Natural Awakenings NYC Feb 2018

E E FR

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Mark Rosenfeld’s Success Secrets for

FINDING

LOVE

Surviving Tough Times and Thriving

Meditation Style Sampler

Finding the Practice that Works for You

February 2018 | New York City Edition | na-newyorkcity.com February 2018

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

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letter from publisher

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ebruary is here and in conjunction with the day of Saint Valentine, we bring you much love and education for yourself, your soul, your pets and your planet! It is through the vibration of love that the best things in life are created and we welcome you to carry this resonance of love with you as you take each step every day!

As well as our content on love, we also have an excellent piece on rising above adversity. It is a true testament of how many people grow stronger through surviving a traumatic event. Mediation can be a wonderful tool to survive trauma, or even the daily strides of life. With this in mind, we share tips for finding the right mediation practice with a list of options! Mediation can be hard to explain to a person that has never experienced it and the many shapes it can take so I hope you can benefit from this piece and share it with others.

To quote author Jackie Trottman, “Prayer is like talking to God, whereas mediation is listening to God”.

May you listen to God, your strongest heart-centered voice of love in your daily life ª.

Feel Good, Live Simply, Laugh More,

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

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

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

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

Contents 15 RISING ABOVE

16

ADVERSITY

How to Strengthen Your Resilience Muscle

18 MEDITATION THAT WORKS

Tips for Finding the Right Practice

19 SELF-LOVE 20 FOODS OUR

HEART WILL LOVE

Top 10 Heart Healthy Choices

22 MARK ROSENFELD’S

20

Secrets for Successful Love Matches

24 BANISHING

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BODY-IMAGE BLUES How Teens Can Learn to Love Their Looks

26 DO-GOOD DOGS

DO ALMOST ANYTHING

24

Service Animals Train to Help People in Need

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DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 8 health briefs 10 global briefs 18 healing ways 19 inspiration 20 conscious

eating 22 wise words 24 healthy kids 26 natural pet

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29 calendar 29 classifieds 30 resource guide

Nature never deceives us; it is we who deceive ourselves. ~Jean-Jacques Rousseau February 2018

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news briefs

Flying Phoenix Qigong at Eastover Estate

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astover Estate and Eco-Village in Lenox, Massachusetts, will host a three-day immersive workshop, Flying Phoenix Qigong with Master Terry Dunn, from March 22 to 25.

“Flying Phoenix Heavenly Healing Chi Meditations, or Fei Feng San Gung, are a rare and extraordinarily powerful medical qigong system that was created more than 400 years ago by renowned Taost monk Feng Dao Deh of Ehrmeishan,” Dunn says. “In this workshop, I’ll teach the complete Taoist monastic system of hygienics, comprised of standing and seated, stationary and moving meditations that impart a wide range of salient health benefits with remarkable swiftness.”

Among the benefits he lists are increased respiratory power, improved circulation and metabolism, higher energy levels, improved neuromuscular function and balance, peak immunity, increased bone strength and the reversal of many signs of aging. Besides providing those physiological benefits, he says, Flying Phoenix Qigong also complements other practices, integrating the mind and body so deeply that other forms of meditation are enhanced.

Yingxing Wang, founder of Eastover, suggests that anyone interested in learning more about this system of qigong can read about it by visiting TheDaoBums.com and typing “flying phoenix chi kung” in the search bar. “The proof of the Flying Phoenix Pudding is this lively, worldwide discussion thread that’s now in its eighth year, with 4,500 postings and more than 590,000 views, on which Master Dunn answers all questions on a weekly basis.”

For information and registration, visit Eastover.com.

Free Series of Talks Explores the Wisdom of Sufism

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uthor and spiritual teacher Musa Muhaiyaddeen, who shares his insights on Sufism and inner perfection, online and in person, will deliver a free, six-part series of spontaneous talks designed to guide listeners toward achieving their goals. The topics he will cover are Accountability, Integrity, Intention, Qualities, Surrender and Conscience.

“The steps taking us to success and wisdom are steps of Musa appropriate inner thought and appropriate outer action,” he says.

Muhaiyaddeen “Without this combination, we cannot move forward.”

Musa takes his readers and listeners on an inner journey, inspiring them to reflect and examine themselves in order to find their inner strength and spirituality.

This free series of talks will be held the third Saturday of every month, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., at New York New Church, located at 114 East 35th Street. Each talk will be followed by Zikr, a prayer recitation in Arabic, for those who would like to join in.

Hundreds of Musa’s talks are available to listen to for free at TheWitnessWithin. com. His books are available on Amazon.

To attend a free talk, register with Sufi Study Center on Meetup.com. To contact Musa, email him at Musa@TheWitnessWithin.com.

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New York City Edition

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Typical American Oral Regimen “Outmoded”

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ost Americans have been raised on a daily oral regimen of squeezing a fluoride-based paste out of a tube, brushing with an abrasive tooth powder or rinsing with an alcohol-based mouthwash to kill germs—not the best or healthiest way to protect the teeth and gums, says Dr. Lewis Gross, director of Holistic Dentists in Tribeca. “These delivery systems for an oral wellness product are outmoded, lack portability and ignore the best preventive medicine, which is an alkaline diet and staying hydrated,” he says.

He notes that sodium lauryl sulfate and triclorsan, foaming agents in toothpaste, are possibly toxic, and alcohol dries the mouth, kills many “good” bacteria and has been linked to oral cancer.

While fluoride helps prevent tooth decay in children, it does not benefit adults, he adds. “Public drinking water is also fluoridated, so we are exposed to too high a level of this chemical. The EPA recently downgraded the suggested fluoride level because of complaints of fluoridosis.”

Gross recommends maintaining oral health by eating an alkaline diet high in fruits and vegetables, drinking more alkaline water and rinsing daily with Alka-White all-natural mouthwash, available as a portable effervescent tablet. He designed Alka-White to whiten teeth and buffer salivary acids and acidic erosion from certain foods.

For more information about holistic dentistry or Alka-White, visit Holistic-Dentists.com.

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. ~William Shakespeare

Spread the Love ... To You

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s the traditional “month of love” kicks off, why not give a little love to someone who works pretty darn hard all year round—you?

Start your self-love regimen with the basics: what you eat. There are a plethora of scientific studies showing that the quality of our diet affects our risk of death and diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

The short-term benefits of good Meg Hagar nutrition are well documented too. Making better food choices can boost energy levels, decrease fatigue, ease digestive issues and even improve your skin.

Here are some easy ways to start eating better: • Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables—four or five servings per day. Eating a variety of colors ensures that you’re taking in a variety of nutrients.

• At least half your total grain intake should be from whole grains (whole-wheat bread, brown rice, etc.).

• Choose from a variety of proteins, including lean meats such as poultry, nuts and seeds, soy products, eggs, beans and peas.

• Visit ChooseMyPlate.gov and make sure your meals resemble the MyPlate diagram.

NEWLIFE EXPO Continues Its Trail of Success

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he NEWLIFE EXPO is America’s longest-running event focused on holistic enlightenment and rejuvenation, and its organizer, Mark Becker, says he’s grateful for the continued success and growth of what he started 28 years ago.

“Last year I was happy not only to deliver an awesome NEWLIFE EXPO in Mark Becker Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale and two in New York, but also to add the Vegetarian Vision Health and Wellness Expo in New York to help share the innate knowledge that we all know deep inside,” Becker says. “There’s an old saying that we are what we eat. Between GMOs infiltrating our fruits, vegetables and grains, chemtrail residue falling on them and pesticides and chemicals feeding them, we have to be more careful about when and where we shop. We also need to learn how to grow as much as we can at home—sprouts are the easiest to start with. Self-sustainability is the new norm.”

The NEWLIFE EXPO is slated to return to New York City’s Hotel New Yorker March 16-18 with 100 exhibitors & speakers including Mas Sajady, Kimberly Meredith, Brenda Cobb, Mark Becker,Gail Thackray, Thomas John, Jill Dahne and Dr. Joel Wallach.

A dietary change can be just the self-love you need, and just what the doctor (or registered dietitian) ordered.

For more information or to preregister for discounts, visit NEWLIFEExpo.com or email Mark@NEWLIFEMag.com.

Meg Hagar is a holistic registered dietitian based in NYC. For more information, visit MegTheDietitian.com or contact her at 347-395-2815 or meg@megthedietitian.com.

MindPower Consulting with Elly Molina

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s a longtime teacher of Alexander Technique, Mona Al-Kazemi tends to categorize people in an unusual way. “People are either well coordinated and conscious of the habits that support their coordination; naturally well coordinated but unaware of what they are doing; off balance, possibly in pain, and aware of the habits that might be causing Mona Al-Kazemi or prolonging their conditions; or off balance but unaware that their habits are contributing to their conditions.”

Al-Kazemi is the founder of Think AT in Battery Park City, dedicated to teaching Alexander Technique. The name was inspired

by AT’s focus on thinking, which affects the way we live, including whether we move with patterns of tension or ease.

“Becoming conscious of habits is reaffirming for those who are already well-coordinated, while for the rest of us, it can be the beginning of change, as we choose to do more of what works for us and less of what causes discomfort or pain. Moreover, Alexander Technique offers a process of change that includes moving with clear intention.

With time, your coordination will improve, and the best part is that you will know exactly why.”

fter several years of living in the Pacific Northwest, Amazon best-selling author Elly Molina has returned home to offer MindPower Consulting to the people of New York.

“MindPower Consulting helps you use your mind to shut down negative thoughts and belief programs, enabling you to access your own powerful intuitive abilities and wisdom Elly Molina while harnessing and expressing your innate talents in daily life,” Molina says. She helps people who want to have new experiences, transform stagnant situations, learn to use their own intuitive abilities, unlock their passion, become re-inspired or reinvigorate a stalled project or dream.

