Natural Awakenings Magazine, Palm Beach County, Florida, December 2021

E E HEALTHY LIVING FR

HEALTHY

PLANET

WELCOME THE NEW YEAR

6 WAYS TO BOOST IMMUNIT Y • SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRACTICES HOW TO BUY AND STORE FOOD WITH THE PLANET IN MIND DOGGY DELIGHTS • PLANET-FRIENDLY HOLIDAYS December 2021 | Palm Beach County, Florida | NaPalmBeach.com

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from the publisher

T

his month, all of us here at Natural Awakenings extend a warm and loving hand to all who cross our path—not just this month of *Giving Thanks—but every month of every year. We appreciate the opportunity to be of service in sharing valuable information with our readers, being the go-to source for healthy tools and resources for our lifestyle.

Each month, we bring new information on a wide variety of topics around health and well-being, great content to help us on our journey, supporting long, happy, and on-purpose living.

The Eco Tip Department’s article this month discusses living a zero-waste lifestyle and how we can adopt habits that begin at the grocery store and carry over to the kitchen. When considering a purchase, it’s no longer just about the product but about the packaging and the company itself. For tips on buying and storing food to be even more footprint-friendly, see our article Sustainable Kitchen on page 12.

Circles of Healing: The Power of Gathering in Community, by Sr. Staff Writer Linda Sechrist, brings attention to how important it can be to have a circle or group of people around you that you trust with your personal story. With a circle of friends, through active listening and sharing, healing can happen. We list ideas for starting and maintaining a circle and resources for more information on this powerful tool that can span a lifetime. The article begins on page 16.

With many a discussion about immunity, read this month’s Amp Up Immunity: Proven Boosters for Good Health. Learn about adaptogens and how they maintain the body in balance/homeostasis.

Health writer Ronica O’Hara presents a 4

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well-researched article about how different plants and fungi will support our immune system, and latest research for immune system recovery, including plants that help to protect against viral infections.

See page 13.

This month’s Fit Body article by Maya Whitman, health writer, reminds us about self-care especially during the holidays, including activities like conscious breathing, bolstering neurotransmitters through good nutrition, meditation, and being totally present. Winter Wisdom Tips are shared

by Stephanie Mansour. This season, Inhale Peace into your Life. See Holiday Zen, page 20.

In the Natural Pet Department, Toyland for Pooches discusses how to choose safe playthings your dog will love. There’s no shortage of dog toys and treats on the market, but pet toys are not regulated, so one must be mindful of how and from what they are made. Other important considerations to make appropriate choices include dog’s age, size, and temperament.

Karen Shaw Becker, veterinarian and author of the article found on page 24, shares useful tips for selecting safe dog toys, including a sniff test. Beyond toys, keeping our pet healthy keeps us healthy with the human-dog, play-exercise interaction, and that's a win-win!

Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love. Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy. ~ Sai Baba

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Contents 12 SUSTAINABLE

12

LIVING

Advice for Buying and Storing Food

13 AMP UP IMMUNITY Proven Boosters for Good Health

16 CIRCLES OF

16

HEALING

The Power of Gathering in Community

20

20 HOLIDAY ZEN

Stress-Free Fitness and Self-Care

22 GREENING THE HOLIDAYS

22

26

How to Celebrate Sustainably

24 TOYLAND FOR

24

POOCHES

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Choosing Safe Playthings a Dog Will Love

26 THOMAS MOORE on the Art of Soulful Listening

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DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 8 health briefs 10 global briefs 12 eco tip 13 healing ways 20 fit body 22 green living

24 natural pet 26 wise words 27 calendar 28 classifieds 28 natural awakenings directory December 2021

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news briefs

Enjoy Personalized Health at Country Corner Health Foods

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ountry Corner Health Foods has been in the health food business for 30 years. Jay Neumeister along with wife Felicia established the store in 1992. Their son Jay helps out in-store as well.

Country Corner has many loyal long-term customers as well as many newcomers joining the ranks, intent on taking health into their own hands via natural preventive measures.

Customers often present with specific ailments or are seeking healthier alternatives to medications. The cost and side effects alone of many medications lead people to this realization. Although the Neumeisters do not endorse or promote health fads and/or diets and supplements that purport to be cure-alls, they will offer advice and answer questions from customers concerning vitamins, supplements and natural foods which are known to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Knowledgeable, the Neumeisters keep abreast of leading edge research and clinical studies in health and wellbeing, and carry only those supplements from quality companies that stand behind what they make. “Your health is our concern” is their motto as well as an open invitation to stop by when in need of some friendly service dedicated to your wellbeing.

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NewLife Expo Returns to South Florida

T

he NewLife Expo is making its inperson return January 22 to 23, 2022, to the Boca/Deerfield Doubletree Hilton Resort, promising to be better orchestrated than ever.

“NewLifers haven’t had a NewLife Expo for two years, and the excitement is growing to make this the most awesome weekend ever,” says Mark Becker, founder. “This is a chance to come see your favorite exhibitors and speakers on holistic health, alternative medicine, metaphysics, spirituality and environmentalism.

You’ll learn how to strengthen your immune system and reach your maximum potential physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.”

As always, there will be plenty of items available for purchase as well as opportunities to book readings with renowned psychics, many of whom are flying into Florida for this event.

“The NewLife Expo is the nation’s longest-running event focused on conscious living,” Becker shares. “For over 30 years, NewLife has been instrumental in opening up people’s minds to all possibilities by bringing experts from around the world in the fields of holistic health, spirituality, consciousness, and human potential.”

Besides favorite local personalities, the expo brings in Sean David Morton, Dannion Brinkley, Gail Thackray, Kimberly Meredith, Maureen St. Germain, JJ Hurtak, Dr. Robert Young and 60-plus speakers and exhibitors.

Location: 100 Fairway Dr., Deerfield Beach. For more information on exhibiting, lecturing, volunteering, advertising and preregistration discounts, visit NewLifeExpo.com or email Mark@NewLife.com. See ad page 7.

Passion is the log that keeps the fire of purpose blazing. ~Oprah Winfrey

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December 2021

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Eat Walnuts to Reduce Bad Cholesterol and Heart Disease

andreea ch /Pexels.com

Healthy older adults that ate about a half cup of walnuts every day for two years gained a modest reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad cholesterol”, reports a study of 636 people from San Diego’s Loma Linda University. Other risk factors for heart health—small LDL particles and intermediate-density lipoprotein—also decreased, signaling a lower chance of cardiovascular events. “Many people are worried about unwanted weight gain when they include nuts in their diet,” says study co-author Emilio Ros, M.D., Ph.D. “Our study found that the healthy fats in walnuts did not cause participants to gain weight.”

