Natural Awakenings of Rochester April 2015

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March April 2015 2015 | | Rochester, Rochester,NY NYEdition Edition | | RochesterAwakenings.com natural awakenings

April 2015

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newsbriefs healthbriefs globalbriefs ecotip greenliving healingways

business spotlight 15 wisewords

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Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

22 healthykids 24 naturalpet 27 community spotlight

30 calendar 33 resourceguide 35 classifieds

advertising & submissions

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HOME-GROWN ORGANIC MADE EASY

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10 Time-Saving Tips for a Healthy Garden

by Barbara Pleasant

12 SPRING GREENING

Easy Ways to Detox a House

by Lane Vail

15 HEALING JOURNEYS

Paul Stutzman Finds Universal Truths on His Treks

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by Randy Kambic

17 STRONG WINDS

STRONG ROOTS

What Trees Teach Us About Life

by Dennis Merritt Jones

HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 585-298-9294 or email Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com.

Deadline for ads: the 5th of the month.

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18 NATURE’S WISDOM Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us

by Christine MacDonald

22 EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change

by Avery Mack

24 DOGS WITH

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LIBRARY CARDS

Kids Love Reading to Animals

by Sandra Murphy

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26 MASTERING THE FORCE

The Martial Arts Hold Deep Inner Lessons

by Eric Stevens

RochesterAwakenings.com natural awakenings

April 2015

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letterfrompublisher What a miracle Earth’s seasons are. Just a month ago,

contact us Publisher Kelly H. Klein Editors S. Alison Chabonais Sara Gurgen Lauressa Nelson Tisha Temple Contributing Photographer Vesna Sanders Contributing Writers Michelle Bense Jen Brunett Hilarie Mae Dahl Sandra Yeyati Design & Production Chelsea Rose Printer Trumbull Printing Multi-Market Advertising 239-449-8309 Franchise Sales 239-530-1377 Natural Awakenings of Rochester, NY P.O. Box 201, Penfield, NY 14526 Phone: 585-298-9294 Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com RochesterAwakenings.com © 2015 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

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We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

I couldn’t see our in-ground backyard swimming pool buried in weeks of winter snow, signaled only by a fence.

Two months from now, family and friends will be splashing around in its cooling waters during a hot, humid summer. Nature’s changes appear to emerge effortlessly and usually beautifully.

It all prompts us to always honor Planet Earth and the glorious gifts it manifests to us. When I think about the future, I want to do all I can do give my children and all the children of future generations a world that is healthy and sustainable for marvelously diverse life. Doing our part in stewarding a healthy environment is vital to humanity’s happy survival.

One thing our family routinely does is composting, which has proved valuable both in our garden and in the children’s lives as they begin to understand the circle of life. Scraps go into the composter, composted material goes into the garden, which produces healthful organic vegetables that we eat, and then we return leftovers to the bin to supply compost for the next season. It’s one nutshell view of what sustainability and conscious living is all about. Imagine what a difference it would make in our own lives and that of future generations if everyone around the world were to routinely do this. The savings in garbage disposal alone would be staggering.

I am excited that the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club is bringing climate activist James Hansen, Ph.D., to our area. He’s a leading scientist in the field of environmental science and a pioneer in the field of global warming.

On April 21 at 6:30 pm., he’ll present a free talk, Climate, Energy and Intergenerational Justice, at Monroe Community College. This important event is not to be missed.

It is inspiring thinking what’s possible as Natural Awakenings’ 4 million readers coast-to-coast can do daily keeping Earth well. The little steps matter and add up in helping to make our one-of-a-kind celestial home bright, green and healthy for generations to come.

To making every day Earth Day,

Kelly H. Klein, Publisher

SUBSCRIPTIONS To sign up for a copy of our monthly digital magazine, email Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com.

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

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Rochester, NY

F or beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. ~Audrey Hepburn

RochesterAwakenings.com

newsbriefs Rochester Walk to Benefit Multiple Sclerosis Research

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he National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s MS Walk Rochester, to benefit multiple sclerosis research, will take place May 3 at Genesee Valley Park, in Rochester. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling, disease of the central nervous system that interrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body.

Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.

“I have watched four close family members suffer Arthur Lee Conn III, with MS,” remarks Charlene Botticelli, licensed massage Charlene Botticelli’s therapist. “Recently, we lost my brother to complications of Brother this debilitating disease. Walking is one small way we can honor his memory and help those who are still here and fighting.”

Last year alone, the National MS Society invested nearly $50 million to support more than 380 new and ongoing research projects around the world while providing program services to over 1 million people. MS affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide.

Location: 99 Elmwood Ave. For more information, call 585-797-7435 or visit NationalMSSociety.org.

Talking with Kids About Climate Change

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others Out Front, an organization that aims to speak out about climate change, will hold Talking with Kids about Climate Change, from 3 to 5 p.m., April 26, at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester. The free event is an opportunity for parents to consider how to handle this challenging topic.

“Global warming threatens our children’s future,” comments member Susan Hughes-Smith. “As a parent, I know I must act to protect them, but I also have to answer their questions. How do we raise kids in the face of such uncertainty?”

The talk will include a moderated panel discussion followed by small breakout sessions. Parents and teens are welcome to attend; activities and childcare will be provided for younger children.

breathe

Location: 220 Winton Rd. For more information and to RSVP, email mofnycot1@gmail.com.

S tart by doing what’s necessary;

then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. ~Francis of Assisi natural awakenings

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newsbriefs

IT JUST Aromatherapy Talk for Meditation KEEPS P GETTING BETTER! Natural Awakenings’ healthy living, healthy planet lifestyle app has a new look and more features.

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rofessional aromatherapist Rosa Davila will discuss the best essential oils to use during meditation, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 25, at Beyond Center for Yoga, in Brockport.

The talk is geared toward those interested in growing their meditation practice or looking to start one. Davila will discuss which essential oils put us in the meditation zone and help keep us there.

“Listening to Rosa is a meditation of its own,” says Melissa Kleehammer, owner of Beyond Center for Yoga. “A beautiful woman talking about her passion— essential oils—and how they help us apply aromatherapy in a way that counts most, on our meditation cushion.”

Cost: $15 in advance; $17 at the door. Location: 67 Main St. For more information, call 585-466-0239, email Beyond2Yoga@gmail.com or visit Beyond2Yoga.com.

Lori’s Natural Foods Center Hosts April Spring Into Health Events

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Search “Natural Awakenings” and download

ori’s Natural Foods Center, in Rochester, will host a month-long Spring Into Health event from April 1 to 30, to promote its philosophy, “Be Good to the Earth, Be Good to Yourself.”

“As nature comes alive, what better time for us to follow suit and re-invigorate our minds and bodies,” says Andrew Frankenpohl, manager at Lori’s. “We are so privileged to welcome several local guest speakers and product experts who will join us to share practical ways of living both a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.”

Local Day, on April 12, introduces the public to local producers carried by Lori’s, and includes free samples from vendors and farmers. Other highlights include a children’s movie night, a pet day, an art show and Sample Fest.

During Earth Week, April 20 to 26, esteemed ethnobotanist Nannett Cepero will talk about container and urban gardening; Community Composting will discuss local compost pickups; Erin Bullock, the farm program manager at EquiCenter Inc., will speak on sustainable and organic farming; and Elizabeth Henderson, from Northwest Organic Farming Association, will discuss nonGMO initiatives in New York.

All proceeds from designated sales and any ticketed events will be donated to All 4 Pets of Western New York, a nonprofit that provides one-time grants for life-saving medical treatment for family pets of owners experiencing personal or financial crises.

Location: 900 Jefferson Rd. For more information, call 585-424-2323 or visit LorisNatural.com. See ad, page 2.

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RochesterAwakenings.com

newsbriefs Book Signing with Young Adult Local Author

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indy Culotta, an author from Rochester who recently published her first book, Perfectly Precious Poems, will hold a book signing and sale from 2 to 6 p.m., April 19, at Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center, in Rochester.

“I wrote this book because I enjoy making people laugh,” comments 20-year-old Culotta, who graduated from Monroe Community College with an associate’s degree in liberal arts. “I figured this book would brighten people’s days a little, no matter how old they are. So many people are just into electronic gadgets, and I think it’s time the world fell back in love with reading.”

Perfectly Precious Poems is also available for purchase at Amazon.com. In the future, Culotta plans to publish a children’s short story.

Location: 458 Stone Rd. For more information, call 585-787-6954, email Angelhd1@hotmail.com or visit HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

Pittsford Firm Offers Revolutionary New Boardroom Amplification System

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ounds For Life, a holistic hearing healthcare practice in Pittsford, is selling a new amplification system called Dynamic SoundField, which provides greatly enhanced speaker communication for a variety of listening environments, including meetings, training seminars and educational settings. A limited number of demonstration units are available for temporary installation.

Dynamic SoundField provides advanced digital sound quality, delivering an enhanced listener experience while reducing speaker repetition and vocal strain.

The new and highly portable system is light and portable, easy to install and eliminates potential interference caused by a building’s existing Wi-Fi or Bluetooth networks, as well as the feedback and echo often present with traditional public address systems.

L ogic is the

beginning of wisdom, not the end. ~Leonard Nimoy

Location: 135 Sully’s Trail, Ste. 10. For more information, call 585-248-5212 or visit SFLHearing.com.

News to share?

Submit information to Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com Submittal deadline is the 5th of the month. natural awakenings

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healthbriefs

Acupuncture Increases Quality of Life for Allergy Sufferers

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esearch from Berlin’s Charité University Medical Center suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, in 2013, the study analyzed data on the costs and quality of life of 364 allergy patients that had been randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: rescue medication alone (taken when symptoms are greatest); acupuncture treatment plus rescue medication; or sham (nontherapeutic) acupuncture plus rescue medication. Patients receiving acupuncture incurred higher total treatment costs, but also gained significantly more quality of life compared with the rescue medication-only groups.

Strawberries Reduce Blood Pressure

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study published in the World Journal of Diabetes concluded that the regular consumption of a flavonoidrich strawberry beverage reduces blood pressure in people with Type 2 diabetes. The study divided 36 subjects, all with moderately high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, into two groups—the first drank the equivalent of one serving of fresh strawberries per day made from freeze-dried berries, and the other group drank the same amount of an imitation strawberry-flavored drink over a six-week period. Blood pressure was tested at the beginning and end of the study for all participants.

At the end, the group drinking the real strawberry beverage registered significantly lower diastolic blood pressure than at the outset; it was also lower than the imitation strawberry group. The average diastolic blood pressure of the group drinking real strawberries went down by 6.5 percent and the systolic dropped by 12 percent. The strawberry-flavored group’s systolic blood pressure was also reduced, but only by 3.7 percent.

THE COLOR GREEN MAKES EXERCISE FEEL EASIER

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esearch from the University of Essex, in England, suggests that viewing natural green images while exercising may be better than being exposed to other colors. The researchers tested 14 people doing moderate-intensity cycling while watching video footage of predominantly gray, red or green imagery. Each of the participants underwent three cycling tests—one with each of the videos— along with a battery of physiological and mood testing.

The researchers found that when the subjects watched the green-colored video, they had better moods, with a lower relative perception of exertion than when they exercised while watching the red and grey videos. They also found those that exercised while watching the red video experienced greater feelings of anger during their exercise.

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Memory Works Better Reading Real Books

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esearchers from Norway’s Stavanger University and France’s AixMarseille Université found that readers remember a story better if it’s on paper.

The study tested 50 people that read the same 28-page short story. Half of the group read the paper version and the other half read the story on a Kindle e-reader. The researchers discovered that readers of the digital version could not remember details from the story or reconstruct the plot as well as the group that read the paper copy.

The researchers found that the feedback of a Kindle doesn’t provide the same support for mental reconstruction of a story as a print pocket book does. “When you read on paper, you can sense with your fingers a pile of pages on the left growing, and shrinking on the right,” explains Stavanger University’s Anne Mangen, Ph.D.

