Natural Awakenings Twin Cities January 2020

EE R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

GUT CHECK Feeding the Immune System

Living Long and Well Eco-Savvy Kids

Age-Defying Habits That Work

Teachers Prep Gen Z for the Future

Natural Healing for Hands Getting a Grip on Pain

January 2020 | Twin Cities Edition | NAtwincities.com

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from the publisher

TWIN CITIES EDITION PUBLISHER Candi Broeffle EDITORS Cheryl Hynes

Randy Kambic WRITER Jackie Flaherty

AD SALES Candi Broeffle SchaOn Blodgett DESIGN & PRODUCTION Sara Shrode

CONTACT US P.O. Box 27617 Golden Valley, MN 55427 Ph: 763-270-8604 NAtwincities.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $25 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

NATIONAL TEAM CEO/FOUNDER Sharon Bruckman COO/FRANCHISE SALES Joe Dunne

NATIONAL EDITOR Jan Hollingsworth

MANAGING EDITOR Linda Sechrist NATIONAL ART DIRECTOR Stephen Blancett

ART DIRECTOR Josh Pope

FINANCIAL MANAGER Yolanda Shebert ASST. DIRECTOR OF OPS Heather Gibbs WEBSITE COORDINATOR Rachael Oppy NATIONAL ADVERTISING Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

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Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

W

hat are you willing to risk this year?

We have come to the end of another decade and the coming year holds the promise of something significant for each of us. 20/20 is considered perfect vision, and this year is the time to focus on your vision for your life.

But creating something wonderful requires that you take risks, so you must consider what you’re willing to risk to make your vision a reality.

Perhaps you’ve held onto the dream of starting your own business, going back to school to learn a new skill or picking Candi Broeffle up and moving to a completely different community. Is this the year you will do it?

There tend to be two overarching fears people have that keep them from realizing their dreams—the fear of failure and the fear of success. Let’s examine each of these a little closer.

The fear of failure—no one likes to fail. It’s embarrassing to have others watch you try something only to admit defeat. It’s so much easier to stay in your comfort zone, stay with what you know, even if it’s no longer working for you. The truth is, nothing great is created from a place of comfort. When you’re comfortable, you tend to be complacent. Everything is “good enough” and nothing really needs to improve.

It’s when you get uncomfortable that genius can happen.

Take a moment to consider something you are especially proud of—an accomplishment that you hold dear. I venture to guess that this win was not easily accomplished and came from a space of discomfort. Perhaps you failed a time or two before you were successful. Those failures are insignificant once you accomplish your goal—and the best news is, you didn’t die of embarrassment!

The fear of success is a bit more difficult to recognize and understand. It is usually not a conscious thought, but can rear its head through self-sabotage. Every person has a little voice in their head that says things like “you’re not good enough”, “who are you to do this?” or when there is a fear of success, it might be saying “no one will like you anymore if you (fill in the blank).”

If you find yourself doing things that are detrimental to reaching your goals, ask yourself what your fear truly is. When you get it out of your head and into the light of day, the fear is usually much less of a monster than you ever realized.

To your success!

Candi Broeffle, Publisher

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

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Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Contents 14 PROTECTING YOUR VISION LONG TERM

14

The Joy of Seeing Life

16 LIVING LONG & WELL Age-Defying Habits and the Fountain of Youth

19 UPLIFTING YOUR

SELF AND YOUR HOME FOR A NEW YEAR

Out with Old, Stale Energy – In with New, Higher-Vibrational Energy

20 GUT CHECK

19

Feeding the Immune System

22 THE ESOGETICS’

OGT AND KIRLIAN EEA

24 RAISING

ENVIRONMENTALISTS

Teachers Prep Kids for the Future

26 LIVE, LAUGH AND

28

LOVE FOR A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 763-270-8604 or email Publisher@NAtwincities.com. Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month.

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Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Publisher@NAtwincities.com.

Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309.

For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

28 PURPOSELESS CAN LEAD TO A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

30 NATURAL HEALING FOR HANDS

Getting a Grip on Pain

32 CALORIE COUNTING DOES NOT WORK

DEPARTMENTS 6 business

spotlight 7 therapy spotlight 8 health briefs 10 global briefs 13 eco tip

20 conscious

eating 24 healthy kids 30 healing ways 34 calendar 36 2020 directory January 2020

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business spotlight

How Holistic Dentistry Healed Me Special Q&A with Minnesota’s First Accredited Holistic Dentist, Amy Ha Truong, DDS

by Julie Butterworth

C

rooked teeth. Check. Cavities. Check. Sensitive gums. Check. Growing up, I was the black sheep of the family when it came to teeth; oh, let’s be real, for my overall health.

I was petite, “frail” they used to say. You would think this would whip me into shape, make me a health nut, but one thing about being a black sheep is you make black wool. And black wool I did. I pulled it over my eyes and disregarded it until I was in my mid-30s.

Up until then I had been pretty lucky health-wise. I had grown up taking dance classes. I looked and felt healthy enough, but this had been an especially stressful week.

I was getting regular headaches at the end of the work day. “Too much screen time,” I thought. “Need to hydrate,” I’d tell myself. One day the headaches got worse and were unrelenting. The only thing I could do was pop painkillers day after day. I became worried.

I went to my doctor. She said painkillers three to five times a week were completely normal. And that was that. She sent me home. A few days later, I was in my dentist’s office for a long overdue cleaning. My dentist asked how I was. I said “great, except for these recurring headaches.” She said, “I noticed you’ve been grinding your teeth.

Are you stressed?” Then she proceeded to show me stress points in my head and neck that I didn’t even know I had. That day I learned my stress was causing me to tense the muscles in my head. She showed me some easy ways to help relax my face to ease the headaches. She also gave me a retainer to wear during sleep so I wouldn’t continue to wear down my teeth from grinding.

Just like that, my headaches were gone. “What was this magic?” I asked. “Holistic dentistry,” my dentist answered. “What’s that?” I asked. “As a holistic dentist, I’m seeing you as a whole person and care about your overall health,” she said. After being brushed off by my doctor a few days prior, my dentist made me feel heard and supported.

I immediately wanted to learn more about holistic dentistry. In my research, I learned that my dentist, Amy Ha Truong, was Minnesota’s first accredited holistic dentist. How cool. On my quest to learn more, I asked if she would join me on a Q&A interview and she kindly obliged.

Q: Dr. Truong, I now know you are an accredited holistic dentist; how is that different from a regular dentist?

A: Holistic dentists and regular dentists go through the same initial schooling. I was trained and certified as a holistic dentist post-graduation after having worked at a holistic dental office and living in Los Angeles for a while to gain more training as a holistic dentist.

Q: How long ago was this? How come I had never heard of holistic dentistry?

A: Holistic dentistry isn’t new—I’ve been practicing it for almost 10 years. In fact, it’s practiced internationally, but in some communities it is definitely a newer approach to dentistry.

Q: How was holistic dentistry different for you?

A: When I discovered the holistic approach, it actually felt familiar. When I was young and I had a tummy ache, my mom would use pressure points and herbal medicines to help. I realized holistic dentistry aligned with my family’s philosophy. This holistic way of thinking made me more mindful about the products we use with patients, down to the gluten- and fluoride-free paste during their cleanings. I also became more considerate of patients’ medical histories. For example, for people with acid reflux, regular flossing and brushing just isn’t going to be enough. For my practice this means training staff and providing extra services such as an ozone machine, safe amalgam removal equipment and digital X-rays.

Q: Sounds like you really care for the overall health of an individual. What if a health issue arises that is outside the scope of a holistic dental practice?

A: I’m glad you asked. I often discuss with patients alternative approaches, allergies or sensitivities, or even natural approaches to healing which may require expert advice from other specialists. One of the best things I like about being a part of the natural health indus6

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try is I get to partner with and refer patients to practitioners that can help with other holistic and natural health services, such as naturopaths, acupuncturists or functional medicine doctors, for example, who can help with detoxification and other natural health resources.

Q: I wish all health providers took this approach. What advice do you have for someone who is on the fence about taking better care of their oral health?

A: Our role as dentists is to give you options for improving your oral health.

It doesn’t matter if you have good or bad teeth. We often hear people are scared of the unknown or of the pain. It’s important to us that you understand what’s in store before, during and after your visit. We’ve been told our patients like our extra communication and that we provide natural options. They say it makes them feel like they’re in the driver’s seat.

Q: Final question. Have you always had perfect teeth?

A: Haha, that’s a myth. Dentists may have imperfect teeth, just like anyone else.

Growing up, I had silver fillings. Patients are often surprised I have had fillings, not to mention silver fillings. When I was in dental school, I learned they were made of 50 percent mercury. I realized there was a lot to dental health that patients should know about. Since then, I have had safe removal of my silver fillings and I am also accredited with IAOMT to provide extra safety precautions for my patients.

At Pure Dental, they combine conventional and holistic health to guide their patients toward dental wellness. They take pride in providing each patient with the individual attention needed by practicing high-quality care dentistry, using the most up-to-date technology and continually seeking educational opportunities to ensure they remain abreast of the latest techniques and treatment options in holistic and family dental care. They are accepting new patients and look forward to building a relationship with you.

Pure Dental is located at 6230 10th St. N., Ste. 520, Oakdale.

For more information and appointments, call 651-7313064 or visit PureDentalmn. com. See ad page 34.

therapy spotlight

Positive Psychology: A Proven Way to Increase Confidence and Self-Esteem

O

ne of the therapeutic approaches Valerie Marsh utilizes in her practice is positive psychology, sometimes referred to as “the science of happiness.”

Unlike more traditional psychology that focuses on emotional disturbances and the symptoms of mental illnesses, positive psychology places more attention on positive thinking patterns and behaviors that are more forward thinking rather than digging into the negative experiences that have happened in the past. In the positive psychology approach, Marsh explores with the client their strengths, such as their hopefulness, optimism and confidence of a successful outcome, rather than concentrating on their fears or weaknesses.

The positive psychology approach believes the key to building resilience is through difficult life experiences, and helping people identify and build their own core strengths and virtues that help them get through those life experiences. The goal of therapy is to minimize negative thinking patterns and develop a more optimistic outlook that enhances life experiences. As a positive psychology-based therapist and coach, Marsh uses a va-

riety of interventions to help clients become aware of their own strengths and capabilities. While this type of therapy does help clients process and discuss their troubles, it focuses more on ways they can utilize their core strengths, whether they are experiencing negative life transitions, depression, stress and/or anxiety.