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Eat an Avocado Daily to Redistribute Belly Fat The deep visceral fat that surrounds internal organs is a major indicator of metabolic syndrome and diabetes, but it can be decreased in women by eating an avocado each day, report researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. For 12 weeks, 105 overweight or obese men and women were fed a meal that for only half of the participants included an avocado. The women that ate avocados experienced a reduction in visceral abdominal fat, as well as a reduced ratio of visceral fat to subcutaneous fat closer to the skin, indicating a redistribution of fat away from the organs. Fat distribution in males did not change. ready made/Pexels.com

health briefs

For women suffering from pelvic and back pain associated with endometriosis (uterus growth), garlic may help. In an Iranian study published in the journal Evidence-Based Alternative and Complementary Medicine, half of a group of 60 women with the disorder were given 400 milligrams of garlic in tablets daily, and the others received a placebo. Over a span of three months, researchers found that the women taking the garlic tablets had significantly less pelvic and back pain, as well as significant reductions in discomfort during menstruation and sexual intercourse.

The fragrant Damask rose (Rosa damascene), a common ingredient in essential oils and perfumes, has been used for a millennia in the Middle East to treat chest pain, menstrual bleeding, heart weakness and digestive ailments.

A new study by Iranian researchers has found that it also boosts liver function in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The 37 participating patients that took 500 milligrams of rose petal extract daily for 12 weeks had significantly better serum ALT (liver enzyme) levels compared to the placebo group. The rose extract also reduced triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins and blood pressure, and it significantly improved metabolic syndrome markers. wasanajai/AdobeStock.com

Try Damask Rose Extract to Boost Liver Function

karolina grabowski/Pexels.com

Try Garlic to Relieve Endometriosis Pain

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global briefs

Peaceful Settlement

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Native Americans Win Historic Water Battle

The Indigenous Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have reached an historic $1.9 billion water rights settlement with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, resolving thousands of tribal claims to waterways in Montana. The largest of its kind, this agreement authorizes funding to

modernize the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project, a 1,300mile network of aging canals. It also provides funding for habitat restoration and transfers control of the National Bison Range to the tribes. The dispute stems from the 1855 Treaty of Hellgate, which created the 1.25-millionacre reservation.

The agreement establishes a Flathead Reservation Water Management Board to govern water use within the reservation. Two members of the board will be chosen by the tribe, two will be chosen by the governor of Montana and a fifth will be chosen by the four appointed members.

Tribal Chairwoman Shelly R. Fyant says, “Our elders continually remind us to protect our water, and this day marks the beginning of the water compact implementation that will protect the water for all generations to come.”

Ryan Rusche, an attorney for the tribes, says, “The settlement provides water to fulfill the purpose of the reservation, which is a permanent homeland for the tribes, while at the same time protecting existing nonIndian uses of water on the reservation where there is a significant irrigation-based economy.”

Begin to weave and God will give you the thread. ~German Proverb

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Green Future

Shine On

The UK tech company Dendra claims their drone can plant two trees per second using artificial intelligence for guidance in an effort to re-green the Earth. Their ambitious goal is to plant 500 billion trees by 2060 with 400 teams of two drone operators and 10 drones per team. The plan would plant 10 billion trees per year 10 times more cheaply than planting by hand, especially in remote areas.

First, the replanting areas are identified using a combination of satellite images and drone-collected data. Then, specialized drones carrying seedpods that contain a germinated seed and nutrients use pressurized air to fire the seeds into the ground once in proper position as determined by an algorithm. The seedpods penetrate the ground and start to grow when activated by precipitation.

The World Wildlife Fund estimates the planet is losing 27 football fields of forest every minute due to deforestation.

Dendra CEO Susan Graham says, “We need to use technology to scale up our restoration efforts, and the scale we’re talking about is tens of billions of trees every year. We’ll be able to see the ecosystems that we’ve restored from space.”

A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) describes a significant decrease in the cost of renewable energy sources compared to 2020, with solar leading the pack by a wide margin. The 10-year average adjusted costs of generation for a plant over its lifetime are 85 percent for utility-scale solar; 56 percent for onshore wind; 48 percent for offshore wind; and 68 percent for concentrated solar power.

IRENA continues to see drops of between 7 percent and 16 percent in these categories this year. According to the same report, the 62 percent of new renewables added last year had lower costs than the cheapest fossil fuels.

New renewables are increasingly competitive against existing fossil fuels. In the U.S., 61 percent of current coal capacity already has higher operating costs. Phasing out these coal plants would start saving money almost immediately. IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera states that because renewables cost more upfront than keeping old coal rolling, action is needed to make sure emerging economies are not left behind. “We are far beyond the tipping point of coal.”

Large-Scale Solar Power Cost Plummets

pixabey/Pexels.com

tom fisk/Pexels.com

Planting 500 Billion Trees

December 2021

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eco tip

Sustainable Kitchen Advice for Buying and Storing Food

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As we awaken to the climate crisis, we are called to participate in its solutions. In addition to frequenting farmers’ markets, much can be done at the grocery store and in the kitchen. By adopting these easy practices incrementally, we’ll be living zero-waste lifestyles before we know it.

AT THE GROCERY STORE Food waste is environmentally problematic, producing a significant amount of greenhouse gases. Before entering the grocery store, plan meals for the week and build a shopping list to prevent overbuying.

Buy staples like nuts, beans, flours, grains, dried fruit and chocolate chips in bulk, carrying them home in reusable cotton sacks that can be purchased from artisans on Etsy.com. Some grocery stores offer paper bags in the bulk aisle; choose these over plastic and save them for subsequent uses.

Many of us have stopped drinking bottled water to ditch single-use plastics.

Consider expanding that effort by forgoing packaged products that can be made easily from scratch, including salad dressings, breads, hummus, nut milks, nut butters, jams, tortilla chips and granola.

Some food companies employ eco-friendly packaging, setting an example for the rest of the industry. Read labels not just for ingredients, but for packaging practices, too. For example, look for shelf-stable dried goods packaged in recycled cardboard boxes printed with vegetable-based inks. While loose tea is the most sustainable choice, we can also opt for compostable tea bag brands that don’t use strings, staples or individual wrappers.

A snowflake is one of nature’s most fragile things, but look what they can do if they stick together. ~Unknown

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IN THE KITCHEN One of the most elegant and traditional storage solutions is the Mason jar. It’s an inexpensive, reusable, versatile option, not just for canning and preserving foods, but also for storing bulk pantry items or refrigerated leftovers.

While paper towels and napkins may be biodegradable, an Earth-friendlier choice is reusable washcloths and fabric napkins that are easily washed in the laundry. Avoid ones that come in plastic wrapping. Darker colors will hide stains better, but if they help save the planet, embrace the stains.

Several options exist to avoid plastic wrap and disposable plastic containers, including reusable silicone freezer bags, beeswax wraps, glass spray bottles and stainless steel canisters. Keep and reuse grocery store jars. Soaking them to remove the labels is easy.

