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Indoor Kitchen Gardening How to Grow Nutrient– Packed Microgreens

Sustainably Stylish Home Relax into Nurturing Furnishings

Sacred Passage

Conscious Dying as a Transformative Healing Journey

February 2017 | Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky | NaturalCinci.com

A V OYA G E TO W E L L - B E I NG

MARCH 11 - 18, 2017

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contents 9

8 9 12 14 15 24 26 28 30 32 33 34 37 38 39 40

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more newsbriefs balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal healthbriefs growth, green living, creative expression and the products globalbriefs and services that support a healthy lifestyle. ecotip inspiration 16 Women and Heart healthykids Disease Awareness by Cynthia Brown healingways naturalpet 19 SACRED PASSAGE Conscious Dying as a fitbody Transformative Healing Journey consciouseating by Linda Sechrist 19 recipecorner 22 The Alexander greenliving Technique A Simple Way to Reduce wisewords Morning Stiffness calendar by Claire Rechnitzer classifieds 24 KEEP DECAY AWAY resourceguide

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26 IN THE O-ZONE

Editorial submissions Word documents accepted. Email articles, news items and ideas to: Carol@NaturalCinci.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.

28 HEART-TO-HEART

calendar submissions Email Calendar Events to: Carol@NaturalCinci.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 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

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30 FIT FOR LIFE

How to Stay Healthy, Flexible and Strong

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32 INDOOR KITCHEN GARDENING

Easy-Grow Microgreens Are Big on Nutrition

by Barbara Pleasant

Our Nationally Ranked Integrative Medicine Center Offers You the Best Combination of Conventional Medicine & Alternative Therapies by Top Doctors & Therapists in Cincinnati

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Dr. Elizabeth Woolford has been a physician acupuncturist at Alliance Integrative Medicine since its opening in 1999. Dr. Woolford specializes in Prolotherapy, a method of non-surgical joint repair. Prolotherapy is a form of regenerative therapy that uses injections around joints to strengthen ligaments & tendons after injury or overuse. Consider Prolotherapy if you are suffering with tennis /golfers elbow, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, whiplash, osteoarthritis, disc/facet issues, TMJ pain, rotator cuff injuries, and more.

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I contact us Publisher Carol Stegman Editor Jim Occhiogrosso Writers Alison Chabonais Jim Occhiogrosso Linda Sechrist Design & Production Steffi K. Kern • Stephen Blancett Sales and Marketing Carol Stegman Technical Support Chris Stegman Natural Awakenings Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Phone: 513-943-7323 Fax: 513-672-9530 Email: Carol@NaturalCinci.com National Advertising 239-449-8309

took advantage of a cold, snowy day this week by going out to the movies, a favorite pastime of mine. My son and I chose Collateral Beauty. Knowing that the story line has Will Smith’s character losing a child, I mentally girded for an emotional ride. Without being a spoiler, I will say that the story’s turning point came when a stranger advised the grieving mother, “Be sure you notice the collateral beauty.” When we loose someone dear to us, it’s vital that we embrace the charmed moments and happy times and to know that love continues on, regardless. This state of mind helps keep their memory as alive as the love in our hearts. This month’s feature article by Linda Sechrist, “Sacred Passage: Conscious Dying as a Transformative Healing Journey,” tenderly explores how the ultimate transition can be beautified by compassion and dignity when thoughtfully approached. Genuinely expressed care for one another—both those going on and those staying behind—is paramount. The Conscious Dying Institute, in Boulder Colorado, is at the forefront of helping people learn to navigate these waters. Life is precious and short even if we live to be 100. It’s so important to be present in every moment, focused on those who mean the most to us. Living our life with grace naturally helps us depart with grace. May we all celebrate each day and treasure the special connections that feed our soul. We hope this issue lends uplifting perspective to the personally unique journey of this sacred passage. To life well lived,

Carol Stegman, Publisher

© 2017 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

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Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Edition NaturalCinci.com

newsbrief Greater Cincinnati Area Welcomes Its First Chinese Herbal Dispensary

oming in the Spring of 2017, Donna Lynne Strong Brott LAc, a Traditional Chinese Acupuncturist licensed in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, will be introducing Chinese medical evaluation and diagnosis to the greater Cincinnati area. Brott is also opening the first Chinese herbal dispensary in the area, complete with herbal therapy prescriptions. Recent changes to Ohio law have set the stage for licensed acupuncturists to take advanced training and become certified to prescribe and dispense herbal formulas in the tradition of Chinese medical therapy. Previously, this would require traveling to the East Coast or Chicago. Brott completed four years of masters level academic training in the U.S. and spent three months in clinical training in Beijing, China, where hospitals commonly practice Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine in the same facility. Chinese herbal formulas can be used to treat many, varied conditions such as, common colds and digestive issues to women’s menopausal symptoms and fertility. Each herbal formula is uniquely created for the specific individual and their particular illness. Location: Several in the greater Cincinnati area. For more information, call 513324-0955, email Pokyu@AcuCincy.com or visit AcuCincy.com. See ad, page 10.

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Food Sustainability Conference Announces Keynote Speaker

he keynote address at the 38th annual Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) conference will be delivered by Robyn O’Brien, bestselling author and former financial and food industry analyst-turned-activist, sometimes referred to as “the Erin Brockovich of food.” O’Brien came to the fore through a 2011 TEDx talk, since viewed by millions, and has appeared on CNN, The Today Show and Good Morning America. She produces a weekly Robyn O’Brien podcast and founded the AllergyKids foundation. Forbes Woman cited her as one of “20 Inspiring Women to Follow on Twitter” and The Discovery Channel profiled her as one of “15 Top Visionaries.” She has demonstrated a connection between the rising rates of food allergies and cancer, as well as ballooning U.S. health care costs, to the introduction of genetically engineered (GE) components in the food supply, now present in 80 percent of processed foods. “Governments around the world said we’re going to exercise precaution and were not going to allow GE into our food supply because it hasn’t yet been proven safe,” says O’Brien. She notes that in the Unites States’ approach has been that it has not yet been proven dangerous, and so it is allowed. This 2017 OEFFA conference, entitled “Growing Today, Transforming Tomorrow,” will run February 9 to 11 in Dayton. O’Brien’s address, entitled “Building the 21st Century Food System: Capitalizing on the New Food Economy,” is presented by Horizon Organic. Location: 22 E. 5th St. For more information, visit OEFFA.org/Conference2017. See ad, page 29.

Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Edition NaturalCinci.com

Infants Breathing Bad Air May Suffer as Teens

healthbriefs

Breast Cancer and Acupuncture

or a women faced with the trauma and stress of a breast cancer diagnosis, the worse part of her ordeal is often treatment associated side effects. In a new study, acupuncture has been shown to relieve pain, nausea and anxiety during the postoperative recovery period following breast surgery. It can also help the women better cope with other symptoms she may be experiencing. Acupuncture is a safe, effective and non-pharmaceutical approach with negligible side effects. These reassuring research results have led many physicians to turn to an acupuncturist to provide comfort for their patients. Women often prefer to limit the medications they are subjecting their body to in order to maximize self-care during this already difficult time. Acupuncture helps fill that need without introducing additional problems.

Donna Lynne Strong Brott LAc, is a Traditional Chinese Acupuncturist licensed in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. She practices at several locations in the greater Cincinnati area. For more information, email Pokyu@AcuCincy.com, call 513324-0955 or visit AcuCincy.com. See ad, page 10.

study from the Karolinska Institute of Environmental Medicine, in Stockholm, analyzed data on air pollution exposure and lung function in the first and 15th years of life among 2,415 adolescents in Sweden. The researchers focused on nitrogen oxide in vehicle exhaust and particulate matter from road erosion, using road traffic, topography and weather conditions to classify pollution levels. They compared this data to the level of difficulty the teens experienced getting air through their peripheral airways, termed “resistance”. The study found that breathing problems increased for teenagers each time their exposure as infants to such pollution increased by 10 micrograms per cubic meter, with the strongest association occurring in male subjects with asthma at age 16. The same increase was not present in relation to their exposure to traffic pollution as teenagers. Lead author Erica S. Schultz, Ph.D., says, “An increasing number of studies demonstrate the importance of airway periphery for lung health. It’s concerning that the effect from the first year of life seems to be long-lasting, although we don’t yet know the full clinical implications.”

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Chinese Herbs Lessen Postpartum Blues

Acupuncture

study from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, in Beijing, reports that Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) can be an effective treatment for patients with postpartum depression. Traditional Chinese Medicine advocates herbal treatments based on underlying issues. Researchers analyzed data from 47 clinical trials encompassing 3,795 participants between the ages of 18 and 43 suffering from postpartum depression. The study pooled results into three categories: CHM versus placebo, CHM versus routine treatments (antidepressants) and CHM plus routine treatments versus only routine treatments. The study found that using Chinese herbs combined with antidepressants is the most effective approach, noting that CHM is a safe, effective alternative for patients unable or unwilling to take antidepressants.

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esearchers from the David Grant Medical Center, at Travis Air Force Base, in Fairfield, California, have found that oral doses of aloe vera can reduce fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which indicates the average glucose level over the previous three months, in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Data from nine clinical studies that included 89 diabetes patients were analyzed. Findings suggest that patients with a fasting blood glucose level of more than 200 milligrams per deciliter experienced the greatest benefits from the aloe vera.

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Fenugreek Eases Menopause

randomized, double-blind study from the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Science and Research, in Bangalore, India, has found that an extract of fenugreek husk (FHE) called FenuSMART can provide relief from common symptoms of menopause, including night sweats, insomnia, headaches, hot flashes and mood swings. Researchers studied 88 menopausal women between the ages of 45 and 58. Half were given one gram of FHE per day for 90 days while the other half received a placebo. The study measured the impact the supplement had on the subjects’ menopausal symptoms through weekly telephone sessions. At the study’s end, approximately 32 percent of the women in the FHE group reported no hot flashes, while the placebo subjects saw the frequency of theirs reduced from three to five per day to one or two. Additionally, the subjects that took FHE experienced a 57 percent reduction in night sweats, a 68 percent abatement of mood swings, a 75 percent drop in insomnia and 58 percent fewer headaches.

Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Edition NaturalCinci.com

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Donna Lynne Strong

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Ancient Healing Arts

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nticipating surgery can be stressful, and many patients suffer from preoperative anxiety, which can cause serious health complications such as hypertension, rapid pulse and sugar metabolism changes. Israeli researchers from the University of Haifa have found that complementary medicine, combined with standard use of anti-anxiety drugs prior to entering the operating room, can significantly reduce preoperative anxiety levels and improve outcomes. Researchers divided 360 preoperative patients ages 17 and up into three groups: those receiving standard care for preoperative anxiety; those receiving standard care along with complementary therapy, featuring acupuncture, reflexology, individual guided imagery or a combination of the latter two; and those receiving standard care combined with generic guided imagery via a recording. Anxiety levels were measured preoperatively before and after the intervention on a scale of one to 10, with scores of four or more constituting intermediate or higher-level anxiety. The study found that complementary therapy in combination with standard care produced a 60 percent reduction in anxiety, with the mean score dropping from 5.54 to 2.32. Combining standard care with reflexology and guided imagery provided the best relief, reducing anxiety by an average of 4.22 points. Patients receiving only standard care experienced a slight rise in their average anxiety level.

