Natural Awakenings Magazine Philadelphia ~ December 2019 by Natural Awakenings Philadelphia

EE R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

It’s All Holiday Eco-Pet Renewals About ‘We’ Toys Refreshing Traditions

Coming Together for Creative Change

What’s Safe and Smart

December 2019 | Philadelphia, PA Edition | naphilly.comDecember 2019

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December 2019

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

PHILADELPHIA, PA EDITION PUBLISHER Kimberly Murray EDITOR Martin Miron CALENDAR EDITOR Sara Peterson AD DESIGNER Megan Connolly DESIGN & PRODUCTION C. Michele Rose CONTENT MANAGER Amy Hass SOCIAL MEDIA ASST. Eric Yang SALES & MARKETING Kimberly Murray

CONTACT US Natural Awakenings – Philly 8225 Germantown Ave., Suite 4333 Philadelphia, PA 19118 Phone: 215-902-9137 Fax: 215-402-3423 Publisher@naphilly.com naphilly.com

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Sharon Bruckman Joe Dunne Jan Hollingsworth Linda Sechrist Stephen Blancett Josh Pope Kara Cave

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com ©2019 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

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letter from publisher

Merry Christmas, Philly! ‘Tis the season not only to celebrate, but to bring joy to many people and uplift the spirits of those in despair. I know this sounds a bit cliché, but it’s hard to believe that another year and two decades are ending and 2020 will begin. If you’re anything like me, it was hard to imagine the year 2000. Growing up in the 80s singing along to Prince’s song “Party Like it's 1999” was difficult enough, but we’ve lived through unimaginable times that bring us to the here and now. How to usher in 2020 is a question I strongly consider, and although life and health are not guaranteed, that certainly doesn’t erase their contemplation. If I consider my life as a human canvas, and I believe it is, do I reinvent myself, simply apply touch-ups to certain areas or wipe the canvas clean and begin anew? Hmm! Natural Awakenings magazines across the country have been providing inspiring, thought-provoking ideas for more than 25 years, and hopefully we have made tremendous progress with our own self-reflection. In the spirit of the season, we turn our attention to metaphysical matters, most notably Linda Sechrist’s uplifting feature, “The Emerging Power of ‘We’: Awakening to the Evolution of Community.” Here you’ll find a compelling argument that collective wisdom, collaborative change and the need to evolve from a culture of “me” to a culture of “we” may be the key to addressing the major challenges that confront humankind. That doesn’t mean that self-reflection is no longer relevant, but in a selfless way for the betterment of mankind. As we bring another year to a close with feast and festivities, let’s take a moment to think of our true gifts and how they help shaped us throughout the years and how we can give the gift of kindness and forgiveness to those in need this season and throughout the upcoming year. To my team at Natural Awakenings and all our advertisers that have been with us to support our health and wellness journey in the community, Happy Holidays to you and your family. Thank you for being a part of our journey as we participate in uplifting humanity.

Kimberly Murray, Publisher

Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Contents 10 REFRESH HOLIDAY

TRADITIONS

Making the Old New and Green

12 THE MERRY VEGAN

People-Pleasing Holiday Sweets

16 THE EMERGING

POWER OF ‘WE’

Awakening to the Evolution of Community

18 INHALING THE

JOY OF LIFE

Conscious Breathwork

20 HEALTHY HOLIDAY GUIDE 22 PERFECT PET PRESENTS Safe and Eco-Smart Toys

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 215-902-9137 or email Publisher@naphilly.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@naphilly.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Publisher@naphilly.com or visit naphilly.com. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

23 THE GENEROUS HEART How Giving Transforms Us

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 8 health briefs 10 healthy kids 12 conscious

eating 15 local recipe 15 healthy dining guide 18 fit body

22 23 25 30 31

natural pet inspiration calendar resource guide classifieds

December 2019

news briefs

Food Sensitivity Testing Now in Roxborough

r. Hank Finkel and Advanced Chiropractic Services have partnered with Food Align, the industry leader in food sensitivity testing, to provide accurate and meaningful test results that assist patients in making informed treatment decisions. This is a simple finger-stick blood test to identify not allergies, but delayed onset food sensitivities. The effects of sensitivities, as opposed to allergies, in which the reactions are immediate, are delayed 12 to 72 hours, making it difficult for people to identify links between offending foods and the effects. Food sensitivity primarily causes issues in three areas: inflammatory response, digestive issues and immune system response. Once identified, there are several non-invasive treatment options available to correct such sensitivities. Appointments for food sensitivity testing are now available. Location: 4245 Pechin St., Philadelphia. For appointments, call 215-483-3661 or visit AdvancedChiroRox.com. See ads, pages 3 and 21.

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onprofit Rebel Ventures, comprised of high school students from across Philadelphia, are raising funds by selling Apple Delight Rebel Crumbles, an apple-filled wholegrain breakfast cake. Crumbles have no preservatives and are made in Philadelphia. The packaging is microwave- and oven-safe to 400 degrees. A kid’s diet is typically very unhealthy. Affordable snacks available in corner stores are not nutritious, and commercials are everywhere advertising non-nutritious food. Many kids think their school’s food tastes gross, despite its affordability and availability. These young people want to create healthy, affordable and tasty products and distribute them to students in Philadelphia and beyond. The Rebel crew is supported by the Penn State University Netter Center for Community Partnerships. Their products and projects are designed, tested and evaluated in partnership with students, staff and parents at the Netter Center’s K-12 University Assisted Community Schools, in West Philadelphia. Each year, undergraduates, graduate students and alumni, as well as staff and faculty from the University of Pennsylvania, work with Rebel Ventures as mentors and learners to create healthy deliciousness—food that is both tasty and nutritious— with kids in schools and in communities. For more information, visit Tinyurl.com/RebelCrumbles.

Unique Women’s Health Treatment

outh Philly Wellness is the private practice of holistic health practitioner Jennifer June in the neighborhood of West Passyunk. She recommends vaginal steaming, in conjunction with Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy, and daily self-care massage. June says, “Vaginal steaming is a deeply relaxing experience that combines moderate temperature steam and herbs to alleviate pelvic tension, increase circulation and reduce inflammation.” Vaginal steaming is used as an adjunct therapy to address a wide range of women’s reproductive and menstrual concerns such as PCOS, PMS, painful menstrual cycles, endometriosis and amenorrhea. It is inappropriate during pregnancy, when showing signs of infection and during active menses. “Vaginal steams are an herb-infused steam bath for the pelvic region, based on Mayan cleansing rituals,” says June. “Other cultures reference similar services as yoni-steams, chai-yok and pelvic steaming.” Location: 2251 S. 23rd St, Philadelphia. For a phone consultation, call 215-301-3072. For more information, visit SouthPhillyWellness.com. See ad, page 14.

Shamanic Journey in Cherry Hill

rom 7 to 9:30 p.m., December 13, Healers Universe will host Light in Darkness and Darkness in Light, in Cherry Hill, a shamanic journey traveling from the time of our ancestors receiving gifts and guidance from the cosmos and inner Earth, navigating the powerful forces of separation and oneness for individual and global evolution as we head into the societal reset of 2020. Healers Universe is offering group healings via conference call at $45 for 90 minutes with updates on current evolutionary energetics and the collective consciousness theme we are all experiencing at this time, revealing insights and clarification for what participant’s are dealing with in daily life. The combination of individual soul purposes creates a synergy amplifying the power and potency of the results for those on the calls. The sacred geometrics created for the group allow for each member to have their own unique healing within deep unity, held in safety and security as they feel the easing of tensions and profound shifts during the healing and later manifested in their lives. Event admission is $35 in advance, $45 at the door. To register (required), call Andrea Regal at 856-904-5566. See ad, page 18.

Give the Christmas Spirit

ethodist Services is holding a Holiday Toy, Clothing and Gift Card Drive for children, individuals and families. Gift card donations, new unwrapped toys, new personal care baskets, new clothing and monetary donations will be accepted from December 2 through 9 and distributed from December 10 through 13. Methodist Services provides life enriching programs to children, adults and families as they face the challenges of limited resources, increased poverty, homelessness, disabilities and inequities in education. They provide early childhood education, school-age programs, housing services, supports for families, mental health and counseling services, and nutrition programs. For more information, call Carole Boughter at 215-877-1925, ext. 104, email cboughter@MethodistServices.org or visit Tinyurl.com/ MethodistToyDrive.

A New Way of Doing Skin Care

elcome to BIM, a new way of doing skin care, with an easy, one-step solution for your timeless mask application. My name is Maggie, I am the founder of BIM and a licensed esthetician. My passion for skin care began over 20 years ago. Working in the aesthetic field, I have learned that everyone deserves to look their best and love what they see in the mirror. I have been offering skin care services and providing my clients with skin care treatments since May 1999, helping people to look their best. My journey began when I felt something in my life was missing. I wanted to find a way to help people so I decided to do just that by creating a way for women and men to maintain a youthful and energized look. It was during this process BIM was born. Specially designed for people who do not have lots of time, this mask takes just a few minutes to apply. Simple and effective ingredients deliver magical results overnight. What isn’t absorbed overnight by your skin washes off easily with warm water the next morning. I have used my 20 years of expertise in skin care and knowledge of working with essential oils to create unique, effective and healthy skin care products for everyone who desires to feel and look beautiful by using a holistic approach. Taking concepts from paraffin facial treatments and soy candle masks, I have formulated a unique product. BIM candle mask delivers confidence and clarity to everyone’s skin, regardless of age or skin type, Using natural ingredients, I formulated an effective, powerful and remarkable candle mask that helps clean pores, create a brighter complexion, reduces fine lines and revitalizes the skin overnight. Location: 22 Pearson Ct., Albrightsville, PA. For more information, call 570-213-9265 or visit BIMCandleMask.com. See ad, page 11. ~ADVERTORIAL~ December 2019

Marry to Halve the Risk of Dementia Wedlock tends to stave off dementia, according to a new Michigan State University study. Analyzing 14 years of data on 15,000 people older than 52, researchers found those in all unmarried groups—cohabiting, divorced, separated, widowed and never married—had significantly higher odds of developing dementia than their married counterparts. The differences were most acute for those divorced, separated or widowed—about twice as prone as married people to develop dementia, with the men faring worse cognitively than the women.

dencg/Shutterstock.com

health briefs

Extreme Weather Events Affect Mental Well-Being People that experience storm and flood damage to their homes are about 50 percent more likely to experience depression and anxiety, British researchers report. Surveying more than 7,500 people after the 2013-2014 season of severe weather, they found that those with homes damaged by wind, rain, snow or floods had mental health risks similar to living in a disadvantaged area. This occurred even when the effects of the extreme weather were relatively minor and did not force people to leave their homes.

