Natural Awakenings Fairfield County December 2017 by Natural Awakenings Magazine

E E HEALTHY LIVING FR

HEALTHY

ZESTY CITRUS HOLIDAY RECIPES

PLANET

PEACE onHealthy Earth and Transformative Conflict Resolution

Hubs of Honoring Lynne McTaggart Inspiration Wisdom Grandma On The Power of Group Intention

Local Shops Offer Gifts in Many Forms

Had it Right

December 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

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

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

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

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

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

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eNaturalAwakenings.com

December 2017

Seeking Natural Solutions for Your Healthcare Needs? Natural Care for the Whole Body and Family From treating disease conditions to preventive healthcare, Dr. Jaquel believes in addressing the underlying cause of disease to resolve health issues.

Ingels Family Health

22 Fairfield Place Fairfield, CT 06824 www.ingelsfamilyhealth.com

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

20 CHILDREN AS

COMMUNITY BUILDERS

Introducing Interdependence to Education

by Jenna Roche

Special Care for Special Issues “Explore natural medicine with me. Your health is my priority.” - Dr. Jaquel

contents

Dr. Jaquel offers specialty care for autoimmune diseases and chronic immune dysfunction, Lyme disease, asthma and allergy, and childhood disorders.

Call for your FREE 10 minute Consultation

203-254-9957

24 THE COMPASSIONATE ACHIEVER

How Helping Others Fuels Success by Christopher L. Kukk

28 PEACE ON EARTH Conflict Resolutions that Work to Bridge Divides by Linda Sechrist

32 LYNNE MCTAGGART

ON THE POWER OF GROUP INTENTION by April Thompson

LET US HELP

Y U

34 HUBS OF INSPIRATION Local Shops Offer Gifts in Many Forms by Angela Pascopella

stay strong this holiday season

38 CANCER AND

THE HOLIDAYS

Keep It Simple, Keep It Real by Kevin Berrill

42 THE GIFTS OF CITRUS Colorful Good Health in Holiday Dishes by Judith Fertig

48 GO ECO LIKE GRANDMA Honor Her Wisdom in New Ways by Avery Mack

Mind-Body Connection Pilates pilatesMBC.com | New Milford, CT | 860.350.3643

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

52 PETS ¤ MUSIC

Each Species Grooves to Its Own Beat by Sandra Murphy

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8 newsbriefs 19 healthbriefs 20 communityspotlight 22 healingways 24 inspiration 26 masteringyoga 32 wisewords 42 inspiredtable 46 therapyspotlight 48 greenliving 50 naturallyhealthypet 52 naturalpet 54 petresourceguide 55 calendar 58 classifieds 60 resourceguide 66 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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December 2017

letterfrompublisher

contact us Publisher/Executive Editor Nicole Miale Editor Michelle Bense Ariana Rawls Fine Design & Production Kathleen Fellows Erica Mills Local Contributors Kevin Berrill, Christopher L. Kukk, Mary Oquendo, Angela Pascopella Sales & Marketing Kim Deagro Alexa Ferrucci Nicole Miale 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.

nce upon a time, when the world was smaller and most individuals didn’t venture too far, the word community was neatly defined as the people and businesses closest to us. In our expansive and hyper-connected modern world, the word is often characterized more by similarity of purpose and mission than physical proximity. Community—while it may still mean a place—really encompasses a feeling, a synergy of hearts and minds. Natural Awakenings is a large and loosely knit network of individual business owners bound by a comNicole Miale mon sensibility and passion for making the world a better place. By definition, our community is of the newer type; more than 80 strong, we’re spread across the country, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Despite the fact that many of us have never met and there are great physical distances between us, we were powerfully reminded in the last quarter of this year about the bonds of Natural Awakenings’ community. That was when, in quick succession, there were a series of natural disasters which had lasting impact on our community. Hurricanes struck first and affected many, with Harvey menacing our Texan contingent and Irma hitting the Naples corporate headquarters in Florida with force. Our amazing team at the mothership somehow prepared and carried on so our readers across the country didn’t notice a thing; however, it was not business as usual for quite some time. Not long after Irma came Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico, home to one of the longest running Natural Awakenings’ editions. Waleska Sallaberry, who publishes Natural Awakenings Puerto Rico with her partner Luis, relocated to the tri-state area with her children so she could enroll them in school while other Natural Awakenings’ publishers set up fundaraisers to benefit the holistic community back in Puerto Rico. In October, while Waleska was visiting Long Island publisher Kelly Martinsen, the group woke in the middle of the night to an electrical fire. Kelly’s home was destroyed. She posted on Facebook: “We had a fire and I know that there is word out there that we ‘lost everything.’ I want to assure everyone that this is not the case. While our house may be totaled, ‘everything’ I need was found the morning after the fire as I held my kids (all three, even my furry one!) and my husband in my driveway. For now, we have no needs.” Community brings people together from near and far, connected by an idea, a common goal, a sense of purpose, a need for joy, solace or escape. What I wish and intend for our future is that more people can embody that humanity is a community unto itself. The stuff we collect and the subsets we choose to form—the “tribes” we seek and hold dear—are precious indeed but at this time may serve to divide us more than bring us together. The time has come for us to search for common ground and connection with all others. While as individuals we may be mighty, as a human collective we could be unstoppable. I hope this month’s articles will provide some pearls of wisdom or bits of inspiration on the path to expanding our communities both near and far. I’m wishing you the happiest of holidays and peace on earth for the coming year. 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.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

See our advertiser index on page 66, making it easier to find the resources you need. natural awakenings

DOCUMENTARY SCREENING

January 7, 2018 – 1pm Followed by Q&A with Best Selling Author Henry Grayson, PhD of “Your Power to Heal” Hosted by The Graduate Institute 171 Amity Road, Bethany, CT

Tickets $10: www.learn.edu/heal THE GRADUATE INSTITUTE – Graduate Holistic Studies (203) 874-4252 or visit www.learn.edu

eNaturalAwakenings.com

December 2017

newsbriefs Meditation and Reiki in the Shungite Room

Workshops on the Art of Touch

n December 4 and 18 at 5pm, join Sue Broudy and Barbara Slaine at The Angel Cooperative in Ridgefield for guided meditation, followed by group Reiki from 7 to 8pm in the Shungite Room. Each participant will receive individual as well as group Reiki from Broudy and Slaine. Sue Broudy & Barbara Slaine The exchange is $25. Shungite is said to be around 2 billion years old. It is a natural material found typically only in a remote section of Russia. It is known to contain fullerenes, a unique carbon molecular structure that has been studied for decades. The energy embodied within this ancient stone is said to help absorb and eliminate things that are a health hazard to human life. It is also believed to have active metaphysical properties with strong healing powers. The Angel Cooperative, newly opened by Christy Kinsman and Laura Ancona Freed, is the only location in the U.S. to have a shungite healing room. The store also offers a wide array of goods for purchase. To reserve a space, call 203-912-2791, email LipheBalance@gmail.com or visit LipheBalance.com. Location: The Angel Cooperative, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield.

magine learning skills while getting live feedback from your intimate partner, who is there to support you in the evolution of your capacity to give and receive pleasure. The Art of Touch workshop will be offered in Greenwich on two separate dates, December 5 and 7, both from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Join Inessa Zaleski, DD, MCH, RM, as she guides you and your Inessa Zaleski partner through various principles, techniques and exercises, which you will be able to practice and receive loving feedback about. In this experiential workshop, you will learn as you do. Knowing how to touch a woman truly is an art form. It requires confidence, presence, intentions, being in tune with her body and knowing various ways to connect with her. For women, the challenge can be learning how to fully receive and be present in your femininity. In this hands-on class, men will learn to be present in his touch and in full control of his sexual energy. The workshop will help each partner gain confidence, broaden their repertoire of different types of touch, learn about sexual energy and more. This is a non-sexual, fully clothed event. Same-sex couples are always welcome; however, due to the rotation of gender balance, you are asked to remain together for the duration of the evening. Zaleski is a certified master clinical hypnotherapist and a hypnotherapy instructor. For more information, call 203-708-7777 or 800-929-CALM, or visit Calmness.com. See ad, page 14.

Type to enter text

MINDBODY MASTERY NICOLE FEVRIER DAVIS

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Anna Huff, PhD / Teresa Reyes Castillo, PhD Licensed Psychologists

and Psychic

203-614-1089

Intelligent Wellness for Enlightened People 8

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

info@being-centered.com www.being-centered.com

natural awakenings

Shalva Clinic Team Expands

r. Robert Boyd has joined Westport’s Shalva Clinic as the newest licensed naturopathic physician on the clinic’s team. In his practice, he uses a variety of therapeutic approaches, including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, physical medicine, hydrotherapy and lifestyle counseling. He is able to order both traditional and functional labs to aid in diagnosis and performs genomic Robert Boyd analysis and microbiome analysis. In addition to being well-versed in general naturopathic primary care, Boyd specializes in rheumatologic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis and joint pain. He has a particular focus on men’s health conditions, including BPH, ED, low testosterone and general care. To book a free 15-minute consultation with Boyd, call 203916-4600. For more information, visit ShalvaClinic.org. Location: 8 Lincoln St, First Fl, Westport. See ad, back cover.

Sita’s Light to Lead Unique New Year’s Experience in Stamford

Fit Spa™

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Soul Synergy Wellness, Inc.

Non-invasive Body Contouring Cavi-Lipo • Torc • Vibra-fit • Myolift Oxygen Facials • Blue/Red Light Therapy Massage Therapy • Anti-Aging • Sports Massage Aroma Oxygen Therapy • Teeth Whitening Applied Aromatherapy • Raindrop Technique Emotional Release with Essential Oils

ell-known Connecticut “Sita” Miriam Zernis and her ensemble of musicians, known as Sita’s Light, will lead a special entry into 2018 by offering the group singing practice known as kirtan. The event runs from 7:30pm on New Year’s Eve until 12:15am. Doors open at 7pm. The Oxford Creative Center in Stamford is sponsoring this event. The devotional chanting is a Miriam Zernis movement which has taken the West by storm as more people seek a spiritual connection. The heart-opening evening will also include meditation, light refreshments and a special midnight moment that will focus on sending everyone home inspired for the new year ahead. Sita has been guiding those who are drawn to kirtan in New York City, Westchester and Fairfield Counties, and Canada for 10 years. Her kirtans offer a combination of traditional old-world and original chants framed by eclectic sacred music. She is joined by several talented musicians on the mission of spreading the practice of Bhakti yoga wherever they go. The cost to attend is $55 before December 1, $60 from December 1 to 26, and $70 thereafter. Cash only at the door on December 31. Register at OxfordCreativeCenter.org. Call 203-451-3940, email Info@OxfordCreativeCenter.org or visit SitasLight.com for more information. Location: The Oxford Creative Center, 1231 Washington Blvd, Stamford.

Detox: Infrared Sauna with Color Therapy

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December 2017

newsbriefs

Ruby Tree Celebrates Second Anniversary

Keep Holiday Stress at Bay at Saltana Cave

altana Cave in Ridgefield is offering a series of events in December to help you embark on your spirit’s journey through rejuvenation and serenity during the busy holiday period. Salt and Soul Yoga takes place on December 5 from 7 to 8:15pm, with Barbara Daversa, E-RYT 200. You will mindfully stretch, breathe and move through a Vinyasa practice. All levels are welcome. Bring a yoga mat and white socks. The fee is $40 a person. On December 9 from 7 to 8:30pm, join Anna Pogoda for an evening of immersion into sound, relaxation, rejuvenation and peace. Within the Himalayan salt cave, she will be playing crystal bowls, Native American medicine drums and Koshi chimes, accompanied by nature sounds composed by local Grammy Award-winning Paul Avgerinos. The charge is $65 per person. An Evening of Meditation and Crystal Bowl Healing will take place on December 14 at 7pm. This powerful meditation, infused with crystal bowl sound healing, will help remove blockages of energy. Start to practice self-care in new, more fulfilling ways. The meditation is led by Svaha and Manjushri, certified teachers and IYS energy healers from Shanti Mission in Australia. Crystal bowl healing is provided by Pogoda, a crystal bowl practitioner. This event is $80 a person. A 24-hour cancellation policy applies to the events. Wear white socks to all workshops in the salt cave. Space is limited, so registration is required. For more information on Saltana Caves and events, visit SaltanaCave.com. Location: Saltana Cave, 590 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield. See ad, page 49.

n December 9 and 10, from 10am to 4pm both days, The Ruby Tree in Woodbury will celebrate its second anniversary with vendors, raffles, readings and fun. The Ruby Tree’s regular offerings include: meditation; massage; reiki for people and pets; nutrition; psychotherapy; a full yoga schedule; rocks & crystal healing; daily psychic readers; aroma touch; workshops; and more. The shop holds a Monthly Mystical Market on the third Sunday of every month and a quarterly Meet the Psychics Fair. The next fair will be Sunday, February 4, 2018. For more information, call 203-5861655 or visit TheRubyTreeCT.com. Location: Sherman Village 670 Main St. S, Woodbury. See ad, page 24.

This Medicine of the Future is Here Now! PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Treatments & Adult Stem Cell Therapy Advances in Regenerative Medicine allow Dr. Henry Sobo to oﬀer these cutting edge technologies. PRP - Platelet Rich Plasma

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• Arthritis / joint problems–avoid steroids and surgeries. • Stem cells for your joints are being used by leading doctors and institutions around the country. • Stem cells are being applied for an expanding list of many other conditions.

Other Conditions Treated by Dr. Sobo Food Allergies • Alzheimers/Dementia Chronic Fatigue Syndrome • Weight Loss Hormonal Health • Fibromyalgia Natural Thyroid • Anti-Aging Medicine MTHFR-Genetic Mutation

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Optimal Health Medical | 111 High Ridge Rd. Stamford, CT 06905 | www.drsobo.com 10

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

New Company Makes Homes Healthier

s parents of kids with chronic asthma and allergies, Annalise Stack and Ania Dunlop understand the link between health issues and environAnnalise Stack and mental toxins. Ania Dunlop Their successful efforts to improve their children’s health by making their own homes as green as possible—replacing building materials, cleaning supplies and personal care items—evolved into the Home for Zen, a new eco-healthy interior design company with a focus on the health of children. “We help clients create beautiful, non-toxic homes that are an extension of their healthy lifestyle,” Stack says. People often don’t realize the air inside their homes can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside, and that many common household and children’s products contain toxins, Dunlop says. Children are particularly vulnerable to toxic exposure because their bodies are small, their immune systems are not well developed and their brains are changing rapidly. “The younger the child, the greater the risk exposure—with pregnancy being a critical time,” she says. She and Stack help clients create “wellness sanctuaries” by eliminating toxins in food, cleaning products, furniture, décor and even toys. Home for Zen specializes in addressing the needs of families and children with chronic conditions, allergies or other unique environmental sensitivities, in both home and childcare settings. “If your child has been recently diagnosed with a chronic condition, creating a toxin-free bedroom or playroom might be an important step toward recovery,” Stack says. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 917-533-8600, email Info@HomeforZen.com or visit HomeforZen.com.

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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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December 2017

newsbriefs

Makery Co-Working Hosts Artisan, Consciously Moving Toward 2018 Performance Events

repare to enter 2018 dissolving the “no” that holds you back and embracing what moves you toward union and prosperity. The Threshold workshop with Amara Pagano will be held December 29, 2017 through January 1, 2018 in Greenwich. This movement workshop and ritual provides an opportunity to integrate the year of 2017, feel where Amara Pagano you are in the moment and cross the threshold into the New Year. The workshop will take place Friday from 7 to 9:30pm, Saturday from 11am to 5pm, Sunday from 11:30am to 3:30pm and 8:30pm to 12:30am (New Year’s Eve), and Monday from 11am-3pm. The fee for the full workshop is $395 per person. Pagano has been teaching movement as a spiritual practice for over 20 years. She has been trained by Gabrielle Roth to teach Waves and Heartbeat levels of 5Rhythms. In 2002, she co-founded Waves Studio in Olympia, Washington, and then moved to Hawaii as director of conscious dance at Studio Maui in 2007. In 2009, she met her future husband Paolo. Together, they created OneDanceTribe and started the journey with their spiritual teacher Prem Baba, which led to the birth of Azul in 2013. To register, email Robin Spiegel at Robin.PathofAzul@gmail.com. Location: The Loft @ Christ Church, 254 E Putnam Ave, Greenwich.

n December 2 from 1 to 5pm, more than 80 live and online American Made auction items, accessories, home decor, toys and more will be available at the Artisan Fest 2017 Silent Auction and Fundraiser in New Milford. The free event is hosted by All New American and Makery Coworking. Attendees can meet the “batchers” from Litchfield Distillery and taste their award-winning collection of spirits. There will be live demonstrations from Noteworthy Chocolates, Holley Knives, 3duxdesign, 1620 Workwear, American Flora and Luke’s Toy Factory. All New American is a nonprofit supporting the American artisanal small business economy by providing them with grants. Also at Makery Coworking, the next Performery event will take place on December 8 from 7 to 10pm. Lisa Lent will MC the open-mic night, providing musicians, poets and performance artists with an opportunity to share their energy and gifts with the local community. Microphones and guitar amps will be available for use. Lent is a poet, holistic health advocate and massage therapist. For more information about the auction, visit AllNewAmerican.com. For more information about the Performery, visit Tinyurl.com/PerformeryFB. To register to perform, sign up at Tinyurl.com/PerformerySignUp. Location: Makery Coworking, 20 Bank St, New Milford.

