Natural Awakenings New Haven & Middlesex CT APRIL 2021 by Natural Awakenings New Haven

EE R F

H E A LT H Y

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NATURE TO THE RESCUE Kids Come Alive Outdoors

CREATE

A CALM HOME

SPRING CLEAN YOUR BODY

CELEBRATE

EARTH DAY!

April 2021 | New Haven-Middlesex | NaturalNewHaven.com

April 2021

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It was a year ago today when I sat down to write my publisher’s letter, as the entire world faced a raging pandemic, forcing us into lockdown and quarantine. I began my letter with: “March was a long month.” — Long month? A year later, our world is finally opening up, albeit gradually. The simplest gifts in life, particularly our health and the ability to safely be in each other’s presence, has taken on a whole new meaning for us. While there are some who have thrived very nicely since the COVID outbreak, many have lost their jobs, businesses, homes and loved ones. Images of long food lines, unemployment lines and COVID testing lines will be forever etched in our minds. There was one silver lining to the lockdown—that was the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and benefit to the environment during the first two months of the pandemic. Beginning March, 2020 and peaking by early April, daily global emissions decreased by 17 percent compared with the mean levels in 2019. The air was cleaner and there were signs worldwide that nature was beginning to restore its balance. But by early June, the Global Carbon Project found that emissions had rebounded to within 5 percent of 2019 levels as countries lifted lockdown measures. Rebuilding the economy has become our central focus, but it does not have to be at the expense of our environment. Instead of continuing old unsustainable practices, we have an opportunity to build green policies into our economic recovery plan, which can actually stimulate economic growth. In alignment with the Earth Day theme, our April editorial focuses on raising awareness and appreciation of our planet and differences we can make as individuals to protect and preserve our environment, such as replacing non-native species with native plants, detoxifying our living space, eco-centric workouts, and much more. A good place to start is by simply spending more time outdoors. Nature has brought me so much peace and pleasure during these challenging times and deepened my appreciation and respect for the environment that we need to care for and protect. Spring is a great time for outer (our home) and inner (our body) detoxing. This month’s Green Living feature is a helpful guide for cleansing your home in ways that are congruent with sustainability. Our Conscious Eating feature offers some detox tips and a couple of cleansing recipes that are pleasing to the pallet. In order to keep Connecticut residents safe during the pandemic, Earth Day events will be limited in size this year and social distancing measures will still be in place. Several Earth Day happenings have been posted in our community calendar, and we hope you participate in one or more of these events. As you are uplifted by the burgeoning of spring and the warmer weather stimulates your desire to increase socialization, please do so safely. I’m off to shop for a native plant for my garden now. Happy Earth Day!

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Contents 13 SHERYL DEVORE

on Appreciating Nature and Wildlife

14 CLIMATE CHANGE AND OUR HEALTH

The Human Costs of a Warming Planet

17 CREATE A

NURTURING NEST

18 HEALTHY HOME

How to Detoxify a Living Space

20 SPRING CLEANING THE BODY

Simple Ways to Detox Naturally

22 ECO-ATHLETES

Working Out with the Planet in Mind

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24 NATURE TO THE RESCUE

Kids Come Alive Outdoors

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 10 health briefs 12 global briefs 13 wise words 17 inspiration 18 green living 20 conscious

22 fit body 24 healthy kids 26 calendar 28 classifieds 29 resource guide

eating

April 2021

news briefs

New Holistic Health Center Opens in Westbrook

ernwood Holistic Health has opened its doors at 1921 Boston Post Road (Trolley Square) in Westbrook, Connecticut. Founded by naturopathic physician and acupuncturist Dana Krete, ND, LAc, Fernwood Holistic Health treats patients for acute and chronic pain, sports injuries, gastrointestinal disorders and food allergies, asthma and respiratory issues, autoimmune conditions, fatigue, headaches, migraines, stress, insomnia, weight management, diabetes and more.

Hamden Welcomes New Vigor Fitness Business

ark Simmons, the owner of Vigor Fitness, invites you to a new health studio designed to facilitate improving one’s well-being in a private, safe and personalized focus way. He provides encouragement, guidance and support, along with aroundthe-clock access to have questions answered that goes beyond

booked sessions. Vigor Fitness puts forward diligent effort to create a pathway for sustainable lifestyle health changes. For more information, call 475-209-3511 or email vigorfit58@ gmail.com. Location: Vigor Fitness, 77 Beacon St., Hamden, CT.

Alicia DeMartin, LAc; Beth Jezyk, LMT; Dana Krete, ND, LAc; Katelyn Lieb, ND; Janice Evert, CHHC

Dr. Krete completed a seven-year post-graduate education, earning a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and Masters of Acupuncture at National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She has practiced in Connecticut for more than 10 years, including seven years at Middlesex Health Cancer Center’s Integrative Medicine program, providing acupuncture to ease side effects of cancer treatments. She has a particular interest in treating digestive disorders, hormonal conditions, chronic fatigue, Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Joining Dr. Krete at Fernwood Holistic Health are the following practitioners with their specialties listed: • Naturopathic physician Katelyn Lieb, ND (women’s health, thyroid and autoimmune conditions, headaches, diabetes, and sleep disorders) • Acupuncturist Alicia Demartin, LAc (pain management, orthopedics and neuro-acupuncture for PTSD, ADHD, anxiety, concussion and post-stroke recovery) • Acupuncturist Amy Calandruccio, LAc (pain, neuropathies, headaches, migraines and nausea caused by pregnancy or cancer treatment) • Massage therapist Beth Jezyk, LMT (Swedish, deep tissue and Ayurvedic Abhyanga massage; cupping; gua sha; craniosacral therapy; and prenatal massage) Some services are covered by insurance. Stringent COVID safety precautions are in place to protect the safety of patients, practitioners and staff. For more information, call 860-661-5824 or visit FernwoodHolisticHealth.com. 6

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April Events Announced at Crystal Music Healing

n the third Thursday of the Month, there will be a Gem Clinic from 7:30-9:00 p.m. This clinic is a workspace for certified UWTGH Practitioners to practice on each other and on members of the public who are interested in healing and awakening through stone healing or simply curious to experience the modality. The fee is $20. ReserBradford Tilden, MM, CMT, UWT vations are preferred. The clinic will take place at The Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main Street in Durham, Connecticut. Braulttree Wellness Center in Higganum, Connecticut, will be the location for a couple of two-day workshops. The Universal White Time Gemstone Healing 1 Certification will be held April 10-11 from 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Learn to heal yourself, others, animals and the environment with this rare and ancient universal knowledge. All levels of experience are welcome. On May 1-2 (9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.), Universal White Time Energy Healing Level 2 will take place (prerequisite is UWT Energy Healing Level 1). In the second level, you are getting an upgrade that stands for 150 hours of healing. It enhances your sensitivity for the energies so that you can learn to feel the results of the different visualization techniques you are learning. The fee is $400. The next Level 1 class will be July 30-August 1. To register for the above events, call Bradford Tilden at 860-830-5841, email Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com or visit CrystalMusicHealing.com. In addition, Crystals 101 will be held April 25 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Discover the healing powers of crystals and

news briefs gemstones. You will learn how to choose the right stones for everyday use, meditation, relaxation and stress reduction. You will also work with Lemurian Seed Crystals to tap into your intuitive potential. Crystal healing is accessible to everyone. No previous experience is required. Crystals and gemstones will be for sale. The class is $75 and will be held at Avant Garde Holistic Center, 328 E. Main Street in Branford, Connecticut. To reserve for this class, call 203-481-8443 or AvantGardeCT13@yahoo.com.

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For more information about Crystal Music Healing and Bradford Tilden, MM, CMT, UWT, visit CrystalMusicHealing.com. See ad, on page 9.

Passport to Health Spring Expo Call for Vendors

he Passport to Health & Wellness Expo, to be held July 18, from 10am to 5pm, at The Bristol DoubleTree by Hilton, is currently seeking vendors and speakers for the event. The benefit holistic fair, presented by the Holistic Community Professionals, will feature more than 75 vendors and readers, free raffles all day and a grand prize of a Hilton overnight stay with breakfast for two, as well as a free drum healing closing ceremony. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with vendors and exhibitors as they learn about available resources to help promote healthy living and overall well-being. Visitors will have the chance to gain inspiration by visiting the booths and participating in the scheduled events, which include a keynote speaker and speakers on multiple topics during the day. Door proceeds will be donated to the CT Children’s Medical Center (ConnecticutChildrens.org) and Hartford Hospitals Integrative Medicine Angie’s Spa fund (AngiesSpa.org). All funds will

be used directly for patient care and will be matched to the maximum allowed by the grants for each organization. Natural Awakenings is proud to be a member of The Holistic Community Professionals and a sponsor of the expo. Interested vendors can apply online at Tinyurl.com/ SpringExpoVendors. For more information, call Shirley Bloethe at 860-989-0033, email YourHolisticEvents@gmail.com or visit YourHolisticEvents.com. Location: The Bristol DoubleTree by Hilton, 42 Century Dr, Bristol. See ad, on page 19.

Are You Experiencing Knots Between Your Shoulder Blades?

o you experience annoying knots in your upper back area or between your shoulder blades? Often, they can be the result of ribs that are stuck and no longer expand and contract. Ribs easily become restricted from many activities involving the arms, such as lifting heavy objects or playing sports. Take advantage of a complimentary 10-minute screening to determine whether an immobilized rib is the true source of your pain. The 10-minute sessions will be held at Physical Therapy Services of Guilford in Branford, Connecticut. They will be held on April 20 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. To reserve a spot on April 20 or to make an appointment for a more convenient time, call 203-315-7727. Location: Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, 500 East Main St., Ste. 310, Branford, CT. PhysicalTherapyGuilford.com. See ad, on page 19.

