H E A L T H Y
L I V I N G
H E A L T H Y
P L A N E T
feel feelgood good••live livesimply simply••laugh laughmore more
Shaping the Future We Want
FREE
Encouraging New Eco-Commitments
Helping Kids Connect Ways to Model “We,” not “Me”
Rock Your Tastebuds! Global Vegetarian Recipes
Rebounding Wildlife Public and Private Programs Offer Hope
October 2012 | North Texas Edition | NA-NTX.com
Feel Better, Lose Weight, Increase Energy & Mental Clarity Natural Awakenings’ Detoxified Iodine People using detoxifed iodine have reported relief from:
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome • Depression • Weight Gain • Fibromyalgia • Low Energy $ • Radiation Y L N O • Hypothyroidism supply 4 - 6 week • Hyperthyroidism • Bacteria & Viruses • Yeast, Mold & Fungus
20
Available Online At
www.NAWebstore.com Or Call: 888-822-0246
Here’s what people are saying about Natural Awakenings’ Detoxified Iodine “I’ve had symptoms of hypothyroidism for years. I’ve been taking a prescribed medication given to me by my medical doctor. I’ve been taking this detoxified iodine for a few weeks now. I noticed very quickly having more energy, improved mental clarity and feeling more positive.” LL in Florida “I started taking the drops years ago when my thyroid levels were out of whack and they are now in the ideal range. So I’m a fan!” MB in Connecticut “In the first 5 days, what I am so excited about is my nails. For the past couple of years my nails have been weak, brittle and unhealthy after chemo treatments 10 years ago. After 5 days I actually noticed how much improved they are. I am very excited how this works because the majority of my family has hypothyroid (hashimoto’s).” DB in New York
Visit NAWebstore.com for Hundreds of Natural, Eco-friendly Products
Beauty & Skin Care
2
North Texas
Organic Clothing
NA-NTX.com
Green Home
Books & Music
Green Toys
contents 11
5 newsbriefs 10 businessprofile 1 1 healthbriefs 15 globalbriefs
15
17 ecotip 18 actionalert 20 inspiration 23 readertip
21
32 consciouseating 35 fitbody 36 calendar 43 classifieds 44 resourceguide
advertising & submissions HoW to aDVertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 469-633-9549 or email publisher@NA-NTX.com. Deadline for ads: noon on the 9th of the month. eDitoriaL submissions Email articles, news items and ideas to: publisher@NA-NTX.com. Deadline for editorial: feature articles are due by the 5th of the month, news briefs and health briefs are due by noon on the 9th. CaLenDar submissions Submit calendar events online at NA-NTX.com within the advertising section. Deadline for calendar: noon on the 9th 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 469-633-9549. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
na-ntX.com
natural awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
19 tHermoGrapHY
The Whole Body Diagnostic Tool
24
by Dr. Genie Fields
20 CoLLaboratiVe ConserVation
Threatened Species Rebound by April Thompson
21 CHiropraCtiC Care
Help for Common Complaints
by Kathleen Barnes
28
24 sHapinG tHe
future We Want
Global Commitments to Catalyze Change by Brita Belli
28 inVestinG in
main street
Cities, Schools and Churches Move their Money to Local Economies
30
by Rebecca Leisher
30 CHiLDren foLLoW aDuLt eXampLes
Enabling “We” Instead of “Me” by Michael Ungar
32 GLobaL fLaVors New Ethnic Vegetarian Recipes Rock Taste Buds
35
by Judith Fertig
35 forest batHinG The Healing Power of a Walk in the Woods by Maggie Spilner
natural awakenings
October 2012
3
letterfrompublisher
W
contact us publisher Jim Davis Co-publisher & sales Martee Davis editorial Theresa Archer Elizabeth Daniels Robert Dean Linda Sechrist Design & production C. Michele Rose Stephen Blancett Distribution Preston Davis printer Digital Graphics, OK City multi-market advertising 469-633-9549 franchise sales John Voell 239-530-1377 3245 Main St., Ste 235 - Mailcode 134 Frisco, TX 75034 Phone: 469-633-9549 Fax: 888-442-6501 publisher@NA-NTX.com NA-NTX.com © 2012 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.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe online to receive FREE monthly digital magazine at NA-NTX.com. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.
4
North Texas
orking through this month’s edition, which is themed toward the environment, I was taken aback by some of the research uncovered that our actions, individually and cumulatively, directly have on our resources and ensuring prosperity for our children. Thinking my family was doing our small part, I became a little uncomfortable reading through the data on how we as Americans may be a little too comfortable in our ways. It started with a report from the Shelton Group (SG), a marketing company that focuses on sustainable choices made by consumers. A recent survey found the majority of Americans are unwilling to give up comfort and personal freedom for the environment. One example the survey highlighted was that while 69 percent of Americans believe it is important to personally reduce water consumption, only 26 percent replaced toilets or showerheads with low-flow alternatives, fewer than half took shorter showers, only 4 percent installed rain barrels and 6 percent planted low-water landscaping. More startling than the SG survey was a paper Dana Gunders, of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), authored in August with supporting data explaining how the America food system, including consumer habits, wastes a huge percentage of food produced. “Forty percent of food in the United States today goes uneaten,” she said. “This not only means that Americans are throwing out the equivalent of $165 billion each year, but also that the uneaten food ends up rotting in landfills as the single largest component of U.S. municipal solid waste, accounting for almost 25 percent of U.S. methane emissions. Reducing food losses by just 15 percent would be enough food to feed more than 25 million Americans every year at a time when one in six Americans lacks a secure supply of food to their tables.” (See NRDC.org/food/files/wasted-food-IP.pdf.) Additionally, the paper revealed that getting food from farm to fork uses 80 percent of all the fresh water consumed in the United States. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average household throws out 470 pounds of purchased food each year, wasting about 27 percent of food available for consumption and costing the average family of four roughly $600 a year. Shopping wisely, cooking only the amount of food needed, knowing when food actually goes bad and eating food even if it’s not cosmetically attractive would trim food waste and save the equivalent of one quarter of our fresh water, the amount used to produce the food being thrown out. Raised by parents that came from an era when everyone belonged to the “clean plate club,” I was truly shocked by the volume of waste. Even as so many Americans are struggling, it appears we are uncomfortable giving up our comforts, even though we know it’s unsustainable. The EPA expects 36 states will face serious water shortages by 2013. Understanding the relationship between water, food and quality of life, what more of a wake-up call do we need? Usually I try to keep these letters light, with a flicker of humor, so let me apologize for the tone this month, but not the sense of urgency. Please join me in looking for ways to trim waste and save. Step outside your comfort zone and try planting a garden and using less water for the lawn. Take the bruised fruit and make a smoothie and freeze last night’s leftovers if you’re not going to use them any time soon. I pushed my paranoia of expired dates on foods aside and found the slightly out-of-date yogurt was as yummy as it was a week ago. I’m not sure about the cinnamon apples in the refrigerator, but the leftover ravioli from my son's lunch yesterday is history! Stay happy, healthy and young at heart. It’s way more fun that way! Jim Davis, Publisher
NA-NTX.com
newsbriefs Foam Fest Fun for the Whole Family
O
ne of the hottest new crazes on the racing circuit is running through foam, and the 5K Foam Fest makes its North Texas debut November 3, at the Double D Ranch, in Mesquite. The experience combines the fun of a mud run with foam and watery obstacles, like running through a giant car wash. Whether participating as an individual or as a team, the course is great for the serious and novice runner, walkers and families. The 3.1-mile race is open to ages 12 years and older, with assigned start times from 9 a.m. to noon. For younger kids, there’s a Rugrat Race, at 11 a.m., for children ages 6 to 11. Runners are encouraged to dress in costume and are required to wear a race bib, which can be picked up at Academy Sports, in Mesquite, November 1, or one hour before the assigned start time on race day. Pre- and post-race festivals include music, games and activities, reminding participants that fitness can be fun. The Shared Hope International charity will benefit from the races. Location: 12809 Eastgate Dr., Mesquite. Free parking. For more information and to register, visit 5KFoamFest.com.
Find a Geocache in Statewide Challenge
T
o promote healthy activity and fun, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has created a yearlong Texas State Parks Geocache Challenge, using the game of finding hidden “treasures” by means of GPS technology, encouraging families to get outside and enjoy nature. “We hope to create new park visitors who may come in for the day looking for a cache and end up finding a place they fall in love with and keep coming back to,” says Park Ranger Cassie Cox. After reaching a location utilizing latitude and longitude coordinates, hunters search the terrain using clues to find hidden items on trails, in parks or special secret areas. Hidden caches range from extremely small containers (35 mm film canister or smaller) to large, ammo-style boxes, and can contain many different items, including a log book to sign, tradable items for kids and adults and messages. Geocaches are never buried, allowing anyone to play. Every Texas State Park has at least one special geocache that park visitors are encouraged to find. Participants can earn prizes, depending on how many total caches they find. Prizes are awarded based on increments of 10, 20, 30, 50 and 80 geocache finds. For more information, visit Tinyurl.com/Geocache Challenge. natural awakenings
October 2012
5
newsbriefs Storytelling Festival in Frisco
C
elebrating the power and artistry of stories, the ninth annual Lone Star Storytelling Festival will be held October 19 and 20, at the George A. Purefoy Municipal Center, in Frisco. The weekend of live entertainment is hosted by the Frisco Public Library Foundation and Frisco Association for the Arts. The family-friendly concerts begin at 7:15 p.m., October 19, with a Favorite Stories concert, featuring four nationally acclaimed, award-winning storytellers. Daytime concerts run from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., October 20, including a School of Rock concert at 7:15 p.m., for ages 10 and up. Proceeds from the Lone Star Storytelling Festival benefit the Frisco Public Library, which will conduct an open house from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., October 20. The public is invited to sample the programs and resources offered, including ereader and genealogy workshops, puppet shows, story times for kids and more. The Frisco Public Library helps keep the art of storytelling alive by teaching students 8 to18 years of age the craft in a series of extensive training sessions. Auditions are held each spring and those chosen are coached to perform with the professional storytellers. Location: 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit LoneStarStories.org.
Clean Cities Coalition Hosts Alternative Transportation Expo
T
he Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Coalition is hosting the Alternative Energy & Transportation (AltCar) Expo in North Texas, November 2 and 3, at the Plano Convention Centre, bringing together a variety of alternative fuels and advanced technologies. The first day of the event will focus solely on fleet management professionals and how to integrate alternative fuels into fleets, municipalities and industries. Jim Evanoff, Department of Energy and former Environmental Protection Specialist, will be the keynote speaker. The second day will be open to the general public. Attendees will see vehicles powered by biodiesel, ethanol, electricity, hydrogen, natural gas and propane. Hybrids and idle-reduction technology will also be on display. Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in a “Ride and Drive” interactive experience and speak to manufacturers’ representatives. Location: 2000 E. Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano. For more information on the event and the DFW Clean Cities Coalition, visit nctcog.org/cleancities.
6
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
Balloon Festival and Family Fun Day in Celina
T
Romanian Food Festival in Colleyville
T
he seventh annual Romanian Food Festival will be held from November 2 to 4, at Saint Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church, in Colleyville. More than just polenta and traditional folk dances, the festival will make sure that guests “pofta bunta” (enjoy your meal) with activities and entertainment, including traditional music, sporting exhibitions, arts and crafts and a kids’ corner. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 6 to 12 years old. Parking is free. Romanian cuisine is a diverse blend of dishes from Balkan, German, Serbian and Hungarian traditions, resulting in a unique taste and character. Romanian dishes include sour soup, pastries and pies, vegetable dishes, sweets, polenta, cheeses, schnitzel, breads and an abundance of meats, especially pork. Wine is the beverage of choice, with a wide variety produced in Romania. A kids’ corner includes childfriendly activities such as a petting zoo, a bounce house and face painting. Live music, gymnastic and boxing exhibitions, traditional folk dances and vendor booths with an assortment of wares will be available throughout each day.
he seventh annual Celina Balloon Festival and Family Fun Day lifts off October 26 and 27, at Old Celina Park, with a multitude of activities, including carnival rides, live entertainment, art and craft booths, food vendors, helicopter rides, games, a kite exposition, a children’s pavilion and more. Festival activities begin Friday at 5 p.m. and balloons lift off Saturday morning at 7 a.m. General admission is $5, with children 5 and under free. Parking is $5. This year’s Balloon Festival will feature a number of colorful hot air balloons, including the special shape balloon of Miss Daisy, with several inflating for a “balloon glow” event Friday and Saturday evening. In addition to the skyward activities of the balloons, the festival will feature RC airplane shows, giant kites, rocketry and aerial performances by the Dallas SkyDive stunt team and the futuristic jet-pack Rocketman. Activities on the ground include live music featuring several North Texas entertainers, more than 100 vendor booths, carnival rides including a 65-foot Ferris wheel, a giant 150-foot slide, midway games, a classic car, RV and motorcycle show and a new beer garden for adults. Kid-focused activities include a petting zoo, bounce houses, face painting and a costume contest. Location: 12670 FM 428, Celina. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit CelinaBalloonFestival.com.
Location: 3801 Glade Rd., Colleyville. For more information, call 817-858-0801 or visit RomanianFestival-Dallas.com. natural awakenings
October 2012
7
newsbriefs Wonder Pet Expo Wags into Dallas
R
ecognizing that pets are important members of the family, the Wonder Pet Expo makes its debut from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., October 20, at Dallas Market Hall. The free, family-friendly event promotes animal health and wellness through responsible pet care and ownership, teaching family members the love and compassion of animals when properly cared for. Activities include presentations by award-winning pet blogger Preston Speaks and nationally renowned publishers Paris Permenter and John Bigley, K-9 demos and training tips by the Dallas Police Department, a pet pageant, a Kids Zone with activities for children, prizes and raffles, low-cost vaccinations and discounted micro-chipping. Paws for Applause Dog Agility demos will be performed throughout the day. Free nail trims and ear cleaning will be available, along with a large selection of companies and area animal rescues exhibiting pet supplies and services, including show specials. Pets are allowed on a fixed lead with proof of vaccinations. Adoptable dogs will be available and pet-friendly Derby Doggie Races will be run. Free parking is available. Location: 2200 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas. For more information and event registration, visit WonderPetExpoDallas.com.
Celebrate Wildlife Refuge Week at Hagerman
I
n celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge are hosting a full day of free nature events and programs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., October 13, at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, in Sherman. The family-friendly event will feature activities that include birding, butterfly and dragonfly walks, nature talks, rainwater harvesting, how to use and care for binoculars, digital birding, canoeing 101, shorebirds and crafting origami critters. The day kicks off with a guided bird walk at 9 a.m., with a different activity starting every hour until 4 p.m. Live birds of prey from the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center will be available to view and photograph from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the visitor center. A new film highlighting the story of legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold will be shown at 2 p.m. A variety of talks and demonstrations on subjects including fly-tying, backyard birds, rainwater harvesting and nature crafts will be available. Location: 6465 Refuge Rd., Sherman. For more information and a schedule of events, call 903-786-2826 or visit FriendsOfHagerman.com.
8
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
Inspiration Lights Up the Night
All Treats and No Tricks at Unicorn Lake
T
housands of walkers will take to the streets of North Texas on October 20, 21 and 28 for the 2012 Light The Night Walks, to encourage and remember those that have battled blood cancer. The 2012 Light The Night Walks in Plano, October 20, Fort Worth, October 21 and Dallas, October 28, benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and their mission to find a cure for blood cancer and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Each walker will carry an illuminated balloon. Survivors carry a white balloon, supporters carry a red balloon and those walking in honor of a loved one that has lost their battle to a blood cancer will carry a gold balloon. Check-in and pre-walk festivities begin at 5 p.m., followed by the program at 6:30 p.m., and the walk beginning at 7 p.m. Walkers can participate as an individual or team, and strollers, wheelchairs, children and seniors are welcome. All funds raised go to LLS. This year, the North Texas chapter has set a goal to raise $1 million.
F
For more information and to register for any of the three North Texas walks, visit LightTheNight.org/NTX.
Location: 2900 Wind River Lane, Unicorn Lake Plaza, Denton. For more information, visit Tinyurl.com/8dxhkdz.
or a safe, family-friendly venue that’s different than traditional door-to-door trick-ortreating, the business community in the Unicorn Lake area, in Denton, will host a Family Halloween celebration from 4 to 7 p.m., October 31. Activities for kids include balloon animals, crafts, several bounce houses, games and coupons for free items at participating retailers and of course, candy. A barbeque pit trailer will be grilling free hot dogs and hamburgers and kid coupons for free ice cream cones will be handed out. Parents can enter drawings by obtaining a stamp from each of the participating businesses that have donated prize items, making it a scavenger hunt the whole family can participate in. Once all the stamps are collected, the name is entered into the drawing pool. Costumes are encouraged, and a costume contest for prizes will be held at Curves for existing members. Free enrollment coupons and a drawing will be provided for nonmember women interested in joining Curves.
natural awakenings
October 2012
9
businessprofile
Dairy is M-O-O-VING with the Times
E
stablished in 1967, Circle N Family Dairy As a state-permitted dairy, Circle N Famis a second-generation dairy dedicated to ily Dairy is licensed to sell fresh, raw milk, the tradition and heritage of family farming. which is tested daily by an independent state Located four miles outside of Lindsay, Circle N approved lab, unlike most raw milk providFamily Dairy has always been a family operaers that are required to be tested only once a tion with the goal of producing the best quality month. “Meeting our customers is very impormilk possible. Tommy and Michelle Neu, along tant to us and we enjoy getting to know them with their son, Kevin, who will carry on the and their families and hearing the wonderful Tommy and Michelle Neu tradition, are passionate about dairy farming, benefits from drinking our raw milk,” says which requires long hours, seven days a week. Michelle Neu. “People who think they are lactose intolerant Acknowledging the fact that a cow’s health and comfort have told us they can generally drink raw milk, because the has a direct affect on the taste and quality of milk, the Neus enzymes have not been destroyed by pasteurization.” pamper their cows with a diet of grass and silage. Due to Along with raw milk, the Neus sell raw chocolate milk the Texas heat and limited rainfall, good quality grass is not and cream, free-range eggs, a large variety of home-canned available year-round, so silage is raised on the farm specifigoods such as fresh salsa, marinara, pickles, pickled items, cally for feed. jellies and jams, and a variety of produce that varies through Silage is animal forage that is cut and chopped with the growing season. Local, unfiltered, unpasteurized honey, 40 to 60 percent moisture content at its peak stage for the pecans from this year’s harvest and a line of homemade highest nutrient value and stored in an airtight silo; much like soaps made with milk from the dairy are being added to the canning food. It naturally ferments and preserves the imporstore’s offerings. tant nutrients cows need, producing a better tasting and more In the spirit of giving back to the community, Circle N digestible feed. Through a balance of grass and silage, the Family Dairy offers tours by appointment, and is home of raw milk from Circle N Family Dairy is guaranteed to have M-O-O-VING Thru The Mud with Landon, a farm-themed consistent quality and better taste year-round. mud run, benefiting the Hypothalamic Hamartoma FoundaFresh, unprocessed raw milk naturally contains importion. The 10-course obstacle event is held the third Saturday tant vitamins and minerals a body needs without added horin May (MudWithLandOn.com). mones or processing. Dairy is an important part of a healthy balanced diet at any age and can help with weight loss, the Circle N Family Dairy is located four miles west of I-35, on building of lean muscle and replenishment of nutrients lost US 82, in Lindsay. For more information, call 940-372-0343 during a workout. or visit CircleNDairy.com. See ad, page 29.
