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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET
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Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines
I
s happiness a state of mind? “Think Yourself Happy”, on page 16, includes seven ways to uplift your mind. The article points out, based on research, that part of us is the equalizer, or ego, questioning our every move and action. A constructive way to address ego’s thought is to appreciate it for what “it” seems to be doing—reacting in the interest of selfpreservation. The research indicates it may behoove us to thank that aspect of our self that brought forth the thought, showing love, appreciation, and gratitude. This action allows our ego’s thought to pass by without adding additional negatives, like guilt, to the moment. Egos (our own or others) appear to respond well to being acknowledged and respected. What we do affects how we feel; being present, in the moment, and hopefully enjoying/allowing what is happening in the moment, gives us the best shot at moving through challenging times with more ease and grace, creating even more value/joy in how we constructively “spend” our time. We may have heard the phrase, “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” This same concept can be applied to lovingly and self-nurturingly choosing the types of meals to prepare for yourself, the songs you choose to hear, even which way to go in any given moment—whether it’s selecting an exercise routine, walking, undertaking dance, ballet, yoga, or tai chi classes, or simply Being. Our Fit Body Department article on page 12 hones in on water sports, like 4
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water skiing, paddleboarding, swimming, canoeing, and other versions. Joy is a byproduct of learning a new skill. Thankfully, with nearby miles of canals, waterways, and the ocean, we have a plethora of options available to us. Read this article for some inspirational ideas to build more muscle for balance and strength, having fun in the process. Our Healthy Kids Department this month includes some helpful strategies to support families with children getting into a back-to-school routine that strengthens their health, building that all-important immune system through the development of proper eating habits. Also included are simple guidelines for how to best reset children’s sleep routines, starting at least two weeks ahead of that first school day for optimal preparedness. Find this information on page 14. The internet’s answer to a query about the history of the smiley face netted a photograph of a smile emoji etched on a ceramic pot from 3700 years ago! We, humans, appear to have long understood the importance and benefits of being happy. J “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” ~ Buddha
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Contents
16 10 POLLINATOR-
10
FRIENDLY YARDS
Gardening for Wildlife with Native Plants
12 WATER SPORTS FOR A TOTAL BODY WORKOUT
Cool Ways to Stay Fit This Summer
12
14 BACK-TO-SCHOOL
24
25
WELLNESS
Tips to Keep Kids Healthy
16 THINK YOURSELF HAPPY Seven Ways to Change Your Mind and Be Happier
20 PRESERVING THE HARVEST ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 561-626-5584 or email us at NaturalAwakeningsFla@gmail.com. Web: NaPalmBeach.com Due date for advertising: the 10th of the month.
Classic Ways to Store Garden Bounty All Year
24 SMILING CAN
20
MAKE US HAPPIER
25 UNLEASH YOUR
TRUE POTENTIAL Working With a Life Coach Can Help
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EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Submit news items and ideas to: NaturalAwakeningsFla@gmail.com. Editorial guidelines listed inside our Complete Media Kit: Editorial due date: the 5th. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Ongoing or Date-Specific Calendar Events to: NaturalAwakeningsFla@gmail.com. There is a limit of 55 words for Date-Specific Event listings, and 45 word limit for an Ongoing Calendar item. Calendar due date: the 10th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 561-626-5584. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.
DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 6 health briefs 8 global briefs 10 green living 12 fit body 14 healthy kids 20 conscious eating
24 inspiration 25 healing ways 28 calendar 28 classifieds 29 natural awakenings directory
August 2021
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health briefs
Health Assessment Tool
Avoid Air Pollutants to Protect Children’s Mental Health
H
ealth Within Ent, a local health coaching business, has added a new health assessment for its listed services and it is making samples of that service available online for free to help the community better explore its healthcare options. “We take a different approach to health,” says Natalie Gozdanker, BSc, MSc, PHDip, the owner of the company. “While we respect the diagnostic approach of Western medicine, we think that it represents only a partial picture of human health. With this new service we are trying to take a unique look at what's going on more deeply, so we can address the root causes of the problem.” Based on theories around the physics of the body, this new approach captures digital information about someone and compares it to a digital blueprint of what should be happening in the body. And from there, Health Within Ent determines where the greatest support is needed. With booking of this free sample test, you will also get access to: Bioenergetic films, articles, podcasts and recipes, the ebook, Energy 4 Life, music tracks, and links to shop for bioenergetic products. For details contact at HealthWithinent. com, email healthwithinen@gmail.com, or phone 305-308-0365.
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news briefs
Exposure to even moderate levels of traffic-related air pollutants during childhood results in a greater risk of mental illness by age 18, Duke University researchers report in JAMA Network Open. In the study, the psychiatric health of 2,000 twins from England and Wales followed into adulthood was compared to recorded levels of air pollution in their neighborhoods. Twenty-two and 84 percent of the twins, respectively, were found to have had exposure to nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter that exceeded World Health
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Organization (WHO) guidelines. Higher levels produced the most symptoms, including depression and anxiety. The effect, although weak compared to family history, equals that of other neurotoxicants known to harm mental health, particularly childhood exposure to lead. Previous evidence suggests that air pollutant exposures can cause inflammation in the brain and may lead to difficulty regulating thoughts and emotions. WHO estimates that nine of 10 people worldwide are exposed to high levels of outdoor air pollutants emitted by vehicles, waste disposal, power plants, factories and other industrial processes. Studies show increased hospital admissions for many psychiatric illnesses during poor air quality days in China and India. “Because harmful exposures are so widespread around the world, outdoor air pollutants could be a significant contributor to the global burden of psychiatric disease,” says lead author Aaron Reuben.
Eat Produce to Lower Stress and Heart Disease People needing a push to eat more fruits and vegetables might be motivated by two new studies from Australia’s Edith Cowan University. Studying data from 8,600 Australians between the ages of 25 and 91, researchers found people that ate at least 470 grams (about two cups) of fruits and vegetables per day had 10 percent lower stress levels compared to those that ate less than half that amount. “Vegetables and fruits contain important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and carotenoids that can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and therefore improve mental well-being,” says lead author Simone Radavelli-Bagatini. In a second study based on 23 years of data on 50,000 Danes, researchers found that those that consumed one cup each day of the most nitrate-rich vegetables like leafy greens and beets had about a 2.5 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure and a 12 to 26 percent lower risk of peripheral artery disease, heart attacks, strokes and heart failure. Eating more than one cup daily didn’t increase the benefits, they found, and blending greens into smoothies (but not pulp-destroying juicing) is a good option for increasing intake.
Microbiome Linked to Risk of Death from Disease Certain gut microbiota can predict possible causes of mortality, reports a new study from Finland’s University of Turku. Researchers collected stool samples from 7,055 Finnish adults around 50 years old and followed them for 15 years. They found that greater numbers of bacteria from the Enterobacteria family increase the risk of death from cancer, respiratory disorders and gastrointestinal disease. “Many bacterial strains that are known to be harmful were among the Enterobacteria predicting mortality, and our lifestyle choices can have an impact on their amount in the gut,” says study co-author Teemu Niiranen.
Getting teens to eat well can be an uphill battle, but new evidence shows its longterm importance. Drinking two sugary drinks per day from ages 13 to 18 increases by 32 percent the risk of colorectal cancer in women by age 50 when compared to drinking less than one such drink each week, Washington University School of Medicine researchers report in the journal Gut. The study used data from the Nurses’ Health Study II, which tracked the health of nearly 116,500 female nurses from 1991 to 2015. Other drinks, including milk and unsweetened coffee, were associated with a decreased risk. Early-onset colorectal cancer rates have risen alarmingly in the last 20 years, causing the American Cancer Society to lower its recommended age for a first colonoscopy from 50 to 45.