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

Heave Ho

Abandoned and lost fishing gear such as traps, crab pots and nets litter the ocean floor in coastal areas worldwide, continuing to attract, entrap and kill fish and other marine life. The Associated Press reports that global nonprofits, governments and companies are engaged in efforts to retrieve and recycle as many of the items as possible to protect the environment, save marine life and reduce hazards to marine navigation. A 2009 United Nations report estimated there are 640,000 tons of discarded fishing nets deep below the ocean surface worldwide. Recommended solutions include degradable panels on traps that break down and allow trapped marine life to escape. International agreements prohibit dumping fishing equipment at sea; yet in England, small vessels can amass landfill charges of roughly $700 per year, giving them an incentive to ditch broken gear. Pascal van Erp, a Dutch diver alarmed by the amount of equipment he’s encountered, founded the Ghost Fishing Foundation to tackle the issue. He says, “It’s found in all seas, oceans and inland waters at all depths, along the beach and under the sand. I don’t think the problem can be resolved completely, but we can keep it from getting worse by showing the problem to the public and the authorities.” Industry experts and scientists estimate that commercial fishermen annually lose about 10 percent of their traps due to bad weather.

Fungus Among Us Genetically Altered Mushrooms Approved for Consumption

Free Fuel

Hydrogen Conversion From Water Making Gains Scientists at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, in Stockholm, report that they have finally unlocked a major barrier to exploiting a renewable energy source through extracting pure hydrogen from water. Because the best-performing catalysts for electrochemical oxidation, or “water splitting”, are expensive precious metals, the research team led by KTH Professor Licheng Sun developed molecular catalysts for water oxidation with an efficiency approaching that of natural photosynthesis comprising common, abundant elements, all of which could help change the economics of large-scale hydrogen fuel production. Meanwhile, Daniel Nocera, a professor of energy at Harvard University, and Pamela Silver, a professor of biochemistry and systems biology at Harvard Medical School, have co-created a system that uses solar energy to split water molecules and hydrogen-eating bacteria to produce liquid fuels. Their paper, whose lead authors include post-doctoral fellow Chong Liu and graduate student Brendan Colón, was recently published in Science. “This is a true artificial photosynthesis system,” says Nocera. “Previously, people were using artificial photosynthesis for water-splitting, but this is a true A-to-Z system, and we’ve greatly exceeded the efficiency of photosynthesis in nature.”

Sashkin/Shutterstock.com

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Abandoned and Lost Fishing Gear Pollutes the Seas

Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Edition NaturalCinci.com

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) is a new method of editing genomes of farm animals and food crops. White button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) that have been genetically modified to delay the natural browning process are the first CRISPRedited organisms to receive approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Yinong Yang, a plant pathologist from Penn State University, crafted the modified mushrooms by targeting the family of genes responsible for the browning effect seen in produce when sliced and exposed to oxygen. Yang was able to reduce the browning enzyme’s work by 30 percent and was granted approval from the USDA because no foreign or altered DNA was integrated into the mushroom genome. The department only assesses whether there’s a risk that the new modified variety of an organism could become a weed or “pest” to other plants. The mushrooms may still be subject to Food and Drug Administration or Environmental Protection Agency regulations. The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine are in discussions about developing a new set of rules for the biotech industry in the next five to 10 years. Source: Nature.com

Repurposed Pallets

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Nearly 2 billion wooden pallets are currently in circulation in the U.S., consuming around 50 percent of the country’s annual hardwood harvest and representing more than 90 percent of the world’s shipping waste. PalletSmart, in Fort Worth, Texas, has been making furniture, home decor and custom projects out of repurposed pallets and other reclaimed material since 2012. Company co-founder John Zaskoda says, “As with any business, we are looking to grow, but want to be smart about it. For now, we are staying put, taking custom residential and commercial orders and producing top-notch furniture.” He sees the endeavor as proof that with hard work and consistency it’s possible to make trash into treasure.

Veggie Tales

Plants Communicate with Sound A recent study from the University of Western Australia has found that plants regularly react to and emit sounds through a series of clicks produced by their roots, and that such inter-flora communication may be essential to their survival. Evolutionary biologist Monica Gagliano, who made the discovery, listened to the roots of young corn plants and found that they regularly produced sounds in the range of 220Hz, a frequency audible to the human ear. Plants have been shown to influence each other in many ways through nanomechanical oscillations on a molecular scale. Gagliano remarks, “Scientists also know that plants use volatile chemicals to communicate with each other.” Another biological research team under the direction of Professor Olaf Kruse, Ph.D., scientific director of the Center for Biotechnology at Germany’s Bielefeld University, has shown that green algae not only engages in photosynthesis, but also has an alternative source of energy: It can draw it from other plants (Nature Communications). Gagliano comments, “Considering that entire forests are all interconnected by networks of fungi, maybe plants are using fungi the way we use the Internet.”

Source: PalletSmart360.com

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Texas Company Turns Wood Waste into Furniture

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Selfies Promote Animal Cruelty and Death Zachary Crockett, of Pricenomics. com, has found that since 2014, 49 people were killed in attempts to take pictures of themselves with wild creatures. Although there are no statistics on how many animals have been harmed due to selfies, wildlife organizations such as Care for the Wild International are appealing to the public to stop using animals as props. Visitors to China’s Yunnan Wild Animal Park lured captive peacocks from their enclosure and grabbed them by their tails. The birds died as a result. Another group of people at a beach in Argentina was filmed mobbing a baby Franciscana dolphin, an endangered species, while taking pictures, resulting in its death likely through shock and severe dehydration from being removed from the water for too long. Due to the high demand by tourists to take pictures with wild animals, special photographic settings are popping up in Mexico, Europe and Morocco. However, the Association for British Travel Agents stated that no legitimate sanctuary would allow animals to be used as photo props.

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Laundry List

Cool Tips to Save Money and Energy Following eco-friendly laundry tips can save on energy, water usage and utility bills, making it good for both the planet and the bank account. The laundry results, too, may be better for some loads. RealSimple.com advises that 90 percent of the energy consumed while running a wash load is used to heat the water, so the average household can eliminate as much as 350 pounds of carbon emissions and save about $40 annually by turning the knob to cold. It also notes that some protein-heavy stains, like perspiration and blood, can become more set into the fabric when washed in hot water, which can also shrink synthetic fibers. For sweat stains, DIYNatural.com suggests combining two tablespoons of cream of tartar, a few drops of lemon essential oil and water to make a paste. Mix and spread it on the stain, and then rub it in and let dry. Another pre-laundry option is to pour or spray a 3 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide onto the stain and then soak for about 30 minutes. Mildly soiled laundry doesn’t necessarily need hot water for adequate cleaning, reports the Mother Nature Network. It advises pre-soaking heavily soiled laundry in cold water for about an hour, adding four tablespoons of baking soda to loosen dirt and grime. “Responding quickly to stains always helps,” says Steve Boorstein, a Boulder, Colorado, clothing-care expert on his ClothingDoctor.com website. “For washable clothing, flush the stained area with cool water to remove any solid matter. Never rub the stain in order to avoid driving it deeper into the fabric.” Conserve more energy as well as water by always assembling a full load of laundry. Appliance performance can also make an eco-difference. Energy Star estimates that water savings of between 40 and 75 percent can be achieved with front-loading machines instead of top-loaders. Line drying wins over a clothes dryer in terms of freshness, energy use and kindness to the environment. Start with biodegradable and phosphate-free detergents made from plantand vegetable-based ingredients.

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KISSED BY KINDNESS

sychologist Ty Tashiro reports in The Science of Happily Ever After that only three in 10 couples remain in healthy, happy marriages. Psychologist John Gottman, in New York City, has studied couples for four decades seeking to understand successful relationships. He and his psychologist wife, Julie, founded The Gottman Institute that helps couples build and maintain loving, healthy relationships based on scientific studies. Using data from his Love Lab at the University of Washington, John separated thousands of couples into two groups: masters (still happy after six years) and disasters (separated or chronically unhappy in their marriages). One of Gottman’s studies watched 130 newlywed vacationing couples and found that partners regularly made bids for connection, requesting responses from their mate. Choices to “turn toward” or “turn away” revealed the level of engagement and respect in the relationship. Couples that divorced within six years had shown “turn toward” bids a third of the time while couples still together responded to their partner’s emotional need nine times out of 10. An integral element is the spirit couples bring to the relationship: kindness and generosity or contempt, criticism and hostility. “There’s a key habit of mind that the masters have,” Gottman explains. “They are scanning the social environment for things they can appreciate and express thanks for. Disasters are scanning for partners’ mistakes.” People focused on criticizing miss 50 percent of positive things their

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by Emily Esfahani Smith

partners are doing and see negativity when it’s absent. Deliberately ignoring their partner or responding minimally to opportunities for small moments of emotional connection devalues and kills a relationship. Kindness, conversely, glues couples together, making each partner feel cared for, understood, validated and loved. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that the more someone receives or witnesses

kindness, the more they will be kind themselves, creating upward spirals of love and generosity. Practicing kindness during a fight is vital. Letting contempt and aggression spiral out of control during a conflict can inflict irrevocable damage. “Kindness doesn’t mean that we don’t express anger,” Julie explains, “But it informs how we choose to express it. You can either throw spears or explain why you’re hurt and angry, which is the kinder path.” Kindness can also solidify the backbone of a relationship by being generous about our partner’s intention and avoiding misinterpreting what’s motivating their behavior. “Even if it’s executed poorly, appreciate the intent,” Tashiro advises. Clearly, if we want to have a stable, healthy relationship, exercise kindness early and often and let a spirit of generosity guide happy years together. Emily Esfahani Smith is the author of The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters. Connect at EmilyEsfahaniSmith.com or on Twitter @emesfahanismith.

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natural awakenings February 2017

Women

and Heart Disease Awareness by Cynthia Brown

ccording to the CDC’s National Centers for Chronic Disease Prevention’s latest report, heart disease is the number one killer of women exceeding the overall rate for cancer, other diseases, and all other leading causes of death such as murder, suicide, and accidents. Heart disease is also the number one killer of men, but women are dying at a faster rate, due to lack of awareness and lack of knowledge and education on both the part of the patient, as well as the physician. A myth that many people hold sacred, including some doctors, is a vision of a man having a heart attack, clenching his chest, doubling over in excruciating pain, and then dying before his body hits the ground. Sadly, this scenario playing in many people’s minds—always includes a man. But women are just as vulnerable. Heart attack symptoms in women are often much different than that of a man. The male scenario described above is typically considered the norm. However, for a woman, pain can often occur in the neck, shoulders, jaw, upper back, both arms and can even be accompanied by abdominal pain. Women’s hearts are much different than that of a man. A woman’s heart is much smaller, weighing only 118 grams, about 60 grams less than a 16

mans. Women who see their physician or visit their local emergency room for difficulty breathing and/or chest pain, are often sent home after an angiogram does not show a blockage. Some of them never make it to the point where an angiogram is ordered. Frequently, they are tagged with the diagnosis of a panic or anxiety attack, a hormonal issue and in some cases, a mental illness. Two-thirds of the time angiograms fail to detect a condition known as coronary microvascular syndrome (CMS) in the smaller vessels of the heart, yet 80 percent of women have CMS. For those women that have been diagnosed with heart disease, especially those who have had a heart attack, there is a better understanding. Unfortunately, they have first-hand knowledge through their experience. However, this leaves the rest of the female population to remain uniformed when it comes to what to expect—if or when heart attack symptoms occur. Self-education about heart disease in women is a tricky business. There are still some physicians that do not recognize heart disease or heart attack symptoms in women. Once diagnosed many women spend much of their time researching heart issues on the Internet, due to a lack of readily available information on heart disease from their

Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Edition NaturalCinci.com

doctors. The Internet can be a great resource, holding many of the answers to the questions being asked, but not all websites are legitimate. An established Internet site that stays updated with the latest information is the WomenHeart website (WomenHeart.org). It is the nation’s only patient-centered organization serving the 42 million American women living with or at risk of heart disease. Women need to better advocate for themselves when it comes to heart disease or heart attacks and physicians need to listen to women that present with heart disease or attack symptoms with something more than just their stethoscopes. The missing link to women and heart disease awareness is an active, operative relationship between the greater Cincinnati community of celebrities, pro-athletes, politicians, corporations, organizations and especially the media. It is imperative that individuals and organizations come together and become involved in helping bring more awareness to the number one disease taking away the women in our lives much too soon. Sometimes it’s good to be number one—but, with heart disease, not so much. There is a crucial need to keep the focus of women and heart disease at the forefront of awareness! Until these relationships are formed, women and heart disease will remain in the background of all chronic and terminal diseases. By committing to these relationships, lives will be saved—those of our mothers, our daughters, our sisters and ourselves. Get involved. February is Heart Disease Awareness Month, but it is important not to forget that women die from heart disease the other eleven months of the year as well. Cynthia S. Brown is an Author/Public Speaker/National Patient Advocate and coordinator of the WomenHeart Support Network. For more information, visit CynthiaSueBrown.com or call 513-254-2744. Brown’s book can be purchased at BarnesAndNoble.com or Mira-BookSmart.MyShopify.com.

