Natural Awakenings Fairfield County April 2012 by Natural Awakenings Magazine

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feel good • live simply • laugh more

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Special Edition

Green Living Celebrate Earth Day GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD CT Votes on GMO Labeling

Square Foot

Gardening

Anyone Can Do It

April 2012 | Fairfield County Edition | eNaturalAwakenings.com

Listening and Caring Wouldn’t you prefer a doctor who makes time for both?

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April 2012

The Natural Choice – The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center

Optimize Your Smile and Your Health! Whole-Body Dentistry® provides comprehensive oral health care using traditional and holistic approaches. We understand the “mouth-body connection.” Mark A. Breiner, DDS

Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry Fellow of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology Speaker and best-selling author of Whole-Body Dentistry®

Mercury-free for over 30 years, Dr. Breiner is a pioneer and recognized authority in the field of biological and holistic dentistry.

WholeBodyDentistry.com 203-371-0300

5520 Park Ave., Trumbull / Fairfield town line at Exit 47 off Merritt Pkwy

Doesn’t it make sense to see the authority?

The Natural Choice – The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center Caring Naturopathic Physicians Offering the Best in Holistic Healing

Our integrative approach treats a widerange of conditions including: ADD/ADHD Allergies Anxiety & Depression Autism Brain Injuries Candidiasis Chronic Fatigue (or Fatigue Concerns) Difficulty Concentrating Female Concerns Fibromaylgia

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) EEG Neurofeedback Acupuncture Chinese Medicine Homeopathy Energy Medicine Electrodermal Screening Metabolic Typing

Functional Medicine Colon Hydrotherapy Natural Hormone Therapy Herbal Medicine Nutritional Assessment Allergy Desensitization FDA-cleared Phototherapy Detoxification Abdominal Manual Therapy

FREE CDs on our Whole-Body approach to Lyme Disease. Call now for details.

Office located on the Fairfield/Trumbull line

Whole-Body Medicine, LLC – The Natural Approach for Optimal Health

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SummerCamp_2012_AD_NaturalAwakenings_Layout 1 3/16/12 12:59 PM Page 1

2012 Summer Camp Schedule DISCOVERERS Ages 3 - 7 years

Monday - Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm $225 per week (Register after 4/15: $250.00/week)

WEEK 1: July 9-13 WEEK 2: July 16-20 WEEK 3: July 23-27 WEEK 4: July 30-Aug 3 WEEK 5: Aug 6-10 WEEK 6: Aug 13-17

Summer’s Garden Butterflies and Bugs Fairies, Knights and Dragons Water, Worms & Wonder Nature’s Child Hoes, Hands and Harvest

EXPLORERS Ages 8 - 12 years

WEEK 1:

July 9-13

Archery

WEEK 5: WEEK 6:

Aug 6-10 Aug 13-17

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Location: Grades Campus 1 Jacklin Road, Newtown

July 16-20 Shelter Building (child must turn WEEK 2: 8 prior to start WEEK 3: July 23-27 Wild Water of camp week) WEEK 4: July 30-Aug 3 Fire and Food

Monday - Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm $275 per week (Register after 4/15: $295.00/week)

Receive a

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For more information please contact camp office at 203.364.1113 or email camp@waldorfct.org SIBLING DISCOUNT AVAILABLE. BEFORE & AFTER CARE AVAILABLE Discounts available for Pre-pay, and Before & After Camp combo.

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April 2012

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for d en is Ad i r a F th th g i in Br EE w FR

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The BIGGEST and BEST Body~Mind~Spirit~Green Expo North of NYC

Our 10th Anniversary! Exhibitors • Speakers • Practitioners • Readers Exciting news: You can pre-book your appointment with our amazingly gifted readers and practitioners after you register online! Easy hop from CT, just 10 miles across I-287

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Be allergy Free Perhaps Even for Life! Seasonal, food & environmental allergies CAN be eliminated: Conditions like eczema, gastric reflux, IBS, sinus conditions and digestive problems are often due to food & chemical allergies.

A revolutionary, noninvasive, child friendly technique is available to eliminate food, environmental and other sensitivities. It is used together with: • Computerized allergy testing & elimination without medication or shots • Enzyme therapy, including nutrition and proper diet • It enhances immune system function & assists the body in the natural healing process.

contents Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

20 Connecticut Residents Push for Mandatory GMO Labeling By Analiese Paik

30 CT NOFA Celebrates 30th Annual Winter Conference by Bill Duesing

33 Mobilize For Earth Pledge a Green Act for Earth Day 2012

34 Green Home Checklist

33 34

Room-by-Room Steps We

Can Take, Starting Right Now by Crissy Trask

Visit allergyEliminationNorwalk.com for more information and a

FrEE E-Book Download: “How To Stop Suffering From Food Sensitivities, ‘Allergies’ and Digestion Problems” Allergy Elimination | Norwalk

Call Dr. Mark JoaChiM for a complimentary consultation. Over 10 years experience as an Advanced BioSET Practitioner.

ASSOCIATES IN FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC & NATURAL HEALTH CARE, P.C. 156 East Avenue, Norwalk

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Fairfield County Edition

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38 Unconventional Gardens No Space? No Problem. by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

40 From Broken Glass to Greener Grass at Fairgate Farm

41 Have Scouts Install

Your No-Work, No-Weeds Square Foot Garden!

42 Pain Relief and the Atlas Orthogonal Procedure

A Conversation with Scott Bender

44 A Natural Cure for

Childhood Allergies by Mark Joachim

46 Eco-Camps For Kids by Gail Condrick

23 11 newsbriefs 23 healthbriefs 26 globalbriefs 30 fairfieldgreen 38 greenliving 42 communtyspotlight

26 46 healthykids 38

50 naturalpet

52 calendar

57 classified

58 resourceguide

advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 203.885.4674 or email FFCadvertising@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for News Briefs: the 5th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for magazine calendar listings: the 5th 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 203.885.4674. For franchising opportunities call 239.530.1377.

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April 2012

letterfrompublisher

s we celebrate the 42nd Earth Day on April 22, I am reminded of the efforts of so many that have worked so hard to advance environmental protection of our beautiful planet. Here in Fairfield County we are fortunate to have a number of enormously passionate local champions for the environment. This month, they and many others are busy gathering support for a bill that was introduced to the state Carolyn Aversano legislature in February, HB5117, an act that would mandate labeling of genetically modified foods in Connecticut. Almost every developed nation in the world mandates GMO labeling – even Russia and China. Please take a few minutes to get informed on this issue, starting with our Action Alert on page 20, and visit RightToKnowCT.org to let your legislators know where you stand. As important as this legislation is in and of itself, there’s another interesting angle to it: Connecticut has the potential to lead the nation in creating a precedent for GMO labeling. Generally we’re accustomed to California being at the forefront of this type of legislation. What a great testament to the work and progress of our CT activists.

Editors Patricia Horan Nancy Cohen Cris Ann Mulreed Design & Production Erica M. Mills Sales & Marketing Carolyn Aversano Leana Cipolla

Natural Awakenings Fairfield County Phone: 203.885.4674 Fax: 203.516.2392 Carolyn@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

eNaturalAwakenings.com NAwebstore.com © 2012 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

This month we have an amazing deal to share with you. Square Foot Gardening is a great trend in Fairfield County, thanks in large part to Fairfield’s Amie Hall and Boy Scout Troop 88, who have made it their mission to spread these 4’x4’ mini-gardens throughout the community. Square Foot Gardening is the perfect option for the beginner gardener, or for people who would love to grow their own food, but don’t have the time (or interest or yard space) to maintain a larger garden. Last year I learned about it and thought that it was so easy and low-maintenance that even I could commit to it. But guess what? When the time came, I was, well, “busy” and the thought of installing a garden, albeit a very small one, seemed overwhelming at the time. This year, Troop 88 has taken away the last remaining excuse! They’ve offered to install a Square Foot Garden at my home and yours for $188, including materials, labor, and handbook (for towns outside a 10-mile radius of the town of Fairfield, an additional travel charge may apply). If you’ve ever priced out garden installations, you know what a fantastic offer this is, and better yet, the scouts are donating the proceeds to worthy local causes. To learn more about it, see “Have Scouts Install Your No-Work, No-Weed Garden!” on page 41, or join us at our next Natural Connections Night on Wednesday, April 18 where Amie will host a Square Foot Gardening workshop at the community garden at St. Timothy’s Church in Fairfield. I hope to see you there!

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

Natural Awakenings is printed on post-consumer recycled paper with soy-based ink.

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newsbriefs Broadway & Hollywood Meet in Norwalk

tars from film, television, Broadway and New York cabaret meet up on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. to sing at Norwalk’s Concert Hall, at City Hall. Lucie Arnaz, David Friedman, Laurence Luckinbill, Scott Coulter, Norwalk’s own Raissa Katona Bennett and a host of others will be on Rev. Shawn Moninger hand to entertain. This evening concert benefits the BJ Ryan’s Foundation, which supports The Whittingham Cancer Center, as well as The Norwalk Education Foundation and Unity Center For Practical Spirituality. “Unity Center For Practical Spirituality is a spiritual oasis where all are welcome”, says Rev. Shawn Moninger, the Center’s senior minister. The Center, located at 3 Main Street in Norwalk, offers classes for advancing health and prosperity by way of changing our thinking, including “The Thought Exchange” with David Friedman, “A Course In Miracles” with Rev. Moninger, and several healing and artistry classes for body and soul such as Prayer Works, A Brush with Soul, and reiki. Every Sunday, at the 10:30 a.m. Celebration service, participants enjoy dazzling music by singers and musicians who are some of the best in the entertainment field, as well as an inspiring New Thought message from Rev. Shawn Moninger. Unity Center also hosts The Good Book Store, Fairfield County’s only metaphysical bookstore offering new and used books. For tickets, call Unity Center’s box office 203.866.7004 or buy online at unitycenterps.org. $25/50 in advance. Norwalk’s Concert Hall at City Hall is located at 125 East Avenue. See ads pg 17 & 19.

Growing Solutions Commits to Plant a Billion

Chris Baliko

his past Christmas, Chris Baliko of Growing Solutions, LLC in Ridgefield received a pair of TOMS Shoes as a gift from his sister. TOMS Shoes was founded on the principle of compassionate action and giving back. In order to accomplish this, with every purchase of shoes made, TOMS Shoes donates one pair to a needy person. Impressed with this idea, Chris wondered how he could incorporate that same model into his full service organic landscaping business. After a few clicks

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April 2012

Integrated Health Center Combining Traditional Natural Healing Wisdom with Modern Science and Your Personal Health Goals Services offered:

Detox & Rejuvenate!

• Breast Thermography • Craniosacral Therapy • Colonic Hydrotherapy • Rapid Fat Loss/ Weight Management • Allergy Testing • Homeopathy • Body Reshaping & Skin Tightening

Restore energy, vitality & health. A gentle, medically supervised program that uses natural supplements, colon hydrotherapy & steam baths to enhance the body’s ability to eliminate toxins.

Visit our website for more information

Dr. K. Pramila Vishvanath, LCEH, PA, ND Dr. Mark Sanders, ND

2324 Post Rd • Fairfield • 203.259.2700 IntegratedHealthCenterOnline.com

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on Google, he quickly found what he was looking for. The Nature Conservancy has initiated a Plant A Billion campaign. Their intention is to plant one billion trees throughout the world, focusing primarily on the Brazilian Rain Forest and parts of Eastern Africa which are in such dire need. Chris and his partner Paul Fujitani, decided to assist this initiative. So this season, for every tree purchased from Growing Solutions, LLC, the company will make a donation to the Nature Conservancy to help them achieve their goal. Chris Baliko is the co-owner of Growing Solutions, LLC and is an accredited organic land care professional and a member of the Northeast Organic Farming Association. For more information about Growing Solutions visit GrowSo.com. See Back Cover ad.

Change Your Life by Changing Your Living Space

earing clothing that is too tight constrains movement and flexibility, so why live in an outmoded, inflexible living space? The Healing Home emerges as a natural succession to 35 years in the Design/Build industry. Nicholas Borrell offers design consultation and construction management to address functional, structural and energetic limitations to improve the flow, or chi, of your residence. This can be as simple as adding new doors or windows, replacing hardware, or as complex as a full house renovation. Each situation is a unique intersection of a client’s wish list and a re-structuring of elements. Nicholas listens carefully to address the realistic limitations of the home and budget. When the house breathes freely, the body breathes freely. When spaces are balanced and calming, an experience of tranquility is felt. Safe and sound, at home. Well-resolved, illuminated spaces

make communication easier. Sounds resonate clearly, echoing is reduced, and music fills the space rather than challenges it. Good vibrations are held and magnified. Negative chi is easily released. The home becomes an extension of self rather than a limiter of self-expression. “Your Dream + Your Wish List = Practical Solutions. Dreams can come true!”, says Borrell. To learn more about The Healing Home, call Nicholas Borrell at 203.438.7660 or visit TheHealingHome.me. See ad pg 21.

Free Weight Loss Sessions at Integrated Health Center

his Spring, Integrated Health Center in Fairfield is welcoming the community with a fresh coat of paint, a large chakra-aligning singing bowl, a soothing fountain, inspiring art on the walls, and an invitation to join The Gathering, a free weekly meeting designed as an introduction to the Rapid Fat Loss (RFL) program. Gatherers will be offered information, Pramila Vishvanath an idea of the progress that can be expected, and real-life stories from participants. Both private and open Gathering sessions are available. Also offered is an online chat room, where concerns and questions will be addressed by a doctor or other Gathering participants. The Integrated Health Center was founded by Dr. Pramila Vishvanath, LCEH, PA, ND (a.k.a. Dr. Pram) as a result of her lifelong desire to share the benefits of natural medicine and a natuMark Sanders ral lifestyle with others. Among her many contributions to the field of naturopathy, Dr. Pram founded the Connecticut Homeopathic Association in 1985, she started the Naturopathic residency program at Griffin Hospital in 1998, and served as President of the Connecticut Society of Naturopathic Physicians in 2001. Dr. Mark Sanders, ND practices family medicine at the Center and specializes in Constitutional Hydrotherapy and Craniosacral Therapy to broaden the Center’s scope of treating the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. His interests lie in treating acute and chronic conditions of the organ systems with a special interest in conditions affecting musculoskeletal and nervous systems. The Center offers a wide variety of natural therapies including allergy elimination, ayurvedic medicine, breast themography, homeopathy, nutrition and detoxification programs, colonics, skin rejuvenation, and much more. The Gathering meets Monday evenings starting April 2 at Integrated Health Center, 2324 Post Road, Fairfield, free of charge, with no obligation. For more information about the Center, visit IntegratedHealthCenterOnline.com or call 203.259.2700. See ad pg 12.

Clinics Your Partners in Health and Wellness

The UB Clinics, located on the campus of the University of Bridgeport, are staffed by some of the brightest and most talented healthcare professionals of the future. Open to the public, the UB Clinics offer affordable, high-quality care at a fraction of the cost of comparable treatments elsewhere. • Naturopathic Medicine • Dental Hygiene • Chiropractic • Acupuncture Call our UB Clinics at 203-576-4349 to take advantage of this unique healthcare opportunity located in your own backyard. Or visit www.ubclinics.org

Health Sciences Center, 60 Lafayette Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604

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UBRIRE380_natrl_Awkngs_Ad color PRINT.indd 1

April 2012

4/6/10 4:58 PM

Andy’s Pure Foods Delivers to your Door

Beyond Limits at Fraser Woods Montessori

pring is a perfect time to cleanse the body, according to Andy Ozgur, owner of Andy’s Pure Food in Rye. “A cleanse helps rid the body of sugar and sets us up for a healthy summer,” says Ozgur. “This can make a big difference if we feel tired all the time, or if we want to lose weight and get into healthier eating habits, especially before summer. We also make delicious, satisfying salads.” Andy’s Pure Food has raw and vegan selections to aid in the body’s “spring cleaning.” Andy’s knowledgeable staff members can educate customers about the value of their 3 to 7 day cleanses and Customized Cleanse program for individual health goals. It also offers a Juice Cleanse and a Synergy Cleanse, both ideal for the warmer temperatures that arrive this time of year. “These cleanses can jump-start healing, help rid the body of toxins, and reduce junk food cravings,” says Ozgur. Andy’s Pure Foods features healthy foods and juices made with a high percentage of seasonal and local foods. Menus and cleanses can be customized according to an individual’s needs, and Andy’s delivers to Western Fairfield County, Westchester and selected drops in Putnam and New York City, based on demand.

raser Woods Montessori School, located in Newtown, is an independent school for children 18 months to 8th grade. A Montessori education embraces the whole child, the body as well as the mind. At Fraser Woods, classes in art, music, physical education, language and technology complement the main subject areas of traditional learning and support the annual Cultural Program which gives students an opportunity to work hands-on in the arts. Past Cultural Program themes have included dance, opera, storytelling, and Shakespeare and have helped students to develop a deep appreciation of the richness of many cultures. A Montessori education at Fraser Woods School includes a challenging curriculum encouraging competent, responsible, adaptive citizens who are lifelong learners and problem solvers. The school’s goal is to stir the child’s passion for asking questions about their world. That curiosity allows him or her to go beyond set limits and provides opportunities for advanced discovery and the pursuit of full potential. On Saturday, April 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Fraser Woods is hosting an Open House and is now accepting applications for the September 2012 - June 2013 school year. Private tours are also available by appointment.

Andy’s Pure Food has locations at 46 Purchase Street in Rye, NY as well as a certified kosher location in Scarsdale, NY. It accepts orders by phone at 914.967.2332. Visit the store online at AndysPureFood.com. See ad pg 3.

The school is located at 173 South Main Street, Norwalk. Contact Alison Kistner in the Office of Admissions at 203.426.3390 x305 or Alison@FraserWoods.com to RSVP for the Open House or to schedule a private tour. FraserWoods. com. See ad pg 40.

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Hypnosis Offers No-Diet Weight Loss

his is the perfect time to lose weight, get healthy and look great for summer, without dieting. Diane Bahr-Groth, CHy, TFTdx, director of Mind-Body Transformation Hypnosis in StamDiane Bahr-Groth ford, recently introduced the first Virtual Gastric Band Weight Loss procedure in the region. “This new hypnosis technique, developed in Europe, replicates the effects, results and benefits of traditional gastric band or gastric bypass surgery, without going under the knife”, according to Bahr-Groth. “All change is developed, created and implemented in the unconscious mind. It causes the client to believe the stomach is much smaller, as if the gastric band were installed surgically. This prevents over-eating resulting in weight loss and reduction of body fat and inches naturally, without deprivation”. Anyone who wants to eat healthier and lose weight may be a candidate for this new, effective and specialized hypnosis program. Bahr-Groth, established in Fairfield County since 1989, specializes in fast and effective methods for weight loss, stress, anxiety, anger, fear and pain reduction, smoking cessation, success and more. She is a Certified Hypnotist and certified in Thought Field Therapy™, Time Line Therapy™, NLP and Complementary Medical Hypnosis. Mind Body Transformation is located at 1177 High Ridge Road, Stamford. Call 203.595.0110 for an appointment or visit MindBodyTransformation.com for more information. See ad pg 44.

Have news to share? Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com to submit News Briefs. Deadline: April 5

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April 2012

The Liver Flush for a Real Spring Cleaning

Chef Ely Grübel

Qualified Food Operator (ServSafe) Board Certified Health Counselor

Fitting your budget and dietary requirements • menu planning • freezing • shopping • clean up • cooking

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Ask Me How to Lose 9 Pounds in 9 Days! Lisa Primps Isagenix Consultant 203-325-9565 NutritionalRebalancing.com ThePrimpingPlace.com

ust as we eagerly switch to lighter apparel in spring, so does the body yearn to shed its winter layers of buildup. Green vegetables can begin the cleansing, as we move to the deeper work, cleaning the liver, with its 500 functions, the organ responsible for both digestive and metabolic duties. The overworked liver gets compromised by congestion and needs a boost to refresh its pathways. “One of the most exciting Before ways I’ve found to rejuvenate the liver,” says Kelly McCoy, of Greenwich Colon Hydrotherapy, “I learned from Andreas Moritz in The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush. The liver flush greatly improves the digestive process, which I support with the Colonic, both as prep and follow-up to the flush. Clearing the bile ducts balances the body, so the skin clears up. Cleaner blood relieves many of our aches and pains. Having personal sensitivities to joint and bone problems, I can say that keeping the liver After clear contributes to a healthier muscular skeletal system. Oh, and I think the biggest benefit of the liver flush is its effect on the nervous system. Eliminating the constant buildup of acid in body means that the nerves—and especially the brain—operate with less caustic reaction. This is very calming.” Greenwich Colon Hydrotherapy, established since 1996 by Certified Colon Hydrotherapist Kelly McCoy, is located at 296 Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich. For more information call Kelly at 203.698.9088 or visit GreenwichColonHydrotherapy.com. See ad pg 21.

Earth Day Fair For Kids April 18 Craniosacral Therapy & The Alexander Technique • Profoundly deep relaxation and healing • Release back & neck pain, headaches, TMJ • Unlock musical potential

Vincent Fraser, CST, CAT Somatic Therapist

(203) 570-2059 • VincentFraser.com 16

Fairfield County Edition

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onnecticut Friends School once again invites the community to the annual Children’s Earth Day Fair on April 18. Children 2 to 12 years old will enjoy a range of hands-on activities and presentations. This event is free of charge. The earth friendly afternoon celebration will include outdoor games and activities led by Connecticut Friends School middle school students, as well as a number of presentations including African Drumming with Kojo Bey of Sounds of Afrika, live animal visits from the New Canaan Nature

Center, and earth friendly tales told by Tom Lee. Please bring your unwanted crayons (old, new, broken, etc) for recycling with Crazy Crayons. The Fair will be held from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m. at the school’s White Barn Campus at 440 Newtown Avenue in Norwalk, near the Westport town line. For more information call 203.762.9860 or visit CTFriendsSchool.org. See ad pg 29.