These findings confirm a study performed a year earlier, also led by Mangen. Seventy-two 10th-graders were given text to read either on paper or on a computer screen. The students that read the paper text versions scored significantly higher in reading comprehension testing than those reading digital versions.

globalbriefs Curbside Composting

No Food Scraps Need Go to Waste People in the United States waste more than a third of all of the food they produce, but more than 180 cities and towns are beginning to realize that wasted food can be valuable; they are asking residents to separate unwanted food from the rest of their trash and put it in a curbside compost bin.

The idea is to stop sending food waste to the landfill, where it generates harmful methane gas pollution, and start turning it into something useful, like compost.

In 2011, Portland, Oregon, launched a curbside compost program in which residents are encouraged to put food scraps into the city’s green yard waste bin.

Since then, the amount of garbage sent to the landfill has decreased by 37 percent.

According to Bruce Walker, the city’s solid waste and recycling program manager, the program also reduces the environmental footprint of the trash heap.

Getting people to separate their food waste, however, can be difficult. To motivate its residents to put more food waste in the compost bin, the city of Seattle, Washington, has proposed both making curbside composting mandatory and fining residents a dollar every time they put a disproportionate volume of food waste in their trash.

Source: NetNebraska.org

Buzzing Buddies ‘Flying Doctor’ Bees Prevent Cherry Disease

University of Adelaide researchers are introducing a “flying doctor” method of employing bees as preventive medicine.

Project leader and bee researcher Katja Hogendoorn, Ph.D., says, “All commercial cherry growers spray during flowering to control the later development of cherry brown rot. Instead of spraying fungicide, we’re using bees to deliver a biological control agent right to the flowers, where it’s needed.” The innovative delivery works via entomovectoring.

This is a new technique for Australia, with potential application in many horticultural industries. The biological control agent contains spores of a parasitic fungus that prevents another fungus that causes the brown rot from colonizing the flower. Future applications of the small, winged medics are expected to become available for disease control in almonds, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears and stone fruit.

Source: Adelaide.edu.au

L ove begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action. ~Mother Teresa

Corporate Do-Gooders

U.S. Recognizes Companies for Earth-Sound Policies Each year, the U.S. Department of State presents Awards for Corporate Excellence recognizing U.S.-owned businesses that play vital roles worldwide as good corporate citizens. Parameters include supporting sustainable development, respect for human and labor rights, environmental protection, open markets, transparency and other democratic values.

The 2014 winners, announced last December, include the EcoPlanet Bamboo Group, in Nicaragua, for fostering sustainable development by regenerating degraded pasturelands.

The company dedicates 20 percent of its plantations as natural habitat that protects biodiversity by prohibiting illegal hunting. EcoPlanet also focuses on employing persons with disabilities and empowering women through recruitment to managerial positions.

Wagner Asia Equipment, LLC, in Mongolia, a heavy equipment dealership, is recognized for its commitment to public/private partnerships with Mongolia’s local and national governments designed to protect the environment. Initiatives include planting more than 900 trees, conducting workshops for students on environment and ecology, implementing a project to build a community garden and rehabilitating a toxic waste site.

Other finalists include the Coca-Cola Company, in the Philippines; Chevron Corporation, in Burma; ContourGlobal, in Togo; General Electric, in South Africa; General Electric International, in Tunisia; GlassPoint Solar, in Oman; and the Linden Centre, in China.

For more information on finalists, visit Tinyurl.com/ACE2014Finalists. natural awakenings

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ecotip

earthday

Sustainable Shopping Tips

EARTH

Smart Choices Help Our Home Planet

The buy local movement and popularity of local farmers’ markets continue to grow, but we can do even better when it comes to sustainable shopping. A recent Greendex. com survey on environmental impacts of consumer behaviors in 18 countries reports that more Americans are eating local and organic foods and say they’re going to consume less meat and bottled water. Nevertheless, we continue to eat the most processed and packaged foods and the fewest fruits and vegetables of all the countries surveyed. Evidently, we need to literally put our money where our mouths are.

The Greendex survey cites several basic ways to make our diets more sustainable. These include eating more vegetables and less beef and lamb (recognizing the greater environmental impact of raising animals); participating and supporting community supported agriculture and fishery initiatives; economizing meal planning; and storing food properly in the refrigerator to maximize space and freshness periods.

When grocery shopping, peruse the perimeter aisles first, where whole foods are stocked, instead of the interior shelves, which typically comprise processed foods according to MotherEarthLiving.com.

More cooperation between the public and private sectors and individual involvement can also increase sustainability in communities around the world. Rachael Durrant, Ph.D., a research fellow with the UK-based Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group, cites in a recent paper the need for improved understanding of the key roles that civil society organizations play within processes of large-scale social change and warned that many communities are vulnerable to grave environmental and social risks.

Durrant lauds “greener, fairer and healthier practices, such as community gardening or cookery classes,” plus “those that change the rules of the game through campaigns or lobbying to coordinate and facilitate activities of other groups.” Supporting food and farming management that’s independent, cooperative and welcomes volunteers, for example, is highly beneficial.

N ature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. ~Lao Tzu 10

Rochester, NY

RochesterAwakenings.com

DAY 2015

Hope for Our Future

by Julianne Hale

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hen we learn about the condition of our most valuable resource—this spinning planet we call home—we may feel a sense of urgency, desperation or even defeat. Global climate change is a powerful foe, and current efforts may seem like a losing race against time.

Yet, mounting evidence suggests that the global community is making progress, giving rise to the possibility that climate change may not be the insurmountable obstacle we once thought. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) article, “We Can Do This: 10 Reasons there’s Hope for our Climate,” by Dan Upham, summarizes a speech given by EDF President Fred Krupp at the 2014 Aspen Ideas Festival (Tinyurl.com/HopeForTheClimate). Here are some encouraging highlights.

The price of solar energy panels has dropped by 75 percent in the U.S. since 2008, and affordable wind energy is increasingly available. According to a study published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, carbon dioxide emissions from energy in this country dropped by 10 percent between 2005 and 2012. In addition, China, the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases, is actively seeking ways to reduce emissions.

Proof of progress is also found in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan to cut billions of tons of pollution, a goal supported by two-thirds of Americans, according to a survey conducted by Harstad Strategic Research. Aligned with this, the government is requiring that manufacturers double automobile fuel mileage by 2025.

Perhaps the best argument for hope reflects the priorities of America’s younger generations. A recent bipartisan poll of young voters conducted by Benenson Strategy Group and GS Strategy Group suggests that 80 percent of voters under the age of 35 support the president taking action to address climate change, making it an issue that both major political parties must take seriously.

It’s time to realize that mankind is making decided progress, that the majority of us do care, that what local communities accomplish has a positive effect and that the global community can take the steps needed to avert catastrophic climate change.

Become a part of the solution by attending a community Earth Day event. See calendar of events, page 30.

greenliving

Home-Grown Organic Made Easy 10 Time-Saving Tips for a Healthy Garden

by Barbara Pleasant

Organic gardening experts share strategies for growing a great garden and having a life, too.

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he arrival of planting season has a stunning effect on veggie gardeners. We talk to our seedlings as if they were children, and don’t mind working until dark if that’s what it takes to get the fingerling potatoes in the ground. Then, complications like crabgrass and cabbageworms appear, and keeping up with all the details feels impossible. We can lighten looming chores by using these time-saving tips, which will reduce later workloads when storms and the hot summer sun threaten to squelch the magic.

Mulch to reduce watering and prevent weeds. “You can cut your watering time in half by mulching crops with a three-to-four-inch layer of straw or shredded leaves,” says Niki Jabbour, award-winning author of The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener and Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden. “Crops like tomatoes, potatoes, kale, broccoli, cucumbers and squash all benefit from a deep

mulch, which reduces the need to water and also prevents weeds, saving even more time.”

Grow herbs in convenient containers. Family cooks will harvest kitchen herbs every day, in all kinds of weather, so don’t waste footsteps.

Grow some parsley, basil and other herbs in large containers near the kitchen door.

Try promising perennials. Plant them once, and vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb come back year after year in cold winter climates like the Midwest and Northeast. Where winters are mild, artichokes or chayote (pear squash) are long-lived and productive. Many resilient herbs will return each spring, too, including sage, mints, thyme and oregano. Tarragon and marjoram make trusty perennial herbs in the Sun Belt.

Stock up on organic seeds. “As a year-round vegetable gardener, I try to come up with a list of all the seeds I’ll need for every season when I place annual seed orders,” Jabbour

says. “That way, I will place fewer orders and have everything on hand at the proper planting time, saving both time and money.”Organic seeds in consumer seed catalogs and retail racks won’t be genetically modified or treated with pesticides.

Be generous with organic compost.

With each planting, mix in organic compost along with a balanced organic fertilizer. Food crops grown in organically enriched soil are better able to resist challenges from pests and diseases, which simplifies summer tasks.

Grow flowers to attract beneficial insects. Reducing or eliminating pesticides and increasing plantings of flowers can radically improve the balance between helpful and harmful insects in a garden. Horticulturist Jessica Walliser, co-host of Pittsburgh’s The Organic Gardeners KDKA radio show and author of Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, recommends starting with sweet alyssum, an easy-to-grow annual that can be tucked into the edges of beds or added to mixed containers.

“The tiny blossoms of sweet alyssum are adept at supporting several species of the non-stinging parasitic wasps that help keep aphids and other common pests in check,” Walliser says. In warm climates where they are widely grown, crape myrtles have been found to serve as nurseries for lady beetles, lacewings and other beneficial insects.

Protect plants with fabric barriers.

Pest insects seeking host plants won’t find cabbage or kale if they’re hidden

WHAT TO COMPOST Do compost: ✔ Fruit and vegetable scraps ✔ Grass clippings, twigs, leaves and wood chips ✔ Eggshells (broken into small pieces) ✔ Coffee grounds and tea bags ✔ Unbleached coffee filters, paper and cardboard Don’t compost: ✔ Pet waste ✔ Meat and dairy (except in Green Cone device) natural awakenings

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beneath hoops covered with fine-mesh fabric like wedding net (tulle) or garden fabric row cover. “Cover the plants the day they are transplanted into the garden,” advises Walliser. As long as the edges are securely tucked in, row covers will also protect plants from wind, hail, rabbits and deer.

Hoe briefly each day. Commit 10 minutes a day to hoeing. While slicing down young weeds, hill up soil over potatoes or clean up beds ready to be replanted. Look out for small problems to correct before they become big ones.

No more misplaced tools. Time is often wasted searching for lost weeders, pruning shears and other hand tools, which are easier to keep track of when painted in bright colors or marked with colored tape. Jabbour uses a tool stash basket placed at the garden entrance.

Stop to smell the flowers. Use moments saved to sit quietly, relax and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the garden. Pausing to listen to the birds or watch a honeybee work a flower is part of the earned reward of any healthy garden that can’t be measured by the pound.

Barbara Pleasant, the author of numerous green thumb books, including Starter Vegetable Gardens: 24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic Gardens, grows vegetables, herbs and fruits in Floyd, Virginia.

Connect at BarbaraPleasant.com.

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healingways

Spring Greening Easy Ways to Detox a House

by Lane Vail

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or most individuals, odorous chemicals are simply unpleasant. For those that are sensitive and susceptible, however, even common chemical exposures may evoke a toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT) marked by multiplesystem symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, autoimmune disease, asthma, depression and food intolerance. Since the post-World War II expansion of petrochemicals, the incidence of TILT has increased dramatically, says Claudia Miller, a medical doctor, researcher and professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and co-author of Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes.

“Fortunately, public awareness has also grown significantly in the last few years,” says Rick Smith, Ph.D., a Canadian environmentalist who co-authored Toxin Toxout. “Now companies and governments worldwide are moving toward making safer products.”

We can support progress by leveraging some practical tips in greening our home.