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news briefs

Self-care Wisdom Circle with Holistic-minded Parents

n this time of great stressors, it is even more important that we make time to nurture ourselves. On April 20 at 7:30 p.m., join the New Haven County chapter of Holistic Moms Network on Zoom as we gather virtually to talk about questions, ideas, insights and local self-care resources that have helped us this year and in the past with our struggles and successes on our holistic paths. This is a chance for those interested in finding other holisticminded parents in the Connecticut area to network with and get to know each other in an informal way. The chapter co-leaders will lead discussions about what, where, when and how you facilitate your own self-care.

The New Haven County Chapter is excited to team up with the soon-to-relaunch Greater Danbury Chapter as a co-host for our April event. They are looking to relaunch the chapter in the near future as a resource for holistic-minded parents in the Danbury area. Are you interested in being involved? The chapter is currently looking for a co-leader and passionate volunteers to get this great networking and educational chapter up and running again. Please reach out to connect. Like their Facebook page as well so you get the latest info when they relaunch. The mission of Holistic Moms Network, a nonprofit support and discussion network, is to connect parents who are interested in holistic health and green living. It welcomes people wherever they are on their own holistic path in an environment that does not judge. The monthly meetings, open to the public, are the third Tuesday of each month. While they usually take place in person at the Woodruff YMCA in Milford, Connecticut, the monthly meetings are currently offered through Zoom. For more information, visit HolisticMoms.org or Facebook.com/ HMNNewHaven. RSVP for the event on the Events page on Facebook.com/HMNNewHaven.

Final Journey, LLC (Pet Euthanasia Service) Kristen Klie, D.V.M. and Associates (203) 645-5570 www.finaljourneyllc.com

Thermogram Test Provides In-Depth Women’s Health Check

achel Mazzarelli MS, CCT, of Whole Health Thermography LLC introduced a new digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) women’s health test for her clients as part of their preventative screening options. The women’s health check (WHC) provides a focused holistic view of overall health status and future risk levels. It is a valuable procedure for alerting your healthcare practitioner to changes that can indicate developing pathology and dysfunction. DITI is non-invasive, Rachel Mazzarelli, MS, CCT non-contact, painless, FDAcleared technology with no radiation involved. The thermogram report is generated from a 71-point questionnaire that combines symptoms and history across breast, obstetrics/gynecology, thyroid, endocrine, visceral and autonomic systems. DITI looks for findings that may indicate autonomic/autoimmune, endocrine/adrenal system, vascular, lymphatic and breast health dysfunctions. It is designed to help patients take control of their current and future health. A colored slider moving from green to red indicates associated risk levels. The report is also designed to help motivate patients to incorporate lifestyle changes, holistic treatment or even medical intervention. Annual studies are recommended to help monitor risk levels and provide early indicators of any issue that justifies intervention. “Because of the women’s health check report, one of my clients was able to hone in with her naturopath on what further lab tests were needed or unnecessary to investigate autoimmune symptom triggers she was experiencing,” says Mazzarelli. For more information and to make an appointment in Fairfield and New Haven Counties in Connecticut, or Westchester County in New York, visit WholeHealthThermography.com.

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Holistic Community Professionals HCP

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

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

Intuitive Counselor & Healer Gayle Franceschetti, MEd, CHt Hypnotherapy, Meditations Reiki/Energy sessions, Essential Oils Group Past Life Regression Individual Past Life Regression Workshops, Spiritual Power Journeys, Private mentoring & counseling Return2love3@gmail.com Return2Love.com 203-631-7803

Naturopathic Physician Vis Wellness Center Dr. Nicole Klughers ND, PharmD, MSAc Naturopathic Physician Acupuncture Provider Rocky Hill & TeleMedicine info@DrNicoleKlughers.com DrNicoleKlughers.com 234-2-ACU-DOC

CBDa 10xPure TM Earleen Wright CBDa 10xPure TM is known for its healing power over CBD alone. We are the only company that has CBDa. Contact Earleen Wright 203-215-3222 EarleenWright@gmail.com EarleenWright.myctfo.com

Lightworker Bradford W. Tilden, MM, CMT, UWT Remote journey and coaching sessions Workshops in Crystal & Sound Healing Professional certification courses In Universal White Time (UWT) Energy and Gemstone Healing 860-830-5841 Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com CrystalMusicHealing.com

Wellness Center The Red Barn in Durham Janice Juliano, MSW, LCSW Holistic Psychotherapist Coordinator MassageTherapy Nutrition / Yoga / Reiki / Sound Healing Professional Photography / Art Classes 860-559-6151 352 Main St, Durham TheRedBarninDurham.com

Holistic Events in New England Shirley R. Bloethe - President Holistic Community Professionals YourHolisticEvents@gmail.com YourHolisticEvents.com HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org 860-989-0033

Medical Intuitive/Shaman Past Life Regression Therapy Spirit of the Lotus Robin Barros IMT-C, CSC, CPLC Hands-on Healer Medical Intuitive Shaman/Medium Spiritually-Guided Coach Advanced Soul Coach (R) Holographic Sound Healer 5 Gavin Drive, Columbia CT Robin@SpiritoftheLotus.org SpiritoftheLotus.org

We Welcome You! To Join Holistic Community Professionals

CONTACT: Shirley Bloethe: 860-989-0033

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April 2021

Hypertension is a global disease that particularly affects people in low-income communities, but a new study by the UK University of Nottingham suggests that beetroot juice may be a practical solution for people with high blood pressure that have little access to diagnostic help or money for medication. Researchers divided 47 people between 50 and 70 years of age in Tanzania into three groups. For 60 days, one group drank nitraterich beetroot juice and folic acid; another was given nitrate-rich beetroot juice and a placebo; and the third drank nitrate-depleted beetroot juice. The researchers found that systolic blood pressure dropped by 10.8 millimeters (mm) Hg (mercury) in the nitrate-rich plus folic acid group and 6.1 mm Hg in the nitrate-rich and placebo group. Studies have shown that the high level of nitrates in beets is converted by the digestive system into nitric oxide, which relaxes and widens blood vessels.

Consider Curcumin and Nano-Curcumin for Heart Health Iranian researchers tested 90 patients undergoing elective heart angioplasty, giving one group 500 milligrams (mg) curcumin, the second group 80 mg nano-curcumin, and the third a placebo. After eight weeks, both types of curcumin significantly improved cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C levels. They also boosted antioxidant levels, superoxide dismutase and glutathione, and reduced C-reactive protein levels, indicating less inflammation. The nano-curcumin, however, produced even better results in five of those indexes, leading the authors to conclude that the effects of curcumin on the nano formula may be more conducive for cardiac patients due to its high bioavailability. Nano-curcumin is made through a process that encapsulates the herb, allowing it to be metabolized better.

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Drink Beet Juice to Lower Blood Pressure

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health briefs

New research from Rush Medical College, in Chicago, shows that regularly cheating on a healthy diet undermines its cognitive benefits. For 19 years, researchers followed 5,001 adults over age 65 that were asked to eat the Mediterranean diet, with its emphasis on daily servings of fruit, vegetables, legumes, olive oil, fish, potatoes and unrefined cereals, plus moderate wine consumption. Every three years, their cognitive abilities were tested and their diets reviewed, including how often they ate a Western diet of fried foods, sweets, refined grains, red meat and processed meats. After almost two decades, those that adhered most faithfully to the Mediterranean diet were cognitively 5.8 years younger than those that followed it the least.

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Keep Off Junk Foods for Cognitive Wellness

Make Lifestyle Changes to Ease Reflux The heartburn symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) affect about one-third of Americans, many turning to medications. Based on evidence from 116,000 women in a long-running Nurses’ Health Study, Harvard University researchers have found that GERD symptoms can be reduced by up to 37 percent by adopting five lifestyle strategies: 30 minutes of moderate to heavy exercise per day; not smoking; maintaining a normal weight; limiting acidic beverages like coffee and tea to two cups per day; and following a “prudent diet” with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lowfat dairy, fish and poultry. The more faithfully the guidelines were followed, the lower the risk of symptoms. Benefits were also realized for women using treatments like proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor antagonists. According to senior author Andrew T. Chan, M.D., MPH, this study was among the first to link physical activity to the control of GERD. He notes, “Being physically active may help with the clearance of stomach acid which causes heartburn symptoms.”

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B12 and Prenatal Supplements Gain Official Nod In updated 2020-2025 dietary guidelines, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have endorsed the specific use of certain supplements, noting that underconsumption of some nutrients among Americans is linked to health concerns. The guidelines advise that infants being fed breast milk exclusively or partially should be given a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU per day beginning soon after birth and perhaps continuing for more than a year. Women that are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should take a daily prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement. Pregnant or lactating women that follow a vegetarian or vegan diet are advised to talk to their healthcare provider about supplementation to ensure that they get adequate amounts of iron, vitamin B12, choline, zinc, iodine and omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The guidelines also state that some older adults may require vitamin B12 supplements, noting concerns over the amount of the vitamin absorbed from food.

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global briefs

Group Hug

World Watchers

While human activity has transformed 75 percent of the Earth’s surface and 66 percent of ocean ecosystems, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services determined in a 2019 assessment that approximately 1 million plant and animal species are threatened with extinction, some in mere decades. In response to the crisis, more than 50 countries representing 30 percent of the world’s land-based biodiversity, 25 percent of its land-based carbon sinks, 28 percent of important areas of marine biodiversity and more than 30 percent of ocean carbon sinks have united as the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC 30x30), avowing to preserve 30 percent of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030. The group announced its goal at the One Planet Summit for Biodiversity in January, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, along with the World Bank and the United Nations. “We call on all nations to join us,” Macron said in the video launching of the plan. Biologist E.O. Wilson has called for the “conservation moonshot” of protecting half of the land and the sea. Goals include preventing biodiversity loss, solving the climate crisis and preventing pandemics.

