December 2021 Natural Awakenings Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties CT

E E HEALTHY LIVING FR

AMP UP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM SUGAR-FREE HOLIDAY TREATS

HEALTHY

PLANET

THE POWER OF CREATING SACRED SPACE FOR GROUP SHARING

CELEBRATING THE SOUL OF WINTER

December 2021 | Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties | eNaturalAwakenings.com

December 2021

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203 TLC 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.

203 TLC ADHD/Special Ed./Child Development

Breathing Coaching

Dr. Mark Goldenberg, Brain Balance Center Drug free approach for kids PreK-12th grade 15 Cross Street, Norwalk, CT norwalk@brainbalancecenters.com brainbalancenorwalk.com 203-847-3000

Alexia Clonda, The Mind & Breathing Edge Mindset Human Growth Mentor, Breathing Coach ThetaHealing® Practitioner & Teacher Stamford and online. mindbreathingedge@gmail.com www.clonda.cc 607-319-9161

Energy Healing

Energy Healing/Meditation/Tarot

Sheila LaSella, Stillpoint Healing Therapies Polarity Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist, Card Reader, Meditation & Mindfulness 1885 Post Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824 stillpointhealingct@gmail.com stillpointhealing.abmp.com 203-927-4055

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meditation & Counseling Meg Reilly, MS, CH Counselor, Workshop Facilitator, Writer, Poet Services in person or by phone megreilly360.com 203-952-6272

Energy Healing Gail Christie, Joyful Living Reiki Holy Fire Reiki Master, Private Reiki sessions, Reiki-infused meditations & Reiki certification classes Online or In-person, Stamford JoyfulLivingReiki.com 203-979-0918

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

Life Coach/Hypnotist Thea Litsios, CHy When you are ready to reinvent yourself.

Currently working remotely.

203-693-1493

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

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

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 -10:00am.

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.

203-856-9566 | www.203TLC.com | www.TribeTLC.com | FB: Tribe TLC

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Nature’s Virus Killer

not a sniffle!” she exclaimed.

Businesswoman Rosaleen says when people around her show signs of cold or flu, she uses copper morning and night.

“It saved me last holidays,” she said.

“The kids had crud going round and round, but not me.”

Attorney Donna Blight tried copper for her sinus. “I am shocked!” she said.

By Doug Cornell “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” cientists have discovered a cold never got going. That was A man with trouble breathing natural way to kill germs fast.

September 2012. I use copper in the through his nose at night tried copper Now thousands of people nose every time and I have not had a just before bed. “Best sleep I’ve had in are using it against viruses and bacteria single cold since then.” years!” he said. in the nose and on “We can’t In a lab test, technicians placed 25 the skin. make product million live flu viruses on a CopperZap. Colds start health claims,” he No viruses were found surviving soon when cold viruses said, “so I can’t after. get in your nose. say cause and Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams Viruses multiply effect. But we confirming the research. He placed fast. If you don’t know copper is millions of disease germs on copper. stop them early, antimicrobial.”

“They started to die literally as soon as they spread and He asked they touched the surface,” he said. cause misery. relatives and Some people press copper on a lip New device puts copper right In hundreds friends to try it. right away if a warning tingle suggests where you need it. of studies, EPA and They reported unwanted germs gathering there. university researchers have confirmed the same thing, so he patented The handle is curved that viruses and bacteria die almost CopperZap® and put it on the and textured to increase instantly when touched by copper. market. contact. Copper can That’s why ancient Greeks and Soon hundreds of people had kill germs picked up on Egyptians used copper to purify water tried it. The feedback was 99% fingers and hands after and heal wounds. They didn’t know positive if they used the copper you touch things other about microbes, but now we do. within 3 hours after the first sign people have touched.

Scientists say the high conductance of unwanted germs, like a tickle The EPA says copper of copper disrupts the electrical balance in the nose or a scratchy throat. still works even when Dr. Bill Keevil: in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in Early user Mary Pickrell tarnished.

Copper quickly kills seconds. said, “I can’t believe how good CopperZap is made cold viruses.

Tests by the EPA (Environmental my nose feels.” in the U.S. of pure Protection Agency) show germs die “What a wonderful thing!” copper. It has a 90-day full money back fast on copper. So some hospitals tried exclaimed Physician’s Assistant Julie. guarantee. It is available for $79.95. Get copper for touch surfaces like faucets Another customer asked, “Is it supposed $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA24. and doorknobs. This cut the spread of to work that fast?”

Go to www.CopperZap.com or call MRSA and other illnesses by over half, Pat McAllister, 70, received one for toll-free 1-888-411-6114. and saved lives.

Christmas and called it “one of the best Buy once, use forever.

The strong scientific evidence gave presents ever. This little jewel really Statements are not intended as inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When works.” product health claims and have not been he felt a cold about to start he fashioned Frequent flier Karen Gauci had been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to a smooth copper probe and rubbed it suffering after crowded flights. Though diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any gently in his nose for 60 seconds. skeptical, she tried copper on travel disease.

“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The days for 2 months. “Sixteen flights and ADVERTORIAL

Copper can stop a cold before it starts

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December 2021

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HCP

Holistic Community Professionals

Our professional team of holistic and natural businesses provides community outreach and education.

We are committed to improving the health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit in the communities we serve.

Certified Intuitive Life Coach Elizabeth Raver DeCesare, PhD Medium, Energy worker, Clairvoyant and Trance worker.

Online sessions available.

RavElizabeth516@gmail.com DrLizMedium.com • 203-400-9212

Crystal/Sound/White Time Bradford Tilden, Universal White Time Energy, Gemstone and Sound Healing, Distance Healing Sessions, Trauma Clearing, Blockage Removal, Spiritual Development and Empowerment • info@CrystalMusicHealing.com CrystalMusicHealing.com • 860-830-5841

Holistic Healer Adriana R. Russo, MA, CHT, CCH, CHLC, Indigo's Path, Transformative Health and Healing. Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master, Intuitive Body/Mind Coaching.

Indigopath2020@gmail.com Indigospathwellnessct.com • 203-510-8932

Cheryl Benanti Relieve Stress with in-home Reiki Sessions or two office locations if preferred. Provide sessions for horses as well. • reikiwilltravel.com • reikiwilltravel@gmail.com 860-966-0121

Naturopathic Physician Dr. Nicole Klughers, ND, PharmD, MSAc Vis Wellness Center Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncture Provider Rocky Hill, CT & TeleMedicine Statewide • (234)2-ACU-DOC DrNicoleKlughers.com • info@DrNicoleKlughers.com

Reiki Teresa Murphy Costello, Reiki Master/Teacher Healing Touch Reiki Holistic Arts Center Reiki/IET/Animal Reiki/Yoga/Massage/Meditation healingtouchreikillc.com • healingtouchreikillc@gmail.com Bee Well Ridgefield, CT • 914 320-5429 See more holistic practitioners at: HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org To join the HCP contact Shirley at 860-255-8844 Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

13 THE BLOOD DETECTIVE 16 2022: WHERE

16

ARE WE GOING?

18 DIAGNOSIS: HUMAN ANTIDOTE...

ACCEPTANCE

20 CIRCLES OF HEALING

The Power of Gathering in Community

23 ARE YOU BREATHING

18

CORRECTLY?

24 AMP UP IMMUNITY

Proven Boosters for Good Health

26 KNOWING WHEN OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM NEEDS A BOOST

27 SEASON OF LIGHT

Celebrating the Soul of Winter

Mobile Reiki

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Contents

28

28 THE SWEET DANGER OF SUGAR

Ways to Enjoy Healthier Holiday Fare

30 TOYLAND FOR

POOCHES

Choosing Safe Playthings a Dog Will Love

DEPARTMENTS 7 news briefs 13 practitioner

spotlight 14 global briefs 15 health briefs 24 healing ways 27 inspiration

eNaturalAwakenings.com

28 conscious eating 30 naturally healthy pet 31 pet brief 32 calendar 33 classifieds 34 resource guide 38 ad index

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

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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.

Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com.

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

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for magazine calendar listings: the 12th of the month. Website calendar listings may be entered at any time.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

December 2021

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from publisher

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FAIRFIELD & SOUTHERN LITCHFIELD COUNTIES

Publisher Erica Mills

Editor Michelle Bense

Design & Production Kathleen Fellows Erica Mills

Contributing Writers Marlaina Donato

Ronica O’Hara Christy Ratliff

Linda Sechrist Karen Shaw Becker

Sales & Marketing Shirley Bloethe Erica Mills

Distribution Man in Motion LLC

CONTACT US

Erica Mills FR

EE H E A L T H Y L I V I N G

54 Danbury Rd, #354, Ridgefield, CT 06877 Phone/Fax: 203-885-4674 Erica@eNaturalAwakenings.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

AMP UP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM SUGAR-FREE HOLIDAY TREATS

HEALTHY

PLANET

THE POWER OF CREATING

SACR ED SPAC E FOR GROU P SHAR ING

CELEBRATING THE SOUL OF WINTER

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $30 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

NATIONAL TEAM

CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne

Art Director Josh Pope

Layout Gabrielle W-Perillo

Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy

National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Administrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan

& Southern Litchfield December 2021 | Fairfield

wakenings.com Counties | eNaturalA December 2021

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he end of 2021 is upon us, and while this time of year can be stressful and overwhelming for many, it is a great time to remember to take time to slow down.

Not every holiday commitment needs to be upheld.

Focus on what makes you feel joyful and well. This time of year is for reflection and gratitude, and for looking forward to new things to come.

Our feature story, “Circles of Healing”, dives into the importance of finding communities with which we can share our highs and lows. On page 20, read about how “having experiences of fellowship and communion with like-minded people” can be so beneficial to our hearts and minds.

We also need to listen to our bodies and learn what we need. Whether that’s learning to breathe correctly (page 23), or amping up immunity (page 24), there are so many ways to check in with ourselves and evaluate what we could be doing to improve our wellness.

Of course, this is also a huge month for shopping and giving, so do your community and your loved ones a favor by shopping local. Sometimes the best gifts are really experiences, so consider a gift certificate or voucher for a local service that will brighten the recipient’s day and leave a lasting impression. Check out the ads and Community Resource Guide throughout these pages for some great options.

Happy Holidays, and we’ll see you in 2022!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakenings.com © 2021 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

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ONLINE @eNaturalAwakenings.com THE BEST BOOKS FOR KIDS

Gift Choices that Can Open Up Worlds

HOLIDAY ZEN

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PLUS SO MUCH MORE...

Contact us Anytime: Erica@eNaturalAwakenings.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

news briefs

New Office for Naturopath Dr. Amy Wiesner

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r. Amy Wiesner has relocated her office to 91 East Avenue in Norwalk. Wiesner, who has worked with Dr. Marvin Schweitzer, is a Naturopathic Physician and Licensed Acupuncturist. She works with people with: infertility, diabetes, stress/anxiety, pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, allergies, headaches/ migraines, cardiovascular disease, Lyme disease, urinary disorders, menstrual disorders, hormone health and many other imbalances. She uses lifestyle medicine, acupuncture, mind-body medicine, nutritional supplementation and homeopathy to help her Amy Wiesner patients achieve a higher level of health and well-being.

She also created a lifestyle program with treatments which was designed for those who could use more guidance and ongoing weekly support to start and maintain healthy habits in life, while improving physical and emotional health.

Wiesner has been practicing Naturopathic Medicine and acupuncture for almost 20 years. She combines compassionate listening with both modern technology and ancient techniques so that her patients can live a better life.

For more information, call 203-962-5887 or visit HealthfulHarmony.com. See Community Resource Guide listing on page 36.

Healing Services in Conjunction with Halotherapy at Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness

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evive Salt Therapy & Wellness, a holistic healing spa in Milford, offers unique and potent products and services to support and accelerate physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing. In their gorgeous Moroccan Salt Room, Revive offers halotherapy/salt therapy sessions, quantum healing, Reiki healing, massage therapy, craniosacral therapy, yoga, yoga nidra, acupuncture, tarot and sound healing. All of these services take place with the addition of Halotherapy for extra benefits.

Salt therapy, also known as Halotherapy (“halo” is Greek for salt), is a natural and safe holistic therapy where the microclimate of European salt caves are recreated. Revive’s stateof-the-art halogenerator crushes pure sodium chloride (salt) into microscopic particles and then disperses it throughout the room during a session. This therapy boosts the immune system, detoxes the respiratory system from toxins such as pollen, mold, viruses and bacteria, reduces inflammation and fatigue, improves skin conditions and promotes relaxation.

