E HEALTHY LIVING E FR
HEALTHY
PLANET
Solving Metabolic Mysteries
Natural Strategies for Diabetes & Obesity
Retreat into Silence
Nurture Your Sacred Self
Not Your Grandma’s Stuffing! Recipes to Savor
November 2017 | Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition | eNaturalAwakenings.com
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
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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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Whole-Body Medicine, LLC – The Natural Approach for Optimal Health
Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
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contents 15thAnnual
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.
26 WEIGHT-LOSS SABOTEURS
26
Tackling Obesity’s Hidden Causes by Lisa Marshall
November 17-19, 2017
28 GENETIC IMPACT ON
Crowne Plaza, Danbury CT, Exit 2, I-84
METABOLIC DISORDERS
The Role of the MTHFR Mutation
30
by David Johnston
30 PREVENTING, REVERSING
100+ Decorated Trees
AND MANAGING DIABETES NATURALLY by Linda Sechrist
Shopping and Grand Raffle
41 NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S STUFFING
Children’s Winter Village, Sat-Sun
Healthy Twists on Old Favorites by Judith Fertig
Galaxy Character Parties, Sat-Sun
44 ARE WE LISTENING?
Opening Night with Broadway Stars, Fri
by Teresa Reyes Castillo and Anna Huff
41
Emphasize Being Rather than Doing
46 SACRED SILENCE Discover the Benefits of
Taps & Trees, Craft Beer Fest, Sat
Quiet at a Silent Retreat by April Thompson
48 SILENCE AS
Live Entertainment
SELF-LOVE Open Pandora’s Box
Bring this ad with you for $1 off general admission!
48
to Pursue Soul Healing by Nicole Miale
51 FLOATING AWAY STRESS Isolation Tanks Induce Deep Rest and Healing by Gina McGalliard
Benefiting
AnnsPlaceFestivalofTrees.org 4
Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
52 MANAGING HOLIDAY STRESS IN PETS
by Mary Oquendo natural awakenings
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8 newsbriefs 16 inspiration 17 ecotip 18 globalbriefs 20 masteringyoga 24 wisewords 40 inspiredtable 4 1 consciouseating 46 healingways 51 therapyspotlight 52 naturallyhealthypet 56 petresourceguide 58 healthykids 60 calendar 63 classifieds 64 resourceguide 70 displayadindex
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 12th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for magazine calendar listings: the 12th of the month. Website calendar listings may be entered at any time. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
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Come Experience a Day of Spiritual & Creative Enlightenment!
Sun. Nov. 12, 2017 10 AM - 5 PM 2 Rooms of Dynamic Speakers & Guided Meditations TAROT & INTUITIVE READINGS HANDCRAFTED JEWELRY HEALTH & WELLNESS AURA PHOTOS ANGEL CARDS CRYSTALS CANDLES SOAPS DOLLS AND MUCH
For more info email:
MORE...
cryours87@yahoo.com or call
203-733-6560 Wyndham Southbury (Formally Crowne Plaza)
1284 Strongtown Rd. Southbury, CT
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letterfrompublisher
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contact us Publisher/Executive Editor Nicole Miale Editor Ariana Rawls Fine Design & Production Kathleen Fellows Erica Mills Local Contributors Tatiana Fleischman Jamie McKee, Mary Oquendo Sales & Marketing Alexa Ferrucci Nicole Miale Jessica Pollard Operations Jill Badyrka Distribution Man in Motion LLC Richard Bruno Natural Awakenings Fairfield County 137 Danbury Rd, #323, New Milford, CT 06776 Phone: 203-885-4674 Fax: 203-516-2392 NicoleM@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com eNaturalAwakenings.com NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com © 2017 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call 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.
he human tendency to want to share good fortune and newfound knowledge is welldocumented. The classic example is the recent non-smoker who becomes a zealot trying to convince everyone else to follow his/her new good example. The same pattern holds true for all aspects of personal choice—whether it’s eating better, exercising more or performing acts of selfcare—the urge is undeniable to “help” others on their journeys, to share what we have learned and Nicole Miale discovered with such joy and profundity. Despite our best and well-intentioned efforts, we ultimately must relinquish our need to convert someone else to our way of being. You cannot change anyone else’s behavior. Neither can I. Thousands of physicians, health coaches, personal trainers, physical therapists, parents and other well-meaning humans have had to learn this same lesson. Fundamentally, there’s a simple reason for the failure: we cannot walk anyone else’s path. What works beautifully, even transcendently for me, may hold absolutely no meaning at all for someone else. The journey to personal empowerment is truly about the exploration and subsequent discovery of what does work for each individual. I learned this lesson the hard way when it came to floating (see page 51). I absolutely loved the experience from my very first session. With the zeal of a new non-smoker, I then dragged everyone I could back to float with me. After a while I realized a pattern: some people responded exactly the way I had while others went willingly enough but had an “okay” response afterward. A third group got out of the tank after just a few minutes, unable to tolerate the silence. It was a real life example of the distinct ways we each process the world as individuals. The experience gave new gravitas to the well-worn expression, “Meet them where they are.” That dictate has great relevance in this issue. For the topics we explore are areas ripe with potential for people to want to teach and coach others, but where each individual must ultimately choose for themselves what is doable and the length of the particular step to be taken. When it comes to nutrition and metabolic health— specifically obesity and diabetes—there is no one else who can (or should) choose your path. That said, information, inspiration and practical strategies like the ones presented in these pages certainly offer a more complete picture of the landscape in order to make well-informed, personalized choices. Knowledge is power and the seed of self-empowerment; positive change begins with awareness. At the start of the busy holiday season, we also wanted to emphasize nonphysical self-care. To that end, we explore the concept of silent retreats. The idea will intrigue some and horrify others; in order to meet everyone where they are, we offer ideas for brief silent experiences as well as much longer ones. The world around us is an uncertain place. The more familiar we are with our inner landscape, the more comfort and ease we may feel in our day-to-day and the more grateful we may become for even the challenging experiences or situations that befall us. With love and light,
SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $30 (for 12 issues) to the above address. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.
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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
See our advertiser index on page 70, making it easier to find the resources you need. natural awakenings
Thyroid cancer rates are skyrocketing due to toxic flame retardants in many household furnishings including mattresses. Thyroid cancer rates have tripled in the past decade as well as many other cancers due to toxic flame retardants. That’s why we created Healthy Choice Organic Mattresses. Our mattresses are truly the healthiest mattresses you can find today. All chemical free, no VOC’s and best of all they’re incredibly comfortable and supportive. Come experience a unique mattress buying experience at one of our convenient showrooms today. Most Mattresses • Pressure Causing Innersprings • Poisonous Fire Retardants • Non Breathable Polyester Covers • Toxic Polyurethane Foams • 10 Year Warranty
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newsbriefs
Positive Behavior Change at Sabita Holistic Center
Celebrate the Winter Solstice with Westbrook Nature School
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n December 16 from 4 to 6pm, families with young children are invited to mark the winter solstice with Westbrook Nature School on six acres in West Redding. Join them for their illuminated forest at 4pm sharp. The celebration of the longest night of the year will begin at twilight. Participants will first decorate a tree with hand-made bird food decorations, followed by lighting the candles on the tree and singing songs with hope for the coming light. All will then walk in peaceful reflection through a beautiful, mysterious candlelit forest trail and then gather by the campfire for a warm snack and storytelling. Please dress appropriately for the weather and the trail walk. The suggested donation is $10 per family. Westbrook Nature School offers a nature-based education on a property featuring trails, streams and meadows with an organic garden and natural playscapes. The curriculum builds physical and emotional resilience, moral awareness and the foundation required for intellectual growth. Parentchild classes, mixed-age kindergarten, playdays and seasonal events are offered. To reserve a spot, call 203-664-1554 or email Info@WestbrookNatureSchool.org with the number of children and adults in your party. Location: Westbrook Nature School, 7 Long Ridge Rd, West Redding.
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n November, Southport’s Sabita Holistic Center will host several workshops focused on positive behavior change. A hypno-meditation seminar with Adam Moore will explore psychological Susie Basler Adam Moore blind spots and bring awareness to the question, “Are you getting in the way of your own success?” Moore is an NLP practitioner and hypnotist with 20 years of experience. This introductory seminar will be held on November 2 from 7 to 7:45pm, at a special rate of $30. Relax into a 45-minute session, which includes 30 minutes of a half-conscious state and 15 minutes of Q&A. The journaling process is included. Space is limited. Reserve by November 1. Susie Basler, MS, LMSW, will host two positive parenting workshops on November 8, 15 and 22. In Terrible Times with Teens, the group will focus on the power you do have. Held from noon to 1pm, the group will identify strategies for common problem areas. Basler will share ideas that worked for her and the staff at Project Return, a nonprofit group home for teenage girls. In Self Care for New Moms from 10 to 11am, join others in honest conversation about the challenges and adjustments to parenthood. You will discuss coping strategies, mood management, work-life balance, self-care and share stories with those who have had similar struggles. Each session is $25. Basler has extensive training in dialectical behavioral therapy, Gestalt and the treatment of trauma. For 30 years, she was executive director of Project Return in Westport. For more information, call 203-254-2633 or visit SabitaHolisticCenter.com. Location: 3519 Post Rd, Southport.
Jessica Hunter
Hunter Healing Hands
Integrative & Intuitive Shamanic Wellness Integrative & Intuitive Healing Sessions Shamanic Healing, Shamanic Spirit Communication, Soul Retrieval, Extraction, Depossession, Curse Unraveling, Crystal Healing, Acupressure, Reiki
Certification & Accredited Programs in Reiki, Crystal Healing, & Shamanic Healing
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Professional Space Clearing & Blessing for Homes, Land or Businesses
Group Events
Shamanic & Empath Workshops
Drum & Rattle Making Workshops
203-916-8381 | www. hunterhealinghands. com | hunterhealinghands@hotmail. com 8
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natural awakenings
Restore physical and emotional wholeness. Harness joy, love and inner peace. Improve interpersonal relationships. Reconnect with your partner and the world. Find your purpose and live up to your highest potential.
Experience a Day of Spiritual Immersion
O
n November 11, compelling conversation, inspirational talks from women healers of the world, holiday shopping, music and food await you in Woodbury, hosted by Salt of the Earth Sanctuary and Inspirit Healing Center. The Soulful Saturday event will take place from 10:30am to 5pm. Experts in their fields will speak about their gifts and knowledge, sharing with you who they are and their personal journeys. Natural Awakenings’ publisher Nicole Miale will be a speaker and invites you to experience the insights and inspiration to be had during the event. On the upper floor, Inspirit Healing Studio, home of medium and author MOI Jeanne Street, will host speakers throughout the day. In addition, there will be a special group reading done by Street. Other creative and guided meditation programs are available. On the main floor, Salt of the Earth Sanctuary—home to Healing Arts, Heart and Home Store, The Ayurvedic Experience, and Celebrated Face—will host community vendors and musical entertainment. Natural treats, elixirs, essential oils, crystal tea, hand-crafted jewelry from The Stone Whisperer, skin care products, soy candles and more will also be available. Those who purchase a ticket ahead of time willl be included in a gift bag giveaway and have a chance at winning a door prize valued at over $250. Tickets are $40 pre-purchased or $45 at the door. For more information, visit InspiritHealingStudio.com/ Soulful-Saturday-2. Location: 346 Main St South, Woodbury. See ad, page 15.
Nurturing You Into Health
ROBIN QUEEN FINKELSTEIN Psychospiritual Counseling Specializing in Individual, Couples and Family Counseling SlowMedicineTherapist.com
SunRaven: The Home of Slow Medicine The Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness Founded by Robin’s partner, Dr. Michael Finkelstein 501 Guard Hill Road Bedford, NY 10506 914-218-3113 • info@slowmedicine.org • www.slowmedicine.org
Victoria F. Shaw, PhD, LPC
Intuitive & Consultant LPC Shaw, PhD, F.Psychotherapist Victoria
Intuitive Psychotherapist & Consultant
Combining the best of traditional psychotherapy with intuitive guidance in Combining the best of traditional psychotherapy with working with children, teens adults. intuitive guidance in working with children,and teens and adults. Offices in Wilton, Westport and Fairfield.
Offices in Wilton, Westport and Fairfield.
www.victoriashawpsychotherapy.com www.victoriashawintuitive.com VictoriaShawPsychotherapy.com • VictoriaShawIntuitive.com 203-254-3403 203-254-3403 •• vfshawphd@gmail.com vfshawphd@gmail.com
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CT A���������� C�����
newsbriefs
G����� P������� E�������� T�������� ��� R����� Joint Pain • Injuries • Back Pain • Neck Pain Sciatica • Migraines • Headaches • Sinus Pain Allergies • Stress • Infertility Open 7 days a week Serving Fairfield, Bethel, Wilton for over 30 years
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Call today for an appointment
Mention code NA44 for 20% discount Fairfield 203-259-1660 | Bethel 203-778-6551 | Wilton 203-762-3646 www.ctacupuncture.com | Most insurances accepted
Rewiring the Brain: What is Neurofeedback? A Workshop presented by Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, Ed.D, BCN, LPC Board Certified in Neurofeedback Tuesday -- November 14, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Touch of Sedona Opens Bethel Location
At the Offices of Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge 898 Ethan Allen Hwy., Suite #6, Ridgefield, CT Please call 203-438-4848 or e-mail: info@drroseann.com to reserve your spot!
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Neurofeedback therapy is a powerful, safe, non-medication treatment for common childhood and adult issues and disorders, including: ADHD, Autism, Asperger’s, Anxiety, Trauma, Stress, Learning Issues, Speech/ $100.00 coupon Language Issues, Memory, Social Issues, Head Injury, Sports-Related towards a brain Concussion, Mood Issues, and Pain. Come learn how a QEEG (brain mapping! mapping) works, what Neurofeedback therapy is like, and how it could benefit you or your child. We will also discuss our latest technology – Advanced Bioregulation Therapy (BRT), which combines PEMF and Biofeedback to promote healing. All new clients will receive a
Neurofeedback/Biofeedback is rated by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a Level 1 intervention for ADHD – the same as medication!
4327 m 9 6 9 203- acave.co n salta
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Saltana C ve & Spa
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Salt therapy is: • known to significantly improve respiratory issues in children and adults, asthma, allergies, countering the side effects of smoking and pollution, cystic fibrosis, acne • naturally anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal
Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
natural awakenings
ouch of Sedona has now expanded to a new downtown Bethel store. The location will offer similar Southwestern goods and healing products as in the original Ridgefield store and will also offer intuitive readings. Touch of Sedona specializes in Southwestern-style gifts, décor, Native American jewelry, art, dreamcatchers, CDs, animal artwork and more. You will also find items for spiritual and emotional healing, including chakra bracelets and other jewelry. In addition, they have a large selection of crystals and semi-precious stones, candles, incense and oils. Touch of Sedona’s new location shares the downtown Bethel house with a Reiki practice. The store’s retail section is in the former living room of the house. For more information, call 475-329-2087 or visit TouchofSedonaRidgefield.com. Location: Touch of Sedona, 125 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. See ad, page 37.
To begin, begin. ~William Wordsworth
Valley Spirit Hosts Leading Ayurvedic Doctor
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alley Spirit Cooperative in Washington Depot is pleased to host leading Ayurvedic doctor and sacred musician Sonam Targee as part of its first anniversary celebration November 10 -12. Sonam will lead a group kirtan sing on Friday evening, November 10 at 7:30pm with drum master John Marshall and drummer Dynnette Myers. On Saturday, November 11, Sonam will present An Introduction to Ayurveda (Yoga Medicine), Part 1 from 2-5pm, open to everyone. On Sunday, November 12, Sonam will be offering Ayurvedic consultations based on Ayurvedic tongue and pulse diagnosis and Ayurvedic herbal medicine. Sonam was introduced to Hatha Yoga and meditation as a teenager. At age 19, he began to study Indian music and culture. To further his spiritual training, he was accepted as a staff member at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in 1980, and it was there that he met His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. With His Holiness’ instructions to become a doctor, Sonam left the monastery and enrolled at the New England School of Acupuncture in Boston, Massachusetts, where he received a Master’s Degree in acupuncture. In 1985 Sonam met Dr. Vasant Lad and began his intensive training in Ayurveda. To widen the scope of his herbal practice, Sonam studied with Dr. Robert Svoboda, Dr. Mahadevan, Susun Weed, Dr. David Winston and Dr. Yeshe Donden. As a musician, Sonam has a B.A. in ethnomusicology, and plays harmonium, tablas, djembe, mridangam, krummhorn, recorder, trumpet, harpsichord and more. He has accompanied Krishna Das during kirtans. Valley Spirit Cooperative features an art gallery and gathering place, Chinese herbal apothecary shop, local artisan wares and products to support health practices and treatments offered at Valley Spirit Wellness Center. To schedule a consultation with Sonam, call Valley Spirit at 860-619-2788. For more information about the anniversary celebration events schedule, visit ValleySpiritCoop.com. Location: 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot. See ad, page 49.
Autism Coffee Talks in Norwalk
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alk about Curing Autism (TACA) will hold Coffee Talks on November 15 at 11am and November 16 at 1pm at Panera Bread in Norwalk. A TACA Coffee Talk is where you can come to talk about all things autism. Whether you are new to the autism journey or have been on the path for several years, there is a place for you at the TACA table. Come join us for coffee and conversation as we help each other to find the answers for our families. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/TACACoffeeTalk. Location: Panera Bread, 650 Main Ave, Norwalk.
Natural Health & WELLNESS CENTER
Individualized Treatment Plans for Acute and Chronic Conditions Osteoarthritis & Joint Disorders • Back Problems Cholesterol Problems • Anxiety & Depression Fatigue, Insomnia & Weight Gain • Diabetes High Blood Pressure • Headaches & Migraine Upper Respiratory Conditions
LISA SINGLEY, N.D. Naturopathic Physician 203.874.4333
We accept most health insurance plans including Husky Health Connecticut
Schedule a consultation and receive 20% off all recommended supplements
NATURAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER 203.874.4333 2013 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06615 • www.nhawc.com
Clinics The UB Clinics are open to the public and provide comprehensive healthcare services to over 20,000 patients per year with an emphasis on wellness and prevention at the nation’s Center of Excellence for integrative healthcare. Call today to discover how you can receive state-of-the-art, patient-centered care in the following fields:
• Acupuncture • Chiropractic
• Dental Hygiene • Naturopathic Medicine
No insurance is needed.
Call to schedule an appointment: 203-576-4349 60 Lafayette Street - Bridgeport, CT 06606
bridgeport.edu/UBclinics eNaturalAwakenings.com
November 2017
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newsbriefs Tree Identification Walk in Litchfield
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t’s much easier to identify trees when they have foliage on them. The White Memorial Foundation is hosting a tree identification walk on November 18 from 10am to noon. Lukas Hyder, White Memorial FoundaLukas Hyder tion’s forest superintendent, will lead the free event. Donations are accepted to help defray the conservation center’s programming expenses. The White Memorial Foundation and Conservation Center is located in the Towns of Litchfield and Morris in northwestern Connecticut. Created in 1913 by Alain C. White and his sister, May W. White, the foundation and center today comprise 4,000 acres of forest, fields and wetlands. The property includes 40 miles of trails, a nature museum, the Bantam River and multiple ponds, Bantam Lake shoreline, Apple Hill, Catlin Woods, campgrounds, marina and rental facilities. For more information, visit WhiteMemorialCC.org/ Whats-Happening/Calendar. Location: The White Memorial Foundation, 80 Whitehall Rd, Litchfield.
Experiencing Spiritual and Creative Enlightenment
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n November 12, the New Age and Craft Expo will be held at the Wyndham Southbury from Come Experience a Day of 10amSpiritual to 5pm.&Intuitive will be available. Learn about Creativereaders Enlightenment! your past, any obstacles or open doors ahead. Be guided by the angels, Sun. spirit guides or loved Bring a picture of a pet and Nov. 12, ones. 2017 find out what they’d like you to know. Have your aura photo 10a AM - 5a relaxing PM massage or Reiki session. taken. Or take break for Handcrafted gifts will beSpeakers available in time for the holi2 Rooms of Dynamic Guided jewelry, Meditationssoaps and skin care, natural days as well as &unique teas and cookies, candles, fairies and dolls. Stock up on your TAROTcrystals & INTUITIVEand READINGS spiritual needs with gemstones, Tibetan singing HANDCRAFTED JEWELRY bowls, tuning forks, sage, incense and more. HEALTH & WELLNESS There will also be two rooms of dynamic speakers and AURA PHOTOS guided meditations. ANGEL CARDS Admission is $6 per person. This year, all proceeds from CRYSTALS CANDLES the raffles will go toward hurricane relief. SOAPS
For more information, callDOLLS 203-733-6560 or email AND Cryours87@yahoo.com. Location: Wyndham Southbury MUCH (formerly Crowne Plaza), 1284 Strongtown Rd, Southbury. MORE... For more info email: See ad, page 5.
cryours87@yahoo.com or call
203-733-6560 Wyndham Southbury (Formally Crowne Plaza)
1284 Strongtown Rd. Southbury, CT
$6 Admission $1 OFF Cut-Out Entire Ad For Coupon
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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
natural awakenings
Festival of Trees Benefits Those Affected by Cancer
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he holiday season kicks off at the 15th Annual Festival of Trees to benefit Ann’s Place, November 17 to 19, from 10am to 4pm. This year’s festival will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Danbury. Highlights will include an Opening Night Tribute on Friday from 6:30 to 10:30pm, honoring Rudy and Peggy Marconi, who are supporters of Ann’s Place. Cocktails and dinner-by-the-bite will be served up along with Broadway performances by Katie Diamond, Daniel Levine, Bryan Perri and Daniela Sikora. There will also be an auction and raffles. Festival days are filled with live entertainment on the hour, more than 100 holiday trees, prizes, raffles, and a marketplace for shopping with specialty vendors and local craftsmen. Children can join the Gathering of the Galaxies (character parties), see magician Tom Pesce and partake in interactive entertainment (Saturday). A new Children’s Winter Village features activities such as crafts, face painting, tattoos, LEGO building and more from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. Play it casual Saturday night by bringing your friends to enjoy live music by Future Tense while meeting the brewers at the Taps & Trees Craft Beer Fest and a dinner-by-the-bite and dessert from 6:30 to 10:30pm. The first 300 Taps & Trees guests will also receive a souvenir glass to take home. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children (12 and under) and seniors (65 and over), and children under 5 are free. Since its inception, Festival of Trees has raised over $2.56 million to support area cancer patients, survivors, their loved ones and anyone touched by cancer. It is Ann’s Place’s signature fundraiser and supports 20 percent of its annual free services. For more information and tickets, call 203-790-6568 or visit AnnsPlaceFestivalofTrees.org/Taps-Trees-2017. Location: Crowne Plaza Danbury, 18 Old Ridgebury Rd, Danbury. See ad, page 4.
NOREEN EHRLICH
Success Coach, Radio Host, Motivator, Money Expert CREATE THE INCREDIBLE LIFE YOU DESIRE Are you ready to become the best version of yourself?
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SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION 475-205-1121 or noreen@noreenehrlich.com. . • www.noreenehrlich.com
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newsbriefs
Soul Focus Mela Rispoli
4th Generation Clairvoyant/Medium Reiki • Meditation • Guided Imagery • Group Sessions “Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your garden and decorate your soul.” ~ Mário Quintana
By appointment 203-570-3868 • mrispoli2@aol.com 145 Grassy Plain Street, Bethel, CT
Patricia’s Presents
Beautiful Objects for Discerning Customers Pet and Equestrian Themed Items
A treasure trove of unique gift items to suit all tastes! Luscious Vegan Leather Goods 860-946-9705 199 Ethan Allen Highway Ridgefield, CT 06877 Stunning Fair Trade Jewelry… www.patriciaspresents.com and more
Plentiful Parking!