We’re what you’ve been looking for! NICE PEOPLE GREAT MUSIC UPLIFITING EXPERIENCE INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES

Celebration Service Sundays at 10:30 am

25 3 Main Street, 2nd Floor Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 855-7922 www.unitycenternorwalk.org

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 6:00 pm

Rev Edwene Gaines Prosperity Workshop, - Sun, Dec 10th at 1 :00 pm

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

Reiki Healing Circle - Thurs, Dec 14th at 7 pm Christmas Open Mic Night - Sat, Dec 9th at 7 pm see all events in the calendar listings

natural awakenings

Rev. Shawn Moninger, Unity Minister

Natural Awakenings Publisher Opens Up in Self-Reflection Book

uthor and Natural Awakenings Long Island publisher, Kelly Martinsen, has published a compilation of essays ranging from the profound and Kelly Martinsen poignant about love, faith and loss, to the heartwarming and hilarious about middle-age angst, motherhood mishaps and dog poop. A Year of Inspired Living offers personal reflection questions and space for readers to journal and help create an inspired year. The book will help you discover the life you want to lead, the person you want to be and the impact you want to have on the world. As publisher, each month Martinsen writes a letter to readers that sets the tone of that issue’s unique editorial theme. Four years ago, within two days of publishing her first letter, a reader called to thank her for the thoughtprovoking piece. Month after month, topic after topic, responses to Martinsen’s editorial letters grew and readers were connecting with her words in life-changing ways. A Year of Inspired Living is a monthly chapter book with weekly sub-chapters, compiling and expanding on Martinsen’s letters but leaving the last page of each week for the reader to write their own letter. Chapter topics include love, commitment, faith, challenges, death, freedom, middle age, children, cancer, dog poop and more. Written in a familiar voice, A Year of Inspired Living speaks with wisdom, tongue-in-cheek self-effacing humor and raw honesty to help readers develop a greater awareness of their own personal relationships and journeys. A Year of Inspired Living is available at Amzn.to/2spoepK for $12.95. See ad, page 34.

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Want to Feel Empowered, Inspired, Confident and Successful? Experience the transformation with Heart-Centered Life Coaching

newsbriefs Celebrate Winter and Nature in New Canaan

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

Lovе. Sex. Intimacy.

he 10th Annual Winter Wonderland, hosted by New Canaan Nature Center, will be held December 16 from 11am to 2pm. Come and be transported into a new world as the New Canaan Nature Center is filled with fun, exciting seasonal activities for the entire family. Festivities include visits with Santa from 11:30am to 2pm, horse-drawn wagon rides for $5 a person, holiday trains, a campfire with chestnuts and marshmallow roasting, the annual gingerbread house creation contest, caroling with the Bojanglers of CT and much more. The cost is $10 a child for members, $15 a child for nonmembers, and adults and children under 2 are free. For more information on the center, visit NewCanaanNature.org. To purchase tickets, visit 67848.Tinyurl.com/NewCanaanWW. Location: New Canaan Nature Center, 144 Oenoke Rdg, New Canaan.

Workshops & Retreats

The Art of Touch for Couples Wildly Orgasmic Woman (WOW) Becoming a Better Lover, and more… Dr. Inessa Zaleski, DD, CMCH

Creator of Reikinosis™ | Calmness.com/LSI 1-203-708-7777 | 1-800-929-CALM PRACTICAL GUIDANCE on utilizing our inherent sexuality to enrich our everyday lives.

HOLISTIC COUNSELING COACHING & HEALING Enhanced Reiki Healing One hour sessions

Coaching & Enhanced Reiki Healing One-and-a-half hour sessions

Rebecca Schoenewolf

203-826-2558 • www.rsholisticservices.com

Oﬀering mental health services in the Danbury area. 14

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

Writing Workshop in Stamford

Writing as Medicine workshop is being presented in Stamford by Marianela Medrano, PhD, and Nancy Scherlong, LCSW, on December 3 from 10am to Marianela Medrano Nancy Scherlong 5pm. This workshop is designed for those who would like an in-depth experience of writing as medicine. This is an experiential and didactic workshop using some of the basic tenets of mindfulness practice, including calm abiding, non-attachment, compassionate acceptance, breathwork and meditation. The cost is $100 per person. Bring lunch to the event. Call to register at 203-770-4338 or email PalabraCenter@aol. com. Location: Palabra Counseling Center, 1100 High Ridge Rd, Ste 206-A, Stamford. See ad, page 18.

natural awakenings

Southport Natural Medicine Opens

aturopathic physician Mara Davidson has opened her practice, Southport Natural Medicine, and is now accepting new patients. Davidson is a dual honors graduate of the University of Bridgeport from the College of Naturopathic Medicine as a doctor of naturopathic medicine, as well as the University of Bridgeport Nutrition Institute with a master’s of science in human nutrition. While in medical school, Davidson also obtained a master’s of business administration in health care management from Davenport University. As a naturopathic physician, she sees patients of all ages for chronic conditions. Davidson focuses her Mara Davidson practice on anxiety and depression, digestive health, neurodegenerative diseases, Lyme disease, anti-aging support and integrative cancer care. She also regularly co-presents lectures and informational talks throughout Connecticut on topics such as overcoming anxiety, improving digestive health, natural strategies for anti-aging and the medicinal benefits of tea. For more information and to arrange a 15-minute complimentary consultation, call 203-751-3775, email Office@SouthportNaturalMedicine.com, or visit SouthportNaturalMedicine.com or Facebook.com/DrMaraDavidson. Location: Southport Natural Medicine, 107 John St, Ste 3A, Southport.

be your light! 9

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December 2017

newsbriefs Auction for the Environment

Touch of Sedona The Finest in Southwest Goods & Healing Items

A Unique Boutique with Heartfelt Purpose

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

he Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) will hold its HVA Auction for the Environment 2017 on December 3, from 1 to 4pm, in Washington Depot. The co-chairs of the event are Christine Baranski—from The Good Wife, The Good Fight, Big Bang Theory and more—and Margo Martindale of The Good Wife, The Americans and other shows. The afternoon will include the opportunity to bid on items, services and unique experiences. All proceeds support HVA’s work for cleaner lands and waters in the Berkshires, Connecticut and New York. For more information and to reserve a space, visit HVAToday. eJoinMe.org/MyEvents/HVAAuctionfortheEnvironment2017. Location: Washington Primary School, 11 School St, Washington Depot.

Gracing the Season of Light with Music

Jeanne Street

he Season of Light Concert will honor the joy of the holiday season on December 7 from 7:30 to 9pm with a special set of songs developed at Grace Farms in New Canaan. Celebrate the season with Grammy-Award-winning group Roomful of Teeth. The eight-voice ensemble has studied with masters from singing traditions the world over, continually expanding its singing vocabulary with techniques like Georgian singing, Korean P’ansori, Hindustani music and Persian classical singing. Tickets are available for purchase online. The cost is $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Tickets for students and seniors cost $20 per person. For more information and for tickets, visit GraceFarms.org/ Events/Capella-Performance-Roomful-Teeth. Location: Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Rd, New Canaan.

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Homeopathy Film Screening in Norwalk

New Group Forming for Couple’s Therapy

oin Donna Vella, Beth Leas and TLC Center for a special viewing of Just One Drop: The Story Behind the Homeopathy Controversy, on December 6 at 7:30pm. The special 67-minute documentary won’t happen unless enough tickets are reserved in advance, so do not delay to purchase if interested. Homeopathy is a specific form of medicine that uses minute doses of a highly diluted substance that stimulates the body to cure itself. To many, homeopathy seems implausible as they fear it is purely a placebo effect, or even, a form of deception or quackery. Yet homeopathy has existed for over 200 years and is used by millions worldwide; it actually forms the basis for many conventional treatment approaches in a different guise. The film explores the controversy, dispels myths and misconceptions, and asks whether homeopathy has been given a fair shake.

new couple’s psychotherapy group class will begin on December 14 from 5 to 6:30pm, in Ridgefield. The group will continue for eight weeks, concluding February 2, 2018. It will be facilitated by Teresa Reyes Castillo, PhD, and Anna Huff, PhD. Both are clinical psychologists at Being Centered Psychological Services, PLLC; they specialize in working with adults in their Ridgefield office and on house calls. Huff’s therapeutic approach focuses on the integration and acceptance of all aspects of yourself with the development of courage to follow your own inner guidance. Dr. Reyes Castillo has experience working with clients clinically, primarily with adults in individual therapy in an outpatient setting. She utilizes the psychodynamic therapeutic approach in both English and Spanish. The fee for the series is $100 per couple.

The link to share with friends and to pre-purchase tickets is Gathr.us/Screening/21738. Location: Bow Tie Cinemas, Royale 6, 542 Westport Ave, Norwalk.

For more information, call 203-614-1089 or visit Being-Centered.com. Location: Being Centered: Psychological Services, 100B Danbury Rd, Ridgefield. See ad, page 8.

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December 2017

newsbriefs

Family and Child Psychotherapy

Digging Deep for ViBe Café Well

Support and Guidance • Divorce Anxiety • Parent/Child Conﬂict Attachment and Bonding • Trauma • Grief Professional/Executive Coaching

Robin Ordan, LCSW 203-561-8535

www.robinordanlcsw.com Located on the Old Greenwich/Stamford Border

Health coaching to support recovery from: ADD SPD Autism ADHD

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For more information or to make a donation, visit GoFundMe. com/Sacred-Water/ Location: 31 Hawleyville Rd, Newtown.

Stamford Trichologist Wins Award

Soul Focus

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

OUND opened its doors on December 15, 2012 in an 1800s historic chapel in Newtown. For the past five years, it has been a gathering place for many area residents to learn, explore, heal and grow. Until now, visitors to SOUND have had to drink bottled water due to the unpotability of the water from the property’s antique, hand dug well. Instead of closing due to the water obstacle, SOUND’s stewards have chosen instead to upgrade the site and begin to offer more community services. They will be opening ViBe Cafe and Coffeehouse to support local and independent artists and artisans while fostering conscious community and true human connection. In order to do this, they have had to dig a new bedrock well, a lengthy and costly process. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help defray the cost of this special project, dubbed the Sacred Water Well. With community support for clean, potable water, ViBe Cafe will soon open and become a place for local artists, musicians and spiritual seekers to hold events and conscious discussions.

isa Primps, principal of The Primping Place in Stamford, has been recognized by the United States Trichology Association as the Top Trichologist of 2017. Trichologists are hair and scalp specialists who diagnose the causes of hair fall, hair breakage, hair thinning, miniaturization of hairs and diseases of the scalp. They treat according to the cause. They are not medically trained, but are clinically educated to identify and treat issues with the hair and scalp. Primps, one of only a few trichologists in Connecticut, was the first in Fairfield County and the second in the state to offer the XTC Hair Growth Systems and XTC Hair Boost System. The XTC System uses state-of-the-art hair loss lasers and advanced hair loss products to help individuals suffering from thinning hair or hair loss. Laser light therapy is a non-surgical, scientific approach to dealing with hair loss, thinning hair and scalp problems. The Primping Place has been offering clients a wide array of rejuvenating treatments for more than 20 years. In early 2017, the spa relocated to its current location in Stamford. For more information, call 203-325-9565 or visit ThePrimpingPlace.com. Location: 999 Summer St, 4th Flr, Ste 401, Stamford.

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healthbriefs

erman researchers studied the correlation between cardiac arrhythmia and alcohol consumption by monitoring 3,000 middle-aged volunteers for 16 days during Oktoberfest. Portable electrocardiographs and breathalyzer machines tested for heart activity and breath alcohol concentration. Arrhythmia showed up in 30 percent of the participants, significantly higher than an estimated 4 percent or less among the general population according to an earlier study. An irregular heartbeat often causes discomfort in the short term and possible heart failure and stroke later.

Ben Schonewille /Shutterstock.com

GUT BACTERIA IMBALANCE LINKED TO CHRONIC FATIGUE Fifty healthy patients and 50 with chronic fatigue syndrome were tested for bacteria and immune molecules by researchers from Columbia University. They discovered that imbalances in the levels of certain gut bacteria are prevalent in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome, a disorder often accompanied by extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain, cognitive issues and insomnia.

Stock-Asso/Shutterstock.com

Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

Alcohol Affects Our Heartbeat

REGULAR SLEEP TIMES PROMOTE HEALTH

report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that 35 percent of U.S. adults donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get adequate sleep. Dr. W. Chris Winter, of the Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine clinic, recommends we pick a wake-up time that works for every day and stick with it, regardless of bedtime; it pays off by eventually training the brain to fall asleep at the same time every night. Swedish scientists found that sleep loss reduces the presence of hormones that promote feelings of fullness in the stomach and increases the amounts of those that promote hunger, leading to obesity.

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December 2017

communityspotlight

Ambassadors Tatum and Chloe

Children as Community Builders Introducing Interdependence to Education

by Jenna Roche

hildren are rarely exposed to interdependence in their day-to-day lives. They have bursts of the concept thrust upon them as players on sports teams, contributors to school projects and actors in theater productions, but it is not regularly modeled for children in meaningful ways. This is a shame as interdependence is at the heart of every strong community. Workspace Education in Bethel is seeking to bring interdependence to the everyday of education. During its first year, the center has established itself as a place where parents, students, educators and professionals collaborate to realize a custom education for every child. Using a membership model where families come together—literally and figuratively—to design and field classes, solve real-world problems, Workspace Education creates an environment where children can develop essential 21st century skills. The potential of the Workspace community is unlocked by giving people a voice, empowering students and adults alike, and putting to work each individual’s unique strengths. The power of the community is realized when members work together. A new class does not get launched without a child who articulates a passion, a parent who defines the scope, a staff member who broadcasts the opportunity, an educator who listens and delivers, families who embrace the idea, and students who take ownership and dive in. Workspace is building amongst its students a comfort with and appreciation for interdependency. Children are learning from the beginning that more gets done when more are involved. Along the way, their capacities for compassion, empathy and respect blossom. With those skills, children are finding their paths not only as community members, but also as community builders. 20

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

Tatum is one example of a young “Workspacian” who is finding her legs as a community builder. She would see families who were considering membership touring the building with a staff member and believed her voice as a student would be meaningful to the visiting children. She envisioned for herself a role in growing the community. Tatum laid out her plan for becoming the first workspace student ambassador to Dream Director Jenai Fitzpatrick, a staff member whose primary role is to help students manifest their big ideas. To become qualified, Tatum interviewed staff, explored the capabilities of every learning space and wrote a tour script. When she had earned the title, she also asked Jon Marchand, the workspace tech wizard, to show her how to use the laser cutter to engrave her ambassador badge. While Tatum had her sights set on a role to help expand the community, another student worked toward strengthening it. Chloe, a high school junior, knows creativity is a pathway to understanding other people. Her project, Sonder, a literary journal, was a student-driven effort supported by a parent advisory board. This was her vehicle for bringing the community together in an interactive way, where innovative work—both collaborative and individual—could be shared and celebrated. “We had 20 contributors aged 7 to 17; they were all eager to get involved from the beginning,” explains Chloe. Giving students the opportunity to showcase their art, fiction and poetry to the community in the form of a glossy publication validated their efforts and helped them build confidence in their creative talents. Where class projects are exceptions to the rule in traditional education, collaboration is normal at Workspace. Take, for example, the 21CI framework that inspires the content of several Workspace courses. In these courses, critical 21st century skills—such as creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication—are nurtured through integrated content and embedded technology. A class of 21CI students aged 14 and older has chosen their coursework to help solve a recycling problem in our global community. Seeking to take control of the process away from large recycling plants, the team is building an in-house shredder. They will use their output to produce filament for 3D printers and a line of household goods. The students divided responsibilities into research and development, marketing, and building the machine. With collaboration the go-to strategy for every Workspacian, the students reached out to a neighboring metalworking business to help them bridge the gap between the prototypes the students crafted in-house and the actual parts needed for their machine. Through such projects, Workspacians are mastering skills as children in the areas that many adults find most challenging, such as making meaningful connections, building consensus, appreciating differences and living interdependently. For more information on Workspace Education and community-based learning, contact Jenna Roche, Director of Vision Alignment at Workspace Education, at 203-309-0384 or Jenna@WorkspaceEducation.org. Also connect at WorkspaceEducation.org. See ad, page 3.