10
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
healthbriefs
Washday Woes: Scented Products Pollute the Air
S
ome scents make no sense for personal or planetary health. Using scented laundry products can release harmful— even carcinogenic— pollutants into the air, report University of Washington researchers. Their findings, published online in the journal Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health, show that air vented from machines using the top-selling, scented, liquid laundry detergent and dryer sheet contains hazardous chemicals. When researchers analyzed captured gases from dryer vent fumes after participating households ran regular laundry cycles using liquid laundry detergent and a leading brand of scented dryer sheets, they found more than 25 volatile organic compounds, including seven dangerous air pollutants. Of those, two chemicals—acetaldehyde and benzene—are classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens, with no established safe exposure level. Benzene is linked to leukemia and other blood cancers, according to the American Cancer Society, and studies have shown that acetaldehyde can cause nasal and throat cancer in animals. “This is an interesting source of pollution, because emissions from dryer vents are essentially unregulated,” says lead author Anne Steinemann, Ph.D., professor of civil and environmental engineering and of public affairs. “If they are coming out of a smokestack or tail pipe, they are regulated— but if they’re coming out of a dryer vent, they are not.”
ABCs Keep Colon Cancer at Bay
W
hat do Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower have in common? According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, these cruciferous veggies are associated with a decreased risk of colon cancer. Throw in a good measure of A’s, as in apples, and people can also reduce their risk of distal colon cancer, report researchers from the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research at the University of Western Australia and Deakin University, in Victoria, Australia. The investigation examined the potential link between fruits and vegetables and three cancers in different parts of the bowel. natural awakenings
October 2012
11
healthbriefs
Breast Cancer Links to Environmental Toxins
N
ew evidence that chemical pollution may be linked to breast cancer comes from a surprising source: a group of male breast cancer patients at Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base in North Carolina. Poisons in the camp’s drinking water, including benzene, a carcinogenic gasoline additive, perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), are regarded as a cause; conditions at the base are also blamed for unusual rates of leukemia and birth defects. The worst period of contamination of the base’s water supply began in the late 1950s and continued for more than 30 more years. Because men are simpler to study than women—their risk of developing breast cancer is not complicated by factors such as menstruation, reproduction, breastfeeding and hormone replacement therapy—the epidemiologists may be able to conclusively link industrial chemicals with an increased risk of the disease for both genders. Source: National Disease Clusters Alliance
12
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
October 24 is Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Day
T Vitamin D Curbs Depression
L
ow levels of vitamin D have been linked to depression, particularly among those with a history of the disorder, according to what researchers believe is the largest such investigation ever undertaken. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center psychiatrists, working with the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study, reviewed the relevant results of nearly 12,600 participants from late 2006 to late 2010. They suggest that patients with a history of depression could benefit from a vitamin D assessment.
he popularity of acupuncture in the United States is increasing steadily, according to a study of Americans’ use of the ancient Chinese energybalancing technique, published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Researchers found that in 2007, 6 percent of adult Americans included acupuncture as part of their regular health care regimen, up 42 percent from 2002 (at that time, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine also reported that 60 percent of adults surveyed considered acupuncture as a treatment option). Most commonly used for pain relief, acupuncture is based on the theory that needle stimulation of specific points on the body’s energy channels, called meridians, corrects imbalances and helps restore health. Some Western experts believe that the needles stimulate pain-sensing nerves, which trigger the brain to release endorphins, the body’s pain-relieving chemicals. Former President Richard Nixon is generally credited with popularizing acupuncture in the West after he toured medical facilities during his visit to China in 1972. New York Times reporter James Reston, who was traveling with Nixon and underwent an emergency appendectomy during the trip, wrote extensively about the post-operative pain relief he experienced.
natural awakenings
October 2012
13
healthbriefs
The Phthalates–Diabetes Connection
W
hat we place on our skin might increase the risk for diabetes, based on findings by researchers at Uppsala University, in Sweden. They noted a connection between phthalates found in cosmetics and plastics and the risk of seniors developing diabetes; even a modest increase in circulating blood levels of such chemicals doubled their risk. Monica Lind, associate professor of environmental medicine at the Section for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Dr. Lars Lind, professor of medicine, analyzed new information from a study that involved more than 1,000 70-year-old men and women in Uppsala. The participants submitted blood samples for analysis of various environmental toxins, including several substances formed when the body breaks down phthalates. Even after adjusting for obesity, blood lipids, smoking and exercise habits, the researchers saw a definite connection between blood levels of some of the phthalates and an increased prevalence of diabetes. The Linds also found that certain phthalates were associated with disrupted insulin production in the pancreas. Most people come into daily contact with phthalates. These chemicals are commonly used as softening agents in plastics and as carriers of fragrances in cosmetics, personal care products, air fresheners and scented candles.
14
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
Caffeine a NoNo for Babies
N
ew moms that are breastfeeding should abstain from caffeine, according to an interview with Dr. Ruth Lawrence published in the Journal of Caffeine Research, a peerreviewed publication. Lawrence says that because infants are not able to metabolize or excrete caffeine efficiently, a breastfeeding mother’s consumption of the drug may lead to caffeine accumulation and symptoms such as wakefulness and irritability in her baby.
globalbriefs
Busty Justice
News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Eco-Pioneer
Paying It Forward: Rachel Carson’s Legacy This year marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Rachel Carson’s seminal book, Silent Spring, which warned of the far-reaching dangers of deadly pesticides and was widely regarded as a catalyst for America’s conservation, clean air and water and environmental protection movements. Now author Laurie Lawlor and illustrator Laurie Beingessner bring her message to today’s youth in the children’s book, Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World. Carson’s life—from her childhood fascination with nature to becoming a college graduate and biologist to writing Silent Spring before her death in 1964—is told in easy-to-understand terms. An epilogue recounts her legacy for all generations. Carson encouraged readers to rethink fundamental values about the relationship between people and nature and not to suppose that, “Nature exists for the convenience of man,” as she put it. One of the vivid examples of life’s interconnectedness that Carson cited occurred in Clear Lake, California, between 1949 and 1957. To eradicate gnats, three sprayings of DDD, a cousin of DDT, were applied, killing western grebes that breed on floating nests. When scientists examined the dead birds, they found astounding levels of DDD and realized that it occurred because the birds fed on lake fish that fed on DDD-laden plankton, passing the toxic pesticide up the food chain in “a whole chain of poisoning.” Carson also warned of potential human cancers resulting from handling pesticides and eating contaminated fish. The state Department of Public Health consequently banned DDD in 1959 and the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants subsequently banned DDT for agricultural use worldwide in 2004. Along with the enactment of many environmental laws, Carson’s work helped spur the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The advent of Earth Day, in 1970, led Mark Hamilton Lytle to write in his biography of Carson, The Gentle Subversive, that, “No event could have done more to celebrate the ideals that Rachel Carson bequeathed to the environmental movement.” Her legacy lives on.
Number Please
Let Your Fingers Do the Blocking With the advent of online access at home and ubiquitous use of smartphones, the traditional printed telephone book is going the way of the dodo. Yet competing companies across the country are still churning out the archaic directories and delivering them unbidden to millions of people annually. Many receive multiple publications that, although they can be recycled, still add up to a tremendous waste of resources and an unnecessary burden on landfills. Now an industry-sponsored online opt-out registry, YellowPagesOptOut.com, has been established to provide a convenient way for residents to choose which directories they want to receive or to stop delivery. At least 12 weeks are required to process an opt-out request.
October is Bra Recycling Month The Bra Recyclers, a Gilbert, Arizona-based textile recycling company, is celebrating the third annual Bra Recycling Month during October. The intent is to collect new and gently used and cleaned bras for interested women nationwide. Healthiest options are non-underwire garments—Dr. John McDougall, in his book, The McDougall Program for a Healthy Heart, notes that constricting bras have been implicated in the rise of benign, non-cancerous but often painful breast cysts and lumps. Bra Recyclers CEO Elaine Birks-Mitchell states, “The month-long campaign ties directly into breast cancer and domestic violence awareness. The Bra Recyclers believe every woman and girl should not have to worry about something as simple as a bra as they transition back to self-sufficiency or being cancer-free. The results are enhanced self-esteem and encouragement and strength to carry on.” To participate, visit BraRecycling.com.
Let’s Eat
National Food Day is October 24 Sponsored by the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest, Food Day provides a national focus for healthy food-related initiatives across the country. Get involved at FoodDay.org.
natural awakenings
October 2012
15
globalbriefs Tech Trash
Africa’s E-Waste Is Skyrocketing The collective economies of Africa are set on a course to produce more electronic e-waste than Europe by 2017, according to Katharina Kummer Peiry, executive secretary of the Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes. At a recent Pan-African Forum on e-waste in Nairobi, Kenya, she attributed the exponential increase to population growth and the increased availability of mobile phones, computers and accessories. More recycling could be advanced, she says, by the fact that significant amounts of valuable metals such as gold, silver, palladium and copper can be salvaged from electronic devices at less cost than smelting them from virgin ores. Source: TerraDaily.com
16
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
Developing Problem The Case to Save Swampland
An out-of-the-way quagmire or boggy boondock off a lonely road might seem like just so much wasteland rather than something to be concerned about when it’s paved over for a new strip mall or big-box store. But citizens are realizing that these plots where land meets water provide a vital and valuable ecological function. In addition to nurturing essential biodiversity, wetlands purify water, produce fish, store carbon dioxide that would otherwise increase global warming and protect shorelines from floods, storm surges and erosion. “When we lose wetlands, we’re losing something we won’t recover for years,” remarks Dr. Moreno-Mateos, a wetland ecologist at the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, at Stanford University. “When people develop that huge shopping mall, it will take centuries to restore the functions we had before.” After-the-fact restoration efforts yield far more limited benefits. Source: plosBiology.org
Green Gendering
Women Leaders Combat Climate Change A new study in the journal Social Science Research observes that, “Controlling for other factors, in nations where women’s status is higher, CO2 emissions are lower.” Christina Ergas and Richard York, sociologists at the University of Oregon–Eugene, found that the nations in which women have higher political status—based on how long they’ve had the right to vote and representation in parliament and ministerial governments— also have more ecologically sound outcomes than those that do not. Such outcomes included ratifying a greater number of environmental treaties, more scientific knowledge of climate change, a perception of environmental risks as more threatening and less optimism about the potential to solve problems by relying solely on technology. Source: Grist.org
ecotip Good Idea
Eco-Checklist Tracks Personal Progress
Jurassic Ark
Extinction is Not Forever Tiny organisms that vanished from the Earth’s biosphere eons ago are still around—they’re just buried under miles of polar ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland. As the forces of climate change cause the ice to melt faster every year, John Priscu, a professor of ecology at Montana State University and pioneer in the study of Antarctic microbiology, predicts that bacteria and other microbes could awaken from their hibernation and threaten contemporary species. Priscu notes, “It’s a way of recycling genomes. You put something on the surface of the ice and a million years later, it comes back out.” He has spent the past 28 summers near the South Pole, finding living bacteria in cores of 420,000-year-old ice and multiplying them in his laboratory. Other researchers report bringing far older bacteria back to life. Thawing glaciers could also churn out enormous compost piles of decaying biomass. It’s estimated that all the carbon from organic matter in and under the ice sheets, if converted to carbon dioxide, would equal a decade’s worth of emissions from today’s vehicles worldwide. Not all of the carbon would convert directly to greenhouse gases, but any release would add to the huge amount already expected from thawing permafrost. “This is a big pool of carbon to be considered,” Priscu warns. “We really should look at this.”
Keeping daily to-do lists is standard practice for many life projects. Now, the environmentally conscious can periodically monitor their personal eco-progress via ChasingGreen.org/green-actions. The website helps people to become greener by suggesting many activities and ideas to consider and then check off when they have been accomplished, all while exchanging ideas with an interactive community. Eight categories—energy, health, heating and cooling, recycle and reuse, travel, water, miscellaneous and one-time actions—together contain more than 150 distinct actionable steps. Users can register or log-in using Facebook and save the latest additions to their progress report, then return at any time to monitor the successful greening of their lifestyle. For example, while many homeowners may have already insulated their dwelling, the energy section points out possible areas for improvement, including water pipes, roof, walls, window treatments, doors, ductwork, water heater and basement. Some tips in the miscellaneous section are timely for upcoming holidays, such as giving an eco-friendly gift, substituting an experience for a tangible gift and sending e-cards instead of traditional paper greetings. The travel section reminds the eco- and budget-conscious to check their cars’ tire pressure often, as underinflated tires put more rubber on the road, which demands more energy to drive and hurts gas mileage. When planning trips, a rail option is deemed better for the environment than driving or flying. Operators of the site, based in Walla Walla, Washington, state: “By offering small steps towards going green, we hope to give people a starting point and a source of inspiration. We are advocates of the proverbial, ‘Well, I can do that!’ moment.” Relevant articles on various topics offer additional eco-tips, enhanced by user comments and reviews.
Source: TheDailyClimate.org (Tinyurl. com/AntarcticBacteria)
natural awakenings
October 2012
17
actionalert Food Fight
No More Hidden GMOs California voters face a food-protection milestone this November when Proposition 37, a citizens’ initiative, appears on their ballots. If it passes, California will be the first state to require labeling of a wide range of foods containing genetically engineered (GE) ingredients. Determined to defeat this first-
ever initiative, some of the nation’s largest biotech and agribusiness companies have poured millions of dollars into negative advertising. Even more alarming is that much of the money comes from sources most shoppers would not suspect. “Consumers might be surprised to find out that brands hiding under ‘natural’ façades are in
fact owned by multi-billion-dollar corporations that are contributing bushel baskets of cash to defeating Proposition 37,” says Charlotte Vallaeys, director of Farm and Food Policy at The Cornucopia Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting sustainable, organic agriculture via research, investigation and education. According to Cornucopia, recent polls indicate that nearly 70 percent of California citizens support informational labeling. Proponents of Proposition 37 have contributed $3 million—a number dwarfed by the $23 million bursting from biotech and food manufacturer coffers to fight the measure. The California vote is crucial because many companies will find it more expensive to produce foods with GE labels for California while creating a different product line of foods for the rest of the nation. “Just as we’ve observed in Europe, where labeling of food containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is mandatory, we fully expect that when given a choice, consumers will choose organic or non-GMO products,” said Cornucopia Co-Director Mark A. Kastel. To help consumers identify and support organic brands whose corporate owners have contributed to Proposition 37 and avoid product lines committed to its defeat, Cornucopia has compiled an online guide and is sponsoring a petition. Learn more and take action at Cornucopia.org/2012/08/prop37. 18
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
Thermography
The Whole Body Diagnostic Tool by Dr. Genie Fields
O
ver the last few years, more and more women have questioned the safety of yearly mammograms and how they could impact their health and lives. Several recent studies indicate that mammography could be doing more harm than good for women under age 50 that have dense breasts and or the BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutations, which increase vulnerability to the cancer-causing effects of ionizing radiation. In addition, the physical pressure of mammography could rupture an existing tumor, causing it to spread. Such risks can be avoided with a radiation-free technology called regulation thermography (RT). Thermography is based on the physiology of heat generated by the body and the fact that skin temperature gives us information about how organs are functioning. Research has proven that the small blood vessels under the skin will contract (cool) or expand (heat), based upon the messages coming through the nervous system from the organs being tested, so measuring the precise skin temperatures over certain organs provides a very specific display of an individual’s unique biochemical profile. It is possible to measure and detect changes in the skin's physiological response to stress. When there are disease processes in the human body, its organs respond differently to stress, and these changes may indicate the presence of disease, even at its earliest stage, before a patient shows symptoms. Breast thermography works on the principle that factors involved in the genesis of tumors generate heat or inflammation. The body’s infrared emissions can be accurately measured to tiny fractions of a degree using a specialized infrared sensor, and then displayed as a digital temperature. While X-rays, ultrasound and mammography show the structure of the body, RT is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that shows its physiological activity, such as active inflammation and increased blood supply found in many illnesses. In the 1960s, cancer researchers observed that women with breast cancer showed an increase in skin temperature of one-and-a-half to five-and-a-half degrees Fahrenheit in areas overlying malignant tumors. While many researchers believed that thermography could be a great asset in the early detection of breast cancer, a flawed study in 1977 that compared thermography to mammography showed that this might not be the case, and thermography was dismissed, while mammography was embraced as the gold standard screening tool. Mammograms are supposed to help with early detection, but by the time that breast cancer is detected in a mammogram, a woman
may have had the disease for six to eight years. In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved RT for use in the United States as a whole-body screening procedure that provides information about the functioning health of the nervous system and blood flow of individual organs, glands, lymph, sinuses, teeth and breasts. The sensitivity of RT appears to exceed that of other breast screening methods by looking at the entire body’s behavior after being stressed and giving a dynamic view of a real living organism, versus a non-moving, structural view like that of an X-ray. Thermography is completely safe and a powerful tool for detecting early disease processes in the breast. RT as a functional test looks at autonomic nervous system response to a temperature challenge, thereby detecting disease signatures in the nervous system and immune system years before symptoms develop. Thermography may also prove to be an excellent way to monitor women that have already been diagnosed with breast cancer. In RT, because the whole body is tested and the breast is connected with many systems, including the lymphatic and endocrine systems, a whole body measurement is the best method because it can often discover the underlying causes, allowing those systems to be addressed concurrently. Using thermography, doctors can detect where there is dysfunction and work toward healing it before structures form, organs change shape or symptoms appear. Thermography is an asset in the area of early detection and confirmation of breast cancers. In a German study, 54 percent of breast cancer patients were correctly diagnosed by history and physical examination. The number rose to 76 percent when mammography was added, but when thermography was used, the accuracy of diagnosis rose to 92 percent. Additional concerns around the effects of accumulated radiation associated with routine mammograms are resolved with thermography. While RT is often associated with breast analysis in women, it is a proactive preventive strategy for men, women and children. Thermography offers the opportunity for people to either stay healthy or proactively address diseases already in progress that they may not be aware of. Genie Fields is a doctor of chiropractic and director of the Thermography Center of Dallas. For more information, call 214-352-8758 or visit ThermographyCenter.com. See ad, page 25. natural awakenings
October 2012
19
inspiration Collaborative Conservation
Threatened Species Rebound by April Thompson
T
he founders of the United States chose the magnificent and pervasive bald eagle—a bird unique to North America and sacred to many Native American tribes—as a symbol of their proud and flourishing new nation, but by 1967, it was on the brink of extinction. When the combination of habitat loss, pesticide use and other factors landed it on the endangered species list, the country rallied. Conservation organizations, indigenous tribes, businesses, individual citizens and government at all levels worked together to strengthen the numbers of this national icon, which had dwindled to 417 breeding pairs in the lower 48 states, despite the fact that the species was doing well in Alaska and Canada. Captive breeding programs, law enforcement efforts, habitat protection around nest sites and the banning of the toxic pesticide DDT all contributed to the recovery plan, spearheaded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Today, the bald eagle is again soaring high— just five years after being removed from the list some 10,000 pairs now make their nests in the lower 48. More than 40 percent of the world’s millions of species have similarly suffered and are now in critical condition, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature; new threats like climate change make
20
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
their futures ever more tenuous. Yet the bald eagle’s stunning comeback proves that being labeled an endangered species isn’t necessarily a death sentence. The California condor, peregrine falcon and black-footed ferret are among many animals that have returned from the verge of extinction via protective actions taken under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Other decimated populations targeted by international conservation efforts, from Rwanda’s mountain gorillas to India’s wild tigers, also show encouraging signs of recovery. Rhinos, for example, are returning to the African wilderness thanks to community-based, public/private conservation programs that fight poaching, habitat loss and other human threats to this prehistoric creature. Since its launch in 1997, the World Wildlife Fund’s African Rhino Programme estimates that the white and black rhino population on the continent has more than doubled, from approximately 11,000 to 25,000. For wildlife success stories across America, visit fws.gov/endangered. To learn of progress among other global species and how to help, explore Priority Species at Panda.org. April Thompson regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings. Connect at AprilWrites.com.
healingways
Spinal Decompression is Surgery Alternative by Dr. Vince Baugher
N
Chiropractic Care Help for Common Complaints by Kathleen Barnes
“M
ost people visit a chiropractor because they are in pain and seeking relief, although some initially visit for general health,” says Keith Overland, president of the American Chiropractic Association and a practicing chiropractic physician in Norwalk, Connecticut. “Every doctor of chiropractic should first perform a complete and thorough exam and develop a diagnosis to determine the best approach to the patient’s condition.” Rick Burns, a doctor of chiropractic and professor of chiropractic technique at Palmer College of Chiropractic, in Davenport, Iowa, notes that more than 100 techniques and endless permutations of adjustments and thrusts can be used to help bring the body back into alignment and health. “Most chiropractors integrate several methods, depending on the needs of the patient,” he says. While chiropractors undergo four years of post-graduate training, like medical doctors, they specialize in, “…making certain the brain communicates 100 percent of the time through the spinal cord to the nerves,” explains Burns. Miscommunication between the brain and the nerves caused by spinal misalignments, called subluxations, are at the heart of the science of chiropractic adjustment. Most chiropractic schools give students a basic toolbox of techniques before individual practitioners go on to obtain certification in advanced techniques; much like medical specializations, says Overland. His specialties include treating sports injuries and he has many Olympic athletes as patients.
