Natural Awakenings New Haven & Middlesex CT MARCH 2020 by Natural Awakenings New Haven

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HEALTHY

LIVING

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MEATLESS HERBAL HEMP GETS HOT MAKEOVER MEDICINE It Can Even Cool Down the Planet

Classic Favorites Go Veggie

Healing from the Ground Up

March 2020 | New Haven-Middlesex | NaturalNewHaven.comMarch 2020

Seven years without a cold?

had colds going round and round, but not me.” Some users say it also helps with sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a 2-day sinus headache. When her CopperZap arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” she said. “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” Some users say copper stops nighttime stuffiness if used just before cientists recently discovered bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had time. He hasn’t had a single cold for 7 a way to kill viruses and in years.” years since. bacteria. Copper can also stop flu if used early He asked relatives and friends to try Now thousands of people are using it it. They said it worked for them, too, so and for several days. Lab technicians to stop colds and flu. placed 25 million live flu viruses on a he patented CopperZap™ and put it on Colds start CopperZap. No viruses were found alive the market. when cold viruses soon after. Soon hundreds get in your nose. Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams of people had Viruses multiply confirming the discovery. He placed tried it and given fast. If you don’t millions of disease germs on copper. feedback. Nearly stop them early, “They started to die literally as soon as 100% said the they spread and copper stops colds if they touched the surface,” he said. cause misery. People have even used copper on used within 3 hours In hundreds cold sores and say it can completely after the first sign. of studies, EPA prevent outbreaks. Even up to 2 New research: Copper stops colds if used early. and university The handle is days, if they still researchers have confirmed that viruses curved and finely get the cold it is milder than usual and and bacteria die almost instantly when textured to improve they feel better. touched by copper. contact. It kills germs Users wrote things like, “It stopped That’s why ancient Greeks and picked up on fingers my cold right away,” and “Is it Egyptians used copper to purify water and hands to protect supposed to work that fast?” and heal wounds. They didn’t know you and your family. “What a wonderful thing,” wrote about microbes, but now we do. Copper even kills Physician’s Assistant Julie. “No more Dr. Bill Keevil: Copper quickly kills deadly germs that Scientists say the high conductance colds for me!” cold viruses. of copper disrupts the electrical balance have become resistant Pat McAllister, 70, received one in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in for Christmas and called it “one of the to antibiotics. If you are near sick seconds. best presents ever. This little jewel really people, a moment of handling it may Tests by the EPA (Environmental keep serious infection away. It may even works.” Protection Agency) show germs die save a life. Now thousands of users have simply fast on copper. So some hospitals tried The EPA says copper still works stopped getting colds. copper for touch surfaces like faucets even when tarnished. It kills hundreds of People often use CopperZap and doorknobs. This cut the spread of preventively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci different disease germs so it can prevent MRSA and other illnesses by over half, serious or even fatal illness. used to get colds after crowded flights. and saved lives. CopperZap is made in America of Though skeptical, she tried it several The strong scientific evidence gave pure copper. It has a 90-day full money times a day on travel days for 2 months. inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When back guarantee. It is $69.95. “Sixteen flights and not a sniffle!” she he felt a cold about to start he fashioned Get $10 off each CopperZap with exclaimed. a smooth copper probe and rubbed it Businesswoman Rosaleen says when code NATA18. Go to www.CopperZap.com or call gently in his nose for 60 seconds. people are sick around her she uses “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold CopperZap morning and night. “It saved toll-free 1-888-411-6114. Buy once, use forever. never got going.” It worked again every me last holidays,” she said. “The kids ADVERTORIAL

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March 2020

letterfrompublisher

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.” ~Lewis Grizzard

Brenda Tate Photography

NEW HAVEN/ MIDDLESEX EDITION

PUBLISHER Gail Heard As Spring Equinox approaches and the northern EDITOR Ariana Rawls hemisphere begins its tilt toward the sun, we witness DESIGN & PRODUCTION Gail Heard Mother Nature’s miraculous transformation here in the CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ariana Rawls Northeast. I can’t help but feel a spark of optimism during Nicole Miale Patricia Staino this month as the days become longer and I see the first SALES & MARKETING Melissa Pytlak green shoots of life sprouting from the earth. My favorite Melissa Toni time in March is when I hear the nighttime whistles from amorous male peepers for the DISTRIBUTOR Man In Motion, LLC first time—a sign that the quiet still of winter has finally passed. WEBSITE Chik Shank Perhaps it spring’s rejuvenation and new growth that inspires us to enliven our

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NATIONAL TEAM CEO/FOUNDER Sharon Bruckman COO/ FRANCHISE SALES Joe Dunne NATIONAL EDITOR Jan Hollingsworth MANAGING EDITOR Linda Sechrist NATIONAL ART DIRECTOR Stephen Blancett ART DIRECTOR Josh Pope FINANCIAL MANAGER Yolanda Shebert FRANCHISE SUPPORT MGR. Heather Gibbs WEBSITE COORDINATOR Rachael Oppy NATIONAL ADVERTISING Kara Cave Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

As the dynamic season of spring emerges, may you to discover your own miracles and magic—and blossom in ways you never imagined!

© 2020 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment. Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

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senses and awaken our own “inner spring” by spending more time outdoors, increasing our physical activity and adding vibrant colors to our plates with seasonal produce. We hope that our March editorial, which focuses on Plant-Based Nutrition and supplements will serve as a catalyst to spring clean your body and deepen your connection to Mother Earth. Our feature article: “From the Ground Up: Modern Herbalism is a Grassroots Movement” is intended to demystify “herbalism,” a practice which goes back thousands of years. Natural Awakenings editor Patricia Staino interviewed several Connecticutbased master herbalists, who shared their expertise and insights on the resurgence of plant-based medicine, its many health benefits for humans and ethical considerations with regard to our ecosystem. If you are interested in the one-year certification program in sustainable nutrition being offered at The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition (TIOSN) or would like to sign up for their next foraging walk, visit TIOSN.com. The use of CBD plant-based supplements, now available in a variety of delivery systems (e.g. oils, tinctures, creams, sprays and gummies), is growing rapidly and used to treat a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. Its efficacy is also backed by science. Learn the facts in Dr. Kathryn Ronzo’s informative article on CBD. We have also included some yummy vegan recipes in our Conscious Eating department. Check out these plant-based versions of classic favorites on pages 27-28. Looking for fun and healthy happenings in Connecticut to help you spring into spring? Read about the array of local options in this issue’s news briefs and full community calendar.

Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 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 16 FROM THE GROUND UP Modern Herbalism is a Grassroots Movement

18 HOW TO CHOOSE AN HERBALIST

20 ROOTED IN SMART NUTRITION

Plant-Based Diet Popularity Makes Sense

24 MAKE ROOM FOR

VEGGIES

26 MEATLESS MAKEOVER

A Plant-Based Spin on Classic Dishes

29 LIVING IN

SYNCHRONICITY

The Power of Meaningful Coincidence

30 LEARNING THE FACTS

About CBD Plant-Based Supplements

32 CBDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEW FRONTIER

Help for Mental Health

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact Melissa Pytlak at 203-305-5531 or email PytlakMelissa@gmail.com.com. Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Gail@naturalnewhaven.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit Calendar Events online at: NaturalNewHaven.com. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets, call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities, call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

34 HEMP GETS HOT Meet the Hardest Working Plant on the Planet

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 10 health briefs 12 global briefs 14 eco tip 22 fit body 26 conscious eating 29 inspiration

32 healing ways 34 green living 38 calendar 43 classifieds 44 resource guide

March 2020

news briefs

Purpose, Passion and Prosperity: Creating a Powerful Vision Board

ave you already ditched your 2020 resolutions? Unsure about reaching your biggest goals this year? Join Lisa Marie Pepe and Michael Martone on March 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a transformational day of fun, self-exploration, personal growth, goal setting and a hands-on vision boarding workshop. This interactive event is an opportunity for those looking to create personal change, establish a deeper connection to themselves, reignite their purpose, live with passion, and manifest more prosperity in their lives and businesses in 2020.

The fee is $34.95 per person, which includes light refreshments and snacks. All supplies will be provided. No previous art experience necessary. Seats are limited. Purchase your ticket ahead of time as tickets will not be available at the door. Lisa Marie Pepe is a coach, online visibility expert, author and motivational speaker. She is also the co-creator of The Art of Unlearning Anthology Series (Volumes I-III) and Mindset Mastery for Entrepreneurs. Michael Martone is a public interest lawyer, life coach, real estate entrepreneur and writer who further serves the community as a member of a number of nonprofit and community boards. Register at bit.ly/vbw0320. Call 203-671-0139 or 203-913-1557 with questions. Location: mActivity Fitness Center, 285 Nicoll St., New Haven, CT. See Mark Your Calendar ad on page 39.

New Reiki Activities in Middletown and Wallingford

ileen Anderson, RN, a Reiki master practitioner and teacher, will be offering Reiki educational presentations within the community as well as opportunities for Reiki practice for new and experienced practitioners. She will continue to offer Reiki Level 1 and 2 classes in two locations in March 2020. Reiki is a healing practice originating in Japan. It restores balance to the body physically and emotionally, thereby promoting 6

New Haven/Middlesex

For more information, visit ReikiwithEileenAnderson.com.

Marching into March with a Hike

he Sleeping Giant Park Association invites you to their Spring Hikers’ Hike on March 29. Hike along with experienced leaders who know and love the “Giant.” Since the pace will be faster than that of other hikes, and the duration and length greater, this hike is for experienced hikers only. Plan for a strenuous hike over rough terrain, lasting about four hours. Meet at the bulletin board by the kiosk near the

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rest, relaxation and stress reduction. Reiki Level 1 will take place at The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center (Buttonwood.org) on March 22 and 29 from 1-6 p.m. The other class will take place through Wallingford Adult Education (WallingfordAdultEd.org) on March 10, 17, 24 and 31 from 6:30-9 p.m. For Reiki Level 1 (beginning level), learn the benefits of Reiki treatments, what Reiki is used for, the history, Reiki Precepts, and protocol for hand placements to others and yourself. Reiki 1 is the foundation for Reiki practice and self-care. You will receive a certificate to practice Reiki 1 (must attend all sessions). Tuition includes a manual, which you will receive at the beginning of the course. For Reiki 1 practitioners who want to deepen their practice, Reiki Level 2 is being offered at the Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center on March 15 from 1-7 p.m. You will learn how to use Usui symbols and send distant Reiki. You must be a Reiki 1 practitioner with four months of practice (on self or others). You will receive a certificate to practice Reiki 2. Individual classes for one or more students will be offered at The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center throughout the year upon request. New Reiki practitioners are also invited to join Anderson for a monthly, fun-filled afternoon of sharing Reiki. A Reiki share is where practitioners get together to practice among themselves in a safe and educational environment. Anderson also offers opportunities to participate in public clinics and Reiki conventions to further the practitioner’s experience. Anderson retired in 2017 after 32 years as a critical care nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital. From 1999 until her retirement, she has been giving Reiki treatments to patients, families and staff. She offers Reiki treatments at Orange Chiropractic Center, Wallingford Senior Center and Wallingford YMCA in addition to giving community presentations on Reiki.

Eileen Anderson, RN

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news briefs park entrance at 11 a.m. It is advisable to bring snacks and water in a day pack. Wear suitable hiking shoes. The hike is free and open to the public. Advance registration is not necessary; however, minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Out of consideration for other hikers, dogs are not permitted on the hike. For hike cancellations or rescheduling, check the hiking news page at drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NsonRXAPWM_7R30DBoao2UTuOA__VZr. The Sleeping Giant Park is located on Mt. Carmel Avenue in north Hamden (off Whitney Avenue). The park entrance is directly across the street from Quinnipiac University. For additional information, visit SGPA.org. Hiking inquiries can be directed to the SGPA Hiking Committee at hike_the_giant@ yahoo.com.

Milford Center Expands Salty Yoga Class Offerings

evive Salt Therapy & Wellness is continuing to expand its wellness classes and workshops in order to help clients create the health they deserve. Every Thursday at 6-7 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:30-9:30 a.m., Salty Yoga Flow with Traci will be held. On Wednesdays at 12:45-1:30 p.m., the center offers Salty Yin Yoga Express with Thomas. Both classes utilize the Moroccan Salt Room and halotherapy/dry salt therapy during the class. The salty yoga classes allow clients a way to experience the benefits of both yoga and halotherapy at the same time. In addition, Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness has a monthly workshop with hypnotist Joann Dunsing, which will take place

SunDo Workshop Offered by Local Wellness Studio

n March 29, 2020 from 6-9 p.m., One World Wellness Studio will offer an introductory workshop in SunDo, a Taoist yoga and breath meditation practice from Korea. The SunDo practice consists of three parts: warm-up stretching to loosen joints and make muscles more flexible; breathing meditation to increase qi, or energy; and exercises that strengthen the body and distribute qi throughout the entire energy system. The workshop is designed to help people learn and discover more about SunDo, which has been an exclusive mountain practice until only recently in modern history. Wellness professionals who have an interest in embodied therapy are encouraged to attend. The evening will include breathwork sessions, an overview of the Taoist chakra system, optimal postures for meditation, guided meditations, and discussions about holistic breathwork and the benefits of natural breathing. Facilitator Christine Ucich is a long time SunDo practitioner, workshop and retreat leader. She is a passionate advocate of integrating deep breathing with holistic health practices. She opened the One World Studio as a healing space for those who want to look more deeply inside themselves. “Opening a wellness space in East Haven has allowed us to bring practices like SunDo to the larger community. It has truly been a blessing for me and for our students,” Ucich said. Early-bird pricing of $35 per person lasts until March 21. To register online, visit OneWorld-Wellness.com. Location: One World Wellness Studio, 967 N. High St., East Haven CT. See ad on back cover.

on March 25 at 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dunsing teaches yoga nidra with hypnotherapy undertones in the Moroccan Salt Room while clients relax in zero gravity chairs with blankets. Clients receive halotherapy/dry salt therapy during the session and are taken to a place of deep relaxation. For more information, call 203-283-5968, email Hello@ReviveSaltTherapy.com or book online at ReviveSaltTherapy.com. Location: 374 New Haven Ave., Milford, CT. See ad on page 45.

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Cancer Patients Experiencing Pain

nfortunately, cancer is often accompanied by pain. Many times, a portion of the pain is not related to cancer. Physical therapists are often able to give some relief to patients with a biomechanical approach, which relieves the tension in the joints. Take advantage of Physical Therapy Services of Guilford’s complimentary screenings to assess if physical therapy may offer you relief from your pain. The 10-minute sessions will be offered by Phyllis Quinn, PT, on March 24 and 31 from 4-5 p.m. in Branford, Connecticut. Call Physical Therapy Services of Guilford at 203-315-7727 to reserve a spot or to make an appointment at a more convenient time. Location: Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, 500 East Main St., Ste. 310, Branford, CT. See ad on facing page.

Celebrate Resilience at the Capitol

The film spotlights Alice Forrester and Laura Lawrence of The Clifford Beers Clinic in New Haven, which provides mental health services for children by including the entire family in their programs. Then, from an elementary school across town, kindergarteners recite “Miss Kendra’s List”—a bill of rights for children—and learn ways of expressing and coping with their stress. The event will close with a panel moderated by Rebecca Lemanski, MSW, and featuring women of strength and courage that both inspire and motivate change in our communities. The panelists will share their stories of recovery and community action. For more information, call 203-909-6888 or email KCallahan@WomensConsortium.org. Location: The Capitol, 210 Capitol Ave, Room 310, Hartford.

Rebirthing Breathwork in Shelton

he 13th Octave is a process of conscious union within the heart of God; an awareness that is anchored deep within your heart. Rebirthing (or Conscious Connected Breathing) is a simple breathing technique, which can transform your mind, body and spirit as well as how you perceive yourself, others and the world in general. The results are often profound as the process works directly at the core of conscious and unconscious issues.

he Connecticut Women’s Consortium will host a “Celebration of Resilience” at the Capitol to celebrate International Women’s Day. The event will take place on March 9, from 9 a.m. to 1pm in the Old Appropriations Room (Room 310). The group will screen the documentary “Resilience: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope,” then host a post-film Q&A discussion with experts on adverse childhood experience (ACEs) to talk about the challenges throughout Connecticut and the efforts to lessen their impact.