natural awakenings

ADVERTORIAL apps, devices and applications, user-friendly innovations are addressing America’s sleep deprivation problem. “Philip Stein lifestyle accessories such as the sleep bracelet are designed to contribute to a better quality of life. The unique technology inside each one channels beneficial natural frequencies in the environment into your body,” says Will Stein, co-founder and president of the Philip Stein Group. “The result is to help the individual feel centered, by Linda Sechrist balanced, grounded and more easily able to maintain a sense of well-being.” The company defines optimal well-being as rom computers, cell a state of harmony achieved through physical, emotional, phones, smart TVs, mental and spiritual alignment. DVR players and Although natural-frequency technology was developed programmable appliancearlier by a group of engineers and scientists exploring various es to a seemingly endfrequencies’ influence on water, the initial discovery has been less list of other elecattributed to ancient sages in India that intuited them. For extronic gadgets, we are ample, 7.83 Hz, the frequency of “om”, happens to be Mother in constant contact with Earth’s natural heartbeat rhythm, now known as the Schumann unnatural electromagResonance. Aligned with the brain’s alpha and theta states, this netic frequencies (EMFs) technology of resonating frequencies has been carefully tuned generated by technology. In today’s 24/7 society, invisible and tested by Philip Stein researchers, technicians and sleep EMFs are inescapable; they permeate our working and livexperts. Today, it is at the core of all Philip Stein products. ing spaces. What we may not know is how they negatively Philip Stein’s tuning technology picks up and channels impact our body’s natural sleep-wake cycle: suppressing the beneficial natural frequencies that have always surmelatonin, the hormone that controls the natural circadian rounded human beings. “We believe that all organisms have rhythm, disturbing slumber and even affecting weight gain, evolved or grown accustomed to these natural frequencies, according to University of Tel Aviv research. and our systems are tuned to operate best with them, rather On the brighter side, some new technological products than with the increasing number of manmade frequencies we promise to restore balance to the body, including deeper and experience in the modern world,” explains Stein. more restful sleep. From the Philip Stein sleep bracelet, sleep number beds and portable sleep trackers to sleep-related For more information, visit PhilipStein.com. See ad, this page.

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December 2017

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Sing While We Work Nothing makes meal preparation tasks go faster than crooning along to our favorite carols. Turn up Susan Boyle’s O Holy Night and soon your lungs will be full of air, your heart filled with sentiment, and the turkey stuffed with seasonal goodness will be ready to go into the oven.

Express Feelings in a Healthy Way Family gatherings can sometimes test our boundaries and patience. Avoid repressing feelings by finding a way to speak a personal truth in the moment, in a calm and healthy fashion. It’s better than returning home stewing about what we wish we could or should have said.

12 Happy Holiday Tips 9

How to Really Enjoy the Season by Dianne Bischoff James

eelings of comfort and joy can seem elusive when the holiday to-do list looms or runs amok. The season can seem more like an endless burden than a parade of cheerful events and glad tidings. Amidst celebratory chaos, these simple rules will help restore inner peace and create greater happiness.

Eschew Perfection Guests are much more interested in filling their stomachs with great food than judging the scuff marks and wall dings. The perfection of the season is found in the special moments when families and friends sit down together.

Pay Attention to the Smiles The approaching holidays encourage more shared smiles, kind words and thoughtful gestures. While out and about, look for the grins and well wishes. Hold the door open for others and offer a friendly greeting to store clerks. We’ll find ourselves smiling even more, because thoughtfulness is contagious.

Do Nothing for 15 Minutes It’s amazing how refreshed we feel when we take a few minutes to sit in a comfortable chair and simply expe22

rience a moment of stillness. Inner quiet allows the mind to relax and reinvest energy in the body, so we can return to holiday activities with renewed zest.

Assign Roles to Household Helpers The holiday load is lighter when everyone pitches in. Assign specific roles to household members with clear responsibilities, from taking out the garbage to setting the table and washing up.

Leave Some Tasks for Later It’s unrealistic to think the house has to be in perfect order after festive gatherings. After guests leave, put the leftovers in the fridge and watch a movie. Cleanup will feel easier and faster after a good night’s rest.

Give Each Person a Special Gift Think of something thoughtful that both the giver and receiver enjoy doing together and write a promissory note for the shared experience, such as a free backrub, a day spent downtown, a personal manicure or a movie the other person wants to see.

Take Advantage of Extended Shopping Hours To avoid crowds and lines, schedule a late-night power-shopping trip. This is the easiest way to manage a department store visit with sanity, have easy access to the shelves and get immediate service.

Take a Holiday Binge Day Designate a day with no limits and no self-judgment. For anyone that mentally monitors their calories or sweets, claim a binge day out loud with permission for total holiday munching freedom. The next day, we can reinstate discipline.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

Express Gratitude at the Table Loving feelings can never be expressed enough, so use the holiday as an opportunity to tell others how important they are to you. Create a heartfelt moment at the table by sharing at least one thing that you’re truly grateful for, and ask everyone else to do the same. Go Outside for Fun in Nature Hiking in a nearby forest preserve, skating, sledding or building a snow fort with the kids not only burns energy, but is emotionally exhilarating for the whole family. Pick an outdoor activity, don appropriate togs, and share in the laughter and serenity of a sparkling winter day. Dianne Bischoff James is a life transformation coach, actor, business consultant and author of The Real Brass Ring: Change Your Life Course Now. She specializes in facilitating the midlife reboot and lives in Boston, MA.

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December 2017

inspiration

The Compassionate Achiever

How Helping Others Fuels Success by Christopher L. Kukk

cting with human decency—in every situation and interaction—is another way to connect to human capabilities hidden in plain sight. In news and TV stories about those who did something heroic, they usually say that they were just doing their job or they did what anyone else would have done in the same situation. None of them did it for recognition or to receive a plaque; they did it because it was the right thing to do. It was, in their minds, what any decent human being would do. We have met two types of people who say, “I’m just doing my job”: those who use it as an excuse to do nothing to help others and those who use it to downplay credit for heroism. There is a third type of person who uses the phrase: an in-

dividual who ordinarily and routinely acts with kindness, civility, and respect in normal daily life. Albert Camus’s main character in The Plague, Bernard Rieux, illustrates the point that you don’t have to perform heroic acts like saving lives; you just have to “do your job” with common decency—meaning civility and respect. Rieux reflects: I know now that man is capable of great deeds. But if he isn’t capable of great emotion, well, he leaves me cold…However, there’s one thing I must tell you: there’s no question of heroism in all of this. It’s a matter of common decency. That’s an idea which may make some people smile, but the only means of fighting a plague is— common decency.

Rieux’s words point to the idea that basic common decency is all that is needed to overcome and even avoid problems in every aspect of society. It’s acting in ways that prioritize kindness, courtesy, and respect for each person you encounter. You befriend and never belittle. Common decency is about honoring and respecting the human dignity of every individual. I call this way of everyday thinking and acting Rieux’s Routine. Following Rieux’s Routine is the middle way between the excuser and the unsung hero; it’s something that each of us can follow without ignoring (the excuser) or risking (the hero) anything. It’s about acting on our common belief in basic decency. Recent national surveys on civility show that 95 percent of us believe in common decency, but are concerned about its decline in our political, communal, and personal lives. At the beginning of 2016, 70 percent of Americans polled said that incivility in their country has reached “crisis levels, up from 65 percent in 2014.” The “crisis” begins and ends within each one of us—meaning that if we each choose to act with civility, we can avert problems that eventually create crises. From The Compassionate Achiever: How Helping Others Fuels Success by Christopher L. Kukk, PhD. Kukk is Professor of Political Science, Director of the Kathwari Honors Program and Director of the Center for Compassion, Creativity & Innovation at Western Connecticut State University (WestConn). He is also a member of the Advisory Board for the Institute of Holistic Health Studies at WestConn.

meditation • massage • reiki for people & pets, sessions & classes • nutrition • psychotherapy The Ruby Tree Shop Hours Second Anniversary Blast! Mon, Closed December 9-10 Tue, Wed, Fri 11am-6pm 10am-4pm, Both days. Come for vendors, raffles and fun.

Monthly Mystical Market 3rd Sunday of Every Month

Quarterly Meet the Psychics Fair

Next date - Sunday, February 4, 2018

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 Offering Full Yoga Schedule and Daily Psychics & Readers 670 Main St. S, Woodbury, CT www.therubytreect.com yoga • crystal healing • psychic readers • aroma touch • rocks & crystals • events • workshops 24

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

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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.

Try Some Stretches Four Ways to Flex Our Muscles by Marlaina Donato

Reach more than 65,000 Natural Awakenings readers by placing your ad here. Call for more info.

203-885-4674

hether working out at the gym or taking to the trails, stretching is sometimes an overlooked asset to any exercise regimen. Eliminating stretches or not doing them properly increases the risk of injury and deprives muscles of what they need for optimum performance. “Just because you are in shape doesn’t always mean you have good flexibility,” notes LaReine Chabut, a Los Angeles fitness expert and author of Stretching for Dummies. “If you do plenty of strength training and cardio, but you don’t do any stretching, you’re creating an imbalance in your body. Flexibility plays a big part in overall fitness.” Loosening up correctly not only fosters flexibility, but also improves muscle endurance and coordination. “Everyone should be stretching, especially as you age, to maintain range of motion and balance,” advises fitness trainer Ben Wegman, of The Fhitting Room, in New York City. “A personal workout regime can be enhanced with stretching, which also increases mobility, improves posture and performance, and reduces stress levels.”

Four Categories, Many Variations

“Different types of stretches access different muscles and different types of flexibility, but together, can benefit ev26

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

eryone,” says Wegman. There are many ways to stretch, but knowing what to do and when to do it can be key to optimum results and injury prevention. Warming up to different types of stretches can be a little daunting, but the basic four (sometimes combined in terminology) are passive, static, active and dynamic. In the past, ballistic stretching was common and included potentially harmful bouncing techniques, but today dynamic stretching has become a favorite among trainers, consisting of specific, controlled movements that prepare the body for the demands of both engaging in sports and an average workout. “Stretches can be confusing, so as a rule of thumb, I suggest dynamic stretching for any workout that involves movement and passive stretching for cooling down after a workout to release the muscles,” says Chabut. Stretching also plays an important role in yoga, which generally complements different stretches by adding a mind-body connection. “Breath is the key difference between yoga and regular stretching,” notes Chabut. “The use of breath allows you to get deeper into the muscle. Yoga also places particular emphasis on core muscles: the abdominals, lower back and spinal muscles. Through focus and deep breathing, yoga allows you to move beyond stretching into a deeper physical experience that both strengthens and focuses your body.”

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Injury Prevention and Recovery Daily Moderation Nancy Whelan, a physical therapist and owner of The Physical Therapy Center, in West Palm Beach, Florida, emphasizes the importance of proper technique for clients to avoid further injury, especially individuals that had a torn Achilles tendon. “Stretching is important when doing any exercise, and especially important following surgery or injury, because the body’s reaction to either one is to contract, which can cause secondary problems,” explains Whelan. “I think the body has an intelligence we must listen to. We must acknowledge our limitations and the signals our body sends us to let us know that something is harmful or painful,” she notes. “When you take responsibility to take care of your body, it will take care of you.” For injury prevention, dynamic stretching offers many benefits. “It’s the best because it ensures that all major joints have full range of motion and sufficient muscle length,” says Wegman. She advises never to stretch an injured muscle or stretch too forcefully. “Introduce low-intensity stretching back into a regime only under a doctor’s supervision,” she cautions.

For Chabut, moderation is everything. “Gently warm up the body before moving into deeper stretches. Build heat in the muscles slowly to avoid potential injury,” she advises. Proper stretching is beneficial, but not doing so can foster bad habits and cause muscle or tendon tears. “Stretching cold muscles or using improper techniques such as bouncing when holding a stretch position are common mistakes,” observes Whelan. Stretching doesn’t have to be reserved for workouts, and with a little discipline, its benefits can easily be attained at home or the office. “Take 10 minutes during your favorite TV program and perform a couple of stretches,” suggests Wegman. “Make it a point to get up every half-hour and stretch for five minutes before resuming work. If you aren’t being pushed or pushing yourself, you won’t see results or make improvements. If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” Marlaina Donato is a freelance writer, author and multimedia artist. Connect at MarlainaDonato.com.

Helpful Resources BOOKS Dynamic Stretching: The Revolutionary New Warm-Up Method to Improve Power, Performance and Range of Motion, by Mark Kovacs Dynamic Stretching vs. Static Stretching and Their Benefits, by Jack Cascio Exercise Balls for Dummies (including safe stretches for pregnant woman) and Stretching for Dummies, both by LeReine Chabut Stretching: 20 Simple Stretching Techniques to Relieve Pain and Increase Flexibility, by Neb Notliar ONLINE VIDEOS BlackBeltWiki.com/Stretching (range of stretches specific to martial arts styles and body parts) DoYogaWithMe.com/Yoga-Beginners (free yoga videos for all levels) ElderGym.com/Elderly-Flexibility (highly detailed instruction tailored to seniors) Essentrics.com/media.html (videos from the PBS series Classical Stretch) StretchCoach.com/resources/stretching-videos (instruction specific to sports and muscle groups) StudioSweatOnDemand.com/Classes/ Feature/Good-For-Beginners (select stretching videos)

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December 2017

PEACE ON EARTH Conflict Resolutions that Work to Bridge Divides

Healing happens when we handle conflict in a healthy and transformative way. conflict is an essential and powerful call for applying spiritual principles and exercising spiritual practices.

Call to Action

Roughly 30 years ago, notable voices began urging Americans to embrace a sustainable worldview of unity in diversity, recognizing our core oneness as a solution to an increasingly out-of-balance society. Success in this endeavor depends primarily on the “habits of the heart” of our citizens, developed in local milieus of families, neighborhoods, classrooms, congregations, voluntary associations, workplaces and public places where strangers gather.

Activating Answers

While mainstream media often largely focuses on the negative aspects of conflict—discord, divisiveness, intolerance, violence, incivility, injustice, chaos and complex problems—a counter-movement is convening constructive conversations. Participants are initiating dialogue and deliberations intended to resolve conflicts and create cohesiveness, collaboration, cooperation and compromise among local factions that disagree on how to deal with everything from health care and social justice to environmental protection and climate science. Educational training materials and books are giving outdated models of conflict resolution a facelift. In The Revolution Where You Live: Stories from a 12,000 Mile Journey Through a New America, Sarah Van Gelder devotes a chapter to a Greensboro, North Carolina, battle over a story about a deadly, racially charged incident from the city’s recent past. She quotes James Lamar Gibson, a 20-something African-American activist and core organizer for the Counter Stories Project: “We’ve been stuck in an old conversation for a couple of decades. We want to have an army of people with restorative conversation skills, so we can get past the divisiveness and imagine together a different sort of Greensboro,” he says. The project began with facilitator training, and then developed story circles in which residents were able to have the difficult discussions that don’t ordinarily take place among the police, city council, churches and social agencies. Today’s conflict resolution experts are discovering that 28

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

Provocative Questions

“What if we considered conflict as a secret ally or a guidepost, showing us what really matters to us and how much we care? What if our intense emotions are sources of invincible energy, with the power to build the world we want, together? What does having conflict in a healthy and transformative way look like?” queries Ma’ikwe Ludwig, executive director of Commonomics USA, an organization which educates and advocates for a world where a commons-based economy creates economic and ecological security for all. “Conflict has the power to bring to the surface what’s really at stake and to unite people toward a common goal,” advises Ludwig. Her thought-provoking questions can help shift perceptions toward the idea that we need to use conflict; maybe even welcome it. Ludwig, author of Together Resilient: Building Community in the Age of Climate Disruption, recently helped present new perspectives on conflict resolution during a webinar for Transition US members interested in creating inclusive and diverse communities through collaboration. The nonprofit inspires, encourages, supports and provides networking and training for grassroots initiatives seeking to build community resilience in the face of such challenges as oil spills, climate change and economic crises. Courtney Breese, managing director for the nonprofit National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) and her colleagues, together with thousands of innovative thinkers, are helping by introducing people to simple dialogue and deliberation structures, processes and resources that invite meaningful and productive conversations leading to constructive civic engagement. Breese remarks, “We’re open to working with

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by Linda Sechrist

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Rewiring the Brain: What is Neurofeedback? A Workshop presented by Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, Ed.D, BCN, LPC Board Certified in Neurofeedback Tuesday -- December 5, 2017 at 10:00 am 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!

