Natural Awakenings – Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess NY Edition February 2020 by Natural Awakenings Westchester Putnam Dutchess Edition

EE R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

SACRED VESSELS The Lifeblood

of Heart Health

Linda Carroll on

LOVE SKILLS Healing Pain Without Surgery Breakthroughs in Regenerative Medicine

February 2020 | Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition | WakeUpNaturally.com February 2020

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

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February 2020

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

WESTCHESTER/ PUTNAM/ DUTCHESS EDITION Publishers Dana Boulanger Marilee Burrell Editors Allison Gorman Jacqueline Wright Dawne Clark Marilee Burrell Design & Production Kathleen Fellows Patrick Floresca Marilee Burrell Sales & Marketing Dana Boulanger

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To love and good health!

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t’s February, and many of us have love on our minds. So this month, in addition to Valentine’s Day, we at Natural Awakenings turn our attention to the heart, which makes living—and loving—possible. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in the United States. Our body’s vast network Dana Boulanger Marilee Burrell of veins, arteries and capillaries can become brittle and clogged over time, leading to heart attacks, strokes, vision loss and cognitive decline. The good news is that 85 percent of CVD is attributed to lifestyle, which means that there’s plenty we can do to protect ourselves. We all know the main recommendations for heart health: eat more plants, stress less and move more. But sometimes we need motivation to do those things. Learning your risk for CVD is important, because test numbers can motivate you to make the sometimes-drastic lifestyle changes needed to add healthy years, or even decades, to your life. Please read “Sacred Vessels: The Lifeblood of Heart Health,” page 24, for the latest information and what to do. It turns out that aerobic exercise is one of the best ways to keep the body’s thousands of miles of blood vessels supple. Aerobic exercise produces nitric oxide, and nitric oxides make arteries flexible. That’s reason enough to get or keep the workouts going. Read more in “Vital Steps: The Path to Vascular Fitness,” page 40. My recommendation is to make healthy lifestyle changes slowly, incorporating them one at a time. And be realistic. It takes a while for a change to become a habit. I sit at a desk a lot, so when I decided to be less sedentary, my first new habit was rebounding (using a mini-trampoline) first thing in the morning. Once that became routine, I added an afternoon walk and then some yoga and hand weights at night. Now that I’ve joined a gym, my goal is to go there three times a week for more sustained aerobic workouts. That’s not a habit yet, but it will be! Parents can instill good habits in their kids to keep them healthy as they grow. Experts say children should be physically active at least 60 minutes a day and eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables and fish (such as wild salmon, not fast food) and low in processed junk. For more parenting tips, read “Good Hearts Start Young: Boosting Kids’ Cardiovascular Health,” page 34. It did my heart good to read Scarlett Lewis’s article, “How to Cope with Fearful Times.” After Scarlett’s young son Jesse lost his life in the Sandy Hook shooting, she founded a nonprofit, the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, to ensure that every child has access to social and emotional education and support. Scarlett is proof that we can choose a thoughtful, life-affirming response to any situation, and she has created a movement around this truth. Simply put, our minds can think only one thought at a time, and by choosing to think love, we crowd out fear and anxiety in that moment. By modeling this behavior, Scarlett says, we teach it to our youngsters and take back our power to live lives full of love-filled moments. Don’t miss her transformative article, page 36.

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Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 26 25 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Contents 20 A FEAST FOR

ALL SEASONS

Embracing the Rainbow Year Round

24 SACRED VESSELS The Lifeblood of Heart Health

28 A HEALTHY HEART WITH AYURVEDA

It’s All About Balance

30 HEALING JOINTS FROM WITHIN

The Promise of Regenerative Medicine

32 DISRUPTING DISPOSABLES The Drive to Banish Single-Use Plastics

34 GOOD HEARTS START YOUNG

Boosting Kids’ Cardiovascular Health

36 CHOOSING LOVE

How to Cope With Fearful Times

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. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Marilee@ WakeUpNaturally.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: WPCcalendar@Natural AwakeningsMag.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.

38 LINDA CARROLL

on Skills That Make Love Last

40 VITAL STEPS

The Path to Vascular Fitness

42 TRAILS LEAD TO LOVE DEPARTMENTS 8 news briefs 16 health briefs 17 eco tip 18 global briefs 20 conscious eating

30 healing ways 32 green living

34 healthy kids 36 inspiration 38 wise words 40 fit body 42 local fitness 44 calendar 46 planet watch 49 classifieds 50 resource guide February 2020

news briefs

Breast Thermography Appointments Available February 6 in Mount Kisco

achel Mazzarelli, owner of Whole Healthy Thermography, is now scheduling appointments for breast digital infrared thermal imaging Rachel Mazzarelli (DITI) at Elite Performance Physical Therapy of Westchester, PC, in Mount Kisco, on February 6. DITI is noninvasive and, unlike mammography, compression and radiation free. According to Mazzarelli, DITI detects the subtle physiologic changes that accompany breast pathology, offering women the chance to become aware of those changes before there is a diagnosable cancer. It can detect breast disease seven to ten years earlier than breast self-examination, doctor examination or mammography alone, she says. Regular DITI scans are often incorporated into a woman’s health regimen as a way to establish her unique “thermal fingerprint,” which can serve as a baseline against which future scans can be measured. In order to establish a baseline, it is recommended that a woman have two scans within three months the first year. If the thermal pattern is similar for both scans, a yearly follow-up is considered adequate. Thermography, including DITI, is 90 percent accurate, according to Mazzarelli, who adds that all women can benefit from testing, particularly those aged 30 to 50 with dense breast tissue, those who are overweight, and those with fibrocystic breasts or breast implants. Approximately a third of all breast cancers occur in women under 45, an age at which mammography is generally not recommended. Location: Elite Performance Physical Therapy of Westchester, PC, 175 E. Main St., Ste. 204, Mt. Kisco, NY (ElitePTandPilates. com). For appointments or more info, call Rachel Mazzarelli at 203.257.3785 or visit WholeHealthThermography.com. 8

Green Street Radio Tuesday Mornings on WBAI

reen Street Radio, the environmental health show hosted by Patti and Doug Wood, can now be heard Tuesdays at 10 a.m. on WBAI-FM in New York and streaming live worldwide at wbai.org. The show is produced by Grassroots Environmental Education, a nonprofit with a mission to educate the public about the links between common environmental exposures and human health. Every week the Woods and their network of scientific experts and advocates discuss the news of the week and then talk about a particular issue in depth. They cover a variety of issues that can impact people’s Doug and Patti Wood health, from fracking to flame retardants, wireless radiation to synthetic turf, pesticides to plastic. If it’s in the air we breathe, the water we drink or the food we eat, chances are it will be a focus of discussion on Green Street. Patti Wood is a visiting scholar at Adelphi University, where she lectures on the environment and related health issues in the School of Nursing and serves in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is the recipient of the 2016 Children’s Environmental Health Excellence Award from the Environmental Protection Agency. Doug Wood is a filmmaker, author, composer and political strategist. He is the producer of numerous films on environmental issues and serves on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. For more info, and to listen to episodes that have previously aired, visit GreenStreetRadio.com.

Herbal Teas for Wellness Workshop

weet Earth Co., a sustainable, biodynamic and organic flower farm and design studio in Pound Ridge, will host an Herbal Teas for Wellness workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. on February 27. Participants will learn about the healing energetics of herbs, sample herbal teas and create their own tea blend. Topics will include the history of herbalism; using taste as a tool to understand herbal energetics; herbal measurements; harvesting, drying and storing herbs; herbal tisanes and infusions; and herbal blends. Artisan Tea at Sweet Earth Co. Sweet Earth Co. grows specialty cut flowers and herbs and offers floral and landscape design services. In addition to designing flowers for weddings, events and businesses, Sweet Earth has a seasonal flower CSA and sells wholesale to local markets and floral designers. Owner Xenia D’Ambrosi offers workshops and educational events throughout the year, teaching sustainable gardening and floral design. “Being around flowers and connecting with nature have the power to bring joy, inspiration and healing. That’s why we do what we do, and we love it,” D’Ambrosi says. “Having our hands in the soil, cultivating blooms, makes us truly happy. We enjoy every magical step, from seed to vase or centerpiece. But watching how our flowers light up people’s faces—well, that’s the real magic. We use sustainable and biodynamic practices to grow the most beautiful flowers and herbs, as well as botanical teas and products that help soothe, cleanse and invigorate.” Cost: $45. Location: Sweet Earth Co., 20A Salem Rd., Pound Ridge, NY. For tickets and info, visit SweetEarthCo.com.

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February 2020

news briefs

Certified Public Accountant Is Economical Choice at Tax Time

Margaret Rizzuto

Midlife Empowerment Coach Offers Vision Board Workshop

argaret Rizzuto, a certified Midlife Empowerment Coach for women, will lead a Vision Board Workshop on February 19 in Carmel. “Vision boards are a creative, visual representation of goals and desires,” she says. “It’s the Law of Attraction at work.” As the owner of Margaret Rizzuto Empowerment Coaching, she offers Vision Board Workshops on an ongoing basis, as well as workshops in Cultivating Gratitude and in Mindfulness Through the Ages. These events are designed for women at midlife who are “ready for a change, ready to reinvent themselves, to inspire and be inspired,” she says. “My clients are retired and typically empty nesters, with a lifetime of skills to use in a new way, such as starting a new business. They want to be seen and heard.” Part of Rizzuto’s mission is to help women redefine what it means to be “of a certain age.” She encourages, empowers and supports them in following their dreams, holding strong in the belief that “we are never too old to start something new.” She will also be part of Kacey Morabito Grean’s Leap Weekend: Unlock Your Potential, which will take place at the Mariandale Retreat Center, in Ossining, February 28 through March 1. For more info, visit MargaretRizzuto.com.

ost Americans dread tax time, and with the new tax laws that went into effect in 2018, more are hiring tax professionals to help them with their returns, says Ellen Rose of Sternbach & Rose CPAs, a women-owned full-service accounting firm in Valhalla. “A tax professional can determine if you are under withholding,” Rose says. “They can also help with planning throughout the year, not just at tax time. When you have a Ellen Rose & Felecia Sternbach, founders financial decision to make, their advice can be invaluable.” People whose tax situation is relatively simple might be tempted to use a commercial franchise preparer, but these services may only be sufficient for taxpayers who don’t itemize their deductions or who have no other income except their paycheck, she adds. “Anything more complicated than that may end up costing you more at these franchise preparers than a certified public accountant,” she says. “Because these preparers are given a quick course in tax preparation and are much less knowledgeable of the tax code, they may miss deductions, and that could end up costing you more in taxes. A CPA generally charges an hourly rate or a flat fee, which may be cheaper than the franchise.” Location: Sternbach & Rose CPAs, 115 E. Stevens Ave., Ste. 100, Valhalla, NY. For more info or a free first-time consultation, call 914.940.4449, email info@sandrcpa.com or visit SandRcpa.com.

New Yoga Studio in Poughkeepsie Offers Specialty Workshops

ild Oak Barre & Yoga, which recently opened in Poughkeepsie, offers a wide variety of classes, including unique workshops focused on specialized areas of yoga. Case in point is Elizabeth Cornetta’s February 22 workshop for kids, designed to help them manage anxiety and stress with breathing, meditation and yoga techniques. “This workshop runs from 1 to 3 p.m., so it gives kids a little bit more time to practice than a typical 60-minute class,” says Wild Oak’s Wild Oak Barre & Yoga studio owner and founder, Tori DiMarzo. “This is important because it gives kids a chance to get introduced to yoga in a fun and creative way. It gives them tools they can use not just on their mats and in their yoga postures, but in everyday life to help manage anxiety and stress that they may face at some point in time.” Advance registration is required, and at least five signups are needed to run the class. Among the many yoga and barre classes Wild Oak offers are a family yoga class on Thursday mornings (more class times are planned for the future), and workshops focused on specific aspects of yoga, such as restorative poses and the use of essential oils and crystals. “We also do a lot of charity classes,” DiMarzo says. “Giving back to the community is one of our most important values as a studio. Yoga is community and relationship.” Location: Wild Oak Barre & Yoga, 1820 New Hackensack Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY. For more info, call 845.661.5343, email tori@wildoakyoga.com or visit WildOakYoga.com.

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Green Way Market Opens in Cross River with Monthly Wellness Events

reen Way Market, which recently opened in Cross River, is hosting free monthly health and wellness events with Jaqueline Gomes, a registered dietitian nutritionist with more than 12 years’ experience as a supermarket dietitian. The events will feature recipe demonstrations and tastings, nutritional store tours and seminars, with Gomes making herself available to answer customers’ nutritionJaqueline Gomes related questions. “I provide consumers with valid, timely, science-based information on leading a healthy life, preventing and managing disease while enjoying their favorite foods,” Gomes says. “Green Way Markets offer a wide assortment of products to meet the health and wellness needs of our consumers, including natural, organic and gluten-free items.” The new Green Way Market is owned by brothers John, Bill and Robin Estevez, whose family-owned business—begun 48 years ago by their father, Morel—manages 10 Foodtown stores in New York and New Jersey. “We bought the Green Way brand with our Allegiance Co-op a few years ago at the A&P auction,” Robin says. “With Green Way we plan and hope to serve community members well as they deserve. They will enjoy a fully remodeled, well-stocked, warm and inviting store that they will be proud of.” The three Estevez brothers literally grew up in the grocery store business, Robin says—sweeping floors, stocking shelves, manning the register and unloading trucks. “It was hands on all the time,” he says. “Dad taught us by doing and letting us have a go at it. He ingrained in us to do our best, rise to the occasion, take chances, be honest, not only work hard but also work smart, and most of all be a great neighbor by following the golden rule and doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. Looking back on it puts a smile on my face, as I think about all the families we’ve served throughout the years.” Location: Green Way Market, 20 N. Salem Rd., Cross River, NY. For more info and to follow Gomes’s blog, visit GreenwayMarkets.com.

February 2020

news briefs

Purple Lotus Zen Celebrates Two Years in Yonkers

n February 22, Purple Lotus Zen (PLZ) will celebrate its second anniversary of providing intuitive psychic card readings, Michelle B. Whitney energy clearing, crystal therapy, chakra balancing, dream interpretation and Reiki in Yonkers. “PLZ aims to assist all individuals on their journey to enlightenment by offering affordable services focused on spiritual guidance and on healing and wellness of the mind, body and soul,” says founder and owner Michelle B. Whitney. Ongoing programs include a Reiki meditation circle Mondays at 1 p.m. and women’s healing circle Thursdays at 1 p.m. at On Your Toes Dance Studio, in Yonkers, and Tarot & Tea Tuesdays at 11 a.m. at PLZ’s Yonkers studio. “Our Reiki meditation and women’s healing circles are interactive classes that include a breathing exercise, visual meditation and guided instruction of hand placements for self-treatment, bringing the healing of universal life force energy to combat past or present issues that place disease on an individual,” Whitney says. “Tarot & Tea assists in connecting inner wisdom, higher self and spirit guides for support, guidance and awareness of an individual’s past, present or future circumstances relevant to their life journey.” Registration is required for weekly programs. Discounts are available for senior citizens and U.S. military veterans. Locations: Purple Lotus Zen, 45 Cricklewood N., Yonkers, NY; On Your Toes Dance Studio, 68 S. Devoe Ave., Yonkers, NY. For more info, call 914.513.8398; email purplelotuszen@yahoo.com; or find Purple Lotus Zen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube.

Jikiden Reiki 1 Shoden Certificate Class in Larchmont

estchester energy healer Anne Bentzen, owner of Balancing 4 Life, will offer a Jikiden Reiki 1 Shoden Certificate Class in Larchmont on February 8 and 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. She says the Japanese therapy is a drug-free way to relieve stress, pain, inflammation and anxiety; boost immunity; improve sleep; and improve overall balance for better health. Working with subtle energies, Bentzen helps her clients rebalance and achieve conscious healing three ways: by channeling life force energy with Reiki, providing custom flower essence blends to address specific mental/ emotional blocks, and using crystals to rebalance and realign the energetic pathways. “Subtle energies are immensely powerful but gentle in bringing unconscious emotions to the surface for healing,” she says. “We cannot heal what we are not conscious of. Under the guidance of a skilled practitioner, these subtle energies can be tremendously helpful in releasing trauma and relieving pain, inflammation and stress, which are the primary causes of most disease.” Her flower essences were developed by physician and homeopath Dr. Edward Bach in England in the 1930s to restore the alignment between the personality and the soul. She uses crystals both to enhance her Reiki healing sessions and as a separate therapy. She designs crystalline grids for the home or office, using the power of geometry and energetically aligned stones to shift the environment and manifest a particular objective. Cost: $350. Location: Chatsworth Avenue, Larchmont, NY. To register or for more information, call 914.588.4079 or visit Balancing4Life.com.

Special Incentives to Show Love for the Trails in February

he New York–New Jersey Trail Conference is celebrating Valentine’s Day by asking trail lovers to keep the mountains close to their heart with an exclusive, limited-edition T-shirt—a gift to anyone who becomes a Trail Conference member in February. Also, an anonymous couple who love each other and the trails will match February donations to the Trail Conference by Natural Awakenings readers. The Trail Conference is a volunteer-powered organization that builds, maintains and protects public trails. Together with its partner organizations, it strives to ensure that the trails and natural areas in the New York–New Jersey area remain sustainable and publicly accessible for generations to come. Every month, the Trail Conference hosts guided hikes and trail runs. This month’s free events include a guided hike on February 28 at Teatown Lake Reservation, in Ossining, New York, and a trail run on February 8 in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. For more information about this or other events, or to read about donating to, volunteering for or joining the Trail Conference, visit nynjtc.org. To learn how to double a donation, see ad back cover.