Admission to the Awaken Wellness Fair is $10 online through April 25, or $15 at the door. Tickets are available online at AwakenFair.com. Exhibitors can sign up at ThePractitioners.com. See ad pg 22.

Ayurveda Is Just Right for Seasonal Cleansing

Celebrating a Decade of Promoting Wellness

he Awaken Wellness Fair celebrates its tenth anniversary this year! This milestone wellness event, the largest of its kind north of New York City, takes place on Sunday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tarrytown Doubletree Hotel. More than 100 exhibitors will be on hand, representing a variety of holistic mind/body/ spirit products and services, and an array of green products and innovative technologies. This landmark fair began ten years ago in the White Plains office of founder and director Paula Caracappa, who welcomed 42 visitors in 2002. Since then, fair attendance has grown considerably and Caracappa expects the number of guests to break 1,000 this year. “We’ve grown a lot since we began but our mission remains the same,” says Caracappa, CEO of the e-marketing firm PPC Group LLC. “We want to make the world a better place by educating people in the very best and latest means to wellness of body, mind and spirit.” The Awaken Wellness Fair now spans a ballroom full of cutting-edge vendors and exhibitors and two rooms of dynamic speakers on a range of wellness and spiritual topics. Gifted intuitive readers and practitioners of various body/mind/spirit modalities are also available throughout the day, and can be pre-booked after online registration.

f all the world’s great healing systems, India’s Ayurveda is renowned for guiding the healthy to remain healthy through alignment with the natural world and its seasonal changes, says Dr. Jaya Daptardar, owner of Active Ayurveda and Yoga, LLC. An experienced Ayurvedic practitioner originally from India, Dr. Daptardar has both practiced and taught the ancient system of Ayurveda—meaning “science of life”— since 1991, and Jaya Daptardar uses Ayurvedic wellness techniques in beauty, weight and lifestyle management programs. In Ayurveda, “health” is defined as not only a product of the body’s physiological system, but also of the emotional state and the thinking process. Ayurveda, with its easy-to-follow prevention and curative methods for long life, offers practical and natural solutions to preventing most diseases, with techniques based on seasonal changes and the wisdom of aligning ourselves with the natural world. Daptardar, with offices in Norwalk and Weston, offers an array of services including an Ayurvedic wellness assessment, Ayurvedic counseling, cooking, lifestyle management, weight management, seasonal cleansing, and other Ayurvedic healing techniques. Call 203.857 or email JMDaptardar@hotmail.com to make an appointment. Visit ActiveAyurveda.com and AyurBeautyAndLifestyle.com.

Unity Center

Unity Where all are welcomed!

For Practical Spirituality

Our mission is to continually discover, demonstrate, and educate that our source of Good is God within.

Dynamics for Living Class Sundays 9:30-10:15 am

Broadway & Hollywood Meet in Norwalk on April 28th at Hear Our Song! Benefit Concert $25 and $50 in advance $35 and $60 at the door Ticket Box Ofc 203.866.7004 or order online

Our Weekly & Monthly Ongoing Events

Thought Exchange.....Mon at 7 pm Bars & Reiki Exchange..1st Thurs at 7 pm Bible Studies - Rev.EdTownley.....3rd Fri at 7 pm A Brush with Soul..........2nd Thurs at 7 pm A Course in Miracles..Wed at 7 pm Prayer Works.................3rd Thurs at 7 pm Bible Study - DVD+Discussion - Rev.Shawn 1st, 2nd, 4th (& 5th) Fri at 7 pm

Intelligent Dezyne: A Divine Comedy staged reading - April 1 at 7:30 pm

Rev. Shawn Moninger

Drum Circle April 22 at 1 pm

Classes & Events at UC:

Celebration Service Sundays at 10:30 am Childcare Provided

The Good Bookstore

$20 Suggested Love Offering

3 Main St, Norwalk, CT 06851 (over the Ford dealership) www.unitycenterps.org (203) 855-7922

eNaturalAwakenings.com

is open Sundays before and after the Celebration Service. April 2012

Natural Solutions Workshop for ADHD Lose Weight Without Diet, Drugs or Exercise “Acu-Thin™ was/is a turning point in my life? I’ve lost 15 lbs so far – and it was easy. No more craving snacks between meals and I literally eat half of what I used to eat at mealtimes. I feel so much better, and the Acu-Thin™ program makes a significant difference in my success.” - Patrice B. (note: Patrice B. eventually lost 50 lbs!) BEFORE

The ACU-THIN program is a system of weight loss based on the principle of Auriculotherapy (ear acupuncture) used to decrease the desire for food. It is done with needles or done without needles. This program has been shown to be effective for several years in our office without increasing exercise or involving extreme changes in diet. Results are usually noticed quickly and loss of appetite can be immediate.

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Earth Day 1970 was irrefutable evidence that the American people understood the environmental threat and wanted action to resolve it. ~Barry Commoner

ducational Psychologist and Neurofeedback Practitioner, Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, and Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Shawn Carney, ND will host an “Alternatives to Medication” workshop on Roseann Tuesday, May 1 at Capanna-Hodge 7 p.m. For those looking for an alternative to medication for themselves or a child, or for those who are already planning on a summer break from ADHD meds, natural and research-tested solutions not only Shawn Carney positively impact specific conditions, but also enhance overall well-being. Attendees will learn how Neurofeedback and Homeopathy/ Natural Medicine can help with ADHD, focus issues, behavioral issues, sleep problems, Autism Spectrum Disorder, anxiety, depression, brain injury, concussion, Lyme, learning issues, or other conditions that impact one’s life. This interactive presentation will feature a live Neurofeedback demonstration, as well as suggestions on how to maximize a child’s summer break by utilizing alternatives to medication. This workshop will be held at the office of Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge at 898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Suite 4, Ridgefield. Registration is not required but seating is limited. Call 203.438.4848 or email DrRoseannInfo@att.net to reserve a spot. For more information about the doctors visit DrRoseann.com, NortheastNatMed.com.

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

coverartist

Namaste

Claudia Tremblay Radiating gentleness and tranquility, the watercolors of artist Claudia Tremblay are rendered in a subtle palette of soft hues and often reflect her fascination with women and children around the world. Tremblay left her home in Quebec, Canada, to work with a non-governmental organization in Guatemala, where she planted medicinal gardens alongside the native women that had fled their country during its civil war and were returning home to start new communities. With no formal training in art, Tremblay was inspired to portray the strength and spirituality of these hardworking women of the Maya highlands. “I had studied horticulture, and was sent to make gardens with these beautiful women in a hostile land,” she recalls. “In my free time, I tried day after day to capture the magic and melancholic depth of the Mayan people and their land.” After 13 years, Tremblay returned to Montreal, where she continues to create “artwork for the soul.” Her recent series of richly shaded yoga watercolors compellingly evokes a focused, sacred energy. “Love and sensibility are always what I wish to transmit through my paintings,” advises Tremblay. “Let’s all dream a little more!” View the artist’s portfolio at ClaudiaTremblay.com. eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

actionalert

Analiese Paik of the Fairfield Green Food Guide, Jeff Cordulack of Audubon Greenwich, Jeffrey Smith of the Institute for Responsible Technology, Rep. Tony Hwang, Rep. Fred Camillo, and Tara Cook-Littman JD of Fairfield after the March 2 legislative forum on GMOs at the Capitol.

Connecticut Residents Push for Mandatory GMO Labeling By Analiese Paik

onsumers increasingly want to know where their food comes from and how it’s grown, and they rely on food labeling to provide that transparency. But one of the fastest growing unnatural ingredients found in 80 percent of processed foods sold in supermarkets– Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) – are not required to be labeled. Although all 15 nations in the European Union, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Russia, China and many other countries mandate the labeling of GMOs, in the U.S. we are shopping blind. Most processed foods sold in the

U.S., even those labeled “natural” and “all natural”, contain at least one GM ingredient - soy, corn, canola, cottonseed, and sugar - yet they carry no labels declaring “contains GMOs.” The bottle of canola oil innocently sitting in your pantry is likely GM, since eighty percent of the canola grown in the U.S. is genetically modified. “It’s being carefully hidden” explains Bill Duesing, an organic farmer and Executive Director of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of CT (CT NOFA). “The U.S. food industry will do anything it can to make this stuff seem the same.”

GMOs are organisms whose genetic characteristics are purposefully changed through genetic manipulation or modification. Through laboratory processes, DNA is extracted from one species of plant, animal, bacteria or virus and forced into another unrelated species of plant or animal to exactly confer a desired trait that would not occur in nature or be possible through traditional crossbreeding methods. In agricultural products the most common GMOs are engineered to tolerate herbicides or produce their own pesticides. Herbicide tolerant corn, soy, cotton, and canola are designed to withstand the application of one or more herbicides. GM cotton and corn varieties carry a gene from the soil bacteria Bt and can produce their own toxins, in every cell of the plant, to kill specific insects. The U.S. is the largest producer of GM foods in the world with 69 million hectares under cultivation and a 43% market share according to a recent biotech industry report. It also grows the widest variety of GM crops in the world including corn, cotton, soy, canola, sugar beets, alfalfa, papaya and squash. Due to growing concerns about the safety of GMOs, and polls consistently showing that over 90 percent of consumers want GM ingredients labeled, lawmakers in 17 states, including Connecticut, have introduced legislation that would mandate, in some form, the labeling of genetically modified foods. In February, Representative Richard Roy (D - Milford), co-chair of the General Assembly’s Environment Committee, introduced HB 5117, An Act Concerning Genetically-Engineered Foods. Connecticut now has the potential to

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become the first state to pass a mandatory GMO labeling bill and local efforts are underway throughout the state to build consumer support for it. On February 22, I testified in support of HB 5117 at the Environment Committee’s public hearing in Harford in front of a standing room only crowd of supporters, opponents, lobbyists and media. As the day unfolded it became obvious that many of those who oppose HB 5117, an act that would mandate labeling of genetically modified foods in our state, feel the FDA is responsible for monitoring the safety of our food supply and that it has conducted thorough and ongoing safety testing of GMOs. “This is the major criticism of this bill, that it is not the responsibility of the CT legislators to make this determination,” said Jeffrey Smith, Executive Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology during his speech at the March 2 legislative forum at the Capitol organized by the Environment Committee. “The federal organization that should be responsible for requiring labeling is the FDA and it is mandated officially to promote biotechnology” said Smith. Twenty years ago the FDA declared that GMOs were not materially different from their conventional counterparts and therefore were generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and required no safety testing. Consequently, no independent scientific testing has been conducted on GMOs to show that they are safe for humans, animals and the environment. “Monsanto’s former attorney, Michael Taylor, was put in charge of policy at the FDA and the policy, when it came out, claimed that the agency was not aware of any information showing the foods created from these new methods, GMOs, differed from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way” said Smith. “It turns out that this claim upon which the policy was written was not true. Not only were the scientists at the FDA aware that GMOs were significantly different, they warned over and over and over again. You can read the actual memos on our website at ResponsibleTechnology.org, which document that these foods might create allergens, toxins, new diseases and nutritional problems and that they urged their superiors to require long term study.” While we’re waiting for the FDA to update its arcane policies, it is essential to label GMOs so consumers can choose whether or not to eat them. Connecticut has the opportunity to lead the nation in passing a mandatory GMO labeling bill and your support is critical to its success. Join the Right to Know CT campaign online today at RightToKnowCT.org and use the “click and send” advocacy platform to ask your Connecticut state legislators to support HB 5117, An Act Concerning Genetically-Engineered Foods. Let your lawmakers know that you believe we have a fundamental right to know what’s in our food so we can make informed choices about what we feed our families. Analiese Paik is a sustainable food advocate and founder and editor of the award-winning website FairfieldGreenFoodGuide.com. The website is Fairfield County’s premier destination for local and sustainable food resources, news and events. For more information visit RightToKnowCT.org. See ad pg 31.

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April 2012

You’re Invited Natural Awakenings Magazine FREE Natural Connections Night This month:

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 6:30 - 8:30 P.M. at St. Timothy’s Church 4670 Congress St, Fairfield Rain or Shine

Pramila Vishvanath

Amie Hall

Join us for a celebration of Spring, featuring: • Dr. Pramila Vishvanath, ND of Fairfield’s Integrated Health Center will give a talk about Spring detoxification, weight management, and how to jumpstart good health naturally this season. IntegratedHealthCenterOnline.com. • Holistic Health Coach, Amie Hall demonstrates the easy, low-maintenance benefits of Square Foot Gardening at St. Timothy’s “Garden on the Hill”. FromYourInsideOut.com, SquareFootGardening.org. Plus, this month Fairfield’s Boy Scout Troop 88 has made us a fantastic offer! The scouts will install a Square Foot Garden at your home for an unbeatable price of $188, for towns within a 10-mile radius of Fairfield (for towns outside this radius, an additional travel charge may apply). The price includes all materials, labor and Square Foot Gardening book. Proceeds go to local churches and organizations that support those in need. For more information come to the event, or call Troop 88’s leader, Phil Magnusson at 203.209.0014.

Each month you will have a new opportunity to: • learn about a variety of healing modalities and eco-friendly options • meet holistic practitioners and green experts • share wisdom and gain more insight into local options for wellness and life balance • engage in an opportunity to market yourself or business, ask questions and share information • be part of a growing community of individuals dedicated to wellness and greener living

To RSVP or for more info Carolyn@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com Fairfield County Edition natural awakenings 22

healthbriefs

National Start! Walking Day

mproving overall health can be as simple as putting one foot in front of the other—and April 6, National Start! Walking Day, is the ideal opportunity to begin a regular walking routine. American Heart Association (AHA) research shows that individuals can gain about two hours of life for every hour engaged in regular, vigorous exercise—a two-forone deal that’s hard to beat. Walking just 30 minutes per day, five days a week, can also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, promote better sleep and assist in maintaining healthy body weight. Visit StartWalkingNow.org for resources to kick-start a heart-friendly regimen. The site offers links to local walking paths, heart-healthy recipes, an online progress tracker and an app that helps walkers find and create paths while traveling. To find walking buddies or start a walking club, visit AHA’s MyWalkingClub.org.

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Unplug During Screen-Free Week

www.move2wellness.com

he American Academy of Pediatrics recommends zero screen time for children under 2 and less than two hours per day for older children. Yet, the Kaiser Family Foundation reports that 40 percent of 3-month-old infants are regular viewers of television and DVDs, and school-age kids spend nearly twice as many hours with screen media such as television, video games, computers and handheld devices as they spend attending school. To help kids, families, schools and communities turn off screens and turn on healthier activities, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) urges everyone to participate in Screen-Free Week, April 30 through May 6. CCFC is a national coalition of health care professionals, educators, advocacy groups, parents and individuals, with a mission to reclaim childhood from corporate marketers. “The commercialization of childhood is the link between many of the most serious problems facing children and society today,” advises CCFC Director Susan Linn. “Childhood obesity, eating disorders, youth violence, sexualization, family stress, underage alcohol and tobacco use, rampant materialism and the erosion of children’s creative play are all exacerbated by advertising and marketing.” Learn more about the weeklong event, efforts to restrict marketers’ access to children and how to help, at CommercialFreeChildhood.org. eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

VITALITY IMMUNITY CLARITY LONGEVITY For 25 + years, our patients have enjoyed remarkable success with naturopathic treatments that are unique to this office. To learn more, please contact or visit us:

D r M a r v i n S c h w e i t z e r. c o m • 2 0 3 . 8 4 7. 2 7 8 8 1 We s t p o r t A v e n u e , N o r w a l k , C T 0 6 8 5 1

Enjoy Friday Evenings from 7:00-9:00 pm at Touch of Sedona’s Monthly Gatherings

A Spiritual Boutique Native American Art – Jewelry – Angels Semiprecious Stones – Books – Goddesses Intuitive Readings Fridays & Saturdays

OPEN 7 DAYS 12:00pm - 5:30pm

First Fridays: Drumming Circle Second Fridays: Chanting/Kirtan Third Fridays: Course in Miracles Fourth Fridays: Varies—call for details $

10 suggested donation

452 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 203-438-7146 • TouchOfSedonaRidgefield.com 24

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

DIABETES LINKED TO DIRTY AIR

ealth wise, the air we breathe is just as important as the foods we eat, according to a recent report published in the journal Diabetes Care. The report is based on one of the first largescale, population-based studies linking diabetes prevalence with air pollution. According to researchers from Children’s Hospital Boston, a strong, consistent correlation exists between adult diabetes and particulate air pollution, an association that persists after adjustment for other risk factors such as obesity and ethnicity. The relationship was seen even at exposure levels below the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency safety limit.

GREEN VEGGIES BOOST IMMUNITY

esearchers reporting in the journal Cell have found another good reason to fill our plates with plenty of green vegetables like bok choy and broccoli: Tiny chemical compounds found in these healthful greens interact with the immune cells of the gut, known as intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), by effectively protecting them and boosting their numbers. IELs, white blood cells that inhabit the lining of many body cavities and structures, are concentrated in the gastrointestinal tract, where their primary purpose is to destroy target cells that are infected by pathogens. Because pathogens frequently enter the body via the gastrointestinal tract, a high IEL count benefits overall health. Source: Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK

Cholesterol-Lowering Statin Warnings Overdue

ontroversy about whether the aggressively marketed cholesterol-lowering statins are being overprescribed has raged since their introduction, and there has been increasing evidence of the drugs’ potential harm. On February 28, an important FDA Drug Safety Communication announced that drug companies must now warn patients of the risks of diabetes and memory loss. Both of these problems have long been suspected by qualified and reputable scientists for years, and have been reported in the writings of integrative medicine practitioners. There have also been warnings regarding the underreported side effects of these medications, one of the problems being the resemblance of the statin side effects to what appear to be signs of normal aging, such as a subtle decline in walking capability and muscle strength as well as gradual memory and general cognitive decline. Ironically, at the same time as the FDA is demanding warnings on the medication labels, it is now removing the recommendation of repeated blood tests to monitor for liver-related problems, long known to occur with statins. The recommended blood tests will now be restricted to severe liver problems, leaving patients with other liver inflammatory responses vulnerable. Medical consumers with high cholesterol are now in the uncomfortable position of having to weigh the evidence and decide for themselves whether the possible benefit of taking the statin medications prescribed by their doctor outweighs their potential risks. To aid in making these important decisions, I suggest the writings of Jay Cohen, M.D. of MedicationSense.com, a source of clearly documented scientific information regarding the use of medications versus natural alternatives.

2012 Pilates Conference in the NYC Area

Join us! Pre-Conference May 31, 2012 Main Conference: June 1 - June 3, 2012 The Art of Control® located at Purchase College Purchase NY Pu Phone 914- 251-7842 www.artofcontrol.com Featuring Renowned Teachers: Alycea Ungaro Kevin Bowen Simona Cipriani Dorothee VandeWalle Mari Winsor Peter Fiasca MeJo Wiggin Brett Howard and Dr. Joseph Muscolino Kathi Ross-Nash Brooke Siler don’t miss this opportunity... register now...

Master’s in Nutrition Online

Henry C. Sobo, M.D. practices Integrative Medicine in Stamford. DrSobo.com, 203.348.8805. See ad pg 18. • Career changers can study to be a Nutritionist in less than two years • Healthcare providers can increase revenue possibilities by offering expanded wellness services to patients • Enjoy the convenience of learning online from your home or office, 24/7

Birds are indicators of the environment. If they are in trouble, we know we’ll soon be in trouble.

• Curriculum focuses on the role of human nutrition as a preventative and complementary therapy from a functional medicine perspective • Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Clinical Nutritionists (CCN) and the Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN) exams

To learn more, call 1.800.EXCEL.UB or visit www.bridgeport.edu

~Roger Tory Peterson

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April 2012

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

Egg-ceptional Fun

No Ammonia No Parabens No Scalp Staining No Scalp Discomfort

globalbriefs

From toddlers to tweens, many children eagerly anticipate one of spring’s most pleasurable rituals: coloring Easter eggs. This shared family activity allows kids to be handson artists, as they choose from a palette of cheerful hues to fashion little edible treasures. But youngsters that dip their hands into synthetic dyes can absorb chemicals through the skin that have been linked with allergic reactions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and with ADHD and hyperactivity, per a 2011 report by Science News. Keep their creations healthy and chemical-free by avoiding commercial food coloring and using easy-to-make, fruit- and veggie-based dyes instead. The simplest way to use Earth-friendly shades is to add natural materials when boiling the eggs. Some suggestions: purple grape juice or crushed blueberries, for blue; liquid chlorophyll or spinach, for green; organic orange peels or ground turmeric, for yellow; cranberries, pickled beets, cherries or pomegranate juice, for pink and red; and yellow onion skins, cooked carrots, chili powder or paprika, for orange. Then, follow these directions: Place the eggs in a single layer in a pan and add water to cover. Add one teaspoon of white vinegar (this helps the eggshells absorb color) and the natural dye material; use more material for more eggs or a more intense color. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer the eggs for 15 minutes. Remove the eggs and refrigerate them. These naturally colored treats, more beautiful than their artificially enhanced cousins, will mimic Mother Nature’s softer, gentler tints. For a shiny appearance, rub some cooking oil onto the eggs when they are dry. Also remember that hardcooked eggs are more perishable than raw ones, and should remain outside the refrigerator no more than two hours (so the one possibly found the day after Easter needs to hit the compost pile) and be consumed within one week.

