The Wise Mom, December 2012

thewisemom wise: (adj) informed, aware

Cold Wet Socks

For the Winter?

Keep It

Simple Homeopathy

Basics

Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network

Š The Wise Mom, Holistic Moms Network. Issue 12, December 2012.

thewisemom 4

From The Editor

6

News & Announcements

8

HMN Poems

9

What HMN Mamas Do For Winter Wellness

10 Milwaukee Chapter Winter Wellness 12 Winter Slow-Cooker Comfort 14 Cold Wet Socks for the Winter?

16 Four Favorite Wellness Herbs 18 Homeopathy Basics 20 Staying Well This Winter Is More Than

Flu Shots 24 Create Your Winter Wellness Plan 26 Four Simple Steps to Protect Your

Family from Indoor Toxins 28 Creating a Sense of Wellness in the

Workplace 30 Keep It Simple 32 Kid-Approved Green Juice Smoothie 34 Spiritual Wellness: Self-care for the

Soul 36 Life Lessons 38 Member Profile: Cornelia Mazzan 39 National Team Profile: Sojourner Auguste 2

Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network

thewisemom EDITOR

SPONSORS

Aimee Wood

For more information about Sponsorship, please e-mail us at sponsorship@holisticmoms.org or call us at 877-HOL-

DESIGN/LAYOUT

MOMS.

Emma Catarino CIRCULATION HMN DIRECTOR

The Wise Mom is published four times per year and

Nancy Massotto

is available electronically to members of the Holistic Moms Network. For information about membership,

The Wise Mom is a quarterly publication of the Holistic

please visit us at www.holisticmoms.org.

Moms Network (HMN), a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for parents interested in holistic health

SUBMISSIONS

and green living. The Wise Mom is the voice of the

Interested in writing for The Wise Mom? We look for a

members of the Holistic Moms Network as well as an

variety of submissions, from personal stories and

informative publication offering views, perspectives,

experiences from members to informative research

and wisdom from our parents, wellness practitioners,

articles based upon our issue theme each quarter. Want

and experts in the broad field of holistic living and

to share your photos with us? By submitting a photo

parenting.

to The Wise Mom, you agree that you have the right to distribute the image and maintain that all people

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cal advice. The articles and information presented

submitting articles or photos for an upcoming issue.

in these pages is intended as a sharing of knowledge, information, and experiences. We encourage all of

Š The Wise Mom, Holistic Moms Network. Issue 12, December 2012.

our readers to become informed about the many healthcare and parenting decisions they may face and to make the choice that works best for their unique family.

Nancy Massotto Founder & Executive Director

The Wise Mom is a publication of the Holistic Moms Network and supports the mission and purpose of our non-profit organization.

Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network

3

letterfromtheeditor Winter 2012/2013 Dear Members, Welcome to the latest issue of The Wise Mom, it is full of winter wellness ideas for your mind, body, and soul. From simplifying your life to strengthening your immune system, I’m sure you’ll learn something new.

Also, new this autumn, you are able to view the issue via your iPad. This has been in beta for some time and is finally fully functional. It’s my hope that it will make it simple to view and easy to take with you to share with friends and family that might be interested in the Holistic Moms Network.

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season and the beauty it offers. As always, I welcome letters, inquiries, comments, articles, etc at wisemom@holisticmoms.org.

Happy Holidays and a fantastic New Year!

Warmly, Aimee K. Wood Editor

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Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

news&announcements A Very Special Year Ahead 2013 is a very special year for us here at the Holistic Moms Network, as we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary as a community. We are so honored to have built this amazing non-profit community and will be honoring and celebrating our entire community all year long. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and Twitter feed for lots of great opportunities, wellness challenges, special events and more throughout the year. And come help us celebrate 10 years of holistic parenting! Contact us at info@holisticmoms.org to lend a hand and be part of the year’s events!

We’re sorry... last quarter we mistakenly wrote Diane Cohen instead of Diana Cohen, in our profile section.

Our deepest apologies Diana!

Welcome New HMN Sponsors!

Holistic Moms is excited to welcome some new Sponsors into our community with wonderful products for holistic-minded families!

Dr.Fuhrman.com: More and more people are realizing the pivotal role that nutrition plays in being permanently free from disease. From obesity, advanced heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, pain syndromes, and more, Joel Fuhrman, M.D. has had over 20 years’ experience enabling patients to achieve dramatic disease recoveries via nutritional interventions. Unlike conventional medicine, Dr. Fuhrman’s goal is not to merely control the disease, but rather to get rid of it completely. Superior nutrition is simply the most effective intervention to recover your health in most cases. When you have a child, you have the unique opportunity to mold a developing person. One of your greatest gifts to them can be a disease resistant body created from excellent food choices beginning at youth.

Ear infections, strep throats, allergies, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADD or ADHD), and even autoimmune diseases can be prevented by sound nutritional practices early in life. DrFuhrman.com offers individuals the tools they need to achieve and maintain a unique, healthy dietary lifestyle that facilitates weight loss, reversal and prevention of disease and longevity through nutritional and natural methods. Drfuhrman.com offers books, videos, audios, a wide variety of vitamins and supplements (formulated under Dr. Furman’s supervision), foods, and fitness products to help ensure success.

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Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

Green Kid Crafts: Green Kid Crafts designs fun and

Yummy Spoonfuls Organic Baby Food is dedicated to providing

earth friendly craft kits for kids that build creativity,

premium, organic, nutritious, and fresh baby food that tastes

boost confidence and foster a love for the

good to even the most finicky baby. Created by a mom who

environment. Through the company’s craft kit

simply wanted to nourish her infant child with the most

subscription program, party boxes, and individual

freshest, organic, nutrients available, Yummy Spoonfuls was

craft kits, kids across the US enjoy sustainably

ranked #1 baby food out of all 12 leading brands by Cookie

designed projects that teach them about nature

Magazine and Martha Stewart Magazine. Certified USDA

through unique and engaging activities. Founded by a

Organic, gluten free, and non-GMO.

mom of two and an environmental activist, the company is carbon neutral, Green America Approved and a member of 1% for the Planet.

We are also honored to continue to work with our ongoing Sponsors, Applegate Farms, Boiron and Frontier Natural Foods Co-op, who continue to support holistic parenting and our non-profit community!

Special offers or links to coupons can be found from our Sponsors in the Online Member Savings Book on the Online Member Community!

New Chapters Forming!