Start somewhere. Many volatile organic compounds (VOC) that in-

RochesterAwakenings.com

clude formaldehyde and benzene are concealed in household items such as couches, chairs, particleboard furniture, mattresses, box springs, carpeting, rugs, synthetic flooring, wallpaper and paint.

Green TV host and Fresh Living author Sara Snow implores us not to become overwhelmed, disheartened or fearful.

“Creating a healthy home is a gradual process that doesn’t require throwing all the furniture out,” she advises. Start by scrutinizing labels and choosing not to bring new toxins in.

For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely found to be associated with reproductive toxicity and is found in many waterproofed and flexible plastics. Select PVC-free toys, shower curtain liners and mattress covers.

In the kitchen, avoid potentially carcinogenic perfluorinated chemicals (PFC) found in nonstick coatings of pots and pans. Toss the Teflon when it scratches, says Snow, and upgrade to stainless steel or cast iron. Weed out bisphenols, the DNA-disrupting chemicals found in plastics and epoxy resin can liners. Even “BPA-free” products likely contain alternative and equally harmful

substances, according to a recent study published in Chemosphere. Choose clear glass instead of plastic containers.

When remodeling, look for zeroVOC items, Miller says, plus materials free of stain-resistant sprays and flame retardants whose efficacy is questionable. Consider natural fiber rugs like jute or wool. Forest Stewardship Council-certified hardwoods or alternative flooring like cork or glass tile are safer investments in long-term well-being.

Clean green. Conventional cleaners are among the worst offenders, and even some “eco-cleaners” can be deceptively unsafe, says Smith. He recommends avoiding antibacterial products containing triclosan, which proliferates antibiotic-resistant bacteria that prolong and exacerbate illnesses, as well as phthalates, a chemical oil that carries artificial aromas and has been repeatedly linked to cancer and abnormal fetal development. “Even so-called natural fragrances are often complex petrochemicals that outgas and contaminate the air,” notes Miller.

Snow advises formulating products at home using staple pantry ingredients, including distilled white vinegar for disinfecting, baking soda for scouring, liquid castile soap for sudsing, lemon juice for degreasing and olive oil for polishing.

Freshen with fresh air. Americans spend about 90 percent of their time amid indoor air pollutants that are

Even small changes can measurably reduce your family’s daily exposure to healthdamaging chemicals. ~Rick Smith significantly more concentrated than outdoor pollutants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports. “Most energy-efficient homes are well sealed with ventilation systems that recirculate indoor air, so opening the windows helps dilute accumulated airborne toxins,” says Miller. Snow further recommends bringing air-purifying plants into the home such as Gerbera daisies, bamboo palms and English ivy.

Vacuum and dust. Vacuuming with a high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter and dusting with a moist cloth eliminates allergens such as pet dander, mites, pollen and mold, and helps remove phthalates, flame retardants, lead and pesticides that “latch onto house dust and accumulate in dust bunnies,” says Smith.

Weed out lawn chemicals. “Organophosphate pesticides are profoundly neurotoxic,” says Miller, especially to the developing brains of children.

Instead try integrated pest management, which involves controlling pests’ food

sources and applying non-toxic deterrents. Eliminating potentially carcinogenic herbicides might mean managing more weeds, says Snow, but it’s worth it.

Eat green. “Buying produce as close to its source as possible, from a farmer or farmers’ market, provides threefold benefits,” says Snow—less wasteful packaging, reduced exposure to chemical plastics and greater concentration of health-promoting nutrients. Buy in bulk and favor glass containers or rectangular cardboard cartons.

Take tests. Radon, an invisible, odorless gas that can emanate from the ground and accumulate in homes, annually causes 21,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths, according to the U.S. EPA. Lead, a neurotoxin that may occasionally leach from home water pipes, can also hide in pre-1978 paint. Testing for both and implementing reduction or precautionary measures is simple, advises Smith. Most hardware stores stock test kits.

Take action. Join with other concerned citizens by launching a pertinent petition at Change.org; campaigning with organizations like the Environmental Working Group (ewg. org) or Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SaferChemicals.org); and supporting cleaner, greener companies with family purchases.

Lane Vail is a freelance writer and blogger at DiscoveringHomemaking.com.

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businessspotlight

Making Healthy Housecleaning Simple and Fun

by Sandra Yeyati

H

ere’s a claim we don’t hear every day: Housecleaning is fun. Mindy MacLaren, a certified aromatherapist and the owner of online store Sweet & Woodsy Aromatherapy, says that when she cleans the house with one of her products, the uplifting aromas and simple, healthy ingredients turn a chore into a pleasant experience. White vinegar, water, essential oils, borax, baking soda, castile soap and washing soda are the only ingredients in MacLaren’s home cleaning line, in stark contrast to commercial products that contain a long list of harmful chemicals.

“You want to avoid heavily scented products, like laundry detergents and plugins, that scent the air,” she advises. “Anything that has perfume is made up of a combination of harmful chemicals. Shower sprays or cleaners where you have to cover your face can’t be good for anybody. They’re irritating and can compromise your health. And I have a hard time with commercial laundry detergents and the smells they leave on clothing because you’re breathing in that synthetic, chemical-based smell all day, which is irritating and distracting and can give you headaches or allergies.”

MacLaren makes her own laundry powder with borax, grated castile soap, baking soda and washing soda. “It’s simple and it works,” she says. Plus, a little goes a long way.

Only one tablespoon is needed per wash. To soften clothes, she adds white vinegar during the rinse cycle. Instead of softener sheets, MacLaren suggests wool dryer balls that help to dry clothes faster and last for years. A few drops of an es-

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sential oil on the balls will lightly scent the clothes.

For floors, windows, kitchen cleanups and bathroom surfaces, MacLaren makes a multipurpose liquid cleaner with one part vinegar, five parts water and about 15 drops of one or more essential oils per ounce of fluid. White vinegar is an important ingredient because it kills 82 percent of mold species, she says, and water helps to extend the active ingredients. The liquid cleaner she sells on her website has a tried and true recipe, but she is always testing out different essential oil blends, taking into account their smells and helpful properties.

According to MacLaren, lemon essential oil is a good degreaser, cuts through dirt and dust and has anti-germ properties, helping to fight colds, boost our immune systems and relieve depression. “It’s nice for the winter months because it brings sunshine into the house,” she says, adding that orange and grapefruit oils offer similar properties and results.

Another essential oil in her arsenal is tea tree, which has a slightly medicinal smell. “For people that like using commercial cleaners, the smell makes you feel like you’re cleaning. It does take a little bit of getting used to, but it has a lot of germkilling power,” she says. Other favorites in her repertoire are lavender, rosemary and peppermint, all of which offer unique aromas and germ-killing properties. For the holidays, MacLaren likes to use a few drops of cinnamon to get in the spirit.

The simplicity of these products is noteworthy. To polish

wood furniture, MacLaren combines olive oil with lemon essential oil, buffing the combination into the wood with a clean paper towel. Her daily shower cleaner, which gets sprayed after every shower, has only two ingredients: vinegar and tea tree oil. Baking soda, combined with a few drops of essential oil and some white vinegar, makes an effective abrasive scrub for cleaning sinks, showers and toilets.

MacLaren cautions that special care should be taken when cleaning areas used by children. Some essential oils, like eucalyptus and peppermint, are too strong for kids 5 and under. “They have certain components that can slow breathing to a dangerously low rate,” she explains. Peppermint can also be problematic for kids that are prone to seizures.

For newborns and infants, MacLaren suggests avoiding essential oils altogether and instead using a hydrosol, which is the water collected when essential oils are distilled. These are very gentle, she says, while still as effective at cleaning items around the nursery.

Similar precautions are needed when there are pets in the house. Essential oils shouldn’t be used on animals under 60 pounds, and not at all on cats, which cannot eliminate these oils, so they build up over time and become toxic to their systems. MacLaren recommends providing plenty of ventilation when cleaning a room with pets, or better yet, keeping the critters out of the room until the oils evaporate. Hydrosols are also a good option.

MacLaren firmly believes in the effectiveness and elegance of these natural products. “Because our parents may have used chemical-laden products, and we are continually exposed to advertising that touts the effectiveness of these items, we may believe that simpler, natural ingredients can’t handle the job, but more and more, we’re seeing that essential oils are strong and effective germ killers that over time, support our bodies and promote our health rather than hinder it.”

wisewords

Healing Journeys

Paul Stutzman Finds Universal Truths on His Treks

by Randy Kambic

P

aul Stutzman was a successful executive with a family restaurant chain and a happy father and husband married for more than 30 years when his wife, Mary, passed away from breast cancer in 2006. Questioning his faith as to why this happened, Stutzman quit his job to hike the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail (AT), advising everyone he encountered, “Don’t take spouses and families for granted.” His book, Hiking Through, recounts this extreme adventure and relates his subsequent thoughts about grief, healing and life.

Stutzman chronicled his second journey, a 5,000-mile-plus crosscountry trek, in Biking Across America. This time, he perceived a “noble, yet humble America that still exists and inspires.” More recently, the author has turned to fiction with The Wanderers and Wandering Home, both enriched with reflections upon the values of his Amish Mennonite upbringing and marriage.

What kept you going?

Early on, I realized how soothing nature was to my grieving soul. Still, there

were times it would have been easy to abandon my journeys and head for the safety of home. The desire to discover if my life held any meaning after such a great loss kept me moving forward. I kept telling myself on both journeys, “If my wife can fight cancer for four years, I can overcome any obstacle I encounter.”

I was determined to write about what I was being taught by nature. I also believed books written by and about someone seeking solace via an incomplete pilgrimage would be cheating the reader.

What do such journeys teach about nature and our response to experiencing it?

I find comfort in nature. I believe the beautiful streams and waterfalls, the grand views from mountaintops and the wildlife were all created for our enjoyment. When we absorb this beauty and wonderment, the stresses in life slowly melt away. Granted, not everyone will be able to do what I did; however, a stroll through a local park, along a beach or in a flower garden can have similar effects.

For more information, call 585-755-5511, email Info@SweetAndWoodsy.com or visit SweetAndWoodsy.com. See ad, page 13.

Sandra Yeyati is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings. natural awakenings

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Did these extended physical endeavors make mental demands that catalyzed unexpected self-growth?

Treks like these into the unknown are physically demanding. With time and effort, one’s body gets into shape for extended hiking and biking. The mental hurdle must be crossed next. You’ll miss home and loved ones. Loneliness will set in. This is where you discover who the real you is. Are you tenacious enough to push through the desire to abandon the pilgrimage or will you succumb to the allure of comfort and safety?

On my journeys, I had to make difficult choices. There is a saying that applies to folks planning to hike the AT end-to-end through 14 states: “If hiking the entire Appalachian Trail isn’t the most important thing in your life, you won’t accomplish it.”

My daughter gave birth to my grandson while I was hiking. Although she asked that I come home for the event, I declined. I kept on hiking because I knew I wouldn’t return to the trail if I went home. I’d spent my lifetime trying to do the right things for my three children, but now had to do what was right for me.

What did you learn about Americans along the way?

I discovered that most Americans are kind, law-abiding citizens. Most are still willing to help a stranger in need.

Unfortunately, I feel we focus too much time and energy on the minority of malcontents.

How have these experiences informed your creative process?

America is a great country. The beauty I’ve witnessed from a bicycle seat and on two feet hiking the mountains is a continual source of inspiration. Many folks are unable to do what I do. My ongoing desire is to describe the images imprinted in my mind in such a way that others can feel as if they are there walking with me.

For more information, visit PaulStutzman.com.

Randy Kambic is an Estero, FL, freelance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings.

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inspiration

Strong Winds Strong Roots What Trees Teach Us About Life

by Dennis Merritt Jones

A

great experiment in the desert called the biodome created a living environment for human, plant and animal life. A huge glass dome was constructed to house an artificial, controlled environment with purified air and water, healthy soil and filtered light. The intent was to afford perfect growing conditions for trees, fruits and vegetables, as well as humans.

