Natural Awakenings NYC - Long Island, November 2021

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Holiday Foods that boost our Mood DANCE as a Sacred Practice Mindful Strategies for Anxious Teens Four Steps to a GOOD DEATH November 2021 | New York City - Long Island | NYCNaturalAwakenings.com

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letter from the publishers

Traditions Change. Love Doesn’t. november 2021 DIRECTORY OF AD VERTISERS Thank you for being part of our community!

Awaken Wellness Fair Live

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Awakening Your True Voice

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Carol Leitner - Chair Yoga

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New York City – Long Island

Over the years, Michael and I have spent Thanksgiving in many different ways. Sometimes we host extended family and I cook, or we head off to a hotel, or I cook for our own family of four. But we took it to the next level in 2019, when I hung up my apron and we went to Vermont to enjoy a fuss-free meal in a beautiful hotel in the mountains.

Last year, however, we had no choice in the matter.

We stayed put and I cooked, and it will go down in the memory books that even when you’re faced with adversity, your health and those around you are all you need to be genuinely thankful.

The month of November and Thanksgiving go hand in hand, but to me, the connection between the two is more profound than a date on a calendar. Three major events—my father’s death, Michael’s proposal, and the birth of our first son— happened days before Thanksgiving. I still recall my first Thanksgiving without Dad. Of course there had been many when he and I couldn’t be together, but this was the first where I could not just pick up the phone and see where he was eating and with whom. There was my first Thanksgiving with Michael as an engaged couple, the exciting prelude before we embarked on parenthood, and then it happened, our first Thanksgiving as parents, with an 11-day-old baby to celebrate.

When I was a child, everyone in my family got together on Thanksgiving, no matter where we lived. My grandmother, aunt or mother would host the entire extended family. None of us lived lavishly, so being squeezed into every available space made for the warmest, most loving holiday memories. There were folding card tables for the children, while the adults got to sit around “their” table, the one with breakable china and crystal (ours had Melmac dishes and plastic cups). Everyone ate and laughed and landed on the floor or couch with full bellies. What could be better?

When my siblings and I moved out and away and started our own families, it got harder to celebrate Thanksgiving together. Our parents had divorced when I was the last child at home, so it became a selection process as to whose house was hosting and who was inviting Mom or Dad. And then after Michael and I had our second son, it became almost impossible to fly with two kids under the age of two, so all we could do was send our good wishes by phone.

However or wherever you celebrate, whether it’s in person or over Zoom, embrace this annual meal. It allows you to remember those you have loved and lost, those who’ve come into your life anew, and those you cherish but don’t get to see every day.

Our job is to keep up this beautiful tradition so it continues to flourish from generation to generation.

Happy Harvest!

Cyrece

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contents Natural Awakenings | New York City ­– Long Island | November 2021

30

34 24 24 dying well

DEPARTMENTS 8 news briefs 13 event brief 14 oral health brief 16 health briefs 18 global brief 20 local insights 24 feature 26 healing ways 28 healthy kids 30 fit body 32 wise words 34 green living 36 conscious eating 38 natural pet 40 resources 43 calendars 45 classifieds

Four Steps to a Good Death

26 Healthy Brain Strategies

34 Eco-Decor for the Home

How to Buy Sustainable Furnishings

How to Prevent Cognitive Decline

36

30

eat well to feel well

Moving into Divine Energy

Thanksgiving Fare that Boosts Mental Health

32

38

sacred dance

David crow

on the Healing Power of Medicinal Plants

Honoring the Loss of a Pet

Simple Ways to Grieve and Heal

November 2021

7

news briefs

Dr. Batool Rizvi Offers Holistic Dentistry in North Bellmore Dr. Batool Rizvi has a motto that sums up the goal of her medical specialty: “I strive to keep my patients smiling from the inside out.” A practitioner with Holistic Dentistry and Wellness Center, in North Bellmore, Rizvi takes a systemic approach to patient care, offering services that respect the deep connection between oral and whole-body health.

Among her specialties are PRF (platelet rich fibrin) bone grafting; metal-free zirconia implants; metal-free braces (clear aligner therapy); certified safe mercury removal; ozone therapy; mercury-free and BPA-free composite fillings; and non-surgical, evidence-based periodontal treatments. She also offers free consultations for a second opinion of proposed treatments.

“I offer a full range of dental services, treating both adults and children with an integrative and systemic philosophy in mind,” Rizvi says. “I’m one of the few doctors placing metal-free zirconia implants and safely removing mercury fillings using the Huggins Protocol.”

She’s also a firm believer in using a gentle touch, offering thorough explanations, and listening to her patients, to keep them “always smiling, happy and healthy.”

Rizvi earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from New York University and completed residencies in general dentistry at the Kings

Dr. Batool Rizvi County Hospital Center and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center. Additionally, she completed a fellowship in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Montefiore Medical Center of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, as well as an implantology fellowship from Columbia University.

Location: 1692 Newbridge Rd., North Bellmore, NY. For appointments and information, call 516-221-7447 or visit HolisticDDS.com. See ad, page 33.

Art of Dying Courses at The Open Center The Art of Dying Institute offers continuous programming and certification courses through The Open Center to advance holistic approaches to end-oflife issues. The overarching goals of this partnership include finding healthy and transformative ways to work with the dying, preparing families for death and lessening their fear of it, and helping people use awareness of mortality to live fuller lives.

This month, the Art of Dying Institute will offer three online workshops through The Open Center: Cultivating the Doula Heart, set for 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. November 7, will teach the practical approaches and techniques for supporting people more confidently through times of intensity, including death, birth and grief.

After-Death Care and Home Funerals, set for 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. November 14, unpacks the role of “death midwife” from the final breath through the three-day home vigil to final disposition. This workshop is open to professional and non-professional end-of-life caregivers, and anyone wishing to care for their loved one naturally, at home, according to their personal, religious and cultural traditions.

Anxiety, The Missing Stage of Grief, is set for 7 to 9 p.m. November 16. This webinar will explore the connection between grief and anxi8

New York City – Long Island

NYCNaturalAwakenings.com

ety and teach strategies for healing anxiety caused by loss.

Located in the heart of New York City, The Open Center is the longest-running urban holistic center for personal growth and spiritual practice. It presents programs that bring a holistic, ecological and spiritual worldview into the contemporary world.

For more information, visit OpenCenter.org.See ad, page 43.

Acupuncture Can Prevent and Relieve Headaches Naturally Most people get a headache from time to time. But when headaches or migraines become a chronic condition, it can be debilitating—yet chronic use of pain medications can cause issues too. A natural solution is acupuncture, which can help mitigate migraine and headache disorders without the negative side effects of drugs, says Joan Arata, owner of Modern Acupuncture in SoHo and Florham Park, New Jersey.

“Headache disorders are a worldwide problem, affecting people of all ages, races, income levels and geographical areas,” Arata says. “Fortunately, acupuncture can provide relief and even prevent future headache attacks. Modern Acupuncture is working to spread awareness on the use of this highly effective, thousands-of-years-old practice to relieve headaches and migraines.”

Acupuncture treats pain by increasing blood flow and stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanisms, she says. It can also target the type of headache— migraine, tension, cluster or sinus—as well as accompanying areas of tension, such as the neck and shoulders.

“Ongoing research at some of the top universities around the world are confirming acupuncture’s benefits for pain and headaches,” she says. “In fact, a meta-analysis studies on acupuncture shows that three months after starting acupuncture treatment, frequent headache or migraine sufferers experienced

significantly fewer headache days than those receiving routine care or treatment with preventative drugs.”

Many studies have concluded that acupuncture is generally safe and well tolerated, Arata says.

Locations: 65 W. Houston St., NY, NY (917-388-2886; ModernAcupuncture. com/ny001); 176 Columbia Turnpike, Florham Park, NJ (973-765-9500; ModAcu.com/nj001). See ad page 15.

November 2021

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news briefs

Brooklyn Funeral Company Reflects Back-To-Basics Trend Technology might rule modern life, but modern death is going low-tech. Companies like Fitting Tribute Funeral Services, in Brooklyn, have tapped into the baby boom generation’s growing desire to honor the dead, much as their ancestors did 150 years ago, with modest rituals that preserve the earth and allow family and friends to grieve and celebrate their loved ones in an intimate, meaningful way.

This back-to-basics movement rejects the standard funeral home business model, with its scary casket showroom and cookie-cutter approach. Fitting Tribute, owned by Amy Cunningham, a New York State-licensed funeral director, is typical of this growing trend. It specializes in eco-friendly burials—without embalming fluid, metal caskets or burial vaults—and offers ceremonial cremations at Green-Wood Cemetery's crematory in Brooklyn. Cunningham also understands that today’s families are religiously and spiritually complex and diverse.

As Fitting Tribute explains on its website, it also allows families to choose what happens between the time of death and the burial or cremation: “We want you to spend time with your deceased loved one to process the new reality, bathe or shroud the body, grieve, sing, pray, tell stories. The amount of time desired for these experiences differs from family to family.”

Cunningham says the company works hard to facilitate the funeral wherever the family wishes to have it, whether that’s

Amy Cunningham

a cemetery, crematory, funeral home, private residence, house of worship or secular venue. (The novel coronavirus, of course, changed how we were able to gather.)

The goal, she says, is to give grieving families “more time and control over their experiences at the time of death.” That also means transparent pricing of every option the family chooses.

For more information, visit FittingTributeFunerals.com.

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NOW OFFERING:

including

Full Body Scans

Massapequa Eatery Touts Juicing Benefits

Reader Feedback Helps Us Grow

More energy, a clearer mind and looser pants.