Whale Watching

One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Whales Greenpeace Executive Director Philip Radford reports that the discredited practice of vote buying at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has been ended. “Countries like Japan can no longer bribe poorer countries to support their pro-whaling stance. This means that whale conservation finally has a fighting chance.” The U.S. delegation supported a measure intended to increase transparency in membership fees after hearing from millions of whale lovers. Initiated by the United Kingdom and backed by a number of countries, the proposal passed via a rare consensus among the 89 participating countries. It is believed that payment of membership dues in cash allowed wealthy countries to purchase the votes of other nations. Dues for the commission must now be paid via bank transfer from government accounts.

natural awakenings

Honk Honk

Boxing Day

Driving Less and Enjoying it More

Greening-Up a Move Can Be Easy

Only 31 percent of American 16-year-olds had a driver’s license in 2008, down from 46 percent in 1983, according to a University of Michigan study published in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention. Eighteen-year-old legal drivers decreased from 80 to 65 percent over the same period, as did adults in their 20s and 30s, although by not as much. A new survey by the car-sharing company Zipcar confirmed that those with licenses are trying to drive less, as well. Altogether, more than half of drivers under the age of 44 are making efforts to reduce the time they spend in traffic. Factors supporting this trend include the high cost of gas and insurance, tighter restrictions on teen drivers in many states and congested roads. In addition, Michael Sivak, a research professor at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, cites the importance of the Internet. “It is possible that the availability of virtual contact through electronic means reduces the need for actual contact among young people.” He also points out that, “Some young people feel that driving interferes with texting and other electronic communication.” Public transit is filling part of the vacuum. The United States, which has long trailed other countries in mass transit usage, is catching on among younger generations.

ZippGo has launched a California concept poised to be picked up elsewhere as an alternative to traditional-style moving boxes. No one enjoys scrounging or purchasing and then assembling and taping cardboard boxes, only to discard them in a landfill afterward. A better solution is to rent task-designed plastic boxes made from recycled plastic that do the job more conveniently, efficiently and sustainably. Their service even delivers and picks them up. It’s a valuable green business opportunity in any economy.

Source: Grist.org Watch the movie at Vimeo.com/25114486.

Pocket Calculator

New Gadget Measures a Family’s Eco-Footprints A brand-new online environmental tool from Low Impact Living, the Impact Calculator, measures the many footprints of a household’s lifestyle. With it, families can assess their specific carbon, energy, water, trash, wastewater and stormwater-runoff amounts. Then, by entering the Zip code and home size, it encapsulates in one number the overall environmental footprint compared with a typical home in the region, suggests green home and lifestyle projects and saves a profile, along with project notes, for future reference. To use the calculator, visit Tinyurl.com/59ksp3.

Open the DOOr to Your highest potential Sacred Doors is a unique Healing & Education Center for the achievement of wholeness through holistic and ancient healing methods, facilitated by a team of highly experienced Master level practitioners.

“We all have the power within the self to • Meditation & Breath Work regenerate going back to the roots of our being, • Infra Red Sauna Treatments • Gem Therapy which is divine and perfect in all of us.” • Ionic Foot Bath FREE Wealth Meditation • Weight Management & Detox Programs class on Thursdays 7pm • Voice Mapping • Energy Healing & Reiki Classes & Certifications

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April 2012

ARC Sacred Center

globalbriefs Bug Muscle

Biomimicry Presents a Solution for Drought

FOR

THE ALLIANCE RAISING CONSCIOUSNESS

458 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT

INTERFAITH SERVICE GATHERINGS themed service interfaith dialogue children's program community social

Every Sunday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

oNGoING EVENTS a course in miracles study group

Mondays ~ 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Wednesdays ~ 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. spiritual Junkie movie night

Friday, Apr. 6, 7 - 10 p.m.

chants for spirit-chants for peace

Sat., Apr. 14 & 28, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. teen connections

Friday, Apr. 30, 7:30 - 9 p.m.

With global temperatures continuing to rise and droughts expected to become more severe, Australian Edward Linacre has designed a beetleinspired device called Airdrop that is capable of extracting water from even the driest desert air. His invention recently won the prestigious global James Dyson award. “Biomimicry is a powerful weapon in an engineer’s armory,” comments Dyson. Linacre, a graduate of Swinburne University of Technology, in Melbourne, wanted to solve the drought problem afflicting parts of his country. The lack of rain has brought dry, damaged soil, dead crops and mounting debt for farmers. Rather than using complex, energy-intensive methods such as desalination or tapping into underground water sources, Airdrop’s source of water, the air, can be used anywhere in the world. The device delivers water to the roots of crops in dry areas by pushing air through a network of underground pipes and cooling it to the degree at which moisture condenses; then the water is pumped to the roots. Linacre was inspired by the Namib beetle, which survives in areas that receive just half an inch of rain per year by consuming the dew it collects on the hydrophilic skin of its back. Find more info at Tinyurl.com/6ts34y5.

Women's sacred circle

Thursday, Apr. 26 ~ 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. mommy & me class forming (age 1-3)

Mondays, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. Fridays, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

SAVE A dATE angel circle

Wednesday, Apr. 11, 7 - 9 p.m. channeled messages for the soul

Friday, Apr. 13, 6 - 8 p.m.

eat right, think right, live right

Wednesday, Apr. 18, 7 - 9 p.m. a celebration of life an arc sacred center fundraising event

Saturday, May 5, 7 - 9:30 pm men's spirituality Workshop

Saturday, May 19, 4:30-6:30 p.m. For additional information and a full list of events please visit or contact:

www.arcsacredcenter.org arcsacredcenter@gmail.com 203-268-1ARC (1272) 28

Fairfield County Edition

Global Gardens

New Global Warming Planting Map

neW mother class forming

The color-coded map of planting zones on the back of seed packets is being updated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reflect climate changes brought on by global warming. The new guide, last updated in 1990, reflects, for instance, that the coldest day of the year isn’t as frigid as it used to be, so some plants and trees can now survive farther north. Nearly entire states, such as Ohio, Nebraska and Texas, are now classified in warmer zones. The new guide uses better weather data and offers more interactive technology. Gardeners using the online version can enter their Zip code and get the exact average coldest temperature. For the first time, calculations include more detailed factors, such as prevailing winds, the presence of nearby bodies of water and other local topography. Boston University Biology Professor Richard Primack observes, “There are a lot of things you can grow now that you couldn’t grow before. People don’t think of figs as a crop you can grow in the Boston area. You can do it now.” The changes come too late to make this year’s seed packets, but they will be on next year’s, says George Ball, chairman and CEO of the W. Atlee Burpee seed company. View the planting zones map at Tinyurl.com/7r5u267.

natural awakenings

Better Threads

E E !

R E

F R

E !

The nonprofit GoodWeave organization works to end child labor in the rug industry and provides educational opportunities for kids in weaving communities worldwide. The GoodWeave label is given solely to rug companies that only hire employees of legal working age. GoodWeave, offering the world’s only independent child labor-free certification for rugs, makes unannounced inspections of looms overseas to ensure that standards are upheld. Programs funded by GoodWeave-certified rug sales have helped nearly 10,000 children in Nepal and India to attend school instead of working on looms. An estimated 250,000 children are still weaving today. “It’s widely documented that children are exploited to make all sorts of products in our global economy,” says Nina Smith, GoodWeave USA executive director. “But in the case of carpets, consumers can do something to put a stop to these inhumane practices. By buying a certified rug, you can change a child’s life.”

Rug Industry Tackles Child Labor Injustice

Presents

Join CFS In Celebrating Earth Day 2012 Wednesday, April 18 3:15 - 5:30 PM The White Barn Campus 440 Newtown Ave., Norwalk (On the Westport town line)

Please bring your unwanted cra yo ns (old, new, broken, etc) we will recycle them with Crazy Crayons Many fun activities for children 2 - 12 This special afternoon will feature outdoor games and activities led by CFS middle school students, as well as a number of presentations including:

African Drumming with Brother Kojo Bey of Sounds of Afrika

Live Animals

from the New Canaan Nature Center

Storytelling

Earth friendly tales told by Tom Lee

203-762-9860 ∗ info@ctfriendsschool.org ∗ www.CTFriendsSchool.org

Find participating local retailers by Zip code at GoodWeave.org.

Find Out

Hallmarks of a Smart Green Development Anyone that has ever wondered whether a new community development is environmentally friendly and should be supported will appreciate the hands-on introduction in A Citizen’s Guide to LEED for Neighborhood Development, published by the National Resources Defense Council. NRDC experts developed the guide to help promote more widespread adoption of sustainable practices and create more inclusive, healthy and environmentally sound places. Download the guide at Tinyurl.com/4xuuxsz.

Whole Foods Market is bringing you natural & organic foods at premium quality, not premium prices. Westport 399 Post Road West, CT 203.227.6858 Greenwich 90 E. Putnam Avenue, CT 203.661.0631 Darien 150 Ledge Road, CT 203.662.0577 eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

fairfieldgreen Be the solution. Get involved. Support your local, eco-friendly businesses & organizations.

Manchester Community College on March 3. Since 1982, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut has been educating and advocating for local and organic farms and food. Over 600 organic farmers, gardeners, land care professionals, chefs, food activists and eaters gathered at the college to learn from agricultural scientists, master farmers, a cheese maker, a beer maker, chefs and from each other. They also participated in what is likely the state’s largest potluck meal, expertly overseen and coordinated by one of Connecticut’s leading sustainable chefs John Turenne of Sustainable Food Systems.

CT NOFA Celebrates 30th Annual Winter Conference by Bill Duesing

onnecticut’s organic community came together to learn, be inspired, feast and celebrate during CT NOFA’s 30th Annual Winter Conference at

GMOS: DANGERS AND LABELING Jeffrey Smith from the Institute for Responsible Technology gave the keynote address, “The Health Dangers of GMOs,” to a packed auditorium. A survey of audience attitudes toward genetically modified food before and after his talk showed a remarkable rise in the number of people who plan to be more careful about avoiding foods with GMOs in them and more active in letting others know about the health dangers of, and environmental concerns with GMOs. Mr. Smith emphasized the wonderful opportunity the audience has to help

It ’s in our nature to care. 203.790.9809

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NOFA is dedicated to a vision of interconnected healthy communities living in ecological balance, deeply rooted in a sense of place, grounded in organic care of the land.

necticut residents to ask their Representative and Senator in Hartford to require labels on foods containing GMOs. Other workshop attendees scheduled events, hosted radio shows and found other ways to let folks know of this opportunity. Visit RightToKnowCT.org for an easy way to let your legislators know how you feel about labeling GMOs. There is also a Federal petition drive, organized by Just Label It asking the Food and Drug Administration to label GMOs: justlabelit.org/ about-ge-foods/ge-foods-at-a-glance/.

Connecticut be the first state in the nation to require labeling of GMOs in food (for more information about this, see article on page 20). Mr. Smith’s information about the dangers of GMOs in human and animal diets is frightening. The two genetic modifications that account for most of the GMOs we eat are: an ability to withstand massive doses of herbicides designed to kill all green plants except genetically modified ones, and the ability to produce a pesticide in every cell of every corn plant. Both genetic modifications mean more pesticides in our food and in the environment, with negative health implications for us and for the planet. Jeffrey’s books Seeds of Deception and Genetic Roulette are valuable sources of additional information about GMOs. The message of the keynote was reinforced by three workshops on GMOs. Ed Stockman, an organic farmer from Massachusetts talked about “Biotech Threats to Organic Agriculture.” Attorney Dan Ravicher, who is leading the suit by the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association against Monsanto talked about the current situation with the lawsuit. Although it was dismissed by a Manhattan Court at Monsanto’s request, it will be appealed on behalf of the organic seed growers. (CT NOFA is a plaintiff in the suit.) Mr. Smith led a GMO Activist workshop that resulted in a web site that is now live and makes it easy for Con-

WORKSHOPS Participants got to choose to attend three workshops from among over 40 that were offered. Topics ranged from “Raising Garlic,” “Mushroom Growing on a Small Scale,” “The World of Sprouting Seed” and “Brewing Your Own Organic Beer” to “Food as Medicine” “Coops Build a Better World,” and “Transforming our Tub Full of Toxins.” Other topics included “Animal Welfare Approved Certification,” “Small Dairy/Herdshare,” ”Can I Eat This? Fermented Foods,” “Permaculture,” “Pasture Raised Laying Hens,” “Root Cellars and Food Storage” and “Small Scale Grain Production.” One of the most popular workshops was “How You Can Easily Grow Fresh Greens All Winter” taught by certified organic farmer David Zemelsky. David will lead a workshop at his Durham farm on the first day of Spring. A panel on “Edible School Gardens” brought together those who are creating and teaching in school gardens in New Britain, Hartford, Bridgeport, Simsbury, and Darien to share their knowledge and experiences. Participants learned of an on-going project to evaluate the effectiveness of garden-based education in addressing educational, health and community goals. There were special tracks of workshops and a gathering for beginning farmers, a growing demographic that includes anyone who has been farming fewer than 10 years. If we are going to have abundant, organic, local food, we need more

Do You Know What’s in Your Food? We believe everyone has the right to know if GMOs are in their food. Visit righttoknowct.org to send your state legislators an urgent message to support Connecticut’s GMO labeling bill. Ad design by Blue Nine Design, Inc.

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farmers. Visit ctnofa.org to learn more about the beginning farmer program. CLIMATE CHANGE Farmers, more than most anyone else, know that climate change is happening and is presenting serious problems. Each year, unprecedented weather events, rains, droughts, tropical storms or unseasonable and seasonable heavy snows have a large impact on infrastructure and production. Besides a workshop on “Climate Change in Connecticut” by Jennifer Pagach from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, three workshops addressed Transition Towns. This is a global movement to work with nature instead of fighting nature in the face of multiple serious environmental and resources challenges (i.e. If fossil fuels are getting more expensive and the climate is changing, let’s figure how to use local, renewable resources in ways that make our communities more resilient, beautiful, healthy and enjoyable). Farmers learned the “Benefits of Reduced Tillage,” “Soil Management Techniques,” about “Engaging and Keeping Farm Staff,” “Nitrogen Management on Farms,” and “CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Crop Planning.”

“The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.” ~USDA Definition of Organic Agriculture

A plan which helps you... Save money Save the environment Improve personal well-being Improve economic well-being Visit our website to learn how you can be the Power for change. napower.com/naturalawakenings 32

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natural awakenings

WINTER FOOD There were special tracks of workshops especially for farmers who want to grow food through the winter and for consumers about the kinds of winter foods that are available and how to use them. To bring it all together, certified organic farmer Wayne Hansen joined chef John Turenne and Dr. Leigh White, a naturopathic doctor for a workshop on “Collards and Other Cold Weather Greens.” Wayne talked about what he grows through the winter, John demonstrated how to prepare that food in the school’s teaching kitchen and Leigh talked about the benefits of eating locally and seasonally. For recipes, visit the Winter Food page at ctnofa.org. This conference nourishes, educates and inspires those who care about food and the environment. It builds a stronger network of people working to realize the vision and goals of organic agriculture. To keep informed of organic events in Connecticut, sign up for Gleanings e-news at ctnofa.org.

Nature Center, and earth friendly tales told by Tom Lee. Bring your unwanted crayons (old, new, broken, etc) for recycling with Crazy Crayons. 440 Newtown Ave, Norwalk. 203.762.9860. CTFriendsSchool.org

SPRING WILDFLOWER WALK

MOBILIZE FOR

EARTH

Pledge a Green Act for Earth Day 2012

arge or small, each green action we take—from workplace commitments to reduce, reuse and recycle to individual initiatives like riding a bike to work—helps to protect the integrity of our irreplaceable planet. We have come a long way from the first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, that activated 20 million Americans. Today, the Earth Day Network (EDN) collaborates with 22,000 partners in 192 countries, and 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the world’s largest annual civic observance. More progress is needed, however. “This Earth Day, we are mobilizing people on the planet simply to say one thing: The Earth won’t wait,” advises EDN Director of Earth Day, Franklin Russell, noting that environmental issues are frequently put on the back burner in the face of global economic challenges. “All too often, we hear of another oil spill or pipeline break, or another mountain leveled to mine for dirty coal. It’s time that we mobilize the Earth and speak with one voice, one message,” he asserts. “It’s time that our leaders put us on the path to sustainability.” EDN invites us to help build the momentum by continuing to participate in the Billion Acts of Green campaign launched for Earth Day 2011. Its goal is to record a billion acts of environmental service and advocacy before

Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, taking place this June, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To date, more than 499 million acts have been pledged—a powerful cause for hope. “I’m resolutely optimistic,” says Denis Hayes, organizer of the original Earth Day. “I think it’s really valuable for everyone in the world, even for a day, to do something for the environment and think about the Earth.”

Take Part Now

Pledge your own green act today at EarthDay.org and help mobilize the Earth by attending and supporting one or more of these local Earth Day 2012 events.

“TAKE A HIKE” WEEK

Tuesday-Thursday, April 17-19. Hands-on activities including guided hikes, tree plantings, educational scavenger hunt. Free/members. Gate admission for non-members. Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd. Info: 203.322.1646, StamfordMuseum.org.

CHILDREN’S EARTH DAY FAIR

Wednesday, April 18, 3:15-5:30pm. Outdoor games and activities led by Connecticut Friends School middle school students, African Drumming with Kojo Bey of Sounds of Afrika, live animal visits from the New Canaan

Friday, April 20, 2-3:30pm. Come walk with us to seek out our early spring wildflowers and learn about their life histories, ecological niches and insect pollination partners. Ages 5 & up. Greenwich Audubon, 613 Riversville Rd, Greenwich. 203.869.5272, RSVP to Ted at x230.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT STEPPING STONES MUSEUM

Sunday, April 22. Earth Day activities with handson explorations in the Community Garden,10am-1pm. Live Performance: Jeff Boyer’s Attainable Sustainable Energy Show, 11am-12pm. Mathews Park, 303 West Ave, Norwalk. 203.899.0606. SteppingStonesMuseum.org.

SUNDAY EXPLORERS

Sunday, April 22, 12-4 pm. Self-guided crafts, trail walks, live animal visits, garden experiences and more. Stamford Museum & Nature Center’s Overbrook Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd. Info: 203.322.1646, StamfordMuseum.org.

FAIRFIELD’S EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

Saturday, April 28, 10am-4pm. Theme: How Green is our Town?” Local leaders/supporters of green initiatives, eco-friendly services and products, family entertainment, music. All ages. Fairfield Ward High School, 755 Melville Ave, Fairfield. 203.256.3010, FairfieldEarthDay.Wordpress.com.

5th ANNUAL NEWTOWN EARTH DAY Saturday, April 28, 10am-4pm. 50 local vendors and associations and “chock-full” of family activities and several educational opportunities to help sharpen your “eco-knowledge.” Newtown Middle School. NewtownEarthDay.org.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

GREEN HOME CHECKLIST

alternatives: cloth napkins instead of paper; dishwasher-safe serving ware instead of single-use paper or plastic; glass or recycled food storage containers in place of throwaway plastic bags and wrap; and natural fiber dishcloths to replace paper towels and plastic sponges.

Room-by-Room Steps We Can Take, Starting Right Now

4 Clean naturally. Chemical pow-

by Crissy Trask

4 Shop for the Energy Star logo. Ap-

reen living is being embraced by more folks than ever, in ways both large and small, giving the Earth some much-needed kindness. If you’re interested in some good ideas that fall between a total home solar installation and basic recycling—with many delivering big impacts—check out Natural Awakenings’ room-by-room green checklist. You’ll find inspired, practical changes that are doable starting right now.

Kitchen

The kitchen can be a hot spot for waste. Eileen Green, with EcoEvaluator. com, says that reducing waste, conserving water and increas-

ing energy efficiency are all important considerations within an environmentally friendly kitchen.

4 Eat up food. Each year, a typical household discards an estimated 474 pounds of food waste, according to University of Arizona research—at large economic and environmental cost. Buying more fresh food than we can eat before the expiration date is up and allowing leftovers to expire in the fridge are culprits. “Drawing up menus and avoiding buying on impulse can help,” advises Green. Compost food scraps at home or sign up for curbside composting, if it’s offered locally. Disposing of food in garbage disposals or landfills is not environmentally sound.

4 Dispense with disposables. Replace disposable paper and plastic products with durable, lasting

erhouses have become the norm in household cleaning products, but they are not essential. Non-toxic cleaners are up to the task, from cleaning a sink to an oven. pliances bearing the Energy Star logo are up to 50 percent more energy efficient than standard ones. This translates to significant savings in annual operating costs.

4 Filter water with less waste. Bottled water is expensive and wasteful. Instead, purchase a home-filtering system that uses recycled or reusable filters. On the road, carry tasty filtered water in a reusable glass bottle.

4 Conserve water. Run dishwashers only when fully loaded and fill the sink with water, rather than running it down the drain, when washing by hand. Use water only to wet and rinse; otherwise turn it off.

4 Phase out non-stick skillets. Teflon coatings can leach toxins when damaged or overheated. Play it safe and begin assembling a set of cookware that includes properly seasoned cast iron, which is naturally non-stick.

4 Avoid cheap reusable shopping bags. Flimsy reusable bags end up as trash within a few months under normal use. Buy a set of high quality reusable bags that will give years of use.

Bedrooms

“Most people spend more time in the

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

bedroom than in any other room of the house,” remarks Huffington Post Eco Etiquette columnist Jennifer Grayson. “So it’s important to focus on making bedrooms as green and healthy as possible.” She advocates paying special attention to sleepwear, bedding and furniture people sleep on.

4 Start with a good foundation. Box springs can be constructed of plywood or particleboard, which commonly contain formaldehyde, classified as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a toxic air contaminant by the state of California. Choose those that have been certified as formaldehyde-free or with low emissions. A platform bed made of Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood, sourced from sustainably managed forests, is a healthy alternative.