A community is a group that can fight gracefully… Chaos is not just a state; it is an essential process of community development. ~Dr. M. Scott Peck, The Different Drum: Community Making and Peace anyone interested in learning processes that can help bridge divides. We also like sharing stories about what is working.”

Toolbox

The group’s downloadable free tools help newcomers: A beginner’s guide for exploring dialogue (NCDD.org/RC/ Beginners-Guide); a how-to-guide for Conversation Café (CC) hosts (Tinyurl. com/ManualForConversationCafe); and the American Library Association Libraries Transforming Communities: Models for Change Project (ALA.org/ LTC-Models). “To date, we’ve had at least 800 librarians participate in free NCDD webinars,” Breese notes. CC is a simple tool useful in exploring difficult topics and provides a safe space to process different perspectives. “Initial agreement on basic rules includes suspending judgment while listening and seeking to understand others, refraining from persuading or converting and talking only from personal experience,” explains Breese. One new network member, J. Scott Wagner, author of The Liberal’s Guide

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December 2017

orld Café-style conversations used in Conversation Cafés to discuss issues that matter offer a powerful social technology to engage people in meaningful and constructive dialog in corporate, government and community settings. Understanding that conversation is the core process that drives personal, business and organizational life, it’s a way of thinking and being together sourced in a philosophy of conversational leadership. Embracing a combination of these guiding principles can foster collaborative exchanges, active engagement and helpful possibilities for action. n Clarify the Purpose n Create a Hospitable Space n Explore Questions that Matter n Encourage Everyone’s Contribution n Connect Diverse Perspectives n Listen for Insights and Share Discoveries Source: Tinyurl.com/CafeConversation Principles

Intense emotions can become sources of invincible energy with the collective power to build the world we want. to Conservatives, speaks about the importance of using neutral language in dialogue. “I learned from him how words can be emotional triggers and signal one-sided perspectives, leaving some group members feeling angry or excluded because they feel the speaker won’t be open to hearing their perspective,” says Breese. After three tours of the U.S. and hundreds of interviews with conservative

Community Needs Erase Enmity

Drawing on 25 years of experience of enabling sworn enemies to create peace in places such as South Africa, Northern Ireland and Colombia, Adam Kahane, author of Collaborating with the Enemy: How to Work with People You Don’t Agree with or Like or Trust, shares insights into the “enemyfying syndrome” that instigates conflict. This habit of thinking and acting as if people we are dealing with are our enemies and the cause of our problems is all around us and dominates the media. “The enemies are always the others, ‘those people’. Enemyfying,

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STARTING TOOLS

individuals, Wagner, founder of the nonprofit Reach the Right, was inspired to use his knowledge of five arenas—neurology/cognitive psychology, personality, bias, social conformity and morality—to help progressives understand conservatives that are not only their political leaders, but also their relatives, partners, friends and managers. He offers a simple explanation for anyone drenched in inaccurate biases. “We inherit unconscious genetic personality characteristics that lead us to develop our ideology, with which we construct our world and align with others that are in agreement. Differences in our personality characteristics are the culprits that create conflict.”

which feels exciting and satisfying—even righteous and heroic—usually obscures, rather than clarifies, the reality of the challenges we face. It amplifies conflicts, narrows the space for problem solving and creativity, and distracts us with unrealizable dreams of decisive victory from the real work we need to do,” observes Kahane. Kahane sees the challenge of conflict becoming more acute. “People today are generally more free, individualistic and diverse, with stronger voices and less deference. Volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity are growing.” Yet, contrary to the common view, it is possible for people that hold contradictory positions to find ways to collaborate. That’s what he and 40 others representing military officers, guerrillas and paramilitaries; activists and politicians; businesspeople and trade unionists; landowners and farmers; and academics, journalists and young people, accomplished in the Destino Colombia project. They organized to contribute to ending their country’s 52-year civil war.

Motivated to Act

Jonathan Bender, founder of The Performance of Your Life, a public speaking and personal development business, has been on a lifelong quest of fostering personal growth and societal transformation. His therapeutic classes and workshops demonstrate how to connect, honor and deeply resonate with others, even if they have different worldviews, and how to listen and hear in the same way we want to be heard. Acknowledging the adrenalin rush that’s a common response to fear of conflict, Bender says, “When we learn to be mindful and speak from our entire body, rather than just from our head, we notice that the voice resonates and originates from a much bigger place. This teaches us to cultivate greater awareness of our emotions and how we express them. “Begin by acknowledging an emotion, and then reduce its intensity through slow, deep breaths, paying attention to the correlating physical sensation. Shifting our focus back to the heart allows us to recognize parts of ourselves in the stories of others and come to understand that our personal history is the filter through which we ‘enemyfy’,” says Bender, who speaks and presents publicly, educating audiences and clients about the universally challenging performances of everyday life. According to Robert Atkinson, Ph.D., author of The Story of Our Time: From Duality to Interconnectedness to Oneness, today’s rugged individualism amid conflicts comprises a crisis of consciousness. “No longer can we settle only on seeing things in opposition to one another; we need to shift our consciousness to be able to see the parts coming together in a new whole. Accepting the oneness of humanity as a biological fact, a social necessity and a spiritual reality will lead us further along our journey toward lasting world peace.” His observation fits with what Joanna Macy, author and scholar of Buddhism and deep ecology, believes is the call of our time: “As planetary citizens, we are being called to wake up together.”

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December 2017

wisewords

Lynne McTaggart on the

POWER OF GROUP INTENTION by April Thompson

hirty years ago, speaker, author and journalist Lynne McTaggart recovered from an illness using alternative approaches to health. Since then, she’s been exploring the frontiers of healing through consciousness and alternative medicine. In the 1990s, McTaggart, who lives in London, started a newsletter called What Doctors Don’t Tell You, now an international magazine and popular platform at WDDTY.com that cites thousands of resources showing what works and doesn’t work in conventional and alternative medicine and how to beat chronic conditions naturally. McTaggart’s seven books include The Intention Experiment, The Field, The Bond and most recently, The Power of Eight. Her latest work examines the transformative power of small groups of people sending thoughts together for a common goal.

Can you summarize the results of your experiments of healing through collective intentions? We’ve done hundreds of experiments using small and large groups; 30 were tightly controlled scientific studies conducted in conjunction with researchers at institutions such as the University of Arizona, University of California and Penn State University. The experiments have involved all kinds of intentions, ranging from the relatively simple to the impossibly complex. The large-scale intention experiments involved upwards of 25,000 participants remotely logging onto a website to view 32

photos of the targets, sometimes 8,000 miles away, and sending them a well-defined intention, like changing the pH balance of water or healing a war veteran of post-traumatic stress disorder. To date, 26 of those 30 experiments resulted in positive, measurable, mainly scientifically significant effects. We’ve seen the pH of water change by a full pH number and seen seeds grow twice as much as control seeds. We also conducted three peace intention experiments with interesting results: After our eightday intention for Sri Lanka during its civil war, violence levels fell; the government had won several decisive battles that week; and within a few months that 25-year war was over. We can’t say with certainty that we had a hand in this, but our other peace experiments showed similar results. If it happens a few more times, that becomes compelling.

What conditions were the most conducive to manifesting positive results? Was it intention, the power of the group or altruism? I think it’s a little of all of these. We’ve found that larger groups do not have a larger effect, which brought about the “power of eight” concept. I’ve discovered all that’s needed is a group, whether it’s eight or 8,000. In a group, we seem to lose our sense of individuality and separation from the world. We experience an overwhelming sense of oneness with the other intenders, which may be why our influence then becomes more powerful.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

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How did the act of sending positive intentions affect the senders? I was most surprised by the rebound effects reported by participants, whom I started surveying after the Sri Lankan peace experiment. Thousands of extraordinary comments related not only how participants felt during the activity, but also afterwards; they were experiencing major shifts in their relationships, health, careers and well-being. All they had done was sit individually in front of their computer holding an intention, yet they experienced the altered and mystical states of consciousness described by psychologist Abraham Maslow as “peak experiences”. Life University, a large chiropractic university in Atlanta, worked with us to study the brainwaves of participants in six “power of eight” groups and found that senders had decreased activity in their frontal and parietal lobes, which govern the sense of self. It was like the boundaries between participants were dissolving into a state of oneness. To me, this partly explained the sense of oneness, compassion and love they experienced. Andrew Newberg, director of research at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, in Philadelphia, recorded similar effects in Sufi masters, and nuns and monks engaged in prayer and meditation, but only after years of learning certain techniques. My participants, all novices, were primed only by watching a 13-minute YouTube video of me explaining how to send intention in a group. Group intention appears to be a fast-track to the miraculous—no experience necessary.

Why does “groupthink” have such a powerful, multiplicative effect? I think a huge part of it has to do with the power of getting off of yourself and setting an intention for someone else. Another is the connection created in a group. When we engage together in an activity like praying or setting altruistic intentions, we create a powerful virtual circle that proves healing to both the receivers and senders. Connect with April Thompson, in Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

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HUBS OF INSPIRATION Local Shops Offer Gifts in Many Forms by Angela Pascopella

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ooking for a perfect, unique gift and want it wrapped in warmth, goodness and acceptance? You don’t have to look far. Chances are you’re a short drive from one or more of the many community-oriented shops in Fairfield and Litchfield counties. These shops feature consciousnessraising and/or sustainably produced goods that are also designed to appeal to the human spirit and emotion, as well as our five senses. Visitors can often find items made by local artisans. The variety of products is universally intended to make the receiver—and giver—feel good, lighter and more at peace. Many are designed specifically to help people heal and thrive. Beyond providing unique gifts— many in the form of crystals, candles, essential oils, Tibetan singing bowls, music CDs and books—the shop owners also bring the community together by offering fundraisers for local good causes, holding educational talks or offering their space as a gathering place for events and healing work. This may include drum circles, craniosacral therapy, massage, Reiki shares and other functions.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

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Raising Funds for Charities

Some shops in the area are active in raising funds for local causes. Psychic medium Bobby Kitsios, owner of The Sacred Spirit shop in Stamford, is training to be a spiritual master and is giving back to animal shelters and a shelter for abused women. Kitsios recently held a charity event to benefit the Paws Crossed animal rescue in New York’s Westchester County. During the event, he and a group of psychic mediums did readings to help raise money for the shelter. His regular services at the Albertson Memorial Church in Old Greenwich help people connect with loved ones that have passed on. “As our physical bodies die, our soul lives on,” Kitsios says. “But so does the love we have for those left behind, and bringing that love and memories to the person who is grieving is an act of love on the medium’s part.” Patricia’s Presents on Route 7 in Ridgefield is another retail store that places emphasis on community giving. The shop holds or sponsors events several times per year to help raise funds for the local animal shelter, Ridgefield Operation Animal Rescue (ROAR) and

Ann’s Place, Danbury’s communitybased cancer support center. Patricia Polk, Patricia’s Presents owner, attracts many animal lovers with her stock of unique animal-themed goods, as well as fair-trade jewelry and eye-catching artisan items. “The word community means different things to different people,” Polk says. “I’m proud that over the past few years I have been able to establish a retail store where I have the ability to hold fundraisers for groups doing important work in our area, and where people with common interests—especially animals— may meet and connect.”

Feeling Connected

In Sherman, Barrie Sachs is celebrating 20 years of owning Happy Rainbows shop. “It’s a gentle healing store,” she explains about the products she sells and the energy of her shop. Sachs started working with herbs and healing homeopathy in the early years, and then incorporated selling teas, singing bowls with their healing vibrations, jewelry, and crystals for energy work and opening up the body’s seven chakras, or energy fields. When all five senses are stimulated, Sachs says some customers start to share their struggles or release barriers to better living. “That is the joy of having this store,” she says. “People feel comfortable here. You just feel good.” Sachs also wants her customers to be educated about the products she sells in order to understand why and where to use them for the best outcome. She has spread the education to

others. At Fish of Woodbury, a senior citizen center, Sachs led a workshop showcasing different teas. She brought in a scientist to discuss the chemical properties of certain teas and how certain flowers, for example, could help heal heart problems. A teacher at a nearby daycare center brings children to the shop regularly, where young minds are drawn to the spiritual essence of the store. “Children are open, they are so inquisitive and they love to look and touch,” Sachs says. Parents also visit the shop to seek help for a child that might be hyperactive or have problems sleeping. Lemongrass, chamomile and lavender are calming herbs that parents can buy to help calm nerves, for themselves and for family members. For 19 years, Margaret “Marge” Courtney has brought the vortex energy of Sedona, Arizona, to Ridgefield. In her Touch of Sedona shop, she brings the spirit of Native Americans and positive energy healing in the form of crystals, sage, Buddha statues, pendulums, jewelry and more. Courtney recently opened a second location in Bethel. She also brings in intuitive readers regularly and offers Reiki to customers in both shops. “My purpose in opening the first store was to make a place that was safe for people to explore their spirituality in a gentle way,” Courtney says. With a big glass window storefront, she says, people walk by and cross the busy main streets of both Ridgefield and Bethel, lured in by a scent. “They might come in and ask, ‘what is that wonderful smell?’

And I’m not burning anything. It’s just a combination of incense and essential oils and candles.” In Woodbury, The Ruby Tree offers a metaphysical, healing space as well as other functions. Owner Christina Boisits-O’Keefe offers three elements, including a shop, yoga studio, and a space for local practitioners to offer services and heal the community. Boisits-O’Keefe started offering Reiki to clients, which has developed to an “energy evening” one Friday a month. During such evenings, clients can get a massage or energy work from one of several local practitioners and then the practitioners can work on one another for their own benefit. The shop sells incense and sage, for example, to help clear negative energy in spaces. Local artisans’ jewelry, essential oils and salt lamps are other popular items. The latter, once warmed, releases negative ions in the air (a good thing) and cleanses the air for healing. The shop also sells festive, holiday items, depending on the month. Enchanted Realms in New Milford offers shamanic therapy, meditation circles and Reiki, along with New Age gifts featuring items from dozens of local artisans. Books, candles and soaps are also popular, as are crystals. “It’s important to support the small businesses and distributors,” says owner Maya Cointreau. “It doesn’t matter your religion or philosophical background, we have gifts for everyone to help them feel uplifted. A lot of people who are having a hard day come in to feel better,” she says.