Massage Therapy
The Gift of Relaxation Specializing in: Swedish • Pregnancy • Injury • Infant Trigger Point • CranioSacral Therapy
Robin Ordan, LMT 203-561-8535
www.robinordanlmt.com Located on the Old Greenwich/Stamford Border
Want to Feel Empowered, Inspired, Confident and Successful? Experience the transformation with Heart-Centered Life Coaching
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Darlene Alvarez Maddern Certified Life Coach, Speaker and Author
1-860-488-2619 | damaddern@gmail.com www.createwithyourthoughts.com Private Coaching |Group Programs | Workshops | Webinars 14
Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
Reindeer Festival Returns to Greenwich
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anta and his live reindeer—Dancer, Dasher and Prancer—are coming back for the 9th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Village, and return to “the North Pole on North Street” at Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses in Greenwich, from November 24 to December 23. Visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, meet the reindeer, and also ride on the Winter Wonderland Carousel and the North Pole Polar Express Train. Parking is free. The community is invited to Sam Bridge for a “We’re Back Party” on November 24 from noon to 6pm; this is when Santa’s Village is officially open for photos with Santa. While waiting for the reindeer to arrive in the afternoon, everyone can enjoy special refreshments, and face painting and balloon art provided by Faces by Wells. Throughout the four weeks, the reindeer will make Sam Bridge their home, thanks to Pepsi, the reindeer stable sponsor. Children, adults, corporate groups and even pets (on leashes) can have their photo taken with Santa at Santa’s Village, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich. Photo packages begin at $29.99 and include a gift bag filled with promotions redeemable at participating downtown Greenwich stores. Rides on the Winter Wonderland Carousel and North Pole Polar Express Train are $4 per ride or $40 for a family package of 12 rides. Hours for the Photos with Santa, train and carousel rides are Monday through Friday from noon to 6pm, and Saturday from 9am to 6pm. Reindeer feeding times will take place Monday through Saturday at 9am and 3:30pm. The reindeer will depart on December 22 but Santa will remain for photos Saturday from 9am to 6pm. The Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Village are produced by TMK Sports & Entertainment, LLC. For more information, visit GreenwichReindeerFestival.com. Location: Sam Bridge Nursery, 437 North St, Greenwich. See ad, page 25.
natural awakenings
Screening of Beyond Measure at Workspace Education
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n November 16 from 6 to 9pm, Workspace Education in Bethel will hold a free screening of Beyond Measure, What Counts Can’t be Counted. It tells the uplifting story of public schools across the country as they embark on a journey to transcend the limits of our test-driven education system. Every day we hear stories about the troubles in American education: our test scores are stagnant, we’re falling behind our international peers, and our schools are failing to prepare future generations to succeed in the 21st century. In the film, public schools work to create a more equitable, empowering, student-centered education culture from the ground up. In chorus with experts such as Sir Ken Robinson, Linda Darling-Hammond, Yong Zhao, Alison Gopnik, Jo Boaler and Daniel Pink, the change-makers in Beyond Measure prove that a new vision and a higher purpose are within reach. This free event is being hosted by Bethel’s Workspace Education. Workspace is a community of parents, K12 students, educators and professionals looking to break new ground in alternative education.
Group Medium Reading Whole Health Thermography Mind, Body, Soul Synergy Quigong The Four Golden Wheels The Healing Kitchen Techniques & Coloring Connecting to your hearts Longing Meditation
EVENTS WITH A PURPOSE
Women Speakers, Live Music with Sue Broudy, Food, Vendors, Door Prizes & Much more!
NOVEMBER 11, 2017 11am - 5pm
Early bird $40.00 At the door $45.00
Purchase your ticket today - inspirithealingstudio.com 346 MAIN STREET SOUTH WOODBURY, CT
To reserve a ticket, visit WorkspaceEducation.org/ Beyond-Measure. For more information, visit WorkspaceEducation.org. Location: 16 Trowbridge Dr (end of the road), Bethel. See ad, page 3. eNaturalAwakenings.com
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inspiration Good Morrow Loons; Shiva, Shakti and Baby Ganesha. Thank you for your echoing calls across Sand Pond which enter my heart as the Song of the Beloved. I feel your vibration move me from head to toe, earth to sky. Night and day you tirelessly praise the Mystery. Sunrise Greetings to my new friend Patti who sends me a full body wave and anjale mudra from her deck. We share an intimacy like two lovers sharing a secret, the inner knowing of this precious gift before us.
BOW DAWN
A Poem for Patti and The Goddess, one in the same Praise be to the Dawn of the expectant hush and pregnant pause. All living creatures await your rebirth in deep abiding silence All of life waiting for the sun’s glorious entrance into this day of divine creation. Good Morning Mist as you skillfully hover above the lake like a magician, here one moment gone the next. You and the sun a two man show of now you see me now you don’t. Blessed Be to the Water - forgiving, soothing, healing life force. Thank you for nourishing my soul in all your changing forms, for quenching my physical and spiritual thirst. Praise be to the Yoruba Orisha Yemoya for carrying me in her lullabies all week long.
Good Dawning to the two large woodpeckers announcing the day with a drum salute on two decaying trees reminding me of the interconnectedness of the many in the One. Blessed Be to my Practice; to its ebb and flow, my heart, desire, steadiness and loving awareness. Love shines forth from my being like the born again sun in front of my board, warming my wholeness as I paddle and play - becoming the Goddess herself. Praise Be to our Earth Mother for showing through steadfast example how to rediscover my true mothering nature by falling in love with and mothering myself. Thank you for earthing me to feel you beneath my bare feet on my retreat and all of my days circling the center. I bow down to dawn in gratitude for teaching me that the nature of life is Holy and surrendering to the Sacred is a never ending conversation with the soul of the world. Dawn mirrors life, beginning and ending in love. Rest in Love. Cathy Whelehan - (Sand Pond, Maine July 2017)
meditation • massage • reiki for people & pets, sessions & classes • nutrition • psychotherapy The Ruby Tree Shop Hours Monthly Mystical Market 3rd Sunday of Every Month
Psychics, Readers, Vendors, Local Artisans, Holistic Practitioners, Light Refreshments. FREE Admission.
Quarterly Meet the Psychics Fair
Next date - Sunday, February 4, 2018
Full Yoga Schedule
mornings, evenings, & weekends
Mon, Closed Tue, Wed, Fri 11am-6pm Thurs 10am-6pm Sat 10am-4pm Sun 11am -3pm*
*Closed Sundays from Christmas to Spring, except for events.
For more information:
Sherman Village 203-586-1655 Daily Psychics & Readers 670 Main St. S, Woodbury, CT www.therubytreect.com See web for bios & schedules yoga • crystal healing • psychic readers • aroma touch • rocks & crystals • events • workshops 16
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ecotip Oil Spoil How to Properly Discard Cooking Oil Holiday meal traditions that kick off with a Thanksgiving turkey and continue through festive meals for New Year’s can produce lots of cooking oil and grease waste. Following proper disposal procedures protects both the environment and home plumbing. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that vegetable oils and animal fats share common physical properties and create similar environmental effects as petroleum spills, including coating and suffocating animals and plants; polluting food supplies and habitats; fouling shorelines; and clogging water treatment plants. Cooking oil and kitchen grease is the number one cause of stopped-up sewer pipes, according to Earth 911. Grease sticks to the lining of plumbing pipes in small particles, which catch onto each other and accumulate until the growing mass can block and backup sewage lines, leading to a nasty mess and sometimes costly repairs. This potential problem can be avoided simply and easily. n For small amounts of kitchen grease such as lard, shortening or tallow that inevitably go down the drain, flush with cold water so that it solidifies, making it less likely to stick to pipes. n Freeze small amounts of used cooking fats, oils and grease in a container like a used coffee can with a tight-sealing lid, then place it in the trash. n Larger and unfrozen quantities of used cooking oil may be taken to an area recycling center for proper disposal year-round. No special container is required and the liquid is emptied from the consumer’s container onsite. Don’t combine the contents with anything else, so it can be repurposed by vendors that collect it from the centers.
If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it. ~John Irving
Making Transitions with Resilience Feb.16-19, 2018 Lifebridge Sanctuary
ROSEDALE, NY www.lifebridge.org/sanctuary.cfm
Life is full of transitions, single to married, married to single! Job changes, children going off to college (or coming back!) Sometimes what is needed is time for yourself and tools to help you process life’s many changes to build resilience. Join a talented group of teachers who will help guide you. Utilizing ritual, journaling, art collage, Yoga Nidra, meditation, healing movement with soul-stirring music, and labyrinth walks; you will leave with an understanding of how these practices can assist you in managing life’s transitions.
Zelie Pforzheimer
CAPP, B3 Facilitator, ACEP Member, Certified SoulCollage® Facilitator
Peggy Burt
Certified Yoga instructor of Spiral Path Yoga Center, Sierra Madre, CA
JoJo Keane
Inspired Soul Studio, Dancer, Artist, Writer & Spiritual Life Coach
For more information, and to register, visit: www.pforzsoul.com eNaturalAwakenings.com
November 2017
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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Wine Worry Non Invasive • No Radiation • Possible 8 years earlier breast cancer detection vs mammogram • Clinical imaging for detecting and monitoring a number of diseases and physical injuries.
Rachel Mazzarelli ��,���
203-257-3785
Offices throughout Fairfield County, Southbury, New Haven, Milford, and New York
whthermography@gmail.com www.wholehealththermography.com
Monsanto’s toxic Roundup herbicide glyphosate has been found in all 10 California vintages tested, including organic wines. While glyphosate isn’t sprayed directly onto grapes because it would kill the vines, it’s often used to spray the ground in the vineyard to be absorbed via the roots. Sometimes, glyphosate drifts from conventional vineyards into nearby organic and biodynamic vineyards. Other times, the toxin remains in the soil after a conventional farm has been converted to organic; the chemical may persist onsite for more than 20 years. Glyphosate is patented as an antibiotic. Designed to kill bacteria, it harms both soils and human health, and has been cited as a human carcinogen by the World Health Organization.
glyphosate-related consumer information, search Actions be your light!For at MomsAcrossAmerica.com. 9
your light !
Landfill Eulogy
When you are being your light you: • Live Your Soul's Purpose • Attain Deep Peace • Have Balance Around Giving and Receiving • Have Loving, Supportive Relationships • Have the Career that Sings to Your Soul
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One-on-one Sessions workshops & Trainings with
Eilis Philpott Master Healer and Teacher
203-767-5954 • Fairfield, CT Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com www.SoulHealingJourney.com 18
Sweden Dumps its Dumps Landfills generate environmental problems such as the greenhouse gas methane that warms the atmosphere and toxic chemicals from household cleaning products that pollute soil and groundwater. Installations are smelly, noisy and can breed disease-transmitting vermin, as well as harm wildlife. Recycling helps cut the volume of waste, but the bulk of all trash continues to fill these dumps. Sweden produces about the same amount of waste as other European nations, but less than 1 percent of its household refuse ends up in landfills. Thirty-two waste-to-energy (WTE) plants that have been operating across the country for years incinerate more than 2 million tons of trash annually—almost 50 percent of all waste. The country still recycles, but anything else normally ends up in the WTE incinerators, creating steam to generate electricity distributed on the grid. This system heats close to a million homes and powers more than a quarter-million, thus reducing Sweden’s reliance on fossil fuels. Sweden also helps to clean up other countries in the European Union by importing their trash and burning it. Because specific products contain materials that cannot be recycled or incinerated, some landfills are still necessary.
Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
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Yaniv Schwartz/Shutterstock.com
be
Glyphosate Toxin Turns Up in Wines Mariyana M/Shutterstock.com
Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) offers safe, FDA approved full body or breast screening.
Getting Greener
Artificial Intelligence Helps Locate People and Wildlife Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping doctors and scientists worldwide do their jobs better. In wildlife preservation, many researchers want to know how many animals there are and where they live, but Tanya Berger-Wolf, a professor of computer science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, states, “Scientists do not have the capacity to do this, and there are not enough GPS collars or satellite tracks in the world.” At AI-driven Wildbook.org, photos are uploaded by experts and the public and analyzed for species, age and even gender. One massive Kenyan study in 2015 prompted officials to alter their lion management program. Also, the locations of stranded victims of floods, earthquakes or other disasters can be determined via computer programmers writing basic algorithms that examine extensive footage. In flooded areas, AI technology can also find debris that harbors trapped people. AI techniques can even monitor social media sites to find out more about missing people and disasters.
Renewables Hit High Mark in UK
nikolarisim/Shutterstock.com
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Faster Rescues
In a major marker of renewable growth, sources of energy that includes wind, solar, hydro and wood pellet burning briefly generated more electricity—50.7 percent—than coal and gas in Great Britain for the first time on June 7. When nuclear sources are added, the number increased to 72.1 percent. Records for wind power are also being set across Northern Europe.
203-856-9566 • www.203TLC.com TLC Center was founded in 1997 by Beth Leas on the premise that a single candle burns brighter in a gathering. Today TLC is Fairfield County’s largest holistic health network, with more than 90 independent members. TLC Members are dedicated to healthy living by offering high quality private sessions, products, workshops and classes.
Energy Healing
Personal Development
Transformative Healing
Soul Healing Journey, LLC Eilis Philpott Fairfield 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com
Meditation & Counseling Meg Reilly, MS, CH Meg Reilly 360 203-952-6272 MegReilly360.com Classes monthly in Norwalk Personalized service by appointment
Learning with Horses Carrie Brady Possibilities Farm Wilton 203-210-7484 LifeYouveImagined@gmail.com PossibilitiesFarm.com
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Tesa Baum, CHT, RM Certified Hypnotherapy Practitioner, Usui/ Karuna Reiki Master, Shamanic Practitioner Ridgefield 203-364-4084 TesaBaum.com
25+ years experience Energy Healing, Meditati on, Tarot Private sessions, Workshops, Events In-person or by phone 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com
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November 2017
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Mastering Yoga
The yoga community in Fairfield County and the Housatonic Valley has never been more vibrant! This section provides connections to studios and teachers in the area, as well as helpful editorial to support your efforts to improve your practice.
Your studio could be featured here
Reach over 60,000 Natural Awakenings readers by placing your ad here. Call for more info.
Immerse Yourself in Yoga Teacher Training
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earn to lead a sequence and understand yoga philosophy while discovering what connects you to the practice on your mat and off in this Power Vinyasa Yoga Certification Program in Ridgefield. The 2017-2018 course, which runs November 11 through June 2, is created for those interested in becoming a certified yoga teacher, teachers interested in continuing their education with advanced training, or students hoping to deepen their practice. A minimum of 12 months of yoga practice experience is recommended. However, trainees are not required to perform advanced asanas. With 20 years teaching experience and eight years training teachers, Lyn Kehoe is recognized as a leader in the area for her teacher training program. This is an immersion-style program given by a Yoga Alliance-registered school (previously registered under Buddhi Power Yoga Teacher Training). While the self-study segment of the program begins on November 11, late registrations will be accepted until January 15. The early bird discount offer ends on November 1. A review of the curriculum, manuals and self-study assignments will be covered at a curriculum meeting on November 11 from 1 to 2pm. The self-study portion includes an online anatomy course, reading and writing assignments, and more to begin to lay the foundation for the rest of the training. The in-person trainings will run every other Saturday from 8:30am to 5pm, starting January 27, 2018. A typical daily schedule will include a 90-minute practice, philosophy discussion, teaching techniques/methodology lecture and discussion, review of the previous weeks’ asana clinic, asana clinic, and practice teaching. Apply and pay in full by November 1 and receive a $250 discount. The Certification Level is $3500, the Teacher Immersion Level is $2500 and the Student Immersion Level is $1500 (Connecticut sales tax is added to the fee for all levels). A $300 deposit is due with your application. For more information, visit LynKehoePowerYoga.com/Teacher-Training. Email Lyn@LynKehoePowerYoga.com with questions or to request an application.
Silence is a source of great strength. ~Lao Tzu
203-885-4674
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New Specialized Yoga Added to Offerings
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lite Health Services announced a new specialized yoga class in Westport this fall. The class, held on Tuesdays from 9 to 10am, is limited to eight to 10 participants. Yoga, although a wonderful form of exercise, can also be very stressful on the body when performed incorrectly. At the beginning of each class, Shannon Carlin Aleksa will take participants through a mini-workshop that focuses Shannon on a specific pose and its unique Carlin Aleksa characteristics. Each week, a new pose will be broken down for the class. That pose will be repeated throughout the class so there are opportunities to practice what has been learned. The class will then unfold into a variety of elements, part flow for heat building, and a section with longer holds within poses for strength building. “I believe the most valuable aspect of this class is the education component. When participants learn how to perform poses the right way for their body, they can take that learning with them to any yoga class,” says Dr. Matt Silvaggio, Elite Westport’s director of physical therapy and sports performance. The class is $100 a month for four reserved classes or $35 for walk-ins. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 203-349-8430 or email Reception@EliteHealthServices.com. Location: 162 Kings Hwy North, Westport.
New Home for Harmony Yoga
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armony Yoga Studio, a Kripalu-based studio for 14 years, has moved to 1100 High Ridge Road in Stamford (upstairs in the Noelle Building/ Life Cycle Fitness Studio). Carol Shwidock, a yoga therapist, teaches multiple Five Elements Yoga classes a week, plus scheduled Sunday Restorative Yoga Workshops and Yoga Dance. Shwidock is also available for corporate yoga, private one-on-one therapeutic yoga and Five Element Harmony Yoga retreats. Harmony Yoga Studio, a boutique yoga experience to harmonize from the inside out and the outside in. The space also includes free parking. For more information visit HarmonYogaStudio.com. Location: 100 High Ridge Rd, Stamford.
JIIVA YOGA SCHOOL 2018 200HR & 300HR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING Aspire to teach, deepen your practice, unlock your potential and transform your understanding of yoga with a mind, body, spirit connection unlike any you have encountered.
THE JIIVA YOGA SCHOOL 2900 MAIN ST. SUITE 1A STRATFORD, CT 06614 203-345-7747
WWW.JIIVACENTER.COM eNaturalAwakenings.com
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Gaining Weight
How to Keep a Calm Mind During the Holiday Season by Inessa Zaleski
“Well, it’s very easy for me to gain weight, but even though I tried not eating for a week when I was really young, I couldn’t do it any longer because I liked my food too much.” ~ Amanda Seyfried For many people, the best part of holidays is the food that comes with it. With holiday-themed cupcakes and cookies, home-made pies or juicy turkey, everything seems too appetizing to refuse to eat. And saying “no” to a delicious lunch or dinner may be hard on the family member who put so much love into cooking it. But weak holiday moments can lead us toward weight gain. The easiest solution is to be careful with calorie intake before the holidays. Keep the calories to just the required amount for a healthy day in order to not feel as bad if we overeat or fill up with sweets later. To counteract any overeating or overindulgence of the sweet tooth, create an exercise plan for the holidays and stick with it.
I like to compare the holiday season with the way a child listens to a favourite story. The pleasure is in the familiar Dealing with way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it Family Members One of the downsides of the holiday takes, the familiar moments of suspense, and the familiar season may be dealing with grandmothers or that disapproving aunt. climax and ending. ~ Fred Rogers
F
aces lighten up when the holidays approach. It is a wonderful time to celebrate the bonds we share with families and friends. But this season of merriment also comes with its stresses. Holiday season can be taxing for people who find it hard to deal with all the events, expectations and family members. Worries include the possibil-
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ity of weight gain, listening to in-laws’ criticisms, anxious and energetic kids, and more. These can trigger us into wanting to run away rather than being present and enjoying our holiday season. What are some of these common holiday challenges and what can we do to ease the stress?
Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
natural awakenings
Sometimes even our parents are not satisfied with our life choices and can make holidays a difficult time to handle. Meeting in-laws or our partner’s family members who do not approve of us can be toxic for us and our relationships. Even making the choice of which family member to visit can be a challenge since many are dealing with divorced parents or multiple family members. Discussing problems with partners beforehand can help generate more positive vibes before dealing with nosy or disappointed members of the family. Take every grunt of criticism as constructive. Always know we did our best and it is not our job to please everyone. Also make a list of things that were bothersome each day. Write them in a journal to get rid of them and not carry them further than needed. Listen to some calming music or do some yoga after a mentally taxing day.
Trying to Find the Perfect Gift Gift shopping is a task people often dread. To buy something for a family member, we must be aware of their recent likes and dislikes. We try to be sure our gift does not remind them of something painful, while being thoughtful but also cost-effective. Even thinking about this ordeal can give us a headache. The best solution is to directly ask people what they want this year or ask those closest to them. Make a list of those to buy presents for and the budget. Online shopping may potentially save time and money.
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Handling Kids Along with All the Busy Routine
As a working parent, holidays are the time for us to take a break from work and relax. But our kids will be home from school or college, which may be fun but is not relaxing. Having to deal with their routines and meal needs challenges our ability to enjoy some alone time. Adding to the pressure of preparing for the incoming family members, our kids are also pseudo-guests. Take a day or two off from work beforehand to prepare before the arrival of kids and guests. Talking to our kids with love and passion about the things that might be too much for us can help. If we let them know how fatigued we are, they will cut us some slack. If possible, plan a vacation during the holiday season every two to three years. This will give us the energy to deal with the family during the holidays. Careful planning is important in order to avoid an overwhelmed, overstressed holiday season. Try to be mentally prepared for the worst but also do our best to remain optimistic and positive. Establish a few guidelines. Try to sort the problems beforehand. Learn to let go of the stuff that we cannot control. Though planning can save us time and mental stress, it is also vital to accept that a misfortune is not our fault. Learn to love and accept your own and other’s imperfections. Dr. Inessa Zaleski is an author, self-improvement expert and a hypnotherapy instructor. She practices in Fairfield County. Connect at 203-708-7777 or Dr.Inessa@ Calmness.com. See ad, page 29.
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wisewords
Lissa Rankin on
Moving from Fear to Freedom by April Thompson
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issa Rankin wears many hats: physician, mystic, author, artist, speaker and blogger. What unites her many pursuits is a passion for helping people optimize their health and understand how science and spirituality converge toward that goal. A former obstetrician and gynecologist, Rankin is the founder of the Whole Health Medicine Institute, in San Francisco, which trains doctors in mindbody-spirit medicine. She’s authored six books to date, including the bestseller Mind over Medicine, The Fear Cure and The Anatomy of a Calling. She lives in California’s Marin County and blogs at LissaRankin.com.
What common signs indicate that fear is affecting our health? When people are sick, there is almost always an element of fear. Many of us have “ridden shotgun” at one time or another with a health diagnosis, and that’s scary, so even if it’s not predisposing the illness itself, it can stimulate fear. Studies from institutions such as the Harvard School of Public Health and Carnegie Mellon University have discovered strong correlations between fear, stress and anxiety and health issues. When fear is predisposing us to illness, addressing the root cause of the issue is preventive medicine. 24
Whether triggered by something trivial or real, fear activates the “fight-or-flight” stress response in the brain. The body has natural self-healing mechanisms, but these only operate when our nervous system is relaxed, so effectively dealing with fear is foundationally critical to wellness.
How can we distinguish between true and false fear? True fear is an actual threat to physical survival, like being approached by someone wielding a gun. However, most fear is generated by a story we make up in our minds. Our wild imaginations, the source of beautiful creativity, can be a destructive force, too, as we envision all kinds of worst-case scenarios, most of which will not come true. Modern-day humans average more than 50 stress responses a day, which indicates we’re way off track in our relationship to fear. The mind constantly strategizes how to get what it wants and avoid what it doesn’t. A spiritual practice can help interrupt the “monkey mind” constantly ruminating on what could go wrong. Paying attention to fear around practical issues like not being able to pay bills is helpful because it can keep us from being reckless, such as buying an unneeded luxury item although our mortgage payment looms. But letting false fear prevent us from following a
Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
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dream, ending an unhealthy relationship or leaving a toxic job can predispose us to illness. Fear is the emotional equivalent of pain in the body. Attend to it when it arises; try to understand what it is telling you and see what’s in need of healing.
What are some effective ways to defang false fear? Ultimately, we need to come into the right relationship with uncertainty; it’s the gateway to possibility. People often think that fear provides protection, when our intuition, which typically requires a relaxed state of mind, is a far more effective protector. There have been studies about doctors following their hunches to a patient’s underlying condition, leading to life-saving diagnoses.