Adults that ate nuts two or more times per week had a 17 percent lower risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke, reports an Iranian study that followed 5,432 adults for 12 years. The research was presented in August at the European Society of Cardiology. “Nuts are a good source of unsaturated fat and contain little saturated fat,” says study author Dr. Noushin Mohammadifard, of the Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute. “They also have protein, minerals, vitamins, fiber, phytosterols and polyphenols which benefit heart health.” 8

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Eat Nuts to Reduce Odds of Death From Heart Disease

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Refresh Holiday Traditions Making the Old New and Green

by Ronica A. O’Hara

elebrating classic holiday traditions the same way we always have—and maybe the way our parents and grandparents did—is part of the rich family heritage we pass on to our children. These family rituals are binding, grounding, memorable and much more, says Saul Levine, M.D., professor emeritus in psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. A survey of 50 years of family research published in the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Family Psychology

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found that family holiday rituals, as well as everyday routines like family dinners and bedtime stories, build stronger family relationships, enhance children’s health and academic achievement, help teenagers’ sense of personal identity and even boost marital satisfaction. It’s also natural and perhaps inevitable that these traditions undergo changes over the years. “If people from only five or six generations ago could see our modern Christmas, they’d barely recognize it,” says

Brian Earl, host of the popular Christmas Past podcast that chronicles holiday traditions. “New trends and customs become traditions in time; every generation has its opportunity to add new chapters to the narrative and continue the story.” For Elizabeth Newcamp, Christmas festivities took an eco-turn for her military family of five when they were living for a few years in the Netherlands, where “Sinterklaas” traditionally delivers gifts in reusable burlap bags. “In an effort to reduce wrapping paper, we now use the sacks on Christmas,” says Newcamp, who blogs about family travel at DutchDutchGoose.com. She and her husband Jeff also ask for and give experiences as gifts whenever possible; their 7-year-old son asked if he could organize a little library for their Navarre, Florida, neighborhood. Anyone that wants to send gifts to their sons is asked to find them used. “I don’t think we’ve lessened any of the fun of the holidays, but hopefully we are eliminating some of the waste,” she says. For many years, Ginny Underwood’s family in Bluffton, South Carolina, would dress up and go to a restaurant on Christmas Eve, exchange gifts and then return home to watch a movie or play board games. Last year, they tried something new: staying home, putting on pajamas, eating cottage pie and playing handmade “Minute to Win It” games that Underwood, a professional organizer who blogs at VirginiasEasyLivingSolutions. com, created. “We had a blast; we didn’t stop laughing all night,” she says. “We saved hundreds of dollars and we had a lovely time.” Lighting red, green and black candles while focusing on principles like unity, self-determination or purpose are key in the seven-day Kwanzaa celebrations; but, “Instead of just lighting the candle amongst friends and family and discussing, I want my family to spend that day exemplifying the principle,” says Vanessa Davis, executive di-

Olesia Bilkei/Shutterstock.com

New trends and customs become traditions in time; every generation has its opportunity to add new chapters to the narrative and continue the story.

healthy kids

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rector of the nonprofit African Village International, in Jacksonville, Florida. Now her children meditate, journal and practice mindfulness to learn about self-determination; volunteer or pick up trash outdoors to learn about collective work and responsibilities; and buy something at a locally-owned store and discuss future finances for cooperative economics. “I was inspired to change because Kwanzaa isn’t really a religious holiday, but it is a darn good way to reflect on the past year and goal-set for the future,” she says. “Giving children more hands-on experiences for Hanukkah and taking the emphasis off of ‘What am I going to get?’ makes the holiday more meaningful for the kids,” concurs Pamela Morris, early childhood education director at the East Valley Jewish Community Center, in Chandler, Arizona. Each Hanukkah evening, her family of five lights a menorah and says traditional prayers while also volunteering to wrap food packages at a local Feed My Starving Children event, crafting personal menorahs at a pottery studio, going to see Phoenix ZooLights and gathering to make the traditional potato latkes or jelly donuts. “Each night is a focus on family time and welcoming friends to join us,” she says. By observing and evolving traditions, family bonds can strengthen through time, relates Earl: “By participating in holiday rituals, children are learning about who they are. And by passing them down, parents reaffirm what’s important to them and keep the connection to the past intact.” Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based natural-health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

Updating Favorite Traditions

 Take a family holiday photo, either serious or wacky, and recreate it every year with members in the same poses and expressions.  Invite someone to a holiday dinner that’s not part of the family, such as an international student or newcomer in town.  String together popcorn and cranberries to make a tree garland or door decoration, and later drape it on outdoor trees to feed birds and wildlife.  Give kids $10 to donate to a carefully selected charity of their choice.

December 2019

Stick with your favorite recipes that you know are going to be a success and are going to leave everyone’s taste buds happy. ~Pamela Reed

THE MERRY VEGAN

People-Pleasing Holiday Sweets

by Julie Peterson

he holidays may send too many sugar plums and frosted gingerbread figures dancing in the heads of people with dietary restrictions. Anyone that chooses to avoid highly pro-

cessed flours or sugars, artificial ingredients and loads of butter will typically be presented with all of this and more at social gatherings this time of year. They arrive on visually appealing cookie plat-

ters that tempt with their cute shapes, vibrant colors and sparkle. Some, like the gingerbread and reindeer cutouts, will beckon with glazed eyes: “Just one,” they whisper. But one can turn into nine and make someone that may normally avoid sugar or gluten feel bodily regrets. Someone that is vegan or allergic may feel they can’t have treats. Making healthier choices about food is difficult for reasons many don’t understand. “People have relationships with food—involving family, comfort and traditions—and they don’t want to give that up,” says James Brandon, of Tampa, founder of Facebook’s Vegan and Plant-Based Beginner’s Community. Brandon says that holiday treats are tough to resist, but staying true to health goals is most important in the long run. The best defense to avoid frustration at social food events is to bring a dish to share that meets your dietary needs, says Megan Gilmore, the author of No Excuses Detox: 100 Recipes to Help You Eat Healthy Every Day and a blogger at Detoxinista. com. “That way, you can introduce something delicious to your friends, family or co-workers and be sure you’ll have something to eat!” A batch of simple, delectable, visually appealing and healthful cookies can be that plate to share, a gift to give or something to keep on hand for guests. Keep the focus on simple, advises Pamela Reed, who blogs at BrooklynFarmGirl.com. There are plenty of recipes that will satisfy the sweet tooth and decorate the holiday buffet (until they’re all eaten, that is). Don’t increase holiday stress by trying a new recipe at the last minute. “Stick with your favorite recipes that you know are going to be a success and are going to leave everyone’s taste buds happy,” she says. Transitioning to a more conscious way of eating isn’t about deprivation or leaving tradition behind. Bring on the new and healthful cookie recipes and name one after your grandma. Julie Peterson writes from her home in rural Wisconsin. Contact her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

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conscious eating

Oh-So-Healthy Holiday Treats Peanut Butter Cookies (Vegan, Gluten Free)

photo by Pamela Reed

Yields: About 18 cookies 1 cup creamy peanut butter ½ cup coconut sugar ½ cup brown sugar 2 tsp vanilla ⅔ cup oat flour 1 tsp baking soda ¼ tsp salt ¼ cup almond milk Additional sugar to roll cookies in Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter and sugars with a hand mixer. Once combined, add vanilla and continue mixing.

Add flour, baking soda, salt and almond milk into the bowl and mix for a few seconds, until combined. The cookie dough will be a little crumbly. Prepare 2 cookie sheets with silicone baking sheets or spray with nonstick spray. Roll the dough into large balls, and then gently roll in sugar to cover them. Use a fork to gently press down on each cookie a little bit—not too much, or they will crumble. Bake cookies for 12 minutes. Once out of the oven, allow to cool for 15 minutes. This is important, as the cookies will be very soft when they come out of the oven, but they will harden up as they cool. Store in an airtight container or freeze. Recipe courtesy of BrooklynFarmGirl.com.

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

December 2019

Yields: 12 balls 1 cup pecan halves ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut 1 cup soft Medjool dates, pitted (about 10 dates) 1 Tbsp coconut oil ½ tsp sea salt ½ tsp vanilla extract ½ cup arrowroot or tapioca starch Extra arrowroot for dusting, or coconut sugar Place the pecans and shredded coconut in a large food processor fitted with an “S” blade, and process until the pecans are broken down and crumbly. Add in the rest of the ingredients and process again, until a sticky dough is formed. (It should stick together when pressed between two fingers.) Scoop the dough by rounded tablespoons and roll the dough between your hands, forming balls. Arrange the balls on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then place them in the freezer to

Note: If you’d prefer to roll the balls in coconut sugar or shredded coconut, roll them in one of those options before freezing, so the coating will stick better.

Chocolate Topping: ¼ cup cocoa powder ¼ cup melted coconut oil 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup

Store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to two weeks for best texture.

Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper and set it aside. In a medium bowl, stir together the chocolate crust ingredients until a moist dough is formed. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the lined loaf pan and place it in the freezer to set.

Source: Detoxinista.com/no-bake-pecansnowballs-paleo-vegan

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Bars (Vegan, Gluten Free) Chocolate Crust: ¾ cup ground almond meal 2 Tbsp cocoa powder 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup 1 Tbsp melted coconut oil Pinch of sea salt

To prepare the filling, you can use the same bowl to stir the peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil and salt. Depending on whether you’re using salted or unsalted peanut butter, consider adding more salt to taste. Store-bought peanut butter cups are quite salty, so I like to add a generous pinch of salt to mimic that flavor. Remove the crust from the freezer and pour the peanut butter filling over the top, using a spatula to spread it out evenly. Return the pan to the freezer to set. Rinse the mixing bowl and use it again to make the final layer. Combine the cocoa powder, melted coconut oil and maple syrup, whisking well to break up any clumps. Once the mixture has become a smooth chocolate sauce, pour it over the peanut butter layer, and return the pan to the freezer to set until firm, about an hour or two. Once the bars are firm, grab the edges of parchment paper to easily lift the solid bar from the pan, and use a sharp knife to slice the bars into your desired size. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to a month. (The bars become very firm if frozen for too long, so I prefer serving them from the fridge after the initial firming-up time.) Source: Detoxinista.com/no-bake-peanutbutter-cup-bars-vegan

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photo by Megan Gilmore

Peanut Butter Filling: ½ cup creamy natural peanut butter 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup 1 Tbsp melted coconut oil Pinch of sea salt

photo by Megan Gilmore

No-Bake Pecan Snowballs (Grain-Free, Vegan)

set, about 1 to 2 hours. For a “snowball” look, roll the balls in additional arrowroot or tapioca starch—just a light coating will do—since the starch will not enhance the flavor. It’s just for looks!

local recipe

healthy dining guide

Curried Potatoes and Broccoli 1 large white or baking potato, cut into small cubes 1½ cups cut-up broccoli 3 tsp curry powder 1 tsp mustard seed 1 onion, diced 2 tsp salt 2 Tbsp ghee or coconut oil **Protein source optional ¼ cup water

In a large frying pan, add the ghee and mustard seeds on medium heat. When the seeds start popping, lower the heat and place the other spices. Sauté for a minute or two on low to medium heat. Add the potatoes and onions, and stir in the oil and spices mixture. Add the water and cover on low to medium heat for 20 minutes. Add the broccoli pieces and cover the pan on low heat. Cook for another 10 minutes and turn off the heat. Let the mixture sit another 5 minutes and serve. ** Optional protein can be added at the same stage potatoes are added or with some basmati rice on the side. Recipe courtesy of Still Point Ayurveda, 6911 Cresheim Rd., in Philadelphia. For appointments and more information, call 215-3567270 or visit StillPointAyurveda.com. See ad, this page.