A bristled, wooden dish brush is preferable to petroleum-based disposable sponges that come wrapped in plastic. They last longer, don’t produce as much bacteria and are capable scrubbers. Use bar soap to avoid plastic dishwashing liquid containers.

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healing ways

Amp Up Immunity Proven Boosters for Good Health

foxyliam/AdobeStock.com

by Ronica O’Hara

A

s we head into the holidays, a gift that many of us wish for is a strong immune system to protect us not only from serious illness, but also from wintry coughs and sniffles. Robust immunity rests on three pillars, research shows: getting at least seven hours of sleep a night to allow immune functions to reboot; daily exercise to stimulate the production of white blood cells that fight off harmful bacteria and viruses; and plant-based foods to supply the antioxidants and phytochemicals needed to reduce inflammation and keep cells humming happily.

In addition, we can enhance immunity by adding specific adaptogens and mushroom powders into our daily routine.

These study-proven substances perform specific functions in

the immune system that boost our resistance to illness. As powders, they can be easily added into drinks or foods, and they can also be taken as tinctures or pills.

Modulating Immunity with Adaptogens

Used for millennia in China and India, adaptogens are plants that keep the body in balance by helping it adapt to stress.

They interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a complex system of glands, hormones and receptors that helps manage homeostasis, stress responses and energy metabolism.

“Adaptogens are a great way to boost immunity, especially if you are constantly sick and run down due to feeling stressed,” says Heather Hanks, a Plymouth, Michigan, nutritionist with December 2021

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USA Rx. Adaptogens typically take two or three weeks to become effective; follow package directions for proper dosage.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), an herb called locoweed in the U.S., boosts immune function by increasing natural killer cell activity and enhancing the function of macrophages, the “immune sentinels” that reside in tissues. A recent review suggests that long-term use of astragalus might help prevent colds, and taking it for up to six weeks may relieve seasonal allergy symptoms such as runny nose, itching and sneezing. It has also been shown to improve recovery after illness, disease or prolonged stress and to help post-chemotherapy patients regain health. Polish researchers found that rowing team athletes given 500 milligrams of astragalus root extract each day for six weeks had immune systems that recovered faster after strenuous exercise.

Panax Ginseng, a perennial plant from East Asia, keeps the immune system in balance by regulating its components, including macrophages, dendritic cells and both T and B cells. It improves resistance to illness and microbial attacks, helps counter stress, controls inflammation, improves cognitive functions and has been found effective in the treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, insulin resistance and hypertension.

Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), also known as holy basil, “enhances the immune response, protects the body against bacterial and viral infection and promotes clear and comfortable breathing,” says Ameya Duprey, a certified Ayurvedic practitioner in Nevada City, California. Studies show that it also helps prevent liver, kidney and brain injury by protecting against the genetic, immune and cellular damage caused by pesticides, pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals.

The Marvel of Medicinal Mushrooms

Used medicinally since at least 3,000 BCE, certain mushrooms have been found to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, 14

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cardiovascular-protective, anti-diabetic, liver-protective and anticancer properties.

They are usually not cooked, but rather taken as a powder that can be added to foods like smoothies, cereals and stir-fries.

Reishi mushrooms increase the activity of killer cells and lower inflammation in white cells, warding off infections.

“They are used by cancer patients, as they support a healthy immune system, have antioxidant properties and may prevent or treat infections,” says Linda Strause, Ph.D., an adjunct professor of human nutrition at University of California San Diego, whose husband with brain cancer was encouraged to take the mushrooms as a supplement.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensi) is harvested from the larvae of caterpillars in the high Himalayas. In a randomized, eight-week Korean study of 79 adults, supplementing with 1.7 grams of cordyceps extract daily led to a significant 38 percent increase in the activity of natural killer cells that protect against infection. It has been used traditionally to treat fatigue, sexual dysfunction, asthma, kidney problems, high blood pressure and weak hearts.

Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) contains a compound called polysaccharide-K that stimulates the immune system. It also acts as a prebiotic, which promotes the health of the gut microbiome, a key player in immunity. A Harvard Medical School study of 22 healthy people found that taking 3,600 milligrams of polysaccharopeptide extracted from turkey tail mushrooms each day led to beneficial changes in gut bacteria and suppressed the growth of problematic E. coli and shigella bacteria.

Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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Circles of Healing

by Linda Sechrist

H

ad the intellectual achievements of human culture evolved during a revolution based on living systems in the natural world rather than one of rapid industrial growth and resource consumption, we might be experiencing interconnectedness instead of divisiveness during this time of social and ecological crisis.

A nature-focused revolution embracing humans as an integral part of the Earth’s natural systems would have instilled a deeper understanding of the wonders of the human body as a living system imbued with inner intelligence, as well as the intelligence of the non-human living world. This perspective, held by Native Americans, would have helped to create sustainable human communities that flourish by connecting, collaborating, cooperating and communicating.

With such approaches as wisdom circles, story circles, power of eight intention circles, support groups, prayer circles and dialogue circles exploring conflict solutions, Western minds are just beginning to comprehend how small-community experiences of fellowship and communion can assuage feelings of separation and isolation, and create inner experiences of wholeness and belonging.

Mentoring Each Other

Although not always sharing a common geographical location, small communities formed around common interests and shared values enable emotional healing. The ManKind Project (MKP), which describes itself as a “men’s community for the 21st century,” has more than 1,000 peer-facilitated groups in 22 countries in which men mentor each other through their life passages.

“In our MKP communities, there’s a sense of shared commitment and the shared values of accountability, authenticity, compassion, generosity, integrity, respect, leadership and multicultural awareness, 16

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along with a shared vision pointing us in the direction we want to go together,” says Boysen Hodgson, MKP-USA communications director. “While MKP’s mission statement informs our work, in New Warrior Adventure training, each man creates a personal mission statement. Mine is, ‘I transform culture by designing change, building bridges and co-creating space for connection.’”

According to Hodgson, when a man shares how he hears his inner voice for the first time along with his story in another man’s story, he becomes aware of his interior capacities and cultivates internal and external listening skills. By sharing personal stories, men experience epiphanies that can result in connections and bonding.

Douglas Bonar, a 35-year veteran of mental health counseling and owner of A Center for Wellness, in Pinellas Park, Florida, has been facilitating men’s groups for 22 years. Men and occasionally women that have been court-ordered to undergo counseling with Bonar for 29 weeks after their incarceration learn the value of growing together in community. “I initiate the uninitiated who’ve never heard about the powerful impacts of respectful, attentive listening without judgement, giving/receiving feedback and support, and learning about successes and failures in the company of community,” says Bonar. “Actively engaging the minds, hearts and energy of people participating in community makes experiencing emotional healing possible. Feeling truly heard and deeply listened to and comprehending life from a multisensory human perception and a sense of oneness can lead to understanding that we are never alone, the universe is alive—conscious, intelligent and compassionate.”

