November 2017

E HEALTHY LIVING E FR

HEALTHY

PLANET

Solving Metabolic Mysteries

Natural Strategies for Diabetes & Obesity

DEVICE DETOX! Retreat into

SACRED SILENCE

HOLIDAY RECIPES TO SAVOR

November 2017 | Greater Hartford County Edition | NAHRT.com

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contact us Publisher/Executive Editor Nicole Miale Editors Michelle Bense Ariana Rawls Fine Design & Production Erica Mills Contributing Writers Nick Edgerton, Lisa Marshall, Danielle Sullo Sales & Marketing Alexa Ferrucci, Nicole Miale, Jessica Pollard Operations Jill Badyrka

Natural Awakenings Hartford 137 Danbury Rd, #323, New Milford, CT 06776 Phone: 860-507-6392 Fax: 860-357-6034 Publisher@NAHRT.com NAHRT.com NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com © 2017 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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

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We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

he human tendency to want to share good fortune and newfound knowledge is welldocumented. The classic example is the recent non-smoker who becomes a zealot trying to convince everyone else to follow his/her new good example. The same pattern holds true for all aspects of personal choice—whether it’s eating better, exercising more or performing acts of self-care—the urge is undeniable to “help” others on their journeys, to share what we have learned and discovered with such joy Nicole Miale and profundity.

Despite our best and well-intentioned efforts, we ultimately must relinquish our need to convert someone else to our way of being. You cannot change anyone else’s behavior. Neither can I. Thousands of physicians, health coaches, personal trainers, physical therapists, parents and other well-meaning humans have had to learn this same lesson. Fundamentally, there’s a simple reason for the failure: we cannot walk anyone else’s path. What works beautifully, even transcendently for me, may hold absolutely no meaning at all for someone else. The journey to personal empowerment is truly about the exploration and subsequent discovery of what does work for each individual.

I learned this lesson the hard way when it came to floating. I absolutely loved the experience from my very first session. With the zeal of a new non-smoker, I then dragged everyone I could back to float with me. After a while I realized a pattern: some people responded exactly the way I had while others went willingly enough but had an “okay” response afterward. A third group got out of the tank after just a few minutes, unable to tolerate the silence. It was a real life example of the distinct ways we each process the world as individuals. The experience gave new gravitas to the well-worn expression, “Meet them where they are.”

That dictate has great relevance in this issue. For the topics we explore are areas ripe with potential for people to want to teach and coach others, but where each individual must ultimately choose for themselves what is doable and the length of the particular step to be taken. When it comes to nutrition and metabolic health—specifically obesity and diabetes—there is no one else who can (or should) choose your path. That said, information, inspiration and practical strategies like the ones presented in these pages certainly offer a more complete picture of the landscape in order to make well-informed, personalized choices. Knowledge is power and the seed of self-empowerment; positive change begins with awareness.

At the start of the busy holiday season, we also wanted to emphasize nonphysical self-care. To that end, we explore the concept of silent retreats. The idea will intrigue some and horrify others; in order to meet everyone where they are, we offer ideas for brief silent experiences as well as much longer ones.

The world around us is an uncertain place. The more familiar we are with our inner landscape, the more comfort and ease we may feel in our day-to-day and the more grateful we may become for even the challenging experiences or situations that befall us.

With love and light,

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

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

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November 2017

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contents 8 5 newsbriefs 8 globalbriefs

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

10 healthbriefs

11 DIGITAL DETOX

20 consciouseating

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23 naturalpet

24 healingways

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28 calendar

30 resourceguide 3 1 classifieds

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 Due dates for ads: 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 Due dates for editorial: the 10th of the month prior to publication Submit ALL Calendar Events on our website at NAHRT.com.

Due dates for the calendar: 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 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

12 WEIGHT-LOSS SABOTEURS

Tackling Obesity’s Hidden Causes

by Lisa Marshall

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14 A NATUROPATHIC

APPROACH TO METABOLIC SYNDROME

natural awakenings

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by Nick Edgerton

16 PREVENTING, REVERSING AND MANAGING DIABETES NATURALLY

by Linda Sechrist

20 A THANKSGIVING

YOU DON’T HAVE TO RECUPERATE FROM

Reduce Stress by Watching Grain, Sugar and Dairy Intake

by Ayelet Connell

23 MANAGING HOLIDAY 23

by Mary Oquendo

24 SACRED SILENCE

Discover the Benefits of Quiet at a Silent Retreat

by April Thompson

26 SILENCE AS

SELF-LOVE

Open Pandora’s Box

to Pursue Soul Healing

by Nicole Miale

NAHRT.com Hartford County Edition

with Yourself and Others

by Danielle Sullo

STRESS IN PETS

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS

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Connect More Meaningfully

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newsbriefs Fall Offerings at Audubon Society

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Reimagining One of America’s First Inclusive Playgrounds

he Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS)—conserving Connecticut’s environment through science-based education and advocacy focused on the state’s bird populations and habitats—is always offering programs and events for all ages interested in learning about our natural habitats, notably in local facilities at Pomfret Center and Trail Wood.

The Annual Holiday Nature Store will be open at Pomfret Center, from November 18 through December 22, from 10am to 4pm each day. The store will feature gifts for all ages with Mother Nature in mind; the stock will change daily.

The Trail Wood Sanctuary in Hampton will host a Nature Sketchbook Journaling class from 9am to noon on November 18. Roxanne Steed will teach basic drawing and watercolor techniques. The course is $10 for CAS members and $20 for non-members.

Each Wednesday, nature walks led by CAS volunteers take participants out for fresh air, exercise, good company and naturalist lessons, starting at noon at Pomfret Center. CAS members attend for free, and non-members pay just $3.

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For more information, call 860-928-4948 or visit CTAudubon. org. Locations: Grassland Bird Conservation Center, 218 Day Rd, Pomfret Center; Trail Wood, 93 Kenyon Rd, Hampton.

For more information, visit JonathansDreamReimagined.org.

Location: Mandell Jewish Community Center, 335 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford.

fter five years of renovations, inclusive playground Jonathan’s Dream has finally opened its grounds to the public again. The original Jonathan’s Dream was built in 1996 in memory of Amy and Peter Barzach’s son Jonathan Peter Barzach. It was the first Boundless Playground to offer an inclusive, accessible play space for families and children of all abilities.

The new playground includes Kevin’s Kourt, an inclusive basketball court donated by Coach Kevin Ollie and the Kevin Ollie Charity Classic. Jonathan’s Dream was rebuilt with the support of the community; the PAC Group, which donated construction management services; and Shane’s Inspiration, which donated design services.

Share your memories and photos from the original Jonathan’s Dream using the #JonathansDream hashtag.

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November 2017

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newsbriefs Winter/Spring Workshops with Wilcox Wellness

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rica Wilcox, psychotherapist and wellness coach based in Southington, helps her clients overcome obstacles that are keeping them from living fulfilled, happy and healthy lives.

She offers individual and group sessions, including the upcoming six-week workshop, Stress Less, Live Fully, held each Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30pm, beginning November 27.

The Stress Less, Live Fully workshop is a 60-minute, weekly “mini-retreat” where you can get outside of your Erica Wilcox head and into your life. Individuals may join at any time but must be willing to commit to six weeks to experience the full benefit of the program.

“The only constant in life is change, yet so many people feel stagnant in patterns that no longer serve them,” says Wilcox. “We often believe that in order to be successful and productive, we must be busy. This mindset keeps us stuck and makes us stressed and unhappy.”

Wilcox’s office is located in the same building as Bloom Yoga studio and Verbena Spa, so workshop attendees can also choose to enjoy the benefits of the Himalayan salt room, reflexology or a yoga class.

Attendees will learn scientifically proven ways to: achieve work/life balance, go from mind-“full” to mindful, increase optimism, prevent illness and increase energy, develop an active practice of gratitude, set boundaries and limits with others, use light yoga and movement to move through challenges, reduce emotional and physical pain, improve sleep and more. The series of six sessions costs $285.

Beginning January 7, Wilcox will hold a 12-week Women’s Empow(HER) ment Group from 10 to 11:30am on Sundays. The group is designed especially for women who have physically broken free from unhealthy/abusive relationships, but are seeking to rebuild their confidence, spirit and trust in themselves and others.

This group provides a confidential, safe and supportive space for women to come together no matter where they are in their healing journey. Space is limited to 10 women. Please call to register.

For more information, call 860-266-6098 or visit WilcoxWellness.com.

Location: 92 N. Summit St, Southington.

meet shana Eat WEll. BE Happy.

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Owned and Operated by JOseph Family markets • 110 albany turnpike, CantOn, Ct Copyright ® 2016 Wakefern Food Corp. All Rights Reserved.

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Hartford County Edition

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Experience a Day of Spiritual Immersion

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n November 11, compelling conversation, inspirational talks from women healers of the world, holiday shopping, music and food await you in Woodbury, hosted by Salt of the Earth Sanctuary and Inspirit Healing Center.

The Soulful Saturday event will take place from 10:30am to 5pm.

Experts in their fields will speak about their gifts and knowledge, sharing with you who they are and their personal journey. Natural Awakenings’ publisher Nicole Miale will be a speaker and invites you to experience the insights and inspiration to be had during the event.

On the upper floor, Inspirit Healing Studio, home of medium and author MOI Jeanne Street, will host speakers throughout the day. In addition, there will be a special group reading done

by Street. Other creative and guided meditation programs are available.

On the main floor, Salt of the Earth Sanctuary—home to Healing Arts, Heart and Home Store, The Ayurvedic Experience, and Celebrated Face—will host community vendors and musical entertainment. Natural treats, elixirs, essential oils, crystal tea, hand-crafted jewelry from The Stone Whisperer, skin care products, soy candles and more will also be available.

Those who purchase a ticket ahead of time will be included in a gift bag giveaway and have a chance at winning a door prize valued at over $250.

Tickets are $40 pre-purchased or $45 at the door.

For more information, visit InspiritHealingStudio.com/ Soulful-Saturday-2. Location: 346 Main St South, Woodbury.

Clean Energy Informational Events

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10pm-5pm 10 Free Admission

SUNDAY Nov. 12,, 2017

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he Solar Energy Association of Connecticut will hold a seminar on microgrids, featuring David Ferrante from Eversource Energy, Christopher Bleuher from Schneider Electric, and Bernie Pelletier and Mark Scully from People’s Action for Clean Energy (PACE), at 1:30pm, November 4.

The event is free of charge and takes place at the Community Room of the Manchester Police Station.

At the seminar, Ferrante will present an update on the current state of distributed energy resources and a summary of Connecticut’s microgrid program, including case studies of microgrids in Connecticut and around the U.S. Bleuher will cover three microgrid projects designed by Schneider Electric, with thoughts on the future of this concept. Scully and Pelletier will discuss the concept of the community microgrid, including their efforts to set one up in Simsbury.

Also mark your calendar for the 2018 PACE Annual Meeting, at 7pm on December 2, at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, 50 Bloomfield Road, in Hartford. The evening will feature a keynote address from Craig Lewis of Clean Coalition on “Renewables-Driven Community Microgrids” and music by State Troubadour Kate Callahan.