The Natural Awakenings online national readership survey allows us to betWe’re Listening ter serve readers. “Your participation takes just 2021 National five minutes, and will give Readership Survey us a better understanding of what you need and how well we’re delivering on your expectations,” says founding CEO Sharon Bruckman. “We’ll also use your responses to help guide the direction of future development.” One participant, selected at random, will receive a $100 Visa gift card.

What do those three things have in common? They’re what most of us crave after a big Thanksgiving binge. They’re also the byproducts of a good juice cleanse, according to the experts at Organic Corner, in Massapequa.

Long Island’s first organic plant-based eatery, Organic Corner is well known in the community for its diverse vegan and vegetarian dinner menu—like its cauliflower steak, buffalo-style eggplant quinoa burger and spicy cashew mac-n-cheese balls. But it also operates a day café and juice bar, and it’s created several juice cleanses to help people “hit the reset button” on their bodies.

“In a few days’ time, you can feel leaner, cleaner, happier and completely change your relationship with food,” OC reports on its website. Other benefits it lists include better hydration, improved digestion and organ and immune function, increased energy, clearer skin—and “a sense of empowerment, knowing you are taking charge of your health.”

Then there are the looser pants. That happens around day three, according to the eatery’s Juice Cleanse page.

At that point “you will wonder how you ever ate the things you did before your cleanse.”

OC offers a variety of cleanses, from single day to five, seven and 10 days.

Location: 37 Broadway, Massapequa, NY. For more information, call 516.798.5670 or visit OrganicCornerNY.com.

1

With the interests and welfare of readers in mind, Natural Awakenings provides information and resources for living a healthier, happier life. Publishing in more than 50 communities nationwide, Natural Awakenings is one of the country’s most widely read healthy living magazines, with a loyal monthly readership of over 1.3 million.

Visit NaturalAwakenings.com/survey to participate. See ad, page 45.

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YOUR VISION IS PRICELESS Preserve, protect, and restore it

Entrust your precious vision health to an experienced and compassionate integrative ophthalmologist

Dr. Rani Banik specializes in nutrition, botanicals, supplements, and lifestyle modifications to prevent eye disease and blindness. She uses a natural approach to common eye conditions: dry eye • macular degeneration glaucoma • diabetic retinopathy cataracts • migraine headaches blue light • digital eye strain (aka computer vision syndrome)

136 East 57th Street Suite 1502 New York, NY 10022

www.rudranibanikmd.com Rudrani Banik, MD

Consultation In-Person or via Telemedicine available.

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New York City – Long Island

news briefs

Jenny Lu Teaches Qigong Classes at Syosset Library Jenny Lu, founder and owner of Jenny Lu Yoga, will be teaching a new 10-week session of qigong classes at the Syosset Library beginning next month. Classes will be on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon, from December 2 to February 17. They are suitable for all levels.

Qigong is an ancient Asian healing mindbody practice that can boost balance, strength and immune function.

“This is one of the healing practices that can help people to improve their physical, emotional and mental health, which is so vital to leading longer and healthier lives,” Lu says. “My qigong classes include gentle stretching, guided breathing, energy meditation and mindful movements. Participants will learn postures and techniques that can help them to release physical tension and emotional stress. They will feel more grounded after each class.”

In addition to teaching qigong, Lu teaches yoga, meditation and tai chi classes, practices energy healing and leads corporate wellness programs. She also offers private sessions.

She says that more than 16 years of training in various mind-body healing practices have left her healthier, stronger and more confident and centered. “I have benefited so much that my life’s mission is to share these healing practices so more people can feel healthier, happier and more peaceful. When we feel better, we can uplift the people we come in contact with. That’s how we can help to brighten our family, our community, our country and our world.”

For more information, email jennylu311@gmail.com or visit JennyLuYoga.com.

NYCNaturalAwakenings.com

event brief

Awaken Fair Returns to Tarrytown In-Person The Awaken Wellness Fair, a major expo focused on green living and body-mind-spirit wellness, will return to Tarrytown on November 21.

Founder and CEO Paula Caracappa says she’s expecting an electric atmosphere, as this is the first inperson Awaken Fair in the area since the pandemic began.

This year’s lineup will also include new exhibitors, such as Shiny Stuff Gifts, featuring a wide array of sterling silver jewelry; sanastaWellness, which offers therapeutic aromatics; and Third Wolf Designs, whose creations are rooted in “symbolism, depth and intention,” Caracappa says.

“It’s really a party,” she says. “We always bring along the best exhibitors, including speakers, healers, vendors and readers. People have been asking and asking for the Awaken Fair in Westchester and New York City.

It’s so gratifying to see the enthusiasm—there’s clearly a big pent-up demand. These past 18 months have been very hard on people, nowhere more so than in the New York area. I am so pleased to be offering a day of peace, relaxation and soothing connection.”

“The Awaken Wellness Fairs educate people about the many paths to a healthy body, mind and spirit that are available in today’s world,” she says. “We include ancient techniques as well as amazing cutting-edge technologies.”

Experienced practitioners in Reiki and other energy-healing techniques will be offering mini-sessions, so guests can “sample” them affordably, she says.

Among the longtime favorite experts appearing at the Awaken Fair will be “the Blood Detective,” Michael Wald, D.C., who will be giving a full day of talks on a variety of health subjects at no additional cost; Westchester Brain and Body, which will be providing aura hand scans; and Beautiful Tibet, showcasing accessories and clothing handmade by women in India, Tibet and Nepal.

Reset

Your Health and Life

Guests will be required to follow New York State’s Covid regulations, which currently only require masks. Regulations are subject to change.

Cost: $15 or $25 VIP for tickets purchased in advance at AwakenFair.com. $20 for tickets purchased at the door.

Location: Sleepy Hollow Hotel + Conference Center, 455 S. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY. For more info, call 914.422.1784 or visit AwakenFair.com. See ad, page 43.

Awaken, Free, and Strengthen Your True Voice Improve Health and Vitality through Better Breathing Virtual Class Begins: Monday November 1, 6-7:30 pm Six Mondays starting November 1- December 6, 2021 *This course is eligible for 9 Continuing Education Units

Free Intro: Monday, October 25, 6:00 pm

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All Classes Will Be Online, Live from The Open Center

315-726-0318 WWW.TINASTINSON.COM @TINASTINSONCOACH online group coaching programs private coaching | retreats

For more info, visit JeanMcClellandVoice.com OpenCenter.org/awakening-your-true-voice

November 2021

13

oral health brief

Tooth Loss Linked to Shortened Life Span Dental health is so closely linked to overall health that a good way to predict someone’s longevity is to count their teeth. An article in Dentistry Today, a clinical news magazine for dentists, notes that people who still have all their natural teeth at age 74 are far more likely than others to live to be 100.

On the other hand, people who have five teeth or more by age 65 are at increased risk of a shortened lifespan.

That’s because tooth loss is associated with a number of serious health issues, as well as social, emotional, economic and educational stressors that affect quality of life and ultimately affect physical health. The Dentistry Today article quotes Dr. Nigel Carter, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, a UK-based educational nonprofit dedicated to improving oral health and well-being, who says, “There are many reasons why somebody can lose their teeth. It could be down to trauma, smoking, or just a continued poor oral

health routine. It can also be related to gum disease, which is closely linked to health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.”

The Oral Health Foundation encourages regular dental checkups to monitor the mouth “for any signs of disease that could lead to tooth loss.”

Information sourced by Jonathan Richter, DDS, FAGD, owner of Cariodontal, located at 310 E. Shore Rd., Ste. 101, Great Neck, NY (516-2820310 / Cariodontal.com), and Manhattan Oasis Dentistry, 525 West End Ave., Ste. 1G, New York, NY (212-8742880 / Manhattan OasisDentistry. com). See ad, page Jonathan Richter, 18 and back cover.

DDS, FAGD

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Additional services include: Reiki • Acupuncture • Therapeutic Massage

Serving the community since 1993 Center for the Alignment of Body, Mind & Spirit 2050 Wantagh Ave. | Wantagh, NY 11793

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New York City – Long Island

NYCNaturalAwakenings.com

Dr. Gina Marino 516-221-3500 www.align-me.com

- Advertorial -

Atopic Dermatitis Curable with Multipronged Approach

by Dr. Andres Bircher Over the past 70 years, atopic dermatitis—also known as neurodermatitis—has become five times more common in industrialized countries. Patients with atopic dermatitis suffer from unbearable itching, inflammation, dryness, blistering, scaling and extensive ulcers,as well as many food intolerances.

Many nutrients and mental stress can triggerf lare-ups.

Exhausted and embarrassed, patients often withdraw from life.

They’re left in a state of despair and resignation.

While conventional dermatology regards atopic dermatitis as incurable,with a completely different therapeutic approach, this disease can be cured entirely.

With atopic dermatitis, the immune system and the body’s regulatory systems are greatly overexcited.

The many food intolerances associated with the disease also show that the intestine is very sick.

Curing atopic dermatitis involves several steps:

• Over-reactivity and exhaustion must be tackled systematically with daily infusions of procaine. This quickly reduces the itching.

• Infected areas need antibiotic ointments.

• Heavy metals, especially mercury and other toxic loads, must be identified and removed.

• Areas of disease and infection must be carefully eliminated.

• Epigenetic imprints must be deleted with classic homeopathic therapy.

• Essential for healing is an allergologically individualized diet of fresh plants (raw food), a consequent change in lifestyle, and the treatment of points of infection.

To read the details of this approach, explore our BircherBenner Manuals at Bircher-Benner.com/en.

Dr. Andres Bircher is the director of the Bircher-Benner Centrefor Scientific Natural Medicine, in Braunwald, Switzerland. See ad, page 16.

