EE R F
HEALTHY
LIVING
HEALTHY
PLANET
Green Up Humans to Moving to the House the Rescue Banish Pain Making a Home Healthy for Kids
Rising Up Against a Warming Planet
Exercise Can Heal What Hurts
April 2020 | Pittsburgh, PA Edition | naturalawakeningsswpa.com April 2020
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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET
PITTSBURGH, PA EDITION Publisher Michelle Dalnoky Editor Martin Miron Calendar Editor Sara Peterson Ad Designer Zina Cochran Design & Production C. Michele Rose Sales & Marketing Michelle Dalnoky Lisa Doyle
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hope everyone is hanging on through this really difficult time. Pushing back the scary and negative stuff and focusing on positive and productive stuff helps me to feel empowered instead of helpless. This is how I cope, leaving the door open for hope and love, reading and learning as much as I can. Right now, it’s all about how I can employ nutrition and supplements, ramp up sanitization and stress reduction. I’m also making time every day to work on my garden. Brushing up on my permaculture, planning my garden layout, starting seeds. This helps me deal with potential financial difficulties that may be looming and provides me with some wholesome food security to share with friends or strangers if I plan well enough. I’m also brushing up on my medicinal herbal knowledge and making some tinctures. Knowledge about foraging, edible plants and growing my food forest all gets me outside… which I love! At the same time, I am focusing on seeing opportunities. I am working to learn more about the digital world (or being thrust into it) and how it can enhance our reach. I am excited about sharing information so we can all be healthier, stronger and more connected. We have so many gifts to share, and each of those gifts is a piece of our foundation as a community. I think that, as with any hardship, the ultimate lesson is we can and will support each other through whatever challenges we face. We’re in this together and will go on to thrive. One of my greatest inspirations has always been my German grandmother, my Omi. At the end of WWII, she had five children under the age of 8 and her husband had died. She was in her mid 20s. Her house had been bombed more than once and her town was in absolute ruins. There remains a steel door leading to the basement of that house which also functioned as the bomb shelter and root cellar. The bridges were out, food was scarce and everything was more or less destroyed. Those children are still alive today. My Omi had a garden, fruit trees and chickens. She foraged for mushrooms and other edibles. She fed her children with that and what she could barter for. She had learned about nutrition while training to be a nurse. She took in renters and traded goods. She was strong and smart and very resourceful. I have admired her and try to think of her and how she managed through those times. I can tell you she did so with grace. In honor of all those that came before us and met their challenges, let’s remember how strong they were. Whatever challenges are ahead. We can do this with grace… and thrive.
Michelle Dalnoky, Publisher
With the ever-evolving COVID-19 situation causing uncertainty for citizens worldwide, Natural Awakenings is more committed than ever in supporting your health and well-being.
Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines
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letter from publisher
For the latest updates on local events and information, visit us online at: NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com
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Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.
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Contents 11 MOVING THROUGH
14 12
CHRONIC PAIN
How Exercise Can Heal What Hurts
12 FLOWER POWER
Botanical Libations Pack Healthy Punch
14 BRIGIT STRAWBRIDGE HOWARD on Rediscovering Nature
16 PLANET RESCUE
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Grassroots Strategies Combat Climate Crisis
19 CLIMATE WARRIORS UNITE A Call to Action
20 A HOME THAT HEALS Creating a Nurturing Space
22 HEALTHY HOME,
HEALTHY KIDS
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How to Keep Them Safe
ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 724-271-8877 or email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@ NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com. Deadline: 10th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Publisher@NaturalAwakenings SWPA.com or visit NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.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 MAKING LUCK
An Intentional Path to Good Fortune
24 ACUPUNCTURE
FOR ANIMALS
Needles Work Wonders on Pets
DEPARTMENTS 4 news briefs 5 health briefs 8 eco tip 10 global briefs 11 fit body 12 conscious eating 14 wise words 19 green living
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healing ways healthy kids inspiration natural pet calendar resource guide classifieds April 2020
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cover artist
news briefs
Walk With A Doc in Pittsburgh
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Smiling Sun
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Kay Larch
aised in Southern California by two artists, Kay Larch says she didn’t follow in their footsteps. She grew up, started a family, moved to South Carolina and built a daycare center that she owned and operated. She filled the center with wall murals and did painting activities and after-school art classes with the kids, but she never considered herself an artist. She found ways to express her creative need for colorful and elaborate surroundings through painting projects she did for fun. One day, Larch decided to create a series of acrylic paintings on canvas. Out of curiosity, she submitted her work to a gallery. It was accepted for a show, which led to being featured in an article about the museum, interviews, commissioned work, more shows and the launching of her career as an artist at age 54. Larch is immersed in the art community, has added oil painting and drawing to her repertoire, and creates in a variety of styles. Her acrylic paintings have a comic-book style, while her oil paintings lean more toward realism. She admits she was influenced by growing up as a California hippie, traveling to Tijuana and seeing the vibrant colors of Mexican folk art and simply being an imaginative person. Her work has been featured in galleries, businesses and magazines and she sells original paintings, prints, greeting cards and a line of coloring books, in addition to commissioned work for people all around the world.
Find Kay Larch on Instagram (@KayLarchStudio) or connect at Facebook.com/ KayLarchStudio. 4
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entile Family Direct Primary Care has launched their Walk with a Doc Program, encouraging Pittsburgh residents to take a step toward better health by bringing doctors and patients together to walk every third Saturday at 8:30 a.m. in Highland Park, starting April 18. Walk with a Doc is an international nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire communities through movement and conversation. In partnership with Fresh Avocados – Love One Today, Walk with a Doc promotes physical activity and stepping up awareness about healthy eating to help improve the heart health of the nation. “This program has had tremendous participation and success in hundreds of cities around the world,” says Dr. Natalie Gentile, founder of Gentile Family Direct Primary Care in Highland Park. “I’m very pleased to bring this exciting and simple program to Pittsburgh, as it has shown such improved health results for countless people around the country.” The program is free. For more information, call 614-714-0407, email GentileFamilyDPC@ gmail.com
Donate, Reclaim, Reuse and Save
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inks, desks, fireplace mantles and recycled paint are all treasures shoppers can find at American Architectural Salvage, in Mt. Pleasant. Operating under Greensburg’s Westmoreland Community Action (WCA), American Architectural Salvage (AAS) reduces landfill waste, promotes the resale and reuse of goods, and helps provide additional funding to 28 other nonprofit WCA organizations with its income. American Architectural Salvage is all about recycling and reusing to help shoppers save money. They have used material and furniture donated by homeowners, new materials from overstocked building supply companies and unused supplies from contractors and businesses. Czerpak says the prices are low to keep inventory moving, which changes every day at the five-acre space with donations arriving constantly. The friendly staff will help unload donations between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Most new and used building materials, tools, furniture, and plumbing, electrical and garden supplies are accepted. Location: 23 W. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. For more information, call 724-552-0491. For a complete list of acceptable donations, visit AmericanArchitecturalSalvage.com. The nonprofit also has a demolition team that is affordable and insured. Call for free estimate at 724-610-0258.
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health briefs
Quang Ho/Shutterstock.com
Take Echinacea to Reduce Anxiety Echinacea extract may be helpful for situation-induced anxiety, indicates a new study from Hungary’s Institute of Experimental Medicine, in Budapest. The researchers tested 64 middle-aged people that had scored high on the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. They were given either 80 milligrams Echinacea angustifolia root extract or a placebo every day for seven days, followed by a three-week washout period during which no pills were taken. Those taking the echinacea started experiencing less anxiety than the placebotakers by day seven, and scored significantly lower in “state anxiety”, marked by arousal connected to specific dangers or threats. Measures of “trait anxiety”, in which anxiety is an ongoing personal characteristic, improved slightly compared to the placebo group. Improvements were maintained even during the washout period.
April 2020
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Food Logs Serve a Useful Purpose The idea that if calories in and calories out are equal we will maintain our current weight is certainly an important consideration, but getting our calories under control is only one part of the equation. What’s even more important is where those calories are coming from. Certain foods, such as those high in added sugars, are responsible for spikes in insulin levels and cravings. Some foods are extremely inflammatory, and may lead to fluid retention and hormone imbalances that affect weight. Foods high in fiber and healthy fats will help slow digestion and decrease feelings of hunger, which is beneficial for weight loss. A food log will give the whole picture not just of quantity, but of quality. Weight-loss systems that rely on calorie counting lead us to believe that all calories are created equal, and that simply is not the case. Fat has nine calories per gram, but a highly processed trans fat is going to be inflammatory and harm the heart, while omega-3-rich fats have anti-inflammatory effects and are great for the heart. Carbohydrates have four calories per gram, but a sugar-packed cereal is going to spike our blood sugar and affect insulin sensitivity, while a fiber-packed whole grain will have a more stable glucose/insulin response. Protein has four calories per gram, but a preservative-packed and highly processed lunchmeat will have a toxic effect compared to natural, freerange meat. These things may all have the same amount of calories, but “lowcalorie” does not make something healthy. We could eat 2,000 calories of junk food and candy every day and be well within our daily calorie allotment, but will not be feeling healthy or energized. Just because something is healthy doesn’t mean we can eat unlimited amounts. Nuts, for example, are packed full of healthy fat, but will also pack on the calories very quickly. It’s important to watch serving sizes and consume in moderation. Weight is a product of lifestyle. If we are eating the right things and moving the right amount, a healthy weight will be achieved and maintained. If we are gaining weight, something is not right. But weight is not the only metric of health. If we are working with a medical professional that is only concerned about weight, they should be happy if our weight remains stable from year to year, indicating we are consuming the right amount of calories. However, a health professional that examines a food log would be better able understand how our diet is impacting our health, even if our weight is stable. Remember that pain, headaches, low energy levels, poor sleep, mood and more can all be affected by our food choices.
Angela Turo is a Salutogenic Specialist at Turo Family Chiropractic. In Pittsburgh. For more information, visit TuroFamilyChiropractic.com. 6
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Poor eating habits are not only disease-producing, they are also costly, the latest research shows. “Suboptimal eating” incurs approximately $300 in healthcare costs annually per person, and $481 for older people on Medicare, adding up to $50 billion a year nationally—84 percent of which goes to acute care, say Harvard-associated Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers. This means that poor diets account for almost 20 percent of heart disease, stroke and diabetes costs in the U.S. Researchers studied the impact of 10 dietary factors, including fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, processed meats, sugary drinks and salt, and found that the top three risks were overconsuming processed meats and underconsuming nuts/seeds and omega-3-rich seafood. “There is a lot to be gained in terms of reducing risk and cost associated with heart disease, stroke and diabetes by making relatively simple changes to one’s diet,” says study co-author Thomas Gaziano, M.D. “Our work illustrates the need for interventions or policies that incentivize healthier dietary behavior, as these changes have the potential to have a big impact and reduce the health and financial burden of cardiometabolic disease.”