To read more about positive psychology in detail, Marsh recommends Authentic Happiness, by Dr. Martin Seligman, a national bestseller, and The Happiness Project, by Dr. Robert Holden, both wonderful resources for this optimistic approach. Marsh utilizes these therapies in her practice as well as in her own life as the results are positive and self-empowering, and she witnesses the amazing benefits to her clients.

Valerie Marsh is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in individual, couples and family therapy, as well as relationship and life coaching. She is an interactive and intuitive therapist who utilizes positive energy psychology, solution-focused and cognitivebehavioral therapy techniques. For more information, call 612-7722808 or visit PositivePowerPsychology.com. See ad, page 11.

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Drink Pomegranate Juice to Protect Fetal Brain Growth About one in 10 babies in utero struggles with a dangerous condition known as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), in which the flow of oxygen and nutrients through the placenta is restricted, hampering development of the growing fetus. Now, a simple solution—of mom drinking an eight-ounce glass of pomegranate juice a day—offers hope of a way to reduce infant deaths and lower the need for infant surgery.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, studied 77 mothers with IUGR at St. Louis’ Barnes-Jewish Hospital that received either one cup a day of pomegranate juice or a placebo. Evaluating 55 of the babies’ development with MRIs after birth, researchers found that the babies with pomegranate-drinking moms had evidence of both better brain connectivity and development of white matter—tissue through which messages pass in the central nervous system. Pomegranate juice is a rich source of polyphenols, a class of foods also found in nuts, berries, vegetables and teas that’s known to cross the blood-brain barrier and have neuroprotective effects.

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Eating and drinking fermented probiotic dairy products such as yogurt, kefir, cheese and sour cream reduces the risk of heart disease for women, report researchers from the Netherlands that analyzed data from nearly 8,000 Australian women over a 15-year period.

The effect was particularly strong for those that were obese and had Type 2 diabetes, according to the research. “In the process of dairy fermentation, beneficial compounds are released that have shown promise for improving glycemic control, blood lipids, cholesterol concentrations and blood pressure,” write the study authors.

Chomping on more nuts daily keeps the pounds at bay, according to research published in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. Using records from three long-term longitudinal studies spanning 20 years and including nearly 300,000 health professionals, the report from Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that increasing nut intake by a half serving a day—about 12 almonds or seven walnut halves—was linked to lower instances of weight gain and obesity. Swapping out a serving of meats, refined grains or desserts for half a serving of nuts was associated with staving off weight gain of between 0.9 and 1.5 pounds in any four-year period.

A consistently higher nut intake of at least half a serving a day was associated with a 23 percent lower risk of putting on 11 or more pounds and becoming obese in the same timeframe. No such links were found for eating more peanut butter. The researchers suggest the high fiber content of nuts can make a person feel full longer, and that that the fiber also binds well to fats in the gut, affecting a greater discharge of calories.

onair/Shutterstock.com

Eat Fermented Dairy to Lower Heart Risk

Munch More Nuts to Stave Off Weight Gain

Live Near Green Spaces to Stave Off Metabolic Syndrome Middle-aged and older adults that live in greener neighborhoods have a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, reports research from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health in the journal Environmental Pollution. The study followed more than 6,000 British adults in a cohort initially between ages 45 and 69 for 14 years, and correlated health records and interviews with satellite images of greenery. They found that exposure to green spaces seemed to help prevent metabolic syndrome and its individual components such as large waist circumference, high levels of blood fats and hypertension. The results “could be related to better opportunities provided by green spaces to perform physical activity, as well as a decrease in exposure to air pollution,” notes Carmen de Keijzer, first author of the study. Women fared even better than men, perhaps because women may spend more time in green spaces.

Evgeny Karandaev/Shutterstock.com

health briefs

Women eating more onions and garlic reduced their risk of breast cancer by 59 percent compared to those that ate less of these, according to a study in the journal Nutrition and Cancer. Researchers from the State University of New York at Buffalo and the University of Puerto Rico surveyed 660 women in Puerto Rico to measure their intake of onions and garlic, as well as sofrito, a local dish also cooked with bell peppers, tomatoes, cilantro and black pepper. Women that ate the onion- and garlic-rich sofrito sauce more than once a day slashed their risk of breast cancer by 67 percent compared to those that didn’t eat it. Both garlic and onions contain compounds with anticarcinogenic properties, and earlier studies have found a link between higher onion and garlic intake and fewer cancers of the lung, prostate and stomach. Puerto Rican women eat more onions and garlic than women in Europe and the U.S., mainly due to the popularity of those two ingredients in sofrito, and also have markedly lower breast cancer rates.

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Money Talks

Air Meals May Get an Eco-Makeover

According to researchers, each airline passenger produces about three pounds of trash per flight, from disposable headphones and plastic cutlery to food scraps and toilet waste. To increase mindfulness about the trash, British design firm PriestmanGoode has refashioned the economy meal tray, replacing plastic with renewable materials such as coffee grounds, banana leaves and coconut wood. Associate Strategy Director Jo Rowan says, “Onboard waste is a big issue. Knowing that you have 4 billion passengers per year, it all adds up very quickly.” The redesigned items are featured in an exhibit, “Get Onboard: Reduce.Reuse.Rethink.” at the Design Museum, in London.

The biggest environmental issue with air travel is carbon emissions, which are growing at a faster rate than previously projected. But as air travel becomes increasingly accessible and more people fly, airlines have been making public pledges to curb their environmental footprint, including the plastic forks and leftovers their passengers leave behind.

A collection of 18 papers published by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco indicates that climate risks may cause home values to fall significantly; banks to stop lending to flood-prone communities; and towns to lose tax money needed to build seawalls and other protections. One recommendation is for regulators to penalize banks that lend money in areas that have been hit by disasters, yet have not taken steps to protect themselves against similar future disasters.

Banks could also be rewarded by regulators for financing projects that leave communities less vulnerable to flooding or other hazards.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell wrote that the Fed takes “severe weather events” into account in its role as a financial supervisor. The San Francisco branch of the Federal Reserve, responsible for banking oversight across a major swath of the American West, wrote in March that volatility related to climate change has become “increasingly relevant” as a consideration for the central bank.

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Trays Up

Climate Change Increases Banks’ Financial Risks

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global briefs

Gender Gap Rich Carey/Shutterstock.com

Sea Turtles Skew Female

Scientists warn that as the Earth gets hotter, sea turtle hatchlings worldwide are expected to trend dangerously female. The West African island of Cape Verde is home to a sixth of the planet’s total nesting loggerheads, and 84 percent of youngsters are now female, researchers from Britain’s University of Exeter stated in a July report. “Males here could vanish in two or three decades,” says Adolfo Marco, a Spanish researcher.

“There will be no reproduction.”

Sea turtle eggs that incubate in sand below 81.86 degrees Fahrenheit produce males, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, while nests in the mid-80s create a gender mix. Temperatures higher than 87.8 degrees effect 100 percent females. In Cape Verde, the sand temperature has risen about 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1964. Populations in Florida and Australia are also showing dramatic sex imbalances, casting the shadow of extinction over the ancient species.

Sea turtles can live for 100 years and lay more than 1,000 eggs. They are polyamorous, and one male can fertilize dozens of females.

Rethinking Rice

COLOA Studio/Shutterstock.com

Farmers Respond to Climate Change

Growing up in Gambia, Nfamara Badjie’s parents taught him it’s much healthier to eat food they grew rather than food bought in a store. Badjie, a well-known drummer who moved to the U.S. in 2005, bought a plot of marshy land in Ulster Park, New York, two hours north of New York City, and is learning how to adapt the rice-growing practices of his West African ethnic group, the Jola, to East Coast climates. Agronomists hope the innovative operation, Ever-Growing Family Farm, can provide a blueprint for other area farmers to introduce new crops due to the threat of climate change. Erika Styger, an agronomist from nearby Cornell University, says, “We can reinvent agriculture even today, and if we have that mindset, there is a lot that can be done. We shouldn’t get stuck in how we have done things, and we need to adapt to climate change.”

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global briefs

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Beach Junk

Microplastics Found in Brand-New Sand

A Hawaiian beach that was formed by lava from the erupting Kilauea volcano in 2018 is already littered with invisible pieces of tiny plastic. The black sand beach named Pohoiki, which stretches for 1,000 feet on Hawaii’s Big Island, was created from shards of hot lava coming in contact with seawater, and looks pristine. Nic Vanderzyl, a University of Hawaii at Hilo student, saw the new beach as an opportunity to study sediment that was perhaps untouched by human influence, and discovered 21 bits of microplastics per 50 grams of sand on average.

The microplastics were smaller than five millimeters and rarely larger than a grain of sand. Most of them, he says, were microfibers, the hair-thin threads shed from common synthetic textiles like polyester and nylon.

This invisible plastic has washed ashore on some of the world’s most remote beaches, uninhabited by humans.

It’s still unclear how it will affect marine ecosystems, but scientists think it may have dangerous consequences for wildlife and human health.

Maarten Bell/Shutterstock.com

Infusing Vitality into Life

The International Energy Agency predicts that renewable energy will surpass coal as the world’s leading source of electricity by 2030. Its 810-page annual World Energy Outlook also notes that even though offshore wind farms, solar installations and battery-powered cars keep getting cheaper, they aren’t progressing fast enough to slash global greenhouse gas emissions and bring global warming under control because the world’s appetite for energy keeps surging.

Bright spots include large, offshore European turbines that can harvest the stronger and steadier winds over the ocean; electric car factories in China; and new building codes and fuel economy standards.

Africa currently poses about 40 percent of the world’s potential for solar energy, but has less than 1 percent of the world’s solar panels.

mickyso/Shutterstock.com

Renewable Energy Should Speed Progress

eco tip

Cloth Versus Disposable Diapers

laymanzoom/Shutterstock.com

The Bottom Line on Eco-Friendly Baby Care Taking care of newborn babies in an eco-friendly way can have a significant impact on both our environment and the little ones’ health. Treehugger.com reports that disposable diapers, made from a blend of plastic and wood pulp and often encased in additional plastic, remain for an estimated 200 to 500 years. A baby uses between 5,000 and 8,000 diapers before being potty-trained, generating 18 billion diapers annually in the U.S. alone.

Further, a recent study by the French agency in charge of food, environmental and occupational health and safety says disposable diapers have been linked to allergic skin reactions and difficulties with potty-training because kids can’t detect as easily when they’re wet.