HMN is excited to welcome new Chapters in Harford County, MD and New Haven County (Southwest), CT into our community! We are also looking forward to the January launch of our Brooklyn (Williamsburg), NY Chapter!

Don’t have a local Holistic Moms Chapter? Get one started – we’ll guide you, provide you with resources and materials, and help make it a success. Click here.

Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

7

fog settling over around in on by beyond wetness overlaying sunshine touching treetops nature’s roofwork ready to fall

Poems

hmn mama

gliding past hours

away leaving the squirrels to wonder if their hodgepodge

artwork of summer past

will last through winter’s fast, spring’s blast to build again

Michele Brown, (8 September, 2012)

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goosebumps

What HMN Mamas Do For

rhapsody in blue

Winter Wellness?

that clarinet or oboe starts out high

What HMN Mamas do to stay healthy during the winter?

and sways its way through notes climb descend clamber slip through Gershwin’s initial humble work comes back to slap us in the face wake up our heartfeethandheadbones birthing us making us work

“To keep my family active, I plan some fun winter vacations and sports days - for instance, we always go skiing at least once a year, we take a Saturday or two and go ice skating. Then of course there are the days of sledding in the backyard (on a VERY tiny hill) and walking around the golf course on our snow shoes! Lots of fun, active and gets us out in the fresh air.”

Pam Howard “Our winter wellness plan includes dressing warmly to the temperature, and as much wool as we can afford, but making sure we’re not sweating underneath all that, so we don’t get

giving us

chilled. From there we have removed sugar

time talent tithe

When we get a tickly cough, a glass of water

from our diet - sugar is a immunodepressant! followed by a 1/4 tsp of honey usually does the

in a language as old as God Himself Michele Brown 26.September.2012 Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

trick, and following up with a humidifier in the bedroom at night, as well as soup on the hob during the day for helping to keep up with hydration.”

Michele Brown, Rochester, NY 9

Milwaukee Chapter

Winter W

Holistic Moms Chapters take on a variety of topics all year long. This December, the Milwaukee, WI Chapter held an interactive meeting about Winter Wellness and made their own elderberry syrup and Wellness Tea. The Wise Mom always enjoys receiving pictures, texts, and photos with regards to what chapters are doing across the country.

Email wisemom@holisticmoms.org and your chapter’s photos could be here next month!

Jeanette Hurt adding honey to the cooked elderberries to make Elderberry Syrup.

Includes dried elderberries, cloves, ginger and a cinnamon stick.

Co-Leader, Lisa Lennon (standing) is showing (left to right) Kaja, Stephanie and Annie how to make the Winter Tea. 10

Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network

Wellness Meeting

Winter Tea. Sliced lemon, grated ginger and cover with honey.

Let it sit in the fridge for about a month until it becomes a gelatinous goo. Add one teaspoon to a cup of hot water for a healing Winter Tea.

See additional recipes on pages 16-17 Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network

Busy creating Winter Tea. 11

Winter Slow Cooker Comfort

by Andrea Beaman

We’re rolling up on the winter season. It’s time to create

Slow Cooker COMFORT

hearty comfort foods that will help get us through this colder time of year and help keep the kiddies warm, too.

Slow Cooker recipes are great. They require minimal preparation and we do not actually have to be present

Many folks often complain about weight gain throughout

in the kitchen to do the cooking. The ingredients are

the winter season. The truth is… we are supposed to gain

dropped into the pot, the timer is set, and we’re out the

weight during the colder months. It is part of our body’s

door to play in the snow, or head off to work for the day.

natural wisdom to help protect it from the harsh ele-

By the time you get home… voila - dinner is served!

ments. If you carry a little extra weight during the winter, it ensures your body’s physical survival – that’s just the

This hearty Buffalo Chili recipe enhances health with

way we’re designed. Unfortunately, many people are eating

fiber rich kidney and pinto beans that help regulate blood

the wrong type of winter comfort foods and are gaining

sugar levels1. We’re also using ground buffalo meat that

excessive amounts of weight. Rest assured, with better

is lower in saturated fat and higher in iron and essential

food choices, a small amount of winter weight (between

fatty acids than factory farmed, commercial beef. Buffalo

five and seven pounds) is normal and we will effortlessly

naturally graze on grass that helps beef up their nutritional

shed it as the warm spring weather arrives.

value. Add some non-GMO corn chips on the side and the kids will love this one!

To help you incorporate better quality winter food, below is a comforting slow cooker recipe that is sure to warm your body and keep you healthy and happy at the same time. Enjoy!

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1

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=87 Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

Not So Chilly Buffalo Chili

ground buffalo meat and break up into small pieces.

• 1 pound ground buffalo meat (can substitute beef or

Drain and set aside.

turkey) • 1 large onion, peeled and diced

2. In a 5.5 quart crock pot add diced onion, kidney and

• 1 cup dried kidney beans, soaked overnight (or

pinto beans (discard the beans soaking water), diced

substitute one 15 oz can of beans)

peppers, celery, diced tomatoes and all spices (chili

• 1 cup dried pinto beans, soaked overnight (or

powder, cumin, sea salt, oregano).

substitute one 15 oz can of beans) • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

3. Lay browned buffalo meat on top of other ingredients

• 1 habanero pepper or jalapeno pepper, deseeded and diced

in the pot.

• 2 celery stalks, diced • 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes

4. Add 31/2 cups fresh water (if using canned beans, omit

• 11/2 tbsp. chili powder

this step in the recipe).

• 2 tsp. ground cumin • 11/2 tsp. sea salt

5. Cook on HIGH for 6 hours or LOW 8-10 hours.

• 1 tbsp. fresh oregano, minced (or 1 tsp. dried oregano) • 31/2 cups water (if using canned beans omit water)

6. Serve in individual bowls topped with 1-2 tbsp. of

• 1/2 cup whole milk organic cheddar cheese, grated

grated cheddar cheese.

1. In a frying pan, on medium low heat, lightly brown

Makes six to eight servings.

Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

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cold wet socks

for the winter?

by Jennifer Bahr

When I think of wintertime, I am naturally filled with warm thoughts of holidays, time with family, building snowmen, and tasty treats made by my grandmother. Unfortunately, all of the excitement, germs exchanged during hugs and kisses, soaking wet clothes, and excessive amounts of sugar, my immune system just never could stand up to it. I inevitably ended up with a cold that brought a temporary halt to my revelry. It still happens from time to time as an adult, despite being better able to control myself around sugar, and no longer living in an area where it snows.