Deforestation, which contributes to warming the planet, is a key factor behind the 40 percent increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide since the beginning of the industrial age. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the global average atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration in 2018 was 407.4 parts per million, higher than it’s been in almost 1 million years. Avoiding deforestation is much better than conducting reforestation efforts after the fact, and should be a key global climate change mitigation strategy, says Jennifer Alix-Garcia, a researcher at Oregon State University. The Global Land Analysis and Discovery System (GLAD), founded in 2016 by the University of Maryland’s Department of Geographical Sciences, is based on high-resolution satellite imaging from the NASA Landsat Science program. Subscribers can access data via a free interactive web application, Global Forest Watch. So far, forest loss has declined 18 percent in African nations where GLAD provided alerts when detecting deforestation activities. Previously, government agencies and other groups had to use reports from volunteers or forest rangers.

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Deforestation Alert System Mitigates Climate Change

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Nations Band Together to Preserve One-Third of the Planet

Freedom of Information

A two-year, open-access project organized by more than 20 organizations, including Wellcome, in London, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in Seattle, and Dutch NOW—some of the world’s largest research funders—began requiring in January that scholarly papers published from the work they fund be made immediately available for public reading at no charge. The initiative, Plan S, may usher in the end of journal subscriptions and allow anyone to read scientific literature. Plan S has already prompted several titles, including Nature, to offer open-access publishing for the first time. 12

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Access Expanded for Scientific Papers

wise words

Sheryl DeVore on

Appreciating Nature and Wildlife by Randy Kambic

s we spend more time outside for pandemic safety to exercise and reduce stress, Sheryl DeVore suggests maximizing these experiences by being more aware of the wonders we see and the need to preserve them. The award-winning author of five books on science, health and nature also writes for the Birds & Blooms national magazine, the Chicago Tribune and Natural Awakenings Chicago. With degrees in writing and education from Northwestern University and Northern Illinois University, respectively, plus extensive studies in biology and botany, she assists the Illinois Audubon Society, including writing for and editing a 2019 book on the state’s endangered species.

Is climate change impacting wildlife and nature? Recent worldwide studies are showing how climate changes affect bird migration times, bloom times of plants and mammal behavior. All of this is interconnected and can harm the environment and the flora and the fauna that live within it. For example, we’re finding that the relationship between healthy oak woods and migratory birds like warblers is being affected by climate change. Warblers time their migrations to pass through regions when oaks are just starting to leaf out. Insects are attracted to the buds and the early leaves, and warblers are attracted to the insects.

Once the leaves emerge, chemicals in the oaks deter the insects and there isn’t any food for the warblers. Climate change can cause the oaks to leaf out early, so if warblers arrive on their normal schedule, they’ll find less food and therefore have less energy to make it to their nesting grounds. Plants and animals are trying to adapt in different ways, and this can be a huge issue if climate change continues.

Are there any new trends you’ve noticed in people growing vegetables at home? Especially during the pandemic, people that have limited space are learning that they can grow their own food at home— growing vegetables and herbs in containers, both indoors and outdoors. Online classes can be helpful in teaching them to grow vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, spinach and peppers, which are great sources for antioxidants and vitamins. This trend coincides with the movement to eat healthier.

Have you seen any changes in how people observe nature during the pandemic? When I go to forest preserves, parks and nature centers, even in my neighborhood, I have noticed more people, including families with their children, outdoors. Parents can inspire their children anywhere to learn to appreciate nature. Ask a child

what kind of tree is in the yard. Maybe they can take a photo or draw a picture of it to create a memory and inspire them to want to learn more. Ask them, “What’s that bug on that plant?” or, “What is the bird that’s singing?” There’s so much for them to enjoy.

What can we do to try to protect and preserve the environment? Sometimes people think they can’t make a difference as individuals. Small things can make a difference—have a ripple effect. People volunteer to return native habitats to their past, remove non-native species, plant new ones. Volunteers are planting and restoring prairies, woodlands. In your own backyard, you can plant native species or create a butterfly garden or capture rainwater in a rain barrel to water your plants, which will conserve resources. There are so many things you can do with the family.

Why should we care about endangered species? Endangered species serve as canaries in a coal mine. When their numbers decline, that can be a signal that something is going wrong with the environment. When DDT was widely used in the U.S., the bald eagle and other species began to decline. The DDT thinned their egg shells so they weren’t able to raise their young. They showed us that DDT pollutes and harms the environment, and in turn, humans. By discovering that, by saving eagles, we helped save ourselves. By protecting endangered species, we truly are saving ourselves. We don’t know what unknown species are out there that might be useful in helping to treat diseases. Anyone who sees an endangered species knows how satisfying an experience this is, and to me, it also translates to a healthier mind and body. For more information, visit SherylDeVore.wordpress.com. Randy Kambic, in Estero, Florida, is a freelance editor and writer. April 2021

CLIMATE CHANGE AND OUR HEALTH cottonbro/Pexels.com

The Human Costs of a Warming Planet by Sandra Yeyati

lobal warming is not just threatening polar bears far away in the Arctic, and its effects are not somewhere in the distant future. With every new wildfire, hurricane and flash flood, people are understanding that the warming of the planet poses dire consequences for human health right here, right now. It’s personal, and while some sectors of the population are unfairly and disproportionately impacted, we are all in harm’s way.

This is no time to panic, say climate and public health advocates, but rather a moment for preparation, adaptation and mobilization. Prospects are hopeful as we tackle new realities together and evolve our conversations about climate change so we can build resilient, thriving communities. The good news is that many of the individual and policy changes we need to make are exciting opportunities for positive transformation and justice.

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Health Threats in Our Midst

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The warming of the planet is becoming more noticeable. “That historic two weeks anywhere in the United States where it’s the heat wave of high summer is now six weeks to two months,” says Jay Lemery, M.D., professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado and co-author of Enviromedics: The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health. “There are parts of the Middle East now where you can’t be outside and meaningfully cool your body during certain parts of the day.” “With warming, we’re seeing drought, wildfires, hurricanes, extreme precipitation, flooding and sea level rise, all of which have health consequences,” says Surili Patel, director of the Center for Climate, Health and Equity at the American Public Health Association. “With rising temperature and heat waves, we’re seeing heat stroke, dehydration, diarrheal disease, cardiovascular distress and respiratory illnesses. Extreme weather like wildfires, hurricanes and flooding cause direct injuries, as well as vector-borne illnesses (Lyme

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disease carried by ticks or dengue fever and malaria by mosquitoes), mold and harmful algal blooms that happen when it’s really hot, but also show up in places that otherwise wouldn’t have because of the combination of heat and flooding.” Lemery notes that incidences of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases are moving higher in altitude and latitude, affecting historically naive populations that have not had levels of disease immunity, the infrastructure or cultural habits to protect them. “These are huge killers worldwide, and we’re seeing more and more of that,” he says. “When you have a warmer winter, spring starts earlier, trees bloom early and pollen season starts early too, and longer exposure to pollen increases your risk of having an asthma attack,” says Professor Amir Sapkota at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, adding that the Northeast is heavily impacted by this phenomenon. “Here in Colorado, in the summer heat, we have these huge swaths of wildfire smoke hanging over Denver, and people come in to the emergency department. Their inhalers aren’t working anymore, and they’re having chest pain and shortness of breath when they’re on oxygen at baseline,” says Lemery. “These are people normally able to walk across a parking lot with their walker and their oxygen, but now they can’t. We see this all summer long, and we admit them for asthma exacerbation, shortness of breath and COPD (i.e., emphysema), but what we don’t write down is that the air quality is the worst it’s been all year, or that it’s the hottest day of the year.” “Air pollution contributes to climate change, but it also gets into your lungs and irritates them, exacerbating chronic respiratory illnesses, and can even lead to a heart attack,” says Jennifer Roberts, director of the Path of Positive Communities program at EcoAmerica, noting that the biggest culprits are carbon emissions from coal-burning power plants, diesel fuels and ground-level ozone, which is created when pollution reacts to heat and sunlight. “With sea level rise, things are flooding more often and we get septic tanks overflowing, sending fecal matter into our drinking water supplies and exposing us to

April 2021

diarrheal diseases. We also see offices and industrial sites getting flooded and, whether it’s paint, fertilizers or other toxins, those get into our water and it’s very unhealthy,” Roberts says.

