2014
NATURAL Dedicated to Your Well-Being
LO
OK
From the Makers of the Topricin速 Family of Healing Pain Relief Products
Healing
SUMMER 2014
NATURAL Wellness
contents DailyOm: Cloud Meditation: Head in the Clouds Pg. 4
QUICKIE CHICK: Exhausted? Try A “Staycation!” Pg. 5
GUEST COLUMNIST: FOOD BABE -Vani Hari: What to Bring on a Flight... Pg. 7
GUEST COLUMNIST -Clotilde Dusoulier: Fasting Against Jetlag Pg. 8
MODERN SAGE: Let Your Hair Off the Hook Pg. 10
N U F HOT IME T R E M
SUMPg.32 DREAMWORKS: Dogs: Our Loyal Allies in Waking Life and in Our Dreams Pg. 12
PLANET WAVES:Cosmic
Confidential: My Life as a Horoscope Writer Pg. 14
NATURAL MEDICINE WOMAN: Great Skin Superfoods Pg. 19
NUTRITIONAL BITES:
Nutritional Nuggets to Bite into This Summer Pg. 20
ASK ANNIE-THE DEXTOX DIVA: The Smoke Point of Olive Oil and Grapeseed Oils Pg. 30
HEALING SCENTS:
Updating Your Medicine Cabinet with Therapeutic Essential Oils Pg. 37
REFLEXOLOGY: Diagnosed with Lyme? Come See Me... Pg. 42
OPTIONS FOR LIFE:
Demystifying Flaxseed and Estrogen Pg. 43
PHYSICAL ADVANTAGE: “Hurts So Bad” Pg. 46
HEALING INNOVATIONS:
Too Much of a Good Thing! Pg. 48
HEALING CIRCLE: ‘Win the War on Mosquitoes! Pg. 49
ALEXANDRA’S INSIGHTS: If You Ask a Woman About Her Weight Pg. 26
GUEST COLUMNIST -Melissa Williams: 5 Things a Food Journalist Will Not Eat... Pg. 28
Cancun and 365 Days of Topricin, Anyone?... And Much More Pg. 50
Healing
SUMMER 2014
NATURAL Wellness
A Word From The Publisher S
ummer 2014 just keeps bringing on the great weather...and we’ve dedicated this issued of Natural Healing, Natural Wellness to help you enjoy “Hot Fun in the Summertime.”
Joan Apter Annie B. Bond Debbie Burklund Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook Eric Francis Doug Grunther Leah Guy Laurel House Elyn Jacobs
It’s peak vacation season—whether you take to the road for adventure or are like our columnist Laurel House and craving a “staycation.” Get more out of your travels by learning how to avoid jet lag from our very special guest columnist , award-winning French food blogger and cookbook author Clotilde Dusoulier...You’ll also discover how to navigate around yucky airplane food, courtesy of Vani Hari the FoodBabe. Speaking of food, our other guest columnist, Melissa Williams of Healing Lifestyles & Spa and co-owner of Yoga Junction lists the five things a food journalist won’t eat (and that we shouldn’t, either). And our Natural Medicine Woman Michelle explains how you can “feed” your skin, while Detox Diva Annie gives you the lowdown on using cooking oils safely. There’s plenty of other fabulous and fascinating articles ahead... Roufia’s nutritional nuggets and recipes, Joan’s expert aromatherapy advice for updating your medicine cabinet, Doug’s dream insights into our four-legged “best friends,” Laurie’s health and exercise pointers geared especially for hot weather, and Alexandra’s take on tapping. Elyn demystifies flaxseed and estrogen, Deborah discusses reflexology and Lyme disease, Modern Sage Leah encourages us let our hair off the hook, DailyOM gives us permission to enjoy having our heads in the clouds, and in Cosmic Confidential, Eric reveals what his life has been like as a horoscope writer. As always, there’s plenty of news and Topricin tips, too. Enjoy your summer travels—and don’t forget to take along Topricin, snap a photo, and enter our “Where in the World is Topricin” contest for a chance to win a grand prize worth more than $1,000 (details inside!).
Alexandra Jamieson Patricia Martin Roufia Payman Madisyn Taylor Laurie Towers President & Chief of Research: Lou Paradise Publisher: Aurora Paradise Managing Editor: Patricia Martin Art Director: Elizabeth Chen Graphic Artist: Elizabeth Paradise
Wishing you good health, joy, and a most glorious summer,
Aurora
Aurora Paradise, Chief Operations Officer and Publisher Aurora Paradise is Chief Operations Officer of Topical BioMedics. Besides publishing the newsletter, Aurora oversees the day-to-day operations of the company.
DailyOM CLOUD MEDITATION: HEAD IN THE CLOUDS -By Madison Taylor
Following a cloud with our eye and drifting
through the sky with it can be an easy and relaxing meditation.
W
hen people use the phrase “head in the clouds,” they usually refer to a mental state that appears to be drifting rather than concentrating. For this reason, putting our heads in the clouds can be a wonderful meditation tool. Whether puffy and white or tinted with the colors of dawn and dusk or shades of gray, those vaporous sky dwellers can remind us of so many things about life and about ourselves. For this meditation, we can find a physical place to relax and look upward, or we can look to the skies from within our imaginations. Directing our thoughts to the endless expanse of sky that clouds inhabit, we feel our souls expand to reach beyond any seeming limitations. Following the clouds, we are free to unleash our imaginations. We may choose to merely drift along with them for a time, enjoying their distanced perspective on the world. Or we can look for messages in their fantastical shapes, or feel the joy of bounding between their immense billowy puffiness. However we interact with them, we do so from a peaceful place. Clouds drift above the hustle of the world below, knowing they belong to another realm that cannot be affected by its frenzy, reminding us that peace is always available to us. By directing our vision beyond the ordinary, clouds also remind us of the illusion of appearances. While appearing to be solid, their vapor and mist appear like cotton balls ! from below, giving little indication of the heights they reach. Sometimes they may cast shadows, leaving us in shade, but like life’s difficulties clouds change shape and move onward, revealing the shining sun, twinkling stars, and blue sky that are behind them. When a ray of light breaks through the clouds, their dramatic filtering only makes the light more beautiful by contrast, just as we can shine more brightly in the midst of life’s challenges. When we allow clouds to offer us a welcome respite, they help us visit the realm of illusion to see the truth beyond.
Reprinted from DailyOM- Inspirational thoughts for a happy, healthy and fulfilling day. Register for free at www.dailyom.com.
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QUICKIE CHICK
? D E T S U A EX H
” ! N O I T A “ S TAY C l House -By Laure
G
oing on vacation doesn't have to mean spending a ton of money by getting out of town.
Need to get away? Then stay...try a “Staycation!” Sometimes it’s just about shutting off your phones, powering down your computer, and not allowing yourself to stress, or even think about work! Keep it simple because Lord knows our lives have become complicated! If you want to tell your friends, family and co-workers that you’re going on vacation because you think that will help minimize the distractions- great! A Staycation is a vacation, so it's no lie!
Do whatever you have to do to prepare, then press pause, turn off your day to day and enter vacation mode- even if you’re just doing it for a day or two. An important component to a Staycation is truly conjuring an out-of-town state of mind. The best way to do this is to remove yourself from your daily surroundings and get away, without actually getting away—which would require getting on a plane, a train, or committing to a time-consuming drive. We are going to get you on your merry way with 4 ideal ways to set the stage for your next Staycation. So relax, sit back and enjoy the serenity ... close to home!
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4
TIPS
a Truly Relaxing Staycation An important component to a Staycation is truly conjuring an outof-town state of mind. So if you’re not going anywhere… what do you do?
1.
Stay in a local hotel close to tourist attractions or places that offer fun activities that you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the time. Chances are there are places in your city or town that you have never explored, even though they are “THE” thing to do/see/experience.
2.
Buy a travel guide and see your city from a tourist’s perspective- trying, seeing, doing, and tasting new things. Visit the attractions, do the tours, eat the cotton candy and corn dogs on the board walk (ok, that’s what I do on my staycation to Santa Monicamy town).
3.
Go camping! Pack your car with all of the essentials- a tent, sleeping bag, campfire food (the best stuff)- don’t forget the s’mores, a flashlight, etc… and hunker down in the hills, the desert, along the ocean, beside a lake or stream, in the middle of a field, wherever you can feel safe, let your mind go and just be.
E #1 L U R JOY ND EN
4.
A L RELAX RSONA E P N OW YOUR TION! A C Y STA
Turn your home into a spa sanctuary. Light candles throughout your place, stock your fridge with your fave drinks and foods, give yourself a facial, paint your nails some funky color, play music that makes you feel good, take a totally luxurious bath with sea salts and scents, watch 3 movies in a row on demand, make a “special occasion” dinner or order in, treat yourself to some aromatherapy, curl up with a good book, brew some tea, and have the most indulgent dessert you can imagine. This isn’t about counting calories, it’s about doing what feels good- whatever that is. .
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W H A T T O BR I NG ON YOUR FLIGHT, SO YOU NEVER GET STUCK
EATING AIRPORT FOOD EVER AGAIN!
Vani Hari started FoodBabe.com in April 2011 to spread information about what is really in the American food supply. She teaches people how to make the right purchasing decisions at the grocery store, how to live an organic lifestyle, and how to travel healthfully around the world. The success in her writing and investigative work can be seen in the way food companies react to her uncanny ability to find and expose the truth.
GUEST COLUMNIST
FOOD BABE, Vani Hari I f you know me, you know I love to travel, but there’s one thing about travel that gets me worked up every time. There are millions of people coming in and out of the airports across the world thinking they have no choice. They think they have to eat airport and airplane food because it’s the only thing available. They let their surroundings control their lives, their health, and the health of their families. I used to be one of these people. For years, I traveled for work, consulting at major financial institutions all over the United States going from city to city. I didn’t know anything about the food I was eating and I felt terrible about myself – I was overweight, felt tired all of the time, my skin was a mess, and I was generally less productive. This is why I feel obligated to share the information I learned that changed my life forever...
Visit link to learn more: http://foodbabe. com/2014/06/27/healthy-airport-food/
Impassioned by knowing how food affects health, Vani loves sharing her message on the blogosphere to 3 million unique readers across the globe. Vani convinced the biggest fast food chain in the world, Subway, to remove a controversial ingredient after receiving 50,000 signatures in 24 hours on her petition to the chain. After receiving tremendous attention on her posts about Chick-Fil-A, she was invited by the company’s leadership to meet at its headquarters to consult on specific improvements to ingredients used by the national chain, which they later implemented. 7 months after Vani petitioned Kraft to remove harmful petroleum-based artificial food dyes from Mac & Cheese, Kraft responded by removing the dye from all products aimed at children. Other major food companies that have responded to her writings include Whole Foods, Lean Cuisine, McDonalds, General Mills, CocaCola, Chipotle, Yoforia, and Moe’s South West Grill. Vani’s activism brought national attention at the Democratic National Convention when she used her status as an elected delegate to protest in front of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on the issue of GMO labeling. Vani has been profiled in the New York Times, USA Today, Washington Times, Chicago Tribune, appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, Good Morning America, Doctors Show, NBC News, Fox News and is a regular cooking contributor on NBC’s Charlotte Today and food expert on CNN.
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GUEST COLUMNIST
Clotilde Dusoulier
A
s the traveling season gets nearer, maybe you have some lovely, exciting plans to fly someplace distant across several time zones. In that case you’ll have to contend with jetlag, and if you do, I wanted to share a cool tip I first heard about from my friend Adam, who himself picked it up from Jason Kottke.
