August 2022 Natural Awakenings Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties CT

EE R F

HEALTHY

WELL-ROUNDED CHILDREN Practical Ways to Build 21st Century Skills

PLASTIC-FREE PICNICKING

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

TUNE INTO NATURE ON A SILENT HIKE

THE POWER OF POSITIVE WORDS

SPECIAL EDITION

Self-Empowerment August 2022 | Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties-Edition | eNaturalAwakenings.com August 2022

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203 TLC 203TLC is a community of accredited health and wellness providers offering a wide variety of services and products.

Founded in 1997 by Beth Leas, the TLC Tribe is Fairfield County’s largest holistic health resource -a vibrant and growing community of over 90 Members, committed to living consciously and offering healthy lifestyle opportunities.

We offer high quality private sessions, products, workshops, classes and resources designed to help you live life well.

VISIT US: www.203TLC.com • www.TribeTLC.com • FB: Tribe TLC • 203-856-9566 Breathwork & Spiritual Healing/Coaching Alexia Clonda, The Mind & Breathing Edge ThetaHealing & Mindset Coach. Helping women create healthy relationships and clear negative thought patterns. 20+ years experience.

Virtual & In Person • 607-319-9161 mindbreathingedge@gmail.com ThetaHealing.com/alexiaclonda

Energy Healing/Meditation/Tarot Beth Leas 25+ Years Experience Private Sessions, Workshops, Events In-person or by phone bethleas.com 203-856-9566

Life & Business Coach Jenn T Peterson, Wilton, CT Life & Business Coach with Horses and Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher. I help you release fear to market & sell your services. Virtual & In-Person.

Hello@JennTPeterson.com 917-340-1328

Salt Cave Salt Cave of Darien Salt therapy, massage, meditation, yoga & more!

555 Post Rd, Darien Info@SaltCaveofDarien.com SaltCaveofDarien.com 203-658-7667

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

Career Coach/Hypnotist Thea Litsios, Certified Career Coach & Hypnotist. Assisting you in creating your dream career. Learn how to use your intuition to guide you on your career path. thealitsios.com • 203-693-1493

Essential Oils Wayne Leiss, LMT, CAO Adventures in Connection. dōTERRA Essential Oils, Symphony of the Cells™ Applications and Massage Therapy 20 Fifth Ave, Apt A, Danbury Wayne@WayneLeiss.com WayneLeiss.com • 203-994-1207

Life Coach Diane Nicosia, MBA, ibalanceLLC Certified Coach & Reiki Master Teacher. Move forward toward your personal & business goals. In person or Zoom.

NicosiaDiane@gmail.com ibalanceuthrive.com 203-858-5848

Transformation Coaching/Healing Katie Augustyn, MA, CPC Transformation Coach, Shamanic Practitioner, Spiritual Evolution Trainer, Energy Healer, TV Host TransformationCenterCT.com 203-820-3800

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Energy Healing Gail Christie, Joyful Living Reiki Holy Fire Reiki Master, Private Reiki sessions, Reiki-infused meditations & Reiki certification classes Online, Stamford, CT, and Mt Kisco, NY • JoyfulLivingReiki.com 203-979-0918

Holistic Healing Spa Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness Halotherapy/Salt Therapy, Infrared Sauna, Reiki, Quantum Healing, Massage Therapy, Sound Healing, Yoga, Wellness + Crystal Shop. revivesalttherapy.com 374 New Haven Ave, Milford, CT 203-283-5968

Lyme Disease Healing Gregg Kirk, Lyme Recovery Clinic & Detox Center Heal from chronic illness through all-natural herbal treatments, intensive detox, cleanses & energy healing.

528 Post Rd, Darien Gregg.Kirk@gmail.com 203-858-9725

Monthly Networking Breakfast!

We meet on the first Tuesday of every month at Valencia Luncheria, 164 Main St, Norwalk, CT, from 8:30 -10:00a.m.

Come the first time as Beth’s guest!

Please RSVP to Beth Leas at: 203-856-9566 (call/text) or TLCBethLeas@ gmail.com so she can reserve your place.

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August 2022

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HCP

Holistic Community Professionals

Our professional team of holistic and natural businesses provides community outreach and education. We are committed to improving the health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit in the communities we serve.

Certified Intuitive Life Coach Elizabeth Raver, PhD Evidential Psychic-Medium, Loving Hearts Connections™ Facilitator, American Association of Psychics, Red Barn in Durham. Online & in person sessions.

Drlizmedium.com • Ravelizabeth516@gmail.com 203-400-9212

Dr. Nicole Klughers, ND, PharmD, MSAc Vis Wellness Center. Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncture Provider. Rocky Hill, CT & TeleMedicine Statewide • DrNicoleKlughers.com info@DrNicoleKlughers.com (234)2-ACU-DOC Reiki Teresa Murphy Costello, Reiki Master/Teacher Healing Touch Reiki Holistic Arts Center Reiki/IET/Animal Reiki/Yoga/Massage/Meditation Bee Well Ridgefield, CT • healingtouchreikillc.com healingtouchreikillc@gmail.com 914-320-5429 Universal White Time / Sound Healing Rev. Bradford W. Tilden, MM, CMT, UWT Certification courses in Universal White Time Healing & Gemstone Healing. Mentoring/healing sessions, Spiritual growth, Vocal toning info@crystalmusichealing.com https://linktr.ee/BradfordTilden • 860-830-5841

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See more holistic practitioners at: HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org To join the HCP contact Shirley R. Bloethe at: 860-255-8844

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

12 ASTROLOGY

14

FOR AUGUST

14 EMPOWERMENT LESSONS FROM HORSES

16 ANXIETY:

It’s Not What You Think

17 CHOOSING SELF-CARE

FOR GREATER SELF-EMPOWERMENT

18 GETTING UNSTUCK

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Changing Our Subconscious

Program Benefits the Next Generation

Naturopathic Physician

HCP

Contents

20 RAISING A

WELL-ROUNDED CHILD

Practical Ways to Build Lasting Life Skills

24 GEARING UP KIDS MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY FOR SCHOOL

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28 SUSTAINABLE

SHELLFISH

Superfood of the Sea

30 PREVENTING DOG DEMENTIA

Five Strategies to

Preserve Cognitive Health

DEPARTMENTS 7 news briefs 8 ad index 10 community

spotlight 23 inspiration 24 healthy kids 26 fit body

eNaturalAwakenings.com

27 green living 28 conscious eating 30 naturally

healthy pet 32 calendar 33 classifieds 35 resource guide

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 27 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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August 2022

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

FAIRFIELD & SOUTHERN LITCHFIELD COUNTIES Publisher Erica Mills Editor Michelle Bense Design & Production Kathleen Fellows Erica Mills Contributing Writers Susan Ahlstrom Alexa Lane Meg Reilly Sales & Marketing Shirley Bloethe Erica Mills Distribution Man in Motion LLC

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

letter from publisher

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hat is self-empowerment? This edition of Natural Awakenings is diving deep into the subject, full of articles by local professionals that will help you discover your own self-empowerment.

The journey to self-empowerment may start with choosing self-care (page 17) or reframing how we talk to ourselves (page 9). We can also learn a lot from horses (page 14), who are great experts in empowerment for a number of reasons that you’ve probably not thought about before.

For many kids and adults, the fall season can bring both excitement and anxiety as a new school year begins. Learn why we feel anxious, plus some tips for dealing, on page 16 in “Anxiety: It’s Not What Erica Mills You Think”. For more insight on helping children build lasting life skills, read “Raising A Well-Rounded Child” on page 20. Everyone parents differently, but we are always learning how to better show up for WELL-ROUNDED our kids, so they can thrive at school and at home.

TUNE INTO CHILDREN Practical Ways NATURE ON to Build 21st SILENT A On page 24, check out “Gearing Up Kids MenSkills Century HIKE PLASTIC-FREE tally and Physically for School”, which covers even PICNICKING more ways to help kids this month—from nutrition THE POWER OF POSITIVE WORDS for better focus, to supplements that support all kinds of mental and physical wellness.

SPECIAL EDITION It’s important at the end of the summer to t en Self-Empowerm remember to take time to slow down, enjoy the little moments and feel ready to tackle another school year—or simply the changing of seasons— with a fresh outlook.

In “Take a Silent Hike”, on page 26, learn some simple and eye-opening tips and games to better enjoy being out in nature—with all your senses. A hike can be meditative, as well as invigorating, and show you the world in whole new ways. Another fresh perspective in this edition comes from “Sustainable Shellfish” on page 28. Did you know that shellfish is the most sustainable protein on the planet? What a great reason to incorporate more into our diets!

Wishing you an empowered start to the fall season, whatever that may mean for you.

EE FR

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

ings.com eNaturalAwaken 1 August 2022 ld Counties-Edition |

& Southern Litchfie August 2022 | Fairfield

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ONLINE @eNaturalAwakenings.com SOOTHING SCENTS

Top Eight Essential Oils for Anxiety Relief

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MARK MINCOLLA

on the Healing Power of Our Superconsciousness

news briefs

‘Voice of the Spirit World’, Rosemary Altea, To Appear in Ridgefield

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ould you like the opportunity to talk to a loved one who has died? Would you like a message from a loved one that has died? The Angel Cooperative, in Ridgefield, will host world-renowned, New York Times best-selling author of The Eagle and the Rose, Rosemary Altea. This iconic international spiritual medium, healer and teacher will be appearing in a live, in-person event on August 27, from 10am to 1pm. She is known as “The Voice of the Spirit World”.

This three-hour workshop is open to all who want to connect with their higher selves, by tuning into their soul, and by learning to connect with the heartbeat of their soul, Rosemary Altea becoming more aware and in tune with all things spiritual.

With her spirit guide Grey Eagle, Altea will be connecting with loved ones in the spirit world, demonstrating spiritual mediumship. Altea has worked for over 40 years with her spirit guide, reaching millions everywhere. Also a speaker and consultant, Altea advises health professionals, business organizations, families and individuals. She supports families in grief.

This will be an intimate gathering. Cost is $125 per ticket.

Location: The Angel Cooperative, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. For more information about Rosemary Altea, visit RosemaryAltea.com. For more information and tickets, call 203-431-2959 or visit TheAngelCoop.com/workshops-and-free-events. See ad, page 22.

New Groups Open for Registration at Wolf Spirit Wellness

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olf Spirit Wellness, where mind, body and spirit connect, is offering new groups in Woodbury.

They will be opening registration for their new Parenting Group, Post-Bariatric Group and Making Friends Group.

The Parenting Group is facilitated by Kelly Martoni, BCBA and is designed to help parents who struggle with a balance of discipline and compassion. Martoni has over 20 years of experience working with children and adults with diverse needs.

The Post-Bariatric Group is geared toward individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery either in the past or in the present who are looking for assistance with meal plans, staying on track following surgery and support within the community. Facilitated

by Taylar Forte, who is a mental health clinician in addition to being a certified personal trainer/nutritionist.

The Making Friends Group is for boys between the ages of 7 and 12 who are looking to work on emotional regulation in a calm atmosphere, while having fun and making friends. The group is facilitated by clinicians Jake Aldi and Amanda Chrostowski, who both have extensive backgrounds working with children.

In addition, Wolf Spirit Wellness offers individual, couples, family and group counseling. They take most commercial insurance, EAP and Husky (Medicaid) and offer a sliding scale for those without insurance who qualify.

Location: 670 Main St S, Ste B2, Woodbury. For more information, call 203-263-3175 or visit WolfSpiritWellness.org. See ad, page 13.

August 2022

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display advertiser index

Photo by Luca Dugaro on Unsplash

203TLC Academy for Soul Healing AcuBlend/Dr. Sian James The Angel Cooperative/ Angel Wing Chamomille Natural Foods Copper Zap Dr. Michael Wald Final Journey LLC Hilda Demirjian Laser & Skin Care Holistic Community Professionals Haute Healing Oasis Hummingbird Sound Yoga Insight Counseling Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies KleinSleep The Market Natural Awakenings Westchester for Sale Nature’s Way Health Foods Nature’s Temptation New Morning Market Ojaya Meditation Optimal Health Medical/ Henry Sobo, MD Passport to Health & Wellness Holistic Expo Rewilding Families/ Kristy M. Vanacore Salon Aponte Sedona Art Soul Healing Journey Touch of Sedona We Are One/Connie Martin Whole Foods Wolf Spirit Wellness

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news briefs

Relaxing, Fun August Workshops at Sedona Art

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edona Art, in Ridgefield, is hosting several fun August workshops. The creative classes each have four spots available. Specific dates are still to be determined, so contact SedonaArt06877@ gmail.com if interested in attending any of the workshops.

The Painting Moonlight Workshop with Carleigh Fraley will be a meditative practice in intuitive landscape painting. Attendees will learn the simple tools to cultivate and create a freeing work of art.

Ages 11 and up.

The Pouring Art Workshop with Liz Frascella will be a meditative and relaxing setting to enjoy the movement of color. Attendees can relax, get creative and have a little escape from the outside world. Ages 18 and up.

The Markers with Music Workshop with Emily is a peaceful art space to draw intuitively with music. The music will guide attendees’ creativity and allow them to let go of the outcome. Ages 5 and up.

Meditate & Create with “Mark Rothko” and Lily is a special morning or evening meditation creative hour-and-a-half workshop in which attendees will create their own Mark Rothko style painting on a 6-by-6 panel. Ages 18 and up.

