Natural Nutmeg January 2014

January 2014

Connecticut's Resource For Essential Living

Natural Nutmeg What Are Dieters Doing Wrong?

Dana Lapointe, ND

Resolve To Make This Year Different

The Beginning of the End

Bernie Siegel, MD

Cyndi Roberts

Enjoying A Healthy Menopause Donald Piccoli, DC

Navigating Through the Whole Foods Maze Yvette M. Whitton, ND

www.NaturalNutmeg.com

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Natural Nutmeg January 2014

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Featured Content What Are Dieters Doing Wrong?

Dr. Dana Lapointe, ND 10

O

Resolve To Make This Year Different Cyndi Roberts 17

ur mission is to provide valuable insight, information and resources that will allow our readers to maintain a healthy, active, sustainable lifestyle. Natural Nutmeg contains timely information on natural health, complementary and alternative medicine, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

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Navigating Through the Whole Foods Maze Yvette M. Whitton, ND 20

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Deb Percival Deb@naturalnutmeg.com

Enjoying A Healthy Menopause Dr. Donald Piccoli 28

ADVISORY BOARD Ann Aresco, N.D. Deanna M. Cherrone, MD Erika Dworkin, Dip. C.N. (Pend.)

Debra Gibson, ND Lauren Gouin, ND Kenneth Hoffman, LAc, CCH David Johnston, DO Vicki Kobliner, MS, RD, CD-N Donald Piccoli, DC Paul Tortland, DO

Departments The BUZZ 6 BERNIE 8 SHAPE 22 PREVENTION 24

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DISH 26 NUTMEG NUGGETS 27 REMEDIES 31 SELF 32 NOURISH 36 HAPPENINGS 38 RESOURCES 41 4

Natural Nutmeg January 2014

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

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DISTRIBUTION Greater Hartford and surrounding counties, please contact Natural Nutmeg.

FFC - Tom Cossuto, Man In Motion, LLC

Natural Nutmeg Magazine

P.O. Box 447, Avon, CT 06001 Ph. (860)206-9500 • Fax (860)263-8505 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 and distributed throughout Connecticut. Please call for a location near you. (860) 206-9500 or email to publisher@naturalnutmeg.com. © 2007-13 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.

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PUBLISHER'SLETTER

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t’s a brand new year and the perfect time to evaluate your level of fulfillment or satisfaction in your life by doing a life wheel exercise. There are eight sections to the wheel and they include: personal development, health & wellness, family, career, finances, spirituality, relationships and fun & enjoyment. You measure how fulfilled you are in each area by rating yourself on a scale of 1-10, 1 being unfulfilled, 10 being completely fulfilled. Most people will find that they are around a 7-9 in some areas, and only a 3-5 in other areas. What is important to remember is that if you are low in one area, it will trickle over into other areas and affect them, even if you have scored high in these areas.

Often I ask clients what they can do in each area to raise their score and come closer to fulfillment in each section.

What does it mean to be fulfilled in each area for you? To do this, it will probably require you to reach out and increase this dimension of your life, which is accomplished by expanding your comfort zone. So, let’s examine each area and give you some ideas to expand your life!

1. Personal development: you become fulfilled when you reach beyond your intellectual abilities by reading great books, listening to stimulating messages, learning new things and taking classes and workshops.

2. Health & wellness: when you expand your physical energy, challenge your physical limits, and improve your ability to perform, you are reaching out and living a richer, more fulfilled life. Find new ways to get active, try a new exercise class or sport, go for a hike, dance, whatever it takes to get off the couch.

3. Fun & enjoyment: when you spend time doing things you love, you are feeding your soul. When you take good care of yourself allowing for rest, renewal and relaxation without feeling guilty, you are ensuring the greatest return on your current and future performance.

4. Family: when you spend time strengthening, clarifying, and enhancing your relationships with your family, you are becoming richer and living a more satisfying life. Find the time to have dinner together, play games with your children or have a date night with your spouse.

5. Relationships: when you reach out by focusing on developing, deepening, and balancing relationships with both new and old friends you are enjoying a fulfilling life. Call a friend who you haven’t talked to in a while or even better, write them a letter – everyone loves to get a hand written letter.

6. Career: when you make the decision to commit your life to ever-increasing accomplishments, at ever-increasing levels of skill and mastery, you are leading a more fulfilled life. Check in frequently with your inner sense to make sure you are on the path of your soul’s purpose.

7. Financial: when you begin thinking of ways in which you can be of greater service to your customers, your employers and employees, you will not only begin to earn more money, it will also enable you to grow intellectually and spiritually.

8. Spirituality: you are expanding your level of fulfillment in spirituality when you practice forgiveness, gratitude, and mindfulness.

When you expand your comfort zone of what is possible in any area of your life, you are reaching out and living a fuller, richer, more prosperous life.

Natural Nutmeg has some exciting news for 2014! We recently launched a brand new website that is chock full of new content on everything from natural medicine to fitness to healthy cooking and green living. Check us out at www.naturalnutmeg.com. Please Like us on Facebook @naturalnutmegmagazine to receive up to the minute info on events and healthy happenings. In addition, starting in 2014, we will be moving to printing 9 issues and 12 digital issues. Our combined print issues (Feb/Mar, May/June, July/Aug) will be distributed throughout both months and there will be a new digital issue online during the months of March, June and August.

In health and happiness,

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Natural Nutmeg January 2014

THE BUZZ

Reduce Your Energy Bill While Helping the Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center

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ustomers of CL&P and The United Illuminating Company (UI) can help a regional cancer center when they have an energysaving home energy assessment done. Competitive Resources Inc. (CRI) of Wallingford will donate $25 to The Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center in Waterbury for every CL&P and UI customer who mentions the cancer center when they schedule and complete a home energy assessment with CRI by March 31, 2014.

The Leever Cancer Center, which is a joint venture partnership between Saint Mary’s Hospital and Waterbury Hospital, specializes in outpatient cancer care. Competitive Resources decided to run the home-energy assessment program to benefit the Leever Cancer Center because one of CRI’s employees was successfully treated there in 2004, according to Scott Hastie, regional manager of CRI. For a co-pay of $75 for customers who heat with electricity or natural gas and $99 for customers who heat with oil, the home energy assessment provides homeowners with an average of $1,000 in services and installed products that will help make their homes more energy efficient and lower their energy bills by an average of $200 annually. During the home energy assessment, CRI’s certified technicians will make energy saving improvements that include identifying and sealing air leaks and drafts, installing improved lighting and water-saving devices, and analyzing appliances and insulation.

CL&P and UI customers can schedule an appointment by calling 888-403-3500 or by going to http://www.criprograms.com.

Utility customers should have their account number available and mention Cancer Center when calling to schedule an energy assessment.

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fter the passing of her mom in 2000, Jo Homar felt connected to Spirit differently and through her mother’s love and guidance she found a new sense of purpose to serve Spirit and facilitate the healing process for others.

Jo has immersed herself into spiritual learning opportunities and education and would like to share her healing gifts with you as she facilitates your healing by using individualized techniques so you can embrace your true self. Jo is an Integrated Energy Therapy® Master-Instructor and Usui Reiki practitioner. Jo attended the Psyche Institute of Higher Learning where she obtained her Spiritual Counseling and Mediumship certifications. She is currently seeing clients at The Healing in Harmony Center located at 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury, CT. Whether it is releasing old patterns; clearing emotional stored memories; or restoring balance on the physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental level she can meet you where you are in your own process of healing.

If you are interested in receiving more information or to subscribe to her newsletter, please visit www.bountifulblessingsct.com.

To schedule an appointment please call Jo at 860.202.8269 or email at jo@bountifulblessingsct.com. See ad on page 11.

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January Healthy Food Lecture Series: • Saturday, 4th, 2-5pm - Quinoa • Friday, 10th, 4-6pm - Coconut Oil • Tuesday, 14th, 2-5pm - Pumpkin • Saturday, 25th, 2-5pm - Chia Seeds • Friday, 31st, 4-6pm - Kale Chips

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www.NaturalNutmeg.com

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BERNIE

By Bernie Siegel, MD

The Beginning of the End

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The best part of a good man never dies. You will see him in all the things here out of love and for love…The best part of a good man stays forever for love is immortal and makes all things immortal but hate dies every minute. ~ William Saroyan

t may seem strange for me to start a discussion about how to handle and when we do the curse becomes a blessing and helps us to become loss and the death of loved ones by saying that death is not the worst complete too. outcome. There is a point in everyone’s life, no matter their species, The key is enjoying the day as all animals do. The way to die when one’s body no longer will function and is not a comfortable place laughing is to accomplish what you are here to accomplish, and anito be in. mals do that much better than we do. To quote a veterinarian who let Symbolically, when people draw purple balloons, butterflies and her patients help her through surgery, “I can amputate a leg or jaw and kites going up into the sky they are telling me, often unconsciously, they wake up and lick their owner’s faces. They are here to love and be that they are ready for the healing that comes when they make the loved and teach us a few things.” spiritual transition and leave their bodies. Death is about beginnings A Hindu myth shares the words of a seven year old who is about and not endings. We do not call graduations terminations we call them to give his life to save another, “Consider this, sooner or later my body commencements, and so is death. Every caterpillar and butterfly un- will perish, but if it perishes without love, which the wise declare is derstands what the transformation means better than most people. the only thing of permanence, of what use will it have been?” When Saroyan shares these words at the end of a story in which a young he is about to die he bursts into joyful laughter and everyone stops and man dies; he becomes “dreamless, unalive, perfect”. And I know that clasps their hands together in an attitude of prayer. he is right. I have experienced a near death experience as a four year The other, and more practical aspect of dying laughing, is to reold choking on a toy. I aspirated, and I can tell you when you leave member the things you or others have done and tell stories about what your body you will most likely not want to come back. Even blind peo- you remember. Let your departed loved ones bring a smile to your face ple see when they have a NDE and are often upset when resuscitated and life. Animals have no trouble doing this but we, the incomplete and find themselves back in their body and blind again. species, need to learn to let the child out and to not be normal. Be a Harry Chapin’s song, “Circle”, shares these words: “It seems like character and live my WWLD when in doubt. What Would Lassie Do? I’ve been here before; I can’t remember when; But I have this funny Or if you want to, ask yourself what your departed beloved pet would feeling; That we’ll all be together again….Our love is like a circle; Let’s want you to do...and do it. go ’round one more time”. Yes, when the circle ends we grieve the loss Also remember we have a great deal to say about when we die. So of our loved ones, which is appropriate, but to live in the darkness is do not feel guilty if your beloved dies when you are not present. I have not what we are here for. seen this with our pets (who wait for family members to leave), and I can remember building a cairn over the grave of one of our dogs with my parents and patients. My father and some of our animals had who died and bringing a rock to the site every morning as I walked no problem sharing their last minutes sharing stories while I knew my by his grave. Then one morning I thought what I wanted to bring him mother and some of our animals would not die when their loved ones was beauty, so I picked a flower to place there. From that morning on I were in the room with them. So share your love but also give them time looked for beauty because of my loss and not a cold stone. to be with others and leave the room if you think they will feel better I have written about the candle that represents every one of our with you not experiencing their death. dead loved ones. I do not want to put Since consciousness is not local there out their candles with my excessive is still a part of all our departed loved ones My mother’s name was Rose. After she died, grieving and tears. I have learned to that is still here for us to experience and we kept finding roses and pennies everywhere. forgive myself as I know they would share with. I could tell endless stories about Finding pennies is my way of knowing forgive me, and to use my pain to the experiences of loved ones who have nourish myself and others and make lost family members or animals and had I am on the right path, and my mom’s our lives meaningful. When one is them return spiritually or symbolically after great grandchildren started spontaneously hungry one does not get angry at one’s their death. My mother’s name was Rose. calling them pennies from heaven. body. You seek nourishment.

After she died, we kept finding roses and Animals and children are compennies everywhere. Finding pennies is my plete and can be our teachers. When a cat named Missy came into our way of knowing I am on the right path and my mom’s great grandhome, and I didn’t notice she wasn’t eating well, I felt enormous grief children started spontaneously calling them pennies from heaven. This and guilt when she developed liver failure and died. Her grave and consciousness will eventually become a part of the consciousness of cairn lies in the yard outside our door and I think of her often, but I also those who come after us, so remember life is a school and the more know she has forgiven me and wants me to enjoy the day. In her honor you learn the more you can pass on to future generations.

I do more for animals. As a young man said prior to dying, “What is When our beloved Smudge Bunny died I played a tape someone evil is not the disease but to not respond with compassion to the person had given me as I drove to pick up her body. Dear Barbra Streisand with the disease”. We must use our loss and express our compassion sang to me…“They say there’s a universal plan for every woman, for 8

Natural Nutmeg January 2014

every man; But in our darkest hour it’s hard to understand why did the right road take the wrong turn? Why did our heart break and why did we get burned? Just like the seasons there are reasons for the path we take. There are no mistakes; just lessons to be learned.”

I will stop now with this thought for you to reflect upon. If death were the worst outcome, would Abraham, Jesus and Noah have done what they did by following their Lord’s desires? Why didn’t Abraham bargain with God over His request for his son to be sacrificed or Jesus, who could walk on water, hop off the cross? And how come Noah didn’t argue for more people and animals to be saved? Maybe they knew that the problem is living and death is not the worst outcome but a chance to go home and be perfect again. Or as my quadriplegic father-in-law called it, “You just fall up.” And when he was tired of his body he did just that and spent no time dying. He just refused his vitamins and dinner and fell up that evening.

Death is the greatest teacher there is about life; so live and learn.

Your Mind in Hypnosis Your Mind 10%

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Learn how to help yourself & others Bernie runs a Woodbridge Cancer Support group on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month and a Mind, Body, Health Support Group on the first Tuesday evening of every month at Coachman’s Square, Bradley Road, Woodbridge, CT. Contact: Lucille Ranciato at 203-288-2839 or email her at lranciato@yahoo.com or email Bernie at bugsyssiegel@sbcglobal.net.

Wisdom of the Ages, a special place to nurture your spiritual side.

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What Are Dieters Doing Wrong?

By Dr. Dana Lapointe, ND

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illions of Americans are on a diet right now. Every January, nearly 50% of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions, and more than 40% of those resolutions involve dieting.