The advice is simple: you should fast for 12 to 16 hours before breakfast time at your destination. The reasoning is that the digestive system plays a significant role in our body’s perception of time. This voluntary fast is meant to mimic an overnight fast (minus the midnight munchies) and helps to set the body’s internal clock to the new time zone. I happened to read about this just before we left to spend some time in San Francisco in the fall, and since we were about to embark on a round trip of 12-hour flights with 9-hour time differences, I was quick to recruit myself as a guinea pig to test the technique. And I’m thrilled to report it worked really well: I sailed through the time difference with just about the same effects I get from taking the metro, even though I got virtually no sleep on the plane, thanks to a very sweet, but very alert little boy sitting on my knee. It was very easy to put in practice, too. On both legs of the journey, from Paris to San Francisco and from San Francisco back to Paris, we had mid-morning flights, so I had a (slightly more copious than usual) dawn breakfast before leaving for the airport. continued on next page
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I then abstained from food for a little over 12 hours — but drank lots and lots of water — before I dug into the most satisfying break-fasts I had brought along with me: a mix of dried figs and prunes, roasted hazelnuts, and 100% cacao chocolate on one way, and some sprouted trail mix with a side of Taza 80% stone ground chocolate on the other. (Airline frankencheese croissant in plastic pouch? I’m good, but thank you.) I realize that mealtime on the plane is the only thing that keeps some travelers from dying of boredom, but I actually turn down the airplane meal if I can help it, preferring to bring my own. So this fasting thing actually makes my traveling life much simpler, saving me the effort of buying, cooking, packing, and carrying more than just the above-mentioned, easy snacks. I’d had zero experience with fasting before that, and I was not accustomed to go for that many waking hours without eating, so my biggest surprise was how little effort it required: I did feel light hunger pangs every once in a while, but they quickly dissipated if I drank water and turned my mind to other things. And in truth, the stuffy atmosphere and canned smell of commercial airplanes aren’t particularly conducive to working up an appetite, so I found it was actually a relief to not think about food at all under those circumstances.
While this kind of short-term fasting is fine for healthy adults to experiment with, you should naturally check with your doctor if you’re pregnant or have any sort of health issue.
~ Travel
ing ~
Clotilde Dusoulier is the 30-something Parisienne behind the award-winning food blog Chocolate & Zucchini, in which she shares her passion for all things edible. Her focus is on fresh, colourful, and seasonal foods, making room for both wholesome, nourishing dishes and sweet treats. An enthusiastic explorer of flavours and acute observer of culinary trends, she contributes to food and travel magazines internationally. She is also the author of several books; her latest, The French Market Cookbook, is devoted to the love story between French cuisine and vegetables. She lives in Montmartre with her boyfriend and their young son. Read her blog at www. chocolateandzucchini.com and follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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MODERN SAGE K O O H E H T OFF
uy
eah G -By L
S
ummer is here and so is the heat! Don’t let the sun scorch the moisture
out of your body or your hair! You can have naturally beautiful hair by following a few easy steps. Whether you’ve been blessed by the 80’s hair-band Gods or not, it’s possible to have healthy, shiny and wonderfully luscious hair. The key to great hair is what you put in your body and on your body…it counts. Follow these secrets and “Let Your Hair off the Hook” – and it will be naturally healthy and beautiful.
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HAIR DO'S 1.
2.
Save on shampoo. Washing your hair every day could be doing more harm than good! There are natural oils that come from your scalp and these oils get stripped by the daily washing and drying. I’m not suggesting you let the grease build…that movie is long gone. But, depending on your activity level, two to four times a week is enough. I usually wash mine 3x a week and comb through it on the off days to spread the natural oils. Over washing, conditioning and styling products can cause build-up on the hair, which leads to a lock full of junk. Speaking of which…
Use natural products only, please. You hair acts like a filter out in the world and we want the filter to be natural so it can do its job. However often you choose to wash, use the right stuff, not junk. This includes hairsprays, gels, goop and treatments. Why in the world would you want to put a truck load of chemicals on your precious scalp? There are wonderful natural products out on the market that clean well, style the hair and smell great. Some are actually helpful for thinning hair. Harsh detergents found in commercially produced shampoos can cause itchy skin, dryness, dandruff and a host of other problems. Natural products often have yummy essential oils and herbal extracts like grapefruit, lavender and rosemary that smell terrific, and add extra nourishment to your hair and scalp. Be cautious of some of the commercial products that claim they are herbal and natural. Read the labels carefully. If there are more ingredients in the product that look foreign rather than familiar to the herbal family, steer clear.
TEA TREE OIL is a great scalp treatment for itchy, dry or dandruffy scalps CHAMOMILE promotes healthy hair growth ROSEMARY enhances dark hair & promotes a healthy scalp CATNIP promotes hair growth SAGE will help to strengthen your hair HORSETAIL (Shave grass) is an herb high in silica that helps strengthen the hair ARGAN OIL will help nourish and moisturize the hair for a luminous glow
3.
Eat a diet full of whole foods. Fresh, organic food is a key ingredient to any level of optimal living. And don’t forget the essential fatty acids (Omega’s 3, 6, 9). These oils can be found in fish, flax, almonds, walnuts and some seeds. You can also supplement your diet with essential fatty acids but either way be sure your intake is sufficient. Not only do EFA’s help to have gorgeous hair, skin and nails, they are critical for reducing inflammation, improving joint health, heart health and mental functioning!
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DreamWorks DOGS: OUR LOYAL ALLIES IN WAKING LIFE AND IN OUR DREAMS
-By Doug Grunther
I
n past columns I've discussed the term, “archetype,” which is a figure or pattern which appears in the dreams of virtually all people around the world. In this column we'll take a look at a common archetypal figure, the DOG. In waking life we refer to dogs as man's (and woman's) “best friend.” This also carries over to the dream world. Here's an example from a recent dream I had: I find myself at a hotel I've never been to before or recognize at any level. The hotel has a huge lawn where people are strolling about. I spot a Doberman Pinscher running around the lawn trying to entice other dogs to play. But none will. I make my way back to the hotel but can't remember where my room is. I get in the elevator anyway and a man in the elevator reminds me my room is on the second floor. Clearly the man in the elevator is an ally as he helps me find my room. But I know from my experience as a dream work practitioner that when a dog appears in a dream, it's useful to ask “How is this figure an ally?” As I started free associating on this theme, I was curious why, of all breeds, a Doberman showed up. I think of a Doberman dog as being bred for protection, as a guard dog. And the ones I had been around were extremely sensitive and emotionally fragile. Yet the Doberman in the dream was eager to play. This gave me an “AHA” of recognition: I had been working on a project that was getting me emotionally tangled up and I now knew the Doberman in the dream showed up to remind me to be less emotionally fragile and adopt a more playful attitude. As soon as I made this attitude adjustment, the difficulties around the project began to lessen and soon worked out to a successful conclusion. In a previous column I noted how when we take a waking life experience, particularly an emotionally charged experience, and work it and play with it as we do a dream, the results can be extraordinary.
Photo By: Thomas Northcut
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Here are two actual examples of where the death of beloved dog pet, when looked at as if a dream, had a significant impact. The first is an experience I had, the second one a good friend recently had.
let out a few cries, and went limp. My friend bundled Charlie in a soft blanket and started driving to the vet’s office. Stroking him gently as she drove, Charlie stopped breathing. It was clear he had died.
Sidney was a mixed breed my lady friend and I rescued from a pound. He was fiercely independent and very sociable. Every day he would make the rounds of neighbors' houses and receive a food treat at each house.
At the vet’s office she was assured Charlie had gone peacefully and didn't suffer. Still, my friend was quite upset having lost such a wonderful ally. Then, on the drive home, she turned on the radio just as a song was being introduced with the title......... “Cosmic Charlie!” My friend couldn't believe it. The song was mostly an instrumental, but towards the end of the song the words heard were “loving you...loving you... loving you” and “Go home, your mama is calling” repeated over and over.
At the age of 16 he started slowing down significantly and right around his 17th birthday it was clear he was near the end of his life. One day he started wandering off into the woods behind our house and I knew from my reading that dogs, left to their own devices, go off to a quiet spot in nature to die. For them it's natural and accepted. But I couldn't just let him go off like that to die. I gently picked him up, put him in the car, and headed for the vet's office. While Sidney rested in the passenger seat I was welling up emotionally. I knew he was fine with dying, but I was having a hard time accepting it. Instinctively I turned on the radio just as Mick Jagger was singing the lines “You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you just might find, you can get what you need.” It was so intuitively clear to me that while this message may be literally coming from the Rolling Stones through the radio, symbolically this was a message from Sidney to me. He was soothing my pain, letting me know that in life he got what he needed and was okay with dying. A close friend of mine recently had a very similar experience. While it took place in waking life, it had the feel and effect of a deep dream. My friend's dog Charlie had been a most loyal and loving companion for 16 years. Charlie had slowed down significantly and experienced a number of medical issues over the past few years but was in overall good health. As my friend came home from work and was putting the key in the front door she had this strong premonition, 'What will I do if Charlie is dead on the floor?' As she opened the door Charlie stood up on the couch where he was napping, wagged his tail, and jumped down to greet her. Shortly after Charlie just fell over,
My friend sat in her car feeling the urge to laugh and cry at the same time. She thought, 'If that's not a “cosmic” sign from Charlie, I don't know what is.' The next day, she found out there is a restaurant the next county over called “Cosmic Charlie’s,” and the following morning when she turned on the radio, a song was ending followed by an ad for the restaurant. Visiting the Cosmic Charlie website later that day, she discovered its logo is....a dog!
While neither I nor my friend can prove that Sidney and Charlie were actually communicating with us on some level, that “tingling” sensation in the body when something like this happens is often a sign of “intuitive knowing.” It's the same kind of sensation we get when we suddenly “get” the deep meaning of a dream. It's often referred to as an “AHA” of recognition, similar to the “Eureka” moment ascribed to Archimedes, the ancient Greek mathematician/philosopher. The more I do dream work, the more I see and feel the connection between our dreams and the most meaningful events in our waking lives. And whether in waking life or in the dream world, dogs have an amazing ability to show up as our most loyal allies.
Photo By: Thomas Northcut
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PLANET WAVES PLANET WAVES WEEKLY NUMBER 1000
COSMIC CONFIDENTIAL: MY LIFE AS A HOROSCOPE WRITER -By Eric Francis
H
oroscopes are a writing form that's close to my heart for two reasons. One is that reading the Patric Walker column in The New York Post in the early 1990s was the first demonstration to me of how relevant astrology could be. I knew astrology existed, and I knew astrologers, but I did not see the point of doing it. Patric's daily column, nested in with Jumble on the Post's comic page, was not merely accurate; he offered some of the most sage insights I've ever heard from an astrologer, to the present day. One day in 1994 I could no longer stand the mystery of how he did it, so I ventured to figure it out. Using an ephemeris (to look up the positions of the planets) and a deck of Crowley tarot cards (to illustrate the energies), I camped out in my then-girlfriend Hilary's bed and cracked the codes not just of writing astrology columns, but also into the top level of an industry where very few people ever get -- writing horoscopes for the London tabloids. Horoscope writing in England is another world compared to the United States. Instead of syndicated columns, every major newspaper has its own horoscope writer, who becomes one of the voices of that publication. Jonathan Cainer is one of the best-known horoscope writers in England, and many years ago he adopted me as his vacation stand-in. For four years I got a taste of the big time, even writing in some of the same newspapers where Patric Walker had appeared. It was quite a trip having millions of readers of newspapers in Australia, England and Europe, and worldwide on the Internet. It was clearly Jonathan who put me on the larger map; he has always had a thing for making sure people discovered younger astrology talent. I met Jonathan with the help of my old friend William Lilly (1602-1681), but that is another story. Many ‘proper’ astrologers look down on newspaper horoscopes for a variety of reasons, and some go so far as to say that they are destroying the image of what is otherwise a legitimate profession. My take is that with astrology, interpretation is where the tires meet the highway, especially when it’s raining. The horoscope column is an example of just that -- an interpretation designed to be relevant to a person, right then, right when they seek it out. People need astrology to offer them an idea, a strategy or some reassurance. If astrology cannot do that, what good is it? continued on next page
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As for the second reason. Horoscopes are also my literary love because when I started writing them, I was looking for a way to do journalism that was more relevant than what I was doing at the time, which was investigative reporting on fraud cases involving toxins and very large corporations. No matter how accurate or damning my investigative articles were, they did not seem to be making contact with the people who needed the information the most. It occurred to me that a well-written horoscope could be a way to make contact with the softer side of humanity, and a place to move information you might not see anywhere else, certainly not in a newspaper. It was Patric, a venerated British astrologer, whose writing taught me the rudiments of astrology and set up the model I use to translate from the chart to the message I offer you. And it was from Patric that I learned that a horoscope must be written to an individual, not to a group. You don't write to all the Geminis who are reading -- you write that horoscope to the one who is reading.
words of Aries). When I hired Jessica Keet to serve as my horoscope coordinator and proofreader in 2004, I made an estimate and started the sequence at #531. Arriving at 1000 is not an absolute count, but it's close and probably an underestimate. Since I started my column in 1995 -- as The Navigator, first appearing in Free Time magazine in Poughkeepsie, New York -- I've written in daily, weekly, twice-monthly, monthly, quarterly and numerous different annual formats. I've written my column in many regions of the United States, as well as in Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Sicily and Spain (and on many trains and airplanes on the way to those places). Shortly before I started writing horoscopes, someone named Laurie Burnett (who I met through a classified ad in The Mountain Astrologer) suggested that I look into something called Chiron, a newly discovered planet. She also suggested that I spend some time with a book called Esoteric Astrology. One day she mailed me her tattered copy, minus its cover, and slowly I started to dip into its at-first strange concepts. While I was living in Germany in 1998, I got my own copy and studied it cover to cover in preparation for writing this article, about the 1999 grand cross and total solar eclipse.
