April 2015 Natural Awakenings Miami

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Backyard Organic Gardening Detox Your House Extreme Adventures Kids Confront Climate Change Learning from Trees Martial Arts Lessons April 2015 | Miami/Keys Editions | www.namiami.com natural awakenings

April 2015

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April 2015

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publisher’sletter Bald Eagles

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ur national symbol needs our help!

Like so many of you, I’m a nature lover. But what exactly does that mean? For me, I love taking long walks through local and national parks, waking up to a spectacular sunrise, stopping and listening to the chirping of the many species of birds that visit our region every year. I step out of my home to begin my morning walk, watching the clouds go by and stopping dead in my tracts when I spot a stunning rainbow, as I did not long ago. This and so much more help me celebrate Mother Nature’s gifts. I’m also an animal advocate. From sea to land creatures, I believe all have a purpose and are an important part of our ecological chain. I volunteer to clean our beaches, participate in conservation efforts, all while understanding and respecting my place and theirs in this world.

Unfortunately that’s not how everyone feels.

Just last month I attended a civic association meeting in my neighborhood – Palm Springs North. We were discussing the ramifications of 3 new shopping centers that are going up in our area– we already have 3 in the immediate area.

Besides the obvious traffic nuisance, someone brought up the fact that in one of the sites a couple of very majestic residents live: two nesting American bald eagles. To my surprise, the conversation took a horrifying twist when a retired firefighter, of all people, suggested burning them out of their homes. I understood he was “joking,” but his negative comments were indicative of the ignorance that unfortunately exists. We all realized that there are unintended consequences of development, but as caretakers of Mother Earth, we need to work together to safeguard the fate of the animals we cohabitate with.

State and federal wildlife rules restrict development near active eagle nests (aerie), which can weigh up to two tons and measure as much as 9 feet in diameter. Although bald eagles have been taken off the endangered species lists, they remain rare and protected, especially in Southeast Florida where only four nests have been recorded in the county since late 1987. Bald eagles can live up to 30 years, although the average lifespan is fifteen to twenty. Eagles typically use their nest year after year. If for whatever reason their nest falls or is blown away, as the developer suggested, the pair will rebuilt at or near the same site within a couple of weeks. Thus, destroying or disturbing these should not be an option in this case.

Human disturbance, even as simple as taking pictures, can have a negative impact on these creatures. Like their human counterparts, they too need privacy and quiet to breed. Therefore, I’m putting out a county wide call to all the nature lovers out there. Join the efforts of the Palm Springs North community residents in protecting these national symbols. Write, call, email your representatives, our governor, and anyone you can think of that can help protect these majestic creatures. The nests can be seen as you approach the intersection of 87th Avenue and NW 186th Street. I understand it’s difficult to stop “progress” at times, but our united voices can convey the protection and consideration which our bald eagles can’t express. After all, WE are ultimately responsible in maintaining the health of the natural world and our planet. Together we can reach a state of sustainable harmony with what we love: NATURE.

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May Women’s Health Issue

natural awakenings

April 2015

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new

contents ARE YOU Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more TCM ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC ering from: balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge FROM: THE KEY TO A SUFFERING information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal THE KEY TO A LEADING EXPERTS IN ACUPUNCTURE AND CHINESE MEDICINE CLINIC TCM ACUPUNCTURE

Dr. Chen and Dr. Tang are Florida licensed acupuncture physicians and master pain management specialists who use a combination of alternative and traditional HEALTHY IS BALANCE •ANXIETY? HEALTHY BODY ISBODY BALANCE therapies.

Both physicians 11 years in a full-time Dr. Chen and Dr. Tang are Floridatrained licensed acupuncture Dr. Chen and Dr. Tang are Florida licensed • specialists INSOMINIA? physicians and masteracupuncture pain management who MD Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine programs. physicians andand masterPhD management specialists who usepain a combination of alternative and traditional therapies. use a combination of alternative and traditional therapies.

They serve as professors in Acupuncture and Massage Both physicians trained 11 years in a full-time MD and PhD Both physicians trained 11 years in a full-time MD and PhD •DEPRESSION? College and are recognized as experts Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine programs.

They servein their field.

Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine programs. They serve

growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

22 NATURE’S WISDOM •FATIGUE?

Its Lessons Inspire, • Acupuncture and Pain Management

Heal and Sustain Us •PANIC • Infertility IVF/IUI & Women’s Health

by Christine MacDonald • Infertility IVF/IUI & Women’s Health • Infertility IVF/IUI Rejuvenation & Women’s Health ATTACKS? • Facial & Skin Disease • Facial Rejuvenation • Facial Rejuvenation & Skin Disease & Skin Disease • Immunity & Endocrines Specialist ovative •ADD / ADHD? • Immunity & Endocrine Specialist • Immunity & Endocrine Specialist 25 EASY IDEAS sive and Dr. Hong Chen, PhD, AP Dr. Daiyi Tang, PhD, AP ee protocols.

FOR WE CAN HELP! COOKING Chief Editor of Certified TCM, International Journal gynecologist, help!

WITH New innovative, non-invasive andSOY of Clinic Acupuncture. as Processors in Acupuncture College in Miami and are as Processors in Acupuncture College in Miami and are recognized as experts in their field. recognized as experts in their field.

• Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine • Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Dr. Hong Chen, PhD, AP

Dr. Hong Chen, PhD, Dr. AP Daiyi Tang, PhD, AP

Dr. Daiyi Tang, PhD, AP

Certified TCM gynecologist, certified TCM dermatologist and facial rejuvenation specialist.

Certified TCM Chief Editor of gynecologist, International Journal certified TCM of Clinic Acupuncture. dermatologistCertifi and ed in Eyes and Otolaryngology, immunity facial rejuvenation and endocrine disorder specialist.

Chief Editor of International Journal of Clinic Acupuncture.

Certified in Eyes and Otolaryngology, immunity and endocrine disorder

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Phone: 305-720-9895 Phone: • Fax: 305-661-4771 305-720-9895 • Fax: 305-661-4771 Miami,Email: Fl drchen@acu-master.com 33133 and endocrine disorder “Thanks to Brain Training Centers of Florida, I now • Website: www.acu-master.com Email: drchen@acu-master.com • Website: www.acu-master.com 305-476-0347 8603 S Dixie Highway, Suite 208, FL 33143 We accept: United Health Group - Blue Cross Blue Shield - Cigna - AvMed -Aetna Miami, know what it is to live, not just exist”!!

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Easy Ways to Detox a House

www.braintrainingcentersfl .com

by Lane Vail

30 HOME-GROWN

ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM: •ANXIETY? • INSOMINIA? •DEPRESSION? •FATIGUE? •PANIC ATTACKS? •ADD / ADHD?

by Barbara Pleasant

Children Confront Climate Change

by Avery Mack

New innovative, non-invasive and medication-free protocols.

“Thanks to Brain Training Centers of Florida, I now know what it is to live, not just exist”!! JoAnn C. Brain Training Centers SER Institute 9990 S.W. 77th Ave 2503 S.W. 27th Ave Miami, Fl 33156 Miami, Fl 33133 305-412-5050 305-476-0347 www.braintrainingcentersfl.com Miami-Dade/Florida Keys

10 Time-Saving Tips for a Healthy Garden

32 EARTH IN PERIL

WE CAN HELP!

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ORGANIC MADE EASY

www.namiami.com

34 5 SIMPLE WAYS TO CREATE

A HEALTHIER

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35 REJUVENATE

40

ENVIRONMENT FOR BABY

YOUR BUSINESS

by Katrina Greene, MSW

37 FIVE PRINCIPALS WE CAN ALL LIVE BY

by Heidi Ronquillo, Reiki Master

38 STRONG WINDS STRONG ROOTS What Trees Teach Us About Life

by Dennis Merritt Jones

40 DOGS WITH LIBRARY CARDS Kids Love Reading to Animals

by Sandra Murphy

42 HONORING PASSION FOR

ANIMAL’S IN ONE GIRL’S MESSAGE

by Leslie McLean

44 HEALING JOURNEYS

Paul Stutzman Finds Universal Truths on His Treks

by Randy Kambic

46 A PERSONAL JOURNEY OF SUCCESS Strong self defense = good health defense

48 BACH FLOWERS

by Denise Aslan

50 TANTRA AND THE RESURRECTION OF RELATIONSHIP

by Diana Daffner

newsbriefs 14 9 14 healthbriefs 16 globalbriefs 18 ecotip 18 actionalert 19 business

spotlight 16 20 earthdayevents 8 21 therapy

spotlight 26 consciouseating 28 healingways 30 greenliving 32 healthykids 36 fitbody 18 38 inspiration 40 naturalpet 44 wisewords 45 bookreview 54 calendar 56 classifieds 60 resourceguide

natural awakenings

April 2015

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A VITAL KEY TO LOSING WEIGHT & FEELING GREAT: decongesting your lymphatic system.

Samara, of Samara Programs, offers the latest in state-of-the-art Electro-Sound Lymphatic Instrumentation. This therapy uses a gentle, high-frequency sound pulse, to loosen stagnation and assist your body in decongesting your entire lymphatic system.

CALL NOW for your first treatment - FREE. North Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Kendall (305) 323-1994 www.samaraprograms.com

A VITAL KEY TO LOSING WEIGHT & FEELING GREAT: LEARN TOsystem.

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This INGREDIENTS therapy uses a gentle, 100% NATURAL high-frequencyFor sound pulse, to loosen stagnation and assist your body in bookings: www.metiista.net/natural-cosmetic-workshop decongesting your entire lymphatic system.

CALL NOW for your first treatment - FREE. Anti-aging secrets revealed!

Beautiful Skin by Ayurvedic Principles

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Publisher/Owner Linda Palmer Marketing Director/ Assistant Publisher Brooke O. Emery Contributing Editor/Writers Linda Palmer Linda Sechrist, S. Alison Chabonais Spanish Edition publisher@namiami.com Design & Production Susan McCann Accounting accounting@namiami.com

4/1 1410 20th Street - Ste 201 MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139 SEC-Miami Lakes (786) 389 0611 - brigitte@metiista.net

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Find us:

Advertising Sales & Marketing advertising3@namiami.com 245-1200-NA-revitalize-MT-4x3Spanishbrst Natural Awakenings Multi-Market Advertising 4.75 x 3.25 @metiista metiista 1-561-208-1037 PK 3/9 Franchise Sales 877-598-3315

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Natural Awakenings Magazine 13554 SW 47th Lane, Suite 100 Miami, FL 33175 Phone: 305-598-3315 www.namiami.com www.naturalawakeningsmag.com © 2015 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call for a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy based ink.

newsbriefs Natural Awakenings Earns Top Franchise Business Award

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atural Awakenings has been ranked in the best 50 in its size class among 200 companies named in the Franchise Business Review’s 2015 Top Franchises Report. The healthy living magazine was one of five franchise companies cited as best-in-class in the advertising and sales category. To select the top franchises across industries and performance categories, the organization surveyed more than 28,500 franchisees.

“We feel privileged that it was our franchisees’ expression of high satisfaction that earned us this award,” says Sharon Bruckman, CEO of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. “Gaining this recognition proves that our process of providing franchisees with editorial, promotional and operational support, partnered with their enthusiastic dedication in individual markets, serves communities well. Together, we are nourishing and growing a healthy living consciousness in America.” The network now encompasses nearly 100 franchisees nationwide and in Puerto Rico.

Franchise Business Review, headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences. 2015 marked its 10th annual Top Franchises Report.

For more information, call Anna Romano at 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com and FranchiseBusinessReview.com. See ad, page 55.

Awaken Your Vibrant Health!

Let us help you with your Yoga Practice or Detoxification Regimen! The specialists at Yoga and Detox Oasis Retreats offer weekly phone consultations and monthly weekend retreats in South Florida to support your journey Activate your extraordinary capacity to experience vibrant health and immense energy!

CALL NOW! 407-319-0029

Enroll at www.yogadetoxoasisretreat.com

Walk for a CURE!

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outh Floridians are no strangers to events raising awareness.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) invites the South Florida public to walk for a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

“Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are on the rise in individuals across the Country,” said Katie Keohane, executive director of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s Florida Chapter. “Currently, one in every 200 individuals will be diagnosed with a digestive disease this year. I encourage the community to join us in the fight against these debilitating digestive diseases by participating in this fun event.”

Although there is no registration fee to participate, walkers are encouraged to make donations to receive an event wristband entitling them to food and beverages.

Raise $100 and participants will receive a Take Steps T-shirt. Every individual who raises $1,000 or team that raises $5,000 will join the MVP program and receive special perks, such as an exclusive Take Steps bag and access to the MVP tents on Walk day.

Take Steps Miami kicks off May 2, with 9:00 a.m. registration, followed by a 10:30 a.m. walk start at the Bayfront Park (Promenade) located at 301 N. Biscayne Blvd. Those interested in walking as an individual, or forming a walking team can contact (561) 218.2929, email rtwilbanks@ccfa.org or visit www.cctakesteps.org/ Miami.

Next Retreat Dates:

March 20-22nd

For more information on the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, please visit www.ccfa.org. natural awakenings

April 2015

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newsbriefs Film Festival – Climate Change

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landmark step for local environmental awareness, the 4th Annual Miami & the Beaches Environmental Film Festival (MBEFF) will highlight climate change awareness and how it all connects locally.

Showcasing a compelling array of films based on environmental issues of local and global concern, The 4th Annual Miami and the Beaches Environmental Film Festival (MBEFF) marks the 20th anniversary of ECOMB. It also coincides with other important milestones, namely the Centennial of Miami Beach and the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. In addition to the screening of documentary films and animation, this year’s Festival will include interactive workshops, complementary exhibits and other activities for all ages, including a youth forum on Climate Change and Water at the University of Miami.

A five-day event MBEFF will be held from April 15-19. Screening venues include The Miami Beach Botanical Garden, The Miami Beach Cinematheque, The New World Center Wallcast on Miami Beach, and The Colony Theatre. For more information call 305 534 3825, visit mbenvironmentalfilmfestival.org, or facebook.com/MBEFilmFestival.

Whole Foods in Downtown Miami

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hole Foods Market, the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, opened a downtown location this past January. Now with a total of five locations in Dade, this new 41,000 square-foot store will feature local vendors and flavors, new venues, and a design reflective of the community it will serve.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our presence in South Florida,” said Juan Nunez, president of the company’s Florida Region. “…we’ll be able to offer our customers more options, introduce new and exciting products, and give back to the local communities that have embraced us.”

The Store, located at Monarc at Met 3 Rental Apartment Tower, offers uniqueness for the area. Welcoming patrons with its mural-covered parking garage it offers Jugofresh, a store-within-a-store offering juices, smoothies and vegan quick-bites; Versailles Restaurant, a supplier at Whole Foods Market serves healthy variations of classic Cuban dishes; The MET café, features a quick-service coffee and espresso bar with empanadas, croquettes, Latin pastries, and other hot and cold selections; Unique to this location The Prepared Foods department features items like La Churrasqueira, a Brazilian-style meat station offering churrasco BBQ and sides; Monsiuer Cubano Sandwich offering roast pork and cotto ham Cuban sandwich on a French Brioche bun; and Sushi Maki offering freshly prepared sushi varieties, as well as Hawaiian Poke and Peruvian Ceviche-style rice bowls.

Natural Awakenings Congratulates Whole Foods on their new store and join them in their continued strive for healthy living through excellence. As with all Whole Foods Stores in Dade and Monroe, you can pick up your monthly copy of Natural Awakenings Magazine at this location – 299 S.E. 3rd St, Miami, FL 33131. For more information call 305-995-0600, or visit www.wholefoods.com/stores/downtownmiami.

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Awaken Your Inner Power – A Free Lecture

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ife has its inevitable challenges, and sometimes we feel powerless in the wake of the pain and fear that accompany them. World spiritual teacher Paramahansa Yogananda – author of Autobiography of a Yogi and the subject of the highly acclaimed documentary film AWAKE: The Life of Yogananda – brought the technique of yoga meditation to the U.S. almost a century ago to help us “awaken” our own inner power. Today, meditation has become a buzzword, but as Yogananda taught, it’s a profound and vital tool accessible to us at any time to help us face such challenges.

Bro. Pranavananda, a monk with Self-Realization Fellowship (founded in 1920 by Yogananda), will be giving a public lecture on the topic of “Meditation: Awaken Your Inner Power” on Friday April 17 at 8 p.m. at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center. Part of a special weekend event on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, the free talk will focus on the power of meditation to create more peace and happiness in our lives.

For more information about the public lecture and other scheduled programs during the weekend, contact the Ft. Lauderdale Meditation Group at 954.729.2046, visit www.flmg-srf. org, or email flmg@flmg-srf.org. See ad page 5.

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newsbriefs A Life – Changing Experience

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oga and Detox Oasis is a new business in South Florida aimed at incorporating the ancient science of Yoga with a cleansing diet.

“Yoga and Detox Oasis offers retreats and programs designed to give anyone the authentic experience, based on the ancient context, to have a guaranteed successful detox,” explains Alec Ruiz Detox Specialist, Health Coach and co-founder. “Many people embark on cleanses but do not succeed for a plethora of reasons including lack of guidance, or a conducive environment. By combining yoga with detox, success is insured because the body, mind, and spirit are engaged.”

In every effective healing modality the practice of purging or removing stored toxins or obstructions have been practiced with great success. A detox diet is one that incorporates herbs and foods, mostly fruits and vegetables, which assist the body to cleanse out any toxicity. “Benefits of having a cleansed body and mind through yoga and detoxification include Increased capacity to think clearly and focus, enhanced ability to make easy and clear decisions, abundant energy and health to increase productivity, feeling connected to ones purpose, and making consistent actions out of inspiration,” added Stepahie Borrelly, Certified Raw Food Chef, Kundalini Yoga Teacher, and co-founder.

The next weekend retreat will take place April 24th-26th. Yoga and Detox Oasis also offers workshops, at-home retreats, and weekly phone consultations to support a healing and transformative journey. For registration and information call 407-3190029, email yogadetoxretreats108@gmail.com, or visit www.yogadetoxoasisretreat. com. See ad, page 9.

Support for Our Veterans

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he Long Walk Home (TLWH) is a not for profit organization dedicated to helping Veterans and their families make the transition to civilian life through ongoing weekly workshops held every Thursday evening.

During the whole month of April, TLWH will be hosting a Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) support group.

Depression and bipolar disorder can be an isolating illness, but this caring group of peers can help those affected connect with others who have been there as well.

Over 24 million in the U.S. are affected. Soldiers take a million steps to make it back, and some never truly make it. The Long Walk Home wants to help veterans and those who love them successfully transition by offering awareness and support for Vets & Their Families.

These workshops are FREE and will be held at the Coral Isles Church, 90001 Overseas Highway in Tavernier, Florida. Workshop will begin at 7pm until 8:15pm. For more information call Ron Zaleski, 305-504-3795, or email: ronzaleski@gmail.com.

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www.namiami.com

Meditation Retreat in Melbourne

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n order to find answers to intrinsic questions like “Why am I here?” or “What is the purpose of my life?” each of us needs to look deeper. This quest can be nurtured under the loving guidance of revered master Anandmurti Gurumaa, a spiritual leader, prolific poet, singer and composer.

“The purpose of meditation retreat is to give you an opportunity to get acquainted with your own mind.

And the importance of attending this retreat lies in the fact that by staying away from your family, business/ profession, in the quietude you get familiar with the functioning of your own mind” (Gurumaa, www.gurumaa.com).

Gurumaa is a contemporary mystic whose message transcends gender, religious, political, geographic, and material boundaries. Her words reflect a deep understanding of divers faiths and cultures. Through various mediums such as music, meditation, and commentary of scriptures, she guides thousands of seekers around the world to live joyful, aware and healthy lives. Her goal is to guide individuals on the path from suffering to conscious living.

From May 13th to 17th everyone is welcome to attend Anandmurti Gurumaa’s 5-Day Intensive Meditation Retreat in Melbourne, FL. Email: info@gurumaa.com or log on to www. gurumaa.com for more information.

2014 October Become a Holistic Cancer Educator

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usan Silberstein, Ph.D., founder of BeatCancer. org, is offering Holistic Cancer Educator training through an online, self-directed course. Participants will learn proven holistic, complementary and alternative approaches for cancer, in order to expand their client base, enhance the quality of service and learn practical information that can directly impact the health of clients.