Both Sedona Art and its sister-store, Touch of Sedona, offer relaxed, friendly, local shopping experiences, featuring art supplies, inspiration, Native American art and jewelry, crystals, gifts and more. Touch of Sedona also hosts readings on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Locations: Sedona Art, 450 Main St, Ridgefield; Touch of Sedona, 452 Main St, Ridgefield.

For more information, email SedonaArt06877@gmail.com or visit SedonaArt.net.

See ad, page 25.

New Six-Week Course to Consciously Create the Life of Your Dreams

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re you ready to shift your limiting beliefs to empowering beliefs so you can consciously and intentionally create the life you want? Would you like to create more abundance, love, happiness, better relationships—whatever you desire—in your life?

Katie Augustyn and Michelle Giliberto will lead a new, six-week class to do just this. Class meets weekly in person in Fairfield County, and on Zoom, Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30pm, starting October 12. Space is limited, and early bird pricing is in effect until August 31.

“Whether you realize it or not, you are creating your entire reality—through your thoughts, beliefs and emotions. The good news is, you already have a lot of experience creating your reality because you are doing it right now. But life might feel like you are always reacting to undesirable external events and circumstances and are at the mercy of what happens to you,” explains Augustyn.

This course is designed to help participants cultivate and refine their conscious creation skills. They will learn the steps and have the tools to create that fulfilling, joyful life of their dreams. In these six weeks, using the wisdom and techniques in The Map: To Our Responsive Universe—Where Dreams Really Do Come True! by Boni Lonnsburry, Augustyn and Giliberto will guide participants step-by-step to intentionally create their reality with more ease, elegance and fun.

For more details and to register, visit TransformationCenterCT.com. See ad, page 2.

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

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Picture Yourself in a New Frame

cover artist

by Meg Reilly

My Ocean Production on Shutterstock

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magine lining up portraits of yourself on a shelf—one for each year of your life. There would probably be some that bring a story to mind very quickly.

That was the year I tried to learn to rollerblade and I fell and broke my wrist.

I knew then that I’d never be as athletic as my brother, and my whole family agreed.

Or: That was the year my middle school teacher embarrassed me when I did a whole presentation using the wrong word and she waited until I was done to call me out on it—in front of the whole class.

I’ve hated public speaking ever since and avoided leading meetings at any job I’ve ever had because of that day.

Or: That was the year my best friend betrayed me, and I learned never to trust anyone that way again.

So, when you look at the last portrait, who do you see? Is that the you that you created or is it the you that is a character in someone else’s story? Because we all have a story—actually many.

Our stories are what we tell ourselves about ourselves and believe without question.

But remember this: some of those stories aren’t accurate. They may have been invented or written by someone else and we just picked them up, finished the chapter and assumed what’s done is done. But that’s not all there is to it.

If you don’t like what you see in that last portrait, then reframe it. Once we realize the stories we have always told ourselves are flexible, we are free to define ourselves in whole new ways. At the end of the day, your life is a story that you wrote and can rewrite.

List some things that you believe about yourself but wish you could change. For instance, “I’m not athletic.” “I’m a terrible public speaker.” “You can’t trust your closest friends.”

Notice that these beliefs, these stories come from somewhere. It could be a formative moment, a passing remark or someone else’s harsh opinion passed on you during a bad day they were having. You didn’t always believe this about yourself, but something happened that was out of your control. Maybe it came at a time when you were young or powerless— a comment, an accident or random event—and you have hardened it into a so-called truth about yourself. Something you can’t change. Notice how disempowering a belief like that is.

Have you ever said, “That’s just the way I am”? What do you mean when you say that?

What are you suggesting about yourself? What if you reframe that portrait? You could say “That’s what I’ve learned.” Or, “I never learned to rollerblade.” Think about the words you use in your self-talk. You can always reframe language from negative to positive, or at least to what’s possible. There is a wide world of possibility between “I can’t” and “I never learned.”

Just picture it. Begin to revise, reframe, restore and picture yourself in a new story—one you write this time.

Meg Reilly writes a free, weekly letter on living with compassion for yourself and others.

Sign up at MegReilly360.com. She conducts workshops on contemplative self-care.

Connect at Lectio360.com.

With These Hands—Wonder Carol Allen Anfinsen

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hanks to Carol Allen Anfinsen’s grandfather, a former biologist and teacher; her uncle, a former professor of entomology at the University of California, Berkeley; and father, a fly fisherman of great renown, she has always been an environmentalist and lover of nature’s remarkable handiwork.

Anfinsen believes that spirit, voice and emotion resonate within all living things and even inanimate objects.

While painting, she envisions each entity speaking out to her and sometimes exaggerates color and movement so that others can share what her own inner life sees and feels.

Portraits are a favorite of the artist. “The slightest crinkle in a nose or twinkle in an eye can tell volumes about a person’s personality,” she says. “Faces are as varied as the flowers in springtime; as deep as the roots of a tree or the depths of an ocean.”

This sense of spiritual wonder permeates each of Anfinsen’s works.

“I believe art should uplift, inspire, educate and challenge the viewer’s mind, heart and soul,” she advises. “I hope viewers will experience awe and joy when they look at my paintings.”

View the artist’s portfolio at Carol-AllenAnfinsen.ArtistWebsites.com and visit her blog at AnfinsenArt.Blogspot.com.

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Stamford Hospital Receives National Recognition from the American Heart Association 11th Annual Health Wellness & Lifestyle Expo 2022 With Special Thanks to Stamford Health, Exclusive Healthcare Partner

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or the 11th consecutive year, Stamford Health is at the forefront of Connecticut’s largest health expo— the 11th Annual Health Wellness & Lifestyle Expo 2022, taking place September 10, from 10am to 6pm at Harbor Point Boardwalk, in Stamford.

As the Exclusive Healthcare Partner, Stamford Health continues to provide support to the HWL Expo, which has grown exponentially throughout the years, providing businesses in the health and wellness fields a platform to communicate with consumers and sell products and services, and an educational and enjoyable event for the general public to gain knowledge and inspiration to live their best life. The event is free.

Attendees can also look forward to visiting Stamford Health at the event for a variety of informative services, including programs from Sarner Health and Fitness Institute, stroke care led by Stamford Health’s Neurosciences, heart health and CPR instruction with the Heart and Vascular Team, and fun with the HAHAs, volunteer Health and Humor Associates who spread joy and laughter to patients of all ages.

In June 2022, Stamford Hospital received three American Heart Association (AHA) achievement awards, including the Mission: Lifeline NSTEMI Gold Award, Mission: Lifeline STEMI Gold Award, and the Get With The Guidelines Resuscitation Silver Award, recognizing Stamford Hospital’s commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for 10

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

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the treatment of heart disease and stroke, delivering care in line with the highest standards of quality and clinical best practices established by the American Heart Association, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.

“At Stamford Hospital, our interdisciplinary teams provide both emergent and routine cardiac care, while working collaboratively to deliver high-quality outcomes to our patients,” say David Hsi, M.D., FACC, FASE, Chief of Cardiology & Co-Director, Heart & Vascular Institute, and Scott Martin, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, Medical Director of Cardiac Cath Lab and Interventional Cardiology. “We are very proud of this recognition, which is a true testament to our staff ’s compassion, teamwork and dedication to patient safety.”

According to the AHA, coronary heart disease remains the leading cause of death on a global level. U.S. findings report that about 25 percent of adults do not engage in physical activity at all and American diets remain too high in calories, saturated fat, sodium and added sugars, and do not incorporate enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium and fiber. Recently, the AHA introduced “Healthy for Good”, a healthy living movement to inspire lasting change in your health and your life, one small step at a time. The approach is simple: Eat smart. Move more. Be well.

AHA recommends getting at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week. Spend less time sitting. Even light-intensity activity can offset some of the risks of being sedentary. Increase amount and

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photos by Alex Rosenfeld

community spotlight

intensity gradually over time. New dietary guidance emphasizes balance: It’s not all or nothing. “Balance” is the latest word on heart-healthy eating, according to a new report that encourages people to adapt broad eating habits instead of focusing on single foods—and it’s not one-size-fits-all.

The 11th Annual Health Wellness & Lifestyle Expo 2022 will address these heart health concentrations throughout the event with an exciting variety of exhibitors showcasing, educating and selling health and wellness products and services. A highlight

of the HWL Expo is the schedule of free and spirited fitness classes led by the area’s top fitness instructors, including the alwaysentertaining Billy Blanks, Jr. of Dance it Out, as seen on Lifetime Television.

Additional heart health exhibitors include Grade A ShopRite, Support Sponsor, who will offer express nutrition consultations with their registered dietitians, live healthy cooking demonstrations and a raffle to win a gift basket of Grade A ShopRite’s Bowl & Basket healthy foods. Also visit with Passport For Life Sponsor GoodCell

personal cell biobanking, In A Heartbeat CPR and AED specialists, Isagenix weight management and nutrition, Tea of Life medicinal herbal teas, author Dr. John P. Salerno of Dr. Salerno’s Silver Cloud Diet and Fight Fat with Fat, and many more.

For the most up-to-date list of participants and event activities and offerings at Health Wellness & Lifestyle Expo 2022, visit HWL-Expos.com. For more information about Stamford Health, visit StamfordHealth.org. See ad, back cover.

August 2022

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There is supportive energy to engage in balanced conversations and graceful communication. Be courageous, listen carefully, focus on truth and initiate conversation.

ASTROLOGY FOR AUGUST

by Alexa Lane

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Happy Birthday, Leo and Virgo!

he Sun is in the sign of Leo and will move into Virgo on August 24th. On August 2nd, Venus in Cancer is sextile Mars in Taurus, Uranus in Taurus and the North Node of the Moon in Taurus. The energy stimulates assertiveness toward developing loving, nurturing relationships that support individuality. Living in harmony with nature, engaging in body-mind therapies and listening to instinctual messages will support healing on a personal, local and global level.

Mars in Taurus will also trine Pluto in Capricorn on August 13th. Although intense situations involving competition and power may arise, pause before taking action, stand firm and maintain serenity. On August 27th, Mercury in Libra is trine Mars in Gemini.

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Leo Season Leo is a fixed fire sign ruled by the Sun and has a vibrant, passionate, generous and life-affirming energy. It inspires creative self-expression and performance.

Leo encourages individuals to courageously and joyously leave their mark on the world.

Leo season is a time to step into the spotlight.

Leo also motivates opening the portal of the heart and sharing the authentic self. It provides the courage to risk vulnerability and express the truth within the soul. By sharing from the heart, heart-centered connections will form with others. Leo’s energy is activated when the heart synchronizes with another person. Within these heart-centered exchanges, warm, loving energy emerges. A feedback loop of love flows in both directions. Venus moves into Leo on August 11th, offering support for building relationships on love, trust and mutual adoration.

To embody Leo’s energy, share original creative work, make a YouTube video, teach a workshop and express love.

Full Moon in Aquarius On August 11th, a Full Moon occurs at 19 degrees and 21 minutes in the air sign Aquarius at 9:35pm, EDT. Aquarius inspires individuation, freedom, innovation and the release of approval. Aquarius encourages individuals to walk a truthful path.

During this Full Moon, the Moon is conjunct Saturn in Aquarius. The energy supports embracing an independent spirit and creating more structure in life, which will allow for greater freedom. It’s a time to give form to soul callings and release limiting beliefs. Applying self-discipline will make original, brilliant ideas a reality. With all Full Moons, practice forgiveness and gratitude.

New Moon in Virgo On August 27th, a New Moon occurs at 4 degrees and 3 minutes in the earth sign Virgo at 4:17am, EDT. Virgo inspires mastering skills, service, precision and striving to attain the highest potential. The

Virgo New Moon is an excellent time for setting intentions to start a new business that serves others, begin a health routine or polish your current skills. To help manifest something new on the New Moon, write down a plan to achieve a goal. During meditation, feel the emotion of accomplishing the goal, express gratitude and release it to the universe.

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Here are some lessons we can learn from horses about empowerment.

Empowerment is about presence.

Jenn T Peterson with Master Teacher Two Socks

Horses are always in the present moment.

A horse is not worried about if her mane is shiny enough or if she’s liked among her herd mates. A horse is experiencing what is happening right now in the moment.

When we are in the presence of a horse, they bring us back into our bodies in the present moment.

Empowerment is about taking care of one’s needs.

Horses are always taking care of themselves and meeting their needs. When they are hungry, they eat. When they are thirsty, they drink. When they want to play, they play. When they have a job, they do their job. Paying attention to our needs is a natural part of life that can be counter to our cultural upbringing.

EMPOWERMENT LESSONS FROM HORSES

by Jennifer T. Peterson

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“We can only be what we give ourselves power to be.” ~ Chief Meninock of the Yakama Tribe

n a time when it appears that we have less control over situations that surround us, it is even more important to cultivate empowerment.

The truth is, we don’t have control over these situations, but we do have total control over how empowered we feel. Empowerment is an emotion. Our emotions come from our thoughts. We can pay attention to our thoughts. We feel more empowered when we intentionally think empowering thoughts. These thoughts cause our behaviors. So our behaviors are more empowered. This can lead to an outcome of a more empowered life.

In situations when we feel powerless about a situation, it is important to focus on what steps we can take to feel more empowered.