That takes confidence, and an experienced writing voice, and it also builds the confidence of the reader. The horoscope is part of an ongoing relationship between a reader and an astrologer. It's a meeting place and a space to share ideas. I intend for mine to be relevant even if a person reading does not believe in astrology. All writing, I believe, must stand on its own merits.
ARRIVING AT 1,000 This week's edition comes with Planet Waves Weekly #1000. The number on top of each Friday horoscope is a sequence number, so that we can tell the columns apart (we also identify them by the first few
Planet Waves appears in one of its many incarnations as the Destiny horoscope, in the leading British magazine "Woman." The thought of the week is about how the Full Moon will favor psychics, night owls and cats. continued on next page
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As for Chiron. When I started to go deeper into my study of astrology, using a diversity of classic texts by people like Isabel Hickey, Rob Hand and the writing team of Louis Acker and Frances Sakoian, I knew that astrology was not making sense presented in textbook format. Memorizing (for example) the different values of placements like Venus through the signs was not giving me any sense of the whole. Then I started reading about Chiron and halfway through my first book, all of astrology made sense in a new way -- an integrated way. This went beyond the conceptual right to a direct connection with astrology as it works. Astrology, as anyone who has studied it knows, can be an intellectual morass. The concepts need to be sorted out and understood, but ultimately interpreting the aspects is an intuitive art, like composing music. As I studied Chiron, I knew I was in the domain of new planet research, on the cusp of a new era. I devised a way to work with my clients -- by asking them about their past Chiron transits, rather than immediately telling them what their chart supposedly meant. This revealed how transits work in the context of a person's life, and how a person's chart unfolds and reveals its layers through experience, over time. Then I would read the chart. When I was living in Germany in 1998, I learned that there were a diversity of other newly discovered planets, including Pholus, Nessus and 1992 QB1, and I began looking into those. That process put me in touch with Chiron pioneer Melanie Reinhart, who I adopted as a mentor. I also met and studied with Robert von Heeren, co-author of the only book on Pholus. From early on, I was curious about the asteroids, so I started reading books by Martha Lang-Wescott. I contacted her and adopted her as a mentor. I have a lot of Chiron in my chart, and mentorship is one of its key themes. As I identified competent astrologers, I would make contact with them and found them to be generous with their knowledge, among them Rob Hand, David Arner, David Solte, David Roell (a lot of Davids), Dale O'Brien and others. I never took a formal course of study; I just made a habit of finding people I thought had something going on and engaged them in a dialog, often lasting years.
Planet Waves appears in The Daily Mirror of May 4, 2004, standing in for British horoscope writer Jonathan Cainer. It's really been 10 years? The Planet Waves horoscope became a fusion of horoscope writing in the classical British style, as well as a forum to bring in what I was learning about the minor planets and from my experiences working with clients. I have incorporated everything I learned from my therapist Joseph Trusso. Part of what makes my column distinctive is that I apply many details of what I have learned from observing my clients’ transits, as well as what I learned in therapy and in spiritual practice and training. That most horoscopes aren’t so helpful is not the fault of the horoscope format itself. Those who write them need to have trust in what they’re doing, plus a vision and a sense of mission -- otherwise the whole thing falls flat. But when it works, it works brilliantly, and I think the potential of the horoscope column is vastly underdeveloped. As I have said and will keep saying, the astrological profession needs to take this seriously, horoscope writing needs to be taught at conferences, and the very best horoscope writers need to be put forward into the most visible positions -- because they are the ambassadors of astrology to the widest public available. The Internet has made it much easier for people to start a horoscope column; all you need is a blog. If this field is brimming with talent, I have not encountered it yet and would be grateful to be introduced to those who my readers consider the better writers. Yet thanks to the Internet, we have more space to work. The format of the Planet Waves horoscope I offer you here is not constrained by an absolute word count. A printed horoscope column of 1,200 words or 100 words per sign is considered long. In this format I take up to 180 words per sign if necessary, longer for the monthly. This gives me the space to develop more complex themes. continued on next page
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A PERSONAL FORM OF JOURNALISM
When I say that I consider my horoscope a form of journalism I really mean it. For one thing, it started in newspapers, so it's journalism by default. I started in newspapers as well. I came to the work with many years of experience writing about issues that are extremely difficult to explain and even more difficult to show as relevant. The horoscope is a space where I can apply anything I've learned and synthesize it with the unique, immediately occurring positions of the planets, and get the news out fast. It's a mode of journalism that is actually relevant to the people who are reading it. That's a cool invention -- a way to deliver up-to-the-day psychological and spiritual information, packaged as a form of inner news. I have often joked that the horoscope is the most accurate part of a newspaper. What I did was start from the horoscope and reinvent the whole concept of news. One quality of the Planet Waves horoscope is that wherever I can arrange it, it appears with a news and astrology commentary column -- that's the bit you're reading now. Not everyplace can accommodate this, but I negotiate it where I can. I consider the accompanying article to be an essential complement to the horoscope because it grants wider context and the ability to take subjects in-depth. It also reveals something that many people don't know about -- how astrology can be used as a way to observe, analyze and reflect on world events, on the movement of history and how we as individuals are involved in things much larger than ourselves. The point of view of the horoscope column is distinctly personal. It must be written in a way that bypasses
political prejudices and spiritual beliefs. It must address people who are having an awesome day and be sensitive enough to reach those who are having a horrible day. This is a fine line to walk, and it obviously precludes being either overly optimistic or in any way pessimistic in my horoscopes. Yet they still must convey a feeling of advocacy and demonstrate a measure of understanding. I recognize this not an easy form of writing to teach, though I believe it can be done. The article that accompanies the horoscope is designed to take a wider scope, and to venture into controversial territory when necessary. Yet when I write about the news in this format, that too is kept to a scale where it's personally relevant. The great failing of the news as we know it is that for the most part, it's irrelevant. It may have impact; some events are too vast or tragic not to feel. Yet it almost always lacks actual meaning in an individual person's life. So with the Planet Waves column, I turn the news inside out and strive to show the connection. Astrology happens fast and news happens fast, and it's possible to combine them in a way that's both exciting and that teaches us all something about the world, about ourselves and about how the planets describe human affairs. I work with the common ground that people share with major events and newsmakers -- we all have the same planets in our charts. We are all in some way synchronized with the cosmos, even if that experience is rough at times. I believe that using astrology can help smooth the way, and at least can provide some meaning where it might have been lacking before. continued on next page
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A few years ago, an old book fell into my lap. It's a first edition copy of The Astrology of Personality by Dane Rudhyar, published in 1936. Rudhyar, by the way, is considered the inventor of the 12-sign horoscope column. Alice A. Bailey, who would later write Esoteric Astrology, suggested that Rudhyar write the book, and for that reason he dedicated it to her. By some miracle, I was given the presentation copy that he signed to her, dedicating it to her a second time, this time in his own handwriting on the title page. Bailey made the book her own with a large pencil signature on the front inside cover, and by affixing the Lucis Trust Lending Library plate on the front endpaper. Reading the book, I have to remind myself that the impeccably neat pencil underscores may be those of Bailey herself. The very first one, on page 7, highlights this quote: "What the ordinary astrologer offers to our present generation is not only far from coming up to the mental level of the intelligent thinker; it is moreover, often decidedly nefarious and psychologically disintegrating. The living astrology of all times can, however, be said to have a basic keynote: integration. And we claim that any astrology which does not bring a man a message of integration is an adulteration and a perversion of true astrology."
Well now...way to sum up the intention I put into my life's work. The chapter on the history of astrology closes with this passage, which I will share with you in full. "Astrology must be reborn to perform again for our modern world, made chaotic by an unbridled and false individualism and by the sudden opening of psychological dams, the task of practical integration which has always been its own. Wherever the correlated motions of Sun, Moon, planets and stars are used to bring order into the confusion of our everyday world -there is astrology. "The type and range of the phenomena of nature which astrology correlates, interprets and makes significant in terms of a cosmic principle of Order, change age after age. At first they were physiological and elemental. Now they are to be essentially psychological and mental. But the fundamental work of astrology remains the same. It is to reveal the 'Harmony of the Spheres' at whatever level man's consciousness is centered. It is to carry the symbol of Order wherever man finds chaos. In modern terminology, it is the algebra of life." It's funny, I have always thought of writing the horoscopes as calculus, solving the equation of the aspects in some life-affirming form. I look at the planetary pattern, align my chart for the reader of a particular sign, and work out the psychological mathematics in a way that I think is useful and motivating. It's a lot of fun -- and every time I write, I get to look at the world equally from 12 different points of view, the perfect game for a Pisces.
In that spirit, here's to the next 1,000 horoscopes.
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GREAT SKIN SUPERFOODS
-By Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, ROHP
S
ummer is almost here. I live in a region with hot, dry summers and temperatures that regularly hit over 100 degrees Fahrenheit/40 degrees Celsius. With all that hot sun and dry air, it’s easy for skin to burn or become dry. So, this month I thought I would share some great foods.
AVOCADO
Most people think that avocados are unhealthy due to their high fat content, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Avocados are rich in vitamin E, which your body needs to keep skin soft and healthy. They are also high in betasitosterol, which is valuable to protect against skin cancer and other cancers. Rich in monounsaturated fat, avocado helps keep the skin moisturized. Avocados help heal acne, sun damage, and wounds. Avocados are rich in vitamin D, which is essential for healthy skin.
BLUEBERRIES
Rich in antioxidants that reduce free radical damage, blueberries also prevent the breakdown of collagen in the skin, which is needed to prevent wrinkling. Blueberries’ proanthocyanidins also help heal sundamaged skin.
FLAX
Rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E, flax seeds help skin stay moist and blemish-free. They also reduce the inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and moisturize dry skin from the inside out. Add one tablespoon of coldpressed flax oil to smoothies or sprinkle two tablespoons of flax seeds on your food each day to benefit from their skin-soothing properties.
CUCUMBERS
Cucumbers were highly propular in many ancient civilizations, including Egypt, Greece, and Rome, thanks to their skinhealing properties. They are particularly beneficial to rehydrate skin from the inside out, but they can also be mashed and applied to affected areas of the skin, left on for up to an hour to help heal dermatitis or any skin irritation.
WALNUTS
Rich in skin-softening and healing omega 3 fatty acids, walnuts are a great addition to your diet if you want to improve your skin. Eat only raw, unsalted walnuts that have been stored in a refrigerator because these oils go rancid quickly.
Adapted from Weekend Wonder Detox by Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, ROHP (DaCapo, 2014) Check out her new book 60 Seconds to Slim. Follow her on HealthySurvivalist.com blog, and connect with her on Twitter @mschoffrocook and Facebook.
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NUTRITIONAL BITES NUTRITIONAL NUGGETS TO BITE INTO THIS SUMMER!
-By Roufia Payman
I
just love summer, don’t you? Having fun in the sun means getting big doses of fresh air and exercise— which are good for the body, mind, and spirit. And summer’s bounty overflows at farmers markets, making it easier than ever to create delicious, nutritious meals and snacks. It’s a proverbial Garden of Eden (and garden of good eatin’)! Here are some nutritional nuggets to help you and your family enjoy the healthiest summer ever!