It’s also cheaper to go cloth instead of the disposable route. Consumer Reports estimates parents spend $1,500 to $2,000 for disposable diapers before their child no longer needs them. GreenBabyGuide.com attests that the most affordable cloth option—prefolds plus covers—can cost as little as $243 over 2.5 years, which includes washing and drying expenses.

Tips for washing cloth diapers at AllAboutClothDiapers. com include using a prerinse/wash that “agitates, spins and drains” (and to do a longer wash cycle if they aren’t getting clean), using the longest available hot wash cycle and an appropriate amount of water for the load size because “too much water, they are just ‘going for a swim’; too little water and they won’t be able to move, and therefore won’t get clean.”

The Beginner’s Guide section of ClothDiaperTales.com provides advice on choosing from different types of new cloth diapers and covers, which are better for overnight use, what to do about leaks and how many diapers new parents might need to get started. It includes a chart comparing the pros and cons, average cost and some of the most popular, current brands, covering pre-fold, fitted cloth, snap-in/ all-in-two/pop-in, pocket and all-in-one cloth diapers.

The nonprofit Real Diapers Association (RealDiapers. org) organizes local advocates and activists for cloth diapers via a member-supported resource center that plans campaigns, trains organizers, distributes educational information and supports local groups. Local Real Diaper Circles involve users with knowledge and tips to make cloth diapering more accessible and acceptable to parents.

January 2020

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Protecting Your Vision Long Term The Joy of Seeing Life

by Cassandra Rose

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W

hen we think of growing into our silver years, we think of independence, choices we didn’t have time for when we were younger and being strong enough to enjoy it all. To be able to embrace this path, we must consider our eye health. There are some thoughtful ways to care for ourselves in general that will also benefit the eyes: Exercise, hydration and nutrition are key to any health goals.

One sweat a day. This is the minimum amount of exercise needed for eye health. In particular, we are talking about getting our hearts pumping. Cardiovascular exercise will increase the circulation in the eyes. Increased circulation brings with it extra nutrients and takes away any toxic buildup from cellular metabolism. It is also one big piece of the puzzle in maintaining healthy blood pressure and blood sugar.

In addition to cardio, there are strength-building exercises for your eyes that can help prevent presbyopia (age-related vision loss). There are a number of programs that can be easily found online, including the popular Bates Method. Eye exercises often involve quickly changing focus from near and far, following object to the edges of your vision, and more. Like all muscles, the eye muscles benefit from regular and deliberate exercise.

Another piece of this puzzle is hydration. When we are properly hydrated, we flush out toxins and our organs stay in tiptop shape, including our eyes. Think about the physiology of your eye: It is filled with fluids to help refract the light in just the right way.

When that balance is off, your eyesight is strongly affected. Hydration is just as important as proper nutrition.

When we think about nutrition for our eyes, we can all hear the story about carrots helping us see in the dark. This is not without merit. Carrots are high in vitamin A, as are all orange and yellow vegetables. That is only part of the story. The stars of the show are dark leafy greens. The World Cancer Research Fund published a paper in 2007 about eating

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a variety of brightly colored vegetables and its effects on cancer. It, unsurprisingly, has a huge impact. What is interesting for us to consider at this moment is the impact of leafy greens on the retina. It was found that these foods high in antioxidants protect the eye from sun damage. These nutrients function as sun filters in the plant and provide that same protection in our eyes.

This leads us into the choices that we can make specifically for our eyes. One of the main things to avoid is overexposure to light. Whether this is sunlight or light from a screen, it is hard on the retina. Wearing quality sunglasses with brown or yellow tints having UV filters that won’t rub off quickly is your best protection from the sun. For screens, there are many programs that help to shift the light from the blue spectrum into the yellow spectrum. The yellow light is much easier on the eye. It is also key to take a break every 30 to 60 minutes—even five minutes an hour can make a big difference in long-term eye health.

As with many human things, we must strike a balance. We benefit from some unfiltered daylight exposure. It helps to regulate sleep patterns, hormonal patterns and mood. However, in studies published in 2004 and 2017 in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, we see that constant exposure to blue light does a great deal of damage to eyesight. We especially see a rise in glaucoma and dry eye with constant computer usage.

Now that we have found our middle ground with light, we can talk about herbs, a favorite topic of discussion. There are a number of easy to come by herbs that have great benefit. In a study from 2011, in Neuroradiology, ginkgo biloba was found to be a selective cerebrovascular dilator and increased circulation to the back of the eye. This has implications in its benefit for dry macular degeneration in particular. After all, we already talked about the benefits of good circulation. In 2014, in Visual Neuroscience, saffron was found to improve flicker sensitivity in early macular degeneration by protecting and benefiting the photoreceptors. It improved the ability to see light. Along with saffron and ginkgo biloba, there are a couple of other very important herbs to consider. Bilberry helps to improve night vision. Chrysanthemum and eyebright soothe irritation and help reduce inflammatory stress on the eyes. These last two are particularly good to use as compresses on the eyes for any irritation.

As with many human things, we must strike a balance. We benefit from some unfiltered daylight exposure. It helps to regulate sleep patterns, hormonal patterns and mood.

Another way to reduce irritation and overall benefit the eyes is acupressure.

These techniques are easy to do on yourself. There is an acupuncture point called Gallbladder 37, located on the outside of your lower leg about five inches above the tip of your outer ankle bone. Images of this point are easy to find online. The ideal massage would be 30 small circles with a thumb or small, smooth tool in each direction, two times a day. This point is a traditional point for eye health. When needled during an fMRI, the imaging showed increased brain response in the vision-related cortex.

Massaging directly on the bones

surrounding the eyes on a daily basis is also helpful. A gentle lifting and pinching technique is useful in this area. Just be gentle so as not to bruise your delicate eye tissues. Closing with a brief visualization is a wonderful way to build your relationship with your eyes. Rub your palms together until they are warm. Place them over your eyes. Visualize your eyes working in perfect order and seeing the life you want to lead.

If you are interested in learning more about eye health, a good book to pick up is Natural Eye Care: Your Guide to Healthy Vision and Healing, by Marc Grossman, OD, L.Ac and Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac. With a few simple, healthy choices, you can help yourself to keep your best possible vision, live life to the fullest, enjoy every moment and take in all the joy of maturity.

Cassandra Rose is a licensed acupuncturist specializing in macular regeneration, a program that benefits degenerative eye diseases, including macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, dry eye and more. To learn more, visit Roselac.com. See ad, page 3.

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15

We know caloric restriction extends life.

But no one wants to do it, because it’s no fun. ~Lori Taylor

In their search for secrets to longevity, investigators often look for lifestyle clues provided by long-lived populations. Those residing in what National Geographic Fellow and bestselling author Dan Buettner calls “Blue Zones”, for example, are more likely to celebrate their 100th birthday and escape chronic maladies such as heart disease and cancer—the two biggest killers in the U.S.

Buettner has identified the “Power 9” lifestyle habits commonly practiced by centenarians living in the five designated Blue Zones—Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; and the Seventh Day Adventist community in Loma Linda, California.

LIVING LONG & WELL Age-Defying Habits and the Fountain of Youth

by Melinda Hemmelgarn

A

t age 29, Betty Holston Smith, of Rockville, Maryland, weighed more than 200 pounds, smoked cigarettes and ate processed junk food.

Now, almost 79 years young, she is a vegan ultra-marathon runner and an inspiration to anyone wanting to age well.

Smith’s story underscores the findings of researchers that have long pursued the keys to a long and healthy life. Some of these factors—heredity, for instance—are beyond our control. However, the most critical ingredient seems to be our daily habits.

Although we’ve all likely heard or read about someone that lived into their 90s, ate bacon, drank whiskey and smoked a pack a day, these individuals are outliers: In truth, longevity is determined by a combination of genes, environment, lifestyle choices and luck.

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Twin Cities Edition

For example, some individuals may be born with genes that confer longevity, but be unlucky due to where they live. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that life expectancy varies by zip code.

That’s because where we live influences how we live, predicting access to healthful food, clean air and water, safe neighborhoods and stress-relieving green spaces such as parks and gardens. Genes are important, but our social and physical environments play a greater role in predicting our “healthspan” —the essence of a long and healthy life.

According to researchers at the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, in New York City, even our first environment—the womb—can spawn diseases later in life if pregnant women are exposed to air pollutants, pesticides and the toxic stress of poverty.

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Regardless of genetics, the following behaviors can help anyone slow the aging process and improve quality of life: n Eat a plant-based diet. n Stop eating when 80 percent full. n Practice stress reduction techniques. n Find a sense of purpose. n Engage in physical activity throughout the day. n Consume moderate amounts of alcohol with food and friends. n Join a faith community, regardless of denomination. n Belong to a social network that engages in healthy behaviors. n Share love and time with children, parents and partners.

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Learning From the “Blue Zones”

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Survival of the Fittest

Tom LaFontaine, Ph.D., a clinical exercise physiologist based in Columbia, Missouri, says, “Mounting evidence shows that engaging in regular aerobic and strength exercise offers robust defenses against life-threatening diseases such as heart disease and several cancers.” One important marker of long-term health, particularly among women, notes LaFontaine, is bone mineral density (BMD). After menopause, BMD decreases in women and can lead to osteopenia—low BMD—and osteoporosis—pathological loss of BMD. “Women with osteoporosis are particularly at risk for fractures, especially of the hip, which can lead to a reduced lifespan.”

LaFontaine recommends weightbearing exercises such as walking, jogging and high-intensity weight training to significantly improve BMD; and he’s proven that it works. “In 2012, we started a program called Older Women on Weights (OWOW), in which 40 post-menopausal women with an average age in the low 60s train with heavy weights. Some even participate in weightlifting competitions.”

“We have observed women in this group move from osteopenia to normal BMD and from osteoporosis to osteope-

Finding Inspiration

Studies in centenarians have suggested that people who live long and in good health have a regular lifestyle. They spend time in community, eat meals and go to bed at regular times, in sync with circadian rhythms. ~Eve Van Cauter nia based on pre- and post-bone density DXA scans,” he says. What’s more, the women in LaFontaine’s program have formed new friendships, benefitting from a strong network of social support.

