Natural Nutmeg January 2011

January 2011

Natural

Free

Nutmeg Connecticut's Resource For Living Naturally

Do What Will Make You Happy

Bernie Siegel, MD

Hypothyroid Symptoms...

They’re Not in Your Head!

A Medical Panel Discussion

Help for Sinus Sufferers Amy Rothenberg, ND

Obesity And Our Environment Desmond Ebanks, MD

Forget the New Year’s Resolutions…

It’s Time to Rewire Your Brain www.naturalnutmeg.com

January 2011

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Are you ready to make a dramatic shift?

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ur innovative program is not just another diet or exercise plan. It is a medically supervised system designed to catapult your health to a higher level. Benefits may include: improved energy, decreased body fat, improved muscle tone, sharper thinking, increased libido/sexual function, and heightened sense of well being.

Our patients are successful business men, women and professionals. Take control of your health and life today with our unique blend of nutrition, exercise and hormone balancing.

Start living better.

Call today for your confidential appointment 860.561.2294. www.alternityhealthcare.com/livebetter 2

January 2011

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January 2011

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In this Issue

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Hypothyroid SymptomsThey’re Not in Your Head!

A Panel Discussion Deb Percival 10

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ur mission is to provide valuable insight, information and resources that will allow our readers to maintain a h e a l t h y, a c t i v e , s u s t a i n a b l e l i f e style. Natural Nutmeg contains timely information on natural health, complementary and alternative medicine, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, and the products and ser vices that support good health.

Obesity And Our Environment Desmond Ebanks, MD 16 Help for Sinus Sufferers Amy Rothenberg, ND 30

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Forget the New Year’s Resolutions…

It’s Time to Rewire Your Brain Diane Hindman, PhD

Editor-in-Chief Deb Percival Deb@naturalnutmeg.com

Departments

ADVERTISING SALES Dr. Diane Hindman advertising@naturalnutmeg.com

Newsbriefs 6 Prescription for Living 9

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Supplements 101 20 Know your Herbs 22 Movement as Medicine 24

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Healthy Family 32 Community Resources 46 Community Calendar 50 Natural Planet 54 4

January 2011

Aimee Chandler aimee@naturalnutmeg.com HARTFORD COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD Deanna M. Cherrone, M.D. Desmond Ebanks, M.D. Ann Aresco, N.D. Richard Duenas, D.C. Tom Moorcroft, D.O. Natural Nutmeg Magazine P.O. Box 447, Avon, CT 06001 Ph. (860) 217-1239 Fax (860) 217-1721

Healthy Cooking 28 Healthy Pet 29

PUBLISHERS Dr. Diane Hindman Chris Hindman Publisher@naturalnutmeg.com

www.naturalnutmeg.com

In keeping with our concern for the environment, Natural Nutmeg is proudly printed on recycled paper with soy based inks.

Natural Nutmeg is a free publication supported solely by our advertisers.With wide distribution throughout central Connecticut, the Litchfield Hills, and the shoreline. Please call for a location near you.

Call us at (860) 217-1239 if you would like copies for your place of business. (25 copies min. req.)

© 2007-10 by Natural Nutmeg, LLC. All rights reserved. Parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that permission be obtained in writing. 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 feedback.

PUBLISHER'Sletter

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nother year gone by and yet it seems like I was just sitting down to write the January 2010 publisher letter!

Is it me or is time flying by? Everyone I talk to seems to get busier and busier and I wonder how long we can keep up this pace. With that thought in mind, I am making some resolutions to ensure that 2011 is more peaceful and focused, and that I take more time for myself, while still being productive. But first I wanted to reflect on the past year.

2010 was an amazing year for Natural Nutmeg! We introduced our new Fairfield County edition with a new Managing Editor, Nicole Miale. Within three months, we had jumped in page count and have steadily increased advertisers and contributors. It is so exciting to see this new magazine grow. We added new departments and writers to our Hartford County edition, including Natural Planet and Eco-Travel written by Deb Percival, Movement as Medicine written by Cassandra Forsythe and Brian St. Pierre, and Healthy Cooking written by Margaret Sylvester.

We brought Deb Percival on board as our new Managing Editor for Hartford and she will be stepping into the role of Editor-in-Chief for both magazines in 2011. We redesigned our website, www.naturalnutmeg.com for a whole fresh, new look and with better functionality. We started the Natural Nutmeg ezine which brings you new articles and Dr. Diane’s corner with tips on supplements, personal care products, books and eco-tips right to your inbox each month. And we sponsored the Celebrate Your Life conference and the CT Women’s Expo last year. For all this, I am extremely grateful.

And if you think that sounds exciting, wait until you hear what we have in store for 2011! The biggest announcement is a new annual conference, “Empowering Me…Naturally” that will be held on November 11th and 12th at the Connecticut Convention Center.

We’ll have Joan Borysenko, PhD as our keynote speaker for 11/11/11 – cool date, right! And on Saturday, 11/12/11, we’ll have a full day of lectures, workshops, exhibits and more with all of our local practitioners and businesses in the natural health, green living and wellness industries. We’ll have more details on the event in our next issue. But even more exciting news is that we’ll be debuting a whole new look for the magazine and adding new departments and writers over the next few months! We’ve also added a new distribution outlet – now you can pick up Natural Nutmeg in 25 Stop-n-Shop stores in Hartford, Middlesex and New Haven counties.

So, you’re thinking – “didn’t she say she wanted to slow down and have more time in 2011?” Yes, I did say that and I am learning that I don’t have to do everything myself and that the Universe is constantly sending me people and resources to accomplish these amazing goals and dreams. I’m learning that the more time you take for yourself, the more you can accomplish in the long run. And I’m learning that it’s okay to ask for help and in fact necessary in order to keep the energy flowing. So, although it seems like we have an awful lot planned for next year – I’m making that commitment now to surround myself with people that are willing and able to help us. I hope you will do the same!

Wishing you joy, health and happiness in 2011!

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Newsbriefs Fitness Together in Avon Reopens Under New Ownership!

On January 14th, 2010 Fitness Together in Avon, CT reopened after an ownership transfer. Bob Fricchione, a longtime client of Fitness Together in Longmeadow, MA purchased the facility with the intent of further expanding the Fitness Together system into Connecticut.

“I joined Fitness Together because I was attracted to the uniqueness of the private training environment and the assurance that I was working with the best certified professionals in the field. With the help of the trainers at Fitness Together I was able to put off surgery for many years and live pain-free while becoming fitter and stronger,” Bob Fricchione relates.

Immediately after reopening, Bob Fricchione made improvements to the facility including remodeled bathrooms and equipment upgrades with the assistance of his Head Trainer, Billy Pratt. Billy had existed as Head Trainer under the previous ownership and the continuity of his presence was vital to the satisfaction of the existing clientele.

The improvements continue to develop: starting in January, 2011 Fitness Together Avon will be introducing Nutrition Together, a proprietary nutritional consultation program that runs in 6-week stretches. The program, designed by Dr. Janet Brill, is geared towards providing intensive, individualized nutritional counseling customized to the needs and goals of the client.

Programs at Fitness Together fall under three main categories depending on the goals of the client: Physique/Appearance for those primarily concerned with aesthetics & weight loss; Athlete for the competitive athletes looking to improve their conditioning; and General Health & Fitness for people who wish to improve & maintain general function and just get and stay in shape.

For additional information, visit http://fitnesstogether.com/avon or www.fitnesstogether.com or call 860-673-3993.

Center for Integrative Healthcare & Healing to Offer Smoking Cessation Program in January

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he Center for Integrative Healthcare & Healing (CIHH) will offer the first of several smoking cessation programs of 2011 in January. The group session will be conducted by William Priftis, Certified Hypnotherapist, who has years of experience and success in helping people quit smoking.

The session will be held on Tuesday, January 25th, from 6:30-9pm. The cost per person is $40. Please call CIHH at 860-243-2224 to register for the program. Space is limited.

CIHH is located at 533 Cottage Grove Road in Bloomfield. For more information about the Center, visit our website www.cmgmds. com/cihh.html or see our ad on page 8.

Origins of Health Welcomes Back Dr. Jill Moorcroft

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rigins Of Health in Glastonbury welcomes back Jill Moorcroft, DO, from maternity leave. Dr. Moorcroft will kick off the New Year by supporting your body’s self-healing capabilities with various modalities including Osteopathic manipulation and integrative medicine to achieve optimum health. She welcomes patients of all ages but specializes in the treatment of women and children. Her goal is to help each patient reach his or her full potential in health no matter how far from or close to health someone feels. Dr. Moorcroft’s individualized treatments plans aim to decrease pain, improve immune function, reach a healthy weight, and improve mood and behavior.

For more information, please visit www.OriginsOfHealth.com or call (860) 430-9790 to schedule an appointment.

See ad on page 5.

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January 2011

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Glastonbury Naturopathic & Acupuncture Center is proud to introduce Dr. Charles Lerner, DC, L.Ac

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r. Lerner brings 25 years of experience as a licensed Chiropractic Physician and Acupuncturist to Glastonbury Naturopathic Center. An accom-

plished Acupuncturist, Dr. Lerner provides expert care for acute and chronic problems, both internal medical concerns and pain management.

His acupuncture techniques include painless needle insertion and he is familiar with a large variety of Oriental medical approaches, enabling him to choose the exact acupuncture technique that is most effective for each patient. He is gentle, compassionate and treats his patients as whole beings, not symptoms or diseases.

Dr. Lerner graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon, and went on to earn his Master's Degree in Acupuncture from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine In New York City. He donates his time and acupuncture skills each year to helping the poor and needy at the Hospital De La Familia, a missionary hospital in northwestern Guatemala.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lerner, contact Glastonbury Naturopathic Center at (860) 657-4105. See ad on page 42.

Shadow & Trees Massage Therapy Relocating to West Hartford

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hadow & Trees Massage Therapy will be relocating from our present location in Hartford to our new office located at 402 Park Road in West Hartford, within walking distance of Blue Back Square and Whole Foods Market.

Additionally, Shadow & Trees will be celebrating the New Year with a new program known as "Philanthropic Fridays." Starting January 1, 2011, one half of all proceeds received for services rendered on Fridays will go to a different local charity each month. January's organization of choice is HARC, Inc. of Hartford.

For further information about this charity, please visit www.harc-ct.org.

Shadow & Trees Massage Therapy is a comprehensive massage therapy office specializing in working with adults and children suffering with pain from soft tissue dysfunction and injury. In addition to massage therapy, Shadow & Trees' owner, Matt DeMichele, uses Active Isolated Stretching as a means to assist individuals with lack-of-mobility issues as well as those looking to optimize joint function and healthy rangeof-motion.

For more information about any of the services we provide, look us up on the web at www.shadowandtrees.com. Call today at (860) 841-7485 to book a session, and mention that you read about us in Natural Nutmeg and receive $20.00 off your first session with us!"

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January 2011

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January 2011

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Prescription for Living

by Bernie Siegel, MD

Do What Will Make You Happy

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hat we have to realize is that love and aggression are normal feelings but when combined they enhance life.

What I mean is that unhealthy aggression is revealed every day in the newspapers. It is sickening to see all the violence and destructive behavior from shooting people to wars between differing nations, races and religions.

What happens when love is combined with aggression is that the energy goes into constructive and not destructive behavior. That can be sports where opponents knock heads, tackle each other, bat and kick balls, shoot at targets or throw javelins.

It can also be in our work as we hammer, dig up the earth, tear down or build up. Here the energy is being directed in a physical, aggressive manner that will enhance the earth by its end result.

What good is violence? What has it ever fixed? Think of what Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. were able to do through nonviolence, in contrast to how their lives ended. I always remember King’s words, “It’s a good thing Jesus told us to love one another and not like one another because there are some people I can’t like.”

I learned what the ultimate solution to the world’s problem is through a personal incident. I sold a piece of farmland our family owned for generations to a man who was retiring and looking for a change in lifestyle. The summer after he purchased it he showed up at my house with a big metal box. He said, "I was plowing the field and hit something and I dug up this box. This belongs to you and your family.” He put it down and opened it. It was filled with valuable jewelry and gold pieces.

I said, “No, you bought the farm. It’s yours.”

“I bought the farm but this is not part of the farm. It’s your families’ and not mine.”

Well we went on arguing and he walked out without it. Our conflict went on for weeks and finally I told him we needed to find someone to decide for us. He agreed. We went to a lawyer who told us to just donate it to some charity that we both decided would be appropriate. So we started arguing all over again.

I wanted to help children and animals and he wanted to help the homeless and addicts and it got crazy.

At this point the lawyer’s secretary came into the conference room we were sitting in.

She said, “Excuse me but may I ask you two a question?”

“Sure,” we both replied. “Do you both have children?” she asked.

We both said yes. “Do you have a son?” she asked me.

“Yes,” I said. “Do you have a daughter?” she asked the other man.

“Yes,” he said. “Then tell them to get married and give them the treasure as a wedding gift.”

We thanked her and went home and became one family with nothing to fight over. That is what the world needs to understand and accept. When we are one family there is nothing to fight over.

Let me share one more event that taught me a lot. Many years ago a childhood friend of mine got into a difficult situation due to a gambling addiction. The organized crime group involved had

threatened to break every bone in his body or worse if he did not pay up. He said when he revealed that he had no funds available he was told that if he married the crime lord’s daughter they would let him off.

He said the offer was made because she was an ugly witch.

The problem was that unbeknownst to the underworld characters involved, my friend was already married. He said he felt there was no hope and that his addiction would cost him his life. At this point I volunteered to marry the witch. He argued but I persisted and to make a long story short the marriage was arranged and a few weeks later the witch and I were wed.

I did the best I could to put on a pleasant face for the evening but as it grew late I told my bride I needed to go to our hotel room and get some rest and she agreed to come with me. When we got to the room I went into the bathroom to catch my breath and try to figure out how I was going to manage to get through the night, let alone the years that lay ahead of us. After spending as much time as I could in hiding I stepped out of the bathroom to find a beautiful woman sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Where’s my wife?”

“It’s me. Now that you are my husband I can reveal that a spell was cast upon me. I am a beautiful woman for twelve hours and a witch for twelve hours. Now that you are my husband my schedule is your choice. I can be beautiful during the day and impress the neighbors or at night for your pleasure. Tell me what you would prefer.”

I knew that there was only one correct answer, “Do what will make you happy.”

“Thank you, you have freed me from the spell. I can be beautiful twenty-four hours a day now.” The point I am trying to make is that when you have to decide about what to do with your life do what will make you happy. Get out of your head and into your heart. We each have a right to a life of our own and not one that is imposed upon us by others, be they parents or spouses.

Bernie holds a support group in Simsbury at Wisdom of the Ages the first Wednesday of each month from 7-9pm. Wisdom of the Ages, a special place to nuture your spiritual side. It's filled with items to calm the mind, heal the body & empower your spirit. They also provide massages & monthly meditation classes. Wisdom of the Ages is owned by Bernie's son & daughter- in-law, Keith & Jane Siegel. Located at 1408 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury. Please call for info or to register for Bernie's group. (860) 651-1172, www.wisdomoftheages.biz, berniesiegelmd. com. See ad on page 27.

Bernie also runs a Woodbridge Support Group which meets the Second and Fourth Tuesday evenings of each month at Coachman's Square, Bradley Road, Woodbridge, CT. Contact: Lucille Ranciato at 203-288-2839 or email her at lranciato@yahoo.com.

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January 2011

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Hypothyroid Symptoms They’re Not in Your Head!

A Medical Panel Discussion

An interview with Dr. Frank Aieta (West Hartford), a Licensed Naturopathic Physician; Dr. Ann Aresco (Kensington), a Licensed Naturopathic Physician; Dr. Deanna Cherrone(Avon), a board certified Internal Medicine physician who has changed the focus of her practice from traditional Internal Medicine to Functional Medicine; and Dr. Tom Moorcroft (Glastonbury), an Osteopathic Family Medicine Physician.

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f you knew that one gland in your body affected almost every aspect of your health, would you take care of it? If you knew that not caring for it could at best lessen your enjoyment of life, and at worst be fatal, would you take a few minutes to learn more?

Tens of millions of Americans have thyroid disease, and it’s estimated that more than half don’t know it. Thyroid disease is frequently overlooked and commonly misdiagnosed.

Your thyroid – a small gland located in the front of your neck – affects the functioning of almost every part of your body. It is responsible for metabolism and energy, managing the utilization of cholesterol, fats, proteins and carbohydrates, and can control your heart rate, digestion, skin, body temperature, and state of mind.

“Your thyroid affects your energy levels, your weight, your heart, your mood, and much more,” said Dr. Cherrone.

It’s easy to see that when your thyroid’s out of whack, you’re out of whack. So you go to your family doctor with a symptom or two, and end up being misdiagnosed and are put on antidepressants, cortisone creams, high blood pressure pills, Rogaine®, and other medications, when what was needed was treatment to restore the thyroid hormones.

“Conventional doctors tend to look at the constellation of symptoms as individual symptoms,” said Dr. Aieta. “Consequently, they treat individual symptoms.”

“As holistic physicians, we look at the constellation – the whole person,” said Dr. Aresco. That’s how we find the root cause.”

“Holistic physicians typically will test TSH, Free T3, Free T4, reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies,” said Dr. Moorcroft.

“In addition, they might assess adrenal function and nutrient status.”

Conventional Medicine The ‘gold standard’ in conventional medicine for detecting thyroid disease is drawing blood and measuring the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). If it falls within the ‘normal’ range (which is a highly disputed range among doctors – they don’t all use the same numbers) you are likely to be deemed 10

January 2011

thyroid-disease free, even though you have several of the symptoms. In other words, you might actually have thyroid disease, but because you don’t fall into a rather arbitrary and changing range, conventional medicine could send you off with a non-diagnosis or a misdiagnosis.

“TSH is just one marker, and it’s actually a pituitary marker” said Aresco. “Even if it’s dead center in the ‘perfect’ range, it’s meaningless on its own.”

Thyroid issues become more complicated and harder to remedy as time passes. Additionally, one metabolic disorder increases your risk of experiencing others, and, in the case of hyperthyroidism, life-threatening arrhythmia and tachycardia can result. With untreated hypothyroidism myxedema coma, while rare, can be life-threatening.

The best way to manage your thyroid health is to learn what your thyroid does, how to protect it, how to know when you need a doctor’s opinion, and how to find a doctor who is familiar with thyroid disease and has a track record of helping people with thyroid problems return to wellness.

Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is far more common than hyperthyroidism. Incidence is highest in women, seniors, and diabetics. Women and their doctors frequently dismiss hypothyroid symptoms as part of puberty, pregnancy, menopause, (which can all disrupt thyroid function) or aging.

Seniors have the second highest incidence, and frequently attribute symptoms to age. Men and children also suffer, in fewer numbers.

Here are some of the common symptoms. There are many others – see the links to checklists, below.

Low thyroid hormone levels may be responsible for everything from unexplained weight gain or an inability to lose weight to cold intolerance, hair loss, dry skin, brain fog,

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a goiter, thinning eyebrows, chronic fatigue, puffy eyes, orange palms, depression, hypoglycemia, muscle aches, joint pains, constipation, high cholesterol, infertility, fibromyalgia, bad PMS, low libido, anemia, sleep apnea, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and osteoporosis.

Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, is less common than hypothyroidism. Symptoms may include anxiety, weight loss, increased perspiration, heart racing, hand tremors, difficulty sleeping, fine brittle hair, and muscular weakness, to name a few. Older sufferers may not experience many of these symptoms – they typically only have two – weight loss and depression.

Be on the lookout, and, as mentioned above, don’t wait to see a doctor. Hyperthyroidism is more likely to be life threatening than hypothyroidism is.

On the Rise The incidence of thyroid disease is increasing across all genders and ages. “This is probably as a result of the increase in environmental toxins,” says Dr. Aieta. Dr. Moorcroft chimed in, “We are meant to live in homeostasis – a state of balance – but the toxic burden we now carry has many people hanging on to homeostasis by their fingernails.”

Causes Thyroid dysfunction doesn’t exist in a vacuum. As mentioned, environmental toxins play a significant role. Heavy metals and other toxins are prevalent in today’s air, soil and water, and they inflame the thyroid. According to all the doctors I spoke with, infectious agents, adrenal issues, processed foods, a vitamin D deficiency, an excess or deficiency of iodine, gluten intolerance, yeast, H.pylori, excessive raw cruciferous vegetables, exposure to radiation, the presence of fluoride (in toothpaste, for example), bromine in bread, chlorine in your pool, tap water or shower, mercury in dental fillings, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, some medications, hormones in meat, hormonal fluctuations, and even Mountain Dew have negative affects on your thyroid.

Complete Symptom Checklists “This disease affects your whole body,” says Dr. Aresco. “If you’ve had your TSH tested, the results say it’s normal, but you have several hypo- or hyperthyroid symptoms, get yourself a checklist of symptoms and fill it out. No one has all the symptoms, but if you have several, take that list to a holistic doctor.”

“Don’t think it’s all in your head, or you’re just getting older,” adds Moorcroft. Left unchecked, thyroid disease can ruin – and in rare instances end – your life.

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For a comprehensive hypothyroidism checklist, go to http://www.draieta.com/articles_thyroid.html.