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Cointreau also has a room with toys for children so parents feel welcome coming in with their families. Her greatest goal is connecting people to helpful tools and products, whether it is at her shop or somewhere else. “I don’t believe in competition,” she states. “I believe in co-opetition, or cooperative competition. It means the more businesses you have that are similar near each other and that support one other, the better chance it can create more business opportunity.” When the community starts to feel emotionally fragile, such as feeling the world is unstable, Cointreau starts to organize group meditations for global harmony. She says bringing the community together to find more peace is powerful. Also in New Milford, Mother Earth Gallery, which has existed for three decades, offers many locally made items. They include Buddhist and Hindu statues, angels, dreamcatchers and thousands of crystals, according to shop owner Leslie Gera. “Just as early civilization used crystals for divination, crystals still connect many of us to the divine,” Gera explains. “Even though we know that crystals can’t take the place of traditional medicine, they are an adjunct to it. No matter what ails you or what goal you have in sight, there’s a crystal for you. All crystals can help balance your mind, body and spirit. They receive and store energy, and they can shield you from negative energy.” Mother Earth also offers Himalayan salt lamps and Tibetan singing bowls, which are tuned to the body’s seven chakras, or energy channels, says Gera. The bowls are 99 percent quartz, which she calls “the grandmother of all stones” for cleansing and purification. Gera also holds various workshops—in part to inform people about crystals—and offers a venue for local artisans’ jewelry, woodworking, glass and pottery. As an example, she started to sell a local resident’s paintings this past fall. She donates to local organizations, such as the local police and Habitat for Humanity. Angela Pascopella is a journalism veteran and contributor to Natural Awakenings.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

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

Heart and Home Shop at Salt of the Earth Healing Arts Sanctuary 346 Main St, Woodbury 203-405-2241

Effigy Witch Shoppe 415 Main St, Monroe 203-261-2592 EffigyWitchShoppe.com

Lantern House: Center for Seraphic Living 1432 Post Rd, Fairfield 203-529-1219 LanternHouseLiving.com

Enchanted Realms 285 Litchfield Rd, New Milford 860-350-3898 EnchantedRealmz.com

Mother Earth Gallery 449 Danbury Rd, New Milford 203-775-6272 MotherEarthCrystals.com

Happy Rainbows 11 Route 39 North, Sherman 860-355-4959 HappyRainbows.com

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The Ruby Tree 670 Main St S, Sherman Village, Woodbury 203-586-1655 TheRubyTreeCT.com The Sacred Spirit 135 Clover Hill Dr, Stamford 203-344-9311 TheSacredSpirit.net Touch of Sedona 452 Main St, Ridgefield 203-438-7146 125 Greenwood Ave, Bethel 475-329-2087 TouchofSedonaRidgefield.com

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

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

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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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December 2017

Cancer and the Holidays

Keep It Simple, Keep It Real by Kevin Berrill

eady or not, the holidays are just around the corner. Each year, the holiday season affords us an opportunity to look more deeply into life, take less for granted, reset priorities, renew spiritual faith or connect more deeply with loved ones and strangers. Even the healthiest people can feel overwhelmed or overstimulated by the frantic pace, unrealistically high expectations and the sensory overload of holiday music, advertisements, food and drink, decorations and displays and social obligations. People with cancer and other serious illnesses, along with their caregivers, often feel out of sync with the celebratory atmosphere at this time of year and sometimes have unrealistic expectations of themselves and others. They may look at the holidays with ambivalence and even trepidation. The prospect of a new year may raise questions about whether the cancer will come back next year, or how to handle the situation if it does return. Those in cancer treatment and their caregivers may wonder if they have the stamina to get through the holidays and another round of treatment. Those who once avidly shopped and entertained might

now dread the prospect of doing either. Even visiting loved ones for the first time since undergoing treatment can be comforting and heartwarming for some while for others it can feel awkward and provoke anxiety. Dealing with others’ reactions to a new diagnosis or changed appearance can be stressful. Of course there are financial concerns as well. Cancer treatment is expensive, unmanageably so for those who have no medical insurance or who are underinsured, or who find themselves unable to work. Those under financial stress face difficult choices about what, if anything, they can afford to buy when it comes to giving gifts. If you or someone you love is facing cancer, consider the following suggestions to ease potential holiday stressors. Allow feelings to happen. Lifethreatening illnesses change the world as we know it. It is natural to feel sad, angry, despairing, confused, numb or lonely. Ignoring and suppressing our feelings and pretending to be cheerful is likely to make the holidays more difficult. If there are concerns about whether the usual holiday plans are right this

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year, it is okay to break with tradition. Allow change in where, when, how and with whom you spend the holiday. Let others know if the energy or the financial means to buy presents are just not there. Spontaneity is great. However, having a plan, even if we decide to change it, is likely to provide a greater sense of control. It is then less likely that we will feel isolated or blindsided by others’ expectations and decisions. Try to get enough rest, nourishment and exercise. Be mindful of alcohol consumption; alcohol is a depressant and can worsen the mood. Limit sugary treats as they too can leave us feeling depleted and depressed. If there is someone we know affected by cancer, offer the gift of listening and care. Let them lead when it comes to holiday plans. A phone call, card or email can also make a meaningful difference. To offer help, be specific, such as asking about picking up things at the grocery store. That is more helpful than, “Let me know if there is anything I can do.” At a time when so many around us are caught in an endless round of buying presents, give the gift of presence. Pause several times a day to refresh and just be. If you need practical support, reach out to understanding loved ones. They may be eager to help but not know how. Let them know what you need, whether it is a cooked meal, help with shopping or hosting, prayers, or kind and supportive listening. In a world that extols health and vigor, and promotes the illusion that life is controllable, the experience of cancer sometimes brings with it feelings of isolation and stigma. The antidote to loneliness is connection. To the extent you can, open yourself to others’ attention and affection. If you have energy, you can offer care to someone else, whether they are a loved one or a stranger. Compassionate action helps us to transcend difficult circumstances and enter more fully into our shared human condition. Kevin Berrill, MSW, LCSW, is a clinical social worker at Ann’s Place, a community-based cancer support agency in Danbury. Connect at AnnsPlace.org.

Massage Therapy

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Reiki for Distance Healing

Robin Ordan, LMT 203-561-8535

www.robinordanlmt.com Located on the Old Greenwich/Stamford Border

by Kerry Hardy

eiki has been shown by scientific research to be effective at reducing symptoms, such as pain, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, high blood pressure and heart palpitations, among many others. Overall stress levels are reduced, inducing relaxation, and restoring balance and energy flow so the body can heal. At this point, many patients are benefiting from the healing effects of Reiki and receiving treatment in hospitals, clinics and health and wellness centers. However, some people that will benefit from Reiki energy healings have issues with transportation and physical limitations, or are too symptomatic to leave the home comfortably or safely. The ability to receive a Reiki energy healing from a distance can increase their healing. A distant energy healing, where the Reiki Master is in one location and the patient is in the comfort of their own home or in a quiet space, is just as effective as if the practitioner was physically in the room. The connection between healer and the one being healed exists outside of time and space. There are people that have difficulty understanding the concept of a distant Reiki healing and the practitioner not being physically present for the session. An analogy that may be helpful is trusting that cell phones work wirelessly or that information can be transmitted through a WiFi router from one device to another. Even though we can’t see the information being sent, the phone rings and that email is delivered. Transmission of energy does not require a physical connection. Because Reiki is a non-invasive technique that causes no side effects or complications, it can be performed on anyone of any age or state of health, even cancer patients. Reiki can help from the moment of diagnosis and should continue even when the patient is cancer-free in order to continue healing the mind, body and spirit on many levels. Kerry Hardy, RN, HNB-BC, RMT, CCH, is a holistic registered nurse who specializes in cancer and chronic pain. In her practice, she incorporates Reiki, aromatherapy; crystals; guided meditations; sound, light, color and music therapy; and breathing techniques. Connect at 203-895-5134 and HolisticHeavenWellness.com. See ad, page 41.

Positive & Nature Based Psychology Promoting well-being and resilience.

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annreevespsych@optonline.net • www.annreevespsychology.com Offices in Newtown & Wilton, CT

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December 2017

over the teeth so they won’t swallow mercury; we put a mask over their nose so they won’t breathe mercury vapor; we cover their bodies so they won’t absorb mercury through their skin. We even use a special vacuum in front of their mouth to suction away the air as we’re cleaning out the fillings. My office staff and I wear protective gear as well. We’re serious about this. We know mercury is really bad for everybody who’s exposed to it.

Reasons to Switch to a Holistic Dentist

A Conversation with Dr. David Lerner of the Center for Holistic Dentistry

visit to Dr. David Lerner, a holistic dentist in Yorktown Heights, New York, may include acupuncture, kinesiology or even a heated neck pillow. But this kinder, gentler practice still offers all the standard dental procedures, and even the option of nitrous oxide for patients who are anxious or need a lot of work. Natural Awakenings recently caught up with Dr. Lerner to learn about the advantages of visiting a holistic dentist. Here are his top five.

A Holistic Wellness Team I often have patients tell me they already see other holistic practitioners, and they sought us out because they also wanted to work with a dentist whose belief system is based on natural

healing principles. Adding a holistic dentist to your wellness team allows collaboration between all your other integrative health providers. They speak the same language and can work together on your case to treat you the way you want to be treated. If you’ve ever had to explain to your primary care doctor what a thermagram is, you’ll understand the value of using an allholistic, integrative healthcare team.

Safe Mercury Removal It’s important to work with a dentist who’s properly trained to safely remove mercury. At our office, patients are protected so they don’t absorb any mercury as the fillings are being removed. We put a rubber dam

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Use of Safe Dental Materials Patients should be concerned about the materials that are being used instead of mercury amalgams. Most mercury fillings get replaced with bonded ceramic or composite filling materials. These historically contained a plastic compound known as BPA. Then it became known that BPA is an estrogen mimicker, which is why we now have concerns about the type of plastic used in water bottles. What happened in dentistry is that a lot of the manufacturers of these filling materials just reengineered the BPA molecule so they could call it something else. So when we test people with kinesiology to see if they are sensitive, many still react to those materials as if the BPA were still mimicking estrogen. Now there are some newer materials with totally different chemical formulations. Holistic dentists screen their patients for sensitivity to any materials before they’re used—whether they’re for fillings, crowns, implants or dentures. All these categories of dental restorations could involve materials that trigger an immune system response or are toxic to the body.

Special Precautions With Root Canals There is a growing controversy about the limitations of root canals, and whether they actually eliminate all infection of the tooth. Often they don’t, and the tooth can then become the source of a problem. One of our mentors, Dr. Thomas Rau from Switzerland, says that 80 percent of his patients with breast cancer have a toxic root canal-treated tooth on the acupuncture meridians related to the breast. When patients at his clinic are dealing with autoimmune conditions or serious conditions like cancer, he and his staff strongly advise not only that any mercury be removed from their mouth, but that any root canal-treated teeth be evaluated as well. So an important aspect of holistic dentistry is how we deal with a tooth that’s become infected or that’s had a root canal already.

Getting the Bite Right Imbalances of the bite will affect the whole musculoskeletal system, and the balance of the craniosacral system, through the acupuncture pathways. Evolving methods for evaluating and treating this have always relied heavily on applied kinesiology, like muscle reflex testing. We’re also relying more and more on using computer measurements to look for imbalances within the bite—forces on the teeth as well as muscular imbalances within the jaw that can cause reflexive imbalances elsewhere in the body. A common occurrence is people having a bite issue after having a dental restoration done, whether it’s a filling or a crown. The bite might be too heavy on the tooth that was repaired, or it might be too low, leaving the other teeth to bear more of a load than they are able to tolerate. Either way, the teeth become sensitive. Bite imbalances are also a major contributor to muscle tension, which is the most common cause of headache. Even with migraines, we often see that structural problems in the balance of the bite will have an influence. For more information, call 914-2149678 or visit HolisticDentist.com. Location: The Center for Holistic Dentistry, 1 Taconic Corporate Park, 2649 Strang Blvd, Ste 201, Yorktown Heights, NY. See ad, page 15.

EMERGING PRACTITIONERS’ SHOWCASE A special section for practitioners just launching their practice or recently relocated to the area. Naturopathic Physician & Licensed Acupuncturist Holistic, Natural Medicine for Health and Wellbeing Botanicals, Nutrition, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Lab testing & more

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To find out if you might qualify to be a part of the showcase section, call or email today! 203-885-4674 FFCAdvertising@NaturalAwakeningsmag.com

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INSPIRED

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TABLE

THE GIFTS OF CITRUS Colorful Good Health in Holiday Dishes by Judith Fertig

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inter citrus fruits that arrive in a gift basket or show up on sale at the grocer present a welcome bright spot on winter’s darker days. Valencia and blood oranges, limes and Meyer lemons are delicious in their own right, and deserve their place on the breakfast table. Yet there are many other intriguing ways to enjoy them in vinaigrettes, salads, main dishes, baked goods and desserts. Winter citrus is full of health benefits, just when we need them most: during the busy holiday season. To start, they help bolster our immune system, guarding against colds or helping us recover faster. Their high vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, content is water soluble. According to a comprehensive study by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, a daily intake of 400 milligrams of vitamin C can halve the incidence of colds in adults and cut their duration by 14 percent.

203-885-4674 42

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

The flavonoid hesperidin in citrus helps boost “good” HDL cholesterol and lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, report researchers in the Journal of Nutrition. In a new study in Nutritional Neuroscience, hesperidin in citrus also was found to ameliorate brain deterioration found in Alzheimer’s patients. Other studies further show that the grapefruit diet wasn’t wrong; eating half a fresh grapefruit before each meal can help us lose weight. In a study conducted at the Scripps Clinic, in La Jolla, California, and published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, researchers put overweight volunteers on an exercise plan for 12 weeks and asked them to eat either half a fresh grapefruit or drink apple juice and pop a placebo pill before each meal. The grapefruit group dropped an average of three-and-a-half pounds, compared to only one-half pound for the apple group.

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible. natural awakenings

citrus groves between the Atlantic Coast and Indian River. “Winters meant Dad’s workbench in the garage groaning under the weight of brown paper grocery bags filled to bursting with navels, tangerines, grapefruits, Valencias and tangelos,” writes Schler. “I fondly recall trips in the old green station wagon to the groves on chilly weekend mornings where we could pick them ourselves.” Today, Schler and her husband own and operate the boutique Hotel Diderot, in Chinon, France, where life’s a feast—especially during citrus season. Judith Fertig writes cookbooks and foodie fiction from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).

Zesty Citrus Holiday Recipes

photo by Ilva Beretta

Moroccan Spiced Orange Slices with Orange Blossom Water Orange blossom or orange flower water is available at better grocery stores, kitchen shops, Middle Eastern markets or online. Yields: 4 to 5 servings 5 medium to large navel or large blood oranges 3 Tbsp orange blossom water 1 tsp ground cinnamon 2 Tbsp honey or date sugar ½ pomegranate, seeded 1½ to 2 Tbsp coarsely chopped unsalted pistachios 8 to 10 mint leaves, chopped or torn, for garnish Peel the oranges and cut away all of the white pith and outer membrane. Slice each orange across the core into ¼-inch slices, six per orange, reserving any juice that runs off. Push out and discard any spongy white core. Fan the slices in concentric circles, slightly overlapping the fruit, on a large round serving platter.

photo by Stephen Blancett

Limonoids, an antioxidant found in most citrus, may help guard against stomach, lung, breast and skin cancer, according to the U.S. Agricultural Research Service. Animal and human cell studies found that limonoids—especially those in fresh oranges—harbor potential as anticancer compounds. Another study in Nutritional Neuroscience showed that the volatile compound limonene, found in the rind of a lemon, can enhance memory. As nights grow colder and longer, winter citrus “adds a little sunshine to every meal,” says Jamie Schler, author of the recently released cookbook Orange Appeal: Savory & Sweet. Schler grew up in Florida, surrounded by

Shiitake Mushroom and Pea Risotto with Orange Yields: 6 servings as side dish or starter or 4 as main dish 2 Tbsp butter or margarine, divided 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided, plus more as needed 8.8 oz shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced into ¼- to ½-inch strips Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Zest of 1 orange 2 large oranges, juiced, about 1 cup, divided 1 small yellow onion, peeled and chopped 9 oz Arborio rice 4 cups warm chicken or vegetable stock or broth 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil or 2 tsp dried; or 1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh sage leaves or 1 tsp dried 1½ cups young, tiny sweet peas, fresh or frozen Heat 1 tablespoon each of the butter and oil in a large skillet over mediumlow heat until sizzling starts.

Drizzle the orange blossom water and any reserved runoff juice over the fruit. Using a fine sieve, lightly and evenly dust with cinnamon and a generous drizzle of honey. Chill the oranges for at least 1 hour or longer in the refrigerator before serving. When ready to serve, sprinkle the pomegranate seeds, pistachios and mint leaves evenly over the top.

Add the mushrooms and salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until tender, 4 to 5 minutes, adding more oil if needed. Add ¼ cup orange juice and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the juice evaporates and the mushrooms are very tender and glazed. Transfer the mushrooms to a bowl and set aside. Add the remaining butter and oil to the skillet and return to the heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, for 3 to

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December 2017

photo by Stephen Blancett

4 minutes over medium heat until softened, transparent and just starting to turn golden. Add the rice and zest and toss with the onions until all the grains are coated in oil. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, stirring, until the rice becomes translucent. Add 2 ladles (about 2/3 cup) of stock and cook, stirring constantly and gently, until the liquid is almost absorbed. If using fresh peas, add them with the first addition of stock. Stir in the fresh or dried herbs at the same time. Continue cooking the risotto over medium heat, adding 2 more ladles (about 2/3 cup) of stock at a time, stirring constantly, allowing each addition of liquid to be almost absorbed before adding more broth. When the rice has cooked for 10 minutes in this manner, add all the remaining juice and cook until it’s absorbed. Continue cooking the rice, stirring, adding 2 ladles (about 2/3 cup) of broth at a time until the liquid is absorbed, about another 10 minutes. When the rice has cooked for a total of 20 minutes, if using frozen peas, stir in the peas, as well as the mushrooms. Add any remaining stock and cook, stirring, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender and creamy. Total cooking time should be 20 to 25 minutes from the moment the rice is added to the skillet. Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed.