I have chosen to be happy because it is good for my health. ~Voltaire August 2021
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Avoid Sugary Drinks to Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk
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health briefs
global briefs
Thorny Problem
Cactus Poachers Are Denuding Deserts
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Soil Regulators Soft on Pesticide Use Pesticides cause significant harm to earthworms and thousands of other vital subterranean species. These invertebrates, nematodes, bacteria and fungi filter water, recycle nutrients and help regulate the planet’s temperature. The most comprehensive review ever conducted on how pesticides affect soil health, published in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science, reveals that beneath fields of monoculture crops, a toxic soup of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides is wreaking havoc on the ecosystem. The study recommends changes in how regulatory agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assess the risks posed by the nearly 850 approved pesticide ingredients. Presently, regulators ignore pesticide harm to earthworms, springtails, beetles and many other subsoil critters. The EPA relies on one insect, the European honeybee, to represent the thousands of species that live or develop underground. The ongoing escalation of pesticide-intensive agriculture and pollution are major driving factors in the precipitous decline of many soil organisms that are critical to maintaining healthy soils. This contamination has been identified as the most significant driver of soil biodiversity loss in the last decade.
More than 30 percent of the world’s 1,500 or so cactus species are threatened with extinction, and criminal scavengers are primarily to blame. A 2020 seizure by authorities in Italy yielded more than 1,000 of some of the rarest cactuses in the world, valued at more than $1.2 million on the black market. Some were over 100 years old. President of the Association for Biodiversity and Conservation Andrea Cattabriga helps police identify specimens taken from tourists or intercepted in the mail. He says, “Here is an organism that has evolved over millions of years to be able to survive in the harshest conditions you can find on the planet, but that finishes its life in this way, just as an object to be sold.” Trafficking can take a serious toll because many species are highly localized and often extremely slowgrowing, thus quite sensitive to over-harvesting. Cactuses and other succulents have become popular on social media, promoted by indoor plant influencers for their unusual appearance and minimal care requirements. The pandemic has increased their popularity, with shops unable to keep some species in stock. Sales of legally sourced plants could help offset illegal trade, with the proceeds going directly to communities living alongside the plants, creating an incentive to protect them.
Reversing Ruin
Superfund Mine-Polluted Stream Restorations See Success
Large investments have been made to clean up acid drainage into streams and rivers polluted by toxic metals from abandoned mining sites. A new study published in Freshwater Science based on long-term monitoring data from four U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund sites in California, Colorado, Idaho and Montana shows that cleanup efforts can allow affected streams to recover to near natural conditions within 10 to 15 years after abatement work begins. David Herbst, a research scientist at UC Santa Cruz and co-author of the paper, says, “The good news from them all is that Superfund investments can restore the water quality and ecological health of the streams.” Researchers combined data from long-term monitoring during periods of 20 years or more using aquatic insects and other diverse invertebrate life such as flatworms and snails as indicators of the restoration of ecological health, with nearby unpolluted streams as standards for comparison. Much of the recovery occurred within the first few years of treatment. Herbst says that the promising results suggest that even daunting environmental problems can be remedied.
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Bugs Matter
Animal Alert
The United Nations Environment Programme and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition have released a Global Methane Assessment of emissions from fossil fuels, agriculture and waste management. With livestock contributing 32 percent of the methane footprint, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) stresses the need to regulate and mitigate methane emissions from global meat and dairy companies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also identified the factory farm system of hog and dairy operations with liquified manure lagoon systems as responsible for rising methane emissions related to agriculture. IATP European Director Shefali Sharma says, “Disappointingly, the assessment calls for more technological fixes such as feed additives and biodigesters to reduce agriculture’s methane footprint, rather than addressing the core of the problem. Untenable growth of animals in the food chain is spurred on by a powerful meat and dairy industry
that bears no costs for this environmental debacle, but passes it on to farmers and consumers.” The report provides evidence that a new policy framework accounting for the factory farm system’s emissions and aiding a transition to more scale-appropriate agroecological systems of animal production that will be less harmful to people and the climate is needed, according to Ben Lilliston, IATP director of climate strategies.
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UN Methane Report Faults Big Meat and Big Dairy
green living
Pollinator-Friendly Yards vaceslavromanov/AdobeStock.com
Gardening for Wildlife with Native Plants by Betsy S. Franz
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or some people, perfectly mowed lawns without a trace of a weed or an insect makes them proud, but they may not realize that this method of gardening and landscaping could be harming the local ecosystem and the important pollinators that we rely on to keep food and flowers reproducing. Pollinators are the creatures that move pollen grains from the male anther of one plant to the female stigma of another, thereby helping plants to produce seeds
for the next generation. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, these hardworking animals pollinate more than 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants and 10
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nearly 75 percent of our crops, including chocolate and coffee. Without pollinators, say biologists, neither the human race nor the Earth’s ecosystems would survive. Like many species, some pollinators are showing steady population declines, attributed in part to habitat loss and exposure to pesticides. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that grassy lawns occupy almost 2 percent of the total U.S. land mass, making grass the single largest irrigated crop in the country, which is why the way that people garden and maintain their landscapes can either harm or help pollinators. Many people spending more time at home last year due to the pandemic did more gardening and maintaining of their own landscapes, often without realizing the significance and impact of their activities. “Now, for the first time in its history, gardening has taken on a role that transcends the needs of the gardener. Like it or not, gardeners have become important players in the management of our nation’s wildlife,” writes Douglas Tallamy, an agriculture and natural resources professor at the University of Delaware, in his book Bringing Nature Home. “Bees are what comes to mind when most people think of pollinators, but pollinators include many other species, including some flies, moths, butterflies, wasps and beetles, as well as bats, hummingbirds and even a few mammals,” says David Mizejewski, a naturalist with the NaPalmBeach.com
National Wildlife Federation. Fortunately, the same principles that make home landscapes more inviting to pollinators also make it safer and friendlier for a wide variety of wildlife.
Rethink the Perfect Landscape
“One of the main dangers for pollinators is loss of appropriate habitat,” says Andre Kessler, an ecology and evolutionary biology professor at Cornell University. “To help them, give up your idea of the perfect, manicured landscape and aim to restore their preferred habitat.” Kessler suggests leaving part of a landscape a bit untidy by including native plants and mowing less often. “An island of native vegetation usually provides flowering plants year-round and, similarly important, nesting sites for native bees,” he says. Tallamy advocates halving the total amount of space devoted to lawns in the continental U.S.—reducing water, pesticide and fertilizer use—and replacing grass with plants that sustain more animal life. Leave the leaves, sticks and debris, says Mizejewski. “Many species rely on leaf litter for food, shelter and nesting material. Many moth and butterfly caterpillars overwinter in fallen leaves before emerging in spring.”
Choose Appropriate Plantings
With so many different species of pollinators across the diverse terrain of America,
few plants work for all locales. Most experts believe the best option is choosing native plants. The Pollinator Partnership (Pollinator.org) lists plants for each zone by ZIP code, as well as the pollinators they attract. There are also native plant societies in many areas that offer specific recommendations.
Eliminate the Chemicals
“Probably the most important thing the home gardener can do to overcome the pollinator and broader biodiversity crisis is to avoid using any pesticides,” says Kessler. “The uncontrolled use of insecticides and herbicides is the major reason for the dramatic loss of insect life in general and most other organisms depending on those insects.” “It is now within the power of individual gardeners to do something that we all dream of doing: to make a difference,” Tallamy writes. “In this case, the difference will be to the future of biodiversity, to the native plants and animals of North America, and the ecosystems that sustain them.” Betsy S. Franz is a freelance writer and photographer who seeks a loving, sustainable balance between the nature of our world and the inner nature of man.