Sensible snacking: Rainbow is the way to go! Nutritionally rich and low in calories and fat, produce provides fiber that keeps your digestive tract healthy and helps protect against diseases such as diverticulosis. Set a good example for your children and have carrots, celery, and other veggies and fruit readily available for your family to snack on. Keep your freshly washed and cut produce in clear containers on your refrigerator shelf for easy grab-and-go snacking. Remember that variety is the spice of life! Here are some good choices to include in your snacking rainbow. • Punch up your nutrition—munch on ½ a pepper, just as you would an apple, for a low-cal snack that provides a full day’s supply of vitamin C. • Not just for sitting on top of a sundae, fresh or dried cherries are rich in fiber and vitamin C, and are associated with heart health as well as reducing the risk of cancer. Plus, they are rich in melatonin, which may help with sleep. • Get passionate about purple and blue. Produce in this color spectrum contains flavonoids, the most powerful phytochemicals found in nature. Phytochemicals decrease the risk of cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and much more.
Carbohydrates are not created equal The equasion: excess calories are fattening, carbohydrates are not. Your body needs complex carbohydrates, so don’t deprive it--there is nutritional goodness in whole grains. For example, brown rice, whole-wheat bread, and whole-wheat crackers contain more B vitamins, potassium, and fiber than processed white varieties. And keep in mind that fiber-rich breads, cereals, and pastas curb your hunger while helping with weight management.
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Fat Facts We do need a certain amount of fat in our diet—it helps us to manage our moods, stay on top of our ”mental game,” fights fatigue, and even helps to control our weight. You just need to be selective and choose wisely. Avoid artery-clogging fats such as trans fats and saturated fats, and look for monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and omega-3s. As a general rule, limit your intake of “hard” fat, such as lard and butter—although butter is far better for you than margarine or any other substitute—and use more “soft” fat, such as olive oil or coconut oil. Avocados and nuts are other excellent sources of ”good”fat.
The Big Cheese The snack of choice for many people is high calorie, high fat, high sodium cheese, and there is now a wide array of specialty artisan cheeses to tempt our palates. But cheese is not a total dietary “no no,” as when eaten in moderation and paired with healthy foods, it can play a beneficial role in our diet, and is actually a source of important nutrients, including calcium, phosphorous and B vitamins. Eating dairy products can also contribute to fighting certain chronic diseases such as osteoporosis. Food manufacturers offer cheeses in low- or even no-fat varieties...but that doesn’t necessary make them healthier choices as in some cases they are loaded with fillers and other preservatives and chemicals. Plus most of them just don’t taste good! Many times you’ll be better off eating a small amount of full-fat cheese—just keep in mind one serving size is typically an ounce, which is equivalent to the size of a pair of dice. Read labels to be sure the cheese has top quality, natural ingredients, and don’t overdo the snacking. FYI, the four lowest calorie cheeses are: Swiss, feta, mozzarella, and parmesan. But again, enjoy in moderation.
Finer Dining Many chains and some restaurants simply heat and serve prepared processed ”institutional” foods made from inferior ingredients that are loaded with calories, salt, sugar, and chemicals. Save your money and your health by frequenting restaurants that emphasize fresh, wholesome farmto-table produce, free-range or organic meats, and wild caught fish. When dining out, ask for whole-grain foods. For instance, some Italian restaurants offer whole-wheat pasta or pizza crusts, and most Asian restaurants will substitute brown rice for white. Other slimming strategies: Avoid the temptaton of buffets...skip the bread basket....start with a clear broth-based soup or salad (dressing on the side or—better yet—olive oil and lemon or vinegar to make your own fresh dressing)...order a medley of appetizers rather than a full meal...request double veggies rather than a startchy mashed/ baked potato or fatty fries... Ask your server to pack up ½ your meal to go before serving so you have instant portion control as well as another meal to look forward to. continued on next page
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Loaf Labels Tell it All Looks can be deceiving. A dark-colored bread does not necessarily mean it is a whole-wheat bread...Instead, it could have bleached flour, high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, additives, dough conditions, and other toxic chemics lurking inside, including the coloring that gives it that attractive deep color. When picking up commercially made bread, read the ingredients, looking for “whole grain” at the top of the list. As always, organic is best. Also shoot for 5 grams of fiber for the most benefit.
Off to a Good Start Just say NO to bagels, muffins, and buttered rolls! Start your day off right with oatmeal, an excellent source of whole grains. Up the flavor and nutritional ante by adding cranberries, apples, and nuts. If you prefer cold cereal, look for those that contain at least 3 grams (g) fiber/serving, no more than 6 g sugar/serving, and no trans fat. Some people find that they feel better and stay fuller longer if they have protein for breakfast—eggs, chicken or turkey bacon or sausage, an apple slathered with peanut butter, a little melty cheese on whole grain bread, yogurt with fresh fruit,or a good quality protein shake are all satisfying. Another nutritional boost to start the day is with a ”Green drink”--an easy and tasty way to get heaping servings of fruits and vegetables. Again, think variety and mix it up. Even toothy greens like kale are tempered by berries, melon, and bananas, as well as cucumber, parsley and lemon or lime juice. Experiment and find the combinations that suit your taste.
Land and Sea Meat and fish are protein-providing staples in the diets of nonvegetarians. Keep consumption healthy with these tips: • A 4 oz. serving is about the size of your fist or a deck of cards. • When it comes to fish, skip the farm raised and go for the wild caught. • Whether you select beef, pork, lamb, or poultry, look for organic or grass fed and humanely raised. It costs a bit more...but it’s a small price to pay for avoiding all the antibiotics, hormones, radiation, and so forth that lesser quality meats harbor (and we won’t even discuss the disgusting ”pink slime” that’s been found in commercial packages of ground beef!).
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Tips to Stay On Track
L E E F A OD GONCH LU
Here are a few more tips for keeping you on the healthy eating track. • Plan most of your weekly meals before you shop, make a list, and stick to it. Be kind to your budget by purchasing nonperisable foods in bulk. Frequent the farmers market as often as possible. And, of corse, never shop on an empty stomach! • Brown bagging it prevents you from resorting to fast-food or frozen/ processed entrees, and also keeps your wallet fatter. Pack your lunch the night before, or at least get all the ingredients together in one place in your fridge for assembling first thing or on the job. • At work, keep a small stash of trail mix or a good quality protein bar, whole-grain crackers, peanut butter, and other healthy snacks that will satisfy your cravings and keep you away from the vending machine. • Put on a pair of sneakers and take a 10 or 15 minute walk after lunch. Surrounding yourself with sunshine and nature helps clear your head and refresh your energy while you burn a few calories in the process.
Little Things Mean a Lot If you cut just 100 calories from your daily food intake, you could lose 10 pounds by year’s end! This is as simple as skipping the cheese on your burger, or nixing the bun, swapping out foods with higher calories/fat for low cal versions—such as substituting pork sausage with turkey sausage—using natural, zero-calorie stevia instead of sugar, and definitely canning soda in favor of water or organic hot/cold teas.
----------------------ROUFIA’S RECIPE CORNER W
ho wants to slave over a hot stove when summer temperatures rise? Here are a few recipes featuring delicious summer produce you can get at your favorite farmers market at their peak of freshness. Perfect for lunch, light dinners, and entertaining, they will help you chill out and stay cool as a cucumber!
Heat, Blend, Ch i l l, and Eat! INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 small onion, diced 1 tablespoon lemon juice continued on next page
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4 cups peeled, seeded and thinly sliced cucumbers, divided 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth , or reduced-sodium chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper Pinch of cayenne pepper 1 avocado, diced 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish 1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 1 to 4 minutes. Add lemon juice and cook for 1 minute. Add 3 3/4 cups cucumber slices, broth, salt, pepper and cayenne; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and cook at a gentle simmer until the cucumbers are soft, 6 to 8 minutes. 2. Transfer the soup to a blender. Add avocado and parsley; blend on low speed until smooth. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Pour into a serving bowl and stir in yogurt. Chop the remaining 1/4 cup cucumber slices. Serve the soup warm or refrigerate and serve it chilled. Just before serving, garnish with the chopped cucumber and more chopped parsley, if desired.
X2 INGREDIENTS: 4 C peeled, seeded, chopped cucumber (or two large cucumbers) 2 C plain non-fat yogurt ½ cup water (or more if want to thin the liquid) 1 clove garlic handful of fresh mint leaves 1 Tablespoon honey 1/2 teaspoon of salt ½ teaspoon pepper 1 Tablespoon dill (fresh) or 1 teaspoon dried 1 teaspoon fresh chives + more for garnish 2 chopped scallions for garnish (optional) DIRECTIONS: Puree everything but scallions in a blender. Taste and adjust seasonings. Chill for a few hours, and serve garnished with chives and scallions.
Add 1 avocado, and 1 cup water to above recipe. Add more yogurt if you wish, and adjust seasonings.
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(serve
room
temp
or
cold)
INGREDIENTS: 1-3/4 cups chicken broth 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 small zucchini, quartered and sliced 2 ears sweet corn, kernels cut off the cob 2 scallions salt & pepper 1 tomato, chopped 1/2 cup feta cheese fresh basil Zippy Honey Lemon Vinaigrette: 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil 1 Tablespoon lemon zest 2 Tablespoons lemon juice 1 1/2 Tablespoons honey 1 garlic clove, or finely minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper DIRECTIONS: 1. Bring chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan. Add rinsed quinoa and place a lid on top, turn the heat down to medium-low, then cook until the broth is absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 25 minutes. Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and let cool slightly. 2. While quinoa is coooking, combine all ingredients for the vinaigrette in a bowl, whisk to combine, and set aside. 3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and saute until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Add zucchini, sweet corn, and green onions, season with salt and pepper, then saute until barely tender, about 3 - 4 minutes. Add cooked quinoa and half the Honey Lemon Vinaigrette, then stir and cook for 1 more minute. 4. Add remaining vinaigrette, tomatoes, feta cheese, and basil to the skillet. Stir well, taste, and add more salt and pepper if necessary. Let cool 10 minutes before serving or chill in refrigerator.
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ALEXANDRA’S INSIGHTS IF YOU ASK A WOMAN ABOUT HER WEIGHT... -By Alexandra Jamieson
I
’ve been talking a lot about body image lately…
Self-love, body confidence, and how to make any diet work for you, whether you’re vegan, paleo or indefinable. No matter how you define your eating style, we’re all here for the same reasons: to discover new ways to feel well in your life and body, to find the foods that work for you, and to make life easier – while having some FUN! And many of you are here to find your best way to lose the weight and keep it off… If you ask any woman on the street how she feels about her weight, you’re likely to get a dirty look… Both for how she feels about her body and for bringing up such a sensitive topic in the first place. For most women, thinking about their weight and how they feel about their body is a very emotional issue. continued on next page
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There’s a lot of pressure on women to look good and be in shape…like amazing, tri-athlete, fitness-model shape. And unfortunately 2/3 of women in the United States alone are overweight, with 1/2 of them being obese. That leads to a lot of frustrated women who are constantly on a roller coaster ride of going from one diet to another, trying to find a magical solution. But if weight loss is such an emotional issue for women, why is the solution always to look at diet and exercise, and not to address the emotions? My good friend Jessica Ortner and I talk about this a lot. I’m lucky to know her, and I’ve actually been on the phone with her, as she took me through a tapping demonstration to help me with my own stress and body issues. Jessica is an EFT Tapping expert, and has been taking a much different approach towards helping women with their weight and cravings, and she’s been getting some startlingly good results. As Jessica says…
“Focusing on diet and exercise first when trying to release weight leaves a huge part of the equation out. You need to first address what’s going on inside you, in your unconscious brain, which is holding you back. It’s not that diet and exercise don’t matter, it’s that the ability to eat well, exercise, and feel safe releasing weight are all run unconsciously in your brain, and if your brain isn’t wired the way you want it to be, then you’re just setting yourself up for failure. If you’ve struggled and gone from diet to diet, you’re likely to continue the trend UNLESS you get to the root of the problem.” Jessica just released an amazing new book called The Tapping Solution for Weight Loss and Body Confidence: A Woman’s Guide to Stressing Less, Weighing Less, and Loving More. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of Jessica’s book and HIGHLY recommend picking up a copy. I think this book is a must read for any woman, as it will give you a much deeper understanding and more importantly, level of control, over the unconscious things that make it challenging to release weight. Every woman deserves to be happy and confident in her body, including you. I think this book will help you get there.