B I RC HE R - B E N N E R How to cure permanently

M I GRAINE EDITION B I RC H E R - B E N N E R Subscribe to our newsletter

SPECIAL IN NOVEMBER: HOLIDAY & BLACK FRIDAY DEALS GIFT CARDS

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HOLIDAY SPECIALS • BLACK FRIDAY DEALS • GIFT CARDS

SOHO 65 West Houston Street, NY 10012 (SOHO) | modacu.com/ny001 917.388.2886 *Intro specials for new patients only. Must be local resident. Holiday & Black Friday Deals expire by 11/30/2022. Gift cards available to all. The laws relating to the practice of acupuncture vary from state to state. Please visit modacu.com for clinic ownership information, offer details and any state specific disclaimers. Individual results may vary. Not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Franchises Available.

November 2021

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Lose Weight with Small Calorie Reduction

Boost Cognition with Green Tea Compound

A reduction of just 200 calories a day combined with aerobic exercise four times a week produced greater weight loss and better heart health in obese, sedentary adults than exercise alone or a 600-calorie reduction plus exercise, reports a new study in Circulation. Researchers from the Wake Forest School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, tested 160 adults ages 65 to 79. Those that combined exercise with 200 fewer calories a day lost 10 percent of their weight, about 20 pounds, over five months. They had a 21 percent average increase in the aorta’s ability to expand and contract, a key indicator of heart health. Measures of aortic stiffness did not change significantly for the exercise-only group or the 600-calorie-reduction-plus-exercise group.

Weight loss was similar for both calorie-reduction groups, even though one group consumed nearly three times fewer calories per day.

anna pyshniuk/Pexels.com

A single dose of 100 milligrams of the compound L-theanine—the amount found in four cups of green tea—improved reaction times and working memory of men and women in new research from Japan’s Central Research Institute, in Shizuoka. In the doubleblind, placebo-controlled study, 69 adults that selfreported cognitive decline reacted more quickly to computer-generated promptings and answered more questions correctly after ingesting the compound compared to the placebo.

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health briefs

Live Healthfully to Mitigate Genetic Cancer Risk

How to cure permanently

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B I RC HE R - B E N N E R

Healthy lifestyle factors such as exercise, proper diet, low body mass index and abstinence from smoking and drinking correlate with decreased cancer incidence, even in those with a high genetic risk, according to a Chinese study published in Cancer Research. The researchers calculated and applied the genetic risks for 16 cancers in men and 18 cancers in women to genotype information from 443,000 citizens from England, Scotland and Wales registered in a databank. Notably, 97 percent of patients in the study had a high genetic risk of at least one cancer type. Among patients with high genetic risk, the five-year cancer incidence was 7.23 percent in men and 5.77 percent in women with an unfavorable lifestyle.

That compared with 5.51 percent in men and 3.69 percent in women with a favorable lifestyle, effectively moving them into an intermediate risk category.

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Do you have a healthy gut?

Why are probiotics so important?

From the Desk of Dr. Howard Robins at The Healing Center in New York City… reach your gut and the rest rarely if at all populate the gut wall as To answer these basic but very important questions it is discussed and proven above by the researchers. important to understand the following facts, many of which “But it says they were alive at the time of manufacturing on are simply astounding! the label”. Yes, they are supposedly in “suspended animation” but Probiotic bacteria help digest your food in exchange for a most are dead and those that are not will not come back to life warm, safe place to live. They help process the food we eat, they even if they survive the stomach. make vitamins, they're able to produce essential amino acids This is what was found and explains the comments and results (the basic proteins we need daily) and they're able to talk to and of the researchers. educate our immune system.

Dr. Jeff Gordon of “60 Minutes” said, “Despite disagreement In fact, it was said, “All disease begins in the gut”, attributed to about how or whether today's probiotics work, every scientist we the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. spoke with was hopeful about the possibility of improving health On a recent CBS News show “60 Minutes” on probiotics Dr. by manipulating the microbiome”.

Patricia Hibberd, an infectious disease specialist and a professor ALL my patients need probiotics as my intravenous ozone of medicine at Boston University, was asked, “Is there convincing evidence that commercially available probiotics have been found therapy will destroy all bacteria, just not as fast as antibiotics. This is what led me to find a product that can really work. to be beneficial for reducing diarrhea from Is there an answer? Is there a product that can antibiotics, treating irritable bowel syndrome really work? or decreasing allergies?”

Finally, YES! Doctors Biome Colon Health™.

Her answer was, “NO!”.

After years of costly research, in answer to overShe went on to say “The whole idea that coming all the concerns and problems with probiotics maybe throwing in good bacteria that we Doctors, Biome Colon Health™ was finally created. would take by mouth that hopefully would Extensive use and testing on patients by doctors from land in the right places in the GI tract and around the country have proven its benefits. work with the immune system, we just don't What makes this new, first of its kind probiotic so know how to do any of that.”

Dr. Howard Robins special is that it combines 15 strains of PATENTED A major cause of confusion may be the (they have letters and numbers after their names), placebo effect whereby some people using LIVING (when you swallow the delicious 100% organic vegetaprobiotics may feel better because they expect to feel better.

Professors Eran Elinav and Eran Segal at Israel's Weizmann Insti- ble-fruit juice they are ‘awake and alive adults’), NEXT GENERATION SMART BACTERIA that are made and laboratory tested to tute of Science collected thousands of samples from a small group survive the stomach 85+% and populate the wall of your gut. of adult volunteers who were given probiotics following multiple “Smart” bacteria can sense they're attached to your intestinal endoscopies and colonoscopies to see what was in their gut.

Half of the individuals were given placebos and half probiotics cells, and then remodel their expression of specific genes, including those involved in metabolism, to beneficially exploit your cells in very large amounts. What they found was that the probiotics, and colonize your gut. go in and just go out and they don't populate the gut. They were So finally, you can stop wasting your money on products that shocked! have been shown to have virtually no value and take one that will really make a difference.

Antibiotics and good bacteria Have you ever had an antibiotic? Even once in your Lifetime?

To learn more, just go to DoctorsBiome.com, where you will find Well, guess what, all your good gut bacteria are gone! even more compelling reasons to buy this groundbreaking product.

Antibiotics kill the good boys off with the bad bacteria rapidly.

If you have any questions or wish to set up a consultation, feel free You may say “I take a capsule, powder, or tablet probiotics to call my office at 212-581-0101, to discuss your problem and see if every day”. this wonderful treatment is fright for you. See ad, page 3.

Those probiotics are virtually 90+% destroyed in the stomach by the stomach acids and digestive enzymes. They never Copyright 2020. All rights reserved.

November 2021

17

global briefs

Love Bugs

Storm Clouds

It may come as a surprise to most Americans, but people have been eating insects (entomophagy) for thousands of years, and they are part of the diets of more than 2 billion people. The United Nations predicts that this rapidly growing industry could be worth $6.3 billion by 2030, so bug-based products may soon appear in local stores.

Although Western food markets have excluded insects in favor of animal-based protein, insect-based foods offer many health and environmental benefits, especially in light of the pressures from climate change.

Insects produce 80 times less methane than cattle and use less space, feed, water, housing and maintenance.

One pound of beef requires 1,850 gallons of water, one pound of chicken uses 500 gallons and one pound of crickets requires one gallon. Nestlé and PepsiCo are conducting research and development forays into the field, and smaller, nimble startups are making plans to introduce new products. Names to watch include Mighty Cricket, Illegal Oats, Jiminy’s, Aspire (Exo Bar), BeoBia and FarmInsect. Public acceptance is expected to be gradual.

Lake Urmia, in Iran, has decreased in size by 50 percent from 2,085 square miles in the 1990s to 965 now, and the Department of Environmental Protection of West Azerbaijan is concerned that it may disappear entirely. Scenarios like this are multiplying in the Middle East because the water table is becoming depleted. Persistent drought and high temperatures, in addition to poor water management and overuse, create a bleak outlook unless changes are made. A study by the Iranian Energy Ministry found the fate of the lake was more than 30 percent attributable to climate change.

Iran, Iraq and Jordan extract copious amounts of water from the ground for irrigation, and Charles Iceland, global director of water at the World Resources Institute, says, “They’re using more water than is available routinely through rain.” In Iran, a network of dams used by the agriculture sector uses about 90 percent of the nation’s supply. “Both declining rainfall and increasing demand in these countries are causing many rivers, lakes and wetlands to dry up,” Iceland says. As areas become uninhabitable in the future, political violence may emerge over how to share and manage rivers and lakes. Transboundary usage must be regulated and monitored if there is any hope to resolve the crisis.

Water Shortage is a Global Problem

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The Food Revolution—Miniaturized

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Do you suffer with Candida, chronic digestive, thyroid or immune system issues?

Are you tired of being prescribed one dangerous drug after the other with little or no improvement?

Dr. Biamonte has been a doctor to celebrities and political figures.

He is a world-recognized authority for his treatment methods, a published author, and has helped tens of thousands of patients recover from their chronic illnesses... even when other drugs, surgeries and therapies have failed!

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“Dr. Michael Biamonte is the ONLY doctor who cracked the code on how to heal the digestive tract and balance the mind and body without using prescriptions.

The proof is in the thousands of patients he has successfully treated, including my son and I. His book is life-changing and I strongly recommend it to anyone who suffers from Candida, chronic fatigue or imbalances that cause illness.” ~Jenny McCarthy (Actress)

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local insights

Resveratrol The Heart-Healthy Ingredient in Red Wine

Years ago, heart disease was being studied in many different countries, with the United States leading the way. The researchers were trying to identify the main factors that contributed to heart disease, such as smoking, lack of exercise and excess weight. While they suspected that fat from red meat was another culprit, their research revealed a strange anomaly: The French were known to devour red meat as well as rich desserts as a regular part of their diet, yet their heart disease statistics did not match up with their consumption of these foods, as the statistics for Americans did.

