Natural Awakenings - Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess NY Edition April 2021

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HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Community EARTH DAY EVENTS

CLIMATE CHANGE

WHAT A WARMING PLANET MEANS TO YOUR HEALTH

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ALLERGIES

SPRING CLEAN

YOUR BODY

April 2021 | Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition | WakeUpNaturally.com April 2021

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April 2021

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

WESTCHESTER/ PUTNAM/ DUTCHESS EDITION

Publishers Dana Boulanger Marilee Burrell

Editors Allison Gorman Dawne Clark Marilee Burrell Design & Production Kathleen Fellows Patrick Floresca Marilee Burrell

Sales & Marketing Dana Boulanger

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letter from publishers

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ay, spring is here! I love connecting with nature, be it walking, hiking, biking, gardening or swimming. It reminds me that our Earth is precious and we are its stewards. That’s our April focus: how climate change impacts the planet and our health, and how small shifts that we make in our lives can create a healthier Earth, which in turn can support and Dana Boulanger Marilee Burrell sustain healthier people. By making better choices for ourselves and our planet, together we can make a huge difference for generations to come.

Spring is an exhilarating time of growth and newness. I love the longer, warmer days and cool nights. And now that I finally finished moving, I can enjoy them—although I must admit that all the details of moving, while time consuming, have been a lot of fun, motivating me to clear out and reorganize my office. As I happily nestled into my new home, this month’s Inspiration article, “Create a Nurturing Nest” (page 34), called to me, challenging me to say yes to life and renewal and soul nourishment. I consider my home a peaceful sanctuary, a haven for love and kindness and a safe place to relax and enjoy time with my loved ones and friends. I do like to dabble with feng shui and always strive to honor what brings positive energy to our home. I’m already envisioning the perfect spot to start a garden, as I love to grow my own veggies and fresh herbs for scrumptious salads and green smoothies. This year I plan to grow only what we eat the most, as I also enjoy shopping the many wonderful farm stores and markets in our region.

Speaking of supporting local, we are extremely excited to share news about several upcoming events. We’re a media sponsor for the 2021 Beauty, Health & Wellness Expo set for Saturday, April 17, at Dutchess Stadium (rain date Sunday). Hope to see you there!

Other events include the 10th annual weeklong Green Ossining Earth Day Festival, April 17-25, and the 2021 Earth Day Celebration at the World Peace Prayer Society on April 24 in Wassaic. Bedford 2030 is hosting its public Earth Day event on May 2 at the Bedford Hills Train Station. You can learn more about all of these great events in our News Brief and Earth Day sections starting on page 8. Please also check out the community calendars starting on page 40 and the calendar on our website, WakeUpNaturally.com, for even more events. Plenty of cool happenings as the weather warms!

A quick update on my personal 2021 challenge to cook 52 new recipes, discover 52 new hiking trails and read 12 books: To date I have enjoyed cooking 27 new recipes, explored eight new trails and read three books, plus I’ve added extra weights to my exercise walks, alternating with weight-training sessions. And now that spring has arrived, it’s time for me to detox! This month’s Conscious Eating article, “Spring Cleaning the Body” (page 22) features two more delightful recipes I plan to try. My juicer or NutriBullet is on the kitchen counter every morning, and now that I started taking the Cleanse & Detoxify supplement from our advertising partner NuSpecies, I feel wonderful.

Get outside and enjoy the fresh air!

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

So grateful,

Natural Awakenings is printed on partially recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

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April 2021

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global briefs

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Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

WakeUpNaturally.com

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Contents 14 COMMUNITY EARTH DAY EVENTS

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18 POWERING DOWN As Indian Point Goes Off-Line, New Work Begins

22 SPRING CLEANING THE BODY

Simple Ways to Detox Naturally

24 CLIMATE CHANGE AND OUR HEALTH

The Human Costs of a Warming Planet

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28 NATURE TO THE RESCUE Kids Come Alive Outdoors

30 BREATHE EASY

Natural Remedies for Allergy Woes

32 HEALTHY HOME

How to Detoxify a Living Space

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34 CREATE A

NURTURING NEST

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 845.593.0065 or email Dana-NA@WakeUpNaturally.com. Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month.

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CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: WPCcalendar@Natural Awakenings.com. Deadline for calendar: the 12th of the month.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239.434.9392. For franchising opportunities call 239.530.1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

36 SHERYL DEVORE

on Appreciating Nature and Wildlife

37 ECO-ATHLETES

Working Out with the Planet in Mind

DEPARTMENTS 8 news briefs 16 health briefs 17 global briefs 18 eco

spotlight 19 eco tip 22 conscious

eating 28 healthy kids

30 healing ways 32 green living 34 inspiration 36 wise words 37 fit body 40 calendar 41 planet watch 45 classifieds 46 resource guide April 2021

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news briefs

New Spring Trends at Fresh Organic Salon

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aureen Toohey, owner of Fresh Organic Salon, in Bedford, says the latest trends in cuts, colors and curls feature a variety of new looks designed to Maureen Toohey make the daily beauty routine simple and effortless.

“We’re excited about our new haircuts, sun-kissed highlights and radiant colors. They’re an easy way to look fresh every day,” she says. “And we’re most excited about our organic body waves and curls, which are full of soft bounce and body without frizz. We can also refresh hair texture with organic relaxing services, including keratin, that make the hair smoother. You just wash and go.”

Beachy waves are back, but the trick is achieving them without hot tools or harsh chemicals. Fresh Organic offers wash-andgo cuts and teaches styling techniques that can be done at home, Toohey says. For naturally curly hair, it offers cuts that enhance natural movement and texture while complementing the client’s face shape and lifestyle. It also has fresh takes on short haircuts (adding texture and sass), and even the shag.

“We call it the shake—very hip at any length,” Toohey says.

Color trends include multidimensional brunettes with soft highlights that shimmer in the sunlight, and sun-kissed highlights to enhance blonde or brunette hair without brassiness.

New guests to the salon can receive 20 percent off their organic makeover.

Location: Fresh Organic Salon, 190 Rte. 117 Bypass, Bedford Hills, NY. For more information, call 914.242.1928, email maureen@freshorganicsalon.com or visit FreshOrganicSalon.com. See ad, page 29.

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Free Beauty, Health and Wellness Expo in Dutchess

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n April 10 (rain date April 11), dozens of small businesses from across the Hudson Valley will set up booths in the Dutchess Stadium parking lot for a free Beauty, Health and Wellness Expo. This is an opportunity for community members to browse the latest products and services while supporting local businesses.

New vendors are signing on every day, but among the many participating businesses already on board are Sensory Stepping Stones, C&J Fitness, Blissful Esthetics, Gautier Gummies, Crystal Wraps by Julie, Angel Aura Ramon Pineiro Spiritual Boutique, Bella Serenity Soaps, Waves of Caring, Right from the Hive, Delicious Nutrition, and MicroGreens to go by HIgher Heritage. Food vendors will include Crazy Box Bakery Truck, which sells healthy sandwiches and sweet treats, and KeddiesV, which sells handmade vegan food.

The event will be Covid safe, with vendors spaced out and the crowd staggered to ensure safety. Mask wearing is required, and all vendors will have sanitizer at their tables.

Guests must complete a registration form / Covid questionnaire to attend.

The fair is being organized by Ramon Pineiro, founder and owner of the I Love Local Rewards Program. According to Brittany Gregorio, program assistant, Pineiro wanted to create the event after life threw him “a couple of curveballs”: His leg was badly injured in a car accident, leading to a seven-year recovery, and then his wife, Joan, contracted Lyme disease. They had to seek out different means and methods to get Joan feeling better, in some aspects taking a more natural approach.

“Using the I Love Local Rewards Program, which Ramon created as a platform for small local businesses, he found new ways to heal and grow, as well as different ways to eat and exercise,” Gregorio says. “This is what inspired him to create our annual Beauty, Health and Wellness Expo. There are others who can benefit, as he and Joan did, from the natural and holistic businesses out there.”

For more info, call 845.742.2223, email info@ilovelocalrewards.com, or visit 2021 Beauty, Health & Wellness Expo—Dutchess on Facebook or ILoveLocalRewards.com. See ad, page 13.

Hourglass Program Helps Kids Spring into Shape

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ourglass Women’s Wellness, in White Plains, Westchester’s largest women’s fitness center, is launching an innovative fitness program for children ages 5 to 12. Founder Shpresa Villani says Fit Kids Fun was designed to give children “a new healthy and active lifestyle,” which is especially important now.

“Gaining confidence through and after the pandemic has been parents’ concern and our main goal to regain,” Villani says. “This program is an amazing way to get the kids off the couch and back to being fit again. Activities range from multilevel cardio workouts and kids’ yoga to obstacle courses, fun nutritional tips and much more.”

The program starts in April, with exclusive pricing for the first 20 children whose parents or guardians reserve a spot.

Location: Hourglass Women’s Wellness, 33 S. Broadway, White Plains, NY. For more info, call 914.831.3800, email info@hourglasswomenswellness.com or visit HourglassWomensWellness.com. See ad, page 39.

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Lorraine Hughes

Lorraine Hughes Completes Holistic Lyme Disease Training

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orraine Hughes, owner of Empowered

By Nature, has expanded her wellness practice to include treatment of Lyme disease. An AHG-registered herbalist, she recently completed a Holistic Lyme Practitioner mentorship with licensed acupuncturist Hillary Thing, founder of Uprooting Lyme.

“I find that it is critical to enhance my practice in order to better serve my clients, to always continue to learn and be open to different holistic health perspectives,” Hughes says. “So many people in the Hudson Valley area have been affected by Lyme disease, and this goes hand in hand with chronic illness. This mentorship program embraces Chinese medicine, which I have always utilized as the basis of clinical assessment.”

Over the past year, Hughes says, she’s been continuously integrating the guidelines from this mentorship in order to help those in recovery restore their vital health, known in Chinese medicine as qi or life force.

“Embracing this past training, I am open to taking new clients with Lyme disease and co-infections as well as those with chronic illness,” she says. “It’s important that they know that healing from chronic illness is a process. It takes their full participation and belief in their body’s capacity to heal. During this journey, some changes will have to happen in order to open up pathways that have been blocked or congested.”

For more info, contact Lorraine Hughes at 845.416.4598 or lorrainehughes54@gmail. com, or visit EmpoweredByNature.net.

Coming Next Month MAY

Top Women’s Health Concerns Plus: Masage & Bodywork

April 2021

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news briefs

Green and Serene Provides Sustainable Lawn Care

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hen it comes to lawn care, “green” and “serene” don’t necessarily go together.

Too often, the cost of a lush yard is a weekly influx of noisy Ralph Spafford machines powered by fossil fuels and emitting harsh chemical odors. Ralph Spafford set out to change that calculation with his company, Green and Serene Lawn Care Services, which uses commercial-quality batterypowered equipment for residential lawn maintenance.

“My goal is to provide excellent lawn care service without the use of fossil fuels,” he says. “I’m committed to applying sustainable methods to keep my customers’ yards looking good. I believe in responsible stewardship and best management practices when it comes to our environment.”

Green and Serene operates in and around Putnam and Westchester counties. Services include weekly and bi-weekly residential lawn mowing and yard maintenance, spring cleanup, lawn top dressing and overseeding, yard cleanup from storm damage, yard clearing, small tree and shrub pruning, and fall cleanup, including leaf removal.

“I’m more than happy to provide a free evaluation and estimate for lawn maintenance service,” Spafford says. “After an initial consultation, we can set up an annual plan to make sure your yard is always at its best. If it’s been a while since your yard got the attention it needs, we can clear out overgrown plants and weeds to give you a better place to start from. We take the debris for compost and recycling.”

For more info, text or call 914.380.2095, email greenserenelawn@gmail.com or visit GreenSereneLawn.com. See ad, page 19.

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Market On The River Opens Mother’s Day

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ast spring, Hudson Valley radio personality Kacey Morabito Grean launched a new outdoor market at Mt. Carmel Field, in Verplanck, to give local growers and artists a place to safely gather and sell their wares.

The Market is set to reopen for 2021 on Mother’s Day, May 9, in a new location: the Cortlandt Waterfront Park in Verplanck.

The newly named Market on the River will be held Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through August, and then from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October.

Parking and admission are free.

Opening day will include a free gift for moms, while other events are being planned throughout the season to “create health and happiness,” says Morabito Kacey Morabito Grean Grean, who is also a life coach and Reiki healer. There will be a special section at The Market for the healing arts. Prana Moon Yoga and Fused Fitness, both of Peekskill, will be offering outdoor classes. Food vendors include Vita’s Veggies, of Montrose, EarthTone Farm, of Garrison, and Red Door Baking, of Buchanan.

Host of the podcast Shine On and a longtime morning radio host on 100.7 WHUD, Morabito Grean also founded Let It Shine Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit supporting women in times of need and transition. She and her sister run a food pantry and host inspirational retreats and events for women.

Location: The Market on the River, 77 Riverview Ave., Verplanck, NY. For vendor info, email shinerivermarket@gmail.com or visit GatheringLove.org. For more information about Morabito Grean, visit Kacey.co. See ad, page 34.

New ∆8OVE Line Now Available at Your CBD Store

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our CBD Store, in Mount Kisco, is now carrying SunMed’s new ∆8OVE line of full-spectrum CBD products featuring a blend of cannabinoids, including Delta-8 THC.

“Delta-8 binds to the CB1 receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system and delivers a gentle body high,” says store owner Cathy Parlitsis. “This product is different than the other CBD products in our store and is intended for those looking for something more, or ‘above’ a full-spectrum CBD product. Other products may feature a Delta-8 isolate, but ∆8OVE is a cutting-edge new blend combining Delta-8 with the robust cannabinoid profile in our hemp extract. This new blend is geared toward customer experience, therapeutics and patient outcome.”

SunMed is sold exclusively in Your CBD Stores. Like all SunMed products, ∆8OVE is backed by third-party lab testing, “for customers who demand quality and transparency in their products,” Parlitsis says. “Skip the dispensary and experience the full hemp entourage effect at a whole new level.”

For more info, call 914.276.5409, email cbd@yourcbdstoremtkisco.com or visit YourCBDStoreMtKisco.com. See ad, page 51.

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Rise Above Floatation, in Mount Kisco

Floatation Therapy Gains Wider Acceptance through Research

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ismissed by some as a fad, the practice of floating in a zero-stimulant environment to trigger deep relaxation and increase control over the power of focus has become more mainstream, thanks to the research of experts like clinical neuropsychologist Justin Feinstein, Ph.D., of the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR), on specific conditions like chronic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“With the positive effects of floating being recognized and peer-reviewed, research is continuing to get funded, and many floaters are able to get the sessions either reimbursed through their insurance company or accepted using their health savings account or their employer’s flexible savings account,” says Micah Saccomanno, owner of Rise Above Floatation, in Mount Kisco.

The landscape for floatation therapy is “ripe for potential for a broad application of its benefits,” Saccomanno says.

“LIBR is now turning its attention toward the effects of floating on eating disorders, with very encouraging results in reducing body dissatisfaction, and Dr. Feinstein is currently creating the Float Research Collective to integrate publishable data from float clinics around the world. As we move toward a healthier society and are more educated in how our bodies heal, floatation therapy is fast becoming a practical and welcome part of our wellness routines.”

DIRECTORY Find more great local businesses on WakeUpNaturally.com

Location: Rise Above Floatation, 111 E. Main St., Mount Kisco, NY (first floor of the Elephant’s Trunk Building). For appointments and more info, call 914.241.1900 or visit RiseAboveFloatation.com.

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Synchronicity Stays Busy, In Person and Virtually

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or grocery stores, it’s been cleaning supplies that have been flying off the shelves over the past year. For Synchronicity gift shop in Brewster, it’s been spiritual “necessities”—candles, crystals and tarot cards—that have been especially popular with customers.

“Candles are very popular.

