November 2023 Natural Awakenings Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

FREE

H E A LT H Y L I V I N G | H E A LT H Y P L A N E T

THE JOYS OF MINIMALISM Less Stuff, Richer Life

BREATHE BETTER

Lifestyle Choices for Healthy Lungs

HOLIDAYS

Plant-Forward Recipes

Eco-Living FAIRFIELD & SOUTHERN LITCHFIELD COUNTIES EDITION

NOVEMBER 20231 November 2023

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 Energy Medicine Kathy Stalter, Owner, Sanaré Wellness, LLC This energy field system creates an environment for the body to recharge and restore, so it can heal itself. • Sanare.life • Kathy@Sanare.life 860-600-0106 Naturopathic Physician

Contents 10

10 CONNECTING

MENTAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION

11 HOW NATURE

TEACHES US HOW TO LIVE

12 ECO LIVING AND THE

REVIVAL OF WALKING

Steps Toward a Healthier Planet and You

12

14 THE JOYS OF

MINIMALISM

A Rich Life With Less Stuff

16 SUSTAINABLE

CELEBRATIONS

Create A Healthy Holiday Home

18 LUNG MAINTENANCE 101

Natural Strategies to Breathe Easier

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 Psychotherapist, Intuitive Reader and Healer Carolyn Coleridge, LCSW Psychotherapist and Mindfulness Meditation, Spiritual Readings, Mentor. Helps people find Purpose & Healing.

Classes on Universal Consciousness and Intuition. intuitivesoulhealing.com • Carcole9@hotmail.com

20 PLANT-FORWARD

20

HOLIDAYS

Festive Foods Everyone Will Crave

22 RESPONSIBLE PET ADOPTION

Guarantee a Forever Home for a Furry Friend

Spiritual Health Practitioner Rev. Bradford W. Tilden, MM, CMT, UWT Starseed Support, Universal White Time, Crystal Healing, Sound Healing • Sessions and Trainings crystalmusichealing.com • linktr.ee/bradfordtilden 860-830-5841

HCP 2

See more holistic practitioners at: HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org To join the HCP contact Shirley R. Bloethe at: 860-989-0033

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

DEPARTMENTS 6 ad index 6 news briefs 8 health brief 9 event spotlight 18 healing ways

eNaturalAwakenings.com

20 conscious

eating 22 natural pet 24 calendar 27 resource guide

Natural Awakenings is a network of natural lifestyle magazine publishers empowering local communities with knowledge, resources and connections to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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22

FREE 15 MIN. CONSULT DEALING WITH:

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 203-885-4674 or email Advertising@eNaturalAwakenings.com.

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Deadline for News Briefs: the 12th of the month.

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November 2023

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from publisher

As the holiday season approaches, I find myself reflecting on the past year, cherishing the moments with family and friends, and embracing the warmth of my home. It’s a time to come together, share stories, and Publisher Erica Mills make lasting memories. It is so important to reflect on Editor Michelle Bense Design & Production Kathleen Fellows and give thanks for all we have.

Erica Mills I encourage myself to be intentional about my time Contributing Writers Jessica Chichester and energy. Not to take a single moment for granted.

Kristine Francefort With the world facing many challenges and uncertainSales & Marketing Shirley Bloethe Erica Mills ties, I am reminded of the preciousness of life and the Distribution Man in Motion LLC importance of holding on to every minute.

In the spirit of this month’s theme, eco-living, let’s CONTACT US celebrate the gifts of the Earth. By making thoughtful 54 Danbury Rd, #354, Erica Mills Ridgefield, CT 06877 choices, we can reduce our impact on the environment.

Phone/Fax: 203-885-4674 Whether it’s choosing sustainable gifts, reducing waste, Erica@eNaturalAwakenings.com or supporting local, eco-friendly businesses, we can eNaturalAwakenings.com make a difference with our actions.

This is a time to come together, share stories, and make THE JOYS OF MINIMALISM lasting memories. After reading “The Joys of Minimalism” SUBSCRIPTIONS on page 14, I take a moment to consider what that means in Subscriptions are available by sending $30 BREATHE this season of abundance. My family have countless decoraBETTER (for 12 issues) to the above address. tions and items that we surround ourselves with this time of NATIONAL TEAM HOLIDAYS year. They bring with them a crertain familiarity that makes CEO Kimberly B. Whittle each of us feel festive but also safe. It is hard to prioritize National Editor Sandra Yeyati and catalog all of these treasures, but this is a reminder that Editor Brooke Goode sometimes it’s okay to review what we surround ourselves Copy Editor/Proofreader Melanie Rankin with and what it truly means.

Design & Production Gabrielle W-Perillo So, here’s to a holiday season filled with intention, National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell eco-living, and an abundance of love. I will cherish every moment, every smile, and CONTACT US every act of kindness. And may the coming year bring us closer to a world of peace and Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 350 Main Street, Suite 9B positive change.

Bedminster, NJ 07921 Wishing you all a healthy and heartwarming holiday season.

FAIRFIELD & SOUTHERN LITCHFIELD COUNTIES

H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

| H E A LT H Y P L A N

FREE

ET

Less Stuff, Richer Life

Lifestyle Choices for Healthy Lungs

Plant-Forward Recipes

Eco-Living ES EDITION

RN LITCHFIELD COUNTI

FAIRFIELD & SOUTHE

ER 20231 NOVEMB November 2023

Ph: 239-206-2000

NaturalAwakenings@KnoWEwell.com

With love and gratitude,

COVER IMAGE BY NAIF ON ADOBESTOCK © 2023 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

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

Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

Natural Awakenings is proudly printed in Connecticut at Trumbull Printing on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

FIND THIS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ONLINE PLUS MUCH MORE @eNaturalAwakenings.com GREEN FITNESS

Choosing an Earth-Friendly Gym

eNaturalAwakenings.com

HOLIDAY WORKOUTS

Tips for Staying Motivated

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 Career Coach/Kolbe Consultant Thea Litsios, Certified Career Coach and Kolbe Consultant. Find the career or college major that is in alignment with your natural talents and strengths.

Discover the joy of having a career that is right for you!

Thealitsios.com • 203-693-1493

Energy Transformation Coach Lauri Ingram, The Liminal Studio Connect with your authentic self, remove what blocks you from thriving in life & deepen your spiritual life. Ordained interfaith minister & life event officiant.

Bethany, CT • Lauri@LauriIngram.com LauriIngram.com • 203-435-5650

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

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

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

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

Life Coach

Lyme Disease Healing

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

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

Transformation Coaching/Healing

Salt Cave

Energy Healing/Meditation/Tarot

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

Yoga Studio & Wellness Center Ingrid Prueher, Yoga For Everybody A serene yoga studio where you can experience yoga, meditation, and aerial classes in-person, online or by video-on-demand, plus other workshops & trainings.

85 Mill Plain Road, 3rd Fl, Ffld, CT 203-254-9642 • Yoga4Everybody.net Info@Yoga4Everybody.net

Get to know us at TLC’s monthly networking breakfast!

Looking for a relaxed group of professionals offering a supportive community, free networking events, many affordable marketing opportunities, and FUN? 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 - and if you find your time with us worthwhile, we invite you to become a TLC Member. Please RSVP to Beth Leas at: 203-856-9566 (call/text) or TLCBethLeas@gmail.com so she can reserve your place.

November 2023

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Photo by Ally Griffin on Unsplash

display ad index

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203TLC 5 The Angel Cooperative/ Angel Wing 8 Bodywork Docs Anu Kurra, MD & Michael Betler, DO 7 Awakend 13 Chamomille Natural Foods 31 Dr. Michael Wald 3 The Girlfriend Doctor/ Dr. Anna Cabecca 21 Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop 32 Hilda Demirjian Laser & Skin Care 15 Holistic Community Professionals 2 Hummingbird Sound Yoga 9 Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies 13 KnoWEwell Lifetime Membership 23 Marcelle Pick, OB Gyn, NP 21 The Market 31 Nature’s Way Health Foods 31 Nature’s Temptation 31 New Morning Market 31 Passport to Health & Wellness Holistic Expo 19 ProImmune 12 Regenex 25 Salon Aponte 10 Sedona Art 7 Sensaband 26 Soul Healing Journey 17 Touch of Sedona 7 Wellness Metaphors/ Nancy S. Scherlong 11 Whole Foods 31 Wolf Spirit Wellness 13 Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

news briefs

Hair Regrowth Treatment at Hilda Demirjian Laser and Skin Care Center

N

ow that winter is upon us, it is an ideal time to reflect on the UVA and UVB rays that have undoubtedly affected our skin—from scalp to toes—during the summer. Due to high demand, Hilda Demirjian Laser and Skin Care Center is reintroducing its cutting-edge, non-invasive and holistic laser hair regrowth treatment at the Westchester location.

In addition, they are introducing Hilda Demirjian Before and After Treatment exclusive and botanically-derived antioxidant scalp treatment products to compliment the laser hair regrowth treatment.

“Based on our research, the majority of our clients (male or female) are losing their hair due to hormonal changes and stress, especially at a younger age,” explains Demirjian. “I tried this treatment on myself, and I felt extremely satisfied with the result, therefore I highly recommend this to you. Please gift yourself!”

Hilda Demirjian Laser and Skin Care Center is always in search of bringing the best products and treatments to clients and their loved ones. If interested, contact the center for a complimentary hair regrowth evaluation.

For more information, call or text 914-374-1756, email Info@HildaDemirjianLaser.com or visit HildaDemirjianLaser.com. Location: 34 S Broadway, Ste 607, White Plains, NY. See ad, page 15.

Celebrate the Season While Giving Back at Festival of Trees Benefiting Ann’s Place

J

oin the 21st annual Festival of Trees to benefit Ann’s Place, live from November 17 to 19 at The Summit in Danbury. Raising over $4.2 million since 2003 to support area cancer patients, the event is the largest annual fundraiser for Ann’s Place.