The “Resilience” film chronicles the birth of a new movement among pediatricians, therapists, educators and communities who are using cutting-edge brain science to disrupt cycles of violence, addiction and disease. The documentary delves into the science of ACEs and the birth of a new movement to treat and prevent toxic stress. Now understood to be one of the leading causes of everything from heart disease and cancer to substance abuse and depression, extremely stressful experiences in childhood can alter brain development and have lifelong effects on health and behavior. However, as experts and practitioners profiled in the film are proving, what’s predictable is preventable. These physicians, educators, social workers and communities are daring to talk about the effects of divorce, abuse and neglect. And they’re using cutting edge science to help the next generation break the cycles of adversity and disease. 8

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Over the weekend of March 26 to 29, the Academy for Soul Healing will present a Rebirthing Breathwork workshop where attendees will be initiated into the 13th Octave, joining with Source/Divine energy in order to operate from the 7th dimension while being fully grounded on the planet. Participants will have the opportunity to give and receive Rebirthing Breathwork sessions. The benefits of Rebirthing include an increased ability to feel and resolve the effects of the past, increased vitality and aliveness and a more insightful and fulfilling experience of yourself and your relationships. This weekend will include a 13th Octave Initiation, a group rebirth and two paired Breathwork exchanges. Some of the topics will include the Council of Love, the 13th Octave, operating from and gifting others the gift of an open heart, history and growth of Rebirthing breathwork, variations in the breath and how they mirror what you are feeling, your ‘birth

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news briefs

news briefs script’ and much more. The workshop takes place March 26 from 7 to 10 p.m.; March 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; March 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and March 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuition is $555, and a deposit of $200 is required for registration. Payment plans are available. For more information or to register for the event, visit AcademyForSoulHealing.com. Location: 415 Howe Ave, Shelton.

Zero Waste Faire in Wilton

he Zero Waste Faire and Sustainable Living Expo returns March 29 to the Wilton High School Field House. Now it its third year, the Faire is a special event designed to educate, inspire, entertain and engage the town of Wilton and neighboring communities about zero waste and sustainable living. By sharing information and ideas through speakers, exhibitors, media and discussions of current issues, the Faire, a zero-waste event, will help advance zerowaste practices that benefit everyone. Last year’s event featured more than 100 exhibitors and hosted more than 1,000 attendees of all ages from Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. This year’s exhibitors will focus on sustainable living and communities, recycling and zero-waste initiatives, and will include the Bartlett Arboretum, Noteworthy Chocolates, the CT Audubon Society, and the Electric Vehicle Club of Connecticut, among many others. A kid zone will feature nature education and activities, with Cyril the Sorcerer and Woodcock Nature Center, among others. The free event runs from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit WiltonGoGreen.org/zero-waste-faire-sustainableliving-expo-2020/. Location: Wilton High School Field House, 395 Danbury Rd, Wilton.

2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

TO ASK WHEN SEEKING A PHYSICAL THERAPIST 1. Will my PT work ONLY with me during my treatment? ABSOLUTELY! At Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, we are one of the few remaining practices that spend 40 minutes, one-on-one, with YOU and ONLY YOU.

2. Will I ONLY be doing exercises during my treatment? No. Your physical therapist will be using hands-on techniques to relieve your pain and will provide you with exercises to do at home.

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Practice Yoga to Help the Brain It’s long been known that vigorous, sweaty aerobics strengthen the brain and help grow new neurons, but the latest research from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign shows that practicing gentle hatha yoga enhances many of those same brain structures and functions. The analysis, published in Brain Plasticity, examined 11 studies that used brain-imaging techniques to evaluate outcomes of hatha yoga, which involves body movements, meditation and breathing exercises. The researchers concluded that the hippocampus, which is involved in memory processing and typically shrinks with age, increased in volume with yoga. The amygdala, which helps regulate emotions, tends to be larger in yoga practitioners. Other brain regions that are larger or more efficient in enthusiasts are the prefrontal cortex, essential to planning and decision-making; the default mode network, involved in planning and memory; and the cingulate cortex, which plays a key role in emotional regulation, learning and memory. 10

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Researchers from Beijing Geriatric Hospital, in a meta-analysis of 12 studies involving 47,523 patients with cardiovascular disease, found that those that supplemented with folic acid (vitamin B9) reduced their risk of stroke by 15 percent. Folic acid, which the study authors called a “safe and inexpensive therapy,” lowers levels of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to heart disease; research indicates that 0.5 to 5 milligrams daily can reduce homocysteine levels by approximately 25 percent.

Drinking either not enough or too much water can decrease cognitive performance in older women, Penn State University researchers reported in the European Journal of Nutrition. In a nationwide study, 1,271 women and 1,235 men over age 60 gave blood samples, answered questionnaires about the previous day’s food and drinks, and performed cognitive tests to measure working memory, brain processing speed and sustained attention. Women, but not men, performed more poorly if they were not in the “sweet spot” of just enough hydration, typically around two liters a day. “As we age, our water reserves decline due to reductions in muscle mass, our kidneys become less effective at retaining water and hormonal signals that trigger thirst and motivate water intake become blunted,” explains lead author Hilary Bethancourt, in urging greater attention to hydration levels.

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Take Folic Acid to Reduce Stroke Risk

Balance Water Consumption for Cognitive Health

Catch Some Rays to Boost Gut Health Fresh evidence is emerging of a skin-gut axis that links type B ultraviolet (UVB) exposure to the microbiome, a finding that has implications for those suffering from autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. University of British Columbia researchers divided 21 healthy young women into two groups: Nine took vitamin D supplements during Vancouver’s long, dark winter, and 12 didn’t. After three months, only the non-supplement-takers tested as being deficient in vitamin D. Both groups were exposed to three, one-minute, fullbody UVB light sessions; within a week, vitamin D levels increased 10 percent on average and the gut microbiota diversity of the low-D group rose to match that of the sufficient-D group. Along with other probiotic bacteria, Lachnospiraceae species, typically low in the guts of people with inflammatory diseases, increased with the UVB exposure.

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health briefs

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Women that toss and turn at night might sleep better if they pass up sugary treats for fruit, suggests a new study from Columbia University. Examining records of nearly 50,000 postmenopausal women in the Women’s Health Initiative, researchers found those that consumed a diet high in refined carbohydrates—particularly added sugars and processed grains—were more likely to develop insomnia. Women with a diet that included higher amounts of vegetables, fiber and whole fruit (not juice) were less likely to have trouble sleeping. “When blood sugar is raised quickly, your body reacts by releasing insulin, and the resulting drop in blood sugar can lead to the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which can interfere with sleep,” explains senior author James Gangwisch, Ph.D.

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Try Vitamins and Garlic to Lower Gastric Cancer Risk In a rural region of China where gastric cancer is common, researchers found in a two-decade study that two approaches—antibiotics and vitamin/mineral supplements— protected against it. Both methods, as well as a garlic supplement, significantly reduced death rates from the cancer. Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute researchers enrolled 3,365 residents ages 35 to 64 from 13 villages with symptoms of H. pylori, a gut bacteria linked to increased risk of ulcers and cancer. Two weeks of conventional antibiotics treatment reduced the risk of gastric cancer over a 22-year period, and twice-daily supplements of 250 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C, 100 international units of vitamin E and 37.5 micrograms of selenium taken for seven years also reduced gastric cancer incidence. Garlic in the form of 400 mg aged garlic extract and one mg of steam-distilled garlic oil was given to a third group for seven years. All three treatments significantly slashed the gastric cancer fatality rate.

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March 2020

global briefs

Electric propulsion has long been a goal of aviation manufacturers to lessen the carbon footprint of air travel. On December 11, Vancouver, Canada-based Harbour Air launched the first successful test flight of an all-electric aircraft. Founder and CEO Greg McDougall piloted a 1956 de Havilland Beaver seaplane, rechristened the ePlane. Retrofitted with a 750-horsepower magni500 motor by MagniX, it took off from a dock on the Fraser River in Richmond, British Columbia, and flew for four minutes. The certification process will take one to two years. After that, the retrofits of the company’s existing fleet of small planes can begin. The challenge for airlines seeking to go green with large aircraft is that current technology leaves electric engines relatively weak for their weight and they have a short battery life, but these factors do not deter Harbour Air, which went carbon-neutral in 2007 and flies mostly short hops in the Northwest.

Tequila Waste Turned into Bio-Straws

Jose Cuervo, the bestselling tequila maker globally, has initiated an ecofriendly process of salvaging the leftover agave fibers from its distilling process and upcycling them into a more sustainable alternative to regular plastic straws. The biodegradable drinking straw will decompose up to 200 times faster than regular plastic. Made with an agave biobased and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved composite, the new straws replace about a third of the polymers used in traditional straw production, and at the end of its lifecycle a straw can be consumed by microorganisms to fully biodegrade within one to five years in landfill conditions. The company plans to distribute millions of the straws this year at bars, restaurants and Jose Cuervo events across the U.S. and Mexico. 12

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Sustainable Power With a Recreational Bonus

Copenhagen has dramatically refashioned the look and function of a power station with a new state-of-the-art, waste-to-power plant that powers 200,000 homes and doubles—actually, sextuples—as a ski slope, a climbing wall, a viewing tower, a hiking and running trail network, and a bar and restaurant. Named Copenhill, “It is the cleanest waste-to-energy power plant in the world,” says architect Bjarke Ingels. “It is a crystal clear example of ‘Hedonistic Sustainability’ because a sustainable city is not only better for the environment, it is also more enjoyable for the lives of its citizens.” The building, 278 feet tall at its apex, has a glass elevator for viewing the inner workings of how the city’s trash is transformed into both Palau Bans Chemicals electricity and heating, as well to Save Reefs as the best view in town of the Palau is the first country in the harbor. It has three ski lifts that world to ban ecologically harmful serve a one-third-mile course sunscreens containing oxybencoated with a special “plastic zone and octinoxate. Studies have grass” that provides the perfound the ingredients cause coral fect friction for both skiing and DNA to mutate in the larval stage, snowboarding. It even features which prevents coral from growthe tallest climbing wall in the ing properly and makes it more world, designed with overhangs susceptible to bleaching. Palau, and ledges of white, like an icy with a population of about 20,000 mountain. Ingels says 97 perpeople spread across 340 islands cent of Copenhagen residents between Australia and Japan, is a get their heating as a byproduct diving hotspot for tourists, and one of energy production from an of its lagoons has been named an integrated system in which the official UNESCO World Heritage electricity, heating and waste Site. President Tommy Remengesau disposal are combined into a says, “We have to live and respect single process. Copenhagen the environment, because the has a goal of becoming the environment is the nest of life.” world’s first carbon-neutral city by 2025.

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Sunscreen Sanction

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Viva Agave

Waste-to-Energy ‘Matterhorn’

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First Commercial E-Plane Makes History

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Green Flying

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3D-Printed Buildings on the Rise

ICON, an Austinbased startup, built the first permitted 3D-printed house in the U.S. in its hometown in 2018. Since then, the company has built a small neighborhood in Mexico and launched its Vulcan II printer, which can produce houses measuring up to 2,000 square feet. San Francisco-based Apis Cor is another company in the 3D-printing space: It has just completed a two-story, 6,900-square-foot building in Dubai and it plans to build a demonstration house in Santa Barbara, California, this year. Another tech startup, Haus.me, has opened an assembly plant in Reno, where it plans to ship its first off-the-grid models to buyers in Nevada, California and Arizona. In the Netherlands, a consortium of companies has set up a factory with 3D-printing machines that use concrete; it plans to supply materials for five homes to be built in the city of Eindhoven. The upside of using 3D-printing techniques for building houses include lower cost, less waste and reduced construction time—six weeks versus six months. Current barriers include a lack of regulation and building codes, and a limit on the types of materials that can be used. The process is limited largely to plastics and concrete, and homes requiring wood or steel still need to use traditional methods.

Soothing Scents

Smells of Nature Lower Physiological Stress In a virtual reality experiment, people recovered faster from a small electric shock when they smelled a mix of natural scents in a forest scene or grass in a park scene than when they smelled diesel or tar in an urban setting. Researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences hypothesized that natural environments would reduce stress faster than a non-natural one. After administering the small shock to induce stress, they tracked how quickly participants’ skin conductance levels rose and fell in each of the three environments. The pleasant natural scents were the strongest predictor of reduced stress, both during the initial shock response and in recovery, suggesting that odor might have a much more profound effect on reducing stress than sights and sounds. As study coauthor Johan Lundström, a neuropsychologist at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, theorized smell is wired to bypass the thalamus, the brain’s switchboard, to go directly to the hypothalamus and olfactory cortex, creating a more immediate response than visual or auditory stimuli.

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Eating Greener

Tips for Plant-Based Living Eating more fruits and vegetables as part of a plant-based diet is catching on. In 2019, more than one third of Americans said they plan to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets to achieve their wellness resolutions, according to data company YouGov. For those new to “green eating”—and even for veggie-minded veterans—lots of helpful information is available now on what to consider in buying, preparing, re-using and discarding food. The Environmental Working Group’s website at ewg.org/foodnews makes it easy to research pesticide levels in produce. Check out the Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen—the most toxin-free and toxin-heavy fruits and vegetables—along with related news and developments. Home deliveries of local and organic produce can save time and gas consumption from shopping. Some of the leading regional services include Fresh Direct (FreshDirect. com), Sun Basket (SunBasket.com), Green Bean Delivery (GreenBeanDelivery.com), Irv & Shelly’s Fresh Picks (FreshPicks.com) and Territory Foods (TerritoryFoods.com). Composting combines food scraps with lawn and garden trimmings and more into a nutrient-rich, natural garden fertilizer. A useful guide to composting basics by the Environmental Protection Agency can be found at epa. gov/recycle/composting-home. The phenomenon of food scrapping—using the parts of produce in recipes that are often thrown out—saves money in shopping, is easier on the environment and pleasingly leads to creative and innovative meals. A number of cookbooks are dedicated to the subject, including Cooking With Scraps: Turn Your Peels, Cores, Rinds, and Stems into Delicious Meals, by Lindsay-Jean Hard and Scraps, Peels, and Stems: Recipes and Tips for Rethinking Food Waste at Home, by Jill Lightner. Plant-based foods can be swapped for traditional ingredients in countless recipes. MotherEarthLiving.com explains how aquafaba—the water from a can of beans— can replace egg whites, even in meringues. Bananas, applesauce and ground flaxseeds or chia seeds can substitute for eggs to bind baked goods. Coconut oil can replace butter and nutritional yeast can do the job of parmesan when sprinkled on pasta.

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FROM THE GROUND UP

Modern Herbalism is a Grassroots Movement by Patricia Staino

s long as herbs have grown, their cultivation, gathering, preparation and sharing have synergized a kind of grassroots movement, spurred by neighbor helping neighbor and “hyped” by word of mouth. Herbalism goes back thousands of years, to early healers and mystics, although in the last century or so, its purpose was obscured and its practice frequently misunderstood. “I’ve been working as an herbalist for nearly 25 years, and one of the things I hear more than anything else is people don’t know what [herbalism] means,” says Lupo Passero of Twin Star, a New Milford-based apothecary and school of herbal and energetic arts. “They either think I grow cannabis for a living or that I’m a naturopathic or homeopathic doctor, which I don’t and I’m not. There’s a lot of confusion about what an herbalist is.”

Better Together

According to the American Herbalist Guild, herbalists are people who dedicate their lives to working with medicinal plants. They include, but are not limited to, native healers, scientists, naturopaths, holistic medical doctors, researchers, writers, herbal pharmacists, medicine makers, wild crafters, harvesters, herbal farmers and possibly your own grandmother. The scope of related vocations makes sense when you realize 16

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how many of their tools are rooted in the soil under our very feet. Joan Palmer, a nutritionist and community herbalist, found the connections intriguing; the symbiosis of food, health, health, healing and lifestyle motivated her to start The Institute Of Sustainable Nutrition in West Granby. She had completed her degree in human nutrition, but felt that her course of study, and many like it, focused narrowly on a statistic of what food is. I was really frustrated because I knew that the nutrients found in a carrot are not the same if they are grown with chemicals in lifeless soil as opposed to being grown by sustainable, regenerative gardening practices,” she says. “I knew we couldn’t talk about nutrition and not also talk about the health of the soil, herbs, and what grows in our area, both wild and cultivated. From there it became a whole picture of sustainability.” The one-year certificate program Palmer developed around sustainable nutrition takes her students on a journey from science to gardening and foraging, to culinary skills like fermentation, to herbalism, preparing healing remedies, and even mixing up their own cleaning and body care products. While some students attend to round out their professions, many more attend to educate themselves on sustainable practices to improve their well-being. “This is truly a community movement,” she says.