Most dieters are trying to lose weight; about 40% are trying to maintain their weight. To reach these goals, the annual expenditure in the U.S., across the entire weight-loss industry, is somewhere between $20-60 billion, depending on who’s counting. Sadly, most of this is wasted money; a full 80% of dieters regain their lost weight within a year.

What are 80% of dieters doing wrong?

Most dieters attempt to do one or another version of ‘calories in vs. calories out;’ the counting of calories consumed vs. those being burned through activity. This can work in the short term, especially for someone who’s been temporarily overeating, and not exercising, but who still has the physical capacity to exercise. One problem with this method is that just counting calories doesn’t take into account the quality of food being eaten, which often has a much higher impact on both weight and overall health than the number of calories eaten might indicate.

Often, dieters make the mistake of skipping meals to lower caloric intake. This puts the body into starvation-mode, causing it to store calories rather than burning them, essentially slowing down metabolism in light of the “famine” it’s experiencing. Such a habit, which initially facilitates weight loss, also creates a slower metabolism, which makes keeping the weight off even harder. Eventually, this dieting style will cause a person to gain weight on very little intake. A cycle of hunger and food cravings tips the person toward binge-eating and an ensuing feeling of failure, which can create emotional havoc and set the stage for another round of starvation.

Another problem with trying to balance incoming and expended calories comes for the morbidly obese (who need to lose the most weight), and those with joint issues (who need to lose weight in order to reduce pain). For these folks, it’s sometimes impossible to actually exercise safely or without making symptoms worse; they need a way to start to lose weight that doesn’t rely on exercise.

So, what about exercise?

The health benefits of regular exercise are hard to ignore—exercise can help control excess weight and increase bone density, combat high cholesterol and blood sugar, increase red blood cells, slow resting heart rate, lift mood, and improve sleep, energy and libido.

However, most dieters attempt to exercise off their excess pounds, going from zero to excessive in their zeal for reaching their New Year’s resolutions. It’s important to realize that constant or immoderate aerobic activity is catabolic, which means it breaks down tissue, rather than building it up; it interrupts protein synthesis, retards muscle growth and can even reduce existing muscle mass.

Too much exercise is stressful and causes the release of cortisol, a stress hormone that can be incredibly damaging in unnaturally large amounts. In ancient times, a fight-or-flight response (and its corresponding cortisol) would elicit the utmost in focus to attend to an immediate threat to survival. But nowadays, stress comes in all forms and from all angles. Our bodies don’t differentiate between artificial stress (like deadlines, taxes or traffic) and real threats. We react to excessive exercise just like any other unnaturally stressful situation, releasing cortisol, which can work against the goal, storing calories as fat reserves, and eating away at lean muscle.

Abnormally-stored fat Many weight loss programs promote the loss of weight itself, over the loss of abnormally-stored fat, and without regard to body composition. Abdominal obesity has been linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, so the optimal weight loss program should also assist the body in targeting the stored fat that carries the most health risks: that spare tire. It’s not enough if the scale shows an overall loss, when that loss often comes from water weight, or at the expense of lean muscle mass, leaving the stubborn cellulite or saddlebags.

Replacement meals Some diet programs will have you use replacement meals or buy prepared foods. This can be an attractive option for the dieter who lacks time, the skills to cook, or the knowledge of what to actu-

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Natural Nutmeg January 2014

ally eat. Convenience makes these programs do-able in the shortterm, but there are several problems with programs consisting solely of prepared foods and meal replacements for the long-term. These commercially prepared foods are usually highly processed, and often contain artificial sweeteners and additives. Quality of ingredients is usually sacrificed in order to make meals that are inexpensive enough to sell at an attractive price point, while keeping profits high. And the person who is most likely to opt for this type of program (the dieter who had no cooking skills before the diet), won’t have increased their skills during the program, and will be hardpressed to maintain their goal once they reach it, often resulting in a weight roller-coaster.

In fact, most weight-loss programs usually involve going on, then off, a diet once the goal is reached. Many people find that they eventually gain back more weight than they originally lost. This is because there has been no customization to the individual, no education about how to choose and prepare food, and no instruction on eating to promote slenderness and overall health.

So, what are 20% of dieters doing right?

How do some people succeed in losing weight when so many fail? And how do they manage to keep the weight off? The ideal weight loss plan starts with a process to support the body’s organs and processes of elimination. The body uses its excess fat accumulation as a kind of warehouse to store wastes and toxins that it cannot efficiently eliminate. This is safe in the short term, but once the body begins to shed excess adipose tissue, the toxins that are stored there are released for processing and disposal. This requires the organs of elimination (the liver, colon, kidneys, lungs and skin) to be working efficiently. Otherwise, the body will recirculate those waste products, and restore them, making it difficult for the dieter to empty those fat cells.

Once the body is eliminating effectively and efficiently, what’s the best food plan?

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body from metabolizing its own muscle tissue for energy and tissue repair. Americans generally eat plenty of protein, however, the key lies in improving protein quality: organic and grassfed meats and free-range eggs have significantly higher omega-3 fatty acids than factory-farmed.

To increase hydration, the plan needs to include plenty of pure water. Aiming to drink one half your body’s weight, in ounces, per day, is a good goal. Many who are overweight tend to retain fluid, and will shy away from drinking water, thinking they’ll gain water weight. In fact, the opposite is true. Although lingering fluid retention, such as swollen limbs, can be a sign of serious disease that should be checked out by a physician promptly, a little retention (often noticed by women as bloating in the week before their period, or as a transient puffiness by those who overindulge in alcohol), usually signifies that the body is dehydrated. The most effective way to eliminate the kind of retention caused by dehydration is to flush the body with plenty of pure, clean water.

The healthiest eating habits focus on eating minimally processed whole foods, and avoiding anything genetically modified. The smartest weight loss plans do the same, and as such, automatically reject diet products, and for that matter, anything artificial, including artificial sweeteners.

Typically, when eating foods closest to how they’re found in nature, there is very little, if any, concern for the calorie count of those foods. For instance, it’s pretty hard to overeat green salad, tossed with olive oil and lemon, because you’ll be full long before you eat too many calories.

The Mediterranean and Paleo diets are two examples of whole-food, minimally processed diets. Eating this way also tends to be antiinflammatory, which automatically brings down the risk of chronic, degenerative disease, and helps a person to slowly and naturally reach and maintain their optimally healthy weight.

Does this mean weight loss must be slow and steady?

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Interested N.D.’s may contact Dr. Ann Aresco at (860) 505-0702 for membership info.

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Dr. Dana Lapointe (Weight Loss, Diabetes, Diabesity & Crohn's) Simsbury / Tariffville • 860-217-1171 Dr. Summer McAllister (Women’s Health, Anxiety & Trauma Recovery) Norwalk & Kensington • 877-437-3537 Dr. Chris SaltPaw (Men’s Health, Cardiology & Diabetes) Norwalk & Kensington • 203-278-2115 Dr. Yvette Whitton (Naturopathic Oncology, Arthritis & Migraines) Milford • 888-655-8489

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Natural Nutmeg January 2014

Not necessarily! An obese person undergoing a short-term, medically-supervised weightloss program, can safely lose body fat surprisingly quickly; 5-10 pounds a week is possible.

Someone with less to lose should count on about 1% of body weight per week for the long haul.

Ketogenic diets One of the fastest ways to burn fat is to push the body into ketosis, the physiologic state of utilizing fatty acids, as opposed to sugars, to fuel the body’s energy needs. A ketogenic diet is one that’s high in protein and fat, with little to

no carbohydrates. The Atkins and Paleo diets can be pushed in this direction. The benefits of a ketogenic diet are numerous. Ketosis allows the body to utilize and metabolize the most unhealthy, centrally-deposited fat.

Burning ketones blunts hunger; it also has a protein-sparing effect, as long as enough protein is eaten. Another great thing about ketosis is that the body will excrete unneeded ketones through the urine; essentially, allowing you to urinate out your excess body fat!

Utilizing fat as fuel is an inefficient process; normally, a gram of fat contains 9 calories; when fatty acids are converted to ‘ketone bodies’ for energy, that same gram offers only 7 calories. What this means is that, with the correct utilization of ketosis in weight loss, a normal pound of fat, which has 3500 calories, can be burned up in only 2700 calories!

Dangerous Risks and Pitfalls It sounds a little like magic, but a ketogenic diet is not without its risks and pitfalls. Initially, while the metabolism shifts into ketosis, some will experience fatigue and foggy thinking. And, though most will actually see an improvement in their overall lipid profile, some can see a temporary increase in cholesterol levels. Also, whenever an unnaturally restricted diet is maintained for an extended period, there’s danger of nutritional deficiencies.

Importantly, a ketogenic diet also carries an inherent risk of ketoacidosis, a process in which the level of ketones in the blood rises steeply, lowering blood pH and increasing acidity to dangerous, even fatal levels. This is generally not a concern for a non-diabetic, because low blood-sugar levels only allow so many ketones to be manufactured and utilized by the body at once.

And an uncontrolled diabetic is always at risk for ketoacidosis, dieting or not.

Physician Supervision and Monitoring Bottom line: before embarking on a ketogenic diet, find a doctor to work with who is very familiar with this type of weight loss plan. Your physician should do a complete physical and nutritional assessment to determine if you’re a good candidate for a ketogenic diet. If so, you should be prescribed a high-quality multivitamin and monitored closely throughout the program.

A ketogenic diet isn’t appropriate for everyone; indeed, there’s not one weight loss plan that is. But fortunately, there are some proven guideposts to help you find your own personal best food plan, one that helps you lose weight, and keep it off. Eliminating food sensitivities, eating according to your blood type, and following a way of eating that more closely honors the way our ancestors ate, are three of the best.

Food Sensitivities Today, people are increasingly discovering that they have food sensitivities, and that those sensitivities cause cravings, weight gain, and a litany of other symptoms from depression and fatigue, to irritable bowels, skin conditions, chronic pain…even arthritis. The gold standard of uncovering food sensitivities is to go on an austere “elimination” diet, followed by food challenges wherein suspicious foods are added back one-by-one, while monitoring closely for symptoms.

The elimination phase typically consists solely of a few hypoallergenic foods such as lamb, pears, and possibly a non-gluten grain such as rice, millet, quinoa or amaranth.

The body’s allowed to adjust to the absence of suspected (or commonly eaten) foods, which can take several weeks or months, before those foods are systematically added

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back in, and any resulting symptoms recorded. When a reaction is found, that food is set aside, the body is allowed to adjust again, and the process continues. This method is the most comprehensive and accurate, but takes time, discipline, and is difficult for most people to adhere to.

An easier way is to get tested for food sensitivities. A simple blood test checks for delayed-hypersensitivity reactions to foods eaten most often. As opposed to true food allergies, which are immediate hypersensitivity immune reactions (such as to shellfish or peanuts—which can land a person in the hospital), delayed-hypersensitivity reactions are much milder and can take 2-3 days to manifest. These are the sensitivities that can relate to weight gain and food cravings. Completely avoiding those foods goes a long way toward allowing a person to reach and maintain their optimal weight.

Blood Type Another method to finding your personal best eating plan is to eat according to your blood type. The theory, predominantly researched and disseminated by Dr. Peter D’Adamo, is that specific proteins in foods react differently with each of the different ABO blood types. The premise is this: Blood Type Os are ancestrally the original blood type, the classic hunter-gatherers, and they are still the best equipped to digest a higher-protein, meat-based diet; Blood Type As are thought to descend from the more agrarian cultures, and have digestive systems most suited to a vegetarian diet; Blood type Bs are our more modern ancestors, sometimes more tolerant of dairy than other types; and ABs are treated, dietarily, as an intermediate between types A and B. The theory, published in 1997, still stirs up controversy. But interestingly, a food-sensitivity test often reveals reactions that correlate closely to foods that person should avoid according to the blood-type theory.

The Skinny In summary, the ideal weight loss plan would start with a process to support the body’s organs and processes of elimination. It should help build, or retain, lean muscle mass, help the body to regain proper hydration, and focus on burning abdominal fat. It should kick-start and reset the metabolism. Finally, it should teach some basic healthy food and lifestyle habits that promote optimal health, and help the dieter find an individualized best lifetime eating plan, in order to maintain an ideal weight and body composition, thereby lowering the risks for chronic degenerative disease. The best kind of weight loss plan is nearly identical to a plan designed for optimal aging.

Based in Simsbury, CT, Dr. Dana Lapointe is a naturopathic doctor and member of ProNatural Physicians Group. She specializes in obesity, diabetes, food sensitivities, Crohn’s and chronic pain. She can be reached at Sustainable Health & Wellness, 860-217-1171.

About ProNatural Physicians Group. To learn more about naturopathic medicine, or to find a licensed naturopathic doctor near you, visit ProNaturalPhysicians.com. Most ProNatural Physicians Group N.D.s are providers for major insurance carriers. ProNatural Physicians Group, LLC is a network of naturopathic doctors that serve patients throughout Connecticut. Based in Milford, Dr. Yvette Whitton is a Naturopathic doctor and member of ProNatural Physicians Group.

She specializes in oncology and chronic disease. She can be reached at Adonai Optimal Health and Wellness at (888) 655-8489. naturalhealthpractitioner@gmail.com. See ad on page 12.

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Natural Nutmeg January 2014

Clean Eating for the New Year

T

he New Year is an exciting time—an opportunity to start anew!

What a great time to make a new affirmation for the year, such as “I want my family to live a cleaner and healthier life!” The excesses of the holidays have ended, leaving many feeling bloated and lethargic. January is a perfect time to commit to a cleaner lifestyle through dietary and supplement intervention. Here are some suggestions for cleaning up your body and feeling great!

Avoid Inflammatory Foods Certain foods can be considered pro-inflammatory, which means that when we ingest them we create more inflammation or swelling in the body. This inflammation can be the root cause of disease and illness. By changing our diet and avoiding these foods, we can begin to feel good again.

Eat Clean! Clean eating is not complicated; it’s probably the simplest diet. This diet can be performed for two to four weeks to clean up the gut. Here is how you get started. Limit your foods to the following: Fresh organic vegetables and fruit (can be raw and cooked) and natural proteins (no growth hormones, antibiotics, or additives such as preservatives in the meat). If you season your food, use natural sea salt and natural fresh herbs and spices with no synthetic additives. Avoid grain and dairy (milk, butter, cheese) during this period. Following this month, you will very likely feel much better.

