December 2012 - Natural Awakenings Dallas Fort Worth Metro North - the "North Texas" edition

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contents 12

5 newsbriefs 10 businessprofile 1 1 healthbriefs 14 globalbriefs 17 ecotip

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18 community spotlight

20 fitbody 23 inspiration

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32 consciouseating 36 naturalpet 37 calendar 44 resourceguide 47 classifieds

advertising & submissions

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.

20 BREatHE EaSiER

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Try These Tips for Better Workouts

22 HoW UnConditionaL LoVE HaRMoniZES oUR WoRLd

Marci Shimoff Explores its Transformative Power

by Judith Fertig

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23 tHE LUMinoUS WEB Why We Are One

by Barbara Brown Taylor

24 it’S aLL aBoUt WE Conscious Evolution: Why We’re Better Together

by Linda Sechrist

28 gLUtEn:

tRUSt YoUR gUt

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.

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Scientists Confirm Widespread Sensitivity

by Claire O'Neil

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30 StaYing HEaLtHY natURaLLY

Top Cold and Flu Fighters for Children

by Dr. Lauri Grossman

32 HEaLtHY HoLidaY BaKing

A Cornucopia of Delicious Treats

35 SHop SMaRt Keep Dollars Working in Local Communities

by Linda Sechrist

36 YoU diRtY dog!

Tips for the Grooming Impaired

by Avery Mack

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letterfrompublisher

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contact us publisher Jim Davis Co-publisher & Sales Martee Davis Editorial Theresa Archer Beth Davis Robert Dean Linda Sechrist design & production C. Michele Rose Stephen Blancett distribution Preston Davis printer Digital Graphics, OKC, OK 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.

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his time of the year is special in so many ways. Just over two years ago at this point-in-time, we published and began distributing our first edition of Natural Awakenings North Texas. As exciting as it was, it was more frightful than any presentation I have ever made to any group of executives in my corporate career. And yet, it felt right; not because we had convinced ourselves that publishing a free educational based community magazine was a stroke of genius, or that it would be easy, but more because of the people we met along the way in getting to the point of launching the magazine.

The power and creativity that flowed from the participation of individuals that provided us with support and encouragement, pushed us pass the negative thoughts and fear, to a more positive position of confidence, allowing us to make constructive changes based on input from readers and community collaboration.

Your enthusiasm and positive feedback allowed us to “dare to believe”.

While we might have initially set the course of direction in what the magazine would represent or focus on, many months ago the magazine began its own journey based on community input, shared perspectives and a deep spirit of providing educational content for awareness of options and knowledge; not merely for selling a product or service.

As much as we would like to take credit for the magazine’s success to-date, the credit belongs to each one of you reading this. Each email and phone call has helped build the foundation to what this magazine represents and strives to accomplish. Your thoughtful input and sincere willingness to share has allowed us to accomplish more together, than we could have accomplished on our own.

Opening minds to new approaches; whether dealing with health, personal growth, nutrition, new modalities, sustainable solutions or a more balanced lifestyle; has produced positive change that we have been fortunate to witness and be a part of. A quotation from writer and educator, Frederick Buechner (born 1926), puts it into perspective; “The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.”

While we acknowledge and are thankful year-round for each of you, we especially want to take time during this holiday season to voice our deep appreciation, admiration and best wishes for you and your loved ones. We hope your holiday season is filled with true meaning, memorable moments, lots of good friends and sincere smiles and laughter. Thank you for being a part of the Natural Awakenings North Texas community and helping us inform and inspire our world to feel good, live simply and laugh more!

Wishing you a healthy and balanced New Year. Stay happy, healthy and young at heart. It’s way more fun that way!

Jim Davis, Publisher NA-NTX.com

newsbriefs A German Christmas with Texas Style

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njoy the festive spirit of Christmas, the sounds of strolling carolers and the ethnic flavor of a Texas German Christmas from 6 to 10 p.m., December 7, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., December 8 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., December 9, in old town Tomball. This unique street festival is packed with family-friendly ambience, entertainment, an open-air market and antique shops.

Festival admission, parking and shuttles are free.

The event provides 150 street vendors selling goods that include German Christmas items, arts and crafts, traditional German clothing, souvenirs and antiques. Food vendors will serve traditional German food and drink such as glĂźhwein (mulled wine), beer, Christmas stollen and homemade breads, kaffee und kuchen (coffee and pastry), bratwurst, red cabbage, sauerkraut and apple strudel. Festival foods like funnel cake, corn dogs, hot dogs, hamburgers and kettle korn will also be on hand.

Entertainment includes four stages of live music, street performers, a traditional Dutch Santa, clowns, jugglers, strolling entertainers and Santa Clause and his elves. For the younger set, a Kinderfest (kid’s area) includes carnival rides, bungee jumping, a rock wall, a petting zoo and pony rides. A free hayride and Christmas lights tour is offered in the museum district.

Location: 201 S. Elm, Tomball. For more information, call 281-379-6844 or visit TomballGermanFest.org.

Full-Service Salt Therapy Wellness Center Open in North Texas

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alt Miracle Wellness Center, the first wellness center of its kind in North Texas, offering halotherapy and healthy body-care services including massage, reflexology, skin care and herbal products, has opened in Carrollton.

Halotherapy was developed to concentrate the positive effects of salt observed in nature. It is performed in a special room with natural salt-coated walls, ceiling and floor, and a salt generator that pumps pharmaceutical-grade salt into the air as an aerosol. Recognized for many years throughout Europe and Canada as a drug-free alternative therapy to respiratory and skin conditions, salt therapy has taken hold in the United States.

Halo is the Greek word for salt. Halotherapy is simply the use of salt vapor to treat respiratory ailments. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that salt inhalation was a highly effective treatment for cystic fibrosis. Other purported benefits include relief of symptoms from upper and lower respiratory conditions such as cold and flu, allergies, asthma, bronchitis and sinus infections. The therapy has also proven beneficial for ear infections and conditions of the skin such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis. Salt therapy is a complementary therapy that can be added to any doctor prescribed treatment, potentially reducing the use of some medications.

In addition to the healthy benefits of salt therapy, the Salt Miracle Wellness Center offers massage and reflexology by licensed and certified therapists, reducing stress and pain and restoring the body’s depleted energy. Natural herbal products and medicines such as Respitrol, Axietin and Seretin are used in treatments and are available for purchase.

Location: 1012 West Hebron Pkwy., Ste. 138, Carrollton. For more information, call 972-394-7258 or visit SaltMiracle.com. See ad, back cover. natural awakenings

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newsbriefs Kid-Focused Nutrition Workshops at Brain Balance

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rain Balance of Plano is offering a series of six free child nutrition workshops, because with changing lifestyles and agricultural practices, it is becoming more difficult to provide children with adequate nutrients and healthy food choices.

Workshop dates are December 12, 2012, January 9 and 23, February 6 and 20, and Stephanie Oliveras March 6, 2013 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

One or all six of the workshops may be attended, and parents are encouraged to bring their children.

Brain Balance Nutritionist Stephanie Oliveras will be conducting the series on an ongoing basis. Topics include The Brain-Gut-Connection, Proper Portion Sizes, Reading and Understanding Nutrition Labels, School Lunch Ideas, Why Supplements? and a Healthy and Tasty Snacks food tasting.

Parents and children need to be educated about the role of nutrition in child development. These workshops provide parents with insight to see how nutrition is impacting health and behavior of their children and understanding the longterm impact it has on disease prevention. Space is limited.

Location: 1501 Preston Rd, Plano. For more info and to RSVP (requested), call 972-248-9482 or visit BrainBalancePlano.com.

See ad, page 27.

Witness the Beauty of the Season Outdoors

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et the family out of the house to experience the most unique holiday lighting display in North Texas. The fourth annual Heard Holiday Trail of Lights will be on display from 6:30 to 9 p.m., December 14 and 15. See thousands of holiday décor and lights—many synchronized to holiday music—along a half-mile nature trail at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. Admission to this fundraising event is $9 for adults and $6 for children 3 to 12. Children 2 and under are free. Purchase advanced tickets online and save $2 per ticket.

Have a photo taken with Father Christmas and Mother Nature in a festive setting and enjoy hot beverages and treats.

Family-friendly entertainment, strolling carolers and entertainers complement the holiday atmosphere. Live holiday music in the Heard outdoor amphitheater will be performed by local groups.

Location: 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more information, call 972-562-5566 or to purchase discounted advance tickets, visit HeardMuseum.org.

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Helping to Relieve the Stress of Pregnancy

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ealthWorks: A Family Wellness Center, in Plano, is offering a monthly workshop designed to empower couples looking for an optimally healthy pregnancy and birthing experience. The Mindful Mommy To Be workshop is designed to educate women that are pregnant and those thinking about becoming pregnant. Workshops run from 9:30 a.m. to noon, beginning January 12, and are repeated the first Saturday of each month.

There is a $20 fee per couple and RSVP is required.

Each workshop provides valuable information about nutrition, stress management, natural health and remedies for mom and baby during pregnancy and after birth.

Understanding basic nutrition and why a mother’s body and a baby need certain foods, facilitates making nourishing choices. The workshop helps create a roadmap toward the birth that’s right for each family.

Attendees receive step-by-step instruction in creating their own unique birth plan that involves their partner and possibly other mommies-to-be. Parents determine when and how their baby will be brought into the world, and the workshop helps a woman decide what is right for her, her partner and their child in achieving a healthy, happy pregnancy.

New Name and Course for Dallas Marathon

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he 43rd MetroPCS Dallas Marathon, formerly known as the Dallas White Rock Marathon, will take place December 9. The multi-event race offers a marathon, half-marathon and fiveperson relay through downtown Dallas. Proceeds benefit the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, raising funds to support general hospital care.

The day begins with a wheelchair race at 7:55 a.m., followed by the marathon, half-marathon and relay run at 8 a.m. A Health and Fitness Expo will run concurrently at the convention center, with more than 100 vendors providing merchandise, information and exhibits relating to the running, health and fitness industry.

As the oldest ongoing marathon in Texas, it is a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. With record-setting participation the last five years, the field this year is capped at 25,000 total participants, with 6,000 marathon spots, 13,000 half-marathon spots and 6,000 spots for participants in the five-person relay division. Awards are given to the top finishers in 12 categories. Water stations and support personnel are positioned all along the course.

Spectators are encouraged to inspire runners while enjoying activities that include fireworks and confetti to kick off off the race, food and drink vendors and more than 40 bands performing along the course, entertaining runners and spectators.

Location: Main and S. Houston St., at the Old Red Courthouse, Dallas. For more information or to register, visit DallasMarathon.com.

Location: 2317 Coit Rd., Ste. B, Plano. For more information or to RSVP, call 972-612-1800 or visit HealthWorksTX.com. See ad, page 15. natural awakenings

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newsbriefs Ingleside Renaissance Faire Celebration

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ecreating the past pageantry and chivalry of the Renaissance era, the 14th annual Ingleside Renaissance Faire will be held at Live Oak Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., December 8 and 9, in Ingleside. The two-day event depicts the events of the 17th century including medieval combat, kings and queens, court jesters and indescribable creatures of the time.

With acrobats, roaming performers, gypsies and an archery challenge, the faire features the dance, magic, crafts, food, wares, music, entertainment and folklore of the Renaissance period. Activities include jousting, sword battles, comedic performers, archery and blacksmithing.

Attendees are encouraged to dress in Renaissance attire.

Costume tips for converting existing clothes into time-period appropriate clothes are available on the festival website, which encourages accessories and headwear to feel the part.

Merchandise and wares of the period will also be available at vendor booths. Admission is $3 for ages 3 and above.

Location: 1875 Port Ave., Live Oak Park, Ingleside. For more info, call 361-776-2906 or visit InglesideTXChamber.org.

EPA Partners with Universities to Reduce Food Waste

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he U.S. Environmental Agency will partner with universities in Texas to reduce food waste as part of the EPA’s national Food Recovery Challenge (FRC). The goal is to limit the annual 34 million tons of food wasted nationwide by reducing unnecessary consumption and increasing composting and donations to charity.

Food accounts for 25 percent of all waste sent to landfills nationwide; more than any other single material. In addition to using landfill space and the energy needed for transport, food waste becomes a significant source of greenhouse gas by giving off methane as it decomposes.

By joining the FRC, participating schools pledge to reduce food waste by 5 percent in one year. Every university and college is invited to join the FRC, with the following institutions leading the way by already participating: University of Texas at Arlington; Baylor University—Waco, Texas; University of Texas at Austin; University of Houston; and Rice University—Houston, Texas For more information on the Food Recovery Challenge, visit EPA.Gov/FoodRecoveryChallenge.

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Holiday Around the Rim

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roviding a unique adventure for families to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season together, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, in Glen Rose, is offering a Holiday Around the Rim sunset safari dinner and tour.

Visitors will meet at the Foothills Safari Camp Pavilion at 5 p.m. and be treated to cookies and hot chocolate before boarding one of the open-air vehicles at 5:30 p.m. Over the course of the evening, visitors travel the Scenic Wildlife Drive; a journey of nine miles, providing sightings of numerous exotic and endangered species living in the open in large herds. Ostriches, black buck, giraffe roaming on savannah-like pastures, herds of red deer, zebra, fallow deer and several species of antelope may be seen roaming the hillsides and grazing in the valleys.

Later in the evening, guests will enjoy a memorable holiday dinner, tea, coffee and a homemade dessert in front of the glowing fireplace, while enjoying live holiday entertainment. Reservations are required.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is the first facility of its kind to have been accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. As a nonprofit entity specializing in captive breeding programs for indigenous and exotic endangered and threatened species of animals, contributions are tax-deductible and support the efforts of Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, including educational programs, camps, workshops and land and animal conservation programs.