Most Common Techniques
Diversified: This catch-all term encompasses the short thrust spinal adjustment approach used by an estimated 80 percent of all chiropractors, says Dr. Cynthia Vaughn, an Austin, Texas-based chiropractor and member of the board of governors of the American Chiropractic Association. It is characterized by what is called the high-velocity,
onsurgical spinal decompression involves the relief of pressure on nerves pinched between the gel-like cushions, or spinal discs, that separate the bones of the spine. Using a type of computer-controlled traction that delicately changes the position of the spine, pain is relieved. This form of therapy is very effective at treating bulging discs, herniated discs, pinched nerves, sciatica, radiating arm pain, headaches and facet syndrome, and helps promote movement of oxygen and nutrient-rich fluids into the discs, so they can heal. These discs provide cushioning between the vertebrae of the spine. If a disc gets injured and begins to break down, it can become herniated if left untreated. The jelly-like center of the disc tears through the outer layers and presses on the nerves or spinal cord, creating severe pain. Therapy includes lumbar decompression, or treatment on the lower back, and cervical decompression, which is treatment on the neck. Patients are fully clothed during therapy and are lying comfortably while a doctor operates a computerized system based on a customized treatment plan for each patient’s specific needs. The machine exerts a gentle, slow pull, holding for 30 seconds and then relaxing, then gently pulling again and relaxing for a total treatment time of 15 minutes. Spinal decompression gently pumps the disc, taking the pressure off and sucking the herniation back into the center of the disc where it is suppose to be, and off the nerve, which is where the pain comes from. A bulging or herniated disc generally creates pain in the back, down the leg or groin and down the arm or the neck/upper midback region. Effective in 85 to 90 percent of cases, spinal decompression is the only technology that has been developed to heal a disc. Treatment may require 15 to 35 treatments over two to four months and can help patients avoid surgery. Vince Baugher is a practicing doctor of chiropractic and owner of The Spinal Decompression and Chiropractic Center, in Denton. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 940484-6336 or visit SpinalDecompression.net. See ad, page 13. natural awakenings
October 2012
21
Pain Relief Techniques are Varied and Plentiful by Dr. Amy St. John
C
hiropractic pain-relieving techniques should be customized to the individual patient’s needs, using a wide variety of options that include therapeutic modalities, adjustments, massage therapy and the treatment of stress or fatigue. In addition to various activator and diversified techniques, a drop table may be used as low-force alternative to more aggressive adjustments. In this type of adjustment, the patient lies on a special table that consists of a drop piece that rises a few inches. When the chiropractor applies pressure, the table drops down from this position and allows for a lighter adjustment without the twisting that may accompany a manual adjustment. This works especially well on lumbar and pelvic problems and can be combined with massage throughout the session to decrease pain levels and increase functions. Other tools a practitioner may have at their disposal to alleviate a client’s pain depend on the patient’s needs, but include massage, electrical muscle stimulation, heat and ultrasound. Some patients benefit as much or more from soft tissue treatment as from adjustments, because treatment of the soft tissue supporting the skeletal system is just as vital. Without addressing the soft tissue, the joints are likely to regress more quickly to their pre-adjustment state. In an overstressed society, it becomes even more important to take the time to relax and decompress, thereby helping bring the body back into alignment and health. The tools of chiropractic care, including massage, can create a reduction in stress levels and improve overall function. As a proactive or preventive measure, regular massage and chiropractic care can help ensure overall health and well-being, allowing the body to perform at an optimum level. Most doctors of chiropractic have a number of applications in their toolbox with which to address and relieve a patient’s source of chronic pain. A vitally important piece of the puzzle is to find a practitioner that the individual is comfortable working with, and that takes the appropriate time to address individual needs, including the use of techniques that help the body heal. Amy St. John is a doctor of chiropractic and licensed massage therapist, specializing in treating the whole body; muscular and skeletal at once. Connect at Serendipity Health & Wellness in Plano, at 214801-0741 or visit SerendipityWellness.net. See ad, page 18.
22
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
low-amplitude thrust (HVLA), resulting in the popping sound familiar to most people that have experienced chiropractic care. Although the adjustment is painless, some patients instinctively tense their muscles. “Adjustment is a sneak attack, ‘My reflexes being faster than yours,’” remarks Burns. “The average muscle contracts in about a quarter of a second. We do a lot of speed training so we can do the adjustment in one-tenth of a second.” Activator: The activator technique, used by about 20 percent of chiropractors as part of an integrated practice, employs a small, spring-loaded, rubber-tipped device, slightly larger than a pen, which applies a small amount of force to a specific area. It makes a stapler-like sound and the recipient usually feels only slight pressure. “Not everybody can tolerate the more aggressive manipulation that is performed as a foundation in chiropractic, especially elderly people or very young children,” says Overland. “The activator technique claims to be faster, more specific and less forceful than manual adjustment.” Applied kinesiology: Also known as muscle testing, applied kinesiology evaluates muscle strength at various specific points to help determine if a specific type of adjustment or even a nutritional supplement might be helpful to an individual patient as a treatment. This individualized treatment is popular among chiropractors and their patients. “It is a way to glean a tremendous amount of diagnostic information to specifically tell where the subluxations (imbalances) are,” says Vaughn, “and is used by about 20 percent of chiropractors.” Sacro-occipital technique (SOT): Another form of non-forceful adjustment, SOT usually involves having the patient lie face down on a table. Inserting a variety of wedges asymmetrically distributed under the pelvis creates a helpful torque. “Gravity causes the adjustment to happen very subtly in about 10 minutes,” explains Vaughn. “It is effective for the elderly and people with osteoporosis that can’t tolerate more vigorous adjustments.” Gonstead: Similar to the HVLA technique, a Gonstead approach pays particular attention to the lower spine and the effects of its misalignments on the rest of the body. These practitioners generally prefer to adjust the neck with the patient in a sitting position. More than half of all chiropractors use some form of the Gonstead technique. It involves detailed structural analysis of the spine, which can include various types of palpitation, nervoscope analysis of heat and nerve pressure along the spine, and X-rays. “All of these techniques require extensive education and thousands of hours of training,” concludes Overland. Adds Burns, “Each patient is evaluated and diagnosed individually. So try different techniques and see what works for you. The goal is to unlock the body’s ability to heal itself.” Kathleen Barnes is a natural health advocate, author and publisher. 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health: A Take Charge Plan for Women, written with Dr. Hyla Cass, is among her many books. Visit KathleenBarnes.com.
readertip Power Foods for Children’s Brains from the brain balance achievement Center of plano
H
ere are some healthy foods to include in a child's lunch to help build a healthy brain and body. n Avocado: Rich in good fats to fight heart disease and great for skin health. n Fish and Fish Oils: High in omega-3 fatty acids, and help to improve brain function and memory. n Blueberries: Packed with antioxidants; boost brainpower and help improve eyesight. n Kidney Beans: Boost memory and help prevent diabetes and heart disease n Broccoli: Protects eyes and skin from sunlight and kills bacteria that can cause stomach upset. n Kiwi: Keeps eyes healthy and helps repair cells. n Brown Rice: Prevents constipation and helps ease asthma and sleep. n Sweet Potato: Prevents constipation, helps eyesight and prevents diabetes. n Carrots: Boost immunity, help eyesight and aid healthy lungs. n Tomatoes: Ease asthma and ward off inflammation. n Chicken (organic, free-range): Boosts immunity, great for cell growth and repair, promotes sleep and eases stress. n Quinoa: Contains the highest protein content of all grains and is gluten-free and high in vitamin B6 and fiber.
localresources FRESH PRODUCE & PRODUCTS Dedicated “locavores” can easily find delicious, nutritious choices, at these food stores and local marketplaces in the north texas area. MARKET STREET - PLANO 1929 Preston Rd, Plano 75093 972-713-5500
CENTRAL MARKET – PLANO 320 Coit Rd, Plano 75075 469-241-8300
SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET 2301 Cross Timbers Rd, Flower Mound 75028 972-874-7380
CUPBOARD NATURAL FOODS 200 W Congress St, Denton 76201 940-387-5386
SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET 5190 Preston Rd, Frisco 75034 972-464-5776
KEN’S PRODUCE 410 N Bell Ave, Denton 76201 940-382-6368
SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET 207 East FM 544, Murphy 75094 972-265-4770 SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET 4100 E Legacy Dr, Plano 75024 972-618-8902
MARKET STREET – ALLEN 985 W Bethany Dr, Allen 75013 972-908-3830 MARKET STREET – FRISCO 11999 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco 75034 214-872-1500 MARKET STREET – MCKINNEY 6100 W Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney 75070 972-548-5140
WHOLE FOODS – FAIRVIEW 105 Stacy Rd, Fairview 75069 972-549-4090 WHOLE FOODS – PLANO 2201 Preston Rd, Plano 75093 972-612-6729
Brain Balance Achievement Center, in Plano, addresses developmental and learning disorders that impact children, including imbalances in the brain. For more information, call 972-248-9482 or visit BrainBalancePlano.com. See ad, page 14. natural awakenings
October 2012
23
Sustainable development, as defined by the U.N., includes fighting poverty, social inclusion (including advancing the status of women) and protecting the environment. Building a sustainable future for the planet, say those involved, means addressing all three simultaneously. It demands the kind of real, immediate action so evident at Rio+20.
Real Results
Shaping the Future We Want Global Commitments to Catalyze Change by Brita Belli
“W
e don’t need another plan of action or more treaties; what we need are people that will begin to implement the commitments and meet the goals that have already been created and established,” explains Jacob Scherr, director of global strategy and advocacy for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), about the new thinking that drove this year’s Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The June conference brought together international heads of state, business leaders, nonprofits and activists to prioritize and strategize sustainable development. Unlike the United Nations’ annual climate change conferences, which led to the Kyoto Protocol in 1997—a legally binding treaty that 24
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
set targets for greenhouse gas emissions the United States refused to sign—the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development is held once every 20 years. The theme of Rio+20 was simple and direct: The Future We Want. Moving away from political posturing and endless negotiating, the meet-up asked businesses, governments and charities to publicly declare their specific commitments and solicited the public’s ideas for realizing sustainability, all aligned with the priorities and opportunities of the 21st century. “With growing populations depleting resources, how do we keep increasing and ensuring prosperity while we are already using more than we have?” queries U.N. spokeswoman Pragati Pascale. “It’s a conundrum.”
By the end of the Rio conference, more than 700 voluntarily secured commitments, valued at more than half a trillion dollars, were earmarked to address everything from protecting forests and reducing ocean pollution to building rapid transit bus systems and increasing the number of women entrepreneurs in the green economy. The NRDC launched CloudOfCommitments.org to track and publicize new pledges and make them easily searchable by region or category. Some commitments are breathtaking in scope: n International development banks have pledged $175 billion to boost sustainable transportation in developing countries; n Bank of America promised $50 billion over 10 years to finance energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and energy access; n The World Bank committed $16 billion to boost clean energy, access to electricity and cookstoves in developing nations; n The New Partnership for Africa’s Development promised to achieve energy access for at least 60 percent of Africa’s population by 2040; n The European Bank offered $8 billion by 2015 to support energy efficiency projects in Eastern Europe and Central Asia; n Microsoft pledged to be carbon neutral across all its operations by the end of 2013; n The United States together with the Consumer Goods Forum (which represents more than 600 retail and manufacturing companies) committed to achieve zero net deforestation in their supply chains by 2020. “The real action, the real energy, was the 21st-century aspect [of Rio+20],” advises Scherr. “I call it
“With growing populations depleting resources, how do we keep increasing and ensuring prosperity while we are already using more than we have? It’s a conundrum.” ~ Pragati Pascale, United Nations spokeswoman the ‘network world’, recognizing the number of players today. It’s not just national governments; it’s states and cities, corporations and philanthropists. In addition to the official meetings and negotiations, between 3,000 and 4,000 other gatherings were going on between business people, mayors, civil society organizations and others, presenting myriad opportunities to make specific commitments. We’re moving to a different dynamic.”
Sowing Seeds
The inclusive atmosphere is reflected in another new U.N.-sponsored international sharing website, FutureWe Want.org, featuring visions and videos relating to sustainability and solutions to dire environmental problems, such as turning global warming-inducing methane from China’s farms into a usable energy source; predicting periods of drought in Ethiopia to prevent humanitarian crises; and investing in solar power to bring electricity to 1.4 billion people around the world. More than 50 million people worldwide have submitted ideas for a more sustainable world, ranging from ways to increase public education to plans for stopping industrial pollution and better managing waste. “The huge public engagement in the conference is exciting,” says Pascale, “because that’s really how progress will happen. People have to force their governments to take action.” The NRDC dedicated website is part of a coordinated effort to hold governments, businesses
and nonprofits accountable and inform the public. The new U.N. websites facilitate a thriving discussion of what sustainability means and how it can be put into practice. “We want to continue the overall campaign and build upon it,” says Pascale. “Whatever frustrations people have with businesses, nongovernment organizations (NGO) or governments, we need to harness that energy and keep that dialogue going to give people a voice in making sustainability happen.”
Results-Oriented Role Models
State-based examples of sustainable development in action speak to widespread needs in the United States. Here are examples of five models worth replicating. PlaNYC: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s announcement of PlaNYC, on Earth Day 2007, signaled an historic moment. The people’s vision of a cleaner, healthier New York City, one that could accommodate 9 million predicted residents by 2030, aims to be a model for urban sustainable development. Its original 127 initiatives leave few sustainability stones unturned, including cleaning up brownfields, building more playgrounds and parks, increasing public transportation and bike lanes, implementing aggressive recycling, enforcing green building standards and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Two-thirds of the initial goals have already been achieved; the latest update calls for 132 initiatives, including a new set of annual milestones. Speaking at the Museum of the City of New York in 2009, Daniel Doctoroff, the former deputy mayor of economic development and rebuilding for the Bloomberg administration, called PlaNYC “one of the most sweeping, most comprehensive blueprints for New York ever undertaken.” Most critically, all of its stated commitments are achievable (see Tinyurl.com/ PlaNYC-goals). natural awakenings
October 2012
25
Evergreen Cooperative Initiative (ECI): Businesses and community groups in Cleveland, Ohio, determined that they needed to solve the problem of joblessness in low-income areas by creating living-wage jobs and then training eligible residents to fill them. They developed a new, cooperativebased economic model, based on green jobs that can inspire other cities with similar economic woes. The ECI is a community undertaking in which anchor institutions like the Cleveland Foundation, University Hospitals and the municipal government leverage their purchasing power to help create green-focused, employee-owned local businesses, which to date include a green laundromat, the hydroponic greenhouse Green City Growers, and Ohio Cooperative Solar, which provides weatherization and installs and maintains solar panels. The solar cooperative will more than double Ohio’s solar generating capacity from 2011 levels by the end of 2012 (see EvergreenCooperatives.com). CALGreen: Updated building codes
COMPELLING INTERNATIONAL ECO-INITIATIVES Aruba is working with Sir Richard Branson’s Carbon War Room program to transition to 100 percent renewable energy. Australia will spend $33 million to establish the world’s largest network of marine reserves. Germany has committed to drawing 80 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050. India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency signed an agreement with the European Union to reduce its carbon emissions by 77,000 tons in the next 3.5 years. Norway has pledged $140 million to boost sustainable energy in rural Kenya, including replacing kerosene lamps with solar alternatives. Source: CloudOfCommitments.org 26
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
Sustainable development includes fighting poverty, increasing social inclusion (including advancing the status of women) and protecting the environment. may not generate much excitement until we consider that U.S. buildings account for a lion’s share of carbon dioxide emissions (39 percent), and consume 70 percent of the electricity we generate. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) reports, “If half of new commercial buildings were built to use 50 percent less energy, it would save over 6 million metric tons of CO2 annually for the life of the buildings— the equivalent of taking more than 1 million cars off the road every year.” The California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), which took effect in January 2011, sets the highest green bar for new buildings in the country. It requires that new buildings achieve a 20 percent reduction in potable water use, divert 50 percent of their construction waste from landfills, use paints and materials with low volatile organic compound content and provide parking for clean-air vehicles. Multiple key stakeholders have been involved throughout the process, including the California Energy Commission and the Sierra Club. “We really tried to bring together an entire spectrum of people and groups with different perspectives and expertise to build a consensus,” says David Walls, executive director of the California Building Standards Commission. “If we were going to put some-
thing in the code, we wanted to make sure it was right.” (See Tinyurl.com/ CALGreen-Home.) Renewable Portfolio Standard: Texas leads the country in electricity generated from wind power. One complex, in Roscoe, features 627 turbines on 100,000 acres that cost $1 billion to build. Much of the rapid growth of the state’s wind industry can be credited to Texas’ Renewable Portfolio Standard, legislation passed in 1999 that mandated construction of renewable energy, including solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, biomass and landfill gas, in addition to wind. It further mandated that utilities generate 2,000 megawatts of additional renewable energy by 2009, then 5,880 MW by 2015 and 10,000 MW by 2025. The 10-year goal was met in six years, and Texas has added many green jobs, increased tax revenues and provided security against blackouts, which is critical in the event of extreme heat or drought (see Tinyurl. com/TexasStandard). Edison Innovation Green Growth Fund: Clean technology is booming despite the economic recession and attracting serious investment funds. According to a report by Clean Edge, Inc., venture capital investments in clean technologies increased 30 percent between 2010 and 2011, from $5.1 billion to $6.6 billion. New Jersey entrepreneurs are upping their state’s potential in this arena with the Edison Innovation Green Growth Fund. The program proffers loans of up to $2 million for companies, research facilities and nonprofits
engaged in producing clean energy technologies, ranging from energy efficiency products such as LED lighting to solar, wind, tidal, biomass and methane capture. A condition of the loan is that a project must employ 75 percent of its workforce from New Jersey, or commit to growing 10 high-paying jobs (minimum $75,000 annually) over two years (see Tinyurl.com/NewJersey-EDA).