They also have a Sunlighten Infrared Sauna, with benefits that include reduced pain and inflammation, improved heart health, mood boost, strengthened immunity, excreted toxins, increased insulin sensitivity and help for exercise. Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness also features a high-vibe wellness retail and crystal shop. Gift certificates are always available.

For more information, call 203-283-5968, email Hello@ReviveSaltTherapy.com or visit ReviveSaltTherapy.com. Location: 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. See ad, page 2.

Salon Aponte Makes Positive Impact on Health and Environment

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stablished in 1990, Salon Aponte continues to be the leader in providing safer hair and skin care in the Monroe area. Using products that work like traditional options without the harmful effects, their hair coloring does a magnificent job coloring grey while keeping the integrity of the hair intact. Being mindful of the environment, the salon practices recycling of all plastics, cardboard and color bottles, drastically reducing the business’s impact on landfills.

Questionable ingredients such as PPD and resorcinol (color pigments used in traditional color lines) are eliminated or at the lowest level in the brands used in the salon. The staff, all experts in the latest coloring techniques, have their work showcased on Facebook and Instagram.

Visit the salon to see all of the holiday gift options, including many product trios with complimentary gift items, or pick up a gift certificate. Maximize the holidays by shopping with Beautycounter skincare, the cleanest option around, available at Beautycounter.com/nancyaponte.

Shop their online store or make an appointment at SalonAponte.com.

For more information, call 203-261-2838 or visit SalonAponte.com. Location: 838 Main St, Monroe. See ad, page 9.

December 2021

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news briefs with coupon code FIRST10

Relax and De-stress with Sound Bath Meditations

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Work Smarter, Not Harder!

Learn a system that you can use at home in 10 minutes a day!

Your Body is a training facility started by Dr. Peter Philip of Philip Physical Therapy in New Canaan.

Utilize resistance bands in a way that gets you strong quickly, protects your body from wear and tear and the dangers of weightlifting, and most importantly saves you time!

Your Body | 40 Vitti Street | New Canaan, CT 203-962-3259 | Yourbodymotivation.com

Is your Soul calling to be in alignment with your Divinity?

If your Soul says YES, please join us to transform your mind, body, and spirit!

Healing Services I offer soul level healing...together we can see what is preventing you from shing your light. I support you to look at those parts of you that are not supporting who you genuinly are and that are running you from your subconscious. With coaching and guidance, along with numerous powerful and appropriate healing techniques,we can look at what is not working in your life, clear any blocks, obstacles and challenges that are getting in your way and bring you to the fullness of your being!

ow much water is involved in a Sound Bath Meditation? Actually, none. Gary Posner will hold Sound Bath Meditations every Thursday at noon and 6pm, starting in December (with holiday exceptions) at Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Avenue, in Rye, New York.

Sound Baths are a combination of restorative yoga, mindfulness meditation and a sacred sound concert. They have been shown to reduce Gary Posner stress, enable deep relaxation, enhance creativity, uplift the spirit and help with insomnia.

Sound Meditations slow down our brainwaves and guide us into a deep meditative state or altered state of consciousness.

The meditations take place in a room much like a large yoga studio. Participants put their mat on the floor (preferably a thick one), place a pillow behind their head, eye pillow over their eyes, take a sip of water and they are set. “We do some OMing/toning together and then you simply lay down comfortably and listen to The Sound. You are then ‘immersed’ in the sounds, vibrations and harmonics of the instruments. Gongs, Himalayan bowls, crystal singing bowls, tuning forks and shamanic percussion instruments are played in a clinically tested, therapeutic sequence to maximize benefits and create a full-body listening experience.

No previous knowledge, bathing suit or experience is required,” explains Posner.

Sound is a very accessible form of mindfulness meditation where benefits are usually experienced immediately after the first session, according to Posner. “I know that teachers and healing practitioners don’t always think about their own healing. To that end, we have a special discount for healing practitioners and teachers to experience these healing sessions,” says Posner.

Contact him for details.

For more information, call 347-809-5466, email Gary.Simply.Sound@gmail.com or visit Simply-Sound.com.

The Academy for Soul Healing The Academy for Soul Healing supports the growth and expansion of humanity, individually and on a global scale. "I foresee many students from the Academy becoming teachers of this integrated way of service."

Academyforsoulhealing.com • SoulHealingJourney.com Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com • 203-767-5954 Fairfield, CT 8

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

eNaturalAwakenings.com

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. ~Mother Teresa

Seeking Applicants for Food Industry Culinary Program

We’re Dedicated To Every Client Because of you there is a change for the better!

Beautiful Hair Shouldn’t Be Hazardous To Your Health The best thing about our products is what we leave out!

Specializing in All Forms of Hair Color, Highlighting, Balayage

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he Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport and The Center for Food Equity and Economic Development (FEED), is now accepting students for their CREATE culinary program, which is intended for under-employed and unemployed area residents looking to start their own businesses or explore a new career in the food industry. Led by Chef Kashia Cave, the class runs from January 11 to March 18, 2022, Tuesday through Friday, from 9am to 1pm, in Bridgeport.

Applications are due before December 31, 2021. Download an application at feedbpt.org/create.

CREATE is culinary training for food industry employment or the aspiring food entrepreneur. The culinary boot camps are geared to prepare students for all aspects of the food industry, from basic knife skills, cooking techniques, recipe testing and scaling and ServSafe, to workshops in product development, business accounting, permits and licenses, farmers’ market retail and entrepreneurship. Fee is just $10 for materials.

FEED, a division of the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, builds community wealth through innovative food-based initiatives. FEED is focused on economic development-based initiatives within the food industry that build assets and wealth within the Bridgeport community by providing culinary training to low-income residents for food industry employment and entrepreneurial ventures through its successful CREATE program.

Salon AponteLLC 203-261-2838

i Celebrating 31 years in business! I

By Appointment | 838 Main Street, Tollgate Plaza, Monroe, CT Tues, Wed, Thur, 8-8 | Fri 8-5 |Sat 8-4 | www.salonaponte.com

For more information, call 203-3341121, x14, email KashiaCave@ccgb.org or visit feedbpt.org.

December 2021

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AcuBlend

Blending the Art Science of Wellness

&

Acupuncture • Cupping Moxibustion • Gua Sha Tui Na • Massage Therapy Movement Therapies Herbal Medicine and much more!

Dr. Sian James, DACM, LAc, LMT, RYT

Locations in Stamford, Westport & Fairfield 203.987.6585 • acublend.com • info@acublend.com

Rewilding Families m

Weaving Ancient Wisdom With Modern Science To Revitalize Families Holistic Psychology • Shamanic Healing Arts • Craniosacral Balancing Reiki • Energy Medicine • Yoga • Conscious Dance • Somatic Healing Private and collective healing experiences for adults, children and teens Dr. Kristy Vanacore, Psy.D. Holistic Psychologist, Spiritual Visionary, Author kristy.vanacore@kmvgroup.org www.kmvgroup.org 914-497-8006

news briefs

Strength Classes and More Offered at Your Body

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our Body is a New Canaan training facility started by Dr. Peter Philip, of Philip Physical Therapy. Your Body offers group, personal and virtual fitness training services. Their unique type of fitness training is focused on purity of form, mechanics of motion and enhanced body weight fitness.

Their “Weightless” Strength Class was created by Health Coach and trainer Steve Putnam. This class utilizes resistance bands to build strength in a way that gets clients strong quickly and protects the body from wear and tear and the dangers posed by traditional weightlifting. Participants are taught a system of eight exercises that will target the whole body and give anyone the best workout of their life. Each exercise is about 60 to 90 seconds, and they work within the body’s optimized ranges of motion, which means that it will work where an individual’s body likes to move based on the structure of their unique musculoskeletal system.

This system can be learned and used at one’s convenience at home and can be broken down into 10 minutes a day. Those interested are encourage to try this class and learn what it takes to work smarter, not harder. First class is $10 with coupon code FIRST10.

For more information, call 203-962-3259 or visit YourBodyMotivation.com. Location: 40 Vitti St, New Canaan.

See ad, page 8.

Holiday Show Featuring Local Artists at Gallery 25

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Lectio 360

A Contemplative Practice to Improve Self-Awareness and Serenity

Regular Online 30-Minute Sessions Conveniently Scheduled and Designed to Fit Into Your Day

Learn More and Register at www.lectio360.com

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

ocated in New Milford, Gallery 25 is a friendly space that displays and sells works of fine art and unique handmade artisan creations, stimulates interaction and cultural exchange, educates and fosters interest and appreciation for the creative arts. Now through January 8, Gallery 25’s Holiday Show features work by Barbara Ornaments on display by artists Barbara Soares and “Bobbi” Soares and Jim Stasiak.

Jim Stasiak Gallery 25 was founded in 2014 as a cooperative style fine art gallery representing local and regional award-winning artists and artisans. Each artist is screened through a jury process in order to gain membership, guaranteeing the highest quality work for the gallery.

Located in the historic train station in downtown New Milford, member-artists each take an active role in the operation of the gallery, including organizing programs and free events such as art lectures and art demonstrations, serving on committees and hosting during gallery hours.

For more information, call 860-355-6009 or visit Gallery25CT. com. Location: 11 Railroad St, New Milford.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Lightworker and Karttikeyan Yoga Nidra Training Begins in December

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amyama Flowering Tree, a spiritual astrologer, intuitive mentorcoach and teacher, will offer Beginner’s Lightworker and Karttikeyan Yoga Nidra CertificaSamyama Flowering Tree tion. The training is on four upcoming Sundays: December 12 and 19, and January 2 and 9.

Samyama has been on the spiritual path since she was she was 13. She is creator and founder of the Taoist Yogi-Christ Lineage of North America International and the grandmaster, seer and chief high priestess of The Mahavatar Babaji Mystery School in Rochester, New York, and The Holy House in Westport, Connecticut, also known as Transformation Center CT. Samyama says spiritual astrology is central to her intuitive mentor-coaching; she weaves it together with her spiritual healing skills, using the transformative power of the spoken word as a healing tool.

“During my 39 years as a spiritual astrologer, I find that people are like water—we find our own proper level,” she says. “It’s a matter of finding a happy medium that resonates, so that life is fulfilled on a level that is doable. Then we relish the gifts of life that come with finding our niche at long last.”

Samyama teaches and mentors students through workshops, certification trainings, private personal retreats and private tutoring in esoteric studies, advanced metaphysics, practical yoga philosophy, lightworker and Karttikeyan yoga nidra, and tarot clinic. All are offered online as well as in person in New York and Connecticut.

For more information, including holiday sale pricing for services, visit SamyamaLLC.com.

See Community Resource Guide listing on page 34.

HILDA DEMIRJIAN LASER & SKIN CARE Love your skin!

8 Non-Invasive, Holistic Treatments

Celebrating 25 Years of Serving Westchester!

u CoLLAGen LASeR tReAtmentS AnD Skin tiGHteninG

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Collagen & Elastin Gel with Green Apple Stem Cells Great for ALL Skin Types!

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Hilda Demirjian Skin Care Products

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“Highly recommended! This is the place to go if you are skeptical or have any reservations about Laser for your skin! Your skin will love you for it.” Deborah “The atmosphere was lovely and Hilda was very kind.” Jean

Free Consultations 914-374-1756 34 S. Broadway, Suite 607 • White Plains, NY 10601

HildaDemirjianLaser.com

Your Thoughts

Count!

Plus your “2 Cents” could win you a $100 Visa gift card!

We Want to Hear from You

Share your ideas in our Natural Awakenings Reader Survey.

NaturalAwakenings.com/survey December 2021

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news briefs

13th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop Honors Frontline Heroes

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he 13th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop presented by Jenny Allen/ Compass Real Estate has returned to the “North Pole on North Street”, Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, in Greenwich, November 26 through December 24. Visit Santa’s live reindeer and have photos taken with Santa for a magical holiday experience and cherished family memories. This year’s event will also celebrate our healthcare and frontline heroes from Greenwich Hospital.

A large Appreciation Art Mural (20 by 7 feet) sponsored by C. Parker Gallery and created by professional artist, Rick Garcia, was unveiled after Santa’s arrival to say “thank you” to Greenwich Hospital’s healthcare workers.

“Greenwich Hospital is very excited to participate in this year’s holiday event,” says Diane Kelly, President of Greenwich Hospital. “We are honored to be the recipient of the Appreciation Art Mural sponsored by C. Parker Gallery to thank our hospital staff.