Some topics covered in the course include advantages of a patient-driven program, criteria for evaluating alternative cancer therapies, natural ways to deal with pain and resources for minimizing treatment side effects. Participants will learn how to guide patients in making dietary changes, the most valuable nutritional supplements, the importance of detoxification, and how to help patients prevent recurrence.

Upon completion, participants will receive a signed certificate, get listed on the BeatCancer.org website as an approved counselor and get l0 hours of follow-up telephone consultation services for one year. The course is worth 9.5 self-reported continuing education units.

BeatCancer.org aims to provide research-based education on how to prevent, cope with and beat cancer through diet, lifestyle and other immune-boosting approaches. Silberstein has 37 years of experience counseling more than 25,000 cancer patients.

Email info@BeatCancer.org for discount code. For more information, call 610-2270865 or email Info@BeatCancer.org.

PAST LIFE REGRESSION PROGRESSION HYPNOTHERAPY Lata Sonpal, Ph.D., FCht., PA Licensed Psychologist, Psychotherapist, & Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy.

Dr. Sonpal, with more than 30 years of experience, has been trained by and worked 7 years for Dr. Brian L. Weiss, the author of Many Lives Many Masters, at The Weiss Institute.

She mindfully helps children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families *Heal from the Past Traumas, *Come to terms with Loss & Grief, *Overcome Anxieties, & Panic Attacks, *Release Fears and Phobias, *Manage Stress, Pain, Weight and Habits, *Enhance Self-Esteem, and Assertive Communication in Relationships, *Foster Psycho-Spiritual Growth leading to Actualizing of their Potential and Creativity through Past Life Regression, Future Life Progression, Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy.

Dadeland Square Ofc.Tower Shore View Building 7700 N. Kendall Drive 9999 N.E. 2nd Ave., Ste.100, Ste.404, Miami, FL 33156 Miami Shores, FL33138

www.DrSonpal.com • Phone: 305-271-2772

Affordable Health Care from Mother Nature

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nlike their Eastern counterparts, North American and some European herbalists seek to directly mitigate health issues or facilitate specific bodily functions using particular plants, roots and barks. Native Americans embraced the belief that Mother Nature provides, contending that the herbs of a local environment provide for all of the needs of the people dwelling there. For example, snake weed is prevalent in the Southwest, where encounters with rattlesnakes are frequent. Herbs such as comfrey, arnica and sage, which are found from coast to coast, are used to heal wounds, relieve pain and get rid of parasites, maladies common to people everywhere, according to the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine.

Every culture in the world has developed and maintained a system of healing based on their indigenous plants, relying on these natural pharmaceutical entities for thousands of years. A human that lived 5,000 years ago found preserved in ice in 1991 was carrying herbs and mushrooms to mitigate health conditions that scientists confirmed were present in his body.

Despite their effective use for millennia, many modern-day people still question the efficacy and safety of medicinal herbs. Instead of looking to pharmaceutical companies—born of an industry with less than 200 years of experience—to handle our healthcare needs, perhaps the real affordable care act can be found in the plants, roots and barks provided by Mother Nature.

For more information, call 888-465-4404 or visit NaturesRiteRemedies.com. See ad, page 43. natural awakenings

April 2015

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healthbriefs

Acupuncture Increases Quality of Life for Allergy Sufferers

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What is an Apothecary?

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asically, Apothecary is the predecessor to what is now known as a Pharmacy. Historically, Apothecary was the name used for both the name of the place, as in the word Pharmacy, and the person, as in the word Pharmacist, who created and distributed healing medicinal materials to the public. Apothecaries were then known as drug stores, and now commonly thought of as Pharmacies. As the name has changed, so has its role, function, and the products offered.

An Apothecary studied the medicinal properties of plants and both dispensed and mixed herbs to create tinctures, essential oils and teas. With the advent of capsules and pills, came Drug Stores, where people began gathering for other conveniences, such as household supplies and manufactured goods. Now, Pharmacies exist primarily to dispense synthetic medicines manufactured elsewhere and also functioning as convenience stores.

Today stores like American Apothecary offer a wide array of traditional and alternative healing remedies. With only 100% pure guaranteed essential oils and premier grade and authentic herbal products that conserve the maximum healing properties. Having withstood the test of time, American Apothecary, located at 12232 S.W. 132nd Ct., continues to offer the essential oils, hand crafted herbal mixtures and authentically sourced products for your varied needs. Stop by or call 305-598-2822 for more information.

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esearch from Berlin’s Charité University Medical Center suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, in 2013, the study analyzed data on the costs and quality of life of 364 allergy patients that had been randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: rescue medication alone (taken when symptoms are greatest); acupuncture treatment plus rescue medication; or sham (non-therapeutic) acupuncture plus rescue medication. Patients receiving acupuncture incurred higher total treatment costs, but also gained significantly more quality of life compared with the rescue medication-only groups.

Strawberries Reduce Blood Pressure

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study published in the World Journal of Diabetes concluded that the regular consumption of a flavonoidrich strawberry beverage reduces blood pressure in people with Type 2 diabetes. The study divided 36 subjects, all with moderately high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, into two groups—the first drank the equivalent of one serving of fresh strawberries per day made from freeze-dried berries, and the other group drank the same amount of an imitation strawberry-flavored drink over a six-week period. Blood pressure was tested at the beginning and end of the study for all participants.

At the end, the group drinking the real strawberry beverage registered significantly lower diastolic blood pressure than at the outset; it was also lower than the imitation strawberry group. The average diastolic blood pressure of the group drinking real strawberries went down by 6.5 percent and the systolic dropped by 12 percent. The strawberry-flavored group’s systolic blood pressure was also reduced, but only by 3.7 percent.

The Color Green Makes Exercise Feel Easier

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esearch from the University of Essex, in England, suggests that viewing natural green images while exercising may be better than being exposed to other colors. The researchers tested 14 people doing moderate-intensity cycling while watching video footage of predominantly gray, red or green imagery. Each of the participants underwent three cycling tests—one with each of the videos—along with a battery of physiological and mood testing.

The researchers found that when the subjects watched the green-colored video, they had better moods, with a lower relative perception of exertion than when they exercised while watching the red and grey videos.

They also found those that exercised while watching the red video experienced greater feelings of anger during their exercise.

www.namiami.com

Local Toxins Increase Risk of Autism

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onfirming previous findings, a large study from the University of Chicago has found that autism is linked to toxic environmental exposure. The research examined data from nearly a third of the U.S. population, which showed that both autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities increased as exposure increased in region-by-region testing.

The research measured clusters of autism incidence together with exposure rates in different counties and states across the country. The areas with greater environmental toxin exposures had significantly increased autism rates. The correlation was significant among both boys and girls, but stronger among girls. Proximity to urban areas also increased autism incidence. For every 1 percent increase in urbanization, there was about a 3 percent rise in autism and intellectual disabilities. Influential toxins include pesticides, plasticizers, lead and pharmaceuticals.

Memory Works Better Reading Real Books

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esearchers from Norway’s Stavanger University and France’s AixMarseille Université found that readers remember a story better if it’s on paper.

The study tested 50 people that read the same 28-page short story. Half of the group read the paper version and the other half read the story on a Kindle e-reader. The researchers discovered that readers of the digital version could not remember details from the story or reconstruct the plot as well as the group that read the paper copy.

The researchers found that the feedback of a Kindle doesn’t provide the same support for mental reconstruction of a story as a print pocket book does. “When you read on paper, you can sense with your fingers a pile of pages on the left growing, and shrinking on the right,” explains Stavanger University’s Anne Mangen, Ph.D.

These findings confirm a study performed a year earlier, also led by Mangen. Seventy-two 10th-graders were given text to read either on paper or on a computer screen. The students that read the paper text versions scored significantly higher in reading comprehension testing than those reading digital versions.

Olive Oil Boosts Healthy Cholesterol

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n an effort to understand what makes olive oil so good for heart health, a study from Europe’s Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition Research Group and the U.S. National Institutes of Health has found that olive oil’s polyphenols significantly increase the size of high-density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL) in the blood and enhance the HDL’s ability to inhibit formation of the abnormal fatty deposits, known as plaque, within the walls of arteries. Polyphenols are natural compounds from plants known to help prevent cancer and heart disease.

In the three-week study, researchers isolated the effect of polyphenols by dividing 47 healthy European men into two groups: one ate a diet containing polyphenol-poor olive oil and the other consumed polyphenol-rich olive oil. The enriched diet resulted in increased size, fluidity and stability (resistance to oxidation) of the HDL molecules by reducing their triglyceride core. The researchers note that the oxidation of cholesterol lipids such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is linked with arteriosclerosis.

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natural awakenings

April 2015

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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Vanishing Wildlife

50 Percent Gone in Under 50 years The latest World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Living Planet Report shows that the Living Planet Index (LPI), which measures more than 10,000 representative populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, has declined by 52 percent since 1970. The report is widely considered the leading science-based analysis on the health of our planet and the impact of human activity (Tinyurl.com/WWF-Living-Planet-Report).

In fewer than two human generations, populations of vertebrate species—the life forms that constitute the fabric of life-sustaining ecosystems and serve as a barometer of how humans are impacting nature—have dropped by half. Nature conservation and sustainable development go hand-inhand; it’s not only about preserving biodiversity and wild places, but about safeguarding the future of humanity.

Living Planet Report partners include the Zoological Society of London, Global Footprint Network and Water Footprint Network. Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF International, states, “We need leadership for change. Sitting on the bench waiting for someone else to make the first move, doesn’t work.

Heads of state need to start thinking globally; businesses and consumers need to stop behaving as if we live in a limitless world.”

Thriving Eco-Towns

Malaysian Villages Model Sustainability

photo by MIGHT

Innovations being successfully pioneered in Malaysia offer ideas for improving the world, according to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), including the construction of high-tech, self-sustaining ecological “smart” villages.

These villages are lifting incomes for scores of rural families while promoting environmental sustainability. Each 50acre community consists of about 100 affordable homes, advanced educational, training and recreational facilities and an integrated, sustainable farm system that provides villagers with food and employment that on average, triples their monthly income.

Low-cost, 1,000-square-foot homes are built in 10 days and the communal farming operations include a cascading series of fish tanks, or “aquafarms”.

Filtered fish tank wastewater irrigates trees, grain fields and high-value plants grown in “autopots”, a three-piece container with a valve that detects soil moisture levels and releases water as required, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Free-range chickens feed on the fast-reproducing worms that process the plant compost.

This system optimizes nutrient absorption, minimizes waste and enables crops to be grown on previously non-arable land. The village’s solar-generated power is complemented by biomass energy and mini-hydro electricity. A community hall, resource center, places of worship, playgrounds and educational facilities equipped with 4G Internet service support e-learning and e-health services.

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www.namiami.com

Corporate Do-Gooders

U.S. Recognizes Companies for Earth-Sound Policies Each year, the U.S. Department of State presents Awards for Corporate Excellence recognizing U.S.-owned businesses that play vital roles worldwide as good corporate citizens. Parameters include supporting sustainable development, respect for human and labor rights, environmental protection, open markets, transparency and other democratic values.

The 2014 winners, announced last December, include the EcoPlanet Bamboo Group, in Nicaragua, for fostering sustainable development by regenerating degraded pasturelands.

The company dedicates 20 percent of its plantations as natural habitat that protects biodiversity by prohibiting illegal hunting. EcoPlanet also focuses on employing persons with disabilities and empowering women through recruitment to managerial positions.

Wagner Asia Equipment, LLC, in Mongolia, a heavy equipment dealership, is recognized for its commitment to public/private partnerships with Mongolia’s local and national governments designed to protect the environment. Initiatives include planting more than 900 trees. conducting workshops for students on environment and ecology, implementing a project to build a community garden and rehabilitating a toxic waste site.

Other finalists include the Coca-Cola Company, in the Philippines; Chevron Corporation, in Burma; ContourGlobal, in Togo; General Electric, in South Africa, General Electric International, in Tunisia; GlassPoint Solar, in Oman; and the Linden Centre, in China.

For more information on finalists, visit Tinyurl.com/ACE2014Finalists.

Soil Salvation

Organic Farming May Counteract Greenhouse Effect The nonprofit Rodale Institute, the United Nations and the Soil Association are reporting that modern, chemicalintensive industrial farming is stripping the soil’s natural ability to take carbon back out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it in the soil. Rodale researchers say that by returning to small-scale organic farming, more than 40 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions could be captured in the soil, and if the entire world’s pasture and rangelands were managed using regenerative techniques, an additional 71 percent of those emissions could be sequestered.

Further, organic practices could counteract the world’s yearly carbon dioxide output while producing the same amount of food as conventional farming. Rodale claims that using regenerative organic agriculture—like low or no-tillage, cover crops and crop rotation—will keep photosynthesized carbon dioxide in the soil, instead of returning it to the atmosphere. The institute cites 75 studies from peerreviewed journals, including its own 33-year Farming Systems Trial, which directly compare organic farming with conventional farming.

Buzzing Buddies ‘Flying Doctor’ Bees Prevent Cherry Disease

People in the United States waste more than a third of all of the food they produce, but more than 180 cities and towns are beginning to realize that wasted food can be valuable; they are asking residents to separate unwanted food from the rest of their trash and put it in a curbside compost bin. The idea is to stop sending food waste to the landfill, where it generates harmful methane gas pollution, and start turning it into something useful, like compost.

In 2011, Portland, Oregon, launched a curbside compost program in which residents are encouraged to put food scraps into the city’s green yard waste bin.

Since then, the amount of garbage sent to the landfill has decreased by 37 percent.

According to Bruce Walker, the city’s solid waste and recycling program manager, the program also reduces the environmental footprint of the trash heap.

Getting people to separate their food waste, 1/4 H (3c): 7.5however, x 2.25 can be difficult. To motivate its residents to put more food waste in the compost bin, the city of Seattle, Washington, has proposed both making curbside composting mandatory and fining residents a dollar every time they put a disproportionate volume of food waste in their trash.

University of Adelaide researchers are introducing a “flying doctor” method of employing bees as preventive medicine. Project leader and bee researcher Katja Hogendoorn, Ph.D., says, “All commercial cherry growers spray during flowering to control the later development of cherry brown rot.

Instead of spraying fungicide, we’re using bees to deliver a biological control agent right to the flowers, where it’s needed.” The innovative delivery works via entomovectoring.

This is a new technique for Australia, with potential application in many horticultural industries. The biological control agent contains spores of a parasitic fungus that prevents another fungus that causes the brown rot from colonizing the flower. Future applications of the small, winged medics are expected to become available for disease control in almonds, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears and stone fruit.

Source: NetNebraska.org

Source: Adelaide.edu.au

Source: OrganicConsumers.org

Curbside Composting No Food Scraps Need Go to Waste

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natural awakenings

April 2015

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ecotip

actionalert

Sustainable Shopping Tips Smart Choices Help our Home Planet The buy local movement and popularity of local farmers’ markets continue to grow, but we can do even better when it comes to sustainable shopping. A recent Greendex.com survey on environmental impacts of consumer behaviors in 18 countries reports that more Americans are eating local and organic foods and say they’re going to consume less meat and bottled water. Nevertheless, we continue to eat the most processed and packaged foods and the fewest fruits and vegetables of all the countries surveyed. Evidently, we need to literally put our money where our mouths are.

The Greendex survey cites several basic ways to make our diets more sustainable. These include eating more vegetables and less beef and lamb (recognizing the greater environmental impact of raising animals); participating and supporting community supported agriculture and fishery initiatives; economizing meal planning; and storing food properly in the refrigerator to maximize space and freshness periods.

When grocery shopping, peruse the perimeter aisles first, where whole foods are stocked, instead of the interior shelves, which typically comprise processed foods according to MotherEarthLiving.com.

More cooperation between the public and private sectors and individual involvement can also increase sustainability in communities around the world.

Rachael Durrant, Ph.D., a research fellow with the UK-based Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group, cites in a recent paper the need for improved understanding of the key roles that civil society organizations play within processes of large-scale social change and warned that many communities are vulnerable to grave environmental and social risks.

Durrant lauds “greener, fairer and healthier practices, such as community gardening or cookery classes,” plus “those that change the rules of the game through campaigns or lobbying to coordinate and facilitate activities of other groups.”

Supporting food and farming management that’s independent, cooperative and welcomes volunteers, for example, is highly beneficial.

We’ve Got Joel Salatin’s Back!

And thousands of other farmers like him.

We defend them in their battles with government regulators and federal agencies.

Support your local farmers and consumer food rights! Join us today! farmtoconsumer.org 703-208-3276

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URGE THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO BUY SUGAR LAND NOW AND SAVE THE EVERGLADES

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he U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is again dumping excess nutrient-polluted water from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers, threatening the health of marine life in these coastal communities. Meanwhile, the Everglades, a unique ecosystem stretching from Orlando all the way to Florida Bay at the tip, is starving for clean water.

According to the Everglades Foundation, the solution is for the South Florida Water Management District to buy land previously occupied by sugar farms, where water can be stored, cleaned and then sent south to the Everglades. In 2010, the state of Florida made an agreement with the sugar industry to acquire land to clean up the industry’s pollution, protect drinking water, and clean up polluted waterways on both coasts.

Thanks to the Florida Water and Land Conservation Amendment 1, approved by 75 percent of voters in 2014, there are available funds dedicated to acquiring, restoring and managing conservation lands, including lands protecting water resources and drinking water.

Floridians can tell Governor Rick Scott now to urge the South Florida Water Management District to buy 46,800 acres of U.S. Sugar’s land south of Lake Okeechobee before the state’s option expires in October 2016.

To sign the Act Now petition, visit Act. ProgressFlorida.org/sign/everglades.

actionalert

businesshighlight

The Salt Suite - Breathe Easy 5500 State Road 7, #110 Lake Worth, FL 33467 www.TheSaltSuite.com 561-440-HALO (4256) Lake Worth 3100 S. Federal Highway #3 561-316-SALT (7258) Delray Beach

FLORIDIANS FOR SOLAR CHOICE BALLOT INITIATIVE

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loridians for Solar Choice (FSC), a grassroots effort to change unfair state energy policies, is proposing a 2016 Solar Ballot Initiative amendment to the Florida Constitution that gives home and business owners a solar option for power needs, as well as which source that provides it.

Ironically, Florida is one of only five states that deny the choice to buy solar-generated electricity directly from a company other than a monopoly electric utility. Past legislative efforts to overcome barriers to solar choices have been defeated due to lobbying

by Florida Power and Light and Duke Energy.

FSC needs to collect 800,000 signed petitions to allow registered Florida voters the chance to vote on this issue. So far, 100,000 petitions have been signed in the first month of the state petition drive and are being certified by local election supervisors.

Of these, 68,314 signatures must be validated in order to trigger Florida Supreme Court approval of the language.

“In total, we need 663,149 signed petitions collected by December 2015 to allow time for county supervisors of elections to verify the signatures by the deadline date of February 1, 2016,” says Susan Glickman, of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, which is backing the FSC drive. “Signing the petition will help FSC to secure a place for solar choice on the 2016 ballot.”

View the petition and get more information at FLSolarChoice.org.

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pon entering the white-walled, cave-like room, the outside world becomes distant, and all that awaits is a restful respite from the day’s ‘to-do’ list. Of course, within the adult therapy room of The Salt Suite, clients are actually accomplishing quite a bit. Reclining in a comfortable chair with mellow, spa music flowing from provided headphones is happily considered wellness work.

“In the 45 minutes of serenity, clients are healing their respiratory systems, activating their immune system and calming any skin or lung inflammations,” said Jessica Helmer, owner of the Salt Suite. “All of this simply by breathing deeply.”

The Salt Suite is one of a growing number of salt therapy locations that are giving clients an option for managing their asthma, allergies, bronchitis, cold/ flu prevention, emphysema, sinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and smokers’ cough. The therapy also assists with skin disorders, cystic fibrosis and ear infections. The session itself is calming, stress management.

“The benefits and effectives of halotherapy, also known as salt therapy, continue to be researched,” added Helmer. “So much information exists to support our belief that this is a great treatment choice for those who suffer from allergy and respiratory problems. We encourage guests to visit us and experience a session.

We are confident they will feel the results.”