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Psychic 5 5 Holistic 5 5 ir a F 5 Reiki Healings 5 Body Scanning 5 Hypnosis 5 Essential Oils 5 Spiritual Coaching 5 Paranormal Investigation 5 Psychics 5 Mediums 5 Past Life Regression 5 Reflexology Psysomatic (mind & body) Kinesiology 5 5 Door Prizes 5 Retail Products and more…

5 Free Lectures Every Hour Starting at 11am 5 Sponsored by Dee Randis, Metaphysical Center Morrison, Coordinator of Readers 5 5 andOffJillering 20 minute Readings for $20 5 VFW 866 Thomaston Rd. Route 6 5 Post 5157 Watertown, CT 5 5 We Support Our Veterans!

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 A contribution will be made to CT Animal Rescue

For more information, visit SolarEnergyOfCT.org. Location: Manchester Police Station, 239 Middle Tpke East, Manchester.

Experiencing Spiritual and Creative Enlightenment

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n November 12, the New Age and Craft Expo will be held at the Wyndham Southbury from Come Experience a Day of 10amSpiritual to 5pm.&Intuitive will be available. Learn about Creativereaders Enlightenment! your past, any obstacles or open doors ahead. Be guided by the angels, Sun. spirit guides or loved Bring a picture of a pet and Nov. 12, ones.

2017 find out what they’d like you to know. Have your aura photo 10a break AMfor- 5 PM massage or Reiki session. taken, or take a relaxing

Handcrafted gifts will beSpeakers available in time for the holi2 Rooms of Dynamic Guided jewelry, Meditationssoaps and skin care, natural days as well as &unique teas and cookies, candles, fairies and dolls. Stock up on your TAROTcrystals & INTUITIVEand READINGS spiritual needs with gemstones, Tibetan singing HANDCRAFTED JEWELRY bowls, tuning forks, sage, incense and more.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

There will also be two rooms of dynamic speakers and AURA PHOTOS guided meditations. ANGEL CARDS

Admission is $6 per person. This year, all proceeds from CRYSTALS CANDLES the raffles will go toward hurricane relief.

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November 2017

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newsbriefs

globalbriefs

The Healing in Harmony Center Holds Holiday Events in New Space

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

For more information, contact Priscilla Bengtson at 860-430-9801 or Priscilla@HealingInHarmonyCenter.com.

Location: 80 Eastern Blvd, Glastonbury.

Wine Worry Glyphosate Toxin Turns Up in Wines

Monsanto’s toxic Roundup herbicide glyphosate has been found in all 10 California vintages tested, including organic wines.

While glyphosate isn’t sprayed directly onto grapes because it would kill the vines, it’s often used to spray the ground in the vineyard to be absorbed via the roots.

Sometimes, glyphosate drifts from conventional vineyards into nearby organic and biodynamic vineyards. Other times, the toxin remains in the soil after a conventional farm has been converted to organic; the chemical may persist onsite for more than 20 years.

Glyphosate is patented as an antibiotic. Designed to kill bacteria, it harms both soils and human health, and has been cited as a human carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

For glyphosate-related consumer information, search Actions at MomsAcrossAmerica.com.

Getting Greener

Renewables Hit High Mark in UK In a major marker of renewable growth, sources of energy that includes wind, solar, hydro and wood pellet burning briefly generated more electricity—50.7 percent—than coal and gas in Great Britain for the first time on June 7. When nuclear sources are added, the number increased to 72.1 percent. Records for wind power are also being set across Northern Europe.

Create a colorful life! m

Did you know that colorful pigments in food plants make us feel better by supporting our internal body and overall health? How you eat affects how you feel!

These pigments are called phytonutrients and come in a rainbow of colors with a variety of health benefits.

RED pigments called anthocyanidins are known to have anti-inflammatory properties and support our nervous system and eye health. They are found in foods such as red onions, raspberries and radishes.

Call 860-519-1916 NOW Easy tip: Start this week by adding at least one red vegetable and one red fruit. to schedule a free consultation Try something new that you haven’t had before! Visit our website for recipes. with Nutritionist Holly Niles

34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 305 • Bloomfield, CT 06002 • www.IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com 8

Hartford County Edition

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Mariyana M/Shutterstock.com

he Healing in Harmony Center has moved to a new expanded location in Glastonbury. The center’s 4,200-square-foot space now houses two classrooms, six treatment rooms, an event center and outdoor event space.

The premier spiritual healing, counseling and education center will host two notable holiday events this month and next.

A Christmas Séance with U.K. Physical Medium, Warren Caylor, will be held at 7pm, November 21 and 22. During the session, Warren will be in a cabinet (enclosed space) with arms taped to a chair and his mouth gagged. Participants will witness levitation of objects, ectoplasm, direct voice, teleportation of objects and materialization of objects.

You, the audience, act as the energy generator as Warren’s Guides orchestrate the event. Cost is $100 per person.

As it is a Christmas séance, each participant is asked to bring an unwrapped toy. The toys will be wrapped and placed under the tree. During the séance, the children in Spirit will come and play with the presents under the tree as participants witness sounds of the toys and the delight of the children. Afterward, all toys will be donated to a children’s charity.

On December 9, Healing in Harmony Center owner Priscilla Bengtson will host a Holiday Open House from 10am to 4pm. Readers and healers will be available all day as well as local artisans to help with holiday shopping. As always, there will be food, fellowship and fun.

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Humpback Holler Why Whales Leap High

Humpback whales are famous for their prodigious leaps from the water. A recent paper published in Marine Mammal Science proposes that breaching the surface and making a big splash serves as an acoustic telegram to communicate with far-off pods. The phenomenon may be compared to a distant drumbeat, which probably carries farther than the whales’ signature songs.

Former University of Queensland marine biologist Ailbhe S. Kavanagh, Ph.D., and her colleagues observed 76 humpback groups off the coast of Australia for 200 hours between 2010 and 2011 and found that breaching is much more common when pods are at least 2.5 miles apart, with more local slapping of fins and flukes when fellow whales are nearby.

Get Outside oliveromg/Shutterstock.com

Black Friday Alternative This year, all REI outdoor outfitter stores will close on Black Friday and join hundreds of national and local organizations and like-minded brands to ask, “Will You Go Out with Us?” For the third year, the REI #OptOutside initiative will mobilize Americans to firmly establish a new tradition of choosing trails over sales on Black Friday, including camping under the stars instead of camping out at malls.

Landfills generate environmental problems such as the greenhouse gas methane that warms the atmosphere and toxic chemicals from household cleaning products that pollute soil and groundwater. Installations are smelly, noisy and can breed disease-transmitting vermin, as well as harm wildlife. Recycling helps cut the volume of waste, but the bulk of all trash continues to fill these dumps.

Sweden produces about the same amount of waste as other European nations, but less than 1 percent of its household refuse ends up in landfills. Thirty-two wasteto-energy (WTE) plants that have been operating across the country for years incinerate more than 2 million tons of trash annually—almost 50 percent of all waste.

The country still recycles, but anything else normally ends up in the WTE incinerators, creating steam to generate electricity distributed on the grid. This system heats close to a million homes and powers more than a quarter-million, thus reducing Sweden’s reliance on fossil fuels. Sweden also helps to clean up other countries in the European Union by importing their trash and burning it. Because specific products contain materials that cannot be recycled or incinerated, some landfills are still necessary.

Faster Rescues

Artificial Intelligence Helps Locate People and Wildlife Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping doctors and scientists worldwide do their jobs better. In wildlife preservation, many researchers want to know how many animals there are and where they live, but Tanya Berger-Wolf, a professor of computer science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, states, “Scientists do not have the capacity to do this, and there are not enough GPS collars or satellite tracks in the world.”

At AI-driven Wildbook.org, photos are uploaded by experts and the public and analyzed for species, age and even gender. One massive Kenyan study in 2015 prompted officials to alter their lion management program.

Also, the locations of stranded victims of floods, earthquakes or other disasters can be determined via computer programmers writing basic algorithms that examine extensive footage. In flooded areas, AI technology can also find debris that harbors trapped people. AI techniques can even monitor social media sites to find out more about missing people and disasters.

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November 2017

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hxdbzxy/Shutterstock.com

Paul S. Wolf/Shutterstock.com

Sweden Dumps its Dumps

Yaniv Schwartz/Shutterstock.com

Landfill Eulogy

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leven counties in New York instituted restrictions on trans fatty acids in restaurants in 2007. Researchers from Yale University School of Medicine used data from the New York State Department of Health statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System and U.S. Census population estimates to determine the impact of these restrictions on the health of the community; they compared the 11 counties that had the restrictions to 25 counties without them. The scientists concluded that hospital heart attack admissions were significantly lower for the 11 counties with the restrictions.

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esearchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, followed 108,630 U.S. women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study between 2000 and 2008, comparing their mortality rates with the amount of vegetation around their homes.

The researchers also accounted for related risk factors such as age, socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, and smoking behaviors. They concluded that subjects living in the greenest areas had a 12 percent lower mortality rate than those living in the least lush areas during the study period.

SPIRULINA REDUCES WEIGHT AND CHOLESTEROL

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Free Seminars

Whether advancing your career as a therapist/healer or working on personal self-improvement, we have a program to suit your needs. Join us for a free seminar to learn more about HFI and all we have to offer.

Wednesday Evenings 6 –7:30 pm

Where: Hartford Family Institute 17 South Highland Street West Hartford, CT 06119

Call to reserve your free seat: (860) 236-6009 www.hartfordfamilyinstitute.com/calendar/wednesdayevenings/ 10

Hartford County Edition

natural awakenings

pirulina platensis, a single-celled blue-green algae used in supplements, is often taken for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.

A new study from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, in Iran, tested the efficacy of spirulina supplementation on the body mass index (BMI), weight and cholesterol levels of 64 obese adults between the ages of 20 and 50.

Subjects were divided into intervention and placebo groups. The intervention group took twice-daily supplements of Spirulina platensis for 12 weeks. BMI, fasting blood samples and lipid profiles were assessed at the beginning and end of the study, and food intake and appetite were reported daily.

The scientists found more than double the reductions in both body weight and BMI in the spirulina group, compared to the control group. In addition, reductions in both total cholesterol and appetite were found in the intervention group.

IVL/Shutterstock.com

Jonathan Vasata/Shutterstock.com

Banning Trans Fats Lowers Heart Attacks

WOMEN LIVE LONGER WHEN SURROUNDED

BY GREENERY

Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com

healthbriefs

DIGITAL DETOX Connect More Meaningfully with Yourself and Others

by Danielle Sullo

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hen we hear the word “detox”, images of herbal tea, vegetables, enormous water bottles and green drinks may come to mind. In the traditional sense, these are our associations with the type of detox to which humans have been turning for ages; a detox to cleanse the body and potentially rid ourselves of that which is unwelcome in our lives. Unbeknownst to some, while the detox does result in a removal of sorts, embarking upon the process of detoxification begins a journey within: a journey of self-discovery, creativity and connection.