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PASSAGE Conscious Dying as a Transformative Healing Journey by Linda Sechrist

hen properly viewed, the thresholds of all of life’s transitional moments can be both emotionally and spiritually rewarding. Whether it involves marriage or birth, job loss or illness, gleaning insight from the experience can yield fresh perspective on how to live life more fully today, if we remain mindful and lovingly attentive through the process. Like birth, death is a transition we can wisely prepare for. In recent years, compassionate individuals and grassroots movements have emerged to help us conduct ourselves, heal and grow from losing a loved one or face our own passing. An increasing number of initiatives support a new model in palliative care that treats death not as a failure, but an expected aspect of

the human experience. Each in its own way advocates for a grace-filled passage supported by dignified, caring and compassionate practices.

Profound Shift

The Conscious Dying Institute, in Boulder, Colorado, aims to restore death and dying to its natural place in the sacred circle of life. Its end-of-life literacy curriculum and certificate training programs are helping to create a new, wisdombased culture of healing teachers and end-of-life doulas that serve among the frontline caregivers and companions providing the comfort people want and need most. Founded by Tarron Estes, a healing artist, poet, Caritas coach and transformational learning educator, the institute is grounded in love, spiritual

natural awakenings February 2017

styleuneed.de/Shutterstock.com

SACRED

openness, compassion and a universal field of consciousness. “Training is open to nurses, physicians, clinicians, caregivers, family members, healthcare teams and anyone else interested in exploring what it means to die consciously,” says Estes. It attends to the provider’s inner awakening and helps them strengthen their ability to give spiritual, emotional, physical and practical care to anyone, helping to relieve pain, regardless of diagnosis. “Rather than curative care, it’s all about seeking to increase precious, meaningful moments, a sense of spiritual sanctity, beauty, interconnectedness and appreciation of life for the families and patients they serve. An end-of-life doula at bedside assures that families and loved ones can focus on what is most important,” explains Estes, who believes that our true nature lives within us as an unblemished jewel. Helping individuals become comfortable talking about death is the work of Dr. Karen Wyatt, of Dillon, Colorado, founder of the End of Life University, an online interview series with end-of-life care experts. She provides a trustworthy loving environment in monthly death cafés. The author of What Really Matters: 7 Lessons for Living from the Stories of Dying expands the conversation through related articles and podcasts at eolUniversity.com. Death cafés benefit from Wyatt’s experience as a hospice doctor. “There is never an agenda. Of the 10 to 12 people that generally join in, one is always a new caller, recently awakened to the idea of conscious dying or their own mortality. They’re seeking information and someone to talk to because family and friends aren’t interested. Some already embracing their mortality wish to explore their thoughts with others. Some callers join just to listen,” advises Wyatt. Because death in the West has become a commercialized, medical event with funeral home packages the norm, Wyatt recommends the National Home Funeral Alliance to those interested in a deeper understanding of options and resources for a gentler model. The nonprofit, grassroots movement and its members, such as Sacred Crossings, in Los Angeles, seek to restore the lost

Exploring the Mystery

For more than 40 years, philosopher, psychologist and physician Raymond Moody’s life work has been acknowledging the mysteries and validating the unexplainable events at the end of life. His seminal bestseller Life After Life appeared in 1975. Lisa Smartt’s mentorship by Moody led them to co-found FinalWordsProject.org. She’s also authored Words at the Threshold, a study of the nonsensical, metaphorical and paradoxical language and visions of the dying. Moody and Smartt agree that by better understanding the unique language patterns related to end of life we can share more deeply and build bridges with our beloveds throughout the dying process. “When we do so, we offer greater support to the dying and ameliorate our own experience of loss as they cross the threshold,” remarks Smartt. Like William Peters, founder of the Shared Crossings Project, in Santa Barbara, California, they caution that compassionate etiquette during events at death is important. “Assume that levels of awareness exist in the dying so that our energy and presence are felt and our voices heard,” advises Moody. “Respect your words and actions, regardless of the person’s state of consciousness. Be a compassionate listener and validate their vision. Don’t pretend to intellectualize or explain anything.” 20

Sarit Wuttisan/Shutterstock.com

art and healing ritual of a home funeral by preserving the rights of families to provide home after-death care. Supporting and educating interested families is the mission of Sacred Crossings founder Rev. Olivia Rosemarie Bareham. The certified death midwife and home funeral guide draws from her experiences as an auxiliary nurse and hospice volunteer to assist families with end-of-life planning, death midwifery and arrangements for an at-home vigil and funeral, as well as cremation and burial choices. “We also offer sacred singing to help ease a loved one’s transition. Music by a bedside soloist or choir before, during and after death can be deeply relaxing and comforting, and even provide pain relief,” advises Bareham.

“Sometimes no matter how many advance care conversations have taken place, discord can dismantle the best laid plans. It requires the tough work of compassionate communications. Friends and families need to remember that this is the patient’s end-of-life experience, not theirs. It is possible to find peace in the midst of conflict, understanding that the one leaving overwhelmingly wishes for a peaceful passing, including peace within the family.” The Death Over Dinner initiative, founded by Michael Hebb in 2013, has been hosted by groups in more than 20 countries to help people engage in conversations on “how we want to die”—the most vital and costly discussion Americans aren’t having (DeathOverDinner.org/stories).

We rediscover that in order to die well, we must live well. Dying gracefully is the result of a mindful, Practical Plans day-to-day journey—a The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its 360 Degrees of culmination of informed Financial Literacy program offer a free choices, honest discussions downloadable national Guide to Financial Decisions: Implementing an End-of-Life and deference to the Plan at Tinyurl.com/EssentialPlanNeeds. hallowed fragility of It includes basic descriptions of issues arise as we age beyond retirement nature’s life-death cycles. that and details the critical documents ~William Rosa Dianne Gray, president and executive director of the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation, also owns Hospice and Healthcare Communications. “The dying often wish to leave here surrounded by peace and harmony. They choose to let go of contentiousness and often wish family members would do the same, which is facilitated by mapping out Advance Directives according to the final wishes of the patient,” says Gray. Questions she frequently addresses in public talks and Death Over Dinner party conversations include: the necessity of finishing unfinished business; bringing closure to unresolved relationship issues; finding words to express our compassion; soothing the sense of impending loss; and managing to take only love with us to the other side, yet leave enough of it behind to help loved ones through their grieving process. She cautions that no matter how well we plan for death, things don’t always go as planned.

Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Edition NaturalCinci.com

needed for the individual, dependents, property, assets, estate planning, wills and trusts. It also addresses issues related to advance, treatment and do-notresuscitate directives, insurance, types of funerals and costs, and Social Security, Medicare and veterans’ benefits. Guidelines suggest consulting with a certified public accountant or personal financial planning specialist. The latest innovation is the blessing of a living funeral, a celebration of life while the honoree is present to hear the eulogies, praises and farewells before they depart. AgingWithDignity.org provides a downloadable Five Wishes document, a popular advance directive, or living will that covers personal, spiritual, medical and legal aspects. It’s easy to use and can serve as a family guide to prompt conversations about personal care preferences in the event of serious illness. New York Times journalist Mark Leibovich wrote about how Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy chose to spend his final weeks in pursuit of a “good ending.” As death approached,

As many as 80 percent of us say we want to die at home.

Writing Our Legacy

~CNN

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

n their books Caring for the Dying and Having the Last Say, authors Henry FerskoWeiss and Alan Gelb, respectively, advocate reviewing our life and writing a short narrative to explore its value as we approach our final act of Earth’s play. Processing experiences from the past and what they mean at this juncture presents us an opportunity to achieve greater clarity and integrate them in a positive way in our life story. According to Fersko-Weiss, it has the power to reduce depression, increase life satisfaction, promote acceptance of self and enhance integrity of spirit, no matter what phase of life we are in. The harvesting of life experiences should reflect our true humanity—flaws and all—and what we’ve learned through mistakes and failures, as well as triumphs. Conveying a compelling mythic family story, values we’ve lived by and our embrace of meaningful relationships will help the people we know understand that, for all its difficulties and complexities, life is worth living. Our narrative, whether recorded as an essay or scripted video, becomes an act of praise for the gift of the life we’ve led, imperfect as it may have been. It can also serve as a potential keepsake that passes along life lessons and values from one generation to another. Gelb suggests that summing up what’s most important to us in 500 to 1,000 words can be an experience to savor and enjoy at a reflective time in life, an opportunity to capture our legacy and even serve as our own eulogy. When we want a loved one no longer here to feel near to us and hear them one last time, it’s a way for them to literally have the last say, he adds.

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Kennedy told friends that he wanted to take stock of his life and enjoy the gift of his remaining days with the people he loved most. As a result, he continued enjoying his morning ritual of reading newspapers while drinking coffee, playing with his dogs, watching James Bond movies with his wife and holding family dinners and sing-alongs near nightly. He reveled in his bedside view of Nantucket Sound, sailed when he could and ate lots of his favorite ice cream. His mantra was, “Every day is a gift.” “As our time winds down, we all seek comfort in simple pleasures—companionship, everyday routines, the taste of good food, the warmth of sunlight on our faces,” remarks Boston’s Dr. Atul Gawande in Being Mortal. “If we strive in our final months for independence, companionship, mindful attention, dignity, wisdom, joy, love and freedom from pain, we have the power to make those days less miserable, confusing and frightening.” In these many ways, we can manage to gently embrace and tenderly navigate life’s final transition with grace and love.

by Linda Sechrist

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The Alexander Technique A Simple Way to Reduce Morning Stiffness by Claire Rechnitzer

any people tend to wake up stiff, sore, creaky or cranky. This occurs even after doing everything possible within their control to facilitate a good night’s sleep. Part of the problem is their sleep position, but they are unaware of how to change their sleeping habits to control it. Sleeping in a healthy position is a learned skill. Strategically placed pillows can help, but it is important to learn how best to position them, and reposition them as needed during the sleep session. While it may seem strange to practice sleeping and pillow wrangling until it is an automatic response when sleeping, this simple act may eliminate the typical kinds of morning stiffness and can help those that suffer from chronic or episodic back, neck or shoulder pain. The Alexander Technique is an educational process where teachers use verbal instruction and gentle hands-on guidance to help students learn to change or avoid unnecessary habits of bearing and coordination that interfere with the ability to experience natural postural support. The technique is suitable for everyone including those with physical challenges. Alexander Technique teachers recommend using a particular semi-supine position that is often referred to as con-

Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Edition NaturalCinci.com

structive rest. When practiced for about fifteen minutes daily, the activity helps train the body for better positioning during sleeping hours. Many also find that it fulfills the functions of a quick nap or meditation. To practice this technique: • Lie with back down on a firm or lightly padded surface with knees bent and pointed upward and feet positioned hip-width apart and as close to the trunk as is comfortable. • Rest the back of the head on a book or two that will allow the head to be in the neutral position. • Rest elbows on the surface, as far from the trunk as comfortable and place hands on the trunk. • Relax and breath regularly, aiming for stillness, but don’t hesitate to gently wiggle, rock or relieve an itch. • To return to the upright position, roll head and body to one side and then onto hands and knees. Calmly move one foot forward to come to a standing position. Practicing this technique on a firm surface for 15 to 30 minutes has a number of benefits that prolonged supine, prone or side-lying positions—especially on an absorbent couch or mattress—may not. The semi-supine set-up allows the spine to be elongated without overextending any of its four natural curves, and it positions joints at midpoint where they are least stressed.