People lived in the biodome, for many months at a time, and everything seemed to do well with one exception. When the trees grew to a certain height, they would topple over.

It baffled scientists until they realized they forgot to include the natural element of wind. Trees need wind to blow against them because it causes their root systems to grow deeper, which supports the tree as it grows taller.

Who among us doesn’t long for a perfect growing environment for ourselves, with no disruptions from outside influences?

We strive to avoid the times of contrast and tension, when life’s

daily challenges push against us. When they do, the normal tendency is to curse them. If trees could talk, would we hear them curse the wind each time they encountered a storm?

We can learn a great deal from nature’s wisdom at work if we are open to the lesson. Watch how a tree bends and sways gracefully when the wind blows against it. It does not stand rigid, resisting the flow of energy. It does not push back. The tree accepts the strong wind as a blessing that helps it grow.

Such experiences develop our character and deepen our spiritual roots. When we grow deep, we too, stand tall.

Dennis Merritt Jones, D.D., is the author of Your Re-Defining Moments, The Art of Uncertainty and The Art of Being, the source of this essay. He has contributed to the human potential movement and field of spirituality as a minister, teacher, coach and lecturer for 30 years. Learn more at DennisMerrittJones.com.

WOMEN LEAD THE WAY

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Women’s Health Issue Focusing on Breast Health & Natural Birth

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April 2015

17

Nature’s Wisdom Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us

by Christine MacDonald

The environment is not separate from ourselves; we are inside it and it is inside us; we make it and it makes us. ~ Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, Amazon shaman

W

hile the idea that we humans stand apart from—or even above—nature is a prevailing theme in much of modern civilization, naturalists and other clever souls throughout the ages have observed that the opposite is true: We are part of, depend on and evolve with nature— and we ignore this vital connection at our peril.

“If one way is better than another, that you may be sure is nature’s way,” admonished the Greek philosopher Aristotle, in the third century B.C.E.

“Time destroys the speculation of men, but it confirms the judgment of nature,” Roman politician and philosopher Cicero ruminated two centuries later.

Nobel Prize-winning physicist and philosopher Albert Einstein remarked, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

Today, more of us are looking to nature for ways to improve physical, mental and emotional health, develop 18

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intelligence, innovate, overhaul how we build homes and neighborhoods, and raise our children.

Healthful Nature

As Henry David Thoreau wrote in his classic 1854 book Walden, “We need the tonic of wildness.”

While we know firsthand how walking in the woods can elevate mood, scientists have documented that a regular dose of nature has other far-reaching benefits. It can lower stress hormone levels, blood pressure and undesirable cholesterol; help heal neurological problems; hasten fuller recovery from surgery and heart attacks; increase cancer-fighting white blood cells; and generally aid overall health (Health Promotion International research report; also Nippon Medical School study, Tokyo).

Regular playtime outdoors helps children cope with hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders, accord-

RochesterAwakenings.com

ing to research published in Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care.

Exposure to nature can help adults escape from today’s wired lives; reinvigorate, be fitter and less likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes and heart disease, as reported in studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and a University of Washington research summary. It can also unlock understanding of the spiritual essence of life.

Hours regularly spent by youth outdoors stimulate imagination and creativity and enhance cognitive development, helping them learn.

Nature also helps youngsters develop social awareness, helping them better navigate human relations (Tinyurl.com/ OutdoorHealthBenefits Research).

“It’s strange and kind of sad that we are so removed from nature that we actually have to ask why nature is good for us,” says Dr. Eva Selhub, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, author of the new book Your Health Destiny, and co-author of Your Brain on Nature. “The fact is our brains and bodies are wired in concert with nature.”

Recognition of nature’s positive effects has grown so much in recent years that physicians increasingly write their patients “prescriptions” to go hiking in the woods, counting on the healthy exercise and exposure to sunlight, nature and soothing views to address health problems stemming from poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. Healthcare clinics and hospitals in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Indianapolis, Albuquerque, New Mexico, California’s Bay Area and elsewhere have launched Prescription Trails programs aimed at objectives from preventing obesity in children to healthful activities for retirees (Tinyurl. com/AmericanHealthTrails).

Bestselling author Richard Louv calls the positive nature effect “vitamin N” in The Nature Principle. He contends: “Many of us, without having a name for it, are using the nature tonic.

We are, in essence, self-medicating with an inexpensive and unusually convenient drug substitute.”

Such ideas are commonly accepted in many cultures. The Japanese believe in the restorative power of shinrin-yoku, which could be translated as “forest medicine” or “forest bathing”. Indigenous peoples like the Brazilian tribe led by Shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, fighting to preserve their land and way of life in the Amazon, profess to be at one with the innate riches of sustainable rainforests (SurvivalInternational.org/parks).

Innovative Nature

Scientists, inventors and other innovators are increasingly inspired by nature.

Biomimicry, part social movement and part burgeoning industry, looks to how Earth’s natural systems work and solve problems. University of Utah researchers, inspired by the durable homes built by sandcastle worms, are creating a synthetic glue that one day could help repair fractured bones. Architectural components manufacturer Panelite makes energy-efficient insulated glass by mimicking the hexagonal structure that bees use in honeycombs. (Find other precedents at Tinyurl.com/ BiomimicryCaseExamples).

The inspiration for biomimicry comes from many places, says Dayna Baumeister, Ph.D. co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8, a Missoula, Montana, company working with other companies and universities to propel biomimicry into the mainstream.

“People are recognizing that they’ve been disconnected to the natural world,” she says. “We also realize that [as a species] we are in trouble.

We don’t have all the answers, but we can look to other species for inspira-

Scientific studies show that a regular dose of nature has far-reaching health benefits. More doctors now write “nature” prescriptions for their patients. tion” for clearing pollutants from our bodies and environments.

Plants and fungi are now commonly used to clean up old industrial sites that resemble nature’s way of removing pollutants from water and soil. A University of California, Berkeley, meta-study confirms that farmers currently using organic farming methods and solar power achieve roughly the same crop yields as conventional techniques with far less dependence on fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gases and petrochemical pesticide and fertilizer pollution.

Cyclical Nature

These breakthrough technologies emulate the way nature uses the building blocks of life in an endless cycle of birth, reproduction, decay and rebirth.

It’s part of a broad rethinking of the principles behind sustainability— building, manufacturing and living in greater harmony with natural systems, perhaps eventually eliminating landfills, air and water pollution, and toxic site cleanups.

“A toxin is a material in the wrong place,” says architect William McDonough, of Charlottesville, Virginia.

The only individual recipient of the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development, he is co-author of Cradleto-Cradle, a groundbreaking book that calls for re-envisioning even the nastiest waste, and The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability—Designing for Abundance.

McDonough imagines a world where waste becomes raw material for new buildings, furniture and other goods— akin to how a forest reuses every deceased tree and animal to nourish the ecosystem and spawn new life.

With 80 percent of U.S. residents currently living in urban areas, architects, builders and municipal planners are likewise pivoting toward nature, prompted by the scientific evidence of the many ways that human health and general well-being rely upon it. While this contact is preferably the kind of “stopping by woods” that inspired New England poet Robert Frost, even a walk in a city park will work.

“Urban nature, when provided as parks and walkways and incorporated into building design, provides calming and inspiring environments and encourages learning, inquisitiveness and alertness,” reports the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, in Green Cities: Good Health.

The American Planning Association stresses the importance of integrating green space into urban neighborhoods. Not only does so-called “metro nature” improve air and water quality and reduce urban heat island effects, urban wilds such as Pittsburgh’s Nine Mile Run and Charlotte, North Carolina’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway also restore natural connections in densely populated city centers.

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Man is everywhere a disturbing agent. Wherever he plants his foot, the harmonies of nature are turned to discord. The proportions and accommodations that ensured the stability of existing arrangements are overthrown. Of all organic beings, man alone is to be regarded as essentially a destructive power. ~George Perkins Marsh, Man and Nature (1864)

Natural Intelligence

A growing number of scientists say that research about our place in nature has sparked fresh thinking about our role and devastated quaint notions about our species’ superiority. “Single-celled slime molds solve mazes. Brainless plants make correct decisions and bees with brains the size of pinheads handle abstract concepts,” points out Anthropologist Jeremy Narby, author of the groundbreaking book Intelligence in Nature.

At a national conference of Bioneers, an organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Francisco that gathers nature-minded social and scientific innovators, Narby said: “We are nearly identical to many animals.

Many behaviors once thought to be exclusively human are shared by other species. The zone of the specifically human, as determined by science, has been shrinking.”

We haven’t lost the ability to tap that primal animal inside, even if most of us are more likely to “venture into the forest” by watching a movie or playing video games. We may feel cut off from our instincts, but studies show time in the woods can do wonders to restore the keenness of our senses to

connect with the subtle changes in natural habitat, the movements of other species and the changing seasons.

The rise of human civilizations may have taken “survival of the fittest” in new directions, often decidedly tamer ones, but experts ranging from scientific researchers to lifestyle analysts say humankind is still hardwired by our more primitive past. Despite the ingenious ways we’ve devised to exploit other life forms, capitalize on Earth’s resources and protect ourselves from nature’s sometimes terrifying power, our fate remains linked to natural laws and limits, from nurturing our body’s immune system to resolving planet-sized problems like climate change. “‘Nature’ is our natural environment,” according to Selhub. We don’t have to move to the country to reconnect, she says. “Even spending 20 minutes a day outside has an effect.”

Houseplants, nature photos and aromatherapy Earth scents can also help indoor environments better reflect our own nature.

The wealth of research and common sense wisdom is aptly summed up by celebrated author Wendell Berry in The Long-Legged House. “We have

True-Life ‘Aha!’ Reads 10 Lessons from Nature to Inspire Our Everyday Lives

by David Miller, Tinyurl.com/10InspiringLessons FromNature 9 Amazing Lessons from Nature to Inspire Your Everyday Life

by Annie Hauser, Tinyurl.com/9InspiringLessons FromNature Intelligence in Nature

by Jeremy Narby Life Lessons from Nature

by Elvis Newman Cathedrals of the Spirit

by T. C. McLuhan Your Brain on Nature

by Eva Selhub lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong.

We must change our lives so that it’ll be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.”

Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., whose specialties include health and science.

Visit ChristineMacDonald.info.

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Mindfulness in the Natural World Restores Balance

by Jen Brunett

N

ature can hold powerful messages and meditation opportunities. By taking time to observe the environment in which we are immersed, we can obtain the muchneeded balance to help us reduce the experience of stress and appreciate life.

Despite Mother Nature’s surprises and seasonal changes, it is still easy to let the natural world become a backdrop. The everyday stresses of having a career and family and the momentum of routine can make it hard to slow down. Yet in the time it takes to turn one’s head, relaxation can be found in the most unexpected places, such as looking out the window and taking a deep, cleansing breath.

By focusing on what is going on outside, even if the natural world is just the office parking lot, the hustle of the day is temporarily forgotten. To truly observe nature, such as following a snowflake as it drifts effortlessly to the ground or watching people as they scurry to their destinations, allows the focus to shift, creating a sense of balance.

When a daily mindful practice of observing nature and being present with the outside environment is achieved, changes once ignored are witnessed over time. A new spring crocus may pop up, people’s routines may become familiar, or mysterious animal tracks may appear on the ground—all sparking an innate curiosity. The stillness of a moment of solitude and observation can give the mind time to rest and the heart time to open, often triggering the answers to lingering questions.

Through nature, we are part of a greater whole, connected by the environment in which we exist. The natural world is unique and full of opportunity. By stopping to observe the seasons with their endless rhythm of birth and rebirth, we can harmonize with nature’s cycles, experience less stress and become centered.

Jen Brunett is a Reiki Master and intuitive and the author of Finding Your Spirit: A Mom’s Guide to the Universe, published October 2014. Connect at JenBrunett.com.