LEARN MORE, LIVE LONGER Blue Zones: BlueZones.com Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk, President’s Cancer Panel Report: Tinyurl.com/CancerRiskReport Life expectancy by zip code: Tinyurl.com/ZipCodeLongevity Plant-based diets explained: Tinyurl.com/PlantDietExplained Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015 Hara Hachi Bu: Tinyurl.com/HaraHachiBuDiet Food Sleuth Radio segments: Lori Taylor: keto diets and intermittent fasting: Tinyurl.com/LoriTaylorInterview Dorothy Sears: intermittent fasting and circadian rhythm: Tinyurl.com/DorothySearsInterview Eve Van Cauter: importance of sleep: Tinyurl.com/EveVanCauterInterview Tips to cope with loneliness: Tinyurl.com/TheEffectsOfLoneliness Vitamin N: 500 Ways to Enrich Your Family’s Health & Happiness, by Richard Louv Improve sleep quality by reducing exposure to blue light at night: JustGetFlux.com

Smith, the septuagenarian marathoner, was inspired to make a change nearly 50 years ago when her 3-year-old daughter teased, “You can’t catch me!” during an innocent game of tag. She knew she had to make a change.

She tried diet pills, fad diets and other quick fixes, but realized they were worthless. However, each evening Smith tuned in to Gabe Mirkin, a physician who hosted a national radio program about health and fitness.

Following his advice, Smith began eating a diet rich in organic fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, and says today she doesn’t want to put anything in her body that interferes with her lifestyle. She outlines the steps to her transformation in the book, Lifestyle

by Nature: One Woman’s Break from the Unhealthy Herd to Roam Forever Healthy in Nature’s Lifestyle Change Herd. The first step—finding internal strength—is the most important, she says. “Most people have something in their lives they can point to for strength.”

In addition to running 60 to 100 miles each week, Smith practices tai chi, meditates and enjoys camaraderie with her running mates. She also has an upbeat attitude, believing in the importance of passion, perseverance and “taking negative experiences and making them positive.” According to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network, this spirit of optimism is protective against heart disease and other causes of death.

Eating Well, but Not Too Much

Food is a major contributor to both quality of life and life extension. Global and national recommendations to eat more fiber-rich whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and omega-3 fatty acids, while decreasing added sugars and sodium, all help reduce our risk for life-shortening diseases. The plant-based Mediterranean diet consistently rises to the top for its health-fortifying benefits.

However, in contrast to our Western culture’s practice of eating until belt-bustJanuary 2020

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Most people have something in their lives they can point to for strength. ~Betty Holston Smith the structures at the end of chromosomes that protect our DNA. The Mediterranean diet, with its abundance of protective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients such as vitamins C and E, polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids, help prevent age-associated telomere shortening.

The Sleep Connection

Michael Grandner, Ph.D., director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, says Americans tend to see sleep as unpro-

ductive time, but it’s a “biological requirement for life.”

In fact, it is one of the three pillars of health, along with good nutrition and exercise, says Eve Van Cauter, Ph.D., former director of the Sleep, Metabolism and Health Center at the University of Chicago. “Studies in centenarians have suggested that people who live long and in good health have a regular lifestyle. They spend time in community, eat meals and go to bed at regular times, in sync with circadian rhythms.”

No matter how long we live, we want to make the most of our time on Earth.

Beyond diet and exercise, finding our personal passion, reducing stress and spending time in nature and with those we love can add years to our lives.

Despite our virtual social networks, real human connection is vital for physical and mental health. According to a report in the journal Heart, loneliness is as dangerous as smoking for heart disease and stroke risk. So volunteer, join a club, sign up for a community garden plot, yoga or dance class, or host regular potlucks or game nights—these just might be among the best prescriptions for staying young.

Melinda Hemmelgarn, the “Food Sleuth,” is an award-winning registered dietitian, writer and nationally syndicated radio show host based in Columbia, MO. Reach her at FoodSleuth@gmail.com.

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Cardiovascular Health plus: Regenerative Medicine

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ing full, Blue Zone Okinawans practice hara hachi bu—eating until one is no longer hungry, but stopping before feeling full.

“We know caloric restriction extends life,” says Lori Taylor, clinical dietitian and Core Faculty of Integrative and Functional Nutrition at Saybrook University, in Pasadena. “But no one wants to do it, because it’s no fun.” Instead, Taylor recommends intermittent fasting, eating only during a set window of 10 or 12 hours each day to reduce caloric intake.

Similarly, Dorothy Sears, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition at the Arizona State University College of Health Solutions, has researched the impacts of both intermittent fasting and circadian rhythm on how our bodies handle calories.

She recommends a “prolonged nightly fast” of 12 to 13 hours, as well as reducing caloric intake after 6 to 8 p.m. to help maintain a healthy weight and stave off such diseases as Type 2 diabetes and obesity-related cancers. Most significantly, she found that a 13-hour nightly fast reduced breast cancer recurrence by 36 percent among 2,300 breast cancer survivors in the Women’s Healthy Eating and Living study.

Both improving diet quality and restricting calories appear to help slow the rate of aging at the genetic level, in part by preserving the length of our telomeres—

Uplifting Your Self and Your Home for a New Year

Out with Old, Stale Energy – In with New, Higher-Vibrational Energy

I

by Annette Rugolo

t happens every year. Sometime in mid-January, there comes a day when I enter my walkin closet and the decluttering begins. I never plan for this and it always comes at a perfect time—a canceled appointment, no place to go and no one needing my attention. It begins slowly enough, putting a few items back in place, discarding some empty boxes, organizing my shoe rack. Before I realize it, I’m in full-on decluttering mode.

Over the next few hours, it looks like a cyclone touched down. Clothes strewn over the floor, boxes open with the contents placed in piles around the room, a bag of giveaways starting to fill and miscellaneous items sitting around, waiting to find a new home. After a few hours of giving myself fully to the process, I stand in my closet and witness the new order that will be my closet for the coming year.

Along with the physical decluttering of spaces in my home, I also do some energetic decluttering. I have come to understand that just like things that pile up and create disorder, the energy created throughout the year in our home piles up and creates disorder, too. If we allow this energy to build up over years and decades, it can have an adverse effect on everyone in the home, whether they are aware of it or not.

Where does this energy come from? To begin, it’s important to know that everything is energy—including the energy created by our emotions and our thoughts. It would be wonderful if we could all create positive, uplifting thoughts each and every day, but we don’t. There are times when we become depressed, anxious, worried and fearful. It would be great if we could feel joy, happiness and love 24/7. Although we try, there are times when it becomes very difficult. We all experience times of sadness, grief, anger and frustration.

These kinds of thoughts and emotions create what I call “energetic dust” and this dust gathers over time until it becomes dust balls or even clouds of energy hanging in the air. You may have experienced this at some point when you’ve walked into a room and it felt heavy.

Just like physical cleaning and decluttering, it is important to give yourself all the advantages to receive the new energy arriving this year by energetically cleansing your home. Here are some tips to get started: • Open your windows for about 10 minutes and allow fresh air into your space • Using a tuning fork, a bell or the clapping of hands, walk through the rooms with an intention of clearing the energy • Add some plants to your space. They are great cleansers of negative energy.

• Place a bowl of salt in the corner of each room to absorb the negative energy. Remove after a few hours.

• Walk through each room with burning sage. Move the sage in a clockwise direction while using your intention to release lower vibrations of energy.

• Play high-frequency music. This includes classical music such as Mozart and Beethoven. Meditation music can also be played.

• Place a few drops of your favorite essence in a diffuser. Some companies have essences with names like Peace & Harmony, Joy, and Transformation.

When energetically cleansing your home, choose a cleansing technique that works for you and makes you feel good while you’re doing it. Cleansing with emotions or thoughts of it being a chore will create more lower vibrations for your home. Depending on what is happening in your home during the year and how many people live in it, you may want to consider doing a cleansing technique on a monthly basis.

Starting the year with a home that is both physically and energetically decluttered will create a springboard for you and your family to leap into the new year.

Annette Rugolo is a master dowser, author, retreat leader and speaker, and is passionate about helping people transform their lives and their environments. She offers classes, workshops and personal sessions at her home office and remotely. Contact her at 612-605-8608 or Annette@AnnetteRugolo.com. For a list of free resources such as downloads, e-books and meditations, visit AnnetteRugolo.com. There are two free meditations for your home available: Tubes of Light Meditation for Your Home and Filling Your Home with Light. See ad, page 12.

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conscious eating

The level of germ-fighting activity your immune system is able to maintain after a sugary meal decreases for a number of hours.

GUT CHECK Feeding the Immune System

R

by Julie Peterson

educing stress, sleeping enough, exercising and getting sunlight are all known strategies for improving the body’s ability to protect itself from harm. However, the most important factor in building a rock-star immune system is nutrition.

Here is a guide to the care and feeding of the inner fortifications that fight off disease, supporting long-term wellness.

Ground Zero: The Gut

About 70 percent of the immune system resides in the gastrointestinal tract—home to a microbiome that contains trillions of bacteria.

It works as a complex ecosystem in which the good bacteria prevent the bad bacteria from taking hold and causing illness or disease.

Eating plants promotes the robust growth of that good bacteria.

“The GI microbiome evolved closely with our immune systems and under the influence of the plants our ancestors ingested,” says Holly Poole-Kavana, who practices herbal medicine in Washington, D.C. Yet about 90 percent of Americans don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The consequent weakening of the microbiome is a double-edged sword, because the processed foods Americans commonly consume promote the growth of harmful microbes. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans indicates that added sugars, saturated fats and sodium eaten by most Americans are far above recommended amounts. This tipping of the scales causes weight gain, toxin buildup and immune system dysfunction.

What Not to Eat

Plants and grains on grocery shelves today are typically processed into bread, cereal, pasta, desserts and snacks, abundant in added sugars, salt, detrimental fats and chemical additives. These altered foods slam the gut’s immune protection and increase the risk of chronic disease.

A Czech Republic study on food additives found that gut microbes 20

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that fought inflammation were harmed by additives. According to the research, “Permanent exposure of human gut microbiota to even low levels of additives may modify the composition and function of gut microbiota, and thus influence the host’s immune system.”

And of course, be wary of sugars. Anything that turns into sugar in the system—think carbs like refined bread products and pasta, not just sweets—is an immune-depressing culprit, says Heather Tynan, a naturopathic doctor at Evergreen Naturopathic, in San Diego. “The level of germ-fighting activity your immune system is able to maintain after a sugary meal decreases for a number of hours.” Saturated fats also alter immune cells, disrupting their functions and triggering inflammation.

Getting away from processed food cravings can be a challenge, because the foods provide a temporary energy boost.

Dorothy Calimeris, of Oakland, California, a certified health coach and author of three anti-inflammatory cookbooks, suggests that cravings mean the body needs something, but it may be rest or water. “By focusing on eating higher-quality nutrients, we can limit and eventually eliminate the cravings.”