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Crossover Yoga Project Fundraiser Set for International Women’s Day

he Crossover Yoga Project, based in Croton On Hudson, will hold its annual fundraiser from 2 to 5 p.m. on March 8, International Women’s Day, at Bethany Arts Community, in Ossining. CYP empowers trauma survivors and supports them in building resilience, self-awareness and self-respect. Since its launch in 2015, it has helped more than 4,200 girls at local juvenile detention centers, shelters and residential treatment centers reclaim their voices through trauma-informed yoga, mindfulness and creative art. CYP’s goal is to raise $10,000 to expand its program to meet the demand in Westchester County. Local politicians and special guests from CYP’s programs throughout Westchester County will be in attendance, including Michael Orth, commissioner at Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health. The main event begins at 2:30 p.m. and is open to all ticket holders. They can learn about CYP’s mission and work while enjoying wine and light hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, an art exhibit and performances by young women who will share their powerful stories and artistic expressions that have helped transform their lives as a result of CYP’s programs. A special reception for sponsors and advocate ticket holders will begin at 2 p.m. with champagne, appetizers, and an opportunity to meet CYP’s survivors and experience their artwork.

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Cost: $30-$150. Location: Bethany Arts Community, 40 Somerstown Rd, Ossining, NY. For tickets and information, visit Eventbrite.com and search for CYP Fundraiser.

Tell them you saw it in Natural Awakenings . February 2020

news briefs

Get a Weekly Cardio Workout with Zumba in White Plains

Tata Leban

Tata Leban Leads 5Rhythms in Cold Spring

udson Valley 5 Rhythms will host teacher, artist and dancer Tata Leban at Ascend Studio, in Cold Spring, from 5 to 7 p.m. on February 16. A certified 5Rhythms teacher originally from Tbilisi, Georgia, Laban has been living in New York City since 2005. She offers weekly classes there and in Brooklyn. “Dance shaped me from the beginning of my existence,” she says. “The 5Rhythms has brought me back to my roots and guided me to rediscover myself fully, by remembering who I am and what is my purpose. The 5Rhythms map has been an invaluable catalyst in my life, which has invoked my free spirit through thousands of wild healing dances.” Created in the 1960s, 5 Rhythms is a moving meditation in the tradition of trance and ecstatic dance modalities. It explores the concept that life is energy in motion, that everything moves in and out of waves of motion throughout its lifespan. The 5 Rhythms in sequence—flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness—make up a wave. Each rhythm pertains to a different way in which we move, express and understand ourselves. The sequence is designed to allow the dancers to enter a meditative state of being. “It is truly my calling to share this medicine with others,” Leban says. “My hope is that I can make an impact and pay it forward.” Cost: $20. Location: Ascend Studios, 75 Main St., Cold Spring, NY. For more info, visit HudsonValley5Rhythms.com. 14

isa Canning—a dance instructor, personal trainer, and health and wellness coach, and the owner of Lisa Dance Fit—is teaching a Zumba class at Arthur Murray Dance Studio, in White Plains, every Saturday at 9:30 a.m. No dance experience is required. “Zumba is a great way to get a cardio workout. We dance and sweat it out to sounds from all over the globe,” Canning says. “A well-rounded exercise program incorporates regular cardiovascular workouts. The many benefits to doing cardio on a regular Lisa Canning basis include weight loss, improving endurance, a stronger and healthier heart, and more energy. It also naturally uplifts your mood.” Participants can drop in to Canning’s Zumba class or buy a four-class pass. Canning also offers bootcamp, small-group training sessions and personal training by appointment. “My goal is to create a welcoming, comfortable and joyful environment for my students to find and embrace their individuality, strength and passion,” she says. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in dance ethnology from San Francisco State University, Canning began teaching dance in schools, youth programs and private studios, after which she facilitated a dance movement therapy program for children with autism. In 2015 she earned her certification as a personal trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Cost: $15 per class or $45 for a four-class pass. Location: Arthur Murray Dance Studio, 139 E. Post Rd., White Plains, NY. For more info, contact Lisa Canning at 415.290.5537 or lisamcanning@gmail.com, or visit LisaDanceFit.com.

Art From the Heart For Australia

usan Korsnick, a local artist, writer and coach, is selling prints of her most recent work, Family, with 100 percent of the profit going to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, in Australia. The hospital provides for the rescue and treatment of sick and injured koalas and release back to their home range, if possible. York County resident Korsnick shares, “As bushfires rage across Australia, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the devastation and unfathomable loss of life. Courageous men and women are on site doing what they can. Those of us far from the tragedy feel it deeply and long to help in any way we can.” In describing her work, she notes that the image represents everyone holding the koalas with love in our Susan Korsnick’s Family hearts. The lower background features the Australian Aboriginal symbol for fire, smoke, water and blood. The symbol on the upper right is their symbol for family. To Korsnick, the definition of family extends beyond bloodlines to include all beings the world over. Ten-by-14-inch prints are available for $35. For more information, or to make a purchase, email SusanKorsnick@gmail.com or visit SusanKorsnick.com.

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action alert

Cricket Valley Energy Update Individuals Encouraged to Help Speed the Demise of Fossil Fuels

harlie Davenport, who helped organize Stop Cricket Valley Energy’s opposition to the construction of an 1100-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Dover, says he’s ending the “street” phase of the fight. Now he’s launching an education campaign to encourage citizens to accelerate the demise of fossil fuels through targeted pressure on public officials and individual investment in renewable energy. Because renewable energy is cheaper to produce than fossil fuel (and nuclear) energy, some experts are predicting that pure economics will put non-renewable sources of electric generation out of business in 10 years, Davenport says. “The less demand there is for electricity produced by burning natural gas, the less natural gas will be burned,” he says. “If consumers are using renewable energy, they will not be using fossil-fuel-generated electricity.” He says citizens can help end the generation of fossil fuels more quickly by going to their local government, school board and other public institutions and asking them to place solar panels on public buildings wherever possible, purchase electricity from renewable sources, and use heat pumps and all-electric vehicles. Anyone who pays an electric bill can also subscribe to renewable sources of energy to be delivered by their local power company, he says. “Cricket Valley Energy’s motto is ‘Power for a Million Homes.’ If 200,000 homes in the Northeast grid subscribe to renewable energy, how would that affect their profits?” He further suggests that citizens petition their state representatives to pass legislation to accelerate the shift to renewable energy. Since SCVE began its fight, he says, three new groups have been established in opposition to regional fossil fuel projects: Fresh Air Housatonic-Harlem Valleys LTD, the Western Connecticut Clean Air Alliance and Resist Cricket Valley. Meanwhile, lawyers Michael Sussman and Josh Douglas have sued to force the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to undertake a new environmental assessment of the Cricket Valley Energy plant. Further legal action is being considered. To learn more, visit StopCricketValley.org.

February 2020

Qigong, a traditional Chinese massage technique and movement practice, may offer hope for the one in 68 American children suffering from autism spectrum disorder. Researchers at Portugal’s Oporto University reviewed 10 high-quality studies, all of which involved massage for children as young as 2, including two which also employed slow qigong movements and breathwork for older children. Previous studies have found that the qigong type of gentle massage practiced for 15 minutes daily by parents on autistic children helps the children tolerate touch, feel reassured by it and bond more deeply with parents that also feel less stress. The meta-study affirmed, “Qigong seems to be able to decrease severity of individual sensory, behavioral and language components of autism, and improve self-control, sociability, sensory and cognitive awareness, as well as healthy physical behavior.”

Use Probiotics to Reduce Bone Loss and Newborn Infections Bone loss leading to increased fracture risk occurs in half of postmenopausal women, but new research from Sweden offers a deterrent: a combination of three Lactobacillus probiotic strains. A total of 249 healthy, early postmenopausal women over the age of 50 that took the probiotics for a year suffered no significant bone loss in the lumbar spine compared to a placebo group, report researchers at Gothenburg University. They had slight reductions in bone loss at the neck and no changes at the hip or upper femur. In a British Medical Journal-published study on probiotics that spanned 10 years and involved nearly 1,000 at-risk babies, researchers from the UK’s Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital found that newborns with gut infections were twice as likely to recover when given probiotics as part of their treatment in intensive care units, with sepsis rates reduced from 22.6 percent to 11.5 percent. The strains used were L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and B. longum subspecies infantis. The babies were suffering from necrotizing enterocolitis, a rare infection and inflammation of the intestines which can affect low-birthweight babies.

Use Pumpkin Seed Oil to Dodge Hypertension

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

Researchers from Cameroon’s University of Buea studied the properties of nine local vegetables and found that celery, Apium graveolens, had some of the highest levels of antifungal properties, as well as high levels of nutritional lipids, protein, vitamin C, copper, zinc and phosphorous. Also scoring high in nutritional and antifungal value were the seeds of Irvingia gabonensis, African or bush mango, sometimes used in the U.S. in weight-loss products. WakeUpNaturally.com

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Get Nutritional and Antifungal Benefits from Celery

Postmenopausal women are more likely to develop hypertension than men their age, but taking pumpkin seed oil daily may head off that condition, report researchers from Marymount University, in Arlington, Virginia. In a blind study of 23 participants, women taking three grams of pumpkin seed oil for six weeks had significantly reduced systolic blood pressure, as well as better blood flow in their arteries. The oil “might be effective in the prevention and treatment of hypertension in this population,” write the authors. 16

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Practice Qigong Massage to Improve Autism Symptoms in Children

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health briefs

People suffering from acute pain often turn to addictive opioid treatments, but research from the University of Utah School of Social Work published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine concluded that certain mind-body therapies significantly reduce pain and the use of opioids. Reviewing 60 randomized, controlled, published clinical trials with more than 6,400 participants, researchers found that meditation/mindfulness, therapeutic suggestion and cognitive behavioral therapy all significantly reduced pain severity along with opioid use and misuse. Hypnosis also helped lower pain. Mind-body therapies proved effective at reducing short-term, acute pain from medical procedures, as well as chronic pain. Lead author and Associate Dean for Research Eric Garland pointed out that 82,000 Americans are projected to die from opioid overdoses in the next five years and noted, “If all of us—doctors, nurses, social workers, policymakers, insurance companies and patients—use this evidence as we make decisions, we can help stem the tide of the opioid epidemic.”

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Consider Vitamins to Reduce Eczema Severity Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, affects one in five people over the course of a lifetime, causing itchy, red, swollen and cracked skin, especially on the arms, hands and feet. Genetics, immune system dysfunction and environmental exposure, including to chemicals, are some causes, and treatment usually involves moisturizers and corticosteroid creams. Research from China’s Chongqing Medical University reviewed clinical research on treating eczema with vitamins and found 10 studies totaling 456 patients. Their study concluded that supplementing with vitamin D3 significantly reduced symptoms for patients with moderate to severe eczema, and that a vitamin B12 cream was also effective in soothing symptoms, as was vitamin E supplementation. A combination of 600 IU of vitamin E and 1,600 IU of D3 scored highest in a study included by the researchers, lowering symptoms overall by 64 percent in 60 days.

eco tip

Clean and Green Eco-Laundry Tips

By laundering clothes using simple ingredients and wise eco-practices, consumers can both save money and lower their carbon footprint. Natural cleaning ingredients cited by TheEcoGuide. org include white vinegar, baking soda, lemons, borax and castile soap, all of which “can be bought in bulk with minimal packaging and have known cleaning properties that make them safe, effective and carbon-friendly alternatives.” Coarse salt is also suggested due to its moldfighting power. Look for biodegradable laundry detergents made with plant oils and other natural ingredients that are free of phosphates, bleach and surfactants such as petroleum-based nonylphenol ethoxylates. Consider coldwater washing. About 90 percent of the energy a washing machine uses goes toward heating water. By washing four out of five loads in cold water, a household could cut its carbon emissions by 864 pounds a year, according to Energy Star data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Because the cold setting may still heat the water to as much as 80° F, see if the washer has a preferable “tap cold” option. Also, the temperature recommendations on clothing labels represent “the highest spectrum clothes can handle,” Melissa Hockstad, president and chief executive of the American Cleaning Institute, recently told The New York Times, so the hottest water won’t necessarily clean clothes better. During rinsing, natural disinfectants that can be added include a few drops of peppermint or lavender essential oil; two teaspoons of tea tree oil; white vinegar (one-half cup per load); or one teaspoon of grapefruit seed extract. Always assemble a full load of laundry each time. Line drying outdoors or on a drying rack indoors also conserves energy and is gentler on fabrics. Further, learn how to make homemade, felted wool dryer balls at DIYNatural. com; tossing four to six of them in each dryer load saves time, energy and money plus reduces static cling. And consider running the dryer early in the morning or overnight: this shifts energy consumption to off-peak hours, which lowers the demand on power plants and could help reduce national reliance on fossil fuels. February 2020

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Try Mind-Body Options to Reduce Opioid-Treated Pain

Seal Deal

global briefs UNESCO Adopts Resolution on Earth Charter

The 40th General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), held last November, adopted a resolution that reaffirms the importance of the Earth Charter (EarthCharter.org) as an ethical framework for sustainable development. The Charter’s four pillars— respect and care for the community of life; ecology integrity; social and economic justice; and democracy, non-violence and peace—have guided and underpinned UNESCO’s sustainable development work. Taking into account the current world situation and environmental crises, delegates felt it was time to act and that the Earth Charter provides the needed principles and values. Although it has no binding force, like previous UNESCO resolutions, its ethical foundation may surface in future battles in international courts.

Thump Thump

In 1969, there were only 100 South American fur seals and sea lions along the coastline of Lima, the capitol of Peru, but that has increased to more than 8,000 today, thanks to local fishermen that have realized over the intervening years that a balanced ecosystem benefits all. Once hunted almost to the point of no return for their pelts and because they ate so many fish, the sea mammals have slowly rebounded since Peru established its first marine protection area there in 1979, the Paracas Marine Reserve. Today, the Fishermen’s Union has defined these areas, in which each local fishing collective is dependent economically, and has assigned responsibility to that group for protecting those marine resources. Impetus for species protection is also being driven by the rise of tourism and artisanal fisheries. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which maintains a “Red List” database of species and the degree to which they are threatened with extinction, has also been involved. It also compiles a “Green List” to recognize global best practices for areabased conservation, a program working with marine reserves along the Pacific coast.

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Clear Thinking

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Fishermen Protect Endangered Sea Mammals

Trees Exhibit ‘Heartbeat’

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Soot Cities

Alaska Battles Air Pollution

Alaska, which has some of the most pristine environments in the U.S., also has some of the worst air quality in its cities. According to the American Lung Association 2019 State of the Air report (Tinyurl.com/StateOfTheAirPDF), Fairbanks ranked third and a section of Anchorage ranked 21st in cities with high levels of short-term particle pollution between 2015-2017, the latest years that figures are available. Although the numbers are poor, they still represent an improvement from the last air quality report. “Particle pollution is made of soot, or tiny particles that come from coal-fired power plants, diesel emissions, wildfires and woodburning devices. These particles are so small that they can lodge deep in the lungs and trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes, and can even be lethal,” warns Marge Stoneking, executive director at the American Lung Association in Alaska.

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Scientists have discovered that some trees raise and lower their branches several times in the course of the night, indicating a cycle of water and sugar transportation, but they didn’t know why. Plants need water to photosynthesize glucose, the basic building block from which their more complex molecules are formed. For trees, this entails drawing water from the roots to the leaves. Dr. András Zlinszky, at Aarhus University, Denmark, used a laser scanning technique to measure the exact location of branches and leaves of 22 tree and shrub species, and published his observations of substantial unexpected movement cycles. He says, “We detected a previously unknown periodic movement of up to 0.4 inches in cycles of two to six hours. The movement has to be connected to variations in water pressure within the plants, and this effectively means that the tree is pumping. Water transport is not just a steady-state flow, as we previously assumed.” Some might call that pumping action a heartbeat.

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Climate Check

New Label Verifies Carbon Neutral Products

Green Horizons

A Billion Trees in Eight Years

Marrying forestry to technology, the startup Flash Forest, in Toronto, is using aerial drones to plant trees 10 times faster than human planters with a goal of 1 billion trees by 2028. Since testing prototype devices last year, it has already planted several thousand trees across Ontario using pregerminated seed pods containing a mixture of species. The drones are capable of planting trees at just 50 cents per pod, or a quarter of the cost of typical planting methods. Funded partly by a Kickstarter campaign, the group will start planting trees in April, with at least 150,000 in the ground by the end of this year. At full capacity, one drone operator will be able to plant 100,000 seed pods per day. Flash Forest spokesperson Angelique Ahlstrom says, “Our goals are to have a significant and measurable impact on mitigating climate change in the next decade, while combatting deforestation and biodiversity loss on a global scale. We feel we are one of the only ways that the federal government will be able to fulfill its pledge to plant 2 billion trees in the next 10 years.”

A new Climate Neutral product label is joining others like Fair Trade, 100% Organic and Made in America, and is closing in on a Kickstarter (Tinyurl.com/ CarbonNeutralKickstarter) funding goal to raise $100,000. The idea for the label was hatched by the founders of San Franciscobased backpack and camera equipment maker Peak Design and Brooklynbased Biolite, which sells sustainable energy products. Participating companies start by establishing baseline emissions, evaluating such factors as raw materials, the energy costs at their facilities, the amount that employees travel, and how and where their products are shipped. They work to reduce and balance them through greener strategies, switching to renewable power and investing in carbon offsets before they can display the label on their products. According to Climate Neutral, it only costs 12 cents to offset the carbon emissions required to produce a $120 running shoe. More than 40 brands have already signed up.