More about progress than perfection, Bonar’s unique Roots and Wings Way of Wholeness approach to healing in community tills the soil of an inner world and plants seeds via the introduction of guidelines for creating authentic power, spiritual growth,

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The Power of Gathering in Community

levels of consciousness, coherence, the realization of one’s true self as more than an enculturated personality, the Noetic experience of oneness, humans as energetic beings, emotions as energy in motion and a coherent energetic field that the HeartMath Institute notes creates synchronization, or entrainment, between the heart and mind, as well as a sense of unity.

• Chronic Pain Relief • Heal Past Injuries • Release Trauma • Less Stress • More Energy Lorem Ipsum

Sharing Sacred Space

Jean Shinoda Bolen, a Jungian psychiatrist, activist and author of Moving Toward the Millionth Circle: Energizing the Global Women’s Movement, encourages everyone to follow a path with soul and take on a personal assignment that contributes to change, while relying on the support of circle communities of like-minded individuals. “Fundamental principles applicable to any group include creating sacred space, listening with compassion and for wisdom, speaking from the heart and personal experience, inviting silence and reflection when needed, taking responsibility for your experience and your impact on the circle, keeping the confidence of the circle and making decisions when needed by consensus,” says Bolen, whose active events include a prayer circle and another with women she has been together with since the 1980s.

“The more frequently a circle meets to fully witness one another’s life stories, including all the changes and crises, a growing trust and heart connection occurs and a coherent energy field is created,” says Bolen. At the beginning of her circle gatherings, upon hearing the tone of a Tibetan bowl, she says, everyone immediately drops into coherence; a state of connectedness in which the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

Cultivating Deep Listening

As the host of New Dimensions, a nationally syndicated radio program that addresses cultural shifts, Justine Willis Toms has deeply explored interconnectedness with some of the greatest minds on the planet, including the Dalai Lama and physicist David Bohm. Referring to her circle communities as “friends of the heart,” she enthuses, “When I am deeply listening to another or speaking authentically aloud in a circle of trust, I get to hear myself in a way that I don’t if I’m only listening to what is in my head.”

Recalling a tumultuous time in her life, Toms relates a profound healing experience that occurred in a circle community in which she and her husband had been participating since the 1980s. “This particular circle usually gathers for an entire weekend. On one, I arrived in deep distress—so much so that on Friday I began pouring out my fears, anxiety, blame and judgements. I raged through the night and didn’t stop until after breakfast on Saturday, when I felt complete, totally heard, emotionally healed and revived.”

From a sense of peace and clarity, Toms knew that healing occurred because of the circle’s capacity for deep listening. “We know and trust the true genius that each of us is, and we know how to not be afraid for each other when life is in a rollercoaster cycle and we’re at the bottom, but don’t want to pull the brake because we’ll

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never have the momentum to go back up. This is the power of a circle of friends of the heart who love you,” says Toms, who shares a favorite African saying, “‘A friend is someone who knows your song and sings it to you when you have forgotten it. Those who love you are not fooled by the mistakes you’ve made or the dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly, your wholeness when you are broken, your innocence when you’re feeling guilty and your purpose when you are confused.’”

Connecting through Common Emotions

Physician Jennifer Phelps, owner of Phelps MD Integrative Medicine, in Redding, Connecticut, is a trained facilitator of small groups who has worked in communities traumatized by natural disasters and human-caused catastrophes in her role as a faculty member of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, in Washington, D.C. “Where individuals listen to the grief and loss of others, emotional healing can be quite profound.

Sharing stories in community, we learn we’re not alone and isolated, but rather related and connected in our human emotions,” says Phelps, adding that in groups of fewer than six people cohesiveness dissipates, leaving only conversation and cross-talk.

The process of human and community development unfolds from within each person, relationship and community.

According to Cate Montana, of Kula, Hawaii, author of The E-Word: Ego, Enlightenment & Other Essentials, awakening to the illusion of separation, which can happen in community, sparks healing. “The persona of an individual as only a body and mind is the big sleep,” advises Montana, whose life work has been about waking people up to the truth of their essential spiritual nature and giving them tools for a more fulfilling life.

Having experiences of fellowship and communion with likeminded people can make it possible to observe and understand how ego and mind function, and to become aware of crippling social programming which fragments, separates and divides us.

Experiencing a sense of wholeness in such an environment allows for healing naturally on many levels.

Linda Sechrist is Natural Awakenings’ senior staff writer.

Connect at LindaSechrist.com.

December 2021

17

Ideas for Starting and Maintaining a Circle

by Justine Willis Toms

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Three-step advice: 1. Make the commitment and write it down 2. Put out the call 3. Be consistent Step One: Set forth a clear intention.

Years ago, I learned from Rev. Mary Manin Morrissey that everything is born twice: first in the imagination and then into the world. In the beginning, you will not know all the details, but you need to be clear in the overall intention of starting a circle and meeting regularly. Instead of saying, “Having a circle in my life is a good idea,” say, “It’s as good as done; I’m going to make it so no matter what.”

Then write it down. This anchors it into the world of manifestation.

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When I tell someone that I’ve been meeting in a circle with the same people for more than three decades, they invariably ask, “How can I have that in my life?” They are eager to hear my stories, but feel overwhelmed about how to start a circle of their own. While those first steps feel like the biggest steps, they are really baby steps.

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Step Two: Put out the call.

After making the inner commitment, you need to tune into other people that want to travel with you. It doesn’t take a lot of people to begin; one or two others will be fine. Talk to a friend about this idea. You may feel awkward at first, but be assured there is a field of energy holding you—humans we have been circling since the dawn of history. If people turn you down, do not be discouraged. Trust that the perfect people will begin to show up. It is my

experience that if even two people meet using circle principles on a regular basis it acts as an attractor for others.

Step Three: Meet on a consistent basis.

Put your circle time in your calendar as an important event. Keep this commitment just as you would a medical or dental appointment. Show up and keep the appointment even if you are the only one. There will be times when you feel too tired to go. Go anyway. Afterwards, you’ll be truly delighted you went. Being sporadic in your meeting time will create a “leaky container”. Meeting consistently builds a powerful and vitalizing bond.

Best Practices for Circles These agreements have helped circles to function more successfully for all participants.

Consider it a sacred space One person speaks at a time Speak and listen from the heart Encourage and welcome diverse points of view Listen with discernment instead of judgment When in doubt or need, pause and silently ask for guidance n Share leadership and resources n Decide together how decisions will be made n Work toward consensus when possible n Offer experience instead of advice n Decide together what is to be held in confidence n Speak from your own experiences and beliefs rather than speaking for others n Open and close the circle by hearing each voice (Checkins and check-outs) n n n n n n

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December 2021

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fit body

HOLIDAY ZEN

Stress-Free Fitness and Self-Care

by Maya Whitman

D

espite our best efforts, holiday time can frazzle our nerves and snag us in an unhealthy loop of overindulgence. To combat holiday pressure, the Mayo Clinic suggests maintaining a regular exercise program and investing in me-time activities like meditation and deep breathing.