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healthykids

EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change

by Avery Mack

100 years. The international team of ecologists and economists led by Boris Worm, Ph.D., of Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, predict total saltwater fish extinction by 2048 due to overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and climate change. Rising ocean acidity due to absorption of increasing carbon dioxide and other emissions from burning fossil fuels impacts creatures large and small, like dissolving the shell of the tiny sea butterfly, a vital link in the ocean’s food chain.

Americans currently consume 4.5 billion pounds of seafood each year.

On Land

“Each species was put here for a reason. We are the caretakers.” ~a youth at a climate rally

T

his month, Home globe is warmer We only have than “The Box Office (HBO), it has been in the last in collaboration with one home. If we 100 years,” says climate New York City’s American scientist Jennifer Francis, Museum of Natural History, mess this one up, Ph.D., of Rutgers Univerwill air the new documenwhere do we sity, in New Jersey. “Any tary, Saving My Tomorrow. wisps of doubt that human go next?

Scientists representing activities are at fault are the museum discuss how ~Hippocrates, age 8 now gone with the wind.” temperature change affects At Sea life on Planet Earth, but the “We do more damage to the planet majority of voices are those of children. than we think.”

Their words cry out for universal action ~Peri, age 9 to prevent them from inheriting what they believe is a dying planet in desperIn the same 100 years, sea levels have ate need of healing. risen seven inches, mostly due to expansion as the water warms. “We have In the Atmosphere over 2 million preserved fish in our col“We need to know the truth, because lection. We study them to see the effect adults clearly aren’t doing enough to of temperature change,” says Melanie stop this.”

Stiassny, Ph.D., curator of ichthyology ~Zoe, age 12 at the museum. “The mummichog fish The National Oceanic and Atmospheric is less than an inch long. It’s a bottom Administration and NASA recently anfeeder and that’s where pollution like nounced that last year was the hottest mercury lies. When the water is warm, in 135 years of recordkeeping, with fish eat more and mercury is stored in rising ocean temperatures driving the their bodies.” The contaminants move global heat index. up the food chain, bringing the effects

Nine of the 10 hottest years have oc- of pollution to our dinner table. curred since 2000. The odds of this taking A 2006 study by Nicola Beaumont, place randomly are about 650 million to Ph.D., with the Plymouth Marine Labo1, especially without an El Nino influratory UK, found that 29 percent of the ence, according to University of South oceans’ edible fish and seafood species Carolina statistician John Grego. have declined by 90 percent in the past 22

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Scientists look back to look ahead.

Henry David Thoreau fell in love with the wilderness around Concord, Massachusetts, 160 years ago. From his renowned journals, scientists know when flowers like the pink lady slipper (Cypripedium acaule), bird’s-foot violets (Viola pedata) or golden ragworts (Packera aurea) used to bloom. Today, with temperatures six degrees Fahrenheit warmer than in Thoreau’s time, these species now bloom two weeks earlier. The Canada lily (Lilium canadense), plentiful before, is now rare, unable to adapt to the new reality.

Paul Sweet, collections manager of the museum’s ornithology department, studies “skins” (stuffed birds). He says, “The skins show us how birds lived years ago.” In just the past 100 years, bird species that have gone extinct range from the ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) to the onceabundant passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) and Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis).

In Colorado, 70 percent of the lodgepole pines have been lost, with pines in other states also in trouble.

Pine beetles feed on the pines. Historically, winter brings death to both the beetles and weakened trees, which fall to feed a renewed forest. Due to warmer temperatures, the beetles are living longer and migrating to higher altitudes to kill more trees. Forest fires follow the dry timber line.

All Are Needed

“I don’t have time to grow up before becoming an activist.” ~Ta’Kaiya, age 12 “Get your parents involved.” ~Teakahla, age 11 Children are more informed now than ever before. Schools offer classes on ecology, the environment, global warming and climate change. Disasters are instant news, constantly streaming through digital media. Kids are aware that they need adults to work with them to keep Earth habitable.

HBO will air all four parts of Saving My Tomorrow starting Apr. 22. Check local listings—and watch as a family.

See Tinyurl.com/SavingMyTomorrow.

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

Forward Good Change Today ✔ Reuse more, buy less. Less trash equals less pollution. ✔ Bike or walk, instead of driving.

Don’t use the car at least one day a week. Less use of fossil fuels equals less drilling, fracking and oil spills. ✔ Substitute a planet-healing activity for the usual after school program. Replace lawns with native plants, which need less water and no mowing. Email manufacturers to urge them to use less packaging and plastic, auto makers to produce more fuel-efficient cars, grocery stores to carry more locally sourced foods and ban plastic bags, and government agencies to improve pollution control measures. ✔ When eating meat, make sure the animals were humanely and locally

raised, not factory farmed. ✔ For fish, factory farmed is preferred when farmers are vetted by watchdog agencies for being devoid of disease, pollution and heavy metals; clean fish are especially rare among international providers. Learn more at Tinyurl.com/ SustainableFishFarming. ✔ Support wildlife. Help hatchling sea turtles make their way to the sea.

Predators and man are the biggest threats—only one in 1,000 hatchlings reach adulthood. Plant milkweed to feed monarch butterflies. Use natural insect repellants like basil or marigolds instead of killer sprays. ✔ Speak out and speak up. Search c2es.org/science-impacts/basics/kids for event ideas and resources.

Mothers Out Front

Gives Rochester Women a Voice

by Hilarie Mae Dahl

F

ounded in 2012, Mothers Out Front (MOF) provides women in all walks of life an opportunity to unite around creating political change for a livable climate. Meeting in their homes, the founding members were propelled to action when they recognized that data about climate change was not moving citizens to action.

Even now, women are invited to one another’s homes to discuss climate change in a safe environment, hear presentations and get more involved in events and political action.

MOF came to Rochester in 2014 with the goal of establishing a membership base and creating innovative, effective ways to involve women and give them a voice in politics. The organization has grown to include a core group of people working on a statewide strategy supported by local community groups.

The organization’s long-term

goals are varied and ambitious. On March 1, the Rochester chapter of MOF held a Narrative Workshop, designed to teach participants how to tell the story of the organization as well as their personal stories regarding climate change.

Another March event focused on educating the community about the environmental risks posed by oil trains. In April, MOF is hosting an event for Earth Week.

Future plans include petition campaigns, the formation of a taskforce on the oil train issue, and hosting other events and rallies. All community activities are designed to bring about political changes that create systemic shifts.

According to MOF member

Hughes-Smith, the organization focuses on a female membership because it seeks to help women create their own avenues of political change. This means empowering women with the information they need to make small, individual changes in their home and family and to take on larger political involvement, like petitioning and talking with politicians. MOF emphasizes the necessity of all forms of activism rather than favoring one method over another. At its core, MOF believes that women are powerful when they unite for a cause and that everyone must work together to create change.

For more information, visit MothersOutFront.org.

Hilarie Mae Dahl is an energy therapist, equine energy therapist and bodyworker. Connect at Hilarie@ HartsLocalGrocers.com. natural awakenings

April 2015

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photo courtesy of Jean Maclean

naturalpet

Dogs with Library Cards Kids Love Reading to Animals

by Sandra Murphy

The goal of Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ), launched in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1999 as part of Intermountain Therapy Animals, is to improve children’s literacy skills with the mentoring help of certified therapy teams. Its reach has spread through library programs across the U.S. and Canada and internationally, with other therapy groups following suit.

D

“

octors told the parents of an 11-year-old autistic son that he would never read… so quit trying to teach him,” says Suzanne Vening, an organic farmer in Jackson, Mississippi.

“The doctor didn’t count on Adam, my Australian shepherd.” Abused and abandoned before being adopted by Vening, she had trained him for therapy work.

Vening knew nothing about autistic or learning-disabled children, but she knew Adam could work miracles. The boy made eye contact with Adam during his library visit and read a few words. His parents were overjoyed as his reading continued to improve. “It’s hard to include children with special needs in many family activities,” Vening says. “A library is a place the whole family can enjoy.”

She advises, “Designate a safe corner where a child can escape if feeling overwhelmed. After entering the room,

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handlers should sit on the floor with the dog lying beside them. A standing dog can cause too much excitement. It’s important to trust that your therapy dog will know how to approach a child that’s afraid, has tremors or can’t sit up or sit still.”

“An animal’s heartbeat seems to call to kids,” observes Rachael Barrera, a children’s librarian at Brook Hollow Public Library, in San Antonio, Texas.

“Dogs have come here once a week for more than a year. Now older kids that are comfortable with the reading program are showing younger ones how to choose a book.”

At California’s Benicia Public Library, kids read to Honey, a friendly brown dog, on Wednesday afternoons.

Sheila Jordan, managing editor and owner of Booklandia, founded in Bend, Oregon, says her 8-year-old, Chase, found it difficult to concentrate because

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of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). “The Tales and Tails program was a big help. All summer, we went every week and chose books he said the dog would love.” Jordan’s reward was a more focused child; Chase’s reward was a dog of his own last fall.

North Carolina’s Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers 14,000 free programs a year throughout its 20 locations, including Paws to Read. Librarian Cathy Cartledge, reading program coordinator for the Morrison Regional branch, shares this story from Jaylee’s mom, Jill.

“Jaylee was tutored in reading for a year. After she also began reading to Zoey, a great Pyrenees, or Hunter, a golden retriever, I saw improvement in fluency, confidence and enjoyment.

It worked miracles compared with the hours and money spent for tutoring,” her mom remarks.

The Mount Prospect Library, near Chicago, has an age requirement for its Tales to Tails program. “Rachael, 8, will hardly put a book down now,” says her mom, Nicole Sasanuma, a senior associate with Business Communications & Advocacy, in Northbrook, Illinois. “Her sister, Emi, 6, is anxious for her next birthday so she ‘can read to doggies,’ too.”

Reading programs aren’t limited to libraries or schools. Jean Maclean, of Lompoc, California, trains her two dogs in agility and rally skills. For a change of pace, they visit the Chumash Learning Center, in Santa Ynez, once a month. The Chumash people value education from both its elders and teachers outside the tribe. Maclean relates that Donny, age 11, was afraid of dogs until he met hers, after which his teachers saw his reading improve three levels in one semester.

Animals help kids relax and become teachers to the dogs. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have found that reading skills for kids that read to dogs during a 10-week literacy program improved by 12 percent.

Children in the same program that didn’t do the same showed no improvement.

Dogs and other pets prove that reading out loud doesn’t have to be scary. All it takes is a good book and a good listener.

Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.

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fitbody

MASTERING THE FORCE

The Martial Arts Hold Deep Inner Lessons

by Eric Stevens

F

ew words are as oddly coupled as martial and arts. The first means “relating to war and soldiers,” while the second means “something that is created with imagination and skill, and is beautiful or expresses important ideas or feelings.” All martial arts represent a paradox of push and pull, yin and yang, external and internal.

Their practice represents the blending of our physical lives in harmony with our emotional makeup, allowing our external activity to mirror our internal being. Seldom is the fusion of body, mind and spirit easily achieved with one activity, but martial arts are an exception, because they focus equally on internal and external well-being. Here are five key life lessons that martial arts can teach us.

Learn how to breathe. True connection with our breath permeates an artist’s realm. A vocalist must reach deep within the diaphragm to sing proficiently and a dancer must learn to time their breath while performing. A martial artist learns to control breath with stillness and speed, like juxtaposing yoga with intense contact sports. Breathing properly makes the practitioner a better martial

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artist and a healthier one. According to a study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, hypertensive qigong program participants were able to both lower their blood pressure after 10 weeks and increase their oxygen uptake by 20 percent.

Avoid conflict by developing character. While it may seem counterintuitive that learning how to fight could avoid conflict, it’s an essential part of martial arts. The philosopher Lao Tzu said the best fighter is never angry. The martial arts are primarily about discipline, heightened awareness and honing an ability to face our own internal conflicts. Several studies corroborate that practicing martial arts produces positive behavioral changes. For instance, according to a study published in the Journal of Adolescence, participating students in the martial arts were characterized as being less impulsive and less aggressive.