4 Don’t sleep on a cloud of chemicals. “If your face is pressed up against a conventional mattress for seven hours a night, then you’re going to be breathing in whatever chemicals are off-gassing from that mattress for seven hours a night,” warns Grayson. Mattresses are commonly treated with fire-retardant chemicals to comply with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission rules. To avoid toxic chemicals like the hydrocarbon toluene, emitted from mattresses stuffed with polyurethane foam, instead look for untreated, wool-covered mattresses (wool is a natural fire retardant) filled with natural latex or containing a spring system wrapped with organic cotton batting. Non-organic cotton production relies on lots of hazardous synthetic chemicals in its production. Organic cotton, linen and wool bedding are safer bets, especially when certified to meet strict environmental standards.

4 Block the afternoon sun. During the day, shut off air-conditioning vents inside bedrooms and block the afternoon sun with interior or exterior solar

Find more big ideas in Natural Awakenings’ article, “Spring Green Rehab,” at Tinyurl.com/3nhan6s. shades. By day’s end, even in warm climates, bedrooms should be cool enough for sleeping with the addition of a slight breeze from an open window or a slow-running floor or ceiling fan.

4 Go wireless. It’s impossible to completely avoid electromagnetic radiation from today’s technologies, so lower exposure in the bedroom by removing electronic devices and placing electrical items at least five feet away from the bed.

4 Forget fabric softeners. Most fabric softeners contain highly toxic chemicals that latch onto sheets and can be inhaled or absorbed directly into the bloodstream through skin. Instead, add a quarter-cup of baking soda to the wash cycle to soften sheets and other laundry.

4 Leave the lights off. Motion-detecting nightlights save energy while allowing safe passage in the wee hours.

Laundry Room

the washer or dryer with clothes is nontoxic, or else you’ll be wearing toxic chemical residues next to your skin all day, cautions MacEachern.

4 Select cold water. On average, only 10 percent of the energy used by a clothes washer runs the machine; the other 90 percent goes to heat the water. The typical American household does about 400 loads of laundry each year, resulting in much energy squandered on hot water. With the exception of laundering greasy spots or stubborn stains, routinely wash in cold water, using a cold-water eco-detergent.

4 Install a clothesline. Running a dryer for just 40 minutes can use the energy equivalent of a 15-watt, compact fluorescent bulb lit for a week. Stretch out a line and hang clothes outside to dry in the fresh air to save about $100 a year on electric bills. The sun imparts a disinfectant benefit as a bonus.

4 Replace an old machine. A washer or dryer that is older than 10 years has hidden costs. EnergyStar.gov notes that an older machine uses more energy and can cost from 10 to 75 percent more to operate than a new, high-efficiency appliance.

4 Choose eco-friendly laundry

In a typical U.S. home, the washing machine accounts for 21 percent of home water use and combined, the washer and dryer comprise 5 to 8 percent of home energy demands. Diane MacEachern, founder of BigGreenPurse.com and author of Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World, explains that a good way to conserve key resources is to use these appliances less—reducing the number of loads and drying items on outdoor clotheslines or indoor racks. MacEachern says, “You can probably wash things like sweatshirts and blue jeans less frequently without much consequence, and a clothesline requires no energy other than the sun.” Also, make sure that whatever goes into

products. Conventional laundry soaps contain chemicals that can be problematic for us and wreak havoc on marine ecosystems. Look for cold-water brands that are fragrance- and phosphate-free.

4 Switch to concentrates. Concentrated detergents translate to less energy used in shipping, less waste and more value.

4 Stop static cling without dryer sheets. Never over-dry clothes and always dry natural fibers separately from synthetics to prevent static cling.

Bathroom

The smallest room in the house is a disproportionately large contributor to household environmental impacts. In an average non-conservation-minded American home, 38,000 gallons of

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water annually go down the drains and toilet. “Along with that water,” says MacEachern, “You’ll be washing lots of personal care and cleaning products down the drain, as well, where they could get into local natural water supplies and make life difficult for birds, frogs and fish.” Sara Snow, television host and author of Sara Snow’s Fresh Living: The Essential Room-by-Room Guide to a Greener, Healthier Family and Home, cautions against personal skin care products with questionable chemical ingredients. “A good percentage of them are being absorbed right into our bloodstream, so focus on ingredients that do no harm; ones that help our bodies instead, such as nourishing and healing botanicals.”

4 Slow the flow. Ultra-efficient show-

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erheads use as little as 1 gallon per minute (gpm); aerated types that mix air into the water stream to enhance pressure provide a good soak and rinse using less than half the water than some other low-flow showerheads. At the sink, aerators should flow between 0.5 and 1 gpm—plenty of pressure for brushing teeth and washing hands.

4 Flush responsibly. According to the

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EPA, the toilet alone can use 27 percent of household water. Replace older toilets (pre-1994) with new, higher efficiency models for savings of two to six gallons per flush.

4 Heat water wisely. A tankless water heater supplies instantaneous hot water only as needed. Or, install a timer on a traditional water heater to cut warming time to a few hours a day at most.

4 Shun a plastic shower curtain. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been called “the poison plastic” for its highly toxic lifecycle, which includes the release of dioxins into the air and water. These toxic chemicals persist in ecosystems and can cause cancer. PVC shower curtains are also a short-life product that cannot be recycled, so switch to a PVC-free alterna-

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tive. Organic hemp is the eco-shower curtain gold standard.

4 Ban antibacterial products. Triclosan is a popular antibacterial agent found in many household cleaners, hand soaps, cosmetics and even toothpaste. It’s also a registered pesticide and probable human carcinogen that’s showing up in the environment and children’s urine. The Mayo Clinic suggests that triclosan may contribute to the development of antibioticresistant germs and harm the immune system, making us more susceptible to bacteria.

4 Install a shower filter that removes chlorine. Chlorine, which is increasingly being linked to some cancers, is used by many municipalities to disinfect water supplies. People absorb more chlorine through the skin and by inhaling chlorine vapors when bathing and showering than from drinking it.

4 Use recycled and unbleached paper products. Using recycled bath tissue helps close the recycling loop on all the paper we dutifully recycle at the curb. Unbleached varieties keep chlorine byproducts like dioxins out of the environment.

4 Remove bad odors instead of covering them up. In a University of California study, chemical air fresheners were found to have higher concentrations of polluting volatile organic compounds (VOC) than any other household cleaning product. Long-term exposure to some VOCs have been linked with adverse health effects. This Natural Awakenings checklist suggests steps that are possible in making any home healthier, safer and more enjoyable. Start checking off items today and begin shrinking the family’s ecological footprint right away. Crissy Trask is the founder of Green Matters.com and author of the bestselling, It’s Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living. Follow her at Twitter.com/greenmatters.

GREEN UN-ROOM CHECKLIST by Crissy Trask Kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms earn the most attention in greening up our homes, but what about the miscellaneous spaces? Attics, garages, closets and entry halls can get overlooked, although they also yield benefits from some green-minded attention. Here are tips for the most common “un-rooms” to get the ball rolling.

Garage

4 Empty the car of extra weight and optimally inflate tires to improve gas mileage by up to 5 percent.

4 Replace poisonous windshield wiper fluid with a make-it-yourself solution that combines seven cups of distilled water, one-half-cup isopropyl alcohol and one-half-teaspoon ecodishwashing liquid. Properly dispose of old wiper fluid in a boldly labeled container at a hazardous waste center.

4 Clean with a broom instead of a hose to save water.

Attic

4 Install a whole-house fan to pull warm air out of the attic, keeping rooms below cooler.

4 Blanket the attic with a reflective heat barrier to reflect heat before it has a chance to enter.

4 If the tops of floor joists above the insulation are visible, EnergyStar.gov recommends adding more insulation

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Entry Hall

4 Leave shoes, along with allergens and dirt, at the door for a healthier home.

4 Reduce unwanted mail by opting out of catalogs, credit card and insurance offers and Direct Marketing Association-member mailings at CatalogChoice.org, OptOutPrescreen. com and DMAChoice.org, respectively.

4 Doormats made from recycled plastic soda bottles keep millions of them from entering landfills.

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Closets

4 Get organized with bins and shelves made from recycled plastic, reclaimed wood, salvaged and repurposed items, formaldehyde-free plant-based boards or Forest Stewardship Councilcertified wood.

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4 Shop for local, previously owned clothes and accessories from consignment boutiques, thrift stores or a local clothing swap.

4 Slip into some vegan or Earth-

All is connected... no one thing can change by itself. ~Paul Hawken

friendly shoes; there’s a lot more to choose from than hemp sandals. Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Sierra Club, Mayo Clinic, chej.org, DrClaudiaMiller.com, DrWeil.com, ftc.gov, EnergyStar.gov

GO-TO RESOURCES Urban composting solution BokashiComposting.com Toxins in consumer products Toxipedia.org Eco-water filters Brita.com/your-brita/recycle-your-filter BritishBerkefeld.com TerraFlo.com/recycle.htm

PVC fact sheet MyHouseIsYourHouse.org/pvcfacts. html Radiation exposure facts epa.gov/radtown/index.html Safe cosmetics and personal care products ewg.org/skindeep

Textile certifications Tinyurl.com/7wd9vlr eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

greenliving

Rooftop Raised-Beds

Urban farmers in the United States are now transforming an increasingly significant portion of the country’s millions of acres of flat rooftops. Launched in 2010, New York’s Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm operation (BrooklynGrangeFarm. com), totaling nearly an acre atop a mid-rise warehouse, is among the largest of its kind. Sometimes called “vertigo farming”, because the farmers overlook an urban skyline, these enterprises re-green the landscape, wisely manage rainwater and rebuild affordable local fresh food systems.

Window Gardens

Windowfarm co-founders Rebecca Bray and Britta Riley (Windowfarms.org/story) help homeowners grow some of their own food in window spaces year-round. Their research-and-develop-it-yourself hydroponic system project facilitates plant cultivation without soil, using nutrient-infused water pumped through a series of growing containers. To date, more than 20,000 people have downloaded plans for their own Windowfarm.

Alleyway Wonders

In the East Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, flowers, ferns and ivy gardens have replaced concrete alleyways thanks to Podmajersky, a local real estate development firm. The lush gardens provide a tranquil sanctuary from city bustle and an aesthetically pleasing and inspiring surrounding for the Chicago Arts District, home to 1,500 artists and other creative entrepreneurs.

UNCONVENTIONAL

GARDENS No Space? No Problem. by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

or everyone that feels surrounded by a concrete jungle occasionally relieved by a pocket park, green strip or landscaped median, the concept of finding a place to grow their own food may seem like a fantasy. Fortunately, backyard, rooftop and community gardens are good ideas that are coming on strong. Around the country, productive green spaces are replacing paved lots and lawns with edible perennials and seasonal crops that enable folks to eat better and fresher, while reducing the family food bill. “Food plants can be grown anywhere, including on a high-rise balcony, miles from the nearest farm,” says David Tracey, author of Urban Agriculture: Ideas and Designs for the New Food Revolution. “You just need to meet the plant’s basic requirements for sunlight, water and a few nutrients. Cities are great places to grow specific kinds of food; they tend to have plenty of niche areas such as empty lots, rooftops and the ends of streets that new urban gardeners are using for growing fresh crops like salad greens and tomatoes.”

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natural awakenings

Go Fish

Aquaponics is a well-organized way to sustainably raise fish and fresh produce together. “It mimics natural recirculation of resources in wetlands in a constructed dual-use ecosystem; the only inputs are fish feed and a small amount of power,” explains Sylvia Bernstein, author of Aquaponic Gardening and founder of TheAquaponicSource.com. “Because an aquaponic system can be set up anywhere, including warehouses, parking lots and exhausted fields, it is ideally suited to help localize food production and provide an alternative to clearing more land to feed our future.”

Patio Paradise

“When your space is limited, you start to think creatively about how to best use it,” notes Tracey. “Consider all three dimensions of a balcony or other narrow areas to maximize growing potential. Climbing vines such as grapes and berries, hanging pots with tomatoes and nasturtium, and fruit trees in half-barrels are great ways to grow more food in a small space. The crops don’t know they’re in a pot.” Herbs also love containers. Some plants, like tomatoes, can even be grown upside-down to more efficiently use limited space.

Vacant Lots

“Community gardens are an excellent solution for those with the garden itch and no good land to scratch,” advises Roger

LocalHarvest.org lists some 2,500 community gardens in its database, as does the American Community Gardening Association (CommunityGarden.org). Doiron, founder of Kitchen Gardeners International (Kitchen Gardeners.org), a nonprofit community of 20,000 members that has been cultivating change since 2008. Community gardens have taken over empty city lots, church lawns and schoolyards that are collectively farmed for food, relaxation or social camaraderie. Co-gardening a neighbor’s lot and sharing the harvest is another option.

Eating the Lawn

Put into food production, America’s 25 million acres of lawns could go a long way toward reducing the environmental cost of transporting produce hundreds or thousands of miles. Americans growing their own food isn’t a pie-in-the-sky fantasy. As University of California garden historian Rose Hayden-Smith confirms, “During the peak year for Victory Gardens, 1943, some government estimates indicated that up to 40 percent of the fresh fruits and vegetables consumed on the American home front were produced in school, home, community and workplace gardens.” “One of the first steps in bringing healthy foods to the forefront of society is bringing them to the front and center of our living spaces,” concludes Doiron. “Growing food in small spaces is all about doing what you can with what you have. It’s a matter of changing our notion of potential foodproducing landscapes.” It does wonders for people’s connection to nature, too. John Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist are co-authors of Farmstead Chef (FarmsteadChef.com), ECOpreneuring and Rural Renaissance. Their award-winning Inn Serendipity B&B (InnSerendipity.com) operates completely on renewable energy.

Garden-Fresh Recipes Lemon Balm Iced Tea Yields 8 servings Lemon balm grows prolifically and is ideal for a refreshing summertime iced tea. Slowly simmer the flavor out of the lemon balm in a slow cooker or simmer on the stove. Vary proportions depending on the pot size and desired sweetness. Big bunch of fresh lemon balm stalks with leaves ½ cup honey ¼ cup lemon juice 8 cups purified water 1. Stuff as much rinsed lemon balm into a slow cooker as will fit. Cover with approximately 8 cups of water, depending on the size of the slow cooker, and let simmer about three hours on low heat. 2. Drain the resulting liquid into a pitcher. 3. While it’s still warm, add honey and lemon juice. It is easier to add the honey while the tea is still warm, because it readily dissolves. Add more water to taste. 4. Chill before serving.

Your Online Garden Center 10, 000 Items and Growing Register for our e-newsletter for garden tips and weekly online specials Visit us at the Women’s Expo in Stamford April 28-29th

Locally owned and operated by Paul Toms, 203-422-9751 eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

From Broken Glass to Greener Grass at Fairgate Farm

here was a time when the glass-strewn, dismal halfacre lot at 133 Stillwater Avenue, on Stamford’s West Side, could have been a poster child for urban decay. Now that same urban lot is entering its second season as Fairgate Farm, an outstanding model of transformation on many different levels. Soon to be expanded, the Farm can count among its many successes the regeneration of a neighborhood, the hands-on education of local youth, and the greening of a community’s dinner plates. The Farm is based on principles of “food justice,” the idea that everyone has a right to quality food in a way that is community controlled, environmentally sustainable and socially just. Having triumphed in its initial 2011 season, Fairgate Farm is also an unusually fine example of true community gardening, where, instead of plots belonging to individual families, all who sow the seeds and enrich the soil enjoy the delicious harvest. The Farm’s 2011 harvest totaled an impressive 800 pounds, and its first year also saw the Farm’s first Harvest Festival as well as initial deliveries of produce to Stamford Hospital. Fairgate Farm is the result of a collaboration that brought

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natural awakenings

together Charter Oak Communities (formerly the Stamford Housing Authority), Stamford Hospital, and such agencies as the Boys & Girls Club. Inspired by a local survey urging the Farm to produce more, plans include adding acreage, vertical trellises and other vertical systems, a greenhouse, additional seedling capacity and raised beds, and increasing the composting effort. An existing indoor space will be outfitted with a hydroponic growing system for the production of microgreens and lettuce year-round. The Farm has partnered with Stamford Hospital and Charter Oak Communities as part of the Vita Health and Wellness District, providing produce to their cafeteria and supplementing a new Farmers Market for the hospital. The Farm is also expanding its partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford to integrate into the Club’s Healthy Habits national initiative, and both will offer programs providing outdoor learning tied in with educational and cooking activities. The Farm has also begun plans to implement a rain water collection system to help irrigate the plants. Each Farm visit allows the children to participate in hands-on investigative learning, to take part in observational activities, and to perform the farm work necessary to grow the plants under their care. Fairgate Farm is also looking to increase its exposure to include more community youth centers and schools that will join in providing fruit and vegetable waste for the Farm’s composting operation as a real-life illustration of the growing cycle. Another very exciting plan is for the Farm to work with local chefs and local youth in the development of meals using Farm produce. As the new Fairgate Farm season blooms for the second year, it’s clear that Farm Manager Bill Callion’s vision is coming to fruition as well: “We want Fairgate Farm to be a learning laboratory for the community.” Fairgate Farm welcomes volunteers and donations to help support ongoing operations and programs. For those interested, call Bill Callion at 203.967.7280. Visit Fairgate Farm on Facebook for more information.

The kits are now available, ready to assemble, or you can choose to have the scouts install them for you at an unbeatable price. How much easier can it be? The scouts of Troop 88 have become community teachers and leaders. Won’t you let them bring a few square feet of inexpensive, effortlessly healthy eating to your backyard? YOUR SQUARE FOOT GARDENING KIT INCLUDES: • Materials for one (1) 4’ x 4’ raised bed garden box complete with four (4) pre-drilled green Douglas fir 2”x 6”x 4’ boards, weed cloth, Mel’s Mix, lath, wood screws and The All New Square Foot Gardening Book. DIY: $100.88 • Scout Installed: $188.00 for towns within a 10 miles radius of Fairfield. For towns outside this radius an additional travel charge may apply.

Have Scouts Install Your No-Work, No-Weeds Square Foot Garden!

t was a simple idea that caught on like wildfire, and now we can all benefit. Fairfield Boy Scout Troop 88 is offering to install a guaranteed no-excuses Square Foot Garden in any yard for $188. The do-it-yourself version is only $100.88 (both versions include the official Square Foot Gardening book), with proceeds going to local churches and organizations offering programs to help the needy. What’s a Square Foot Garden? Picture a piece of graph paper, four squares across and four squares down, each of those squares measuring 12 inches. This 4’ X 4’ square will become your powerhouse to health as you effortlessly grow a variety of nutrient-dense, vibrant veggies, fruit, flowers and herbs. This very popular idea rapidly grew from a simple 2010 concept celebrating 100 years of scouting by facilitating 100 feet of community gardens, but it turned out to be an idea that people loved, so in this, the project’s third year, the scouts’ goal is the installation of 100 Square Foot Gardening boxes in Fairfield and surrounding towns. The scouts’ first introduction to Square Foot Gardening came during kitchen workshops led by Fairfield’s Amie Guyette Hall, a.k.a. The Square Foot Gardening Health Coach, where they learned about the health benefits of whole food. Under the dedicated adult leadership of Troop 88’s Phil Magnusson and parent carpenter Noel Cahill, the boys are putting to use life skills learned in part during their middle school Tech Ed woodshop class, working in teams or patrols, marking, measuring and drilling holes in the 4’ lengths of green Douglas fir, counting and packaging wood screws, cutting and folding weed cloth, sorting sections of wooden lath and wrapping up ready-to-install Square Foot Gardening kits. This year the kits will include pre-bagged Mel’s Mix, ordered directly from The Square Foot Gardening Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a bold mission: To end world hunger.

For more information, or to order your Square Foot Garden, contact Phil Magnusson, T88.org, at 203.209.0014 or PMagnuss@optonline.net. Proceeds go to local churches and organizations that support those in need, through Square Foot Gardens. Amie Guyette Hall (FromYourInsideOut.com) is a certified health coach, certified Square Foot Gardening Teacher (SquareFootGardening.org) and founder of her town’s three middle school gardens. She is the radio show host of “The Green Gate – Your Doorway to Great Food and Healthy Living” on FTNS.co. Amie will lead a free Square Foot Gardening workshop on April 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at St. Timothy’s Church in Fairfield. To RSVP call 203.885.4674.