At the end of this period, you may continue the suggestions above or maintain the following dietary recommendations to create a healthy gut and immune system: 1. Gluten Elimination: For many of us, gluten sensitivity or intolerance is obvious. Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, rye, and barley. Often, oats are contaminated with gluten as well. Gluten is considered a pro-inflammatory grain. This is partly because of the over-processing of glutinous grains over many decades. A great first step to feel better and having a healthier body is to avoid gluten in your diet. For more information on how to perform a gluten elimination diet, visit: http://www.instituteofimt.com/gluten-sensitivity.php.

2. Avoid Refined Sugars: Refined/processed sugar is toxic.

It creates illness and disease. One example of this is the current increased incidence of diabetes in adults and children. Limiting

refined sugars helps to create a healthier environment in our body that is more conducive to learning. Especially during times of stress, avoiding refined sugars is ideal, since refined and processed sugar promote more stress in the body and mind. Limiting sugar intake to natural sweeteners is ideal. Examples of natural sweeteners include: Raw honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, palm sugar, brown rice syrup, molasses, and stevia. For more information on how to avoid refined sugars, visit: http://www.instituteofimt.com/sugar-as-a-neurotoxin.php.

3. Avoid Processed Foods and Preservatives: Processed foods have an abundance of chemicals and synthetic additives. These chemicals are not easily broken down by the liver. The liver is responsible for detoxification which is the process of breaking down toxins in our body for excretion. The liver has a hard time even recognizing many of these additives and preservatives. Without a healthy liver, toxins collect in our body and this can lead to inflammation, illness, and disease. Ultimately, for us to feel good, we have to be healthy. A healthy liver is essential to healthy living.

4. Water, Water, Water! Water can be very helpful in flushing out toxins and reducing inflammation. Increasing the amount of water that we drink can help us feel better.

We are all unique and therefore we have unique dietary needs for health. In addition to the above suggestions, there may be additional foods that we don’t tolerate. If you suspect a particular food is creating symptoms, you can avoid that food completely for a period of 4-6 weeks and then reintroduce the food slowly. During this time, you can catalog how you feel and determine if you are sensitive to that food. Some examples of possible food sensitivities include: egg, dairy, corn, soy, and nuts. Before performing this type of elimination diet, consider first making sure that the versions of these foods that you are eating are unprocessed. There is always the possibility that you are reacting to the processing of the food rather then the food itself. For example, upwards of 70% of all the soy in our country is genetically modified (GMO). It is optimal to avoid GMO foods in our diet to maintain a healthy gut and immune system.

www.NaturalNutmeg.com

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Nutritional Supplements for a Healthy Digestive System In addition to eating healthy and maintaining a clean diet, the following recommendations can help to further clean the gut and support optimal digestion of food: 1. Daily Probiotics: There is a lot of press today about the benefits of daily probiotics. Essentially, probiotics are friendly bacteria for our gut. We need these good bacteria to create a defense in our digestive tract to fight off the bad bacteria that we encounter every day through food and exposure to pollutants. In addition to promoting

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immune strength, daily probiotics also can reduce digestive symptoms such as diarrhea and constipation.

2. Daily Essential Fatty Acids: Essential fatty acids or omega-3s are an important part of healthy living. Many people have weak membranes in their gut lining. This weakness, called leaky gut syndrome, can inhibit nutrient absorption and increase toxicity. Taking daily omega-3s can strengthen the gut lining and immune system.

3. Green Tea: Green tea has been shown to promote healthy liver function as well as prevent many forms of cancer.

Drinking green tea daily is a great way to support the liver and promote a healthy body. (It is ideal to drink loose leaf green tea rather than bagged because often there are synthetic chemicals that can leach into the water from the bags.) For more information on the benefits of green tea, visit: http:// www.instituteofimt.com/green-tea.php.

4. Dr. Tom’s Ginger Lemonade! This ‘medicinal’ lemonade is a wonderful drink to have warmed or chilled. Ginger is a wonderful immune booster. It has been shown to help significantly with aching muscles as well as reducing muscle cramping. Lemons are wonderful for our immunity by way of being a strong anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent. Lemon juice aids in digestion as well.

Ginger, honey, and lemon provide gentle liver support. See below for this wonderful recipe. Enjoying two to four cups per day of green tea and ginger lemonade can be very helpful in achieving our ultimate goal of a healthy body. Immune booster, increases vitality, great tasting, fun for the whole family!

Dr. Tom’s Ginger Lemonade Recipe ½ lb raw ginger, washed and chopped (peeling is optional) 6 medium lemons, juiced 1 cup raw honey Directions: 1. Place chopped ginger in 1 quart of water 2. Bring water to a boil 3. Lower heat to simmer and let simmer for 20 minutes 4. Strain ginger while liquid is still hot 5. Add raw honey into hot liquid 6. Add 3 more quarts of water 7. Add juice of 6 lemons 8. Chill liquid in fridge Enjoy hot on cold winter days or chilled on hot summer days!

Here’s to a healthy 2014! A little time spent identifying foods that don’t agree with you, choosing instead the clean foods that support your health, drinking lots of water, and adding a few immune boosters could make this your best year yet.

Ayelet Connell-Giammatteo, PhD, PT, IMT,C is the Practice Manager and Director of Pediatrics for Regional Physical Therapy and the Institute of Integrative Manual Therapy, headquartered in Bloomfield, CT. She is also the Dean of the Connecticut School of Integrative Manual Therapy (CSIMT). Dr. Connell-Giammatteo has taught courses in IMT nationally and internationally for over 15 years. She received her doctoral degree focusing in neuropediatrics, with a concentration in autism. Dr. Connell-Giammatteo is a Physical Therapist and Certified Integrative Manual Therapist. She has been practicing in the field of IMT for over 15 years. She is a graduate of the Institute of Functional Medicine’s program “Applying Functional Medicine into Clinical Practice” focusing on nutritional wellness.

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Resolve To Make This Year Different Surrender Unrealistic Expectations

I

t’s a new year once again; time for another change, time for another chance. We may think, “This year I’m going to eat healthier and lose weight,” or “This year I’m going to quit smoking once and for all,” or “This year I’m going back to school to get my degree and dream job.” Each New Year, we dream of big changes and set high expectations for ourselves. Who can blame us? It’s a fresh start; anything is possible.

Set Realistic Goals We put so much pressure on ourselves to make changes at the start of the year. We set resolutions to create new habits and a better life. We wake up, energized and ready to go for it, but soon, life gets in the way and our new habit disappears. Old habits return and we fall right back into that old, familiar groove. We often overreach our capabilities with our big goals and that is where part of the problem with New Year’s resolutions lies.

Change is possible and is worth it. As someone who dramatically transformed her life, I know this. What I also know is that it is more difficult, and nearly impossible, when we set unrealistic goals for ourselves. We ultimately set ourselves up for failure, burn out and give up. We expect too much of ourselves, berate ourselves for failure and quickly lose site of our desired change.

Connect to the Fire Within Make this year different. Set a manageable goal and connect to the fire within to motivate you as you go. Connect to your solar plexus chakra and allow that fire to burn brighter and show the way to your power. The solar plexus—an energy field in the body—is located two fingers above the navel, below the sternum. It’s where our gut instincts come from and, if properly balanced, it allows us to tap into our personal power, self-confidence, healthy self-esteem and appropriate self-discipline. From that balanced center, we find strength to rise to the challenges of life. An energized solar plexus, clear of blocks, is the driving force behind our motivation to lose weight, become fiscally responsible or to achieve any desire we must work hard to manifest.

Eliminate Blocks Caused by Shame This chakra center is most often blocked by feelings of shame.

Shame can come from many different life experiences, such as physical abuse or simply fear of punishment. Living in an unsafe

environment or being shamed by a loved one, especially a parent, can also contribute to feelings of shame. Since all experiences are buried in our cells, all experiences of shame stomp out the fire burning within.

The most healing way to counter the shame, like all intense emotions, is to face the shame and boldly walk through it. We eliminate the stress of shame, get to know our minds and bodies and use the breath to release the build-up of this emotion in our cells. Once we lessen the shame we feel, we ignite our power center and confidently move forward in life, getting unstuck from habitual patterns that no longer serve us.

Yoga for Clarity, Self-Esteem and Happiness Therapeutic yoga can help. By activating the relaxation response in this deeply meditative practice, we relieve stress and tune into the natural wisdom of the body. We quiet the mind and gain clarity for healing. Once we soften around the drama and memories of shame, getting deep into our felt sense, we gently release shame, stress and clear blocks and resistance that have built up. Restorative yoga poses (where the body gently rests on props), in combination with gentle yoga, softly releases built up tension and holding in the physical body. With practice, a healthy sense of self-esteem becomes reestablished and our sense of humor returns. We stop taking life so seriously and see clearly the direction we want our life to take. We understand that there are no quick fixes and everything worth having or becoming is worth working for. True happiness comes from deep within, not from without.

From there, we start simply, with one manageable goal. With clarity gained through breath work and practice, we break down our goal into smaller, manageable steps. In January 2010, I knew I couldn’t lose eighty pounds overnight (though I wished I could!). I knew it would take many months, if not the whole year. After all, I didn’t pack on the pounds overnight, either! I knew that it would take hard work, small steps and every day decisions would affect my weight-loss plans. I also knew that it would be worth it to be at my goal weight and healthy.

I committed to working out daily, changed my relationship to food and worked out the shame I felt from my past, no matter how difficult it was. I found that I allowed the shame to define me and hold me back, which is why I was never successful at losing weight on fad diets and with diet pills. I needed to release the shame I felt around my weight, find compassion for myself, commit to the hard work and allow the fire within to burn as vibrantly as possible. www.NaturalNutmeg.com

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I Will Lose One to Two Pounds a Week

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Therapeutic yoga allowed me to reconnect to my inner being and wisdom. I knew when to push hard and when to back off. I witnessed my thinking and my relationship to food. I was able to re-wire my thoughts about food and about myself. Slowly, the weight came off. I set my goal to lose one to two pounds per week. I thought that was a manageable goal, rather than saying “I will lose eighty pounds by summer,” which was totally unachievable; I would have set myself up for failure.

I was dedicated to this new resolution and committed to it fully. As the shame dissolved, the fire within grew brighter. Each day, I let the big picture motivate me, while keeping in mind my smaller week-by-week goals. I not only surrounded myself with positive people who believed in me, but got to know the way my mind worked and eliminated self-doubt and negative self-talk.

Therapeutic yoga allowed me to witness the workings of my mind and its negative nature. Just as I had softened and released shame, I softened and released negative thinking.

I encouraged myself and rewarded myself along the way. I renewed my commitment each day and refused to let a week where I didn’t lose any weight get me down. I figured since I didn’t gain, I was headed in the right direction. I knew deep down I had the power to change. Therapeutic yoga allowed me to tap into that power, ignite my solar plexus and, one day at a time, build the life I wanted.

Unreasonable goals = Failure This year, choose a manageable goal and commit to yourself, because you deserve to feel better and live the life you desire. I invite you to continue to dream of big changes, not just at the first of the year. You have the power within to create lasting change. Your life is unfolding now; make it what you want! Each breath is a chance for a new beginning; you can start over any time, even with this next inhale.

Submitted by Cyndi Roberts. Facing liver failure, diabetes, and death, yoga, meditation and nutrition are the practices Cyndi used to save her life after a 12-year battle with severe depression, anxiety and a misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder.

She is passionate about healthy living, gluten free baking, writing and sharing the knowledge and lived-experience gained on her journey back to health. She is currently writing a book and teaching private therapeutic and gentle yoga sessions in the West Hartford area. For more info please visit: www.yogawithcr.com. See ad on page 25.

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Natural Nutmeg January 2014

A Cure for the “Common Core” Vision Training to Meet Connecticut’s New Testing Standard

W

ith the new standardized testing called the Common Core being phased into the Connecticut public school system over the next two years, many children may be at a distinct disadvantage.

For example, children who are struggling with mathematics or reading may have undiagnosed visual issues that will make it difficult for them to take computer-based examinations.

According to the Connecticut Education Association (CEA), the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are designed to reflect the skills and knowledge that young people need for success in college and careers. As currently planned, every public school student at each grade level in Connecticut will have to take the tests as part of a national standard to prepare American students to compete in the global economy.

Children who struggle in school may have a learning difficulty that is due to a vision problem that goes undetected by standard vision tests. A developmental visual issue may be causing them to underperform or work harder with minimal results.

Some of the signs to look for in children include: --difficulty reading, poor reading comprehension • double or blurry vision • poor handwriting • difficulty with ball sports • rubbing eyes frequently, squinting, tired eyes • closing or covering one eye • a short attention span, ability to read for only a short time • holding things very close, using finger to keep place • headaches when reading • moving head excessively when reading • requently losing place and skipping lines when reading • mistaking words with similar beginnings • difficulty recognizing letters, words, or simple shapes and forms • trouble learning basic math concepts of size, magnitude, and position School children should be given a near-point vision screening, in addition to the standard distance vision screening, in order to reveal any visual issues that may exist. This type of screening is very different from the typical eye chart children are asked to read.

Near-point vision screenings should include the following tests: 1. Near Visual Acuity – This tests your ability to see clearly at near. If not seeing 20/20 or better, your eyes may get tired after reading or being on the computer for more than 20 minutes. School vision screenings or routine eye exams usually only test distance vision on children, with the incorrect assumption that near vision issues arise only after 40 years old.

2. Near Point of Convergence Test – This tests your ability to point both eyes together on a target at the same place at the same time in order to maintain single vision on an object. It may be no-

ticeable that one or both eyes will jerk in or out slightly if the eyes aren’t moving together like they should, pointing to an eye teaming problem.

3. Alternating Cover Test – This tests your ability to coordinate the eyes and align them properly in order to maintain single vision.

If your brain has difficulty coordinating both eyes together, it may begin to ignore one of the eyes in order to avoid double vision.

During the comprehensive functional vision assessment, the OD will measure the amount your eyes turn in (or out) to determine if they fall within the normal ranges.

4. Worth 4 Dot – This tests your brain’s ability to use both eyes simultaneously in order to have adequate depth perception. If you see some blank spots, your brain tends to ignore one of your eyes because it’s much harder to use both eyes as a team.

This screening does not serve as a complete visual examination.

It is merely a quick check for obvious visual difficulties. We strongly advise that you have a comprehensive visual examination every year.