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Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network

Back when I was little, my mom would make me chicken

3. Make sure your feet are warm. If need be, soak them

soup and wrap me up in a warm blanket, waiting out the

in a hot bath for 3-5 minutes. This step is very

cold with occasional administering of children’s fever

important and should not be skipped.

reducers. These days, I make myself a nourishing herbal

4. Take the socks out of the freezer and immediately put

tea and wrap my feet up in cold wet socks, fresh out of the

them on. Cover the cold wet cotton socks with the dry

freezer. Yes, you read that right – Cold. Wet. Socks.

wool socks.

5. Tuck your sick kiddo (or spouse or even yourself) into

Hydrotherapy is the art of using water to stimulate

bed, give them a hug and a kiss and wish them sweet

the body’s internal mechanisms that encourage heal-

dreams.

ing, namely the delivery of nutrients and the removal of

6. Leave the socks on throughout the night. Repeat the

wastes. It works by alternating hot and cold applications.

next night if needed.

The hot applications cause the blood vessels to dilate, bringing more nutrients and white blood cells the surface.

The socks will start cold, grow warm to hot, and then

The cold applications cause the vessels to constrict, and

cold again, and continue in this pattern throughout the

forcing the blood deeper into the body. Lymph vessels

night. This way you not only get recuperative sleep, but

run alongside the blood vessels, so they similarly dilate

you increase the healing power of that sleep as you turn

and constrict. This alternating between dilation and

you blood and lymph vessels into a powerful immune

constriction of the blood and lymph vessels creates a type

system pumping machine. It helps the most when done

of pump in your body, allowing for greater movement of

at the first sign of a cold – a scratchy throat, slight cough,

nutrients in, and wastes out. Cold wet socks are perhaps

or drippy nose – and can be repeated several nights in a

the easiest way to use this effective natural therapy at

row. It can greatly shorten the length and decrease severity of

home.

colds and flus, allowing a fast return to the revelry winter was meant for.

What you will need: Dr. Jennifer Bahr is a licensed naturopathic

• Water

doctor (ND) located in Santa Cruz, CA. She is

• Ice, or a freezer (preferred)

an expert in the natural treatment of children

• One pair of all cotton socks, the longer the better

and is among a small number of licensed

• One pair of all wool socks, long enough to cover the

ND’s that specialize in child and adolescent

cotton socks

mental and behavioral health. She believes in sustainable healthcare and uses treatment protocols focused on stimulating the body’s

How you do it:

natural ability to heal.

1. Get the cotton socks completely wet, and wring them out slightly. You want the socks more than damp, but not dripping.

2. Place the wet socks in the freezer for a few minutes.

You want them to just be starting to form ice crystals, not frozen solid. If you don’t have a freezer, put them in a bowl of very icy water for a few minutes before wringing them out.

Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

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We took an informal poll of our members and asked them what their favorite herb for the winter is. Here is a list of the top four. If your favorite one is not listed here, we urge you to post yours on the online member community (OMC).

Astragalus: increases white blood cell immune activity, increases immune substances, antibody levels, and lymphocytes. Simply add several sticks to soups, stews.

Nettles: contains many important minerals such as iron, silica, potassium, manganese, and sulfur. Add to soups or stews or make tea out of it.

Echinacea: stimulates the production of white blood cells, has antiviral function, antifungal properties and helps to clear the lymphatic system. Tinctures can be found in health food stores. Please follow the directions.

Elderberry: Elder berries are high in flavonoid compounds, which serve as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune agents.

Recipe taken from HMN’s cookbook: Many Paths, One Journey to Health

Elderberry Syrup by Melanie Dempster 1 cup organic fresh elderberries 3 cups of water 1/2-1 cup of organic honey Place berries in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer over low heat for 30-45 minutes. Smash berries, and strain mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Add up to one cup of honey. Adjust to your taste. Bottle and store in the refrigerator. It keeps up to 2-3 months. Note: use only blue elderberries, as the red ones may be toxic. Never eat uncooked elderberries.

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fo

fa

wellne

our

avorite

ess herbs Compiled by the staff of The Wise Mom

Nettle Tea by Aimee Wood One tablespoon of dried nettles One cup boiling water Honey, if desired Steep tea for several minutes. Sweeten if you wish.

Astragalus Vegetable Soup (Detox Soup) by www.food.com 0.03 lb astragalus root 1/2 lb broccoli 1 tomato 3 shiitake mushrooms or 3 dried Chinese mushrooms 1 teaspoon salt 1 liter water or 1 liter soup stock Directions: Wash the broccoli and cut into little florets.

Wash the mushrooms and cut in half.

Wash the tomato, remove the skin by scoring the skin with a knife and blanch the tomato with hot water and cold water. The skin should shrink from the fruit making it easy to remove. Cut the fruit into quarters.

Bring the astragalus and water to boil. Lower the heat and cook for 10 minutes.

Add the tomato and mushrooms and cook a further 15 minutes.

Lastly, add the broccoli, turn up the heat and cook till broccoli is done.

Add salt to taste.

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homeopathy basics

by Rose Mahovsky

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Winter is a time when acute illnesses, those that come

main reasons optimal levels of the immune system are

on quickly and are short in duration, are most common.

not retained in the winter months is a lack of sunlight,

Acute illnesses can only happen if the immune system is

which is the only real source of a pro-hormone called

not functioning at optimal levels. Susceptibility to any illness

vitamin D. Even with vitamin D, other factors such as a

can only occur if there is a natural weakness. One of the

lack of sleep and/or an external stress are other common

Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network

reasons for a weakened immune system. Acute illness is a

extremely high fevers and have delirium with them, but

great opportunity for the healing benefits of homeopathy

not always. They also have redness in the face and radiate

to come into play.

heat. Normally their eyes are very glossy.

Keynotes: Thirsty or not, likes company, likes to be

In this brief article I will share four common homeopathic

covered, glossy eyes, extremes, radiate heat, pains are

remedies for acute illness. A mild acute can happen to

excruciating (sore throat, ear ache).

anyone and if your body is able to recover quickly and not feel run down, the best option is letting the illness run its

Pulsatilla: Is associated with illnesses that have moved

course the old fashioned way, with plenty of rest, liquids,

to the second or third stage of an illness. If mucus is

vitamin C, etc. However, homeopathic remedies can give

still present its discharge is yellow – to yellow/green. It

you an added boost. The keynotes will give you guidance

is bland, not irritating to the skin. The person usually

on choosing the right remedy.

has a loss of smell and taste. The patient can experience a cough that is aggravated the minute the head hits the

Four remedies and their

pillow at night. Cough tends to be loose in AM and tight

Acute Keynotes:

in PM.