Movement and simple self-care, even for a few minutes, can lower cortisol levels that often contribute to excessive food cravings. Walking, going for a run, lifting weights, or getting into the pool or onto the yoga mat can help us enjoy the season with less angst.

foto helin/AdobeStock.com

Cancelling Guilt, Staying Healthy

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Palm Beach County, Florida Edition

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With simple strategies, enjoying the office party dessert table doesn’t have to get us off track. “One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself when reaching for a cookie is to be in full approval of eating it. Let your experience of eating it be clean, present and so free of resistance that you can really experience it,” says Maria Miller, a spiritual life coach in Oceanside, California.

Stephanie Mansour, host of the weekly national PBS health and fitness show Step It Up with Steph, also opts for a no-stress approach, especially when it comes to working out. “When cortisol levels are through the roof, we crave fattening, salty or sweet foods. Studies have shown that people have a more positive body image just after five minutes of exercise,” says the Chicago-based wellness coach. “This mindset is huge when it comes to eating healthier and taming holiday cravings.”

Bolstering neurotransmitters through good nutrition can take the edge off the to-do list or a gloomy winter day. “When we fuel our bodies with a variety of whole foods, we are also supporting healthy brain function, which has a direct impact on our emotions,” says Teigan Draig, a life coach in Spencerville, Ohio. Draig suggests berries, citrus fruits, fresh fish, turkey, walnuts, almonds, avocados and eggs to boost serotonin and dopamine levels, “which improve mood and help to reduce the effects of stress and anxiety on the body.”

Prioritizing Self

Most of us are short on time, but committing to good health doesn’t require hours at the gym. “Many of my clients are looking for fast, simple workouts that they can squeeze in during the holidays,” says Mansour. “Set the timer for five minutes and get down on the floor to do ab exercises. Doing leg lifts, bicycle abs and crunches for five minutes is an excellent way to fire up the core.” She also suggests setting the morning alarm or going to sleep at night five minutes earlier to do some stretches in bed. “If you’re cooking, you can do squats in the kitchen while a smoothie is blending or calf raises while stirring a pot on the stove.”

For Miller, putting on some music and dancing in the living room is a sure way to get a boost. She is also a fan of guilt-free, unplugged intervals of shut-eye: “Five-to-25-minute power naps are a great way to rest and recharge with a very high return on your investment of time.” During the winter months, it can be easy to turn to screens for distraction and as a way to cope with the stress of the season. Miller reminds us to nourish our souls and get out in nature to “notice the way the weather impacts your body, the way it feels to draw in a breath and how you’re part of a constant exchange with life through each breath you take.”

Inhaling Peace

Conscious breathing makes the effects of workouts go further and halts the cascade of stress hormones. “Whatever fitness routine you’re doing is fine, just always breathe through your nose. Mouth breathing triggers cortisol release,” says Ed Harrold, breathwork and performance coach in Draper, Utah, and author of Life with Breath. “When we slow the breath rate, we encourage a relaxation response. We can manage the release of cortisol by inhaling through the nose, slowly from the belly to the collarbone and exhaling slowly through the nose by gently drawing the belly back into the lower spine. This is called diaphragmatic breathing and is our proper breath, even during exercise.”

For nature, winter is a time of repose from which we can take a cue and enjoy the moment. Draig muses, “Mindfulness requires us to be present in the here and now, rather than worrying about the to-do list or stressing over holiday finances.”

Maya Whitman writes about natural health and living a more beautiful life. Connect at Ekstasis28@gmail.com.

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21

green living

Greening the Holidays How to Celebrate Sustainably

tanyajoy/AdobeStock.com

by Sandra Yeyati

both health and environmental reasons, gently encourage smaller meat portions and fill the plate with scrumptious side dishes. After the party, leftovers can be sent home with guests, turned into nextday lunches and soups or frozen for later use. Compost scraps to keep them out of the landfill.

Responsible Gift Wrapping

Eliminating wrapping paper, bows, ribbons and greeting cards from the holiday equation is a great zero-waste lifestyle choice. Gifts can just as easily be wrapped in fabric, scarves and cloth napkins, or presented inside a reusable shopping bag. Another alternative is to use wrapping materials and greeting cards that are biodegradable, from recycled origins or certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council (fsc.org) to ensure they did not contribute to deforestation.

Avoid papers with glitter, foil and other decorations that may contain nonbiodegradable, petroleum-based elements.

Glitter is usually made from plastic, contributing to the microplastics problem. When recycling, remove tape, bows and ribbons.

Earth-Friendly Holiday Decorations

W

ith every record-setting storm and catastrophic fire, more people are realizing that we are embroiled in a climate crisis. Consider this holiday season as an opportunity not just to make sustainable choices, but also to take strategic action that positively impacts the planet and inspires friends and family to join the environmental cause. Whether that means modifications to the holiday dinner, ecofriendly decorating tactics or responsible gifting, every environmental choice can be a teaching moment or conversation starter. Together, we can make a difference.

Eco-Friendly Holiday Dinner

Growing fruits and vegetables is generally kinder to the Earth than the industrialized production of meat, which pollutes the environment and mistreats animals. Hosting a vegetarian holiday feast with locally sourced, organic produce is a great way to support regenerative farming systems, slash transportation emissions and introduce guests to new culinary traditions. If meat is a must, opt for sustainably wild-caught salmon or shrimp and pastured, organic turkey or chicken over beef, as cow production leads to significant methane emissions.

To conserve energy, use the oven or stove sparingly, opting instead for recipes that employ crockpots, air fryers, pressure cookers, outdoor barbecues or the microwave. For 22

Palm Beach County, Florida Edition

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The most eco-friendly Christmas decoration is a potted, living tree that can be decorated and exhibited indoors during the holidays and planted in the garden afterwards. A mini-rosemary tree is also a fragrant tabletop alternative. Opt for LED string lights, which use a fraction of the energy that traditional lights require.

With the help of online instructional videos, families can come together to craft decorations out of biodegradable, recycled and consumable materials, including tree ornaments made of reclaimed wood or soda can tabs; garlands of popcorn, dried fruit slices or cinnamon sticks; wreaths and centerpieces studded with pine cones, herb branches and flowers from the garden; and candles made with essential oils and soy wax. The home will smell festive, fresh and healthful.

Thoughtful, Life-Affirming Gifts

Environmentally responsible holiday shopping takes many forms. Some people pledge to buy nothing during Christmas and instead donate their holiday budgets to families in need. Others set out to buy gifts they know the recipient wants or needs to avoid waste. They shop at local, small businesses and choose durable, repurposed, easily repairable and upcycled items.