Grassroots Leadership
Elinor Ostrom, the political economist who won a Nobel Prize in economics but passed on just before the start of the Rio conference, dedicated her last blog post to considering the event’s impact. Titled “Green from the Grassroots,” the post stressed the priority of a multifaceted approach to curbing emissions. “Decades of research demonstrate that a variety of overlapping policies at city, subnational, national and international levels is more likely to succeed than single, overarching, binding agreements,” Ostrom remarked. “Such an evolutionary approach to policy provides essential safety nets should one or more policies fail. The good news is that evolutionary policymaking is already happening organically. In the absence of effective national and international legislation to curb greenhouse gases, a growing number of city leaders are acting to protect their citizens and economies.” She reported that even in the absence of federally mandated emissions targets, 30 U.S. states have passed their own climate plans and more than 900 mayors signed a climate protection agreement essentially agreeing to reach the Kyoto Protocol goals the federal government refused to sanction. Rio+20 built upon such bottom-up commitments and pushed states and businesses to go further than they’d ever imagined. “There was an incredible amount of energized activity,” concludes Scherr. “Many people came away feeling empowered and encouraged, because they saw that the sustainability movement is truly worldwide. That’s going to be the legacy of Rio.” Brita Belli, the editor of E-The Environmental Magazine, reports for Natural Awakenings. natural awakenings
October 2012
27
greenliving
INVESTING IN MAIN STREET Cities, Schools and Churches Move their Money to Local Economies by Rebecca Leisher
S
ince the big corporate banks contributed to crashing the economy in 2008, news sources report that they’ve been rewarded with bailouts, tax breaks and executive bonuses, while American workers have lost jobs and homes. There is little wonder that many Americans—and now, institutions and local governments—have been closing their accounts at these corporate banks and transferring the money to community banks and credit unions. The intent is to send a strong message about responsibility to government and Wall Street, while supporting institutions that genuinely stimulate local economies. The first Bank Transfer Day, last November, was publicized over five weeks, largely through social networks. During that period, credit unions received an estimated $4.5 billion in new deposits transferred from banks, according to the Credit Union National Association. Citizens are calling for financial institutions to be accountable, encouraged by the popularity of the Move Your
28
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
Money campaign. Schools, churches and local governments across the country have been transferring large sums, or at least considering doing so, in order to invest in local economies instead of Wall Street. Last year, the city of San Jose, California, moved nearly $1 billion from the Bank of America because of the bank’s high record of home foreclosures. City council members linked foreclosures to lost tax revenue, reduced services and layoffs, and urged other U.S. cities to follow their example. The Seattle, Washington, city council responded to the Occupy Wall Street movement by unanimously passing a resolution to review its banking and investment practices, “…to ensure that public funds are invested in responsible financial institutions that support our community.” Officials in Los Angeles, New York City and Portland, Oregon, are discussing proposals that address how and where city funds are invested. Massachusetts launched the Small Business Banking Partnership initiative last year to leverage small business loans, and has already deposited $106 million in state reserve funds into community banks. Student activists and the Responsible Endowments Coalition are urging colleges and universities—some of which have assets comparable to those of a town or city—to move at least a portion of their endowments from Wall Street. The Peralta Community College District, in California, with an annual budget of $140 million, has done just that. The district’s board of trustees voted unanimously last November to move its assets into community banks and credit unions. Churches and faith organizations are moving their money, too. Congregations in the California interfaith coalition LA Voice vowed to divest $2 million from Wells Fargo and the Bank of America, ending a 200-year relationship with the big banks. The Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, in East San Jose, pulled $3 million out of the Bank of America and reinvested the funds into Micro Branch, a division of Self-Help Federal Credit Union, designed to assist underserved communities. Moving money to where banking practices and investments are transparent is the most effective action. Oregon Banks Local represents small businesses, family farms and community banks. It offers a website tool that ranks local banks and credit unions on such criteria as where they are headquartered, jobs created and the extent of local investment, showing which financial institutions truly serve local communities. “People from all walks of life are angry at the banks,” says Ilana Berger, co-director of The New Bottom Line, a national campaign that promotes moving money from Wall Street. But the broad appeal of this grassroots movement toward financial reform is based on more than anger or strategy. “It’s a way to move our money to follow our values,” says Berger. “It’s an opportunity to really protest against the banks, but also a way to show what we want them to be.” Freelance writer Rebecca Leisher originated this article as part of “9 Strategies to End Corporate Rule,” for the Spring 2012 issue of YES! magazine.
How to Keep Your Dollars Working Locally
D
itch the Cards. All electronic transactions siphon money out of the local community to some extent, so try the human approach and bank in person. Make purchases with cash or second best, write a check. If plastic is the only choice, choose a debit card. Local merchants lose some of their potential profit each time you use a card, but they pay up to seven times more in fees when it’s a credit card. Studies show that people spend 12 to 18 percent more when they use cards instead of cash. Move Your Debt. Already broken up with your megabank? From credit card balances to car loans to mortgages, megabanks make far more money off your debt than your savings. Refinance debt with a credit union or local bank and let the fees support your community. Be wary of “affinity credit cards”, which donate a certain amount per purchase to charitable organizations but often are connected with a megabank. Spend Deliberately. Forget Internet deals; shop local and independent. Support second-hand markets by buying used, and barter and trade services when possible. Look for goods grown and made nearby. Research purchases carefully; find easy company-screening assistance at Green America’s Responsible Shopper website (GreenAmerica.org). Shorten Loan Lengths. To maximize interest paid by customers, banks offer to stretch out terms. Avoid the 30-year mortgage or the seven-year car loan. If you’re stuck with one on paper, change the terms yourself. Decide the loan duration that’s best for you and pay down the principal. Calculators at sites like mtgProfessor.com can be used for any loans, not just mortgages. Earn Feel-Good Interest. A community development bank will reinvest money from a CD back into the local community and pay you interest. So will alternative savings tools
offered by RSF Social Finance or the Community Investment Note from the nonprofit Calvert Foundation, which also lets you target by cause, such as public radio stations. Put money into Kiva.org microloans and receive no interest, but big returns in socioeconomic justice. Closer to home, consider investing in family, such as a college loan for a nephew or niece. Create a DIY Retirement Fund. Avoiding Wall Street’s ubiquitous 401k can be tricky. One way is via “self-directed” IRAs and Roth IRAs. These require the account owner— you—to make the investment decisions. With or without the counsel of a personal financial advisor, you get to decide what types of projects to invest in—from local green businesses to real estate. Invest in Home. Investing in your home strengthens the community and builds wealth. Pay down your mortgage, and then use that equity when it’s time to retire. Want more investment? Do it with a second property and be a local landlord, or invest in your children’s homes. Beyond mortgages, invest in your home’s energy efficiency for an ongoing solid rate of return. Or become your own utility by tying your home’s alternative energy system into the power grid. Remember Your Community. Buy shares of a local co-op— utility, food or store—or jump on a direct public offering. Seek out or start a community investment group to connect local businesses with local investors. Look for community revolving loan funds that allow participation by individual investors, such as Cascadia (Pacific Northwest), Economic and Community Development Notes for Invest Local Ohio, the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund and North Carolina’s Mountain BizWorks. Source: The editors of YES! magazine.
natural awakenings
October 2012
29
healthykids
Family life, for better or worse, establishes the way children connect with others at school, in their communities, on the job, as citizens and as members of the human race. How can we help youngsters feel truly connected and learn to be responsible for themselves and others?
All Together Now
Children Follow Adult Examples Enabling “We” Instead of “Me” by Michael Ungar
“If you want to be miserable, think about yourself. If you want to be happy, think of others.” ~ Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
T
he phrase “connected kids” may describe youth consumed by Internet-dependent relationships. Yet these same young people still crave old-fashioned, face-toface connections with the adults in their lives. With one parent or two, stepparents, a grandparent, aunts or uncles, older family friends, teachers and coaches—experience shows they all can help guide our children by showing the compassion that nurtures kids’ own caring instincts. Swedish futurist and author Mats Lindgren characterizes these young people, raised by the “Me Generation” (born in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s), The MeWe Generation, for their efforts to balance a culture of individualism and their need to belong. He notes, “Although the MeWes travel and experience more than any other generation before them, [in surveys] the small things in life still get the highest scores. A happy life is based on relations and companionship.” 30
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
The cycle we want to start at home encompasses compassion, connection, responsibility and citizenship. The alternative is selfishness, alienation, exploitation and disenfranchisement; terms we hope will not apply to our children. If we want children to embody healthy and positive qualities and play an important role in family life and beyond, we need to understand how to enable kids to think “We” by outgrowing some of our own Me-thinking ways. To start, it helps to understand that when we ask nothing of our children—keep them from experiencing larger challenges and taking real responsibility for themselves and others—we risk spoiling them. Children that instead see and experience We-oriented caring for others and regularly participate in compassionate acts feel more attached to a community of family and friends. A child that feels noticed and embraced, and is then given opportunities to act independently of his parents, also will know what it means to be trusted. Parents convey, “I know you can do this.” A youngster that experiences this compassionate caring and trust will mimic such compassion, because it feels good to give and he wants others to acknowledge his worth. Also, having been allowed to suffer the consequences of some bad personal decisions (up to a point), he understands that his choices affect both himself and others. Given the opportunity to think things through for himself, he can make helpful choices instead of feeling forced to either resist or give in to what adults want. He knows how to show respect because he knows what it feels like to be respected. Acting responsibly follows naturally as a way to identify with others and demonstrate the strength of his connections and contributions to the welfare of others. It sews a child into the fabric of his family and community, which responds, “You are a part of us. You belong and we rely on you.” The child quietly says to himself, “I’m here” and “I count.”
Connecting Places These connections to others and community are also profoundly shaped by the physical spaces we occupy. Studies cited in Alain de Botton’s The Architecture of Happiness, attest to their effects on mental well-being, relationship patterns and even physical health and longevity. Cloistering children inside large, middle-class houses may be the greatest single threat to the realization of We Generation values. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average U.S. home grew from 983 square feet in 1950 to 2,434 square feet in 2005. This overwhelming spaciousness dampens family interaction, denying the informality that allows us to offer ourselves to each other spontaneously. Fewer central family hearths reduce the passing of stories among generations, leaving children feeling alone in their
room amidst material abundance. They grow up expecting to have things to themselves without having to share. Why live in a bigger house if it threatens our relationships with our children, neighbors and spouses? It takes a lot of extra hours at work to afford the mini-mansion and two cars for the long commutes required to sustain a detached lifestyle in the suburbs. Countermeasures are called for. When I ask kids where they’d like to live, they want to be where they can navigate their own way to the store, school and friends. They rarely mention square footage. Most would be happy to give up large rooms and en suite baths for greater personal freedom, a cohesive community and more time with parents that are less stressed. Listen closely and we will hear children asking permission to live their lives truly connected with us and with their widening circles of friends around the world. Michael Ungar, Ph.D., is a clinician and research professor at the School of Social Work at Canada’s Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He based this article on his book, The We Generation: Raising Socially Responsible Kids, published by Da Capo Lifelong Books.
From Rude to Responsible: Ways to Foster “We” Thinking by Michael Ungar
E
ach age brings new opportunities to think “We” instead of “Me.” What children can contribute to the family and community will vary, based upon family values. Here are some starting points.
Age 5 and Under n Help with household chores, including kitchen tasks and tidying their room n Choose activities they like and politely ask to do them n Say “Thank you,” and be responsible for acknowledging gifts n Share toys and donate old ones
Ages 5 to 11
Adult Behaviors Count Many small gestures by adults cumulatively convey to children that they belong and their contributions are valued. Here are a few of the myriad ways to advance us all beyond Me-thinking. n Pay attention to children n Know their names n Ask them for a favor n Challenge them with responsibility n Encourage them to try something new n Expect something of them n Let them teach everyone a song n Ask them about themselves n Offer to play along n Delight in their discoveries n Laugh at their jokes n Get to know their friends n Accept and love them unconditionally
n Have responsibility (with supervi sion) for a younger sibling’s care n Look after a pet n Learn commonsense use of potential hazards like pocketknives and push scooters n Decide what to wear to school n Get ready for sports activities and special interest classes n Walk to school, where appropriate
Ages 12 to 18 n Obtain certification as lifeguards or junior coaches n Volunteer or seek paid work n Learn how to use power tools and lawnmowers n Accept responsibility for clothing choices and contribute money toward purchases n Plan events at school, such as a dance or preparation for graduation n Participate in religious or spiritual ceremonies that mark their transition to adulthood
natural awakenings
October 2012
31
consciouseating
“It’s not an exaggeration to say that… the great majority of Americans would rather be considered healthy, rather than wealthy.” ~ Mike Weisman, president, The Values Institute at DGWB together in Herbivoracious: A Flavor Revolution, with 150 Vibrant and Original Vegetarian Recipes. From the standpoint of a well-traveled home cook, he also chronicles his travels and forays into flavorful, globally influenced recipes at Herbivoracious.com.
Why Vegetarian, Why Now?
Global Flavors
Grilled Tofu and Pepper Tacos
New Ethnic Vegetarian Recipes Rock Taste Buds by Judith Fertig
Celebrating Vegetarian Awareness Month, Natural Awakenings visits the continuing evolutions of vegetarian eating habits and leading cookbooks.
A
ncient India and Egypt are known to have served up plant-based diets, but vegetarian cookbooks are a relatively recent American phenomenon. The genre debuted nationally in 1977 with Mollie Katzen’s groundbreaking classic, the first Moosewood Cookbook, sharing recipes gleaned from her restaurant and a collective co-op in Ithaca, New York. Considered one of Five Women Who Changed the Way We Eat, by Health magazine, she has also hosted several PBS cooking shows. When Katzen first took up the cause, vegetarian cooking was earnest, if earthy, relying heavily upon such staples as brown rice, mushrooms and tofu. The options were limited for those that didn’t capitalize on a home garden or live in a cosmopolitan city. Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky in the 1970s, cookbook author and food blogger Michael Natkin remembers…“when vegetables were boiled
32
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
until they begged for mercy.” Being a vegetarian then meant a commitment to a philosophy, not necessarily an expectation of flavor and pleasure. In 1981, an Indian actress and cookbook author introduced Americans to exotic vegetarian dishes from India in Madhur Jaffrey’s World of the East: Vegetarian Cooking. Still, without an Asian market nearby, hard-to-find ingredients like dhal (a lentil) or fenugreek (a seed) might have derailed attempts to make such recipes. By 1990, Chef Deborah Madison had contributed The Savory Way, which upped the quotient of colorful foods inspired by classic French cuisine. She revealed how plant-based dishes can be sophisticated and even glamorous. Today’s latest cookbook evolution speaks to the newest generation of vegetarian cooks’ burgeoning interest in tasty ethnic cuisines, home gardening and farmers’ markets as well as meatless meals. Natkin has pulled it all
“Because vegetarian meals are good for you, tread more lightly on our planet’s resources and are kinder to animals,” Natkin responds. “The planet isn’t designed to support billions of meat-eaters. Plus, many are concerned about the methods of animal agriculture—think of industrial hog farms, for instance, which can be environmental nightmares. If you want to eat meat from smaller producers with higher ethical standards, it’s more expensive,” he says. “Even if you eat meatless only now and again, it’s better for the family budget, your health and the planet.” Natkin is well aware of the “dark days for vegetables,” when commerce dictated that varieties be chosen and grown primarily for their ability to withstand long-distance transport. Now, due to rising demand, more are grown for flavor, advises Natkin, and that makes vegetarian meals taste better and become more popular. Natkin further suggests, “If you want a sustainable diet, it must include foods that you like, not foods that you think you should like. They have to taste good, otherwise you won’t stick with it.” Natkin’s cookbook encompasses dishes from locales as diverse as India, Iran, Japan, Mexico and Thailand. His special touch is conceiving ways to convert traditional recipes to vegetarian variations while maintaining unique flavors and combinations of textures. From a deconstructed sushi to tofu tacos, Natkin coaxes the most flavor out of his ingredients—from cooking pasta in red
wine, making “meaty” soup stocks with dried mushrooms or Parmesan cheese rinds to teaching uses of condiments like Japanese sesame salt. “The least successful cuisine for translation into vegetarian cooking is American comfort food,” he notes. He always encourages cooks to think creatively, not literally, when translating a meat-based dish to a plant-based equivalent. Instead of trying to do a faux turkey for Thanksgiving, for example, he recommends serving a main dish that looks celebratory and mouthwatering, saluting the traditional role of the centerpiece turkey in a fresh way.
Growing Trend According to a national 2012 Harris Poll, 47 percent of Americans eat at least one vegetarian meal a week. The Values Institute of DGWB, an advertising and communications firm based in Santa Ana, California, confirms the rise of flexitarianism, or eating meat on occasion rather than routinely, as one of the top trends of 2012. Finally, New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman remarks, “When I ask audiences I speak to, ‘How many of you are eating less meat than you were 10 years ago?’ at least two-thirds raise their hands. A self-selecting group to be sure, but nevertheless, one that exists. In fact, let’s ask this: Is anyone in this country eating more meat than they used to?” Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com.
Grilled Tofu and Pepper Tacos
Shells 24 (4-inch) or 16 (6-inch) soft corn tortillas
Makes 12 small or 8 medium-size tacos
Taco Toppers Guacamole Choice of salsa
Vegan and gluten-free dish in 30 minutes. “The secret to delicious Mexican vegetarian food is to amp up the flavors and use lots of contrasting textures,” says food blogger Michael Natkin. “These tacos—filled with grilled tofu and sautéed peppers, all basted with tangy achiote paste—have serious street-food flavor. They are meant to be eaten in just two or three bites.” Achiote, made from annatto seeds, is available as a paste at markets that carry Hispanic products. Natkin likes the El Yucateco brand because it’s free of synthetic food coloring.
Fillings
1 1/2 oz (about 4 tsp) achiote paste (also called annatto) 1 /2 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp Tapatío or other bottled hot sauce 1 tsp kosher salt 10 oz extra-firm tofu, cut into 1/3-inch slabs and patted dry 1 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/3-inch slabs 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 2 red bell peppers, cut into 1/4-inch strips 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips Fresh lemon or lime juice (optional)
1. Break up the achiote paste in a small bowl with a fork and mash in the oil, a little at a time, until it forms a lumpy paste. Mix in the cumin, hot sauce and salt. 2. Heat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. Brush the tofu with the achiote oil on one side and grill, oiled-side-down, until well-marked. Then do the same on the other side. 3. Repeat with the zucchini, brushing the slabs with achiote oil and grilling until well-marked and tender, about 3 minutes per side. Allow the tofu and zucchini to cool and then cut both into 1 /3-inch diced pieces. 4. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of achiote oil. Add the onion, garlic and bell peppers and sauté until very soft. 5. Add the tofu and zucchini to the pepper mixture. Taste and adjust the seasoning. It may need more salt, a little lime or lemon juice, or more heat. 6. To serve, wrap the tortillas in a damp, clean dishtowel and microwave until soft and warm, about 2 minutes. 7. Make stacks of 2 tortillas each. Top with a moderate scoop of the filling and a spoonful of guacamole and salsa. Pass the hot sauce to the more adventurous.
natural awakenings
October 2012
33
Salsa
6 fresh mandarin oranges (or fewer, larger oranges) 1 /4 cup finely diced red onion 1 jalapeño pepper (or more to taste), thinly sliced 1 /4 tsp kosher salt 1 handful fresh cilantro leaves
Serving Topper
Mexican crema or sour cream (vegan option is sour cream or avocado slices)
Black Bean Soup with Orange-Jalapeño Salsa Vegan and gluten-free soup in 30 minutes. Serves 6 “I developed this black bean soup so that it would satisfy those that prefer mild dishes, including kids, as well as those that prefer a bolder spice. The soup is straightforward, with a bright and intense orange and jalapeño salsa on the side,” advises cookbook author Michael Natkin. “Pass grated cheddar cheese for those that prefer to think of it as vegetarian chili.”