The only dietary difference that stuck out in the investigation was the high level of red wine consumption by the French. Could there be a direct correlation between red wine and heart health?

Further investigation indicated that, indeed, there was something in red wine that helped improve the health of French people in general, and their heart health in particular. Research proved that a specific compound in red wine, resveratrol, was responsible for this significant benefit. It seemed that simply drinking red wine regularly would enable someone to reap its health benefits.

As it turned out, however, the amount of red wine required to get those benefits would have caused the drinker to be intoxicated all the time.

One fact that emerged from the research was that the French people, even children, drank red wine with most of their meals; it was evident that the general population had resveratrol in their systems practically all the time. Yet alcoholism did not appear to be a problem in France, as it would most likely be in the United States if Americans started consuming red wine at the level needed to reap the heart-health benefits the French enjoyed.

And those benefits are obvious. According to the literature, resveratrol helps expand the artery walls, allowing the blood to flow more easily. This means that there is less chance for platelets to accumulate on the arterial walls and cause a stoppage of blood flow, which of course would result in a heart attack. This is not to say that simply consuming resveratrol is a sure way to prevent a heart attack, but anything that reduces the risk of having one is a positive step.

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by Franklin St. John

Resveratrol has other positive effects on the body as well. Its characteristic of making the arterial walls more flexible can affect the blood flow to the brain, helping cut the risk of stroke. And resveratrol has also been shown to be a strong antioxidant, which means that it is an ally to the body in its constant war against free radical damage. People who are interested in their health probably are aware of the harm that free radicals can cause to the body’s organs, to DNA and even to individual cells.

Because an individual cannot safely or responsibly drink enough red wine to reap the health benefits associated with resveratrol, HerbaSway developed a liquid concentrate of the compound made from extracts of giant knotweed and the skin and seeds from grapes. Because these extracts are in concentrated form, they contain a level of resveratrol that far exceeds that found in red wine.

One serving from a 60-serving bottle of HerbaSway Resveratrol delivers the heart-health benefits of more than a bottle of red wine.

Franklin St. John, the founder of HerbaSway Laboratories, was taught traditional Chinese herbal medicine and qigong by a Taoist master from the mountains of China. For more information, call 1-800-672-7322 or visit HerbaSway.com. See ad, page 9.

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The Ultimate Guide to Eating a Plant-Based Diet

by Tina Stinson This guide provides a step-by-step process for adopting a plant-based diet. I hope it’s helpful, and congratulations for doing something healthy for you and positive for the planet!

Stop eating animal products.

Eating plant-based means avoiding all animal-based foods—and that can be challenging. It’s all about reading labels and learning what those mystery ingredients are.

Head to the fridge and the pantry.

Go through everything and start reading labels. If you don’t know what it is, look it up. It’s always good to know what you’re putting in your body—you might decide you don’t want to consume it.

That task is a lot easier with a whole-food diet.

What’s a whole food? Food that grows from the earth. Food that’s unprocessed or minimally processed. Food that doesn’t have an ingredient list.

Eating whole foods is key.

It’s the most important step for improving health with a plant-based diet. My energy levels skyrocketed when I started eating more real food. Eating whole foods is easier than you think—and you will feel so much better.

n Start with plant-based dinners (or breakfasts or lunches) and transition to the other meals over time.

These are just a few ways to ease into a plant-based diet, which lets you learn and adjust. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Take your time.

Plant-based isn’t the same as vegan.

“Plant-based” is about diet. “Vegan” is about diet and lifestyle. According to the Vegan Society, “Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.” For example, vegans avoid wearing leather and fur, and even eating honey.

Replace animal-based foods gradually.

Don’t throw everything out at once and spend a fortune on new plant-based items. Replace animal-based foods as they run out. (Unless you’re a “cold turkey” person—then go for it. Donate what you don’t want and go shopping!)

Start with a few staple plant-based recipes.

Think of some of your favorite meals, then look online or in cookbooks for plant-based replacements. Finding recipes that are similar to ones you already like will make you more comfortable with the change. Make sure the recipes aren’t too difficult and that the ingredients are readily available.

Pinterest has some great plant-based recipes.

Find the “why.”

Figuring out your reason for going plant-based is the first step to reaching your goal. So ask yourself, Why is this transition important to me?

How will I feel when I get started?

Learn how to replace animal products.

There are so many dairy replacements in the grocery store right now. Start testing them out! Keep in mind, however, that plant-based cheeses, butters and condiments can be highly processed. So if the goal is to improve your health, use those products sparingly, and consider not using them at all.

For more help making the switch to a plant-based diet, visit TinaStinson. com/plant-based-resources.

Ease into the transition with these techniques: n Eat plant-based one day a week (“Meatless Mondays”). n Eat plant-based Monday through Friday and take a break on the weekends. n Eat plant-based for one meal a day, then add more meals over time.

Tina Stinson is a certified life coach, holistic health coach and culinary nutrition instructor. For more information, or to set up a complimentary call, contact her at 315-726-0318 or visit TinaStinson. com. See ad, page 13.

November 2021

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local insights

The Causes of Candida From antibiotics to chronic stress, a variety of factors can trigger this pesky yeast.

by Michael Biamonte, CCN

The causes of candida are not a mystery. They are also not the same for every person. Some people develop candida due to a combination of causes. Let’s explore some of the most common ones.

1. Antibiotics: Antibiotics are a common cause of candida. They destroy both harmful and good bacteria. When antibiotics destroy friendly bacteria, candida have a chance to multiply. Anyone who has been treated with antibiotics for acne, major dental work or any condition for which antibiotic use has been frequent—more than one course of seven to ten days—is a prime candidate for candida.

2. Birth control pills and copper IUDs: Oral birth control pills are mostly composed of the hormone estrogen. Supplemental estrogen in the synthetic form has been found to promote the growth of yeast. Several years ago, the Great Smokies Medical Lab published studies showing that hormones could affect intestinal bacteria. A common complaint of women on birth control pills is yeast infection.

The copper IUD is another possible yeast promoter. Researcher David Watts, Ph.D., has observed that copper promotes the growth of yeast. Often women with a copper IUD develop excessive levels of copper in their tissues. Excess copper can depress the adrenal, thyroid and immune systems, making it more difficult for the body to resist yeast.

3. Chronic stress: Stress can cause yeast growth for several reasons. Stress causes the body to release cortisol, a hormone that can raise blood sugar and depress the immune system. Elevated blood sugar can feed yeast cells, allowing them to grow quickly; meanwhile, depressed immune function leaves the body defenseless against the sudden growth of yeast. These two reactions tend to happen together as cortisol levels go up. That’s how stress causes candida.

Also, cortisol can be addicting to the body, as it raises blood sugar and relieves inflammation. A few studies have shown that the body can try to keep cortisol levels elevated. There are several simple nutrients that help lower cortisol levels back to normal by telling the nervous system to relax.

4. Tap water consumption: Unfiltered tap water is high in chlorine, which has been found to destroy friendly intestinal bacteria. This will allow candida to flourish.

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5. Parasites and intestinal worms: These are more common than most of us realize. Some researchers have estimated that more than 85 percent of people living in North America and Canada have parasites, which can be large and wormlike or microscopic.

Either way, they destroy the friendly bacteria in the intestines, making yeast overgrowth possible.

6. Constipation: Constipation can be caused by candida. However, constipation can also lead to candida.

If someone does not have candida but then becomes constipated for any reason, candida may begin to grow. That’s because a slow-moving digestive tract becomes very alkaline— the environment where candida grows best. The more alkaline the digestive tract, the happier the candida.

These are just the most common causes of candida. To read the full list, or for personalized treatment visit Health-Truth.com/the-truecause-of-candida/.

Michael Biamonte has a doctorate in nutripathy and is a New York State-certified clinical nutritionist.

He is a professional member of the International and American Association of Clinical Nutritionists and the American College of Nutrition and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board. See ad, page 19.

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The Detox Lifestyle

We hear a lot about detoxification this time of year, when the concept is introduced as the ultimate spring cleaning. But Vanessa Galti-Drew, founder of Cleansing Concepts, says detoxification should be an ongoing process—a lifestyle, not a seasonal ritual.

For more than 10 years, Cleansing Concepts has provided a variety of detoxification modalities, like colon cleansing, ion therapy, infrared sauna therapy and living clay therapy.

But as an extension of her in-studio offerings across her five locations, Galti-Drew has integrated ways for her clients to experience detoxification in between appointments.

“It’s critical to counterbalance the environmental toxic load we all endure daily—sometimes even before getting out of bed, let alone throughout an entire day, week, month or year,” she says. “We can’t necessarily control what’s happening around us, but we can certainly control what we’re choosing to put in our bodies.”

To that end, all Cleansing Concepts locations are offering three new “beyond the studio” detox solutions to positively impact health.

The Prove It Challenge This detox regimen is scientifically proven to transform the user’s health in 30 days or sooner, GaltiDrew says.

“It begins with a 7 Day Healthy Cleanse, which acts as a digestive reset to prepare the body to receive proper nutrition beginning on day eight and thereafter,” she says.

When the weeklong cleanse is complete, advanced nutrition is incorporated by replacing one daily meal with a Life Shake and taking the Vitalizer strip—customizable for men, women and those over age 50—for clinically backed vitamins, minerals and protein.

“Our bodies withstand a lot, even during detox, so foundational nutrition is critical,” Galti-Drew says.

“The Prove It Challenge makes achieving optimal nutrition simple.”

Me+ology This patent-pending personalized nutrition system assesses more than 1,000 factors in five minutes to reveal what supplements an individual needs and why. The detailed breakdown is based on Me+ology’s focus areas and how they impact one another, Galti-Drew says.