Inside the therapy room, an environment is created to mimic the salt mines of Eastern Europe, where in the mid-1800s, it was discovered that mine workers rarely suffered from any respiratory disorders. Unrefined rock salt, which is primarily sodium chloride and other mineral salts, coats the walls and covers the floor in a thick sandy layer. Behind the scenes, a special machine, called a Halogenerator, circulates dry salt aerosol into the air. In microscopic form, the salt particles are almost undetectably absorbed and inhaled by clients, as they doze and sleep.

When the dry sodium chloride enters the body, its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties do a number of healing maneuvers. Lung functions improve; nasal passages and lung tracts clear of toxins and pollutants; bronchial inflammation reduces; and later, clients may find their endurance has improved and their snoring has diminished. During a treatment, client may cough, as their sinuses begin to clear and open.

Today, modern technology allows us to bring the benefits of a salt mine to you. Salt therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free, chemical-free, all natural solution. The benefits of salt therapy are many, and apply to all ages. With two locations in Delray Beach and Lake Worth, The Salt Suite welcomes adults and children to their customized therapy rooms. Adults enjoy recliners with accompanying headphones, while children can romp in a therapeutic playroom filled with toys and games. Pricing can be customized for continual sessions, mem­berships or individual treatments. The first session is free. To learn more, visit their website for videos and more in-depth information. natural awakenings

April 2015

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earthdayevents Party For The Planet

Saturday and Sunday April 18-19th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Zoo Miami, 1 Zoo Boulevard, (12400 S.W. 152 St.) Plant show and sale, fun “green” activities, animal enrichment, and entertainment.

Free Admission when you bring/recycle a cellphone.

EARTH DAY 2015

Hope for Our Future

Earth Day Festival

by Julianne Hale

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hen we learn about the condition of our most valuable resource—this spinning planet we call home—we may feel a sense of urgency, desperation or even defeat. Global climate change is a powerful foe, and current efforts may seem like a losing race against time.

Yet, mounting evidence suggests that the global community is making progress, giving rise to the possibility that climate change may not be the insurmountable obstacle we once thought. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) article, “We Can Do This: 10 Reasons there’s Hope for our Climate,”

by Dan Upham, summarizes a speech given by EDF President Fred Krupp at the 2014 Aspen Ideas Festival (Tinyurl. com/HopeForTheClimate). Here are some encouraging highlights.

The price of solar energy panels has dropped by 75 percent in the U.S. since 2008, and affordable wind energy is increasingly available. According to a study published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, carbon dioxide emissions from energy in this country dropped by 10 percent between 2005 and 2012.

In addition, China, the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases, is actively seeking ways to reduce emissions.

Proof of progress is also found in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan to cut billions of tons of pollution, a goal supported by two-thirds of Americans, according to a survey conducted by Harstad Strategic Research. Aligned with this, the govern20

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ment is requiring that manufacturers double automobile fuel mileage by 2025.

Perhaps the best argument for hope reflects the priorities of America’s younger generations. A recent bipartisan poll of young voters conducted

by Benenson Strategy Group and GS Strategy Group suggests that 80 percent of voters under the age of 35 support the president taking action to address climate change, making it an issue that both major political parties must take seriously.

It’s time to realize that mankind is making decided progress, that the majority of us do care, that what local communities accomplish has a positive effect and that the global community can take the steps needed to avert catastrophic climate change.

Become a part of the solution by attending one or more of the community events listed here.

Miami Climakaze Miami 2015

Fri, Sat and Sun, April 10 – 12, 10AM Miami Dade County Auditorium, The Everglades and the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens Live Performances and nature excursions. Climate-change-concerned artists, scientists, change-makers and other stakeholders gather in dialogues to expand Jump start awareness and incite action!

For ticket prices and exact venue information, call (305) 547 5414, (305) 316-6165 or (305) 519-6877.

www.namiami.com

Sunday, April 19th, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM PINECREST GARDENS/Village of PINECREST FREE. Workshops, food demos, planting activities, plant sales, an eco-fashion show, green vendors, wild life shows, local school performances, and crafts for kids. www. pinecrestgardens.org.

Conservations: Trash Detectives

Wednesday, April 22nd, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM Vizcaya Museum and Gardens 3251 S. Miami Ave, Miami Become a Trash Detective! Join the fun for some trash talk, brain dumps and a (surprisingly) good time!

(305) 250-9133, call for ticket and information.

Baynanza 2015

Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day Saturday, April 25th, 9 a.m. to Noon, with boat captain volunteers gathering by 8 a.m.

Join thousands of volunteers - help clean of one of our most precious natural resources: Biscayne Bay. 305-372-6784. www.miamidade.gov/ environment/baynanza.asp

2015 Earth Day Clean-Up

Go Green and Clean Up Saturday, April 25th, 8:30 a.m.

Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park 1725 NE 135 Street, North Miami Enjoy kid’s activities while learning about nature. Volunteers should wear comfortable clothing and sneakers.

305-895-9840

therapyhighlight Earth Day Extravaganza

Saturday, April 25th, 10:00 am to 06:00 pm Miami Children’s Museum 980 Macarthur Causeway FREE with Admissions. Food, Drumming, Arts & Crafts, Workshops and lectures on recycling and conservation. 305-373-5437

The Keys Green Living & Energy Education (GLEE)

April 19 to 22nd – Key West - different venues short movies, green tours, cleanups and community projects, cooking party, award-winning movie showing and an experts panel discussion. Call GLEE’s Allison Higgins, 305-923-1783, or visit keywestcity.com for an event schedule and venues.

5th Annual Mariners March 5K Walk/Run

Saturday, April 25th, 8:00 am 700 Truman Avenue Key West Theme piece medals to the first 300 entrants, T-Shirts to the first 100 entrants, awards to top overall male/ female runners, and overall masters male/female runners, top 3 runners in each 5 year age bracket; and top 5 walkers male/female. Pre-race packet pick-up and registration, (305) 2941031, basilica5k@gmail.com, visit www.southernmostrunners.com.

South Florida UPCYCLE! ART FEST

April 1st and 2nd, J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor & Education Center, Sanibel Island 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, FL 33957 25+ Artists from around the country will show/sell UpCycled Art, Girl Scout “garbage band” with instruments made out of recycled materials, a silent auction for exclusive pieces, and a make-and-take craft session for kids and adults. 239-472-1100 ext. 233, dingdarlingsociety.org/upcycleartfest.

Customized Treatments on the Rise GUNA Technology/Therapy Dr. JO Serrentino Gunainc.com

W

ith a growing emphasis on the importance and effectiveness of personalized medicine, it is easy to understand why patients and consumers around the world are looking for medical treatments that are tailored to their own individual needs.

Italian biopharmaceutical company GUNA understands that while some medical treatments may work well in some patients with a particular disease, they may not be as effective for everyone. Through advanced GUNA technology, low-dose stable cytokines are now available to doctors for the clinical application of Cytokine Therapy. Cytokines are biological factors, which mean they are natural to the body.

Dr. JO Serrentino, an independent consultant for GUNA, developed cytokine therapy and is recognized as the leading authority on the use of cytokines (proteins that serve as messengers between cells) in modern medicine, providing the most advanced curriculum in cytokine therapy worldwide. She explains that low dose means that the substance maintains its molecular quality and that low dose does not mean it’s less effective.

“It’s the same or within the nanomolecular range of physiological dilutions,” she says. “These formulations are highly recognized by the body. They have precision and immediate reactivity and are absorbed by the mucous membrane of the mouth … and so they go straight to the point. They work and they are safe.”

On www.healthylehighvalley.com Cytokine Therapy is a leading-edge medical modality developed by Dr. Serrentino that uses combinations of cytokines that signal and engage healing mechanisms in the body. GUNA cytokines have not been modified or altered, so the body recognizes them as part of their own working molecules signaling the immune system.

Cytokine Therapy can be applied to the treatment of orthopedic, regenerative medicine, dermatological, aesthetic, autoimmune, endocrine, cardiac and metabolic issues. Those experiencing problems in these areas should ask their doctor if Cytokine Therapy is an option for their treatment plan.

To learn more about GUNA’s Low Dose personalized formulations visit Gunainc. com. Practitioners interested in GUNA’s breakthrough formulations can contact 484-223-3500. natural awakenings

April 2015

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Nature’s Wisdom Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us

by Christine MacDonald

The environment is not separate from ourselves; we are inside it and it is inside us; we make it and it makes us. ~ Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, Amazon shaman

W

hile the idea that we humans stand apart from—or even above—nature is a prevailing theme in much of modern civilization, naturalists and other clever souls throughout the ages have observed that the opposite is true: We are part of, depend on and evolve with nature— and we ignore this vital connection at our peril.

“If one way is better than another, that you may be sure is nature’s way,” admonished the Greek philosopher Aristotle, in the third century B.C.E.

“Time destroys the speculation of men, but it confirms the judgment of nature,” Roman politician and philosopher Cicero ruminated two centuries later.

Nobel Prize-winning physicist and philosopher Albert Einstein remarked, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

Today, more of us are looking to nature for ways to improve physical, mental and emotional health, develop 22

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intelligence, innovate, overhaul how we build homes and neighborhoods, and raise our children.

Healthful Nature

As Henry David Thoreau wrote in his classic 1854 book Walden, “We need the tonic of wildness.”

While we know firsthand how walking in the woods can elevate mood, scientists have documented that a regular dose of nature has other far-reaching benefits. It can lower stress hormone levels, blood pressure and undesirable cholesterol; help heal neurological problems; hasten fuller recovery from surgery and heart attacks; increase cancer-fighting white blood cells; and generally aid overall health (Health Promotion International research report; also Nippon Medical School study, Tokyo).

Regular playtime outdoors helps children cope with hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders, accord-

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ing to research published in Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care.

Exposure to nature can help adults escape from today’s wired lives; reinvigorate, be fitter and less likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes and heart disease, as reported in studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and a University of Washington research summary. It can also unlock understanding of the spiritual essence of life.

Hours regularly spent by youth outdoors stimulate imagination and creativity and enhance cognitive development, helping them learn.

Nature also helps youngsters develop social awareness, helping them better navigate human relations (Tinyurl.com/ OutdoorHealthBenefits Research).

“It’s strange and kind of sad that we are so removed from nature that we actually have to ask why nature is good for us,” says Dr. Eva Selhub, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, author of the new book Your Health Destiny, and co-author of Your Brain on Nature. “The fact is our brains and bodies are wired in concert with nature.”

Recognition of nature’s positive effects has grown so much in recent years that physicians increasingly write their patients “prescriptions” to go hiking in the woods, counting on the healthy exercise and exposure to sunlight, nature and soothing views to address health problems stemming from poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. Healthcare clinics and hospitals in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Indianapolis, Albuquerque, New Mexico, California’s Bay Area and elsewhere have launched Prescription Trails programs aimed at objectives from preventing obesity in children to healthful activities for retirees (Tinyurl. com/AmericanHealthTrails).

Bestselling author Richard Louv calls the positive nature effect “vitamin N” in The Nature Principle. He contends: “Many of us, without having a name for it, are using the nature tonic.

We are, in essence, self-medicating with an inexpensive and unusually convenient drug substitute.”

Such ideas are commonly accepted in many cultures. The Japanese believe in the restorative power of shinrin-yoku, which could be translated as “forest medicine” or “forest bathing”. Indigenous peoples like the Brazilian tribe led by Shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, fighting to preserve their land and way of life in the Amazon, profess to be at one with the innate riches of sustainable rainforests (SurvivalInternational.org/parks).

Innovative Nature

Scientists, inventors and other innovators are increasingly inspired by nature.

Biomimicry, part social movement and part burgeoning industry, looks to how Earth’s natural systems work and solve problems. University of Utah researchers, inspired by the durable homes built by sandcastle worms, are creating a synthetic glue that one day could help repair fractured bones. Architectural components manufacturer Panelite makes energy-efficient insulated glass by mimicking the hexagonal structure that bees use in honeycombs. (Find other precedents at Tinyurl.com/ BiomimicryCaseExamples).

Scientific studies show that a regular dose of nature has far-reaching health benefits. More doctors now write “nature” prescriptions for their patients.

The inspiration for biomimicry comes from many places, says Dayna Baumeister, Ph.D. co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8, a Missoula, Montana, company working with other companies and universities to propel biomimicry into the mainstream.

“People are recognizing that they’ve been disconnected to the natural world,” she says. “We also realize that [as a species] we are in trouble.

We don’t have all the answers, but we can look to other species for inspiration” for clearing pollutants from our bodies and environments.

Plants and fungi are now commonly used to clean up old industrial sites that resemble nature’s way of

removing pollutants from water and soil. A University of California, Berkeley, meta-study confirms that farmers currently using organic farming methods and solar power achieve roughly the same crop yields as conventional techniques with far less dependence on fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gases and petrochemical pesticide and fertilizer pollution.

Cyclical Nature

These breakthrough technologies emulate the way nature uses the building blocks of life in an endless cycle of birth, reproduction, decay and rebirth.

It’s part of a broad rethinking of the principles behind sustainability— building, manufacturing and living in greater harmony with natural systems, perhaps eventually eliminating landfills, air and water pollution, and toxic site cleanups.

“A toxin is a material in the wrong place,” says architect William McDonough, of Charlottesville, Virginia.

The only individual recipient of the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development, he is co-author of Cradleto-Cradle, a groundbreaking book that

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natural awakenings

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23

Man is everywhere a disturbing agent. Wherever he plants his foot, the harmonies of nature are turned

to discord. The proportions and accommodations that ensured the stability of existing arrangements are

overthrown. Of all organic beings, man alone is to be regarded as essentially a destructive power. ~George Perkins Marsh, Man and Nature (1864) calls for re-envisioning even the nastiest waste, and The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability—Designing for Abundance.

McDonough imagines a world where waste becomes raw material for new buildings, furniture and other goods— akin to how a forest reuses every deceased tree and animal to nourish the ecosystem and spawn new life.

With 80 percent of U.S. residents currently living in urban areas, architects, builders and municipal planners are likewise pivoting toward nature, prompted by the scientific evidence of the many ways that human health and general well-being rely upon it. While this contact is preferably the kind of “stopping by woods” that inspired New England poet Robert Frost, even a walk in a city park will work.

“Urban nature, when provided as parks and walkways and incorporated into building design, provides calming and inspiring environments and encourages learning, inquisitiveness and alertness,” reports the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, in Green Cities: Good Health.

The American Planning Association stresses the importance of integrating green space into urban neighborhoods. Not only does so-called “metro nature” improve air and water quality and reduce urban heat island effects, urban wilds such as Pittsburgh’s Nine Mile Run and Charlotte, North Carolina’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway also restore natural connections in densely populated city centers.

Natural Intelligence

A growing number of scientists say that research about our place in nature has sparked fresh thinking about our role and devastated quaint notions about our 24

Miami-Dade/Florida Keys

species’ superiority. “Single-celled slime molds solve mazes. Brainless plants make correct decisions and bees with brains the size of pinheads handle abstract concepts,” points out Anthropologist Jeremy Narby, author of the groundbreaking book Intelligence in Nature.

At a national conference of Bioneers, an organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Francisco that gathers nature-minded social and scientific innovators, Narby said: “We are nearly identical to many animals.

Many behaviors once thought to be exclusively human are shared by other species. The zone of the specifically human, as determined by science, has been shrinking.”

We haven’t lost the ability to tap that primal animal inside, even if most of us are more likely to “venture into the forest” by watching a movie or playing video games. We may feel cut off from our instincts, but studies show time in the woods can do wonders to restore the keenness of our senses to connect with the subtle changes in natural habitat, the movements of other species and the changing seasons.

The rise of human civilizations may have taken “survival of the fittest” in new directions, often decidedly tamer ones, but experts ranging from scientific researchers to lifestyle analysts say humankind is still hardwired by our more primitive past. Despite the ingenious ways we’ve devised to exploit other life forms, capitalize on Earth’s resources and protect ourselves from nature’s sometimes terrifying power, our fate remains linked to natural laws and limits, from nurturing our body’s immune system to resolving planet-sized problems like climate change.

“‘Nature’ is our natural environ-

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True-Life ‘Aha!’ Reads 10 Lessons from Nature to Inspire Our Everyday Lives

by David Miller, Tinyurl.com/10InspiringLessons FromNature 9 Amazing Lessons from Nature to Inspire Your Everyday Life

by Annie Hauser, Tinyurl.com/9InspiringLessons FromNature Intelligence in Nature

by Jeremy Narby Life Lessons from Nature

by Elvis Newman Cathedrals of the Spirit

by T. C. McLuhan Your Brain on Nature

by Eva Selhub ment,” according to Selhub. We don’t have to move to the country to reconnect, she says. “Even spending 20 minutes a day outside has an effect.”

Houseplants, nature photos and aromatherapy Earth scents can also help indoor environments better reflect our own nature.

The wealth of research and common sense wisdom is aptly summed up by celebrated author Wendell Berry in The Long-Legged House. “We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong.

We must change our lives so that it’ll be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.”

Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., whose specialties include health and science.

Visit ChristineMacDonald.info.

• For sustained energy on-the-go, foods with soy protein such as protein bars, cereal, and shakes keep you feeling full longer.

Find more tips at www.soyfoods.org and facebook.com/SoyfoodsAssociation, and visit pinterest.com/soyfoods and www. soyconnection.com for hundreds of recipe ideas like this Mexican-inspired one-dish dinner.

Tortilla Bake Servings: 12

Easy Ideas for Cooking with Soy

A

s families look for easy-to-prepare and affordable sources of protein, soyfoods are increasingly in the spotlight. The nutrition profile and versatility of this plant-based protein makes it an attractive mealtime solution, but how to cook and prepare soyfoods may have the average home cook stumped.

These days, soyfoods can be found throughout the supermarket, with protein-enriched bars, cereals and snacks becoming top sellers, followed closely by traditional soyfoods such as tofu and soymilk. But a 2013 study by Edelman Berland shows that when it comes to cooking with soyfoods, people are hesitant about the unknown.

“There’s plenty of ongoing research that illustrates the wide variety of nutrition benefits of eating more soy, but many people are intimidated by not knowing how to prepare soyfoods,” said registered dietitian and retail expert Barbara Ruhs, owner of Neighborhood Nutrition in Phoenix. “Most soyfoods don’t have very strong flavors, which is why they’re the perfect addition to most recipes and meals. My best advice is to just experiment and enjoy.”

It’s actually quite easy to incorporate tasty soy-based foods and beverages

into your family’s meals and snacks.

Soyfoods can be incorporated into everything from on-the-go snacks to comfort food, adding protein and cutting cholesterol for heart-health benefits in your favorite foods.

For example, tofu is so versatile you can use it instead of ricotta in lasagna or the cream in your pumpkin soup. These tips for cooking with soyfoods will help get you started: Use firm or extra-firm tofu for baking, grilling, sauteing and frying. For an even firmer, more meat-like texture, use a tofu press to squeeze out the moisture and allow the tofu to absorb marinade.

• When re-hydrated, textured vegetable protein (TVP), also known as textured soy protein, resembles cooked ground meat. Similarly, pre-cooked soy crumbles are perfect for chili, spaghetti sauce and tacos, and contain no saturated fat or cholesterol.

• Edamame, or young soybeans, are a fun, protein-rich snack to eat out of the shell when steamed, and can also be used instead of other beans in your favorite recipes.

2 medium onions, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1/2 cup mild salsa 2 cans (15.5 ounces each) chili beans (do not drain) 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce 1 cup textured vegetable protein (TVP), dry (or soy-based “crumbles”) 1 cup corn kernels 3/4 cup water 1 can (2.25 ounces) sliced black olives, drained 1 tablespoon chili powder 18 (6-inch) corn tortillas 1 cup shredded Mexican-style or cheddar cheese Optional garnishes: sliced tomatoes, olives and avocado Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Combine onions, pepper, salsa, chili beans, tomato sauce, TVP, corn, water, olives and chili powder in large saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Spread about one quarter of chili mixture on bottom of prepared baking dish. Top with six tortillas, overlapping or cutting to fit as necessary. Top with another quarter of chili mixture and a third of cheese. Repeat for two more layers each of tortillas, chili mixture and cheese.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Garnish with tomatoes, olives and avocado, if desired.