Soup
6 cups cooked black beans, cooking liquid reserved, or 4 (15-oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained 2 bay leaves Vegetable broth powder (gluten-free is optional) 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 white onion, diced 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced 4 garlic cloves, minced Kosher salt 1 Tbsp dried oregano 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp (or more) smoked paprika (optional)
34
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
1. Place the beans and bay leaves in a 6-quart pot. Add enough reserved cooking liquid or water (option to include vegetable broth powder based on the manufacturer’s recommended amount for four cups of broth) to barely cover the beans. Simmer. 2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic and a big pinch of salt, and sauté until the vegetables start to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the oregano, cumin and smoked paprika, if using, and cook for 1 minute more. Remove from heat. 3. Pluck the bay leaves out of the beans. Stir the onion mixture into the simmering beans. Remove the soup from the heat and lightly purée, using a stick blender, blender or potato masher. (A 75 percent purée leaves significant texture.) 4. Return the soup pot to the heat. Add more water as needed to produce a soup that’s moderately thick, but thinner than a stew. Taste and adjust the seasoning. It will likely need salt unless the cook used pre-salted canned beans. Add more cumin or smoked paprika to taste. Simmer at least 10 to 15 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
Jicama, Radish and Orange Salad
Vegan and gluten-free salad in 15 minutes. Serves 4 “When I serve a filling entrée,” says cookbook author and food blogger Michael Natkin, “I like to have a brightly flavored, refreshing salad. It offers a nice contrast, makes the meal a little lighter and cuts the fattiness of the main dish.” This simple salad, dressed only with fresh orange juice, beautifully complements Mexican and other Latin American meals. Half a jicama, peeled and cut into 2 x 1/4 x 1/4 -inch batons 1 big handful radishes, trimmed and cut into quarters 4 Valencia oranges, cut into sections, juice reserved 1 /4 tsp kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 handful fresh cilantro leaves, torn, for garnish 1. Combine the jicama, radishes and orange sections in a salad bowl with the salt and several hearty grinds of black pepper.
5. For the salsa, cut the oranges into sections and then cubes. Mix with the red onion, jalapeño pepper and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Stir in the cilantro immediately before serving.
2. Add ¼ cup reserved orange juice and toss lightly.
6. To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and either top with 3 tablespoons of the salsa and some crema, or pass the salsa and crema at the table.
Source: Adapted from Herbivoracious: A Flavor Revolution, with 150 Vibrant and Original Vegetarian Recipes, by Michael Natkin (Herbivoracious.com).
3. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Garnish with the cilantro leaves and serve.
fitbody
n Lower blood pressure and heart rate n Reduction of adrenaline and noradrenalin, also stress-related hormones n Increase in immunity-boosting natural killer (NK) cell activity, and the numbers of NK cells and anti-cancer proteins known to combat cancer
Newest Findings
FOREST BATHING The Healing Power of a Walk in the Woods by Maggie Spilner
“N
ature doesn’t bang any drums when she bursts forth into flowers, nor play any dirges when the trees let go of their leaves in the fall. But when we approach her in the right spirit, she has many secrets to share. If you haven’t heard nature whispering to you lately, now is a good time to give her the opportunity.” ~ Osho, in Osho Zen Tarot: the Transcendental Game of Zen
As we all innately know, spending time in nature is good for our body, mind and spirit. It’s why we’re attracted to green places, flowers, lakes, fresh air and sunshine. Taking a nature walk—affording plenty of fresh air and exercise in a quiet setting—has traditionally been prescribed for good health. That raises a question: How much natural healing are we sacrificing when we spend most of our days indoors? In Japan, a group of medical researchers and government-affiliated forest organizations support the creation of forest therapy centers, where people enjoy the trails and guided walks and also receive free medical checkups under the trees. Since 1984, they have been studying the health benefits of walking in the woods, termed shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. There are now more than 30 such officially designated sites. In related studies, scientists from Japan’s Nippon Medical School and Chiba University tracked positive physiological changes in individuals walking in the woods compared with city walkers. Early results were published in the International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents. Forest walkers showed: n Lower concentrations of salivary cortisol, known as the stress hormone
The researchers theorized that organic compounds called phytoncides, produced by trees and other plants as a protection from disease, insects and fungus, were also producing beneficial natural killer cells in people in the forests. In a study that exposed participants to phytoncides via aromatic oils fed through a humidifier in a hotel room, the researchers found similar increases in NK levels. A 2011 study by Nippon Medical School’s department of hygiene and public health showed that the resulting increase in NK cells lasted for 30 days. They concluded that a monthly walk in the woods could help people maintain a higher level of protective NK activity and perhaps even have a preventive effect on cancer generation and progression. Qing Li, Ph.D., the assistant professor leading several of these studies, suggests that dense forest areas are more effective at boosting immunity than city parks and gardens. He also reports that phytoncide concentrations increase during summer growing seasons and decrease during the winter, although they are still present in tree trunks even when the trees are deciduous. Li further suggests that walks in the woods should be conducted at a leisurely pace. For stress reduction, he suggests four hours of walking, covering a generous 3 miles, or 2 hours walking about 1.5 miles. For cancer-protecting effects, he suggests regularly spending three days and two nights in a forested area. “Carry water and drink when you’re thirsty,” says Li. “Find a place that pleases you and sit and enjoy the scenery.” He adds that relaxing in a hot tub or spa counts as a perfect end to a day of forest bathing. Li foresees a future in which patients diagnosed with high blood pressure or hypertension may receive a forest bathing prescription, but counsels that shinrin-yoku is considered preventive, rather than therapeutic, medicine.
Enhancing Nature’s Power Ecopsychologist Michael Cohen, Ph.D., executive director of Project NatureConnect, adds, “If you want to increase the healing effect of being in nature, it helps to change the way you think and feel about connecting with it.” He has students repeat the word ‘unity’ as they encounter natural attractions—be it a tree, bird, brook or breeze—until they feel that they are part of nature, not separate… part of the healing wisdom of the planet. More, he states, “Sharing helps solidify the experience and opens you to greater personal healing.” Maggie Spilner, author of Prevention’s Complete Book of Walking and Walk Your Way Through Menopause, leads walking vacations for her company, Walk For All Seasons. natural awakenings
October 2012
35
calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received by noon on the 9th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review guidelines and submit entries online at NA-NTX.com (within advertising section).
savethedate Classes Forming Now
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1 Sustainable Landscape Site Design – 6:45-8pm. Landscape designer Heather Venhaus discusses ways to help build a sustainable future by rethinking the way we build and maintain the environment that surrounds us. Learn what can do to design and restore residential or small-scale landscapes. Free. Flower Mound Public Library, 3030 Broadmoor Ln, Flower Mound. Registration required: 972-874-6165.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2 Advanced Backpacking Class – 6:30-8:45pm. Hosted by the Dallas Sierra Club. Covers advanced backpacking tips and skills including winter camping, fly-drive planning and equipment, bear barrel packing, and week-long trekking. $15/Sierra Club member, $20/nonmember; cash/check only. REI Dallas, 4515 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, Dallas. More info: 972-247-0446, DallasSierraClub.org. Amazing YA Book Club: Zombies and the Undead – 7pm. All grownup but still love reading young adult books? Join us to discuss YA books with other adult fans. Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. Info, Stacey Irish-Keffer: 940-349-8718. Creating Healthy Soils – 7-9pm. Tired of mucking around in “clay gumbo” or hardpan soil when you’re trying to plant? Learn about Plano soils and how to improve soil fertility through YardWise practices that include composting, grasscycling and mulching. $5/residents, $9/nonresidents. Environmental Education Center, 4116 W Plano Pkwy, Plano. Register: LiveGreenInPlano.obsres.com.
Children’s Health Fall Festival – 12-3pm. Fall Festival providing activities for kids and information for adults on the hidden dangers that threaten the health of our children. Nash-Davis Recreation Center, 3710 N Hampton Rd, Dallas. GreenDallas.net.
5K Foam Fest: Nov. 3, in Mesquite North Texas Environment Meetup – 7:30-8:30pm. Meet other like-minded environmentally-conscious people to discuss environmental issues both on a global and local level. Meetup.com/Environmentalists.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3 Bike Maintenance Basics – 7-8:30pm. Routine maintenance on your bike can keep you riding smooth and prolong the life of your bike. Join an introductory class designed to help you take care of your bike. Free. REI Plano, 2424 Preston Rd. 972-985-2241.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 Kids’ Day: Fall Harvest – Fun for the entire family, free activities for kids, clinic for adults. All Calloway’s Nursery locations. 817-222-1122. Calloways.com. Texas Renaissance Festival – Oct 6-Nov 25, weekends. Each weekend has a different 16th-century theme. Includes entertainment, human-powered rides, and vendor shops. 21778 FM1774, Plantersville. For times, more info & discounted tickets: 800-458-3435 or TexRenFest.com. 2012 One Run – 7am, registration. Benefiting Cancer Support Community North Texas. Includes a 1K walk, a timed 5K run along the Katy Trail, a post-run party featuring great food, loads of family fun activities, and a high-energy performance by the incomparable Vocal Trash band. Reverchon Park, Dallas. For more info & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-219-8877.
NA-NTX.com
Bring Back the Monarchs – 2pm. Monarch butterfly populations are in decline in the United States due to loss of habitat. Discover simple backyard landscaping to do to help bring back the Monarch Butterfly. Free. Flower Mound Public Library, 3030 Broadmoor Ln, Flower Mound. Registration required: 972-874-6165. Totally Teen Fiction Makeover – 2-3:30pm. Become your favorite character through a makeup transformation. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. 940-349-8752.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 Bird Walk – 8-11am. Bring your binoculars and field guides if you have them and learn what to watch for in habits, characteristics and calls from Gailon and Rodney, both with Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society. All ages welcome. Connemara Meadow Preserve, 300 Tatum Rd, Allen. ConnemaraConservancy.org. Medicine Bags – 11am. Why, Who, What, Where? Most materials will be provided for you to make your own medicine bag (small to medium sizes). If you ever wondered, the time to find out is here and now. $15. RSVP by Oct 3. Four Feathers Trading Post, 3522 CR 2621, Caddo Mills. For more info, Silverhawk: 214-288-9935. FourFeathersTradingPost.net.
savethedate SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7
Take A Kid Mountain Biking – 8am-2pm. Includes a beginner clinic, repair clinic, a scavenger hunt, and food on the grill. Door prizes and give a ways. Boathouse Drive at Horseshoe Trail, Grapevine. More info: DORBA.org.
Bring your household pet on a leash, or in a carrier or cage. Fun for people and pets alike. Includes souvenir photos and pet treats.
DORBA Beginner Clinic – 9am. Includes “class-
North Texas
Faces of Classical Music Photography Exhibition Opening – 1-3pm. Photographs of classical musicians from across the United States, photographed by Carrollton resident William McEwen. The exhibition is on view Oct 6-Jan 27. Free and open to everyone. Irving Arts Center, 3333 N MacArthur Blvd, Irving. 972-252-7558.
8th Annual Roof Dog Run – 8am, 5K walk/run; 9am, 1K walk/run. Kids’ activities, adoptable dogs and much more. Christ Church Plano, 4550 Legacy Dr, Plano. More info & registration: RoofDogRun.org.
Fall Festival – 8am-6pm. Includes family-friendly activities, live entertainment, a scarecrow contest, dancing, food and beverages, cooking demonstrations, a photo contest, chili cook-off and a half-marathon and 5K Run. $10/adults, $5/children 5-12, free/ages 4 & under. Clark Gardens, 567 Maddux Rd, Weatherford. 940-682-4856. ClarkGardens.com/Happenings.
36
Take A Kid Mountain Biking – 10am-2pm. Includes a beginner clinic, repair clinic, a scavenger hunt, and more. Frisco MTB Trail, Teel & Gloryview Rd, Frisco. More info: DORBA.org. Autumn Color in Containers – 10:15-11:15am. Infuse new qualities into your container gardens with Syngenta Cyclamen. Free. All Calloway’s Nursery locations. 817-222-1122. Calloways.com.
Stop Binge & Over Eating Diets do not work but lifestyles do. In 9 short weeks, get the tools to change your life and live free from disordered eating and body image struggles. Kip Watson Counseling, 6842 Lebanon Rd, Ste 103 Frisco. More info & to register call Kip: 972-380-1842
room” time, a mini-skills workshop, and then a ride of an hour or more. Boathouse Drive at Horseshoe Trail, Grapevine. More info: DORBA.org.
Blessing of the Animals 4-5pm
St. Philips Episcopal, 6400 Stonebrook Pkwy, Frisco. 214-387-4700
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9 Teen Advisory Board – 6:30-8pm. Help plan and run library programs. Write reviews, make book trailers, work on service related projects, earn community
service hours for school and more. For teens grades 6-12. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. Juli Gonzalez: 940-349-8741. 2012 Elections – 7-8:30pm. The Sierra Club’s Campaign to elect leaders friendly to the environment. Free. REI Dallas, 4515 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, Dallas. Kirk Miller: 972-699-1687. Kayaking Basics – 7-8:30pm. Kayaking is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities. Our expert staff will cover equipment, apparel, trip planning and transportation for all levels of paddlers. Free. REI Plano, 2424 Preston Rd. 972-985-2241.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11 Ladies Night Out – 6:30-9:30pm. A great networking opportunity for you and your business as well as a fun time out with friends. Will have food, drinks, door prizes and a variety of beauty and gift booths for you to enjoy shopping as well. Free. Farrar Family Chiropractic, 4152 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Ste 116, Plano. 972-964-7000.
savethedate SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 Friends of Frisco Run Fun Run/5K to benefit local family in need Fun Run, $20; 5K, $30 Will consist of a 1-mile Fun Run, followed by a chip-timed 5K through the scenic surroundings of The Trails of West Frisco. Awards given for overall first male and female, first masters male and female and top three male and female in 11 age divisions. FriendsOfFriscorRun.com
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 Educator Seminar: Understanding Neurodevelopmental Disorders – 8:30am-1pm. Educators learn about new research regarding the increase in Autism, ADHD and Learning Disorders. Classroom ideas also shared. All participants will receive 4.5 CPE hrs. Free. Held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Conference Center, 4000 Midway Rd, Carrollton. RSVP required, Brain Balance of Plano: 972-248-9482, Plano@BrainBalanceCenters.com. Habitat Walk – 9-11am. Join Texas Master Naturalist and Environmental Scientist, Rich Jaynes, to explore and understand the management plans for the four habitat areas of the Connemara Meadow Preserve. All ages welcome. Connemara Meadow Preserve, 300 Tatum Rd, Allen. ConnemaraConservancy.org.
Hagerman’s Super Saturday – 9am-4pm. A full day of nature activities, walk, talks, demos and hands-on. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. 903-786-2826. Schedule: FriendsOfHagerman.com. Fall and Winter Color for Texas – 10:15-11:15am. Add happy, cool season color to your Texas garden with MatrixTM Pansies, Cabbage, Kale and Cyclamen. Free. All Calloway’s Nursery locations. 817222-1122. Calloways.com.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 Astronomy on the Meadow Night Walk – 9-11pm. Join Master Naturalist Clyde Camp for a night walk and Astronomy on the Meadow. The walk is about 1.5 miles. Not appropriate for young children. Connemara Meadow Preserve, 300 Tatum Rd, Allen. ConnemaraConservancy.org.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16 Financial Peace University: Free preview class – 7pm. 9-week class begins Oct 23. $95/family. Childcare available with a reservation: $25/child, $30 max per family. St. Philips Episcopal, 6400 Stonebrook Pkwy, Frisco. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-387-4700. Zombie Night for Teens – 7pm. Test your knowledge of zombie trivia and survival, and then join in zombie games, zombie snacks, and zombie crafts. Supplies limited, register. For ages 12 & up. Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. 940-349-8752.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17 Animal Explorers: Bats – 4pm. Will read bat books, make bat crafts and enjoy all types of batty activities. Best for ages 6-8. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. 940-349-8752. It’s a Girl Thing – 4pm. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. A mother-daughter book club. Best for girls ages 10-13. Denton Public Library, South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8752. Girl’s Night Out – 6-7:30pm. Womanhood is not a disease. Learn about everything from PMS to menopause, hormone balancing and cancer prevention, the natural way. We’ll provide wine and chocolate to go with the girl talk. Free. HealthWorks: A Creating Wellness Center, 2317 Coit Rd, Ste B, Plano. Register, Shari Miles: 972-612-1800. Advanced Bike Maintenance: Derailleurs – 6-8:30pm. The bike staff will lead you through a tune up of your shift system. Please bring your clean bike with you. $30/member, $40/nonmember. REI Plano, 2424 Preston Rd. 972-985-2241.