If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over? ~John Wooden
Foxytail/Shutterstock.com
Eat Better to Cut Healthcare Costs
health briefs
Spring Detox Brings Health Benefits
For thousands of years, people have used many methods of cleansing the body and fasting to remove toxins and maintain good health. Here are some tips for a successful cleanse. Changing Our Diet: The typical American diet is chock full of harmful toxins. The more processed our food becomes, the more chemicals and pesticides we typically ingest. On the first detox, try a 10-to-14-day cleanse, eliminating all processed food, sugars and dairy to reset the digestive system. Clean out cupboards beforehand. Be sure to prepare meals ahead of time. Plan ahead to avoid trigger foods and family events that may sabotage our efforts. Keep a journal of progress and feelings each day of the cleanse. Supporting the Body’s Natural Detox Pathways: The body has four main pathways to detoxifying itself naturally: skin, liver, bowels and kidneys. By supporting these organs, we can work towards quicker and more efficient detoxification. There are a multitude of supplements made to support these body systems. Ask a functional medicine doctor for individual advice. Vigorous exercise, saunas and infrared yoga are all great ways to detox through our skin. Milk thistle, beet root and B vitamins aid the liver in the detoxification process. The liver supplements also support the bowels with proper bile levels. Include plenty of extra fiber to help flush out toxins. For kidneys, hydration is key. Increase stomach juices by flushing the body with plenty of water, water with lemon and green or white tea. Reducing Exposure to Harmful Chemicals: We are ex posed to harmful chemicals every day, many within our own home. These dangerous toxins can have alarming effects such as weight gain, infertility and cancer. Many are endocrine disruptors that affect hormones. This toxic load everyday can add up, which is why spring is a wonderful time to reduce or eliminate as many synthetics in our homes as possible. Some products that may have harmful toxins include lotions, cleaning products, perfumes, plastics, pesticides, air fresheners, laundry detergent and others. Switch out
synthetic products with those that do not contain dyes, perfumes, BPA or plastics, opting for naturally derived plantbased products, glass or steel containers and essential oils. Reducing Stress: We can’t get rid of stress completely, but we can detox from some of it. Otherwise, it can build up and cause mental and physical health problems, so no time is better than now to manage it. To detox from stress try acupuncture (allow the mind to regroup, refocus and reenergize through acupuncture and relax muscles with cupping); movement (walks, hikes, workouts, yoga, stretching and sports; massage (therapeutic massage to cleanse the lymphatic system and relax tension); meditation (apps or classes—aim for a minimum of five minutes per day); and reading (dive into a new book).
Dr. Danielle Marra has been a functional medicine practitioner and chiropractor for nearly 20 years at Panther Functional Medicine and Chiropractic, with offices in Murrysville and Greensburg. For appointments and more information, call 724-387-1014 or visit PittsburghHealthPro.com. See ad, page 21.
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eco tip
Celebrate Earth Day at Home
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ebbie Bielawski, ASID, owner of Deborah Bella Interior Design, has some eco-tips for Earth Day at home. Here are some ways to be not just eco-friendly, but are better for our health, too. Spring cleaning: Now is a great time to declutter and purge all the items in the home that we aren’t using. Instead of holding on to items that sit around and collect dust, sell them and make a little extra money or give them to many of the places in the community that find homes that may put these items to good use. Our lives are constantly changing and it is good to modify are environment to reflect these changes. Natural cleaning products: When we take great consideration of items we put in our homes to reflect a healthier home, it’s important to consider how we care for them. Natural cleaning products that emit less chemicals in the air provide better air quality. Because we spend so much time indoors, the less toxins we breathe in, the better. Buy local: Not only are we supporting our local economy, but helping our environment. Pollutants and energy used, as well as cost for transportation, is much less. Many manufacturers are getting on board with sustainable practices throughout the cor-
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porate culture. It benefits us to patronize businesses that reflect these priorities. Introduce plants: Plants incorporated through the interiors is a big trend for a reason. Plants clean the air and add biophilic elements that have been proven to help people be sick less often and have faster recuperation time. Energy Star rated appliances: Energyefficient appliances save our natural resources. Less energy consumption means lower utility bills. Rebates are also available for purchasing appliances that are energy rated. Low-flow water fixtures, plumbing and appliances: The water we consume is substantially less and since many products are highly efficient, many quality replacements can be found. If we are using less hot water, heating savings can apply here, as well. Energy-eďŹƒcient lighting: There are so many options now for energy-saving bulbs; halogen incandescent, compact fluorescent and LED. The color output ranges from warm white to daylight. Additional savings can be achieved with dimmer switches and smart technology. Recycle: Recycling waste, especially food waste, is much better for the environment. Check local community boards to see the best practices for recycling items like plastic, paper, batteries and electronics. Natural materials and fibers: Select rugs with natural fibers to contribute to overall air quality. Wool rugs are soft and sturdy, naturally stain-resistant and provide thermal insulation. Using natural materials such as organic cotton and linen in soft goods and upholstery will stand up to many years of use and are so comfortable. FSC certified wood and paper: The Forest Stewardship Council ensures products with this certification come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. Much of the wood used in products are depleting the forests; buying FSC Certified ensures we are supporting the natural environment. For more information, call 412-216-5487 or visit DeborahBella.com. See ad, page 20. April 2020
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global briefs
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Cool Solution
Biodegradable Cooler Keeps Food Cold and Dry
The ice chests we haul to picnics are typically made of Styrofoam, Dow Chemical’s trademarked name for extruded polystyrene, but it is a highly flammable source of greenhouse gases that animals can mistake for food and won’t degrade for hundreds of years, leading thousands of landfills to ban it. Now, Igloo, the top global cooler maker, has introduced a new, less-destructive alternative made out of paraffin wax and recycled tree pulp called Recool. The 16-quart, water-resistant cooler, sold at REI and other stores, keeps 75 pounds of contents ice-cold for up to 12 hours and goes up to five days without leaking water. The coolers can be stored and reused many times and then recycled, composted or used as a dry storage container. It’s also less likely to break or chip than Styrofoam.
IglooCoolers.com
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Coal Costs
Closing Plants Saves Lives and Crops
Between 2005 and 2016, the shutdown of coal-fired plants in the U.S. saved an estimated 26,610 lives and the equivalent of around 570 million bushels of corn, soybeans and wheat, reports a new University of California at San Diego (UCSD) study published in Nature Sustainability. The coal plants were typically decommissioned as utilities transitioned from coal to natural gas for electric power generation, thus reducing particulate matter and ozone in the lower atmosphere. “When a coal-fired unit shuts down, local pollution [including particulate matter] levels drop, mortality rates drop and crop yields of major staple crops rise,” writes study author and UCSD associate professor Jennifer Ann Burney. The newer, naturalgas and coal-fired units that have supplanted them are not entirely benign and deserve further study, she notes.
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fit body
MOVING THROUGH CHRONIC PAIN How Exercise Can Heal What Hurts
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by Julie Peterson
hen our body keeps hurting, especially if it’s been that way for a long time, it’s natural to want to snuggle into pillows with a good movie and move as little as possible. And for many years, that’s the kind of rest that doctors recommended for the 20 percent of American adults suffering from chronic pain. But with a plethora of studies showing that exercise can reduce pain severity, enable better physical functioning and boost morale with virtually no adverse side effects, that advice is fast changing. “Exercise helps to release endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkiller chemicals,” explains Rumki Banerjee, M.D., medical director of Apex MD, in Glen Allen, Virginia. For those suffering from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and low back pain, the thought of moving may be uncomfortable, and even the sight of stairs may trigger pain signals. But walking up just one step can give the brain new information. “If it’s possible to do a movement one time without pain, the brain starts to change, the door to movement reopens and we begin to end the chronic pain cycle,” says Annie Forest, a fitness trainer who
specializes in the neurology of pain at Forest Coaching Studios, in Madison, Wisconsin. A good first step is to consult an expert. “If your doctor approves, take advantage of the knowledge and expertise of a movement expert. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, Pilates trainers and yoga teachers are trained to help others move safely and more effectively,” says Peter Abaci, M.D., medical director of the Bay Area Pain and Wellness Center, in Los Gatos, California, and author of Conquer Your Chronic Pain: A Life-Changing Drug-Free Approach for Relief, Recovery, and Restoration. The muscle pain that occurs in everyone starting a new exercise regime— known as delayed onset muscle soreness— typically lasts only a day or two, and is a sign the body is slowly gathering strength, say physical therapists. It’s best—and probably the only thing possible for those in chronic pain—to start slow. “Walking is one exercise that gets your body moving, blood and fluids circulating, and if done outdoors, can take you out into nature to offset the amount of time spent indoors,” says physical therapist Karena Wu, owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy,
in New York City and Mumbai. Slow stretching, especially if it involves holding positions up to one minute, and gentle versions of yoga, including chair yoga, have also proven helpful. A study of 228 people with chronic back pain published in the Internal Archives of Medicine found that both approaches reduced symptoms within 12 weeks and lowered the use of pain medications, and that results lasted at least six months. Tai chi, an ancient Chinese practice that involves breath control combined with slow, fluid movements, has been shown to benefit people with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and tension headaches, among other chronic conditions. In a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, people with fibromyalgia taking tai chi classes twice a week for 12 weeks reported less pain and depression and better sleep than another group taking wellness classes and stretching sessions. Chi kung (qigong), another slow-moving, mind-body exercise, supplies similar benefits, concluded a February study published in the journal Holistic Nursing Practice. Compared to aerobics, especially for older people with lower back pain, “Pilates may be more effective for pain and disability because exercises are more targeted to the muscles of the pelvis and trunk,” concludes a recent Brazilian study. Aqua therapy, also known as water aerobics, reduces pressure on aching joints while still providing enough gentle resistance to build strength, plus a heated pool can relax the whole body. Swimming was shown in a 2013 study in Clinical Rehabilitation to ease the lingering pain of cancer survivors better than land exercises; studies of arthritis and fibromyalgia patients showed similar results. It’s also key to have goals—even as simple as cooking a meal without pain. “I ask people to envision a pain-free life and imagine what that would look like, what they would do if they didn’t hurt,” says Forest. “If you say, ‘I’m a softball player and a mom who picks up her kids,’ then your brain wants to head in that direction. Having a target is really important.” Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin. Reach her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com. April 2020
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Plants have so much medicine to share, and it’s fun to play with that.
conscious eating
than heat or boiling flowers to retain their flavors and aromas. She also recommends picking flowers early in the morning or late afternoon, when their scent peaks.