Meyer Lemon Chia Seed Bowl with Tangerines Yields: 2 servings for breakfast, or as a snack or dessert ¼ heaping cup chia seeds 1½ cups dairy or non-dairy milk 2 Tbsp maple syrup, or to taste 1 Tbsp Meyer lemon juice (or other citrus juice) Pinch of sea salt ½ tsp lemon zest Fresh tangerine segments for garnish

Baby Vegetables and Microgreens with Charry Lime Vinaigrette Yields: 4 servings Charry Lime Vinaigrette: Zest of 2 limes Juice from the grilled limes 1 Tbsp seasoned rice wine vinegar 1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp sorghum or maple syrup ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper Vegetables: 4 oz baby radishes 4 oz baby carrots, with some of the green top 4 oz baby leeks, trimmed 4 oz baby yellow pattypan squash 2 oz microgreens Prepare a medium-hot fire in the grill. Brush the radishes, carrots and leeks with olive oil and place in a grilling basket or on a perforated grill rack.

In a bowl, stir together the chia seeds, milk, maple syrup, Meyer lemon juice, salt and lemon zest.

Grill for 4 to 5 minutes, turning often, until the vegetables have just started to brown at the edges.

Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

Zest the limes and set the zest aside.

To serve, spoon the chia seed mixture into bowls and garnish with tangerine segments.

Halve the limes and grill, cut sides down, for 1 to 2 minutes or until they have good grill marks; adds a smoky, caramelized flavor. For the Charry Lime Vinaigrette, squeeze the juice of the grilled lime halves into a bowl. Whisk in the reserved lime zest, rice wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sorghum and olive oil together until well blended. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Arrange the vegetables on salad plates and garnish with microgreens. Spoon the vinaigrette over all and serve.

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Adapted lemon and lime recipes are from Red, White, and ’Que: Farm Fresh Foods for the American Grill by Karen Adler and Judith Fertig, permission of Running Press. Adapted orange recipes are from Orange Appeal, by Jamie Schler, permission of Gibbs Smith.

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

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therapyspotlight

PRP Offers Hope for Common Ailments Our Blood Stimulates Natural Healing Ability by Henry Sobo

latelet rich plasma, or PRP, is a safe and effective treatment that uses our own blood’s growth factors to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. It has been shown to produce effective and safe results for a growing number of health concerns. PRP is produced by the treating physician during an in-office treatment by taking a sample of blood, as done for any standard blood test. The blood is spun in a centrifuge, which allows the red blood cells to be removed. Once the red blood cells are removed, the remaining plasma is again centrifuged, with the final product, being PRP. This is then injected back into the body. Once injected, the platelets release growth factors into the local environment which, in turn, results in the activation and proliferation of stem cells. These further enhance the healing function of the platelets. The growth factors involved include transforming growth factor beta, which stimulates collagen synthesis, vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor-2. The latter enhances the growth of new blood vessels. Other growth factors released are platelet-derived growth factor, insulin-like growth factor and epidermal growth factor. With all of these working together, the platelet cells in PRP are being shown to heal the body in a number of ways. Joint Pain Arthritis of the knees, shoulders, hips and elbows are three common problem areas that respond well to PRP treatments. The heel pain of plantar fasciitis can be resolved by a PRP injection. Professional athletes in the National Football League, 46

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

Major League Baseball and other industries have reported that the injections allow quicker recovery from injuries and a faster return to activity than other methods of treatment. It is important to note that cortisone injections, the mainstay of treatment in many of these conditions, are known to be effective for a limited period of time. Often repeating the injection is done, but it is known that cortisone can cause permanent damage to the joint that is being treated. The long-lasting PRP treatments do not cause the side effects and dangers associated with repeated cortisone injections. Male Sexual Dysfunction The treatment for this condition by PRP is also known as the P-Shot by its inventor, Charles Runels, MD. He writes that this treatment increases blood flow to the penis by opening the small arteries and capillaries. Since it is done using the body’s own platelets, there are no known systemic side effects. As with healing any wound, the rejuvenation of the penis involves numerous tissue types, such as blood vessels, nerves, smooth muscle fibers, lymph vessels, connective tissues, endothelium and others. When the penis is given a concentrated solution of platelets in plasma, the generation of new tissue throughout the entire penis is accomplished. It takes up to three weeks to see results and the full effects are achieved within three months. The patient experiences better strength of erections and 60 percent of patients report a small increase in penis length and girth. The effects typically last over a year. Additionally, Peyronie’s Disease, which is a curvature of the penis, is also treated by PRP with good results. Hair Restoration Injection of PRP into the scalp stimulates the hair follicles and rejuvenates them. This treatment is done over three visits, spread out over 10-12 weeks. Results are seen within the first several weeks and continue for several months as the hair grows in. The existing hair is healthier and the scalp sheds less hair. A thicker, fuller head of hair is the final result. Stem Cell Treatments PRP is used as an additional benefit when given to patients that undergo stem cell treatments for their hip, knees, shoulders and other areas. The PRP can be given at the same time as the stem cells are utilized, or as an additional enhancing treatment a short time after the stem cell treatment is done. Aesthetics, Female Sexual Dysfunction and Stress Incontinence Plastic surgeons and other physicians working in the aesthetics field have found that PRP added to a variety of their treatments enhances results. For women that experience painful intercourse or have difficulty achieving orgasm, PRP can also be used by giving an injection to the affected area. PRP treatment also helps stress incontinence. Henry Sobo, MD, a Stamford-based medical doctor practicing internal medicine, also has a license as a homeopathic physician. He is a board-certified member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians and a diplomate candidate of the American College for Advancement in Medicine. Connect at DrSobo.com. See ad, page 10.

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chemicals. Unfortunately, there are always chemicals that children will be exposed to. But even banning one could help and potentially start a strong movement to ban more of them. When the effects of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) are combined with other chemical exposures such as pesticides, the results can be serious and long-lasting. Numerouas tests have revealed startlingly elevated levels of flame retardants in the breast milk of American women, significantly higher than that of women in European countries, where PBDE is not allowed. In addition, flame retardants were present in every sample of household dust in a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group. Not only are dust particles able to be inhaled, but dust easily ends up on children’s hands and mouths. Combined with the fact that flame retardants aren’t required to be specifically labeled, parents have a difficult job deciding which products are safe and won’t cause harm to their children. “For those interested in sleeping in a chemical-free environment, simply make sure polyurethane is not listed as an ingredient on any mattress,” says David Spittal, owner of Healthy Choice Organic Mattress. Maine recently passed a law to phase out all flame-retardant chemicals in home furniture, possibly paving the way for more legislation to ban PBDE. In the meantime, research all products. Alternative materials, such as cotton and wool, are better options than chemically treated foam. If an item is labeled, “This article meets the flammability requirements of California,” don’t buy it. Many baby products need to be avoided as they contain plastic foam. Highchairs, strollers, car seats and nursing pillows are among the many that may contain harmful flame retardants. According to Spittal, a large part of his clientele are mothers seeking the healthiest start they can provide for their babies. Using a HEPA filter vacuum is helpful in cleaning up chemical-filled dust. Being educated and aware of the harm flame retardants can cause can help a person to make informed decisions when it comes to protecting their children.

Flame Retardants in Children’s Products? Fire Protection Creates Exposure to Toxic Chemicals by Brielle Bleeker

angerous flame retardants continue to be present in a variety of children’s products. Despite efforts to ban these toxic chemicals, they are still commonly found in everything from pajamas to mattresses. While it is possible to limit exposure, it’s impossible to avoid it completely. Flame retardants have been associated with numerous ailments and serious health issues including learning disorders, decreased IQ, infertility and cancer. While it may seem puzzling to many that these chemicals are still prevalent in some manufacturing, upon taking a closer look, the reasoning becomes more apparent. The chemical industry spends millions of dollars supporting the use of flame retardants because it is believed that the bigger problem is the fire the chemicals supposedly protect children from. But, in fact, products made with the flame retardants can and still do catch fire and release higher levels of toxic chemicals. In fact, firefighters are at the top of the list of those seeking a permanent ban on this type of chemical. While many people agree that a ban on flame retardants is necessary, Ivy Sager-Rosenthal, campaign director for Washington Toxics Coalition, states that protecting children from fire does not mean that they should be exposed to toxic

Healthy Choice Mattress is located at 21 South St, New Canaan. For more information, call 203-920-1244 or visit HCMattress.com. See ad, page 25. Brielle Bleeker is a journalist for Natural Awakenings magazine.

Transform your life —The Mind: your most powerful tool. Your subconscious mind has the answers to recognize and achieve what you want and need. ǊsĶ ǼÞŸŘǣÌÞƼǣʳʳʳɠÌ Ǽ _Ÿ Ý _Ÿ ŘŸɠʷ ɟsÞ¶ÌǼ ĶŸǣǣʳʳʳOĶÞsŘǼǣ ĶŸǣs ɠsÞ¶ÌǼ s ǣÞĶɴʳ ǢǼǋsǣǣ Ŏ Ř ¶sŎsŘǼʳʳʳÞŘ OŸŘǼǋŸĶʰ O ĶŎʳ rŎŸǼÞŸŘ Ķ Ǽǋ ȖŎ ʳʳʳǋsĶs ǣÞŘ¶ ǼÌs s¯¯sOǼǣ Ÿ¯ Ǽǋ ȖŎ ʳ EȖǣsʳʳʳǋsOŸ¶ŘÞʊsʰ ǣǼŸƼʰ ¶Ÿ ¯Ÿǋɠ ǋ_ʳ ƻ ÞŘ OŸŘǼǋŸĶʳʳʳƼÌɴǣÞO Ķʰ sŎŸǼÞŸŘ Ķʰ OÌǋŸŘÞOʰ OȖǼsʳ Ës ĶÞŘ¶ ŎsŎŸǋÞsǣʳʳʳĶsǼǼÞŘ¶ ¶Ÿʳ

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December 2017

greenliving

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Nasturtium leaves are fermented, seeds and stems pickled and flowers puréed. “I make nasturtium flower coulis, bright orange and spicy, to dollop on freshwater fish,” Russell says. “Stems are minced into grain salads and seeds sprinkled on slabs of beefsteak tomatoes. Leaves, soft from fermentation, wrap around fresh goat cheese, shred into coleslaw or pair with steamed basmati rice.”

Apply Gardening Tips

Go Eco Like Grandma

Honor Her Wisdom in New Ways by Avery Mack

“

se it up, wear it out, make do or do without,” was the motto of past generations. Today, it’s recycle, repurpose and reinvent. Nostalgia is making a comeback. It’s tempting to revert to successful old-fashioned ways; it’s even better to update the how-to of natural eco-living.

Preserve Food “There are tradeoffs between convenience and environmental impact,” says Kathleen Hanover, executive creative director at Imagine That Creative Marketing Services, in Dayton, Ohio. “I’d love to freeze all of our family’s produce, but after two power outages, I can veggies, too. Steam canners for jams, jellies, tomatoes and high-acid foods use three inches of water and 10 minutes of energy.” Shel Horowitz, a consultant for Green and Profitable and co-author of Guerrilla Marketing to Heal the World, joined a food co-op in the 1970s. Today, it has 9,000 members. “I dehydrate 48

Containers ease gardening, especially for tomatoes. Hanover repurposes plastic cat litter buckets. “They’re sturdy and hold up in cold weather,” she says. “Alpaca poop fertilizer supplied by a neighbor doesn’t smell and plants thrive.” Ocala, Florida, reiki master and teacher Debi Goldben employs nature’s bounty at home. “Downspouts collect rainwater for the garden, and it’s much better than chemically treated city water,” she says. Some municipalities, including in Colorado, regulate rainwater collection, mandating the size and number of barrels per property “for outdoor use only”.

Sew Up Repairs veggies for soup, pasta, stir-fry dishes or as tomato or zucchini chips,” he says. “Onions, shallots, garlic, leeks, celery, kale, hot peppers, tomatillos and fruit were successful; eggplant, cucumbers and rhubarb were not.”

Use It All The Traditional Line menu devised by executive chef Mark Russell, of Great Performances, a sustainability-oriented high-end catering and food service company in New York City, remarks, “Food trends have changed,” noting preserving, freezing, pickling and canning remain sound. He salutes thrifty Depression-era practices. “My grandparents picked dandelion greens to fry in bacon fat,” he says. “A salad with olive oil and fresh tomato is healthier.” Fermented grape leaves can be rolled up into dolmas filled with local grains and feta cheese instead of meat. He also blanches and freezes cauliflower leaves, warmed in butter to serve; he’s then used the whole vegetable.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

Anca Gooje, owner of Chid Kala, a natural ingredient lotion maker in Scarborough, Maine, uses colorful patches to repair tears and update the look of her two children’s clothing. She also recompressed their sofa’s inner springs to their original shape by encasing them in fabric. “It was timeconsuming, but only cost a few dollars for fabric,” she relates. “Updating avoided creating more landfill. For a fresh look, I made a new cover.”

Multipurpose a Cook Pot “My mother believed pressure cookers would explode, so I bought an Instant Pot and changed the way I cook,” says Sue Ann Jaffarian, a Los Angeles paralegal and mystery writer. “I have a demanding day job and writing deadlines. I toss in healthy ingredients and have a simple homemade meal, often vegan, in a minute. Soup, stew, risotto, pasta, chili, pudding, brown rice and oatmeal work well. It doesn’t heat up the kitchen, either.”

The Instant Pot works like a crock pot, pressure cooker, steamer, sauté pan, warming pot, rice cooker and yogurt maker, replacing seven appliances.

Employ Onsite Power

photos by Cynthia O’Connor O’Hara

“My Hadley, Massachusetts, farmhouse, built in 1743, might be the oldest solar home in the country,” muses Horowitz. “Our farmer neighbors have a methane digester to turn cow poop and restaurant waste into electricity and heat. We’ll hook up to it to replace heating oil.”

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Make Holiday Décor “Retro-style repurposing is smart, fun and easy,” says upstate New York lifestyle writer and cookbook author Cynthia O’Connor O’Hara. “I glued together assorted cups, saucers and plates with glass-specific glue to create tiered servers that double as a centerpiece. Check your house to find dishware that will look nice together.” It’s satisfying to combine experiences with updated technology, save time and support a healthier planet, both during the holidays and year-round. Connect with the freelance writer via AveryMack@mindspring.com.

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December 2017

naturallyhealthypet

The Monthly Naturally Healthy Pet Section Starts Here!

I News, articles, resources, eventsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; 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

talian researchers are hot on the trail to understand the connection so many riders and horse owners claim to feel with their animals. Through high-tech research involving wearable monitoring systems and advanced algorithms, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve determined that horses and humans tend to align their physiological responses to emotional stimulation. In Italy, University of Pisaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department of Veterinary Sciences, E. Piaggio Bioengineering and Robotics Research Center, and the Department of Information Engineering collaborated to investigate the heart connections between humans and horses. Nearly one dozen human participants wore cardiac monitoring systems as they individually interacted with one mare in three different ways: sitting in a neighboring stall to the horse, sitting in a stall so the horse could enter and interact, and brushing the mare. The heart rate and heart rate

or email NicoleM@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

Heart Connection between Humans and Horses

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

variability of both the horse and the human was recorded for each interaction. The preliminary study uncovered interesting results. In the second part where the horse had more control and choice over the interaction, the two aligned their heart rate variability. However, when the human controlled the contact with the mare with brushing, there was more heart rate variability between the two. Although the research is in its early stages, it is notable to see that the heart connection is heightened when the horse can choose the timing and type of contact. If the trend is confirmed, it would indicate that the nervous systems of both can be positively influenced by the other. For more information about equinefacilitated experiences in our area, visit PossibilitiesFarm.com or call 203-2107484. Location: Possibilities Farm, Wilton. See listing, page 37.

When all else is lost, the future still remains. ~Christian Nestell Bovee natural awakenings

Farm dogs protect livestock from predators. Farm and barn cats keep the rodent population down, preventing plague and other serious outbreaks that result in human deaths. Some cities, including New York and Philadelphia, now have programs employing feral cats to control the rat populations. The list of what animals do for humans goes on and on. It begs the question… what do we provide to them in return, aside from food?

How Can We Reciprocate?

