Natural Awakenings Queens Jan 2015 by Natural Awakenings of Queens

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feel good • live simply • laugh more

Queens, NY Premiere Issue

Dr. Andrew Weil

on America’s Evolution into Integrative Medicine

Hormone Happy Foods Right Choices Make Our Bodies Hum

FREE

Dynamic Duo

Combining Chiropractic and Acupuncture Energizes Health

An App a Day Keeps the Doctor Away Keep Kids Engaged in Healthy Living

January 2015 | Queens, NY Edition | NaturalQueensNY.com natural awakenings

January 2015

NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINE

FRIENDLY-USER GUIDE

Welcome... ...to the premiere issue of Queens, New York’s healthy living magazine! From the

photos selected for our eye-catching covers to the appealing editorial throughout, you’ve discovered the perfect guide to a healthier and more balanced life for you and your family. Each month, Natural Awakenings’ advertisers and authors provide a helping hand along your personal path to wellness and creative self-expression.

Let’s get started! Publisher‛s Letter – Each month, Publisher Nicole Avellina shares her thoughts on the featured monthly topic. She‛ll offer her entertaining and informative perspective with a nod to stories from her own experience. News Briefs – Local and national news keeps you up-to-date on cutting-edge perspectives in the fields of natural health, alternative medicine, fitness and related fields. We welcome everyone‛s contributions of newsworthy information. Health Briefs – Timely news items introduce and hook you up with the latest treatments and tools for specific health and wellness concerns. They include practical tips that you can use today to advance a healthy living lifestyle. Global Briefs – The rainforest is half a world away, yet our health depends upon its health. This department keeps you wired with relevant current events and opportunities for action vital to our planet‛s well-being. Community Spotlight – Articles packed with insight into local businesses and healing arts practitioners that show how they can be of service to you and your loved ones. You‛ll be amazed by the level of knowledge and expertise to be found right here in Queens! Healthy Kids – Our children‛s health is paramount. This column helps parents and

Feel good

caretakers make wise decisions in protecting children‛s health and well-being. Natural Pet – We love to see our family pets active and thriving. Surprising alternative therapies, nutrition ideas and resources open new possibilities. Fit Body – We all know that exercise and physical ﬁtness are essential. The trick is ﬁnding the right options for you. We will supply fresh windows of thought that can help get you moving. Healing Ways – Turn here to learn about therapies and modalities both new and traditional, all focused on enhancing the body-mind-spirit connection for optimal well-being. Inspiration – Spreading light and encouraging positive perspectives, this column is a beacon that spotlights our interconnections with nature, spirit and community. Wise Words – Exclusive interviews with renowned national and international leaders, experts and authors offer lively dialogues on topics both current and timeless. Feature Articles – Interesting, informative, often exclusive articles take advantage of Natural Awakenings‛ national scope and local interest in our community. You‛ll want to read them all. Calendar of Events – There‛s so much to do in Queens. Check out the exciting classes, weekend workshops and special events that pop up each month.

Live simply

Queens, NY NaturalQueensNY.com Monmouth/Ocean www.awakemona.com

Community Resource Guide – Here‛s a quick reference to the best health and wellness resources in Queens. It‛s a quick way to ﬁnd gifts of health and fun for yourself or others. Display Ads – Our advertisers are the absolute best! They not only make this magazine possible, but are the nicest people in town. Please patronize them and tell them you saw their ads in Natural Awakenings. Distribution Locations – Please ask for Natural Awakenings at every business you visit, and support our distributors with purchases. Our distributors are just as important as our advertisers and readers. All three are essential elements of the wider community we seek to cultivate for the beneﬁt of all.

Thank you for reading, supporting and contributing to Natural Awakenings. We’re glad you’ve joined us in rousing a real natural awakening of our Greater Queens, New York community.

Laugh more

contents 7

5 7 9 10 11 12 13 19 20 22 23 24 26 28 30

newsbriefs healthbriefs globalbriefs readersnapshot wisewords ecotips

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

14 INTERVAL TRAINING KNOCKS DOWN BLOOD SUGAR

businessspotlight

Exercise Bursts are Fast and Effective

consciouseating

by Lisa Marlene

healingways greenliving inspiration healthykids naturalpet calendar resourceguide

advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 631-870-0334 or email NaturalQueensNY@aol.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: NaturalQueensNY@aol.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: NaturalQueensNY@aol.com. Deadline for calendar: the 5th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

16 DR. ANDREW WEIL

on America’s Evolution into Integrative Medicine by Andrea Schensky Williams

19 HORMONE-HAPPY FOODS

The Right Choices Make Our Bodies Hum by Linda Sechrist

20 DYNAMIC DUO

Combining Chiropractic and Acupuncture Energizes Health by Kathleen Barnes

22 ECO-FRIENDLY FLOORS

Sustainable Beauty Underfoot by Avery Mack

23 NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

When ‘Good Enough’ Is Perfect by Elizabeth Lombardo

24 AN APP A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY

Keep Kids Engaged in Healthy Living

by Julianne Hale

26 PET ANESTHESIA

How to Make it Safe and Easier on Everyone by Shawn Messonnier

NaturalQueensNY.com natural awakenings

January 2015

letterfrompublisher

appy New Year to a new you and yours! After an

exciting countdown, I am overjoyed to introduce the premiere issue of Natural Awakenings to Queens County.

What began as a hometown newsletter in Naples, Florida,

Publisher Nicole Avellina

in 1994 has expanded into a growing family of 98 independently owned magazines collectively reaching

Editors S. Alison Chabonais Lauressa Nelson Linda Sechrist Contributing Writer Sheila Julson Jim Occhiogrosso

more than 3.5 million readers in communities across the country—now including our hometown. My purpose as the publisher is to connect our area’s natural living community with local practitioners and national resources that support you in realizing a healthier, happier, longer life. My journey to this nexus began when I graduated from the New York Col-

Design & Production Chelsea Rose C. Michele Rose

lege for Holistic Health in 2002 and became a licensed massage therapist. I loved

Cover Selection LT Bironas

quality of their lives physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. When I was

Printer Trumbull Printing

me to communicate with people around the world. Eight years went by, and then

Multi-Market Advertising 239-449-8309 Franchise Sales 239-530-1377 Natural Awakenings of Queens, NY P.O. Box 294, Islip Terrace, NY 11752 Phone: 631-870-0334 Fax: 631-822-2206 NaturalQueensNY.com NaturalQueensNY@aol.com Follow us on: Facebook.com/NaturalAwakeningsQueens and Twitter NaturalQueens1

knowing I was on my way to fulfilling my goal of helping people improve the crowned Ms. Fitness USA in 2005, I was gifted with a yearlong platform enabling one day I picked up a copy of Natural Awakenings, was intrigued and read it from cover to cover while enjoying a detox foot bath. By the time I reached the back page, I realized that here was a glorious opportunity to bring the magazine to Queens. The heavens opened and my heart sang. Each month in these pages you can expect to see cutting-edge information on natural health, wellness, fitness, nutrition, personal growth, creative expression and sustainability. You’ll find valuable articles by well-known national and local experts, including local area practitioners of integrative and alternative wellness and healing arts ready to address your questions. Community briefs target news of interest, business and community spotlights introduce you to local leaders in wellness and sustainability initiatives, and the calendar section enables you to learn more while having fun making friends in our growing, healthy living community.

The best part of my new role is having the daily opportunity to meet amazing people in the Queens community, starting with our enlightened advertisers. I look

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

forward to greeting scores of businesspeople and thousands of readers throughout

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

bit about your journey with us all. Submissions will find me via our website

SUBSCRIPTIONS To sign up for a copy of our monthly digital magazine, email

our mutual journey. Each month, we’ll all get to know one another in these pages. Our Reader Spotlight offers yet another opportunity to introduce yourself and share a NaturalQueensNY.com, or by contacting me directly at NaturalQueensNY@aol.com. To a happy and healthy year,

NaturalQueensNY@aol.com Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

Queens, NY

Nicole Avellina, Publisher NaturalQueensNY.com

newsbriefs Natural Awakenings Family of Franchises Keeps Growing

atural Awakenings Publishing Corp. (NAPC) recently welcomed a group of new publishers that completed their training program at corporate headquarters in Naples, Florida. The NAPC training staff spent several days with the entrepreneurs now launching new Natural Awakenings magazines in three locations: Hawaii; Sharon Bruckman Queens, New York; Galveston, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Buffalo, NY. Company CEO Sharon Bruckman launched the first edition of Natural Awakenings in 1994 and began franchising it in 1999. The company currently publishes 98 editions throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico, with a collective readership exceeding 3.5 million. “Interest in naturally healthy living that’s good for people and the planet is now influencing mainstream America, thanks in part to our active and growing readership,” says Bruckman. “Natural Awakenings’ dedicated family of publishers, supported by loyal advertisers, connects readers with a wealth of national and local resources mapping out alternate routes to a healthier, happier, longer life.” For a list of locations where Natural Awakenings is publishing or to learn more about franchise opportunities, visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com or call 239-530-1377.

Holistic Oasis Offers Reorganizational Healing

olistic Chiropractor and Nutritionist Gayle Whittaker is offering Reorganizational Healing (ROH) at her practice, Holistic Oasis, in Forest Hills. ROH is the science, philosophy and art of sustainable change, which according to Whittaker, presents a radically new view of health Gayle Whittaker care that challenges the dominant, disease/care model of biomedicine. ROH principles include network spinal analysis (NSA) and somato-respiratory integration (SRI). NSA is an evidence-based approach to wellness and body awareness, using gentle touch to the spine to release spinal and life tensions, and existing tension as fuel for spinal reorganization and enhanced wellness. SRI educates the body’s rhythms and inner wisdom through breath, motion and touch, providing new healing options. “You may want to change your diet, job or relationship, but to make any change, you need new resources,” Whittaker explains. “Realize that your current health is an accumulation of your past habits, and in times of challenge, you need extra resources to handle change and have the ability to reorganize your body and life to a new, higher level of possibility. ROH is based on research that showed a consistent relationship between structure, perception and behavior.” Location: 70-20 Austin St., Ste. 107. For more information, call 718-544-8282, email HoliChiro@aol.com or visit HolisticChiropractor.com. See ad, page 14.

natural awakenings

January 2015

newsbriefs

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assage Envy Spa, of Bayside, will celebrate its second anniversary this month with the opening of a new location at 89-44 Metropolitan Avenue, in Rego Park. Appointments are being taken for the Grand Opening celebration from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., December 16. Visitors can enjoy refreshments and discounts on some of the spa’s most popular services. A membership-based spa, clients at Massage Envy receive a customized massage or Murad facial for a reasonable monthly rate. Unused massages roll over and members receive retail discounts on skincare and massage products. Co-owners and sisters Lauren and Amanda D’Amico look forward to expanding their membership at the new location. The pair enjoys the interaction that they have with their clients. “We know why our members feel the way they feel,” claims Amanda. “They share what is going on in their lives with us.” For more information or to make an appointment, call 718459-3689 or visit MassageEnvy.com. See ad, page 5.