For a comprehensive hyperthyroidism checklist, go to http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/hyperchecklist. htm.

If you don’t have symptoms, here are some ways to continue with that good track record!

Prevention Taking care of your thyroid is synonymous with taking care of yourself. Eat whole foods and avoid processed foods, move your body, avoid toxins, manage stress. More specific prevention measures include not smoking, avoiding too much soy, filtering your water and/or having your water tested for perchlorate and chlorine, eliminating gluten from your diet, avoiding excessive x-rays, and use toothpaste that doesn’t have fluoride. Also watch out for fluoride in mouthwash, and skip a few fluoride treatments at the dentist. Ask for a thyroid shield before dental x-rays. Use only natural forms of soy, and use them in moderation (tofu, tempeh, miso, etc.)

If you have a family history of thyroid disease, diabetes, migraine, colitis, rheumatoid or other autimmune problems in your family, you may want to have your thyroid antibodies checked every year or two. This is especially true during menopause. The presence of anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies is especially helpful in predicting hypothyroidism and makes early detection and treatment possible.

Testing

Who to See If you do have symptoms, who do you see? Some people go to their family doctor. Some seek out endocrinologists, which seems like a logical choice, and sometimes it is.

However most allopathic doctors and endocrinologists work under a structure that doesn’t allow enough time to really

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know each patient. They need to rely on test results – and the insurance industry supports that. Consequently, you could present with many classic symptoms, but if your numbers fall in the ‘normal’ range (which is a range that is disputed) you might not receive treatment that you need.

“When treatment is based on statistical ranges vs. science, many people suffer,” agreed the panel, all of whom reiterated that whole body symptoms are best treated by looking at the entire complex human organism. Drugs can treat symptoms without treating the thyroid – and, worse, drugs might not even alleviate the symptoms.

“We Are Patients, Not Lab Values.” – Mary Shomon, patient advocate, author of books on thyroid disease, and patient.

Testing for thyroid disease and regulating the thyroid are controversial subjects between natural medicine and conventional medicine. “Holistic doctors conduct more tests than most conventional doctors and endocrinologists do,” said Dr. Cherrone. “This minimizes the chance of overlooking thyroid disease, or treating one symptom and missing the big picture.”

“In many instances we find that natural solutions can both restore our patients’ health and keep them off medications,” added Dr. Aieta.

“We don’t base treatment on highly disputed lab numbers on a piece of paper,” says Dr. Cherrone. “We base treatment on you feeling better. The numbers are just tools, and every patient is different.”

A holistic practitioner will generally begin by asking about symptoms. “And listening,” said Dr. Aresco. They might palpate (feel) the front of your neck.

“One of the first things I do when I suspect thyroid problems is test the Achilles tendon reflex,” said Dr. Aieta. “It’s

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almost always delayed in hypothyroid cases.” In some cases the physician will prescribe a baseline ultrasound. Blood tests are generally the next step, and perhaps a urinalysis to check iodine and zinc levels, and more.

The thyroid works in concert with the pituitary gland, and it’s the latter gland that produces TSH. The conventional wisdom of testing only TSH has long-since been found to be woefully inadequate. One problem is that it takes several years for TSH to catch up to clinical symptoms. You can be symptomatic for years and have TSH fall in the normal range.

Today, the following hormones and antibodies are commonly tested: the hormone Thyroxine, also called Tetraiodothyronine (T4); the hormone Triiodothyronine (T3), and the Antithyroid Antibodies (ATA) Antithyroglobulin (anti-TG) and Antithyroid Peroxidase (anti-TPO).

T4 is the storage form of thyroid hormone. Its main function is to be converted into T3. Some T4 is not available for conversion, so testing overall T4 can be misleading. It is more useful to test for Free T4 – the T4 that is available for conversion to T3. T3 is critical – it’s the body’s gas pedal, entering cells and regulating functions. There are two types of T3 – Free T3 (available for use) and Reverse T3, or RT3 (unavailable).

“Often times I will find that a person tests normal on their TSH test but they are exhibiting symptoms of hypothyroidism and have a corresponding low level of Free T3 in their blood,” said Dr. Cherrone. “That means the T4 is not converting to T3. There can be several reasons for this.”

Some reasons for low T3 are deficiencies in zinc, copper, vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, and C. These deficiencies can be caused by nutrients, medications, diet, and more.

For example, in times of stress (mental or physical), the body wants to slow down metabolism and conserve energy.

It does this by taking its foot off the gas pedal – by converting some T4 to unusable reverse T3. This would be useful during a famine, but most of us are lucky enough to have enough food, and don’t need or want to be in slowdown mode.

What if a physician only tested for T4 and decided that supplementation was needed, but didn’t test for Free T3?

Giving more T4 wouldn’t do any good if it wasn’t converting to T3. If it converts to reverse T3 it actually makes the patient more hypothyroid.

Other reasons for excessive reverse T3 include undiagnosed or undertreated problems with low ferriten, cortisol/ adrenal problems, or infection. (In these instances the logical remedy is to treat the cause, and see if that corrects the thyroid and alleviates symptoms.)

You can begin to see why measuring one hormone and/ or treating one symptom is only enough if you get lucky!

The panel of doctors all emphasized that it is not possible to know the true cause of hyper- or hypothryroidism without getting a good picture of the entire, complex person.

Many factors affect how your body produces T3 and T4.

Some factors that cause decreased production of T3 include a deficiency in zinc, copper, vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, and C. So it becomes important to test for these nutrients and supplement with adequate amounts. Furthermore, your body needs to be able to convert T4 to T3, the more active form.

The conversion can be hindered by elements, nutrients, medications, diet, and more.

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Synthetic Hormone Replacement Even when properly diagnosed, Synthroid, which is, as the name implies, a synthetic thyroid, is commonly prescribed by conventional doctors and endocrinologists. Synthroid is basically synthetic T4. There also is a synthetic T3.

“Synthetic remedies are rarely accepted by our bodies as well as natural remedies are,” said Dr. Moorcroft.

“Many of my patients are on Synthroid when they come to me,” said Dr. Aieta. “They seek alternative care because they still have hypothyroid symptoms – they don’t feel good. And when we get their free T3 test back it usually shows that the levels are too low.

“Many patients experience great relief of symptoms when they switch from Synthroid to Armour thyroid, or another natural substance,” added Dr. Moorcroft.

Treatment All four doctors agreed that in all but the most severe cases they start with gentle, natural treatments. “Many patients respond well to homeopathic and herbal remedies and never need thyroid medication,” said Dr. Aresco.

Dr. Cherrone commented that many of her patients experienced a world of difference with diet and lifestyle changes, eliminating the need for even natural thyroid medications in some patients.

Wish it was as simple as popping pills?

The doctors lamented that some people have a hard time changing even small habits. If this is you, be sure to see the

solution in Dr. Diane’s article, in this issue, on how to rewire your brain to achieve perfect health! You’ll still need some time, but not a lot of willpower, and your efforts will be rewarded with a life of energy, lived in balance.

Herbs, dietary modifications, and homeopathic remedies are all generally considered for the first line of defense.

Detoxifying might be the solution, and can be accomplished in several ways, depending on symptoms. In some cases you might get your wish to fix things with a pill – iodine pills are sometimes all that’s needed. Glandulars and/or protomorphogens might be prescribed.

Glandulars, also called Whole Gland Desiccated products, are whole organs that are dried at low temperatures and ground up then put into capsules. They are given for general support of various organs.

One advantage of glandulars over herbs is that they often contain enzymes that are identical to those in the human body, while herbs rarely do.

Protomorphogens are like homeopathics, supporting healing over time.

Protomorph products are composed of nuclear proteins and are used to supply a better RNA/DNA template so that the body can assemble available nutrients to repair damaged tissue in the glands being treated. What differentiates protomorphogens from glandulars is the patented extraction process.

The next line of defense is natural hormone replacement for most patients.

Holistic doctors generally prescribe porcine thyroid, a natural substance that contains all thyroid hormones, including T3 and T4, in a similar ratio to what the human body produces.

They also may recommend natural

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January 2011

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compounded time-released T3. Research has shown that replacing T4 and T3 is more effective than replacing T4 only.

Keep in mind that there are at least five kinds of synthetic thyroid, and five kinds of natural thyroid. Dose, thyroid mix (T4 and T3), and “brand” can all be manipulated to find the best mix for each individual.

In all cases, there are a series of follow-up visits to see what’s working.

The hormonal system is at the center of regulation of all of our functions. It is often overlooked unless it has gone totally awry. Don’t wait for that to happen! Optimizing hormonal function can make truly dramatic differences in the way you feel, and bring more joy to your life.

Submitted by Deb Percival Dr. Aieta is a board certified and licensed Naturopathic Physician with a private practice in West Hartford, Connecticut. He specializes in the treatment of disease, utilizing natural therapies such as acupuncture, homeopathy, spinal manipulation, clinical nutrition, herbal medicine and natural hormone balancing. He sees a wide range of patients and conditions from asthma and allergies to autoimmune diseases and cancer but specializes in adrenal, thyroid and other hormonal problems. Visit his website www.draieta.com to view his informative videos and articles on various health topics. See ad on page 39.

Dr. Aresco has a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) in Tempe, Arizona. Dr. Aresco first became interested in holistic medicine while pregnant with her first son. Needing treatment and not wanting to use invasive therapies, she turned to natural healing and was blessed with safe and curative results. The experience placed her on the path to becoming a Naturopathic Physician so she could offer safe and natural alternatives to others. Dr. Aresco’s family practice is located at 355 New Britain Rd., Kensington.

860-829-0707. www.KensingtonNaturopathic.com. See ad on page 13.

Dr. Deanna Cherrone is a board certified Internist who practices Functional Medicine at Natural Health and Healing, LLC located at 12 West Main Street in Avon. If you have additional questions about the article please call 860-677-4600 or visit naturalhealthandhealing.net to see a detailed explanation of what Functional Medicine is you may go to the Institute for Functional Medicine website.

Resources: Toxic Food Syndrome, The Fat Flush Plan, Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine, Textbook of Functional Medicine. See ad on page 55.

Dr. Moorcroft is a Family Medicine residency-trained Osteopathic Physician who specializes in the holistic treatment of chronic pain, fatigue, brain fog and other chronic medical dis-eases. Dr. Tom helps restore his patient’s hope by finding the root of their problem and creating a personalized treatment plan based upon his extensive experience so they are able to regain the life they want. He practices at Origins Of Health, 844 Hebron Ave. Glastonbury. For more information please call 860-430-9790 or visit www.

OriginsOfHealth.com. See ad on page 5. www.naturalnutmeg.com

January 2011

15

Obesity and Our Environment

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wo million years or so ago, the first animals that could reasonably be called human struggled for survival in Africa. Early humans hunted and gathered in an environment that provided few resources, where these resources varied by season, and where famines were likely frequent.

About 140,000 years ago, conditions got even worse and environmental changes reduced the total human population to as few as 15,000 people. Every one of us alive today is descended from that small group that was best adapted to fend off complete starvation. As long as we have water, we can survive on very little food for extensive periods.

Not only did our ancestors face an environment that provided fewer calories, they had to expend more calories every day. Obtaining and preparing food consumed most of each day in heavy physical activities. These hunter-gatherer troops also were probably migratory, so they were seasonally trudging across miles of harsh landscape looking for new resources.

Since we developed agriculture, however, we’ve been able to produce surplus food that we can store for future use. We now have so much surplus food that most of us will never face a starvation situation. Food is easily obtained

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year round, quickly and in great quantities. The food we eat has high levels of nutrients and calories. We spend very little time finding or preparing food. Our lives are mostly sedentary. Our ancestors would no doubt find the concept of setting aside time to exercise baffling. It’s no wonder that maintaining a healthy weight is difficult; we are fighting against nearly 2 million years of adaptation.

To understand the diet and activity patterns of our ancestors, scientists have looked at existing hunter-gatherer societies across the world. One particular group from the modern nation of Cameroon called the Baka lives in a way that is very similar to our distant ancestors, has a similar stature, and live a semi-settled life with seasonal migrations.

In other words, their dietary intake and activity levels are likely analogous to our distant ancestors. These people take in 1,200 to 2,000 calories a day and expend 1,700 to 2,000 calories a day. Not surprisingly, then, 80% of the Baka are in the healthy weight range. What might be surprising is that, in a group that lacks everything from agriculture to refrigeration, only 15% are underweight.

The Baka are smaller than the average American. If we maintained the same activity level as they do, a 1,200-2,000

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calorie diet would likely result in malnutrition for most of us. It emphasizes, therefore, just how much lower our activity level is when the current dietary guidelines for Americans are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

That doesn’t mean things were better in the “good old days.” There really weren’t any such times. As Thomas Hobbes put it, “the life of man [was] solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,” for most of humanity’s time on this planet. It still is, in fact, for many people around the globe today. We are blessed to live in a time and place that does not require virtually all our efforts to be devoted to simple survival.

What it does mean is that most of us are adapted to process food in an environment that we no longer face. Even worse, we have altered our environment to include things that can actively promote obesity, such as hormone analogs in our food supply. Put it all together, and it should not come as any surprise that most of the adult American population is overweight.

Obesity is a growing epidemic, despite millions in public health campaigns. The billions spent on diet books, meal plans, diet shakes, and diet pills indicate how much we are aware of our growing waistlines.

Information collected by the Centers for Disease Control indicates that only about 40% of U.S. men and about 46% of U.S. women carry a healthy weight.

Those who have too much weight fall into two groups: overweight, which is defined as a weight that is unhealthy for most people, and obese, which is defined as having a weight that will have serious health consequences. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has tracked the rise in obese and overweight adults since 1999. Using Body Mass Index (BMI) data, the survey found that 32% of men and 35% of women were classified as obese, which meant their BMI exceeded 30. This may be a conservative estimate, since BMI is an inexact measure and may actually underestimate the number of people at risk for adverse health outcomes such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stroke, arthritis, breathing problems and certain cancers. Some studies suggest that half of the people with a normal BMI (less than 25) may

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have an elevated body fat percentage.

Confirming this trend is a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control that estimated the body fat percentage of a typical American woman to be 40% and the typical American man to be 28% based on a six year analysis of data. These body fat measurements are nearly twice as high as what are considered ideal.

The situation isn't getting any better as time goes on, either. In 1960, about 55% of American adults were a healthy weight, versus only about 35% today. While other countries have experienced increases in obesity, no other nation is as heavy as the U.S. Gaining weight is, in part, related to the calories in the food we eat versus the calories we expend. On average, 3,500 calories eaten that are not worked off will add one pound of weight. If Americans are getting heavier, then, either we are eating more or exercising less. There is growing agreement that both trends are occurring and although some scientists debate which is more important, it appears that the interaction of both increasing intake and decreasing expenditure has something of a synergistic effect. That is, reducing activity and increasing eating at the same time causes greater effects than either would on their own.

The general increase in living standards has a lot to do with our decreasing activity. Scientists who have been tracking activity levels of Americans over the last 50 years have shown that we spend less time engaged in strenuous activity. Although we spend more time in recreational exercise, we spend far less time than our parents and grandparents did in activities like work,

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food preparation, or household work.

The work we do is also far more likely to involve sitting at a desk instead of factory or agricultural work. From 1965 to 1985, free time increased from less than 35 hours a week to almost 40 hours a week, with most of that increased free time devoted to sedentary activities like watching television.

One major and often-overlooked change is in our commuting habits.

In 1970, 78% of the working population drove to work, while in 1990 87% did. The amount who commuted by walking or by bicycle showed a corresponding drop. Even those short trips of a mile or less that were completed by walking dropped from 16% to 9% between 1980 and 1995.

As mentioned, the USDA recommends a 2,000 calorie a day diet for most Americans. Our abundant food supply provides 3,800 calories per person per day, almost twice as much as most adults need. Increases in mechanization and centralization of food preparation have made supplying food much cheaper and more efficient. For example, before WWII potatoes were mostly prepared in the home using simple methods like boiling or baking.

The preparation of fried potatoes like French fries was rare because of the specialized equipment needed. After WWII, factories that mass-produced fries and potato chips made them a common item. The result was that from 1977 to 1995, potato consumption increased 30%, almost entirely from increased eating of chips and fries.

This type of increased mechanization in the food supply has had other effects, beyond merely increasing the gross number of calories. One effect is

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an enormous increase in the number of snacks and the caloric value of snacks consumed. Over the last 20 years, although the calories per day consumed

by Americans has increased, the calories consumed at the largest meal of the day, dinner, have decreased. Dinners still tend to be eaten and prepared at home for most people, and homeprepared meals have probably gotten healthier. This minor improvement has been more than offset by an increase in consumption of snack foods, which are mostly pre-prepared.

Despite nutrition information labeling requirements, consumers have shown they don’t realize just how calorie-dense these foods are. The drastic increases in snack consumption bear this out. From 1977 to 1996, calories consumed in snack food went from 261 per day for men and 186 per day for women to 501 and 346. That’s a near-doubling of snack consumption.

Another downside of these pre-prepared foods is that they are extremely high in processed carbohydrates that break down quickly during digestion, and artificial trans-fats. These types of nutrients were not consumed by our ancestors in large quantities.

Hunter-gatherer diets would have derived 22%-40% of their energy from carbohydrates, which is much lower than the approximately 50%-60% in modern American diets. The vegetable foods in ancient diets also would have been very different in kind as well as in quantity. Refined sugars, breads, cereals, rice, and pasta are all agricultural foods. The wild plant foods typical of hunter-gatherers have higher fiber content than our contemporary foods.

Those foods would also be lower in

tacks were not generally one of them. The higher fruit and vegetable consumption and low glycemic index of the carbohydrate portion played a part, as did the higher fiber and protein levels. Although the total fat content of the diet would be similar to a modern American diet, the types of fat consumed would be higher in healthy, unsaturated fat and lower in trans-fats. Together, these qualities will tend to reduce the levels of fats circulating in the blood, and result in a more favorable blood lipid profile.

At this point, you may be asking yourself if the progress of civilization is worth all the effort if it just causes our health to degrade so much. Undoubtedly there are many benefits that we derive from our modern civilization, but we can still learn much from those “primitive” diets. Numerous studies have demonstrated the health benefits of consuming a diet that emphasizes good-quality lean protein, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and healthy fats, while reducing trans fats, refined carbohydrates, and simple sugars. This is what I have long recommended to my patients and is what I personally eat. It is what our bodies really want, and what we need to remain healthy, vital and disease-free for years to come.

Desmond Ebanks, MD is a board certified internal medicine physician specializing in age management medicine; a science-based approach to preventive wellness, bioidentical hormone modulation and optimizing health at Alternity Healthcare, LLC in West Hartford, CT. He can be reached at 860-561-2294 or online at www.alternityhealthcare.com.

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what’s called the glycemic index – a measure of how quickly carbohydrate-containing foods are digested and cause the release of glucose into the bloodstream. The highly-processed carbohydrates that we eat, things like white bread, rice, breakfast cereal, refined sugar, etc., are generally high in glycemic index. These foods cause a sharp increase of blood glucose which then forces a massive flood of insulin.

The repeated release of insulin may drive down the glucose levels in the short run, but eating a diet with high glycemic index foods ultimately leads to insulin resistance. It is that insulin resistance that is the main underlying factor in type-2 diabetes and results in an increased production of harmful inflammatory markers. Diets high in glycemic index significantly increase the risk of diabetes, stroke and coronary disease. By contrast, a diet of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains has been shown to reduce these risks. This makes sense, as these would have been the plant food sources available to our ancestors.

The meat content of ancient diets also was higher. The hunter-gatherer societies around the globe today depend heavily on animal protein for nutrition. On average, animal foods derived from hunting and fishing contribute more than two-thirds of the energy in the diets of these groups studied.

Protein makes up 19%-35% of these diets, instead of the mere 15% in the modern American diet.

For years, government guidelines like the USDA’s Food Pyramid have recommended eating more bread, pasta, and other cereal products and less meat. That is, many nutritional authorities have been urging us to substitute carbohydrates for proteins. Although that was the message promoted to the public, there have always been scientific voices questioning the physiologic validity of that approach.

Merely looking at the results for our society over the last 25 years clearly demonstrates the error of those recommendations. Is it any coincidence that the guidelines were written by the grain people? The stated intent of those guidelines may have been to improve the unfavorable profile of lipids in the blood and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Despite following those guidelines for years, heart disease remains the number one killer of Americans and people world-wide.

What was the effect on primitive societies that had a high level of meat consumption? While the threats to life and limb in a hunter-gather society are many, heart at-

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Supplements 101

Michael Dworkin, P.D., M.S. Erika Dworkin, Dip. C.N. (Pend.)

Natural Ways to Prevent & Control Chronic High Blood Pressure

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ave you been diagnosed with high blood pressure? Or has your doctor warned that you have “pre-hypertension,” that you may develop high blood pressure if you don’t lose weight, start exercising, or change your diet? If so, don’t ignore him. Hypertension is an even stronger predictor of cardiovascular risk than high cholesterol, and scientific studies directly correlate this largely silent condition with decreased longevity. If you don’t need blood pressure medication, you may be able to prevent or manage your hypertension with one or several of the natural remedies that have helped so many others.

What Is Chronic High Blood Pressure?