Due to the body’s holistic and symbiotic nature, a detox will not only cleanse and bring awareness to the body, but also cleanse the mind and spirit in the holistic way that honors our natural design. Along with the positive outcomes associated with detox: openness to what is welcome, levity in spirit and heightened awareness, oftentimes what is also related to detox is the very negative feeling of deprivation.

Detox, however, is meant to clear and leave us open to greater connection. Whether sifting through misguided food messages to better connect and nurture the body, or pausing before answering that email to keep family time sacred, the mindfulness that results from a detox is worth the potential discomfort. Detox is meant to free us from the distractions that get in the way of a more fulfilling and grounded life. Taking that second to pause, think and feel be-

fore picking up the fork or phone, may be just what you need to shift and grow into the next best version of yourself.

It is a fact that our relationship with technology can be just as mindless as our relationship with food, or any substance that is the result of a misfired connection to a feeling. Considering how technology has impacted our lives as of late, we may more greatly benefit metaphysically from a device-detox, than by a more traditionally defined detox of food or drink. Even the morphology of the word “device” cautions us to be aware that it is “of” “vice” (de-vice).

For many, technology has become quite the vice indeed.

We only have so much energy to spend in one day, and a device detox may free up some psychic energy that may have gotten stuck in a loop of distraction. The device detox can easily release creative energy within, unstick positive energy that has been stuck, and open us to connect and create more meaningfully in moments that were previously trapped in device distraction.

The idea of device detox has grown from a practice to a movement.

“Disconnect to Reconnect” is the slogan of Digital Detox LLC, an organization that guides people through a more deliberate use of technology, even sponsoring retreats to take a time-out from tech. In our busy world with stimuli and to-do lists at every corner, it seems that our technological progress brings us not to the peak of

advancement, but sometimes to the pits of communication. Smart phones and computers have connected us globally, but sometimes disconnect us from those sitting directly across the kitchen table. Forbes Magazine published an article entitled “Try The 30-Day Digital Detox Challenge”, encouraging readers to reevaluate their relationship with tech, step away from the phone, tablet or computer and lead “saner” lives. Are we as humans so prone to imbalance that the latest distraction is just another easy way to throw off our souls’ already delicate equilibrium?

The digital detox can serve as a recalibration to gauge our level of connectedness—a way to deliberately pause, breathe, reflect and look around before engaging with technology. It does not require us to throw away our phones, delete our Facebook or unfollow our favorite Instagrammers. It is asking us to look around if we are in the company of our loved ones, or take an opportunity to create rather than consume. It is calling us to step outside and connect with the natural world, both alone and with loved ones. It is calling us to take a deep breath, put away the smartphone and find comfort in the nothingness while waiting in line, sitting on the train or anticipating a coffee date. Sometimes some of our best ideas are born from an empty, and thus available, mind.

The digital detox invites us to let our minds wander, daydream and find pause amid an overstimulated world.

Notice who is around you, with whom you can converse and where there is an opportunity to make a human to human connection. We know we will have evolved from a place of distraction to that of heightened awareness when we acknowledge that the message from within, or from the human in front of us, is of greater importance than the alert from the phone in our pocket.

Digital detox requires us to pause, reflect and get to the heart of the matter, without losing the heart in the distraction of our devices.

Danielle Sullo is an educator, therapeutic writing facilitator and freelance writer in central CT. Connect with her at DSulloNWH@gmail.com.

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November 2017

11

SABOTEURS Tackling Obesity’s Hidden Causes

by Lisa Marshall

E

at less, move more. These words have been the cornerstone of diet advice for decades, leading millions of Americans to greet the new year with vows to cut calories and hit the gym. In all, one in five U.S. adults are dieting at any given time, according to the international market research firm The NPD Group, and 57 percent would like to lose 20 pounds or more.

Yet few will reach that goal.

One survey of 14,000 dieters published in the International Journal of Obesity found that only one in six had ever been able to lose 10 percent of their body weight and keep it off for a year. Another study, published in the last year in Obesity, followed up with 14 contestants from the 2009 TV reality show The Biggest Loser and found that despite efforts to keep their eating and exercise habits on track, 13 had regained significant weight since the competition. Four are heavier now than before participating on the show.

Diet experts say the battle of the bulge has been exceedingly hard to win for one clear reason: We’re oversimplify-

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ing the solution and underestimating the saboteurs. “We’re learning that it’s not as simple as calories-in and calories-out,” says Dr. Pamela Wartian Smith, an Ann Arbor, Michigan, physician specializing in functional and nutritional medicine and author of Why You Can’t Lose Weight.

Research reveals that everything from food allergies to hormone imbalances and disruptions in gut bacteria can subtly undermine the best-laid weight management plans. Working out too much or eating too little can also backfire. Even a mean boss or a cold workplace cubicle can factor in.

Certainly, diet and exercise are key, experts emphasize. Yet, if we’re doing all the right things and still seeing disappointing numbers on the scale, there’s still more we can do. Here are some common weight-loss saboteurs and what to do about them.

Food Sensitivity/Allergy

Bite into a food we’re sensitive to and our body switches into “fight-or-flight” mode. It stores fat and water, releases histamines that widen blood vessels

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Alan Poulson Photography/Shutterstock.com

Underperforming Thyroid The thyroid serves as a key metabolism regulator, dictating how efficiently the heart beats and muscles contract, how quickly the body turns nutrients into energy, and how well we burn off stored fat. When thyroid hormone production falls, metabolism can also decrease by as much as 40 percent.

Yet as many as four in 13 women suffer from a thyroid hormone deficiency, says Toronto naturopathic doctor Natasha Turner, author of the new book The Hormone Boost. “You can diet and exercise until you are blue in the face, but if your thyroid is out of balance,

Yuriy Rachenkov/Shutterstock.com

WEIGHT-LOSS

and inflame tissue, and cranks out stress hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine that make us want to eat more of that food.

“You literally get a high so that you crave more,” says Smith. She notes that unlike true allergies, which can prompt an immediate reaction, food intolerances often manifest subtly over several days. When we are repeatedly exposed to a food we’re sensitive to, we feel bloated and sluggish, regardless of the calorie count.

Allergy medications can also prompt weight gain, in part by boosting appetite. One study by Yale researchers found people that regularly ingested antihistamines like Zyrtec and Allegra were far more likely to be overweight than those not using them.

What to do: First, cut out the most-craved foods. “If someone tells me they just cannot live without cheese, I assume they are allergic to it,” says Smith. Or, try an elimination diet.

Ban common allergens like milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and gluten (if possible, try sticking to only rice and lamb—two hypoallergenic foods—for four days).

Then reintroduce other foods slowly and monitor the results. To combat seasonal allergies naturally, try vitamin C, quercetin and butterbur supplements.

you won’t achieve the body you’re looking for,” she says. “It’s a common cause of weight gain.”

What to do: Get tested for levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and, if possible, T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) also. TSH signals the thyroid to make more T4, the inactive form of thyroid hormone that is converted into T3, the form the body is able to use.

Abnormal blood levels of any of these can impact metabolism adversely, and a TSH test alone may be unable to identify a problem, caution Smith and Turner.

In some cases, medication may be required. Otherwise, move to embrace lifestyle habits that reduce stress levels, because the stress hormone cortisol can inhibit thyroid function. Get eight hours of sleep; sleep deprivation also impairs thyroid function. Eat lots of fiber, which helps the body eliminate excess estrogen and other thyroid-damaging metabolic byproducts. Also, stock up on foods containing tyrosine (almonds and avocadoes), and selenium (Brazil nuts). In some cases, if an iodine deficiency is at play, a doctor may suggest iodine supplements or iodine-rich foods like kelp and sea bass.

Imbalanced Gut

The trillions of microorganisms in our gut have a profound impact on our ability to maintain a healthy weight, says Dr. Raphael Kellman, a New York City physician practicing functional medicine and author of The Microbiome Diet. “The gut bacteria are the gatekeepers of the calories that enter our body,” he explains.

Research shows that certain species of bacteria aid in the metabolizing of carbohydrates, while others help break down fats and protein. Some turn on genes that fight inflammation; others influence how well the body responds to insulin. Diversity and balance of helpful bacteria species are keys to health.

“If changes in the percentages of certain bacteria occur, the microbiome loses its ability to help us maintain a healthy weight,” says Kellman. In one landmark 21st-century study by University of Colorado researchers, swapping the gut bacteria of a skinny mouse with that of an obese one made the skinny mouse gain weight.

What to do: Go easy on antibiotics, which can wipe out gut bacteria diversity. Load up on fermented foods like kim chi, sauerkraut, kefir and yogurt.

Eat lots of inulin-containing plant fiber to give desirable bacteria something to chew on, and consider taking a probiotic supplement until weight loss and health goals are achieved.

Overdoing Diets

As The Biggest Loser contestants learned, losing too much weight too fast can bring metabolism to a screeching halt; the body, coaxed into starvation mode, moves to conserve fuel and store fat.

“If you try to lose weight by drastically slashing calorie intake and going crazy on the cardio machines, you’ll do more harm than good,” says Turner.

Performing intense cardiovascular exercise such as running, cycling or swimming for more than 45 minutes can make cortisol levels surge, accelerating muscle loss and impairing the immune system. That’s counterproductive because muscles burn calories at rest, too.

Consistent over-exercise can also prompt the stressed body to respond in a fightor-flight fashion, storing more belly fat and leading to the “skinny but fat” body composition common among models and marathon runners, she says.

Skipping meals can prompt the key thyroid hormone T3 to fall off too, further slowing metabolism.

Plus, six weeks into a restrictive weight-loss program, levels of the feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin also start to decline, killing motivation and fueling cravings. The result is a weight plateau or even weight gain.

What to do: Unless walking, limit workouts to 40 minutes, advises Turner.

Instead of slogging away at a steady pace on the treadmill, try intervals (short, high-intensity efforts separated by brief rest periods), which have been shown to boost both fat burning and cardiovascular fitness. For example: five-minute warm-up, one-minute run at fast pace, one-minute run at moderate pace, repeat 10

times, five-minute cool-down. Also, incorporate strength training into three workouts each week.

Include some fat, protein and carbohydrates with every meal. If insisting on counting calories, shoot for 450 to 500 per meal and 150 per snack for women; 500 to 600 per meal and 200 to 300 per snack for men. Every week to 10 days, enjoy a carb-loaded “cheat meal” such as pancakes or pasta; it supports any languishing thyroid and feel-good hormones, gives associated neurotransmitters a jump-start and keeps us from feeling deprived.

Dark, Cold, Stressful Workplaces

Alan Hedge, Ph.D., a workplace design researcher with Cornell University, in New York, says women, who tend to have less muscle and body hair to provide natural warmth, are at particular risk of packing on pounds due to an overly cold environment. “When the body is cold, it adapts by laying down insulation, which is fat,” he says. Even without eating extra calories, if we’re constantly cold at work, as 31 percent of women are according to a recent CareerBuilder survey, we tend to gain about a pound or two per year, says Hedge.

Other research, conducted at Northwestern University, in Illinois, shows that workers exposed to more light in the morning weigh about 1.4 pounds less on average than those toiling in windowless cubicles. The suspected reason is that morning light triggers a cascade of hormones that positively impact appetite and metabolism. Another study, by Ohio State University researchers, found women that experienced a stressful event at work or elsewhere and then ate a fat- and calorie-laden meal the next day burned 100 fewer calories from that meal than non-stressed workers.