Thoughtful gifts that affirm a commitment to the planet are electric bicycles and comfortable hiking shoes to encourage slow transportation and healing walks in nature; solar-powered devices and chargers in support of renewable energy; consumable items and foods that won’t clutter the home or landfill; services and experiences that don’t need to be gift wrapped; and donations to environmental charities that are meaningful to the recipient.

Consider gifts that encourage loved ones to grow their own fruits, vegetables and herbs; plant shade trees in their backyards; and nurture flowering plants that support bees, butterflies and other pollinators—greenthumb gifts like herb planters, wildflower seed packets, garden tools, utility gloves and vegetable-growing instruction books.

Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right. ~Theodore Roosevelt

Reusable Gifts that Ditch the Plastic

These reusable gifts make it easy and fun for recipients to be kind to the planet year-round by reducing our devastating dependence on single-use, nonbiodegradable plastic that pollutes the environment and harms aquatic wildlife. n Straws made of stainless steel, organic bamboo, silicone, biodegradable paper or glass n Water bottles and insulated containers made of stainless steel or glass n Food bags, wraps and bowl covers made of beeswax, silicone, cotton or canvas n Stainless steel plates and bamboo utensils for sustainable picnicking n Zero-waste shampoo, conditioner and body wash bars Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail. com.

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23

natural pet

Toyland for Pooches Choosing Safe Playthings a Dog Will Love

by Karen Shaw Becker

M

dog prefers—and which are safest—from a mind-blowing selection of tugs, balls, discs, chews, puzzles, squeaky or stuffed toys and more. Because many pet stores welcome dogs, some pet parents even bring their four-legged family members along and allow them to sniff out their favorites.

It’s important to select a dog’s toys carefully, because not every option is a good choice. For example, some dogs, especially large breeds, tend to rip soft toys apart within seconds to taste-test the stuffing. There are also dogs that can swallow small soft toys whole. A pup’s temperament, size and age all play a role in determining which toys are safe, and there are also considerations based on the toy itself, such as

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materials used, size, shape and more.

Potentially Toxic Toys

Pet toys are not regulated, so they can be made with virtually any material. Plastic toys, in particular, can be dangerous, because many contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA). Old or weathered toys such as those left outside leach higher concentrations of harmful chemicals.

While BPA-free toys are available, the toxin may have been replaced with similar—or even more toxic—chemicals, including bisphenol-S (BPS), so “BPAfree” unfortunately isn’t a reliable indicator of toy safety. Other adulterants found in dog toys include heavy metals like lead and formaldehyde.

When looking for new toys, choose

Arno/AdobeStock.com

ost healthy dogs retain their love of play throughout their lives. Because canine family members can be loosely compared to perpetual human toddlers, it makes sense that they enjoy playtime no matter their age.

Most dogs are also fascinated, at least temporarily, with toys made just for them.

Some love to chase a ball or Frisbee and others like a good game of tug or stuffed toys. Most dogs seem to enjoy playthings that squeak when they bite them, possibly because the noise brings to mind the sound of captured prey, or perhaps because pet parents give their dogs extra attention when they “get their squeak on”.

Most dogs in the U.S. have lots of toys, and many pet parents practice trialand-error to determine what type their

Palm Beach County, Florida Edition

those made in the U.S. out of 100 percent natural rubber, organic cotton or other eco-friendly and contaminant-free materials. Try the sniff test. If a toy being considered smells strongly of chemicals, put it back. Testing shows that some tennis balls made for pets contain more contaminants than those made for sports.

The best toys for pets are usually hand- made by individuals or very small companies and can be found at local farmers’ markets or sold regionally in small, independent pet stores. There’s no plethora of companies that produce 100 percent organic toys, but some great, all-natural toys can be found online.

What Dogs Seem to Prefer

Researchers have discovered that regardless of the type of toy, once a dog is completely familiar with the sight, sound, smell and feel of it, boredom can set in. In addition, we may want to avoid “indestructible” toys the dog can’t make a dent in, because they enjoy toys they can pull apart and destroy, or those that are edible.

Offering a dog easily destroyed toys isn’t ideal, either, as they may accidently or intentionally ingest some of the non-edible pieces. A good alternative is recreational bones (large, raw chunks of beef and bison femur bones), which are quite enjoyable to most dogs, even though they’re not technically toys. Lick mats that hold a soft food treat are also a great environmental enrichment choice for dogs that tend to destroy toys quickly.

Treat-release puzzle toys, toys meant to be chewed and those that make noise or are edible (like a nontoxic dental bone) can also be good options, while toys that are hard, unyielding and silent will probably not be a big hit.

Don’t underestimate our human ability to stimulate a dog’s interests. A session of playtime—playing fetch, tug-of-war or hide-andseek—will be far more stimulating to the pup than any toy could be.

Veterinarian Karen Shaw Becker has spent her career empowering animal guardians to make knowledgeable decisions to extend the life and well-being of their animals. For more information, visit DrKarenBecker.com.

Toys That Require Close Supervision n Long, rope-like or tug toys, since they can become wrapped around your dog’s neck n Squeaky toys if your dog likes to play “rip out the squeaker” n Battery-operated toys, because if your dog manages to get the batteries out and swallows them, it can result in battery toxicosis n Tennis balls, which can be a choking hazard for large dogs, and the abrasive fuzz may wear down the teeth of an aggressive or persistent chewer n Frisbees and similar flying discs that may cause your dog to jump up and twist simultaneously, which can lead to leg and back injuries

December 2021

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wise words

Thomas Moore

on the Art of Soulful Listening

by Marlaina Donato

T

homas Moore, New York Times bestselling author, Jungian-based psychotherapist, musician and former monk, has been an advocate for conscious living since authoring his first book, Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life. Twenty-three books later, Moore breaks ground with his latest release, Soul Therapy: The Art and Craft of Caring Conversations, in which he invites therapists, psychiatrists, spiritual directors, ministers and caregivers to cultivate deeper connection based on soulful listening. His timeless wisdom inspires all of us to live from a state of spirituality and conscious wonder so that we might bridge the chasm between cultural, political and personal differences.

We need more therapeutic conversations in all areas of life, and my book is for the ordinary person, as well as the

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Palm Beach County, Florida Edition

What is soul therapy inmodern times?

The ancient Greeks wrote extensively about the soul. Their word was psyche, so it takes very little effort to see how psychotherapy is about caring for the soul. The ancients felt that the soul’s natural home is in the “underworld”, and soul therapy sees it the same way. We are not interested in causing behavior changes or finding explanations for current problems.

These don’t go deep enough. They do not touch the underworld, or deep narratives and memories of a person.

For example, if a person complains

photo by Simone Anne

What inspired you to write Soul Therapy?

professional therapist. We could talk to each other with the intention of befriending and offering useful care.

Medicine is in need of an injection of this therapeutic talking and listening to add soul and spirit to an otherwise materialistic approach to the human being.