How can we cultivate courage, curiosity and resilience, rather than feed our fears? Cultivating a spiritual practice such as mindfulness helps put a pause between a feeling like fear and the reaction that might ensue. You learn to sit with uncomfortable feelings and recognize the story you are spinning in your mind about what’s happening. It also means letting go of expectations when things don’t go as planned. Fear is my cue to activate a practice of surrender; to turn something over to the universe. I will also ask for help to calm my heart and let go of attachments. For me, this life-changing practice means I now trust the mystery more than my mind. I trust the unknown more than science and logic. The latter may be useful tools when doing taxes or a research paper, but I don’t trust them to be the best navigation system of my life or help me in a crisis. Psychology isn’t enough to address fear, which comes with the territory if you think that we are just flesh robots programmed to maximize self-interest, alone in a hostile universe. Once you learn to see the possibilities and hand over the wheel to a greater, benign organizing intelligence, something unwinds in the nervous system and we relax into the wonder of mystery. Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.
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SABOTEURS Tackling Obesity’s Hidden Causes
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by Lisa Marshall
at less, move more. These words have been the cornerstone of diet advice for decades, leading millions of Americans to greet the new year with vows to cut calories and hit the gym. In all, one in five U.S. adults are dieting at any given time, according to the international market research firm The NPD Group, and 57 percent would like to lose 20 pounds or more. Yet few will reach that goal. One survey of 14,000 dieters published in the International Journal of Obesity found that only one in six had ever been able to lose 10 percent of their body weight and keep it off for a year. Another study, published in the last year in Obesity, followed up with 14 contestants from the 2009 TV reality show The Biggest Loser and found that despite efforts to keep their eating and exercise habits on track, 13 had regained significant weight since the competition. Four are heavier now than before participating on the show. Diet experts say the battle of the bulge has been exceedingly hard to win for one clear reason: We’re oversimplify26
ing the solution and underestimating the saboteurs. “We’re learning that it’s not as simple as calories-in and calories-out,” says Dr. Pamela Wartian Smith, an Ann Arbor, Michigan, physician specializing in functional and nutritional medicine and author of Why You Can’t Lose Weight. Research reveals that everything from food allergies to hormone imbalances and disruptions in gut bacteria can subtly undermine the best-laid weight management plans. Working out too much or eating too little can also backfire. Even a mean boss or a cold workplace cubicle can factor in. Certainly, diet and exercise are key, experts emphasize. Yet, if we’re doing all the right things and still seeing disappointing numbers on the scale, there’s still more we can do. Here are some common weight-loss saboteurs and what to do about them.
Food Sensitivity/Allergy
Bite into a food we’re sensitive to and our body switches into “fight-or-flight” mode. It stores fat and water, releases histamines that widen blood vessels
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Underperforming Thyroid The thyroid serves as a key metabolism regulator, dictating how efficiently the heart beats and muscles contract, how quickly the body turns nutrients into energy, and how well we burn off stored fat. When thyroid hormone production falls, metabolism can also decrease by as much as 40 percent. Yet as many as four in 13 women suffer from a thyroid hormone deficiency, says Toronto naturopathic doctor Natasha Turner, author of the new book The Hormone Boost. “You can diet and exercise until you are blue in the face, but if your thyroid is out of balance,
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WEIGHT-LOSS
and inflame tissue, and cranks out stress hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine that make us want to eat more of that food. “You literally get a high so that you crave more,” says Smith. She notes that unlike true allergies, which can prompt an immediate reaction, food intolerances often manifest subtly over several days. When we are repeatedly exposed to a food we’re sensitive to, we feel bloated and sluggish, regardless of the calorie count. Allergy medications can also prompt weight gain, in part by boosting appetite. One study by Yale researchers found people that regularly ingested antihistamines like Zyrtec and Allegra were far more likely to be overweight than those not using them. What to do: First, cut out the most-craved foods. “If someone tells me they just cannot live without cheese, I assume they are allergic to it,” says Smith. Or, try an elimination diet. Ban common allergens like milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and gluten (if possible, try sticking to only rice and lamb—two hypoallergenic foods—for four days). Then reintroduce other foods slowly and monitor the results. To combat seasonal allergies naturally, try vitamin C, quercetin and butterbur supplements.
you won’t achieve the body you’re looking for,” she says. “It’s a common cause of weight gain.” What to do: Get tested for levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and, if possible, T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) also. TSH signals the thyroid to make more T4, the inactive form of thyroid hormone that is converted into T3, the form the body is able to use. Abnormal blood levels of any of these can impact metabolism adversely, and a TSH test alone may be unable to identify a problem, caution Smith and Turner. In some cases, medication may be required. Otherwise, move to embrace lifestyle habits that reduce stress levels, because the stress hormone cortisol can inhibit thyroid function. Get eight hours of sleep; sleep deprivation also impairs thyroid function. Eat lots of fiber, which helps the body eliminate excess estrogen and other thyroid-damaging metabolic byproducts. Also, stock up on foods containing tyrosine (almonds and avocadoes), and selenium (Brazil nuts). In some cases, if an iodine deficiency is at play, a doctor may suggest iodine supplements or iodine-rich foods like kelp and sea bass.
Imbalanced Gut
The trillions of microorganisms in our gut have a profound impact on our ability to maintain a healthy weight, says Dr. Raphael Kellman, a New York City physician practicing functional medicine and author of The Microbiome Diet. “The gut bacteria are the gatekeepers of the calories that enter our body,” he explains. Research shows that certain species of bacteria aid in the metabolizing of carbohydrates, while others help break down fats and protein. Some turn on genes that fight inflammation; others influence how well the body responds to insulin. Diversity and balance of helpful bacteria species are keys to health. “If changes in the percentages of certain bacteria occur, the microbiome loses its ability to help us maintain a healthy weight,” says Kellman. In one landmark 21st-century study by University of Colorado researchers, swapping the gut bacteria of a skinny mouse with that of an obese one made the skinny mouse gain weight.
What to do: Go easy on antibiotics, which can wipe out gut bacteria diversity. Load up on fermented foods like kim chi, sauerkraut, kefir and yogurt. Eat lots of inulin-containing plant fiber to give desirable bacteria something to chew on, and consider taking a probiotic supplement until weight loss and health goals are achieved.
Overdoing Diets
As The Biggest Loser contestants learned, losing too much weight too fast can bring metabolism to a screeching halt; the body, coaxed into starvation mode, moves to conserve fuel and store fat. “If you try to lose weight by drastically slashing calorie intake and going crazy on the cardio machines, you’ll do more harm than good,” says Turner. Performing intense cardiovascular exercise such as running, cycling or swimming for more than 45 minutes can make cortisol levels surge, accelerating muscle loss and impairing the immune system. That’s counterproductive because muscles burn calories at rest, too. Consistent over-exercise can also prompt the stressed body to respond in a fightor-flight fashion, storing more belly fat and leading to the “skinny but fat” body composition common among models and marathon runners, she says. Skipping meals can prompt the key thyroid hormone T3 to fall off too, further slowing metabolism. Plus, six weeks into a restrictive weight-loss program, levels of the feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin also start to decline, killing motivation and fueling cravings. The result is a weight plateau or even weight gain. What to do: Unless walking, limit workouts to 40 minutes, advises Turner. Instead of slogging away at a steady pace on the treadmill, try intervals (short, high-intensity efforts separated by brief rest periods), which have been shown to boost both fat burning and cardiovascular fitness. For example: five-minute warm-up, one-minute run at fast pace, one-minute run at moderate pace, repeat 10
times, five-minute cool-down. Also, incorporate strength training into three workouts each week. Include some fat, protein and carbohydrates with every meal. If insisting on counting calories, shoot for 450 to 500 per meal and 150 per snack for women; 500 to 600 per meal and 200 to 300 per snack for men. Every week to 10 days, enjoy a carb-loaded “cheat meal” such as pancakes or pasta; it supports any languishing thyroid and feel-good hormones, gives associated neurotransmitters a jump-start and keeps us from feeling deprived.
Dark, Cold, Stressful Workplaces
Alan Hedge, Ph.D., a workplace design researcher with Cornell University, in New York, says women, who tend to have less muscle and body hair to provide natural warmth, are at particular risk of packing on pounds due to an overly cold environment. “When the body is cold, it adapts by laying down insulation, which is fat,” he says. Even without eating extra calories, if we’re constantly cold at work, as 31 percent of women are according to a recent CareerBuilder survey, we tend to gain about a pound or two per year, says Hedge. Other research, conducted at Northwestern University, in Illinois, shows that workers exposed to more light in the morning weigh about 1.4 pounds less on average than those toiling in windowless cubicles. The suspected reason is that morning light triggers a cascade of hormones that positively impact appetite and metabolism. Another study, by Ohio State University researchers, found women that experienced a stressful event at work or elsewhere and then ate a fat- and calorie-laden meal the next day burned 100 fewer calories from that meal than non-stressed workers. What to do: At work, move the desk toward a window or at least take a walk every morning. Bring a space heater, extra sweater or hot tea fixings. After an ultra-stressful workday, eat especially healthfully that night. Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall.com.
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What is a Metabolic Disorder?
Genetic Impact on Metabolic Disorders The Role of the MTHFR Mutation by David Johnston
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he human body is remarkable in its ability to maintain balance and function within its biochemistry of all the cellular processes occurring simultaneously. When we are healthy, this allows our tissues, organs and body to operate at peak performance as long as we get enough sleep, exercise and maintain proper nutrition. However, there are many imbalances within the metabolic processes of the body that can lead to inflammation and disease if they are not diagnosed and treated. These can be due to toxins in the environment like pesticides, chemicals and heavy metals; genetic deficiencies; or nutrient deficiencies or imbalances of the intestinal environment, called the microbiome. Fortunately, in the field of functional medicine, there have been many advances made in understanding the science of the body. Modern science allows detection of imbalances early on before they become a disease or before they cause a person to suffer with uncomfortable symptoms.
Metabolism is defined as the sum of the chemical reactions that take place within each cell of a living organism that provides energy for vital processes and synthesizing new organic material. Inherited metabolic disorders are referred to as inborn errors of metabolism. This occurs when a defective gene causes an enzyme deficiency. Metabolic diseases can also occur when the liver or pancreas are not functioning properly. The principal classes of metabolic disorders are acidbase imbalances, metabolic brain diseases, calcium metabolism disorders, DNA repair deficiency disorders, glucose metabolism disorders, iron metabolism disorders, lipid metabolism disorders, malabsorption syndromes, metabolic syndrome X, inborn error of metabolism, mitochondrial diseases and phosphorus metabolism disorders. MTHFR is a gene that provides the body with instructions for making a certain enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. Mutations found are often called “polymorphisms” and affect genes referred to as MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C. Mutations can occur on different locations of these genes and be inherited from only one or both parents. Having one mutated allele is associated with increased risk of certain health problems, but having two increases the risk much more. A MTHFR mutation is an example of an inherited metabolic disorder, which causes a problem associated with poor methylation and enzyme production. MTHFR mutations affect every person differently. Sometimes there are hardly any noticeable symptoms at all; at other times, there may be serious, long-term health problems. Health conditions associated with MTHFR mutations include autism, ADHD, fertility problems, depression, heart problems, mood disorders and autoimmune disorders. Although the exact prevalence rate is still debated, it’s believed that 30 to 50 percent of all people might carry a mutation in the MTHFR gene, which is inherited and passed down from parent to child. If we suspect we may carry the
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gene mutation or have any family history, it is helpful to ask a doctor to test for the MTHFR gene mutation through a blood test. When we eat foods that contain folic acid (vitamin B9), MTHFR converts it into methylfolate, folate’s active form. Methylfolate is a key player in methylation, the process of adding a methyl group to a compound. Methylation is fundamental to the proper function of almost all of the body’s systems. It’s involved in repairing and regenerating our cells, tissues and DNA; regulating gene expression and protein function; synthesizing neurotransmitters that influence mood, sleep, behavior, cognition and memory; controlling homocysteine (an amino acid that can damage blood vessels); keeping inflammation in check; assisting our liver in processing fats; activating and regulating the immune system; and modifying toxins and heavy metals.
Recommendations for those with the MTHFR Genetic Mutation
Those with a MTHFR mutation are more likely to be low in folate and related vitamins, including vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. The B vitamins are easier to obtain from supplements, but food sources are always best. To get more B vitamins, focus on eating enough quality protein foods, organ meats, nuts, beans, nutritional yeast and raw/fermented dairy products. Getting more folate is very different than taking folic acid supplements. Some research even suggests that people with MTHFR mutations might have a harder time converting folic acid into its useable form and actually experience worsened symptoms from taking supplements containing folic acid. Adequate folate is especially important before and during pregnancy. The period three months before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy, mothers who get enough folate lower their children’s risk for various health problems. Look for the bioavailable form of folate in supplements called l-methylfolate and consume plenty of foods with folate (beans and lentils, leafy green vegetables like raw spinach, asparagus, romaine, broccoli, avocado, and bright colored fruits like oranges and mangos). Other factors can also make MTHFR mutation symptoms worse by further decreasing folate levels and raising homocysteine levels. These include eating a poor diet, leaky gut syndrome/ poor absorption, malnutrition, gastrointestinal illness, high amounts of stress, alcohol and drug use, and toxin exposure. Natural treatments and ways to manage MTHFR symptoms include improving gut health, getting more natural folate from our diet, increasing intake of vitamin B6 and B12, exercising, decreasing ingestion of inflammatory foods, and managing stress. David Johnston, DO, is a board-certified osteopathic physician in neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine, and a Diplomate with the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine. He holds additional certifications in cranial osteopathy. He practices at the Osteopathic Wellness Center, located at 158 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield. Connect at 203-438-9915 or OsteopathicWellness.net. See ad, page 46.
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Preventing, Reversing and Managing Diabetes Naturally by Linda Sechrist
M
ore health practitioners today are recognizing both the mind-body connection, as well as energetic and metaphysical insights into preventing and reversing illnesses. As a result, those facing diabetes and other health challenges are accessing contemporary resources such as Louise L. Hay’s explanation of the emotional roots of disease in You Can Heal Your Life, and the medical science and natural methods explained by health researcher and author Gary Null, Ph.D., in No More Diabetes: A Complete Guide to Preventing, Treating, and Overcoming Diabetes. Applying a “both” rather than an “either” approach illuminates the importance of recognizing the ways our thoughts, emotions and lifestyle choices can impact chronic illness and long-term health.
Two Perspectives
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Hay suggests that this metabolic disorder may be rooted in a feeling of being deprived of life’s sweetness and longing for what might have been, accompanied by a great need to control deep sorrow. Such chronic unease can show up as Type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes; Type 2, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes; latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), a slowly progressing variation of Type 1; or gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy.
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Eavesdropping on our repetitive inner mind chatter and observing its impact on outer experiences can reveal faulty thinking that disrupts the mind-body connection. Hay, a firm believer in the power of affirmations to send a message to the subconscious mind, recommends them to aid healing. For diabetes, she suggests, “This moment is filled with joy. I now choose to experience the sweetness of today.” Null cites medical evidence that explains how the physical causes of diabetes are related to the pancreatic production of the hormone insulin and the body’s use of it, together with rollercoaster blood sugar levels determined by food selections, stress, sleeplessness, insufficient rest and lack of exercise. His approach for preventing, reversing or managing this debilitating condition is to raise awareness of the physical, behavioral and mental causes that lead to its emergence, and making healthy lifestyle choices that regulate blood sugar levels.
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Naturally Control Blood Sugar
Glucose, the human body’s key source of cellular energy, is the end product of the digestive system breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and fats for absorption in the intestines. From there, it passes into the bloodstream. Glucose also supplies energy for the brain. Normal blood glucose levels vary throughout the day. For healthy individuals, a fasting blood sugar level upon awakening is less than 100 milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dl) of blood. Before meals, normal levels are 70 to 99 mg/dl; otherwise, 100 to 125. Consistent readings above 126 indicate that lifestyle changes are needed to avoid eventual progression into full Type 2 diabetes. When there’s an inability to efficiently transport glucose from the blood into cells, cells don’t receive the energy they need to function properly. “Elevated glucose levels contribute to blood vessel damage, high blood pressure and inflammation among other issues. High glucose causes insulin levels to spike in an effort to draw the glucose into cells. This stresses the pancreas and causes a sugar crash, called hypoglycemia, which can lead individuals to make impulsive, poor food choices,” advises Marcy Kirshenbaum, a board-certified clinical C
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nutritionist and owner of Enhance Nutrition, in Northbrook, Illinois. She notes, “Elevated sugar and insulin levels raise triglycerides, a fat that circulates in the blood, and cholesterol, specifically the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels. Triglycerides and cholesterol are important measures of heart health. Triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dl in fasting blood is a risk factor for a stroke or heart attack.”
Early Heads-Up
According to the American Diabetes Association, 8.1 million of the 29.1 million individuals diagnosed with diabetes were previously unaware of any early symptoms such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, frequent urination, constant hunger (even after meals), unusual weight gain or loss and lack of energy. “Many individuals only learn of their condition from a doctor-ordered routine blood test such as the A1C glycated hemoglobin procedure, which reads blood sugar levels over a three-month period,” advises Dr. Nancy Iankowitz, a boardcertified family nurse practitioner and founding director of Holistic and Integrative Healing, in Holmes, New York. Individuals that consume large amounts of simple carbohydrates and sugars, are overweight or are exceedingly sedentary and eat unhealthy processed foods, have a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Iankowitz’s effective, patientcentered practice follows a practical, four-month healing plan that includes tracking foods, moods, blood pressure, sleeping habits and exercise, all necessary to manage or reverse Type 2 diabetes.
Effective Diet Choices
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Making the highest-impact food choices is critical in the earliest stages of diabetes. That’s why nutritionist and holistic integrative health practitioner Saskia Kleinert, an independent practitioner who also serves as director of the Emeryville Health & Wellness Center, in California, helps patients integrate dietary changes into everyday life. “Patient education includes the necessity of eating low-glycemic index foods and reducing blood glucose levels, while increasing healthy fats with nuts, avocado and olive oil,” advises
Kleinert. She notes that antioxidant-rich plant foods are another key component of an effective dietary plan for all age groups. The role of exercise is also vital for those needing to reverse pre-diabetes or managing diabetes aided by insulin injections. “Exercise increases the muscle cell’s demand for glucose, moving it out of the blood into muscle cells that use it as fuel, and so lowering insulin levels,” explains Jamie Coughlan, a naturopathic doctor who practices in Pleasanton and Pleasant Hill, California. Dr. Angelo Baccellieri, owner of Westchester Wellness Medicine, in Harrison, New York, introduces patients to intermittent fasting, an eating pattern that helps treat insulin resistance and control blood sugar. “The concept is predicated on going 14 to 16 hours without food, replicating how our primitive ancestors ate. They feasted when food was available and fasted during famines, sometimes going several days without eating,” advises Baccellieri, who notes that intermittent fasting can be done one day a week. “Our biochemistry actually does very well with this approach, which isn’t hard to do when your last meal is at 7 p.m. and you skip breakfast and delay lunch the next day until 1 p.m. You can drink water with lemon, teas and black coffee throughout. By 1 p.m., the body has been 18 hours without protein and carbohydrates, allowing insulin levels to remain at a low level. Excess insulin from too much sugar shifts the body into a storage mode. Having no sugar stores available, the body can then switch into a ketogenic state that allows the body to burn fat for fuel,” explains Baccellieri. Herbs such as turmeric reduce
its; successful portion control; healthy alternatives to favorite foods; carbohydrate counting; and meals composed of the right balance of complex carbohydrates and antioxidant-rich plant foods, protein and fat, all to achieve optimum body weight and diabetes control.
No Quick Fix
inflammation. Berberine can help cells use glucose efficiently. Supplements such as vitamin C, B-complex, resveratrol and pycnogenol (pine bark extract) can raise antioxidant levels, in which most pre-diabetic and diabetic individuals are deficient, according to a study published in PubMed. Cautious health professionals tailor supplement recommendations to each patient.
Helpful Weight Loss
In The Diabetes Breakthrough, based on a scientifically tested way to reverse diabetes through weight loss, Dr. Osama Hamdy and Sheri R. Colberg, Ph.D., explain a home-based version of the 12-week Why WAIT (Weight Achievement and Intensive Treatment) program offered at the Joslin Diabetes Center, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, in Boston. WAIT allows participants to reach their weight and blood glucose goals, along with improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and liver and kidney function. The program’s success is due to doable increases in exercising that put greater emphasis on strengthening muscles; effective ways to change bad hab-
Restoration of health begins with the most important lifestyle changes. n Replace processed and sugary foods in meals and snacks with nutrient dense, whole foods. n Determine possible food sensitivities with an elimination diet. n Eat some protein with every meal. n Eliminate environmental toxins. n Perform some form of cardiovascular exercise and resistance training at least three to five times a week. n Add stress-relieving practices such as yoga, tai chi or qigong. According to Hamdy, “On average, diabetes has the potential to rob you of more than 12 years of life, while dramatically reducing the quality of life for more than 20 years through chronic pain, loss of mobility, blindness, chronic dialysis and heart disease.” Such serious consequences also include stroke, hearing impairment and Alzheimer’s, he adds. All provide good reasons to live responsibly every day, cherishing longterm goals of laying claim to the best possible health. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at LindaSechrist.com.
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How can we Become Nutrient-Deficient with so Much Food Around?
Tired and Forgetful?
Take a Look at Your Food by Tatiana Fleischman
R
ecently Mary, an attorney in her late 40s who had already missed her first appointment, came in late apologizing that she just couldn’t remember what date it was. Her memory lapses had become more frequent and almost cost her job when she missed a court appeal deadline for a client. She was also getting progressively tired and felt constantly drained of energy. She used to be active but lately all she wanted to do after work was to drag herself home and go to bed. When Mary’s client lost his appeal because of her forgetfulness, it struck her that she could have a health issue. She started researching online and realized her symptoms could be caused by cancer or early onset Alzheimer’s. That naturally made her frightened and depressed. This example of Mary’s condition is far from rare. Although a life-threatening illness always remains a possibility, many with fatigue and memory problems do not have cancer or early dementia. Instead, they may suffer from nutritional deficiencies that can go undetected for years. According to Dr. Mark Hyman, the chairman of The Institute for Functional Medicine’s board of directors, over 92 percent of Americans are nutritionally deficient. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that an increasing number of people are presenting this way.
As a nation, we are eating a diet loaded with calories but more poor in nutrients than ever before in human history. The increased availability of processed and “fast” foods has caused a downward shift in our nutrient intake. The average American’s diet consists of way too much sugar and processed seed oils, and far too few whole foods like fruits and vegetables. While some processed foods are fortified with vitamins and minerals, our bodies typically cannot absorb the synthetic forms of these nutrients as well as their natural counterparts. In addition, researchers have found that the nutrient content of our soil has decreased tremendously in the past 50 years. As a result, the fruits and vegetables grown in that soil have far fewer nutrients in them than they used to. This is especially the case with GMO crops, of which there are plenty in the United States. The human body cannot function properly without all of the nutrients it needs. The signs of this deficiency are, among others, fatigue, forgetfulness and sluggishness.
What can be Done?
Returning to our hypothetical example, several tests ordered on Mary ruled out a serious illness and evaluated her for nutritional imbalances. NutrEval is one of the most comprehensive tests available to look for nutritional deficiencies. Conventional doctors do not routinely test for nutritional deficiencies and even when they do, standard lab tests are narrow in scope and often outdated. NutrEval takes into account an individual body’s needs for specific vitamins and nutrients as we all have different metabolisms and rates of consumption. When Mary’s test results came back, she had multiple nutrient deficiencies. Her vitamin B12 levels were particularly low. Vitamin B12 is an extremely important nutrient as it helps to form our DNA and red blood cells. It is also needed to produce myelin, which is the insulation surrounding our nerve cells. Improper myelin formation leads to improper transmission of signals throughout our nervous system. Therefore, it is easy to understand why a deficiency in B12 can cause forgetfulness, fatigue and weakness. Getting nutrients the natural way is ideal and should be everyone’s long-term goal. However, since some of Mary’s nutrient deficiencies were severe, she was given specific
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supplements that would correct the nutritional imbalance faster and recommendations on how to improve her diet to avoid the symptoms in the future. Within weeks, Mary started feeling better. She was able to return to her weekly tennis training. Her mind now stayed sharp and her reactions were fast, which was particularly important for her job as a litigation attorney. Her social life returned.