The Most Vulnerable Among Us Certain segments of the population are more at risk. “Lower socioeconomic groups are suffering more from extreme heat events. The urban heat island effect, which unfortunately correlates very well with poorer neighborhoods, means that they’ll have heat waves seven to 10 degrees hotter in their neighborhoods than surrounding places with more green space,” Lemery says. “You see the public health infrastructure less robust to be able to attend to communities of color—like you saw with COVID. There are also physiologic vulnerabilities. Climate change affects the very young, the very old and the very sick much more because of their preexisting vulnerabilities, and then we have geographic vulnerabilities—people who live on the coast without sea walls or in flood plains. As sea level rise proliferates, and that data is really straightforward, they’re going to be going under increased storm surge stress and flat-out flooding.”

with “credible messaging repeated over and over again with clarity and no hedging: Wear a mask. Stay indoors during highheat events. Don’t let children play outdoors when the air quality index is at a dangerous level.” There are many ways to mitigate threats. As experts point out, we know what to do, and it’s just a matter of putting our attention and resources on their implementation. “One of the biggest ways is let’s remove the sources of harmful spewing pollution—move away from coal, oil and gas—and invest in clean sources of energy, which will also create jobs in these new industries,” says Patel. Another big step would be to promote mass transit and active transportation— walking and biking—over individual, gasguzzling vehicles. Patel advocates for local investments in bike lanes and sidewalks that encourage the switch. Both Lemery and Roberts express excitement about clean-running electric cars as potential game-changers in transportation. Planting trees and vegetable gardens are easy, community-building solutions. “Trees are very beneficial to everything from shade to water filtration to producing oxygen

The experts agree that it’s important to frame climate change as a public health issue because it brings a sense of urgency to act. “If it isn’t a crisis, if it isn’t something we’re seeing every day on the front page, then you forget about it. And when you forget about it, the funding doesn’t come,” says Patel, whose work focuses on underprivileged communities that need special attention and funding. Sapkota advocates for the development of early warning systems so that local health departments can anticipate and adapt to impending extreme weather events, directing resources to the most impacted and vulnerable communities. In some cases, moving people out of flood plains and vulnerable coastal areas through eminent domain might be needed. Lemery believes that doctors are in a prime position to counsel their patients on preventive measures against climate hazards 16

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Achievable Public Health Solutions

and taking up carbon,” says Roberts, who adds that much can be done to restore and protect streams, ponds and lakes from the ill effects of pollution and development. “You get volunteers to clean up the gunk and increase regulations for developers to keep stuff out of the waterways.”

Eco-Anxiety and Making Positive Change Jessica Schiff, a second-year master of science student at the Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, struggles with eco-anxiety—the depression, anxiety or dread associated with climate change. She says, “It impacts the decisions I make for my life and the future, just trying to think about overall impacts. Where is my food coming from? Do I want to have kids or adopt? Should I live in the suburbs or the city because of transportation and fossil fuel consumption? This all adds a layer of unease or uncertainty about the future. Sometimes I look at Greta [Thunberg] and how far she’s taken things, and feel guilty about not taking things to such an extreme. Is it hypocritical for me to care about climate change but still eat meat occasionally or take a plane to explore the world?” Schiff deals with eco-anxiety by taking action. “We’re not going to reverse climate change at this point, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t take steps to slow it down or reduce emissions. There are many small things we can each do, like biking or walking instead of taking a car or bus and reducing our use of plastic. It’s a process. You can’t do it overnight, but if you make a lot of small changes, and if everybody makes small changes, that has a bigger effect.” Roberts acknowledges the power of small, individual actions, but stresses that we should not let the big polluters off the hook. “We need to continue to press for policy changes, holding polluters accountable, passing regulations based on protecting human health and climate, requiring cleaner cars and buildings, and more. That’s the only way we will get to the scale of change needed to truly bring global warming to a halt.” Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

inspiration

Create a Nurturing Nest by Marlaina Donato

MAY

Sustainable Fashion Plus: Top Women’s Health Concerns

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ore than being a roof over our heads, home is where we live, love and heal. This past year, we all have been reminded of the importance of having a refuge; a place that shelters not only our physical beings, but our souls, too. With ongoing pandemic restrictions, we have more time on our hands, and with this comes a blessed opportunity to catch up with our bliss. Living space should be inspired space. Creating a haven doesn’t require remodeling the kitchen or buying new furniture, only distilling new joy from the mundane. Adding a luxurious throw to a sofa or putting books to read in a pretty basket by an easy chair invites us to tend to the much-neglected inner life. Putting cut flowers at the bedside or turning a chair toward the sunlight says, “Yes” to life and renewal. Playing uplifting, infectious music on laundry day rouses an element of fun. Practicing easy principles of feng shui—the art of placement— can get previously stagnant energy moving. Repositioning furniture for optimal flow and creating more open space are simple actions that can lighten heavy thoughts or memories. Home is a harbor of habit, and breaking out of the usual routine can be transformative. Here are some activities to try.

Coming Next Month

n Reserve an evening every week for an old-fashioned “Sunday supper” by candlelight or have a rainy-day indoor picnic on the floor in the living room. n Add one item per day for a month to a bag intended for a local thrift store and then follow through by dropping it off. n Tidy the desk every other day and keep it uncluttered. n Hang new art prints, photos or paintings to set a new mood. Consider bright splashes of color—a set of red cups, a turquoise pillow or sunny yellow bathroom towels. n Bring the seasons in; hang a garland of faux ivy, roses or autumn leaves over the showerhead. n Buy or adopt low-maintenance indoor plants like philodendrons and snake plants for a spot of lovely green, even in deep winter. In a world that fosters a “grass is always greener on the other side” mentality, cultivating soul-nourishment is a sure way to turn the humblest space into a castle. Marlaina Donato is the author of Spiritual Famine in the Age of Plenty: Baby Steps to Bliss. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com. April 2021

green living

Healthy Home

How to Detoxify a Living Space by Yvette Hammett

s the world moves into its second year of a viral pandemic, many of us are still spending most of our time at home—working, exercising, hanging out with family and as with any other year, cooking and cleaning. There’s no better time to take stock of these surroundings and purge them of any toxins—gases, inhalants or fumes—that may be contributing to a harmful environment. Start with the air. Research shows that indoor air is two to five times more toxic than the air outside, due to inadequate ventilation. This condition, coupled with fumes from synthetic fibers, makeup, paints, cleansers or even a baby’s plastic toys, can contribute to health issues and a less environmentally beneficial abode. A straightforward solution—in addition to getting rid of the pollution-causing objects—is to open the windows and use fans to recirculate the air. A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can safely remove many contaminants, but don’t spritz a commercial air freshener: A University of Washington study found that eight widely used air fresheners released an average of 18 chemicals into the air, some of them hazardous, including the likely human carcinogen acetaldehyde.

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Purge plastics. Perfluorinated compounds PFAS and PFOS, known as “forever chemicals”, are found in nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, some cosmetics, and products that resist grease, water and oil. They have been found to cause a wide range of health problems from kidney and testicular cancers to endocrine disruptions. Consider doing a clean sweep of the house to determine which of these can be replaced, paying special attention to plastics. “If you really limit plastics to a few things, you are fine,” says Heather Patisaul, Ph.D., a neuroscience and toxicology expert at North Carolina State University.

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Reconsider kitchenware. Eliminate all nonstick cookware, Patisaul advises. “Use ceramic and other materials that do not have perfluorinated chemicals.” Debbie Steinbock, a nutrition counselor at Mindful Family Medical, in Boulder, Colorado, suggests replacing plastic storage containers, which can leach chemicals when heated. “Use a cast iron skillet and use glass jars and mason jars for food storage.” Chuck out toxic cleaners. Many commercial kitchen, bathroom and other cleaning products are loaded with chemicals linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders, hormone disruption

and neurotoxicity. They can be particularly toxic for children: A recent Canadian study found that repeated use of a disinfectant reduced beneficial gut bacteria in toddlers, probably contributing to obesity. A good place to start in cleaning out the cleaners is at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website ewg.org; its Healthy Living Home Guide evaluates the health risks of 2,500 cleaning products. It also advises a simple strategy of using vinegar and water or baking soda. Get the lead out. Andrew Rooney, deputy director at the National Toxicology Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, sees lead, which causes brain damage and other serious defects, as a major risk present in water supplies and the paint of older homes. “The thing I want to emphasize is there is no safe level of lead exposure, so eliminating exposure sources is the best protection for your health,” he says. Drinking water contamination comes from the distribution lines and plumbing fixtures, with lead leaching out from repairs or adjustments. “Having your household water tested by a certified lab is the best option to determine if you have water issues,” he says. Consult state and local health agencies for guidance on lead paint or lead in the water lines and how to remove it. Also consider a water filter: ConsumerReports.com has a comprehensive rating of models from pitchers to undersink setups. Take it a step further. The new EWG downloadable Healthy Living app makes it easy to use a smartphone to check out 120,000 products for toxic ingredients, including cosmetics and foods. “It has a barcode scanner to scan your favorite lipstick or shampoo, and it will pop up an ingredient list and give it a score,” says Patisaul. The database includes ingredients not found on packaging and scores products on a zero to 10 scale. “It pretty much has to be water to get a zero,” she says. Yvette Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, Florida. She can be contacted at YvetteHammettHull49@gmail.com.

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conscious eating

Spring Cleaning the Body Simple Ways to Detox Naturally by April Thompson

s we shake off the sluggishness of winter, many of us feel an urge to “spring clean” our bodies with a detox or cleanse. Yet health experts say such programs should help jumpstart new healthy habits and not necessarily be seen as a short-term fix. “The air we breathe, the water we drink, the cosmetics we use, the materials we build with and most notably, the food that we eat, are loaded with chemicals that are toxic to our metabolism,” says Alejandro Junger, a Los Angeles cardiologist, author and founder of CleanProgram.com. “The systems in the body designed to clear toxicity are overwhelmed, and this leads to the imbalances and damage that is at the root of most diseases today.” Detoxification functions are performed by many different organs and tissues, including intestinal flora, the immune system, the nervous system and the liver, so its imbalances can manifest in diverse ways, according to Junger. “Symptoms of detox imbalance include sleep and mood disorders, anxiety, rashes, lack of energy and libido, autoimmune disorders, inflammation and cancer.” While some health professionals say that detoxes are unnecessary because the body is capable of cleansing itself, others make a compelling case for the need to help it along, given our heightened exposure to manmade toxic elements. Information of varying repute swirls around the internet, offering approaches ranging from juice cleanses to total fasts.

