Natural Awakenings July 2019 Edition

E E HEALTHY LIVING FR

HEALTHY

PLANET

CROPS IN THE CITY

Urban Farmers Break New Ground

Born This Way Healthier Natural Beauty

Toning the Vagus Nerve

Relieve Pain, Anxiety and Inflammation

Summer Eating

The Herbal Connection July 2019 | Greater Hartford County Edition | NAHRT.com

July 2019

1

MANY PATHS MANY TRUTHS ONE BRIDGE

BRIDGE HEALING ARTS CENTER Bridge Healing Arts Center is a diverse holistic wellness center, offering the community many choices of complementary and holistic healing modalities, workshops, events, and classes on their journey to wellness.

Meet some of the Bridge community…

Life & Behavioral Coach

Hypnotherapy

Elizabeth Hill, MSW, ACC Green Heart Living - Compassionate Coaching for Overwhelmed Professionals, Parents, and Caregivers liz@greenheartliving.com www.greenheartliving.com • 860-913-6918

Carl Brown Hypnosis Licensed Hypnotherapist Easily change limiting beliefs.

You can have, be, or do anything you want! www.carlbrownhypnosis.com 860-309-9004

Psychic/Mediumship/Events/Workshops

Reiki/Intuitive Readings

Keiko Broyles, Psychic Spiritual Medium Willows Healing Path, LLC - Owner Tested Member of Shay Parker’s Best American Psychics • Usui Reiki Master Teacher keiko@keikomedium.com www.keikomedium.com • 860-280-5548

Deborah Lyons, RMT Owner/Operator of The Lotus Petal, LLC Reiki Master Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Psychic/Medium, Nutrition Health Coach LotusPetalReiki@gmail.com www.TheLotusPetalReiki.com • 860-335-4060

Spiritual Intuitive, Medium & Psychic Denise Ann Atkinson, Owner of Soul Centered Mediumship. Private and group readings, CT and New York • Reiki Master/Teacher Facebook.com/Deniseaapsychicmedium www.deniseatkinsonmedium.com 860-930-9515

Our Village is Growing!

There is currently a wide variety of services available at The Bridge Healing Arts Center.

Please visit our website at www.BridgeHAC.com for a complete list.

If you are a practitioner who is interested to move your practice to the Bridge, please be in touch today! We have limited space available for you to join our growing village!

��� Main St. | Farmington, CT �6��� | bridgehac.com | 86�-���-���� | info@bridgehac.com 2

Hartford County Edition

NAHRT.com

July 2019

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Contents

18 ENHANCE YOUR

NATURAL BEAUTY

20

Social Nudism Strips Away External Trappings

20 ALL-NATURAL BEAUTY

Can it Be Achieved Safely?

The Future Dentist is Here Now!

100% Digital Practice Reducing Waste and Chemical Exposure • Computerized records mean no paper waste • Digital imaging means no film x-rays, dangerous chemical exposure or waste • Digital radiographs use a fraction of the x-ray exposure of traditional film radiographs • Impressions taken digitally with a laser scanner Solea Laser Technology Eliminates the needle and drilling from many procedures by naturally numbing the teeth.

No contact with the tooth like traditional drills.

Sirona CEREC CAD/CAM Scanner and Milling Machine Digital scans of teeth for orthodontic appliances, crowns, bridges and many other treatments.

We can make crowns in a day!

Sirona Orthophos CBCT Scanner (Cone Bean Computerized Tomography) Takes 3D CAT scans of the entire mouth at 1/3 the exposure of a traditional full set of x-rays.

Cutting-edge Natural Alternatives to Flouride & Restorative Materials free of Bis-GMA & BPAs! These technologies all work together to eliminate many of the traditional things that people fear when going to the dentist.

Visit our website for more detailed information about our state-of-the-art services at: glastonburydentalcenter.com

CALL 860-289-8219

to schedule your appointment

Hugh E. Finch Jr. DDS MBA General and Cosmetic Dentistry

Glastonbury Dental Center 195 Eastern Blvd.

Glastonbury, CT 06033

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Hartford County Edition

NAHRT.com

22 TONING THE

VAGUS NERVE

Relief for Pain, Anxiety and Inflammation

24 CROPS IN THE CITY

Urban Agriculture Breaks New Ground

22

28 NATURE THERAPY

How to Create an

Indoor Serenity Garden

30 HELP FOR

HOME GARDENERS

Extension Agents at Your Service

32 GARDENING FOR KIDS

The Fun of Growing Their Own

34 SUMMER EATING

The Herbal Connection

30

38 FOREST BATHING

Mother Nature’s Rx for Body and Mind

39 SACRED TREE

MEDICINE

Celtic Reiki is Ancient

Healing in the Modern World

DEPARTMENTS 8 news briefs 13 health briefs 16 global briefs 22 healing ways 30 green living 32 healthy kids

34 conscious

eating 38 fit body 40 calendar 44 resource guide 47 classified 47 ad index

Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

24

What’s the hardest part of staying healthy?

Showing Up! Commit to Being Strong, Flexible & Happy.

Yoga, Barre & Belly Dance Classes Daily 7 Days, 15 Teachers, 34 Classes, 0 Excuses

32

38

50 For Your First 30 Days of Classes

$

Offer Expires 7/31/19. Mention “Natural Awakenings”

Call 860-693-9642

or visit YogaCenterCollinsville.com/new 10 Front Street, 3rd Floor, Collinsville

If you don’t take care of you, who will?

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings, please contact our sales team: Ads@NAHRT.com or 860-507-6392.

Our fax is 860-357-6034.The due date for ads is the 10th of the month prior to publication.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Submit articles, news items and ideas to Editor@NAHRT.com or call 860-507-6392. The due date for editorial is the 10th of the month prior to publication.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit ALL calendar events on our website at NAHRT.com.

The due date for calendar is the 10th of the month prior to publication.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

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

Let us. You’re in good hands.

Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports & Thai Massage All the luxuries in a beautiful setting

59 For Your First 60-minute Massage

$

Offer Expires 7/31/19. Mention “Natural Awakenings”

Call 860-693-9642

or visit YogaCenterCollinsville.com/bliss 10 Front Street, 3rd Floor, Collinsville July 2019

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from publisher

W

hen I was younger I would scoff at the adage “everything happens for a reason.”

GREATER HARTFORD As time has passed and many experiences COUNTY EDITION demonstrated there might just be something to that PUBLISHER Nicole Miale old saying, I’ve become a strong believer. I no longer EDITOR Michelle Bense believe in coincidence. So when seemingly coinciden DESIGN & PRODUCTION Kathleen Fellows tal questions arise in the course of developing a new

Erica Mills edition, I pay attention. Over a year ago, we devel CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Marcia Kendall oped the editorial calendar for the whole year and Melanie Lynn decided the July issue would showcase two distinct Christie Morelli Jennifer Pacelli themes: urban agriculture and natural beauty. I don’t Nicole Miale SALES & MARKETING Shirley R. Bloethe recall that they were particularly linked in our minds

Alexa Ferrucci at the time. Then, during development of this month’s issue, two different local con Nicole Miale tributors asked me about the definition of “natural beauty”… they wanted to know WEBSITE Erica Mills if the intention was to discuss personal beauty/hygiene or the beauty of the natural CONTACT US world? Once I considered the question—and knowing there is no such thing as coin137 Danbury Rd, #323, New Milford, CT 06776 cidence—clearly the answer was that the intention and purpose absolutely needed Ph: 860-507-6392 • Fax: 860-357-6034 to be both those things. Just like that, the meaning of the issue evolved; those two Publisher@NAHRT.com seemingly distinct topics became somewhat intertwined as we created articles to NAHRT.com explore the amazing natural landscape surrounding us (even in cityscapes or inside SUBSCRIPTIONS our homes) and examine the relationship of that natural bounty to our highly inSubscriptions are available by sending $30 (for 12 issues) to the above address. dividual need to be and feel beautiful in our own skin, without using products that could harm us or the world we inhabit.

NATIONAL TEAM

We hope you enjoy the range and breadth of articles discussing how the CEO/FOUNDER Sharon Bruckman COO/ FRANCHISE SALES Joe Dunne natural world and human beings can work together and thrive—even in unusual

NATIONAL EDITOR Jan Hollingsworth environments. It should come as no surprise to any of you that when we work with

MANAGING EDITOR Linda Sechrist nature instead of against it, there are many mutual benefits and an abundant har NATIONAL ART DIRECTOR Stephen Blancett vest to celebrate.

ART DIRECTOR Josh Pope

Speaking of harvest, July is usually an excellent month to visit a local farm FINANCIAL MANAGER Yolanda Shebert stand or farm to buy fresh, local veggies and fruits! We include a handy guide from FRANCHISE SUPPORT MGR. Heather Gibbs WEBSITE COORDINATOR Rachael Oppy CTNOFA (CTNOFA.org) on pages 36 and 37 in case you want to know what is clos NATIONAL ADVERTISING Kara Cave est to you. No store-bought vegetables or fruits taste as good as the ones purchased Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation straight from the farmer the same day or a few days after picking. Give it a try and 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 discover the deliciousness for yourself!

Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

© 2019 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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

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

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

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

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

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

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Hartford County Edition

NAHRT.com

With love and light,

See our display advertiser index on page 47, making it easier to find the resources you need.

September 13–15, 2019 Riverside Park & Mortensen Riverfront Plaza * Hartford, CT

Featured Presenters

We invite you to unite at the soul level with others who share the dream of a balanced, healthy, and vibrant planet for all.

This celebration of wellness, yoga, music, and dance, in affiliation with Riverfront Recapture and BaliSpirit Festival, provides a safe and moving space for discovering new paths to harmony, healing, creativity, and community. Spirit Festival will feature an array of conscious teachers, practitioners, and performers.

Make new friends, embrace new ideas, find your tribe, or find yourself!

FOR INFO AND TICKETS

spirityogafestival.com July 2019

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Do you have a complete picture of your breast health?

news briefs

CT Environmental Wins: Wind, Solar, Plastic Bags and EVs

T

here were many environmental wins for Connecticut during this legislative session. They included: • CT DEEP will contract up to 2 gigawatts of wind power, enough to meet about a third of our current electric needs, and join neighboring states in transforming the way we source energy. Learn more about HB 7156 at tinyurl.com/CTWindPower.

• Net metering will not sunset this year and the economic benefits of going solar will remain. Learn more about HB 5002 at tinyurl.com/CTNetMetering.

• Single use plastic bags will be assessed a 10 cent fee at retail starting August 1, and on July 1, 2021 they will be banned. Stricter town ordinances, such as those that charge for paper bags, supersede the new law. Learn more about this amendment to the state budget at tinyurl.com/CTPlasticBags.

• 50 percent of CT state vehicle fleets must be zero emissions vehicles by 2030 and 30 percent of DOT buses must be zero emissions by 2030. And—this is big—the CHEAPR program is funded to the tune of $3 million annually through 2025 and now includes rebates for used EVs. Many environmental advocacy groups have been in Hartford lobbying hard all session long for these bills to pass. Thank you to everyone who made calls, signed petitions, sent emails and showed up in Hartford. Your actions made a difference!

Alliance for Holistic Living Celebrates 10 Years

T

“I us󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪 fo󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶 It’s i󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲 an󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂󰈂 e󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧 or 󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳󰇳 wo󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶

Call us today to schedule an appointment

860-415-1150

www.ctthermography.com Farmington, CT 06032 8

Hartford County Edition

NAHRT.com

he Alliance for Holistic Living is celebrating its 10th year of promoting holistic living through service and education. Focusing on communities East of the River, the Alliance works collaboratively with local holistic practitioners and businesses to heighten awareness of alternative methods available to support a vibrant, healthy lifestyle.

Throughout the last 10 years, over 100 workshops have been presented free of charge.

Programs have been held at libraries, as well as various wellness centers located in the area.

Topics have ranged from alternative healing methods which support health to gardening in communion with nature, and have included a vast number of topics in between. These programs continue to be offered on a monthly basis on the third Thursday of each month.

Additionally, members of the Alliance have participated in Rebuilding Manchester on a yearly basis, giving their time and effort to help those in need. Community outreach efforts have included presenting a free elderly living series at several facilities housing seniors. On a broader scope, the Alliance has participated in the Coventry Farmers Market for many years, sponsoring a health and wellness fair spotlighting local holistic providers. They have also had a presence at the South Windsor and Ellington farmers’ markets.

When the group banded together in 2009, its members set aside personal and business self-interest to serve its mission. Today, the Alliance for Holistic Living continues to have an authentic presence in the community in support of holistic living.

To learn more about membership and discover what programs will be offered during 2019, visit AFHLNow.org.

HRI Labs Launches Tests for Glyphosate

H

RI Labs has launched a test for glyphosate in urine using LC-MS/MS, the gold standard among scientists for sensitivity and reliability in testing pesticides.

The test is offered as part of a crowd-funded study looking to document correlations between diet, lifestyle, geography and exposure to glyphosate and the levels found in the urine of people and pets across the U.S.

The test is the most sensitive and most affordable screen for glyphosate available in North America. It also screens for AMPA, a metabolite of glyphosate, at no extra cost. This is important because it is necessary to take both glyphosate and AMPA into account to more fully assess exposure to glyphosate.

In 2015, glyphosate was classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the World Health Organization's cancer arm. In 2018, glyphosate was added to the list of substances that cause cancer under California's Proposition 65. Peer-reviewed animal feeding studies also link glyphosate to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, kidney disease and other chronic health problems.

The effective level of glyphosate measured in urine is an indicator of environmental exposure through food, air and water.

The test is an excellent tool which can be used to gauge whether dietary or other changes are needed to reduce your exposure.

You can participate in the study and order your test at Health-Research-Institute.net/glyphosate. Use discount code GMOFREE79 to receive a $20 discount off the regular price of $99 per kit.

Learn more about glyphosate at tinyurl.com/GMOFreeUSAglyphosate.

Pet Talk: The Benefits of Reiki for Animals

K

elly McCarthy, of Beyond Words & Wisdom, has partnered with the CT Humane Society to present a Pet Talk on the Kelly McCarthy Benefits of Reiki for Animals on July 16 from 6:30 to 8pm at the CT Humane Society in Newington.

McCarthy will speak on how Reiki for animals can: be an ideal holistic therapy; maintain health and well-being, physically, mentally and emotionally; induce deep relaxation; help reduce pain and inflammation; and help reduce behavior problems and aggression.

Limited seats are available, and donations are welcome.

For more information and to register, visit ReikiForAnimals.eventbrite.com and BeyondWordsNWisdom.com. Location: CT Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd, Newington.

“The Twelve Paths To Enlightenment” Program Is Finally Here!

The Enlightenment Method is a Time-Proven, Step-By-Step Path to Living an Empowered, Purposeful Life • A Proven System to Connect You with Your Highest Calling • Calm Your Fears and Anxieties • Get Relief from Heavy Emotions • Gain Clarity and Find Direction • Feel Supported, Connected and Grounded

Manifest the highest vision of your life because you know what you want to create and how to go about making your vision real.

Is your mental health worth investing in? If you’re ready to change for the better, this is the class for you!

The Twelve Paths To Enlightenment is a year-long program in Woodstock, CT

Monthly meetings 9am-12pm Breakfast served

One-year investment $875 Installment & monthly plans available Contact: Driscoll.h@gmail.com

Visit our website for more detailed information: www.EnlightenmentMethod.com

MONDAZZI An

Book , Bead & Crystal Warehouse Showroom

Square Feet amazing 5000 of SHOPPING!

A little bit of everything for the mind, body and spirit.

Beads & Beading Supplies

Hundreds of gemstone beads 50% off strands of beads

Jewelry • Candles Crystals & Minerals

from around the world Books 50% off list price

Essential Oils Herbs & Resins Himalayan Salt Lamps Music • Classes Psychic Fairs • Events Vintage & Handpainted Furniture

Visit our Salt Room!

860-285-0538

Monday - Friday 9am-5pm | Saturday 9am-4pm | Closed Sunday www.mondazzi.com 570 Hayden Station Rd. | Windsor, CT 06095 July 2019

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July Events at West Hartford Wellness Boutique

news briefs

Group to Heal from Relationship Wounds

S

hawniel Chamanlal, LCSW, of Wilcox Wellness will host a six-week women’s counseling group, Healing from Relationship Wounds, on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7pm on July 9, 16, 23 and 30, and August 6 and 13, at Wilcox Wellness in Southington. The group will focus on proven strategies to release old relationship patterns, move beyond the fear of commitment and create healthier, Shawniel Chamanlal more fulfilling relationships.

Learn how to: rewrite your relationship story from hurt to healed; create deeper, more meaningful relationships, create a vision of your ideal partner and the ideal relationship; realize your self-destructive dating habits, triggers and negative relationship patterns; be clear on your needs, wants and nonnegotiables to ensure compatibility and to avoid emotionally unavailable men; and improve your confidence and self-worth.

Wilcox Wellness offers professional mental health experts dedicated to helping hurting people heal. They work to empower people to create the life they deserve and desire.

For more information or to register, Help@WilcoxWellness.com.

Location: Wilcox Wellness, 92 Summit St, Southington.

b

. kind, a wellness boutique and collaborative event space in the heart of West Hartford Center, is hosting a variety of events throughout July, from yoga to art to essential oils. Owned by Victoria Gleixner, b. kind specializes in the sale of handmade natural living items, sourced from small businesses across the U.S., including doTERRA essential oils and organic teas.