Nutrition information per serving: 240 calories; 12 g protein; 36 g carbohydrate; 8 g dietary fiber; 6 g fat; 494 mg sodium.

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The Food Artisans Next Door Homemade Delicacies, Direct from Our Neighbors

by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

Neighbors in most states can now legally buy fresh breads, cookies and preserves from local food artisans.

T

he locavore movement of eating locally produced foods continues to expand, thanks to 42 states passing cottage food laws that permit community members to make certain foods at home to sell to neighbors.

Some enterprises use a contract packer to deliver on a scale not possible domestically, or even operate from a commercially licensed production facility.

From sauerkraut and distinctive jams and organic jellies to gluten- or peanut-free cakes and regional artisanal breads, some of the most flavorful products are being produced with no chemical preservatives, artificial colors or other laboratory ingredients. Nearly all are made in small batches, and usually by the owner. Many source local ingredients or serve special dietary needs largely underserved or ignored by larger food businesses.

“In a sharing economy, individuals look less to big chain stores for 26

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their food needs and more to each other, making fresher, tastier and often healthier foods more accessible,” explains Janelle Orsi, co-founder of the Oakland, California, Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC), citing its Policies for Shareable Cities report partnered with the nonprofit Shareable.

The Specialty Food Association reports that sales of specialty foods— primarily at grocery retailers, but also cottage operators via farmers’ markets and direct orders when allowed by their state—grew 22 percent from 2010 to 2012, topping $85 billion.

Healthy as it Comes

“All of our products are made by hand and in small batches daily,” says Ruth Wardein, co-owner, with Andrew Amick, of Epiphany Gluten Free Bakery, in Naples, Florida, which she launched from her home kitchen. Besides glutenfree cookies, cakes and breads, she’s

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photo courtesy of Epiphany Gluten Free Bakery, Naples, FL

consciouseating

always “perfecting” her Paleo cookies, brownies and pancake mix.

Paleo recipes contain no grains, dairy, yeast or refined sugars, explains Wardein. “They require nut and seed flours, coconut oil and natural sugars like honey or maple syrup. So they are naturally higher in protein and fiber and lower in carbs than the average glutenfree recipe.”

“We’re experimenting with the community supported agriculture model with local fruit,” says Erin Schneider. She and her husband, Rob McClure, operate Hilltop Community Farm, in LaValle, Wisconsin, which produces value-added products with organically grown crops.

“We have salsas, pickles and jams. Our black currant and honey jam is sold before it’s made. Rob’s garlic dills have their own following.” Wisconsin’s cottage food law restricts sales to only highacid foods.

Quality over Quantity

In Royal Oaks, California, Garden Variety Cheese owner, cheesemaker and shepherd Rebecca King feeds her 100 milking ewes organically raised, irrigated pasture grass and brewer’s grain to yield awardwinning farmstead easier-to-digest sheep cheeses from her Monkeyflower Ranch.

“Many first-time customers like my story as a small producer and want to buy direct from the farm. They keep buying because of the taste,” says King.

“My marinara and pizza sauces are made in small batches by hand in a home kitchen, enabling us to hot pack them to retain the ingredients’ natural favors,” says Liz James, owner of The Happy Tomato, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her sauces are also low in sodium and contain no sugar, saturated fat or gluten. James’ production is facilitated by Virginia’s home food processor license, which lets her work from home and sell wholesale. Whole Foods Market is among her major retail accounts.

When home-based cottage food businesses are spurred into expansion to keep up with demand, a situation sometimes complicated by state limits on sales volume, many opt for renting space in the growing number of incubator, or community, kitchens nationwide. “We did farmers’ markets for three years and went from seven customers to thou-

sands,” says Wardein, who now rents a commercial kitchen space. “Returning customers are the momentum that has pushed us forward.”

“By growing food in and around our own neighborhoods and cities, we decrease our dependence on an oftentimes unjust and ecologically destructive global food system and build stronger, more connected and resilient communities,” affirms Yassi Eskandari-Qajar, director of SELC’s City Policies program.

“We think it’s important to produce what grows well on our soil and then sell it, so that ecology drives economics, rather than vice versa,” says Schneider.

“Random things prosper in our area, like paprika peppers, elderberries, hardy kiwi, garlic, pears and currants. It’s our job as ecologically-minded farmers to show how delicious these foods can be.”

Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko are coauthors of the new book Homemade for Sale, a guide for launching a food business from a home kitchen, plus ECOpreneuring, Farmstead Chef and Rural Renaissance. Learn more at HomemadeForSale.com.

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health corner Bach Flower Remedies to help with Energy and Fatigue Hornbeam: for mental fatigue and procrastination, Monday morning blues feeling Olive:restores energy when you are physically and mentally exhausted Elm: You feel overwhelmed by your many responsibilities Oak: You are a strong person who struggles on past the limits of your strength Wild Rose: Sufferers often appear as the walking dead - exhibiting no interest or enthusiasm for life, but accepting their fate with a miserable resignation

How to take the Bach Flower Remedies

Choose the remedy or remedies that you feel best apply to your current emotional state Add two drops of each chosen remedy to a glass of water or water bottle. Sip from it till you feel the mood subside For convenience, when taking several remedies at once, add two drops of each chosen remedy to an empty 30ml dropper bottle filled with Spring Water For longer-term issues use the 30 ml dropper bottle taking 4 drops from the bottle 4 times a day for approximately 3 weeks.

The bottle will last you approximately 3 weeks. You can re-evaluate if you need to continue your remedy bottle after that time period A Bach Flower Practitioner can be very helpful in finding the specific combination for you that can begin to heal the true cause of your low energy and fatigue

Denise Torres. Founder Rituals - Chopra Center Certified Instructor of Meditation, Ayurveda, and Bach Flower Practitioner -305-607-8627 www.ritualsancientwisdom.com Attention Practitioners! Everyone is invited to share their health tips through this section at NO COST. Send submissions for consideration to advertising3@namiami.com.

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Miami-Dade/Florida Keys

Spring Greening Easy Ways to Detox a House

by Lane Vail

F

or most individuals, odorous chemicals are simply unpleasant. For those that are sensitive and susceptible, however, even common chemical exposures may evoke a toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT) marked by multiplesystem symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, autoimmune disease, asthma, depression and food intolerance. Since the post-World War II expansion of petrochemicals, the incidence of TILT has increased dramatically, says Claudia Miller, a medical doctor, researcher and professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and co-author of Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes.

“Fortunately, public awareness has also grown significantly in the last few years,” says Rick Smith, Ph.D., a Canadian environmentalist who co-authored Toxin Toxout. “Now companies and governments worldwide are moving toward making safer products.”

We can support progress by leveraging some practical tips in greening our home.

Start somewhere. Many volatile organic compounds (VOC) that in-

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clude formaldehyde and benzene are concealed in household items such as couches, chairs, particleboard furniture, mattresses, box springs, carpeting, rugs, synthetic flooring, wallpaper and paint.

Green TV host and Fresh Living author Sara Snow implores us not to become overwhelmed, disheartened or fearful.

“Creating a healthy home is a gradual process that doesn’t require throwing all the furniture out,” she advises. Start by scrutinizing labels and choosing not to bring new toxins in.

For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely found to be associated with reproductive toxicity and is found in many waterproofed and flexible plastics. Select PVC-free toys, shower curtain liners and mattress covers.

In the kitchen, avoid potentially carcinogenic perfluorinated chemicals (PFC) found in nonstick coatings of pots and pans. Toss the Teflon when it scratches, says Snow, and upgrade to stainless steel or cast iron. Weed out bisphenols, the DNA-disrupting chemicals found in plastics and epoxy resin can liners. Even “BPA-free” products likely contain alternative and equally harmful

substances, according to a recent study Even small changes published in Chemosphere. Choose can measurably reduce clear glass instead of plastic containers.

When remodeling, look for zeroyour family’s daily VOC items, Miller says, plus materials exposure to healthfree of stain-resistant sprays and flame retardants whose efficacy is questiondamaging chemicals. able. Consider natural fiber rugs like jute or wool. Forest Stewardship Council-cer~Rick Smith tified hardwoods or alternative flooring like cork or glass tile are safer investsignificantly more concentrated than ments in long-term well-being. outdoor pollutants, the Environmental

Clean green. Conventional cleanProtection Agency (EPA) reports. “Most ers are among the worst offenders, energy-efficient homes are well sealed and even some “eco-cleaners” can with ventilation systems that recirculate be deceptively unsafe, says Smith. He indoor air, so opening the windows recommends avoiding antibacterial helps dilute accumulated airborne products containing triclosan, which toxins,” says Miller. Snow further recproliferates antibiotic-resistant bacteria ommends bringing air-purifying plants that prolong and exacerbate illnesses, into the home such as Gerbera daisies, as well as phthalates, a chemical oil bamboo palms and English ivy. that carries artificial aromas and•has General Medicine

Vacuum and dust. Vacuuming with been repeatedly linked to cancer and • Preventative Medicine a high-efficiency particulate arrestance abnormal fetal development. “Even • Intergrative and Holistic (HEPA) filter and dusting with a moist so-called natural fragrances are often Wellness cloth eliminates allergens such as pet complex petrochemicals that outgas dander, mites, pollen and mold, and and contaminate the air,” notes Miller.

FREE 15 Minute Dr. Michael Hall helps remove phthalates, flame retar Snow advises formulating prodConsultation Board Certified dants, lead and pesticides that “latch ucts at home using staple pantry General Practitioner Specialist onto house dust and Anti-Aging accumulate in dust ingredients, including distilled white bunnies,” says Smith. vinegar for disinfecting, baking soda

Weed out lawn chemicals. “Orfor scouring, liquid castile soap for ganophosphate pesticides are profoundsudsing, lemon juice for degreasing Dr. Michael Hall • Hall Longevity Center ly neurotoxic,” says Miller, especially and olive oil for polishing.

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sources and applying non-toxic deterrents. Eliminating potentially carcinogenic herbicides might mean managing more weeds, says Snow, but it’s worth it.

Eat green. “Buying produce as close to its source as possible, from a farmer or farmers’ market, provides threefold benefits,” says Snow—less wasteful packaging, reduced exposure to chemical plastics and greater concentration of health-promoting nutrients. Buy in bulk and favor glass containers or rectangular cardboard cartons.

Take tests. Radon, an invisible, odorless gas that can emanate from the ground and accumulate in homes, annually causes 21,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths, according to the U.S. EPA. Lead, a neurotoxin that may occasionally leach from home water pipes, can also hide in pre-1978 paint. Testing for both and implementing reduction or precautionary measures is simple, advises Smith. Most hardware stores stock test kits.

Take action. Join with other concerned citizens by launching a pertinent petition at Change.org; campaigning with organizations like the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) or Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SaferChemicals.org); and supporting cleaner, greener companies with family purchases.

Lane Vail is a freelance writer and blogger at DiscoveringHomemaking.com.

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greenliving

Home-Grown Organic Made Easy 10 Time-Saving Tips for a Healthy Garden

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he arrival of planting season has a stunning effect on veggie gardeners. We talk to our seedlings as if they were children, and don’t mind working until dark if that’s what it takes to get the fingerling potatoes in the ground. Then, complications like crabgrass and cabbageworms appear, and keeping up with all the details feels impossible. We can lighten looming chores by using these time-saving tips, which will reduce later workloads when storms and the hot summer sun threaten to squelch the magic.

Mulch to reduce watering and prevent weeds. “You can cut your watering time in half by mulching crops with a three-to-four-inch layer of straw or shredded leaves,” says Niki Jabbour, award-winning author of The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener and Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden. “Crops like tomatoes, potatoes, kale, broccoli, cucumbers and squash all benefit from a deep

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mulch, which reduces the need to water and also prevents weeds, saving even more time.”

Grow herbs in convenient containers. Family cooks will harvest kitchen herbs every day, in all kinds of weather, so don’t waste footsteps. Grow some parsley, basil and other herbs in large containers near the kitchen door.

Try promising perennials. Plant them once, and vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb come back year after year in cold winter climates like the Midwest and Northeast. Where winters are mild, artichokes or chayote (pear squash) are long-lived and productive. Many resilient herbs will return each spring, too, including sage, mints, thyme and oregano. Tarragon and marjoram make trusty perennial herbs in the Sun Belt.

Stock up on organic seeds. “As a year-round vegetable gardener, I try to come up with a list of all the seeds I’ll need for every season when I place annual seed orders,” Jabbour says. “That way, I will place fewer orders and have

everything on hand at the proper planting time, saving both time and money.”

Organic seeds in consumer seed catalogs and retail racks won’t be genetically modified or treated with pesticides.

Be generous with organic compost.

With each planting, mix in organic compost along with a balanced organic fertilizer. Food crops grown in organically enriched soil are better able to resist challenges from pests and diseases, which simplifies summer tasks.

Grow flowers to attract beneficial insects. Reducing or eliminating pesticides and increasing plantings of flowers can radically improve the balance between helpful and harmful insects in a garden. Horticulturist Jessica Walliser, co-host of Pittsburgh’s The Organic Gardeners KDKA radio show and author of Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, recommends starting with sweet alyssum, an easy-to-grow annual that can be tucked into the edges of beds or added to mixed containers.

“The tiny blossoms of sweet alyssum are adept at supporting several species of the non-stinging parasitic wasps that help keep aphids and other common pests in check,” Walliser says. In warm climates where they are widely grown, crape myrtles have been found to serve as nurseries for lady beetles, lacewings and other beneficial insects.

Protect plants with fabric barriers.

Pest insects seeking host plants won’t find cabbage or kale if they’re hidden

beneath hoops covered with fine-mesh fabric like wedding net (tulle) or garden fabric row cover. “Cover the plants the day they are transplanted into the garden,” advises Walliser. As long as the edges are securely tucked in, row covers will also protect plants from wind, hail, rabbits and deer.

Hoe briefly each day. Commit 10 minutes a day to hoeing. While slicing down young weeds, hill up soil over potatoes or clean up beds ready to be replanted. Look out for small problems to correct before they become big ones.

No more misplaced tools. Time is often wasted searching for lost weeders, pruning shears and other hand tools, which are easier to keep track of when painted in bright colors or marked with colored tape. Jabbour uses a tool stash basket placed at the garden entrance.

Stop to smell the flowers. Use moments saved to sit quietly, relax and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the garden. Pausing to listen to the birds or watch a honeybee work a flower is part of the earned reward of any healthy garden that can’t be measured by the pound.

Barbara Pleasant, the author of numerous green thumb books, including Starter Vegetable Gardens: 24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic Gardens, grows vegetables, herbs and fruits in Floyd, Virginia. Connect at BarbaraPleasant.com.

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healthykids

EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change

by Avery Mack

have declined by 90 percent in the past 100 years. The international team of ecologists and economists led by Boris Worm, Ph.D., of Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, predict total saltwater fish extinction by 2048 due to overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and climate change.

Rising ocean acidity due to absorption of increasing carbon dioxide and other emissions from burning fossil fuels impacts creatures large and small, like dissolving the shell of the tiny sea

Forward Good Change Today 4 Reuse more, buy less. Less trash equals less pollution.

T

his month, Home globe is warmer We only have than “The Box Office (HBO), it has been in the last in collaboration with one home. If we 100 years,” says climate New York City’s American Jennifer Francis, mess this one scientist Museum of Natural History, Ph.D., of Rutgers Univerwill air the new documenup, where do we sity, in New Jersey. “Any tary, Saving My Tomorrow. wisps of doubt that human go next?

Scientists representing activities are at fault are the museum discuss how ~Hippocrates, age 8 now gone with the wind.” temperature change affects life on Planet Earth, but the majority of voices are those of children.

At Sea Their words cry out for universal action “We do more damage to the planet to prevent them from inheriting what than we think.” they believe is a dying planet in desper~Peri, age 9 ate need of healing.

In the Atmosphere

“We need to know the truth, because adults clearly aren’t doing enough to stop this.” ~Zoe, age 12 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA recently announced that last year was the hottest in 135 years of recordkeeping, with rising ocean temperatures driving the global heat index.

Nine of the 10 hottest years have occurred since 2000. The odds of this taking place randomly are about 650 million to 1, especially without an El Nino influence, according to University of South Carolina statistician John Grego.

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In the same 100 years, sea levels have risen seven inches, mostly due to expansion as the water warms. “We have over 2 million preserved fish in our collection. We study them to see the effect of temperature change,” says Melanie Stiassny, Ph.D., curator of ichthyology at the museum. “The mummichog fish is less than an inch long. It’s a bottom feeder and that’s where pollution like mercury lies. When the water is warm, fish eat more and mercury is stored in their bodies.” The contaminants move up the food chain, bringing the effects of pollution to our dinner table.

A 2006 study by Nicola Beaumont, Ph.D., with the Plymouth Marine Laboratory UK, found that 29 percent of the oceans’ edible fish and seafood species

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4 Bike or walk, instead of driving.

Don’t use the car at least one day a week. Less use of fossil fuels equals less drilling, fracking and oil spills.

4 Substitute a planet-healing activity for the usual after school program. Replace lawns with native plants, which need less water and no mowing. Email manufacturers to urge them to use less packaging and plastic, auto makers to produce more fuel-efficient cars, grocery stores to carry more locally sourced foods and ban plastic bags, and government agencies to improve pollution control measures.

4 When eating meat, make sure the animals were humanely and locally raised, not factory farmed.

4 For fish, factory farmed is preferred when farmers are vetted by watchdog agencies for being devoid of disease, pollution and heavy metals; clean fish are especially rare among international providers. Learn more at Tinyurl.com/ SustainableFishFarming.

4 Support wildlife. Help hatchling sea turtles make their way to the sea.

Predators and man are the biggest threats—only one in 1,000 hatchlings reach adulthood. Plant milkweed to feed monarch butterflies. Use natural insect repellants like basil or marigolds instead of killer sprays.

4 Speak out and speak up. Search c2es.org/science-impacts/basics/kids for event ideas and resources.

butterfly, a vital link in the ocean’s food chain. Americans currently consume 4.5 billion pounds of seafood each year.

On Land

“Each species was put here for a reason.

We are the caretakers.” ~a youth at a climate rally Scientists look back to look ahead.

Henry David Thoreau fell in love with the wilderness around Concord, Massachusetts, 160 years ago. From his renowned journals, scientists know when flowers like the pink lady slipper (Cypripedium acaule), bird’s-foot violets (Viola pedata) or golden ragworts (Packera aurea) used to bloom. Today, with temperatures six degrees Fahrenheit warmer than in Thoreau’s time, these species now bloom two weeks earlier. The Canada lily (Lilium canadense), plentiful before, is now rare, unable to adapt to the new reality.

Paul Sweet, collections manager of the museum’s ornithology department, studies “skins” (stuffed birds). He says, “The skins show us how birds lived years ago.” In just the past 100 years, bird species that have gone extinct

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Temperature Help your baby sleep better. When your baby’s nursery is either too hot or too cold, it’s much more difficult for him/ her to fall and stay asleep. Typically, newborns have a more difficult time staying warm, so it is imperative that your baby’s environment stays at a comfortable sleeping temperature.

Paint Don’t wait until the last minute to paint the nursery, as fresh paint is a source of VOCs. According to the EPA, short-term exposure to VOCs can cause eye, nose and throat irritation as well as headaches, loss of coordination and nausea. Be sure to paint your nursery well ahead of your baby’s arrival to provide ample time for ventilating the room to remove noxious fumes and gases and prevent adverse health effects.

5 Simple Ways to Create

a Healthier Environment for Baby

C

reating and also maintaining a healthier space for your baby involves taking a good look at your indoor environment.

Fortunately, there are many ways you can make your home and baby’s nursery healthier and safer. Even making one small change toward a healthier home can have a huge impact on your child’s life.

“wintertime,” which can lead to bloody noses, sore throats, dry skin and cause respiratory issues. In the summertime, the air usually becomes too humid, which can spawn musty odors and mold problems, encourage the spread of dust mites and other pests. Make sure you maintain the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended indoor humidity level of 45 to 50 percent.

Air The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) reports that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside. This can occur for a number of reasons. Your indoor air may contain higher traces of VOCs (volatile organic compounds)— toxic gas emissions linked to a host of health problems— resulting from those chemical spray cleaners or air fresheners you may like to use. Whatever the cause, it’s important to remove these pollutants from the air.