Connecting you to leaders in natural and healthy food. To find out how you can be included in the Healthy Food Directory, email Publisher@NAPhilly.com. HEALTHY CAFÉS

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December 2019

Awakening to the Evolution of Community by Linda Sechrist

en master Thich Nhat Hanh’s suggestion that the next Buddha would likely not take form as an individual but rather as a sangha, a community practicing mindful living, led many people to ask, “Why a community?” The author of more than 100 books that explore the Buddha’s core teachings on mindfulness, kindness and compassion, Hanh clarified the meaning of sangha as a good community necessary for helping individuals learn how to encounter life in the present moment, resist the unwholesome ways of our time, go in the direction of peace and nourish seeds of enlightenment. Even the best intentions, he noted, can falter without such a group of trusted family, friends and co-practitioners experiencing mindfulness together.

A Migration to Forming Community

Today’s trend toward collaborative processes and opportunities for transformation through online communities is made easier by the availability of affordable video conferencing providers such as Zoom, Skype and Mighty Networks, as well as online platforms like Facebook and MeetUp. 16

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Although many groups form for marketing, political, civic or social purposes—allowing participants to share values and common interests—thousands more gather as online intentional communities associated with personal growth and spiritual awakening. Myriad individuals have been able to experience some aspect of community through international organizations such as MindValley, Hay House, the Shift Network and Dr. Deepak Chopra’s Jiyo, a wellness-focused mobile app intended to extend the reach of his ideas on health and social transformation from millions of people to more than 1 billion. In MeetUp, spiritual awakening groups recently comprised 1,113,972 members in 3,631 groups worldwide. Additionally, co-housing communities, spiritual residential communities and eco-villages continue to form around the intention of designing and implementing pathways to a regenerative future.

The Old Story Versus the New Story

The increased interest in intentional communities may hint at a possibility that the

human desire for community might be nature’s evolutionary nudge toward a collective leap that helps us to survive a changing climate and Earth’s potential sixth mass extinction. If so, this possibility needs a new supportive story that includes humans as part of nature, with its evolutionary impulse as a guide for body, mind and soul. With our modern scientific worldview, when people talk about nature, they typically mean animals, plants, geological features and natural processes, all happening independently of humans. A more suitable new story is cultural historian Thomas Berry’s moving and meaningful narrative in The Great Work: Our Way Into the Future, in which humans aren’t above nature by virtue of superior intellect, but instead are equal partners with all that exists in a materially and spiritually evolving universe. From Berry’s perspective, humans are the eyes, minds and hearts through which the cosmos is evolving so that it can come to know itself ever more perfectly through us. Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell shared Berry’s perspective. Traveling back to Earth after walking upon the lunar surface, Mitchell gazed out of the spacecraft

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THE EMERGING POWER OF ‘WE’

window, whereupon he was flooded with an ecstatic awareness. “I was a part of the universe I was observing, and I became aware that everything that exists is part of one intricately interconnected whole,” recounts Mitchell, who founded the groundbreaking Institute of Noetic Sciences to explore the nature of human consciousness.

A Guiding Light

Seijaku Roshi, the abbot and founder of the Pine Wind Zen Community, aptly named for its location in a pine forest in Shamong, New Jersey, advises, “People are searching and hungering for community, which is number one on my agenda. If we aren’t talking about community, we’re squandering the moment. Whether it’s an evolutionary nudge or not, it appears that our tragic world situation is pushing us towards an alternative vision for living a meaningful life that meets the needs of people, society and the environment. We are awakening to the fact we’re interconnected, interdependent and need community, which is the spirit and guiding light whereby people come together to fulfill a purpose, to help others fulfill their purpose and to take care of one another.”

Conscious Evolution

Craig Hamilton, the guiding force behind the movement known as Integral Enlightenment, is the founder of the telecourse training program Academy for Evolutionaries. His spiritual guidance and teachings reach a growing international online community spanning 50 countries. “Transforming ourselves in the deepest possible way is, in fact, an evolutionary imperative, and we need to be able to identify the indicators of emergent shifts and participate creatively with change as an evolutionary force. Evolution up to this point has been playing out unconsciously. We’re now waking up and realizing that we can collaborate and participate in an emerging future.” Hamilton’s experience is that where humans awake to the one that is expressed through the many, they also begin to engage together. “Practicing community isn’t as simple as it seems. In online communities, a lot less can go wrong. The stakes aren’t as high. People come and go, share and engage as they like.”

A Community of Sisterhood

Laurie McCammon, author of Enough! How to Liberate Yourself and Remake the World with Just One Word, feels certain that humans are evolving. “We were last to the party with our big brains, and now we’re trying to intellectualize our way to an uncertain future without important feminine values such as feeling, intuiting, nurturing, interdependency and vulnerability,” says McCammon, who is deeply involved in the circle movement, in which women gather in small groups to empower each other. A regular participant in Gather the Women Global Matrix, a worldwide sisterhood that connects thousands of women sharing meaningful conversations and celebrating the divine feminine with the intention of bringing about personal and planetary transformation through cooperation and collaboration, McCammon says, “No one of us can bring about large-scale transformation alone. It’s time to tell the new story wherein our lives and actions demonstrate that together we are enough. Non-hierarchical circles that encourage authentic communication are part of this new story.” Citing other important circle communities such as Tree Sisters and The Millionth Circle, McCammon suggests that women tap into The Divine Feminine app, which allows them to find circle communities and events anywhere in the world.

Co-Creating With the Intelligence of Nature

Teacher and futurist Peter Russell writes books that are focused on consciousness and contemporary spirituality. His lectures help humans free themselves of limited beliefs and attitudes that belie many of humanity’s personal, social and global problems. The author of The Global Brain: The Awakening Earth in a New Century, Russell posits that the evolutionary process naturally draws humans together. “Humans are social creatures that need community, which I find very energizing,” says Russell, who cites the Findhorn Foundation eco-village, in Scotland, as a dynamic experiment in community. “Although residents went through hard times, they recognized the need for

honest communication so they could attune to one another in loving ways that would allow everyone to work through their difficulties. Today, life at Findhorn is guided by the inner voice of spirit, and residents work in co-creation with the intelligence of nature,” he says.

The Collective Wisdom of Community

An uncertain future is emerging, making it necessary for new and more intuitive methods and spiritual practices for developing collective wisdom, human potential and the skills for practicing community. “I’m in the process of finalizing 118 chapters from 90 different authors for a Collaborative Change Library: Transforming Organizations, Revitalizing Communities, Developing Human Potential,” says associate editor Carole Gorelick, who clarifies that spiritual practices are now playing a part in bringing about collaborative change. She notes that several chapters are updated versions of The Change Handbook: The Definitive Resource on Today’s Best Methods for Engaging Whole Systems (2007 second edition), which included modalities such as World Café, Open Space Technology, Art of Hosting, Appreciative Inquiry and many others. A living handbook for developing human potential and the skills to practice community, Fred Eppsteiner has been teaching Buddhism for 23 years. A student of Hanh’s since the 1960s, he is the founder of the Florida Community of Mindfulness, in Tampa. Eppsteiner sums up why the next Buddha could be a community: “A better future will be created by people who are living the values they want for the world, not just abstractly using only the intellect. In community, we ask ourselves, ‘Can I be what I want to see in the world? Can I practice these things mindfully in community with love, acceptance, deep listening, compassion and kindness?’ These are values that every Buddha has lived for centuries, and certainly ones we need to evolve from a culture of, ‘It’s all about me’ to a culture of, ‘It’s all about we’.” Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at LindaSechrist.com. December 2019

Many people have found that a regular breathing practice has helped them increase energy and decrease anxiety. ~Rachael Walter

ders and chronic inflammation. A 2016 study by the Medical University of South Carolina published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine shows a lower number of proteins associated with inflammation in the saliva of participants that employed breathing exercises. A study that appeared in the journal Psychophysiology in 2015 found that 20 minutes of mindful breathing at bedtime fostered a good night’s rest for people with insomnia.

Breathing Breaks

INHALING THE JOY OF LIFE

Conscious Breathwork

by Marlaina Donato

ur first breath is instinctual and belly-deep, but as we grow into life, everyday stress and trauma can bring us into the shallows. Mindful breathing can help guide our breath back to its original, healthy rhythm. Both the brain and organs benefit from increased oxygen, and the vagus nerve that con-

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nects the two—prompted by changes in the body’s pH levels—releases acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for lowering heart rate. Breathwork can improve vagal tone, a major component in a wide range of conditions like depression, pain syndromes, sleep disturbances, anxiety disor-

From traditional rebirthing techniques using circular breathing to Middendorf Breath Work for somatic awareness, there are many styles of conscious breathing. The gentler approaches best suit everyday needs and taking a breathing break can actually provide more refreshment than one featuring coffee. “Many people have found that a regular breathing practice has helped them increase energy and decrease anxiety. It is a powerful tool to reset the nervous system when we’re overwhelmed and stressed,” says Somatic Breath Therapy (SBT) practitioner Rachael Walter, owner of BreatheHere-Now, in Keene, New Hampshire. Like many forms of breathwork, SBT bridges the chasm between mind and body. “Conscious breathing can also help people access and understand

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fit body

their emotions,” notes Walter. Pranayama, an ancient technique of yoga that focuses on breath control and employs alternate nostril breathing, can be performed while lying down, seated or on the yoga mat. Kundalini yoga teacher Melissa Crowder, owner of 4 States Yoga, in Joplin, Missouri, advises students to start out slowly, three to six minutes a day, and then work up to a longer practice. “Alternate nostril breathing is a great practice for everyone. As little as six minutes of yogic breathing, as needed, can make a profound difference in decreasing pain and stress,” she says.