Learn More About Pollinators Ecoregional Planting Guides: Pollinator.org/guides Pollinator-Friendly Native Plant Lists: Xerces. org/pollinator-conservation/ pollinator-friendly-plant-lists Lawn to Wildflowers App: LawnToWildflowers.org/download Native Plant Societies: ahsGardening.org/gardening-resources/societies-clubs-organizations/ native-plant-societies
August 2021
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fit body
Water Sports for a Total Body Workout Cool Ways to Stay Fit this Summer
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by Marlaina Donato
W
hether it’s adrenaline-fueled kiteboarding or peaceful paddle boarding, getting active in the water helps to improve bone density, elevates mood and engages major muscle groups without stressing the joints. The highlight of a vacation might be rafting down a river, surfing at sunset or waterskiing on a mountain lake. Whether done regularly or occasionally, water sports offer a good workout disguised as play. While some water sports require a higher level of fitness, most are beginner-friendly and only require the willingness to try something new.
Core Adventures
“Many lifelong skiers call waterskiing the fountain of youth. My friends who are in their 70s, 80s and even 90s that still ski are living proof,” says pro water skier Corey Vaughn, owner of Bum Pass Water Ski Club, in Bumpass, Virginia. “Waterskiing is one of the best total body workouts on the planet, yet you are having so much fun it never feels like a workout.” For Natali Zollinger, a raft guide, river surfer and whitewater 12
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stand up paddle boarder, it’s about trusting and working with the current: “Either rafting or paddling, our core has to engage way more than it would with other sports, and you’ll definitely notice the internal strength.” Based in Moab, Utah, Zollinger says that in only one week, paddling and kayaking produce noticeably more tone in the triceps and biceps, adding, “If you row boats, you’ll see the traps, shoulders and back muscles develop.” Stand up paddle board (SUP) yoga on the water, although seemingly placid, challenges the abdominals and cultivates balance. Christy Naida Linson, yoga instructor and owner of Prana Yoga Center and Aligned Flow Floating Studio, in Denville, New Jersey, says, “Paddling is excellent exercise for the core, back, shoulders, arms and legs. Postures are done in relationship to the current of the water and recruit many of the smaller stabilizing muscles.”
Getting the Feet Wet
SUP yoga is accessible to both new and experienced students that can swim and are comfortable in the water. All postures can be modified to be done in positions lower to the board, such as
kneeling, to make balancing easier. “A typical class is 90 minutes long and begins with instruction on land. We go through paddle strokes and safety, how to get onto the board kneeling, transition to standing when feeling stable, paddle and stop,” says Linson. “The worst thing that happens if you lose your balance is that you go for a little swim!” Fitness requirements for river rafting can vary, depending on the type of trip and location. “Usually a couple months of ‘stair-stepper’ and some squats and lunges will do the trick,” says Zollinger. When it comes to gear, commercial trips offer the most freedom, especially for beginners, she says. “Normally, commercial trips pack all the gear that you need for basic camping, and all you have to bring is your personal
gear like clothes, toiletries, etc.” Waterskiing can be a challenge, but learning is easier with proper instruction, optimal equipment, an experienced, skilled boat driver and positive encouragement. “People tell me about Uncle Fred just throwing them behind the boat with a couple of old skis, telling them to hang on tight and then gunning the boat. This is not what I would consider best practices,” says Vaughn. A typical lesson lasts about 30 minutes, involves six to eight passes up and down the lake and includes technical guidance on body positions and timing. For optimal waterskiing, Vaughn prefers private lakes to avoid interruption in the rhythmic flow of skiing that can occur on busier lakes or bodies of saltwater due
to boat traffic, winds, tides and currents. Vaughn marvels when everything comes together; “There is nothing quite like the smile of a first-time skier when they get up [on their skis] and realize they are gliding across the water.” In the end, water sports are all about embracing possibilities.“It is a genuine joy to see people who may be new or doubt their ability come away feeling empowered,” says Linson. Zollinger passes on wisdom about time on the water. “The river continuously teaches me to be in the flow and appreciating the little things.” Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
Every particular in nature, a leaf, a drop, a crystal, a moment of time is related to the whole, and partakes of the perfection of the whole. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson August 2021
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healthy kids
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Back-to-School Wellness Tips to Keep Kids Healthy by Ronica O’Hara
are needing support or are feeling overwhelmed or concerned, they can always talk to you to work through the issue together,” she says.
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Reset bedtime creep
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fter a year dealing with the ups and downs of pandemic-era schooling, many parents are anticipating their children’s return to school with mixed emotions. “Families indeed have had a rough time in the pandemic, resulting in increased food insecurity, weakened social skills, splintered attention spans due to constant multitasking and arguments over screen time, yet many families also feel that they grew closer together as they coped with the adversity,” says Jenifer Joy Madden, author of How To Be a Durable Human. As we wave our children off to classes, we can draw on those hard-won, deeper ties by taking steps to ensure our children’s health and well-being. Here are some suggested strategies:
Hold a family sit-down
Meet as a group to talk about schedules and logistics to make sure everyone’s commitments will work together, recommends Erika Beckles Camez, Ph.D., a licensed family therapist in Temecula, California. “Talk as a family about how everyone feels about going back to school and intentionally tell your student that throughout the year if they 14
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“During the summer, bedtime tends to creep later and later. Two weeks before school starts, begin to reset bedtime by reversing the creep by 15 minutes every few nights,” suggests Amber Trueblood, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Culver City, California, and author of Stretch Marks. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children 6 to 12 years of age sleep nine to 12 hours a night and teenagers 13 to 18 sleep eight to 10 hours. Getting enough sleep, it advises, leads to “improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health.” Sleep experts recommend not allowing kids to be on device screens beginning an hour before bedtime, and perhaps storing devices in another room.
Buoy them with breakfast
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, children that eat a complete breakfast have been shown to work faster, make fewer math mistakes and show improved concentration, alertness, comprehension and memory. “Get in the habit of a healthy breakfast that contains a mix of lean proteins, healthy fats and unrefined carbohydrates and fiber,” advises Amy Spindel, a functional holistic nutritionist
Children need healthy, whole-food, nutritious snacks after school to fuel both their bodies and their brain. in Plano, Texas. “That might be something like eggs scrambled with spinach in olive oil; a smoothie with greens, coconut milk, nut butter, cherries and steamed cauliflower; or a small bowl of steel-cut oatmeal with berries and almond butter alongside some turkey sausage. These types of combinations help promote stable blood sugar until lunchtime, which means your child will be able to focus on learning and social interactions instead of their tummies.”