While lying down can relieve muscles of most of their work, doing so on a firm surface optimizes the effect of equal and opposite force exertion. Finally, the limited duration avoids the kind of tissue stagnancy experienced from prolonged sitting or standing. When the spine, joints and muscles are encouraged to be in neutral, the trunk will be at its most lengthened and widened state. This state feels good and allows various systems to function without potentially harmful structural compromise. As practice makes the sensation of a lengthened and widened trunk more familiar, it becomes a reference that one can consciously aspire to. Alexander Technique teachers also believe that this orchestrated sensation of length and width helps train the body to assume this state on its own, even while sleeping. Mentally revisiting the sensation of the practice session’s lengthened and widened trunk prior to getting into bed, can offer a head start on restful sleep. Hopefully, sleep will improve, and morning aches, pains and stiffness will become history. Claire Rechnitzer is AmSAT certified. AmSAT is the largest professional association of certified Alexander Technique teachers in the United States. Rechnitzer has served on the editorial team of the AmSAT Journal. She teaches the Alexander Technique, at her home studio located at 9543 Southgate Blue Ash, and various other venues in the greater Cincinnati area. For further information, email ATClaire@outlook.com, call 513-373-7396 or visit AlexanderTechniqueCincinnati.com.

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natural awakenings February 2017

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ccording to a 2012 New York Times story, “Preschoolers in Surgery for a Mouthful of Cavities,” more dentists nationwide are recommending that children be administered general anesthesia at hospitals due to the severity of decay. Such extensive dental work on children is largely preventable. Wise parents encourage their children to develop healthy habits such as brushing teeth at least twice a day; eating fewer sugary snacks and brushing afterwards; limiting fruit juice intake to four ounces a day; and sucking on bacteria-killing xylitol lollipops. Such a routine combined with an initial dentist visit by their first birthday can reduce dental costs, including hospital treatment for extreme decay that can cost thousands of dollars. Other ways to reduce the too-common incidence of six to 10 childhood cavities include breastfeeding only until baby teeth erupt; avoiding transmission of an anaerobic oral bacteria carried in saliva that’s the leading cause of tooth

Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Edition NaturalCinci.com

decay; early interceptive treatment to avoid crowding of teeth; and consulting a nutritionist.

Breastfeeding

Andie Pearson, a doctor of dental medicine and owner of Gaimed Dental Spa, in Wilmette, Illinois, tells mothers that in the descent through the birth canal, their baby ingests the bacteria necessary to digest breast milk. As teeth later emerge, their gut bacteria also become able to digest solid food. “By the time a child has all 20 baby teeth, between 18 and 30 months, they no longer have the microbial ecology for digesting breast milk and should be weaned. Researchers from the University of CaliforniaBerkeley have found that the more frequently a mother breastfed her child beyond the second birthday during the day, the greater the child’s risk of severe early tooth decay,” says Pearson. Development of facial muscles and bone structure is dependent on chewing and gnawing. “Teething rings facilitate chewing that builds stronger

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teeth and creates better alignment,” she explains. If childhood tooth growth is delayed, Pearson often suggests a chiropractic adjustment if all other developmental areas are normal. “It can help the body relax so that teeth erupt naturally,” she advises.

Mouth-to-Mouth Susan Maples, a doctor of dental surgery and owner of Total Health Dentistry, in Holt, Michigan, notes that Streptococcus mutans is the leading reason children are hospitalized today. “Cavities are formed when the rate of decay of the teeth caused by the lactic acid produced by the bacteria exceeds the rate of repair initiated by the phosphate and calcium ions in saliva,” she explains. The unwanted bacteria is transmitted through saliva, which is why adults should avoid licking spoons or tasting foods before offering them to children between the ages of 1 and 3. “This type of bacteria thrives on sugar, so children shouldn’t have lots of sugary drinks and sweet treats,” says Maples. Mouth kissing presents a similar risk.

Early Intervention

Kris Kammer, a doctor of dental surgery and owner of Gums of Steel Oral Hygiene Transformation, in Middleton, Wisconsin, learned early in his career to avoid mercury amalgam fillings and early extractions of bicuspids for orthodontic purposes, and that xylitol reduces buildup of plaque bacterial biofilm on teeth. A study published in the Journal of Dental Research, supported by findings of a metastudy appearing in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry “shows that regular use of xylitol over six months significantly reduces the Streptococcus mutans population,” he says. He also suggests early interceptive treatments which can be performed by general dentists. “Parents don’t need to wait for children’s teeth to come in crooked and crowded. These issues can be addressed with a removable appliance that expands the arch in the roof dome, influences bone growth and makes room for incoming teeth,” says Kammer. Early proper diet may also help prevent

crowding of teeth as well as malocclusion, or misalignment of upper and lower teeth, according to Pearson.

Role Modeling “Parents play a pivotal role in their children’s dental hygiene. They influence how their children care for their teeth, behave in the dentist’s office and feel about dental visits,” advises Pentti Nupponen, a doctor of dental medicine and owner of the Halifax Center for Holistic & Cosmetic Dentistry, in Halifax, Pennsylvania. Children should be made familiar with dentistry and taught that they are responsible for their dental hygiene from around age 1. Nupponen explains his gentle method: “I encourage mothers to bring their children along for dental appointments so that they can watch me from their mother’s lap. Generally, by the time they are alone in my chair, they aren’t frightened.” Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com.

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s safe and trusted as hyperbaric (high pressure) oxygen therapy, ozone therapy also harnesses the healing power of oxygen. Since the 1950s, its popularity has increased around the world. Today, more than 45,000 physicians in 50 countries administer ozone therapy to address ailments ranging from endodontic infections and herniated disk pain to arterial plaque and Lyme disease. According to the American Academy of Ozonotherapy, the widespread medical use of ozone began in Germany and has since spread across Europe as an alternative treatment for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The academy notes that allopathic physicians caution against ozone therapy largely due to misinformation and a lack of understanding regarding its efficacy, side effects, expense and safety, even though published international studies as well as U.S. clinical trials have shown it can be used instead of more expensive and dangerous methods such as surgery or pharmaceuticals. Therapeutic ozone has a sound safety record and no toxic effects have been observed from proper clinical use (Journal of the American Medical Association). Occasional reported side effects are slight

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weakness, dizziness or drowsiness for short periods of time during or after treatment. Rare allergic skin reactions like nettle rash are possible with local applications, although occurrences are mild and quick to resolve. Ozone is an oxidant. Ozone therapy, like exercise, creates health benefits by delivering measured doses of oxidative stress that activate the body’s internal antioxidant systems. The primary natural enzyme in ozone therapy is superoxide dismutase, which stimulates another enzyme called telomerase that keeps DNA young by maintaining the telomere at the end of each DNA strand. A study from Cuba’s University of Havana of herniated disc patients found that ozone therapy provided both oxidative protection and pain relief. Such properties make medical ozone therapy a safe and effective treatment for many infections. It’s been shown to be particularly effective for sinus and endodontic infections (Iranian Endodonics Journal), osteonecrosis of the jaw, ear infections, hepatitis (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine), cystitis, HIV, intestinal and blood infections and Lyme disease. Staff of the Sophia Health Institute, in Woodinville, Washington, report remarkably fast results treating such chronic complex infections by

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by Valerie Burke

following intensive intravenous (IV) ozone protocols, with individualized systemic support. Ozonotherapy is a prime treatment for infections, especially viral. Leading experts in oxidative therapy Dr. Robert Rowen, who practices in Santa Rosa, California, and Dr. Howard Robins, director of The Healing Center, in New York City, had good success administering treatment during the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone. In addition to many patients helped, “It’s been reported that ozone therapy rapidly cured five patients with Ebola during the outbreak,” says Rowen. Ozone therapy is now used to relieve arthritis, neuropathy, degenerative joint and disk disease, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. A pilot study led by the Universidad de Granada, Spain, saw improvement in the physical and depressive symptoms of fibromyalgia. “Ozone is also effective in treating osteoarthritic knees and, via injection, arthritic hips,” says Rowen. Other individuals describe their experiences of overcoming various diseases using ozone therapy at YouTube.com/user/ RobertRowenMD/videos. One of the most impressive evidence-based applications is relief from the pain of herniated disks, particularly lumbar. More than one meta-analysis deemed ozone treatment an effective and extremely safe procedure, with pain and functional outcomes equal to or better than surgery and far lower complication rates (less than 0.1 percent), along with significantly shorter recovery times (Pain Physician; American Journal of Neuroradiology). According to the Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine, oxygen/ ozone therapy used in dentistry offers three fundamental forms of applications to treat oral tissue—ozonated water, ozonated olive oil and oxygen/ozone gas. Ozonated water and olive oil have proved to be an ideal delivery system. Non-toxic and simple to generate, ozone therapy is coming of age as a viable option for both the treatment and prevention of illnesses.

Local Doctor, Hal Blatman, Offers Impressions On Ozone Therapy

dentist first introduced me to ozone therapy many years ago. He was using injected ozone to treat infections and various other problems. At the time, I did not pursue more learning more about it. Then, at the urging of a friend a few years ago, and I attended a conference to learn more. There were eighty doctors at the conference from various locations around the world. All had gathered to study from Dr. Shallenberger, the main presenter. Conversations during the first morning were generally filled with skepticism. But, by lunch time we were all impressed by the science, research, and biochemistry presented about ozonation or ozone therapy that included; improving the immune response, treating infections without antibiotics, restoring mitochondrial dysfunction, recovering from chronic fatigue, helping restore worn cartilage in arthritic joints, and improvement of dry macular degeneration. The conference led me to participate in research with 30 other centers across the US to further study the effects of introducing ozone therapy as a primary or adjunct treatment. Ozone is a form of oxygen that has three bound atoms of oxygen (O3) instead of the usual two in the type of oxygen (O2) we breathe in the air. Ozonation is the treatment or combination of a substance or compound with ozone to enhance the number of ozone atoms in the substance. Ozonated oxygen is created by a machine that arcs electricity like lightening across a stream of pure, medical grade, oxygen gas. As ozonated oxygen is heavier than air, a precise dose of it can be painlessly dripped into the ear to treat external and middle ear infections. It can also be applied topically onto the skin for treating infections and non-healing ulcers or be put into a syringe as a gas for injection into degenerating, arthritic, or infected joints. Injection treatment has also been helpful for treating lower back pain and disc issues. It is easy to inject the gas into the rectum and colon for treatment of colitis. Drinking ozonated water can be helpful in treating H. Pylori and other stomach issues and we have seen some amazing improvement in people that suffer with Lyme disease. With all the conclusive science about overuse of antibiotics and the need for non-drug treatment of chronic pain, these non-conventional therapies might be more often considered. It is rare in medicine to have such a safe and relatively inexpensive treatment option for people to choose. Dr. Hal Blatman has medical offices in Cincinnati, Manhattan, and the Sophia Health Institute in Seattle mentioned in the feature article. He is an MD that thinks more like a naturopath or an osteopath, and takes the time to listen to his patients. Blatman teaches medical, osteopathic, and naturopathic medical students and is the founder and medical director of Blatman Health and Wellness Center in Cincinnati. His practice offers comprehensive healing options from both mainstream and integrative medicine. For more information, visit BlatmanHealthAndWellness.com or call 513-956-3200. See ad, page 9.