Celebrating Our Pets

Reciprocate Their Unconditional Love by Mary Oquendo

he time is 10,000 BC and an elderly man is buried in Israel with his 4-month-old puppy. Fast forward to archeologists finding a pet cat alongside its owner on an outer island of Cyprus while excavating a burial site dated to 7,500 BC. Ancient tombs, paintings and text all express ageold human love for furred, feathered and scaled companions. Historical evidence demonstrates that whenever the origin of the domestication, people have loved their pets since our earliest beginnings.

Pets Bring Us So Much

According to research from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), pets can lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while also helping individuals combat loneliness. In addition, pets increase opportunities for exercise and socialization. In short, they make us healthier. Pets are our companions, offering non-judgmental ears for listening and an open heart to love us unconditionally even when we may feel at our worst. Some animals put their lives on the line to protect us. Military and police dogs protect their handlers as they protect us. These specially trained dogs sniff out bombs and illegal drugs. A family pet can ward off burglars or alert the family to a fire or other emergency. Search and rescue dogs find lost and injured people during accidents and disasters. Service dogs help those with medical conditions live a fuller, longer life. Therapy dogs offer comfort to those struck by tragedy, as well as those in nursing homes and hospice. Emotional support pets enable their owners to lead a more normal life.

Start with loving them. Spend time cuddling and include them in day-to-day activities. Bring them to work if it is allowed. If not, inquire about the possibility with management. Even if it can’t be done every day, an occasional visit will give your pet an exciting experience and involve them in your life away from home. Feed pets an appropriate, high-quality diet. Hippocrates first noticed the correlation between food and health. Modern science is catching up to that concept in people as well as animals. There is no longer room for doubt; the better the quality of food, the healthier our pets will be. Play with them. Go outside and take them on a hike; pack a lunch and make a day of it. If you can’t be home often enough due to a busy schedule, find someone who can stand in for you. Buy cats interactive toys, which stimulate their mental capacities and may improve behavioral issues attributed to boredom. Prioritize their wellness. Yearly checkups with blood work drawn can show problems earlier. Early detection means early intervention and a greater likelihood of survival. Other wellness visits to therapists who provide Reiki and crystal healing, as well as massage and acupuncture will help keep their energetic system flowing unimpeded as well. While we may think that we have chosen to have pets in our lives, it’s equally clear they grace us with theirs. Show appreciation to the pets in your life! 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 52.

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December 2017

naturalpet

PETS ¤ MUSIC Each Species Grooves to Its Own Beat by Sandra Murphy

Makushin Alexey/Shutterstock.com

ust as dogs’ and cats’ noses are more efficient than ours, they also have better hearing, reacting to a broader and higher range of frequencies and vibrations. “We sense our world from where our ears are. Our plane is generally five to six feet high; animals closer to the ground hear things differently,” says Janet Marlow, founder and CEO of Pet Acoustics, in Washington Depot, Connecticut. The internationally renowned musician, composer and sound behaviorist has invented species-specific music based on her 30 years of research. Humans hear up to 23,000 Hertz (Hz), which differs substantially from that of many other creatures (lsu.edu/deafness/HearingRange. html). A Hertz is a standard unit of frequency set at one cycle per second.

Horses Hear Up to 33,500 Hz Marlow found that horses prefer rhythmic pieces matching their natural movements. “When a Ten-

nessee walking horse breeder played music during a birth, the foal and mother recovered faster than usual.” After that, “The horses ran to the barn upon hearing the same music.” Sally Morgan, a physical therapist and advanced certified Tellington TTouch practitioner in Northampton, Massachusetts, who has enjoyed freestyle performance riding, says, “I liked to play our songs in the barn. Five CD players can keep horses relaxed most of the day. They don’t like countrywestern music; it’s often sad and in the wrong cadence. Classical music like Bach is calming. When I played Pachelbel’s Canon in D on my flute, my Morgan gelding, Ten Penny Moonshine, listened for hours.”

Rabbits Hear Up to 42,000 Hz “Rescued rabbits like long tones, common in music accompanying yoga or reiki,” Morgan relates. “Long tones hold a chord with layers of notes on top.”

Dogs Hear Up to 45,000 Hz “People hear in stereo, animals in mono,” says Marlow. It’s why dogs tilt their heads left to right—to allow more sound waves into their ears—collecting information from various angles. Sound frequency and intensity keeps an animal alive in nature; they learn to flee in another direction, not analyze. Separation anxiety is often due to a sound the dog doesn’t recognize, Marlow explains. Sound triggers behavior, whether good or bad, as dogs relax or are stressed. Music releases tension from their being ever-vigilant as seen in their posture. To understand what a dog hears, sit or crawl on the floor. Electronic speakers are usually positioned at heights conducive for our ears, not theirs. “For the holidays, my dogs and horses like We Three Kings, The Holly and the Ivy and especially Greensleeves for their baroque roots and repeating patterns,” notes Morgan.

Cats Hear Up to 64,000 Hz Marlow credits her cat, Osborn, with inspiring her interest in music for animals. When Osborn was injured, she 52

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

He could tell by the way animals walked that they were keeping time to some Roman Pyshchyk/Shutterstock.com

kind of music. Maybe it

ologist in Edinburgh, Scotland. “When I started playing classical music at feeding time, I noticed my three betas became calmer. A piece by Benjamin Britten, started two minutes before feeding, led to them expect food only when the music played.”

was the song in their own

Domesticated Birds Hear hearts that they walked to. Up to 8,500 Hz

Aquarium Fish Hear Up to 3,000 Hz

In the wild, birds are part of a flock. At home, they’re often solitary. “Birds are the most musical and communicative of all animals,” remarks Marlow. “Without companionship, birds can get neurotic and pull their feathers out. Provide a sense of the outdoors by including nature sounds in played music.” “Animals need us to be aware of their hearing,” Marlow advises. “Holistic pet people have addressed improved diet and medical procedures. Understanding how music supports their well-being also enables us to better care for them.”

“Fish are frantic animals that must always anticipate their next meal,” says Sam Williamson, a former marine bi-

Connect with Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.

~Laura Adams Armer visited the veterinary hospital and sang to him to keep him calm. Her home state’s Litchfield Veterinary Hospital became her initial testing ground for species-specific music. “We use Pet Acoustics music boxes in the cat ward, recovery rooms and exam rooms,” says Heather Florkowski, a certified technician at the facility. “In our experience, stress inhibits the healing process. Like people, animals are anxious when ill and visiting the doctor’s office. Music helps ease their stress. At home, when I move the music box to another room,

my dog follows it.” “During a TTouch session, cats are completely relaxed when I play New Age music for them,” says Morgan. “Pick music that fits the cat’s personality. You can tell what they like from their body language; it’s not always what you’d expect.”

eNaturalAwakenings.com

December 2017

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 53.

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 52.

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

UNLEASH YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL Fetch new customers by advertising in Natural Awakenings’ Naturally Healthy Pet monthly section

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

calendarofevents

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6

Magazine calendar events must be received by December 12 (for January 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. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 Reiki Level 1 Workshop – 10am-5:30-pm. 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. Brewery Yoga Night – 6-7:30pm. Jiiva Yoga, in collaboration with Fairfield Craft Ales, is offering a night of yoga and a free beer. Come wind down at the end of the week and take a yoga class in Fairfield Craft Ales’ clean, bright brew space. Finish the evening with a pint of beer in their tap room. $20. Fairfield Craft Ales, 724 Honeyspot Rd, Stratford. 203-345-7747. Support@JiivaCenter. com. JiivaCenter.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 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. 9th Annual Greenwich Holiday Stroll Weekend –10am-6pm. Presented by Whole Foods Market. Features a live nativity, horse-drawn carriage rides, live music and entertainment, professional ice sculpture demos, food trucks, and letter writing to Santa. More than 120 participating retailers and res-

markyourcalendar 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

taurants offer promotions, refreshments and holiday cheer. Free admission. Downtown Greenwich. 203531-3047. Tamara@TMK-EventMarketing.com. GreenwichReindeerFestival.com/Holiday-Stroll.php. Twin Star Solstice Celebration – 10am-6pm. Stop by the apothecary as we celebrate the Winter Solstice all day with free workshops, raffles and our spiral ceremony. Check our website for workshop schedule. No charge. Twin Star Community Apothecary, 57 Bank St, New Milford. 860-350-0077. TwinStarTina@gmail.com. TwinStarTribe.com. Restorative Yoga: Unwind From The Grind – 2-4pm. With Liz Wendel. Restorative yoga is a passive practice, which just about anyone can do. We’ll use props to support your body so you can rest, stretch your muscles; lower your heart rate and blood pressure; calm your nervous system, and experience a peaceful state of deep relaxation. $30/advance, $38/at the door. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642. Info@YogaSpace-CT.com. YogaSpace-CT.com/Events.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 9th Annual Greenwich Holiday Stroll Weekend – Noon-5pm. Presented by Whole Foods Market. Features a live nativity, horse-drawn carriage rides, live music and entertainment, professional ice sculpture demos, food trucks, and letter writing to Santa. More than 120 participating retailers and restaurants offer promotions, refreshments and holiday cheer. Free admission. Downtown Greenwich. 203-531-3047. Tamara@TMK-EventMarketing.com. GreenwichReindeerFestival.com/Holiday-Stroll.php. Astrology Workshop: The Life and Death of Prince – 1-3pm. Come learn what it would be like to have a personal astrology reading by interpreting the natal chart of a musical genius, Prince. Learn about the placement of the Sun, Moon, Ascendant, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter, plus the Nodes of the Moon. $30. ah Yoga, 57 Bank St, New Milford. 203-948-9347. DarkMoonAstrology@gmail.com. DarkMoonAstrology.com. Restorative Yoga with Tibetan Singing Bowls – 4:30-6pm. With Marie-Anne Gajdosik and Judy Vuozzo. Take a break from the holiday bustle and treat yourself to 90 minutes of restorative yoga accompanied by the live playing of Tibetan singing bowls. Space is limited. $30, pre-registration required. Naam Yoga Connecticut, 164 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. 203-730-2400. Info@NaamYogaCT.com. NaamYogaCT.com.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 The Art of Touch Workshop – 6:30-8:30pm. Become a master lover. Learn incredible skills while getting live feedback from your intimate partner. Knowing how to touch a woman truly is an art form. And for women, learn how to fully receive and be in your beautiful femininity. Safe environment. Couples or singles. $75. 22 Lyon Ave, #1, Greenwich. 203-708-7777. Dr.Inessa@Calmness.com.

Herbal Gift Making for the Holiday Season – 6:30-8:15pm. In this two-hour workshop, we will learn how to make several hand-made herbal gifts, and receive bonus ideas and instructions for more herbal and natural gifts. $25/advance, $30/at the door. Twin Star Community Apothecary, 57 Bank St, New Milford. 860-350-0077. BekahTwinStar@ gmail.com. TwinStarTribe.com/Events. Singing Bowls and Vocal Toning Workshop – 7-8:30pm. With Eileen Byrne, Reiki master. Come and experience the power of sound. Together, we will create a room filled with healing vibrations. No experience necessary. Space is limited. Call or email to register. $25. Turning Point Healing Arts and Education Center, 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield. 203-448-6242. SullieB11@gmail.com.

markyourcalendar IGNITE YOUR HEART’S DESIRE Saturday, February 3, 2018 • 9am-5pm Sunday, February 4, 2018 • 9am-noon Join Tanya Murphy & Theresa Crisci for an immersive weekend to ignite your heart’s desire. The Heart’s Desire Method energizes the healing power of the Authentic Self that dwells within. You will leave with a tool box of processes and practices for use throughout your life. $395 Fairfield County location 203-494-8846 (Theresa Crisci) Theresatlc@hotmail.com TheHDMethod.com

markyourcalendar THE GREAT RELATIONSHIP RETREAT: SELF, OTHER & WORLD December 18-19 With Leesa Sklover, PhD, LPC, C-IAYT MONDAY LECTURE • 7-8:30pm An introduction to the topic of healthy relationships to Self, other and the natural world. $25 donation appreciated. TUESDAY WORKSHOP • 9:30am-1:30pm We will explore the topic through music therapy, yoga and meditation, imagery and visualization, art, creative writing and tools for spiritual wellness. Price for both days or just Tuesday: $95. Lunch on Tuesday at 1:30pm, additional $20. Madison Beach Hotel, Madison 917-860-0488 LoveLifeProductions.net SoundCloud.com/LeesaSklover

eNaturalAwakenings.com

December 2017

calendarofevents THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 The Art of Touch Workshop – 6:30-8:30pm. Become a master lover. Learn incredible skills while getting live feedback from your intimate partner. Knowing how to touch a woman truly is an art form. And for women, learn how to fully receive and be in your beautiful femininity. Safe environment. Couples or singles. $75. 22 Lyon Ave, #1, Greenwich. 203-708-7777. Dr.Inessa@Calmness.com. Calmness.com/Touch.

markyourcalendar ASTROLOGY WORKSHOP WITH MICHELE LEIGH Sunday, December 3 • 1-3pm $30 includes celebrity chart interpretation (Prince) plus personal mood node reading (provide your birth date upon registration)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9 Astrology Readings in the Apothecary – Noon4pm. Join Laura Watkins, astrologer, in the Apothecary for a personal reading. It’s best to call ahead to reserve a time. She’s in the shop every second Saturday of the month. $45 for 30 minutes. Twin Star Community Apothecary, 57 Bank St, New Milford. 860-350-0077. TwinStarTina@gmail.com. TwinStarTribe.com/Apothecary. Holiday Kirtan with Sita’s Light – 7:30-9pm. With Miriam Zerni. 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-and-response chanting and eclectic sacred music. $20/advance, $35/at the door. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642. Info@YogaSpace-CT.com. YogaSpace-CT.com/Events.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 Reiki II Class –10am-4pm. For those who have taken a Reiki I class in the past, continue your training. Receive your second degree certification and work as a Reiki II practitioner anywhere you choose. $250. The Jiiva Center, 2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford. 203-345-7747. Support@JiivaCenter. com. JiivaCenter.com. Reiki One Class – Noon-5pm. 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. Deposit due 12/3. The Green Room, 990 Bridgeport Ave, Milford. 203-895-5134. KerryHardyRN@gmail.com.

ah Yoga 65 Bank St, New Milford Register at AhYogaCenter.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 Couple’s Psychotherapy Group – 12/14-2/2. 5:30-6pm. $100/per couple. Being Centered: Psychological Services, 100B Danbury Rd, Ridgefield. 203-614-1089.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 Hand Drumming and Percussion – 8-9pm. First 30 minutes will be drumming basics. Guided practice with a variety of rhythms and sounds on the drums. Second 30 minutes will be improv. Group drumming instruments are provided but feel free to bring your own. Express yourself through rhythm and release some energy. $20/by 12/13, $25/thereafter, $10/children age 10 and over. The Jiiva Center, 2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford. 203-345-7747. Support@JiivaCenter.com. JiivaCenter.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 Adios, Coco Chanel: DIY Herbal Perfume – 5:30-8pm. Ditch your store-bought perfume. Most contain dozens of chemicals that do not have to be disclosed on the label. Experiment with base fragrances, mid-tones and top notes. Make your own dessert crepes too. $35, all materials included. Grounded Goodwife Farmhouse, location provided upon registration. 203-942-0774. Grounded GoodWife@yahoo.com. GroundedGoodwife.com.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18

Health Talks-Healthy Eating – 7-8pm. Ingels Family Health monthly health talks. Please join us in the Healthy Eating discussion led by Cindy Wechsler, APRN. Please RSVP. Seating is limited. Free. Ingels Family Health, 22 Fairfield Pl, Fairfield. 203-254-9957. Info@DarinIngelsND.com. DarinIngelsND.com.

The Great Relationship – Lecture on 12/18 from 7-8:30pm. Workshop on 12/19 from 9:30am1:30pm. With Leesa Sklover Ph.D, LPC, C-IAYT. A workshop to make the relationship to self and others healthy through a process of spiritual wellness and awareness. $20/lecture; $95/workshop; $20/Tuesday lunch. Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W Wharf Rd, Madison. 917-860-0488. DrSklover@ gmail.com. LoveLifeProductions.net.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12

Tap Into Joy! Handling Holiday Stress – 7-8:30pm. Tap into the joy that is present in the holiday season; tap out of the stress and anxiety that the hustle and bustle can bring. Learn simple EFT tapping self-help techniques you can use anywhere, anytime. $20. The Tapping Practice, 107 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. 203-313-1560. Info@ TheTappingPractice.com. TheTappingPractice.com.