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Our all natural personal skin repair salve brings comforting relief to sufferers of many skin irritations. DermaClear has proven to be effective against: • Shingles • Psoriasis • Eczema • Insect Bites • Allergic Rash • Jock Itch • Burns • and more DermaClear will simply feel good putting it on. Cooling and soothing, the Calcium Montmorillonite/Calcium Bentonite clay penetrates pores and open areas of the skin and pulls out toxins and inflammation. The proprietory blend of homeopathics go even deeper, address the root causes and assist to bring even deeper toxins to the surface.

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kudos Julia McKenna, a senior at Garden School, in Jackson Heights, was one of only 13 New York youths presented with the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal, an award given to young Americans for community service. McKenna logged more than 550 hours of service, meeting goals in four program areas: community involvement, personal development, physical fitness and exploration and expedition. “One of the pillars of happiness often cited is community engagement and involvement. Personal development and social involvement are two values expressed in The Garden School Mission Statement,” says Garden School Director of Outreach Jim Gaines. “This example of good values in action being recognized provides hope and is an encouragement for people to seek happiness and inner peace and battle feelings of depression and isolation through volunteerism and social involvement.” For more information, call 718-335-6363 or visit Tinyurl.com/McKennaMedal.

healthbriefs

SECONDHAND SMOKE DAMAGES CHILDREN’S HEARING

Eucalyptus Oil Inhibits Spread of TB

any of the natural compounds in the essential oil of Eucalyptus citriodora may prevent the airborne spread of the tuberculosis (TB) bacterium (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), according to a study from the Institute for Tuberculosis Research at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. Several of the compounds in the eucalyptus oil inhibited the airborne spread of the infection by 90 percent, while the major component of the oil was only weakly active, at 18 percent. The scientists used an array of analytical laboratory tests to measure the airborne spread of TB from contagious patients. They also identified 32 active airborne compounds within the essential oil of eucalyptus and studied the impact of the interaction of multiple components in artificial mixtures. The researchers undertook the study because “the rapid emergence of extensively and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis has created a pressing public health problem… and represents a new constraint in the already challenging disease management of TB.”

Legumes, Nuts and Corn Cut Risk of Breast Cancer

Harvard Medical School study concluded that eating more peanut butter, corn, nuts and beans, including lentils and soybeans, during adolescence significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer later on. The researchers followed 9,039 young women that were between 9 and 15 years old when the study started in 1996, having the subjects complete diet questionnaires every year through 2001, and also in 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2010. When the women were ages 18 to 30, the number of benign breast diseases that had developed was recorded. The statistics associated a daily serving of nuts and legumes at age 14 with a 66 percent reduction in the risk of developing breast cancer. Just a single serving of peanut butter once every three days at the age of 11 was associated with a 44 percent reduction of breast cancer risk. Intake of at least one serving of corn every three days was correlated with a 39 percent reduction in the disease. Earlier studies by Harvard researchers found that eating pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, soybeans, tofu and other vegetable fats also reduces breast cancer risk.

esearchers from São Paulo’s School of Medical Sciences of Santa Casa have found that secondhand smoke negatively affects a child’s hearing. The researchers tested 145 students between ages 8 and 10 that showed normal hearing in standardized tests. Their secondhand smoke exposure was measured by the level of a nicotine metabolite in the children’s urine. The 60 youngsters that had been exposed to secondhand smoke showed significantly lower responses to certain frequencies in both ears when compared to the others that weren’t exposed to the smoke. Researchers suspect that the affecting mechanism may be the acrolein gas that forms from burning tobacco cigarettes. The chemical was found to damage ear cells in a study published in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. A 2012 study of diesel exhaust, which likewise produces acrolein gas, by the Republic of Korea’s Dongguk University, also showed damage to middle ear cells. Supporting these results, a study published in the American Medical Association Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery journal found that smoking during pregnancy almost triples the risk of lowfrequency hearing loss in the child. The study tested 964 adolescents between ages 12 and 15, of whom 16 percent were exposed to prenatal smoking.

natural awakenings

January 2015

healthbriefs PHOTOTHERAPY REDUCES KNEE PAIN

esearch from Brazil’s Universidade Nove de Julho has confirmed that pulsed lasers and LED therapy applied during treatment can significantly reduce knee pain. The 86 patients that participated in the study were divided into two groups; one received 12 treatments using super-pulsed red laser and infrared LED phototherapy and the control (placebo) group received 12 treatments using non-therapeutic phototherapy instruments. The patients given therapeutic phototherapy reported feeling significantly less pain, beginning with and continuing after the tenth treatment through a one-month follow-up visit, and showed improved quality of life compared with the study’s placebo group.

YOGA BREATHING HELPS ILL KIDS’ LUNGS

esearchers from Brazil’s University of São Paulo have found that hatha yoga breathing exercises can significantly improve lung function in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease that often ends in premature death from respiratory failure. The average age of the 26 children that completed the study was 9-and-a-half years old. Participants were taught how to perform hatha yoga breathing exercises and instructed to perform them three times a day for 10 months. The researchers performed spirometry [breathing] tests before, during and after the study period. At the end of the 10 months of practice, the scientists found the breathing exercises improved both the children’s forced vital capacity (the volume of air that can forcibly be blown out after full inspiration) and forced expiratory volume in one second (the volume of air that can forcibly be exhaled in one second after full inspiration).

Low Magnesium Levels Linked to Kidney Disease

study from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that people with low levels of magnesium in their blood have a significantly greater risk of chronic kidney disease. The researchers correlated the blood levels of magnesium in 13,226 people ages 45 to 65 with the incidence of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease among them. Subjects that had blood serum magnesium levels below what is generally considered the normal range (0.7–1 millimole per liter) were associated with a 58 percent increased risk of chronic kidney disease and a 139 percent increased risk of end-stage renal disease. Abnormally low levels of magnesium may result from a number of conditions, including inadequate intake of serum magnesium due to chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, alcoholism, chronic stress and the use of medications such as diuretics. Foods rich in magnesium include leafy greens, nuts and seeds, beans, whole grains, avocados, bananas and figs.

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

Safer Groceries Landmark Food Law Being Enforced

The Center for Food Safety (CFS) has reached a settlement agreement (Tinyurl. com/FoodSettlementAgreement) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that sets firm deadlines for the agency to fully enact the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act. A federal court will maintain supervision to ensure FDA compliance. CFS senior attorney George Kimbrell, who led the case, says, “The first major update to our food safety laws since 1938 must now be implemented in a closed-ended, timely fashion. That means safer food for American families.” Congress passed the law to combat the epidemic of food-borne illnesses affecting one in six Americans annually. After repeated delays, the FDA must now comply with the following court-overseen schedule to implement the final rules: preventative controls for human and animal food (8/30/2015); imported food and foreign suppliers (10/31/2015); produce safety (10/31/2015); food transportation (3/31/2016); and intentional adulteration of food (5/31/2016). Source: CenterForFoodSafety.org

Smart Solar Japan Floats New Nuclear Alternative Two companies in Japan will begin building two huge new solar power islands that will float on reservoirs, following the inception of the Kagoshima floating solar plant as the country’s largest, which opened in late 2013 just off the country’s southern coast. The new direction comes as Japan looks to move on from the Fukushima atomic disaster of 2011 and meet the energy needs of its 127 million people without relying on nuclear power. Before the incident, about 30 percent of the country’s power was generated by nuclear plants, but Fukushima destroyed public confidence, and with earthquakes highly likely in regions containing reactors, Japan is looking for alternatives. Solar islands could also be a solution for other countries where space or nuclear concerns are an issue. It’s possible that one day a significant portion of Europe’s power could come from use of the technology; experts believe the engineering challenges can be surmounted. Source: DailyGalaxy.com

Om-Based Care

Holistic Healers Reach Out to the Underserved An annual report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that up to 33 percent of uninsured people are avoiding needed treatment for economic reasons. Lifestyle changes and natural remedies like yoga and massage therapy can be highly effective when treating conditions such as high blood pressure, depression or aching joints, and groups nationwide are making these modalities more affordable for everyone. At California’s Healing Clinic Collective (HealingClinicCollective. Wordpress.com), in Oakland, women receive a day of free holistic health care—from acupuncture to massage therapy and nutritional counseling— and discounted rates for follow-up appointments. The Third Root Community Health Center (ThirdRoot.org), in Brooklyn, helps arrange for acupuncturists, herbalists, Reiki practitioners and others to treat low-income people in New York City, especially community organizers and activists that are often overworked and lack the resources for these types of care. The Samarya Center (Samarya Center.org), in Seattle, Washington, uses revenue from its yoga studio to provide free yoga to critically ill patients served by the city’s Bailey-Boushay House and the local VA hospital, and also to patients with chronic pain at the Pike Place Medical Clinic, which treats many homeless and lowincome Seattle residents. Source: YES! magazine

natural awakenings

January 2015

readersnapshot Who is a Natural Awakenings Reader? Meet Carla T. Bosnjak

Co-owner of The Studio at 3 Elements Healing Arts Center, located at 34-34 Bell Boulevard, in Queens. Life’s mission: To live as my authentic self and to allow others to do the same; to gather community, to always support the free flow of ideas, art and consciousness; and to keep an open mind and heart. Work: Yoga and meditation teacher, artist and performer. Proudest achievements: Co-creating two family businesses: our yoga/art/performance studio and our family-based band Bad Buka, which uses music to ignite joy and celebration. Favorite websites: FractalEnlightenment.com, SpiritScience.net and IshaFoundation.org. Local causes supported: We support local artists, artisans, poets and musicians. We felt that Bayside was missing a place for artists to show and perform their art. Because art and spirituality go hand-in-hand, we wanted to support the creativity of our community, so we created a space where individuals can express themselves and share their work, free of charge. We wanted to bring to Bayside what Manhattan and Brooklyn are offering. Favorite thing about Natural Awakenings: I really appreciate the content that Natural Awakenings provides. It is always a welcome read that gives me tons of great information for body, mind and spirit. Most frequented healthy food restaurant: In our neighborhood, one of the only organic restaurants is Bare Burger. I love that they support smaller farms and local farms and promote grass-fed beef and dairy. I also frequent our local health food