COVID-19 challenged our team over the past 18 months, but the Greenwich Hospital staff courageously and compassionately cared for our patients and families throughout and greatly deserve this wonderful recognition.”

During the event, the public is invited to write messages of gratitude on the mural. After the month-long event, the Art Mural will ultimately make its home at Greenwich Hospital.

For more information, visit GreenwichReindeerFestival.com. Location: 437 North St, Greenwich. See ad, page 27.

Holistic Benefit Fair Features Holistic Community Vendors

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Benefit Holistic Health Fair will be held December 12, from 11am to 4pm, at the VFW Hall in Plainville, as a fundraiser for the Plainville Food Pantry. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with vendors and exhibitors as they learn about available resources to help promote healthy living and overall wellbeing. The event will also include a bonus Reindeer Raffle, to win a Christmas tree with all the trimmings and lights. Free, Early Bird Shoppers Tickets are available at Tinyurl.com/1212BenefitFair.

Vendors include: Natural Awakenings magazines, readers, fitShirley Bloethe ness clothing, soaps, chocolates, crafts, Pure Posture, crocheted items, candles, CBD, soy candles, sound healing, natural minerals, T-shirts, salves, health resources, healing modalities, local art, Reiki, jewelry, balms, chiropractic, essential oils, honey, syrups, tinctures, natural and personal care products, natural supplements, crystals, auricular therapy and more.

The Holistic fair is a free event and donations of non-perishable food, toiletries and paper goods will be collected at the door. Cash donations or checks may also be made to the Plainville food pantry. All door proceeds will help those in need throughout the year.

For more information, call Shirley Bloethe at 860-989-0033, email YourHolisticEvents@ gmail.com or visit PassItOnLLC.com. Location: VFW Post 574, 7 Northwest Dr, Plainville.

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

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practitioner spotlight

The Blood Detective

Chappaqua practitioner uses patented technology to uncover hidden nutritional health solutions

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lood can that the blood reveal far ranges provided more than on traditional what is typically blood test reports discovered through are based upon the bloodwork “average” people, done at a traditionnot healthy al doctor’s office, people. Statistical says Dr. Michael averages come Wald. A doctor of from the genchiropractic with eral population of two board certifiblood donors— cations in nutrition not from people and 30 years of with the healthiMichael Wald clinical experience, est hormone Wald uses his BloodDetective technology levels, cholesterol levels and other blood to interpret large amounts of laboratory tests. And the average blood donor isn’t data for hidden nutritional health too healthy. solutions.

For example, the average cholesterol “Blood type is only one lab parameter,” level is 0 to 200 mg/dL. This range gives he says. “I often combine 25 or more lab us the high levels of cardiovascular distests using the BloodDetective software, ease that’s still the number one killer of which compares the results to those of men and women. People in the healthy healthy people—not just the average range—160 mg/dL to 185 mg/dL—have clinical lab ranges that traditional medical much lower cardiovascular risk and death. doctors use.”

The average T3 thyroid hormone level is For example, Wald’s standard screening 130 pg/dL to 450 pg/dL, but the healthy includes tests for blood pH, malabsorprange is 175 pg/dL to 350 pg/dL. tion and inflammation. He uses the results If your lab results are compared only to create personalized natural treatment to the average ranges, important health plans, which might also include advice on information can be missed. Tighter blooddiet, nutritional supplementation, stress test ranges make the difference between reduction, sleep and other lifestyle issues. average and healthy.

Recently Wald explained how blood testing informs his holistic approach to Why do you regularly test for health. blood pH, malabsorption and

Why is it important to compare bloodwork to the “healthy” rather than “average” range?

Even most medical doctors are unaware

inflammation?

Medical education and therefore medical practice is disjointed and compartmentalized, leading to incomplete medical care.

Each specialty tends to run its own set of

blood tests. If a health problem is outside that specialty, the patient is referred to a new doctor who performs a different set of tests.

The thinking, training and health approaches of traditional medical physicians are simply different from mine. My goal is to provide a wide range of tests when necessary, going beyond the “standard tests” way of thinking and overly focused health care.

Monitoring blood pH is essential to health and healing—that’s usually not true of saliva or urine. Testing for malabsorption is essential too; if someone doesn’t absorb normally, even the best health recommendations will fall short. And although we know that inflammation is at the root of most health problems, inflammation testing is not often performed or interpreted nutritionally.

Your approach to diagnosis and treatment is a process. When someone comes to you with a health concern, what’s a realistic timeline for getting answers and lasting relief?

Healing time depends upon the conditions, how well the patient complies with my suggestions, and how they individually respond to care. Once I see an individual for the first time, I have a pretty good idea of how long my recommendations should take to work. I start with a detailed holistic consultation. Then I superimpose my 30 years of experience and education, along with various questionnaires, to help me narrow in on the problems at hand. At this point I’m aware of what testing, if any, I will recommend, and I’ll interpret many of the lab results within my BloodDetective philosophy.

Location: The Office of Dr. Michael Wald, DC, Board Certified Nutritionist, 29 King St., 2nd Floor, Chappaqua, NY. For more information, call 914-552-1442, email Info@BloodDetective.com or visit DrMichaelWald.com. See ad, page 5.

December 2021 13

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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group I Sixth Assessment Report has determined that climate change is rapid and intensifying, and that Earth’s atmosphere could add 35 degrees Fahrenheit of average warming by 2040.

Sara C. Pryor, a professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and co-author of the research, says global wind resources exceed current electricity demand and the cost of energy from wind turbines has declined sharply. “It makes perfect sense to rapidly deploy wind energy as a key part of decarbonizing the electricity supply.” Wind turbines are now deployed in 90 countries, generating about 7 percent of global electricity.

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The UK tech company Dendra claims their drone can plant two trees per second using artificial intelligence for guidance in an effort to re-green the Earth. Their ambitious goal is to plant 500 billion trees by 2060 with 400 teams of two drone operators and 10 drones per team.

The plan would plant 10 billion trees per year 10 times more cheaply than planting by hand, especially in remote areas.

First, the replanting areas are identified using a combination of satellite images and drone-collected data.

Then, specialized drones carrying seedpods that contain a germinated seed and nutrients use pressurized air to fire the seeds into the ground once in proper position as determined by an algorithm. The seedpods penetrate the ground and start to grow when activated by precipitation.

The World Wildlife Fund estimates the planet is losing 27 football fields of forest every minute due to deforestation.

Dendra CEO Susan Graham says, “We need to use technology to scale up our restoration efforts, and the scale we’re talking about is tens of billions of trees every year. We’ll be able to see the ecosystems that we’ve restored from space.”

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Drink More Water to Help Prevent Heart Disease

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The deep visceral fat that surrounds internal organs is a major indicator of metabolic syndrome and diabetes, but it can be decreased in women by eating an avocado each day, report researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. For 12 weeks, 105 overweight or obese men and women were fed a meal that for only half of the participants included an avocado. The women that ate avocados experienced a reduction in visceral abdominal fat, as well as a reduced ratio of visceral fat to subcutaneous fat closer to the skin, indicating a redistribution of fat away from the organs. Fat distribution in males did not change.

Staying well hydrated throughout life could reduce the risk of heart failure, according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology 2021 Congress. Researchers from the U.S. National Institutes of Health reported that people that drink sufficient water every day have a reduced risk of the thickening of the heart’s left ventricle. Their conclusion was based on the analysis of 26 years’ worth of serum sodium levels in 15,792 middle-age Americans. Higher serum sodium concentration in midlife was associated with heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy 25 years later. Few people meet daily hydration recommendations (54 to 71 ounces for women and 67 to 101 ounces for men). According to the researchers, when people drink less fluid, the concentration of sodium in the blood increases, and the body attempts to conserve water by activating processes known to contribute to the development of heart failure. “The findings indicate that we need to pay attention to the amount of fluid we consume every day and take action if we find that we drink too little,” says study author Natalia Dmitrieva.

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December 2021 15

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2022: Where Are We Going?

by Agneta Borstein

T

he 2022 astrological observations gear toward continuing challenges, but there is also room for hope. Pain hurts, but the rewards are plentiful. We can’t take back time. 2020 will go down in the history books, with political dialogues reaching all aspects of the spectrum. The COVID pandemic met with Pluto, ruler of birth and death, as Saturn, the planet of structure, continues to show his governmental personality.

Saturn travels in Aquarius until March 2023. We will have to digest another planet, Uranus, in Earth sign Taurus. Uranus governs freedom, restlessness and revolution, as the freedom seeker, the protester, as well as the scientist. Saturn indicates government, compliance and discipline. The explosive Uranus squared head-on with Saturn throughout 2021, ending December 24. They will do their best to separate during 2022, yet still can’t leave each other totally alone.

Jupiter in Fire Sign Aries implies a restless nature of stored up frustrations, as well as bravery to move forward with enthusiasm.

This passionate, biggest planet of them all moves into confusing sign of emotional and reality denier, Pisces, during summertime and fall. Easy does it.

The theory that history repeats itself, as well as astrological cycles, respectfully echoes compelling similarities. Not only individuals, but Earth herself is progressing forward, through these strong evolutionary times.

The following summary of major astrological cycles may comfort, or relate to those with positive visions, curiosity, science, realism and faith in their hearts and minds.

Uranus, in Taurus from 2020 through April 2026, indicates a continuation of new scientific discoveries, evolution, demand for freedom and realization of Global Warming. Earthquakes, hurricanes, security risks, revolutions and terrorists are Uranian keywords. Last Uranus visit in Taurus was 1938 with its 84-year cycle.

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Neptune entered Pisces in 2012 and continues to travel in his domain until 2026. The God of the Ocean is showing his rage and demands to clean up his abode—the waters. Neptune indicates meditation, yoga, medicine, psychic impressions and dreams. He governs oil, deception, dissolving of matters, chaos, drugs and alcohol. Neptune’s last visit in Pisces was 1849 to 1862. Check the history book.

Pluto, with his irregular cycle, entered Earth sign Capricorn in 2008 and will visit until 2024. The God of the Underworld is noticeable with his 248-year cycle and will return “home” during 2022 in the U.S.’s natal chart. This powerful little planet rules cleansing, revitalization, faith and rebirth. Pluto also governs death, transformation, taxes, secrets and obsessions. He is crucial for the Healing of the United States of America (July 4, 1776), with Pluto at 27°33’ in Capricorn, and will revisit the same degree during 2022. The cycle occurred last during 1762 through 1778.

Bring out those prayers and laughter.

Let’s Get Personal One may use their Sun, Moon, Ascendant or any other point in their natal birth chart to benefit from the below astrological observations. The suggested dates for Initiation and Completion follows the Full and New Moons during 2022. Lucky Taurus and Scorpio get four Initiation/Completion Moons to work with.

Leo and Aquarius are welcome to use them as well. So, arrange a ritual, invoke a prayer, set an intention and remember to smile.

ARIES: Jupiter, the conniver and the restless planet, shows up in situations that need to be reviewed. Follow goals or simply build up the courage that Aries at times shies away from, by May 11.

Don’t let confusion of projects get in the way, release after the end of July and step back to realize success at the end of 2022.

Initiation: April 1; Completion: October 9 TAURUS: Count on continued success, but be aware of daily disciplines. Personal and business changes will occur; be on the lookout. Choose love over money. Stuck from fall 2021? Time to move forward, taking us all the way to 2023.

Initiation: April 30, October 25; Completion: May 16, November 8 GEMINI: If decisions are to be made, step back May 10 through June 3 for a more defined outcome. Don’t let nerves get in the way, October 30 through January 12, 2023. Focus on breathing techniques and meditation.

Initiation: May 16; Completion: December 7 CANCER: Opportunities for creative days and artistic expressions, especially July through November. Plutonic force matters of letting go of the old and welcoming new success in life. Some Cancer folks resist opposing force of restriction and manipulation—another tear falls.

Initiation: January 17; Completion: June 28 LEO: With discipline, compliance and strength, this year shows success. Patience January 14 through February 3. Readjustment

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and organization during June and October will reinforce visions.

Empowerment during eclipse times, or just roar like a lion can.

Initiation: February 16; Completion: August 11 VIRGO: Intuition becomes practical; meet situations with a negotiation. Unexpected useful news and opportunities. Rewards from previous projects manifested. When confused, take time out and re-group, then get back to intuition.