Humidity Keep your baby happy and restful!

Many nurseries are often too dry in the 34

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Clean Green Clean often and invest in a good vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter, and clean your carpet as often as you can.

If your vacuum doesn’t have this filter, it may suck up Barbie shoes and Legos but not the grit and grime that you can’t see. Instead it will redistribute the dirt around the room and in other parts of the house. If you choose to use a professional cleaning service, always look for a company that uses toxin-free and fragrance-free cleaning solutions.

Contact a healthEhabitats environmental expert at 877-861-3662 for more information.

Rejuvenate Your Business

by Katrina Greene, MSW

M

any businesses do the same things over and over, year after year. Then they wonder why nothing changes.

In order to create change, you have to be able to take new actions. Sometimes people are afraid to try something new.

They are unsure if a different plan or idea will help, or they may be concerned that a risk could set them back.

But taking no action is really falling behind because the others in your field will be moving forward and trying out new protocols, products and services.

Are there ideas you have been thinking of but haven’t tried? Have people suggested things, but you haven’t found the time to implement them? Sometimes staff members or customers could have good ideas for your company. Other times your imagination could be sparked by seeing what others in your field have done.

The first step is to determine what needs to be changed.

Is your company lacking in efficiency? Do you need to get your office better organized? Then think of what you could do to begin to address and solve the problems.

Another way to begin the process of reinventing your

company is to remove the “clutter.” Old information—paperwork, materials and files—you no longer need can get in the way of progress and achievements you want, as it takes up both physical space as well as space in your mind—in that you see it and think about “the old” each time you pass it by.

Another way to become reinvented is to think about what you need and ways to create it. Make a list of staff, physical equipment, grants, loans or funding that would help grow your business, and then list ways you could create it.

Coaching can help a business grow as it provides business owners with an assessment of where they stand currently, offers choices and solutions as to how to resolve their problems, and then gives them new ideas for revenue growth, effectiveness and expansion. It can also help motivate owners, support them through changes, and help them create a smooth transition during periods of growth and reinvent their brand if necessary.

Seeking to reinvent your company?

It starts with you. It will only happen if you take action to make it happen. The choice is yours. Make this year the year you reinvent your business.

Katrina Greene, MSW, is the owner of Successful Business Coaching. She can be reached at 631-567-0008 or KGreeneLMSW@aol.com. Also visit SuccessfulBusinessCoaching.com.

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fitbody

MASTERING THE FORCE

The Martial Arts Hold Deep Inner Lessons

by Eric Stevens

F

ew words are as oddly coupled as martial and arts. The first means “relating to war and soldiers,” while the second means “something that is created with imagination and skill, and is beautiful or expresses important ideas or feelings.” All martial arts represent a paradox of push and pull, yin and yang, external and internal.

Their practice represents the blending of our physical lives in harmony with our emotional makeup, allowing our external activity to mirror our internal being. Seldom is the fusion of body, mind and spirit easily achieved with one activity, but martial arts are an exception, because they focus equally on internal and external well-being. Here are five key life lessons that martial arts can teach us.

Learn how to breathe. True connection with our breath permeates an artist’s realm. A vocalist must reach deep within the diaphragm to sing proficiently and a dancer must learn to time their breath while performing. A martial artist learns to control breath with stillness and speed, like juxtaposing yoga with intense contact sports. Breathing properly 36

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makes the practitioner a better martial artist and a healthier one. According to a study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, hypertensive qigong program participants were able to both lower their blood pressure after 10 weeks and increase their oxygen uptake by 20 percent.

Avoid conflict by developing character. While it may seem counterintuitive that learning how to fight could avoid conflict, it’s an essential part of martial arts. The philosopher Lao Tzu said the best fighter is never angry. The martial arts are primarily about discipline, heightened awareness and honing an ability to face our own internal conflicts. Several studies corroborate that practicing martial arts produces positive behavioral changes. For instance, according to a study published in the Journal of Adolescence, participating students in the martial arts were characterized as being less impulsive and less aggressive.

Connect the external (body movement) with the internal (energy movement). The energetic force that catalyzes expressive kicks, punches, blocks and other outward forms is as essential as

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the movements themselves. In Chinese martial arts, that force is referred to as qi, the life energy that intrinsically unites body, mind and spirit.

Be both an artist and athlete. Artistry and athleticism need not be divergent forces. The martial artist combines the grace of a creator and skill of a warrior, and watching a martial arts competition can be as riveting as watching a ballet or sports event. Most of us may not be talented artists or natural athletes, yet all students can learn how to integrate both worlds by blending physicality with stillness and expression through action.

Let go of ego, find mental clarity and access the present moment. Jirōkichi Yamada, a master of Japanese kenjutsu, said, “The way of the sword and the way of Zen are identical, for they have the same purpose; that of killing the ego.”

The focus of all true martial arts is the process, not the outcome. Whatever the style of execution, preparatory practice and meditative application, they all require the discipline of being purely present. Gaining such clarity requires grappling more with ego than with opponents; the real battle of a martial artist is waged within.

Bruce Lee, the film star who revolutionized Western awareness of martial arts and founded jeet kune do, realized that martial arts’ transcendent philosophy gives us many lessons to draw upon. He suggested, “Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.”

Eric Stevens has been a fitness professional and martial arts coach for 15 years. He writes about related topics from Denver, Colorado. Connect at EricChristopherStevens@gmail.com.

They help de-stress our lives, dissolve anger and negative thinking, and set the tone of our day when recited or used in meditation. will instead take a deep breath, relax, forgive and let go. Nothing good will come from negative actions except sabotaging your own health through unnecessary stress and an elevate heart rate.

Just for today, I will be grateful.

More often than not, we forget to be grateful. Instead many of us are in a state of want. Let’s try for one day to simply be grateful for what we have.

According to the Law of Attraction, like attracts like and lack attracts lack. Therefore, being grateful attracts positivity, which helps you to remain grateful.

Five Principals We Can All Live By

by Heidi Ronquillo, Reiki Master

F

or those familiar with Reiki and those who practice it, whether professionally or personally, one thing we can all agree with is that Reiki originator Dr. Mikao Usui’s Five Reiki Principles are ideologies that everyone can apply to their own lives. These ancient precepts allow us to embody the Reiki energy and “Be Reiki.” They help de-stress our lives, dissolve anger and negative thinking, and set the tone of our day when recited or used in meditation. In sharing this doctrine, which only Reiki Masters have used until now, I hope to inspire everyone, not just those who are familiar with Reiki or practice it, to embrace these words and make them their own.

Recite them in your daily affirmation or add them to your meditation. By invoking these daily you will reaffirm and lead a healthier, more lovingpeaceful life.

Just for today, I will not worry.

Just for today, I will not be angry.

Just for today, I will be grateful.

Just for today, I will do my work honestly.

Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.

Just for today, I will not worry.

For most of us, stress is a major part of our daily lives. If just for one day we can try to go without worrying, we can begin to live more peacefully while bringing peace to others. This practice creates huge health benefits. Therefore, Just for today trust in Spirit, Source, God, or yourself and know that everything is going to work out just fine.

Just for today, I will not be angry.

A typical morning may involve a driving commute which inherently brings situations that can aggravate and anger you, even arouse revenge. By remembering your second principal you

Just for today, I will do my work honestly.

Performing our work honestly brings purpose and meaning to one’s life. We feel good about ourselves and gain a daily sense of fulfillment.

Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.

It is said that as you give, so shall you receive. By bringing love and light into someone’s day, even if it’s just for a moment, you will reap the fruits of a loving life.

Life is all about living it. How you live it is entirely up to you. Thus, even if it seems overwhelming at first, by adopting one principal at a time you will notice the positive changes in your life…I promise!

Heidi Ronquillo is a Registered Healer, INHA, Reiki Master, and a 200 hour Certified Yoga Instructor.Ronquillo’s future plans involve a Healing Center where she will offer Reiki sessions and classes, teach Yoga, and run a small metaphysical store offering great gifts and tools. But for now her hope is to make a difference one person at a time. For more information on Reiki, Yoga and Heidi Ronquiyo, call 305-301-9615, email purplelotushealing@yahoo.com, or visit www.purplelotusspiritualhealing.weebly.com.

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inspiration Offering an Integrative and Comprehensive approach to Women’s Health Care Gynecology Gynecologic Surgery

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What Trees Teach Us About Life

Sexual Health

by Dennis Merritt Jones

A

great experiment in the desert called the biodome created a living environment for human, plant and animal life.

A huge glass dome was constructed to house an artificial, controlled environment with purified air and water, healthy soil and filtered light. The intent was to afford perfect growing conditions for trees, fruits and vegetables, as well as humans.

People lived in the biodome, for many months at a time, and everything seemed to do well with one exception. When the trees grew to a certain height, they would topple over.

It baffled scientists until they realized they forgot to include the natural element of wind. Trees need wind to blow against them because it causes their root systems to grow deeper, which supports the tree as it grows taller.

Who among us doesn’t long for a perfect growing environment for ourselves, with no disruptions from outside influences?

We strive to avoid the times of contrast and tension, when life’s daily challenges push against us. When they do, the normal tendency is to curse them. If trees could talk, would we hear them curse the wind each time they encountered a storm?

We can learn a great deal from nature’s wisdom at work if we are open to the lesson. Watch how a tree bends and sways gracefully when the wind blows against it. It does not stand rigid, resisting the flow of energy. It does not push back. The tree accepts the strong wind as a blessing that helps it grow.

Such experiences develop our character and deepen our spiritual roots. When we grow deep, we too, stand tall.

Dennis Merritt Jones, D.D., is the author of Your Re-Defining Moments, The Art of Uncertainty and The Art of Being, the source of this essay. He has contributed to the human potential movement and field of spirituality as a minister, teacher, coach and lecturer for 30 years. Learn more at DennisMerrittJones.com.

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National Library Week, April 12 to 18, celebrates the program Unlimited Possiblities @ Your Library

photo courtesy of Jean Maclean

naturalpet

Dogs with Library Cards Kids Love Reading to Animals

by Sandra Murphy

The goal of Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ), launched in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1999 as part of Intermountain Therapy Animals, is to improve children’s literacy skills with the mentoring help of certified therapy teams. Its reach has spread through library programs across the U.S. and Canada and internationally, with other therapy groups following suit.

D

“

octors told the parents of an 11-year-old autistic son that he would never read… so quit trying to teach him,” says Suzanne Vening, an organic farmer in Jackson, Mississippi.

“The doctor didn’t count on Adam, my Australian shepherd.” Abused and abandoned before being adopted by Vening, she had trained him for therapy work.

Vening knew nothing about autistic or learning-disabled children, but she knew Adam could work miracles. The boy made eye contact with Adam during his library visit and read a few words. His parents were overjoyed as his reading continued to improve. “It’s hard to include children with special needs in many family activities,” Vening says. “A library is a place the whole family can enjoy.”

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She advises, “Designate a safe corner where a child can escape if feeling overwhelmed. After entering the room, handlers should sit on the floor with the dog lying beside them. A standing dog can cause too much excitement.

It’s important to trust that your therapy dog will know how to approach a child that’s afraid, has tremors or can’t sit up or sit still.”

“An animal’s heartbeat seems to call to kids,” observes Rachael Barrera, a children’s librarian at Brook Hollow Public Library, in San Antonio, Texas.

“Dogs have come here once a week for more than a year. Now older kids that are comfortable with the reading program are showing younger ones how to choose a book.”

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At California’s Benicia Public Library, kids read to Honey, a friendly brown dog, on Wednesday afternoons.

Sheila Jordan, managing editor and owner of Booklandia, founded in Bend, Oregon, says her 8-year-old, Chase, found it difficult to concentrate because of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). “The Tales and Tails program was a big help. All summer, we went every week and chose books he said the dog would love.” Jordan’s reward was a more focused child; Chase’s reward was a dog of his own last fall.

North Carolina’s Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers 14,000 free programs a year throughout its 20 locations, including Paws to Read. Librarian Cathy Cartledge, reading program coordinator for the Morrison Regional branch, shares this story from Jaylee’s mom, Jill.

“Jaylee was tutored in reading for a year. After she also began reading to Zoey, a great Pyrenees, or Hunter, a golden retriever, I saw improvement in fluency, confidence and enjoyment.

It worked miracles compared with the hours and money spent for tutoring,” her mom remarks.

The Mount Prospect Library, near Chicago, has an age requirement for its Tales to Tails program. “Rachael, 8, will hardly put a book down now,” says her mom, Nicole Sasanuma, a senior associate with Business Communications & Advocacy, in Northbrook, Illinois. “Her sister, Emi, 6, is anxious for her next birthday so she ‘can read to doggies,’ too.”

Reading programs aren’t limited to libraries or schools. Jean Maclean, of Lompoc, California, trains her two dogs in agility and rally skills. For a change of pace, they visit the Chumash Learning Center, in Santa Ynez, once a month. The Chumash people value education from both its elders and teachers outside the tribe. Maclean relates that Donny, age 11, was afraid of dogs until he met hers, after which his teachers saw his reading improve three levels in one semester.

Animals help kids relax and become teachers to the dogs. Researchers

at the University of California, Davis have found that reading skills for kids that read to dogs during a 10-week literacy program improved by 12 percent. Children in the same program that didn’t do the same showed no improvement.

Dogs and other pets prove that reading out loud doesn’t have to be scary. All it takes is a good book and a good listener.

5-Day Meditation Retreat in Florida with Anandmurti Gurumaa May 13 to 17, 2015 Anandmurti Gurumaa is guiding a 5-Day Intensive Meditation Retreat in Melbourne, FL from May 13 to 17, 2015. This is a rare opportunity for seekers to be in her presence and learn to live with awareness, experience mediation, understand the functioning of the mind and much more.

Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring. com.

Other Four-Footed Reading Partners

photo courtesy of Nancy Bailey

Cleo, a small gray cat that lives with Michelle Cardosi, a retail clerk in Denver, enjoyed her Love on a Leash therapy visits.

When she became arthritic, moving from lap-to-lap was painful, and Cardosi considered retiring her, but Cleo didn’t agree.

“So we went to the library’s Whiskers and Tales program instead, where she could sit on a pillow, get petted and be the center of attention,” she says. “She was able to visit until her 18th birthday.”

Clifford, a 24-year-old Morgan horse, is a well-known literacy advocate. He tours libraries in Michigan and using a sponge and watercolor paint, “signs” his biography, Clifford of Drummond Island, by author and Lansing artist Nancy Bailey, for his fans.

“The kids probably won’t remember what I say, but they’ll always remember the day they saw a horse in the library,” says Bailey.

“We’ve been visiting for about four years.

He’s nosy and gets into everything, like the day he noticed the used book shelf. He picked out pulp fiction books and kept handing them to me.” Bailey notes that Clifford teaches children that horses have feelings and a sense of humor when he goes for laughs and changes his responses when doing tricks.

The days will be filled with inspirational talks meditation techniques, kirtan/ chanting, music and yoga. For a true seeker, the possibilities are endless.

Participation fee: $500 per person (triple occupancy), $600 per person (double occupancy). For a family of 4 sharing a room, the rate will be $450 per person.

This includes vegetarian meals and lodging during the retreat.

Radisson Suite Hotel Oceanfront,

3101 North Highway A1A, Melbourne, Florida May 13th Registration 12 to 2pm, session starts at 5 pm May 17th Session conclude at noon

For registration or more infomation, contact:

Jayam: 727.709.2364 Lilly: 954.801.7867 Jeeta:321.507.2907 or log onto www.gurumaa.com

Think Spring, Green Living, and Adopting a Manatee.

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Photo © David Schrichte

April 2015

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determination. The mission of this Sanctuary is once again based on Catherine’s values: • Compassion: Treasure all living things with the belief that all creatures, great and small, deserve to live free from harm in their natural environment.

• Acceptance: Believe in the innate beauty and grace of animals, nature and people.

• Determination: Operate with the solitary goal of providing the optimal support and care for animals. Share experiences, resources and expertise with other organizations and individuals interested in building sanctuaries.

by Leslie McLean “Creating this Sanctuary is reminiscent of the life that Catherine lived; it is to honor what she would have wanted” ~ Jenny Hubbard

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wo years ago on December 14, 2012, 6-year-old Catherine Violet Hubbard was one of the 26 people killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. That community has been dealing with significant trauma ever since that day. Horrific events such as what occurred can spark transformation in those left to pick up the pieces. For the Hubbard family, there has been a positive shift in moral and spiritual focus.

“Catherine was a very quiet soul…she had a special connection with all animals,” Matt Hubbard remembers. The focus of Newtown’s Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary – established in her memory – will reflect her compassion for animals by providing adoptive services for companion animals, refuge for farm animals, and native wildlife rescue and release services.

When a tragedy such as this happens in a small community such as Newtown, it has significant energy that explodes locally, flows regionally, and expands to the global community. The outpouring for the sanctuary has progressed to an international level. The creation of the Catherine Violet Hubbard (CVH) Foundation Inc. as a 501(c)3 was started in 2013.

The most significant contribution was in the fall of 2014 from the State of Connecticut, which donated 34 acres of land.

The focus to this point has been on fundraising events and creating a volunteer network. Local and regional families, elementary, middle and high school students, veterinarians and several animal rescue organizations have sponsored fundraisers from lemonade and bakery sales, annual vet clinic parties, golf tournaments to the Waldron Family fundraiser in North Salem, New York.

All these efforts were driven by like-minded thinkers focused on Catherine’s vision of compassion, acceptance and 42

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Since the donation of the land, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Sanctuary has the ability to incorporate agricultural education. One of the key components of the architectural plan’s phase one will be the building of a community garden.

Agriculture will be a significant part of the foundation. Professionals will educate the community on how to seed, grow and harvest a garden, while chefs will share how to cook nutritionally with in-season foods grown in the Northeast.

CVH will likely be a sustainable nonprofit as it has many fundamental resources. Giving children early opportunities to foster animals and grow plants is hoped to be a way to influence a shift in our culture and provide children healthier outlets. CVH focuses on the idea that community collaboration is critical as a way to survive and thrive.

CVH has had local and national help in its development. The Animal Center in Newtown, a no-kill, nonprofit animal rescue organization, was the original “collaboration of love” based on Catherine Hubbard’s passions and hopes.

Support coming from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the State of Connecticut and Governor Malloy, The Jane Goodall Institute, Best Friends, Cornell University, PH Architects, Tracy Locke Marketing Firm and all the volunteers has been prolific, inspiring significant hope and serenity for the family. The resources donated by all of these aforementioned contributors will allow the sanctuary to start building the main building, vet intake, community garden and culinary kitchen in 2016.

All permitting regulations are expected to be met and processed in 2015. The 2nd Annual Butterfly Fundraiser will be held on June 6, 2015 in downtown Newtown from noon to 4pm. For volunteer and sponsorship opportunities for this fundraiser, contact CVH at 203-313-8391. Other upcoming events will be posted on the website, which will be upgraded by the end of March.

For more information or to make a donation, call(CT) 203-313-8391 or visit CVHFoundation.org or Facebook.com/CatherineVioletHubbardAnimalSanctuary. If you who would like to volunteer, reach out to the volunteer coordinator at LeslieMcLean@ optonline.net. Leslie McLean is District Sales Manager for Natural Awakenings Fairfield County, CT and Volunteer Coordinator for the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary.

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wisewords

Healing Journeys

Paul Stutzman Finds Universal Truths on His Treks

by Randy Kambic

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aul Stutzman was a successful executive with a family restaurant chain and a happy father and husband married for more than 30 years when his wife, Mary, passed away from breast cancer in 2006. Questioning his faith as to why this happened, Stutzman quit his job to hike the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail (AT), advising everyone he encountered, “Don’t take spouses and families for granted.” His book, Hiking Through, recounts this extreme adventure and relates his subsequent thoughts about grief, healing and life.

Stutzman chronicled his second journey, a 5,000-mile-plus cross-country trek, in Biking Across America. This time, he perceived a “noble, yet humble America that still exists and inspires.” More recently, the author has turned to fiction with The Wanderers and Wandering Home, both enriched with reflections upon the values of his Amish Mennonite upbringing and marriage.

What kept you going?

Early on, I realized how soothing nature was to my grieving soul. Still, there

were times it would have been easy to abandon my journeys and head for the safety of home. The desire to discover if my life held any meaning after such a great loss kept me moving forward. I kept telling myself on both journeys, “If my wife can fight cancer for four years, I can overcome any obstacle I encounter.”