What to do: At work, move the desk toward a window or at least take a walk every morning. Bring a space heater, extra sweater or hot tea fixings.

After an ultra-stressful workday, eat especially healthfully that night.

Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall.com.

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November 2017

13

A Naturopathic Approach to Metabolic Syndrome

by Nick Edgerton

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etabolism is the summation of active chemical processes in an organism to support life.

With lackadaisical metabolism comes onset of disease. Metabolic syndrome, also referred to as metabolic imbalance or Syndrome X, is a group of coinciding biological parameters that increase the risk of developing heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The diagnosis is formally given when an individual has met three of the following five criteria: 1) Abdominal waist circumference, apple-shaped, males >40in, females >35in 2) Serum triglycerides >150mg/dl 3) HDL “good” cholesterol, males <40mg/dl, females <50mg/dl 4) Blood Pressure >130/85 5) Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) >100mg/dl In simpler terms, metabolic syndrome is a disease of lifestyle. Unhealthy nutritional habits, a lack of regular physical 14

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activity and excess stress are all major factors in promoting the aforementioned parameters. Metabolic syndrome is the precursor to heart disease and diabetes, with heart disease being the number one killer in the U.S. It is estimated by the American Heart Association that more than 1 in 3 Americans have this syndrome. This is a significant problem. If this rate does not decrease, it poses a strong threat to our healthcare system and economy.

However, metabolic syndrome is a lot more than just heart disease and diabetes. Often, one’s entire hormone profile will be imbalanced. With this, one may have hypothyroidism, significant menopausal symptoms or andropause (also known as male menopause).

Key Metabolic Factors

Cholesterol is heralded as a major element in the development of heart disease. However, there is confusion around this subject. In fact, dietary cholesterol isn’t as significant as once believed.

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More importantly, stress, refined sugars, processed foods and sedentary lifestyle will promote cholesterol problems. Furthermore, physicians can be more precise when diagnosing high cholesterol. The classic lipid panel blood test measures the weight of cholesterol, which is not as clinically relevant as the number of cholesterol particles and the particle sizes.

Measuring the weight of cholesterol may lead to unnecessary statin prescription, and conversely may miss heart disease in some people. Also, there’s a genetic influence on cholesterol synthesis; a nutrigenomic analysis may be useful, but more importantly, looking at family history is a huge part of the unique assessment. This is true preventative medicine, a solution to the healthcare problem.

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal gland axis dysfunction (HPA dysfunction) is an issue with communication between these three glands and the hormones they produce. HPA glands are responsible for basic life functions like thirst, appetite, libido, energy, growth, etc. The hypothalamus is at the base of the brain and sends hormones to the pituitary gland (located

Eat foods that don’t have ingredients, but instead are the ingredients; this is whole food. right below the hypothalamus), which then releases many different hormones acting on several glands, including the thyroid and adrenals.

The thyroid gland is considered the body’s thermostat and the master of metabolism. Low thyroid function causes symptoms of slow metabolism: weight gain, constipation, feeling cold and more. Active thyroid hormone, or T3, acts on every cell in the body, which stimulates the cells to work harder.

Adrenal fatigue is a common but often misunderstood condition. The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and secrete several hormones including cortisol, adrenaline and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). When taxed with stress for ongoing periods, the adrenals produce aberrant levels of these hormones. This does not mean they are not functioning at

all—they are just not working optimally. DHEA is the precursor to sex hormones: testosterone and estrogen. When DHEA is not at sufficient levels, testosterone production can be reduced, making it harder to shed fat and build muscle.

Cortisol is the “stress” hormone, and when this is out of balance, one will see stubborn abdominal weight gain (metabolic syndrome factor). Cortisol inhibits the ability to burn fat for energy. Instead, fat stays elevated in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia, metabolic syndrome factor) and eventually gets stored as fat.

How to Improve Metabolism

The discussion of treatment for this condition can be complex when you consider all the different hormones that are at play. Nevertheless, there are fundamental shifts that anyone can start today which will encourage overlapping and holistic benefits.

Exercise burns excess blood sugar, reduces bad cholesterol, increases good cholesterol, increases T3 sensitivity improving thyroid function, reduces stress, balances cortisol, burns calories, releases nitric oxide and reduces blood pressure, among other benefits. Regular physical activity (RPA) is defined as 30 to 45 minutes of moderate intensity exercise—50 to 70 percent of Heart Rate Maximum (HRmax= 220-age)—at least three days a week. RPA has been shown to decrease risk factors of all chronic disease, including heart disease and diabetes.

Every time we eat, we have a choice to consume food that will either fight disease or feed disease. Proper nutrition will vary person to person, however it is not a coincidence that the leading therapeutic diets today—Whole30, paleo, vegetarian, BloodType diet, Autoimmune Protocol and AntiInflammatory diet—all focus on whole food and plant-based nutrition. These diets recommend limiting or avoiding inflammatory food groups such as wheat, dairy, refined sugars and processed meats. Eat foods that don’t have ingredients, but instead are the ingredients; this is whole food. Today, there are healthy home delivery meal programs which make this radical shift much more approachable.

Stress management and proper sleep hygiene influence the treatment of metabolic syndrome. As outlined previously, cortisol is detrimental for several reasons: insomnia, weight gain, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperinsulinemia. Botanical medicine, mindful meditation, acupuncture, craniosacral treatment and counseling, among other treatments, have been documented to normalize cortisol. It is not always possible to eliminate stressors in our life, but one can take a proactive path in positively affecting the response to stressors. There is great potential in preventative medicine, with the goal to reverse syndromes before they become disease.

From nutritional interventions and stress management techniques like acupuncture, to advanced hormone testing and nutritional supplement recommendations, Naturopathic Doctors are trained in preventing and treating metabolic syndrome.

Dr. Nick Edgerton, ND, LAc is a licensed naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist at Collaborative Natural Health Specialists, LLC. He is an in-network provider with most major health insurance companies. Please call 860-533-0178 for an appointment. See ad, page 22.

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November 2017

15

Preventing, Reversing and Managing Diabetes Naturally

by Linda Sechrist

M

ore health practitioners today are recognizing both the mind-body connection, as well as energetic and metaphysical insights into preventing and reversing illnesses. As a result, those facing diabetes and other health challenges are accessing contemporary resources such as Louise L. Hay’s explanation of the emotional roots of disease in You Can Heal Your Life, and the medical science and natural methods explained by health researcher and author Gary Null, Ph.D., in No More Diabetes: A Complete Guide to Preventing, Treating, and Overcoming Diabetes.

Applying a “both” rather than an “either” approach illuminates the importance of recognizing the ways our thoughts, emotions and lifestyle choices can impact chronic illness and long-term health.

Two Perspectives

michaeljung/Shutterstock.com

Hay suggests that this metabolic disorder may be rooted in a feeling of being deprived of life’s sweetness and longing for what might have been, accompanied by a great need to control deep sorrow. Such chronic unease can show up as Type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes; Type 2, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes; latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), a slowly progressing variation of Type 1; or gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy.

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Naturally Control Blood Sugar

Glucose, the human body’s key source of cellular energy, is the end product of the digestive system breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and fats for absorption in the intestines. From there, it passes into the bloodstream. Glucose also supplies energy for the brain. Normal blood glucose levels vary throughout the day. For healthy individuals, a fasting blood sugar level upon awakening is less than 100 milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dl) of blood. Before meals, normal levels are 70 to 99 mg/dl; otherwise, 100 to 125. Consistent readings above 126 indicate that lifestyle changes are needed to avoid eventual progression into full Type 2 diabetes.

When there’s an inability to efficiently transport glucose from the blood into cells, cells don’t receive the energy they need to function properly. “Elevated glucose levels contribute to blood vessel damage, high blood pressure and inflammation among other issues. High glucose causes insulin levels to spike in an effort to draw the glucose into cells.

This stresses the pancreas and causes a sugar crash, called hypoglycemia, which can lead individuals to make impulsive, poor food choices,” advises

developing Type 2 diabetes.

Iankowitz’s effective, patient-centered practice follows a practical, fourmonth healing plan that includes tracking foods, moods, blood pressure, sleeping habits and exercise, all necessary to manage or reverse Type 2 diabetes.

Oleksandra Naumenko/Shutterstock.com

Eavesdropping on our repetitive inner mind chatter and observing its impact on outer experiences can reveal faulty thinking that disrupts the mindbody connection. Hay, a firm believer in the power of affirmations to send a message to the subconscious mind, recommends them to aid healing. For diabetes, she suggests, “This moment is filled with joy. I now choose to experience the sweetness of today.”

Null cites medical evidence that explains how the physical causes of diabetes are related to the pancreatic production of the hormone insulin and the body’s use of it, together with rollercoaster blood sugar levels determined by food selections, stress, sleeplessness, insufficient rest and lack of exercise. His approach for preventing, reversing or managing this debilitating condition is to raise awareness of the physical, behavioral and mental causes that lead to its emergence, and making healthy lifestyle choices that regulate blood sugar levels.

Effective Diet Choices

Nourishing myself is a joyful experience, and I am worth the time spent on my healing. ~Louise L. Hay Marcy Kirshenbaum, a board-certified clinical nutritionist and owner of Enhance Nutrition, in Northbrook, Illinois.

She notes, “Elevated sugar and insulin levels raise triglycerides, a fat that circulates in the blood, and cholesterol, specifically the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels. Triglycerides and cholesterol are important measures of heart health. Triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dl in fasting blood is a risk factor for a stroke or heart attack.”

Early Heads-Up

According to the American Diabetes Association, 8.1 million of the 29.1 million individuals diagnosed with diabetes were previously unaware of any early symptoms such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, frequent urination, constant hunger (even after meals), unusual weight gain or loss and lack of energy. “Many individuals only learn of their condition from a doctor-ordered routine blood test such as the A1C glycated hemoglobin procedure, which reads blood sugar levels over a three-month period,” advises Dr. Nancy Iankowitz, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and founding director of Holistic and Integrative Healing, in Holmes, New York.

Individuals that consume large amounts of simple carbohydrates and sugars, are overweight or are exceedingly sedentary and eat unhealthy processed foods, have a higher risk for

Making the highest-impact food choices is critical in the earliest stages of diabetes. That’s why nutritionist and holistic integrative health practitioner Saskia Kleinert, an independent practitioner who also serves as director of the Emeryville Health & Wellness Center, in California, helps patients integrate dietary changes into everyday life.

“Patient education includes the necessity of eating low-glycemic index foods and reducing blood glucose levels, while increasing healthy fats with nuts, avocado and olive oil,” advises Kleinert. She notes that antioxidant-rich plant foods are another key component of an effective dietary plan for all age groups.

The role of exercise is also vital for those needing to reverse pre-diabetes or managing diabetes aided by insulin injections. “Exercise increases the muscle cell’s demand for glucose, moving it out of the blood into muscle cells that use it as fuel, and so lowering insulin levels,” explains Jamie Coughlan, a naturopathic doctor who practices in Pleasanton and Pleasant Hill, California.