A Cup of Wildflowers
FLOWER POWER Botanical Libations Pack Healthy Punch by April Thompson
F
lowers and other budding botanical elements this spring aren’t just eye candy to dress the table; they can bless an everyday beverage with intoxicating new scents, flavors and colors. “It’s such a joy to see a beautiful flower or plant, smell it and then add it to a delightful beverage or meal. Plants have so much medicine to share, and it’s fun to play with that,” says Myra Sinnott, an aromatherapist and owner of Essential Botany, in Washington, D.C. Many beverage favorites can be given a floral twist with little effort, says Cassie Winslow, author of Floral Libations: 41 Drinks + Ingredients and founder of the blog DecoTartelette.com, in Santa Cruz, California. Winslow’s go-to drinks include lavender-infused lemonade and rose petal almond milk, which can be served hot or cold. “I also love an iced lavender café au lait. If I’m feeling extra fancy, I’ll use fresh flower ice cubes, too.” Dried hibiscus is another favorite of Winslow’s, as even a few petals of the concentrated dark magenta flower will brighten and beautify any beverage—even a yogurt-based drink. While many botanical drink recipes call for simple sugar syrup, Winslow suggests honey with a splash of water as a
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substitute. Other drinks are naturally sweet, like jasmine tea steeped in apple cider. Sinnott likes to fuse the power of flowers with other botanical elements such as rose petals in a light raspberry drink. “I also use rosewater in a warm elixir with a base of reishi mushroom tea, goji berries, turmeric, cinnamon and ginger, cacao, pearl powder and honey. Rose is a heart-opener and vitalizes the body with the immune-boosting reishi and the other tonifying ingredients,” says Sinnott. Winslow stresses the importance of buying organic ingredients, as many flowers are sprayed with toxic pesticides—or better yet, home-grown. She suggests the tea aisle of natural food stores is a good place for procuring organic floral ingredients such as chamomile and jasmine, which often come unblended in whole form. Dried flowers are easier to source and are often more potent than fresh, she says. “Fresh is pretty, but can be more subtle in flavor.” Her rose salt recipe, which can be used to rim drinks or seasonal dishes, calls for dried roses, which have a longer shelf life and won’t clump up like fresh petals. Marie Viljoen, Brooklyn-based author of Forage, Harvest, Feast: A Wild-Inspired Cuisine, suggests using cold infusions rather
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While botanical ingredients can be obtained commercially, it can be more fun—and frugal—to forage for them, suggests Viljoen, founder of the blog 66SquareFeet.blogspot. com. “It’s a lot of fun to go out to collect ingredients you cannot find in the store. You can experience unique textures, flavors and perfumes, and play with wild ingredients that have been all but forgotten,” she says. Some of Viljoen’s seasonal foraged favorites include the fragrant elderflower, honeysuckle and common milkweed flower. “I like to capture milkweed’s fragrance and deep pink color in a wild soda or a sweet cordial.” For newbie foragers, drink ingredients can be sourced as easily as herbs from a window box, like the antiviral thyme, which makes for a delicious wild soda made from a handful of herbs, sweetener and water left on the countertop a few days to lightly ferment and fizz. Another spring favorite, tender young spruce tips, has a sour flavor that ferments well with strawberries and rhubarb, says Viljoen. The same recipe can also be used to make vinegar, a longer process resulting in a more enduring product with great botanical properties. “You can create a sipping vinegar, which is good to mix with seltzer or slow-cook with,” says Viljoen. Whether botanical ingredients are foraged, bought or brought in from the backyard garden to be put in a hot tea, a cocktail or a cold brew, the magic is in the making. “Flowers are endless fun to experiment with, especially when added to everyday drinks and dishes. It brings life to the kitchen,” says Winslow. April Thompson, a freelance writer in Washington, D.C., can be reached at AprilWrites.com.
Chamille Whiter/Shutterstock.com
~Myra Sinnott
SOOTHING BOTANICAL SIPS
photo by Susan Bell
Cleanse the crystals, by first rinsing and gently scrubbing them under running water, then place in the sun for a few hours and whisper some love poetry to them.
Place the crystals in the oven on a low heat (158 to 170° F) for 15 minutes, or until hot. Place the crystals in the teacups.
Unconditional Love Here’s an Indian-inspired herbal infusion featuring classic Ayurvedic herbs that help spread unconditional love that is so needed in the world right now. It’s recommended that you serve the infusion on heated rose quartz crystals; this will continue to emanate the love. This recipe is best made in larger quantities and stored for use throughout the year or whenever you need to spread or share more love with friends and family.
For a pot for 3 to 4 people, take 6 heaping teaspoons of the blend, pour over freshly boiled water, infuse with the lid on for 5 to 6 minutes, then fine strain and serve in cups over the warm pieces of rose quartz crystal. Recipe courtesy of Michael Isted, the Herball.
Dandelion Honey Bowl of Soul “I love to make a bowl of soul when I need to unwind, as this beverage is quite soothing,” says Cassie Winslow. “Dandelions have a subtle spice that pairs so nicely with other warming spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Steeped in your favorite nutty milk, this’ll be your new go-to goodie when
photo by Doan Ly
Yields: 3½ oz beverage .7 oz cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) ½ oz ginger root (Zingiber officinalis), dried .2 oz ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera), dried .2 oz rhatavari root (Asparagus racemosus), dried ½ oz rose petals (Rosa spp), dried .4 oz rose hips (Rosa canina), dried 1 oz tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), dried
you want to sit with your thoughts, gaze out the window and sip on something warm.” Yields: one beverage 1 cup, unsweetened, almond milk or hazelnut milk 1 Tbsp honey (or agave sweetener) 1 dandelion tea bag Freshly ground nutmeg for garnish In a small saucepan, warm the milk over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Whisk the milk, then slowly add the honey or agave sweetener and whisk together. Pour the milk mixture into a large mug. Add the tea bag and allow to steep for five minutes. Discard the tea bag. Sprinkle the nutmeg on top. Recipe courtesy of Cassie Winslow, Floral Libations: 41 Drinks + Ingredients.
MAY
WOMEN’S WELLNESS ISSUE
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The Collagen Connection Plus: Autoimmune Breakthroughs
For the warm rose quartz: 3-4 Rough pieces of rose quartz crystal Mix all the herbs together in a large bowl, then decant into a sealable pouch or jar, being sure to store away from direct sunlight. Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible. April 2020
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wise words
Brigit Strawbridge Howard on Rediscovering Nature by April Thompson
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ee advocate, Bees have been a wildlife gardener portal to the natural and naturalworld for me. It happens ist Brigit Strawbridge when many people get Howard was alarmed interested in a specific the moment she realspecies because everyized she knew more thing is interconnected, about the French Revoand you start to notice lution than the native the whole web of life. trees around her. Howard’s realization that she What makes had lost touch with the bees distinct natural world led her from other kinds on a journey deep into of insects? the fascinating world of Bees go out specifically honeybees, bumblebees, to collect pollen and and the often unsung nectar to feed their superpollinator solitary larvae; other insects bees, chronicled in her It’s never too late to eat pollen and are book Dancing with reconnect and find important pollinators, Bees: A Journey Back to but don’t collect it for the curiosity and awe Nature. Howard writes, their young. They also speaks and campaigns that you experienced tend to visit the same to raise awareness of the as a child. flower species again importance of native and again, which other pollinators don’t wild bees and other pollinating insects. She always do. lives in North Dorset, England, with her husband, Rob, where they love to bee-watch How has your study of bees in their backyard garden.
What first piqued your interest in bees?
Initially, apocalyptic headlines about bee decline and colony collapse with female worker bees leaving hives and not coming back alarmed me from a human food chain perspective. It happened to be around the time I realized I had completely lost touch with the natural world I so loved as a child. I started looking for bees and became completely immersed in their world; the more I watched them, the more I lost track of time and the more questions I had. I also began to more worry about the bees themselves than about their decline’s effect on us. 14
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affected you personally?
I dropped out of school as a teenager. Bees are the only thing I’ve truly ever studied; I am self-taught in insect biology and ecology. I have read scientific papers that I would have never thought were for the likes of me in my quest to understand more about bees. Also, when I feel overwhelmed with life, because of my interest in bees I have something else to focus on. I can lose hours and hours walking in the woods and totally forget my problems. I have learned to tune into the tiny things, the fungi and miniscule plants I would have otherwise walked past.
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What is one of the most interesting aspects of bee behavior?
Some years ago, I remember vividly a day on my patio listening to bees with my eyes closed and seeing if I could recognize them by their buzzes. Bumblebees have a deep booming buzz, for example, and I recognized this, but suddenly it changed to a high-pitched sound like a dental drill. I opened my eyes, and it was a bumblebee going round and round the sides of a Welsh poppy, sounding really frantic and having a pollen bath. As it turns out, she was sonicating, otherwise known as buzz foraging. This is how bees pollinate tomatoes. A lot of flowers don’t give up pollen easily, but the bumblebee knows exactly what to do. It grasps the flower and continues to vibrate without moving its wings. This produces high-frequency vibrations that trigger the tomato flower to open and explodes pollen out onto the bee.
What are a few ways that we can help support bee populations?
Maintain gardens, backyards and balconies with a variety of nectar-rich plants and create habitat for bees to nest in. Plant flowers that will bloom in succession. Stop using pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals, because the bees are taking that cocktail of chemicals back to the hive or nest, and collectively they are more dangerous than the sum of their parts. Also, dare to be less tidy in your garden; grow wildflowers and let flowering weeds like clover and dandelions be. Watch and see what comes. It won’t just be the bees: If we get it right for the bees, it spirals out to other species. It’s never too late to reconnect and find the curiosity and awe that you experienced as a child. It was bees that captured my attention and imagination; for someone else it may be something else, but if you make time to stop, sit and look around you, you will find the wonder in nature. April Thompson is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. Connect at AprilWrites.com.
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The message I try to express [through my art] is that some of our best-known wild animals might, in my lifetime, no longer be on the planet. painting by Josie Martin
~Josie Martin
PLANET RESCUE Grassroots Strategies Combat Climate Crisis by Julie Marshall
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ike most kids, Azalea Morgan loves polar bears. “They’re fluff y and cute,” the 8-year-old says, and after watching a documentary on how climate change is affecting these Arctic apex predators, she badly wanted to help. Her mom, Molly Morgan, suggested she do something big, because the problem of global warming is monumental. For nearly three weeks last September, Azalea pedaled her bike alongside her mom and 9-year-old sister, Ember, setting out from their hometown of Andover, New Hampshire, en route to New York City to attend the United Nations (UN) Climate Action Summit, where Greta Thunberg and other global youth leaders marched for change. The trip was a fundraiser to put solar panels on their school and for future projects under KidsCare4PolarBears, a Facebook page that documents their ongoing efforts. 16
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While not everyone has the time or inclination to ride 250 miles and camp— some of it in the rain—or as Thunberg did, sail across the Atlantic in a zero-emissions yacht, there are steps individuals can take to combat climate change on a grassroots level, experts say, because the crisis is undeniable, as seen most recently in the catastrophic bushfires across Australia. There are peaceful protests taking place worldwide scheduled throughout 2020 at FridaysForFuture.org and other organizations, but a growing number of individuals that want to do more are using their imaginations and creative endeavors, inspiring others to take unique action. Students at a school in Spain wrote and performed a play and illustrated a book to raise climate change awareness, while a teen from California used her artistic skills to raise thousands of dollars for wildlife. On March 28, people around
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the world participated in the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour by collectively turning off lights at 8:30 p.m. while holding eco-events, and others are joining in the global tree-planting campaign of The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Reversing course may seem insurmountable, but individuals have a lot of power, says Dan Shepard, UN global communications officer: “The choices we make, the things we do, collectively matter and can have a huge impact on the world.”