Location: 2299 County Rd. 2088, Glen Rose. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 254-897-2960 or visit FossilRim.org. natural awakenings

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businessprofile

Blending East & West for Optimal Healing

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tal Medicine in San Diego and a Master of Science hinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and nutridiploma in health care administration. tion guidance have comprised a holistic form of

Because so many health issues are directly medical care that has been helping people for related to poor nutrition and digestive issues, she utiover 2000 years. The National Institutes of Health, the lizes oriental medicine nutritional concepts to help World Health Organization and the American Medical re-establish a healthy digestive system, so the body Association have begun to recognize and support the can begin to heal itself. Carey specializes in treating benefits of acupuncture and oriental medicine. nutrition and digestive disorders, acute and chronic

Research is showing that acupuncture alone is pain management of headaches, stress, sports injueffective and can improve overall function and well Patti Carey ries, allergies, women’s health issues and emotional being, with few side effects. It is a safe, painless and efconcerns dealing with depression and anxiety. fective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems, As a licensed diplomate in acupuncture and herbs with including asthma, allergies, back and joint pain, chronic fatigue, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and fibromyalgia, diabetes, digestive/gastrointestinal complications, women’s health issues such as PMS and menopause, and emo- Oriental Medicine, she incorporates Chinese herbs, constitutional nutrition, cupping and energetic modalities in addresstional concerns such as depression, anxiety and addictions. ing her clients’ health needs. Carey’s experience as a licensed

Patti Carey, L.Ac., is a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist, a second degree Reiki practitioner and an Chinese herbalist with over 12 years experience. Prior to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) practitioner, equips her entering oriental medicine, Carey was a Navy nurse and a with an additional selection of techniques in helping treat the hospital administrator. Because of her background in westroot cause of the client’s health problem. ern medicine, she has the unique ability to understand and Carey’s vision is to partner with patients in an alternative treat western diseases by incorporating a complementary and and complementary approach to health and wellness beyond alternative approach through the use of acupuncture and just symptom relief, so patients accomplish their own health oriental medicine. Trained in techniques that allow her to administer acupuncture with or without needles, the special- and wellness goals of living healthier, pain free lives. ized skill negates concerns of those fearful of needles.

Carey’s own health issues drove her to study oriental medi- Patti Carey is the owner of Patti Carey, L.Ac., located at 2121 W. Spring Creek, Ste. 107, in Plano. For more information, call cine and its applications. She holds a Master of Science degree 972-704-3730 or visit PattiCareyLAC.com. See ad, page 8. in traditional oriental medicine from Pacific College of Orien-

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healthbriefs

Pitfalls of No-Fat Salad Dressings

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or those thinking about balancing a rich holiday meal by choosing a low- or no-fat salad dressing, consider this: To get the most nutrients from leafy greens and vegetables, we need to pair them with a healthy fat.

A recent Purdue University study showed that the more “good� fat there was in a salad, the more carotenoids diners absorbed.

The researchers found that vegetable oils rich in monounsaturated fats like olive oil, or polyunsaturated fats like sunflower oil, help the body absorb essential carotenoids and other nutrients and increase their bioavailability in the intestines. The study also found that eating bread with butter with a salad was also beneficial, although to a lesser extent.

Citrus Fruits Lower Risk of Stroke

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opular winter citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit come with an unexpected health benefit: eating them may lower the risk of ischemic strokes (clots), especially in women, per a study reported in Stroke, a journal of the American Heart Association.

The researchers analyzed 14 years of follow-up data from the National Institutes of Health Nurses’ Health Study, which included 69,622 women that reported their food intake every four years, including details on fruit and vegetable consumption. The study discovered that a high intake of flavanones, a subclass of flavonoids found in the greatest concentrations in oranges and grapefruit, was associated with a 19 percent lower risk of ischemic stroke.

In the study, the presence of flavanones came primarily from oranges and orange juice (82 percent) and grapefruit and grapefruit juice (14 percent). However, the researchers recommended that consumers increase their citrus fruit intake, rather than juice consumption, to avoid the sugar in many commercial juices.

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healthbriefs

One-Size Meditation Does Not Fit All

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n intriguing study recently posted online by Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, suggests that new meditators are most likely to stick with the practice and reap its healthful benefits if they select methods with which they are most comfortable, rather than those that are most popular.

In one of the first studies to compare meditation techniques head-to-head, author Adam Burke, a professor of health education at San Francisco State University and the director of its Institute for Holistic Health Studies, taught 247 participants four popular methods— mantra, mindfulness, Zen and qigong visualization. He asked them to choose which they preferred to practice at home for six weeks before techniques were evaluated.

The simpler methods, mantra and mindfulness, each were preferred by 31 percent of study participants. Zen and qigong were selected by about 22 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

Burke says the results showed the value of providing people new to meditation simpler and more accessible methods, and also emphasized that no one technique is best for everyone. He hopes to see more comparative meditation studies, especially to determine if particular methods are better at addressing specific health issues such as addiction.

“If that’s the case,” he advises, “healthcare professionals would be able to guide patients toward techniques that will be most effective for them. Additional studies are also needed to determine if there is a way to predict which method will be best suited for any particular individual.”

A Wise Man’s Gift for Arthritis Sufferers

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rankincense, an aromatic resin obtained from Boswellia trees native to Africa, is an age-old herbal remedy that may help alleviate the pain of arthritis, according to scientists at Cardiff University, in Wales. “The search for new ways of relieving the symptoms of inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis is a long and difficult one,” says Dr. Emma Blain, who led the research with co-investigators Professor Vic Duance, from Cardiff University’s School of Biosciences, and Dr. Ahmed Ali, of the Compton Group. The team believes they have been able to demonstrate that treatment with an extract of Boswellia frereana—a rare frankincense species—inhibits the production of key inflammatory molecules and helps prevent the breakdown of cartilage tissue that causes the condition.

The African Somali people have long used extracts of frankincense as a traditional remedy for arthritis. “Our research achieved the use of innovative chemical extraction techniques to determine the active ingredient in frankincense,” says Ali. “We will now be able to further characterize the chemical entity and compare its success against other anti-inflammatory drugs used for treating the condition.”

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Nutty Way to Help Preserve Cognition

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alnut consumption is associated with better memory scores and cognitive function, according to recent findings published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. In the Prevención con Dieta Mediterrnáea study, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Health, results show that a Mediterranean diet, supplemented with olive oil or one ounce of mixed nuts, half of which are walnuts, is more beneficial than a low-fat diet when it comes to body weight, blood pressure, insulin resistance and systemic inflammation.

The nutrient-dense walnuts provide antioxidants and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid. Both are key nutrients with anti-inflammatory properties that help protect brain cells from the oxidative damage associated with cognitive decline.

Raisins Yield Pressure Relief

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or individuals seeking a natural way to keep slightly elevated blood pressure in check, eating a handful of raisins each day might do the trick. New data presented at the American College of Cardiology 61st Annual Scientific Session suggest that among adults with hypertension or mild increases in blood pressure, routine consumption of raisins may lower readings, especially compared with eating other common snacks.

The researchers noted that raisins are packed with potassium, which is known to lower blood pressure, and are also a good source of antioxidant dietary fiber, which may favorably alter the biochemistry of blood vessels, enabling them to be less stiff.

The study helps validate some current nutrient recommendations, such as 60 raisins—about a handful, containing one gram of fiber and 212 milligrams of potassium—as being helpful in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one in three (28 percent) of American adults have prehypertension, defined as a systolic pressure from 120 to 139 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or a diastolic pressure from 80 to 89 mm Hg.

Researchers cautioned that their study was small; larger trials are needed.

Giving Begets Happiness at Every Age

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o give is better than to receive,” is a maxim that appears to hold true even for the very young.

A new study co-authored by three psychologists at Canada’s University of British Columbia observes that giving makes toddlers happier. The study, published in PLOS One, an online journal of the Public Library of Science, found that toddlers younger than 2 were happier when giving treats to others than when receiving them. They were also happier when they gave their own treats away, rather than an identical treat that didn’t belong to them.

Stop Wasting Food

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t’s time to step up to the plate— but not waste what’s on it.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reports that about 40 percent of all food in the United States goes uneaten.

Each year, we are throwing away the equivalent of $165 billion in discarded food, making it the single largest component of solid waste in America’s landfills and costing the average family of four between $1,350 and $2,275 annually.

About two-thirds of household waste consists of spoiled food that’s not used in time; the rest is caused by people cooking or serving too much food. Learn easy steps to reduce food waste via the NRDC free online fact sheet at Tinyurl. com/StopFoodWaste.

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

Smog Begone

Dramatic Decline in Los Angeles Air Pollution Legendary late-night TV host Johnny Carson made the thick, automobile-generated smog that covered Los Angeles the butt of jokes for decades, but times have changed. In the past 50 years, California’s Los Angeles Basin has shown a 98 percent decrease in levels of some vehicle-related air pollutants even as area denizens now burn three times as much gasoline and diesel fuel.

Between 2002 and 2010 alone, the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOC) dropped by half, according to a new study led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and published in the Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres. “The reason is simple. Cars are getting cleaner,” says Carsten Warneke, a NOAA-funded scientist with the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Primarily emitted from the vehicle tailpipes, VOCs are a key ingredient in formation of ground-level ozone, which at high levels can harm people’s lungs and damage crops and other plants. The magnitude of the drop in VOC levels was surprising, although it doesn’t mean that ozone levels have dropped as steeply, because the air chemistry is complex. Levels of ozone pollution in the basin are down, but don’t yet meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.

Warneke expects the decrease in VOC emissions by cars to continue, given that engine efficiency continues to improve and older, higher polluting vehicles will be taken off the roads.

Source: American Geophysical Union (Tinyurl.com/SmogBegone)

Coming Clean

Environmental Hall of Shame From shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste to laundry detergent and window cleaners, hundreds of chemicals of unknown origin and effect can be found everywhere in our daily lives. Some are regulated by government agencies, but many are not; some cleaning products, for example, are not even required to list their ingredients on labels.

The research team at the nonprofit consumer watchdog Environmental Working Group has released a new Cleaners Hall of Shame database (Tinyurl.com/CleanerHallOfShame) that ranks more than 2,000 household cleaners by how hazardous their ingredients are and how much information is on their labels.

Many products contain ingredients known to cause asthma or are contaminated with carcinogens. Even so-called “green” products aren’t necessarily any better. Many of them boast of ingredients made from plants, rather than petroleum, but there is little or no safety data for some plant-based ingredients. A truly green product poses few risks to health or the environment and transparently informs users of its content.

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Bird Brains

When the Warm Get Going Global climate change is a real, measurable phenomenon, according to a new study, based on the National Audubon Society’s North American Christmas Bird Count. It found that avian species have taken decades to adjust their ranges northward in response to warming winters.

Frank La Sorte, a researcher at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in Ithaca, New York, and lead author of a study supported by the National Science Foundation, says in the Journal of Animal Ecology that because birds are highly mobile and migrate north and south with the changing seasons, they are better able to shift their ranges than less mobile, non-migrating species, such as amphibians.

“It makes sense that species move slower than the rate at which climate is changing,” says La Sorte.

“Many of them need to follow a prey base and a type of vegetation, or they need certain kinds of habitat that will create corridors for movement. Species are responding under their own time frame.”

The challenge for humans is daunting. “We have to give species the opportunity to respond by providing corridors for movement and longterm maintenance of those corridors,” says La Sorte. “That requires cooperation across political boundaries.”

Source: ABC News

Tech Revolution

Fresh Funds for Innovative Renewable Projects U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu is spearheading a new wave of renewable energy research by recruiting top scientists from the nation’s best research laboratories to staff a new agency called ARPA-E, modeled after DARPA, the research and development wing of the Pentagon that invented the Internet. With a surge in funding for renewable energy, courtesy of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, plus grants from the Department of Energy, ARPA-E has made more than 180 investments in basic research projects in renewable energy.

One company, Ocean Power Technologies, is installing a 260ton generator in the Pacific Ocean off the Oregon coast to capture renewable energy from waves. If the generator operates as planned, it will link to the grid and generate enough electricity for 1,000 homes.

Other ARPA-E-funded projects are making cheaper batteries, more efficient air conditioners and appliances, experimental algae-based biofuels, carbon sequestration (trapping) technologies and even plants that secrete crude oil.

Leaf Relief

Urban Trees Act as Crime-Stoppers The city of Baltimore’s high crime rate inspired a gritty TV drama. But a new study (Tinyurl.com/TreeCrimeReport) by the University of Vermont’s Transportation Research Center, in Burlington, found that a 10 percent increase in trees in a given area led to a 12 percent decrease in crime. “It’s really pretty striking how strong this relationship is,” says Austin Troy, lead author of the study, published in the journal Landscape and Urban Planning.

Researchers examined the correlation in and around Baltimore using aggregated crime data and combining it with high-resolution satellite images to conduct the analysis. The working hypothesis is that because people enjoy spending time in pleasant outdoor spaces, there are more observers present to hinder criminal activity. Also, a well-maintained landscape seems to send a message that someone may be watching.

To avoid culture bias, the study considered many socioeconomic factors, including housing, age, income and race of residents, as well as variables such as rural versus city setting and population density. The findings should prove helpful to urban planners.

Source: The Atlantic magazine (Tinyurl.com/SilentGreen)

natural awakenings

December 2012

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globalbriefs Smiley Face

Personalized Social Media Giving Gets Results

Good News

Kwanzaa Celebration Spreads

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. Now, the office of the high commissioner for human rights has been awarded the Guinness World Record for having collected, translated and disseminated the declaration into more than 380 languages and dialects, from Abkhaz to Zulu, making it the world’s most universal communication.

The work sets out a broad range of fundamental human rights and freedoms to which all men and women everywhere are entitled, without distinction. It was drafted by representatives from all regions and legal traditions, and has over time been accepted as a contract between governments and their peoples.

The 46th annual Kwanzaa, an AfricanAmerican holiday celebrated from December 26 to January 1, may be observed by as many as 18 million people this year.

Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, nor is it meant to replace Christmas. It was created in 1966

by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of black studies, as a celebration to honor the values of ancient African cultures and inspire African Americans working for social progress.