Texas Wines – 6:30-8pm. Texas is now the home to more than 125 wineries. This is a great expansion over just the last few years. Many of these wineries have received regional and national recognition for the quality of their wines. Free. Whole Foods Market, 2201 Preston Rd, Ste C, Plano. 972-612-6729. RSVP & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: Andrea.Beckham@WholeFoods.com.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 Sustainability 101: How to Plant Trees – 6:307:30pm. Planting trees can seem like an easy task, but there are many tips and methods that can really help your tree survive its first few years after transplanting. The City’s own Urban Forester is going to take you through all the do’s and don’ts of planting trees locally. Denton Civic Center, 321 E McKinney St, Denton. CityOfDenton.com. Pedernales Cellars Winemaker Fredrik Osterberg – 6:30-8pm. He’ll discuss the wineries sustainable practices and the growth of Texas grown wines. Free. Whole Foods Market, 2201 Preston Rd, Ste C, Plano. 972-612-6729. RSVP & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: Andrea.Beckham@WholeFoods.com. Dallas DownRiver Club Meeting – 7pm. Canoeing, kayaking and rafting club. Roma’s, 7402 Greenville Ave, Dallas. 214-373-0500. More info, Dale Harris: 972-680-2727 or Dale_Harris@sbcglobal.net.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 Lone Star Storytelling Festival – Oct 19 & 20. The family-friendly concerts begin at 7:15, Oct 19, with a Favorite Stories concert. Daytime concerts run from 10:30am-8 pm, Oct 20, including a School of Rock concert at 7:15pm, for ages 10 and up. Proceeds benefit the Frisco Public Library. George A. Purefoy Municipal Center, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco. For more info & tickets: LoneStarStories.org. Glow Fun – 4pm. Join us for these glowing activities: paint pumpkins, look for germs, make worms and much more. For ages 8-12. Denton Public Library, South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8752. Transmission Meditation – 7:30-9pm. A group service activity, which “steps down” the great spiritual energies that continually stream into our planet. This is a very potent form of world service and personal growth. Half Price Books (near Community Room), 5803 E Northwest Hwy, Dallas. Cynthia: 972-495-9605.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 Fall Photo Safari – 8-11:30am. Small group photo shoot; enjoy photographing the Refuge with a leader who is familiar with your camera. Bring camera,
natural awakenings
October 2012
37
tripod, manual, water, dress for weather. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. 903-786-2826. To register, send name, make and model of camera, experience level and contact info: FriendsOfHagerman@gmail.com. Repotting Festival – 9am-6pm. Bring your plants and pots (or purchase new); we’ll supply the space and potting soil. All Calloway’s Nursery locations. 817-222-1122. Calloways.com. Wonder Pet Expo – 9am-6pm. Activities includes presentations, K-9 demos and training tips by the Dallas Police Department, a pet pageant, a Kids Zone, prizes and raffles, low-cost vaccinations and discounted micro-chipping, and much more. Pets allowed on a fixed lead with proof of vaccinations. Adoptable dogs. Dallas Market Hall, 2200 Stemmons Frwy, Dallas. WonderPetExpoDallas.com. Keep Our Creeks Clean – 9:30-11am. Make a difference by cleaning the litter out of Plano’s creeks. Kick off the morning with coffee, pastries and an inspirational talk bolstering your passion for fighting litter’s effects in our community. City of Plano will provide supplies and support at each step. Environmental Education Center, 4116 W Plano Pkwy, Plano. Registration required: LiveGreenInPlano.obsres.com. Pirate Adventure – Oct 20-21. 10am-11pm, Sat; 10am-6pm, Sun. Family-friendly event features two stages of live music and performances, festival food, adult beverages, geocache treasure hunts, arts and crafts, and much more. Stewart Creek Park, 3700 Sparks Rd, The Colony. For more info & tickets: 972-625-1240 or PirateDays.org. Butterfly Flutterby – 10am-2pm. Annual events features a colorful parade with children and pets in butterfly costumes. Live monarch butterfly releases. Enjoy butterfly exhibits, entertainment and interactive butterfly arts and crafts. Downtown Grapevine, 705 S Main St. Schedule: GrapevineTexasUSA.com Odyssey Day – 10am-2pm. National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day is dedicated to promoting the use of alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles with contests, tours, vehicle displays, demonstrations, workshops, panel discussions, ride-anddrives and more. Parking and admission free. Live Well Center, 3200 East Airfield Dr, DFW Airport. AFVDayOdyssey.org NCTCOG.org/CleanCities. Fall Grasses for Texas Gardens – 10:15-11:15am. Create bold texturing, color and interest with our Proven Winners® ornamental grasses. Free. All Calloway’s Nursery locations. 817-222-1122. Calloways.com. Monster Mash Birthday for Habitat – 11am-2pm. Will feature a variety of family-friendly events, including a monster mash costume contest. Free. The Restore, 2060 Couch Dr, McKinney. 972-542-5300. NCC-Habitat.com.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 Veggie Fair – 11am-6pm. Features live music, carnival performers, entertainment, vegan food sampling, arts, food vendors, guest speakers and other family-friendly activities. Speakers address topics of nutrition, disease prevention, animal-free and raw diets and the benefits of living a vegan lifestyle. Free. Reverchon Park, 3505 Maple Ave, Dallas. TexasStateVeggieFair.com. 2012 Light The Night Walks – Oct 20, 21 & 28. 5pm, check-in; 6:30pm, program; 7pm, walk. To remember those that have battled blood cancer. Oct 20,
38
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
Plano; Oct 21, Fort Worth; Oct 28, Dallas. Benefits The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Each walker will carry an illuminated balloon. For more info & to register: LightTheNight.org/NTX.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 22 Backpacking Basics – 7-8:30pm. REI will take the mystery out of Backpacking with an overview of planning, preparation and gear. Learn how to choose a pack, select proper clothing and footwear. Free. REI Plano, 2424 Preston Rd. 972-985-2241.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23 Parent Information Seminar – 6:30-8pm. Parents looking for help that will make a difference in their child’s trajectory should attend this seminar. Learn information about the Brain Balance comprehensive programs that address a child’s social, emotional, behavioral, and/or academic issues. Brings a friend and receive a free copy of Disconnected Kids by Dr. Robert Mellilo. Brain Balance of Plano, 1501 Preston Rd, Plano. RSVP required: 972-248-9482.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24 Mental & Neurological Conditions in Children & Adults – 12pm. ADD/ADHD, Autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer’s and dementia call all be helped with proper nutrition. Free, but space limited. Kotsanis Institute, 2260 Pool Rd, Grapevine. Register & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 817-591-0260. Science Explorers: Mummies – 4pm. Will read mummy books, play mummy games, and make our own mummified apples. Best for ages 6-8. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. 940-349-8752. Favorite Character Halloween Bash – 7pm. Come dressed as your favorite book character for our costume contest. Enjoy trivia, food, and activities from some of your favorite books. For ages 11& up. Denton Public Library, South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8752.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25 Get Started: College Admissions – 6:309pm. Class will cover top admission factors, supplemental academic factors and non-academic factors, admissions tests, quick helps for financial planning. Expert panel will consist of facilitator Marie Diamond, actual college admissions recruiters, college admissions consultants, and College Prep Genius. $10/pre-registered by Oct 18, $15/at door. Mardel of Plano, Conference Room, 2300 Coit Rd, Ste 100. To register, Willow Bend Academy: 972-599-7882. WillowBendAcademy.com.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 Celina Balloon Festival and Family Fun Day – Oct 26 & 27. Includes carnival rides, live entertainment, art and craft booths, food vendors, helicopter rides, midway games, a fun house, laser show and more. Balloons lift off Saturday morning at 8am. $5, free/children 5 & under. Old Celina Park, 12670 FM 428, Celina. For more info or tickets: CelinaBalloonFestival.com. DORBA 9th Annual Fall Campout and Trail Ride – Oct 26-28. A weekend of camping, mountain biking, sitting around the campfire, catching up with old friends and making new ones. Solavaca Ranch, 7829 FM 205, Glen Rose. More info: DORBA.org.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 Caddoween Campout – Oct 27-29. With the Dallas Downriver Club. Includes a variety of family activities. Caddo Lake, Goat Island. More info, Bryan Jackson: 972-979-2519. Down-River.com. Spring Bulbs, Fall Plantings – 10:15-11:15am. Come get the full details on how to create stunning gardens with Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths and other bulbs. Free. All Calloway’s Nursery locations. 817222-1122. Calloways.com. Mad Scientist Laboratory – 11am. Become a mad scientist and experiment with batches of oozing slime, bubbling potions and other gooey creations. Supplies limited; register. Ages 8-12. Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. 940-349-8752. Bringing In The Night Ceremony – 4pm. Greet the night, call in the stars (ko-ku-to-six) and the moon (ko-ko-me-kis), say Hello to Grandmother (Ni-wah) moon. Rid yourself of night fears, dark side fears, etc. Free, but donation graciously accepted. RSVP by Oct 22. Four Feathers Trading Post, 3522 CR 2621, Caddo Mills. For more info, Silverhawk: 214288-9935. FourFeathersTradingPost.net.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 Connemara Meadow Preserve Open House – 1-5pm. Experience what makes this natural oasis in the middle of suburbia so special, and always surprising. Free. Connemara Meadow Preserve, 300 Tatum Rd, Allen. ConnemaraConservancy.org. Falling in Love with Fall Floral Class – 6:30-8pm. Class will cover great ideas for your fall holiday tablescape, great short cuts and money saving ideas along with creating a beautiful fall centerpiece for your Thanksgiving Feast. $40. Whole Foods Market, 2201 Preston Rd, Ste C, Plano. 972-612-6729. RSVP & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: Darren.Heppel@WholeFoods.com.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31 Family Halloween Celebration – 4-7pm. A safe, family-friendly venue includes lots of activities, food and coupons for free items at participating retailers and of course, candy. Unicorn Lake Plaza, 2900 Wind River Ln, Denton. Tinyurl.com/8dxhkdz.
plan ahead THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Minimalist Running Basics Class – 7-8:30pm. Learn what Minimalist Running is all about, the gear, and ideas on how to get started. Free. REI Plano, 2424 Preston Rd. 972-985-2241.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Alternative Energy & Transportation (AltCar) Expo – Nov 2 & 3. Bringing together a variety of alternative fuels and advanced technologies. Nov 2 for fleet management professionals. Nov 3 open to the public. See vehicles powered by biodiesel, ethanol, electricity, hydrogen, natural gas and propane. Hybrids and idle-reduction technology also on display. Plano Convention Centre, 2000 E Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano. More info: Nctcog.org/CleanCities. Romanian Food Festival – Nov 2-4. Food, folk
dances as well as activities and entertainment, including traditional music, sporting exhibitions, arts and crafts and a kids’ corner. $5/adults, $3/ children 6-12. Saint Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church, 3801 Glade Rd, Colleyville. 817-858-0801. RomanianFestival-Dallas.com.
ongoingcalendar NOTE: All calendar events must be received by noon on the 9th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review guidelines and submit entries online at NA-NTX.com (within advertising section).
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Carrollton resident William McEwen. Free. Irving Arts Center, 3333 N MacArthur Blvd, Irving. 972252-7558.
5K Foam Fest – Combines the fun of a mud run with foam and watery obstacles, like running through a giant car wash. The 3.1-mile race open to ages 12 years and older, with assigned start times from 9am12pm. Double D Ranch, 12809 Eastgate Dr, Mesquite. For more info & to register: 5KFoamFest.com.
Fall Dairy Tours – Thru Dec. By appointment. Tour includes a presentation on how and what cows are fed, the benefits of grass-crop based feed (silage), the difference between raw and pasteurized milk and more. Everyone gets samples of milk and treat bags for the kids. $5/person over 2 yrs of age. Circle N Family Dairy, 2074 CR 446, Gainesville. Michelle Neu: 940-372-0343.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Gong Meditation – 7-8:30pm. The gong Kenny plays is tuned to 172 hertz, which is the frequency at which the Earth rotates in our solar system. The gong has a wonderful grounding and reaffirming energy to it. Shambhala Wellness, 215 E University Dr, Denton. Johanna Oosterwijk: 940-440-9791.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Denton Water Walk – 10am. Walk and help raise $5,000 which will be donated through Charity: Water to help the town of Rulindo, Rwanda get the water well they so desperately need. Bring some empty milk jugs or buckets and meet at the Denton Square and join us as we walk approximately 4.5-miles round trip to South Lakes park and back to collect water from the lake. This journey is representative of the distance the average Rwandan woman must travel at least once a day to collect fresh water. $20 suggested donation. MyCharityWater. org/DentonWaterWalk4. Camp Tonkawa Fall Fest & Fundraiser – 10am -4pm. Storytelling, nature hikes, Texas line dancing and educational exhibits and one raffle ticket are included with admission. Opening ceremony includes the opportunity to help raise a real tipi. Fundraising festivities include archery, horseback riding, cake walk, face-painting, crafts, bake sale, food and beverages. Bring your own camp chairs and picnic blankets. Some events all day, others only at specific times, see website for schedule. Camp Tonkawa is a nature awareness learning center dedicated to connecting children and adults to nature. Admission to Fall Fest and Fundraiser: $5 adults / $3 children under 12. This is a cash only event. Camp Tonkawa, 1036 CR 203, Collinsville. 940-440-8382. CampTonkawaTexas.com
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Take A Kid Mountain Biking – 2-5pm. Bring out the kids and their bikes. Includes a bike inspection and skills clinic; followed by the ride and a cookout afterward. After the cookout there will be a prize raffle and every kid will receive something for their participation. Rowlett Creek Nature Preserve, Garland. Richardson Bike Mart: 972-231-3993.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Nutrition, Stress & The Holidays – 12pm. Learn tips for surviving the holidays. We will share our gluten-free and allergen-free holiday recipes that are not only tasty but nutritious. Free, but space limited. Kotsanis Institute, 2260 Pool Rd, Grapevine. Register & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 817-591-0260.
First Aid Classes, CPR & Babysitter Training – Various days. Monthly at various branches. For specific info on cost, space availability, times: YMCADallas.org.
Celina Balloon Festival: Oct. 26 & 27
ongoing 5K Training – Join our 9-to-5 program and walk/ run a 5k in 9 weeks. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings. All Luke’s Locker locations: LukesLocker.com. Adventure Guides & Princesses – A father-child program for grades K-3 designed to help foster a lifetime of understanding, relationship strengthening and companionship between father and child. $27/YMCA Family Members, $67/Community Members. Frisco Family YMCA, 3415 Main St, Frisco. Mark Hull: 972-335-3222 or MHull@ YMCADallas.org. Afternoon Adventure Club – Thru Nov 24. Kids in kindergarten through third grade hear a story and learn about something new. Then, get a chance to create a craft or conduct an experiment. Free. Hands-on workshop offered weekly at each library location as follows: Tues, 4pm at Emily Fowler Central Library; 3:30pm at South Branch Library. For details: 940-349-8718. Colleyville Farmers’ Market Box Program – A weekly offering of fresh, USDA-certified organic fruits and vegetables traceable from farm to the fork. Menu listing changes weekly. Order by Wed morning and pick up at the Colleyville Farmers’ Market Fri afternoon. 5409 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville. 817-427-2333. ColleyvilleFarmersMarket.com. Denton Rugby – We are always looking for new recruits in Dallas Fort Worth Area. Email for more info about how to join. Currently we have players that live in Lewisville, Flower Mound, Keller, Southlake, Frisco and many others. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings to Jason Millerd: JMillerd@TWU.edu.
Hands-On Learning through Camp Tonkawa Field Trips – 9:30am-2:30pm. For your school/ homeschool group. Field trips available: Wilderness Survival/Nature Connection, Native American Indians, Nature in Art, Birds, Birds, Birds, Texas Wildlife or Seasonal Nature Awareness, Arbor Day. Most field trips: $15/person; Wilderness Survival: $20/person. Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center, 1036 CR 203, Collinsville. Pre-registration required: 940-440-8382. CampTonkawaTexas.com. Live Animals of the World: A Conservation Exhibit – Encourages visitors to take a role in conserving nature. Native and non-native animals. $9/adults, $6/children 3-12 & seniors, free/children under 2. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972-562-5566. HeardMuseum.org. One Life Radio on 1190AM – 10-11am. Weekdays. One Life Radio provides you with the best information on fitness, nutrition and behavior mental health. We do not sugarcoat or beat around the bush. We give you the best experts in the DFW area to help you live the one life you have. Join us on 1190AM just before the Glenn Beck Show. More info, Kip Watson: 214-543-4108. Pathfinders Fun Cycling – A free, non-competitive riding group for all cycling skill levels. Short, weekly bicycle rides for the purpose of fun and exercise. All rides held on the weekend, less than 20 miles and include a food destination and a “no
Discovery Classes – Mon-Sat. Times vary by age, 4mo-3yrs. Teaches motor skills, develops coordination and body control, and builds self-confidence and body strength. A Parent/Tot program that allows parents to help their child discover movements with music, games, and gymnastics. Achievers Gymnastics, 3014 S I-35 E, Denton. 940-484-4900. Faces of Classical Music Photography Exhibition – Oct 6-Jan 27. Photographs of classical musicians from across the United States, photographed by
natural awakenings
October 2012
39
rider left behind” policy. Routes and destinations change each week. For more info: Facebook.com/ CycleHighlandVillage. Performance Enhancement Training – Demo by appt. Experience Interactive Metronome (IM) training first hand. IM is used for those with learning differences, serious athletes looking to improve their game, and adults looking to improve their dayto-day performance. Free. Available 8:30am-5pm, M-F at Willow Bend Academy, 2220 Coit Rd, Ste 500, Plano, 972-599-7882; 8:30am-5pm, M-F at Willow Bend Academy, 101 E Southwest Pkwy, Ste 101, Lewisville, 972-436-3839. WillowBendAcademy.com. Texas Renaissance Festival – Oct 6-Nov 25, weekends. Each weekend has a different 16th-century theme. Includes entertainment, human-powered rides, and vendor shops. 21778 FM1774, Plantersville. For times, more info & discounted tickets: 800-458-3435 or TexRenFest.com. Yoga – We offer different yoga classes 7 days a week. Vinyasa yoga, Power yoga, Beginners yoga, Kundalini yoga, Prenatal yoga, and Mommy and Me yoga. Shambhala Wellness Center, 215 E University Dr, Denton. Johanna Oosterwijk: 940-380-8728.
sunday Sunday Morning Rides – Various start times and lengths. Richardson Bikemart, Southeast corner of Campbell Rd & Coit Rd, in the front parking lot. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972231-3993. Sunday Morning Bike Rides – 7:30am. Pace is 14mph to 16mph for approximately 20 miles. Free. CK Sports, 8880 State Hwy 121, Ste 164, McKinney. For details & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-383-0088. Visit the Cats – 11am-6pm, Sun & Sat. A selfguided tour to learn about the animals that call InSync home. Helpful volunteers available to answer any questions. $10/adult, $7/senior (65+), $7/child (4-12), free/under 4. In-Sync Exotics, 3430 Skyview Dr, Wylie. 972-442-6888. InSyncExotics.com. Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group – 2-3pm. 3rd Sun. Get info on local resources, education and support. Open to anyone whose loved one may be affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Autumn Leaves of McKinney, 175 Plateau Dr, McKinney. 972-542-0606. ZSmith@AutumnLeavesLiving.com. Free Yoga – 3-4pm. 2nd Sun. All welcome. Inspire
40
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
Yoga Studio, 1401 Shoal Creek, Ste 268, Highland Village. 972-505-9764. Primitive Survival Club – 3-6pm. Last Sun. Includes: learning of survival skills, fellowship of people of like interests, service back to the camp, nature connecting afternoon. Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center, 1036 County Rd, Collinsville. Cost & more info: 940-440-8382. Yoga Tree: Fall Cleanse – Thru Oct. 4-6pm. Explore the ancient yogic tradition of Tapas (purity) by learning classic cleansing techniques. Learn how to safely and naturally cleanse of the body of chemicals and toxins. $250. Yoga Tree, 1410 Ave K, Ste 1105A, Plano. 972-398-YOGA (9642). Transition Dallas Meeting – 6pm. 4th Sun. A group of people interested in learning to live resiliently and sustainably within our neighborhoods. At many of our meetings we have re-skilling sessions, so we can revive the skills that enabled our grandparents to be self-sufficient within their communities. For meeting location & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: TransitionDallas@gmail.com.
monday Indoor Park – 10-11am. Mon & Fri. The perfect place to bring little ones when it’s cold outside. Ages: up to 5yrs. $9/visit or $44/8 visit punch card. Achievers Gymnastics, 3014 S I-35 E, Denton. 940-484-4900. Massage for Mom –10am-4pm. $10 off any massage for North Texas Natural Awakenings readers. One-hour Hot Stone, Swedish or Pregnancy massage, reg. price $55/hr. Massage Space, 7000 Independence Pkwy at Legacy, Plano. Reservations required: 972-612-5363. Overeaters Anonymous – 12pm. Weekly Mon-Fri. A 12-step recovery program for compulsive eating. Prairie Creek Baptist Church, 3201 W 15th St, Plano. 972-238-0333. Ask Emily: Drop-In Technology Help – 3-5pm. 1st Mon. Library staff and volunteers on hand to answer your questions. Can help with specific problems with Microsoft Office applications, surfing the Web, using the library databases or catalog, downloading audio or eBooks. No registration necessary. Bring your portable device or flash drive containing the document working on. Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. 940-349-8752. Yoga Tree: Yoga 101 – 5:15-6:15pm. Discover the joyful practice of yoga. Yoga 101 is the perfect entry
point for those who have heard about the benefits of yoga and want to learn more. First class free. Yoga Tree, 1410 Ave K, Ste 1105A, Plano. 972398-YOGA (9642). Beekeeping Meeting – 6:30pm. 2nd Mon. Beginner to experienced keepers welcome, ages 8-80. Free. Collin County Hobby Beekeepers Association meets at Heard-Craig Center, 205 W Hunt St, McKinney. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-8438084. CCHBA.org. Monday Night Ride at Arbor Hills – 6:30pm. Bring bike, helmet and light. Meet at the trail head at Arbor Hills. More info: DORBA.org. Native Plant Society Meeting – 7pm. 3rd Mon. Guest speakers on topics related to native plants and habitats. Free. Dallas Chapter Native Plant Society. REI Outdoor Equipment Store, 4515 LBJ Frwy, Dallas. 866-527-4918. Open Stage – 7pm-12am. An opportunity to practice performance on a stage with an engaged and supportive audience. Performers sign up to show off their skills in a 5-min time slot, which we film and share with the performer to help hone their craft. After variety show, practice any and all types of performing art. $5 cover, 21+. House of Poets, 580 W Arapaho Rd, Ste 199, Richardson. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-494-0952.