Water Win

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Fresh H20 Comes to Kenya Town

A drought-plagued Kenyan region is using a new, solarpowered, desalination plant from the international nonprofit GivePower to obtain clean water. Before the plant’s arrival in the town of Kiunga, villagers had completely run out of clean drinking water and had to use dirty well water and saltwater from the Indian Ocean. The new solar water farm produces enough drinking water that’s cleaner than typical desalination plants for more than 35,000 people every day. GivePower has a mission of using renewable energy as a means of bringing water, food and energy to places that need it most. They plan on building similar facilities in other drought-prone countries such as Colombia and Haiti. February 2020

Food always tastes better in the season it was intended to be eaten in. ~Brigit Binns

A Feast for All Seasons Embracing the Rainbow Year Round

by April Thompson

o matter where we live, eating seasonally in winter doesn’t have to be boring or limiting; a culinary adventure awaits the home chef that’s willing to leave avocados and asparagus to their rightful seasons and embrace the winter rainbow of bitter greens, sweet potatoes, sunny citrus and fuchsia beets, among other timely delicacies. “Sometimes people think of winter foods as brown and soft and boring, and it’s absolutely not the case. Winter brings bright things like pomegranates, beets and citrus, which offer color and acidity,” says Brigit Binns, the Paso Robles, California author of 30 cookbooks, including Cooking in Season: 100 Recipes for Eating Fresh. Eating seasonally is especially important in winter, says Shannon Stonger of Texas, author of Simple Food for Winter: 30 Grain-Free Recipes to Get You Through the Dark Days. “Winter foods like fermented vegetables, root vegetables, squashes and hardy greens are especially helpful in the colder, darker months, when our bodies are in need of comfort foods as well as pre- and probiotic foods,” says Stonger, a homesteader and founder of the blog NourishingDays.com. There are plenty of other reasons to stick to a seasonal diet in winter, adds Binns. “Food always tastes better in the season

it was intended to be eaten in. Seasonal foods are naturally ripened, rather than harvested early and trucked in. In addition to enhanced flavor, eating seasonally helps minimize use of fossil fuels to bring our food to us, and is likely to be less expensive.”

Winterizing the Kitchen

Much of the fall harvest, particularly root vegetables, stores well through the winter (hence the idea of a root cellar), extending produce across seasons, according to Steven Satterfield, chef and author of Root to Leaf: A Southern Chef Cooks Through the Seasons. There are lots of root vegetables beyond just carrots and potatoes to be enjoyed in winter, including sunchokes, parsnips and turnips, which can be used creatively rather than “boiled to death,” says Satterfield. For example, the Atlanta restaurateur incorporates parsnips into an upside-down cake with winter spices like nutmeg, black pepper and ginger. Binns likes to add texture to winter dishes with nuts, color with herbs, and crunch with a winter vegetable like fennel. Warming soups are always comforting during the coldest season, but she also likes warm salads, like a beet and escarole salad drizzled with a warm sherry vinaigrette. Satterfield suggests that specialty citrus like blood oranges, Meyer lemons

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and cross-hybridized varieties such as tangelos and pomelos are fun to intersperse with winter vegetables to maximize brightness and freshness. A lot of winter produce can be great in raw form as well, he adds, including Brussels sprouts, rutabaga or daikon radish, shaved thinly or julienned into a salad. Winter squash is a favorite staple of the Stonger family in the cooler months. “It is easy to grow, easy to store and so deliciously sweet and rich. We roast it as a side dish, mash it as a sort of breakfast porridge or make soups and curries from it,” says Stonger. Satterfield suggests using all the parts of winter vegetables to maximize the harvest and minimize food waste. For example, the seeds of winter squashes can be roasted with herbs and spices and eaten as is, churned into other dishes such as a squash seed granola or blended and strained into a homemade broth to add some texture, fat and flavor. After roasting carrots with Moroccan spices, Satterfield suggests taking the leafy carrot tops and chopping them with cilantro and garlic to make a green sauce to crown the carrots. Swiss chard stems can also be chopped and cooked into Portuguese bread soup, with leftover stale bread made into olive oil croutons and egg whites stirred in at the end.

Winter Health Boosters

Beyond selecting seasonal produce, chefs recommend a few key dietary tweaks in winter, such as stepping up vitamin D consumption. “Since you’re not seeing a lot of sun this time of year, it’s more important to get it through colorful vegetables like carrots, cabbage or radicchio. Watermelon radishes are another winter vegetable full of vitamins,” says Binns. “You can grow your own sprouts throughout the winter as a great microgreen option. Sprouts are incredibly high in enzymes, something often lacking in other winter dishes,” suggests Stonger. “Fermented vegetables and other fermented foods can make up the difference in winter.” April Thompson is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. Connect at AprilWrites.com.

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conscious eating

Eat Well and Be Well

Foodie Guide CAFES BREAD ALONE BAKERY

45 Market St., Rhinebeck, NY 845.876.3108 BreadAlone.com/Rhinebeck-cafe

TRAILSIDE CAFÉ

Juices.Smoothies.Detox. Healthy Food Gluten Free & Vegan options 1807 Commerce St. Yorktown 914.302.7331; trailside-cafe.com

FARMERS’ MARKETS GOSSETT’S FARM MARKET

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

HUDSON VALLEY FARMERS MARKET

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

HUDSON VALLEY REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET Sundays, 10am-2pm 15 Mount Ebo Road South Brewster, NY 845.878.9078 x 4115

with

Natural FOOD FARMS FABLE: FROM FARM TO TABLE

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

HARVEST MOON FARM & ORCHARD

130 Hardscrabble Rd North Salem, NY 914.485.1210 HarvestMoonFarmAndOrchard.com

HILLTOP HANOVER FARM & ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER 1271 Hanover St, Yorktown Heights, NY 914.962.2368 HilltopHanoverFarm.org

THREE FEATHERS FARM

Grass-fed beef & eggs 371 Smith Ridge Rd, S. Salem 914.533.6529; jhaberny@aol.com

MARKETS BEWIES HOLISTIC MARKET Organic Juice & Smoothie Bar 430 Bedford Rd., Armonk, NY 914.273.9437; Bewies.com

GREENS NATURAL FOODS Briarcliff Manor 97 North State Road Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510 914.800.9146 Eastchester 780 White Plains Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 914.874.5481 Mt. Kisco 666 Lexington Ave. Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 914.864.1274 Yorktown Heights 12 Triangle Center Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914.352.6214 GreensNaturalFoods.com

Harvest Moon Farm’s Hardscabble Cider

SPECIALTY FOODS KONTOULIS FAMILY GROVES

Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil 914 217 5689 Kontoulisfamily.com

GREEN ORGANIC MARKET

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

JUICE DRINK LIVING JUICE

7(1/2) servings of organic vegetables in one serving of green juice to go. 914.763.6320; DrinkLivingJuice.com

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

WHOLE FOODS MARKET 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

Kontoulis Family Groves’ Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil

To place a listing here call 845-593-0065 or email Dana-NA@WakeUpNaturally.com Z Farm Organic in Dover Plains February 2020

Winter Salad Wonders

World of Coaching

For the vinaigrette: Fresh orange juice or as needed 1 Tbsp champagne vinegar ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

RESOURCES

Find a knowledgeable professional to help you achieve your goals.

HEALTH COACHING Wanda Jeanty, MD

Separate the mâche leaves and transfer to a shallow serving bowl. Working on a plate to capture all the juices, use a serrated knife to cut a thick slice off the top and bottom of each citrus fruit. Working with one fruit at a time, stand it upright and, following the contour of the fruit, carefully slice downward to remove the peel, pith and membrane. Set the fruit on its side and cut crosswise into slices about ⅜-inch thick, discarding any seeds. Transfer the slices to the bowl with the mâche, reserving the juices for the vinaigrette.

Poughkeepsie, NY 917.868.1769; notanotherdietwanda.com

INSPIRATIONAL COACHING Kacey Morabito Grean

Clarity & Creation Coach for Women Call for Appointment: 914.323.8343 Kacey.co; KaceyGrean@Gmail.com

LIFE COACH Lorna Gager

The Practical Mystic Spirit Based Coaching for Women 914.220.2495; lornagager.com

Grace Minella

Transformational Method for Your Improved Life By appointment: 914.487.9500 grc_minella@yahoo.com

SPIRITUAL COACH Mary Ellen O’Brien

Spiritual Teacher, Coach and Healer 845.202.1717 AwakenYourTrueEssence.com

WELLNESS COACHING Synergize and Thrive, Inc

Integrative Nutrition Health Coaching 914.266.2092; SynergizeAndThrive.com

Mixed Citrus Salad With Mâche, Fennel and Celery Winter is the height of citrus season, with an appealing display of oranges, mandarins, tangerines, tangelos, pomelos and more in the best-stocked markets. Use a varied mixture of sweet-tart types for the prettiest, tastiest salad. Yields: 4 servings 2 ribs celery 2 bunches mâche 2 lb mixed citrus fruits, such as navel oranges, blood oranges, tangerines, mandarins and pomelos ½ fennel bulb, trimmed 8 kumquats ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted

Cut the fennel lengthwise in half. Using a mandoline or a sharp knife, cut the fennel crosswise into very thin slices and tuck among the citrus slices. Drain the celery and distribute evenly over the salad. Using the serrated knife, cut each kumquat crosswise into very thin slices, discarding any seeds. Scatter the kumquat slices evenly over the salad, then sprinkle the almonds over the top. To make the vinaigrette, pour the reserved citrus juices into a measuring cup. Add enough additional orange juice to measure ½ cup then add the vinegar. Whisking constantly, slowly add the olive oil and whisk until well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad, toss gently to coat, and serve. From Cooking in Season: 100 Recipes for Eating Fresh, by Brigit Binns

To place a listing here

call 22

845-593-0065

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible. WakeUpNaturally.com

photo by Ray Kachatorian

Cut the celery in half lengthwise. Using a serrated vegetable peeler or a mandoline, shave the celery into thin strips lengthwise down the ribs. Cut the strips in half crosswise and place in a bowl of water. Set aside.

You can grow your own sprouts throughout the winter as a great microgreen option. ~Shannon Stonger

Chard and Squash Salad 1 small winter squash, such as sweet dumpling, acorn or golden 2 small beets, trimmed 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 bunch Swiss chard, tough ribs removed and leaves torn Red wine vinaigrette or vinaigrette of choice Sea salt and freshly ground pepper Cut the winter squash into wedges and remove the seeds, if desired. Transfer the wedges to a baking dish. Halve the beets and add to the dish. Drizzle with the oil and toss to coat. Bake in a preheated 450Â° F oven, stirring once, until tender and lightly browned, 20 to 40 minutes. Let cool. Peel and slice the beets. Place the chard in a bowl, drizzle with some of the vinaigrette. Toss to coat. Add the squash and beets, drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette, and season to taste with salt and pepper. From Cooking in Season: 100 Recipes for Eating Fresh, by Brigit Binns

photo by Ray Kachatorian

PLANT-BASED NUTRITION ISSUE

Coming Next Month MARCH

Thriving on a Plant-Based Diet plus: CBD

February 2020

SACRED VESSELS

by Julie Peterson

hen people think about heart health, what generally comes to mind is the fist-sized muscle that pumps and oxygenates the body’s lifeblood. However, the heart of the matter is not the pump itself, but the vascular system— the network of veins, arteries and capillaries that distributes blood to every cell in the body, delivering nutrients and eliminating waste. Each human adult harbors an astonishing 60,000 miles of blood vessels— enough to wrap around the planet twice. Keeping these hard-working vessels supple and open is the key not only to avoiding disease, but also to ensuring a long and healthy life. The alternative—arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries—can slowly and silently bring on cardiovascular disease (CVD), which can result in a heart attack, stroke, vision loss and cognitive decline. CVD is the leading cause of death in the U.S., killing one in four Americans,

When a disease is lifestyleinduced, the only thing that can reverse it is a dramatic change in diet and lifestyle. We’ve seen over and over again that it works. ~Brenda Davis 24

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according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By 2035, nearly half the population—45 percent—is predicted to have some form of the disease. “A hundred years ago, we were farming the back 40 with a team of horses, eating what we grew. Kids don’t get out and ride bikes; they’re playing video games and eating crap. There’s very little doubt how we got to this problem,” says John Osborne, M.D., director of cardiology at State of the Heart Cardiology, near Dallas. Yet, the nation’s number one killer, which can fester for decades without symptoms, is largely preventable and reversible. Only 15 percent of CVD is related to genetics; the rest is attributed to lifestyle, and the right choices can make all the difference. The key is to adopt heart-healthy habits before the body delivers a potentially fatal warning. “The initial presentation of heart disease can be an acute catastrophic event that results in death in half the men and two-thirds of the women. That’s not treatable,” warns Osborne.

Know the Risk Factors

The first step toward cardiovascular health is awareness. Important indicators of CVD risk include: 4 High blood pressure (over 140/90) 4 High cholesterol (over 240 mg/dL) 4 High triglycerides (over 200 mg/dL) 4 High blood glucose (over 140 mg/dL) 4 Obesity (BMI over 30) 4 Inflammation (hsCRP test above 2 ml/dL) 4 Physical inactivity (less than 30 minutes a day) 4 Smoking or vaping (any at all) 4 Chronic stress 4 Loneliness

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The Lifeblood of Heart Health

Any of these factors can increase the risk of CVD, but possessing a cluster of the first five comprises a condition called metabolic syndrome, which significantly increases the potential for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes—itself a significant risk factor that can damage blood vessels, as well as the organs they support. “While diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States, this figure belies the fact that most people with diabetes die of heart disease, kidney failure and other complications,” says Brenda Davis, RD, of Alberta, Canada, author of Kick Diabetes Essentials: The Diet and Lifestyle Guide. Metabolic syndrome, like CVD, has few obvious symptoms and is on the rise: Nearly one-third of adults in the U.S. have it, according to the CDC. The one distinct marker for the condition is an accumulation of fat around the waistline, characterized by a measurement of over 35 inches for women and 40 for men.

Take Action to Cut Risks

“When a disease is lifestyle-induced, the only thing that can reverse it is a dramatic change in diet and lifestyle,” says Davis. “We’ve seen over and over again that it works.”

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n Know the Numbers

CVD flies under the radar even though it’s increasingly common at younger ages. The Journal of the American Medical Association released a study in December 2019 stating that about one in four young adults in the U.S. have pre-diabetes, putting them at increased risk for Type 2 diabetes and CVD. Lisa McDowell, director of clinical nutrition and wellness at St. Joseph’s Mercy Health System, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and team dietitian for the Detroit Red Wings, works with elite athletes of all ages and notes that they more likely know their favorite player’s jersey number than their own health numbers. “Learn what your blood pressure is, know your body mass index, get your cholesterol levels and triglycerides and your [hemoglobin] A1C.

There’s not an excess of blueberries in the American diet; there’s an excess of relatively inexpensive, highly processed junk foods in large containers. ~Lisa McDowell Know these numbers early on and, if there’s a problem, fix it,” she advises. While simple blood tests help monitor indicators for CVD, more sophisticated tests can be even more revealing. In 2018, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (AHA) jointly issued new guidelines for patients over age 50 to get a computerized tomography (CT) scan to determine their calcium score. The procedure checks for hardening of the arteries and predicts the risk of a 10year future cardiovascular event. “This identifies people who have preclinical atherosclerosis, regardless of risk factors,” says Osborne. “It also helps people modify behaviors, because they are faced with a diagnosis.” Yale R. Smith, a Melbourne, Florida, M.D., who specializes in metabolic and functional medicine, utilizes the U.S. Food & Drug Administration-approved protein unstable lesion signature (PULS) blood test. Recommended for patients in their 40s, it measures inflammatory biomarkers for the body’s immune system response to arterial injury and provides a chronological heart age and risk of a CVD event. “If you can show someone the future, it’s a wake-up call to make lifestyle changes to increase longevity,” Smith says.

n Eat for Heart Health

Perhaps the single most important change that people can make is diet. “But a lot of people don’t want lifestyle medicine—they’d rather take a statin with their Big Mac,” says McDowell. Preventing or reversing CVD requires diligence, but it’s largely about eating real, whole food—and mostly plants.

This means avoiding processed foods and consuming less salt, trans fats, saturated fat and cholesterol; and more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. “There’s not an excess of blueberries in the American diet; there’s an excess of relatively inexpensive, highly processed junk foods in large containers,” says McDowell. Overcoming the urge to grab fast and easy foods requires education. “Everyone needs to learn how to read a food label and avoid foods linked to vascular disease,” she adds. Vegans have healthier cholesterol levels in their blood compared to vegetarians, which in turn have better levels than meateaters. Study-verified diets that lower CVD indicators also include the Mediterranean diet, as well as two developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet, which also addresses exercise and weight control. “I don’t believe that one diet fits everybody, but there’s a preponderance of evidence that the more plant compounds you get, the better off you are,” says McDowell.

Some cardiovascular boosters:

Leafy greens flush out excess sodium and magnesium, and reduce inflammation. Berries improve circulation by boosting nitric oxide, which expands blood vessels. Pomegranate juice lowers blood pressure and reduces plaque formation. Walnuts, peanuts and almonds lower LDL, the “bad cholesterol”. Oily fish, chia and flax seeds with omega-3 fatty acids lower triglycerides. Soy with anti-inflammatory isoflavones helps dilate blood vessels. “We could eat tofu, tempeh, miso, edamame, soy beans or even organic soy ‘veggie meats’ in place of red meat,” says Davis. Yogurt, kefir and other fermented probiotic dairy products help improve glycemic control, blood lipids, cholesterol and blood pressure. Supplements can be very helpful: Red yeast rice extract, much like a statin, significantly lowers total cholesterol and LDL. February 2020

n Move It

Sitting all day and then briefly exercising doesn’t provide the same benefit as moving periodically throughout the day. Take more frequent breaks from sitting, get up to move around for a couple of minutes every 30 minutes. Exercise strengthens the endothelium, the innermost of an artery’s three layers, and produces nitric oxide, which helps

keep arteries open and healthy. Getting the blood moving lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, and increases oxygen and nutrients to the body. Exercising outdoors provides additional benefits. Research from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that exposure to green spaces helped prevent metabolic syndrome.

n Stress Less, Socialize More

Spending even 20 minutes outdoors in nature can do wonders for high blood pressure and cortisol levels, studies show. Walking or talking with a friend deepens social engagement, a key factor in lowering CVD risk: “Having the right tribe is crucial,” says McDowell. “If you’re with people who support you and make you laugh, you feel less stress.” Walking a dog outdoors gets three cardiovascular pluses—exercise, nature and

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sociability, as dogs tend to be tail-wagging ice-breakers. Further, merely stroking a pet lowers blood pressure. Apps like Headspace and Insight Timer make it easy to do meditation, which studies suggest may reduce overall CVD risk.

n Don’t Smoke

Not starting to smoke or vape at all is ideal for cardiovascular health, but quitting allows the body to begin to heal, reducing the risk of coronary heart disease after one year by 50 percent, reports the AHA; 14 years later, the risk is the same as a non-smoker’s. “It’s not intuitively easy to make healthy decisions,” says McDowell. “We have to learn how to make good choices.” Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin. Connect at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

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Coenzyme Q10, a powerful antioxidant, lowers blood pressure and combats the side effects of statins. Omega-3s in fish oil supplements reduce heart risk in healthy people and those already diagnosed with CVD risk. Nicotinamide riboside improves blood pressure and arterial health in those with mild hypertension. Garlic, fresh or in capsules, can lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

Standard American Diet (SAD)

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Previous studies have linked processed foods to hypertension and high cholesterol, and a 2019 British Medical Journal study of 105,000 adults reported that a 10 percent increase in the consumption of processed foods corresponded to a 12 percent overall increase in cardiovascular disease.