Steps to Take
Work with a functional medicine doctor to get tested. Once you have the results, these are some steps to immediately affect and improve your nutritional balance.
When your To-Do list is longer than your To-Be list...
Eat the rainbow. Try to get a variety of different colored fruits and vegetables in every day. Each fruit and vegetable contains different nutrients so it is important to not eat the same ones every day—although it’s better than not eating them. Try to mix it up as much as possible. Eat foods in their original, whole-food form when possible. Eat whole, organic, pastured eggs rather than processed. Eat roasted, pasture-raised chicken rather than processed chicken nuggets. Eat whole nuts and seeds—even salted is okay—not a processed granola bar that may have a lot of added sugar. Buy organic. If we can’t afford to buy all organic produce, follow the Environmental Working Group’s advice and just buy those fruits and vegetables that have been found to be the most contaminated by looking up their list called the “Dirty Dozen”. Emphasize food quality. Grass-fed meats do cost more than their conventionally-farmed counterparts; however, it’s worth the cost even if only once a week. They contain a much healthier nutritional profile than factory-farmed meat. Eating less meat at each meal and bulking up the portions with beans or rice can also stretch our dollars.
Most importantly, don’t give up. Don’t accept that a lack of energy and constant forgetfulness is the new norm. Take action. Chances are, it can get better. Tatiana Fleischman, MD, is a functional medicine physician with her Integrative MD office located in Stamford. Connect at 203-275-6666, Info@IntegrativeMDCenter.com or IntegrativeMDCenter.com.
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Supplement wisely. Almost all of us could use some vitamin D; that is usually safe to supplement and can do wonders for our health and vitality. Try to get 15 minutes out in the sun during prime sun hours with as much skin exposed as possible. High-quality fish oil can also be beneficial as most of us don’t get enough omega 3s; cod liver oil, in particular, contains omega 3s in addition to vitamins A and D. Multivitamins can help, provided they do not contain folic acid; look instead for a multivitamin that contains folate. And, if the multivitamin contains calcium, make sure it contains vitamin K as well.
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that can affect that process. It is commonly thought that if we decrease calories and increase activity, it should help us lose weight. While that is the case for some, others may have intestinal bacterial problems, hidden food addictions, or hormonal or brain chemical imbalances which inhibit achievement of the goals. Ensuring all of the body’s systems are balanced and in good working order is crucial to a healthy running metabolism. Some of these systems are within our control and others are more elusive as they can’t be found without proper testing. Here is a checklist of things to consider when evaluating metabolism function for a weight-loss goal.
The Metabolism Mystery Balancing Body Systems Key to Weight Loss by Nicole Fevrier Davis
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he word “metabolism” seems to confuse many people, appearing to be the mystery part of being human that eludes our personal goals to lose weight. Health and fitness advertisers seem to take advantage of this. There are quite a few supplement or food advertisements that claim to boost metabolism, promise a metabolic burn after a workout or promote supplements that offer a “miracle metabolic charge”. The reality is that these claims are suspect. There is no one supplement, workout or diet that can super charge our entire metabolism, because it is a complex combination of several systems within the body. Metabolism describes the sum of everything our bodies do in order to turn food into energy. There are many things
Cardiovascular Training
First check to make sure you are physically active 5-6 days out of the week. The reality is many of us have difficulty finding the time to walk or work out. Once we do find the time, we must work out within a heart rate training range appropriate to our goals. Keep in mind that high-intensity workouts can sometimes miss the mark. People can regularly work out at a heart rate that is simply too high to produce the desired weight loss effects. Be mindful about goals; high-intensity workouts are great to balance the lower heart rate workouts but they shouldn’t be the only thing we do.
Diet
Eating is another metabolic sub-system that needs attention. Our metabolism loves food. It is unrealistic for anyone to survive on less than 1,400 calories a day for an extended period of time. That can be the main reason why so many people gain the weight they lost back or even more as soon as the diet ends. The body needs nutrients to create energy to be able to accomplish our daily tasks and to work out. When we restrict caloric intake, we are actually sending the brain messages that we are starving; that sends further messages via chemicals like cortisol or insulin to store more body fat so we can survive.
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Rather than restrict calories and slow the metabolism down, try eating more frequently throughout the day. Eating several small meals full of protein, vegetables and fruits encourages our bodies to utilize those nutrients. The new habit being created sends the brain messages that more nutrients are coming and there is no need to conserve body fat anymore. Gut imbalances can also affect our moods and ability to digest nutrients, thus affecting our energy levels and other vital functions in the body. These imbalances can then have a “domino effect” on chemicals and hormones within the body.
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Chemical and Hormonal Balance
What about the times when we are eating properly, working out within the right heart rate range for our weight-loss goals and drinking plenty of water but we still can’t lose weight? Our metabolism may be affected by an imbalance in our hormones or brain chemicals. If we have an imbalance in cortisol, homocysteine, estrogen, testosterone, serotonin, endorphin, or any of the other 100 chemicals and hormones that can affect our metabolism, we will continue to have issues losing weight. This is what is dysfunctional about our current understanding of what is considered healthy weight loss in the fitness industry. The assumption that diet and exercise alone will get us to lose weight is flawed, especially if there are underlying brain and hormonal chemical imbalances. If traditional methods are not helping someone lose the desired weight, it may be time to consider getting blood panels done by a metabolic physician. Many metabolic doctors will not only prescribe appropriate medications for chemical or hormonal imbalances, but they can recommend supplements and specific changes in diet that can help the metabolism work properly.
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Mental and Emotional Balance
Thoughts create our reality and our behavior. Very often, thoughts are the very things we should be changing most if we don’t have other imbalances. Emotional or mental stress has a direct impact on cortisol levels within the brain, and that affects metabolism. Other emotions like depression, anxiety, fear or anger can wreak havoc on our brain chemicals as well. We should be well equipped with coping strategies during our weight loss journey. Try meditation, find inspirational quotes, write down ideas or look for revelations from other people that helped them lose weight. Create a mantra journal of great things and ways to think about the weight loss goal; pull it out when times get tough. Paying attention to all of these metabolic subsystems helps rule out ambiguity of how or what we should be doing. It will also give us the added advantage when trying to lose weight. And knowing these things will help our overall thought process and sense of accomplishment. Nicole Fevrier Davis, principal of MindBody Mastery in Ridgefield, is a NASM and AFAA certified personal trainer, Reiki Master and psychic. To connect, call 646-739-7879 or visit MindBodyMastery.org. See ad, page 28.
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practitionerprofiles MindBody Mastery LLC
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Nicole Fevrier Davis 646-739-7879 NJFDavis@gmail.com • MindBodyMastery.org
Kurt Beil, ND, LAc 72 North St, Suite 100A, Danbury 914-362-8315 DrKurt@Earthlink.net HudsonValleyNaturalHealth.com
MindBody Mastery
Practice summary/ services offered: Psychic mind/body readings/ workouts, personal training and Reiki.
What drew you to coaching/counseling as a profession? Since I was 16, I have been researching how the mind and body interact. My father was an artist who loved to draw nudes. We studied human anatomy together. My mother overcame many diseases. I found the human body to be a miracle that we sometimes misunderstand. I wanted to help bridge that gap in understanding and heal where I could. How long have you been in practice? For 30 years total. The first 20 were my group exercise and Reiki practitioner years. The last 10, I’ve become a Reiki Master and developed my psychic mind/body personal training techniques and workshops. What training or certifications do you have? I am a Reiki Master (since 2007). I am a National Academy of Sports Medicine and Aerobic & Fitness Association of America-certified personal trainer with corrective exercise and behavioral change specialist designations. I was a metabolic technician at Lifetime Athletic in Westchester as well and I am CPR/AED-certified. What is your particular specialty or niche? Primarily in the mind/body connection, I give psychic readings when working with personal training clients. I combine the science of wellness with the language of our souls as this affects almost every aspect of weight loss, and being healthy and fit. What should clients expect from a session or series of sessions with you? As a personal trainer, I’ve been told that I am an inspiration and I give people hope, joy and a sense of empowerment. As a client says, “I’m addicted to my workout! Nicole makes working out, dare I say, fun!” As a psychic and Reiki Master, a client says, “It was by far the most wonderful, body-lifting, mind-clearing thing I have ever done for myself. Not only can she read my body’s needs and my mind, but she gets me as a whole.” What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? Most people underestimate their personal power. They are powerful engineers of their own success physically, emotionally and mentally. 38
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Practice Summary/Services offered: Naturopathic and Chinese Medicine, including holistic primary care, functional & integrative medicine, nutritional support, botanical medicine, stress reduction, dietary and lifestyle counselling, acupuncture What drew you to this profession? My desire to help people with their health, my love of the natural world, and my interest in the applied philosophy of Western and Eastern natural medicine therapies. How long have you been in practice? 11 years in practice, with one year since moving back to the East coast from Portland, Oregon. Born & raised in White Plains, NY. What training and/or certifications do you have? Naturopathic Physician (ND) and Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc). I am also a certified Qigong Instructor and NADA Acupuncture detox specialist. What is your particular specialty or niche? General holistic primary care. Endocrine/hormonal balancing, autoimmune disease, mental/emotional issues (depression, anxiety), digestive/GI issues, insomnia, musculoskeletal pain. What should a client expect from a session or series of sessions with you? 90-minute initial visit includes review of symptoms, past treatments (including lab work), health history, diet & lifestyle review, and preliminary treatment plan including indicated lab tests. Follow-up visits often include acupuncture. What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know? My passion is helping people restore their health by identifying imbalances that are causing their symptoms. Using natural approaches, we can provide you with ways to resolve your illness and achieve the optimal state of total health and wellbeing.
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INSPIRED
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A Nourishing November
Ayurveda Urges Warming by Jamie McKee
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hink of warm apple spice cake, savory pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice lattes; there is something about the fall that draws us into wanting harvest flavors and spices. That “something” is explained by Ayurveda, the ancient science from India that relies on the wisdom of nature to balance the body and restore wellness. Often referred to as “yoga’s sister science”, Ayurveda explains that during the fall as nature is cooling, drying and blowing its winds through the trees, our bodies are responding in similar ways. The skin becomes drier, and the body releases its final reserves of summer heat, often in the form of allergies or rashes. In order to balance the depletion of warmth and moisture, late fall becomes a time for gathering the harvest vegetables and drinking and enjoying warming spices such as cinnamon and clove. Explained by Ayurveda practitioner and teacher Dr. Vassant Lad, MASc, in his Textbook of Ayurveda: Fundamental Principles Vol 1, Ayurveda sees the world in terms of pairs of opposite qualities: light/heavy, dry/moist, static/mobile. Each season manifests these gunas at different times. Similarly, these qualities are reflected in our bodies in various combinations referred to as doshas. There are three main doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Fall manifests the qualities of dry, light, cold, rough, mobile and astringent. It is necessary to balance the body with the opposite qualities of moist, heavy, hot, smooth and static. The best way to achieve this balance is through diet and lifestyle. In the fall, this balance is accomplished by eating grounding root vegetables infused with spice. Receiving a massage to replenish oil in the body is another way to find balance in preparation for the coming winter.
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Fall is a time for drives in the country, viewing nature’s spectacular colors of yellow and red as they give way to browns and blacks, and reflecting on a landscape readying itself for winter. According to Ayurveda, it is the perfect time to stop and warm up with some mulled apple cider and perhaps a slice of pumpkin pie. Recipe for roasted butternut squash with Brussels sprouts: 1 ½ lb chopped butternut squash, roasted at 400 degrees for 30 minutes 3 cups chopped Brussels sprouts, roasted at 400 degrees for 20 minutes In a separate sauce pan, cook the following for 10 minutes: 2 Tbsp ghee 1 cup maple syrup ½ cup pecans 1 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp cumin ½ tsp coriander 1 tsp sea salt ¼ cup golden raisins Combine butternut squash and Brussels sprouts in a dish, and add the maple syrup “sauce”. Author Jamie McKee is a high school English teacher, a Connecticut-licensed massage therapist, and a student at Joyful Belly Ayurveda. Teaming up with Innersource Ayurveda wellness services, McKee offers massage, facials, marma therapy, and monthly workshops on Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle at the Ayurveda Experience located at Salt of the Earth Sanctuary in Woodbury. Now offering a fall balance and harmony package at Woodbury or Ridgefield locations. Connect at 203-982-5129 or Info@InnerSourceAyurveda.com.
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Not Your Grandma’s Stuffing Healthy Twists on Old Favorites by Judith Fertig
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hanksgiving side dishes continue to evolve, even though traditional entrées still hold pride of place. New, lighter alternatives to time-honored stuffing maximize flavorful dried fruits, herbs and nuts. Healthy options may use gluten-free bread or black rice, cauliflower, chestnuts or pecans for flavor, bulk and color. A stuffing can also fill a halved acorn squash or cored apple. According to renowned health authority Dr. Joseph Mercola, pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals, including anti-inflammatory magnesium, heart-healthy oleic acid, phenolic antioxidants and immuneboosting manganese. Erica Kannall, a registered dietitian in Spokane, Washington, and a certified health and fitness specialist with the American College of Sports Medicine, likes dried fruits because they contribute antioxidants and fiber.
cookbook author in Seattle, created a healthy stuffing she loves. “My Grain-Free Sage and Pecan Dressing is one of my favorite dishes to bring to gatherings because it works with a variety of diets,” she says. “It’s gluten-, dairy- and grain-free, paleo and vegan. The pecans can be omitted for a nut-free version.” Riced cauliflower is the base, which is available prepackaged at some groceries, but can be made at home simply by chopping
the florets into rice-kernel-size pieces. “Cauliflower is the perfect base for this recipe, as it adds a nice texture in place of bread and provides extra fiber,” she says. Laurie Gauguin, a personal chef in the San Francisco Bay area, specializes in gluten-free dishes that she prepares in clients’ homes. “Anything that will hold its shape and not crumble too much can work as a stuffing base,” she says. “Gluten-free, somewhat sticky grains, like short grain brown rice, Chinese black rice, millet or soft-cooked quinoa work well.” “Choose a mixture that contrasts with the texture and color of the food you’re stuffing,” advises Gauguin. “I created a stuffing that has crunchy pecans, tender black rice and chewy, dried cranberries to contrast with the creaminess of the cored squash entrée. The black rice looks striking against the golden squash.” A stuffing that everyone can eat is ideal for a holiday gathering, either to serve or bring. Lauberth observes, “While not always possible, it’s nice if the host can accommodate various dietary concerns and preferences. Bring your own hearty side dish or two so that you have enough to make a meal for yourself if needed.” Judith Fertig writes cookbooks and foodie fiction from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).
Intriguing Options
Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito, of New York City, salutes his Italian heritage with chestnuts and embraces healthy living with millet and mushrooms in his special stuffing. His new book Rocco’s Healthy + Delicious includes healthy takes on Thanksgiving dishes such as a sugar-free cranberry sauce. Sonnet Lauberth, a certified holistic health coach, blogger and
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Rocco DiSpirito’s Stuffing Yields: 8 servings 1 Tbsp grapeseed oil ¼ cup millet 1 lb crimini mushrooms, sliced 1 large onion, diced 3 stalks celery, diced 1 medium carrot, diced 4 chestnuts, chopped 1 Tbsp fresh sage, chopped 1½ Tbsp poultry seasoning 3 scoops Rocco’s Protein Powder Plus (check Amazon.com) 2 egg whites 1¾ cups low sodium chicken or vegetable stock Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Add the chestnuts, sage, poultry seasoning, protein powder, egg whites and chicken stock to the large mixing bowl, and then use a rubber spatula to mix well, so that no lumps are visible.
Return the cast iron pan to the oven and bake for 13 minutes. Remove from oven and turn the result out onto a serving dish.
Transfer mushrooms to the same mixing bowl as the millet. Heat a large, safe, nonstick pan over medium heat and use it to sweat the onions, celery and carrots until tender and translucent, about 10 minutes. Transfer the vegetable mix to the same mixing bowl as the millet and mushrooms. 42
Preheat oven to 375° F. Cut squashes in half lengthwise, then scoop out the seeds.
Recipe courtesy of Rocco DiSpirito, Rocco’s Healthy + Delicious.
Brush the interior, plus the cut sides of the squashes with the 4 teaspoons oil, then sprinkle with ½ teaspoon sea salt. Arrange squash halves on a baking sheet, cut side down. Roast for 40 to 50 minutes on the upper middle rack of the oven until tender when pierced with a fork. While the squash is roasting, place a medium, heavy saucepan over medium heat and pour in one tablespoon of olive oil. Add the onion and sauté for two to three minutes, until the onion begins to soften.
Cook a quarter-cup millet in a small saucepan on the stovetop according to package instructions.
Heat a large, safe, nonstick sauté pan over high heat and use it to sauté the mushrooms until tender and golden, approximately seven to 10 minutes.
Roasted Pecans and Cranberries: 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans 1 tsp minced ginger root 4 tsp olive oil 1 tsp ground coriander ¼ tsp ground nutmeg ¼ tsp sea salt 10 large sage leaves, chopped 1 cup dried cranberries 2 Tbsp maple syrup
Carefully remove the cast iron pan from the oven, and then pour stuffing batter into it. Popping occurs as the outside batter develops a crust.
Place grapeseed oil in a 12-inch cast iron pan; place the pan in the oven and preheat oven to 425˚ F.
When millet is cooked through, transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
½ tsp sea salt ¼ tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground coriander 2 cups water 4 oz tempeh, crumbled
photo by Stephen Blancett
photo by Stephen Blancett
Healthy Holiday Stuffing Recipes
Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed With Black Rice, Pecans, Dried Cranberries and Tempeh Yields: 8 servings Squash: 4 acorn squashes (1½ lb each) 4 tsp olive oil ½ tsp sea salt Rice: 1 Tbsp olive oil ¾ cup finely diced onion 1 cup Chinese black rice (also called Forbidden Black Rice)
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Stir in the rice, salt, cinnamon and coriander. Cook and stir for 30 seconds. Pour in the water and bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over very low heat for 30 to 60 minutes, until rice is tender. Scatter crumbled tempeh over the cooked rice. Cover the pan, then take it off the stove and let it rest for 10 minutes. While the rice is cooking, combine pecans, ginger, four teaspoons olive oil, one teaspoon coriander, nutmeg and ¼ teaspoon salt. Pour this mixture into an eight-by-eightinch baking pan; roast at 375° F for 15
translucent, about five minutes.
minutes on the bottom middle oven rack, stirring halfway through.
Add the pecans, cauliflower rice, sage, thyme, salt and pepper and cook for seven to 10 minutes, until the rice is tender.
Stir in the sage, dried cranberries and maple syrup. Roast for another 10 minutes, then remove from the oven. Arrange squash halves, cut side up, on a serving platter. Combine rice with the pecan mixture and divide among the squash halves, pressing gently so the stuffing stays put. Place the apples in a baking dish and loosely press the fig mixture into the cavities of the apples.
Recipe courtesy of Laurie Gauguin, LaurieGauguin.com.
Combine the maple syrup, coconut oil and orange juice and drizzle it over the apples.
Stuffed Apples with Fig and Hazelnuts
Bake the apples for 25 minutes or until tender.
Yields: 4 servings 2 oz dried figs, finely chopped 1 Tbsp roasted, shelled hazelnuts, chopped 1 tsp orange zest ¼ tsp allspice 4 Granny Smith apples, cored ½ cup maple syrup 1 Tbsp coconut oil 2 Tbsp fresh orange juice Preheat oven to 350° F. Combine the chopped figs, hazelnuts, orange zest and allspice in a bowl.
photo by Stephen Blancett
Toss with parsley and serve hot.
Set cooked apples aside for 10 minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly, and then serve warm or at room temperature. Adapted from a recipe in Family Circle Australia.
Grain-Free Sage and Pecan Stuffing 1 cup pecans 1 Tbsp coconut oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 stalks celery, diced 4 cups raw cauliflower rice (prepackaged or via a grater or food processor shredding blade) 1 Tbsp fresh sage, chopped 2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped ½ tsp kosher or sea salt ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
Recipe courtesy of Sonnet Lauberth, InSonnetsKitchen.com/60-healthygluten-free-thanksgiving-recipes.
Bonus Recipe Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce Yields: 4 Servings ½ lb cranberries 2 Tbsp grated orange zest ¼ cup orange juice 8 packets Monk Fruit in the Raw sweetener Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper In a small saucepot, combine the cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, monk fruit, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until the cranberries burst and the mixture becomes thick and dry, about 40 minutes. Recipe courtesy of Rocco DiSpirito, Rocco’s Healthy + Delicious.
photo by Stephen Blancett
If made one day ahead, cover and reheat in a 350˚ F oven until heated through.
Add additional salt and pepper if desired.
Preheat oven to 250˚ F. Spread pecans on a baking sheet and place in the oven until lightly toasted, about five minutes. Monitor to ensure the nuts don’t burn. Remove pecans from the oven and place in a food processor. Coarsely chop and set aside. Heat coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onions, garlic and celery and cook until onions are eNaturalAwakenings.com
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often connected to an identified title, such as husband, mother, friend and so on. Think of it as everything outside of us. Our external world, while helping us function in daily life, often serves as a distraction from our inner self.
Our Answers are Inside
Are We Listening?
Emphasize Being Rather than Doing by Teresa Reyes Castillo and Anna Huff
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he common complaints of today’s world are that “to-do” lists are endless, there are limited hours in a day, we are constantly going and we rarely get the breaks we need. These beg the question, what would happen if we stopped “doing”? Interestingly enough, advice received from others is often to “do something”. The concept of “doing” places importance on taking action to resolve issues but what may be more important than taking action is simply being. If we can take time to cease the noise and be, time can stop, peace can be obtained and a sense of true calm can settle. It’s time to ask
ourselves if there is more to life than just the monotonous daily routines and the to-dos of modern society.
Stop for a Moment
If we take time to quiet the noise, clutter, daily tasks and responsibilities by simply being and listening, then do we need to ask ourselves who we are? Self-exploration leads us to find meaning within ourselves and guides us to find our own answers, desirable or not. Self-exploration allows us to gaze inward to our inner self, closing the gap between our external and inner selves. The external world is typically of greater focus and
Fear can arise at the thought of connecting with our inner self, sitting silently with ourselves. Uncertainty can give rise to fear. After all, the possibilities are endless. There is a vast internal landscape to be explored without a readily accessible road map. When we first sit in silence, it can feel awkward or even uncomfortable. Our inner negative record may start playing and bring up socially imposed concepts of guilt, shame, dissatisfaction and inadequacy. Allow those thoughts to rise then subside; there are deeper answers and thoughts further within the silence. There is a world waiting to be experienced, touched, sensed and felt, leading to a meaningful and fulfilling life. The biggest obstacle is likely whether we can allow ourselves to have this experience. Keep in mind that there are reasons people choose not to look under the surface, brush things under the rug and hope they never come out. Fortunately or unfortunately, choosing to turn our back on our inner self and what we are supposed to be listening to does not lead to blissful ignorance. Let’s take a moment of silence for that one.
We are Speaking
The journey of self-exploration can be a treacherous yet fulfilling one; we are choosing to look under the rug, pull out
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skeletons from the past, and face the scars and wounds that have collected over our lifetime. Shadows can lurk beneath the surface. Scars and wounds can feel deeper than the imagination. Know that this is not to deter, yet simply not to mislead. Gaining genuine connection with the inner self is not effortless or painless. What may provide comfort is that we will only find ourselves on our journey and the shadows we run across are simply cast by us standing in the light. Those shadows are a part of us, just like the sun and the stars are. The hard work placed on our journey will be fruitful with patience and self-love. Our self-exploration can bring love, patience and understanding as gifts from us to ourselves rather than from other people.