I was determined to write about what I was being taught by nature. I also believed books written by and about someone seeking solace via an incomplete pilgrimage would be cheating the reader.

What do such journeys teach about nature and our response to experiencing it?

I find comfort in nature. I believe the beautiful streams and waterfalls, the grand views from mountaintops and the wildlife were all created for our enjoyment. When we absorb this beauty and wonderment, the stresses in life slowly melt away. Granted, not everyone will be able to do what I did; however, a stroll through a local park, along a beach or in a flower garden can have similar effects.

Did these extended physical endeavors make mental demands that catalyzed unexpected self-growth?

Treks like these into the unknown are physically demanding. With time and effort, one’s body gets into shape for extended hiking and biking. The mental hurdle must be crossed next. You’ll miss home and loved ones. Loneliness will set in. This is where you discover who the real you is. Are you tenacious enough to push through the desire to abandon the pilgrimage or will you succumb to the allure of comfort and safety?

On my journeys, I had to make difficult choices. There is a saying that applies to folks planning to hike the AT end-to-end through 14 states: “If hiking the entire Appalachian Trail isn’t the most important thing in your life, you won’t accomplish it.”

My daughter gave birth to my grandson while I was hiking. Although she asked that I come home for the event, I declined. I kept on hiking because I knew I wouldn’t return to the trail if I went home. I’d spent my lifetime trying to do the right things for my three children, but now had to do what was right for me.

What did you learn about Americans along the way?

I discovered that most Americans are kind, law-abiding citizens. Most are still willing to help a stranger in need.

Unfortunately, I feel we focus too much time and energy on the minority of malcontents.

How have these experiences informed your creative process?

America is a great country. The beauty I’ve witnessed from a bicycle seat and on two feet hiking the mountains is a continual source of inspiration. Many folks are unable to do what I do. My ongoing desire is to describe the images imprinted in my mind in such a way that others can feel as if they are there walking with me.

For more information, visit PaulStutzman.com.

Randy Kambic is an Estero, FL, freelance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings.

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bookreview The Soul of All Living Creatures

by Dr. Vint Virga

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Journey (Hiking) Resources

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n Eat Pray Love, (author Elizabeth Gilbert) a woman overwhelmed by what she thought was all she wanted, divorced her husband, left her ideal home, took a sabbatical from work, and begun a trek to “meet/find herself.”

Emotional upheavals – in work, family, death, divorce, you name it – can prompt us to leave it all behind and embark on a journey that will hopefully help us move forward.

If you’re looking to follow Gilbert’s path, SpritQuestTours.com offers a week tour in Bali which follows her adventure as read in her memoir book.

You’ll even get a reading by Ketut Liyer, the Balian featured in the movie. But if a trek through the mountains is calling you, here are a few resources to help you get started: A Walk in the Woods.com - customized backpacking - personalized adventure based on your abilities, experience and expectations.

Grand American Adventures.com small group guided adventures providing different programs and packages.

Appalachian Trail Adventures.com - with and without guides they offer various adventure packages. From all inclusive to specialized trips like Hiking and Yoga, Healthful Living Vacations, Kayaking, Tennis, Caving, etc.

s a pet owner I can relate to those who refer to their pets as family. How communication is easier than most experts understand, or believe, for that matter. My own friends have shared how they’ve never seen a dog like mine. Based on her behavior and our relationship, they feel that all she has left to do is speak with me.

“Surrounding every one of us are animals ready to serve as teachers by opening doors to new perspectives and ways of being,” says Dr. Vint Virga. If we’re willing to listen, notice, and embrace what we hold in common with them, together we can change how we live from day to day, and discover a deeper sense of connection to others and the world around us.”

In his book The Soul Of All Living Creatures, What Animals Can Teach You About Being Human, Virga draws on his 30 years of experience to convey the importance of allowing ourselves to see the world from their perspective. Sharing true stories from his practice, he challenges the reader – whether per owner or not – to further explore the relationships being forged with our own four legged companions. By striving to see the world through their eyes – changing our perspective, as it may – we can improve our own relationship with ourselves and others. What is it about animals that make over 143 million of us flock to zoos and wildlife parks each year, Virga asks.

I believe that the answer to that question lies in the sense of belonging we feel in the company of other creatures,” Virga explains. “In the presence of animals, we find true acceptance. Alone with them, our self-consciousness dissolves.”

In The Soul Of All Living Creatures readers will gain an insightfulness into not only their souls but that of their animals. It’s the kind of book that will make you cry, laugh, and more importantly connect. Whether you are an animal lover/owner or not this book will touch your soul, changing you forever.

Veterinarian Vint Virga D.V.M., is a leader in veterinary behavioral. He’s a consultant for many of our national zoos and wildlife parks. He’s worked with private corporations, and professional organizations on the care and well-being of animals. He’s appeared on ABC’s World News, National Geographic’s Explorer, PBS’s Nature and on Wild TV. Review by L. Palmer, editor of Natural Awakenings Magazine, Miami and the Florida Keys Edition.

Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn’t be done. ~Amelia Earhart natural awakenings

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A Personal Journey of Success Strong self defense = good health defense

“W

hat got me into Krav Maga? A combination of a few things: the desire to stay focused on health and fitness as I entered middle-age, bum knees that made that goal challenging, and a story about a patriot on a mission to defend his people.”

At 6’3”, Rick Prado looks imposing without even trying. At almost 50, this husband, father, New Jersey native and successful Miami entrepreneur is in outstanding health and physical shape, save for his shaky knees. Those, he says, are the result of years of leaping and lunging on the basketball court.

So when at 34 his doctors told him to get off the court or get on the surgeon’s table for knee replacement surgery, he went looking for options. “I considered the usual range of martial arts, but nothing was grabbing me.”

Then he came across Krav Maga in a newspaper article.

Krav Maga, or “contact combat” in Hebrew, is the official hand-to-hand combat system used by the Israeli Defense Force. His first stop, a map of the world. “It occurred to me that if tiny Israel could survive after decades of being bordered by enemies, then they must be effective at taking care of themselves.” Indeed, Krav Maga is so highly regarded, the US military train with the Israeli Defense Force’s counterterror school before deployments to Middle East hot spots.

Prado was hooked. Eventually he found his teacher; another Rick—Master Rick Blitstein in Miami Beach. Blitstein, one of Krav Maga pioneers in the US, had received his training directly from Krav Maga’s founder, Grand Master Imi

Lichtenfeld. It was a young Lichtenfeld who started to develop the system in Europe in the 1930s, while fighting Nazi extremism. Using practicality as his guide, he determined the difference between sport fighting and street fighting, and passed his knowledge on to his fellow citizens.

After ten years of training weekly with Blitstein, Prado became a certified third-generation instructor in 2007. Today he credits Krav Maga with his enduring good health, overall fitness, and mental acuity. “I had always been confident and ‘aware.’ But Krav Maga took me to another level.”

Preservation through awareness is, perhaps, Krav Maga’s signature goal. It’s the reason Prado wishes more females would take part. But as April 7 observes World Health Day, he hopes more people in general will consider this world-renowned self-defense form. “Each of us has to take responsibility for our own safety. When seconds count, the police are only minutes away. But by the time they arrive, you’re hurt.”

With students ranging from 18 to 55, the male to female ratio at his school is 8:2. Prado tells the story of a student—a young girl—saved by her training.

Alone in an elevator, she was approached by a man who got in after her. His hands reaching for her throat, he told her he was going to kiss her. At that point she neutralized the danger. Placing her arms in a passive-aggressive position, she told him in a confident and stern tone that he was not going to touch her. He exited at the next floor.

“Perpetrators look for victims, not opponents,” says Prado. “My students learn avoidance, and self-defense. Always remove yourself from a position of vulnerability. When that’s not possible, defend yourself aggressively. Krav Maga gives you the skills and confidence. I tell my students that the one fight they’re guaranteed to win is the one they’re not in.”

For Krav Maga classes in Miami and Miami Beach, please go to: www.miamikravmaga.com

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Instructors Sheena Eizmendiz (clinical hypnotherapist) and Todd Goodwin (board certified hypnotist) have run successful hypnosis practices for years helping clients to transform their lives.

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Flowers and plants uplift us. Scents give pleasure, and the whole splendor of nature nurtures us. On a more physical level, plants give us food and medicines. Even more interesting, making a flower essence, and taking it, can help support and heal us both emotionally and physically.

Bach Flowers: Natural Alternative for Stress Management and Healing

by Denise Aslan

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pring has always been associated with flowers, so I thought it would be timely to look at flower remedies and how they can help you. The healing power of nature has been known almost since time began. Flowers and plants uplift us. Scents give pleasure, and the whole splendor of nature nurtures us. On a more physical level, plants give us food and medicines. Even more interesting, making a flower essence, and taking it, can help support and heal us both emotionally and physically.

These flower remedies are safe and easy to use, and do not have any side effects. They can be taken in conjunction with prescription medications, as well. Perfect for children, adults, and pets.

Dr. Edward Bach was a well respected British Physician, Homeopath, and Bacteriologist who spent his life searching for the purest and most natural methods of healing. He grew frustrated with the fact that he could only provide his patients with temporary or invasive solutions to their physical ailments. Dr. Bach was convinced that negative moods and emotions were responsible for the breakdown in health that leads to illness and determined that treatment had to address patients’ emotional and mental states.

In his quest to bring his patient’s true healing, Dr. Bach discovered 38 flower remedies to help alleviate the internal turmoil and bring us peace. These 38 remedies were divided into seven different groups that can be combined to suit the individual. The flower remedies are made from wild plants, trees and bushes. They work by treating the individual rather than the disease or its symptoms. They are a gentle way to manage your emotions and rediscover the positive side of ourselves. By helping to restore and maintain emotional balance, the Bach Flower Essences free the body’s own healing functions and help to promote overall wellness and healing.

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How do they work? The way flower remedies work can be understood more from a quantum science theory. Just as everything living thing vibrates at a specific frequency, emotions and thoughts have a specific vibrational frequency too. So, imagine if you are experiencing resentment and self pity. This would have a frequency which might look like a big wave. Then you take willow flower essence (which is specifically for those emotions). The vibrational frequency of that essence is a match to the frequency of that particular emotional state, and it balances out the negative feelings.

The flower remedies work on the energy body helping to remove emotional blockages, much like acupuncture works.

Life happens to us – trauma, disappointment – and we build up layers of coping mechanisms, habits, and protective devices that can prevent us from being our true self. In flower remedy therapy, there is a kind of “peeling of the onion” effect.

How can I use these remedies? As a practitioner, I always suggest you begin with the most popular of the flower remedies, called the Rescue Remedy. This combination of 5 flowers should be in every household. It helps in emergency situations when you might feel anxious about a job interview, just received some disturbing news, or had a fight with a loved one, etc... I joke with my clients and say that this remedy is “meditation in a bottle”.

You can find the Bach Flower Remedies at your local health food store or at your Bach Flower Practitioner’s office. A Bach Flower Practitioner is specially trained in helping you improve all aspects of your life, and can create a customized combination just for you. Here are just a few examples of what your practitioner can help address: decision making, achieving goals, dealing with stress and anxiety, disappointments, low self esteem (physical image), physical and mental tiredness, divorce, job loss, fears, grief, insomnia, addictions, resentment, trauma, lack of focus or mental clarity, and much more.

Denise Aslan, Founder of Rituals, is a Certified Bach Flower Practitioner and Certified Chopra Instructor of Meditation.

Rituals For more information call her at 786-708-8793. Or email denise@zenspotmiami.com or denise@ritualsancientwisdom.com. Located at 3390 Mary Street, Suite 116th in Coconut Grove, Rituals is a private consultation and educational enterprise that is committed to utilizing “Ancient Wisdom to bring about Modern Day Healing.”

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Tantra and the Resurrection of Relationship

by Diana Daffner

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elationships often end because love has gone missing, has seemingly died, definitely disappeared. Perhaps we can actually think of this as a gift, because it is only when something has ended that it can be joyfully resurrected.

Often the relationship has suffered only a partial death, an accidental forgetting, a terrifying loss of connection. The love and commitment may even remain strong but the feelings of love are no longer being experienced and need to be brought back to life.

Tantra, an ancient spiritual teaching from India, can offer tools for resurrecting such a relationship. First and foremost, Tantra is a body-centered path. It embraces the divinity, the sacred life force, within us. This is great news for romantic relationships, because we want our intimate connection to manifest on all levels, INCLUDING the physical. So how can Tantra help? Consider an acronym of the word itself: Training, Attention, kNowledge, Trust, Rituals and Awakening.

Tantra requires TRAINING and practice. Although we are naturally endowed with the potential for sexual joy and intimate delight, it is through ongoing training that we learn to experience these qualities and integrate them into the daily life of our relationship. Tantra training can be rewarding and transformational. It may sound unusual, or surprising, that couples are asked to train, to practice being intimate.

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Like “practicing” yoga, it’s a TRAINING that yields increasingly positive results, and also has no end point. Like yoga or any training, there may be periods of seeming stagnation. We continue to practice anyway. Even as we find growing fulfillment in our interactions, we continue to practice. A Tantric relationship isn’t the goal; it is the journey, the practice, itself.

Tantra invites us to pay ATTENTION to energy as it sustains us and moves through our body. We can develop the ability to direct this energy, since energy follows attention.

With attention, we can maximize our aliveness; we can cultivate our body’s natural presence. Relationships need attention. Like a garden, a relationship needs tender loving care to grow and flourish. If our beloved partner were ill or injured, we would of course pay attention. When we freely attend to one another, without waiting for – or unconsciously creating - such an illness or injury, if we take the time to purposefully love and be loved, then our immune systems, our health, and our relationship will be strengthened and enhanced. When we each pay attention to our own inner energy, connecting with each other at the same time, we experience the sacred source of all energy.

Tantra offers KNOWLEDGE. We weren’t taught in school how to be loving and intimate. As we grew up, we learned about sex, but no matter how much we now think we know, our education has been incomplete. To guide our bodies to ecstasy, we need knowledge about how our body parts work, about how we respond. We need knowledge about our beloved. We need to know about desire and about arousal, theirs and ours. We need to know how to circulate our energy, how to refine our senses, how to deeply relax, and how to appreciate orgasm. Tantra focuses on all of these skills.

Tantra teaches us to TRUST. An atmosphere of trust is essential for growth to take place. We need to trust ourselves, our profound willingness to be open and vulnerable as we

journey on this path. Partners need to trust each other, as they explore together this powerful path of intimacy and love. Tantra pushes us to a place of trust. When there is trust, we can have Martin Buber’s I-Thou relationship with our beloved, we can feel safe to reveal ourselves spiritually, emotionally and physically. As we open our bodies, we can open our hearts and souls to one another.

Tantra uses RITUALS which can be both serious and fun. Rituals and ceremonies help us shift our consciousness into the here and now, the perfect and only moment in which intimacy takes place.

We are already familiar with rituals such as candlelit dinners on special occasions.

There are Tantric ceremonies of appreciation and presencing, rituals of honoring and exploring different phases of sexuality.

The simple ritual of meeting our lover’s eyes before, during and after lovemaking can vault our relationship into Nirvana, the “heaven” that Tantra practitioners aspire to.

Tantra is about AWAKENING. Awakening: resurrecting the joy, beauty, happiness, bliss and ecstasy that lie within us and were the original motivation when we first met and ventured into an attachment with our beloved. When we awaken, we become again – and perhaps even more - sensually responsive to our partner and to Life itself. Tantra can help keep the love alive in a long-term relationship. Tantra can help resurrect a relationship that has become lost or buried.

Diana Daffner, with her husband Richard, leads romantic Intimacy Retreats, vacation/ workshops for couples, to enhance physical, emotional and spiritual connection.

She is the author of Tantric Sex for Busy Couples: How to Deepen Your Passion in Just Ten Minutes a Day. For information about Intimacy Retreats or Diana’s book, visit www.IntimacyRetreats.com or call 941 349-6804. A free brochure is available.

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EASTER FUNDAY! Cauley Square Historic Village, April 5th |11 a.m. – 4 p.m. $10 per child 22400 Old Dixie Hwy, Miami It’s a magical day at Cauley Square with continuous egg hunts, fun activities, the Easter Bunny and more - kids 12 and under. Age appropriate hunts are schedule at various times. Call 305-258-2565 for more information.

JUNGLE ISLAND EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA

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pring is getting into its swing as we make our preparations for Easter. A popular holiday celebrated practically worldwide, – filled with history, tradition and folklore – it is one of the oldest Christian traditions.

Celebrating the last week of Jesus’ life, it symbolizes the dawn of a new life.

On this Easter Sunday, join the global community from across the country in observing and celebrating this renewing season. There is plenty of family fun to be had with the numerous events happening all month around town. Here are just a few to help you with your scheduling:

Jungle Island, April 3-5| 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Brunch 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami General admission: Adults $34.95, Children (3-10) $26.95 Plus tax.

Jungle Island’s Easter Eggstravaganza is truly spectacular with over 50,000 eggs and more than 800 pounds of candy! What else? Besides the daily Easter egg hunts, there will be visits with the Easter Bunny, pie-eating contests, face painting, arts and crafts, elephant rides, bounce houses... The event benefits the Miss Millie Foundation.

BUNNY PALOOZA AT THE MIAMI SEAQUARIUM Miami Seaquarium, April 3-5| 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Easter Parade: 12:30 pm 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami General Admission: Adults $41.95, Children (3-9) $31.95 plus tax Bunny Palooza is A hip-hopping weekend featuring continuous egg hunting throughout the day, an Easter Parade, rides, slides and bounce houses, and of course, the Easter Bunny.

SPRING EXTRAVAGANZA

DINO EGG SAFARI AT ZOO MIAMI

The Village at Gulfstream Park, Champion Plaza, APRIL 4 | 11AM-2PM 501 South Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, (954) 378-0900.

Hop on over to Champions Plaza for a day of free family fun at Gulfstream Park! Meet the Easter Bunny, sing along with a DJ, Easter Egg Hunts, Arts and Crafts, Face Painting, Giveaways and more! Don’t forget to make your dining reservations for Easter Sunday! The following Restaurants will have special Easter Dinner Menus: Ten Palms, Texas de Brazil, III Forks, Brio Tuscan Grille, and ROK:BRGR.

Zoo Miami, April 4 – 5 | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm 1 Zoo Boulevard (12400 S.W. 152 St), Miami General Admission Adult $17.95 Children (3-12) $13.95 It’s a magical day at Zoo Miami with continuous egg safaris, fun activities, the Easter Bunny and more for kids 12 and under, this year with an exciting Dino twist! And even more fun than hunting for eggs, is watching the animals hunt for their own treats. In honor of the holiday, the animals also get their special treats: the chimps and gorillas get hard-boiled Easter eggs, the African elephants get their coconut easter eggs, meerkats get painted treat boxes...

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OTHER NATURAL PRODUCTS THAT MAKE LOVELY DYES: Beet juice or beet powder, berries, coffee, grape and cranberry juices, lemon and orange peels, red cabbage leaves, tea, onion skins (red and yellow).

Natural Egg Dyeing Learn how to dye your Easter eggs naturally, using herbs, spices, and other natural products.

E

very year at Easter, people hardboil eggs and dye them brilliant colors. Natural ingredients like herbs and spices offer an endless variety of hues for dyeing eggs -- from the soft purple shades of hibiscus to the rich gold tones of turmeric. Dyeing with nature takes a bit more patience, and a bit more openness to whatever nature decides to deliver. But that’s what makes the activity such creative fun -- and the results so subtly stunning. There are two easy ways to dye eggs with natural dyestuffs. One is a hot method, which delivers the deepest colors; the other is cold. You might try each, or use them in combination.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO GET STARTED Mordant: Alum, cream of tartar, or white vinegar will help the colors

penetrate the eggshell. (Mordants aren’t necessary, but you’ll get better results if you use one. Include one tablespoon of mordant for each cup of water, and add it along with your herbs or other natural dyeing materials.)

Pots: Enamel or glass pots (not aluminum) are best.

Water: Use distilled water or water that is chlorine-filtered.

Eggs: White eggs will display the subtle, natural colors better than brown or green eggs.