Belly Benefits The American Lung Association recommends a variety of exercises, including diaphragmatic (belly) breathing, for conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Engaging the diaphragm is key in breathing to fullest

capacity. Walter explains, “An open, healthy breath is one in which we use the diaphragm to initiate the breath, followed by the belly expanding and the breath moving into the chest.” Most of us unconsciously fall into shallow and sometimes self-conscious breathing patterns at an early age. “During my training, I read that by age 6, we pick up on cues telling us to tuck in our tummies. This simple, bad habit begins a cascade of physiological responses. Upper chest breathing can create anxiety symptoms and poor digestion,” explains Colleen Breeckner, owner of Colleen Lila Yoga, in New York City. “Diaphragmatic breathing causes the diaphragm to become flat and wide, and in turn, presses upon the stomach and helps to churn the gastric juices. For this reason, it can aid earlier stages of digestion.” When used in conjunction with other modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, diaphragmatic breathing might be beneficial for irritable bowel syndrome.

Breathing Into Feelings The depth and quality of the breath can help us to become aware of emotional states that include “holding patterns”. “Conscious breathing is a doorway into deep meditation, which can help alleviate anger and insecurities. It can also be helpful in dropping addictions,” says Crowder. “Linking pranayama with physical movement [asanas] helps to release tension and emotions that can be held in the body’s soft tissues.” Breeckner agrees, “Developing this awareness can help us to move unpleasant and stuck emotions through the body.” Well-being can be just a breath away, says Walter. “When we open up our breath, we open ourselves to a fuller experience of being human. It has the capacity to bring us into the present moment to access our joy and our life’s purpose.” Marlaina Donato is an author and a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

December 2019

healthy holiday guide

GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTHY LIVING Our Healthy Holiday Guide will help you find the perfect products and services for your gift giving needs! PAIN Cream Holistic Health Suite & Café 6802 Old York Rd., Philadelphia 215-995-5150 Real Time PAIN Cream delivers fast, targeted pain relief within minutes of application. With a special blend of nature’s Ingredients, including aloe vera, menthol, arnica, capsicum, willow bark and more. Real Time PAIN Cream is effective on deep muscle pain, cramps and over 100 types of arthritis.

Healers Universe Andrea Regal • Cherry Hill 856-904-5566 • HealersUniverse.com Gift loved ones an alchemical alignment—a deep shamanic journey to a still point of tranquility, rejuvenating and revitalizing body, mind and spirit sealed with a Divine Anointing. $10 off. Gift a psychoalchemy session to transform your unconscious patterns into Awakened Gold $15 off each or $75 off a package of three.

Hydroxyl Solutions 1735 Market St., St. A 490, Philadelphia • 856-979-3366 HydroxylSolutions.com Cannabidiol (CBD) is being studied for its potential to ease symptoms in many common health issues. Hydroxyl Solutions handcrafts topical creams, oil tinctures, pet products and other items, all sent for third-party lab analysis to ensure accurate potency and safety. Founder Evan Scafuro says, “In an unregulated climate; price gauging, deceit and dangerous synthetic additives are just a few of the issues we find to be plaguing the current cannabidiol (CBD) market. Our goal as a company is to step up and produce the absolute highest-quality products, using only the cleanest, organic ingredients.”

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SOMADERM™ Gel HGH Gel™ Dr. Hank Finkel HFinkelDC@gmail.com NewULife.com/DrHank The only transdermal, FDA-registered product, containing homeopathic human growth hormone available without a prescription. Age more gracefully. May experience significant fat loss, enhance muscle mass, improve sleep, improve healing and flexibility, heighten libido, speed recovery time and alleviate joint pain.

Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles. ~Edwin Louis Cole

Meaningful gifts for the most meaningful people in your life. This holiday season give gifts of health, well-being and sustainability.

BIM Candle Masks 22 Pearson Ct., Albrightsville 570-213-9265 BIMCandleMask.com BIM Candle Masks uses natural and organic candle masks formulated for different skin types applied by a licensed skincare professional. Products include Confidence Candle Wax Mask for anti-aging or dry skin; Fearless Candle Wax Mask for normal or sensitive skin; and Clarity Candle Wax Mask for oily or acne skin.

Camino Kombucha 3525 I St., Unit B06, Philadelphia 480-299-3614 CaminoKombucha.com Camino Kombucha serves a Kensington craft-brewed kombucha thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good for anytime, anywhere drinking. Bottles are available in four flavors that are sure to appeal to the person who already has everything. Camino Kombucha not only tastes great, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also probiotic and great for digestion, making it a perfect post-holiday-meal drink.

DIGESTIVE CHALLENGES?

Leaky Gut IBS Gas Bloating Constipation Diarrhea

Advanced Chiropractic Office: 215-483-3661 Cell: 610-733-3934 4245 Pechin Street, Philadelphia www.AdvancedChirorox.com December 2019

Perfect Pet Presents Safe and Eco-Smart Toys by Julie Peterson

he pet aisles are so full of squeaking, plush and colorful toys it can make a dog or cat parent’s head spin like a Frisbee. Add blinking lights, flavors, promises of higher intelligence or cleaner teeth; then toss in concerns about sustainably sourced materials, potentially toxic ingredients and varying degrees of quality. The choices are complex. It would be nice to look for that gold seal of approval from the Pet Toy Regulatory Agency. But don’t bother: There is no such thing. It’s all up to the consumer to figure it out.

The Problem Is Real

Concern regarding toxicants in children’s toys and the realization that they posed a

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risk of chemical exposure led to regulatory protections. “Similar safeguards do not exist for pets, even though they exhibit similar chewing and mouthing behaviors,” says Philip N. Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of terrestrial ecotoxicology at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. “Owner education is key to limiting unintentional chemical exposure.” According to a 2013 study coauthored by Smith and published in the journal Chemosphere, common endocrinedisrupting chemical toxins in plastics can enter a dog’s body through saliva. Concentrations of leachable chemicals can increase in older, degraded toys, according to the National Institutes of Health. For anyone that has ever had a pet

destroy a toy faster than it takes to calculate the cost per second, durable construction may be the highest concern. After all, if the toy is vigorously ripped to shreds, pieces may be swallowed. The most immediate issue becomes intestinal blockage. This is a common problem for cats and dogs with a propensity to eat garbage, plants and holiday decorations. But when we spend good money on actual toys, we would like to think that it won’t lead to surgery. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee. Poorly constructed toys have required many pet owners to watch for the parts to pass through the animal or, worse yet, make a trip to the vet. Even if a toy seems sturdy, it’s best to observe the animal with the toy. Charlotte Easterling, a graphic designer in Madison, Wisconsin, learned this from her cat, Hazel, who choked on a common cat toy. “She was playing with a glitter ball and then started meowing kind of frantically, scrambling around and pawing at her face. I jumped up and pulled the ball out of her mouth,” recalls Easterling. Hazel only gets big glitter balls these days.

A New Generation Spurs Change The American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Pet Owners Survey provides insight into the demographics, buying habits and other traits of dog, cat, bird, small animal, reptile, fish and horse owners. The 2019-2020 survey shows that about 85 million U.S. homes, or 67 percent, include a pet. This leads to a lot of money flowing

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natural pet

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into the pet toy and care community. Annually, dog owners spend about $124 and cat owners spend about $89 on treats and toys. The survey also indicates that Millennials are the largest pet-owning demographic. “The pet care community is doing a great job of meeting the demands of a new generation by offering a range of products made from sustainable, recycled and upcycled materials,” says Steve King, CEO of APPA, in Stamford, Connecticut. King notes it’s expected that as Gen Z pet owners begin to assert themselves in the marketplace, we will see more products based on sustainability and transparency.

Shopping for Safety Experts offer some guidelines for ways consumers can choose harmless toys:  Be suspicious of toys manufactured overseas or cheap ones made in the U.S.  Contact the manufacturer and ask if toys contain phthalates, BPA, arsenic, bromine, chemical dyes, chromium or formaldehyde.  Look for toys made with ingredients from nature (hemp, leather or wool).  Find a pet supply store that has natural, safe and sustainably sourced products.  Inspect toys periodically for loose parts and watch the pet with new toys.  If a pet plays with a toy and then acts oddly, contact the vet.

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Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin. Connect at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

inspiration

The Generous Heart How Giving Transforms Us

by Cindy Ricardo

ne of the ways we come into balance and connection with each other and with life is by giving from the heart. When we give to others, whether it’s an act of kindness, generosity or compassion, it helps us live from the heart instead of the ego. Living from the ego is painful and exhausting. It’s like feeding a hungry monster that’s never satisfied. Ego craves, pursues and clings to status, approval, material wealth and control. It views the world through the eyes of fear—constantly evaluating, judging and acting in ways that are self-centered, defensive and protective. Like with Scrooge, ego closes our heart and makes us small, fearful and contracted. By contrast, generosity requires that we open our hearts to the world and each other. We allow ourselves to be vulnerable. In doing this, we open ourselves fully to life, love and relationships. We let go of striving and pursuing things. When we stop striving, we begin to see, value and respond to what’s happening in the present moment in ways that are healthy and healing. Our priority shifts from acquiring things to appreciating what we have and being open to sharing with others. Generosity is a quality of kindness, of living from a place of abundance. We see the world through a clear lens that isn’t clouded by fear, wanting or clinging. When we interact with others, our connection is

genuine. We see people instead of judgments or labels. Being generous arises from the heart, not the wallet. We don’t need to have material wealth in order to be generous. The only requirement is a willingness to open our hearts, to see life as it is and to interact with others from a place of compassion and love. Some examples of generous acts are:  Doing a household chore without being asked.  Setting aside what we’re doing and listening to someone in need of emotional support.  Telling loved ones what we appreciate about them.  Listening to children and trying to see the world through their eyes before offering advice.  Smiling at a stranger.  When asking, “How are you?” looking into the person’s eyes and taking time to truly listen with an attitude of curiosity and compassion. Generosity awakens goodness in the heart, and this helps us open to life, love and relationships. Cindy Ricardo is a Coral Springs, Floridabased psychotherapist who blogs at ACaringCounselor.com. December 2019

Seven years without a cold?