13 Moons, A Women’s Healing Circle – 6:308:30pm. The circle meets one evening a month. We will come together as women and healers to explore a variety of topics, including sacred healing, women’s plant allies and the wise woman tradition. $25. Twin Star Herbal Education, 57 Bank St, New Milford. 860-350-0077. BekahTwinStar@gmail.com. TwinStarTribe.com/Events.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20 Plant Partner of the Month: Echinacea – 6:30-8pm. Much like new friends, it is much easier and magical getting to know each plant partner one by one. Join us in this monthly event at Twin Star Herbal Education as we take the time to meet one plant ally at a time. $25. Twin Star Community Apothecary, 57 Bank St, New Milford. 860-350-0077. BekahTwinStar@ gmail.com. TwinStarTribe.com/Events.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23 Stars at Dawn: Forgotten Stories of Women in the Buddha’s Life – 10am-noon. With Wendy Garling. Who were the women in the Buddha’s life? What do we know about them? Stories and discussion from Garling’s biography, Buddha, Stars at Dawn: Forgotten Stories of Women in the Buddha’s Life. No charge. DNKL Center for Universal Peace, 30 Putnam Park Rd, Redding. 203-664-1574. Info@ DNKLDharma.org. DNKLDharma.org. Tarot Readings with LeahJoy – Noon-4pm. LeahJoy is back in the shop for tarot readings on the fourth Saturday of December. It’s best to call ahead for a time slot. $45 for 30 minutes. Twin Star Community Apothecary, 57 Bank St, New Milford. 860-350-0077. TwinStarTina@gmail.com. TwinStarTribe.com/Apothecary.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 Reiki Second Degree – 10am-5:30-pm. 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. Yoga Night at the Brewery – 6-7:30pm. Jiiva Yoga, in collaboration with Fairfield Craft Ales, is offering a night of yoga and a free beer. Come wind down at the end of the week and take a yoga class in Fairfield Craft Ales’ clean, bright brew space. Finish the evening with a pint of beer in their tap room. $20. Fairfield Craft Ales, Stratford. 203-345-7747. Support@JiivaCenter.com. JiivaCenter.com.

markyourcalendar THE ART OF TOUCH WORKSHOP Tuesday, December 5 • 6:30-8:30pm and Thursday, December 7 • 6:30-8:30pm Become a master lover. Learn incredible skills while getting live feedback from your intimate partner. Safe environment. Couples or singles. $75 22 Lyon Ave, #1, Greenwich Dr. Inessa Zaleski 203-708-7777 Dr.Inessa@Calmness.com Calmness.com/Touch

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30 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.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 New Year’s Eve Celebration – 10pm. With Linda Fiske and Judy Vuozzo. Say goodbye to 2017 and welcome in 2018 with a 30-minute Tibetan singing bowl concert, followed by light stretching and breath work to prepare us for 60 minutes of meditations. $21. Naam Yoga Connecticut, 164 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. 203-730-2400. Info@NaamYogaCT.com. NaamYogaCT.com.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3 Seminar on Dissertation Writing Service – 3-5pm. We provide the best dissertation writing service so we decided to organize a seminar on how a perfect dissertation is written. Participants will be guided and motivated by our professional and experienced writer. Free. 36 Rusebelt St, London, NH. 203-239-9881. SaraEdward095@gmail.com.

markyourcalendar Albertson Memorial Church December Events: Meditation & Mediumship With Bobby Kitsios & Kathleen James Sunday, December 3 • 1-4pm • $30 Spirit to Spirit Communications With Maria Reluczo Sunday, December 10 • 1-3pm • $30 Holiday Candlelight Service & Concert With Rev. Jackie Randall, Rev. Avery Manchester & Teresa Vicario Sunday, December 17 • 4pm • Donation

Ongoing Events: Sunday Service 11am-12:30pm • Donation (Note: 12/17 Service will begin at 4pm, No Service 12/24 & 12/31) Beginner Psychic & Mediumship Class Wednesdays • 7-9pm • $20 Coming: Community Drumming Check website for details Albertson Memorial Church 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich 203-556-9521 Info@AlbertsonChurch.org AlbertsonChurch.org

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December 2017

ongoing calendar 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 Gentle Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation – 9:3010:45am. Relax, release and flow into wellness in beginner/level 1 yoga classes with work on mindfulness practices, breathing techniques, alignment, flexibility and strength. Modifications suggested and props used when needed. $5/donation per class. Hindu Cultural Center of CT (HCC), 96 Chapel St, Stratford. 203-521-0359. HCC.Yoga. Wendy@gmail.com. HCCYoga.org. 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.

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. FOR RENT SOUTHBURY, CT. WELLNESS PRACTICE - private office available for rent. Single office in new suite, nicely decorated, quiet, shared waiting room. Great location. $525 monthly. 203-966-5509.

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.

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. Sunday Morning Meditation – 11-11:45am. Experience stillness and peace, establish a regular practice, reduce stress and tension, and enhance health and well-being. Meditation class for beginners and experienced meditators. $5/donation per class. Hindu Cultural Center of CT (HCC), 96 Chapel St, Stratford. 203-521-0359. HCC.Yoga. Wendy@gmail.com. HCCYoga.org. 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,

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

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. 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.

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. 860-350-0077. 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.

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.

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.

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. 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. Gentle Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation – 6:45-8pm. Relax, release and flow into wellness in beginner/ level 1 yoga classes with work on mindfulness practices, breathing techniques, alignment, flexibility and strength. Modifications suggested and props used when needed. $5/donation per class. Hindu Cultural Center of CT (HCC), 96 Chapel St, Stratford. 203-521-0359. HCC.Yoga.Wendy@ gmail.com. HCCYoga.org. 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. 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. 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. Gentle Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation – 6:45-8pm. Relax, release, and flow into wellness in beginner/ level 1 yoga classes with work on mindfulness practices, breathing techniques, alignment, flexibility and strength. Modifications suggested and props used when needed. $5/donation per class. Hindu Cultural Center of CT (HCC), 96 Chapel St, Stratford. 203-521-0359. HCC.Yoga.Wendy@ gmail.com. HCCYoga.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 Gentle Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation – 9:3010:45am. Relax, release, and flow into wellness in beginner/level 1 yoga classes with work on mindfulness practices, breathing techniques, alignment, flexibility and strength. Modifications suggested and props used when needed. $5/donation per class. Hindu Cultural Center of CT (HCC), 96 Chapel St, Stratford. 203-521-0359. HCC.Yoga. Wendy@gmail.com. HCCYoga.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. 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.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

December 2017

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 41.

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 36.

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 5.

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.

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 29.

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.

A good conscience is a continual Christmas. ~Benjamin Franklin 60

ALBA THERMAL IMAGING LLC

APOTHECARY

ACUPUNCTURE KURT BEIL, ND, LAc, MPH

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY

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 41.

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. See ad, page 35.

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 5.

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 37.

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 24.

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 15.

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.

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 36.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

December 2017

HYPNOSIS LOVE, SEX, INTIMACY

Dr. Inessa Zaleski, DD, CMCH 203-708-7777 Dr.Inessa@Calmness.com Calmness.com/LSI SolveSexualIssues.com Dr. Inessa Zaleski is an author, self-improvement expert and a hypnotherapy instructor. She leads workshops and retreats in the field of Love, Sex and Intimacy: The Art of Touch for couples; Men’s and Women’s Self Mastery and more. Dr. Inessa offers practical guidance on utilizing our inherent sexuality to enrich our everyday lives. See ad, page 14.

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 11 and 49.

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 36.

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 13.

INTEGRATIVE NATURAL MEDICINE SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Ken Hoffman, DACM, LAc, Medical Director 31 Old Rte 7, Brookfield 203-740-9300 INM.Center Using naturopathic and Chinese medical principles, we get to the source of your health concerns. Diagnostic methods include functional testing such as advanced bloodwork analysis, cardiovascular testing, hormone evaluation and thermography. Our customized treatment program includes acupuncture, herbal and nutritional medicine, diet and lifestyle counseling and more. Most insurance accepted.

INTEGRATIVE OPTOMETRY EYECARE ASSOCIATES, PC

Dr. Randy Schulman, MS, OD, FCOVD Dr. Narvan Bennett , OD Dr. Stephen Carr, OD Dr. Omar Munshi, OD Dr. Tanya Ayzikovich, OD Locations: 6515 Main St, Trumbull • 203-374-2020 444 Westport Ave, Norwalk • 203-840-1991 2600 Post Rd, Southport • 203-255-4005 CTEyeCareAssociates.com

HENRY C. SOBO, MD

We offer behavioral optometry, comprehensive vision exams, contact lenses and vision therapy. See ad, page 13.

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.”

LIFE COACHING DARLENE ALVAREZ MADDERN

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 27.

Optimal Health Medical LLC 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-348-8805 DrSobo.com Advances in Regenerative Medicine allow Dr. Sobo to offer cutting edge technologies such as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) treatments & adult stem cell therapy. Dr. Sobo’s integrative approach addresses a variety of conditions such as: Food Allergies; Alzheimers/Dementia; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Weight Loss; Hormonal Health; Fibromyalgia; Anti-Aging medicine; and MTHFR-Genetic Mutation. See ad, page 10.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing. Believe in yourself. And believe that there is a loving Source—a Sower of Dreams—just waiting to be asked to help you make your dreams come true. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach natural awakenings

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 39.

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.

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

Meditation can be easier to master than you think. Taoist, Buddhist and generic meditation. Beginners and experienced practitioners both welcome. See ad, page 5.

MEDIUM JEANNE STREET

Spiritual Medium, Healer, Author RMT, Certified Raw Food Specialist JeanneStreet.com 203-788-9338

Jeanne Street

Jeanne is an author, owner of Inspirit Healing Studio in Woodbury and creator of Goddess Youniversity, an online community to learn, grow and heal without having to leave the comfort of your own home. Her work focuses on embodying the Holy Spirit. See ad, page 16.

necting people to their loved ones in Heaven

go it alone... loving guidance you can trust

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 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.

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.

INGELS FAMILY HEALTH DR. JAQUEL PATTERSON 22 Fairfield Pl, Fairfield 203-254-9957 IngelsFamilyHealth.com

Natural Care for the Whole Body and Family. From treating disease conditions for individuals to preventive healthcare, Dr. Jaquel believes in treating the underlying cause to prevent disease and resolve health issues. See ad, page 4.

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

VALLEY SPIRIT WELLNESS

6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot 860-619-2788 ValleySpiritCoop.com

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE LLC

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 17.

SHALVA CLINIC LLC

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 29.

OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN DAVID L. JOHNSTON, DO

Ellen M Lewis, ND, Director 8 Lincoln St, Westport 203-916-4600 ShalvaClinic.org

158 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield 203-438-9915 OsteopathicWellness.net

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.

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 40.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

December 2017

PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL COUNSELING ROBIN QUEEN-FINKELSTEIN

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 36.

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 29.

OPTIMAL MIND

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. See ad, page 18.

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

ROBIN ORDAN, LCSW Family, Child, Individual and Couples Therapy Old Greenwich/Stamford 203-561-8535 RobinOrdanLCSW.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 18.

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 19.

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 5.

JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield 203-438-3050 TurningPointReiki.com Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) TurningPointShare.com

oﬀintuition, ers safe, FDA approved full body THERMOGRAPHY JoAnn uses experience and or breast screening. a deep spiritual connection in her WHOLEon HEALTH Reiki, IETNon and Reconnective InvasiveHealing • No Radiati sessions. Specializing in care for THERMOGRAPHY LLC  • Possible 8 years breast Rachel Mazzarelli, MS, CCT individuals with cancer, Lymeearlier cancer vs mammogram Locations throughout Fairfield County, disease and back detecti pain. AllonReiki Southbury, levels taught. • Clinical imaging for detecti ng andNew Haven, Milford and New York

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.

SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER

203-257-3785

monitoring a number of diseases WHThermography@gmail.com JIIVA YOGA, REIKI and physical injuries. WholeHealthThermography.com AND MASSAGE CENTER

Rachel Mazzarelli 2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford ��,�� 203-345-7747 JiivaCenter.com 203-257-3785

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) is an FDA-approved, noninvasive, no-radiation screening for the whole body. It offers Berta Prevosti is ces a Usui and Karuna Oﬃ throughout possible earlier detection of breast Reiki Fairﬁ Master and has been eld County, Southbury, disease and can aid in diagnosis practicing Reiki overMilford, 20 years. New for Haven, and improved prognosis of many We also have several experienced and New York health conditions and injuries. Reiki Masters and practitioners. whthermography@gmail.com We offer private Reiki sessions for physicalwww.wholehealththermography.com and emotional pain. We also have ongoing Reiki classes that are taught in the traditional Usui method by Berta. See ad, page 27.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING

TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING & FITNESS

BETH LEAS

MINDBODY MASTERY

Transformative Healing • Tarot Offices in Norwalk and Ridgefield 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com • TLCTarot.com

646-739-7879 MindBodyMastery.org

BEING CENTERED

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 37.

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 14.

Psychological Services, PLLC 203-614-1089 Being-Centered.com 100B Danbury Rd, #105E, Ridgefield

MindBody Mastery

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 8.

WELLNESS CENTER 7EFIT SPA/ SOUL SYNERGY WELLNESS

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. See ad, page 9.

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 31.

SALT OF THE EARTH HEALING ARTS SANCTUARY/ATHENA HALL 346 Main St S, Woodbury 203-405-2241 • 203-586-1172

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 of™ educational programs, events, and resources fering 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 36.

A new way to looking and feeling good. JIIVA YOGA, REIKI AND MASSAGE CENTER

Berta Prevosti, Usui and Karuna Reiki Master 2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford 203-345-7747 • JiivaCenter.com

Jiiva is in the business of building a community for yoga and healing. We offer yoga classes, a school of Reiki, private Reiki treatments, No surgery or invasive traditionalprocedures. massage therapy, Thai massage, meditation classes, workshops and Infrared Sauna • Micro-dermabrasion community events. See ad, page 27.

does the work.

Richard Wlodarski, RMT 2505 Main St, Ste 209B, Stratford 203-605-0773 Rich@SpiritualArts.info • SpritualArts.info

Myolift • Torc • Body Waxing SALTANA Diet Master •CAVE Oxygen Bar • Reiki Richard is a Reiki Master/Teacher 590 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield Dermalogica Facials • Oxygen Facials and intuitive reader. He specializes 203-969-4327 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.

787 Main St S, Woodbury 203-586-1172 NaturalSaltHealing.com

Fit Spa

Relax while our technology

SPIRITUAL ARTS LLC

SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA

Fairfield County’s first and

Save Nowonly with therapeutic Himalasalt cave provides Introductoryyan Prices! relief from respiratory isCall 203-356-5822 sues such as allergies,

asthma, and side effects of

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 34.

smoking and Ridge pollution. Salt is| naturally anti- CT 06905 1092 High Road Stamford, inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. See ad, 7efitspact1@gmail.com | www.7efitspa.com page 49.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

December 2017

COSMIC RHYTHMS Acknowledge the Winter Solstice Stillness by Michele Leigh

his month begins with Venus, the planet that governs relationships, galloping into Sagittarius on the first day of December. The fiery sign of the centaur is intent on finding the truth, so expect some direct conversations with those close to you. Mercury goes retrograde on December 3 and will continue moving backward until December 22. For the majority of the month, our communications may be affected by the retrograde. During this time, be sure to double check all details and clarify messages from others. Miscommunication is common during Mercury retrogrades. This month’s Full Moon arrives on December 3 in the mutable sign of Gemini. This energy is curious, intelligent and adaptable. Use the light of the full moon to illuminate an area of life that could use a dose of imagination. The New Moon in adventurous Sagittarius occurs on December 18 and may activate Venus, also in Sagittarius. This New Moon energy may encourage us to set intentions around relationships, and do so in a way that is spontaneous, optimistic and expansive. We get a “double whammy” of Capricorn energy at the end of the month as the slow-moving Saturn enters Capricorn on December 19 and then the Sun follows suit on December 21. This earthy energy is often associated with the goat that is hard-working and determined to climb to the highest bluff. This ambitious energy could be used in areas of career and lends itself toward traditional methods of advancement. Saturn will spend two and half years in Capricorn, whereas the Sun is only in this sign for 30 days. You can use the Sun in Capricorn energy to set short-term goals and use the Saturn in Capricorn energy to make long-term changes associated with limits and boundaries. As we head into the holidays, it is a good time to pause and reflect on December 21 to acknowledge the Winter Solstice. This day marks the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. Consider a Winter Solstice ritual by meditating in darkness and then welcome the rebirth of the sun by lighting white candles. Honor the new solar year with a celebration of light. 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. 66

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