“There are two plans, Essentials and Essentials Plus, based on where you are on your health journey, and everything proposed can be easily modified. Because everybody is different,” she says.

Detox Clay According to Galti-Drew, Cleansing Concepts Detox Clay is the world’s only source for 100 percent pure,

350screen mesh, calcium bentonite clay, which absorbs excess oil and dirt from the skin and acts like a sponge to bind and eliminate nonnutritive and harmful substances from the colon.

She says “living” or “active” clays like this have the ability to adsorb and absorb—similar words that mean two different things.

“Adsorption describes the process by which the charged particles of other substances combine with charged particles on the outer surface of the clay molecule,” she explains. “Absorption is a slower and more complex process: Expanded clay attracts foreign substances that are absorbed and fill the spaces between the stacked layers of clay molecules. Absorbent clay absorbs positively charged ions and impurities and ignores negatively charged nutrients. And thus, we are cleansed.”

All these new offerings are designed to support people on their journey to radically transform their health, Galti-Drew says. Whichever path they choose, a laser-focused approach to reducing toxic load is critically dependent on what happens before, during and after the detoxification process.

For more information, call Cleansing Concepts at 516-640-5322 (Garden City, NY); 732-741-2444 (Red Bank, NJ); or 631-656-6313 (Smithtown, NY); or visit CleansingConceptsWorld.com.

See ad, page 5.

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See November 2021

23

by Ronica O’Hara

O

n his deathbed, Apple founder Steve Jobs looked for a long time at his children, his sister and his wife, then moved his gaze to the space behind them. “Oh wow! Oh wow! Oh wow!” he gasped. No one can know for certain what he was experiencing, but his words point to the deep, mysterious potential of our final hours—the awareness of which can transform our life long before its end.

“An awareness of dying, of death, can wake us up to life. It helps us live a life that’s rich and full and meaningful. When we deny the truth of dying, we live less wholeheartedly, less completely,” says Frank Ostaseski, founder of the pioneering San Francisco Zen Hospice Project and author of The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully.

The pandemic has 51 percent of us thinking more about our own mortality, a survey shows. The subject of death has been slowly opening up in America: TV programs like Six Feet Under and Alternative Endings: Six New Ways to Die in America present dying and grief more realistically; thousands of small conversational gatherings called “death cafes” are being held each year; people are designing their own funerals and choosing green burial sites; and the field of “death doulas” is emerging to help families navigate the legal and emotional shoals. Half a century after the release of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’ seminal book On Death and Dying, palliative care to ease pain is offered by two-thirds of American hospitals, and Medicare funding for end-of-life hospice care has grown tenfold over the last two decades.

Yet for many, death remains the last taboo—85 percent of us have not discussed our last wishes yet with loved ones. Thousands of studies in the emerging field of experimental existential psychology have found that when reminded subconsciously of death, people tend to drive faster, drink harder, smoke more and get meaner to out-groups in attempts to lower their anxiety.

But when we look death squarely in the face, that anxiety recedes, the research concludes. Gratitude, self-honesty and the humility of recognizing our place in the larger whole are also proven antidotes. With less fear, we are better able to take the proactive, concrete steps that ease our passage—getting clear on our values and desires, having important conversations, attending to final decisions and opening to our spiritual process. Although death has its own ways and means, these four processes can make it more likely we will die as we would like to.

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Four Steps to a Good Death

Defining What We Value “Deeply consider what your

priorities in life are,” says Tarron Estes, founder and CEO of The Conscious Dying Institute, in Boulder, which has trained more than 6,500 doulas since 2013. “Ask yourself, if I had only three months to live, what’s important to me spiritually, emotionally, physically? What do I still need to do or say?” She recommends Stephen Levine’s book, A Year to Live, for exercises and meditations for that process.

“Don’t wait until the time of your dying to discover what it has to teach you,” advises Ostaseski, who has sat beside more than 2,000 hospice patients in their last hours. “When I’m with dying people, the things that are important to them are not their spiritual beliefs, but are more about relationships—‘Am I loved? Did I love well?’ Those two questions are useful inquiries now. They help us to discover where value and meaning can be found.”

By applying our values to the dying process, we can start sorting through options. Do we want to die at home or in a hospital?

What medical procedures will we accept or decline? What measures do we want to be taken to sustain our life? Who do we want to be at our side? And what do we need to say before that time?

Having Important Conversations As daunting as the

prospect of an end-of-life talk with family and friends may seem, it can start with simple words like “I want to talk with you about something important to me.” Without spelling out our desires, death can become inadvertently medicalized: Nine in 10 of us say we want to die in our homes, but only two in 10 do. “The default systems are all to treat, treat, treat, until someone finally says, ‘No,’ so many people end up on a high-tech conveyor belt to the ICU,” says award-winning journalist Katy Butler, author of The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life. Among people that undertake such talks, 73 percent describe the experience as positive, reassuring and productive. A downloadable Conversation Starter Guide (TheConversationProject.org) provides practical guidance for these critical conversations.

Attending to Medical and Burial Decisions Tak-

ing care of business—the paperwork aspects of death known as advance directives—spares loved ones from having to make tough decisions later. A last will and testament precludes pain and infighting among family and friends. A living will specifies what treatments are wanted under what conditions. A medical power of attorney designates a trusted person to make medical decisions if a patient is not capable. A Do Not Resuscitate order approved by a doctor means emergency medical workers are less likely to give CPR, which frequently causes trauma and broken ribs in elderly or frail patients. Either cremation or a burial can be decided upon; environmental options such as a forest burial in a wooden casket can be explored. Local hospice options can be surveyed in advance; nonprofits generally are rated better than profit-making groups.

Opening to the Spiritual Process Whether or not we have religious beliefs to carry us through waves of loss and sorrow, death can spur spiritual insight. “In dying, we withdraw from our outer circles and come into the inner circles of our lives—the rela-

tionships that matter most to us,” says Ostaseski, who has worked four decades with hospice patients. “There’s a growing silence that has us becoming more contemplative and reflective. Our sense of time and space changes and we enter into a kind of free flow.

The boundaries we have lived by begin to dissolve, and we start to feel ourselves as part of something larger—not as a belief, but as a natural occurrence. Often people realize themselves to be more than the small, separate self they had thought themselves to be.”

Joan Tollifson, a Zen-trained spiritual teacher and author of Death: The End of Self-Improvement, concurs: “When the future disappears, we are brought home to the immediacy that we may have avoided all our lives. With no future left to fantasize about, the focus of attention may finally be fully on right Now, the only place where our life ever actually is. Really getting that ‘This is it,’ there may be a sudden recognition of the absolute preciousness and wonder of every simple ordinary thing and of the people around us, just as they are, with all their flaws and foibles. Old grudges and resentments often melt away, and love shines through.

“All the things which may have been part of our self-image—independence, physical strength, cognitive sharpness, good appearance and so on—have either disappeared or are rapidly collapsing, which invites the discovery that none of that really mattered, that what we truly or more fundamentally are is not dependent on any of that.

“The greatest gift we can give to a loved one who is dying,” says Tollifson, is to “simply be present, listen, follow your heart, trust the process. Everything else will follow from that. There’s no right or wrong way.”

It can be difficult to know what to say to a loved one near the end, but hospice workers recommend five phrases that have deep healing potential, even if a person seems unconscious: “I love you,” “Thank you,” “Please forgive me,” “I forgive you,” and “Goodbye” or “Until we meet again.” As Butler points out, the first four phrases can be said any time in our lives.

Increasingly in hospice care, loved ones are encouraged to sit with the body after the death, touching it, sharing stories, perhaps gently bathing it and dressing it in favorite clothes. “Touching the body, feeling the coolness, makes the death real to the family,” Ostaseski says. “Research shows that people that went through that process still grieved, but they were able to be with the emotion and not be overwhelmed by it.”

Facing the reality of death—as hard and heartbreaking as that can be—can free us to truly live life, said Jobs. After his terminal cancer diagnosis, he told Stanford students in a commencement address, “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@ gmail.com.

November 2021

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healing ways

Healthy Brain Strategies How to Prevent Cognitive Decline

A

benjavisa ruangvaree/AdobeStock.com

by Linda Sechrist

healthy brain performs mental processes known as cognition, which is the acquiring of knowledge and understanding by means of thought, experience and the senses. This includes functions and systems such as memory, learning, language, problem solving, decision making, reasoning and intelligence. The aging process, a stroke or a brain injury can cause a mild to severe reduction in healthy brain 26

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functioning resulting in impaired memory and concentration, and difficulty in learning new things or making decisions that impact daily living.

Functional medicine experts focused on preventive health care agree on the ABC’s for optimizing the brain and protecting against decline: eating a healthy diet, exercising, reducing inflammation and stress levels, balancing hormone levels, cultivating healthy relationships and getting enough restorative sleep. With their expertise, they are helping to shift the old paradigm of inevitable aging and cognitive decline into a new one based on the brain’s neuroplasticity.

Harvard-trained neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor, author of the bestseller My Stroke of Insight and the recent Whole Brain Living, is a true poster child for demonstrating the brain’s neuroplasticity and ability to recover from a massive stroke. She writes about the congenital neurological brain disorder that became a problem when an arteriovenous malformation exploded in her brain’s left hemisphere. For four hours, she observed her brain functions systemically shutting down one by one. On the afternoon of her stroke, she could not walk, talk, read, write or recall any of her life. Eight years later, she was not only slalom waterskiing again, but also explaining to the world, “We are the life-force power of the universe, with manual dexterity and two cognitive minds. We have the power to choose, moment to moment, who and how we want to be in the world.”