Valerie Burke is a freelance health writer in Olympia, Washington, versed in integrative medicine with a master’s degree in nursing science. natural awakenings February 2017

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Their Gentle Empathy Helps Us Heal by Sandra Murphy

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hysical therapists have long used horses to help patients improve balance or strengthen core muscles. Now they’re helping to teach empathy. Given a horse’s significant size, sometimes distracting surroundings and the need for safety, humans need to learn the animal’s non-verbal cues, and to regulate their own. Close interaction without riding is proving to be helpful for those dealing with addictions, trauma and grief, and for employees to improve their communication and teamwork skills. Kelly Wendorf and Scott Strachan, co-founders of Equus, in Santa Fe, work with both individuals and organizations. Strachan emphasizes, “This isn’t magic. Horses reflect our feelings back to us. If we’re nervous, the horse will be more skittish.” “We’ve had executives arrive with cell phones firmly in hand and leave holding soggy tissues instead,” comments Wendorf. “For them, it was unexpectedly emotional.” For addicts caught up in a debilitating cycle, “Equine therapy gets the brain firing in a new direction,” says Constance Scharff, Ph.D., director of

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addiction research at Cliffside Malibu, in California. “Patients may say they’re fine when they’re not, but you can’t lie to a horse. They have boundaries; if you’re angry, a horse won’t tolerate your behavior and will walk away.” Scharff notes, “Equine therapy is complementary to psychotherapy medicine, and one tool we use in approaching addiction. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be the underlying issue, so we can address it, to understand why the person became an addict.” Wendorf relates the story of an 18-year-old client facing body image issues. “Five horses approached her and touched her with their noses on her arms and legs. Where they touched was where she had been cutting herself to try to relieve her emotional pain.” “People feel a powerful connection when they let down their defenses and a horse responds,” says Sheryl Jordan, equestrian director at Salamander Resort & Spa, in Middleburg, Virginia. “Our Equi-Spective life lessons program brings self-awareness and the power to better

control emotions. During the session, they may hug, pet and cry on the horse, but they leave the corral smiling.” The program teamed up with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) serving bereaved military families. Kelly Griffith, a surviving sister of U.S. Marine Corps Major Samuel Griffith, points to the power of equine therapy in a video at Tinyurl.com/ Equi-SpectiveVideo. Susan Wight, a former professional steeplechase rider and ambassador for TAPS in Leesburg, Virginia, says, “My husband was my riding coach. When he passed away, I was numb when facing decisions, but at the session, it felt like one of the horses was the one to choose. The initial flood of emotions and memories from being around horses again wasn’t pretty, but empathy is a specific language, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. Horses are a huge part of my life.” At Ranch Hand Rescue Counseling Center & Animal Sanctuary, in South Argyle, Texas, founder Bob Williams considers animal therapy a ministry. “We rescue abused and neglected farm animals, including horses that come

Horses help bring back memories for clients with dementia. ~Hearts & Horses, Loveland, Colorado, nonprofit therapeutic riding facility into play when patients are not responding to usual therapies,” he says. “It’s important for damaged people to learn to live in the light, and our partnering with the special needs animals helps put them on the emotional path to health.” The rescue’s mission is to provide hope, healing and a sense of security for children and adults that have suffered severe trauma such as abuse, domestic violence and witnessing violent death (Tinyurl.com/ RanchHandRescueVideo). Riding Beyond’s four-session program, in Ashland, Oregon, is free to women recovering from the rigors of breast cancer treatment. Expenses are covered by donations from the community. German research published in

the journal Psycho-Oncology reported that 82 percent of participating breast cancer patients studied displayed symptoms of PTSD following diagnosis. “They often don’t want to touch or be touched, and have trouble with friendships and intimate relationships; issues that can cripple a woman’s life,” says Trish Broersma, founding director and a certified therapeutic riding professional at Riding Beyond (Tinyurl. com/RidingBeyondVideo). “The medical team that saved their lives doesn’t treat these issues.” The first client, unfamiliar with horses, met Mystic, who touched her on the site of the former tumor. She says, “Even weeks later, when I brought her image to mind when stressed, sad or even happy, it brought feelings of contentment, peace and well-being.” Horses have been serving humans in many ways for centuries. Equine therapy shows they have even more to give if we are open to receive. Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.

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has been ranked in the best 50 in its size class among 200 companies named in the Franchise Business Review’s 2015 Top Franchises Report. The healthy living magazine was one of five franchise companies cited as best-in-class in the advertising and sales category. To select the top franchises across industries and performance categories, the organization surveyed more than 28,500 franchisees. For more information visit our website: NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/mymagazine or call 239-530-1377

hen thinking about the best forms of exercise as we enter midlife and beyond, we should first clarify some myths and preconceptions,” says Michael Spitzer, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, biochemist, fitness expert and author of Fitness at 40, 50, 60 and Beyond. “In our society, there’s a mindset that once we pass our 40th year, it’s all downhill from there. Our metabolism slows and we gain weight, lose mobility and flexibility, deal with more aches and pains, experience shortness of breath and the list goes on.” According to Spitzer, this all can happen, but it’s more of a self-fulfilling prophecy than destiny. “Research with older people at both rehabilitation and nursing centers tells us that the human body wasn’t designed to begin a major decline in function until age 70, barring major illness or accidents along the way. Most of individual decline is due to lifestyle choices, not nature’s plan.” Spitzer teaches his clients that weight training is essential for every age group. “After age 30, most people lose between 0.5 to 1 percent of lean muscle fiber per year, which directly affects the basal metabolic rate. Much like a car engine, the more lean muscle mass we have, the more energy our ‘engine’ uses, even when idling. If not prevented, by age 50, for example, we may have lost as much as 20 percent of the lean muscle fiber we had when we were 30.” He also recommends regular cardiovascular exercise. “Do a good round of cardio inside your target heart rate zone for 30 minutes at least three times a week. It’s vital for

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lung and heart health, the primary benefit of cardio exercise as opposed to just burning calories.” “For those in their 40s, I recommend high-intensity interval training such as burst training, along with a mindbody practice like power yoga or budokon,” says Nelson Pahl, of Northfield, Minnesota, managing editor of Longevity Times. “Vinyasa yoga, tai chi and cycling are ideal during our 50s, while hatha yoga, tai chi, or qigong and hiking work well in our 60s.” “Most of my clients are 70 and up,” notes Gwyneth Jones, an active aging specialist at the Carriage Club, in Kansas City, Missouri, who also trains physical therapists, rehabilitation specialists and movement educators. “They enjoy mixing up their daily exercise routines and look forward to the support and encouragement of their classmates. Discussions include lighthearted wordplay and questions about anatomy and physiology.” Pahl urges everyone at every age, “Consume only whole foods, always.” He rarely drinks alcohol and begins every day with yoga and qigong. “Also, be sure to stay well hydrated,” adds Jones. “This will keep your joints healthy, skin clear and moist, digestion more efficient and detoxification of organ systems more ef-

fective. Add fresh lemon if you like.” Physical fitness is only one aspect of aging gracefully. Spiritual growth lifts and lightens any mental and emotional load, while supporting physical well-being. Spitzer also recommends, “Reading, learning to play a musical instrument, crafting activities, computer strategy games or doing other activities that require concentration or new problem-solving skills; all help the mind stay tuned up and sharp.” It’s always healthy to break out of normal routines and comfort zones, venture into new worlds, volunteer and do what makes our heart soar. Jones advises, “Choose activities that feel good, refreshing, include people you enjoy, and are done in pleasant environments. Don’t forget to revel in sunshine or a good book on a rainy day. Listen to music, play music, sing and dance every day.” Maturity brings benefits we can embrace with delight when we bring loving attention and happy novelty to life. Aimee Hughes, a freelance writer in Kansas City, MO, is a doctor of naturopathy and consultant for the Yandara Yoga Institute. Connect at ChezAimee@gmail.com.

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INDOOR KITCHEN GARDENING

Easy-Grow Microgreens Are Big on Nutrition by Barbara Pleasant

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ast, fun to grow and packed with flavor and nutrition, tender young microgreens can go from seed to table in as little as a week. Close cousins to edible sprouts, microgreens are grown in potting soil or seed-starting mixes instead of plain water. They customarily grow beyond the sprout stage until they have produced a true leaf or two. After that, harvesting is a simple matter of snipping off fresh greens. “You don’t need a green thumb to grow microgreens, only patience and persistence,” says Mark Mathew Braunstein, in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, author of Microgreen Garden. Even first-timers can expect good results. For example, the thin shoots grown from popcorn taste like a more vibrant form of sweet corn, and pea shoots work well in wraps, salads and virtually any Asian dish. Like high-fiber wheatgrass, “Microgreens are great for juicing, either by themselves or mixed with other veggies,” says Rita Galchus (aka Sprout Lady Rita), proprietor of The Sprout House, in Lake Katrine, New York, which sells organic seeds for microgreens and sprouts. “You can add a handful of microgreens to a smoothie to ramp up the nutrition without changing its taste or texture,” she notes.

Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Edition NaturalCinci.com

Good Picks

The seeds of dozens of plants from alfalfa to wheat can be grown as microgreens. If seeking to maximize nutrition, put red cabbage and cilantro on the planting list. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Quality Laboratory, in Beltsville, Maryland, tested the nutritional properties of 25 microgreens; red cabbage, cilantro, garnet amaranth and green daikon radish had the highest concentrations of vitamin C, carotenoids, and vitamins K and E, respectively. Microgreens generally provide three times as much nutrition per weight as the same food eaten in its mature state. “People underestimate the intense flavor of microgreens and might try planting mustard greens or radish varieties even if they don’t like spicy flavors,” say Elizabeth Millard, an organic farmer in Northfield, Minnesota, and author of Indoor Kitchen Gardening. For beginners, large seeds that sprout quickly such as sunflowers, buckwheat and snow peas are good choices because they produce big, robust sprouts with mild flavor. Many people also grow microgreens for their pets. “Cats tend to

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MAR

consciouseating

prefer mild, sweet-tasting microgreens such as red clover, alfalfa and flax seed,” advises Galchus. “They also love grasses grown from hard wheat, whole barley and rye. Cats cannot digest the grass, but use it to bring up indigestible matter that might be lodged in their stomachs.”

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Clean Greens

Microgreens grow so fast that there’s little time for them to run into trouble. Commercial growers use large trays, but home gardeners can also use pretty coffee mugs or tofu boxes rescued from the recycling bin. Drainage holes in the container bottoms work well when growing beets or other slowsprouting seeds, but are less important for fast-growing sunflowers or wheat. Work only with organic seeds. Seeds sold for sprouting or bulk grains from a local health food store cost much less than the larger, robust seeds produced for gardening. Soak seeds in water overnight to jump-start germination. Place an inch or so of potting soil or seed-starting mix in the container, and then scatter the plump seeds on top. “A common beginner’s error is to sow seeds too thickly,” says Braunstein. Sown seeds should not touch each other, with most spaced about one-quarter-inch apart. Spritz with water and cover with a plate or plastic wrap. At the first signs of sprouting, water and move the pot to a sunny spot near a bright window or within two inches of a bright grow light. Dribble in small amounts of water to maintain moisture over the next few days. To harvest, cut in bunches about one-half inch above the soil line. Microgreens store well in the refrigerator for a couple of days, but are best eaten fresh. For both beginners and experienced gardeners, growing microgreens provides a close-up look at seed germination, one of nature’s miracles. Award-winning garden writer Barbara Pleasant’s new book Homegrown Pantry: A Gardener’s Guide to Selecting the Best Varieties & Planting the Perfect Amounts for What You Want to Eat Year Round, will be out next month from Storey Publishing.