Back to Basics

Herbalism fell out of favor about 100 years ago, but there’s been a resurgence in people returning to the earth, beginning with the counter-culture of the ‘60s and increasing since, especially during the past decade. Passero, an herbalist, educator and flower essence practitioner, was inspired by her grandmother, who was born in Italy and spent her life as a homesteader who wildcrafted her own plants and grew a lot of her own medicines. “She was raised with the old-world ideology of finding your food and medicine in your own backyard,” says Passero. Since Twin Star opened 10 years ago, Passero has seen interest in the field grow and, at any given time, there are around 150 students enrolled in classes and programs. Students—those who attend one-off, drop-in seminars as well as those who attend programs lasting nine months to three years—learn all aspects of herbalism, including how to identify plants, work with them to brew herbal remedies, and then get the plants into the hands of people who need them. Local herbalists say they see many people seeking support for mood disorders, anxiety, depression, inflammation and reproductive and fertility issues. One of the most popular reasons for seeing an herbalist is to find natural treatments for colds and flu and first aid, as well as beauty and skin care. “The thing I feel most passionate about is helping people remember that this is what our ancestors have done from the very beginning—that keeps me inspired every day. And seeing people get well, in a time where so many people’s needs are not being met by the current medical system, particularly the millions of folks that do not have insurance,” says Passero.“They can come into the apothecary with $2 in their pocket, and I can scoop out $2 worth of the dried herbs and send them home to make their teas and help them be well. It’s really an affordable way to give access to proper health care to all.”

Caprilands Institute, a nonprofit educational organization that furthered her research in herbs, plants and flowers. “Adelma started talking about medicinal herbs for relaxation, and that just opened up the whole door to everything,” says Nogas. “I bought all her books, went there as often as I could and learned everything I could from her lectures. I realized the doctors could take their prescriptions and shove them because I didn’t need them; I had alternatives.” Nogas opened her own herb shop in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts and soon banded together with like-minded enthusiasts to start the Connecticut Herb Association (CHA). The group’s primary goal is to educate and share the diverse world of herbs with one another and throughout the state, as well as compiling a local network of herb-related resources. They do so by hosting a monthly medicinal herb study group and events focused on topics like plant spirit medicine, bitters recipes, product swaps, plant propagation and more. Nogas says she is seeing an uptick in interest in herbs and herbal medicine, and the group’s membership is diverse in age and background. Young mothers, in particular, have been seeking out the group’s resources, as they look for a more natural, healthy way of bringing up their babies: “They’re making their own baby foods and cleaning products. We’re all realizing now that we’re being poisoned, and young mothers don’t want to raise their kids like that.” Palmer, who reminds her students that “food can be medicine, too,” agrees that an interest in sustainable nutrition and herbalism takes many forms, and doesn’t always stem from furthering oneself in a health-related career: “We have people that just want to make changes in their lives, that just want to bring this to their families, people who have health issues, teachers who want to share with their students, carpenters even—people from all careers and all walks of life. They just want to improve their well-being and the environment.”

Helpful Healing

One Giant Leaf for Mankind

Gayle Nogas, a master herbalist, longstanding member of the Connecticut Herb Association, and a member of Northeast Herbal Association, began her journey to herbalism more than 25 years ago while searching for relief from anxiety and panic attacks. “The only answer at that time was, ‘Here are some tranquilizers, just go home and get drugged up and you’ll be fine.’ As a single mom raising three kids, I didn’t have time to be drugged up and in Lalaland,” she remembers. One day, she attended a luncheon at Caprilands Herb Farm in Coventry, where a leading figure of herbalism (and the farm’s owner)—Adelma Simmons—was speaking. Simmons, who died in 1997, was one of the leading herbalists of the 20th century. Caprilands was her family farm and she made her first attempt to grow vegetables there while raising goats. Goat farming didn’t pay the bills, however, and her early attempts at growing crops failed due to the rocky soil. Eventually, she tried her hand at herbs, and the farm flourished. She left her entire estate to the

What kind of impact could herbalism have on a community if more people took an interest? “I think it would have an empowering impact, to be able to take care of yourself and your family, to support vitality and longevity, and to have a more healthful lifestyle,” says Passero. Similarly, Palmer believes sustainable nutrition could be the much-needed salve to boost overall mood, health and outlook, a hope that drives her mission every day. “The impact could be significant. I know we’d be healthier. I think we’d be happier. I think this epidemic of anxiety and depression, even now with our young children, a big piece of it is diet- and chemical-related. This information is paramount to health and happiness. I think we are seeing behavior, mood, health in general being impacted by our food and our environment.” Patricia Staino is a freelance writer and editor living in North Carolina, who is also the managing editor of Natural Awakenings’ Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley and Greater Hartford editions. March 2020

How to Choose an Herbalist by Patricia Staino

erbalists feel deep connection to plants and the earth; they like to speak of their relationship with plants and the respect for what they contribute to the earth. “Once you spend enough time with plants, you get to know them and see what they have to offer, their generosity, their beauty, their scent,” says Lupo Passero of Twin Star, a New Milford-based apothecary and school of herbal and energetic arts. “Just following nature and paying attention to the beautiful order that was created for us is so intriguing. And it’s a never-ending study, so it’s not likely you’ll ever get bored. One could study herbal medicine for 50 lifetimes and still wouldn’t learn all that there is to learn about the plants just in their immediate ecosystem.” There are currently no state or federal laws regulating herbalists, which suits Passero just fine: “I think that’s a blessing because I would hate to see the government get their hands on something that is really a birthright of all people. A lot of herbalists could have gained their knowl18

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edge directly from indigenous people, or their own grandmother, or an elder in the community who has worked with plants for a lifetime. Just because someone went to the best herb school in the country doesn’t mean they’re going to be a better herbalist than someone who has studied with their grandmother or a First Nation’s person for the last 10 years.” That being said, herbalists do selfregulate, following guidelines set forward by the American Herbalists Guild (AHG), which was founded in 1989 in the mountains of Breitenbush, Oregon. While there are no formal “degree” programs, herbal education, like yoga teacher training, is based upon the hours spent learning. The AHG recommends that a practicing herbalist have more than 1600 hours of training. An herbalist’s education should include medical applications of the plants, botany, plant identification, phytochemistry, understanding herb/drug interactions, medicine-making and proper formulation. Passero recommends students study for

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two and a half to three years before going out to practice on their own. And while not all students become herbalists, they do find ways to incorporate what they’ve learned into the paths they’ve been traveling. For example, a massage therapist may start working with botanical oils, while a therapist may use flower essences with patients and a chef may add new herbs to her menu. “There are many different ways to share this knowledge, and that’s why we call it an art as well as a science,” says Passero. Customers should be comfortable asking herbalists very specific questions, such as where they studied, what they studied and how long they studied. A good herbalist should learn by getting outside and working with the plants, not only studying them on the internet. In addition to affirming an herbalist’s knowledge, clients should be comfortable with their personality and most importantly, their personal philosophy of health and healing. “My personal philosophy is looking at folks’ emotional, mental and spiritual needs as well as the physical needs because they’re all connected,” says Passero. “But clients should follow their gut and their own intuition when choosing someone to work with. Just because somebody is a professional doesn’t mean will be the right fit as your practitioner.” Gayle Nogas, a master herbalist and longstanding member of the Connecticut Herb Association, also stresses that those seeking herbal remedies should educate themselves on herbs, treatments and especially possible interactions with pharmaceuticals. “I wish I could get the word out there to people: Don’t be stupid, don’t be stupid,” she says. “A health magazine, vitamin shop or someone on TV tells you an herb is good for you, and you want to take it. But you have to be in charge of your own health. If you are on medications or have a serious illness—heart conditions, COPD, high blood pressure—herbs can interact with them. They’re not something to play with it. You really need to find knowledgeable people to discuss it with and do the research. An organization like the Connecticut Herb Association would be a

good place to start.” Clients should also ask where an herbalist sources their herbs. According to Passero, many herbs can be grown locally, so there’s no reason they shouldn’t be organic, locally sourced or wildcrafted. “You don’t really want to go with herbs that have been shipped in from India or China unless they are plants indigenous to those areas that we can’t grow here,” she says. Additionally, when browsing in a local herb shop, Nogas encourages customers to use their own discerning eye and sense of smell. Herbs should be colorful and fragrant. If they’re not, they are mostly likely well past their useful prime: “When I teach my students, I show them crappy herbs and compare them to really good herbs, so they know the difference.” Most importantly, a reputable herbalist will not offer a diagnosis for what ails you. While they can recommend herbal remedies that have supported similar symptoms, they are not qualified to offer medical advice. However, many clients visit an herbalist with a diagnosis in hand, often after conventional medical treatment has not worked or may have exacerbated symptoms. Again, while the herbalist cannot offer a “cure,” they can recommend herbs that have been shown to offer relief from symptoms or to support body systems that are not working at full capacity. The traditional medical establishment usually doesn’t recommend herbal treatments due to regulatory issues (since herbalism is not a regulated industry, medical doctors can’t prescribe herbal remedies as treatment or cure). Yet, Passero says doctors, nurses and pharmacists alike attend classes at Twin Star to learn more about herbalism; as many of their patients increasingly seek out alternative, natural and herbal remedies to ease what ails them, the more conventional medical practitioners want to be more knowledgeable about their use and potential interactions. Patricia Staino is a freelance writer and editor living in North Carolina, who is also the managing editor of Natural Awakenings’ Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley and Greater Hartford editions.

Foraging Your Own Path Beyond offering a one-year certification in sustainable nutrition, The Institute Of Sustainable Nutrition in West Granby often runs sustainable foraging walks to educate the public on the nutritional and medicinal value of Connecticut’s wild, indigenous plants, how to identify them, and how to responsibly gather and utilize them. Natural Awakenings recently talked to the Institute’s founder, Joan Palmer, about the growing interest in local foraging.

What excites you about sustainable nutrition?

It’s important to understand what wants to grow in our area and how we can grow and prepare it without impacting the rest of the world. How do we grow our food and medicine so we’re not shipping in amendments and fertilizers—even organic products—from around the world, where we don’t know how the workers and the land were treated? Why aren’t we using fermentations and local minerals that work on the health and biology of the soil? What’s good for the soil is good for the plants, is good for the animals, the environment and us.

Why is foraging an important part of nutrition education?

We try throughout the year to get students out foraging to learn about some of the really plentiful herbs/weeds, trees, shrubs and more in our region, even some of the “invasives.” There’s a vendetta to get rid of the invasives and weeds in our area, but many of them, from an herbalist’s and nutritionist’s perspective, are useful. A lot of them have powerful medicine in them. Japanese knotweed is a perfect example; it’s a vilified invasive, and it is one that wants to take over everything, but it also is a very important plant for emerging bacterial infections like Lyme disease. A lot of these invasives are also edible, so rather than just putting them in big plastic bags and sending them off to a landfill, we could be harvesting, preparing and consuming them. Many of the wild plants are more nutritious and mineralrich than much of the produce found in our grocery stores.

So, pulling these invasives solves two problems?

Using invasives helps the native plants not be “out-competed” and gives us access to important plant medicine, much of which is also edible and nourishing. As foraging becomes more popular, we worry about the impact of overharvesting noninvasive plants in our wild spaces, so we emphasize sustainable foraging. If you find a stand of a certain plant, what are the criteria to know if that is something you should be harvesting? What are the numbers of plants in that local stand, regionally, nationally? Is it in a clean location? How much can you take without impacting the survivability of the group? How much do you really need? We teach students that there’s an ethical concern we have to address when we start foraging. For more information on programs through The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition, or to sign up for its next foraging walk, visit TIOSN.com. See ad, page 21.

March 2020

What About Protein?

Consuming adequate protein while on a plant-based diet may be less challenging than you think. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for protein is a modest 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. It is important to note that this metric is not a recommendation for optimal health, but the minimum amount to prevent illness. For optimal health, research suggests protein levels between 0.8 to 1.0 grams per kilogram for average healthy adults and

Rooted in Smart Nutrition Plant-Based Diet Popularity Makes Sense by Dr. Amanda Gomes

he increased popularity of plantbased diets can be attributed to the myriad of health benefits ranging from improved longevity to chronic disease prevention. If you are considering adopting such a diet, it is important to learn about what plant-based eating looks like, potential risks, concerns regarding protein and digestion, as well as practical tips to increase your plant consumption.

What Is a Plant-Based Diet?

A standardized definition of a plant-based diet has yet to be agreed upon by governing agencies, making the recommendation of a plant-based diet ambiguous and open to interpretation. For example, the Mediterranean, vegan and vegetarian diets all could be considered plant-based. Research suggests people who consume a majority of their dietary intake from plants tend to have a lower body mass index as well as lower rates of obesity, 20

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diabetes and heart disease than those who consume diets not based on plants. Considering this data, an acceptable interpretation of a healthful, plant-based diet is rich in unprocessed whole foods including vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains. It would not necessarily mean a diet devoid of meat, seafood or dairy, merely limiting these and other processed foods. Although plant-based diets are promoted for favorable health outcomes, it is important to recognize the difference between consuming healthy, whole foods and unhealthy, processed foods, regardless of the origin. Similar to the standard American diet, plant-based diets can include highly processed options of less nutritional value. A cross-sectional study comparing vegetarian and omnivorous adults found diet quality was more important than diet categorization. Simply stated, consuming

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1.0 to 2.2 grams per kilogram for training athletes. Plant sources rich in protein include tempeh, tofu, lentils, beans, hemp, quinoa and nuts. Their prospective protein contents range from approximately 13 grams to 5 grams per serving. Consuming a wide variety of whole grains, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and fruit has been shown to render protein combining unnecessary, as it is more likely you will consume all your essential amino acids by eating broadly. When done thoughtfully, people can consume their protein exclusively from plant sources; however, that is not a requirement for following a healthful, plant-based diet.

Digestive Support

Digestion can be impacted when implementing new dietary choices. A few helpful considerations to improve the digestion

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a diet rich in processed foods, including plant-based processed options, will not lead to better health outcomes. To make a significant impact on health biomarkers, you need to consume a nutrient-dense diet of unprocessed, whole foods. If you choose to adopt a vegetarian or vegan plant-based diet, vitamin B12 supplementation may also be necessary to avoid deficiency.

Although plant-based diets are promoted for favorable health outcomes, it is important to recognize the difference between consuming healthy, whole foods and unhealthy, processed foods, regardless of the origin. of a plant-based diet include adequate hydration and soaking plant proteins prior to consumption. Among many other essential nutrients for health, plants are rich in fiber. By increasing your daily consumption of plants, you also will be increasing your daily fiber intake. To prevent unpleasant bloating or constipation often associated with increased fiber, ensure you are adequately hydrated. Drink half of your body weight in ounces slowly throughout the day (i.e. a 150-pound individual would aim for 75 ounces of filtered water per day). This will assist in elimination as well as many other important physiologic processes. In addition to adequate hydration, it is beneficial to soak plant proteins before consumption. In nature, dormant seeds

require an energy source prior to sprouting. This vital role is played by phytates. Although essential for seed survival, phytates reduce the digestibility of starches, fats, and proteins. This undesirable effect can be avoided by soaking nuts, seeds, beans and grains prior to consuming them. When soaked, these nutritional inhibitors are reduced and digestibility is improved, reducing unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms.

Practical Ways to Increase Your Plant Consumption n Reformulate your plate. Challenge the thought pattern of centering your meals around an animal protein. Instead, focus on plant-based foods, allowing them to comprise ⅔ of your plate. This simple composition change will not only increase meal variety, but also help you reach your health goals. n Eat more vegetables. Vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients, making them the keystone of a healthful, plant-based diet. Get creative! Consider menu items like soups, salads, scrambles, smoothies and stir-fries to boost your vegetable intake without losing interest. n Try a meatless meal. Begin by planning a meatless meal once

per week. This suggestion may seem challenging, but several cultures have been eating this way for centuries. Follow your palate and explore different cuisines. Fortunately, healthy plant-based recipes are easier than ever to come by via an internet search. n Fruit for dessert. Attempt to draw inspiration from the old adage, “Fruit is nature’s dessert.” Enjoying whole fruit desserts, like poached pears or spiced plums, can be decadent without thwarting your health goals. As winter draws to a close, try rhubarb or apple as a nutrient-dense and satisfying dessert. In summary, plant-based diets are a great way to reduce your risk for illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Placing your dietary focus on vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains will broaden your food diversity and help you see greater health outcomes. Dr. Amanda Gomes is a naturopathic physician and nutritionist at Collaborative Natural Health Partners with locations in Manchester, West Hartford and Stonington. All of the physicians at the clinic are in-network providers for most insurance companies and are accepting new patients. Call 860-533-0179 to book an appointment and visit CTNaturalHealth.com for more information.