Connect the external (body movement) with the internal (energy movement). The energetic force that catalyzes expressive kicks, punches, blocks and other outward forms is as essential as the movements themselves. In Chinese

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martial arts, that force is referred to as qi, the life energy that intrinsically unites body, mind and spirit.

Be both an artist and athlete. Artistry and athleticism need not be divergent forces. The martial artist combines the grace of a creator and skill of a warrior, and watching a martial arts competition can be as riveting as watching a ballet or sports event. Most of us may not be talented artists or natural athletes, yet all students can learn how to integrate both worlds by blending physicality with stillness and expression through action.

Let go of ego, find mental clarity and access the present moment.

Jirōkichi Yamada, a master of Japanese kenjutsu, said, “The way of the sword and the way of Zen are identical, for they have the same purpose; that of killing the ego.” The focus of all true martial arts is the process, not the outcome. Whatever the style of execution, preparatory practice and meditative application, they all require the discipline of being purely present. Gaining such clarity requires grappling more with ego than with opponents; the real battle of a martial artist is waged within.

Bruce Lee, the film star who revolutionized Western awareness of martial arts and founded jeet kune do, realized that martial arts’ transcendent philosophy gives us many lessons to draw upon.

He suggested, “Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.”

Eric Stevens has been a fitness professional and martial arts coach for 15 years. He writes about related topics from Denver, Colorado. Connect at EricChristopherStevens@gmail.com.

communityspotlight

Celebrated Climate Change Scientist to Address Rochester Sierra Club

by Sandra Yeyati

F

Ne Sh w op W ly U Ou eb pg r Sto rad re ed

or the past 16 years, the Rochester governments and even the world’s civilizaRegional Group of the Sierra Club tion,” Debes explains, adding that such dire (RSC) has hosted a public forum with predictions should not lead us to believe expert speakers to discuss the most pressthat there is no hope for the future. “Econoing conservation issues of the day, but this mists have studied how we can transition year is a little different. At 6:30 p.m., April away from the system that we have and into 21, an environmental rock star will take the renewable energy by 2030. It’s entirely posstage. In the field of global warming, it is no sible without causing a big impact in our exaggeration to compare Dr. James Hansen’s economy—without causing mass dislocaappearance to a Rolling Stones concert. It’s tions, mass layoffs of people or any of that,” big, and it’s exciting. he explains.

Hansen was one of the first high-level Armed with hard science and an scientists to ring the climate change alarm understanding of the potentially devastatwhen he testified before Congress in 1988, ing effects of climate change, Hansen has James Hansen asserting that the buildup of carbon dioxide done something most scientists avoid: He and other human-produced gases in the stepped out of the lab and into the fray atmosphere was causing a dangerous warming trend. He was of activism, getting arrested several times in the process. He the head of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies at advocates the abolishment of mountaintop removal for coal the time, a position he held from 1981 to 2013. Currently, he extraction and heavily criticizes the use of coal, calling it the directs the Program on Climate Science, Awareness and Soluworst carbon dioxide producer. “He’s very clear about the tions, at Columbia University’s Earth Institute. need to get away from fossil fuels as a critical part of mitigat“Hansen’s early work developing atmospheric models ing climate change,” Debes asserts. that allow us to more accurately predict how various factors In his 2009 book, Storms of My Grandchildren, and his affect climate is pretty fundamental to the debate we are hav2012 TED talk, Why I Must Speak Out About Climate Change, ing to this day,” says Peter Debes, chair of the RSC. According Hansen says that his grandchildren inspire him to fight for their to NASA, 97 percent of all climate scientists now agree that future. “I resonate to that because I have five grandchildren,” warming trends are likely due to human activities, in particuDebes says. “When I see their love of life, their joy and the lar, the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. curiosity they have about the natural world, and I think about The predicted effects of global warming if we do nothing the accelerating rate of species going extinct and the changes to abate it are dramatic. “Certain parts of the Earth can bethat are causing the destruction of habitats around the world, come uninhabitable, food production may go way down, there I feel so sad for them. I want them to live a happy life and see may be widespread famines, which can lead to breakdowns of the wonders of life that I’ve gotten to enjoy.”

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natural awakenings

April 2015

27

We hope to energize people to get together and express their outrage and cause the changes in legislation that lead to changes in our society. ~Peter Debes Hansen’s presentation on April 21, Climate, Energy and Intergenerational Justice, aims to explain the science behind climate change predictions and to offer steps that people can take to address the problem. “I think he will probably encourage them to join grassroots organizations, like the Citizens Climate Lobby, to raise the voice of the people,” Debes says. “We hope to energize people to get together and express their outrage and cause the changes in legislation that lead to changes in our society. Many people are already doing it on their own. Some have put up solar panels at great expense to themselves, for example. They’re doing it because they believe in it. So, I think we have the settings for a good groundswell, and now we have to develop the groundswell where it creates the necessary legislative and behavioral changes.”

We can learn from Hansen’s example, as both a scientist and a man, Debes says. “It goes to where his heart is—there’s his profound concern for the Earth and the diversity of life that has developed, as well as a fascination with our ability to study and understand things through science and to ensure that there’s going to be a world that won’t be a disaster for our grandchildren to live in. His life would have been easier if he had not become an activist. For him, taking a harder road is worth it. This is a very worthwhile sacrifice to make for your grandchildren and for yourself. He’s leading by example.”

Admission is free, and the public is invited. Location: Monroe Community College Theater, Bldg. 4, 1000 E. Henrietta Rd. For more information, call 585-234-1056, email SierraClubForum@ gmail.com or visit NewYork.SierraClub. org/Rochester.

Sandra Yeyati is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings.

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RochesterAwakenings.com

healthykids

natural awakenings

April 2015

29

Healthy Choices at Every Step

calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please. Or visit RochesterAwakenings.com to submit online.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 DIY Spring Grass Pots – 7:15pm. Plant a bed of edible wheat grass in a terracot pot, decorated to your style, using natural materials and other spring-inspired adorations. For consumption and/ or decoration. $12/preregister; $15/at the door. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester. 585-270-5927.

YogaDrishTi.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3 Kids’ Movie Night – 7pm. Bring the kids to enjoy the original 1972 version of The Lorax. Event includes free popcorn, Zevia soda samples and open discussion. Lori’s Natural Foods Center, 900 Jefferson Rd, Rochester. 585-424-2323. LorisNatural.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4 Family Yoga Pajama Party – 6:30-8pm. Wear funky pajamas and rock out while laughing through yoga poses, games, music and breathing. Bring the whole family, ages 4 and up. $12/person ahead of time; $15/person at the door. Beyond Center for Yoga, 67 Main St, 3rd floor, Brockport. 585-4660239. Beyond2Yoga.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 6 Fun with Bulk Foods – Enjoy free samples and make your own trail mix. Lori’s Natural Foods Center, 900 Jefferson Rd, Rochester. 585-424-2323.

LorisNatural.com.

savethedate WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

Advertise in

Natural Awakenings’ May Women’s Health Issue To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

585-298-9294 30

Rochester, NY

Concepts of the Conscious Mind – 7-8:30pm.

This class describes various enlightened topics such as ego vs. soul, authentic self, inner voice, personal vibration, intention, manifestation and energy. Free. Awakenings, 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport. 585-615-6427. Spiritual-Awakenings.org.

samples, coupons and a chance to see Lori’s new pet food lineup. Lori’s Natural Foods Center, 900 Jefferson Rd, Rochester. 585-424-2323. LorisNatural.com.

Rochester School for the Deaf Alumni Weekend – April 11-12. Events and activities are planned on the RSD campus and Diplomat Banquet Center in Rochester. Visit website for more info. Rochester School for the Deaf, 1545 St Paul St, Rochester.

585-544-1240. RSDeaf.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12 Raindrop Class – 1-5pm. Learn how to keep family healthy and add a new service to your massage business. Raindrop therapy is a combination of Vita Flex and therapeutic oils that are dropped onto the spine to improve circulation to the entire body and detoxify and boost the immune system. $177. Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-787-6954.

HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 13 Intro to Fermentation – 6-7pm. Free lecture by Jesse Horning and Christine Brogan-Huber. Lori’s Natural Foods Center, 900 Jefferson Rd, Rochester.

585-424-2323. LorisNatural.com.

Finding Your Inner Voice with Mantras – 6:308:30pm. Learn why mantras work and how to develop one uniquely yours with Leslee Schenk Tyzcinski. Also learn how posture and breath impact mantra effectiveness and goal achievement.

Christ Episcopal Church, 36 S Main St, Pittsford.

HolisticMoms.org. HolisticMomsRoc@gmail.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14 Weight-Management/Wellness Info Session – 7-8pm. Family nurse practitioner and nutrition consultant join forces to provide the ultimate weightmanagement and wellness program tailored to the individual. Free; call to reserve a seat. Old Church Mall, 75 W Main St, 2nd flr, Webster. 800-6640613x1. SurvivingNaturally.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15

Finding Your Center through Stress Management – 7-8pm. Managing stress is about taking charge and taking responsibility of thoughts, emotions, schedule and the way problems are handled. Some topics covered in class are the impact of stress on health, breathing techniques, meditation, time management, diet, exercise and emotional health. $60/five sessions, Thurs, April 9-May 7. Our Natural Essence, 2349 Monroe Ave, 2nd flr, Rochester. 585-546-3063.

SeniorQigong.com.

DIY Crochet Produce Bag – 7:15pm. Create an easy crocheted produce bag. Includes tutorial, guidance and supplies. No experience necessary. $10/preregister, $15/day of event. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester. 585-270-5927. YogaDrishTi.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 Health Awareness – Noon-1:30pm. Learn about better nutrition, listening to the body and how to feel better and live longer. Also taste some samples. Call or email to RSVP. LA Shear Designs, 1726 Long Pond Rd, Ste 1, Rochester. 585-426-5944. LAShearDesigns.com. Linda@LAShearDesigns.com.

Pet Party – 12-5pm. Pet gift basket raffles, free

RochesterAwakenings.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 16 Rosacea Awareness – 6:30-7:30pm. April is Rosacea Awareness Month. Learn more about this skin disorder, including facial treatments and skincare that can help. Call or email to RSVP. LA Shear Designs, 1726 Long Pond Rd, Ste 1, Rochester.

585-426-5944. LAShearDesigns.com. Linda@ LAShearDesigns.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18 Earth Week Climate Change Events – The Rochester People’s Climate Coalition is co-sponsoring a

week of Earth Day events from April 18 to 26. All events will focus on some aspect of climate change, from the basic science to solutions. See the full list of events at PeoplesClimate.org/WesternNY. Conscious Healing – 10:30am-Noon. This conversational style class helps break through unwanted behavioral patterns and emotions by exploring them through the perspective of the conscious spirit.

Five-week course held Sat from April 18-May 16. $55. Awakenings, 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport. 585615-6427. Spiritual-Awakenings.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 Manifest, Creating the Life You Really Want – Noon-1pm. This class outlines the concepts that are crucial to manifesting our goals and turning dreams into reality. Call to register. $10. Awakenings, 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport. 585-615-6427.

Spiritual-Awakenings.org.

savethedate WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 Impact Your Health – 4-7:30pm. Explore our open house featuring fitness opportunities, wedding services, massage services, aromatherapy, essential oils, wellness consultations, specials on wellness packages and more. RSVP by April 21 to receive a CPTG essential oil sample. Nurturing Hands Massage and Wellness Center, 640 Kreag Rd, Ste 202, Pittsford. 585-797-4660.

WildOrange.eventbrite.com.

Why Are Allergies on the Rise? – 7-8pm. Why are more and more of us developing allergies to gluten,

Talking with Kids about Climate Change – 3-5pm. A panel presentation and small group discussion, sponsored by Mothers Out Front. First Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Rd, Rochester.