Satisfy them with healthy snacks
There’s a metabolic reason students head straight for the fridge when they get home—but it’s best if they can’t grab sweets. “Children need healthy, whole-food, nutritious snacks after school to fuel both their bodies and their brain,” says Uma Naidoo, M.D., a Harvard-based nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef and author of This Is Your Brain on Food. To support optimal brain development and help lower kids’ anxiety and hyperactivity levels, she suggests snacks rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B12 and D, and iron and folate, such as: n “Fries”
cooked in an air fryer to crisp up zucchini, carrots or green beans n Veggie dips or hummus made with chickpeas, carrots, beets or spinach n Almond butter on celery sticks, or seed butter for dipping sweet peppers or apple slices n Homemade fish sticks made by heating salmon pieces in an air fryer n Granola that includes walnuts, chia seeds and flax seeds
Take allergy precautions
About one in 14 U.S. children has a food allergy. Anisha Angella, an early childhood specialist and author of Easing Allergy Anxiety in Children, recommends taking special precautions with an allergy-prone child, including frequent handwashing; carrying an EpiPen for sudden, severe reactions that require an epinephrine injection; and not sharing foods. “Connect with their teachers,” she advises. “They want to help in any way, too. When a child sees an adult that supports their allergy safety in all environments, they feel comfortable, and that lessens anxiety.” “Readjusting from the pandemic will take patience and perseverance on the part of parents,” says Madden. “Having the family start simple wellness habits can help.” Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com. August 2021
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THINK YOURSELF HAPPY Seven Ways to Change Your Mind and Be Happier
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by Ronica O’Hara
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hat is happiness? Aristotle pondered it, our country’s founders encouraged its pursuit, but only now— thanks to the thriving field of Positive Psychology—have we learned more precisely how to attain and sustain it. In thousands of studies in the last two decades, researchers have watched babies share crackers, put Tibetan monks in brain scanners, asked college students to do kind deeds and explored databases, among other strategies. A major finding has emerged: Happiness is, to a great degree, in our own hands—or more exactly, our own minds. “You get to choose,” says trailblazing researcher Barbara Fredrickson, author of Positivity and Love 2.0 and a professor at the University of North Carolina. “No matter where your river of emotions flows today, over time and with continued effort and attention, you can change its course and location to live a happier, more positive life.” Using advanced brain imaging technology, neuroscientists and psychologists have discovered that the brain is “plastic” and malleable. When we change our thinking and actions in positive ways, brain neurons start rewiring themselves to make newfound happiness settle in, especially if our practices are repetitive. “Interestingly, changes can start quite quickly,” says neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, who has authored 10 books on the brain, emotions and spirituality, including Words Can Change Your Brain. “For those changes to become more fully ingrained, it can take a few months, but it does not necessarily require hours a day for many years.” A change in thinking shifted the behavior and life of John Peterson, a sales manager at a major West Coast auto retailer and editor of SafeDriveGear.com. “I was unhappy and miserable, so I 16
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decided to give gratitude a shot,” he recalls. “It was mechanical to start, but the reactions I got turned into a domino effect.” Instead of giving cursory thanks, he praised a co-worker’s kindness in handing him a daily cup of coffee; now they chat about their families. Instead of “keeping myself to myself,” he offered to help a neighbor he barely knew to clean gutters; now they’re “barbecue besties,” he says, adding, “I was kind of blown away at the incredible effect gratitude had on my life, both in improving my mental health and boosting my relationships. It was a real revelation to me!” Positive psychologists offer two major approaches: adopting habits that encourage happiness and clearing away the mental debris that blocks it. Many books and websites offer a wide range of theories, techniques and tips. “The most effective practices for you are the ones that you enjoy and are willing to do more often,” says Tchiki Davis, Ph.D., a Psychology Today blogger and founder of The Berkeley Well-Being Institute. The following are researchbased methods to enhance happiness:
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Aim for a three-to-one ratio of positive to negative experiences
The difference between languishing and flourishing, says Fredrickson in her book Positivity, is constructing a life in which heartfelt positive experiences outnumber the negatives by three to one. Positive experiences that flow from feelings such as gratitude, serenity, hope, awe and love can be as simple as exchanging smiles with a passerby, patting a friend on the back, joking with a cashier, picking up something that someone has dropped or planting a kiss on a son’s head. She emphasizes that the experiences must be authentic and heartfelt: acting “Pollyanna-ish” out of habit or
pasting on a smile can actually make us feel worse, and positivity can turn toxic if it’s relentlessly turned on 100 percent of the time. “True happiness is not rigid and unchanging,” she says. When it comes to marriage, five positive interactions for every negative one is the “magic ratio” that makes it happy and stable, according to studies by renowned relationship psychologist John Gottman, author of What Makes Love Last. “Successful long-term relationships are created through small words, small gestures and small acts,” he writes.
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Flip negativity by reframing experiences
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Positive reframing involves shifting misery-making thinking to see the positive side of any situation. Canadian researchers reported in a 340-person survey at APA PsycNet that during the pandemic, reframing was the most effective mental health strategy; people practicing it gradually felt better, while people that vented, distracted themselves or disengaged from others fared worse. Reframing strategies include viewing a problem as a challenge, a learning opportunity or a way to help others; finding the higher purpose or divine order in a bad situation; exploring what the unexpected benefits might be; and finding humor in a situation.
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Defuse the inner critic with caring self-talk
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Clear away pain by questioning assumptions
Berating ourselves for our shortcomings is a sure route to suffering, but applying self-compassion powerfully lowers the volume. It involves three elements: treating ourselves as kindly as we would a dear friend; realizing that making mistakes is intrinsically human so we’re not alone; and non-judgmentally facing our emotions without denying or indulging them, according to its major theorist, psychologist Kristin Neff, author of Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind. Numerous studies show that people that practice self-compassion have less self-doubt and fewer negative thoughts, are less likely to feel anxious or depressed, enjoy better health and relationships and are more resilient and motivated to change. Another way to handle the inner critic is to transform it by befriending and chatting with it, a method used in voice dialogue therapy and in the Internal Family Systems approach. Jackie Graybill, a Seattle songwriter and piano teacher, calls her “mean girl” inner critic Brutista Dynasticus. “I’ll find myself responding to an inner thought like, ‘You look fat. Just how much weight have you gained over COVID?!’ with a recognition like, ‘Oh, Brutista, that wasn’t very nice. I may have some extra pounds, but this healthy body has gotten me through a freaking pandemic! Show a little respect, okay?’ This quiets her down because I’ve recognized her and addressed her, and I feel an inner sense of victory because I’ve brought a positive truth to bear. It’s a very empowering practice.”
Of our estimated 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day, about 80 percent are negative and 95 percent are repetitive, says the
National Science Foundation. Those noisy mental loops dampen our spirits by repetitively telling us that something regretful should not have happened in the past or is going to happen to blight the future. Few worries have real credence: A Cornell University study found that 85 percent of what people worry about never happens. Of the 15 percent of worries that did happen, 79 percent of people found they handled the problem better than they had expected or that they learned a valuable lesson from it. Cognitive behavioral therapists help clients to examine those beliefs and assumptions, challenge the dysfunctional ones and try out different interpretations to uncover the truth. Victor Blue, a Tampa transportation engineer, examined his difficult relationship with a tyrannical father by asking himself two questions that spiritual teacher and author Byron Katie suggests applying to any painful thought: “Is it true? Can you absolutely know it’s true?” Self-inquiring deeply, Blue realized he had a distorted view: His father had in fact loved him, but had lacked the capacity to show it with warmth or tenderness. “My father started with very little and saw a tough world and treated everyone tough,” he says. “And I came to realize that yes, I am able to father myself.”
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Open the heart by deepening gratitude
Perhaps the most popular and direct approach to happiness is gratitude. Research shows that feeling and expressing thankfulness significantly boosts emotional well-being, makes us feel more connected and generous to others, and improves health and sleep quality. In one study, writing a few sentences of gratitude once per week for 10 weeks increased optimism and hope in participants; they even exercised more and had fewer doctor visits than those writing about aggravations. Writing a thank-you letter to someone we haven’t appreciated enough in the past can induce a sense of wellbeing that lasts for at least six months, a University of Pennsylvania study found. Gratitude can be cultivated simply by daily journaling; writing a list every few days often works even better, research indicates. The more concrete the items are and the more freshly observed, the better: Rather than, “I’m grateful for my daughter,” it might be, “I’m grateful for my daughter because she made me laugh at breakfast by making a funny face.” Some people kick off their day by writing two thank-you emails; others find creative ways to fold gratitude into relationships. During the pandemic, Nadia Charif, a San Jose-based wellness and health advisor at Coffeeble.com, shared with her boyfriend a note-taking phone app in which they wrote the ways they appreciated each other during the day. “Somehow, no matter how frayed our nerves were, we remembered the last lovely entry and melted like ice to water,” she says. “It diffused many arguments before they escalated.” August 2021
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Well-Being Basics Besides using mental strategies, choosing happiness involves taking daily actions that enhance our well-being, as studies demonstrate. Eat a happy-making diet. A gut-wisdom axis may exist. People with a greater diversity of the gut microbiome—the mark of a healthy diet—had higher levels of wisdom, compassion and social support, and lower levels of loneliness than people with less diverse microbiomes, University of California San Diego scientists reported in Frontiers in Psychiatry. A study of 12,000 Australians found that the more they increased their fruit and vegetable intake over a seven-year period, the happier and more satisfied with life they became. Eating eight servings a day was as happiness-producing as going from being unemployed to employed. Exercise even a little. Whether it’s lunges or sun salutations, movement lifts us up. In a review of 23 published studies involving half a million people published in The Journal of Happiness Studies, University of Michigan researchers found strong evidence that any kind of exercise increases happiness; even as little as 10 minutes a day raises spirits. People that exercise at least 30 minutes on most days are about 30 percent happier than those that don’t exercise. Go for the doze. Surveys show that getting enough sleep is the most influential factor in how people rate their daily mood, with good sleepers more likely to rate their life as happier overall. A University of California, Berkeley, study found that inadequate sleep makes our brains 60 percent more reactive to negative stimuli; in other words, being tired makes us grouchy. Love a lot. A landmark study that began in 1938 and followed 724 Harvard students and working-class Boston youth for 80 years found that fame and achievements didn’t make them truly happy—warm, loving relationships with their family, friends and community did. In a 2020 study, Pennsylvania State University researchers found that simply becoming aware of daily experiences of “felt love”, defined as “micro-moments when you experience resonance with someone,” increases those heartwarming episodes and improves well-being. Do good deeds. Performing five acts of kindness one day a week, such as helping a friend with a task, writing a thank-you email or donating blood, had a more powerful and long-lasting effect on college students’ happiness than spreading five good deeds over a week, reports University of California, Riverside, researchers. A four-year study of 13,000 retirees found that those volunteering more than two hours per week were happier, more optimistic and less lonely and depressed than people that never volunteered. Be nurtured by nature. After walking in a natural setting, people ruminated less and showed increased activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain that lowers depression and anxiety, Stanford researchers found. In one study, people watching five minutes of Planet Earth felt 46 percent more awe and 31 percent more gratitude than people watching the news or a comedy show. Biological diversity also matters: European scientists found that an additional 10 percent of bird species in an area increases residents’ life enjoyment as much as a 10 percent increase in their income.