People love to work with them to manifest,” says owner Marcus Feighery. “Since Covid we are Marcus Feighery seeing a lot of new customers just starting on their spiritual journey. Many come to explore our large selection of crystals. But we’re constantly offering new products and crystals, so our loyal customers always have a great variety of new products to choose from.”

Synchronicity also operates a large online store, and it’s on Facebook and Instagram (@synchronicityny), where Feighery expects to host live crystal and product sales this spring.

“We continually run contests on social media to win free psychic readings,” he adds. “They’ve have been a longtime customer favorite since we opened in 2006.”

Synchronicity hosts psychic mediums and tarot readers, who offer both in-person and phone sessions. It also hosts in-person and virtual classes and events.

“This spring I’ll be teaching Reiki 1 and 2 and Master Reiki, and we’ll also offer classes in teen meditation, live paranormal investigations and psychic development. As for online classes, we’ll be hosting an Astral Journeying class Fridays at 8 p.m. on Zoom.

Location: Synchronicity, 1511 Rte. 22, Brewster, NY. For more info, call 845.363.1765 or visit the store online at SynchronicityNY.com or on social media @synchronicityny.

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Riverkeeper Seeks Volunteers for Annual ‘Sweep’ of Hudson Shoreline

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he 10th annual Riverkeeper Sweep, an annual day of service for the Hudson River and its tributaries, is set for May 1, with shoreline cleanups and tree-planting projects planned from Brooklyn to the Adirondacks. Over the last nine years, Riverkeeper volunteers have completed 804 projects along hundreds of miles of shoreline during the Sweep, removing 275 tons of debris and planting or maintaining 4,490 trees or native grasses. This year Riverkeeper hopes to reach new communities and new volunteers and restore additional stretches of shoreline.

There are several ways to get involved with the Sweep, beginning with organizing a cleanup or planting project. To suggest a particular park or shoreline, submit the Sweep Leader Interest Form. To participate in a project, submit the Volunteer Interest Form to receive updates about volunteering on Sweep day. A full list of Sweep projects will be available on April 1, when registration opens. Preregistration is required to participate.

Those who own or work at a business can learn how to sponsor the 2021 Riverkeeper Sweep event by emailing sweep@ riverkeeper.org. And regardless of whether they can participate, anyone is welcome to show their support for a trash-free Hudson by becoming a Riverkeeper member or starting a fundraiser for the Sweep.

This year’s Sweep will implement Covid protocols, including small-event capacity and social distancing, to ensure the safety of all participants.

For more information or to get involved, visit Riverkeeper.org.

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Photo: Compassion & Choices

action alert

Compassion & Choices volunteers at rally

Assembly Urged to Pass Medical Aid in Dying Act

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lthough 72 percent of Americans believe mentally capable adults who are terminally ill should have the option to end their suffering using prescription medication given to them by their doctor, 41 states still prohibit the practice of medical aid in dying. In January, Compassion & Choices—a national nonprofit that works to help patients navigate their end-of-life journey— launched its 2021 campaign to pass the New York Medical Aid in Dying Act (A4321).

This legislation would allow a terminally ill adult with a prognosis of six months or less to live the option to request, obtain and, if they choose, take medication to die peacefully in their sleep if their suffering becomes unbearable. Two doctors must verify that the patient is mentally capable of making that medical decision.

The bill is modeled after the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, which includes numerous safeguards and has been in practice for more than 20 years without a single instance of abuse or coercion.

If passed, New York would join nine other states and Washington D.C. in allowing terminally ill adults to make this private and personal decision.

“For the last six years, we at Compassion & Choices have been working to make New York the next state to authorize medical aid in dying,” says Corinne Carey, the nonprofit’s senior campaign director. “New Yorkers from every corner of the state and every demographic support medical aid in dying. We currently have 48 cosponsors of the bill in the Assembly who reflect the diversity of New York State. The momentum to pass this bill is growing and becoming stronger every day.

“This year we promised lawmakers that we would give them 60 reasons that they should pass this bill—one for every day they are in session this year. Each reason comes from a real New Yorker and highlights the stories of those who are terminally ill, their loved ones, as well as faith leaders, legal experts and medical professionals. Each reason conveys that the time to stop the suffering is now.”

For more info, contact Corinne Carey at 518.898.8240 or ccarey@ compassionandchoices.org, or visit CompassionAndChoices.org.

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earth day events

Green Ossining’s 10th Annual Earth Day Festival: ‘Something for Everyone’ Green Ossining’s 10th annual Earth Day Festival, set for April 17 through 25, will be a weeklong celebration of activities, partnerships and offers. Determined to not let another year escape, the group has pivoted from its usual large-scale in-person event format and is offering “something for everyone” with more than 60 activities— including weeklong offers, opportunities at a set date and time, small socially-distanced gatherings and special online entertainment and educational experiences.

Opportunities for engagement include a community-wide cleanup, a petting zoo, special events at local farms, classes in cooking and eating healthier, hands-on kids’ activities, the sale of fair-trade and local artisan goods, New York farm beer tastings, composting classes, tree plantings in parks, and live music events. Many local brick-and-mortar businesses will participate with special offers, as supporting a local economy is a facet of a sustainable future.

“While the pandemic has tested our resilience on so many levels, record numbers of people turned to the great outdoors and spent time taking in the gifts that only our natural world could offer,” says Suzie Ross, chairperson and founding member of Green Ossining.

“Parallel to continued interest in the outdoors, humancaused planetary warming continues to hasten the instability of the global and local climate. It is imperative that communities also understand what is at stake, the urgency of action, and both the necessity and impor14

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

tance of individual participation. We have all spent the past year being incredibly creative, and we’re grateful for an opportunity to envision a meaningful and safe Earth Week celebration with all of you in 2021.”

The festival is being hosted and organized by Green Ossining with the assistance of the Town and Village of Ossining. Town Supervisor Dana Levenberg says a socially distanced approach to the festival, which considers public health, mirrors the goal of all the sustainability initiatives highlighted throughout the week.

“They will not only benefit the long-term health of our environment, but our bodies and minds as well,” she says. “Big thanks to the Green Ossining team for continuing to push us all to take personal responsibility for our earth, during Earth Week and every week.”

Founded in 2009, Green Ossining is a communitybased environmental resource organization with a mission to promote environmental sustainability throughout the community and develop practical methods that protect its natural resources. With a goal to create a forum for those who are concerned about the environment, its objectives are to explore, identify and prioritize sensible “green” methods and practices.

For more information, including updates about special events happening throughout the week, follow Green Ossining on Instagram or Facebook or visit GreenOssining.org/earth-day-festival/. See ad back cover.

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Earth Day 2021 at the World Peace Sanctuary in Wassaic On April 24, The World Peace Sanctuary, in Wassaic, is hosting an Earth Day celebration featuring a prayer ceremony, a bringyour-own picnic lunch, a drum circle and two donation-based Walking the Trail workshops.

“Our guide, Michael Michael Gulbrandsen Gulbrandsen, is a listener of nature’s whispers. He instructs people how to connect to nature and its inhabitants by walking the trail,” says Ann Marie Robustelli, executive assistant of the World Peace Prayer Society.

The day will begin at 10 a.m. with a Morning Tranquility Walk.

Participants will learn techniques for receiving healing from and connecting to nature. The noon picnic lunch will be followed by a world peace prayer ceremony at 1 p.m., and then an Afternoon Fairy Walk at 1:30 p.m.

“We’ll walk the trail in the forest to see signs of the divine dancing of the magical creatures of the forest and connect with them,” Gulbrandsen says. “In this workshop we will discover ideal locations for fairy houses, place a decorated doorway and then enhance the area around it with nature.” Materials will be provided.

Space is limited in the Walking the Trail workshops. The suggested donation for each is $20.

The day’s events will conclude at 4 p.m. with Nature’s Sound Circle. Participants will gather in an outdoor circle “to build community and reconnect with the land and the spirits of the place,” Gulbrandsen says. “Listen to the sound of the drum as it beats, shake a turtle rattle, and then the howl of a wolf is heard. Join in or just enjoy the energy.” Donations are welcome.

The sanctuary grounds are open from dawn to dusk. Covid precautions, including masks and social distancing, will be in place for all Earth Day events.

There is a portable toilet on the grounds.

“Join us this year as we celebrate our connection to the earth,” Robustelli says. “This connection that we have to nature, plants and the land is The World Peace Sanctuary important to our health and all that we are.”

Location: World Peace Sanctuary, 26 Benton Rd., Wassaic, NY. For reservations or more information, contact Ann Marie Robustelli at 845.337.2599 or annmarie@worldpeace.org, or visit WorldPeace.org/sanctuary/.

The Bedford 2030 Earth Day Festival

Bedford 2030 Earth Day Festival The Bedford 2030 Earth Day Festival, cohosted by Bedford 2030 and Healthy Yards, will take place May 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Bedford Hills Train Station. Visitors to this free, family-friendly event can shop for plant and garden items while enjoying live music.

“The annual Earth Day Festival is a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together and share ways to take climate action now. We’ll have a plant swap, native pollinator plant packs for sale, kids’ activities and lots of great partners tabling with information on healthy yard practices and sustainable solutions,” says Erin Glocke, community engagement manager at Bedford 2030. “We have several protocols in place this year to ensure everyone’s safety, so we are excited to welcome our community back for an afternoon of fun, celebrating our planet, and committing to making it a healthier, greener place for all.”

There will also be native plants and trees, compost made from Bedford food scraps, composting materials, and Hilltop Hanover vegetables for sale.

Nonprofits or environmentally friendly businesses that want a table at the festival, or anyone interested in volunteering (including students needing community service credit), can sign up at HealthyYards.org/ earthdaysignup/.

Social distancing and masks will be required. There will be free parking in the train station parking lot.

Location: Bedford Hills Train Station, 46 Depot Plaza, Bedford Hills, NY. For questions or information, email info@healthyyards.org or visit Bedford2030.org.

April 2021

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B12 and Prenatal Supplements Gain Official Nod

Hypertension is a global disease that particularly affects people in lowincome communities, but a new study by the UK University of Nottingham suggests that beetroot juice may be a practical solution for people with high blood pressure that have little access to diagnostic help or money for medication.

Researchers divided 47 people between 50 and 70 years of age in Tanzania into three groups. For 60 days, one group drank nitrate-rich beetroot juice and folic acid; another was given nitrate-rich beetroot juice and a placebo; and the third drank nitratedepleted beetroot juice. The researchers found that systolic blood pressure dropped by 10.8 millimeters (mm) Hg (mercury) in the nitrate-rich plus folic acid group and 6.1 mm Hg in the nitrate-rich and placebo group. Studies have shown that the high level of nitrates in beets is converted by the digestive system into nitric oxide, which relaxes and widens blood vessels.

In updated 2020-2025 dietary guidelines, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have endorsed the specific use of certain supplements, noting that under-consumption of some nutrients among Americans is linked to health concerns. The guidelines advise that infants being fed breast milk exclusively or partially should be given a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU per day beginning soon after birth and perhaps continuing for more than a year. Women that are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should take a daily prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement. Pregnant or lactating women that follow a vegetarian or vegan diet are advised to talk to their healthcare provider about supplementation to ensure that they get adequate amounts of iron, vitamin B12, choline, zinc, iodine and omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

The guidelines also state that some older adults may require vitamin B12 supplements, noting concerns over the amount of the vitamin absorbed from food.

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Drink Beet Juice to Lower Blood Pressure

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health briefs

New research from Rush Medical College, in Chicago, shows that regularly cheating on a healthy diet undermines its cognitive benefits. For 19 years, researchers followed 5,001 adults over age 65 that were asked to eat the Mediterranean diet, with its emphasis on daily servings of fruit, vegetables, legumes, olive oil, fish, potatoes and unrefined cereals, plus moderate wine consumption. Every three years, their cognitive abilities were tested and their diets reviewed, including how often they ate a Western diet of fried foods, sweets, refined grains, red meat and processed meats. After almost two decades, those that adhered most faithfully to the Mediterranean diet were cognitively 5.8 years younger than those that followed it the least.

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Keep Off Junk Foods for Cognitive Wellness

global briefs

Group Hug

Honest Ingredients

While human activity has transformed 75 percent of the Earth’s surface and 66 percent of ocean ecosystems, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services determined in a 2019 assessment that approximately 1 million plant and animal species are threatened with extinction, some in mere decades. In response to the crisis, more than 50 countries representing 30 percent of the world’s land-based biodiversity, 25 percent of its land-based carbon sinks, 28 percent of important areas of marine biodiversity and more than 30 percent of ocean carbon sinks have united as the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC 30x30), avowing to preserve 30 percent of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030.

The group announced its goal at the One Planet Summit for Biodiversity in January, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, along with the World Bank and the United Nations. “We call on all nations to join us,” Macron said in the video launching of the plan. Biologist E.O. Wilson has called for the “conservation moonshot” of protecting half of the land and the sea. Goals include preventing biodiversity loss, solving the climate crisis and preventing pandemics.

Global sales of organic products totaled $90 billion in 2017 according to the 2018 edition of the study The World of Organic Agriculture, published by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture and Organics International. In the U.S., the figure is $50 billion, or 5 percent of all grocery store sales. Demand for organic products is increasing, more farmers cultivate organically, more land is certified organic and 178 countries report organic farming activities.

The challenge is to safeguard organic standards from large corporations that buy up organic brands and try to weaken U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements. This has led to an erosion of both organic standards and consumer trust in the organic labeling of products such as eggs, milk and grains.

To restore public trust, the Organic Consumers Association is committed to exposing the fraudulent players in the organic industry while fighting for stronger organic protections. At one time, states could develop their own rules for organic food production and processing. But in 1990, Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act, which created the National Organic Program and the National Organic Standards Board. Foods labeled USDA Organic are the gold standard for health and sustainability.

Protecting the Organic Marketplace

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Nations Band Together to Preserve One-Third of the Planet

Silver Lining

Discarded Safety Gear Used to Build Highways

With the plethora of used, disposable face masks accumulating worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, avenues of incorporating them into the recycling stream are underway. An estimated 6.8 billion disposable masks are used around the world each day. Researchers at RMIT University, in Melbourne, Australia, have formulated a new road-making material comprised of a mix of shredded single-use face masks and processed building rubble designed to meet civil engineering safety standards.

Their study in the journal Science of the Total Environment shows that using the recycled face mask material to make one kilometer of a two-lane road would use up about 3 million masks, preventing 93 tons of waste from going to landfills. Roads are made of four layers—a subgrade, base, sub-base and asphalt on top. All the layers must be both strong and flexible to withstand the pressures of heavy vehicles and prevent cracking. Processed building rubble, or recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), can be used on its own for the three base layers, and adding shredded face masks to RCA enhances the material while addressing environmental challenges.

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eco spotlight

lobbying hard in Congress for centralized interim storage in New Mexico, the irradiated fuel rods will remain on site indefinitely, as current law requires. It is estimated that when all the fuel rods are in dry casks, they will take up the area of approximately two football fields. Moving this high-level radioactive waste to contaminate another community that doesn’t want it is undemocratic at best, and some would say immoral.

Photo: Marilyn Elie

Our Future

Powering Down As Indian Point Goes Off-Line, New Work Begins

by Marilyn Elie We can all breathe a sigh of relief next spring when the last working reactor at Indian Point powers down. The 20 million people within a 50-mile radius of the 40-year-old nuclear generator can sleep more soundly, and future generations will thank us for no longer producing high-level radioactive waste that will bedevil the country and our community for years to come.

While nuclear energy has long been marketed as the “clean” alternative to fossil fuels, the fact is that anything that is manufactured has a carbon footprint. Nuclear power is low carbon, not carbon free. When calculating the true carbon footprint of any fuel, you must look at the entire fuel cycle, from cradle to grave—or, for nuclear power, from uranium mining to disposal of high-level radioactive waste.