Our Silence is Waiting
Once we have chosen we are worth our attention and have decided to connect with our inner self, let there be silence. If we strip away the external, can we feel our inner self? Do we know who we are? If we dare to look underneath the surface—under the external layer—we can connect with our inner selves. And life can begin to take on new meaning. Being silent strips away worldly responsibilities. If we let ourselves, our silence can bring an astounding sense of tranquility. We have the choice to experience more. A person who is aware of who they are and their path is more active and engaged in life. Dare to imagine a world in which all is meaningful. If we only get to live this life once, why not live it meaningfully? And, if this is what we choose, we need to stop and listen to our own silence. Our silence can transcend us into a connection to elements greater than ourselves by being true to who we are. We can experience all things as alive, including the earth, ground, trees, wind, water and more. If we can allow ourselves to be, then we can experience ourselves as a part of the ground, the earth and, ultimately, the universe as part of a transcendental experience of life.
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BETTER SLEEP
Breathe…and Listen
Be lulled to sleep by a singing ocean at the beach, feel the trees whisper in a gentle forest, hear a roaring storm, taste snow in the air, hear the wrath of an angry sea, and experience the knowledge of a lively fire and a loving rock. Hug a tree and feel its glee in our embrace. At times, when we feel drained and unenergetic, we can connect with the flow of energy that is provided to us when we allow ourselves to disconnect from the machine-oiled, technology-driven external world and opt to connect within. Once we gain the courage to be different or to simply be ourselves, we can experience an endless supply of energy, a continual warm embrace, and a satisfaction and meaning that comes from the internal silence.
The Philip Stein Sleep Bracelet can be a natural solution for a truly restful night’s sleep. Its Natural Frequency Technology® promotes overall wellbeing. Wearers have experienced:
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Listen to the silence. Discover more at philipstein.com
Teresa Reyes Castillo, PhD, and Anna Huff, PhD, are clinical psychologists at Being Centered Psychological Services, PLLC. They specialize in working with adults in their Ridgefield office and on house calls. Connect at Being-Centered.com. See ad, page 28.
If you choose to return your Philip Stein goods, please do so within 30 days of receipt in perfect condition and in the original packaging.
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healingways
SACRED SILENCE buffaloboy/Shutterstock.com
Discover the Benefits of Quiet at a Silent Retreat by April Thompson
of Integrative Health, in Philadelphia. Silent retreats appear to raise the brain’s levels of mood-boosting chemicals, according to Dr. Andrew Newberg, director of research there. Newberg’s team tested the brains of retreat participants before and one week after an Ignatian-based retreat, finding significant changes in their serotonin and dopamine systems. “Whether through prayers, walks or meditations, the single-minded ritualistic aspect of retreats seems to predispose the brain for peak spiritual experience,” he observes.
What to Expect
I
ndividuals seeking to escape life’s ceaseless distractions, deepen their personal spiritual practice, enhance well-being and gain fresh perspective, are patronizing silent retreats in rising numbers. “Retreats are a special opportunity to enter a healing space where your natural energy, insight, intelligence and wisdom can arise,” says Linda Mary Peacock, known as Thanissara, a former Buddhist nun, cofounder of South Africa’s Dharma-giri Hermitage and Outreach and a retreat leader at the Spirit Rock Insight Meditation Center, in Woodacre, California. Sheila Russ, of Richmond, Virginia,
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has participated in several retreats with silent components, hosted by spiritual traditions spanning Baptist to Benedictine. “People of different faiths all have the same need to reach inside and listen. If we don’t slow down and get quiet, we can’t hear what’s going on with us,” says Russ. “Spending time in contemplation is cleansing and freeing; I feel like mentally and spiritually I can breathe.”
Scientific Support
Attaining heightened well-being after a retreat may have a neurological basis, according to research from Thomas Jefferson University’s Marcus Institute
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Formats vary, but most silent retreats entail extended periods of sitting meditation or prayer, often alternating with walking meditation or other mindful movement. Some may also entail a work detail, like sweeping the meditation hall or helping prepare meals. “Work tasks help bring mindfulness into everyday life,” says Chas DiCapua, a resident teacher for the Insight Meditation Society’s flagship retreat center in Barre, Massachusetts, who has led silent retreats teaching Buddhist practices for 20 years. “The community aspect is equally important; being surrounded by people that support your spiritual practice can encourage you on what can be a lonely path.” Silence doesn’t mean being static and somber or not thinking, counsels David Harshada Wagner, of Ojai, California, whose meditation retreats draw from the Indian mystical traditions of yoga, vedanta and tantra. “Silence is more than the absence of talking; it’s a powerful energy,” says Wagner. “Silent
retreats are the loudest, as the energy is roaring within. It should be a joyous practice.” Yet retreats aren’t a cakewalk. Los Angeles author and mindfulness facilitator Jennifer Howd chronicles the challenges of her first nine-day silent retreat in Joshua Tree, California, in her memoir Sit, Walk, Don’t Talk. Seven retreats later, Howd says that although the journey isn’t always easy, she always gains insights about herself and the nature of the mind.
Choosing a Retreat
Retreat leaders caution that while it’s good to jettison expectations and approach the experience with an open mind, choose a retreat that fits individual needs. The level of personal attention at retreats can vary greatly, remarks Thanissara. “Some may host 100 or more people, relying largely on taped instruction without much interaction with group leaders. A small group might be better for a first retreat,” she suggests.
The deliberate, conscientious practices of my first silent retreat made me appreciate each moment: the gifts, blessings, music, stretching, meditation, prayers and practice of stillness. ~Unity retreat feedback Thanissara recommends an upfront review of instructor credentials and starting with a weekend retreat before embarking on one of longer duration. Regardless of length, retreats aren’t always for everyone. “If you’re going through emotional or psychological difficulties, it’s best to discuss your circumstances with a teacher at the retreat center before deciding to attend.
GlebSStock/Shutterstock.com
Retreats for All Faiths
If you’re in therapy, talk with your therapist,” counsels DiCapua.
Retreat Back to Everyday Life
Afterwards, ease back into the daily routine; don’t rush back into old patterns of media and food consumption, recommends Howd. “Try to build-in a day or two of down time. You may still be processing things emotionally.” DiCapua suggests finding a local community of a kindred practice to keep the momentum going, and not expect to keep it up as earnestly at home as at the retreat. Attending daylong maintenance retreats on Saturdays or Sundays can also help sustain individual practice. Above all, “Appreciate yourself for having thought to go on a retreat and follow it through,” says DiCapua. “It can be a radical thing.” Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, in Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.
(RollingMeadowsRetreat.com) offers silent retreats combining yoga and meditation. Leaders Patricia Sunyata Brown and Surya-Chandra Das take an eclectic approach incorporating multiple traditions to stimulate selfinquiry and compassion.
Insight Meditation Society:
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etreat centers vary from nondenominational to those aligned with a faith, but even within a tradition, styles of meditation vary. The following opportunities highlight some of the more prevalent offerings. RetreatFinder. com and RetreatsOnline.com can be helpful tools.
Omega Institute: One of the largest centers on the East Coast, the Omega Institute (eOmega.org), in Rhinebeck, New York, offers yoga, meditation and mindfulness retreats led by notable and varied spiritual teachers. Unity: The Unity church, a Christian faith honoring all paths to God, offers an annual silent retreat facilitated by
Rev. Paulette Pipe (TouchingTheStillness. org). Held at Unity Center, in Kansas City, Missouri, the experience incorporates soulful music, labyrinth walks and meditation practice.
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center:
A working monastery for more than 50 years, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and Hot Springs (sfzc.org/tassajara), in the Ventana Mountains of northern California, offers lay meditation practitioners a sense of monastic life each summer. Retreats are mainly taught in the Zen Buddhist tradition, focused on observing the breath and mind.
Rolling Meadows: Located in rural Brooks, Maine, Rolling Meadows
Founded by Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein in the 1970s, the Insight Meditation Society (Dharma.org) focuses on the Buddhist practices of metta (spreading lovingkindness) and vipassana (insight) meditation. Silent retreats at its historic center in Barre, Massachusetts, range from two days to three months.
Jesuits: A Roman Catholic order cofounded by St. Ignatius, the Jesuit tradition incorporates prayer, meditation, self-awareness and other contemplative practices. Jesuits.org/ retreat-centers lists Jesuit retreat centers across the U.S. where seekers can deepen their relationship with God through silence.
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Silence as Self-Love Open Pandora’s Box to Pursue Soul Healing by Nicole Miale
T
he word retreat, by definition, means, “an act of moving back or withdrawing.” In a time of hyperstimulation in the face of technology and ever-pressing demands, a retreat has come to mean time away from the stresses and concerns of everyday life. The term, once exemplified by a fleeing army, now stands for a refresh of the body, mind and spirit. People go on retreat for many reasons; the form varies as well based on the individual’s specific needs and personal spiritual practice. Whether someone is seeking deeper meaning in their life, needs time for reflection, desires healing or simply wants to get away from the demands of daily life for an hour, the modern definition of a retreat is an act of loving self-care. “I wanted space and silence,” explains Cathy Whelehan, owner of Open Sky Yoga Barn in Redding, of her week-long silent retreat this summer in Maine. “I needed to be, being, not, doing. For me, this time was about deep rest, spiritual rest. And I felt like my life depended on me doing it.” Whelehan had done silent retreats before, but always in a group setting with a teacher and surrounding company. This time she desired complete 48
solitude. With three teens and two businesses at home left in the supportive hands of her husband, Whelehan found a cabin on Sand Pond in Maine and booked it for a week in mid-July. It was a two-room space with electricity and an outhouse but no running water. Her phone and computer left in the car, she was isolated by choice on the picturesque shore of a small lake. “My expectation based on previous experience with even just vacation was that it would take me a couple days to really unplug,” she muses. “But that didn’t happen. I got out of the car and felt myself just drop right in. I dropped right into love. And all these weeks later, I still feel it. There was nothing else there, just me and Source. That’s it.” Urgyan Zangpo, a Western Buddhist lama in the Vajrayana tradition, has dedicated decades of study and practice to his spiritual work. His path included a four-year retreat alone in the Canadian Yukon Territory, which he says was one the best and most transformative things he ever did in his life. “Silence helps us encourage our felt wonder, enthrallment, attunement, holistic awareness and illumination,” he explains. “We’re on autopilot so much
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in daily life. Quieting the body, speech and mind allows the awakening of more luminous qualities covered up by the noisiness of modern society.” Whelehan agrees, “There is a sacred silence available to all of us all of the time. And yet we fill it with chatter.” During her week in Maine, Whelehan experienced a deep shift and was left with a persistent feeling of love. “We don’t really understand the gift of our Self because we so rarely have the opportunity to just be with ourselves,” she says. “I fell in love with myself in such a deep way. I felt deep, abiding love, but also such clarity of mind and body.” Part of the experience is the simple reality that there is no one else to bounce off; all feelings are self-generated without the potential for being triggered by a loved one or colleague. Releasing habitual patterns helps let go of a portion of the unconscious burden so many of us carry. The journey to silence is not to be undertaken lightly, Urgyan says, and especially in the case of a longer retreat, highs and lows of experience are to be expected. “If you’re really committed, you’re going to uncover things which may be difficult to deal with,” he says. “When you take the lid off Pandora’s box, you don’t know what will come out. It often takes a great deal of suffering to create long-lasting change, but it is the continuity shift you’re looking for. The silence is just bearing witness to the internal shifts which may occur.” Whelehan says the essence of spiritual practice is dying a little, then being born again because, in the process, one is forever changed. This can often lead to difficulty in “re-entry” for someone emerging from retreat. Planning for the integration process is important to smoothly navigate the transition from silent wonder back into the real world, whether your retreat is an hour or a year. “You come out differently,” Urgyan explains. “You are still of the world and you see the same one everyone else sees, but you’re seeing with new eyes because you have now changed.” Nicole Miale is Publisher of Natural Awakenings Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley, CT and Greater Hartford/ Tolland Counties. Connect at NicoleM@ NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
Design Your Own Retreat
D
oes the thought of a lengthy silent retreat feel intimidating? You’re not alone! The transition from a toobusy, “doing” life can make stepping out of it to just be seem challenging, impractical or downright impossible. Here are some ways to move from noisy chatter toward inner connection without upending your life in the process.
COOPERATIVE & WELLNESS CENTER
Breathe. Close your eyes, place your hand over your solar plexus (lower stomach above your navel), and breathe slowly and deeply into the space below your hand. Breathe out slowly and rhythmically, feeling the area fill and empty of air. Repeat. Repeat. And again. The longer the better but even just a few breaths will help. Meditate. There are many ways to meditate and for any length of time. There are apps available for download to guide and assist, as well as regular classes offered in the area; refer to the calendar. See article on page 50 for more information. Float. Just an hour in a float tank can make a tremendous difference in how you feel, body-mind-spirit. See page 51 for more information and local resources. Visit a salt cave. Quiet time with no interaction with others in a healing space can be a true gift to your being. There are several salt caves now in Connecticut, including Saltana Cave (SaltanaCave.com) in Ridgefield, Salt of the Earth (NaturalSaltHealing.com) in Woodbury and Newtown Salt Spa (NewtownSaltSpa.com) in Newtown. For a more extended retreat, consider a retreat center. Some are faith-based, others are non-denominational. Almost all welcome visitors for hours, days or longer. Offerings can vary widely. Below is a list of some centers in the region.
Connecticut Retreat Centers Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation West Redding • 203-244-3130 Convent of St. Birgitta Darien • 203-655-1068 Copper Beech Institute West Hartford • 860-760-9718 Guest House Retreat and Conference Center Chester •860-322-5770 Holy Family Retreat & Conference Center West Hartford • 860-521-0440 Mercy by the Sea Madison • 203-245-0401 Oratory of the Little Way Gaylordsville • 860-354-8294 St Ignatius Retreat House Ridgefield • 203-431-0201 Trinity Retreat Center West Cornwall • 646-284-7980 Wisdom House Retreat & Conference Center Litchfield •860-567-3163
1st ANNIVERSARY C E L E B R AT I O N 5:30pm - 7:30pm Join Valley Spirit Cooperative & Wellness Center in celebration as we offer thanks to the community for our first year in service. Catered by The Owl Wine Bar of New Preston. .
K I R TA N
7:30pm - 9:00pm
w/ Sonam Targee, John Marshall, Dennette Myers suggested donation for Kirtan $20.
Nov. 10th
RSVP Appreciated 860.619.2788 valleyspiritcoop.com 6 Green Hill Rd Washington Depot CT
Time: 5:30pm-9pm
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Meditation as Path to Inner Knowing Explore True Inner Reality by Bobby Kitsios
“T
hinking is the soul talking to itself,” said the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. Meditation is the quieting of the rational mind in order to hear the words of the soul. In that, we experience our divine spark and can truly grow into spiritual beings living on this earth plane. “The noblest of all studies is the study of what man is and of what life he should live,” Plato continues. When we take the time to go within and listen to our soul and connection to “infinite intelligence”, we will, as the temple of Delphi has inscribed, “Know thyself!” Our life’s purpose—and our struggle in this high-paced world—is the discovery of self and the exploration of our true inner reality. With the knowledge of self, we begin to bridge the gap between the mind connected to the physical body and spirit. Knowing, liking and applying ourselves are aspects of selfknowledge that would change the world. Liking ourselves honors the healthy relationship with body, mind and soul. If we took the time without doctrine or creed to find this out for ourselves, there would be a much happier human race. Knowing ourselves encompasses the three parts of our being. Physical awareness means we know our capabilities, are aware of our limitations and push to recognize our potential. This awareness helps us be the best we can be and do the best that we can do. Mental awareness honors the mind, often considered the “window to the soul.” Therefore, mental and spiritual awareness complete each other. The mind acquires knowledge that must be recognized and used. Our innate abilities and talents, when applied, create true self-worth, competency and well-being. When we share these innate abilities, we share who we are and express our soul’s purpose. This self-awareness and realization can be achieved through a tool called meditation. Meditation is looking inward, but is not an escape from physical reality. We live on a physical plane and must live responsibly. Self-knowledge obtained through meditation improves us by helping us recognize the existence of the divine spark of human potential somewhere within us. It may be viewed as inner awareness or knowledge of our oneness with all of creation. This improvement to the individual is the re-acquaintance with the
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in-dwelling divinity we have lost sight of in modern times. It shows that the path of reaching total attainment of our total human potential is through discipline, insight and principles of meditation. The process is neverending. Meditation also offers us efficiency and greater serenity. Those who meditate regularly tend to be very efficient at any task they set to do. They also enjoy serenity and a joy of living. An inner grace is felt strongly within and its reflection seen from without. Meditation brings a great value emotionally and intellectually, enabling us to understand the relationship of self and the universe as well as our emotions and intellect. Meditation serves as a guide and tool to truly know the self on every level. The process of meditation begins with silence, which is defined as “absence of any sound or noise; or stillness.” It is silence in our surroundings and in ourselves. The atmosphere conducive to meditation is a quiet and relaxed place without distractions. Meditation can be done anywhere in the stillness of silence but it doesn’t have to necessarily be quiet. Many people enjoy nature as the location of their meditative experience as it has a unique stillness. Nature offers its own peace, serenity and energy. Whether it’s the cozy sound of a forest or the soft crashing of ocean waves, nature offers us direct connection to Mother Earth. Meditation has been practiced throughout history across the world. There are many types of meditations and methods to connect with the self. Silencing the rational mind and our thoughts is the way to obtain that connection. The trick to this is not focusing on silencing the mind but simply relaxing into the quiet that includes the mind. This quiet is a quietness of heart rather than an imposed cessation of speech or activity. It is the re-introduction to the unspoken divine spark, which has no expectations or demands; it simply is. This silence, therefore, becomes a vehicle to take us to the place of power, of self. This may seem daunting. However, the benefits are well worth the effort. A meditation or silent retreat may be a good start. Surrounding ourselves for a period of time with likeminded people searching for the same results can increase dedication and overall experience. In such retreats, the collective energy benefits all, offering support and guidance. The purpose of the retreat is to help disconnect from the outside world and focus on the inner one. Inward reflection of this kind allows for greater clarity. To healers, mediums and psychics, it is the still mind obtained through meditation that allows the connection to form and connects us to our own soul. The soul can also touch the discarnate spirit world and bring the memories and messages of that spirit person, allowing them to be felt and heard. Meditation—in whatever form resonates with us—is a benefit not only to us, but to the soul expression here and hereafter, and to the world. It promotes peace and understanding, which are sorely needed in today’s world. Bobby Kitsios is an evidential psychic medium who has studied with many international mediums. He is becoming a spiritualist minister and owns and operates TheSacredSpirit.net. Connect at 203-344-9311 or TheSacredSpirit.net@gmail.com. See ad, page 22.
natural awakenings
therapyspotlight
explains Gray. “It removes the need for fight or flight, so those hormones are reduced. That part of the brain mellows out.”
wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com
Marvelous Magnesium
Floating Away Stress Isolation Tanks Induce Deep Rest and Healing by Gina McGalliard
S
ensory isolation in a floatation tank is known for inducing deep relaxation with subsequent improved health. A 2014 study published in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry investigating the effects of a series of flotation tank treatments for 65 participants, showed it to be an effective measure in decreasing stress, depression, anxiety and pain, while enhancing a sense of optimism and quality of sleep. The Book of Floating: Exploring the Private Sea, by Michael Hutchison, reports on 20th-century research suggesting the therapy can help allay ailments like chronic pain, migraines and sore muscles. There’s also evidence for enhanced meditation, creativity and spiritual experiences. Float therapy was invented by Dr. John C. Lilly, a neurophysiology specialist. The individual enters an enclosed tank containing 11 inches of water heated to 93.5 degrees—a normal temperature for human skin—and some 1,000 pounds of dissolved Epsom salt. The effect is like buoyantly floating in the Dead Sea, but in a clean, quiet, private realm. The water is typically filtered three to five times between each session and sanitized using UV light; some also use peroxide and ozone gas to purify the water. Without any sensory input—no sight, sound or tactile sensations—the floater typically enters a profound deeply calm state of theta brain waves that tends to bring the subconscious to the surface. It can take experienced meditators years to learn to consistently achieve this condition, remarks Bryan Gray, of Float North County, a spa in Solana Beach, California.
Ultimate Meditation Venue
Scientific research has shown that floating can release the feel-good neurotransmitters endorphins and dopamine, and lower the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Studies performed by the Laureate Institute of Brain Research, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which maintains a float clinic, have found the therapy is an effective treatment for patients with anxiety disorders. “It frees your mind of distraction and puts it in a zone,”
Lying for an hour in water infused with Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, the body receives a huge infusion of magnesium, a mineral essential to optimal health. While calcium and vitamin D deficiencies get more attention, it’s even more likely most of us are low on this element due to magnesiumdepleting drugs and inadequate farm soils. Many ailments shown by research to be helped by floating have also been linked to magnesium deficiency.The mineral is also essential for heart health, strong bones and central nervous system function, as reported in The Magnesium Miracle, by Dr. Carolyn Dean, a physician and naturopath in Kihei, Hawaii.
Wide-Ranging Healings
Chronic pain sufferers often find relief through floating because the lessened gravity allows the body to fully relax. The accompanying serenity releases the brain’s natural endorphins, which act as natural painkillers, into the bloodstream, reports Hutchison. The sheer tranquility of floating can alleviate some mental health issues. “We’ve had several people with posttraumatic stress disorder. One man has returned six times and says he’s advanced more in the last three months while floating than he did in the prior five to 10 years,” says Andy Larson, owner of Float Milwaukee. Athletes also appreciate floating because it shortens injury recovery periods through enhancing blood flow, helping to heal sore muscles. The way it facilitates a calm state ideal for implanting ideas into the subconscious mind enables them to better visualize improved performance.
Discoveries Within
Floaters can fall into what sleep specialists call the hypnagogic state, meaning they are apt to have lucid dreams while awake. Also known as Stage 1 sleep, it is the drowsiest condition we experience while still consciously aware. This is the scientific explanation for reports of visions or “Eureka!” problem-solving moments in the tank, says Hutchison. This phenomenon can be especially beneficial for creative artists. “We have a girl that always emerges from the tank with an idea for a new painting,” says Gray. He also regularly hosts a composer that has worked with famous singers, who has experienced innovative musical breakthroughs while floating. Floating is among the rare healing modalities that can benefit body, mind and spirit in just one hour, with repeat benefits. Gina McGalliard is a freelance writer in San Diego, CA. Connect at GinaMcGalliard.com.
Local Resources A Healing Trail Harwinton • 860-485-0405 • Massage4CT.com Ifloat Westport • 203-226-7378 • ifloatCT.com PuRest Float Trumbull and New Haven • 203-445-6918 • PurestFloat.com eNaturalAwakenings.com
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The Monthly Naturally Healthy Pet Section Starts Here!
Managing Holiday Stress in Pets By Mary Oquendo
H
oliday season is about to get started. It is a stressful time for many people, but some may not realize that pets can suffer the same stressful effects, both physically and emotionally.
Stress isn’t just Aggravation
News, articles, resources, events— all dedicated exclusively to happy, naturally healthy living for our furred, feathered and scaled animal companions For information on how you can be a part of a future issue, call
203-885-4674 or email NicoleM@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com
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Studies have shown a similarity between the effects of stress on our bodies and that of pets. When we are stressed, our bodies release adrenaline and cortisol. The same happens for our pets. When these “stress hormones” are released into a pet’s body, the heart and respiratory rate, as well as the aging process, speed up. In addition, these chemicals inhibit the immune system, reduce blood flow to the brain and shut down the reproductive system. A secondary effect of a suppressed reproductive system is cardiovascular disease in both people and pets.
Causes of Stress Similar Between People and Pets
Over-stressed family members: A pet’s sense of smell is greater than ours, and they are able to perceive our adrenaline and cortisol hormones. They look to us as their pack leader; if we are worried, they assume there must be something to worry about and behave accordingly.
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Change in diet: The holiday season can disrupt a pet’s normal diet and feeding schedule. Holiday food is usually richer, higher in fat and more available. In addition, many holiday dishes contain onions, grapes, raisins and other foods that are poisonous to our pets. Change in routine: We spend more time away from home shopping and visiting. Walks and feeding schedules may be disrupted. Extra visitors in the home: Our pets’ senses are in overload. There may be children running around trying to touch them or adults using different or too much perfume or cologne. Our house may be louder than normal with tasty temptations everywhere. Visitors may also include other pets traveling with guests. Travel: Visiting out-of-area friends and relatives is disruptive regardless of whether our pets are boarded or travel with us.