“I work with people’s personal knowingness, their psychic abilities, their intuition, and together we create the future they want to live in,” she explains.

Molina, who holds a master’s from NYU and has been an educator for more than 30 years, has given thousands of readings and is a mentor, adviser and consultant to heads of state, celebrities, business professionals and seekers. She founded Psi-Kids, where children and adults learn to use their mind power and intuitive abilities, and she has appeared on a number of national media outlets.

For more information, call 646-632-5181 or visit Think-AT.com.

To learn more or contact Elly Molina, visit EllyMolina.com.

Alexander Technique Eases Pain through Intentional Movement

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February 2018

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LOWER BODY MASS

A study of more than 50,000 people in the Czech Republic by the Seventh-Day Adventist Loma Linda University, in California, found that those that made breakfast their largest meal of the day had lower body mass index (BMI) levels. Lunch as the largest daily meal showed the next best results. The researchers concluded that timing and frequency of meals play a role in predicting weight loss or gain. The two factors associated with higher BMI were eating more than three meals a day (snacks were counted as extra meals) and making dinner the day’s largest meal.

Moderate Exercise Guards Against Depression In Exercise and the Prevention of Depression, a study of 33,908 adults in Norway by the University of New South Wales, researchers found that one hour of exercise a week reduced depression in 12 percent of the subjects.

The purpose of the study was to address whether exercise protects against new-onset depression and anxiety and if so, the intensity and amount of exercise required. They concluded that regular leisure-time exercise of any intensity provides protection against future depression, but not anxiety. Thus, increasing the population of people exercising may provide public mental health benefits and prevent a substantial number of new cases of depression.

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New York City Edition

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Chocolate and Olive Oil Help Heart Health Cardiologist Rossella Di Stefano, with the University of Pisa, in Italy, led a study of 26 people and determined that eating a combination of dark chocolate and olive oil improved cholesterol levels and blood pressure after 28 days. She says, “Fruits and vegetables exert their protective effects through plant polyphenols found in cocoa, olive oil and apples. We found that eating small, daily portions of dark chocolate with added natural polyphenols from extra-virgin olive oil was associated with an improved cardiovascular risk profile. Our study suggests that extra virgin olive oil might be a good food additive to help preserve our ‘repairing cells’.”

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BIG BREAKFAST,

Research from the University of Texas at Arlington reported in The FASEB Journal, published by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, has found that zinc supplements can inhibit or slow the growth of esophageal cancer cells. The research also found that zinc deficiency is common among throat cancer patients. Zinc-rich foods include spinach, flax seeds, beef, pumpkin seeds and seafood such as shrimp and oysters.

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Zinc Inhibits Throat Cancer

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health briefs

MaxFXBillion Photos

Antidepressants in Pregnancy Linked to Autism A study by the University of Bristol, England, of 254,610 young people from Stockholm showed that children born to mothers taking antidepressants during pregnancy had more than a 4 percent risk of autism, compared to less than a 3 percent risk in children born to mothers with psychiatric conditions not on antidepressants. Depression is common in women of childbearing age, with 3 to 8 percent of pregnant European women prescribed antidepressants.

But with 95 percent of them bearing children without autism, the risks and benefits must be carefully weighed, say researchers.

MaxFX/Shutterstock.com

Mindfulness Reduces Alcohol Cravings In a randomized, double-blind experiment published in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, University College London researchers found that among 68 heavy drinkers, just 11 minutes of recorded mindfulness training reduced drinking. Subjects were closely matched with an active control group that was taught relaxation techniques. Seven days later, the mindfulness group on average drank 9.3 fewer units of alcohol, roughly equal to three pints of beer, while the relaxation group showed no drop in alcohol consumption.

THIRD-PERSON SELF-TALK AIDS IN EMOTIONAL CONTROL As reported in Scientific Reports, two studies of 37 and 52 people at Michigan State University have discovered that talking to ourselves in the third person using statements like, “Why is John upset?” instead of, “Why am I upset?” can help improve our ability to control our emotions.

Everyone occasionally engages in internal monologue, an inner voice that guides our moment-to-moment reflections. Now, scientists believe that the language used in the process influences actions differently. The premise is that third-person selftalk leads us to think about ourselves similarly to how we think about others, which provides the psychological distance needed to facilitate self-control.

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global briefs xujun /Shutterstock.com

Bureaucratic Bungle

Bottle Buyback

Britain May Charge Deposit to Reduce Bottle Litter

Britain only recycled 57 percent of the plastic bottles that were sold there in 2016, and is considering charging a deposit fee to reduce litter. Scotland is also introducing a deposit return policy for cans and bottles. Denmark recycles 90 percent and South Australia 80 percent by using deposits as an incentive.

UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove says that almost 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans each year, with up to 80 percent washing out to sea from land. Gove is consulting with the industry to determine the advantages and disadvantages of different types of reward and return systems for plastic, metal and glass drinks containers. Britain’s decision to charge a deposit for each plastic bag in 2015 has slashed usage.

Renewable Payoff Germany Undergoes an Energy Renaissance

Last May, Germany’s renewable energy mix of solar, wind, hydropower and biomass generated so much power for a few hours that customers actually got paid for using electricity. The country’s renewable power sources generate 88 percent of total electricity demand, and growing wind power assets alone are expected to make the phenomenon a regular occurrence. When this happens, commercial producers either close power stations to reduce the electricity supply or pay consumers to take it off the grid.

Auto Revolution

Industry Revs Up for Electric Car Future

China, the world’s largest car market, is planning to stop production and sales of traditional energy vehicles in favor of electric vehicles (EV), and the decision has sped up competitive development by U.S. automakers. General Motors is promising to launch at least 20 new electric vehicles in the next six years. “General Motors believes the future is all-electric,” says Mark Reuss, the company’s head of product development.

The falling cost of lithium-ion batteries also brings a tipping point into view, observers say. By 2025 it’s possible that electric drivetrains will have no cost disadvantage compared with internal combustion engines.

Technology is fast resetting the outlook for what cars can do, how consumers use them and how much an EV will cost. Tesla, Ford and Japanese and European companies are also responding to what’s being called both “the age of electricity”, and “the age of personalized transportation”.

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New York City Edition

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Monsanto, the company that makes the controversial weed killer Roundup, is setting farmer against farmer and state against state with its newest product, dicamba. Amid claims and counterclaims over effectiveness and safety of crops and humans, the debate is shedding new light on how new agricultural products are introduced, tested and regulated. One major difference with dicamba is the gaseous vaporization it uses to treat crops, causing the poison to spread onto neighboring plants via wind. Brad Williams, a Missouri farmer, says that leaves on trees were “so deformed you couldn’t even really identify the differences between them.”

The manufacturer claims that proper usage protocols are not being followed.

Some farmers agree, while others report crop damage and human health issues. One pivotal point of debate is which federal and state agencies have jurisdiction and the power to set enforceable guidelines. At stake are millions of acres that have already been sprayed, along with the future of non-GMO farms inadvertently contaminated by the dicamba sprayed on genetically modified crops that need the poison to survive.

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Monsanto Still Gaming the System

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Sealife Sanctuary Greenpeace Lobbies to Create Huge Antarctic Preserve

The South Pole is Earth’s last uninhabited outpost, and Greenpeace seeks to establish an Antarctic sanctuary of almost three-quarters of a million square miles in the Weddell Sea adjacent to the vast continent that would protect whales, penguins and other wildlife.

The nonprofit has called for governments to show greater vision and ambition. Frida Bengtsson, head of the Greenpeace Antarctic campaign, states, “Over the next 12 months, we have an opportunity to make history: to create an Antarctic Ocean sanctuary which would be the largest protected area on Earth.” She notes that it would also ensure healthier oceans that soak up carbon dioxide to moderate climate change.

The proposal, submitted by the European Union and promoted by the German government, will be considered in October by the governmental bodies responsible for managing the Antarctic marine environment. It follows the successful adoption of the Ross Sea sanctuary in 2016.

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The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark. ~Michelangelo

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Movie Producer Seeks Input About Cellular Radiation

movie producer who is documenting the possible health effects of cellular radiation is seeking input from people who suspect they’ve developed cancer or other illnesses as a result of cell phone use or living near a cell tower.

Many people stay in close contact with their cell phones constantly—holding them to the head, keeping them in pockets or bras and even sleeping with them. A growing body of independent, peer-reviewed published science is concluding that such habits increase the risk of brain tumors, salivary gland tumors, thyroid cancer, testicular cancer, fetal damage, neurological problems and other serious health issues, says Ellie Marks, director of the California Brain Tumors Association, who is helping col-

lect personal stories for the project.

“The FCC requires this information be given to the end user, but it’s well hidden in the phone or manual, which few see. There are simple precautions one can take—using speaker, putting the phone on airplane mode when kept in a pocket or bra, and turning it off at night. Children are far more susceptible and should only use cell phones in an emergency,” she says.

The producer is also interested in hearing from people who believe they have suffered mental health or addiction issues from the use of wireless devices.

To participate, contact Marks at 925-285-5437 or CABrainTumor@gmail. com.

February 2018

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Overcoming the Pain of Shingles and Genital & Oral Herpes From the Desk of Dr. Howard Robins at The Healing Center in New York City

Did You Have Chickenpox or a “Cold Sore”?

Recurrent outbreaks may occur from time to time, especially in times of stress, using alcohol, or when eating foods high in a protein called L-arginine, found commonly in nuts and chocolate, among other foods.