The name comes from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza,” which means, “first fruits of the harvest.” Its seven principles are believed to have been key in building strong, productive families and communities in Africa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, a sense of purpose, creativity and faith.

Visit Tinyurl.com/UN-HumanRightsDeclaration.

Source: InfoPlease.com

Charles Best, founder of DonorsChoose.org, has enabled his organization to provide a record $40 million in funding for 300,000 U.S. classroom projects, simply by personalizing public appeals for charitable giving. When potential donors enter their personal interests, an online database supplies a list of corresponding classroom projects. For example, artists might consider funding a silkscreen press for an art class. Hikers can purchase trees for a classroom to plant. When the funded project is completed, the donors receive a note from the teacher, along with photos.

DonorsChoose.org maximizes the personalization potential by asking the participants if they want to post their donation on their Facebook wall, where friends may read the post and feel compelled to make their own donation. Teacher-generated Facebook project updates garner even greater success; these two types of Facebook status updates have so far raised a combined $1.9 million.

Source: SSIReview.org

Many Tongues

Human Rights Day is December 10

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ecotip Green Christmas Holiday Planet Savers

Here are some fresh ways to tweak family traditions for a greener holiday this and every year.

Incorporate local, sustainable cuisine into the family feast. Ingredients for a traditional holiday dinner can travel up to 30,000 miles. Instead, show support for local community farmers and reduce food transportation miles by choosing a heritage turkey or meatless entrée. Stellar complements may include organic cranberry jelly, mulled apple cider or wine from an area farm, orchard or vineyard.

Adopt or recycle the Christmas tree.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as many as 33 million live-cut Christmas trees are purchased each year in North America, and most end up in landfills. Fortunately, Christmas tree adoption services like Central California’s Rent a Living Christmas Tree are popping up across the country, allowing them to go on living. The potted trees can be rented and delivered.

If tree adoption services are not yet available locally, make sure to recycle a live holiday tree so it’s turned into landscape mulch for reuse as ground cover to hinder weeds and nourish plantings.

Reduce energy costs through efficient cooking. Wait to fire up the oven until the heritage turkey or organic ham is ready to go in; preheating is unnecessary for these slow-roasting items. For baked goods, opt for glass or ceramic pans, which allow cooking time to remain the same while lowering the heat by about 25 degrees. Another energy-saving trick is to place stovetop cookware on the smallest burner possible; more heat will embrace the pan, while less is lost to the surrounding air. A sixinch pan on an eight-inch burner typically wastes more than 40 percent of the energy generated. Crockpots work well for serving other small family dinners during the busy holiday season or anytime; an entire meal requires about 17 cents worth of electricity.

At cleanup time, load up the dishwasher fully. One load of dishes scrubbed in a dishwashing machine uses 37 percent less water than washing the same dishes by hand.

Send plant-able holiday cards. According to CalRecycle, an estimated 2.6 billion holiday cards are sold each year in the United States, enough to fill a football field 10 stories high. This year, instead of the usual snail mail, send a bouquet of flowers for the price of a stamp. Recipients can plant a GreenFieldPaper.com grow-a-note holiday card in the ground and see wildflowers bloom. For plant-able holiday cards that can be personalized with a corporate logo, BotanicalPaperworks.com offers card sets and party favors.

Local Christmas Tree Recycling Programs

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fter all the excitement of the holiday season has subsided and we start to get our homes back in order, some of us face the challenge of what to do with natural Christmas trees. By participating in a Christmas tree recycling program that grinds trees into compost, we help keep our community and our Earth green.

Each city requires that trees be properly prepared, including the removal of supports, ornaments, tinsel, electrical wiring and lights. Flocked trees are handled different in each city.

Please check your city’s website for any updated information.

Allen: Curbside pick-up. Place trees in six-foot sections or less at least two feet from carts on the regularly scheduled collection day. A drop-off location is available at the Custer Road Transfer Station, 9901 Custer Road, in Plano (with utility bill and driver’s license).

Denton: Curbside pick-up. Place trees at least four feet from carts on regularly scheduled collection day. Flocked trees not acceptable. A drop-off location is available at the Denton city landfill, 1527 South Mayhill Road, in Denton.

Frisco: Curbside pick-up. Place trees in five-foot sections or less at least three feet from carts on regularly scheduled collection day. Drop-off location is available at the Custer Road Transfer Station, 9901 Custer Road, in Plano (with utility bill and driver’s license).

McKinney: Curbside pick-up begins January. Drop-off locations in McKinney are available on the city’s website.

Plano: Curbside pick-up begins in January. Drop-off locations in Plano are available at the Russell Creek Park, at 3500 McDermott Road; High Point Park, at 6500 Alma Drive; and Preston Meadow Park, at 4243 Lorimar Drive.

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December 2012

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communityspotlight

Texas Parks and Wildlife Life’s Better Outside

by Beth Davis

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esearch has found that connecting with nature can be beneficial to our health and well-being. Children, for example, that are allowed to explore outdoors have been shown to be socially and emotionally healthier than those that stay indoors more. Unstructured outdoor play is also credited as one of the most direct ways to combat childhood obesity, and natural vitamin D exposure from the sun is known to help prevent a host of diseases, as well as treat and prevent depression.

While getting outdoors is as simple as stepping into the backyard, Texas Parks and Wildlife offers an opportunity to connect with nature and loved ones like no other, with a list of activities that seems almost endless—including biking, birding, boating, fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, horseback riding, geocaching, rock climbing, swimming and stargazing, to name a few. Perhaps the best part is that it can be done in magnificent parks throughout the state, surrounded by towering pine trees, old oaks, picturesque trails and/or shimmering lakes.

Bill Smart, a park superintendent for Tyler State Park, has been with

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Texas Parks and Wildlife for 30 years, with 23 of them in management. His love of the park system runs deep, as does his knowledge of its history.

“I started working here in college as an hourly employee,” he explains.

“I left for five years for another job, but in 1982, I got laid off. It got me thinking about what I wanted to be and what I wanted to do, and I realized that the camaraderie and work atmosphere is just wonderful. There’s no other agency like it.” In 1993, Smart returned to the parks, where he has remained.

As early as the 1860s, Texas and several other western states passed the first laws to protect fish and wildlife against commercial harvesting. In 1895, the Texas legislature created the Fish and Oyster Commission to regulate fishing, and the game department was added to the commission in 1907.

The State Parks Board was created as a separate entity in 1923, and in the 1930s, projects of the federal Civilian Conservation Corps added substantially to the state’s parklands.

In 1951, the term

oyster was dropped from the wildlife agency’s name, and in 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The legislature placed authority for managing fish and wildlife resources in all Texas counties with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department when it passed the Wildlife Conservation Act in 1983.

Previously, commissioners’ courts had set game and fish laws in many counties, and other counties had veto power over department regulations.

“Even in the 1920s, people were recognizing the importance of getting out into a natural setting,” explains Smart. “While parks were being developed in conjunction with the National Park Service, officials were cognizant of encouraging people to embed themselves in nature.”

Smart says the goal of getting individuals and families outdoors remains, and it has certainly developed over the years. “Many people come to our parks because of the memories of the location. Perhaps they came here with their parents or grandparents. Our goal today is to lay the foundation for a positive experience that creates memories for the entire family. We want our visitors to become generational customers.” He plays his own part in that experience by sharing his love of the parks. “I love the history of the parks and I want to share that with people so that they can truly appreciate their park experience.”

Today, more than 90 state parks can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, but it always comes down to the main attraction: the beauty and simplicity of nature.

Throughout the year, the

park hosts regular programs for visitors that aren’t just educational, but also recreational for urban visitors that may be unfamiliar with spending time in the great outdoors.

One program that is gaining attention for its informative fun is the Texas Outdoor Family (TOF) program, designed to teach families the basic outdoor skills they need to enjoy a great overnight camping experience.

Families learn how to set up and break down camp—including the tent; fire starting; outdoor cooking; geocaching; how to use GPS; and more. Guided walks and outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, wildlife watching (depending on the site location, facilities and the season) are part of the memorable workshops. Best of all, families can enjoy stargazing and stories around the campfire, or share encounters with night owls, crickets and other wildlife.

Another activity that is gaining steam is geocaching, which is a type of treasure hunt using a portable GPS unit or an app on a smartphone to help participants find hidden “caches” placed by people all over the world.

Geocaches are everywhere—from just down the street to the most remote wilderness areas, and range from small containers to large boxes containing many different items, including a logbook to sign, tradable items for kids and adults and more. The game, when

played responsibly, has been embraced

by Texas State Parks because of the fun and health benefits the sport creates for its players.

The agency launched the Texas State Parks Geocache Challenge after witnessing the fun that families were having geocaching during the TOF program. The beauty of the program is that people can join the agency in discovering hidden items while revealing exciting facts and stories about Texas State Parks. According to Smart, special geocaches are hidden in many state parks, historic sites and natural areas. “By finding hidden treasure in the state parks, we hope people slow down, discover more corners of the parks and take the time to relax along the way,” he says.

Geocaching is primarily based through the website Geocaching.com and is free. Participants simply create a user name and go from there. After each visit, users log in and record their adventure. A code is given for each location, and rewards are given for visiting.

“It’s just a great way to get families involved and excited about the parks and what they may discover,” notes Smart.

“We want to give them a true outdoor experience—some have never been in the outdoors, so it’s important to provide options. And we certainly do that.”

For more information and a schedule of activities and events, visit TPWD.state.tx.us.

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December 2012

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fitbody

Yoga

BREATHE EASIER Try These Tips for Better Workouts

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t’s easy to take breathing for granted. But tune in to your breath—when, say, halfway through a sun salutation or headed for a finish line—and you’ll find that it not only feeds muscles fresh oxygen, but also indicates whether it’s time to increase the intensity of the activity. To get the most out of every breath, follow these exercise tips from acknowledged experts.

Running With closed lips, breathe in sharply and deeply through the nose. Then purse the

lips as if trying to blow out a candle and exhale through the mouth. While running, breathe in for one step and out for two.

“The rapid inhale and slower exhale in this technique fills lungs from the bottom,” explains Danny Dreyer, author of ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running. “Breathing exercises help take in more air when inhaling and empty lungs completely when exhaling. Muscles receive more glycogen, which lowers the chances of their cramping up.”

Use the Hindu breathing method called ujjayi, in which the lungs are fully expanded. First, inhale once with the mouth open, and then exhale the same way, making a “Ha,” sound. Then close your mouth and continue making the same sound while inhaling and exhaling through the nose (it will resemble the rushing sound that Darth Vader makes in Star Wars movies).

“Your breathing is the barometer of all your poses,” says Elena Brower, founder and co-owner of Virayoga, in New York City. If you’re gasping for air, back out of the pose. “Always give preference to deeper breathing over deeper postures,” advises Brower. This controlled breathing technique is largely responsible for the yoga buzz that helps keep students coming back for more.

Strength Training Exhale through the mouth when lifting weights and inhale through the nose when lowering them. As a rule of thumb, take two seconds to raise weights and three to four seconds to lower them.

“Focusing on your breath keeps your brain in the game, so you’re more likely to pay attention to overall form,” says Tom Holland, an exercise physiologist, personal trainer and fitness consultant in Darien, Connecticut.

Cycling “The key to breathing on a bike is to go in through the nose and out through the mouth, and to be as relaxed as possible,” Holland counsels. As intensity increases on climbs or long rides, breathe more forcefully—deeper, quicker inhalations through the nose and rapid exhalations through the mouth.

“The more relaxed your breathing is, the more relaxed your entire body will be,” says Holland. “Relaxed breathing conserves energy, prevents fatigue and improves endurance.” Using forceful breaths when you’re tired also sends more energizing oxygen to muscles to help counter fatigue.

Source: Women’s Health online © 2012 Rodale Inc. All rights reserved; used with permission.

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Breathing Peace and Calm into the Holidays

by Toni Farris

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reathing supplies oxygen to help our brain function optimally, and could provide the secret to a more peaceful holiday season.

While there are many ways to breathe, some are better for calming the mind and enhancing focus than others.

Slow, even, deep abdominal breaths increase emotional stability and selfconfidence, while reducing anxiety.

Yoga teachers say the breath is the key to quieting and calming a busy mind, believing that life is measured by the number of breaths we take. One can choose to breathe fast, live fast and die young, or breathe slow and live longer. Although we tend to think of breathing as an involuntary function of the brain, this is not entirely true,

because controlling the breath can affect our mind and emotions.

When we breathe slowly and deeply, our mind becomes calm and peaceful. We can use it to create a quiet mind anytime. Here are some tips for learning to slow the breath to calm the mind with diaphragmatic breathing.

Come to a comfortable seated position, with the knees slightly higher than the hips. Place one hand on the belly and one on the chest. Focus on the breath. Inhale, opening the belly first, expanding the ribs and then lifting the chest. Upon exhaling, draw the belly in and up, pull the ribcage in and keep the chest lifted. Take several breaths this way until it starts to feel natural. If it is more comfortable, move

the hands to rest on the knees, with the elbows heavy.

Concentrate on the breath. If the mind wanders, guide it gently back. Don’t struggle. If the mind is not ready, come back to the practice later. End the practice with three releasing breaths. Breathe in through the nose and out of the mouth, with a sigh to let go of any tensions.

Practice this breathing exercise to bring peace to the mind anywhere.

To curb road rage, try using it in traffic over this holiday season. It’s common for the mind to keep quite busy if left on its own. It is said to be harder to harness the mind, than the wind. Through breath control, we try to do just that.

Yoga is not only an excellent physical activity, but one with primary purpose to serve as a tool to quiet the mind.

Slow deep breathing will help bring peace and calmness into your holidays.

Toni Farris is co-owner of Yoga Tree Plano, in Plano.

For more info and to receive your first yoga class free, call 972-398-9642 or visit YogaTreePlano. com. See ad, page 22.