Simple dietary strategies can help sweep out toxins, explains Robin Foroutan, an integrative dietitian and nutritionist in New York City. She points to cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, collards and kale, which promote cytochromes P450, a family of enzymes critical in helping toxins clear the body. She also recommends foods high in fiber that can bind to toxins and bile, and transport them out of the body through the stool. Berries, green tea and turmeric are also helpful for their antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties; even water facilitates the excretion process, supports the lymphatic system and replenishes fluids lost through sweat. Using a water filter and eating organic foods when possible also reduces incoming toxins, she says. Healthy smoothies are a great way to get water, fiber and easily digestible nutrients into our body at the same time, according 20

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Everyday Toxin Cleaners

Fasting (occasionally for a prolonged period, such as three days without food) and intermittent fasting (abstaining from food for a shorter period, such as 16 hours per day on a regular basis) are great tools for deeper detoxification, says Junger. “Digestion takes energy and resources from the detox functions, so eating less, eating less often and allowing time for digestion to stop so that detox can intensify is crucial.” For a comprehensive detox, experts recommend working with a health practitioner to assess toxic burdens and develop a personalized plan. Russell Jaffe, a physician in Ashburn, Virginia, crafts a detox program based on four selfassessments, including digestive transit time, urine pH, hydration levels and vitamin C levels. Jaffe claims our bodies are burdened by excess acid, rendering them less resilient to stress and resulting in fatigue, illness and infection risks. “When we enjoy a diet rich in greens, fruits, vegetables, minerals and antioxidants, our cells become more alkaline and more resistant to everyday stress,” he states. Experts emphasize that a short-term program must be part of a longer-lasting lifestyle and diet shift. “It is not enough to do periodic detoxes if you go back to old habits. I offer these programs as a jumpstart in hopes that participants feel so much better that they never want to go back to what they were doing and eating before,” says Junger. Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

Sweet Mango Smoothie Sweet fruit paired with spinach for an extra dose of fiber, vitamins and super-greendetoxifying antioxidants won’t change the taste of this beloved fruit smoothie. 1 cup fresh or frozen mango 1 to 3 cups spinach ¼ cup packed mint ½ cup coconut water ½ cup coconut milk 1 Tbsp chia seeds 1 serving dairy-free protein powder Handful of ice

photo by kaitlyn noble

Deep Detox

Detox Delights

Skin and chop mango. Wash spinach. Remove mint leaves from their stems and rinse them with water. Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until smooth (30-60 seconds). Pour and serve immediately. Sprinkle chia seeds on top if desired. Recipe by Kaitlyn Noble of the Clean Program.

Vegetable Yum Soup Soups help provide the body with nutrient- and fiber-rich vegetables in an easy-to-digest format, while soup broths help supply water for detoxification and a sense of satiety. Yield: 4 to 6 Servings 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 garlic clove, minced 2 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated 1 stalk lemongrass, minced ½ tsp crushed red pepper ¾ cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped ½ cup green bell pepper, chopped 5 to 6 cups vegetable stock 1 (14-oz) can coconut milk 2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce 3 Tbsp cilantro or parsley, chopped Heat the oil in a large pot and sauté garlic, ginger, lemongrass and crushed red pepper. Stir in the mushrooms, sweet potatoes and bell pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the stock, bring to boil and then reduce heat. Simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Add the coconut milk and soy sauce, and stir. Serve sprinkled with cilantro or parsley (optional).

photo by kaitlyn noble

to Junger. “When using a good, clean, protein powder in addition to fruits and leafy greens, healthy fats such as nuts, and coconut or cashew milk, a smoothie can provide us the nutrients needed to support our energy for hours,” he says. Adding herbs like mint or holy basil (tulsi) and spices like turmeric and cinnamon elevate both flavor and healing. Liquids such as celery juice provide highly concentrated nutrients and hydration, but lack the fiber of a blended drink. Both juices and smoothies give overtaxed digestive systems a needed break.

Source: Russell Jaffe, The Joy in Living: The Alkaline Way. April 2021

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Eco-Athletes

Working Out with the Planet in Mind by Marlaina Donato

personally gratifying, it also makes you keenly aware of just how far the world is from taking action sufficient to keep climate change in check. We all need to do more,” says Bruce Rayner, founder and chief green officer at Athletes for a Fit Planet, in Portland, Maine, who was enlightened to the problems first-hand at a half-ironman distance race. “When I got to the finish line, I was given my obli-gatory plastic water bottle. I looked around for a recycling bin, and all I saw was an overflowing trash bin.” Founded in 2008, Rayner’s organization partners with pro-environment races like the TD Beach to Beacon 10K, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, recently named the most sustainable 10-miles-or-less race in the country.

rom human-powered gyms that generate electricity to Earth-friendly activewear, professional and recreational athletes alike are increasingly working out with the planet in mind. Taking a recycled yoga mat to class, nixing the plastic water bottle and going “plogging”—picking up litter while out for a run—are just a few examples of eco-fitness in motion. “We believe that movement and nature go hand-in-hand, yet the world of sports isn’t as green as it should be, with plastic bottles at events, junk food in canteens and monotonous movement in the gym,” says Saraï Pannekoek, co-founder of the Sustainable Athlete Foundation, which strives to create a sustainable sports environment through coaching, workshops and campaigns.

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Fueling Up, Protecting Natural Resources

Working Out Green Links between personal fitness and environmental toxicity are critical. Sixty percent of clothing is manufactured with fossil fuel-derived plastics, and activewear rates highest for eco-toxic fibers. Choosing workout clothes made from sustainable bamboo and cotton can soften the impact. With name brands like Adidas offering sustainable footwear, staying fit doesn’t need to increase the toll on the environment. Pannekoek, who hosts the Sustainable Athlete Podcast with co-founder Paul Venner in Amsterdam, emphasizes personal responsibility. “We believe that there isn’t a quick fix. It’s all about habits and conscious behavior, while still being able to peak perform.” Supplementing the usual gym routine with self-powered workouts and outdoor activities like gardening, sustainable charity races and hiking are sound choices that can help to buffer climate change. “Being eco-centric enriches life and enhances health, but while it’s 22

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A pillar of the eco-fitness movement is eating clean and going plant-based for the health of people and planet. “Diet is a big part of being eco-fit. The best action you can take is to support local farms, specifically organic farms,” emphasizes Rayner. To minimize global greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, eating more nutrition-packed produce, whole grains, legumes and nuts instead of animal products supports sustainability. For Adam Layzell, sports therapist, nutritionist and author of How to Train Your Vegan: The Comprehensive Guide to Plant-Based Fitness, going vegan is a win-win situation. “A vegan diet encourages fat loss, improves endurance and recovery and has plenty of all the necessary components such as protein to build strength and muscle.” Layzell underscores that the vegan diet preserves animals and their ecosystems, prevents deforestation and destruction of wild land and lowers the impact on climate change and global warming.

Athlete Engagement For Lewis Blaustein, managing editor of GreenSportsBlog.com, climate change action and sports are an ideal marriage. He recently launched EcoAthletes.org to encourage sports figures to speak up about global warming. “Nelson Mandela once said, ‘Sport has the power to change the world.’ EcoAthletes aims to show that athletes are the agents of that change and that they, by mobilizing millions if not billions of fans, can do so on climate.” Blaustein sees a surge of climate-concerned athletes leading radical changes. “There will be many different looks—from athletes endorsing green products à la solar power, electric vehicles, etc., to athletes speaking out for environmental/climate justice in a similar fashion to WNBA and NBA players on Black Lives Matter.” Pannekoek concurs, “All small steps taken still go a great distance. Elite athletes are role models. If they would support more conscious brands to influence the youth, we believe that they can make such a difference.”

75th ANNIVERSARY!

Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

WHAT WE CAN DO Bruce Rayner: n After pandemic restrictions lift, when signing up for a race, pick one that’s local and carpool with friends.

n Washing polyester clothing means microplastics are in

the wastewater, which means they make their way into the environment. Consider getting a filter for your washing machine that catches microplastics.

n Tell race directors that you appreciate their efforts to be more sustainable. Adam Layzell: n Reuse clothes to lower the carbon footprint and plastic production. Go to the charity shop, borrow, repair and buy second-hand.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI

n Choose reusable water bottles.

The book that has c hanged the lives of millions

n Exercise in nature, a great way to appreciate what we need to be protecting. n Litter pick when exercising in nature. Have a

small backpack and clean up as you run.

Saraï Pannekoek: n Consume intentionally and more mindfully. Think and act long-term instead of going for quick fixes.

n Replace sugary snacks with quick, energizing exercises throughout the day. (We call this “movement snacks”.)