There are so many fun activities to do for the whole family at the Festival of Trees. Walk through a winter wonderland of beautifully decorated trees and then try one’s luck with raffle prizes and an online auction. There is something for everyone on holiday gift lists at the Festival of Trees Boutique. Enjoy many wonderful, truly one-of-a-kind artisanal and handmade items that can’t be found in department stores.

In addition to the joy of viewing the decorated trees, the Children’s Winter Village features craft stations, fun activities and special guests. Bring the family and friends, and enjoy live music and entertainment each day including local bands, orchestras, dancers, magicians and more.

Kick off the holiday season with this unique event for the entire family. All proceeds go to Ann’s Place, serving local families facing cancer with counseling, support groups and wellness programs, all free of charge.

Location: 100 Reserve Rd., Danbury, CT. For more information on the event including activity updates, visit AnnsPlaceFestivalOfTrees.org. For more information on Ann’s Place, call 203-790-6568 or visit AnnsPlace.org. eNaturalAwakenings.com

Get Ready for Bi-Annual Spring Benefit Expo

T

he New England 12th Bi-Annual Spring Benefit Expo will be held on May 5, 2024. The Holistic Community Professionals is accepting exhibitor applications for The Passport to Health & Wellness Expo. The event is scheduled for May 5, from 10am to 4pm, at The DoubleTree by Hilton in Bristol.

The Expo is free to attend. Donations are accepted for the benefit organization. The tea cup raffle will benefit Children’s Health Defense with items donated from all the exhibitors. The benefit expo is presented by the Holistic Community Professionals.Org and will feature speakers on the half-hour beginning at 11am, with a keynote speaker at 1pm.

The event will have more than 75 vendors offering hands-on body workers as well as holistic wellness products and treatments. A free sound healing closing ceremony with Zentastic Wellness (Fred Maerkle) will be offered at 4pm.

For more information, call Shirley Bloethe at 860-989-0033, email YourHolisticEvents@gmail.com or visit Tinyurl.com/YHE24VendorApp. See ad, page 19.

Touch of Sedona @Touch.Of.Sedona

203.438.7146

Sedona Art @SedonaArt06877

203.244.5520 Paintings © Marge Courtney

450-452 Main Street • Ridgefield CT

Discover Joy and Empowerment at ‘Presence the Retreat’

D

o you often find yourself caught in the endless cycle of healing, making it challenging to be truly present in the here and now? Many individuals share this sentiment, feeling stuck and disconnected from the full experience of life. If you are tired of the constant search for what is wrong and want to break free from these cycles, “Presence the Retreat” Megan Toner and Kara Goss is the answer you’ve been seeking.

Hosted by Kara Goss and Megan Toner on November 11, from 10am to 5pm at the Franco-American Civic & Social Center, in Windham, this retreat is an opportunity to reconnect with your heart, find joy in life and rediscover your divine soul. You will learn to embrace every moment, no matter what it brings, and connect with the peace and wisdom that reside beneath life’s ever-changing experiences.

“Presence the Retreat” goes beyond traditional practices and empowers you to embody your joyful spirit and life. Through a day filled with movement, motivation, presence and connection, you will be equipped to shake things up and step into your life with renewed empowerment, ready to live a joyful, embodied life.

For more information and tickets, visit KaraGoss.com.

November 2023

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health brief

Keep Your Immune System Healthy This Winter With winter just around the corner, there’s no better time to fortify the immune system than now.

According to Joseph V. Cassarino, founder of Best Immune Support, the distribution arm for Dr. Albert B. Crum and The ProImmune Co. LLC based in Rhinebeck, New York, “Strong immunity is like a shield that mitigates illness, helps with recovery and protects your body from toxic substances. A healthy cell and a healthy body can defend itself better. A weaker immune system is vulnerable to sickness. With many forces working against you, it is most important to take care of your immune system.”

Cassarino attests that building a super strong immune system is a process and involves multiple actions and steps. “Getting enough rest helps your immune system rebuild, as does fasting. Getting plenty of sunshine also helps strengthen the immune system. Avoiding alcohol helps the immune system stay strong,” he shares. “And of course, eating green vegetables rich in vitamins also helps create a strong immune system. However, all these things combined are often not enough to combat the excessive toxins infiltrating our cells.”

One of the best ways to strengthen the immune system safely—and as nature intended—is to maintain ample glutathione levels. “With many forces working

against you, it’s most important to take care of your immune system,” says Cassarino. “Glutathione is considered the master antioxidant and helps reduce oxidative stress in the cell to keep cells at their healthiest. Its role in vital bodily processes can’t be understated.”

In addition to boosting the immune system, healthy levels of glutathione possess other potent health benefits including healthier skin; better brain function; increased heart, tissue, lung, kidney and joint health; enhanced athletic performance; and improved digestion, to name a few.

Best Immune Support’s flagship formula, Immune Formulation 200, was invented

by Dr. Albert Crum, M.D., MS, D.Sci-Hon. This product is a scientific breakthrough that reduces oxidative stress and toxins inside cells naturally for optimal immune support. For more information, email Info@TheBestImmuneSupport.com. To purchase Immune Formulation 200, visit TheBestImmuneSupport.com. See ad, page 12.

HOME • BODY • SOUL PURVEYORS OF POSITIVITY • A UNIQUE LIFESTYLE BOUTIQUE Crystals & Jewelry • Candles, Essential Oils & Incense • Yoga Wear, Boho Clothing & Accessories Spiritual Gifts & Statuary • Decks, Books & Cards • The First Shungite Room in the USA Special events, classes, workshops and retreats in both our Shungite Room and at The Angel Wing (our spiritual center next door).

• Readings • Yoga - All Levels • Massage • Reiki • Sound Healing • Acupuncture • Energy Work • Gong Baths • Certification Classes 51 & 49 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rt 7), Ridgefield, CT • 2 03 -4 3 1 -2959 • T HEAN GE LCOOP.COM

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

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event spotlight

15th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop

S

anta and his three live reindeer return to Greenwich for the 15th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop, presented by Jenny Allen/Compass Real Estate, at the “North Pole on North Street”, Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, in Greenwich, from November 24 to December 23. The cherished town tradition continues for the fifteenth consecutive year at this expansive nursery where visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, meet the reindeer and enjoy Santa’s Workshop sponsored by Greenwich Pediatric Dental Group, which provides more space for families.

Guests can enjoy the “Reindeer Coloring Station” and “Letter Writing to Santa Station”, while waiting in line for their photo with Santa. A portion of all photos with Santa will be donated to Kids In Crisis, a nonprofit organization based in Greenwich. A Kids In Crisis Giving Tree will also be available for people to support their important mission.

This all takes place just minutes from downtown Greenwich. Parking is free. Children, adults and all dogs (on leashes) can have their photo taken with Santa at Santa’s Workshop. Dogs are invited for photos with Santa at any time, but as an added incentive to visit Santa with your dog when the lines aren’t as long, you’ll receive a Doggy Gift Bag sponsored by Cornell University Veterinary Specialists when you visit on Monday through Friday throughout the event.

To recognize the 15th year, the event will be “Celebrating Family Traditions”. Top of the list for hundreds of families is visiting Santa’s live reindeer and having family and pet photos with Santa at beautiful Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses. The unique holiday attraction has become an important family tradition for thousands of families over the past 14 years.

Help celebrate 15 years by sharing your family’s past Greenwich Reindeer Festival photos with Santa. With your permission, the event will post them on their Instagram and Facebook pages. They’re excited to feature many different families and what a fun family tradition like the Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop means to your family.

Email photos to Tamara@TMK-EventMarketing.com.

The community is invited to Sam Bridge for a “We’re Back Party Days” on November 24, from noon to 6pm, and November 25, from 9am to 6pm, when Santa’s Workshop officially opens for photos with Santa. While waiting for the reindeer to arrive Friday afternoon, everyone can enjoy special refreshments, balloon artists, live music entertainment, Rising Starr Horse Rescue, food trucks and many other special activities, which will also continue all day Saturday.

Visit GreenwichReindeerFestival.com for pricing for all photo packages. Hours for the photos with Santa are Monday through Friday, noon to 6pm, and Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Sam Bridge is closed on Sundays. The reindeer will depart on December 23, but Santa will remain that day for photos from 9am to 6pm. Sam Bridge Nursery will be closed Christmas Eve this year.

For more information and to view all sponsors, visit GreenwichReindeerFestival.com.

Location: Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North St, Greenwich. See ad, back cover.

November 2023

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By VectorMineon Adobe Stock

Connecting Mental Health and Nutrition

by Dr. Michael Wald, DC, CDN

M

ental health and illness can have a significant impact on nutritional status, leading to deficiencies or imbalances in vitamins, minerals, herbs, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. These nutritional problems can further exacerbate mental health conditions and hinder the overall well-being of individuals. Understanding the relationship between mental health and nutrition is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies.

Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, special needs issues and body dysmorphia are some of the mental health conditions that can contribute to nutritional problems.

Individuals with these conditions may experience changes in appetite, eating patterns or food preferences. For example, depression and anxiety can lead to decreased appetite or emotional eating, resulting in inadequate intake of essential nutrients.

Vitamins and minerals play a vital role in maintaining mental health. Deficiencies in B vitamins (B12, folate), vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to an increased risk of depression and other mental health disorders. Minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium

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and selenium are also important for proper brain function and mood regulation.

Proteins are essential for the synthesis of neurotransmitters that regulate mood and behavior. Inadequate protein intake can affect the production of these neurotransmitters, potentially worsening symptoms of mental illness.

Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for the brain. Imbalances in carbohydrate intake can impact mood stability and cognitive function. High consumption of refined carbohydrates may lead to blood sugar fluctuations and worsen symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Fats, particularly omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil and certain nuts and seeds, have been shown to have a positive effect on mental health. Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with an increased risk of depression and other psychiatric disorders.