Initiation: March 18; Completion: August 27 LIBRA: Here Venus invites relationships or a new job. Love arrives in various forms. At times confusing, but worth a try. If the doubt is there at the beginning of the year, hold off to move forward until early October.

Initiation: April 16; Completion: September 10

SCORPIO: Bring out the tools for a clearing; this is a cleansing year. Allow the pain to be healed with new commitments. Saturn and Uranus restrictions and unexpected changes in August. Must move with the flow, June to October.

Initiation: April 30, October 25; Completion: May 18, November 8 SAGITTARIUS: New communication, with love on the horizon, during the summer months and linger at least until November.

Restlessness kicks in, October through winter months. Sag deserves a good luck charm, especially if reaching out for it.

Initiation: June 14; Completion: November 23 CAPRICORN: The year starts off with a reevaluation of financial matters. Contemplate and implement new goals for the next three years. The Mountain Goat, and its fellow Capricorn planets, are exhausted over the disruptions occurring around the globe.

Breakthroughs—not breakdowns—is the mantra that is in vogue.

Initiation: January 2; Completion: July 13 and December 23 AQUARIUS: The “traditional” planet ruled by Aquarius, the sign of freedom and individuality, is Saturn. The “modern” ruler is Uranus. Saturn governs governments, so don’t delay those taxes.

He will continue his breakthroughs until March 2023. Try not to sign important documents, buy a car or a fancy phone, January 14 through February 3. Delays June 4 through October 23, Saturn governs time.

Initiation: February 1; Completion: August 11 PISCES: Jupiter will continue in his own domain until July 28; don’t swim too fast. Hasty decisions change course until November. Best to put the intuition hat on, back to the drawing board, and success is achieved. Neptune, in Pisces, supports the healing components, not the comfort of escape.

Initiation: March 18; Completion: September 1 Agneta Borstein is an astrologer, shamanic practitioner, author and teacher. Connect at 860-983-5666 or AgnetaBorstein.com. See ad, page 14.

December 2021 17

By Mary Long on Shutterstock

Diagnosis: Human Antidote... Acceptance

by Liz Jorgensen

A

s of this writing, we are in the 76th week of the global COVID-19 pandemic. We sit in a marathon of change, caution, uncertainty and all the things that tend to make average humans a bit loopy. This near-universal distress is compounded by knowledge most of us have that we cannot be sure how many miles are left to run.

Humans absolutely love the illusion of control. It is our essential “diagnosis” and the reason for much of our mental stability—as well as our suffering. Most of us understand our limited influence in many spheres and yet, we get really squirmy when we know for certain that we are not 18

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in control. It’s the essential tension of our emotional lives.

For those who tend toward a spiritual approach, the first assumption may be “there is no such thing as certainty” and having faith that things are unfolding as they should. The key to acceptance is not to fall prematurely into the “spiritual bypass” of avoidance and an over-emphasis on positive thinking, or any technique, including yoga, prayer and meditation.

For those who prefer philosophy, Epicurus said it quite well 2,400 years ago: “The only thing permanent is change.” In the world of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we have brazenly borrowed from many phieNaturalAwakenings.com

losophies to help clients accept life as it is right now in order to feel some relief from the death grip of control-based suffering.

We must accept change as it comes at us every day in some form: our just-washed car gets dirty in a day, our plans for a hike get rained on, we want complete “freedom” to travel and do what we please and we are still asked to be cautious and careful due to virus variants. This is the paradox we all face. Some of us are managing it better than others, and perhaps the most vocal of the “science doubters” are masking fear and maybe even terror in a human all-time favorite delusion called “denial”.

But truthfully, don’t we all deny things psychologically every day? That we may die in a car accident as we start up our vehicle, that we surely will lose loved ones before we ourselves die, have only a temporary reprieve from some form of aging and illness each day, regardless of additional pandemic anxiety. Maybe we can be more loving and compassionate to those around us who deny the power of a virus that has killed 620,000 Americans so far and millions worldwide. It is, after all, a terrible burden to accept the truth—at first at least.

So how can we emotionally and psychologically “work” with our pain and fears?

If we allow ourselves to first be afraid, to feel confusion, anger, even small doses of self-pity, and then work to release them, we may achieve what is close to peace, temporarily. It’s important to remember that accepting pain and all our emotions using a form of practice and then eventually releasing the tricky emotions is a skill and a habit that must be regularly practiced, not something we can achieve through shortcuts.

The idea of Spiritual Bypass is especially important to consider as a threat as life becomes more uncertain. It is so tempting, even seductive, to believe we can cleanse, yoga or meditate ourselves away from our human suffering—that we can hover above it in a stance of superior bliss. We can’t, and if we try, we fail, and may even hurt ourselves or others in our “enlightened” denial. Whether we “don’t believe in vaccination” or we seek to over-focus on self-improvement, we may still be missing the point. We all are subject to the human

condition which does include a quotient of pain and illness. We don’t have to fear this.

Even if we have a real release of our fearful uncertainly, in our very next breath it may return. That is okay and real and spiritual as well. We all falter, we all get greedy for release, for more, for the illusion of control and certainty, for our ego domination of the world. In this hungry and irrational state, we tend to do compulsive and goofy, if not more seriously selfharming, behaviors. We all do this—the only difference between us is our preferred compulsions and the energy with which we chase them.

A 12-step slogan, “Let go or get dragged,” sums it up completely. We have a choice and can continue to clutch our hope that this can’t be happening, or this needs to stop. What we cannot choose is the emotional results of this choice. And they aren’t pretty.

This sounds good, and yet so many things are displaying impermanence at once, things we may not have realized were “constants” are gone, so many small and

large pleasures and freedoms are just out of reach—including perhaps belief in truth itself. Most people are experiencing some feelings of heightened intensity of all emotions, anxiety, sadness and grief, as well as anger and confusion.

What can be done to help us with our essential suffering? The answers are in a way simple and extraordinarily difficult at the same time. They stem from the ability we have to train our minds to focus on the things in our lives that we can influence— the small choices we can make every day to remain in the moment, to have gratitude for the small things we still do have, to allow ourselves time outside and in nature every day, to reach out to others, even and especially friends we may have disconnected from, to eat clean or as healthy as we can, exercise, to keep a regular sleep schedule and to offer help to others who are in need. These small practices can enhance our mood and give us a sense of personal meaning.

Research is already concluding that a possible diamond in the rough emerg-

ing from the limitations and pain of the pandemic is that many people are nurturing a deeper appreciation of all they do still have: their health, small pleasures, a job. For some, this shift has been dramatic as they reassess their values and how they spend their days to reorder a deeper sense of meaning.

So, try looking in the mirror a few times a week and using the affirmation, “You can do this. Get to it.” Whether while grimacing, laughing or smiling, be gentle to that squirmy, scared, small child self who is looking out of the mirror. Because it is always true. We can do the one thing we think we cannot today, and in committing to this, we may have peace and real healing.

Liz Driscoll Jorgensen is a psychotherapist and spiritual seeker who has been on the path of recovery for almost 35 years.

She is the owner of Insight Counseling, LLC, in Ridgefield. Connect at Liz@InsightCounselingLLC.com or InsightCounselingLLC.com.

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This Medicine of the Future is Here Now! December 2021 19

The Power of Gathering in Community

by Linda Sechrist

H

ad the intellectual achievements of human culture evolved during a revolution based on living systems in the natural world rather than one of rapid industrial growth and resource consumption, we might be experiencing interconnectedness instead of divisiveness during this time of social and ecological crisis.

A nature-focused revolution embracing humans as an integral part of the Earth’s natural systems would have instilled a deeper understanding of the wonders of the human body as a living system imbued with inner intelligence, as well as the intelligence of the non-human living world. This perspective, held by Native Americans, would have helped to create sustainable human communities that flourish by connecting, collaborating, cooperating and communicating.

With such approaches as wisdom circles, story circles, power of eight intention circles, support groups, prayer circles and dialogue circles exploring conflict solutions, Western minds are just beginning to comprehend how small-community experiences of fellowship and communion can assuage feelings of separation and isolation, and create inner experiences of wholeness and belonging.

Mentoring Each Other Although not always sharing a common geographical location, 20

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small communities formed around common interests and shared values enable emotional healing. The ManKind Project (MKP), which describes itself as a “men’s community for the 21st century,” has more than 1,000 peer-facilitated groups in 22 countries in which men mentor each other through their life passages.

“In our MKP communities, there’s a sense of shared commitment and the shared values of accountability, authenticity, compassion, generosity, integrity, respect, leadership and multicultural awareness, along with a shared vision pointing us in the direction we want to go together,” says Boysen Hodgson, MKP-USA communications director. “While MKP’s mission statement informs our work, in New Warrior Adventure training, each man creates a personal mission statement. Mine is, ‘I transform culture by designing change, building bridges and co-creating space for connection.’”

According to Hodgson, when a man shares how he hears his inner voice for the first time along with his story in another man’s story, he becomes aware of his interior capacities and cultivates internal and external listening skills. By sharing personal stories, men experience epiphanies that can result in connections and bonding.

Douglas Bonar, a 35-year veteran of mental health counseling and owner of A Center for Wellness, in Pinellas Park, Florida, has been facilitating men’s groups for 22 years. Men and occasionally women that have been court-ordered to undergo counseling with

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fizkes/AdobeStock.com

Circles of Healing

Bonar for 29 weeks after their incarceration learn the value of growing together in community. “I initiate the uninitiated who’ve never heard about the powerful impacts of respectful, attentive listening without judgement, giving/receiving feedback and support, and learning about successes and failures in the company of community,” says Bonar. “Actively engaging the minds, hearts and energy of people participating in community makes experiencing emotional healing possible. Feeling truly heard and deeply listened to and comprehending life from a multisensory human perception and a sense of oneness can lead to understanding that we are never alone, the universe is alive—conscious, intelligent and compassionate.”

More about progress than perfection, Bonar’s unique Roots and Wings Way of Wholeness approach to healing in community tills the soil of an inner world and plants seeds via the introduction of guidelines for creating authentic power, spiritual growth, levels of consciousness, coherence, the realization of one’s true self as more than an enculturated personality, the Noetic experience of oneness, humans as energetic beings, emotions as energy in motion and a coherent energetic field that the HeartMath Institute notes creates synchronization, or entrainment, between the heart and mind, as well as a sense of unity.

Sharing Sacred Space Jean Shinoda Bolen, a Jungian psychiatrist, activist and author of Moving Toward the Millionth Circle: Energizing the Global Women’s Movement, encourages everyone to follow a path with soul and

take on a personal assignment that contributes to change, while relying on the support of circle communities of like-minded individuals. “Fundamental principles applicable to any group include creating sacred space, listening with compassion and for wisdom, speaking from the heart and personal experience, inviting silence and reflection when needed, taking responsibility for your experience and your impact on the circle, keeping the confidence of the circle and making decisions when needed by consensus,” says Bolen, whose active events include a prayer circle and another with women she has been together with since the 1980s.

“The more frequently a circle meets to fully witness one another’s life stories, including all the changes and crises, a growing trust and heart connection occurs and a coherent energy field is created,” says Bolen. At the beginning of her circle gatherings, upon hearing the tone of a Tibetan bowl, she says, everyone immediately drops into coherence; a state of connectedness in which the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

Cultivating Deep Listening As the host of New Dimensions, a nationally syndicated radio program that addresses cultural shifts, Justine Willis Toms has deeply explored interconnectedness with some of the greatest minds on the planet, including the Dalai Lama and physicist David Bohm.

Referring to her circle communities as “friends of the heart,” she enthuses, “When I am deeply listening to another or speaking authentically aloud in a circle of trust, I get to hear myself in a way that I don’t if I’m only listening to what is in my head.”

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Recalling a tumultuous time in her life, Toms relates a profound healing experience that occurred in a circle community in which she and her husband had been participating since the 1980s. “This particular circle usually gathers for an entire weekend. On one, I arrived in deep distress—so much so that on Friday I began pouring out my fears, anxiety, blame and judgements. I raged through the night and didn’t stop until after breakfast on Saturday, when I felt complete, totally heard, emotionally healed and revived.”

From a sense of peace and clarity, Toms knew that healing occurred because of the circle’s capacity for deep listening.