Inflammation

Assess Personal Risk High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood pushing against the vessel walls is too high, making the heart and vessels work harder. The friction damages the endothelium— the inner lining of veins and arteries—plaque builds up, the vessels narrow and blood pressure increases even more. Contributing factors include being sedentary, overweight and consuming excessive alcohol or salt.

High Cholesterol

A waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body, cholesterol can pile up (mostly as a consequence of poor diet) and stick to arterial walls, creating plaque that stymies blood flow to the heart.

High Triglycerides

The end product of digesting fats in food, triglycerides become fat in the blood that gives the body energy. Numbers climb with consumption of refined carbohydrates, simple sugars and fatty foods, contributing to arteriosclerosis.

Metabolic Syndrome

A cluster of conditions that affect up to a third of Americans, metabolic syndrome

is defined by high blood pressure; high levels of blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides; and excess fat around the waist. It’s closely linked to Type 2 diabetes, another CVD risk factor.

Obesity

Obesity—which afflicts almost 40 percent of American adults—causes chronic inflammation, harms the endothelium and causes poor cholesterol numbers. A 12year study of 17,640 Europeans, published in the European Heart Journal, found that obese people with metabolic risk factors were two-and-a-half times as likely to have heart disease as those of normal weight.

Stress

When stressed by such factors as work overload, family strife or traumatic memories, the body releases adrenaline, which causes acceleration of breathing and heart rate, contraction of vessels and a rise in blood sugar. Chronic stress can cause constricted arteries that lead to arteriosclerosis and inflammation of the endothelium. Further, stressed people often turn to vascular-destructive activities such as smoking, drinking and binge eating.

Chronic inflammation, caused by such factors as fried and processed foods, smoking, obesity, alcohol and stress, can trigger the immune system to attack healthy tissues, including the endothelium, raising CVD risk. C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation marker, is measured by the hsCRP blood test. Men with higher CRP levels had three times the risk of heart attack and twice the risk of stroke, Harvard scientists have found.

Physical Inactivity

A lack of regular, ongoing physical activity has been shown to dramatically increase obesity, blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammation. A 2019 British study found that artery functions declined and CVD risk factors worsened in just two weeks when active exercisers reduced their daily steps from 10,000 to 1,000.

Smoking and Vaping

Nicotine, carbon monoxide and chemicals in cigarettes increase blood pressure and heart rate, damage the endothelium and cause blood platelets to clot more, which is why smokers are two to four times more likely to get cardiovascular disease. E-cigarettes and cigars may be worse due to higher doses of nicotine, the AHA warns.

Loneliness

People need people: Harvard researchers examined 23 studies that involved 181,000 adults and found that loneliness, social isolation or both were associated with increased risks of heart attacks (29 percent) and strokes (32 percent). February 2020

Ayurveda explains that there are several energy channels present in the body. Three of them are rooted in the heart, and they affect myriad functions: the mind, responsible for thinking, feeling, memory and communication; the respiratory system, responsible for circulation and life force energy as well as its connection to emotions and the higher self; and the lymph and plasma system, responsible for delivering nourishment to every cell and tissue. Therefore heart health is of utmost importance to overall body function.

A Healthy Heart with Ayurveda It’s All About Balance by Dr. Somesh N. Kaushik

yurveda, which originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, is thought to be the oldest healing system. Rooted in ancient books of wisdom, the Vedas, Ayurveda is deeply spiritual and epitomizes a true body-mind approach to health and wellness. Given this holistic philosophy, the Ayurvedic view of the optimal functioning of every part of the body considers its relationship to every other part of the body, as well as the individual’s environment and lifestyle.

The heart has two aspects in Ayurveda: the physical (as a pumping mechanism) and the emotional (as a seat of joy, sorrow, etc.). Both aspects affect and are affected by every other part of the body. The heart is the center of prana, our life force, and is considered an energetic station where diverse pathways—physical and emotional— intersect. According to Ayurveda, the heart is intricately connected to every cell and tissue in the body. No other organ shares this complete integration.

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Doshas and Energy Channels

Maintaining health, according to Ayurveda, requires keeping the body in balance physically, emotionally and spiritually. As we are all composed of the five natural elements of space, air, water, fire and earth, in combinations that Ayurveda calls doshas, maintaining their balance is critical. All three doshas—Vata (space/air); Pitta (fire/ water); and Kapha (earth/water)—dwell in the heart. Their balance is primary to the health of the rest of the body. Among other things, Vata governs circulation and respiration; Pitta governs metabolism, absorption and emotions; and Kapha governs the immune system. As the seat of these three doshas is in the gastrointestinal tract, diet and digestion play a pivotal role in their balance and, in turn, heart and whole-body health. Another critical connection to the heart are the energy channels that run through the spine and control the flow of prana. Because these energy channels

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depend upon the breath, Ayurvedic breath exercises are an important part of cleansing, calming and supporting heart health. The lunar left channel (feminine) and solar right channel (masculine) are balanced with alternate-nostril breathing. The center channel is balanced with both-nostril breathing.

Natural Awakenings

BODY WORK GUIDE

Physical and Emotional Toxins

Keeping the doshas in balance, and the heart healthy, involves reducing physical and emotional toxins that interfere with a free flow of energy. Improper diet, poor eating habits or digestive issues result in accumulated toxins that clog arteries. Exposure to pollutants and harmful lifestyle habits create free radicals that that impair heart function. Stress, worry, anxiety, anger, fear, jealousy, frustration, resentment and negative thinking aggravate the system. Tension constricts and stagnates. Over time, the accumulated effect creates physical and emotional damage. The most significant way to counteract that damage is with a proper diet that improves digestion and absorption, creating a feeling of well-being and dispelling negativity. In Ayurveda, doshas are also present in the food we eat, and so a balanced diet includes foods that match the individual’s dosha profile. In general, choose a diet of fresh-cooked foods (not canned or processed); fresh fruits and vegetables; spices that aid digestion, such as ginger; turmeric for its antioxidant properties; garlic for immunity and blood flow; and black pepper to improve the flow of oxygen to the brain. Make sure to increase your fiber intake; use whole grains and healthy fats, such as olive oil and ghee; and drink liquids that are warm or room temperature, not cold, to aid digestion.

The Ayurvedic Lifestyle

Ayurveda and Western modalities agree that stress reduction techniques (moderate exercise, meditation, massage, soothing music, sufficient sleep, daily routines and regular meals) offer positive effects physically and emotionally. Ayurveda adds to those effects with a personalized nutrition and lifestyle program, herbal remedies or homeopathy, vitamin and mineral supplements, and a detox or cleansing program. Breathing techniques, yoga exercises and mantras might also be included. For heart health, Ayurveda looks at the whole person— body, mind and spirit. In Ayurveda these are inseparable. When we are in balance, our outlook is in sync with life, the environment and the well-ordered universe. Furthermore, if our heart is healthy, both physically and emotionally, we start embodying overall health. Dr. Somesh N. Kaushik is an Ayurvedic and naturopathic physician and the owner of Dr. Kaushik’s Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Clinic, located at 792 Rte. 35, Cross River, NY. For more info, call 914.875.9088 during business hours Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday; email drkaushik@drkaushik.com; or visit DrKaushik.com. See ad pg 26.

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Prolotherapy is used to treat osteoarthritis because it helps correct the underlying reason why it has occurred, which is joint instability. ~Ross A. Hauser

HEALING JOINTS FROM WITHIN The Promise of Regenerative Medicine by Marlaina Donato

omeday, medical science will allow us to infuse damaged or aging organs with new cells, or to manufacture made-to-order organs on a 3-D printer. These emerging techniques to revitalize worn-out body parts are on the drawing board in the field of regenerative medicine. However, for the injured college athlete or the grandmother with compromised joint function, healing and pain relief can already be found in the form of prolotherapy and other non-invasive approaches that stimulate the body to heal itself. Injection therapies using dextrose or the patient’s own platelets or stem cells are being used to naturally stimulate the body to produce collagen and rejuvenated tissue, offering hope to those with soft tissue injuries, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease and even pain syndromes like fibromyalgia. A recent review in the British Medical Bulletin of 10 30

high-quality studies of dextrose prolotherapy in adults with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee showed patients experienced significantly less pain and improved range of motion in both the short term and long term without adverse effects. Eighty-two percent of patients were satisfied with the treatment.

Controlled Inflammation

A type of regenerative medicine innovated by osteopathic physician Earl Gedney in the 1930s, prolotherapy induces low-grade, temporary inflammation with the intention of triggering connective tissue cells called fibroblasts in and around the injection site. “If you cut your arm or twist your ankle, various immune cells rush to the area to begin the repair process. This is a very basic comparison of what prolotherapy does with injections directed to specific anatomical points,” says Ross A. Hauser,

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M.D., founder of Caring Medical Regenerative Medicine Clinics, in Fort Myers, Florida, and Chicago. “Prolotherapy is used to treat osteoarthritis because it helps correct the underlying reason why it has occurred, which is joint instability. The body overgrows bone as a long-term response in an effort to stabilize an unstable joint,” Hauser says. Naturopathic physician Brent Cameron, of Aurora Natural Medicine, in Gilbert, Arizona, suggests individualized treatment plans for best results. “My recommendations are very patient-specific, which is an important piece in prolotherapy.” Cameron says his patients are likely to start seeing relief in the first week. “In many instances, they experience complete relief and mobility after a series of treatments.” While Cameron attests to the efficacy of dextrose prolotherapy, he is cautious with recommending it for people with systemic inflammatory conditions. “Someone with a history of joint-related autoimmune response tends to mount stronger inflammatory responses. Other forms of regenerative medicine can be helpful for rheumatoid arthritis [RA], but not in the inflammation-mediated way, like prolotherapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.” One option, according to the Institute of Regenerative Medicine, in Boca Raton, Florida, might be very small embryoniclike stem cells (VSELS), an emerging form of regenerative stem cell therapy. These have shown promise in dealing with RA and other autoimmune diseases. Meanwhile, the Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine is ramping up its research into approaches that stimulate the body

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healing ways

to repair itself, with numerous ongoing clinical trials utilizing different injection therapies for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

The Power of Platelets

PRP injections are similar to prolotherapy, using platelets from the patient’s body instead of dextrose. “As blood flows through an injury site, the inflammatory chemicals trigger the platelets to release growth factors, which causes the torn fibers of the damaged structures to heal,” says Fort Worth osteopath Gerald Harris, of Texas Prolotherapy and Neural Therapy. PRP is sometimes used in conjunction with stem cell therapy, which is typically applied in cases in which something needs to be replaced, to help fill in gaps in ligaments or tendons, Harris says. PRP injections have proven to be effective in easing chronic low back pain from damaged vertebral discs. An overview of research published in the Journal of Spine Surgery in 2018 found it to be safe, effective and feasible, with promising potential for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Harris says that people that wish to avoid surgery or cortisone injections can benefit from PRP, which can also be applied topically to treat non-healing wounds like bedsores and diabetic ulcers. Harris subscribes to the power of persistence. “Don’t give up. With proper treatment there is a strong likelihood that you can live a happy, healthy life free from chronic pain.” Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com. February 2020

Disrupting Disposables The Drive to Banish Single-Use Plastics

by Yvette C. Hammett

niversities, sports There is momentum, Two-pronged efforts arenas, restaubut it is challenging. by businesses and indirants and other viduals to divert plastics businesses are taking up ~Eric DesRoberts from the waste system the call to “disrupt disposand replacing them with ables” as part of a global effort to dramatiEarth-friendly alternatives will eventucally cut down on single-use plastics. The ally pay off, experts say, but it will be a environmental problems caused by those long and slow process. However, momenubiquitous throwaways have become a tum is building, spurred by consumer mainstay of news reporting, and studies on demand and a growing number of enhow best to reduce them through public terprising businesses, organizations and policy abound. A recent Canadian research academic institutions. paper in the Marine Pollution Bulletin At Penn State University, agriculexplores strategies such as bans, tax levies ture and biological engineering profesand education. Experts agree that it is not sor Judd Michael is working with sports just a litter problem, but a sobering matter facilities to lower both plastics use and of human and planetary health. littering; the initiative is working so well As these plastics wind up in the oceans that their approaches may be taken up by and landfills worldwide, they can languish other schools across the nation. “One of virtually intact for up to 1,000 years, entanmy projects is with NASCAR’s Pocono gling and choking marine mammals and Raceway [also in Pennsylvania], where the terrestrial wildlife. Or, they break into toxic owners of the track wanted to continue microplastics that enter drinking water to make the venue more green,” he says. supplies, eventually ingested by humans. “There is zero waste in suites for that Because plastics are made from petroleum, track, and they are initiating a compretheir production also adds to greenhouse hensive recycling program. They try to get gases that contribute to the climate crisis. tailgaters to participate, as well.”

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green living

On campus, Penn State provides personal footprint—your cumulative imA lot of local folks have bags of different colors for tailgaters with pact, like how many single-use bottles you really changed their instructions for fans to separate recyclables have avoided,” she says. perspective. We see a lot in one bag and everything else in the other. On a smaller scale, Dana Honn and more customers coming That program was exported to Pocono. his wife Christina went completely plasticMichael is also working with PepsiCo, free upon opening Café Carmo, in New in and saying they which owns Frito-Lay, to develop alternaOrleans. “We only had about a dozen seats, appreciate that we are tive packaging. but determined to have as little waste as using compostable cups The University of Florida’s efforts possible. Every year, we were able to build and compostable straws. began in 2012, when the campus freed upon it,” he says. itself from plastic bags, getting buy-in from “A lot of local folks have really changed ~Dana Honn Chick-Fil-A, Subway and other eateries that their perspective. We see a lot more cusagreed to switch to alternatives. “We’ve been tomers coming in and saying they appreciStyrofoam-free since 2012, as well,” says Allison Vitt, outreach ate that we are using compostable cups and compostable straws.” and communications coordinator for the UF Office of Sustainability. It’s a slow, but steady effort, says Eric DesRoberts, senior “At the end of 2018, we officially switched over all to compostable manager of the Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas program. straws.” They feel like plastic, but are certified compostable, “We have worked with a number of restaurants talking about why she says. it is important to be taking action to keep plastics out of the waste UF has engaged with Cupanion, a company that developed stream and out of the ocean.” an app that has a “fill it forward” program, distributing money to More people are volunteering to clean up and cut back on clean-water charities worldwide. “Since 2016, we’ve been working plastics, and more businesses are asking the nonprofit, Washingwith them to reduce single-use plastic, rewarding people for reuston, D.C.-based, environmental advocacy organization how they ing their bottles,” says Vitt. can do their part. “There is momentum, but it is challenging,” Interested students, staff and faculty are given a barcode says DesRoberts. sticker to scan on their phone each time a bottle is refilled at a campus retailer or water fountain. The app provides points that Yvette C. Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, can be redeemed for monthly prizes. “It also shows you your Florida. Connect at YvetteHammett28@hotmail.com.

February 2020

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HEALTHY FAMILY GUIDE

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Zen Zone Sensory Gym 2055 Albany Post Road Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520 914.737.ZONE(9663) ZenZoneGym.com

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Boosting Kids’ Cardiovascular Health

by Ronica A. O’Hara

e don’t often think of children as having cardiovascular problems, but evidence is mounting that many youngsters today—because of scant exercise, poor eating habits and excessive screen time—are on track to experiencing serious heart and circulatory problems later in life. “Instead of taking a wait-and-see approach by treating disease later in adulthood, we should help children maintain the standards of ideal cardiovascular health that most children are born with,” reports Julia Steinberger, M.D., director of pediatric cardiology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, in Minneapolis, and lead author of a 2016 scientific statement on children’s cardiovascular health from the American Heart Association (AHA). In a March 2019 update, the AHA noted that fewer than 1 percent of children meet all seven criteria, or metrics, for ideal cardiovascular health; half of all children meet merely half the measures, which include physical activity, healthy

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eating, not smoking, attaining ideal body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose readings. Poor metrics in a child are linked to such adverse outcomes as heart attacks, heart failure and stroke in adulthood, advises Elaine Urbina, M.D., director of preventive cardiology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, adding that poor metrics in teens are linked to fatty build-up in the neck arteries and arterial stiffness later in life. But starting in utero, crucial strategies can promote strong cardiovascular systems in kids. Children born to mothers with low vitamin D levels have about a 60 percent higher risk of elevated systolic blood pressure between ages 6 and 18, reports a Boston Medical Center study in the journal Hypertension; vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may head that off. Other important strategies include:

Get them moving. Children should be physically active at least 60 minutes a day, the AHA recommends, but among

kids 6 to 11, only half of the boys and a third of the girls meet that guideline; by ages 16 to 19, merely one in 10 boys and one in 20 girls do. A review of 50 fitness studies in 28 countries involving 25 million children concluded that American kids today are about a minute and a half slower running a mile than their peers 30 years ago. “Aerobic exercises like running, swimming and cycling use the big muscles of the body and are excellent ways of stressing and strengthening the heart and lungs,” says study author Grant Tomkinson, Ph.D., professor of education, health and behavior studies at the University of North Dakota. Even simply walking to school in the morning for 10 minutes reduces stress in kids and curbs heart rate and blood pressure increases, a University of Buffalo study found.