Indicators of Stress in Pets
We may notice our pet suffering from depression, restlessness, exhaustion and lack of appetite. They may exhibit aggressive, destructive or obsessive compulsive behavior. A stressed pet is more likely to bite or vocalize more. And, as mentioned above, they may
experience physical ailments related to the immune, digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems.
Ways to Relieve a Pet’s Distress
n Provide a quiet place for the pet to escape. It can be as simple as allowing them to be in a bedroom and closing the door. Cover crates with a sheet for privacy. n Infuse the dog’s area with lavender essential oil in a diffuser. New guidelines from the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy recommend not to use essential oils in any form around cats and birds. n Do not use candles with essential oilss, as it may be a fire hazard. n Add soothing music to the environment. There is music designed specifically for different species. n Give size-appropriate toys for mental stimulation. n Keep to their normal diet and feeding schedule. n Give pets extra exercise. Movements dissipate both adrenaline and cortisol, resulting in calmer pets. n An energetic space clearing removes built-up negative energy that accumulates from day-to-day living and replaces it with fresh, positive energy. Use protective and grounding stones around the home; this will benefit the entire household during the busy time of year. But keep them out of reach of chewers. Any brown, black, red, yellow or pink stones are a good choice. Paying attention to our pet’s stress level over the holiday season and actively taking steps to counteract stress effects on their mind and body will result in a much happier holiday for all. In addition, these changes will have an all-around positive change in our lives throughout the year. Mary Oquendo is a Reiki Master, advanced crystal master and certified master tech pet first aid instructor. She is the owner of Hands and Paws Reiki for All. She can be reached at HandsAndPawsReiki.com. See ad, page 54.
Happy Holiday Travel with Pets
I
f your holiday plans involve travelling, you may have to make decisions about whether to bring your pets with you. Here are some questions to ask to determine where your pet will be happiest. Does the dog prefer routine and consistency? Some dogs are happiest when life is predictable. If so, they may prefer familiar surroundings with a trusted pet sitter. Does the dog have the right amount of energy for the trip? Take into consideration the energy level of your dog and if you are going to be able to take care of that need based on your planned itinerary.
Does the pet have any health issues? Does your dog get car sick? Does your dog have joint issues that may be made worse by hours traveling? Are there medications you or someone else will be able to consistently give? Always have the following documents available: • Current copy of the pet’s medical records • Medications (including dosages and how administered) • Proof of vaccinations (including rabies) • Pre-existing medical conditions Does the environment offer pet-friendly accommodations? Websites like BringFido.com can help if you need to stay at a resort or hotel. Here are questions to ask: • Does the facility have restrictions based on the size or breed of the dog? • What amenities, such as grooming, pet sitting and dog walking, are available to canine travelers? • What are the rules for being on-or off-leash at the property? • Are there areas in the facility that are not dog-friendly? • Will there be an extra charge for traveling with a pet?
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860-799-7979 90-B Danbury Road, New Milford, CT 06776 info@UnleashedDaycare.com www.UnleashedDaycare.com New Milford area’s only cage-free dog daycare and boarding facility! eNaturalAwakenings.com
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DIY FIRST-AID FOR DOGS Seven Natural Home Remedies by Karen Becker
M
any pet parents check their kitchen cabinets first when treating their canine companion’s minor health issues. Three helpful basics are canned, 100 percent pumpkin, povidone iodine antiseptic and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, plus apple cider vinegar and coconut oil.
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Constipation, Diarrhea and Other Minor Digestive Issues Solution: Canned pumpkin. For occasional mild tummy upsets, give a teaspoon of pumpkin for every 10 pounds of body weight, one to two times a day, either in food or as a treat, for non-allergic dogs. Pumpkin’s soluble fiber can ease diarrhea and constipation.
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Minor Skin Abrasions, Cuts, Infections or Hot Spots Solution: Povidone iodine. The gentle Betadine brand can allay staph, yeast and most common bacteria. It’s safe if a pet licks it. Dilute the povidone iodine until it looks like iced tea, soak a clean cloth and gently wipe infected skin areas. Rinse the cloth, wipe the skin, and then pat dry. Repeat twice daily for a minor issue.
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Itchy, Irritated Paws Solution: Footbaths. About 50 percent of a dog’s foot
licking and chewing can be alleviated by simply rinsing off allergens and other irritants from its paws. For large dogs, soak one foot at a time in a bucket. Stand small dogs in a sink or tub, or dunk one paw at a time in a small container of solution. Dilute povidone iodine to the color of iced tea and add to the footbath. Swish it around while the dog stands in it for two to five minutes. Talk soothingly and offer treats as needed.
4
Fleas Solution: Apple cider vinegar (ACV). It doesn’t kill fleas, but helps deter them. Put a solution of equal parts raw, organic ACV and water in a spray bottle and spritz the pet before they head outdoors plus dog bedding. Consider adding it to a dog’s food as well; one teaspoon for every 20 pounds of pooch. During baths, pour diluted ACV of one cup of vinegar to one gallon of water over a freshly bathed dog (avoid the head) for a flea-preventive rinse. Massage the ACV solution into their coat and towel dry. Don’t rinse. Alternatively, add about two cups of apple cider vinegar to their bathwater.
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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
natural awakenings
5
Crusty Skin and Nails Solution: Coconut oil. Skin treatments using 100 percent organic, cold-pressed, human-grade coconut oil can reduce flaking and improve skin quality, especially for seniors with crusty patches of skin and funky nails. Bathe the dog, and then rub the oil into the skin all over their body, especially on dry areas. Let it absorb for about five minutes. Follow with another bath (not much lather) and a very light rinse. Also, dab it directly on hotspots, eruptions and rashes after disinfecting.
6
Skunk Encounter Solution: Skunk rinse. In a pail, mix one quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, one-quarter cup of baking soda and two teaspoons dishwashing liquid. For a large dog, double, triple or quadruple the mixture, based on their size and coat. Apply the mixture to the dog’s dry coat, taking care to avoid the eyes. Massage the mixture into the coat and skin for about five minutes or until the skunk smell starts to dissipate. Use a sponge to apply the solution to the chin, cheeks, forehead and ears. Rinse thoroughly. When rinsing the head, tilt the dog’s chin upward to protect the eyes. It may be necessary to repeat the entire process up to three times. Rinse off the solution completely.
7
Toxin Ingestion Solution: Hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. Use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and give one teaspoon for every 10 pounds of dog weight. Add a little
vanilla ice cream or honey to encourage swallowing, or simply syringe it down their throat, if necessary. Walk the dog for a few minutes—movement helps the hydrogen peroxide work—which typically occurs within 15 minutes. If the dog doesn’t vomit in 15 minutes, give a second dose. If after another 15 minutes they still haven’t vomited, call a veterinarian. Don’t induce vomiting if the dog is throwing up already, has lost consciousness or can’t stand, or it’s been more than two hours since they ingested the toxin. Harsh chemicals can cause burning both as they are swallowed and come back up. For these problems, seek veterinary care immediately. Dr. Karen Becker, a proactive and integrative veterinarian in the Chicago area, consults internationally and writes Mercola Healthy Pets (HealthyPets.Mercola.com).
Final Journey,
LLC
( Pet Euthanasia Service )
Kristen Klie, D.V. M. and Associates
( 203 ) 645-5570 www.finaljourneyllc.com
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November 2017
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petresourceguide ADOPTION/RESCUE ANIMALS IN DISTRESS INC 238 Danbury Rd, Wilton 203-762-2006 Animals-In-Distress.com
BRIDGEPORT ANIMAL CONTROL 236 Evergreen St, Bridgeport 203-576-7727
BULLY BREED RESCUE PO Box 953, New Canaan BBRCT@yahoo.com BullyBreedRescueInc.org
COMMUNITY CATS
TAILS OF COURAGE
1 Pembroke Rd, Danbury 877-63-(TAILS) TailsOfCourage.org
WESTPORT ANIMAL SHELTER ADVOCATES (WASA)
1 Tower Ridge, Westport 203-557-0361 WestportWASA.org
ANIMAL COMMUNICATION/ PET SITTING GWEN GANGI
PO Box 4380, Stamford CommunityCatsCT@yahoo.com CommunityCatsCT.org
Fur to Feathers Pet Services Monroe • 203-610-2444 (call or text) FurToFeathersPets@gmail.com FurToFeathers.com
DANBURY ANIMAL WELFARE
Gwen Gangi has been an animal communicator all her life and has been doing consultations for the past 23 years. Practical for any situation, you enter into a 3-way conversation to get and give information needed. Consultations done over the phone or in person, including home visits.Workshops on animal communication available.
SOCIETY (DAWS) 147 Grassy Plain St, Bethel 203-744-3297
FRIENDS OF FELINES INC PO Box 8147, Stamford 203-363-0220 Cats@AdoptAPet.org AdoptAPet.org
LOOKING GLASS ANIMAL RESCUE Ridgefield LGARinc.org On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
NFSAW
223 State Rt 37, New Fairfield 203-746-2925 NFSAW.org
HOLISTIC MOBILE GROOMING
VETERINARY SERVICES NUTMEG SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC 25 Charles St, Stratford 203-690-1550 • NutmegClinic.org
The Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic is a low-cost, high-volume facility for cats and dogs; the first such professional clinic in Fairfield County. The clinic offers other low-cost services during the spay/ neuter appointment. Nutmeg honors state spay/neuter vouchers at face value from adopted shelter pets and qualified low-income families and offers further lowcost incentives to nonprofit rescue groups. Pit bulls and mixes are welcome at an even more reduced rate, and the clinic offers spay/neuter and vaccine discounts for feral cats. See ad, page 55.
PET ASSISTANCE, INC
PO Box 2015, New Preston 860-355-PETS • GetaPet@gmail.com PetAssistanceInc.org Pet Assistance helps keep pets in their homes in times of financial and medical crises, providing emergency veterinary subsidies to pet owners in financial need. We only give grants for pets that have a good prognosis, unless the knowledge we gain from the treatment or surgery may help future animals in need.
MARY OQUENDO
203-994-5308 Mary@PawsitivelyPretty.com MaryOquendo.com Pet grooming in a relaxed one-on-one environment in your driveway by a leader in the holistic grooming industry. Mary also offers Reiki and crystal therapy for your beloved pets. See ad, page 54.
PET ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY INC (PAWS)
504 Main Ave, Norwalk 203-750-9572 PAWSCT.org
PET PROTECTORS
2490 Black Rock Tpke, #453, Fairfield 203-330-0255 PetProtectorsRescue.org
RIDGEFIELD OPERATION FOR ANIMAL RESCUE (ROAR)
45 South St, Ridgefield 203-438-0158 ROAR-Ridgefield.org
STRAYS AND OTHERS
PO Box 473, New Canaan 203-966-6556 StraysAndOthers@hotmail.com
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healthykids
Books that Kids Will Love Advice for Parents from Award-Winners by Randy Kambic
Cultivate Reading
W
hile kids may list movies, kids 8 and up about math, science and video games, music downengineering—cultivates positive role loads and other media featur- models via inspirational personal stoing their favorite athlete, actor or music ries. She points out that most of those star as priority holiday gifts, books will depicted were not that well known, and expand their thoughts, curiosity and therefore can be emulated and more dreams by exposing them to a different readily related to. set of role models and aspirations. One of these is Katherine Coleman Reading takes kids away from tech Johnson, a black National Aeronauscreens and expands horizons in ways tics and Space Administration research that can improve their mathematician and physischool grades, maturity cist, portrayed in the recent Holiday gift and overall inquisitivefilm Hidden Figures. Maness. Many wise-hearted books can inspire rine scientist Eugenie Clark, parents are recognizing known as the “shark lady” lifetime readers. the benefits, as children’s for her daring underwater book sales were up 5 percent in the research, and major pioneers in cartog12-month period ending in mid-Octoraphy, archaeology and other fields also ber 2016, according to the American stir inquiring minds. Booksellers Association. Humor, fantasy “I wanted to provide a variety and magic, classics, nonfiction, time of fields, backgrounds and ethnicitravel and participatory activities rank ties,” remarks Lawlor. “They were all among the most popular topics. determined, very smart and persistent, and made strides in opening Award-Winners’ Advice doors for women.” Lawlor’s 2012 “Children can’t be what they can’t see,” children’s book Rachel Carson and says author Laurie Lawlor, of Evanston, Her Book That Changed The World Illinois. Her 2017 book Super Women: describes how Carson’s seminal 1962 Six Scientists that Changed the World— book Silent Spring helped spawn the a nonfiction account designed to excite conservation and pro-environment 58
Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
movement by chronicling the dangers of pollution. Children’s fascination with nature and wildlife can also be met through the Dog and Bear series by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, out of Long Island, New York, and Vermonter Jim Arnosky’s scientifically sound wildlife chronicles (JimArnosky.com). Kelly Barnhill, of Minneapolis, whose latest work is The Girl Who Drank the Moon, characterizes children as quiet, yet highly active when reading. “They are encountering characters and then building, inserting themselves and more information into the stories, making it more relevant to them,” she says. The former middle school language arts teacher advocates parental reading aloud with children. “Make it a daily practice of turning to a separate book from what they may be reading on their own. You’re helping them develop cognitive structure by reinforcing and explaining. It’s a shared lens on life.”
natural awakenings
4 Know the child’s interests. “If they like horses or birds, you’re certain to find great related books,” advises Lawlor. 4 Lead by example. “Seeing you
reading or gardening or making things invites them to learn more about what they like,” says Lawlor.
4 Be flexible and share. There’s no clear-cut time to transition from reading aloud to having a child do it on their own. Try taking turns reading a paragraph and then a page with them. “Women tend to read more than men, so get Dad involved, as well,” says Barnhill. 4 Access quantity. “Make many
books available to kids,” advises Barnhill. “They’ll enjoy having a choice.” Thrift stores are stocked with heavily discounted used books.
4 Empower them. The interactive, hands-on format of Ellen Sabin’s new The Imagine It Book allows children to “dive in and see how they can make an impact, be innovative, play, fail and then succeed,” says Sabin. “Make them feel like they are ‘driving the bus.’” Welcoming diversity and providing a safe and reassuring community
L
Books Expand Kids’ Horizons
aunched in April, Reading Without Walls (ReadingWithoutWalls.com) is a national initiative celebrating and encouraging reading, diversity and appreciation for those unlike ourselves. “We feel that this will change lives,” says Shaina Birkhead, strategic partnerships director with the Children’s Book Council, one of the program’s partner organizations. Under the program umbrella, libraries, bookshops, teachers, community youth groups and parents can host “challenge” events. An online guide includes tips on setting up displays and props; fun crafts and drawing activities; how to talk about reading; writing and design contests, word games and puzzles; and bookmark prizes. “Reading opens up minds and hearts to new people, places and things,” says Gene Luen Yang, a national ambassador of the program and author of the youthful tale American Born Chinese.
space for both confident and vulnerable youngsters, the American Library Association (ala.org) provides libraries with positive, unifying resources for children and families. They include a Storytime for Social Justice Kit; booklist for Hope and Inspiration storytime events; resource list on Talking to Kids about Racism and Justice for parents, caregivers and educators; and curated media list on immigration. The Barnes & Noble bookseller groups selected children’s books— including classics such as Dr. Seuss titles, poetry, nature, sports, history and science—in five age categories from newborn through teenage years. “It’s an amazing era for children’s books,” assesses Barnhill. “The success of the Harry Potter series reminded people that kids like real stories. There’s been a boom in creativity, vigor and technical skills in story construction.” Freelance writer and editor Randy Kambic, in Estero, FL, is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings.
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THREE-MONTH EDITORIAL PLANNING CALENDAR
D E C J A N F E B
Community Connections plus: True Prosperity
calendarofevents Magazine calendar events must be received by November 12 (for December 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. MONDAY, OCTOBER 30
Empowering Relationships I – 6:30-9:30pm. 5 weeks. Begins 10/30. Must attend all sessions. Seminar about relationships, both those we have with others and those we have with ourselves. Scholarships may be available. Re-sitting is offered by donation. $60 per week. Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St, Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@gmail.com. MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Vibrational Healing plus: Chiropractic Care
Aspects and Answers: Best Practices in Partnering with Dogs for Children on the Autism Spectrum – 8am-3pm. We invite families and professionals who have an interest incorporating dogs into the lives of autistic youth. Free. Registration required. Space is limited. Leir Conference Center, 220 Branchville Rd, Ridgefield. 845-279-2995, ext. 263. MDoherty@ GreenChimneys.org. GreenChimneys.org/Dogs-asd.
Contact us to learn about marketing opportunities and become a member of the Natural Awakenings community:
Cooking with Essential Oils – 7-8:30pm. Meet up with other people interested in cooking, essential oils, and natural health and wellness. Learn how to use essential oils in your cooking to enhance flavor and reap health benefits. Invite a friend. Free. RSVP for address. Info@InterPlayHealth.com. InterplayHealth.com.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9
A Gala Night of Spirit Readings and Healings at Albertson Church – 7-9pm. Join us for a unique evening of mini-readings and healings. Each ticketed guest will receive a psychic/mediumistic reading, a tarot card reading and a spiritual healing. $25. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 845709-4089. KathyJamesMedium@gmail.com. AlbertsonChurch.org.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Intro to Spirit Art – 7-9pm. No previous art skills required. An experiential class covering auragraphs, healing mandalas, spiritual still lifes and spirit portraits. Basic art supplies provided but bringing your own sketch pad and favorite supplies is suggested. $30. Sacred Spirit, 135 Clover Hill Dr, Stamford. 203-344-9311. Piscese28@aol.com.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Reiki 1st Degree Workshop – 9:30am-5:30pm. With Gigi Benanti. Learn Western style from an experienced Reiki master (20 years). Includes latest info. Learn how to use Reiki for self-healing and healing for others. 2 manuals and certificate. $125. Angelic Healing Center for Reiki, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGigiB@ snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com.
203-885-4674
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Influence Positive Behavior Change: Hypno-Meditation Seminar – 7-7:45pm. With Adam Moore, NLP Practitioner, Hypnotist. Explore your psychological blind spots and bring awareness to the question, “Are you getting in the way of your own success?” Journaling process included. $30. Sabita Holistic Center, 3519 Post Rd, Southport. 203-254-3633. Sabita631@ gmail.com. SabitaHolisticCenter.com. Reiki Level 1 Workshop – 10am-5:30pm. With Gigi Benanti. Learn Western style from an experienced Reiki master (20 years). Includes latest info. Learn how to use Reiki for self-healing and healing for others. 2 manuals and certificate. $125. Angelic Healing Center for Reiki, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGigiB@snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com.
2018 Natural Living Dirctory
Introduction to Restorative Yin Yoga – 2-4pm. With Rob Farella. Return to yoga’s ancient roots with Yin Yoga, using long-held postures to access the deeper, most accepting aspects of yourself. A meditative approach to yoga. $25 by 11/3; $35 at the door. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-7309642. Info@YogaSpace-CT.com. YogaSpace-CT. com/Events.
Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
natural awakenings
Shamanic Journeying – 7-9pm. A way of communicating with your inner self or spirit self, and retrieving information. Shamanic Journeying can also be useful for purposes of divination, personal healing, and meeting your power animals and spirit guides. These classes are in the Peruvian style of Shamanism, in which rattles are used. Rocio is also available by appointment. $40. Sacred Spirit, 135 Clover Hill Dr, Stamford. 203-344-9311. Piscese28@aol.com.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Reiki One Class – Noon-6pm. With Holistic Heaven’s Kerry Hardy, RN, HNB-BC, RMT, and Kindred Spirits’ Tracey Mignone, RMT. Learn the ancient technique of Usui Reiki, and begin to heal yourself and others. Receive your Level 1 Reiki attunement, manual and a certificate. Space is limited. $175. The Green Room, 990 Bridgeport Ave, Milford. 203-895-5134. KerryHardyRN@gmail.com. Asana and Pranayama for Deep and Lasting Change – 3-5pm. With Barbara Templeton. Asana and Pranayama help to create a healthy body, increase your vital energy and calm your mind. As you engage in these practices consistently, you will be amazed at their ability to create deep and lasting change. $30 in advance; $35 at the door. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642. Info@ YogaSpace-CT.com. YogaSpace-CT.com/Events.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Reiki Second Degree – 10am–5:30pm. With Gigi Benanti, Reiki master/teacher (20 years). Learn to send distance Reiki healing, deepen use of Reiki for others and yourself. 2 powerful energy connections from my short Japanese/Usa Linage. Two manuals and certificate. $215. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGigiB@snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Presentation on Living with Cancer – 7pm. Learn the health benefits of fall spices like cinnamon, clove, ginger, wild orange and many others and how to easily incorporate them into your holiday cooking and baking, and simultaneously fill your home with fabulous fall scents. Space is limited. No charge. The Green Room, 990 Bridgeport Ave, Milford. 203-895-5134. KerryHardyRN@gmail.com. Health Talks-Diabetes – 7-8 pm. Ingels Family Health monthly health talks. Please join us in a discussion on Diabetes led by Dr. Mark Sanders. Please RSVP, seating is limited. Free. Ingels Family Health, 22 Fairfield Pl, Fairfield. 203-254-9957. Info@DarinIngelsND.com. DarinIngelsND.com.
markyourcalendar Albertson Memorial Church November Events: Spiritual/Psychic Fair November 4 & December 2 • noon-5pm • $35+ Communicating with Mary With Anna Raimondi November 5 • 1-2:30pm • $50 Spiritualist Evening Private Readings November 9 • 7-9pm • $25 Pre-registration required, KathleenJamesMedium@gmail.com Private Readings With Astrologer Patricia Melman November 11 • 1-4pm • $50 Pre-registration required, 203-556-9521 Astrology Predictions for 2018 With Astrologer Patricia Melman November 12 • 1-3pm • $40 Message Circle With Verline Eldridge November 26 • 1-3pm • $20
Ongoing Events: Sunday Service 11am-12:30pm • Donation Beginner Psychic & Mediumship Class with Bobby Kitsios Wednesdays • 7-9pm • $20 Bereavement Group for Parents Last Sunday of the month • 1-3pm • Free Albertson Memorial Church 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich 203-556-9521 Info@AlbertsonChurch.org AlbertsonChurch.org
Intro to Spirit Art – 7-9pm. No previous art skills required. An experiential class covering auragraphs, healing mandalas, spiritual still lifes and spirit portraits. Basic art supplies provided, but bringing your own sketch pad and favorite supplies is suggested. $30. Sacred Spirit, 135 Clover Hill Dr, Stamford. 203-344-9311. Piscese28@aol.com.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Mudras for Awakening the 5 Elements - Release Stress and Find Balance – 3-5pm. With Alison DeNicola. The five elements, earth, water, fire, air and space are the building blocks of everything. Awaken and restore the five elements within you, using mindful yoga, hand mudras, pranayama, essential oils and restorative practices. $32 in advance; $40 at the door. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642. Info@YogaSpace-CT.com. YogaSpace-CT.com/Events.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25
Reiki Second Degree Workshop – 9:30am-5:30pm. With Gigi Benanti, Reiki master/teacher (20 years). Learn to send distance Reiki healing, deepen use of Reiki for others and yourself. 2 powerful energy connections from my short Japanese/Usa Lineage. Two manuals and certificate. $215. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGigiB@snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30 Twas The Girls Night Before Christmas, The Musical – 5-9:30pm. This Off-Broadway hit, in collaboration with Fun Girls Night Out, comes to the Oakdale Theater for one night only. Shopping, refreshments and much more before 8pm performance. $59-$89. Oakdale Theatre, 95 S Turnpike Rd, Wallingford. 203-745-4946. Charlene@AClearVisionProduction.com. FunGirlsNightOut.com.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 Restorative Yoga: Unwind from the Grind – 2-4pm. With Liz Wendel. Restorative Yoga is a passive practice, which just about anyone can do. You don’t need to be particularly athletic, fit or flexible. Wear comfy layers and bring a mat if you have one. $30 in advance; $38 at the door (if space available). Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-7309642. Info@YogaSpace-CT.com. YogaSpace-CT. com/Events.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9 Holiday Kirtan with Sita’s Light – 7:30-9pm. With Miriam Zernis. It’s holiday time and you are on the go. Take a break with Sita’s Light and be effortlessly transported to a place of deep peace and joy during this evening of soul-stirring call-andresponse chanting and eclectic sacred music. $20 in advance; $35 at the door. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642. Info@YogaSpace-CT. com. YogaSpace-CT.com/Events.
markyourcalendar NEW DATES: 13th Octave LA HO CHI Training
The Most Powerful Healing on the Planet with Eilis Philpott, Soul Healing Journey, LLC Friday, December 8 (evening), Saturday, December 9 and Sunday, December 10 This magnificent gift is the anchoring of our divinity in physicality, as we move from the ascension process to the creation process. 13th Octave LaHoChi is the next step in energy healing – a quantum leap available now to the healers and people of Nova Earth. 69 Water St, Norwalk $350, including all materials $100 deposit required to register Registration Required • 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com Register at 13th Octave LaHoChi Training
markyourcalendar NEW AGE & CRAFTS EXPO Sunday, November 12 • 10am-5pm Come Experience a Day of Spiritual & Creative Enlightenment Intuitive Readers, Aura Photos & Crystals, Tibetan Singing Bowls, Healings, Handcrafted Jewelry, Soaps, Oils, Guided Meditations, Spiritual Art, 2 Rooms of Dynamic Speakers, and much more! Wyndham Southbury 1284 Strongtown Rd, Southbury $6 Admission $1 off with this coupon VENDOR SPACE STILL AVAILABLE 203-733-6560 • Cryours87@yahoo.com
markyourcalendar HOLISTIC AND PSYCHIC FAIR
Co-sponsored by The Metaphysical Center November 12 • 10am-5pm Featuring a variety of readers and vendors as well as free lectures. Free admission; readings are $20 for 20 minutes. For more information, contact Dee Randis at 860-274-1690. VFW Post 5157, 866 Thomaston Rd (Rte 6), Watertown
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ongoingcalendar daily 9th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival and Santa’s Village – Noon-6pm. Monday-Saturday. 11/24-12/23. Take photo with Santa, meet the reindeer, and ride on the Winter Wonderland Carousel and the North Pole Polar Express Train. Free entry. Photos with Santa start at $29.99. Sam’s Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North St, Greenwich. 203531-3047. Tamara@TMK-EventMarketing.com. GreenwichReindeerFestival.com.
sunday Sunday Stretch—8-9am. Sunday. Instructor: Tess Whaley, NASM, IFPA certified trainer. Head-totoe stretching techniques to maintain or improve flexibility and range of motion. Bring a yoga mat and dress comfortably. Space is limited. Donations appreciated. The Green Room, 990 Bridgeport Ave, Milford. 203-543-1022. KerryHardyRN@ gmail.com. Satsang Meditation – 9:30-11am. Satsangs are spiritual and community gatherings of like-minded people. Music, mantra, meditation, spiritual instruction/discourse and spiritual blessings to help you reset, recharge and get ready for the week ahead. By donation. Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St (Rte 25), Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@ gmail.com. MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.