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December 2012

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wisewords

How Unconditional Love Harmonizes Our World

Marci Shimoff Explores its Transformative Power

by Judith Fertig

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self-described “seeker from the get-go,” Marci Shimoff, is an expert at helping others effect greater personal fulfillment and professional success.

The noted transformational leader, speaker and author has written two bestselling books on happiness and unconditional love—Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out and Love for No Reason: 7 Steps for Creating a Life of

Unconditional Love, and co-authored six bestselling titles in the Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul series.

What is the old way of looking at love, versus the new paradigm shift you propose?

We’ve been trained to think of love solely as energy between two people, usually experienced as conditional love—we feel love if the other person agrees with

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us, treats us a particular way or loves us back. But love is actually the essence of who we are, and when we live in a state of unconditional love, what I call “love for no reason,” we experience our essence that is love, which doesn’t depend on another person, situation or romantic partner. It is the core of every spiritual tradition.

Why do our ways of loving often seem inadequate?

We each have a “love set-point,” the upper limit of our ability to give and receive love. We can’t feel more love by trying to change the outside—by relying on others to fill us up—because it will never work in the long run. We need to raise our love set-point higher; then we experience everything more through the eyes of love.

Do challenging economic times help us grow spiritually?

We can use any life challenges to help us grow and find fresh avenues of lasting fulfillment. Success and money don’t guarantee happiness, and I know that from my own wake-up call.

In 1998, I had three of my Chicken Soup for the Soul books on The New York Times bestseller list at the same time. One day, I spoke to 8,000 people and autographed 5,432 books and felt like an author rock star. Yet when I returned to my hotel room that night, I burst into tears. All of the success was great, but it still hadn’t made me happy.

That’s when I began my intensive study of happiness and love.

Does science support our capacity to daily experience and deepen a love for all things?

Science is finding that there is a neurophysiology of love. Studies by researchers in major institutions worldwide show that we can do simple things like breathe more deeply, walk barefoot on earth, listen to uplifting music or practice meditation that will support us in experiencing more unconditional love.

These activities create greater heart rhythm coherence and new neural pathways in the brain.

How does having a heart that’s open to unconditional love benefit us?

The Institute of HeartMath has discovered that the magnetic field generated by the heart—what’s measured on a magnetometer—is 5,000 times stronger than that of the brain. HeartMath research has also demonstrated that when we’re in a positive emotional state, our hearts beat in a coherent rhythm that causes all the other systems in the body—including the brain, immune system and hormones—to work more efficiently and harmoniously. Their research shows that experiencing this regularly leads to better health, slows the aging process and brings us greater creativity, resilience and happiness.

What are the seven doorways to practicing unconditional love revealed by your own research?

I’ve interviewed hundreds of people that are living examples of unconditional love. I’ve found seven access points to experiencing more love: safety, being grounded and present; vitality, energy and well-being; unconditional self-love, feeling empowered; openness, being comfortable giving and receiving love; communication, listening and speaking with love; vision, seeing through the eyes of love; and oneness, feeling connected with the greater wholeness of life.

How does one person’s loving larger bless our families, communities and world?

The more we experience love, the more we spread love to others. Our feelings are contagious. This idea is beautifully expressed in an ancient Chinese proverb: “When there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person.

When there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house.

When there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation.

When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”

Connect with Marci Shimoff at HappyForNoReason.com.

Judith Fertig, of Overland Park, KS, is a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.

inspiration

The Luminous Web Why We Are One

by Barbara Brown taylor

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~ Chief Seattle, 1855

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hat I see is an infinite web of relationship, flung across the vastness of space like a luminous net. It is made of energy, not thread. As I look, I can see light moving through it as a pulse moves through veins. What I see “out there” is no different from what I feel inside. There is a living hum that might be coming from my neurons, but might just as well be coming from the furnace of the stars. When I look up at them, there is a small commotion in my bones as the ashes of dead stars that house my marrow rise up like metal filings toward the magnet of their living kin.

Where am I in this picture? I am all over the place. I am up there, down here, inside and outside of my skin.

How could I ever be alone? I am part of a web that is pure relationship, with energy available to me that has been around since the universe was born.

Where is God in this picture? God is all over the place. God is up there, down here, inside and outside of my

skin. God is the web, the energy, the space, the light—not captured in them, as if any one of those concepts was more real than what unites them—but revealed in that singular, vast net of relationship that animates everything that is.

It is not enough for me to proclaim that God is responsible for all of this unity. Instead, I want to proclaim that God is the unity—the very energy, the very intelligence, the very elegance and passion that make it all go.

This is the God who is not somewhere, but everywhere; the God who may be prayed to in all directions at once. The “I am who I am,” in whom everything else abides.

For the moment, we see through a glass darkly. We live in the illusion that we are all separate “I ams.” When the fog finally clears, we shall know that there is only One. Excerpted from The Luminous Web, by Barbara Brown Taylor, with permission of Cowley Publications.

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It’s All About We Conscious Evolution: Why We’re Better Together

by Linda Sechrist

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fter decades of studying issues of environmental destruction, poverty and war, Malcolm Hollick, Ph.D., author of The Science of Oneness: A New Worldview for the Twenty-First Century, concluded in 2006 that a better future for humanity requires a more holistic worldview. It must be one that reflects the evidence of both new sciences and established spiritual traditions, all of which point to a deep unity, or Oneness, the grand reality underlying and often belying the superficial testimony of the senses.

Hollick concluded, “We become open to the experience of this unity only when we recognize at the deepest intuitive level that we do not exist as separate selves.” The founder of the Findhorn College Foundation, in

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Scotland, recognized that while the old worldview has disintegrated, the concrete of a new one has not yet set.

He also observed how the acceleration of scientific findings—advancing knowledge and understanding of the universe, as well as the meaning and purpose of life—would continue to influence the general worldview.

Within a decade, of the publication of his book, hard scientific evidence across many disciplines—particularly physics and biology—as well as pioneering ideas and anecdotal evidence presented by leading philosophers and authors, affirmed the existence of a reality in which everything is connected and linked in a coherent whole.

Such thinking further revealed that evolution has equipped humans

with genetic wiring for co-creation, cooperation and collaboration. Martin A. Nowak, a professor of biology and mathematics at Harvard University and co-author of Super Cooperators: Altruism, Evolution, and Why We Need Each Other to Succeed, explains that most great innovations of life have resulted not from competition, but cooperation, the real “master architect” of evolution. Nowak believes that figuring out how cooperation comes about and breaks down is the key to human survival as a species.

Books such as The Bond: Connecting Through the Space Between Us, by Lynne McTaggart, a scientific researcher and award-winning journalist, and The Golden Motorcycle Gang: A Story of Transformation, co-authored by motivational speaker Jack Canfield, are helping individuals to see through the illusions of the old “survival of the fittest” and “I win, you lose” paradigms into one expressed in terms of connectedness and relationships. This new “Me-We” thinking and way of being has been spreading; it now informs everything from enlightened environmental stewardship to economics, as well as health and spiritual well-being.

How Community Works Canfield emphasizes the valuable lesson of collaboration and cooperation he learned while working for W. Clement Stone, a philanthropist and self-help author: When working together, focus on overlapping goals and interests, and not on differences.

In Chicago, Illinois, where the Eat Fresh Eat Local movement sparks successful collaborations, the focus is on food, rather than issues of race, sex or economic disparity. There, hundreds of people are growing food together in communal spaces on city-owned land, privately owned empty lots and rooftops, as well as in school gardens, food forests and urban farm sites.

“Self-reliant, community-operated urban farms and the food centers that retail the produce to residents in surrounding neighborhoods—some in the city’s most isolated and impoverished communities—are economic drivers that create jobs,” says Erika Allen, projects manager of Chicago’s Growing Power office. The daughter of national organi-

“We’re one humanity and we’re all in this together.” ~ Jack Canfield zation founder Will Allen notes that local workshops resemble a cross-section of the world. “Participants from different countries, cultures and economic levels come together for three meals a day, where we connect, share perspectives and learn from one another.”

Another successful initiative, Building a Healthier Chicago (BHC), brings together the Chicago Department of Public Health, the Office of the Regional Health Administrator of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Chicago Medical Society and the Institute of Medicine of Chicago. The BHC agribusiness project develops and maintains a system of more accessible food supply, distribution and markets where people live, work, play, pray and learn.

Neighbors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, organized park cleanups with the long-range goal of replacing crime and litter with learning. Now, Riverside

“The transformation of our society, world and universe starts and ends with the transformation of ourselves… and in this way to co-create with others and Spirit a person, a community, a civilization, a planet and a cosmos that are whole and harmonious.” ~ Malcolm Hollick Park, once an area of urban blight, has both a college-level field research station and grade school outdoor classroom, offering innovative school, adult and community programs operated by the Urban Ecology Center (UEC).

Programs serve 44 schools and have spawned two branches in Washington Park and Menomonee Valley to serve residents in those areas.

The UEC’s latest project, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, the River Revitalization Foundation, Milwaukee County Parks, private businesses and local landowners, is an arboretum that will protect and restore 40 acres of land for native species and wildlife habitat along the Milwaukee River. “With the creation of the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum, southeastern Wisconsin has a new, biologically diverse space for growing future environmental stewards,” says UEC Executive Director Ken Leinbach. He particularly likes creating spaces and resources that give people that wouldn’t normally connect a place to bump into one another.

Expanding Worldview College settings are similarly intended to encourage stimulating and expansive dialogue among diverse populations.

At Mount Holyoke College, in South Hadley, Massachusetts, recent environmental study grads Dana Rubin and Hannah Blackmer met Frances Moore Lappé when she visited to share the message of her book EcoMind: Chang

ing the Way We Think, to Create the World We Want. As a result, the pair embraced the need to shift their view of the world away from looming negatives to focus on creating positive connections and meaningful relationships that recognize life’s interdependence and fuel constructive change.

After more research, the duo built a simple website named Convenient Resilience.com and created a blog before commencing a coast-to-coast, 100-day, solutions-oriented journey last summer. They posted nearly 30 “webisodes” of heartfelt interactions with individuals and organizations with stories to tell, like the group at 2100 Lakeside Emergency Men’s Shelter, in Cleveland, Ohio, that is using small-scale, practical and cost-effective solutions to lessen their impact on the environment.

“The personal stories we heard affirm what we learned from Frances—that it’s possible to locally solve global problems together,” advise the sojourners, who travel in a grease-powered car.

“Learn to think beyond negative thought traps that engender fear,” advises Lappé. “Thinking, ‘There isn’t enough to go around, so I have to grab what I can now,’ for instance, focuses on separateness and lack, which is precisely what got us into the state we are in.”

“We are facing a critical moment in the unfolding of our human story, and feel called to create pathways to a better future.” ~ Craig Hamilton

Starting Within A big-picture, more-whole-systems perspective forms naturally when individuals come together to explore the power of building intentional coherence. The Art of Hosting (and convening conversations that matter), World Café, Vistar Method for Circles and OpenSpace collaborations leverage technology for the practice of mindfulness to foster deeper connections, authentic conversations and outside-the-box ideas, all contributing to a more enlightened collective intelligence.

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One’s own new world perspective can even emerge as a result of a dark night of the soul, as Patricia Ariadne, Ph.D., author of Drinking the Dragon, has observed with clients that have undergone a personal metamorphosis as a result of the economic downturn.

“Often, the entire process of transformation indicates a spiritual initiation— a renewal or rebirth—that acts as an induction into a level of expanded consciousness and new relationship with Spirit,” remarks Ariadne. “True spiritual progress inevitably leads to a desire to be of greater service to others, to go from ‘Me to We,’ which I believe is our mandate for the 21st century.”

Living mindfully can literally change our brains, states Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., in the introduction to A Mindful Nation, by Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan, which reports on the supporting science. “Mindfulness… can improve our capacity for perspective taking and decision making, and enhance our emotional intelligence and our ability to act with clarity and wisdom, alone and in concert with others.” Kabat-Zinn is the founding director of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care

and Society, at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, in Worcester.

“A peaceful revolution is being led by ordinary citizens across our nation,” confirms Ryan. “At the core of it is mindfulness—finding ways to slow the mind, pay attention to the present moment and see how you are connected to others and can work in a spirit of cooperation to get things done.”

The inner impulse to recognize the deeper unity of all life and sense the reality of Oneness is bubbling up within individuals, small groups and organizations, and finding expression in writings and teachings, according to Barbara Marx Hubbard, author of Birth 2012 and Beyond: Humanity’s Great Shift to the Age of Conscious Evolution. Individuals that feel compelled to join with others in expanding their consciousness to help foster systemic change and a culture of a higher order are invited to find a compatible group. Hubbard offers webcast training for Agents of Conscious Evolution (ACE), now 3,000 members strong; Craig Hamilton, founder of Integral Enlightenment, provides an online telecourse called Awakening to an Evolutionary Relationship to Life.

“My experience has convinced me that fixing the many problems that beset us requires nothing less than ripping up our rulebook and starting afresh, based on something other than every man for himself.” ~ Lynne McTaggart “Evolutionaries sense that we are facing a critical moment in the unfolding of our human story and feel called to create pathways to a better future,” says Hamilton. He notes that the 35,000 participants in his most recent introduction to his webcast were interested in where they could find a supportive community of kindred spirits committed to living life on the same level. He states, “We instinctively know that we can accomplish more together.”

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Network, which empowers a global movement of those intent on creating an evolutionary shift in consciousness, has enabled Hubbard, a featured sage in the documentary Awaken Soul to Soul, and her ACEs to launch a global initiative to mark the inauguration of a sustainable planetary civilization on December 22. Thousands of individuals are now working in collective hubs across the United States to prepare for the Planetary Birth Day celebration.

An initial concern for many individuals seeking to experience Oneness is, “What happens to my identity?” Christopher M. Bache, Ph.D., professor emeritus in the department of philosophy and religious studies at Youngstown State University, in Ohio, reassures us that within the matrix of connectivity, individuality is not suffocated, but paradoxically liberated into deeper forms of self-expression.