Dyestuff: The more eggs you’re dyeing, the more dyestuff you’ll need. Have fun experimenting with herbs and spices to see what colors they impart, but here are some suggestions to get you started: Reddish blue/lavender: Hibiscus flowers Deep gold: Turmeric root powder Pale yellow: Safflower petals Pale orange: Curry powder Reddish brown: Chili powder Orange: Paprika Soft brown: Dill seed Tannish yellow: Yarrow

INGREDIENTS: Once you get the hang of dyeing naturally, you’ll work in panfuls and handfuls, but here are some guidelines to get you started: 4 cups water dyestuff (about 2 to 4 tablespoons of ground herbs and spices or 1 cup whole or cut and sifted) 1 tablespoon mordant (see above) 4 to 6 eggs, washed to remove any coating (Use raw for hot bath, hard-boiled for cold.)

HOT BATH DIRECTIONS Bring water, dyestuff, and mordant to a boil. Add eggs and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes, remove from heat, cover and let sit another 15 minutes or more, until desired color. (The longer you leave the eggs in the dye, the deeper the color.)

Remove eggs, gently rinse in lukewarm water, and let air dry.

COLD BATH DIRECTIONS Make a dyebath by bringing water, dyestuff, and mordant to a boil. Simmer the dyestuff until the water is deeply colored, anywhere from half an hour to a couple of hours. (Put a lid on the pot to prevent evaporation.) Strain the liquid and cool. Add hard-boiled eggs to the dye, and let soak until desired color is reached (overnight, in the refrigerator, if you like).

Source: Frontier Co-op™ , www.frontiercoop.com

natural awakenings

April 2015

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calendarofevents

To submit an event listing email: event date, name, brief description, location, cost and contact to calendar@namiami.com. For additional listings visit www.namiami.com.

APRIL 1 – MAY 10 Dinosaurs LIVE! at Zoo Miami - 22 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures to Zoo Miami. There is of course the T-Rex and the long-necked Brachisaurus, the freshly hatched dino babies and the big-winged flying specimens. All life-sized, animated with authentic sounds for a cool Jurassic experience for the family! 1 Zoo Boulevard, 12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, FL 33177, (305) 251-0400, Included with park entrance

SATURDAY, APRIL 4 Intro to MELT Workshop - 4-5:30 pm Experience the revolutionary self-care method everyone’s talking about! $45; $35 before April 1. Aum Home Shala, 3104 Florida Ave., Coconut Grove, FL 33133.

1-305-441-9441 Natural Facials Demonstrations & Consult. 4-5 pm. Proper care can improve your skin’s support, elasticity & shine. Free. Zenzations, 7520 SW 57th Ave. Suite K. South Miami 305-740-7800

THURSDAY, APRIL 9 Body Image & Wellbeing in Cancer Survivorship 7-8 pm. Psychologist Marta Manrique-Reichard we will discuss common body image challenges for women cancer survivors and explore ways to begin to change our attitudes towards more positive and healthy ways of appreciating our bodies. Patients/ Survivors and loved ones are welcome. Call 305668-5900. Cancer Support Community, 8609 South Dixie Highway, Miami.

is not easily defined. Come to learn how this can work in your daily life. $10.00, 305-598-2822, 12232 SW 132 CT, Miami FL 33186

APRIL 10 - 12 Miami Beach Gay Pride Festival – 101 - 7.

Free. A celebration of the extraordinary strength, beauty and contributions of South Florida’s LGBT community, and an exciting all-day event featuring a parade, a festival and an Expo with LGBTfriendly vendors and businesses, refreshments & food, and a family-friendly playzone on Ocean Drive, Miami Beach.. 1-863-272-9859

APRIL 11 - 12 Hands of Light Workshop with Laurie Keene, Dean of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing.

Saturday 10am-5pm & Sunday 9:30am-4:30pm.

Two-day workshop exploring the fundamentals of Brennan Healing Science. $275. Hyatt Regency Miami, 400 SE 2nd Ave. 561-620-8767

SUNDAY, APRIL 12 Family Fun Fest at Biscayne National Park – Free program at Biscayne National Park brought to you thanks to the many volunteers and park sponsors. It is held on the second Sunday of the month during the “dry and cool” season, December through April with lots of fun and educational activities for kids and adults alike. 1:00pm to 4:00 pm. Biscayne National Park - Dante Fascell Visitor Center, 9700 Sw 328th St, Homestead, FL 33033 · (305) 230-1144

SATURDAY, APRIL 11

APRIL 14 & 28

Workshop in Spanish Introduction to Metaphysics - 4pm - This is a traditional branch of philosophy concern with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world that encompasses it, although the term

Tibetan Institute and Library members are studying His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s «Commentary on the Thirty Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva», 6:30 - 7:45 p.m., South Miami Library, 6000 Sunset Drive, South Miami, FL 33143, contact 305-667-6121 or 305-271-2772.

Free and open to Public. Free parking at South Miami City Hall parking lot.

THURSDAY, APRIL 16 The Role of Stress Management in Cancer Survivorship 7-9 pm. Psychologist Maxine Hart-Weinstein will discuss the negative health impact of chronic stress in cancer survivors and will teach easy ways to develop and maintain a stress management routine. Call 305-668-5900.

Cancer Support Community, 8609 South Dixie Highway, Miami.

FRIDAY, APRIL 17 Free Lecture: Meditation: Awaken Your Inner Power - From the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, founder of Self-Realization Fellowship, 7:30pm, Broward Convention Center.

APRIL 18 - 19 Zoo Miami’s Earth Day celebration Party for the Planet - 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.- The Tropical Flowering Tree Society will be hosting the world’s largest flowering tree annual plant show and sale. There will also be fun “green” activities and entertainment for the entire family as well

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as animal enrichment with recycled items and/or natural materials like newspapers, cardboard tubes, bamboo, old tires, fire hoses & more. During Party for the Planet, guests can come in free of charge if they turn in a cellphone as part of our ECO-CELL phone recycling program. Not only will each person donating a cellphone enter the zoo for free on these two days, but they will also help save gorillas! Cell phones include coltan, a mineral extracted in the deep forests of Congo in central Africa, home to the world’s endangered lowland gorillas. Fueled by the worldwide cell phone boom, Congo’s out-of-control coltan mining business has in recent years led to a dramatic reduction of animal habitat and the rampant slaughter of great apes for the illegal bush-meat trade. By turning in your cell phone, we can hopefully reduce the need for additional coltan … and help protect the gorillas. Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, FL 33177. General zoo admission is $15.95 per adult and $11.95 per child (3-12), plus tax. (305) 251-0400, Children under two and zoo members enter free; parking is free.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18 Glow Yoga & Garden Gathering – Celebrate nature under the new moon at a nighttime yoga event with Crystal Gould and Terra-Nova. Live DJ’d class under black lights with meditation and crystal sound bowl healing. Local vendors and entertainment. Free to enter, $30 to glow. 2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach. 305-6737256 for tickets and info.

Functional Medicine and Hormonal Balance.

3:30-4:30 pm. George Samuel D.C. Free. Zenzations, 7520 SW 57th Ave. Suite K. South Miami 305-740-7800 Bach Flowers Demo 4:30-5:30 pm. Learn how to use natural flowers essence to restore emotional harmony. Dr. Enrique Rodriguez. In Spanish.

Free. Zenzations, 7520 SW 57th Ave. Suite K. South Miami 305-740-7800

SUNDAY, APRIL 19 Walk Now for Autism Speaks - is a fun-filled, family friendly event and is our single most powerful force to fund vital research that will lead us to the answers we need. Experience the power of thousands united by a single cause by joining Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder in the U.S Registration and Resource Fair: 8:00am Walk begins: 10:00am, 3000 NW 87th Ave, Doral, FL JC Bermudez Park

APRIL 25 – MAY 3 AUM Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training - Weekends, 10 – 6 each day - Level I. Learn how to safely and effectively bring the gifts of yoga to mothers-to-be. $725; payment plan available. Aum Home Shala, 3104 Florida Ave.,Coconut Grove, FL 33133. 1-305-441-9441,

SUNDAY, APRIL 26 AIDS Walk Miami- A 5K (3.1 mile) walka-thon fundraiser benefiting Care Resource, South Florida’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS organization. No fee to join. Registration begins at 8am, race begins at 9am. Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive. Contact 305-576-1234.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30 My Vida Spa Grand Reopening Celebration Come Celebrate with us - Enjoy music, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, chair massages, and an introduction to the spa’s expanded services. Every guest will leave with a My Vida Spa gift bag filled with gift certificates and product samples. 6 – 9pm. 5901 SW 74th St, South Miami, 305.663.1402. By invitation only. Please RSVP.

floridakeys SUNDAY, APRIL 5 Monthly Artisan Market -- Mote Marine Ocean Festival edition. The Key West Artisan Market is a vibrant, open air bazaar filled with artists, authors, chef-made cuisine, craftspeople, performers, fresh produce, baked goods, cheeses and flowers, craft beer & wine from residents representing the diversity of creativity, ingenuity and locally made products of the Keys & Key West. Held the first Sunday of the month, during season (thru May) outdoors at the Restaurant Store, 1111 Eaton. Free family & pet friendly event. Sean Krikorian 573-619-2200

MONDAY, APRIL 6 Key West Yoga Sanctuary - 5:45p-7p - Intro to poses and techniques to make yoga a part of daily life. My Body Concierge Club 1130 Duval St, Key West. Call Eric 305-842-1320

MONDAY, APRIL 13 Taste of Key West - 6-9pm. More than 50 local restaurants and 100 wineries and vineyards will be on hand to provide culinary delights and fine wine

tastes. Admission is free, food and wine tickets cost $1 each with tastes ranging from $3 -$8. Truman Waterfront, at the end of Southard St. Free Entrance.

Benefits AIDS. Contact 305-296-6196.

MONDAY, APRIL 20 Saladmasters Party - 5:45p-7p - Great tasting, low calorie, heart healthy meals with chicken, mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables & health salad. My Body Concierge Club,910 16th Terrace, Key West. Call Eric 305-842-1320

APRIL 17 - 26 Conch Republic Independence Celebration With activities ranging from wacky bed race to a lighthearted sea battle featuring tall ships, the Conch Republic’s 10-day birthday party showcases the independent and eccentric spirit that characterizes the Florida Keys. 305-296-0213

APRIL 20 - 27 Key Largo Conch Republic Days - An independence celebration presented by Upper Keys Business Group, the week-long family fun event is to showcase the unique historical and cultural characteristics of Key Largo. Visit web site for schedule of events. 305-394-0205

SATURDAY, APRIL 25 Free Outdoor Pops-in-the-Park, Young Musicians Concert - A free concert at the Capital Bank Amphitheater at Islamorada’s Founders Park, Bayside, MM 87, Plantation Key. Performances are outdoors; no chairs provided, bring blankets. Starts at 4 p.m. Admission free for all concerts. Presented

by Keys Community Concert Band. 305-853-7294

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Natural Awakenings recently won the prestigious FBR50 Franchise Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business Review. To learn more visit: franchisebusinessreview.com

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For more information visit our website NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/mymagazine or call 239-530-1377

natural awakenings

April 2015

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classifieds

ongoingevents

2 listings Max.•$1.50 per word •3 month’s min. required • mail to advertising@namiami.com, then call with CC #, Restrictions apply. Refer to pg 4 for address/information or visit www.namiami.com.

NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email NAcalendar@naturalawakeningsmag. com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please. Or visit swfl.naturalawakeningsmag.com/advertising to submit online.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN OR RENT AT OUR MULTI-SPECIALTY HOLISTIC CENTER IN SOUTH MIAMI. Ideal for acupuncturist, nutritionist, or mental health providers. Located near Sunset Place with free parking. Send your information to holistichealthmiami@gmail.com FRANCHISE FOR SALE- Miami-Dade and Florida Keys (English and Spanish) Magazine is for Sale. Owner retiring after 12 successful years!

Established, well organized and run business with lots of potential for further growth. Call 305-5983315 and schedule a phone interview.

FOR SALE

sunday Shiva’s Circle of Fire: Yoga and Meditation in Motion. 3:00pm - 5:00pm. 1760 NE 144th St, North Miami, FL 33181. Call to schedule. 305.710.0516.

Donation only.

Women Only – Free Chi gong for cancer survivors and voice lessons for healing and empowerment.

2:30 - 4:30, N & S Miami locations. Call 305948-6878 Dharma Meetings – 2pm. Tibetan Buddhist Dharma Center 3239 West Trade Ave. Unit 10, Coconut Grove. FREE. 305-775-7541.

MASSAGE TABLE WITH HEAD REST: $500 OBO. Like New. Only used a handful of times for Reiki. Call Natural Awakenings 305-598-3315, leave email and we’ll send you a picture/details.

Family Fundays at Fairchild- 9:30am-5pm.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden 1st Sunday of the month 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables.

305-667-1651.

FARMHOUSE TABLES & BENCHES CUSTOM BUILT–call or text 305-972-0038.

Jazzercise® - $5. 10am. South Miami Community Center 5800 SW 66 St. Call Cathie 305-666-5457.

FOR RENT

Miami Center for Spiritual Living- 10:30amFree. Non-denominational spiritual message. 2490 Coral Way, Miami, 786-206-6355.

AMAZINGLY SPACIOUS ROOM FOR RENT AT THE STRESS MANAGEMENT - Clinic. Centrally located in Miami, near the Sunset Place. A holistic oasis is perfect for, a holistic practitioner, massage therapists, healers, esthetician, psychologist, etc. The room is 16 ft x 17 ft., joins two waiting rooms, has wood floors, a bathroom & includes: refrigerator, microwave, & filtered water, $675.00 a month. For viewing and more information. Call or text: 305-431-2830 or elenavk@comcast.net.

EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN OR RENT AT OUR MULTI-specialty holistic center in South Miami. Ideal for acupuncturist, chiropractic, nutritionist, or mental health providers. Yoga teachers also needed. Located near Sunset Place with free parking. Please reply to holistichealthmiami@gmail.com

HELP WANTED PART TIME ADVERTISING SALES POSITION. - Natural Awakenings Miami/Florida Keys is seeking positive professionals who enjoy working with people and would like to earn extra income. Ideal candidate will be self-motivated and enjoy working independently. Phone and outbound sales. MUST have sales experience.

Must have, own computer with internet access and phone. High Commission income based on actual ad sales. Call to find out more: 305598-3315.

PART TIME FRONT DESK POSITION Small yoga studio different hours available.

MindBody experience. Located near Sunset Place.

Please reply to info@yogamiamijustom.com

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Miami-Dade/Florida Keys

Sunday Services at SOUL Church – 11am at the SOUL Service at the Elks Lodge, 6304 SW 78th St in South Miami. Free pot-luck lunch. 305-221-6516.

monday Garden Yoga – Hatha yoga class themed around horticulture tidbits with Terra-Nova (RYT) in the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach. 6:30 p.m. $10 suggested donation. 305-673-7256 Expressions Performing Arts offering Ballet 4Pointe - for Teens, $15 per class and class time 6-7:15pm, at the Miami Beach JCC 4221 Pine Tree Drive-786-512-8783 Massage Relief for Combat Veterans - 50% off therapeutic massages for our combat service personnel. Call 305-351-0819. Shala Spa 1119 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach.

Military Mondays at Hirooka’s - 50% off Kitesurfing or Paddleboarding for all Military and Public Service Personnel - Hirooka Surf & Sport, 2377 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL. 954-444-3942 Ballroom Dance w/Lessons- $2donation.

7-9:30pm. (lessons from 7:30-8) St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church, 7410 SW 72 St. For more info: 305-667-7715.

Course in Miracles - 8pm. Free. 7855 SW Coral Way. Contact Mercedes 786-200-8410 or Nimia 305-261-3190.

www.namiami.com

Bereavement & Grief Support- 7pm, during school year. Children’s Bereavement Center, 7600 S. Red Rd, Suite 307. To register: 305-668-4902.

Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)Bilingual Support group. 305-666-1778.

Self-Defense for Women classes- Free. Also Wed. 7:15 – 8:30 pm at Bayfront park in downtown Miami. 305-358-7550

tuesday Kripalu Yoga with Kevin O’Brien. - 10:30-12:00 PM- 7520 SW 57th Ave. Suite K, South Miami 33143. For more info call 305-788-0777 Are you a VET living with PTSD? If so, call Banyan Holistic Healthcare Center for help, Miami Lakes or Pinecrest location. Call now to schedule, (305) 663-5696.

Yoga at Earth ‘N Us Farm - : 6:15 p.m. $10. 7630 NE 1 Ave. Miami. Contact Leslie: 786-282-3000.

Laughter Yoga Sessions - $5.00 each - 9:30-10:15 AM, North Shore Youth Center 501 72nd Street, Miami Beach 33141, 305-861-3616.

Yoga for Beginners – 7-9pm. $15. Acupuncture & Massage College, 10506 N. Kendall Dr. 305595-9500.

Iyengar Yoga class with Liora Haymann. 7:158:30 a.m. - $18 drop-ins/$75 for a 5-class series.

Aum Home Shala, 3104 Florida Ave., Coconut Grove, FL 33133. 1-305-441-9441 Yoga and Qigong for Seniors - 11am -12:30pm.

Acupuncture & Massage College, 10506 N. Kendall Dr. 305-595-9500. $15.

wednesday Free Meditation - 1:15pm. Acupuncture and Massage College. 10506 N Kendall Dr, Miami, FL 33176.

You must check in at the front desk. For more information please call 305-595-9500 Garden Yoga – Relaxing and rejuvenating hatha yoga with Terra-Nova, RYT in the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach. 12:30 p.m. $10 donation. 305-6737256.

Guided Meditation - All levels welcome- 7 pmDonations-3390 Mary Street Suite 116, Coconut Grove- Please RSVP 305-607-8627 Kripalu Yoga & Meditation for Beginners. 7:008:30pm - $20 or discount pkg. First class Free. Kevin O’Brien Wellness, 7520 Red Road, Suite K, South Miami, 33143 Tel 305-788-0777

Aromatherapy Workshop – 6PM – Free. For reservations, 305 598-2822. American Apothecary of Kendall 12232 SW 132 Court, Miami FL 33186.

Free Children’s Art Camp - Ages 6 and up, in the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach. 10 am-1 pm. Call 305673-7256 to register.

Connected Warriors - Free Yoga Classes for Veterans and Families of Veterans - 3pm at Brickell Hot Yoga 301 SW 17th Road, 33129 305-856-1387.

Free orientations for PTSD and pain relief with discount services for military or vets. The Banyan Holistic Please call 305-663-5696 to schedule Free Veterans Sailing – with Team Paradise, the Paralympic Sport Club of Miami. 12 – 12pm Team Paradise Sailing, Inc. 2620 S. Bayshore Drive, Miami 33133. 305-776-8778.

Rev Nicole, a Master Healer, can assist you in dealing with and resolving:

Yoga and Meditation Class-7-8:30pm. Free. West Dade Regional Library, 9445 Coral Way. RSVP Lawrence 305-926-3578.

Relationship Issues Stress, Anxiety & Fear Physical, Mental & Emotional Abuse Past Life Issues • Health Issues Spiritual Counseling

Healing Meditation – 6pm – American Apothecary, $5, 12232 SW 132 CT. Miami, FL 33186, 305-598-2822

thursday Introduction to Bach Flowers - 3rd Thursdays - 10 am-11:30 am - Free - 3390 Mary Street Suite 116, Coconut Grove- Please RSVP 305607-8627

Hatha Yoga – 6-7:30pm – Free - King David Foundation, 17971 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, FL Suite #117. Bennett - 305-949-0950.

Nutrition Solutions for IBS, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis & Migraines - $15, 7-8PM, Coral Gables, Alison Grewal, RD: 786-546-6800.

Healing With Dance - South Miami Hospital for physical limitations from illness/surgery. No dance experience necessary. 9:30-10:30am. $5.

786-662-8106.

Crystal Healing and Energy Healing

Meditation for overall well-being- 7:30- 9pm.

8150 SW 92 St, Miami. 786-556-7318. Donation.

Drub-Dhe Meditation- 7:25-9:30pm. Freedonations are welcome. Regency House 353 West 47th St., Flat 7A, Miami Beach. Contact: Robert Phuntsog Ngo-drub 305-213-2577.