We can learn a lot from horses about empowerment. In shamanism, horses are considered a power animal. Not for the obvious reasons of their size, speed and “horsepower”, but because of their wild and free spirits. Empowerment is about having control over the outcome of one’s life. It’s about confidence and freedom to choose a path. Where in our lives could we be just a little bit more untamed like a wild horse?

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Empowerment is about setting clear boundaries.

Horses are social animals. They have a hierarchy within the herd and roles that they each play. They know where they stand and they establish boundaries fast.

They have no problem setting a boundary with another herd mate. It makes them feel secure when they know where they stand in the hierarchy of the herd. We honor our self-concept and show others how to treat us when we raise our standards through setting clear boundaries.

Empowerment is about trust.

Herds of horses rely on each other for survival. When horses are grazing or sleeping, there is a member of the herd in charge of watching the herd and keeping them safe from predators. It’s always the most present and aware being among the herd. And it’s almost always the matriarchal mare. This will come as no surprise to mothers. They know that a mother’s senses are at their peak after giving birth. Learning to trust ourselves and trusting others is a radical act of empowerment. We can learn to put trust in our own herd and empower our communities.

Empowerment is about listening to intuition and taking back the reigns of our lives.

When a predator in the wild approaches a herd of horses to feed, it pretends it wants to socialize with the herd. Intuitively, the horses can sense the incongruence of energy coming from the predator. The matriarchal mare senses this immediately. She takes flight to safety and all the other horses in the herd follow her immediately. Listening to our intuitive nudges leads to making clear choices. Listening to our intuition leads to minimal second guessing and self-doubt.

Empowerment is about taking action.

Taking action toward a goal can be a big confidence booster. It can also stop a person right in their tracks or make them run like a race horse. Focusing on why a goal is important will make it easier to take action. Tiny turtle steps are all that is required to achieve a goal over time. And giant horse leaps, well, they can speed up those results.

Jennifer T. Peterson is a Life and Business Coach With Horses and Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher who helps life coaches and energy healers gain clarity, increase confidence, breakthrough fears to market and sell their services, connect with ideal clients and make money. If you are looking to experience a way to cultivate more of the emotion of empowerment, book a consult at JennTPeterson.as.me/Clarity-Consultation-Call. See ad, page 2.

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ANXIETY: IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK

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by Kristy M. Vanacore

ave you been told that anxiety is all in your head? Or the result of bad genes? Or the result of a chemical imbalance? Have you been told that you need to rely on weekly counseling with therapists and pills to feel relief? Have you tried those approaches and are still suffering?

Anxiety is not what you think!

One of the hallmarks of anxiety is the limiting beliefs and fear-based narratives that govern thoughts and drive or inhibit behaviors. We have all experienced the barrage of catastrophic “what-if ” thoughts that steal our joy and infuse us with fear.

Historically, therapists and life coaches have told us that the treatment is to work with the thoughts themselves by analyzing them, reframing them more accurately (i.e., “I might fail, but I’ve not failed at this before.”), and then choosing positive action. But research has consistently proven that such mindset work has minimal effect and does not create meaningful or sustainable changes.

Talk-based therapies, cognitivebehavioral strategies and mindset protocols are ineffective in the long-term because anx16

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iety does not originate in your mind; it begins in the body. The way in which humans think, feel, navigate demands and manage stress, all begins in the nervous system—in particular, the fibers of the vagus nerve, which is the vital connection between the mind and body, run predominately in an upward direction, meaning that the brain receives more input and information from the body than it sends down to the body.

To make meaning of the information received from the body, the mind fabricates stories and interpretations. When the nervous system detects a threat and activates a survival response (fight/flight/freeze/fawn), the rational thinking brain goes offline, our emotional brain goes on auto-pilot and we simply become reactive to perceived threats, which are false alarms 90 percent of the time.

A healthy nervous system is one that is flexible enough to flow in and out of responsivity (stress state) and recovery (calm states). But our modern hyperkinetic times that prioritize speed and pressure are causing most people to remain stuck in eNaturalAwakenings.com

survival mode, and this is against a human’s inherent programming. We were not meant to remain in prolonged survival states. In doing so, we create both acute and chronic psychological issues such as anxiety, depression and attentional issues, as well as physical ailments such as digestive issues, chronic pain and autoimmune disease.

Anxiety is nothing more than stored survival stress in the body due to a nervous system that believes you to be chronically in danger, and a mind whose interpretations concoct fantasies about threats, potential failure and doom and gloom, rather than opportunity for growth, success, peace and happiness. Changing these narratives begins at the level of the nervous system. We cannot simply outthink our thoughts. We can’t change our minds with our minds—it is physiologically impossible.

The good news is that we can activate our innate self-healing capacities to regulate our own nervous systems which then reengage our rational thinking minds so that we can flexibly navigate the demands of life with clarity, insight and the calm presence that will allow us to live in trust instead of fear.

We were built to do this. We don’t need to outsource our healing. We just have to remember what we have forgotten—the basic energetics of being human. We can nourish and nurture our nervous systems.

We must return to the innate instinctual knowledge that we already possess so that we can reclaim sovereignty. Armed with that knowledge, you will heal yourself, as intended. If we understand how we work, we can make it work for us.

Dr. Kristy M. Vanacore is a Holistic Psychologist, Spiritual Visionary and author who has developed an innovative Rewilding program that empowers people to remember their roots, rekindle their innate instinctual wisdom and reclaim their innate boundless joy, passion, curiosity and ingenuity. Her book ReWilding: A Woman’s Quest to Remember Her Roots, Rekindle Her Instincts, and Reclaim Her Sovereignty documents her own healing journey that has become the foundation of her coaching program for all ages and stages. Connect at 914-497-8006, Kristy@KristyVanacore.com or KristyVanacore.com. See ad, page 19.

Photo by Microgen on Shutterstock

Choosing Self-Care for Greater Self-Empowerment

by Susan Ahlstrom

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elf-care is the jet fuel of selfempowerment. Choosing self-care as our number one priority each day is the simplest, most empowering act possible. The challenge, of course, is that there are commitments to others—our partner or spouse, children, employers, coaches, you name it.

It’s always easier to surrender our time and energy to other people and other obligations. These days, there are way too many people suffering in the world. Our friends and families are struggling to cope with endless social, political and virusrelated concerns. Taking time for ourselves when others are suffering can feel way too selfish. The truth is, however, that when we are stressed and overtaxed physically, emotionally and/or mentally, our minds and bodies cannot function at their best.

We lose power.

Consider your remote. The darn thing still works even when the batteries start to die, but trying to get it to move the cursor to the next letter or increase the volume when the batteries are running down is

maddening. Why would you choose to keep clicking the button in frustration when you could instead take a minute to install new batteries? The effort spent trying to overcome the lack of power just isn’t worth it. The same goes for us when we are run down and trying to live life without taking care of ourselves.

At the heart of every wedding ceremony is the moment of truth when the couple declares their choice to join with another for the rest of their lives. During the exchange of rings, first the man takes the woman’s hand and speaks his vows.

After making his promises, they let go of each other’s hands before the woman then takes the man’s hand in hers. This releasing and taking each other’s hands again is a profound symbol of the freedom of choice in one of life’s biggest moments of commitment.

Every moment of every day offers us a choice, either to give power to our lives by taking care of ourselves, or to disempower ourselves. Even in that most important moment in marriage, when rings and vows

are exchanged, we are reminded that we have a choice. At any given moment, we can choose again.

To many people, working out at the gym, playing a video game or meeting friends for dinner is considered down time or “me time”. However, activities such as these don’t actually turn down the activity in our brains or central nervous systems. They often lead to greater fatigue or distraction and distress in the end. Likewise, getting your nails done or having a glass of wine may seem like quality time when we’re not focused on other people or other priorities, but these are not the kind of activities that actually power-up our systems.

Simple self-care and self-regulation practices such as deep breathing, meditation and EFT/Tapping provide the quickest and easiest path to calming and soothing ourselves. These activities can help us feel more empowered in any given moment. They fortify us and help with clarity and focus. For instance, taking a few minutes to stand in a “power pose” and taking some deep breaths before entering into a difficult conversation or an important meeting can completely reset or regulate our entire system, so we feel more confident and in control.

Grounding exercises can also help regain focus, like feeling your feet on the floor, rubbing the palms of the hands together briskly or imagining the body as a strong tree trunk with roots running deep into the ground.

The benefits of self-care are many. Selfsoothing and calming methods such as Tapping and breathwork help to calm the nervous system down, help with emotional stability, support the immune system and improve decision-making skills.

Taking the time to empower ourselves through self-regulation is one of the greatest “devices” we have to keep ourselves strong and fortified. Most of these exercises or practices are right at hand, whenever we need them. No equipment necessary. Just a willingness to turn up the power.

Susan Ahlstrom, MS Counseling, is a Wellness Coach, Certified Accredited EFT Practitioner and Reiki Master.

Connect at 203-313-4613 or LighterAndBrighterWellness.com.

August 2022 17

Photo by Ground Picture on Shutterstock

GETTING UNSTUCK

Changing Our Subconscious Program Benefits the Next Generation

by Jessica Scofield-Chichester

“The moment you change your perception is the moment you rewrite the chemistry of your body.” ~ Bruce H. Lipton, Ph.D.

I

t has been said that it takes a village to raise a child, and this is true. A child is the collection of ideas, patterns and information in which they are raised. How can we expect a better outcome from a future generation unless we understand and fix the issues that we collectively struggle with every day? Let’s take a deeper look into the subconscious mind and the trap in which we are collectively stuck.

If we truly want to access our full potential and lead the life of our dreams, then we need to continually research, learn and embrace new healing mediums that allow us to excel along this life journey. This magazine and others like it are treasure troves in this regard, allowing us to sift and sort and explore what works best for each one of us. As spiritual beings, we are on a quest to live our best life and share information that we have found valuable with others, in hopes that they too will find similar benefits as we grow and improve together.

Through scientific research, we understand that up to 70 percent of our thoughts can be disempowering and from a prerecorded “subconscious program” that is formulated by the time we turn seven years old. For some of us, this program continues to control up to 95 percent of all our day-to-day actions seemingly on autopilot and without conscious thought.

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HALT is an acronym used in Alcoholics Anonymous that stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. These emotional states can be especially triggering, since we are more susceptible to self-destructive behaviors when our basic needs are not met. In fact, we are often in some variation of HALT and see life as a struggle, but we don’t actually see life clearly. This dissociation is a result of our subconscious mind taking control, because life is not working out the way we want—and our conscious mind wants an empowering life.

When feelings or emotions such as anxiety, fear or embarrassment are elevated, our pre-programmed “affective filter” triggers our mind to put up our protective walls, thus blocking cognition and rational thinking. So if 70 percent of our behaviors are disempowering and the root cause is the subconscious mind, then what is the solution? How do we answer the questions that we all struggle with? How can I become my best self if I can’t sleep or process trauma effectively? How can I be clear, creative and have the best loving relationship with others if I’m permanently tired, depressed, stressed out and/or in pain? How do I switch from a state of disempowerment and fear to a powerful, peaceful being when I’m stuck in the same subconscious cyclical loop?

Enter PSiO, a state-of-the-art therapeutic treatment that uses specially programmed combinations of visual and auditory frequencies that effectively help you “let go”. There are over 150 different programs available from PSiO to help with sleep issues, stress/anxiety, low energy, brain fog, pain, eating disorders, trauma, positive relationships, addictions and more.

This technology is completely safe, has

no side effects and has been used for over 20 years in recovery rooms, sleep laboratories and hospitals to replace or reduce painkillers and sedatives that are normally administered alongside local or loco-regional anesthesia to counter stress during surgery.

PSiO achieves its benefits by redirecting the conscious mind’s attention using sounds and colors that stimulate the auditory and visual centers—thereby diverting attention away from the brain’s constant chatter and focusing instead on the audio-visual stimuli.

In other words, by focusing on the colorful scenes of the PSiO, the incessant chatter and self-defeating soundtrack inside your brain subsides and in essence can help rewrite the subconscious code for a better, more dynamic life in all areas and relationships.

We all know the incredible health benefits that meditation can provide, but many of us struggle to attain the mystical “flow state” in which transcendence can occur. PSiO allows the user to reach this elusive flow state much faster and easier, as the brain is unable to focus on all the daily worries, fears and stress that is causing unhappiness. The vibrant colors and soundscape provided

by PSiO can teleport us to a land of deep relaxation and healing, rewriting the programs we’ve grown into.

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Dr. Kristy Vanacore, Psy.D. Holistic Psychologist, Spiritual Visionary, Author kristy.vanacore@kmvgroup.org www.kmvgroup.org 914-497-8006

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RAISING A WELL-ROUNDED CHILD PRACTICAL WAYS TO BUILD LASTING LIFE SKILLS

Halfpoint/AdobeStock.com

by Marlaina Donato

C

hildhood is a time of magical discovery and a training ground for adult life. Yet today’s world introduces unprecedented problems that can challenge a child’s bedrock: escalating violence including mass shootings, bullying, social media pressure, environmental crises and cultural conflict, not to mention the COVID-19 lockdowns.

For kids to develop the solid foundation they will need in these trying times, a powerful approach is a full-spectrum one that rounds out their experiences and skills, while instilling confidence and resilience. It includes a broad-based education, artistic and cultural exploration, experiences of diverse cultures, training in mind-body tools, healthy eating habits and connecting with nature. These facets enable children to cope, adapt and thrive in a changing world.