Replenish & Renew Yoga will be held two mornings this month, July 6 and 13 from 8:30 to 9:45am. This 75-minute, alllevels yoga flow class incorporates breathwork and meditation designed to replenish and renew your physical and emotional body. Included in your class fee is a 20-percent-off discount code for your favorite item in the boutique (excluding essential oils). Pre-registration is required; limited to eight people.

b. kind will be partnering with The Claypen for two artistic events in July. In the Paint a Mug Workshop, held July 11 from 6 to 8pm, each participant can pick a mug to paint. At Mandala Painting & Essential Oils on July 18 from 6 to 8pm, pick your favorite essential oils and design a custom fragrance. Both events will include a complimentary cup of tea to make the evening even more relaxing.

Crystal Breathwork Yoga will be offered on July 19 from 7 to 9pm to promote physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

CBD Yoga will be offered on July 26 from 7 to 8:30pm to help reduce anxiety or depression, promote pain relief and improve overall well-being.

For more information and to register, email b.kindCT@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/WellnessBoutiqueCT. Location: 1000 Farmington Ave, West Hartford. See ad, page 29.

Thousands of Years of Food Wisdom in Twelve Months

The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition

Offering a One-Year Certification Program in Sustainable Health & Nutrition This Innovative School Integrates the Science of Nutrition with:

Practicing Sustainable Gardening Methods

Preparing Traditional Kitchen Medicine

Learning Kitchen Culinary Skills

Identifying Nutrient-rich Wild Plants

Embark on this life-altering journey and be part of the movement to change the paradigm of our food for future generations. Join our experienced staff one weekend a month as you use hands-on education to delve into and explore diverse aspects of how food and herbs enhance the health of your clients, friends, family, yourself and the environment.

Now accepting applications for 2019-2020 | Call 860-764-9070 today! | West Granby, CT | www.tiosn.com 10 Hartford County Edition

NAHRT.com

Spirit Festival Announces Presenter Lineup

S

pirit Festival is coming to the Connecticut Riverfront in Hartford from September 13 to 15. This three-day experience, in partnership with Bali Spirit Festival and Riverfront Recapture, is a celebration of yoga, music, wellness and dance.

Confirmed yoga presenters from near and far include Maya Breuer, Meredith Evangelisti, Kenny Frisby, Jessica Goldman, Kiley Holliday, LeoRising, Michele Matthews, Deb Orosz, Michael Riley and Randolph Osgood. A range of techniques will be practiced throughout the weekend, offering something for everyone who wishes to try yoga for the first time or expand an existing practice.

Musical experiences on Friday and Saturday evenings feature national acts, including Girish, Fiery String Sistas, Khaiim Kelly, DJ Kered, and People of Goodwill.

Throughout the weekend, other sights and sounds available to festival-goers will include the Conduit Center’s Sound Lounge, new media artist Balam Soto, crystal bowls healer Daniel Lauter and numerous others.

Conversations and workshops focusing on wellness include author Chris Grosso, Ali Cramer, Dr. Brandon Nappi, Alphonso McGriff, III and more. There will be dedicated children’s programming featuring a range of activities and experiences.

Early bird tickets are on sale through July 14.

For more event details and the continually growing list of presenters, visit SpiritYogaFestival.com. See ad, page 7.

Vasu Treks: Yoga Hike Summer Series

E

levate your practice and fully immerse your senses in a yoga hike with Vasu Trek Yoga Hikes. The hikes highlight Hartford area trails and will be held July 18 at West Hartford Reservoir and August 15 at MDC #6, both from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Hosted

by Nutmeg Yoga CT and Vasu Studio Yoga and Organic Spa, Vasu Trek Yoga Hikes are great for individuals, couples or groups looking for something fun, affordable and healthy to do while rekindling connections to each other and to nature.

These intimate outdoor adventures are a chance to be led on a short hike to a picturesque area for a grounding yoga practice and guided meditation. Each class will be a unique offering inspired by nature and rotated between Hartford area trails.

Hikes are led by Trail Guide Yoga Teacher, Nicole Diaz, who shares inspirational facts on the flora and fauna of Connecticut’s wild species. These will be an incredibly well-rounded experience for your wild souls. Please register; space is limited to 20.

Feed Your Soul Wellness Event

O

ptimize your health this summer and learn how to improve your nutrition, sleep and even Misty Doering your genes, at the Feed Your Soul wellness event on July 17 from 6 to 8pm, hosted by Integrative Neurology in Ashford.

Meet Misty Doering, APRN, of Integrative Neurology; Dr. Thao Doran, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine of Greenstem Clinic; and Jennifer Hirschberg-Wise, Occupational Therapist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist of Radiant Journey LLC.

Free to the public, this event is an opportunity to learn more about how you can improve your life starting this summer.

Receive a special gift when you RSVP. For more information, email JenniferHWise@ sbcglobal.net. To RSVP, call 860-840-1058 (select option 1). Location: Integrative Neurology, 39 Nott Hwy (Rte 74), Unit 4, Ashford.

Eclectic Naturopathic Medical Center, LLC Kathleen M. Riley, ND Wilberto Lugo, ND Naturopathic Physicians

48 Christian Lane, Suite 203 Newington, CT 06111 www.kathleenrileynd.com

Call to schedule an appointment

860-665-1254

For more information and to register, visit VasuTribe.com/events. Cost: $25 per trek.

July 2019

11

Holistic Community Professionals HCP

Our professional team of holistic and natural businesses provides community outreach and education. We are committed to improving the health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit in the communities we serve. Visit our Site: www.HolisticCommunityProfessionals.com

Angel Connections/Angelic Realm Reclaim Your Personal Power Ambassador Community Outreach & Engagement Holistic Business Consultant 860-484-1182 or LoraHobson@gmail.com Patricia Spiegel (Spanish/English) Angelic Reader/Angelic Realm Workshops 860-559-9425 or patsp77@yahoo.com

Crystal/Sound/White Time Bradford W. Tilden, MM, CMT Universal White Time Gemstone, Energy, and Angelic Sound Healing Individual, Remote, Group Sessions Classes, Workshops, Sound Journeys Bradford@CrystalMusicHealing.com CT/MA locations 415-420-6232

Integrative Psychotherapy The Enlightenment Counseling Center, LLC Holistic psychotherapy & alternative medicine to enhance our clinical services.

998 Farmington Ave, West Hartford 660 Prospect Ave, Hartford EnlightenmentCenterCT.com EnlightenmentCenterLLC@gmail.com 860-729-3284

Psychic Medium/Reiki Master Teacher Jordan Taylor In-person & phone intuitive readings Psychic parties, Spiritual mentoring, coaching sessions, Reiki/energy sessions, classes, events AngelicSerenity.com jordantaylor@angelicserenity.com 860-778-0738

Transformational Healing Shari Dorman, LPC Inner Mountain Peak Healing, LLC- Owner Licensed Professional Counselor Reiki Master/Teacher InnerMountainPeakHealing.net InnerMountainPeakHealing@gmail.com 860-324-3309 NAHRT.com 12 Hartford County Edition

CBD Educator & Distributor Rachel Festa Take advantage of the nutrients and beneficial compounds in the natural hemp plant. Free consultations Educational events kannaway.com/2073303 thebenefitsofcbd@gmail.com 203-651-5803

Coaching & Workshops Torin Lee TL Coaching /Zen Events www.MyPathForward.net torin@zenevents.net www.torinlee.com 860-861-9038

Healing/Coaching

Healing & Wellness Center

Robin Barros, Spirit of the Lotus Integrative Manual Therapy, Medical Shamanism, Holographic Sound Healing, Advanced Soul Coaching® & Past Life Journeys Medical Intuitive, Medium, Channel SpiritoftheLotus.org Columbia, CT 860-709-3903

Lily Holcomb, The Water Lily Holistic Empowerment Center, Intuitive & Mediumship Readings, Empowerment Energy Healings, Groups, Classes & Events • 129 Tolland Stage Rd. Tolland, CT thewaterlilycenter.com 860-756-6391

Intuitive Psychic Medium

Marconic Teacher/Practitioner

Celeste Vernale, Celestial Messages Intuitive Psychic Medium, Healer, Animal Communication,Spiritual Guidance, Home Investigator celestialmessagesct.com celestialmessages@att.net 860-770-8997

Quantum Psychotherapy Celeste E. Mattingly, LCSW Creator of Celestial Psychology® State-of-the-art energy medicine & quantum healing techniques with Tachyon Zero-Point-Energy products & traditional talk therapy Insurance accepted celestialempowerment.com 860-586-8700

Treating Acid Reflux Susan Berman, M.Ed., CHHC Find your unique food & lifestyle triggers HealingAcidReflux.com Susan@HealingAcidReflux.com 860-670-4152

Mind • Body • Soul

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health briefs

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People suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, can breathe easier by taking the Chinese medicinal fungus Cordyceps sinensis, a new meta-analysis shows. Researchers at the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine conducted a review of 15 high-quality studies that involved 1,238 COPD patients and found that cordyceps significantly improved lung function, exercise endurance and quality of life with no report of any serious adverse effects. Cordyceps, which is said to relax and open the airways, has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as an anti-asthmatic, expectorant and cough suppressant.

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New research has found the basic micronutrient vitamin B12 may be the first good tool for averting the hereditary form of Parkinson’s disease, which accounts for about 15 percent of such cases worldwide. In lab tests, an international team of scientists found that AdoCbl, one of the active forms of vitamin B12, inhibits the activity of a mutated enzyme linked to Parkinson’s. Inhibiting this enzyme appears to help stabilize dopamine release in the brain.

Dopamine deficiencies manifest in the muscle rigidity and tremors that are hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Another recent study from the University of California San Francisco that included non-hereditary Parkinson’s patients found that symptoms worsened more quickly in early-stage patients that had low B12 levels than in those with higher levels of the vitamin.

July 2019

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health briefs

The Ugly Truth

Carcinogens in Cosmetics

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osmetics are defined by their intended use in the U.S., via the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering the appearance.” Regrettably, researchers in the U.S. have identified over 10,000 industrial chemicals in cosmetics, some of which are classified carcinogens.

Since the FDA does not have the authority to test cosmetics before they are released to the market, these harmful chemical ingredients have crept their way into our cosmetics.

According to the American Cancer Society, carcinogens are “substances and exposures that can lead to cancer.” Carcinogens are classified into the following groups: Group 1 carcinogenic to humans; Group 2A probably carcinogenic to humans; Group 2B possibly carcinogenic to humans; Group 3 not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans; Group 4 probably not carcinogenic to humans.

A review published in the World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research revealed the ingredients commonly found in cosmetics of major concern: phthalates (Group 2B and Group 3), hydroquinone (Group 3), formaldehyde (Group 1), lead (Group 2B), ethanolamine (Group 2B and Group 3) and coal tar (Group 1).

Phthalates are used as plasticizers, which increase the flexibility, transparency, durability and longevity of plastics, and in solvents, or dissolving agents for other materials. These phthalic acid salts may be an ingredient in various soaps, shampoos, hairsprays and nail polishes.

Hydroquinone is a type of phenol, a toxic organic compound, which is used in the cosmetic industry in various skincare products to lighten skin color. These phenols are common ingredients in facial cleansers/ moisturizers and hair conditioners.

Formaldehyde is used commercially to produce biocides, preservatives and

basic chemicals for the manufacturing of countless goods including soaps, shampoos, hair gels, eyelash glue, nail products and baby cleansing products.

Lead is a naturally occurring element found in all parts of our environment that can be toxic to humans upon exposure, resulting in negative health effects. This heavy metal is commonly found in lipsticks, nail polishes, foundations and eye shadows.

Ethanolamine is used to form emulsions of water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients and control the pH of various cosmetic products. These products include eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow, blush, foundation, fragrances, shampoo, hair dyes, hair treatments, sunscreen and skin cleansing products.

Coal tar is a black, thick liquid mixture derived from burning coal. The function of this coal byproduct is as a cosmetic biocide and denaturant and is a common ingredient in shampoos, hair conditioners, hair dyes, soaps and body lotions.

In addition to carcinogenic properties, many of the chemicals commonly used in today’s cosmetics also have a number of adverse effects, including immune system toxicity, neurotoxicity, infertility, hormone disruption and developmental toxicity.

Until the cosmetics industry is more strictly regulated, you can decrease your exposure to these harmful chemicals by reading ingredient labels, assessing a cosmetic product’s score on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database (EWG.org/skindeep) prior to purchasing, contacting cosmetic companies and/or searching packaging for seals and certifications.

Dr. Christie Morelli is a licensed naturopathic physician currently practicing at ProNatural Physicians Group, in Berlin. She is accepting new patients and accepts most major insurances. Connect at 860-829-0707 or ProNaturalPhysicians.com.

Find a Green Space and Make a Friend

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Integrating green spaces among living areas increases trust among strangers, according to a study from Canada’s University of Waterloo. Participants in walking tours of a Vancouver neighborhood were asked to complete a smartphone questionnaire at six stops, including at a rainbow-painted crosswalk and both wild and manicured community gardens. Researchers found that colorful design elements and green spaces were linked to higher levels of happiness, plus greater trust of strangers and environmental stewardship. “The urban design interventions we studied are relatively simple and low cost, but show great potential to improve individuals’ emotional and social lives,” says Hanna Negami, lead author.

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Seniors that ate more than 10 grams— about two teaspoons—of nuts a day were able to ward off normal cognitive decline and even improve their cognitive functions by up to 60 percent, according to University of South Australia researchers. The study was based on 22 years of records of 4,822 Chinese adults ages 55 and older; 17 percent of them ate nuts every day, most often peanuts. These seniors had as much as 60 percent improved cognitive function compared to those that didn’t eat nuts, and they showed better thinking, reasoning and memory. “Nuts are known to be high in healthy fats, protein and fiber with nutritional properties that can lower cholesterol and improve cognitive health,” says study author Ming Li. July 2019

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Too Blue

global briefs

Alarm Sounded

Ireland Declares Climate Emergency

The Republic of Ireland is the third country worldwide to declare a climate emergency, with both the government and opposition parties agreeing to an amendment to a climate action report. “We’re reaching a tipping point in respect of climate deterioration,” says Climate Action Minister Richard Bruton. “Things will deteriorate very rapidly unless we move very swiftly, and the window of opportunity to do that is fast closing.” The UK governments of Wales and Scotland have also declared climate emergencies. Suggested responses include limiting oil and gas exploration, and issuing an additional biodiversity emergency measure.

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Dangerous Dozen Produce to Avoid

The 2019 Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce (Tinyurl.com/ DirtyDozen-Clean15List) highlights increased pesticide use on up to 70 percent of conventionally grown U.S. produce. Several different types of pesticide, insecticide and fungicide residues are present on many fruits and vegetables.

The Dirty Dozen list includes strawberries, spinach, kale, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery and potatoes. The clean 15 list includes avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, frozen sweet peas, onions, papayas, eggplant, asparagus, kiwi, cabbage, cauliflower, cantaloupes, broccoli, mushrooms and honeydew melon. The EWG advises that eating organic produce, especially for pregnant and nursing mothers and young children, should be a national priority.

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Cannabis is enjoying a renaissance of sorts, and one new application for hemp, the no-buzz industrial variety used in fabrics, oils and foods, is cleaning nuclear radiation from toxic soil and removing metals like cadmium, lead, mercury and other pollutants via phytoremediation.

Allison Beckett, a cultivation expert at Marijuana.com, says, “Industrial hemp has been used in areas of high radiation, such as Fukushima, [in Japan,] with promising results. Not only does hemp pull toxic, heavy metals from the soil, it actually improves soil structure, making it usable as productive farmland again. Plus, hemp is a vigorous plant that absorbs CO2 rapidly, making it an encouraging solution to climate change.” Hemp phytoremediation has been used in Italy to clean up the small town of Taranto, where a steel plant has been leaking dioxin into the air and soil. The Pennsylvania Industrial Hemp Council and Lehigh University, in Bethlehem, are running a project to test the process in an arsenic-contaminated area in Upper Saucon Township that once harbored a zinc mine.

The world’s oceans may be getting bluer, thanks to climate change. The effect is more likely to be detected by satellites than Earthbound people, and is caused by the depletion of marine phytoplankton as seawater warms. A new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published in the journal Nature Communications predicts that more than 50 percent of the oceans’ collective 140 million square miles of surface area will likely be affected by 2100.

Marine ecologist and leader of the study Stephanie Dutkiewicz says, “These microscopic organisms live in the water and are the base of the marine food chain. If there are less of them in it, the water will be slightly bluer.” Phytoplankton serves as a food source for small sea creatures that are eaten by fish, squid and shellfish. If phytoplankton populations dip too low, vital fisheries in certain areas could be decimated.

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Hemp to the Rescue at Detox Sites

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July 2019

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Enhance Your Natural Beauty Social Nudism Strips Away External Trappings

W

by Ronna E. Krozy and Nancy Greenhouse

hat if being beautiful meant taking off all the conventional trappings? What if perfect clothing (and hair and makeup and jewelry) really didn’t matter at all? A growing segment of society is coming to embrace a way of life that strips away the external— and feeling better about themselves and how they look.