Stepping Up for Biodiversity “I wanted to inspire other kids,” Ember says of her bicycle trek for polar bears. “I love animals and they deserve to not die.” According to a 2019 UN Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, more than 1 million species are threatened with extinction, and one of the main reasons is climate
I love to see what young people are doing, because if we collectively use our voice to amplify the facts about climate change, we can work to find solutions. ~Elan Strait change, say experts, including Nikhil Advani, director of Climate Communities and Wildlife at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Protecting large predators is one key to enriching biodiversity, Advani says. “The top of the food chain has a significant impact on prey species and the ecosystem.” But predators are suffering because of humans that are feeling the impacts of climate change, Advani says. Long droughts have forced many Kenyan pastoralists to enter protected parks and compete with wildlife for water and grazing land, resulting in lion deaths as retaliation for killing livestock. In the Himalayas, as the Earth warms, snow leopard habitat is being encroached for pastureland. In Zimbabwe, farmers have turned to chopping down trees for wood as an alternative economic opportunity. “Everybody is stressed and competing for resources,” Advani says. “It is a very severe result of climate change.” Advani and researchers are working in tandem with local societies in 30 countries across Africa, Central America and Asia to fund novel projects under the Wildlife Adaptation Innovation Fund. For instance, they are piloting a rainwater harvesting project to help farmers get through the dry seasons and are constructing concrete and mudbrick nests to help albatross breed better in Tasmania. These special projects are based on available levels of donations that are sometimes crowd-sourced. Raising funds for innovative projects, as well as increasing awareness of what’s happening, is an important grassroots strategy, says Elan Strait, WWF director of U.S. climate campaigns. It can be as simple as sharing updates, tagging social media influencers and instigating a rallying cry. WWF has its own program called Panda Ambassadors in which conservation activists of all ages can get tips and tools to promote specific projects they feel most passionate about. “I love to see what young people are doing, because if we collectively use our voice to amplify the facts about climate
change, we can work to find solutions,” Strait says. “And we need facts to get out there because, at least in the U.S., some people think climate change is still a controversy and are afraid to talk about it, but we should have that conversation with friends and family so we can find solutions.”
Youth Rising to the Challenge
Getting involved in grassroots-level strategies is empowering not only for kids, but for adults that need their resiliency and inspiration, says Janet Stringer, manager of donor relations at Polar Bears International, in Bozeman, Montana. “In my work, I hear from so many people who are feeling deep despair about the climate crisis. I draw hope from the children who write to us, sharing stories and pictures about their dreams for a future that includes polar bears,” says Stringer. “I think we owe it to the next generation to work as hard as we can to come together and make the necessary changes to ensure that polar bears—and all wildlife—are not a species we learn about in the pages of a book, but a wild species that we can see with our own eyes, reminding us of how special our planet is and why it deserves our respect.” One of her favorite examples comes from students at the Daina-Isard school, in Olesa de Montserrat, Spain, and their climate-driven projects with teacher Connie Darilek, who asked the Aquarium of Barcelona to help them grow plankton, an organism threatened by warming seas. “They gave us plankton and jellyfish, and it was really amazing for the students to learn the [Arctic] food chain and how serious it would be losing the polar bear on top,” Darilek says. Students recently published the book Nanuc, a story about a polar bear that they also illustrated, now in its second printing. Josie Martin, 13, of Solana Beach, California, has raised $8,700 for conservation of rhinos, elephants, pangolins, gorillas and polar bears by giving
Extinction Is Forever Josie Martin
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ith the help of her mother, Jill, Josie Martin dedicated her 9th birthday to the conservation of rhinos with a fundraiser. This marks the fifth time Josie has chosen to actively support an animal she loves to paint for her birthday month. She raises money for the animal and creates awareness about climate change and the resulting possibility of their extinctions. Donors received signed and numbered copies of watercolor paintings in her Extinction Is Forever series. The young artist’s fundraisers provide well-researched information on animals and the issues they face. With an upbeat message and a photo of her joyful smile, Josie requests that donors provide their email address so that she and her mom can keep them updated. She works to improve her skills as an artist and sets a modestly higher goal for the number of donors and amount of funds to raise each year. She believes her events are a small thing that she can do for a big world and wants to help ensure that animals do not go extinct in her lifetime.
View the artist’s latest fundraiser at Donate.GorillaFund.org/ Fundraiser/2458766. April 2020
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Getting Started Climate Action Opportunities
Fridays For Future – This is a global movement sparked by Greta Thunberg, with a map for climate strikes around the world (FridaysFor Future.org).
The United Nations – Consider supporting several campaigns for climate change with grassroots strategies, including Climate Neutral Now, ACT Now and Good Life Goals (UN.org). Moms Clean Air Force – Parents protecting children from climate-driven pollution, offering strategies to get kids involved (MomsCleanAirForce.org). Earth Hour 2020 – Read about the
global effort to dramatize environmental concerns that occurred on March 28 when lights were turned off for an hour around the world (EarthHour.org).
Panda Ambassadors – World Wildlife Fund engages activists of all ages with a toolkit and inspirational stories (WorldWildlife.org).
Plant a Billion Trees – Join in the
massive reforestation project by supporting the Nature Conservancy and planting trees (Nature.org).
Polar Bears International –
Get involved and inspired through creative projects for polar bears (PolarBearsInternational.org).
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It’s important that everyone feel they can contribute because everything does make a difference, and no action is too small. ~Catherine Macdonald watercolor paintings to those that donate to charities through her PayPal Giving page at Chuffed.org/project/peace-lovehope-for-rhinos. “Each year, I think I’m getting a little bit better at creating art which sends a strong message,” she says. “The message I try to express is that some of our best-known wild animals might in my lifetime no longer be on the planet. I think the difference I make through art is that I am helping to raise awareness for important animal conservation work.”
Every Action Counts
There’s no one solution to climate change, says Catherine Macdonald, TNC director of natural climate solutions for North America. “We really have to try, all of us. It’s important that everyone feel they can contribute, because everything does make a difference, and no action is too small.” For those that are not art-inclined, one of the best things people can do is to plant trees, Macdonald says, whether it’s replanting forests or increasing their numbers in urban areas. According to a 2018 study by TNC published in Science Advances, nature-driven land management could sequester 21 percent of America’s annual greenhouse gas pollution—the equivalent of emissions from all cars and trucks on the roads today. Planting trees
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emerged in the study as the most significant among 21 strategies to mitigate global warming. One good way to get started is join the TNC Plant a Billion Trees program, Macdonald says; details are at Tinyurl.com/TNCPlantABillionTrees. “Climate change is definitely a growing concern that we are facing, and as more people understand there is a problem and what the solutions are, the more influence we can have on the big decision-makers, whether that’s government or corporations that make our products,” she says. “And being aware informs voters to advance climate action.” While Josie, Ember, Azalea and the students at Daina-Isard aren’t old enough to vote, their message is strong. “I’m worried about the impact climate change will have on our future,” Josie says. “I think people should protest peacefully for the things they believe in and that more people should exercise their right to vote for leaders who care about the youth in our world and the generations to come. I also think people should try to spend a little bit of their time taking action for what they want to see changed in our world.” Julie Marshall is a Colorado-based writer and author of Making Burros Fly: Cleveland Amory, Animal Rescue Pioneer. Connect with her at FlyingBurros@gmail.com.
Activism is a way of letting people know what’s happening.
green living
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I want you to act as if the house is on fire, because it is. ~Greta Thunberg 2019 World Economic Forum
Climate Warriors Unite A Call to Action
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by Sandra Yeyati
n November 2018, one of the worst fires in California history overtook the town of Paradise and surrounding communities, killing 88 people and destroying more than 18,000 buildings. Alexandria Villaseñor, who was visiting family 100 miles away in her hometown of Davis, experienced the suffocating effects of the smoke: Every breath was difficult for the asthmatic teen who is now 14 and lives in New York City. The fire changed Villaseñor’s life. “I was very upset, and I wanted to understand why these fires were happening,” she says. “I started to research climate change and wildfires, and began to see the scientific connection between the two.” Awakened by personal concerns and ignited by emerging role models, activists of all ages are learning how to become effective climate warriors. Watching Greta Thunberg speak soon after the California disaster to world leaders at COP 24, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poland, empowered Villaseñor to take to the streets and protest. “Greta gave permission to students all around the world to make their voices heard,” she says of the Swedish teenager whose school strike initiative—Fridays for Future—has become a worldwide phenomenon. On December 14, 2018, Villaseñor began her own Friday vigils outside the U.N.—sometimes alone, other times with friends she’s inspired to take action; she also helped organize the 2019 Global Climate Strike in New York City, attended by more than 300,000 people, and founded Earth Uprising, a nonprofit global youth movement. She’s one of 16 youngsters, along with Thunberg, that filed a legal complaint with the U.N. demanding that France, Germany, Brazil, Argentina and Turkey curb their carbon emissions. “There are so many ways that young people can get involved,” says Villaseñor. “They can give presentations about climate change
~Dianne Rhodes in their classes and communities. Go out with a sign and protest, or lobby politicians. Have clear demands of what you want your city or town to do. I’ve seen local action influence action nationally and internationally.” Dianne Rhodes, 76, of Saskatoon, Canada, began her activism in 2006 after seeing Al Gore’s documentary An Inconvenient Truth. “It was shocking what we were doing to the environment, our home, our planet. It hit me like a freight train, and I saw the urgency,” she says. Rhodes trained with Gore, enabling herself to give up-todate, truthful and science-based slide presentations. Her talks vary in subject and audience, from composting instructions for a group of pre-K kids to in-depth climate science for business professionals. “Activism is a way of letting people know what’s happening. It’s so important to get that awareness, to give people hope and then to show them how they can make a difference,” she explains. Rhodes recommends both grassroots and “grass-top” action, including protest marches, working directly with city planners and changing personal behavior and choices at home. She’s excited about a new initiative in Canada: “We’re doing town hall meetings all across the country based on the Green New Deal … where people talk about how to get a city’s carbon emissions down—what we can do in our neighborhoods, and how we can go after our city governments to get them behind this as fast as possible.” Solemi Hernandez, 41, a Venezuelan immigrant raising two sons in Naples, Florida, quit her job and took out a loan so she could dedicate all her time to environmental activism. “Ecosystems are about to collapse and we don’t know the exact tipping point. I don’t see a healthy future for my kids,” she says. One month after her dramatic decision, the Citizens Climate Lobby hired her to become its southeast regional coordinator. “We’re going to create and elect new decision-makers instead of trying to change those leaders that are not representing us.” In 2019, Hernandez attended COP 25 in Spain and saw Thunberg up close speaking to thousands of cheering activists. “Greta is an inspiration, but it’s not on her shoulders to solve the issues,” she says. “It’s on us to organize in our communities, see what can we do personally and not look to her to be the savior. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” Sandra Yeyati is a contributor to Natural Awakenings and past president of the Naples, Florida, Press Club. Connect at SandraYeyati@ gmail.com. April 2020
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~Bridget Saraka
Ali English, owner of Eldrum Interiors, in Lincolnshire, England, concurs, “We all need a safe holt to return to, that space where we can be utterly ourselves, utterly at peace.”
have a placement that makes your head feel calm is really important,” says English. Feng shui—the ancient Chinese system of creating harmony in personal and professional spaces—prioritizes color psychology. “More times than I can count, I’ve had clients report loss of motivation after painting their homes taupe. They’ve also reported weight gain and digestive disorders,” says Saraka. “It’s best to use colors that reflect light, especially for homes in locations where winter is long and days are short.” Disruptive clutter is another key player in eliciting discontent, especially for children that are sensitive to environmental stimulus. “A space that is cluttered can cause emotional distress, resulting in less-than-desirable behaviors,” says Saraka. “Something as simple as the lines of the furniture can feel sharp, creating anxiety. It all matters.”