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VEGAN FITNESS A Healthy Choice for Body and Planet

Relaxation Therapy Chakra Balancing Aura Readings

by Marlaina Donato

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It’s not how old you are, but how you are old. ~Jules Renard

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ennis champion Venus Williams and New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady are among the athletes that opt for healthy, plantdominant diets to reach their personal best, a trend that belies some misconceptions about what it means to be vegan. “Going vegan implies a larger, lifestyle choice based on personal ethics, but athletes report that they just feel better,” says Brenda Carey, editor-in-chief of Vegan Health and Fitness Magazine. “They’re also surprised at how well they put on muscle after making this dietary change.” A balanced vegan diet can provide everything an active body needs for muscle mass, stamina and recovery while lowering the risk of heart disease. A 2018 metaanalysis of 40 studies published in the peerreviewed journal PLOS One concludes that a plant-powered diet fosters a healthier cardio-metabolic profile. According to Dutch researchers, amping up nutrition from plants may also lower the risk of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Devotees report unexpected perks. “I recover faster. I also have more natural energy without the need for caffeine and reduced inflammation, as confirmed

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in blood tests,” says Matt Tullman, managing partner of the community-building website NoMeatAthlete.com and CEO of vegan supplement maker Complement, in Boulder, Colorado.

Nutritional Superpowers

Bolstering the diet with foods like quinoa, chia seeds, nut butters and vegan energy powders, as well as combining foods for a more complete protein profile, is important. For example, pairing whole-grain rice with beans makes a complete protein, says Stefanie Moir, international vegan fitness coach and founder of VeganAesthetics. co.uk, in Glasgow, Scotland. “Eating a wide variety of foods across the plant kingdom ensures that you reach your fitness goals,” says Moir, who trains six days a week and opts for a breakfast of oats with nut butter and chia seeds. “If you want a ‘superfood’ component, you can add cacao powder for antioxidants and a great chocolate taste.” Tullman acknowledges that there are some exceptions to protein requirements— especially for the elderly, individuals with certain chronic diseases and pregnant women—but he notes that daily protein

Mentally, it’s given me more depth of thought and spiritually connected me with the “YOUniverse” as a whole. ~Torre Washington needs are less than we’ve been conditioned to believe. “If you track your macronutrients through a day, you’ll find that you’re getting adequate protein.” Professional bodybuilder Torre Washington, in Tamarac, Florida, keeps it simple. “We’re all unique individuals, so it’s up to each person to test things without fear of lack.” The National Academy of Sports Medicine-certified coach loves antioxidant-rich blueberries, filling apples and potassium-packed bananas, and tends to choose calorically lower, nutritionally dense foods during periods that he’s competing. Carey suggests vegan meal delivery services as an option and vegan-friendly restaurants in a pinch, but attests to an easy system of meal prep for consistency. “Some people like to meal prep one day a week— cooking brown rice, quinoa and chopping veggies. This way, you can just throw it together when it’s time to eat,” she says. “You can also eat more simply and throw a bunch of yummy fruits or veggies into the blender for smoothies or soups.”

For added fortification, some experts recommend supplementing with vegan sources of vitamin B12, especially for active women in their child-bearing years and older individuals, because B12 absorption is compromised as we age. Adding a vegan source of vitamin D is also a wise choice if exposure to natural sunlight is not adequate.

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For the vegan athlete, workout gear that doesn’t contain wool or leather is the way to go. “Making conscious choices expands beyond your plate, and a lot of brands have vegan-friendly shoes,” says Moir. “The difference between ‘plant-based’ and ‘vegan’ has to do with ethical motivations and treatment of animals,” says Tullman. “Natural fibers such as cotton and synthetic fabrics like polyester are fine.” The path of vegan fitness can not only offer health benefits, but also a personal connection to the Earth. “It’s given me an opportunity to share my journey with others and to allow them to reach their own specific goals,” says Washington. “Mentally, it’s given me more depth of thought and spiritually connected me with the ‘YOUniverse’ as a whole.”

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MAKE ROOM FOR VEGGIES by Himanshu Bharadwaj

egan cafes, meatless meals and healthy organic foods are trendy these days. Awareness is growing around issues like organic farming, side effects of modern medicine, climate change, healthy living, animal welfare, moral issues of eating meat, industrial agriculture and pollution. Many unhealthy eating behaviors are a direct result of advertising, which fosters a false desire to keep up with others or to achieve supermodel ideals. A tribal mentality to follow the illusionary standards promoted by profit-seeking corporations has created misunderstanding and bad judgement towards healthy eating. According to Ayurveda—a 5000-yearold health protocol from India—the digestive system is the root cause of the majority of the body’s ailments. Digestive problems also are good early indicators of the onset of disease. Thus, curing digestive problems can help us avoid or heal many diseases. Ayurveda prescribes how and when one should eat and how to combine foods for maximum benefit. Correcting the diet can eliminate the fun24

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damental causes of both physical and mental diseases. Further, living in harmony with nature’s elements and balancing their flow helps maintain health and well-being. It’s easy to incorporate some basic Ayuvedic principles into your eating habits to boost your wellness level. Eat a plant-based diet. Plants carry the highest amount of life force in them, and eating living plans rather than boxed, processed foods helps us ingest more life energies, connect with the earth and achieve a higher state of consciousness. Non-vegetarian foods are difficult to assimilate and process within the body. Meats overwork the digestive system and lead to bloating and tiredness. Instead, create a well-rounded plant-based diet that contains a variety of plants to create a full spectrum of macro and micronutrients for the body. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day—there is always room for vegetables and fruits in every dish! Try eating apples, pears and bananas in the morning, or have some berries, papaya, and melon as an afternoon snack.

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Keep it whole and simple. Focusing on a vegetarian lifestyle also simplifies the diet. “Simple” and whole foods help with weight loss. Processed foods lack sufficient fiber, vitamins and minerals and also can increase the risk of heart disease and cancer. The majority of food products sold today contain genetically modified or synthetic ingredients. Many foods contain traces of pesticides or use artificial preservatives. It is time to switch to organic and unprocessed foods. Toxins in foods and unhealthy lifestyles are creating a society suffering from diseases and stressing the health care system. Pay special attention to food preparation. Try to cook food instead of eating in the raw. Cooking is like a pre-digestion process that breaks down fiber to take the load off the digestive system. Use spices like cumin, coriander, hing, salt, ajwain, black salt and more to avoid gas and bloating of the stomach. Presoaking lentils and grains before cooking helps reduce cooking time and promotes better digestion.

Ayurveda prescribes how and when one should eat and how to combine foods for maximum benefit. Correcting the diet can eliminate the fundamental causes of both physical and mental diseases. Eat local and seasonal. To help the body stay in harmony with nature, try to eat local and seasonal foods only. Such foods help protect against seasonal illness and balance our psychology. Eat a balanced diet that includes healthy oils like nuts and seeds and heavier foods like cooked veggies. Be conscious of creating balance between paired opposites like light and heavy, dry and oily, hot and cold, dense and liquid, rough and smooth and hard and soft foods. Be happy. Try to be in a good mood while eating because the state of mind affects the digestion of the food. Mindful eating involves minimizing distraction and not speaking during the eating process. During a meal, focus on the taste, texture, presentation and smell of the food. Eating fresh food also helps our mind feel refreshed. Additionally, there are a number of medicinal herbs and foods you can incorporate into your dishes: ‘Ghee’ or clarified butter is considered the golden elixir of Ayurveda and should be used instead of the industrial butter available in supermarkets. Ghee helps improve digestion, memory, sleep problems, voice, vitality and vision and removes toxicity from the body. It is best when made from an Indian cow’s milk. Ginger is a universal medicinal herb that eases digestive, respiratory and circulatory disorders, rids toxicity in the body and helps ease alcohol or smoking addictions. Its therapeutic properties include being anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant. A versatile herb that can be added to any food to make it tastier, including teas or soups, ginger reduces symptoms of colds such as coughing and breathing problems. It helps cure piles, pain, bad digestion, motion sickness, rheumatism, indigestion, vomiting, gas, colic, motion sickness, osteoporosis, gout, laryngitis, diabetes, arthritis, hemorrhoids, headaches, heart disease, cramps, fever and more. Coriander leaves and seeds are used in numerous cuisines, and have far-ranging positive effects on a variety of health condi-

tions. It soothes and helps cool any burning sensations in the body and can heal an irritated digestive system—particularly when mixed with fennel, cumin and cardamom seeds—as well as irritable bowel syndrome, urinary tract infections, gall stones, burning urethra, hyperacidity, diarrhea, heartburn, bloating and gas problems in the body. Coriander seeds help reduce cholesterol triglycerides and symptoms of diarrhea. Coriander also is an antibacterial and antifungal herb that guards against staphylococcus, streptococcus, E. coli and salmonella. Coriander juice is anti-toxic and can be used to alleviate insect bites, stings, the effects of heavy metals, lead and arsenic, as well as be applied externally on skin rash and inflammation. Tea made using cumin and coriander seeds can relieve headaches and improve digestion. Ground coriander seeds mixed with honey help respiratory system problems. Mixed with aloe vera and turmeric, it can improve liver conditions. The scent also helps relieve nosebleeds, stress and sleep disorders. Chewing coriander seeds also can reduce bad breath and freshen the mouth. Turmeric is useful in balancing the three biological energies or doshas found throughout the human body and mind. It is an antioxidant that is helpful against a wide variety of diseases like asthma, arthritis, injuries, trauma, pain, inflammation, blood impurities, blocked arteries, blood clots, poor digestion, multiple sclerosis, dyspepsia, parasites and abdominal cramps. Milk boiled with turmeric is a popular remedy for colds, sleep disorders and inflammation in the body, while turmeric juice helps heal wounds and bites. Turmeric is useful in protecting liver from toxins and improving bile secretion. Scientists now are exploring its anti-cancer and anti-Alzheimer’s properties. A paste made with turmeric, salt and lime has been used to alleviate joint pain, while one of turmeric and neem applied to the skin can cure insect bites and other irritations. It can also be used as a beauty treatment; when mixed with chickpea flour, sesame or almond oil, sandalwood and milk cream it becomes a moisturizer that creates a natural glow and cures all kinds of skin problems from acne to leprosy. Spring is a great time to cleanse your system with a fast or detox, so why not try out some of these tips as you ready body and mind for the new season? Eat light, with lots of sprouts, lentils, beans, soups and fresh, juicy fruits. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and soda, and drink warm water instead of cold water, which slows down the digestive system. Lastly, be grateful to the food being eaten, sit quietly during and after meals for few minutes. Good health goes beyond the body but uplifts the mind and spirit as well. Himanshu Bharadwaj, a designer by profession, teaches yoga, meditation and holistic cure. He also conducts meditation sessions for stress relief and creativity enhancement. Connect at YourCommunityYoga.com/Himanshu or Meetup.com/Yoga-Meditation-CT. March 2020

Vegan food doesn’t need to be expensive, boring or complicated.

conscious eating

Meatless Makeover A Plant-Based Spin on Classic Dishes

by April Thompson

hen contemplating a shift toward a plant-based diet, some may prematurely mourn the loss of their favorite meaty classics. Luckily, enterprising vegan chefs have experimented with flavors and textures that will lure almost any palate into loving a plant-based version of their favorite dishes without resorting to processed foods. “Plant-based versions of classic dishes offer all the nutritional benefits of plants without the cholesterol and saturated fats from animal products,” says chef and author Marly McMillen-Beelman. “You don’t have to abandon all your favorite foods to become vegan—just veganize them.” The Kansas City chef makes carrot “dogs”, for example, by roasting carrots in a savory mix of tamari, agave, miso, paprika and garlic for a cookout-worthy treat. McMillen-Beelman’s cookbook The Everything Vegan Meal Prep Cookbook also offers many bean- and legume-based versions of classic sandwiches, like a vegan “Big Mac” with quinoa and pinto beans; a burger made from oats, black beans and pecans; meatballs from tofu and lentils; and a chicken salad based on tempeh, a

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fermented, soy-based, high-protein product with a nutty flavor. “A lot of people like using tempeh, tofu or jackfruit for a meaty texture. It needs to be well seasoned, but so does meat,” suggests Ocean Robbins, author of The 31-Day Food Revolution: Heal Your Body, Feel Great, & Transform Your World. “To mimic cheese, some combination of nuts and nutritional yeast, cultured nut cheeses or plant-based milks works nicely.” McMillen-Beelman likes using jackfruit for a “pulled pork” sandwich or taco, the tropical fruit being packed with vitamin C, protein, calcium, potassium and iron. Her slow-cooked version leans on whole-food ingredients, including pear and cranberries, to add natural sweetness and phytonutrients. “I use canned jackfruit because it’s much easier to find and cook with than the expensive jumbo whole fruit,” she says. Ben Pook, the London co-author with Roxy Pope of So Vegan in 5, says mushrooms lend substance and umami flavor to vegan dishes such as a mushroom, sage and onion Wellington as a

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substitute for the classic beef Wellington. “We use portobello mushrooms for their meaty texture, which we surround with a sage and onion stuffing—all wrapped in vegan puff pastry to create a centerpiece worthy of any dinner party,” says Pook, whose cookbook features dozens of plant-based recipes that contain only five ingredients each, such as a broccoli alfredo with cashews, broccolini, tagliatelle pasta, nutritional yeast and garlic. Nuts can also work wonders in a vegetarian dish, such as Pook and Pope’s walnut meat tacos, which blend toasted walnuts together with spices like cumin, paprika, garlic and chili powder to create a mince-like texture built into a taco with toppings galore. Many classic dishes can also be adapted by simply leaving out the meat and letting the spices, herbs and vegetables shine through; for example, in a vegan shepherd’s pie, go with penne pasta with red sauce or a garlicky pesto with extra nuts, greens and olive oil in lieu of cheese. Sweet tooth cravings can be satisfied with healthy, plant-based versions of classic desserts, substituting aquafaba (the starchy liquid left over from canned beans) instead of frothy egg whites, or olive oil or avocado for butter. Nut butters can also add a touch of richness to a dish, whether sweet or savory. “I love making a peanut coconut milk curry soup with onions, mushrooms and bok choy, with peanut butter, lime juice and soy sauce blended into the coconut milk for a luxurious flavor and texture. It’s great over potatoes, quinoa or rice,” says Robbins. “Vegan food doesn’t need to be expensive, boring or complicated,” Pook says. “There really are endless possibilities when it comes to cooking with plants, so don’t be afraid to experiment and create your own twist.” Connect with Washington, D.C.-based freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

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~Ben Pook

Magical Meatless Meals

with the remaining dry ingredients and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use a spoon to mix everything together, then set aside.

photos by Andrew Hayes-Watkins

Combine the plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar in a separate bowl. Let sit for a minute or two until the milk curdles and turns into a “buttermilk”. Then add the hot sauce and mix everything together until the ingredients are well combined. Set aside. Meanwhile, add the flour to a small plate and set aside. Press the tofu if required. (Extra-firm tofu contains very little moisture, so this step isn’t always necessary.) Then slice the block in half and break the tofu into bite-sized pieces with hands.

Vegan Popcorn ‘Chicken’ Yields: 4 to 6 servings 10.5 oz extra-firm tofu Sea salt and pepper ½ cup flour Vegetable oil Dry ingredients: 3.5 oz paprika-flavored chips 4 Tbsp flour 2 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp onion powder ½ tsp garlic powder Wet ingredients: ½ cup plant-based milk ½ Tbsp apple cider vinegar 2 Tbsp hot sauce To serve: Tomato ketchup Vegan mayonnaise Crush the paprika crisps between a clean tea towel using a rolling pin until no big pieces remain. Transfer to a bowl along

Season the tofu on both sides with salt and pepper; dip tofu into the flour, followed by the milk mixture, then the crisp mixture. Repeat until all the tofu pieces have been coated. Add the vegetable oil to a pan until it’s ¼-inch deep. Tip: Use a wok to reduce the amount of oil needed. Heat the oil on medium-high. Drop a tiny amount of the dry mixture; if it starts sizzling as soon as it hits the oil, it’s ready. Carefully add half a dozen or so tofu pieces to the hot oil and fry for about 2 minutes on each side or until the tofu begins to brown and is extra crispy. It’s important to not overcrowd the pan, as it can lower the temperature of the oil. When the tofu is ready, carefully remove it from the pan and transfer it to a plate lined with parchment paper; immediately season it with some extra salt, which will help make it even crispier. Repeat until all the tofu pieces are cooked. Serve with a favorite dip, such as one made by combining equal amounts of tomato ketchup and vegan mayo. Adapted from So Vegan in 5 by Roxy Pope and Ben Pook.