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that he eats too much, then we might go deep and see if the underlying issue is a failure to nourish his life and person. We look for metaphors and layers of meaning. We don’t want change for the sake of change. We don’t necessarily expect a person to feel better or be better adjusted to life. We stay close to the symptom, like eating too much, and hope to see it fulfilled at a deeper level, truly nourishing your life.

What soul work is required of the helper to be able to address the needs of others?

The helper in soul therapy has to learn to observe carefully, and at a deep level, the narrative or story being lived out, often unconsciously, in a client. The arts, mythology, alchemy, dreams—these can all give hints about the deeper story being lived. The soul therapist does not give much advice, if any, and doesn’t try to figure a person out. He or she stays close to the symptoms to see what

the pain and confusion are all about. A person gets to know better the desires and fears that motivate him, without judgment or agenda. You try to see where the soul might have been wounded or not cared for.

Why do you think there is a perceived increase in anxiety and depressive disorders?

Our underlying philosophy or way of seeing everything is based on quantified studies, brain and laboratory research and the need to explain and define everything. There is no room for mystery and its language, which is poetic and metaphorical. The soul suffers.

How can we truly listen to others and cultivate authentic presence?

Today we often debate rather than converse. We want to win arguments rather than gain deep insight. You listen well only

when you find peace in yourself and give up the need to be always right.

What gives you hope for humanity?

In spite of all our problems today, I am an optimist. Humanity is very slowly evolving into a more humane community of Earth beings. We have a long way to go. I see our young people today, many of them impatient to create a different kind of global culture, one that has the courage and vision to deal with our ecological crisis and create a peaceful political planet.

They are not plagued with cynicism or despair. We can’t give up our idealism and surrender to pessimism. The world has always had deep troubles. The challenge should bring out all our creativity and passion for life.

Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at WildFlowerLady.com.

calendar of events Local ongoing calendar items for the community are submitted online at NaPalmBeach.com/events/new. Ordering deadline for online is 5pm on the 10th of the month before publication.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4

Free: Intro to Herbal Medicine – Noon1pm. Discover how herbs are used, and ways to select helpful herbs. Learn how vibrational flower essences and earth-based practices fit into a holistic health model. Herbs & Owls: Herbal Consults, Classes & Herb Shop, 725 N. Highway A1A, D-103, Jupiter. 561-7689005. Register: HerbsAndOwls.com/classes.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 6

Flower Essence Chakra Meditation – 1010:45am. Enjoy a guided chakra meditation to cleanse, balance and restore energy to your chakra system. You'll leave feeling grounded, balanced and vibrant. $20. Herbs & Owls: Herbal Consults, Classes & Herb Shop - Jupiter, FL, 725 N. Highway A1A, D-103, Jupiter.

561-768-9005. HerbsAndOwls.com/classes.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10

Deadline for Natural Awakenings Calendar in Print – order online before 5pm. You may submit events for online publication anytime. All Events that are submitted for

print are automatically placed online at no charge. NaPalmBeach.com/events/new.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14

Free Intro to Laura Norman Reflexology Training Zoom Class – 8pm-9pm. Talk with Laura Norman about: How to Add to Your Services • Start a New Career • Earn $75$150 an Hour • Free Registration online at LauraNorman.com.

advertising and pre-registration discounts, email Mark@NewLifemag.com, visit NewLifeExpo.com, or call 516-897-0900.

Event location: Boca/Deerfield Doubletree Hilton Resort, 100 Fairway Drive, Deerfield Beach, FL. See ad page 7.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16

Shamanism Workshop – 6:30-8:30pm. We explore the teachings and practices of the medicine wheel, spirit animals &guides and nature-based ceremony. Bring a notebook and pencil. $35. Herbs & Owls: Herbal Consults, Classes & Herb Shop - Jupiter, FL, 725 N. Highway A1A, D-103. 561-768-9005.

Register at HerbsAndOwls.com/classes.

upcoming events HAPPY NEW YEAR! SATURDAY, JANUARY 22 NewLife Expo – Two days of Natural Healthy, Enlightenment & Fun. Saturday and Sunday, January 23. For more information on exhibiting, lecturing, volunteering,

CALENDAR

Even more local events are posted online. Visit and bookmark: NaPalmBeach.com/calendar Email for information on how to submit your event for free or feature your event for $25.

NaturalAwakeningsFla@gmail.com December 2021

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ongoing events

sunday MAGICAL MINIS – 11am-1pm. Assisted Therapy for kids 5 to Teen with horses that bring joy! $25 or package of six $132. The Good Earth Farm and Foundation, 2141 B Rd, Loxahatchee Groves FL 33470. facebook /the good earth farm and foundation inc. For more information call Nancy. Reservations required 561-792-2666.

tuesday Facebook Live Shop from Home – 6:30-8:30pm. Enjoy some community, comic relief, and retail therapy all in one! Each week we feature a unique collection of items. Hang out with Margaret Ann, Cait, and Katrina while we show a wide selection of products from our shelves. http://on.fb.me/1I2Tql5.

Free. TheCrystalGarden.com/product/ facebook-live-shop-from-home.

classifieds To order a classified, call our office: 561-626-5584 or order online: NaPalmBeach.com/pages/classifieds Due date is the 10th of the month.

natural awakenings directory ACUPUNCTURE GARDENS WHOLISTIC HEALTH CENTER

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.

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Palm Beach County, Florida Edition

DR. DEBORAH ARMENTI

561-285-1479, Fort Lauderdale AMysticalAge@yahoo.com AMysticalAge.com

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.

CONSCIOUS TREE TRIMMING ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE THE HEALING CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

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.

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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

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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.

DIVINE ENERGY HEALER 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.

FARM SANCTUARY THE GOOD EARTH FARM & FOUNDATION

2141 B Rd, Loxahatchee, FL 33470 561-792-2666 NancysFarm@yahoo.com We are a private, non-profit animal rescue and sanctuary.

Nancy Fried, the owner/director, is a Reiki master practitioner, animal psychic, & medical intuitive, healing nearly 300 animals. Reservations only.

HEALTH FOODS COUNTRY CORNER HEALTH FOODS Jay & Felicia Neumeister 3130 S Congress Ave Palm Springs FL 33461 561-439-6800

“Your health is our concern!” celebrating 30 years as a family owned business Palm Springs.

Specializing in vitamins, herbal supplements, organic foods, health/beauty products and friendly service. See ad page 11.

HERB MEDICINE 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.

HERBS & OWLS

Gina Kearney, Clinical Herbalist 725 N. Hwy. A1A, D-103 Jupiter, FL 33477 561-768-9005 HerbsAndOwls.com O ff e r i n g P r i v a t e H e r b a l Consults, Flower Essence Therapy and Herbal & Shamanism classes. Visit our Herb Shop with 200+ herbs, barks, flowers & roots plus, tinctures, oils, crystals & more!