In the United States, approximately 74.5 million people age 20+ have high blood pressure, and more than 50% of those diagnosed do not control it. An estimated 37% of American adults are pre-hypertensive.

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls as it circulates through the body. The more blood the heart pumps, and the narrower or less flexible the arteries, the higher the pressure. High blood pressure makes the heart work harder and damages arterial walls. While it is normal for blood pressure to fluctuate temporarily due to such things as exercise, or physical or emotional stress, untreated chronic (long-term) hypertension presents a major risk for heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, and vision loss.

These are the numeric guidelines for primary hypertension, expressed as millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), or how high the pressure of blood would raise a column of mercury. The top number (systolic), is measured when the heart pumps, and the bottom number (diastolic) is measured between beats, as blood flows back into the heart.

Normal Pre-hypertensive Stage 1 Hypertension Stage 2 Hypertension

Less than 120/80 120-139 / 80-89 140-159 / 90-99 160+ / 100+

An individual’s numbers are based on three consecutive measurements at least six hours apart. Although primary hypertension (the cause of 90% of all cases) is often asymptomatic, symptoms can include headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, and sweating.

This condition can affect anyone, but those who are at greatest risk are: (1) overweight; (2) men age 46+; (3) women age 56+; (4) from a family with a history of hypertension; and (5) African American. Other triggers include chronic stress, high salt, fat, and 20

January 2011

sugar intake, low physical activity, excess use of caffeine, other stimulants, or alcohol, smoking and environmental pollution, and excess production of insulin (diabetes or pre-diabetes).

The Conventional Approach Prescription drugs can control hypertension, but they cannot cure it. These leading antihypertensive medications all have potential side effects, including: (1) Diuretics (Lasix, Hydrochlorthiazide): reduced libido, fatigue, depression, and potassium imbalance; (2) Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) (Norvasc, Procardia, Adalat): constipation, headaches, leg swelling, breathing problems, and dizziness; (3) ACE Inhibitors (Vasotec, Prinivil): dry, persistent cough, weakness, headaches, and dizziness; (4) ARBs (Diovan, Micardis, Avapro): diarrhea, rashes, and salty/metallic taste sensation; and (5) Beta-Blockers (Inderal, Toprol, Lopressor): fatigue, sleep disturbances, and impotence.

Even when they lower blood pressure, prescription drugs do not eliminate risk. Those with controlled hypertension still have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke than people who have prevented the development of hypertension, and thus have the same normal blood pressure without using drugs. Although conventional medicine cannot explain this phenomenon, it may be that, while drugs can effectively block some of the factors that cause elevated blood pressure, they do not address the intracellular imbalances that cause the condition.

Blood pressure medications may be indicated in certain cases. Whether you can manage your hypertension with natural remedies will depend on the extremity of your condition and whether you make the diet and lifestyle changes noted below. Discuss the risks and benefits of your options with your doctor.

Some Key Natural Alternatives: Coenzyme Q10, Fish Oil (EPA/DHA), Potassium & Magnesium, and Hawthorn Berry If you prefer to avoid blood pressure drugs, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), fish oil, potassium and magnesium aspartate, and/or hawthorn berry, may help you manage your hypertension naturally. Not all nutritional supplements are equal, however, and quality and dosages impact results.

CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that helps preserve vitamin E, also important for cardiovascular health. The body uses CoQ10 to convert food into ATP, the energy that fuels it. This nutrient

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appears to modulate blood pressure by reducing resistance to blood flow. Several trials have reported that CoQ10 supplementation, for a period of 2.5 to 4 months, significantly reduces hypertension.

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) The Journal of the American College of Nutrition (2002) has reported that EPA and DHA “may play an important role in the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease, hypertension . . . [and] other inflammatory . . . disorders.” EPA and DHA are two of the key omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) in the oil of fatty fish such as anchovies, sardines, salmon, herring, white albacore tuna, haddock, and mackerel. (Vegetarian flax oil is an inferior source of EFAs since it contains only ALA, which must convert to EPA in the body.) In one randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled study of 78 people with untreated hypertension, fish oil supplementation caused a statistically significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements.

High-quality fish oil supplements are enteric coated, molecularly distilled or pharmaceutical grade, cholesterol-free, and lead- and mercury-free. Most researchers have administered at least 3,000 mg/day of the total of EPA plus DHA in studying the impact of fish oil on humans with various health conditions.

Potassium & Magnesium Aspartate Adequate amounts of potassium are essential for regulating blood pressure, water balance, levels of acidity, neuromuscular function, and electrical impulse transmission in the heart.

Magnesium, one of the body’s most important minerals, lowers blood pressure

by helping to relax the smooth muscles of the blood vessels. For decades, scientists have called magnesium “nature’s calcium channel blocker” because it directly offsets the constriction of blood vessels caused by calcium.

Diuretics, often prescribed to lower blood pressure, tend to flush out both potassium and magnesium from the body.

Since the resulting magnesium deficiency prevents the cells from replenishing potassium, it is important to ensure proper balance of both minerals. While there are many forms of both minerals, the aspartate forms have proven most effective in this writer’s clinical practice.

Hawthorn Berry Hawthorn berry functions as a natural ACE inhibitor. This herb’s bioflavonoids and OPCs are thought to make the heart a more efficient pump, increase coronary blood flow (by inhibiting blood vessel constriction), and help blood circulate to the extremities.

Anti-Hypertensive Diet & Lifestyle Changes While nutritional supplements can help to manage hypertension, it is critical to long-term cardiovascular health to eat a diet that excludes meat (beef, pork, lamb, duck), and is high in potassium but low in sodium, sugar, caffeine, and fat. Regular exercise (45-60 minutes daily), stressreducing activities (meditation, yoga, Pilates), not smoking, and limiting or eliminating alcohol intake are also important.

through regular doctor visits. If you would like to use natural remedies to manage your pre/hypertension, keep in mind that it is best to seek the advice of an expert in alternative medicine when attempting to change the course of disease. Note that ginkgo biloba, DLPA/L-phenylalanine, non- deglycyrrhizinated licorice, and all stimulants, are contraindicated for hypertensive patients. Also, since nutritional supplements can interact with prescription drugs, advise your doctor of your desire to incorporate alternative medicine into your health program and do your own research before mixing natural remedies with any

medications he prescribes.

Submitted by Michael Dworkin, P.D., M.S., a Registered Pharmacist and State Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CT Certification #00203), with J. Erika Dworkin, Dip.C.N./ Board Cert. Holistic Nutrition (pending).

Owner of the Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe (860.646.8178, 378 West Middle Turnpike, Manchester), Pharmacist Dworkin has been guiding patients since 1956 and is available for consultation by appointment. Erika is available to speak to groups. References are available upon request. The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. None of the natural remedies discussed herein are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Conclusion Don’t let the “silent killer” get the best of you. Be proactive. Regularly monitor your blood pressure on your own and

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21

Know your Herbs

Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH(AHG)

Myrrh

(Commiphora myrrha)

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rom the seemingly barren lands of the Far East grows a thorny tree that has shaped the nature of our civilization. The desire for Commiphora myrrha created trade routes throughout Asia and Europe, introduced new herbs and spices to the West, advanced knowledge of traditional medicines and ancient healing methods as well as promoted vast cultural exchange that has made us who we are today. Myrrh was frequently used in ancient cultures as an embalming agent; it was also burned to help cover the odor of decay. Frankincense was often paired in the offering of incense, as the sweet high notes of Boswellia beautifully counter the dark, acrid tones of the Myrrh.

The resin is still gathered in the same way that it has been done for thousands of years; after deliberate cuts are etched into the trunk of the tree, tears of resinous sap begin to ooze from the wounds as the sacred tree seeks to heal itself. After allowing these small reddishbrown nuggets to gather and harden for a couple of weeks, collectors return to reap their harvest. Today the best qual-

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its potential cholesterol lowering properties. In Ayurvedic medicine guggul is used for a variety of imbalances, particularly those involving circulatory disorders.

True Myrrh also has a long history of use in ancient therapeutic practices; in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is prescribed for issues pertaining to painful obstruction or traumatic injury and taken internally in small doses or applied topically.

Mo Yao, literally translated as Photo by Lisl Huebner “bitter medicine” is considered to be an excellent remedy to move Blood, ity Myrrh comes from Yemen, Somalia relieve pain, reduce inflammation and and Eastern Ethiopia, although related promote healing.

Because it is so effecspecies such as C. momol and C. gileadtive for moving blood, it is absolutely ensis (also known as Balm of Gilead) are contraindicated during pregnancy. grown in Israel, Jordan and Palestine.

Myrrh is commonly used today to Another member of the Myrrh famsupport healthy gums and to treat abily is referred to as bdellium, and alscesses of the mouth; in fact, myrrh is though there is a bit of confusion as to often added to mouthwashes and oral its correct nomenclature (C. wightii, C. hygiene products.

Rubbing the soothing, africana or C. stocksiana), this so-called anti-septic oil of Myrrh on your gums “Indian Myrrh” is generally regarded as stimulates blood flow; I have seen it rebeing inferior to true Myrrh. This species store a friend’s inflamed, bleeding gums can be referred to by a trade name “gugin a short amount of time, much to his gul”, from the Sanskrit gulgulu, and has dentist’s approval.

Its analgesic qualities recently received a bit of attention for also make it ideal for topically applied salves in order to promote the healing of painful ulcerations. A student recently told me that her husband quickly healed his hemorrhoids with an undiluted application of the medicinal-grade essential oil of Myrrh that I had provided for them. (Please note that an essential oil must be of a particularly exceptional quality in order to be applied neat to the skin; inquire with the author for a source.)

If a tree could cry for the dark reign of humanity, certainly throughout the ages, that tree has been Commiphora myrrha. The bitter tears that have been www.naturalnutmeg.com

scratched from her flesh year after year caused myrrh to be sold as a commodity valued as highly as gold. Although trade routes were established and cultural exchange thrived as a result of the precious resins and spices of the East, humanity’s brutal hunger for authority and control also managed to exploit these gifts of Creation and bring pain and suffering to the homeland.

Our behavior today is far from improved; our Mother Earth has been ravaged by humankind’s greed, lust for power, and corruption. The scars Gaia bears on her lands and in her oceans is a bitter reminder of the sacrifices that we seem unwilling or unable to make. That we may learn to sacrifice some of our unnecessary desires and honor what is truly sacred is the lesson Myrrh continues to assert for us. We may begin by living from our hearts and acting from a place of compassion and integrity. Embodying love is hardly a sacrifice and saving our species and our home will be our reward. ”HerbaLisl” Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG) is a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a Reiki Master an Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer who has enjoyed a successful private practice for fifteen years. Please call 860-4800115 or 860-673-6863 email lislmeredith@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment or are interested in participating in classes or retreats.

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Cassandra Forsythe, PhD, RD, CSCS

Movement as Medicine

How to Make Your Exercise Resolutions Stick

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t’s that time of year again – the time when people break out their pens and papers (or laptops) and write out what they hope to resolve in the New Year.

A lot of people may decide to be nicer to their neighbors, while others may choose to go to bed earlier each night. Some may want to pay off their credit cards and others may say they will read a new book each month.

However, most people resolve to do something related to losing weight and exercising more; especially after the holidays when they barely had time to exercise at all, coupled with eating too much food.

Exercise is More than a Gym Membership It seems so simple – all you have to do is buy that gym membership you’ve been putting off for months and make sure you get there 3 days a week. Right? Wrong. When it comes to sticking to a resolution – ANY resolution – there’s more to it than just saying you will. Especially with exercise resolutions since we all know that come January, every gym in the area will be packed with penitents. And, the last thing you want to do is fight your way to a piece of equipment or battle someone for your favorite spot in an exercise class.

The good news for those who actually stick to their resolutions is that by mid-February, most people will have given up their exercise goals and gone back to their usual couchpotato routine.

Resolution Research A research study in 2002 by researchers at University of Scranton suggested that about half of Americans typically make New Year’s Resolutions. They found that 77% of resolvers stuck to it for one week, 55% for one month, and 40% for six months. But at the two-year mark, only 19% of resolvers were still successful.

Why Don’t Resolutions Work?

We all know exercise is good for us. So why can’t we stick to our goals to be more active? What’s wrong? The idea behind making a resolution is sound: a person commits to reforming a habit or an aspect of their lifestyle to achieve a specific goal. In theory, a New Year’s resolution is a great example of successful goal setting: • you establish goals at regular intervals (in this case, once a year) • you assess the outcome (year end review) • you adjust or set new goals regularly (New Year resolutions)

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However, although most New Year’s resolutioners can identify the outcomes they would like to achieve in a given year, they usually don’t create the plan for execution. Without a plan, resolutions are too vague to hold value over time.

In addition, planning involves careful consideration of what, exactly, you are trying to achieve. Resolutions made hastily are not well thought out and remain shallow, empty promises lacking real meaning.

Without an understanding of why these outcomes are important and the reasons behind them, motivation wanes.

Eventually you will toss aside that new membership card, unless you learn how to make your resolutions stick.

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What Works, What Doesn’t In their study of resolutioners, the researchers identified a few factors that predicted success.

What helped: • Being in charge of and taking responsibility for one’s own change (rather than relying on a “workout buddy” to keep you committed) • Being ready to change • Positive thinking • Surrounding oneself with reminders of their goals, and what to do right (such as motivational quotes or pictures) • Avoiding triggers for problem behavior (for example, they didn’t keep tempting food or cigarettes in the house) What didn’t help: • Desire to change (just wanting it isn’t enough) • Self-reevaluation and self-blame (thinking about how your problem hurts you and/or other people; self-criticism) • Wishing the problem wasn’t there • Minimizing the threat (aka “Well, it’s not a big deal, really”) As you can see, just wanting something isn’t enough, nor is disliking where you are now. It’s the process of planning and setting actions in place that shape the behaviors that lead to the changed outcome.

How to Make Exercise Part of Your Lifestyle Exercise is good for you, but not all exercise is for everyone. For example, if you really hate running, don’t make it your goal to run 2 times a week. Or, if you dislike dancing, don’t sign up for Zumba classes.

In order to make moving your body something you enjoy, you have to make it part of your everyday lifestyle.

Then, take the right actions to achieve your final goal. In addition to what you learned above, here are five tips to help make this year the one in which you take your health into your own hands:

ing your commitment and your values.

Ask specific questions to help yourself understand why this goal has meaning for you and to define the steps you must take to get there. What do I want; what will it take to get there? When is the right time to start; how will I know I am there? Who will I become; who will support me? Where does this goal fit in?

Why do I want to achieve this goal?

Continue asking the last question in particular until you get at the underlying motivation for your goal. For many, the idea of looking good is not enough of a reason to go to the gym but when they can associate looking good with feeling loved by their spouse, there is a stronger emotional commitment.

Step 2: Create a plan With a vision and a commitment to realize your goal, frame your resolution in terms of the behaviors that need to be changed instead of a changed outcome. As stated above, planning involves careful consideration of what, exactly, you’re trying to achieve.

Step 3: Expect bumps in the road Knowing what’s realistic in terms of the resources and abilities to reach your goal prepares you for the worst and allows you to react appropriately. You know you have other demands in your life, such as your kids, your job, and life’s unexpected events, so build that right into your plan. Plan for the worst, and you’ll be able to stick to that plan

no matter what life throws at you. Plan only for the best and you’ll find yourself knocked off track by the slightest breeze.

Step 4: Evaluate your progress Consider the idea of tracking certain measurements – how your clothes fit, how you feel. Doing so will help you in three distinct ways. First, it will help you see where progress is happening if it’s happening. Second, it will help you decide whether or not you should keep going as scheduled or whether changes are in order. And finally, it will help you stay in control with respect to your body.

Overall, don’t let this year be one of those in which you stop exercising

by Valentine’s Day. Exercise really is great, but remember to pick something you actually enjoy doing and find time that will allow it to stick.

Cassandra Forsythe holds a PhD in Exercise Science and Nutrition from the University of Connecticut and is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

She works at Alternity Healthcare in West Hartford and also runs her own fitness bootcamps in Manchester, CT. You can learn more about her and her bootcamp classes at www.cassandraforsythe.com.

Step 1: Think through your goals Whether done consciously or not, the path to success starts with alignwww.naturalnutmeg.com

January 2011

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An Integrative Prescription for Fertility Support

A

fter working in reproductive endocrinology for over 11 years, here is what I know: fertility treatment works. That said, when I work with patients my prescription for fertility success is not limited to Western medicine. I encourage them to have a peaceful lifestyle and to build a support team within the fertility practice, at home and beyond through services such as acupuncture, counseling and nutrition.

It is important to support patients’ emotional, mental and physical well being while undergoing infertility treatment as a complement to advanced medicine. Fertility treatment is different for each patient, but a typical experience includes diagnostics and a fertility treatment plan. In addition, patients are encouraged to improve their overall health through stress reduction, exercise, and nutrition.

Patients come to a fertility practice seeking answers. To determine a diagnosis, we monitor the woman’s menstrual cycle to determine if she is ovulating. We perform tests on both partners to evaluate overall health status as well as to identify any problems that may be the cause of infertility. Sometimes we find basic obstacles such as uterine or anatomical factors, ovulatory dysfunction or tubal disease.

Lastly, we obtain a semen analysis from our male patients, if appropriate. For nearly 20 percent of the 7.3 million Ameri-

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cans affected by infertility, the cause is unknown, according to Resolve, The National Infertility Association. However, we know that for many couples formal treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be a successful course of treatment leading to a healthy pregnancy.

In addition to formal fertility treatment, I recommend my patients look into adjunct services to reduce stress and improve their overall mental and physical health. Reducing stress is a key factor in a successful treatment. For years we have known this intuitively and anecdotally, and a recent British study found more evidence to support the hypothesis.

In the study “Stress reduces conception probabilities across the fertile window: evidence in support of relaxation,” which was published in Fertility and Sterility this past summer, researchers found that patients with high saliva levels of the enzyme alpha-amylase – a biological indicator of stress – took longer to become pregnant. Stress reduction is possible through multiple ways: relaxation techniques including yoga, meditation, maintaining strong, supportive personal relationships, confidence in your medical team, regular physical activity, and even a balanced diet.

Ironically, while patients frequently come into our offices needing to better manage their stress, fertility treatment brings with it additional pressures, including requiring extra time for appointments, needing more open communication with a partner and, of course, anxiety wondering about the results. Fertility treatment induces and involves a myriad of emotions – frustration, guilt, anger, disappointment – that should not be bottled up. Patients – both male and female – need to have a network of people to honestly share their experience with. It is common for patients to feel isolated because they hide their infertility from friends and family or they encounter insensitivity from the misinformed.

I have found that peer support groups and counseling with a mental health professional, either individually or as a couple, can be extremely beneficial. Patients need to be honest with their partners about the experience, as well as have open discussions about expectations and what patients will do in their path to creating a family, such as using donor eggs.

Beyond a patient’s personal relationships, their fertility team can be instrumental in reducing stress through positive support. I recommend patients seek out a fertility practice that will partner with them to make decisions about their fertility treatment plan. Ideally, each patient’s fertility team should include a primary doctor and nurse, as well as a patient coordinator, and a financial point person. Patients need a point person for their questions, whether they want to know more about administering their medication, understand the science behind a treatment plan or clarify their insurance coverage and benefits. We pride ourselves on being accessible, and part of that is giving patients access to their team. When a patient emails or calls, they know they will get answers.

Another important factor to stress reduction is physical activity. During treatment and throughout their lives, patients benefit from low impact exercise. Something as simple as

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a nightly walk can get the heart rate up and clear the mind! Many of our patients have a positive experience with Yoga; at RMACT we offer a unique type called Fertile Yoga.

Other patients find that spirituality - whether attending church, meditating or speaking with a spiritual leader - helps them manage stress. Still others participate in acupuncture, which is frequently used by women with infertility issues to help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce stress, and improve blood flow to the ovaries and uterine lining. In 2008, RMACT participated in a stand-out clinical study that found laser acupuncture performed both before and after embryo transfer during an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle improved a woman’s chances of implantation by up to 15 percent.

Lastly, food can be a body’s friend or enemy. When a diet is filled with foods that work against our systems, such as unrefined sugars and processed fats, it causes the body stress. However, when a patient is aware of her nutritional needs, it can help her body prepare for pregnancy and improve her chances of becoming pregnant.

Patients can become better informed about their nutritional needs and create a diet strategy that will last a lifetime through one-on-one counseling, seminars and reading. Ultimately, the goal is a healthy pregnancy. Patients need to find a fertility practice that will help guide them along their path to starting a family, which includes educating them about their fertility and their treatments, as well as providing integrative support

in making smart lifestyle choices that will improve their overall health.

RMACT specializes in the treatment of infertility, with Fairfield County offices in Norwalk, Danbury and Greenwich, and affiliate New York fertility clinics serving Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties. RMACT has a pregnancy rate of over 60 percent for women under 35 years old, which is above the national average. For more information visit, http://www.RMACT. com.

Dr. Spencer Richlin is Board Certified in both Reproductive Endocrinology, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is currently Surgical Director and a Fertility Specialist in reproductive endoUncommon Holiday Gifts crinology at Reproductive Medicine to fit every budget(RMACT), Associates of Connecticut as well asLet Division Director us help you of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility customize a gift for (REI) in the Department of Obstetrics that special someone and Gynecology at Norwalk Hospital.