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

Walnut Meat Tacos Yields: 4 servings Walnut meat: 14 oz walnuts 1 Tbsp smoked paprika 2 tsp chili powder 1½ Tbsp ground cumin 3 garlic cloves 2 tsp balsamic vinegar 2 tsp maple syrup 2.5 oz sun-dried tomatoes in oil Sea salt Black bean mixture: 9 oz canned sweet corn 14 oz canned black beans Sea salt and pepper ½ lime Handful of fresh cilantro Salsa: 9 oz cherry tomatoes 1 green chili 1 red onion 1 lime Handful of fresh cilantro Sea salt and pepper To serve: 2 avocados ½ lime 8-10 small corn tortillas Vegan yogurt March 2020

Meanwhile, drain and rinse the black beans and sweet corn. Transfer them to a separate pan and stir in a generous pinch of salt and pepper, as well as the juice from the lime. Heat through for 5 minutes on a medium heat. Remove the pan from the heat, roughly chop the cilantro and stir it into the beans and sweet corn.

Adapted from So Vegan in 5 by Roxy Pope and Ben Pook.

Mushroom, Sage and Onion Wellington An absolute showstopper and the perfect dish to make for friends on a Sunday afternoon alongside some tasty, roasted vegetables. Yields: 4 servings

Add the cooked walnuts, garlic and spices to a food processor along with the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, sun-dried tomatoes (drain as much oil as possible) and a pinch of salt. Process for a minute or two until the walnut mixture turns into a mince-like texture.

8 Portobello mushrooms 3 onions 10 sage leaves 4.2 oz walnuts 2 (11 oz) sheets of dairy-free puff pastry

Next, prepare the salsa by slicing the cherry tomatoes into quarters and transfer them to a mixing bowl. Peel and dice the red onion, slice the chili (leave the seeds in if spicy is preferred) and roughly chop the cilantro leaves, adding all to the mixing bowl. Squeeze the juice from the lime into the bowl, along with a generous pinch of salt and pepper, then stir to combine. Meanwhile, heat through the tortillas in a pan over a low-medium heat. Slice the avocado in half and remove the pit. Scoop out the flesh and mash it in a bowl along with juice from half a lime.

When you’re ready to assemble your tacos, spoon a few tablespoons of the walnut mixture on top of a tortilla, followed by the bean mixture, salsa and a dollop of mashed avocado. Top with a drizzle of vegan yogurt. Repeat for the remaining tacos. photo by Andrew Hayes-Watkins

Toast the walnuts in a pan over a medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until they begin to smoke. Keep an eye on them and stir occasionally to prevent them burning. Then peel and dice the garlic and add it to the walnuts along with the smoked paprika, chili powder and ground cumin. Stir to coat the walnuts in the spices, then cook for 2 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425° F and line a large baking tray with baking paper. Wipe any excess dirt off the mushrooms and place five of them in an ovenproof dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and pepper, then bake for 15 minutes. Remove the mushrooms from the oven and set aside, leaving the oven switched on for later. Meanwhile, quarter the remaining mushrooms; peel and roughly chop the onions and add to a food processor along with sage leaves, walnuts, ½ teaspoon of salt

Every man dies. Not every man really lives. ~William Wallace

and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Process to form a smooth paste, then fry in a pan over a medium-high heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Roll out one sheet of pastry onto the lined baking tray. Spread a third of the paste down the middle of the pastry lengthways, spreading it 2 inches wide and leaving the same length clear at each end. Turn the baked mushrooms upside-down to drain excess juices, then place three of the mushrooms, gills facing up, on top of the paste along the middle of the pastry. Add the remaining two mushrooms, gills facing down, between the three mushrooms. Spoon the remaining paste around the mushrooms to cover them on all sides. Place the second sheet of pastry on top and use your fingers to seal the edges together. Trim around the Wellington roughly one inch away from the filling, discarding the excess pastry as you go. Lightly score the Wellington with diagonal lines at 1-inch intervals and brush with olive oil. Bake in the oven for 50 minutes, until the pastry turns a lovely golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve in slices. Adapted from So Vegan in 5 by Roxy Pope and Ben Pook.

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inspiration

LIVING IN SYNCHRONICITY

The Power of Meaningful Coincidence

by Meg Lundstrom

hen we have an inner need that converges with an outside event, it is a meaningful coincidence known as synchronicity, and it happens to us all. It can be simple, like a playful sprite: recurring numbers or dates, all the lights turning green as we race to meet an appointment or a call from a faraway friend just when we want to talk to them. Or it can be profound: a chance meeting with an employer looking for exactly our skills, unexpected money appearing when we’re in a pinch, a timely rescue or our grandmother’s favorite, obscure song coming on the radio or app just as we’re feeling teary-eyed on the anniversary of her death. Whether they are lighthearted or life-changing, synchronicities link us to an underlying order in the universe that is profoundly reassuring. They open us to mystery and delight. They give us a sense of being taken care of. They nudge us to grow in scary, but life-affirming directions. They awaken a sense of awe, which studies have shown to be the emotion most likely to make us reach out generously to others—and that evokes even more synchronicity. And they can make daily life a lark. By its very nature, we can’t create synchronicity, but we can live life in a way that encourages it to show up. The more

engaged we are spiritually—whether that means prayer, meditation, walking in nature or loving others deeply—the more likely synchronicity is. Being open, selfhonest, courageous, engaged, grateful and fully present summons it, which is where therapy, yoga and bodywork can be useful. But we don’t have to be saintly or enlightened; synchronicity is there for us all. It is simply the way the Universe works. The first step is to notice synchronicity when it occurs, and honor it. As with humans, when we give it our attention and say thank you, it makes it more likely to show up in our life again. At some point as our trust builds, synchronicity becomes simply the way our life works. Things show up as we need them and we are in the right place at the right time. Even when occurrences seemingly go awry, we glimpse an underlying order that gives us strength and purpose. Life becomes a steady stream of meaningfulness and inner and outer exploration. We find ourselves living in flow, attuned to life’s deepest currents and awash in deep gratitude. Meg Lundstrom is the co-author with Charlene Belitz of The Power of Flow: Practical Ways to Transform Your Life with Meaningful Coincidence. Connect at FlowPower.com.

an unforgettable, experiential evening of discovery, freedom and power!

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LEARNING THE FACTS About CBD Plant-Based Supplements by Dr. Kathryn R. Ronzo

BD is a three-letter abbreviation that is taking the health and wellness world by storm. If we haven’t heard of it yet from friends or family members, the media or maybe even our healthcare providers have talked about it. The abbreviation is short for cannabidiol, just one of over 113 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. CBD, along with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another cannabinoid, are the two main constituents found in marijuana and hemp plants that are being examined for their health benefits. There are a number of interesting facts about CBD.

1. Cannabis isn’t always marijuana, but marijuana is always cannabis. Cannabis is one of the many flowering genuses found in the cannabaceae family. This genus consists of three main species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis ruderalis and Cannabis indica; they all have their own specific characteristics and effects on the human body. Hemp and marijuana, on the other hand, are commonly referred 30

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to as a species or strain of cannabis but are actually neither. Hemp and marijuana are actually more of a broad classification of the cannabis genus, which is based on their THC concentrations. “Hemp” is classified as a cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC, whereas marijuana is classified as cannabis plant having more than 0.3% of THC. This classification plays a huge role in our legal system and is important to determining which can be used where. 2. Hemp-derived CBD is legal nationwide. When it comes to CBD, we need to look at where it is derived from. When it originates from industrialized hemp, the THC content is significantly lower than that of marijuana-derived CBD products. To be considered industrialized hemp, the product must contain less than 0.3% THC, according to the 2018 Farm Bill Act. All 50 states have legalized hemp CBD but marijuana CBD is still considered illegal in many state due to its higher THC concentrations. State and local laws may vary on the legalization of marijuana CBD, so it is important to check these laws

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prior to purchasing these products. 3. The human body creates its own cannabinoids. When it comes to talking about CBD, we cannot forget to mention the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The ECS is an innate signaling system that works within the body to maintain homeostasis of various functions. It helps regulate sleep, mood, memory, appetite, hormonal regulation and cellular repair through endogenous cannabinoids binding to their respective receptor sites throughout the body. Two naturally occurring endocannabinoids are anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG), which are similar in function and attachment site to THC and CBD, respectively. Anandamide and THC bind to the CB1 receptor sites found primarily within the central nervous system, creating a sensation of ease and bliss. Unlike THC, anandamide does not create an intoxicating effect, or “high,” due to the rapid breakdown rate that specific enzymes have on it. 2-AG binds to the CB2 receptor site found primarily in the peripheral nervous

system, gastrointestinal tract and in specific immune cells. Cannabidiol does not bind to this receptor site directly, but it does stimulate the production and activation of 2-AG. 2-AG helps with modulating pain, decreasing inflammation and improving immune function. However, unlike 2-AG, CBD does play a role in the brain. CBD stops the specific enzymes’ ability to break down anandamide, creating a long-lasting calming presence within the brain. 4. CBD has an entourage. CBD, THC and terpenes—the chemicals found in plants that give them their scent and color—work beautifully together to create what is known as the entourage effect. This synergism enhances the medicinal benefits of the supplement, making it even more beneficial for those who are using it. 5. CBD is being extensively researched for its health benefits. All over the world, researchers are delving deeper into the effects of cannabidiol on the human body. So far, they have discovered that CBD possesses many beneficial medical properties leading to even more specific research in the healthcare world. Here are some of the medicinal actions that CBD possesses: n Anti-inflammatory n Analgesic n Anti-depressant and anxiolytic n Antipsychotic n Anticonvulsant n Antiemetic n Anti-cancer/tumor This discovery of CBD’s medical properties triggered further research to take place, but now as it pertains to various conditions. Here are some conditions that have been extensively researched with CBD: n Alzheimer’s disease n Parkinson’s disease n Multiple Sclerosis n Cardiovascular disease n Epilepsy n Acute and chronic kidney disease n Autoimmune diseases n Chronic pain conditions and syndromes n Acne n Asthma 6. CBD regulates the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is the body’s biological feature that relates time and life functions in a 24-hour period, commonly referred to as “our internal clock.” It is what lets us know when we should be sleeping and when we should be eating. CBD is just one of the many cannabinoids found to affect this cycle, along with other effects such as alleviating stress and anxiety and decreasing inflammation and pain, all of which can ruin a good night’s sleep.

7. CBD and serotonin work well together. Outside of the endocannabinoid system, CBD also interacts and binds to serotonin receptors, which are located in the central nervous system and digestive tract. Serotonin is simply known as the “happy neurotransmitter,” but it also affects many different aspects of our lives, not just mood. Serotonin and CBD play a large role in assisting with addiction, anxiety, appetite, sleep, pain and even nausea because of their direct binding to the 5HT1A site, along with enhancing anandamide production, which then provides another molecule to bind and enhance its overall mechanism of action. 8. More is not always better. Everyone is unique, so it is important to remember that dosing is not a one-size-fits-all. Everyone’s absorption rates, metabolism and excretion rate are going to vary, making it challenging to determine a set dosage for CBD use. Because of this, it is recommended to start low and slowly increase the dosage until reaching the most beneficial dose for each individual. 9. Quality is extremely important. Through a process called phytoremediation, Cannabis is one of the few plants that makes soil cleaner then when it is initially planted. This process takes place in only a few plants, including willows, sunflowers and those in the brassica family. This is why it is incredibly important to use only organic CBD to ensure no other environmental pollutants, pesticides and chemicals are being ingested. Along with looking for a product that is organic, we should also only buy from companies that have independent, thirdparty testing performed on all of their products. This means an unaffiliated independent laboratory has tested a company’s product and reported back to them on their results. Due to the lack of FDA regulation on dietary supplementation, this ensures that we are getting what we paid for and nothing more (such pesticides, heavy metals or higher THC concentrations) or less (lower amounts of CBD then what is on the label). Due to the increase in interest in the cannabis plant as it pertains to health and wellness, so much information is emerging weekly and even more products are made available to the public daily. Doing our due diligence is incredibly important to ensure we are not only being our own health advocate but also ensuring anything we put into our body is actually what we want in our body. For more information on current cannabidiol and its research, visit PubMed.gov for a variety of peer-reviewed articles or talk to a healthcare professional to find out if CBD is a good fit.

Kathryn R. Ronzo MS, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic doctor, licensed acupuncturist and the assistant director of operations at Elm City Wellness. She offers public speaking engagements on wellness-related topics monthly on Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. at Elm City Wellness in New Haven, CT. Connect at 203-691-7653 and ElmCityWellness.com. See ad on page 23. March 2020

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C O R E

P O W E R

CBD’s New Frontier Help for Mental Health

The

CorePower Seminar for your business or organization

C o r e Po w e r Wo r k s h o p . c o m

New Haven/Middlesex

by Julie Marshall

hen Kaye Her- It’s really important However, as an unbert’s husband regulated supplement, CBD for people to know brought home presents a challenge for their options and consumers in its ubiquity a free sample of cannabito keep looking for from CBD-infused pillows diol (CBD) oil, she didn’t hesitate to give it a try. what works for them. to gummies, soaps and Having heard about its even pet food. Discerning ~Peter Bongiorno calming effects, she gave purity, dosage and safety CBD to her three sons, are real concerns for those whose attention deficit hyperactivity disthat may grab any bottle off the shelf. order made home-schooling difficult due Consumers must become well into frequent tantrums and lack of focus. “I formed, especially when replacing medicadidn’t expect CBD to be miraculous, but tions for serious disorders, experts say. But I was surprised that my kids’ frustrations for anxiety and emotional well-being, CBD were greatly reduced,” says the Austin, is largely heralded as a safe and natural Texas, mom. “We weren’t seeing the sechoice by providers well-versed in CBD, verity of meltdowns.” such as Peter Bongiorno, past president of The use of CBD in tinctures, capthe New York Association of Naturopathic sules and lotions has grown exponenPhysicians. “It’s really important for people tially, along with the science to prove its to know their options and to keep looking efficacy in remediating physical pain. for what works for them,” he says. Newer, but equally as robust, is the viThe Feel-Good Molecule ability of CBD as a remedy for mental CBD, a compound extracted from the health-related issues, experts say, pointhemp plant, is appealing because it can ing to anxiety, depression and stress as raise the level of cannabinoids—feel-good the top three applications.

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We imagine the people suffering who need support and think about how we are growing the plants to help them. ~Lara Miller molecules naturally created within the human body. “When we can’t sleep or are stressed out, cannabinoid levels go way down,” Bongiorno says. While prescription drugs overwhelm the body with adverse side effects, CBD can healthfully bring back balance. But CBD won’t trigger an altered state because there is little to no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive chemical in marijuana that produces a high, he says, adding that he starts patients at a low daily dose of 25 milligrams. It’s important to talk with a physician about drug interactions, Bongiorno says. For instance, CBD can increase levels of blood-thinning medications, according to a 2017 study published in Epilepsy & Behavior Case Reports. CBD can possibly treat a wide range of conditions, from fear of public speaking to bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorders, but more research is needed, experts say. A 2018 clinical trial published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests CBD offers potential in treating psychosis. More recently, researchers in a 2019 case study of 27 patients published by the Permanente Journal concluded, “Cannabidiol may hold benefit for anxiety-related disorders.”

Seeds of Hope

The most important step consumers can take to find a safe, quality product is to know where their CBD comes from, experts say. Lara Miller is an organic farmer in Lafayette, Colorado, who in 2017 dedicated a parcel of her two-acre farm to growing hemp for her business, North Field Farmacy. “I added in hemp because it is a dynamic plant that produces fiber, seed and medicine for us humans, all at the same time,” she says. Miller’s small, women-owned business grows the leafy plants outdoors in organic soil and harvests by hand. “We test in the field, post-harvest, during extraction and in the final product,” she says. “We know our product is clean and pure and potent.” This isn’t always the case. A 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that in 84 CBD products sold online by 31 companies, 26 percent contained less CBD than the amount listed on the label. Miller receives weekly calls from those wanting to purchase her plants and start a CBD business. “What bothers me the most is that not one person has asked how my hemp is grown,” she says. “It all feels like a big grab; the integrity isn’t there.” Miller continues to decline these requests and spends her days on the farm, where—come harvest time—she, alongside her crew, engages in some visualizations. “We imagine the people suffering who need support and think about how we are growing the plants to help them.” Julie Marshall is a Colorado-based writer and author of Making Burros Fly: Cleveland Amory, Animal Rescue Pioneer. Connect with her at FlyingBurros@gmail.com.