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Feed them well. About 91 percent of U.S. children

have what is classified as a “poor” diet that’s heavy in simple carbs like desserts and sugary drinks, the AHA reported. It recommends feeding kids a diet heavy in fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains and low in sodium and sugary foods and drinks. A 2016 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study of 2,142 children found

Instead of taking a waitand-see approach by treating disease later in adulthood, we should help children maintain the standards of ideal cardiovascular health that most children are born with. ~Julia Steinberger

that nine of 10 kids exceeded recommended sodium levels. A Cleveland Clinic study found that obese children eating a low-fat, plant-based vegan diet for four weeks began lowering their risk of heart disease by improving their weight, blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol levels and insulin sensitivity.

Don’t smoke or vape. The risk of a child developing

carotid plaque in adulthood was four times higher if one or both parents smoked without taking care to limit the child’s exposure; when they did take care, the risk was still almost two times higher, according to an Australian study in the journal Circulation. Discouraging a teen from vaping is also critical to future health: New research from the University of Kansas School of Medicine shows that adults that vape are significantly more likely to have a heart attack, coronary artery disease and depression compared with those that don’t vape or use any tobacco products.

Restrict screen time. Australian

6-year-olds that spent the most time in front of TVs, computers and video games had narrower arteries in the back of their eyes—a marker of future cardiovascular risk— reported a study in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular. A study from Canada’s McMaster University found that kids with video game addictions sleep less, which in turn elevates blood pressure, lowers helpful HDL cholesterol and raises triglycerides. Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

PLANT-BASED NUTRITION ISSUE

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CHOOSING LOVE How to Cope With Fearful Times by Scarlett Lewis

t’s hard to make sense of some of the troubling things we see on TV and read about in the news. Our kids ask us, “Why are these things happening?” It’s an important question and it all comes down to two competing feelings: fear versus love. When we see disturbing images such as school shootings or political opponents attacking one another, it cultivates anxiety, which is epidemic in our society. When left untreated, it can lead to negative outcomes including substance abuse, depression, suicide and violence. Often, we look to those in perceived power to solve these issues. Perhaps what we haven’t considered is that these are not political issues; rather, they are issues of the heart and only we can solve them. So we continue to see pain and suffering played out before us. We feel powerless and this feeds our unease. Our personal safety is a priority and external safety measures sometimes fail. If we don’t feel safe, nothing else matters. There is a solution. The opposite of anxiety and fear is love. When we examine the trajectory of most societal ills, there is often an arc of loneliness, depression, isolation and often abuse. From a young age, we can learn to choose love as a thoughtful response to any situation. When we do this, we take back our personal power. We become part of the solution to the issues we see, and science tells us that others will do the same.

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There is a formula for choosing love. It starts with courage. My son Jesse was a 6-year-old boy who stood up to the shooter that came into his first-grade classroom at Sandy Hook Elementary School and saved nine of his classmates’ lives before losing his own. We all have that courage within us: the courage to be kind, to speak our truth, to do the right thing. We can only have one thought at a time, so we can shift our thinking by replacing a negative thought with a grateful one. Forgiving helps us to take back our personal power and is a gift we give ourselves. It is the foundation of healthy relationships that lead to greater happiness and connection in our lives. Compassion in action helps us step outside our own busyness, distraction and even pain to help others. When we do this, we’re choosing love and helping to create a safer, more peaceful and loving world. When we model the practice of these character values as a thoughtful response for our children, they grow up to do the same. Scarlett Lewis is the founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure every child has access to social and emotional education and support. Connect with her at Info@JesseLewisChooseLove.org.

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February January 2020

Linda Carroll on Skills That Make Love Last by Kajsa Nickels

sychotherapist Linda Carroll was drawn into the dynamics of couples’ counseling three decades ago when she saw how in her own marriage, petty disagreements could turn into full-blown arguments with the potential for deep wounds. She and her husband Tim worked on their issues by attending workshops across the country, including Imago therapy and PAIRS (Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills), which were so effective that she developed a curriculum called Love Skills by combining those tools, her experience as a married person and counselor, personal training from consciousness pioneers and resources from ancient mythology and spiritual/religious traditions. She has co-taught the course with her husband for more than 25 years. Her first book, Love Cycles: The Five Essential Stages of Everlasting Love, has been translated into several languages and details stages in romantic relationships. Her new book, Love Skills: The Key to Unlocking Lasting, Wholehearted Love, is a guide to developing a relationship toolkit.

What is the Love Cycles model?

It is based on the fact that feelings of love are seasonal. Like the seasons of the year, they are a natural progression of a relationship. If you understand the seasons, you 38

can pass through them. All relationships are teachers. If we allow them to teach us, we become free to love deeper and better.

What is the most difficult Love Cycles stage, and why?

Each stage has its own unique challenges. For example, the first stage, the Merge, has a magic to it due to the chemical cocktail that floods your body when in the presence of your significant other. But this stage can be treacherous in that you can mistake your feelings for evidence that this is the “right” person for you. In the Power Struggle stage, feelings will have worn off and power struggles will start to show up. The third stage is Disillusionment. Differences between both of you really start to show up at this time. The fourth stage is the Decision stage. At this point, many couples find themselves wanting out. The key to making it through this stage is to remember that this, too, shall pass and to commit to working it out. It’s important to realize that life is not about getting an A+ at all times. Sometimes, we need to accept that a C- is okay; and if you do need to leave a relationship, it is possible to do it in a wholehearted way at best—at the least, to minimize damage. The fifth stage I call Wholehearted Love, a stage reached only through mindfulness and unconditional love. Because love has changing seasons, a couple will not stop at

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the fifth stage forever, but getting back to this state will become easier and easier as time goes on.

What was your impetus for writing Love Skills?

I have been teaching the program for 25 years and drew from my almost 40 years as a couples therapist, many trainings all over the country and own life experiences in my relationship with my husband to compile the program. Most couples lack the skills to manage the troubles of life. There is a skill to every aspect of a relationship, especially in communication: listening, speaking, knowing when to speak and when to be silent.

Who is most likely to benefit?

The relationship you have with yourself is a core part of the Love Cycles model. If you do not have a good relationship with yourself, you cannot have a solid and meaningful relationship with another person. This is a couples’ book, although it can also be gone through by a single person if the partner is not interested in it. What I tell people is that you can only work on your part. If the other person doesn’t want to buy in or isn’t wholeheartedly on board—or at least partially willing—there is nothing that you can do about it. You need to be able to be okay and confident in yourself. You cannot change another person, but you can always change yourself.

What is one of the most important pieces of advice you have for couples?

I hope that couples come to realize that feelings of love are like clouds, always changing. A good relationship requires a skill set, which we practice whatever the feelings are. We are not born knowing how to love skillfully, but this skill set can be learned by anyone and will make you able to listen better and appreciate each other more. Kajsa Nickels is a freelance author who resides in northeastern Pennsylvania. Connect at FidelEterna45@gmail.com.

photo by Le Studio NYC

wise words

February 2020

fit body

by Marlaina Donato

t is well-known that exercise combats cardiovascular disease by balancing blood pressure and managing blood sugar, but aerobic exercise, not resistance training, takes the prize for keeping the body’s thousands of miles of blood vessels more supple. A 2017 study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows that all-extremity exercise like brisk walking improves arterial flexibility in older individuals; even those with a sedentary history.

For blood vessel flexibility, any sort of sustained aerobic exercise helps. Find something you enjoy so that you’ll keep doing it in the long term. ~Alex Hutchinson Moving the body regularly also lowers stress hormones like cortisol that can ignite damaging vascular inflammation. A West Virginia University study presented at the 2016 Experimental Biology meeting in San Diego showed that aerobic exercise fosters healthy blood vessels in rats exposed to chronic stress. Combining aerobic exercise with good diet and paying attention to triglyceride levels all help to keep us young from the inside-out.

Step It Up According to a 2015 study by the University of 40

Missouri School of Medicine published in Experimental Physiology, walking just 10 minutes after prolonged sitting can restore blood flow in the legs and improve impaired vascular function. Results like these are another reason to get up and move. Walking, running, swimming, cycling, jumping rope and playing tennis are all excellent options. “For blood vessel flexibility, any sort of sustained aerobic exercise helps. Find something you enjoy so that you’ll keep doing it in the long term,” says Alex Hutchinson, New York Times bestselling author of Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights? Fitness Myths, Training Truths, and Other Surprising Discoveries from the Science of Exercise. The Toronto-based, Outside magazine science columnist underscores that treadmills and walking outside foster equal benefits by increasing the heart rate. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic exercise. Dr. Regina Druz, a boardcertified cardiologist and medical director of the Integrative Cardiology Center of Long Island, explains, “This translates into 30 minutes a day, five times a week. A specific exercise program may be helpful for those with a medical condition,

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but for overall vascular health, any physical activity like walking or taking the stairs will do.” Druz also highlights the role of nitric oxide: “One of the most studied mediators of vascular health is [nitric oxide], which makes arteries flexible.” Research findings published in 2018 in the journal Hypertension spotlight the correlation between the number of daily steps and arterial plasticity through a technique called pulse wave velocity, which measures how fast blood travels from the heart to the feet. The evidence suggests that 1,000 extra steps a day foster significant vascular improvement. Judy Heller, a walking coach and founder of Wonders of Walking, a fitness program in Portland, Oregon, concurs: “Moving throughout the day, not just once a day, is most important.” Heller is a firm believer in consistency. “My aunt lived to 107 and remained in her three-story house. Her words to me were, ‘Judy, don’t ever stop walking.’ Small changes yield greater rewards over time. We’re meant to move.”

Superfoods and Supplements

Nitric oxide, responsible for the dilation and contraction of blood vessels, is produced by exercising and helps to protect the smooth interior lining of the arteries from excessive plaque accumulation. Adding nitric oxide-boosting foods to an already healthy diet can give us an extra edge over vascular conditions like stroke and peripheral artery disease. “Beets, arugula, spinach and rhubarb are all good sources of dietary nitrate. They’re not miracle supplements, but if you make these foods a regular part of your diet,

brisk walk /Shutterstock.com

VITAL STEPS The Path to Vascular Fitness

you’ll have a positive effect on your arteries,” says Hutchinson. Research by Florida State University published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reveals that a one-cup daily serving of blueberries helps to protect the arteries from stiffness. Watermelon, rich in the nonessential amino acid L-citrulline, also packs a nitric oxide punch. Full-spectrum vitamin E is another good option, especially for addressing peripheral artery disease and reducing serum triglyceride levels that are often seen as secondary to “bad” cholesterol levels, but which low levels are vital to cardiovascular health. Druz cautions against using supplements as substitutes for healthy nutrition and exercise, and underscores the importance of dialing down stress, “I advise my patients to build stress resiliency, which involves recognizing and practicing stress response. This, along with nutrition and consistent exercise, will lower inflammation and help build stress resiliency.” Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

February 2020

get into the woods and he starts screaming, ‘Ferns! Ferns! Oh, how I missed you ferns!’” A year later they married in a private ceremony in an old-growth forest miles from civilization. They held their reception on a mountaintop in the Catskills.

local fitness

The Long Path

David and Jessica’s wedding ceremony

The Trails Lead to Love by Roger Dubin

his is the story of two couples whose love has a special connection to the trails and nature. One couple was married on a mountaintop in Harriman Bear Mountain State Park, the other deep in the Catskills amidst 300-year-old birch trees and 400-year-old spruce. Coincidentally, they both got engaged in canoes.

Love Survives

David and Jessica met in early 2014, when Jessica scored a Groupon for a survival program run by David’s company, Destination Back Country Adventures. David taught the class. David immediately felt an attraction to Jessica but quickly suppressed it. Then approaching 40, he had vowed that he would only get serious with someone if the relationship could lead to permanence and marriage. He didn’t think that possible with a 23-year-old. Jessica was attracted to Dave’s outdoorsy nature and adventurous lifestyle, but she also saw the age difference as a problem. The survival class was followed by day hikes and backpacking. Jessica fell in love with the woods and eventually became a guide at Destination Back Country. She and David enjoyed each other’s company but avoided getting romantically involved. 42

Ayla and Daniel’s wedding ceremony This went on for two years, as they fell in and out of relationships with others. They finally changed from co-workers and friends to partners after a particularly intense backpacking trip that they led together. The emotions ran high with this group of 25 New Yorkers over nine nights in Utah, but Jessica persevered and Dave was impressed. Rather than fly home alone, Jessica accepted Dave’s invitation to drive back to New York with him. After a particularly rough stretch of driving, they decided to camp in a wooded area in Tennessee. That’s when Jessica really saw David’s passion for nature. It still makes her melt. “Here’s this rugged guy who turns to mush when he sees a waterfall or hikes through an old-growth forest. And we

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Daniel and Ayla grew up together. His dad was Ed Bieber, founder of the Nature Place Day Camp, now in its 35th year. Her dad was Scott Dunn, the camp’s program director for 30 years. Daniel and Ayla shared the sense of wonder that comes from constant exposure to the outdoors. They began dating 10 years ago and married in 2015. Asked about the importance of hiking and nature to their relationship, Daniel says, “Consider where we had our wedding. We were looking for a special place in nature to get married, and Dad suggested the site of the Raymond Torrey memorial on top of Long Mountain, where the Long Path crosses. What a metaphor that is for marriage and life! We started the journey of life together on the Long Path, which was conceived in 1931 and extends over 350 miles, from New York City to Thacher State Park in Albany County.” The wedding took place on a blustery October day that started off mild and quickly turned cold. The rain blew horizontally at times, and the mile-long trail up the mountain was so slippery that guides were strategically located to keep the 100plus guests from falling. “Overcoming the challenges and weather to get to the top made the ceremony that much more meaningful,” Ayla says. “We’ll never forget that day and the start of our lives together as husband and wife on that mountaintop.” �� Some trails lead into the woods. Others, to love. Happy trails! Roger Dubin is volunteer trail supervisor for the New York-New Jersey Trail conference (nynjtc.org) and day hike leader and naturist for the Nature Place Day Camp. Contact him at MrNaturalNYC@gmail or on Instagram @MrNaturalNYC. See ad, back cover.

natural awakenings

NETWORK BALANCE FITNESS

YOGA STUDIOS

StepWISEnow Strength.Flexibility.Balance 325 S. Highland Ave., Ste. 109 Briarcliff Manor/ Ossining 914.292.0602; Stepwisenow.com

BEDFORD HILLS Katonah Yoga 39 Main Street 914.241.2661; katonahyoga.com

MOUNT KISCO Elite Performance PT NEW Of Westchester, PC 175 E. Main St. Suite 204 ElitePTandPilates.com 917.476.2164 SOMERS Equipoise Pilates & Wellness Bailey Court, 334 Rt. 202 cbakerpilates@gmail.com 914.276.2056

TAI CHI StepWISEnow Strength.Flexibility.Balance 325 S. Highland Ave., Ste. 109 Briarcliff Manor/ Ossining 914.292.0602; Stepwisenow.com

YONKERS Nueva Alma Yoga & Wellness 799 McLean Avenue 914.294.0606 NuevaAlma.com

POUGHKEEPSIE BRIARCLIFF

PILATES STUDIOS

Putnam Yoga 30 Tomahawk Street Baldwin Place 845.494.8118 PutnamYoga.com

OudiYoga 325 S. Highland Ave Suite 109 Ossining/Briarcliff. All levels 914.236.9208; oudiyoga.com

CORTLANDT MANOR Elevate Yoga Studio 3535 Crompond Rd. carasaxhealth@aol.com elevateyogastudios.com

CROSS RIVER O2 Living/drinklivingjuice 792 Rt. 35 Yellow Monkey Village 914.763.6320; drinklivingjuice.com DOBBS FERRY Sacred Spirit Yoga & Healing Arts Center 343 Broadway (on campus of South Presbyterian Church) sacredspirityogacenter.org

Hudson River Yoga Beginner - Experienced 696 Dutchess Tpk, (near Adams) 845.204.9111 hudsonriveryoga.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

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

YOGA TEACHER TRAINING Westchester Yoga Arts RYT200/RYT500/ Kids Yoga TT 888.760.4943; New Rochelle westchesteryogaarts. perfectmind.com

To list your business on this page, please call 845-593-0065

EASTCHESTER

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

YOGA ASSOCIATIONS Yoga Teachers Association Workshops 2nd Sat. 1:30 pm Club Fit, Briarcliff Manor ytacommunications@gmail.com ytayoga.com

The Temperance Center 453 White Plains Road 914.793.2600 TheTemperanceCenter.com

KATONAH Golden Prana Yoga 223 Katonah Avenue 914.984.3408 goldenprana.yoga

MAHOPAC Liberation Yoga & Wellness Center 862 Route 6 845.803.8389; liberationny.com Mamaeh Yoga Family Yoga Studio 900 South Lake Blvd. #8 845.519.2972; mamaehyoga.com February 2020

calendar of events

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8

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 February 12 (for the March issue) and adhere to our guidelines. Email WPCcalendar@naturalawakeningsmag.com for guidelines on how to submit listings. No phone calls or faxes, please.

markyourcalendar 1 or 2-day workshop February 8-9, 2020 [10 am-5 pm] [$115/$215] Offered by: Dr. Somesh N. Kaushik ND, BAMS, MPH, MPA, E-RYT 500 from The Institute for the Advancement of Ayurvedic Sciences To be held at: Balance Arts Center 151 West 33th St (3rd flr) NYC RSVP: 646.670.6725

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 Homeopathy for Babies and Tots: Colic, Teething, Tantrums and More... – 10-11:30am. Learn how to choose the most helpful remedy to match the most common symptoms in babies and toddlers. $25. Nur Space, 596 Warburton Ave, Hastings-onHudson. NurSpace.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 LifeForce Yoga for Teens – 5:30-6:30pm. With Merrill Black. A gentle yoga flow using sounds, posture, hand gestures and restorative poses to meet the mood. $20. The Temperance Center, 453 White Plains Rd, Ste 203, Eastchester. 914.793.2600. TheTemperanceCenter.com.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 Qi Gong Classes – Feb 4, 11, 18 and 25. 5:156:15pm. $10 drop-in. Sandy Dutchess Yoga, 1575

markyourcalendar LIFE ENERGY ARTS GALLERY Singing Songbirds Wednesdays 7pm Evening of Valentines Music February 15, 7pm Diamond-Dart Meridian Sequence Workshop Sunday February 23, 2-3:30pm 11-13 E Main St, Mount Kisco, NY 10549 (above Mount Kisco Sports).