Aconite: Is associated with any illness that comes on

Keynotes: lingering cough, sinus congestion, yellow or

extremely fast. It is a remedy to think of when a person

yellow/green discharge, no thirst, stuffy room aggravates

has been outside in the cold weather. The person be-

symptoms, ear ache that comes on in the this stage of

ing exposed to the cold weather and a dry wind ends up

illness.

exploding with an illness (no signs of sickness before).

Mainly with a fever and/or croup. They can actually go to

Taking the remedy: Dilute 2 homeopathic pellets into 4

bed feeling fine and wake around 11 PM or midnight with

oz of water, take teas as needed. Dry dosing is slower in

a tight barking cough and/or fever.

action.

Keynotes: Redness, wants to be uncovered, fearful, tight barking cough, runny nose, high fever, thirsty.

Arsenicum: Is associated with illnesses such as:

Rose Mahovsky is a Classical Homeopath, HFA; she resides in Zimmerman, Minnesota.

She has been using Homeopathy since 2005. She has seen the health of her

Stomach flu, common cold, influenza, fever, sore throat,

family incredibly effected with the use of

and diarrhea. This is also a remedy used commonly for

Homeopathic remedies and has never

food poisoning. Usually this type of a patient is worse

turned back. You can read more about her at: http://www.lifedesignsllc.com/

between 12 midnight and 1 AM.

About-Rose.html. Homeopathy was developed over 200 hundred

Keynotes: Pale, smell of food aggravates stomach

years ago by Samuel Hahnemann. Hahnemann was an MD, chem-

symptoms, hands and feet cold, wants to be covered, thirsty for only small sips at a time, warm drinks ameliorate the throat symptoms, fatigue.

ist and bilingual in eleven different languages. He realized that in his medical profession he was not helping his patients in fact he felt he was causing more harm than good. To read more, please visit: http://www.lifedesignsllc.com/history.html.

Belladonna: Is associated with any illness that comes on fast, just like aconite. It is mainly thought of when a patient falls ill around 3 PM or 3 AM. They can run Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network

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Staying Well

this winter

is about more than

Flu Shots

by Barbara Loe Fisher

It’s that time of the year again when you can’t watch TV or pass by a pharmacy, enter a supermarket, or catch a plane without seeing the “flu shots for sale” signs warning that the flu season is here and the best way to stay well is for everyone to get vaccinated. There is a lot of publicity about how bad influenza can be but very little fact-based information about what the flu shot can and can’t do or how to stay well using old fashioned, holistic disease prevention options.

Becoming an educated health care consumer is very

Fact #1: Influenza can be very serious, especially for the

important when you are making health decisions for

elderly, and complications can be fatal. Influenza vaccine

your family. Following are three important facts about

is also associated with serious complications that can

influenza and the flu shot that you can learn more about

lead to chronic health problems or death.

at NVIC.org, which is operated by the National Vaccine

20

Information Center (NVIC). A non-profit charity founded

Risks for complications of influenza and the vaccine can

in 1982 to prevent vaccine injuries and deaths through

be greater for some individuals, which is why it is so

public education, NVIC advocates for protection of the

important to become educated about both the infection

legal right to make informed, voluntary vaccination decisions.

and the vaccine.

Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

Fact # 2: The influenza vaccine does not protect against

• Get plenty of sunshine and exercise regularly.

all flu-like illness and does not protect against all types of • Consider holistic options to heal and stay well, such

influenza.

as chiropractic, homeopathic, acupuncture, therapeutic There are many strains of viruses and bacteria that can

massage, meditation.

cause flu-like symptoms and can be mistaken for influenza.

Only about 20% of flu-like illness during the winter is

Watch NVIC’s 3-minute flu prevention video and access

actually caused by type A or type B influenza.

referenced information on influenza and the vaccine here.

i ii

The annual flu shot contains only two strains of type A

Become an informed health care consumer! It’s your

and one strain of type B influenza but there are hundreds

health, your family, your choice.

of influenza strains. Sometimes public health officials predict correctly which three influenza strains will be

References:

circulating widely and sometimes they do not, which

i) FDA. Feb. 20, 2003. Vaccines & Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting Transcript

affects how effective the flu shot is from year to year.

iii

Fact #3: The influenza vaccine is only about 60% effective

ii) El-Solh AA, Sikka P et al. Etiology of Severe Pneumonia in the Very Elderly. Am J Respir Crit Care Med

2001. 163(3): 645-651

iii) Tricco AC, Chit A et al. Effect of influenza vaccines against mismatched strains: a systematic review

protocol. Systematic Reviews 2012 1(35).

at best in preventing influenza. iv) Osterholm MT, Kelley NS et al. Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccine: a systematic review and

Studies have shown the flu vaccine is not very effective for young children and the elderly. iv v vi

meta analysis. The Lancet 2011; 12(1): 36-44

v) Jefferson T, DiPietrantonj et al. Vaccine for preventing influenza in healthy adults. The Cochrane

Library. July 7, 2010.

vi) Jefferson T, Rivetti A et al. Vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy children. The Cochrane Library.

Whether you choose to use the influenza vaccine or not,

Aug. 15, 2012.

there are common sense ways to help prevent influenza

Barbara Loe Fisher is president of the

and flu-like illness from affecting your family this winter:

National Vaccine Information Center, a non-profit charity she co-founded with

• Wash your hands frequently.

parents of vaccine injured children in 1982.

For the past three decades she has led a public information campaign to raise

• Avoid close contact with those, who are sick.

public awareness about the need to make informed vaccine decisions and secure

• If you are sick, avoid close contact with those, who are well.

• Cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze.

informed consent protections in public health laws.

She is co-author of the seminal book DPT: A Shot in the Dark (1985), author of Vaccines Autism & Chronic Inflammation: The New Epidemic (2008) and editor and video blog commentator for the NVIC

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.

Vaccine E-newsletter on NVIC.org and on Mercola.com. For more than two decades she has served on vaccine advisory committees

• Get adequate sleep and lower stress.

testified in Congress and state legislatures and debated more doctors about vaccination on television than any other American. She is featured in the 2011 film documentary THE GREATER GOOD.