“We know and trust the true genius that each of us is, and we know how to not be afraid for each other when life is in a rollercoaster cycle and we’re at the bottom, but don’t want to pull the brake because we’ll never have the momentum to go back up. This is the power of a circle of friends of the heart who love you,” says Toms, who shares a favorite African saying, “‘A friend is someone who knows your song

Connecting through Common Emotions

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Physician Jennifer Phelps, owner of Phelps MD Integrative Medicine, in Redding, Connecticut, is a trained facilitator of small groups who has worked in communities traumatized by natural disasters and human-caused catastrophes in her role as a faculty member of the Center for MindBody Medicine, in Washington, D.C. “Where individuals listen to the grief and loss of others, emotional healing can be quite profound. Sharing stories in community, we learn we’re not alone and isolated, but rather related and connected in our human emotions,” says Phelps, adding that in groups of fewer than six people cohesiveness dissipates, leaving only conversation and cross-talk.

The process of human and community development unfolds from within each person, relationship and community. According to Cate Montana, of Kula, Hawaii, author of The E-Word: Ego, Enlightenment & Other Essentials, awakening to the illusion of separation, which can happen in community, sparks healing. “The persona of an individual as only a body and mind is the big sleep,” advises Montana, whose life work has been about waking people up to the truth of their essential spiritual nature and giving them tools for a more fulfilling life.

Having experiences of fellowship and communion with like-minded people can make it possible to observe and understand how ego and mind function, and to become aware of crippling social programming which fragments, separates and divides us. Experiencing a sense of wholeness in such an environment allows for healing naturally on many levels.

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Linda Sechrist is Natural Awakenings’ senior staff writer. Connect at LindaSechrist.com.

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and sings it to you when you have forgotten it. Those who love you are not fooled by the mistakes you’ve made or the dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly, your wholeness when you are broken, your innocence when you’re feeling guilty and your purpose when you are confused.’”

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

eNaturalAwakenings.com

By Antonio Guillem on Shutterstock

Are You Breathing Correctly?

by Alexia Clonda

O

ur mind is made up of the subconscious and conscious. The subconscious is in control of all involuntary functions of our body, like heartbeat and breathing, and the conscious is in control of all voluntary functions like logic. Einstein said that our subconscious runs us 90 percent of the time—like the part of an iceberg under the water—and the conscious 10 percent—like the tip of the iceberg. Our mind is like a computer; the subconscious processes 40 million bits of information per second and the conscious 40 bits of information per second.

Our mind holds a mixture of negative and positive thoughts, beliefs, feelings and emotions.

When it comes to breathing, we just do it. It is controlled by the autonomic nervous system which is responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously, but unconsciously (subconscious) directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat and digestive processes. Most people assume their breathing must be fine because they are alive. That’s a myth. Our health

may be affected because our breathing may be an issue, especially if we are breathing through our mouth and chest muscles and not through the nose using our diaphragm.

Mouth breathing is the incorrect way of breathing, and the catalyst for the diaphragm to become lazy in the process of and for breathing. Mouth breathing uses more energy, leading to tiredness and the wearing down of coping mechanisms. The nose becomes blocked, making it even harder to nose breathe. It might feel like one is always stressed or short of breath, fatigued or tired much of the time. Mouth breathing can cause an overbite and incorrect jaw formation in children.

Nose breathing is the correct way to bring air into our lungs. It acts as a filtration system for air coming into the lungs, warming, humidifying, cleaning and sterilizing the air going into the lungs.

Nose breathing helps strengthen the immune system and immunity, reduce blood pressure and heart rate, release and reduce stress and relax the nervous system. It can also aid in better quality of sleep and helps

with cognitive function, focus and mindfulness. Correct oxygenation takes place in the lower part of the lungs because we are breathing using our diaphragm, with a minimum of 20 percent more oxygen intake than mouth breathing with nose breathing.

The Buteyko Breathing Method (BBM) is breathing retraining or reprogramming with simple and effective exercises. This technique teaches one how to do this, quickly and easily, normalizing breathing for the body’s needs. Dysfunctional breathing or mouth breathing (over-breathing) has a negative impact on our health over a period. The BBM aims to reverse this vicious cycle and re-train the brain on how to breathe normally, well and correctly.

Within a few sessions, breathing patterns and rhythm can normalize with clients feeling better within themselves—enabling them to enjoy life more.

Science tells us correct breathing is vital for the normal functioning of the body and it’s the one involuntary function of the body we can control. On average, a person takes in roughly 22,000 breaths per day, so learning to retrain the subconscious to breathe correctly can be life changing.

Alexia Clonda is offering Natural Awakenings readers a one-hour mindset and breathing session for the special rate of $125 (regularly $165). A five-session package can also be purchased in advance at that special offer price for $625, a savings of $200. A Virtual Mind Breathing Webinar will be held in January and a live, in-person Mind Breathing Workshop will be conducted in February 2022; dates to be announced.

Alexia Clonda is a Champion Squash Player and was a chronic asthmatic dependent on steroids who learned the Buteyko Breathing Method in 1996 and it changed her life. She now educates and teaches people how to breathe properly and how to transform their mindset for better health and quality of life. Available for: classes, workshops, one-on-one consultations, online consultations, webinars, mentoring, coaching and motivational speaking.

Connect at TheMindBreathingEdge.com.

See ad, page 2.

December 2021 23

healing ways

Amp Up Immunity Proven Boosters for Good Health

foxyliam/AdobeStock.com

by Ronica O’Hara

A

s we head into the holidays, a gift that many of us wish for is a strong immune system to protect us not only from serious illness, but also from wintry coughs and sniffles. Robust immunity rests on three pillars, research shows: getting at least seven hours of sleep a night to allow immune functions to reboot; daily exercise to stimulate the production of white blood cells that fight off harmful bacteria and viruses; and plant-based foods to supply the antioxidants and phytochemicals needed to reduce inflammation and keep cells humming happily.

In addition, we can enhance immunity by adding specific adaptogens and mushroom powders into our daily routine. These study-proven substances perform specific functions in the immune system that boost our resistance to illness. As powders, they can be easily added into drinks or foods, and they can also be taken as tinctures or pills.

Modulating Immunity with Adaptogens Used for millennia in China and India, adaptogens are plants 24

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

that keep the body in balance by helping it adapt to stress. They interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a complex system of glands, hormones and receptors that helps manage homeostasis, stress responses and energy metabolism. “Adaptogens are a great way to boost immunity, especially if you are constantly sick and run down due to feeling stressed,” says Heather Hanks, a Plymouth, Michigan, nutritionist with USA Rx. Adaptogens typically take two or three weeks to become effective; follow package directions for proper dosage.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), an herb called locoweed in the U.S., boosts immune function by increasing natural killer cell activity and enhancing the function of macrophages, the “immune sentinels” that reside in tissues. A recent review suggests that long-term use of astragalus might help prevent colds, and taking it for up to six weeks may relieve seasonal allergy symptoms such as runny nose, itching and sneezing. It has also been shown to improve recovery after illness, disease or prolonged stress and to help post-chemotherapy patients regain health.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Polish researchers found that rowing team athletes given 500 milligrams of astragalus root extract each day for six weeks had immune systems that recovered faster after strenuous exercise.

Panax Ginseng, a perennial plant from East Asia, keeps the immune system in balance by regulating its components, including macrophages, dendritic cells and both T and B cells. It improves resistance to illness and microbial attacks, helps counter stress, controls inflammation, improves cognitive functions and has been found effective in the treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, insulin resistance and hypertension.

Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), also known as holy basil, “enhances the immune response, protects the body against bacterial and viral infection and promotes clear and comfortable breathing,” says Ameya Duprey, a certified Ayurvedic practitioner in Nevada City, California. Studies show that it also helps prevent liver, kidney and brain injury by protecting against the genetic, immune and cellular damage caused by pesticides, pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals.

The Marvel of Medicinal Mushrooms Used medicinally since at least 3,000 BCE, certain mushrooms have been found to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular-protective, anti-diabetic, liver-protective and anticancer properties. They are usually not cooked, but rather taken as a powder that can be added to foods like smoothies, cereals and stir-fries.

Reishi mushrooms increase the activity of killer cells and lower inflammation in white cells, warding off infections. “They are used by cancer patients, as they support a healthy immune system, have antioxidant properties and may prevent or treat infections,” says Linda Strause, Ph.D., an adjunct professor of human nutrition at University of California San Diego, whose husband with brain cancer was encouraged to take the mushrooms as a supplement.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

†

LOVE THIS FIND TRUE

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensi) is harvested from the larvae of caterpillars in the high Himalayas. In a randomized, eight-week Korean study of 79 adults, supplementing with 1.7 grams of cordyceps extract daily led to a significant 38 percent increase in the activity of natural killer cells that protect against infection. It has been used traditionally to treat fatigue, sexual dysfunction, asthma, kidney problems, high blood pressure and weak hearts.

Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) contains a compound called polysaccharide-K that stimulates the immune system. It also acts as a prebiotic, which promotes the health of the gut microbiome, a key player in immunity. A Harvard Medical School study of 22 healthy people found that taking 3,600 milligrams of polysaccharopeptide extracted from turkey tail mushrooms each day led to beneficial changes in gut bacteria and suppressed the growth of problematic E. coli and shigella bacteria.

Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

IS H T E V O L FIND TRUE Try for FREE at NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com December 2021 25

Kno Whe wing n Ou Imm r u Syst ne Nee em ds a Boo st

I

by Veena Verma-Dzik

t is already known that if we have a chronic illness, such as Lyme disease or an autoimmune disease, our immune system is compromised and needs added support. But if we don’t have any of these conditions, how would we know if our immune system really needed a boost?

Let’s run through a quick checklist: 4 Are you exhausted or feeling run down during the day?

4 Are you under excess stress?

4 Your diet is not the greatest, and you’re an “on the run” eater?

4 Not able to get daily physical activity and mental health time in?

4 Do you find yourself frequently getting colds or other illnesses?

4 Do you suffer from allergies?

4 Are you suffering from any gastrointestinal conditions?

4Do you have skin issues or are slow to heal?

Answering “yes” to any of these may mean there is something to think about when it comes to getting our health in order.

Any time we are under stress, it compromises our immune system. Cortisol levels increase, causing more inflammation and decreasing those much needed white blood cells, key players in the immune system. This also dominoes into our GI tract where inflammation increases, the microbiome gets thrown off, digestion 26

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

becomes compromised, leaky gut ensues and, thus, our immune system takes a hit.

When people have compromised digestion or gastrointestinal illnesses, it is only natural for nutrient absorption to become depleted, creating nutrient deficiencies that impair our body’s ability to perform our best and for our immune system to function optimally.

The increase in inflammation impacts many aspects of our health, leading to even bigger problems. Linked to leaky gut are chronic illnesses, such as allergies and autoimmune diseases. If not managed properly, they can wreak havoc on the immune system.

Let’s not forget that stress leads to poor sleep and bad coping habits—like poor eating, smoking and drinking, which have no benefit to the immune system at all.

Along with the negative impact on the immune system, these habits can dampen the glow in our skin and slow down our body’s ability to heal. The ill-effects go on and on.

Increasing evidence shows that when the immune system becomes dysfunctional, there is an increase in chemical messengers that regulate the immune response, causing inflammation that affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems, leading to fatigue. Fatigue can also be caused by nutrient deficiencies, most commonly iron and B vitamins, or underlying illnesses.

Studies show that exercise augments eNaturalAwakenings.com

immuno-surveillance by increasing key players of the immune system that fight off pathogens, including natural killer cells and cytotoxic T-cells. Not only does exercise benefit our physical health, but our mental health, as well. Numerous studies demonstrate how exercise is highly beneficial in alleviating anxiety and depression. Exercise helps balance several neurotransmitters linked to anxiety and depression such as serotonin and norepinephrine. It increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor and exerts neuroprotective effects on the brain.

Psychoneuroimmunology studies show that taking care of our mental health is extremely important in managing stress and has a profound impact on our immune system. Mind-body exercise interventions, such as meditation and yoga, have shown to enhance the immune system by improving CD4 T-cell counts immediately after and long-term.

To recap, immune system busters include: stress; poor sleep; inadequate nutrition; lack of exercise; not making time for mental health; chronic illnesses, including allergies and diabetes; autoimmune disease; and gastrointestinal disorders.

To boost the immune system, try these strategies: q Eat nutritiously, with food high in antioxidants q Get quality sleep q Manage how stress is perceived and handled q Make time for daily physical and mental wellness activities q Identify and address any and all health issues, both chronic and acute q Get nutrient status assessed and take necessary supplements to replenish nutrient stores In terms of additional immune support, try mushrooms. There are countless studies supporting the immune modulating benefits of mushrooms, and they are even used as an adjunctive therapy for viruses and bacteria. Above all, we must take care of ourselves.