To accurately determine an individual’s specific nutritional needs, blood detective laboratory testing can be utilized alongside a comprehensive health history assessment.

These tests measure nutrient levels in the blood and identify any deficiencies or imbalances. By analyzing the results, healthcare professionals can tailor nutritional recommendations and dietary interventions to address the individual’s unique needs.

In conclusion, mental health conditions can contribute to nutritional problems, affecting the intake and absorption of essential nutrients. Understanding this relationship is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies. Blood detective laboratory testing, combined with a thorough health history assessment, can help determine an individual’s specific nutritional requirements and guide personalized dietary interventions.

Dr. Michael Wald is a chiropractor, life coach and board-certified nutritionist and dietitian. He has authored several books including The Anti-Aging Encyclopedia of Lab Tests. Wald is in private practice in Chappaqua, New York. For more information or to make an appointment, call 914-552-1442, email Info@BloodDetective. org or visit DrMichaelWald.com. See ad, page 3.

by Carolyn Coleridge, LCSW

E

arth is a powerful energetic being where we live, thrive and create. Its mood and seasons are called nature, and it is here to teach us the way we should thrive in life. The cycles of nature help us remember that we have cycles in life. Nature, like the cosmos, is a natural teacher.

During Fall, it is a time to have things fall away and be buried in the earth. This can be relationships, jobs, addictions or traumas. Winter is a time to go within and start to look deep within our inner subconscious mind for what is buried and forgotten.

The dream state during winter becomes more active as our soul is trying to work though creations we had during the summer. We are here on Earth to grow and learn. Spring is of course when we spring into action and plant positive seeds of what we learned during the winter. Summer is when the beauty of our “landscape” may show its best outcomes. Time to relax and enjoy our creations.

When we pay attention to these patterns, we learn how to create our life. We create our life through our thoughts and actions. What we think about, we bring about. What we focus on, we expand.

When we have negative thoughts, we really should remove, shift or change them. For example, in a garden we may have many weeds.

Weeds can be thought of as negative thoughts. These negative thoughts prevent us from growing and thriving, as negative weeds block a plant’s growth. Thoughts push our emotions and then fuel our actions and that helps formulate our behavior. If we want to blossom, we must weed our mind garden.

The sun helps plants to grow and mature into wonderful fruits, trees and other harvests. The sun can emulate energy and inspiration from the Universe that helps us to grow and learn. The warmth of the sun helps us to remember source can warm our hearts with inspirations and goals. The light of the sun can help us

By DanChik on Adobe Stock

How Nature Teaches Us How to Live

remember that our soul is always warm and shining. Sometimes we can’t see it because of clouds, misperceptions or rain, like tears, but the sun is still there.

The moon represents our intuition—what is hidden in the subconscious. The moon lights up the night sky. Just like our intuition can light up our dark times. There is a lot of wisdom that comes out of darkness. The moon always teaches us about cycles, as there are full moons every 28 days and women have their period approximately every 28 days. These cycles are to remind us that life is not linear. We go through new beginnings at every New Moon.

Full Moons can make the tides move ferocious. It can make people emotionally vulnerable to awaken the “lunatic” energy in them.

Air (or wind) helps us remember the breath of spirit and the etheric realm of spirit. Feeling a change in temperature in your house when there is no air can be a whisp of the energy of a spirit or a ghost.

A tornado can remind you that there may be hard times of emotional turmoil where things get blown away and disrupted. It is just an experience but may leave devastation and you may have to rebuild.

Water is about cleansing. Water can be a metaphor for cleansing our thoughts, words and deeds and our aura. Words can be like tsunamis, or they can be as peaceful as a lake. A roaring ocean can emulate rage and anger. In dream interpretation, the type of water you see has to do with the emotions you are experiencing. A hurricane can mean you are going to have a fight with a person or some other tragedy.

Fire is about igniting our passions in life. We need the fire of passion to get started in new jobs, health and life. We need fire energy to create fiery outcomes. Fire is the catalyst of new beginnings, but can also be destruction. With any energy, it is how you use it. The sun reminds us of the fire within us.

Earth is about grounding in the present moment. We must remember we incarnated on earth for a reason. Earth is the foundation of our life. When we plant things into earth they grow. When we plant things into our thoughts, they prosper. Use Earth as a metaphor for life. Similar to how astrology can help us understand our path on earth, nature can assist us on how to live when we are here.

Carolyn Coleridge, LCSW is a psychotherapist, intuitive and healer.

She has a meditation and healing center, Conscious Creations, in Bloomfield. Connect at 323-782-9085 (text), IntuitiveSoulHealing. com or @Conscious_CreationsCT on Instagram. See ad, page 2.

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914.572.3167 | www.wellnessmetaphors.com 898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Suite 7 | Ridgefield, CT 06877 November 2023

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Eco Living and the Revival of Walking

A Mismatch of Evolution and The Cruciality of Walking Bizarrely, humans are impeccably adapted to an environment that scarcely exists today.

Moving from vast landscapes and lush forests to towering buildings and jam-packed streets, our advantageous modern conveniences have also entrapped us in an “evolutionary mismatch”, as biologists phrase it.

Here, walking emerges not just as a catalyst for personal health, but a pivot toward a more ecologically mindful lifestyle. Envisage the far-reaching benefits to both our health and the environment by choosing to walk even short distances, rather than resorting to fuelintensive cars or public transport: substantial cuts in carbon emissions, eased traffic congestion and diminished resource use.

STEPS TOWARD A HEALTHIER PLANET AND YOU

by Jessica Scofield-Chichester, PhD

File 640577318 Adobe Stock

Treading Toward Health

W

alking, humanity’s timeless mode of transport, has dramatically dwindled due to swift urbanization and technological progress. As our planet wrestles with ecological dilemmas, a return to this fundamental activity becomes essential.

The unity of eco living and walking fosters both our health and planetary wellness. Let’s journey through the extensive advantages of walking, examining how weaving it into our routines is a choice in favor of sustainability.

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Viewing from a health lens, walking is intrinsically tied to our wellness. Contrast the typical American, who barely achieves 5,000 steps a day, with our ancestors or indigenous populations who effortlessly surpassed 15,000 steps. This discrepancy illuminates not only an evolutionary mismatch but also the health repercussions stemming from our sedentary ways.

Our step counts and speed decline further as we age. By 60, our pace is 33 percent slower than in our 40s. However, walking stands out as a profound remedy for numerous contemporary health issues—from chronic back pain to knee complications—having demonstrated its efficacy in various studies as a potent, nonmedical therapy.

Walking: An Eco Living Choice Eco living champions choices that curb our carbon footprint and minimize resource use, and walking is emblematic of these ideals. Choosing to walk implies: • Reducing carbon emissions: Less automotive travel equates to lower greenhouse gas output and purer air.

• Championing green spaces: Less reliance on vehicles fosters advocacy for additional pedestrian areas, parks and greenery.

• Resource conservation: Reduced fuel demand, less road degradation and fewer sprawling parking lots.

Embracing Biotechnologies

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While not intended to supplant walking or routine exercise, they can complement our endeavors, particularly for those hindered by mobility issues or tight schedules. Check with your local wellness center to see if they carry devices such as the Sonix.

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Recognizing the benefits of walking is pivotal, but integrating it into our lives is equally vital.

• Start gradually. New to walking? Begin with shorter distances and gently expand your scope.

• Choose to walk: For nearby errands, opt to walk rather than drive.

• Purposeful walking: Merge activities. Walk while enjoying an audiobook, podcast or tunes. Make it your “me time”.

• Embed walking into work: Take brisk breaks with a walk around the block or choose stairs over elevators.

• Group walks: Participate in walking groups or arrange walks with loved ones. Socializing can morph walking from a task into entertainment.

• Adopt a standing desk: Although it is not walking, standing desks can disrupt prolonged sitting and boost your posture.

• Explore varied terrains: Engage in walks across parks, forests or trails. Different surfaces engage different muscles and bring diverse experiences.

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Infusing More Walking into Daily Life

In a time enthralled by speed and ease, deliberately slowing down to walk may seem paradoxical. However, it is a backward step urgently needed for both our health and our planet.

Walking not only bridges the divide between our evolutionary makeup and the environmentally aware world we strive to build, but also stands as a simple, sustainable and profoundly impactful declaration for our well-being and our surroundings.

• Drumming

Jessica Scofield-Chichester, PhD, Rev is the co-founder and CEO of Haute Healing Oasis, in Stamford. She has been in the health, wellness and spiritual science field for over 25 years, is a Hall of Fame athlete and has been a kundalini, yoga and intuitive health and fitness coach for over 20 years. Connect at 203-595-5304, Info@HauteSauna.com and HauteHealingOasis.com.

November 2023 13

weighing them down and start removing excess items that are adding to physical and emotional space. Think about if you were moving in three months, what would you want to take with you,” she says.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Americans spend $1.2 trillion annually on things they don’t essentially need. Becker says that focusing on minimalism allows us to invest our money where it truly matters. “Choosing to accumulate only the essentials can lead the way to financial freedom. Spending less on things you don’t really need will cut your financial expenses and provide an opportunity to not just save money for the sake of keeping it for yourself, but to use it to further causes that you believe in. It also allows you to seek out jobs that are not necessarily tied to income,” he says.

The Joys of Minimalism A RICH LIFE WITH LESS STUFF

Rawpixel.com/shutterstock.com

by Carrie Jackson

A

fter a pandemic largely spent at home, many Americans are holding up a mirror to their lives and examining what really matters. Finding that material possessions weigh them down, people are turning to minimalism to simplify their physical, mental and emotional space. According to a study in ScienceDirect, a decluttered lifestyle improves sustainability and boosts emotional well-being. By paring down our possessions, we can become more authentic, simplify our finances and pave an easier pathway for the next generation.