New Beginnings in Community Sunday Service – 10am. Join this group of spiritually-minded people embracing and honoring all world religions, belief systems, cultures and traditions. Come together to share thoughts, experiences and wisdom in a supportive environment. Free. Mystics By The Sea, 394 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-980-6272. NewBeginningsInCommunity.Weebly.com. Family Meditation Program – 10-11:30am. Second and fourth Sunday. Ages 4-13. While the adults are meditating in the main building, young people can connect with others in their age-group, learn about mindfulness, compassion toward self and others. 203-244-3130. MMKeeler@gmail.com. ReddingMeditation.org. Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 10-11:30am. Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness. simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life, and discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org. ReddingMeditation.org. Celebration Service – 10:30am-noon. With Rev. Shawn Moninger. Inspiring message supports your spiritual unfoldment with thought provoking, soul healing topics and uplifting music. By donation. Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, 2nd Flr, Norwalk. 203-855-7922. Office@UnityCenterNorwalk.org. UnityCenterNorwalk.org.
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Community Yoga Class – 11am-12:15pm. Open to all ages and levels. Families welcome. Light, energizing yogic exercises are followed by relaxation and meditation. It’s about sharing fun, laughter, breath, and joy so you leave feeling uplifted. Come connect with your love, your peace and your light. $5. Naam Yoga Connecticut, 164 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. 203-730-2400. Info@NaamYogaCT.com. NaamYogaCT.com. Sunday Albertson Memorial Church Service – 11am-12:30pm. Join us for inspirational sermons, meditation, energy healing and messages from Spirit. By donation. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 203-637-4615. Info@AlbertsonChurch.org. AlbertsonChurch.org. Monthly Mystical Market – 11am-4pm. Third Sunday. Psychics, mediums, intuitives, CT artisans, vendors and holistic practitioners. Free admission, vendors prices vary. The Ruby Tree, 670 Main St S, Woodbury. 203-586-1655. Christina@ TheRubyTreeCT.com. TheRubyTreeCT.com. Reiki Healing Clinic – 11:45am-2pm. Experience the beneficial effects of relaxation and feeling of peace from Reiki Healing. Reiki is an ancient method of natural healing for relaxation and stress reduction that promotes self healing. Pre-registration required. $20/suggested donation. Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St (Rt 25), Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@gmail.com. MuktinathHolisticCenter.com. Monthly Healing Circle – 4-5:30pm. First Sunday. Whether you are in need of healing or a healer wishing to share your gifts for the highest good of others, this group is for you. Group limited to 8, please RSVP. Free or $10/suggested donation. Acupuncture Works, 132A State Rt 37, New Fairfield. 845-494-0090. Reiki4Wellness@aol.com.
monday Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness. simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life, and discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org. ReddingMeditation.org. Monday Meditation—7:30-8:30pm. Beginners meditation class. Learn the benefits and techniques of meditation in a supportive and soothing environment. Bring a yoga mat and blanket. Dress comfortably. Space is limited. Donations appreciated.. The Green Room, 990 Bridgeport Ave, Milford. 203-543-1022. KerryHardyRN@gmail.com.
Reiki Share – 7:30-9:30pm. Fourth Monday. With JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT. Practice Reiki in a small group setting. Share experiences and help each other develop in a safe, fun environment while providing a wonderful, relaxing, rejuvenating experience. $20. Registration required. Turning Point Healing Arts and Education Center, 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield. 203-438-3050. TurningPointReiki.com.
Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
natural awakenings
tuesday Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 12:30-2pm. Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness. simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life, and discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org. ReddingMeditation.org. Monthly Information Sessions at The Graduate Institute – 6:30-7:30pm. Join us for an info session every 2nd Tuesday of the month at The Graduate Institute. Please contact us to let us know that you’ll be attending. The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. Call 203-874-4252. Night of Love and Light: Prayer circle and A Course in Miracles – 6:30-8pm. With Joan Goss. Prayers are answered. Peace and love are a choice we make. Experience the lessons and wisdom of A Course in Miracles. $20. Sacred Spirit, 135 Clover Hill Dr, Stamford. 203-344-9311. Piscese28@aol. com. 13 Moon’s Healing Circle – 6:30-8:15pm. Fourth Tuesday. Each moon we will explore a variety of topics. The circle will be a private and sacred group, open to women or those who identify as woman. Drop-ins welcome. $25. Twin Star Herbal Education, 65 Bank St, New Milford. 860-3500077. BekahTwinStar@gmail.com. TwinStarTribe. com/Events. Reiki Share – 7-8:30pm. First Tuesday of the month. With June and Tracy. Come join our circle of practitioners for sharing and caring and healing. All levels of practitioners are welcome. Please RSVP. $20/drop-in. Kindred Spirits, 197 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-938-3690. How to Love Yourself – 7:30-9:30pm. The how to let go of negative judgment and unconditionally accept yourself. Co-led by Ginny Brown and Ellen Kratka, with special higher-dimensional guests, the Multitude of the Greater Good. $40. Address provided upon registration. 203-263-2643. E.Kratka@ sbcglobal.net. ResultsBeyondBelief.com/How-ToLove-Yourself.
Reiki Share – 7-9pm. Second Tuesday. Practice and enhance your Reiki healing and grow your intuition. All will receive healing time and practice time. You must have completed at minimum Reiki level I in order to fully participate. $15/suggested donation. Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St (Rte 25), Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@gmail.com. MuktinathHolisticCenter.com. Reiki Shares – 7:30-10:15pm. First and third Tuesdays. Gigi Benanti Usui/Karuna Reiki Master/ Teacher. For Reiki practitioners only. Exchange ongoing since 1996. Instructions included. $20. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. Pre-register: 203-852-1150.
wednesday Apothecary Hours – 10am-1pm. Meet like-minded folks and learn about what we do at Twin Star Herbal and Energetic Studies. Free. Twin Star Herbal Education, 65 Bank St, New Milford. 203-313-7883. Info@TwinStarTribe.com. TwinStarTribe.com.
Learn to Love Yourself – 7:30-9:30pm. Second Wednesday. With Ginny Brown and Ellen Kratka. Little-known spiritual truths applied to everyday life. Let go of negative judgment and unconditionally accept yourself. $40. By phone or internet. 203-263-2643. E.Kratka@sbcglobal.net. Results-BeyondBelief.com. Divinely Wild: A Weekly Women’s Circle – 10:30am. Join in this community of sisterhood to nourish your senses, heart and soul as we discover deep connection with ourselves and each other. Please dress comfortably and bring a journal, pen, yoga mat and blanket. $15. SOUND, 31 Hawleyville Rd, Newtown. 203-525-3541. Kimberly.Owens@ gmail.com. SoundCenterArts.com. Women’s Wisdom Group – 10:30am-12:30pm. Women support each other through the process of recognizing and embracing one’s full, authentic beings and, in doing so, nurturing their highest potential. $30. SunRaven, 501 Guard Hill Rd, Bedford, NY. 914-218-3113. SlowMedicine.org. A Course In Miracles With Joan Goss – Noon1:15pm. We welcome you to join us in these open, ongoing and experiential classes designed to help you experience the lessons and wisdom of A Course in Miracles. $20. Sacred Spirit, 135 Clover Hill Dr, Stamford. 203-344-9311. Piscese28@aol.com. Yogastrology – 4:30-5:45pm. Yogastrology is the fusion of a slow-flow, gentle yoga practice enriched by astrological wisdom. Join yogi and astrologer Michele Leigh to tap into the energy of the zodiac wheel and connect to the natural rhythms of the sun and the moon. Included in ah Yoga class package. ah Yoga, New Milford, 65 Bank St, New Milford. 203-948-9347. DarkMoonAstrology@gmail.com. DarkMoonAstrology.com. Tai Chi Classes – 6:30-7:30pm. With June Fagan, Tai Chi Instructor. A slow movement meditation for all levels of fitness. Known to reduce stress, increase focus and balance and improve self and well-being. $25/drop-in; $85/1 class per week; $150/unlimited classes month. Kindred Spirits, 1197 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-938-3690. A Course In Miracles – 7-8:30pm. Study group where anyone can come without fear of being judged, a place where feelings can be shared in a loving, accepting atmosphere and, above all, a place to enhance fun and inspire a sense of joy and laughter. $10/suggested donation. Soul Healing Journey, LLC, 40 Livingston St, Fairfield. 203-767-5954. Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com. SoulHealingJourney.com. Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness. simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life, and discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org. ReddingMeditation.org. Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Experience bliss, peace, joy and deep healing. This is not your traditional silent or guided meditation class. This meditation will bring change into your life. By donation. Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St (Rte 25), Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@gmail.com. MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.
Holistic Moms Network Fairfield County, CT Chapter – 7:30pm. Second Wednesday. Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care, 156 East Ave, Norwalk. Home.Homewebs.com/ HMNFairfieldCtyCT.
Turning Point S.H.A.R.E. Divorce Group – 7:30-9:30pm. Third Wednesdays. Offering support, healing, advocacy, resources and educrcation for women in the process of, or recently divorced. $20, $150/10-session card. Registration required. Turning Point Healing Arts and Education Center, 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield. 203-438-3050. TurningPointShare.com.
thursday Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 9:30-11am. Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness. Simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life. Discover the benefits of becoming more present. By donation. Redding Center for Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org. ReddingMeditation.org. Reiki Healing Circle – 7-9pm. Second Thursday. All welcome. Non-Reiki and Reiki practitioners share and experience Reiki. See details on Unity website. Hosted by Gigi Benanti Reiki master/teacher. $20. Unity Center for Practical Spirituality, 3 Main St, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGiGiB@snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com, UnityCenterNorwalk.org.
friday Reiki Share – 9:30-11:30am. First Friday. With JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT. Practice Reiki in a small group setting. Share experiences and help each other develop in a safe, fun environment while providing a wonderful, relaxing, rejuvenating experience. $20. Registration required. Turning Point Healing Arts and Education Center 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield. 203-438-3050. TurningPointReiki.com. Student Massage Therapy Clinic – 11am-noon. Relax and enjoy a 50-minute, full-body massage for only $20 at our Danbury Campus public clinic. $20. 44 Shelter Rock Rd, Danbury. KMCCaffrey@ Ridley.edu. Ridley.edu. Apothecary Hours – 11am-4pm. Meet like-minded folks and learn about what we do at Twin Star Herbal and Energetic Studies. Free. Twin Star Herbal Education, 65 Bank St, New Milford. 203-313-7883. Info@TwinStarTribe.com. TwinStarTribe.com. Spirit Art Class — 7-9pm. Every other Friday. No artistic ability/training required. Class will help us connect to spirit through art. Bring a sketch pad or canvas, all other materials supplied. Topics include still lifes, color interpretations, auragraphs, healing mandalas and spirit portraits. $30. The Sacred Spirit, 135 Clover Hill Dr, Stamford. 203-344-9311. Piscese28@aol.com.
Discussion with The Higher Realms – 7-9:30pm. Bring your heartfelt questions and receive the wisdom of The Ascended Masters and The Divine Feminine specifically for you as channeled by Ginny Brown. $45. Address provided upon registration. HeartAndHealing@hotmail.com. GinnyBrown.net
saturday Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 10-11:30am. Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness. simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life, and discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org. ReddingMeditation.org. Spondylitis Support Group – 11am-12:30pm. Last Saturday. Led by Dr. Andrew Cummins, naturopathic physician. Having lived with the chronic inflammatory disease Ankylosing Spondylitis for the last 18 years, Dr. Cummins understands what living with chronic pain and limited mobility is all about. Group provides education, empowerment, understanding and support. Free. Shalva Clinic, 8 Lincoln St, 1st Fl, Westport. 203-916-4600. DrCummins@ShalvaClinic.org. ShalvaClinic.org. Astrology with Laura – Noon. Second Saturday. We are thrilled to host the wonderful and wildly popular Laura Watkins, Astrological Counselor in our apothecary for reading. Call for an appointment. $45 for 1/2-hour session. Twin Star Community Apothecary, 57 Bank St, New Milford. 860-350-0077. TwinStarTina@gmail.com. TwinStarTribe.com/Events.. Open Mic Night – 7-9 pm, 3rd Saturday. Bring music printed out in your key and Kenneth Gartman will accompany you at the piano for your moment at the microphone. Comedians, poets, writers and musicians welcomed as well. Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, 2nd Flr, Norwalk. 203-855-7922. Office@ UnityCenterNorwalk.org. UnityCenterNorwalk.org.
classifieds To place a Classified Listing: $1 per word. $25 minimum. Magazine deadline: 12th of month prior to publication. Email copy to NicoleM@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. HELP WANTED DISTRIBUTORS WANTED for monthly deliveries of Natural Awakenings and other local publications. Perfect for a retired person or stay-at-home mom looking to earn some extra income and connect with their local community. Honesty and dependability are the most important characteristics of our distributors if you don’t have it in spades, please do not apply! Thomas@ManInMotionLLC.com. DO YOU LOVE NATURAL AWAKENINGS? Would you like to help spread the word about natural health and personal empowerment? Contact Publisher Nicole Miale today about becoming a Community Street Team member to represent the magazine at upcoming community events. NicoleM@NaturalAwakeningsmag.com.
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communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care 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.
72 North St, Ste 100A, Danbury 914-362-8315 DrKurt@earthlink.net HudsonValleyNaturalHealth.com Naturopathic and Chinese medicine for acute and chronic disease, including acupuncture, botanical medicine, cupping, moxa, homeopathy, nutritional and lifestyle counseling, mindbody medicine, ecotherapy and functional lab testing. Helpful for muscle/joint pain and headaches, autoimmune disease, digestive disorders, mental health; boosting immune function; balancing hormones; tobacco addiction; and stress reduction. See ad, page 32.
INGRI BOE-WIEGAARD, LAc Fairfield, Wilton, Bethel 203-259-1660 CTAcupuncture.com 25-year full-time practice
Ingri’s treatments help alleviate pain, depression, neck and back, anxiety, headaches, stress, allergies, asthma, arthritis, digestive, menstrual, infertility, smoking and weight-loss issues. See ad, page 10.
JAMPA STEWART, MSOM, LAc Board Certified Acupuncturist Valley Spirit Wellness 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot 860-619-2788 ValleySpiritCoop.com
Concierge care for those suffering from pain, internal disorders, menstrual issues and menopause, infertility, depression and anxiety, insomnia, addiction, fatigue, tuneups and more. Facial rejuvenation/ cosmetic acupuncture also offered. See ad, page 49.
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ALBA THERMAL IMAGING LLC Safe, painless early detection 71 East Ave, Ste D, Norwalk 203-856-1421 AlbaThermalImaging.com
Thermography can detect breast disease at its earliest stages and monitor and assess pain in any part of the body. Safe, painless, non invasive, FDA registered.
APOTHECARY
ACUPUNCTURE KURT BEIL, ND, LAc, MPH
BREAST THERMOGRAPHY
CENTRE FOR NATURAL HEALING 35 Wall St, Norwalk 203-857-0202 CentreHealingCT.com
Modern-day apothecary offering tinctures, teas, essential oils, and professional supplements. Services include custom herbal compounding. Our wellness boutique features items for wellness, beauty, and home, as well as artisanal items including jewelry, healing crystals, and ceremonial items for sacred ritual.
BIOFEEDBACK ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE, EDD, LPC, BCN, LLC 898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield Offices in Ridgefield and Newtown 203-438-4848 Info@DrRoseann.com DrRoseann.com
Advanced Bio-Regulation (BRT) is a unique approach to health and wellness that uses Biofeedback and PEMF-based Electromagnetic Technology to help the body better self-regulate, adapt and heal naturally. It is used for chronic pain, depression, anxiety, hormonal issues, Lyme, etc. See ad, page 10.
OPTIMAL MIND
Lawrence Edwards, PhD, BCN, LMHC 2 Byram Brook Pl, Armonk, NY 914-219-8600 OptimalMind.net Biofeedback/neurofeedback for ADHD, enhanced focus, peak performance, test stress, anxiety, chronic pain, headaches, insomnia, anger, meditation, mindfulness training and more. Dr. Edwards is board certified and NYS licensed. Physician and self-referrals welcome.
Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
natural awakenings
CANCER SUPPORT THERAPIES KERRY HARDY, RN, HNB-BC, RMT, CCH Holistic Heaven 203-895-5134 HolisticHeavenWellness.com MyDoterra.com/HolisticHeavenWellness
As a holistic nurse, I understand the importance of balancing traditional medicine with alternative complementary therapies to heal the mind, body and spirit. Offering health and nutritional counseling as a Certified Holistic Cancer Educator, Reiki, pranic healing and crystal therapy, aromatherapy with dōTERRA essential oils. Specializing in working with patients experiencing chronic pain, chronic disease and cancer. See ad, page 32.
CHIROPRACTIC PETER BRAGLIA, DC
True Health Family Chiropractic 7365 Main St, Stratford 203-923-8633 • TrueHealthCT.com As a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, Dr. Braglia has received advanced training in Pediatric Adjusting and Prenatal Care, including the Webster Technique. We are proud to serve patients from all over Fairfield and New Haven Counties with our unique and gentle approach to health care.
RISA SLOVES, DC
Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care 156 East Ave, Norwalk 203-838-1555 • CTChiropractic.com Dr. Risa Sloves is one of 12 Chiropractic Physicians in Connecticut with Board Certification in Maternity and Pediatric Care including Webster and Bagnell Turning Techniques. Also provided: acupuncture, BioSET Allergy Elimination Technique and the DRX9000 Spinal Decompression. See ad, page 45.
COLONICS COLONICS
914-921-LIFE (5433) LifelineHygienics.com Experience and personalized service you can trust. The finest in colonic irrigation and personal care. Serving the tri-state area since 1993.
WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE LLC
501 Kings Hwy E, Ste 108, Fairfield 203-371-8258 WholeBodyMed.com Ready to start feeling healthier? Take your first step with this gentle cleansing procedure. Watch our colonic and detoxification videos on our new video website located at WholeBodyMed.com. Call for free CD on detoxification. See ad, page 2.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY/ ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE VINCENT FRASER, CST, CAT, SEP
Craniosacral Therapy, Alexander Technique, Somatic Experiencing Greenwich and Norwalk 203-570-2059 Vincent@VincentFraser.com Vincent offers paths to wholeness which lead to resolving pain and trauma, ease of movement in one’s body and life, and a fuller conscious embodiment.
EDUCATION INSTITUTE FOR HOLISTIC HEALTH STUDIES
Western Connecticut State University Christel Autuori, RDH, RYT, MA, Director 181 White St, Danbury 203-837-8559 • WCSU.edu/IHHS The mission of the IHHS is to provide the University and Greater Danbury area with an opportunity to engage in and explore different aspects of holistic and integrative health through programming and instruction. Programs include Wellness Wednesday lunchtime workshops, monthly meditation program, lecture series, health wellness and fitness fair.
ENERGY HEALING
HEALING CENTER
BETH LEAS
THE RUBY TREE
Transformative Healing • Tarot Offices in Norwalk and Ridgefield 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com • TLCTarot.com
Metaphysical Shop and Healing Space Sherman Village, 670 Main St S, Woodbury 203-586-1655 • TheRubyTreeCT.com
If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection. 20 years intuitive healing experience with adults and children of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 19.
SOUL HEALING JOURNEY, LLC Eilis Philpott 40 Livingston St, Fairfield 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com
Rocks and crystals, magical objects, singing bowls, herbal candles and more. Local artisans, an array of holistic practitioners, a monthly Mystical Market fair, regularly scheduled psychics/mediums/intuitives, yoga, meditation, and workshops galore—all to enhance the health of your mind, body and spirit. See ad, page 16.
HEALTH COACH MARY GILBERTSON, WELLNESS
Eilis is a certified Rebirther having completed Rebirthing and Advanced Rebirthing training. She is a certified Soul Language practitioner and is certified in Akashic Field therapy. She is a Reiki Master in Usui/Raku-kei Reiki and Angelic Reiki. She is an approved teacher for 13th Octave LaHoChi. A transformational healing session supports you in healing all aspects of your life. See ad, page 18.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE MARK JOACHIM, DC, FIAMA
Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care 156 East Ave, Norwalk 203-838-1555 • CTNutritionCenter.com Dr. Joachim has been in private practice since 1990, specializing in nutrition, natural allergy elimination and functional medicine. Through specialized testing, he identifies subtle changes in individual physiology which may be at the root of troubling symptoms. Addressing the underlying dysfunction can help you feel better, for good.
Mary Gilbertson, MS, BSN, CHHC Licensed RN, Nutritionist and Certified Health Coach 238 Monroe Tpke, Monroe 203-521-4733 MaryGilbertsonWellness@gmail.com MaryGilbertsonWellness.com
Using the concept of “Food as Medicine” to create your customized nutrition and lifestyle plan for whole living. Working one on one, in groups and in corporations to develop customized healthy lifestyle plans. Works with patients on metabolism and weight loss, detoxification, gut health, cancers, inflammatory conditions and stress management. See ad, page 31.