Sanctuary and Mental Health
Cultivating Comfort
A Home That Heals Creating a Nurturing Space
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by Marlaina Donato
ome, whether a humble studio apartment or a dream house, is a critical facet of well-being, a spiritual headquarters from which good health springs. Everyone in the family, including two- and four-legged children, can benefit from an environment that feels like a sacred space. Creating nourishing corners, along with more open areas that feed the senses and a system of functional ease, can be a deep and rewarding act of self-care. “Our home is by far one of the most significant investments we’ll ever make. Our spaces are not meant to be stagnant, but to evolve through each stage of our lives,” says feng shui expert Bridget Saraka, of Saskatoon, Canada.
Investing in harmony does not require a high price tag. “It’s important to have a mental vision of what this means, and for me, there are three major components: peace, order and beauty,” says Texas-based designer Rachel Anne Ridge, who blogs at HomeSanctuary.com. Like water and wind, harmony within the home should also flow. “Listening to the energies in your home and taking the time to move furniture around until you
Soul-inspiring visuals, satisfying textures and natural, delightful scents are all desirable domestic companions. A small, ambient lamp in a bathroom or a spring-colored sheer in a window can invite the benediction of light. “Step outside the room and then come back in as a guest,” suggests Ridge. “What do you notice with your newcomer’s eyes? What does the room feel like? What smells are you aware of? Do you need to move a cat litter box to another area of the house?
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Our spaces are not meant to be stagnant, but to evolve through each stage of our lives.
healing ways
Would an area rug soften the hard sounds of foot traffic? Pause on each of your senses and make notes.”
Bringing the Outdoors In
Incorporating organic elements can boost the vitality of any living space. “House plants are a wonderful way to bring the green world into our homes. Go for organic ones if possible, and if you’re worried you may forget to water them, consider plants like scented leaf pelargoniums; for example, Royal Oak. They thrive on neglect and can also provide some wonderful room fragrances,” says English. She also suggests including natural or quality faux branches and blooms in the home as ways of decorating—berries to provide splashes of rich orange, pine cones dabbed with metallic paint, or even long stems of ivy leaves twisted into garlands. Having live plants in the home also benefits physical health. “Adding a few real plants to a space can help reduce environmental toxins found in paints and manmade products, as well as electromagnetic frequencies—by-products of electronics.” Ridge concurs, “Cacti can be a charming alternative for those of us who don’t have a green thumb, but still want to enjoy a living plant indoors.” In the end, a place of sanctuary comes from a place of love. English sums it up best: “If you pour that sense of love into your home, you will, over time, find that mirrored back at you, and you’ll feel it whenever you go through your front door.” Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
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HEALTHY HOME, HEALTHY KIDS How to Keep Them Safe
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by Ronica O’Hara
healthy home for kids looks much like what’s needed for a healthy planet: clean air, clean water and clean food, all of which create a space in which our children can be well and thrive. This means taking active steps to eliminate everyday contaminants that can harm their developing organs and brains. “Children are not mini-adults. Their bodies cannot filter out toxins and chemicals as effectively as a full-
grown adult body can,” says Kimberly Button, author of The Everything Guide to a Healthy Home: All You Need to Know to Protect You and Your Family from Hidden Dangers. Here are some practical steps to take.
Clean Air
Clean “green”. The chemicals in popular disinfectants alter children’s gut microbes and heavy use leads to
Get rid of mold. Mold, especially if it’s black, is highly toxic to children: a Polish study found it lowered IQs in children under 6. “When the mycotoxins in mold affect children’s developing nervous systems we may see fatigue, difficulty learning, and attention issues,” says naturopath Jill Crista of Janesville, Wisconsin, author of Break The Mold: 5 Tools to Conquer Mold and Take Back Your Health. She recommends mixing in a glass (not plastic) spray bottle essential oils, such as rosemary, holy basil, tea tree or eucalyptus, spraying the mold, and using a disposable cloth to wipe it off. The essential oils “not only kill mold, but neutralize the toxins,” she says. “It won’t fix mold on porous surfaces, which require professional remediation.” Ban smoking. Children that breathe secondhand smoke are more prone to ear infections, coughs and colds, tooth decay and respiratory problems like asthma and pneumonia, and they miss more days of school, reports the American Academy of Pediatrics. Even smoke residue that clings to clothes, furniture, bedding and other surfaces can harm a child when this third-hand smoke is inhaled, absorbed or ingested.
Clean Water
Get a water test. Because children drink more water per pound than adults, even low levels of contaminants can impact their IQ and behavior. Check with the local health department to see if it offers free test kits, buy one at a hardware store or find a local lab by calling the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791. Purify it. Several types of water purification systems, including tap-mounted, 22
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higher body mass index by age 3, reports Canadian researchers; eco-friendly cleaning agents do not harm kids’ health, they found. A solution of one part white vinegar to three parts water can be used to clean counters, floors and toilets. The acetic acid in vinegar can deactivate even the flu and tuberculosis viruses, recent studies have shown.
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under-sink and pitchers, are effective and affordable, ranging from $20 to $300. Seek filters certified by the National Sanitation Foundation testing agency that address contaminants identified by the water test.
inspiration
Clean Food
Buy organic when possible. “Swapping to mostly organic foods is a good way to reduce your child’s daily toxic burden and reduce their risk of developing gut issues, autoimmune diseases, and food sensitivities and allergies,” says Caitlin Self, a licensed dietitian and functional nutritionist in Baltimore who blogs at FrugalNutrition.com. Using the list of the Dirty Dozen pesticide-laden produce compiled by the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org/foodnews) as well as its recommended Clean 15 makes shopping organic easier. Clean produce of pesticides. Simply rinsing produce under cold water for 30 seconds reduces pesticide residues for nine of 12 pesticides, a study by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station found. Saltwater or vinegar rinses also remove pesticides effectively, and in a recent Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry study, soaking apples in one ounce of baking soda to 100 ounces of water for 15 minutes removed 80 and 96 percent of two pesticides, respectively, even under the skin of the fruit. Stock up on healthy snacks. Afterschool munchies are not only natural, but healthy. “Kids’ little tummies tend to need more frequent feedings than fully formed adults to ensure they have stable blood sugar,” says Self. Rather than highly processed crackers, pudding and most granola bars, offer combos like grapes with cheese, celery with peanut butter or hummus on whole-wheat bread. “Some parents will need to rely on some more packaged snacks to get through,” says Self, who recommends trail mix, fresh fruit or crispy chickpeas. Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.
MAKING LUCK
An Intentional Path to Good Fortune
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by Carol Kline
y its very definition, luck is random, capricious and based on chance rather than our own actions. Yet there is reason to believe that might not be the whole story—that living a charmed life and being lucky both in love and a chosen field is within our control. Recent research in the field of positive psychology and the experiences of consistently lucky people show that we can, and in fact already do make our own luck. Although there will always be an element of chance to luck—both good and bad—we have more influence over the events in our lives than we realize. This means a great deal of our luck can be changed, and quickly, with a little conscious attention. The first step is changing our ideas about how luck works. Stanford University professor and luck expert Tina Seelig, Ph.D., explains that the key is “understanding that luck is rarely a lightning strike— isolated and dramatic—but a wind that blows constantly… You need to build a sail made up of certain tiny behaviors to catch the winds of luck.” Here are a few ideas and ways for us to get started in raising our sails and harnessing the winds of luck.
Believe it’s possible and commit to being lucky. This is called mindset.
It may seem simplistic, but studies clearly show that people that believe they are lucky are more open to and aware of the opportunities that come their way and act upon them, which leads to a larger number of positive outcomes.
Become aware of our own negative conditioning about luck. Most of
us have decided on an unconscious level how lucky we deserve to be. To turn our luck around often requires “lifting curses”; rooting out those limiting beliefs we’ve acquired along the way that become selffulfilling prophecies.
Take bold action consistently.
Think of action as a cosmic lottery ticket. The more actions we take, the more chances we have to win. To turbocharge this step, we must get out of our comfort zone; meet new people, change our daily routine and do things that stretch us. Fortune favors the bold.
Learn to listen to inner mental, emotional and physical promptings.
Being true to our deepest values, priorities and intuitions, and staying centered in our bodies while we move through space, are the keys to being in the right place at the right time, a common definition of luck. When we focus on the elements of luck that are within our control, chance becomes less important. Begin today and watch good fortune blossom. Carol Kline is a New York Times bestselling author and the co-author of Happy for No Reason, Love for No Reason, five books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and the upcoming Conscious Luck: Eight Secrets to Intentionally Change Your Fortune, with Gay Hendricks. April 2020
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such as lameness due to injuries, arthritis and paralysis, and also finds it helpful for allergies, immune system problems and digestive issues. A 2016 review of veterinary acupuncture clinical trials published in the American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine concluded that it was safe and effective in treating a wide range of medical conditions like canine hip dysplasia, pain from osteoarthritis and surgery, intervertebral disc disease, seizure disorders, vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiac and respiratory problems, and depression and anxiety.
The Many Methods
ACUPUNCTURE FOR ANIMALS Needles Work Wonders on Pets
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by Julie Peterson
eedles make most pet parents cringe, but those used for acupuncture don’t hurt animals, they help. They are what traditional Chinese veterinary medicine has used for thousands of years to enhance blood circulation, balance the nervous system and promote release of pain-relieving hormones in animals ranging from rabbits to horses. “It’s a holistic approach that pinpoints the issues, unlike medicines that must go through the entire body,” says C.J. Schnier, coach for the University of Wisconsin women’s polo team. The five thoroughbreds and a quarter horse on her Verona, Wisconsin, farm have a standing appointment every three weeks with a veterinarian that performs acupuncture for their injuries, arthritis, colic and immune systems. Since the founding of the Boulder, Colorado-based International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 1974, the number of certified animal acupuncturists has grown from 80 to about 1,800, making the specialty more accessible worldwide.