Learn from the past and let it go. Live in today. ~Louise Hay

Queens, NY

NaturalQueensNY.com

stores, buying up tons of fresh produce and cooking for friends—organic, organic, organic! Favorite quote: I have so many favorite quotes that I’ve filled notebooks with favorite quotes. The one that I’ve been using lately is from Davidji: “When we surrender, we allow the universe to work its magic; we say yes to infinite possibilities; we trust that things will work out as they are meant to and give ourselves permission to let go of the outcome. This can be liberating, intimidating, blissful, scary and a swirl of so many emotions. But in the end, if we are true to our heart, life unfolds with magnificence...and we get to celebrate.” How do you invest in your community? By creating free events that allow our community to gather and share ideas, philosophies, art, music and poetry. Also, by supporting local, small businesses, local artisans who create amazing natural organic products that keep us and our families healthy, ideas that support communal growth, consciousness and togetherness. Also, for me, sharing yoga and meditation is a great investment. Allowing people to discover stillness, silence and well-being changes and enriches lives, which is a great investment in the future. Happy, healthy people make a happy, healthy world. What are you doing to be the change you want to see in the world? I believe that the better I become as a human being, the better I can be to others, and vice versa. I believe that kindness can change the world, so I practice kindness. Be the light, spread the light, and be surrounded by light. What are your hopes for the future? I hope we have more locally supported small businesses, community events, art and poetry; more organic farms and restaurants; more spontaneous song and dance; and more sharing, kindness, peace and understanding for all.

wisewords

Louise Hay on Loving Yourself to Ageless Health by S. Alison Chabonais

renowned leader of the self-help movement from its early days, Louise Hay is celebrated worldwide for teaching—by personal example and through her bestselling book, You Can Heal Your Life—how each of us can transform our mind, body and spirit by changing the way we think. Her positive philosophy has sparked an industry and her Hay House publishing group. Nourishing mind and body, loving life, learning and growing, giving back and moving ahead—these comprise Hay’s program for creating health, happiness and longevity. At 88, she continues to travel for business and pleasure, embracing vital, joy-filled days with a thankful smile. Her new book, Loving Yourself to Great Health, co-authored with Ahlea Khadro and Heather Dane, explains how she’s taking all she knows to the next level.

Why does first applying love and forgiveness to yourself make a happy, healthy and long life possible? Loving yourself is the foundation for living the life you want. A healthy and happy life is rooted in self-love, and forgiveness is an act of self-love. It all comes down to how you think and treat yourself. What we give out we get

back, so it all starts with us. Remember, no matter what the problem is, there is only one answer: loving yourself. Start with small steps and be gentle. If you start there, magical things will happen.

How do you manage to engage in a stream of loving affirmations 24/7? Practice, practice, practice! Slowly, bit-by-bit, start each day with a loving act towards yourself. Loving affirmations and worrying about things take up the same amount of time; you still get the same things done along the way, but worrying creates stress, while affirmations will brighten your life. It can be exhausting if you fight the shift and make it difficult. If you make kindness to yourself and others a simple part of everyday life, it isn’t exhausting at all.

What are some key elements to crafting a life experience that supports and nourishes ageless being? Choose thoughts that bring love into your life and laugh a lot. Say yes to life and the magic it brings. I trust that life will bring me exactly what I need, and part of that is realizing that I don’t need to know everything, because life brings me people like Ahlea and Heather. A third of our life is spent eating, and

it’s essential that we know the best way to do this. Start your day with water and an act of self-love. Eat real food; seasonal, organic, natural foods are a positive affirmation to your body. Poop every day, figuratively and literally. Learn to listen to your body and its wisdom. Choose exercise that you love and that makes you feel good. Also, go on a media diet. Filter out from your consciousness any messages that say you are not good enough or that separate you from the beautiful and lovable person you are. Surround yourself with like-minded people that share good news and love to laugh.

The core belief founding your lifework is that every thought we have is creating our future. Is scientific research now supporting that? When I began teaching people about affirmations, there wasn’t any science to support it, but we knew it worked, and now studies verify that. I particularly love Bruce Lipton’s scientific research showing that we are not controlled by our genes because the genetic blueprint can be altered through positive changes in our beliefs. I hear reports every day of how people are healing their lives by changing their thoughts through cultivating selflove and personal affirmations. They are seeing healing of autoimmune diseases, obesity, addictions, post-traumatic stress and many other so-called incurable illnesses. It’s amazing what happens when you are kind and loving to yourself.

What is your secret to aging gracefully through the years? It’s simple. It’s about getting your thoughts and food right and having fun along the way. If you are thinking positive thoughts but feeding yourself processed, unnatural or sugary foods, you are sending yourself mixed messages. Feed yourself nourishing foods and think loving thoughts. Any time you don’t know what else to do, focus on love. Loving yourself makes you feel good, and good health comes from feeling good. S. Alison Chabonais is the national content editor for Natural Awakenings magazines.

natural awakenings

January 2015

ecotips

Dinner Engagement

Super Suds

The pursuit of combining good food and conversation is taking on new, more fulfilling formats. Instead of idle chit-chat or gossip over highcalorie feasts, many people are showing an appetite to fill their lives with more meaningful discussions while dining on healthy meals. The international Green Drinks phenomenon was among the first to successfully mix eco-conscious conversation with healthy beverages; now, thought-provoking initiatives are mixing regular banter with bites in ways that are both lively and nurturing. Those seeking the exotic may indulge in The Philosopher’s Table: How to Start Your Philosophy Dinner Club— Monthly Conversation, Music and Recipes, by Marietta McCarty, following guidelines to immerse guests in the tastes and cultures of 12 different cities and countries. Suggested themes include saluting the present-day benefits of the work of women’s rights pioneer Jane Addams while sipping multi-bean soup (Chicago) or consuming uplifting perspectives of ancient philosopher Lao Tzu over shrimp dumplings with dipping sauce (China). Recommended discussion topics at ConversationCafe.org include self-identity and self-reflection, current events and appreciating the arts. A search function for finding a local chapter complements advice on launching a new one. RawFoodNetwork.com provides links to groups nationwide that forge connections with fellow enthusiasts, share dishes and network. It also provides information, recipes and other helpful resources. Touring experts in the preparation and benefits of raw food and vegan, plant-based diets show up everywhere from natural food restaurants and retailers to health expos and foodie Meetup events. Speakers include Brian Clement, Brenda Cobb, Paul Nison, Jenna Norwood, Karen Ranzi and David Wolfe.

Score Healthy and EcoFriendly Points at Parties For healthy eaters, Super Bowl parties’ bent toward rich, calorie-laden foods compete with our desire to shed some holiday pounds and return to regular diet regimens. Whether supplying eco-beer selections for guests or bringing refreshments to a gathering, armchair players can score green points both in terms of natural ingredients and supporting the domestic economy and environment. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company’s plant in Chico, California, uses 10,000-plus solar panels and a large on-site water treatment facility for recycling and conserving water. “It’s the number one ingredient in brewing,” says Sustainability Manager Cheri Chastain. “You can generate more energy, but you can’t make water.” Other American microbrews deploy varied eco-solutions. Dave’s BrewFarm, in Wilson, Wisconsin, for instance, obtains most of its energy via a wind-powered generator. Goats “mow” the grass outside the Anderson Valley Brewing plant in Boonville, California. Odell Brewing Company, in Fort Collins, Colorado, practices waste reduction and recycling and uses renewable energy sources. The 100 percent wind-powered brewery also encourages employees to bike to work and/or carpool, and uses biodiesel-powered delivery trucks (the biodegradable fuel emits 78 percent less CO2 than standard fuel). Five of the 2014 Good Food Awards’ winning beers—exceeding the criteria of recycling water, local sourcing and banning genetically modified ingredients—are Port City Brewing Co., Alexandria, Virginia; Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon; Bear Republic Brewing Co., Healdsburg, California; Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown, Pennsylvania; and Ninkasi Brewing Co., Eugene, Oregon (GoodFoodAwards.org). ChasingGreen.org offers information on many other U.S. craft breweries that operate in sustainable ways, including the Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, New York; New Belgium Beer, Fort Collins, Colorado; and the Great Lakes Brewing Co., Cleveland, Ohio. If none of these brews is yet a current favorite, seek them out at a specialty beverage retailer that stocks from multiple regions in order to score a touchdown for us and the Earth. Some just may become part of local fans’ first-string beverage “team” after the game is over.