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5
T H I N G S A F O O D JOURNALIST WILL EAT
not
(AND YOU SHOULDN’T EITHER)-By Guest Columnist, Melissa Williams
I
consider myself a savvy and health conscious shopper. But when a friend told me about food writer and investigative journalist, Barry Estabrook’s article on unsafe foods, I was alarmed. Some of my go-to staples made his list. For many families, getting dinner on the table needs to happen in less than 15 minutes. Another interpretation for 'fast food'...Yet we still want to feed our families well, that's the big nutritional dilemma. Convenience vs. health. So instead of turning to obvious convenience foods, we are turning to prepackaged alternatives, including pre-washed salad greens ... a healthy choice when in a pinch. But Barry Estabrook, an investigative food journalist and author of Tomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit, argues that the seemingly benign salad greens we opted for maybe one of the worst things we could put on our plates. “For starters,” he notes, “salad fixings bought whole and chopped in your kitchen are more nutritious than those from containers.” But beyond vitamin content, he also stresses that packaged greens are more vulnerable to bacterial contamination. Remember the E.coli outbreaks last year? Estabrook sites in a recent article that Consumer Reports found (in a 2010 investigation) that bags and containers of greens contained levels of coliform bacteria that were 39 percent higher than what is considered acceptable. Yuck! Have we peaked your interest? Curious as to what else Estabrook avoids? Read on for 5 more things he suggested we steer very clear of at the supermarket. Here are foods Estabrook will not eat.
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1. Supermarket Ground Beef Slaughterhouse scraps that go into ground beef come from very questionable sources, increasing the likelihood of fecal contamination. Estabrook instead advises you to buy whole cuts like sirloin and grind it yourself, or have the butcher grind it for you. The fewer times meat is exposed to air and handled the better off you’ll be; and look for singlesource meats.
2. Bluefin Tuna Tuna is overharvested and in danger of extinction. Plus its incredibly high in mercury. Opt out and make a statement.
3. Out of Season Tomatoes In season, tomatoes are delicious, easy to grow and extremely healthy. Out of season, they require a great deal of labor, pesticides and end up tasting nearly flavorless. Plus, Estabrook points out that farm workers who harvest winter tomatoes often experience terrible working conditions. Read more about the Fair Food Standards Counsil and what you can do to help affirm the rights of tomato workers.
5.) Non-organic Chicken
4. Farmed Salmon We’ve talked about this before, but farmed salmon not only harms the wild salmon population, it also contains higher levels of chemicals that you’ll end up ingesting. This is a definite skip. Study up on our Safe Fish Index so that you can make a healthy decision on which fish are safe to feed yourself and your family.
or Chickens raised in the industrial livestock sector for mass human consumption: Intense studies revealed that chickens raised with arsenic-based drugs yield meat that has higher levels of inorganic arsenic, a known carcinogen that has also been associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cognitive deficits and adverse pregnancy outcomes. By 2010, 88% of all chickens raised for human consumption in the US were given the arsenic-based drug roxarsone. And – fun fact – we raise about 9 billion chickens for meat every year. Scary.
BIOGRPAPHY:
Melissa Williams, Healing Lifestyles & Spa Editor, freelance writer, and CoOwner, Yoga Junction, a gathering place for the community to practice yoga and learn how to live mindfully located in Louisville, Colorado. http://www. louisvilleyogajunction.com, 303.658.0365 info@louisvilleyogajunction.com
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AND L I O E V F OLI O T N I KE PO O M S E TH
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g oils n i k o o best c uteing? e h t are le sa k What c vegetab e thin i s m a o b s at for rd th n too a w e o h d I've reaks d and b l i o t ate olive en he d. But mos h w e t. easily avoid wear by i e b d shoul ant chefs s live oil o ur anic , g resta r o ed oil th e s o e b p e a d gr I us od an anic o g r m o y and iring on m u g q n n i I d g. depen ookin w. Thanks c m ' I o to kn what t n a sw mind nce! NY va -Val, in ad
Dear Val, As you know, oils are pressed from the seeds and fruits of plants. Unrefined oils are the most nutritious, as they
have not been stripped of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Refined oils, especially those that are mass-marketed, are nutritionally depleted. The essential fatty acids are damaged from the high-heat processing; they are extracted with solvents, refined with chemicals, and contain preservatives. continued on next page
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Super-unsaturated and polyunsaturated unrefined oils such as canola, soy, walnut, and flax oils, contain omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, which are essential to good health. Unrefined monounsaturated oils, such as canola, olive, and high-oleic safflower oils, are also important for health and are linked to reducing serum cholesterol. Unfortunately, unrefined oils are fragile and change when heated, smoking and releasing toxic fumes. They oxidize and produce free radicals. If the oil reaches the “smoke point,” the oil is chemically breaking down. Refined oils, on the other hand—especially those that are high in monounsaturates—can withstand high heat before breaking down.
Depending on the processing used, olive oil has a range of smoke points. As a result, you might have all of your needs met with olive oil if you buy three kinds of olive oil: one that is unrefined (extra-virgin) and has a low smoke point of 320F, to be used for salads; a middle range, virgin olive oil, to be used for most baking or light sautéing and has a smoke point of between 375-406F; and a third, refined olive oil, such as “extra light” that has the same amount of beneficial monounsaturated fat and has a very high smoke point of 468F.
Unrefined, polyunsaturated, and super-unsaturated oils begin to smoke above 375F. These oils are best used for raw dressings and baking in a moderate oven (350F). These include extra virgin olive oil, flaxseed oil and walnut oil. Unrefined oils with a higher in monounsaturated fats such as extra virgin olive, sesame, corn, peanut, and safflower oils can only be heated from 255F to 350F.
Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fat and this fat breaks down into free radicals much less dramatically than with grapeseed oil, with its high polyunsatured content (see below).
Only refined oil should be used for temperatures above 350F. Refined canola, peanut, safflower, sunflower, and walnut olis can be used between 325F and 400F. Virgin olive oil can also be used up to 400F. High Heat Cooking When you want a high heat, why not try avocado oil, with a smoke point of 485F? High oleic safflower oil has a smoke point of 475F (refined canola oil has 400F). Clarified butter, known as ghee, has a smoke point of 485F. As mentioned, “extra light” olive oil has a very high smoke point, of 468F.
Regarding grapeseed oil, it does have a high smoke point, of 421F. Note, however, that it has a very high polyunsaturated fat content, and some believe that one should never cook with it, regardless of its smoke point, because polyunsaturated fats are highly reactive, causing oxidation and free radicals production when heated.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions. ---Annie This answer was adapted from my book, True Food.
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FEATURE ARTICLE -By Patricia Martin
I
t’s the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer! They
are most welcome, especially after the brutal winter most of us lived through this past year. As we happily pack up the family and head off on vacation to catch some rays and waves, here are some tips for staying safe and healthy as we enjoy hot fun in the sun.
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BEACH
Whether you’re spending the day by the shore, lake, or pool, there are several must-have items for toting in your beach bag.
BAG
ESSENTIALS Lip Balm:
Lip protection is important to keep lips from getting chapped by the breeze or burned by the sun.
Water Shoes or Flip-flops:
Choose shoes that can get wet and rinse off easily. If you are heading to a public pool that has rough cement, fresh water swimming with a rocky bottom or ocean it would be safer to opt for water shoes with rubber soles with a mesh covering to protect feet and toes. Shoes also help protect delicate feet from hot sand and asphalt, which can cause severe burns. Just remember, flip flops do not offer any support whatsoever and should not be worn when you’ll be walking around for any length of time.
Water Bottle:
Even though your family is spending the day at the beach, it is very important that you rehydrate throughout the day and having water handy will encourage your kids to replenish their fluids. Avoid alcoholic beverages, caffeine, soda, and other carbonated drinks, which are dehydrating.
Head Protection:
Whether you choose a floppy straw hat or a baseball cap, be sure to include hats for every member of your family in your beach bag. Remember that ears get sunburned too so choosing a wide-brimmed hat is extremely useful for keeping the sun off ears, face and head.
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Eye Protection:
Sunglasses help shield the eyes from the harmful effects of the sun and also keep you from squinting, which can contribute to premature wrinkling. Be sure to choose sunglasses that have good UV protection.
Summer First Aid Kit for Active Families:
Be prepared by keeping a first aid kit on hand for any incident that could put a damper on summer fun. (I recommend our Topricin “Boo Boos Happen” kit featuring a convenient zippered pouch with a tube of Topricin for Children—the doctor-recommended safe, natural alternative to chemical-based pills, ointment, and liquids, as well as a great all ‘round first aid cream for treating bug bites, sunburns, and other aches and pains—plus “Ouchies” design-your-own self-adhesive bandages with their own coloring markers, and handy travel-size packets of original Topricin and Topricin Foot Therapy Cream).
Other essentials to tuck into your vaca first aid kit: -Ear plugs to keep water out of the ear to avoid discomfort and prevent bacterial from causing an infection -Goggles to protect eyes and natural/homeopathic eye drops to relieve any irritation -A vial of vinegar to treat jellyfish stings if you’re at the ocean -Tweezers. -Alcohol wipes to disinfect or cleanse -Extra bandages and gauze -Antibiotic ointment to treat open wounds -An antihistamine, just in case of an unexpected allergic reaction
The Great Sun Debate: To sunbathe or not to sunbathe—THAT is the hot topic of the season! For years now we’ve been advised (nagged?) to stay out of the sun, and slather on sunscreen with ever-higher levels of SPF before we even think about setting a foot outside our air conditioned doors. But the tide is changing, so to speak, and the sun is no longer seen as Public Enemy Number One. In fact, the decades-long moratorium on sunbathing has not done a thing to curb skin cancer rates, which are skyrocketing.
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Numerous new reports and studies have experts recommending that we all need, and benefit, from the sun’s rays. It seems that regular, moderate, unprotected—yes that’s right unprotected— sun exposure, when thoughtfully managed, is essential. It’s also the way our bodies generate vitamin D, an important ingredient for optimizing health and preventing disease. It’s high time we embraced the sun, as in the USA vitamin D deficiency is now at epidemic levels. It’s come to light that the best way to optimize vitamin D levels is with limited sunscreen-free exposure to the sun. Safe, smart, strategic bouts of sunshine help the skin produce the Vitamin D our bodies need to build bones, curb inflammation, and boost the immune system. Moreover, research indicates that vitamin D may help prevent as some types of cancer, including pancreatic, lung, breast, ovarian, skin, prostate, and colon. Ironically, a 2011 study published in Cancer Prevention Research suggests that optimal levels of vitamin D offer protection against sunburn and skin cancer. Other benefits of the BIG D: it can help protect the body from diseases like multiple sclerosis, rickets (in the young), tuberculosis, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. And, according to the Vitamin D Council, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have reported that “lack of sun exposure may lead to cognitive decline over time.”
Sun Savvy: According to Frank Lipman, MD, physician, author, and health advocate, “Sunburns are the enemy—not the sun. Some sun exposure is good, but get too much and you’re playing with fire.” When it comes to skin issues and concerns, apparently sunshine is good—it’s the sunburns that create problems and are hazardous to our health. Here are some tips for getting healthy doses of sunshine and vitamin D with minimal risk:
PLEASE NOTE: If you are extremely fair skinned, have had skin cancer, or have any other concerns regarding sun safety, check with your doc first regarding appropriate levels of exposure to the sun and proper protection
--Short, regular exposures have been found to be much more effective and safer than the occasional long one. --Control your exposure and build up your tolerance slowly. To maximize your body’s natural Vitamin D production, start with 5 minutes of mid-morning sun without sun block, and work your way up to 20 - 30 minutes. (The sun is strongest midday so avoid being outside sans protection from high noon until a few hours beyond.) --Don’t overdo do it. After 30 minutes in the sun without skin protection, apply a safe, natural sunscreen. -- You also need to protect skin if you’re in and out of the water, on a boat/doing any activity when the breezes can make you less aware that you’re getting sun burned. -- Don’t get fooled by cloudy days — they can burn you just as easily as sunny ones.