Dr. Veena Verma-Dzik, ND, IAMA practices at 105 Danbury Rd, in Ridgefield. Connect at 203-431-9726, InsightCounselingLLC.com or DoctorVeena.com. See ad, page 9.

inspiration

SEASON OF LIGHT

Celebrating the Soul of Winter

kharchenkoirina/AdobeStock.com

by Marlaina Donato

I

nevitably, the wheel of the year turns with the nuances of the seasons hardly noticed in the blur of our busy days. “Next year,” we say, when we realize that we’ve run out of time to try that holiday recipe, connect with friends or revel in a winter sunset. Collecting small joys takes us out of survival mode and into wide-awake living. Pausing to sip from winter’s steaming cup of comfort can be the perfect way to begin a new chapter that prompts us to come back to the center.

In the ancient world, fire festivals marked holy days celebrating the sun’s promise of return and supplied felicity in a time of hardship. Today, something inside our ancestral memories makes us crave celebration as we wrap the year’s end in shiny ribbon, ethereal lights and scented candles. Singing, chanting or caroling this time of year—“old-fashioned” pastimes—were ancient elements of winter’s revels that invited benevolent energy and chased away bad luck. While most of us no longer grace our neighbors with song, raising our voices to any capacity can be an offering, an invitation to hope and beauty. Singing multicultural songs with the kids, writing a spontaneous prayer or sharing seasonal or funny stories naturally boosts the immune system and helps to fight off the winter blues.

Winter has its own jewel-toned beauty that rivals summer’s most dazzling hour if we pay attention: ruby fruits baked with brown sugar, rosy desert mornings and snowy sapphire twilights. Pointing out December constellations over a beach or lacing up our boots for a brisk walk helps us to unplug from the world’s problems.

Sprinkling heart-healthy spices in our morning coffee opens a gloomy day on a lovely note.

Winter can feel long, so go ahead and treat your senses; buy a few yards of red velvet to sleep on or pick up that novel you’ve been planning to read. Live and give a little more deeply. Feed the birds and feed your soul.

Marlaina Donato is an author and a composer of ambient holiday music. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

December 2021 27

conscious eating

The Sweet Danger of Sugar ways to enjoy healthier holiday fare

azurita/AdobeStock.com

by Christy Ratliff

C

hocolate Santas, decorated cookies and other sweet confections are ingrained in our holiday traditions, yet sugary food does little to actually make us feel merry and bright in the long run.

A high-sugar diet increases the risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol, inflammation, weight gain and weight-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It can also contribute to tooth decay and acne. “Most high-sugar foods are ‘treats’ and are not intended to be high in nutrition or consumed instead of healthier foods,” says Shelley Maniscalco, registered dietitian and CEO of the consulting firm Nutrition on Demand, in Arlington, Virginia. “When we have too many foods that are what we call caloriedense versus nutrient-dense, we run the risk of displacing healthier foods, and, therefore, under-consuming key nutrients.”

This can impact mental health and impair the body’s ability to manage stress. “When we eat nutritious foods, and our gut is healthy, we obtain necessary nutrients to create neurotransmitters, which are key to optimal mental health,” explains Maggie Roney, a licensed counselor and certified functional medicine provider in Wylie, Texas. “There’s mood-stabilizing serotonin, which is a precursor for melatonin, needed for sleep; dopamine, involved in pleasure, focus and motivation; and GABA, which provides a calming effect that can help with stress and anxiety. All of these require amino 28

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

acids, zinc, iron, vitamin D, magnesium, copper and B vitamins.”

In moderation, sugar is not necessarily detrimental to our health and well-being, but differentiating between naturally occurring sugar and added sugar is key to finding a middle ground. “New changes in the food label allow consumers to more easily identify sources of sugar in foods,” Maniscalco says. “Many healthy foods naturally contain sugars, such as fructose in fruits and lactose in dairy products. These natural sugars don’t need to be avoided. When checking the label, look for amounts of added sugars and choose the options that have less.”

Foods and beverages with added sugars are now required to list the number of grams and percent daily value for added sugars on the nutrition facts label. For example, a container of yogurt with fruit on the bottom might list total sugars at 15 grams (g), including 7 g of added sugar, which means 8 g of naturally occurring sugars.

In a society long obsessed with counting calories, we may assume we’re making smart choices with low-fat, non-fat, reduced calorie or light versions of grocery items. But, the amount of added sugar is actually higher in low calorie versions of a wide variety of foods because sugar is used to compensate for the loss of flavor from fat. “Sugar tastes good and balances out other flavors, so many foods that we wouldn’t consider sweet have added sugars,” says Colleen Tewksbury, Ph.D., bariatric program manager and senior research investigator at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Common products include pasta sauce, cereal and salad dressing. Reading food labels looking specifically for added sugars is key to finding these foods.”

“Hidden sugars are often found where we least expect them,” adds Ricardo Díaz, chef and registered dietitian nutritionist at the New Yorkbased nonprofit Wellness in the Schools, which works to improve nutrition in school lunches. “Many savory or salty foods tend to have added sugars, such as tortilla chips, popcorn, jerky and frozen prepared foods.

Check your labels and compare between products on the supermarket shelves to find the healthiest pick for you and your loved ones.”

“Often, we think of eating in ‘all or nothing’ terms. When we cut out foods we enjoy, it often backfires and we end up overeating them in the end when our willpower runs out,” Maniscaclo says. “I would really encourage mindfulness in eating so that individuals can enjoy treats in moderation and feel satisfied by them so that there’s less need to over consume. Also, being physically active year-round is a great habit to get into and can create more space in the diet for treats.”

As we implement these small but significant low-sugar strategies, we’ll be rewarded with better physical and emotional health all year long. That’s something to celebrate.

Christy Ratliff is a professional health and wellness writer based in Central Florida.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Low- or No-Sugar Holiday Treats Baklava Cookie Cups 2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour 1 tsp orange zest ½ tsp ground cardamom ¼ tsp salt 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature ¾ cup honey 2 large eggs, room temperature 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

photo provided by allrecipes.com

filling and syrup:

½ cup pistachios, chopped ½ cup honey 3 Tbsp water 2 tsp orange juice 4 green cardamom pods, crushed 1 cinnamon stick

Heat oven to 350° F and grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, orange zest, cardamom and salt. In the bowl of a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and honey for about 1-2 minutes. (The mix will look a little curdled at this point and that’s fine; scrape down the sides.) Beat in the eggs, then the vanilla. Mix in the flour in

two parts. Using a cookie scoop, scoop the dough into the prepared muffin tin and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven; let sit for about 3-4 minutes before using a dowel to carefully press down in the center of each cookie to make a well. Let the cookies cool for about 15 minutes in the tin before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely. In a small saucepan over medium heat, prepare the syrup by combining the honey, water, orange juice, cardamom pods and cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer and remove from the heat. Drizzle a small amount in the bottom of each cookie cup and then fill with the chopped pistachios. Drizzle more syrup on top of the filled cookie cups. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Courtesy of the National Honey Board. For more information, visit Honey.com.

Baked Apples

Preheat oven to 375° F. Wash apples.

Using an apple corer, remove cores and leave ½ inch of the bottom of each apple. (If using a paring knife, just cut the center core out fully.) Make the hole ¾-inch wide, and remove the seeds using a spoon. Place the cored apples in an 8-inch-by 8-inch baking dish.

oven, and baste apples several times with the juice from the pan. (Apples can be baked in a muffin tin. Place muffin liners into the muffin tins, and place cored apples inside.)

Chef ’s Note: Personalize the baked apples with seasonal fillings and spices, such as nutmeg, cardamom or pumpkin pie spice. For a twist, try a savory, fresh herb like rosemary or thyme.

Courtesy of Wellness in the Schools. For more information, visit WellnessInThe Schools.org. roman samokhin/AdobeStock.com

photo provided by allrecipes.com

4 large Granny Smith baking apples Juice of one lemon (about ¼ cup) 1 tsp cinnamon ¼ cup chopped pecans or another nut of choice ¼ cup raisins or another dried fruit of choice 1 tsp butter ¾ cup boiling water

Sprinkle lemon juice over apples to prevent browning. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, chopped nuts and raisins or another dried fruit. Stuff each apple with the filling mixture. Top with a dot of butter (about ½ to ¾ tsp per apple). Add boiling water to baking pan.

Bake for 40-45 minutes until tender, but not mushy. Remove baked apples from the December 2021 29

The Monthly Naturally Healthy Pet Section Starts Here!

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

Toyland for Pooches Choosing Safe Playthings a Dog Will Love

by Karen Shaw Becker

M

Most dogs in the U.S. have lots of toys, and many pet parents practice trial-anderror to determine what type their dog prefers—and which are safest—from a mind-blowing selection of tugs, balls, discs, chews, puzzles, squeaky or stuffed toys and more. Because many pet stores welcome dogs, some pet parents even bring their four-legged family members along and allow them to sniff out their favorites.

It’s important to select a dog’s toys carefully, because not every option is a good choice. For example, some dogs, especially large breeds, tend to rip soft toys apart within seconds to taste-test the stuffing.

There are also dogs that can swallow small

soft toys whole. A pup’s temperament, size and age all play a role in determining which toys are safe, and there are also considerations based on the toy itself, such as materials used, size, shape and more.

Potentially Toxic Toys

Arno/AdobeStock.com

ost healthy dogs retain their love of play throughout their lives. Because canine family members can be loosely compared to perpetual human toddlers, it makes sense that they enjoy playtime no matter their age.

Most dogs are also fascinated, at least temporarily, with toys made just for them.

Some love to chase a ball or Frisbee and others like a good game of tug or stuffed toys. Most dogs seem to enjoy playthings that squeak when they bite them, possibly because the noise brings to mind the sound of captured prey, or perhaps because pet parents give their dogs extra attention when they “get their squeak on”.

30 30

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

Pet toys are not regulated, so they can be made with virtually any material. Plastic toys, in particular, can be dangerous, because many contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA). Old or weathered toys such as those left outside leach higher concentrations of harmful chemicals.

While BPA-free toys are available, the toxin may have been replaced with similar—or even more toxic—chemicals, including bisphenol-S (BPS), so “BPAfree” unfortunately isn’t a reliable indicator of toy safety. Other adulterants found in dog toys include heavy metals like lead and formaldehyde.

When looking for new toys, choose those made in the U.S. out of 100 percent natural rubber, organic cotton or other eco-friendly and contaminant-free materials. Try the sniff test. If a toy being considered smells strongly of chemicals, put it back. Testing shows that some tennis balls made for pets contain more contaminants than those made for sports.

The best toys for pets are usually handmade by individuals or very small companies and can be found at local farmers’ markets or sold regionally in small, independent pet stores. There’s no

plethora of companies that produce 100 percent organic toys, but some great, allnatural toys can be found online.

What Dogs Seem to Prefer Researchers have discovered that regardless of the type of toy, once a dog is completely familiar with the sight, sound, smell and feel of it, boredom can set in. In addition, we may want to avoid “indestructible” toys the dog can’t make a dent in, because they enjoy toys they can pull apart and destroy, or those that are edible.

Offering a dog easily destroyed toys isn’t ideal, either, as they may accidently or intentionally ingest some of the non-edible pieces.

A good alternative is recreational bones (large, raw chunks of beef and bison femur bones), which are quite enjoyable to most dogs, even though they’re not technically toys. Lick mats that hold a soft food treat are also a great environmental enrichment choice for dogs that tend to destroy toys quickly.

Treat-release puzzle toys, toys meant to be chewed and those that make noise or are edible (like a nontoxic dental bone) can also be good options, while toys that are hard, unyielding and silent will probably not be a big hit.

Don’t underestimate our human ability to stimulate a dog’s interests. A session of playtime—playing fetch, tug-of-war or hide-and-seek—will be far more stimulating to the pup than any toy could be.

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

Tips for Selecting Safe Dog Toys These guidelines compiled by VetStreet.com are recommended by veterinarian Karen Shaw Becker to help in choosing toys that will keep a dog not only happy, but safe. n Choose toys that are the right size for your dog. Giving a small toy to a large dog poses a risk of inhalation and choking. Small balls are especially dangerous, as they can easily become lodged in your dog’s trachea. Generally speaking, you should choose large toys for large dogs and smaller toys only for smaller dogs. n Avoid toys that have small parts that can be chewed or pulled off and those with sharp edges or that can be chewed into sharp points. n When playing fetch, avoid toys that are heavy or hard enough to damage your dog’s teeth or injure him. n If your dog likes to de-stuff toys, be sure he’s not eating the stuffing. Some dogs really enjoy stuffing-free toys.