• Eat healthy foods rich in vitamin C & D. Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

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Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network

23

create your

by Michelle Luft

winter wellness plan The summer brings so many opportunities for health.

well being of your family. Follow these tips to create a

However, the summer has come to an end and the cold

plan that will fit your family’s lifestyle.

days of winter will soon be here. Many mothers struggle

24

to keep their family healthy during the winter months.

Keep the family active. The winter does

This is the time when energy levels start to decline. Local

provide many opportunities for healthy movement. Walking

farmers markets have closed down. The familiar feeling of

or bike riding are both excellent activities that almost

sluggishness sets in and most have no interest in physical

anyone can do during most weather conditions. All you

activities. Moms, don’t let the cold cheat your family and

need is a good set of warm winter clothes. However, if

you out of health! Create a winter wellness plan that will

weather is extremely bad then pop in your favorite dance

help keep your family healthy during the colder season.

or workout DVD. This a great way for the whole family to

Such a plan can help you stay on track and promote the

exercise and sneak in some laughs.

Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network

Enjoy the winter stillness. For those days

Stay Hydrated. Make sure your family stays

when the weather is not inviting you to go out, stay in

hydrated. Staying hydrated during the winter months is

and get back to simple indoor fun. Use this day to have a

just as important as it is in the summer months. Expo-

game day. Play board games, card games, or dice games.

sure to the dry air and heaters can really dry out the skin.

Playing together creates happy and healthy families.

Water is also vital for the health of your body. Drinking water throughout the day will not only help your skin stay

Eat foods that are in season. Winter

soft, but keep your bodily functions running smoothly.

season provides foods that are warming and grounding.

With a little creativity, you can create tasty soups with

Keep the immune system strong. The

root vegetables, winter squashes, kale and other winter

cold weather can bring viruses and germs, which can lead

greens. Vegetable soups supply valuable nutrients and are

to colds and flu. Stress can weaken the immune system.

easy to make. Try making the following soup. It is one

So take advantage of the winter’s cold nights to find time

my favorite recipes and super easy to make.

to learn to meditate. Meditation allows the conscious mind to rest and release tension. Children can also learn

Broccoli Sweet Potato Soup

to meditate. Have your children sit down with you and

Ingredients

teach them to be still in body and mind, through guided meditation. Even if you do this with your children for one

• 16 oz of cut broccoli

minute, the benefits are great. Just introducing a mediation

• 1 sweet potato cut up

practice will benefit the health of the whole family.

• 4 tablespoons of butter • 1 cup of organic chicken broth • Pinch of salt

My name is Michelle Luft. I am a Certified Holistic Health Coach. I received my education from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition in

Directions

New York City. As a Holistic Health

In a medium size pot, steam broccoli and sweet potatoes

Coach, I help people fall in love

for approximately 10 mins. While the vegetables are steaming, heat up broth, butter and salt in a small sauce pan. Once everything is steamed and heated, combine and put in a blender. Blend for approximately 5 mins.

Pour and serve warm.

with a healthy lifestyle that is right for them. I offer realistic approaches to allow people to become empowered and attain balance through nutrition, organic food choices, stress reduction, synergetic relationships, spiritual practices and physical exercise. Achieving health is a life long process. I strive to have my clients obtain the empowerment of managing that process for a clear body and a clear life. To learn more about my health

Eat local foods. Although local farmers markets have closed for the winter, eating local during the winter

coaching services visit www.clearbodywellness.com or email me at clearbodywellness@gmail.com.

may still be a possibility. Look into becoming a member of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). When you become a member of a CSA, you’re purchasing a share of vegetables from a regional farmer. Many CSA’s are starting to offer winter shares. These programs are a great way for your whole family to eat healthy and local during the winter months.

Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

25

Four Simple Steps to protect your family from

Indoor Toxins

by Leslie Reichert We may not realize it but the air in our homes can be up

report issued in May of this year, requests changes to our

to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Children are

chemical management program to better protect our

suffering from an increase of asthma and allergies which

children, pregnant women and the population at large.

is now being linked to environmental toxics that can be

Let’s look at some simple things you can do to protect

found inside our homes. Also, the rise of rheumatoid

yourself and your family from toxins in your home.

arthritis and cancer can be linked to the same toxins. The Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics, in a policy

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Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network

• Get to know what types of chemicals are in your

All-Purpose Liquid Cleaner —

cleaning products. Ingredients such as formaldehyde

This will replace the cleaner you use to clean countertops

and turpentine can be found in some of our typical

and even floors.

cleaners. This research may take some work as most

16 ounces of club soda

of the ingredients in the products are not listed on the 1 tablespoon baking soda bottle. You can use the internet and even make a call 4 drops dish soap

to the manufacturer to ask for an ingredient list. You

will be very surprised to find out some of the chemicals

in your products.

6 drops any essential oil for fragrance

Gentle Scrub — This recipe will replace the scrub you are using to clean

• Use resources that have been developed to help parents your kitchen and bathroom sinks

learn more about environmental health. The National

Library of Medicine web site has a Household Products 1/4 cup powdered milk

Database that will link you to over 8,000 consumer

1/8 cup liquid castile soap*

brands and the chemicals they may contain. There are

6 drops essential oil for scent

also other databases by EWG.org and Goodguide.com.

Enough water to make paste

These are great places to start your research.

3/4 cup baking soda or soda crystals*

Great-Grandma’s Laundry Soap — • Find alternatives for the cleaning products you are using

Try this mixture to replace your laundry detergent.

in your home. Research has been done by the TURI

2 cups soap flakes*

Labs — a research department at the UMASS Lowell

1 cup baking soda or soda crystals*

campus, that has shown that white vinegar, hydrogen

1 cup borax

peroxide and vodka work just as well at disinfecting

1 cup washing soda

as the consumer products found in grocery stores.

With this information we realize that making your own *Hard to find items can be found at

cleaning products can be very effective for your home

and your health.

www.shopgreencleaning.com.

Leslie Reichert is known as a Green Cleaning

• Become familiar with DIY cleaning products and learn

Coach. She is an author and spokesperson for the green cleaning industry and is a teacher of green

to use them in your home. With simple ingredients

such baking soda, white vinegar, salt and lemon juice,

on eHow.com, a frequent homekeeping expert

you can make replacement cleaners for your entire

on Martha Stewart Living Radio and author of

home. Here are a few recipes that will help you get

started:

homekeeping. She is a national lecturer, an expert

the book: The Joy Of Green Cleaning- a recipe book for DIY cleaners. Leslie offers a sample recipe from her book along with a video on how to mix it up and use it at www.greencleaningcoach.com.

Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

27

creating a sense of

Wellness throughout the year in the Workplace

by Laura Zamrok

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Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network

I’m back. Back to work that is. After a lovely two years off

oils diffused in the room, draping the tables with cotton

to raise my second son I am officially back as a full time (and

cloth and having several plants around the area that we will

then some) working mom. As an educator, I am afforded in

gather.

New Jersey the wonderful opportunity for family leave for two years per child. Two years is a lifetime to most working

Our agenda is to set the tone for the rest of the meetings

moms who get six to eight weeks maternity leave. Although

that will take place indefinitely. Members are encouraged to

I am in love with and passionate about my work, it just

spread the word, come and go as needed and in general, take

doesn’t compare to those moments when I can snuggle

away what you can implement easily in your own world. We

with my baby at the breast or watch as my older son creates

are prepared that some may feel uncomfortable with ideas

his own book about forest fires and big waves. But alas,

such as mediation, spiritual healing and even yoga. We

duty calls, the pension has grown and I find myself back

realize some have time commitments elsewhere. But what

to where I started five years ago as a working woman, now

we know is that everyone who attends is coming for a much

coming home to a two year old tearing at my suit jacket for

needed level of wellness that may be missing in their lives.

“mummies”, my five year old asking to get the clay out, my husband looking for a nourishing meal and two small kitties

Using ideas from the book The Well Balanced Teacher by

meowing for a morsel.

Mike Anderson, we will read and learn from just how we got ourselves into this mess and how we will get out. We will

As I returned to work I began feeling a sense of stress from

begin with none other than SMOOTHIES! Using four or five

the moment I woke up and as I drove away watching my very

blenders we will make and sample some smoothies made

good friend/babysitter help my little one wave his little hand

from recipes gathered on the Holistic Moms Network website

as Mommy drove away. So three months into my return to

as well as local holistic nutritional counselors. What better

the workforce, I am in the process of creating a Wellness

way to begin a journey that through tangible and delicious

Club. It will involve food, spiritual nourishment and a brief

nourishment. We will be fluent and flexible as the needs of

moment for the members to share or learn about how they

the members changes, as well as the seasons as we design

create a sense of wellness, all year long, in the workplace,

the focus for future meetings. Our winter themes will focus

at home and basically just “inside” in order to be a more

on immunity support and healing remedies.

effective educator, mom (or dad), wife (or husband) and in general, feel that sense of wellness we feel when we are

As a mom on a holistic journey I just can’t wait to share

stress-less.

some of my holistic knowledge with my co-workers and help others create a sense of wellness throughout the year in the

A Google Doc survey was sent out to my staff listing various

workplace.

holistically based areas of interest. Potential members checked off which of those areas were most important or

Laura lives in Hunterdon County, New Jersey with

intriguing. Together with another like-minded and energetic

her two young sons and husband. She is a Vice

staff member we began drafting a menu of options of how to

Principal in the Bridgewater-Raritan School district and enjoys learning about holistic living, cooking,

best serve our co-workers. We are at stage one. Due to the

running and reading. She can be contacted

hurricane and subsequent school closing, our first meeting

at lzamrok@yahoo.com if you would like more

was postponed. We planned on creating a sense of calm

information about the Wellness Club.

immediately as the group members entered by transforming the environment of the place they go to relax: the faculty room. Our plan is to dim the lights, have some essential

Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

29

Keep It Simple

by Sarah MacLaughlin Winter has simplified my surroundings. After a fresh snow-

In seeking lack of complexity in parenting, here are a few

fall everything is white and my whole landscape becomes

suggestions for ways you can simplify:

pristine and beautiful. The minimalism of this lack of color is so calming. Because this white blanket falls upon me,

Assess your level of busyness. Do your children each have

and the light and temperatures are both low, we settle into

three to four after-school activities going? Do you and

our home a bit more. Life can be so hectic, and the colder

your partner have to email each other throughout the day

season is a good time to slow down a little. This is the

or week to make sure everyone is where they need to be

time of year where I am apt to stay home, crank up the

and picked up on time? Is every timeslot of the day spoken

woodstove, and make homemade bread and a hearty soup.

for? Do you feel like a circus ringleader? Even if your schedule isn’t this over the top, the pressure of a too-full

While winter may sometimes feel simple, parenting usually

calendar can pile on added stress. Check in with yourself

does not. When I looked up the definition of simplicity

and the other members of your family and then set some

and saw; freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division

limits. (I had to.)

into parts, I thought, “Yes, that’s what I’m looking for!”

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Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

Purge some toys. Downsizing your child’s bedroom and/or play area can be such a relief.

Payne and Ross, authors of Simplicity Parenting Parenting suggest cutting your child’s toys in half, and then in half again... and then maybe even in half once more. What is left will be much more accessible. Children are quickly overwhelmed by too many play options. With a sea of colorful blocks, dolls, trucks, trains, puzzles, books, and games, they just can’t focus.

If you take the majority of the toys and put them into deep storage, you can rotate them on an as needed basis.

If you are like me, you could use a friendly reminder­

I cannot tell you how thrilled my boy was to play a game

—Ramp it down and chill out a little! Tonight after I

of Hi Ho Cherry-O after it had been hidden in the coat

cancel a commitment and stay home, I will read my child

closet for four months!

a bedtime story without fussing over which book he wants to hear. Then I’ll kick my feet up in the near-empty play-

Offer less choice. This seems counterintuitive, but I’ve

room, sip a cup of piping hot chocolate, and stare out at

found myself in a pickle on numerous occasions by giving

the peaceful, white view.

my child too many choices. For example, “What do you want for breakfast?” is way too open-ended a question for

Ah, simplicity.

my preschooler at 7:55 in the morning if I want to walk out the door in twenty minutes. When I give arbitrary choices in an effort to promote a sense of autonomy, it

Sarah MacLaughlin a social worker and is the author of the award-winning, Amazon best seller, What Not to Say: Tools for Talking

almost always backfires. I ask my son which of two shirts

with Young Children. She considers it her

he’d like to wear and he stares at me for a moment before

life’s work to promote happy, well adjusted

running to ransack his drawers for an outfit I hadn’t even contemplated. I’m pretty sure he didn’t care at all what he wore until I broached the topic.

people in the future by increasing awareness of how children are spoken to today.