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healthy kids

Nature to the Rescue Kids Come Alive Outdoors

image courtesy of Meraiko

by Ronica O’Hara

s Angela Hanscom of Barrington, New Hampshire, watched her preschool daughters at play, she realized that a surprising number of their friends had problems with balance, coordination and muscle weakness, conditions she was attuned to as a pediatric occupational therapist. Teachers told her that compared to past years, young children were falling out of chairs and bumping into each other and walls more often—all evidence of poor proprioceptive skills, the “sixth sense” ability to feel and position the body in space. Hanscom also realized that almost none of the children played outdoors, which “fascinated and scared” her. Nationwide, even before the lockdowns and online schooling 24

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brought on by the pandemic, the average child spent seven hours per day looking at screens and only seven minutes per day playing freely outdoors. Recent studies show that today’s children have poorer hand grip strength, slower running speeds and lower cardiovascular fitness levels than previous generations. Meanwhile, a growing body of research finds that spending time in nature makes kids happier, healthier and more functional. Hanscom’s solution was to establish TimberNook, camps in which children from 18 months to 14 years of age are encouraged to explore natural settings in imaginative, largely unstructured, minimally supervised play. Now in its eighth year, 38 TimberNook-affiliated camps are located in the U.S., Canada, the UK and Australia. Hanscom’s book, Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, has garnered more than 300 five-star reviews on Amazon.com. “Children thrive physically, mentally and emotionally when they are given frequent outdoor play experiences, especially with other children. When children do not get enough of these opportunities, it comes at a great cost to their development,” she says. Journalist Richard Louv, author of the seminal Last Child in the Woods, agrees. “The scientists who study the human senses no longer talk about five senses, they list conservatively nine or 10, and some believe that humans have as many as 30 senses,” he says. “Yet today, children and adults who work and learn in a dominating digital environment expend enormous energy blocking out many of the human senses—including ones we don’t even know we have—to focus narrowly on the screen in front of the eyes. That’s the very definition of being less alive. What parent wants his or her child to be less alive? Who among us wants to be less alive?” That dawning realization is motivating parents and teachers to find ways to get their children actively involved with nature in ways that open their senses while also moving their bodies. This often means hitting the local trails and nature preserves, sometimes with binoculars, bug jars, bird and plant guides and a

scavenger list in hand. “‘Hiking’ can be a bit of a drag to young children, but ‘exploring’ (while still hiking) helps open their minds to the beauty and wonder of the outdoors,” says Tanya Gray of Woodstock, Georgia, a homeschooling blogger at TwoPineAdventure.com. To improve kids’ hearing, Lilach Saperstein, an Israeli audiologist who hosts the podcast All About Audiology, asks children to close their eyes and describe only what they hear. “The wind, the rustle of leaves, a running water stream, crickets, birds, their own breathing, the swish of their sleeve or pant—this is a great way to introduce mindfulness, as well.” To awaken sight, sound and smell, Boston plein air artist Diana Stelin hands kids paper and art supplies out in nature. “Allowing kids to sit with sounds around them and with smells of various seasons makes them truly feel part of our grand universe. It also allows their minds to quiet down and reset, making them pay more attention to detail, to their inner landscapes and to people around them.”

To engage the sense of taste, Malorie Thompson, editor of TheVeganInsider.com, takes her children foraging for edible plants on treasure hunts on a trail or around their Northern California neighborhood. She says, “Bonus activity: use the foraged food to make a meal afterward!” Most of all, nature should be both physical and fun. “Point excitedly at the full moon, shout at it and say hello. Pick up leaves and chestnuts and rocks and create beautiful art together. Stop to smell the twigs and flowers and roll on the grass—who can make it faster down the hill? Make sandcastles and animals. Tie colorful ribbons on tree branches. Look for the shapes of animals in the clouds,” says Milana Perepyolkina, of Salt Lake City, who wrote about forest bathing in Gypsy Energy Secrets. “The only way to get your children to be excited about nature is for you to be excited about nature first,” she notes. Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

Susane Grasso REIKI MASTER

Relaxation Therapy Chakra Balancing Aura Readings

Family Time in the Woods Richard Louv, a prominent nature writer and a co-founder of The Children & Nature Network (C&NN), offers 500 ways for families and communities to connect to the natural world in his book Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life. Here are more wise words. Be a hummingbird parent. One parent says, “In the range from helicopter to neglect—I probably fall a bit more toward helicopter. In fact, I call myself a hummingbird parent. I tend to stay physically distant to let them explore and problem-solve, but zoom in at moments when safety is an issue (which isn’t very often).” Notice that she isn’t hovering over her kids with nature flash cards. She stands back and makes space for independent nature play—albeit not as free as she experienced as a child; this play is important, nonetheless. Create or join a family nature club. Nature clubs for families are beginning to catch on across the country; some have membership lists of 400-plus families. The idea is that multiple families meet to go for a hike, garden together or even do stream reclamation. We hear from family nature club leaders that when families get together, the kids tend to play more creatively—with other kids or independently—than during singlefamily outings. C&NN’s Nature Clubs for Families offers a free downloadable guide on how to start your own. Get the safety information you need. Become familiar with good resources for safety tips in the outdoors, including those with information on how to guard against ticks. Check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s cdc.gov. AudubonPortland.org offers tips on living with a variety of urban wildlife.

203.500.6950 DISTANCE REIKI AVAILABLE

Spring will come and so will happiness. Hold On. Life will get warmer.

~Anita Krizzan April 2021

calendar of events THURSDAY, APRIL 1 Salty Sound Bath with Kelly Nicholson – 6:30pm7:45pm. Join us for an evening of pure rest and rejuvenation. There is nothing you have to do. This is about simply BEing. Leave your worries at the door and float to a state of grace on the vibrations of sound. A Salty Sound Bath is a group Sound Healing Session done in the beautiful sanctuary of the Moroccan Salt Room with the added benefit of halotherapy. Relax in one of our zero gravity chairs as you soak in the layers of sound. Revive Salt Therapy, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-283-5968. hello@revivesalttherapy.com. ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 10 Mindfulness in Challenging Times– 9am11:15am. (April 10 & May 22). A live virtual program offered by Dr. Jerry Silbert. Experience a variety of mindfulness practices that can help us respond to challenges with wisdom and compassion. $25. Mercy by the Sea, 167 Neck Rd, Madison. For more information: Call 203-245-0401 or visit: MercyBytheSea.org. Universal White Time Gemstone Healing 1 Certification – 9am-6:30pm. (April 10-11). Learn to heal yourself, others, animals and the environment with this rare and ancient universal knowledge. All levels of experience are welcome. Braulttree Wellness Center, Higganum. $350. $400 includes the basic stone. Contact Bradford: 806-830-5841 or info@crysalmusichealing.com. Free Essential Oil Class – 9:30am-11am. Help align your mind, body, spirit. Learn to take control of your health with therapeutic grade oils. Free class. On Zoom to register please call 203-631-7803, email: Return2love3@gmail.com or visit: Return2Love.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 11 Free Community Meals Presented by Master’s Community Meals: Dinner – 3:30pm-5pm (or until food runs out). Drive up meal pickup only. All walkups must wear facemask and stay 6 feet apart in line. Please enter parking between church and school. Do not exit vehicle. No RSVP. All meals located at: Assumption Church Hall, 61 N.Cliff St, Ansonia. Donations graciously accepted. Cancellations of dinner announced Thursday prior on wfsb.com; wtnh.com; Facebook, or our voicemail: 203-732-7792, MastersTableCT@gmail.com. MastersTableMeals.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 13 Salty Yoga Nidra with Traci Weber – 6pm7pm. Come experience the dual benefits of yoga Nidra + Halotherapy in our zero gravity chairs as you relax and unwind in the gorgeous Moroccan Salt Room. Yoga Nidra also known as “yoga of the mind” will deeply relax you and give you the best sleep of your life while halotherapy also promotes relaxation and enhances the immune system Revive Salt Therapy, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-283-5968. hello@ revivesalttherapy.com. ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

New Haven/Middlesex

FRIDAY, APRIL 16

THURSDAY, APRIL 22

Bringing Vision Boards into Clinical Practice – 9pm-12pm. 3 CECs. In this hands-on training, explore visual goal-setting techniques that can be used with clients in clinical settings. Participants will also have an opportunity to explore their own goal-setting process and create a vision board for themselves. $60. Register at: WomensConsortium.org. 2321 Whitney Avenue, Suite 401, Hamden.

Free Event! CWC Lunch & Learn: Mindfulness: Finding Calm in the Chaos – 12pm-1:30pm. No CECs. Register at: WomensConsortium.org. 2321 Whitney Avenue, Suite 201, Hamden.

SATURDAY, APRIL 17 CELC Middle School Virtual Open House – 10am-11am. Looking for a middle school where your child can thrive? Find out if CELC Middle School is right for your child. Safe, small classes, experientially-based personalized learning, transformative program, 5th-8th grade. Virtual Open House on Zoom. RSVP: mandm@ CTExperiential.org or 203-433-4658. Applications being accepted now for the 2021-2022 academic year. Salty Sound Bath with Kelly Nicholson – 2:30pm3:45pm. Join us for an evening of pure rest and rejuvenation. There is nothing you have to do. This is about simply BEing. Leave your worries at the door and float to a state of grace on the vibrations of sound. A Salty Sound Bath is a group Sound Healing Session done in the beautiful sanctuary of the Moroccan Salt Room with the added benefit of halotherapy. Relax in one of our zero gravity chairs as you soak in the layers of sound. Revive Salt Therapy, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-283-5968. hello@revivesalttherapy.com. ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 18 Reiki Class Level 1 – 10am-3:30pm. (Sundays, April 18 & April 25). Learn Reiki for self-care and treatment of others. Participants will learn, the benefits, history, and precepts of Reiki. Ample time for practice while following CDC protocol. Small class, open for three participants at The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St, Middletown. Cost: $150 members, $160 non-members. Call: 203-314-5401 o r eilande@comcast.net, ReikiwithEileenAnderson.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21 Salty Sound Bath with Kelly Nicholson – 6:30pm7:45pm. Join us for an evening of pure rest and rejuvenation. There is nothing you have to do. This is about simply BEing. Leave your worries at the door and float to a state of grace on the vibrations of sound. A Salty Sound Bath is a group Sound Healing Session done in the beautiful sanctuary of the Moroccan Salt Room with the added benefit of halotherapy. Relax in one of our zero gravity chairs as you soak in the layers of sound. Revive Salt Therapy, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-283-5968. hello@revivesalttherapy.com. ReviveSaltTherapy.com. Circle of Women – 7pm-9pm. Join in sacred space (temporarily on Zoom) to celebrate Spring and its’ influence on opening and healing the world as we shift away from the pandemic. Practice self-care and global compassion. Stay connected to self, spirit, others and earth rhythms as we navigate these times. $25. Call Susan to reserve space/get coordinates. 203-645-1230.