Dr. Angelo Baccellieri, owner of Westchester Wellness Medicine, in Harrison, New York, introduces patients to intermittent fasting, an eating pattern that helps treat insulin resistance and control blood sugar. “The concept is predicated on going 14 to 16 hours without food, replicating how our primitive ancestors ate. They feasted when food was available and fasted during famines, sometimes going several days without eating,” advises Baccellieri, who notes that intermittent fasting can be done one day a week.

“Our biochemistry actually does very well with this approach, which isn’t hard to do when your last meal is at 7 p.m. and you skip breakfast and delay lunch the next day until 1 p.m. You can drink water with lemon, teas and black coffee throughout. By 1 p.m., the body has been NAHRT.com

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18 hours without protein and carbohydrates, allowing insulin levels to remain at a low level. Excess insulin from too much sugar shifts the body into a storage mode. Having no sugar stores available, the body can then switch into a ketogenic state that allows the body to burn fat for fuel,” explains Baccellieri.

Herbs such as turmeric reduce inflammation. Berberine can help cells use glucose efficiently. Supplements such as vitamin C, B-complex, resveratrol and pycnogenol (pine bark extract) can raise antioxidant levels, in which most prediabetic and diabetic individuals are deficient, according to a study published in PubMed. Cautious health professionals tailor supplement recommendations to each patient.

Helpful Weight Loss

In The Diabetes Breakthrough, based on a scientifically tested way to reverse diabetes through weight loss, Dr. Osama Hamdy and Sheri R. Colberg, Ph.D., explain a home-based version of the 12-week Why WAIT (Weight Achievement and Intensive Treatment) program offered at the Joslin Diabetes Center, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, in Boston.

WAIT allows participants to reach their weight and blood glucose goals, along with improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and liver and kidney function.

The program’s success is due to doable increases in exercising that put greater emphasis on strengthening muscles; effective ways to change bad habits; successful portion control; healthy alternatives to favorite foods; carbohydrate counting; and meals composed of the right balance of complex carbohydrates and antioxidant-rich plant foods, protein and fat, all to achieve optimum body weight and diabetes control.

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n Eliminate environmental toxins. n Perform some form of cardiovascular exercise and resistance training at least three to five times a week. n Add stress-relieving practices such as yoga, tai chi or qigong.

According to Hamdy, “On average, diabetes has the potential to rob you of more than 12 years of life, while dramatically reducing the quality of life for more than 20 years through chronic pain, loss of mobility, blindness, chronic dialysis and heart disease.” Such serious consequences also include stroke, hearing impairment and Alzheimer’s, he adds.

All provide good reasons to live responsibly every day, cherishing long-term goals of laying claim to the best possible health.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.

Connect at LindaSechrist.com.

Balancing Metabolic Syndrome in the Kitchen Select Foods Eliminate Inflammation, Strengthen Immunity

by Jeanne Tennis

M

indful eating, plant-centered, plant-based, seasonal, holistic eating, whole food, vegan, clean, down-toearth, back-to-nature, local, fresh focused, unprocessed—no matter how we care to label it, making dietary adjustments that bring more plants into our daily life is a profoundly powerful step in the right direction toward addressing and curbing the effects that lead to metabolic dysfunction.

Nearly one out of every six people in this country are suffering from one or more health conditions that doctors are classifying under the term “metabolic syndrome”, according to the American Heart Association.

Defined as a grouping of risk factors which includes obesity (notably abdominal fat centered at the high waist), high blood pressure, insulin resistance and high blood sugar and high cholesterol levels, metabolic syndrome is not a disease in itself, but a combination of disorders that may increase an individual’s risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke.

While some risk factors, such as genetics, can’t be changed, simple and effective adjustments in your daily living habits may help you avoid and reverse the majority of factors which can contribute to this all too common health condition.

Simple strategies beginning in the kitchen can yield enormously effective and efficient results. Here are some places to start: clean out cupboards, pantry and refrigerator of all highly processed foods, including all foods containing excessive oil, salt, sugar and chemicals; ditch the soda and coffee creamers; use the internet and local library to search for plant-based meals that appeal to you and your family.

Soups, stews, entrees, sauces, dressings and even desserts can all be created using unprocessed foods. While it may seem intimidating at first to make these changes, our culture is filled with chefs, cooks, coaches, bloggers and teachers

who are sharing their recipes, recommendations and passion for whole-food, plant-centered meals.

By working with medical professionals, following your intuition, connecting with a support system that is comfortable for you, while focusing on foods you enjoy, transitioning deeper into plant centered meal planning can be easy and obtainable.

Optimal health begins at the cellular level. As Dr. Terry Shintani notes in his The Peaceful Diet book, “…the best approach to health is a holistic approach to health including body, mind and spirit, and that the best diet for health and spiritual development is based on whole, unprocessed plant-based food.” Shintani’s Peace Diet has improved the health of followers all over the world—including those in the high health-risk group of native Hawaiians. Any anti-inflammatory, plant-based, whole food diet will improve our health on multiple levels. The key is making the changes and sticking with them.

Viewing lifestyle changes, especially those involving the types of foods we eat, as a positive shift can be difficult for some people. Change is not always easy. Family members, social circles and personal habits can make dietary adjustments challenging. A positive outlook is critical and easy to embrace when you realize how much control you really have in your own healing journey.

Accepting the journey as a fun challenge will make any changes easier. When we have learned how to ride a bike or drive a car, studied a foreign language, learned a new card game or joined a club or sports team, we’ve met the challenge with an open mind that allows for growth. Once you learn the basic rules, techniques and tactics, the process becomes familiar and comfortable. Then practice makes perfect. The same holds true for transforming our health in the kitchen.

Jeanne Tennis is a five-season, vegan chef, macrobiotic health coach and a certified herbalist. Tennis offers classes, personal and group cooking sessions and plant-based health coaching. She can be reached at TheKeyToBalance@cox.net and TheKeyToBalance.com.

Whole-food, Plant-based Ideas • Meals, snacks and desserts made with beans, seeds, grains, land and sea vegetables, nuts and fruits will dramatically reduce the inflammation in your body, eliminate your cravings for processed foods and strengthen your immune system.

• Grains can be made into breakfast porridges, pilafs, formed into patties with beans and vegetables or added into stews and soups • Land and sea vegetables are delicious in dishes served with homemade sauces and dressings, tossed into soups and added into stir-fries. Challenge yourself to water sauté as much as possible, using oil only sparingly as a condiment rather than as a cooking method.

• Beans, nuts, seeds and traditionally processed foods, such as organic tempeh and tofu, can be eaten at every meal in various forms and used to make dishes and desserts that will leave you satisfied, energized and vibrant.

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November 2017

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A Thanksgiving You Don’t Have to Recuperate From Reduce Stress by Watching Grain, Sugar and Dairy Intake

by Ayelet Connell

T

he holidays are around the corner again, and that means family, friends and turkey. But for many, the holiday season can induce stress, whether because of more or less time with family, poor choices for food or too many responsibilities. Often we feel like we need to recuperate after the holidays.

Here are some strategies that can help to reduce stress during the holidays, while maintaining a healthy balance.

If cooking your own Thanksgiving or other holiday meal, without worrying too much about alternatives, try to prepare foods that generally do not have gluten or refined sugars. Gluten is very inflammatory and can contribute to stress; the same is true of refined sugars. Gravy can easily be thickened with corn starch or potato starch instead of wheat flour. Cook more roasted veggies like roasted sweet potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts instead of vegetable dishes that have a lot of breading. Be adventurous and attempt gluten-free stuffing, or forgo the traditional stuffing and make a rice dish instead.

Instead of offering bottles of wine or champagne during the holidays, have bottles of sparkling cider on hand; it’s as an easy alternative for those that want to avoid alcohol. Alcohol breaks down in the body as a sugar and can create more stress during a time that potentially presents with enough stress as it is. Avoiding alcohol as much as possible during the 20

Hartford County Edition

holiday season will help to make us more tolerant to all the extra pressures that the holidays can bring.

Carve out some time for yourself during the holiday season. You can incorporate some exercise into your week or even just a walk outside for some fresh air every day. This simple action can create some movement in the body and help with releasing stress.

Lastly, it is helpful to remember that the holiday season is about being thankful and spending more time with the people we care about, whether family or friends. Stress may be inevitable, but we must remind ourselves that it’s okay, that we’re doing the best we can, that we faced challenges this past year and overcame them, that we’re wonderful and special and worthy. To be able to give our love to others, we need to love ourselves. During this holiday time, we can be patient with ourselves and enjoy.

Roasted Turkey Recipe

For many years, my husband and I served a “Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving” for friends and family that weren’t able to spend thanksgiving with us during the actual holiday. It was a special pot-luck meal that was gluten-free and dairy-free because so many of us at the time were sensitive to these foods.

Surprisingly, the turkey process was relatively easy. The key to cooking a turkey is time and attention. This recipe is

natural awakenings

a favorite of mine that we created and have modified over the years.

Ingredients Natural Turkey, with neck and giblets removed 3-4 lemons, sliced in quarters 4 onions, cut into quarters 6 large carrots 6 large celery stalks 3 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1- to

2-inch thick stalks Sea salt Fresh cracked pepper 5 stalks of fresh thyme 5 stalks of fresh parsley 2 Tbsp whole grain mustard 2 Tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp paprika Extra virgin olive oil 10-15 mixed color small potatoes,

cut in half Directions Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Layer carrots, celery stalks and parsnip stalks along bottom of roasting pan.

Sprinkle with sea salt, fresh cracked pepper and rub stalks with a little extra virgin olive oil.

Pat outside and inside of turkey dry with paper towels and then lay turkey, breast side up, on vegetable stalks. Stuff turkey with lemon and onion wedges, fresh herbs, sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. Sprinkle turkey with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper.

In separate bowl, make rub by mixing mustard, lemon juice, paprika and 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, then rub on outside of turkey.

Place potato halves around turkey in roasting pan, along with remaining onion wedges.

Mix potato/onion mix with sea salt, fresh cracked pepper and a little extra virgin olive oil.

Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes per pound of turkey.

Be sure to check on turkey every 30 minutes to see if turkey is burning. If turkey is starting to burn in sections, you can cover those sections with small pieces of foil wrapped over the area.

Use meat thermometer in the thigh to determine doneness of turkey—turkey

is ready when temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Let the turkey rest for 20 to 40 minutes before carving. Enjoy!

Gravy Recipe

Sometimes, making gravy can seem like a complicated task. This very simple gravy recipe from Whole Foods Market is a good solution.

Ingredients ¼ cup pan drippings from turkey

roasting pan 2 cups low sodium turkey broth, divided 3 Tbsp arrowroot starch ¼ tsp sea salt ¼ tsp ground black pepper

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Directions Put pan drippings in medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Whisk 1 ½ cups of broth into sauce pan and bring just to boil.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together arrowroot and remaining ½ cup broth.

Whisk mixture into saucepan just until smooth and mixture begins to thicken, then immediately remove from heat.

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Stir in salt and pepper and serve.