Sarah has worked with children for over twenty years. She teaches classes, coaches families, and writes the “Parenting Toolbox” column for parenting newspaper, Parent & Family. Sarah is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and now lives in the woods of Maine with her husband and young son.

Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

31

Kid Approved Green Juice Smoothie

by Kamila Veljkovic

Do you have a hard time getting your kids to eat their

I’ve watched my niece and nephew countless times at

daily intake of fruits and veggies? Try introducing them to

meal time. While Jarred (3 1/2 years old) is a voracious

a kid approved green juice smoothie.

and adventurous eater his cousin, Isabella (3 years old) isn’t always keen on eating everything presented to her.

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Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

So when recently experimenting in the kitchen with

2 1/2 cups filtered water

different green juice smoothie recipes, I stumbled upon a greens and fruit combination that speaks to kids sweet tooth

Add all ingredients into high-powered blender and allow

while packing a hefty punch in the nutrients department.

to blend for 60 seconds or until everything is blended.

But the real seal of approval came from Jarred when he

2. Set an Example. You can’t just expect your child to

gulped the Kid Approved Green Juice Smoothie in seconds

want to drink the green juice smoothie unless you set

and requested more. So if you are interested in getting

an example yourself. Incorporate a green juice smoothie

your little ones to drink their nutrients, here are six easy

into your own routine and get all members of the family

tips for an easy transition:

involved.

1. Start Slow. Trying to be bold and packing in extra

3. Name Your Smoothies. Does your child have a favorite

greens on your first attempt will not win you green

character? Why not name the drink after them?

smoothie converts. Instead, start with mild greens such as organic baby spinach to build your child’s palate and

4. Add a Straw or Special Cup. What better way to get kids

make for an easier transition. Add fruits that pack a punch

to enjoy their smoothie than adding a twist to it? Jarred

such as kiwi, frozen mangos and berries. Experiment with

drank his juice in a “special” cup but adding a silly straw

filtered water, coconut water, almond milk or rice milk to

will do the same, just make sure to rinse any leftover

add flavor. Over time, add in more green vegetables and

smoothie and air dry.

taper down the fruit.

5. Prep Together. Get your child involved in the process of green juice smoothie preparation from purchasing fruits/ veggies at your local farmer’s market/grocer to slicing and blending.

6. Encourage Healthy Choices: Set a routine and boundaries for healthy eating. Case in point, when your child wants to indulge in a not-so-healthy snack, offer them a green juice smoothie instead.

My nephew Jarred enjoying his Green Hulk Juice Smoothie

Read more at http://www.kamilakveljkovic.com/kid-approved-green-juice-smoothie/#yIA6Wboo8Ygo6SR7.99

Jarred’s Green Hulk Juice Smoothie Yields 6-8 serving 2 cups organic baby spinach 2 cups organic kale

Tired of the corporate world, this first time momto-be decided to use what she learned through her studies at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to start a blog called MindBodyWell. Kamila

1 peeled and chopped kiwi

blogs about health, wellness, sustainable

1 sliced granny smith apple

living and organic pregnancy. She resides

1 knob ginger 1 cup Trader Joe’s Frozen Mango Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

in Bronx, NY with her husband; they are currently expecting their first child in February 2013.

33

Spirit ual Wellness: Self-Care for the Soul

By Donna L. Hamilton

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What do the words health and holistic have in common?

This trinity often gets lost, however, in the average holistic

Word buffs may have guessed it: They both come from

health discussion. The majority of focus usually goes

roots meaning “whole.� Yes, a holistic health approach

to the body, particularly nutrition, natural healing, and

literally means addressing the whole person, as in body,

fitness. The mind gets some attention, usually during

mind and spirit.

discussions about meditation or stress management.

Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network

The spirit, however, often gets neglected, even by integrative

simply by looking at them with new eyes. Here are a few

health practitioners.

tips to get you started.

The natural rhythm of winter offers a wonderful opportunity

1. Move from routine to ritual: Bring reverence to daily

to turn your attention to your spiritual wellness. The

activities like cooking, bathing, or taking care of your

shorter days and colder temperatures usually create more

children. Sincere gratitude for having food that many

time at home. Nature’s cues also point to stillness and

don’t, having enough strength to bathe yourself when

rejuvenation: animals hibernate, plants go dormant

many cannot, or taking care of children that many would

preparing for spring, and snow storms encourage

love to have can turn a mundane activity into a soul

everyone to stay inside or at least slow down.

stirring ritual.

Cultivating spiritual wellness doesn’t necessarily mean

2. Prioritize your guiding values: Know what’s most

exploring religion, though for many of you it will. It

important to you. Use this to make choices that nourish

involves nurturing parts of your life that give it meaning,

you instead of deplete you. If you value family time, fun,

that help you feel more alive and connected to something

self-care or service make them sacred priorities. Schedule

greater than yourself. Spiritual wellness boosts come from

accordingly.

many places. Common experiences include formal religious worship, nature outings, listening to soul stirring music,

3. Know what makes you tick: Self-awareness and self-care

praying, and meditating.

go hand in hand. It’s necessary to know what nourishes you in order to give it to yourself. Start paying attention

If you’re a self-care newbie you might feel a bit selfish

to what fills you up and what drains you. Start doing

thinking about it, after all you have children to take care

more of what feels good and less of what feels bad. Your

of, older parents to look after, and innocent pets needing

soul is your inner compass. Listen.

attention. That’s precisely why it’s important to make self-care a priority. You have to take care of yourself so

Make spiritual self-care fun and rewarding, not another

you can effectively take care of your responsibilities. Plus,

thing on your to do list.

you also deserve good attention.

Be well.

Spiritual self-care can give you a boost that physical, mental, emotional, and social wellness care can’t.

Nourishing your soul, the essence of who you are, can inspire and energize you in unimaginable ways. It’s worth doing. You’re worth the time.

Donna Hamilton, MD has a mission to help everyone live the healthy, satisfying lives they’re meant to lead. She speaks nationally on wellness promotion teaching a holistic approach addressing mental, emotional, social, spiritual and physical wellbeing. To schedule

Soul care doesn’t have to take a lot of time, however.