It gives them the necessary building blocks for the rest of their lives, which has an 20

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invaluable return for all of us now and for future generations.

The Parental Toolbox Boston-based Casey O’Brien Martin, an expressive arts therapist and author of Skills for Big Feelings: A Guide for Teaching Kids Relaxation, Regulation, and Coping Techniques, defines a well-rounded child as “one who is balanced in the many different areas of their life: socially with friends and by having their own interests and hobbies; physically by being active and eating nourishing foods; emotionally by accepting and acknowledging their feelings and using coping skills to deal with uncomfortable or stressful situations.”

Encouraging kids to try new things—and allowing them to experience failure—affects how they respond to life. “Well-rounded children are flexible in their thinking toward changes in schedule or environment, eNaturalAwakenings.com

have been exposed to boundaries and as they mature, can apply their different experiences to their understanding of safety, social skills, fundamental learning and communication,” says April Christopherson, an occupational therapist and owner of Exploration Kids Therapy, in Gunnison, Colorado.

Kids keenly observe and try on adult behavior, and in this practice lies tremendous potential. “One of the very best things parents, caregivers and educators can do is to model healthy coping skills. Just telling kids what to do is not enough. We need to walk the talk, too,” Martin says. Attaining family balance is key to avoid overscheduling and feeling overwhelmed, especially if prompting kids to follow their bliss.

Integrating mindfulness techniques like meditation, yoga and sensory engagement into a household’s everyday routines can help to fortify emotional stability when kids experience rough waters.

“When kids learn to focus on their breathing, it helps to bring their attention to the present moment. By practicing mindfulness daily, these practices become second nature, and kids are able to tap into them whenever they need to. By teaching children these tools at a young age, we are planting seeds that they will be able to grow and cultivate throughout their lives,” says Maura Bradley, founder of Bee You Yoga and Mindfulness, in Manasquan, New Jersey. The author of Mindfulness For Kids In 10 Minutes A Day emphasizes that mindfulness can be a formal or informal practice, can involve the entire family and does not require a lot of time. It can be as simple as taking a moment each morning to connect with each other, notice the weather or play an “eye spy” game on the way to school.

Christopherson concurs: “I suggest a

child practice meditation, breathwork and mindfulness, first together with a parent or caregiver to get familiar with the practices, and then practice the techniques during non-stressful times.”

The Colors of Learning Focusing on grades with a one-size-fits-all educational model poses many problems, and changing times demand a broader, more vibrant paradigm. COVID-19 lockdowns brought radical changes to the classroom, and more than ever, parents are opting for a more holistic approach with various methods of homeschooling or whole-child curriculums like those offered at Waldorf, Sudbury and Montessori schools. Alternative learning presents the world as a laboratory, goes beyond math, reading and science, and endorses character-building immersion in community, compassion and culture.

“Montessori learning stresses the beauty of nature,” says Ruth Tencati, a Montessori teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“Geography, music, art and practical life skills are taught. Ideally, each child is given lessons that balance learning in all areas and at the right time for each child’s level of skill and curiosity.” Students are given peace education, “where they are encouraged to think of others, as well as themselves, and to see themselves as part of a community of learners,” she says. Tencati views technology as an ally when it is used to deepen students’ understanding of lessons, but believes it should never be used as a pacifier.

Familiarity with the arts is key to a well-rounded view of life, but the number of school-based arts programs has been declining since 1980 due to a heavy focus on standardized testing. To assess the impact of art on children, Rice University researchers ran a randomized controlled trial in 2019 with 10,548 students enrolled in 42 schools in the Houston area. They found that students that participated in the arts at elementary and middle school levels improved their writing skills, increased their compassion for others and were less likely to misbehave in class.

In lieu of school-based art programs, kids can learn from virtual tours designed specifically for them by the Louvre, the Van

Gogh Museum and other outstanding art museums. For a fun dive into history, the British Museum, Boston Children’s Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History bring the past to life with online “field trips” just for kids.

When kids learn about other cultures, religions, languages and belief systems, it increases their capacity for empathy and the ability to see different perspectives, a trait often found in successful adults. To introduce kids to an expanded worldview,

families can enjoy a weekly ethnic meal, go to local heritage festivals and celebrate the holidays of different countries.

Food for Life Giving a child lifelong tools includes instilling a healthy respect for good health.

Positive eating habits have been shown to boost academic performance and lessen the potential for speech and language acquisition delays. Research on laboratory animals by the University of Georgia in 2021 pub-

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lished in Translational Psychiatry showed that sugar consumption in adolescence diminished learning capacity even into adulthood, possibly due to imbalances in gut bacteria.

“Hundreds of studies identify nutrition as one of the most critical factors in the development of robust brains,” says Lorie Eber, a holistic nutritionist in Orange County, California. “Consumption of whole foods such as eggs (choline), oily fish (omega-3 fatty acids), vegetables (folate and antioxidants), beans (zinc) and Greek yogurt (gut health) are vital for the healthy development of children’s brains in the first years of life.”

Nutrition has a measurable impact on psychological health, she says. “Diets high in refined sugars and saturated fats increase the risk of kids developing hyperactivity and ADHD. Children who skip breakfast have difficulty concentrating and low moods, which detract from learning.”

Eber encourages children’s participation in meal planning and food preparation, as well as weekly excursions to farmers markets, to experience the colors and tastes of local produce. “All of these things will lay the foundation for your children to develop a healthy relationship with food. That is a rare gift in today’s foodcentric society.”

Natural Instincts Connecting to nature is not only good for growing bodies, but also for self-image. A 2018 systematic review of 35 studies published

in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health shows time spent outdoors positively impacts young people’s mental health.

Research conducted by the Institute of Education at University College London drives it home even further: Primary school children that connected with nature in brief Wildlife Trust programs felt better about themselves and experienced more positive relationships with their teachers and classmates. Adding to Mother Nature’s feel-good benefits, exercise during childhood and adolescence, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lowers the risk of depression, improves academic performance and reduces the risk for chronic diseases later in life.

In the end, parenting is about doing our best for our children while being human. “Being a parent is hard. One of my mantras for myself is ‘grace, gratitude and grit,’” muses Martin. “Giving grace to myself by forgiving myself for my parenting mistakes, being grateful for my family and having grit to keep persevering and working hard to build a good life for my family.”

Each parent’s formula might be different, but the basics never get old. “Let a child experience life! Give them opportunities to get into nature, play with non-toy items, interact with animals and support their curiosity,” advises Christopherson. “Be safe, but let your kids be kids.”

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and visionary composer.

Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

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inspiration

has shown you that you want a better job, a bigger house or a fitter body, try to identify the emotional payoff you believe you’ll receive once this goal is realized. Do you believe you’ll experience a feeling of pride or satisfaction, or one of serenity or freedom?

Use as many words as you can conjure to describe the energy you’re reaching for.

Change Your Words Change Your Life

Madhuri Mohite/Pexels.com

by Christy Whitman

T

he words we speak are never neutral, because language doesn’t simply describe reality. It creates it. With every word we utter, we’re either speaking into existence a reality we desire or actively creating a reality we dread. We cannot speak about being broke and attract prosperity. We can’t complain about feeling abandoned and attract great love.

We can’t criticize everything that’s wrong with a situation and simultaneously invent its improvement. We can only focus on one reality at a time—what we want or the absence of it—and the words we speak moment-by-moment are an indication of which way we’re leaning.

WORDS SUMMON CREATIVE ENERGY When we say, “It shouldn’t be like this,” “Life is hard” or “Why can’t I get what I want?” we set into motion a powerful stream of unwanted energy. If you’ve ever watched one person’s negativity amplify the negativity in others, you understand this firsthand. Fortunately, the reverse is also true. We all have the ability to choose our thoughts, our perceptions—and our words—on purpose. When we change the way we speak about our life, we reclaim the power to change its trajectory. Here’s how to go about it:

Invite the Essence of Your Desire into Your Life As you connect with the energetic essence of your desire in each important area of your life, allow yourself to identify the thoughts, the attitudes—and the words—that would align you with this energy. In other words, if you had already attained everything you’re now striving for, what types of conversations would you be having with yourself and with others? Have these conversations now. When you shift your language, you shift everything.

Use Unwanted Experiences to Clarify Your Desire Every unwanted experience presents you with a fundamental choice: You can complain about all that appears to be going wrong, or you can focus on what you now desire. In any uncomfortable circumstance, resist the temptation to complain, and focus instead on the clarity that’s been born within you. Ask yourself, “What do I want to experience in this area of my life, and how would I like this situation or relationship to look and feel?” Then make a commitment to speak always in favor of what you desire, never in contradiction to it.

Break Your Desire into Its Essential Form Behind every desire—big or small—is a longing to experience a certain feeling. If life

9 th Bi-Annual

Celebrity coach Christy Whitman is The New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Having It All and Taming Your Alpha Bitch. She is founder and CEO of the Quantum Success Coaching Academy and creator of WatchYourWords.com, a free, 30-day, language training program.

Passport to Health & Wellness presented by the Holistic Community Professionals

Statewide Benefit * HoliStic expo

Sunday | October 16 | 10am - 5pm | Vendors 10am-4pm

75+ Exhibitors and Speakers!

DoubleTree by Hilton 42 Century Drive, Bristol, CT 06010 FREE DRUM HEaling 4-5pm Speakers all day Free Raffles • Drumming gRanD PRiZE: A Hilton Overnight Stay for Two!

FREE aDMiSSiOn (Donations Accepted*) * All door donations to benefit: Hartford Hospital's Integrative Medicine, Debbie Bator Memorial Fund, and CT Children’s Medical Center.

For more information please contact: Vendors apply at: yourholisticevents.com Shirley R. Bloethe at 860-989-0033 FB - Passport to Health and Wellness Expo Email: yourholisticevents@gmail.com

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www.HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org August 2022 23

Gearing Up Kids Mentally and Physically For School

by Veena Verma-Dzik

S

chool is as quick to start, as it is quick to end. Time to get those calendars ready to have all plans set in place with work and kids’ activities. We tend to get so caught up in school supplies, clothes shopping and signing up for sports and activities, that we forget about what truly matters during the school year. That is the mental and physical wellbeing of our children.

Along with making sure your child is fully stocked with school supplies and organized, it is a more important time to think about doing all you can to make sure they are mentally and physically healthy throughout the upcoming school year.

Health data has shown that as many as one in six children between the ages of six and 17 are diagnosed with anxiety, depression and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other mental health disorders. With the pandemic the past couple of years, it would not be surprising if this statistic has sadly risen. The stress and pressure children are under today cannot compare to our experiences when we were their age. From social life to academics, and even the unsteadiness in the world, children are faced with a great amount of stressors.

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eNaturalAwakenings.com

How Can We Make Things Easier For Our Kids?

Since summer has gone by and everyone has been out of routine, expert child/teen therapist, Nina Leventon, suggests to start getting your kids back on schedule two weeks before school starts. Getting back into routine is really important for alleviating stress and anxiety. Having your child involved in back-to-school shopping and planning will help them get excited and look forward to a new school year.

Include meals as part of school preparation, too. Nutrition plays a vital role in both physical and mental health. Children who consume a nutritious diet, that includes fruits and vegetables, exhibit an overall more positive outlook and healthy mental well-being.

A study in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine mentions some of the foods that help alleviate anxiety are those which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts and edamame. The anti-anxiety benefits of foods high in omega-3s is believed to be due to their anti-inflammatory effects.

When it comes to depression, omega-3 fatty acids have positive effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Fish is also a good source of vitamin B6, which is a common deficiency seen with mood disorders.

Make sure to start a child’s day with protein. The building blocks of protein, amino acids, make up key neurotransmitters that are essential for optimal brain function and cognitive performance. Protein helps balance out blood sugar levels throughout the day, and gives the fuel we need to focus. Furthermore, foods high in protein help produce neurotransmitters that help alleviate symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, ADHD and other mental health disorders.

Diving Deeper At times, we need to incorporate other tools along with planning, organization and nutrition to help support our children.

Sometimes we cannot prevent our children from becoming ill, especially during cold and flu season and when they are exposed to germs. Taking supplements to optimize immune health does help shorten the duration and decrease the severity of illnesses when they hit home.

Photo by 2xSamara.com on Shutterstock

healthy kids

Touch of Sedona @Touch.Of.Sedona

203.438.7146 The most highly studied supplements that have been shown to be beneficial to our immune system include vitamin C, zinc, mushrooms and vitamin D. Let’s not forget that vitamin D not only plays a role in the functioning of white blood cells and activates genes that regulate the immune system, but it also plays a role in neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin.

Ashwagandha is a favorite adaptogenic herb because it can target so many health concerns. It helps balance stress hormones, alleviate anxiety, improve blood sugar and energy, enhance focus and concentration and much more.

Another herb great for children is passionflower. Passionflower works well to ease those nerves and anxiety and improve sleep— particularly when the sleep disruption is due to those little minds racing.

Magnesium is a commonly known mineral used to help both children and adults with anxiety. Magnesium, along with many other vitamins, such ass B12 and folate, are also key nutrients that support the methylation pathway. For those who have MTHFR gene mutations and other SNPs, these vitamins are essential for supporting this pathway along with neurotransmitter synthesis and breakdown.

Sedona Art @SedonaArt06877

203.244.5520 Paintings © Marge Courtney

450-452 Main Street • Ridgefield CT

More to Consider There are countless ways to help your child prepare for school that will support their overall well-being. For some, a little more effort may be needed. If you have tried many different supplements and herbs on your own and are still finding your child struggling either mentally or emotionally, there are other therapies that can be pursued, including cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavioral therapy.