had colds going round and round, but not me.” Some users say it also helps with sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a 2-day sinus headache. When her CopperZap arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” she said. “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” Some users say copper stops By Doug Cornell nighttime stuffiness if used just before cientists recently discovered time. He hasn’t had a single cold for 7 bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had a way to kill viruses and years since. in years.” bacteria. He asked relatives and friends to try Copper can also stop flu if used early Now thousands of people are using it it. They said it worked for them, too, so and for several days. Lab technicians to stop colds and flu. he patented CopperZap™ and put it on placed 25 million live flu viruses on a Colds start the market. CopperZap. No viruses were found alive when cold viruses Soon hundreds soon after. get in your nose. of people had Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams Viruses multiply tried it and given confirming the discovery. He placed fast. If you don’t feedback. Nearly millions of disease germs on copper. stop them early, 100% said the “They started to die literally as soon as they spread and copper stops colds they touched the surface,” he said. cause misery. if used within 3 People have even used copper on In hundreds hours after the first cold sores and say it can completely of studies, EPA sign. Even up to prevent outbreaks. New research: Copper stops colds if used early. and university 2 days, if they The handle is researchers have confirmed that viruses still get the cold it is milder than usual curved and finely and bacteria die almost instantly when and they feel better. textured to improve touched by copper. Users wrote things like, “It stopped contact. It kills germs That’s why ancient Greeks and my cold right away,” and “Is it picked up on fingers Egyptians used copper to purify water supposed to work that fast?” and hands to protect and heal wounds. They didn’t know “What a wonderful thing,” wrote you and your family. about microbes, but now we do. Physician’s Assistant Julie. “No more Copper even kills Dr. Bill Keevil: Copper quickly kills deadly germs that Scientists say the high conductance colds for me!” cold viruses. of copper disrupts the electrical balance Pat McAllister, 70, received one have become resistant in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in for Christmas and called it “one of the to antibiotics. If you are near sick seconds. best presents ever. This little jewel really people, a moment of handling it may Tests by the EPA (Environmental works.” keep serious infection away. It may even Protection Agency) show germs die Now thousands of users have simply save a life. fast on copper. So some hospitals tried stopped getting colds. The EPA says copper still works copper for touch surfaces like faucets People often use CopperZap even when tarnished. It kills hundreds of and doorknobs. This cut the spread of preventively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci different disease germs so it can prevent MRSA and other illnesses by over half, used to get colds after crowded flights. serious or even fatal illness. and saved lives. Though skeptical, she tried it several CopperZap is made in America of The strong scientific evidence gave times a day on travel days for 2 months. pure copper. It has a 90-day full money inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When “Sixteen flights and not a sniffle!” she back guarantee. It is $69.95. he felt a cold about to start he fashioned exclaimed. Get $10 off each CopperZap with a smooth copper probe and rubbed it Businesswoman Rosaleen says when code NATA15. Go to www.CopperZap.com or call gently in his nose for 60 seconds. people are sick around her she uses “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold CopperZap morning and night. “It saved toll-free 1-888-411-6114. Buy once, use forever. never got going.” It worked again every me last holidays,” she said. “The kids ADVERTORIAL

Copper in new device stops cold and flu

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calendar of events NOTE: All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review guidelines for submissions at NAPhilly.com or email Publisher@NAPhilly.com for more information.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 Spiritual Thanksgiving Memorial Service – 11am-1pm. In Korean and English with translation headsets. Great masters to your own family members; come together in prayer and meditation. Lunch will be served after the ceremony. $5-$20 donation. Won Buddhism, 23 Abington Ave, Glenside. 215884-8443. Philadelphia@WonBuddhism.org. Contemplative Dance Practice – 3-5:30pm. This personal and group awareness of body/mind includes sitting meditation with self-directed body movement in space. Dress comfortably. $5-$10 donation. Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadelphia, 2030 Sansom St. 215-568-6070. RSVP: SilverSpaceDance@gmail.com. Philadelphia. Shambhala.org.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4 Sierra Club Southeastern Pennsylvania Group (SPG) Meeting – 6:15pm. Focused on environmental issues facing the greater Philadelphia area, members and nonmembers are welcome to join SPG Executive Committee meetings in-person or by phone. City CoHo, 2401 Walnut St, Philadelphia. 866-501-6174 (code: 100 4 100#)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 BAE Cafe: Breastfeeding Awareness and Empowerment – 11am. With Jabina Coleman, LSW, MSW, IBCLC. Meet up with other breastfeeding parents; receive the latest breastfeeding information from a breastfeeding expert. Babies welcome. Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 S 52nd St. FreeLibrary.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 Jingle Jog – 9:30-11:30am. Grab a holiday sweater and join for a festive group fun run to see the Historic Houses of Fairmount Park. Plus enjoy the company of goats from the Philly Goat Project at the end of the run. $20/Fairmount Park Conser-

style yoga class surrounded by tropical plants inside a greenhouse Classes are led by Lauren Daddis and will feature singing bowls with guest Johnny Baba. Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, 100 N Horticulture Dr, Philadelphia. MyPhillyPark.org.

vancy members, $35/non-members. Lloyd Hall, 1 Boathouse Row, Philadelphia.MyPhillyPark.org.

SBN Annual Holiday Party – 7-10pm. Celebrate the holidays with Sustainable Business Network (SBN). Each December SBN members, sponsors, allies and friends merrily celebrate the holidays, the successes of the year behind us, and what lies ahead for the sustainable business community. Attending local economy leaders will enjoy Yards beer, open bar, and hors d’oeuvres while exploring connections with other local champions and conscious consumers. $40/members, $60/nonmembers. Yards Brewing Company, 500 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia. Eventbrite.com/e/sbn-annual-holidayparty-tickets-74426386325.

Holiday Bazaar – Dec 7- 8. 10am-4pm. Shop local, support local artists while Christmas shopping at the Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar. This is a festive neighborhood favorite, get your tree or holiday greens and check out all of the cool wares their elves have made. Wide range products include fine art, crafts and gifts; jewelry, ceramics, wood working, accessories, green gifts, bath/body and more. Greensgrow Farms, 2501 E Cumberland St, Philadelphia. RSVP: 215-427-2780 ext 5. Greensgrow.org.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13

Handmade Holidays: Green Sale and Market – 10am-5pm. Deck the halls from a beautiful selection of decorated and undecorated wreaths, centerpieces, fresh evergreens and more. Enjoy seasonal music, stocking stuffers, and refreshments and visit the Holiday Marketplace vendors and the Welcome Center shop for great gift ideas. Purchase ornamental greens and roping to create your own decorations for the holiday season while also supporting the Garden. Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia. 215-729-5281. BartramsGarden.org.

Light in Darkness and Darkness in Light – 7-9:30pm. The powerful yin-yang symbol illustrates universal evolution. Join for a shamanic journey traveling from the time of our ancestors receiving gifts and guidance from cosmic and inner earth energetics creating equanimity and equipoise deep within, anchoring divine peace and grace on earth. $35/advance $45/event. Cherry Hill. Register: Andrea Regal: 856-904-5566.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 Greenhouse Yoga – 9:30-11am. Join for Bring Your Own Mat yoga classes led by local teachers. Escape the winter blues with an all-levels vinyasa

Growing Pennsylvania Organic Farms Conference – Dec 13-14. 8am-1pm. An in-depth educational workshop focusing on organic agricultural practices: sessions include topics on animal health, dairy, pastured livestock, fruits, vegetables, small (heritage) grain, soil health, and pest and weed control. The Sheraton Harrisburg - Hershey Hotel, 4650 Lindle Rd, Harrisburg. Register: gpofConference.org/registration.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 Winter Solstice Celebration – 12:30-3:30pm. Join for singing, crafts, games and food! Begins with a candle lighting and lhasang, followed by a potluck lunch; bring something edible to share (beverages will be provided). Bring a dish that was a family favorite, along with a story to share. Musical instru-

change can do you good

Join the Natural Awakenings Franchise Family

For more info visit: NaturalAwakenings.com December 2019

sturdy shoes and come ready to hit the trail. $15/ nonmembers, members/free. Wissahickon Transportation Center, 4900 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia. MyPhillyPark.org.

ments and favorite games are welcome. Concludes at 3:30pm with a dedication of merit song. The Philadelphia Shambhala Center, Main Shrine Rm, 2030 Sansom St. Info@PhilaShambhala.org. Philadelphia.Shambhala.org.

Winter Solstice Hike – 7-9pm. With the earth’s pole being at the maximum tilt from the sun, the Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year. Take a walk through our moonlit forest to hear about ancient solstice traditions and to celebrate the slow return of the sun. Dress for the weather. Headlamp/flashlight is recommended. Registration required. $5-$10. Schuylkill Center, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Rd, Philadelphia. 215-482-7300. SchuylkillCenter.org.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16 Winter Solstice Celebration – 5pm. Meet your neighbors, enjoy refreshments, make a holiday craft, and listen to live music. Interfaith Philadelphia will be honoring the Library as a Zone of Peace. They will also collect new, unused, brand-name items for Hygiene Kits including baby wipes, liquid soap, and tissues. South Philadelphia Library, 1700 S Broad St. 215-685-1866. FreeLibrary.org.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 Inner Journeys: Powerful Group Healings – 7-8:30pm. By conference call with updates on the Current Evolutionary Energetics. Sacred geometrics created for the group will hold you in safety and security as you feel the easing of tensions and profound shifts within your body/being during the healing and later manifested in your life. $45. Register: 856-904-5566. HealersUniverse.com.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 BAE Cafe: Breastfeeding Awareness and Empowerment – 11am. With Jabina Coleman, LSW, MSW, IBCLC. Meet up with other breastfeeding parents; receive the latest breastfeeding information from a breastfeeding expert. Babies welcome. Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 S 52nd St. FreeLibrary.org.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 Greenhouse Yoga – 9:30-11am. Join for Bring Your Own Mat yoga classes led by local teachers. Escape the winter blues with an all-levels vinyasa style yoga class surrounded by tropical plants inside a greenhouse. Classes are led by Lauren Daddis and will feature singing bowls with Johnny Baba. Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, 100 N Horticulture Dr, Philadelphia. MyPhillyPark.org. Wissahickon Hike – 10am-1pm. With Brad Maule. Enjoy unique hikes through exciting parts of the Wissahickon Valley Park that you may have not explored before. This hike sews together geography, industrial history, mystic monks, Norman Rockwell, and a park that doesn’t exist yet with the same thread. There are some challenging hills; wear