Grilled Shrimp and Eggplant Summer Noodle Bowls (Serves 6)

This tasty noodle bowl can be made almost completely outdoors; it only needs one small pot of boiling water…which you may be able to heat on your grill. 1/3 cup apricot fruit spread 1/4 cup ketchup 3 tablespoons soy sauce 2 limes, divided 1 eggplant, cut into 1-inch chunks 2 cups shredded carrots 1/2 cup sliced green onions 1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed 1 (8-ounce) package pad-thai-style brown rice noodles 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, cilantro and/or mint leaves • Soak skewers (if wooden) in water for at least 30 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together fruit spread, ketchup, soy sauce and the juice of 1 lime. Transfer 1/3 cup mixture to a large bowl and set aside. Preheat oiled grill to medium-high heat. Skewer eggplant and shrimp onto separate skewers. Using sauce mixture remaining in small bowl, brush eggplant and then shrimp on both sides until well coated. Grill eggplant, covered, until browned and tender, 4 to 8 minutes, turning halfway through. Grill shrimp, covered, until golden brown and cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes, turning halfway through. Remove eggplant and shrimp from skewers and add to large bowl with reserved 1/3 cup sauce mixture. • Meanwhile, prepare rice noodles according to package instructions and add to eggplant and shrimp. Add carrots, green onions and herbs. Toss to combine, gently separating noodles to coat evenly. Serve remaining lime in wedges on the side.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

communityspotlight

Atlas Orthogonist’s methods require such light touches to the affected area, Dr. that Scott Bender willexpect be hosting patients who may a forceful a fre manipulation as part ofatheir treatment lecture introducing highly effective, find it hard to believe that anything efpainless, non-surgical solution fective has been accomplished. But, thefor procedure works! Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, and Bra

Pain Relief and the Atlas Orthogonal Procedure

Trauma injuries. Why did you decide to

in dealing with He specialize will be discussing upcoming rese chronic pain conditions? by the Trauma Research Foundation When I was in Chiropractic College, Ipaper a recently published research suffered from chronic headaches and the dizziness Journaldue Brain Injury. Inaccihis resear to a automobile trying many treatmentscalled with- Atl he discusses a little knowndent. After chiropractic procedure out results, I was referred for AO. My Orthogonal that can give the promise of hope, and healing t first AO doctor was Dr. Roy Sweat, the chronicSpine pain and sufferers. original developer of the AO proceDr. Scott Bender, DC, Director of Connecticut Health

A Conversation with Chiropractic Physician

Scott Bender

dure. After just a few Atlas corrections,

Center, has found his calling – and hasAtlas dedicated hiscare practice spinal is dedicated to correcting the Subluxa my headaches improved, andAtlas I started to heal. I was so impressed with AO, I to relieving pain for those who suffer from fibromyalgia and Complex, which is a misalignment of the bone structure of th decided to dedicate myself to mastering chronic pain conditions. He works exclusively with a little-known head and neck. This misalignment can theothers communica the procedure so Iblock could help in thecausing same predicament. I specialize procedure called Atlas Orthogonal andbetween has helped hundreds of body your brain and pain, stress, and tens in AO because I know that AO doctors patients restore their health and theirThe quality of life. Atlas Orthogonal procedure an needed upperservice cervical provide aismuch to thespinal So what is the Atlas Orthogonal (AO) procedure? The Atlas Orthogonal procedure provides relief from pain and dysfunction due to misalignment of the Atlas vertebrae. The Atlas vertebra is a 3-ounce bone that holds up the weight of the head, which is 10-14 pounds. When the Atlas vertebra misaligns, it induces irritation to the spinal cord and nerve roots near the base of the head. Irritation to the nervous system causes imbalance to the biomechanics of the spine, arising in pain locally or throughout the entire body. The Atlas is also the gateway from the brain to the rest of the body. Misalignments of the Atlas can cause disruption of blood flow and cerebro-spinal fluid flow which cause a variety of symptoms. The AO procedure restores the alignment of the Atlas vertebra with a gentle, precise percussion treatment to the upper neck. AO doctors utilize a precise X-ray analysis, followed by instrument adjustment to correct Atlas misalignments.

Fairfield County Edition

millions of patients who have sustained correction that restores body balance and increases the bod an Atlas misalignment. I feel it is my natural healing ability - without forcefu calling to relieve the suffering of others with the knowledge and results I have movements or twisting of the neck or b

ATLAS

ORTHOGONAL

obtained in my practice and in my own personal experience, and my work is very rewarding. When a person is living in pain it affects every area of life. The joy and gratitude that a patient experiences when he or she is freed from pain, is a beautiful thing.

Painless • Safe Non-Surgical No Drugs or Side Effe What conditions have you had the greatest success with?

Attend a Free Lecture

How does AO differ from AO helps so many conditions. conventional medical treatments I have had the greatest6:30pm success with Wednesday, April 25th headaches of all types, fibromyalgia, or other chiropractic neck pain, and TMJ. It is important that techniques? Learn how Dr. Scott Bender helped hundreds patients has be screened for Atlas misalign- of pa

ments, particularly in instances Conventional medicine relies primarsufferers regain their health using the Atlas of Orthogona trauma (i.e. auto accidents, sports injuily on the use of drugs to relieve pain, procedure. This lecture isries). limited to onlyis looking thoseinto people tha New research the which does not necessarily address the rolePain, of Altas or misaligment in concussion, Chronic Headache sufferers. root cause ofFibromyalgia, the problem and thereand neurodegenerative diseases such as fore the problem (and pain) is likely If you qualify, please call 203.967.8888 to reserve a se MS, and Parkinson’s disease. to recur. Another of the most obvious differences is the gentle, painless wayis limited. Refreshments served. Seating in which an Atlas Orthogonist works. No manipulation (twisting or cracking) is ever employed or needed. The

natural awakenings

In 1997 Dr. Bender opened CT Spine and Hea Atlas Orthogonal office in the Northeast, attrac

The Atlas Orthogonist’s methods require such light touches to the affected area, that patients who may expect a forceful manipulation as part of their treatment find it hard to believe that anything effective has been accomplished. What would you like chronic pain sufferers to know?

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Chronic pain conditions are widely misdiagnosed or undetected. Some facts: • The Center for Disease Control reports over 3 million new whiplash cases, and 1.4 million traumatic brain injuries per year. • The reported risk of missed (undetected) injuries to the cervical spine from trauma varies from 4 - 30%. • 29% of patients with missed injuries on initial diagnostic evaluation develop permanent neurologic symptoms. Up to 14% of patients risk permanent disability.

Yan Ting, Doctor of Acupuncture

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If you find yourself suffering from a chronic pain problem, have your neck checked for an Altlas misaligment it could be the key to your health problem, and if so, it can be effectively treated, painlessly, non-invasively, and without drugs or side effects. In 1997 Dr. Bender opened the first AO office in CT and 15 years later, Connecticut Spine and Health Center (111 High Ridge Road, Stamford) has become the busiest AO office in the Northeast. If you are suffering from chronic pain, especially from an injury, call Dr. Bender at 203.967.8888 for a free consultation to see if AO is right for you. Visit CtSpineHealth.com for more information, or attend one of his free informational seminars (the next one will be held on Wednesday, April 18). See ad pg 63. eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

A Natural Cure for Childhood Allergies

classified as “acute’ or “immediate,” in which symptoms appear within seconds after exposure to an allergen, or they can be “delayed.” “Delayed” food reactions are very common and can occur hours or even days after exposure to an allergen, since the allergen is not the food itself, but a by-product of the digestive process. Virtually any substance can cause an allergic reaction in certain people. The most common allergic substances include pollen, dust mites, animal dander, mold, insect venom, certain chemicals, medication (such as penicillin) and foods. The most common food offenders are dairy, peanuts and other legumes, tree nuts, fish/ shellfish, eggs, wheat, and soy. Allergens can affect the body by way of ingestion, inhalation, skin contact or injection, and can involve any part of the body.

by Mark Joachim

t is estimated that more than 35 million children and adults in the United States suffer from allergies, and the number is growing. An allergic reaction is commonly assumed to involve a stuffy nose, itchy watery eyes and maybe hives. But the list of allergy symptoms is actually lengthy, including asthma, eczema, sinusitis, headaches, fibromyalgia, depression, chronic fatigue, candida, bloating and gastric symptoms, colitis, PMS, infertility, ear infections, behavioral disorders, ADD/ ADHD and many others.

First, some clarifications An allergy is an abnormal physical reaction to even minute quantities of the antigens that lead allergic individuals to develop an antibody reaction. This reaction then causes the release of the histamines that produce the allergic symptoms, hence the common, conventional use of antihistamines to control the symptoms. Allergic substances can be nontoxic, such as foods, grass, dogs, and pollen, or they can be toxic, such as chemicals and fumes. Allergic reactions can either be

The skin: blueprint of the body The skin on our bodies is the largest— and fastest growing— organ in our bodies. The skin of an average person would cover 20 square feet if stretched out. In addition to covering our bodies and providing protection, our skin serves as our largest organ of elimination. Chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis generally indicate chronic problems with other internal organs, such as the colon, liver and kidneys. So, in a way, our skin is like a blueprint for our body and can help us discover other areas that are toxic and underperforming. Allergies to foods such as milk, eggs and peanuts are some of the most common causes of eczema. According to Dr. Ellen Cutler, author of the best

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Diane Bahr-Groth, CHy, TFTdx, is one of the first U.S.–trained hypnotists

Chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis generally indicate chronic problems with other internal organs, such as the colon, liver and kidneys. selling book The Food Allergy Cure, other common offenders are sugar, soy, wheat, citrus, fruit juices, food additives, sulfites, artificial colors, gums, tomatoes, meat, fish, pickles, relishes, vanilla, fats and chocolate. Eczema is characterized by itchy, scaly, red skin, and is most commonly first seen on an infant’s cheeks. In older children it can be found on other areas of the skin, particularly the creases of the elbows and knees. Though eczema is one of the most common skin conditions affecting all age groups, children are extremely prone to it. In fact, it is estimated that 30% of newborns may develop eczema and 60% of those that develop it do so by the time they are one. Eczema tends to affect people with a family history of allergies, asthma, and hay fever. In each of these conditions, irritants are creating inflammation of the tissues lining the intestines, respiratory tract and skin. When the body is overburdened with toxins, and can no longer handle them and detoxify itself, it causes the immune system to overreact, exhibiting conditions such as eczema. Desensitizing is needed, not avoidance Although there are food allergies that are life-threatening, the majority of chronic food allergies resulting in skin conditions can very negatively affect a person’s appearance, self-esteem, and quality of life. Medical doctors, who have found no cure, simply tell patients to avoid the foods they are allergic to or to use medication or topical creams to try to reduce symptoms. This is obviously not fixing the problem. What needs to be done is to eliminate the cause of the “dis-ease,” not just reduce the symptoms. Why not try to find out how to naturally desensitize the system to that food so the patient can continue to eat it without getting eczema? BioSET (bioenergetic sensitivity and enzyme therapy) can do just that. BioSET was developed by Dr. Ellen Cutler and it is a complete healing system that detoxifies the body and desensi-

tizes it to allergies. When allergies are eliminated by BioSET, the eczema usually clears up readily and permanently, and the occurrence of asthma later in life can actually be prevented. Relief for a very special little redhead Since 2000 I have been utilizing the BioSET Allergy Elimination Method with great success. My experience with BioSET’s amazing results began when I was in search of a cure for eczema that was affecting Alana, a 15-monthold patient. This little girl is a beautiful redhead whose skin in the areas of her abdomen and diaper region was often so irritated from eczema that it was often redder than her hair, with the worst flare-ups happening when she ate strawberries and chocolate. After only five BioSET treatments on Alana, along with the addition of a digestive enzyme to her juice twice a day for one month, Alana’s eczema was gone. Alana is now 13 years old, has never had another spot of eczema on her body, and has never been limited in the foods she eats. I was especially thrilled because this little girl is my youngest daughter! This success with Alana inspired me to dedicate a large part of my chiropractic practice to helping other children and individuals benefit from the BioSET total health care system. Many of my patients had severe eczema and lifethreatening food allergies that have been eliminated, and they are now enjoying their lives to their fullest potential.

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For further information, call Dr. Joachim at 203.838.1555 or email him at DrJ@EliminateMyAllergies.com. For a free copy of Dr. Joachim’s ebook, How to Stop Suffering From Food Sensitivities, ‘Allergies,’ and Digestion Problems, go to AllergyEliminationNorwalk. com. His practice, Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care, is located at 152 East Avenue in Norwalk. See ad pg 8. eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

healthykids

ECO-CAMPS FOR KIDS A

by Gail Condrick

s the Sierra Club notes: “Camping today includes the traditional fun of being outdoors in a group and [at the same time] can also be an experience in ecoJust the mention of summer camp evokes friendly living and practices.” Families looking for the perfect parents’ memories of communal living, green summer camp will find programs for every child, from new challenges and outdoor fun in close the nature neophyte to a budding biologist or environmental activist. Campers can choose to dig into organic farming, natencounters with nature’s wonders. Today’s uralist explorations, conscious living classes, green building new generation of eco-friendly camps programs or even sustainable living projects in exotic places. Camp has always proved a perfect time to unplug from for our kids offer all of these experiences daily routines and connect with the extraordinary. As Peg HVWS_kindermorning_7.5x3.25_NatAwake_04_12_HVS PM K_CT par 2007 Smith, 3/7/12 CEO 11:34 of AMthe Page 1 American Camp Association, observes: and more.

PLAY INSPIRES LEARNING FREE E SAMPL

Thurs, April 5 9am to 11:30am

Kindermorning class for you and your 3-5 year-old child. 40 Dodgingtown Road Newtown, Connecticut 06470 203.364.1113 • www.waldorfct.org Accredited by CAIS and AWSNA

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. PLEASE CALL 203.364.1113 46

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

“Camps have been introducing children to the wonder and beauty of the natural world for 150 years.” Fortunately, the trend continues, in spades.

What’s in Store Eco-friendly camps can prove to be both an educational and experiential immersion in the living of green values for a child, establishing a pattern for life. Many camps mirror the sustainable practices families follow at home, like using energy-saving devices, composting and encouraging healthy eating and organic gardening. For example, campers entering kindergarten through sixth grade like experiencing farm life at the Gwynn Valley Camp, in North Carolina (GwynnValley.com). Youngsters pick vegetables from the organic garden, milk the cows and gather eggs. This camp grows 70 percent of its food and has implemented many energy-saving practices. In Maryland, at Camp Calleva’s sustainable farm (Calleva.org), attendees learn about environmentally friendly design through hands-on alternative energy projects that change each year. Their Build Green and Grow Green weeks, for instance, have engaged campers in building a rainwater collection system for crops and farm animals, a biofuel project and this summer, a windmill alternative energy design. Likewise, the Green River Preserve, in North Carolina (GreenRiverPreserve. org), offers environmental programs for the academically gifted, creative and curious. Kids take daily hikes with naturalist mentors, learning the science behind their experiences, and help harvest, eat and compost vegetables grown onsite. Of course, traditional camp activities add to the fun. The camp partners with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, which encourages caring stewardship of Planet Earth. Teens from 13 to 17 years old enjoy programs offered at the Omega Teen Camp, in Holmes, New York (search Teen Camp at eomega.org). On top of outdoor adventures, the camp offers 50 class selections, from dance, yoga and Tai chi to meditation and “Face Your Fears” consciousness classes. When it’s time for dinner, they enjoy vegetarian

and organic food selections, with most meals made from scratch. Know a mature teen, ready for travel and community service? BoldEarth Adventures’ (BoldEarth.com) summer camps include between six and 40 hours of service. Participants might plant and harvest organic vegetables in rural Ecuador, rehabilitate wild animals at an Amazon conservation project, or help restore hiking trails in Colorado. For families who prefer to explore close to home, the Sierra Club gives tips to turn any backyard into a yearround environmental adventure camp. One suggestion involves putting up a tent, unfolding sleeping bags and grabbing flashlights for an outdoor evening looking up at the stars (search Backyard Camping at SierraClub.org). Summer is far from the only season for Earth-oriented experiences. Young people can make the most of environmental programs sponsored by local parks and recreation departments, Scout troops, schools and churches, any time they’re offered.

Two Coyotes Wilderness School

Living Earth Summer Camps

Camp dates Wilderness I June 18-22, August 6-10

Nature and the Arts June 25-29

Wildwood Rangers June 25-29

Teen Wilderness Adventure August 13-17

Scout tracker Camp August 20-24

Benefits of the Natural World Camp allows kids to take a break from electronics and breathe in a renewed sense of nature’s daily miracles. Connecting to nature fights the “nature deficit syndrome,” spotlighted in Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods, in which he comments on the state of too many of our youth today: “A kid today can likely tell you about the Amazon rain forest—but not about the last time he or she explored the woods in solitude, or lay in a field listening to the wind and watching the clouds move.” Louv is founder of the Children and Nature Network (ChildrenAndNature.org). Whether our perfect eco-camp is educational or sustainable, in the mountains or under a backyard tent, the experience of just being in nature can be life-changing for a child and for the whole family.

Camps are held at Sticks and Stones Farm in Newtown, CT for children ages 5-16. Small class sizes and experienced adult staff ensure a rich experience.

www.TwoCoyotes.org for more info and to register

Connect with Gail Condrick, writer and workshop leader, at GaelaVisions.com.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

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Fairfield County Edition

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Yoga, Dance & Fitness QIGONG: A BOON FOR CANCER PATIENTS

FITNESS

ancer patients that regularly practiced qigong, a 5,000-year-old combination of gentle exercise and meditation, for almost three months experienced significantly higher levels of well-being, improved cognitive functioning and less inflammation, compared to a control group. Dr. Byeongsang Oh, a clinical senior lecturer at the University of Sydney Medical School, in Australia, who led the study, says the reduced inflammation in patients that practiced medical qigong, a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, was particularly significant. The project involved 162 patients, aged 31 to 86; those assigned to the medical qigong group undertook a 10-week program of two supervised, 90-minute sessions per week. They were also asked to practice an additional 30 minutes at home each day. When the study began, there were no significant differences in measurements of quality of life, fatigue, mood status and inflammation between the intervention and control groups. However, “Patients that practiced medical qigong experienced significant improvements in quality of life, including greater physical, functional, social and emotional well-being, while the control group deteriorated in all of these areas,” reports Oh. He remarks that the study is the first such trial to measure the impact of medical qigong in patients with cancer. “Several studies have indicated that chronic inflammation is associated with cancer incidence, progression and even survival,” Oh explains. He presented the findings at a recent American Society of Clinical Oncology conference.

FAIRFIELD Camillo Health & Fitness CamilloHealthAndFitness.com 203.259.9906

NORWALK Nu-Yoga 32-34 Main St. Nu-Yoga.com 203.854.6744

MEDITATION

STAMFORD Gianna Ragona-Suarez, RYT

WILTON Sacred Doors

Hatha, Vinyasa, Sports Yoga YogaConcepts@gmail.com 203.550.8811

1 Danbury Rd. SacredDoors.net 203.727.8685

DANCE STAMFORD Jazzercise also located in Norwalk Jazzercise.com 203.845.8856

YOGA FAIRFIELD Yoga for Everybody 27 Unquowa Road 203.254.YOGA (9642) Yoga4everybody.net

YOGA TRAINING Lotus Gardens Yoga School Lara Azzarito Ward LotusGardensYoga.com 860.354.6241

MARTIAL ARTS REDDING Kindred Spirits KindredSpiritsCenter.com 203.938.3690

STAMFORD Tai Chi & Qi Gong Healing 414 West Main St. 203.570.1752 TaiChiStamford.com

For More Yoga, Dance & Fitness Classes See page 55

Come Celebrate Our Anniversary Sunday April 29th

& Kirtan by Sita’s Light Event Cost $40 Register on-line and receive 3 FREE yoga classes

www.dharmayogaofct.com

Class 12-2:00 Kirtan 2:30-3:30 Food & Drink 3:30-4:30

tony@dharmayogaofCT.com 203.815.6013 206 Boston Post Road, Orange, CT 49

naturalpet

Good for the Environment

SHELTERS GO GREEN LEED-Certified Facilities Care for Animals and the Earth

Good for the Animals

by Sandra Murphy

City managers are realizing that going green is the right thing to do. In many areas, new municipal construction is required to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified to reduce operating costs, conserve resources and provide a healthier work environment. Older municipal buildings slated for remodeling also can be transformed. Buildings may even quality for incentives from local utilities in some states. As a result, animal shelters are now joining the move to green.

Your Wellness Resource

Helping you to enhance the health and lifestyle of you and your family

“Our goal was to reduce our carbon paw print,” says Dave Dickinson, interim director of Sacramento County Animal Care, regarding the California capital’s LEED Gold-certified shelter. “The Silicon Valley architect incorporated natural light, a beneficial air circulation system and numerous energy- and resource-saving elements to create an extraordinary environment for both the animals and employees.” The LEED rating system, developed by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), signifies levels of silver, gold or platinum status, based on eco-business practices. Swatt | Miers Architects chose polished concrete for the Sacramento shelter floors. “Tile is nice, but grout harbors bacteria,” says George Miers, a principal of the firm. “Concrete is a sustainable material and when sealed, can withstand a lot of mopping. We used a local quarry for materials.” At least 10 percent of the building materials were sourced within 500 miles of the site and the project contains more than 10 percent pre- and post-consumer recycled content.

“Use of natural light reduces the cost of electricity,” explains Dr. Amber Andersen, a Los Angeles-based veterinarian. “Lights can be programmed to dim gradually and provide the animals with a regular sleep cycle. It’s stressful for them to be in bright light all the time.” In addition, strategic placement of the dog runs and decorative potted plants to block their view of one another tends to reduce canine stress and

Meet our Registered Dietitian

Jamie Lee McIntyre RD, CD-N Free Nutriton Consultations at ShopRite of Commerce Park. Visit 1990 West Main Street, Stamford or call (203) 604-4788 for details. ShopRites of: Brookfield • Derby • Fairfield • Norwalk • Shelton • Southbury • Stamford

Find these color-coded shelf labels throughout our stores.

93 -Fairfield 2/15 LiveRight Fairfield 7.5” x 2.25” 4/C 2-12-93 County-Edition natural awakenings 50

2-12-93 fr R1:

LEED certification criteria include site selection, pollution prevention during demolition and building, protection and restoration of habitat, water use reduction indoors and out, green power, and use of regional materials to cut transportation fuel, road wear and air pollution. barking. “Calmer dogs are more likely to be adopted,” Andersen notes. The facility operates a similar homey setup for cats with room to run around, climb carpeted furnishings and play. In Denver, Colorado, a new LEED Platinum-certified, 36,000-square-foot shelter is twice the size of the former facility. Particular attention was paid to air circulation to help prevent the spread of canine flu, kennel cough and staph infections, and to maintain a healthy operating room while regulating temperatures throughout the facility. “The city of Denver consistently chose the best options for the animals and the environment, while being mindful of the budget,” remarks Scott Jones, of Denver’s Air Purification Company. “This is the benchmark for future designs; on a larger scale, this model can be used for hospitals.”