Furthermore, having their nutrition, neurotransmitters or perhaps MTHFR and SNPS evaluated can provide many answers to imbalances and deficiencies. This will provide a more in-depth, individualized, targeted therapy that will better support the success of your child in school and in life. Overall, knowing that there is a strong support system in place will help you and your child enjoy a healthy year.

Dr. Veena Verma-Dzik, ND, FIAMA practices at Insight Counseling, 105 Danbury Rd, in Ridgefield. Connect at 203-431-9726, InsightCounselingLLC.com or DoctorVeena.com. See ad, page 13.

August 2022 25

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fit body

Take a Silent Hike

TIPS FOR WALKING MINDFULLY IN NATURE

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by Sheila Julson

ilent hikes offer an opportunity to be immersed in nature and quiet the internal chatter that too often consumes our daily routine. Wesley Trimble, communications and creative director of the American Hiking Society, has observed a growing interest in ecotherapies such as silent hikes that meld solitude and mindfulness with outdoor recreation. “Just getting out into nature, no matter where you are, is a great way to enjoy its beauty and focus on the experience,” he says.

When heading out on a silent hike or walk, in a group or alone, in a park or around the neighborhood, Trimble recommends taking long, deep, deliberate breaths. This allows the body to relax and focus on moving through space while being aware of sensory experiences.

Acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton takes a quiet hike every day. The author of One Square Inch of Silence has traveled the globe for four decades in search of quiet, natural spaces in which to record ecological soundscapes such as crashing ocean waves or the snowy crickets of Washington State. “Opening up in a naturally quiet place in nature or the wilderness lets you become physically healthier, mentally clearer and more in touch with what you really want,” he says.

Hempton suggests that a silent hike begin with listening, which for mammals is a primary way to gather information: “Any event creates a sound, and that sound carries information about that event.” When heading into a natural area, he recommends listening for the furthest sounds and focusing on the faintest ones. “Then 26

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

listen to the whole place and notice what you feel. There’s nothing you need to say, but everything you need to hear.”

According to Hempton, it takes less time to enjoy the benefits of a silent hike than people might imagine. “Even five minutes can produce huge relief,” he says. “Don’t make it a stressful thing.

Recognize how much time you have, give it that and notice how you feel.”

Advice for silent wilderness experiences can be found at the website of Quiet Parks International (QuietParks.org), a nonprofit that Hempton co-founded which is dedicated to preserving quiet in the wilderness.

Exercises to Quiet the Mind on a Silent Hike Author and nature educator Joseph Bharat Cornell affirms that silent hikes help instill a sense of vibrant calmness. He created an outdoor learning strategy named Flow Learning, which is highly recommended by the U.S. National Park Service. It incorporates playful experiences into wellness walks to lessen internal dialogue and sharpen intuitive perception.

His book, Sharing Nature: Nature Awareness Activities for All Ages, includes activities like the Silent Sharing Walk. “Teams of three people walk along and don’t say anything, but look and enjoy together,” he explains. “When you see something intriguing, gently tap the others on the shoulder, point and look together, and then quietly move on.”

The Trail of Beauty exercise encourages hikers to consider quotations like George Washington Carver’s “If you love it enough, anything will talk with you.” Participants explore trails to find something captivating that relates to the noteworthy words. Cornell advises to not use quotes that are too philosophical, because that can lead to internal dialogue that takes focus away from nature.

Group hikers can use the Nature In Me exercise to develop points of awareness. After finding a captivating spot outdoors, participants sit down and rest their hands palms-down on their thighs, allowing awareness to flow from one observation to the next. Lightly press a finger on the leg for each noticeable observation—a passing cloud, chirping birds or the splash of a river otter.

Cornell advises against slipping into passivity, because then the mind tends to wander.

The Sound Map activity encourages hikers to take paper and pencil on a silent hike. “Close your eyes and cup your hands around both ears and listen for a sound,” Cornell explains. "Mark an X at the center of your paper to represent where you are. Then make a simple symbol to represent your sound and its location.

This encourages people to listen and focus.” Trimble cautions that silent hikes can increase the chances of an animal encounter, so it’s important to remain aware of surroundings at all times. Silent hikes can also help wildlife. “One of the components of ‘leave no trace’ is the respect of wildlife,” he says. “Many studies show the impact of noise pollution on different types of ecosystems. Silent hikes let us enjoy nature without disturbing wildlife.”

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings magazines throughout the country.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

green living

Consumer Demand

The Greening of Packaging

A December 2020 Mintel Trends survey showed nearly all of the internet users 18 and older that shop for household items say brands should consider the environment when creating packaging.

Many respondents said they wanted products that had easy-torecycle packaging and were refillable to reduce waste.

“There’s a clear preference for lightweight packaging, plasticfree packaging, refillable and reusable products,” says Danielle Jezienicki, director of sustainability for San Francisco-based Grove Collaborative, an online retailer of eco-products. “It makes sense, because 90 percent of the weight of most cleaning and personal care products you buy consists of water and packaging. The formulated ingredients are a small fraction. It saves money. There’s growing awareness of this.”

CLEANING AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS GO ECO Sheryl DeVore

H

ealth-conscious consumers have been purchasing home cleaning and personal care products with nontoxic ingredients for years. Now they’re demanding these products come in environmentally friendly packaging that reduces waste and plastic use. “It’s green movement 2.0,” says Tim Murphy, CEO of BranchBasics.com, a Minneapolis company that sells nontoxic cleaners. “First there was the green movement 1.0 to eliminate the toxins from the conventional products like bleach. Now green 2.0 is about the removal of plastic and waste reduction.”

Today, consumers can find refillable, concentrated cleaning products; eco-laundry sheets; reusable cleansing face pads; ecotoothbrushes made of bamboo; zero-waste toothpaste bits; plasticfree, refillable deodorant; and refillable lipstick. These and a host of other innovative products designed to be healthy and eco-friendly are available online via manufacturers’ websites or Amazon.com, and can also be purchased at certain big-box stores like Target.

Iryna/AdobeStock.com

Shipping Water “It’s really expensive to be shipping water all over the country,” Murphy says. “It’s just extra bulk and extra weight, and the carbon footprint is much higher. If you take that water out, it’s lighter and smaller, so it’s better for the environment.” His company, BranchBasics.com, sells a concentrate that can be used as a laundry detergent, hand wash or bathroom cleaner by mixing it with water in a glass bottle at home. The concentrate comes in a recyclable plastic bottle and is shipped in cardboard, without plastic wrap or foam.

In the past few years, Grove Collaborative, which sells nontoxic personal care and home cleaning items, has changed its packaging to be even more environmentally friendly, according to Jezienicki.

“The company has vowed to sell products with zero percent plastic packaging by 2025,” she says. To that end, it has created a brand of hair, body, facial and hand care products that come in a concentrated bar with no plastic packaging. Its concentrated household cleaners, which can be used on floors, glass, tiles, tubs and other surfaces in the home, come in glass bottles, and consumers can use a glass spray bottle with a silicone sleeve to dilute the product with water.

Plastic-Free “In 2020, we avoided shipping more than 1.1 million pounds of plastic with our concentrated cleaners alone,” Jezienicki says. Grove sells products from other companies such as Seventh Generation if they are plastic-free, and has recently placed some of its products on the shelves at Target.

Consumer Denise Monson Haberkorn, of Skokie, Illinois, welcomes these changes and says her friends call her the “plastics police”. She began ordering Tru Earth laundry detergent strips to replace the large plastic bottles of liquid detergent she was using, and she loves them so much, she’s been giving them away for friends to try. “The detergent strips are about three times the thickness of a Band-Aid. You put the strip in where you used to put in your regular detergent, and they dissolve,” Haberkorn explains, adding, “There’s no plastic to get rid of. Some people don’t think they can make a difference with their choices, but I think I can.”

Sheryl DeVore is an award-winning author of six books on science, health and nature. Connect at SherylDevoreWriter@gmail.com.

August 2022 27

conscious eating

Sustainable Shellfish SUPERFOOD OF THE SEA

jabiru/AdobeStock.co,

by April Thompson

T

he perfect food may not be underfoot, but rather, underwater.

It’s delicious, fast-growing, nutritionally dense, sustainably produced, locally available from coast to coast and comes in nature’s own sturdy packaging. “Shellfish is the most sustainable protein on the planet. There are no antibiotics, no pesticides, no fertilizer and no feed needed to raise shellfish,” says Bob Rheault, executive director of the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, which represents 1,500 shellfish farmers from Maine to Florida.

Shellfish is a nutritional powerhouse, providing proteins, essential amino acids, long-chain polyunsaturated fats, vitamins and carotenoids. The drastically shorter life cycle of shellfish compared to other farmed seafood also means shellfish producers can generate more food more quickly.

Shellfish also offer many ecological benefits; they filter the water, remove excess nutrients and create habitat for juvenile fish, Rheault says. A single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, according to the Oyster Recovery Partnership, an organization that restores reefs in conjunction with a shell recycling network of restaurants and public drop sites across the mid-Atlantic region.

Ray Hilborn, a biologist and professor at the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, in Seattle, has compared the relative environmental costs of different food sources, including grains, poultry and imitation, plant-based meats. He

has found that farmed shellfish, specifically mollusks like oysters, clams and mussels, provide the lowest impact protein of them all.

“Shellfish has a very low carbon footprint and enormous yield per area,” he says. “Mussel farms, for example, are pretty much just ropes hung from rafts, with no changes to the ecosystem or loss of biodiversity, as compared to agriculture.”

Bivalve shellfish like clams and oysters are mainly sourced from farms because wild stocks are largely depleted due to overharvesting, habitat loss and other contributing factors. “Somewhere around 90 percent of mussels and oysters on the market are farmed,” Rheault says. “If you see perfect-looking oysters at the raw bar, you know they are farmed. Out of the wild, they can look gnarly.”

Restorative aquaculture, which produces seafood using scientific principles that enhance coastal environments, may be one of the best opportunities to restore ecosystems while feeding the Earth’s growing population, according to a report from The Nature Conservancy. However, Hilborn points to “the impact of food, not just how it’s grown, but how it got to you.” Processed shellfish has a bigger carbon footprint, so it’s ecologically desirable to look for fresh, local options whenever possible.

Local production has a culinary benefit, too. “Every waterway has its own unique ‘merroir’, or flavor, that comes from the local environment. The differing levels of salinity and minerality, among other things, can lead to a very different flavor,” adds Rheault. While there is only one dominant species of oyster on the East Coast, there are three varieties found on the West Coast and dozens more around the world, each with different flavor profiles, according to Rheault; oysters also have differing flavors throughout the year. “Fall oysters have a rich, full flavor; they can be skinny in the spring. I like them in winter best of all.”

Perry Raso, owner of the Matunuck Oyster Bar and Farm, in Wakefield, Rhode Island, and a leader in the growing shellfish farming industry, grew up digging littleneck clams as a youngster.

He earned a graduate degree in aquaculture before launching and growing a multifaceted business, including a restaurant, a sevenacre oyster farm and an organic vegetable farm. He raises and sells more than 1 million mature oysters a year and also supplies 5 million seed oysters to other aqua farmers.

Voted one of the top 20 seafood restaurants in the country by Time Out, Matunuck Oyster Bar serves several shellfish delicacies, including a classic oyster stew made with rosemary broth, scallop ceviche, quinoa crab salad and oysters on the half shell with a cucumber passionfruit gazpacho. The menu also features “vegan scallops” made from seared king oyster mushrooms.

Rheault’s favorite way to eat an oyster, though, is simply with two drops of lime. “The lime knocks out your salt receptors and allows you to really taste the other flavors,” he says. “Grilling is another great way to introduce people to oysters. You don’t even need to shuck them; the grilling firms up the meat.”

Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

For recipes visit eNaturalAwakenings.com.Click the “Conscious Eating” tab.

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photo courtesy of AmericasTestKitchen kaiskynet/AdobeStock.com boommaval/AdobeStock.com uckyo/AdobeStock.com

CIOPPINO This seafood soup, popularized by Italian immigrants in San Francisco, offers up an appealing assortment of fish and shellfish in a tomato-based broth.

VEGAN SHELLFISH ALTERNATIVES Vegans or people with shellfish allergies can still enjoy the rich umami flavor of an oyster or clam with a little creativity.

Here are a few suggested alternatives.

King oyster mushrooms: This mushroom is a misnomer perhaps, as its meaty stem, sliced in one-inch sections and sautéed or broiled, looks and tastes more like a scallop than an oyster. In general, mushrooms have a similar mouthfeel to shellfish: The chitin found in the shells of crustaceans are also a key compound in fungi. They can be added to many dishes as a satisfying substitute for seafood and other animal proteins. However, shellfish and mushroom allergies can overlap as a result of chitin sensitivities, so allergy sufferers should proceed with caution.

Seaweed: Kelp, dulse and other edible algae can also add a touch of that salty, seakissed flavor of shellfish, as well as important trace minerals and antioxidants, to dishes like chowders and stews without adding empty calories.

Heart of palm: The tender chewy texture of hearts of palm, flavored well, can serve as a surprising proxy for shellfish and seafood, particularly for rich dishes like fried calamari, lobster rolls or crab salad.