“While opening to the collective fields that surround us melts the boundaries of the private ego, bringing about the ‘death of self’ noted in spiritual literature, as the ego dies, a deeper form of individuality is born—not an isolated individuality, but one that thrives in subtle give-and-take,” explains the author of The Living Classroom: Teaching and Collective Consciousness.

While the idea of a future in which American and other cultures reflect oneness can seem distant and idealistic, it is already present in South Africa’s Xhosa community in the form of Ubuntu, a worldview which means, “I am what I am because of who we all are.”

According to South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, Ubuntu iterates the essence of being human and speaks to the fact that it’s impossible to exist as human beings in isolation. We are people through other people.

“We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected, and what you do affects the whole world,” he observes. “When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.”

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. For more information and in-depth interviews on It’s All About We, visit ItsAllAboutWe.com. natural awakenings

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healingways

Gluten: Trust Your Gut Scientists Confirm Widespread Sensitivity

by Claire O’Neil

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alk through the gluten-free product aisles at the grocery or health food store and many people might wonder: “Is this a food fad? Who has a problem with gluten?”

As it turns out, more people have gluten sensitivity than scientists, physicians and researchers previously thought. A study at the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Celiac Research estimates that 6 percent of the U.S. population, or more than 18 million individuals, have some sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat (including kamut and spelt), barley, rye, malts and triticale.

Research published online by BMC Medicine and CeliacCenter.org this year provides the first scientific evidence of what many people allergic to gluten already know: While gluten

sensitivity presents less serious negative health effects than celiac disease, its host of symptoms can become problematic. An earlier study in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics concluded that for dealing with both wheat allergies and celiac disease, the dietary avoidance of gluten-containing grains is the only effective treatment.

Case in Point Carol Mahaffey, a tax attorney in Columbus, Ohio, was experiencing intermittent joint pain and what she calls “living in a fog,” in the summer of 2009. Because she had read that joint pain can sometimes be caused by gluten sensitivity, she decided to eliminate gluten from her diet.

Although her new regimen didn’t

relieve the joint pain—she was later professionally diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis—she found that after four to five weeks, she looked and felt better overall. “I was losing weight, my digestive system was better and I found it easier to mentally focus.

Somebody at work also happened to mention that I didn’t sniffle anymore,” she relates. Although Mahaffey’s blood tests were negative for celiac disease, she had all the signs that she is gluten-sensitive.

“Imagine degrees of gluten ingestion along a spectrum,” says Dr. Alessio Fasano, a professor of pediatrics, medicine and physiology and director of the Center for Celiac Research. “At one end, you have people with celiac disease, who cannot tolerate one crumb of gluten in their diet. At the other, you have the lucky people who can eat pizza, beer, pasta and cookies—with no ill effects whatsoever. In the middle, there is this murky area of those with gluten reactions, including gluten sensitivity,” says Fasano, who led the new study. “This is where we are looking for answers on how to best diagnose and treat this recently identified group of gluten-sensitive individuals.”

Until more definitive answers come to light, those who suspect they might have an issue with gluten can try going gluten-free for a period of time, like Mahaffey. “I had to become a label reader,” she advises, “because even things like bottled soy sauce can contain gluten.” She buys baked goods at a local gluten-free bakery, still enjoys wine with gluten-free snacks, uses gluten-free dough to make her own pizza at home, and has become a fan of risotto.

For people that travel on a similar path, the feel-good benefits of a glutenfree diet can more than make up for some of the inconveniences. “You just make it work,” says Mahaffey. On a recent get-together with longtime college friends at a chalet in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Mahaffey brought her own snacks and breakfast foods, asked questions about the menu when they went out to dinner, and ended up having a great, gluten-free time.

Claire O’Neil is a freelance writer in Kansas City, MO.

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How to Shop for Gluten-Free Foods

localresources

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long with choosing products that are gluten-free, it’s also a good idea to look for organic and minimally processed natural foods— sorghum syrup, for example, makes a good sweetener—whenever possible.

Baking supplies. Natural sweeteners such as locally produced honey, salt and pepper, herbs and spices, tapioca, baking soda, baking powder, cornmeal, gluten-free flours, baking chocolate and dried cocoa powder.

FRESH PRODUCE & PRODUCTS dedicated “locavores” can easily find delicious, nutritious choices, at these food stores and local marketplaces in the north texas area.

Beverages. Coffee and tea (always check the gluten-free status of flavored types), soft drinks and fruit juice.

Breakfast foods. Rice and corn cereals meant to be cooked or eaten from the box, gluten-free cereals and gluten-free frozen waffles.

MARKET STREET - PLANO 1929 Preston Rd, Plano 75093 972-713-5500

CENTRAL MARKET – PLANO 320 Coit Rd, Plano 75075 469-241-8300

Condiments. Vinegars (except malt vinegar), mustard, ketchup, horseradish, jams and jellies, honey, maple syrup, relish, pickles and olives.

SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET 2301 Cross Timbers Rd, Flower Mound 75028 972-874-7380

Fats and oils. Vegetable, canola and olive oils, mayonnaise and salad dressings (check labels).

Foods in packages, cans and jars. Plain, canned fruits and vegetables, applesauce, cranberry sauce, canned beans and lentils, canned fish (e.g., tuna, salmon and sardines), organic packaged soups, corn tortillas and gluten-free pastas and spaghetti sauces.

Frozen foods. Plain, frozen fruits and vegetables, gluten-free frozen waffles, and ice cream, sherbet and ices (check labels for added ingredients).

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

grains, seeds and starches. Quinoa, rice, buckwheat, chickpeas, flax, sunflower seeds and potato starch.

Meat and fish. All fresh beef and poultry, fish and shellfish; for any prepackaged or prewrapped item, check the label for additives. nuts and beans. Dried beans and peas, plain nuts; nut butters such as peanut, almond and cashew. produce. All fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices.

Refrigerated foods. Yogurts, milk, half-and-half, cream, whipping cream, sour cream, butter, vegan margarine, cottage cheese, cream cheese, aged cheeses, eggs, tofu, rice pudding, tapioca pudding and 100 percent fruit juices.

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

Snacks. Rice cakes, rice crackers, soy crisps, popcorn, cheese puffs, potato and corn chips, chocolates and dried fruits.

Source: Adapted from About.com list by Jane Anderson, a medical writer specializing in gluten-intolerance issues.

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healthykids

Fermented Cod Liver Oil

Staying Healthy Naturally

Top Cold and Flu Fighters for Children

by Dr. Lauri Grossman

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ith the onset of school, parents are stocking up on essentials, including at-home remedies to help keep kids healthy this winter. Natural Awakenings has compiled several leading experts’ best tips.

Green and Yellow Produce

Dr. James Balch, a leading natural health expert, urologist and pioneering author in healing nutrition, recommends menus rich in colored fruits and vegetables filled with carotenes. “These foods are potent antioxidants, help with immune function and are involved with the growth and repair of tissues,” he writes. For picky eaters, serve crispy carrot sticks, buttery sweet potatoes and juicy apples.

Nuts and Seeds

Keep crunchy sunflower seeds within easy reach. High in vitamin E, they help children resist the flu and upper respiratory infections. Brazil nuts are good too, because they are high in selenium that keep bacteria and viruses from replicating.

Healing Herbs

Burke Lennihan, a registered nurse, certified homeopath and author of Your Natural Medicine Cabinet, encourages parents to stock up on garlic, ginger, turmeric and cayenne. “There’s a reason why [these herbs] are so popular worldwide,” she says, “and it’s not just the flavor. They have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and other medicinal properties that modern science is just beginning to document.”

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Another helpful resource is Healing Spices: How to Use 50 Everyday and Exotic Spices to Boost Health and Beat Disease, by Dr. Bharat Aggarwal, also a Ph.D. and researcher at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston.

Natural Cough Syrup

“Elderberry syrup is great for coughs,” advises Lennihan. “A study done in Israel showed that elderberry extract is as effective against the flu as Tamiflu.”

Dr. Deborah Gordon, of Ashland, Oregon (DrDeborahMD.com), recommends that parents use supplements relied on as basics in the home generations ago: “All children benefit from fermented cod liver oil.” Although it tastes bad, it’s one of the most effective immune boosters available in a safe and easily absorbable form.

Vitamin D

While protecting skin from direct sun rays is an ongoing concern, current research shows that many children are deficient in the vitamin D sunshine provides. Gordon advises parents, “Ask your pediatrician to test your children to determine if they need supplements.”

Powerful Probiotics

In Treatment Alternatives for Children, Dr. Lawrence Rosen, who practices at the Whole Child Center, in Oradell, New Jersey, notes: “By adding probiotics to vitamin D supplementation, parents can be even more certain to keep the flu away from their children.”

Homeopathy Help

Lennihan maintains that using homeopathy can stop a child’s nascent cold before it blossoms fully. “When your son shows signs of lower energy and just wants to lie on the couch, or your daughter has a mild fever and says her throat is a bit scratchy, those are the times for ferrum phosphoricum,” she says. “The 6x potency will keep the cold from ever developing.” Two pellets, three times a day, works well.

If parents miss the early signs of an approaching cold, then arsenicum album is the homeopathic medicine needed.

Lennihan holds that it’s the most useful remedy when a child’s nose is running incessantly. She attests that allium cepa [common bulb onion] is a good backup if a child has an itchy nose or raw red skin under it. Both remedies are best given in 30C potency, two to three pellets three times a day for up to three days, to see if symptoms subside.

Chiropractic Care

Dr. Joseph Passanante, a New York City chiropractor, offers insights based on immunology research that has demon-

strated a link between the nervous system and regulation of the immune function. Thus he states, “By aligning the spine and removing nerve interference, chiropractic care enhances immunity, so that good health is maintained.”

Receiving regular gentle adjustments can help children ward off illness more effectively, and they will become more limber from the treatments.

Clean Water

Encourage children to wash their hands regularly and drink plenty of fresh water. The Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, advises drinking water, clear-broth soups or warm lemon water with honey to loosen congestion and prevent dehydration.

Over-the-counter, water-based saline nasal drops and sprays also can help combat stuffiness and congestion.

Plus, unlike nasal decongestants, they are safe and non-irritating, according to Mayo sources. They also note that a saltwater gargle can relieve a sore or scratchy throat.

Chicken Soup

Our grandmothers may have been even smarter than we thought. Recent studies at The Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha, illustrate that chicken soup relieves colds in two ways. It acts as an anti-inflammatory by inhibiting the cells that add to inflammation and by speeding the movement of mucus, reduces the time that viruses are in contact with the nose.

Sound Sleep

Dr. Greg Meyer, a Phoenix, Arizona, integrative physician, says the key for parents is to make sure children don’t overexert themselves when they are sick. “Kids need to rest their bodies in order to heal,” he advises. “An extra day of rest can yield a more certain cure and more reliable recovery.” At this point, parents might need some, too. A little tea party or some time cuddled up with a good book might help the whole family feel better.

Lauri Grossman, a doctor of chiropractic and certified classical homeopath, practices in New York City, NY. Learn more at amcofh.org and HomeopathyCafe.com.

Tips to Maintain Kids’ Health All Winter Long

by Dr. Deborah Bain

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e sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, because they are rich in antioxidant vitamins and nutrients that boost the immune system and help fight off infection. Top antioxidants include vitamins C and E, plus beta-carotene and zinc. To get enough of these antioxidants, eat brightly colored fruits and vegetables, and consider taking whole food supplements daily.

Vitamin C is involved in many important processes in the body, including production of white blood cells, antibodies and interferon, all of which are critical for fighting viral illnesses. This anti-inflammatory, collagen-building nutrient helps to restore the respiratory system and builds a strong respiratory tract, which is the first defense against flu viruses. Dietary sources include oranges, strawberries and tomatoes.

Vitamin A helps keep the mucus membranes that line our respiratory tract healthy, promoting a healthy immune system that serves as a strong barrier against infection and prevents the entry of harmful bacteria. Dietary sources include liver, milk products, carrots, spinach and cantaloupe.

Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, is a powerful immune system modulator. We may become deficient in cooler weather, when days are shorter and we spend less time outdoors, so a supplement may be in order.

Focus on whole food nutrition and choose healthy lean meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, while minimizing unhealthy fats. Consume plenty of fresh purified water daily.

Limit consumption of processed foods and refined sugars, understanding kids are the sickest during the winter months of October to February, correlating with high-level sugar

consumption from Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Valentines Day. Take a daily multi-strain probiotic to help maintain balance in the digestive track and prevent development of gutrelated illnesses such as gastroenteritis and food allergies. When the natural balance of good bacteria is lost through prolonged use of antibiotics, the immune system can be weakened and allow for entry of foreign invaders that cause havoc in the body, including recurring illnesses, inflammatory disorders and even autoimmune problems. Natural sources include kefir and yogurt. Plain Greek yogurt is a good choice because it is high in protein and low in sugar. Supplements should be based on recommendations from a healthcare provider.

Fatigue and lack of enough rest and relaxation time increases susceptibility to illness. Schedule in some downtime and get adequate sleep to reduce stress. Wash hands with soap and water, avoiding harsh antibacterial soaps and hand gels. They can do more harm than good.

Regular exercise increases the level of leukocytes, an immune system cell that fights infection. Exercise is also associated with increased release of endorphins, known to improve a sense of well-being and improve sleep. Exercising just 20 to 30 minutes daily can help reduce the risk of catching a cold.

Deborah Bain, M.D., is a doctor of pediatrics and owner of Healthy Kids Pediatrics, in Frisco. For more information, call 972-294-0808 or visit HealthyKids Pediatrics.com. See ad, page 7.

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consciouseating

HEALTHY HOLIDAY BAKING

A Cornucopia of Delicious Treats photos by Stephen Blancett

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here’s nothing so comforting as the scent and taste of homebaked treats. To fill a home with cheer, try these delectably healthy recipes. Some are gluten- or dairy-free, others pack less butter and sweeteners (thus fewer calories) than their typical counterparts, and a few are vegan (containing no animal products, including honey). All are perfect for holiday celebrations, hostess gifts or exchanges.