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Deep Conversation Accompanies Good Food

businessspotlight

Tower Ford Puts Customers First by Sheila Julson

utomobile sales and service is an industry often associated with customer dissatisfaction; so much so that new car sales, used car sales and auto repair and service all typically make it into the Better Business Bureau’s annual list of the top 10 industries that receive the most complaints. However, Larry Orlando, the owner, founder and president of Tower Ford, in Great Neck, is determined to put honesty and people above the dollar, which includes treating his customers and employees with respect and compassion and helping the community. Orlando has spent much of his adult life in automobile sales and was previously a partner with LaFres Ford, in Middle Village, Queens. During that time, he was interested in opening a dealership in the Great Neck area, but expensive real estate deterred him. Then a recession hit the country during the early 1990s, forcing an Oldsmobile dealer in Great Neck to go out of business and become available via a foreclosure auction. The property originally opened as a Cadillac dealer in 1926 and includes a 33,000-square-foot brick building designed to resemble a castle. Orlando purchased the space and opened Tower Ford in December 1992. Orlando enjoys the location, which sits on the border of Queens and Long Island, and the diverse customer base the business sees. “We are a little out of the ordinary,” he remarks. “A lot of larger dealerships around here believe in trying to get every dollar they can out of a customer through hidden fees or high down payments. That’s not our routine. Here, you’re treated like a human being.” Tower Ford offers a large selection of new and used vehicles, as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, including the Focus, Fusion and the C-Max. They also maintain a large government fleet business. The dealership has a complete service department with factory-trained technicians that perform

oil changes and standard maintenance, as well as more involved work like transmission replacements. “We pride ourselves on being customeroriented, especially in the service department,” comments Orlando, who firmly believes in keeping his business involved in the community. The company makes financial donations to the child and adolescent health and counseling programs at many area hospitals, including North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and North Shore University Hospital. “We try to help the community in any and every way we possibly can,” Orlando affirms. Tower Ford even donated a truck to the village of Great Neck. The dealership has about 40 employees, and one of the ways it takes care of them is to subsidize the cost of medical expenses or wages of those with serious illnesses. “We do that on a consistent basis,” Orlando says. “We had an employee who battled Stage IV cancer, and we continued to pay him while he was out. When he felt better, he came back to work.” At age 56, Orlando plans to work for many years and grow both the business and the community relationships that he has built. “I run Tower Ford like a little mom-and-pop store, even though we’re in the top 10 of volume dealers in the region,” he affirms. “Simpler is easier for everybody. We don’t run any crazy programs or gimmicks. I’m accessible. I answer my own phone and don’t screen my calls. My direct line is on all letters and other correspondences I send.” Tower Ford is located at 124 S. Middle Neck Rd., in Great Neck. For more information, call 516-466-6400 or visit TowerFord.net. See ad, back cover. Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazines.

“We pride ourselves on being customer-oriented, especially in the service department,” comments Larry Orlando, who firmly believes in keeping his business involved in the community. natural awakenings

January 2015

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Interval Training Knocks Down Blood Sugar Exercise Bursts are Fast and Effective by Lisa Marlene

abels may vary, but results are what count. Whether called highintensity intermittent exercise (HIIE), interval or burst-style training, recent research proves that this form of exercise improves insulin levels. This is promising news for the estimated 50 million American adults that have abdominal obesity and are on the path toward metabolic dysfunction due to a high-sugar diet that causes spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels and even-

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tually contributes to insulin resistance. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Obesity, the benefits of doing HIIE at least three times a week for two to six weeks include reduction of abdominal body fat, improved aerobic and anaerobic fitness and lower levels of insulin resistance. In a separate study, Norwegian researchers examined the impact that different types of exercise programs had on individuals seeking to reverse

metabolic dysfunction, an overall chemical imbalance largely attributed to insulin resistance. They concluded that despite producing similar effects on body weight and blood pressure, the aerobic interval training group also showed greater improvement in insulin sensitivity, aerobic capacity and highdensity lipoprotein (HDL, or “good” cholesterol) than those performing continuous moderate exercise. They also exhibited lower blood glucose (sugar) levels. Another beneficial HIIE characteristic is that it involves markedly fewer exercise repetitions and less training time. JJ Virgin, a fitness and nutrition expert and author of The Virgin Diet, recommends incorporating burst-style and resistance training for fast, lasting fat loss and improving insulin resistance. Best of all, you can do these exercises in minutes a day. “Burst exercise means working out in short intense bursts of 30 to 60 sec-

onds, coupled with one to two minutes of active recovery time, moving at a lower intensity that allows you to catch your breath and lower your heart rate,” she explains. Two easy examples of this are sprinting to burst and then walking to recover, and running up stairs to burst, and then walking down them to recover. “This should be repeated for a total of four to eight minutes of highintensity bursts per session. Overall, this will take 20 to 30 minutes,” says Virgin. She notes that the increase in stress hormones that occurs during HIIE are counteracted by the simultaneously raised levels of anabolic-building hormones. “Short bursts train the body in how to handle stress and recover. Repeated intense bursts raise the lactic acid level, which in turn raises growth hormone production and supports fat burning. The research is clear that the more intense the exercise, the bigger the metabolic benefit is afterward.”

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The Skinny on Glycemic Foods by Kathleen Barnes

hose wanting to reduce carbohydrate intake by eating foods with a low glycemic index based on their impact on blood sugar levels might consider using newer tables that instead measure glycemic load, suggests New York City Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Susan Weiner. She explains that the glycemic index only considers how quickly sugars from food are released into the bloodstream. The glycemic load charts a more accurate accounting of the amount of carbohydrates in an actual serving, rather than the 50-gram (1.76-ounce) portion used in calculating a food’s ranking on the glycemic index scale of 1 to 100. “Glycemic load is a better indicator of how a carbohydrate food will affect blood sugar in realistic portions, especially in combination with other foods, including proteins and fats,” advises Weiner. Here are a few compelling comparisons:

Food/Snack Carrot Watermelon Graham crackers Baguette Snickers bar Cornflakes Baked Potato

Glycemic Index 35 (low) 72 (high) 74 (high) 95 (very high) 51 (medium) 93 (very high) 111 (very high)

Glycemic Load 2 (low) 4 (low) 14 (medium) 15 (medium) 18 (medium high) 23 (high) 33 (high)

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natural awakenings

January 2015

Dr. Andrew Weil

on America’s Evolution into Integrative Medicine by Andrea Schensky Williams

atural Awakenings had the opportunity to pose progressive healthcare-related questions to Dr. Andrew Weil, world-renowned author, founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and clinical professor of internal medicine at the University of Arizona.

You frequently speak to the topic of integrative health and happiness. How does

your book, Spontaneous Happiness, reflect that? For a long time, I’ve wanted to see an integrative movement start in psychology and psychiatry. It’s another field that has become dependent on drugs and is not functioning all that well to help people. There are so many more things that people need to know about maintaining emotional wellness, I think the wisdom of taking an integrative approach here is obvious.

The recent passing of actor and comedian Robin Williams has brought about a more informed awareness of mental health. Why do you think there is such an increase in the incidence of depression?

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Courtesy of DrWeil.com

There are many reasons for it, including changes in diet and a breakdown in communities that has greatly increased social isolation and disconnection from nature. Another factor is the rise in information technology, all the new media. Plus, pharmaceutical companies have been highly successful in convincing people that ordinary states of sadness are matters of unbalanced brain chemistry that need to be treated with medication.

With diet being such a major component in affecting our emotional state of mind, what role does an anti-inflammatory diet play?

Food is Medicine at Natural Care of Westchester

There is a new body of research linking inflammation with depression that I find fascinating. The fact that the mainstream diet promotes inflammation is why I believe there may be a dietary correlation with the rise of depression in our population.

If someone suffers from depression, would you say the steps recommended in Spontaneous Happiness are a proactive approach or an addition to management through medication? I share information about how to wean off of medication. I’d say the book is primary; for people with mild-to-moderate depression, I would follow the information there first. For people with severe depression, it may be necessary to give antidepressant drugs, but I think that they should be used for a limited period, a maximum of one year. You should then be working to find other ways to manage the depression. There is specific information about what to do if you are on medication and how to wean off of it carefully and start these other methods.

Do you feel that the increase in diabetes in the U.S., particularly its onset in early childhood, is another major problem? Yes, it’s a big concern. I think this is mostly due to the way we’ve changed the food we eat; diet is a hugely influencing factor, especially the greatly increased consumption of sugar, sweetened beverages and products made with flour and refined carbohydrates.

How can integrative medicine lower Americans’ healthcare costs? Integrative medicine can help reduce costs in two ways. First, by shifting the focus of health care onto health promotion and prevention, rather than disease management. Most of the diseases we are trying to manage today are lifestyle related. This is where integrative medicine shines. Second, by bringing into the mainstream treatments that are not dependent on expensive technology, and I include pharmaceutical drugs in this category. I think we’re going to be forced to change our dysfunctional approach by economic necessity, because the current healthcare system is not sustainable. Integrative medicine is in a perfect position to do that because of its emphasis on lifestyle medicine. Integrative medicine is also teaching healthcare practitioners to use inexpensive, low-tech methods of managing common diseases. Both economic drivers will help reshape mainstream medicine.

What influence can the public have in supporting such a shift? Our dysfunctional healthcare system is generating rivers of money flowing into very few pockets. Those are the pockets of big pharmaceutical companies, medical devices manufac-

by Sheila Julson

aturopathic physician Marizelle Arce, an applied kinesiologist and the owner of Natural Care of Westchester believes that asking questions is crucial to help people become healthier. In her quest to provide personalized care to more people, she also sees patients inside the 3 Elements HealMarizelle Arce ing Arts Center, in Bayside, as well as at her office in Larchmont and via Skype. To get to the root causes of diseases, she emphasizes holistic, natural, harm-free and preventative approaches to wellness care that prioritize diet as the primary key to overall good health. Arce says that the consciousness of how and what we eat is the most important thing people can do in their everyday lives to achieve wellness. She observes that the public has become more aware of how artificial food additives can adversely affect overall health but notes that continued education is important in preventing burdensome and costly diseases. “Don’t be afraid to question your doctor,” Arce stresses, adding, “Be an advocate for yourself. Also, question what you’re eating. Read labels and question what those ingredients really are. Ideally, people wouldn’t even eat too many foods that have labels, but would instead shift to fresher, cleaner foods.” In her dedication to sharing knowledge, Arce teaches nutritional cooking classes and helps patients find access to locally sourced and farm-fresh foods. She also leads grocery store tours to help people decipher what’s behind those long words on the labels. Dr. Marizelle Arce has two locations: inside 3 Elements Healing Arts Center, 34-34 Bell Blvd., ground floor, in Bayside, and at Natural Care of Westchester, 20 North Ave., in Larchmont. For more information, call 914-315-9596 or visit NYNaturopath.com. See ad, page 12. Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazines who lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Connect at SJulson@wi.rr.com.