HOLISTIC DENTIST MARK A BREINER, DDS, FIAOMT 501 Kings Hwy East, Ste 108, Fairfield 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 soughtafter speaker and lecturer. His popular consumer book, Whole-Body Dentistry, has been sold worldwide. See ad, page 2.
TAMARA SACHS, MD
Functional Medicine and Integrative Care LLC 15 Bennitt St, New Milford 860-354-3304 • TSachsMD.com Using Functional Medicine, Dr. Sachs prevents and treats chronic illnesses by addressing their underlying root causes, remaining respectful of the uniqueness, complexity and intuitions that make us human. Trained at Mt. Sinai Medical School and Yale University Hospital in Internal Medicine, in 2003 she opened Functional Medicine and Integrative Care LLC. She has great success with IBS, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Autoimmune problems, Toxicity and more, by creating individualized, realistic and comprehensive Personalized Wellness Plans. She consults in her New Milford, CT office, and also by phone or video using telemedicine.
HYPNOSIS HEALING TREE WISDOM
Thea Litsios, CHy Locations in Norwalk and Stratford 203-693-1493 HealingTreeWisdom.com Use the power of your whole mind to transform your life: Hypnosis for weight loss, smoking cessation, stress relief, and past life review. Certified teacher of Active Dream work. Individual dream consultations available, as well as workshops and monthly Dream Groups. See ad, page 15.
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HYPNOSIS MIND-BODY TRANSFORMATION Diane Bahr-Groth, CHy, TFTdx 1177 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-595-0110 MindBodyTransformation.com
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 ads, pages 9 and 23.
INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE PHYSICIAN MICHAEL FINKELSTEIN, MD, FACP, ABIHM SunRaven: The Home of Slow Medicine 501 Guard Hill Rd, Bedford, NY 914-218-3113 SlowMedicineDoctor.com
Insightful health evaluations with customized medical guidance. Consultation and holistic-lifestyle teaching and coaching aimed at attaining enhanced health and wellness on every level.Uniquely qualified to offer a second opinion from a Holistic Perspective. See ad, page 9.
INTEGRATIVE NATURAL MEDICINE
DARLENE ALVAREZ MADDERN SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER
Ken Hoffman, DACM, LAc, Medical Director 31 Old Rte 7, Brookfield 203-740-9300 INM.Center Using naturopathic and Chinese medical principles, we get to the source of your health concerns. Diagnostic methods include functional testing such as advanced bloodwork analysis, cardiovascular testing, hormone evaluation and thermography. Our customized treatment program includes acupuncture, herbal and nutritional medicine, diet and lifestyle counseling and more. Most insurance accepted.
INTEGRATIVE OPTOMETRY EYECARE ASSOCIATES, PC
Dr. Randy Schulman, M.S., O.D., FCOVD Dr. Narvan Bennett , O.D. Dr. Stephen Carr, O.D. Dr. Omar Munshi, O.D. Dr. Tanya Ayzikovich, O.D. Locations: 6515 Main St, Trumbull • 203-374-2020 444 Westport Ave, Norwalk • 203-840-1991 2600 Post Rd, Southport • 203-255-4005 CTEyeCareAssociates.com We offer behavioral optometry, comprehensive vision exams, contact lenses and vision therapy. See ad, page 23.
HENRY C. SOBO, MD
Optimal Health Medical LLC 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-348-8805 DrSobo.com Dr. Sobo provides Natural Hormone therapy, weight-reduction programs, IV vitamin/minerals treatments, allergy evaluation and treatment, fibromyalgia care and treatment for a wide variety of problems utilizing an Integrative Medicine approach.
STAMFORD INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE Michael E. Doyle, MD Conventional and Alternative Medicine 22 5th St, Ste 201, Stamford 203-324-4747 StamfordIntegrativeMedicine.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, page 17.
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LIFE COACHING
LEGAL SERVICES LAW OFFICES OF KIRSTEN E. BENNETT 27 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury: 203-648-9883 50 Main St, White Plains, NY: 914-246-2906
Advocacy, Representation, Communication. Kirsten Bennett is a solo practitioner with offices in Danbury and White Plains, NY. Her practice handles real estate, estate planning and probate, personal injury and criminal defense. “My firm is committed to providing you with effective advocacy, quality representation and the highest level of personal service.”
Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition
natural awakenings
Create With Your Thoughts Life Empowerment Coach, Teacher, Speaker and Mentor QSCA Certified Law of Attraction Coach, MA Sociology 860-488-2619 • CreateWithYourThoughts.com I empower my clients to move beyond their limiting beliefs, strengthen their sense of self worth and confidence to create the happiness, abundance, home, health and relationships they have always wanted. Create the life you want! See ad, page 14.
MASSAGE AND BODYWORK JIIVA YOGA, REIKI AND MASSAGE CENTER
2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford 203-345-7747 • JiivaCenter.com
We offer Traditional, Thai Massage and Prenatal massage. At Jiiva Massage, our goal is to provide our clients with a variety of experienced therapists and modalities to choose from. Our hope is to provide you with an assortment of different techniques so you can find what works best for your individual needs. See ad, page 21.
ROBIN ORDAN, LMT, LCSW, CICMI Licensed Massage Therapist and 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, page 14.
MEDITATION CENTER FOR MINDFULNESS & INSIGHT MEDITATION 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding 203-244-3130 ReddingMeditation.org
We teach and practice Mahasati meditation. Mahasati meditation cultivates self-awareness through attention to the movement of the body and, at more advanced levels, to the movement of the mind. No prior meditating experience is necessary. Ongoing weekly meditation classes, retreats and events. Please check monthly event calendar or visit ReddingMeditation.org for updated information.
VALLEY SPIRIT WELLNESS
6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot 860-619-2788 ValleySpiritCoop.com Meditation can be easier to master than you think. Taoist, Buddhist and generic meditation. Beginners and experienced practitioners both welcome. See ad, page 49.
NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN NATURAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER
Lisa Singley, ND, MS 2103 Main St, Ste 2, Stratford 203-874-4333 Info@NHAWC.com NHAWC.com We use advanced diagnostic testing with safe, effective, all-natural healing modalities and treatment options to treat acute and chronic conditions, restore balance and treat the mind, body and spirit. Specialists in endocrine disorders, digestive issues, pain management and chronic fatigue. We offer comprehensive solutions to prevent illness and maintain optimal health for body, mind and spirit. See ad, page 11.
MARVIN P. SCHWEITZER, ND Wellness Institute 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203-847-2788 DrMarvinSchweitzer.com
Family Health Care using all natural therapies for 25 years. Acupuncture, bioidentical hormones, homeopathy, Chinese/ Western herbs, allergy/toxin testing, oxygen therapy, Meridian stress assessment, nutrition/ enzyme therapies. See ad, page 25.
SHALVA CLINIC LLC
Ellen M Lewis, ND, Director 8 Lincoln St, Westport 203-916-4600 ShalvaClinic.org Dr. Lewis offers comprehensive holistic care for women including well-women exams, fertility, thyroid and menopause support. She also has a special interest in pediatrics and utilizes a variety of natural modalities when working with patients with ADD/ADHD, autism, allergies, eczema and asthma. Treatments include herbal medicine, functional medicine, biotherapeutic drainage, homeopathy and more. See ad, back cover.
WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE LLC
PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL COUNSELING
Adam Breiner, ND, Director Elena Sokolova, MD, ND David Brady, ND, CCN, DACBN 501 Kings Hwy E, Ste 108, Fairfield 203-371-8258 WholeBodyMed.com
ROBIN QUEEN-FINKELSTEIN
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, page 2.
NEUROFEEDBACK ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE, EDD, LPC, BCN, LLC
898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield Offices in Ridgefield and Newtown 203-438-4848 Info@DrRoseann.com • DrRoseann.com We work with children, adolescents, teens, adults and families around a variety of issues with non-medication therapies. We provide brain-based treatments like Neurofeedback, Biofeedback, EFT, Hypnosis, Meditation, etc. Our staff provides non-judgmental support to help alleviate stress and promote wellness. See ad, page 10.
SunRaven: The Home of Slow Medicine 501 Guard Hill Rd, Bedford, NY 914-218-3113 • SlowMedicineTherapist.com Offering a whole-being, integrative approach to wellness, nurturing clients into health on the emotional, spiritual, mental and physical levels. Following one’s heart to re-envision life in order to flourish. See ad, page 9.
.
PSYCHOTHERAPY
ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE, EDD, LPC, BCN, LLC
898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield Offices in Ridgefield and Newtown 203-438-4848 Info@DrRoseann.com • DrRoseann.com Our highly trained and experienced therapists utilize a variety of brainbased tools and techniques that allow the CNS to calm down so one can address their issues without heightened anxiety. We specialize in pediatrics, parenting, and supporting individuals with chronic issues. See ad, page 10.
OPTIMAL MIND
Lawrence Edwards, PhD, BCN, LMHC 2 Byram Brook Pl, Armonk, NY 914-219-8600 OptimalMind.net Integrative psychotherapy: depression, anxiety, addictions, relationships, and more. Dr. Edwards is a NY lic. psychotherapist with 40 years of experience compassionately working with adults to realize their goals. Meditation and mindfulness training are also offered.
OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN DAVID L. JOHNSTON, DO
ROBIN ORDAN, LCSW
158 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield 203-438-9915 OsteopathicWellness.net
Dr. Johnston has been providing gentle, holistic hands-on osteopathic manual treatment and nutrition for over 20 years. Excellent for newborns, birth trauma, concussions, headaches, sports injuries, neck and back pain, digestive issues, brain support, stress, fibromyalgia, detoxification and weight loss, specialized bloodwork. See ad, page 46.
Family, Child, Individual and Couples Therapy Old Greenwich/Stamford 203-561-8535 RobinOrdanLCSW.com
eNaturalAwakenings.com
Robin has more than 18 years of experience working with families and children. Specializing in divorce, parent/child conflict, grief, attachment/ bonding, child development and parenting. See ad, page 34.
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PSYCHOTHERAPY NANCY SCHERLONG, LCSW
Coaching/Psychotherapy/Consulting Offices in Danbury and Ridgefield 914-572-3167 WellnessMetaphors.com Manage stress with relaxation techniques. Re-discover your creativity through writing and the expressive arts. Resolve trauma with EMDR, IFS or SE. Or book an experiential workshop! Nancy has over 20 years of experience with children, families, groups, adults and corporate wellness programs.
REGULATION THERMOGRAPHY
REIKI GIGI BENANTI, USUI REIKI MASTER Angelic Healing Center 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk 203-852-1150 AngelHealReiki.com
Gigi is an experienced Reiki Master/ Teacher. She offers all levels of Reiki training monthly. All classes and Reiki sessions include the latest techniques including Karuna, Angelic and Jikiden Reiki.
TURNING POINT REIKI LLC
JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield 203-438-3050 TurningPointReiki.com TurningPointShare.com
FAMILY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
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.
111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-539-1149 GoThermography.com
Chronic illness develops over time.With Regulation Thermography you discover the disturbances that are important to address in order to restore and optimize your health. Healing begins by providing the information to diagnose, assess, and treat complex health conditions. FDA approved test and reports.
With the new day
comes new strength and new thoughts. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER
JIIVA YOGA, REIKI AND MASSAGE CENTER
2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford 203-345-7747 JiivaCenter.com
HUNTER HEALING HANDS
Jessica C. Hunter 203-916-8381 HunterHealingHands@hotmail.com HunterHealingHands.com Healing sessions in shamanic healing, Melody crystal healing, Reiki, shamanic intuitive readings. Accredited and certification training programs in Reiki, crystal healing and shamanic healing. See ad, page 8.
TAI CHI/QIGONG JAMPA STEWART, MSOM, LAc Board Certified Acupuncturist Valley Spirit Wellness 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot 860-619-2788 ValleySpiritCoop.com
Develop physical and mental fitness and find a new harmony of the mind, body and spirit using ancient Chinese arts. Starting with basic movements, warm-up techniques and breathing exercises, you will learn a set of flowing natural movements done slowly with calmness, balance and awareness. Weekly classes, weekend workshops and retreats. See ad, page 49.
DigitalisInfrared Berta Prevosti a Usui andThermal Karuna Imaging (DITI) Reiki Master and FDA has approved been offers safe, full body THERMOGRAPHY practicing Reiki fororover 20 years. breast screening. We also have several experienced WHOLEon HEALTH Non and Invasive • No Radiati Reiki Masters practitioners. THERMOGRAPHY LLC We offer private Reiki sessions for • Possible 8 years earlier breast Rachel Mazzarelli, MS, CCT physical cancer and emotional pain. Wemammogram detecti on vs Locations throughout Fairfield County, also have ongoing Reiki classes that are taught in Southbury, New Haven, Milford and New York • Clinical imaging the traditional Usui method by Berta. See for ad, detecting and 203-257-3785 monitoring a number of diseases page 21. WHThermography@gmail.com
and physical injuries. WholeHealthThermography.com
SELF IMPROVEMENT Rachel Mazzarelli
Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) is an FDA-approved, noninvasive, no-radiation scrLOVE, SEX, INTIMACY 203-257-3785 eening for the whole body. It offers Dr. Inessa Zaleski, DD, CMCH Offices throughout possible earlier detection of breast 203-708-7777 Fairfield County, Southbury, disease and can aid in diagnosis Dr.Inessa@Calmness.com New Haven, Milford, and improved prognosis of many Calmness.com/LSI and New York health conditions and injuries. See ad, page 18. SolveSexualIssues.com
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Dr. Inessa Zaleski is an author, whthermography@gmail.com self-improvement expert and a www.wholehealththermography.com hypnotherapy instructor. She leads workshops and retreats in the field of Love, Sex and Intimacy. She is the creator of trainings that include among others: The Art of Touch for couples, Becoming a Better Lover, Women’s Self Mastery and more. Dr. Inessa offers practical guidance on utilizing our inherent sexuality to enrich our everyday lives. See ad, page 29.
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TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING BETH LEAS
TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING & FITNESS
MINDBODY MASTERY
Transformative Healing • Tarot Offices in Norwalk and Ridgefield 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com • TLCTarot.com
Psychological Services, PLLC 203-614-1089 Being-Centered.com 100B Danbury Rd, #105E, Ridgefield
MindBody Mastery
SALT OF THE EARTH HEALING ARTS SANCTUARY/ATHENA HALL
BEING CENTERED
ESSENTIAL HOLISTIC HEALING, LLC Jackie Karabin Reiki Master and LMT Wilton 203-984-1491 Info@EssentialHolisticHealing.com EssentialHolisticHealing.com
Find balance and enhance the health and well-being of your body, mind and spirit through Reiki and massage therapy. Offering a holistic approach with tailored sessions to honor the specific needs and goals of the client.
RS HOLISTIC COUNSELING, COACHING AND HEALING 246 Federal Rd, Ste C23-A Brookfield 203-826-2558 RsHolisticHealing@gmail.com RsHolisticServices.com
RS Holistic Counseling, Coaching, and Healing offers Transformative Healing sessions in Brookfield. The sessions can be from one hour for pure healing sessions using a variety of methods including Reiki, guided meditations, crystals, essential oils specific to your needs. There is also a 1 1/2 hour session that consists of 45 minutes of coaching, and 45 minutes of transformative healing. See ad, page 29.
MindBody Mastery and Being Centered professionally combine the science of wellness with the language of souls to collaboratively assist clients. Services are available separate or combined for personal train-ing and psychological services. Nicole Fevrier Davis is a NASM & AFAA certified personal trainer, Reiki Master, and psychic. Dr. Teresa Reyes Castillo and Dr. Anna Huff are licensed psychologists. See ad, page 28.
WELLNESS CENTER 7eFIT SPA
1492 High Ridge Rd, Stamford • 203-356-5822 515 West Ave, Norwalk • 203-814-1355 7eFitSpaCT1@gmail.com 7eFitSpa.com 7eFit Spa offers a variety of aesthetic services and noninvasive techniques to support mind-body wellness. Services include antiaging and oxygen facials with aromatherapy, Torc Plus bioelectric stimulation for muscle activation and weight-loss, infrared sauna and the DietMaster weight-loss program.
JIIVA YOGA, REIKI AND MASSAGE CENTER
Berta Prevosti, Usui and Karuna Reiki Master 2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford 203-345-7747 • JiivaCenter.com
does the work.
Myolift • Torc • Body Waxing Master • Rd, Oxygen Bar • Reiki 590 Danbury Ridgefield Richard is a Reiki Master/TeacherDiet 203-969-4327 and intuitive reader. He specializes Dermalogica Facials • Oxygen Facials in home and property cleansings. SaltanaCave.com Teeth Whitening Come and experience the healing attributes of Reiki and discover spiritual guidance and awareness, with over 30 years of experience.
A space of calm and beauty, healing and restoration of the body and spirit, Salt of the Earth Healing Arts Sanctuary offers a tranquil place to refresh and renew in a house charged with the energy of old. Beautiful Athena Hall, inside the Sanctuary, can be rented to like-minded people for classes, workshops, lectures and special events. Heart and Home is a unique store in the sanctuary; a cozy place to shop, have tea, scoop and bag salts, purchase a variety of artisan goods.
SUNRAVEN: THE HOME OF SLOW MEDICINE
501 Guard Hill Rd, Bedford, NY 914-218-3113 SlowMedicine.org Promoting and supporting health and wellness; facilitating community-centered experiential and reflective learning for individuals, families, and groups, by offering ™ educational programs, events, and resources designed to build integrative skills and understanding for those looking to holistically care for themselves, others, and the world in which we live. Transformative programs, holistic medicine, psychospiritual counseling; women’s, men’s and couples groups, garden co-op, cleansing program; special 12-week “immersion”. See ad, page 9.
A new way to looking and feeling good.
Jiiva is in the business of building a community for yoga and healing. We offer yoga classes, a school of Reiki, private Reiki treatments, traditional massage therapy, Thai No surgery or invasive procedures. massage, meditation classes, workshops and community events. Infrared Sauna •SeeMicro-dermabrasion ad, page 21.
Richard Wlodarski, RMT 2505 Main St, Ste 209B, Stratford 203-605-0773 Rich@SpiritualArts.info • SpritualArts.info
346 Main St S, Woodbury 203-405-2241 • 203-586-1172
Fit Spa
Relax while our technology
SPIRITUAL ARTS LLC
787 Main St S, Woodbury 203-586-1172 NaturalSaltHealing.com Combining an array of natural therapies that have been used since ancient times with today’s technology, Salt of the Earth Spa provides a sanctuary for deep transformation, healing and grounding for mind, body and spirit. See ad, page 15.
646-739-7879 MindBodyMastery.org
If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection. 20 years of intuitive healing experience with adults and children of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 19.
SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA
SALTANA CAVE
Fairfield County’s first and
therapeutic HimalaSave Nowonly with yan salt cave provides Introductoryrelief Prices! from respiratory issues such as allergies, Call 203-356-5822 asthma, and side effects of
smoking and pollution. Salt is naturally anti-
WELLNESS SUPPLEMENT MEDTECH HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS
284 Racebrook Rd, Ste 21, Orange 203-298-0677 Allison@MedTechHealthcare.com MedTechHealthcare.com As a distributor of CW Hemp (Charlotte’s Web), we want to help everyone better their health and wellness by offering a full line of Premium Whole-Plant Cannabinoid Hemp Extracts. Charlotte’s Web (CW) is The World’s Most Trusted Hemp Extract™. “Be Calmer. Improve Focus. Just feel Better.” See ad, page 13.
1092 High Ridge Road | Stamford, inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. See ad, CT 06905 page 10. 7efitspact1@gmail.com | www.7efitspa.com
eNaturalAwakenings.com
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COSMIC RHYTHMS Transitioning from Scorpio, the Enchanter, to Sagittarius, the Adventurer by Michele Leigh
W
e start the month with a Full Moon in Taurus on November 4. It is infused with Scorpio energy, which is still embodying the Sun, Mercury and Jupiter. The duality of Taurus/Scorpio encourages us to acknowledge the provocative side of things. The beauty and sensuality of Taurus is offset with the intensity and stillness of Scorpio. On November 5, Mercury leaves mysterious Scorpio for the truth-seeking Sagittarius. Expect communications to shift from the underbelly of details to the big picture. While the fast-moving Mercury travels through the sign of the centaur, our mental energy will be expansive. Use it to explore other people’s opinions and beliefs. Venus, our planet of relationships, slips into Scorpio on November 7, always a good time to dive into the depths of the unknown. Some describe this energy as Aphrodite dressed up in gothic garb. When Venus is in Scorpio, it’s not about being politically correct but rather about provoking others. Be aware of those close to us pushing our buttons during this time. On November 18, we have a New Moon in the late degrees of Scorpio, activating this watery energy one more time. This New Moon occurs in the early morning hours and seeps into the first house with an abundance of Scorpion energy. When the New Moon is exact, the Sun and Moon (our luminaries) are on one side of the Ascendant with Jupiter and Venus (our benefics, or planets that have a positive influence) on the other. And they are all in the sign of the Scorpion or the Phoenix, a mythical creature believed to rise from the ashes. This powerful New Moon energy could be used to set intentions for deep transformation. In the first house of self, the energy would best be directed inward. After the intensity of the New Moon, we welcome the Sun moving into optimistic Sagittarius on November 21. The shift marks the next 30 days with enlightenment and hope. This fiery sign inspires us to move in a new direction and seek a higher purpose. This energy is restless and adventurous and may spark that wanderlust. Luck runs high under the Sagittarius Sun. Michele Leigh is an astrologer, author and podcaster. A practitioner of ancient astrology and planetary magic, she is an active member of OPA, the Organization for Professional Astrology. Connect at DarkMoonAstrology.com. 70
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displayadvertiserindex Ann’s Place Festival of Trees
4
Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care 45 Being Centered
28
The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center: Medical
2
The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center: Dental
2
Chamomille Natural Foods
57
Crystal Blue
15
CT Acupuncture Center/ Ingri Boe-Wiegaard
10
Hilda Demirjian
49
Natural Health & Wellness Center
11
Nature’s Temptations Healthy Food Market
57
Nature’s Way Natural Foods
57
New Age & Crafts Expo
5
New Morning Market
57
Noreen Ehrlich
13
Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic
55
Robin Ordan, LMT
14
Robin Ordan, LCSW
34
Organic Sleep at Sleep Etc
36
Osteopathic Wellness Center
46
Michael E. Doyle, MD/ Stamford Integrative Medicine
17
Patricia’s Presents
14
Embody the Sacred
34
Philip Stein
45
Eyecare Associates
23
Ann Reeves
29
Final Journey LLC
55
Goddess Youniversity
35
Roseann Capanna-Hodge & Associates
10
Greenwich Reindeer Festival
25
Hands and Paws Reiki for All
54
Harbor Harvest
41
Healing Tree Wisdom/ Thea Litsios
15
Healthy Choice Mattress
7
Holistic Heaven/Kerry Hardy
32
Holistic/Psychic Fair
35
Maria Rickert Hong
29
Hudson Valley Natural Health/ Kurt Beil, ND
32
Hunter Healing Hands Insight Counseling
8 31
RS Holistic Counseling & Healing 29 The Ruby Tree
16
The Sacred Spirit
22
Salon Aponte
23
Saltana Cave
10
Shalva Clinic
72
Victoria Shaw, PhD
9
Soul Focus/Mela Rispoli
14
Soulful Saturday
15
Soul Healing Journey
18
SunRaven 9 TLC Center
19
Jiiva Yoga and Wellness Center 21
Touch of Sedona
37
David L. Lerner, DDS
12
Unity Center of Norwalk
44
Darlene Alvarez Maddern
14
Universal Intelligence
33
Making Transitions with Resilience 17
University of Bridgeport-Clinics 11
The Market
57
Unleashed 53
Mary Gilbertson Wellness
31
MedTech/Charlotte’s Web
13
Valley Spirit Cooperative & Wellness Center
49
Wellness Institute/ Marvin Schweitzer, ND
25
Westport Farmers Market
57
Whole Foods Market
57
Whole Health Thermography
18
Mind Body Connection Pilates 37 MindBody Mastery
28
Mind-Body Transformation Hypnosis Center
9
Mind-Body Transformation Hypnosis Center
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Natural Awakenings’ Franchise Sales
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