Online Resources
AuthenticHappiness.org: positive psychology news and self-tests Martin E.P. Seligman, a University of Pennsylvania professor and bestselling author who coined the phrase “positive psychology” in 1998, designed this comprehensive website that includes new research and dozens of self-questionnaires. Pursuit-of-Happiness.org: research and curriculums Resources offered by Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D., author of Positivity and Love 2.0, include an overview of research, online courses and curriculum suggestions.
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Quiet the noisy mind with meditation, prayer and mindfulness Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, Newberg and other neuroscientists studied meditating Buddhist monks, prayerful Catholic nuns and mindfulness meditators. They found that each practice has its own distinctive pattern of brain activity, yet all three deactivate the brain regions that underlie mind chatter. That “default mode network” is constantly ruminating, nagging and making sure we avoid trouble. Sustained spiritual practices gradually turn down its everyday volume, which may explain in part the well-documented link between spiritual practices and well-being. Even brief meditations can have a quieting effect, counsels New York City psychologist and mindfulness teacher Loch Kelly, author of Shift into Freedom. In a quiet moment, he suggests, “Ask yourself, ‘What is here right now if there is no problem to solve?’”
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Lift up others with a positive outlook
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The more we give with a full heart, the more happiness we experience, studies show—and the benefits radiate far beyond ourselves. Following nearly 5,000 people over 20 years, Harvard researchers found that one person’s happiness triggers a chain reaction up to three degrees away, lifting the spirits not only of friends, but friends’ friends, and their friends’ friends’ friends. Effects can last up to one year. It’s a vital way to help the world, says Fredrickson. “The happiness that you experience together with others has ripple effects, both biological and behavioral, that make whole communities healthier.” Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.
One swallow does not make a summer, neither does one fine day; similarly, one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy. ~Aristotle August 2021
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conscious eating
levels can be increased with lemon juice. Vegetable pickles become acidic through the addition of vinegar. Heat-sealed jars are shelf-stable if the seals remain intact. Paul Fehribach, chef and co-owner of Big Jones, a restaurant in Chicago, gives canning tips in The Big Jones Cookbook. For pickles and preserves, he recommends using a simple canning kit with a tool to lift jars in and out of boiling water, a jar rack that sits in the bottom of a stock pot and Mason jars with new canning lids to hold the food. Both Paster and Fehribach suggest using professionally tested recipes. “Go to a reliable source, whether it’s a cookbook or a website, because there are some food safety issues. Recipes have been calibrated to have the right ratio of water and vinegar to vegetables to ensure it’s acidic enough,” says Paster. “Pickles are a great place to begin because they’re really hard to mess up.”
Preserving the Harvest Classic Ways to Store Garden Bounty All Year by Julie Peterson
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Refrigerator Pickling
hether gardening, purchasing at farmers’ markets or ordering from a community supported agriculture farm, preservation techniques capture the bounty of the harvest and ensure availability of fresh flavors year-round.
Dehydrating
“Dehydrating machines can be purchased for about $50, but an oven that goes down to a temperature of 150 or less will work,” says Brekke Bounds, educator at City Grange, a garden center in Chicago. Before dehydrating, consider the end use. Peaches or cherries can be cut into bite-size pieces. Roma or cherry tomatoes, sliced or cut in half and dried, can go in winter soups and stews. “Apple chips are super-easy,” Bounds says. “Core and slice with a mandoline, dunk in a lemon solution, sprinkle with cinnamon, dehydrate and store in an airtight jar.” Foods can be seasoned or marinated before drying. “We make zucchini bacon for vegan BLTs,” says Anthony Damiano, chef proprietor at Counter Culture restaurant, in Vero Beach, Florida. Dried herbs chopped in a food processor can be stored in airtight containers and used up to a year later as a flavorful salad toppings or soup mixes.
Canning
“One of my go-to methods is water bath canning,” says Emily Paster, author of The Joys of Jewish Preserving. “It’s a really safe and effective method of home preservation for high-acid foods. Certain kinds of microorganisms, most specifically botulism, can’t live in a highacid environment.” Fruits that go into jams and jellies are typically acidic enough, but 20
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The pickling process can be done without water bath canning, but the jars must remain refrigerated. The fun is in the quickness and variability of the recipes. Beyond traditional cucumber pickles, excellent pickles can be made with green beans, carrots, onions, cauliflower and green tomatoes. Brine can be dill, spicy or sweet. Damiano makes refrigerator pickles with a variety of local organic produce, including radishes, okra and other vegetables. The pickles are great for eating and can be used in salads and recipes like plant-based tostadas.
Fermenting
“Fermentation is an essential part of how people everywhere make effective use of food resources,” says Sandor Ellix Katz, fermentation revivalist in Liberty, Tennessee, and author of The Art of Fermentation. “Fermentation produces alcohol, helps preserve food by producing acids and makes foods more digestible, more nutritious, more delicious and sometimes less toxic.” Cultures around the world developed fermentation techniques as a practical method to prevent food decomposition. Studies show that fermented foods and beverages provide beneficial probiotics
to the gut microbiome. Anyone can give fermentation a try with ordinary kitchen tools—a knife, cutting board, mixing bowl and a jar. “Certain ferments, such as yogurt or tempeh, require specific temperature ranges,” advises Katz.
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Cold Storage
Many fruits and vegetables freeze well, but a basement or backyard root cellar is a no-electricity, cold storage method. Items that store well in a root cellar include most root crops and firm fruits like apples and pears. “Root cellars use the natural, cool, moist conditions underground for fruit and vegetable storage. Earth-sheltered options work best for cooler climates where the ground temp is naturally cooler,” says Laurie Neverman in Denmark, Wisconsin, creator of CommonSenseHome.com. Those with no outdoor spot or cold basement room can still use cold storage. “Some crops like onions, garlic, potatoes, winter squash, apples and carrots keep well in dark, dry, cool room temperatures of about 55 degrees,” says Neverman. Food preservation methods extend the blessings of the harvest. A little preparation now will provide edible delights for months to come. Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin. Reach out at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.