Eat the Rainbow

Fruits and vegetables get their colors from phytochemicals, which provide the human microbiome with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that keep the gut healthy and help the immune system combat cellular damage. National guidelines suggest Americans eat 10 servings of plants a day, ideally two each from the green, red, white, purple/blue and orange/yellow categories. But data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys show that eight out of 10 people in the U.S. don’t get enough of any color category.

“A good strategy is to add one new vegetable a week to your grocery cart,” suggests Canadian nutritionist Lisa Richards, founder of TheCandidaDiet.com. “Blending fruits and vegetables into shakes or smoothies is also an effective way to eat the rainbow for those who are busy.”

Whatever goes into the grocery cart should be certified organic, the only sure way to avoid ubiquitous genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the food chain, which animal studies have linked to immune system damage.

Herbs are also helpful to boost the body’s inherent ability to protect itself. Poole-Kavana points to medicinal herbs like astragalus and reishi mushroom, which support immunity and balance gut bacteria; antimicrobial herbs like garlic, thyme and oregano; and elderberry, an anti-inflammatory fruit that boosts the body’s ability to identify and eliminate viruses and bacteria.

“The single greatest thing anyone can do for their health is to eat whole foods, including organic vegetables, fruits, high-quality proteins, whole grains and healthy fats,” says Calimeris.

Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin and can be reached at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

marekuliasz/Shutterstock.com

~Heather Tynan

IMMUNE-BOOSTING RECIPES Add the cauliflower, garlic, ginger, turmeric, salt, pepper and cumin, and sauté to lightly toast the spices, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil.

photo by Jennifer Davick

Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the cauliflower is tender, about 5 minutes.

Using an immersion blender, purée the soup in the pot until smooth.

Stir in the coconut milk and cilantro, heat through, and serve.

Total cooking time is about 15 minutes.

Creamy Turmeric Cauliflower Soup Turmeric is the darling of the anti-inflammatory spices. For best absorption, it should be combined with pepper. This soup gets its creamy texture from coconut milk, but other nondairy milk can be used instead.

photo by Stephen Blancett

Yields: 4 servings 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil or coconut oil 1 leek, white part only, thinly sliced 3 cups cauliflower florets 1 garlic clove, peeled 1¼-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced 1½ tsp turmeric ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper ¼ tsp ground cumin 3 cups vegetable broth 1 cup full-fat coconut milk ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro In a large pot, heat the oil over high heat.

Add the leek, and sauté until it just begins to brown, 3 to 4 minutes.

Excerpted from the book The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Beginners: A No-Stress Meal Plan with Easy Recipes to Heal the Immune System, by Dorothy Calimeris and Lulu Cook.

Lentil Stew Most stews take hours to cook, but this restorative dish, perfect for dinner or lunch, cooks up in a hurry. The plant-based recipe takes advantage of canned lentils and is loaded with nutritious, anti-inflammatory power foods.

Yields: 4 to 6 servings 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 onion, chopped 3 carrots, peeled and sliced 8 Brussels sprouts, halved 1 large turnip, peeled, quartered and sliced 1 garlic clove, sliced 6 cups vegetable broth 1 (15-oz) can lentils, drained and rinsed 1 cup frozen corn 1 tsp salt ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

In a Dutch oven, heat the oil over high heat.

Add the onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.

Add the carrots, Brussels sprouts, turnip and garlic, and sauté for an additional 3 minutes.

Add the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

Add the lentils, corn, salt, pepper and parsley, and cook for an additional minute to heat the lentils and corn.

Total cooking time is about 15 minutes.

Serve hot.

Another tip: This soup is as versatile as it is simple. Feel free to use any kinds of beans or vegetables you have—it’s a great way to use up leftover vegetables at the end of the week. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for a week, or in the freezer for longer.

Nutritional information per serving (4 portions): calories: 240; total fat: 4g; total carbohydrates: 42g; sugar: 11g; fiber: 12g; protein: 10g; sodium: 870mg Excerpted from the book The Anti-Inflammatory Diet One-Pot Cookbook: 100 Easy All-in-One Meals, by Dorothy Calimeris and Ana Reisdorf.

Also visit DorothyEats.com.

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible.

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One of the things about natural medicine, and the entirety of it, is that it is still transforming, even thousands of years after its birth.

The Esogetics’ OGT and Kirlian EEA

by SchaOn Blodgett

F

or thousands of years, natural medicine has used forms of analysis tools to help understand what was going on with an individual. Many of these go all the way back to the ancient Chinese, Egyptians, and even to India with the oldest form of medicine that is still practiced today—Ayurveda. Concerning the eyes, specifically, each system of natural medicine started to notice various things: were they large or small?

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Was there a dot in a specific area? Over the thousands of years since, information and commonalities have been added to and correlated, eventually becoming a branch of holistic analysis called Iridology.

Non-diagnostic iridology is a way of looking at the eyes, including the iris, and seeing what is believed to be potential expressions of the soul in the physical form—or another way to look at it—genetic information and its potential expression.

Some newer ways to analyze the system have also emerged, like the Kirlian Energy Emission Analysis (EEA).

One of the things about natural medicine, and the entirety of it, is that it is still transforming, even thousands of years after its birth. For example, Esogetic Holistic Medicine, which is all about taking old-world knowledge and combining it with the information and tools of today, uses the information from iridology in a fascinating way via its therapy system called Ophtalmotropic Genetic Therapy (OGT). Esogetics is a form of naturopathy that encompasses a wide range of therapy systems or branches of natural medicine within its one complete system. The most talked about system in Esogetics is Colorpuncture, which we talked about in the May 2018 edition of Natural Awakenings Twin Cities (page 24). So now, let’s talk about two other aspects within the Esogetics system: The OGTs and the Kirlian EEA. “Tradition talks about the human eye as the ‘window to the soul’, but also calls it its mirror. On the body surface, the inner reflects in the outer and vice versa.”

– Compendium of the Ophtalmotropic Genetic Therapy (OGT) by Peter Mandel

Touching the Window to the Soul: The OGT Therapies One way that Esogetics has been able to utilize this information gained from iridology is through the OGT therapies they developed where the map of the iris is laid out onto the forehead, similar to how we have the reflex zones

of the feet or ear, but this time with the iridology “template”, and hence working at a slightly different layer of information beyond what we access via the foot or ear reflex zones. Similarly like other reflex zones, we see the entire body in the “OGT Field”, like the segments of the spine, legs, hips, parts of the brain, eyes, ears, etc. From these reflex points, therapists are then able to utilize specific colors of light, or frequencies, on the correlating points to help provide new, correcting energy and information to the point and hence correlating to part of the being, in a gentle, noninvasive and very approachable way.

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words and Memories

Another area that sets the esogetics system apart is the Kirlian EEA tool as it offers very fast insights into not just the physical state of being, but also the mental-emotional and spiritual causal states, and provides insights into the information and energy flow of the client.

Kirlian photography, which is different than aura photography, is believed to depict an energy field that surrounds all living things, and Peter Mandel, founder of Esogetics, first came across the Kirlian at a world health fair. Shortly after, he started playing with it to see if there was any potential benefit; after taking a photo of his fingers, he noticed a lack of emission in the medial region of the pointer finger. Having been trained in acupuncture in China years before, Mandel realized that this area was right along where the large intestine meridian flows, according to Chinese Medicine, and interestingly he was having some intestinal disturbances at that time. He then applied an acupuncture therapy for the intestines, and after the needles settled down, took another photo and the emission in the photo changed. This got his brain going and he began developing this form of analysis. Initially, Mandel took over 800,000 Kirlian photographs of his clients and compared those to their subjective complaints and other forms of naturopathic analysis as well as their medical records to figure out correlations between what he was seeing in the photos and what was actually going on. To date, more than 5 million photos have been analyzed.

Esogetics is a system filled with a lot of information and tools, bridging old-world knowledge with some of the newer tools available today.

Today, a Certified Colorpuncturist (CCP) with the advanced training in Kirlian EEA would normally take an initial photo of the client, do their analysis, apply one therapy from the wide number they have been trained in, then take another photo and compare the before and after photos. In this second photo, the practitioner isn’t so much looking to see if something changed, but more importantly what didn’t change, what stayed the same, or was stuck in the same pattern from before the therapy was applied. This is where we need to focus… on that area that is “stuck”.

Currently, we use this form of analysis with the before-and-after photos to categorize the general state of the person into what we call “Pots”—endocrine (functional), toxic (inflammation) and degenerative (stagnation). We see correlations to the active, neutral and passive aspects of each element: earth, fire, water and air, as well as hints of the quality of the brainwaves of Beta, Delta, Alpha and Theta. Additionally, we see patterns of the causal chains of events and trauma and how these blockages in the flow of information and energy are potentially impacting the individual. All of this information shows a picture and story of the individual, their unique-

ness, and how all of this has settled into the physical, mental-emotional and spiritual layers of the individual. Based on this form of analysis, we then have many clues, combined with other forms of analysis, as to which therapies we could use with the individual and their unique situation.

Overall, Esogetics is a system filled with a lot of information and tools, bridging old-world knowledge with some of the newer tools available today.

SchaOn Blodgett, CCP, BTAT, is a holistic health professional who incorporates a wide variety of natural health systems and has over a decade of advanced training and experience in Esogetic Holistic Medicine and Colorpuncture. He practices and teaches classes at his office in Little Canada at Psinergy Natural Health & Holistic Wellness. For more information, call 612-217-4325 or visit PsinergyHealth.com.

See ad, page 9.

Note: Iridology, Kirlian EEA and other forms of natural health analysis are not intended or meant to replace appropriate medical diagnostic testing.

January 2020

23

RAISING ENVIRONMENTALISTS Teachers Prep Kids for the Future

by Yvette C. Hammett

E

ducators have switched from preaching to kids about environmental degradation to using hands-on lessons to get K-12 students not only interested in the world’s environmental priorities, but also actively participating in solutions, maybe even seeking out related careers.

“You hope students can translate passion into intellectual curiosity on these subjects and develop the expertise so they can go beyond being an activist to being an advocate,” says Kenneth Walz, Ph.D., who works on the Wisconsin K-12 Energy

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Education Program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Walz, who teaches chemistry, engineering and renewable energy at Madison Area Technical College, also serves as its director of the Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education.

While K-12 environmental education still has no specific niche in curriculum, according to a case study of The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, numerous groups and educators are working to ensure the next generation

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is prepared for the environmental challenges it will certainly face.