Treating the Ark
Beyond the usual four-legged friends, acupuncture helps animals such as reptiles, rabbits and livestock as a complement to Western medicine or other body work to alleviate pain and speed recovery. “All animals can have acupuncture,” says veterinarian Carol Jean Tillman, of the Animal Kingdom Veterinary Hospital, in Las Vegas. She uses acupuncture for dogs and cats with musculoskeletal conditions 24
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Dry needle acupuncture is what most people recognize—the use of thin, solid, metallic needles inserted into specific meridian acupoints on a body. There is also aquapuncture, that involves injection of a liquid, such as diluted vitamin B12, into an acupoint to relieve muscle pain and discomfort. Moxibustion is a technique used for joint stiffness or allergies in which a heated Chinese herbal compound is applied to or held over acupoints. Electrostimulation, sending an electrical current through pairs of inserted needles, takes less time and creates longer-lasting effects. “Electrostimulation is very effective for treating neurological conditions such as radial nerve paralysis, facial nerve paralysis, disc disease and any condition that requires strong stimulation,” says veterinarian Bernadette Aleksey, at the Adorable Pets Veterinary Center, in Haddam, Connecticut. She regularly treats dogs, cats and horses for arthritis, neck and back pain, as well as neurological and gastrointestinal problems. Results similar to acupuncture can be obtained without using needles. Acupressure using hands, cupping therapy using special cups or cool laser stimulation using low levels of light can stimulate hard-to-reach acupoints or work for animals that are too restless for needles. “Depending on the severity of the condition, acupuncture treatment could be recommended daily for several days, then spaced out to every week, then as-needed or once a month,” says Tillman. Precise placement of tiny needles into an ailing dog or a massive horse seems fraught with risk, but the animals only need to be gently restrained and plied with treats during the first treatment. They generally relax quietly for subsequent treatments. Even Sienna, Schnier’s typically reactive thoroughbred mare, stands still for acupuncture around a swollen eye. “She knows it’s being done to help her,” Schnier says. And her 17-year-old cat held still for tiny needles placed in the sinus areas that helped it breathe better. In a clinical setting, pets may be more apprehensive, but there are workarounds such as lasers or aquapuncture. “We provide a relaxing environment. The lighting is dimmed, we play relaxing music and treats are encouraged,” says Aleksey. Pet parents can search for a certified veterinary acupuncturist at ivas.org/vets. Julie Peterson writes about pets, health and environmental issues. Connect at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.
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April 2020
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calendar of events
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
NOTE: Events were accurate at the time the magazine went to press – please call ahead to check for date or time changes. All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review submissions guidelines at NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com or email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com for more information.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 Forest Bathing – 6:30-7:30pm. Hosted by East End Food Co-op and Cloud Gate Pittsburgh. Learn the benefits of spending time in a forest, intentional breathing. Free. East End Food Co-op, 7516 Meade St. 412-242-3598. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.
Herbal Infusion Workshop – 1-2pm. Make infused oil for skincare, learn about a small selection of herbs and their uses. $25 apothecarymuse.com. Apothecary Muse, 6732 Reynolds St. Registration required: Owner@Apothecrymuse.com.
Sushi Making Class – 6-10pm. Learn to make sushi, dumpling soup, spring and egg rolls at Gaynor’s School of Cooking. $99. 309 E Carson St. Register: App.GetOccasion.com. Aromatherapy Basics – 10am-1pm. Three-hour seminar giving the knowledge to teach introductory aromatherapy. Covers 39 essential oils, their uses and contraindications. 3 CE hours from NCBTTMB. Receive $225 in materials, Natural Options Guide Book (additional 4 hours of material, 107 formulas) newsletter and ongoing 40% off purchases. Facilitated by Natural Options Aromatherapy. $195. Dr. Lillian Ronzio School of Holistic Health, 275 Pleasant Valley Rd, Connellsville. 724-603-2444. Register: RonzionSchool.com. Winter Indoor Farmers Market – 11am-3pm. Hosted by The Marketplace at Emerald Valley and Emerald Valley Artisans. Get to know your local farmers and producers. 145 S Main St, Washington, PA. 855-674-6826. Cows@EmeraldValleyArtisans.com. Pittsburgh Opera – Free Brownbag Concert – Noon. Doors open at 11:30am. You bring the snacks; they bring the entertainment at Pittsburgh Opera HQ. Pittsburghers and visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy free, intimate noontime concerts. Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists perform some of Opera’s most popular arias, as well as a mix of Broadway, musical theater, and other surprises. 2425 Liberty Ave. 412-281-0912.
MONDAY, APRIL 6 Sonic Monday Meditation: Shamanic Journey – 7-8pm. Full Moon – Shamanic Journey for the Modern World. Easy to access Kundalini yoga breathwork and movement. $5. Sacred Centered
TUESDAY, APRIL 14 You, 304 Third St, California, PA. SacredCenteredYou.com. Year-Long Ongoing Meditation Workshop – 7-8pm. First Mon. Enrich your meditation, Gayatri Mantra. Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh, 300 Beverly Rd. 412-344-7434. Info@HipYoga.org.
TUESDAY, APRIL 7 A Meal that Matters – 6-7pm. Complimentary dinner and honest discussion about health and healing at Café Notte with Dr. Dan Turo of Turo Family Chiropractic. Café Note, 8070 Ohio River Blvd. RSVP: Lisa: 412-369-0400 or Lisa@TuroFamilyChiropractic.com. Sacred Centered Drum Circle – 7-8pm. Radiate, mediate, congregate. A new tradition for the full moon. Bring your own drum or borrow one of ours. Release what doesn’t serve you and move forward. $5. Sacred Centered You, 304 Third St, California, PA. SacredCenteredYou.com.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 Women’s Circle and Meditation – 6pm. 2nd Wed. Improve by tuning into the natural cycle, thru herbs, foods, self-nourishment. $8. No pre-registration. Youghiogheny Holistic Living, 144 N 3rd St, Connellsville. Gathering Within the Seasons – 6-7pm. 2nd Wed. Hosted by Youghiogheny Holistic Living. Join Emily to learn and share within the ever-changing seasons. Improve your life by tuning in to the natural cycles, through herbs, foods, and daily self-nourishment. $8. 144 N 3rd St, Connellsville. 724-707-4338. yhlRiverWellness@gmail.com. Understanding Your Karmic Life Path: Intro to the Book of Destiny – 6:30-7:30pm. The origin of the 52-card deck of playing cards as an ancient calendar system. Learn your birth card and its meaning. $10. Sacred Centered You, 304 Third St, California, PA. SacredCenteredYou.com.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10 Salty Vibrations: Sound Healing Meditation – 4-5pm. Hosted by Sacred Centered You. Double the healing benefits of combined halotherapy and sound healing with crystal bowls and chimes. $45. Salt of the Earth, 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray. 724-260-0472.
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Forest Playschool – 1-3pm. Hosted by Sunflower Family Foundation, Inc. Free event for children ages 2-12 and parents. Explore the forest together in a collaborative project, and play. East Park, E Park Dr, Connellsville. 724-628-2020.
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
THURSDAY, APRIL 2
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Thai Yoga Bodywork and Restore – 12:30-2pm. Premier event – enjoy multiple restorative and yin yoga postures and bodywork sessions that combine acupressure and yoga. $45. Red Brick Yoga, 143 Hartman Rd, Ste 8, Greensburg. 724-454-1103. Tickets: WellnessLiving.com.
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The Art of Healing: Reiki, Crystals, Oils and Meditation – 6-7pm. Reiki with Tracy Campell and Well Oiled delve into world energy work, reiki, healing crystals, meditation and more. $30. Well Oiled, 1414 Potomac Ave. 412-531-6457. Balance and How it Impacts Your Life – 6:308pm. Learn how you can improve your balance. Hosted by YWCA Westmoreland County. Call to register one week prior to event: 724-834-9390 424 N Main St, Greensburg. Info@ywcawestmoreland.org.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 Zero-Waste Shopping Demo – 6:30-7:30pm. Reap financial and environmental rewards. Embrace habits that eliminate single-use plastic; build a zero-waste shopping kit. Food prep with Co-op bulk items following demo. Free. East End Food Co-op, 7516 Meade St. 412-242-3598. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.
FRIDAY, APRIL 17 In Bed by Ten: Grow Pittsburgh Fundraiser – 6-9pm. Hosted by In Bed by Ten Dance Party. Spring onto that dance floor for the good folks at Grow Pittsburg, an urban agriculture nonprofit. 21 and older. $10/cash at the door. Come early for Straub beer and pizza specials. Spirit, 242 51st St. 412-586-4441. Info@spiritpgh.com.
SATURDAY, APRIL 18 SOKO Community Market – 11am-3pm. 3rd Sat. Sponsored by the Hill District Community Development Corp. The Swahili word for market is Soko. Find locally grown fresh produce, organic products, local small business vendors and local artists. Vendors wanted. 412-765-1820. HillDistrict. org/SOKOmarket. Yin, Slow-Flow and Restorative for Low Back – 5:30-7:30pm. Cultivate stability, alignment, and softness in the low back with thoughtful movement, breath and awareness. $35. One Point One Yoga, 4929 Penn Ave. 412-256-8072. Tickets: Clients. MindBodyOnline.com. Enchanted Creature Ball: Into the Woods – Pittsburgh – 7pm. Hosted by 3rd Street Belly Dance. Formal event, come dressed as an enchanted creature in formal wear. (Encouraged, not required)
Physicians and expert speakers, workshops, cooking demonstrations, food tasting, local resources. $40. Triveni Event Center, 275 Center Rd, Monroeville. 412-702-0004. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.
21 and up. Cash bar, limited space. $55, $75/VIP (67pm). Reserved table, live music, champagne toast, exquisite hor d’ oeuvres. 205 Mary St, Carnegie. Tickets: EnchantedCreatureBall.Ticketspice.com.
Second Annual World Healing Day: One World, One Breath – 10am-3pm. Fundraiser for Brain Injury Association of PA in honor of the late Nick Redding. World Tai Chi & Qigong Day is celebrated in cities on six continents. Energy healing, crystals and stones, CBD, naturopathy, nutrition, holistic living, yoga, astrology, much more. Held in downtown California, PA. 412-258-0766. Info: SacredCenteredYou.com.
SUNDAY, APRIL 19 Seventh Annual Mother of All Pottery Sales – 10am-5pm. Hosted by Union Project. Free familyfriendly event celebrating all things clay. Hands-on activities and live demonstrations. 801 N Negley Ave. 412-363-4550. Info@UnionProject.org.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 Salt Cave Crystal Bowl Sound Bath Meditation – 6:30-7:30pm. With Brook Smokelin. Hosted by Chakra Yoga Healing and two others. Guided meditation followed by Vibrational Sound. Salt of the Earth, 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray. 724260-0472. LisaMascara@gmail.com. Journey into the Earth Guided Meditation – 7-8pm. Earth Day meditation into the lower worlds of the earth. Spoken word and instrumental healing meditation. $20. Sacred Centered You, 304 Third St, California, PA. SacredCenteredYou.com. Introducing Healy: State-of-the-Art Wearable Fitness & Wellbeing Device –7:30pm. Hosted by Method Aesthetics & Wellness, presented by international holistic aesthetics and healing certified expert Katalin Reimann. Your revolutionary holistic solution to health, well-being and balance. RSVP: 412-246-9717 or text: 412-888-0091. 10521 Perry Hwy, Ste 210, Wexford.