natural awakenings

January 2015

Dealing with Depression Naturally by Sheila Julson

lueprint Healing Arts, in Rego Park, was founded by Siranush Cholakian, M.D., who is board certified in both in Family Medicine and Integrative Holistic Medicine. Also a licensed acupuncturist, she explains, “I believe that the uniqueness and success of my treatments are based in my use of multiple modalities depending on each specific patient. Siranush Cholakian I blend homeopathy, acupuncture, ayurveda, nutrition, functional medicine, hypnotherapy, energy medicine and aromatherapy.” Her broad experience also includes working with mental health outpatients at Creedmor Psychiatric Center, in Queens Village. Cholakian says the number of people diagnosed with depression has increased since she entered the medical profession more than 20 years ago. While depression is a complex issue, chronic medical conditions, poor diet, social isolation and today’s hectic lifestyles can all lead to emotional upset. The U.S. and New Zealand are the only two countries that allow direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceutical drugs, according to Cholakian, who believes that it is difficult for Americans to avoid the deluge of television commercials depicting happy people with lives that have been enhanced by the advertised drug. She says, “It suggests to viewers that they have a disease that they don’t actually have. People tend to be in a hypnotic state while watching television, so that makes it easier to convince them. It’s not a good thing to talk about medications on TV.” In today’s conventional medical model, antidepressants are commonly prescribed to control the symptoms of depression. While Cholakian says she doesn’t disagree with medication for people with severe depression, many less severe cases can be treated through lifestyle changes. “An improved diet includes increasing healthy fats like fish oil and organic eggs, which are good for the brain,” Cholakian says. Breathing exercises and acupuncture are just some of the modalities she uses to help naturally promote physical and mental wellness. Cholakian doesn’t mind television service announcements that heighten awareness of regular check-ups and screenings, but she advises to those wishing to sleep better naturally, “Don’t watch TV before bed. Seeing crime or upsetting world events right before bedtime can cause emotional upset and interfere with sleep.”

turers and big insurers; interests that control legislators. So, I don’t think any real change is going to come from the government. The only real change will come from a grassroots movement to change the politics of all of this. Demand that insurers cover the treatments you want. Seek out integrative practitioners. Tell health practitioners you work with that integrative education is available and urge them to get up to speed in those areas. Raise your own awareness of the extent that the powerful lobbies now influence the system and why we need to see a sweeping political change.

You offer several programs through the University of Arizona such as a four-year degree, a two-year fellowship for medical doctors and programs for nurse practitioners and physician assistants. What are the benefits of adding integrative medicine to one’s practice? I think it’s what patients want and it makes the practice of medicine much more enjoyable. Many practitioners realize that they don’t have the knowledge their patients want; for instance, informed counsel about diet or uses of alternative medicine. This is a way they can gain knowledge they didn’t get in their conventional medical training. We’ve graduated more than 1,000 physicians over 10 years, supporting a robust and growing community of like-minded practitioners that stay in touch and support each other. We’re eventually hoping that we can get integrative training into all residencies. Whether you go to a dermatologist, pediatrician, gastroenterologist or psychiatrist, that doctor will have had basic training in nutrition, mind/body interactions, herbal medicine and all the rest that is now left out. We’ve also begun a program in lifestyle medicine that’s open to all kinds of practitioners, from registered dietitians to psychologists.

What reforms would you like to see in the current U.S. healthcare system? We need to change priorities for reimbursement that favor integrative medicine. At the moment, we happily pay for drugs and tests. We don’t pay for a doctor to sit with and counsel a person about diet or teach them breathing exercises. I would like to see a new kind of institution come into being that I call a healing center, where people could go for lifestyle education and management of common illnesses—somewhere between a spa and a clinic. Stays in these would be reimbursed by insurance, similar to how it’s done in Europe. Beyond that, I think it’s unconscionable that the richest nation on Earth can’t provide basic coverage to all of its citizens.

Blueprint Healing Arts is located at 64-06 Fitchett St., in Rego Park. For more information, call 718-275-4460 or visit BlueprintHealingArts.com. See ad, page 29.

Dr. Andrew Weil will be spearheading the 12th annual Nutrition & Health Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 4 through 6. Learn more about integrative medicine at IntegrativeMedicine.Arizona.edu and DrWeil.com.

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazines. Connect at SJulson@wi.rr.com.

Andrea Schensky Williams is the publisher of Natural Awakenings of Northern New Mexico.

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consciouseating

Hormone-Happy

FOODS The Right Choices Make Our Bodies Hum by Linda Sechrist

ur body’s hormones work like an orchestra. When one instrument is out of tune, the entire production struggles to maintain harmony. Each plays a part in influencing the others and determining how well the whole concert works. Fortunately, our body has masterful conductors, including the endocrine system, which coordinates all of the glands and the hormones they produce. “Players” include the adrenal, hypothalamus, pancreas, pineal, pituitary, reproductive and thyroid/ parathyroid glands. “A healthy endocrine system is essential to making hormones in appropriate amounts throughout our life,” says Theresa Dale, Ph.D., a naturopathic doctor who practices as a traditional naturopath and clinical nutritionist in Oxnard, California, and has authored Revitalizing Your Hormones. “For example, when the ovaries shut down after menopause, the adrenal glands continue producing progesterone and other essential hormones.” Dale, dean and founder of the California College of Natural Medicine, further assures that contrary to assertions from some conventional medicine reports, the body is able to produce necessary hormones throughout our entire life. Hormones function as chemical messengers that commute through the bloodstream as part of the information

superhighway that connects the brain to the DNA managers of the body’s cells. “Hormones communicate with chemicals produced by the brain called neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, which greatly influence energy levels, moods and other bodily functions such as moving memories from short- to longterm storage,” explains Dale. For 20 years, she has seen patients with critical hormonal imbalances respond to her recommended threemonth, endocrine-rebuilding diet, comprising three daily meals of steamed, sautéed and raw foods, fish, whole grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, plus two raw vegetable or seed snacks. The regimen strives to balance metabolism, cleanse the body, restore immune function and revitalize the endocrine system. Kokomo, Indiana, resident Sylvia Egel, national director of coaching and education for Metabolic Balance, a personalized nutrition plan to balance metabolism and hormones, optimize health and increase energy at any age, agrees that hormones can be restored and balanced via proper food selections. “Our lifestyle and dietary choices strongly affect our metabolism and hormonal health, as do stress levels and sleep patterns. Eating at the wrong time, in the wrong place or in the

wrong order, and even poor combinations of healthy foods, can be almost as problematic as eating junk food,” says Egel. She also warns against snacking, emotional eating, eating on the go, skipping breakfast and waiting too long between meals. Diana Hoppe, author of Healthy Sex Drive, Healthy You, an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Diego, California, who leads clinical trials related to women’s health at the Pacific Coast Research Center, also sees firsthand how what we eat directly affects our hormones. She attests that our bodies need a balance of three macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein and fat. “But for 20 years, we have been advised to decrease fat intake in favor of fat-free options that have been detrimental to us, because we need fat to produce hormones and maintain healthy hormone function. Certain fatty acids and cholesterol serve as building blocks in hormone production and cellular function, especially the reproductive hormones of estrogen and testosterone,” says Hoppe. Food can be medicine for hormones. One of the most important hormone-balancing fats is coconut oil, which heals skin, increases metabolism and supplies a quick source of energy. Egg yolks are a good source of choline and iodine, essential to the production of healthy thyroid hormones, plus are rich in vitamins A, D, E and B-complex vitamins. Avocados have lots of healthy fat that helps absorb and utilize nutrients. Nuts and seeds, olive oil and salmon are all rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids that help stabilize hormone levels. Eating the right foods and incorporating healthy fats into meals increases overall energy, reduces hormonal fluctuations and helps us feel more balanced. Says Dale, “The majority of individuals are surprised to learn that hormone health doesn’t depend on age, but rather on a complex of factors, like the air we breathe, the water we drink, the quality of our diet, good sleep and adequate exercise, plus the relative health of our relationships and emotional life—and that’s just for starters.” Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.

natural awakenings

January 2015

In addition to chiropractors that are increasingly adding acupuncture to their own credentials, an increasing number of chiropractors have added acupuncturists to their practices.

healingways

notes that relief can be both fast and permanent because the healing energy currents are able to circulate freely throughout the body.

DYNAMIC DUO

Growing Movement

Combining Chiropractic and Acupuncture Energizes Health by Kathleen Barnes

hiropractic manipulation of the spine has long been a remedy for structural malfunctions such as aching backs and recurring headaches. Today, chiropractors are also treating neck pain from stress, plus tight shoulders and numb fingers from long hours of computer use. An increasing number of them are now incorporating acupuncture into their arsenal against disorders once treated by chiropractic alone, with great success. “What if you had a nail in your foot? You can do anything to try to heal it, but until you pull the nail out of your foot, you’ll still have a recurring problem,” explains Dr. James Campbell, owner of Campbell Chiropractic

Center, in East Brunswick, New Jersey, a certified diplomate and incoming president of the American Board of Chiropractic Acupuncture (ABCA). “Like removing the nail, chiropractic removes the mechanical problem and opens the way for acupuncture to stimulate healing,” Similarly, a chiropractic adjustment removes obstructions and opens acupuncture meridians to facilitate quick healing, “sometimes even immediately,” says Campbell. “Instead of having the needles in for 20 to 30 minutes, I can actually use a microcurrent device to access the meridians in the ears or on the hands and get the same results in five to 10 seconds.” He

Combining the two modalities has been practiced for more than 40 years, although awareness of the enhanced effectiveness of doing so has been primarily realized in the eastern half of the U.S. The dual therapy is the brainchild of the late Dr. Richard Yennie, who initially became a Kansas City chiropractor after acupuncture healed a back injury shortly after World War II. An acupuncturist smuggled prohibited needles into Yennie’s Japanese hospital room in the sleeve of his kimono for treatments that ended with Yennie’s hospital discharge marked, “GOK,” meaning in the doctor’s opinion, “God only knows” how the intense back pain was healed. While Yennie went on to teach judo and establish five judo-karate schools, his greatest achievement was bringing the two sciences together in the U.S. He founded both the Acupuncture Society of America and the ABCA, affiliated with the American Chiropractic Association. Certification as a diplo-

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mate requires 2,300 hours of training in the combined modalities.