Today’s educators believe hands-on learning will prepare Generation Z and those that follow to look for solutions and even seek active roles to implement them. Aaron Baker, a Sussex, New Jersey, advanced placement environmental science instructor and a two-time winner of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 Presidential Innovation Award, says the key to getting through to the next generation is showing them a problem that’s close to home that they can touch and feel, and then relating it to a global issue.

“A major part of my philosophy for environmental education is to try to engage students in environmental issues in our own community,” Baker says. “We collaborate with the Wallkill River Watershed Management Group to restore riparian areas and increase biological diversity.”

The high school students have planted more than 750 trees in the last three years along the creek that runs right below their school. “This type of hands-on work not only has a direct relationship to their lives here in Sussex County, but is also relevant to similar issues on a global scale.”

The 30-year-old National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) no longer sends speakers to schools. Instead, it encourages teachers to get the students outside working with partners like the National Park Service or the U.S. Forest Service to learn about real world problems near their homes, says Robert Sendrey, program director of environmental education.

photos by Aaron Baker

healthy kids

Motivation and inspiration are key, he says. “We were created to help make the environment more accessible, relatable, relevant and more connected to the average American’s life.”

Rather than focusing on the negative aspects of climate change and the challenges ahead, NEEF promotes a healthy lifestyle and emphasizes the need for clean air and water. “We emphasize the well-being of people, which is directly related to the health of the environment,” Sendrey says.

Success starts with a change in attitude and awareness, and ultimately needs to culminate with action, he says. For example, NEEF teamed up with zoos and aquariums for the Skip the Straw campaign, educating the public about the environmental harm caused by single-use plastics. The University of Wisconsin K-12 education program focuses on environmental impacts of the energy sector—especially on air and water quality.

“If you are burning coal to produce electricity, it creates all kinds of atmospheric pollution—acid rain and soot that causes

respiratory illness,” says Walz. “If we weren’t burning fossil fuels, urban smog wouldn’t even be a thing.” The energy curriculum for students includes content on biofuels and electric transportation.

“For them, it is more thinking about the types of transportation they use, whether they are driving, riding a bike or taking a bus.”

They don’t get to choose what kind of fuel the bus runs on, but they can be educated to be good future consumers, he notes.

“I think they appreciate the issue,” Walz says of the students.

“Middle schoolers bring the passion. That sort of raw, emotional angst is something we left behind in our teenage years. Adults have been way too complacent for way too long.”

Yvette C. Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, Florida. She can be contacted at YvetteHammett28@hotmail.com.

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Live, Laugh and Love for a Healthy Immune System

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he words Live-Laugh-Love have a history that goes back to the early 1900s. Today, these three words can be found everywhere—in home decor, signatures and quotes. What many people do not realize is that there are medicinal reasons to act out these three words.

Take three deep breaths and live. Breathing from the diaphragm is the best way to stimulate the immune system and improve lymphatic circulation. Movement of the lymph is crucial in keeping one’s body healthy. The lymphatic system is the cleansing system of the body. All inflammation, toxins, viruses and bacteria are picked up by the lymph which lies next to the tiny capillaries. The lymph takes these toxins to filtering points called

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These three words have withstood the test of time. Perhaps they could be arranged in a different order: Love, Laugh and Live. lymph nodes. After the lymph is filtered and cleansed, it returns to the blood stream.

Take three breaths and laugh. Laughing is one of the best exercises for the diaphragm and lungs. There are studies that show laughter empties your lungs of more air than you breathe in, giving a cleansing effect to the lungs. This is especially helpful for anyone with respiratory issues. Laughter is also recommended for heart health because it helps to release stress. Furthermore, laughter can significantly increase a person’s threshold to pain.

In the September 2011 Scientific American article Why Laughter May Be the Best Pain Medicine, researcher Robin Dunbar of the University of Oxford, shares how the long series of exhalations that accompany true laughter cause physical exhaustion of the abdominal muscles and, in turn, release the brain’s feel-good chemicals called endorphins.

Take three breaths and love. Sometimes people find they are not in total agreement in a discussion with a family member or friend. In these situations, it is important to remember to take three deep breaths before saying anything, and then what comes out are words of understanding and love, giving them the right to express their opinion. This is called unconditional love… with no judgement. Forgiveness and love are the best ways to attain the benefits of a healthy life.

These three words have withstood the test of time. Perhaps they could be arranged in a different order: Love, Laugh and Live.

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Purposeless Can Lead to a Spiritual Awakening

by Barbara Brodsho

T

here are 900 million people in 142 countries who are unfulfilled with what they do in life, according to a Gallup poll in 2014. In the U.S. alone, 70 percent of people working are unhappy and don’t care for what they do. The poll says that millennials are the most unfulfilled and care least about what they do at work. This is

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a lot of people who feel stuck in a boring, passive life with unfulfilled dreams, visions and desires.

Believe it or not, feeling unfulfilled can actually be a good thing. Life is painful. Pure and simple. People fail to meet our expectations. Reality often doesn’t measure up to the visions we’ve created for our relationships, our vocation or life experiences. The end result is disappointment. These disappointments can cause us to question the purpose and meaning of life. Questioning the meaning of our pain and suffering can actually serve us because it helps us realize that something is missing in our lives. This longing for something more in life can serve as a catalyst to experience a spiritual awakening. This is a process in which we die to our old self and give birth to a new self. It can be painful at times, but well worth it when we get to the other side.

Often, there is a triggering event which causes a spiritual crisis. It’s typically a life event or circumstance (positive or negative) that triggers the person to question the foundation upon which they’ve built their lives. It shatters their concept of how the world works and causes inner conflict or discontentment.

It can be triggered by a major life transition, i.e. a divorce or separation, change in employment or becoming an empty nester. It may be initiated by a major health challenge, suffering a trauma, facing the death of a loved one or one’s own death, experiencing some sort of loss, or questioning the afterlife.

An extremely pleasurable experience can also activate it. Examples may be a profound spiritual, mystical encounter that results in an immense degree of peace and joy that the person has never experienced before. It may be triggered by meeting a new love partner, gaining a new positive perception of one’s life and existence or reaching a personally significant age. These triggering events can cause a spiritual crisis, also referred to as an “existential crisis”. This is a defining moment in the first phase of a spiritual awakening because it prompts a quest for making meaning of one’s life.

This time of personal introspection provides us with an opportunity to examine the messages we’ve learned from society, the media, religion or family. We can discern whether or not to buy into

those thoughts, beliefs and ways of being.

We have the opportunity to reconcile these messages from outside “experts” with our own inner spiritual truth and wisdom. We can question whether these beliefs are empowering or disempowering us. We can decide whether they are supporting us in creating a life we feel passionate about or not.

It’s a very unsettling time because the old ways don’t work anymore and we still don’t know who we’re becoming.

Through this process, we let go of the things, people, habits, value systems and belief systems that don’t resonate with us anymore. This includes our concepts about God and how the Universe works.

This time of transition and uncertainty can cause confusion, fear, anxiety or even depression. This is a defining moment in the second phase of a spiritual awakening because it can feel like our faith is disappearing. It can bring up a lot of anger and resistance because it isn’t easy giving up our old ways of being when we don’t yet have a new foundation upon which to anchor ourselves.

This can be very painful because our world view doesn’t shift overnight.

A new foundation is laid over time through various experiences. It can be a long “dark night of the soul.”

During this unsettling time, one might experience anxiety, depression, apathy, confusion or increased drug or alcohol use. People may feel stuck or unable to take action or move forward with their lives. They may feel dissatisfied with their life or vocation or they may experience recurring themes that they are unable to resolve using typical means. Through this process, we deconstruct our beliefs and reconstruct them to be in alignment with our own personal truth. As we try on new concepts, ideas, thoughts and beliefs and keep the ones that resonate as our own spiritual truth, we begin to form a new way of being. Our soul is leading us through this spiritual awakening.

Viewing our lives from our soul’s perspective can help to guide us through a spiritual crisis and awakening. It can provide a new foundation to step into that people are seeking. This is a defining moment in the third phase of a spiritual awakening. We can tap into the wisdom of our own souls during this time through the Akashic Records. They can be used to educate and guide us to be-

come the people that we were created to be. It is an energetic database that stores every thought, emotion, word, intention, action, experience, choice, event and consequence that we’ve experienced in this lifetime and in past lifetimes. It can enlighten us to what our innate gifts are that we were created to share with the world. It can guide us on how to make choices that align with our soul’s design because it also stores every potential and possibility for our future.

The Akashic Records are a gateway into accessing our soul’s innate wisdom that can help us to heal our pain, clear confusion and provide the answers and direction we seek. They help us to see ourselves and our lives more clearly and from a new, more empowering perspective. When we make choices that align with our soul’s design, we align ourselves with an experience of more abundance of joy and fulfillment.

“The Akashic Record readings really felt to me like a reintroduction to myself. I found clarity about the direction I wanted my life to take. I experienced a deep sense of happiness that I hadn’t felt since I was a small child, as I allowed myself to do what my heart called me to.” ~ Jane Thiegs If we allow our souls to guide us, we can be transformed into new beings who radiate greater and greater degrees of light and love that can then serve to heal our world. Just think about the positive impact more people could have in this world if they tapped into their soul’s wisdom to create a life filled with passion and purpose. Just think of the untapped potential that could be released to make this world a better place.

Barbara Brodsho is a soul purpose coach and holistic healer who empowers highly conscious spiritual seekers, creators and leaders to express their soul’s innate gifts and understand their life experiences from their soul’s perspective. As a result, they experience greater joy, abundance and fulfillment while creating and living passionate, purpose-filled lives. She has a master’s degree in theology and certifications in spiritual direction, energy medicine and soul-level healing. For more information, call 612-444-9751 or visit BarbaraBrodsho. com. See ad, page 26.