According to Joshua Becker, author of four books on the subject, including The More of Less and Things That Matter, “Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value by removing everything that distracts us from them. This provides a refreshing sense of freedom with a new level of independence that comes from no longer being tied to material possessions. Modern culture has bought into the lie that more is better and happiness can be purchased at a department store, but embracing minimalism brings freedom from the all-consuming passion to possess and dares to seek happiness elsewhere. It values relationships, experiences and soul-care, and lets us see all that we already have and reminds us to be grateful.”

Choosing the Essentials Monica Friel is the founder and chief executive organizer of Chicago-based Chaos to Order, which works with clients to improve organization in their lives. She advises that our homes have essentially become storage units filled with unused items. With the average American house more than double the size it was in 1950, according to National Public Radio, we have more space than ever to store what we don’t necessarily need. “For most people, our home is the biggest purchase we make, yet it’s so full of stuff it has actually become a burden. We’re embarrassed to have people over because of the clutter. I encourage clients to examine what’s 14

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

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Declutter Strategies When starting to declutter, Becker recommends parting with the easiest stuff first.

“Start by eliminating everyday things around the house you no longer need, such as duplicate items. For example, your family needs towels, so you will never remove them completely, but you could simplify your life by reducing the number of towels you own. You will enjoy the refreshing feeling of a less-cluttered linen closet or bathroom drawer. As you experience the benefits in your life, you’ll become better at finding solutions for the more difficult items,” he explains.

Friel says that it is often not the actual physical object people are attached to, but the memories associated with it. She points out that with younger generations increasingly accessing digital and online information, they don’t necessarily have the same ties to objects as their parents do. “That rocking chair in the corner of the basement may have been important to Grandma, but now it’s just taking up space. It’s the story behind the chair, not the actual piece of furniture itself, that matters. People can take a photo of the object and share its history with digital storage, and the memory will last forever,” she says.

Family heirlooms can become even more complicated for the sandwich generation— those taking care of both aging parents and

their own children. Friel says that the best thing parents can do is to start downsizing early. For adult children sorting their parents’ stuff, it is often best to ask for help.

“Life transitions, such as a death in the family or moving elderly parents into a retirement community, can be difficult and draining endeavors. Find someone to help who is not emotionally attached, such as a professional organizer. They can provide unbiased guidance and help defuse any conflicts that may arise. This can even be done remotely now with families online via Zoom. So much of downsizing is about control. But making responsible choices with how to allocate your belongings actually helps put you in control of your legacy and makes it easier for your kids and other family members,” she explains.

Benefits for the Planet Adopting a minimalist approach is also better for the planet. Vourneen McElwain, the creator of The Plain Simple Life, says that embracing minimalism and sustainability has a positive impact on the world around us. “At its core, minimalism is all about

living with less. So, when we choose this lifestyle, we reduce the demand for the excessive production of goods. Minimalism also encourages us to be more mindful about our consumption, so we tend to invest in higher-quality items that last longer, instead of falling into the fast-fashion or disposableproducts trap. Plus, when we own fewer items, we can choose to live in a smaller and more energy-efficient home,” she advises.

Being mindful of how we downsize can help keep the environmental impact to a minimum. McElwain points out, “We never want our unused items ending up polluting the environment in a landfill or in the sea. The most eco-friendly way to declutter is to donate things that are still in good condition or to give them away to family and friends. This way, we can give these items a brand-new life and help others without over-consuming new products.

“You’d be surprised how something that may appear meaningless to some can hold great value for others. You can also sell unwanted items, which helps others get access to something they might need without having to buy new and produce more

waste. Finally, if an item is truly broken and unusable, there are ways to repurpose it. Even if you’re not a DIY person yourself, there are many who would be happy to take your broken, three-legged chair and turn it into a beautiful and unique piece of furniture.”

McElwain notes that minimalism encourages us to become conscious consumers. “A minimalist lifestyle prompts us to ask ourselves if we really need or love an item, and if we have a place for it in our lives. As we become more intentional with our choices, we also start to look into the origins of the things we buy. We try harder to support businesses that align with our values, such as those that prioritize fair trade, ethical manufacturing practices or eco-friendly operations,” she explains. “By adopting minimalism, we don’t just declutter our spaces, we also contribute to social and environmental causes that shape a sustainable future.”

Carrie Jackson is a Chicago-based freelance writer. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.

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November 2023 15

Sustainable Celebrations

• Baking soda scrub: Make a paste using baking soda, a small amount of ecofriendly dish detergent and water. Use it to scrub sinks, tubs and grout. Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive, removing stains and grime effectively without harmful chemicals.

CREATE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY HOME

by Kris Francefort

• Lemon deodorizer: Cut a lemon in half and rub it on cutting boards and surfaces.

The natural acids in lemon break down bacteria and neutralize odors. Lemon also works wonders in the fridge, keeping it smelling fresh.

By sergiophoto on Adobe Stock

Indoor Air Fresheners and Fragrances

‘T

is the season to add extra sparkle, ambiance and flavors to your home in preparation for holiday festivities. Swap pervasive, harmful products with ecofriendly alternatives to promote the health and well-being of family and friends during this season of celebration.

There are two main ways to replace hazardous products and minimize dangerous chemicals in your home: • Purchase eco-friendly alternatives from sustainable-conscious businesses.

• Upcycle and DIY. Add heart to the holidays with homemade offerings while saving time and money by making your own home products.

Here are a few “common-sense crunchy” ideas to help you create an eco-friendly holiday home. This approach balances practicality, holistic wellness and sustainability.

Cleaning Modern cleaning products often contain harmful chemicals like phthalates and chlorine, which when inhaled or absorbed can cause respiratory issues (like asthma), allergies and skin irritation, as well as trigger a host of other symptoms.

Switching to or making your own eco-friendly, plant-based cleaning products reduces these health risks and contributes to improved indoor air quality. Environmentally, these natural solutions break down harmlessly after use, protecting aquatic life and preserving water quality. They also reduce our carbon footprint by minimizing the production and disposal of toxic chemicals.

DIY, easy, cost-effective options • Vinegar all-purpose cleaner: Mix equal parts water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Use it to clean kitchen surfaces, glass, and bathroom fixtures.

Vinegar’s acidity kills most mold, bacteria and germs.

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Chemicals found in indoor air fresheners, plug-ins and fragrances are a significant health risk in homes and to the environment. Phthalates, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by these products can lead to a range of health problems. Common symptoms are respiratory issues, including asthma, coughing, shortness of breath, allergies and skin irritations. Prolonged exposure to indoor air pollutants can negatively impact the central nervous system, cognitive functions and mental facility.

DIY, easy, cost-effective options • Open windows for ventilation. One of the simplest and most immediate ways to improve indoor air quality is by allowing fresh air to circulate through open windows.

Opening windows for a few minutes each day promotes cross-ventilation, flushing out indoor pollutants. Remove stagnant air and odors and bring in natural outdoor scents, refreshing your home.

• Citrus peel air freshener. Save citrus peels from oranges, lemons and grapefruits. Place dried citrus peels in bowls or tie them in sachets. The natural oils in the peels will release a fresh, citrusy aroma, providing a pleasant and cost-free indoor fragrance.

• Baking soda odor absorber. Place an open box of baking soda in areas prone to odors, like the fridge or near the trash can. Baking soda naturally absorbs and neutralizes odors. Replace the box every month for continual freshness.

By Aevan on Adobe Stock

able farming practices and reduces the environmental impact of food production.

• Holiday simmer pot. Fill a pot with water and add citrus slices, cinnamon sticks and cloves. Bring the pot to a gentle simmer on your stovetop. Add water as it evaporates. (Caution – be sure to keep an eye on the pot and turn off the stove if leaving the kitchen area.) You can also use a crockpot for all-day scent.

The heat will release nature’s aromas into the air, filling your home with a delightful, festive fragrance.

• Herbal air freshener. Harvest herbs from your garden or use dried herbs from your kitchen, like lavender, mint or rosemary.

Tie a bunch of herbs together and hang them upside down in well-ventilated areas. Place the herbs in small cloth bags and put them in drawers or closets.

Herbs add a pleasant scent and have natural antimicrobial properties.

Holiday Cooking Pesticides and synthetic fertilizers used in conventional farming; artificial additives, like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA); and preservatives in packaged, processed food products can lead to a variety health issues, including allergies, hyperactivity, headaches, digestive problems and endocrine disruption (hormone imbalance).

Take extra care when preparing meals for family and friends by choosing organic, fresh, whole foods over processed and chemically treated foods whenever possible.

Ecologically, this choice supports sustain-

DIY, easy, costeffective options • Organic and locally grown foods. Shop at local farmers’ markets or join a communitysupported agriculture (CSA) for fresh, chemical-free produce. Shop the organic produce section of your grocery store.

Plan meals around seasonal produce.

• Homemade meals. Plan your weekly meals in advance. Focus on simple, quick recipes with whole food ingredients.

Batch cook larger quantities to save time and money during the busy holiday season. Reduce takeout meals, giving you more control over ingredients and saving money.

• Use vegetable scraps for broth or composting. Collect vegetable scraps like carrot peels, onion skins/ends and herb stems in a container. For a homemade broth, place vegetable scraps in a pot, add water and simmer to create a flavorful vegetable broth. Homemade broth replaces processed store-bought brands in chemical-lined packages. Or, add the scraps into a compost bin. Both options reduce food waste, minimize methane emissions from landfills and promote healthier soil for future crops.

Gift Wrapping Conventional gift wrap often contains a variety of harmful chemicals and dyes, including toxic inks, non-biodegradable materials and synthetic dyes that can release hazardous VOCs into indoor air.

When these chemicals end up in landfills, they can leach into the soil and pollute water.

DIY, easy, cost-effective options • Upcycle and unleash your creativity.