Devaki Lindsey Berkson, author of Sexy Brain, a hormone formulator and former researcher at Tulane University’s estrogen think tank, advises, “Most people think hormones are sexy, reproductive things and when they get older, they’re relieved that they don’t have to think about them. Not true. The body has a virtual physiological internet system. Hormones are the email signals to most cells. While the robustness of hormones and their signals affects lungs, gut, kidney and vocal cord health, it especially affects the brain. Balancing hormones with bioidentical hormones is one solution.”

David Perlmutter, neurologist and co-author of Brain Wash, cites food as the biggest player in both brain and overall health in his books and PBS workshops. “Eating inappropriately causes intestinal permeability, resulting in inflammation, which in the brain, threatens good decision making—from deciding on the foods we eat to turning off our televisions at night, getting

NYCNaturalAwakenings.com

a good night’s rest, making sure that we exercise regularly and connecting with other people. Not good for the gut are dairy products, alcohol, highly processed foods that are low in fiber, high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, as well as antibiotics,” he says, adding that meditation and exposure to nature are powerful ways of reducing inflammation in the body and brain.

As explained by neurologist Dale E. Bredesen, author of The End of Alzheimer’s, stress leads to an increase in cortisol levels that can be toxic to our brains—in particular the memory—consolidating the hippocampus, one of the first structures affected by Alzheimer’s. Studies show that high stress levels can also contribute to brain fog, involving difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness and mental fatigue. The Bredesen Protocol, available from health practitioners and online, includes exercising, eating a plant-based diet, supplementing to reduce insulin sensitivity and optimize cognitive function, reducing both gut inflammation and exposure to toxins, treating pathogens and optimizing sleep.

HealthyBrains.org, Cleveland Clinic’s Healthy Brains Initiative, is an online resource center with information on how to manage brain health and create a brain span that matches a life span. It offers six pillars of brain health as explained by brain health experts, including exercise, sleep, relaxation, mental fitness and social interaction.

Supplementing for brain health should be done wisely, says Mark Hyman, author of Food: What the Heck Should I Eat? and director of functional medicine at Cleveland Clinic. He recommends at the very least taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement, omega-3, extra vitamins B3, B6 and B12, folate and a good probiotic that enhances the brain-gut relationship.

Mastery of the ABC’s in kindergarten is required as the foundation of language and a lifetime of learning. Living the fundamentals for a healthy brain can result in a brain span that equals our life span.

Linda Sechrist is a Natural Awakenings senior staff writer. Connect at Linda Sechrist.com.

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healthy kids

Mindfulness for Stressed Teens School Programs Teach Healthy Coping Skills

by Erin Lehn

T

een stress levels often rival those of adults, concludes data collected by the American Psychological Association in 2017. This is especially true these days with the influx of social media expectations, political unrest and a global pandemic to contend with. Other daily pressures—such as relationship turmoil, bullying, academic challenges, unstable home lives and mood disorders—can add to the stressors. With all of these pressures, it’s no wonder many teens often tune out and turn toward their devices, getting fixated on other people’s lives or compulsively recording their own experiences, but not fully living them.

A wealth of research has demonstrated that one of the most beneficial ways to help teens navigate the ups and downs of these tumultuous years is through mindfulness education. A randomized clinical trial published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 2009 was one of the first studies that provided evidence of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction treatment of adolescents. Since then, there has been no

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shortage of research findings proving its benefits.

“In a nutshell, mindfulness is about being keenly aware of your life, in the present, versus the automatic tendency to ruminate about the past or worry about the future,” says Gina Biegel, CEO and founder of Stressed Teens, a Campbell, California, business that has been disseminating mindfulness-based programs tailored to adolescents since 2004. “It’s noticing your thoughts, feelings and physical sensations in the present moment without harmful judgment.”

“Mindfulness is a practice in the art of aligning your energy, mindset and emotions,” says Tris Thorp, the San Diego-based author of Healing Your Heart and a Chopra Center-trained leadership coach. “When teens acquire the skills to better navigate what’s happening in the moment, they’ll have more opportunity available to them because they’re calm, centered and grounded.”

“The best moments come when a teen realizes their own wisdom, sees it emerge and is able to grow stronger as a result,” says Jem Shackleford, head of curricula for Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP), a leading nonprofit provider of mindfulness training for schools in the U.K. and internationally.

According to Biegel, a regular mindfulness-based practice helps rewire the brain when people focus on pleasant, beneficial and positive experiences. “For survival purposes, our brains are naturally wired to the negative, aka ‘negative selection bias’,” she says. “Thankfully, we can train our brains to be more tilted to the positive. In fact, just thinking of a positive memory for 12 seconds can create a benefit for your well-being.”

While there are multiple approaches to weaving mindfulness practices into a school setting, here are two highly effective practices. n Certify teachers in mindfulness training so they can deliver the materials directly to their students. “MiSP curricula are produced by educators that have many years of experience of what works in the classroom. They are also long-term mindfulness practitioners, giving them a unique perspective of how mindfulness can be used and taught effectively in school,” says Shackleford. n Implement a school-wide approach. Stressed Teens offers online mindfulness-based groups and one-on-one therapy and coaching sessions for teens, as well as professional instructor certifications and the Whole-School Mindfulness-Centered Social-Emotional Learning program. This approach, in which an entire school participates for a calendar year, is especially beneficial because everyone is going through the program at the same time. “Typically, schools complete two lessons per week to fit the curriculum into one semester or one lesson per week to spread learning over two semesters,” Biegel says.

While teens can learn and practice these techniques alone, a whole systems approach that involves the family, school and community has been shown to have the biggest impact. “A teenager with a mindfulness practice can have a beneficial effect on other members of the household. However, there needs to

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be support from every angle in a teen’s environment for it to be sustainable,” says Thorp. “There’s so much evidence-based research and measurables that demonstrate how impactful these programs are in schools and communities. There’s a clear reduction in acting out, reduced conflict, and more participation and engagement.”

“Think of the ripple effect of possible benefits if the whole community and systems a teen are in are also learning and practicing mindfulness,” says Biegel.

“Mindfulness-based methods also include and affect positive human values like gratitude, kindness, generosity, self-care, compassion and acceptance. Youth, parents and educators can all benefit from that.”

For more information, including free mindfulness-based resources, visit Stressed Teens.com, MindfulnessInSchools.org and TrisThorp.com.

Erin Lehn is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine.

10 Mindfulness Tips for Teens 1. Stop what you’re doing and count your breaths to 10.

2. Devote your awareness to more of

the pleasant and beneficial moments in your day.

3. Accomplish only one task at a time.

You will be more productive than if you split your attention to multiple tasks.

4. Start a daily gratitude journal. Each day, consider the big things you’re grateful for, like your family, friends, health or home. Also, don’t forget the little things you’re thankful for, such as a cup of coffee or a hug.

5. Get some form of exercise every day.

Even a 15-minute walk can do wonders for the mind.

6. Spend time outdoors enjoying nature.

Notice the power of grounding by paying attention to your feet on the ground.

7. Begin a daily mindfulness practice. Start

with 10 minutes and work your way up.

8. Commit to a nourishing self-care routine with a caveat to set incremental goals you can accomplish. You do not have to overdo it.

9. Acknowledge the positive qualities of your family, friends and others in your inner circle. Let them know how much they mean to you. Let them know you see them and hear them.

10. Carve out daily enrichment time

such as learning an instrument or creating artwork. Bring mindful attention, paying notice to your five senses, to anything you do in your daily life.

Tips courtesy of Gina Biegel, CEO and founder of Stressed Teens; Jem Shackleford, head of curricula for Mindfulness in Schools Project; and Tris Thorp, author and coach. For more helpful mindfulness tips, click on the Stressed Teens Toolbox link at StressedTeens.com, visit MindfulnessInSchools.org/freeresources/ and TrisThorp.com/blog/.

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fit body

Sacred Dance Moving into Divine Energy

viktoriia protsak/AdobeStock.com

by Marlaina Donato

H

eart-healthy dancing of all types is known to promote overall physical and mental health. When they are spirit-infused, forms like African, Middle Eastern, ecstatic and yoga-inspired kundalini dance offer us the opportunity to stay in shape while also fortifying the body’s intrinsic life force.

Classes in these styles of dance, which are most often conducted barefoot, draw upon a deep cultural well and include the infectious heartbeat of live accompaniment. Just about anyone can find their own blissful groove when going with the flow is the focus. “In class, I choose to emphasize the feeling more than the step itself. The goal is always to get a spiritual release,” says Darian Parker, a Brooklyn-based West African dance teacher, professor and choreographer. “I always encourage my students to privilege ‘having a good time’ over succumbing to self-criticism from not perfecting a step.”

Modern Moves, Ancient Roots There are more than 3,000 ethnic groups on the continent of Africa, and each dance style has a purpose that is defined by its unique history. In the West African tradition, dances are designed to heal the individual and from the broader perspective, restore community.

Parker, a faculty member of Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance, in Brooklyn, celebrates the culture and art of the Mande people. “In short, Mande dance trains your spirit just as much as it trains your body,” says Parker. “In many Mande cultures, the ground is thought to be the habitation of our ancestors, who are thought to animate our 30

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bodies when we dance. In this way, you can think of dance as a ritual technology that renews our connections with those who came before us.”

While an African dance class encourages high energy and joyous expression, ecstatic dance can be a portal to self-discovery and connectedness. Springboarding from ancient societies worldwide, modern ecstatic dance is freeform and hallmarked by trance or tribal beats.

“Ecstatic dance has offered me a portal to my subconscious, my spirit, my deep knowing. It’s a way to, as Gabrielle Roth, the creator of 5Rhythms, put it, ‘Get out of my head and into my body,’ and in my body there is wonderful wisdom,” explains Heidi Sheldon, a seasoned ecstatic dancer and licensed counselor in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. “Your spirit knows what to

do when it hears and feels the rhythms.

You just need to allow your body to follow.”