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. ~Hippocrates

Garbanzo Bean Chocolate Cake

Transfer the batter to the cake pan.

on’t tell anyone this chocolate cake contains garbanzo beans until after they taste it and ask for seconds.

Bake for 40 minutes or until a knife is inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1½ cups semisweet dark chocolate chips (lowest sugar possible) 1 can organic garbanzo beans– rinsed and drained 4 eggs ½ tsp baking powder ½ cup applesauce Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 9” round pan. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and cook for 2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds after the first minute until chocolate is melted and smooth. Combine the beans and eggs in a food processor or blender and process until smooth.

Healthy Tip: Garbanzo beans (AKA, chickpeas) are a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, iron, zinc, phosphorus, and vitamins. This seems like an oxymoron, but for the occasional splurge, there are better dessert options. But, if for those whose cravings are controlled and are able to maintain a healthy weight, the dark chocolate in this recipe can be included without sacrificing protein and other nutrients. Recipe courtesy of Chelsea Caito, Registered Dietitian and Lifestyle Coach at Huber Personalized Medicine. For more information, call 513-9245300 or visit Huberpm.com. See ad, page 17.

Add baking powder and applesauce. Pour in the melted chocolate and blend until smooth. natural awakenings February 2017

Sustainably Stylish Home Relax into Nurturing Furnishings by April Thompson

e all relish a cozy nest, whether that means lightfilled views, the embrace of form-fitting sofas and chairs or plush rugs that snuggle bare feet. A beautiful, comfortable home that reflects our personal style and embodies our values can be achieved by learning the origin of furnishings and investing in sustainably made pieces that will stand the test of time, say experts. “Furnishing a home ethically doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or style,” says JD Doliner, a business consultant in Charlotte, North Carolina. Doliner’s home is graced with 18th- and 19th-century antiques, organic cotton mattresses, comfy custom-made chairs from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood and handmade wool rugs certified childlabor-free by GoodWeave. “They give me peace of mind as a humanitarian and environmentalist,” she says.

Signs of Progress

Debbie Hindman, marketing director for Associates III Interior Design, in Denver, is working with increasingly knowledgeable clients like Doliner asking for sustainably sourced products. Manufacturers, in turn, are upping transparency about product origins, realizing it can provide a competitive edge, she notes. 34

“We look at the story behind a product and make sure that it aligns with both our company’s and clients’ values,” says Hindman, a co-author of Sustainable Residential Interiors. “We ask questions like, ‘Are workers paid a fair wage? Was the product made with local materials? What is the story behind the company’s founding?’” The Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) coalition of manufacturers, retailers

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greenliving

and designers partners with businesses and informs consumers to increase environmentally responsible choices in the marketplace. Its 400 members commit to sustainability and transparency in their business practices and submit an annual action plan showing such efforts. Headquartered in Edenton, North Carolina, the council strives to minimize industry carbon emissions and remove unsustainable materials and harmful chemical ingredients from residential and commercial furnishings. “The residential furnishings industry frequently takes raw materials from one continent, processes and manufactures on another to be consumed on yet another, leaving a huge environmental footprint,” says Susan Inglis, the council’s executive director. As the third largest consumer of wood, these manufacturers bear significant responsibility for preserving the world’s forest ecosystems and fighting deforestation, reports Inglis.

Savvy Shoppers

To make informed decisions, furniture shoppers need to ask how, where, from what and by whom a potential purchase is made. Lisa Beres, a healthy home expert and former interior designer in Newport Coast, California, and author of Just Green It! advises not taking product claims at face value. Ask if the product has earned a certification like the Global Organic Textile Standard for fabrics or GreenGuard, which veri-

Toxic Furnishings Alert

oday’s mass-produced furniture may contain hidden chemicals such as formaldehyde-based adhesives, flame retardants and other volatile organic compounds (VOC) linked to serious health issues. Researchers from the Natural Resources Defense Council found 45 toxic chemicals in indoor dust, 10 of which were present in at least 90 percent of households sampled. “These chemicals enter the air as materials in the furnishings break down,” explains healthy home expert Lisa Beres. “Because we spend an average of 90 percent of our lives indoors, the exposure to harmful chemicals is troubling.” Beres advises shoppers to be wary of synthetic fabrics, which not only consume nonrenewable resources like petroleum, but may also contain toxic dyes, heavy metals or chemicals like Teflon. Foam and other fillings in mattresses, sofas and chairs are often a hidden source of off-gassing VOCs. The Sustainable Furnishing Council’s seal of approval and member list at SustainableFurnishings.org are a good place to start to find companies committed to offering healthier alternatives that include transparency and responsibility in their manufacturing practices.

Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Edition NaturalCinci.com

fies low levels of chemical emissions. Not all natural products are sustainably produced; cotton, for example, is one of the most heavily sprayed crops. Look for certified organic cotton as a responsible textile choice. Beres also suggests renewable fiber sources like bamboo or hemp. “Natural latex is a sound alternative to foam fillers, offering good support and dust mite resistance,” says Beres. Specific animal-based products like down feathers used in bedding can provoke allergies and be produced inhumanely, Beres cautions. Products certified to the Responsible Down Standard, which protects the wellbeing and welfare of geese tapped for their manufacture, offer a humane choice for fluffy down comforters. Look for well-crafted furniture made from locally sourced, reclaimed or FSC-certified wood instead of particleboard, which usually contains formaldehyde and may be made from unsustainably harvested wood. Sustainable furnishings are both better for the planet and can make a home distinctive. Natural pieces like a countertop made from reclaimed, rough-hewn wood provide a unique beauty that mass-manufactured pieces can’t match and also showcase the material’s natural form and feeling. Her firm promotes durable, timeless pieces over trendy furnishings that a client might discard in a few years. When it’s time to retire a piece of furniture, find a new home for it, whether by donating to a charity or reselling through a consignment store. While cutting corners on home furnishing choices can be tempting, especially when shopping on a budget, remember that today’s quality pieces may become tomorrow’s cherished heirlooms. “Some will spend money on the latest gadget, but hesitate to invest in a great piece of furniture or a quality mattress they’ll spend much of their life sitting or sleeping on,” says Beres. “It’s not a splurge; you’re investing in your health and protecting Earth’s precious resources. It all comes full circle.” Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

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Transforming the Way Women Relate to Men An Interview with Alison Armstrong by April Thompson

or 25 years, relationship expert Alison Armstrong has worked to evolve society by changing the way women relate to men. Her yearning to understand the opposite sex was born from personal challenges, including a failed marriage in her 20s. She began studying men on her own, at the age of 30, beginning with the question, “What if men are responding to women?” What started out as a personal inquiry has become a lifelong pursuit and she’s shared her findings with millions of men and women worldwide. Armstrong, co-founder and CEO of PAX Programs, addresses gender differences, sexuality and relationships. She has written three books, including The Queen’s Code, and speaks to interpersonal insights through workshops, webinars and teleclasses, including free recordings and articles at UnderstandMen.com. Armstrong and her second husband have been happily married for 23 years and now live in Colorado.

Which core differences between men and women cause everyday misunderstandings? The biggest source of mischief is denying that differences exist at all. Both men and women tend to assume that each is a version of the other, which creates significant misunderstandings. We interact with our partners by doing

or saying what works for us. When that doesn’t get the response we’re expecting, we usually draw incorrect conclusions and act in counterproductive ways. For example, men and women relate to feelings differently. Women often make life decisions based on their feelings about something or someone. To men, who tend to rely on facts and set aside feelings, this approach can seem irrational, and relating to women as irrational has predictably bad outcomes.

Where does a couple best start to heal the communication divide? The most powerful thing men and women can do is to address misunderstandings with openness and curiosity rather than assuming we know why our partner did or said something. We should ask ourselves, “What if there’s a good reason for that?” Don’t assume that what’s true for her is also true for him, and vice versa. Once a couple chooses to give each other the benefit of the doubt, a few simple changes can further open up communication. Saying “I need” instead of “I want” will make a huge difference. Because being “needy” is considered unattractive, women avoid this word, not realizing that it connects with a man’s instinct to provide. When asking for something, it’s important to say what it would

provide us. For him, there needs to be a reward equal to or greater than the energy he’ll have to expend. Years ago, I described to my husband in colorful detail the experience of falling into the toilet in the middle of the night; he took it upon himself to make sure that never again happens to the women he loves.

What’s the secret to navigating partners’ differing needs and drives for physical intimacy? The secret is to stop leaving our sex lives to the whims of biology, or making decisions based on whether we “feel like it.” Waiting for a time when both partners feel like it, the kids are at Grandma’s and we’re not too tired leads to sex happening too rarely. Delicious sexual partnerships begin when we decide to stop waiting and instead work on creating the circumstances that put us in the mood. One example is learning to offer “dessert”. Using the desire for food as a metaphor for the desire for sex, we’re often trying to eat together when only one partner is hungry. But dessert sounds delicious anytime; examples might be massage or kissing or other physical activities. Find out what reliably perks up a partner’s interest and put that on the menu.

How can a woman satisfy a man’s desire to provide without sacrificing her independence? American culture tells women that being low-maintenance matters most. Yet, when we allow our partners to fulfill our needs, it can help us unlock our own greatness, as well as theirs. Men are driven to provide for their loved ones and denying them such opportunities takes away their life’s pursuit, which can be emasculating. By asking for what we need, women create opportunities for partnership, satisfaction and fulfillment for both partners. When we allow the men in our life to contribute to us and learn to receive graciously, we discover that it doesn’t diminish our power. Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

natural awakenings February 2017

calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Carol@NaturalCinci.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

Introduction to Reversing Chronic Pain – Feb 1 & 8. 6-8pm. We will lay the foundation for reversing the pain cycle by understanding the brain’s role in pain and comfort, learning techniques for interrupting the pain signals, along with gentle, healing movements. $65. Future Life Now, 4138 Hamilton Ave, Ste B, Cincinnati. For more info & registration: 513-541-5720 or FutureLifeNow.com.

Aunt Flora’s Comfort Food: A Cooking Demonstration – 6:30pm. Join soul-sational chef Aunt Flora as she shares the secrets behind the best cobbler pie in the city, preparing her famous vegetable cobbler. Aunt Flora is a nationally-renowned entrepreneur and chef, whose work and wisdom has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Martha Stewart. Deer Park Branch Library, 3970 E Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati. Register: 513-369-4450 or CincinnatiLibrary.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Rhythms of Our Land – 12pm. A music and movement workshop presented by Bi-Okoto Drum and Dance Theater. Loveland Branch Library, 649 Loveland-Madeira Rd, Loveland. Registration required: 513-369-4476.

Healing/Drumming – 7-10pm With Bob Laake, Healing Drummer. All are welcome. Several healing practitioners and tables. Love donation. Grace Episcopal Church College Hill, 5501 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati. 513-541-2415.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Smart Phones, Smart Bodies – 12-3pm. With Claire Rechnitzer. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register: GracetreeStudio.com.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Adult Coloring Club – 1pm. Join us on the first Monday of every month and color your cares away. Materials provided. Greenhills Branch Library, 7 Endicot St, Cincinnati. 513-369-4441. Adult Coloring Enthusiasts – 6pm. Wanted: adults who love to color to join other adults who love to color. Supplies provided. Loveland Branch Library, 649 Loveland-Madeira Rd, Loveland. 513-369-4476. Adult Coloring Book Club – 6:30pm. Discover the therapeutic benefits of coloring. Relieve stress and enjoy the fun of coloring again. Materials and refreshments provided. St. Bernard Branch Library, 10 McClellend Ave, Cincinnati. 513-369-4462.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Yoga for Kids – 4pm. Yoga for kids presented by a kid. Come and meet Vivienne Konz who is a certified yoga teacher. She would love to introduce you to the world of yoga. Hyde Park Branch Library, 2747 Hyde Park Ave, Cincinnati. 513-369-4456.

markyourcalendar 38th Annual OEFFA Conference Ohio’s largest sustainable food and farm conference. New larger location in Dayton.