Most everyone answers “yes” to this question. If you answered yes, then you have a herpes infection. Both types of viral infections are easily transIt Can Be Eliminated! ferred by contact with someone that has a current Treatments with antivirals can reduce outbreaks and outbreak. You likely may have both! may alleviate the severity of symptomatic episodes but Dr. Howard Robins

Herpes zoster (HZ), commonly known as will not get rid of the infection. Medical ozone is the shingles, is a viral disease characterized by a painonly medicine known to destroy and rid the body of this horrible ful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, infection. often in a stripe. The initial infection causes the illness chickenpox, Please don’t believe the commercials on television saying you which usually occurs in children and young adults. Once the chickcan never get rid of it. Though with no promises or guarantees, enpox is gone, the virus is not eliminated from the body and can go medical ozone has been used all over the world to treat infections on to cause shingles. HZ is not the same disease as herpes simplex that normally cannot be fixed, i.e., herpes in all its forms. Medical type 1 and 2, despite the similar name, though both HZ and herpes ozone is a gas that when it enters the body intravenously acts like simplex belong to the same viral family. “glue” to all viruses, bacteria, fungus, yeast and mold. It destroys or

HZ becomes dormant in some of our nerve cells without inactivates them so the body can remove them completely. causing any symptoms. Many years after a chickenpox infection,

Most importantly, medical ozone does it without harmful the virus may break out of nerve cells and cause a viral infection of adverse reactions or side effects so typical with pharmaceuticals. the skin in the area around the nerve. The virus may spread from In more than 50 countries, over 45,000 physicians have been usone nerve to another causing a painful rash. Although the rash usuing it worldwide for over 70 years to successfully and safely treat ally heals within two to four weeks, most people experience nerve diseases such as herpes. pain for months or years, a condition called “postherpetic neural So, don’t give up hope and don’t wait! It is absolutely possible gia.” In the past, outbreaks usually occurred in the elderly, but now to eliminate herpes from your body. To learn more about medical it is common for anyone at any age that is under great stress or has ozone therapy, visit OzoneUniversity.com or buy a copy of Ozone a compromised immune system.

Therapy: The Miracle Medicine, available at GaryNull.com, which Herpes simplex 1 and 2 cause the oral or genital forms of what we has testimonials on its benefits and effectiveness. commonly simply call “herpes.” It also spreads in a way similar to the HZ virus. Herpes simplex is a viral disease caused by both herFor more information, call Dr. Howard Robins at pes simplex virus type 1 and 2. Oral herpes, the visible symptoms 212-581-0101. Robins is considered the foremost clinical expert of which are often called cold sores or fever blisters, is an infection on the use of medical ozone in North America, with more than of the face or mouth. Oral herpes is the most common form and 22 years of clinical practice and 185,000 treatments performed. genital herpes is the second most common form of infection. HowBring in this article or the ad from page 3 for a $50 discount off ever, both types can be found both orally and genitally! your initial consultation.

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RISING ABOVE

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ADVERSITY How to Strengthen Your Resilience Muscle

by April Thompson

At one time or another, an estimated 70 percent of people experience a life-altering traumatic event, and most grow stronger from surviving it, according to decades of research by leading institutions like Harvard and Yale universities and the University of Pennsylvania.

We can prepare now for life’s inevitable hurdles and setbacks by developing the skills and tools of resilience.

I

“

t’s an incredibly hopeful message: We can go through the most terrible things imaginable and still get through to a better place,” says David B. Feldman, associate professor of counseling psychology at California’s Santa Clara University and co-author with Lee Daniel Kravetz of Supersurvivors: The Surprising Link Between Suffering and Success.

Such researchers have found that, like elastic stretched beyond its normal limits, people often don’t just bounce back to their old form, but stretch and expand in new ways. The pair conducted in-depth case studies of survivors of extreme traumatic experiences that went on to do bold things. Just one case in point: After losing a leg in a car accident, college basketball player Casey Pieretti reinvented himself as a successful Hollywood stuntman.

According to many studies, 60 to 80 percent of people grow in some way from personal trauma, known as “post-traumatic growth”, according to Feldman. “It can be as simple as appreciating each day more. It can mean deepening relationships. It may result in a renewed sense of spirituality.

Or, it might take one’s life in a dramatically different direction,” he says.

Ila Eckhoff, a financial executive in New York City, has experienced more than her share of challenges: developing cerebral palsy as a toddler, enduring

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website address

12 childhood surgeries, losing her mother at age 11 and four years ago, her husband.

“All of the struggles and losses brought me here, now,” says Eckhoff. “Nobody ever said life was easy. We have greater appreciation for the things that we had to struggle to achieve.”

Choosing self-directedness instead of self-pity in the face of challenges differentiates those that thrive from those that merely survive, observes Catherine Morisset, a life coach from Ottawa, Canada, who specializes in resilience. “It’s taking responsibility for life and managing the way you want to live it. We all have choices, even in the face of difficulty,” she says.

Mastering an Optimal Outlook

“Challenges don’t define you. How you respond does,” remarks Doug Hensch, an executive coach and author of Positively Resilient: 5½ Secrets to Beat Stress, Overcome Obstacles, February 2018

15

and Defeat Anxiety. He attests that having Forces instructors and civilians. They found a growth mindset is vital, focusing on people that rebounded strongly often shared strengths without disregarding areas needcommon attributes, including embracing a ing improvement. spiritual outlook and social network.

Maintaining a balanced outlook that’s

In 2013, Damon Redd, of Boulder, realistic, yet positive, enables individuals to Colorado, awoke to a severe flooding move on from trauma. For supersurvivors, event, with his home and business burbeing pragmatic serves them far better ied under five feet of mud and water that than a false sense of optimism about bad nearly wiped out his clothing business, situations, Feldman found, Kind Design, overnight.

Parents do a saying, “They grieved loss“It was the hardest thing es, but thought realistically disservice to their I’ve ever gone through, about what to do next.” to lose everything I had kids when they

“Optimism in the built. It also gave me a try to remove best sense is focusing on new perspective on what’s adversity from their important. It made me the positive without denying the negative, while aware that you can replace lives. When little focusing on what’s in your physical things, but you things go wrong, control,” notes Hensch. rather than rush to can’t replace memories.

Martin Seligman, My mind was blown away fix it, let the kids known as the “father of by the support I received.” figure out a solution. positive psychology”, Redd ended up paying found that when people They’ll realize it’s not forward the kindness. “We take setbacks personthe end of the world. cleaned and repaired 1,500 ally, viewing them as pairs of gloves in our in~Doug Hensch permanent, pervasive and ventory that were damaged personal, they develop a that day, and are donating sense of learned helplessness that inhibits them to search-and-rescue teams and ski growth and happiness. “It’s important not patrols. The more good you do, the more to ‘catastrophize’ or generalize a failure and good other people will do,” Redd professes. extend it to other areas of life,” says Dr. Ste Altruism and owning a moral code is ven M. Southwick, a professor of psychiatry another common characteristic of resilient at Yale University School of Medicine who individuals, according to Southwick. Havfocuses on post-traumatic stress disorder ing a purpose is a huge indicator of whether and resilience. a person will rise to the occasion. “You can endure almost anything if you have a mission, or believe what you are doing has meaning. It Make Caring Connections gives you great strength,” he says.

Social networks are critical in the face of challenges, resilience experts agree. “When

In 2016, Bobbi Huffman lost her high we are wronged or feel unsafe, it’s natural to school sweetheart and husband to suicide a few withdraw when we should do the opposite,” days before Valentine’s Day. As she began to says Feldman. “It’s also not the number of process the tragedy, she saw two choices ahead: friends you have, or even how much time “Drop into a deep depression and give up or you spend with them, that matters. All you focus on our deep love for one another, get into need is at least one person you can count on.” therapy, and make a difference by inspiring, en “We are built to be connected with oth- couraging and helping others,” says Huffman. ers. It has a significant impact in regulating

She chose the latter, asking for professional help and signing up for the 16-mile stress,” says Southwick, a co-author of Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Overnight Walk for Suicide Prevention, in New Challenges, from West Haven, Connecticut.

York City. “Getting into the best shape of my Over the past two decades, Southwick and life at age 50 became my passion. As I walked his colleagues have studied three groups through the night, I reflected on our beautiful that have come through harrowing events: memories as a couple. It was an amazing, healbeing Vietnam War prisoners, Special ing experience,” reflects Huffman.

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RESILIENCE RESOURCES

Helpful Organizations

OptionB.org provides a supportive space online for survivors of trauma and adversity to share stories, connect with others and get help from experts.

LearningConnection.Stanford.edu/ Resilience-Project normalizes setbacks and failures as part and parcel of professional and personal growth, and provides Stanford University students and faculty a platform to swap stories and coping strategies.

Resilience.Education.UTexas.edu conveys an interactive e-learning platform developed by the University of Texas at Austin to foster a better understanding of resilience and develop related skills.

Films and Books

Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story documents the journey of chef and outdoorsman Eduardo Garcia, whose life changed irrevocably when he was jolted with 2,400 volts of electricity while hiking in Montana. Garcia lost his hand, ribs and muscle mass, but survived the injury with the help of his former partner, and became an athlete and speaker for the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

Unbroken depicts the life of Olympian and war hero Louis Zamperini, who survived 47 days on a raft after a near-fatal plane crash in World War II, only to be captured by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp. The film is based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Laura Hillenbrand, herself the survivor of a disabling chronic illness.

The 33 tells the true tale of 33 miners trapped inside a mine in San Jose, Chile, for more than two months, the longest such entrapment in history. All were rescued alive.

Wild is based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir of her solo hike of 1,000-plus miles on the Pacific Crest Trail without any training, following the loss of her mother and marriage.

Forgiveness—whether for others or ourself—is another key to help us move forward, reports Feldman. “Often, people can get stuck in blame, but resentment keeps people shackled to the past. If and when a person is ready to forgive, widespread research indicates that it can lead to better health outcomes.”

Strengthening Our Resilience Muscle Experts point out that there isn’t any one perfect formula or single must-have trait for building resilience, and none we can’t develop.

Learning a skill like mindfulness is an easy place to start.