Food Preservation Resources National Center for Home Food Preservation: nchfp.uga.edu Ball & Kerr recipes and products for canning: FreshPreserving.com Complete Dehydrator Cookbook, by Carole Cancler The Pickled Pantry: From Apples to Zucchini, by Andrea Chesman Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetables, by Mike and Nancy Bubel
‘Clean the Garden’ Kimchi This easy kimchi recipe turns common garden veggies into a spicy probiotic ferment that’s loaded with good bacteria and health benefits. yield: 32 servings 4 Tbsp sea salt and 4 cups water 1 lb Chinese cabbage (napa or bok choy preferred, but other cabbage will do) 1 daikon radish or a few red radishes 1 to 2 carrots 1 to 2 (minimum) onions (or shallots or leeks) 3 to 4 (minimum) cloves garlic 3 to 4 hot red chilies to taste (seeds removed, dried is fine, nothing with preservatives) 2 to 3 Tbsp (minimum) fresh grated ginger root Prepare brine in a nonreactive container such as a glass bowl or large measuring cup. Mix water and salt, and stir thoroughly to dissolve salt. Cut up cabbage, radishes and carrots. (Add in other vegetables as an option.) Mix vegetables together and move them into fermentation vessel. Cover vegetables with brine. Use a fermentation weight or plate with a heavy object to weigh the vegetables down and keep them below the brine. (Mix more brine if needed to make sure vegetables are completely submerged.) Put a cloth over the fermentation vessel and wait for vegetables to soften (a few hours or overnight). Drain the brine from the vegetables, reserving it. Give the vegetables a taste. They should be salty, but not too salty. Sprinkle on additional salt, if needed, and mix; rinse if too salty. Mix the onion, garlic, chilies and ginger into the drained vegetables and blend well. Pack the vegetable mix into the fermentation vessel. Use the fermentation weight or plate to press it down until the brine covers the kimchi-inprogress. Add a little brine back, if needed, to make sure the vegetables are completely covered. Cover the fermentation vessel with a cloth and leave it on the counter for about a week. Taste test to check the fermentation. When happy with the flavor, the kimchi is done. Store in the refrigerator in a glass container to stop the fermentation. Recipe by Laurie Neverman at CommonSenseHome.com.
Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible.
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Pineapple Tepache
1 to 2 watermelon radishes ¼ cup white wine vinegar ¼ cup rice wine vinegar ½ cup water 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt 1 tsp sugar 2 cloves garlic, peeled 1 tsp ginger, microplaned ½ tsp peppercorns, lightly crushed Wash and peel watermelon radishes. With a sharp knife or mandoline slicer, slice radishes into round discs. In a non-reactive saucepan, bring the water, white wine vinegar, rice wine vinegar, salt and sugar to a boil. Simmer for 1 minute or until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Remove from heat and add the garlic, ginger and peppercorns. Pour the hot liquid including the garlic and peppercorns over the radishes. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate. Recipe by Chef Anthony Damiano at Counter Culture, in Vero Beach, Florida.
Tepache is a wonderful, effervescent, lightly fermented pineapple beverage. It’s made from the skins and core of pineapple, making use of the parts typically discarded.
Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present. ~Jim Rohn
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yield: about 1 quart
½ cup sugar, or more, to taste (ideally piloncillo, panela or another unrefined sugar, but any type of sugar will work) Peel and core of 1 pineapple (eat the rest of the fruit), cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces 1 cinnamon stick or a few whole cloves or other spices (optional) Dissolve the sugar in about 1 cup of water. Place the pineapple skin and core pieces and spices into the vessel. Pour the sugar water over the pineapple, then add additional water as needed to cover the pineapple. Cover with a loose lid or cloth and stir daily. Ferment for 2 to 5 days, depending upon temperature and desired level of fermentation. It’ll get fizzy, then develop a pronounced sourness after a few days. Taste each day after the first few to evaluate developing flavor. Strain out the solids. Enjoy fresh or refrigerate for up to a couple of weeks. Recipe is an exclusive first look from the forthcoming book, Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys (Chelsea Green Publishing, October 2021).
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Pickled Watermelon Radishes
Zucchini Bacon
photo by Julie Peterson
2 medium zucchini 2 Tbsp grape seed oil 2 Tbsp soy sauce 2 tsp maple syrup 1 tsp liquid smoke Pinch chipotle chili pepper powder Freshly ground black pepper In a large bowl, combine oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, chipotle chili pepper powder and season generously with black pepper. Whisk to combine. Using a vegetable peeler or mandoline, slice zucchini length-wise into thin strips. Place strips in bowl and toss until coated in marinade. Let sit for several hours or overnight.
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Place in a single layer on dehydrator trays, making sure not to overlap. Set the dehydrator to 145° F and let the strips dehydrate for 4 to 6 hours. Remove them when they are crispy. Thicker strips may take longer. Eat immediately or store in an airtight container. Recipe by Chef Anthony Damiano at Counter Culture, in Vero Beach, Florida.
Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne August 2021
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inspiration
Smiling Can Make Us Happier by Julie Peterson
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smile makes the brain happy. As it turns out, it doesn’t matter if we smile at first because we’re genuinely happy or if we simply fake a smile. The brain doesn’t know the difference. When we are happy, we naturally smile. But research has shown that the act of smiling can also induce happiness. It happens because the muscles required to lift the mouth into the shape of a smile are connected to nerves that send signals to the brain. Once the brain gets the message that a smile is happening, it releases dopamine, endorphins and serotonin throughout the body. These feel-good chemicals make us feel less stressed, less pain and happier, which can effortlessly transform a fake smile into a genuine one. Platitudes through the ages have urged us to “Turn that frown upside down” and “Put on a happy face.” In 1872, Charles Darwin hypothesized that facial feedback could alter emotions and, ever since, the topic of smiling and mood has been a subject of discussion and research. Whether or not forced smiles can have a strong enough impact on our state of mind to effectively boost overall mental health is still being debated, with some research indicating that “false” smiles can lower mood if used continuously to avoid expressing certain feelings; however, there are several more positive aspects of smiling to take into consideration. Smiling is contagious. Seeing other people smile stimulates our mirror neurons, which discharge; they discharge similarly whether we’re doing an action or observing someone else do it. So, being around smiling people, seeing them smile, affects our brains as if we were doing the smiling. Smiling also provides the health benefits of reduced anxiety and lowers both blood pressure and heart rate. Over the long haul, these attributes add up to improved cardiovascular health and a measurable reduction in risk for stroke. Get more smile time by working these muscles at every opportunity. Fake it if you must until it comes naturally, watch funny shows, spend time with cheery people and when things are looking down, grin and bear it. You might just feel better right away, and better long-term health is certainly something to smile about.
Nothing is worth more than laughter. It is strength to laugh and to abandon oneself, to be light. ~Frida Kahlo
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Julie Peterson is a Random Acts of Kindness activist RAKtivist.com and an advisor for Kindness Bank, a nonprofit invested in improving community health and well-being. NaPalmBeach.com
healing ways
Unleash Your True Potential Working with a Life Coach Can Help
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by Sandra Yeyati
H
iring a life coach can be an empowering decision for people that want to understand themselves better and lead fulfilled lives. Coaches may specialize in distinct topics like business, parenting or weight loss, but, “It’s all life coaching,” says Patrick Williams, a master certified coach by the International Coach Federation, licensed psychologist and founder of the Institute for Life Coach Training. “If I hire a specialist like a wellness coach, I assume August 2021
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they’re going to know something about wellness, but I’m not hiring a consultant to tell me what I should do in diet and exercise. I want to be coached in living a more well life.” According to master certified coach Fran Fisher, with 30 years of experience, “Life coaching is a safe environment or sacred space of unconditional love and acceptance where learning, growth and transformation naturally occur. It’s a partnership of two experts. The client is the expert of the content: who they are, what’s important to them and what they believe,
think and feel. The coach is the expert of the process. They’ve been specially trained to help the client access their deeper wisdom and make better choices that align with who they are.”
more fun. Anybody who is motivated to make a change or maybe is in the midst of change and they don’t know what to do; that’s who benefits from coaching.”