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Earth Day Peace Celebration – 4pm. Join the City of New Haven Peace Commission and endorsing organizations for a celebration of peace, climate action and a Green New Deal. Free. 165 Church St, New Haven. For more information, go to: Facebook.com/NewHavenPeaceCommission. Backyard Birds & Bugs: Virtual Meetup & Seed Bob Activity – 5pm. Online event by Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center and Henry Carter Hull Library. Awakening to the wonder of the wild in your own backyard! Meet local species that live in your neighborhood and learn how you can help make your yard the perfect habitat for them. More information and to participate, go to: Facebook.com/hchlibrary. Salty Yoga Nidra with Joann Dunsing, Hypnotist – 6:30pm-7:30pm. Come experience the dual benefits of yoga Nidra + Halotherapy in our zero gravity chairs as you relax and unwind in the gorgeous Moroccan Salt Room. Yoga Nidra also known as “yoga of the mind” will deeply relax you and give you the best sleep of your life while halotherapy also promotes relaxation and enhances the immune system. Revive Salt Therapy, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-283-5968. hello@ revivesalttherapy.com. ReviveSaltTherapy.com. Free Essential Oil Class – 6:30pm-8pm. Help align your mind, body, spirit. Learn to take control of your health with therapeutic grade oils. Free class. On Zoom, to register please call: 203-631-7803, email: Return2love3@gmail.com or visit: Return2Love.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 24 Middletown Earth Day Shred Event – 9am-11am. The city of Middletown is hosting a paper shred event for Middletwon residents at Veterans Memorial Park on Walnut Grove Rd. Residents can bring up to 6 boxes or bags of paper for onsite shredding. Pre-shredded materials also accepted. Free. More information: MiddletownCT.gov/CivicAlerts. aspx?AID=274 Earth Day River Cleanup – 10am. Deep River Landing, 1 Railroad Ave, Deep River. Free. For more information and to participate, go to: Facebook.com and search Earth Day River Cleanup. In Praise of Communion: Poetry as a Healing of What Divides our Heart – 10am-12:30pm. A live virtual program by Mark Burrows, PhD. Discover how poetry weaves together some of the unraveled strands in our inner life. $35. Mercy by the Sea, 167 Neck Rd, Madison. For more information, call: 203-245-0401 or visit: MercybytheSea.org. Forage walk with Qi Gong practice: Learn about spring wild edible and medicinal plants – 1pm3pm. Celebrate Earth day and World Tai Chi and Qi gong day! This virtual class will be taking a tour of the woods by Wadsworth falls. For more information, visit ChiforHealing.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 25 Crystals 101 – 10am-1pm. Discover the healing powers of crystals and gemstones. You will learn how to choose the right stones for everyday use and meditation, relaxation and stress reduction. We will also work with Lemurian Seed Crystals to tap into your intuitive potential. Crystal healing is accessible to everyone. No previous experience is required. Crystals and gemstones will be for sale. $75. Avant Garde Holistic Center, 328 E. Main St, Branford. RSVP: 203-481-8443 or avantgardeCT13@yahoo.com. Spring Qi Gong essence meditation – 11am-12:30pm. With Erik Harris and John Odlum. Connect with the energy of the plants and trees using medicinal aromatherapy. Start with a meditative qigong practice then move into a guided meditation using sound healing. $25. For more information, visit ChiforHealing.com. Free Community Meals Presented by Master’s Community Meals: Dinner – 3:30pm-5pm (or until food runs out). Drive up meal pickup only. All walkups must wear facemask and stay 6 feet apart in line. Please enter parking between church and school. Do not exit vehicle. No RSVP. All meals located at: Assumption Church Hall, 61 N.Cliff St, Ansonia. Donations graciously accepted. Cancellations of dinner announced Thursday prior on wfsb.com; wtnh.com; Facebook, or our voicemail: 203-732-7792, MastersTableCT@gmail.com. MastersTableMeals.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 26 Full Moon Meditation w/Gayle Franceschetti – 6:30pm-8:30pm. Align w/new energies of this month’s Full Moon. Opportunities for letting go of the old and allowing spiritual energies to reach human hearts and minds. $25. On Zoom, to register please call 203-631-7803, email: Return2love3@ gmail.com or visit: Return2Love.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 1 Universal White Time Energy Healing Level 2 – 9am-6:30pm. (May 1-2). Prerequisite UWT Energy Healing Level 1. (The next Level 1 class is 7/308/1). In the second level you are getting an upgrade that stands for 150 hours of healing. It enhances your sensitivity for the energies so that you can learn to feel the results of the different visualization techniques you are learning. $400. Braulttree Wellness Center, Higganum. Contact Bradford to register: 860-830-5841 or info@crystalmusichealing.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 8 All Shall be Well – 10:30am-12:30pm. The Gospel of Love According to Julian of Norwich” presented live and virtually by Mark Burrows, PhD. Observe the Feast Day of 14th century Julian of Norwich. $35. Mercy by the Sea, 167 Neck Rd, Madison. For more information and to register, call: 203-245-0401 or visit: MercybytheSea.org.

ongoingevents

monday

Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness: Holistic products available for curbside pickup – Salty gift baskets, salt lamps, natural body products, sage, crystals and journals. Pick up at Revive Salt Therapy, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. Information: 203-283-5968. hello@revivesalttherapy.com. ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

Come see CELC Middle School in action – Tours by appointment only! Middle School Middle school specialists, 5th – 8th grade. Small class sizes, personalized instruction, robust academics. Limited openings still available for 2020-21. Contact mandm@CTExperiential.org or call 203-433-4658. For more information, visit CTExperiential.org.

Weekly Qi Gong class – 9:30am-10:30am. Qi gong translates to the practice of moving energy. Qi gong focuses on breath and movement to open up the energy flow in the body. There will be brief meditation integrating breathe-work with a combination of chanting, singing bowls, and aromatherapy, and an inspirational reading at the end of each class. $15. For more information, go to ChiForHealing.com.

tuesday

Developing Your Intuition Series (on Zoom) w/Gayle Franceschetti – 6:30pm-8:30pm. (5 classes on Wednesdays: April 21st, 28th, May 5th, May 12th & May 19th). Tap into your innate ability of “knowing.” Through meditation, sharing and experiential exercises begin to master techniques of accessing your creativity and intuition. Series: $97. To join: Return2Love.com and pay through PayPal. I will then send you the Zoom info necessary to attend. For questions, please call: 203-6317803, email: Return2love3@gmail.com or visit: Return2Love.com.

Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness: Special April Offers – Salty Spa Parties starting at $55/person. Revive Salt Therapy, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. Information/appointments: 203-283-5968. hello@ revivesalttherapy.com. ReviveSaltTherapy.com. Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness: Holistic products available for curbside pickup – Salty gift baskets, salt lamps, natural body products, sage, crystals and journals. Pick up at Revive Salt Therapy, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. Information: 203-283-5968. hello@revivesalttherapy.com. ReviveSaltTherapy.com. Come see CELC Middle School in action – Tours by appointment only! Middle School Middle school specialists, 5th – 8th grade. Small class sizes, personalized instruction, robust academics. Limited openings still available for 2020-21. Contact mandm@CTExperiential.org or call 203-433-4658. For more information, visit CTExperiential.org. Weekly Qi Gong class – 6pm-7pm.Qi gong translates to the practice of moving energy. Qi gong focuses on breath and movement to open up the energy flow in the body. There will be brief meditation integrating breathe-work with a combination of chanting, singing bowls, and aromatherapy, and an inspirational reading at the end of each class. $15. For more information, go to ChiForHealing.com.

wednesday Wellness Wednesday at Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness – Enjoy a Moroccan Salt Room Session or Infrared Sauna Session for ONLY $20 + tax. Revive Salt Therapy, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. Information/appointments: 203-283-5968. hello@ revivesalttherapy.com. ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

thursday Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness: Special April Offers – Salty Spa Parties starting at $55/person. Revive Salt Therapy, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. Information/appointments: 203-283-5968. hello@ revivesalttherapy.com. ReviveSaltTherapy.com. Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness: Holistic products available for curbside pickup – Salty gift baskets, salt lamps, natural body products, sage, crystals and journals. Pick up at Revive Salt Therapy, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. Information: 203-283-5968. hello@revivesalttherapy.com. ReviveSaltTherapy.com. Come see CELC Middle School in action – Tours by appointment only! Middle School Middle school specialists, 5th – 8th grade. Small class sizes, personalized instruction, robust academics. Limited openings still available for 2020-21. Contact mandm@CTExperiential.org or call 203-433-4658. For more information, visit CTExperiential.org.

April 2021

ongoingevents The Caring Network: Free virtual support group through Microsoft Teams for adults who have lost a loved one – 6pm. (April 1st & April 15th). Information about grief and loss; facilitated open discussion. Adults do not need to register. The group is facilitated by a Bridges counselor and is sponsored by Bridges Healthcare and Cody-White Funeral Home. Bridges Healthcare, 949 Bridgeport Ave, Milford. For more information, please call the Group Facilitator, Brooke Torres M.Ed., at 203-878-6365 ext. 480 or email brtorres@ bridgesmilford.org. Tong Ren Distance Healing Class – 7pm-8pm. Tong Ren Therapy is based on the power of our mind creating energy for healing. Using the hammer technique, we hit points on an acupuncture doll to focus the energy on a person. During the Tong ren class people will sit and receive energy. 3 things will be tapped on for each person. Group energy healing will be received and we will send distance healing also. This class also utilizes meditation, sound healing, and inspirational readings. $10. For more information, go to ChiForHealing.com.