“Resilient people don’t try to avoid stress, but learn how to manage and master it,” says Southwick. “Mindfulness meditation requires practice, but through it, you can learn to regulate emotions and relax the nervous system.”

Eckhoff practices mindfulness several times a day with a one-minute gratitude meditation. “I have five things I am most grateful for. I close my eyes, take a deep breath and say them. It brings me focus, reduces stress and reminds me of how lucky I am,” she says.

Morisset suggests making incremental changes to strengthen our resilience muscles.

“Success builds success and failure builds failure, so do something you know you can accomplish and build on that,” she counsels.

Writing can also be a good coping tool, according to Hensch. “Just write about your emotions. It’s amazing how much you can learn about yourself and how calming it can be.”

Good times are the best times to begin “resilience training” notes Hensch. “I sought out a therapist once I had turned the corner after my divorce and was dating someone and my business was taking off. It was precisely because I knew something else would likely happen, and I wanted to be better prepared for it,” he recalls.

Applying positive self-talk when something blindsides us helps, as does not expecting to handle things perfectly. “There’s nothing wrong with just staying afloat when you’re in the middle of trauma or adversity. One key to happiness in life is just managing expectations. It’s okay to be anxious, sad and worried at times—in fact, it’s healthy,” says Hensch.

Hardships are just that: hard. However, with time and experience, resilient individuals

come to trust their ability to get through them, large and small. “Resiliency is not about how you bounce back from a single traumatic event; it’s how you respond every day to the challenges that life presents,” Eckhoff has learned.

“Repetitive use of this ‘muscle’ builds strength and enables you to do more and sometimes, the impossible.”

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

Love yourself.

It is important to stay positive because

beauty comes from the inside out. ~Jenn Proske

February 2018

17

healing ways

clue.” But that doesn’t call for rigidly adhering to a particular type of meditation forever.

Dean Drobot/Shutterstock.com

Assess Benefits

MEDITATION THAT WORKS

Tips for Finding the Right Practice

M

by April Thompson

ore Americans than ever before are seeking the benefits of meditation, which notably improves mental, physical and spiritual health. Choosing from its many styles and traditions can be daunting for a new meditator, as is figuring out how to incorporate such a practice into a busy life.

Universal Appeal “Meditation is for people of all spiritual backgrounds. As a tool to develop awareness, it can enhance what you already believe and practice,” assures Diana Lang, the Los Angeles author of Opening to Meditation: A Gentle, Guided Approach and a spiritual counselor who has taught meditation for 37 years.

For Jackie Trottmann, a Christian author from St. Louis, Missouri, there is no contradiction between a meditation practice and her faith; rather, they complement one another.

For her, “Prayer is like talking to God, whereas meditation is listening to God. Before I came to meditation, I had been doing all the talking.”

She came to meditation during a trying period working in sales and marketing. “When a friend gave me a meditation CD, I popped it in after a stressful conference call and felt instantly calmed. Ten years later, meditation has gone beyond quieting the mind; it’s sunk into my heart and spirit,” says Trottmann, who went on to publish her 18

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own CDs at GuidedChristianMeditation.com.

“I came to meditation tired of habitual suffering and stress, and wanting to be happier,” says Bill Scheinman, a coach in MindfulnessBased Stress Reduction (MBSR), which he refers to as “mindfulness practice without the Buddhist jargon.” The Oakland, California, instructor has taught mindfulness in settings ranging from corporations to prisons, drawing from a range of meditative disciplines and 23 years of intensive practice.

Begin Modestly “Millions are seeking more mindfulness through meditation, but don’t know how to go about it,” says Sean Fargo, a Berkeley, California, meditation instructor and former Buddhist monk.

“The key is to take baby steps, like going to the gym for the first time. Start by practicing a few minutes a day; just pay attention to something such as the sensations of breathing, without judgment.”

“Having taught meditation to tens of thousands of people, I would say the most common issue is that beginning meditators don’t think they’re doing it right. It’s important not to judge yourself or have loaded expectations about the experience,” notes Lang. She suggests starting wherever we are right now, adding, “Whatever book, class or teacher you first stumble upon is a

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“Shop around and try different things, but at some point, you will begin to discover what works for you,” advises Scheinman.

In trying to decide which meditation practice is right for us, “Go with what feels juicy,” says Fargo, who founded MindfulnessExercises.com, offering 1,500 free mindfulness meditations, worksheets and talks. “You’re more likely to do what feels alive and enlivening.”

The act of meditating can be uncomfortable, but the challenges are part of its power.

Scheinman remarks. “If you establish a daily practice, eventually, you will become more clear-headed, kinder and happier. That’s how you know your practice is working—not how you feel during meditation itself.” Consistency is key. It’s not effective to only meditate when you feel good, he says.

Overview of Options Mindfulness practices go by many names, from vipassana to MBSR, and can be done sitting or walking, but all are focused on cultivating moment-to-moment awareness. “Mindfulness is about being aware: deliberately paying attention to body sensations, thoughts and emotions.

Focused attention is on the body, heart and mind,” explains Scheinman.

Guided visualization differs from most forms of meditation in that the meditator is intentionally creating a mental image, typically one of a peaceful, beautiful place. Typically, the goal of a guided visualization is deep relaxation and stress reduction.

Mantra meditations involve continuous repetition of a word, phrase or sound, drawing spiritual power from the sound’s vibration, as well as its meaning. Many mantras are uttered in a tradition’s native language, such as shanti, meaning peace in Sanskrit. Teachers like Lang prefer to use mantras in English that meditators can more easily grasp, such as, “Love is the way.”

Breathing meditation. Meditation experts say our ever-present breath is a sound foundation for a meditation practice, as well as an easy place to start. “Tapping into the power of our breath is vital; it cleanses our system,” says Trottmann.

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

inspiration

SELF-LOVE

by Charlie Chaplin

A

s I began to love myself, I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.

Today, I know, this is AUTHENTICITY. As I began to love myself, I understood how much it can offend somebody as I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me.

Today I call it RESPECT. As I began to love myself, I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.

Today I call it MATURITY. As I began to love myself, I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment.

So I could be calm.

Igor Brisker/Shutterstock.com

Today I call it SELF-CONFIDENCE. As I began to love myself, I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future.

Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm.

Today I call it SIMPLICITY. As I began to love myself, I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health—food, people, things, situations and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism.

Today I know it is LOVE OF ONESELF. As I began to love myself, I quit trying to always be right, and ever since, I was wrong less of the time.

Today I discovered that is MODESTY. As I began to love myself, I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening.

Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it FULFILLMENT. As I began to love myself, I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally.

Today I call this connection WISDOM OF THE HEART. We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others.

Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born.

Today I know that is LIFE. Chaplin’s World museum, in Switzerland, opened in 2016 (ChaplinsWorld.com/en).

Make Love Your Priority

by Dr. Michael Mongno

W

e all want to experience more love and happiness, yet sometimes we fail to connect the role we ourselves play in its creation and maintenance. We know it’s best to engage with love in our hearts, but often that’s easy to forget when we’re caught in emotionally challenging situations. Yet at any moment, we can choose once again to love. Begin by first forgiving yourself (for forgetting), then forgiving your partner (for everything) and then start to practice loving actions even in the midst of the tension filled drama.

When we try our best to be considerate of others’ feelings and can extend the benefit of the doubt, we prioritize people differently with our thoughts and actions. By leading with unconditional positive regard it’s natural to follow through with loving actions of kindness. These actions can include showing physical and emotional affection as well as demonstrating engaged presence. This means truly being present in your listening to another as well as consistently responding with empathy and compassion, thus building greater trust. Try being the partner you’d like to meet in the world and watch miracles happen in all of your relationships.

Dr. Michael Mongno is the founder of PresentCenteredTherapies.com.

Awarded 2015 Best Business of NY for Counseling & Mental Health.

February 2018

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Foods Our Heart Will Love

4

Pumpkin seeds. High in mag-

Top 10 Heart Healthy Choices

by Judith Fertig

H

“

ow do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning once penned this unforgettable line to her husband and fellow poet, Robert Browning.

Let us also count the ways to improve our loved ones’ heart health: Lower blood pressure. Modulate irregular heartbeats.

Avoid plaque build-up in arteries. Improve blood flow to the heart.

We can love our hearts with 10 superfoods that just might make perfect ingredients for a Valentine’s Day meal, starting with dark chocolate.

1

Cocoa powder. Cacao’s flavanols lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of stroke and act as antioxidants to prevent inflammation. Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, a physician, doctor of public health and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School affiliate Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, confirms, “Between 400 and 900 milligrams (mg) a day of cocoa flavanols may favorably affect several mechanisms and pathways related to cardiovascular disease prevention.”

Not all chocolate is created equal.

Manson recommends chocolate with cocoa or cacao as the first ingredient, not sugar. She 20

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and her colleagues are currently conducting the Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study, a large-scale, randomized study of 18,000 U.S. men and women testing the benefits of ingesting 600 mg per day of cocoa flavanols.

2

Raspberries.

Just one-half cup of berries a day can provide plenty of phytonutrients and antioxidants for decreasing inflammation and preventing heart disease, says Wendy Bazilian, a doctor of public health and registered dietitian in San Diego, and author of The SuperFoodsRx Diet: Lose Weight with the Power of SuperNutrients.

“Whirl them into a breakfast smoothie, add them to a green salad or combine them with dark chocolate for a tasty, heart-healthy dessert,” she advises.

3

nesium—about 764 mg per cup— roasted pumpkin seeds, or pepitas, top the list of heart-healthy nuts and seeds.

Magnesium is an important electrolyte that helps the heart fire on all cylinders and not skip a beat. Improvements in lipid profiles can occur with a daily intake of 365 mg, or about a half-cup, of pepitas. Enjoy roasted pumpkin seeds as a snack or scatter them in a salad, bowl of chili or soup for a delicious crunch.