Society’s “normal” standards of beauty have well-known damaging effects on both male and female self-esteem. Dieting fads, steroid use, cosmetic surgeries and other unhealthy activities are aimed at our sense of inadequacy as well as our wallets. Take a look at the media’s portrayal of beauty (even “natural” beauty), and you see an almost exclusive focus on what’s on the outside. We’re supposed to aim for a certain skin type (fair and 18 Hartford County Edition

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smooth), shape (slim but well-proportioned), hair (long and lustrous). But this picture leaves out most of us and only stokes our self-destructive feelings that we don’t measure up.

The new face of natural beauty celebrates a world of different people—their shapes, sizes, colors and physical conditions. It recognizes that beauty is not in the eye of the beholder, but, truly, comes from within.

This reality has been recognized for decades by millions of people who practice social nudism (also known as naturism). They know beyond a doubt that you can actually feel more beautiful when you simply bare your body and accept it as it is. At Solair Recreation League, a family-friendly nudist resort in Woodstock, Connecticut, many first-time

visitors surprise themselves. After shedding their clothing, sometimes with great hesitation, they quickly realize that no one is judging them. “I suddenly found that I could stop criticizing myself—and that I could feel confident and even, dare I say, beautiful,” said one. Imagine the relief of learning firsthand that being naturally beautiful means owning and accepting the body and features that are yours, without alteration or adornment.

Natural beauty is further enhanced by being around others who share and support your beliefs. An article in the Journal of Happiness Studies states, “Individuals do experience increases in positive body-image, self-esteem and life satisfaction after participating in real naturist activities.” Further research shows that our social networks have a profound effect on our behaviors and attitudes, including how we perceive our appearance.

“Spend time around people who are confident in their bodies, and you’ll find yourself following suit,” says Nancy Etcoff, PhD, Director of the Aesthetics and Well Being Program at Boston’s Massachusetts General Hospital.

With natural beauty, less is more— including less clothing! Now, how about a more holistic view of natural beauty?

One that cares more about our internal makeup than our external, and shows the same compassion for ourselves that we do for others. Let’s work on separating what we’re worth from how we look. When you let your authentic beauty shine through, having stripped away what’s not necessary (clothing) as well as your destructive attitudes, you’re headed in the right direction.

So, how else can you feel more organically beautiful? Consider these examples, and you’ll think of many more.

Cherish your scars. “If you have a scar, you can decide to see it as a flaw or simply as a memory of an injury,” says Stacey Tantleff-Dunn, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Central Florida. Don’t judge, but rather appreciate your scars as triumphs over adversity.

Stand tall. When you pay attention to your posture, you create space for your lungs and other organs to function well. Good posture (as well as smiling) promotes a sense of authentic beauty and good health that radiates out to the people around you.

Stop trying harder. Be your own imagemaker. Seeing yourself as naturally beautiful means letting go of striving, yearning and plotting to be different than you are. In fact, working to make yourself look “better” through clothing, cosmetic surgery and makeup is both costly and counterproductive.

The new face of natural beauty celebrates a world of different people—their shapes, sizes, colors and physical conditions. It recognizes that beauty is not in the eye of the beholder, but, truly, comes from within.

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Celebrate your body. It’s the only one you have, and no matter your age, size or condition, it’s doing its best for you. It is part of your humanity, flaws and all.

Visit a nudist resort. The very best way to appreciate the many psychological, physical and social benefits of social nudism is to try it. Make sure the nudist resort you choose is affiliated with the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR). AANR-affiliated clubs, such as Solair Recreation League (SolairRL.com), must maintain stringent, family-appropriate standards of conduct for all members and visitors.

Ronna E. Krozy, EdD, RN, is a retired professor of nursing and a Trustee of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR). Nancy Greenhouse has created development programs for numerous Boston-area nonprofit organizations. Both are long-time members of AANR as well as Solair Recreation League in Woodstock, CT. For more information about Solair, visit SolairRL.com or call 860-928-9174. For general information about social nudism, visit AANR.com. See ad, page 27.

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Finally, pay attention to what ingredients are in your personal care products. Keep in mind that those products get flushed down the drain and can go into our environment. Hair care products should be watched for harmful ingredients— especially sulfates, which are used to create suds or foam. These can cause skin rashes, may be contaminated by carcinogens and have been known to harm eyes. Not only does this ingredient affect human health, but it is toxic to our aquatic life as well. This ingredient can be derived by petroleum-based products or palm oil, both of which are not environmentally friendly.

When shopping for products to aid in beautiful skin, look for these helpful ingredients: Aloe Vera – a natural moisturizer, gives oxygen to skin cells, increases strength and synthesis of skin tissue, helpful in removing dead skin cells, shields skin from dangerous toxins, helps cuts/bruises/burns heal faster

All-Natural Beauty Can it Be Achieved Safely?

by Jennifer Pacelli

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hen someone says the words “natural beauty”, what comes to your mind? The absence of wrinkles on a person’s face, blemish-free skin tone, a well groomed woman or a landscape of the world we live in? Unfortunately, the products that mainstream media push to achieve physical beauty cause blemishes in our environment. How does a person achieve “natural beauty” without harming the Earth?

First and foremost, drink water. Water is extremely important for our bodies and does wonders for our skin. It also doesn’t hurt the environment.

Second, protect your skin from sun damage by staying out of the sun during peak UV ray hours, wearing sun hats, using an umbrella and applying safe sunscreen. When shopping for sunscreen, be sure to check the ingredient label. The two most important ingredients to avoid are oxybenzone and octinoxate, which disrupt hormones and generate cell damaging free radicals. You also want a non-nanoparticle zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Nanoparticles are tiny particles which are known to cross the cell barrier and get into organs—even the brain.

By choosing safer sunscreen for yourself, you are also saving our coral reefs because octinoxate and oxybenzone increase bleaching of coral, thus killing it. Some states have already placed a ban on those toxic sunscreens in order to help the local coral reefs.

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Rose Hip Seed Oil – aids in tissue regeneration and skin elasticity, fades sun-damaged areas of the skin Apricot Kernel Oil – aides in skin rejuvenations, soothes and reconditions skin Geranium Oil – helps eliminate the appearance of scars and dark spots by improving blood circulation just below the surface of the skin Pomegranate Seed Oil – aids in regeneration of cells damaged

by UV light and stimulates collagen for a flawless look to skin Sunflower Seed Oil – aids in the prevention of damage caused

by UV rays and neutralizes free radicals Calendula – has potent wound healing properties, including sunburns Hibiscus – aids in reducing wrinkles, firms and tones the skin Vitamin C – increases and regulates the production of collagen, protects skin from free radicals Vitamin A – (retinyl palmitate) stimulates collagen and elastic fibers Cucumber – great for detoxifying the skin, retaining moisture, preventing aging and deep cleansing pores It is important to keep in mind that what is harmful to a person is most likely also harmful to the Earth. Let’s do what we can to help maintain the natural beauty of our Earth by finding safer products to help give us the “look” we desire for ourselves.

Jennifer Pacelli is a Wildlife Biologist and partner with Pure Haven. She hosts a “Women Living Toxin Free” workshop in Watertown on the second Thursday of each month at 7pm.

Connect at 203-809-2078 or Facebook.com/nontoxiclivingwithjen.

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PTSD researcher Imanuel Lerman, M.D., and his colleagues with the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, found that VNS affects areas of the brain responsible for processing emotional pain. The findings, published in the journal PLOS ONE earlier this year, also show that VNS delays the brain’s response to pain signals in individuals with PTSD.

Toning the Vagus Nerve Relief for Pain, Anxiety and Inflammation

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by Marlaina Donato

The vagus nerve esearch is Promising helping docstems from the brain Research tors connect Recent studies have to the abdomen like the dots between shown that vagus nerve a communication seemingly unrelated stimulation (VNS) superhighway between can improve quality conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, your gut and brain. of life for individuals rheumatoid arthrisuffering from numer~Hannah Aylward tis, post-traumatic ous conditions. One stress disorder (PTSD), chronic fatigue type is a device that can be implanted by syndrome and fibromyalgia, revealing a a neurosurgeon, which sends electrical common denominator: the multitasking impulses to the vagus nerve in children vagus nerve, the longest in the autonomic that suffer from seizures and adults with nervous system. depression as a supplemental treatment

The superpower of this doublewhen surgery or medications are not posbranched cranial nerve lies in transportsible or effective. ing major neurotransmitters along what is There is also a handheld, nonknown as the brain-gut axis. “The vagus invasive VNS option called gammaCore, nerve stems from the brain to the abdoa U.S. Food and Drug Administrationmen like a communication superhighway approved device that offers hope for sufbetween your gut and brain,” says Hannah ferers of cluster and migraine headaches.

Aylward, an Orlando-based certified hoIts effectiveness for chronic pain managelistic health coach and gut health expert. ment, as well as in cases of epilepsy and “Studies show that the vagus nerve regudepression, was published in the Neurolates inflammation throughout the body.” modulation Journal in 2015.

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Mental Health, Trauma and the Gut When it comes to the vagus nerve, anxiety is physical. Post-traumatic stress is rooted in neurobiology and experienced in the body, not just the mind, says Arielle Schwartz, Ph.D., a Boulder, Coloradobased clinical psychologist and author of The Complex PTSD Workbook: A MindBody Approach to Regaining Emotional Control and Becoming Whole. “This is why you can’t simply think or talk your way out of your trauma reactions.”

According to Schwartz, “Disruptions in the gut flora, which often occur with overuse of antibiotics, can have a significant impact on mental health. An imbalance in the gut can lead to an inflammatory response in the immune system and a wide range of disruptive symptoms.”

Aylward notes that 95 percent of the body’s mood-boosting chemical serotonin resides in the enteric nervous system, which governs the function of the gastrointestinal tract. “The brain-gut axis is becoming increasingly important as a therapeutic target for psychiatric and GI disorders,” she says.

Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and founding co-director of UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center, explains the trauma loop. “Developmental trauma impairs the integrative circuits of the brain and nervous system—the prefrontal cortex. When this happens, the brain will be hyperalert, interpreting some non-threatening situations as threatening.

“Learning to be aware of our internal state and learning calming techniques

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healing ways

helps to regulate the autonomic nervous system and can go a long way,” says Siegel. “High ventral vagal tone means having a state of calm.”

Vagus Power Everyone can benefit from increased vagal tone, which goes hand-in-hand with engaging the parasympathetic nervous system for optimum equilibrium at the cellular level. Acupuncture, chiropractic—with a focus on the cranial nerves—massage, meditation, singing, laughing loudly, chanting mantras, gentle yoga and exercise, positive social interactions, belly breathing and chanting all make the vagus nerve a happy camper.

These activities promote relaxation and help to decrease inflammation. “As a certified yoga instructor, I can attest to a wide range of natural vagus nerve stimulation techniques, especially using the breath,” says Schwartz. “Diaphragmatic breathing creates a gentle massage across your digestive organs, releases the diaphragm and stimulates nerve fibers within the lungs. Heart rate is reduced.”

Brief exposure to cold water or cold air improves vagal tone and is a good option when anxiety is high. Eating coldwater fish like wild salmon or other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as walnuts, seaweed, hemp, flax or chia seeds provides vagal nourishment.

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4 A diet low in sugar and processed carbohydrates supports healthy vagus nerve function by maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.

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~Wendy Coleman

Wendy Coleman, founder of LA Urban Farms, works with chefs, resorts, hotels, universities and corporate clients to set up aeroponic tower gardens, such as these kale and lettuce crops.

can grow more with less square footage through vertical gardens and sustainable techniques like [soil-less] hydroponic systems,” says Ray.

Cultivate the City manages numerous gardens for clients around Washington, D.C., from elementary school gardens where kids learn to grow, cook and eat nutritious food to corporate gardens inside a new office building for lender Fannie Mae’s employee café. One of its crown jewels is a 6,500-square-foot rooftop garden on the Nationals Park baseball stadium, where edible flowers

CROPS IN THE CITY Urban Agriculture Breaks New Ground

by April Thompson

T

he average American meal travels 1,500 miles to reach its plate, according to the nonprofit Center for Urban Education About Sustainable Agriculture. Yet, enterprising green thumbs across the country are bringing the farm back to plate’s reach, growing hyperlocal food in backyards, on rooftops, through indoor farms and more.

City farming reconnects urbanites to their food sources while bettering the environment, communities, diets and health.

Urban agriculture, harkening back to the Victory Gardens planted to ward off food shortages during World War I and II, is nothing new. While today’s 24 Hartford County Edition

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home gardeners have staked out balconies, window boxes and vacant lots in this locavore resurgence, noteworthy pioneers are forging a path to organic urban agriculture on a commercial scale—tapping into new technologies and markets, and turning challenges like dealing with space constraints into fresh opportunities.

A View From the Roofs Take Niraj Ray, whose company Cultivate the City is working to transform urban food deserts in the nation’s capital into thriving local food systems. “We want to get more people interested in growing their own food and show them how they

end up in cocktails and organic produce feeds fine diners and VIP ticket holders.

Ray grew his business organically, fueled by passion and curiosity, rather than any horticultural background. “I grew up in NYC, where I had nothing to grow on. When I moved to Florida for grad school, I had a huge backyard to play around with,” says Ray.

Like many other urban farms, Cultivate the City offers a seasonal farm subscription known as a community supported agriculture (CSA) program that allows city dwellers to buy directly from local producers. Ray’s rooftop greenhouse, located on top of a local hardware store that sells his edible plants at retail, offers all the fixings for a healthy, diverse diet: hydroponic towers of leafy greens,

photo courtesy of LAUrbanFarms.com

City planners need innovative solutions like vertical farming to feed the growing population.

We can grow at scale, with minimum space and environmental impact.

trays of microgreens for corporate clients, specialty varieties of hot peppers for the company’s hot sauce and stacking cubes of an albino strawberry variety that Ray crossbred himself. “There are so many ways to contribute to urban farming, from aquaponics to vermicomposting; it’s about finding your niche,” he says.

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billion in cities. “City planners need innovative solutions like vertical farming to feed the growing population.

We can grow at scale, with minimum space and environmental impact,” says Wendy Coleman, who began her California-based business LA Urban Farms in 2013. Today, Coleman’s team works with chefs, resorts, hotels, universities, greenhouses and corporate clients like Google and Ikea to set up aeroponic tower gardens across the U.S. and Europe.

With aeroponics, nutrient-enriched water is pumped through a garden tower to shower the roots of plants suspended in air. “It actually uses 90 percent less water than conventional growing, which is a huge benefit in a place like California, and avoids any kind of agricultural runoff,” says Coleman. In conjunction with urban farming partners, the business churns out 30,000 seedlings a month using aeroponic technology to grow for their diverse client base and working with chefs to plan seasonal menus around their produce.

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Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock.com

There are so many ways to contribute to urban farming, from aquaponics to vermicomposting; it’s about finding your niche. ~Niraj Ray

Tips From the Pioneers

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hose that have never nurtured more than a houseplant shouldn’t be intimidated, says Wendy Coleman, founder of LA Urban Farms. “Growing food is easy and doesn’t require any special background,” says Coleman, who was green to growing when she started her business six years ago.

When growing commercially, find a niche, says Niraj Ray, of Cultivate the City. The company grows plants of ethnic or cultural significance to appeal to Asian, African and Latino populations, from the nutrition-packed moringa to okra, a staple of both Indian and African cooking, given it is a growing market for immigrant populations not served by most traditional garden centers.

Seek natural allies like sustainability-minded chefs to bolster an urban ag business. The farm-to-fork chef ’s movement has been a boon for beekeepers and farmers, with chefs acting as patrons of the farms, according to beekeeping expert Teresa Coldwell. Sette Bello Ristorante, an Italian restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, funds vertical gardens at a community garden where the Coldwells have hives so its chef can have pure organic food like squash blossoms pollinated by local bees.

Urban farming has its pleasures and rewards, but can also bring hardships.

Ray struggles with employee turnover when newbie farmers face the realities of working in the heat and rain, even from a sleek, trendy, rooftop garden.

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Aeroponics and other innovative farm technologies are transforming spaces in cities across the U.S., reclaiming peripheral and idle spaces like alleys and warehouses to grow herbs and vegetables in abundance, using 90 percent less land by growing vertically, notes Coleman.

“With our gardens, diners can see their food growing at their table; they get such a personal connection with their food. It’s an interactive way for hotels and restaurants to demonstrate their commitment to local, sustainable food,” she says.

Breaking into Hives: City Beekeepers “I had a backyard garden that wasn’t doing so well, and I thought it was the lack of pollinators, so I got bees; but then I realized I was just a bad gardener,” quips master beekeeper John Coldwell, of Fort Lauderdale.

Since this humble beginning in 2012 with a few backyard hives, Coldwell and his wife Teresa have been leading a movement to repurpose public land for “microapiaries” and provide apiary education for youth and adults throughout South Florida. Through their entity The Urban Beekeepers, the Coldwells offer beekeeping classes, consult with local governments, sell equipment and rescue “feral hives” to integrate into managed hives.

They’ve worked successfully with parks, airports, golf clubs and country clubs to put honeybee habitats on site.

Urban beekeeping works in synergy with city farms, as honeybees forage up to five miles for food, and in so doing pollinate a lot of crops. Seventy of the top 100 human food crops are pollinated by bees, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

“We often hear people say their garden is doing better than it has in years, thanks to the apiaries nearby,” says John Coldwell.

The challenges of growing at scale are a recurrent theme among urban farmers. Ian Marvy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) outreach specialist for the greater New York City area, ran his own urban farm, grossing six figures for 14 years. However, Marvy says most farmers growing in the city aren’t operating at a profitable scale or producing enough for everyone to eat local.