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ANSONIA NATURE CENTER 104 acres of wooded hills and grassy fields, miles of nature trails, streams, a two-acre pond, wet meadows, upland swamp, butterfly & hummingbird garden, woodland wildflower and fern garden, community gardening, childrens’ playscape, visitor center, animals & nature exhibits, classes and more!

HEMP GETS HOT

(203) 736-1053

by Julie Peterson

AnsoniaNatureCenter.org

Meet the Hardest Working Plant on the Planet

The stems undergo decorticrop that was illegal in Right now, it’s U.S. soil for more than the Wild West cation to separate the long outer fibers (bast) from the short half a century is now of agriculture. inner fibers (hurd). Hemp reaching for the sun. Industrial hemp, the low- or no-THC ~Dustin Enge hurd makes extremely durable hempcrete for construction, cousin to marijuana, has created absorbent and dust-free animal bedding or high hopes among farmers, agricultural repellets for heating stoves. An exponential searchers, manufacturers and consumers. By 2019, America had become the world’s third- rise in the use of hemp is expected because it can replace products made from paper, largest producer, behind Canada and China, wood, plastic, cotton and fossil fuels. where it’s been cultivated for 8,500 years. “Hemp fiber is going to dominate the “It’s the fastest-growing ag industry market once we get to the full manufacturthat we’ve ever seen,” says Tara Valentine, ing potential,” says Erica Stark, executive hemp specialist at the Rodale Institute, director of the National Hemp Association, in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Since hemp’s in Washington, D.C. inclusion in the 2018 Farm Bill, Rodale’s The first introductions consumers can hemp web page hits have grown 10-fold. expect include hemp paper products, such as plates and toilet paper, and biodegradBetter Products able hemp bioplastics like cutlery and cups. All parts of the hemp plant are useful in Construction materials and other products multiple ways, and hemp has applications are expected to quickly follow. in textiles, construction, bioremediation, technology, nutrition and health, including cannabidiol (CBD). The seeds are rich in protein, essential fatty acids and vitamins. They can be eaten, ground into flour or pressed for oil that is used for cooking or in body care products.

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Environmentally Friendly The Institute of Papermaking and Printing, at the Technical University of Lodz, Poland, did a 2015 study comparing making paper from wood to making it from hemp.

Among the findings: hemp takes four months to It’s the fastest growing usually have return value, hemp provides grow, while trees need 20 to 80 years. An acre of ag industry that we’ve additional revenue streams. But the revenue hemp can produce four or more times as much isn’t quite there yet, because the supply chain ever seen. paper as an acre of trees. Hemp paper doesn’t isn’t complete. Seed supply, farm equipment, need toxic bleaching and can be recycled twice as education, processing facilities and manufac~Tara Valentine many times. Other studies concur. turers are all links that are developing simul Paper without deforestation would be a major benefit, but taneously. “Fiber processing facilities will be available soon. it’s a minor job on hemp’s profound résumé. “Hemp needs to be Manufacturers are anxious to start incorporating hemp,” a part of every climate change conversation, not only because it says Stark. sequesters huge amounts of carbon during cultivation, but also The lack of buyers isn’t deterring farmers. Neither are because construction products made out of hemp will continue to warnings that current harvesting equipment can spark disaster sequester carbon for up to 100 years,” says Stark. when hemp fiber wraps around rotating parts, heats up Hemp could also help save the depleted soil on U.S. farmland and combusts. that has been destroyed by tilling and synthetic fertilizers. “We Dustin Enge, a third-generation farmer in Prairie du Sac, have to rebuild the soil by putting carbon back in and increasing Wisconsin, started Honey Creek Hemp in 2017. He planted six organic matter,” says Valentine. Hemp does this with a massive acres of hemp. “I think it’s a long-term viable commodity for root biomass that breaks up compacted soils, improves water farmers. Right now, it’s the Wild West of agriculture. Everyone is infiltration and reduces runoff and erosion. trying different things,” says Enge, who modified a harvester for Fast-growing hemp naturally suppresses weeds, needs no hemp. “I spent about two hours harvesting and 20 hours torchpesticides and isn’t picky about soil, water or latitude. By coming the fiber off my equipment.” Even so, he will plant more acres parison, cotton is water-intensive and uses 25 percent of the when he knows it will sell. world’s pesticides. Behold the sprouting of the hemp industry as an ancient plant takes root in the modern world.

Income for Farmers

Used in crop rotation, hemp’s soil-enhancing qualities can increase profits on subsequent crops. While cover crops don’t

Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin and can be reached at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

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SPICES OF LIFE Pinches and Dashes Boost Health by Anastasia Pryanikova

pices offer so much more than flavor, providing both food and medicine. Spring is the perfect time to sort through the spice drawerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contents, toss the old, faded jars and pick new herbs that may better serve our evolving needs and health goals. A healthy digestion plays an enormous part in our overall vitality and the functioning of other body systems. Fortunately, the gut responds well to herbal remedies and diet changes. Herbs that support gut health are known as carminatives. They improve digestion, dispel gas, and relieve bloating and cramps. Many of our aromatic culinary spices fall into this category. Why not restock the spice drawer with these gut-friendly plants, taking into account some important considerations for buying and storing herbs and spices?

Source and Store

When purchasing herbs and spices, some factors to consider include quality, sustainability, organic farming and fair trade. 36

New Haven/Middlesex

Avoid herbs that are polluted, sprayed, improperly stored, moldy or too old. Choose to protect medicinal plants that may be overharvested and endangered. To do this, buy from sources you trust. Check out local herb growers, herb farms and farmers markets to source herbs locally whenever possible. There are many reputable organic herb suppliers online as well. Once you get your herbs home, a good storage system should protect spices from air, heat, humidity and light to keep them fresh and potent longer. Small glass containers or mason jars with air-tight lids are the best when it comes to keeping air and humidity out. Glass containers will need to be stored in a dark, cool place, like a drawer or a cabinet. Metal containers with tight lids can also work well. It is better to avoid the store-bought plastic containers. Label spices, even if you think you can recognize what is inside the container. Along with the ingredients, include the expiration date or the date of purchase. Most dried herbs will lose their potency after a

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year of proper storage. Keep in mind that seeds go rancid much faster due to higher oil content.

Toss and Transfer

The process is simple; open that spice drawer, examine the spices and get rid of: n Anything past the expiration date. n Damaged containers or any others that show signs of having been exposed to too much air, heat, humidity or light. n Jars with contents you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t identify. n Spices faded in color or those that have lost their scent or show other signs of damage. View this task as an opportunity to learn how to identify fresh herbs from stale ones. Using spices is a sensory experience, so engage the senses of vision, smell and touch while examining the herbs. Next, transfer spices worth keeping into new containers and label each container immediately. When pouring the herbs from one

container to another, study their appearance and smell them. Don’t rush. Many herbalists attest that they love sorting herbs, making herbal remedies and engaging with plants because the process feels soothing, nourishing and meditative. Remember not to breathe in hot peppers, powders and other small particles as they can irritate delicate mucous membranes. An earloop face mask can be helpful in this situation. Now, let’s look at some common spices with surprising digestive health benefits. They can be a good start for any culinary apothecary.

Chew On Fennel and Dill with It

Sweet, licorice-like flavored seeds of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) are known to bring immediate gastrointestinal relief. They are safe and effective and appear in many “gripe water” recipes for children with colic. Fennel is also an antispasmodic herb, known for soothing muscle tension and digestive spasms. Try chewing fennel seeds after a meal for improved digestion and a fresh taste in the mouth. Herbalist Rosalee de la Forêt in her book “Alchemy of Herbs” suggests steeping fennel seeds in boiled water for five minutes for a healthy tea that also has been found to stop hiccups. Sprinkle fennel seeds on root vegetables before roasting them. Dill, another member of the Apiaceae plant family, has similar digestive benefits.

Cool It Down With Peppermint

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a classic digestive tonic that relieves nausea and gas and freshens the breath. The oil extracted from the leaves is rich in menthol, which is a potent antispasmodic used to soothe stomach cramping and spasms. Menthol is also responsible for the distinctly cooling effect of peppermint. Clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of peppermint, specifically enteric-coated capsules of peppermint oil, in reducing pain associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar suggests making tea with equal parts of peppermint and chamomile for indigestion and headaches linked to indigestion.

Warm It Up With Ginger

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) warms up the digestive system, inhibits gut pathogens and helps to relieve bloating, gas, pain and nausea. Ginger is used to decrease inflammation, support detoxification and reduce blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that people taking ginger emptied their stomachs faster than those who were taking a placebo. A cup of ginger-lemon tea can be wonderful on a cold, dreary day. For a warming mocktail, try a shot of lemon and ginger juice topped with some sparkling water and a pinch of cayenne. People taking blood thinners, however, should consult their doctor before taking ginger in large doses due to its bloodthinning properties. It’s not recommended in high doses during pregnancy.

Sweeten With Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a delicious spice made from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. There are two main types of cinnamon: Ceylon, or the “true” cinnamon, and Cassia, which is comparable but less sweet. Cinnamon tends to warm up digestion and can ease indigestion, gas, cramping and diarrhea. It has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, decreasing inflammation in the body. Studies show its capacity to lower the “bad” LDL cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes, as well as reduce insulin resistance and lower blood sugar. Most studies used the dose of one to six grams per day of powdered cinnamon. Try a cup of cinnamon tea after dinner to stimulate digestion and help regulate blood sugar. Cinnamon can also thin the blood, so people who take blood-thinning medications should consult their doctor before taking it in large doses. Small spice jars hide many superpowers, waiting to be released as we sprinkle, boil and brew. Are you ready to strengthen the digestive fire in your belly?

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Anastasia Pryanikova is an herbalist and certified wellness coach. She offers herbal workshops, herbal remedies, consultations and custom formulations. Connect at 203-354-9808 or MudRootsandMoonlight.com. March 2020

calendar of events MONDAY, MARCH 2 CBD 101 – 6:30pm. Join Dr. Kathryn Ronzo, Naturopathic doctor as she explains the health benefits of CBD while answering questions you have on the topic. Free samples/coupons. Elm City Wellness, 774 Orange St, New Haven. 203-691-7653. ElmCityWellness.com. Mandala Arts – 6:30pm-8pm. Observe many wonderful patterns in nature to use for a painted mandala. Work on smooth river stones for a natural textured look. $5 Material Fee. One World Wellness Studio, 967 N High St, East Haven. Register: OneWorld-Wellness.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 See CELC Middle School in Action – Open House Wednesday – 9am-12pm. Middle School specialists, 5th – 8th grade. Small class sizes, personalized instruction, robust academics. Accepting applications now for 2020-21. 28 School St, Branford. RSVP mandm@CTExperiential.org or call 203-433-4658. Visit CTEXperiential.org. Are you feeling overwhelmed or just stressed out? Are you trying to figure out how you will reach your goals that seem impossible? – 3:30pm7pm. Aroma Freedom session helps to blow out those blocks to success and plan your path ahead! $25. At The Red Barn In Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. Must RSVP: aftbyharmonyoils@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 Real Food for Thought: Considering Nutrition in Mental Health Practice – 9am-4pm. 6 CECs. Considering nourishment in dynamic relationship with mind, body, spirit will enhance treatment and support empowered health and healing. $90. Register at 2321 Whitney Ave, Suite 401, Hamden. WomensConsortium.org. Family Yoga – 5:45pm-6:30pm. (And Free Class on March 21, 2pm-2:45pm). Family yoga classes combine fitness, fun, connection and relaxation all rolled up into one! Taught by Full of Joy Yoga’s Lani Rosen-Gallagher, all ages are welcome! Adult + 1 Child: $18. Families of 3 or More: $26. Breathing Room, 216 Crown St, New Haven. 203-562-LOVE, BreathingRoomCT.com. Salt Cavern Meditation – 7pm–8pm. Clear your mind and let go of tension and the stress of the week while relaxing in a zero-gravity chair during the releasing meditation in a Himalayan Salt Cavern. Salt therapy is great for overall wellness, respiratory and skin. $45. The Red Barn In Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. Contact Gayle: 203-631-7803. Return2love3@gmail.com. Return2Love.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 Maple Sugaring for Families – 11am. A very long time ago, the native people of the northeastern part of our country shared their sweet tree know-how with the newcomers from Europe. Ranger Dawn and Alison present an introduction to making maple syrup the old-fashioned way, and help us to choose just the right tree for tapping into this sweet treat! Fee: $6 per person. Family program; children must be accompanied by an adult. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Preregister: 203-736-1053.

New Haven/Middlesex

Ease of Heart Workshop with Julia Zhao – 1pm-3pm. How do we stay open and grounded through challenging and turbulent times? We will explore a combination of practices, including yoga, somatics, music and chanting, guided relaxation, meditation, partner/group work, active listening, mantras intention setting. $40. Breathing Room, 216 Crown St, New Haven. 203-562-LOVE, BreathingRoomCT.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 8 Poetry and Meditation with Reiki Healing Energy in the Soulshine Salt Cavern – 11am12pm. $45. To read Jody’s poetry please visit: Facebook.com/Jodyscottkaplan. Seating is limited to 9. At The Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. RSVP Stephanie Rosally-Kaplan: 914-330-1474 or rosallykaplan@gmail.com. Lynn Rossi is leading a Create Your Life VisionBoard Workshop – 1pm. Enjoy an afternoon immersion to focus on your authentic life and your ideal outcomes, breathing room and dream time. A Vision Board is a way to sell your own ideas to yourself through images, a preview of life’s coming attractions. Workshop fee $97. Location: The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. Contact: 248310-0421 or email: courageoustransformation@ gmail.com for details. Free Community Meals Presented by Master’s Table Community Meals: Dinner – 3:30pm-5pm. Free. Open to the public. No RSVP. Donations graciously accepted. Assumption Church Hall, 61 N. Cliff St, Ansonia. For more information and in case of inclement weather, call for updates. 203-732-7792. MastersTableMeals.org.

MONDAY, MARCH 9 Full Moon Meditation w/Gayle Franceschetti – 6:30pm-8:30pm. Align w/new energies of Full Moon. Opportunities for letting go of the old and allowing spiritual energies to reach human hearts and minds. $25. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. 203-631-7803. Return2love3@gmail.com. Return2Love.com. TCM Nutrition: Feeding Your Body for the Season Ahead – 6:30pm. Join Maureen Santucci, LAc, as she discusses nutrition from a Traditional Chinese Medicine standpoint and how it can be used to help prepare our body for the season ahead. Elm City Wellness, 774 Orange St, New Haven. 203-691-7653. Elmcitywellness.com. The Art of Iris Folding – 7pm-9pm.This class will explore the art of Iris folding, a very unique form of paper art. I will show you how to complete your design as a greeting card or as a framed piece. $25. The Red Barn In Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. Must RSVP: jean@withheartbyhand.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 Developing Your Intuition Series w/Gayle Franceschetti – 6:30pm-8:30pm. (5 Tuesdays: March 11th, 25th, April. 8th, 22nd & May 6th). 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. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. Call 203-631-7803, or email Return2love3@gmail.com. Return2Love.com.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 14 Yoga & Pain Care Workshop with Amy Gaster – 1:30pm-3:30pm. Come learn what it means to calm your nervous system and address your body. Leave feeling more empowered to navigate your journey of wellbeing and life. $35. Breathing Room, 216 Crown St, New Haven. 203-562-LOVE, BreathingRoomCT.com. Pigeons through the Ages – 2pm. Did you know pigeons were first domesticated over 5,000 years ago? Take a deep dive into dove history with Ranger Evelyn. Learn what makes these birds so unique, the role they’ve played in wartime, and even meet Chuckles, our resident ring-necked dove. Play the part of a carrier pigeon and learn to navigate the way birds do with an orienteering game. For ages 10 and up. Free. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Preregister: 203-736-1053.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15 Psychic Fair – 12pm-5pm. Want a psychic reading? Visit with our psychics in the Sanctuary Our readers are well vetted, highly skilled and sought out by many in the region! $5 entrance fee or enter for free with a can of food for the Durham Food Bank. At The Red Barn In Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. Reiki 2 Practitioner Training – 1pm-7pm. Taught by Eileen Anderson RN Reiki Master and teacher. Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St, Middletown. Buttonwood.org For Reiki 1 Practitioners who want to deepen their practice. $130 members and $140 non-members. Call Eileen: 203-314-5401. ReikiwithEileenAnderson.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 16 Dis-Ease: Combating bloating, insomnia, migraines, pain and more – 6:30pm. Did you know that inflammation is at the root of some of the most common health complaints? Join naturopathic doctor, Kathryn Ronzo, as she discusses the role inflammation plays in our dis-ease and how it can be addressed naturally. Elm City Wellness, 774 Orange St, New Haven. 203-691-7653. ElmCityWellness@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 Sprouting Party! – Learn how to use a variety of seeds for sprouting, how to use different methods of sprouting, and start your own sprouting trays at home. New England Naturopathic Center, Cheshire. $20 per person, additional materials sold separately. Pre-Register at NENaturalmed.com/events or by calling 203-271-1311. Spring Term Junior Rangers – Registration begins March 18. Calling all kids 11 to 14 years old who love nature! Has your child wanted to work with animals, garden, help maintain our trails, and help with special events? This is the opportunity to help the Nature Center in our 8-week after-school program, starting on Thurs. Apr. 16 at 3:30 pm. Parental permission is required. Class size is limited; this class fills up fast! Free. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Information: 203-736-1053. Circle of Women – 7pm-9pm. Join in sacred space to discover and strengthen your authentic self, learn to listen and speak from the heart. Prepare for Spring Equinox and celebrate new beginnings. $25. Central Wallingford. Call Susan to explore/reserve space. 203-645-1230.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

MONDAY, MARCH 23

Spring Equinox – 6:30pm-8:30pm. Access the new Spring energies that facilitate manifesting opportunities and initiating new endeavors. These energies also facilitate the balance of the masculine and feminine within each of us. $20. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. 203-631-7803, email Return2love3@gmail.com. Return2Love.com.