5

Avocados. Fresh avocados supply

magnesium, plus they’re a good source of potassium, another electrolyte the heart needs for optimum functioning. “You probably know bananas and citrus fruits are top sources of potassium, but I like avocados because they also supply healthy fats,” says Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra, a boardcertified cardiologist with the HeartMD Institute, in Manchester, Connecticut.

6

Salmon.

Full of omega-3 fatty acids, wild-caught salmon (about two six-ounce weekly servings) helps reduce systemic inflammation and risk of developing atherosclerosis, hypertension and stroke, according to Dr. Josh Axe, of Nashville, Tennessee. Beyond prevention, omega-3s in oily fish are also

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7

Almonds. Sinatra recommends a handful of almonds a day to raise HDL, a form of “good” cholesterol he likens to a “lipid garbage truck” that picks up oxidized “bad” LDL in the bloodstream and carries it to the liver for processing.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. Cold-pressed extra-

virgin olive oil with a high phenol content can help lower blood pressure (via about two tablespoons daily), make more efficient and pro-

Anna Hoychuk/Shutterstock.com

widely known to treat atherosclerosis, normalize heart rhythms and help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as significantly lower the risk of stroke.

conscious eating

tective HDL cholesterol, and protect the inner lining of arteries.

8

Beet Juice.

A 2015 study in the journal Hypertension found that two daily eight-ounce glasses of beet juice can help reduce high blood pressure. Beets contain a natural dietary nitrate found in previous studies to lower high blood pressure. Enjoy beet juice in smoothies, as a tart drink known as a “shrub” (beet juice with raspberry vinegar) or in soups like borscht.

9

Garlic. Allicin, the

sulfur compound that gives garlic its distinctive aroma, helps keep blood thin and flowing optimally, says Sinatra. The freshest chopped garlic offers the best benefits, according to a study from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

10

Pomegranate. Drinking about one cup of pomegranate juice a day for three months can improve blood flow to the heart, reports a study in the American Journal of Cardiology.

The ultimate reason of all to keep our hearts in good working order was voiced by Helen Keller: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”

Judith Fertig writes cookbooks and foodie fiction from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).

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To have new experiences?

To transform stagnant situations?

To reinvigorate a project or dream?

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Elly Molina, International Mindpower Consultant returns to New York City after several years of living in the Pacific Northwest.

February 2018

21

wise words

Mark Rosenfeld’s Secrets for Successful Love Matches

by Alison James

A

ustralian author, speaker and dating coach Mark Rosenfeld knows firsthand the challenges of navigating romantic relationships.

After struggling with shyness, he took on a confidence-boosting job as an exotic dancer in 2011, working with men at both ends of the assertiveness spectrum. In this milieu, he gained a better understanding of men’s thoughts and actions related to women.

Through his career as a dancer while in his own satisfying relationship, Rosenfeld also personally communicated with about 50,000 women, many of which opened up about their own trials and tribulations with dating.

A resident of Brisbane, Rosenfeld launched the website MakeHimYours.com. au in 2014, sharing what he’s learned in order to help women stop experiencing frustrations in dating and start attracting healthy, happy relationships. He’s also participated in the conversation at The Good Men Project on what enlightened masculinity means in the 21st century.

What are the greatest misconceptions women have about men?

Why do both genders need to nurture their feminine energy?

Both genders face significant, yet different, challenges, and so believe the other gender has it easier. Men want to feel cared for and heard. Many are terrified to approach a woman; they fear rejection or not being a good enough provider. Often, when a woman perceives that a man needs space, it’s his fears and insecurities that are keeping him from deeper intimacy.

What mistakes do women make in the courtship phase?

Women often get ahead of themselves in the dating stage, instead of taking enough time to let things unfold. I tell women 22

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to slow down and date multiple men to counter that tendency. It’s also good to “widen the funnel” and date different types of men, especially if you seem to attract the so-called “wrong” type. Keep deep emotions and commitments out of the courtship phase, while you discover who someone is and if they are right for you.

As a man, I can spend too much time on my masculine energy and be too logical and focused on end results. I can lose a sense of self, presence and connection with the present moment. Meditation is one entry point; I find practicing a martial art is grounding, as is spending quality time with a woman.

If an individual spends too much time in either energy, imbalance occurs; everyone has to find their own equilibrium.

What are good ways to practice self-care while seeking and sustaining a relationship?

Find activities in your day that make you feel nurtured, happy and good about your-

na-newyorkcity.com

self. Take care of your health, home and friendships. Exercise some independence.

Make your life fulfilling, so that men want to be part of your exciting days.

How can we best navigate the world of online dating and other means of meeting potential mates?

It starts with your mindset. If you think you will be on a dating site for three weeks and find a mate, don’t bother. Be prepared to engage for a minimum of six to 12 months.

Consider bad dates as reasons to laugh.

Think of it as “online introducing”. It’s up to you to quickly get past the chat stage to real communication and real dates. Online potential mates don’t have a “vibe” for you like they do in person. I suggest talking with prospects on the phone and keeping first dates short. Keep an open mind to recognize prospects you might otherwise overlook.

Online dating is a supplement, not a substitute, for meeting compatible men or women in real life. You should be tapping networks of friends, family and colleagues to make connections, as well as being open to meeting potential mates at public events.

Which signs indicate that a dating prospect wants to pursue a genuine relationship?

Emotional momentum, combined with consistency, is an important sign. Anyone can put in effort for a little while; but do they periodically disappear? No one wants someone they feel a connection with to physically or emotionally wander away, or risk the object of their affection thinking they aren’t interested. Make sure they are reciprocating the effort you put in.

Prioritizing is another sign; a person will find a way to see someone they care about. A key third sign is integration. They will want to respectfully integrate you into their world more and more, introducing you to friends, family and work colleagues.

Look for this overall pattern to continue over time. It’s vital to let people prove themselves with their actions.

Alison James is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C.

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23

Banishing Body-Image Blues

How Teens Can Learn to Love Their Looks

by Amber Lanier Nagle

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any young women don’t feel comfortable in their own skin. A 21st-century global study sponsored by Unilever’s Dove brand found that 90 percent of girls from 15 to 17 years old wanted to change at least one aspect of their physical appearance, especially their body weight.

University of Minnesota research following

adolescents for 10 years showed that about half of the female participants had dieted in the previous year, twice the number of males.

Tracy Anderson, a mother of two and fitness expert, has spent the last 18 years working with women seeking balance in their bodies. In her

recent book, Total Teen: Tracy Anderson’s Guide to Health, Happiness, and Ruling Your World, she observes, “Teens are depleted from comparing themselves to the shapes of others and from scolding themselves: ‘I should be thinner, I should be able to fit in those pants, I should be in better shape.’ But looking good on the outside must start with feeling good on the inside.”

Monitor Thoughts

Anderson believes we feel most happy and fulfilled and accomplish the most when our minds are calm, clear and alert.

“If young women learn to connect with their mind, identify when their thoughts are anxious or stressed, and practice conscious breathing and meditating to regain a calm, centered state, they’ll be able to rebalance themselves for the rest of their lives,” she says. “By keeping a thought journal for a while and noticing when their thoughts have negative undertones, they can retrain their attitude.”

Live a complaint-free day once each week. Every time a negative thought pops up, expel it and focus on a positive aspect of the idea or experience. Also invest a few moments each day feeling thankful for successful aspects of life. “After a while, these exercises become habitual,” says Anderson. “Happy, high-achieving people fill their minds with positive, uplifting thoughts, affirmations and sincere gratitude. It’s widely proven to work.”

Eat Well

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“Most teens can eat junk food all day long and still wake up the next morning ready to take on the world,” Anderson says. But such an unhealthy routine “shapes eating patterns for the rest of their lives, eventually catching up with them.”

She strongly believes every young woman should routinely ask herself, “Is this real food?”

“A potato is a real food, or whole food, but instant mashed potatoes are processed. A fresh ear of corn is a whole food; corn chips are processed. If you want to feel strong and healthy and look great, eat whole foods,” says Anderson.

Also, note how the body responds to eating specific foods. Here again, a journal

Lopolo/Shutterstock.com

healthy kids

can help. “Jot down how a food made you feel after 15 minutes, an hour and two hours. Are you alert or sluggish? What signals are your stomach and brain sending? It’s useful information to make better ongoing food choices,” Anderson advises. She also advocates drinking plenty of water and eating organic foods when possible, and warns teens against skipping meals or snacks when their developing bodies feel the need for fuel.

Move More

For some teens, exercise movements don’t feel comfortable or natural, which hinders them from doing healthful exercise. “I’ve found that if a young woman practices exercises for a while privately, she’ll become more comfortable and confident over time,” says Anderson. “It’s like learning a foreign language, musical instrument or any skill. You master the basics first and build on them. With practice, you start feeling more at ease.”

In her book, Anderson offers many step-by-step, illustrated workout moves designed to daily tone arms, legs and abs, and increase strength and flexibility. Many incorporate fun dance components that work well with music.

“Regular exercise releases endorphins—the hormones that make us feel happier and better about ourselves,” she says.

“For young women navigating the emotional ups and downs associated with menstrual cycles and puberty, exercise can be a lifesaver.” Whether it’s yoga, walking, martial arts, dancing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, climbing, skiing, gymnastics or tennis, teens need to find “some kind of movement and activity to become part of their everyday life.”

A University of Wisconsin meta-analysis of 77 studies examining women’s body images suggests body dissatisfaction is a risk factor for eating disorders and a significant predictor of low self-esteem, depression and obesity. Helping young women build, strengthen or regain their positive body image and selfesteem works to empower a new generation and enables them to enjoy happier, healthier lives.

Amber Lanier Nagle is a freelance writer in Northwest Georgia (AmberNagle.com).

Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful. ~Zig Ziglar

February 2018

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Glynnis Jones/Shutterstock.com

natural pet

Do-Good Dogs Do Almost Anything

Service Animals Train to Help People in Need

S

by Sandra Murphy

ervice dogs help an aging population live full lives in spite of limitations, no matter the size, age or breed of dog.

Plus, hundreds of thousands of canines make living with disabilities both possible and more pleasant.

The Rules “Service dogs don’t eat on duty, and should be on the floor, not put in a handbag or shopping cart,” advises Maggie Sims, project manager for the Rocky Mountain Americans with Disabilities Act Center, in Colorado Springs. “If the dog disrupts business, the person can be asked to remove the animal and then return. Emotionalsupport dogs are not provided for by the disabilities act, because the dog does not perform a specific task.

“We get calls from people concerned about fake service dogs when owners try to bring them into places where pets generally aren’t allowed. Usually, they’re the ones that behave badly,” Sims says. Service animals are not required to wear a special vest or have documentation.

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Educating the Public A motorcycle accident left Matthew Smith dependent on using a wheelchair or crutches. An administrator at Comcast Cable, in Baltimore, Maryland, Smith relies on his pit bull, Jericho, to fetch dropped items, open doors and help him maintain balance.

“Gravity is my specialty,” he jokes. “If I fall, he braces me so I can get up. Moving about stresses my shoulders, so Jericho pulls the wheelchair on days when I’m in pain.”

Although working service dogs should not be petted or approached, Smith tells Jericho, “Go say ‘Hi,’” if someone asks to approach him. “Pit bulls have an undeserved bad reputation, so I’ll take a minute to let people meet him to change that perception. When Jericho is the subject of conversation, it also takes the spotlight off of me,” he says.

Jericho was trained by Apryl Lea, a certified assistance dog trainer for the Animal Farm Foundation’s Assistance Dog Program, in Kingston, New York. She explains, “The pit bulls I train are from shelters, and must be good with people and other

Overcoming Obstacles

When someone brings a dog into a place of business, we can legally ask only two short questions: “Is this animal needed for a disability?” and “What tasks has the animal been trained to do in relation to the disability?”

“When a counter is too high, a service dog can pass money to the cashier. Dogs will pull a rope to open a heavy door. In the event of seizures or fainting, our dogs react based on location; at home, they find another family member, but in public, will stay with their person,” Lea says.

The muscles of a patient with Parkinson’s disease may freeze while walking. Dogs brace against a resulting fall or touch the person to help unfreeze the muscles. Tethered to an autistic child, the dog provides distraction from repetitive behaviors like flapping hands or crying, while keeping the child in a safe area. Some dogs are trained to track the child, as well, in case of escape. Likewise, dogs can give Alzheimer’s disease patients a bit of freedom without getting lost.

Sounding Alerts Hearing dogs alert their hearing-impaired person to the sound of a doorbell or ringing phone. In the car, they’ll nudge the driver with a paw if they hear a siren.

Riley the Chihuahua’s job is caring for Jennifer Wise, an aromatherapist and owner of Enchanted Essence, in Toledo, Ohio. Wise has a neurological disease that affects her legs and makes

her prone to falls. “Riley’s trained to bark for help if I am unable to get up,” she explains. “If barking fails, he’ll grab someone’s pant leg or shoelaces and pull in my direction. He’s small, but determined.”

Michelle Renard, a stay-at-home mom in Woodstock, Georgia, relies on Mossy, a goldendoodle trained by Canine Assistants, in nearby Alpharetta, to detect high- and lowblood sugar levels. “She’s never wrong,” says Renard.

Comfort and Joy Linda Blick, president and co-founder of Tails of Hope Foundation, in Orange County, New York, observes, “A veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder may not show outward symptoms, but have anxiety.

Dogs are trained to turn on the lights, lick their person’s face or apply reassuring pressure by lying across their person’s chest to bring them out of night tremors.

“One of our veterans was so uncomfortable in public, it was difficult for him to even speak to the veterinarian about his dog’s torn knee ligament,” Blick explains.

“For the sake of the dog, he managed to discuss care, a big step for him.”

As Sims states, “True service dogs literally give people with disabilities their lives back.”

Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.

Service Dog Resources TO CONTACT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT CENTERS: Ten centers serve the U.S. and calls are directed to the one closest to the caller.

Call 800-949-4232 or visit adata.org.

TO SUPPORT THE TAILS OF HOPE FOUNDATION: This nonprofit provides critical and lifesaving help to veterans, first responders and search-and-rescue teams. Operating on donations, it covers the cost of purchasing a trained dog, as well as lifetime veterinary care when necessary.

TailsOfHope.org LEARN ABOUT DOGS TRAINED FOR SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Parkinson’s disease – Davis Phinney Foundation at Tinyurl.com/HelpingPaw ForParkinsons Disabled children – 4PawsForAbility.org Alzheimer’s disease/dementia – Rover. com/canine-caregivers-dementia-alzheimers Sight-impaired – GuideDogs.org SAMPLE SERVICE-DOG VIDEOS: A pit bull-lab mix that saves a veteran having a seizure: Tinyurl.com/Dog SavesVeteran A pug that helps a veteran with posttraumatic stress: Tinyurl.com/Dog CalmsPTSD

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New York City Edition

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calendar of events

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26

NOTE: If you would like to add your event to our calendar, please email publisher@na-newyorkcity.com for guidelines. View our entire calendar online at na-newyorkcity.com

FRI, FEB 2-SAT, FEB 3

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Chenrezig Empowerment and Instruction on Meditation Practice – Friday, 7-9pm; Saturday, 10am-1pm. Join Glenn Mullin for a powerful journey in Dharma. On Friday, he will give Chenrezig Empowerment from the Tangtong Gyalpo Lineage and on Saturday will give instruction on meditation practice. He is a Tibetologist, Buddhist writer, translator of classical Tibetan literature and teacher of Tantric Buddhist meditation. As well as leading tour groups to the Buddhist power places of Nepal and Tibet, Glenn acts as consultant and advisor to independent groups wanting to travel safely and meaningfully through these sacred sites. Eastover Estate and Retreat, 430 East St, Lenox, MA. 866-264-5139 or eastover.com.

Question and Answer Session at Metro Integrative Pharmacy – 4-7pm. Meet the representative from Thorne Research who will be on hand to provide insightful questions and answers about their product line and about supplements. Come in for consultations with any of our licensed practitioners and see all that Thorne Research or any of our extensive nutritional supplement products in stock have to offer you and your health.

Metro Integrative pharmacy, 931 Lexington Ave (between 68th and 69th Sts), New York, NY. 212-794-7200, concierge@metrointegrative.com, @metrointegrative (Facebook, Instagram) or metrointegrative.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4

“Masters in Residence Series” – Taichi for Health – Masters in Residence is when professional Qigong/ Taichi instructors reside on Eastover premises for a period of time to share the life-changing benefits of Qigong and Taichi. We are happy to welcome back Master Terence Dunn, who just finished his fall residence here. In this 3-day immersive workshop, you will learn the essential postures and body mechanics that will give beginners a solid foundation, while enabling experienced players of all levels to advance their practice. Step-by-step instruction will be provided.

“Whoever practice Tai Chi Chuan regularly will gain the pliability of a child, the vitality of a lumberjack, and the wisdom of a sage.” – Ancient Chinese Adage.

Eastover Estate and Retreat, 430 East St, Lenox, MA. 866-264-5139 or eastover.com/workshop.

Miracles in Manhattan – 1:30-4pm. Miracles in Manhattan is an ongoing monthly class based on the wisdom of A Course in Miracles taught by Jon Mundy, Ph.D. Introduced to the Course by its scribe Dr. Helen Schucman in 1975, Jon has been an active student/teacher ever since. Classes are “usually” the 2nd Sunday of every month, 1:30-4:00pm at the Center for Remembering and Sharing, 123 4th Ave, New York, NY. Visit us at miraclesmagazine.org or call 845-496-9089.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Question and Answer Session at Metro Integrative Pharmacy – 4-7pm. Meet the representative from Quality of Life who will be on hand to provide insightful questions and answers about supplements and their product line. Come in for consultations with any of our licensed practitioners and see all that Quality of Life or any of our extensive nutritional supplement products in stock have to offer you and your health. Metro Integrative pharmacy, 931 Lexington Ave (between 68th and 69th Sts), New York, NY. 212-794-7200, concierge@ metrointegrative.com, @metrointegrative (Facebook, Instagram) or metrointegrative.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Shamanic Journey for Self-Healing with Daniel Marko – 6:30pm, starting February 10th. Have you ever wished you could gain a deeper perspective about your life challenges and have guidance available when you need it? The practice of shamanic journeying to access higher guidance is here to help you navigate your life with more clarity and wisdom.

You, too, can learn how to treat and prevent disease, avoid negative situations, clear family issues and much more. Daniel Marko facilitates this valuable class to assist you with helpful guidance on whatever life situations you face. Eastover Estate and Retreat, 430 East St, Lenox, MA. 866-264-5139 or eastover. com/community-classes.html.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Reiki Level 2 “Chuden” Intermediate Class – 3-9pm. Expand your Reiki practice, become attuned to the first 3 Reiki symbols. Learn to do distant Reiki Healing. Includes Komyo Reiki Kai Manual and Komyo Reiki Kai Level 2 Certification. The class is open to anyone who had taken Reiki 2 with any teacher. Jyogan Hakata-Kohler. Namaste Bookshop Healing Center, 2 W 14th St, New York, NY. 212645-1014, info@namastebookshop.com.