Visit LifeEnergyArts.gallery for all events. Call: 914.218.3350

Yoga Nidra – 10:30-11:45am. With Deirdre Breen. 1st Sat monthly. This practice heals the nervous system and improves the quality of sleep and relaxation. $25. Golden Prana, 223 Katonah Ave, Katonah. 914.984.3408. GoldenPrana.yoga. Workshop - The Healing Garden - Herbal Detox – 1-4pm. Class will simplify the “Spring Cleanse” with practical dietary and herbal advice. $45. New Creations Gift Shop, 1042 Main St, Fishkill. Info: 845.765.8578. EmpoweredByNature.net.

halfpoint /Shutterstock.com

AYURVEDA: A MODERN APPROACH WITH ANCIENT HEALING WISDOM

Jikiden Reiki 1 Shoden Certificate Class – Feb 8-9. 9am-5pm. With Anne Bentzen. Learn this drugfree therapy to relieve stress, pain, inflammation and anxiety. Boost immunity, improve sleep. $350. Balance for health. Chatsworth Ave, Larchmont. Register 914.588.4079. Balancing4Life.com.

Roland Comtois and his Signature Purple Papers – 6:30-8:30pm. Hear and receive beautiful messages from loved ones. $70. Universal Healing Arts Connection, 4 Crestview Ave, Cortlandt Manor. Must preregister: 914.737.4325. UniversalHealingArts.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Babywearing meeting at Nur Space. See Feb. 20.

Rte 376, Lynn Bldg at the corner of All Angels Hills Rd, Wappingers Falls. Register/class pkgs available: 845.416.4598. EmpoweredByNature.net.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Yoga Asana and Nidra – Feb 5, 12, 19 and 26. 7:15-8:30pm. With Deirdre Breen. Gentle breath inspired movement followed by guided nidra meditation to heal the nervous system and relax the mind. $25. Golden Prana, 223 Katonah Ave, Katonah. 914.984.3408. GoldenPrana.yoga.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Yin Yoga – Feb 6, 13, 20 and 27. 9:30-10:45am. With Adrienne Marino-Eppner. A practice to ground and find balance. A time to explore stillness, quiet the mind, body and senses. $25. Golden Prana, 223 Katonah Ave, Katonah. 914.984.3408. GoldenPrana.yoga. How to Clear Places, Spaces, & People of Negative Energy – 5:30-7pm. With Barry Pirro. 1511 Rt. 22, Brewster. Call Synchronicity for info and to reserve space: 845.363.1765. synchronicityny.com. Adult Guided Channeling/Meditation Group – 7:45-8:45pm. With Merrill Black. Unique theme, meditation and group discussion. $20. The Temperance Center, 453 White Plains Rd, Ste 203, Eastchester. 914.793.2600. TheTemperanceCenter.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Quit with Quinn, Addiction Free Naturally – 6-7pm. These addiction cessation treatments bring remarkable, fast and sustainable results for overcoming all sorts of addictions. Q&A regarding smoking, alcohol, sugar, overeating and weight loss. Free. Briarcliff location. 914.473.2015. QuitWithQuinn.com.

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Herbal Allies and Practices for Winter Wellness – 11-12:30pm. Learn to formulate an herbal cough syrup that can be customized for pregnant women and infants; safe for breastfeeding moms and more. Participants will take home this organic remedy. BYO journal and water. $65. Nur Space, 596 Warburton Ave, Hastings-on-Hudson. NurSpace.com. Breaking Free from the Past—Beyond Cutting Cords – 11am-1pm. With Merrill Black. Shamanistic technique of recapitulation, clear energetic blockages/patterns affecting one’s life. Meditation exercises to delve deeper into oneself. $45. The Temperance Center, 453 White Plains Rd, Ste 203, Eastchester. 914.793.2600. TheTemperanceCenter.com. Candle Working for Beginners – 12noon-1pm. With Athena Silver. $30. 1511 Rt. 22, Brewster. Call Synchronicity for info and to reserve space: 845.363.1765. synchronicityny.com. Full Moon Lunar Gong Bath in Leo – 4-6pm. With Hari Sangat. A talk on the astrology of the full moon energies in Leo. Then release and renew with the healing sounds of the gong. $25. Golden Prana, 223 Katonah Ave, Katonah. 914.984.3408. GoldenPrana.yoga.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Adult Guided Channeling/Meditation Group – 7:15-8:15pm. With Merrill Black. Unique theme, meditation and group discussion. $20. The Temperance Center, 453 White Plains Rd, Ste 203, Eastchester. 914.793.2600. TheTemperanceCenter.com.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Sufi Meditation – Feb 11 and 25. 7-8pm. Individuals of all faiths and persuasions welcomed to attend and hear about the path and practices and then sit in meditation to experience its effects and benefits. Free. Nur Space, 596 Warburton Ave, Hastings-onHudson. NurSpace.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Right Coast Images/Shutterstock.com

Monthly Interfaith at the Chapel at Croton Falls – 10:30-11:30am. With Rev Melanie Gambino. Refreshments to follow. All welcome. 609, Rte 22, parking across the street, Croton Falls. ChapelatCrotonfalls.org. Intimate Mediumship Circle – 3-4:30pm. With Stacey Decea, a medium who brings forth recognizable evidence and messages from loved ones in spirit. Only eight seats available. Everyone guaranteed a reading. $50. Golden Prana, 223 Katonah Ave, Katonah. 914.588.6196.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Guided Hike at Teatown. See Feb. 28.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 The Healers Circle – 10am-11:30am. With Mary Ellen O’Brien. Two-month program. Each attending healer will discover how to fully own one’s individual gifts and amplify one’s personal service. Cold Spring Retreat House. AwakenYourTrueEssence.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Meditation: A Spiritual Solution to Stress and Strain – 7-8:15pm. With Jim Rose. Explore how meditation, by connecting with one’s spiritual core, can help overcome anger and stress. Free. Science of Spirituality. Mosaic Mental Health Center, 5676 Riverdale Ave, Ste 203. Riverdale. Info. 914.433.1800. sos.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Quit with Quinn, Addiction Free Naturally – 6-7pm. These addiction cessation treatments bring remarkable, fast and sustainable results for overcoming all sorts of addictions. Q&A regarding smoking, alcohol, sugar, overeating and weight loss. Free. Briarcliff location. 914.473.2015. QuitWithQuinn.com. Adult Guided Channeling/Meditation Group – 7:15-8:15pm. With Merrill Black. Unique theme, meditation and group discussion. $20. The Temperance Center, 453 White Plains Rd, Ste 203, Eastchester. 914.793.2600. TheTemperanceCenter.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 HypnoBirthing Class – Feb 15, 22, 29, Mar 7, 14. Gain an understanding of how the birthing muscles work in perfect harmony, as they were designed to, when one’s body is sufficiently relaxed and trusts birth. $375 per couple. Nur Space, 596 Warburton Ave, Hastings-on-Hudson. NurSpace.com. Reiki 1 & 2 w/ Reiki Master Marcus Feighery – 11am-4pm. $275. 1511 Rt. 22, Brewster. Call Synchronicity for info and to reserve space: 845.363.1765. synchronicityny.com. “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” With Peter Muir – 7pm. An evening of intimate music and an exploration of love songs in American Popular music from 1900 - 1930. $25. Life Energy Arts Gallery, 11-13 E Main St, Mount Kisco (above Mount Kisco Sports). Info: LifeEnergyArts.com/Events.

Free Lecture: What is Ayurvedic Medicine and How Does it Compare with Western (Allopathic) Medicine? – 7:30-9pm.With Dr. Somesh Kaushik, an Ayurvedic and Naturopathic physician. Mark Twain Library, 439 Redding Rd, Redding, CT. 203.938.2545. MarkTwainLibrary.org.

markyourcalendar MONTHLY INTERFAITH The Chapel at Croton Falls Sunday February 16, 2020 10:30am - 11:30am DIVINE LOVE Rev. Gary Deinstadt Refreshments to follow ALL WELCOME! The Chapel at Croton Falls, 609, Rt. 22 Parking across the street. chapelatcrotonfalls.org

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Vision & Success in School – 7-9pm. Learn to identify children having trouble learning. 25 percent of children have vision problems keeping them from reaching their full potential. Free. Dr. Samantha Slotnick, 495 Central Park Ave, Ste 301, Scarsdale. RSVP: 914.874.1177. DrSlotnick.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20 New York Babywearing – 12:30-2pm. At each meeting participants will have the opportunity to learn and explore five different carrier types - wraps, Meh Dai, ring slings, soft structured carriers and onbuhumios. Free. Nur Space, 596 Warburton Ave, Hastings-on-Hudson. NurSpace.com. Adult Guided Channeling/Meditation Group – 7:45-8:45pm. With Merrill Black. Unique theme, meditation and group discussion. $20. The Temperance Center, 453 White Plains Rd, Ste 203, Eastchester. 914.793.2600. TheTemperanceCenter.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Free Lecture: What is Ayurvedic Medicine and How Does it Compare with Western (Allopathic) Medicine? – 12:30-2pm.With Dr. Somesh Kaushik, an Ayurvedic and Naturopathic physician. Weston Public Library, 56 Northfield Rd, Weston, CT. 203.222.2665. WestonPublicLibrary.org. Natural Self Care Techniques – 6-8pm. Essential oils and THC-free CBD for emotional wellness. $5. Hudson Valley Healing Center. 845.208.9771. bit.ly/2TfmgZU.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 LifeForce Yoga Chakra Balancing Flow & Yoga Nidra – 11am-12:15pm. With Merrill Black. Gentle meditative flow using sounds, postures, hand gestures and restorative poses to balance chakras. Ending with yoga nidra for deep relaxation. $20. The Temperance Center, 453 White Plains Rd, Ste 203, Eastchester. 914.793.2600. TheTemperanceCenter.com. Reiki Master Class with Reiki Master Marcus Feighery – 11am-4pm. $675. Call Synchronicity for info and to reserve space: 845.363.1765. synchronicityny.com.

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. ~Lao Tzu

markyourcalendar ANGELS & DRAGONS ATTUNEMENT EMPOWERMENT INITIATION with John DiBlasi Friday February 28, 7pm, $40 Welcome to the many realms and worlds of Angels and Dragons, seemingly vastly different domains yet both share a common link and can work together... Experience Group Healing and Attunement and learn techniques and meditations. RSVP: 845.493.0432 Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique, 12 West Main Street, Pawling (Village) NY AngelAuraBoutique.com February 2020

planetwatch

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Diamond-Dart Meridian Sequence – 2pm. With Karla Booth. Learn a profound movement meditation based on postures devised by Dr. Raymond Dart in a sequence designed by Dr. John Diamond to raise Life Energy. $25. Life Energy Arts Gallery, 11-13 E Main St, Mount Kisco. RSVP/questions: 914.218.3350. LifeEnergyArts.com/Events. Introduction to Using a Pendulum – 3pm-5:30pm. With Barry Pirro. Call Synchronicity for info and to reserve space: 845.363.1765. synchronicityny.com. Reflexology Workshop - Deepen Your Practice – 1-4:30pm. For those who have taken Intro Class and How to Conduct a Reflexology Session. Also for massage therapists and acupuncturists. $45 includes materials. Empowered By Nature, 21 Old Main St, Ste 207, Fishkill. Info/register: 845.416.4598.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24

February 2020 Astrology with Pamela Cucinell

Push and Ponder

Savor the warmth of a cozy space, comfort food and good companionship on February 1. Be clear in communication when optimism reigns on Groundhog Day. Work and responsibility hit a sweet spot on February 3. Too many options increase confusion on February 4; stay on track or take a pause. A reorientation occurs when you focus on inspiration rather than disappointment on February 5. Meditation, music or a movie on February 6 provides solutions that soothe.

Master Emotions

Moodiness on February 7 ebbs through stress reduction; find ways to release tension and breathe! Detours can’t deter playfulness on February 8, when humor is your director. The Leo full moon on February 9 encourages joy in community—tease out the child in you. Attention to detail is required on February 10. Sidestep short tempers on February 11; focus on what soothes rather than inflames. Plow through difficult discussions on February 12, and they’ll lead to eventual resolution.

Be Your Valentine

A lack of support on February 13 can turn around when you consider resources. Love your reflection on February 14, when deep love heals. Tap your wellspring on February 15 through an emphasis on self-care and secure friendships. February 16 begins three weeks to emphasize clear commu46

nication; Mercury goes retrograde. Plan strategy on February 17. Practical advantages are available February 18.

New Beginnings

Shake off early-morning negativity on February 19 to embrace a productive day. Outof-the-blue suggestions on February 20 can produce fruitful results. Enterprises with like-minded people on February 21 enjoy success. Capture inspiration on February 22 and pocket it for another day. The Pisces new moon on February 23 presents a fresh start for targeted commitments to creative endeavors.

Leap Year

Precise direction on February 24 brings it home. Morning quiet spins into action on February 25; increase awareness with the pace. What’s the hurry on February 26? When demands seem incessant, make time for renewal and refreshment midday on February 27. Take time to look around on February 28, because opportunity is missed with too much tenacity. Good choices enhance the promise on February 29. Pamela Cucinell offers spiritual insight with a practical twist through both astrology and tarot at InsightOasis.com. Discover guidance through her website, private sessions, podcasts and webinars. For more information, contact her at 917.796.6026 or pamela@ insightoasis.com. See ad page 36.

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Free Lecture: Diabetes: A whole Body Approach – 6-8pm.With Dr. Somesh Kaushik, an Ayurvedic and Naturopathic physician. Tuckahoe Library, 71 Columbus Ave. 914.961.2121. TuckahoeLibrary.org. Adult Guided Channeling/Meditation Group – 7:15-8:15pm. With Merrill Black. Unique theme, meditation and group discussion. $20. The Temperance Center, 453 White Plains Rd, Ste 203, Eastchester. 914.793.2600. TheTemperanceCenter.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Teatown Lake Reservation Guided Hike – 9:30am-12:30pm. Join in for a 4-5 mile loop hike around scenic Teatown Lake and surrounding trails. Free. Lake Parking Lot, 500-598 Blinn Rd, Ossining. Info: nynjtc.org. Quit with Quinn, Addiction Free Naturally – 6-7pm. These addiction cessation treatments bring remarkable, fast and sustainable results for overcoming all sorts of addictions. Q&A regarding smoking, alcohol, sugar, overeating and weight loss. Free. Briarcliff location. 914.473.2015. QuitWithQuinn.com. Angels & Dragons Attunement Empowerment Initiation – 7pm. With John DiBlasi. Experience Group Healing and Attunement and learn techniques and meditations. $40. Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique, 12 West Main St, Pawling (Village). RSVP: 845.493.0432. AngelAuraBoutique.com. Meditation: The Path to Lasting Peace – 7-8:30pm. With Dr. Andrew Vidich. Learn how meditation can help discover the source of peace inherent within to tap into love, light and peace. 1st Unitarian Society of Westchester, 25 Old Jackson Ave, Hastings-on-Hudson. Info: 914.433.1800. sos.org. Adult Guided Channeling/Meditation Group – 7:15-8:15pm. With Merrill Black. Unique theme, meditation and group discussion. $20. The Temperance Center, 453 White Plains Rd, Ste 203, Eastchester. 914.793.2600. TheTemperanceCenter.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29 Certified Reiki 1 & 2 Class – Feb 29 and Mar 1. With Shima Chayvet. Learn skills for self-healing and treating others through the ancient art of reiki. $300. Universal Healing Arts Connection, 4 Crestview Ave, Cortlandt Manor. Info/times: 914.737.4325.