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Rethink Sunscreen: It’s time to rethink your sunscreen as many readily available commercial brands contain toxins. Because your skin is your largest “organ,” these chemicals are readily absorbed directly into your body. Elizabeth Plourde, PhD, is a scientist whose book Sunscreens – Biohazard: Treat as Hazardous Waste, documents the serious and even life-threatening dangers sunscreens pose not only to people but to our planet. Dr. Plourde emphasizes that many sunscreens contain chemicals that are known carcinogens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and offers proof that malignant melanoma and all other skin cancers increased significantly with sunscreen use over a 30year period. As far as the environmental impact, Dr. Plourde notes that, “in areas where there has been much exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, coral and other sea populations have died off and the prevalence of dual-sexed fish has risen.” According to the Environmental Working Group, the best sunscreen is a hat and a shirt because there are no chemicals for the skin to absorb, no questions about whether the product works, and no bogus claims like “sunblock.” But fortunately, there are safe options to choose from to protect yourself and your family. Before you buy a sunscreen, first check out the Environmental Working Group for information on product ingredients and a list of safe sunscreens: http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/
Now let’s all think sunny thoughts!
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-By Joan Apter, Aromacologist
E
ssential Oils are the perfect choice for most of your average first aid concerns. You can easily replace your over-the-counter drugs that have negative side effects with the natural plant compounds found in therapeutic essential oils. Having these oils close at hand will allow you treat the common minor injuries or illnesses that occur. I never leave home without a small kit of my favorite essential oils. I am always offering them to people I meet who complain about headache, stress, inflammation, pain, allergies and the list goes on and on!
Here is a short list of my favorite first aid essential oils:
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR YOUR FIRST AID KIT
Peppermint Essential Oil (NOT for use on open wounds) Peppermint has an invigorating, clean, fresh, menthol aroma. One of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for soothing digestion, peppermint may also restore digestive efficiency. It’s also great for treating headaches, easing muscle cramps, relieving indigestion and nausea. For headaches and muscle cramps, use it topically in a one-to-one blend with carrier oil. For indigestion and nausea, take it internally in a one to one blend in a gel cap. An added benefit of peppermint oil is deterring wasps. Mix 10 drops of peppermint oil with water in a small glass spray bottle. Spray it around you and on your clothes and wasps will stay away!
Keep on hand for: • • • • • • •
Colds and congestion Fever- peppermint is very cooling and brings down fever Constipation and gas Indigestion Headache Lethargy- wakes up the brain. Muscle soreness
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Lavender Essential Oil Lavender is one of history’s most celebrated and versatile essential oils. It is steam distilled from Lavandula angustifolia, a perennial, bushy shrub with a flowery top. Historically, Greeks used lavender as a perfume. The Romans used it in their baths for washing, for its cleansing qualities, and to deter insects. The Egyptians used lavender as an ingredient in incense and perfume. Queen Elizabeth I used it in her tea to soothe tension. Today, we use lavender as a tea and to cleanse, support normal sleep, ease occasional depression, soothe sun-exposed skin, and reduce stress. Lavender oil is one of the safest essential oils and can be applied neat to the skin. The benefits of lavender are unlimited, and research will continue to yield new and exciting uses for this amazing plant. Diffuse it to aid in sleeping, use it topically to treat bee stings or other insect bites, treat sunburn, ease headaches, relieve the itching of rashes and reduce inflammation, ease the swelling of sprains and lift the spirits.
Keep on hand for: • • • • • • • • •
Balancing normal body functions Cleansing skin irritations Soothing and relaxing the mind and body Easing tension and stress Cuts, scrapes and burns Insomia Fever Bacteria Insect repellent
Thieves Oil Blend – the essential oil antibiotic! This blend was created from research about a group of 15th-century thieves who rubbed oils on themselves to avoid contracting the plague while they robbed the bodies of the dead and dying. When apprehended, these thieves disclosed the formula of herbs, spices, and oils they used to protect themselves in exchange for more lenient punishment. When this potent blend of Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Radiata, Lemon and Rosemary was tested at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, in 1997, studies showed the anti-bacterial effectiveness of Thieves against airborne microorganisms. One analysis showed a 90 percent reduction in the number of gram-positive Micrococcus luteus organisms after diffusing Thieves for 12 minutes; after diffusing Thieves for 20 minutes, there was a 99.3 percent reduction. Another study against the gram negative Pseudomonas Aeruginosa showed a kill rate of 99.99 percent after just 12 minutes of diffusion of this blend. The oils in the Thieves blend are highly antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-infectious and help to protect the body against such illnesses as flu, colds, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, sore throats, cuts, and so on! For a headache, take one drop of Thieves on the tongue and press your tongue to the roof of your mouth and hold. Your headache will disappear in matter of minutes.
Keep on hand for: • • • • • • •
Viruses and flu Cuts Household cleaning Sore throats Cold sores Toothache Infections
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Lemon Essential Oil Lemon essential oil is cold pressed from the rind of Citrus limon, a 20-foot tree with highly scented blossoms and lemon fruits. Lemon contains d-limonene, an antioxidant that has been linked to healthy immune system function. Studies show that inhaling lemon can actually counter occasional feelings of depression. Lemon is also an important ingredient in natural cosmetics that may be useful for cleansing the skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Use lemon to treat colds, coughs and chest congestion. Mix lemon oil with a carrier oil (one to one) and rub it on your chest several times a day. You can also put a few drops in warm water with honey to soothe a sore throat. Put a drop or two in your water to give it flavor and freshen its taste. If you feel like you’re getting sick, place a drop on your tongue to boost your immune system and put a drop on your toothbrush to keep it germ free and reduce the risk of recontamination. You can also use lemon oil to freshen the air.
Keep on hand for: • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Supporting a normal immune system Promoting clarity of thought and purpose Energizing and stimulating the mind and body Opening and releasing emotional blocks Supporting skin health Bloating Lethargy and low energy Anxiety Infections Mouth sores Coughs Insect bites Household cleaning
Panaway Essential Oil Blend If you have localized soreness after gardening, shopping, working out, or any other physical activity, reach for PanAway. This proprietary blend is made of essential oils that penetrate the skin and soothe soreness after strenuous activity. It integrates the soothing properties of Helichrysum, Wintergreen, Clove, and Peppermint, and can be used to relieve sore muscles and enhance overall well being.
Keep on hand for: • • • • • •
Tight, Sore muscles Stressed nerves, nerve pain Sciatic and back pain Soothes joint pain and ligaments Swelling and damaged tissue Bruises
Purification Essential Oil Blend Containing Citronella, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Melaleuca, Lavandin, and Myrtle, Purification can be used directly on the skin to cleanse and soothe insect bites, cuts, and scrapes. When diffused, it helps to purify and cleanse the air from environmental impurities including cigarette smoke and other disagreeable odors. It is also used to extract poison from insect and snakebites.
Keep on hand for:
• Bloating • Insect bites • Cuts and scrapes • Acne • Household odors and musty air • Insect repellent continued on next page
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Frankincense Essential Oil Frankincense is one of the oldest essential oils and is used primarily in meditation to improve inner balance. Considered the “holy anointing oil” in the Middle East, frankincense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. It was well known during the time of Christ and was one of the gifts given to Christ at his birth. Anciently, the Chinese used frankincense to support overall health.
Keep on hand for:
• Increasing spiritual awareness and enhancing meditation • Calming and soothing the body and mind • Comforting properties for mental balance • Excellent support for skin health • Stimulating and elevating aroma • Anxiety • Scars • Wrinkles and stretch marks • Swelling • Difficulty breathing • Poor circulation
Eucalyptus Essential Oil Diffuse, humidify or direct inhale. Apply to chest, throat, under ears, or over sinus area. May use as a hot compress on chest. Form a tent over your head with a towel and inhale the vapors. Also great for bunions and bone spurs. Use eucalyptus to treat colds and flu, congestion, shingles and inflammation. Heat some water to boiling and put in a few drops of eucalyptus oil.
Keep on hand for:
• Congestion and bronchitis • Respiratory allergies and sinusitis • Dirty air or household odors • Earaches • Sores and skin infections • High blood pressure • Sore throat • Fever • Migraines
Essential oils like herbs and good nutrition are God-given , , tools to help heal rejuvenate and maintain our bodies. , continued on next page
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What are Essential Oils? Essential oils are the subtle, volatile liquids that are distilled from plants, shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes and even seeds. They are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic and antiseptic. They increase oxygen, negative ions and ozone. They are antioxidant and stimulate the immune system. Oils enhance brain wave function, improve spiritual awareness and bring about a beautiful balance to the body. Clinical research shows that essential oils have the highest frequency of any natural substance known to man, creating an environment in which disease, bacteria, virus, fungus, etc., cannot live. Clinical research has proven that 100% pure essential oils are immune stimulating. Other research shows that many of the "super bugs" that have modern medicine so concerned cannot survive in the presence of essential oils...nor has there been any pathogen known to resist them by mutating. In the human body, essential oils stimulate the secretion of antibodies, neurotransmitters, endorphins, hormones, and enzymes. Essential oils containing limonene have been shown to prevent and slow the progression of cancer. They also have extremely powerful anti-bacterial properties and may be used as a natural antibiotic! It is of primary importance to know the quality of the essential oil you are using. Essential oils must be distilled with low temperature, low pressure, and absolutely no synthetic adulterants, if they are to maintain their therapeutic benefits. Make sure the company you choose knows the source of its oils, and can produce gas chromatograms from independent labs as proof of their purity. Never take essential oils internally unless you know your company is therapeutic grade!! Off-the-shelf oils are often diluted with chemicals. I use and recommend Young Living therapeutic grade essential oils. There are over 50 hospitals that use these oils in their emergency and treatment rooms. Therapeutic grade essential oils, when diffused, clean and purify the air of bacteria, mold and fungus. They also have a calming and uplifting effect on the staff and patients. The link below is an interview with Dr. Woodson Merrell, Director of integrative Medicine, Beth Israel Hospital, NYC, on why they use Young Living oils: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6pU72bqSXHk
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REFLEXOLOGY DIAGNOSED WITH LYME?
COME SEE ME (OR YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD REFLEXOLOGIST) -By Deborah Burklund
J
ust spotted a tick and doing preventive treatment? Or maybe Lyme disease was finally diagnosed after much trial and error? Or does it keep returning? Never substitute reflexology for medical treatment, but once you are doing your allopathic protocol, I want you to come have a course of reflexology to enhance your recovery. Here's what to expect: You may be stressed about this new development. There are reflexes in your feet (the solar plexus and spine, primarily) that I will gently massage to bring the stress levels down. Stress, of course, brings down your immune system. We need your immune system to function at optimal levels at this critical time, so I will massage your lymph (you have many of these) and thymus reflexes (you have one on each foot). You may be on a course of doxycycline
and experiencing nausea; special attention to your stomach reflex should ease that right up. It even works for people undergoing chemotherapy. When the reflexology portion of your appointment is complete, I will ask if you would like to finish with some Reiki. I enjoy combining modalities for optimal results and may also treat you with a bit of cranial sacral and polarity. I will be using essential oils and Topricin速 homeopathic cream during your treatment, and highly recommend it for the joint aches often associated with Lyme disease. It won't interact with medications and it comes in various formulas. There is bound to be one you like best.
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OPTIONS
FOR LIFE
DEMYSTIFYING FLAXSEED AND ESTROGREN -By Elyn Jacobs
F
What We Know:
laxseed, the tiny plant with powerful anticancer properties—why are people so afraid of it? Breast cancer is thought to be a hormonal disease. This means that a hormone may cause cancer to develop by encouraging cells to grow and divide; therefore the mere mention of the word estrogen strikes fear in many. Although the conventional medical community identifies all estrogens, including phytoestrogens, as carcinogenic and surely to be feared, plant estrogens may actually reduce estrogen activity in the body. In fact, phytoestrogens are not really estrogens, they are anti-estrogens. Plant estrogens protect us from the stronger estrogens our bodies produce as well as the xenoestrogens found in environmental chemicals—they actually contains compounds that have been shown to reduce the growth and spread of cancer cells. Flax, being a phytoestrogen, is simply misunderstood.
Phytoestrogens such as flax act more like estrogen blockers than like estrogen; flax help modulate the production, availability, and action of hormones. The lignans in flax lower the production of estrogen by blocking the aromatase enzyme (similar to aromatase inhibitors) and block the estrogen receptors (similar to Tamoxifen–and experts now believe that flaxseed may work even better than Tamoxifen, with side benefits not side effects). When lignans are consumed, intestinal bacteria convert them into enterolactone and enterodiol. They attach to estrogen receptors, stimulate them weakly and block estrogen binding. This prevents estradiol or estrone from attaching to the estrogen receptors and strongly stimulating them, and includes not just the estrogen we produce, but also environmental toxins, thus making breast tissue more resistant to these environmental toxins.