Gluten-Free Apricot Scones

These scones freeze well and taste even better the next day, warmed for 30 seconds in a microwave. Serve with apricot jam or honey.

Yields 8 servings (342 calories per serving) 1 /2 cups brown rice flour 1 /2 cup tapioca flour 1 /3 cup potato starch 21/2 tsp baking powder 21/2 tsp xanthan gum 1 /4 cup natural cane sugar 1 /2 tsp salt 1 /2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, cubed 5 eggs (divided) 1 /2 cup plus 1-2 Tbsp plain low-fat yogurt 3 /4 cups dried apricots, finely chopped 1 /2 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp almond extract 1

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1 Tbsp water /4 cup turbinado sugar

1

Preheat oven to 350° F. Sift together first 7 ingredients (brown rice flour through salt). Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.

In a separate bowl, whisk together 4 eggs, yogurt, apricots and extracts. Add to flour-butter mixture. Mix until just combined.

Dust work surface with brown rice flour. Turn out scone mixture and pat into a nine-by-nine-inch square. Cut scones into desired shape or use a biscuit cutter. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Whisk remaining egg with 1 tablespoon water; brush mixture over scones.

Sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden.

Apple-Walnut Coffee Cake

Here’s a favorite yummy treat for festive brunches. Guests and family will never guess that this decadent indulgence contains much less butter and sugar than a typical coffee cake.

Yields 16 servings (239 calories per serving)

/4 cup light brown sugar 2 tsp ground cinnamon 2¼ cups whole-wheat pastry flour (divided) 1 /4 cup (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter 1 /2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature 1 cup maple sugar 2 eggs 1 /4 cup plus 1 Tbsp low-fat buttermilk (1 percent) 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp baking soda 1 /2 tsp salt 2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced 1 /2 cup walnuts, chopped and toasted 1

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.

Butter pan sides and top of parchment.

In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, cinnamon and ¼ cup flour. Cut in ¼ cup cold butter until mixture becomes crumbly and resembles a streusel topping. Refrigerate until ready to use.

In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together ½ cup room-temperature butter and maple sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated. Beat in buttermilk and vanilla. Sift remaining 2 cups flour, baking soda and salt into egg-butter mixture. Mix until just combined.

Fold in apples and walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan and sprinkle with streusel topping. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool before releasing from pan.

Vegan Trail-Mix Cookies

These crunchy-chewy cookies are perfect for snowshoe hikes or crosscountry ski trips.

Yields 36 servings (135 calories per serving) /4 cup all-purpose flour 3 /4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour 1 cup carrot, shredded 11/2 cups unsweetened coconut, shredded 11/2 cups natural cane sugar 11/2 cups rolled oats 1 tsp baking powder 1 /2 tsp salt 1 /2 cup water 1 /2 cup canola oil 1 Tbsp vanilla extract 1 cup grain-sweetened chocolate chips 1 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted 1 cup cherries, dried 3

Preheat oven to 350° F. Mix together flours, carrot, coconut, sugar, oats, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together water, oil and vanilla. Add wet mixture to dry. Mix to combine.

Fold in chocolate chips, pecans and cherries.

Scoop batter by 2 tablespoons each onto a baking

sheet, pushing in any stray pieces. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool for 2 minutes and then remove to a rack to cool completely.

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Muffins

These lightly sweetened, butter-free muffins evoke the scents and tastes of the holidays. With fewer carbs and calories than regular sugar, the concentrated fruit-juice reduction also adds moistness; look for all-natural options, such as Wax Orchards’ Fruit Sweet.

Yields 16 servings (145 calories per serving) 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 /2 tsp salt 1 /2 tsp ground nutmeg 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 /2 tsp ground ginger 1 /2 tsp ground allspice 1 cup pumpkin purée 2 /3 cup fruit-juice reduction (or light agave nectar) 1 /2 cup canola oil 1 /4 cup coconut milk 1 /2 cup unsweetened coconut, shredded 1 cup walnuts, chopped and toasted 3 /4 cup dried cranberries Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with baking cups.

Sift together flours, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and allspice in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together pumpkin purée, fruit-juice reduction or agave, oil and coconut milk. Stir wet mixture into dry until just incorporated (do not overmix). Fold in coconut, walnuts and dried cranberries.

Divide batter evenly among muffin tins. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. natural awakenings

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Healthy Red Velvet Cupcakes

Place flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Sift cocoa powder into the bowl. Whisk until well blended.

These moist cupcakes use spelt flour for a lighter texture, more protein and fewer calories than wheat flour. Avoid artificial colors by using vegetable-based food coloring, or make your own.

Place sugar, oil and eggs in a separate large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Add buttermilk, vanilla, lemon juice and food coloring. Whisk lightly until combined.

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir just until mixture comes together. Do not overmix.

Yields 8 to 10 servings (352 calories per serving) Cupcakes 11/2 cups white spelt flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 /4 tsp salt 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed) 1 /2 cup natural cane sugar 1 /2 cup melted coconut oil (or safflower oil) 2 eggs at room temperature 3 /4 cup buttermilk at room temperature 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp lemon juice 3 tsp natural red food coloring

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Agave Cream-Cheese Frosting 8 oz Neufchâtel (reduced-fat) cream cheese at room temperature 3 Tbsp plus 1 tsp agave nectar 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp cornstarch Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a muffin tin with 8 to 10 cupcake liners or coat with cooking spray.

Gently spoon batter into muffin cups.

Bake 10 minutes and test with a toothpick. If it doesn’t come out clean, turn pans and bake another 3 to 5 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool on rack for 2 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely before frosting. (Or store in an airtight container until ready to frost. Do not refrigerate, which dries them out.)

Beat cream cheese, agave and vanilla together. Sift cornstarch over mixture and blend until smooth. Frost cupcakes just before serving.

greenliving

T R SHOP SMA Keep Dollars Working in Local Communities

by Linda Sechrist

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oday, Americans can tap into one of the best bargains around by voting to support our local and regional economies.

By shifting our shopping to locally owned and operated retailers and service providers, we help create and retain area jobs, support community commerce and build valuable relationships and social connections within our community. With every local purchase, we leave the store enriched, having deepened both community social capital and genuine wealth.

Imagine the joy of knowing that your purchase contributes to the dentist supplying braces for the local grocer’s kids, the local insurance agent’s mortgage payment, the local banker’s roof repair and the local roofer’s dinner— all of them friends and neighbors.

The list of benefits—from shoring up local home values to ensuring access to local produce—keeps expanding as your dollars continue to circulate within the community.

Yet, finding a fuller range of locally made items at locally owned stores will continue to be challenging until shoppers demand it. One way to begin aligning purchases with your

values is by patronizing stores that offer socially responsible and fair trade items.

Shaktari Belew, author of Honoring All Life: A Practical Guide to Exploring a New Reality, explains how purchasing goods and services can actually create local community wealth for all if they are specifically designed for that outcome. “When items are designed to be created and sold locally, everyone involved benefits, from the suppliers that obtain the raw materials through those that manufacture, sell and buy the finished item. Even the environment benefits.”

Belew encourages our learning as much as possible about purchases.

“Once people are aware of the two vital concepts of localization and design, they will be better able to scrutinize purchases,” advises this designer and wholesystems thinker who focuses on resilient community design. As a Transition US.org workshop leader and one of the primary designers of the Community Engagement Process for Unified Field Corporation’s whole-systems/ quadruple bottom line financial model,

this Oregon resident tries to follow her own advice. “The Cradle to Cradle C2C certification helps,” she says.

The C2C program is an eco-label authorized by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, co-founded in 1995

by William McDonough, the author of Cradle to Cradle. The certification process assesses a product’s safety to humans and the environment, plus its potential for future life cycles.

The “program focuses on using safe materials that can be disassembled and recycled for another purpose or composted as biological nutrients. To date, hundreds of items, from building materials, bedding and linens, baby care and haircare products to personal and household cleaning products, have been C2C certified.

If you plan to ship gifts long distances this gift-giving season, why not use the first C2C-certified consumer product—a U.S. Postal Service packing box? It exemplifies how a complex good design makes a product peopleand planet-friendly. All 60 of the product’s boxes, decals and labels, involving 1,400 component materials, had to be certified, but the benefits are big: reduced costs for handling waste and disposing of hazardous materials; plus, the receiver may easily recycle the item with a free conscience.

“Imagine a closed-loop market system in which any number of items made from finite resources such as glass, paper, steel, plastic and cloth are designed to be reused in a near-endless cycle,” says Belew. “Imagine a world of goods designed for easy repair and maintenance, rather than obsolescence.”

Belew, the designer of Will’s Bills, a form of complementary currency, also recommends buying items that have long-term reusability specific to our needs. “My daughter loves a particular curry sauce, which comes in a little glass jar with a screw-top lid,” she relates. Rather than recycle the jars, the family reuses them for storing small things at home. “They’re also the perfect size for single servings,” she says.

Sometimes, just a simple shift in perspective can change an item from trash to treasure.

Linda Sechrist is an editor of Natural Awakenings community magazines.

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naturalpet

YOU DIRTY DOG! Tips for the Grooming Impaired

by Avery Mack

D

ogs can get into the darnedest messes, and when they do, these head-to-toe grooming tips will make cleanup easier—on both sides of the tub.

Shedding. Every dog needs a good comb-out to remove dead hair. When possible, do this outside, to reduce dander or flyaway fur in the house. Use a tool suited to the dog’s coat from a pet store—a brush, comb or saw-toothed loop to get to the undercoat.

Matted Fur. Dog hair can felt up faster than a wool sweater in hot water.

Always comb the mat starting from the end. If it’s especially stubborn, cut the mat lengthwise to separate into two or three pieces before combing. Don’t cut the mat out entirely, which is as noticeable as cutting a wad of bubble gum out of a child’s hair. Move especially difficult mats into the tub and rub a conditioner into it (a show horse detangler works well).

Ears. Red, painful, inflamed ears or dark, tarry goo inside an ear means 36

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infection or ear mites; head to a local veterinarian for an appropriate salve or drops. “Breeds like the Maltese or poodles get ear infections from moisture held in the ears by too much hair,” explains Diana Immordino, a master groomer with Animal General Hospital, in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. “A professional groomer can show how to gently and safely remove the excess, and advise if a drying powder is needed.”

Teeth. Dogs love chicken- or liver-flavored toothpaste; using a tempting flavor makes maintaining sparkling clean teeth and a healthy mouth easy to achieve at home. Brushing several times a week will reduce or eliminate the need to sedate the dog for a more costly professional dental cleaning.

Feet. Make it a habit to keep fur trimmed even with the pads, so the dog isn’t slipping on long hair. Trim to make a nice, semicircular paw, as viewed from above. Cavalier King Charles spaniels are the exception to the round paw look.

Baths. Have towels and a gentle shampoo close by. Then bring in the pet and close the bathroom door; it’s easier than chasing a wet dog through the house.

Use conditioner for mats only—a dime-sized blob is enough—not for dog hair overall. Rub it into the mat and let it sit for 15 minutes before combing out the tangle.

Small or shorthaired dogs can take a dip in the bathtub, but large, and/or double-coated breeds are best bathed outdoors or in a special tub in the laundry room, to keep fur out of the drain.

A spray attachment will help get water all the way to the skin for breeds like a Keeshond, Malamute or Siberian husky.

Bloodhounds, pugs, bulldogs and shar peis need extra care. “Separate the wrinkles, suds up, rinse thoroughly and be careful to dry between the folds,” says Immordino. “These breeds can develop yeast infections between the wrinkles.”

Have several towels ready and dry the dog’s entire body before opening the door, because most will bolt to shake themselves dry and rub on rugs and furniture. A hair dryer on the coolest setting can help if it’s kept away from the dog’s skin and the buzzing rush of air doesn’t cause anxiety.

Plucking. Harsh-coated, nonshedding dogs such as the Cairn terrier should not be bathed; strip their coat instead. “Plucking removes the soft, dead undercoat, allows a healthy, vibrant coat to grow and maintains a proper rough texture that repels dirt and water,” explains Patti McCully, a Cairn breeder in Arvada, Colorado. “Baths soften the coat and would eliminate this auto-clean feature. Stripping doesn’t hurt the dog.

There’s no stinky smell, either.”

Nails. If an owner is squeamish about cutting a dog’s nails too short, local rescue clinics often offer nail trims for a small donation. At home, use a handheld grinding tool with a dome safety feature from the hardware store, instead of grab-and-crunch clippers.

“The easiest way to do a dog’s nails is to have the dog do it himself, dragging its nails across a filing board,” counsels M. Shirley Chong, a clicker trainer in Grinnell, Iowa. “I teach people how to do this and it’s easy

to train the dogs, because they enjoy it.” The trick is to put the board out of reach between supervised sessions (ShirleyChong.com/keepers/nailfile.html).

Finally, when the family dog is having a bad hair day and time is an issue, a professional can save the day.

Mobile groomers make house calls, and regular grooming contributes to a sweet-smelling dog.

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).

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 Bird Walk – 8-11am. Bring binoculars and field guides if 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.

Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at AveryMack@mindspring.com.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 3

Doggie Grooming Recipes Skunk Odor Remover Formula 1 quart 3-percent hydrogen peroxide 1 /4 cup baking soda 1 tsp liquid dish soap, formulated to remove food oils Mix together at time of usage and immediately apply foaming mixture to affected areas. Avoid the eyes.

Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Discard excess solution by pouring it down the drain while running water; never store it, because pressure buildup can cause the container to burst.

Natural Citrus Flea and Mosquito Repellent 1 large lemon, including thick rind, sliced paper thin 1 Tbsp crushed rosemary leaves or 6-inch sprig 1 Tbsp aloe pulp or juice, as needed 1 quart hot water Place lemon slices in a bowl and add rosemary. For dry skin, add aloe pulp.