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January 2011

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Healthy Cooking

By Margaret Sylvester

Red Lentil Loaf

I

n Italy, eating lentils (which have a round, coin-like shape) on New Year’s Eve traditionally symbolizes the wish to earn more money next year.

Like other legumes, lentils are low in fat and high in protein and fiber. They include the essential amino acids isoleucine and lysine.

Apart from a high level of protein, lentils also contain folate, vitamin B1 and minerals. Lentils are a great source of iron. Lentils are often mixed with grains, such as rice, which results in a complete protein dish. The carbohydrates found in lentils trickle into your bloodstream, allowing adequate amounts of glucose to enter the blood slowly, giving you sustained energy.

Lentils have the added advantage of cooking quickly; have a mild, often earthy flavor; and are best if cooked with assertive flavorings. Before cooking, always rinse lentils and pick out stones and other debris. Unlike dried beans and peas, there’s no need to soak them. Lentils cook more slowly if they’re combined with salt or acidic ingredients, so add these last. Store dried lentils in a cool, dry place.

Split red lentils are made from splitting the whole red lentil.

The skin is removed and the remaining reddish-orange seed is then split into two halves. The most common type of red lentil is the Red Chief. It’s a lovely salmon pink in its dried form, but it turns golden when cooked.

Enjoy this loaf as a main course with a side of steamed greens and brown rice. The kalamata olives and oregano cry out for a Greek Tzatziki Sauce. If your family would prefer an Italian flavor try a Fresh Marinara Sauce made with both dried and fresh tomatoes. Leftovers work very well, served cold as a pate with toasted pita bread. Makes one 9 x 5 inch loaf, serves 6 1 1/2 cups red lentils 3 cups filtered water 1 small onion, diced fine 1 clove garlic, pressed 2 T. extra virgin olive oil 1 T. fresh basil, minced or 1 tsp. dried basil 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1/2 tsp. dried thyme ¼ cup chopped kalamata olives 2 T. brown rice flour ¼ cup fresh parsley, minced Pepper to taste 1 tsp. sea salt 1 tsp. umeboshi vinegar

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Garnish ½ cup roasted red peppers, sliced into strips ¼ cup kalamata olives, sliced in half Wash lentils and rinse in a fine mesh strainer. In a large sauté pan, sauté onions and garlic in olive oil. Add lentils, water and herbs. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes until soft. Add olives, parsley, pepper, salt and vinegar. Stir until combined. Stir in flour and remove from heat. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil or spray loaf pan, pour lentils into pan and bake for 25 minutes or until center is set. Turn onto platter and garnish with red peppers and olives; serve immediately.

Greek Tzatziki 2 (6 oz) containers of Greek yogurt, plain or honey ¼ English cucumber, peeled, grated on micro-plane 1 clove garlic, grated on micro-plane 1 T. fresh minced dill or 1 tsp. dry dill weed 1 T. lemon juice Sea salt and pepper to taste Mix and refrigerate, serve with sliced loaf.

Fresh and Raw Marinara Sauce 6 pitted dates ½ cup sun dried tomatoes (not in oil) 4 – 6 medium, ripe plum tomatoes, cored, seeds squeezed out Handful of fresh basil or 2 tsp. dried 2 T. lemon juice 2 T. extra virgin olive oil Sea salt to taste Put all ingredients in food processors, pulse until well blended, serve with sliced loaf.

Margaret Sylvester has spent years traveling and experimenting with foods, flavors, and learning about living healthy. This experience has culminated in the hosting one-of-a-kind vacations that include freshly-prepared meals. Our small groups explore the stunning southwestern U.S., tour local sites and partake in yoga classes and massages. Each day starts and ends with my recipes that include seasonal, local and organic ingredients. For more information go to www.blissfultravelswithmargaret.com.

See ad on page 23.

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Healthy Pet

By Pavel Mihok, DVM

Keeping Pets Healthy During Winter Months

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ets, like people, need special precautions to be taken during winter months. In the winter season we try to dress appropriately to keep warm, drink warm drinks, enjoy a fireplace, or sauna. Our pets also need to be kept warm and comfortable during this season, especially older pets, cats, and small dogs. Why are our pets especially vulnerable during this season?

Cold takes a particular toll on the body. This can be explained by referring to principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

In TCM the kidney energy is the battery of the body – providing the energy for the system to function.

When strong, this kidney energy supports the physiologic functions of the body – especially the digestive system. When weakened, the entire system may have difficulty maintaining a healthy balance. The normal process of aging weakens this kidney energy.

This weakening is accelerated by cold.

What this means is that digestion of food will be inadequate, the immune system will be compromised, and the body’s ability to heal will be reduced.

This could translate to a loss of muscle mass, a weakness in the hind legs, and a dulling of the coat. In addition, in certain individual animals a deterioration of an underlying condition can be observed.

Pets may try to overcome their discomfort with cold by seeking shelter in warm places: closets, under beds, near heat sources, etc. Or they may even avoid leaving these warm places to eat and drink. They might refuse to go outside. These behaviors indicate the basic need of the pet to keep warm.

We can help them be comfortable in a variety of ways, such as by providing warm covers or coats – especially wool due to its ability to keep warm and protect the aura. [A note here about the aura: in young and healthy pets the

aura is strong and is a natural protective interface between the environment and the body. In older and sick pets, this aura is weaker and has less of an ability to protect the body. This enables the cold to enter the body and further weaken it.]

Another critical thing we can do is make sure that our pets’ food is brought to body temperature so that less energy is spent digesting the food. Enzymes involved in digesting food work most efficiently at body temperature. If the food has been taken from the refrigerator, make sure it is warmed on the stove or in the oven and not just left out to get to room temperature. An older pet whose been exposed continually to cold and is then fed cold food might exhibit bloating, gas, or even collapse.

Some foods that might be introduced during the cold season which have a warming effect on the body are lamb, beef, and small amounts of coconut oil (to cook with and even add to the food). Foods to avoid in the winter are pork and fish – as they are cooling. Chicken is considered neutral.

Make sure food and water is offered in a warm and draft free area of the house.

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particularly difficult for pets at this time of year. To protect pets from drafts we can provide covered sheltered areas, even indoors, and line their sleeping areas with wool. This provides an oasis where the pet can go to recharge their batteries. You can also use infrared lamps, beds with infrared heating devices, or water bottles filled with hot water.

To support kidney energy homeopathically, we can use phosphorous 6-12x, western herbs such as chamomile, or Chinese herbs Rehmania #8 combination.

I have seen older cats that were not doing well, even with medication. By providing them with warm wool coats and a warm environment, including warmer food, they were able to assimilate the food and medication and showed improvement, even initiating play. One older cat had urinary accidents due to having to walk on a cold concrete surface to get to her litter box. The cold caused her to lose bladder control. By placing a rug on the concrete, the accidents were eliminated and her wellbeing improved. Another case involved a small dog that was becoming gassy and even collapsed after eating cold food from the fridge. This dog recovered quickly after placing a warm water bottle to the abdominal area and making appropriate changes to the food and environment.

Pavel Mihok, DVM provides mobile integrative veterinary services in the NYC metro area, Westchester, and Hudson Valley. By combining both holistic and traditional veterinary care, he can offer several different modalities such as: nutritional and nutraceutical counseling, homeopathy, essential oils, stone and crystal therapy, acupuncture, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. He can be reached by phone 203-770-7875 or via his website: www.paulmihokdvm. com.

January 2011 29

Help for Sinus Sufferers

I

had the pleasure of lecturing at a local community college on complementary and alternative medicine last month. On the way, listening to my local NPR station, my ears perked right up when I heard the tease about an upcoming story on the treatment of chronic sinus infection. As a licensed naturopathic physician, I know that fall allergies, followed by New England winters, will bring many patients with all kinds of sinus problems to my door.

The sinuses are important air pockets in the bone of the skull. Without them, our heads would be too heavy to carry around! We have sinuses most notably above the eyes and in the cheek area. These sinus cavities are covered with mucous membrane, just like the area inside the nose, and they work to clear out viruses, bacteria, allergens, and the like. They drain into the various parts of the nasal cavity and down the back of the throat.

If you can imagine anything that causes a bit of swelling, like a response to a germ or an allergen, these miniscule openings block right up. Another thing that can close off sinuses is a mere thickening of the mucous, which can happen during colds or at allergy times.

Then the pressure begins to mount and the infections get a galloping start. Some of my patients describe it like they are slowly being pulled under water. Others feel like cement has been poured into those cavities. It’s a dreadful feeling, especially if you have been there before and know what a long, arduous climb it will be back to health. It’s a dark, warm, cozy place in those closed off sinuses, a wonderful, welcoming spot if you’re a nasty bug, wanting to move your growing family right in to set up shop! I have seen many patients over the

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years who have chronic sinus issues and who have been helped with gentle, effective approaches.

Natural medicine treatments for sinus issues focus on thinning the mucous, decreasing inflammation in the sinus cavities and helping the patient re-establish the proper flora in the area.

Of course I am also interested in lowering the overall susceptibility to upper respiratory tract conditions and helping patients avoid or address allergies.

I have seen these approaches work, not just in the moment but for the long run.

And my favorite thing as a doctor is to give my patients not only directions for addressing their chronic condition, but also things to do at home - approaches to utilize at the first sign of any worsening or acute infection. These approaches do not cost an arm & a leg, have few, if any, side effects and most importantly, they work. In my book, The A Capella Singer Who Lost Her Voice and Other Stories from Natural Medicine, (BJain, 2010), I include one such story of a patient who struggled for decades with chronic sinusitis as well as occasional bouts of acute sinusitis and who has found lasting relief.

Most patients will benefit from using Bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple. It helps to thin the mucous and to decrease inflammation and swelling. A typical dosage would be 500-1000 mg 3x/day. Along with that I will have patients take extra Vitamin C, 1000mg twice a day as well as a garlic supplement which helps fight infections. Taking a good quality probiotic also can be useful as it helps to reestablish a balanced flora in the area and helps to fight infection. I will also prescribe the mineral zinc, as we know it helps to fight infection two ways, through the blood and also on contact. Zinc

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lozenges, often thought of for sore throats, should not be forgotten when the sinuses are acting up.

I also instruct patients to use hydrotherapy, in the form of hot foot baths, which work to draw congestion away from the head. Use water that is hot to tolerance, i.e., as hot as you can take without burning your feet, immerse above the ankles for 3 minutes, do a quick 5 second dip into ice water and return to the hot water. Repeat for 10-15 minutes, ending with the cold, dry the feet well. This simple, affordable, comforting treatment can go a long way to get things moving away from the sinuses, to help circulation and to decrease congestion.

For those whose problems are exacerbated by seasonal or environmental allergens, these same approaches can be applied. In addition, we try to reduce the exposure to allergens and make the person less allergic in general by decreasing overall allergic load. For many patients, it’s the combination of allergies and sensitivities that pull them under and if they can bring down the overall level of exposure, often the symptoms abate.

For chronic sinus sufferers I will prescribe a constitutional homeopathic remedy; a medicine geared at the whole person who happens to have sinus issues along with whatever else is going on. One would need to see a specially trained practitioner for such a prescription but it could be just the missing piece for those struggling with sinus congestion and infection.

By using gentle natural medicine approaches we can side-step many of the overthe-counter medicines which for some, do not work, do not work well enough, or have side effects. Also, when and if a patient is able to get through a sinus infection without using antibiotics, they will often feel much better over all, instead of feeling a bit draggy or out of sorts, which some patients experience after antibiotic use. Our bodies have tremendous abilities to heal, they just need to be given the right circumstances, plenty of fluids and rest, to do so!

Amy Rothenberg ND practices in Enfield, CT. She is the author of The A Cappella Singer Who Lost Her Voice & Other Stories From Natural Medicine, (BJain Publishers 2010). See nhcmed.com & www.nesh. com.

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January 2011

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Healthy Family

Dr. Lauren Gouin, N.D.

Endocrine Disruptors in the Kitchen

A

s our environment becomes more saturated with plastics, chemicals and toxins, our bodies are being challenged in ways that our ancestors’ chemistry never had to deal with. In particular our foods have become highly processed and come in contact with more synthetic materials than ever before. We are continuing to learn the consequences of our highly processed food industry and its impact on our biochemistry. One of the major areas in our bodies that is affected from this artificial world is our endocrine system. The cascade of hormones and signaling mechanisms in the body help dictate our metabolism, energy, fertility, immune system and mood. Imbalance in our endocrine system and hormones can lead to a myriad of diseases and disorders.

Chronic disease and obesity have become common concerns for most Americans. Many of these conditions are partially caused, if not exclusively from our food, by how it is prepared and stored and the types of foods we eat. Looking simply in the average American’s kitchen, we can see examples of how chemicals are making their way into our foods and how they disrupt our biochemistry.

Plastic Wrap Most American kitchens have a roll of plastic in one of their top drawers.

Most sandwiches and leftovers being

brought to work or school are wrapped in this plastic sheet, which many times contain chemicals known as phthalates.

Used in plastics to make them more flexible, phthalates are also found in hygiene products to extend the life of the product.

Recent research has shown that phthalate exposure in men lowers estrogen and testosterone levels.

Canned Foods Bisphenol A or BPA is a chemical that has gotten a lot of attention in the media in regards to baby bottles. This chemical prompted a ban in Canada this past fall after more research has shown that it mimics estrogen in the body, impacting the endocrine system in many ways.

Though in the United States, many baby bottles are now claiming to be BPA free, one of the biggest culprits for BPA exposure is still on our shelves. Most canned goods are lined on the inside with a fine layer of plastic containing BPA. With food being pressed up against it for long periods of time and exposed to more extreme temperatures, canned foods is a major source of BPA exposure. BPA has been implicated as a cause for infertility and Polycystic ovarian syndrome as well as miscarriages. It has also been linked with cancers, including prostate and breast cancer, immune system dysfunction, early puberty in young girls and testicular abnormalities in boys.

Antibacterial Soaps Antibacterial agents make their way into wipes, soaps and even toothpastes and cutting boards. Though they fight overgrowth of bacteria, most of these agents contain a chemical known as triclosan.

This antibacterial agent has been shown in animal studies to disrupt thyroid function, even at low levels. Triclosan, when mixed with tap water, has the potential of off-gassing a chemical associated with cancer, liver damage and depression.

Though more research needs to be done on how this chemical directly impacts the human endocrine system, early research suggests it may pose more health risks than benefits.

In a society where most food comes pre-packaged and processed, it can seem overwhelming to try to avoid chemicals like the ones mentioned. The less food is processed and stored in plastics, the less risk it poses of containing many of these ingredients. Organic cleaning agents can help remove bacteria and pesticides without adding more harm. Simple measures like these can create less of a body burden and prevent damage to the endocrine system.

The body has innate ways of coping with foreign chemicals such as triclosan, Bisphenol A and phthalates. We can detoxify these chemicals through the liver using a series of enzymes and chemical pathways. Proper nutrition including adequate intake of leafy green vegetables, protein and other nutrients can ensure that the body is able to process and clear these chemicals. As much as the kitchen can be a source of insults to the body’s biochemistry, it can also be the solution.

Dr. Lauren Gouin is a board certified naturopathic physician with a family practice in Manchester, CT. She is currently accepting new patients and is in network with most insurance companies. To make an appointment, call (860)533-0179 or visit www.ctnaturalhealth.com. See ad on page 23.

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Toxins, Toxins, Everywhere…

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ou hear about toxins in the media. That toxic paint in the McDonald’s glasses this year, some toy from China, and of course paint in old houses. But it all seems pretty distant, doesn’t it? Trust me, if your child is hyperactive, lacks focus, or gains weight with a healthy diet and exercise, then they are toxic.

I test almost every child for environmental toxins. What toxins, you ask?

Go to this website, right now: www.

ScoreCard.org and type in your zip code. I live in New Haven County. This anti-pollutant group says that we are in the top 10th percentile for air releases of cancer causing materials in the USA, along with the top 10th percentile for air releases of developmental toxins.

How did this happen? We want to be #1, but not in this dangerous category.

Who’s polluting our neighborhood?

This website claims the top polluters in New Haven County are Cytec, Tyco, and Olin.

That air is quite toxic, but at least you can sit back and drink a nice clean glass of water out of your sink. Or can you?

Let’s check the water in New Haven County. Again in the top percentile? We are one of the worst areas for surface water that doesn’t meet minimal standards. Think it can’t be enough to do anything? Would the government let you drink toxins?

I test every child in my office for heavy metals and conduct another test for toxins called ‘porphyrin testing’. Do you know that I find arsenic in every child that I test? Where does it come from? The water, maybe. The chicken nuggets, yes. The farmers put arsenic into chicken feed to keep bacteria away. I’ve seen lead, mercury, cadmium, and a myriad of other toxins in the children I treat.

There’s a multitude of other toxins, which you’re probably familiar with. Second hand smoke that children breathe increases risk of asthma and allergies. Char-broiled food increases risk of cancer. Radon, the scentless gas that comes out of the land into your basement is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

Do your children play in the basement? Have you had your home tested for radon? Are you feeding them hot dogs? The nitrates that act as preservatives also increase risk of cancer. Other chemicals that are put in detergents and laundry sheets and flame retardants can contain chemicals known as ‘endocrine disrupters’. Endocrine disrupting chemicals alter your child’s hormones, including their thyroid, their sex hormones, and their adrenaline levels. I saw a seven year old boy in my office last week that was starting puberty. At seven!

What is a parent to do? First off, get your child tested. One collection of urine can analyze toxins in your child. No blood draw necessary. And most importantly, it’s all paid for by insurance. After that, take a good look at your house. Here are some action steps you can take in your house to keep it low in toxins.

• Purchase safe, bio-based cleaning products. Avoid harsh chemicals.

• Use natural soap.

• Avoid fragrances, which usually include phthalates that are carcinogenic.

• Use a non-vinyl shower curtain.

The smell of new shower curtains can increase risk of cancer.

• Look for these names in household products and avoid them: parabens, phthalates, DEA, TEA, formaldehyde, polyethylene glycol.

• Stop using pesticides. Stop bug sprays, lawn fertilizers, and garden herbicides.

• When your children play on pesticided grass, have them take off their shoes before coming into the house.

• Eat healthier. Non-organic foods contain different levels of pesticides. Nonorganic corn is genetically modified to actually secrete pesticide out of its kernels. It is a registered pesticide with the government. While organic food can be more expensive, focus on avoiding the most pesticided foods, such as apples, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, spinach, cherries, and grapes.

• Purchase a water filtration system. Reverse osmosis is the best quality. Normally you get what you pay for. Does that $8 filter pitcher in your fridge remove as much as the one that costs hundreds of dollars? I think you can answer that question yourself.

• Avoid non-stick cookware. After a few years you notice the non-stick has worn off. Where did it go? Hope it tasted good, because odds are it was in your food. Use cast iron or stainless steel.

• Stop microwaving in plastic! Did you drink water out of a plastic bottle in the summer? Was it sitting in your car for weeks or months? Sure tastes slippery, doesn’t it. That’s the plastic! Heat makes plastic leach into your water or food.

Most importantly, what does this all mean for your child?

I put many, many children through mild, safe detoxification programs. They feel better. They’re not aggressive or hyperactive anymore. They do better in school. They behave better at home.

Toxins like to live in fat tissue, and the brain has most nerve cells wrapped in a layer of fat, just like a wire to a lamp. You don’t see the wire because of the insulator around it. The toxins go to the brain and keep causing damage. Every second. You need to detoxify your child. They will be healthy for a long time after.

Doctor's Notes

Dr. Jared Skowron is a national expert on natural medicine for children. Author of Fundamentals of Naturopathic Pediatrics, the most up-to-date book on scientifically proven natural remedies for children’s health conditions, he is also founder of the Pediatric & Autism Clinic at the University of Bridgeport. Dr. Skowron has appeared on Animal Planet, Dogs 101, and lectures nationally on natural medicine for children. He and his wife practice at Harvest Park in Wallingford, CT. See ad on page 16.

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January 2011

33

What Do the Stars Predict for 2011?

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ver since times of ancient Greece, astrology has been used to successfully predict the future of both individuals and nations. Some countries, such as the United States, have luckier horoscopes than others. Why? The United States, born 2:13 AM, July 4, 1776, has the three benefic planets – Sun, Venus and Jupiter – in the second house of wealth. When the planet Pluto made an unfavorable transit to Venus in the U.S. horoscope, we went into a recession. This occurred from the Fall of 2008 to December 2010. While we are not out of the woods yet, 2011 will be less stressful, as Pluto moves away from America's Venus.

More than ever investors are turning to financial astrologers such as Arch Crawford. This Wall Street guru explains, "I have examined every substantial move in the Dow Jones Industrial Average since 1896, and I find that when planets are at difficult angles, owning stocks and commodities is riskier." Crawford predicted that the area “Cardinal Climax” alignment would put financial markets at risk on or about October 10. While the stock market did not crash, it did sustain the largest number of new lows on the NYSE ever at 12:03 pm. As 2010 comes to a close, we are faced with record foreclosures and 9-10% unemployment rate.