Good for Business The Plano, Texas, animal shelter, which was due for a comprehensive remodeling, is now LEED Silver certified. “We learned that the addition of a new wing could be done according to LEED standards, but we also had to make improvements to the existing structure, so that the entire building was improved,” says Melinda Haggerty, the city’s sustainability and communications coordinator. “This was a learning experience on all levels. We saw firsthand that you don’t need to sacrifice

aesthetics for function. You can have a comfortable place to work while saving money.” The USGBC reports that buildings of all types consume an average of 72 percent of the electricity generated worldwide. That can be reduced by 24 to 50 percent with green building practices. “It’s always important to emphasize the return on investment. It might cost a bit more on the front end, but the benefits far outweigh the costs,” Haggerty advises. “Reduced energy costs, better water usage and healthy air quality contribute to a comfortable work space. Employees have pride in the facility, and that makes them more productive.” In Middletown, Rhode Island, Christie Smith, executive director of the Potter League for Animals, remarks that after their old building was demolished, 75 per cent of the materials were recycled, repurposed or reused. Their new, LEED Gold-certified animal shelter was the first in the nation to be certified.

Bringing Benefits to Life “There’s a conceptual moment when the dream comes together as a design idea. From that moment on, the question is: How much of the dream can you keep?” queries Myers. “These cities made LEED a priority, even when animal control projects may be at the bottom of the list. They recognize the synergy between caring for animals and caring about the planet; green design underscores the caring.” Sandra Murphy writes about pets and more for Natural Awakenings.

Please support our advertisers We are grateful to our advertisers who make publishing this free publication possible!

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN

MARVIN P. SCHWEITZER, ND 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203.847.2788 DrMarvinSchweitzer.com Family Health Care using all natural therapies for 25 years. Acupuncture, Bio-Identical Hormones, Homeopathy, Chinese/ Western Herbs, Allergy/Toxin Testing, Oxygen Therapy, Meridian Stress Assessment, Nutrition/ Enzyme Therapies. See ad pg 24.

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eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

calendarofevents Magazine calendar events must be received by April 5th (for May issue) and adhere to our guidelines. All calendar submissions must be entered online at eNaturalAwakenings.com - click on “submit calendar” at the very top of the page.

TUESDAY, APRIL 3

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

BERNIE SIEGEL PRESENTS: “THE JOURNEY OF MIRACLES”

Monday, April 2, 9, 16 & 30 • 7 - 9pm

Dr. Bernie Siegel, gifted healer, author, and sage, is delighted to announce the debut of “The Journey of Miracles,” celebrating the wonder of life. In this soul-soaring program, participants can expect to work on overcoming personal challenges and achieving their hidden potential. $175.

171 Amity Road, Bethany, CT 06524 BernieSiegel.eventbrite.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 1 Walk/Run to Turn the Corner on Lyme Disease 9:30am-1:30pm. Includes a 5K and 10K run, and a 1. mile and 3 mile walk. Music, food and more. Sherwood Island State Park. Contact Orna Grand:203.454.4024. Inversions Workshop 2-4pm w/ Lauren Lanham. Explore the fundamentals of 4 inversions: handstand, forearm balance, headstand and shoulderstand. Learn proper mechanics of these poses. $35 if paid by 3/25; $45 thereafter. Yoga for Everybody. Fairfield. 203.254.9642.

Middle School Yoga for Girls 3:15-4:15pm w/ Louisa Correll, RYT. Also held 4/10, 4/17, 4/24 & 5/1. Yoga helps develop balance, flexibility, body awareness, and respect for oneself and others. Grades 6-8. $17.50. Yoga for Everybody. Fairfield. 203.254.9642.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4 Reiki Refresher for All Levels 7-9:15pm. Reiki practitioners only. Gigi Benanti shares techniques that will help raise one’s Reiki vibration, includes a re-attunement. $35 + $8 material fee. Angelic Healing Center. Norwalk. 203.852.1150.

THURSDAY, APRIL 5 The Wonders of Fermentation 6:30-8:30pm w/ Chef Frank Giglio. Hands on session about the health benefits associated with consuming probiotic rich fermented foods. Frank teaches the fundamentals of fermenting. $20. Catch A Healthy Habit Café. Fairfield. 203.292.8190.

SATURDAY, APRIL 7 Early Spring Mead Lake Hike 2-3:45 pm. Hike Mead Lake to seek out tree buds, early flowers, turtles, frogs, snakes, and insects, and returning wetland and water birds. Ages 5 & up. Greenwich Audubon. Ted: 203.869.5272 x230.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR TRISTATE FERTILITY AND ADOPTION CONFERENCE April 21 • 8 am-2:30 pm Meet Leading Fertility, Adoption and Holistic Experts. In one day, discover all your family-building options. Benefiting RESOLVE. Hilton Westchester, Rye Brook, NY. $20.

Register early for discounts and raffles: aFamilyOfMyOwn.com or 914.393.9221 Family Yoga 2:30-3:30pm w/ Kerri Gawreluk. Yoga for the whole family! No experience is necessary! $15 per yoga student if registered by 3/3; $20 thereafter. Yoga for Everybody. 27 Unquowa Rd. Fairfield. 203.254.9642. Osho Dynamic Meditation with Live Drums 4:30-6pm w/ Evelyne Serais. Osho Dynamic Meditation is a one hour active meditation used to get one out of the head and into the heart. $25. Yoga for Everybody. 27 Unquowa Rd. Fairfield. 203.254.9642.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11 Information Session on the Cultural Studies Cohort in the M.A. in Learning and Thinking 4:30-6pm. Learn about TGI’s exciting opportunity to travel the globe and earn a Masters Degree. The Graduate Institute. Bethany. Call: 203.874.4252.

Personal Computer Training & Troubleshooting

The Computer Fairy: • teaches you to send emails & use the internet • speeds up your computer & backs up your precious files • fixes your wireless connections & more

Fo Ladier s!

Because Your Computer Wants You To Succeed!

Aliza Wolfe (203) 554-5975

Solution-Focused Counseling “Helping Relationships & Careers Thrive” Counseling & Coaching Services

Family Counseling/Co-Parents Loneliness & Perfectionism

Couples: Intimacy & Anger Anxiety & Depression

KelleyHopkinsAlvarez.com 203-948-0938 158 Danbury Rd, Suite #7, Ridgefield, CT

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

203.966.5655 - SynergySalonNC.com 53 East Ave. New Canaan, CT

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

18 months to 8th grade. Fraser Woods Montessori School. Newtown. 203.426.3390 x305.

New Lecture Series! FAITH IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Connecting with Your Higher Self 1-3pm. Elyse Sgandurra will present on the use of pendulums for readings. No experience needed. $35. Albertson Memorial Church. 293 Sound Beach Ave. Old Greenwich. Pre-register Alison: 914.610.5146.

Free and open to the public The first session featuring Dr. Cernera takes place on Wed, March 28, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Tues, April 10: Rabbi Alvin Wainhaus Wed, April 18: Mostafa Vaziri, MD. PhD Wed, April 25: Mary Evelyn Tucker

Drum Circle 2pm. Enjoy a rhythmic journey in this hands-on program, using ethnic drums & world percussion instruments. No musical experience necessary, instruments will be provided. For middle school & up. Westport Library. McManus Room. Free. 203.291.4809.

Religious speakers from all sects discuss the fundamental need for religious coexistence.

171 Amity Rd, Bethany, CT 06524 RSVP: Learn.edu/events. Manifestations ~ Attract New or Improved Relationships 7:30-9pm w/ Roberta Russell. Step into one’s true power now. Learn basic and advanced Law of Attraction skills. $20. Move2wellness. 635 Danbury Rd. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522.

THURSDAY, APRIL 12 Detox Diets, in Spanish 6:30-8pm w/Eliana Grübel, Certified Health Counselor. Learn about this wonderful healing therapy and find out if it one of them is right for you. Get a free evaluation. Jewish Community Center,1035 Newfield Ave. Stamford. Free. RSVP 203.559.8946. Kicking Candida to the Curb 6:30-8:15pm w/ Casey Lorraine. Overcoming candida naturally. Learn what candida is and how to know if one has an imbalance. $15. Catch A Healthy Habit Café. 39 Unquowa Rd. Fairfield. 203.292.8190. Awakening the Hidden Storyteller 7pm. Free workshop and introduction to the M.A. in Oral Traditions. The Graduate Institute (TGI). 171 Amity Rd. Bethany. Call to register: 203.874.4252. Blasting Your Belly Fat Through Nutrition & Cleansing 7-9pm w/ Nutritionist Renee Simon. Learn the keys to lasting belly fat loss and boosting metabolism. Free. Connecticut Center for Change. 38-B Grove St. Ridgefield. 914.763.9107.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14

MONDAY, APRIL 16 Tea & Play 1-2pm. Talk with teachers while children play in the Waldorf-inspired classroom. Learn about the Mixed-Age Kindergarten and Growing Together programs! The Clover Hill School at Christ Episcopal Church. Norwalk. RSVP Sarah: 203.661.6484.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Natural Awakenings NATURAL CONNECTIONS NIGHT Wed., April 18 • 6:30-8:30pm Join us for a Spring Rejuvenation talk with Dr. Pram, ND and a Square Foot Gardening workshop by Amie Hall. See article pg 41. FREE. 4670 Congress St, Fairfield

Saturday, May 12 • 9 am - 4 pm Presented by Ellen Palmer Wellness. Learn practical tools and strategies for nourishing your body and soul. Includes information-rich presentations, breakfast, lunch, gift bag & more! Newport, RI. $175 (save 10% if registered by 4/1). Full weekend retreat option also available.

THURSDAY, APRIL 19 Information Session on the Cultural Studies Cohort in the M.A. in Learning and Thinking 4:30-6pm. Learn about exciting opportunity to travel the globe and earn a Masters Degree. Free. The Graduate Institute (TGI). Bethany. Call: 203.874.4252. Green Juice + Sprouting + Wheatgrass = Recipe for Success 6:30-8:30pm. Michael Bergonzi aka. The Wheatgrass King lectures on juicing, greens, the best juicers and growing wheatgrass and sprouts! $15. Catch A Healthy Habit Café. Fairfield. 203.292.8190. Ramon Ausubel’s ~ No One Is Here Except All of Us 7:30pm. Author Talk. A story set in 1939 Romania, where an isolated Jewish village tries to save itself from a war through the sheer force of imagination. Free. Westport Library. 203.291.4800.

RSVP: Carolyn@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com 203.885.4674

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 Energy Clearing Techniques Workshop 6:30am. Learn different techniques for clearing old and stagnant energies from one’s aura and environment. Please refrain from wearing perfumes or strong deodorants. $25. A Hand in Healing. 244 Main St. Bridgeport. 203.556.7777. Children’s Earth Day Fair 3:15-5:30pm. Outdoor games and activities,African Drumming live animal visits from the New Canaan Nature Center, and earth friendly tales. Bring your unwanted crayons for recycling with Crazy Crayons. 440 Newtown Ave, Norwalk. 203.762.9860.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FIBROMYALGIA & CHRONIC PAIN LECTURE

Open House at The Graduate Institute 5:307pm. Learn about TGI’s cutting edge Masters degree programs for holistic adult learners. Free. The Graduate Institute. 171 Amity Rd. Bethany. Call: 203.874.4252

Lecture presented by Dr. Scott Bender, about a highly effective treatment – a gentle, drug-free, and natural approach called Atlas Orthogonal which has helped thousands of patients regains their health. 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford RSVP: 203.967.8888. Limited seating. CtSpineHealth.com

BEST YOU RETREAT FOR WOMENTM

Visit BestYouRetreat.com

Open House ~ Fraser Woods Montessori School 10-11:30am. A Montessori education embraces the whole child, the body as well as the mind. Children

Wednesday, April 18 • 6:30pm

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Square Foot Gardening 9:30pm. Mike Aitkenhead’s discussion: Square Foot Gardening will focus on planning small, but intensively planted raised bed gardens. Free. Trinity Episcopal Church. 651 Pequot Ave. Southport. Contact Jean Moffitt: 203.374.1242.

FRIDAY, APRIL 20 Angel Card Reading 7-9:30pm w/ Gigi Benanti Usui/Karuna Reiki Master. Introduction to Angel card reading for oneself and others. Mini-Reiki sessions included at end of workshop. $28. Angelic Healing Center. 7 Morgan Ave. Norwalk. Preregister: 203.852.1150. Movie Night: Journey of the Universe 7:309:30pm. Alison Van Dyk will introduce the work of Thomas Berry and the new ecology movement. $35. Albertson Memorial Church. 293 Sound Beach Ave. Old Greenwich. Pre-register Alison: 914.610.5146.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 2012 PILATES CONFERENCE IS COMING! June 1 - June 3, 2012 Presented by: The Art of Control® located @ Purchase College, Purchase NY For more info or to register go to www.artofcontrol.com

eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

Exploring the World of Darkness Walk 8-9:30 pm. Seek out emerging amphibians and insects, listen for owls and migrating songbirds, and other signs of spring wildlife. $5/person. Ages 8+. Heavy rain cancels. Greenwich Audubon. Ted: 203.869.5272 x230.

Coming in May

SATURDAY, APRIL 21 Board Breaking Pizza Party 12:30-2pm. Adults receive complimentary 20 minutes add-on to any booked service at Soulauras and your children enjoy an afternoon of fun, friends, pizza and 1 week of Martial Arts classes. Free. Soulauras Massage & Wellness@UMAC, 722 Danbury Rd. Ridgefield. RSVP 914.941.2400.

SUNDAY, APRIL 22 Drum Circle 1-2pm. Unity Center for Practical Spirituality. 3 Main St, 2nd Fl. Above the Ford Dealership. Norwalk. 203.855.7922.

MONDAY, APRIL 23

WOMEN’S WELLNESS The Latest Great Tips and Technologies for Aging Beautifully

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tips to Improve Your Health 7-9pm. Learn simple steps, to reduce the risk of allergies, asthma and chemical sensitivities related to indoor pollutants. Free. The CT Center for Change. 38B Grove St. Ridgefield. 203.438.3050.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 Mastering Manifestations ~ Create Financial Abundance 7:30-9pm w/ Roberta Russell. Step into one’s true power now. Learn basic and advanced Law of Attraction skills. $20. Move2wellness. 635 Danbury Rd. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26 Smooth Sexy Skin & Hair –They don’t want you to know about 6:30-8:15pm w/ Jeannette Kielo Dussel. Cosmetic industry secret: Majority of products used daily are poisoning the body. $15. Catch A Healthy Habit Café. Fairfield. 203.292.8190.

Experience Life at its Best

FRIDAY, APRIL 27 Intro to Reiki 7:30-9pm. Dr. Oz recommends Reiki. Receive a mini-Reiki session. Gigi Benanti, Reiki Master/Teacher. $10. Angelic Healing Center. 7 Morgan Ave. Norwalk. Must pre-register: 203.852.1150.

SATURDAY, APRIL 28 13th Annual World Tai Chi & Qigong Day 10am1pm. Teachers and students from 50 states and 65 nations on 6 continents will form a wave of healing breath around the world. Free. The Milford Green. 203.843.1595. Global Prema Agni Day - Opening Hearts Everywhere! 1-3pm. Tracy Mignone and June Fagan teach about this sacred symbol around the sacred fire. Free. Kindred Spirits. 59 Ledgewood Rd. Redding. 203.938.2690. Healing Circle 6-7pm. All are welcome dress comfortably no yoga equipment needed. Participants chant a simple healing mantra followed by a live gong meditation with healing intentions. Free. Yoga for Everybody. Fairfield. 203.254.9642.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29 Awakening the Hidden Storyteller 2pm. Free workshop and introduction to the M.A. in Oral Traditions. The Graduate Institute (TGI). 171 Amity Rd. Bethany. Call to register: 203.874.4252.

MONDAY, APRIL 30 Tea & Play 1-2pm. Talk with teachers while children play in the Waldorf-inspired classroom. Learn about the Mixed-Age Kindergarten and Growing Together programs! The Clover Hill School at Christ Episcopal Church. Norwalk. RSVP Sarah: 203.661.6484.

SATURDAY, MAY 5 Children’s Drumming Workshop 6:30am. Children of all ages experience the healing energy of the drum, the heartbeat of Mother Earth. A parent/guardian of 18 years must be present. $25. A Hand in Healing. 244 Main St. Bridgeport. 203.556.7777.

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Your healthy living, healthy planet lifestyle app for the iPhone/iPad.

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ongoingevents

sunday Choosing Joy Allison Spitzer, Expressive Therapeutic Coach. Re-charge, renew, & refresh your relationships and your outlook. Engaging, creative activities and dialogue. By appointment: $50/couple. Periwinkle Health. Trumbull. 203.261.7615. Affordable Yoga 8:30am. Tired of feeling tired, stressed or out of shape? Give yoga a try and see why so many people are hooked. Lose weight, reduce pain, lower blood pressure. Cost. 8/$80. Interplay Health. Stamford. 203.845.8856. Interfaith Service Gathering and Fellowship 10am-12pm. Explore and celebrate life, love, spirituality, healing and community. My Little Light children’s program available while parents attend gathering. All are welcome! Love offering/Donation. ARC Sacred Center. Monroe. 203.268.1272. Reiki Practitioners needed any/every Sunday 10am-12pm. ReikiOvertones held at Home for the Elderly. Fairfield. For more info call Jeannette or Jim: 203.254.3958. Celebration Service 10:30am w/ Rev. Shawn Moninger. Inspiring message. Great music. Come early for Dynamics for Living study at 9:30 am. Unity Center 3 Main St above Ford Dealership Norwalk 203.855.7922. Sunday Worship 11am-12:15pm. Doors open at 10:30am for Silent Prayer and Meditation. Worship service integrates music, prayer, healing, meditation, inspiration and Spirit Communication. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism. 293 Sound Beach Ave. Old Greenwich. 203.637.4615. New Eckankar Class: The Call of Soul 11am12:30pm. 3rd Sunday monthly. Book discussion. Learn to go inside oneself because this is the source of all Truth. Newtown. Register: 203.417.8434. Taoist Qi Gong and Chen Style Tai Ji 3pm w/ Master Wanf Feng Ming. 4-90 minute classes/ $100. 1018 Hope St. Stamford. Please contact Luis: 203.570.1752. Lecture or Workshop with Mystic Birinder Bhullar 4-6pm. Topics: Happiness, Karma, Sex, Money, Energy, Relationships, etc. Deep meditation work also presented. Birinder is a Sufi Messenger of Truth. $40. Ananda Center. New Canaan. Call Anne: 203.273.7364. Meditation 7pm. Led by rotating practitioners. Free. Move2wellness. 635 Danbury Rd. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522.

monday Pilates Mat Class 9am w/ Megan Bascom, Instructor. Basic level class focused on the principles of Pilates including alignment, breath, and core strengthening. A great place to start or strengthen technique. $20. Black Rock Pilates. 2889 Fairfield Ave. RSVP: 203.335.1987.