Pour a quart of near-boiling water over mixture, lightly stir and let steep overnight. Strain into a large spray bottle and refrigerate until needed. Shake well before spritzing the dog, at least twice a week or more often when bugs are most prevalent, including stomach and paws.

Primary source: VetLocator.com

Ingleside Renaissance Faire: Dec. 8-9 See news brief, page 8.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 Boy Scout Bird Study Badge at LLELA – 9am12pm. It is usually impossible to accomplish all objectives related to a badge in only a few hours, but LLELA staff will include as much as possible in a series of hands-on, engaging activities. The fee for each badge workshop $7/participant; adults will pay only LLELA’s regular $5/person admission. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. Registration required: 972-219-3930 or LisaCole@unt.edu.

Super Health and Success Saturday – 9am1:30pm. Guest speaker: Dr. Ladd McNamara, MD author of The Power of Cellular Nutrition and The USANA Difference. Space limited. $15/USANA Associates, free/guests. Renaissance Dallas Hotel, 2222 Stemmons Frwy, Dallas. RSVP & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings to Sonja Kabel, The Creating Healthy Lifestyles Team of USANA Health Sciences: 972-935-6484.

All Aboard the C&E Tram Tour – Sat, Sun & Wed thru Dec. 10-11am, Sat & Wed; 2-3pm, Sat & Sun. Tour along Wildlife Drive at the Refuge aboard an all-electric open tram. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. Advance reservations required: 903-786-2826. More info: FriendsOfHagerman.com.

REI Plano Garage Sale – Dec 3-5. 10am-9pm. All merchandise is sold as is. All sales are final. Show up early for the best selection. You must be a member of the co-op to shop this sale. You can join the day of the sale. REI Plano, 2424 Preston Rd. 972-985-2241.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 AKC All-Breed Dog Show: Lone Star State Classic – Dec 6-9. Hosted by The Kennel Clubs of Greater Collin, Texas and Trinity Valley. Features all-breed shows by club, with the judging of nearly 2,000 dogs. Other activities include booths of pet supplies and accessories, art, jewelry, handmade crafts; visit with breeders and dog rescue clubs and more. $8/ adults, $5/children 5-12, free/children under 5. Free parking. Dallas Market Hall, 2200 Stemmons Fwy, Dallas. LoneStarStateClassic.com.

Ornament Extravaganza – 3:30pm. Choose from large supply of crafty materials to create your own ornaments for the holiday season. For kids of all ages. Denton Public Library, South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8752.

Holiday Cheer Beers – 6:30-8pm. The Holidays are a great time for seasonal beers. Our beer specialist Waide will be sampling and discussing some of his favorites. Space limited. Free. Whole Foods Market, 2201 Preston Rd, Ste C, Plano. 972-612-6729.

RSVP & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: Andrea.Beckham@WholeFoods.com.

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

savethedate DecEMBER 1-30

Mother Goose by Jackie Mellor-Guin Fridays, 7:30pm; Saturdays, 2:30pm & 7:30pm; Sundays, 1:30pm & 4:30pm.

In the style of British melodrama (pantos). The fairytale is told with wacky characters, songs, dances and corny jokes that encourage audience participation through interaction with the characters on stage. Held at The Cox Building Playhouse, 1517 H Ave, Plano More info & tickets: 972-490-4202, Theatre-Britain.com

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of your bike. Free. REI Plano, 2424 Preston Rd. 972-985-2241.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10 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.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 Health and Fitness Expo – Dec 7 & 8. 11am-6pm, Fri; 9am-5pm, Sat. 100+ vendors with merchandise, information and exhibits related to the running, fitness and health industry. Held in conjunction with the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon (Dec 9). Admission free.

Dallas Convention Center, 650 S Griffin St, Dallas.

Info: DallasMarathon.com/Health-Fitness-Expo.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11 Cozy Christmas StoryTime – 7pm. Snuggle up for a cozy evening of Christmas stories, holiday treats and crafts. Children are invited to wear their holiday pajamas (and slippers, too). Ages 1-8.

Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton.

940-349-8752.

Tomball German Festival – Dec 7-9. 6-10pm, Fri; 10am-10pm, Sat; 10am-6pm, Sun. A unique street festival packed with family-friendly ambience, entertainment, an open-air market and antique shops with 150 street vendors selling goods. Admission, parking and shuttles free. 201 S Elm, Tomball. 281379-6844. TomballGermanFest.org.

DORBA End of Year Party – 7pm. Annual yearend party to honor all the Superdudes and award the racers. There will be craft beer, food by El Tizconcito, a photo booth, Goldsprints and more. Four Corners Brewing, 423 singleton Ave, Dallas. More info: DORBA.org or Mountain-Biking.Meetup. com/35/Events/88845282.

Gong Meditation – 7-8pm. Experience the earth drum gong meditation. An immersion in sacred and healing sounds. It is an excellent therapy for stress related issues, depression, fatigue, anger. Shambhala Wellness Center, 215 E University Dr, Denton.

Johanna Oosterwijk: 940-380-8728.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 Family Camping – Dec 8-9. A great, family friendly camping opportunity. All camping equipment need for the weekend included; food and other supplies not included. $65/family (up to 6). Lake Mineral Wells State Park. Register: 512-389-8903.

Bird Walk at LLELA – 7:30am-12pm. Accompany a master birder on a guided hike. Birders of all ages and skill levels welcome. $2/person. Reservations are requested, but not required. Bring your own binoculars. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. To confirm: 972-219-7980.

Coppell Farmers’ Winter Market – 8am-12pm.

Many returning vendors plus some local artisans for holiday shopping. Winter Market continues on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays, Jan-Mar. Coppell Farmers’ Market, Corner of Bethel & S Coppell rds, Coppell. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: CFM@CoppellCommunityGarden.org. Coppell CommunityGarden.org.

Winter Waterfowl – 10-11:30am. Hear Dr. Wayne Meyer, Associate Professor of Biology, Austin College, on the Winter Waterfowl at the Refuge. Then enjoy a guided trip along Wildlife Drive aboard TAPS to see the winter waterfowl. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman.

Advance reservations required: 903-786-2826.

FriendsOfHagerman.com.

DIY Energy 101 Workshop – 10am-12pm. Learn simple techniques to save money and make your home more energy efficient. At the end of the workshop, receive your own Energy Efficiency Tool Kit (Plano residents only) to help you get started with your energy efficiency updates. Free. Environmental Education Center, 4116 W Plano Pkwy, Plano. Registration required: LiveGreenInPlano.obsres.com.

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Dallas Marathon: Dec. 9 Nature Walks at LLELA – 10am-1pm. Explore LLELA’s trails with a Texas Master Naturalist in this guided search for animal tracks and signs, and learn more about the natural history of LLELA. All ages welcome. $2 program fee, in addition to the regular gate fee ($5/person). Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. Reservations requested, but not required: 972-219-3930.

Starting your Garden Indoors – 10:30am-12pm.

Will cover ideal indoor growing environments including: what types of plants are best started indoors, when and how to plant indoors, and how to transplant the new plants outdoors. William T. Cozby Library, 177 N Heartz Rd, Coppell. More info: CoppellCommunityGarden.org.

Prayer Circle – 11am. Come and join The Many Faces People in prayer for Mother Earth, and all therein contained, which of course, is everyone and everything.

RSVP by Dec 1. Four Feathers Trading Post, 3522 CR 2621, Caddo Mills. For more info, Silverhawk: 214288-9935. FourFeathersTradingPost.net.

Map & Compass Navigation Basics Class – 11am1pm. Learn basic navigation skills using map and compass to find your way. Learn the parts of a compass, how to read a topographic map and how to use them in tandem. $15/member, $20/nonmember. REI Plano, 2424 Preston Rd. 972-985-2241.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 43rd MetroPCS Dallas Marathon – 7:55am, wheelchair race; 8am, marathon, half-marathon & relay.

Formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon. Proceeds benefit the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Includes fireworks, food and drink vendors, and 40 bands. Main & S Houston St, at the Old Red Courthouse, Dallas. Info/register: DallasMarathon.com.

Dallas DownRiver Club Christmas Party – 12pm.

This is a pot-luck event, so bring a holiday favorite.

The DDRC club will be providing turkey and ham, plates, utensils, and ice tea. Feel free to bring your canoe or kayak and go paddling afterwards. At the Big Thicket Center on White Rock Lake. More info, Dale Harris: 972-680-2727 or Dale_Harris@ sbcglobal.net. Down-River.com.

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.

Water Conservation – 7-8:30pm. Dr. Fouad Jaber of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will discuss water conservation and alternative water sources.

With Dallas Sierra Club. Free. REI Dallas, 4515 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, Dallas. Kirk Miller: 972-699-1687.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12 Holly Jolly StoryTime – 11am. Get into the holiday spirit with this Christmas-themed StoryTime featuring Christmas stories, songs, and crafts. Ages 1-5.

Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton.

940-349-8752.

Neurotransmitters and Emotional Health: Addictions, Compulsions and Cravings – 12pm. Need help preventing last minute holiday stress? Learn about nutrients that will support your brain and immune system during the busy holiday season. Free, but space limited. Kotsanis Institute, 2260 Pool Rd, Grapevine. Register & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 817-591-0260.

Child Nutrition Seminar: How Much is Enough? – 6:30-7:30pm. As part of our Child Nutrition Series, parents and children will join Brain Balance of Plano Nutritionist, Stephanie Oliveras, in a discussion about portion sizes. Explore ways to make sure your child is getting enough, but not too much of the different food groups. Free. Brain Balance of Plano, 1501 Preston Rd, Plano. RSVP: 972-248-9482.

Santa StoryTime – 7pm. Stories, songs, and puppets with Santa. Bring your camera to take pictures with Santa at the end of the program. Best for ages 1-5. Denton Public Library, South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8752.

Winter Camping Basics – 7-8:30pm. You like to camp, but have only tried it in the spring, summer & fall? Learn how to plan, stay warm, select winter appropriate gear and what to expect when setting up camp and during your overnight. Free. REI Plano, 2424 Preston Rd. 972-985-2241.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13 Santa StoryTime – 10am & 11am. Stories, songs, and puppets with Santa. Bring your camera to take pictures with Santa at the end of the program. Best for ages 1-5. Denton Public Library, South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8752.

Renewable Energy Options for Plano – 7-9pm. Can I afford solar panels? Are wind turbines permitted in Plano? Is my home eligible for geothermal heating?

Get the answers to your questions about renewable energy from the experts. Free. Environmental Education Center, 4116 W Plano Pkwy, Plano. Registration required: LiveGreenInPlano.obsres.com.

build on that theme or build a creation of their own.

Ages 6 & up. Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. 940-349-8752.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14 Santa StoryTime – 11am. Stories, songs, and puppets with Santa. Bring your camera to take pictures with Santa at the end of the program. Best for ages 1-5. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. 940-349-8752.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28 Origami Yoda Party – 4pm. Party with Origami Yoda, Darth Paper and the Fortune Wookiee. Eat snacks, talk books, and make Origami Yoda characters. For ages 8-12. Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. Space limited; register: 940-349-8752.

Christmas Decorations – 4pm. Join the Garden Culture Club and make special gourd Christmas ornaments and other Christmas decorations for the holidays. For ages 5 & up. Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. Supplies limited; register: 940-349-8752.

Russia at the Holidays – 4pm. Learn Russian folktales, including the story of the Nested Doll.

Sample Russian treats, explore Russian artifacts, and stay for hands-on activities. Best for ages 7 & up. Denton Public Library, South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. Supplies limited; register: 940-349-8752.

Heard Holiday Trail of Lights – Dec 14 & 15.

6:30-9pm. See thousands of holiday décor and lights, many synchronized to holiday music, along a half-mile nature trail at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. A fundraising event. $9/adults, $6/children 3-12, free/under age 2. Purchase advanced tickets online and save $2/ ticket. 1 Nature Place, McKinney. 972-562-5566.

Advance tickets: HeardMuseum.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 Christmas Bird Count – 7am-5pm.This year marks the 113th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count.

Birders of all level of experience are invited to join a team and help count within the Hagerman Circle.

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. 903-786-2826. More info & to sign up: FriendsOfHagerman.com.

Astronomy Walk – 9-11pm. Join Clyde Camp for a Nightwalk and Astronomy nearest the New Moon. Appropriate footwear is a must. This is an inappropriate walk for young children. Connemara Meadow Preserve, 300 Tatum Rd, Allen. Connemara Conservancy.org.

The Science of Composting – 9:30-10:30am. By composting we can reduce the amount of waste we send to the landfill. learn how you can compost in your own backyard. Free. Central Market, 10720 Preston Rd, Dallas. Space limited, register: 214-670-4475.

Green the Holidays Workshop – 9:30-11am.

Learn to make eco-friendly, handmade gifts for the holidays including beauty products, decor, greeting cards and more. Free. Environmental Education

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 Mother Goose Pantos, Theatre Britain: Dec. 1-30 Center, 4116 W Plano Pkwy, Plano. Registration required: LiveGreenInPlano.obsres.com.

Homestead Christmas at LLELA – 12-3pm. A fun, old fashioned holiday event. Get a chance to tour the Homestead House and enjoy festive pioneer activities. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. $5/person. More info: Ias.Unt.edu/LLELA.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19 It’s a Girl Thing – 4pm. Bring your favorite book.

A mother-daughter book club. Best for girls ages 10-13. Denton Public Library, South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8752.

Jingle Bell Run – 6:30-8pm. A family-friendly event with plenty of festivities, fun and food. For those who prefer a slower pace, we have a 1-mile fun run (or walk) and for those who want to work off some of those holiday treats, we offer a 5K race.

Hilton Anatole, 2201 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas.