Group Past Life Regression – 6pm-8pm. Discover reasons for current fears, recurring dreams or personality tendencies. Attendees explore past lives, learn reasons for repeat patterns or why you were born to a certain family. $30. The Red Barn In Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. Contact Gayle: 203-631-7803. Return2love3@gmail.com. Return2Love.com.

Universal White Time Gemstone Healing Group Clinic – 7:30pm-9pm. The healing frequencies of crystals/ gemstones are used to balance, heal, conscious expansion, and energetic evolution within the person. The vibration raises by adding a new tone to their sub-atomic. $10 per lay. At the Red Barn In Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. RSVP Stephanie: 914-330-1474.

Keeping the doctor at bay: Plant based remedies for your medicine cabinet – 6:30pm. Join Lauren Piro, herbalist and owner of Radicle Remedies as she talks about plant based medicine and how herbal medicine is a great first line approach to your health. Elm City Wellness, 774 Orange St, New Haven. 203-691-7653. Elmcitywellness@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

TUESDAY, MARCH 24

Declutter Your Life – 9am-12pm. Through simple yoga, breath, meditation, and practical tools, learn how to cleanse the mind, body and soul (the Abodes). This workshop is all about cleansing and detoxifying! $60. 3 CECs. 2321 Whitney Ave, Suite 401, Hamden. Register at: WomensConsortium.org.

Women’s New Moon Healing Circle – The spring new moon focuses our creative energies on birthing healing within ourselves. We’re adding to the medicine wheel from North to East over the next 3 months exploring the richness of what nature has to offer. Pre-register for single or seasonal sessions at NENaturalmed.com/events or call 203-271-1311.

Restorative Yoga with Sound Bath with Aimee – 7:30pm-9pm. Candlelit evening of restorative yoga and sound bath to help you cultivate deep relaxation and meditative rejuvenation. Location: CENTER Yoga, 647 Boston Post Rd, Guilford. CenterYogaWellness.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21 Natural Laundry Workshop – 10am-11:30am. We will help you get the chemicals out of your laundry and out of your life for the health of it! Make your own Laundry Booster and Stain Remover. Learn how to manage microplastics and toxins from your clothing too. Organic laundry products sold separately. Pre-register at NENaturalmed.com/events or call 203-271-1311. Salt Cavern Meditation – 11:30am-12:30pm. Clear your mind and let go of tension and the stress of the week while relaxing in a zero gravity chair during the releasing meditation in a Himalayan Salt Cavern. Salt therapy is great for overall wellness, respiratory and skin. $45.The Red Barn In Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. Contact Gayle: 203-631-7803. Return2love3@gmail.com. Return2Love.com. Visionary Vinyasa: Yoga and Art Therapy – 6pm. Enjoy a gentle and mindful Yoga practice that brings balance to the chakras and lets creativity pour from the Soul and onto the canvas. No yoga or art experience needed. All supplies are included. $30. Good Vibes Yoga Studio, 4 Cooke Rd, Wallingford. 203-824-1929. GoodVibesYogaStudioCT@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 22 Hike: Signs of Spring – 1pm. Enjoy this outdoor hike with Ranger Amie to find and listen to emerging mammals, insects, birds, and amphibians that show up in the spring. Learn about what these signs of spring are as you observe animals and plants that are waking from their winter slumber. Wear appropriate shoes for wet and muddy conditions. Free. For all ages. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Information: 203-736-1053.

Kids Yoga Series w/ Christine at CENTER Yoga in Guilford – 4pm-5pm. (Tuesdays: March 24- May 5). Begin a lifelong journey toward mastery of the mind and body. Students will experience what it means to become a modern young Yogi. Suitable for elementary aged students K-4th grade. Location: CENTER Yoga, 647 Boston Post Rd, Guilford. CenterWellnessYoga.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 Herbal Allergy Tonic Workshop – Learn how to make a vinegar based herbal allergy tonic to get your spring allergies under control. Use of raw local honey and bee pollen granules will also be discussed. $20 per person, extra supplies sold separately. Pre-register at NENaturalmed.com/events or call 203-271-1311. Halotherapy Yoga Nidra with Joann Dunsing Hypnotist – 6:30pm. Enjoy Halotherapy and “Yoga of the Mind” in zero gravity chairs in our gorgeous Moroccan Salt Room. This 45-minute session relaxes the mind and gives you the best sleep of your life! Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness LLC, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. Call 203-283-5968 or email hello@revivesalttherapy.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28 Tracking and Awareness – 1pm. Brush up on your tracking and awareness skill. This class will be very hands-on, teaching you techniques by doing physical and mental exercises to help expand your senses. We will explore and observe the Nature Center’s property for wildlife signs and tracks using our new tracking skills. Be prepared to go off trail into the bush. For ages 14 and up. Dress for the weather and prepare to spend the afternoon. Bring water and a snack. Free. Class size is limited. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Preregister: 203-736-1053.

markyourcalendar

Purpose, Passion & Prosperity: Creating a Powerful Vision Board MARCH 7 10am-2pm

Already ditched your 2020 resolutions? Unsure about reaching your biggest goals this year? Join us for a transformational day to bring your visions to life! This workshop will help you gain clarity, create change & guide you to design a powerful vision board.

$34.95

Includes refreshments, snacks & supplies. mActivity Fitness Center 285 Nicoll St, New Haven 203-913-1557 with questions Register at bit.ly/vbw0320 A Journey Off Planet with CmdrAleon – 5pm-8pm. CmdrAleon is with the Ashtar Command which are People of Light from many planetary worlds. Cmdr Aleon has experienced contact with visitors from other planetary worlds since childhood. Come join us to learn about the Ashtar Command and participate in a guided meditation to a starship to meet your star family. $40. Location: The Red Barn in Durham in The Sanctuary, 352 Main St, Durham. TheRedBarnInDurham.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 30 Self-Massage w/CBD – 6:30pm. Join ECW massage therapist Annie Crocker as she shares her experience with CBD in this hour-long class. She’ll discuss the benefits of CBD and teach you a selfmassage routine to help lengthen muscles stuck in patterns of chronic tightness due to repetitive strain and/or stress. Demo and samples. Elm City Wellness, 774 Orange St, New Haven. 203-691-7653. ElmCityWellness.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 6 Intro to Qi Gong – 6:30pm. Join Maureen Santucci, LAc as she guides you through this ancient practice of breath work, focused intention and gentle movement to help calm the mind, body, and soul while improving one’s health. Elm City Wellness, 774 Orange St, New Haven. 203-691-7653. Elmcitywellness.com.

March 2020

ongoingevents

sunday Health Qigong – 10am-11am. Developed through scientific research by China’s top sports universities and Qigong masters to create the most effective sequence of movements to gently strengthen the body, improve flexibility, and cultivate qi flow. Free trial class. Aiping Tai Chi Center, 518 Boston Post Rd, Orange. 203-795-0203. Aiping-TaiChi.com. Yogic Healing: all levels flow for your Soul: New Class! – 10am. Yogic movement that incorporates the healing modalities of Reiki, sound, and crystals allowing us to create a connection with the mind, body, and Soul. Beginners to advanced yogis are welcomed. $15. Good Vibes Yoga Studio, 4 Cooke Rd, Wallingford. 203-824-1929. GoodVibesYogaStudioCT@gmail.com. Community Vinyasa Yoga – 10:45am -11:45am. Strengthen your yoga practice with Renee every Sunday! Sliding scale of $10-$17. Walnut Beach Wellness & Boutique, 41 Naugatuck Ave, Milford. WalnutBeachWellness.com. Mystical Market and Craft Fair – 11am4pm. (The 3rd Sunday of every month). Psychics, vendors, artisans, holistic practitioners & more. Free admission, vendor’s fees vary. The Ruby Tree, Sherman Village Shopping Center, 670 Main St South, Woodbury. 203-586-1655, Christina@therubytreect.com. TheRubyTreeCT.com. Sunday Guided Hikes – 1pm. Join a Nature Center guide on Sunday afternoons for fun, exercise, and learning about our trails! Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Information/registration: 203-736-1053. Meditation to reduce stress + learn to cure one ailment each week – 5pm-6pm. Your Community Yoga Center, 39 Putnam Ave, Hamden. Meetup.com/Yoga-Meditation-CT. Queer Dharma – 7:30pm-9pm. A forum for practice and discussion relating all dharma traditions and the experience and concerns of LGBTQI individuals and their friends. All are warmly welcome regardless of experience, spiritual tradition, age, sex, gender identity, or sexual/affectional orientation. Each meeting will include meditation instruction, practice, readings and discussion. Free. The Shambhala Center of New Haven, 85 Willow Street, New Haven, Building B. NewHaven.Shambhala.org.

Pilates/Barre Community Class – 8am. This class is a mix between pilates moves to strengthen core muscles and the Barre technique to sculpt and lean our arms and legs. Discount price of $10.00 cash/ check or $12.00 credit card. Kneading Hands Yoga & Massage, 760 Main St S, Unit F, Southbury. 203-267-4417. KneadingHands.net. Guided Meditation Circle – 10am-11am. A weekly meditation Circle in a very relaxed setting using mindfulness meditations, discussions about mindfulness and how to have a successful practice. No experience necessary. $10 Investment. Healing Room, 10 Carina Rd, North Haven. Please call: 203-214-9486. Yoga with Marlene – 10:30am & 7:15pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360. Meditation – 1:30pm. Silent, sitting meditation for anyone to attend. For all levels. Beginners welcome! Meditation begins and ends promptly on time. Donation-based event; no set fees. New England Meditation Center, 455 Boston Rd, Old Saybrook. For more information, visit: Meetup.com/New-England-Meditation-Center/ events.

Salty Yin Yoga – 12:45pm. Enjoy this slowpaced style of yoga in our beautiful Moroccan Salt Room. Reap the benefits of Halotherapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine as you move through postures, increasing joint circulation and flexibility. Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness LLC, 374 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-283-5968, hello@revivesalttherapy.com.

Reiki Shares at The Red Barn in Durham – 6pm. The Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main Street, Durham. All levels and style welcome. $10. For More info email Reiki Master/Teacher Stephanie Rosally-Kaplan. Rosallykaplan@gmail.com. Facebook.com/Autumnsage11.

Meditation – 1:30pm. Silent, sitting meditation for anyone to attend. For all levels. Beginners welcome! Meditation begins and ends promptly on time. Donation-based event; no set fees. New England Meditation Center, 455 Boston Rd, Old Saybrook. For more information, visit: Meetup.com/New-England-Meditation-Center/ events.

Kundalini Yoga Class at Guest House Retreat – 6pm-7:15pm. Through physical movement, breath work and meditative practice, Kundalini Yoga builds strength, stability, and balance. This practice gives us the tools to drastically change our physical, psychological, and spiritual condition. Consider it a full mind/body upgrade. By Donation, no set fees. 318 West Main St, Chester.

tuesday Yang Style Tai Chi – 9am-10am and 6pm-7pm. Learn the principles of Tai Chi as moving meditation to increase strength and flexibility and decrease stress. Classes focus on teaching you how to move through yielding and releasing tension in your body. Free trial class. Aiping Tai Chi Center, 518 Boston Post Rd, Orange. 203-795-0203. Aiping-TaiChi.com.

monday CELC Middle School Monday Tours – 9:45am-11am. Middle school specialists, 5th – 8th grade. Small class sizes, personalized instruction, robust academics. Come see CELC in action! 28 School St, Branford. To RSVP call 203-4334658 or email mandm@CTExperiential.org. Visit: CTExperiential.org.

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Class – 6pm-7pm. Learn to move easily with simple movements that help to relieve pain and restore your body to its natural ease. $50 for 5 weeks or $15 drop in. Carol Meade Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. 203-415-8666 or info@massage2movement.com.

Homeschool Mondays at CELC Middle School for ages 9 – 14 – Register now for Session III. Classes include Writers’ Workshop, Kingian Nonviolence, and Music. Contact 203-433-4658 or email mandm@CTExperiential.org. For more information, Visit CTExperiential.org.

Fiber Arts Group – 6pm. Get together with others to work on your fiber arts projects! Bring any kind of fiber work—knitting, felting, crocheting, etc. A great way to dedicate time to your handiwork and socialize too. Free. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Preregister: 203-736-1053.

New Haven/Middlesex

wednesday Emei Wujigong Qigong Group Practice – 12pm1pm. Experience a qigong form for rebalancing and strengthening body, mind and spirit. For all abilities and levels of health. Schedule Available online. 1st class free (reg. $5). Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Info: EmeiQigongChan.com.

Yoga with Marlene – 9:30am & 6:30pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.

Free Reiki Sessions: The Universal Reiki Plan – 7:30pm-8:30pm. (& 8:30pm-9:30pm Thurs). Reiki teachers Jeannette and Jim of ReikiOvertones and students offer free Reiki sessions. Appt. only. Love offering appreciated. 95 Harris St, Fairfield. Details: Jim and Jeannette 203-254-3958. info@ReikiOvertones.com.

NaturalNewHaven.com

The Caring Network: Free Support Group for adults who have lost a loved one – 6pm-8pm. (March 4 & March 18). Info about loss and grief; facilitated open discussion. Bridges Healthcare, 941 Bridgeport Ave, Milford. For a brochure, or other information, please call Cody-White Funeral Home at 203 874-0268, or the group facilitator, Brooke Torres M.Ed., at 203 878-6365 ext. 480. Wellness Wednesday~ together explore topics of wellness – 6:30pm. Many weeks will be presented by guest speakers. Drop in classes are $20. Bring a friend. 2 for $30. Must RSVP Lisa Catherine: 203213-0199. The Red Barn In Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. Facebook.com/skincarebylisacatherine. Yoga with Marlene – 6:30pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360. Meditation In the World at Guest House Retreat – 7pm-8pm. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced meditator, join us every week as we are led in the practice of focusing our awareness. Helping you find calm within everyday demands and stress. Free. 318 West Main St, Chester. 860-322-5770.

thursday The Milford Chamber’s ‘Health & Wellness Council’ – 8:30am-9:30am. (2nd Thurs. monthly). Group is comprised of businesses in the health and wellness industry. 5 Broad St, Milford. MilfordCT.com.

Health Qigong – 9am-10am. Developed through scientific research by China’s top sports universities and Qigong masters to create the most effective sequence of movements to gently strengthen the body, improve flexibility, and cultivate qi flow. Free trial class. Aiping Tai Chi Center, 518 Boston Post Rd, Orange. 203-795-0203. Aiping-TaiChi.com.