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 Pilates Mat Class – 9am. Fully equipped pilates studio, small class sizes. $20. Rhinebeck Pilates, 6400 Montgomery St. 845.876.5686. RhinebeckPilates.com. Hudson Valley Regional Farmers Market – 10am-2pm. Putnam County’s only year-round indoor-outdoor Famer’s Market. Pet-friendly. Organic produce, Kombucha, plants, wine, complimentary organic coffee and more. Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association, 15 Mt. Ebo Rd. South, Brewster. hudsonvalleyfarmersmarket.org. All Level Flow – 10-11:15am. With Cara. A vinyasa style class to suit the needs of the individual. Modifications are offered to accommodate beginners, intermediate or more advanced practitioners. $20 drop-in. Elevate Yoga, 3535 Crompond Rd, Cortlandt Manor. ElevateYogaStudios.com. Sunday Morning Qigong & Tai Chi – 10am. A meditation where the slow controlled movements improve muscle tone, balance and short term memory. Develops coordination and improves balance. First class free. In Balance Tai Chi Studio, 2505 Carmel Ave, Rte 6, Brewster. 845.803.1992. InBalanceTaiChi.com.

monday YogaShine for Adults – 9-10:30am. With Vitalah Simon. Kripalu-based, gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, developing consciousness, curiosity and compassion. Individual attention as needed. First class free. 7-11 Legion Dr, Valhalla. 914.769.8745. YogaShine.com. Yoga for a Healthy Back – 9:30-10:45am. Class focuses on ways to improve overall spinal health, while safely practicing yoga. Also offered Wed 5:30-6:45pm. Westchester Yoga Arts, 49 Lawton St. 2nd Flr, New Rochelle. Info: 888.760.4943. WestchesterYogArts.com. Basic Warm Flow Yoga – 10:15-11am. With Cara. A vinyasa class focusing on the alignment of the basic poses, nothing fancy. $20 drop-in. Elevate Yoga, 3535 Crompond Rd, Cortlandt Manor. ElevateYogaStudios.com. Qi Gong Energy Flow – 11:30am-Noon. With Sean Rachlin. Open level. An ancient Chinese practice of movement and breathing exercises that help to cultivate one’s energy and flow. Practice moves blockages, regulates the body’s systems and more. $10 suggested donation. Ste 203. Eastchester. TheTemperanceCenter.com.

markyourcalendar The Center for Health and Healing Shamanic Reiki Trainings with Melanie Ryan Level One March 21 & 22 Level Two April 25 & 26 Mt. Kisco, NY • Center4Healing.net Monday’s Reiki Meditation Circle – 1pm. Begins Jan 6. No class Jan 20 or Feb 17. Learn how to relax, release stress and restore healing within. Limited space. On Your Toes Dance Studio, 68 S Devoe Ave, Yonkers. Registration required, call/ text: 914.513.8398. Yoga by Maria-Guided Vinyasa Yoga – 3:304:30pm. Not held on Nat’l holidays. With Maria Polhemus. $10 per class. The World Peace Sanctuary, 26 Benton Rd, Wassaic. Info: Ann Marie: 845.337.2599. All Level Flow – 5-6pm. With Jennifer. A vinyasa style class to suit the needs of the individual. Modifications are offered to accommodate beginners, intermediate or more advanced practitioners. $20 drop-in. Elevate Yoga, 3535 Crompond Rd, Cortlandt Manor. ElevateYogaStudios.com. YogaShine for Pre-Teens and Teens – 7-8pm. With Vitalah Simon. Kripalu-based, gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, developing consciousness, curiosity, strength and compassion. Individual attention as needed. First class free. 7-11 Legion Dr, Valhalla. 914.769.8745. YogaShine.com.

tuesday Sunrise Yoga – 6:30-7:30am. With Victor. A practice for one’s mind, body and breath tradition that is healthful and beneficial. Open level class uses movement with breath, sounds and chanting. Variations and modifications to fit all. $20. Ste 203, Eastchester. Vic: 914.319.7322. TheTemperanceCenter.com. Mat Class – 9-10am. A small mat class for an intimate pilates experience. $20. Rhinebeck Pilates, 6400 Montgomery St. Elaine: 845.876.5686. RhinebeckPilates.com.

February 2020

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 Shi Ba Shi Qigong & Tai Chi – 10am, 5:30pm and 7pm. A full body stretch, improves muscle tone and short term memory. Develops coordination and improves balance. First class free. In Balance Tai Chi Studio. 2505 Carmel Ave, Rte 6, Brewster. 845.803.1992. InBalanceTaiChi.com. Gentle Yoga for Wellness – 5:30-6:45pm. With Ann Casapini. Gentle level. Yoga using chairs, props, deep relaxation/meditation to build stability, strength and flexibility. $18 drop-in. Ann: 917.882.0921. Eastchester. TheTemperanceCenter.com. Yoga Class – 7-8:15pm. All levels. Increase balance and reduce stress. Be connected and be focused. OudiYoga, 325 S. Highland Ave, Ste 109, Ossining/Briarcliff. Info: 914.236.9208. OudiYoga.com. Vinyasa Restorative Flow – 7:30-8:45pm. With Jo-Anne Salomone. All levels. A great vinyasa flow class that incorporates restorative yoga. $18 drop-in. Eastchester. Jo-Anne: 917.364.1871. TheTemperanceCenter.com.

wednesday Mixed Equipment Class – 9-10am. This class utilizes all of the pilates equipment. Previous pilates experience is suggested. $40. Rhinebeck Pilates, 6400 Montgomery St. 845.876.5686. RhinebeckPilates.com. YogaStrong – 9:30-10:45am. With Cara A warm flow class that combines sun salutations and light weights to add to the intensity of the asana. $20 drop-in. Elevate Yoga, 3535 Crompond Rd, Cortlandt Manor. ElevateYogaStudios.com. Yin Breath Yoga – 6:30-7:45pm.with Victor Gazzini. A yoga class using a breath bases asana practice that incorporates meditation, visualization and chanting. All levels. $18 drop-in. Eastchester. Vic: 914.319.7322. TheTemperanceCenter.com. Guided Meditation and Sound Bath – 7-8pm. 2nd Wed. The sound of Tibetan singing bowls, tuning forks, chimes, bells and gongs to reduce stress, enhance awareness and energized. $5 donation. The World Peace Sanctuary, 26 Benton Rd, Wassaic. RSVP, Cristina: 917.900.7705. Westchester Songbirds – 7-8pm. New singing group with emphasis on having fun and community spirit. All levels, no need to read music or sing on key! Life Energy Arts Gallery, 11-13 E Main St, Mount Kisco. $20. Info: 845.554.2077. LifeEnergyArts.com/Events. Meditation Group, in the Tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh – 7-8:30pm. For centering in these challenging times. Free. Donation gratefully welcomed. YogaShine Studio, 7-11 Legion Dr, Valhalla. 914.769.8745.

CALENDAR Check out the latest events at WakeUpNaturally.com

Weekly Spiritual and Meditation Program – 7:30-9pm. Gathering with video selections and readings on a weekly topic. Science of Spirituality: Transforming Lives through Meditation. Refreshments following. Free. Mosaic Mental Health Center, 5676 Riverdale Ave, Ste 203, Riverdale. Info. 914.433.1800. sos.org.

thursday Guided Meditations – 9:30-10:15am. With Lisa. $18. Sacred, 11 Addison St. Larchmont. 914.825.9535. SacredLarchmont.com. Shi Ba Shi Qigong & Tai Chi – 10am. A full body stretch, improves muscle tone and short term memory. Develops coordination and improves balance. First class free. In Balance Tai Chi Studio. 2505 Carmel Ave, Rte 6, Brewster. 845.803.1992. InBalanceTaiChi.com. Pilates Tower Class – 10:30-11:30am. An energizing pilates workout in a fully equipped studio. Small class sizes. $35. Rhinebeck Pilates, 6400 Montgomery St. 845.876.5686. RhinebeckPilates.com. Women’s Healing Circle – 1pm. Begins Jan 9. No class Feb 20. Topic focused energy healing circle to assist with women related issues. Limited Space. On Your Toes Dance Studio, 68 S Devoe Ave, Yonkers. Registration Required, call/text: 914.513.8398. YogaShine for Adults – 6:45-8:15pm. With Vitalah Simon. Kripalu-based, gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, developing consciousness, curiosity and compassion. Individual attention as needed. First class free. 7-11 Legion Dr, Valhalla. 914.769.8745. YogaShine.com.

friday Pilates Tower Class – 8:30am and 10:30am. Fully equipped pilates studio. $35. Rhinebeck Pilates, 6400 Montgomery St. 845.876.5686. RhinebeckPilates.com. Gentle Yoga – 9:30-10:45am. With Liz Carr. $22. Sacred, 11 Addison St, Larchmont. 914.825.9535. SacredLarchmont.com.

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

WakeUpNaturally.com

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

GRATITUDE I AM GRATEFUL for my heath, which gives me the ability to walk in nature. For me nature is a place of universal connection. I am so thankful I have the physical ability to wander.

PET ADOPTION SPCA OF WESTCHESTER – Open 7 Days a Week: Mon-Sat 10-4 & Sun 1-4. No appointment necessary. Come find a new best friend. 590 North State Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510. spca914. org.

VENDORS AND FAIRS

HELP WANTED

DIRECTORY Find local businesses with ease at WakeUpNaturally.com

BUSINESS FOR SALE WELL ESTABLISHED COLONIC PRACTICE for sale in Westchester county. Built and nurtured on love and kindness. It’s time for a new business parent. Priced reasonably. Please inquire at greatcolonics@gmail.com.

BUSINESS SERVICES GRAPHIC DESIGNER – Need a new look for your advertising and promotional material? Graphic designer with 15 years experience in the wellness and holistic industry. Fully bilingual: English & Spanish. Call 787.297.8818 or email waleska@ prnatural.com.

Powerful Flow Yoga – 9:30-10:45am. With Cara. A strong vinyasa class with sun salutations, inversions and arm balances in a heated studio. $20 drop-in. Elevate Yoga, 3535 Crompond Rd, Cortlandt manor. ElevateYogaStudios.com. Shi Ba Shi Qigong & Tai Chi – 10am, 5:30pm and 7pm. A full body stretch, improves muscle tone and short term memory. Develops coordination and improves balance. First class free. In Balance Tai Chi Studio. 2505 Carmel Ave, Rte 6, Brewster. 845.803.1992. InBalanceTaiChi.com. Chair YogaShine, Super Gentle, for Adults with Special Needs and Seniors – 10-11am. With Vitalah Simon. Gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, kripalu-based, developing curiosity, flexibility and compassion. Individual attention as needed. First class free. 7-11 Legion Dr, Valhalla. 914.769.8745. YogaShine.com.

ADVERTISING SALES/NATURAL AWAKENINGS. We are seeking somebody who is passionate about health and wellness and has outside ad sales experience. If you enjoy talking to people, learning about local businesses and like to get up and go discover cool people and businesses, then contact us. We are willing to train. Great supplemental monthly income (commission based). Please call the office 845.593.0065 or email: dana-na@ wakeupnaturally.com COLONIC THERAPIST WANTED. Part time for a well-established Westchester office. You are good natured, caring and concerned. Flexible hours. Experience a plus. Inquiries: greatcolonics@gmail. com include your phone number.

EXHIBITORS WANTED: Vendor, speaker reader and healer spots available at the April Awaken Fair in Tarrytown NY. This body-mindspirit event has been running for nearly 20 years in Westchester, attracting 1,000 guests and 125+ exhibitors. AwakenFair.com AwakenUSA@ aol.com

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.

INSPIRATION

FREE INSPIRATION! NEED A LIFT? Listen to a Shine On Podcast right now! Kacey.co. Shine On The Health and Happiness Show is heard first on 100.7 WHUD Sundays at 6:30 AM.

Gentle Yoga for Wellness – 10-11:15am. With Ann Casapini. Gentle level. Yoga using chairs, props, deep relaxation/meditation to build stability, strength and flexibility. $18 drop-in. Eastchester. Ann: 917.882.0921. TheTemperanceCenter.com.

saturday Gossett Brothers Farmer’s Market – 9am–1pm. Vendors include Bee Guy Apiaries, Do-Re-Mi Farms, Johnny Cake Farms, Wave Hill Bread, Honore’s Table, Du Soleil, Bongo Pasta, also fresh fish, homemade ice cream and crafts. 1202 Rte. 35, South Salem. Info: Gossett Brothers Nursery on Facebook.

List your events with Natural Awakenings!

List Your CLASSIFIED HERE Regional exposure in WestchesterPutnam & Dutchess

Saturday Morning Dance Party – 9:30am. With Lisa. Cardio dance party with easy to follow moves to rhythms from around the globe. No dance experience required. $15. Arthur Murray Dance Studio, 139 E Post Rd, White Plains. Info: 415.290.5537. LisaDanceFit.com. Peekskill Farmers Market – Year-round market offering fresh food and family fun. FMNP and SNAP accepted. Rain or Shine. The winter market is at 828 Main Street, Peekskill, 10am-2pm thru April 25. Then back outside on Bank Street from May 2 thru Nov 21. Info: peekskillfarmersmarket.com. Shaolin Kung Fu & Women’s Self Defense – 10am. This training is an exercise regime and selfdefense system. The movements develop coordination and promote external strength. First class free. In Balance Tai Chi Studio, 2505 Carmel Ave, Rte 6, Brewster. 845.803.1992. InBalanceTaiChi.com.

Visit: WakeUpNaturally.com February 2020

community resource directory

ADDICTION CESSATION

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.

ACUPUNCTURE KURT BEIL, ND, LAC, MPH

The Center for Health and Healing 4 Smith Ave, 2nd Floor, Mount Kisco, NY DrKurtBeil.com, info@drkurtbeil.com 914.362.8315

DIRECTORY Find local businesses on your phone at WakeUpNaturally.com

Chinese medicine for relieving muscle/joint pain and headaches; treating chronic disease including autoimmune disease, digestive disorders, and mental health conditions; boosting immune function; balancing hormones; helping tobacco/substance addiction; and reducing stress. Includes acupuncture, herbs, cupping, moxibustion, qigong, and TENS electro-stimulation. Insurance reimbursement available for some services. See ad pg 31.

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

SearchLight Medical 2424 Route 52, Hopewell Junction, NY 845.592.4310; SearchLightMedical.com 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 ads pgs 9 & 41.

ACUPRESSURE JIN SHIN DO® BODYMIND

ACUPRESSURE® GAIL KELLSTROM, MFA, LMT, AOBTA Katonah, NY 914.232.5754; jinshindony.com Powerful relaxation techniques reduces stress, eases neck/ shoulder/back tension and headaches. Balance, replenish, body, mind and spirit with “The Way of the Compassionate Spirit.” Gentle yet deep Asian Bodywork thousands of years old. In practice 35 years. C.E.U. classes.

QUIT WITH QUINN

Briarcliff Manor and Midtown Manhattan Steve.healingny@gmail.com 914.473.2015; QuitWithQuinn.com Quit with Quinn helps p e o p l e 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 13.

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE EVE SILVER

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE TEACHER, M.AmSAT Offices in Rye & Katonah NY evesilverAT.com; 914.921.2400 Increases self-awareness, builds confidence and improve your health and wellbeing. Learn how your brain and body interact, allowing you to better coordinate your movements and increase the accuracy of your mind’s thoughts and perceptions. Experience less stress, pain and ultimately improve your sense of calm, focus, posture and ease of movement. Private lessons and group classes. Adults, pre-teens, and children.

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

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.

MARGARET STEELE L.AC, DIPL, NCCAOM

25 North Division St. Peekskill, NY Margaret.steele@gmail.com 914.772.4589; SteeleNeedlesAcupuncture.com Offering Classical Chinese Acupuncture and Aromatherapy. Activate your body’s own healing potential with highly targeted treatments. Specializing in fertility and women’s health, acute and chronic pain, and acute and chronic health issues, including auto-immune disorders.

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

WakeUpNaturally.com

APPLIED KINESIOLOGY DR. JODI KENNEDY DC, PAK

Integrity Chiropractic 11 Miller Rd Mahopac, NY 10541 845.628.7233 IntegrityChiropractic.net Do you struggle with chronic problems like fibromyalgia, TMJ or heartburn? Unearth the root cause through a total-body approach that uses functional muscle testing. Experience lasting relief from a holistic treatment that addresses the whole person & provides empowering exercises. Call for a free consult & begin to transform your life today!

February 2020

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 36.

BEHAVIORAL OPTOMETRY SAMANTHA SLOTNICK, OD, FAAO, FCOVD

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.

COLIN MCPHILLAMY

Astrology & Tarot Skype and in-person 213 840 1187 mcphillamytarot.com Choice lives between pre-destiny and free will. Know your stars, control your life. A reading designed to encourage, support and empower. Call now.

AYURVEDA CLAUDIA GUKEISEN, MA, CAHC

The Center for Health & Healing, Mt. Kisco, NY; center4healing.net Izlind Integrative Wellness Center, Rhinebeck, NY; izlind.com claudiagukeisen@mac.com; 914.673.3313 Learn the principles of Ayurveda to help correct digestive issues that contribute to sleep, stress and other health imbalances. Ayurvedic diet, cooking and lifestyle recommendations along with Ayurvedic & Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and Reiki facilitate long-term improvements to your current health challenges. Support provided between visits.

CANDLES

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,T,W. See ad pg 26.

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!

CUSTOM CANDLE CO

UPPER CERVICAL CHIROPRACTIC OF NY

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. See ad pg 9.

Dr. Gertner himself suffered with back pain due to an injury. With upper cervical chiropractic treatments, his body began to “heal itself” and the relentless pain that had plagued him quickly left his body. This inspired him to become one of only 5 NUCCA chiropractors in New York, and less than 200 worldwide, currently. He experienced amazing results and he knows you will too. See ad pg 59.

25 Depot Plaza Bedford Hills NY; 914.218.8357 125 Westchester Ave. White Plains, NY; 914.259.6739 customcandleco.com

CBD CBD LIVE NATURAL

A Division of Custom Candle CO. Bedford Hills NY: 914.218.8357 White Plains, NY: 914.259.6739 Stamford CT : 203.610.2727 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. See ad pg 9.

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

CHIROPRACTIC

THE PHARM STAND

A Wellness Boutique 15 Maple av, Armonk, NY 914.219.4360; Thepharmstandoco.com Offering high quality Hemp derived CBD products including tinctures, gel caps, muscles rubs, creams, teas, chocolates, honeys and more. Plus, a full line of pet products for dogs, cats and horses. In addition to CBD products, the store also offers several lines of wellness and gift products. See ad pg 15.

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

WakeUpNaturally.com

311 North St., Suite 410, White Plains, NY 914.686.6200: ucc-ny.com/nucca

COACHING JANE SILVERMAN

Life Coach in Positive Psychology 914.263.7080; janesilvermanlifecoach.com Feeling stuck? Gain clarity, investigate your strengths and navigate transitions with proven tools and guidance. Free phone consultation to explore how working together can help you make the positive changes you seek. Appointments in person or by phone. See ad pg 26.