The key is planning. Plan out your meals and also consider what you can bring to other gatherings that you may be contributing to. Think about how to create a holiday dessert that is free of refined sugars and sweetened naturally with honey, pure maple syrup or coconut sugar.

There are a plethora of options available online through Pinterest and lots of natural blogs. Take the time in advance to plan and your holidays will be so much easier. No recovery needed!

Ayelet Connell, PhD, PT, IMT, C is President and owner of Integrative Wellness & Physical Therapy, in Bloomfield—a wellness center offering holistic physical therapy, Integrative Manual Therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture and nutritional wellness. A physical therapist and Certified Integrative Manual Therapist, Ayelet integrates a healthy lifestyle at home with her family in the Greater Hartford area. Connect with her at 860-519-1916 or IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com. See ad, page 8.

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November 2017

21

Panini & Sandwiches Forget mayo or mustard. Spread away with pumpkin puree! A combo of pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling), garlic and a pinch of salt and pepper provides a wonderful fall flavor boost to a turkey and spinach sandwich.

Pumpkin Protein Spread (or Frosting) Try mixing canned pumpkin with almond butter, vanilla protein powder and a dash of cinnamon. Perfect on a whole-grain English muffin, pita, cupcake or banana.

Think Beyond Pie! Pumpkin Offers Health Benefits

by Shana Griffin

A

t 50 calories, 3 grams of fiber per cup, and chock full of Vitamin A, C and K, there is definitely a place for pumpkin in most diets. If you’re looking for creative ways to cash in on the health benefits of pumpkin in your diet, look no further. Try some of these creative ways to pack in the pumpkin this fall.

Pumpkin Pesto No need to be traditional here. Try making your own pesto with pumpkin puree, pecans, garlic and some Parmesan cheese. This sweet and savory spread goes great on pasta, veggies or whole-grain crackers.

Salads Spruce up green salads with chopped roasted pumpkin. Add to arugula with dried cranberries, walnuts or pecans and salmon.

Chili Warm up with your next bowl of chili by adding pumpkin. The sweet and nutty flavor adds a wonderful depth even kids will love.

“Pumpy” Pancakes Add 1/2 cup pumpkin puree and 1/2 tsp pumpkin-pie spice to your favorite pancake batter. Cook, then top with 100 percent pure maple syrup and crunchy cinnamon pumpkin seeds, or spread on almond butter for a fun pancake sandwich. These are great to make and freeze for a grab ‘n go snack or meal.

No-Cook Pumpkin Granola Bites Combine 1 cup oatmeal, 1/2 tsp pumpkinpie spice, 3 Tbsp pumpkin puree, 2 Tbsp maple syrup and 1/4 cup raisins (or dark mini chocolate chips) in a mixing bowl.

Form into 1-inch round balls and enjoy.

Pumpkin Oats Stir 1/4 cup pumpkin puree into prepared oatmeal, and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey.

Shana Griffin is the registered dietitian for the ShopRite of Canton, 110 Albany Tpke, Ste 200, Canton. See ad, page 6.

22

Hartford County Edition

natural awakenings

naturalpet

experience physical ailments related to the immune, digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems.

Ways to Relieve a Pet’s Distress

n Provide a quiet place for the pet to escape. It can be as simple as allowing them to be in a bedroom and closing the door. Cover crates with a sheet for privacy.

Managing Holiday Stress in Pets

by Mary Oquendo

H

oliday season is about to get started. It is a stressful time for many people, but some may not realize that pets can suffer the same stressful effects, both physically and emotionally.

Stress isn’t just aggravation

Studies have shown a similarity between the effects of stress on our bodies and that of pets. When we are stressed, our bodies release adrenaline and cortisol. The same happens for our pets. When these “stress hormones” are released into a pet’s body, the heart and respiratory rate, as well as the aging process, speed up. In addition, these chemicals inhibit the immune system, reduce blood flow to the brain and shut down the reproductive system. A secondary effect of a suppressed reproductive system is cardiovascular disease in both people and pets.

Causes of stress similar between people and pets

Over-stressed family members: A pet’s sense of smell is greater than ours and they are able to perceive our adrenaline and cortisol hormones. They look to us as their pack leader; if we are worried, they assume there must be something

to worry about and behave accordingly.

Change in diet: The holiday season can disrupt a pet’s normal diet and feeding schedule. Holiday food is usually richer, higher in fat and more available.

In addition, many holiday dishes contain onions, grapes, raisins and other foods that are poisonous to our pets.

Change in routine: We spend more time away from home shopping and visiting. Walks and feeding schedules may be disrupted.

Extra visitors in the home: Our pets’ senses are in overload. There may be children running around trying to touch them or adults using different or too much perfume or cologne. Our house may be louder than normal with tasty temptations everywhere. Visitors may also include other pets traveling with guests.

Travel: Visiting out-of-area friends and relatives is disruptive regardless of whether our pets are boarded or travel with us.

Indicators of Stress in Pets

We may notice our pet suffering from depression, restlessness, exhaustion and lack of appetite. They may exhibit aggressive, destructive or obsessive compulsive behavior. A stressed pet is more likely to bite or vocalize more.

And, as mentioned above, they may

n Infuse the dog’s area with lavender essential oil in a diffuser. New guidelines from the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy recommend not to use essential oils in any form around cats and birds. n Do not use candles with essential oils, as it may be a fire hazard. n Add soothing music to the environment. There is music designed specifically for different species. n Give size-appropriate toys for mental stimulation. n Keep to their normal diet and feeding schedule. n Give pets extra exercise. Movements dissipate both adrenaline and cortisol, resulting in calmer pets. n An energetic space clearing removes built up negative energy that accumulates from day-to-day living and replaces it with fresh, positive energy.

Use protective and grounding stones around the home; this will benefit the entire household during the busy time of year. But keep them out of reach of chewers. Any brown, black, red, yellow or pink stones are a good choice.

Paying attention to our pet’s stress level over the holiday season and actively taking steps to counteract stress effects on their mind and body will result in a much happier holiday for all.

In addition, these changes will have an all-around positive change in our lives throughout the year.

Mary Oquendo is a Reiki Master, advanced crystal master and certified master tech pet first aid instructor.

She is the owner of Hands and Paws Reiki for All. She can be reached at HandsAndPawsReiki.com.

NAHRT.com

November 2017

23

healingways

SACRED SILENCE

THREE-MONTH EDITORIAL PLANNING CALENDAR

D E C J A N F E B

Discover the Benefits of Quiet at a Silent Retreat

Community Connections plus: True Prosperity

by April Thompson

Vibrational Healing plus: Chiropractic Care

Living Courageously plus: Meditation Styles

Contact us to learn about marketing opportunities and become a member of the Natural Awakenings community:

860-507-6392

I

ndividuals seeking to escape life’s ceaseless distractions, deepen their personal spiritual practice, enhance well-being and gain fresh perspective, are patronizing silent retreats in rising numbers.

“Retreats are a special opportunity to enter a healing space where your natural energy, insight, intelligence and wisdom can arise,” says Linda Mary Peacock, known as Thanissara, a former Buddhist nun, cofounder of South Africa’s Dharma-giri Hermitage and Outreach and a retreat leader at the Spirit Rock Insight Meditation Center, in Woodacre, California.

Sheila Russ, of Richmond, Virginia, has participated in several retreats with silent components, hosted by spiritual traditions spanning Baptist to Benedictine. “People of different faiths all have the same need to reach inside and listen. If we don’t slow down and get quiet, we can’t hear what’s going on with us,” says Russ. “Spending time in contemplation is cleansing and freeing; I feel like mentally and spiritually I can breathe.”

Scientific Support

Attaining heightened well-being after a retreat may have a neurological basis, according to research from Thomas Jefferson University’s Marcus Institute 24

Hartford County Edition

natural awakenings

of Integrative Health, in Philadelphia.

Silent retreats appear to raise the brain’s levels of mood-boosting chemicals, according to Dr. Andrew Newberg, director of research there.

Newberg’s team tested the brains of retreat participants before and one week after an Ignatian-based retreat, finding significant changes in their serotonin and dopamine systems. “Whether through prayers, walks or meditations, the single-minded ritualistic aspect of retreats seems to predispose the brain for peak spiritual experience,” he observes.

What to Expect

Formats vary, but most silent retreats entail extended periods of sitting meditation or prayer, often alternating with walking meditation or other mindful movement. Some may also entail a work detail, like sweeping the meditation hall or helping prepare meals.

“Work tasks help bring mindfulness into everyday life,” says Chas DiCapua, a resident teacher for the Insight Meditation Society’s flagship retreat center in Barre, Massachusetts, who has led silent retreats teaching Buddhist practices for 20 years. “The community aspect is equally important; being surrounded by people that support your spiritual practice can encourage you on

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what can be a lonely path.”

Silence doesn’t mean being static and somber or not thinking, counsels David Harshada Wagner, of Ojai, California, whose meditation retreats draw from the Indian mystical traditions of yoga, vedanta and tantra. “Silence is more than the absence of talking; it’s a powerful energy,” says Wagner. “Silent retreats are the loudest, as the energy is roaring within. It should be a joyous practice.”

Yet retreats aren’t a cakewalk. Los Angeles author and mindfulness facilitator Jennifer Howd chronicles the challenges of her first nine-day silent retreat in Joshua Tree, California, in her memoir Sit, Walk, Don’t Talk. Seven retreats later, Howd says that although the journey isn’t always easy, she always gains insights about herself and the nature of the mind.

Choosing a Retreat

Retreat leaders caution that while it’s good to jettison expectations and approach the experience with an open mind, choose a retreat that fits individual needs. The level of personal attention at retreats can vary greatly, remarks Thanissara. “Some may host 100 or more people, relying largely on taped instruction without much interaction with group leaders. A small group might be better for a first retreat,” she suggests.

Thanissara recommends an upfront review of instructor credentials and starting with a weekend retreat before embarking on one of longer duration. Regardless of length, retreats aren’t always for everyone. “If you’re going through emotional or psychological difficulties, it’s best to discuss your circumstances with a teacher at the retreat center before deciding to attend. If you’re in therapy, talk with your therapist,” counsels DiCapua.

The deliberate, conscientious practices of my first silent retreat made me appreciate each moment: the gifts, blessings, music, stretching, meditation, prayers and practice of stillness. ~Unity retreat feedback

Retreat Back to Everyday Life

Afterwards, ease back into the daily routine; don’t rush back into old patterns of media and food consumption, recommends Howd. “Try to build-in a day or two of down time.

You may still be processing things emotionally.”

DiCapua suggests finding a local community of a kindred practice to keep the momentum going, and not expect to keep it up as earnestly at home as at the retreat. Attending daylong maintenance retreats on Saturdays or Sundays can also help sustain individual practice. Above all, “Appreciate yourself for having thought to go on a retreat and follow it through,” says DiCapua. “It can be a radical thing.”

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

Design Your Own Retreat

D

oes the thought of a lengthy silent retreat feel intimidating? You’re not alone! The transition from a toobusy, “doing” life can make stepping out of it to just be seem challenging, impractical or downright impossible.

Here are some ways to move from noisy chatter toward inner connection without upending your life in the process.