585-730-6468. PeoplesClimate.org/WesternNY. Mofnycot1@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23 Beauty Products, a Natural Approach – 6:307:30pm. What goes on the body is what goes in the body. Learn natural ways to look and feel beautiful.

Make beauty products with essential oils. Call or email to RSVP. $10. LA Shear Designs, 1726 Long Pond Rd, Ste 1, Rochester. 585-426-5944. LAShearDesigns. com. Linda@LAShearDesigns.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 27 Arm Knitting for Grades 6-12 – 1:30-2:30pm.

Need something new to do on days off of school?

Make an infinity scarf with yarn and your arm. Yarn will be supplied, but students may also bring their own. Free; call to register. Pittsford Community Library, 24 State St, Pittsford. 585-248-6275.

Climate Activism 101 – 7-9pm. Event includes a short presentation and panel discussion with local climate activists. Sponsored by the Rochester People’s Climate Coalition and Rochester Climate Action. Christ Church, 141 East Ave, Rochester.

585-730-6468. PeoplesClimate.org/WesternNY.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 DIY Seed Spring Bloom – 7:15pm. Get a head start on the blooming season indoors. Plant various organic seeds, both edible and decorative, in newspaper containers that can be placed right into the ground when ready. Supplies included. $10. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester. 585-270-5927.

YogaDrishTi.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24 Sample Fest – 10am-6pm, April 24 & 25. As part of Lori’s Natural Foods Center’s month-long health celebration, come try samples from over 40 vendors.

Includes chances to win door prizes and receipt raffle. Lori’s Natural Foods Center, 900 Jefferson Rd, Rochester. 585-424-2323. LorisNatural.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30 Reconnective Healing – 6:30-7:30pm.

Free talk with Monica Manni. ROC City We l l n e s s , 1 5 9 8 P e n f i e l d R d , P e n f i e l d .

LightAndInformationMedicine.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 26 Eu-Reek-A… Yoga – 1-3pm. Who knew that smell can elevate yogasana practice? Explore the use of essential oils to elevate yoga practice in this workshop. Specific oils and fun techniques will be

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implanted into a yoga sequence developed to align with nature. $20/preregister, $25/day of event. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester. 585-270-5927.

YogaDrishTi.com.

peanuts, dairy and other foods? Allergist Dr. Theresa Bingemann will discuss the identification, diagnosis and assessment of allergies and the theories behind why allergies are on the rise. Free; call to register.

Pittsford Community Library, 24 State St, Pittsford.

585-248-6275.

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April 2015

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ongoingevents

wednesday

Prince St, Rochester. 585-271-4548. Cobblestone.org.

sunday Yoga for Athletes – 9-10am. This heated athletic yoga class is designed to burn calories while improving strength, agility and flexibility. Real Life Food and Fitness, 1290 University Ave, Ste C, Rochester.

585-441-9441. RealLifeFoodAndFitness.com.

Couple’s Floatation Therapy – 9:30am-7:30pm.

Discover the healing power of zero-G in the only couple’s float tank in New York. Available every day of the week, except Mondays. Bodymind Float Center, 622 Park Ave, Rochester. 585-413-0616.

BodymindFloatCenter.com.

Adorn-Asana Yoga – 10:30am-Noon. This deeply rooted and adorned practice with essential oils, rose petals and mantras is a true celebration of self and alignment with the natural rhythms of nature. $15.

Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester. 585-2705927. YogaDrishTi.com.

Long Seasons Winter Farmers’ Market – 1-4pm.

Brookside Community Center. 220 Idlewood Dr, Brighton. 585-269-8918. BrightonFarmersMarket.org.

Rochester Home Birth Circle – 2:30-4:30pm.

Learn about and support home birth. Fourth Sunday of the month. Locations vary; contact for meeting location. RochesterHomeBirthCircle.com/meetings.

Athlete Meditation & Stretch – 4:30-5:30pm.

Colleen Flaherty supports athletes’ active recovery with a guided meditation to keep them focused while learning how to deeply care for their bodies. $15.

Awakened Athlete, 349 W Commercial St, Ste 1980, Rochester. 585-261-3743. AwakenedAthlete.co.

Open Flow All Levels – 5:30-6:30pm. Setting the practice to music, poses are linked together in a graceful and flowing sequence, promising to be a fun, energetic way to welcome the upcoming week.

Molly’s Yoga Corner, 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester.

585-202-1347. MollysYoga.com.

monday Open Enrollment – Learn about Cobblestone School and its open enrollment for new students, pre-K through 6th grade. Small class sizes, mixed age groups and affordable, sliding-scale tuition. Call to make an appointment. Cobblestone School, 10

Yin Yoga – 9:30-11am. $15. Molly’s Yoga Corner, 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester. 585-202-1347.

MollysYoga.com.

Gentle Yoga – 6-7pm. This class is appropriate for all students seeking the benefits of a gentle and relaxing yoga practice. Gentle yoga poses improve range of motion and joint mobility, reduce pain and the effects of stress. $10. Qi Gong Institute of Rochester, 595 Blossom Rd, Ste 307, Rochester.

585-732-7012. VesnaSanders.com.

Holistic Moms Network – 6:30-8:30pm. Second Mon of the month. Christ Episcopal Church, 36 S Main St, Pittsford. HolisticMomsRochester. blogspot.com.

Sound Healing Guided Meditations – 7-8:30pm.

Sound energy healing focuses on creating vibrations that alter brain states, which can effect overall health and wellness. It can help reduce blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, depression, migraines, pain and more. 1st Mon of the month. Must call to RSVP. $8. Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-787-6954.

HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

tuesday Reiki for All – Enjoy the benefits of holistic health by aligning energy back to its nature with an individual Reiki session. Reiki can help reduce stress and anxieties and promote wellness. Call to schedule a session. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester.

585-270-5927. YogaDrishTi.com.

Rochester Public Market – 6am-1pm. 280 N Union St, Rochester. 585-428-0907.

Yoga for All – 10-11am. $15. Molly’s Yoga Corner, 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester. 585-202-1347.

MollysYoga.com.

Face 2 Face – 6pm. A peer-to-peer friendship group, supporting each other when having faced a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. Second and fourth Tues of the month. The Legacy, 40 Willow Pond Way, Penfield. 585-454-9299. F2FRochester@gmail.com.

Bradley Natural Childbirth Classes – 7pm. Every Tues, starting Feb 17. Fairport. Email Ahaas@rabn. org for more info. HealthyBirth.net.

Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature. ~Gerard de Nerval

Empowering Lifestyle Workshops – 10-11am or 6:30-7:30pm. Find real solutions for real health concerns. Classes include fitness, doTERRA essential oils, green cleaning, 30-day detox/cleanse and more. Nurturing Hands Massage and Wellness Center, 640 Kreag Rd, Ste 202, Pittsford. 585-7974660. RiverSongMassage.MassageTherapy.com.

Lunch Hour Yoga with Molly – Noon-1pm. Spend your lunch hour stretching, relaxing and energizing with yoga. Molly’s Yoga Corner, 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester. 585-202-1347. MollysYoga.com.

Walk-In Wellness Consultation – 2:30-5:30pm. Have a question about our essential oil, massage or fitness services? Stop by the office Wednesdays in April for a complimentary wellness consultation, a $75 value.

Nurturing Hands Massage and Wellness Center, 640 Kreag Rd, Ste 202, Pittsford. 585-797-4660.

University of Rochester Farmers’ Market – 3-6pm. Medical Center, Flaum Atrium, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester. Gary Jones, 585-273-3786.

Awareness Yoga with Vesna – 6:30-7:30pm. Learn how to enhance awareness of body and mind through a series of basic and intermediate yoga poses, as well as simple yoga breathing and meditation techniques.

Appropriate for both relatively new and more experienced students. $13. Nu Movement, 716 University Ave, Rochester. 585-732-7012. VesnaSanders.com.

thursday Rochester Public Market – 6am-1pm. 280 N Union St, Rochester. 585-428-0907.

Foundations Yoga – 7:30-8:30am or 5:45-7:15pm.

Explore a common theme that can range across the mind, body and spirit spectrum. Alignment focus will be emphasized to sustain, build, cultivate and explore your foundation. $13. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester. 585-270-5927.

YogaDrishTi.com.

Grassroots Yoga – 9:30-10:45am. $15. Molly’s Yoga Corner, 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester. 585-2021347. MollysYoga.com.

Cesarean Birth Support Group – 11am-Noon. Open to all women and their families to give support, share stories and encourage growth. Led by birth doula Kim Guck. First Thurs of the month. Eastside Wellness Center, 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport. 585-729-2278.

Tea-Licious Trendz – 3-7pm. Tea-rific Thursdays.

Participate in weekly events and informational sessions. Topics include essential oils, raindrop therapy, massage, reflexology and more. Learn while enjoying organic loose-leaf teas. 489 Plank Rd, Webster.

Cynthia Evans, HealthyTeaz@gmail.com.

Fluid Motion Exercise Class – 6-7pm. A movement class designed for people returning to exercise after surgery, cancer treatment or that want to get moving. Taught and created by physical therapists, the class includes warm-up, breathing, balance, range of motion and stretching, all set to upbeat music. $60/6 classes. Callan-Harris Physical Therapy, 1328 University Ave, Rochester. 585-482-5060. chptusa.com.

Intro to Gluten-Free Baking – 6:30-7:30pm. This intro class demonstrates the basic principles of gluten-free baking. Instructors Blossom Fox and Calvin Eaton make gluten-free baking easy and fun.

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Ages 10 and up. $15. Pieters Family Life Center, 1025 Commons Way, Henrietta. 585-487-3500.

TheGlutenFreeChefBakery.com.

The Rochester Doula Cooperative – 7-9pm.

Offers information and support in order to make informed decisions and have the best birth experience possible. Second Thurs of the month. Luvaboos, 683 N Winton Rd, Rochester. 585-234-0164.

DoulaCooperative.org.

friday XTX Elite Class – 12:15-1:15pm. This class is designed for the athlete or trainee that wants extreme adventure in their workout, which may include running an obstacle trail or pushing a tire. Great for those interested in Tough Mudder and Spartan Race events. Real Life Food and Fitness, 1290 University Ave, Ste C, Rochester. 585-441-9441.

RealLifeFoodAndFitness.com.

Intuitive Readings – 1-7pm. Tony Armignacco will offer medium, psychic and tarot readings every Friday. Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-787-6954.

HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

Portraits at Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center – 1-7pm. Our photographer will be available to take family, senior and headshot portraits every Friday.

Appointments recommended. Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-7876954. HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

Facial and Body Wraps – 5-7pm. Tighten, tone and decrease stretch marks with herbal wraps.

Great for weddings and proms or just to look great.

Every Friday. $25. Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-663-6454.

HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

Candle Light Yoga – 6-7:30pm. $15. Molly’s Yoga Corner, 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester. 585-202-1347.

MollysYoga.com.

Sound Healing Guided Meditations – 7-8:30pm.

Sound energy healing focuses on creating vibrations that alter brain states, which can affect overall health and wellness. It can help reduce blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, depression, migraines, pain and more. Third Fri of the month. Must call to RSVP. $8. Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-787-6954.

HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

saturday Rochester Public Market – 5am-1pm. 280 N Union St, Rochester. 585-428-6907.

Family Yoga – 1-2:30pm. Teaching of alignment will be brought through not only poses but philosophy, breathing and unique family activities.

Taught by Melanie MacDonald, RYT, and Reiki master, along with her two daughters. First Sat of the month. $20/pair, $5/each additional. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester. 585-270-5927.

YogaDrishTi.com.