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Doctor of Chiropractic Michael Kleker, of Aspen Wellness Center, in Fort Collins, Colorado, is also a state-licensed acupuncturist. “I can tailor treatments to whatever the individual needs,” he says. For patients experiencing pain after spinal fusion surgery, with no possibility of any movement in their spine, Kleker finds that acupuncture helps manage the pain. “We can commonly get the person out of the chronic pain loop,” he says. He also finds the combination helpful in treating chronic migraines, tennis elbow and other chronic pain conditions. “When I started my practice in 1981, few chiropractors knew anything about acupuncture, let alone used it. Now there are more and more of us,” observes Kleker. Both Kleker and Campbell are seeing increasing numbers of patients with problems related to high use of technology, facilitating greater challenges for chiropractors and new ways that adding acupuncture can be valuable. Notebook computers and iPads

have both upsides and downsides, Campbell remarks. Users can find relief from repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome by utilizing portable devices. However, he is treating more patients for vertigo due to looking down at screens or neck pain from lying in bed looking up while using the devices. “Blackberry thumb”, which refers to pain caused by texting, responds especially well to a combination of chiropractic manipulation of the thumb to free up the joint and microcurrent or acupuncture needles to enhance energy flow in the area,” advises Campbell. Prevention is the best cure for these problems, says Kleker. He routinely informs patients about proper ergonomic positions for using traditional computers and mobile devices. He also suggests exercises to minimize or eliminate the structural challenges that accompany actively leveraging today’s technological world. In addition to chiropractors that are increasingly adding acupuncture to their own credentials, an increasing number of chiropractors have added

acupuncturists to their practices. Therapy combining chiropractic and acupuncture has yet to be widely researched, but one study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine in 2012 reports the results of two acupuncture treatments followed by three chiropractic/acupuncture treatments for a women suffering from long-term migraine headaches. The migraines disappeared and had not returned a year later. Other studies show the combination therapy offers significant improvements in neck pain and tennis elbow. Campbell relates a story of the power of chiropractic combined with acupuncture, when his young son that was able to walk only with great difficulty received a two-minute treatment from Yennie. Afterward, “My son got up and ran down the hall,” he recalls. Locate a certified practitioner at American BoardOfChiropracticAcupuncture.org/ about-us/find-a-diplomate. Kathleen Barnes is the author of numerous natural health books and publisher at Take Charge Books. Connect at Kathleen@KathleenBarnes.com.

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January 2015

greenliving

recycled wood might not be eco-friendly. “Wood reclaimed from manufacturing plants can contain machine oils, harsh chemical residue, lead paint or asbestos,” explains Shafer. “Know where it came from; follow the chain of evidence.”

High Traffic, Pets, Long Life–Linoleum

ECO-FRIENDLY

FLOORS Sustainable Beauty Underfoot by Avery Mack

ruly good flooring is beautiful, practical and eco-friendly. The best choices may change from room-to-room, as well as with geography, depending on family needs. Here are some key factors to consider for an optimum installation.

Added Value–Hardwood Wood comes in many colors, polished to a high gloss or textured, and can be refinished when styles change. “Timber used

to float downriver to the sawmill and not all of it arrived. We salvage logs from the bottom of the Penobscot River for flooring and other products,” says Tom Shafer, co-owner of Maine Heritage Timber, in Millinocket. “Our wood is as fresh as the day it was cut decades ago.” Cold water preserves the resource and adds a natural patina. Removal of the estimated 700,000 cords of underwater wood will help restore the waterway’s natural eco-system. Note: Wood can scratch or dent and be susceptible to water damage. Even

FUN FLOOR FACTS n Mixed and matched floors create a planned flow in an open-concept house. Find fun ideas at Tinyurl.com/FlooringTransits. n Most carpet is chemical-laden and not so health- or eco-friendly, although there are some exceptions. n Sustainably produced handwoven wool rugs backed with jute are susceptible to the jute retaining spills and pet odors; its yellow-tan pigment also can color rug fibers. Jute eventually disintegrates, leaving clumps of unsecured wool fibers. n In Portugal, bark is hand carved off the tree as cork, which is healthy for the tree. Trees are grown on protected land that also benefits insects and birds. NASA, Mercedes and BMW sometimes find cork a lightweight, durable replacement for steel. The Library of Congress has relied on its original cork flooring for 75 years. n Kinetic energy from people dancing or walking on special flooring can light up the area and send energy back to the grid (see Joycott.com/energy-floors). 22

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Linoleum is made from linseed oil, wood powder, resins and ground limestone. Mineral pigments provide rich color throughout, which prevents paler worn spots. A personalized pattern may include borders using linoleum sheets or tiles. It’s long-lasting, durable, fireresistant, biodegradable, has no harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC) and repels dirt and dust. Note: Vinyl, made from unnatural chlorinated petrochemicals, won’t wear as well or last as long as linoleum.

Long-Lasting–Tile

Bottles recycled into glass tile reflect light, brightening smaller rooms like the bath. Long-lasting ceramic or porcelain tile has no VOCs, is easy to clean and won’t host germs, bacteria or dust mites. Note: Look for lead-free glazed tile. Glass tile may be cost-prohibitive for larger spaces. Most tile can be slick when wet; texturing increases safety.

Child-, Pet- and ElderFriendly, Warm and Comfy–Cork Cork is lightweight, flexible and can mimic stone, granite, tile, marble and wood, while providing comfortable cushioning. “Cork assumes the ambient temperature in the room, keeping feet warmer. It holds up to dogs, too,” says Tim Tompkins, a Portuguese Cork Association committee member in Greenville, South Carolina. “Cork is both healthy for the consumer and sustainable for the environment.” Note: Due to its cushioning nature, heavy furniture or high-heeled shoes may make indentations.

Wood-Like and Sturdy–Bamboo

Bamboo generally regrows in three to five years, is twice as hard as red oak and can be stained almost any color.

Edge-grained bamboo, banded together, turns flooring into a statement. Note: “It’s shipped from Asia and may have formaldehyde glues and durability problems, so shop carefully,” advises David Bergman, a New York City green architect and author of Sustainable Design: A Critical Guide.

inspiration

Long-Wearing Classic Look–Stone Travertine, limestone, granite, slate and marble are all stone flooring options. Stone can increase home value, has a classic look and is a piece of history that adds to any décor, although it’s not a renewable resource. Cork or nonpetroleum-based laminated floors can give the look of stone without destroying an in-situ natural resource. Note: Large blocks of stone are cut at quarries and transported to processing plants, cut into slabs and transported to a processor to be cut again, shaped and polished before being shipped to the store—a big carbon footprint.

The Great Imitator–Concrete Easy-to-clean, durable concrete never needs to be replaced. Small repairs can be patched. Large repairs, such as a broken pipe beneath the surface, may require refinishing the entire floor to match the stain color. Some homeowners have created a faux rug using other stain colors to disguise the repaired area. Finishes can make concrete look like hardwood, painted tile, carpet, marble or granite, including terrazzo options. For an entryway, homeowners can design a custom welcome mat, perhaps incorporating a family crest, monogram or motto. Finishes can be textured to varying degrees to increase foot traction. Note: Ensure the structure is sturdy enough to bear the extra weight of concrete. It feels cold underfoot in winter and cool in summer. Epoxy coatings don’t let concrete breathe, so any moisture emanating from the concrete slab will be trapped. Test for the moisturevapor emission rate; problem areas can include sections covered by furniture. Avery Mack is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect via AveryMack@ mindspring.com.

New Year, New You When ‘Good Enough’ Is Perfect by Elizabeth Lombardo

oes it sometimes feel like if we can’t do something perfectly, why should we bother doing it at all? Perfectionism feeds on such an all-ornothing approach in following rigid self-imposed rules that can sabotage relationships, health and happiness. Instead, try adopting a “better than perfect” mindset that embraces life’s imperfections without guilt or shame. A clean enough house or a good enough job is in many ways better than perfect. Here are helpful approaches to reframe the internal discussion. Remember what matters. In planning a big birthday party for her husband, one wife was so stressed trying to manage every detail that she had to stop and ask herself: What is most important—having everything look perfect, or having a fun party they would enjoy and remember for the rest of their lives? Thinking about our values keeps things in perspective and perfectionism in check. Perfection isn’t likable. We often try to be perfect to gain other people’s attention and approval, but no one wants to be around a person trying to be someone they aren’t. No one’s life is perfect. Social media often present idealized versions of people’s lives. Few post about fighting with their partner or coping with an unhappy infant; we most often hear about vacation adventures and

baby’s first word or step. We can avoid feelings of dissatisfaction by avoiding comparisons with others. It’s not failure, it’s data. Rather than personalize a perceived failure, take it on as an opportunity. If a New Year’s resolution to work out more isn’t kept, ask why: Is the exercise location too far away or is the class schedule inconvenient? It feels better to adopt a more successful strategy than to beat ourself up about falling short. Perfectionism is a treadmill. People often think, “I’ll be happy when I weigh this or achieve that,” always seeking the next level of self-improvement. Appreciating who we are right now is a path to happiness. Perfectionism is a learned behavior, and anything learned can be unlearned at any age. As we continue to strive for excellence, we can learn to embrace what’s good. Take a perfectionist self-assessment quiz at Tinyurl.com/PerfectionismQuiz. Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and the author of Better than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love plus A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness. Connect at ElizabethLombardo.com.

natural awakenings

January 2015

healthykids

no idea how the information pertains to them. The award-winning app “allows children to input their age, gender and level of physical activity to measure their individual caloric need,” says De Wulf. “When they choose a food to ‘smash’ and see that eight grams of sugar cubes are in a can of soda, they’re able to process healthy food information.” Smash Your Food features audio/ video of actual food smashing. “Kids are sensorial and different kinds of learners. It’s more effective than using cartoon images,” she observes. It’s $2.99 in the iTunes App Store.