Now that the cardinal cross is over, what is in store for the country in 2011? One thing is for certain, change is on the horizon. Three outer planets – Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune – will be going into new signs. Jupiter (planet of good fortune) will be in the sign of Aries from January 23rd to June 5, 2011. While Jupiter is in Aries, look for new technology and a boost for the auto industry. The President's popularity will improve during March and April 2011 when there is increased confidence in the direction he is taking the country.

During the second half of 2011, Jupiter will be in the money sign of Taurus, and in positive aspect to Pluto during June, July, October, and November. Watch for some improvement in

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the housing market and a decline in unemployment during these months. Unfortunately, the dollar may be weak which will fuel inflation. Expect interest rates slowly to rise beginning in the Spring of 2011. There is also likely to be some financial juggling in early July due to inflation.

The next major planetary change occurs on March 12th when Uranus (planet of technology) enters Aries for a seven year stay. The last time Uranus was in the sign of Aries (April 1927-March 1935) a bout of inflation was followed by the stock market crash in October 1929, which led to the collapse of the banking system and an unemployment rate of 25 %. While President Obama did not begin his term with sweeping new policies similar to Roosevelt's New Deal of 1933, he may choose to put a bill before Congress with comprehensive new programs as early as the Spring of 2011.

Finally, Neptune (the mystical planet) enters Pisces on April 5, 2011, where it will remain until 2024. Hopefully, this will usher in a more humanitarian spirit. The last time Neptune was in the sign of Pisces (1847-1861) great compassion and spiritual idealism came into being. For example, ether came into general use for anesthesia, the Spiritualist movement which began in 1848 swept the nation as well as anti-slavery sentiment. However, social reform came with a price – the Civil War – which began in 1861. While it is unlikely we will have another Civil War, sharp lines are being drawn over health care between those who favor a conservative government, such as the Tea Party movement, and the liberal Democrats. This debate could continue for some time. Nonetheless, it is likely that some form of universal health care will be in place by the Summer of 2013 when Jupiter makes a good aspect to Neptune, promoting positive social ideals.

The two other major planets – Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn – do not change signs. While Saturn remains in the sign of Libra through Oct 2012, civil liberties most likely will

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be curtained due to stricter enforcement of existing laws . This transit does not bode well for unions as President Ronald Reagan fired 11,345 striking air traffic controllers who had ignored the back to work order in August of 1982 during the last transit of Saturn in Libra. Many government workers will see a freeze on salaries and work harder due to a freeze on hiring during this cycle.

Last but certainly not least is the planet Pluto (mass consciousness) which makes a square aspect to Uranus starting in June 2011. The last time Uranus was in Aries in adverse aspect was in 19311935. With a repeat of those cycles in the Fall of 2011 through 2012, the current recession may take some time to resolve.

Watch these months for major changes in 2011: * Be prepared for increased security January 4-18 when the first eclipse on January 4, 2011 will oppose Sun (power) of the United States. * International money markets react quickly when the Full Moon on February 18th conjuncts Neptune. More tension in the Mideast February 18-28. *Watch July 1st solar eclipse and the money markets for a powerful cardinal cross. The market will make a powerful

correction between June 30th and July 13th. *People reevaluate aspirations during the last solar eclipse which coincides with Mercury retrograde November 25th to December 9th.

By the time 2011 ends, most Americans will be quite resourceful. They will roll up their sleeves to plant victory gardens, barter with their neighbors, and pitch in to help those in need. By 2012, more energy-efficient technology is on the horizon, as well as a greater understanding of the change called death. With a stronger work ethic, technology for cheaper energy, and increased spiritual awareness, Americans will experience prosperity in 2013.

Elaine Kuzmeskus, MS, PMAFA is director of New England School of Metaphysics and author of Soul Cycles. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Astrological Society of Connecticut. To reach Elaine, email: HoroscopeP@AOL.com.

For 2011 predictions by other board members, Alphee Lavoie, Agneta Bornstein, and Janet Booth, read the article "Astrology Society of Connecticut Predictions for 2011" on ASC website: http://www.myasc.org/.

Welcome to Your New Life!

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

What makes depression, anxiety, pain, divorce, and overwhelm obsolete?

Access 3 powerful principles now that bring you into your heart’s wisdom to vanish the suffering standing in your way.

For coaching, retreats and professional training, call Lori Carpenos at 860-561-1919 or go to 3principlestherapy.com

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January 2011

35

You Have It In You To Take It Off You...

to me I was performing an isometric exercise, and all along I thought I was just trying to look good. After awhile it became second nature, I didn't have to give it much thought, it was simply something I did. Like standing up straight with good posture, I walked around with a sucked in stomach. It was not at all difficult. It happened naturally; accidentally, in fact.

Sometimes we can get carried away by life, with abundance, emotions, feelings of guilt, lack of control and all of those things that can get in the way of taking good care of ourselves.

There is an old Lakota story that goes like this:

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hat sounds catchy but what exactly does it mean? Years ago a colleague of mine made a tape with that title for his therapy clients who wanted to lose weight. The title was so memorable that it comes to my mind now, some twenty years later. Weight management is so near and dear to my heart (literally and figuratively!) that I want to write everything I have learned about it through the years. This one line sums it all up. We have it in us to take it off us. Allow me to explain.

I grew up in a family of dieters. All the women had a dozen stories to tell about managing their weight. Some were hilarious stories that were told over and over. We could laugh as hard at the tenth re-telling as we did when it first occurred. Some of the stories were no laughing matter, they were heart wrenching. Stories of embarrassment and compromised health. Diet pills and fad diets punctuated by donuts, cakes, bagels, cream cheese, and bread; lots of bread. I have memories of being teased in school and hiding behind a bush when a boy I had a crush on walked by, because I was too embarrassed to be seen with my chubby thighs rolling out of my summer shorts. I was never obese, but I believe I went beyond pleasingly plump in my younger days.

My mother loved to tell the story of her sister-in-law admonishing my father to

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fatten her up; he certainly did just that.

Photos of her in her twenties looking like a tall, thin model, do not even resemble photos of her later years. She blamed her pregnancies, saying that she could never lose the weight afterward.

Curiously, I never noticed her trying, I only noticed her eating a lot of bread, and cake. It eventually sunk in to me that in order to feel physically energetic and spry I had to be at a particular weight. I even noticed that with a few added pounds, I no longer felt as though I could "leap tall buildings in a single bound." To reach and maintain that weight I had to eat less and exercise more. I couldn't disagree with this direction, it was really that simple. There was no mystery, just facts.

Eat less and exercise more. These are both behaviors. Behaviors come from thoughts. Pure and simple. If we want to raise an arm, it won't happen spontaneously, we have to think: raise arm.

In fact, it is necessary to think -- which arm do I raise.

I remember being an awkward teenager in a two-piece bathing suit at the beach. After long observation in front of a mirror, I figured out that I looked better if I sucked in my stomach.

Since I was at the beach a lot in those days, it worked out well. I didn't realize all that stomach sucking resulted in some pretty decent abs. Unbeknownst www.naturalnutmeg.com

A grandfather teaching his grandson about life says, "A fight is going on inside me between two wolves. One is filled with anger, hate, fear, jealousy and greed. The other is filled with peace, love, acceptance, kindness and compassion. The same fight is going on inside of you too - inside of every person."

The grandson thought about this for a moment and then asked, "Which wolf will win, grandfather?"

The grandfather answered, "The one you feed."

It is the same for all of us. If we choose to feed our fears and numb that feeling by feeding our gut, we may experience temporary relief from difficult emotions but at what price? We have so many more choices than we may realize. We can choose to ride out the anxious feelings until our thoughts change, and they will surely change the instant our focus shifts or we question what we are thinking. No matter what thought and no matter what feeling that thinking delivers to us, it will never last forever. All we have to do is have the courage to feel it and eventually it will slip away, displaced by another thought, most likely more interesting, satisfying and productive. If you can bring yourself to be curious about the next thought that is heading your way, it will surprise you how quickly the next thought actually arrives. There are an infinite number of thoughts we can have and feeling the feelings they bring us is the human experience, so why choose to numb ourselves to that expe-

rience if we remember how amazing it is to be here in a human form with access to common sense and infinite wisdom.

We are all wired in a way that allows us to evaluate our own thoughts.

We are all capable of saying, no, that's a very bad idea, I don't have to go along with that thought. I'd rather wait for a better idea to come along that will provide me with an improved outcome.

When we truly experience what we have inside, we can bring it forth and allow it to reign. When we recognize who we really are, see our soul, deep wisdom, and essence, we want to live there as much as possible. We don't need to control our thoughts or our behaviors then because when we access our essence, we automatically choose what is best for us. Our essence is the life force that runs through all things. It is mysterious, grand, glorious. Everyone has experienced that space, that feeling, if even just for a moment.

I had to have it pointed out to me.

I had to hear stories about human essence which is what exists for us before thought is formed, the formless energy of the universe into which we all tap. It is impossible to want to harm yourself once you see that. It only makes sense to take the very best care of this rare and wonderful gift of life. We have all witnessed people abusing themselves either through alcohol, drugs, or food.

It's hard to watch, our hearts go out to those taking their precious lives and turning them into garbage dumps. Yet they are innocent, only hearing their own thoughts, which may be quite toxic; if only they realized they are miracles, deserving their own empathy and love. We can always find our way back to the wisdom, common sense and health within. We need only know that it exists for us.

Appreciate who you really are and honor that soul with all your love and compassion; there is only one you.

Submitted by Lori Carpenos. For more information, call 860-561-1919 or visit www.3principlestherapy.com. See ad on page 35.

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January 2011

37

Alcohol Abuse and Dementia

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any elders for years are accustomed to having their evening cocktail. On the other hand many family members are not aware of the regularity in their loved ones drinking and start to observe changes in their mental and physical abilities. Unfortunately alcohol consumption does permanently kill brain cells. Moreover, having a biological predisposition for both dementia and alcohol raises the risk factors. Alcohol related dementia is known to be within the five most common forms of intellectual loss in the elderly. The good news is that alcohol related dementia is one of the few preventable forms of dementia and can be treated in the early stages.

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Alcohol abuse is the most common form of substance abuse in America, affecting almost 10 million people, or about 4.65% of the population. Dementia is the most frequent disability caused by aging, with over 3.4 million people over age 70 in the US suffering from some form of dementia. Each of these diseases is potentially devastating on its own, but they can combine to make a bad situation a good deal worse. In a Canadian study, people with a history of alcohol abuse were much more likely to have dementia and more likely to die within 18 months from the onset of the study than those without such a history.

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There are three related issues when alcohol and dementia overlap: dementia caused by alcohol consumption, reversible dementia caused by side-effects of alcohol consumption, and alcohol abuse in people that have another form of dementia.

Alcohol abuse can cause dementia directly. Heavy drinking can kill neurons in the brain, essentially poisoning them. Chronic heavy or binge drinking damages enough neurons for the damage to accumulate and interfere with the brain’s function. What amount of alcohol consumption over what period of time is enough to cause this damage to be noticeable varies by individual.

This damage commonly manifests as memory problems, language impairment, and inability to perform complex motor tasks like dressing. Heavy alcohol abuse damages the nerves in arms and legs (a condition called peripheral neuropathy) and the part of the brain that controls coordination (the cerebellum). This combination causes problems with sensation in the extremities and unsteadiness in standing or walking.

The neurological damage extends to the prefrontal cortex; the part of the brain that is responsible for conscious thought. This results in psychological maladies like psychosis, depression, anxiety, and personality changes.

The frontal lobe damage in alcoholic dementia can also develop into apathy that may mimic depression. People become irritable when caregivers attempt to assist with basic care. Impulsive and hostile behavior is also seen in many people with this dementia, possibly due to damage to the structure that is responsible for “emotional thinking” (the amygdyla).

Unfortunately, dementia associated with alcohol abuse is irreversible, so there is no cure. The newer medications that have shown promise in patients with other forms of irreversible dementia like Alzheimer’s disease have not been shown to help with alcoholassociated dementia. The treatment is therefore focused on providing supportive care. Achieving sobriety is an obvious first step – both to prevent further damage and to avoid the mental fog of alcohol usage. Other measures include

dietary consultation to correct any deficiencies and management of medical and psychological problems.

Most people are aware that alcohol can also damage other organs like the heart and liver. Less well-known is that alcohol consumption is also capable of causing vitamin deficiencies. For example, vitamin B12 levels are often depressed in chronic alcoholics. This is partially due to the fact that alcoholdependent people often have very poor diets, but it is also a consequence of the liver damage.

Vitamin B12 is absorbed in the intestines and transported directly to the liver, where it is both stored and released for use in the rest of the body.

At any given time, about half the B12 in the body is in the liver, so liver damage causes a great deal of disruption to B12 metabolism. B12 is used by every cell in the body, especially in DNA synthesis, fat metabolism, and energy production.

The normal consequence of B12 deficiency is a disease called pernicious anemia. This is an autoimmune disease (unrelated to alcohol consumption) that causes a range of problems such as fatigue, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, muscle weakness and shortness of breath. People with B12 deficiency caused by chronic alcoholism can show some of these symptoms, but in addition they can show symptoms that mimic chronic depression or dementia.

The good news is that dementia caused by B12 deficiency is one of the reversible forms of dementia. This dementia affects people in a different pattern than other dementias, reducing ability to visualize objects in threedimensions, and the ability to focus on performing a task. People with B12 deficiency dementia are often disoriented and unable to concentrate. B12 supplements, sometimes in combination with other medications, is effective in improving the condition.

Alcoholics are also at risk of another B vitamin deficiency; thiamine deficiency. Nerve cells and other brain cells need thiamine, and heavy alcohol consumption can both reduce thiamine absorption and utilization. Although not a form of dementia, this can lead to another disease called alcoholic brain

disease. This disorder is characterized by paralysis of eye movements, abnormal stance and gait, and markedly deranged mental function.

Even in other dementias, alcohol abuse will make the disease worse in a number of ways. Alcohol abuse in elders is often overlooked by both family members and physicians despite estimates of between 3% to over 10% of the population over age 60 being dependent on or abusing alcohol.

Previously, elderly alcoholics have been assumed to be the fortunate surviving remnant of a larger population that started problem drinking in earlier life.

In contrast, recent studies are showing that a significant number actually started having alcohol issues only in late middle age or older. In some dementia/ alcohol abuse cases, therefore, the dementia precedes the abuse instead of following it.

When dementia and alcohol abuse combine, the prognosis for the patient is significantly worse. Alcohol abuse worsens dementia symptoms, reduces the effectiveness of drugs that are used to control dementia symptoms, and increases behavior problems like restlessness and violence. People who have both alcohol dependency and dementia have worse prognosis than those that have only one of these diseases. Finally, alcohol abuse increases the burden on a dementia patient’s caregivers.

Alcohol can change the course of other diseases, making them more likely to produce dementia or dementia-like symptoms. For example, diabetes is associated with a higher risk of

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both Alzheimer’s disease and especially vascular dementia. Although alcohol does not cause diabetes, there are links between the two. Undiagnosed diabetics often find themselves craving sources of fuel, and some develop alcohol dependency as a result. In addition, a person who might otherwise have a pre-diabetic condition can be pushed over the edge into full diabetes by heavy drinking.

Unfortunately, American families and medical practitioners often minimize both the likelihood of alcohol problems and the severity of their impact on the elderly. New England Nightingales personnel are all extensively trained and experienced in recognizing and caring for alcohol-related issues in elder care.

New England Nightingales’ experts in dementia care perform in-home evaluation for each client and create a treatment plan appropriate for that person, ensuring appropriate and individualized care. Cynthia Ebanks is a registered nurse specializing in dementia care. She is certified by Alzheimer Foundation of America as a qualified dementia care specialist, certified in case management and is a disability management specialist. She can be reached at 860-676-7786 or www. newenglandnightingales.com. See ad on page 17.

January 2011

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Forget the New Year’s Resolutions…

It’s Time to Rewire Your Brain

other and form circuits within the central nervous system. This is crucial to the biological functions that govern perception and thought and allows the central nervous system to connect to and control other systems of the body. Through meditation, research has proven that new pathways are formed from which neurons signal each other. These new pathways then produce new signaling and perception and thought is forever changed in an individual.

Too good to be true? I thought so myself, but after learning more about this and practicing it, I found that it absolutely works. The process is a combination of understanding your mind/body type to determine what suits you best in terms of food, exercise, stress reduction, and daily and seasonal routines; and implementing meditation into your life. It’s called Ayurvedic medicine, but I like to call it by the name Deepak Chopra coined, “Perfect Health.” And I learned all this in one weekend at the Enlightened Way Wellness Center in Tariffville, under the direction of Chopra Center Certified Instructors, Mark and Amy Bannon.

Perfect Health

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ou’re trying to lose weight, quit smoking, eat healthier or exercise more. But it’s so hard. Every day you wake up and say, “Today is the day. I’ll do better today.” You force yourself to be disciplined and it works for awhile. You get up a little earlier every day to hit the gym, you diet, you stop eating foods that are “bad” for you, you smoke your last cigarette. But then something happens and you miss a day at the gym. You get stressed out at work and you eat a bunch of junk food. You promise yourself you’re only going to have just one cigarette. And then it’s just a downhill spiral from there.

You think, “If only there was a way I could wake up one day and be happy and healthy, never light up a cigarette again, and exercise because I truly want to and because I love to do it. If only…”

But what if there was a way to do this? And what if it simply involved two things: understanding your mind and body type and changing the way your brain was wired? No, I’m not talking about brain surgery! Rewiring your brain takes about 30 minutes a day, and is a process that over time changes the way your brain functions and sends messages throughout the body. The changes occur at the chemical synapses, which are specialized junctions through which neurons signal to each 40

January 2011

I was skeptical before attending the Perfect Health Ayurvedic Lifestyle program. But typically I am when it comes to these kinds of programs, because I’ve read too many books and participated in too many programs that always seem to fall short of truly empowering the individual to do what needs to be done to make a major lifestyle change. And let’s face it, when we’re talking about losing weight or quitting smoking or even maintaining a consistent exercise routine – that’s major lifestyle change for most people. So, in my opinion, in order for a program to work – it has to be three things: 1) easy to implement and simple to follow; 2) fun and engaging so you want to do it; and 3) it somehow has to change the person’s mindset (aka…rewiring the brain). Because I believe that you can educate someone all day long about what to eat, what not to eat, how and why to exercise, and how and why to quit smoking, but unless they change their mindset about it, forget it…not much is going to change. I believe this because the mind is what controls whether or not you want another piece of cake, whether or not you skip the gym today and whether or not you light up that cigarette. So, what you need is an understanding of why your particular body type responds to certain things such as food, exercise, and daily and seasonal routines.

Then you need a rewiring of the brain. And that is simply done through meditation. The Perfect Health program is a perfect combination of the three requirements I mentioned above – it’s simple to follow, engages you to learn about what to eat and what kind of lifestyle to follow, and it will definitely change your mindset.

The Doshas My first day in the Perfect Health program taught me more than I ever dreamed about knowing about my particular mind/ body constitution. In Ayurvedic medicine, we are made up of three doshas. Your original “doshic proportion” or your “individual recipe” of the three doshas is referred to as your “Prakruti.” The three doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Dosha is defined as one of three basic metabolic principles that connect the mind with the body. The Vata dosha is responsible

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for all movement in the mind and body, and is ruled by space and air. The Pitta dosha is responsible for metabolism and transformation within the body and mind, and is ruled by fire and water. The Kapha dosha is responsible for bodily structures, protection and lubrication, and is ruled by water and earth. It is very important to clarify that EVERYONE has all three doshas present within us at all times. We need all three doshas to function as human beings. As individuals, we simply all have a different mixture (recipe) of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. In general, we tend to have a higher concentration in one or two of the doshas, which is why we are all very different and unique in the way that we respond to the world.

We need to respect this in order to stay vital and healthy.

I happen to have more of a concentration of Vata and Pitta. I am more Vata than Pitta, but my mind/body type represents a higher proportion of these nonetheless. What was fascinating for me to learn was that this 5,000 year old medicine had me pegged to a tee! We learned that Perfect Health is a combination of three things: conscious living, balance and healing through detoxification and rejuvenation. Understanding and supporting your specific doshic proportion (your Prakruti) is crucial to maintaining all three. Once you learn the characteristics of each dosha, you can easily look at another person and determine what their Prakruti may be.

This will help you understand why you relate well to one person but yet someone else rubs you the wrong way. It will also explain why you may be having disagreements with your spouse or coworkers, when you normally get along well. This could be due to an imbalance in one or more of the doshas.

The importance of knowing your Prakruti, is that it sharply focuses you to direct your diet, exercise and daily and seasonal routines towards perfect health and prevention of disease. An imbalance in one or more of the doshas is the first sign that mind and body are not functioning together properly. Ayurveda studies the meeting point between mind and body, because every time there is an event in the mind, there is a corresponding event in the body. Think about this. If you’re afraid to fly, your fear takes physical shape in the form of adrenaline shooting through your bloodstream when you even think about getting on

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January 2011

41

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a plane. From this standpoint, it’s easy to see that thought can actually become matter. So, the doshas are important because they govern the mind’s dialogue with the body. Mental events constantly shape the physical body. So, it begs the question: do we age because of our thoughts? And if we can balance our mind/body type, is there a possibility of a mind/body system that is always healthy and always evolving? Mark and Amy Bannon believe there is.