Toys That Require Close Supervision

n Long, rope-like or tug toys, since they can become wrapped around your dog’s neck n Squeaky toys if your dog likes to play “rip out the squeaker” n Battery-operated toys, because if your dog manages to get the batteries out and swallows them, it can result in battery toxicosis n Tennis balls, which can be a choking hazard for large dogs, and the abrasive fuzz may wear down the teeth of an aggressive or persistent chewer n Frisbees and similar flying discs that may cause your dog to jump up and twist simultaneously, which can lead to leg and back injuries

Toys to Avoid

n String, ribbon, pantyhose, socks and rubber bands, all of which can be swallowed and cause life-threatening complications in the digestive tract n Children’s toys (such as stuffed animals); they’re not designed to withstand the type of play dogs engage in n Toys stuffed with beads or beans n Rocks and sticks n Containers (including bags) large enough for your dog to put his head in; if it becomes stuck, he can suffocate n Tug toys for dogs with neck or back problems, such as herniated disks n Rubber toys with a hole in only one end, as they can form a vacuum that catches your dog’s tongue n Rawhide chews aren’t recommended for several reasons, including that they pose a high risk of choking and intestinal obstruction

Final Journey,

Energy Balancing for Companion Animals LLC

Working together for your companion’s health and well-being.

( Pet Euthanasia Service )

Kristen Klie, D.V. M. and Associates

( 203 ) 645-5570 www.finaljourneyllc.com

Connie Martin

We Are One.

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

203-274-3267 • AnimalHealing@optonline.net January December 2021 2021 31 31

events calendar

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17

NOTE: All calendar events must be received online by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. No phone calls or faxes, please. Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com to submit online.

Reiki Level II Certification – 10:30am-3:30pm.

With Maria Davis. You must be certified in Reiki 1 before taking Reiki 2. There will be an attunement to the Reiki 2 energy. We will also do a healing session, and a certificate will be awarded upon completion. $300. The Angel Wing, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-431-2959. TheAngelCoop.com.

Full Moon Circle with Kailey – 7-8:15pm. $25.

The Angel Cooperative, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-431-2959. TheAngelCoop.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2

MONDAY, DECEMBER 6

Salty Sound Bath with Kelly – 6:30-7:45pm. 12/2 & 12/30. Halotherapy plus sound healing in the gorgeous Moroccan Salt Room. $55/pp+ tax . Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-283-5968. ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

Praying the Rosary with Annalisa Breisler – 6:307:45pm. The who, what, where, when and how to prayer the rosary. Come discover how this ancient divination tool is available to everyone and can support you in your everyday life. $20. The Angel Cooperative, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203431-2959. TheAngelCoop.com.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 Healing through our Wounds Astrology Lecture – 2-4pm. With Carly Sensenbrenner and Pam Picard.

Healing through our Wounds Astrology Lecture. $65. The Angel Cooperative, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-431-2959. TheAngelCoop.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4 Universal White Time Gemstone Healing Level 3 – 9am-6:30pm. 12/4 & 12/5. This course focuses on preparing us for the Higher Vibrations of the New Earth. Contact Bradford at 860-830-5841 or Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com for payment info.

Braulttree Wellness Center, 415 Killingsworth Rd, Ste 9A, Higganum. 860-344-9573. Tinyurl.com/ UWTGHL3Dec2021. BraulttreeWellnessCenter.com.

Angel Circle: Activate your Earth Star and Stellar Gateway Chakras with Archangels Metatron and Sandalphon – 12-2pm. With Annalisa Breisler and Christy Abate. Become fully immersed in the energy of the only two angels who were humans: Metatron and Sandalphon. Wear comfortable clothes. $30. The Angel Cooperative, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield.

203-431-2959. TheAngelCoop.com.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7 Bliss & Beauty Treament with Halotherapy – 6:30-7:30pm. With Courtney. Halotherapy plus facial and ear acupuncture for relaxation in the Moroccan Salt Room. $55/pp +tax. Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford.

203-283-5968. ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8 Salty Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. With Amy. 12/8 & 12/18 (9-10am). Halotherapy plus all levels flow yoga class in the Moroccan Salt Room. $44/pp +tax. Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-283-5968. ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

ALBERTSON MEMORIAL CHURCH EVENTS UPCOMING WORKSHOP: Sunday, December 5 • 1-3pm • $20 Understanding Your Spirit Band– Rev. Lorraine Radice WEEKLY SERVICE: Sundays: 11am-12pm (Memorial Service: December 26)

ONGOING VIA ZOOM EVENTS: 3rd Sunday • 10-10:45am Children’s Lyceum 2nd Thursday • 7-9pm– Spiritual Mediumship Class; $10 3rd Thursday • 7-8pm– Spiritual Healing Service To Register contact: AlbertsonPCC@gmail.com Cancelled events will be posted on our website Albertson Memorial Church 293 Sound Beach Ave Old Greenwich, CT • 203-637-4615 Email: Info@AlbertsonChurch.org Website: AlbertsonChurch.org 32

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

Salty Yoga – 9-10am. With Amy. Also on 12/8 (6:30-7:30pm). Halotherapy plus all levels flow yoga class in the Moroccan Salt Room. $44/pp +tax. Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-283-5968. ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29 Salty Year Ahead Tarot – 6:30-8pm. With Beth. A fun and interactive group Year Ahead Tarot Reading and Halotherapy. See what lies in the cards ahead for 2022. $70/pp +tax. Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-283-5968.

ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30 Salty Sound Bath with Kelly – 6:30-7:45pm. 12/2 and 12/30. Halotherapy plus Sound Healing in the gorgeous Moroccan Salt Room. $55/pp +tax. Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-283-5968. ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9 Sip, Shop & Salt Spa – 5:30-7:30pm. Organic wine tasting, Halotherapy Session and Mini-Massage in the Moroccan Salt Room. Wellness retail and wine shopping. $55/pp +tax. Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-283-5968.

ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11

markyourcalendar

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18

Empath and Sensitive Soul Workshop – 11am3pm. with Jeanne Street. You will learn the ins and outs of how to live and work with the challenges that accompany being an Empath and Sensitive Soul.

Includes: Vegan lunch, snacks, tea and water. Bring: Yoga mat or a blanket, journal, pen, water bottle. $111. The Angel Cooperative, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-431-2959. TheAngelCoop.com.

The Archangel Experience and CD release party – 2-4pm. Celebrate the release of Bradford Tilden’s latest album Archangel Meditations Part 1. Participants gets a free copy of the CD and two specially charged gemstones. 5 VIP spots. RSVP to AvantGardeCT13@yahoo.com, 203-481-8443 or Venmo: @Ron-Smith-419. $30-$50. Avant Garde Holistic Center, 328 E. Main St, Branford. 203-9803163. AvantGardeCT.com.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14 Salty Yoga Nidra – 6:30-7:30pm. With Traci.

Halotherapy plus Yoga Nidra, a relaxing meditative type of class in the gorgeous Moroccan Salt Room. $55/pp +tax. Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-283-5968. ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

ongoing events

daily 13th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop – Check the website for times.

11/26-12/24. Santa and his live reindeer, Dancer, Dasher and Prancer, are returning to. Tradition continues at this expansive nursery where visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, meet the reindeer and also enjoy the new Santa’s Workshop.

Free Admission. Charge for Photos. Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North St, Greenwich.

203-273-1166. GreenwichReindeerFestival.com.

sunday Beginner’s Certified Lightworkers & Kartikkeyan Yoga Nidra Training – With Samyama Flowering Tree, Spiritual Astrologer, IntuitiveMentor-Coach, and teacher. Four Sundays: December 12, 19, January 2, and 9. For Holiday sale pricing for all her services, see SamyamaLLC.com.

Online Meditation Practice Session – 10-11am.

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

monday

friday

Salt Cave of Darien: Salt and Musical Guided Meditation with Christina Connors – 7:308:30pm. Nurture your body and soul in this unique salt therapy and musical guided meditation with healer and recording artist Christina Connors. To learn more, visit ChristinaConnors.com. $40. Salt Cave of Darien, 555 Post Rd, Darien. 203-658-7667.

SaltCaveOfDarien.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 self-healing and healing for others. Two manuals and certificate included.

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

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

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

Virtual: Yoga Dance Party Livestreamed – 8-9:15pm. Fourth Friday. Dance party to shake your soul, move your energy, emotions, and let it all flow. Short yoga warm up and cool down, ending with prayers and blessings for the well-being of all. Please register to get the Zoom link. $10.

Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-7301893. YogaSpace-CT.com/Events.

tuesday Sound at the Station – 11:30am. First Tuesday.

Lunchtime wellness sessions with Bobbi Soares of Hummingbird Sound Yoga. Gallery 25, New Milford Railroad station. 860-946-9470.

BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com.

wednesday Explore White Time – 6-8:30pm. Second Wednesday. All are welcome to participate in this exclusive round-robin style healing circle featuring White Time Energy and Gemstone healing. $30; $10 discount for UWT Practitioners. Braulttree Wellness Center, 415 Killingsworth Rd, Ste. 9A, Higganum.

860-344-9573. Roslyn@BraulttreeWellnessCenter. com. BraulttreeWellnessCenter.com.

Salt Cave of Darien: Yin Yoga – 6:15-7:45pm. Limited to 4 people. Please bring your own yoga mat, blanket, towel, 2 blocks, if you have them and wear white socks and a mask. Join Jennifer Duncan, Certified Yoga Instructor, for a 90-minute Yin Yoga class. All levels class. Also via Zoom. $35/In-person; $17/from home.

Reservations required. Salt Cave of Darien, 555 Post Rd, Darien. 203-658-7667. SaltCaveOfDarien.com.

Online Meditation Practice Session – 7-8pm.

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

Aleph Talks by Dr Bart Stuck and Rev Marjorie Partch – 7-9pm. An ongoing weekly online lecture series discussing linkages between science and religion through mysticism. Email BartStuck@gmail.com explaining why you wish to participate and will receive remote lecture access information. Offered through the Unitarian Church in Westport CT. No charge. AlephTalks.com.

thursday Thursday Afternoon & Evening Sound Baths – 12-1:15pm & 6-7:30pm. With Gary Posner, awardwinning composer, musician, educator and Certified Sound Therapist. Each week we will start with chakra toning. We will then lay down for a Sound Meditation. Session ends with a Chakra Energizing Bija Mantra. Time for a Q&A. No previous knowledge is required. $30/$35. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave, Rye, NY. 914-967-6080. Wainwright.org.

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

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

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

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

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

Spiritual Connection & Evolution Class – 1-4pm.

Second Saturday. Through teachings and practices, you will experience letting go of judgment, fear, shame and guilt. You will begin to replace limiting beliefs with empowering beliefs so you can live the life you really want. Facilitated by Mataji Katie Augustyn and assisted by Janet Terban Morris. COVID vaccination or recent negative test required. $87 for 1; $77 each for 3; $67 each for all 6. Transformation Center CT, 7 Reimer Rd, Westport. 203-820-3800.

TransformationCenterCT.com.

classifieds BOOKS THE TRUE SCHOOL IS LIFEBOOKS FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING such as: “Recognize and Heal Yourself through the Power of the Spirit“ “Living and Dying to Keep on Living“ “Cause and Development of All Illness“ “The Life I Chose Myself“… and much more!

Gabriele-Publishing-House.com 1-844-576-0937 20% Off with coupon code: OFF20

HELP WANTED IS 2022 YOUR YEAR TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING BIG – WORK FROM HOME FT/PT. Be at the intersection of natural health and wellness, and the booming work from home e-commerce industry and a positive community.

Cindy Rosenbaum of Rosenbaum Wellness 914-806-6559.

WEARABLE WELLNESS TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR WELL BEING WITH HEALY! Imagine a pocket-size device that can deliver over 144,000 healing frequencies.

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Call 203 767-5954 for free wellness experience or email Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com.

December 2021 33

community resource guide

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY

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.