Going for Gold
Limiting Beliefs and Turtle Steps
Martha Beck, Ph.D., a Harvard-trained sociologist, renowned coach and bestselling author of The Way of Integrity, says, “Most problems can be resolved by simply talking to someone who is willing to listen compassionately and deeply to whatever is going on in their lives and to give them good feedback. A coach will get you to high levels of happiness, selffulfillment and self-expression. Unlike therapists, coaches don’t deal with the mentally ill. They deal with the mentally well who want to maximize their performance.” “A coach helps you think and say and dream of things you hadn’t thought before,” says Williams. “I can advise myself all day long, but as soon as I have a conversation with a trained coach, I hear myself differently. I get new ideas, and that motivates me to make change. The value may come monetarily. It may improve someone’s business or money decisions, but it also may come in how you live your life. There may be value in having less stress, more time,
According to Beck, one of the most common issues a coach must address is their clients’ limiting beliefs. “It’s about freeing yourself from beliefs that are preventing you from moving forward or convincing you that you can’t have what you want, so you never try,” says Beck. “There’s something in your behavior that’s not allowing you to move forward. Let’s find the behavior, figure out why you’re doing it and change that belief. It’s good old-fashioned problem solving in partnership with the client.” Beck’s favorite tool for making changes is what she calls one-degree turns, or turtle steps, defined as the smallest steps you can take toward a goal. “Research shows that large steps tend to get discouraging,” she notes. “We could do them at the beginning of a really passionate, goal-seeking time, but we almost never sustain it. If we go in tiny steps toward what we really believe and what we really want, we get there. The tortoise wins the race.”
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Achieving Goals and Feeling Free
When it comes to setting and achieving goals, coaches have different approaches. Williams, for example, considers himself an accountability partner. “I won’t punish you if you don’t achieve your goals,” he says. “If you report progress, we celebrate and talk about what’s next. If you say, ‘I didn’t get it done,’ then we talk about what got in the way, what needs to change. We never make the client wrong. It’s what’s true for you.” For Beck, goals take a back seat. “My clients tend to give me goals that are culturally based on what they think they should do. People move forward much more rapidly when you don’t hold them to a goal. When they have permission to do whatever they want, they actually start doing the things that all the goal setting in the world won’t allow them to do. We have such a strong response to freedom. When we feel like we’re forcing ourselves to do something, we won’t do it because it’s not free. When we’re free, we do the things that are best for us.” For more information, visit DrPatWilliams.com, FranFisherCoach.com and MarthaBeck.com. Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com. The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things. ~Henry Ward Beecher
Finding the Right Coach The search for a coach often begins online to check credentials, training and experience, and to understand the coach’s approach and personality. “Trust your gut,” says renowned coach and author Martha Beck. “See how you feel when you’re looking at somebody’s website or when you email them and get a response.” Master certified coach Patrick Williams recommends asking for referrals from friends or through the International Coaching Federation (CoachingFederation.org) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCCGlobal.org). “A coach should have some level of certification. You want to ask about their training and how long they’ve been coaching,” he says. Most experts recommend interviewing at least three coaches. Many offer a free, 30-minute sample session. “There has to be a feeling of safety and rapport with that person. You want to feel seen and heard,” says master certified coach Fran Fisher. “Any coach worth their salt will help you find out that you already know your path through life, so although you may feel challenged by this person, you should also feel excited, like this could set you free. If a coach gives you a list of things that will never fail you, and it doesn’t feel like freedom to you, and you don’t feel like your real self, find someone else,” Beck says.
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“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” — Earl Nightingale
“Music always sounds better on Friday.” — Lou Brutus
tuesday “A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour.” —Anonymous
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saturday “In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact.” — Les Brown
wednesday
The brilliant poppy flaunts her head Amidst the ripening grain, And adds her voice to sell the song That August’s here again. ~Helen Winslow
“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” — Dale Carnegie
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Palm Beach County, Florida Edition
NaPalmBeach.com
natural awakenings directory ACUPUNCTURE
CLAIRVOYANT
GARDENS WHOLISTIC HEALTH CENTER
DR. DEBORAH ARMENTI
561-285-1479, Fort Lauderdale AMysticalAge@yahoo.com AMysticalAge.com
Dr. Bill Rice, DC, LAc, DCBCN 4360 Northlake Blvd., 2nd Floor Palm Beach Gardens, 33410 561-439-6644 Healthy-Answers.com Experience Feeling Great! Dr. Rice – a wholistic physician serving patients since 1977 using Acupuncture, Kinesiology, Gentle Chiropractic care and Nutritional Counseling. We Listen • We Care • We Get Results.
Empower Yourself/ Holistic, Healer/ Health Coach Life/ Relationship Guide to help you with the when, what, and why of past experiences. Be empowered to a higher level of mind, body, and spirit. Expertise includes: Relationships, finance, family, health, past life influences, life purpose, path fulfillment, energy healing, and spiritual health.
DAY RETREATS THERMAE STILLNESS RETREAT
215 NE 22 Street Delray Beach, FL 33444 561 332-5883 ThermaeRetreatDelray@gmail.com ThermaeRetreat.com FB: @thermaeretreat IG: thermae.ftlauderdale Thermae Retreat
An organic serene daily retreat to prevent or heal. Infrared saunas, massage, skincare, body scrubs and masques, holistic healing, energy therapy, cupping, sound baths and lymphatic drainage.
CONSCIOUS TREE TRIMMING
DIVINE ENERGY HEALER
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE WOODY’S CREW TREE AND LANDSCAPE
THE HEALING CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
561-325-8917 WoodysTreeCrew@gmail.com WoodysTreeCrew.com
16244 S. Military Trail, Suite 120 Delray Beach FL 33484 561-498-1414 DoctorEsther@att.net Elishea.com Dr. Esther Elisha, AP is a Hadassah Medical School graduate MD practicing alternative medicine. • Acupuncture • Homeopathy • Holistic Therapy • Tailored Wellness Programs • Pain Management • General Health Enhancement We accept all major insurance companies. Call to see if your’s covers acupuncture!
BEAUTY & HEALTH ONENESS PERFUME
OnenessPerfume.com
Oneness ~ Let the beauty of this essence and its message inspire peaceful co-existence; may it encircle all nations and all peoples with the loving gift of gratitude to encourage cocreation and renewal of our sa c r e d p l a n eta ry h o me – knowing in spirit – We Are All One. See ad page 2.
Experienced, Licensed and Insured. ISA Certified Arborist Techniques Used. Trees Big or Small We Do Them All!. See ad page 25.
ADVANCED RAPID HEALING
Nina Presman 33 Southeast 4th Street, Suite 102 Boca Raton, Florida, 33432 561-654-0177 AgelessServices@gmail.com AdvancedRapidHealing.com My gift is to be guided by Divine Love to permanently eliminate any emotional, physical and mental pain or issues replacing them with health, prosperity, happiness, joy, love, and Enlightenment to reach your highest potential.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY EILEEN YOCHEVED HANDE, BS, MA, LMT Back in Balance 7035 Beracasa Way, Ste 104 Boca Raton, FL 33433 561-715-6185 BodyMassageAndBeyond.com
Upledger Certified CranioSacral Therapy for All Ages and Alternative Pain Management/ Advanced Manual Therapies. I have developed innovative approaches to Pain Relief through the integration of these Advanced Healing Therapies for the treatment of: Trauma/Anxiety, Stress, Migraines, TMJ, Car Accident Injuries, Sciatica, Neck/Back Pain, etc. Since 1993. MA14975, MM10999
FENG SHUI JULI EDWARDS FENG SHUI CONSULTING 561-367-5010 JEFengShui.com
Juli Edwards has been a Feng Shui consultant since 2009. Allow her keen, intuitive eye to safely view your home or office via Zoom. Get you and your space healthy! Good Feng Shui practice will bring in peace and harmony. It also helps to prevent accidents! See ad page 23.
Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen—that stillness becomes a radiance. ~Morgan Freeman
August 2021
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natural awakenings directory FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE MERNA MATILSKY, M.D.