Even so, locally grown produce is a booming market in New York City.

Greenmarket, founded in 1976, operates more than 50 farmers’ markets, limited to vendors that grow within a 200-mile radius, some of whom take home five figures on a good day, says Marvy. Interest in growing at the community level has also mushroomed, adds Marvy, who estimates that 90 percent of the city’s more than 500 school gardens weren’t there 15 years ago when he started this work. “The USDA has a huge opportunity here and nationally to make cities more sustainable and feed more people. I’m really excited and committed to that,” he says.

While urban agriculture efforts are sometimes criticized for catering to upper income residents that can afford to pay top dollar for specialty items like microgreens, many businesses and organizations are working on multiple fronts, with lucrative specialty crops helping to subsidize programs serving families lacking access to healthy affordable food.

The USDA has a huge opportunity here and nationally to make cities more sustainable and feed more people.

Main Street that will serve as a year-round farmers’ market. The organization is also building alliances between local farmers and healthcare providers through a project called The Farmacy. A partnership with a local free clinic, it targets people suffering from diabetes and other diseases linked to poor diets with a doctor’s prescription for organic produce offered free through the organization’s CSA.

These urban agriculture pioneers are helping to not only grow food, but community, and are nurturing renewed

~Ian Marvy

Connect with Washington, D.C. freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

LET’S GET GROWING

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goodluz/Shutterstock.com

Grow Ohio Valley takes an integrated approach to food sovereignty in Wheeling, West Virginia, and the Upper Ohio Valley. “This part of the Appalachian Rustbelt has lost much of its population, jobs and economic base over the last generation. We want to promote health and wellness through fresh food, while helping to transform the urban landscape from falling-down buildings and vacant lots into productive community assets,” says founder Danny Swan.

The operation’s food hub aggregates produce from small local farmers, providing a guaranteed market for their produce and the opportunity to reach a larger market, usually only served by food grown thousands of miles away. The produce is supplemented by four urban farm sites run by the organization, including an apple orchard on the site of a demolished housing project.

Grow Ohio Valley also works to reach the “last-mile customers” that lack access to high-quality affordable produce via a mobile farmers’ market that goes to housing projects, senior communities and schools six days a week.

Their latest project, the Public Market, is a retail location on Wheeling’s

connections to the Earth. City growing has so many benefits: decreasing packaging, costs and food miles traveled, making it easier to eat organic seasonal food and a more diverse diet. “The connection people feel when they plant seed and get to harvest the mature plant is transformative. Growing food is something we can all do to make a difference, for our health and the environment,” says Coleman.

or those interested in trying home growing or supporting metro area farmers, here are some resources for eating food grown in and around your zip code.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Urban Agriculture Toolkit walks prospective city farmers through all of the necessary steps to planning a successful urban agriculture operation, from soil testing to accessing financing. Tinyurl.com/UrbanAgriculturalToolkit.

UrbanFarming.org features a clickable map of community gardens in the U.S. and beyond where neighbors can connect and grow together.

The FairShare CSA Coalition’s site (CSACoalition. org) offers an interactive Farm Search tool to find community supported agriculture (CSA) programs where city dwellers can subscribe to local farms and receive a share of the seasonal bounty.

The American Community Garden Association (CommunityGarden.org) provides resources for finding, starting and managing community gardens.

Local Harvest (LocalHarvest.org) has a searchable national directory of farmers’ markets, farms, CSAs and more.

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its energy field, thereby receiving detoxification in numerous forms.

Here are some ideas to create your serenity garden.

Create a circle space, where you may sit in the middle of a circle of plants in an area that has as much sunlight as possible. Circles create a continual energy that allows energy to flow as our own biorhythms do. There is no break or stop in the process. There should be two plants for every 100 square feet of space, with every other plant being a tall one; this allows for protection and privacy.

NATURE THERAPY How to Create an Indoor Serenity Garden

by Marcia Kendall

I

t is well known that plants contribute to a happier, healthier home. Plants have numerous health benefits that can alleviate stress, lower blood pressure, improve mood and enhance indoor air quality.

Moving beyond that, consider not just houseplants, but also having “health” plants, via an indoor gardenscape that can serve as a sacred serenity space to “Zen out” and facilitate mindfulness, meditation and serenity. Much like an altar for prayer, an indoor serenity garden serves to keep us continually connected to nature, something we’ve strayed from increasingly since the social media scene took its place in our distracted lives.

More important than ever is the startling fact that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), indoor air quality is 10 times worse, on average, than outdoor air due to many factors (mold, dust, radon, smoke, lead paint and more).

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This poor-quality indoor air causes a slew of health problems, including: asthma, high blood pressure, migraines, anxiety and even cancer.

It’s crucial to align with the natural advantages of all that nature provides to heal, help and enhance our lives every moment. When we lose our connection to our natural world, we lose our connection to our very core of existence: our chemical and biological makeup; our need for negative ions, spiritual and physical cleansing and fresh air.

Many living in urban or suburban areas don’t have easy access to the wealth of nature. By emulating an outdoor garden indoors, you receive numerous benefits not available from any other source of medication or therapy. This type of eco therapy, known as Nature/Garden Therapy, allows you to create and tend to something that you also become a part of while meditating, praying or relaxing in

Be sure that all of your plants are contained in pots that are made of natural materials; no synthetic materials should be allowed in your sacred space.

Using only natural materials keeps things well, natural and will not break the flow of Earth energy.

Some plants best for improving indoor air quality are English Ivy, Variegated Snake Plant, Peace Lily, Broadleaf Lady Palm, most types of Fern and Chrysanthemum. Simply taking deep cleansing breaths in this space can elevate your level of being in the moment, helping you feel more alive (as one with the plants) and conscious (observe the vitality of the plants and meditate on it).

Have a water fountain in this space to create a beautiful nature sound for breathing and meditative benefits. Not only does the sound of water encourage relaxation and stress relief, but water contains negative ions, which clean the air, improve mood and increase mental focus.

Use an aromatherapy diffuser or have scented herbs in your serenity garden, especially lavender, sage (for spiritual cleansing) and patchouli. Aromatherapy provides the bonus benefit of additional stress relief, helps stave off depression and anxiety, while treating your houseguests, family and pets to the these benefits as well. While meditating, focus on how

these plants offer scents and aromas that are natural intoxicants and thank them for their contributions.

Add sound therapy in your garden or communicate with your plants regularly. Plants are super-sensitive to the energy around them. Just like humans, when nurtured they thrive, but when neglected or mistreated, they suffer. Use positive, loving words when in their company and water them to foster growth for you both. You can include your plants in a guided meditation by playing the recording out loud while sitting in your garden.

Play calming, instrumental music with at least 432 MHZ in your serenity garden to ensure returning relaxation and tranquility for both the plants and you.

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Sit on the floor with comfortable pillows (made of all-natural materials) or a cotton mat for grounding energy. To keep the ritual of meditation or prayer sacred, use these materials for this purpose only. This is your sacred, personal space for serenity, so everything within its boundaries should be kept separate.

Creating this space for yourself allows the ritual of returning to it feel like a safe haven where you can release tension, negativity, stress, anxiety or depression. Use the mantra: “What I release here will be cleansed and released.” Think of your plants not just as air purifiers, but also as soul purifiers that will clear your energy and create clean, fresh air in which to breathe, live and go forth into the world anew each and every day.

Consider adding natural stones you’ve collected from your walks in the woods or use crystals for healing and balance.

Stones from the Earth contain energy that is grounding, soothing to the touch and calming. You can use them to work on certain Chakras or to balance your energy. Sit on your cushions or mat and hold them in your hand. Gather stones that call out to you on your walks and place them in the soil around your favorite plants for visual appeal and as a reminder of your pleasant experience on those walks.

Lastly, it is important to show gratitude for your serenity garden each day, even if you don’t dwell in its space as often as you would like. When feeling stressed at work or anywhere out in the world, visualize yourself in your serenity garden for five to 15 minutes, repeating your mantra. Remember that your garden is always there, waiting for your return, and as it grows and flowers, so too will your soul and your life.

Marcia Kendall, MA, RM, is a Certified Naturalist, Environmental Health Consultant, Eco Healer/Therapist, Ordained Minister, Reiki Master, college instructor at WCSU and radio host of “Sunday Soulstice Radio” on WXCI, 91.7 FM in Danbury. She is available for private consultation, public speaking and intuitive/spiritual readings. Connect at TheWonderWorker.net.

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by Yvette C. Hammett

any home gardeners readily list flies, wasps and beetles among the “pests” in their gardens.

However, many of these are actually pollinators that help boost production of fruits and vegetables; others are beneficial insects that keep the real plant-killers at bay. A quick call to the local cooperative extension service can help sort out friend from foe—and that’s just the beginning of what this valuable, underutilized resource can offer.

Each year, millions in federal taxpayer dollars help fund county agricultural extension programs administered through the 108 colleges and universities that comprise the nation’s land grant university system. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which supplies the money, also helps fund science-based research meant to reach not only farmers, but home gardeners seeking advice on best practices.

The USDA is trying to do a better job of raising public awareness of assistance

that’s readily available, free of charge, especially now that it’s getting more funding.

Organic on the Rise

“The good news is that the 2018 Farm Bill provided increases for many of our programs, including the organic agriculture research and extension initiative program for which we received significant funding,” says Mathieu Ngouajio, program leader for the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The USDA is eager to see the connections their constituents are making with the research. “We want to identify the needs of organic gardeners, and the best way to meet those needs to get our research into their hands,” Ngouajio says.

County extension agents are on the front lines of this effort, offering low- or no-cost soil testing, handbooks on a variety of local gardening topics and workshops on everything from making rain barrels and creating rain gardens to implementing eco-friendly pest control,

Reducing Confusion

Many of those getting into organic gardening might feel confused as to what connotes organic, Miller says. “Organic gardening is using a naturally formed material for fertilizer and pesticide, from plant, animal or mineral sources.”

The biggest area of confusion is that many people think organic means pesticide-free. But that is not always true. There is organic pest control, Miller says. “In terms of gardening, there are certified organic products you can use and still be organic.”

One thing to look for on a label is the seal of the Organic Materials Review Institute, which indicates the product is suitable for organic gardening.

However, there aren’t many good options for weed management, he adds. “You have to do weeding by hand or use an herbicide that isn’t organic.”

Another issue that extension programs can help with is making sure organic gardeners receive only scientifically researched information, says Nicole Pinson, an urban horticulture agent with the Hillsborough County Extension Service, in Tampa, Florida.

“Gardening information is available on websites and on social media. Some information that pops up is not research-based, or they are selling a product and are not unbiased,” Pinson says.

“We generally stick to recommendations we have been able to vet through research. When we make a recommendation, we give folks all of the options of what they can do.”

To find a nearby extension office, visit Tinyurl.com/ExtensionFinder.

Yvette C. Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, Florida. She can be contacted at YvetteHammett28@hotmail.com.

eco tip

Eco-Friendly Outdoor Eating

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cultivating native plants and employing best practices for organic gardening. Master gardeners that volunteer their expertise are central to supporting extension outreach activities.

“We would love more business from the public,” says Weston Miller, an associate professor with Oregon State University’s extension service. “The public service of the master gardener program is to answer questions,” including what and when to plant and how much irrigation is required.

In Oregon, there are 3,500 master gardeners, with 650 volunteers in Portland alone. “We train master gardeners in how to use our resources and interpret the research to the public,” Miller says.

“There are trained volunteers in pretty much every county in the country ready and willing to answer any gardening question,” Miller says. For example, a new organic gardener might not know the correct soil amendments to use or how to start a composting pile to supplement the soil in an organic garden.

There is also a nationwide network called Ask the Expert (USDA.gov/ask-expert) and questions will automatically go to an extension staff person or master gardener in the area where the inquiring gardener lives.

Midsummer is prime time for outdoor family meals, barbecues and picnics. Selecting the healthiest food, along with eco-friendly materials in preparing for the fun feasts, can fulfill a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle and conserve resources at the same time. n GreenAmerica.org recommends using organic cloth, reusable mesh or string produce bags when grocery shopping; use bamboo utensil sets and plastic straw alternatives made of stainless steel, food-grade silicone, bamboo or glass. n To keep uninvited flying pests like mosquitoes, flies and the like away from humans and food, apply natural repellents—many made of natural, essential oil; plant-based and food-grade ingredients can be found at ChasingGreen.org. n According to WebMD.com, charcoal grilling of meat can expose us to two potentially cancer-causing compounds—polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that form when fat from meat drips onto hot coals and are “deposited on food courtesy of flame-ups and rising smoke,” and heterocyclic amines that “are produced when red meat, poultry and fish meet high-heat cooking.” Instead, consider using a closed-flame gas grill to reduce exposure to toxins and cook fresh and organic fruits and vegetables like zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, onions and mushrooms. n Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warn against eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish due to high levels of mercury, and to consume no more than six ounces of albacore tuna per week for the same reason. Some studies point to avoiding farmed salmon due to potentially high amounts of PCBs. Bypass larger fish of the food chain; look for those that have earned the Marine Stewardship Council or Aquaculture Stewardship Council labels. n The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently estimated that between 30 to 40 percent of all food in the country is wasted. To improve this situation, use glass containers instead of plastic bags to store leftovers. Also consider sustainable food wraps like Bees Wrap (BeesWrap.com). Made from beeswax, organic cotton, jojoba oil and tree resin, they seal and conform to the shape of whatever food is being stored.

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Choose the Spot

A three-foot-by-three-foot plot is an ideal size for a child’s garden, as long as it gets lots of sunshine. If living in an urban area, go with pots of soil in a sunny window.

Get the Right Tools

Gardening for Kids

I

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in Burlington, Vermont.

Getting Started

Water, Weed and Mulch

by Ronica A. O’Hara

NAHRT.com

Plant the Seeds

Help them read and interpret the seed package directions, if necessary, and use a ruler to measure proper spacing. “I always try to have a mix of plants that start from seed and from transplants, so that kids can have both immediate and delayed gratification,” says Pounders.

The Fun of Growing Their Own t’s the perfect time to involve kids in growing their own garden that will get them outdoors, teach them planning and perseverance, and develop their motor, literacy and scientific skills.

A South Korean study found that gardening provides both high- and moderate-intensity exercise for kids. It builds good eating habits, too: A British study of 46 9- and 10-year-olds found that they ate 26 percent more vegetables and fruit after growing a school garden, and a University of Florida study of 1,351 college students showed them more likely to eat veggies if they had gardened as children.

For the most gratifying results, give kids a sense of ownership. “Let them make the decisions and be in charge of the care of the garden as much as developmentally possible,” advises Sarah Pounders, senior education specialist at KidsGardening.org,

For young kids with short attention spans, small plastic spades, rakes and hoes might work. But older kids need hardier tools.

Get them properly fitted garden gloves, plus sunhats and sunscreen.

Order some seed catalogues, look online—or better yet, take a child to the local garden nursery. Let them decide what to grow. Their choices are as diverse as their interests.

Veggies, flowers and plants that draw butterflies each have their own appeal.

Some, like sunflowers, radishes and lettuce, are fast-growing, offering quick gratification. Or, they can choose a theme.

“If your child likes Italian food, plant tomatoes and basil. If they enjoy Mexican food, then peppers and cilantro. For flowers—zinnias and cosmos—let them make flower arrangements from early summer into the fall,” suggests Susan Brandt, of Bristow, Virginia, co-founder of the gardening site BloomingSecrets.com.

Show them how to use the watering can or hose properly, usually watering only when the soil is dry to a depth of one inch. They can mix their own non-toxic pesticide out of vinegar and salt, and spread such organic mulches as straw, newspaper, grass clippings and leaves to discourage weeds.

Get Scientific

“They can look at the soil to see all the living creatures in it, which is especially fun through a microscope,” says Dixie Sandborn, an extension specialist at Michigan State University.

“They can learn about vermiculture by making a worm bin and feeding the worms their table scraps.” With a ruler, they can measure the growth of various plants and create a chart comparing rates. By taking photos or drawing

Tatevosian Yana/Shutterstock.com

Visiting a plant nursery offers the perfect opportunity to put kids on the path to healthy living. Point out and discuss the differences between organic and nonorganic seeds and between chemical fertilizers containing Roundup—labeled “Keep Out of Reach of Children”—and organic fertilizers containing fish, seaweed and other natural nutrients.

healthy kids

Kues/Shutterstock.com

pictures on a daily or weekly basis, they can compile an album, along with their commentary on weather patterns.

Have Fun

“Let them add personal touches like stepping stones, signs and other decorations that let them express their personality in their garden space,” says Pounders. Help them build a scarecrow, bird feeder, toad house, bird bath, sundial or a tent. Make a teepee or small enclosure and cover it with flowers, vines or climbing beans.

Harvest the Crop

After picking ripe vegetables, kids can find recipes and prepare snacks or a dish; arrange plucked flowers in vases and take photos; do craft activities with seeds, plants and flowers, like making potpourri or framing dried flowers; or throw a garden-themed party with favors that include herbs or seed packets. “You could have a ‘pa-jam-a’ party. Kids could wear their pajamas, pick berries, and make jam to take home,” suggests Sandborn.

Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based freelance health writer.

Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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SUMMER EATING

The Herbal Connection

S

by Kajsa Nickels ummer is an ideal time to add a healthy dose of fresh, organic herbs to make cool salads, luscious smoothies and other hot-weather eats and treats. Herbs are not only a flavorful addition to any meal, they are also chock-full of health benefits, from lowering blood pressure and improving mineral balance to increasing immune support, hydration, energy and healthy skin.