COACHING - LIFE LORNA GAGER

The Practical Mystic Spirit Based Coaching for Women 914.220.2495; lornagager.com I help you figure out what is most important to you, identify your patterns, shift your reactions, perceptions and the negative beliefs you have about yourself. This deep change work allows your life to open up in unlimited ways.

COACH – EATING PSYCHOLOGY SHARON CAHR, EATING PSYCHOLOGY Certified Mind Body Health Coach 914.309.3452 veggiecat@optonline.net

Mind Body Nutrition is a life changing approach to address our eating challenges. We will work together in a way in which eating and health issues become a place of exploration. I look forward to working with you to offer practical results oriented strategies.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY GET THE HEALTH YOU WANT!

Elizabeth Pasquale, LMT, CST, Director White Plains & Ossining offices 914.762.4693; WellOnTheWay.Com Curious about energy medicine? Know there is something to it, from all you’ve r e a d a n d h e a r d ? A r e y o u tingling with excitement right now, knowing you’re about to experience something life changing? Free get-acquainted phone call!

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!

JOY MATALON LMT, CST

Practitioner: The Center For Health + Healing 4 Smith Ave 2nd Fl; Mount Kisco, NY 914.519.8138; jmatalon@optonline.net Joymatalon.com 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.

DANCE FITNESS

ENERGY HEALING TINA AURORA CPC REIKI MASTER Energy Healing & Coaching Cortlandt Manor, NY 914.473.1032; tinaaurora.com

During Tina’s healing sessions, she channels divine healing energy, promoting profound positive changes in the body, mind and spirit. Tina’s coaching style allows her clients to rewrite the script of negative thoughts to create the lives they dream for themselves.

LISA DANCE FIT

COLONICS COLONICS

914.921.LIFE (5433) LifelineHygienics.com Experience and personalized service you can trust. The finest in colonic irrigation and personal care. Serving the tri-state area since 1993.

Arthur Murray Dance Studio 139 E. Post Rd., White Plains, NY 10601 lisamcanning@gmail.com; 415.290.5537 Saturday morning dance party with Lisa! Rise, shine and kick your morning off with a cardio dance party! Easy to follow moves to your favorite rhythms from around the globe. Have a great time! No dance experience required - all are welcome!

DIVINE INTUITIVE GUIDANCE MARY ELAINE BUENCONSEJO Virtual/remote healing sessions Mary@lightsourceconnection.com LightSourceConnection.com

Feeling stuck, lost and confused in any area of your life, career or relationships? These sessions will help you gain clarity, reconnect with your truth and unblock stagnant energy that’s keeping you in unhealthy patterns and move you forward into the life you came here to live.

ANNE H. BENTZEN, MSOT, RMT, JRP

Usui/Karuna® Reiki Master Teacher, Jikiden Reiki, Energetic Counseling, OT Locations Armonk and Eastchester 914.588.4079; balancing4life.com Energetic balance is essential to your health. Restore energetic flow, balance your chakras, clear stress symptoms, pain, inflammation, depression, anxiety, insomnia and more. Improve natural immunity, mental clarity and peace. Reiki classes all levels. Private sessions. Weekend retreats.

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.

February 2020

FACIALS

EMPOWERMENT COACH MIDLIFE EMPOWERMENT COACH Margaret Rizzuto, WPCC, ACC Supporting you in life and business. 845.729.2685; margaretrizzuto.com

Working with women who are ready for change, ready to redefine midlife. My clients are empty-nesters, business owners, retired, relocating, starting over. Be seen and heard. Move forward with confidence and intention. This is your “Prime Time.”

DANIELA HORTENCIO

LOU LEVY CONSTRUCTION

Eminence Organic Skin Care is handmade, extracted from plants, vegetables and herbs from a family-owned farm in Hungary. Let the aromas treat your senses and the ingredients impart health and beauty to your skin. Gentle massage will stimulate collagen and deliver ingredients to the deepest layer of your skin. See ad pg 41.

Builder and General Contractor of fine custom alterations, restorations, architectural additions, and new construction. Offering a high level of management and craftsmanship. Specializing in a 95% dust-free living environment. PHIUS Energy Efficient and non-toxic building applications. Bau-Biologist, the holistic approach to Natural Building, passive and active solar installations and retrofits, as well as conventional construction. Building design services and consultation available. 48 years experience.

By Appointment; Sarah’s House of Health 900 South Lake Blvd, Mahopac, NY 914.562.0618; danielahortencio.com

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRASSROOTS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION grassrootsinfo.org 914.422.3141;gee@grassrootsinfo.org

Science based environmental health nonprofit with mission to educate the public regarding environmental exposures and links to health and environmental impacts. Practical information and solution tools are provided. Serves local and state governments, school systems, health professionals, organizations and individuals nationwide.

Young Living Diamond 845.208.9771 alina@rinatofamilyessentials.com We are a collective of local moms with decades of combined experience working with Young Living Essential Oils. We are here to help you select, purchase, and safely use the best oils for you and your family! Monthly classes, personalized recommendations and online community.

Carmel, NY 914.804.2120 loulevyconstruction.com

FLOATATION THERAPY RISE ABOVE FLOATATION 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.

ESSENTIAL OILS ALINA RINATO

GREEN & NATURAL BUILDING

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 23.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE SUSANNE SALTZMAN, MD

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. See ad pg 13.

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

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HEALING CENTER THE TEMPERANCE CENTER

Merrill Black, LCSW, Reiki Master & Instructor Hypnotherapist, Intuitive Energy Healer, RYT, LFYP-2, Founder 453 White Plains Rd, #201/203, Eastchester 914.793.2600; thetemperancecenter.com Nurture your mind, body, and soul thru a variety of healing modalities and services that include, psychotherapy, reiki, hypnosis, acupuncture, massage, intuitive healing, spiritual counseling, nutritional consulting, astrological birth charts, therapeutic yoga, guided channeling meditation classes, Qi Gong Classes, LifeForce Yoga. Rediscover your control and balance your life. See ad pg 15.

HEALTH & WELLNESS CONSULTING WANDA JEANTY, MD, MS, HC

HENNA MARGIE NUGENT, ICNHA

Poughkeepsie, NY 120601 917.868.1769; notanotherdietwanda.com

Certified Natural Henna Artist 914.714.8069; Mt. Kisco margie@makingfacesparties.com

Integrative consulting for small to mid-sized companies who want to implement wellness programs with biometric screenings for their employees. Assessment of existing wellness programs for effectiveness or health educator for public speaking engagements; as well as a trainer for medical Spanish.

Henna is an ancient tradition used for celebration, protection, blessings and healing. All henna is natural plant-based and freshly made in house. Services include Belly Blessings, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Goddess Gatherings, Henna Crowns, weddings, private appointments, corporate events and classes.

NUR SPACE

a wellness sanctuary 596 Warburton Ave., Hastings-on-Hudson NurSpace.com NUR is an open space for people to gather around ideas of conscious health, pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Behind the scenes of our conscious c o m m u n i t y, w e o f f e r a curated collective of wellness practitioners. Parking is adjacent to the space.

HEALTH COACH

I specialize in applying Medical Medium Healing Pathways for restorative health, especially in the face of increasing environmental toxins and biological exposures that often result in chronic, unexplained symptoms. I also help people navigate emotional responses to our physical states and life patterned triggers.

LORRAINE HUGHES

Registered Herbalist (AHG) 21 Old Main St, Suite 207, Fishkill, NY 12524 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

Our coaching practice focuses on assessing client lifestyles, addressing health concerns, and then working with them to make behavioral, nutritional, and other changes to promote health and wellness. Specialties include weight loss and chronic disease prevention. We look forward to helping people feel, look, and be their best self.

HORSE & RIDER DANA BOULANGER #US28016 Independent BEMER Distributor Mahopac/Pawling/Scarsdale 914.760.5645 danafeelsgood.bemergroup.com

Holistic Support for Horses. BEMER vet products support faster recovery, regeneration of tissue, and more efficient hydration of your horse. And reduces stress from transportation and competition. “BEMER is a 21st century ‘Fountain of Youth’ for horse and rider.” Linda Tellington-Jones. Sessions Available. CALL For Free Demo.

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 6.

SYNERGIZE AND THRIVE

Integrative Nutrition Health Coaching Rachel Mazzei, INHC Jennifer Marks, INHC At the Bove’ Spa & Wellness (366 Route 202, Somers, NY) 914.266.2092; synergizeandthrive.com

SUSANNE SALTZMAN, MD

HERBAL MEDICINE

ROBIN MILLER, LMHC, INHC 914.419.5256 robinmillerwellness@gmail.com RobinMillerWellness.com

HOMEOPATHY

HOLISTIC HEALTH DR. MICHAEL WALD, DC, DIETICIAN, BOARD CERTIFIED 20 Sunderland Lane, Katonah 914.552.1442; info@bloodDetective.com

Do you suﬀer from chronic health problems like cancer, autoimmune, GI or neurological issues? You need a BloodDetective! Dr. Wald will work with you personally over the phone, as a house call or at his Katonah oﬃce. Call today, you deserve personal attention. See ad pg 3.

LAND CONSERVATION WESTCHESTER LAND TRUST 403 Harris Rd, Bedford Hills, NY 914.234.6992 WestchesterLandTrust.org

Westchester Land Trust works together with public and private partners to preserve land in perpetuity, and to protect and enhance the natural resources in our communities. Learn about their many innovative programs at WestchesterLandTrust.org

It’s FREE to post your events on our ONLINE calendar. Find and post last minute events on our website:

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February 2020

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

MASSAGE & BODYWORK BALANCE BODYWORK

Therapeutic Massage & Reiki Lisanne Elkins, MA, LMT, RM 153 Main St. Suite B, Mt. Kisco 914.319.4375; balancebodywork.biz Offering therapeutic massage and Reiki for stress- and pain-relief, relaxation and general wellness. Gift certificates available for all modalities, including pre- and postnatal bodywork, aromatherapy and hot stone massage by appointment. Set your intention for healing yourself and those around you.

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.

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 31.

Thirty-six years as an LMT and intuitive Holistic healer. My tools include detox and addiction recovery, trauma and post-op bodywork, Swedish, Chinese, Polarity, Lymphatic and Chi Nei Tsang. Dog and cats welcome, farm animal out-calls available, sport horse specialty.

SACRED LARCHMONT

11 Addison Street Larchmont, NY 10538 914.825.9535; sacredlarchmont.com Sacred is a space dedicated to meditation, sound healing, gentle yoga, energy medicine and many more healing modalities, classes and workshops that encourage you to quiet your thoughts and tune into your inner guidance. See ad pg 28.

MEMORY LOSS/DEMENTIA

The Center for Health and Healing 4 Smith Ave, 2nd Floor, Mount Kisco, NY DrKurtBeil.com, info@drkurtbeil.com 914.362.8315 Utilize an integrative healing approach from a doctor trained in holistic medicine. Working with your current medical treatments & labwork, as well as botanical medicine, dietary & lifestyle counselling, nutritional supplements, acupuncture and Chinese medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, stress reduction and ecotherapy. Insurance reimbursement available for some services. See ad pg 31.

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: M,T,W. See ad pg 26.

SHARP AGAIN NATURALLY—501(C)3 Alzheimer.Dementia.Memory Loss 914.281.1404; SharpAgain.org

Experiencing “senior moments? Have a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s? Memory loss has many causes, and can be prevented and treated. Early intervention makes a real difference! Research-based information to help you and your loved ones at sharpagain.org.

MATTRESSES DAVIS FURNITURE

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

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 33.

KURT BEIL, ND, LAC, MPH

MEDITATION

VEGAN FREEZE HEALING MASSAGE Linda Michelle Gordon, LMT White Plains, NY By Appointment: 310.863.9341

NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

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NUTRITION NUSPECIES

Nuspecies.com 866.624.4117 HQ: 427 Main St. Beacon, NY 12508 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.

PET RESCUE/ADOPTION STRAY HELP

PO Box 245, Fishkill, NY 12524 845.232.0336, strayhelp.org Stray HELP: a registered not-forprofit 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.

PHARMACY-COMPOUNDING LAKE MAHOPAC PHARMACY/ SURGICAL Nagi Wissa, R.Ph., IP, CEO 559 Rt, 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 lakemahopacpharmacy.com T: 845.208.0424; F: 845.208.0425

We are your neighborhood holistic compounding pharmacy, ready to support y o u r h e a l t h . We o f f e r compounding prescriptions, on-line prescription renewals, supplements, homeopathic remedies, personal care products, fair trade gifts and more. We deliver and we are happy to answer your questions.

PSYCHIC READINGS DOMINIQUE AT SYNCHRONICITY Psychic Tarot Medium Reading 1511 Route 22 Brewster 845.363.1765; SynchronicityNY.com

Our gifted psychics offer insight and clarity for life’s situations. Analyzing your past, present and future provides support in decision making. Our Mediums receive validations from loved ones that have passed, which provide healing. See ad pg 37.

REFLEXOLOGY LORRAINE HUGHES

ARCB Certified Reflexologist 21 Old Main St, Suite 207, Fishkill, NY 12524 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.

RETREATS SACRED EARTH HEALING SANCTUARY Ancram New York Mary@lightsourceconnection.com lightsourceconnection.com

Restore, Reconnect, Align. Two days of transformational healing immersion using shamanic healing, horse medicine, meditation, and my unique Light Source Connection healing method. Heal at a soul level so that you leave feeling deep relief from your cells to your soul.

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 likeminded people to build a happier and healthier life. Studio available for your yoga/wellness private group as well. See ad pg 41.

SLEEP DISORDER PODIATRY 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.

REIKI HEALING TABLE

Deborah J. Taylor RN Usui /Holy Fire ® Reiki Master/Teacher 914.280.9844; Djthealingtable@gmail.com Reiki is a gentle, loving, universal life force energy. It will help you to relax and promote self-healing on all levels of mind, body and spirit. Reiki can help reduce anxiety and stress. Yonkers / Dobbs Ferry. By appointment.

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 6.

SPA

Coming Next Month MARCH

CBD

plus: Thriving on a Plant-Based Diet

BALANCE DAY SPA

Westchester’s ONLY Certified Green Spa 280 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 310, White Plains, NY 914.358.9898; balance-dayspa.com 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 make-up. All organic, all the time.

PLANT-BASED NUTRITION ISSUE February 2020

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

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

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.

SPIRITUAL COACH MARY ELLEN O’BRIEN

Soul Alignment Coach and Healer Cold Spring, NY 845.202.1717; AwakenYourTrueEssence.com Mary Ellen O’Brien is a Soul Alignment Coach and Healer who helps Spiritual Practitioners and Healers align with their higher self consistently so they can fully own their gifts. She holds frequent group programs in Cold Spring, NY.

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 6.

TRANSFORMATIONAL ENERGY HEALING MARY ELAINE BUENCONSEJO, PT, RYT Virtual/remote healing sessions Live sessions: Ancram NY Mary@lightsourceconnection.com LightSourceConnection.com

Experience deep soul healing from chronic pain that modern medicine cannot address. Healing sessions will help you: experience freedom and relief from pain, uncover the root cause and heal it at its core and release energetic blockages that hold you back from feeling alive. Medicine woman, wholeness energy healer and holistic physical therapist.

DANA BOULANGER #US28016

C h a n g e Yo u r Life. Support your optimal well-being systemically. Enhance blood-flow, circulation, cardiac function, physical endurance, energy, concentration, mental acuity, stress reduction and relaxation. Easy to use, only 8 minutes, two times a day. Sessions available. CALL For Free Demo.

Addiction-Free Naturally Briarcliff Manor and Midtown Manhattan Steve.healingny@gmail.com 914.473.2015; QuitWithQuinn.com 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 13.

WELLNESS CENTER SOULAURAS HOLISTIC WISDOM & WELLNESS CENTER 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

STRESS REDUCTION Independent BEMER Distributor Mahopac/Pawling/Scarsdale 914.760.5645 danafeelsgood.bemergroup.com

QUIT WITH QUINN

VETERINARY HOSPITAL FULL CIRCLE VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Integrative, Holistic & Conventional 1609 Route 9, Wappingers Falls, NY 845.234.4417; FullCircleVetHopsital.com We specialize in the integration of holistic and conventional veterinary medicine to provide quality, comprehensive care for your pet’s needs. We enjoy taking time to get to know our clients and their pets. This allows pets to relax, while we learn about their family lifestyle.

SUPPORT GROUP

WEIGHT LOSS

THE BOVÉ SPA & WELLNESS

366 Route 202, Somers, NY 10589 914.276.2200 TheBoveSpa.com The Bové Spa and We l l n e s s o f f e r s a combination of medical, aesthetic, and holistic treatments. With hormone optimization, facials, cryotherapy, weight loss, CBD therapy, nutritional health coaching and red light therapy, your customized treatment plan awaits to support your health and happiness.

WORKSHOPS

Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Services 914.962.6402; 800.532.4290 Supportconnection.org

LAURIE R. MALLIS, MD, LAC

PULSE MANIFESTATION & EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOP

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

Led by Janet Catalina, MSW MEMBER: Westchester Holistic Network 914.548.8372; catalina.janet@gmail.com

Support Connection provides free support services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Services include: Oneon-one counseling (counselors are also cancer survivors); Support groups; Educational and wellness programs; Webinars; Social gatherings; Referrals; A national toll-free information and support hotline.

Lose weight, inches and improve your overall health with the Mei Zen Acupuncture treatment for weight loss and abdominal toning. Jump start your metabolism and balance your body’s energy as you lose weight. Additional benefits include enhanced energy and improved digestion. See ads pg 9 & 41.

Learn how to become a Master Manifester. Create that dream job, find your soul mate, pay off your debts or whatever you desire. Learn to release what has blocked you up to now. Once you have learned how to PULSE, you have an empowerment tool for the rest of your life. Please visit pulsemanifestion.com for workshop dates.

SUPPORT CONNECTION

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

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Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

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February 2020

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

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January 2020