For those seeking a plantbased diet for ethical or other reasons, it’s worth noting that a subset of vegans believe that consuming oysters and mussels does not contradict their commitment to a compassionate diet, given that bivalves lack a central nervous system. This somewhat controversial offshoot of veganism even has its own name—ostroveganism, from the Latin word ostrea, meaning oyster.

YIELD: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS Any firm-fleshed, ¾-to 1-inch-thick whitefish (such as cod or sea bass) can be substituted for halibut. Discard clams or mussels with unpleasant odors, cracked shells, or shells that won’t close. If littlenecks are not available, substitute Manila or mahogany clams, or use 2 pounds of mussels. If using only mussels, cook them all at once with the butter and wine for 3 to 5 minutes. Serve with sourdough or rustic bread. ¼ cup vegetable oil 1, 8-oz bottle clam juice 2 large onions, chopped fine 1½ lb skinless halibut fillet, Salt and pepper ¾-to 1-inch-thick, cut into ¼ cup water 6 pieces 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 lb littleneck clams, scrubbed 2 bay leaves 1¼ cups dry white wine 1 tsp dried oregano 4 Tbsp unsalted butter ⅛ to ¼ tsp red pepper flakes 1 lb mussels, scrubbed and 1, 28-oz can whole peeled debearded tomatoes, drained with juice ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley reserved, chopped coarse Extra-virgin olive oil Heat vegetable oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until onions begin to brown, 7 to 9 minutes. Add water and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic, bay leaves, oregano and pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and reserved juice and clam juice, and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.

Submerge halibut in broth, cover and gently simmer until fish is cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove pot from heat and, using slotted spoon, transfer halibut to a plate, cover with aluminum foil and set aside.

Bring clams, wine and butter to boil in a covered 12-inch skillet over high heat. Steam until clams just open, 5 to 8 minutes, transferring them to pot with tomato broth as they open.

Once all clams have been transferred to a pot, add mussels to skillet, cover, and cook over high heat until mussels have opened, 2 to 4 minutes, transferring them to pot with tomato broth as they open. Pour cooking liquid from skillet into pot, being careful not to pour any grit from skillet into pot. Return broth to simmer.

Stir parsley into broth and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Divide halibut among serving bowls. Ladle broth over halibut, making sure each portion contains both clams and mussels.

Drizzle with olive oil and serve immediately.

Source: America’s Test Kitchen August 2022 29

The Monthly Naturally Healthy Pet Section Starts Here!

News, articles, resources, events— all dedicated exclusively to happy, naturally healthy living for our furred, feathered and scaled animal companions. To contribute, email Editorial@eNaturalAwakenings.com.

Preventing Dog Dementia FIVE STRATEGIES TO PRESERVE COGNITIVE HEALTH

A

mong the many traits that dogs and humans share is the potential with aging for progressive cognitive decline, which canines can experience as early as 7 years of age. Clinical signs of cognitive decline appear in 50 percent of dogs over 11 and by the time they are 15, 68 percent display at least one sign.

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by Karen Shaw Becker

The five classic and easily observable indicators of cognitive decline in dogs are decreased attention to surroundings, disinterest and apathy; decreased purposeful activity; increased sleep during a 24-hour period; intermittent anxiety expressed through apprehension, panting, moaning or shivering; and loss of formerly acquired knowledge, including house training.

Other symptoms include failure to respond to commands, difficulty hearing, inability to recognize familiar people and difficulty navigating their environment. Physical manifestations may show up as excessive licking, lack of grooming, fecal and urinary incontinence and loss of appetite.

Fairfield Fairfield & Southern County & Litchfield Housatonic Counties Valley Edition eNaturalAwakenings.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

Older dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction tend to show higher levels of periodontal disease, and the more severe the gum disease is, the more significant their cognitive decline.

Gum Disease Linked to Canine Cognitive Dysfunction A connection has been established between Alzheimer’s disease and periodontal disease in humans, and a recent study has revealed a similar association between gum disease and canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD). By comparing dogs with CCD and a control group of healthy dogs, New York integrative veterinarian Curtis Dewey, of Elemental Pet Vets, and Mark Rishniw, of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, found that older dogs with CCD tend to show higher levels of periodontal disease, and that the more severe the gum disease is, the more significant their cognitive decline. Based on these results, at-home and veterinary dental care may be very beneficial to reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction and should be added to these CCD prevention steps.

1. Incorporate regular exercise, socialization and mental stimulation. While they can’t exert themselves with the same intensity as younger dogs, senior canines derive tremendous benefits from walks— especially unhurried “sniffaris”—and

other age-appropriate physical activity and strengthening exercises. Short periods of play time with people and other pets in controlled situations can also help. Food puzzles and treat-release toys provide fun, mental stimulation, while brief training sessions refresh their memory or teach new skills.

2. Take them to twice-yearly wellness visits. Keep abreast of metabolic changes to catch disease early. Many Alzheimer’s patients have insulin resistance and persistent hyperglycemia, so keeping a dog’s A1c levels low and steady is important.

3. Optimize their nutrition. The best fuel for canine cognitive health is a combination of healthy fats—especially omega-3 fatty acids like sustainably sourced krill oil and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil—and a variety of antioxidant-rich whole foods suitable for a carnivore, including high-quality protein. Eliminate refined carbohydrates like sugar, grains, potatoes and legumes, as well as extruded diets (kibble) that contain toxic byproducts of the manufacturing process that are linked to neurodegenerative disease.

4. Improve memory with nutraceuticals.

Because studies show that MCT in coconut oil can improve cognitive function in older dogs, add a quarter-teaspoon of coconut oil for every 10 pounds of body weight to food daily. Other supplements to consider are S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), jellyfish extracts, glutathione, resveratrol (Japanese knotweed), lion’s mane mushroom, vinpocetine, phosphatidylserine, curcumin, ubiquinol, digestive enzymes and probiotics.

Energy Balancing for Companion Animals Working together for your companion’s health and well-being.

Connie Martin

We Are One.

Reiki Master Healing Touch for Animal Practitioner E.F.T Practitioner

5. Reduce doggie stress. Senior dogs, especially those with dementia, often become disoriented. To help them remain stable and reduce anxiety, stick to a consistent daily routine, feeding and walking them on a set schedule. To control arthritis and degenerative joint disease, keep dogs active and at a healthy weight. Consider acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, stretching and hydrotherapy (exercising in water). If a dog is experiencing incontinence because of age (and not caused by an underlying condition that should be addressed), provide them with more frequent potty trips outside or reintroduce them to a crate if they were crate-trained initially. Acupuncture may also help.

If a dog has problems hearing or seeing, use odor cues like pet-friendly essential oils or pheromone products to help them find their way around. Also consider purchasing or building ramps if they’re having trouble getting into the car or up on the bed or a favorite chair. If they’re slipping or unsure on bare floors, add runners, yoga mats or area rugs.

For sleep problems, try increasing their daytime activity level. Let the dog sleep in the bedroom to ease any anxiety that may be contributing to nighttime restlessness.

Melatonin supplementation may help. Guide the precious pet with clear cues and easyto-follow instructions, and when talking to them, use a quiet, calm and loving voice.

Veterinarian Karen Shaw Becker, DVM, has spent her career empowering animal guardians to make knowledgeable decisions to extend the life and well-being of their animals. Visit DrKarenBecker.com.

Final Journey,

LLC

( Pet Euthanasia Service )

Kristen Klie, D.V. M. and Associates

( 203 ) 645-5570 www.finaljourneyllc.com

203-274-3267 • AnimalHealing@optonline.net August 2022

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calendar of events

ALBERTSON MEMORIAL CHURCH

Call ahead to confirm event NOTE TO OUR READERS: All events were accurate at press time; we suggest confirming these details with the hosts before attending. Please check eNaturalAwakenings.com to enter your events or find others. Thank you for your understanding and stay well.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 Yoga on the Ball and Wall with Karen Pierce – 1:30-3:30pm. Explore yoga-based poses done using a stability ball to provide support in helping you improve balance and flexibility. The stability ball is a great way to get extra support for moves that require endurance and flexibility and it also adds a balance challenge. Please bring your own stability ball. $39; bring a friend free. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-1893. Yogaspace-CT.com.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 Full Moon Holy Fire Reiki Circle – 7-8pm. Online via Zoom with Gail Christie. Join us to release stress and whatever doesn’t serve you with a Holy Fire meditation and shared Reiki. Sign up on website by 5pm on 8/11 for logon link. Joyful Living Reiki. Free. JoyfulLivingReiki.com.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 Two-Reiki Master Holy Fire Reiki 1 Training – 10am-5pm. In-Person with Gail Christie and Sheila Devlin-Craane, Holy Fire World Peace Reiki Master Teachers. Learn the techniques for releasing stress, balancing your own energy and sharing Reiki with others. Included are an attunement to Reiki 1 energy, a manual, course materials, and a certificate.

Register online by 8/5. $200. Joyful Living Reiki, 55 Three Lakes Dr, Stamford. 203-979-0918. JoyfulLivingReiki.com.

TUESDAY AUGUST 16 Sonic Awakening – 6:30-8pm. Clear your mind and energy-field and raise your core frequency with this powerful sound journey with channeled voice, crystal bowls, Tibetan bowls and gongs. Space limited. $30 $40 Cash at the door. The Center for Higher Living, 130 Webster Square, Berlin CT. 860-830-5841. Info@TheCenterforHigherLiving. com. Tinyurl.com/SonicAwake2022.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17 Toning for Change: Vocal Toning Circle – 6:308pm. Learn to use your own voice to clear your body, mind, and soul of energy that no longer serves you. Bring a crystal bowl if you have one.

More will be provided. Cash at door. Walk-ins welcome. RSVP Bradford: 860-830-5841, Info@ CrystalMusicHealing.com. $30 or 2/$40. Serenity Room @ The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St., Farmington. 860-404-2578. tinyurl.com/ Toning4Change.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 Reiki and Guided Meditation – 1-2pm. Online via Zoom with Gail Christie. Come to release stress and experience peace with a Holy Fire World Peace meditation and shared Reiki. Sign up on website by

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11am on 8/20 for logon link. Joyful Living Reiki.

Free. JoyfulLivingReiki.com.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 Holy Fire Reiki Level 1 Training – 10am-5pm.

Online via Zoom with Gail Christie, Holy Fire World Peace Reiki Master Teacher. Learn the techniques for releasing stress, balancing your own energy and sharing Reiki with others. Included are an attunement to Reiki 1 energy, an online manual, course materials and a certificate. $200. Register on website by 8/14. Sign up with a friend and save.

Joyful Living Reiki. $200. JoyfulLivingReiki.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 Lemurian Intuitive Healing Level 2 – 8/27 & 8/28.

9am-6:30pm. Prerequisites: LSINHL1 or permission from instructor. This advanced course explores multi-dimensional crystal and sound healing, balance of light and dark energies, shamanic principles of energy-work, animal spirit guides, ascended masters, angels, and deep healing. Bradford: 860830-5841, Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com. $450.

Braulttree Wellness Center, 415 Killingsworth Rd, Ste 9A, Higganum. 860-344-9573. Tinyurl.com/ LSINH2August2022.

Relaxation 101: What meditation style is right for you? with Karen Pierce – 1:30-3:30pm. Join us as we travel through time and space to receive healing energy using several amazing relaxation tools to connect us to our subconscious minds. No experience necessary. $39; bring a friend free. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-1893.

Yogaspace-CT.com.

markyourcalendar CONNECTING WITH THE SPIRIT WORLD WITH ROSEMARY ALTEA August 27 • 10am-1pm This workshop teaches us how to connect with our higher selves, by tuning in to our soul, and by learning to connect with the heartbeat of our soul. Rosemary is a world-renowned spiritual medium, healer and teacher.

The Angel Cooperative 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield For more information about Rosemary Altea, visit RosemaryAltea.com.

Tickets, call 203-431-2959 or visit TheAngelCoop.com/workshops-and-free-events.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

VIRTUAL SERVICES:

Sunday Mornings • 11am-12pm August 7 • Rev. Liz Hoy August 14 • Rev. Susan Safko August 21 • Rev. Christine Villani August 28 • Rev. Sharon Watson

SPIRITUAL HEALING SERVICE Third Thursday • 7-8pm

PRIVATE HEALING SESSIONS Thursday, August 11 • 7-8pm 15-minute healing session no fee

To Register for any readings or events contact: AlbertsonPCC@gmail.com Cancelled events will be posted on our website Albertson Memorial Church 293 Sound Beach Ave Old Greenwich, CT • 203-637-4615 Email: Info@AlbertsonChurch.org Website: AlbertsonChurch.org

markyourcalendar NEW AGE & CRAFTS EXPO

Sponsored by Natural Awakenings magazine

Sunday, November 6 • 10am - 5pm Come Experience a Day of Spiritual & Creative Enlightenment Intuitive Readers • Aura Photos & Crystals Tibetan Singing Bowls • Healings Handcrafted Jewelry, Soaps, Oils Reiki Circle • Spiritual Art 2 Rooms of Dynamic Speakers and much more!

Wyndham Southbury, 1284 Strongtown Rd, Southbury $6 Admission • $1 off with this coupon VENDOR SPACE STILL AVAILABLE 203-733-6560 • Cryours87@yahoo.com

markyourcalendar 11TH ANNUAL HEALTH WELLNESS & LIFESTYLE EXPO 2022

with special thanks to Stamford Health, Exclusive Healthcare Partner September 10 • 10am - 6pm Harbor Point Boardwalk 1 Harbor Point Road, Stamford HWL-Expos.com

ongoing events

classifieds

sunday

friday

Online Meditation Practice Session – 10-11am.