THURSDAY, APRIL 23 Make and Take: Spring Pasta Salad – Noon-1pm. Stop by for lunch, learn how to prepare a budget
friendly meal, get a taste of your creation, leave with everything you need to fix the dish at home. Bring a reusable container. $5. East End Food Co-op. 7516 Meade St. 412-242-3598. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24 Pasta from Scratch – 6-10pm. Make and sample fresh pasta and sauces like cream and mushroom, tomato basil, and roasted butternut squash. $99. Gaynor’s School of Cooking, 309 E Carson St. Register: App.GetOccasion.com.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25 Tree Giveaway with Tree Pittsburgh – 9-11am. Hosted by Baldwin Borough Public Library and Tree Pittsburgh. Register for a tree by visiting TreePittsburgh.org/giveaway. Species not guaranteed. Baldwin Borough Public Library, 5230 Wolfe Dr. 412-885-2255. Plant-Centered Eating Made Simple – Your Ticket to Health – Hosted by Plant-Based Pittsburgh.
TUESDAY, APRIL 28 The Salty Core in the Cave – 7-7:50pm. 4th Tue. Hosted by Salt of the Earth and Valleybrook Pilates and Fitness. Pilates in the cave to lengthen and expand muscles for a leaner, stronger you. Salt of the Earth, 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray. 724260-0472. LisaMascara@gmail.com. Recipe Swap: Vegetarian Edition – 7-8pm. Bring a prepared vegetarian dish and recipe card. Potluckstyle opportunity to meet new people, eat yummy food, share your joy of cooking. Bring your own plate and left-over container. Drinks provided. Free. East End Food Co-op, 7516 Meade St. 412-2423598. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.
THURSDAY, APRIL 30 Build it! Building Raised Garden Beds Workshop – 6-7pm. Learn how to build long-lasting raised garden bed, leave with plans for compost sifter and bin. Members/free, $10/nonmembers. Grow Pittsburgh Garden Resource Center, 147 Putnam St. 412-362-4769. Register: Eventbrite.com.
April 2020
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ongoing events NOTE: All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review submissions guidelines at NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com or email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com for more information.
sunday Sunday Spiritual Experience – 10:30-11:30am. Hosted by Center for Spiritual Living Greater Pittsburgh. Joyful music, guided meditation, and spiritual living message in a loving, supportive atmosphere. 101 W Main St, Carnegie. 412-2948275. CSLGreaterPitt@gmail.com. Cooking Class by Thai Me Up – Thru Apr. 1-2:30pm & 3-4:30pm. Learn new skills in making home-style Thai foods with Chef Piyo and Chef Wasana April: Thai vegetarian/vegan foods and tofu. $40/person. 118 S 23rd St, Pittsburgh. Register: Thai Me Up or 412-488-8893. Metaphysical Monthly Meet and Greet Potluck – 4-6pm. A monthly casual, friendly and welcoming opportunity to surround yourself with like-minded friends. The shop is closed and that is when the fun begins. Bring something to eat or drink. Free. Well Oiled, 1414 Potomac Ave. 412-531-6457. WellOiledMom@yahoo.com.
monday Mindful Mondays: VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System – 9am. Hosted by the Veterans Administration. University Dr. Join the VA’s whole health facilitators once a week for mindfulness. Call every Monday (except federal holidays) at 9am to transform your day with a little dose of self-connection to bring balance to body, mind, spirit. Feel an inner calm and harmony. 1-844-376-0278, access code: 685412322. All Levels Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Breathe, pause and make space during this energizing yoga session aimed to start your week off well. Weekly rotation of YogaMotif teachers. Steep your practice in the movement and meditation of raja yoga. $12. YogaMotif, 124 S Highland Ave. Tickets: YogaMotif.com. Let’s Get Cooking! – 3:30-4:30pm. Hosted by ConnectedHealth, LLC. Join each week for a fun, free, interactive cooking demonstration. Dietitian Lauri Lang crafts healthy and delicious recipes with a holistic philosophy and personalized custom focus. 12620 Perry Hwy, Wexford. 724-933-4300. Year-Long Ongoing Meditation Workshop – 7-8pm. First Mon. Enrich your meditation, Gayatri Mantra. Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh, 300 Beverly Rd. 412-344-7434. Info@HipYoga.org.
tuesday Flenniken Robotics and Engineering Club – 5:30-7:30pm. 4th Tue. Open to ages 10-16. Learn the fundamentals of EV3 Robot construction and basic engineering skills. Light snack provided. Free club. Flenniken Public Library, 102 E George St, Carmichaels. Register: 724-966-6263. Chakra Activation Yoga Class – 7-8:30pm. Hosted by Chakra Yoga Healing. A unique fusion of classic ‘static’ hatha asanas and rhythmic “dynamic” kundalini kriyas, chakra activation yoga
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explores the physical, metaphysical, emotional, psychological, energetic, and vibrational elements of each of the seven major chakra-energy centers. $10. Mookshi Healing Arts Center, 702 S Trenton Ave. 412-407-7829. Wellness@Mookshi.com. Guided Meditation with Reiki – 7-7:50pm. 3rd Tue. Guided meditation leading to deep inner awareness and peace where healing can occur. Salt of the Earth, 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray. 724-2600472. LisaMascara@gmail.com. The Salty Core in the Cave – Thru Dec. 7-7:50pm. 4th Tue. Hosted by Salt of the Earth and Valleybrook Pilates and Fitness. Pilates in the cave to lengthen and expand muscles for a leaner, stronger you. Salt of the Earth, 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray. 724260-0472. LisaMascara@gmail.com.
wednesday Women’s Circle and Meditation – Thru Jun 10. 6pm. 2nd Wed. Improve by tuning into the natural cycle, thru herbs, foods, self-nourishment. $8. No pre-registration. Youghiogheny Holistic Living, 144 N 3rd St, Connellsville. Gathering Within the Seasons – 6-7pm. 2nd Wed. Hosted by Youghiogheny Holistic Living. Join Emily to learn and share within the ever-changing seasons. Improve your life by tuning in to the natural cycles, through herbs, foods, and daily self-nourishment. $8. 144 N 3rd St, Connellsville. 724-707-4338. yhlRiverWellness@gmail.com. Women of Color (WOC) Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Hosted by YOGAMOTIF. WOC Yoga is a safe space for self-identified women, femmes and girls of color. Children welcome. Take up space during this joy-filled yoga practice centered in breath, movement and meditation. Surround yourself with a healing spirit to reenergize your week. $12. 124 S Highland Ave. Tickets: YogaMotif.com.
thursday Restorative Yoga and Nidra – 7-8pm. 2nd Thur. Restorative yoga in the salt cave is practiced lying on a mat. Known as yogic sleep, nidra induces total physical, mental and emotional relaxation. Bring a mat. Salt of the Earth. 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray. 724-260-0472. LisaMascara@gmail.com. Belly Dance: Magical Motion – 7-8pm. With Dréa Kremposky. Low-impact, natural, body mechanics. Strengthen and tone your core. All ages and abilities welcome. Dress comfortably for movement. $10/ class or $35/four sessions. The Phoenix Arts Center, 13 Pittsburgh St, Uniontown. RSVP: 724-984-3926. DremariHolisticWellness.net. Evening Yoga in the Garden – 7-8pm. Join Jessy Coffman and Heidi Sherwin for an all-levels vinyasa flow class. Breathing techniques, relaxation, strength and relaxation techniques. All ages. Bring yoga mat. $12/members, $15/non-members. West Virginia Botanic Gardens, 1061 Tyrone Rd, Morgantown, WV. Tickets: Forms.DonorSnap.com. Info@wvbg.org. 304-322-2093.
NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com
friday Morning Yoga in the Garden – 9-10am. Join yoga instructor Heidi Sherwin to connect with nature. All skill levels and ages are welcome. Bring a yoga mat, water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a small towel. $15/ class, $50/series for members, $65/nonmembers. West Virginia Botanic Garden, 1061 Tyrone Rd, Morgantown, WV. 304-322-2093. Register: wvbg. org/programs/events/. Good Fridays at the Andy Warhol Museum – 5-10pm. For a more social experience the museum is open until 10pm Fridays with half-price museum admission and a cash bar. 117 Sandusky St. 412-237-8300. Information@Warhol.org. Tickets: Warhol.org.
saturday Farmers’ Market Cooperative of East Liberty – 5am-noon. Permanent, year-round. The oldest continuously operating market in western PA, since 1941. Owned by a group of farmers plus vendors selling bedding plants, produce, baked goods etc. 344 N Sheridan Ave. 412-661-4414. Walk with a Doc – Thru Oct. 8:30-9:30am. Hosted by Gentile Family Direct Primary Care. Meet at Highland Park, 1462 N Highland Ave. Info: WalkWithADoc.org/our-locations/Pittsburgh. SOKO Community Market – 11am-3pm. 3rd Sat. Sponsored by the Hill District Community Development Corp. The Swahili word for market is Soko. Find locally grown fresh produce, organic products, local small business vendors and local artists. Vendors wanted. 412-765-1820. HillDistrict. org/SOKOmarket. Winter Indoor Farmers Market – Thru Apr. 11am-3pm. 1st Sat. Hosted by The Marketplace at Emerald Valley and Emerald Valley Artisans. Get to know your local farmers and producers. 145 S Main St, Washington, PA. 855-674-6826. Cows@ EmeraldValleyArtisans.com. Breathe Easy Salted Meditation – 11:15am-noon. 3rd Sat. Breathe a sigh of relief in the Crystalline Cave through guided meditation with Kelly, of Pittsburgh Photon Studio. $25. Sterling Yoga, 393 Vanadium Rd, Ste 201. 412-260-0533. Tickets: SterlingYoga.com. Pittsburgh Opera – Free Brownbag Concert – Noon. Apr 4. Doors open at 11:30am. You bring the snacks; they bring the entertainment at Pittsburgh Opera HQ. Pittsburghers and visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy free, intimate noontime concerts. Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists perform some of Opera’s most popular arias, as well as a mix of Broadway, musical theater, and other surprises. 2425 Liberty Ave. 412-281-0912. Saturday Self-Care PEMF – 2-5pm. Hosted by Well Oiled and The Wave PEMF, LLC. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) sessions are a safe, nonsurgical way to manage pain and speed healing without drugs or side effects for humans, dogs, small animals, and horses. Used to treat inflammation, arthritis, wounds, and some types of pain and discomfort. 25-minute sessions. $65/session, $150/three sessions. Facility is handicap friendly, willing to work with reactive dogs. Well Oiled, 1414 Potomac Ave. Appt: 724-318-2882.
community resource guide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our Pittsburgh community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com to request our media kit.
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES
305 Jefferson Ave, Moundsville, WV 304-506-3585 Dr.Carol@Remedies.com AlternativeRemediesOnline.com Dr. Carol offers a personalized holistic approach to your health concerns through nutrition, supplements, exercise, cellular spa treatments, homeopathy and self-help classes. Twenty years of experience in naturally supporting the body, her specialties are digestive health, women and children, and gluten-free living. Health memberships and video conferencing available.
AROMATHERAPY WELL OILED
Melissa Robb, BSW, JD, CA, RPII Certified Aromatherapist, Reiki II Practitioner 1414 Potomac Ave, Dormont 412-531-6457 • GetWellOiled.com Be your own best wellness advocate. Melissa can help you learn about essential oils, answer questions about CBD or help you along your spiritual path. Holistic We l l n e s s S h o p p r o v i d i n g accessible, affordable, and safe products plus workshops for optimal health and wellness: mind-body-spirit. High-quality aromatherapy oils and accessories, CBD and spiritual workshops. See calendar for classes.