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healing ways HEALTHY LIVING

NATURAL HEALING FOR HANDS

HEALTHY PLANET

Getting a Grip on Pain

by Marlaina Donato

OHishiapply/Shutterstock.com

2020 EDITORIAL CALENDAR HEALTHY LIFESTYLES ISSUE

JAN

Age-Defying Habits Plus: Healthy Immune System

FEB

Cardiovascular Health Plus: Regenerative Medicine

PLANT-BASED NUTRITION ISSUE

MAR

Thriving on a Plant-Based Diet Plus: CBD

APR

Grassroots Climate Crisis Strategies Plus: Healthy Home

WOMEN’S WELLNESS ISSUE

MAY

Autoimmune Breakthroughs Plus: Protein & Collagen Connection

JUN

Inspired Lifestyle Travel Plus: Brain Health

THE FOOD CONNECTION ISSUE

JUL

Beyond Factory Farming Plus: Gut Health

AUG

Biological Dentistry Plus: Environmental Education

SELF-EMPOWERMENT ISSUE

SEP

Emotional Well-Being Plus: Adaptive Yoga

OCT

Stress Management Plus: Joint Health

THE DIABETES CHALLENGE ISSUE

NOV

Personalized Diabetes Strategies Plus: Skin Care

DEC

Creating Community & Connection Plus: Spending Locally

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M

ost of us take our hands for granted until buttoning a shirt or opening a jar becomes a daunting task. Getting a grip on that pain and loss of function with holistic solutions can be a game-changer. Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as repetitive motion syndromes like carpal tunnel, are commonly linked to hand and wrist pain, and effective treatment relies on identifying the underlying cause.

“Systemic inflammation will be an issue in any case, but the root condition needs to be addressed,” says Kiva Rose Hardin, a New Mexico-based herbalist and co-editor of Plant Healer Magazine. Carpal tunnel, for instance, is not always a repetitive injury syndrome; it can sometimes be triggered by endocrine imbalances such as hypothyroidism, she says.

Susan Blum, M.D., author of Healing Arthritis: Your 3-Step Guide to Conquering Arthritis Naturally, agrees on both the role of inflammation and the importance of looking beyond the diagnosis itself.

“Inflammation is a process in the body, an end result, and we have to go upstream, so to speak, to find triggers including stress, gut health, toxins and infections.”

By finding the trigger, relief is within reach with non-surgical solutions and

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We have to go upstream, so to speak, to find triggers including stress, gut health, toxins and infections. ~Susan Blum natural approaches such as physical therapy, specialized yoga, acupuncture, essential oils and inflammation-taming foods and herbs.

Gut Check

Factors like leaky gut syndrome, stress and inadequate nutrition can all kick inflammation into overdrive. The right dietary adjustments can go a long way toward putting on the brakes. “Inflammation from compromised gut health can contribute to both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis,” Blum notes. “Abdominal fat releases inflammatory molecules into the joints, so metabolic syndrome should [also] be looked at as a factor in osteoarthritis.”

The simplest place to begin is to pay attention to food quality, she says. “Choose whole foods high in nutrients and fiber; eliminate all processed food; read labels to spot hidden sugars and food dyes.”

sumroeng chinnapan/Shutterstock.com

Systemic inflammation will be an issue in any case, but the root condition needs to be addressed. ~Kiva Rose Hardin

Blum, the founder of the Blum Center for Health, in Rye Brook, New York, initially guides her patients on an elimination diet to find dietary triggers like soy, corn, gluten, dairy, sugar and eggs. She also recommends a diet that is 70 percent plant-based and includes cold-pressed, solvent-free oils such as high-quality olive oil.

Blum cautions against nightshade vegetables like eggplant, tomatoes, peppers and white potatoes that can trigger osteoarthritis pain.

Exercise and Prevention

Improper posture can set off a domino effect from neck to fingertips, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome and other troublesome conditions. Prevention can go a long way. “Stretching and strengthening are the best ways to prevent injury or pain,” says physiotherapist Kelly Picciurro, of Spring Forward Physical Therapy, in New York City.

Picciurro emphasizes exercise for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. “It’s vital that these patients maintain a certain level of mobility, and [physical therapy] can improve that.”

Those with repetitive strain injuries also respond well to gentle yoga postures like tree pose, upward hands and upward fingers. In general, yoga helps upper body muscles support and align the hands, wrists and elbows.

Snuffing Out Pain

Acupuncture, especially with a focus on postural muscles of the neck and back, can be effective in reducing pain and inflammation. Hot and cold treatments can bring relief for arthritis flare-ups. Circulation and resulting improved cell nutrition can be achieved by employing heat via showers, baths and heating pads.

For acute pain, cold from an ice bag or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel for 20-minute intervals reduces swelling by reducing circulation and dulling pain signals.

Pain-reducing herbs such as cat’s claw, aloe vera, green tea, ginger, borage oil and chili pepper can all help fight systemic inflammation. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is also a heavy hitter. Blum recommends at least 1,000 milligrams daily of curcumin that is formulated with pepper or a phospholipid for optimal absorption. A 2018 study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that the combination of curcumin and black pepper can repress inflammation signals in the intestines.

Essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, ginger, Roman and German chamomile, lavender and balsam fir are also effective in reducing pain, and have anti-inflammatory properties. A few drops can be added to Epsom salts for a bath or diluted and rubbed onto the area three times daily.

Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

STRATEGIES FROM THE EXPERTS

Food tips from Susan Blum, M.D.

Replace refined sugar with maple sugar, coconut sugar or honey, all of which offer nutrients and minerals. Avoid overly processed agave nectar.

If meats are consumed, choose organic and grass-fed.

Choose whole grains.

Herbal suggestions from Kiva Rose Hardin For topical pain-relieving applications, look for a fat/oil-based preparation with mint or cayenne for faster action.

Powdered herbs in mass-produced capsules can lose medicinal efficacy quickly. Alcohol or glycerine-based tinctures are good choices that can be convenient when traveling.

Ginger is an effective anti-inflammatory that can be added to food.

Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum), sustainably sourced, is especially useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; the rhizome of this plant seems to work on the synovial fluid of the joints.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidim) is an important part of any autoimmune formula. A decoction or extract is beneficial for arthritis, fibromyalgia and lupus.

Ashwagandha (Withania somniferum) reduces stress and anxiety while moderating inflammation; it is especially effective in the treatment of autoimmune disorders and endocrine disruption.

Hawthorn (Crataegus) reduces systemic inflammation and has a moderating effect on most forms of arthritis and joint pain; it also strengthens the collagen matrix of the body and supports overall joint health.

Computer posture reminders from Kelly Picciurro

Elbows should rest at about a 90-degree angle and comfortably at the side. Wrists should lie in a neutral position; not be too extended or flexed.

The keyboard and mouse should be close to the body to avoid excessive reaching of the hands.

January 2020

31

Calorie Counting Does Not Work

K

by Erin Thole, CNHP

eeping a food journal or tracking your daily food intake on apps like My Fitness Pal can be great for holding you accountable and conscious of what you are actually putting into your mouth every day. These methods may help you lose a few pounds in the beginning but for most people, long term, it just doesn’t work.

How many people do you know who have been counting calories or doing something like My Fitness Pal or Weight Watchers forever and they are still struggling with their weight? Thetruth of the matter is that it’s not as simple as eat less and move more.

And using an online calculator to find your basal metabolic rate (how many calories you burn a day at rest) is not at all accurate.

So many people are frustrated by their lack of results. It’s not because they aren’t

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trying hard enough; it’s because there is a deeper issue that needs to be addressed.

Picking an abstract number or having a computer calculate a daily calorie count for you is not going to take into consideration how well your body breaks down, digests and assimilates the nutrients from your food. Nor are these methods taking into consideration how well your thyroid functions, how healthy your adrenals or hypothalamus are, or if your liver and cells are working efficient. These methods do not take into consideration your gut bacteria and how balanced it is. All of these important body workings play a vital role in what the body does with the food you eat: does it burn or store?

Working with a functional medicine practitioner who takes a proactive approach to health and can look at various factors like food sensitivities, hormonal imbalances, microorganism imbalances and various toxicities within the body to formulate a program that works with your body’s unique needs and getting to the root cause of health conditions is a great way to end the frustration and the constant trial and error approach and finally reach those health and fitness goals you deserve.

Erin Thole, CNHP has been working in the health, nutrition and fitness field for over 11 years. To learn more and request a free consultation, email Thole.Erin@ gmail.com or visit ErinThole. com. See ad, page 11.

Copper in new device stops cold and flu

had colds going round and round, but not me.”

Some users say it also helps with sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a 2-day sinus headache. When her CopperZap arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” she said. “My head cleared,

by Doug Cornell no more headache, no more congestion.”

Some users say copper stops nighttime stuffiness if used just before cientists recently discovered bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had time. He hasn’t had a single cold for 7 a way to kill viruses and in years.” years since. bacteria.

Copper can also stop flu if used early He asked relatives and friends to try Now thousands of people are using it it. They said it worked for them, too, so and for several days. Lab technicians to stop colds and flu. placed 25 million live flu viruses on a he patented CopperZap™ and put it on Colds start CopperZap. No viruses were found alive the market. when cold viruses soon after.

Soon hundreds get in your nose.

Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams of people had Viruses multiply confirming the discovery. He placed tried it and given fast. If you don’t millions of disease germs on copper. feedback. Nearly stop them early, “They started to die literally as soon as 100% said the they spread and they touched the surface,” he said. copper stops colds cause misery.

People have even used copper on if used within 3 In hundreds cold sores and say it can completely hours after the first of studies, EPA prevent outbreaks. sign. Even up to New research: Copper stops colds if used early. and university The handle is 2 days, if they researchers have confirmed that viruses curved and finely still get the cold it is milder than usual and bacteria die almost instantly when textured to improve and they feel better. touched by copper. contact. It kills germs Users wrote things like, “It stopped That’s why ancient Greeks and picked up on fingers my cold right away,” and “Is it Egyptians used copper to purify water and hands to protect supposed to work that fast?” and heal wounds. They didn’t know you and your family.

“What a wonderful thing,” wrote about microbes, but now we do.

Copper even kills Physician’s Assistant Julie. “No more Dr. Bill Keevil: Copper quickly kills Scientists say the high conductance deadly germs that colds for me!” cold viruses. of copper disrupts the electrical balance have become resistant Pat McAllister, 70, received one in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in for Christmas and called it “one of the to antibiotics. If you are near sick seconds. best presents ever. This little jewel really people, a moment of handling it may Tests by the EPA (Environmental keep serious infection away. It may even works.”

Protection Agency) show germs die save a life.

Now thousands of users have simply fast on copper. So some hospitals tried The EPA says copper still works stopped getting colds. copper for touch surfaces like faucets even when tarnished. It kills hundreds of People often use CopperZap and doorknobs. This cut the spread of preventively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci different disease germs so it can prevent MRSA and other illnesses by over half, serious or even fatal illness. used to get colds after crowded flights. and saved lives.

CopperZap is made in America of Though skeptical, she tried it several The strong scientific evidence gave pure copper. It has a 90-day full money times a day on travel days for 2 months. inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When back guarantee. It is $69.95.