An App a Day Keeps the Doctor Away Keep Kids Engaged in Healthy Living by Julianne Hale

n today’s technology-fueled society, kids spend many hours of their free time staring at smartphones or tablets instead of exploring nature, riding bikes or playing outdoor games with their friends. Rather than just imposing radical reductions in screen time, parents and caregivers can meet youngsters halfway by adding apps to their handheld devices that provide tips on healthy eating, exercise and behavior. Here are five that are fun for kids and promote healthy lifestyle choices. Super Stretch Yoga HD. Super Stretch is the primary character in this yoga adventure in which players are encouraged to, “Create a peaceful, balanced life by living a NAMASTE mission: Nothing is impossible; Always be honest; Make the world a better place; Act with kindness; Share with others; Trust and believe in yourself; and Enjoy and have fun.” Creator and founder Jessica Rosenberg, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, explains, “I translated a curriculum that I’ve been using for kids into an ‘edutainment’ app that combines gaming and real-life kids

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as characters that bring yoga to life.” Players are challenged to master the skills presented by each of the game’s 12 main characters, increasing awareness of breathing and other aspects of how the body works, plus promoting self-esteem. Free in the iTunes App Store. If, the Emotional IQ Game. An adventure game inspired by If, a well-known poem by Rudyard Kipling, players go on a quest through Ziggurat, a fantasy world where they enlist energy creatures called Vims to rid their avatars of dark energy. Youngsters are challenged to complete missions using emotional language. The character traits required to complete the tasks include patience, teamwork and other skills that help kids build emotional intelligence. Free in the iTunes App Store. Smash Your Food. Nutritionist Marta De Wulf, from Bellevue, Washington, felt compelled to develop her innovative app when she realized that while kids understand that certain foods contain too much sugar, fat or carbs, they have

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Oh, Ranger! Park Finder. Instead of vaguely suggesting that kids put down their electronic devices and head outdoors, why not ask them to choose an adventure for the whole family? Using the Oh, Ranger! Park Finder app, kids can search for nearby outdoor recreation areas from a comprehensive database of national parks, state parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, Bureau of Land Management sites and U.S. Army Corps recreation areas. Kids can further seek out specific activities from 20-plus categories that range from birdwatching and hiking to boating and camping. Free in the iTunes App Store or Google Play. Kids Making Healthy Choices. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that rates of childhood obesity have doubled in the past 30 years. This kid- and parent-friendly app is designed to help. It springboards from San Diego, California’s Merilee Kern’s children’s book of the same title. Embedded via an e-reader, kids can play games, print coloring sheets and explore healthy recipes while parents check out the news section and resource page for links with information for keeping youngsters healthy. “Surveys show that parents often don’t realize that their child has a weight problem,” notes Kern. “It’s important to discuss this topic within the family, and the app helps facilitate this in a non-threatening, helpful way.” It’s $2.99 in the iTunes App Store. Julianne Hale writes and edits for Natural Awakenings franchise magazines and blogs about motherhood at AnotherGrayHair.wordpress.com.

Label Literacy Five Tips Help Kids Choose Healthy Foods by Elisa Bosley

Families have three key weapons in combating America’s childhood obesity epidemic: keeping them active, reducing their soda and junk food intake and teaching youngsters how to read food labels.

ccording to the National Center for Health Statistics, obesity more than doubled in children ages 6 to 11 and tripled in adolescents ages 12 to 19 between 1980 and 2010. Nearly one in five youths in both age groups, plus one in eight preschoolers, are now considered obese and at increased risk for consequent health problems. By 2013, the Centers for Disease Control finally showed signs of hope, with some states reporting small reversals in the trend. Positive developments might continue if parents and teachers gently coach kids to better evaluate what’s going into their mouths and bodies by understanding food labels. Despite the intimidation factor (even for adults), “Once children know how to read, they are ready to start learning how to read food labels,” advises Jolly Backer, CEO of Fresh Healthy Vending, a forward-thinking company actively increasing the presence of healthy-food vending machines in schools nationwide. He says, “The more kids know about what they’re eating, the more empowered they’ll be about making healthier food choices.” Here are five basic tips to increase

knowing what food labels really say that will benefit a youngster’s health for a lifetime. Visualize serving sizes. Assemble two or three packaged food items— preferably those that the child regularly eats, like cereal, oatmeal and applesauce—plus a measuring cup. Point out the serving-size number on the package label, and let the child measure out a single serving. This visually reinforces serving sizes, the first number anyone needs to consider on a food label. Try it with a single soda or juice bottle, too, which often says, “two servings.” Important note: Most nutrition label serving sizes are based on a 2,000-calorie adult diet. For kids ages 4 to 8, portion sizes are about two-thirds of an adult portion; for preteens, portions run 80 to 90 percent of the adult amount, says Registered Dietitian Tara Dellolacono-Thies, food coach for CLIF Kid nutrient-rich organic energy snacks. Evaluate numbers. Next, discuss the numbers noted for calories, fat, sugar, fiber and cholesterol. When evaluating a packaged food for an elementary school child, DellolaconoThies suggests aiming for 175 calories or less per serving; one gram or less

saturated fat; no trans fats; no more than 13 grams of added sugars; no more than 210 milligrams sodium content; and at least two grams of fiber. She notes that cholesterol alone is less of a health risk factor for kids than saturated fats and sugars unless a child is on a specialized diet. Added bonuses: Look for high-percent daily values (shown as DV percentage) for nutrients such as calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin D, which experts generally agree most kids’ diets lack in sufficient quantities. Compare and contrast. Armed with these basic guidelines, compare, for example, the grams of sugar in a can of soda with a serving of cooked rolled oats, or the amount of calcium in a carton of milk versus a juice box. One-to-one evaluations will begin to give a child a sense of what numbers constitute “high” or “low” amounts. Check the fine print. “Artificial colors and flavors, artificial sweeteners, high-fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated anything signal that the food is likely of lower nutritional quality,” counsels Dellolacono-Thies. Make a game of sounding out items in the ingredient list. “It’s a classic teaching moment: Unpronounceable ingredients often mean it’s a lab-created, fake, food-like item,” she says. Next, ask the youngster to read the label on an apple. Surprise! No food label means it’s a whole, real food—the best, most nutritious kind. Translate knowledge into choices. Once a child has gotten the hang of it, let him or her compare different food labels and choose which one is the healthier option. Plan a little extra time to also do it during grocery shopping. With time and practice, an educated youngster will begin to incorporate the power of reading food labels before choosing foods. “Even when children walk up to a vending machine, where they can’t read labels, you want them to know which is the healthier option,” says Backer. “With label-reading practice, they’ll become savvy shoppers who’ll readily recognize healthy food options when they see them.” Elisa Bosley is senior food editor at Delicious Living magazine.

natural awakenings

January 2015

naturalpet

Both the family and the veterinarian need to feel comfortable with treatments. Ask questions before submitting an animal to any anesthetic or surgery or other medical procedure. Talk with the veterinarian about using this gentle, natural approach to help relieve any concerns if a pet needs sedation or anesthesia. Shawn Messonnier, a doctor of veterinary medicine practicing in Plano, TX, is the award-winning author of The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats and Unexpected Miracles: Hope and Holistic Healing for Pets. For more information, visit PetCareNaturally.com.

PET ANESTHESIA How to Make it Safe and Easier on Everyone by Shawn Messonnier

any pet parents and some veterinarians have an unnecessary fear of animal anesthesia. Addressing some misconceptions about this common medical procedure can be helpful, particularly in regard to older pets.

Myth #1: Anesthesia is Dangerous Modern anesthesia has evolved into a safe medical practice since it was introduced in 1799 and uses much safer drugs than earlier versions. Still, all medications need to be approached cautiously for the welfare of all individuals connected to its use. Both injectable anesthetic drugs and inhalant anesthetic drugs (gases) can be used safely if properly chosen for a specific condition, accurately dosed and continuously monitored.

Myth #2: Grogginess is a Given When a high-quality medication is properly administered, a groggy state 26

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lasting from several hours to a day or more following a procedure shouldn’t occur. Lower-quality anesthetic drugs injected during discounted spaying and neutering procedures may produce such prolonged recovery periods. It’s safer to use a high-quality, quick-acting, short-term injectable anesthetic, followed by gas anesthesia for anesthetic maintenance, during surgical procedures, including for spaying and neutering. Patients wake up quickly following surgery and can be sent home fully awake soon afterwards.

Myth #3: A Pet is Too Old

No pet is too old for proper medical care. Because older pets don’t metabolize some drugs as well as younger ones, the correct anesthesia must be chosen for the pet’s age and current state of health or medical problems. Too often, pets haven’t received proper care, especially dental cleanings and tumor removals, because their current veterinarian has deemed them too old for anesthesia.

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PRINCIPLES OF HOLISTIC ANESTHESIA by Shawn Messonnier n Each patient is unique and has unique anesthetic needs. n Giving the least amount of anesthesia needed ensures the safest possible procedure. n Analgesics are used to minimize discomfort and meet anesthetic needs. n Some anesthetic drugs may be used to minimize the depth of anesthesia obtained. n Light levels of anesthesia are preferred for minimally painful procedures. n Carefully monitoring the patient during anesthesia helps ensure a good outcome. n Patients should wake up from anesthesia immediately following the procedure. n Patients are sent home immediately following anesthetic recovery. n An older pet can be safely anesthetized by a holistic vet as part of its anti-aging care.