Our goal must be sustainable energy. The best definition of that is from former Norwegian Prime Minister Harlem Brundtland: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

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Decommissioning Indian Point What’s next for Indian Point? Decommissioning. This means cleaning up the property in a prompt, safe manner and returning it to a greenfield that can be safely reused. Rapid decommissioning could take 12 to 15 years, but it must be done securely.

A major obstacle to this process is the Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) gas pipeline, which runs next to the spent fuel building. The threat of a possible rupture and explosion engulfing the spent fuel pool must be taken into account.

Unfortunately the Nuclear Regulatory Commission does not have authority over the complete process. Holtec is in line to do the decommissioning, and therein lies yet another problem. Holtec is a big international corporation based in New Jersey, with an unsavory business reputation. The company was embroiled in a well-documented bribery conviction, later lying about it under oath while seeking a $260 million tax break from the State of New Jersey.

Despite the fact that Holtec is

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New York is poised to make great strides in decarbonizing its economy through the recently passed Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. We now have laws in place that set goals and ways to obtain them. Soon we will have maps of our communities’ carbon footprints so that we can work to reduce them.

People in different regions of our state are meeting now and figuring out how to meet the high goals set by this law. As these groups reach out to others in their communities, hopefully many New Yorkers will look for an opportunity to participate.

To hear the voices of people from other reactor communities as well as those of New York experts on the problems and solutions we are all facing at Indian Point, see the 2020 Virtual Regional Decommissioning Forum on YouTube or on the Clearwater website.

Fossil fuels and uranium must remain in the ground if we’re going to avoid ever-worsening aspects of climate change. We cannot continue on our regular path if we are to hand over a livable planet to future generations.

Marilyn Elie is co-founder of Westchester Citizens Awareness Network and a member of the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition, a coalition of grassroots and environmental organizations in the Hudson Valley dedicated to the closing of Indian Point and its safe and timely decommissioning. For more information, call Elie at 914.954.6739 or visit ipsecinfo.org.

eco tip

The Benefits of Planting Trees More Foliage Means Lower Temperatures

Planting more trees can slow down climate change. Science magazine reports, “The restoration of trees remains among the most effective strategies for climate change mitigation.” The Arbor Day celebrations this month make it an apt time for taking actions that benefit both urban areas and open spaces.

More than 166,000 square miles of forest habitat—approximately the size of California—in the tropics and subtropics have been decimated in the last 13 years, and about 2.7 million square miles of forest worldwide remain threatened, according to a recent study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Some major ways to take action include: Avoid buying products linked to deforestation.

Pressure lawmakers to make supply chains sustainable while balancing the need for regulation with the concerns of farmers and businesses. Urge policymakers to enact zero-deforestation policies and bolster the rights and control of forests for local communities and indigenous people, says the WWF. Donate spare change. By joining Plant Your Change for All (PlantYourChange.com), all debit or credit card purchases are automatically rounded up to the nearest dollar and the balance applied toward planting trees. Working together with the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation (ADF) (ArborDay.org) and Eden Reforestation Projects, the initiative has already planted more than 3 million trees, offsetting 5 million miles of vehicle carbon emissions.

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Become a member of the ADF and receive 10 free trees, along with tree nursery discounts; help to qualify a community to receive the Tree City USA designation; or get involved with National Arbor Day, generally celebrated on the last Friday in April, but observed on different days in some states. The organization’s website includes ideas for conducting virtual celebrations if local chapters are not holding public events due to the pandemic. Also consider participating in other ADF programs such as the Alliance for Community Trees and NeighborWoods Month.

Support the planting of city trees. According to a recent study from the U.S. Forest Service reported in Treehugger.com, the nation’s urban canopies, currently home to approximately 5.5 billion trees, provide roughly $18 billion in annual benefits via the removal of pollution from the air, carbon sequestration, reduced emissions and improved energy efficiency in buildings.

Forests are the lungs of our land. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

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local food

Hudson Valley Farmers Market Keeps Going and Growing

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Big Rock Market

Big Rock Market Hosts Farmers and Makers Fair on April 24

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ig Rock Market, a farmers-market-type store located in the historic Campbell House, in the heart of Stanfordville, is one business that’s grown over the past year—a trend that has allowed it to lower its prices and carry a wider variety of produce, dairy, meat, baked goods and pantry items. As light appears at the end of the pandemic tunnel, Big Rock will celebrate on April 24 with a socially distanced Farmers and Makers Fair, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Adele Craven, general manager of Big Rock Market, says the event is an opportunity for people in the community to meet and talk with the farmers and makers who provide the store with fresh goods and crafts.

“You’ll learn about the other things these awesome community members do that you may not realize,” she says. “You can also pick up locally grown organic seedlings and flowers to start your garden.”

The fair will be held on the store’s front lawn. All Covid guidelines will be followed, and masks will be mandatory at all times, both on the lawn and in the store, which will be open its regular hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Big Rock’s commitment to the community’s well-being likely comes as no surprise to its loyal customers, who frequent the store for its conscientiously sourced offerings. According to Craven, the store’s produce is local, organic and fair trade whenever possible; its dairy, meat and produce are carefully selected from Hudson Valley farmers; and its baked goods, pantry items, freshcut flowers and handmade crafts are staples in many up-state country homes.

“Here at Big Rock, we support our local farms and our community by linking the two—and providing a nourishing environment for all,” she says.

Location: Big Rock Market’s Farmers and Makers Fair, 6031 NY Route 82, Stanfordville, NY. New store hours for 2021 are Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more info call 845.868.3320 or visit BigRockMarketny.com.

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ife has changed a bit since Covid, but the Hudson Valley Regional Farmers Market has remained open almost all last year, with safety precautions in place. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday, year-round (weather Hudson Valley Regional Farmers Market permitting). It features live music most weekends.

“We normally would have been inside for the cold-weather months, but this year, in order to maintain safe space, we stayed open outside,” says Melissa Kamin, market manager and director of community relations. “We’ve enjoyed the support of a core group of vendors selling essential products to the community.

We’re starting to grow the market in preparation for warmer weather, and we’re welcoming inquiries from vendors to join our market family.”

Current vendors include Aueralia’s Organic Garden, offering handmade breads, chocolate, lip balm and soaps;�������������������� ������������������� Kas Spirits, offering spiced honey liquor; Orchard Hill Organics Produce and Handmade breads Fruits; Sharamel Baked Goods; Mike The Cheese Guy, with M & M Italian Provisions; Hudson Valley Petals; and MG Treats, offering homemade dog biscuits.

Other current vendors include Sacred Grounds Organic Coffee Roasters; Andrew Wilkinson Microgreens, with Hudson Valley Vinegars and Hudson Valley Cold-Pressed Oils; Do Re Me Farms�������������������������� ; South Salem Winery;����� ���� Bartolo’s Keto and Italian Gourmet Prepared Foods; General Cochran Andrew Wilkinson’s Meat and Dairy; and Live In Joy Microgreens Candle Co.

The market is run and operated by Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association. It is closed on some holidays, including Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Location: 15 Mount Ebo Road South, Brewster, NY. For more info visit HudsonValleyFarmersMarket.org.

Find more Farmers Markets in our calendar.

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Eat Well and Be Well with

CAFES CHAKRA BOWLS CAFÉ 33 Arlington Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 845.849.0399 chakraBowlsCafe.com

GOOD CHOICE KITCHEN 147 Main St., Ossining NY 914.266.3003 goodchoicekitchen.com

THE FREIGHT HOUSE CAFÉ

609 Route 6, Mahopac NY 845.628.1872 thefreighthousecafe.com

COFFEE COFFEE LABS ROASTERS

Order beans online/ship home 7 Main St., Tarrytown, NY 914.332.1479; coffeelabs.com

FARMERS’ MARKETS GOSSETT’S FARM MARKET

& Gossett Brothers Nursery 1202 Rt.35, South Salem, NY 914.763.3001; Gossettnursery.com

Natural FOOD FARM STORE MARKETS

Z FARMS ORGANIC Open Every Day 355 Poplar Hill Rd. Dover Plains, NY 917.319.6414 ZFarmsOrganic.com

NEW

FARMS FABLE: FROM FARM TO TABLE

1311 Kitchawan Rd, Ossining, NY Sat & Sun 9am-4pm FableFoods.com

HARVEST MOON FARM & ORCHARD

HUDSON VALLEY REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET Sundays, 10am-2pm 15 Mount Ebo Road South Brewster, NY

BIG ROCK MARKET

Open 6 days a week 6031 RT 82,Stanfordville NY 845.868.3320 BigRockMarketNY.com

Somers 57 Rte. 6. (in Baldwin Place) Somers, NY 10505 914.485.8093

Grass-fed beef & eggs 371 Smith Ridge Rd, S. Salem 914.533.6529; threefeathers.farm

159 Lexington Ave., Mt. Kisco 914.358.1666 MySkinnyBuddha.com

Eastchester 780 White Plains Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 914.874.5481

HILLTOP HANOVER FARM & ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER

THREE FEATHERS FARM

SKINNY BUDDHA ORGANIC KITCHEN

Briarcliff Manor 97 North State Road Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510 914.800.9146

Mt. Kisco 666 Lexington Ave. Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 914.864.1274

1271 Hanover St, Yorktown Heights, NY 914.962.2368 HilltopHanoverFarm.org

VEGAN

GREENS NATURAL FOODS

130 Hardscrabble Rd North Salem, NY 914.485.1210 HarvestMoonFarmAndOrchard.com

HUDSON VALLEY FARMERS MARKET

Greig Farm, 223 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook, NY 914.474.2404 Facebook.com/ HudsonValleyFarmersMarket.

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Foodie Guide

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GREEN ORGANIC MARKET 275 S. Central Park Ave. Hartsdale, NY 914.437.5802 FB: GreenOrganicMarket

Cucumber Rounds w/ Herb Cashew Cream Cheese and “Lox” Appetizers at Skinny Buddha

WHOLE FOODS MARKET

JUICE DRINK LIVING JUICE

7(1/2) servings in one serving of green juice to go.

914.763.6320; DrinkLivingJuice.com

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575 Boston Post Rd, Port Chester, NY 914.708.1985

1 Ridge Hill Rd, Yonkers, NY 914.378.8090 110 Bloomingdale Rd, White Plains, NY 914.288.1300 WholeFoodsMarket.com

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April 2021

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conscious eating

Spring Cleaning the Body Simple Ways to Detox Naturally

by April Thompson

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s we shake off the sluggishness of winter, many of us feel an urge to “spring clean” our bodies with a detox or cleanse. Yet health experts say such programs should help jumpstart new healthy habits and not necessarily be seen as a short-term fix.

“The air we breathe, the water we drink, the cosmetics we use, the materials we build with and most notably, the food that we eat, are loaded with chemicals that are toxic to our metabolism,” says Alejandro Junger, a Los Angeles cardiologist, author and founder of CleanProgram.com. “The systems in the body designed to clear toxicity are overwhelmed, and this leads to the imbalances and damage that is at the root of most diseases today.”

Detoxification functions are performed by many different organs and tissues, including intestinal flora, the immune system, the nervous system and the liver, so its imbalances can manifest in diverse ways, according to Junger. “Symptoms of detox imbalance include sleep and mood disorders, anxiety, rashes, lack of energy and libido, autoimmune disorders, inflammation and cancer.”

While some health professionals say that detoxes are unnecessary because the body is capable of cleansing itself, others make a compelling case for the need to help it along, given our heightened exposure to manmade toxic elements. Information of varying repute swirls around the internet, offering approaches ranging from juice cleanses to total fasts.

Simple dietary strategies can help sweep out toxins, explains Robin Foroutan, an integrative dietitian and nutritionist in New York City. She points to cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, collards and kale, which promote cytochromes P450, a family of enzymes critical in helping toxins clear the body. She also recommends foods high in fiber that can bind to toxins and bile, and transport them out of the body through the stool. Berries, green tea and turmeric are also helpful for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; even water facilitates the excretion process, supports the lymphatic system and replenishes fluids lost through sweat. Using a water filter and eating organic foods when possible also reduces incoming toxins, she says.

Healthy smoothies are a great way to get water, fiber and easily digestible nutrients into our body at the same time, according 22

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Everyday Toxin Cleaners

Fasting (occasionally for a prolonged period, such as three days without food) and intermittent fasting (abstaining from food for a shorter period, such as 16 hours per day on a regular basis) are great tools for deeper detoxification, says Junger. “Digestion takes energy and resources from the detox functions, so eating less, eating less often and allowing time for digestion to stop so that detox can intensify is crucial.”

For a comprehensive detox, experts recommend working with a health practitioner to assess toxic burdens and develop a personalized plan. Russell Jaffe, a physician in Ashburn, Virginia, crafts a detox program based on four self-assessments, including digestive transit time, urine pH, hydration levels and vitamin C levels.

Jaffe claims our bodies are burdened by excess acid, rendering them less resilient to stress and resulting in fatigue, illness and infection risks. “When we enjoy a diet rich in greens, fruits, vegetables, minerals and antioxidants, our cells become more alkaline and more resistant to everyday stress,” he states.

Experts emphasize that a short-term program must be part of a longer-lasting lifestyle and diet shift. “It is not enough to do periodic detoxes if you go back to old habits. I offer these programs as a jumpstart in hopes that participants feel so much better that they never want to go back to what they were doing and eating before,” says Junger.

Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

Sweet Mango Smoothie Sweet fruit paired with spinach for an extra dose of fiber, vitamins and super-green-detoxifying antioxidants won’t change the taste of this beloved fruit smoothie.

1 cup fresh or frozen mango 1 to 3 cups spinach ¼ cup packed mint ½ cup coconut water ½ cup coconut milk 1 Tbsp chia seeds 1 serving dairy-free protein powder Handful of ice

photo by kaitlyn noble

Deep Detox

Detox Delights

Skin and chop mango. Wash spinach. Remove mint leaves from their stems and rinse them with water. Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until smooth (30-60 seconds). Pour and serve immediately. Sprinkle chia seeds on top if desired.

Recipe by Kaitlyn Noble of the Clean Program.

Vegetable Yum Soup Soups help provide the body with nutrient- and fiber-rich vegetables in an easy-to-digest format, while soup broths help supply water for detoxification and a sense of satiety.

Yield: 4 to 6 Servings 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 garlic clove, minced 2 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated 1 stalk lemongrass, minced ½ tsp crushed red pepper ¾ cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped ½ cup green bell pepper, chopped 5 to 6 cups vegetable stock 1 (14-oz) can coconut milk 2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce 3 Tbsp cilantro or parsley, chopped Heat the oil in a large pot and sauté garlic, ginger, lemongrass and crushed red pepper. Stir in the mushrooms, sweet potatoes and bell pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Add the stock, bring to boil and then reduce heat. Simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Add the coconut milk and soy sauce, and stir. Serve sprinkled with cilantro or parsley (optional).

photo by kaitlyn noble

to Junger. “When using a good, clean, protein powder in addition to fruits and leafy greens, healthy fats such as nuts, and coconut or cashew milk, a smoothie can provide us the nutrients needed to support our energy for hours,” he says. Adding herbs like mint or holy basil (tulsi) and spices like turmeric and cinnamon elevate both flavor and healing. Liquids such as celery juice provide highly concentrated nutrients and hydration, but lack the fiber of a blended drink. Both juices and smoothies give overtaxed digestive systems a needed break.

Source: Russell Jaffe, The Joy in Living: The Alkaline Way. April 2021

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CLIMATE CHANGE AND OUR HEALTH cottonbro/Pexels.com

The Human Costs of a Warming Planet

by Sandra Yeyati

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lobal warming is not just threatening polar bears far away in the Arctic, and its effects are not somewhere in the distant future. With every new wildfire, hurricane and flash flood, people are understanding that the warming of the planet poses dire consequences for human health right here, right now. It’s personal, and while some sectors of the population are unfairly and disproportionately impacted, we are all in harm’s way.

This is no time to panic, say climate and public health advocates, but rather a moment for preparation, adaptation and mobilization. Prospects are hopeful as we tackle new realities together and evolve our conversations about climate change so we can build resilient, thriving communities.