Be Strong, Stretched & Center Yoga 9-10:15am w/ Lara Ward. Also held Fridays. Bring healthy alignment to the body while finding the centered calm within oneself. Jewish Community Center. Sherman. 10 classes/$130. Drop-in $17. 860.354.6241. Group Cycling Classes 9:15am. Also on Saturday & Sunday. Various times thru-out the week. Enjoy different instructors for each class. All levels welcome. No-Limit Health & Fitness. 1120 Federal Rd. Brookfield. Call for complete scheduling: 203.775.8548. Svaroopa® Stress Relief Yoga 9:30am, 11am & 5:45pm w/ Mazie. Rejuvenating and bliss-filled (yin & yang) asana and pranayama practice unravels tension, increase circulation, flexibility, energy, enhancing immune system. $20. $150/10 classes. Catch Your Breath. Fairfield. 203.255.9111. Qigong Class 9-:30-10:30am w/ Julie Moffat. Qigong combines self-massage and gentle movement with relaxed breathing and meditation to energize and revitalize the body. $25/ Drop-in. Sabita Holistic Center. 3519 Post Rd. Southport. 203.254.2633. Children’s Expression Sessions 4:15-5:15p.m. Playful, creative arts workshops enhance self image and esteem. Ages 8-12. $35/session. Allison Spitzer 203.261.7615. The EDGE Learning System 5 & 6pm. Ages 6-12. Groups enhance the child’s motor, speech, reading, math, social and visual skills improving grades, performance and self esteem. $50. Total Learning and Therapy Center. Trumbull. 203.268.8852. Family Karate Night 5:30-6:30pm. June Fagan teaches Kempo Karate to families. No experience required. $20 each or $60 for a family of 4 or more. Kindred Spirits. 59 Ledgewood Rd. Redding. Please call: 203.938.3690. The Thought Exchange 7pm w/ David Friedman. A spiritual support group based on observing the thought/sensation connection to manifestation What if one’s life just mirrors one’s thoughts? Love offering. Unity Center 3 Main St above Ford Dealership Norwalk 203.855.7922 Belly Dance Fusion 7-8:30pm w/ Naima Provo, LMT, RMT. No experience necessary! Learn movements focusing on muscle isolation, core strength, and correct posture. Drills and stretches to music cardio style. Move2wellness. 635 Danbury Rd. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522. Reiki Shares w/Jo Ann Duncan of Turning Point Reiki 7:30-9:30pm. Last Mon. of each month. For all those interested in practicing Reiki on others in a group setting. $15. Ridgefield. RSVP: 203.438.3050. Gentle Yoga 7:30pm. Also held on Wed. Beginners welcome. Pass also good for Sunday 8:30am class. 8 classes for $80 or $12 per class. JazzerciseFitness Center. 633 Hope St. Stamford. 203.845.8856. Affordable Yoga 7:30pm. Tired of feeling tired, stressed or out of shape? Give yoga a try and see why so many people are hooked. Lose weight,

reduce pain, lower blood pressure. Cost. 8/$80. Interplay Health. Stamford. 203.845.8856. Group Therapy for Men and Women 8-9:30pm w/ Sandra Eagle, LCSW. Begins 2/28. Combines techniques from meditative and psychotherapeutic traditions promoting healing and expanding consciousness. 8 sessions. Ongoing sessions available. 34 E Putnam Ave. Greenwich. Info/fees: 203.550.2111.

tuesday Gentle Yoga 7:15am. Also held on Thurs. Beginners welcome. Pass also good for Sunday 8:30am class. 8 classes for $80 or $12 per class. JazzerciseFitness Center. 633 Hope St. Stamford. 203.845.8856. Summer Expression Sessions! Allison Spitzer, Expressive Therapeutic Coach Creative arts workshops. Children’s self esteem blooms through imaginative, no-pressure projects and activities. Ages 9-12 By appointment: $35/session Periwinkle Health. Trumbull. 203.261.7615. Women’s Karate Class 9:30-10:30am. June Fagan teaches Kempo Karate to women of all ages. No experience required. $20. Kindred Spirits. 59 Ledgewood Rd. Redding. 203.938.3690. Yoga on Summer 12:30-1:30pm. Also held Thursday. Create balance, relaxation, flexibility, strength, and flow in one’s body and life. Mixed Level Vinyasa Yoga in an open, relaxing dance studio. 4/ $60; $17 drop-in. Downtown Stamford. 914.393.9221. Feldenkrais® classes 5:45-6:45pm. Lisa Shufro, certified instructor, leads this gentle tune-up for mind and body. Great for flexibility, better posture, and stress relief. $20. Dew Yoga. Stamford. 203.274.5085. Gentle Hatha Yoga w/ Letty 5:45-7pm. All ages & abilities. $20/class. Classes ongoing. Greenwich Senior & Arts Center. 2nd Fl. Meeting Room. 299 Greenwich Ave. 203.862.6750. Yoga Presbyterian (Fish Church) 6-7pm. Hatha Vinyasa Flow. Drop-in’s $15; 10 card classes $120. All classes taught by E-RYT. 1101 Bedford St. Lounge. Stamford. Questions: 203.550.8811. Green Drinks Bridgeport 6-8pm. 4th Tuesday monthly. A casual gathering of green-minded people who get together and share ideas about living sustainable lifestyles. Free. Bridgeport. Call for Location: 203.536.4695. Green Drinks Fairfield 6-8pm. 1st Tuesday monthly. A casual gathering of green-minded people who get together and share ideas about living sustainable lifestyles. Free. Locations vary, call 203.536.4695. HEAL Support Circle 6:30-8pm. 3rd Tuesday monthly. A peer-support group led by trained co-facilitators is for victims/survivors of emotional abuse or any violence or trauma, the group meets monthly. Brookfield Town Hall. For info call 203.305.2137.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

Qi Gong/Reiki Meetup 6:30-8:30pm. Study alternative healing modalities, concentrating on Reiki, chi gung, meditation and mantra w/ Andy Sinn. $15. The Ananda Center. 16 Forest St. New Canaan. 203.273.8364. HIV/AIDS Education Support Group 7-8:15pm w/ Rodney Mailloux, MS LADC. For those affected and infected, and any related substance abuse and lifestyle issues. Free. APGD. 30 West St. Danbury. 203.778.2437. Lyme Disease Support Group 7-8:30pm. 3rd Tues monthly. Informational, emotional and experiential support to cope with the mind-body distress of chronic illness. Free. Weston Library, 56 Norfield Rd. Register with Deni Weber: 203.544.6094. Acupuncture, Health & Greening The Environment 7-8:30pm weekly talks with acupuncturist Ingri Boe-Wiegaard. Free. Location varies; Wilton, Bethel & Fairfield. Call Ingri for info: 203.259.0166. MMA Classes (Standup Fighting & Grappling) 7:15-8:30pm. Also on Thursdays. Sensei Robert Neal, ranked #1 Masters Level, National Title Holder. $10 per class. No-Limit Health & Fitness. 1120 Federal Rd. Brookfield. 203.775.8548. Back Yard Beekeepers 7:30pm. Last Tuesday monthly January-June and September-November. BYBA’s provides its membership with practical info on how to’s of beekeeping. 6:30pm for new beekeepers. Free. Norfield Church. Community Rm. 64 Norfield Rd. Weston. Reiki Healing Shares 7:30pm. 1 & 3rd Tuesdays. Gigi Benanti Usui/Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher For Reiki Practitioners only. Exchange ongoing since 1996. Instructions included $10. Held at Angelic Healing Center. 7 Morgan Ave. Norwalk pre-register: 203.852.1150.

wednesday Mood Massage: Expressive Arts Therapy Allison Spitzer, Expressive Therapeutic Coach Simple, playful activities for one’s health, growth, change. Stretch, visualize, reflect. Women and teens. By appointment: $25/session. Periwinkle Health. Trumbull. 203.261.7615. Kripalu Yoga 9:30am. Relax, refresh and renew w/ Kat Barton, 500 hour Kripalu Professional Level Yoga Teacher. $10 w/class card, $16.99 walk-ins. The Graceful Planet. Newtown. 203.426.8215. Yoga for 50 to Infinity 10:45am. Cost is only $1. Bethel Senior Center. Municipal Center. 1 School St. Bethel. 203.792.3048. Course in Miracles 12pm w/ Joan Goss formerly of Unity. The Course is a self-study curriculum which aims to assist its readers in achieving spiritual transformation. Westport Therapeutic. 37 Franklin St. Westport. 203.921.8654. Gentle Chair Yoga for Every-Body Class 121pm w/ Deb Del Vecchio-Scully, CIYT. Gentle yoga increases relaxation while decreasing pain and stress. $18 drop-in/$80 for 5 classes. Associated Neurologists of Southern CT. Fairfield. Registration required: 203.333.1133 ext. 152. Green Drinks Greenwich 5:30-7:30pm. Greenwich is joining the vibrant Green Drinks movement! Every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Locations vary, call 203.661.4774. Mindfulness and Healing 5:45-7pm. Beginner’s mind, patience, acceptance, let go, let be, serenity is not freedom from the storm it is peace amidst the storm. Paul Epstein, ND. $25. Shamatha Yoga. 838 High Ridge Rd. Stamford. 203.722.2358.

Psychic Circle 7:30-9pm. 3rd Tuesday monthly. Come play in the psychic world. Enjoy tapping into intuition; connect to guides and deceased loved ones. No experience necessary; everyone can play. $25. Info: Melanie Barnum, CH. 203.451.0914.

Green Drinks Norwalk 6pm. 1st Wednesday monthly. A casual gathering of green-minded people who get together and share ideas about living sustainable lifestyles. Free. Locations vary, call 203.536.4695.

Reiki Shares w/Jo Ann Duncan of Turning Point Reiki 7:30-9:30pm. 2nd Tues. of each month. For all those interested in practicing Reiki on others in a group setting. $15. Ridgefield. RSVP: 203.438.3050.

Green Drinks Stamford 6-8pm. 4th Wednesday monthly. A casual gathering of green-minded people who get together and share ideas about living sustainable lifestyles. Free. Locations vary, call 203.536.4695.

Therapy Group for Recovering Alcoholics 8-9:30pm w/ Sandra Eagle, LCSW. Begins 2/8. Teaching grounding techniques, used to selfregulate e.g. anxiety, depression, volatility, cravings. 8 sessions. Ongoing sessions available. 34 E Putnam Ave. Greenwich. Info/fees: 203.550.2111.

A Course in Miracles 7pm w/ Rev. Shawn. Learning to apply ACIM practically in our lives, coordinating with the universal principles of Unity. Love offering. Unity Center. 3 Main St above Ford Dealership. Norwalk. 203.855.7922

CLICK!

FAIRFIELD COUNTY EDITION

eNaturalAwakenings.com Fairfield County Edition

Intro to Feldenkrais classes 6:30pm. 1 hour. A gentle tune-up for mind and body. Special focus on improving balance and breathing. $21.50/class. The Ananda Center. 16 Forest St. New Canaan. 203.274.5085. Journey within, Do you feel stuck? 7pm. 1st Wednesday monthly. Need support trying to begin something new? Support, intuitive insight, wisdom. Facilitator: Cindy Miller, intuitive. $20. Newtown Congregational Church. 14 West St. Newtown. Call: 203.426.9448. Mastering Manifestations 7:30-9pm w/Roberta Russell. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Confused? Frustrated? Learn basic and advanced Law of Attraction skills for more money, happiness, better health and relationships. Come to one or all classes. Fee: $20 per class. Move2Wellness, 635 Danbury Rd. Ridgefield. Call to register: 203.403.2522.

thursday Bellydance Creative Healing Workshop 6-10pm w/ Maria Fiora. Use dance and dance stretches to energize, be creative and relax the mind. Mention Natural Awakenings to receive a free class with the program. 201 Summer St. Stamford. 203.353.4363. Yoga Presbyterian (Fish Church) 6-7:15pm. Gentle beginners. Drop-in’s $15; 10 card classes $120. All classes taught by E-RYT. 1101 Bedford St. Lounge. Stamford. Questions: 203.550.8811. Qi Gong and Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi) Class 6:30pm w/ Cliff Martin. Integrated Healthcare Associates. 992 High Ridge Rd. 3rd Fl. Stamford. Info: 203.750.0731. Buddhist Chanting 7-8pm. Hosted by June Fagan. All welcome. Free. Kindred Spirits. 59 Ledgewood Rd. Redding. Please call: 203-938-3690. Kundalini Yoga & Meditation 7-8:30pm. A sacred technology that awakens the spirit, energizes the body and relaxes the mind. All ages & fitness levels. 10/$170. $20 drop in. Move2wellness. 635 Danbury Rd. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522. HEAL Support Circle 7-8:45pm. 2nd Thursday monthly. A peer-support group led by trained cofacilitators is for victims/survivors of emotional abuse or any violence or trauma, the group meets monthly. Norwalk Library. For info call 203.305.2137. A Brush with Soul 7-9pm w/ Alexandra Philippas. 2nd Thurs monthly. Healing with color: Intuitive painting-meditation allowing stillness and insights to surface while observing one’s Soul’s creative expression. Love Offering. Unity Center. Norwalk. 203.855.7922.

Point Your Life in a Healthy Direction

Reiki Share for Practitioners 6:30-8:30pm. Starts 9/7/11. 1st Wednesday monthly w/ Tracy Mignone and June Fagan. Practitioners share experiences and practice the healing modality. $10 Donation. Kindred Spirits. 59 Ledgewood Rd. Redding. 203.938.3690. Reservation required.

natural awakenings

Women’s Sacred Circle 7:30-9pm w/ Rev Chris Guerrera. 4th Thurs monthly. Share, connect, explore, play, and heal in a sacred space. $25. ARC Sacred Center. 458 Monroe Turnpike. Monroe. 203.268.1272.

Night Out, Night Off, Cranky Couples ReConnect 8-9pm. Re-charge, renew & refresh your rel-ationship. Engaging, creative activities and dialogue. $40/couple. Allison Spitzer 203.261.7615.

friday Mildly Miserable Fun for the Fed-Up, Fat, or Cranky! Allison Spitzer, M.A, Expressive Therapeutic Coach Regardless of one’s aches, size, or age, enjoy easy, playful creative activities to soothe body and spirit. No sweat, no worries. By appointment. $25/session. Periwinkle Health. Trumbull, 203.261.7615. Tai Chi and Qi Gong Classes For Health and Rejuvenation 9am. $15. Wudang Tai Chi of Stamford. 414 West Main St. Please contact Luis: 203.570.1752. Reiki Shares w/Jo Ann Duncan of Turning Point Reiki 9:30-11:30am. 1st or 2nd Fri. of each month. For all those interested in practicing Reiki on others in a group setting. $15. Ridgefield. RSVP: 203.438.3050. Nutritional Evaluation Visits 10am w/ Debi Greco, MD. Free. 31 Hawleyville Rd. Hawleyville/ Newtown.Call to schedule appointment: 203.798.8114. Drumming Circle 7-9pm. 1st Fridays. Drums available or bring one. Suggested Donation $10. Touch of Sedona. 452 Main St. Ridgefield. 203.438.7146. Kirtan 7-9pm. 2nd Friday of every month. Satya Franche and Ma Kirtan. Call and reponse chanting. Suggested donation $10. Kids free. Touch of Sedona. 452 Main St. Ridgefield. 203.438.7146. Spiritual Junkies Movie Night 7-10pm. 1st Friday monthly. New movie ever month. $6. ARC Sacred Center. Monroe. 203.268.1272. Circle of Life 7:30pm. 4th Friday monthly. Wondering what one’s Life Mission is? Ginny Brown explores: love, trust, permission, and forgiveness as tools in navigating through life’s opportunities, losses and changes. $28. Monroe. 203.268.3262.

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Teen Connections 7:30-9pm. Bi-monthly. A safe place to hang out and have fun while getting to know others! A place where one’s questions and opinions are taken seriously. $10. ARC Sacred Center. 458 Monroe Turnpike. Monroe. 617.930.1243.

saturday

classifieds To place a Classified Listing: $1 per word. $25 minimum. Magazine deadline: 12th of month prior to publication. Email copy to FFCadvertising@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Monthly Angelic Teleconferences: One hour with the Angels 1st Saturday of the month. First bi-lingual program w/ Ana Mercedes Rueda, facilitator. $20. Info: 203.426.9448. Yoga & Pilates Fusion 8:30am w/ Kat Barton. Class utilizes weights, bands and balls. $10 w/ class card, $16.99 walk-ins. The Graceful Planet. Newtown. 203.426.8215. Fundamental Healer Class: Become a Healer 8:30-10:30am. 2nd & 4th Sat. monthly. Four month course in Chi cultivation and direction through the art of Qi-Gong, a traditional path to vitality and balance. Move2wellness. Ridgefield. 203.403.2522. Pre-natal Yoga 9:15am. This class will combine yoga postures, breath work, and relaxation techniques, in preparation for labor, delivery and the postpartum period. Register: $185/10 weeks. United Church of Rowayton. 210 Rowayton Ave. Register: 203.253.0764. Yoga Presbyterian (Fish Church) 10-11am. Hatha Vinyasa Flow. Drop-in’s $15; 10 card classes $120. All classes taught by E-RYT. 1101 Bedford St. Lounge. Stamford. Questions: 203.550.8811. Intro to Feldenkrais classes 10:30am. 1 hour. A gentle tune-up for mind and body. Special focus on improving balance and breathing. $21.50/class. The Ananda Center.16 Forest St. New Canaan. 203.274.5085. Latin Dance 10am w/ Maria Fiora. Fun workshop for relaxation from the week and to get your weekend going. 201 Summer St. Downtown Stamford. 203.353.4363. Mommy & Me Yoga 11am. Babies 6 weeks to crawling. Restore and rejuvenate through stretching and strengthening poses. Babies enjoy yoga for digestion & sleep. $185/10 weeks. United Church of Rowayton. 210 Rowayton Ave. Register: 203.253.0764. The Universal Reiki Plan 11am-1pm every 3rd Saturday. Private Reiki Sessions available. $10 suggested. ReikiShare/Workshop 1:15-4pm. ReikiOvertones students free. Bloodroot Vegetarian Restaurant. Bridgeport. ReikiOvertones. Indoor Winter classes, info or appointment call Jim or Jeannette: 203.254.3958.

HEALTH & WELLNESS PUBLICATION FOR SALE Well established and profitable. Excellent demographics and great potential for multi-channel growth. Complete training provided. 917.273.4809.

FOR RENT GREAT OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE AT ESTABLISHED HOLISTIC PRACTICE IN WESTPORT since 1989. Perfect for Acupuncturist, Massage Therapist, or Bodyworker, etc. Ideal location near train and new development, lovely energy, compassionate practitioners! Rent depending upon usage. Please contact ro@westporttherapeutic.com

HELP WANTED SALESPEOPLE WANTED! Part time, flexible hours working from home when not on sales calls. Must have ad sales experience. Relationshiporiented sales; must like talking to people. Call Carolyn at 203.885.4674. VIOLIN TEACHERS WANTED AT THE LITTLE RED SCHOOL OF ART & MUSIC. 2979 Main Street, Stratford. Piano and vocal instructors. 203.375.0692. Carolyn West, Owner.

NATURAL AWAKENINGS NETWORK (NAN) SALES MANAGER WANTED to sell innovative wellness discount program to companies & organizations. Lucrative ground floor opportunity. Corporate sales experience preferred. Flexible hours, work from home when not on sales calls. Full or Part-time. Excellent commission + draw. Fairfield County. Call 203.885.4674.

Psychic Fair 12-4pm. 1st Sat monthly. Come enjoy one of the many psychics. Mediumship, Tarot, Astrology readings available $30 each. 293 Sound Beach Ave. Old Greenwich. 914.909.0914.

Search “Natural Awakenings magazine Fairfield County”

Wine Tasting 12:30-8pm. Come to the Saturday Wine Tastings. A variety of organic wines always in stock. Free. New England Wine & Spirits. 590 Danbury Rd. Ridgefield. 203.438.6331.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide (CRG) in print and online email FFCadvertising@naturalawakeningsmag.com to request our advertising rates. ACUPUNCTURE

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY

INGRI BOE-WIEGAARD, LAc

SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Fairfield, Wilton, Bethel 203.259.1660 CTacupuncture.com 25 year full time practice

31 Old Rt. 7, Brookfield CT 203.740.9300 SophiaNaturalHealth.com

Ingri treatments help alleviate Pain, Depression, Neck & Back, Anxiety, Headaches, Stress, Allergies, Asthma, Arthritis, Digestive, Menstrual, Infertility, and Smoking & Weight Loss Issues. See ad pg 19.

ALLERGIES

As the hormone experts, we specialize in women’s health, natural hormone balancing, breast cancer prevention and thermography utilizing the highest definition camera in the area with interpretations from MD specialists in the field. Thermogram results include a free 15-minute phone consultation.

X TO RAYS.COM

BIOSET ALLERGY ELIMINATION PROGRAM

Dr. Mark Joachim Advanced Certified Practitioner 156 East Avenue, Norwalk 203.838.1555 AllergyEliminationNorwalk.com BioSET can eliminate all food and environmental allergies related to behavioral issues, asthma, eczema, headaches, fibromyalgia, sinus conditions, gastric disorders and chronic health conditions. Safe for all ages, without drugs, shots or side effects! See ad pg 8.

AROMATHERAPY YOUNG LIVING ESSENTAIL OILS

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging Suzanne Pyle, MS, CCT 866.XtoRAYS SuzannePyle@Prodigy.net Get peace of mind with safe (no radiation), FDA-approved breast cancer screening. 8 years earlier detection vs. mammography. Certified DITI thermographer. Conveniently located throughout Fairfield.

CHILD CARE ARLENE S. POWERS

State Licensed Daycare Provider Spiritual Counselor/Minister Fairfield 203.292.3017 Powersrere@optonline.net

Cris Ann Mulreed 203.216.8413 pathfollowers@gmail.com

With 25 years experience, Arlene understands the need for holistic care for every child’s mind, body and spirit. Homemade juicing, organic cooking, compassion based play at her in-home daycare. See ad pg 28.

Young Living is uniting ancient traditions and modern science to promote health and longevity. Through extensive research and commitment to quality, we are growing, distilling and manufacturing the highestquality organic essential oils and oil-enhanced products in the world.

AYURVEDA

ASSOCIATES IN FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC SCOTT BENDER, DC

DR. JAYA DAPTARDAR

111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203.967.8888 CtSpineHealth.com

Ayurveda & Life Style Management 203.857.4123 ActiveAyurveda.com jmdaptardar@hotmail.com Jaya is an Ayurvedic specialist with 20 years experience. She offers life style management, other Ayurvedic counseling, Ayurvedic cooking and educational classes by appointment only.

Fairfield County Edition

CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Bender is Board Certified in the Atlas Orthogonal Procedure, a gentle method for the detection, and correction of misalignments of the Upper Cervical Spine. He is also a founding member of the Trauma Imaging Foundation, a non-profit multispecialty physician group dedicated to the accurate diagnosis, and treatment of Brain, and Spinal Trauma. See ad pg 63.

natural awakenings

COLONICS AN EVER CLEAN LIFE

Colon Hydrotherapy/Colonics Gentle, safe, effective colon cleansing 203.542.7822 EverCleanColonics.com Starting a cleanse or detox, trying to lose weight or just getting ready to clean up? Colonics are a great complement to any program.

COLONICS COLONICS AT LIFELINE HYGIENICS REJUVENATION CENTER

Since 1993, Rye, NY 914.921.LIFE (5433) LifelineHygienics.com Now offering personalized cleanse programs, as well as our personalized colonics, since 1993. Rejuvenation at its best! See ad pg 36.

GREENWICH COLON HYDROTHERAPY Kelly McCoy Located at Natural Medicine & Wellness Center Old Greenwich 203.698.9088

Experience relief from congestion and discover a greater sense of well est. 1996 being. Colon Hydrotherapy helps to regain a deeper flow and creates balance in a world with pressure and toxicity. Relaxing treatments aid in achieving personal awareness to internal harmony. See ad pg 21.

Greenwich Colon Hydrotherapy

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLC Fairfield/Trumbull town line 203.371.8258 WholeBodyMed.com

Ready to start feeling healthier? Take your first step with this gentle cleansing p r o c e d u r e . Wa t c h o u r colonic and detoxification videos on our new video website located at WholeBodyMed.com Call for Free CD on Detoxification. See ad pg 4.