Belly of Bliss, Heart of Light Middle Eastern dance is comprised of many dance styles—folk and tribal, classical and most widely known, belly dancing. In ancient times, the latter was practiced in rituals for fertile harvests and women’s fertility, including physical preparation for childbirth. In 2017, a pilot study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies showed that belly dance improves depressive symptoms, fatigue and quality of life in women with breast cancer.

“Belly dancing is a tantric form of dance that empowers women to release shame and accept and love themselves and their bodies just as they are. The movements open us to pleasure and sensual bliss in our very own skin. In this way, it is very healing and therapeutic,” says Banafsheh Sayyad, a Persian dance artist and founder of the Dance of Oneness Academy, in Los Angeles.

Sayyad’s movement, a fusion of Persian and Middle Eastern dance, flamenco, contemporary dance and meditative whirling, is deeply connected to an ancient feminine ethos.

As a teacher, she brings the Sama—the dervish (pronounced “darvish” in Persian) dance of the Sufis historically reserved for men—into the hands of women.“In the traditional Sama, the right arm is extended up toward the sky with the palm facing up,” she says. “The left arm is extended out with the palm facing down toward the Earth. In so doing, you transmit and emanate the light you’ve received into the world through your heart. So, this dance is about becoming a channel for light and love in the world.”

In essence, stepping into any dance class can be good for the soul. Sayyad reminds us, “Every movement and dance style, if done with the intention of surrendering one’s sense of separateness into an experience of the greater or dissolving one’s identity as a drop of water into the greater ocean of oneness, can be sacred.”

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

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plus: Boosting Immune System Contact: 212-726-1420 publisher@na-newyorkcity.com November 2021

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wise words

energies in forms that plants provide; our physiology, respiration and metabolism is a mirror image of photosynthesis. We have complete biological dependency on plants in every moment; understanding this is the basis of reverence for nature, which is ecological spirituality, the only long-term solution to the environmental crisis we have created through lack of sensitivity and appreciation of our place in the biosphere.

David Crow on the Healing Power of Medicinal Plants

by Randy Kambic

photo by Simone Anne

How is self-care changing to empower people?

D

avid Crow, author of In Search of the Medicine Buddha, among other books, is a foremost expert in botanical medicine and other natural health applications. As a teacher, telemedicine consultant, researcher, certified master herbalist, aromatherapist and acupuncturist, he has studied Chinese, Tibetan, Ayurvedic and Western herbal medicine for more than 30 years. He is a strong advocate of the safe use of herbs and essential oils, and installing gardens in public and private spaces. As one of the first medical pioneers to use essential oils and aromatherapy in clinical practice, integrating them into comprehensive treatments, he is also the founder of Floracopeia Aromatic Treasures.

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Why do you feel humanity needs to reconnect a sacred relationship with plants?

For our survival as a species. Plants created the biosphere over hundreds of millions of years, including the ozone layer, the oxygen in the atmosphere, the fertility of the soil, the regulation of the seasons and the foundation of the food chain. From those conditions, higher life was able to emerge and evolve: Humans emerged from conditions created by plants. Since we cannot live directly on soil and sunlight as plants do, the structure and function of the human body are designed so that we can extract those NYCNaturalAwakenings.com

The doctor/patient paradigm is changing in many ways as a result of the internet, availability of natural medicines and awareness of the limitations and dangers of pharmaceutical drugs. The availability of nutraceuticals and herbal products from around the world has created a golden age of natural medicine, but has also brought widespread confusion from the overwhelming amount of information combined with marketing of products.

People are asking more about drugs and prescribed procedures; they are seeking natural alternatives, and in many cases, either reducing or eliminating their need for pharmaceutical drugs. This change is an important step toward greater health consciousness, which is linked directly to other aspects of creating a healthier society, like the increased demand for organic food that’s driving more organic agriculture.

Why are cultural medical systems inseparable from spiritual and meditative practices?

Classical medical systems such as Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, along with indigenous and shamanic uses of plants for healing, have evolved and are inseparable from the spiritual practices of their cultures. For example, Chinese medicine evolved from and with the same philosophical roots and practices as qigong and Taoist alchemy, and Ayurveda emerged from and in turn influenced yoga, tantra and Vedic philosophy.

The significance of this is that medical

practices were used both for healing the body and to support yogic and spiritual practices, and vice versa. Now we have modern scientific research confirming the health benefits of spiritual practices such as meditation and prayer, but more importantly, traditional medical systems remind us that there is an ultimate spiritual goal that is higher than mere physical health.

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What is your view on the resurgence of psychedelic plant medicines for healing?

All plants have healing properties and also have potential dangers and toxicity, depending on how they are used. The psychoactive plants, specifically the entheogens (those that awaken the perception of divinity) have been used in ceremonies and mystery cults throughout history for healing conditions of body, mind and spirit, but those traditions have always been under the care of highly trained and experienced priests, priestesses and shamans. The experiences while under the influence of these plants are highly dependent on the container of the environment, the cultural mythologies, the ritual, its leaders and the other people present in the ceremony, and it can be highly unpredictable with both good and bad outcomes.

The use of these medicines at higher doses is an excellent opportunity for deep inner transformation, exploration of consciousness and appreciation of the visionary realms that are available to us, but like all intensive spiritual endeavors, requires preparation, orientation and guidance. Using these plants at lower doses, like microdosing daily with psilocybin mushrooms for treating depression and anxiety, offers great benefits for some people without the risks of the psychological, mental or emotional disruptions that can occur at higher doses.

For more information, visit CrowConsultations.com or Floracopeia.com.

Randy Kambic, in Estero, Florida, is a freelance editor and writer.

Batool F. Rizvi, D.D.S., P.C.

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green living

Eco-Decor for the Home How to Buy Sustainable Furnishings

brizmaker/AdobeStock.com

by Sandra Yeyati

W

hile comfort and beauty are clear priorities when shopping for furnishings, sustainability and health should be, too. By asking the right questions and doing a little up-front research, consumers have the power to appoint their sanctuaries with non-toxic, ecologically responsible items that are built to last and won’t pollute the environment.

According to the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) (SustainableFurnishings.org), 80 percent of the environmental impact of any product comes from the materials used to make it, so it’s vital to ask about all of the material components in a piece of furniture.

Sustainably Harvested Wood Because it is long-lasting and sturdy, wood can be an excellent, eco-friendly material. The most important consideration is that it hasn’t contributed to deforestation. SFC Executive Director Susan Inglis recommends third-party certification to confirm that wood was sustainably harvested in ways that preserve the forest’s ecosystem and benefit nearby communities. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC.org) issues one of the industry’s most coveted independent certifications.

Reclaimed wood is another Earth-friendly option. “Perhaps the tree was cut down decades or centuries ago and made into a building, and now it’s being used to make a 34

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NYCNaturalAwakenings.com

piece of furniture,” explains Inglis. A third sustainable choice is wood from a plantation that was established more than 25 years ago. “While it is not sustainable to convert natural forests to plantations today because you’re losing biodiversity, wood from long-established plantations is considered sustainable,” she says, adding that in those settings, new trees are planted to replace those harvested.

Non-Toxic Textiles According to Inglis, the most environmentally sound textiles are made of natural fibers like organic cotton, linen, hemp and wool, which are long-lasting and can be recycled into new textiles. Synthetic fibers are petroleum-based and much less desirable.

Textile manufacturing practices can also be environmentally problematic. “Look for certification that they’re not polluting waters or using toxic dyes,” says Aimee Robinson, owner of EcoBalanza, an organic furniture boutique in Seattle. She points to the Global Organic Textile Standard (Global-Standard.org) as a reliable organization which identifies producers of natural fibers that are organically grown without pesticides, while also considering the social and environmental impacts of their production systems.

Volatile Compounds and Unhealthy Chemicals The SFC has identified five classes of chemicals commonly found in furniture that have been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption and immune impairment: volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde found in paints and finishes; flame retardants; fluoridated chemicals used in performance fabrics; antimicrobials; and polyvinyl chloride, known as PVC or vinyl. Inglis recommends that consumers ask about the potential presence of these chemicals when shopping for furniture and avoid them if possible.

Recycled Plastic Recycling plastic to make furniture is trending, and that’s a plus, according to Inglis. “The best thing would be to avoid making anything out of plastic,” she says. “Plastic is a huge environmental problem, and our use of it continues to go up, especially in the COVID era. Only a small percentage of it is being recycled, leaving a lot of it to break down into microparticles, unfortunately. So, making things out of our plastic waste is good.”

Robinson, on the other hand, refuses to use any plastic in her handmade, all-natural furniture. “Plastics are a non-biodegradable, petrochemical product,” she says. “They’re polluting everything. The plastics industry is so insidious. Anything we can do on any front to pull away from petrochemicals in every aspect is good.”

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Price and Durability “Well-made furniture can get expensive, but you’ll have to replace cheap furniture because it’s not built to last. What’s cheap in the beginning is expensive in the end, because it’s not taking into account the cost of having to replace it or the cost of cleaning up an environment that gets more and more filled with junk,” says Robinson, who also recommends looking for well-made vintage pieces that can be restored and brought back to life.

“I recommend that you spend the most budget you have on a quality product, because that sofa, if it’s made well, can be reupholstered over and over again,” says Robin Wilson, a New York City designer and founder of Robin Wilson Home. “By keeping that sofa, you’re being eco-friendly to the world because it is not going into a landfill.”

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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conscious eating

Eat Well to Feel Well thanksgiving fare that boosts mental health

by Christy Ratliff

jchizhe/AdobeStock.com

A

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cross America, people of all ages are struggling with mental health issues. Nearly one in five people is living with a mental health condition, and the number of people seeking help for anxiety and depression is skyrocketing, reports Mental Health America. According to the organization’s 2021 State of Mental Health in America Report, suicidal thoughts are increasing among both adults and children, and 9.7 percent of youth is experiencing severe major depression compared to 9.2 percent last year. The highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant has only exacerbated these mental health challenges.