The good news is that many of the individual and policy changes we need to make are exciting opportunities for positive transformation and justice.

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Health Threats in Our Midst

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The warming of the planet is becoming more noticeable. “That historic two weeks anywhere in the United States where it’s the heat wave of high summer is now six weeks to two months,” says Jay Lemery, M.D., professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado and co-author of Enviromedics: The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health. “There are parts of the Middle East now where you can’t be outside and meaningfully cool your body during certain parts of the day.”

“With warming, we’re seeing drought, wildfires, hurricanes, extreme precipitation, flooding and sea level rise, all of which have health consequences,” says Surili Patel, director of the Center for Climate, Health and Equity at the American Public Health Association. “With rising temperature and heat waves, we’re seeing heat stroke, dehydration, diarrheal disease, cardiovascular distress and respiratory illnesses. Extreme weather like wildfires, hurricanes and flooding cause direct injuries, as well as vector-borne illnesses (Lyme

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disease carried by ticks or dengue fever and malaria by mosquitoes), mold and harmful algal blooms that happen when it’s really hot, but also show up in places that otherwise wouldn’t have because of the combination of heat and flooding.”

Lemery notes that incidences of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases are moving higher in altitude and latitude, affecting historically naive populations that have not had levels of disease immunity, the infrastructure or cultural habits to protect them. “These are huge killers worldwide, and we’re seeing more and more of that,” he says.

“When you have a warmer winter, spring starts earlier, trees bloom early and pollen season starts early too, and longer exposure to pollen increases your risk of having an asthma attack,” says Professor Amir Sapkota at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, adding that the Northeast is heavily impacted by this phenomenon.

“Here in Colorado, in the summer heat, we have these huge swaths of wildfire smoke hanging over Denver, and people come in to the emergency department.

Their inhalers aren’t working anymore, and they’re having chest pain and shortness of breath when they’re on oxygen at baseline,” says Lemery. “These are people normally able to walk across a parking lot with their walker and their oxygen, but now they can’t. We see this all summer long, and we admit them for asthma exacerbation, shortness of breath and COPD (i.e., emphysema), but what we don’t write down is that the air quality is the worst it’s been all year, or that it’s the hottest day of the year.”

“Air pollution contributes to climate change, but it also gets into your lungs and irritates them, exacerbating chronic respiratory illnesses, and can even lead to a heart attack,” says Jennifer Roberts, director of the Path of Positive Communities program at EcoAmerica, noting that the biggest culprits are carbon emissions from coal-burning power plants, diesel fuels and ground-level ozone, which is created when pollution reacts to heat and sunlight.

“With sea level rise, things are flooding more often and we get septic tanks overflowing, sending fecal matter into our drinking water supplies and exposing

April 2021

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us to diarrheal diseases. We also see offices and industrial sites getting flooded and, whether it’s paint, fertilizers or other toxins, those get into our water and it’s very unhealthy,” Roberts says.

The Most Vulnerable Among Us Certain segments of the population are more at risk. “Lower socioeconomic groups are suffering more from extreme heat events. The urban heat island effect, which unfortunately correlates very well with poorer neighborhoods, means that they’ll have heat waves seven to 10 degrees hotter in their neighborhoods than surrounding places with more green space,” Lemery says.

“You see the public health infrastructure less robust to be able to attend to communities of color—like you saw with COVID. There are also physiologic vulnerabilities. Climate change affects the very young, the very old and the very sick much more because of their preexisting vulnerabilities, and then we have geographic vulnerabilities—people who live on the coast without sea walls or in flood plains. As sea level rise proliferates, and that data is really straightforward, they’re going to be going under increased storm surge stress and flat-out flooding.”

hazards with “credible messaging repeated over and over again with clarity and no hedging: Wear a mask. Stay indoors during high-heat events. Don’t let children play outdoors when the air quality index is at a dangerous level.”

There are many ways to mitigate threats.

As experts point out, we know what to do, and it’s just a matter of putting our attention and resources on their implementation. “One of the biggest ways is let’s remove the sources of harmful spewing pollution—move away from coal, oil and gas—and invest in clean sources of energy, which will also create jobs in these new industries,” says Patel.

Another big step would be to promote mass transit and active transportation— walking and biking—over individual, gasguzzling vehicles. Patel advocates for local investments in bike lanes and sidewalks that encourage the switch. Both Lemery and Roberts express excitement about clean-running electric cars as potential game-changers in transportation.

Planting trees and vegetable gardens are easy, community-building solutions. “Trees are very beneficial to everything from shade to water filtration to producing oxy-

gen and taking up carbon,” says Roberts, who adds that much can be done to restore and protect streams, ponds and lakes from the ill effects of pollution and development.

“You get volunteers to clean up the gunk and increase regulations for developers to keep stuff out of the waterways.”

Eco-Anxiety and Making Positive Change

Achievable Public Health Solutions

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Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

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The experts agree that it’s important to frame climate change as a public health issue because it brings a sense of urgency to act. “If it isn’t a crisis, if it isn’t something we’re seeing every day on the front page, then you forget about it. And when you forget about it, the funding doesn’t come,” says Patel, whose work focuses on underprivileged communities that need special attention and funding.

Sapkota advocates for the development of early warning systems so that local health departments can anticipate and adapt to impending extreme weather events, directing resources to the most impacted and vulnerable communities. In some cases, moving people out of flood plains and vulnerable coastal areas through eminent domain might be needed.

Lemery believes that doctors are in a prime position to counsel their patients on preventive measures against climate WakeUpNaturally.com

Jessica Schiff, a second-year master of science student at the Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, struggles with eco-anxiety—the depression, anxiety or dread associated with climate change. She says, “It impacts the decisions I make for my life and the future, just trying to think about overall impacts. Where is my food coming from? Do I want to have kids or adopt? Should I live in the suburbs or the city because of transportation and fossil fuel consumption? This all adds a layer of unease or uncertainty about the future. Sometimes I look at Greta [Thunberg] and how far she’s taken things, and feel guilty about not taking things to such an extreme. Is it hypocritical for me to care about climate change but still eat meat occasionally or take a plane to explore the world?”

Schiff deals with eco-anxiety by taking action. “We’re not going to reverse climate change at this point, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t take steps to slow it down or reduce emissions. There are many small things we can each do, like biking or walking instead of taking a car or bus and reducing our use of plastic. It’s a process. You can’t do it overnight, but if you make a lot of small changes, and if everybody makes small changes, that has a bigger effect.”

Roberts acknowledges the power of small, individual actions, but stresses that we should not let the big polluters off the hook. “We need to continue to press for policy changes, holding polluters accountable, passing regulations based on protecting human health and climate, requiring cleaner cars and buildings, and more.

That’s the only way we will get to the scale of change needed to truly bring global warming to a halt.”

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer.

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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healthy kids

Nature to the Rescue Kids Come Alive Outdoors

image courtesy of Meraiko

by Ronica O’Hara

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s Angela Hanscom of Barrington, New Hampshire, watched her preschool daughters at play, she realized that a surprising number of their friends had problems with balance, coordination and muscle weakness, conditions she was attuned to as a pediatric occupational therapist. Teachers told her that compared to past years, young children were falling out of chairs and bumping into each other and walls more often—all evidence of poor proprioceptive skills, the “sixth sense” ability to feel and position the body in space.

Hanscom also realized that almost none of the children played outdoors, which “fascinated and scared” her. Nationwide, even before the lockdowns and online schooling 28

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brought on by the pandemic, the average child spent seven hours per day looking at screens and only seven minutes per day playing freely outdoors. Recent studies show that today’s children have poorer hand grip strength, slower running speeds and lower cardiovascular fitness levels than previous generations. Meanwhile, a growing body of research finds that spending time in nature makes kids happier, healthier and more functional.

Hanscom’s solution was to establish TimberNook, camps in which children from 18 months to 14 years of age are encouraged to explore natural settings in imaginative, largely unstructured, minimally supervised play. Now in its eighth year, 38 TimberNook-affiliated camps are located in the U.S., Canada, the UK and Australia. Hanscom’s book, Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, has garnered more than 300 fivestar reviews on Amazon.com.

“Children thrive physically, mentally and emotionally when they are given frequent outdoor play experiences, especially with other children. When children do not get enough of these opportunities, it comes at a great cost to their development,” she says.

Journalist Richard Louv, author of the seminal Last Child in the Woods, agrees.

“The scientists who study the human senses no longer talk about five senses, they list conservatively nine or 10, and some believe that humans have as many as 30 senses,” he says. “Yet today, children and adults who work and learn in a dominating digital environment expend enormous energy blocking out many of the human senses—including ones we don’t even know we have—to focus narrowly on the screen in front of the eyes. That’s the very definition of being less alive. What parent wants his or her child to be less alive? Who among us wants to be less alive?”

That dawning realization is motivating parents and teachers to find ways to get their children actively involved with nature in ways that open their senses while also moving their bodies. This often means hitting the local trails and nature preserves, sometimes with binoculars, bug jars, bird and plant guides and a

scavenger list in hand. “‘Hiking’ can be a bit of a drag to young children, but ‘exploring’ (while still hiking) helps open their minds to the beauty and wonder of the outdoors,” says Tanya Gray of Woodstock, Georgia, a homeschooling blogger at TwoPineAdventure.com.

To improve kids’ hearing, Lilach Saperstein, an Israeli audiologist who hosts the podcast All About Audiology, asks children to close their eyes and describe only what they hear. “The wind, the rustle of leaves, a running water stream, crickets, birds, their own breathing, the swish of their sleeve or pant—this is a great way to introduce mindfulness, as well.”

To awaken sight, sound and smell, Boston plein air artist Diana Stelin hands kids paper and art supplies out in nature. “Allowing kids to sit with sounds around them and with smells of various seasons makes them truly feel part of our grand universe.

It also allows their minds to quiet down and reset, making them pay more attention to detail, to their inner landscapes and to people around them.”

To engage the sense of taste, Malorie Thompson, editor of TheVeganInsider.com, takes her children foraging for edible plants on treasure hunts on a trail or around their Northern California neighborhood. She says, “Bonus activity: use the foraged food to make a meal afterward!”

Most of all, nature should be both physical and fun. “Point excitedly at the full moon, shout at it and say hello. Pick up leaves and chestnuts and rocks and create beautiful art together. Stop to smell the twigs and flowers and roll on the grass—who can make it faster down the hill? Make sandcastles and animals. Tie colorful ribbons on tree branches. Look for the shapes of animals in the clouds,” says Milana Perepyolkina, of Salt Lake City, who wrote about forest bathing in Gypsy Energy Secrets.

“The only way to get your children to be excited about nature is for you to be excited about nature first,” she notes.

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

Coming Next Month

MAY 2021

WOMEN’S HEALTH ISSUE PLUS

Massage & Bodywork April 2021

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healing ways

Breathe Easy Natural Remedies for Allergy Woes

A

by Ronica O’Hara

s the one in five Americans suffering from allergic rhinitis can miserably testify, the fragrant breezes of spring aren’t much fun when they bring on sneezing, coughing, watery eyes and a runny nose. The fifth-most common chronic disease in the country, allergic rhinitis—also known as hay fever—is aggravated in spring by rising pollen levels, but can occur year-round from exposure to mold, household dust mites, pet dander and vehicular air pollution.

Common remedies like over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants bring their own share of afflictions, including drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision and dizziness. “By undertaking natural therapy for allergies, however, one can avoid and mitigate the unpleasant symptoms of allergies with no need for medication,” says Carrie Lam, M.D., an integrative and functional medicine doctor in Tustin, California. “Instead of loading up on drugs, you can take care of yourself in a more natural way and avoid nasty side effects.” Here are some non-pharmaceutical approaches.

Probiotics: In a 173-person, double-blind study, a probiotic blend of Lactobacillus gasseri KS-13, Bifidobacterum bifidum G9-1 and Bifidobacterium longum MM-2 lowered hay fever symptoms and improved participants’ quality of life during allergy season, report University of Florida researchers in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (Read labels to locate these strains in yogurts, kefirs and supplements.)

laura negrato/AdobeStock.com

Sublingual Immunotherapy: To desensitize the body, small amounts of specific allergens in the form of tablets or liquid drops are placed under the tongue, making it a gentler and safer process than allergy shots. Numerous studies have shown it to be safe and efficient in the treatment of respiratory tract allergies, reports JoAnn Yanez, ND, executive director of the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC). After getting a diagnosis and a first dose from a health practitioner, the tablets or drops can be taken at home.

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Quercetin: Found naturally in apples, berries, red grapes, red onions, red wine and black tea, this antioxidant inhibits the release of histamine and hampers the IgE antibodies formed during allergic reactions. As a 400-milligram (mg) supplement, it takes about a month to kick in.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica): When freeze-dried as an extract or used as a tea, this prickly roadside weed is a nontoxic

natural antihistamine. In one study, 58 percent of participants found that 300 mg per day relieved their symptoms.

Omega-3s: Anti-inflammatory fatty acids found in such foods as tuna, salmon, walnuts and flaxseed oil can help reduce symptoms, research suggests. In a Japanese study, eating fish lowered respiratory symptoms for women, while fast food and sugary drinks worsened respiratory stress.

Nasal Rinse: Using a neti pot with saline solution to rinse allergens out of nasal passages provides quick relief for stuffy, runny, irritated noses. In one study, people using them reported a 64 percent improvement in chronic sinus symptoms and a better quality of life. An ancient Ayurveda technique popularized by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Oz, the pots cost about $20 in pharmacies. Nasal sprays, although easier to use initially, aren’t as effective, studies show.

Unpasteurized Honey: “Local honey contains tiny amounts of pollen from nearby flowers, which can make you less sensitive when you’re exposed to them outdoors,” says chiropractor and nutritionist Josh Axe, Nashville-based author of Ancient Remedies. A Malaysian study of 40 hay fever sufferers found that high doses of local honey, taken along with an antihistamine, reduced sneezing and nasal decongestion more effectively than the antihistamine alone.

Acupuncture: Based on established research, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation recommends acupuncture for hay fever patients that want to avoid pharmaceuticals.

Homeopathy: To stimulate the body’s natural healing process, homeopathy uses highly diluted doses of herbs and other substances. Although it’s best to work with a homeopath, two helpful remedies commonly found in health food stores are Allium cepa 30C, for watery eyes, sneezing and a runny or irritated nose; and Kali bichromicum 30C, for persistent sinus congestion with thick nasal discharge.

Anti-Allergen Cleaning: Simple steps recommended by AANMC to lower airborne allergens include using a highefficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in the vacuum cleaner; replacing AC filters frequently; changing out of clothes and showering when coming in from the outdoors to rinse off pollen; leaving shoes outside; changing the air filter in the car; and avoiding toxic inhalants with synthetic ingredients like perfumes, body sprays, scented candles, room sprays, air fresheners and dryer sheets.

Ronica O’Hara, a natural health writer, can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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green living

Healthy Home

How to Detoxify a Living Space

by Yvette Hammett

A

s the world moves into its second year of a viral pandemic, many of us are still spending most of our time at home—working, exercising, hanging out with family and as with any other year, cooking and cleaning. There’s no better time to take stock of these surroundings and purge them of any toxins—gases, inhalants or fumes—that may be contributing to a harmful environment.

Start with the air. Research shows that indoor air is two to five times more toxic than the air outside, due to inadequate ventilation. This condition, coupled with fumes from synthetic fibers, makeup, paints, cleansers or even a baby’s plastic toys, can contribute to health issues and a less environmentally beneficial abode. A straightforward solution—in addition to getting rid of the pollution-causing objects—is to open the windows and use fans to recirculate the air. A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can safely remove many contaminants, but don’t spritz a commercial air freshener: A University of Washington study found that eight widely used air fresheners released an average of 18 chemicals into the air, some of them hazardous, including the likely human carcinogen acetaldehyde.

tatiana/Pexels.com

Purge plastics. Perfluorinated compounds PFAS and PFOS, known as “forever chemicals”, are found in nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, some cosmetics, and products that resist grease, water and oil. They have been found to cause a wide range of health problems from kidney and testicular cancers to endocrine disruptions. Consider doing a clean sweep of the house to determine which of these can be replaced, paying special attention to plastics. “If you really limit plastics to a few things, you are fine,” says Heather Patisaul, Ph.D., a neuroscience and toxicology expert at North Carolina State University.