Wellness Saturday: Mindfulness in Nature – 9:30-10:30am. Mindfulness is the ability to focus on the present moment while acknowledging our feelings and thoughts. At this month’s wellness program, discover how mindfulness in nature can lead to positive effects on your physical and mental well-being. Dress for the weather. Schuylkill Center, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Rd, Philadelphia. 215-4827300. SchuylkillCenter.org.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 Candle Light Meditation – 7-9pm.Join for a friendly and supportive meditation service. Together we will practice sitting, walking, and chanting meditation with a focus on calming the mind. Suitable for beginners and all levels of experience. $5-$20 donation. Won Buddhism, 23 Abington Ave, Glenside. 215-884-8443. Philadelphia@WonBuddhism.org.

ongoing events NOTE: All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review guidelines for submissions at NAPhilly.com or email Publisher@NAPhilly.com for more information.

daily Al-Anon Family Groups – Support for families and friends troubled by someone else’s drinking. Greater Philadelphia. Schedule: aisdv.org. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings – A 12-step program for those who need help with a drinking problem. Greater Philadelphia. Schedule: aasepia.org. Escape Rooms – Days/times vary. Transport into one of two fantastical worlds where a series of clues, codes, puzzles, and tasks lead teams to achieve an ultimate goal. The Franklin Institute, 271 N 21st St, Philadelphia. 215-448-1200 or GuestServices@fi.edu. Parks on Tap – Wed-Sun. Follow this traveling community beer garden to different locations in Philly’s parks each week throughout the spring and summer. A portion of the proceeds goes back to the parks. Location rotates each week. Schedule: MyPhillyPark.org. Morning Prayer and Meditation – 6-7am. This service, conducted in Korean and English, includes prayer, chanting and sitting meditation. Free. Won Buddhism, 23 Abington Ave, Glenside. 215-8848443. Philadelphia@WonBuddhism.org. Essene Market and Café – 8am-9pm, Mon-Fri; 8am-8pm, Sat-Sun. Large selection of organically grown produce, natural foods deli, on-site bakery. Located in the heart of historic Fabric Row, 719 S Fourth St, Philadelphia. 215-922-1146. EsseneMarket.com.

sunday Reiki Level I for Beginners – This foundation course is the most important of all levels of training. Seasoned bodyworkers will benefit, as much as beginners with no background in spiritual development or holistic health. The Reiki School and Clinic, 727 S 4th St, 2nd Flr, Philadelphia. Info: 215-238-0659. Open Public Meditation – 9am. Meditation is the way that we can make a direct and simple relationship with our experience. Free. The Philadelphia Shambhala Center, Main Shrine Rm, 2030 Sansom St. 215-568-6070. Philadelphia.Shambhala.org. Sunday Morning Sangha – 9:30-11:30am. Practice includes mantra meditation, shamatha (calm abiding) meditation; Vajrayana guided meditations and visualizations, and traditional Buddhist prayers followed by dharma teaching. $10-$15/donation. 954 N Marshall St, Philadelphia. TibetanBuddhist.org. Guided Meditation and Sunday Celebration – 10-11:45am. Weekly meditation followed by a celebration in word, song and spirit. Greater Philadelphia Center for Spiritual Living, Paoli Corporate Center, 16 Industrial Blvd, Ste 112. 610-695-0375. cslPhilly.com. Silent Meditation and Sunday Celebration – 10:10-11:45am. Inspiring words, personal spiritual practice and fellowship. New Thought Philadel-

phia, CA House, 118 S 37th St (UPenn campus). NewThoughtPhilly.org. Food Addicts Anonymous – 11am. A 12-step program for food addiction. Roxborough Memorial Hospital, 5800 Ridge Ave, Rm A (next to cafeteria), Philadelphia. 215-514-6692. Quaker Meeting for Worship – 11am. Participate in this unique, un-programmed service to worship by gathering and silently waiting for Spirit to guide us. Friends Center, 1501 Cherry St, Philadelphia. 215-241-7000. FriendsCenterCorp.org. Sunday Service – 11am. Embracing All Souls and Restoring Wholeness. The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration, 6900 Stanton Ave, Philadelphia. 215-247-2561. uuRestoration.us. Korean Dharma Service – 11am-1pm. This dharma service, conducted in Korean, includes prayer, chanting, dharma talk and hymn singing. Lunch will be served after the service. $5-$10 donation. Won Buddhism, 23 Abington Ave, Glenside. 215-8848443. Philadelphia@WonBuddhism.org. Slow Flow with Friends –1-2:30pm. Biweekly alllevel vinyasa yoga class followed by meet and greet. $15. 1509 N Front St, Philadelphia. 267-273-0086. TheCommonRoomPhilly.com. Yoga in the Greenhouse – 1-2:30pm. 1st, 2nd & 4th Sun. Join for Bring Your Own Mat yoga classes led by local teachers at the beautiful Fairmount Park Horticulture Center. This class is not suitable for first time yogis. 100 N Horticulture Dr, Philadelphia. MyPhillyPark.org. Contemplative Dance Practice – 3-5:30pm. 1st Sun. This personal and group awareness of body/ mind includes sitting meditation with self-directed body movement in space. Dress comfortably. $5$10 donation. Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadelphia, 2030 Sansom St. 215-568-6070. RSVP: SilverSpaceDance@gmail.com. Philadelphia. Shambhala.org. Teen Group Meeting – 7-8:30pm.1st & 3rd Sun. Helping teenagers 13-18 find personal empowerment through spiritual awakening. Along the way deep connections are made and a lot of fun is had. Greater Philadelphia Center for Spiritual Living, Paoli Corporate Center, 16 Industrial Blvd, Ste 112. 610-695-0375. cslPhilly.com.

monday Fit Possibilities – 9-9:45am. Functional fitness group exercise class for men and women 55 and over to improve strength, balance, agility, promote weight loss and improve brain function. Grace Episcopal Epiphany Church, 224 E Gowen Ave, Philadelphia. Info: 267-779-7948 or LetsGo@ TransformUrLifeToday.com. TransformUrLifeToday.com. Stretch 4 Life – 10-11am. Soulful flexibility group fitness classes for men and women 55 and over to improve leisure lifestyle and lengthen the lifespan. Bring a mat. Grace Episcopal Epiphany Church, 224 E Gowen Ave, Philadelphia. Info: 267-779-

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weight loss and improve brain function. New Covenant Church of Philadelphia, 7500 Germantown Ave. Info: 267-779-7948 or LetsGo@TransformUrLifeToday.com. TransformUrLifeToday.com.

Mindfulness Meditation and Chair Yoga – 12:30pm. Ground your mind and body. Spend a peaceful half-hour with a guided meditation. Chair yoga is a twist on traditional yoga, making it accessible for any age. For adults. Fumo Family Library, 2437 S Broad St, Philadelphia. 215-685-1758. New Baby Meetup – 12:30-2pm. This informal group is designed for new moms and babies to meet and share with one another about the beautiful, and often times challenging, transition into parenthood. Free. 4501-4503 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia. TheNestingHouse.net. Practice, Study and Sangha: An Informal Gathering – 6-8pm. A social gathering, meditation practice and study/discussion for meditation practitioners of all levels. Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadelphia, 2030 Sansom St. 215-5686070. Philadelphia.Shambhala.org. La Leche League – 7pm. 3rd Mon. Providing support, encouragement, information and education to parents who choose to breastfeed. Private home. Info: lllOfEasternPA.org.

tuesday Chair Yoga Fellowship – 8:30-9:45am. Ongoing classes for keeping the body youthful through mindful stretching on the mat and chair. Spend time meditating on scripture and practice with gratitude. Reformation Lutheran Church, 1215 Vernon Rd, Philadelphia. Yoga and Meditation – 9-11am. Indoor/outdoor yoga and meditation classes in the garden open to the public and free of charge courtesy of Southwest Philadelphia’s Family Practice and Counseling Network Health Annex. Bartram’s Garden. Eastwick Pavilion, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia. Preregister: BartramsGarden.org. La Leche League – 10am. 2nd Tue. Providing support, encouragement, information and education to parents who choose to breastfeed. Calvary Presbyterian Church, basement nursery, 217 Fernbrook Ave, Wyncote. Info: lllOfEasternPA.org.

Natural Awakenings Reader Testimonial I just wanted to send this email to let you know how this magazine motivated me to focus more on self care. Lately I have been slacking off on taking care of me. I read a few articles from the magazine and also got a few resources. I look forward to reading more issues. Thank You.

Philadelphia, PA

La Leche League – 10am. 3rd Tue. Providing support, encouragement, information and education to parents who choose to breastfeed. Germantown. Theresa: 617-650-4436. Info: lllOfEasternPA.org. Tonic 4 Life – 5:30-6:30pm. A strength training and endurance class designed to speed up weight loss and condition the whole body for men and women 55 and over. Bring a mat and extra water. The New Covenant of Philadelphia Church Campus, Grannum Bldg, Rm A1. Info: 267-779-7948 or LetsGo@TransformUrLifeToday.com. TransformUrLifeToday.com. Kirtan Connection – 6pm. Music meditation and vegetarian dinner. $10. Mantra Lounge, 312 E Girard Ave, Philadelphia. 215-834-8043. MantraPhilly.com. Open Public Meditation – 6pm. Meditation is the way that we can make a direct and simple relationship with our experience. Free. The Philadelphia Shambhala Center, Main Shrine Rm, 2030 Sansom St. 215-568-6070. Philadelphia.Shambhala.org. Tuesdays Grief – In This Moment – 6:30pm. A group that offers Support 7 Techniquest for coping with the grief process. $20/session or $100/6 sessions. 2801 Island Ave, Ste 13, Philadelphia. Register: 484-347-1490. SEPhillyCounseling. weebly.com. Reiki Share – 6:30-8:30pm. 1st Tue. With Danielle Stimpson. A reiki share is a great way to get some healing in a shared space. No experience needed; all lineages and levels welcome. $5-$10 donation. Learn Reiki Philadelphia, 251 N 2nd St. LearnReikiPhiladelphia.com. Group Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Practice sitting, walking and chanting meditation to calm your mind. All levels. $5-$10 donation. Won Buddhism, 23 Abington Ave, Glenside. 215-884-8443. Philadelphia@WonBuddhism.org. Sit n’ Stitch – 7-9pm. Brief periods of sitting will be interspersed with readings from dharma art books and creative time. Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadelphia, 2030 Sansom St. 215-5686070. Info: SusieAndersonFibers@gmail.com. Inclusivity Group – 7:30-9pm. Last Tue. Explore and discuss readings on mindful, inclusive communication and practice. We consider themes of inclusivity, diversity and intersectionality in the context of the Shambhala tradition. $5 donation. Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadelphia, Windhorse Rm, 2030 Sansom St. 215-568-6070. Register: Philadelphia.Shambhala.org.