Understanding the overall qualities of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha is valuable because it allows us to recognize imbalances within our mind and/or body. In general, imbalances occur when we experience an increase of a particular dosha that does not flow with our "individual original doshic proportion". Understanding this, we then can "reduce" and/or "favor" certain routines, foods, etc. to "pacify" that particular dosha, regardless of what your "Prakruti" (individual recipe of the three doshas) is.

This is also an important time to point out that just because we have a higher concentration of one particular dosha as our individual "recipe", this does not mean that we cannot experience an imbalance of another dosha. It is "recognizing" what these doshas mean, in context of our mind & body on a daily basis, that we can “use” this information for healing and transformation on a daily basis, regardless of what our original doshic proportion is. So even if you have a higher concentration of Vata, you can experience a Pitta imbalance or a Kapha imbalance of the mind or body.

So, let’s take a look at the physical characteristics of each dosha. Although you may immediately recognize what your primary doshas may be, you may want to take the Ayurveda Mind Body Type quiz, which is a series of questions designed to determine your exact combination of mind/body type.

Vata Dosha The Vata dosha physical characteristics include: a light/ thin physique, irregular hunger and digestion, tendency toward insomnia or light sleep, quick to grasp information, tendency to worry, tires easily, enthusiastic, tendency toward constipation and bursts of mental and physical energy. The basic theme of Vata is “changeable.” When this dosha is out of balance, nervous disorders appear ranging from anxiety to depression.

Unbalanced Vata is responsible for starting numerous projects, but not finishing them, compulsive shopping and chronic dissatisfaction. However, a balanced Vata person is infectiously happy, enthusiastic and energetic.

Pitta Dosha The Pitta dosha physical characteristics include: a medium build, sharp intellect, strong digestion and appetite, tendency toward anger, irritability under stress, aversion to hot weather, fair or ruddy skin and medium strength and endurance. The basic theme of Pitta is “intense.” When this dosha is out of balance, one may experience burning sensations in the eyes, skin or stomach – literally reflecting the heat this dosha governs.

They can have an inclination to anger quickly and be irritable and impatient. A balanced Pitta person is sweet, joyful, confident and brave.

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Kapha Dosha The Kapha dosha physical characteristics include: a solid build with great physical strength, steady energy, relaxed personality, slow to anger, heavy sleep, tendency to be overweight, slow digestion, tendency to be possessive, complacent, and tolerant. The basic theme of Kapha is “relaxed.” When this dosha is out of balance, individuals may gain weight and store fat. Kaphas also complain of sinus congestion, colds, allergies and painful joints when unbalanced.

However, a balanced Kapha person is stable and steady with a serene, tranquil view of the world.

Once you know your prakruti, the next step is understanding what kinds of food you should eat, and what kinds of exercise and daily and seasonal routines you should practice in order to keep yourself in balance. Although all diets should include a variety of foods, your specific dosha will determine which foods are more favorable for your constitution.

Eating for Balance Each dosha wants to be balanced with tastes that are different from the

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other doshas. For example, Vata is balanced by salt, sour, and sweet. Pitta is balanced by bitter, sweet, and astringent. Kapha is balanced by pungent, bitter, and astringent. If you were to have a chef salad, iced tea, and gelato for lunch, this is an excellent choice for a predominantly Pitta person, but not the best selection for a Vata person. Raw greens, cool drinks and lack of solid nourishment could all throw a Vata person out of balance and leave her feeling unsatisfied, while the Pitta person will feel energetic and refreshed.

If Vata is your primary dosha, this person should have a hearty stew or soup or slow cooked casserole. In addition, soft, thoroughly cooked foods that are easily digested are more beneficial. And a Kapha should eat lightly cooked foods, broiled or sautéed with lots of fruits and vegetables. It is important to keep in mind that Ayurveda teaches us to respect nature and the changing seasons and cycles. Thus, no matter what dosha you are, Ayurveda would recommend eating foods that correspond to certain seasons.

Vata governs late autumn through winter, Kapha governs late winter through spring, and Pitta governs summer through early autumn.

Exercise In Ayurvedic medicine, the goal is to balance one’s entire system, mind and body. So, from an Ayurvedic standpoint, the typical exercise program most of us have is lacking for a number of reasons.

Instead of participating in some form of regular, daily exercise, many of us do nothing but rush back and forth to our jobs all week with barely enough time to eat, let alone exercise. At the end of the week we end up exhausted, collapsed on the couch in front of the television.

Then on Saturday and Sunday, we go to the gym and try to cram a week’s worth of exercise into two days, which sets us up for potential injuries and literally takes the energy right out of us.

In Ayurveda, the philosophy is that exercise should give more energy than it takes. When was the last time your exercise routine gave you energy? Most of the time, I’m exhausted! Well, I learned that one very simple exercise, walking, is close to ideal because it is an activity that satisfies all three doshas. Vata types find that walking slows down their busy minds and relaxes them. Pitta types need the break walking gives them from their

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driving pace. Kaphas feel stimulated from a brisk walk and it helps with their digestion. There are other types of exercise that benefit each dosha individually, and stretching and yoga is also highly recommended.

Ayurveda teaches us that exercise is not about pounding our bodies into shape, but is meant to forge a closer link between mind and body. Its view is that exercise shouldn’t be work, yet isn’t that what most of us think? When you walk into the gym, how many people do you see smiling, having a good time? Don’t most people look miserable, struggling through their workout? And walking? How could we possibly burn enough calories through walking? Don’t we have to spend hours on treadmills, elliptical machines and bikes doing interval training until we drop? It seems that we have it all backwards.

Most of us exercise either to keep our body looking the way we like it, or we’re exercising because we’re not happy with our body shape and we want to change it. But what if our body looks the way it does because we’re out of balance? Isn’t the real reason our body looks the way it does because of the food we put into it? And if we put the right food into it, would we still need to exercise like maniacs to keep ourselves in shape? And what if putting the right food into your body is as simple as understanding your dosha and rewiring your brain through meditation?

Rewiring Your Brain Meditation has always been difficult for me. I’m the kind of person whose brain is constantly on the go. Thinking, thinking, thinking – but where does it usually get me? Nowhere.

I think one of the reasons quieting the mind has been so difficult is because I’ve always thought that in order to meditate correctly, you have to stop all thoughts. I was relieved and encouraged to learn from Mark and Amy that not only is it impossible to stop thoughts, but it’s not really the goal of meditation. The goal is just to extend the gap. That space between thoughts where there is a field of infinite possibilities.

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“It’s not about what happens during meditation that means anything,” Amy said, “It’s about bringing that clarity back into daily life. It’s like an onion. Each time you meditate, you peel the layers back that no longer serve you.” Over time meditation will allow a great shift in your life and you will automatically start living more consciously.

What fascinated me the most was Mark’s story of what happened in his life as a result of implementing the Perfect Health program. A few years ago he was in a high stress job, overweight and his blood pressure and cholesterol levels were off the charts. Every time he tried to discipline himself to diet and exercise more, it would work for awhile, but then he would be back to his regular habits within a few weeks. The problem was his mindset. He didn’t really want to change his diet and exercise was a chore. However, once he started meditating, everything changed. His brain was literally rewired. He found himself wanting to exercise and eat healthy. Through meditation, the lifestyle change becomes less of a discipline and more of something you innately want to do to improve your health. You will literally stop craving things that are unhealthy for you.

“I realized that the reason for all of my unhappiness, distress and pain was because of the lifestyle choices I was making,” said Mark. “I had forgotten that I had control over those choices. I don’t think most people realize how powerful they are. We are all co-creators of our health and we need to take our power back.”

This made perfect sense to me. Everything is a choice.

You can choose to eat another piece of cake or not eat it at all. You can choose to do some form of energizing exercise each day or not do it at all. Sometimes it seems we act without even giving thought to what we are doing. We eat the piece of cake because we think, “Oh it tastes so good, I need that piece of cake.” But do we really need it? An hour later would you really have missed it if you didn’t eat it? I challenge you to take one minute and think about whether or not you really want that piece of cake or extra cookie – especially over the holidays!

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Body Intelligence It seems throughout the years, we’ve lost something called body intelligence.

Mark Bannon spoke of how we are constantly living in our heads and ignoring our bodies. We’re trying to solve all our problems by thinking. We’ve become so technologically savvy as a society that we believe all the answers lie in our gifted, intelligent minds. But yet we still end up with disease. So that tells me we need to get out of our heads and start listening to our bodies. We’re so busy multi-tasking and distracting ourselves; that we don’t even realize we’re reaching for a piece of food when we’re not even hungry. Or maybe we’re confusing hunger for emotional connection with hunger for food.

Our bodies used to be in tune with nature. We followed certain cycles and rhythms related to seasons and hours of the day. We ate foods that were in season, we labored during planting and harvest and rested during winter, and we rose with the sun and retired at sunset.

That’s how we stayed healthy. Now, everything is off kilter. We eat tomatoes from California in January, we cram our physical activity into weekends and we’re up until all hours of the night. But will our society allow us to live differently? And do we even know how to?

Mark Bannon believes we can and he’s a living example.

The best thing about the Perfect Health program is that it is simple. It brings you back to the fundamentals and teaches you how to make lasting changes in your life. “Pick one thing you can do each week or even each month that will become a habit, and soon you’ll see your life changing,” says Mark. “You don’t have to blow up your world and completely change your diet, exercise routine and start meditating all at once.

It’s too overwhelming and goes against the fundamental principle of Ayurveda, that life should be easy and comfortable.

Pick one thing that you can change and focus on that. The rest will come.”

I spoke with Donna Schweder, another participant in the Perfect Health program, who has been following it for three months now. She said, “I’ve lost over 15 lbs since starting the program, and I’m still losing weight. I’m more aware of the choices I make and the impact of those choices on my body.

Now if I don’t like the way a particular

food tastes, I’ll stop eating it, when in the past I would have finished what was on my plate.” I asked her what changes she had implemented and if she was still doing so.

“I have a very stressful job, so I wasn’t able to incorporate all of the changes. But I feel that even with just implementing the meditation and food choices, that it was enough to totally change my mindset,” Donna said. I had to agree with her!

“What I love about this program is that it’s not restrictive. Other diets are so restrictive, that I’d never stick with them.

This is easy. And the personal support from Mark and Amy has been wonderful,” she added.

What impacted me the most was the realization that through these simple techniques one could make life altering changes. After one weekend in the Perfect Health program, and a little less than a month of implementing some of the techniques, I’m finding myself getting up earlier to meditate because I want to – not because I think I should.

I’m finding that I’m making better choices when it comes to food and

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exercise because I want to and it’s not a chore anymore. I would recommend this program to anyone, and if you think you don’t have the time to do it…well, then it’s probably exactly what you need. It’s your body telling you to take action now before it has to take action and stop you in your tracks with an illness or disease.

Just listen to your body. It’s intelligent. It knows exactly what it needs whether it be food, drink, exercise, rest or emotional connection. Your body innately knows there is only one correct choice for you at any given moment, even though your mind may see multiple choices. Ayurvedic medicine teaches you the guidelines to get back in touch with your body, where the right choices become more automatic and perfect health becomes the norm.

Submitted By Diane Hindman, PhD. For more information on the Perfect Health Program offered at Enlightened Way, visit www.enlightenedway.com or call 860-217-0340.

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CommunityResources Acupuncture Stan Baker, L. Ac., Dipl. Ac.

35 Nod Road, Suite 106, Menla Holistic Health, Avon, CT. • (860) 836-1068 Stan Baker is a fully licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine practitioner with offices in Avon, CT and Springfield, MA. He has been a practitioner in the Oriental healing arts for 25 years. He specializes in difficult cases including back pain/sciatica, headache/migraine, allergies, and arthritis. He is also a teacher of advanced Chen Tai Chi, Aikido and Sun Do Mt. Yoga.

See ad on pg 38.

Glastonbury Naturopathic Center

Dr.Helene Pulnik, ND LAc. 18 School St., Glastonbury,Ct 6033 (860) 657- 4105, naturopathicwellness.com Dr. Pulnik is a licensed, board certified Acupuncturist and Naturopathic Physician with over 25 years experience as a healthcare professional. She specializes in acupuncture for infertility, womens' health, migraines, anxiety/ stress/insomnia, arthritis, back & neck pain, sciatica, allergies, chronic sinusitis, and more.

See our ad on page 42.

Allergy Treatment Advanced Allergy Relief CT Anne Mitchell, ND (203) 239-3400 • www.aarct.com North Haven & W. Hartford Eliminate your allergic reactions using a technologically advanced treatment that corrects the body’s response to the offending food, pollen, mold, perfume, pets, etc. No medications. Non-invasive. Childfriendly. See ad on page 17.

Chiropractic Phys.

Westside Chiropractic

557 Prospect Avenue, West Hartford,CT (860) 523-5833, westsidechiropractors.com Our mission is to provide chiropractic care, naturally based generalist, primary or specialty health care, for persons of all ages. We are committed to educating our patients about their health and wellness and providing them with tools for self improvement.

We seek to work in partnership with you to achieve good health and well being in a way consistent with your way of life. Visit our location in West Hartford See ad on page 19.

Colon Hydrotherapy Glastonbury Naturopathic Center

18 School St., Glastonbury, Ct. 06033 (860) 657- 4105, naturopathicwellness.com Constance Jones is New England’s senior Colon Hydrotherapist. During her 30 years of practice, she has performed nearly 50,000 colonics. Connie is certified through both the International Association of Colon Hydrotherapists (I-ACT) and The National Board for Colon Hydrotherapy. She creates a nurturing, serene, and safe environment, and maintains your utmost privacy and comfort. www. cleanmycolon.com. See our ad on page 42.

Peaceful Balance

780R Farmington Ave. Farmington, CT 06032 (860) 284-0107 Peacefulbalance.com Peaceful Balance is a quiet welcoming environment. Whether you are looking for one service or a combination of services you are sure to emerge refreshed and feeling more alive. Melody Gibbs has been practicing colon hydrotherapy for 6 years. Her certifications are International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy (I-ACT) and The National Board for Colon Hydrotherapy. See ad on page 41.

Creative Copywriting Karen M. Rider, M.A. Glastonbury Naturopathic Center

860-638-8140 Karenmrider@comcast.net.

Dr. Helene Pulnik, ND is a certified Advanced Allergy Therapeutics Practitioner. Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT) is a clinically proven treatment that is highly effective in relieving the many symptoms associated with allergies, food sensitivities, environmental sensitivies, IBS, headaches, skin problems and more. The AAT treatment does not rely on the use of medications, herbal remedies or supplements. The treatment is safe, painless and available to all ages including infants. See ad on page 42.

Does your promotional copy align who you are and what you do with the needs of potential clients? Professionally written copy makes all the difference in getting a response from your target audience. Karen Rider, crafts custom copy for print ads, websites, brochures, e-newsletters, press releases and book jackets. Ghostwriting and cowriting services available for articles, interviews and books. Her work appears in local, regional and national publications. View Portfolio at: http:// KarenMRider.writersresidence.com.

18 School St., Glastonbury, Ct. 06033 (860) 657- 4105, naturopathicwellness.com

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Dentist Dr. Steven Hinchey

2249 New London Turnpike South Glastonbury, CT. (860) 633-6518 www.dentistryfordiabetics.com/drhinchey See ad on page 35.

Dr. Kevin Norige, D.M.D.

112 Deming St., South Windsor, CT. (860) 644-0113 See ad on page 7.

The Canaan Gentle Dentle & Implant Center

Dr. Thomas Livingstone 3-5 Railroad St. North Canaan, CT (860) 824-0751 livingstonedentalexcellence.com See ad on page 37.

Hair Replacement Donyelle McBride, Trichologist

674 Prospect St, Hartford CT 06105, 3rd FL 860.985.2081 • www.mcbridehair.com Donyelle McBride is a licensed Cosmetologist, Trichologist, and Hair Replacement Specialist treating male and female hair loss. We use follicle stimulation and DHT blockers to promote hair growth along with a health and wellness approach using nature’s remedies such as vitamin supplements and herbs. Ask about our “Risk Free” 30 day trial for non-surgical hair replacement. Call for consultation!

Health Food Stores Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe The Manchester Parkade 378 West Middle Tpke, Manchester, CT M-SAT 8am-9pm • SUN 9am-6pm 860.646.8178

The Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe is an information- and service-oriented health food store that has served its community since 1956. We are a true oasis for learning and achieving optimal wellness. The owner, Michael Dworkin, P.D., M.S., a Registered Pharmacist and State Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CT Cert. #00203), is available for consultation by appointment. Our other staff nutrition consultants provide customers with in-store guidance in choosing vitamins, herbs, sports nutrition products, natural body care, natural and allergen-free foods, and life style changes. Many of our products are discounted every day. Ask us about our gym and other special discounts. See ad on page 13.

Holistic Health

Life Coaching

Natural Products

Monika Benoit BA Psy, CH, HHP, EFT-ADV

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Earth Turns

566 Prospect Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105 www.3PrinciplesTherapy.com • 860-561-1919

All Natural Health & Beauty Products www.EarthTurns.com. 1-800-507-3604

As a certified holistic health practitioner, Monika specializes in providing holistic solutions for women, children & families. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about her fully customized therapeutic programs, including stress-management for parents, specialized support for childbirth, relief from prenatal discomfort, post-partum healing, help with PMS and relief from menopausal discomfort. Schedule a free consultation on-line at www.healingwithmonika.com & download a free gift! See ad on page 22.

We provide retreats, seminars, and trainings for Executives, Leaders, Couples, and Individuals who are interested in moving beyond their current level of consciousness in work and life, with less stress, and more enjoyment. If you would like to enjoy more creativity, productivity, satisfaction and less stress in life, whether alone or with others, please call to discuss a program that will meet your needs. People who invest time and energy in learning how to use their minds, thoughts and consciousness in the healthiest manner have found the return on their efforts well worth their investment. See ad on page 35.

EarthTurns.com prides itself on exceptional customer service. All natural, chemical free health and beauty products at great prices. All of our products are made in America to assure quality. Ships SAME DAY, Monday-Saturday. See ad on page 14.

CT Wellness Connection LLC 82 Salem Turnpike, 2nd Floor, Norwich, CT 06360.

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Holistic Health Centers

Martial Arts

Copper Mountain Aikido

21 Copper Hill Road, Granby, CT 06035 (860)986-3617, cpprmtnaikido@gmail.com

Enlightened Way Wellness Center 2 Tunxis Road Suite 208, Tarrifville, CT 06081. 860.217.0340 www.enlightenedway.com wisdom@enlightenedway.com

Enlightened Way is a tranquil wellness center dedicated to inspiring transformation, providing knowledge, restoring balance, and creating joy and fulfillment in peoples’ lives. We’ve developed an array of programs and services designed to foster and support a life of vitality and balance for everyone. Our services include daily yoga classes, therapeutic and Ayurvedic massages, free group meditations, and Kids’ yoga. We also offer programs such as Children’s Relaxation, Perfect Health/Ayurvedic Lifestyle and Primordial Sound Meditation.

In-Home Health Care

Copper Mountain Aikido is a member of Birankai International (North America) under the direction of T. K. Chiba, Shihan. Birankai International is recognized by the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Japan.

Copper Mountain Aikido is a traditional Japanese “country-style” dojo offering Aikido, Aikido Weapons, Internal Aiki Training, Iaido (Japanese Sword Art), and Zazen (Zen Meditation). All instruction is conducted by the Certified Chief Instructor licensed under Birankai International (North America). All are welcome!

Massage Wholistic Spa

18 School Street, Glastonbury 06033.

(860) 657-4105, www.wholisticspa.com.

Dr. Helene Pulnik ND, LAc, Med. Director Wholistic Spa™ is a haven of total wellness. From the moment you step into our quiet space, we are focused on your complete wellness. Our treatments at Wholistic Spa™ use the purest natural and organic ingredients, with no toxic synthetic ingredients.

We offer organic facials, hand & foot treatments and signature massage services for women, men and couples, featuring EMINENCE Organic Skin Care from Hungary. Inner Health. Outer Beauty™.

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Natural Products New England Nightingales, LLC Assisted Living in the Home 406 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06032 PH. 860.676.7786, Fax 860.676.7704 New England Nightingales, LLC was founded by Cynthia Ebanks, a registered nurse with more than twenty-five years experience in patient care. We make living at home the right choice for you and your loved ones by helping with the activities of daily living. From our coaching and mentoring services for family caregivers to hourly assistance or 24/7 care, we provide the services you need to manage the various stages of illness, trauma, or dementia. Whatever you need . . .whenever you need it. . we’ll be there. See ad on page 17.

Designs For Health

2 North Road, East Windsor, CT 06088 1-800-367-4325 • www.designsforhealth.com info@designsforhealth.com For 20 years, Designs for Health has been the health care professional's trusted source for research-backed nutritional products of superior quality. Driven by our "Science First" philosophy, our team of nutritionists and clinical experts utilize both clinical feedback from leading industry pioneers, and sound, scientifically researched literature as the basis for designing our products; all Designs for Health nutritional therapies are designed by health care professionals for health care professionals. See ad on page 3. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Naturopathic Phys.