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Reconsider kitchenware. Eliminate all nonstick cookware, Patisaul advises. “Use ceramic and other materials that do not have perfluorinated chemicals.”

Debbie Steinbock, a nutrition counselor at Mindful Family Medical, in Boulder, Colorado, suggests replacing plastic storage containers, which can leach chemicals when heated. “Use a cast iron skillet and use glass jars and mason jars for food storage.”

Chuck out toxic cleaners. Many commercial kitchen, bathroom and other cleaning products are loaded with chemicals linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders, hormone disruption

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Drinking water contamination comes from the distribution lines and plumbing fixtures, with lead leaching out from repairs or adjustments. and neurotoxicity. They can be particularly toxic for children: A recent Canadian study found that repeated use of a disinfectant reduced beneficial gut bacteria in toddlers, probably contributing to obesity. A good place to start in cleaning out the cleaners is at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website ewg. org; its Healthy Living Home Guide evaluates the health risks of 2,500 cleaning products. It also advises a simple strategy of using vinegar and water or baking soda.

Get the lead out. Andrew Rooney, deputy director at the National Toxicology Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, sees lead, which causes brain damage and other serious defects, as a major risk present in water supplies and the paint of older homes. “The thing I want to emphasize is there is no safe level of lead exposure, so eliminating exposure sources is the best protection for your health,” he says.

Drinking water contamination comes from the distribution lines and plumbing fixtures, with lead leaching out from repairs or adjustments. “Having your household water tested by a certified lab is the best option to determine if you have water issues,” he says. Consult state and local health agencies for guidance on lead paint or lead in the water lines and how to remove it. Also consider a water filter: ConsumerReports.com has a comprehensive rating of models from pitchers to under-sink setups.

Take it a step further. The new EWG downloadable Healthy Living app makes it easy to use a smartphone to check out 120,000 products for toxic ingredients, including cosmetics and foods. “It has a barcode scanner to scan your favorite lipstick or shampoo, and it will pop up an ingredient list and give it a score,” says Patisaul. The database includes ingredients not found on packaging and scores products on a zero to 10 scale. “It pretty much has to be water to get a zero,” she says.

Yvette Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, Florida.

She can be contacted at YvetteHammettHull49@gmail.com.

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inspiration

Create a Nurturing Nest

by Marlaina Donato

M

kelly sikkema/Unsplash.com

ore than being a roof over our heads, home is where we live, love and heal. This past year, we all have been reminded of the importance of having a refuge; a place that shelters not only our physical beings, but our souls, too.

With ongoing pandemic restrictions, we have more time on our hands, and with this comes a blessed opportunity to catch up with our bliss. Living space should be inspired space.

Creating a haven doesn’t require remodeling the kitchen or buying new furniture, only distilling new joy from the mundane. Adding a luxurious throw to a sofa or putting books to read in a pretty basket by an easy chair invites us to tend to the muchneglected inner life. Putting cut flowers at the bedside or turning a chair toward the sunlight says, “Yes” to life and renewal. Playing uplifting, infectious music on laundry day rouses an element of fun. Practicing easy principles of feng shui—the art of placement—can get previously stagnant energy moving.

Repositioning furniture for optimal flow and creating more open space are simple actions that can lighten heavy thoughts or memories. Home is a harbor of habit, and breaking out of the usual routine can be transformative. Here are some activities to try.

n Reserve an evening every week for an old-fashioned “Sunday supper” by candlelight or have a rainy-day indoor picnic on the floor in the living room.

n Add one item per day for a month to a bag intended for a local thrift store and then follow through by dropping it off.

n Tidy the desk every other day and keep it uncluttered. n Hang new art prints, photos or paintings to set a new mood. Consider bright splashes of color—a set of red cups, a turquoise pillow or sunny yellow bathroom towels.

n Bring the seasons in; hang a garland of faux ivy, roses or autumn leaves over the showerhead. n Buy or adopt low-maintenance indoor plants like philodendrons and snake plants for a spot of lovely green, even in deep winter.

In a world that fosters a “grass is always greener on the other side” mentality, cultivating soul-nourishment is a sure way to turn the humblest space into a castle.

Marlaina Donato is the author of Spiritual Famine in the Age of Plenty: Baby Steps to Bliss.

Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

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Intuitive & Healing Arts Rocking with High-Vibe Crystals at The Healing Collective NY

T

he main focus of The Healing Collective NY is obvious by its name. But its new boutique, especially its crystal collection, is garnering plenty of attention too, says Alyse Shyne, who owns the White Plains business with her husband, Mike.

Ocean Jasper “(Lower) Westchester finally has a crystal shop!” is something they’ve been hearing a lot lately.

“Part of our pandemic pivot was turning what was meant to be our movement studio into a wellness-focused boutique,” Alyse says. “We carry a full line of CBD products, locally made gift items, oracle cards and books, and our most popular items are our carefully curated crystals. Mike and I hand-choose them.

They are ethically sourced, and we even obtain them directly from the miners when possible.”

A certified crystal healer, she says the shop’s recent bestsellers are shungite, a carbon-based stone that blocks electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and 5G; Caribbean calcite, an ocean-and-sandtoned crystal; amethyst of every color (not just purple); Caribbean Calcite and Ocean Jasper—also known as “the stone of joy”—which features earth tones from deep brown to lilac and sky blue.

Alyse shares her knowledge about crystals with visitors to the boutique, which is open for in-person shopping Saturday through Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. Online ordering, curbside pickup and virtual shopping are also available.

Location: The Healing Collective NY, 267 A Central Ave., White Plains, NY. For more info, call 914.236.4325, email alyse@thehealingcollectiveny.com or visit TheHealingCollectiveNY.com. See ad, page 12.

ASTROLOGY Pam Cucinell Phone, online & in person 917.796.6026; InsightOasis.com

ENERGY HEALING Elizabeth Pasquale, CST, NLP Bemer, Cranial, Lymph, NLP At home, office or remotely WellOnTheWay.org; 607.351.7024

Synchronicity Psychics/Crystals Candles/Tarot/Sage 1511 Route 22 Brewster @synchronicityny 845.363.1765 SynchronicityNY.com

PSYCHIC MEDIUM Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique 12 West Main St, Pawling, NY 845.493.0432 AngelAuraBoutique.com

ENERGY MEDICINE Bernadette Bloom, MI Energy Healing & Teacher 239.289.3744 theesotericbloom.com

INTUITIVE ENERGY HEALING The Temperance Center Merrill Black, LCSW Reiki Master/Instructor Light Body Quantum Healings 914.793.2600 TheTemperanceCenter.com

INTUITIVE HEALING White Lotus Grace Intuitive Healing, Readings & Dance Millbrook + Virtual Sanctuary 845.677.3517 whitelotusgrace.com

NATURE & FOREST THERAPY Nature’s Whispers Guided Meditative Walks thru Nature Dutchess/Putnam/Westchester 845.489.7250 MeditativeWalks.com

NEW AGE STORES The Soul Connection Crystals. Jewelry. Books. More 4 Crestview Ave., Cortlandt Manor, NY 914.737.HEAL; soulconnectionshop.com

Celestial Touch Laura Schek, Psychic Medium, Reiki Master 7 Arch St, Pawling, NY 845.244.1767 celestialtouchllc.com

QIGONG In Balance Concepts Qigong. Tai Chi. Meditation 2505 Rt. 6, St. 108, Brewster 845.803.1992 Inbalancetaichi.com

REIKI Anne H. Bentzen, MSOT Jikiden Reiki Teacher/ Practitioner West Harrison, NY 914.588.4079 balancing4life.com Edit Babboni, CHC, RYT 200 Reiki Healing.

Health Coaching. Yoga.

61 Lakeview Drive, Yorktown Heights, NY 917.721.2529 yoga.zengarden@gmail.com

WELLNESS BOUTIQUE The Healing Collective NY 267A Central Ave. White Plains Shop & Heal: 914.236.HEAL thehealingcollectiveny.com

To market your business call 845-593-0065 April 2021

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wise words

Sheryl DeVore on

Appreciating Nature and Wildlife

by Randy Kambic

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s we spend more time outside for pandemic safety to exercise and reduce stress, Sheryl DeVore suggests maximizing these experiences by being more aware of the wonders we see and the need to preserve them.

The award-winning author of five books on science, health and nature also writes for the Birds & Blooms national magazine, the Chicago Tribune and Natural Awakenings Chicago.

With degrees in writing and education from Northwestern University and Northern Illinois University, respectively, plus extensive studies in biology and botany, she assists the Illinois Audubon Society, including writing for and editing a 2019 book on the state’s endangered species.

Is climate change impacting wildlife and nature?

Recent worldwide studies are showing how climate changes affect bird migration times, bloom times of plants and mammal behavior. All of this is interconnected and can harm the environment and the flora and the fauna that live within it. For example, we’re finding that the relationship between healthy oak woods and migratory birds like warblers is being affected by climate change. Warblers time their migrations to pass through regions when oaks are just starting to leaf out. Insects are attracted to the buds and the early leaves, and warblers 36

are attracted to the insects. Once the leaves emerge, chemicals in the oaks deter the insects and there isn’t any food for the warblers. Climate change can cause the oaks to leaf out early, so if warblers arrive on their normal schedule, they’ll find less food and therefore have less energy to make it to their nesting grounds. Plants and animals are trying to adapt in different ways, and this can be a huge issue if climate change continues.

Are there any new trends you’ve noticed in people growing vegetables at home?

Especially during the pandemic, people that have limited space are learning that they can grow their own food at home—growing vegetables and herbs in containers, both indoors and outdoors. Online classes can be helpful in teaching them to grow vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, spinach and peppers, which are great sources for antioxidants and vitamins. This trend coincides with the movement to eat healthier.

Have you seen any changes in how people observe nature during the pandemic?

When I go to forest preserves, parks and nature centers, even in my neighborhood, I have noticed more people, including families with their children, outdoors. Parents can inspire their children anywhere to learn

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

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to appreciate nature. Ask a child what kind of tree is in the yard. Maybe they can take a photo or draw a picture of it to create a memory and inspire them to want to learn more. Ask them, “What’s that bug on that plant?” or, “What is the bird that’s singing?”

There’s so much for them to enjoy.

What can we do to try to protect and preserve the environment?

Sometimes people think they can’t make a difference as individuals. Small things can make a difference—have a ripple effect. People volunteer to return native habitats to their past, remove non-native species, plant new ones. Volunteers are planting and restoring prairies, woodlands. In your own backyard, you can plant native species or create a butterfly garden or capture rainwater in a rain barrel to water your plants, which will conserve resources. There are so many things you can do with the family.

Why should we care about endangered species?

Endangered species serve as canaries in a coal mine. When their numbers decline, that can be a signal that something is going wrong with the environment. When DDT was widely used in the U.S., the bald eagle and other species began to decline. The DDT thinned their egg shells so they weren’t able to raise their young.

They showed us that DDT pollutes and harms the environment, and in turn, humans. By discovering that, by saving eagles, we helped save ourselves.

By protecting endangered species, we truly are saving ourselves. We don’t know what unknown species are out there that might be useful in helping to treat diseases. Anyone who sees an endangered species knows how satisfying an experience this is, and to me, it also translates to a healthier mind and body.

For more information, visit SherylDeVore.wordpress.com.

Randy Kambic, in Estero, Florida, is a freelance editor and writer.

fit body

Eco-Athletes

Working Out with the Planet in Mind

by Marlaina Donato

F

rom human-powered gyms that generate electricity to Earthfriendly activewear, professional and recreational athletes alike are increasingly working out with the planet in mind.

Taking a recycled yoga mat to class, nixing the plastic water bottle and going “plogging”—picking up litter while out for a run—are just a few examples of eco-fitness in motion.

“We believe that movement and nature go hand-in-hand, yet the world of sports isn’t as green as it should be, with plastic bottles at events, junk food in canteens and monotonous movement in the gym,” says Saraï Pannekoek, co-founder of the Sustainable Athlete Foundation, which strives to create a sustainable sports en-

vironment through coaching, workshops and campaigns.

Working Out Green Links between personal fitness and environmental toxicity are critical. Sixty percent of clothing is manufactured with fossil fuel-derived plastics, and activewear rates highest for eco-toxic fibers.

Choosing workout clothes made from sustainable bamboo and cotton can soften the impact. With name brands like Adidas offering sustainable footwear, staying fit doesn’t need to increase the toll on the environment. Pannekoek, who hosts the Sustainable Athlete Podcast with co-founder Paul Venner in Amsterdam, emphasizes personal responsibility.

“We believe that there isn’t a quick fix. It’s all about habits and conscious behavior, while still being able to peak perform.”

Supplementing the usual gym routine with self-powered workouts and outdoor activities like gardening, sustainable charity races and hiking are sound choices that can help to buffer climate change. “Being ecocentric enriches life and enhances health, but while it’s personally gratifying, it also makes you keenly aware of just how far the world is from taking action sufficient to keep climate change in check. We all need to do more,” says Bruce Rayner, founder and chief green officer at Athletes for a Fit Planet, in Portland, Maine, who was enlightened to the problems firsthand at a half-ironman distance race. “When I got April 2021

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be many different looks—from athletes endorsing green products à la solar power, electric vehicles, etc., to athletes speaking out for environmental/climate justice in a similar fashion to WNBA and NBA players on Black Lives Matter.”

Pannekoek concurs, “All small steps taken still go a great distance. Elite athletes are role models. If they would support more conscious brands to influence the youth, we believe that they can make such a difference.”

Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com. to the finish line, I was given my obligatory plastic water bottle. I looked around for a recycling bin, and all I saw was an overflowing trash bin.” Founded in 2008, Rayner’s organization partners with pro-environment races like the TD Beach to Beacon 10K, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, recently named the most sustainable 10-miles-orless race in the country.

Fueling Up, Protecting Natural Resources A pillar of the eco-fitness movement is eating clean and going plant-based for the health of people and planet. “Diet is a big part of being eco-fit. The best action you can take is to support local farms, specifically organic farms,” emphasizes Rayner.

To minimize global greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, eating more nutrition-packed produce, whole grains, legumes and nuts instead of animal products supports sustainability. For Adam Layzell, sports therapist, nutritionist and author of How to Train Your Vegan: The Comprehensive Guide to Plant-Based Fitness, going vegan is a win-win situation. “A vegan diet encourages fat loss, improves endurance and recovery and has plenty of all the necessary components such as protein to build strength and muscle.” Layzell underscores that the vegan diet preserves animals and their ecosystems, prevents deforestation and destruction of wild land and lowers the impact on climate change and global warming.

Athlete Engagement For Lewis Blaustein, managing editor of GreenSportsBlog.com, climate change action and sports are an ideal marriage. He recently launched EcoAthletes.org to encourage sports figures to speak up about global warming. “Nelson Mandela once said, ‘Sport has the power to change the world.’ EcoAthletes aims to show that athletes are the agents of that change and that they, by mobilizing millions if not billions of fans, can do so on climate.” Blaustein sees a surge of climate-concerned athletes leading radical changes. “There will 38

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WHAT WE CAN DO Bruce Rayner: n After pandemic restrictions lift, when signing up for a race, pick one that’s local and carpool with friends.

n Washing polyester clothing means microplastics are in the wastewater, which means they make their way into the environment. Consider getting a filter for your washing machine that catches microplastics.

n Tell race directors that you appreciate their efforts to be more sustainable.

Adam Layzell: n Reuse clothes to lower the carbon footprint and plastic production. Go to the charity shop, borrow, repair and buy second-hand.

n Choose reusable water bottles. n Exercise in nature, a great way to appreciate what we need to be protecting.

n Litter pick when exercising in nature. Have a small backpack and clean up as you run.