wednesday Fit Possibilities – 9-9:45am. Functional fitness group exercise class for men and women 55 and over to improve strength, balance, agility, promote

~J.P. 28

Stretch 4 Life – 10-11am. Soulful flexibility group fitness classes for men and women 55 and over to improve leisure lifestyle and lengthen the lifespan. Bring a mat. New Covenant Church of Philadelphia, 7500 Germantown Ave. Info: 267-779-7948 or LetsGo@TransformUrLifeToday.com. TransformUrLifeToday.com.

naphilly.com

New Parents Meetup – 10-11:30am. Bring babies in arms and meet other new parents, get out of the house, and talk about whatever is going on. 1605 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia. TheNestingHouse.net. New Baby Support Group – 10:30am-12:30pm. This informal group is designed for new moms and babies to meet and share with one another about the beautiful, and often times challenging, transition into parenthood. Free. Mount Airy Moving Arts, Carpenter St & Greene St, Philadelphia. TheNestingHouse.net. Meditation – Noon-1pm. Reduce stress, learn to remain peaceful in challenging situations, increase clarity of mind and more. Love offering. Greater Philadelphia Center for Spiritual Living, Paoli Corporate Center, 16 Industrial Blvd, Ste 112. 610695-0375. cslPhilly.com. Open Public Meditation – 6pm. Meditation is the way that we can make a direct and simple relationship with our experience. Free. The Philadelphia Shambhala Center, Main Shrine Rm, 2030 Sansom St. 215-568-6070. Philadelphia.Shambhala.org. Reiki Share – 6-8pm. 2nd Wed. With Victoria Powell. A reiki share is a great way to get some healing in a shared space. No experience needed; all lineages and levels welcome. $5-$10 donation. Learn Reiki Philadelphia, 251 N 2nd St. LearnReikiPhiladelphia.com. Sierra Club Southeastern Pennsylvania Group (SPG) Meeting – 6:15pm. 1st Wed. Focused on environmental issues facing the greater Philadelphia area, members and nonmembers are welcome to join SPG Executive Committee meetings in-person or by phone. City CoHo, 2401 Walnut St, Philadelphia. 866-501-6174 (code: 100 4 100#) Yoga – 6:30pm. With Brittany from Roots2Rise. Wipe away the stress of the week and get your body and mind ready for a relaxing weekend. Decompress, unwind, and relax and start your weekend off the right way. Fishtown Community Library, 1217 E Montgomery Ave, Philadelphia. RSVP: FreeLibrary.org. The People of Color Group – 6:30-8pm. 2nd & 4th Wed. A meditation, reading and discussion group for folks who identify as people of color who would like to contemplate and have facilitated discussion from that perspective. $5/donation. Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadelphia, 2030 Sansom St. 215-568-6070. Info: PeopleOfColorGroup@ gmail.com. Register: Philadelphia.Shambhala.org. Families Anonymous – 7pm. A 12-step program for relatives and friends of those who suffer from substance abuse or related behavioral problem. Saint Francis Xavier Church, Parish Center, 2319 Green St, Philadelphia. FamiliesAnonymous.org. Food Addicts Anonymous – 7pm. A 12-step program for food addiction. Bryn Mawr Hospital, 130 S Bryn Mawr Ave, 2nd Flr, Ladd Conference Rm. 610-659-0667.

Tonic 4 Life – 5:30-6:30pm. A strength training and endurance class designed to speed up weight loss and condition the whole body for men and women 55 and over. Bring a mat and extra water. The New Covenant of Philadelphia Church Campus, Grannum Bldg, Rm A1. Info: 267-779-7948 or LetsGo@TransformUrLifeToday.com. TransformUrLifeToday.com. Open Public Meditation – 6pm. Meditation is the way that we can make a direct and simple relationship with our experience. Free. The Philadelphia Shambhala Center, Main Shrine Rm, 2030 Sansom St. 215-568-6070. Philadelphia.Shambhala.org. Earth Stewards – 7-9pm. Learn to work collaboratively on earth projects as a group. Discover your unique connections to specific aspects of earth and nature; how to increase your ‘sensing’ and communication with devas, animals, insects, trees, rocks, etc; how to transmit energetics for your benefit, those around you and the earth. $180/4-classes. Cherry Hill, NJ. Andrea Regal: 856-904-5566. HealersUniverse.com Practical Magic – 7-9pm. What the ancients called magic, we now call science, when blended can be utilized to construct the world we desire personally and globally. Learn your unique way of creating; how to cooperate with earth law and in collaboration with architectural devas and the hidden folk to create the ‘soil-less garden’ of a project related to job, home, dreams! $180/4-classes. Cherry Hill, NJ. Andrea Regal: 856-904-5566. HealersUniverse.com.

thursday Healing for the Healer – Learn how to hold your footing on the path of a ‘sensitive’ in the wellness profession; work with structures within the energy field developing stability and balance; how to work with clients’ energy field for mutual benefit avoiding the drain or overpowering of energy patterns; how to modify, transform your field for optimal results in your specialty. $180/4-classes. Cherry Hill, NJ. Andrea Regal: 856-904-5566. HealersUniverse.com. You are All That and More! – Journey through the human energy field, a dynamic, energy-consciousness system. Discover how you can harness this powerful instrument to bring greater harmony and ease into your day to day life; experience subtle energy; awaken and heighten your intuitive abilities. Home practices for clearing, balancing and aligning. $180/4-classes. Cherry Hill, NJ. Andrea Regal: 856-904-5566. HealersUniverse.com. Chair Yoga Fellowship – 8:30-9:45am. Ongoing classes for keeping the body youthful through mindful stretching on the mat and chair. Spend time meditating on scripture and practice with gratitude. Reformation Lutheran Church, 1215 Vernon Rd, Philadelphia. New Parent’s Support Group – 12:30-1:30pm. Last Thur. All are welcome. $5/donation/family. Lilypad in South Philly, 1234 S Broad St. BlossomingBelliesBirth.com. Tai Chi – 2pm. Based on Chinese soft-style martial arts, modern tai chi is best known as a gentle slowmotion exercise that improves balance, leg strength, relaxation, deep breathing, calmness, focus and alertness. Register: 215-685-1758. Fumo Family Library, 2437 S Broad St, Philadelphia. Register: 215-685-1758. FreeLibrary.org.

Yoga for Adults – 6:30pm. Every Thurs (except 2nd Thur). Wipe away the stress of the week and get your body and mind ready for a relaxing weekend. Decompress, unwind, and relax and start your weekend off the right way. Bring a mat. Thomas F Donatucci, Sr Library, 1935 Shunk St, Philadelphia. 215-685-1755. RSVP: FreeLibrary.org.

friday Fit Possibilities – 10-11am. Functional fitness group exercise class for men and women 55 and over to improve strength, balance, agility, promote weight loss and improve brain function. Grace Episcopal Epiphany Church, 224 E Gowen Ave, Philadelphia. Info: 267-779-7948 or LetsGo@TransformUrLifeToday.com. TransformUrLifeToday.com. Temple Community Garden Volunteer Day – 3-5pm. A student-run organization to combat the issue of food insecurity within the urban environment by providing community access to sustainably grown produce. General meetings are Thursday’s at 8pm during the school year to discuss gardening techniques and work on projects. Diamond St & Carlisle St, N Philadelphia. TempleCommunityGarden.com. Bhagavad Gita Wisdom Series – 6pm. Discussion, meditation and vegetarian feast. $10. Mantra Lounge, 312 E Girard Ave, Philadelphia. 215-8348043. MantraPhilly.com. Scripture Study –7-8:30pm. 2nd & 4th Fri. This small study group gathers together over a cup of tea to read the scriptures of Won Buddhism and discuss its meaning and how it relates to daily life. $5 donation. 23 Abington Ave, Glenside. 215-8848443. Philadelphia@WonBuddhism.org. Heart of Recovery – 7:30-8:30pm. A weekly support group bringing together Buddhist meditation practice and the wisdom of recovery. Meetings are anonymous and confidential. $2/donation. Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadelphia, 2030 Sansom St. 215-568-6070. Mark: phl.hor.coord@ gmail.com. Philadelphia.Shambhala.org.

meditation, chanting, prayer, dharma talk and discussion on Buddhist philosophy and practice. $5-$10 donation. Won Buddhism, 23 Abington Ave, Glenside. 215-884-8443. Philadelphia@ WonBuddhism.org. Nature Play Saturdays – 10:30-11:30am. 1st Sat. Bring your family for a hike and unstructured nature play with representatives from our NaturePHL program. Climb, explore and learn more about the many health benefits of outdoor activity. Meet at the Tall Trees Playscape behind the Visitor Center. All ages. Free. Schuylkill Center, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Rd, Philadelphia. 215-482-7300. Preregister: SchuylkillCenter.org. LiquidBody Self Myofascial Release Movement – Noon-1pm. With Emily. Unwind your body and mind exploring movement, touch, breath and posture to create the balance of softness and strength. Release fascial restrictions using foam rollers, balls, chairs etc in this movement therapy class. Movement Rx Studio, 333 E Lancaster Ave, Wynnewood. MovementRXStudio.com. Reclaim Class – 6:30-7:45pm. Relax Therapy Spa, 7151 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia. 866776-3034. Fergies Fit Bootcamp – 7-8am. Challenging but fun outdoor exercise class (held inside in extremely cold and wet weather). Improve endurance strength and agility while enjoying the fall weather. A co-ed class for adults 35 and up. Meet at 120W NorthWestern Ave, by the North Western Stables. Info: 267-279-7948, LetsGo@TransformUrlifetoday.com or TransformUrlifetoday.com.

JANUARY

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES ISSUE

Coming Next Month

Age-Defying Habits Plus: Healthy Immune System

saturday Vinyasa Yoga – 8am. With Chris Czopek. Prana, asana and meditation for all levels. Beginners welcomed. Relax Therapy Spa, 7151 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia. 866-776-3034. Bird Walks – 8-9am. 1st & 3rd Sat. Join our naturalists for a guided bird walk around the property. All ages/levels. Bring a field guide, binoculars or borrow a pair. Bucks County Audubon Society, 2877 Creamery Rd, New Hope. 215-297-5880. Dharma Service – 10am-noon. Includes sitting

December 2019

community resource guide

WILDFLOWER HEALING

Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our Philadelphia community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@NAPhilly.com to request our media kit.

HAIR SALON – ECO-FRIENDLY

BOOKS THE SOUL ON ITS PATH TO PERFECTION

SL8 HAIR LOUNGE

How is a soul guided in the beyond? What is it like for the soul of a child? The Eternal Wisdom gives answer.