Re-use and embellish these common household items for unique gift wraps: newspapers, magazines, brown paper bags, fabric scraps, old scarves, tea towels, cloth napkins, children’s artwork, glass jars and containers, reusable shopping bags and old calendars.

• Homemade gift wrap. Combine up cycled materials and natural materials like leaves, twigs or pinecones. Make gift tags from cardboard or last year’s greeting cards. Use fabric ribbons instead of plastic ones for a quick, elegant touch.

Kristine Francefort is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, AADP, IAHC at Homemade Health, LLC. Homemade Health focuses on a “common-sense crunchy”, home-centered approach to ageless living that integrates whole food plant-based nutrition, holistic health, sustainability, healthy habits, modern feng shui principles and more. For plant-based recipes, DIY eco-swaps and lifestyle tips to help create ageless living in your home, visit Homemade-Health.com.

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healing ways

Lung Maintenance 101

NATURAL STRATEGIES TO BREATHE EASIER

by Sheila Julson

francescoridolfi.com/Canva

Most people inhale about 22,000 times per day without realizing it, but for the more than 34 million Americans living with lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, taking a breath is often difficult. The American Lung Association reports that one in three Americans live in places with unhealthy levels of air pollution. Everyone needs fresh, life-sustaining oxygen, and natural therapies are available to help us breathe a little easier.

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According to Madiha Saeed, a holistic, functional and integrative doctor in Naperville, Illinois, controlling chronic inflammation is an important strategy in pulmonary rehabilitation. “A healthy inflammation response, or acute inflammation, means the body’s defenses are working properly. But if the switch to our immune system stays in the ‘on’ position, it can be too much of a good thing,” explains the founder of HolisticMom, MD. Daily exposure to inflammatory triggers, such as chronic stress, allergens,

synthetic food additives and low-grade infection, can drive disease. Saeed notes that exercise helps combat inflammation by relieving stress, regulating digestion, improving insulin sensitivity, detoxifying the body and increasing the feel-good hormone serotonin.

Exercise Dawn Encian is a Virginia-based functional nutritionist and organizer of the Breathe Easy, Breathe Well summit, which focuses on non-pharmaceutical ways to manage respiratory conditions. She asserts that exercise makes the heart and lungs work harder, thereby supplying more oxygen to muscles.

“Regular exercise also increases blood volume, resulting in the body being able to extract oxygen more efficiently,” she advises.

For those with healthy lungs, Encian recommends high-intensity interval training, brisk walking, jogging, running or jumping rope, as well as strength-enhancing modalities like weightlifting, Pilates or yoga. For people with respiratory issues, she suggests lower-intensity exercise like walking, tai chi and cycling on a stationary bike or flat land, as well as light exercises with bands or small weights. Breathing exercises that focus on the diaphragm and expel stale air also support lung efficiency.

Saeed suggests that stretching can improve range of motion, boost circulation and keep muscles flexible. Some people tend to hold their breath while stretching, so it is helpful to become more conscious about our breathing during these movements.

Saeed cautions, “Don’t overdo it. Exercise as long as you feel good and energized afterward. If you feel exhausted or worse after exercise, or if your symptoms worsen, you’re doing too much.” Both Encian and Saeed note that people with respiratory conditions or chronic illness should consult a physician before starting any exercise program.

cost, can help filter toxins and optimize detoxification.

Swapping out chemically laden household cleaners can also effectively improve indoor air quality. Encian makes her own cleaners with essential oils, dried lemon and orange rinds, rubbing alcohol, witch hazel and water.

Houseplants offer an affordable way to improve indoor air quality. Encian recommends aloe, snake plants, peace lilies, ferns, rubber plants, chrysanthemums, spider plants, areca palm and dracaena. Saeed also likes weeping fig, Chinese evergreen, bamboo, Gerbera daisies and English ivy.

Getting outdoors is often recommended to maintain overall health and well-being, but Saeed recommends checking the local air quality index before heading out. Many apps show air quality, and some state how long it is safe to be outside if someone has a respiratory condition. If going outside on a poor air quality day cannot be avoided, masks may be helpful in reducing exposure to pollutants. Encian also recommends personal air purifiers worn around the neck.

Nutrition Proper diet and nutrition can help strengthen the lungs. Saeed and Encian believe that dairy may lead to the production of excess mucus. Foods with carotenoids and vitamin A, like sweet potatoes, carrots, berries and leafy greens, promote mucus-membrane health. Magnesium, garlic, mustard seeds, onions, lentils, omega-3s found in coldwater fish, nuts, flaxseeds and foods high in vitamins B5 and B6 are beneficial for lungs and overall immune health, as are vitamins C and D. Staying properly hydrated will also help airways function appropriately.

Rest and Relaxation Optimizing sleep can help support the immune system. Encian also recommends steam baths or showers with essential oils, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, frankincense and rosemary, to open the airways and expel mucus. Chiropractic, acupuncture, acupressure and energy work can also facilitate lung health and overall wellness.

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.

12th Bi-Annual

Fresh Air Many home items, from furniture to rugs and bedding, contain chemicals that offgas volatile organic compounds. Saeed cautions that inhaling these chemicals can be as dangerous as consuming them. Indoor air purifiers, which range in size and November 2023 19

conscious eating

that using the word vegan loses the crowd. There are people who will immediately think less tasty. If you lead with a description and its flavors, people are much more interested in trying it.”

Plant-Forward Holidays

The Holiday Centerpiece: When planning a plant-forward

FESTIVE FOODS EVERYONE WILL CRAVE

by Veronica Hinke

A

plant-forward menu can be one of the best gifts that a host can give this holiday season. It is also more likely than ever that guests will welcome a celebration menu filled with vegetables and fruits.

A 2023 survey by the International Food Information Council found that six out of 10 people reported eating a more plant-based diet to be healthier. “About 20 years ago, there might be one or two people at a party who followed a plant-forward diet. Now, we have to plan our menus to have more plant-based options,” notes Ojai, California-based dietician Sharon Palmer. “Even if only half of the guests follow a plant-based diet, my dishes are gone. Even the carnivores love them.”

Plant-Forward Eating: “When we think about plant-

forward eating, what we are really going to do is add more vitamins, minerals and fiber and reduce the amount of calories that we consume,” says Sherry Coleman Collins, a registered dietitian and nutritionist in Marietta, Georgia. “That is especially important during the holidays when we are inclined toward eating more calorie-dense foods that have more fat, sugar and salt. A plantforward meal can naturally reduce some of that without losing the flavor and enjoyment of eating.”

All in the Presentation: The name of a recipe can make

Foxys Forest Manufacture/shutterstock.com

a difference. “Why even say vegan?” Palmer asks. “Research shows

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meal, consider making it the spotlight of the celebration. “What replaces that focal point can come in a variety of different forms,” says Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, a thought leader on the culinary, social, ethical and practical aspects of living compassionately and healthfully.

“I think what’s missing for people isn’t just the meat. I don’t think people are thinking, ‘I need my meat.’ I think they are thinking, ‘This looks so unfamiliar and incomplete.’ So, how do we complete it?”

Patrick-Goudreau suggests a large acorn squash stuffed and baked with flavors and foods of the season, including grains (quinoa, millet, rice), cranberries and raisins sautéed with onions and seasoned with winter spices like cloves, cinnamon and cardamom.

“That stuffed squash can be the focal point, not just on the plate, but also on the table,” she asserts. “Now the oohs and the aahs are about the squash as the centerpiece.”

Plant-based nutrition specialists and restaurateurs Bart Potenza and Joy Pierson were among the first to elevate plant-based menus in the 1990s to the flavor-filled, crave-worthy foods enjoyed today. They love a whole, roasted cauliflower that is frosted with cashew cream and cut into slices. “[Cauliflower] is the new white meat,” Pierson says. “It’s about sharing beautiful foods with friends and family.”

Part of the plant-based movement has been accomplished by incorporating more ingredients. “We are omnivorous, so we don’t naturally crave meat, but we do crave fat, salt, texture, familiarity and flavor,” says Palmer. “The recipes that I make for the holidays check all of those boxes. I always volunteer to bring the entrée. I try to think of something savory that’s also seasonal and matches the holiday menu.”

Delicious Plant-Based Starters: Minnesota-based Instagram influencer Kristi Erdal makes a plant-based holiday party snack that can double as a holiday gift. “It is important to have a nutritionally balanced meal, especially during the holidays, which tend to be more meat- and carb-forward with all the roasts and gravies,” she says. “My rosemary spicy roasted nuts are a party snack with savory, smoky, spicy and sweet flavors. A huge amount of fresh, chopped rosemary gives them an amazing flavor boost along with added health benefits. I have several favorite plant-forward recipes that I make during the holidays, including my jalapeño cranberry sauce and my kohlrabi slaw, but the nuts are the most popular.”

Palmer makes meatless appetizers that stand up to their classic meat-based counterparts. One of her favorites is golden beet vegan meatballs with almond sage cranberry cream. It is made with shredded golden beets and showcases flavors of the season like hazelnuts, flaxseed, sage and thyme. “They’re just so colorful, which is especially nice at holiday time,” she says. “More and more people are realizing that [plant-forward food] is going to be delicious. They’re not going to miss out. It’s going to be satisfying, colorful and amazing.”

Veronica Hinke is a food historian and the author of The Last Night on the Titanic: Unsinkable Drinking, Dining and Style and Titanic: The Official Cookbook. Learn more at FoodStringer.com.

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photo courtesy of Kristi Erdal

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ROSEMARY SPICY ROASTED NUTS YIELD: 8 TO 10 SERVINGS 2½ cups mixed nuts ⅓ cup pistachio nuts (optional) 2 Tbsp unsalted butter 2 heaping Tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary 1 Tbsp cumin 1 Tbsp light brown sugar ½ tsp cayenne pepper 1 Tbsp kosher salt ¼ tsp fresh-cracked black pepper 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup

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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the nuts in a large mixing bowl and add cumin, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. Mix and set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the rosemary and stir occasionally. Cook until fragrant, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Make sure not to over-simmer until it burns, and do not bring it to boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the maple syrup.