The hope and help we seek may be as close as our own kitchen.

Accumulating research shows that a diet rich in highly processed foods may increase the risk of developing or worsening various mental health conditions. But a nutrient-based diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables; omega-3 fatty acids; nuts, seeds and legumes; whole grains, fresh herbs and spices; fish and olive oil, may help to support and enhance mental health. We can start this Thanksgiving by serving up healthier, nutrient-rich options to alleviate anxiety and depression, stabilize mood and promote mental health and wellness.

“The gut/brain connection helps us understand the food/ mood connection,” explains Dr. Uma Naidoo, a Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef, nutrition specialist and author of the national bestseller This is Your Brain on Food.

“The enteric nervous system—that is, the nerves supplying the gastrointestinal tract—totals over 100 million neurons and communicates directly with the brain, or central nervous system, by way of the vagus nerve, which is responsible for our ‘rest-anddigest’ response.

“It’s also vital to note that the gut contains the highest number of serotonin receptors, and the gut itself produces all the neurotransmitters that are also made in the brain, including serotonin, often called the happiness hormone. In turn, these neurotransmitters are implicated in sound mental health or potential problems when they are deficient.”

“What we eat affects mental health in many ways,” adds Amy Spindel, a functional holistic nutritionist in Plano, Texas, and founder of FoodWithThoughtNutrition.com. “Nutrient deficiencies can cause poor neurotransmitter production. Insufficient vitamin B6, folate and vitamin B12 can be implicated in depression and anxiety

NYCNaturalAwakenings.com

symptoms, as they are all needed for various stages of neurotransmitter production, especially serotonin, dopamine and GABA.” “Traditional sugary, high-carbohydrate foods promote unstable blood sugar and selectively feed inflammatory gut microbes,” Spindel says, suggesting that we skip the typical foods many of us associate with the holidays such as pecan pie, marshmallowtopped sweet potato casserole and canned cranberry sauce.

“Blood sugar fluctuations cause the body to scramble in an attempt to re-regulate glucose, which may mean spikes of cortisol or adrenaline, as well as insulin. The end result can be depression and anxiety from excessive stress hormones and a glucosestarved brain.”

But making such changes, particularly during the holidays, isn’t easy. “If the thought of changing up the traditional Thanksgiving menu gives you pause, you are not alone—and this is why I believe in adding in habits (and in this case, dishes) which have a positive ripple effect on our bodies and our brain, allowing for a self-sustaining cycle in our lifestyle,” advises Naidoo.

“As a nutritional psychiatrist, I feel that we are more emotionally nurtured by a feeling of abundance in ‘adding’ new Thanks-

giving dishes than thinking about this as ‘excluding’ foods,” she notes. “For example, tossing a fresh, folate-rich spinach and arugula salad with bits of antioxidant-rich strawberries, crisp roasted chickpeas and omega-3-rich olive oil adds color, flavor and a plethora of mood-nourishing ingredients to the dinner table.

Even adding extra veggies to existing dishes, such as allicin-rich garlic to green beans or extra celery and fresh herbs to stuffing, adds in powerful phytonutrients with gut-loving fiber.”

“Thanksgiving favorites that are ample in neurotransmitterproducing nutrients include turkey, shellfish, sweet potatoes and acorn squash, asparagus, leafy greens, oranges and green beans,” Spindel adds.

While it’s true that we cannot control a global pandemic or solve the mental health crisis in America with positive thinking alone, we can minimize our feelings of powerlessness and despair by making small but significant dietary changes—not just on Thanksgiving, but every day of the year.

Christy Ratliff is a professional health and wellness writer based in Central Florida.

Feel-Good Recipe Ingredients Some study-proven foods to enhance mood found in the following recipes include: n Pistachios. These tree nuts, which are actually

seeds, are rich in healthy fats, vitamins and minerals.

According to a Pennsylvania State University study, eating pistachios may reduce the body’s response to daily stress.

all images via AdobeStock.com

n Honey. A National Institutes of Health study

shows that the nutrients in raw honey may enhance mood and help with insomnia. It’s also rich in antioxidants, which contain anti-inflammatory properties that help protect the brain. n Fresh herbs. Sage provides natural anti-anx-

iety properties, while thyme and rosemary are rich sources of micronutrients and flavonoids, shown to protect against inflammation in the brain, a key factor in major depressive disorder. n Apples. Nutrient-rich apples are a good source of

quercetin, a plant flavonoid, which studies suggest may be beneficial for mental health.

n Green beans. An excellent source of vitamin A, green beans

help fight inflammation and support the nervous and immune systems. They are high in folic acid, a B vitamin that studies have shown to potentially lower the risk of depression.

n Tomatoes. Several studies show that regular consumption of tomatoes may help ward off depression. n Olive oil. Multiple studies show that low levels of olive

oil, in conjunction with a Mediterraneanstyle diet, has a positive impact on mental health and brain function.

n Cornmeal. Naturally gluten-free, cornmeal is an

excellent source of folate, an important B vitamin.

Research from the National Institutes of Health suggests that those with low levels of folate are more likely to experience depression.

n Raisins. A great source of vitamin B, raisins can help the

brain produce serotonin, an important neurotransmitter for reducing many anxiety-related symptoms.

November 2021

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natural pet Cancelling appointments or taking time off from work after a pet’s passing does not connote emotional weakness. “Treat yourself with the same kindness you would show another person going through this difficult time,” advises Cheryl Wyatt, a certified grief companion at Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, a national network of veterinarians that provides compassionate end-of-life care. “Allow yourself the time to do your mourning work. Tears are cleansing. If they happen to come 10 hours or 10 years from now, you have permission to shed them.”

Honoring the Loss of a Pet Simple Ways to Grieve and Heal

by Marlaina Donato

kerkezz/AdobeStock.com

Compassionate Transitions

F

rench novelist Anatole France’s sentiment, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened,” rings true for anyone that shares a love story with a beloved pet. Whether we lose a cat, dog, horse, bird or lizard, the final parting can be quite emotional. Society supports us with empathy and rituals of closure when we suffer the loss of a human love, but grieving an animal companion can be a uniquely silent passage. Surrendering fully to the mourning process, creating a joyful ceremony and celebrating the life of a loved one invites healing and solace.

Sacred Grief The animal-human alliance is hallmarked by the absence of emotional baggage, and is therefore capable of provoking grief that equals or exceeds losing a close relative. “This is a deep bond that is never judgmental on how we look, spend money or what we do for a living, as long as we love and nurture. And, in return, we receive undying, unconditional love,” says Pam Baren Kaplan, a pet loss grief counselor and life coach in Chicago.

Diane Stout, a pet parent and retired dog groomer in Paupack, Pennsylvania, knows the impact of this unconditional love, especially through life’s changes. “Long after a spouse has died and family have moved away to other lives and preoccupations, the family pet remains the faithful dinner or TV time companion,” she says. “A cherished pet is often the last true companion.”

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Loving an animal until the last goodbye includes relieving their suffering to the best of our ability. In-home euthanasia can make a heartbreaking time more bearable for both pet and owner. “Providing beloved pets euthanasia at home differs from a clinical setting because it allows them to remain in their safe, happy place.

At home, the veterinarian can greet the pet family and provide the loved one’s peaceful passing wherever they are most comfortable—a favorite bed or spot on the couch—surrounded by all those who love them most,” explains Wyatt.

Pet funerals are becoming more common, and ceremonies are as unique as the animal remembered. Stories, poetry and memories can be shared by family and they can include a living memorial such as a tree planted in the animal’s name.

Stout, also an accomplished artist, finds joy in painting her pets that have gone and suggests “a scrapbook of pictures and memories, because a look back at puppy or kitten pictures can bring an instant smile.”

Kaplan agrees, “Creating what I refer to as ‘a legacy of love’ can be done by the entire family or by one person. This is a book that you put together with favorite photos of your pet and journal the story around the photo. This is a great way to include family member’s memories from their perspective.”

Choosing a unique, handmade vessel for ashes can honor an animal. Mary Jane Panebianco, owner of SpiritpetShop on

Etsy.com, was inspired by the passing of a co-worker’s dog. “At the time, I worked in a mixed media art gallery, and she had one of our ceramic artists create her dog Sandy’s memorial urn. It was beautiful and so well done. I did some research on the pet industry, and everything I found was so commercial and mass-produced. I knew pets and their owners deserved another option.”

Panebianco works with a small number of award-winning American artisans and accepts custom orders for handcrafted urns. “Many of my pet parents have told me how having a beautiful memorial for their beloved pet helps them make peace with their pet’s passing. It’s the last thing you will do for them.”

In the beginning and in the end, it’s all about the love. For Stout, it’s what animals teach us. “To play and dance often, to give unconditional love, loyalty and friendship, to find joy in the little things, and that life is too often short.”

Advice for the Bereaved Cheryl Wyatt, of the Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, recommends: n Set aside some time each day to be alone in a quiet place to give yourself space to grieve. n Honor the memories. n Write out your emotions freely in a journal; compose a poem or letter to your pet.

n Continue to speak to your loved one, sing to him/her whatever brought you joy in being together. n Wear a piece of jewelry that bears your pet’s name or contains a small amount of his/ her remains.

n Light commemorative candles in his/her honor.

n Join an online group or meet in person with other people that are going through the mourning process.

n Create a memory table—include all of the things that remind you of your beloved pet. Leave it up for as long as you like.

n Don’t let people that don’t grasp the depth of the humananimal bond tell you how you should feel.

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

November 2021

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