February 9-11 For more info: OEFFA.org.

Holistic Mental Health Network – 7-9pm. Brian Shircliff, program director of Vitality to address health, wellness and trauma. Community Friends Meeting, 3960 Winding Way, Cincinnati. Call or text: 513-328-8178.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Full Moon Celebration/Ceremony: Snow Moon – 7-9:30pm. With Jim Wachter, Minister/Teacher. Bring a light snack to share. Love donation. 216 Furbee Dr E, Mason. RSVP required: 513-702-4589.

Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Edition NaturalCinci.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Spirituality in Business – 9am-12pm. More and more people are talking about wanting spirituality in the workplace. What is “spirituality in the workplace?” The focus of the class is what it is and why it’s important. Among the topics to be discussed are the “Five Bottom Lines” and the distinction between what a company can accomplish and what it can contribute to making this world a better place. $55. Future Life Now, 4138 Hamilton Ave, Ste B, Cincinnati. Register: 513-541-5720 or FutureLifeNow.com. Yoga with Gina Belew – 10:15am. Adults are invited to share their yoga practice with certified yoga instructor Gina Belew. Anderson Branch Library, 7450 State Rd, Anderson Township. Registration required: 513-369-6030. Essential Oils – 2pm. Learn about the properties of essential oils and what makes them “essential.” A large, therapeutic grade sampling will be available to smell and test. Each participant will go home with a half oz amber glass and euro-dropper full of a pure essential oil. Presented by Carisa Bunten of Seventh Street Gifts. Madeira Branch Library, 7200 Miami Ave, Cincinnati. To register: 513-369-6028.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 A Caregiver’s Journey: Resilience, Hope and Support – 10:30am. Join author and caregiver Edna M. Walker as she shares the touching personal journey through the tsunami she endured while caring for her dear husband, Norman Walker. Honored by the Alzheimer’s Association of the U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs for her support of caregiver health and wellness, she offers practical advice on getting the assistance you need while caring for a loved one in her book, A Caregiver’s Journey Through the Tsunami’s of Life. Signed copies available for purchase. Deer Park Branch Library, 3970 E Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati. Registration required: 513-369-4450. Joyful Healing Laughing Yoga – 7pm. This is not your typical yoga class and does not incorporate traditional yoga moves. Laughter is nature’s most powerful stress buster and can have a profound effect on our health and well-being. Come prepared to move and laugh. Symmes Township Branch Library, 11850 E Enyart Rd, Loveland. 513-369-6001.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Shamanic Journeying – 7-9pm. With Cindy Carver, Metis Elder. Bring a light snack to share.

ongoingevents sunday East Cincy Beginning Yoga – 9-10:15am. First class is free. $14/drop-in; passes available. 503 W Main St, Batavia. 513-331-9525. EastCincyYoga.com. Call to confirm location. $15. 216 Furbee Dr E, Mason. RSVP required: 513-702-4589.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Yoga with Gina Belew – 10:15am. Adults are invited to share their yoga practice with certified yoga instructor Gina Belew. Anderson Branch Library, 7450 State Rd, Anderson Township. Registration required: 513-369-6030.

markyourcalendar You Are What You Eat: Nourishing a Healthy YOU Join us for this interactive panel discussion to get different perspectives about food and your well-being. You will go home with practical nutrition tips to improve your overall health. $20, $30 for two.

February 25 • 1:30-4pm Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd, West Chester. For more info: YOUniqueWellnessExpo@gmail.com or Facebook.com/YOUniqueWellnessAnExpo. To register: you_are_what_you_eat_registration.eventbrite.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Pregnant Body Know How – 1-4pm. With Claire Rechnitzer. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register at GracetreeStudio.com.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 World Service Meditation – 7-9pm. With James Wachter, Minister/Meditation Leader. Bring a light snack to share. Call to confirm location. Love donation. 216 Furbee Dr E, Mason. RSVP required: 513-702-4589.

markyourcalendar Coming this February to downtown Springboro! A Spiritual Group Wellness Center Higher Level School/College Gift Shop For more info: Info@WhiteDoveCircle.com

Spirited Flow with Kim Dawes – 9:30am. $15/ drop-in. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register: GracetreeStudio.com.

monday Embody Yoga – 9:30am. Whole body awareness. $15/drop-in, $40/mo. ECOconsciously Yoga, 4138 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati. 513-301-9397. Noontime Nurture Yoga – 12pm. With Beverly Gorman. $15/drop-in. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register: GracetreeStudio.com. Mind, Body and Soul Yoga – 5:30pm. With Donna Hansen. $15/drop-in. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register: GracetreeStudio.com. Meditation – 7pm. Join Dr. Gary Pekoe as he gently guides us into our center for relaxing, guided deep meditation. $5 donation. Ailie Wellness Center, 3651 Harrison Ave, Cheviot. 513-432-4182. Gary@ AilieWellness.com.

tuesday On Your Way Home: Mixed Level Yoga – 5:306:30pm. $15/drop-in. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register: GracetreeStudio.com. ShantiMom Prenatal Yoga – 6-7:15pm. Led by Antonia von Hirschberg. $15/drop-in. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register: GracetreeStudio.com. Restorative Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Beneficial for anyone recovering from physical injury and for stress relief. $10/session. Live Well Chiropractic Center, 6860 Tylersville Rd, Mason. To register, Jo Ellen Ryan: 505-635-9110 or jryan7299@gmail.com. Yoga with Susanne – 7-8pm. Unite the mind, body and spirit through yoga. Appropriate for beginners. Sign up now for discounted monthly classes. $7/ drop-in. Ailie Wellness Center, 3651 Harrison Ave, Cheviot. 513-432-4182. Gary@AilieWellness.com.

wednesday Hatha Yoga – 12pm. With Tanuja Singh. $15/ drop-in. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register: GracetreeStudio.com. Strength and Flow Vinyasa Yoga – 6pm. With Jill Conyers. $15/drop-in. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register: GracetreeStudio.com. Free Women’s Defense/Fight Training – 7-8pm. Come join other women as you learn to box, kickbox

and ground fight in this unique setting. Not your typical martial arts gym. Empowerment, exercise and skill. No experience necessary. Ages 13 and up with parental consent. Ailie Wellness Center, 3651 Harrison Ave, Cheviot. 513-432-4182. Gary@ AilieWellness.com.

thursday A Balanced Flow Yoga – 9:30am. With Kim Dawes. $15/drop-in. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register: GracetreeStudio.com. Madeira Farmers’ Market – Thru Apr. 3:30-6pm. Madeira Silverwood Presbyterian Church, 8000 Miami Ave, Madeira. MadeiraFarmersMarket.com. I Am Yoga Kids Class – 5pm. Ages 7+. $7/drop-in, $20/mo. ECOnscioulsy Yoga, 4138 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati. 513-301-9397. East Cincy Gentle Yoga – 6:45pm. First class is free. $14/drop-in; passes available. 503 W Main St, Batavia. 513-331-9525. EastCincyYoga.com. A Balanced Flow Yoga – 7pm. With Kim Dawes. $15/drop-in. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register: GracetreeStudio.com. Free Women’s Defense/Fight Training – 7-8pm. Come join other women as you learn to box, kickbox and ground fight in this unique setting. Not your typical martial arts gym. Empowerment, exercise and skill. No experience necessary. Ages 13 and up with parental consent. Ailie Wellness Center,

classifieds Fee for classifieds is $20 per month for up to 20 words. Each additional word is $1 per month. To place listing, email content to Carol@NaturalCinci. com. Deadline is the 10th of the month. HELP WANTED PILATES REFORMER INSTRUCTOR – Join TheraPilates Fitness in Anderson for a fun and friendly Pilates teaching experience! We are hiring high energy, positive, passionate Pilates instructors for group and private reformer classes. Instructors must be excited to build relationships with clients and be willing to teach and learn from the staff. TheraPilates Fitness is a growing Physical Therapy owned boutiquestyle studio with a need to cover existing classes and develop more! Requirements: Must be certified in Pilates Reformer training with 1 year experience, experience with rehab clients a plus. 513-604-6508. SPAVIA DAY SPA IN ROOKWOOD – Is hiring State of Ohio Licensed Estheticians and Massage Therapists. Email resume to RookwoodDaySpa@cinci.rr.com.

natural awakenings February 2017

communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, call 513-943-7323 to request our media kit.

3651 Harrison Ave, Cheviot. 513-432-4182. Gary@ AilieWellness.com. Meditation Class – 7-8:30pm. 2nd Thurs. With Gary Matthews. $20. The Stillpoint Center, 11223 Cornell Park Dr, Blue Ash. 513-489-5302.

friday Lunchtime Express Yoga – 12-1pm. Led by Laura Lejeune. $15/drop-in. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register: GracetreeStudio.com. Lettuce Eat Well Farmers’ Market – 3-7pm. Yearround market featuring many food and craft items. All fresh fruits and vegetables are locally and sustainably grown without synthetic chemicals. EBT food stamps accepted. Cheviot United Methodist Church, 3820 Westwood Northern Blvd, Cheviot. For details: LEWFM.org. Wine Tasting – 4-7pm. Country Fresh Market and Wine Depot, 8315 Beechmont Ave, Anderson Township. 513-474-9167. Shamanic Journey – 6:30-8:30pm. 2nd Fri. With Gary Matthews. $20. Stillpoint Center for Healing Arts, 11223 Cornell Park Dr, Blue Ash. 513-489-5302. Drum Circle – 9-11pm. Stillpoint Center for Healing Arts, 11223 Cornell Park Dr, Blue Ash. 513-489-5302.

saturday Reiki Classes – Individual or group classes offered every Sat. Karma Wellness Studio, 2067 Beechmont Ave, Fl 2, Cincinnati. For pricing, times & registration: 513-233-9355. KarmaWellnessStudio.com. Pranayam for Wellness – 8-9am. With Suman Jha. $15/drop-in. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register: GracetreeStudio.com. Give Back Yoga – 10:15-11am. Designed to gather community around a common cause while giving back the gift of yoga. Donation proceeds go to Give Back Yoga Foundation. ECOnsciously, 4138 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati. 513-301-9397. Vitamin B-12 Shots – 10:30-11:30am. Susan’s Natural World, 8315 Beechmont Ave, Anderson Township. For more info: 513-474-4990. Yoga Retreat – 10:30-11:45am. With Kellie Rubenacker. $15/drop-in. Gracetree Yoga and Growth Studio, 8933 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester. Register: GracetreeStudio.com. Introduction to Network Spinal Analysis Talk – 10:30am-12pm. 2nd Sat. Learn how stress affects posture and brain function. Must register: 513-321-3317. Wine Tasting – 2-5pm. Country Fresh Market and Wine Depot, 8315 Beechmont Ave, Anderson Township. 513-474-9167.

ACUPUNCTURE DONNA LYNNE STRONG BROTT, LAc

513-324-0955 AcuCincy.com Ancient Healing Arts practiced with compassionate understanding. Chinese Herbal Therapy coming in 2017. Call today for a free consultation or visit my website. See ad, page 10..

Bodywork SPAVIA DAY SPA

Rookwood 3825 Edwards Rd, Ste 106 513-795-1888 SpaviaDaySpa.com Spavia offers customized, resort-like, spa experiences at affordable prices. After receiving your service, you will leave feeling refreshed, beautiful and more relaxed than ever. To schedule an appointment call us or email us at info@spaviarookwood.com. See ad, page 15.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE Alliance Integrative Medicine

Dr. Caylin Holmes 6400 E Galbraith Rd Cincinnati, OH 45236 513-791-5521 MyHealingPartner.com Dr. Caylin Holmes is the newest chiropractic physician at Alliance Integrative Medicine primarily focusing on strength and conditioning of the everyday person and athlete, especially runners. Her wide range of chiropractic techniques includes taping, traction, activator, electrical stimulation, ultrasound and more. See ad, page 5.