Pour the melted butter and rosemary mixture over the nuts.

Stir thoroughly until mixed well.

Transfer the seasoned nuts into the prepared rimmed baking sheet. Using the back of an offset spatula, spread the nuts across the baking sheet evenly.

Bake for 20 minutes. Stir after the first 10 minutes.

Let the nuts cool slightly before transferring them into containers. They will harden and stick to the pan if they cool completely. Transfer to mason jars if gifting.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Kristi Erdal.

Find more recipes online at eNaturalAwakenings.com.

November 2023 21

natural pet

Responsible Pet Adoption

GUARANTEE A FOREVER HOME FOR A FURRY FRIEND

by Sheila Julson

T

Prostock-studio/shutterstock.com

he idea of bringing a new pet home conjures up images of endless cuddles and joyful frolicking, but there are crucial responsibilities to consider, too. A successful adoption requires thought and preparation well before the furry friend joins the family. The goal is to build a happy environment for the animal’s entire lifetime. Think of it as unconditional love with a no-return policy.

Ruth Allen, director of admissions and placement for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, encourages people to adopt from a local shelter or rescue organi-

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zation, where “you often have the advantage of learning valuable information about the animal’s background, including any important medical or behavioral needs.” Another option, she explains, is to identify a responsible breeder and avoid a so-called puppy mill that engages in cruel breeding practices.

Angela Speed, vice president of marketing and communications for the Wisconsin Humane Society, observes that most people come to their shelter with a specific breed in mind. Adoption counselors help people focus on a pet’s needs, too, so they can find an animal that blends well with their family lifestyle.

“Are they looking for a running partner or a couch potato? Is size a factor for their living situation? We talk about home setting, training and exercise needs, pet care costs, balancing work and animal ownership, and the tools and supplies you need to set yourself and your new companion up for success,” Speed advises.

It’s easy to let emotions or an affinity for a certain breed take precedence when choosing pets. Mike Spiotta, lead kennel manager of North Shore Animal League America, reminds us to keep lifestyle factors at the forefront. He notes that herding dogs, such as border collies or Australian shepherds, are fluffy and attractive but were bred to be active and require lots of space. Other dog breeds may be excessive barkers.

“Animals can develop behavioral challenges because their needs aren’t being met, which can lead to frustration by the owner and the dog eventually being returned to an adoption facility through no fault of its own,” Spiotta cautions.

For those unsure about adopting an animal, most rescue organizations offer foster programs that allow potential pet parents to determine whether a furry addition is right for them. Many municipal shelters also welcome volunteers to help with dog walking, animal socialization, cleaning and laundry.

Before adopting or fostering, it’s important to make sure everyone in the house is prepared to have a pet. Chores such as feeding, grooming and walking the dog or cleaning the cat’s litter box can be divided among family members. “Keep an open mind and heart, because you may fall in love with a pet you’d never considered,” Allen asserts. “Dogs and cats have so much love to give, though some are sometimes overlooked due to their size, breed or even their age.”

eNaturalAwakenings.com

People tend to gravitate toward young pets, but senior animals also need a chance to live out their golden years in a loving home and can offer key advantages. Older animals with a history of living within a family may settle in more quickly than a puppy or kitten. Many older pets are already house-trained, have mastered basic commands and are beyond chewing phases. The personalities of puppies and kittens tend to change as they grow, but personalities of adult animals are often fully formed, although still adaptable.

Allen notes, “It’s okay to give pets as gifts if the person has an interest in owning one, though the easiest way to be certain is to ask the recipient and go through the process together.”

Spiotta cautions against giving an animal as a surprise, saying, “The last thing most people want is more responsibility, especially an unexpected responsibility in the form of a life.” He recommends gift wrapping a collar and including a handwritten note inviting the recipient to choose a pet when they are ready. Many local shelters offer gift certificates for adoption, which allows the recipient an opportunity to make their own decision.

Priceless lifetime, life-changing whole health benefits for less than the cost of a smoothie a week!

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.

hedgehog94/shutterstock.com

Populations of animals vary by shelter.

Learn more by visiting or contacting local shelters in the community, aspca.org/ Adopt or AnimalLeague.org.

UPLIFTING HUMANITY COMING IN DECEMBER November 2023 23

calendar of events FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Universal White Time Energy Healing Level 3 – 11/3, 11/4 & 11/5. 9:30am-6:30pm. UWTH Level 3 initiates spiritual growth and opens 72-74 dimensional blocks. Prerequisite: Levels 1-2. $830. Center For Higher Living, 130 Webster Square, Berlin. Call Bradford for info: 860-830-5841. CrystalMusicHealing.com.

Sanctuary Yoga Adventure! Goat Yoga – 12-1pm.

Unwind with Goat Yoga led by expert instructor Heather M. $30. Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, 8 Commerce Rd, Newtown. Pre-registration required. CVHFoundation.org.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 CPR Training for Anyone with Karen Pierce – 1:30-3:30pm. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a lifesaving technique. For anyone new to CPR or who needs training to re-new their certification. If you want at CPR Certificate there is an extra cost through AHA. $39. Special offer: bring a friend for free. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel.

203-730-9642. Yogaspace-CT.com.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Holy Fire Reiki 1 Online Training – 10am-5:30pm. Online via Zoom with Gail Christie, Holy Fire Usui, Karuna and World Peace Reiki Master. Learn the techniques for releasing stress and balancing your own energy, as well as how to share Reiki with others. Open to all. No Reiki experience needed. $200. Register on website by 10/29/.

Sign up with a friend and each save 20%. Joyful Living Reiki. $200. 203-979-0918. GailChristieReiki.com.

markyourcalendar NEW AGE & CRAFTS EXPO

Sponsored by Natural Awakenings

Sunday, November 5 • 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 Speakersand much more! $6 Admission $1 off with this coupon Wyndham Southbury 1284 Strongtown Rd, Southbury CRSpirit87@yahoo.com

The secret to a happy life is to accept change gracefully.

—Jimmy Stewart

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11

markyourcalendar AWAKEN WELLNESS FAIR! …Awaken to Your Best Self…

November 5 • 10am-5pm Unique Vendors, expert Speakers, intuitive Readers and gifted Healers A day of education and inspiration!

Awesome new location!

Westchester Marriott 670 White Plains Road (Rte. 119) Tarrytown, NY 10591 AwakenFair.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Shamanic Sound Healing Meditation – 6-7pm.

With Bradford Tilden every other Thursday. Deeply restorative and activating Sound Healing Meditation.

Please Bring your own blanket, chair or yoga mat to sit on. Walk-ins welcome. $20-$35 The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington.

860-404-2578. Tinyurl.com/BridgeSoundBrad2023.

Holy Fire Reiki Circle – 7-8pm. Online via Zoom with Gail Christie. Join us to release anxiety and connect to peace and joy with a Holy Fire meditation and shared Reiki. Free. No experience needed.

Sign up by 5pm on 11/9 for logon link. Joyful Living Reiki. 203-979-0918. GailChristieReiki.com.

Guided Meditation and Energy Healing – 7-8:30pm. With Diane Nicosia, Certified Reiki Master and Intuitive Coach. Meditation session will focus on the energy centers in the body (7 Chakras).

Questions: 203-858-5848 or NicosiaDiane@Gmail. com. $35. Turning Point Healing Arts & Education Center, 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield. 203438-3050. TurningPointHealingArts.com.

markyourcalendar PRESENCE THE RETREAT The art of living an empowered, embodied, and joyful life.

November 11 • 10am-5pm

This retreat will help you reconnect to your heart and the joy of life and reconnect you to your divine soul, as you truly learn to be with all that arises, and connect to the peace and wisdom underneath the everchanging sensory experiences of your life.

Franco-American Civic & Social Center 116 Club Rd, Windham Hosted By: Kara Goss and Megan Toner Tickets: KaraGoss.com

eNaturalAwakenings.com

The ArchAngel Experience – 1-3pm. Ascension journey guided by Archangels Michael and Uriel. $111/VIP; $77/general admission. Sanare Wellness, Southington. 860-600-0106. Kathy@sanare. life tinyurl.com/ArchangelExperience11-11-2023.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Mini Retreat 1-3pm. Escape from daily life stress with acupuncture, sound healing, and more. $60.

Wholeness Acupuncture Center, 10 Forest Park Dr, Ste 1, Farmington. 860-404-2197. WholenessAcupunctureCenter@gmail.com. Tinyurl.com/ MiniretreatNov2023

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Monthly White Time Healing Circle – 7-9pm.

Round-robin style healing circle with White Time Energy and Gemstone healing. Facilitated by Bradford Tilden. $30. The Center for Higher Living, 130 Webster Square Rd, Berlin. Info@CrystalMusicHealing. com. 860-830-5841. Tinyurl.com/WhiteTimeCircle.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Ann’s Place Festival of Trees – Noon. 11/17: 12-7pm; 11/18 & 11/19: 10am-5pm. A magical winter wonderland filled with decorated trees, shopping, entertainment, and more. Fundraiser benefits Ann’s Place. $15/adults and children 3+; $10/seniors. Tastings at the Lodge, 11/18, 7-10pm, $65, 21+ only. The Summit at Danbury, 100 Reserve Rd, Danbury. AnnsPlaceFestivalOfTrees.org.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Crystal Activated Vision Boards – 1-3pm. Learn to create powerful vision boards using the Bagua and infuse them with crystal energy. In-person $47; Virtual $37. Liminal Studio, 696 Amity Road, Unit B-1, Bethany. 203-435-5650. LauriIngram.com.