ADHD & CHILD DEVELOPMENT BRAIN BALANCE CENTER

Dr. Mark Goldenberg 15 Cross St, Norwalk 203-547-3000 Norwalk@BrainBalanceCenters.com BrainBalanceNorwalk.com We help kids aged pre-K to 12th Grade who struggle behaviorally, socially, academically and who lack focus and attention.

Brain Balance is a non-medical personalized program offered in-center or at-home. The program is designed to strengthen and improve brain connectivity so your child can find success in the classroom and unleash their untapped potential. See ad, page 2.

AMPCOIL CENTER 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.

ART & HEALING SEDONA ART

Art Supplies & More Marge Courtney, Owner 450 Main St, Ridgefield SedonaArt.net The expressive arts are alive and well at Sedona Art. Inspiration and supplies for artists, and creative types of all ages. Art and spirit inspired workshops, events and artist talks. We can’t wait to meet you and see what you’re creating.

See ads, pages 14 and 17.

34

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

ASTROLOGY SAMYAMA FLOWERING TREE Spiritual Astrologer, Intuitive Mentor-Coach SamyamaLLC.com

Samyama teaches and mentors in workshops, certified trainings, personal retreats, and private tutoring in Esoteric Studies, Advanced Metaphysics, Practical Yoga Philosophy, Lightworkers Karttikeyan Yoga Nidra, and Tarot Clinic in NY and CT. Please visit website for more information.

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 17.

BIRTH AND POSTPARTUM CARE BIRTH PARTNERS DOULAS OF CONNECTICUT 203-718-6512 lnfo@birthpartnersdoulas.com BirthPartnersDoulas.com

Not Just doulas... Birth Partners! Proudly serving clients for over 30 years, providing quality birth and postpartum doula care.

Contact us anytime for more information.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

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.

CHINESE MEDICINE ACUBLEND PLLC

Dr. Sian James, DACM, LAc, LMT, RYT Locations in Stamford, Westport & Fairfield 203-987-6585 AcuBlend.com AcuBlend will serve your healthcare needs by blending the art and science of wellness, offering acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, Gua Sha, Tui Na, massage therapy, movement therapies, herbal medicine and much more. See ad, page 10.

EDUCATION EMBODY THE SACRED

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

ENERGY HEALING CALMING CROW NATURAL HEALING Amanda Hynes, Reiki Master, Cert N.H. Terryville 203-231-9709 Facebook: @calmingcrownaturalhealing CalmingCrowNaturalHealing@gmail.com

I am a Natural Healer and Empath. Sessions available for Reiki, Crystal Energy Healing, Chakra Balancing (w/pendulum work) and Guided Meditation.

I also offer crystals, eye pillows and hand-made items to bolster any session.

BETH LEAS

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

THE MIND & BREATHING EDGE Alexia Clonda Stamford and Online 607-319-9161 MindBreathingEdge@gmail.com Clonda.cc

I am a Mindset Human Growth Mentor, Breathing Coach, utilizing ThetaHealing. I have been a ThetaHealing practitioner since 2010 and teacher since 2012 and have helped and witnessed many people clear limiting beliefs and issues enabling them to move forward in their lives with happiness, renewed confidence and clarity. I will provide you with the tools and resources to become the best version of you. See ad, page 2.

STILLPOINT HEALING THERAPIES Sheila LaSella 1885 Post Rd, Fairfield 203-927-4055 StillpointHealingCT@gmail.com StillpointHealing.abmp.com

I am a Polarity Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist and Card Reader with an extensive background in meditation and mindfulness. I help you let go of fear, trauma, anxiety, depression and stress and connect with your inner healer, joy, truth, power and wisdom in a gentle way. See ad, page 2.

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

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

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

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TAMARA SACHS, MD

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

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

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

See ad, page 2.

HOLISTIC NETWORKING HOLISTIC COMMUNITY PROFESSIONALS

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

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

HYPNOTIST LESLIE MILLER

Certified Hypnotist, National Guild of Hypnotism Throughout Connecticut sixthscentstosuccess@gmail.com 203-664-1870 Cell: 914-373-9065 Quit smoking, lose weight and free yourself of fear, anxiety and phobias through hypnotherapy with Leslie Miller the Hypnosis Healer. Leslie is a certified hypnotist certified by the National Guild of Hypnosis who has practiced for eight years. Free 15-minute consultation. Discounted packages available.

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.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE PHYSICIAN HENRY C. SOBO, MD

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

See ad, page 19.

For every minute you remain angry, you give up 60 seconds of peace of mind. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson December 2021 35

INTEGRATIVE OPTOMETRY EYECARE ASSOCIATES, PC

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

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LIFE COACH/HYPNOTIST

THEA LITSIOS, CHy

Life Coach, Hypnotist, Teacher of Active Dreaming Remote sessions available TheaLitsios.com 203-693-1493

MEDICAL CENTER BLACK ROCK HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTER

Dr. Kristine DeMarco Acupuncture • Chiropractic • Organic CBD 4 Calderwood Ct, Black Rock 203-333-6544 DeMarcoChiropractic.com BlackRockHolisticCBD.com

NEERU KAUSHIK, ND, MS ACU, MS, MA

The Black Rock Holistic Health Center is owned and operated by Dr. Kristine DeMarco, Chiropractic Physician, Certified Acupuncturist, Masters in Nutrition and Certifications in Cox Decompression Technique and Graston Technique. They also offer Organic CBD oil and buds to help deal with pain, anxiety, stress and insomnia. Full Spectrum CBD oil and buds from hemp seeds grown by Dr. Demarco herself on a family farm in Washington County, NY.

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 17.

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

My specialty is to help individuals who have an inner stirring that says, “Something has to change”. Using skills as a life coach, hypnotist and teacher of Active Dreaming, I assist my clients in reinventing themselves, and creating the life they dream of. Call for a free 30-minute consultation. See ad, page 2.

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.

MASSAGE THERAPIST

METAPHYSICAL STORE

KEEP CALM AND HEAL

Natalia K Gioli. LMT In home services 917-415-2451 NatigiTherapies@gmail.com KeepCalmAndHeal.com Licensed in the states of NY and CT, specialized in Medical and Therapeutic Massages! Provide in home services and my goal with massage is to be able to help in the relief of pain, muscle tension and overall stress.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN

THE ANGEL COOPERATIVE

51 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 TheAngelCoop.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube The Angel Cooperative is a unique lifestyle boutique featuring the first and only Shungite room in the USA. Wide selection of crystals, jewelry, candles, essential oils and soaps.

Spiritual gifts, statuary, oracle decks and tarot and home décor. Available in The Shungite Room: readings, Reiki, meditation, sound therapy, energy work, sound and gong baths, and workshops.

See ad, page 15.

Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies 805 Kings Highway East, Fairfield 203-331-9111 DrKaushik@AyurvedicInstituteCT.com

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 with personalized “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 intolerances, gut/microbiome health and more.

See ad, page 4.

DR. AMY WIESNER

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

FOLLOW US ONLINE FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT & MUCH MORE Facebook @NaturalAwakeningsFairfieldCounty • Instagram @Natural_Awakenings_Fairfield Visit us online to subscribe to our eNewsletter at eNaturalAwakenings.com

36

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

eNaturalAwakenings.com

NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONIES HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC

Barbara (Bobbi) Soares New Milford • Remote Zoom/FT Sessions 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com HummingbirdSoundYoga.com WiseFishWorld.com Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga Barbara (Bobbi) Soares, MA, CYT, is a sound yoga and vocal yoga teacher, blues/jazz singer, and Reiki master, certified in several modalities of energy and sound healing. As an ordained minister and sound healer, She will be offering non-denominational sacred sound ceremonies for weddings and other rites of passage. Bobbi’s band Hummingbird and Friends is well known for their eclectic blend of chants, jazz, blues, reggae and country. She has studied vocal improvisation with Bobby McFerrin, vocal yoga with Heather Lyle and sound healing with Silvia Nakkach, John Beaulieu and Don Conreaux. See ad, page 12.

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 who’s Blood Detective software, labs and detailed consult help get to the cause(s) of persistent health issues. Conditions include autoimmune, weight loss, anti-aging, cancer, GI issues, depression, and more. See ad, page 5.

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PSYCHOTHERAPY

HOLISTIC NEW DAY COUNSELING SERVICES

Jessica Lima, MS, LCSW Holistic Psychotherapy/Coaching 158 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield 203-260-5769 HolisticNewDay@gmail.com Jessica will align with you on your journey to emotional and physical well-being. Combining her traditional psychotherapy background with her certification in integrative healing, she will work with you in exploring a more holistic approach to feelings of anxiety, depression, stress and more.

NANCY SCHERLONG, LCSW

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

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

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

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

JOYFUL LIVING REIKI LLC

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

SOUND HEALING HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC

Barbara (Bobbi) Soares New Milford • Remote Zoom/FT Sessions 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com HummingbirdSoundYoga.com WiseFishWorld.com Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga We live in an ocean of sound and vibration, constantly changing and affecting our body’s unique natural resonance.

Many types of stress cause this resonance to get out of tune.

Hummingbird Sound Yoga explores and restores this resonance by shifting awareness to where the body is out of tune. Using earth, dance and symphonic gongs, bowls, tuning forks and humming-for-health meditations, a deep relaxation response balances energy and retunes and reconnects our natural resonance. 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. See ad, page 15.

TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING KATIE AUGUSTYN, MA, CPC

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

See ad, page 2.

TURNING POINT REIKI LLC

JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield 203-438-3050 TurningPointReiki.com TurningPointShare.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, Lyme disease and back pain.

All Reiki levels taught.

BETH LEAS

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

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

Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right. ~Theodore Roosevelt December 2021 37

TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING

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203TLC 2 SOUL HEALING JOURNEY, LLC Academy for Soul Healing 8 Eilis Philpott AcuBlend/Dr. Sian James 10 Fairfield 203-767-5954 Agneta Borstein Astrologer 14 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com The Angel Cooperative/ SoulHealingJourney.com Angel Wing 15 Eilis is a master healer and teacher and certified in Chamomille Natural Foods 39 numerous modalities as both a Copper Zap 3 practitioner and teacher. She offers soul level healing, which Dr. Michael Wald 5 clears any blocks, obstacles and Final Journey LLC 31 challenges that are preventing you from living your life to its fullest potential.

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Nature’s Temptation x New Morning Market 39 WELLNESS & GIFTS Optimal Health Medical/ Henry Sobo, MD 19 TOUCH OF SEDONA Gifts, Crystals, Native American Art & Rewilding Families/ Jewelry, Intuitive Readings Kristy M. Vanacore 10 Marge Courtney, Owner RipeArt/Tama Ordway 10 452 Main St, Ridgefield 203-438-7146 Salon Aponte 9 Facebook.com/TouchOfSedona Sedona Art 13, 17 A unique Soul Healing Journey 8 spiritual boutique Touch of Sedona 17 offering gifts, We Are One/Connie Martin 31 healing inspiration and the energy of the American Whole Foods 39 Southwest. Come explore Native American art Wolf Spirit Wellness 14 and jewelry, crystals, chimes, candles, incense, books and more. Check out our schedule of Your Body Motivation 8 intuitive readers, guides and more! See ad, page 17.

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WELLNESS CENTER THE ANGEL WING, A DIVINE SPIRITUAL CENTER

Located next door to The Angel Cooperative 49 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 TheAngelCoop.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube The Angel Wing hosts workshops, yoga classes, retreats, energy work sessions, readings, Reiki sound and gong baths, and guided meditations.

It is available to rent on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis. Optional rental spaces include a large open room and/or an intimate private room with massage/Reiki table. See ad, page 15.

SALT CAVE OF DARIEN

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Our wellness destination offers a rich line up of therapies to help you de-stress, detox, and improve overall health. With choices like salt cave sessions, special events with local healers, massage and spa services, and classes, you will find many ways to breathe in the anti-inflammatory salt air for double the benefits. Our enchanting salt cave and salt room is a soothing space carved out of pure Himalayan salt where you’ll enjoy an oasis of peace, calm and serenity. See ad, page 2.

YOGA: SOUND AND VOCAL HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC

Barbara (Bobbi) Soares New Milford • Remote Zoom/FT Sessions 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com HummingbirdSoundYoga.com WiseFishWorld.com Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga Barbara (Bobbi) Soares, MA, CYT, is a sound yoga and vocal yoga teacher, blues/jazz singer, and Reiki master, certified in several modalities of energy and sound healing. She offers hummingbird sound yoga and sound healing immersions for groups and private sessions in person & online. 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 12.

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