Saraï Pannekoek: n Consume intentionally and more mindfully.

Think and act long-term instead of going for quick fixes.

n Change your movements instead of doing simple repetition over and over again.

n Replace sugary snacks with quick,

energizing exercises throughout the day. (We call this “movement snacks”.)

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calendar of events Please call ahead to confirm times and dates. Pre-register early to insure events will have a minimum number to take place. To place a calendar listing, email us before April 12 (for the May issue) and adhere to our guidelines. Email WPCcalendar@naturalawakenings.com for guidelines on how to submit listings.

No phone calls or faxes, please.

Social Security Presentation –4:30-5:30pm. With Judi McAnaw, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones.

Social Security claiming strategies can be complex, yet these decisions play a critical role in overall retirement picture. This virtual seminar helps put it all in perspective. Register: somerslibrary.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 1 Westchester Municipal Sustainability Conference – 9am-12noon. (8:30-9am optional networking). Zoom event. Free. Information/register: sustainablewestchester.org.

Kundalini Yoga and Meditation – 11-12:30pm.

4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29. With Hari Sangat Kaur.

In Person and on Zoom. An inspiring way to start the day. Gain greater clarity and soul awareness. $25/date. Golden Prana, 223 Katonah Ave. Katonah.

Info: 914.984.3408, GoldenPrana.yoga.

Quit with Quinn, Addiction-Free Naturally – 6pm, lasts 30-45 minutes. Quit with Quinn addiction cessation treatments bring remarkable, fast and sustainable results for overcoming all sorts of addictions. Q & A regarding smoking, alcohol, sugar, overeating, weight loss. Free. Details: 914.473.2015; quitwithquinn.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 5 Kundalini Yoga and Meditation – 8:30-9:30am.

4/5,4/12, 4/19 & 4/26. With Priti Satya Kaur. On Zoom only. A gentle way to start the day. Gain greater clarity and soul awareness. $25/date.

Golden Prana, 223 Katonah Ave. Katonah. Info: 914.984.3408, GoldenPrana.yoga.

Native Plants and their Pollinators – 6:30-8pm. (for Adults & Teens 13+). Virtual program with founder of Native Beeology, Timothy J. Stanley.

Learn about New York’s native flowers and their preferred pollinators. Info: nativebeeology.com.

Somers Library. Register: somerslibrary.org.

Gut Health: Our 2nd Brain and 1st Line of Immune Defense – 7-8pm. With Dr. Somesh N. Kaushik, an Ayurvedic and Naturopathic physician. Free online lecture through the Desmond-Fish Public Library, Garrison. Register: 845.424.3020 or desmondfishlibrary.org.

Beekeepers Association Meeting – 7pm. Zoom.

Regardless of level of expertise, the goal of this group is to share apiary experiences and knowledge while mentoring or supporting each other. For non-members, there is a drop-in rate of $15. Info: stonykill.org/programs/beekeepers.

Find Earth Day events in this calendar and also on pages 14-15.

For more info about the Earth Day Network visit EarthDay.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7 Kundalini Yoga and Meditation – 9:30-11am.

4/7, 4/14, 4/21 & 4/28. With Hari Sangat Kaur. In Person and on Zoom. An inspiring way to start the day. Gain greater clarity and soul awareness. $25/ date. Golden Prana, 223 Katonah Ave. Katonah.

Info: 914.984.3408, GoldenPrana.yoga.

THURSDAY, APRIL 8

TUESDAY, APRIL 6 Fable’s “Little Sprouts” Children’s Gardening Program – 11am-12noon. 5 weeks. Tuesdays 4/65/4. (*rain date May 11th. Pre-Schoolers ages 3-5 with an adult. (no infant, toddler or older siblings allowed). $300. Currently on Sale for $250! Rain or shine, Greenhouses available. Fable, Yorktown.

Info/register: FableFoods.com/littlesprouts.

Quit with Quinn, Addiction-Free Naturally – 6pm, lasts 30-45 minutes. Quit with Quinn addiction cessation treatments bring remarkable, fast and sustainable results for overcoming all sorts of addictions. Q & A regarding smoking, alcohol, sugar, overeating, weight loss. Free. Details: 914.473.2015; quitwithquinn.com.

Coming Next Month MAY

Top Women’s Health Concerns Plus: Massage & Bodywork

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Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

WakeUpNaturally.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 10 2021 Beauty, Health and Wellness Expo – 11am4pm (rain date April 11). Browse the latest products and services while supporting local businesses.

Guests must complete a registration form / Covid questionnaire to attend. Free. Dutchess Stadium parking lot. Info: 845.742.2223 or search Facebook “2021 Beauty, Health & Wellness Expo— Dutchess.”

planetwatch

Yoga for Osteoarthritis – 1:30-4:30pm. With Ellen Saltonstall. Learn how to create a yoga and Bodymind Ballwork practice that is safe and effective for the joints commonly affected by arthritis. $45 members/$65 nonmembers in advance. Via Zoom.

Info: Audrey Brooks: 914.582.7816. ytayoga.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 11 Gentle and Restorative Yoga Workshop – 4-5:30pm. Zoom. No yoga experience necessary.

This deeply relaxing and comforting yoga practice is all on the floor in completely supported positions, using blankets and pillows. By donation to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Mount Kisco. Info: karla@LifeEnergyArts.com.

Lunar Sound Bath New Moon in Aries – 4-6pm.

With Hari Sangat. In person only. Special talk on the astrology of the lunar energies. Then relax, release and renew with the healing sounds of the gongs. $30. Golden Prana, 223 Katonah Ave. Katonah.

Info: 914.984.3408, GoldenPrana.yoga.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 Women Take to the Trails – 10-11:30am. 4/14, 4/21 & 4/28. With a Teatown educator. For novices and experienced hikers. Learn more about nature, and bond with fellow female hikers. $5/hike. Members free. 1600 Spring Valley Rd, Ossining. Info: teatown.org/events.

Guided Sound Meditation – 6-7pm. 2nd Wednesdays. Led by Critina Reyes-Schleifer. Participants experience a deep, relaxed physical state and a profound connection with their inner selves. World Peace Sanctuary (in doors), Wassaic. Register: annmarie@worldpeace.org 845.337.2599.

Backyard Wildlife: Vernal Pools – 7-8:30pm.

Online Teatown Program. Vernal pools are important wetland habitats that are easily overlooked.

Investigate their function and the animals that utilize these temporary bodies of water. Tickets are Payas-you-wish. Info: teatown.org/events.

SATURDAY, APRIL 17 Green Ossining’s 10th annual Earth Day Festival – April 17-25, a weeklong celebration of activities, partnerships and offers. Read more on page 14 or visit GreenOssining.org/earth-day-festival/.

Woodland Wildflowers of Early Spring Walk – 11am at the Woodland Trail Trailhead. Ages 16+.

Observe and identify some of the Spring wildflowers that are native to the Hudson Valley. $5 donation.

Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center, Wappingers Falls. Info: stonykill.org.

“Fountain of Youth” Edgar Casey Remedies – 1pm. With Jack Rosen. The workshop will cover Edgar Cayce’s holistic approach to a variety of ailments. Demonstrations, videos, discussion and Q&A period. World Peace Sanctuary (in doors), Wassaic. Register: annmarie@worldpeace.org 845.337.2599.

April 2021

Astrology with Pamela Cucinell Deep Listening

The unexpected occurs on April Fools’; keep alert. Confusion on April 2 clears with meditative moments. Productivity hums on April 3, while care and check-in bring rewards. Hard choices on April 4 increase personal power and indicate a low-key Easter. Network and be open to inspiration on April 5. Attention to relationships and possibilities on April 6 generate results.

A Bold Start

Let your imagination fly on April 7; dreams take shape by evening. Creativity explodes on April 8, which manifests anywhere: kitchen, studio, desk, conversation. Time is worthwhile on April 9 when invested in therapeutic touch or supportive counsel.

Dark of moon April 10 encourages an active purge of old business. The April 11 Aries new moon sets the stage for the right players to pull off your goal; don’t settle for less.

Pause and Pulse

Organize your thoughts April 12 for when application yields concrete manifestation.

Acknowledge where support falls short on April 13, to overcompensate or look elsewhere. Narrow your focus on April 14 to accomplish priorities. This April 15 is auspicious for activities with the right companions. On April 16, pay attention to adjustments required to move forward.

Instead of the quick-reaction temptation, sit with information to yield more on April 17. To soothe the day’s stresses on April 18, savor and enjoy an evening meal.

Spring Fever

Power struggles on April 19 intensify and make choice imperative; sometimes it’s best to walk away. Everything feels uphill on April 20, and a good night’s sleep is the antidote. April 21 crackles and pops with exuberance, but not everything is as it seems. The early bird scores quick on April 22, but a lot can happen throughout the day for those with a to-do list. Profound transformations come through focus and effort on April 23.

Fire Up

Relationships experience bumps on April 24. Stay with the conversation on April 25 and a shift occurs. Soften sharp edges at the Scorpio full moon on April 26. Tremendous passion rises April 27 which is best tempered. Get outside on April 28. Spirits rise on April 29. Contracts made on April 30 are rock solid.

Pamela Cucinell offers a spiritual astrological perspective for the massive changes of our time, as well as guidance through private sessions and podcasts. For more information, contact her at 917.796.6026 or pamela@ insightoasis.com, or visit InsightOasis.com and ActiveSpirituality.Life. See ad page 11.

April 2021

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Nature’s Sound Circle – 4pm.

We join together outside in a circle, to build community and to reconnect with the land and the spirits of the place.

Donations welcome. World Peace Sanctuary, 26 Benton Rd, Wassiac. Register: annmarie@ worldpeace.org 845.337.2599.

THURSDAY, APRIL 29 Keys to Healthy Living – 10:30am. With health and fitness expert Tarsha Gibbons. Learn how to stay on track and survive the summer BBQs, best walking exercises and daily allowance recommendations. Meets last Thursday of the month online through June. Yonkers Public Library.

Info: ypl.evanced.info/signup.

Pascal Guay/Shutterstock.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 25

Woodland Wildflowers of Early Spring Walk. See April 17.

MONDAY, APRIL 26

TUESDAY, APRIL 20 Stop Managing Time, Start Flowing with It – With Kristin ������������������������������������ Prevallet. Westchester Holistic Network, 7-8:30pm. Networking begins 6:30pm. Webinar presentation is free. Pre-registration required: WestchesterHolisticNetwork.org.

Allergies and Asthma: An Ayurvedic Approach – 7-8pm. With Dr. Somesh N. Kaushik, an Ayurvedic and Naturopathic physician. Free online lecture through the Pawling Free Library. Register: 845.855.3444 or pawlingfreelibrary.org.

Lunar Sound Bath Full Moon in Scorpio – 4-6pm. With Hari Sangat. In person only. Special talk on the astrology of the lunar energies. Then relax, release and renew with the healing sounds of the gongs. $30. Golden Prana, 223 Katonah Ave. Katonah.

Information: 914.984.3408, GoldenPrana.yoga.

Accessible Birding: Birdability: because birding is for everybody & every body! – 7-8pm.

Birdability is a non-profit organization focused on removing barriers to access for birders with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, intellectual or developmental disabilities (including autism), mental illness, being Deaf or Hard of Hearing and other health concerns. Info: greenburghnaturecenter.org.

Riverkeeper Sweep from 2018. See May 1.

Quit with Quinn, Addiction-Free Naturally – 6pm, lasts 30-45 minutes. Quit with Quinn addiction cessation treatments bring remarkable, fast and sustainable results for overcoming all sorts of addictions. Q & A regarding smoking, alcohol, sugar, overeating, weight loss. Free. Details: 914.473.2015; quitwithquinn.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 22

FRIDAY, APRIL 30

Quit with Quinn, Addiction-Free Naturally – 6pm, lasts 30-45 minutes. Quit with Quinn addiction cessation treatments bring remarkable, fast and sustainable results for overcoming all sorts of addictions. Q & A regarding smoking, alcohol, sugar, overeating, weight loss. Free. Details: 914.473.2015; quitwithquinn.com.

Indian Point powers down: A historic day for the Hudson – 6-7:15pm. Online. Panel discusses important issues associated with Indian Point powering down and takes questions from the audience.

National Geographic filmmaker Jon Bowermaster will be the emcee and present his 2013 short film, The Long Shadow of Indian Point. Info: riverkeeper. org/news-events/events/.

SATURDAY, APRIL 24 Great Saw Mill River Cleanup – Is happening in 2021. Site announcements and registration will be available in the near future, so stay tuned. Groundwork Hudson Valley. Info: GroundWorkhv.org.

Wisdom Walk Trail at the World Peace Sanctuary. See April 24

Earth Day Walking the Trail Workshops at the World Peace Sanctuary – 10am. Morning Tranquility Walk: This is a wellness walk. Learn different techniques for receiving healing from nature and how to connect to the magic. Suggested donation: $20. 26 Benton Rd, Wassiac. Register: annmarie@ worldpeace.org 845.337.2599.

Lunar Sound Bath Full Moon in Scorpio – 7-9pm.

With Hari Sangat. In person only. Special talk on the astrology of the lunar energies. Then relax, release and renew with the healing sounds of the gongs. $30. Golden Prana, 223 Katonah Ave. Katonah.

Info: 914.984.3408, GoldenPrana.yoga

Big Rock Market’s Farmers & Makers Fair – 11am-4pm. Meet the farmers, crafters and artists that make the Big Rock community so great while picking up locally grown organic seedlings for the garden. 6031 RT 82 Stanfordville. Info: 845.868.3320; BigRockMarketNY.com.

World Peace Prayer Ceremony – 1pm. World Peace Sanctuary. 26 Benton Rd, Wassiac. Register: annmarie@worldpeace.org 845.337.2599.

Afternoon Fairy Walk – 1:30pm. In this workshop, discover ideal locations for fairy houses, place a decorated doorway and then enhance the area around it with nature. Suggested donation: $20, includes materials. World Peace Sanctuary, 26 Benton Rd, Wassiac. Register: annmarie@worldpeace.org 845.337.2599.

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Bird Trivia Night –7-8:30pm. The Greenburgh Nature Center and Hudson River Audubon are partnering up for Bird trivia night. Test bird knowledge in three rounds of ten trivia questions all about birds. Trivia will be run using Kahoot! Info: greenburghnaturecenter.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 1 10th annual Riverkeeper Sweep – An annual day of service for the Hudson River and its tributaries, with shoreline cleanups and tree-planting projects planned. For info or to get involved: Riverkeeper.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 27

SUNDAY, MAY 2

Hawks are headed our way! Eagles, Falcons, Broadwings and more – 7-8pm. With Trudy Battaly and Drew. Explore the dynamic lifestyles of local and migrant raptors then find out about local hawk watches, where you can see migrant hawks in spring and fall. Info: greenburghnaturecenter.org.

Bedford 2030 Earth Day Festival – 2-4pm.

Free, family-friendly event. Shop for plant and garden items while enjoying live music. There will be a plant swap, native pollinator plant packs for sale, kids’ activities and more. Bedford Hills Train Station, 46 Depot Plaza, Bedford Hills. Info: Bedford2030.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 Beneficial Planting & Why Birds Love NY – 7-8pm. The Greenburgh Nature Center invited Tim Mack of Birdscaping Industries Inc. to discuss native planting and bird conservation. Info: greenburghnaturecenter.org.