tuesday Healthy Eating Tours – 10am & 4pm. Learn how to make healthier choices, using our ANDI scoring system. Learn how to read labels; build menus around plant-based foods low in fat to ensure highly nutrient dense meals. Whole Foods Market, 2201 Preston Rd, Plano. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-612-6729. Sisters Safe Talk – 10-11am. 2nd & 4th Tues. We are a group of women of all ages. We come together as sisters so we can openly and safely share a part of ourselves on this wonderful journey. Free. Shambhala Wellness, 215 E University Dr, Denton. RSVP suggested: 940-380-8728. Dallas Museum of Art – 11am-3pm. 1st Tues. Programming designed specifically for children age 5 and under and their families, but all ages welcome. Art-making activities, story times, performances, and gallery activities. Free. Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Harwood St, Dallas. 214-922-1200. Twilight Toddler Time – Thru Nov. 6:30pm. 2nd Tues. Bring your toddler (ages 12-24 months) for this
evening Toddler Time that promotes literacy, social interaction, and caregiver bonding. Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. 940-349-8718. Yoga for Runners – 6:45-7:45pm. 20-wk program, less than $8/session. Luke’s Locker, 959 Garden Park Dr, Allen. For details & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 469-854-6244. Amazing YA Book Club – 7pm. 1st Tues. All grownup but still love reading young adult books? Join us to discuss YA books with other adult fans. Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. For titles: 940-349-8718. Collin County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas Meeting – 7pm. 2nd Tues. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. More info: 972-380-4030. HeardMuseum.org. DFW Greenweavers – 7pm. 2nd Tues. Networking for professionals and companies who are greenminded, eco-friendly or wishing to become more so. $1. For location details, mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-378-8686. PTAS Chapter Meetings – 7pm, refreshments; 7:30pm, meeting & program. 4th Tues, Sept-Nov & Jan-May. All meetings and other activities open to everyone. PTAS offers interesting programs and wonderful guest speakers at our meetings that bring a great variety of expertise and excitement to the membership. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. Program details: PrairieAndTimbers.org. Public Knowledge – 7pm. 1st Tues. Adults celebrating brains and brews through conversation and presenters from diverse fields in science and history. Different bar or restaurant location each month. For location details: FWMuseum.org/PublicKnowledge. Sierra Club Meeting – 7-8:30pm. 2nd Tues. Monthly lectures. Free. REI Dallas, Guadalupe Peak Rm, 4515 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Dallas. 972-699-1687. Dance, Dance, Dance – 7-9:15pm. Dance hosts available to dance with unescorted ladies. Refreshments served. $5. Plano Senior Recreation Center, 401 W 16th St, Plano. Details: 972-941-7155 or PlanoSeniorCenter.org. North Texas Environment Meetup – 7:30-8:30pm. 1st Tues. Meet other like-minded environmentallyconscious people to discuss environmental issues both on a global and local level. Meetup.com/ Environmentalists. Cirque Out – 8-10pm. A weekly circus-skill enthusiast work out. Work on your hooping, spinning, juggling and general tomfoolery. Nice weather loca-
tion: The Richardson Civic Center, 411 W Arapaho Rd, Richardson. Bad weather location: The Peace Pipe Hookah Lounge, 580 W Arapaho, Ste 181, Richardson. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-494-0952.
wednesday Nature Awareness Club – 9:30am-2:30pm. 2nd Wed &/or Thurs; Club members choose one day each month. Learn about our local North Texas plants and animals, through activities, games, and nature walks. Bring your Nature Journals and pencils. Children 4 & up. $15. Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center, Inc, 1036 CR 203, Collinsville. Pre-registration required: 940-440-8382. Christian Women Business Networking – 11am1pm. 1st Wed. Fellowship and networking with other professional Christian women, to draw us closer together. We meet monthly over lunch, for prayer, inspiration and a “Spiritual Vitamin.” Prestonwood Country Club, 15909 Preston Rd, Dallas. For reservation & details, mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-704-3898. Yoga Tree: JAM Session – Thru Oct. 11am1:30pm. Journey into the Art of Movement. Come and reconnect with your inner yogi as we explore and unlock various aspects of the yogic tradition. One hour of Vinyasa yoga included. $25/session. Yoga Tree, 1410 Ave K, Ste 1105A, Plano. 972398-YOGA (9642). Networking Meeting – 11:30am-1pm. North Dallas Networkers lunchtime networking meeting. Come see one of the best run and most fun networking groups in DFW. $15 includes lunch and a beverage. No charge for the meeting. Membership requirements explained at the meeting. Picasso’s Restaurant, 18160 N Dallas Pkwy, Dallas. Restaurant: 972-248-0011. Vicki Knutson: 214-587-3786. Frisco Noon Lions Club – 12-1pm. 2nd & 4th Wed. Friendships, fun and fulfilling. Come share the joy of community involvement and fellowship while helping make the world a better place. Designed for busy small business owners and professional and works well for the time conscious individual (stay at home mom, student, retiree). Meetings featuring informative speakers and hands-on training are held at local Frisco restaurants. All welcome, ages 18 & up. Free. Buy own lunch if wish to eat. For details, Brandy Miles: 972-335-2487 or Brandy@ MarilynKuhlman.com. Art History Brown Bag Series – 12:30-1:30pm. 1st Wed. Presented by Annie Royer. A look at the
“isms” including cubism, romanticism, modernism and impressionism. How did one “ism” influence the next? How did artists influence and challenge each other? Series will heighten one’s appreciation of art and provide insight into the mind of the artist. Free. Heard-Craig Carriage House located, 205 1/2 W Hunt St, McKinney. 972-569-6909. Tween & Teen Game Day – 3:45-5pm. Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Guitar Hero and many other Wii & Play Station games. Free. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. 940-349-8752. Adults with Special Needs Cooking Classes – 6-8pm. 1st & 3rd Wed. Call for details. Space limited. $10. Market Street Culinary School, 6100 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney. Reserve spot now & mention Natural Awakenings North Texas: 972-548-5167. Evening Social Runs/Walks – 6:30pm. Post party new restaurant each 6 weeks. All levels welcome. Luke’s Locker, 959 Garden Park Dr, Allen. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 469-854-6244. Organic Society Meeting – 6:30pm, seed & info exchange; 7pm, meeting. 3rd Wed. Denton Organic Society. Denton Senior Center, 509 N Bell Ave, Denton. 940-382-8551. Sport Watch Tech Clinics – 6:30pm. 2nd Wed. Garmin, Polar, Nike, Times, Moto, Soleus. Luke’s Locker, 959 Garden Park Dr, Allen. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 469-854-6244. Teen Anime Club – 6:30pm. 3rd Wed. The Colony Public Library, Conference Rm, 6800 Main St, The Colony. 972-625-1900. Animanga – 6:30-8pm. 3rd Wed. For teens grades 6-12. Watch anime? Read Manga? Draw fan art? Share your love of all things anime/manga. Snacks provided. Free. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. 940-349-8752. Bedtime Stories – 7pm. All ages. Come to story time prepared for lifelong learning and a barrel of fun. Free ticket at 2nd floor desk. A parent or caregiver must accompany each child. Frisco Public Library, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco. 972-292-5669.
thursday Grapevine Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct 20. 8am4pm. Thurs-Sat. Grapevine Farmers’ Market, 325 S Main St, Grapevine. FarmersMarketOfGrapevine.com. Free Admission & Wildlife Program – 9am-9pm. 3rd Thurs. Admission and parking free. 7:15pm,
natural awakenings
October 2012
41
Special Program: Saving Our Birds, The work of the Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas. 214-309-5801. Lunch Hour Yoga – 11:30am-12:20pm. Class utilizes the Franklin Method and Smart Spine along with various types of yoga for relaxation and rejuvenation. $15. Pilates for Life, 103 W Belmont Dr, Allen. 214-704-3070.
cross training, strength training to improve your running. Bring a towel/mat, water, running shoes, workout clothes and a willingness to push your limits to get better. $5. CK Sports, 8880 Texas 121, Ste 164, McKinney. Connie Kelley: 214-383-0088. Dallas Down-River Club Meeting – 7pm. 3rd Thurs. Canoeing, kayaking and rafting club. Roma’s, 7402 Greenville Ave, Dallas. 214-373-0500. More info, Dale Harris: 972-680-2727 or Dale_Harris@sbcglobal.net.
Adriatica Farmers’ Market – 3-7pm. Local and organic meat, dairy and produce vendors. McKinney Farmers’ Market, 6851 Virginia Pkwy, W McKinney. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-562-8790.
The Colony History Project Committee – 7pm. 3rd Thurs. Help cultivate and preserve The Colony’s rich history. The Colony Public Library, 6800 Main St, The Colony. 972-625-1900.
CPR Training – 6-8pm. American Heart Training Center with 125 trained instructors. Texas CPR Training, 4013 Carrizo, Plano. 214-770-6872. TexasCPR.com.
Fowler Foodie Book Club – 7-8pm. 3rd Thurs. Pull up a chair and join us for a lively discussion of food related books. Monthly book selections a mix of fiction and non-fiction, with a pinch of cook-books for flavor. Free. Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland, Denton. Laura Douglas: 940-349-8752.
Dallas Organic Gardening Club – 6:30pm, refreshments; 7pm, meeting. 4th Thurs. Free. REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Dallas. DOGC.org. Teen Writers Group – 6:30pm. 3rd Thurs. Join other teen writers to discuss projects, get ideas and suggestions for publication, and for fellowship and fun. Free. The Colony Public Library, Conference Rm, 6800 Main St, The Colony. 972-625-1900 x 3. Fitness in the Square (FITS): Part of Be Fit Frisco – 6:30-7:30pm. A free one-hour exercise class in the courtyard in front of Frisco City Hall. For kids 10+ to adults. Bring water, towel, and appropriate clothing and shoes. The type of workout changes each month. Bring your family and move together. Be Fit Frisco, Frisco City Hall Square, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd. 972-292-6501. Thursday Evening Runs – 6:45pm. Join us for an evening run. We offer a 2- or 4-mile option. Run at your pace. Free.CK Sports, 8880 State Hwy 121, Ste 164, McKinney. For details & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-383-0088. Essential Oils Class – 6:45-7:30pm. 3rd Thurs. From Seed to Seal. If you don’t know your seed you don’t know your oil. Learn what the ancients used to remove moles, warts, skin tags, age spots and more. Free. LED Skin Care Center, 3645 Dallas Pkwy, Ste 111, Inside Ovation Boutiques, Plano. RSVP; class size limited: 214-587-3786. LEDskinCareCenter.com. Power Yoga – 6:45-7:45pm. In conjunction with Luke’s Locker Allen, class meets at Allen Yoga Center, 915 Market St, Allen. Details & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 469-854-6244. Running Boot Camp – 6:45-7:45pm. Need a boost in your running performance? Join the CK Sports team for a running boot camp that will help with
Men’s Only Pilates – 8pm. Class utilizes all the Pilates equipment. $15. Pilates for Life, 103 W Belmont Dr, Allen. 214-704-3070.
friday Friday Focus – 8am. Networking opportunities. Enjoy a cup of java and learn more about business community. IHOP in The Colony, Meeting Rm, 4801 State Hwy 121, The Colony. 972-625-8027. Grapevine Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct 20. 8am4pm. Grapevine Farmers’ Market, 325 S Main St, Grapevine. FarmersMarketOfGrapevine.com. Free 15-Min Analysis – 12-1:30pm. Join Elite Performance Chiropractic at CK SPORTS every Friday for a free 15-minute injury analysis and/or massage or kineseology taping. Call for an appointment to guarantee a spot. CK SPORTS, 8880 State Hwy 121, Ste 121, McKinney. 214 383-0088. First Friday Movie – 3:30pm. 1st Fri. Featuring a new movie each month. South Branch Library, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8761. LEGO Builders Club – 4pm. 3rd Fri. Drop in and get creative by building with the library’s LEGOs. A different theme for each month. Ages 6 & up. Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland, Denton. 940-349-8752. $5 Happy Hour Yoga Class – 4:30-5:30pm. All levels Vinyasa flow class. All welcome. Inspire Yoga Studio, 1401 Shoal Creek, Ste 268, Highland Village. 972-505-9764.
Free Community Yoga – 6-7pm. 1st Fri. Suitable for all levels. Learn to breathe, relax and renew. Space limited. Free. Transform U Fitness, 1565 W Main St, Lewisville. Pre-registration required: 972-849-9666. Yoga Tree: Drown Your Dog – 6-7pm. Looking for a light-hearted yoga experience? This class incorporates exciting postures and popular music. Following class we gather at one of our neighborhood restaurants to jump-start the weekend. First class free. Yoga Tree, 1410 Ave K, Ste 1105A, Plano. 972-398-YOGA (9642). Crow After Dark – 6pm-12am. 3rd Fri, except Jan & Dec. Enlighten your night and experience Asia after dark. Enjoy music, dance, films, tours, and more. Free. Crow Asian Art Museum, 2010 Flora St, Dallas. 214-979-6430. Acoustic Friday – 7pm. Weekly open jam and song circle. All acoustic instruments and levels welcome. All music genres welcome. Free. Visual Art League Art Gallery, Lewisville. 972-420-9393. Free Community Yoga – 7-8pm. 1st Fri. In the spirit of Friday night, come prepared to let loose and experience amazing yoga styles. Each month will feature different teachers. Open to all levels of experience. Pranaa Ayurveda Spa & Yoga, 4017 Preston Rd, Ste 532, Plano. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-608-0402. Open Gym – 7-8:30pm. Enjoy playing in the gym or practicing one’s skills. Ages 7-17. $11/nonmember, $9/member. Achievers Gymnastics, 3014 S I-35 E, Denton. 940-484-4900. Live Music – 7-9pm. Live music and delicious treats: blended or hot coffee, delicious hot cocoa, Collin County’s award-winning specialty bakery treats, hand-dipped Blue Bell ice cream, fresh baked cookies, cakes and bakery sweets. Free. For details & to confirm happening, mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: Coffee N Cream, 11660 Legacy Dr, Frisco. 214-705-9600. Community Dance – 7-9:30pm. 2nd & 4th Fri. Live Music, varied styles. Fun for all ages 21 and up. $5/ person Denton Senior Center, 509 North Bell Ave, Denton. For details & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 940-349-8720. Square and Round Dance for Fitness and Fun – 7:30pm. 1st & 3rd Fri. Individuals and couples of all ages welcome. Texas Reelers, 820 W Arapaho, Richardson. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-416-2311 or 972-699-0934.
saturday Operation Kindness – 3rd Sat. No Kill animal shelter brings animals for adoption. Weather permitting. Whole Foods Market, outside store, 2201 Preston Rd, Plano. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-612-6729. Saturday Morning Rides – Various start times and lengths. Richardson Bikemart, Southeast corner of Campbell Rd & Coit Rd, in the front parking lot. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-231-3993. Small Fry Sports Classes – A skills and developmental sports class for boys and girls ages 3 & 4. Each month offers a different sport which allows children to develop new skills and gain exposure to all sports offered at the Y. Parents participate alongside their child during this fun and active class.
42
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
poultry. Ploughshare Institute for Sustainable Living, 7781 Gholson Rd, Waco. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 254-754-9663. Second Saturday for Youth – 10-11:30am. For youngsters aged 4-10; children 6 & under must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, A/V Classroom, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. Reservations necessary: 903-786-2826. Family Story Time – 10:30am. All ages. Come to story time prepared for lifelong learning and a barrel of fun. Free ticket at 2nd floor desk. A parent or caregiver must accompany each child. Frisco Public Library, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco. 972-292-5669. Kid’s Fish – 11am-1pm. Ages 4-11. The opportunity to go outside to our pond and do some live fishing (weather permitting). If bad weather will have a scavenger hunt. Free. Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, 2501 Bass Pro Dr, Grapevine. 972-724-2018.
Light The Night Walks: Oct. 20, 21 and 28 $20/YMCA Family Member, $40/everyone else. Frisco Family YMCA, 3415 Main St, Frisco. Trey Gilmore: 214-297-9622. Saturday Morning Bike Rides – 7am. Pace is 15 mph to 22 mph for approximately 25 miles. Free. CK Sports, 8880 State Hwy 121, Ste 164, McKinney. For details, mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-383-0088. Coppell Farmers’ Market – 8am-12pm. Seasonal produce for the North Texas area, natural meats and eggs, seafood, organic dairy products, honey, teas, breads, mixes, flowers, plants, and more. Coppell Farmers’ Market, Corner of Bethel & S Coppell rds, Coppell. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: CFM@CoppellCommunityGarden.org. CoppellCommunityGarden.org. McKinney Farmers’ Market – 8am-12pm. Local and organic meat, dairy and produce vendors. Locally grown and produced food and craft items. Chestnut Square Historic Village, 315 S Chestnut St, McKinney. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-562-8790. Frisco Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct 20. 8am-1pm. A bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as pasture-fed beef, pork, lamb, and the freshest eggs you’ll find. Buy pasta, seafood, cheesecake, muffins, gourmet items, and honey. 6048 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings. FriscoFarmersMarket.org. White Rock Local Market – 8am-1pm. 2nd & 4th Sat. Buy fresh, local and healthy foods, and quality arts and crafts. White Rock Local Market, 702 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings. WhiteRockLocalMarket.com. Grapevine Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct 20. 8am4pm. Grapevine Farmers’ Market, 325 S Main St, Grapevine. FarmersMarketOfGrapevine.com. Recycling: Electronics – 9-11am. The city of Plano encourages residents to bring all old electronic devices (not being used) to this site for proper disposal. For details, location & mention North Texas edition of Natural Awakenings: 972-769-4150. Young Farmers – Thru Dec. 9am-12pm. 2nd Sat. Ages 4-12. To register: CardosFarmProject.com. Free One-Hour Seminars – 10am. Topics: gardening, beekeeping, rainwater collection, goat milking,
Parkour Clinic – 11am-1pm. 2nd & 4th Sat. Indoor parkour and free running instructional classes open to all ages and abilities. Learn more challenging techniques in a padded environment. Release of liability waiver is required prior to participating. $15. LIFE Cirque. Elite Champion Gymnastics, 2621 Summit Ave, Ste 300, Plano. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-450-3286. Parkour in the Park – 11am-1pm. 1st & 3rd Sat until it’s too hot. Parkour and free running exhibition and instructional happening open to all ages and abilities. Free. LIFE Cirque. Robert E. Lee Park, 3400 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-450-3286. Visit the Cats – 11am-6pm. See Sun listing. In-Sync Exotics, 3430 Skyview Dr, Wylie. 972-442-6888. InSyncExotics.com. Yoga Tree: Restorative Yoga – 11:30am-12:30pm. Restorative Yoga is an expression of the science of relaxation. Come let our instructors teach you to relax, release, and let go. First class free. Yoga Tree, 1410 Ave K, Ste 1105A, Plano. 972-398YOGA (9642). Homestead Open House – 12-3pm. 3rd Sat. Time subject to change during heat of summer. The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area is home to several historic structures, most notably the Minor-Porter Log House, which dates to about 1869. Volunteers on hand to guide visitors through the structures and answer questions in this informal tour. Visitors welcome to arrive at any time during the open hours and tour at their own pace. Regular admission to LLELA: $5/person; free/age 5 & under. No additional charge for tour. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. 972-219-7980. Kayak down the Elm Fork – 12-3pm. 3rd Sat. Whether have lots of river time under your belt or have never set foot in a kayak, you’re welcome here. Kayak Power provides equipment and instruction followed by a 6-mile trip down the Elm Fork to a shuttle vehicle. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. Reservation required: 214-669-1663. Heard Nature Photographers Club – 1:30pm. 2nd Sat. Speakers and discussions. Topics include how-to and technique discussions and travelogue presentations. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. More info: 972-462-7314.
Treblemakers – 2pm. 3rd Sat. An afternoon filled with singing, listening and moving. Music instructor Kim Forguson brings books to life through musiccentered games and activities. Best for ages 6-8. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. 940-349-8752. SpinFest – 3-7pm. 3rd Sat. A free, open event hosted by Creative Motion to explore circus skills with the public. Learn to juggle, hula hoop, or spin poi, staves, or flags. Heights Park Arapaho Rd at Floyd Rd, Richardson. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-494-0952. Sunday Mountain Bike Group Ride – 6pm. Open to all levels. Informal and leaderless. Food, fun and riding. Food served after the riding. Location changes weekly. For details & location: BBishop@ Bikemart.com. Parents Night Out – 6-11pm. 1st & 3rd Sat. Drop the kids off for tons of games. Pizza and drinks served. $15 with pre-registration, $20 at door. Corinth Gymnastics, 1402 N Corinth St, Corinth. Details, mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 940-498-4386. Stargeezer Star Party – 6:30-9:30pm. 1st Sat. Bring the whole family. Star parties begin at sunset, weather permitting. Free. Spring Park, Jonandrea Ln, Garland. TASObserving.org. Live Music – 7-9pm. Live music and delicious treats: blended or hot coffee, delicious hot cocoa, Collin County’s award-winning specialty bakery treats, hand-dipped Blue Bell ice cream, fresh baked cookies, cakes and bakery sweets. Free. For details & to confirm happening, mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: Coffee N Cream, 11660 Legacy Dr, Frisco, 214-705-9600; and 190 E Stacy Rd, Allen. 972-678-2626. Frisco StarFest – Sunset-10:30pm. 2nd Sat. Approximately a dozen telescopes will be set up for your viewing pleasure. Weather permitting. Free. Frisco Commons Park. TASObserving.org.
classifieds For fees and info on placing classifieds, email publisher@NA-NTX.com. Deadline is noon on the 9th of the month. HELP WANTED SALESPEOPLE WANTED – If you’re not afraid of straight commissioned sales and feel confident of your abilities, Natural Awakenings North Texas magazine may be right for you. Earn a generous commission and unlimited income selling advertising packages. Relationship-oriented sales; must like talking to people. Open territories in Denton and Collin counties. Will train and coach. Full and part-time sales positions available. Send resume to Publisher@NA-NTX.com.