Boca Center for Healthy Living 2900 N. Military Trail, Suite 245 Boca Raton, FL 33431 561-994-2007 • BocaMed.com Facebook.com/bocaimaginewellness Services Provided by Dr. Matilsky include Integrative Medicine, Age Management Medicine, Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy, Healthy Lifestyle Management, and Weight Loss Programs. Call for details on attending a free seminar on the Solution to Imbalanced Hormones. See ad page 11.
HERBAL MEDICINE HERBS & OWLS
Gina Kearney, Clinical Herbalist 725 N. A1A, D-103, Jupiter, FL 33477 561-768-9005 HerbsAndOwls.com Shop organic herbs and teas in our Herb Shop and Apothecary, attend Herbal and Shamanism classes or book a Private Herbal or Flower Essence Consult to assist physical, emotional, and energetic healing.
HOLISTIC HAIR SALON GLISTEN ORGANIC SALON
14545 S. Military Trail Phenix Salon Suites, Suite 102 Delray Beach, FL 33484 561-767-0371 GlistenOrganic@gmail.com GlistenSalon.com “Where nature and beauty meet.” A hidden jewel in the heart of Central Delray. Come and relax in the serene, private environment while receiving the finest in organic and conventional services and products. Let our experience and professionalism guide you to Delray’s First and Best Organic Salon. Celebrating 12 years! See ad page 24.
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Palm Beach County, Florida Edition
HOLISTIC VETERINARIAN HEALING HEART
Nancy A. Keller, DVM, CVH, CVA, CVC 222 W. Boynton Beach Blvd. Boynton Beach, FL 33435 561-740-1313 561-740-0819, fax Integration of Ancient Wi s d o m a n d M o d e r n Medicine. Holistic Veterinary Care for our animal friends. See ad on pages 22 and 28. By appointment only.
INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE DEBORAH A. DEMARTA, MD, FACS, FAARFM
Institute of Colorectal Health & Wellness 218 SW Atlanta Ave, Stuart, FL 34994 772-539-9556 InstituteHealthWellness.com Anti-Aging, Functional and Regenerative Medicine. Colorectal Surgery and Functional GI, hormone replacement, food allergy and nutritional testing, IV vitamin therapy, heavy metals testing, medical aesthetics, THERMIva vaginal rejuvenation, ThermiSmooth skin tightening, HALO skin resurfacing, BBL BroadBand Light skin therapy, laser hair removal, botox and fillers, skin care, weight loss. See ad page 19. .
INTERNAL MEDICINE DELIA WEISS MD & WELLNESS 500 Gulfstream Blvd., Suite 202 Delray Beach, FL 33483 561-243–8783 Info@DeliaWeissMD.com DeliaWeissMD.com
Internal Medicine, Primary Care, and Holistic Health for adults. Acute/chronic illness treated. Blood vessel health. Nutrition, Weight, Anti-aging, Dementia prevention, Nutrient supplement consultation. We take a proactive health and wellness approach. Telemedicine and private medical text messaging. Home visits for Medicare homebound. We accept insurances, Medicare, and direct pay.
NaPalmBeach.com
LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE THERAPY BEVERLY DOWDLE, LMT, LLCC
Advanced Lymphatic Therapy™ The Therapeutic Alternative 301 Camino Gardens Blvd., Ste. 102 Boca Raton 561-392-3340 TheTherapeuticAlternative.com
Beverly is a Certified Lymphatic Specialist with over 27 years experience. See and feel the results; glowing skin, reduced swelling/puffiness, improved immune function and better digestion. Decreases postworkout and post-surgical recovery time. MA6733. See ad page 13.
MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER EVA NOWAKOWSKI-SIMS, PHD, LCSW, RYT
359 S County Rd, Palm Beach, FL 33480 561-379-1405 anamcarapb.com D r. N o w a k o w s k i - S i m s incorporates mindfulness as a healing strategy for clients experiencing trauma and moodrelated disorders. Breath and movement brings a person back into the mind-body connection, where problem solving works best.
MIND BODY SPIRIT WELLNESS HEALING MOMENTS HOLISTIC WELLNESS CENTER “A Healing Playroom” Tracy McDonough MSW LMT 3200 N Federal Highway #107 Boca Raton, FL 33431 561-931-2187 Spa@HealingMomentsFL.com
We offer Post-Surgery Lymphatic Drainage, Massage Therapy, Certified Health Coaching, Physical Therapy, Reiki / Quantum Touch Healing, Vibroacoustic Sound Therapy, Meditation, Chakra Balancing, BEMER Therapy, Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna, Kangen Water and many other healing products and services. Goals are: Stress Reduction, Pain Management, Detoxification, & more. MM36169, MA27196
MUSCLE THERAPY HUNTER METHOD
ORTHO-BIONOMY® YINI PEREL, LMT
Stephanie Hunter, Owner & Developer 185 E. Indiantown Rd., Ste. 118 Jupiter, FL 33477 561-747-8700 DoYouHunter.com
The Therapeutic Alternative 301 Camino Gardens Blvd., Ste. 102 Boca Raton 561-392-3340 TheTherapeuticAlternative.com
Many people with pain feel frustrated and hopeless, masking symptoms, instead of getting the real relief they deserve. We offer a proven approach that changes muscle memory. Significant, lasting relief from issues like Vertigo, Sciatica, Frozen Shoulder and more. • Self-Treatment Courses • DIY Therapy for Dogs. MA15772, MM24536
Ortho-Bionomy is a gentle form of bodywork that reduces tension and discomfort. It works without being uncomfortable in the process. It is excellent for anyone seeking relief from pain, improved range of motion, increased flexibility, and improved postural alignment. Yini’s a massage therapist and certified as a Practitioner of OrthoBionomy. MA24690. See ad page 13.
SPIRITUAL BOOKSTORE THE CRYSTAL GARDEN
2610 North Federal Highway Boynton Beach, FL 561-369-2836 • TheCrystalGarden.com A unique gift store, book store, and spiritual center with more than 50 events a month. Check the calendar and website for listings. See ad page 33.
SPROUTS GOT SPROUTS?
8420 Resource Road, Riviera Beach, FL 33404 • 561-689-9464 Info@GotSprouts.com GotSprouts.com Purveyors of Quality Wheatgrass, Sprouts, Juicers, Seed and Supplies. We supply Juice bars, Restaurants, Green Markets, Grocery Stores, and The General Public with Healthy Sprouts! We Ship and Deliver. See ad page 23.
TANTRA LOURDES STARSHOWER 561-843-1261 LourdesTantra@gmail.com TantraHealerFlorida.com
Lourdes Starshower is an Advanced Certified Tantra Educator and Founder of the E c s t a t i c D a k i n i Ta n t r a Practitioner Certification Program. Sacred Sexuality Coach, Relationship Coach, Clairvoyant Energy Healer, Ordained Minister, Hypnotherapist and EMDR Therapist. Video program, “Tantra Practices for Divine Ecstasy.” Private PBG office or Zoom meetings. A free phone consultation available.
CELEBRATING 27 years in THE business of
August 2021
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Dr. Tom O'Bryan Chief Health Off icer, KnoWEwell
"WE ARE TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE" Personalized. Diverse. Inclusive. Regenerative Whole-Health and Well-Being Benefits. It’s how KnoWEwell is transforming the future of healthcare. Award-winning. One global online destination for today’s trusted Regenerative Whole Health knowledge, resources, and ecosystem collaborating to inspire and empower individuals to prevent harm, address chronic diseases and achieve WELLthier Living – Happy. Healthy. Abundant. PurposeFilled. Join the movement as we share knowledge and healing success stories, access to evidence-based resources, immersive learning opportunities from the experts, and help create meaningful connections.. Take control and optimize your health and well-being by visiting: KnoWEwell.com As a Natural Awakenings reader, receive 50% off your first year of membership. Individuals apply: NAPUB0221 Practitioners apply: NAPUB0221P