While in-person meditation is limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering online meditation practice sessions and Dharma talks using Zoom.

All levels welcome. No formal charge. By donation. Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130.

ReddingMeditation.org.

Reiki 1st Degree Workshop: Online or In-Person – 10am-5pm. First Friday. With Gigi Benanti, Reiki Master/Teacher (24 years). Learn Reiki 1st Level (Western Style). Learn how to use Reiki for self-healing and healing for others. Two manuals and certificate included.

Zoom link will be given with e-mail and payment.

Please call to register. Also held on the first Saturday.

No drop-ins. $135. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReiki.com.

wednesday White Time Experience – 6-8:30pm. Second Wednesday. All are welcome to participate in this exclusive round-robin style healing circle featuring White Time Energy and Gemstone healing.

Facilitated by Bradford Tilden. $30/bring a friend, two for $40. Braulttree Wellness Center, 415 Killingsworth Rd, Ste. 9A, Higganum. 860-344-9573.

BraulttreeWellnessCenter.com.

Online Meditation Practice Session – 7-8pm.

While in-person meditation is limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering online meditation practice sessions and Dharma talks using Zoom.

All levels welcome. No formal charge. By donation.

Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130.

ReddingMeditation.org.

Mysticism: Where Science, Art and Religion Meet – 7-8:30pm. What is the purpose of life? Our intent here is to address these issues through lectures, readings and guided group discussions. We will present ancient concepts, cutting-edge theories, speculations, assertions, data, and most of all, thought-provoking ideas for discussion. Free. Aleph Talks, 606 Post Rd East, Ste 667, Westport. AlephTalks.com.

thursday Good Weeds: A Weed is Just a Plant with a Bad Marketing Program – 7pm. Got weeds? You’ll learn that many weeds are edible, medicinal and nutritious. Each week you’ll meet new “weeds,” learn their materia medica, create an herbal remedy, and join us in the kitchen. $39. Register for Zoom link.

Grounded Goodwife. GroundedGoodwife@yahoo. com. GroundedGoodwife.com.

Art of Meditation – 7:30-8:30pm. This 4-week Meditation Course is an excellent program for beginners and also a great place for seasoned practitioner who desire to go deeper, to find more in their meditations. This course will introduce you to meditation and its many facets revealing hidden treasures along the way. $60/series; or drop-in rates VIP member discount applies. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel.

203-730-1893. Yogaspace-CT.com/events.

saturday Saturday Dharma and Morning Meditation – 7:308:15am. Every week we will discuss various works on topics such as self-study, meditation, self-improvement, mindfulness, joy and much more. The discussion will be followed by a 30-minute guided breath-based meditation. Proceeds are donated to our charity of the month. $10/cash. Yoga Culture, 105 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury. 203-730-0250. WeAreYogaCulture.com.

One-Day Meditation Retreat – 9:30am-4pm. Second Saturday. Limited in-person meditation retreat. The extended practice is meant to deepen self-awareness and a previously established meditation practice is suggested. Please abide by guidelines listed on our events page. Must register online. By donation. Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. ReddingMeditation.org.

In-Person Meditation Practice Session – 10-11:30am.

Limited in-person meditation practice offered on Saturday mornings. All levels welcome. If it’s your first time, please let someone know so that we can provide a brief introduction. Please abide by guidelines listed on our events page. MUST register online. Donations encouraged. Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. ReddingMeditation.org.

Reiki Second Degree Workshop: Online or InPerson – 10am-5pm. Fifth Saturday. With Gigi Benanti, Reiki Master/Teacher (24 years). Learn Reiki Level 2 (Western Style). Learn how to send reiki distance healing, deepen your use of Reiki for yourself and others and more. Two manuals and certificate included. Also held on the last Friday. No drop-ins. $225. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReiki.com.

HEALING LEMURIAN CRYSTAL ESSENCE CONSULTATION What is a Lemurian healing essence? Each Lemurian healing essence contains a Lemurian crystal and a customized formula of healing essences, made explicitly for you. You will also receive descriptions of what is included. Investment: Single session $250 NOW $200. Package of 5 sessions NOW $850. Add on Essence to any other session $60 +S&H. SoulHealingJourney. com/lemuria-crystal-essence.

HELP WANTED BE A PART OF SOMETHING BIG – WORK FROM HOME FT/PT. Turn your passion for wellness into a paycheck! Be at the intersection of the booming natural health and work from home e-commerce industries. Contact Cindy Rosenbaum of Rosenbaum Wellness. 914-806-6559.

coming in the september issue

Inspired Living

markyourcalendar Register soon for the fall semester of UNIVERSAL WHITE TIME HEALING September 23-25

Level 1 Energy Healing Class

October 22-23

Level 1 Gemstone Healing Class Full details at Linktr.ee/BradfordTilden

August 2022 33

Nature’s Virus Killer Copper can stop a virus before it starts

S

By Doug Cornell

cientists have discovered a with a tip to fit in the bottom of the natural way to kill germs fast. nostril, where viruses collect.

Now thousands of people When he felt a tickle in his nose are using it against viruses and bacteria like a cold about to start, he rubbed that cause illness. the copper gently in his nose for 60 Colds and seconds. many other “It illnesses start worked!” he when viruses exclaimed. get in your “The cold nose and never multiply. If happened. you don’t stop I used to them early, get 2-3 bad they spread colds every and cause year. Now New research: Copper kills viruses in seconds. misery.

I use my Hundreds of studies confirm copper device whenever I feel a sign I am about kills viruses and bacteria almost to get sick.” instantly just by touch.

He hasn’t had a cold in 10 years.

That’s why ancient Greeks and Users say: Egyptians used copper to purify water “It works! I love it!” and heal wounds. They didn’t know “I can’t believe how good my nose about viruses and bacteria, but now we feels.” do.

“Is it supposed to work that fast?”

“The antimicrobial activity of copper “One of the best presents ever.” is well established.” National Institutes “Sixteen flights, not a sniffle!” of Health.

Scientists say copper’s high “Cold sores gone!” conductance disrupts the electrical “It saved me last holidays. The kids balance in a microbe cell and destroys it all got sick, but not me.” in seconds.

“I am shocked! My sinus cleared, The EPA recommended hospitals use no more headache, no more copper for touch surfaces like faucets congestion.” and doorknobs. This cut the spread of “Best sleep I’ve had in years!”

MRSA and other illnesses by over half, and saved lives.

After his first success with it, he The strong scientific evidence asked relatives and friends to try it. gave inventor Doug Cornell an idea.

They all said it worked, so he patented He made a smooth copper probe CopperZap® and put it on the market.

ADVERTORIAL 34

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eNaturalAwakenings.com

Soon hundreds of people had tried it.

99% said copper worked if they used it right away at the first sign of germs, like a tickle in the nose or a scratchy throat.

Longtime users say they haven’t been sick in years. They have less stress, less medical costs, and more time to enjoy life.

Customers report using copper against: Colds Flu Virus variants Sinus trouble Cold sores Fever blisters Canker sores Strep Night stuffiness Morning congestion Skin infections Infected sores Infected wounds Styes Ringworm Other microbial threats

The handle is curved and textured to increase contact. Copper can kill germs picked up on fingers and hands after you touch things other people have touched.

The EPA says copper works just as well when tarnished.

Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the science teams. He placed millions of viruses on a copper surface. “They started to die literally as soon as they touched it.”

CopperZap® is made in the USA of pure copper. It has a 90-day full money back guarantee. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA29.

Go to www.CopperZap.com or call tollfree 1-888-411-6114.

Buy once, use forever.

Statements are not intended as product health claims and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

community resource guide

ENERGY HEALING

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 Advertising@eNaturalAwakenings.com to request our media kit.

AMPCOIL CENTER AMPCOIL

CAREER COACH / HYPNOTIST

Freddie Kimmel, Product Expert 95 Cross Hwy, Redding 833-267-2645 Freddie@AmpCoil.com AmpCoil.com

THEA LITSIOS

Extraordinary Wellness!

AmpCoil is an extraordinary system that delivers sound frequencies through PEMF to harmonize, balance, and support you on your journey to wellness.

90% of AmpCoil’s most active users reported that AmpCoil has been instrumental to their personal wellness, and over 55% reported that they experience relief from symptoms related to Lyme or other chronic conditions.

I help you clear away subconscious blocks and use intuition to discover your unique gifts. My clients create a meaningful career of their dreams that is Soul Centered.

When you are ready to have a career that lights you up, call for a free 60-minute consultation. 12+ years experience helping clients connect to their soul. See ad, page 2.

AYURVEDA NEERU KAUSHIK, ND, MS ACU, MS, MA Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies 805 Kings Highway East, Fairfield 203-331-9111 DrKaushik@AyurvedicInstituteCT.com AyurvedicInstituteCT.com

A combination of Ayurveda and Naturopathy is used to create a unique treatment plan to regain and maintain health. Based on one’s particular body constitution (dosha), a plan may include supplements, diet/ nutrition suggestions, lifestyle management, detoxification, hydrotherapy, 0zone therapy, Panchakarma. See ad, page 25.

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER Ken Hoffman, DACM, LAc, Medical Director 31 Old Rte 7, Brookfield 203-740-9300 INM.Center

Women’s Health: hormonal balancing, breast cancer prevention. Breast and full body thermography screening. Screening and treatment of chronic inflammation using medical infrared thermography (MIT). Safe, painless and non-invasive, thermography can detect early changes in breast tissue up to eight years before a mammogram. FDA-registered, our high-definition camera is the most advanced in the region.

Certified Career Coach Hypnotist, & Teacher of Active Dreaming TheaLitsios.com 203-693-1493

CHINESE MEDICINE ACUBLEND PLLC

Dr. Sian James, DACM, LAc, LMT, RYT Locations in Stamford, Westport & Fairfield 203-987-6585 AcuBlend.com AcuBlend will serve your healthcare needs by blending the art and science of wellness, offering acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, Gua Sha, Tui Na, massage therapy, movement therapies, herbal medicine and much more. See ad, page 19.

EDUCATION EMBODY THE SACRED

Deana Paqua, MA, LMT Ridgefield and New Milford Deana.Paqua@gmail.com EmbodyTheSacred.net Offering classes, training programs, healing sessions and mentoring in cross-cultural energy medicine and contemporary shamanism for healers, spiritual seekers and the energy sensitive. Learn self-healing, self-empowerment and trauma transformation through the sacred.

BETH LEAS

Transformative Healing • Tarot Virtual and In-Person Sessions 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection. 30+ years of intuitive healing experience with adults and children of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 2.

ESSENTIAL OILS WAYNE LEISS, LMT, CAO 20 Fifth Ave, Apt A, Danbury 203-994-1207 Wayne@WayneLeiss.com WayneLeiss.com

Essential oils address stress reduction, support the natural functioning of body systems and can enhance overall well-being.

They are used in topical, internal and aromatic applications. Improve physically, emotionally and spiritually as Wayne teaches you about the benefits and uses of massage with natural and pure dōTERRA Essential Oils. See ad, page 2.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TAMARA SACHS, MD

Functional Medicine and Integrative Care LLC 15 Bennitt St, New Milford 860-354-3304 TSachsMD.com Using Functional Medicine, Dr. Sachs prevents and treats chronic illnesses by addressing their underlying root causes, remaining respectful of the uniqueness, complexity and intuitions that make us human. Trained at Mt. Sinai Medical School and Yale University Hospital in Internal Medicine, in 2003 she opened Functional Medicine and Integrative Care LLC. She has great success with IBS, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, autoimmune problems, toxicity and more, by creating individualized, realistic and comprehensive personalized wellness plans. She consults in her New Milford, CT office, and also by phone or video using telemedicine.

August 2022 35

HEALING SPA REVIVE SALT THERAPY & WELLNESS 374 New Haven Ave, Milford 203-283-5968 Hello@ReviveSaltTherapy.com ReviveSaltTherapy.com

A Holistic Healing Spa for Body, Mind, and Soul. We offer Halotherapy/ Salt Therapy, Infrared Sauna, Reiki, Quantum Healing, Massage Therapy, Sound Healing, Yoga, and Wellness plus a Crystal Shop. We offer unique and potent products and services to accelerate physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing.

See ad, page 2.

HOLISTIC NETWORKING HOLISTIC COMMUNITY PROFESSIONALS

Shirley R. Bloethe, Executive Director 860-255-8844 HCPinc.ORG@gmail.com HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org Holistic Community Professionals is an organization of holistic practitioners and businesses focused on improving health and wellness with products and services throughout New England.

We also connect consumers with a wide variety of modalities, holistic products, and services as well as offering two EXPOs a year at The DoubleTree by Hilton in Bristol. See website for details. See ad, page 4.

INTEGRATIVE NATURAL MEDICINE SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER Ken Hoffman, DACM, LAc, Medical Director 31 Old Rte 7, Brookfield 203-740-9300 INM.Center

Using naturopathic and Chinese medical principles, we get to the source of your health concerns.

Diagnostic methods include functional testing such as advanced bloodwork analysis, cardiovascular testing, hormone evaluation and thermography. Our customized treatment program includes acupuncture, herbal and nutritional medicine, diet and lifestyle counseling and more. Most insurance accepted.