THURS, FEB 15-SUN, FEB 18

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Musa Muhaiyaddeen Speaks on Spirituality and Success—4:30 pm. This is a new six part series. All are welcome to join any time for these free spontaneous talks. Begin the journey of self-discovery, spirituality and the different ways to connect to the vibration of God. These talks are followed by Zikr, a prayer recitation in Arabic for those who would like to join in. Meetings are the 3rd Saturday of every month at New York New Church, 114 East 35th Street. Please register with Sufi Study Center on Meetup.com. If you have any questions you can email Musa@thewitnesswithin.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 The Omega Lounge NYC Guided Meditation – Third Sundays, 2-4pm. The Omega Lounge NYC is a place to meditate, share and get inspired! Explore exciting new topics and techniques and share insights and questions. Led by Jane Dowd Ooosterom.

Namaste Bookshop Namaste Healing Center, 2 W 14th St, New York, NY. 212-645-1014, info@ namastebookshop.com or namastebookshop.com.

SAT, FEB 24-SUN, FEB 25 Become a Certified Life Coach or Executive Coach – Learn the language, structure and foundations of coaching in this Intensive 2-day Coach Certification. Begin coaching right away with proven techniques and successful strategies with this #1 Life Coach Certification program, having over 12,000 worldwide graduates. NYC Seminar and Conference Center, 71 W 23rd St #515, New York, NY. 1-866-455-2155or certifiedcoachesfederation.com.

Monday Night Alive! – 7-9:30pm. Monday Night Alive is a great jump starter for the beginning of the week and for anyone who has a case of the “Monday Blues.” Ariel and Shya Kane, catalysts for instantaneous transformation, facilitate workshops that help people to live their lives unshackled from things that previously held them down.

They teach tools for living in the moment and undoing the knee-jerk behaviors that get in the way of living life with ease. The workshops are fun, lively and interactive and will show you how to have a stress-free, utterly successful, satisfying and easy life. Skyline Hotel Penthouse Ballroom, 725 10th Ave (at 49th St), New York, NY. transformationmadeeasy.com.

save the date FRI, MARCH 16-SUN MARCH 18 New Life Expo – Friday, 4:30-10pm; Saturday, 10am9pm; Sunday, 10am-7pm. Welcome to the 28th year! We are back at the Wyndham Hotel New Yorker this year, and continue to bring you the largest and longest-running mind, body and spirit expo in New York City. Join thousands who want to feed their minds, enlighten their souls and purify and tonify their bodies. You are worth $15 per day or $38 for the weekend that will change your life forever! 38th and 8th Aves, New York, NY. newlifeexpo.com/ny-expo/.

THUR, MARCH 22-SUN, MARCH 25 Flying Phoenix Qigong – Master Terry Dunn facilitates this 3-day immersive workshop that teaches Flying Phoenix Heavenly Healing Chi Meditations, a rare and extraordinarily powerful medical Qigong system that was created more than 400 years ago. Learn this complete Taoist monastic system of hygienics that imparts a wide range of salient health benefits with remarkable swiftness: increased respiratory power, improved circulation and metabolism, higher energy levels, improved neuromuscular function and balance, peak immunity, increased bone strength, and the allostatic reversal of many signs of aging. Besides providing splendid health benefits, it integrates mind and body deeply, naturally carrying over into any other form or mode of meditation, making it deeper and more comfortable and blissful. Eastover Estate and Retreat, 430 East St, Lenox, MA. events@eastover.com, 866-264-5139, thedaobums.com or eastover.com.

on going events THURSDAYS AND SUNDAYS Food Sensitivity Testing using Kinesiology – Join Karen Wright, CNS, for a fast, reliable and non-invasive test to learn which foods you should and should not be eating, as well as those supplements which will support and detoxify your body. Karen is specially trained in applied kinesiology, identifying those neurological reflexes that help to pinpoint weaknesses caused by food or immune-related changes, the presence of toxins, and to determine what your body actually craves. Metro Integrative Pharmacy, 931 Lexington Ave (between 68th and 69th Sts), New York, NY. 212-794-7200, concierge@ metrointegrative.com, @metrointegrative (Facebook, Instagram) or metrointegrative.com

classified DO YOU THINK YOUR ILLNESS OR DEATH OF A LOVED ONE IS RELATED TO CELL PHONE USE? Movie director seeks those who think their brain tumor, breast cancer, infertility or other illness is related to a cell phone being on and next to their body. Contact cabraintumor@gmail.com for details.

February 2018

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community directory

COUNSELING & MENTAL WELLNESS MICHAEL MONGNO MFT, PH.D

AKASHIC RECORDS KIA ABILAY

via Hawaii to Uptown Kingston kia@rainbowheart.net www.rainbowheart.net Learn how to read the Akashic Records, or Become a Certified Akashic Records Practitioner through the Pathway Prayer Process© - a responsible, reliable method for working in this remarkable, infinite, spiritual resource. Kia is also an Energy Intuitive and Wedding Officiant.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

NAMASTE BOOKSHOP & HEALING CENTER

2 W 14th St., New York, NY 10011 212-645-0141 • NamasteBookshop.com Namaste Bookshop and Healing Center offers a unique and large selection of Eastern & Western philosophy books, tarot cards, crystals, pendulums, calendars, wind chimes, incense, greeting cards, yoga accessories, meditation cushions, instructional & music CD’S & DVD’s, salt lamps, and 20 sections of books- including Spanish..

The event space, in the same building above the bookshop, holds classes, workshops, and book signings as well as provides rooms for regular readers and practitioners.

NEW YORK OPEN CENTER

22 E. 30th St., New York, NY 10016 212-219-2527 • OpenCenter.org

NANCY GOLLY 404-242-2656 CBDbyGolly.com

Mega Trend in the CBD/Cannabis Business. Get in on the “Green Rush” NOW! Forbes says 700% growth in next 3 years! Massive Rewards ~ Small Investment.

Everyday people are adding $1,000s of dollars to their monthly income and you can too. LEGAL in all 50 states. No Prescription Needed - Pharmaceutical Grade - NonGMO and Organic - Parent Company is publicly traded - Paid 10 Ways - Minimum Income Guarantee. Contact me for $50.00 off coupon. Ground floor opportunity!

The Open Center presents programs of exceptional depth and integrity, concentrating in five major areas: Contemplative and Spiritual Traditions; Health and Wellness; Psychology; Society and Ecology; and Creativity and the Arts. Programs and teachers focused on understanding health and mindbody healing, depth psychology, mystical and esoteric traditions, compassionate dying, socially responsible investing, humanity's impact on the earth and renewable energy, untapped sources for creativity in the arts and what we can learn from world cultures.

ONE SPIRIT LEARNING ALLIANCE

CONSCIOUS CENTERS & SHOPS AUM SHANTI BOOKSHOP

226 E 14th St., New York, NY 10003 212-260-2866 • AumShantiBookshop.com Aum Shanti Bookshop is a community oriented spiritual gallery providing offerings that inspire clarity, guidance, and inspiration on one’s journey. They offers “HighVibration”, “Reiki-Charged” and “Spiritually Energized” items such as a semi-precious gems and tumbled stones, one of a kind rare crystal specimens and clusters, beautifully hand crafted jewelry made with Love and empowering energy. Join us for tarot, psychic and astrology readings.

EDGAR CAYCE CENTER

153 West 27th St., NYC 10001 212-691-7690 • EdgarCayceNYC.org Holistic health and personal growth resource in midtown Manhattan since 1997. This non-profit Center offers: NYC’s largest selection of Cayce remedies & books, with affordable instruction on using them to bring body, mind and spirit back to a natural state of health.

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New York City Edition

247 West 36th Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10018 212-931-6840 • OneSpiritInterfaith.org/NA One Spirit Learning Alliance, a leader in Interfaith and Interspiritual education for over 15 years, upholds that all authentic spiritual paths, at their mystical core, are committed to the common values of peace, compassionate service, and love for creation. We offer experiential interfaith and Interspiritual programs and public classes which support personal transformation to prepare spiritual leaders.

REFLECTIONS CENTER FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING

227 E 24th Street, NYC 10010 212-974-2288 • ReflectionsYoga.com Reflections Center for Conscious Living and Yoga is an East Side urban oasis in Murray Hill/Gramercy, near Gramercy Park’s well-walked paths. We invite you to transcend the tensions of city life and join us for a “just right” yoga class with some of the best and most skilled teachers in NYC, an illuminating talk, or a super cool dance party.

Come to Reflections and celebrate all of who you are!

We are located steps from the 6 or N/R trains to 23rd St., at 227 E. 24th St. between 2nd & 3rd aves.

na-newyorkcity.com

Present Centered Therapies Upper West Side drmongno@presentcenteredtherapies.com 212-799-0101 • PresentCenteredTherapies.com Awarded the “2015 Best Business of New York for Counseling and Mental Health”, Dr. Mongno is located on the Upper West Side of our great city. He has helped both couples and individuals communicate better, heal faster and achieve a better quality of life for over 20 years. Dr. Mongno’s practice originates from his own personal work over the course of his own life journey, along with the integration of the most effective therapeutic modalities. His clients report he is both compassionate and professional with an ability to create insightful and emotionally corrective experiences leading to lasting change. Dr. Mongno is available for appointments in person, on the phone and via Skype. Email him today at drmongno@presentcenteredtherapies.com.

GETAWAYS & RETREATS EASTOVER ESTATE AND RETREAT 430 East St, Box 2282, Lenox, MA 01240 866-264-5139 • Eastover.com

Eastover is a 600-Acre sanctuary and residential holistic retreat center in Berkshire Lenox, MA, A dedicated facilitator of Holistic events and retreats. Minutes to Stockbridge and Great Barrington, next to October Mountain with views of Mt. Greylock.

HEALING & WELLNESS MEG HAGAR MS, RD, CDN, CHHP Registered Dietitian/Holistic Nutritionist 115 Broadway, Suite 1800, Virtual appts 347-395-2815 MegTheDietitian.com

Specializing in helping stressed, busy women find relief from digestive and skin issues, Meg uses the right healing nutrition therapy and stress management to provide a well rounded and comprehensive regimen for healing. Visit the website to schedule your complimentary strategy session and find out how you can finally break free of troubling skin and tummy issues!