Dr. Hamilton for speaking engagements visit www.ManifestExcellence.com

Once you understand what nourishes you it’s easier to incorporate these activities into your routine. Some of your mundane activities can become “soul boosters”

Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

35

Thou Shalt not Steal, or is it, Thou Shall learn lessons in life?

by Cynthia Djengue Sometimes bad things happen. We live in a world of

this challenge. I was beginning to feel more fear about

uncertainty and cannot predict an accident, a tragedy,

my home, its belongings, and was feeling there was some

a mistake, a feeling, or reaction. If you live in a large

lesson in this and had to reach out to others and, deeply

city, struggle with finances or experience life in a more

within myself.

“stressed” manner, this uncertainty may feel even more debilitating. This is when we need to turn to inspiring

I live in an apartment in the middle of Phoenix. While

lessons.

I love the easy commute to work, activities, preschool and the short distance to shopping and restaurants, I

36

Recently, Deepak Chopra, M.D. started a 21 day Meditation

have not always felt peaceful. This is in comparison to

Challenge for Creating Abundance. You can join this

my last home where we had a ravine with a stream, bike

challenge by signing up here. He reviews the Seven Spiritual

path behind us where I could keep my window open and

Laws of Success and in each email he sends a lesson for

hear moving water, crickets, frogs and one summer there

the day, for the week, a Sanskrit mantra with the English

was a family of coyotes that screeched through the night.

meaning, and a meditation. The information is copyrighted

The other reason for not feeling at peace is having some

so you will need to sign up for this challenge in order

things stolen from my patio. I found myself asking my

to see the amazing insight for yourself. Coincidentally,

friends, ‘What is the spiritual lesson in this?’ as I felt my

I started to experience something while going through

fears getting larger, my defensiveness growing, wanting Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

to plot the demise of the thief and wanting revenge. How

for your situation and for all events seen as problems.

dare they steal from me? How dare they get so close to

Relinquish the need to defend your point of view.

my sliding glass door, knowing someone could catch them in an instant? I want to share some responses to my

A chair was taken from my patio a few days later after the

spiritual lesson question:

bike was stolen. This made me write the manager of the complex, complaining about my safety and how I felt like

-Someone needed it more than you.

a victim. I let the lesson and wise words of friends slip right through. Relinquish the need to defend your point

-It’s about letting go of material possessions and keeping

of view. Can you imagine how much less energy we would

your cool when shitty things happen. If you can let go,

put into arguing with others with just this one lesson?

forgive and still love in this situation, then you have

I have learned a great lesson and feel humbled by this

grown. Sometimes I believe the Universe throws these

experience.

situations at us to test us, to see how far we’ve come, see what we can handle.

I have noticed a lot of people on Facebook posting gratitude memos. Oprah talks about the importance of gratitude,

-Attachment issue.

and there is an app for this for your ipad or itouch here.

I strongly believe in doing this, especially when you are

-It was never yours to begin with. Trust the universe to

experiencing loss. It is also proven by many psychologists,

provide you what you need when you need it.

one of whom discusses a “gratitude visit.”

-Sometimes we have to ask ourselves, was it a 911 situation,

During this Winter Season I pray you have lessons that

and put things in perspective.

create a deeper sense of love and gratitude. As Deepak Chopra writes for his lesson in the Law of Detachment:

-There are always people in a worse place than we are.

We have to approach all things with an open heart. No

“Detach from all expectation of outcome by allowing

judgement, no preconceived notions, just understanding

everyone and everything the freedom to be exactly as they

and love.

are. Accept uncertainty and witness the solutions and opportunities that spontaneously spring from it. Then,

I felt relieved when I read these responses. Indeed, I had

step into the field of all possibilities, remaining open to its

let something as small as a stolen bike create a huge

infinity of choices.”

reaction internally. While my instinct was to find another place to live, take everything off the patio, and to create more security around my home, I simply had to breathe and meditate. My God is bigger than this. I will have enough.

Cynthia Djengue, BA, MSW, CHC lives in Phoenix, AZ and works in healthcare marketing. She is a certified Holistic Coach, a Young Living Oils representa-

In fact, what could I give to someone else? Does someone

tive and believes in all things spiritual

in my life, in my circle, need something? Is my heart in a

and holistic. Cynthia most enjoys writing

place of giving? Deepak’s description of the Law of Least Effort made the most sense here. It says: Accept people,

on spiritual topics and her Facebook business page can be found at www.facebook.com/healinghealthcoach.

situations, and events as they occur. Take responsibility Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

37

December 2012

memberprofile

Cornelia Mazzan Monmouth County East, NJ Chapter

Leader Biliana Coleman nominated her co-leader Cornelia Mazzan this month. The reason she nominated her was because “...she truly knows how to bring women together and find their strength from within. She helps women to feel how important it is to use their innate power and essence to bring more fruitfulness to this world. She brings the tribe together.”

What is one un-holistic thing you are unwilling to give up?

My un-holistic vice is way too much dark chocolate :) What does HMN mean to you?

To me, HMN is a trusted group of women each

How do you stay healthy through the winter?

following their own paths toward health for

Vitamin D daily, stay positive and keep up my

love knowing I can reach out anytime with

yoga & meditation practice.

What are your holistic passions?

Yoga & meditation Natural birth

themselves, their families and the planet. I questions about nutrition, vaccines, local doctors, etc, and get thoughtful, intelligent answers without judgment for my own views or practices.

Mindful parenting 38

Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

December 2012

nationalteamprofile

Sojourner Auguste

South Shore Long Island, NY Chapter Tell us a little about yourself (occupation, children, etc):

Vaccinations Organic Food

Lifestyle Engineer, planning weddings & social events, and styling interior residential

One holistic thing you love:

spaces.

Farm to table eating & organic wine

What is your role with HMN?

What does HMN mean to you?

Social Media Coordinator

Everything! It was the door to a new support system which empowered me to have the

What projects have you been working on lately?

birth I always wanted with my second son.

Transition design of my sons bedroom and

that is not found anywhere else. It created

playroom. This includes cleaning out closets of clothes that no longer fit, and toys they no longer use, all to be donated. A few revisions to their decor using non-toxic materials and

It is the support system to natural parenting a new “normal” for my family. From homemade remedies for just about everything, to joining a co-op and CSA.

paint!

What do you do to stay healthy in the winter?

Top 3 holistic passions:

Elderberry, lots of garlic, and essential oils!

Natural childbirth Copyright ©2012 holistic moms network

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Copyright Š2012 holistic moms network