Most people consider using herbs in small amounts as seasonings for recipes such as spaghetti sauce, soups or desserts. However, they are edible plants, just like kale and spinach. Although they tend to have strong flavors when dried, fresh herbs are usually quite mild and can be eaten in large amounts like any other vegetable.

Cool Benefits “Summertime herbs are important for dealing with the heat and humidity that the season brings,” says Nathaniel Whitmore, a Chinese medicine herbalist and shiatsu massage practitioner in Milford, Pennsylvania. An herb that he recommends for this time of year is American ginseng, which, unlike its Chinese namesake, is considered a “cooling” herb and helps keep the body moist.

When combined with fresh chrysanthemum flowers, the result is a powerful elixir that both hydrates and energizes. “A piece of American ginseng root and a few chrysanthemums placed in a jar of water and set on a windowsill for a few days makes a great cold infusion,” says Whitmore. “You can store it in the fridge for a few days and drink it in small amounts at a time to benefit from its energizing and hydrating properties.”

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Soft-stemmed herbs such as parsley and dill can be used in large amounts in salads and summer sandwiches. Other heat-tolerant herbs that are easy to grow include lemon balm, rosemary, lavender, mint and basil.

“Lemon balm is great for headaches and insomnia that are common during summer heat waves,” says Michelle Schoffro Cook, Ph.D., an herbalist and doctor of natural medicine, in Ontario, Canada. “Basil can help reduce summer achiness, while lavender serves as a relaxant and an excellent bug repellant.”

In addition to relieving headaches and restlessness, lemon balm is also beneficial for those that suffer from high blood pressure. A study in the Journal of Herbal Medicine reports that it is helpful in reducing blood pressure in patients with chronic stable angina. Rosemary, another herb used for sleep disorders, was found to also help improve memory and decrease anxiety in a study conducted in Iran at the Kerman University of Medical Sciences.

One study in 2009 by researchers in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Allahbad, in India, revealed that polyphenols found in herbs and plants harbor antioxidant properties that can help reduce the risk of developing cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative disorders.

Fresh Is Best While herbs can be used in their extracted and dried forms, the most significant health benefits are often found in the raw, organic plant.

“Fresh is better,” says Whitmore. “This is especially true when it comes to the more aromatic plants such as basil and lavender. A lot of the more volatile constituents are lost during the drying process.”

Most herbs grow best in dry garden areas that receive at least eight hours of sun each day. Although some herbs can grow in partially shaded locations, they won’t be as flavorful. Many herbs can also be grown in containers or pots.

Maria Noël Groves, a clinical herbalist in Allenstown, New Hampshire, and author of Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies: How to Create a Customized Herb Garden to Support Your Health & Well-Being, lists lemon balm, Korean mint, anise hyssop and purple basil as among her favorite summer culinary and beverage herbs that are easy to grow in pots. These make easy pickings for wraps, salads, sandwiches and more. “Lemon balm can also be used to make infused water,” says Groves. “With lemon verbena, lemon grass or holy basil, the result is refreshing and calming.” Just take a few sprigs and place them in either plain or seltzer water. The result is a delicately flavored beverage that’s also healthy and hydrating.

Kajsa Nickels is a freelance writer and a music composer. She resides in northeastern Pennsylvania. Contact her at Fideleterna45@gmail.com.

stockcreations/Shutterstock.com

Summertime herbs are important for dealing with the heat and humidity that the season brings.

conscious eating

Herbal Chill-Outs Marie C Fields/Shutterstock.com

Lemon Balm Vinegar This infusion can be used in place of plain vinegar in summer salad dressings. According to the Journal of Medicine, lemon balm is helpful in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.

Combining it with apple cider vinegar adds extra health benefits to the mix, including digestion enhancement, detoxing and inflammation reduction.

2-3 cups fresh lemon balm, washed 1 qt apple cider vinegar Add coarsely chopped lemon balm leaves and stems to a 32-ounce mason jar. Add vinegar until lemon balm is completely covered.

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This is a turnkey business.

Allow to sit in a cool, dark place for two to four weeks before straining.

The current owner wishes to transition this business to someone with similar passion, enthusiasm and vision.

From the book Be Your Own Herbalist by Michelle Schoffro Cook.

Used with permission from New World Library.

For more information: Call 203-885-4674 or Email NicoleM@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

Dandelion and Violet Greens Pesto

photos by Stacey Cramp Used with permission from New World Library.

Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be a publisher?

Are you interested in a meaningful career?

1 bunch dandelion leaves 1-2 handfuls violet leaves 1-3 garlic cloves 1-3 oz Parmesan cheese 1 cup toasted, salted/tamari pepitas (pumpkin seeds) Juice of ½ lemon ¼ cup olive oil Coarsely chop the herbs and the garlic. Combine with a mortar and pestle, food processor or blender and blend until minced.

Add the liquids and blend to a puree. Serve with organic tortilla chips, crackers or veggie sticks.

Will keep for a few days in a tightly sealed container or frozen.

From the book Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies by Maria Noël Groves. Used with permission from Storey Publishing.

TRY FOR FREE!

MEET YOUR CONSCIOUS PARTNER HERE!

KICK OFF SUMMER WITH A MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIP Visit us at NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com

July 2019

35

SUB EDGE FARM, FARMINGTON SubEdgeFarm.com

A 300-acre certified organic diversified family farm along the Farmington River CSA: summer, 16 weeks, Jun-Sep; pickup Tue or Fri at the farm. Wholesale products available.

Farm Stand: Open seasonally Tue-Sat, 10am-6pm

Buy Fresh and Local!

THOMPSON ST FARM, LLC, SOUTH GLASTONBURY

F

URTH FARMS, NEW BRITAIN

Nearby Farms Offer Many Things You Need

or those looking to source healthier vegetables and fruits for themselves and their families this year, you’re in luck! Our region is home to a wide variety of organic farms with more sustainable and humane agricultural practices. The following is a list of some of the farms in the area, as provided by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut CT NOFA (CTNOFA.org)

HARTFORD

GEORGE HALL FARM, SIMSBURY

BEDNARZ FARM, GLASTONBURY 860-633-2942

Pumpkins, vegetables Farmers Markets: Glastonbury, Cromwell

FAIR WEATHER ACRES, ROCKY HILL FairWeatherAcres.com

Visit our farm stand for vegetables, native fruits and fresh-made salsa (harvest permitting). Pick up some pies, honey, cheeses and fresh-baked breads, all made locally.

FLAMIG FARM INC, WEST SIMSBURY 860-658-5070 • FlamigFarm.com

Eggs, petting zoo, hayrides, pony rides, summer camp, school tours, “alternative” energy.

Egg room and gift shop: Open 9-5, April-Nov

THE GARLIC FARM, WEST GRANBY

860-653-0291 • GarlicFarmCT.com

Flowers, garlic, herbs, vegetables CSA: mid-July until mid-October Farm Stand: Open for garlic scapes 2 weekends mid-June (see website); summer 7 days/week, 10-6, Jul-Oct

FARMERS MARKET: WINDSOR

Gifts of Love Farm, Simsbury 860-676-2323 GiftsofLoveCT.org/Community-FarmOfSimsbury Apprenticeships, community farm/ garden, educational programs, greenhouse, herbs, pumpkins, salad greens/microgreens, tours, vegetables CSA: Summer, 20 weeks, Jun-Oct, $600; Winter, 5 weeks, Nov, $235

36 Hartford County Edition

NAHRT.com

860-658-9297 GeorgeHallFarm.com

Apprenticeships, eggs, flowers, fruit, garlic, greenhouse, herbs, honey, salad greens, vegetables

HOLCOMB FARM, WEST GRANBY 860-653-5554 • HolcombFarm.org

Beef, berries, cheese/dairy, flowers, herbs, honey, jams/preserves, lamb, maple products, melons, mushrooms, perennials, pork, poultry/turkeys, prepared foods, pumpkins, salad greens, vegetables Farm Stand: Tue-Sat, Jun-Nov, 10am-6pm CSA: Full, 20 wks, $625; half, $350

OXEN HILL FARM, EAST GRANBY 860-986-2284 • OxenHillFarm.com

Flowers, herbs, melons, restaurant, greens, vegetables, wholesale supplier CSA: Jun-Oct; full, half, and flower shares available; contact for details Farmers Markets: East Granby, Greenwich

PETTIBONE FARM, SIMSBURY 860-367-6507

Asparagus, potatoes, onions, carrots, beets, other vegetables; store, restaurant, and wholesale sales

POTREPKA FARM, PLANTSVILLE 860-628-6431

Livestock/goats for meat

SIMPAUG FARMS, WEST SUFFIELD

860-657-4361 ThompsonStFarm.com • FarmtoBath.com Herbs, jams/preserves, medicinal plants, mushrooms, salad greens/microgreens, soaps/cosmetics, sprouts, vegetables, wheatgrass, wholesale supplier CSA: Summer, 20 weeks; Fall, 9 weeks Farmers Market: South Windsor

860-357-2075

Urth Farms is an urban, organic farm located in New Britain. Growing year round with 6 greenhouses on 4.5 acres, Urth Farms provides organic produce to wholesale and retail customers.

WIND HILL COMMUNITY FARM AND LEARNING CENTER, GLASTONBURY 860-989-1909 • WindHillFarm.org

Community farm/garden, educational programs, flowers, greenhouse, vegetables. Produce grown with organic principles. Specialty is heirloom tomatoes.

TOLLAND CLOVERLEIGH FARM, MANSFIELD CENTER 860-373-6324 CloverLeighFarm.com

Flowers, herbs, vegetables, wholesale CSA: Summer, 16 weeks, Jun-Sep, $625 full share, $400 half share; Fall, 7 weeks, Oct-Nov, $300 full share, $200 half share, $125 student share; pick-up on farm or in Manchester

COBBLESTONE FARM, MANSFIELD CENTER 860-423-8305

Garlic, melons, poultry/turkeys, vegetables CSA: 18 weeks, $550 full share, $300 half share; fall share option Farmers Market: Storrs

COPPER HILL FARM, SOMERS 860-306-9604 Facebook.com/CopperHillFarm

Eggs, nitrate-free smoked bacon/ ham/liverwurst, heritage breed pork, poultry/turkeys/ducks, heirloom vegetables. All animals pasture-raised.

All grain used for meat is GMO-free.

Farmers Markets: Ellington, Hartford West End

203-431-7166 • SimpaugFarms.com

DOWN TO EARTH CSA, STAFFORD

Vegetable CSA with several pickup locations in Fairfield and Hartford Counties, Fairfield and Ellington Farmers Markets, restaurant/retail wholesale delivery, sustainable farming practices.

Apprentice, flowers, garlic, herbs, melons, pumpkins, greens, tours, vegetables CSA: Working and non-working shares available.

860-851-9617 • GetDowntoEarth.org

ARETHUSA FARM DAIRY, BANTAM

SHILOH RUN FARM, HARWINTON

Located in the rolling pastures of the Litchfield Hills, Arethusa Farm has a proud tradition of raising award-winning purebred Jersey, Holstein and Brown Swiss cows. We pride ourselves on providing the absolute highest level of care for our animals, and creating all-natural, farm-fresh dairy goods with a truly exceptional taste.

Vegetables, goat milk, honey, eggs, wholesale CSA: 20 week vegetable and herb

860-361-6600 • ArethusaFarm.com

GHOST FAWN HOMESTEAD, WILLINGTON

662-420-1822 • GhostFawnHomestead.com Beyond Organic CSA and Farm Stand.

CSA: traditional 16 weeks, $500/full, $250/half; market style 16 weeks, $500 Farm Stand: Jun-Oct, Tue-Sat, 8am-7pm, Sun, 1-6pm

STILL RIVER FARM, COVENTRY 860-742-5717 • StillRiverFarm.org

Still River Farm produces wheat berries, rye berries, whole wheat flour, and red and yellow corn meal. Wholesale products available.

SWEET RIVER FARM LLC, COVENTRY 860-688-2341 • SweetRiverFarm.com

CRICKET HILL GARDEN, THOMASTON 860-283-1042 • TreePeony.com

Fruit trees, mushrooms, peony plants Farm Stand: Apr-Jun, Tue-Sun, 10am-4pm; by appointment rest of the year

EVERGREEN BERRY FARM, LLC, WATERTOWN

860-274-0825 • EvergreenBerryFarm.com Blueberries, pick-your-own, July-mid Aug; call

Meat: lamb and beef

THE FARM WOODBURY, WOODBURY

VALLI’S ORGANIC GARDEN, VERNON

Old-fashioned values with cutting-edge technology give a new farm experience like no other. Let our young farming family provide your family with non-GMO products we too put on our tables and in our gardens.

CSA: See website for details

860-871-4410

Garlic, herbs, honey, vegetables Farm Stand: 7 days, 9am-5pm, Jun-Oct Farmers Market: Manchester-Main St

WILLOW VALLEY FARM, WILLINGTON 860-933-5842 • WVFcsa.wordpress.com

Berries, flowers, garlic, hay, herbs, salad greens/ microgreens, transplants, vegetables Farm Stand: Sat-Sun, 9am-8pm, seasonal; contact for details CSA: Late May - late Sep, 20 weeks, $500, full share; $275 half share Farmers Markets: Ashford, Stafford, Storrs

WINTERBROOK FARM, STAFFORD SPRINGS 860-684-2124

Hay, maple syrup, PYO blueberries: Aug-Sep; call maple syrup: March; call for hours

LITCHFIELD ADAMAH FARM AT ISABELLA FREEDMAN JEWISH RETREAT CENTER, FALLS VILLAGE

860-824-3003 x3 Ed Programming: Adamah.org West Hartford CSA: Whcsa.adamah.org Falls Village CSA: Fvcsa.adamah.org

Apprenticeships, berries, ed programs, flowers, garlic, greenhouse, herbs, jams/ preserves, livestock (goats), melons, perennials, pickles, prepared foods, pumpkins, salad greens, soaps/cosmetics, tours, vegetables, Farm Store/Gift Shop.

ARETHUSA FARM, LITCHFIELD 860-567-8270 • ArethusaFarm.com

We grow a full line of heirloom vegetables and unusual flowers for bouquets; we specialize in heirloom tomatoes and salad greens, cooking greens, and beans. We also have a line of dairy products including ice cream. Wholesale products available.

Farm Stand: 10am-6pm most days

TheFarmWoodbury.com

HERITAGE GARDENS, WINCHESTER 860-921-7781

Educational programs, Farm Stand, flowers, herbs, salad greens, transplants, vegetables CSA: 18-20 weeks, Jun-Oct, Full-share $480, Half-share $300. Generous market-style distribution - you select the amount and kind of vegetables, fresh-cut herbs, and flowers. We also offer a boxed-share option for delivery.

All proceeds support the food bank farm project.

HUSKY MEADOWS FARM, NORFOLK

860-540-4757 • HuskyMeadowsFarm.com A diversified vegetable, fruit, and herb farm with value-added items made from produce we grow CSA: two vegetable CSAs: immersive Farm Membership and flexible Farmers Market: VIP Cut flower CSA, Wholesale products available.

Farmers Markets: Norfolk, Winsted

LOST RUBY FARM, NORFOLK 860-542-5806

Goat cheese/dairy, eggs Farmers Market: Norfolk, Collinsville

MAPLE VIEW FARM, HARWINTON

860-485-0815 • MapleViewFarmCT.com Berries, eggs, fruit, garlic, greenhouse, hay, melons, vegetables CSA: see website for details Farm Stand: Jun-Nov Farmers Markets: Collinsville, Litchfield Indoor, Torrington

PERCY THOMSON MEADOWS, LLC, BETHLEHEM

203-598-9701 • PercyThomsonMeadows.com Grass-fed and finished beef and lamb, pastured pork and poultry, vegetables, free-range eggs, wholesale CSA: Send payment for amount you would like to spend over 27-week season and we discount based on the date we receive your application

860-987-2750 • ShilohRunFarm.com

SLOANE FARM, LLC, WASHINGTON SloaneFarm.com

Provides strawberries, strawberry syrup, prepared salads, vegetables to stores in Litchfield County Farmers Market: Washington Depot - Aug-Oct

SUN ONE ORGANIC FARM, LLC, BETHLEHEM

203-266-7973 • SunOneOrganic.com Apprenticeships, berries, flowers, garlic, herbs, microgreens, salad greens, vegetables, wholesale CSA: 18 weeks, beginning mid Jun-Oct, $400 to $540 per share

SUN RISE SUN SET FARM, BETHLEHEM 203-266-7467

Asparagus, garlic, leeks, melons, onions, pumpkins, salad greens, shallots, vegetables Farmers Market: Southbury

SUNSHINE ACRES, GOSHEN 203-554-3524

Compost/mulch, eggs, flowers, gourds, herbs, medicinal plants, melons, perennials, cosmetics, alpaca yarn

TRUELOVE FARMS, MORRIS 203-217-6234 • TrueloveFarms.org

A small, sustainable farm focused on using natural, grass-based practices to ethically raise pork, beef, eggs, and poultry. We use no growth hormones or sub-therapeutic antibiotics, and all our animals are brought up on pasture for a better quality of life and a higher-quality product.