Even if a child has 20/20 vision, it is possible that the child is not processing what he or she sees properly. A near-point vision screening may reveal the cause, and it may be possible to correct the condition with Optometric Vision Therapy, a highly effective, non-surgical option for correcting certain visual issues through the use of lenses, prisms, and other optical equipment.

Parents who are concerned should contact a Behavioral or Developmental Optometrist to determine if Optometric Vision Therapy can make learning and playing much easier for their child. It may be a cure for the “Common Core.”

The 4D Vision Gym team is currently offering complimentary near-point vision screenings to school children at Woodside Intermediate School in Cromwell, CT. If you are interested in having them come to your child’s school and do these parent-approved vision screenings, please have your school superintendent, nurse, or principal contact 4D Vision Gym. Submitted by JC Dawkins. Dr. Juanita Collier, a strong advocate for ruling out learning-related vision issues before diagnosing learning disabilities, is the driving force of 4D Vision Gym. Her 4D Vision Gym is a vision training center where patients of all ages have fun while participating in their own Vision Therapy program to correct their visual issues, like double vision, lazy eye, crossed eyes, convergence insufficiency, eyestrain, and much more. For a more complete listing of symptoms and the potential learning-related visual issues they may indicate, visit: www.DrJuanitaCollier.com/Symptoms. To learn more visit: www.4DVisionGym.com. See ad on page 9.

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Navigating Through the Whole Foods Maze

By Yvette M. Whitton, ND

R

ecently I learned, through conversation with someone I met at the local gym, that there is a huge misunderstanding regarding whole foods. I took for granted that everyone knew about whole foods, particularly if they are avid viewers of the Dr. Oz show, which appears to be where most people are receiving their holistic health education; not that there is anything wrong with watching Dr. Oz. The point is that folks are being educated. My assumption was that most people had at least heard about the health benefits of consuming a whole-foods diet. This was, of course, prior to my conversation with this lovely and intelligent individual whose perception of whole foods was food purchased from the major retail chain.

Are You Sure You’re Eating Whole Foods?

So what exactly constitutes a whole foods diet? What foods are considered whole foods? This might seem to be a rudimentary question for whole food scholars, however, for members of the general populous, this concept might not be so simple. Whole foods are defined as foods that are the direct product of nature, unaltered, with nothing added or removed by any form of processing, fortifying, or manufacturing procedures. Whole foods are unrefined or minimally refined. These foods are devoid of added salts, sugars, fats or other preservatives. They do not contain any artificial colorings, preservatives or flavoring agents. They contain no ingredients, and are not packaged in bottles, jars, cans, bags or boxes. Whole foods are a natural source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes and other dietary nutrients such as antioxidants, phytochemicals, lycopene, flavonoids, carotenoids, and chemicals that boost the immune system, and are therefore beneficial to the restoration and/or maintenance of health.

Whole foods are classified into fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds, meat, poultry, dairy, seafood, natural fats and oils. In the realm of whole foods, fresh fruit and vegetables are inclusive of what you might find in the produce department of most markets or grown on local farms. Whole grains are considered grains that have their hulls, or outer coverings intact. Whole grains include wheat, rye, bulgur, oats, amaranth, millet, barley, maize, brown rice, faro, spelt, emmer, buckwheat, teff, triticale, einkorn, freekeh, wheat berry and sprouted grains. Quinoa, corn and wild rice are not grains but are technically considered seeds.

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Natural Nutmeg January 2014

Legumes are defined as the seed, pod or pea from leguminous plant that is a plant whose fruit are pods. The legume family include the Fabaceae or Leguminosae families. The nutritional benefit of legumes is that they are a great source of protein, are very low in fat, and have been shown to lower the risk of cancer. Foods in this category include soya, black beans, fava beans, Anasazi beans, kidney beans, lima beans, garbanzo beans, yard long beans, adzuki beans, navy beans, lentils, black-eyed peas, and English peas. Contrary to being considered a nut, peanuts are actually a member of the legume family.

Nuts and seeds characterized as whole foods include walnuts, cashews, macadamia, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. Sunflower, pumpkin, sesame and linseeds belong to the seed variety of whole foods.

Nuts and seeds are the main components of the Paleolithic diet.

What about Organic, Clean, GMO and Natural Foods?

This might all seem simple enough, however, there is no clearcut definition when considering whole foods. The confusion arises when we look at other categories of healthful foods such as organic food, “clean” foods, genetically modified foods (GMOs), and natural foods. In addition, some foods classified as whole foods may not be all that healthy, particularly if not prepared correctly, as is the case for nuts, seeds and beans.

Organic foods are foods that are free of harmful chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, artificial colorings, flavorings or preservatives, hormones and antibiotics, and have not been irradiated. Animals must be allowed access to free grazing outdoors.

Organic foods must be certified as being organic and must bear the “certified organic” label or symbol. Whole foods can be organic foods, however; not all whole foods are organic. Consumption of toxic chemicals in food has been proven to be detrimental to health, especially with accumulative, long-term exposure; this includes foods classified as whole foods.

Genetically Modified Food Genetically engineered, bioengineered, or genetically modified foods (GMOs), represent another grey area in the sphere of whole foods. These foods are genetically altered to reduce decomposition

and infection, and/or infestation. The term “Franken wheat”, has been used to describe wheat crops that have been genetically altered in order to produce a more durable form of wheat that is shorter and therefore much easier and faster to harvest. This wheat crop can be considered a whole food if consumed with the hull intact, however, it is produced from seeds that have been genetically altered; whether or not it is safe to consume has not been thoroughly investigated.

Franken wheat has been linked to an increase in belly fat and an associated increased incidence of diabetes. In addition, consumption of wheat in general, and its associated protein gluten, produces an allergic response in individuals with Celiac disease. People who have Celiac disease have an allergic reaction to wheat and gluten, affecting nutrient absorptive capacity of intestinal microvilli, and producing severe gastrointestinal symptoms including cramping, diarrhea and blood in stools. If undiagnosed, and/or untreated, celiac disease can result in cancer.

The soya bean is another whole foods product that has been genetically engineered in order to increase production and reduce cost.

Clean Food Clean eating is a novel concept that has surfaced in the nutritional wellness arena. It involves the selection of whole, unprocessed foods or minimally processed foods, avoidance of unhealthy fats and simple carbohydrates which are primarily sugars. It also

includes avoidance of foods that are low in nutrient content and high in calories. Foods are selected that have a limited number of ingredients, all of which can be pronounced and recognized as food products.

Although meats, poultry and seafood are consumed, ‘whole’ cuts of animal protein are selected as opposed to ground variations that may contain added chemicals and other hidden ingredients and that are usually higher in trans fats and saturated fats. Clean foods can be considered whole foods but may not necessarily be classified as organic foods or non-GMO foods for that matter.

In respect to preparation of whole foods, nuts, seeds and beans should be correctly prepared in order for health benefits to be obtained. These whole food items contain chemicals that have been shown to interfere with enzymatic activity within the body, including the digestive enzymes necessary for the break-down of food into its absorptive components.

Seeds Phytates, or phytic acid, found in the seed coat which serves as a protective and nourishing mechanism for the plant seed, can block absorption of essential minerals and protein from the diet. Additionally, seeds contain substances that inhibit enzymatic activity necessary for digestion.

Consumption of these foods void of correct preparation can ironically produce a state of malnutrition if ingested in large quanti-

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ties or as a regular part of a whole foods diet. Soaking seeds, beans and nuts in water prior to preparing these foods removes the phytates and other enzyme inhibitors from these food groups. Soy is the exception to the soaking rule. It is extremely difficult to remove the toxic products contained in soy.

If soy is to be consumed as part of a whole foods diet, the fermented variations such as miso or tempeh, are deemed safer.

Based in Milford, Dr. Yvette Whitton is a Naturopathic doctor and member of ProNatural Physicians Group. She specializes in oncology and chronic disease. She can be reached at Adonai Optimal Health and Wellness at (888) 655-8489. naturalhealthpractitioner@gmail.com.

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21

SHAPE

FITNESS...

Without A Gym

I

ncorporating exercise as part of a lifestyle is an important factor in maintaining an ideal weight and staying healthy. The biggest excuse I get for why people are not exercising is a lack of gym membership.

Reasons for this include the expense of a membership, not enough time in the day, and not having a gym in close proximity.

These are all understandable factors. I lived in upstate New York where the closest gym was over 30 minutes away, and not exactly cheap. I also experienced the lack of time battle while in school. However, the truth is, it is easier than ever to exercise without a gym.

Get Outside!

The first and probably most obvious option is to get outside. Not a runner? That’s OK, walking has benefits as well. Hiking is a hobby that will keep you moving, and also will allow you to appreciate nature. If you think you will get bored walking or running,

22

Natural Nutmeg January 2014

bring along company, whether it be a dog, family member, or friend. Turn the activity into a nice bonding session, and the time, and miles, will fly by.

We all know children love to ride bikes, why not go for a bike ride? Bicycles are a great choice for keeping an exercise routine fun, and another option instead of just a walk or run.

Stay Inside!

With winter quickly approaching, people tend to stay inside more often. While the cold air is refreshing, there will be days you just don’t want to bundle up. Again, this is OK, there are still many alternatives. Do you enjoy dancing, or prefer to have someone instruct you with different moves and exactly what to do? There are plenty of different exercise recordings available. Zumba has become a popular workout option for those who enjoy dancing. People walk out of zumba workouts laughing, sweating,

and feeling great. Not the dancing type?

Try yoga, or Pilates. These are more gentle workouts, but still offer great benefits, and many times people will find a deep connection to them, and find themselves actually looking forward to their workout. Another perk to these exercises is the lack of monetary investment. You’ll use a mat, and some videos use blocks or straps to add different moves, but there are ways around these. Use a rolled up towel for a block, or dog leash for a strap.

Easy, Inexpensive Help Aside from the most common exercise types like zumba, Pilates, and yoga, almost every type of workout you can imagine now has an instructional DVD to accompany it.

If you do not want to spend the money to purchase them, or are hesitant about buying something you might not like, check out your local library and see what is available.

This will give you the opportunity to again, keep variety in your routine, as well as introduce you to different exercise options that you never knew of, or thought you would enjoy. The internet now offers a wide range of free websites with workout videos available as well. The number of different exercise routines can be overwhelming at this point. View this as a positive thought!

You’ll never get bored with working out, when there are abundant options for you to choose from. Also keep your eye out for free introductory classes at places like community centers.

Dumbbells, exercise balls, kettle bells, and jump ropes are all fairly inexpensive, and you can use them at your own pace, and on your own time to squeeze in a quick workout. If you are uncertain of how to use

these, or do not think these pieces of equipment can offer a full body workout, I assure you these tools will bring you closer to your exercise goals. In addition, there are always the free classics; squats, jumping jacks, burpees, and push-ups, among others.

Every Little Bit Helps The important thing to remember is any exercise is generally better than no exercise. There will be days you will not want to exercise, or you will get bored, and that is OK. Just keep trying, and keep searching for your optimal workout. It is better to keep variety in your workout, rather than just trying the same workout day in and day out.

Incorporating cardio with strength training is optimal, and will give you the most benefits.

If motivation is more of an issue, get a friend or family member to join you in your quest to get in better shape. Even if you do not live close, or can only work out together a few times a month, staying in contact and sharing your stories will help to push each other on those days when you just don’t feel like it.

Keep in mind, it is always a good idea to check in with your doctor before beginning an exercise program, and listen to your own body for limits. Good luck, and have fun!

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23

PREVENTION

By Ann Aresco, ND

The Affordable Care Act and Naturopathic Medicine A conversation with the CEO of HealthyCT, Ken Lalime, Pharm.D.

H

ealthyCT is a new health insurance company in Connecticut. It is one of the insurance companies available through the health insurance exchange in Connecticut, Access CT, as well as Anthem and Connecticare.

Naturopathic Doctors (ND) recently received requests to apply as providers for HealthyCT insurance company. I don’t know about the others, but I had to Google it to see who they were. When I read that HealthyCT was a new non-profit health insurance company that was created for Affordable Care in Connecticut, I signed up to be a provider. I called the CEO, Ken Lalime, to find out more about the company. I learned that the CEO thinks a lot like the Naturopathic doctors who will become some of the company’s providers. When the insurance company and the doctors have the same philosophies, the patients win.

It’s all about choice.

Offering Choices Dr. Lalime shared with me how, in the creation of this company, choice became a primary factor. Offering choices gives patients more control of their health care. Including Naturopathic Physicians as one of those choices was therefore an easy decision.

According to Dr. Lalime, “These days, it’s generally accepted as fact that not having health insurance is a barrier to Americans getting the health care services they need. So the Affordable Care Act created health marketplaces called exchanges to make it easy for consumers to compare health insurance options and buy the one that works best for their needs. The marketplaces create competition, which benefits consumers and small businesses. And they are the only place where buyers can take advantage of premium subsidies and tax credits. But everything has a cost. Health insur-

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ance can protect you from massive, unexpected bills resulting from an accident, a serious illness or an inherited condition. You may not need to use it or you may suddenly find that it stands between you and bankruptcy. Having insurance also motivates more people to seek the wellness care they should have been getting all along, which can prevent more serious illness and the high cost of associated care.”

Prevention vs. Intervention Naturopathic Doctors always work toward educating the patient to be proactive and preventative. Explaining to the patient all the options they have for health care and wellness is so important for better health. The medical system we have in place today is not conducive to inexpensive care because prevention isn’t the primary goal of Western (allopathic) medicine; intervention is. Intervention care is usually for a single symptom. The overall health issue that causes the symptom is often not addressed.

Patients frequently seek Naturopathic Doctors after they have spent thousands of dollars, their own and the healthcare company’s, on failed treatments. The process could be far less expensive if the patient sought the physicians who look for the cause first. Even when intervention is necessary, a healthier patient costs less to treat.

Effective ancillary health care is essential for the patient, but the patient needs to be educated on where to find it. According to Dr. Lalime, “Our company is willing to take a look at whatever people think will help for their health.”

Pharmaceuticals and Supplements Dr. Lalime is a Pharm.D. and shared another key feature of the HealthyCT plan. Pharmaceuticals will be the same cost online as they will be at the local pharmacy. When pharmaceuticals and supplements cost the same purchased online or locally, patients are more inclined to purchase them from the place that offers individual attention and advice. When a patient has questions they need to talk to someone who knows their case and can provide education and individual advice on the products prescribed. If the patient is taking other products that might interact with one another, a website can’t prevent a problem.