Gem Clinic – 7:30pm-9pm. (3rd Thursday of the Month). This clinic is a workspace for certified UWTGH Practitioners to practice on each other and on members of the public who are interested in healing and awakening through stone healing or simply curious to experience the modality. $20 The Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main St. Durham, CT RSVP preferred. Contact Bradford: 860-830-5841 or info@CrystalMusicHealing.com.

friday

Forests are the lungs of our land.

~Franklin D. Roosevelt

classifieds ALS SUPPORT THE ALS ASSOCIATION CONNECTICUT CHAPTER – Leading the fight to treat and cure ALS through research & advocacy while empowering people w/Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives w/compassionate care & support. 4 Oxford Road, Unit D4. Milford. 203-874-5050. WebCT.alsa.org.

MEDICAL/INTUITIVE HYPNOTIST

NATURAL AWAKENINGS NEW HAVEN FOR SALE

HYPNOSIS THERAPY CENTER – There is a meaning behind every ailment and condition people have. It's your body speaking to you. If you are tired of being sick and are ready to help yourself heal, then consider having a Discovery Session so you can learn the cause and 'cure.' Madison. 203-245-6927.

TURN YOUR PASSION INTO A BUSINESS – Are you ready for a meaningful and creative career that connects you to the community while you work from the comfort of home? If you are passionate about healthy living and enjoy inspiring others to make choices that benefit themselves and the world around them, consider becoming a Natural Awakenings publisher. The New Haven and Middlesex counties edition of Natural Awakenings is for sale! This is a meaningful home-based business opportunity. No previous publishing experience is required. Extensive training and ongoing support is provided. Learn more today! Call: 203-988-1808 or email: Gail@naturalnewhaven.com.

DISTRIBUTORS WANTED DISTRIBUTORS WANTED – For monthly deliveries of Natural Awakenings and other local publications. Perfect for a retired person or stay at home mom looking to earn some extra income and connect with their local community. Honesty and dependability are the most important characteristics of our distributors. Thomas@ManInMotionLLC.com.

MEDITATION M E D I TAT I O N S F R O M T H E D I V I N E CONSCIOUSNESS – 2 on 1 CD “Everything Is In Bloom.” “Our True Being.” Experience the Spring of life and our eternal home. Call toll-Free: 844-576-0937. Gabriele-Publishing-House.com.

LYME DISEASE CT LYME RIDERS, INC. – Founded in 2007 by motorcyclists Sandy Brule & Tony Gargano. A 501(c)(3) non profit public charity aiming to bring awareness to the public about Lyme Disease. Events & info. 860-537-0255, ctlymeriders.com.

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com

OFFICE RENTAL GROUND FLOOR OPPORTUNITY AT NEW HOLISTIC CLINIC IN CENTRAL CT – Opening April 2021, Willowbrook Health Center will be a multidisciplinary clinic in Cromwell with 5 offices to sublet for wellness professionals (LMT, LAc, DC, RDs). Accessible high-traffic location with utilities, advertising and perks included in rent. More at DrSaraND.com. Call Dr. Frawley at 203-293-7293 or drsarafrawleynd@gmail.com.

community resource guide APPLIED KINESIOLOGY KC CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS Kevin Healy, DC 17 Woodland Road, Madison, CT 203-245-9317 KevinHealy@sbcglobal.net DrHealMe.com

Applied Kinesiology i s a n e u r o logical evaluation to find and treat dysfunction. Different because it addresses causes instead of chasing pains, Dr. Healy tests if a therapy alleviates dysfunction, finding immediate answers as to which provides the most improvement. Chiropractic, craniosacral, myofascial and acupressure are among the therapies Dr. Healy uses. Generally, no single cure exists as disease and dysfunction typically involve multiple areas of the body. The goal of any therapy—physical, chemical, or emotional—is to improve function; a combination of therapies typically yields the best results. See ad on page 3.

EDUCATION CONNECTICUT EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CENTER (CELC) MIDDLE SCHOOL 28 School Street, Branford, CT 203-433-4658 mandm@CTExperiential.org CTEXperiential.org

CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) Middle School provides experientially-based education with a personalized approach to learning, designed to empower young people to thrive. Our students come from a variety of towns throughout Connecticut, from families looking for a program that engages and deepens learning, where their children can flourish during these important and impactful 5th - 8th grade years. See ad on page 3.

MEDICAL INTUITIVE/SHAMAN PAST LIFE REGRESSION SPIRIT OF THE LOTUS

Robin Barros, IMT-C, CSC, CPLC 5 Gavin Drive, Columbia, CT 860-709-3903 Robin@spiritofthelotus.org SpiritoftheLotus.org

Spirit of the Lotus is a sacred space, warm and welcoming, where you can go for holistic health and healing. Robin uses many modalities to get to the heart of what’s caus-ing you to be in pain, out of alignment or just frustrated with what feels like a block to living your best life. Integrative Manual Therapy, gently helps you release tension from injury, illness or surgery. Intuitive guidance helps you release Physical, Mental & Spiritual baggage, carried for years, lives or generations. As an Advanced Soul Coach & Past Life Coach (R), we clear away inner debris in order to connect you with the wis-dom of your soul. With years of experience and training, you can experience optimal health & wellness.

MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY CT THERMOGRAPHY

April Beaman 2 Forest Park Dr. Farmington, CT 212 New London Turnpike Glastonbury, CT 860-415-1150 info@ctthermography.com CTThermography.com CT Thermography specializes in medical thermal imaging, also k n o w n a s Th e r m o g r a p h y. Thermography is the use and study of thermograms for detecting and measuring variations of heat emitted for the surface of the body. A thermogram is produced by a highly sensitive, medical infrared camera that accurately maps the temperature variations which are then interpreted by Board Certified physicians known as thermologists. Thermography does not expose the body to radiation or involve contact and is used to aid in the detection of inflammation, disease and cancer. See ad on page 7.

PET EUTHANASIA SERVICE FINAL JOURNEY, LLC Kristen Klie, D.V.M. 203-645-5570 FinalJourneyLLC.com

Final Journey, LLC is an in-home euthanasia service for your animal companion that brings comfort and peace during a sensitive and challenging time. See ad on page 8.

PHYSICAL THERAPY PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES OF GUILFORD 500 East Main Street, Suite 310, Branford, CT 203-315-7727 (Phone) 203-315-7757 (Fax) PhysicalTherapyGuilford.com

At Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, we specialize in manual therapy using hands-on techniques to help the body’s natural healing process. We also incorporate traditional programs and modalities to maximize health. 40-minute sessions are conducted one-on-one in private treatment rooms. See ad on page 19.

SALT HEALING THERAPY WELLNESS CENTER REVIVE SALT THERAPY

374 New Haven Avenue Milford, CT 203-283-5968 Hello@ReviveSaltTherapy.com ReviveSaltTherapy.com

Gail Perrella, M.S. is a Holistic Nutritionist, creator and founder of Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and empower our clients to create the health they deserve. Services offered include halotherapy, nutrition, detox, massage, reiki, salty (halotherapy) yoga, guided meditation, mindset coaching and wellness workshops. We also have a wellness retail shop where we offer professional supplements and high quality salt products. For more information visit ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

April 2021

community resource guide

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203-988-1808

SALT HEALING THERAPY WELLNESS CENTER SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA

ELM CITY WELLNESS

Combining an array of natural therapies that have been used since ancient times with today’s technology, Salt of the Earth Spa provides a sanctuary for deep transformations, healing and grounding for Mind, Body and Spirit.

Elm City Wellness is an independent, womanowned wellness center with a focus on community healing. Services include a variety of skilled massage, CBD massage, community and private acupuncture, Reiki, craniosacral therapy and organic skin care, including signature, microderm and high frequency facials. Skilled therapists specifically tailor each and every session. Our wellness store features local products, candles, wellness supplies and books, smudge kits and a large range of third-party tested, pharmaceutical grade CBD products. See back cover ad.

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

UNIVERSAL WHITE TIME CRYSTAL & SOUND HEALING CRYSTAL MUSIC HEALING

Bradford Tilden, MM, CMT, UWT 860-830-5841 info@CrystalMusicHealing.com CrystalMusicHealing.com My goal is to empower you to develop spiritually and professionally. I offer sessions and teach certification classes in Universal White Time (UWT), Lemurian Intuitive, Crystal, and Sound Healing, transformational voice coaching, and guided visualization. I use these techniques, and more to help you to obtain authentic expression, empowerment, and transformation. You can purchase personally attuned crystals, through me. My clients and students gain a renewed clarity and a sense of purpose in working with me.

New Haven/Middlesex

WHOLE BODY WELLNESS CBD MASSAGE

NaturalNewHaven.com

774 Orange Street New Haven, CT 203-691-7653 ElmCityWellness.com

YOGA & AYURVEDA BALANCE BY MELISSA

Melissa Pytlak Yoga Instructor Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor 203-305-5531 SeekLifeBalance@gmail.com BalanceByMelissa.com Melissa invites you to come home to yourself and awaken the healer within. Offering private and group instruction in yoga and Ayurveda, Melissa guides you to connect with your True Self and to trust that you already possess all the wisdom you need to heal yourself in order to return to your innate state of harmony and health. Melissa enjoys teaching group classes but particularly loves the magic that unfolds in helping people one on one. If you need a little guidance on your path of wellness, please reach out for a free 10-minute consultation.

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