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natural awakenings

January 2015

calendarofevents Washington Carver made significant contributions in the field of botany. Learn how plants played an important role in his early life and about his later achievements in botany, agriculture, chemurgy, botanical illustration, industrial engineering and medicine. $5/child. Queens Botanical Garden, Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY. 718-886-3800. QueensBotanical.org.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 Sunday Concerts Presents Hart & Soul – 3-4:15pm. Hart & Soul keeps the New Year’s celebration going with a performance of classic rock, dance, disco, Motown, country rock and Top 40 selections. Free (while supplies last). 8911 Merrick Blvd, Jamaica, NY. 718-990-0700. QueensLibrary.org.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8 African Dance Workshop – 4-5pm. Dance to the beat of the drum in an explosion of rhythm and movement led by African dance specialist Damon Foster. At the fifth and last session, you will perform in a Black History Month kickoff presentation. Free (while supplies last). Queens Library for Teens, 20-2 Cornaga Ave, Far Rockaway, NY. 718-471-2573. QueensLibrary.org.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10 Life Dreams, Purpose and Goals Workshop – 12:30-1:30pm. With Dr Gayle Whittaker. 3rd annual small supportive gathering to explore life dreams, redefine your purpose and reset your goals for 2015. Free. Holistic Oasis, 70-20 Austin St, Ste 107, Forest Hills. To reserve a seat, 718-544-8282. DrGayleWhittaker@gmail.com. HolisticChiropractor.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11 Electronic Waste Recycling Event – 10am-4pm. Enjoy the 12th annual after the holidays e-waste event at QBG in partnership with the Lower East Side Ecology Center and sponsored by TekServe. It’s a great way to responsibly dispose of all unwanted /broken gadgets. Help meet the goal of

collecting 100 tons this Jan by spreading the word to everyone. Free. Queens Botanical Garden, 4350 Main St, Flushing, NY. QueensBotanical.org. Info@LesecologyCenter.org. Recycled & Repurposed Children’s Trash – 1-3pm. Join us in the Education Bldg at the Queens Botanical Gardens, where we’ll be making children crafts out of recycled and repurposed items. Free. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY. 718-886-3800. QueensBotanical.org.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 Somato-Respiratory-Integration – 12:30-1:30pm. With Dr Gayle Whittaker. Learn to incorporate breath, movement, focus & touch to enable one to more fully experience natural wisdom. Free. Holistic Oasis, 70-20 Austin St, Ste 107, Forest Hills. To reserve a seat, 718-544-8282. DrGayleWhittaker@ gmail.com. HolisticChiropractor.com.

plan ahead SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Great Backyard Bird Count – 11am-1pm. Join QBG for the 18th annual bird counting event. Our results will be added to those submitted from around the world. Meet at the Visitor & Administration Building lobby. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY. 718-886-3800. To register: SRomar@QueensBotanical.org.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Celebrate Black History Month – 1:30-3pm. George Washington Carver Workshop. Dr. George

NA Fun Fact:

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Queens, NY

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Storytime & Craft at QBG – 2-3:30pm. Bring your little gardeners and nature lovers to QBG for a relaxing afternoon featuring nature-inspired stories, followed by a botanically themed craft activity (while supplies last). Queens Botanical Garden, Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY. 718-886-3800. QueensBotanical.org. NYC Compost Project - I Heart Worms for Families – 2-4pm. Project hosted by Queens Botanical Garden. This unique hands-on workshop introduces kids (ages 5 and up, accompanied by an adult) to the life of indoor composting (red wiggler) worms. Be prepared to get your hands dirty. Registration required. $5/child. Queens Botanical Garden, Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY. 718-886-3800. Compost@QueensBotanical.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Lunar New Year Celebration – 1-4pm. After watching the Flushing Lunar New Year Parade, join QBG for children’s craft activities and celebrate the Year of the Sheep. Free (while supplies last). Queens Botanical Garden, Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY. 718-886-3800. QueensBotanical.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 NYC Compost Project hosted by Queens Botanical Garden: Teacher Wormshop – 6-8pm. Discover the benefits of composting with a worm bin in the classroom. This excellent hands-on and inquirybased activity teaches kids biology, recycling, and responsibility. Learn great facts about earthworms, how to set up a worm bin and how to maintain the system effectively. Registration req. $5/pp. Queens Botanical Garden, Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY. 718-886-3800. Compost@ QueensBotanical.org.

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ongoingevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email NaturalQueensNY@aol.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please. Or visit NaturalQueensNY.com to submit online.

sunday Yoga – 7:30am. Relax your mind and body through flowing poses and breathing. Promote better posture, flexibility, suppleness and strength as peace and calm enter the body. $10/class. Meadow Spa Fitness for Women, 61-19 190th St, Fresh Meadows, NY. 718-740-5100. MeadowSpaFitness.com.

Cardio X-Training – 10am. High intensity, fat-burning aerobic training that varies between kickboxing, latin dance, classic aerobics and step. $10/class. Meadow Spa Fitness for Women, 6119 190th St, Fresh Meadows, NY. 718-740-5100. MeadowSpaFitness.com.

Super Sculpt – 8:30am. Tone, tighten and strengthen the whole body, working all major muscles, arms, back, legs, hips, thighs and abdominals, using different types of resistance. (rubber bands, body bars and dumbbells). $10/class. Meadow Spa Fitness for Women, 61-19 190th St, Fresh Meadows, NY. 718-740-5100. MeadowSpaFitness.com.

Stretch & Chat Yoga – 10-11am. Class begins with an open chat about spiritual concepts and philosophies, then include the concepts into a physical practice. $10/first time, $18/after. The Studio at 3Elements, 34-34 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY. 718-4286678. TheStudioAt3Elements@gmail.com.

tuesday

wednesday Awesome Abs – 8:30am. 30 minutes of abdominal and waist-crunching moves. Makes midsection muscles stronger and tighter and protects the back. $10/class. Meadow Spa Fitness for Women, 6119 190th St, Fresh Meadows, NY. 718-740-5100. MeadowSpaFitness.com.

Yoga Flow – 8-9:15pm. A powerful flow designed to challenge you in mind and body, increase strength, awareness, flexiblity, breath and stamina. $10/first time, $18/ after. The Studio at 3Elements, 34-34 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY. 718-428-6678. TheStudioAt3Elements@gmail.com.

friday

monday

Spin – 7:30pm. A challenging cardio workout, on a stationary cycle. Visualize and pedal as if experiencing various road conditions at varying intensities, as an instructor motivates and inspires you. Please call ahead to reserve a bike. $10/class. Meadow Spa Fitness for Women, 61-19 190th St, Fresh Meadows, NY. 718-740-5100. MeadowSpaFitness.com.

mindfulness. $10/first time, $18 after. The Studio at 3Elements, 34-34 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY. 718-4286678. TheStudioAt3Elements@gmail.com.

saturday Studio at 3Elements, 34-34 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY. 718-428-6678. TheStudioAt3Elements@gmail.com. Kids Yoga – 3:15-4pm. Kids ages 4-6 learn the fundamentals of yoga and mindfulness through games and song. $10/first time, $18/after. The Studio at 3Elements, 34-34 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY. 718-4286678. TheStudioAt3Elements@gmail.com. Gentle Flow – 6:30-7:45pm. A soothing gentle class focuses on the exploration of basic yoga poses and how to connect to breath, alignment and

Yoga – 11:30am. Relax your mind and body through flowing poses and breathing. Promote better posture, flexibility, suppleness and strength as peace and calm enter the body. $10/class. Meadow Spa Fitness for Women, 61-19 190th Street, Fresh Meadows, NY. 718-740-5100. MeadowSpaFitness.com Healing Circle Meditation – 2-4pm. Intuitive messages, energy work, relaxation, music for the soul, an easy approach to meditation and solutions to bettering your life. $35. The Studio at 3Elements, 34-34 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY. 718-428-6678. TheStudioAt3Elements@gmail.com.

Kundalini Yoga – 10-11am. Kundalini focuses on awakening the kundalini energy through kriya (set asanas), meditation, pranayama and chanting. $10/first time, $18/after. The Studio at 3Elements, 34-34 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY. 718-428-6678. TheStudioAt3Elements@gmail.com.

thursday Boot Camp – 9am. Stepping, running, jumping, rowing, lifting and pulling. Interval training designed to push you a bit farther. Lose body fat, increase cardiovascular efficiency and increase strength. $10/class. Meadow Spa Fitness for Women, 61-19 190th St, Fresh Meadows, NY. 718740-5100. MeadowSpaFitness.com. Hatha Chakra Balance Yoga – 10-11am. This hatha yoga-style class focuses on the 7 energy centers of the body using asana and chants to increase energy, alignment and strength. $10/first time, $18/after. The

natural awakenings

January 2015

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CHIROPRACTIC HOLISTIC OASIS

Dr. Gayle A. Whittaker 70-20 Austin St, Ste 107, Forest Hills, NY 718-544-8282 HolisticChiropractor.com N.S.A. Practitioner. “Healing waves” release body tension, promoting new strategies for a healthy spine and nervous system. Relieving back and neck pain is only the beginning. Bridge the interface between physical health and overall well-being. See ad, page 14.

NEKTALOV FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Boris Nektalov 150-31 Union Turnpike, Flushing, NY 347-829-6322 NektalovHealth.com

Dedicated to serving families in Queens, quality custom care is provided and lifestyle advice to keep patients their healthiest. Drug-free, hands-on care shifts away from surgical procedures and symptom-chasing, to offer a safe and affordable alternative to families. As a whole, health and well-being are improved.

HEALING ARTS BLUEPRINT HEALING ARTS

Siranush K. Cholakian, MD, LAc 64-06 Fitchett St, Rego Park, NY 718-275-4460 BlueprintHealingArts.com Board-certified in Integrative Holistic Medicine. Receive a complete treatment protocol consisting of multiple modalities to treat ailments. A blend of homeopathy, acupuncture, ayurveda, nutrition, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy and functional medicine. See ad, page 29.

HEALTH CLUB MEADOW SPA FITNESS FOR WOMEN 61-19 190th St, Fresh Meadows, NY 718-740-5100 MeadowSpaFitness.com

A fully private fitness facility only for women with the best in fitness equipment, classes, personal training and spa amenities. Plenty of free parking.

MASSAGE MASSAGE ENVY SPA

38-3 Bell Blvd, Bayside NY 89-44 Metropolitan Ave, Rego Park, NY 718-279-3689 MassageEnvy.com Customized massages and facials that help relieve stress, decrease anxiety, increase energy and improve skin texture. Professional massage therapists and estheticians will work to customize your session. See ad, page 5.

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE DR. MARIZELLE ARCE

Offices in Bayside and Larchmont 917-282-5622 NYNaturoPath.com

xercise should be

regarded as tribute to the heart.

Join for FREE at NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com 30

Queens, NY

NaturalQueensNY.com

~Gene Tunney

Naturopathic Medical School graduate specializing in a holistic approach to health and wellness. Experienced in anxiety control, women’s health, digestion, detoxification and nutritional imbalances. Offering Thermography and Acoustic Cardiograph. See ad, page 12.

natural awakenings

January 2015

Queens, NY

NaturalQueensNY.com