SL8 hair lounge is a full service eco-friendly salon. The salon's signatures are designed with complimentary services paired together giving you that true fullservice salon experience and caring to your every hair desire. We strive to keep our products pure and eco-friendly. Lanza is 100% vegan and glutenfree. Oribe is cruelty-free and vegetarian. "A trendy hairstyle is only as good as the health of one's hair". Our mission is to make you beautiful without causing harm to our delicate ecosystem. See ad, page 19.

Toll-free: 844-576-0937 Gabriele-Publishing-House.com

CHIROPRACTIC CARE ADVANCED CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES Dr. Hank Finkel 4245 Pechin St, Philadelphia 215-483-3661 • AdvancedChiroRox.com

Dr. Finkel provides advanced spinal correction utilizing “state of the art” chiropractic techniques. We also provide the latest in brain fitness with our revolutionary BrainTap service. See ads, pages 3 and 21.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION MT AIRY USA

6703 Germantown Ave, Ste 200, Philadelphia • 215-844-6021 Info@MTAiryUSA.org Live. Work. Thrive. The mission of Mt. Airy USA is to preserve, empower and advance a vibrant and diverse Mt. Airy by stimulating development responsive to the community’s needs.

COUNSELING CREATING YOUR POSITIVE LIFE!, LLC Jan Collins, MEd • 484-416-3828 Mt. Airy-Phila • CreatingPositive.net

Heart-centered counseling, spiritual counseling, programs for organizations. Loving who you are... regardless... unconditional. How can you experience anyone's love – your own, others' or God's – if you criticize yourself or others, worry about the past or future, or hold onto unforgiving positions? Acceptance, compassion, forgiveness, love, expansion. Special introductory rates.

FITNESS TRANSFORM UR LIFE

Yvonne Ferguson-Hardin Philadelphia • 267-779-7948 Transformurlifetoday.com lets@transformurlifetoday.com One-on-one fitness assessments, personal training for beginners to advanced adults 55 and older, specialized wellness education and health group classes, indoor and outdoor challenging classes. We also provide wellness presentations for schools, corporate events, churches and health fairs. Contact us today! See ad, page 6.

Philadelphia, PA

naphilly.com

Danielle Owad-Di Giovanni 8135 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia 215-248-2000 • SL8HairLounge.com

HEALTHY DENTAL CARE WEST PARK DENTAL

Dr. Alfredo Alexander, DMD 5906 West Girard Ave, Philadelphia 19151 215-748-0881 AlfredoAlexanderBrightSmiles.com West Park Dental of Philadelphia offers a friendly, knowledgeable staff dedicated to making every visit a great experience. Expert dental care is provided with a warm and personal touch in a comfortable relaxed setting. The first step towards a beautiful smile and a lifetime of good oral health is to schedule an appointment. See ad, page 2.

HOLISTIC HEALTH PRACTITIONERS SOUTH PHILLY WELLNESS

Jennifer June, HHP, LMT 2251 S 23rd St, Bsmt Lvl, Philadelphia 215-301-3072 • SouthPhillyWellness.com SPhillyWellness@gmail.com Take control of your wellbeing! Address reproductive concerns with Mayan Abdominal Therapy and Vaginal Steaming. Find relief and support during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Improve quality of life and manage stress through globally inspired bodywork. Release anxiety and the effects of long held trauma. Clients of all sizes, orientations and genders welcomed. See ad, page 14.

Rob Rose 973-727-9969 • WFHealing.com HealingWithRob@gmail.com With the right tools and guidance, we can unravel blockages and allow our system to find its balance. To be free from blockages will allow you to enjoy greater physical health and mental clarity. There is truly an ocean of bliss that we can each discover within ourselves! I have received numerous certifications including Conscious Breathwork, Access BARS, Innerdance and SOMA Therapy. I integrate components of each of these into my sessions. See ad, page 6.

HOLISTIC SPA AND AROMATHERAPY THE SPA TERME DI AROMA

32 N Third St, Philadelphia 19106 215-829-9769 • TermeDiAroma.com Nestled in the heart of the city’s historic district, Spa Terme Di Aroma has long been a popular sanctuary for residents and travelers alike to enjoy an array of both classic and specialty spa treatments such as reiki, Indian foot massage and anti-aging collagen facials. Spa packages and gift cards are available. Appointments are recommended. See ad, page 2.

HYPNOTIST SUZANNE KING

Certified Hypnotist, Member National Guild of Hypnotists Past Life Regression • Past Life Parties 610-644-8276 • SuzanneRKing.com You are so much more than you imagined! My purpose for these offerings is to give you a selfaffirming, uplifting and potentially transformative experience in order to live more joyfully!

MED SPA SERENITY AESTHETICS AND WELLNESS

Dr. Gina Charles 7058 Germantown Ave, Ste 201,Philadelphia 215-278-6638 • Info@Serenityawmedspa.com Serenityawmedspa.com Peace and harmony to your mind, body and spirit. Serenity Aesthetics and Wellness specializes in state-ofthe-art, aesthetic treatments and wellness solutions for clients in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. Services range from micro-needling with platelet-rich plasma to mindful meditation. See ad, page 8.

The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity. ~Leo Tolstoy

MEDITATION THERAPY NIEMA GOLPHIN,

Meditation Consultant 215-828-5177 • NiemaGolphin.com NiemaGolphin@gmail.com “Minding my Soul Meditation” seeks to improve the human experience through mindful breathing combined with stretching techniques. Combining the breathing from yoga and stretching from the world of athletics, clients will receive an experience that incorporates the benefits of a full body massage, a yoga class, and tension reduction of stretching. Minding my soul offers whole group classes up to 35 people, one on one guided meditation and online live teachings. See ad, page 18.

MYOFASCIAL EMILY SMITH

Licensed Massage Therapist Myofascial Release & Movement Therapist Gardener 484-472-3626 • Emily-Smith.com Move your body, heal your Self, evolve your Spirit. Emily Smith is passionate about helping others learn how to heal naturally and enjoy life without pain.

NATURAL PHARMACY ASPIRE PHARMACY

4307 Locust St, Philadelphia 19104 215-883-0332 • AspireRxCare.com A one-size fits all slogan doesn’t work when it comes to ones health. We can work with your doctor and make your prescription tailored for your specific needs.We can customize your medical experience through prescription compounding and much more. See ad, page 22.

NATUROPATH EARTHLY ESSENCE

Dr. Jacquilen Fostor Tomas Ali 3901 Main St, Bldg B, Ste 201, Philadelphia 215-360-4110 • DrAliND.com Become the Master of Your Own Healing ©. Dr. Jacquilen Fostor Tomas Ali, ND, is a Naturopathic Physician, Certified Nutritional Counselor (CNC) and Master Herbalist (MH). Also, as a Certified BodyTalk Practitioner, Dr. Ali focuses on and addresses the causes of health challenges, not just symptoms. This focus provides a wellbalanced approach to health and healing.

NONPROFIT COMMUNITY OUTREACH WOMEN OF FAITH AND HOPE, INC.

Community Outreach Office Novella Lyons, Founder P.O. Box 14228, Philadelphia • 215-424-4180 NovellaKLyons@wofah.org • wofah.org United Way Number 7252 Women of Faith and Hope operates to encourage, enlighten and empower women about issues related to breast cancer in efforts to reduce the mortality rate through early detection. Contact to learn more.

PSYCHO-ENERGETIC COUNSELOR HEALERS UNIVERSE

Andrea Regal, Psycho-Energetic Counselor 856-904-5566 Andrea@HealersUniverse.com HealersUniverse.com Sessions facilitate personal transformation, spiritual expansion, revelation of soul purpose and one’s unique role in the evolution of the planet. Individually tailored to organically reintegrate dissociated pieces of ones Essence experiencing definitive and permanent change of both inner and outer conditions in a relatively short period of time. 35+ years experience in counseling and teaching the energetics of mind, body and soul connection. See ad, page 18.

REIKI AND HOLISTIC COACH BLISSFUL BEING

Pamela Matusz Master Reiki and Holistic Coach 2566 Frankfort Ave, Fishtown, PA 20 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 609-360-5200 • BlissfulBeing.guru Pamela Matusz, owner of Blissful Being Reiki & Holistic Coaching, has opened a new location in Fishtown. Contact her about personalized, intuitive balancing and guidance at one of her two locations in Fishtown, PA and Princeton, NJ. See ad, page 8.

SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZATIONS SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS NETWORK 2401 Walnut St, Ste 206, Philadelphia 215-922-7400, ext 104 • sbnPhiladelphia.org

The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) of Greater Philadelphia is a nonprofit membership organization striving to build a just, green and thriving local economy.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is a minimum charge of $20 for the first 20 words and $1 for each additional word. To place an ad, email Publisher@NAPhilly.com.

OPPORTUNITIES OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE – in holistic counseling practice. Building near Philadelphia Airport. Convenient to public transportation and highways. Includes utilities and internet. Counselors, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, etc. all are welcome. 610-627-0111. RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT SALES – Excellent opportunity for flexible part-time work. Natural Awakenings Philadelphia is seeking a self-motivated professional with strong interpersonal and communication skills to introduce businesses to the benefits of advertising in print and online. Must be self-motivated, organized, creative and good in sourcing suitable clients and events to target in Philadelphia. Must enjoy conversing on the phone and hosting face-to-face meetings, working from home and from the road. Need 20 flexible daytime hours per week to prosper. Occasional weekend and evening time required to attend events and network. Generous commission plus bonuses. Previous relationship-based ad sales experience necessary. Email your name, phone number and a brief description of your experience to Publisher@NAPhilly.com.

SUSTAINABLE FURNISHINGS LOTUS AND LILAC INTERIOR DESIGN

Jessica Salomone 267-245-8007 • LotusAndLilacDesign.com Hello@LotusAndLilacDesign.com We create interiors that are organic inspired, modern in sensibility and eclectic in design style. We believe that each space should tell the story of the people who live there and should be the embodiment of their personal style. Above all, we believe your interiors should promote wellness within your life and that everyone deserves healthy and beautiful spaces to live, work and play. See ad, page 3.

Natural Awakenings magazine is now available at

8208 Germantown Ave, #18, Philadelphia, PA 19118 December 2019

What a

site to see! NATURAL AWAKENINGS HAS A

NEW WEBSITE Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve launched a brand-new, comprehensive online hub for all things healthy and sustainable. Check us out to see the exciting features weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re rolling out for readers and advertisers alike.

How can we help your business succeed?

naphilly.com

If you are interested in digital advertising opportunities with online placements available on a first-come, first-serve basis, contact:

215-902-9137