Connecticut Natural Health Specialists Lauren Gouin, ND 135 Center St., Manchester, CT (860) 533-0179 • www.ctnaturalhhealth.com Dr. Lauren Gouin is a naturopathic physician with a family practice in Manchester and South Windsor. Dr. Gouin is accepting new patients and is in network with most insurance companies.

For more information, contact her at (860)644-2437 or visit www.ctnhs.com. See ad on page 23.

Glastonbury Naturopathic Center 18 School Street, Glastonbury Dr. Helene Pulnik. (860) 657-4105 www.naturopathicwellness.com

Glastonbury Naturopathic Ctr. is a multi-disciplinary healthcare center focusing on natural alternatives for individuals to achieve and maintain optimal health.

Dr. Helene Pulnik, ND, LAc. is a board-certified licensed Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncturist with over 25 years experience as a healthcare professional. Offering Naturopathic Medicine, Colon Hydrotherapy, Acupuncture, Cleansing & Detoxification Programs, Weight Management Programs. See ad on page 42.

Kensington Naturopathic Medical Ctr. Dr. Ann Aresco 355 New Britain Rd, Kensington, CT (860) 829-0707 drannaresco@comcast.net kensingtonnaturopathic.com

Centrally located in Connecticut, Kensington Naturopathic Medical Center provides comprehensive family healthcare. Our team of specialized health professionals is dedicated to facilitating our patients’ optimal health, and offers a wide range of services, including supplementation, homeopathy, acupuncture and Chinese herbs as well as nutrition, holistic health counseling and weight loss/life style changes.

See ad on page 13.

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CommunityResources Naturopathic Phys.

Physicians, M.D. Alternity Healthcare, LLC Desmond Ebanks, MD

William Nager, ND, DC

639 Park Rd, 2nd Floor, West Hartford, CT (860)748-4064 or (860)561-2294 Alternityhealthcare.com

William Nager is a 1985 Graduate of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, in Portland Oregon. He also earned a second degree in chiropratic medicine from Western State Chiropractic College. For the past 25 years Dr. Nager has practiced family medicine using non-toxic therapies for digestive disorders, anxiety, and depression, fatigue, back pain, eczema, allergies, hypertension, high cholesterol and pain management as well as other conditions within the scope of a general family medicine practice.

See ad on page 18.

Dr. Desmond Ebanks, founder of Alternity Healthcare, is a board certified Internal Medicine specialist with more than 22 years of experience treating patients.

Dr. Ebanks uses a comprehensive evaluation and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to expose a patient’s total health picture and develop a customized program incorporating bioidentical hormone balancing, clinical nutrition and exercise counseling and lifestyle modifications. He is the first physician in CT to offer the HeartSmartIMTplus; a non-invasive diagnostic scan endorsed by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. See ad on page 2.

11 Mountain Ave., Ste. 201, Bloomfield, CT (860) 242-8277

West Hartford Naturopathic Medicine 301 N. Main St., West Hartford, CT (860) 232-9662 • www.DRAIETA.com

Dr. Frank Aieta, founder of West Hartford Naturopathic Medicine, is a board certified licensed Naturopathic Physician who specializes in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease utilizing the most advanced natural therapeutics. He offers a wide range of natural, non-toxic treatments which include: Acupuncture, Spinal Manipulation, Clinical Nutrition, Detoxification, Pain Management, Herbal Medicine and Natural Hormone Balancing. See ad on page 39.

Whole Health Associates, LLC

Dr. Jennifer J. Stagg, Dr. Mark S. Stagg 100 Simsbury Rd., Suite 209, Avon, CT. (860) 674-0111, www.wholehealthllc.com frontdesk@wholehealthllc.com Whole Health Associates, LLC is an integrative family practice offering naturopathic, chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy services.

Every person is addressed on an individualized level, tailoring treatment plans to meet the specific needs of each patient. Consideration of all aspects of the patient’s life is taken into account. Unique services include comprehensive food allergy and neurotransmitter testing, stomach acid analysis, body composition testing and gentle chiropractic techniques. See ad on page 25.

Organic / Gluten free Divine Treasures

404 Middle Tpk. West, Manchester, CT. (860) 643-2552 Specializing in artisan organic chocolate made with luxuriously healthful ingredients. Explore vegan, sugar-free and gluten-free selections along with Greater Hartford’s only dairy-free holiday ice cream cakes. See ad on page 11.

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Center for Integrative Healthcare & Healing

533 Cottage Grove Rd, Bloomfield, CT (860) 243-2224 • www.cmgmds.com/cihh.html The first of its kind in the country, Connecticut Multispecialty Group (CMG) is a large multispecialty group with its own Integrative Medicine Department. The physician-directed model uniquely blends conventional medicine with complementary therapies. Over 70 physicians work collaboratively with licensed massage therapists, licensed acupuncturists, certified energy workers, and registered dieticians. The end result is comprehensive model of healthcare delivery that focuses on whole person wellness and optimal health. CMG also features an electronic health record that interconnects all providers and offers portable flash drives with personal health information to all its clients. See ad on page 8.

Health & Healing, LLC Deanna M. Cherrone, MD

12 West Main Street, Avon, CT. (860) 677-4600 • naturalhealthandhealing.net D r. D e a n n a C h e r r o n e , founder of Natural Health & Healing, is a board certified Internal Medicine physician who has changed the focus of her practice from traditional Internal Medicine to Functional Medicine. Functional Medicine is a science based approach to health care that involves looking at each patient as a whole being with interconnected systems that function best when they are all in balance.

See ad on page 55. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Osteopathic Phys.

Origins Of Health, LLC

Jill Moorcroft, DO, Tom Moorcroft, DO 844 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury, CT 860-430-9790 • www.OriginsOfHealth.com Origins Of Health is a holistic medical center that specializes in Osteopathic Manipulation,including Cranial Osteopathy, Integrative Medicine and Nutrition. Founders Drs. Tom and Jill Moorcroft integrate their personal passion and extensive training as Family Medicine Physicians while working with you to develop a personalized approach to health that stimulates the self-healing forces within. Our goal is to assist you in realizing optimum health while being free to enjoy life and all it has to offer. See ad on page 5.

Psychotherapist Dori L. Gatter, Psy.D., LPC

17 S Highland St., West Hartford, CT 06119 203.258.4113 Dori Gatter,Psy.D., LPC is trained in a broad palette of therapies, which include: Body Centered Psychotherapy, Reiki, and Mindfulness. She has co-written two books and runs training programs and workshops nationally on Bonding and Attachment. Also an Image Consultant, she started her image consulting business knowing that in addition to needing support for our inner process, we need support to integrate our image with our growth. She has created an entire program for developing the self from the inside out. For more information please check out her website at www.drdorigatter.com or contact her directly either by phone at 860.258.4113 or email dori@drdorigatter.com. See ad on pg. 30.

Soul Support Counseling

Nancy M Brockett, PhD, LPC West Hartford, CT 860.223.2232 www.soul-support.org Feeling stressed, confused, anxious or depressed? Imagine yourself breaking free from worries and fear and then confidently doing what you haven't been able to before! We work together from the perspective of the whole self to get to the heart of what’s troubling you. Using painless, drug-free treatments, Dr Brockett helps you uncover and build on your own inner strengths so you can free yourself from negativity and live with more joy in your life. See ad on page 27.

Schools Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies

Thermography, Breast X to Rays, LLC

LauraMignosa, NCCH Nationally certified Chinese Herbologist 900 Wells Road (RT. 175) Wethersfield, (860) 6665064, www.ctherbschool.com.

Suzanne Pyle, MS, CCT 35 Boston Street, Guilford, CT 06437 866 xtorays(986-7297) or 203 331-2878 www.xtorays.com

Founded in 1992, the CT Institute of Herbal Studies focuses on Traditional Chinese Medicine and offers a Certified Herbology Program with a foundation in both theory and clinical diagnosis as practiced in China today. See ad on page 32.

Suzanne is a board certified clinical thermographer. She offers totally safe (no radiation), painless (no compression), 97% accurate FDA approved breast cancer screening. With a masters in Nutrition, Suzanne also advises on breast and body health. Scans for thyroid, lung, liver, gall bladder, pancreas and ovaries are also available. Call for locations throughout CT.

The Graduate Institute

Leslie Cahill, Director of Admissions, Recruitment (203) 874-4252 • www.learn.edu.

The Graduate Institute is an accredited institution of higher education that offers Master of Arts degrees in emerging fields of inquiry. Degree programs include: Experiential Health and Healing, Peace Studies, Oral Traditions, Holistic Thinking, and Conscious Evolution. Classes meet one weekend per month and programs are offered in Hartford, Bethany, New Milford, and Stamford, CT. For more information or to find an Information Session near you, call (203) 874-4252 or visit www.learn. edu. See ad on page 45.

Vibrational/Energy Healing Simply Fitness for the spirit, mind and body

Anew You Skincare & Wellness Center

We are committed to strengthening your overall wellbeing and skin health through the use of excellent quality products and extraordinary services that produce amazing results. Only natural ingredients are used, including plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential oils! We want you to be "WOWED"! See ad on page 15.

Simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body offers programs and services that help spiritual beings get unstuck in their human experience. Owner Priscilla Bengtson is dedicated to helping people live a joyous and fulfilled life and offers classes and workshops that help people achieve this. Private sessions are offered for intuitive and angel readings, hypnosis, reiki, mandala healing, and health coaching. Psychic parties are also offered in your home or at the center. See ad on page 18.

Melissa Martin, 16A Ensign Drive, Avon.

(860)284-9730, www.anewyouskincare.net Melissa@anewyouskincare.net

Robin Clare

Inner Wisdom Guide 10 Crossroads Plaza, West Hartford, CT. 860-232-3331, info@clare-ity.com Clare-ity Brings Peace of Mind! We all want a more balanced and centered life. We want to know what is in our best interest regarding our relationships, our health or the focus of our work. Robin Clare teaches people from all walks of life how to find balance in their lives. With offerings that include The Clare-ity Method, Akashic Record Reading, Energy Healing and Pineal Gland Activation, Robin will help you to reach “clare-ity” in your life based on where you are currently in your life and where you aspire to be. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact Robin at 860-232-3331 or Robin@clare-ity.com. See ad on page 14.

Weave Your Life LLC

Priscilla Bengtson, ATP® 122A Naubuc Avenue, Ste 210, Glastonbury, CT (860)632-8434 simplyfitnessonline.com

Skincare

Vibrational/Energy Healing

Spas / Day Spas

Audrey Bennett, LCSW, LADC 100 Queen Street Southington, CT 06489 Integrative Psychotherapy, Shamanic Arts, Flower Essences, Ceremonial Supplies, Special Events. http://audreybennett.vpweb.com. (860) 819-8570.

Yoga Centers Fuller Yoga Pilates and Massage 860-951-9642 info@fulleryoga.com www.fulleryoga.com

Hartford’s largest yoga/pilates/massage studio provides a serene and vibrant space to experience personal growth and awareness. We promote a non-competitive, friendly environment for every individual to journey physically and mentally towards their true self. Give yourself the gift of complete presence. We have classes for everyone at all levels. All modalities of massage available. Private yoga/pilates sessions are also available. See ad on page 35.

Merriman Woods Yoga & Life Coaching, LLC Wholistic Spa

18 School St., Glastonbury, CT (860) 657-4105, www.wholisticspa.com.

Dr. Helene Pulnik ND, LAc, Med. Director Wholistic Spa™ is a haven of total wellness.

From the moment you step into our quiet space, we are focused on your complete wellness. Our treatments use the purest natural and organic ingredients, with no toxic synthetic ingredients. We offer organic facials, hand & foot treatments and signature massage services for women, men and couples, featuring EMINENCE Organic Skin Care from Hungary. We also offer an array of deeply therapeutic and purifying services to help you achieve optimal health from the inside out! Inner Health. Outer Beauty™. See ad on page 42.

L.O.V.E. Lightworker of Vibrational Energy LLC

Gayle Franceschetti Med,CHt. 36 Cheshire Rd., Wallingford,CT 203-265-2927 www.return2love.net Gayle Franceschetti is the founder of the L.O.V.E. Institute and is an acclaimed intuitive counselor and healer, Reiki Master, certified Hypnotherapist and past life regressionist. As an open channel for Divine Energy, Gayle integrates the power of universal love, compassion and understanding in all her workshops and healing sessions. Gayle conducts healing and mentoring sessions in person, by phone and hosts a variety of workshops and power journeys throughout the U.S. and around the world.

See ad on page 21. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Migdalia Merriman Burlington, CT 06013 (860) 675-3684

Offers on going Yoga & Wellness classes, workshops & retreats in Art, Chinese Medicine, Aruveda, Yoga, Meditation and Chakra Balancing with Migdalia Merriman and guest teachers. Visit merrimanwoodsyoga.com for a complete listing of offerings. See ad on page 30.

Sacred Rivers Yoga

Paula Scopino LMT, E-RYT 500 IAYT Owner / Director 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033 PH. 860.657.9545 • FAX. 860.657.3161 www.sacredriversyoga.com. See ad on page 19.

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CommunityCalendar Sunday, January 2nd Anusara Yoga Basics. 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm. $48 for series or $16 to drop in. With Julie Wolman and Tammy Villamizar. Julie and Tammy will draw from the Anusara Principles of Alignment to teach an open hearted, playful class. This is a four week series starting Sunday January 2nd through January 30th except the 23rd. Open to all levels. Visit www. sacredriversyoga.com for more information.

Pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545.

Thursday, January 6th Free Gentle Yoga with Balanced Essence, LLC. 6:45p-7:45. Please join us in this Yoga class which includes gentle movements, breathe awareness, and meditation. See how yoga builds strength, flexibility, focus, and stamina. Please bring yoga mat(if you have one), water, and blanket. Space is limited call (860)372-4848 to sign up! Reilly Family Chiropractic Rocky Hill Office 28 Church Street Rocky Hill CT. Eat in Alignment with Source with Julie Sochacki. Learn to eat in alignment with your desires and honor your magnificent body with foods that also nourish your mind and spirit! As our bodies become more “lightfilled”, we need less of some foods while other foods should be eliminated entirely.

“Heavy/dense” foods, we may decide, may hold us back in life. Passiflora Café, Tea Room & Herbal Shoppe, 526 Main Street, New Hartford. 860-379-TEAS. passifloratea@ earthlink.net. www.passiflorateas.com.

Developing Your Intuition Series. 6:30pm8:30pm. $125 Tap into your innate ability of "knowing". Through the use of meditation, sharing and experiential exercises you will begin to master the technique of accessing your creativity and intuition at will. (creative financing available) 36 Cheshire Road, Wallingford Dates: Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb 3 & 10 To register or for more information please contact Gayle @203-265-2927, email sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net, or visit www. return2love.net.

Developing Your Intuition Teleconference Series. 9:00pm-10:30pm. $97 Tap into your innate ability of "knowing". Through the use of meditation, sharing and experiential exercises you will begin to master the technique of accessing your creativity and intuition at will. (creative financing available) Dates: Jan 6, 13, 20,27,&Feb 3 To register or for more information please contact Gayle @203-2652927, email sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.return2love.net.

50 January 2011

The Functional Spine. No Cost. George Giannoni, PT, GDMT, IMTC. 1:15pm-1:45pm.

This class provides the student with the basic essentials for proper body mechanics as well as proper ergonomics throughout daily activity. CenterIMT, 800 Cottage Grove Road, Building 2, Blomfield, CT 06002. To obtain additional information or to sign up for this class, please contact Matt Connell-Giammatteo at mattconnell@centerimt.com or by calling (860) 243-5220 x 128.

Friday, January 7th Crystal Bowls Sound Healing. 7 - 8:30 pm. $15. Edie Jemiola, RMT, facilitates. Sound used with intention can shift the energy in and around the body to help reestablish physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Experience the purity and passion of Edie's voice and quartz crystal bowls.

Bring a mat, pillow and blanket. Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Register with Edie: (860) 933-8145.

Saturday, January 8th Laughter Playshop. 10-11 am. Free will donation. Mylene Poitras, certified Laughter Yoga Instructor facilitates. Laughter produces endorphins which counteract the production of stress hormones, appears to optimize the immune system, and helps fight chronic pain associated with muscle tensions. This playshop includes deep breathing, stretching, laughtercises and relaxation. 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Register with Mylene: 860-5384724 by January 5.

The Wish® Game. 3 pm. - 5 pm. $35.00/per person *preregistration required. The game helps shift you energetically, by raising your awareness and then clearing away any blocks or negative beliefs standing in the way of your wish becoming a reality. From this new energetic space, you find yourself empowered to action your wish, which means your wishes can and do start coming true! Torus Bloom, LLC - 248 Farmington Ave., Suite 202, Hartford, CT 06105. Contact: 860-7241234 or TorusBloom@gmail.com.

Life Coaching Group - Mini Series. Also Jan. 15 & 22. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. $ 60.00. Registration required. Discover your Authentic Self! Identify, clarify, and prioritize your goals and dreams with life coaching. Are you ready to make an investment in yourself? If so, I am ready to guide you in your journey. Tours Bloom, LLC - 248 Farmington Ave. , Suite 202, Hartford, CT 06105. Contact: 860-7241230 or TorusBloom@gmail.com.

www.naturalnutmeg.com

Sunday, January 9th Reiki I. 9:00am. – 5:00pm. $125.00. Attune to the universal energy in this Level I Usui Reiki class. Participants will learn traditional hand positions, how to give a full body session and receive attunements to the universal Reiki energy for self-healing and healing others. Held at simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. For more information, please contact Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www.simplyfitnessonline.com.

Monday, January 10th Ancient Teas of China. 6:30- 8:30 pm. Laura Mignosa, NCCH. $26.00 additional $4.00 if sample of herbs provided. We will discuss how teas are as important today as they were for the people and emperors’ going back 5000 years. Let's weave a web of history from our 1st doctors and monks to find how we came to know the importance of staying well thru all seasons using just 8 herbs/foods & teas that can easily be made into 4 different formulas. Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies, 900 Wells Road (Rt 175) Wethersfield, Ct 06109. 860-666-5064. www.

CTHerbschool.com.

Open House Week January 10th - 16th All classes $5.00. Fuller Yoga Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park St. 2nd Flr., Hartford, 860-9519642, www.fulleryoga.com, Choose from a variety of styles and instructors to suit your needs. Intro, Ashtanga, Gentle, Fuller and Iyengar are some of our weekly offerings that will change your life.

Experiencing the Akashic Records. 6:308:30pm $20 Each soul has its own Akashic Record. Learn your Soul’s purpose, Receive Positive Spiritual Guidance, from your Masters, Teachers and Loved Ones, and Access Past, Present & Potential Future Information Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. To register or for more information please contact Gayle Franceschetti @203-265-2927, email sunnispirit@ sbcglobal.net, or visit www.return2love.net.

Tuesday, January 11th Meet, Move and Pray. 6:30pm. – 8:30pm. $100.00. Four Tuesdays, January 11th, 18th, 25th and February 1st. Each class, we will discuss life issues that are holding you back then we’ll move into a body awareness workout that allows you to get in touch with your physical self. We end with prayer and intentions. Held at simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. To register, please call Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www. simplyfitnessonline.com.

Wednesday, January 12th Healing in Harmony Night. 5pm. – 7pm.

FREE. This is a drop-in healing service.

Participants will sit individually with Priscilla Bengtson and receive a healing. Each healing will be approximately 8 – 10 minutes.

You will be served in the order in which you enter the center. Held at simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. For more information, please contact Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www.simplyfitnessonline.com.

Janet Hulme – Improving Bladder/Bowel Strength. No Cost. 1:15pm-1:45pm. Marilyn Gross, PT, IMTC. Based on the work of Janet Hulme – focus on pelvic strength and stability. This one hour class is structured to provide individuals, suffering from any type of pelvic pain, with easy sets of functional exercises to improve strength and mobility. CenterIMT, 800 Cottage Grove Road, Building 2, Blomfield, CT 06002. To sign up for this class, please contact Matt ConnellGiammatteo at mattconnell@centerimt.com or by calling (860) 243-5220 x 128.

Shamanic Journey Circle. 7- 8:45 pm. $12.

Marian Vitali, DC facilitates (www.wholelifewellnessshaman.com). Call your spirit teachers, angels, power animals or helping guides to join your journeying. Some journeying experience requested. Please bring a drum or rattle, eye cover, and notebook.

Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Call Marian at 860-918-8703 to register.

Thursday, January 13th Introduction to Belly Dancing with Julie Lepkowicz. Ladies, access that sacred feminine (at this season of going inward) and just come out and have fun. Targeted to those with little or no belly dancing experience who have always wanted to give a try. A safe, happy, fun-filled night for you and your friends. Passiflora Café, Tea Room & Herbal Shoppe, 526 Main Street, New Hartford. 860-379-TEAS. passifloratea@earthlink.net. www.passiflorateas.com.

The Power of Relaxation with Odiyana Meditation Center. 6:45p -7:45p FREE. Sometimes our lives can feel stressful and overwhelming. If we learn how to relax the body and mind, we can feel energized and happy in all kinds of situations. Through the practice of meditation, we can create a spacious, peaceful mind that we can take with us anywhere. Everyone Welcome! Space is limited (860)372-4848 to sign up! Reilly Family Chiropractic Glastonbury Office 10 Commerce St, Ste B Glastonbury CT.