WILD CARROT FARM, LLC , BANTAM 860-977-6948 • WildCarrotFarm.com

Berries, educational programs, flowers, fruit, ginger, greenhouse, herbs, melons, pumpkins, salad greens, transplants, vegetables CSA: Late Apr-Dec. Four share levels: $100, $200, $400, $600; fresh produce and vegetable, flower and herb Farmers Markets: Collinsville, Litchfield

WRIGHT FARM LLC, GOSHEN

860-491-9868 • WrightFarmOrganic.com Vegetables, fruits, artisan bakery, eggs CSA: Full or half vegetable, fruit and bakery available

ZELDA’S VEGETABLES, TERRYVILLE 860-585-5978

Flowers, garlic, herbs, honey, perennials, raspberries, salad greens, vegetables, specialty tomatoesvarious varieties both heirloom and hybrid Farm Stand: 7 days/week, self-serve, Jun/Jul-Sep

Adapted from CT NOFA’s Farm and Food Guide 2018. Visit CTNOFA.org for a more complete list with additional information about each farm.

July 2019

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The main purpose is not exercise or getting from point A to point B, but rather having a mindful, sensory experience in nature. ~Hannah Fries

FOREST BATHING Mother Nature’s Rx for Body and Mind

I

by Marlaina Donato

n 1982, the Japanese government coined the term Shinrin-yoku (“taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing”) to inspire people to visit and appreciate national parks. Today, that walk in the woods has become a medically recommended activity worldwide for improving immunity, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, managing chronic pain and promoting better sleep. The research supporting the physical and mental benefits of forest bathing is so compelling that it’s advocated by the National Institute of Public Health of Japan and prescribed to patients there.

Researchers from the University of East Anglia, in England, examined years of studies and found significant evidence that experiencing nature has a positive impact on health. Published in the journal Environmental Research in 2018, the meta-analysis involving 290 million participants from 20 countries concluded that spending time in green spaces lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduces the stress hormone cortisol. The study also noted a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes and death from heart disease.

Terpenes and Tree Therapy

Another recent review of studies, published in the International Journal of Environmen38 Hartford County Edition

NAHRT.com

tal Research and Public Health, concluded that Shinrin-yoku can ease the symptoms of adult depression. “Forest bathing plugs us into something we all seek—a source of peace and well-being. The thing that first hooked me into being a forest bathing guide was reading the robust body of research that proves the benefits of forest bathing,” says Judy Beaudette, board secretary of Friends of North Creek Forest, in Bothell, Washington.

Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a certified forest therapy guide and author of The Joy of Forest Bathing: Reconnect With Wild Places & Rejuvenate Your Life, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, attests to the therapeutic value of forest bathing. “Even occasional nature immersion can have beneficial health effects that can last for days. Many doctors are now prescribing nature to patients. There’s an organization devoted to this called Park Rx America.” She recommends just 20 minutes during a lunch break to sit on a bench or on the ground beneath trees.

There are many theories of why spending time in the woods or any other natural place makes us feel good; for example, findings published in the journal Toxicological Research in 2017 attribute the immune-boosting, mood-lifting benefits of

forest bathing to natural terpenes released into the air by trees, especially conifers. Terpenes contain anti-inflammatory properties that strengthen the body’s natural defenses.

Sensory Immersion, Not Exercise Shinrin-yoku is intended to engage the trinity of body-mind-spirit. “The main purpose is not exercise or getting from point A to point B, but rather having a mindful, sensory experience in nature. It isn’t some prescribed task you need to do, like pushups,” explains Hannah Fries, a poet and author of Forest Bathing Retreat: Find Wholeness in the Company of Trees.

She communes with the wild for both health and inspiration. “Even if it’s only 20 minutes a week, go outside without a phone or other electronic device. Walk slowly. Look more closely. Listen. Smell.

Touch. Interact with the living, breathing world around you. It’s that simple.”

Choukas-Bradley says that observance is key. Recalling her first forest bathing experience, she says, “We paid attention to our breath and tuned in to the sights, sounds and sensations all around us. I noticed a perfect spider’s web, just barely trembling in the slightest breeze, its creator clinging to the center.”

She recommends finding a “wild home”—a neighborhood park, garden or backyard tree. “Make it a practice to find a ‘sit spot’ where you can quietly observe beauty and are apt to feel a sense of awe.

Psychology researchers have shown that experiencing awe has many positive effects on emotional health.”

It doesn’t matter if we commune with nature in a rural or urban setting, only that we remain dialed in to our surroundings.

“Forest bathing is a tool for slowing down our buzzing minds and practicing a secret superpower—the skill of consciously choosing what we put our attention on,” says Beaudette.

Marlaina Donato is the author of several books, including Multidimensional Aromatherapy. She is also a composer.

Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

altafulla/Shutterstock.com

fit body

SACRED TREE MEDICINE

Celtic Reiki is Ancient Healing in the Modern World

H

by Melanie Lynn

erman Hesse writes, “Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak with them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.

They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach, undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life.” To the ancient Celts, trees were God-like, doorways to the Otherworld and keepers of wisdom and healing. Ancient beliefs in the healing powers of trees can be found in our modern world through Celtic Reiki: Sacred Tree Medicine.

Celtic Reiki, as developed and taught by shamanic practitioner Jane Burns, is a beautiful and powerful healing modality.

Twenty-five different trees, based on the Ogham (Celtic tree alphabet), provide deep healing and guidance that can address physical, emotional, energetic and spiritual discord. Trees are such gracious and compassionate healers; they work through the practitioner to bring what is most needed to a client.

Oak, for example, is known as the tree of the wounded healer. Having been struck by lightning more than any other tree, its power lies within the strength it has gained by withstanding and harnessing the energy of that which wounded it. Oak’s medicine brings resiliency and the ability to become stronger, having endured life’s trials. Oak often shows up for those who have experienced deep wounding, lovingly and confidently revealing the strength and wisdom that has been gained by the trauma or experience. Each tree holds vast medicine, reaching our wounds, imbalances, patterns and inhibiting thoughts at the deepest levels.

A Celtic Reiki practitioner relies on her relationships with the helping spirits and each of the 25 trees to divine what is needed and why it is presenting. The medicine of the tree is transferred to the client through its symbol and the practi-

tioner’s connection with it. The symbols are typically placed on the three energy centers called cauldrons, which are the head, heart and belly.

Receiving Celtic Reiki is a moving experience for many. The combination of traditional energy work with the power of the trees brings relaxation, energy balancing, grounding and specific, potent healing to the receiver. The practitioner will provide information, often written, on which trees came forward, why they came and how they will assist the healing process. Often times, the trees will then hold a special place in the heart of those who receive. This process not only brings healing to the human, but to the trees as we nurture our relationship with Mother Earth. Reigniting a passion and reverence for these ancient beings brings us one step closer to what we have strayed away from—being in right relation with ourselves and this earth.

For those hearing the call of the trees, the Celtic Reiki training program provides an in-depth study of each tree, along with Celtic teachings and methods for providing tree medicine to clients. The program is taught across three levels, each parallel to the teachings of the triple spiral. Celtic Reiki students find the program to be deeply healing for themselves, as the trees take them on an inner journey of selfknowing and truth. Gaining 25 new spirit allies does not come without the self-work necessary to be in service to others. As healers, we can learn from the trees to step aside from our human minds “undeterred by particulars” and simply be the sanctuaries we are meant to be.

Whether giving or receiving Celtic Reiki, homage is paid to the majestic healers, the trees of the ancient past. As we heal ourselves, we heal the earth. May our roots run deep, our trunks stand proud and our branches reach to the heavens.

Melanie Lynn is a shamanic practitioner, Celtic Reiki master-teacher and owner of Sea in the Sky Healing and Wellness Center in Hebron.

Connect at SeaInTheSkyHealing.com. See Community Resource Guide listing, page 45.

July 2019

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calendar of events

Wholistic Center, 395 W Avon Rd, Avon. Avon@ HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com.

NOTE: All Calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication and adhere to our guidelines. Submit ALL entries at NAHRT.com

THURSDAY, JULY 18

SATURDAY, JULY 6 Replenish & Renew Yoga – 8:30-9:45am. Join us on two mornings in the month of July for a 75-minute all levels yoga flow with breathwork and meditation to replenish and renew your physical and emotional body. Pre-registration is required. Limited to 8 people. b.kind, 1000 Farmington Ave, West Hartford.

Facebook page @bKindWellnessBoutiqueCT.

MONDAY, JULY 8 Crystal Sound Bowl + Vibrational Healing Session – 7-8pm. $20pp. Pre-registration required.

The Wellness Center, 72 Center St, Southington.

203-525-4474. DrAnastasio.com/events.

TUESDAY, JULY 9 Change Your Mind, Change Your Weight – 6:30-8pm. Explore your habits of mind and learn strategies to better align your mindset with your weight goals. By reservation: email Chris@ ChristineWanner.com by 7/7. $20. StrongHouse Studio, One Factory Square, Ste 204, 168 Center St, Southington. 860-798-6726.

Intro to Mediumship – 7-8:15pm. With Sharon Farber. What is mediumship and how does it work?

Can one learn to be a medium, and how? And more. $11. Dragonfly Healing Arts, 8 Wickett St, Pine Meadow. 860-989-2358. DragonflyHealingArts.net.

THURSDAY, JULY 11 Evening Bird Walk – 6pm. Join us to look for a variety of species of birds. We might find newly fledged young birds. $5/CAS members; $10/nonmembers. Grassland Bird Conservation Center, 218 Day Rd, Pomfret Center. 860-928-4948.

CTAudubon.org.

Paint a Mug Workshop – 6-8pm. b.kind will be partnering with The Claypen for a mug painting workshop. We will offer a complimentary cup of tea to pair with your uniquely styled mug. Register on the b. kind Facebook page @bkindWellnessBoutiqueCT. b.kind, 1000 Farmington Ave, West Hartford.

Open House at ProNatural Physicians Group – 6:30-8pm. Public and practitioners welcome to meet with the staff, find out who we are, tour our beautiful office space and find out why our passion is Naturopathy. Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP. ProNatural Physicians Group, 120 Webster Square Rd, Berlin. 860-829-0707.

SATURDAY, JULY 13 Replenish & Renew Yoga – 8:30-9:45am. Join us on two mornings in the month of July for a 75-minute all levels yoga flow with breathwork and meditation to replenish and renew your physical and emotional body. Pre-registration is required. Limited to 8 people. b.kind, 1000 Farmington Ave, West Hartford.

Facebook page @bkindWellnessBoutiqueCT.

40 Hartford County Edition

NAHRT.com

Using Nature as Your Inspiration! Art Program for Kids (age 7-11) – 9am-12pm. Kids will find inspiration from the natural world in a fun morning of engaging art projects led by Artist In-Residence and school art teacher Jessica Yagid. Registration required. Contact LauraTedeschi106@ gmail.com. $10/CAS members; $20/non-members.

Trail Wood, 93 Kenyon Rd, Hampton. 860-9284948. CTAudubon.org.

Mammal Tracking/Training Hikes – 9am-3pm.

Our volunteers look for tracks and signs of fisher, river otter, mink, moose, black bear and bobcat.

Train to become a wildlife monitor by attending hikes that suit your schedule. Registration is required. Contact Paula Coughlin, PaulaCoughlin@ charter.net. $50/CAS members; $60/non-members.

Woodstock. 860-928-4948. CTAudubon.org.

Visit the Raya Clinic at Hawk’s Landing Golf Club – 10am-1pm. Come for a complimentary posture screening. 201 Pattonwood Dr, Southington.

860-621-2225. RayaClinic.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 14 Author Talk and Book Signing – 1-3pm. Sharon Farber, author of Choosing to be a Medium, will talk about mediumship, how to become a medium and her book. Free. Hickory Stick Book Shop, 2 Green Hill Rd, Washington. SharonFarber.net.

Haiku and Contemplation – 3-5pm. Sherri Vogt, former teacher, congressional staffer and US Army veteran, will teach haiku writing to help you process life’s many beautiful challenges. Followed by a walk to observe, write and share your creativity. $5/CAS members; $10/non-members. Trail Wood, 93 Kenyon Rd, Hampton. 860-928-4948. CTAudubon.org.

TUESDAY, JULY 16 Leading Your Well-Being – Explore your level of well-being in eight areas and develop next steps that will get you moving in the right direction.

By reservation: email Chris@ChristineWanner. com by 7/14. $20. StrongHouse Studio, One Factory Square, Ste 204, 168 Center St, Southington.

860-798-6726.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 Feed Your Soul Wellness Event – 6-8pm. Optimize your health this summer and learn how to improve your nutrition, sleep and even your genes.

Free. RSVP for a special gift at 860-840-1058, select option 1. Integrative Neurology, 39 Nott Hwy (Rte 74), Unit 4, Ashford.

Neuropathy Lecture – 6:30pm. Raya Clinic is having a free in-office lecture on Neuropathy. Raya Clinic, 200 Queen St, Southington. 860-621-2225.

RayaClinic.com.

Avon Holistic Chamber of Commerce Free Meeting – 6:30-8pm. Topic: Practitioner Collaboration. Please bring business cards, flyers and plan on staying until 9pm to network. Sharing The Light

Holistic Community Professionals Summer Networking Gatherings – 6-7:30pm. Bring a snack/beverage to share. Call to RSVP. Hosted by Lily Holcomb. The Water Lily Holistic Empowerment Center, LLC, 129 Tolland Stage Rd, 2nd Flr, Tolland. 860-756-6391.

Mandala Painting & Essential Oils – 6-8pm. b. kind will be partnering with The Claypen for a mandala painting and fragrance making class. We invite you to pick your favorite essential oils, and design a custom fragrance. We will offer a complimentary cup of tea to make the evening even more relaxing. b.kind, 1000 Farmington Ave, West Hartford. Facebook page @bkindWellnessBoutiqueCT.

markyourcalendar A YEAR OF HEALING IN 2020 With Dr. Eilis Philpott Soul Healing Journey, LLC We will meet one weekend a month for 12- months. We will meet once a month and spend Friday evening together and all day Saturday and Sunday.

The 2020 dates are: January 10-12 • February 7-9 • March 13-15 April 3-5 • May 1-3 • June 12-14 • July 10-12 August 7-9 • September 11-13 • October 9-11 November 13-15 • December 11-13 I will share with you what I have learned from trainings, from life and from guidance in a way that integrates the various modalities. By the end of this 12 months of training you will have catapulted your personal, professional and spiritual journey into the stratosphere.

Location: TBD Investment: Early bird rate - Pay in full $4,200 or pay quarterly $1,050 or pay monthly $350 Regular rate - Pay in full $4,800 or pay quarterly $1,200 or pay monthly $400 ​Reviewer rate - Pay in full $3,000 or pay quarterly $750 or pay monthly $250 To Register: Choose an option to pay (full, quarterly or monthly) and make that first payment.

Be prepared to commit to one full year of healing.

NOTE: If you take advantage of the early bird rate and make the initial payment you will be locked into that rate for the year.

Registration required. 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com AcademyforSoulHealing.com

FRIDAY, JULY 19

SATURDAY, JULY 27

Crystal Breathwork Yoga – 7-9pm. Crystal Breathwork Yoga will be offered in b. kind wellness boutique to promote physical, emotional and spiritual healing. b.kind, 1000 Farmington Ave, West Hartford. Facebook page @bkindWellnessBoutiqueCT.

Mammal Tracking/Training Hikes – 9am-3pm. Our volunteers look for tracks and signs of fisher, river otter, mink, moose, black bear and bobcat. Train to become a wildlife monitor by attending hikes that suit your schedule. Registration required. Contact Paula Coughlin, PaulaCoughlin@charter.net. $50/CAS members; $60/nonmembers. Canterbury. 860-928-4948. CTAudubon.org.

Restorative Yoga with Kate G – 7:30-8:30pm. $18pp/pre-registered. $18-22pp. Pre-registration of 4 minimum to run this class. The Wellness Center, 72 Center St, Southington. 203-525-4474.

DrAnastasio.com/events.

SATURDAY, JULY 20 One-day Beginner Mediumship Class – 10am-4pm.

With Sharon Farber. Learn what mediumship is and how to do it. No experience needed. Lecture and exercises.

6-10 students. $95. Dragonfly Healing Arts, 8 Wickett St, Pine Meadow. 860-989-2358. DragonflyHealingArts.net.

SUNDAY, JULY 21 Summer Writing Workshop – 2-4pm. With Alison Davis. Meet fellow nature lovers and writers of all skill levels. Bring a notebook and pencil. Space limited. Registration required. Contact Laura at LauraTedeschi106@gmail.com. $10/CAS members; $20/non-members. Trail Wood, 93 Kenyon Rd, Hampton. 860-928-4948. CTAudubon.org.

MONDAY, JULY 22 Crystal Sound Bowl + Vibrational Healing Session – 7-8pm. $20pp. Pre-registration required.

The Wellness Center, 72 Center St, Southington.

203-525-4474. DrAnastasio.com/events.

TUESDAY, JULY 23 Trail Wood Bird Walk – 8am. Join Andy as he finds various nesting birds at our sanctuary in Hampton.

Hooded warblers, chestnut-sided warblers, indigo buntings and blue-winged warblers should be found. $5/ CAS members; $10/non-members. Trail Wood, 93 Kenyon Rd, Hampton. 860-928-4948. CTAudubon.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 25 Holistic Happy Hour – 4:30-7:30pm. Hosted by Sharing The Light Wholistic Center and Finnegan’s Tavern. $10. Fee includes: glass of wine or nonalcoholic beverage, cheese and crackers, veggie platter and two door prize tickets. Finnegan’s Tavern, 292 Spielman Hwy, Burlington.