COUNSELING KELLEY HOPKINS-ALVAREZ, MS, MSED, NCC Solution-Focused Counseling Ridgefield CT 203.948.0938 KelleyHopkinsAlvarez.com

I am a board certified counselor, and know that making that first call to a counselor can be tough. I value your time and will work hard with you to bring about change at a manageable cost. See ad pg 52.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY VINCENT FRASER

Craniosacral Therapy & Alexander Technique Greenwich and Westport 203.570.2059 VincentFraser.com Craniosacral Therapy releases compressions and restrictions in the body-mind, supporting contact with your Inner Wisdom while releasing pain such as headaches, TMJ, back and neck pain. See ad pg 16.

EDUCATION HOUSATONIC VALLEY WALDORF SCHOOL

40 Dodgingtown Road, Newtown 203.364.1113 WaldorfCT.org We develop each child’s unique capacity to engage meaningfully in the world by integrating experiential and artistic learning, academic excellence, respect for diversity, and reverence for nature. See ads pg 5 & 46.

EEG NEUROFEEDBACK

FAMILY SERVICES

ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE, EdD, LPC, LLC 898 Ethan Allen Highway, Suite 6 Ridgefield, CT 06877 203.438.4848 DrRoseann.com

Looking for an alterative to medication to help yourself or your child? EEG Neurofeedback is a safe, valid and research-based alternative to medication. Neurofeedback helps those with ADHD, Asperger’s, Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Sports-related Concussion, Anxiety, OCD, Depression, Mood Disorder, Learning Disability and other conditions.

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLC

anxiety.

Supporting children and parents with expert knowledge in the field of mental health and psychiatry. Specialized in treating preschool age through adolescence with behavioral/emotional issues such as abuse, trauma, divorce, separation

GREEN LIVING 57 Main Street, 2nd Fl. Westport, CT 203.227.7900 CustomSleepDesign.com

Improve Brain Function with RealTime EEG Neurofeedback. Learn about about this amazing technology, watch patients tell their own stories of improved focus, concentration, help in recovery from traumatic brain injuries on our video website at WholeBodyMed.com. See ad pg 4.

ENERGY HEALING DEANA PAQUA, MA, LMT  Ridgefield, CT   203.994.5045 EmbodyTheSacred.net

Blissful bodywork in a sacred space. Holistic massage, Reiki and shamanic healing for pain, trauma and stress relief.

CSD has developed a revolutionary process that designs a mattress specific to your body characteristics using natural foam and organic covers. Visit our showroom to learn more.

GREEN LIVING

Damp Basement Solutions LLC EZ-Breathe Home Ventilation System 203.422.9751 DampBasementSolutions.com EZ-Breath replaces traditional dehu midifiers ensuring clean, fresh air flow throughout the home. Removes moisture, mold, allergens, radon, pet dander, and dust mites using less energy than a 40 watt light bulb. Call for a no obligation consultation.

NICHOLAS BORRELL DESIGNS

Nicholas Borrell, BA, CHt 131 Ramapoo Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877 203.438.7660 NicholasBorrellDesigns.com

FAMILY SERVICES ALLISON B. SPITZER, MA

Accredited institution offering skilled training in the following fields: Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Medical Admin Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Information Technology and Electrical Systems Technician; day/evening classes, Financial Aid (if eligible), free placement assistance. See ad pg 15.

Tracy King LCSW-R Early childhood thru adolescent counseling 914.589.6755 TracyAKing14@msn.com

CUSTOM SLEEP DESIGN, LLC

Adam Breiner, ND, Director Fairfield/Trumbull town line 203.371.8258 WholeBodyMed.com

RIDLEY-LOWELL BUSINESS & TECHNICAL INSTITUTE 44 Shelter Rock Rd, Danbury 203.797.0551

HEALING STEPS

Expressive Therapeutic Coaching 203.261.7615 PeriwinkleHealth.com Children, teens, adults Practical, ongoing support while handling issues such as ADD, depression, difficult parenting, obesity or loneliness. Traditional and creative sessions to help you manage life more comfortably and joyously. See ad pg 13.

THE HEALING HOME – In concert with profound intuitive, compassion-based healing and feng shui principles, builder Nicholas Borrell creates an opportunity to change your life by changing the space you live in. See ad pg 21.

HEALING CENTER REV. CHRISTINE GUERRERA, LMFT Psychotherapist, Interfaith Minister ARC Sacred Center, Monroe 203.268.1272 ARCSacredCenter.org

Chris is a licensed psychotherapist and inter-spiritual teacher offering psycho-spiritual therapy and sacred ceremonies such as baby blessings, weddings, interfaith gatherings and healing workshops. See ad pg 28.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

HOLISTIC BEAUTY

HYPNOSIS

CAROL MOBILIO

Dr. Hauschka Esthetician and Electrologist Westport Therapeutic 203.685.3298 37 Franklin Street, Westport

MELANIE BARNUM, CH

Hypnotist, Life Coach, Intuitive Counselor Author, Reflexologist 203.451.0914 MelanieBarnum.com

Carol Mobilio offers personalized signature facials and electrolysis at a Dr. Hauschka premier authorized treatment center. Experience your skin transform to a state of balance and beauty.

HOLISTIC DENTIST

MIND BODY TRANSFORMATION HYPNOSIS

Diane Bahr-Groth, CHy, TFTdx 1177 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203.595.0110 MindBodyTransformation.com

LEONARD KUNDEL, DMD

1250 Summer Street, Stamford 203.487.6020 StamfordDentist.com

in your life.

The Way Dentistry should be! Discover the relationship of mouth and body. Learn what 96% of dentists won’t tell you. Find out how your mouth can help you sleep better, walk straighter and have improved relationships

MARK A. BREINER, DDS, FIAOMT

5520 Park Ave, Ste 301, Ffld Town Line Merritt Pkwy, Exit 47 203.371.0300 WholeBodyDentistry.com Dr. Mark A. Breiner is a pioneer and recognized authority in the field of holistic dentistry. With over 30 years of experience, he is a sought after speaker and lecturer. His popular consumer book, Whole-Body Dentistry, has been sold world-wide. See ads pg 4 & 45.

HOLISTIC NURSE INTANDEM WELLNESS

Linda Russell-Getz, RN, BSN, MS   34 Imperial Avenue, Westport  203.767.5962 InTandemWellness.com Partner with me to manage stress, pain, or chronic disease. Balance will be achieved by combining Eastern and Western traditional healing with effective nursing interventions.

Fairfield County Edition

Create a life you love! Unique individual and group sessions, ongoing workshops. Connect to your future! Be the person you want to be!

Fast, effective methods for weight, stress, fear, pain, smoking, etc.  Certified Hypnotherapist, Thought Field Therapy™, Time Line Therapy™, NLP and Complementary Medical Hypnosis, since 1989. See ad pg 44.

INTUITIVE GUIDE JOAN CARRA

Psychic Medium Greenwich, CT 203.531.6387 PsychicJoanCarra.com PsychicJoanCarra@PsychicJoanCarra.com Joan guides you on your path drawing on her intuitive powers. As a medium, she can bring to life, friends on the other side. She is recognized by the books The 100 Top Psychics in America and Files from the Edge.

LIFE COACH JULIE BOWES, CERTIFIED LIFE COACH Holistic Life & Soul Coaching Energetic Restoration Consultant 203.240.4397 JewelTreeOfLife.com

Implement your internal guidance and innate wisdom through Holistic Soul Coaching. Illumine your mind, body & spirit by dissolving emotional debris to allow wellbeing. See ad pg 23.

INTEGRATIVE OPTOMETRY DR. RANDY SCHULMAN, MS, OD, FCOVD Behavioral Optometrist Norwalk: 203.840.1991 vtotWorks.com VisionworksVT@aol.com Trumbull: 203.268.8852 TLTC.org Schulman@tltc.org

Dr. Schulman specializes in vision therapy, pediatrics, learning disabilities, developmental delays, autism, TBI/stroke, and preventative and alternative vision care. She also practices Iridology, the study of the iris. Gain insights into your physical, emotional and spiritual being through this unique reading.

INTERFAITH MINISTRY REV. KAREN S. JUDD, LCSW

Counselor • USUI Reiki Master ReverendKarenSJudd.com Office: Bethel, CT 203.545.3664

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Creates and performs Weddings, Union Ceremonies, Memorial Services and Baby Blessings. Life transitions - bereavement counseling; facilitating a deeper connection with yourself, others and the Divine.

TOM FRENCH COACHING

Certified Master Practitioner & Trainer   NLP and Time Line Therapy   203.451.0737 Tom@TomFrenchCoaching.com Take the brake off your life! No more procrastination! No more corrosive anger! No more paralyzing self-doubt. Get rid of your obstacles. Become clear about your purpose and focused on what you want. Special offer for new clients: 50% discount plus your first session free!

MASSAGE & BODYWORK INTRINSIC HEALTH SOURCE

Laurie Millo, LMT 238 Monroe Tpke, Monroe, CT 203.258.0780 IntrinsicHealthSource.com

services offered.

Massage sessions are designed to promote relaxation and enhanced wellness. A holistic approach uniquely designed and focused to get to the source of your wellness needs. Relaxation, Deep Tissue, Energy and Oncology massage

MASSAGE & BODYWORK ROBIN ORDAN, LMT, LCSW, CICMI Licensed Massage Therapist & Reiki Practitioner Old Greenwich/Stamford 203.561.8535; RobinOrdanLMT.com

Robin has been providing massage and Reiki for over 15 years. Specializing in Swedish, Pregnancy, Trigger Point, Injuries and Infant/Child Massage Instruction. Sessions are individualized to meet your needs. See ad pg 14.

NATURAL HEALTHCARE WORDEN WELLNESS CENTER

41 Kenosia Ave, Danbury 203.748.8093 WordenChiropractic.Meta-eHealth.com Combining natural health treatments, chiropractic, acupuncture, and nutrition to relieve pain and restore the body to optimal health and balance. See ad pg 26.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN

Laura Giacovas 722 Danbury Road Ridgefield CT 06877 914.941.2400 914.424.5795 Soulauras.com Enhancing wellness and quality of life through massage therapy and integrated holistic healing with generosity of time, heart and spirit.

MEDICAL DOCTOR HENRY C. SOBO, MD

Optimal Health Medical, LLC 203.348.8805 DrSobo.com Medical doctor practicing holistic/ alternative medicine & weight reduction in Stamford, CT. Nutrition, Allergy Desensitization, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement for men and women. See ad pg 18.

MICHAEL E. DOYLE, MD

Conventional & Alternative Medicine 22 5th St Suite 201 Stamford, CT 06905. 203.324.4747 GoToDrDoyle.com Specializing in Natural and Alternative approaches to restoring health. Focusing on underlying causes of illness. Hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalances, nutrition and much more. See ad pg 2.

RIVERSIDE OB/GYN

Russell Turk, MD Karen Zino, MD 1200 East Putnam Avenue Riverside, CT 06878 203.637.3337 Riverside Obstetrics & Gynecology is a fullservice medical practice incorporating traditional and holistic approaches to women’s health. The practice includes two OB/GYN’s and a naturopathic physician. See ad pg 5.

WELLNESS INSTITUTE

Marvin P. Schweitzer, ND 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203.847.2788 DrMarvinSchweitzer.com Family Health Care using all natural therapies for 25 years. Acupuncture, Bio-Identical H o r m o n e s , H o m e o p a t h y, Chinese/Western Herbs, Allergy/ Toxin Testing, Oxygen Therapy, Meridian Stress Assessment, Nutrition/Enzyme Therapies. See ad pg 24.

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLC

DEBRA GIBSON, ND

SOULAURAS

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN

158 Danbury Road, Suite 8 Ridgefield, CT 06877 203.431.4443 Natural family healthcare using nutrition and biochemistry; herbal, homeopathic, and energetic medicine; lifestyle transformation and detoxification, to promote well-being of body, mind and spirit. See ad pg 14.

INTEGRATED HEALTH CENTER

K. Pramila Vishvanath, ND Mark R. Sanders, ND 2324 Post Rd, Fairfield 203.259.2700 IntegratedHealthCenterOnline.com Serving Fairfield County for 20 years. Specializing in craniosacral therapy, classical homeopathy, allergy assessment and treatment, nutrition, weight management, body reshaping and skin tightening, detox, colonics, breast thermography. See ad pg 12.

DR. MARINA YANOVER, ND, LAC

Adam Breiner, ND, Director Elena Sokolova, MD, ND David Brady, ND, CCN, DACBN Fairfield/Trumbull town line 203.371.8258 WholeBodyMed.com Using state-of-the-art science combined with centuries-old healing modalities, our caring naturopathic doctors correct underlying imbalances and address issues which may interfere with the body’s ability to heal itself. Treatment protocols or therapies include: Abdominal Manual Therapy, Acupuncture, Allergy Desensitization, Chinese Medicine, Colonics and other Detoxification Protocols, Electro-Dermal Screening, Energy Medicine, FDA-cleared Phototherapy, Functional Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Hormonal Balancing, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Metabolic Typing, Nutritional Assessment, Real-Time EEG Neurofeedback, and other therapies. See ad pg 4.

1300 Post Road East, Westport 203.255.5005 BigAppleHealth.com

NUTRITION

Naturopathic Medicine, Acupuncture, Craniosacral Therapy, Natural Face Lift using microcurrent therapy. Specialties include Family Medicine, Women’s Health, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Pain Management, Skin Care. Insurance accepted.

NORTHEAST NATURAL MEDICINE, LLC Shawn M. Carney, ND 33 Main St. Suite 15 Newtown, CT 1.800.723.2962 NortheastNatMed.com

MARY MAY

Chopra Certified Ayurveda Instructor Food Coach Institute of Culinary Education graduate 203.912.1656 MaryMayCT@gmail.com Toxic? Symptoms: Overweight, fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, anxiety. Solution: easy, 100% pure, gentle yet deep tissue cleanse/detox. Benefits: weight loss, better digestion, improved sense of well-being and balanced body.

Integrative naturopathic medicine clinic and therapeutic massage center for the whole family. Services include advanced diagnostic testing, detoxification programs, personalized nutrition, and botanicals. Insurance accepted.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2012

OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN OSTEOPATHIC WELLNESS CENTER, LLC David L Johnston, DO Lisa Preston, DO Hannah Eucker, DO 158 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 203.438.9915 OsteopathicWellness.net

Gentle, natural, hands-on osteopathic medical care for infants, children & adults. Children’s health and development, birth trauma, musculoskeletal pain and injuries, nutrition and wellness counseling, stress reduction, immune support, allergies. Most major insurances accepted.

PSYCHOTHERAPY DENI WEBER, MA, LPC, D-CEP Holistic Psychotherapist Comprehensive Energy Psychology Fairfield County DeniWeber.com 203.544.6094

Within a supportive, empathic relationship Deni guides individuals on their journey of self-discovery integrating psychology, Eastern medicine and spirituality to heal suffering from traumatic stress related to chronic illness, disabilities, abuse & PTSD.

LILA TAYLOR, LMFT

Conscious Psychotherapy Soul Psychology Office in Fairfield County 203.783.3069 LilaTaylor.com

PERSONAL CHEF CHEF ELY GRÜBEL

Licensed - Insured 203.559.8946 ElyGrubel@gmail.com PersonalChefServiceByElyGrubel.com Over 8 years experience providing personalized in-home healthy meals prep and freezing. Trained by United States Personal Chef Association at Culinary Business Academy and by Institute for Integrative Nutrition. See ad pg 16.

PHYSICAL THERAPY PHYSICAL THERAPY OF SOUTHERN CT Linda Maude, PT 917 Bridgeport Ave, Shelton CT 06484 203.926.6997 PhysicalTherapySoCT.com

Specializing in evaluation & treatment of musculoskeletal imbalance & injuries. Results achieved that traditional physical therapy may not. Therapeutic approaches such as manual therapy, cranialsacral, visceral manipulation and vestibular rehab. State of the art facility for strengthening & overall rehabilitation.

POOLS & SPAS - NATURAL BELL ISLAND LIVING

Keith Garner, SP-1  25 Old Kings Highway North, Unit 13  Darien, CT 203.952.8011  KeithGarner4@hotmail.com Deep experience in both alternative and conventional pool technology. Service, repairs or complete pool rebuild. Pool water Soft-as-Silk with our legendary chlorinefree systems, “noiseless” pumps, solar heat pumps, pool safety systems. And virtually all aspects of Pools & Spas. Licensed/ Insured.

Fairfield County Edition

Holistic, traditional, compassionate and spiritual approaches for self-healing from separations, transitions, childhood wounds, depression and loss. Discover inner resources, renewed purpose and reclaim your true Self.

MARIA C. CASTILLO, MSW, LCSW

238 Monroe Tpke. Suite B Monroe, CT 06468 203.445.8966 LifeBetweenLivesTherapy.com Msisi@AOL.com Past Life Regression, trained by Brian Weiss, MD. Life Between Lives Hypnotherapy, trained by TNI and Michael Newton, PhD. Traditional psychotherapy with a spiritual approach; Reiki. Connect with your soul self and let your inner wisdom guide you.

ROBIN ORDAN, LCSW

Family, Child, Individual & Couples Therapy Old Greenwich/Stamford, CT 203.561.8535; RobinOrdanLCSW.com Robin has over 18 years of experience working with families and children. Specializing in Divorce, Parent/Child Conflict, Grief, Attachment /Bonding, Child Development and Parenting. See ad pg 37.

STACY RAYMOND, PSY.D

Clinical Psychologist for men and women Ridgefield, CT 203.438.4080 DrStacyRaymond.com Dr. Raymond offers traditional and alternative approaches to depression, anxiety and recovery from trauma. Energy psychology techniques (EMDR, HeartMath(R), EFT). Mind-body-spirit perspective of physical and/or emotional illness. Discover self-acceptance and begin to heal.

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REIKI GIGI BENANTI USUI REIKI MASTER Angelic Healing Center 7 Morgan Ave. Norwalk, CT 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.

TURNING POINT REIKI, LLC

JoAnn Duncan, MS, RMT Reiki Master Ridgefield, CT 203.438.3050 TurningPointReiki.com JoAnn uses intuition, experience and a deep spiritual connection in her Reiki, IET and Reconnective Healing sessions. Specializing in care for individuals with Cancer, Lyme disease and Back Pain. All Reiki levels taught.

RELATIONSHIP COACH PEAK RESULTS COACHING Jeff Forte CSIC CME 2389 Main St. 860.633.8555 Glastonbury, CT PeakResultsCoaching.com

Do you want a more fulfilling marriage but don’t know what to do? Are you feeling stuck in a relationship that seems doomed to fail? I will show you step by step exactly what to do to create the love and connection you want in your relationship. I am a Certified Marriage Educator, and clients frequently come to me when nothing else seems to work or when something must change now. Call today because you deserve more.

WELLNESS JANET LUONGO, MSED, CHC, LE

Integrative Health & Lifestyle Educator 203.846.2642; Info@Nourish-Flourish.org Book your time at JanetLuongo.com Boost energy, drop fat, sleep well, improve health naturally. Therapeutic lifestyle changes. Relax through yoga, express your vision and true self. Individual/ group coaching and presentations.

WORKSHOPS PROMINDFUL, INC. Stamford, CT, USA ProMindful.org 203.274.6024

ProMindful is a non-profit o r g a n i z a t i o n o ff e r i n g i n t egrative practices including yoga, meditation, and holistic nutrition services. We work in collaboration with existing teachers and organizations to provide scholarships, lectures, classes, workshops, publications, recordings, and broadcasts.

If You’re in Pain, You Don’t Have to Suffer Anymore Dr. Scott Bender will be hosting a free lecture introducing a highly effective, painless, non-surgical solution for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, and Brain Trauma injuries.

Dr. Bender specializes in the treatment of: Fibromyalgia Chronic Back Pain Chronic Fatigue Migraines Headaches Neck Pain TMJ Head Injuries & Brain Trauma

He will be discussing upcoming research by the Trauma Research Foundation and a recently published research paper in the Journal Brain Injury. In his research, he discusses a little known chiropractic procedure called Atlas Orthogonal that can give the promise of hope, and healing to chronic pain sufferers. Atlas spinal care is dedicated to correcting the Atlas Subluxation Complex, which is a misalignment of the bone structure of the head and neck. This misalignment can block the communication between your brain and body causing pain, stress, and tension. The Atlas Orthogonal procedure is an upper cervical spinal correction that restores body balance and increases the body’s natural healing ability - without forceful movements or twisting of the neck or back.

ATLAS

ORTHOGONAL

Painless • Safe Non-Surgical No Drugs or Side Effects

Attend a Free Lecture

Wednesday, April 18th 6:30pm Learn how Dr. Scott Bender has helped hundreds of pain sufferers regain their health using the Atlas Orthogonal procedure. This lecture is limited to only those people that are Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, or Headache sufferers. If you qualify, please call 203.967.8888 to reserve a seat. Seating is limited. Refreshments served.

“ Thank you so much for caring enough and having the integrity to be the right kind of doctor that gets to the root cause. Without caring physicians who listen and aren’t satisfied with the status quo, people like me would go through life being misdiagnosed, put on a needless regimen of drugs, and be living a life of pain and frustration. You are a great doctor! ” - Fran Brennan

In 1997 Dr. Bender opened CT Spine and Health Center and 15 years later it’s the busiest Atlas Orthogonal office in the Northeast, attracting patients from all over the world. His office is a state of the art facility with the most advanced AO diagnostic equipment available.

CONNECTICUT SPINE AND HEALTH CENTER

If you’re in pain, call Dr. Bender today for a free consultation

UPPER CERVICAL HEALTHCARE

203.967.8888

111 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT

For moreeNaturalAwakenings.com info: CtSpineHealth.com April 2012

Fairfield County Edition

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