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

WakeUpNaturally.com

Find more events on: WakeUpNaturally.com

natural awakenings

NETWORK BALANCE FITNESS

YOGA RETREATS

StepWISEnow Strength.Flexibility.Balance Online Classes Available 914.292.0602; Stepwisenow.com

Yoga in the Adirondacks, LLC 2 Coulter Rd, Bakers Mills, NY 518.251.3015;914.556.8258 yogaintheadirondacks.com

FITNESS ESB Basic/Shutterstock.com

Hourglass Women’s Wellness 33 S. Broadway, White Plains HourglassWomenswellness.com 914.831.3800 Peak Wellness Holistic Wellness Coaching 13 Edgewood Dr., Somers, NY 914.301.3393 PeakWellnessNY.com

Yoga Workshop Benefits Boys and Girls Club

K

arla Booth, a certified senior teacher of the Alexander Technique and yoga instructor in Westchester, will kick off a series of fundraisers for the local community with a Gentle and Restorative Yoga Workshop from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on April 11. Proceeds from the Zoom workshop will support the Boys and Girls Club of Mount Kisco, whose Youth of the Year program is a year-round tool for fostering character, personal growth and leadership qualities in young people.

The class is offered by donation, in any amount. As part of the fundraiser, those who take the class will be invited to the online Youth of the Year celebration, where they can hear participants speak about the program and their community service. Donations can also be made to fund the Boys and Girls Club’s general programing.

According to Booth, her Gentle and Restorative Yoga Workshop is designed for everyone—no yoga experience necessary.

“This deeply relaxing and comforting yoga practice is all on the floor in completely supported positions, using blankets and pillows,” she says. “With guidance and direction, you can allow your body to unwind and let go of tension, which frees the breathing and leads to greater ease. No special equipment is needed.” The workshop is hosted by the Life Energy Arts Gallery.

To register, contact Karla Booth at karla@LifeEnergyArts.com or visit LifeEnergyArts.gallery.

Promote your Fitness Business with Natural Awakenings.

Call 845-593-0065 WakeUpNaturally.com 43

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

QIGONG

YOGA STUDIOS BEACON Beacon Yoga Center 464 Main St., Beacon NY 845.440.6452 BeaconYogaCenter.org

CROSS RIVER O2 Living Sanctuary 792 Rt. 35 O2 Living Village 914.763.6320 o2livingsanctuary.com

In Balance Concepts Qigong. Tai Chi. Meditation 2505 Rt. 6, St. 108, Brewster 845.803.1992 Inbalancetaichi.com

DOBBS FERRY Sacred Spirit Yoga & Healing Arts Center 343 Broadway (on campus of South Presbyterian Church) sacredspirityogacenter.org

TAI CHI

KATONAH

StepWISEnow Strength.Flexibility.Balance Online Classes Available 914.292.0602; Stepwisenow.com

Golden Prana Yoga 223 Katonah Avenue 914.984.3408 goldenprana.yoga

TRAUMA-INFORMED YOGA Crossover Yoga Project 420 S. Riverside Ave Box #223 914.319.4010 crossoveryogaproject.org

YOGA ASSOCIATIONS Yoga Society of New York Ananda Ashram Monroe, NY 845.782.5575 anandaashram.org Yoga Teachers Association Workshops 2nd Sat. 1:30 pm Via Zoom until further notice ytacommunications@gmail.com ytayoga.com

WakeUpNaturally.com

MAHOPAC Putnam Yoga 30 Tomahawk Street Baldwin Place 845.494.8118 PutnamYoga.com SOMERS Zen Garden Health Coaching & Yoga Edit Babboni; CHC, RYT 200 61 Lakeview Dr., Yorktown Heights, NY 917.721.2529 yoga.zengarden@gmail.com

VALHALLA YogaShine Kripalu/Meditate/Yoga Therapy 7-11 Legion Drive, 914.769.8745 yogashine.com April 2021

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on going events NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 12th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email WPCcalendar@naturalawakeningsmag.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please.

Ongoing Calendar listings must be resent quarterly for our January, April, July & October editions.

sunday

tuesday

Rhinebeck Farmers’ Market – 10am-2pm. 2021 opening day is May 2. Runs through Dec. Located outside at the municipal parking lot. Info: Rhinebeckfarmersmarket.com

Green Street Radio Conversations on Healthy & Sustainable Living – 10am. With Patti and Doug Wood, produced by Grassroots Environmental Education on WBAI-FM in New York and streaming live around the world at WBAI.org.

GreenStreetRadio.com.

Irvington Farmers Market – 10am-1:30pm. Main Street School parking lot (101 Main St, Irvington.

Info: irvmkt.org.

Beacon Farmers Market – 10am-2pm. Indoor season through April. Outdoor season will start in May. VFW Hall, VFW, 413 Main St. (Outdoor season: May through November, 9 am to 2 pm) Info: BeaconFarmersMarket.org.

Hudson Valley Regional Farmers Market – 10am-2pm. Year-round indoor-outdoor Farmer’s Market. Pet-friendly. Organic produce, Kombucha, plants, wine, organic coffee and more. Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association, 15 Mt. Ebo Rd. South, Brewster. hudsonvalleyfarmersmarket.org.

Afternoon Tea & Meditation – 1pm. With Diane.

Tea, conversation, guided Meditation followed by messages from tarot or oracle decks, good conversation and fun. Walk-ins welcome or by Zoom. $20.

Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique, 12 W Main St, Pawling. 845.493.0432. AngelAuraBoutique.com.

monday Virtual YogaShine for Adults – 9:15-10:45am.

Kripalu-based, gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, developing consciousness, curiosity, and compassion. Individual attention. First class free. Vitalah Simon. Zoom invitation: 914.769.8745, yogashine.com.

Virtual YogaShine for Pre-Teens and Teens – 5-6pm. Gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, Kripalubased, developing consciousness, curiosity, strength, and compassion. Individual attention. First class free. Vitalah Simon. Zoom invitation: 914.769.8745, yogashine.com.

PULSE Call of Hope – 8-8:30pm. With Janet Catalina. Monday evening from PULSE Call of Hope to help participants through the Covid Pandemic and envision an even better future for self and the world. Free. Info: Email catalina.janet@gmail.com.

Rocks with Rhi – 6:30pm. Join Rhianna Mirabello for a half hour lecture on Crystals. The study will change for each week. Free. Facebook Live @dreaminggoddess. Info: 845.473.2206; DreamingGoddess.com.

wednesday Virtual YogaShine for Adults, – 9-10:30am.

Kripalu-based, gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, developing consciousness, curiosity, and compassion. Individual attention. First class free. Vitalah Simon. Zoom invitation: 914.769.8745, yogashine.com.

Midweek Rhi-View – Noon. Live on Facebook. Weekly check-in with Rhianna Mirabello.

Topics range from Manifestation How-To’s, SelfCare Check In’s, or current Astrology to personal musings and current events. Dreaming Goddess.

Info: DreamingGoddess.com.

Winter Market at the Valley –1:30-5:30pm (through-4/7). New indoor Farmers Market inside the Jefferson Valley Mall near the food court. 650 Lee Blvd. Yorktown Heights. Info: Bacebook.com/ TheValleyFarmersMarket.

thursday Virtual YogaShine for Adults – 7-8:30pm.

Kripalu-based, gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, developing consciousness, curiosity, and compassion. Lots of individual attention. First class free. Vitalah Simon.

Zoom invitation: 914.769.8745, yogashine.com.

Post your events on Natural Awakenings’ local website.

It’s FREE. Visit: WakeUpNaturally.com 44

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

WakeUpNaturally.com

friday New Rochelle Farmers Market – 9am-2pm.

Through Nov. 20. Located at Thomas Paine Cottage Museum in New Rochelle. Information: downtoearthmarkets.com.

Virtual Chair YogaShine, Super Gentle, for Senior Adults and Adults with Special Needs/ Health and Recovery concerns – 10-11am.

Gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, Kripalu-based, developing curiosity, flexibility, and compassion. Individual attention. First class free. Vitalah Simon. Zoom invitation: 914.769.8745, yogashine.com.

Gentle Accessible Yoga – 10am. Zoom. Class is geared towards seniors or anyone dealing with limitations or injuries but still want to practice and improve strength. $16/drop in. Hudson River Yoga.

Info: 845.797.0640; hudsonriveryoga.com.

saturday Cold Spring Farmers’ Market – 8:30-1pm. Boscobel, 1601 NY-9D, Garrison. The indoor market.

Info: csfarmmarket.org.

The TaSH Winter Market – 2nd & 4th Saturdays.

9:30-12:30pm, January-April. Outdoors at the Tarrytown Recreation Center Parking Lot. Info: tashfarmersmarket.org.

Hastings Farmer’s Market – 9:30am-1pm. Outdoor winter farmers market with local meat, eggs, produce, fruit, and more. 1st & 3rd Saturdays in the commuter lot across from the Hastings-on-Hudson Metro North station. Info: hastingsfarmersmarket.org.

Pleasantville Farmers Market – 8:30am-1pm.

Metro-North. Pleasantville. Indoors for winter.

Info: pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org.

Mamaroneck Winter Down to Earth Farmers Market – 9-1pm. 1/9/21- 4/17/21. Outside the pavilion in Harbor Island Park. Mamaroneck.

Ossining Winter Down to Earth Farmers Market – 9am-1pm. 01/9/21 - 5/1/21. Parking Lot near the corner of Spring and Main Streets, Ossining. Info/ updates: downtoearthmarkets.com

classifieds Fee for classifieds is $1 per word per month, $25 minimum. To place a listing, email content to Dana-NA@ WakeUpNaturally.com. Deadline is the 12th of the month.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY White Plains – Start your own fitness business. Attention all fitness instructors and personal trainers.

We are seeking instructors and trainers that want to start a business in our large and safe facility. Call for more information: 914.831.3800.

HELP WANTED PART-TIME – If you have a great personality, love working with people and are willing to learn, I have a part time job available in Cortlandt Manor in our crystal shop! Call Shima at 917.279.9577.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT: PT Work from Home.

We are looking to hire a Personal Assistant to the Director of Procurement Services of Northeastern University. We are looking for part time work from home Personal Assistant. It pays $400 per week plus benefits and takes only little of your time. To be considered for this position candidate must be detailed-oriented, a problem solver and is able to work independently, have above-average organizational and troubleshooting skills. Basic computer skills are also essential to this role. Twothree hours access to the internet weekly. Position

Gossett Brothers Farmer’s Market – 9am–1pm.

1202 Rte. 35, South Salem. Info: Gossett Brothers Nursery on Facebook.

Hudson Valley Farmers Market- 10am-3pm. Year round. A one stop shop farmers market with fresh Hudson Valley products. 227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook. Info: GreigFarm.com; 845.758.1234.

will require excellent customer service skills orally and we will train the right person. Please contact us for more details. Must be over 24 years of age. Must be efficient and dedicated. If you are interested and need more information contact: Mi.mcnamara87@ gmail.com for more details. Text: 617.586.2587.

VENDORS FARMERS, GROWERS AND MAKERS wanted for The Market on the River in Verplanck opening Mother’s Day. GatheringLove.org.

VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Stray HELP, a 501c3 cat rescue, needs your skillset: humane trapping, adoption events and marketing among others.

Contact ann@strayhelp.org or call 845.488.5211 for more information.

List Your CLASSIFIED HERE Regional exposure in Westchester, Putnam & Dutchess

Millerton Farmers Market - Winter Season – 2nd & 4th Saturdays. 10-2pm. Millerton Methodist Church, Corner of Dutchess Avenue and Main Street in Millerton. Info: neccmillerton.org/ farmers-market Yoga Teachers Association Workshops – 2nd Sat. Open to teachers and students, members and nonmembers. Via Zoom until further notice.

Info: ytayoga.com. 914.582.7816.

April 2021

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community resource directory

BEHAVIORAL OPTOMETRY

Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email Dana-NA@WakeUpNaturally.com to request our media kit.

ACCOUNTING/TAX SERVICES STERNBACH & ROSE, CPAS 115 E. Stevens Ave, Suite 100 Valhalla, NY 10595 914.940.4449; sandrcpa.com

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE KARLA BOOTH DIAMOND, MAMSAT

Move with ease! The Alexander Technique is an educational method for learning to release patterns of tension that may be causing stress, pain, or poor body usage. Feel lighter and learn to undo compression of the spine and joints.

ACUPUNCTURE SearchLight Medical 2424 Route 52, Hopewell Junction, NY 845.592.4310; SearchLightMedical.com

ASTROLOGY ASTROLOGY INSIGHT

Pamela Cucinell NCGR PAA 917.796.6026; InsightOasis.com Astrology & Tarot with spiritual perspective and a practical twist.

Find your way to flow instead of fight; economy of action leads to a beautiful life. Skype, Zoom and phone. See ad pg 11.

Frustrated with not feeling or looking your best? Let me guide you on your path to better health and well-being. Utilizing: Medical Acupuncture, ONDAMED Biofeedback Therapy, Reiki, Mei Zen Acupuncture for facial rejuvenation, weight loss and fertility. See ad pg 6.

AYURVEDA ADDICTION CESSATION

DR. KAUSHIK’S AYURVEDIC AND NATUROPATHIC CLINIC

QUIT WITH QUINN

Yellow Monkey Village 792 Rte 35 Cross River, NY, and NYC Office: 914.875.9088; Cell: 646.670.6725 Drkaushik.com; drkaushik@drkaushik.com

Quit with Quinn helps people overcome daily addictions and unwanted habits ranging from sugar, smoking, alcohol, weight loss, to overeating and other compulsive habits. All natural, painless, no medications, needles, or hypnosis. 85% success rate. See ad pg 45.

Combination of Ayurveda and Naturopathy is used to create a unique treatment plan to regain and maintain health.

Based on one’s particular body constitution (dosha), a plan may includesupplements, diet/ nutrition suggestions, lifestyle management, detoxification, hydrotherapy, 0zone therapy, Panchakarma. Clinic days: M-F. See ad pg 31.

Briarcliff Manor and Midtown Manhattan Steve.healingny@gmail.com 914.473.2015; QuitWithQuinn.com

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495 Central Park Ave, Suite 301, Scarsdale 914.874.1177; DrSlotnick.com A whole-person, holistic approach to vision care, for all ages.

Specializing in vision therapy and rehabilitation for vision problems which interfere with reading, learning, attention, performance and efficiency. Please visit website for details.

Member: Westchester Holistic Network 153 Main St, Suite J, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 914.649.9565; Awareness-in-Action.com

Our goal is to help people have less anxiety about managing their finances, to maximize their income and run their businesses better. Giving people a stronger financial foundation can absolutely contribute to a better quality of life.

LAURIE R. MALLIS, MD, LAC

SAMANTHA SLOTNICK, OD, FAAO, FCOVD

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

WakeUpNaturally.com

CANDLES CUSTOM CANDLE CO

25 Depot Plaza Bedford Hills NY; 914.218.8357 customcandleco.com Locally made in Bedford.

Hundreds of candles in stock or create your own custom candle. Choose your favorite scent, wax color, wick type and container. All natural soy candles, handcrafted and nontoxic with long-lasting aroma. Shop in stores or on-line. Stores are open 7 days a week.

CBD AAA WELLNESS CBD, LLC

Scarsdale, NY 10583 914.320.9506; liz@AAAWellnessCBD.com aaawellnesscbd.com Take back control of your body, center your mind and lift your spirits today. Adopt alternative approaches to wellness with the most luxurious assortment of CBD infused, clean, cruelty free, non-GMO, beauty, wellness, pain management, and clean vaping merchandise on the market today. See ad pg 31.

CATHY PARLITSIS YOUR CBD STORE®

222 E. Main St., Mt. Kisco, NY 914.276.5409 YourCBDstoreMtKisco.com Your CBD Store® is the largest hemp retailer in the US. All of our products are USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO and ThirdParty Lab Tested. We offer the highest quality hemp products including CBD Tinctures, Topicals and Water Solubles for people and pets.

See ad pg 51.

CBD LIVE NATURAL

A Division of Custom Candle CO. Bedford Hills, NY 914.705.1111; CBDLiveNatural.com Open 7 days a week. We want our customers to feel their best and know that there is a solution to change their quality of life so that they can live naturally without prescription drugs. Products for People and Pets. Please call for more information.