FRIDAY, JULY 26 CBD Yoga – 7-8:30pm. CBD yoga will be offered in b. kind wellness boutique to help reduce anxiety or depression, promote pain relief and improve your overall well-being. b.kind, 1000 Farmington Ave, West Hartford. Facebook page @bkindWellnessBoutiqueCT.

MONDAY, JULY 29 Yoga for Grief – 6-7pm. $10pp. Pre-registration required. The Wellness Center, 72 Center St, Southington. 203-525-4474. DrAnastasio.com/events.

Diabetes Reversal Discussion – 6:30-8pm. With Dr. Martin Opoku Gyamfi, M.D., N.D. Learn to understand the way in which you can reverse Type 2 diabetes in as little as three months with this individualized cutting-edge program. Think about what being free from diabetes can do for you and your overall well-being. RSVP. ProNatural Physicians Group, 120 Webster Square Rd, Berlin. 860-829-0707.

TUESDAY, JULY 30 Crystal Bed Healing with Crystal Sound Vibration/Private Sessions – 12-6pm. Experience deep healing while resting beneath seven Vogel Quartz Crystals, immersed in the healing vibrations of Crystal Singing Bowls. $95/for one hour. Healing In Harmony Center, 80 Eastern Blvd, Ste 1, Glastonbury. 860-430-9801.

Author Talk and Book Signing – 1-3pm. Sharon Farber, author of Choosing to be a Medium, will talk about mediumship, how to become a medium and her book. Free. Guilford Smith Memorial Library, 17 Main St, South Windham. SharonFarber.net.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 Small Group Mediumship Demonstration – 7-8:15pm. Sharon Farber will connect with loved ones in spirit for participants. Limited to 8 people.

860-989-2358. $15. Dragonfly Healing Arts, 8 Wickett St, Pine Meadow. SharonFarber.net.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2 Free Acupuncture – 2:30-6:30pm. Always wanted to try acupuncture? Experience it for free. Our expert acupuncturists will give you a customized, hour-long treatment tailored to your health needs.

Free. Many Rivers Community Acupuncture, 3 Barnard Ln, Ste 205, Bloomfield. 860-683-0011.

ongoing events

sunday Bhakti Yoga and Japa Meditation – 8:30-10am.

Donations gratefully accepted. Bhakti Center CT, 750 R Main, Willimantic. 860-593-5002.

Sunday Sadhana – 9-10:15am. This all-levels class combines gentle yoga with mantra, mudra, meditation and shamanism. Each heart-centered class is designed to bring balance and harmony to the mind, body and spirit. $15/drop-in. Bhakti Center CT, 750 Main St Rear, Willimantic. 860-593-5002.

Qi & Tea – 10am-12pm. First and third Sunday.

Qigong is much more beneficial when practiced in groups. Our mission is to create the qi community and give people from all places an opportunity to learn and share this ancient healing art form. $20/ drop-in. Registration required. 280 Garden Grove Rd, Manchester. 860-558-6146.

Children’s Yoga – 10am-4pm. Ages 3-11yrs. With Melanie Morales, certified kids yoga instructor.

Little ones learn to control big emotions, using breath, stretches, mindfulness and movement. $10.

Enlightenment Center of CT, 660 Prospect Ave, Hartford. EnlightenmentCenterCT.com.

Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy – 10-12pm.

Second and fourth Saturday. Chinese calligraphy has 5,000 years of history. It’s one of the most beautiful ancient art forms that has lasted to this day. It’s also known as one of best methods to calm one’s heart and release stress. $20/drop-in.

Registration required. 280 Garden Grove Rd, Manchester. 860-558-6146.

Creative Collaboratory – 3-4:30pm. Second Sundays. Online and some in person (register).

Support for creative artists. Guest speakers, themed programs, meditation, yoga therapy, visualization and supportive counseling for the vows and manifestation process of creative artists. $40/monthly

markyourcalendar NEW AGE & CRAFTS EXPO Sunday, November 3 • 10am-5pm Our 6th Year!

Come Experience a Day of Spiritual & Creative Enlightenment!

markyourcalendar SPIRIT FESTIVAL September 13-15 Experience a celebration of wellness, yoga, music and dance – in affiliation with Riverfront Recapture and BaliSpirit Festival.

Riverside Park & Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Hartford SpiritYogaFestival.com

Intuitive Readers, Aura Photos & Crystals, Tibetan Singing Bowls, Healings, Handcrafted Jewelry, Soaps, Oils, Guided Meditations, Spiritual Art 2 Rooms of Dynamic Speakers and much more! $6 Admission Wyndham Southbury 1284 Strongtown Rd, Southbury VENDOR SPACE AVAILABLE 203-733-6560 • cryours87@yahoo.com July 2019

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ongoing events membership includes one private 30-minute coaching session. Phone interview/sign up: 917-8600488. Call for address. DrSklover@gmail.com.

Create Financial Freedom with Healthy Products – 4-5pm. Learn how to build a business and create financial freedom for you by distributing natural Aloe Vera nutritional supplements to help others be healthy. Free. Bristol (call for address). RSVP: 860-372-8171.

Qigong - All Levels – 5:30-6:30pm. Deep breathing and flowing movements derived from ancient Chinese healing exercises for increased balance, flexibility, muscle and bone strength, immune function, decreased pain and stiffness. $17 drop-in. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642.

Women’s Global Circle – 6:30-8pm. Live/inperson first Sunday. Online the rest of the month.

For heart-centered activism and manifestation.

Women wanting to make their dreams for self and world come true. $60/monthly fee. Phone interview/sign up: 917-860-0488. Call for address.

DrSklover@gmail.com.

monday Complete Strength Class – 9:30-10:30am. Total Strength classes are the #1 priority to burn calories and build lean muscle to boost your metabolism for the long-term. $20. YES Fitness, 292 Spielman Hwy, Burlington. 860-673-4293.

Kundalini Yoga – 9:30-11am. Free. Windham Recovery Community Center, 713 Main St, Willimantic. 860-423-7088 or 860-423-9843 for more info.

Open Play! For Ages 10 Months to 5 Years – 1011:15am. Join open play in our creative arts studio.

Non-instructional play will include gross motor equipment like tunnels and balance beams, dress up and art projects. Donation of canned good. Imagine Studio, 97 South St, West Hartford. ImagineStudioCT.com.

Gentle + Restorative Yoga – 10:30-11:45am.

Gently held postures for joint health and nurturing.

Great for any experience level. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642.

Meditate Through the Madness – 6pm. Hosted by Torin Lee. Learn to manage the stress of life through mediation. $10. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. To register: 860-467-6518.

Meditation Mondays – 7-8pm. First Monday.

Meditation for all. Beginners and drop-ins welcome.

Begin each week with a meditation practice to quiet your mind and let go of all that does not serve.

Facilitated by Melanie VanOstrand. $10. Sea in the Sky Healing and Wellness Center, Hebron. 860530-1552. SeaInTheSkyHealing.com.

Tong Ren Healing Class – 7-8pm. Dr. Ming Wu leads this class focusing on internally healing the body’s energy system by using the collective unconscious. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888.

Vinyasa Yoga For Everyone – 7-8:15pm. Classic yoga postures in flowing sequence linked by breath.

Learn breathing techniques that keep you invigo-

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rated and calm in your daily life. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642.

tuesday Chair Massage – Treat yourself to a relaxing break.

You decide how long. $1/minute. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. Walk-ins welcome or call for an appointment: 860-467-6518.

Express Vinyasa Yoga – 6-7am. Touches on all the essentials of the core standing, balancing, and seated postures. Build strength, heat and focus moving through sun salutations linked with breath and clarity. Some yoga experience recommended. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642.

Tai Chi and Qigong – 11am-12:15pm. Experience the proven benefits of Wu Style Tai Chi and Taoist Neigong practices for health and meditation. Don Myers, Certified Instructor, Bruce Frantzis Energy Arts. $15/class. Universalist Church, 433 Fern St, West Hartford. GreatPondTaiChi.com.

Tai Chi for Kids (Ages 6-12) – 4-4:45pm. Learning the Chinese art of Tai Chi is a great way for children to relax, have fun and strengthen body and mind. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888.

Ayurveda 101 – 5-6pm. 8-week series. Register online at ScheduleBliss.com/BhaktiCenterCT. $108. Bhakti Center CT. 750 Rear Main St, Willimantic. BhaktiCenterCT@gmail.com.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga – 6pm. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-4042578. BridgeHAC.com.

Ayurveda 102 – 6-7pm. 8-week series. Register online at ScheduleBliss.com/BhaktiCenterCT. $108. Bhakti Center CT. 750 Rear Main St, Willimantic. BhaktiCenterCT@gmail.com.

Tai Chi with Dr. Ming Wu – 6-7pm. Learn from a Tai Chi master who has studied the art of Tai Chi for more than 40 years. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888.

Authentic Movement – First, second and third Tuesdays. 6-7:15pm. Authentic Movement is a simple, self-guided moving meditation practice. By nurturing presence in our physical bodies, we open pathways for

markyourcalendar HOLISTIC CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Tuesdays • 6:30-8pm Do you offer a healing modality or service which will aid those in recovery from cancer?

If so, please attend and work with us to build CT’s first holistic cancer support group.

BRIDGE Healing Arts Center 304 Main St, Farmington For more information, call Rod Kelly at 860-216-8671 or email Rod@EyeOftheEagle.org

self-understanding, creative expression and inner peace. $12/drop-in. Bhakti Center CT, 750 Main St Rear, Willimantic. ScheduleBliss.com/index.php/bhakticenterct.

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.

Holistic Cancer Support Group – 6:30-8pm. Do you offer a healing modality or service which will aid those in recovery from cancer? If so, please attend and work with us to build CT’s first holistic cancer support group. BRIDGE Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. Call Rod Kelly, 860-216-8671 or email Rod@EyeOftheEagle.org.

Soul Circle: A Meditation and Journey Group – 6:30-8pm. First Tuesday. Join us for an evening of meditation, journeying, drumming and healing.

Explore power animals and spirit guides, healing light meditations, nature spirit allies and more.

Facilitated by Melanie VanOstrand. At Sea in the Sky Healing and Wellness Center, Hebron. $20.

860-530-1552. SeaInTheSkyHealing.com.

Free Spirit Dance – 7:15-8:30pm. A non-judgmental community gathering to explore our unscripted authentic movement as a heart opening meditation amidst a blend of world music. No experience necessary. All Welcome. Donation based. Luna & Lotus, 50 Depot St, Collinsville. 860-803-9947.

Turbo Kick Boxing with Mary – 7:15-8:15pm. Extreme aerobic workout is fun and will get you in shape.

Great music. Tuesdays are for beginners and Thursdays are advanced classes. $5. Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 860-883-9664.

Guided Meditation – First, second and third Tuesdays. 7:30-8:45pm. Discover how the simple practice of deep presence can open us to profound peace, compassion and love within ourselves. $12/drop-in.

Bhakti Center CT, 750 Main St Rear, Willimantic.

ScheduleBliss.com/index.php/bhakticenterct.

Meditation as a Way of Living with Tom Dest – 7:30-8:45pm. Promoting access to intention from deep inside and heart to heart communication - soft live music. Contemplation on our eternal nature and keys to peace. $15. Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 413-822-8486.

wednesday Coffee with Coach – 7am. Early morning session facilitated by Torin Lee, Life Coach. Learn ways to handle stress, navigate change and make each day count. $10. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. To register: 860-467-6518.

Gentle Yoga – 10:30-11:45am. Gently held postures for joint health and nurturing. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville.

860-693-9642.

Weight Loss Meetings – 5:30-6:15pm. Second and fourth Wednesdays. Join Dr. Stacey Munro for an informational meeting about effective food-based weight loss and body composition change programs. We will go over program basics, cost and answer questions.

All welcome. Please RSVP: 860-758-7808. Nature’s Helper Medical Clinic, 178 Mountain Rd, Suffield.

Qigong – 6pm. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-404-2578.

BridgeHAC.com.

LivFree All Levels Yoga – 6-7pm. With Tracey.

Recharge your batteries midweek in this energetic, then relaxing yoga class. Walk-ins welcome. $10.

TriCity Massage and Wellness, 220 Hartford Tpke, Vernon. Tri-CityMassage.com.

All Levels Vinyasa – 6-7:15pm. Yoga is quite simply a moving meditation. Vinyasa is a flowing yoga that connects breath with movement to flow from one pose to the next. $15 per class. The Water Lily Holistic Empowerment Center, 129 Tolland Stage Rd, Tolland. 860-756-6391.

Epiphany – 6-8:30pm. Second Wednesday. Experience craniosacral therapy, reflexology, Reiki, acupuncture and more. Call for your 30-minute appt during “epiphany”.$20-$40/suggested. 101 River Rd, Canton. 860-693-8040.

Yoga Nidra – 6:30-7:30pm. Experience the calming effects of Yoga Nidra. Activate your parasympathetic nervous system and relax your body. $20.

Enlightenment Center of CT, 660 Prospect Ave, Hartford. EnlightenmentCenterCT.com.

Support Group More Better Happy – 7:158:30pm. When people and circumstances are sucking the energy, motivation and life right out of you, come here. You can recharge while getting what you want. Registration required. Free. Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. 860-432-5678.

Mediumship Development Circle – 7:30-9pm.

Mixed level circle with Sharon Farber to develop evidential mediumship. Beginners welcome. Active since May 2012. $10-$15/donation. Dragonfly Healing Arts, 8 Wickett St, Pine Meadow. 860-9892358. DragonflyHealingArts.net.

Qigong Variation – 8-9pm. Class offers students an opportunity to learn different qigong forms.

Each form will be taught over five to 10 class periods, depending on the length of the form. $20/drop-in; $65/monthly. 280 Garden Grove Rd, Manchester. 860-558-6146.

thursday Complete Strength Class – 5:30-6:30am. Total Strength classes are the #1 priority to burn calories and build lean muscle to boost your metabolism for the long-term. $20. YES Fitness, 292 Spielman Hwy, Burlington. 860-673-4293.

Gentle Yoga – 9am. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-404-2578.

BridgeHAC.com.

Qigong, All Levels – 9:30-10:30am. An ancient practice that has flowing, focused movements that reduce chronic pain, stress and blood pressure, along with creating an overall state of wellness. In Stafford.

Call to register and for directions. 860-970-7383.

Bump Day – 10am-6pm. 60-minute prenatal massage or reflexology by Colleen Dumas, LMT and certified in prenatal care. Refreshments, raffle. $40. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. For an appointment: 860-467-6518.

Tai Chi & Meditation – 10:30-11:30am Instruction is focused on empowering Chi and enhancing health and healing of the mind, body and spirit. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888.

Kids Yoga Summer Program – 1:30-3:30. 6/208/15. Kids ages 4-8 are invited to come explore the world of yoga in a fun and exciting way with a teacher certified in both Art and Yoga. $20/drop-in; $95/eight classes. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. JourneyOfYoga.com.

Tween Yoga Summer Program – 1:30-3:30pm.

6/20-8/15. Growing up can be overwhelming – figuring out who you are while navigating school, friends and family. Young people, ages 9-12 are invited to come and explore the world of yoga in a fun and exciting way. $20/drop-in; $95/eight classes. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. JourneyOfYoga.com.

Belly Dance Classes with Elisheva – 6-7pm.

Learn the ancient art of belly dance in this beginner class. All levels and abilities warmly welcomed. $17. Spotlight Dance, Art & Wellness, 45 S Main St, Unionville. Register: 860-967-9424.

Community Acupuncture – 6-7pm. Every other Thursday. 315 E Center St, Manchester. 860533-0179. RSVP required: CTNaturalHealth.com.

Blended Style Yoga Classes – 6-7:15pm. Our many styles meet you where you are. Gentle sound allows tuning and awakening improving life and self.

Also every weekday. See our website. $5 or $8.

Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 860-649-9600.

Tai Chi and Qigong – 6:30-7:30pm. Experience the proven benefits of Wu Style Tai Chi and Taoist Neigong practices for health and meditation. Don Myers, Certified Instructor, Bruce Frantzis Energy Arts. $15/class. Universalist Church, 433 Fern St, West Hartford. GreatPondTaiChi.com.

Sound Bath Session – 6:30-8:30pm. 3rd Thursday of the month. Enjoy a monthly group sound bath with Karen Fox, Sister of Sound. Let singing bowls, bells, drums, chimes bathe you in angelic healing vibrations. $20 advance, $25 at door. Oneida Holistic Health Center, 16 West Rd, Marlborough. 860-467-6518.

Vinyasa Yoga For Everyone – 7-8:15pm. Classic yoga postures in flowing sequence linked by breath.

Learn breathing techniques that keep you invigorated and calm in your daily life. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642

friday

saturday Monthly Eco Yoga and Meditation Workshop – With Leesa Sklover, PhD, LPC, C-IAYT, IKYTA. Elemental imagery themes of ether, air, fire, water and earth, along with meditations, Kriya and mantra. Different theme each workshop. Registration required. 917-860-0488. Call for address.

DrSklover@gmail.com.

Morning Express Vinyasa Yoga – 7:45-8:45am.

Touches on all the essentials of the core standing, balancing, and seated postures. Build strength, heat and focus moving through sun salutations linked with breath and clarity. $50 for 30 days unlimited classes (new students). Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville. 860-693-9642.