Restorative/Gentle Yoga – 2:30-3:45pm. Settle in on Saturdays with a gentle yoga session that will provide a solid foundation and ease tensions. The class focuses on restorative poses combined with gentle asana movements. $13. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester. 585-270-5927. YogaDrishTi.com.

communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE

CHIROPRACTIC

PERINTON FAMILY ACUPUNCTURE

DERLETH CHIROPRACTIC

6800 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd, Ste 350, Fairport 500 Helendale Rd, Ste 185, Rochester 585-598-3866 PerintonFamilyAcupuncture.com

East Side Wellness Center Drs. Paula and Phil Derleth 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport 585-598-3535 • DerlethChiropractic.com DerlethChiropractic@gmail.com

As a licensed acupuncturist, expertise includes Chinese Herbal medicine, tui na (Chinese medical massage), qigong and Eastern dietary therapy. Other services include pain management, women’s and pediatric health care and much more. See ad, page 2.

Chiropractic services that focus on pregnancy, pediatrics and athletes, as well as many other ailments. The goal is to assist patients in achieving optimal health and wellness through the use of chiropractics.

See ad, page 12.

AROMATHERAPY

CONSULTING

SWEET & WOODSY AROMATHERAPY

CRYSTAL CLEAR CONSULTING

Mindy MacLaren, Certified Aromatherapist 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport SweetAndWoodsy.com Info@SweetAndWoodsy.com

Jill Bates 585-385-0074 Jill@CCConsulting.biz CrystalClearConsulting.biz

Offering a line of natural essential oil-based products for home and family as well as consultations to address a wide range of health issues through aromatherapy, with a focus on pregnancy and children.

Classes also offered. See ad, page 13.

Do you want to make more money in 2015? With the right business consultant, you have the ability to melt obstacles and facilitate possibilities. Call today for your free business consultation with Jill Bates @ Crystal Clear Consulting.

ATHLETICS AWAKENED ATHLETE

Colleen Flaherty 585-261-3743 • AwakenedAthlete@gmail.com AwakenedAthlete.com Injury prevention and support is on the mind of every parent and coach.

Busy lives means you can’t do everything. Let Colleen empower you and your athletes. See ad, page 28.

BIRTH EDUCATION ROCHESTER AREA BIRTH NETWORK Amy Haas and Dianne Cassidy Ahaas@RABN.com DianneCassidy@Rochester.rr.com • RABN.org

Nature always

wears the colors of the spirit. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rochester Area Birth Network is a resource that advocates health, safety and informed options in childbearing. Rochester Area Birth Network supports the MotherFriendly Childbirth Initiative, a wellness model of maternity care issued by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, a group of individuals and national organizations with concern for the care and well-being of mothers, babies and families.

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DENTIST CONTEMPORARY DENTISTRY

Dr. Arlene Messer and Dr. Anna Belous 2052 S Clinton Ave, Rochester 585-244-3337 DentistryWithAHeart.com At Contemporary Dentistry, we care about your total health, offering an individualized approach for cavity prevention, including saliva testing, bio-compatible materials, safe mercury filling removal, laser and minimally invasive dentistry. See ad, page 16.

ENERGY HEALING AWAKENINGS

Lori Smith 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport 585-615-6427 • LPSmith@Awakenings.cc Spiritual-Awakenings.org Offers a variety of energy healing services including Reiki and Integrated Energy Therapy. Provides an authentic approach to wellness through Energy, Whole Foods Nutrition and Self-Awareness. Classes also offered. See ad, page 14.

LIGHT & INFORMATION MEDICINE

Monica Manni 585-218-0766 Monica@LightAndInformationMedicine.com LightAndInformationMedicine.com Offering Reconnective Healing, The Reconnection and Spiritual Response Therapy to reconnect you with your true essence and facilitate a return to balance, allowing physical, mental, emotional or spiritual challenges to dissolve.

ESSENTIAL OILS DOTERRA ESSENTIAL OILS Michele Rueckwald VanAuker 585-202-6358 EssentialOilTouch@gmail.com

As a wellness advocate, Michele educates on the uses of essential oils. See ad, page 13.

FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION ROCHESTER HOLISTIC CENTER

Kimberly Kavanagh 890 Westfall Rd, Ste C, Rochester 585-690-3782 • RochesterHolisticCenter.com With more than 20 years’ experience, Kim helps patients by identifying and correcting nutrition deficiencies that have resulted in chronic health maladies. Specialties i n c l u d e d e p r e s s i o n , a n x i e t y, a r t h r i t i s , autoimmune conditions and many more. See ad on back cover.

HOLISTIC HEALTH SOUNDS FOR LIFE OF PITTSFORD Holistic Hearing Healthcare 135 Sully’s Trail, Ste 10, Pittsford 585-248-5212

Dr. Ramona Stein is an audiologist with 14 years of experience overseeing a major local audiology clinic. Also a former Kent State assistant professor in audiology. Her practice emphasizes not just hearing loss and hearing aid sales but also prevention of hearing loss in adults and children.

She works closely with family physicians and healthcare providers to evaluate total wellness as it relates to hearing loss and emphasizes the patient’s overall quality of life, living with hearing challenges.

See ad, page 17.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ROCHESTER GREENOVATION

1199 E Main St, Rochester 585-288-7564 • Info@RochesterGreen.org RochesterGreen.org Services include deconstruction, disassembling and collecting material for reuse; green clean out reusing and recycling items left behind after a move; event hosting, rent affordable space for an event; and recycling, keeping items out of the landfills.

HYPNOSIS MONROE HYPNOSIS

Samuel Sanfratello, MS 3380 Monroe Ave, Ste 208, Pittsford 585-678-1741 • MonroeHypnosis.com Sam@MonroeHypnosis.com Offering a variety of services designed to help our clients lead happy and healthy lives.

All hypnotic techniques empower you to reach your goals, overcome fears and live the life you want to live. See ad, page 21.

T he more you like yourself,

INTEGRATIVE PSYCHIATRY ROCHESTER HOLISTIC CENTER

Mahipal Chaudhri, MD 890 Westfall Rd, Ste C, Rochester 585-690-3782 • RochesterHolisticCenter.com Dr. Chaudhri is an integrative psychiatrist offering alternative treatments for mental health, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. He uses supplements, nutrition and metabolic workups in addition to a traditional medicinal approach. See ad on back cover.

INTERNAL MEDICINE ROCHESTER HOLISTIC CENTER

Shivender Thakur, MD 890 Westfall Rd, Ste C, Rochester 585-690-3782 • RochesterHolisticCenter.com Wi t h o v e r 3 0 y e a r s ’ e x p e r i e n c e in tr e a tin g patients, using a combination of Western methods that include progressive and holistic protocols. He treats both acute and chronic conditions. See ad on back cover.

MINDBODY BODYMIND FLOAT CENTER

622 Park Ave, Rochester 585-413-0616 • BodymindFloatCenter.com Info@BodymindFloatCenter.com Floating offers various ways to relieve many conditions— such as joint and muscle pain—reduces stress, soothes pregnancy discomfort, depression and sleep disorders, enhances creativity and much more. See ad, page 5.

NATURAL SKIN CARE SIMPLY SUE’S

585-259-9862 Sue@SimplySuesNaturally.com SimplySuesNaturally.com Simply Sue’s blends organic and natural ingredients to make decadent body-care products that will leave your skin super hydrated.

Nature has given us so many wonderful things to truly enhance the look, feel and health of our skin.

Take advantage of all nature has to offer and pamper yourself. Your skin will thank you.

the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique. ~Walt Disney 34

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NATUROPATHIC

PARENTING

LAURA SLEGGS, ND

2425 Clover St, Rochester 10773 Poags Hole Rd, Dansville 607-661-5497 • DrLauracs@gmail.com DrLauraND.com Dr. Sleggs is a NYS licensed naturopathic doctor. She uses applied kinesiology and provides nutrition counseling and supplements to help individuals improve health in a natural way. See ad, page 7.

SURVIVING NATURALLY

Sandra Miceli, RN, FNP 75 W Main St, Webster 800-664-0613 Thriving@SurvivingNaturally.com Surviving Naturally provides services in the areas of integrative family health; natural skin, nail and hair care; and counseling services for individuals and families.

See ad, page 19.

HOLISTIC MOMS NETWORK

Sara Jones, LMT Sara@RochesterHolisticCenter.com

The mission of HMN is to generate national awareness, education and support for holistic parenting and green living by providing nurturing, open-minded and respectful local community networks that encourage families to share these ideals and learn from each other.

With a goal to encourage the body to heal itself naturally while increasing blood flow and eliminating toxins, we offer a wide variety of painrelieving techniques to accommodate individuals with different levels of discomfort. Specialized treatment plans are created for those with fibromyalgia, digestive issues, trigger points, lymphedema and other chronic or acute concerns.

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

THERMAL IMAGING

HolisticMoms.org Facebook.com/RochesterNYChapter

MICHAEL BIANCHI, LMT

500 Helendale Rd, Ste 155, Rochester 585-739-3575 MichaelBianchiLMT@gmail.com MichaelBLMT.MassageTherapy.com Committed to providing in-depth, personal, customized care and healing. Specializing in acute and chronic pain relief, deep tissue, and sports massage, headaches/ migraine relief, TMJ, aromatherapy and relaxation.

JANESSA M. BOTTICELLI LMT & CHARLENE M. BOTTICELLI LMT

NUTRITION CREATE HEALTH WITH ANN TREACY Ann Treacy, NC, CHHC 220 Fairport Village Landing, Fairport 2112 Empire Blvd, Webster 585-704-3844 • 123CreateHealth.com

Ann Treacy is a nutrition consultant and health coach offering education, guidance and support for those seeking better techniques to reach their health and wellness objectives. Her knowledge of nutrition and coaching skills empower clients to achieve the results they desire. See ad, page 5.

ORGANIC SALONS LA SHEAR DESIGNS

Salon, Spa & Wellness Center Linda Allen, Owner/Cosmetologist 1726 Long Pond Rd, Ste 1, Rochester 585-426-5944 • Linda@LAShearDesigns.com LAShearDesigns.com

ROCHESTER HOLISTIC CENTER

640 Kreag Rd, Ste 202, Pittsford 585-797-7435 Charlene.Massage@yahoo.com RiverSongMassage.MassageTherapy.com Get two for the price of one.

Using our knowledge and skills—along with free classes, workshops and personal consultations—help enable one to create a lifestyle that addresses unique health goals. Massage, CPTG essential oils, fitness programs and aromatherapy are all available.

ONONDAGA SCHOOL OF THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

DYNAMIC THERMAL IMAGING Carol Knapp, CCT, Office Manager 550 Latona Rd, Bldg D, Greece 585-734-6083 • NYDTI.com

Provides radiation-free, noninvasive body scanning for monitoring overall health and wellness. This 100 percent safe and FDA-approved system is available to men, women and children. Using infrared imaging technology, signs of skin cancer can be found years in advance. We can help you be proactive with your health. See ad, page 16.

YOGA MOLLY’S YOGA CORNER Molly Huff 585-202-1347 Information@MollysYoga.com MollysYoga.com

With two locations—in Fairport and on Monroe Avenue, Molly and her staff teach an array of yoga styles in a fun, relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere. See ad, page 7.

Tom Gallagher, Director of Admissions 302 N Goodman St, Ste 200, Rochester 585-241-0070 RocAdmissions@OSTM.edu • OSTM.edu

Offering full-beauty, health and fitness services, including massage, Reiki, wellness consultations, health coaching and personal training. The safest, most natural, non-toxic products are used, caring for the client’s overall well-being.

Committed to providing students with training in the science of massage. OSTM has helped hundreds of individuals get training, qualifications and professional support. See ad, page 16.

classified Fee for classifieds is a minimum charge of $25 for up to the first 25 words and $1 each additional word. To place an ad, email Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

H e who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe. ~Marcus Aurelius

GET READY FOR SPRING WITH A WRAP AND DETOX – Have you heard of that crazy wrap called It Works? Wraps are all-natural and botanically based, easy and fun. Come find out how you can tighten, tone and firm in as little as 45 minutes, 1-2:30pm, April 18. It Works also offers a range of all-natural, non-GMO premium supplements and skincare. A facial or body wrap is just $25. Come sample the detoxing greens, chews, supplements. RSVP Carol, 585-787-6954.

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