LIVE WELL CHIROPRACTIC CENTER

Dr. Kim Muhlenkamp-Wermert 6860 Tylersville Rd, Ste 1 Mason, OH 45040 Ph: 513-285-7482 Fax: 513-285-7483 DrKim.LiveWell@gmail.com LiveWellCC.com We look at the whole body to find the cause of the problem, helping you get well, stay well and Live Well. Specializing in pregnancy and children. See ad, page 30.

Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Edition NaturalCinci.com

ENERGY medicine HEALING TOUCH HOLISTIC HEALING LLC

Nancy Lavergne, Certified Healing Touch Practitioner 9059 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd West Chester, OH 45069 513-260-1273 HTHolisticHealing.com A Heart-Centered practitioner devoted to serving clients on their road to recovery, restoring balance and harmony to their energy systems. Improving the quality of life for clients undergoing treatments for cancer, accelerate healing from surgery, relieve pain and reduce stress.

Furniture T.Y Furniture

106 E. Maple St, Columbus 614-929-5255 Service@TYFineFurniture.com TYFineFurniture.com We custom design and hand produce all of our unique commercial and home décor pieces from naturally fallen timber, applying water or milk-based glues and a proprietary organic wood finish. Our furniture is heirloom quality and guaranteed for life. We also sell a handpicked selection of Ohio-made organic mattresses, to help reduce harmful chemical exposure to your home. See ad, page 3.

HEALTH INSURANCE JULIE CHAFIN HEALTH INSURANCE

513-315-0380 JulieChafinHealthInsurance.com If your current coverage is renewing or ending, you may want to switch plans or insurance carriers to get better network coverage and pricing. Visit my website to get a quote and look at options. If you think that you may qualify for a subsidy, I am a Federal Agent on the exchange. Please call me before visiting Healthcare.gov or Kynect.ky.gov, so that I can assist you!

HOLISTIC DENTISTRY MINDY MUNOWITZ, DDS, NMD, IBND

HORMONE THERAPY HAPPY HORMONE COTTAGE

9393 Cincinnati-Columbus Rd West Chester, OH 45069 513-755-8000 SmilesOhio.com Integrative biological dentistry offering the entire family wellness visits to advanced dentistry integrating safe and effective therapies based on the patients’ specific needs. Our fluoride-free office offers ozone in all phases of dentistry. What you say matters! See ad, page 25.

6860 Tylersville Rd, Ste 9 Mason, OH 45040 513-444-6343 Info@HappyHormoneCottage.com HappyHormoneCottage.com Educational and medical facility focused on refilling hormone receptors that deplete with age. This strategy eradicates the symptoms of hormone imbalance and prevents disease as we age. Come see us! See ad, page 11.

DARLENE SAND WALL, DMD

HUBER PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

3505 Dixie Hwy, Erlanger, KY 41018 859-344-8500 DarleneSandWalldmd.com Dr. Sand Wall has a solid background in dental practice and procedures, with knowledge and understanding of energetic medicine. If the eyes are considered the gateway to the soul, then the mouth is the gateway to everything else. Dental health is an indicator of overall health. Dr. Sand Wall is committed to helping others keep their teeth and unique smile, for the rest of their life, without any troubles. See ad, page 24.

Holistic Health Wholly Healing

Christy Cotterman, Life and Emotional Healing Coach 513-827-2757 Christy@WhollyHealingExperience.com WhollyHealingExperience.com We all have trapped, unresolved emotions in the body from past and present stressors. The result is fatigue, anxiety, depression and self-sabotaging behavior. Get your energy and life back. Free discovery session. See ad, page 10.

HOLISTIC WELL CARE SIGNIFICANT HEALING WELL CARE PRACTICE

157 Lloyd Ave, Florence, KY 41042 859-282-0022 Victoria@SignificantHealing.com SignificantHealing.com Victoria Smith, certified holistic practitioner, iridologist. Individualized well care plan. Emphasis on natural supplements and remedies. Nutrition and supplement education. Fitness and personal training. Therapeutic and relaxation massage. See ad, page 26.

H E A L T H Y H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G P L A N E T

Gary Huber, D.O. AOBEM 8170 Corporate Park Dr, Ste 150 513-924-5300 Abrock@HuberPM.com HuberPM.com Integrative medicine blends traditional medical approaches with strong restorative natural therapies to yield the best path for finding your “ideal health.” Bio-identical hormones, thyroid, weight loss and more. See ad, page 17.

HYPNOSIS CRAIG AUBERGER, CERTIFIED HYPNOTIST, NGH

PO Box 317748, Cincinnati, OH 45231 513-236-5558 Do your wants and needs wrestle within you? Are you sometimes, needlessly struggling with your decisions? Why not test hypnosis?

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE ALLIANCE INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 6400 E Galbraith Rd Cincinnati, OH 45236 513-791-5521 MyHealingPartner.com

Combining the best practices of conventional medicine with the best evidence-based alternative treatments, AIM’s experienced practitioners work with you to create a wellness plan that is preventive, proactive and personalized. See ad, page 5. feel good • live simply • laugh more

Think with your whole body. ~Taisen Deshimaru

Your Healthy Lifestyle Multimedia Resource in Print, Online and Mobile

513-943-7323 NaturalCinci.com

natural awakenings February 2017

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE BLATMAN HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER

Hal S. Blatman, MD 10653 Techwoods Cir Cincinnati, OH, 45242 513-956-3200 The Center offers a comprehensive individual program to help you and your body heal from injuries and aging in today’s environment-from hormones to tendons, from sexual to mental function, from migraines to foot pain. Visit us at Blatman HealthAndWellness.com. See ad, page 9.

HUBER PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

PET SUPPLIES SPIRIT’S BOUNTY FARM, LLC Contact@SpiritsBounty.com SpiritsBounty.com

Botanicals with a Greater Purpose. Spirit’s Bounty Farm is a family farm located in Kentucky specializing in non-GMO, animal friendly, plant-based topical products. Visit our website. See ad, page 28.

PILATES THERAPILATES FITNESS

Sheri Keller Burdick, PT, owner 7719 Five Mile Center, Five Mile Rd Anderson Township 513-604-6508 TheraPilates Fitness offers specialized one-on-one physical therapy evaluations and treatments. Treating neck and back disorders, orthopedic and sports related injuries, neurological disorders, joint replacements and injury prevention. We also offer Pilates Reformer group and private classes.

SHAMANISM LANDSCAPING TAMARAC LAWN CARE & LANDSCAPING

Liz Garrison, owner and operator 513-410-4254 Tamarac.Contracting@gmail.com Facebook.com/TamaracContracting Liz Garrison, owner and operator of Tamarac, provides residential and comWINTER IS mercial properties with COMING quality service for all Lawn Care, Landscaping, and Are You Ready? Snow Removal needs. InTamarac Lawn Care & Landscaping sured and recommended, SNOW REMOVAL SERVICES “The Look That Lasts”. Call Tamarac is creating Offering a full line of today for& lawn an estimate. landscaping maintenance See ad, page 28. services all year around.

Family-owned & operated since 1991.

NEUROFEEDBACK

Residential & commercial properties

Call today for a

RACHEL SMITH, LMT FREE estimate

859-739-3489 513-410-4254 Rachel@RachelVSmith.com RachelVSmith.com HPN High Performance Neurofeedback Clinician and Craniosacral Therapist uses effective methods to relax, increase brain performance an address symptoms of concussion, trauma, anxiety, depression, AD(H) D, autism, headache and more. See ad, page 22.

GARY MATTHEWS

Stillpoint Center for Healing Arts 11223 Cornell Park Dr, Blue Ash, OH 45242 513-722-1917 ShamanicCounselor.com StillpointTherapy.com Counseling, shamanic journey, soul retrieval, empowerment, energy work. See ad, page 8.

SKINCARE AILIE BIODERMA

Gary Pekoe, PhD, President & CEO 3651 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45211 513-432-4182 AilieBio.com Ailie products relieve skin concerns like eczema, psoriasis, skin infections, dry skin and molluscum without pain, synthetic antibiotics or the fear of drug resistance. Our signature ingredient is from a plant that has been used safely for generations. We also use therapeutic essential oils to improve your health. See ad, page 13.

Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Edition NaturalCinci.com

THERMOGRAPHY MINDFUL WELLNESS MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY

Jacky Groenwegen, LMT, CTT 8859 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd, Ste 007 West Chester, OH 45069 513-382-3132 MindfulWellnessMedicalThermography.com Thermography is a radiationfree, state-of-the art screening procedure that uses heat detection to locate areas of temperature differences in the body. This pain-free, no touch, no radiation screening procedure locates and monitors breast abnormalities and changes in overall body conditions earlier. See ad, page 11.

weight loss Huber Personalized Medicine Dr. Gary Huber 8170 Corporate Park Dr, Ste 150 Cincinnati, OH 45242 513-924-5300 HuberPM.com

Wanting to shed a few pounds or looking to make a drastic change? We have packages that meet and support you in any stage. This package includes nutrition consultations, a sugar cleanse, weight loss supporting supplements and more! See ad, page 17.

WELLNESS CENTER AILIE WELLNESS CENTER

Gary Pekoe, PhD, President & CEO 3651 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45211 513-432-4182 Ailiio.com

Ailie Wellness is a center for discovery, empowerment and transformations for you. We hold weekly classes for yoga, meditation, holistic health coaching, doterra workshops and oils, transformational coaching and free women’s self defense classes. Also check out our skincare products for psoriasis, eczema, MRSA, molluscum, dry skin and more! See ad, page 13 and 8.

STILLPOINT CENTER FOR HEALING ARTS

11223 Cornell Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH 513-489-5302 Facebook: Stillpoint Center For Healing Arts StillpointTherapy.com Stillpoint Center for Healing Arts, “Bodywork for the Soul” featuring massage therapy, acupuncture, structural integration, family constellation, shamanism, Reiki, cranio-sacral therapy, special events and more. Sign up for our newsletter on our website. See ad, page 8.

Sacred Pilgrimage to Egypt with Rae Chandran

March 31 – April 9, 2017 10 days / 9 nights Cost: $3,800 - $4,200 (airfare not included)

his magical retreat offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Egypt with a custom guided program led by internationally renowned channeler and author Rae Chandran that combines nature, history, adventure and spiritual experiences in some of the most magnificent spots in the world. Experience daily channelings, meditations, intention ceremonies, activations and initiations in power spots guided by Chandran. Some of the places that will be visited include the Great Pyramids (private two-hour visit), Initiation in King’s chamber, Sphinx, Temple of Sekhmet and 7 Gates (private visit), Channeling in Abydos, Sakkara and Memphis, Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple, Hathor Temple, Alabaster Mosque, Coptic Church and the Cairo Museum, Isis Temple, Temple of Horus and Komombo Temple and many more.

Chandran is a teacher, channeler and energy healer. He has been on the path of self-discovery for more than three decades and through the awakenings and understandings he has had over these years, he shares these truths to all the people he comes in contact with. He teaches these truths through the various workshops he conducts in many parts of the world like Japan, USA, Brazil, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Shanghai, India and Vietnam. He also leads people to power spots and power vortexes in countries like Egypt, Israel, Greece and Morocco. Chandran is the author of five books. The content of all of these books is completely channeled.

Spiritual Retreat in Israel – July 2017

Meditations, Initiations and Channelings

To register for the Egypt or Israel tour or for more information, call Susan Deflavis Winters at 239-340-1036 or email Panguswf@gmail.com For more information about Rae Chandran, visit RaeChandran.com

I delight in simple things

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