Tai Chi and Qi Gong – 8-9am. Dr. Ming Wu is a Tai Chi and Qi Gong Master who has dedicated his life to teaching others how to live healing and healthy lives. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888.

Massage Ball Yoga – 9am. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-4042578. BridgeHAC.com.

Ellington Farmers’ Market – 9am-12pm. Over 40 vendors bringing local and fresh products in a quaint, shaded country setting. Matching SNAP dollars, Kids Power of Produce Club, weekly themes and entertainment. Arbor Park, Main St, Ellington. EllingtonFarmersMarket.com.

32 Movement Tai Chi Sword with Cynthia – 10am. Laoshi Cynthia will be teaching the 32 movement Tai Chi Sword, which is a competition form she used in the Chengdu, China tournament in 2014. If you have experience with the 24 Yang style, you will be able to learn this sword form. $98/6 classes. $20/drop-in. Sharing The Light Wholistic Center, LLC, 395 W Avon Rd, Avon. 860-936-0012.

Yoga and Meditation – 10-11:30am. All-level class offers an introduction to the Advanced Yoga Practices to support those interested to establish and/or deepen their meditation and yoga practice and knowledge. Modifications of the postures accommodate every level of practice. Drop-ins welcome. Bhakti Center, 750 Rear Main St, Willimantic. YogaPractices.weebly.com.

Qigong, All Levels – 11am-12pm. An ancient practice that has flowing, focused movements that reduce chronic pain, stress and blood pressure, along with creating an overall state of wellness.

In Stafford. Call to register and for directions.

860-970-7383.

Intelligent Qigong Level 2 – 10-11:15am. Students continue to study “Lifting Qi Up and Pouring Qi Down” method while learning some basic exercises of Intelligent Qigong Level 2, Xing Shen Zhuang, Physical and Spiritual Stance Method. Intelligent Qigong level 1, prerequisite. $20/drop-in; $75/monthly. 280 Garden Grove Rd, Manchester. 860-558-6146.

Self-Care Qigong and Shiatsu – 11:15am-12pm.

Class introduces some most profound and easyto-apply methods from Five Element Meridians originated from Traditional Chinese Medicine and shiatsu massage. $20/drop in; $65/monthly. 280 Garden Grove Rd, Manchester. 860-558-6146.

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community resource guide

WU HEALING CENTER

Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. Create your Community Resource Guide Listing online at NAHRT.com.

EDUCATION

ASTROLOGY

ACADEMY FOR SOUL HEALING

PETER MARKS

103 Nova Scotia Hill Rd, Watertown 860-274-3663/203-206-9353 Peter_Mrks@yahoo.com As an Astrologer, Medium, Intuitive and Numerologist, I work with your spirit guides and convey messages from them. We are all born with spirit guides, and with assistance we can understand our karmic mission to achieve the ultimate happiness in our lives. See ad, page 23.

DEE RANDIS

Watertown 860-274-1690 MetaphysicalCntr.net

The academy hosts many trainings including 13th Octave LaHoChi and A Year of Healing in various locations throughout the U.S. The vision for the Academy for Soul Healing is the integration of many modalities, in their purest form, in order to support the growth and expansion of humanity, individually and on a global scale.

EMOTION CODE

Dee Randis is an astrologer and psychic medium with over 40 years of experience specializing in personal and relationship counseling. She provides guidance on business matters, real estate decisions, legal issues, as well as missing persons. She does private parties and organizes well-attended holistic/psychic fairs.

See ad, page 29.

CHINESE HERBALIST WU HEALING CENTER

Dr. Ming Wu 45 S Main St, Ste 100, West Hartford 978-790-8888 • Center@WuHealing.com WuHealing.com Chinese herbal therapy accounts for the majority of treatments in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Dr. Wu is a master herbalist with decades of experience and thousands of years of wisdom. The herbs he prescribes help stimulate the body toward self-healing. See ad, page 19.

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Eilis Philpott Fairfield 203-767-5954 • Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com AcademyforSoulHealing.com

NAHRT.com

KEY ENERGY MEDICINE

Margaret Loos 860-386-8330 KeyEnergyMedicine@yahoo.com The Emotion Code is a simple way to get rid of your emotional baggage, helping you feel freer, happier and healthier. As a Certified Emotion Code practitioner, I am trained to discover and release your trapped emotions. The process is noninvasive, safe and requires very little time or effort on your part.

ENERGY HEALING SOUL HEALING JOURNEY, LLC

Eilis Philpott Fairfield 203-767-5954 • Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com Eilis is a master healer and teacher and certified in numerous modalities as both a practitioner and teacher. She offers soul level healing, which clears any blocks, obstacles and challenges that are preventing you from living your life to its fullest potential.

Dr. Ming Wu 45 S. Main St, Ste 100, West Hartford 978-790-8888 • Center@WuHealing.com WuHealing.com Combining Western medical science with ancient Eastern insights into life force or chi energy, Dr. Wu uses energy healing techniques such as Tong Ren and quantum energy healing. These modalities help patients achieve a rapid, safe and natural cure by stimulating the body toward self-healing. See ad, page 19.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TAMARA SACHS, MD

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

HEALING ACID REFLUX HEALING ACID REFLUX NATURALLY

Susan Berman, Med, CHHC 860-670-4152 Susan@HealingAcidReflux.com HealingAcidReflux.com I work with health conscious individuals to help heal their acid reflux or GERD in order to avoid further damage to their esophagus and prevent esophageal cancer. Find your unique food and lifestyle triggers. I work with groups or 1:1 through a virtual classroom so you can be anywhere and still take the program.

HOLISTIC HEALING CENTER SEA IN THE SKY, LLC

269 Church St, Ste 3, Hebron 860-530-1552 SeaInTheSkyHealing.com By appointment Experienced practitioners and therapists offering counseling and psychotherapy, Reiki, Celtic Reiki, shamanic healing, sound healing, yoga, massage, acupuncture, spiritual readings, meditation and a variety of classes and workshops.

SHARING THE LIGHT WHOLISTIC CENTER, LLC

395 W Avon Rd, Avon 860-936-0012 Cheryl@SharingTheLightWC.com SharingTheLightWC.com Sharing the Light is your premier healing destination specializing in Traditional Usui Reiki Practitioner certification classes and sessions with Reiki Master Teachers; Crystal Dreaming; singing bowls; tuning forks; tai chi; yoga; reflexology; drum building; psychic readings; and AngelLinks. Visit website to view our calendar of events that includes programs with full-time and part-time practitioners. See ad, page 15.

HOLISTIC HEALTH LOIS GRASSO AKA MIMI STEVENS Holistic Health Coach, Speaker, Author East Hartford-Glastonbury line 860-796-1480 Lois@LoisGrasso.com LoisGrasso.com

Eliminate painful symptoms and self-sabotage by transforming your breathing, thinking, and eating patterns into powertools. Experience unconditional acceptance and spiritual connection as together we upgrade your subconscious, using Transformational Breathwork, EFT/Tapping, Anger Clearing, Reverse Therapy and superfoods.

HOLISTIC STRESS REDUCTION

INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY

THE ENLIGHTENMENT COUNSELING CENTER LLC

THE ENLIGHTENMENT COUNSELING CENTER LLC

We are experienced psychotherapists and practitioners providing integrative and holistic psychotherapy clinical services, as well as a wellness center offering complementary alternative medical services. We view mental illness as affecting not just the mind but also the body. We are mindful about the importance of external and internal balance.

We are experienced psychotherapists and practitioners providing integrative and holistic psychotherapy clinical services, as well as a wellness center offering complementary alternative medical services. We view mental illness as affecting not just the mind but also the body. We are mindful about the importance of external and internal balance.

HOLISTIC & WELLNESS CENTER

MEDIUMSHIP

998 Farmington Ave, Ste 207, West Hartford 660 Prospect Ave, Hartford EnlightenmentCenterCT.com EnlightenmentCenterLLC@gmail.com

RAYA CLINIC

200 Queen St, Southington 860-621-2225 RayaClinic.com

998 Farmington Ave, Ste 207, West Hartford 660 Prospect Ave, Hartford EnlightenmentCenterCT.com EnlightenmentCenterLLC@gmail.com

KEIKO BROYLES

Willows Healing Path, LLC 860-280-5548 • Keiko@KeikoMedium.com KeikoMedium.com

Our 30-year-old Wellness Center consists of a team of doctors combining chiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition, food-sensitivity testing, physical therapy, cold-laser, spinal decompression and neuropathy treatments.

I am a Psychic Spiritual Medium and also a certified Usui Reiki Master and teacher.

As a natural psychic and medium, my sincere wish and desire is to promote healing for people in both the physical and spirit worlds. I am a tested member of Shay Parker’s Best American Psychics. See listing, page 2.

HORMONE SUPPORT

NATURE SCHOOL

COLLABORATIVE NATURAL HEALTH PARTNERS 315 East Center St, Manchester 860-533-0179 CTNaturalHealth.com

The clinic offers the best of both worlds; our physicians are trained in both conventional and natural approaches for diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. We combine science with the wisdom of nature to address the causes of disease, not only the symptoms. See ad, back cover.

TWO COYOTES WILDERNESS SCHOOL

P.O. Box 711, Monroe TwoCoyotes.org Facebook.com/TwoCoyotes Instagram.com/TwoCoyotes Two Coyotes Wilderness School is a nonprofit nature organization dedicated to creating a healthier, more connected future by connecting people to nature, community and their personal empowerment. We offer yearround, wilderness-based mentorship programs, including summer camps, for all ages. Now enrolling for summer camp programs at Holcomb Farm in Granby.

The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul. ~Alfred Austin July 2019

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NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE COLLABORATIVE NATURAL HEALTH PARTNERS

315 East Center St, Manchester 860-533-0179 • CTNaturalHealth.com Receive sustainable and natural solutions for health conditions to address the cause of disease, not only the symptoms. We combine science with the wisdom of nature. See ad, back cover.

ECLECTIC NATUROPATHIC MEDICAL CENTER, LLC

Kathleen M. Riley, ND Wilberto Lugo, ND 48 Christian Ln, Ste 203, Newington 860-665-1254 At ENMC, we specialize in providing gentle, effective treatments for acute and chronic illnesses for pediatrics through geriatrics. The doctors here use nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydro-therapy, acupuncture, Bowen, and Frequency Specific Microcurrent. Our therapies are effective in treating allergies, digestive issues, muscle aches and pains, tick-borne illnesses, diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions. See ad, page 11.

NICOLE KLUGHERS, ND, PHARMD, MSAC

Vis Wellness Center 1845 Silas Deane Hwy, Rocky Hill (234)2-ACU-DOC DrNicoleKlughers.com Info@DrNicoleKlughers.com

NATURE’S HELPER MEDICAL CLINIC

PSYCHOTHERAPY HEALING SERVICES, LLC

Stacey Munro, ND 178 Mountain Road, Suffield 860-758-7808 Info@NaturesHelperMedical.com NaturesHelperMedical.com

Dr. Stacey Munro, a Naturopathic Physician, specializes in prevention and treatment of chronic health conditions with safe and effective natural treatments.

She looks at the whole patient, rather than individual parts and tries to address the root cause. Treatments include: dietary and lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, herbs, and other natural therapies. Many commercial insurance plans accepted. See ad, page 14.

Audrey Carlson 860-841-5894 AudreyBCarlson@cox.net HartfordHappinessClub.com Come to Hartford’s Happiness Club monthly meeting on the first Thursday of every month from 7-8:30pm, at Town and County Club at 22 Woodland St in Hartford. Happiness is a choice… make it yours.

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315 East Center St, Manchester 860-533-0179 • CTNaturalHealth.com The clinic offers the best of both worlds; our physicians are trained in conventional and natural approaches for diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. We combine science with the wisdom of nature to address the causes of disease, not only the symptoms. See ad, back cover.

THE HAPPINESS CLUB

~C. Z. Guest

COLLABORATIVE NATURAL HEALTH PARTNERS

Dr. Nicole Klughers offers comprehensive naturopathic care to restore optimal health and prevent disease. Dr. Nicole’s approach addresses the root cause of symptoms with all-natural solutions such as “Food as Medicine” with individualized nutrition, herbal medicine, nutrient therapies, acupuncture and more.

In-depth assessment is often done with detailed testing to evaluate the status of nutrients, hormones, inflammation, food sensitivities, toxins or digestive function.

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

I’ve always felt that having a garden is like having a good and loyal friend.

PRIMARY CARE

QUANTUM PSYCHOTHERAPY

Celeste Emelia Mattingly, LCSW 10 Grassmere Ave, Ste 300, West Hartford 860-586-8700 Fax: 860-236-1909 CMattingly100@comcast.net CelestialEmpowerment.com

The Sanctuary for Celestial Empowerment is a safe, uplifting, high-frequency environment for individual psychotherapy, Tachyon Anti-Aging and Reconnective Energy Healings, workshops and more. Distance healings, evenings and some Saturday appointments available. Celeste accepts insurance including Medicare and Husky.

REFLEXOLOGY STEVE M. SYLVESTER, CR 57 Pratt St, Ste 407, Hartford 860-269-7222 ReflexologyWorks.net

Reflexology is comforting, relaxing and rewarding. I have a private, comfortable studio in downtown Hartford where clients can experience this simple but very helpful modality. I have practiced this art form for many years; come enjoy what I have to offer.

TAI CHI/QIGONG WU HEALING CENTER

Dr. Ming Wu 45 S. Main St, Ste 100, West Hartford 978-790-8888 Center@WuHealing.com WuHealing.com Tai chi and qigong focus on empowering Chi, enhancing health and healing the mind, body and spirit using diverse bodywork therapies. Develop physical and mental fitness with calmness, balance and awareness. Dr. Wu is now offering regular classes, workshops and retreats for all levels. See ad, page 19.

THERMOGRAPHY CT THERMOGRAPHY HEALTH SCREENING CENTER April Beaman, CTT, RDH Farmington 860-415-1150 April@ctthermography.com CTThermography.com

Thermography is a FDAapproved, radiation free, notouch screening procedure.

Used as part of a routine health screening program, thermography can increase the chances of detecting breast abnormalities, disease and cancer up to 10 years earlier than traditional methods. See ad, page 8.

SOUL HEALING JOURNEY LLC Eilis Philpott 40 Livingston St, Fairfield 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com

Eilis, a certified Rebirther, has completed Rebirthing and Advanced Rebirthing training.

She is a Reiki Master in Usui/ Raku-kei Reiki and Angelic Reiki. She teaches 13th Octave LaHoChi, Angel Light Healing, chakra balancing and other healing techniques. A transformational healing session supports you in healing all aspects of your life.

YOGA

display ad index b. kind Wellness Boutique

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BRIDGE Healing Arts Center

2

Childrens Holistic Health Fair

29

Cloud 9 App

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Collaborative Natural Health Partners Back cover CT Psychic & Beyond Expo

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CT Thermography

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Eclectic Naturopathic Medical Center

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Enlightenment Method/ Back to Eden

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10 Front St, Collinsville 860-693-YOGA (9642) info@YogaCenterCollinsville.com YogaCenterCollinsville.com

Glastonbury Dental Center

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GO Organic LLC

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Experience yoga in the vibrant surroundings of historic Collinsville. Morning / evening classes available: Beginners, Gentle, Mixed, Advanced, Yogalates, Belly Dance and Yoga for Kids. Drop-ins welcome! New student special: $50 for one month of unlimited yoga classes. See ad, page 5.

The Graduate Institute

19

Heartsource Integrative Wellness

14

HGH Gel

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Holistic Chamber of Commerce

25

YOGA CENTER OF COLLINSVILLE

Holistic Community Professionals

12 & 13

The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition 10 Peter Marks

TRANSFORMATIONAL HEALING

Mondazzi Book, Bead & Crystal Warehouse Showroom

HEARTSOURCE INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS

Donna MacLean Gordon BRIDGE Healing Arts Center 304 Main St, Farmington 860-978-2938 MyHeartsourceWellness@gmail.com HeartsourceIntegrative.com I specialize in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) healing modalities such as Tui Na acupressure massage, medical qigong therapy, healing teas, Tong Ren healing, cupping, qigong and tai chi instruction, as well as Reiki healing and pastoral and spiritual counseling. I gently guide clients in the journey to wellness using various modalities, diet and positive lifestyle changes.

See ad, page 14.

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Email copy to Publisher@NAHRT.com.

SPACE FOR RENT B. KIND IS A WELLNESS BOUTIQUE & COLLABORATIVE EVENT SPACE at 1000 Farmington Ave, West Hartford (across from Luna Pizza!) b. kind is looking for a wellness specialist (massage therapist, nutritionist, etc.) to rent a two-room space within the retail location. b. kind specializes in handmade natural living items, sourced from small businesses across the USA. Items range from doTERRA essential oils to organic teas. Contact Victoria Gleixner, Owner, at b.kindct@gmail.com.

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Natural Awakenings’ Franchise Sales

21

Natural Awakenings’ National Advertising Sales

33

Natural Awakenings’ Singles

35

Nature’s Helper Medical Clinic

14

Philip Stein Sleep Bracelet

33

Dee Randis/Metaphysical Center

29

Sharing the Light Wholistic Center LLC

15

ShopRite 23 Solair Recreation League

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Spirit Festival

7

Vitalized Performance Group

17

Wu Healing Center

19

Yoga Center of Collinsville

5

July 2019

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