Breathe. Close your eyes, place your hand over your solar plexus (lower stomach above your navel), and breathe slowly and deeply into the space below your hand.

Breathe slowly and rhythmically, feeling the area fill and empty of air. Repeat. And again. Your cells and inner Self will thank you for the brief respite and attention. The longer the better but even a few conscious deep breaths will help.

Meditate. There are many ways to meditate, for any length of time. There are apps available for download to guide and assist, as well as regular classes offered in the area; refer to the calendar for ideas.

Float. An hour in a float tank can make a tremendous difference in how your body-mind-spirit feel. A Healing Trail in Harwinton, Tranquil Balance in East Lyme, Surrender to the Float in Guilford, PureRest in Trumbull and New Haven and ifloat in Westport are some options.

Visit a salt cave. Quiet time with no interaction with others in a healing space can be a true gift to your being.

There are several salt caves now in Connecticut including Saltana Cave in Ridgefield, Salt of the Earth in Woodbury and Newtown Salt Spa in Newtown.

For a more extended retreat, consider a retreat center.

Some are faith-based, others are non-denominational.

Almost all welcome visitors for hours, days or longer.

Offerings can vary widely. Below is a list of some centers in the region.

Connecticut Retreat Centers Copper Beech Institute West Hartford • 860-760-9718 Guest House Retreat and Conference Center Chester • 860-322-5770 Holy Family Retreat & Conference Center West Hartford • 860-521-0440 Mercy by the Sea Madison • 203-245-0401 Oratory of the Little Way Gaylordsville • 860-354-8294 Trinity Retreat Center West Cornwall• 646-284-7980 Wisdom House Retreat & Conference Center Litchfield •860-567-3163 NAHRT.com

November 2017

25

Silence as Self-Love Open Pandora’s Box to Pursue Soul Healing

by Nicole Miale

T

he word retreat by definition means “an act of moving back or withdrawing.” In a time of hyperstimulation in the face of technology and ever-pressing demands, a retreat has come to mean time away from the stresses and concerns of everyday life.

The term, once exemplified by a fleeing army, now stands for a refresh of the body, mind and spirit. People go on retreat for many reasons and the form varies based on the individual’s specific needs and personal spiritual practice.

Whether someone is seeking deeper meaning in their life, needs time for reflection, desires healing or simply wants to get away from the demands of daily life for an hour, the modern definition of a retreat is an act of loving self-care.

“I wanted space and silence,” explains Cathy Whelehan, owner of Open Sky Yoga Barn in Redding, of her week-long silent retreat this summer in Maine. “I needed to be being, not doing. For me, this time was about deep rest, spiritual rest. And I felt like my life depended on me doing it.”

Whelehan had done silent retreats before, but always in a group setting with a teacher and surrounding company. This time she desired complete 26

Hartford County Edition

solitude. With three teens and two businesses at home left in the supportive hands of her husband, Whelehan found a cabin on Sand Pond in Maine and booked it for a week in mid-July. It was a two room space, with electricity and an outhouse but no running water. Her phone and computer left in the car, she was isolated by choice on the picturesque shore of a small lake.

“My expectation based on previous experience with even just vacation was that it would take me a couple days to really unplug,” she muses. “But that didn’t happen. I got out of the car and felt myself just drop right in. I dropped right into love. And all these weeks later, I still feel it. There was nothing else there, just me and Source. That’s it.”

Urgyan Zangpo, a Western Buddhist lama in the Vajrayana tradition, has dedicated decades of study and practice to his spiritual work. His path included a four-year retreat alone in the Canadian Yukon Territory, which he says was one the best and most transformative things he ever did in his life. “Silence helps us encourage our felt wonder, enthrallment, attunement, holistic awareness and illumination,” he explains. “We’re on autopilot so much

natural awakenings

in daily life. Quieting the body, speech and mind allows the awakening of more luminous qualities covered up by the noisiness of modern society.”

Whelehan agrees, “There is a sacred silence available to all of us all of the time. And yet we fill it with chatter.” During her week in Maine, Whelehan experienced a deep shift and was left with a persistent feeling of love. “We don’t really understand the gift of our Self because we so rarely have the opportunity to just be with ourselves,” she says. “I fell in love with myself in such a deep way. I felt deep, abiding love, but also such clarity of mind and body.”

Part of the experience is the simple reality that there is no one else to bounce off; all feelings are self-generated without the potential for being triggered by a loved one or colleague.

Releasing habitual patterns helps let go of a portion of the unconscious burden so many of us carry.

The journey to silence is not to be undertaken lightly, Urgyan says, and especially in the case of a longer retreat, highs and lows of experience are to be expected. “If you’re really committed, you’re going to uncover things which may be difficult to deal with,” he says. “When you take the lid off Pandora’s box, you don’t know what will come out… The silence is just bearing witness to the internal shifts which may occur.”

Whelehan says the essence of spiritual practice is dying a little, then being born again, because in the process, one is forever changed. This can often lead to difficulty in “re-entry” for someone emerging from retreat.

Planning for the integration process is important to smoothly navigate the transition from silent wonder back into the real world, whether your retreat is an hour or a year. “You come out differently,” Urgyan explains. “You are still of the world and you see the same one everyone else sees, but you’re seeing with new eyes because you have now changed.”

Nicole Miale is Publisher of Natural Awakenings Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley, CT and Greater Hartford/ Tolland Counties. Connect at Publisher@NAHRT.com.

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calendarofevents 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

markyourcalendar EMBODY PERU GROUP RETREAT Informational Session

Thursday, November 2 • 6pm Free information session to learn about the April 2018 “Embody Peru” group retreat with Darlene Barnes and Pamela Hiatt. Trip is April 21- 28, 2018. It will include yoga, meditation, and mantra, along with trips to mystical sites such as Manchu Picchu and Lima, and many other activities.

Journey of Yoga 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 Navigate “All That You Are” With Passion – 9:30am-noon. Series dates: 11/4, 12/2, 1/6. With Patricia Shannon and Marain Vitali, Earth and Sky. Receive Munay Ki Rites and wisdom teachings. Standalone $25 each; Series $60. At Spirit Matters 199 West Center St, Manchester. EarthAndSkyShaman.com.

BEMER Physical Vascular Therapy Open House – 1-4pm. Energetic Being Center, 3 Barnard Ln, Top Floor, Bloomfield. 860-830-1180.

The Solar Energy Association of Connecticut Presents: Microgrids Seminar – 1:30pm. With David Ferrante from Eversource, Christopher Bleuher from Schneider Electric and Bernie Pelletier and Mark Scully from PACE. Free. Community Room, Manchester Police Station, 239 Middle Tpke East, Manchester. SolarEnergyOfCT.org.

Full Moon Walk – 7pm. Trail Wood is beautiful by moonlight. Pull yourself away from the demands of the day and listen for denizens of the night. Meet in the parking lot. Free/CAS members; $5/nonmembers. Trail Wood, 93 Kenyon Rd, Hampton.

860-928-4948. CTAudubon.org/Trail-Wood.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Women’s Empowerment Meditation – 10amnoon. This guided meditation is specifically designed to the energy of the group. We invite in our angels and guides to help us release those things that keep us stuck. $25. The Healing in Harmony Center, 80 Eastern Blvd, Glastonbury. 860-4309801.Registration@HealingInHarmonyCenter.com.

HealingInHarmonyCenter.com.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Toddler Trails and Tales – 10:30am-noon. Stories, activities and fun along our trails. Wear clothes/ boots appropriate for the weather. Children must be accompanied by an adult. $5/CAS members; $7/non-members. Grassland Bird Conservation Center, 218 Day Rd, Pomfret Center. 860-928-4948.

CTAudubon.org/Center-At-Pomfret.

Hartford County Edition

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 Healing in Harmony Night – 5-7pm. Free healing service. Sit individually with a healer and receive a 1012 minute healing. No reservation required. The healing services are offered on the second Wednesday of each month. Free. The Healing in Harmony Center, 80 Eastern Blvd, Glastonbury. 860-430-9801.

Registration@HealingInHarmonyCenter.com.

HealingInHarmonyCenter.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11

860-680-1482 Register: JourneyOfYoga.com

28

Free Gluten Free Diet and Weight Loss Class – 6-7pm. With Shana Griffin, Registered Dietitian and Dr. Jonathan Goodman, Naturopathic Doctor. Free.

Spaces limited, sign up today. ShopRite of Canton 110 Albany Tpke, Ste 200, Canton. Shana Griffin, 860693-3666 ext. 3001. Shana.Griffin@WakeFern.com.

Psychic Saturday – 10am-4pm. Receive a private reading to connect you to guidance from your angels, spirit guides and loved ones. Check web site for Readers. Pre-scheduling is recommended. $25/20-minute reading. The Healing in Harmony Center, 80 Eastern Blvd, Glastonbury. 860-4309801. Appointment@HealingInHarmonyCenter. com. HealingInHarmonyCenter.com.

Kirtan with Seven Sisters – 7pm. Join us for a beautiful evening as we sing, dance and celebrate the divinity within each of us. Everyone is welcome. $15/in advance; $20/day of. Vital Life Center, 100 W Main St, Plainville. 860-479-0466.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Second Sunday Walk – 2pm. Stretch your legs and breathe in the fresh air. Bring binoculars and camera if you are so inclined. Meet in the parking lot. Free/ CAS members; $5/non-members. Trail Wood, 93 Kenyon Rd, Hampton. 860-928-4948. CTAudubon.org/ Trail-Wood.

markyourcalendar PEACEFUL DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN PARTNERS with Maggie and David

Saturday, November 11 • 10:45am-2:30pm Delivering an uncomfortable message to special people in our lives can often be challenging and sometimes even exasperating.

This workshop is for two people who want to deepen their relationship by enhancing their communication with each other.

This workshop is limited to ten people (five couples). $75 per person and includes lunch.

Members receive 10% discount. Register by 11/11.

Journey of Yoga 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury 860-680-1482 Register JourneyOfYoga.com JourneyOfYoga.com/Workshops

natural awakenings

markyourcalendar FREE GLUTEN-FREE FESTIVAL AT SHOPRITE OF CANTON Saturday, November 18 • 11-3pm Come discover many gluten free foods throughout the store. Shana Griffin, registered dietitian will be here answering your nutrition questions. Meet Dr. Jonathan Goodman, a naturopathic doctor of 17 years and learn how he can better your health.

ShopRite of Canton at the Shoppes of Farmington Valley 110 Albany Tpke, Ste 200, Canton 860-693-3666

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Cholesterol and Glucose Screening – 10-2pm. Get your numbers checked for better health. No appointment necessary. Learn about other free upcoming health and wellness events provided by Shana Griffin, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Free. ShopRite of Canton 110 Albany Tpke, Ste 200, Canton.

Essential Emotions Class – 6-7pm. Learn how to use essential oils for emotional balance and stress.

Free. TFC Health Foods, 230 Farmington Ave, Farmington. 860-471-6164.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Is That Your Intuition Talking? – 7-8:30pm.

With Rita Faith MacRae, intuitive life coach, of Solstice Strategy Partners, Tolland. Did you know we are all intuitive and have spiritual gifts?