More info: DallasJingleBellRun.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20 Boys Only Yucky Stories – 6:30pm. Knights of the Kitchen Table by Jon Scieszka. Boys grades 2-5 read and talk about funny, yucky and gross stories. You won’t have to sit still while we talk because you will be too busy with funny, gross or downright bizarre projects. Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. 940-349-8752.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21 LEGO Builders Club – 4pm. Drop in and get creative by building with the library’s LEGOs. A different theme is picked for each month and kids can

End of the Year Ceremony – 11am. End of Year ceremony, good, bad, indifferent goodbye to 2012, Hello to 2013. RSVP by Dec 22. Four Feathers Trading Post, 3522 CR 2621, Caddo Mills. For more info, Silverhawk: 214-288-9935. FourFeathers TradingPost.net.

plan ahead FRIDAY, JANUARY 4 LEGO Builders Club Extra – 4pm. Join us for an extra LEGO building day during the school break.

Drop in and make something with the library’s LEGOs. Ages 6 & up. Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. 940-349-8752.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8 Twilight Toddler Time – 6:30pm. Bring your toddler (ages 12-24 months) for this evening Toddler Time that promotes literacy and caregiver bonding.

Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton.

940-349-8752.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9 Cleanse for a New You – 6-7:30pm. Cleanse your body of unwanted toxins with nutrition & learn steps to reduce your toxic exposure for health in today’s modern world. Free. HealthWorks: A Creating Wellness Center, 2317 Coit Rd, Ste B, Plano. Register, Shari Miles: 972-612-1800. HealthWorksTX.com.

Child Nutrition Seminar – 6:30-7:30pm. Part of our Child Nutrition Series, parents and children will join Brain Balance of Plano Nutritionist, Stephanie Oliveras, and explore ways to make sure your child is getting the nutrients s/he needs. Free. Brain Balance of Plano, 1501 Preston Rd, Plano. RSVP: 972-248-9482.

Luxury Massages

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(TJ’s Terrific Touch)

469-237-4289

Sunbelt Drive, Addison, 75001 • www.TJ4TTTS.com

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 Mindful Mommy to Be – 9:30am-12pm. Nutrition, overcoming fears, birth planning, and how chiropractic care benefits mother and baby- for couples to learn holistic support tools for a successful pregnancy. $20/couple. HealthWorks: A Creating Wellness Center, 2317 Coit Rd, Ste B, Plano.

Registration required, Deja Erwin: 972-612-1800.

HealthWorksTX.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). to be self-sufficient within their communities. For meeting location & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: TransitionDallas@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14 Indoor Foliage: Repotting Festival – 9am-6pm.

Bring your plants and pots and use our potting benches and tools to revitalize existing plants or create new container. We provide complimentary Calloway’s Premium potting soil, an application of fertilizer and top dressing to complete your project.

All Calloway’s Nursery locations. 817-222-1122.

Calloways.com.

Houseplants for Fresh Indoor Spaces – 10:15am.

Fill empty spaces in your home with living, breathing houseplants to help keep your family healthy and your home vibrant. Learn which plants thrive indoors and the varieties that do the best job improving air quality. Free. All Calloway’s Nursery locations. 817-222-1122. Calloways.com.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16 Westin A. Price – 6-7:30pm. Tired of confusing nutrition “trends?” Learn how to prepare and eat traditional foods like our ancestors. Learn practical steps for changing your diet, meet others and share tips. Free. HealthWorks: A Creating Wellness Center, 2317 Coit Rd, Ste B, Plano. Register, Shari Miles: 972-612-1800. HealthWorksTX.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 To Prune or Not to Prune: Get the Facts – 10:15am.

Learn when to prune throughout the year to encourage the best flower and fruit production from your trees and shrubs. Get expert garden advice and learn the basics. Free. All Calloway’s Nursery locations.

817-222-1122. Calloways.com.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30 Book Club – 6-7:30pm. Explore a variety of health topics through the reading and discussing. Ongoing Jan-May, call for current book. Free. HealthWorks: A Creating Wellness Center, 2317 Coit Rd, Ste B, Plano.

Shari Miles: 972-612-1800. HealthWorksTX.com.

monday

German Christmas Festival, in Tomball: Dec. 7-9 See news brief, page 5.

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@Autumn LeavesLiving.com.

Free Yoga – 3-4pm. 2nd Sun. All welcome. Inspire 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/info & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 940-440-8382.

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

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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 day-to-day performance. Free. Available 8:30am5pm, 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. Willow BendAcademy.com.

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.

Yoga Tree: Sprouts and Kids Yoga –3:45-4:15pm, Sprouts; 4:30-5:15pm, Kids. Introduce your child to the healthful practice of yoga. In a fun, safe environment, they learn basic yoga postures building strength, flexibility, coordination, and body awareness. First class free. Yoga Tree, 1410 Ave K, Ste 1105A, Plano. 972-398-YOGA (9642).

YogaTreePlano.com.

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. 972-398YOGA (9642). YogaTreePlano.com.

Pilates Infused Yoga – 6:15-7:15pm. Pilates offers a complete work-out for the body that exercises not just the main muscle groups, but weaker, less used muscles too. $15. Shambhala Wellness Center, 215 E University Dr, Denton. Johanna Oosterwijk: 940-380-8728.

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.

juggling and general tomfoolery. Nice weather location: 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.

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.

wednesday

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.

Meet and Greet – 12pm. 1st Tues. Come meet our providers. An informal gathering of parents interested in meeting Dr. Deborah Bain and Nurse Practitioners, Christie Potter, CPNP and Jessica Drain, FNP-BC. Also, a time to bring your questions regarding Healthy Kids Pediatrics. Free. Healthy Kids Pediatrics, 4851 Legacy Dr, Ste 301, Frisco.

To confirm attendance: 972-294-0808.

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.

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, mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 940-440-8382.

Dallas Marathon: Dec. 9 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,

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.

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. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings. Restaurant: 972248-0011. 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 & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 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

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.

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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.

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.

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.

CPR Training – 6-8pm. American Heart Training Center with 125 trained instructors. Texas CPR Training, 4013 Carrizo, Plano. 214-770-6872.

TexasCPR.com.

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: 972548-5167.

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 Free Admission & Wildlife Program – 9am-9pm.

3rd Thurs. Admission and parking free. 7:15pm, 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.

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 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: 972-6802727 or Dale_Harris@sbcglobal.net.

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.

Men’s Only Pilates – 8pm.

Class utilizes all the Pilates equipment. $15. Pilates for Life, 103 W Belmont Dr, Allen. 214-704-3070.

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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.

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.

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). YogaTreePlano.com.

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 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.

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 rider left behind” policy. Routes and destinations change each week. For more info: Facebook.com/ CycleHighlandVillage.

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. $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.

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, 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.

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. 972-398-YOGA (9642). YogaTreePlano.com.

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

Bird Walk – Thru May. 8-9:30am. 2nd Sat. With the Heard Museum and Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society. Walks begin promptly. Free with regular admission. Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. HeardMuseum.org.

Coppell Farmers’ Winter Market – Jan-Mar. 8am-12pm. 2nd & 4th Sat. 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. CoppellCommunity Garden.org.

Yoga Tree: Yoga 101 – 8:30-9:30am. 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. 972-398YOGA (9642). YogaTreePlano.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.

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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.

communityresourceguide Connecting you with local businesses and experts 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)

aCUpUnCtURE patti CaREY, L.aC.

Acupuncture, Herbs & Nutrition 2121 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Ste 107 Plano 75023 972-704-3730 • PattiCareyLAC.com

SYnERgY BaLanCE

Dr. Cecilia Yu, D.C.; NUCCA practitioner 12740 Hillcrest Road, Ste 138, Dallas 75230 972-387-4700 • MySynergyBalance.com

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.

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 8.

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 28.

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.

aCnE tHERapY

CoMpREHEnSiVE HEaLtHCaRE

daily Faces of Classical Music Photography Exhibition – Thru Jan 27. Photographs of classical musicians from across the United States, photographed by Carrollton resident William McEwen. Free. Irving Arts Center, 3333 N MacArthur Blvd, Irving. 972252-7558.

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.

First Aid Classes, CPR & Babysitter Training – Various days. Monthly at various branches.

For specific info on cost, space availability, times: YMCADallas.org.

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 39.

antiQUE MapS and aRt papERHoUnd.CoM paperhound.com

Orginial antique maps and biblical prints dated from 1595 to 1850.

World, regional, country, city and fort maps; Biblical and portrait prints; cartographers / engravers including Tallis, Picart, Blaeu, Speed, Bowen and Homann. Each piece represents an investment of work, art and irreplaceable historical significance.

See ad, back cover.

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 9.

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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 15.

daiRY CiRCLE n FaMiLY daiRY

Michelle and Tommy Neu 4 Miles West of I-35; on US 82, Lindsay 76240 940-372-0343 • CircleNDairy.com State-permitted dairy licensed to sell fresh, all natural unprocessed grade A raw milk. Visit us at the farm to learn why our greattasting, fresh, raw milk is a safe and naturally healthier choice for your family. Call us to schedule a tour to see a working family farm and be sure to visit our on-site store for fresh raw white and chocolate milk, cream, free-range eggs and more.

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 11.

dECLUttERing / oRganiZing SERViCES tHE dECLUttERBUg

Anita Sisler 339-832-1220 • TheDeclutterbug.biz Affordable, compassionate, respectful decluttering and organizing for your home. Also offering help with making your rooms cozy for holiday guests.

Serving the North Texas area. See ad, page 27.

dEntiStRY dEntaL StUdio oF CaRRoLLton Drs. Robert and Sundhya 2005 W Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton 75010 972-395-0150 • DSofCarrollton.com And 331 W Harwood Rd, Hurst 76054 817-282-4539

Approaching dentistry from a natural, whole body health perspective, we make teeth beautiful, keep them healthy and offer honest education on how balanced structures in the face/mouth can affect your overall health. Serving adults, children and apprehensive clients, at our state-of-the-art facility we offer the cutting-edge "DNA Appliance"; a small device which addresses snoring and sleep apnea, mercury free fillings and crowns, teeth whitening, Clear Braces, TMJ pain and much more. See ad, page 16.

EdUCation 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.

HaiR SaLon

EnERgY EFFiCiEnCY EnERgY attiC

HaiR CoLoR StUdioS

538 Haggard St, Ste 410, Plano 75074 972-548-0088 • EnergyAttic.com

9200 E. Lebanon Rd, Ste 32, Frisco 75035 214-436-4955 • HairColorStudios.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 13.

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 gaRMEnt CaRE

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

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 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 5.

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, research-based, 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 27.

EnERgY aUditing dWELLgREEn oF daLLaS

Roger Taylor, Owner / Operator 214-509-8582, DwellGreen.com/Dallas DwellGreen of Dallas is a certified total building performance evaluation and energy auditing company, serving the North Texas area. We can lower your cost of energy and improve the safety and comfort of your home or office. Free phone consultation on an existing or new home. Call to schedule an on-site consultation. See ad, page 10.

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KURt tHoMaS gYMnaStiCS

HoLiStiC dEntiStRY

10825 John W Elliott Frisco 75034 • 214-872-4646

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 20.

Gymnastics training for preschool to competitive levels.

WinKidS SpoRtS & LEaRning CEntER 3000 Waketon Rd, Flower Mound 75028 972-355-9988

WinKids Sports & Learning Center offers gymnastics, martial arts, swimming, dance, cheerleading, music, unique Birthday parties and so much more!

MaRKEtS SpiCE BaZaaR

4681 Ohio Dr, Frisco 75035 • 214-618-3175

HoLiStiC HEaLtH

Indian grocery store.

WatER HEaLtH HoLiStiC SERViCES 621 W. Plano Pkwy, Ste 235, Plano 75075 972-422-5533 • WaterHealthHolistic.com

We specialize in detoxification of the body: Weight Loss Extreme system, reflexology foot massage therapy, alkaline water for wellness, herbal nutritional supplements and water ionizer filtration systems. See ad, page 27.

MaSSagE 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 39.

intERnaL MEdiCinE pRiMaRY CaRE and intERnaL MEdiCinE oF FRiSCo 5858 Main St., Ste. 210, Frisco 75033 972-377-8695

MaSSagE SpaCE

Highest ethical and clinical standards of care while providing exceptional attention to every patient.

7000 Independence Pkwy, Ste 180 Plano 75025 972-612-5363 • Massage-Space.com Seven different types of massage therapy for rejuvenation and energy. See ad, page 11.

Kid Fit – Kid FUn SpoRtS tRaining

nEURoFEEdBaCK

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 41.

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 9 and 21.

oUtdooR gEaR & EdUCation REi

2424 Preston Rd, Plano 75093 • 972-985-2241 Quality outdoor gear and clothing with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

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 7.

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)

A

Ask us how our Solar Community programs can save you money!

creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others. ~ Ayn Rand

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North Texas

NA-NTX.com

WatER

totaL Wind & SoLaR

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.

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.

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.

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 CEntERS SaLt MiRaCLE WELLnESS CEntER 1012 W Hebron Pkwy, Ste 138 Carrollton 75010 972-394-7258 • SaltMiracle.com

Salt therapy is a natural, non-invasive treatment for asthma, COPD, sinusitis, acne, tonsillitis, ear infections, CF, psoriasis and more. Safe for all ages, ask to see our relaxing adult therapy room and our “play” salt-room for kids. See ad, back cover.

SHaMBHaLa WELLnESS CEntER

215 E University Dr, Denton 76209 940-380-8728 • ShambhalaWellness.com

279 W Main St, Frisco 75034 • 972-712-1727

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 9.

Tailoring, custom clothing, monogramming, draperies and shoe repair.

Yoga SCHooL

taiLoRing & aLtERation SERViCES aUtUMn StitCH

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 5.

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.

OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE CHIROPRACTIC SPACE FOR LEASE – Chiropractic space available in Carrollton Wellness Center. Located at intersection of Hebron Parkway and Old Denton Road. Reception, appointment booking and other services may be included in lease if desired. Call Shamim Surani for more information. 972-394-7258.

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.

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 22.

YogURt nana FRoZEn YogURt

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, back cover.

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.

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