Reiki and Guided Meditation – 1-2pm. Online with Gail Christie. Join us to release stress and restore balance and joy with a Holy Fire Reiki meditation and shared Reiki. No experience needed. All are welcome.

Free. Sign up by 11am on 11/18 for Zoom link. Joyful Living Reiki. 203-979-0918. GailChristieReiki.com.

Salt, Stones, and Sound – 2:30-4pm. Bradford Tilden’s vocal sound and gemstone treatment in a salt-room sanctuary. Limited to 9 participants.

Gemstones will be for sale. $65+. Revive Salt Therapy 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-306-8441.

Hello@ReviveSaltTherapy.com. 203-283-5968.

Tinyurl.com/salt-stones-sound-nov2023.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19 Holy Fire Reiki 2 Certification Training – 10am5:30pm. In person, with Gail Christie, Holy Fire Usui, Karuna and World Peace Reiki Master. Deepen your Reiki connection with Holy Fire Reiki, learn to use the Level 2 symbols and practice giving and receiving a complete Reiki session. Receive a Reiki 2 attunement, manual, course materials and a certificate. $275. Certification in Reiki 1 (any form of Reiki) needed. Register on website by 11/12. Joyful Living Reiki, Three Lakes Dr, Stamford. 203-979-0918. GailChristieReiki.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 Haute Holiday Hoorah – 11am-4pm. Explore a curated selection of unique, locally-made products perfect for finding that one-of-a-kind gift for your loved ones or treating yourself to something special this holiday season. Free admission. Haute Healing Oasis, 792 Pacific St, Stamford. 203-595-5304. HauteHealingOasis.com.

ongoing events

markyourcalendar

daily 15th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop –11/24 through 12/23. Weekdays: 12-6pm; Saturdays: 9am-6pm. Free admission. Photo package pricing available on website. Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North St, Greenwich.

203-273-1166. GreenwichReindeerFestival.com.

sunday Online Meditation Practice Session – 10-11am.

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.

Sunday Services at Center for Spiritual Development, NSAC – 11am-12pm. A loving, non-judgmental environment where everyone can seek and search for spiritual understanding and personal unfoldment at their own pace. Zoom and in-person. By donation.

293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. Pastor@ Center4spiritualdev.org. Center4SpiritualDEV.org.

tuesday Gentle Yoga with Christy – 9:30-10:30am. Flow through gentle sequences that invoke the energy of the gods/goddesses. Each class will honor a god/goddess.

Open to all. Your first class with Christy is free. Use the code CHRISTY. $25. The Angel Wing, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-431-2959. TheAngelCoop.com.

TLC Networking Lunch in Milford – 11:30am1pm. Second Tuesday. Opportunity to meet other healthy living entrepreneurs and practitioners at Tribe TLC’s networking lunch event in Milford at Stonebridge Restaurant. RSVP to Beth Leas: 203-856-9566 (call/text), TLCBethLeas@gmail.com. Stonebridge Restaurant, 50 Daniel St, Milford. 203tlc.com.

Vinyasa Yoga with Kailey – 6-7pm. Join Kailey on for vinyasa to quiet the mind and awaken your inner spirituality. Your first class with Kailey is FREE. Use the code KAILEY for the discount. $25. The Angel Wing, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203431-2959. TheAngelCoop.com.

wednesday Yoga with Leah – 7:30-8:30am & 4:30-5:30pm.

Fragrance free class. Class begins by connecting with the breath and setting an intention for the day ahead. First class free - use code LEAH. $25. The Angel Wing, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203431-2959. TheAngelCoop.com.

Vinyasa Yoga with Kailey – 9:30-10:30am. Begins 7/12. Join Kailey for vinyasa to quiet the mind and awaken your inner spirituality. Your first class with Kailey is free. Use the code KAILEY for the discount. $25. The Angel Wing, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-431-2959. TheAngelCoop.com.

Purple Lotus Womens Group (21+) – 5-6pm. A therapeutic support group for women geared toward personal growth. Group is held in person on telehealth.

Most insurance accepted. $40. Wolf Spirit Wellness and Counseling Center, LLC, 670 Main St, Ste B2, Woodbury. 203-263-3793. WolfSpiritWellness.org.

CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT EVENTS IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICES • 11am-12pm November 5 – Rev. Susan Ferency November 12 – Rev. Elaine Somerville November 19 – Rev. Frank Kotowski November 26 – Rev. Liz Hoy IN-PERSON - SPIRITUAL, PSYCHIC & HEALING FAIR November 18 • 11am-4pm

Free Admission – Reservations accepted.

Mediumship, Tarot, Psychic and Past Lives Readings $65 for 25 min. Reiki Healing $30

VIRTUAL CLASSES & EVENTS WHAT IS SPIRITUALISM November 5 • 1-2pm HEALING SERVICE November 16 • 7-7:30pm CHILDREN’S LYCEUM November 19 • 9:30-10:15am Cancelled events will be posted on our website Center for Spiritual Development 293 Sound Beach Ave Old Greenwich, CT • 203-637-4615 Register: CSDPastor@gmail.com Website: Center4Spiritualdev.org

THIS IS NO TIME

FOR PAIN

NON-SURGICAL ORTHOPEDICS (941)845-6970 NEWREGENORTHO.COM

James Leiber, DO

Ron Torrance, DO

Ignatios Papas, DO

Lisa Valastro, DO

Duron Lee, DO

November 2023 25

ongoing events Finding Your Voice – 7-8pm. Every other Wednesday. This is a therapeutic group for survivors of sexual assault. Via telehealth. Most insurances are accepted. $40. Seating is Limited. Wolf Spirit Wellness and Counseling Center, LLC, 670 Main St, St B2, Woodbury. 203-263-3793. WolfSpiritWellness.org.

Online Meditation Practice Session – 7-8pm.

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 is to address these issues through lectures, readings and guided group discussions. We will present ancient concepts, cuttingedge 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 If a metal does this to your skin...

Imagine what it will do implanted inside of your body?

Kundalini Yoga with Gong Bath with Stephen – 9-10:30am. Kundalini Yoga is an empowering, holistic practice that synchronizes physical postures, breathwork, meditation, and sound (mantra) to align your body, mind and spirit. The practice will culminate with a relaxing gong bath. All levels welcome. $25. The Angel Wing, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-431-2959. TheAngelCoop.com.

Sound Yoga (Online) – 11am-12pm. With Barbara Soares, yoga/vocal yoga teacher and Reiki Master will help students explore the power of sound to relax, inspire, and listen deeply. Learn and practice humming, deep listening, and medicine melodies to improve wellness and reduce stress. Students should bring a yoga mat and wear loose, comfortable clothes. $50/5 sessions. Tinyurl.com/SoundYogaBobbi.

friday Yoga with Leah – 9:30-10:45am. Fragrance free class. 75 minutes of mindful movement. Class begins by connecting with the breath and setting an intention for the day ahead. First class free - use code LEAH. $25. The Angel Wing, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-431-2959. TheAngelCoop.com.

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 healing.

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.

DBT Skills Group (21+) – 3-4pm. A therapeutic group to learn skills to manage emotional distress and mindfulness. Group is held in-person. Call for pricing. Wolf Spirit Wellness and Counseling Center, LLC, 670 Main St, Ste B2, Woodbury. 203263-3793. WolfSpiritWellness.org.

UPLIFTING HUMANITY COMING IN DECEMBER 26

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

eNaturalAwakenings.com

A Queer Experience (18-30) – 6-7pm. Open ongoing in person group. A supportive psychotherapy group primarily for individuals from 18 to 30 years of age to discuss the experiences and challenges of being a part of the queer community. Call for pricing. Wolf Spirit Wellness and Counseling Center, LLC, 670 Main St, Ste B2, Woodbury. 203-263-3793. WolfSpiritWellness.org.

Friday Night Fun Networking – 6:30-8pm.

First Friday. With Beth Leas of Tribe TLC. Each month will feature a fun activity designed to enhance getting to know one another . RSVP to Beth Leas at 203-856-9566 (call/text) or TLCBethLeas@gmail.com. Free. Yoga for Everybody, 85 Mill Plain Rd, 3rd Floor, Fairfield. 203-254-9642.

TLCBethLeas@gmail.com. Yoga4Everybody.net.

Monthly Yoga Mom’s Night Out – 7-9pm. Second Friday. Join us for an evening that’s all about reclaiming you time. Calm your mind and body with candlelight yoga, a few other experiences.

Space is limited to 16 moms, so please pre-register. $40. Come with a friend and get a special gift. $40.

Yoga for Everybody, 85 Mill Plain Rd, 3rd Floor, Fairfield. 203-254-9642. Yoga4Everybody.net.

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

Kundalini Yoga with Gong Bath with Stephen – 9-10:30am. Kundalini Yoga is an empowering, holistic practice that synchronizes physical postures, breathwork, meditation, and sound (mantra) to align your body, mind and spirit. The practice will culminate with a relaxing gong bath. All levels welcome. $25. The Angel Wing, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-431-2959. TheAngelCoop.com.

Align with Source – 10:30am-12:15pm. A Spiritual Empowerment meeting via Zoom. Comprises a talk, inter-action and a guided meditation. Request Zoom invite by emailing AlignWithSource@gmail. com. By donation.

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

Limited in-person meditation practice. All levels welcome. If it’s your first time, please let someone know so that we can provide a brief introduction. 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 In-Person – 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.

Finding Your Voice – 1-2pm. Every other Saturday.

This is a therapeutic group for survivors of sexual assault. In-person. Most insurances are accepted. $40. Seating is Limited. Wolf Spirit Wellness and Counseling Center, LLC, 670 Main St, St B2, Woodbury. 203-263-3793. WolfSpiritWellness.org.

community resource guide 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

EDUCATION EMBODY THE SACRED

AMPCOIL

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

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 13.

CAREER COACH THEA LITSIOS

Certified Career Coach Career Coach and Kolbe Consultant TheaLitsios.com 203-693-1493

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.