Individual Responsibility in Health Care Responsibility has to be put back into the healthcare system.

Having healthcare coverage and taking care of one’s health are both important. People have to get into the driver’s seat of their healthcare quest and make decisions on what will work for them as an individual. Having an insurance company that supports individual choices regarding health care allows this to happen.

Dr. Lalime and I even share a similar analogy; the car-care analogy. Everyone has to have insurance for their car and it doesn’t pay for the maintenance. Maintenance is the owner’s responsibility. To protect your asset, you need to be aware of how to take good care of the vehicle. This is a good analogy when people ask why their health insurance won’t pay for their fitness center membership. I would also offer this: When the oil light comes on in your car, it’s a really bad idea to simply cover the light with a piece of tape. We all know what happens next. Preventing the light from coming on with regular maintenance is a much better plan. The same holds true for the health and well being of your body.

In a recent naturopathic event in New York City, The CEO of Aetna, Mark Bertolini, shared his personal experience with naturopathic medicine. He, like many patients of naturopathic medicine, was faced with a serious condition that had hit the wall within the medical community, so he turned to naturopathic medicine for help.

I asked Dr. Lalime if there were personal experiences in his company. He advised that there are employees of the company that see Naturopathic Physicians for their health care. This is good for public education. When clients call to ask about coverage they will be told, “Yes, it is covered and go to http://www.healthyct.org/ for the provider list.”

This will be a welcome response instead of, “no we don’t cover naturopaths” (yes you do, all the companies in Connecticut do) or “what is a Naturopathic Doctor?” (Naturopathic Doctors have been licensed to practice in Connecticut since 1923.)

Thanks for the chat Ken Lalime; it’s good to know we’re on the same page!

Submitted by Ann Aresco, ND. Based in Kensington, Dr. Ann Aresco is a naturopathic doctor and member of ProNatural Physicians Group. She can be reached at Kensington Naturopathic Medical Center. (860)829-0707.

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25

DISH

By Chef Antoneos Kalmanidis

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP Ingredients: Butternut squash - 5 medium to large pieces Cinnamon sticks – 5 sticks Brown sugar – ½ pound Nutmeg- 2 bulbs Maple syrup – 1 cup Butter – ½ pound Heavy cream – ½ quart Vegetable stock – 2 to 3 quarts Onions – 2 medium sized Extra virgin olive oil – 1/3 cup Directions: 1. Cut squash in half (from bulb to head). Remove seeds.

2. Place on sheet tray at 350° for 25 minutes or until tender to the touch.

3. Let cool until warm to touch. Peel off skin (while still on sheet tray).

4. Cut onions into cubes. Add olive oil to soup pot and sauté onions until onions turn clear.

5. Add to pot, roasted squash and vegetable stock. Stock should be 1-2 inches above squash. Add water if needed.

6. Micro-plane nutmeg. Add nutmeg, cinnamin, brown sugar, maple syrup and butter to pot. Stir once.

7. Cook on medium-high heat for 60-90 minutes (*gas stoves cook on high heat for 60-90 minutes).

8. Soup is finished when it is brown color.

9. Remove cinnamon sticks.

10. Hand Blend until pureed (soup will start thickening). While still blending slowly add heavy cream.

11. Finished soup will be a golden-yellow color.

Submitted by Breno Donatti of Bistro 7 Farm to Fork Restaurant at 991 Danbury Rd in Wilton. Recipe by Chef Alex Serrano. Bistro 7 uses as many local ingredients and purveyors as possible. Visit Bistro 7 at www.bistro7wilton.com. 203-587-1287, breno@bistro7wilton.com. At Bistro 7 we offer you a seasonally changing menu which allows us to make sure we are using the best ingredients possible; supporting the farmers and producers of our surroundings as much as possible, and sourcing wine and beer that are actually “worth the sip”. We are part of the Slow Food movement and the Non GMO project.

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Natural Nutmeg January 2014

NUTMEG “NUGGETS”

Get Your Health Back in 2014!

T

he question is no longer if you are toxic, but how toxic are you?

Over time, the buildup of toxins from the environment and lifestyle choices can compromise the way our bodies work, and even lead to health issues. While many people are familiar with the idea of detoxification, there is a great deal of confusion about how to do it safely.

For example, trendy water or juice fasting may cause muscle wasting and an increased feeling of fatigue. In order to detoxify properly, the body needs nutrients such as quality protein and carbohydrates, plus targeted nutritional support. Our Program enhances the body’s natural metabolic detoxification process while providing adequate fuel for both cleansing and other daily activities, supporting energy metabolism and overall well-being.

Toxicity build up can cause: • Generalized muscle aches, fatigue • Food allergies and sensitivities • Brain fog • Unwanted weight gain Toxins entering our bodies is unavoidable. From the air we breathe, to the food choices we make, every day and all day, we are always exposed to toxins. Toxicity buildup can compromise the way our bodies work, and lead to health issues. The more the burden of toxins is researched, the more major health issues it seems to be associated with.

Get your Heath Back by Cleansing your Body. Your Body Will Thank You!

Happy New Year!

M

any will resolve to eat healthier, exercise more, and lose weight this year. Most people fail at their New Year’s resolutions. Make 2014 the year to keep your resolution to get healthier!

1. Form Small Goals. Break up long term goals into smaller mini goals to track progress and stay motivated. Baby steps lead to big change.

2. Reward Yourself. Avoid using food as a reward. Instead reward yourself with something that makes you feel good, like getting pampered, or buying a new work out accessory.

3. Plan! Try planning meals for the week. Schedule exercise into your weekly planner.

4. Keep track. People are more successful when they track their intake, to hold themselves accountable and track progress.

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27

Enjoying a Healthy Menopause

By Dr. Donald Piccoli

M

ost women have few serious problems with menopause other than unwanted and unexplained weight gain, which is so common it has been nicknamed the middle-age spread. Trying to lose weight at any age can be a struggle, however, losing the weight associated with menopause comes with its own unique set of challenges.

Fatigue Even women who have exercised regularly, tirelessly pounding away on the treadmill, are frustrated when their routine no longer seems to be working. With the added weight, many women begin to experience an increase in fatigue, some to the point of feeling like they are dragging themselves around to get through the day. This low energy can further perpetuate menopausal weight gain, as it may lead to poor food choices. Many women resort to caffeine and sugar for a temporary energy boost; unfortunately, these choices eventually lead to more energy loss and fatigue.

Disease Risk Increases Weight gain can be a natural occurrence associated with getting older, and an increase of ten to fifteen pounds, which tend to accumulate around the abdomen, is typical during menopause.

There also is an increase in body-fat percentage and a decrease in metabolism, in addition to the change in body shape from pearshape to apple-shape. This transition increases visceral fat, as well as inflammation throughout the body, thus putting an individual at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. A waist circumference (when measured at the belly button) greater than 35 inches (women) or 40 inches (men) greatly increases the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and more.

Estrogen’s Role in Metabolic Processes Hormone fluctuations and weight gain go hand-in-hand. During menopause, the menstrual process comes to an end, which results in decreased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

28

Natural Nutmeg January 2014

When we think of estrogen, we typically think of a hormone that is chiefly involved in the regulation of the menstruation process, however the scope of estrogen’s role in metabolic processes is far greater. A number of organs throughout the body have both estrogen and progesterone receptors, including the skin, bones, breast tissues, uterine lining and blood vessels.

Adipose tissues, or fat cells, which are rich in cholesterol (a precursor molecule of estrogen), and the adrenal glands also can produce the vital hormone estrogen. In an attempt to make up for the loss of estrogen being produced by the ovarian follicle, the body will begin depositing more estrogen-producing fat cells; consequently, more of the calories you consume will translate directly to fat. Not only is decreased estrogen converting more calories to fat, but it also triggers fat stores to shift from the hips and buttocks and settle in the abdominal region. The increased abdominal girth also can be compounded by increased water retention and bloating, typically caused by falling progesterone levels.

Testosterone promotes the creation of lean muscle mass; as testosterone levels drop, muscle mass decreases. Most adults, on average, will lose five to seven percent of muscle every decade.

During this time, as muscle mass continually drops, metabolic rate also decreases by about five percent.

This decreased metabolic rate greatly contributes to middleage weight gain, as many people do not adjust their carbohydrate consumption to account for the decreased level of carbohydrates the body now demands to reach its energy needs. Muscle loss and the energy needs of your body are interrelated, because your body uses more than 40 calories to maintain each pound of muscle, while fat requires only 2 calories per day. Exercise programs that are centered on resistance training can help ward off the metabolic slowdown, as well as increase bone strength, combat fatigue and improve sleep quality.

Other factors that may play a role in menopausal weight gain include insulin resistance, the stress of life changes, and genetics.

And when we add in common negative factors that influence almost everyone’s health today, such as subluxations, food allergies, hidden immune challenges, and heavy-metal and chemical toxicities, menopausal weight gain may not be a simple fix.

All that being said, diet plays an important functional role in shedding that middle age spread. Many in this country have fallen for the fat-free trap, consuming large amounts of low- or no-fat foods, in favor of highcarbohydrate foods. This low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet exacerbates many health issues, specifically those associated with menopause. High-carb diets send blood sugar and insulin levels soaring, triggering cyclic food cravings, energy dips and eventually insulin resistance.

Fats are a critical macronutrient needed for many structural components which lay the foundation to support many metabolic processes in the body, including the maintenance of balanced hormones.

Powerful Hormones

REDUCE OR ELIMINATE Sugars • Candy • Honey • Agave • Sodas • Juices • Pastries/desserts • Cookies • Hidden sugars (read labels) INCREASE OR MAXIMIZE Protein • Cold water fish • Organic eggs • Grass-fed beef • Whey protein • Chicken, Turkey • Game birds • Cottage/Ricotta Cheese

High Carbohydrate Foods • White/whole grain bread • White/whole grain pasta • White/brown rice • Oats • Crackers • Chips • High glycemic fruits

High Fiber Vegetables • Leafy greens • Broccoli • Brussels Sprouts • Cauliflower • Celery • Cucumber • Eggplant • Onions • Peppers • Spaghetti squash • Mushrooms • Summer squash • Radishes • Snow peas • Shallots • Garlic • Asparagus • Cabbage

Together with the nervous system, hormones are part of the most powerful control system of the body, which is why so many experience frustrating menopausal symptoms associated with these unbalanced systems. The body has an amazing ability to heal itself, but hormone levels must be in balance in order to activate the body’s powerful innate system of repair and healing. As mentioned above, other underlying issues such as chemical- and heavyHealthy Fats metal toxicities can significantly contribute to menopausal • Unrefined coconut oil • Grass-fed meats • Grass-fed butter weight gain.

• Extra virgin olive oil • Raw milk • Raw cheese Oftentimes a gradual detoxification of these hormone • Cottage cheese (full fat) • Plain, full fat yogurt • Avocado disruptors is necessary. A program that I recommend is • Raw, soaked nuts/seeds • Free-range, organic eggs • Almond butter the Standard Process 21 Day Purification Program. This program, combined with a diet centered on whole foods along with whole-food supplements and herbs, supports food, which means that most women are not obtaining the nutrients the body’s elimination organs through their natural detoxification they need. The current food supply makes it nearly impossible to get process. all the nutrients the body needs to carry out its functions and maintain health and vitality. Other factors such as microwaving, genetic Whole Foods, Supplements, and Appropriate Exercise engineering, synthetic additives, preservatives, hormones, antibiotics, and produce grown in nutrient-void soil all further contribute to Select high-quality organic whole foods and supplements that the decreased nutritional quality of food. Whole-food supplements support your body’s natural healing processes. Over the past 70 are a great way to provide the nutrition the body needs to ease the years there has been a drastic decline in the nutritional quality of menopausal transition.

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A whole-food supplement which supports the healthy function of the ovaries, adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid glands can provide the nucleoprotein-mineral extracts that support cellular health in those glands. An herbal complex that contains the active compounds of Shatavari, St. John’s Wort, Sage, Black Cohosh and Korean Ginseng can also add support to the well-being of a woman transitioning through menopause. Each of the herbs is traditionally valued as a natural solution for alleviating different menopausal symptoms.

Implementing a combination of interval training and gentle exercising such as yoga, walking, tai chi or other movement programs greatly enhances the balancing of estrogen and insulin levels. Add to that a nutritional program you can adapt to in a short period of time, and if you need additional help, bio-identical hormone treatment may help.

Menopause is a natural, normal occurrence, and can be a new beginning to the best chapter in your life.

Dr. Donald Piccoli chiropractic physician, is certified in advanced Nutrition Response Testing and is the director of Holistic Solutions Health Center in Kensington, CT (860)-828-2966. For more information visit www.holisticsolutions.com. See ad this page.

30

Natural Nutmeg January 2014

REMEDIES

Laura Mignosa, NCCH

Of Thee I GINSENG!

W

hen Chinese medicine was developed 5000 years ago, there was no germ theory, no microscope, and no molecular biology to explore the insides of cells. Dissection of the human body was forbidden, so Chinese Physicians had to invent explanations for what happens inside the body between our periods of health and disease. They looked to nature to develop their system of wellness because they believed the human body was a reflection of nature.

The Chinese start from the idea that illness occurs because the body is out of balance. You do not get sick (or out of balance) because a germ entered your body, but because your body was not strong enough to fight that pathogen off.

It is very difficult in modern society to live perfectly in balance according to nature, so the need for making the body stronger to resist invasions of illness (including spiritual fatigue and psychological traumas) is to strengthen ourselves with what Chinese Medicine calls Tonic herbs. That means herbs that you take when you are WELL, to KEEP you well.

Tonic herbs are used ONLY when you are at your best and if you fall to a pathogen, then you would need to use herbs other than Ginsengs to help you.

Ginseng is one of the most powerful Tonic herbs in our arsenal for staying well. If my 20 years of practicing the art and science of Chinese Herbal Therapy has taught me anything, it is that Ginseng is misunderstood. There are different types of Ginseng and each has its’ own specific ability to help us.

The most commonly used ginseng is Panax or Chinese Ginseng root (Ren Shen) and is used to “spark” every organ in the body to function efficiently. It is the reason why so many Taoist use this herb daily to keep in balance. They may also include other Tonic herbs to make sure they are indeed doing the right thing for their particular body.

According to Western medicine understandings, Panax ginseng is used as a so-called “adaptogen” for increasing resistance to environmental stress and as a general tonic for improving well-being.