“Sixteen flights and not a sniffle!” she he felt a cold about to start he fashioned Get $10 off each CopperZap with exclaimed. a smooth copper probe and rubbed it Businesswoman Rosaleen says when code NATA16.

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Buy once, use forever. never got going.” It worked again every me last holidays,” she said. “The kids ADVERTORIAL

S

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calendar of events

featured event Michael Harner’s The Way of the Shaman

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8 Total Health Workshop – 6:30-8pm. On the second Wednesday of each month you will have a relaxed experience. Designed as an opportunity to expand our understanding of the most current natural health solutions available, you will be able to ask questions, receive answers and experience incredible demonstrations of life-changing techniques. Free.

Hope Clinic, 9220 Bass Lake Rd #245, New Hope.

DrEthanSkog.com.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9 Author Talk: Sarah Hanley at Maple Grove Library – 6:30-8pm. Local author Hanley will discuss her first book, Matka which is based on the true story of the author’s grandmother during and after World War II. Hanley will delve into how the book came to be from both a historical and a familial point of view, and how those events and experiences of the past have influenced the present and the future. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Maple Grove Library, 8001 Main St. N., Maple Grove. HCLib.BiblioCommons.com/events.

decisions personally or professionally. Discover what type of information is available, how it is accessed, and why it is helpful. District 196 Community Ed, Scott Highlands Middle School, 14011 Pilot Knob Road, Apple Valley. BarbaraBrodsho.com.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27 Create a Meaningful Vocation – 6:30-8:30pm, Are you dissatisfied with your vocation and unsure of what do to next? Imagine tapping into the innate wisdom of your own soul to provide you with the answers and direction you seek. Learn how to discover your natural gifts and talents; identify and move past the issues that are keeping you stuck; and implement a plan to manifest your vision. Eden Prairie Community Ed, Education Center, 8040 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie. BarbaraBrodsho.com.

looking ahead

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 Home Improvement & Design Expo - Shakopee – 10am-5pm. Don’t miss your opportunity to explore up to 150 exhibitors featuring the latest products, services and information to help turn your dream home into a reality. Everything from inside/out to basement/roof! Free. Canterbury Expo Center, 1100 Canterbury Rd, Shakopee. MediaMaxEvents.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19 Wisdom Gathering – 9-11:30am. This monthly gathering is a thought-provoking place to gain inspiration and explore life’s possibilities through intuition and self-discovery. Join in this space of contemplation and conversation to flesh out your ideas and needs landing at clarity and dynamism you can take forward with you into the world. $30.

Art Works, 3795 Pilot Knob Rd., Eagan. AmyVasterling.com/Wisdom-Gathering.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9 Healthy Life Expo – Saturday & Sunday, 10am5pm. Nutrition, Fitness, and Longevity - It’s all here!

Explore up to 200 exhibitors offering everything for maintaining health and success in all areas of life! Free product sampling, hourly drawings and health information, tips, and ideas. $6 at door/free with food shelf donation. Minneapolis Convention Center Ballroom, 1301 2nd St, Minneapolis.

MediaMaxEvents.com.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23 Soul Stories – 7-9pm. Within each of us lies information that guides us to the path of a more meaningful life. With the assistance of an ancient spiritual resource, we can tap into this wisdom to help us make

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Twin Cities Edition

NAtwincities.com

The Foundation for Shamanic Studies’ basic experiential workshop in core shamanism, shamanic journeying, power and healing.

Taught by Timothy Cope.

Feb 8-9 • 9am-5pm. $250.

5356 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis.

E.B Boatner • 612-351-1437 guylite@aol.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Total Health Workshop – 6:30-8pm. On the second Wednesday of each month you will have a relaxed experience. Designed as an opportunity to expand our understanding of the most current natural health solutions available, you will be able to ask questions, receive answers and experience incredible demonstrations of life-changing techniques. Free.

Hope Clinic, 9220 Bass Lake Rd #245, New Hope.

DrEthanSkog.com.

FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 1 Rethinking Reality Women’s Retreat – Soul enriching, 3-day getaway for empowering influential women just like you to flourish in a crazy world.

This retreat is the perfect way to step away from the hustle and bustle of life to create the conditions for your higher self to emerge; realizing better results in every area of life. Cameorose Country Retreat, 11250 173rd Ave, Becker. MindscapesUnlimited.com.

For online exclusive content, visit NaturalTwinCities.com This month's articles include: When Workouts Don't Work: Why Less is Sometimes More Green Therapy: Ecopsychology and the Nature Cure When Older Pets Get Quirky and more!

ongoing events

Please call or check the websites to ensure the classes or events are still scheduled for that week.

ongoing Free Online Classes – The University of Minnesota is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Class-Central.com/ University/Minnesota.

GROOVE Movement Class – Various days, times and locations. A fun, simple and exciting way to experience dance that nurtures body, mind, heart, and soul. No dance experience required. All fitness levels welcome. Classes use all genres of music and include a warmup, dance, stretching, and a brief meditation.

AeroDanceFitness.com/Schedule.

Midtown Global Market – Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. & Sun 10am-6pm. If you’re looking for a more unique shopping experience, head to the Midtown Global Market, where more than 50 vendors sell food and trinkets ranging from local produce to Somalian Pastries, Middle Eastern olives and Asian spices. There are also cultural events - from musical performances to Irish step-dancing lessons. Free. 920 East Lake St, Minneapolis. MidtownGlobalMarket.org/visit.

sunday Chinese Mystery School’s Sunday Services – 9:15am-12pm. Introductory Dharma talk and meditation teaching. Spiritual healing services for your body, mind and spirit. Buddhist prayer services. Donation.

Upper Midwest Hanmi Buddhist A, 80 County Rd C West #804, Little Canada. MN-Hanmi-Buddhism.org.

Restorative Flow Yoga – 9:30-10:30am. In restorative yoga, props are used to support the body so students can hold poses for a longer period of time, allowing the body to open through passive stretching. The focus is slowing down and calming the mind and body. $18. Healing Elements, 2290 Como Ave, St. Paul. 651-348-6216.

HealingElementsWellness.com.

Various Illnesses. Upper Midwest Hanmi Buddhist Association, 80 Co Rd C West, #804, Little Canada.

MN-Hanmi-Buddhism.org.

tuesday Weekly Guided & Silent Meditation – 11-11:30am.

Led by a Prayer Chaplain in the Meditation Room, this meditation is the same one going on concurrently at Unity Village. It alternates affirmative prayer and silence.

Donation based. Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center, 4011 W Hwy 13, Savage. UnityOfTheValleyMN.org.

Stress Busters Meditation – Noon-1pm. Join us when you can for a free meditation at the University of MN. Mayo Building, Third Fl. Meditation Space, Minneapolis. CSH.umn.edu.

Pain: Moving Beyond Suffering – 6:30-8pm. We will discuss the root of pain, options at each stage, tools to deal with symptoms, and elements of healing.

Topics include nutrition, sleep, mindfulness, guided imagery, and much more. $50/Session. Awakened Living, 3601 Minnesota Dr #825, Bloomington.

AwakenedLivingInfusion.com.

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wednesday

Light Being Tribe Gathering | Online – 6-7am.

These events occur monthly and are live and Interactive. Come with your questions & curiosity and continue your journey of expansion in a like-hearted worldwide community. Complimentary. Zoom Online. IntraAwareness.com.

Max Meditation Technique – 6:30-7:30pm.

Experience a guided meditation, combining ancient meditation techniques with modern NeuroLinguistic Programming to help both beginning and experienced meditators quiet the mind and connect for a relaxing and meaningful meditation. $15. Healing Elements, 2290 Como Ave, St. Paul.

651-348-6216. HealingElementsWellness.com.

Chinese Mystery School’s Healing Meditation Series – 6:30-8pm. A different Hanmi Buddhist meditation teaching each week: June 5: Wisdom Dew Beauty Yoga; June 12: Balance Weight; June 19: Diabetes Self-Healing; June 26: Self-Healing for

Total Health Workshop January 9, 2019 - December 2020 – 6:30-8pm. This monthly workshop is designed as an opportunity to expand your understanding of the most current natural health solutions available. Complimentary. Hope Clinic, 9220 Bass Lake Rd #245, New Hope. Drethanskog.com.

thursday Hatha for Everyone – 6-7pm. Everyone is welcome to this weekly drop-in class. All levels.

Relieve stress, achy joints, improve balance at all levels and increase your sense of well-being. $10. Meditation Center, 631 University Ave NE, Minneapolis. TheMeditationCenter.org.

Free Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Join us for a free weekly meditation. Sahaja Yoga Meditation, Eden Prairie City Hall, 8080 Mitchell Rd, Eden Prairie. Contact: JPatpatia@gmail or 651-730-2078.

FreeMeditation.com.

friday Gentle Yoga for Every Body – 10:30-noon. A welcoming environment for students of all shapes and sizes. $15 drop-in. River Garden Yoga, 455 W 7th St, St. Paul. RiverGardenYoga.com.

Drop-in Meditation – 5:15-6pm. A guided meditation presented through the lens of a Wisdom Practice (gratitude, compassion, and inquiry). $20 (or donation). Aslan Institute, 4141 Old Sibley Memorial Hwy, Eagan. AslanInst.com.

Friday Chat & Play Social – 7-9pm. Let’s get to know each other and talk about energy, holistic health, psychic abilities, spirituality and much more. Free. J & S Bean Factory, 1518 Randolph Ave, St Paul. Hosted

by SchaOn at Psinergy. Meetup.com/TC-Energy.

saturday Cardio Fitness Drumming – 8-8:30am. Burn calories in a fun way with this full-body workout that doesn’t feel like a workout. Free. Nutrition Hub, 7880 University Ave NE, Fridley. Text or call to reserve your spot. 612-787-2582. Facebook.com/ TheNutritionHub.Fridley.

Sunday Salsa Dancing – 10:30-11:30am. Join Rene Dennis Thompson for Sunday Salsa Dancing.

Free. Midtown Global Market, 920 East Lake St., Minneapolis. MidtownGlobalMarket.org/events.

monday Loving Kindness Meditation Practice – 6-7pm.

Through ancient, gentle and gradual practices, we learn to let go of fear and ill will and to open our hearts to ourselves and to others, known and unknown. Our time together will include instruction, guided meditation and discussion. Donation based. River Garden, 455 7th St W, St Paul. RiverGardenYoga.com.

January 2020

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