Think of it this way. If you flood your system with phytoestrogens such as flax, they have the opportunity to block the receptors and only weakly stimulate cell proliferation. While estrogen may cause 1000 cells to divide, phytoestrogens cause only one cell to divide. Further, because compounds in flaxseed act as weak estrogen imitators, your body reacts by decreasing its production of estrogen. If you have too much estrogen, you may see your estrogen levels drop when you eat flaxseed. Additionally, the estrogens that your body naturally manufactures may be a less active form.
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Flax also increases programmed cell death (apoptosis), prevents new blood vessels from growing into tumors, decreases hot flashes, decreases HER2 expression (HER2 leads to growth factor signaling pathways that play a role in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and metastasis), decreases breast cancer proliferation, reduces tumor growth and protects against radiation damage–flaxseed may play a role in mitigating and protecting other healthy tissues and organs before exposure to radiation from x-rays and CT scans, and significantly reduces damage even after exposure. Women who consume 25 grams of ground flaxseed per day showed decreased tumor cell proliferation (up to 30%), decreased HER2 expression (up to 70%) and increased apoptosis. Flaxseed can inhibit the growth of both estrogen receptor positive and negative breast cancer cells. It also reduced metastasis of ER negative breast tumors. Decreased cell proliferation rates, decreased angiogenesis and increased apoptosis seem to account for the decrease. Flaxseed consumption can also lengthen the menstrual cycle; the longer your cycles are, the fewer the number of cycles you will have over a lifetime, and the less estradiol you will produce—which seems to translate into lower risk of breast cancer. Plus, flaxseed binds to estrogen and helps escort it out of the body. BUT THERE IS MORE... Flaxseed is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids. Research has found that women who eat the highest amounts of omega-3’s have the lowest risk of breast cancer. Omega-3’s have been found to help shrink breast tumors and prevent them from spreading to other parts of the body. Omega’s also help calm inflammation and decrease the rate at which breast cells divide in response to estrogen. What some others have to say about flax: In Confirmed: Flaxseed Contains ‘Estrogens’ That Regress Cancer, Sayer Ji reports on how dietary flaxseed has the potential to reduce tumor growth in patients with breast cancer. As reported by Dr Michael Greger in Flax and Breast Cancer Survival, flaxseeds appear to have the potential to reduce tumor growth in just a matter of weeks and can help to increase survival. In this article, Greger speaks of the first side-by-side study comparing Tamoxifen to flaxseed to effectively starve tumors of their blood supply. One of the ways the chemotherapy drug Tamoxifen works is by boosting the levels of angiogenesis inhibitors like endostatin, which is a protein the body makes to try to starve tumors of their blood supply. In the study they gave women tamoxifen for 6 weeks; the levels of endostatin within the breast tended to go up, but the same thing happened when they added three and a half tablespoons of ground flaxseeds to their daily diet. This is exciting news and further supports embracing nature in the management of cancer. Please read the article for more studies.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center agrees that flaxseed inhibits the growth and metastasis of breast and other cancers and can lower tumor biomarkers, and can reduce radiation therapy-induced lung damage and increase survival. Of course, I would like them to rethink the contraindication warning that patients with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer should consume flax with caution as this makes no sense, but then perhaps they are cautious of conflict of interest. You will also find an in-depth discussion on flax in Dr Christine Horner’s book, Waking the Warrior Goddess, Third Edition: Dr. Christine Horner’s Program to Protect Against & Fight Breast Cancer. EMBRACING FLAX: Flaxseed is easy to eat. While flaxseed oil should not be heated because it can easily oxidize, heating flaxseeds does not measurably change the nutritional content. Grind the seeds and bake them in muffins or add them to your cereal; add them to your smoothie. Aim for 2-4Tbs freshly ground daily. Freshly ground is important to avoid oxidation and in order for your body to digest and utilize flaxseeds, they must first be ground. Need a new idea? Make some oatmeal flax pancakes. Still don’t see yourself eating flaxseed daily or travel frequently? Try a supplement: Brevail Proactive Breast Health Capsules, 30-Count Box . While not a perfect solution, it is an option.
Oatmeal Flax Pancakes Yield, 2 large or 4 small • • • • •
¼ cup organic oats (whole or pulsed lightly) ¼ cup flaxseeds (freshly ground) ¼-½ tsp baking powder (aluminum free) Dash salt ½ tsp cinnamon (cinnamon is known to inhibit the formation of new vessels within the body as well as reduce the growth of tumors, and helps to manage blood sugar levels)
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• • • • • •
Dash of cloves and nutmeg (heavy dash of the cloves as they have strong anticancer benefits) Splash of vanilla Small handful of walnuts Dash of stevia 1 small banana, sliced Butter or coconut oil for cooking Grind walnuts (if using) with Flaxseed. Stir into oats. Add remaining ingredients except butter, slightly mashing banana (if using).
Note: If you eat whey powder, add one tablespoon vanilla whey and omit the vanilla and stevia (whey boosts glutathione levels. Glutathione is your body’s most powerful antioxidant and helps eliminate pesticides and heavy metals, protects the body from oxidative stress, promotes detoxification and supports the liver). Warm pan with butter. Spoon batter into pan, making thick pancakes. Serve with fresh berries, honey (try buckwheat honey), or topping of your choice. I never overlook an opportunity to allow nature to heal; flaxseed is proving to be one such powerful agent to embrace for breast cancer management and survival. Never sacrifice health for the sake of a cure (old Ayurvedic principle). Treatments should not create imbalances or disease. As we learned during one of my past “Survive and Live Well” radio shows with guest Peter Gotsche (Deadly Medicines and Organized Crime: What you Need to Know about Prescription Drugs and your Health) prescriptions drugs are the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. And most come with the risk of potentially toxic side effects and contribute to further disease, not wellness; drugs do not cure imbalances, they create them. Anytime you can find a natural substance that works as well or better than a pharmaceutical drug, go for it. While a comprehensive anticancer plan is beyond the scope of this column, there is much we can do to support the body against cancer; flaxseed is just one very important part of the puzzle, and estrogen is not the main culprit. Endnote…estrogen is our friend, not our enemy, it’s all about balance, metabolism and management.
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Physical Advantage -By Laurie Towers
O
kay we all know the drill and the visual is tantamount to one of those beach blanket movies of our youth, where we all jump into our friend’s convertible, armed with sun block and surf boards, and head out to enjoy those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. Nothing better in fantasy or reality but yet when we paint this picture we never feature in those trips to the doctor or emergency room that comes along with all the fun, blocking our better judgment like poorly fitting sunglasses. As I'm a far cry from a buzz kill, there are definite ways that we can enjoy those events that will create those wonderful memories AND stay on the better side of caution. Watch how easy it is... Keep this close to mind for the summer and not just for in those wonderful drinks...ICE is going to be both a very dear friend and hero on more than one occasion. This is an absolute guarantee. Although the nurturing effects and old school philosophy is that heat is the best things for any injury, especially in the chronic stages, newer sports medicine stats support the application of ice being the best choice in both the short and long term of the injury process. Not only does it reduce the swelling of soft tissue injuries as well as nerve impingements, but it brings a nice current of blood flow to the area which delivers all the oxygen and nutrients the injury needs to heal.
Now that you are set up with that, let’s look at the common occurrences that will plague a good amount of us during this throw-caution-to-the-wind summer season. Dehydration is probably the number one reason that people who are actively engaged in a lively game of their choice find themselves in the nearest ER room with a lot of concerned faces around them. It can happen THAT quickly. The process of dehydration happens when our body loses fluids at a more rapid rate then we can replace them. This is why once we are at the ' thirsty" stage of the game it can already be too late, depending on the circumstances. The best replacement for this is good old water which should always be carried and on hand for just this reason. If we are actively exercising a good rule of thumb is 6 to 8 ounces of water every 15 – 30 minutes. Keep in mind that alcoholic beverages have properties of dehydration so those don't count when you are trying to rehydrate. A good way to offset this in the first place is, when you have any activity that is going to have extreme exertion in the mix, try to do it before or after the highest heat index of the day, which is noon to 2 pm.
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Muscle and joint strains and sprains are probably the most common fare of the assortment of things that can go bump in the summer. Usually it’s more because of our overly zealous selves wanting to jump right into the activity itself and not being mindful of the investment and insulation of taking the time to stretch. Before and after is what most medical minds think to be standard but if one stretch is all you can afford to do ( yeah ..right!) prepare the muscle sufficiently by doing it before. You'll find that the leader of the pack when it comes to injuries is the knee. There’s the constant flexing and extending of this joint, which is subject to the natural involvement of weight bearing, plus the impact brought upon it by running and jumping. Be kind, and find the best footwear you can to cushion it, and also listen to the signs and symptoms and sit it out when you need to. The ankle doesn't get as much loving as it needs during these summer months, either, but actually is more under a direct line of fire because of poor footwear and arch support due to bad footwear choices, most notably flip flops. Not only can the ankle suffer for this choice in attire, but the rest of your body is in jeopardy, too, as many trip hazards are promoted by them...So be advised accordingly. The elbow is another joint that although not weight bearing gets a lot of wear and tear, particularly with "tennis elbow." Now you don't need to play tennis or even golf to get those nasty repetition injuries, so just be aware of the constant hyperextension or locking of your elbows as you play and when you do...slap our very good friend ice on it.
Another injury that is on the rise in the warmer weather that is not anything related to a joint or muscle is head trauma resulting in a concussion. Minor concussions happen more often than people realize, and in fact, this writer had one almost two years ago, and it can be quite debilitating and painful. The key here is when the season brings out the activities such as skateboarding, rollerblading and biking, we need to also keep in mind that head gear is very important in what can either be a minor annoyance or something that has the potential to alter your life dramatically. Take special care in fitting children correctly for head gear, as something too loose won’t have the support it needs when impact becomes part of the picture. Oddly enough the rule of thumb many years back was that sleeping was to be avoided at all costs for the subject with head trauma, when now the advice is to allow the brain injury to fortify itself and recover WITH sleep. In either case, when symptoms beyond the normal amount of discomfort present themselves, such as blurry vision, vomiting or nausea, disoriented behavior, and inability or impaired speech, a quick visit to the emergency room is indicated. Not only with this, but with all injures that you may come across this summer. So let’s get ready, shall we? Let’s get out our sun block, scoop up our surf board, and jump into our friend’s convertible. More importantly though, let’s keep those smiles on our faces by keeping the ice pack close by...
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Healing Innovations A
s we read in our feature article, “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” a little sunshine is good for the body. But when we get too much of a good thing, we have a painful problem on our hands...and face, arms, legs, back, etc.! Feeling red in the face about your sunburn? Topricin comes to the rescue, providing rapid relief from the stinging pain and swelling. It contains highly purified water, plus coconut oil, which is a nourishing emollient for skin and provides natural, healthy moisture to maintain normal hydration of skin and PH balance.
When 10-year-old Matt got too much son, his mom used Topricin for Children on his bad burn—and 24 hours later, he’s smiling again!
Elizabeth went kayaking, and got a nasty sunburn while she was paddling away. She massaged her legs with original Topricin Pain Relief and Healing Cream, and 36 hours later was ready to kayak again!
Whenever you get too much sun, remember that Topricin is your best summertime friend! It soothes the skin you're in to revitalize, restore, moisturize, and provide vibrancy and energy to skin of all ages...It’s also great for summer bugs bites, poison ivy relief, bumps, bruises, and eczema, too!
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Healing Circle Thank you to Kristen, who writes the fab blog “From Son Up to Son Down” and had this to say about how Topricin has helped in the battle against mosquito bites! “Once I found Topricin, things really started to change for us in the war on mosquito bites. We had our first mosquito bite of the season this week. The culprit got him inside the house through his pajamas, or under them? I immediately washed the two bites, and applied the Topricin and by the second day of applying it 4 times a day the bites were almost gone. I am completely in LOVE with this product, finally a safe weapon in the war on mosquito bites!”
Read more from Kristen’s blog here:
http://fromsonuptilsondown.blogspot.com/2014/06/ mosqutios-really-bite.html
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GOT PAIN? THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT!