Saturday, January 15th

Tuesday, January 18th

Yoga Dance. 4pm – 5:30 pm. $10 pre-paid, $15 at the door. With Jean Skeels. Come get your groove on! Yoga Dance, the most fun you will ever have doing yoga. A liberating and joy filled practice that combines the energy of yoga with the freeing experience of dance. No dance knowledge or experience necessary. Yoga Dance is a practice for anybody and all ages. Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information. Preregister by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545

January Jumpstart Your Journey. 6-9 pm. $20.

Lauren Mas, RMT facilitates. Get an energetic jumpstart for 2011. Balance chakras, remove negativity and align your body's energy with your goals, hopes, and aspirations for 2011. Receive a Reiki Healing attunement to connect you to positive energies that can promote healing and transformation. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com.

Register with Lauren at 860-202-9981, www. morningsunreiki.com.

Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis w/Drew Ditittorio, Dipl. Ch. 9:30-4:00pm. Also Jan. 16th.

This hands-on training will teach how to use these two pillars of Chinese Medicine as a confirmation of your treatment strategy after a differential diagnosis has been made. All modalities can benefit from knowledge obtained in this class. It is part of our 1 Year Certification course in Chinese Herbal Therapy. (12 CEU's for Massage Therapists). $189.00 for any holistic practitioner. Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies, 900 Wells Road (Rt 175) Wethersfield, Ct 06109. 860-666-5064. www.CTHerbschool.com.

Usui Reiki One Certification. 10 am – 4:30 pm. $ 150. Lauren Mas, RMT, teaches. Reiki is a simple, yet profound healing technique.

Learn the history, theory and practice of Reiki and receive your attunement as a Level I Practitioner, allowing you to give healing to yourself and others. Includes materials for follow-up practice. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Contact Lauren to register, www.morningsunreiki.com, at 860202-9981.

Sunday, January 16th The Passion Test. 2-5 pm. $45. Cathy EwingRinker, LCSW, MDiv facilitates. The Passion Test is a simple yet powerful tool for discovering your passions and living your destiny. It will help you uncover the things that are most important to you so that they will begin to become alive inside of you. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Register with Cathy: 860-871-9295 by January 13.

Spine Health And Energy Medicine and Potluck. 4:30pm. Join Northern Connecticut Vegetarians as Tina Laviana, P.T., R.N., demonstrates how to keep your spine strong and healthy. Use Emotional Freedom Technique to eliminate a craving. Attendees should bring a Vegan dish to share and their place setting.

Cost is $7 For Adults/Free For Children. Carniglia Senior Center, 41 Oak Street, Windsor Locks.Harry at (860) 623-8082 or email veggyharry@aol.com for more information. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Reiki II. 6:30-9:00pm $150. Also Wed Jan 19th. Reiki II attunes higher frequencies of energy enhancing your healing work Gain the ability to heal from a distance, as well as to heal mental, emotional and past life issues. (creative financing available) Materials/Certification included. Wallingford For more information or to register please contact Gayle @203-265-2927, email sunnispirit@ sbcglobal.net, or visit www.return2love.com

Wednesday, January 19th Vibrational Healing Meditation. 7-8:30 pm. $15. Lisa Burch, LCSW, RMT & Marna Walter, RN, RMT, facilitate. Relax with this blend of guided imagery and sound healing with the Tibetan singing bowls, drum and tingshas.

Reiki may be offered as time allows and Spirit guides. Bring a mat, pillow and blanket if you wish to lie down. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www. spiritmattersct.com. Register with Lisa: 860871-9295 x2.

Memory Stimulation. 12:45 Free. Most people memory lapses are a normal part of aging, not a warning of serious impairment.

They are many ways to improve your memory and keep it from disrupting your daily life.

Learn ideas that are easy to implement enhance your memory. Canton Senior Center, 40 Dyer Ave. Collinsville, CT 860. 693.5808

Thursday, January 20th Core Stabilization & Strengthening Class.

No Cost. Carol Gordon, PT, IMTC. 1:15pm2:00pm. This free class offers the student basic core stabilization and strengthening techniques that can be performed easily at home or hotel room. CenterIMT, 800 Cottage Grove Road, Building 2, Blomfield, CT 06002. To obtain additional information or to sign up for this class, please contact Matt Connell-Giammatteo at mattconnell@centerimt.com or by calling (860) 243-5220 x 128.

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CommunityCalendar Friday, January 21st Gallery Night. 6:30 pm. – 8:30 pm. $45.00.

Enjoy an intimate evening of learning about angels and guides and experiencing intuitive readings with medium and certified Angel Therapy Practitioner®, Priscilla Bengtson.

Everyone in attendance will receive a message. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Held at simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. To register, please call Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www. simplyfitnessonline.com.

Qi Gong Intensive I – A 3-part workshop series. 6:00-8:30 pm. Join us to learn about the ancient Chinese healing art of Qi Gong.

Learn movement, breathing techniques and focused intention to balance life-force energy, strengthen bones & marrow and cleanse organs. Come away with a daily exercise routine you can use to maintain health, energetic and emotional balance. Spirit Matters,19 Pinney St in Ellington – Presented by George Hoffman, Silver Dragon Tai Chi & Qi Gong.

Fee: $45 each, 2 for $80, all 3 for $110. Parts 2 & 3: 2/18 & 3/18.

Saturday, January 22nd Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory Terminology Course. (May be a Stand Alone Class)*pre-requisite for Chinese Herbology Program* (24 CEU). 9:30 - 4:30pm. Laura Mignosa, NCCH. Two Sat. & Sun, 22-23, & 29-30. This is a powerful course for anyone interested in the Differential Diagnosis of Traditional Chinese Medicine and it's uses today. TCM describes disharmonies without diagnosing disease. $459.00. Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies, 900 Wells Road (Rt 175) Wethersfield, Ct 06109. 860-666-5064. www.CTHerbschool.com.

Sunday, January 23rd Women’s Empowerment Meditation.

10am – 12:00 p.m. $25.00. This guided meditation is specifically designed to the energy of the group. The energy of the group helps us to release those things that no longer serve our highest good. Held at simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. To register, please call Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www.simplyfitnessonline.com.

Fuller Yoga Back Bend Clinic. 5pm-7pm Fee $50, Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-9519642, www.FullerYoga.com. Open up to a new year and a new you with this gentle approach to back bending postures. Find the one essential muscle you need to release that will open your body and free your spine. Call to register.

52 January 2011

Monday, January 24th

Thursday, January 27th

Shamanism In Today’s Backyard: An Introduction. 7-9 pm. $15. Marian Vitale, DC facilitates, www.wholelifewellnessshaman. com. The wisdom of shamans, sages, and medicine people is being recognized and drawn upon throughout the world. This introduction will present some basic features of Shamanism, an intuitive exercise, and a closing ceremony. Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Register with Marian at 860-9188703.

When is it time to get help at home. 11:45 am. Free. We all relish our personal freedom, independence and want to stay in control however it comes a point in time when our chronological age equates with the decline in health. Learn to identify the tell tale signs that indicate your love one needs assistance at home. Glastonbury Senior Center, Riverfront Community Center, 300 Welles Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033. Telephone 860.652.7645.

Tuesday, January 25th How Much Is Enough? 7-8:45pm. $25, or 2 for $20 each. Peg Busse, MBA, facilitates. Too often we do not make changes in our lives because we think we cannot afford them financially. This workshop explores your relationship with money. How does it make us feel and how does it influence our decisions. www.rainbowquestllc.com. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT. www.spiritmattersct.com. Register with Peg: 860-966-6331 by January 22.

Open House at The Graduate Institute. 6:30 pm. Learn about unique Masters degree and certificate programs in emerging fields of inquiry. 171 Amity Road, Bethany, CT. Call (203) 874-4252 or visit www.learn.edu for more information.

Group Past Life Regression. 6:30pm-8:30pm. $20. Through exploration of your past lives, learn some of the reasons you are repeating patterns, why you were born into your particular family or why you have certain behaviors. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. No previous experience necessary. To register or for more information please contact Gayle Franceschetti @203-265-2927, email sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net, or visit www. return2love.net.

Wednesday, Janaury 26th Natural Healthcare for Autism, ADD, & ADHD with Dr. Jared Skowron of Harvest Park Naturopathic Center and Dr. Reilly of Reilly Family Chiropractic. 6:30p FREE. Dr. Jared Skowron, ND is a Connecticut licensed Naturopathic Physician and Certified DAN! doctor, specializing in pediatrics and treating autistic spectrum disorders in children. Delicious gluten free and dairy free options from Dee's Gluten Free Bakery will be available to enjoy. Glastonbury Office 10 Commerce St, Ste B Glastonbury CT.

www.naturalnutmeg.com

Friday, January 28th Food for Thought. 6:30pm. $20. Guided meditation and three-course vegetarian meal.

Pre-registration required. Please register by 1/22. Odiyana Meditation Center, 297 Oakland Rd. South Windsor, CT. info@odiyana. org / 860-268-7251. www.meditationinconnecticut.org.

Saturday, January 29th Shamanic Journeying: Beginner’s Intensive.

1-5pm. $40. Marian Vitale, DC facilitates (www.wholelifewellnessshaman.com). This is an introduction to shamanic journeying, to explore beginning yet essential practices to access the world of spirit. Journeying helps you connect to spiritual wisdom for your own transformational growth and health. Bring a drum or rattle, eye cover, and notebook. Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Register with Marian at 860-918-8703. www.wholelifewellnessshaman.com.

Learning to Let Go. 10am. – 12pm. $35.00.

If you are someone who hangs onto emotional issues, lives with pain or needs to release a habit, this workshop will introduce you to the simple technique of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). You will learn to release the things that no longer serve your highest good.

Held at simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. To register, please call Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www.simplyfitnessonline.com.

Sunday February 6th 16th Annual Open House. 1pm -3pm. Free.

Come Join us as we meet new friends and connect with old ones! Enjoy the afternoon with Chinese Teas and Snacks for All. We will discuss the many classes and ideas CIHS has to offer this year. A 10% early registration discount will be given on Program paid in full today. Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies, 900 Wells Road (Rt 175) Wethersfield, Ct 06109. 860-666-5064 ~ www.CTHerbschool.com.

Ongoing Events Sunday Women's Temple In Her Name. 10:30-11:45, Collinsville, CT. Suggested Donation $5-10.

(860) 693-9540. www.womenstemple.net.

Drop-In Meditation Classes. Donation only; Tuesdays & Thursdays $10 or free for members. 11am-12:15pm. Starting 1/9; Tuesdays 7-8:30pm starting 1/4; Thursdays 6-7pm starting 1/13Each class includes guided meditations, a teaching on how to apply Buddhist principles to daily life, and time for discussion and questions. Odiyana Meditation Center, 297 Oakland Rd. South Windsor, CT. info@odiyana.org. 860268-7251. www.meditationinconnecticut.org

Monday Intro to Fuller Yoga. 7:30pm class cards and drop in rates apply. Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-951-9642, www.FullerYoga.com.

This class is ideal for those who are new to yoga and who want to learn how to combine movement and breath to maximize flexibility. Students are led in postures that emphasize spinal flexibility and core strength.

Intro to Yoga. 6:30pm Jan. 17th- Feb. 28th Fee $77 Drop In $17, Fuller Yoga Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park St. 2nd Flr., Hartford, 860951-9642, www.fulleryoga.com, You will learn the names and proper alignment of the basic postures used in your weekly yoga classes. You will also learn basic breathing exercises and their benefits that are practiced in regular class.

Hot Power Yoga. 6:15-7:30pm class cards and drop in rates apply. Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-951-9642, www.FullerYoga.com Heating the body up is one of the best ways to increase flexibility and blood flow. Our room is heated warmer than our other rooms but does not exceed 90 degrees as we do not want students to overexert themselves as their bodies open up with the heat.

Tuesday Tai Chi for health. Glastonbury. 12pm - 1:00.

Information call the Hartford Hospital Referral Service at 860-545-1888 or 1-800-545-7664. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese holistic exercise system with its roots in the martial arts. It consists of slow, relaxed movements for the improvement of body and mind. It's unique qualities make it beneficial for all. The Tai Chi for Health program was designed by Health care professionals and Tai Chi experts to improve the health of those with Arthritis and Osteoporosis. The exercises can be adjusted to fit the needs of the individual; most can even be done while sitting down.

1 month $80/twice a week or $45/once a week.

Tai Chi for health. Wethersfield. 3:30pm - 4:30.

Information call the Hartford Hospital Refer-

ral Service at 860-545-1888 or 1-800-5457664. See description on previous listing. 1 month $80/twice a week or $45/once a week.

Tai Chi for health. Windsor. 7:30 pm - 8:30.

Information call the Hartford Hospital Referral Service at 860-545-1888 or 1-800-5457664. 1 month $80/twice a week or $45/once a week. See description on previous listing.

Drop-In Meditation Classes. $10 or free for members. 7-8:30pm starting Jan. 4th. Each class includes guided meditations, a teaching on how to apply Buddhist principles to daily life, and time for discussion and questions.

Odiyana Meditation Center, 297 Oakland Rd. South Windsor, CT. info@odiyana.org / 860268-7251. www.meditationinconnecticut.org.

Wednesday Stress relief! Free sessions of Reflexology, TT, CST, Reiki, Guided Imagery, and more during EPIPHANY. Ist Wednesday of the month except January and July. 6-8:30pm. 225 Commerce Drive in Canton. Also in Southington from 1-3pm at 232 Bristol Street. 2/3, 3/3, 4/7. Children welcome. Sessions may enhance learning skills.

Hot Power Yoga. 6:15-7:30pm class cards and drop in rates apply. Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-951-9642, www.FullerYoga.com Heating the body up is one of the best ways to increase flexibility and blood flow. Our room is heated warmer than our other rooms but does not exceed 90 degrees as we do not want students to overexert themselves as their bodies open up with the heat.

Thursday Drop-In Meditation Classes. $10 or free for members. 6-7pm starting 1/13. Each class includes guided meditations, a teaching on how to apply Buddhist principles to daily life, and time for discussion and questions. Odiyana Meditation Center, 297 Oakland Rd. South Windsor, CT. info@odiyana.org. 860268-7251.www.meditationinconnecticut.org Tai Chi for health. Windsor. 7:30 pm - 8:30.

Information call the Hartford Hospital Referral Service at 860-545-1888 or 1-800-5457664. 1 month $80/twice a week or $45/once a week. See description on previous listing.

Qi Gong/Tai Chi. 9:30 a.m. December 2nd to January 13th. Learn the asian secrets and tools you can use the rest of your life for your well being. Well being is your birthright! One hour class. First class free to try. $42.00 for the session. Walk ins $10.00 First Church of Christ, Congregational 81 High Street, Suffield, CT. 860-844-8535.

Tai Chi for health. Wethersfield. 3:30pm - 4:30.

Information call the Hartford Hospital Referral Service at 860-545-1888 or 1-800-545-7664.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese holistic exercise www.naturalnutmeg.com

system with its roots in the martial arts. It consists of slow, relaxed movements for the improvement of body and mind. It's unique qualities make it beneficial for all. The Tai Chi for Health program was designed by Health care professionals and Tai Chi experts to improve the health of those with Arthritis and Osteoporosis.

The exercises can be adjusted to fit the needs of the individual; most can even be done while sitting down.1 month $80/twice a week or $45/ once a week. week or $45/once a week FREE Group Meditations! Enlightened Way Wellness Center is offering free on-going meditation sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30am and 5:30pm. Each session is 30 minutes and it is great if you are new to meditation or just want a tranquil place to practice. Visit www.enlightenedway.com for more information or call (860) 217-0340. Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081 (junction of RTE 315 and RTE 189.

Friday Tai Chi for health. Glastonbury. 12pm - 1:00.

Information call the Hartford Hospital Referral Service at 860-545-1888 or 1-800-545-7664. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese holistic exercise system with its roots in the martial arts. It consists of slow, relaxed movements for the improvement of body and mind. It's unique qualities make it beneficial for all. The Tai Chi for Health program was designed by Health care professionals and Tai Chi experts to improve the health of those with Arthritis and Osteoporosis. The exercises can be adjusted to fit the needs of the individual; most can even be done while sitting down.

1 month $80/twice a week or $45/once a week.

Saturday Gentle Yoga. 8am. - 9am. $10 advance/$15 at door. The gentle yoga class will focus on increasing flexibility, reducing stress, strengthening muscles and improving alignment. Torus Bloom, LLC - 248 Farmington Ave., Suite 202, Hartford, CT 06105. Contact: 860-724-1230 or TorusBloom@gmail.com.

LK Chair Yoga. 9:30a.m. - 10:30a.m. $10 advance/$15 at door. LK Chair Yoga is Hatha yoga on a chair. It is an ideal option for those for whom practice on a mat is not readily accessible. Torus Bloom, LLC, 248 Farmington Ave., Suite 202, Hartford, CT 06105. Contact: 860-724-1230 or TorusBloom@gmail.com.

Therapeutic Yoga. 11-12:00pm. $25 advance/$35 at door * preregistration required.

Therapeutic Yoga integrates restorative yoga, gentle yoga, healing touch, breathwork, and guided meditation to create an environment that supports the body, mind and spirit in the process of healing. Torus Bloom, LLC, 248 Farmington Ave., Suite 202, Hartford, CT 06105. 860-7241230 or TorusBloom@gmail.com.

January 2011

53

Natural Planet

By Matt Miale

A monthly compendium of tips, thoughts, and updates about our shared home.

Adding "Green" Value to Your Home

I

ts official, winter has descended upon Connecticut. The holiday season has passed and the traditional hunkering down has begun. Most New Englanders are just now starting to see those first December heating bills, and oil prices are on the rise. The Farmers Almanac is calling for a long, cold, winter in 2011, and with the current state of the economy every penny is going to count.

The good news is being Green in 2011 is nowhere near as hard as it used to be. As everyone’s beloved Muppet might remind us today, It IS easy being green! Here are some quick things you can do that won’t break the bank or require you to don the tool belt, while offering an immediate return on your investment. By reducing your impact on the planet you’ll save money, improve the value of your home, and reduce your carbon footprint. Growing public demand, government support, and technological advances in energy efficiency have come a long way. Here are the first things you should do: • Visit www.ctsavesenergy.org, (The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund) to sign up for an in-home energy efficiency analysis. For a $75 one time fee, a certified energy specialist will visit your home and run a full, top to bottom analysis and make a flurry of fixes to improve your home, (insulation, caulking, light bulb replacement, water reducing valves, weather stripping, etc). The repairs alone would likely cost ten times the cost if you did them on your own or hired a contractor and the types of improvements are guaranteed to pay back the initial expense ten times over the life of your homeownership.

• Change your electricity provider. Deregulation has opened the flood gates for discount electricity providers.

At absolutely no cost to you, and with a seamless transition (your biller doesn’t even change), you can now specify who you buy your electricity from, and brokers have entered the market forcing energy providers to offer very competitive pricing on electricity. The average savings over your standard provider is 20%. Better yet, select a supplier that offers 100% ‘green’ fuel. Some of these suppliers still offer savings over your tradiditonal supplier! That’s a win win! Visit www. ctenergyinfo.com to see a list of the current published rates of these discount providers, or contact a licensed broker like Energy Choice, LLC www.energychoicenow.com to sign up for a discount provider.

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• Solar has returned with a tour de force of options for the green conscious household. Partnering with CEEF (Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund), CT Solar Leasing www.CTSolarlease.com will install a full solar energy system on your home for the equivalent cost of your monthly electric bill.

The equipment is installed with lease to own terms, designed to maintain your average monthly expense, while providing earth-friendly produced hot water and electricity to your home. Any overage is sold back to the grid. After your lease expires, you are offered the option to buy the equipment, and all the benefits of free electricity and a potential source of income for life, adding tremendous value to your home.

• Get right with your appliances; Do you have an old refrigerator in your basement? Start by unplugging the old, spare fridge and you will save energy and money - probably save close to $200 a year. If you need the extra space for a large family, consider purchasing an inexpensive Energy Star Appliance at a Discount Retailer or Scratch and Dent Store.

Energy Star appliances have to meet two primary goals set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency; reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide significant energy savings to consumers without sacrificing on features demanded by consumers. By upgrading the appliances in your home, you can expect substantial and quick payback.

• Most of the houses in Connecticut pre-date the en vogue of energy efficiency, and every home can be improved upon. In 2011 there are a host of Federal Tax Credits available that in some cases can pay you back as much as 30% of the cost of the improvement right away. Visit www.energy. gov/taxbreaks.htm to get details on all available tax credits.

Adding up the lifetime savings can be eye opening. Look to improve upon these trouble spots in your house; attic & wall insulation, windows, heating and water heater efficiency, electrical upgrades, and appliances.

Ultimately, saving money and doing the right thing by our planet earth don’t have to be painful. A few phone calls can save you big money this year, and some simple changes in your household can add up to real cash in your pocket and tremendous value on your home.

For more information, contact Matthew Miale, of Keller Williams Realty, 860-416-1815

www.naturalnutmeg.com

www.naturalnutmeg.com

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