THINK AT

646-632-5181 • Think-AT.com Think AT is a new small business located in Battery Park city, dedicated to teaching Alexander Technique, mainly through individual lessons. The name is inspired by the focus of Alexander Technique on "thinking," which affects the way we live, including how we move whether with patterns of tension or ease.

Teachers at Think AT have expertise with more than 12 years of training.

Think AT Alexander Technique

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE METRO INTEGRATIVE PHARMACY 931 Lexington Ave (btwn 68th &69th) New York, NY 10065 212-794-7200, info@metrointegrative.com MetroIntegrative.com Facebook: Metro Integrative Pharmacy

Metro Integrative Pharmacy is the first practitioner-led wellness pharmacy in NYC. Metro Drugs has expanded its premier pharmacy, fertility and specialty compounding offerings to serve as a complete holistic health resource.

The store offers carefully-curated natural and organic health and beauty product lines with a staff of credentialed practitioners including naturopathic doctors, nutritionists, herbalists and estheticians who offer complimentary consultations on the floor or by appointment. Hours: M-F 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-6pm

INTUITIVE GUIDANCE JOAN CARRA

203-531-6387 psychicjoan@yahoo.com PsychicJoanCarra.net Joan’s spiritual counseling is recognized in six books; including the first edition of The 100 Top Psychics in America and Psychic New York. In 2005, both AM New York and The Daily News published her prediction of terrible floods in NYC, which later resulted from Hurricane Sandy. She also predicted in 2000 on WPIX news that Hillary Clinton would not be the first woman president. Joan reads cards, palms, numerology and is also an acclaimed medium and can connect you with passed loved ones. She is available for readings on the telephone or in person in NYC. If you are having a party then please consider hiring a talented psychic for your entertainment.

NATURAL BEAUTY MAURICIO HAIR STUDIO

210 Fifth Ave. Suite 1102, New York, NY 10010 212-532-3030 • MauricioHair.com Mauricio is a hair artist who provides a holistic approach to the beauty industry—one that focuses not only on the physical but also on the overall well-being of his clients, through unique services, truly organic products, a tailored experience and Zen-like environment that all work together to support the mind, body and soul.

Mauricio’s private hair studio mission is to be the first of its kind: an innovative eco-friendly hair studio and ‘inner beauty salon’ that seeks to unlock every guest’s beauty. Natural color services are available for both pregnant and everyday clients.

NATURAL DENTISTRY TRIBECA CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE HOLISTIC DENTISTS 17 Park Place, NYC 10007 212 732 2200 • Holistic-dentists.com

Dr. Lewis Gross has over 31 years’ experience providing holistic dentistry to adults and children with his staff of dental specialists and integrative practitioners. Offering less invasive and more natural solutions for patients with difficult dental issues and those who seek just a good family dentist. Our recently renovated, state-ofthe-art facility, offers among other things, Laser Dentistry, metal free implants, non-invasive oral cancer screening, ozone, and alternatives to surgery and root canal.

OZONE THERAPY DR. HOWARD ROBINS The Healing Center 200 W. 57th St., Suite 807, New York, NY 10019 212-581-0101 • DrHowardRobins@gmail.com If you have a disease or condition that you haven’t been able to get rid of, Ozone Therapy will most likely be the answer, even for people that have suffered for years and have lost all hope. If you are questioning if your condition can be treated, call or email Dr Robins contact information above.

PARENT & RESILIENCY COACH REBUILD LIFE NOW

Harriet Cabelly, LCSW Upper West Side, NY Manhasset, Long Island 516-214-4778 • harriet@rebuildlifenow.com RebuildLifeNow.com Harriet Cabelly is a social worker and positive psychology coach. She specializes in working with people in critical life situations and counsels them through their grief and growth. Having worked in the New York City school system for many years, she continues with her love of working with parents to educate and improve the lives of parents and children.

PRODUCTS AUNT ALBERTA’S REMEDY

Homeopathic Pain Relief Cream 973-715-9097 • info@AlbertasPainRelief.com AlbertasPainRelief.com Need Relief from Arthritis? Try Aunt Alberta’s Remedy to ease muscular aches and joint pain. Her Remedy is a homeopathic pain relief cream that penetrates deep into the skin and muscle tissues. Get beneficial relief from sciatica, fibromyalgia, arthritis, neuralgia, gout, and more. All-natural ingredients! Do you want to feel a real difference from the nagging aches of arthritis? Feel less pain & have more range of motion? Use Aunt Alberta’s Pain Relief Cream! Get relief today! Great buy, get a 4oz jar for $15! See website for other options. See what people say about Aunt Alberta’s Remedy and Purchase Now on our website. www.albertaspainrelief.com.

HERBASWAY

800-672-7322 • Herbasway.com Founded in 1996, HerbaSway Laboratories is located in Wallingford, CT. Our formulas are based on traditional herbal combinations that have been used for thousands of years. Using only the purest ingredients and wild-crafted herbs, in combination with the latest Western scientific research, HerbaSway’s formulas are synergistically blended to produce optimal balance in your body.

LEVANA™ MEAL REPLACEMENT www.levanamealreplacement.com levana@levanamealreplacement.com

Finally, an all-natural alternative to most worthless corn-syrup-waterchemicals meal replacements offered on the market! Levana™ Meal Replacement is Cookbook Author and Restauranteur Levana Kirschenbaum’s brainchild: an idea whose time has finally come! It is a curated blend of dehydrated and ground pure whole foods that form a complete meal, for people with special dietary needs and for people with limited time to prepare their meals from scratch.

We offer both “sweet” and savory options that mix with liquid or combine with your favorite recipes.

Levana™ Meal Replacement meets all compliance standards: It has No Added Sugar, and is Kosher, Vegan, Certified All-Natural, Soy-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free and Non GMO.

SPIRITUALITY MUSA MUHAIYADDEEN

TheWitnessWithin.com Sufi Study Center on Meetup.com Musa Muhaiyaddeen (Emanuel L. Levin) has been teaching Sufism around the world for many years and is a direct disciple of Sufi Master, M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen.

Musa devotes his time serving others, inspiring everyone to clear out what blocks them from connecting to their inner spirituality and to understand their relationship with God. See his article on page 6 and calendar listing to lean more about him, his practice, and the FREE program he is offering in NYC.

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SIERRA BENDER® 888-794-3330 • SierraBender.com Sierra Bender, a modern day Renaissance woman and leading pioneer in the Women’s Empowerment, leadership movement for over 25 years. She is the founder of the SBEM Core Institute, Sierra Bender Empowerment Method®(SBEM), Boot Camp for Goddesses® internationally renowned retreat, and author of Goddess to the Core. She’s been featured on Oprah Radio, CBS, Univision TV, USA Today, Yoga Journal, Fit Yoga and other media outlets in Australia, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, U.K., Germany and the U.S.

February 2018

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A VACATION Unlike ANY

OTHER

10 DAY VEGAN C RUI S E FEB. 15-25, 2018 Our 15th Anniversary 10 Day* Cruise will be the best yet! Join 1800+ like-minded vegans during a vacation that will nourish your body, stimulate your mind and rejuvenate your spirit. Shop at the duty-free capital of the world in St. Thomas, USVI; watch batik-making on St. Kitts and Nevis; sip on coconut water in Fort de France, Martinique; dance in Bridgetown, Barbados; and see the waterfalls of Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe. In addition to our stellar lineup of vegan health luminaries, the 2018 cruise will add a focus on the ethical treatment of animals featuring PETA president Ingrid Newkirk. The latest in diet and nutrition science, cooking classes, yoga, exotic ports... there’s something for everyone! Learn more about the classes, cuisine and itinerary at holisticholidayatsea.com.

LAST CHANCE DISCOUNT BOOK BY JAN. 11!

Ch o s en b y NAT IONA L G E O G RAP HI C T R A VEL ER as On e of the 1 00 B E ST WO R L DWIDE VACAT I ON S to E NR IC H YOUR L I F E Vegan, Gluten-free, Oil-free & Ship’s Menu

Featuring Renowned Chefs, Teachers & Healers New York Times BestSelling Author of The Engine 2 Diet; Featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America and The Dr. Oz Show

Daily Yoga, Meditation, Pilates, Qi Gong, Do-In, Running & Fitness Classes 150+ Lectures & Workshops

RIP ESSELSTYN Author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Plantand Other Books; TEDx Speaker; VegNews’

Special Panel Focusing on Animal Rights CME & CEU Credits Available 45+ Teachers

JULIEANNA HEVER, MS, RD, CPT

10+ Cooking Classes

Founder of the Physicians Commitee for Responsible Medicine; Author of Food for Life and Power Foods for the Brain

Dancing & Social Events Almost Every Evening Singles’ Social Cancer Support Group & Recovery Panel Snorkel, Kayak, Cultural Tours & Other Excursion Types Available

NEAL BARNARD, M.D.

L E A RN MO R E

Environmentally-Friendly Award-Winning Ship Private Consultations & Treatments Available

1-800-496-0989 (US) 1-828-749-9537

*Only 6 work days due to Presidents’ Day

hhas_vegan_cruise

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New York City Edition

na-newyorkcity.com

PETA President and Cofounder; Author of Numerous Books; Speaker on Animal Rights; Profiled in HBO Documentary I Am an Animal

INGRID NEWKIRK Co-Author of The China Study and author of Whole: Rethinking the ; Featured in the Film Forks Over Knives

T. COLIN CAMPBELL, PH.D. Physician, Speaker and New York Times BestSelling Author; Founder Appeared on Dr. Oz and the Colbert Report

MICHAEL GREGER, M.D.

B OOK TODAY 1-877-844-7977 Opt. 2 must be made through our program.