BIOLOGIC DENTISTRY JANET LAZARUS – BIOLOGIC DENTIST Dr Janet Lazarus, DMD, NMD Mail: 4313 Walnut St, Ste 178 Office: Olympia Shopping Ctr Arcade, McKeesport • 412-754-2020 Dr.Lazlo@hotmail.com
D r. L a z a r u s p r a c t i c e s compassionate biologic dentistry by looking at the whole body to offer preventative care and health maintenance. She offers compatibility testing on dental material, safe mercury removal, extraction and a host of other treatments including ozone therapy. She has been practicing for 28 years. See ad, page 7.
CHIROPRACTIC APPALACHIA CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS, PC
Travis D Horne, DC • Gi Ming ‘‘Lili’’ Chan, ND 20120 Route 19, Ste 202, Cranberry Twp, PA 724-553-5312 AppalachiaChiropractic.com Best of natural medicine – combining both chiropractic and naturopathic care. We provide integrative and individualized care to the community where patients feel heard and truly cared for. We offer manipulation, sports medicine, nutrition, herbal, homeopathy and hydrotherapy. See ad, page 9.
PANTHER FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE AND CHIROPRACTIC
Dr Danielle Marra, DC Murrysville • Greensburg 724-387-1014 • PittsburghHealthPro.com Dr. Danielle Marra has nearly 20 years’ experience helping patients regain their health through conservative and holistic approaches utilizing functional medicine, chiropractic, diet modifications, and nutritional support. The practice provides advanced lab testing, allergy relief, spinal decompression, CDL physicals, massage therapy, thermography and more. Their philosophy is treating the root of your symptoms, naturally. See ad, page 21.
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ENERGY HEALING TURNING POINT ENERGY, LLC
371 Bethel Church Rd, Ligonier, PA 724-493-5764 TuringPointEnergy.org Expect a miracle. 85% success rate. For body pain, mind pain, heart and soul pain. Pain lifted, heart lifted, spirit lifted. Reset.
I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another. ~Thomas Jefferson April 2020
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WOMEN’S WELLNESS ISSUE
MAY
GENTILE FAMILY DIRECT PRIMARY CARE
Autoimmune Breakthroughs
plus: The Collagen Connection
Readers are Seeking These Providers & Services:
Enzyme Therapy Dietitians & Nutritionists Nutritional Counseling Natural/Organic Foods Natural Supplements Farmers’ Markets Health Food Stores Vitamin Shops Skin Care ... and this is just a partial list!
Affordable, high-quality, evidencebased direct primary care for patients of all ages, regardless of insurance status. Become a member for a low monthly fee and get unlimited office visits, quality healthcare, wholesale prices on prescription medication and at-cost labs. They support a plant-based lifestyle and specialize in intensive therapeutic lifestyle counseling.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE Dr. Danielle Mara, DC Murrysville • Greensburg 724-387-1014 • PittsburghHealthPro.com Dr. Danielle Mara has nearly 20 years’ experience helping patients regain their health through conservative and holistic approaches utilizing functional medicine, chiropractic, diet modifications and nutritional support. Plus advanced lab testing, allergy relief, spinal decompression, CDL physicals, massage therapy, thermography and more. Their philosophy is treating the root of your symptoms, naturally. See ad, page 21.
Inspired Lifestyle Travel plus: Brain Health
THE FOOD CONNECTION ISSUE
JULY
Beyond Factory Farming plus: Gut Health
CONNECT WITH OUR READERS THREE-MONTH EDITORIAL CALENDAR & MARKETING PLANNER
Contact us to learn about marketing opportunities and become a member of the Natural Awakenings community at:
724-271-8877
Pittsburgh, PA
Natalie Gentile, MD 5655 Bryant St, Pittsburgh GentileFamilyDPC@gmail.com GentileFamilyDPC.com
PANTHER FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE AND CHIROPRACTIC
JUNE
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FAMILY AND LIFESTYLE MEDICINE
YOUR HEALTH INVESTIGATOR
Dr William Howrilla, DC, CFMP Pittsburgh • SW Pennsylvania • Telehealth 412-445-3168 • YourHealthInvestigator.com Dr. William Howrilla, DC, CFMP is a unique chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner who utilizes Contact Reflex Analysis or CRA, which assesses the energy connections within the body for health analysis, detailed health history and other testing modalities to help you restore your health and regain your vitality and quality of life. See ad, page 21.
HEALTH COACH SHE’S MY HEALTH COACH
D’Anna V. Kromer 1195 W Laurel Cir, Mount Pleasant, PA 724-331-3365 • ShesMyHealthCoach.com Certified health wellness coach and registered yoga teacher assisting individuals with habit change. Providing support, a c c o u n t a b i l i t y, a n d t o t a l t r a n sf o r m a t i o n a l p r o g r a m s addressing most pressing health issues like sugar cravings, energy and mood swings, stress, inflammation, emotional eating, chronic dieting, weight loss, diabetes, and sleep hygiene. Plus, offering private yoga instruction.
NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com
HEALTH FOOD THE KEFIR CHICKS
Connellsville, PA TheKefirChicks.com TheKefirChicks@gmail.com Facebook.com/TheKefirChicks Kathy and Haley, The Kefir Chicks, are two chicks on a mission to bring awareness to everyone about whole foods and gut health through whole, probiotic-packed food medicine – water kefir. See ad, page 5.
HERBALISM BASIC EARTH ESSENTIALS
Michael Lausterer P.O. Box 6, Richeyville, PA 724-426-4579 • BasicEarthEssentials.com Getting back to our natural roots is the foundational philosophy that drives and inspires Basic Earth Essentials; using the purest botanicals of the earth to create handcrafted, superb blends of the finest quality. Products for pets, personal care, and inspirational settings. Custom products available. See ads, page 5 and 21.
INTERIOR DESIGN DEBORAH BELLA INTERIOR DESIGN
Debbie S Bielawski, Allied ASID, Associate IIDA 412-216-5487 • DeborahBella.com Info@DeborahBella.com Redesigning your home or office beautifully by utilizing natural, eco-friendly, sustainable and biophilic solutions that are healthier for your mind, body and soul. See ad, page 20.
NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE APPALACHIA CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS, PC
Travis D Horne, DC • Gi Ming ‘‘Lili’’ Chan, ND 20120 Route 19, Ste 202, Cranberry Twp, PA 724-553-5312 • AppalachiaChiropractic.com Best of natural medicine – combining both chiropractic and naturopathic care. We provide integrative and individualized care to the community where patients feel heard and truly cared for. We offer manipulation, sports medicine, nutrition, herbal, homeopathy and hydrotherapy. See ad, page 9.
The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. ~Bertrand Russell
SPIRITUAL THE PRAYER WARRIOR AND HEALER ThePrayerWarriorAndHealer.com ThePrayerWarriorAndHealer@gmail.com
Healing children, adults and pets through Divine Intervention practices. Specializing in: customized written prayer requests and crystal grids; assisting empathic and sensitive children; Akashic (past-life record) readings; energy clearing for self, home, property and workplace. See ad, page 8.
THERMOGRAPHY ALL ABOUT THERMOGRAPHY, LLC
Barbara Calcagni, CCTII Serving Western PA and beyond 412-378-7506 • AllAboutThermography.com AllAboutThermography@gmail.com Facebook: All About Thermography Thermography is non-invasive medical testing that is radiation free. Barbara Calcagni is a Certified Clinical Level II Thermographer (CCT II) who provides overall health screenings, finding inflammation/infection or disease. Choose to be proactive with your health. See ad, page 9.
URBAN FARMING GROW PITTSBURGH
Raqueeb Bey, Garden Resource Coordinator 6587 Hamilton Ave, Ste 2W, Pittsburgh 412-362-4769 ext 215 Raqueeb@GrowPittsburgh.org GrowPittsburgh.org Grow Pittsburgh is an urban, agriculture nonprofit that teaches people how to grow food. They envision the day when everyone grows and eats fresh, local and healthy food. Get involved. Take a tour, become a member, learn, volunteer! Visit their website for workshops and events. See calendar for workdays.
WELLNESS SALT OF THE EARTH
Himalayan Salt Cave and Chakra Boutique 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray 724-260-0472 • SaltOfTheEarthpgh.com Salt of the Earth offers the ancient healing benefits of salt; serene, therapeutic, and exquisitely built with 16 tons of authentic Himalayan salt. Sessions are 45 minutes. Group events: guided meditation, yoga, sound healing, and pilates. Personal services in the cave: reiki, massage, cellular healing, Akashic Records, mediumship and spirit guide channeling. Known to heal respiratory and skin issues, the organically dispersed salt is naturally detoxifying, reduces inflammation, cleanses the respiratory system and improves sleep. See ad, page 18.
WINER WELLNESS CENTER 2419 Baldwick Rd, Pittsburgh 412-922-9355 • DrWiner.com
Holistic Wellness Center with practitioners for chiropractic, nutritional consultation, allergy elimination and muscle therapy. Workers’ compensation and accident insurance claims. Fully stocked all-natural supplement store.
YOGA AND MEDITATION THE HIMALAYAN INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH 300 Beverly Rd, Pittsburgh 412-344-7434 • HipYoga.org
The Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh is committed to creating and supporting programs for wellness in body, mind and spirit; and to promote personal peace and global unity. A daily schedule of yoga and meditation classes and healing services, including massage, reiki and ayurvedic health consultations offered, and leaders of education, providing authentic yoga and ayurveda certification programs.
VIBRATIONAL MEDICINE SACRED, CENTERED, YOU, LLC 304 Third St, California, PA 412-258-0766 SacredCenteredYou.com
Offering individual and group experiences that promote healing through self-discovery and personal acceptance. Special focus on sound healing, life coaching, qigong, and vibrational medicine. See ad, page 8.
Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow. ~John Lennon
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@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com.
OPPORTUNITIES ADVERTISE HERE – Are you: hiring, renting property/office space, selling products, offering services, or in need of volunteers? Advertise your personal/business needs in Natural Awakenings classified ad section. To place an ad, email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com. ADVERTISING SALES – Natural Awakenings magazine is looking for experienced advertising salespeople covering the Greater Pittsburgh area, SW Pennsylvania and Morgantown WV to help others grow their natural health & wellness and sustainable living or green businesses. Commission-based. Full- or part-time. Paying 25% commission. Unlimited potential income. Be a part of something magical! Send resume to Michelle: Publisher@ NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com. START A CAREER YOU CAN BE PASSIONATE ABOUT – Publish your own Natural Awakenings magazine. Home-based business, complete with comprehensive training and support system. New franchises are available or purchase a magazine that is currently publishing. Call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsmag.com/MyMagazine.
Natural Awakenings Client Testimonial Advertising is a key part of modern business and it informs us about the personal choices we have when it comes to our health. Nowadays time is such a valuable asset and with Natural Awakenings you don't have to worry about it, it is so easy and so rewarding! ~Barbara Calcagni All About Thermography
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