It is also used for stimulating immune function, improving physical and athletic stamina, and improving cognitive function, concentration, memory, and work efficiency.

Our next Ginseng is called Korean Ginseng and it is extremely “hot” in nature and is steamed with Aconite, the hottest herb in Chinese Herbology. If you are cold to the bone, this is an appropriate herb for you to take. Like Panax Ginseng, it provides all the same benefits associated with Panax Ginseng but the temperature of this herb is vastly different due to its energetic nature of heat. Both of these Ginsengs may make you hotter than you may already be.

Korean Ginseng is just that much more warming in nature.

Why is understanding the temperature or temperament of

your body important? How does “Hot” look in Chinese Medicine? It looks like the Western medicine diagnosis of high blood pressure, hot flashes or night sweats, ear ringing or headaches AND you feel hot all the time.

If you experience these symptoms you may find these ginsengs to increase the symptoms you are having and it is not a balanced herb for you to use.

Another Ginseng is Siberian Ginseng and has a slightly different function from our first two. It is often found in Natural Food stores under the name Eleutherococcus Senticosus (Ci Wu Jia), and legally cannot be sold as Siberian Ginseng in the U.S. because it is not a Panax Ginseng species. It was first found in Canada and is used extensively today in Chinese Herbal Therapy.

Siberian Ginseng is an adaptogenic herb that really helps people with lung issues especially. It is neither “Hot” nor “Cold” so it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to garner more Qi from breath without fear of using a wrong ginseng for your constitution.

Our next Ginseng is completely opposite in function to the energy raising, warming actions of the three ginsengs above.

American or Wisconsin Ginseng (Xi Yang Shen) is actually a cooling herb and also helps to regenerate fluids in the body. This is the herb used daily to help with the Western diagnosis of menopause (hot flashes, irritability, night sweats, thirst, insomnia as well as long term illnesses like diabetes).

If you exhibit “Hot” symptoms, this may be the tonic herb to help balance that energetic heat. Western medicine clinical studies have been numerous on all the Ginsengs so I encourage you to do some research on your own to find the Tonic herb that suits you best.

The intention of this article is to help you recognize that all Ginsengs are not created equal and though many people think it is the next best thing to sliced bread, using the wrong herb for your body’s constitution can actually cause you harm over a long period of time if not balanced with other herbs.

The information found here is for educational purposes and of course does not take the place of a western medicine diagnosis and care. If you are in the least bit concerned about utilizing these extremely valuable roots on your own, be sure to check with a doctor or an experienced Chinese Herbologist.

Laura Mignosa is a Certified Chinese Herbologist and Director of the Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies in New Britain, CT since 1995. She has studied extensively both in the United States as well as in Beijing and Taiwan, China. She enjoys a busy private practice at her school. For more information, visit WWW.CTHerbschool.com or call 860-826-2705. Visit Laurachina5 on Facebook. See ad on page 37. www.NaturalNutmeg.com

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SELF

Ashley Burkman, ND

Life Without a Gallbladder

I

t seems more common than not these days to have gallbladder removal surgery. While it is certainly necessary when the gallbladder has become so diseased it can no longer function properly, there may be more risks than meet the eye when it comes to having it removed.

When fats from the diet cannot be adequately broken down with the digestive bile-salts from the gallbladder they are sent through the small intestine whole and are not able to be absorbed and utilized. This leads to fat being sent to the colon which can result in diarrhea and oily or greasy stools.

What does the gallbladder do anyway?

Why is fat digestion so important?

The gallbladder is a small balloon-like organ that resides in the upper right abdomen, tucked just beneath the liver. The primary responsibility of the gallbladder is to store a green digestive liquid mixture called bile. Bile is made in the liver and continually fills the gallbladder, similar to filling a balloon with water.

When food containing fat enters the stomach, the gallbladder will begin to contract and slowly squeezes this bile solution into the first part of the small intestine, the duodenum. Bile acts like an emulsifier when it mixes with fat from food, assisting in the digestive process.

When the body does not appropriately break down fats, there is an increased risk of fatty-acid deficiency. Fatty acids are what make up the structure of our cells, produce fuel for the heart, kidney and brain, and reduce inflammation in the body.

Reduced cell wall integrity, caused by decreased fatty-acid breakdown and absorption, creates fragility in the cell, which can lead to cell death.

Beta-oxidation is the process in which fatty acids are used to make ATP or energy for various cells of the body. This is very important when it comes to the heart, brain and kidneys especially.

Chronic inflammation is no good for many reasons, mainly due to its ability to increase the progression of several disease processes like heart disease, liver disease and even cancer.

No need for a gallbladder?

It may seem like such a simple job the gallbladder has in releasing bile for digestion. And yes it is true, we can live without one. But when the gallbladder ceases to exist, there is no longer a catchall storage pouch where manufactured bile can be stored.

Instead, when the gallbladder is removed, there is a direct connection between the liver and duodenum, allowing a continual slow release of bile.

While this slow trickle of fat-digesting bile can be sufficient for some fat digestion, fats entering the small intestine from the stomach need more than just a trickle to sufficiently be broken down and absorbed. This can lead to chronic diarrhea and other symptoms due to fat malabsorption.

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Symptoms of fatty-acid deficiency Minor symptoms of fatty acid deficiency include dry and rough cracked skin, brittle fingernails, dry hair, chronic eczema, dandruff and a skin condition called follicular keratosis which results from a build up of skin and debris around hair follicles.

More concerning symptoms and diseases associated with fattyacid deficiency include increased thirst and urination, ADHD, dyslexia, autistic symptoms, memory problems, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and brain fog.

Judi What can be done to ensure fat digestion and absorption?

Blood tests can be run to know if your body is actually absorbing and incorporating fatty acids in the body. Specifically, testing for essential fatty acids, the fatty acids that must be obtained through diet and digestion, is helpful not only to ensure adequate intake, but fatty acid ratios can also be obtained which is helpful to ensure an antiinflammatory environment.

Stool testing can be done to make sure fats are not being lost via stool. When the body does not absorb fatty acids in the small intestine, they are sent through the stool for evacuation and can be found in a stool sample.

What happens if I have already had a cholecystectomy?

Not to fret, just because you have already had your gallbladder out does not mean you are destined to be fatty acid deficient. It is important, however, to be aware of your digestion and note any

abnormalities. It is also important to report any changes in your health including skin texture changes, energy level and cognitive changes to name a few.

Watch your stool. If you note changes in color, texture or see oil or greasy like stools you should alert your health care provider. Stool changes not only can indicate fatty acid maldigestion but can clue your physician into other health issues that may be going on.

If you suspect you may be at risk for fatty-acid deficiency, consider speaking with your doctor about your concerns to determine ways to mitigate further or future deficiencies.

Dr. Ashley Burkman is a board certified licensed naturopathic physician at Connecticut Natural Health Specialists, LLC in Manchester, CT. She is in network work most insurance companies and is now taking new patients. For appointments, please call (860)533-0179. See ad on page 16.

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33

How the Mind-Body Connection Can Influence Fertility

By Melissa Kelleher, LCSW

M

ake a fist. What happens? If you are like most people, you hold your breath and your muscles tense up, starting at your fingers, up your arm, through your neck and shoulders… probably all the way to your forehead.

Making a fist is a simple gesture, but it represents how our bodies act and react. The average American experiences 50 stress responses every day. And with each response, there is a lasting physical reaction, including a release of stress hormones, which affects our bodies and our minds.

This is the crux of mind-body approach. Stress can manifest in several physical conditions, including high blood pressure, suppression of immune system, irritability, anxiety, depression, anger management issues, and even infertility. By nurturing our cerebral needs, we also can nurture our physical needs, and vice versa. The phrase “the power of positive thinking” might have lost its impact through everyday repetition, but the idea remains meaningful. Positive thoughts can release hormones that help improve our mental and physical states. Conversely, stress has a negative impact.

Having a mind-body approach includes positive thoughts, but it is not that simple. (How many fertility patients have cringed at friendly advice from friends and family to “stay positive”?) In fact, there are a variety of tools that utilize the mind-body connection to help people manage stress and find balance. Sometimes the mind-body approach is labeled “new age,” but there is nothing “new” about it. Many mind-body methods are centuries old, and some have existed for several millennia. Given this expanse of time, several variations have evolved.

Here are some common examples: • Breath Focus • Body Scan • Progressive Muscle Relaxation • Meditation • Prayer

• Mindfulness • Guided Imagery • Autogenic Training • Yoga • Acupuncture

There is no single form that will work for every fertility patient; because of this, my practice encourages our patients to find the one that is right for them. Stress has not been definitely proven to decrease the likelihood of pregnancy, however, several clinical studies indicate that stress management can have a positive effect. More importantly, there is no downside to learning and practicing stress management. There are only positive benefits.

By dedicating just 20 minutes per day, patients can reverse the effects of daily stresses. It may seem impossible to find 20 minutes per day, but we encourage patients to make their overall health a priority. Stress management is important for couples who want to get pregnant, and these are tools that can help throughout life, including when the baby arrives.

Many of the patients I see have already been experiencing infertility for some time. It is common for patients to put off talking to someone until their stress is at a breaking point, such as a heartbreaking loss, a life-changing decision, frustrations with a diagnosis, or complex emotions within their marriage. Regardless of the specifics, at the core of each of these situations there is stress. As we work through their concerns, there are long-term goals and techniques they can use to find balance and minimize stress. Some are easily accessible in any situation. Here are three of these techniques: • Mindfulness: For fertility patients, it can be incredibly difficult to be in the moment. Their thoughts may wander to the upcoming treatment, to the possibilities of their treatment (good and bad) or to past losses that they are mourning. I encourage patients to focus on what is in front of them; the sights, sounds, smells and tangibles of the people they are with, the topic being discussed, the ideas being shared. In terms of their fertility treatment, it also means focusing on today; try not to linger on the negative results of the past or outcomes that have not yet been determined. Focus on today, this moment, the person in front of you.

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• Breathe: The most simple, most portable, most accessible stress management tool is breathing. By controlling breath, patients can alleviate anything that the body is holding on to. There are breathing techniques that can be done in a matter of moments in a private space such as a car.

• Find good in each day: Most couples are apart all day, and when they return to each other they share what happened. It is common for people to fill this conversation with negative stories; to vent about a difficult co-worker, bad traffic, annoying salespeople. But it is more beneficial—for both spouses—to share something new, something good. This piece of information doesn’t have to be a milestone (e.g., a promotion), it can be something small in the day that sparked a smile (e.g., a funny comment or an interesting news article).

Fertility patients encounter many outside factors that are out of their control, such as age, genetic predispositions, and stress. Having a mind-body practice empowers fertility patients by giving them a real opportunity to create change within their own bodies. It also enables them to create a positive experience, hopefully one that leads to positive results.

By Melissa Kelleher, LCSW. Melissa works with couples and individuals at Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT), giving them the tools to emotionally handle their fertility challenges and make related decisions. Melissa earned her Master’s in Social Work from New York University and she graduated cum laude from State University of New York at Albany. She has been working as a Master Level Social Worker (MSW) since 1997, and earned her LCSW from New York State in 2006 (when it was first offered) and from Connecticut in 2013. This Fall, Melissa trained under Alice D. Domar, PhD, a pioneer in the application of mind-body medicine to men’s and women’s health issues.

On January 12, 2014 from 12–5 p.m. at RMACT’s Norwalk office, Melissa will be leading a Mind-Body Workshop to introduce fertility patients to the mind-body approach and how this can help them in their daily lives. The workshop will start with a seminar led by Melissa that will include techniques that can be used during fertility treatment, as well as during pregnancy, marriage and our lives in general. Then colleagues from RMACT’s Integrated Fertility and Wellness Program will lead interactive discussions and demonstrations from their respective areas: acupuncture, yoga and peer support. For complete event details or to secure a spot, please go to www.rmact. com. See ad on page 30.

Yoga Tools • Therapeutic Tools • Books • Pamphlets Learn more at www.YogaTools.com • www.LazyManYoga.com www.NaturalNutmeg.com

35

NOURISH

By Vicki Kobliner MS, RD, CD-N

Making Sense of Supplements Dosing, Timing and Quality Matter Your naturopath recommends fish oil for your heart, your neighbor tells you a probiotic helped her digestion, and the latest news report is touting a miracle herb for weight loss. How and what do you really need? And when you figure it out, how do you choose from the dizzying array of products available for purchase? Good advertising and word of mouth don’t guarantee a good nutritional supplement so it is important to know some criteria for choosing and managing them.

Supplement Form The same nutrient can come in a variety of forms. Most minerals cannot be absorbed in their native form, so they are bound to another substance to make them more accessible to the body.

The binding substances have their own properties; some are larger, resulting in a bigger pill to swallow; others are not as easily digested or have laxative properties. For example, magnesium is known to help relieve constipation, and the citrate form is best in this scenario, while the oxide or glycinate form may be a better choice for someone with normal bowel function who is replenishing magnesium for other reasons. In the case of calcium, carbonate forms are inexpensive but fairly large (requiring multiple pills to meet needs) and less well-absorbed than the more costly, but better processed citrate form. Other binders such as aspartate, malate, and ascorbate are also common.

Supplement Structure Structure also matters when it comes to vitamins. Vitamin D, for example, can be found in the D2 or D3 form. While D2 may be cheaper, D3 is the more active and effective form, and the best one to choose.

Vitamin E, also known as tocopherol can be found in the “d” or “dl” version, and the “d” variety is the natural, more active and better-absorbed form. The choice doesn’t stop there—the desirable “d” tocopherol may come as d-alpha tocopherol, or as a mixed tocopherol, containing beta, delta and gamma as well. While more studies are needed to determine the best combination, in general, a mixed d-tocopherol is recommended.

A third, very important example is the B vitamin folate. The food form of this vitamin is called folate, while the synthetic version found in supplements and fortified foods is folic acid. Natural folate is broken down by the body into more active, usable forms, called folinic acid and 5-MTHF. Some people have a gene mutation that reduces the body’s ability to break down folate, and for them, supplementation with folinic or 5-MTHF is wise. In addition, there is some concerning evidence that excess folic acid, when not properly metabolized, may promote cancer development.