DrumSpeak For Awakening – 7pm-9:30pm. (Every 2nd Friday of the month). For personal growth and awakening to de-stress, relax, release, and have fun. Suggested $5-$20 donation. Lead by Chantal Guillou-Brennan, IEMT, CHT, QHHT. Walnut Beach Wellness & Boutique, 41 Naugatuck Ave, Milford. WalnutBeachWellness.com.

Yoga with Marlene – 10am & 6:30pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.

saturday

Are you looking for a place to gather with other spiritually minded people?– 6pm-7pm. If this sounds like you, come join us at the Red Barn in Durham to connect with new friends! $5. Hosted by Spiritualist Stephanie Rosally-Kaplan and Psychic Jennifer Gaylord. At The Red Ban In Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. BorrowedTimeEmporium.com. Emei Wujigong Qigong Group Practice – 6:30pm-7:30pm. (Every Thurs. except the 1st Thurs. of month). Experience a qigong form for rebalancing and strengthening body, mind and spirit. For all abilities and levels of health. Schedule Available online. 1st class free (reg. $5). Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Info: EmeiQigongChan.com. Qigong Group Healing & Silent Meditation – 6:30pm-8pm. (1st Thurs. of the month). All levels of health addressed. No experience necessary. Fee: donation. Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Contact Pat for more information if this is 1st attendance: 203-500-6492. The Heart of Recovery – 7:30pm-9pm, a weekly meditation and recovery group for those recovering from addictions of all kinds. We will honor the traditions of anonymity, confidentiality and no cross-talk. Meetings will include meditation instruction, practice, readings and discussion. Free. The Shambhala Center of New Haven, 85 Willow St, Building B, NewHaven.Shambhala.org.

friday Yoga with Marlene – 9:30am. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360. Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Class – 10:30am-11:30am. It only takes an hour to feel good again. Aren’t you worth it? $15 drop in or class cards. Carol Meade Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. 203-415-8666 or info@massage2movement.com. Yang Style Tai Chi – 6pm-7pm. Learn the principles of Tai Chi as moving meditation to increase strength and flexibility and decrease stress. Classes focus on teaching you how to move through yielding and releasing tension in your body. Free trial class. Aiping Tai Chi Center, 518 Boston Post Rd, Orange. 203-795-0203. Aiping-TaiChi.com. The Art of Tarot a four-week series – 6pm7:30pm. (Starting Friday 3/5/20). Must have Rider-Waite Tarot or a similar tarot decks. $20 for each class. The Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main St, Durham.Taught by Stephanie Rosally-Kaplan psychic mediumship. Must RSVP: rosallykaplan@ gmail.com. Facebook.com/Autumnsage11.

Simple Moves: Saturday Awareness Through Movement: 5-week Series – 9am-10am. In this class we will be combining some Feldenkrais ATM lessons with Qi Kung exercises to create a unique movement experience. $55 for the series. Classes are held in the Holistic Therapy Classroom, Wallingford. Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Massage2Movement/Carol Meade. Call 203-415-8666 or email: carolmeade@massage2movement.com. Yang Style Tai Chi – 9am-10am. Learn the principles of Tai Chi as moving meditation to increase strength and flexibility and decrease stress. Classes focus on teaching you how to move through yielding and releasing tension in your body. Free trial class. Aiping Tai Chi Center, 518 Boston Post Rd, Orange. 203-795-0203. Aiping-TaiChi.com. Centering Prayer – Resting in God: Two Centering Prayer Groups – 9:30am-11am. (monthly on the first Saturday of each month) and again weekly on Wednesdays (6pm-7pm). Free Will Donation. Mercy by the Sea, 167 Neck Rd, Madison. Call 203-245-0401. MercyBytheSea.org. Free weekly Meditation classes – 10:30am-12pm. Open to all and fully accessible. Instruction provided for beginners. No reservations necessary. Walk-ins welcome. Program offered in cooperation with New Haven Insight. New Haven Free Public Library. 133 Elm St, New Haven. 203-946-8138. ReikiShare: The Universal Reiki Plan – 11am1:30pm. Pre-register to share Reiki and join in a FREE workshop to make it a Reiki day! The 3rd Sat. of every month. Free (“love offering”). Bloodroot Rest. 85 Ferris St, Bridgeport. Reservation only. Jim or Jeannette: 203-254-3958. info@ReikiOvertones.com.

markyourcalendar Passport to Health & Wellness EXPO STATEWIDE HOLISTIC EXPO

Sunday, April 26 2020 10am-4pm

Benefit Holistic EXPO Presented by

The Holistic Community Professionals Held at

The DoubleTree by Hilton, Bristol, CT More than 75 Vendors & Speakers, FREE SOUND HEALING & Drumming 4pm-5pm on the Patio

$5 in advance/$7 at door Proceeds will benefit The CT Children’s Medical Center and Hartford Hospital Cancer Center Angie’s Spa fund.

To purchase Early Bird Ticket $5: https://buy.flint.com/zmp3c41c

Exhibitors & Speakers please apply online

To apply/pay online: YourHolisticEvents.com/ fairs-vendorspeaker-application Payment is required to confirm a booth. Speakers must be exhibitors.

Creature Features – 12pm. Come to meet our furry, scaly, and feathery animal ambassadors. You’ll have the chance to touch and hold them in this Free family program for all ages. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Information/registration: 203-736-1053. Community Acupuncture – 12pm-2pm. (Every Other Saturday). Treatments are given in a group setting, where multiple clients are treated simultaneously in reclining chair or cushioned yoga mats. Initial visit is $40, follow-ups are on a sliding of $25-$40. Dr. Suzanne Woomer, ND, L.A.c. Walnut Beach Wellness & Boutique, 41 Naugatuck Ave, Milford. Meditation – 1:30pm. Silent, sitting meditation for anyone to attend. For all levels. Beginners welcome! Meditation begins and ends promptly on time. Lecture every other Saturday. Donationbased event; no set fees. New England Meditation Center, 455 Boston Rd, Old Saybrook. For more information, visit: Meetup.com/New-EnglandMeditation-Center/events.

Nothing is more beautiful than the loveliness of the woods before sunrise. ~George Washington Carver March 2020

2020 EDITORIAL CALENDAR March January February

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES ISSUE

NATURAL LIVING DIRECTORY

• Fresh Start • Refresh the Immune System

• Shifting into Positive • Regenerative Medicine

April

May

• Plant-Based Nutrition • CBD

June

WOMEN’S WELLNESS ISSUE

• Inspired Lifestyle • Brain Health

• Grassroots Climate Strategies • Creatures Great and Small

• Autoimmune Breakthroughs • Lyme Disease

July

August

September

• Education Out of the Box • Prospering through Transition

• Expressive Arts and Movement • Emotion Quotient

November

December

• Food Connection • Gut Health

October

• Exploring Other Realms • Transcending Physical Health

• The Sugar Challenge • Stress Management

• Community & Connection • Get Your Glow On

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com

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.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONNECTICUT WOMEN’S CONSORTIUM – Aim: ensure the behavioral health system responds to the needs of women & the people & organizations that affect them. Eliminate discrimination/promote excellence in care for women through educ., training, advocacy & policy dev. 203-909-6888, WomensConsortium.org.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES START A CAREER YOU CAN BE PASSIONATE ABOUT – Publish your own Natural Awakenings magazine. Home based business complete with comprehensive training and support system. New franchises are available or purchase a magazine that is currently publishing. Call 239-530-1377 or apply now at: NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/Franchise.

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.

GREEN HOUSES FOR SALE NOW

MEDICAL/INTUITIVE HYPNOTIST 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.

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT

HOUSES FOR SALE NOW! – Unique, friendly, cohousing community. New energy-efficient, green homes in a neighborhood with an organic farm. RockyCorner.org: Where conservation and community come together!

PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION – Mission: “To Ease the Burden, To Find A Cure” for those w/Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers in CT. Education, support and socialization. 860-248-9200, ctapda.org.

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.

Coming Next Month APRIL

Grassroots Climate Crisis Strategies & Creatures Great and Small

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call 203-305-5531 or email PytlakMelissa@gmail.com March 2020

community resource guide ACUPUNCTURE

EDUCATION

FOCUS ON YOU ACUPUNCTURE Michael A. Thorns, RN, LAc 262 State Street, Suite B North Haven, CT 203-626-2072 Michael.FOYAcupuncture@gmail.com FOYAcupuncture.com

FOYA provides Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) methods to help with Pain, Stress, Insomnia, Digestive, Gynecological & Orthopedic issues through Acupuncture, Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA), Cupping, Tui Na (Chinese medical massage) and Chinese nutritional counseling to enhance wellness. See ad on page 13.

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 11.

The way you think, the way you behave, the way you eat, can influence your life by 30 to 50 years.

~Deepak Chopra

New Haven/Middlesex

CONNECTICUT EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CENTER (CELC) MIDDLE SCHOOL 28 School Street, Branford, CT 203-433-4658 mandm@CTExperiential.org http://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 13.

THE GRADUATE INSTITUTE (TGI)

Accredited, Non-profit Graduate School offering holistic programs in contemporary & emerging fields 171 Amity Road, Bethany, CT 203-874-4252 Learn.edu The Graduate Institute offers holistic master’s degrees and certificate programs for adult learners. Programs include Integrative Health and Healing, Ecotherapy and Cultural Sustainability, Writing and Oral Tradition, Organizational Leadership, and more. Programs are just one weekend a month. See ad on page 3.

HAIR ANALYSIS MINERAL TESTING - DNA NUTRITIONAL BALANCING HAIR ANALYSIS TESTING Kathleen Kordas Holistic Health Practitioner Certified Nutritionist – GCNM Reiki Master – Usui Shiki Ryoho 203-984-6104 Dr.LWilson.com – Connecticut DivineSparkEnergyHealer.com

Nutritional Balancing gave me back my quality of life. With a Hair Analysis Test Dr. Wilson can recommend a supplement program and alkaline diet that is specifically for you. Based on your hair chart, the program will identify: Adrenal Fatigue, if low on your minerals, proper digestion of food, and toxic metals (mercury, lead, aluminum, copper and more). It is your DNA! Get your energy back. Call for a free consultation: 203-984-6104.©

NaturalNewHaven.com

HOLISTIC DENTIST MARK A. BREINER, DDS, FIAOMT

501 Kings Highway East, Suite 108 Fairfield, CT 203-371-0300 WholeBodyDentistry.com Dr. Mark A. Breiner is a pioneer and recognized authority in the field of holistic dentistry. With over 30 years of experience, he is a sought after speaker and lecturer. His popular consumer book, Whole-Body Dentistry, has been sold worldwide. See ad on page 9.

HYPNOSIS LIFE DESIGN HYPNOSIS, LLC Patricia Babey, BS Certified Hypnotist Certified, Medical Hypnotism Certified, Pain Management Certified Reiki II Practitioner Madison, CT 203-980-0022 LifeDesignHypnosis.com

A client centered practice created to assist you in improving every aspect of your life by tapping into the natural power of your brain. Lose weight, stop smoking, reduce stress, and manage pain. You can change just about anything with hypnosis. Each session is personal, customized and tailored for you. Don’t let your brain hold you back any longer from achieving the lifelong dreams you deserve. Free consultations. See ad on page 13.

MIND-BODY TRANSFORMATION Diane Bahr-Groth, CHy, TFTdx 1177 High Ridge Road Stamford, CT 203-595-0110 MindBodyTransformation.com

Fast, effective methods for weight, stress, fear, pain, smoking, etc. Certified Hypnotherapist, Thought Field Therapy, Time Line Therapy, NLP and Complementary Medical Hypnosis, since 1989.

community resource guide LIGHT LANGUAGE ENERGY HEALER CHRISTOPHER TREMBLAY 43 Stewart Street New Haven, CT 203-605-2677 ChrisTremblay25@gmail.com

This is a unique light language energy healing gift that has been channeled to me over the course of 5 years, which deeply heals blockages, providing clients with a loving DNA boost from Heaven and the Masters. Combining the use of channeled encodements from the stars with hands on healing, this powerful modality helps to unleash your inner power. Fair energy exchange of love based donations welcome.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLC

Adam Breiner, ND, Director Elena Sokolova, MD, ND David Brady, ND, CCN, DACBN 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 108 Fairfield, CT 203-371-8258 WholeBodyMed.com Using state-of-the-art science combined with centuries-old healing modalities, our caring naturopathic doctors correct underlying imbalances and address issues which may interfere with the body’s abilityto heal itself. Treatment protocols or therapies include: Abdominal Manual Therapy, Acupuncture, Allergy Desensitization, Chinese Medicine, Colonics and other Detoxification Protocols, Electro-Dermal Screening, Energy Medicine, FDA-cleared Phototherapy, Functional Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Hormonal Balancing, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Metabolic Typing, Nutritional Assessment, Real-Time EEG Neurofeedback, and other therapies. See ad on page 9.

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 11

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 9.

REIKI SUSANE GRASSO, RMT 2489 Boston Post Road Guilford, CT 203-500-6950

Stress is the plague of the 21st century and the cause of physical and emotional woes. Because of this, my sessions combine my ability to see auras with Reiki, Theta Healing, acupressure and Sound Vibrational Healing to provide deep relaxation and balance. “Tension out! Wellness in” is more than a phrase. For my clients it is a statement of fact. See ad on page 22.

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.

SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA

787 Main St, S Woodbury, CT 203-586-1172 NaturalSaltHealing.com Combining an array of natural therapies that have been used since ancient times with today’s technology, Salt of the Earth Spa provides a sanctuary for deep transformations, healing and grounding for Mind, Body and Spirit.

SMOKING CESSATION LIFE DESIGN HYPNOSIS, LLC Patricia Babey, BS Certified Hypnotist Certified, Medical Hypnotism Certified, Pain Management Certified Reiki II Practitioner Madison, CT 203-980-0022 LifeDesignHypnosis.com

March 2020

community resource guide SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION CERTIFICATION PROGRAM THE INSTITUTE OF SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION

113 Simsbury Road, West Granby, CT 860-764-9070 Joan@TIOSN.com TIOSN.com

We offer a unique certification program blending the science of nutrition with the hands-on components of sustainable gardening practices. We use food and herbs to make kitchen medicine, teach basic culinary skills, and practice foraging for and using nutrient-rich wild food. Now enrolling. See ad on page 21.

TAI CHI AIPING TAI CHI CENTER 518 Boston Post Road Orange, CT 203-795-0203 Aiping-TaiChi.com

WHOLE BODY WELLNESS CBD MASSAGE ELM CITY WELLNESS

4 Cooke Road Wallingford, CT 203-824-1929 GoodVibesYogaStudioCT@gmail.com GoodVibesYogaStudio.massageplanet.com

Elm City Wellness is an independent, woman-owned 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 ad on page 23.

Good Vibes Yoga Studio creates sacred space to allow for healing through holistic practices. Soothe your Soul through yoga, Reiki, sound healing, crystal healing, essential oils, food and wine tastings, animal welfare fundraisers, jewelry making classes, henna, and more in our cozy indoor space or outside gazing up at the magic of the Sun and Moon. See ad on page 29..

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

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.

WEIGHT LOSS LIFE DESIGN HYPNOSIS, LLC Patricia Babey, BS Certified Hypnotist Certified, Medical Hypnotism Certified, Pain Management Certified Reiki II Practitioner Madison, CT 203-980-0022 LifeDesignHypnosis.com

A client centered practice created to assist you in improving every aspect of your life by tapping into the natural power of your brain. Lose weight, stop smoking, reduce stress, and manage pain. You can change just about anything with hypnosis. Each session is personal, customized and tailored for you. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let your brain hold you back any longer from achieving the lifelong dreams you deserve. Free consultations. See ad on page 13.

New Haven/Middlesex

GOOD VIBES YOGA STUDIO

YOGA & AYURVEDA

Aiping Tai Chi Center (est. 1996), teaches authentic Tai Chi and Health Qigong. Alleviate stress, increase strength, improve balance, and harness internal power. Regain your health from the inside out. Free trial class. See ad on page 9.

YOGA~REIKI~HENNA

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March 2020

SunDo HORIZONS Spreading Brightness for a Healthier Happier Society Guided meditation to correct irregular breathing and soothe stress Movement and stretching for better Qi flow through the meridians Techniques to help focus awareness of the mind during meditation

Sunday, March 29

One World Wellness Studio, East Haven CT www.oneworld-wellness.com | 203.998.5688 48

New Haven/Middlesex

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Natural Awakenings New Haven & Middlesex CT MARCH 2020

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