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE PHYSICIAN HENRY C. SOBO, MD

Optimal Health Medical LLC 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-348-8805 DrSobo.com Advances in Regenerative Medicine allow Dr. Sobo to offer cutting-edge technologies such as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) treatments and adult stem cell therapy. Dr. Sobo’s integrative approach addresses a variety of conditions such as: food allergies, Alzheimer’s/ dementia, chronic fatigue syndrome, weight loss, hormonal health, fibromyalgia, anti-aging medicine, and MTHFR-Genetic Mutation.

See ad, page 19.

INTEGRATIVE OPTOMETRY EYECARE ASSOCIATES, PC

Dr. Randy Schulman, MS, OD, FCOVD Dr. Jason Grygier Dr. Diana Ngo Dr. Justin Rapp Dr. Sonia Singh Dr. Magy Tepliz Locations: 6515 Main St, Trumbull • 203-374-2020 444 Westport Ave, Norwalk • 203-840-1991 2600 Post Rd, Southport • 203-255-4005 1425 Bedford St, 1M, Stamford • 203-357-0204 CTEyecareAssociates.com We offer behavioral optometry, comprehensive vision exams, contact lenses and vision therapy. Call to schedule your appointment today.

LIFE & BUSINESS COACH JENN T PETERSON

Rising Starr Horse Rescue, Wilton Virtual & In-Person 917-340-1328 Hello@JennTPeterson.com JennTPeterson.com Life & Business Coach With Horses & Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher. I help life coaches & energy healers gain clarity, increase confidence, breakthrough fears to market & sell your services, connect with ideal clients & make money.

15+ years creating Rising Stars. Virtual & In Person.

See ad, page 2.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

MEDITATION CENTER FOR MINDFULNESS & INSIGHT MEDITATION 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding 203-244-3130 ReddingMeditation.org

We teach and practice Mahasati meditation. Mahasati meditation cultivates selfawareness through attention to the movement of the body and, at more advanced levels, to the movement of the mind. No prior meditating experience is necessary. Ongoing weekly meditation classes, retreats and events. Please check monthly event calendar or visit ReddingMeditation.org for updated information.

METAPHYSICAL ARTIST HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC Barbara (Bobbi) Soares Merryall, New Milford 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com HummingbirdSoundYoga.com Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga

Barbara (Bobbi) Soares, MA, CYT, is a metaphysical artist, photographer and musician available for performances, concerts and ceremonies. Bobbi’s band Hummingbird and Friends is well- known for their eclectic blend of chants, jazz, blues, reggae and country. As a solo performer/ poet & singer, her influences include John Cage, Sun Ra & Laurie Anderson. Her artwork can be viewed at Gallery 25 in New Milford and online. She studied improvisation with Bobby McFerrin, vocal yoga with Heather Lyle, and sound healing with Silvia Nakkach, John Beaulieu and Don Conreaux See ad, page 7.

METAPHYSICAL STORE THE ANGEL COOPERATIVE

51 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 TheAngelCoop.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube The Angel Cooperative is a unique lifestyle boutique featuring the first and only Shungite Room in the USA. Wide selection of crystals, jewelry, candles, essential oils, divination tools, spiritual gifts, statuary, oracle decks and tarot and home décor. Available in The Shungite Room: readings, Reiki, meditation, sound therapy, energy work, workshops, and special events. See ad, page 22.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN HEALTHFUL HARMONY

Dr. Amy Wiesner 91 East Ave, Second Floor, Norwalk 203-962-5887 DrAmyWiesner@gmail.com HealthfulHarmony.com Dr. Wiesner, practicing for almost 20 years, uses acupuncture, lifestyle medicine, nutritional supplementation and homeopathy to help her patients achieve health and well-being. Infertility, Diabetes, Stress, Pain, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Allergies, Headaches, Cardiovascular Disease, Lyme Disease, Menstrual Disorders, other imbalances.

NEERU KAUSHIK, ND, MS ACU, MS, MA Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies 805 Kings Highway East, Fairfield 203-331-9111 DrKaushik@AyurvedicInstituteCT.com

A combination of Ayurveda and Naturopathy is used to create a unique treatment plan to regain and maintain health. Based on one’s particular body constitution (dosha), a plan may include supplements, diet/nutrition suggestions, lifestyle management, detoxification, hydrotherapy, 0zone therapy, Panchakarma.

See ad, page 25.

NICOLE KLUGHERS, ND, PHARMD, MSAC

Vis Wellness Center Rocky Hill & TeleMedicine Statewide (234) 2-ACU-DOC DrNicoleKlughers.com Info@DrNicoleKlughers.com Dr. Nicole Klughers offers comprehensive naturopathic care to restore optimal health and prevent disease. Dr. Nicole’s “health detective” approach identifies the root cause of symptoms and provides all-natural solutions such as personalized nutrition (food as medicine), herbal medicine, nutrient therapies, acupuncture and more. In-depth assessment is often done with detailed testing of vitamins/ minerals, hormones, advanced cardiovascular markers, inflammation, food sensitivities, gut/ microbiome and more. See ad, page 4.

NUTRITION OFFICE OF DR. MICHAEL WALD

29 King St, 2nd Fl, Chappaqua NY 10514 914-552-1442 Info@BloodDetective.com DrMichaelWald.com #BloodDetective Dr Wald is a holistic DC, Nutritionist, and Dietician whose Blood Detective software, labs and detailed consult help get to the cause(s) of persistent health issues. Conditions include autoimmune, weight loss, anti-aging, cancer, GI issues, depression, and more. See ad, page 5.

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PSYCHOTHERAPY

NANCY S. SCHERLONG, LCSW, PTR, CM

Coaching/Psychotherapy/Consulting Offices in Norwalk and Ridgefield 914-572-3167 WellnessMetaphors.com Manage stress with relaxation techniques. Rediscover your creativity through writing and the expressive arts. Resolve trauma with EMDR, IFS or SE. Or book an experiential workshop! Nancy has over 20 years of experience with children, families, groups, adults and corporate wellness programs.

REIKI GIGI BENANTI, USUI REIKI MASTER Angelic Healing Center 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk 203-852-1150 AngelHealReiki.com

Gigi is an experienced Reiki Master/Teacher. She offers all levels of Reiki training monthly.

All classes and Reiki sessions include the latest techniques including Karuna, Angelic and Jikiden Reiki.

JOYFUL LIVING REIKI LLC

Gail Christie, Holy Fire Reiki Master Stamford, CT and Mt Kisco, NY 203-979-0918 JoyfulLivingReiki.com Gail will help you get in touch with your energy and bring balance to your life with Holy Fire Reiki. She offers gently powerful Holy Fire healing sessions, Reiki-infused meditations and Usui/Holy Fire and Karuna Reiki certification classes. See ad, page 2.

REIKI TURNING POINT REIKI LLC

JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield 203-438-3050 TurningPointReiki.com JoAnn uses intuition, experience and a deep spiritual connection in her Reiki, IET and Reconnective Healing sessions. Specializing in care for individuals with cancer, back pain, Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses. All Reiki levels taught.

THE SHUNGITE ROOM THE ANGEL COOPERATIVE

The Angel Cooperative 51 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 TheAngelCoop.com The first and only Shungite Room in the USA. Shungite is the only natural material known to contain fullerenes, a naturally occurring antioxidant.

Shungite is believed to have active metaphysical properties with strong healing powers. The Shungite Room hosts readings, Reiki, meditation, sound therapy, energy work, workshops, and special events.

The public is welcome to enjoy the room at no charge when the room is not in use. See ad, page 22.

SOUND HEALING HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC Barbara (Bobbi) Soares Merryall, New Milford 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com HummingbirdSoundYoga.com Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga

Barbara (Bobbi) Soares, MA, CYT, is a sound yoga and vocal yoga teacher, blues/jazz singer, and Reiki master, certified in several modalities of energy and sound healing. She offers Hummingbird Sound Yoga and sound healing immersions for groups and private sessions. Using earth, dance and symphonic gongs, bowls, tuning forks and humming-forhealth meditations, her goal is to help individuals experience becoming “one with sound” to promote a deep relaxation response that balances energy and encourages healing. See ad, page 7.

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TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING KATIE AUGUSTYN, MA, CPC

Transformation Coach Shamanic Healer TransformationCenterCT.com 203-820-3800 TransformationCenterCT@gmail.com Katie will assist you in reaching your true potential and heal what has been holding you back. You will experience real self-acceptance and start to live in alignment with who you truly are so you can create a life you love, a life of meaning and purpose. See ad, page 2.

BETH LEAS

Transformative Healing • Tarot Virtual and In-Person Sessions 203-856-9566 • BethLeas.com If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection.

30+ years of intuitive healing experience with adults and children of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 2.

SOUL HEALING JOURNEY, LLC Eilis Philpott Fairfield • 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com

Eilis is a master healer and teacher and certified in numerous modalities as both a practitioner and teacher. She offers soul level healing, which clears any blocks, obstacles and challenges that are preventing you from living your life to its fullest potential.

See ad, page 15.

UNIVERSAL WHITE TIME, CRYSTAL & SOUND HEALING CRYSTAL MUSIC HEALING

Bradford Tilden, MM, CMT, UWT Remote: Phone or Zoom 860-830-5841 • Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com CrystalMusicHealing.com My goal is to empower you to develop spiritually and professionally. I offer UWT energy and gemstone healing with guided visualization for spiritual healing and self-actualization, and transformational voice activation coaching sessions. I teach certification classes in Universal White Time (UWT), Lemurian Intuitive (LSINH), Crystal, and Sound Healing. I use these techniques, and more to help you to obtain authentic expression, empowerment, and transformation. You can purchase personally attuned crystals and gemstones through me. My clients and students gain a renewed clarity and a sense of purpose as they perceive their truth and remove blockages that distort their perception. Contact me for a free 30 minute consultation. See ad, page 4.

WELLNESS CENTER THE ANGEL WING, A DIVINE SPIRITUAL CENTER

Located next door to The Angel Cooperative 49 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 TheAngelCoop.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube The Angel Wing is next door to The Angel Cooperative. It has a large yoga room and private treatment room.

The Angel Wing hosts workshops, retreats, readings, energy work sessions, Reiki and Reiki Certification classes, massage, sound and gong baths, guided meditations, acupuncture, and yoga classes and yoga teacher training. It is also available to rent on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis.

Optional rental spaces include a large open room and/or an intimate private room with massage/Reiki table. See ad, page 22.

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

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HAUTE HEALING OASIS Jessica & Peter Chichester 792 Pacific St, Stamford 203-595-5304 Info@HauteHealingOasis.com HauteHealingOasis.com

HHO is your feel great place!

A 3500 square foot wellness spa and healing center featuring over a dozen wellness services in a caring feng shui inspired atmosphere. If you need relaxation, detoxification, body contouring or rehabilitation services, then you should check them out.

See ad, page 11.

SALT CAVE OF DARIEN

555 Post Rd, Darien 203-658-7667 Info@SaltCaveofDarien.com SaltCaveofDarien.com

Our wellness destination offers an oasis of peace, calm and serenity. Whether you want to release stress, address a health challenge, or gather with friends and family, the Cave is inviting, warm and soothing. Check out our website for the many different ways to experience the benefits of our healing salt! See ad, page 2.

YOGA HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC Barbara (Bobbi) Soares Merryall, New Milford 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com HummingbirdSoundYoga.com Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga

Barbara (Bobbi) Soares, MA, CYT, is a sound yoga and vocal yoga teacher, blues/jazz singer, and Reiki master, certified in several modalities of energy and sound healing. She offers Hummingbird Sound Yoga and sound healing immersions for groups and private sessions. Her goal is to help individuals experience becoming “one with sound” to promote a deep relaxation response that balances energy and encourages healing. See ad, page 7.

Natural Awakenings appreciates the generosity of its distributors throughout the area. Please consider supporting these essential businesses and major distributors by shopping there and picking up the magazine each month from one of the racks. Thank you!

Chamomille

NATURAL FOODS

www.themarketct.com THE

301 Litchfield rd., New milford, ct

S I N C E 1978

Need Advice On Your Health Issues?

Customized Nutritional Counseling with Onsite Nutritionist & Herbalist Barry Sherr Join our

Owner, Nutritionist, R.H., A.H.G. Free Loyalty Certified by A.H.S.U. & N.I.N.E Program for Registered Herbalist - A.H.G Reduced Decades of Integrity, Dedication, & Service Pricing!

Gift Cards Available 203-792-8952 • Rt. 6 Plaza (58-60 Newtown Rd.) Danbury, CT 06810 www.ChamomilleNaturalFoods.com

Nature’s Temptations

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naturestemptations.com

CT

open all week 7am-8pm 860.355.2667

793 Bantam rd., Bantam, ct open all week 7am-8pm 860.567.8647

A D est in at ion Fo r Pe opl e W ho L ove Fo

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CT’s Original Independently Owned

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Marketplace 129 Main St. North Woodbury, CT 06798 (203) 263-4868 www.newmorn.com

Darien • Greenwich • Westport Fairfield • Danbury • Milford

If you are interested in becoming a Natural Awakenings distribution location please contact Erica@eNaturalAwakenings.com today.

August 2022 39

DANCE IT OUT FEATURING

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SEP T E M B E R 10 SATURDAY 10AM - 6PM

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