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Interactions Some nutrients work well in combination, while others compete with each other for binding sites on transporters that carry them into the cells. While calcium and iron are both important minerals for health, taking them together is not a good idea, since calcium blocks the absorption of iron when taken at the same time. Conversely, magnesium and Vitamin D enhance calcium uptake and are a desirable combination. Probiotics, the live, desirable bacteria that line our intestines, must be taken away from compounds that kill these organisms, such as prescription antibiotics or herbs like garlic or olive leaf extract.

Dosage Knowing that glucosamine may help osteoarthritis is of no value if your supplement contains 250mg and the effective dose is 1500mg. On the flip side, you can get too much of a good thing, and some nutrients and herbs have undesirable or even toxic side effects when taken in excess.

Quality This may be the most challenging part of managing supplements. Purchasing good quality, effective nutritional supplements should be easy, but rarely is. They are subject to few regulations and as a result, quality and efficacy varies widely. In fact, studies have shown that only about 20% of supplements meet label claims! They may have amounts of nutrients that exceed safe levels…or none at all. Others are contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides or other toxins. How can you confidently make a purchase under these circumstances?

The sluggish economy and uncertain economic future have touched us all, and any opportunity to cut expenses may seem a good one. Finding supplements at a bargain price may seem like good financial sense, but think again. Education and caution are needed to avoid turning an inexpensive capsule into a costly mistake. For example, the major e-commerce sites such as Amazon or E-bay are often just a conduit for third-party sellers, and they cannot test or guarantee products sold through those small vendors. There is no assurance that the items sold by the small, anonymous retailers are not expired, relabeled or even counterfeit. While this may seem unlikely, counterfeiting is a large problem in the industry. Next time you see a product for a price far better than the competition, stop and ask yourself if it is too good to be true. While the cost of clean raw materials and optimal quality control means that high quality supplements may be more costly than those sold at vitamin warehouses, cheaper varieties may not be worth even a few pennies.

Supplements are a big business, and as with any business, some companies are reputable while others are not. Some of the criteria to look for in a nutritional support product include: • Those that have a Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) or US Pharmacopeia (USP) or consumerlab.com seal, have met minimum quality standards (although some great companies do not use these labels).

• Companies that use third-party testing. Contracting with an outside company to objectively check production lots avoids internal conflicts of interest.

• Ingredients that are organic and/or tested for chemicals and toxins. Herbs sourced from China, for example, are frequently contaminated with lead or pesticides.

• Expiration dates or dates of manufacture are not required, but manufacturers with integrity will provide them.

• Companies that test and save a sample from every batch, not simply random specimens. In this way, if a problem arises, a sample from the exact batch can be reviewed.

• Hypoallergenic products for sensitive people with food or chemical intolerances.

• Free of artificial ingredients, preservatives, sugars, etc.

• Safer non-nutritive excipients. Fillers are sometimes necessary to complete a capsule or bind a tablet, but while some are benign, others may be difficult to digest or even interfere with the absorption of the very nutrients they are packaged with.

Planning and coordinating a supplement regimen can feel as complicated as a military operation or a wedding but don’t despair.

Ask your healthcare practitioner to specify dosages, timing and forms of your supplements, and to recommend reliable brands. If they are not able to do this, a consultation with a nutrition expert can get you on the right path.

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Tues., Wed., Fri. 10-6, Thurs. 10-7, and Sat. 10-5

Vicki Kobliner MS RD, CD-N is a Registered Dietitian and owner of Holcare Nutrition (www.holcarenutrition.com). Vicki works with infants, children and adults with digestive disorders, food allergies, ADHD, autism and other chronic illness, and provides fertility and prenatal nutrition counseling. Vicki has extensive experience in using dietary modification, appropriate supplementation and functional lab testing to achieve optimal wellness. She can be reached at 203.834.9949 or vicki@holcarenutrition.com. See ad on page 12.

www.NaturalNutmeg.com

37

HAPPENINGS

Tuesday, January 7th

Saturday, January 11th

New Year’s Day Meditations. 10am - 11:15 am or 12pm – 1:15 pm. FREE. Welcome the New Year with a new view on life! Join in this guided meditation which will help you release old beliefs, habits and thought patterns and shift your energy to a new way of being. Space is limited and registration is required. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Student Medium’s Night. 6:30pm – 8pm.

Love donation. Have a reading from one of our gifted student readers. Don’t let the word student confuse you as they are well versed in the art of message delivery. These nights allow them to practice their mediumship and for you to receive guidance.

Sessions are 15-minutes each. No appointments. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. For more information, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Saturday, January 4th

Wednesday, January 8th

Get Your Toes Wet- Intro to Expressive Art. 12:30-3:30pm. $40. Includes materials. A spacious, playful environment allows you to open up and begin to trust the artist within.

Create authentic imagery using paint, collage, and drawing materials. Guided meditation & breath awareness opens the door to our body, heart and the unlimited possibilities we carry. Nourish and recharge your creative connection! Facilitated by Elisabeth Moss BFA, Expressive Art facilitator. Held at 12 Old Farms Rd. Avon, CT. To register call 860-550-0882 no prior art experience needed!

Psychic Saturday. 10am – 4pm. $25.00 for a 20-minute reading. Receive a private reading to connect you to guidance from your angels, spirit guides and loved ones.

Check the web site for Readers. Pre-scheduling is highly recommended. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To pre-schedule an appointment, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Healing in Harmony Night. 5pm – 7pm.

FREE. Stop by the center for a FREE healing service. Participants will sit individually with a healer and receive an 8 – 10 minute healing. No reservation required. You will be served in the order in which you enter the center. The healing services are offered one night each month. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. For more information, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Wednesday, January 1st

Sunday, January 5th Gathering of Healers with Dan Lupacchino. 3p.m. – 6p.m. $10 minimum donation.

A Gathering place for healing practitioners to share, socialize and recharge. As healers, we are often so focused on caring for others that we neglect ourselves. Share the gifts of healing energies with other practitioners in a safe, nurturing and fun environment. All healing modalities welcome if they can fit in within the context of a Reiki treatment.

Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www. healinginharmonycenter.com.

Friday, January 10th Meet your Angels and Guides. 6:30pm. – 9pm. $50.00. Receiving spiritual guidance is easier when you understand who you are connecting with. During this workshop you will learn about your primary spiritual guides and guardian angels. Through meditation, we will meet them and receive information from them on how they would like to work with you. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Westside Chiropractic, LLC Dr. Richard Duenas

Chiropractic Physician • Board Certified Neurologist

Natural Health Care for Family and Friends West Hartford / Hartford 557 Prospect Avenue (860) 523-5833 www.westsidechiropractors.com 38

Natural NaturalNutmeg Nutmeg January January2014 2014

Improve Posture and Balance with the Alexander Technique. Free. 9am-10am. Do you experience tension or fatigue? Do you wish you had better posture and balance?

In this class you will learn to prevent aches and pains by aligning your body naturally.

Hands-on guidance from teacher will help you too remove tension and move more freely. Call 860-656-6177, or email eric@ millerAT.com to register, space is limited.

Miller Alexander Technique, Farmington, CT. www.millerat.com.

Sunday, January 12th Integrated Energy Therapy (IET)® Basic Level with Dan Lupacchino And Christine Cartwright. 9:30am – 5:30pm. $195.00.

Learn IET® and attune to a powerful angelic energy ray that activates your 12-strand Spiritual DNA and then learn to heartlink to the energy of your angels and use their energy for healing. Fully illustrated training guide and certificate provided. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Wednesday, January 15th

Saturday, January 18th

Healing Angels of the Energy Field (Two nights) with Jennifer Johnson. 6:30pm – 9pm. $100.00. This two-part class (also held January 22) is for anyone who would like to increase their angel consciousness.

By learning how to call upon the Integrated Energy Therapy® Healing Angels, you will be able to understand how each one represents a divine quality that touches your soul. Workbook and Certificate provided.

Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www. healinginharmonycenter.com.

Angelic Energy Healing (IET)® for Kids with Jennifer Johnson. 1pm – 4pm. $55.00.

This is an introductory Integrated Energy Therapy® Class for kids between the ages of 7 to 12. Included is a basic energetic attunement allowing for a connection to the nine Healing Angels, an introduction to anatomy, an energy field clearing technique and learning how to connect with the Healing Angels using the IET “heartlink” technique.

Certificate and workbook included. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Thursday, January 16th Wholistic HCG Fat Loss Program Free Educational Seminar. Start Your New Year off right, and get in shape!

Reach Your Weight Loss Goal at Last!!

Learn how you can lose up to 30 pounds in 40 days with our UNIQUE, safe and effective, medically supervised weight loss program! 6-7pm Glastonbury Naturopathic Center 18 School St. Glastonbury, CT. Call 860-657-4105 to reserve your space. www.naturopathicwellness.com.

Friday, January 17th Gallery Night. 6:30pm – 8:30pm. $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 and pre-payment are required. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Lose The Thoughts That Weigh You Down.

1pm – 4pm. $50.00 In this three-hour workshop, you will learn exactly how and why your thoughts and emotions influence your ability to lose weight and what you can do to about it. By the end of the workshop, you will have a tool box full of life changing techniques to change the way you think and feel as much as the way you look. Class size limited to 10 for an optimal experience. To register, please call: 860-707-0908 or email Kristen: kristen@ balancedlivingnow.com. 355 New Britain Road Kensington, CT 06037.

Sunday, January 19th Women’s Empowerment Meditation. 10am – 12noon. $25.00. This guided meditation is specifically designed to the energy of the group. We invite in our angels and guides to help us release those things that keep us stuck. The energy of the group helps us to release those things that no longer serve our highest good and allow us to live an empowered life. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

IN-2-IT Kids Spiritual Development Program. 1pm. – 2:30pm. $15.00. Do you have an intuitive child who needs to be with like-minded people? This is a monthly program for kids to help them develop and better understand their intuitive gifts. Each month participants will practice meditation techniques and then work with a variety of skills to develop their intuitive gifts. Parental permission required. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. For more information, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

Tuesday, January 21st 28 Day Guided Cleanse Group with Dr. Teresa Spano, ND. The New Year is the Best Time to Detox! Cleanse your body, purge toxins, and feel great! Easy-to-follow program that will get you back on track.

Your Body will Thank You! 6-7pm Glastonbury Naturopathic Center 18 School St. Glastonbury, CT. For more information please call 860-657-4105 to reserve your space and order your 28 Day Detox Kit! (Program must be pre-paid to attend the group). www.naturopathicwellness.com

Saturday, January 25th Lose The Thoughts That Weigh You Down.

1pm – 4pm. $50.00. In this three-hour workshop, you will learn exactly how and why your thoughts and emotions influence your ability to lose weight and what you can do to about it. By the end of the workshop, you will have a tool box full of life changing techniques to change the way you think and feel as much as the way you look. Class size limited to 10 for an optimal experience. To register, please call: 860707-0908 or e-mail Kristen at: kristen@balancedlivingnow.com. Location: 355 New Britain Road Kensington, CT 06037.

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HAPPENINGS Saturday, January 25th Mediumship Development Level I. 9:30am – 6pm. $300.00. Also Jan. 26th. This is Part I of a three level certificate program. Learn about the spirit world and how to connect with those energies residing there. Create a system for yourself to work with spirit energies so that you can be accurate every time and improve your evidential mediumship.

Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www. healinginharmonycenter.com.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory & Terminology Course with Laura Mignosa, NCCH. (Pre-Requisite for Chinese Herbology Program to start April 2014 or Stand Alone Class). Cost: $479.00. Also Jan 26, Feb 1 & 2. This is a powerful course for anyone interested in the Differential Diagnosis of Traditional Chinese Medicine and it’s uses today. Through recognition of patterns, TCM describes disharmonies without diagnosing disease. This course also serves as the foundation on which our Chinese Herbology Intensive is built upon. All our courses are taught with an emphasis on clinical diagnosis as practiced in China today. (28 CEU hours approved by NCBTMB) Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies, 912 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, 860-826-2705, WWW.CTHerbschool.com.

Tuesday, January 28th What’s Your Body Really Telling You? 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. $45.00. Pain and discomfort are your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Physical pain and postural misalignments can be caused by physical, emotional or other factors. Explore your body alignment, daily habits, belief systems and emotional triggers to see what may be the source of your pain and discomfort. You will obtain a better understanding of your physical body, along with your body-mind.

Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www. healinginharmonycenter.com.

Wednesday, January 29th Home Message Circle. 6:30pm – 8pm. $15.00. The session is open to anyone who wishes to practice their mediumship message delivery in a group. Your ability doesn’t matter as we are all here to get 40 40

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some practice and learn from each other. A group facilitator will help you stay on track with your message if needed. Held at The Healing in Harmony Center, 99 Citizens Drive, Glastonbury. To register, please call 860.430.9801 or visit www.healinginharmonycenter.com.

ONGOING Tuesday Community style Acupuncture. Sustainable Health & Wellness offers community-style acupuncture at just $20-25/session. Community acupuncture is offered every Tuesday and Thursday, and appointments can be requested online at www.SustainableHW. com.

Wednesday Take Your Life to the Next Level! Attend a FREE Wednesday evening seminar to learn more about HFI’s Professional Training, Master’s Degree and Human Relations programs. For more info, call 860-236-6009 or visit HartfordFamilyInstitute.com. Hartford Family Institute, 17 South Highland Street, West Hartford.

Artmaking From Soul- Finding Beauty In The Darkness. 10-1pm or 5:30-8:30pm. $175. Includes materials. Artmaking from soul allows you to express yourself where you are, meeting all that you are, with a spirit of exploration, joy and compassion.

Meditation, guided visualization, prayer, breath and song are doorways we walk through to enter sacred space prior to creating. Paint, collage and drawing materials used to create with. Facilitated by Elisabeth Moss BFA Certified Expressive Art facilitator.

To register call 860-550-0882 Held at 12 Old Farms Rd. Avon, Ct 06001 No prior art experience needed!

Thursday Community style Acupuncture. Sustainable Health & Wellness offers community-style acupuncture at just $20-25/session. Community acupuncture is offered every Tuesday and Thursday, and appointments can be requested online at www.SustainableHW. com.

Friday Ellington Winter Farmers’ Market Fridays 4-6pm at the YMCA, 11 Pinney St. Ellington CT. Nov. 8th and 22nd, Dec. 6th and 20th Jan. 10th and 24th, Feb 7th and 14th, March 7 and 14th. Local and fresh produce, seafood, beef, pork, chicken, dairy, baked goods, gluten free baked goods, honey, maple products, alpaca products, soaps, specialty foods, and artisan wares. www.ellingtonfarmersmarket.com.