CANCUN AND 365 DAYS OF TOPRICIN, ANYONE?!?
S
ummer kicks off our fourth annual “Where in the World is Topricin” contest...So whether you’re going to the community pool or a chic resort, pack up your Topricin and take a photo during your travels. The top prize is spectacular: a Cancun getaway and a year’s supply of Topricin, worth more than $1,000. Here’s a link with all the details: http:// www.topricin.com/common/pagedetail. aspx?PageCode=TopricinContest Check out some of last year’s fun and fab entries: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=juAQnxmAvak We can’t wait to see where YOU take Topricin!
G
ot pain? Now you can just tap TopTrack for on-the-go pain management to track your pain and healing progress!
The launch of Topricin's innovative “TopTrack” app supports our company’s mission to restore hope and quality of life to the millions of people who suffer in pain. Putting health in an individual’s own hands, TopTrack reflects our dedication to educating doctors, patients, and their families about what pain truly is: a signal from the body that it wants to repair damaged cells or inflamed tissue and needs assistance getting oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood flowing to the pain area in order to facilitate the healing process. This awareness provides a clear, sustainable pathway to safer, more effective treatment options that achieve lasting results. TopTrack helps people better understand, address, and track their pain and offers “in-hand” knowledge and treatment options that can be readily applied. In addition, TopTrack encourages doctor-patient communication, helping both parties determine the best protocols for treatment. Whether it's pain from an injury, inflammation or an everyday chronic pain, TopTrack delivers in-hand healing advice.
Here are some highlights:
• Enables users to track and manage pain, stiffness, tingling, or burning sensations associated with such conditions as fibromyalgia; neuropathy; back, neck, and shoulder pain; arthritis; carpal tunnel syndrome; Plantar fasciitis; sports and trauma injuries; and other pain issues. continued on next page
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• Provides useful guidelines for addressing pain/ injuries. • Captures pain patterns and trends for users to share with their doctor, pharmacist, or practitioner. • Sets up reminders to apply healing remedies. • Instructs users on how to tailor Topricin Pain Relief and Healing Cream formulas to their lifestyle and physical needs. • Check out this short video to see TopTrack in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysj3CE6auDg TopTrack is available free of charge for iPad via the App Store, and will roll out on additional devices in the coming months. http://bit.ly/1rIQD89
How to Track:
ON THE ROAD FOR HEALTH
T
opricin hopped on the bus and teamed up with McKesson to participate in the Health Mart Healthy Living Tour—a national awareness campaign focused on helping people better understand the role of independent pharmacists as community healthcare providers. At each bus stop, visitors were able to take advantage of complimentary blood pressure, blood glucose, body mass index, waist circumference, body composition and total cholesterol screenings as well as HbA1C tests for those deemed to be “at risk” for diabetes...plus guests received samples of Topricin, of course! To find out more about the tour and schedule click here: http://www.hmhlt. com/
1. Download App @ Apple itunes - http://bit.ly/1rIQD89. 2. For previous Topricin users with online accounts, login to the app with your online Topricin account password. 3. New to Topricin? Download and sign in with your email address. 4. Get Rewards!: Track free for 30 days and users will receive a free 4oz Jar of Topricin. By experiencing the results of using TopTrack, people will discover viable paths that lead to true and lasting well-being. The TopTrack App: A “Virtual Healer,” offering in-hand pain relief!
TEAM TOPRICIN RIDES ON!
DOES TOPRICIN ROCK? YES!
I
The Health Mart Healthy Living Tour is brought to you by:
t was a picture-perfect day for the Saratoga Tour de Cure 2014—the annual fundraising event for the American Diabetes Association (ADA). And Team Topricin was there to pass out samples and bike the highways and byways with over 2,500 other riders! It was the top fundraising event for of the entire capital region, and a huge success for the ADA! The number two ADA tour in the country, the Saratoga event this year raised $1,200,000, and Team Topricin was proud to contribute over $7,000 to this worthy cause (and have the cool shirt to prove it)!
T
opricin was a proud sponsor of a fantastic concert at Woodstock’s Bearsville Theatre: The Paul Green Rock Academy with special guest Jon Anderson from YES! It was an amazing opportunity for audience members to see a true rock legend in an intimate venue backed up by some of the finest young musicians in the area from Paul Green’s renowned school. The best of the Rock Academy students, aged 11-17, served as Jon's backup band and accompanied him on a full show of Yes hits.
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Contributors DEBORAH BURKLUND LOU PARADISE Lou is the President and CEO of Topical BioMedics and the inventor of Topricin. He frequently serves as an expert speaker on the use of natural medicines, and has participated in addressing compliance issues related to the regulation of natural medicines as a member of the American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists (AAHP). He is especially interested and active in issues regarding the care and treatment of the elderly, women and children, and his fellow veterans in VA medical centers around the country. Lou is a Marine Corps helicopter combat and rescue veteran who served two rotations in Vietnam. He is very modest about his combat service but his many decorations are for bravery in combat and the rescue of wounded soldiers, sailors, and fellow Marines and the humanitarian rescue of Vietnamese civilians.
JOAN APTER A sought-after public speaker, Joan Apter, licensed massage therapist, offers aromatherapy massage, Young Living Essential Oil products, health consultations and classes. Contact Joan at joanapter@earthlink.net. Visit apteraromatherapy.com and facebook.com/ joanapter
Deborah Burklund, certified reflexologist, has had a lifelong love of complementary alternative health care. She treats people who have a range of health issues, and her favorite word is “wow,” because she hears it often while giving a treatment. One of her tag lines is, “Your feet don’t lie.” www.Realreflexology.com.
ANNIE B. BOND Best-selling author Annie B. Bond has been called “The foremost expert on green living” by Body & Soul magazine. Honed by her own experience with chemical poisoning, Annie now offers others information on pursing a healthy way of life that is in harmony with the earth. Her books include Clean and Green, Better Basics for the Home, Home Enlightenment, and the most recent release True Food, published by National Geographic. She has also launched “A True Find” online market featuring high quality green, global products hand she hand selects…Offering the best in nontoxic, healthy, sustainable, artisan made, handmade, fair trade, and pure goods, including jewelry, skin care, baby products, cleaning products, home décor, and global crafts. www.atruefind.com
MICHELLE SCHOFFRO COOK PhD, ROHP, DNM, Is an international best-selling and fifteen-time book author whose works include: 60 Seconds to Slim, The Ultimate pH Solution, and the upcoming book Weekend Wonder Detox. She is a doctor of natural medicine, holistic nutritionist, and the publisher of the free ezine World’s Healthiest News. Learn more about her work at: www. DrMichelleCook.com, www. WorldsHealthiestDiet.com, and www.HealthySurvivalist.com
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Contributors ERIC FRANCIS The founder and editor of Planet Waves, Eric is an astrologer and investigative journalist. He was working in his first job as a municipal newspaper reporter when he discovered that his editor also owned an astrology bookstore. This began a long relationship between astrology and journalism, which has taken Eric through the pages of many newspapers as a horoscope writer, including the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror plus numerous other venues. Today, Eric covers global turning point events through the lens of astrology. He is a specialist in newlydiscovered planets. Eric is also the host of Planet Waves FM, a podcast radio show http:// planetwaves.fm/. For more information visit www.ericfrancis.com and www.planetwaves. net Planet Waves (ISSN 1933-9135) is published each Tuesday and Friday morning in Kingston, New York by Planet Waves, Inc. Annual basic subscription rate: $99/year. Core community membership: $149/year.
DOUG GRUNTHER Doug is a certified dream work facilitator and regularly holds dream work study groups. He has been Woodstock, NY’s most noted radio talk show host for over 25 years. His popular program, “The Woodstock Roundtable,” can be heard over 100.1 WDSTFM and over the Internet at www.WDST.com. To contact Doug, email dgrunther1@gmail. com or go to www.dreamworkwithdoug.com
LEAH GUY Leah is a TV personality and media producer as well as the editor of ModernSage.com. She is a passionate health educator with an extensive background in Holistic Health and inspired living. She has studied nutrition, spirituality and mind-body modalities for over 25 years. Leah has seen clients across the country as a massage therapist, energy healer and lifestyle xoach and also leads empowering workshops to groups large and small. Her vast knowledge of supplementation, body and beauty care, natural foods and diet as well as spirit-filled living make her a sought-after resource for education, endorsements and spokesperson. Leah has been published in several health magazines as a featured contributor and authored Life’s a Gift...Open It!, Sexy Secrets to Radiant Beauty, Naturally and has ghost-written health books and articles for notables in the US & abroad. As the CEO of her production company, A Girl Named Guy Productions LLC, Leah currently lives in the NYC metro area. www.leahguy.com; www.modernsage.com; www. whosondeck.TV
LAUREL HOUSE Laurel is a healthy living expert, author, personal trainer, and journalist covering travel, relationships, healthy food and fitness in national print and online publications. She has a weekly Fitness and Healthy Food channel on Yahoo! Shine, a “Screwing the Rules” dating/relationships column on Giuliana Rancic’s FabFitFun.com, is a regular contributor to HealingLifestyles.com, a Dating Coach with DatingWithDignity.com, and a lifestyle contributor to E! News. Laurel has been featured on E! News, Weekend TODAY, The Daily Buzz, CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC Morning News, and other TV shows. Her most recent book, QuickieChick’s Cheat Sheet to Life, Love, Food, Fitness, Fashion and Finance on a Less than Fabulous Budget, was published by St. Martin’s in May 2012. She also doles out dating/ relationship advice at www.ScrewingTheRules. com.
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Contributors ALEXANDRA JAMIESON
ELYN JACOBS Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer strategist, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and well-being. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health, and Breast Cancer Answers and has written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, Surviving Beautifully, Body Local and more, and writes the Options for Life column for the Natural Healing-Natural Wellness Newsletter. Elyn hosts the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys. http://elynjacobs.wordpress.com/ about/ Tune in to the Survive and Live Well Show: http://elynjacobs. wordpress.com/elyns-blog/ Replay the Survive and Live Well Radio Show Archives: http:// elynjacobs.wordpress.com/ survive-and-live-well-schedule/ Read Elyn’s Blog: http:// elynjacobs.wordpress.com/2014/ Follow Elyn on Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/pages/ElynJacobs-Consulting-Inc Follow Survive and Live Well on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ survivelivewell Follow Elyn on Linkedin
Author, chef, and certified health and nutritional counselor, Alexandra is an advocate of holistic nutrition and healthy living. She has been seen on Oprah, The Final Word, 30 Days and the National Health Test with Bryant Gumble, and was featured in the award-winning documentary Super Size Me. In her books, Living Vegan for Dummies (Wiley, 2009) and The Great American Detox Diet (Rodale, 2005), Alex offers sensible and tasty advice on how to detox, live healthfully, and feel fantastic. For more information, visit www. alexandrajamieson.com
PATRICIA MARTIN
ROUFIA PAYMAN
Patricia is the managing editor of Natural Healing, Natural Wellness and the director of marketing for Topical BioMedics, Inc. She is also an author, poet, copywriter, journalist, and lifestyle columnist who frequently cohosts Doug Grunther’s Woodstock RoundTable radio talk show on WDST 100.1 fm, Woodstock, NY.
Roufia is the Director of Outpatient Nutritional Services at Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, NY, where she directs the Bariatric Support Group, “New Leaf,” and “Get Real Weight Results” programs. For more information call 845-8713600 or visit www.health-quest. org/ndh.
LAURIE TOWERS Founder and CEO of Physical Advantage, NY, NY, Laurie is a fitness expert, former professional bodybuilder, and now Manhattan’s main massage maven. Perennially listed in New York Magazine’s “Best Of” issue and featured on numerous television news shows and radio programs, Physical Advantage has established itself as the premier “serious” rehabilitative massage center in New York City, with a clientele that includes professional athletes, marathoners, dancers, actors, and singers. She is also the creator of the “Bridal Body Shop,” which helps brides-to-be get in shape with personal training sessions in their own home, and was recently named one of the top businesses primed for success in Business News Daily. For more information visit www. physical-knead.com. Page 54
Hello Summer
If you would like to contribute to Natural Healing Natural Wellness by Topricin™, feel free to contact Patricia Martin, Director of Marketing
pmartin@topicalbiomedics.com
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NATURAL Dedicated to Your Well-Being