HOLISTIC HAIR SALON 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 14.

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 12. .

December 2021

29

natural awakenings directory 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 6 and 26.

By appointment only.

HYPERBARIC THERAPY EVOLUTION HYPERBARIC

2565 N. Dixie Hwy. Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460 561-225-1450 Bill@EvolutionHyperbaric.com EvolutionHyperbaric.com

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.

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 mood-related 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

INTUITIVE READER

Personalized Hyperbaric Oxygen and Metabolic therapeutics that reduce inflammation, stimulate the immune system, increase Stem cell / Telomere production and enhance Mitochondria which provide all of the energy for life. See ad page 8.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

PSYCHIC STEPHANIE MILLER

700 E Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton FL 33432 561-757-5899 PsychicMedium.net@yahoo.com PsychicMedium.net

Specializes in Love & relationships.

Offers palm & tarot card readings, Energy healing, & chakra balancing. Call now to book your in-person or phone reading.

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 15. .

“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

LIFE COACH LAURA NORMAN INSPIRED LIFE COACHING AND HOLISTIC REFLEXOLOGY

561-272-1220, Delray Beach LauraNorman.com

VERA GABRIEAL

Locally in Stuart & Virtual 954-793-4444 ThePsychicCrystal@gmail.com

Release old patterns that no longer serve you • Get clear about your goals and priorities • Re-discover your greatness • Manifest the life you desire.

Experience a unique blend of tools for your mind, body, and spirit.

Claim your right to live an extraordinary life!

Healing yourself is connected with healing others. ~Yoko Ono 30

Palm Beach County, Florida Edition

NaPalmBeach.com

Offering Psychic Readings, Spiritual Counseling, Emotional Healing, Life Path Readings, Spirit Guide Connection, Past Life Regression, Intuitive and Psychic Development Training.

Certified at 99.8% accuracy. See ad page 19.

natural awakenings directory MUSCLE THERAPY HUNTER METHOD

Stephanie Hunter, Owner & Developer 185 E. Indiantown Rd., Ste. 118 Jupiter, FL 33477 561-747-8700 DoYouHunter.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

PAIN RELIEF THE DONATELLI WELLNESS CENTER

James J. Donatelli, Certified Rolfer™, Athletic Trainer, Movement Coach 561-221-7123, West Palm Beach DonatelliWellness.com

James specializes in back pain and knee pain-relief, sciatica, scoliosis and in fine-tuning running ability and technique.

Free Phone Consultation.

Lic #MA69175, MM1982. See ad page 17.

SPIRITUAL BOOKSTORE THE CRYSTAL GARDEN

2610 N Federal Hwy., 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 10.

SPROUTS

WATER FILTRATION PH PRESCRIPTION™, WATER DOCTORS RECOMMEND 3210 SW 42nd Ave. Palm City, FL 34990 772-220-8789 pHPrescription.com

pH Prescription, the leader in naturally finely filtered water systems for home, commercial, hospitality, medical, marine, RV — removes up to 99% of harmful chemicals from tap water — point of use and entry.

GOT SPROUTS?

8420 Resource Rd, Riviera Beach, 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

Coming in January

Health & Wellness Issue

LOURDES STARSHOWER REFLEXOLOGY LAURA NORMAN HOLISTIC REFLEXOLOGY 561-272-1220, Delray Beach LauraNorman.com

Call or visit us online to register for one of our: Holistic Reflexology and Inspired Life Coaching Sessions • Free Introduction to Laura Norman Reflexology Training Webinar • Holistic Reflexology Certification Training Programs • Foot • Hand • Face Therapy Products

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.

Claim your right to live an extraordinary life!

See ad page 9.

Following-through is the only thing that separates dreamers from people that accomplish great things. ~Gene Hayden December 2021

31

Nature’s Virus Killer

not a sniffle!” she exclaimed.

Businesswoman Rosaleen says when people around her show signs of cold or flu, she uses copper morning and night.

“It saved me last holidays,” she said.

“The kids had crud going round and round, but not me.”

Attorney Donna Blight tried copper for her sinus. “I am shocked!” she said.

By Doug Cornell “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” cientists have discovered a cold never got going. That was A man with trouble breathing natural way to kill germs fast.

September 2012. I use copper in the through his nose at night tried copper Now thousands of people nose every time and I have not had a just before bed. “Best sleep I’ve had in are using it against viruses and bacteria single cold since then.” years!” he said. in the nose and on “We can’t In a lab test, technicians placed 25 the skin. make product million live flu viruses on a CopperZap. Colds start health claims,” he No viruses were found surviving soon when cold viruses said, “so I can’t after. get in your nose. say cause and Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams Viruses multiply effect. But we confirming the research. He placed fast. If you don’t know copper is millions of disease germs on copper. stop them early, antimicrobial.”

“They started to die literally as soon as they spread and He asked they touched the surface,” he said. cause misery. relatives and Some people press copper on a lip New device puts copper right In hundreds friends to try it. right away if a warning tingle suggests where you need it. of studies, EPA and They reported unwanted germs gathering there. university researchers have confirmed the same thing, so he patented The handle is curved that viruses and bacteria die almost CopperZap® and put it on the and textured to increase instantly when touched by copper. market. contact. Copper can That’s why ancient Greeks and Soon hundreds of people had kill germs picked up on Egyptians used copper to purify water tried it. The feedback was 99% fingers and hands after and heal wounds. They didn’t know positive if they used the copper you touch things other about microbes, but now we do. within 3 hours after the first sign people have touched.

Scientists say the high conductance of unwanted germs, like a tickle The EPA says copper of copper disrupts the electrical balance in the nose or a scratchy throat. still works even when Dr. Bill Keevil: in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in Early user Mary Pickrell tarnished.

Copper quickly kills seconds. said, “I can’t believe how good CopperZap is made cold viruses.

Tests by the EPA (Environmental my nose feels.” in the U.S. of pure Protection Agency) show germs die “What a wonderful thing!” copper. It has a 90-day full money back fast on copper. So some hospitals tried exclaimed Physician’s Assistant Julie. guarantee. It is available for $79.95. Get copper for touch surfaces like faucets Another customer asked, “Is it supposed $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA23. and doorknobs. This cut the spread of to work that fast?”

Go to www.CopperZap.com or call MRSA and other illnesses by over half, Pat McAllister, 70, received one for toll-free 1-888-411-6114. and saved lives.

Christmas and called it “one of the best Buy once, use forever.

The strong scientific evidence gave presents ever. This little jewel really Statements are not intended as inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When works.” product health claims and have not been he felt a cold about to start he fashioned Frequent flier Karen Gauci had been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to a smooth copper probe and rubbed it suffering after crowded flights. Though diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any gently in his nose for 60 seconds. skeptical, she tried copper on travel disease.

“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The days for 2 months. “Sixteen flights and ADVERTORIAL

Copper can stop a cold before it starts

S