Low-cost Naturopathic Medical Visits at Sustainable Health & Wellness. Sustainable Health runs Community Naturopathic Clinic on the 2nd Friday of each month, from 10a – 2p. Call 860-217-1171 for details or to make an appointment. The center is located upstairs in the Mill at 2 Tunxis Road, Tariffville (historic Simsbury). Walk-ins are also welcome. Dr Dana Lapointe, along other ProNatural member physicians, holds the clinic monthly. At $50, the visit cost is around the cost of a typical insurance specialist copay.

CLASSIFIED Space for Rent: Perfect space for salon, holistic health center or other alternative medical clinic available immediately. 1375 sq. ft. above long established coffee house in ideal location in Avon by Rt. 44/10. Call Dick Portfolio at 860-676-2661.

Office available in holistic clinic for selfemployed practitioner. Sunny office is 255 ft2, includes shared waiting area, central location, and ample parking. $500/ month includes utilities. Contact Stacey Munro, ND @ 860-688-2275 or info@natureshelpermedical.com.

ACUPUNCTURE

Stan Baker, L. Ac., Dipl. Ac. Menla Holistic Health, 35 Nod Road, Ste. 106 Avon, CT • (860) 836-1068.

Glastonbury Naturopathic & Acupuncture Center 18 School St. Glastonbury, CT • 860-657-4105 Dr. Helene Pulnik, RPh, MS, ND, L.Ac. www.naturopathicwellness.com info@naturopathicwellness.com See ad on page 11.

Sophia Natural Health Center Kenneth Hoffman, L.Ac., CCH 31 Old Route 7, Brookfield, CT 06804.

(203) 740-9300 • SophiaNaturalHealth.com See ad on page 33.

CHIROPRACTIC

Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury 2934 Main St.,Glastonbury, CT 860-657-8800 • www.glastonburychiro.com Westside Chiropractic 557 Prospect Avenue, West Hartford,CT (860) 523-5833 • westsidechiropractors.com See ad on page 38.

ALLERGY TREATMENT

HEALTH FOOD STORES

Parkade Health Shoppe Manchester Parkade, 378 West Middle Tpke, Manchester, CT • 860.646.8178 M-Sat 8am-9pm • Sun 9am-6pm See ad on page 11.

Thyme and Season Natural Market 3040 Whitney Ave., Hamden 06518 www.ThymeAndSeasonNaturalMarket.com 203.407.8128 Open 7 days: M-F 8am-7:30; Sat 9-7:30; Sun 10-5 Our 16th Year! One of the largest selections of natural, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free & vegan foods in the area.

HOLISTIC CENTERS

Center for Holistic Practices & Psychotherapy 963 Queen Street, Suite C Southington, CT 06489 • (860) 276-5843 www.centerforholisticpractices.com

HYPNOSIS

Diane Bahr-Groth, C. Hy., TFT, Dir. 1177 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT. (203)595-0110 • mindbodytransformation.com See ad on page 12.

Wholistic Allergy Solutions 18 School St. Glastonbury, CT • 860-657-4105 Dr. Helene Pulnik, RPh, MS, ND, L.Ac. www.naturopathicwellness.com info@naturopathicwellness.com See ad on page 11.

Mind Matters Hypnosis Center Lisa Zaccheo, MA, BCH, BCI Board Certified Hypnotist & Instructor 12 Waterside Court, Avon, CT 06001 (860)693-6448 • MindMatters@comcast.net www.mindmattershypnosis.com

COLONICS

Michele P. Rousseau, MA, CH 267 William Street, Middletown, CT 06457 860-704-9054 • mprousseau@sbcglobal.net www.micheleprousseau.com

Lifeline Hygienics Colonics 914 921-Life (5433) 150 Theodore Friend Ave., Suite B15 Rye, NY 10580 Tovah@lifelinehygienics.com lifelinehygienics.Com

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

Glastonbury Naturopathic Center 18 School St. Glastonbury, CT • 860-657-4105 Dr. Helene Pulnik, RPh, MS, ND, L.Ac. www.naturopathicwellness.com info@naturopathicwellness.com See ad on page 11.

DENTISTRY

The Canaan Gentle Dentle & Implant Center Dr. Thomas Livingstone 3 Railroad St. North Canaan, CT (860)824-0751 • www.livingstonedental.com See ad on page 23.

Dr. Steven Hinchey 2249 New London Turnpike South Glastonbury, CT. (860) 633-6518 www.dentistryfordiabetics.com/drhinchey See ad on page 13.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE New England Integrative Health Associates, LLC (NEIHA) 345 North Main Street, Bishop’s Corner West Hartford, CT 06117 Ph. 860.278.3812 • Fax: 860.525.6054 Email: info@neihact.com

LIFE COACH

PEAK Results Coaching Jeff Forte, CSIC, CME 2389 Main St., Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860)633-8555 • peakresultscoaching.com See ad on page 13.

Partners In Spirit

Ellen Gilhooly 22 Maple Ave Windsor, CT 06095 (860)490-2027 • http://www.partnersinspirit.com

RESOURCES LIFE COACH

Balanced Living Now Kristen Werblow, M.A., CPC 36 Chamberlain Highway, Berlin, CT 06037 (860)707-0908 • kristen@balancedlivingnow.com www.balancedlivingnow.com See ad on page 26.

CMW Enterprises Certified Life-training for the chronically ill and disabled.

Double kidney-failure survivor Charles Wachtel Newington,CT 06111 • (860) 794-9516 www.cmwenterprises.net E-mail: cwachtel@tmo.blackberry.net

MASSAGE

All About You Massage Therapy, LLC Cindy Strickland, LMT 396 Lewis Hill Road, Coventry, CT 06238 www.allaboutyoumassagetherapy.net (860)742-5285 • (860)573-6526 CT Lic#006649. Member: AMTA & NCBTMB Wholistic Spa 18 School Street, Glastonbury, CT. 06033 860-657-4105 • www.wholisticspa.com See ad on page 11.

WellnessWisdom MindBody & CS Therapeutic Massage Therapeutic Bodywork, Massage & Holistic Wellness Suzanne Antal-Proietti, LMT, Certified Coach, 203-434-4209 • wellnesswisdomctmassage.com Candida Sternberg, LMT. 203-690-2977 cstherapeuticmassagect.com 147 East Avenue, 1st Floor, Norwalk, CT 06850

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE CT Natural Health Specialists Lauren Gouin, ND, Ashley Burkman, ND 315 E. Center St., Manchester, CT (860) 533-0179 • www.ctnaturalhhealth.com See ad on page 16.

Debra Gibson, ND 100 Danbury Road, Ste. 102 Ridgefield, CT 06877 • (203)431-4443 See ad on page 27.

Glastonbury Naturopathic & Acupuncture Center 18 School St. Glastonbury, CT • 860-657-4105 Dr. Helene Pulnik, RPh, MS, ND, L.Ac. www.naturopathicwellness.com info@naturopathicwellness.com See ad on page 11.

Kensington Naturopathic Medical Center Dr. Ann Aresco 355 New Britain Rd, Kensington, CT (860) 829-0707 • drannaresco@comcast.net kensingtonnaturopathic.com See ad on page 12.

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RESOURCES NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE Naturopathic & Acupuncture Health Center Dr. Marie Mammone, ND Dr. Renee Mammone, ND John Mammone, Licensed Acupuncturist 274 Silas Deane Hwy., Wethersfield, CT 06109 (860)529-1200 • www.NAHcenter.com William Nager, ND, DC 11 Mountain Ave., Ste. 201, Bloomfield, CT, 06002 (860) 242-8277 • www.drbillnager.com The Wellness Institute Marvin Schweitzer, ND 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk, CT (203) 847-2788 See ad on page 28.

West Hartford Naturopathic Medicine Frank Aieta, ND 301 N. Main St., West Hartford, CT (860) 232-9662 • www.DRAIETA.com See ad on page 18.

ProNatural Physicians Group LLC 355 New Britain Road Kensington, CT 06037 • 860-505-0702 www.ProNaturalPhysicians.com ProNatural Members Dr. Ann Aresco 355 New Britain Road Kensington, CT 06037 P: 860-829-0707 • F: 860-829-0606 E: draresco@comcast.net • See ad on page 12.

Dr. Rick Cooper 258 Main Avenue Norwalk, CT 06851 P: 203-229-0164 E: contact@rickcoopernd.com Dr. Marcos de Escobar 171 Grandview Avenue, Suite 101 Waterbury, CT 06708 P: 203-757-9336 • E: cosnd1@gmail.com Dr. Summer McAllister 71 East Avenue, Suite D, Norwalk, CT 06851 P: 877-437-3537 • F: 917-456-0362 E: drsummermcallister@gmail.com Dr. Jonathan Ritz 37 West Town Road Lebanon, CT 06249 • P: 860-281-7489 E: drjon@drjonritz.com

NUTRITION

Holcare Nutrition Vicki Kobliner MS RD 3 Hollyhock Lane, Suite 2A, Wilton, CT 06897 203-834-9949 • www.holcarenutrition.com See ads on page 12.

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NUTRITION

Thyme and Season Natural Market 3040 Whitney Ave., Hamden 06518 www.ThymeAndSeasonNaturalMarket.com 203.407.8128 Open 7 days: M-F 8am-7:30; Sat 9-7:30; Sun 10-5 Our 16th Year! One of the largest selections of natural, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free & vegan foods in the area.

PHYSICIANS, M.D.

Natural Health & Healing, LLC Deanna M. Cherrone, MD 61 S. Main St, Ste 210, West Hartford, CT (860) 677-4600 • naturalhealthandhealing.net See ad on back cover.

PHYSICIANS, M.D.

Tamara Sachs, MD Functional Medicine & Integrative Care 15 Bennitt St., New Milford, CT (860) 354-3304 • www.tsachsmd.intranets.com

OSTEOPATHIC PHYSCIAN

Osteopathic Wellness Center, LLC David L. Johnston, DO • Lisa Preston, DO 158 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877 (203) 438-9915 • www.osteopathicwellness.net See ad on page 35.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Inner Change Holistic Counseling Deni Weber, MA, LPC, DCEP Weston, CT. • 203-544-6094 DeniWeber.com Center for Holistic Practices & Psychotherapy 963 Queen Street Suite C, Southington, CT 06489 860-276-5843 www.centerforholisticpractices.com

RELATIONSHIP COACH

PEAK Results Coaching Jeff Forte, CSIC, CME • Relationship Coach 2389 Main St., Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860)633-8555 • peakresultscoaching.com See ad on page 13.

SCHOOLS

Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies LauraMignosa, NCCH 912 Corbin Ave, New Britain, CT 06052 (860) TCM-2705 • www.ctherbschool.com.

See ad on page 37.

The Graduate Institute Leslie Cahill, Director of Admissions & Recruitment.

(203) 874-4252 • www.learn.edu

SKINCARE

Anew You Skincare & Wellness Center Melissa Martin, 16A Ensign Drive, Avon.

(860)284-9730 • www.anewyouskincare.net Melissa@anewyouskincare.net See ad on page 18.

SPA/FLOATATION SERVICES

iFloat 163 Main Street. Westport, CT 06880 Phone: 203-26-7378 Website: ifloatspa.net • Email:info@ifloatspa.net

THERMOGRAPHY

Sophia Natural Health Center 31 Old Route 7, Brookfield, CT 06804.

(203) 740-9300 • SophiaNaturalHealth.com See ad on page 33.

X to Rays, LLC Suzanne Pyle, MS, CCT 35 Boston Street, Guilford, CT 866.986.7297 or 203.331.2878 www.xtorays.com • See ad on page 24.

YOGA / PILATES CENTERS Cyndi Roberts Yoga RYT-200, Certified Therapeutic Yoga Instructor Private Therapeutic & Gentle Yoga Studio 1426 Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 860-517-9322. www.yogawithcr.com One-on-one sessions. By appointment only.

Sacred Rivers Yoga Paula Scopino LMT, E-RYT 500 IAYT, Owner 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033 PH. 860.657.9545 • FAX. 860.657.3161 www.sacredriversyoga.com.

Sacred Movement Yoga 10 Simsbury Road (Bishop’s Corner) West Hartford, Connecticut 06117 860.990.2555 • www.mysacredmovement.com.

Visit our Facebook page!

West Hartford Yoga 23 Brook Street, West Hartford, CT 06110 PH: 860.953.9642 www.westhartfordyoga.com info@westhartfordyoga.com www.westhartfordyoga.com Offering 70 weekly classes • See ad on page 2.

Natural Nutmeg Connecticut’s Resource for Essential Living “Our mission is is to to provide provide valuable valuable “Our mission insight, information and and resources resources that that insight, information will allow readers readers to to maintain maintain will allow a healthy, active, active, sustainable sustainable lifstyle.” lifstyle.” a healthy, CHECK US OUT!!! the NEW NaturalNutmeg.com.

Look for expanded content on: Follow us on Twitter @NaturalNutmeg “Like” our fan page on Facebook at “Natural Nutmeg Magazine” Follow us on Pinterest at “Natural Nutmeg Magazine”

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Natural Nutmeg is widely available at locations throughout CT including Whole Foods, Stop N Shop, local markets, and health food stores.

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Deanna Cherrone, M.D.

Board certified Internal Medicine Functional Medicine practitioner

“Do you believe you should feel better than you do?”

I help restore balance so that you can look, feel and function your best.

Areas of Focus: • Adrenal Fatigue • Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy • Bone Loss • Detoxification • Food Sensitivities • Heavy Metal Testing & Oral Chelation • Leaky gut • Menopause & Andropause • Mind Body Medicine

Many of my patients are simply looking for someone who will listen.

Functional Medicine explores the root cause symptoms: Fatigue • Brain Fog • Sugar Cravings • Headaches • Depression • Stress & Anxiety • Decreased Libido • Aches & Pains • Decreased Stamina • Constipation • Allergies • Inability to Lose Weight • Insomnia Dr. Cherrone, founder of Natural Health & Healing, provides Functional Medicine with emphasis on patient education and self care for optimal health.

CALL DR. CHERRONE TODAY AT (860) 677-4600

• Neurotransmitter Testing • Nutritional & Lifestyle Counseling • Thyroid • Weight Loss

61 S. Main St., West Hartford, CT • www.naturalhealthandhealing.net 44

Natural Nutmeg January 2014