WEIGHT LOSS WITHOUT HUNGER LOSE 1-2 POUNDS PER DAY – NO artificial sweeteners, NO whey, NO soy, NO HCG and NO hunger. Money-back guarantee. Call now and mention Shake It Up! 940-600-7221.
natural awakenings
October 2012
43
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, email publisher@NA-NTX.com to request our media kit. ( Leaf symbol indicates green business. Dollar symbol represents businesses offering coupons through NACoupons.com) sYnerGY baLanCe aCupunCture patti CareY, L.aC.
Acupuncture, Herbs & Nutrition 2121 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Ste 107 Plano 75023 972-704-3730 • PattiCareyLAC.com
Dr. Cecilia Yu, D.C.; NUCCA practitioner 12740 Hillcrest Road, Ste 138, Dallas 75230 972-387-4700 • MySynergyBalance.com
After years in Western medicine, I finally found a way to really help people heal, relieve pain and reduce stress. In my practice I utilize acupuncture (with or without needles), herbal medicine, nutrition and energetics to help you create and maintain the healthy body you deserve. See ad, page 10.
By aligning the first vertebrae through a precise NUCCA adjustment, Dr. Yu eliminates nerve interference from the brain stem. Such interference can manifest itself in any manner including Scoliosis, skin conditions, behavioral disorders, herniated discs or joint problems. Unlike traditional chiropractic, even traditional upper-cervical chiropractic, there is no popping, cracking or twisting and a NUCCA adjustment holds longer which means you return far less often. See ad, page 27.
anti-aGinG
CompreHensiVe HeaLtHCare
LeD sKin Care Center
3645 Dallas Pkwy, Ste 111, Plano 75093 214-587-3786 • LEDSkinCareCenter.com Inside the Ovation Boutiques on NW corner of Parker and Dallas Tollway. From acne to anti-aging the LED Skin Care Center delivers like no other. Detox, hydration and education bring you clear, healthy, wrinkle and spot free skin. No downtime, pain or recovery. Daily, progressive results from the inside out. See ad, page 10.
CHiropraCtiC Dr. amY st. JoHn, D.C., Lmt
Serendipity Health & Wellness 3900 W 15th St, Ste 506, Plano 75075 214-801-0741 • SerendipityWellness.net Relieving pain head to toe, whether caused by injury, stress or fatigue. I offer personalized care, private appointments and therapeutic massage. See ad, page 18.
HeaLtHWorKs
2317 Coit Road, Ste B, Plano 75075 972-612-1800 Whole body & lifestyle healthcare rejuvenating your body from the inside out. Comprehensive healthcare— naturally. Visit our website to view our schedule of free workshops. See ad, page 8.
DanCe - nia sHannon mairs
Licensed Nia Black Belt & Teacher/Trainer 469-879-5283 • NiaNow.com/SMairsTX An exciting mix of Dance, Martial and Healing arts, suitable for all levels of ability. See ad, page 6.
Dr. Vince Baugher, D.C. 2500 Lillian Miller Pkwy, Denton 76210 940-484-6336 • SpinalDecompression.net In delivering quality chiropractic care, our approach is simple, gentle, and relaxing. Our goal is to save patients from having to have invasive and dangerous spinal surgery due to herniated discs. We believe that health is among our most valuable possessions. See ad, page 13.
44
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
enerGY attiC
538 Haggard St, Ste 410, Plano 75074 972-548-0088 • EnergyAttic.com Offering energy efficient green solutions based specifically on the individual needs of each home or office. Upon inspection, an energy reduction system is created incorporating a multi-prong approach to maximize energy efficiency and savings. Radiant barrier, solar vent fans, formaldehyde-free insulation, attic tents and more energy star products available. See ad, page 9.
essentiaL oiLs Doterra essentiaL oiLs
Jackie Kenney • JackiesdoTerra@gmail.com 214-837-4872 • JackiesdoTerra.com doTERRA Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils are the highest standard of quality essential oils available. Take control of your family’s health with all-natural gifts from the Earth. They kill bacteria and viruses and are 50-70 times more powerful than herbs. Replace your medicine cabinet with non-toxic, safe-for-theentire-family choices.
Green CLeaninG eComaiDs
18352 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas 75287 214-382-2644 High quality green cleaning service for homes and businesses. See ad, page 6.
Green Garment Care oXXo Care CLeaners 5110 Eldorado Pkwy, Frisco 75034 214-705-7739 • OXXOUSA.com Eco-friendly garment care cleaners. Convenient 24hour drop-off and pick-up system. Odorless process leaves clothes brighter and retaining their correct size and shape without “dry cleaning” smell.
Green pest ControL eDuCation
spinaL DeCompression anD CHiropraCtiC Center
enerGY effiCienCY
WiLLoW benD aCaDemY
2220 Coit Rd, Ste 500, Plano 75075 972-599-7882 • WillowBendAcademy.com And 101 E. Southwest Pkwy, Ste 101 Lewisville 75067 972-436-3839 • WillowBendAcademy.com SACS accredited educational alternative that offers individualized, mastery-based instruction for grades 4-12. Oncampus and Home Study options. Experienced, Interactive Metronome provider —specialized training that improves neuron-network function and overall day-to-day performance.
naturaL pest soLutions 214-763-2758 • GuysInGreen.com
Eco-friendly residential and commercial pest control using botanical products. We control all types of insect pests including termites, mosquitoes, ants, roaches and fleas without the use of harsh, dangerous chemicals. We offer programs from a single pest one time treatment to a comprehensive total protection plan. Call to schedule your Free inspection. See ad, page 11.
Hair saLon Hair CoLor stuDios
9200 E. Lebanon Rd, Ste 32, Frisco 75035 214-436-4955 • HairColorStudios.com Our coloring stylists love to work with the wonderful alternative products we have that are made from natural extracts and yogurt. These exquisite products, such as NAYO, Neuma and Moroccan Oil, actually do improve your hair quality so we in turn can help you look your most radiant while you're out-andabout. Whether you're simply sensitive to some of those harsher chemical lines or just want vibrant, beautiful, healthy hair you'll love our natural approach to how we treat your hair and overall beauty. Ask about free color consultation.
HeaLtHY DininG tHe saLaD stop
3685 Preston Rd, Frisco 75034 972-377-7867 Fresh and nutritious, locally grown food.
HeaLtHY KiDs brain baLanCe aCHieVement Centers
Debby Romick 1501 Preston Rd, Ste 501, Plano 75093 972-248-9482 • BrainBalancePlano.com The Brain Balance Program brings hope to families of children who suffer with behavioral, academic and social challenges. We specialize in a drug-free, researchbased, multi-faceted approach to address the underlying issues of the many disorders that impact our children today. Each child has a unique combination of functional weaknesses that impact motor, sensory, immune, visual-spatial, auditory, and cognitive development. Call us today to learn about our comprehensive assessment. See ad, page 14.
HoListiC DentistrY DentaL arts of pLano
Dr. Nevein Amer, DDS 4701 West Park Blvd, Ste 201, Plano 75093 972-985-4450 • DentalArtsOfPlano.com Dr. Amer specializes in cosmetic and Holistic dentistry including mercury-free fillings and the safe removal of old mercury-based fillings, metal-free crowns, digital x-rays, help for sleep apnea and TMJ, veneers and Invisalign, the clear alternative to braces. Her Holistic approach involves looking at the entire person during evaluation, and always talking with you about the material to be used in your mouth. See ad, page 27.
reCuperate mobiLe massaGe
internaL meDiCine
214-437-6920 Recuperate.MassageTherapy.com
primarY Care anD internaL meDiCine of frisCo 5858 Main St., Ste. 210, Frisco 75033 972-377-8695
Highest ethical and clinical standards of care while providing exceptional attention to every patient.
KiD fit – KiD fun sports traininG Jumpstreet inDoor trampoLine parK
6505 W Park Blvd, Ste 200, Plano 75093 972-378-5867 • GotJump.com Burn up to 1000 calories an hour, strengthen your whole body and have a blast doing it. This fun is not just for kids. Huge trampoline jumping areas where you can literally bounce off the walls. Try trampoline dodge ball, a life-size maze, or rope-swing, slide or bounce into a huge foam pit. Special bounce and play area for kids under 7. You've got to see it to believe it. Open jumps, birthday parties, corporate team building and aerobics classes. See ad, page 18.
Kurt tHomas GYmnastiCs 10825 John W Elliott Frisco 75034 • 214-872-4646
Gymnastics training for preschool to competitive levels.
WinKiDs sports & LearninG Center 3000 Waketon Rd, Flower Mound 75028 972-355-9988
I specialize in helping you boost your energy, relieve muscle tension, reduce stress, headaches and chronic pain. Choose your preferred massage style or ask me to customize your massage to best alleviate your symptoms. I offer Swedish, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Trigger Point and TMJ Facial massages all in the comfort of your own familiar surroundings. Affordable rates, gift certificates, referral bonuses, package and military discounts available. Call me to schedule or book online.
neurofeeDbaCK tHe sams Center
Dr. Marvin Sams 972-612-0160 • GreatBrain.com The Sams Center specializes in evidence based, non-drug therapy for ADD/ADHD, learning issues, chronic Depression and Anxiety, Asperger’s and Autism, epilepsy, Bipolar, and OCD. Quantitative EEG (computerized brain wave analysis) detects and defines the neurological issues; NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency TrainingTM safely remediates and optimizes brain function. Find out more today. See ads, pages 7 and 12.
onLine businesses/serViCes paperHounD.Com paperhound.com
WinKids Sports & Learning Center offers gymnastics, martial arts, swimming, dance, cheerleading, music, unique Birthday parties and so much more!
Affordable, high-resolution digital reproductions of original antique maps and biblical prints from 1550 to 1850.
marKets spiCe baZaar
4681 Ohio Dr, Frisco 75035 • 214-618-3175 Indian grocery store.
outDoor Gear & eDuCation rei
2424 Preston Rd, Plano 75093 • 972-985-2241
massaGe
Quality outdoor gear and clothing with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.
3t’s (tJ’s terrifiC touCH)
469-237-4289 TJ4ttts.com • TJ4ttts@yahoo.com Specializing in Swedish massage for overall body relaxation and deep tissue massage for tense knotted muscles, an affordable 3T’s massage can help relieve stress commonly associated with a hectic lifestyle. See ad, page 41.
massaGe spaCe
7000 Independence Pkwy, Ste 180 Plano 75025 972-612-5363 • Massage-Space.com
peDiatriCs HeaLtHY KiDs peDiatriCs
4851 Legacy Dr, Ste 301, Frisco, 75034 972-294-0808 • HealthyKidsPediatrics.com Where your child’s health is our passion! Offering a full range of pediatric services integrating conventional and natural medicine for your child’s optimal health. See ad, page 17.
Seven different types of massage therapy for rejuvenation and energy. See ad, page 11.
natural awakenings
October 2012
45
pLaYCare aDVenture KiDs pLaYCare
690 Parker Square, Flower Mound 75028 972-899-2060 And 1401 Shoal Creek, Ste 140, Highland Village 75077 972-899-2060 Drop-in child care and entertainment center.
restaurants sHanDiZ meDiterranean GriLL & marKet 4013 West Parker Rd, Plano 75093 972-943-8885
Halal meats, fresh produce, groceries and flat bread baked on-site.
smootHies smootHie KinG of Denton 1601 Brinker Rd, Denton 76208 940-484-5464
Great-tasting smoothies using the highest quality nutritional ingredients for a healthy snack alternative.
smootHie KinG of pLano 4701 W Park Blvd, Plano 75093 972-398-1107
Nutrition in a cup made from the highest quality nutritional ingredients. Stop by and let us create your favorite smoothie.
soLar & aLternatiVe enerGY soLar CommunitY
SolarCommunity.com 1-87-SOLAR-NRG (877-652-7674) Ask us how our Solar Community programs can save you money!
totaL WinD & soLar
usa soLar, inC.
1701 Greenville Ave, Ste 1112 Richardson 75081 972-231-4800 • USASolarInc.com Affordable American made solar. Residential and commercial installations. Do-it-yourself kits and turnkey systems. Financing available. See ad, page 25.
spinaL DeCompression spinaL DeCompression anD CHiropraCtiC Center
Dr. Vince Baugher, D.C. 2500 Lillian Miller Pkwy, Denton 76210 940-484-6336 • SpinalDecompression.net In delivering quality chiropractic care, our approach is simple, gentle, and relaxing. Our goal is to save patients from having to have invasive and dangerous spinal surgery due to herniated discs. We believe that health is among our most valuable possessions. See ad, page 13.
spirituaL DeVeLopment sHir tiKVaH reform sYnaGoGue 7700 Main St, Frisco 75034 214-500-8304, • ShirTikvahFrisco.org
Services are held on Friday evenings at 7 p.m. Every service welcomes children of all ages. Religious school classes take place on Sunday mornings during school year. Call or visit our website for service schedule. See ad, page 40.
st. pHiLip’s episCopaL
6400 Stonebrook Pkwy, Frisco 75034 214-387-4700 • StPhilipsFrisco.org Sunday services, community programs, job ministry, preschool, and St. Philip’s Academy “K” class.
Offices and service throughout D/FW 866-631-5934 Total Wind & Solar offers consultation, design, installation and service of alternative energy and rainwater harvesting systems based on your actual needs. Serving the North Texas-D/FW area.
tribaL ameriCan inDian Crafts four featHers traDinG post
3522 CR 2621, Caddo Mills 75135 214-288-9935 • FourFeathersTradingPost.net Experience the world of Tribal American Indians hosted by Silverhawk & Prayerwalker. The store offers tribal art created by local artisans and worldrenowned Native American artists. Educational seminars. We practice traditional ways, including prayer and drumming circles, sweat lodges, work parties, medicine wheels, etc. If you're seeking a spiritual path following ancient American tribal ways, ask about our community. See ad, page 37.
Water WaterseDGe struCtureD Water
Twenty First Century Health 972-855-8711 • TwentyFirstCenturyHealth.com Better health through state-of-the-art water. Cutting edge technology. Call us or visit our website to learn more about how improving your home’s water can improve your health.
WeLLness Center sHambHaLa WeLLness Center
215 E University Dr, Denton 76209 940-380-8728 • ShambhalaWellness.com A true wellness center and oasis for body, mind and spirit. Our caring practitioners really listen and can help you raise the level of wellness you are experiencing. Massage, Reiki, yoga, nutrition and counseling are just some of the modalities we offer. Book a session, drop in for yoga or join us at one of our educational seminars. See ad, page 18.
YoGa sCHooL taiLorinG & aLteration serViCes autumn stitCH
279 W Main St, Frisco 75034 • 972-712-1727 Tailoring, custom clothing, monogramming, draperies and shoe repair.
tHermoGrapHY tHermoGrapHY Center of DaLLas
Dr. Genie Fields 5220 Spring Valley Rd, Ste. 405, Dallas 75254 214-352-8758 • ThermographyCenter.com Screening with thermography can detect abnormalities, many times 8-10 years before other screening methods. Non-invasive. No radiation. See ad, page 25.
YoGa tree
1410 Avenue K, Ste 1105A, Plano 75074 972-398-YOGA (9642) • YogaTreePlano.com Yoga Tree is located in historic downtown Plano. Our studio is dedicated to sharing the healing and rejuvenating benefits of yoga with others. We offer a variety of classes and workshops as well as RYT 200 and 500 hour certifications. See ad, page 33.
YoGurt nana froZen YoGurt
8811 Teel Pkwy, Frisco 75034 • 469-362-6662 Self-serve frozen yogurt, fresh squeezed orange juice and snow cones.
oranGe peeL
310 E Round Grove Rd, Lewisville 75067 469-831-7608 Fourteen flavors of yogurt and more than 60 toppings.
46
North Texas
NA-NTX.com
Become a Natural Awakenings Publisher and join us in changing the world. BIRMINGHAM, AL HUNTSVILLE, AL
MOBILE/BALDWIN, AL*
PHOENIX, AZ
TUCSON, AZ
LITTLE ROCK, AR
EAST BAY, CA
LOS ANGELES, CA
HARTFORD, CT
NEW HAVEN, CT
DAYTONA, FL
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
JACKSONVILLE, FL
MELBOURNE/VERO, FL
MIAMI/FL KEYS, FL
PALM BEACH, FL
PEACE RIVER, FL SARASOTA, FL
PENSACOLA, FL
TALLAHASSEE, FL*
TAMPA BAY, FL
TREASURE COAST, FL
ATLANTA, GA
CHICAGO, IL
INDIANAPOLIS, IN*
LOUISVILLE, KY
LAFAYETTE, LA
NEW ORLEANS, LA
BOSTON, MA
ANN ARBOR, MI
GRAND RAPIDS, MI
OAKLAND/MACOMB, MI GENESEE/LAPEER, MI
LANSING, MI
WAYNE COUNTY, MI
TWIN CITIES, MN
MERCER COUNTY, NJ
MONMOUTH/OCEAN, NJ
BERGEN/PASSAIC, NJ
NORTH CENTRAL NJ
SOMERSET, NJ
SOUTH JERSEY, NJ
LAS VEGAS, NV*
SANTA FE, NM*
LONG ISLAND, NY
NEW YORK CITY, NY
ROCKLAND/ORANGE, NY
WESTCHESTER, NY
ASHEVILLE, NC* NORTH GA/WEST NC
CHARLOTTE, NC
PORTLAND, OR
BUCKS/MONTG., PA
SOUTH CENTRAL PA
LEHIGH VALLEY, PA
NORTHEASTERN PA*
PROVIDENCE, RI
CHARLESTON, SC
COLUMBIA, SC* GRAND STRAND, SC*
GREENVILLE, SC
CHATTANOOGA, TN KNOXVILLE, TN
MEMPHIS, TN
NASHVILLE, TN
AUSTIN, TX
DALLAS METROPLEX, TX
HOUSTON, TX
DFW METRO NORTH, TX
SAN ANTONIO, TX
RICHMOND, VA
SOUTHWESTERN VA
SEATTLE, WA
MADISON, WI*
MILWAUKEE, WI
PUERTO RICO
RALEIGH/DURHAM,NC OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
SAN DIEGO, CA
DENVER, CO
FAIRFIELD, CT*
NAPLES/FT. MYERS, FL NORTH CENTRAL FL*
Turn Your Passion Into YOUR OWN BUSINESS!
ORLANDO, FL
*Existing Magazines For Sale
Across North America, Natural Awakenings’ over 85 publishers are helping more than 3.6 million readers make positive changes in their lives, while promoting local practitioners and providers who support natural, Earth-friendly lifestyles. Create a healthier community while building your own financial security in the franchise market of your choice. You’ll work for yourself but not by yourself. Complete training and support is provided.
Contact Co-Founder John R. Voell at (239) 530-1377 or go online to NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
natural awakenings
October 2012
47