SYNERGY BY SHIRA ADLER™️

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY JOY MATALON LMT, CST Joymatalon.com 914.519.8138 Ossining & Garrison

CranioSacral Therapy with a specialty in Somato Emotional Release and Process Acupressure allows chronic physical, emotional, and spiritual issues to be intimately explored bringing relief from pain and activating a healing process which continues after the session is over.

Bring. Balance. Back.™ ShiraSynergy.com Shira@ShiraSynergy.com; @ShiraSynergy Trusted Since 2011! Modern Alchemy of Cannabinoids and Essential Oils. Infused Aromatherapy, Bliss Butter, and High Mg. tinctures created

by Founder & CEO Shira Adler — internationally vetted CBD Expert, Speaker, Consultant, and Author of “The ABCs of CBD.”

CHIROPRACTIC DR. LEIGH DAMKOHLER, CCSP, LMT 8 Bacon Place, Yonkers, NY 10710 914.523.7947 Chiropractor-WestchesterNY.com

PERSONALIZED treatments designed for YOU by Westchester’s only dually licensed practicing Sports Chiropractor and Massage Therapist. Receive a unique combination of muscle work and adjustments not provided elsewhere. Dr. Leigh can help you move and feel better. Get back to the life you love!

COACHING – EMPOWERMENT JANET CATALINA, MSW,

Certified life coach Member WHN 914.548.8372: pulsemanifestation.com Empower yourself and create what you want in your life. Janet will coach you through this process as well as teach you a powerful technique to help you become a Master Manifester. Please call her to learn more.

BERNADETTE BLOOM

Energy Medicine Practitioner, Teacher, Medical Intuitive, Physical Therapist 239.289.3744; theesotericbloom.com Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Are you exhausted from pain, stress or PTSD? Balance your body’s energies for optimal physical health and emotional well-being with Esoteric Healing, a high vibrational technique from Tibet.

FLOATATION THERAPY RISE ABOVE FLOATATION

DOWSER JEANIE PASQUALE PROFESSIONAL DOWSER

MEMBER: Westchester Holistic Network 845.709.5245 dowsing@househarmony.org HouseHarmony.org Protect yourself from EMFs and other negative energies! A professional dowser can block the negative effects of cell phones, satellite dishes, high-tension wires and more. Moved into a new home?

Want to sell? Have unexplained health issues? Call now!

111 East Main Street Mount Kisco, NY 10549 914.241.1900

A Center For Awareness and Relaxation through Floatation Therapy. Create the ultimate Relaxation Response by removing all stimulation from light, sound, and gravity. Choose from three different float environments to find your perfect experience. Appointments available from 10am to 10pm daily. Free Parking.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE SUSANNE SALTZMAN, MD

ENERGY HEALING ANNE H. BENTZEN

Certified Jikiden Reiki Shihankaku Jikiden Reiki Teacher/Practitioner Custom BACH Flower Essence formulas, Energetic Counseling Locations: West Harrison, Scarsdale balancing4life.com; 914.588.4079 Health requires energetic balance.

Reiki clears stress, reduces pain, inflammation and restores energy flow. Strengthen your immunity.

Relieve anxiety. Depression and insomnia. Learn the original Reiki teachings with Jikiden. Private sessions and small classes.

250 E. Hartsdale Ave. St. 22, Hartsdale, NY 400 Rella Blvd. St. 165, Montebello, NY 914.472.0666; HartsdaleHomeopathy.com Looking for a physician with 25 years of clinical practice using natural remedies? Expertise in treating acute and chronic illness in children and adults. Emphasis on homeopathic and functional medicine to decrease dependency on pharmaceutical drugs. If you want experienced, competent, compassionate, and exceptional care.

HAIR SALON FRESH ORGANIC SALON SOLUTIONS Hair care, Skincare & Make up 190 Rt 117 By Pass, Bedford, NY 914.242.1928; FreshOrganicSalon.com

A healthy approach to beauty and wellness led by Maureen Toohey, Regional Educator for Organic Salon Systems. The fresh team is committed to making your experience fully complete and satisfying, organically. Receive a gift valued at $75 with your 1st color appointment, when you mention Natural Awakenings. See ad pg 29.

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HOMEOPATHY

HEALING CENTER UNIVERSAL HEALING ARTS CONNECTION

SUSANNE SALTZMAN, MD

Healing. That’s what happens here. A healing community within a spiritual space that offers zoom classes as well as in person events for Reiki certification for adults and children, Reiki healing, yoga, exercise classes, massage therapy, holistic weight loss, crystal classes, women’s groups and ongoing mini lectures on a myriad of metaphysical subjects.

There is also a metaphysical shop open to the public with a variety of crystals, sage, jewelry and so much more. You can also shop at our E-Commerce store.

Enlighten your mind, heal your body and nourish your soul.

Looking for a physician with 25 years of clinical practice using natural remedies? Expertise in treating acute and chronic illness in children and adults. Emphasis on homeopathic and functional medicine to decrease dependency on pharmaceutical drugs. If you want experienced, competent, compassionate, and exceptional care.

Shima Chayvet CEH, MRM, CHHS, CCP 4 Crestview Avenue, Cortlandt Manor, NY 914.737.HEAL; universalhealingarts.com

HERBAL MEDICINE LORRAINE HUGHES

Registered Herbalist (AHG) 263 New Hackensack Road, 2nd Floor Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 lorrainehughes54@gmail.com EmpoweredbyNature.net; 845.416.4598 Lorraine offers Individual Wellness Consultations based on the Chinese Herbal Medicine Paradigm which provides a preventative and individual approach to balanced health. Each “unique” individual protocol will include Chinese, Western, Ayurvedic Herbal remedies and Nutritional planning.

HOLISTIC DENTIST DAVID L LERNER, DDS, CAC, FIND Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914.214.9678; holisticdentist.com

We offer a unique approach to the health care of the mouth based on a holistic understanding of the whole body. I invite you to explore our web site to learn how we can serve your needs.

See ad pg 3.

250 E. Hartsdale Ave. St. 22, Hartsdale, NY 400 Rella Blvd. St. 165, Montebello, NY 914.472.0666; HartsdaleHomeopathy.com

MASSAGE & BODYWORK SOULAURAS WELLNESS CENTER

Laura Giacovas,LMT, MS Ed., 4th Dan Master Instructor Taekwondo Briarcliff NY 914.941.2400, soulauras.com Our mission is to enhance wellness and quality of life through Therapeutic Massage and Integrated Holistic Healing.

We are committed to providing an inspired, nurturing environment from which wellness and harmony can be realized.

MATTRESSES HYPNOTHERAPY

DAVIS FURNITURE

LISA BLEASDALE, C.HT

Open Mon-Sat. 10-6 2264 South Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY 845.204.9090; DavisFurnitureOnline.com

Willpower often falls short.

Hypnotherapy taps into the power of the subconscious mind to transform your life by creating positive changes. Lisa helps individuals with stress reduction, addiction, weight loss, smoking cessation, procrastination, overcoming fears, phobias, anxiety, grief, and divorce.

Do you want a healthier night’s sleep? Visit locally owned Davis Furniture and see their full line of all natural American-made mattresses. For over 90 years they have been giving their customers more, and charging them less. And they’ve once again been voted the best furniture store in the Hudson Valley. See ad pg 6.

Certified Hypnotherapist Somers, Ny 914.400.9508; lisableasdale.com

INCONTINENCE ADVANCED REJUVENATION CENTERS Liviu B. Saimovici, MD 3020 Westchester Ave., Ste. 306 Purchase, NY; 914.500.9594 AdvancedRejuvenationCenters.com

Emsella is a revolutionary non-surgical treatment that improves incontinence.

Patients sit, fully clothed, on the Emsella chair, nicknamed “Kegel-throne” can stimulate the pelvic floor with electromagnetic energy. One treatment can stimulate the equivalent of 11,000 Kegels. The Kegels can strengthen the muscles that control urinary retention.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA LYNN PARODNECK M.D.

Certified Medical Marijuana Practitioner 914.525.6536; DrParodneck@gmail.com DrLynnParodneck.com Evaluations and Consultations; D r. P a r o d n e c k w o r k s i n compliance with the New York State Compassionate Care Act. She is one of the leading medical marijuana clinicians in New York, with numerous referring specialists and an extensive professional network in the cannabis industry. See ad pg 11.

Post a free Business Listing on Natural Awakenings’ website.

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NATURE & FOREST THERAPY NATURE’S WHISPERS

Guided Meditative Walks thru Nature Dutchess/Putnam/Westchester 845.489.7250; MeditativeWalks.com Teaching people how to connect with nature through Walking the Trail Workshops – Wisdom Walks and Forest Bathing. Once a person becomes one with nature; plants, animals and magical creatures respond by giving answers to one’s questions and by providing healing.

NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR DR. KAUSHIK’S AYURVEDIC AND NATUROPATHIC CLINIC

Yellow Monkey Village 792 Rte 35 Cross River, NY, and NYC Office: 914.875.9088; Cell: 646.670.6725 Drkaushik.com; drkaushik@drkaushik.com Combination of Ayurveda and Naturopathy is used to create a unique treatment plan to regain and maintain health. Based on one’s particular body constitution (dosha), a plan may include supplements, diet/nutrition suggestions, lifestyle management, detoxification, hydrotherapy, 0zone therapy, Panchakarma. Clinic days: Monday-Friday. See ad pg 31.

PET RESCUE/ADOPTION STRAY HELP

PO Box 245, Fishkill, NY 12524 845.232.0336, strayhelp.org Stray HELP: a registered not-for-profit managed by volunteers. Our mission: rescue and care for stray and homeless animals while providing humane education to the community.

Our vital community programs: Trap/Neuter/Return, Spay clinics, adoption and working cat program, colony caretaker support.

KATONAH PODIATRY, PC

Pamela Hoffman, DPM Glenn B. Weiss, DPM 200 Katonah Ave., Katonah, NY 914.232.8880; Katonahpodiatry.com Foot care for people of all ages.

Board certified holistic podiatrists who use a comprehensive, integrative approach. Customized treatments utilizing the best of today’s technology combined with nutrition and 30 years of experience.

LORRAINE HUGHES

NUSPECIES

Nuspecies.com 866.624.4117 Westchester. Long Island.

Brooklyn. Jamaica, Caribbean NuSpecies Health Centers provide free health consultations with certified nutritionists/life coaches. We make custom recommendations of our Raw, Organic, Liquid, Natural nutritional formulas and then work with our clients until they achieve their health goals. See ad pg 5.

YOGA IN THE ADIRONDACKS

2 Coulter Road, Bakers Mills, NY 12811 518.251.3015; 914.556.8258 yogaintheadirondacks.com Yoga in the Adirondacks is nestled in the valley of the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, where yoga embraces nature. Connect your mind, body and spirit and explore your retreat with like-minded people to build a happier and healthier life. Studio available for your yoga/wellness private group as well.

PODIATRY

REFLEXOLOGY NUTRITION

RETREATS

ARCB Certified Reflexologist 263 New Hackensack Road, 2nd Floor Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 lorrainehughes54@gmail.com EmpoweredbyNature.net; 845.416.4598 Foot and/or Hand Reflexology sessions are offered with the use of Essential Oils applied to acupuncture points based upon each individual’s presenting pattern. Please refer to Services page on web site for the many benefits of this ancient modality.

SLEEP DISORDER DAVID L LERNER, DDS, CAC, FIND Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914.214.9678 holisticdentist.com

We offer a unique approach to the health care of the mouth based on a holistic understanding of the whole body. I invite you to explore our web site to learn how we can serve your needs. See ad pg 3.

MAY

Coming Next Month

Women’s Top Health Concerns Plus: Massage & Bodywork

REIKI REIKI CLASSES

Cynthia M Chase, LCSW, Reiki Master 860.395.0284; cynthiachase.com cynthiamchase@gmail.com Manifest yourself as a healer; fulfill your life’s purpose! Cynthia offers personalized classes leading to Reiki levels I, II and Master level. Go to patreon.com/ cynthiamchase for details.

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TAROT THERAPY

SPA

WEIGHT LOSS

BALANCE DAY SPA

AMY KOWAL

QUIT WITH QUINN

As Westchester County’s ONLY certified green spa, Balance Day Spa has been in business since 2010. We specialize in all aspects of esthetics, including: facials, peels, waxing, tinting, bronzing, aromatherapy, energy healing and makeup. All organic, all the time.

Tarot readings offer insight on soul development, provide spiritual guidance, present alternatives, and provide clarity to confusing situations. Available readings include: Relationships, Career, Monthly and Yearly Forecasts, Past Life, Twinflames, Starseed, and Soul’s Purpose – all readings incorporate energy healing.

Quit with Quinn helps people lose weight by overcoming addiction to sugar and white flour, and compulsive overeating. After treatment, most people experience indifference towards refined sugar, sweets and treats, leading to easy weight loss.

30 years experience. 85% success rate. See ad pg 45.

Westchester’s ONLY Certified Green Spa 280 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 310, White Plains, NY 914.358.9898; balance-dayspa.com

Tarot Therapy Remote via Email 646.932.2240; RevivaBody.com

TOBY TOTALLY LLC

SPIRITUAL CENTER CHAPEL AT CROTON FALLS Rev. June Tompkins, Pastor 609 Rt. 22, Croton Falls, NY chapelatcrotonfalls.org

Join a unique monthly Interfaith Sunday at the Chapel at Croton Falls at 10:30am – Enjoy prayer, music, movement and dialogue. Check our FB page for information on upcoming programs or e-mail Rev. June Tompkins at jtgleneidashore1@ verizon.net.

Addiction-Free Naturally Briarcliff Manor and Midtown Manhattan Steve.healingny@gmail.com 914.473.2015; QuitWithQuinn.com

TMJ DISORDER DAVID L LERNER, DDS, CAC, FIND Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914.214.9678 holisticdentist.com

We offer a unique approach to the health care of the mouth based on a holistic understanding of the whole body. I invite you to explore our web site to learn how we can serve your needs.

See ad pg 3.

White Plains, NY 914.328.7777 Tobytotally.com

Weight-loss and wellness using acupressure points and clean food. No special surgery. No pills.

Toby utilizes acupressure points to control hunger and strengthen the digestive system. Most clients lose 5%-10% of their weight in the first ten days.

WELLNESS CENTER SOULAURAS HOLISTIC WISDOM & WELLNESS CENTER

VETERINARY HOSPITAL

SUPPORT GROUP SUPPORT CONNECTION

Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Services 914.962.6402; 800.532.4290 Supportconnection.org Support Connection provides free support services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Services include: One-onone counseling (counselors are also cancer survivors); Support groups; Educational and wellness programs; Webinars; Social gatherings; Referrals; A national toll-free information and support hotline.

See ad pg 45.

EARTH ANGELS VETERINARY HOSPITAL 44 Saint Nicholas Rd., Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 845.227.P-A-W-S (7297) Earthangelsvet.com

Where East meets West with compassionate care for a holistic approach to your pet’s health.

Offering a wide range of services/ products including wellness exams, nutritional support, alternative cancer therapies, surgery, dentals, acupuncture, CBD products, pet boarding and more on our beautiful 9-acre facility.

510 N. State Rd., Briarcliff, NY Soulauras.com

The practitioners of Soulauras are committed to providing an inspired, nurturing environment from which wellness and harmony can be realized. Services: Therapeutic Massage, Bodywork, Auricular Acupressure and Integrated Holistic Healing Services, Yoga, Reiki, Reflexology and Chakra Balancing.

WELLNESS SPA PEAK WELLNESS

13 Edgewood Drive, Somers NY 914.301.3393, PeakwellnessNY.com PeakwellnessNY@gmail.com Cutting-edge Technologies, Holistic Health Practices, and Energy Medicine are utilized to Supercharge your Immunity, Vitality & Wellbeing with minimal effort and maximum results. Appropriate for all ages and lifestyles.

Look, Feel and Be your Best from the inside out!

See ad pg 39.

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GROW Your Business Contact us for special ad rates.

845-593-0065

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