BRADFORD TILDEN, MM, CMT, UWT 130 Webster Square Rd. Berlin 860-830-5841 Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com CrystalMusicHealing.com

Courses in Universal White Time (UWT) Healing and Gemstone Healing. This powerful new modality gives us the possibility to direct healing through time and space. Trainings include contact healing, aura clearing, chakra balancing, organ clearing, point balancing, and the laying-on of stones. See ad, page 2.

ENERGY HEALING 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 5.

Find the career or college major that is in alignment with your natural talents and strengths.

Discover the joy of having a career that is right for you.

See ad, page 5.

November 2023 27

ENERGY MEDICINE KATHY STALTER

Sanaré Wellness, LLC Southington 860-600-0106 Kathy@Sanare.Life Sanare.Life The Future of Energy Medicine is here! This 24-unit Energy Enhancement System creates multiple bioactive, regenerative energy fields, including scalar waves and biophotons, that can assist your body’s ability to repair and heal itself from disease. The body can become capable of rejuvenating and recalibrating itself back to homeostasis. Appointment only. See ad, page 2.

GEMSTONE HEALING BRADFORD TILDEN, MM, CMT, UWT

130 Webster Square Rd. Berlinand via ZOOM 860-830-5841 Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com CrystalMusicHealing.com Bradford specializes in Universal White Time energy, sound, and gemstone therapies. He helps people attain inner peace, empowerment, and improved quality of life. Clear your fear and trauma. Get support during spiritual awakenings. Experience wholeness and find your purpose. See ad, page 2.

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.

If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.

—Martin Luther King Jr.

28

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

INTEGRATIVE OPTOMETRY EYECARE ASSOCIATES, PC

Dr. Randy Schulman, MS, OD, FCOVD Dr. Robert Byne • Dr. Allie Decker Dr. Jason Grygier • Dr. Ken Landesman Dr. Diana Ngo • Dr. Maryam Nizami 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 572 US-6, Mahopac, NY 103 S Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco, NY CTEyecareAssociates.com We offer behavioral optometry, comprehensive vision exams, contact lenses and vision therapy. Call to schedule your appointment today.

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 STORE THE ANGEL COOPERATIVE

51 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 TheAngelCoop.com Follow us on Instagram (@shungiteroom) Facebook and YouTube (The Angel Cooperative) The Angel Cooperative is a unique lifestyle boutique and metaphysical store featuring the first Shungite Room in the USA. Explore a 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: private energy sessions, angelic, tarot and oracle card readings, channeling and mediumship, reiki, workshops, aura photography, and guided meditation led by a group of talented and experienced practitioners. 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. See ad, page 8.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

NEW INSIGHTS BOUTIQUE

Metaphysical Boutique and Center for Conscious Living Susan J. Bucur 111 Church Hill Rd, Ste 2, Sandy Hook 203-204-6263 Info@NewInsightsBoutique.com NewInsightsBoutique.com New Insights is committed to cultivating a community rooted in positivity and mindfulness.

We offer an extensive variety of tools for spiritual healing and expansion, and a full team of metaphysical practitioners. Visit us and soak in the good vibes!

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN 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 13.

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 2.

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 3.

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY COACH CONNECT2FLOURISH, LLC

Andrea Garin Kopilak 917-583-3218 • Andrea@C2FCoach.com Connect2FlourishCoaching.com As the Founder of Connect2Flourish, I use a coaching process grounded in the science of positive psychology and awareness coaching to help empower clients to utilize their strengths, so that they can build resilience, make important connections, and choose what flourishing looks like for them. Explore coaching with a 45-minute complimentary session by emailing Andrea@c2fcoach.com.

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PSYCHOTHERAPY

NANCY S. SCHERLONG, LCSW, SEP, PTR/CJT, CM Coaching/Psychotherapy/Consulting 470 Main St, 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.

See ad, page 11.

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 and Mt Kisco, NY 203-979-0918 JoyfulLivingReiki.com Gail will help balance your energy and help you reach a whole new level of healing 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 5.

REIKI WITH DINA

1177 High Ridge Rd, Ste 207, Stamford 203-952-4871 Dibeinc@gmail.com ReikiWithDina.com I’m a passionate energy healer (hands-on & distance healing) with an alternative approach and am dedicated to helping my clients move through a wide range of physical, emotional and spiritual transitions in the most efficient and transformative way possible.

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.

SALT HEALING THERAPY WELLNESS CENTER 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.

SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA

787 Main St, S Woodbury 203-586-1172 • NaturalSaltHealing.com Combining an array of natural therapies that have been used since ancient times with today’s technology, Salt of the Earth Spa provides a sanctuary for deep transformations, healing and grounding for Mind, Body and Spirit.

SOUND HEALING HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC Barbara (Bobbi) Soares Merryall, New Milford 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com heal.me/HummingbirdSoundYoga 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-for-health 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 9.

SPIRITUAL HEALING BRADFORD TILDEN, MM, CMT, UWT

130 Webster Square Rd. Berlinand via ZOOM 860-830-5841 Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com CrystalMusicHealing.com Bradford specializes in Universal White Time energy, sound, and gemstone therapies. He helps people attain inner peace, empowerment, and improved quality of life. Clear your fear and trauma. Get support during spiritual awakenings. Experience wholeness and find your purpose. See ad, page 2.

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.

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TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING KATIE AUGUSTYN, MA, CPC

Transformation Coach, Shamanic Healer 203-820-3800 TransformationCenterCT@gmail.com TransformationCenterCT.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 5.

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 5.

TRANSITIONS COACHING ASPIRE, LLC

Amy Jacques, CPC, ELI-MP, CLDS, CTDS 19 Main St, Ste 3, New Milford 860-222-0797 Amy@AspireSelf.com • AspireSelf.com Aspire, LLC. offers a safe, judgment-free space for adults and teens to work through life transitions, build confidence, find empowerment, or learn how their attitudes and perceptions shape their lives. A higher level of consciousness and consistent joy awaits you!

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

Improve your voice, expand your range, find your ‘goldilocks’ note using soul singing, improvisation and ‘one with sound’ exercises.

Learn from a certified vocal yoga teacher, sound healer and experienced performer who has studied with Bobby Mcferrin, Silvia Nakkach and Heather Lyle. Some of her music can be found at http://www.wisefishworld.com.

Online Zoom groups and one on one sessions starting in May. https://heal.me/HummingbirdSoundYoga.

See ad, page 9.

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

WELLNESS CENTER THE ANGEL WING, A DIVINE SPIRITUAL CENTER

YOGA 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 (@shungiteroom) Facebook and YouTube (The Angel Cooperative)

Located next door to The Angel Cooperative 49 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 TheAngelCoop.com Follow us on Instagram (@shungiteroom) Facebook and YouTube (The Angel Cooperative)

The Angel Wing hosts workshops, retreats, group and private readings, energy work sessions, Reiki, massage, cosmic facials, sound healing and gong baths, group guided meditations, acupuncture, and a wide selection of yoga classes (vinyasa, gentle, yin with sound bath, kundalini with gong bath, restorative with sound bath, restorative with tarot, and flow and restore with guided meditation). We also offer myriad certification courses: Crystal Healing, Meditation Levels I and II, Reiki I, II, and Master, Karuna, and Foundations of Sound Healing Levels 1 and II. See ad, page 8.

The Angel Cooperative offers a variety of yoga classes at The Angel Wing, our divine spiritual center next door. Class options include vinyasa, gentle, yin with sound bath, kundalini with gong bath, restorative with sound bath, restorative with tarot, and flow and restore with guided meditation as well as yoga workshops such as Introduction to Yoga, Aromayoga, and Yoga for Spiritual Awakening. The yoga teachers who teach at our spiritual center hold true that yoga is for all people, all bodies. We all belong. See ad, page 8.

CERESET WESTPORT

HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC

Crista Mathew, Owner/ Tech Coach 18 Kings Hwy N, Westport, CT 203-557-3299 Info@Westport.Cereset.com Cereset.com/Centers/Cereset-Westport

Barbara (Bobbi) Soares Merryall, New Milford 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com heal.me/HummingbirdSoundYoga Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga

Cereset (Cerebrum + Reset) is a proven technology that helps the brain to relax, rebalance and reset itself naturally by listening to its own echo. There is no outside intervention, stimulus, or medication of any kind – the brain does its own work while you may nap or relax quietly in a comfortable chair. A relaxed and balanced brain helps clients of all ages to flourish as they experience improved sleep, mood, energy, focus, memory and response to stress.

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 9.

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 5.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

YOGA STUDIO & WELLNESS CENTER YOGA FOR EVERYBODY

Ingrid Prueher 85 Mill Plain Rd, 3rd Flr, Fairfield 203-254-YOGA (9642) Info@Yoga4Everybody.net Yoga4Everybody.net

A serene yoga studio placed in the heart of downtown Fairfield at the Sportsplex where you can experience yoga, meditation, and aerial classes in-person, online or via video-on-demand. There are also a variety of workshops and trainings that you can attend: Drum Circles, Gong, Reiki Trainings, Wim Hof Method and Yoga Teacher Training in the heart of Fairfield, CT. Also available: Thermography, Reiki, Massage Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Tarot, and Shamanic Therapy private sessions. See ad, page 5.

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

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

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NOVEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 23 CELEBRATING 15 YEARS & FAMLY TRADITIONS!

Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North Street, Greenwich, CT

VISIT LIVE REINDEER ~ PHOTOS WITH SANTA Mondays - Fridays, 12pm - 6pm, Saturdays, 9am - 6pm, Closed Sundays

WE'RE BACK PARTY! November 24, 12pm - 6pm. SANTA and HIS REINDEER ARRIVE! REINDEER FESTIVAL HOSTED BY

PRESENTING SPONSOR

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TO BENEFIT MEDIA SPONSORS

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