAR ENERGY SOLAR UNIVERSE
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.
WEIGHT LOSS
COMING IN OCTOBER
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 TRANSFORMATIONS INTL SCHOOL OF REIKI
Victoria Stitzer • 702-659-2390 Transformations-LasVegas.org
Caring for the health of people and the planet. Participate in a better future with Natural Awakenings’ special Environment edition.
Free Reiki Healing Circles weekly; Reiki Certification Training; P. L. Regressions-NLP-EFT-Pranic & ThetaHealing. Extend life and reverse aging with natural hormone replacement and DNA analysis.
YOGA BIKRAM GREEN VALLEY
Stacey Shea, Owner & Instructor 702-463-0671 BikramGreenValley.com Reduce stress, increase strength and flexibility, lose weight, and improve the quality of your life. A 90-minute series of 26 Hatha yoga postures. See ad, page 14.
BIKRAM YOGA LAS VEGAS 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 8.
For more information about advertising and how you can participate, call
702-483-3255
OM YOGA THERAPY INSTITUTE Omita Kumar, Yoga Therapist 702-338-3309 OmitaKumar@gmail.com
Customized, one-on-one yoga therapy to treat medical conditions or for general well-being. I use hatha yoga, a combination of postures, breathing and relaxation to bring mind/body balance.
classifieds SPACE AVAILABLE PRIVATE SPACE FOR LEASE IN CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE – Open to all health/holistic practitioners. Spa-like setting with reception, waiting, and resting/lecture room. Fort Apache south of Russell. 702-834-5777.
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Don’t Rush to Flush Prevent Abuse, Poisoning, and Pollution!
Did you know that how we dispose of medication can have a significant impact on the environment?
The Medicine Disposal Program is simple, easy, and convenient.
Flushing prescription, over-the-counter, and veterinary medications into the water system can remain in the water cycle even after facility treatment.
• First, remove your personal information from the original containers.
Do your part to protect our community so that it can be safe and clean for everyone.
• Place the containers in a secondary plastic bag.
The Medicine Disposal Program provides drop off boxes at local Police Substations.
• Bring all your unwanted and expired medication to your local Las Vegas Metro, Henderson, Mesquite or Boulder City police station. • Deposit them in the secure drop box.
For a complete listing of drop box locations and more information visit:
PainInTheDrain.com/disposal.aspx