Free Acupuncture for Combat Veterans – 1-2pm, Acupuncture Center for Wellness, Inc., 16663 NE 19 Avenue, Suite 111, North Miami Beach, Fl. 33162, (305) 940-7763.

Live Your Life To the Fullest Using

Jazzercise® - $5. M&W 6:30pm. South Miami Community Center 5800 SW 66 St. Ongoing classes available all week. Call Cathie 305-6665457.

Weekly Yoga Classes $10 per Class! - 5:306:45pm Five Sisters…a spiritual journey. 8805 SW 132 ST, 786-250-4170 Postpartum Yoga at Key Biscayne, 10:15 - $20, 305-299-7826 Laughter Yoga Sessions - $5.00 each - 9:30-10:15 AM, North Shore Youth Center 501 72nd Street, Miami Beach 33141, 305-861-3616

February 2015

Connecting you with your Higher Self, Guardian Angel

WELLSPRING OF HEALING Palmetto Bay Centre 15715 South Dixie HWY Suite 335 MIAMI • FL 33157 Call now for an appointment with Nicole at 305 234 3177 • 305 343 4811 (cell)

January 2013

START YOUR YEAR OFF WITH A DETOX!!!

IV VITAMINS MYERS COCKTAIL- chronic fatigue, depression, asthma, muscle spasm, migraines GLUTATHIONE - for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Liver disease, detox MILD & HIGH DOSE VITAMIN C- wellness and cancer IV CHELATION – for removal of heavy metals and cardiovascular disorders B-12 – Boost energy & Increase metabolism

Hyperbaric o2 Therapy (%100 Pure o2)

Detox 5 Hyperbarics and 2 Glutathione treatments for $675.00 limit of one per person

HCG Diets – Medically Supervised

8337 NW 12 ST STE 101 - DORAL, FL 33126

305-594-1246

WWW.HYPERBARICSOFSOUTHFL.COM natural awakenings

April 2015

57

Overeaters Anonymous - Beginner Meeting - 7:30 pm Riviera Presbyterian Church 5275 Sunset Dr., Coral Gables, FL 33143

friday Monthly Free Reiki Healing Circle - 2nd Friday of the month at Five Sisters…a spiritual journey, 8805 SW 132 ST, 786-250-4170 Chair massage – 5-9pm - Enjoy 5 minute complementary chair massage every Friday Pecan’s Day Spa, 305-284-8636, 7800 SW 57th Ave Suite 120, Miami, FL 33143.

Free Acupuncture for Combat Veterans – 1-2pm, Acupuncture for Wellness Center, Inc., 7550 SW Rebuild A Miami, FL 33143, 57th Avenue, Suite 116, South 305-669-6699.

Cleanse your Colon for Better Health!

Dharma Meetings – 8pm. Tibetan Buddhist Dharma Center 3239 West Trade Ave., Unit 10, Coconut Grove. FREE. 305-775-7541.

Colon Irrigation Family Night- 3rd Friday of the month. 3-9pm.

Free admission & parking. Miami Children’s with disposables 1980 Museum, Since 980 Macarthur Cswy. 305-373-5437.

Safe & Effective

Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) - Free jazz concerts on the last Fri. Joan Lehman Building, 770 Forida Licensed Massage Therapist #3296 NE 125 St. 305-893-6211.

DOT FLEISHER, L.M.T, L.C.T

Past Chairman Florida Board of Massage

Coral Gables Art Walk – An art walk centered Increase Energy, around downtown Coral Gables, with all the galleries Improve Digestion, between Miracle Mile and Ponce de Leon Rd. Free trolly transportation.

Stimulate Weight Loss,

Detoxify & Alkalize your Blood

saturday

641 N.E. 57th St., Miami 33137 Near Biscayne Blvd & 57th Street

(305) 374-8240

Yoga Therapy for 50+ - 10am-11:15am - 1760 N.E. 144th St, North Miami, FL 33181. Call to www.dotfl eishermiamicolonics.com schedule.

305.710.0516. $10.00 Donation.

Intermediate Iyengar Series 8:30am to 10:30am.

Experienced practitioners only, with Katrin Loveland. $29 per class. Prana Yoga, 247 Malaga Ave, Miami, 305 567 9812.

Yoga with Drishti- 9:00 am - at Biscayne Park Recreation Center, 11400 NE 9th Court. 305-3357618.

Mothers and Babies Group - for new moms, their babies and expecting mothers. Free. 1-3 p.m.

Healthy Start, Gato Bldg, 1100 Simonton St., Key West. 1-305-293-7516 or 1-305-293-7511.

Lincoln Road Art Walk- 1st Sat. of the month.

7-10pm. 40+ local artists, museums and galleries in South Beach. ArtCenter/South Florida 800, 810 & 924 Lincoln Road. 305-674-8278.

Meditation- Free. 7pm. Unity Church, 9591 Overseas Highway, Marathon.

Open House/Exhibitions – 2nd Sat. Meet ArtSouth studio artists & staff. Free. Refreshments. 240 North Krome Ave. 305-247-9406.

Miami Art Museum - 1pm. Free. 2nd Sat. 101 West Flagler St. 305-375-3000.

Yoga-Style* Exercise, Prenatal - South Miami Hospital. 10:45 am-12:15 p.m. and 5:30-7pm. $10.

786-662-8106.

floridakeys sunday Big Pine Key Flea Market- 8am. South of the only traffic light in town on U.S. 1.

Since

1980

with disposables Safe & Effective

DOT FLEISHER, L.M.T, L.C.T

Forida Licensed Massage Therapist #3296 Past Chairman Florida Board of Massage

Increase Energy, Improve Digestion, Stimulate Weight Loss, Detoxify & Alkalize your Blood

641 N.E. 57th St., Miami 33137 Near Biscayne Blvd & 57th Street

(305) 374-8240

www.dotfleishermiamicolonics.com

Rebuild b - Keys Miami-Dade/Florida pantone 662 U

wednesday Ancient Indian Meditation - 6:30-8:30pm. 1-305292-6958.

Belly Dancing Class - $10. 7:30pm. All levels welcome.

Tai Chi for Inner Harmony - 9:30-11am on Sugarloaf Key. Call Lydia at 1-305-745-2811.

Movies at The Spiritual Garden - Spiritual up lifting movies. 1st and 3rd Sun. 7pm. Good will offering is $5. Unitarian Universalist fellowship 801 Georgia St. 1-305-394-2005.

thursday

Nightly Sunset Celebration - Free. Enjoy a spectacular sunset entertained by the various carnival performers and vendors. Mallory Square, Key West.

1-305-292-7700.

monday

Buddhist Study Group - 7:30-8:30pm at Key Largo Yoga. Everyone welcome. Free, but donations to Keys To Peace welcome. Key Largo Yoga, Suite #9, 99198 Overseas Hwy. Cardio-Sculpting Class 8:30-9:20am. Pirate Wellness Center, MM21.4 Cudjoe Key. 1-305744-3348 Aerobic Dance - 1-1:55pm. CoffeMill Dance. 916 Pohalski St. 1-305-296-9982.

Yoga/Meditation – 8am. $7 Key Largo Community Park, MM 100 ocean side. 1-305-853-1003.

tuesday

Free Guided Relaxation Class - 7 -8 PM at Islamorada Fitness MM 85.9 bayside. Bring a towel or exercise mat and a pillow. (Sponsored by Keys To Peace. 305-619-0534.

Available Weekends

58

Water Wellness Program- 8am. $5. Yoga, Pilates and Meditation. MM 92 Oceanside. 1-305-3931162.

Family Swim YMCA. 2-4pm. $3 Adults, $2 Kids.

FKCC swimming pool. 1-305-295-9622.

Colon Irrigation

Tai Chi – 7pm. $15. Coffee Mill Dance and Yoga Studio, 916 Pohalski St, Key West, 1-305-2969982; 1-305-735-3519.

Toddler Playtime Stories- Ages 10 months to 2 years and their caregivers. Free. 10:30am12:30pm. Key West Library, 700 Fleming Street, Key West. 1-305-292-3595.

Available Weekends

Cleanse your Colon for Better Health!

Stories for Children - 10:30am. Key Largo Library, 101485 US1. 1-305-451-2396. Also Thur, 10:30am, Stories for children ages 2 ½ -6.

www.namiami.com

Water Wellness Program - 8am. $5. Yoga, Pilates and Meditation. MM 92 Oceanside. 1-305-3931162.

friday Salsa Dance Lessons- 7:30-9pm. Paradise Health & Fitness. 1796 N.Roosevelt Blvd. 1-305-2966348.

saturday Family Hour- Special programs for children of all ages. Free. 1pm. Key West Library, 700 Fleming St, Key West. 1-305-292-3595.

Story Hour - ages 5 years & up. 10:30-11:30am.

Games & stories. Marathon Library, 3251 Overseas Hwy. 1-305-743-5156.

Key West WPA Walking Tour – Old Town Key West. 10am. $20. 1-305-296-3573.

Yoga/Meditation – 8:30am. $7 Key Largo Community Park, MM100 Oceanside. 1-305853-1003.

SOLUTIONS PHARMACY Specialty Compound Pharmacy & Natural Healing Store

Driven by Health

$5 OFF Prescription Transfer

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy • Homeopathy Organic Seeds & Green Superfoods • Crystals Bach Remedies • Gourmet Teas & Bulk Herbs Ear Candles • Natural Vitamins & Cosmetics Highest Quality on the Market Certified Naturopathic Doctor on Staff by Appointment only

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17036 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach • 305-945-8977 Fax:305-947-7725 • www.solutionspharmacyrx.com natural awakenings

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communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email advertising3@namiami.com to request our media kit.

EILEEN R. YASBIN

ACUPUNCTURE

Attorney at Law 16211 NE 12th Ct., N. Miami Beach 305-945-0108, 305 944-7233, Fax

HUI SHAO, AP. MD(CHINA)

3310 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Ste 250 www.AcupunctureInMiami.com 305-461-4046

Traditional Chinese acupuncture by doctor graduated from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. We provide supportive therapies: Natural Herbs, Massage therapy, Reflexology. Auto accident, workers’ comp and some health insurance accepted.

Practicing in the area of Probate, Guardianship, Social Security, Wills and Trust, and Real Estate.

Mediation and Collaborative Divorce Coral Gables & Palmetto Bay 305.235.0537 zelonkerlaw.com

When Family Matters...The divorce process does not have to destroy your children, finances, relationships, self-esteem, and future. Other areas: Prenuptial Agreements and Cooperative Divorce. Florida Supreme Court Family and Civil Mediator.

Caroline Faxas, AP, Dipl Ac (NCCAOM) 110 N Federal Hwy #204, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 888-321-0661 www.305acupuncture.com

WANDA CINTRON A.P.

COACHING VIBRANCE MATTERS!

Linda Greenfield BS MS AP 305-969-4748 www.VibranceMatters.com

Insightful Coaching for Personal Growth & Spiritual Healing, as well as Mind-Body & Energy Healing Approaches for: Allergies, Chronic Pain & Dis-Ease, Smoking Cessation, Stress, & Weight Loss for Vibrant Well Being & Wellness. See ad, page 27.

Acupuncture Physician 717 Ponce De Leon Blvd. Ste #325 305-445-4494

Want to Feel Your best? The Benefits Of Acupuncture is the solution. Soothing, Peaceful atmosphere to help you reach your best. Some Health Plans accepted.

ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING SERVICES

ATTORNEYS

FENG SHUI CLEANING SERVICES

ANGIE ANGELIS LAW

Attorney at Law 13554 SW 47th Lane, Suite 100 Miami, FL 33175 305-598-2540, Miami Areas of Practice:

786-477-1641 www.fengshuicleaning.com

Foreclosure protection/defense, loan modifications, short sales, real estate contracts, buyer/seller representation, title closing agent, wills, probate, real estate litigation, consumer law, traffic matters, disputes, debt settlement.

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Miami-Dade/Florida Keys

ERIC ELLOIE, THE BODY CONCIERGE

Key West, FL 305-8420-1320 www.TheBodyConcierge.com

A fresh start begins with your personal Body Concierge. Achieve weight loss, boost energy, heal damaged or aging skin, and improve overall health. Call to schedule a free consultation.

REGINA F. ZELONKER, P.A.

OM HOLISTIC WELLNESS

OM Holistic Wellness offers acupuncture, herbal therapy, food therapy, auriculotherapy, acupuncture injection therapy, homeopathy, essential oil therapy and other holistic healing modalities to help you regain and maintain wellness.

HEALTH COACH

Call for Free Estimate.

www.namiami.com

Using Eco-friendly products & HEPA filtration vacuums, our professionally trained staff will thoroughly rid your home of dust, dirt and contaminants until it’s sparkling clean!

HOLISTIC BEAUTY NERIUM AGE-DEFYING BEAUTY

Kathy Lilly-Whelan 786-424-2468 www.KatWhelan.TheNeriumLook.com

Nerium Age-Defying products are rooted in nature with ingredients clinically proven to quickly help the skin appear more youthful and tight (33% more improvement for most clients in less than a month) - less wrinkles, sagging skin, cellulite, age spots, pimples, etc) See ad, page 61..

HOLISTIC CENTER ZENZATIONS HOLISTIC CENTER

7520 SW 57th Ave. Suite K www.zenzations.com 305-740-7800

Heal, relax and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit through diverse alternative therapies. Holistic chiropractic, therapeutic massages, facials, detox and more. Call or visit us today to find about our specials. See ad, page 9.

HOLISTIC HEALING HYPNOSIS CATHERINE PATRICK

Holistic Healer, Coach & Hypnotist (786) 2779835 www.theurbangoddess.org

Heal your Self and create an extraordinary life with coaching, hypnosis, Pranic healing & guided imagery. Release stress, negative emotions, energetic blocks & behaviors to feel free, cleansed & uplifted.

HOLISTIC PHYSICAL THERAPY MINSU HEALING OASIS

260 Palermo Ave Ste 1 305-455-6190 www.minsuhealingoasis.com

Minsu’s Healing Oasis, a holistic physical therapy practice, dedicated to eliminating your back and neck pain. We combine Energy Medicine with traditional physical therapy and CranioSacral therapy to help you live pain free!

HOLISTIC PSYCHOLOGY COUNSELING DANIEL R. MESCH, L.M.H.C.

975 41st St., Ste 303, Miami Beach 10300 Sunset Drive, Suite 460, Miami 305-672-0588

Dr. Mesch provides psychotherapy services including hypnosis and regression therapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups. Call to participate in our regression group. We provide services in Spanish, English and Hebrew. See ad, page 30.

PATRICIA MUNHALL,EDD, PSYA, CST, CLC http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/104719

www.miamitherapy.com 305-461-2459-Miami Shores

Voted “Best of” Psychotherapists

by Family, Health and Counseling Magazine and “Best” Psychotherapist by the Coral Gables Gazette. Dr. Munhall counsels individuals, couples and families using a psychodynamic approach to help you obtain your goals and resolve conflicts, anxiety, depression and other problems.

Continued on page 62.

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Made with certified-organic, non-GMO, Paleo profile ingredients, Natural Awakenings Green Powder supplement nourishes and strengthens every system in your body, resulting in:

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ShopNaturalAwakenings.com or call: 888-822-0246

natural awakenings

April 2015

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WOMEN LEAD THE WAY

HOLISTIC WELLNESS LIFECOACH KEVIN O’BRIEN WELLNESS 7520 SW 57th Ave. Suite K 305-788-0777 www.kevinobrienwellness.com

Align your Mind, & Body, create a life you love using Integrative Therapies to promote physical wellbeing, peace of mind and personal fulfillment. Holistic Life Coaching, Transformational Workshops, Kripalu Yoga & Therapeutic Bodywork.

HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE

PAST-LIFE REGRESSION LATA SONPAL, PH. D., FCHT., PA

Past Life Regression & Progression 7700 N. Kendall Dr., # 404, Miami 9999 NE 2nd Ave., # 100, Mia Shores 305-271-2772, www.DrSonpal.com

Dr. Sonpal, Licensed Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy, trained by and worked for Dr. Brian Weiss (Many Lives Many Masters) at the Weiss Institute for seven years. She provides psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, inclusive of Past Life Regression and Progression, to all age groups. See ad, pages 13.

REGINA GUREVICH, MD

1045 95th Street BaL Harbour FL C:917-291-0830 O:786-520-7381 website:medicalhomeopathy.webs.com

Dr. Regina Gurevich, MD has been practicing homeopathy since 1985.

Homeopathy focuses on treating the individual and not their diagnosis, to help people who suffer from different mental emotional and physical disorders, using medications that don’t expose them to significant side effects.

HYPNOTHERAPY ALICIA C. MEDINA, C.HT., M.CH 11110 SW N.Kendall Drive Ste 200 305-582-6347 acmk.hypnosis@yahoo.com

Behavior modification using guided visualization/diaphragmatic breathing exercises. Learn to navigate stress in your life.

Unblock self-limiting beliefs. Quit smoking/Lose weight program.

Goal oriented.

Advertise in

Natural Awakenings’ May Women’s Health Issue

MEDITATION MEDITATION AND REIKI MIAMI Peggy Gaines, RN BSN 305 609 4433 www.meditationandreiki.com

Learn the basics of meditation and reiki, center yourself and quiet your mind, Reap tremendous benefits including greater relaxation, less anxiety and maybe even a better night’s sleep. See ad, page 27.

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

305-598-3315 62

Miami-Dade/Florida Keys

www.namiami.com

SEX THERAPY PATRICIA MUNHALL, EDD, PSYA, CST, CLC

therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/104719 www.miamitherapy.com

305-461-2459-Miami Shores

Dr. Munhall brings her extensive experience of psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, and couple therapy to you also as a Certified Sex Therapist. Sex therapy may restore the connectedness in your relationship, with an emphasis on love and understanding as couples explore issues such as a lack of desire, trust issues, effects from aging, past sexual abuse, among other problems.

WORKSHOPS HEAL YOUR LIFE WORKSHOPS Linda Greenfield BS MS AP 305-969-4748 www.VibranceMatters.com/Events

Developed by Louise Hay from her best selling books, these powerful workshops guide you to insightful inner healing experiences. Linda Greenfield, Workshop Leader, is a certified & licensed Heal Your Life Teacher. See ad, page 27.

YOGA JUST OM YOGA STUDIO

7520 SW 57th Ave, Suite K, (305) 665-4982 www.justomyogastudio.com

New & unique studio offering various yoga styles, including Therapeutic and Suspension, for all ages and experience levels. The intimate, inviting setting is combined with kind & highly qualified yoga teachers committed to your personal physical improvement and spiritual growth. FREE Parking + Mat + Towel + Tea See ad. page 51.

Our Patients Love Us!

“Do you feel that way about your dentist?”

Holistic dentistry supports your choice to live a healthier, more natural, and less toxic life.

Fredda Rosenbaum DDS, PA

Holistic, General, Cosmetic, & Sedation Dentistry Licensed in Oral Conscious Sedation Se Habla Español In Office Financing Available

Services Offered: • • • •

Comprehensive Holistic Dentistry Mercury Free Office Zirconia and Titanium Implants IAOMT Protocol followed strictly for amalgam removal • Surgical Free Options for Periodontal Treatment • Distilled Water Lines Running Through Entire Office • Cosmetic Dentistry • Oral Conscious Sedation • VELscope (Laser Oral Cancer Detection)

Dr. Rosenbaum is a board certified biological dentist, an accredited member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology and the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine as well as a member of the Holistic Dentists Association.

2925 Aventura Blvd., Suite 201 Aventura, Florida 33180

One light South of Ives Dairy Rd. on Biscayne Blvd.

305-933-3350

www.aventurasedation.com natural awakenings

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Earn a Bachelor’s degree in

altERnativE MEdiCinE

COURsEs inClUdE:

Ranked in the top 30 Best Online Colleges TheBestSchools.org

• • • • •

The Herbal Medicine Chest Ayurvedic Medicine Herbology and Botany Traditional Chinese Medicine Introduction to Chiropractic

• • • •

Nutrition and Aging Antioxidants Naturopathy Manual Therapies: Massage, Reflexology, and Acupressure

Boca Raton Campus

1.888.772.6077 EvERgladEsUnivERsity.EdU 64

Miami-Dade/Florida Keys

www.namiami.com