Learn how to expand your consciousness and what helps and hinders it. Free. Bring non-perishable food. Hosted at YogaBorn, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. 860-871-5467.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Nature Sketchbook Journaling – 9am-noon. With Roxanne Steed. Spend time outdoors sketching and painting nature. Learn basic drawing and watercolor techniques. Call to register and for list of materials to bring. $10/CAS members; $20/non-members. Trail Wood, 93 Kenyon Rd, Hampton. 860-928-4948.

CTAudubon.org/Trail-Wood.

Inquiry Dyad Meditation – 12:30-5:30pm. Clear your mind and remove long held obstacles and barriers to peace and self-realization through inquiry and communication. $49; $39/with preregistration by 11/10. Vital Life Center, 100 W Main St, Plainville. 860-479-0466.

Yoga for Health and Healing of the Lower Back With Patty – 1:30-4:30pm. Learn the intricacies of the lower back through Embodied Anatomy and asana.

This workshop is oriented toward yoga teachers, but serious students are invited to inquire. $59/per person, 10% off. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. JourneyOfYoga.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 2018 PACE Annual Meeting – 7pm. Features a keynote address from Craig Lewis of Clean Coalition on Renewables-Driven Community Microgrids and music by State Troubadour Kate Callahan.

Unitarian Society of Hartford, 50 Bloomfield Rd, Hartford. SolarEnergyOfCT.org.

ongoingevents daily Annual Holiday Nature Store – 11/18-12/22.

10am-4pm. Gifts for all ages with Mother Nature in mind. Stock changes daily. Author Katherine Hauswirth will be here on 11/18 to sign her new book titled The Book of Noticing. Grassland Bird Conservation Center, 218 Day Rd, Pomfret. 860928-4948. CTAudubon.org/Center-At-Pomfret.

sunday Astrology with Pat Peabody – Afternoons by appointment. See website for details. $35. Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 860-989-1238.

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.

Kid or Family Yoga – 4-5pm. Every other Sunday.

Let your little yogi explore and learn on the mat while you play right along with them. Engaging songs and stories will get everyone practicing movement with breath in this fun kid/family class! $20/drop-in. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482.

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.

monday Vinyasa Express – 7-8am. Start your day with an express Vinyasa yoga class. This class includes meditation and movement, and is appropriate for all levels. $20/drop-in. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482.

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

markyourcalendar

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.

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: 860-606-0578.

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.

tuesday The Graduate Institute – Call to visit us any day of the week to arrange a visit. We offer Master of Arts Degree programs designed for busy people.

Only one weekend a month; 2 years. The Graduate Institute,171 Amity Rd, Bethany. 203-874-4252.

Vinyasa Express – 7-8am. Start your day with an express Vinyasa yoga class. This class includes meditation and movement, and is appropriate for all levels. $20/drop-in. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482.

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 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: 860-606-0578.

Beginners Yoga, Yoga You Can Do! – 4:455:45pm. No experience needed to participate. Lose inches, low impact, instant motivation and fun. $20 single class, $40 unlimited classes. Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. 860-432-5678.

Consortium of Unicorns – 6-7pm. This unique empowerment group will support you while you focus on reconnecting with yourself. Learn what true self worth, self-love looks and feels like. $20. The Beyond Center, 281 Hartford Tpke, Ste 5G, Vernon.

860-899-4700.

Reiki Share – 6-8:30pm. 3rd Tuesday each month.

Certified Reiki practitioners of all lineages and levels welcome. This is a time to come together with other practitioners as a community, give/ receive Reiki. $10. 47 Upson St, 2nd Fl, Bristol.

860-302-1609.

CHRISTMAS SÉANCE with U.K. Physical Medium, Warren Caylor Tuesday, November 21 and Wednesday, November 22 • 7pm (doors locked at 6:30pm) This is like no other séance you have experienced. Participants will witness levitation of objects, ectoplasm, direct voice, teleportation of objects and materialization of objects. You, the audience, act as the energy generator as Warren’s Guides orchestrate the event.

What makes it a Christmas Séance?

Each participant is asked to bring an unwrapped toy. Children in Spirit will come and play with the presents under the tree. After the séance, all toys will be donated to a children’s charity. $100 per person (cash or check only) To register, please call 860-430-9801 or visit HealingInHarmonyCenter.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: 860-606-0578.

Monthly Information Sessions at The Graduate Institute – 6:30pm-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.

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.

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.

Vinyasa Express – 7-8am. Start your day with an express Vinyasa yoga class. This class includes meditation and movement, and is appropriate for all levels. $20/drop-in. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482.

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.

NAHRT.com

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ongoingevents Metabolic ZT – 4:30-5:30pm. Our version of a cardio workout. Monitored by individual heart rate, burn calories, get your metabolism revving, and give you the cardiovascular benefits you are looking for. $20. YES Fitness, 292 Spielman Hwy, Burlington.

860-673-4293.

Weight Management Class – 6-7:30pm. Weekly series led by a registered dietitian nutritionist discussing topics such as simple meal planning, what and how much to eat, and the skinny of fats and sugar. Free. ShopRite, 110 Albany Tpke, Canton.

860-693-3666.

thursday

Vinyasa Express – 6-7am. Start your day with an express Vinyasa yoga class. This class includes meditation and movement, and is appropriate for all levels. $20/drop-in. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482.

Move and Groove - Conscious Conditioning with Sandy Byrne – 8:45-10am. Fusing the expertise of conditioning athletes with yogic consciousness, this fun, energetic class will jump-start your metabolism and get your body feeling strong and supple. $16 drop-in, class cards available. River Rock Yoga, 274 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield. 860-757-3339.

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.

Healing Tools – 3:30-4:30pm. Learn and practice different stress management tools, such as deep breathing, chakra work, mindfulness, positive affirmations, and energy field clearing. Facilitated by yoga instructor, Kali Farrell. $5 suggested donation.

Toivo, 399 Franklin Ave, Hartford. 860-296-2338.

Beginners Yoga, Yoga You Can Do! – 6-7pm. No experience needed to participate. Lose inches, low impact, instant motivation and fun. $20 single class, $40 unlimited class. Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. 860-432-5678.

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.

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 & Meditation – 6-7pm. 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: 860-606-0578.

Hartford County Edition

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.

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.

30

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.

friday

Vinyasa Express – 7-8am. Start your day with an express Vinyasa yoga class. This class includes meditation and movement, and is appropriate for all levels. $20/drop-in. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482.

Baby & Me Yoga –10:30-11:30am. Elements of Yoga, stress reducing breath work, and infant massage create an inviting environment for baby and caregiver alike. $20/drop-in. Journey of Yoga, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-6801482.

saturday 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: 860-606-0578.

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.

Qigong and Tea Ceremony – 9:30-11am. Join a mindful community centered around the practice of qigong and drinking tea. Help your body heal itself naturally using gentle movement and breathing techniques. $5 suggested donation. Toivo, 399 Franklin Ave, Hartford. 860-296-2338.

Natural Weight Loss Seminar – 10am-12pm.

Learn how tasty and vitamin-packed Aloe Vera drinks and supplements help you to lose and manage weight for a healthy, active life. Free. Bristol (call for address). RSVP: 860-372-8171.

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CHIROPRACTIC INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS & PHYSICAL THERAPY

34 Jerome Ave, Ste 305, Bloomfield 860-519-1916 Info@IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com Dr. Joyce Chung-Quiros is a Chiropractor and Acupuncturist. She is dedicated to improving her patients’ quality of life through balancing chiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition, physiotherapy and exercise in a safe and natural way.

See ad, page 8.

EDUCATION HARTFORD FAMILY INSTITUTE

Center for Psychotherapy and Healing Arts 17 South Highland St, West Hartford 203-236-6009 HartfordFamilyInstitute.com

A cutting-edge psychotherapy and training center since 1969. Treatment includes in-depth body emotional work, energy healing, shamanic spiritual healing, illness and trauma work. Training also offered for psychotherapists and healers. See ad, page 10.

FERTILITY/WOMEN’S HEALTH MERCIER THERAPY OF CONNECTICUT

20 Avon Meadow Ln, Ste 230, Avon 860-987-3823 MercierTherapyofCT.com Explore natural infertility treatments, prenatal massage, childbirth and baby care classes, as well as treatments for endometriosis, painful intercourse, pelvic pain and symptoms associated with menopause.

See ad, page 21.

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860-519-1916 Info@IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com 34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 305 Bloomfield, CT 06002 T: 860-519-1916 | F: 860-986-6756 34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 305, Bloomfield, CT 06002 info@IntegrativeWellnessandPT.com Info@IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com • www.IntegrativeWellnessAndPT.com www.IntegrativeWellnessandPT.com

We specialize in using holistic and advanced Physical Medicare Accepted Therapy, Manual Therapy and comprehensive Nutritional Wellness to find and treat the underlying causes of pain and dysfunction. Our team works together to help you achieve pain-free living. See ad, page 8.

PAIN STOPS

304 Main St, Unit B 206, Farmington 203-440-2859 PainStops.com Relax and enjoy magnetic pulses from the Pulse XL Pro to charge your cells to encourage repair and regeneration. See ad, page 7.

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

Thai Yoga Massage uniquely blends elements of acupressure, yoga reflexology, physiotherapy, a meditation to improve posture, breathing, flexibility, digestion and circulation. Muscles are stretched, inner organs toned and emotional and nervous tension is reduced. New client special: $59 for your first 60-minute massage. See ad, page 21.

Holly has 25 years of experience in natural health. Her approach is to help individuals find practical ways to enjoy making healthy changes to create wellness. Holly specializes in Functional Medicine and Functional Nutrition. See ad, page 8.

YOGA JOURNEY OF YOGA

730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury JourneyOfYoga.com 860-680-1482 Inspiring health and happiness with every individual who steps through our door by offering Beginner, Hot Power, Vinyasa, Gentle and Restorative classes throughout the day. See ad, page 9.

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

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 21.

SHANA GRIFFIN, RDN, CD-N

ShopRite – Joseph Family Markets 46 Kane St, West Hartford 860-233-1713 Shana.Griffin@wakefern.com ShopRite’s registered dietitian is your resource to answer nutrition questions, provide menu ideas and tips to help your family live healthier. Call today for help. See ad, page 6.

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

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.

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FOR RENT BEAUTIFUL RTE 4 FARMINGTON OFFICE FOR RENT - Ideal for acupuncturist, hypnotherapist, nutritionist, reflexologist, social worker, or psychotherapist. $650 per month includes utilities, water cooler, tea and coffee. Shared option also available.

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Owen James, Director Manchester/East Hartford 860-888-4314 • TheConduitCenter.com Conduit musicians use gongs, singing bowls and other instruments for effortless relaxation, and personal growth. Sounds deepen other healing practices like yoga and massage therapy. See ad, page 21.

FOR SALE PURE HAVEN ORGANIC & NON-TOXIC PRODUCTS. Choose from skin, hair, makeup, cleaning, baby, pets, body, and essential oils. Visit for a complete listing: purehaven. com/kgreniercarta. Employment opportunities.

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Hartford County Edition

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