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letterfrompublisher Every Day is Earth Day What am I doing to help Mother Earth? Soon as I became aware of it, I switched to the 100 percent renewable energy sources option offered by Madison Gas and Electric. I drive a hybrid car, sparingly I think, and bring reusable cloth bags to the store. Plus my favorite boost to the environment of all is bringing you Natural Awakenings of Madison, courtesy of local advertisers dedicated to conscious living. Every issue is a green issue and this month’s special focus on Green Living shares rewarding insights. Thank you always for your daily support of naturally healthy and sustainable living. “Celebrate Earth Day 2014” advances the “3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” toward a fourth: Renewing the health of our planet. Crissy Trask’s “Live Green, Save Big” feature article defines the financial rewards of doing the right thing. Energy efficiency analyst Seth Nowak, founder of Green Apartment Network, in Madison, contributes why “Even Renters Can Practice Eco-Friendly Living” and local wellness practitioner Jerry Landau lovingly gifts us with “Discovering the Microcosm Within.” That’s just for starters. Why, you may ask do we print Natural Awakenings if we’re a “green” company and could publish solely online? First I’ll note that we print on 100 percent recycled non-glossy paper with nontoxic soy ink. Equally important, a majority of our readers are overdosed on screen time and prefer the gentle tactile experience of flipping paper pages. Additionally, studies suggest that our brains relate to the physical markers on pages, like left and right and the relation of page corners to the text, which allow us to recall the location of information and call up the memory of reading it. This anchoring sense is lost on a screen. Plus, historically we know that many readers file magazines for a month, months or even years so they can return later to reference advertisers, calendar events and favorite articles. Not only do we want to help readers remember all of the valuable information they find in these pages, we are also happy to provide fun tips on other ways you can reuse past issues. Practical repurposing ranges from shredding for packing material, tearing into pieces for household compost, lining litter boxes and garbage cans, rolling into paper logs, and cutting out pictures and words for a vision board. Of course you can always resend your copy to the recycling center. We rejoice that millions of Natural Awakenings readers nationwide are a force in leading mainstream America into sustainability. It helps to understand that “going green” is a process and that we are on our way. I wish us many blessed eco-awakenings as we go forward, prosper and renew. To the health of people and the planet,
contact us Publisher Donald Beran Creative Developer Jasper Dayton 608-334-5480 Jasper@AwakeMadison.com Editors Lauressa Nelson Julianne Hale Tisha Temple Design & Production Melanie Rankin Distribution Koari Nelson Donald Beran
To contact Natural Awakenings Phone: 608-721-2254 Fax: 866-645-4412 P.O. Box 3394 Madison, WI 53704 Publisher@AwakeMadison.com AwakeMadison.com © 2014 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $24 (for 12 issues) to the above address.
Donald Don Donnie Beran, Publisher
Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.
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contents 8 5 newsbriefs 8 healthbriefs 1 1 globalbriefs 12 earthdayevents 11 13 ecotip 20 greenliving 22 fitbody
24 healthykids
13
26 naturalpet 28 calendar
30 resourceguide
advertising & submissions
Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
14 THE BEGINNING OF EARTH DAY
15 EVEN RENTERS CAN PRACTICE ECO FRIENDLY LIVING by Seth Nowak
16 LIVE GREEN, SAVE BIG 20 Five Eco-Friendly Life Decisions that Can Actually Save Money by Crissy Trask
19 DISCOVERING THE
MICROCOSM WITHIN by Jerry Landau
20 HOMEMADE
HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 608-721-2254 or email Publisher@AwakeMadison.com. Medit kit with advertising prices can also be found on our website. Deadline for ads: 12th of the month.
ECO-CLEANERS
EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@AwakeMadison.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.
Qigong Steps Up Vitality and Serenity
CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Deadline for calendar: the 12th of the month. Email your formatted listing to Publisher@AwakeMadison.com. 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 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
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DIY Recipes Keep Your Home Naturally Clean by Lane Vail
22 QI WHIZ
by Meredith Montgomery
24 BACKYARD BIRDS
AND BUTTERFLIES
Native Habitats Draw Critters and Delight Kids by Avery Mack
26 POOCH PROTOCOL Good Manners Make a Dog Welcome by Sandra Murphy
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newsbriefs New Acupuncturist/Herbalist Joins Raw Materials
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aw Materials Wellness & Learning Center, an urban retreat combining North American herbalism with Oriental medicine, in Madison, has added a new practitioner. Allison Conachen, a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist and massage therapist, will offer acupuncture demonstrations, community acupuncture, herbal medicines and nutritional therapies, and bodywork therapies. Allison Conachen Raw Materials will conduct its first complimentary acupuncture demonstration from noon to 4 p.m., April 26. Treatments and classes are available by appointment. Location: 408 E. Wilson St., Madison. For more information, call 608-575-8600, email RawMaterials@tds.net or visit RawMaterialsWellness.com. See ad, page 7.
News to Share? Do you have a special event in the community? Are you opening a new office or moving? Recently become certified in a new modality?
Let us know about it!
Wildwood Institute Herbal Apprenticeship Spring Semester
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he Wildwood Institute, in Madison, is offering a comprehensive, collegiate-level herbal apprenticeship beginning May 17. This program offers an opportunity for those that want to learn more about herbalism for personal use, for healthcare practitioners in broadening their holistic healing methods or for those who would like to run an herb-related business. Participants will learn to use herbs safely and effectively for themselves, loved ones and in a professional capacity. The apprenticeship includes hands-on training, harvesting and making herbal remedies, coupled with herb walks and outdoor teaching, all within a small class size. For more information, visit WildwoodInstitute.com. See ad, page 18.
Theta Healing Workshops
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uzanne Roloff, a certified Theta Healing master teacher, will conduct three Theta Healing workshops in May in Madison. The Basic Theta Healing workshop takes place from May 8 through 10; the Advanced class runs from May 19 through 21; and the Manifesting and Abundance class occurs from May 31 through June 1. Theta Healing is a meditational prayer technique in which individuals access their natural intuitive abilities to create physical, emotional and spiritual healing with focused intent, prayer and energy through the Creator of All That Is. Practitioners release fears and negative programs and patterns that keep them stuck in any area of life and create new ones, coming into the power of the true self. For pricing and location information, email Suzanne at SouthwestAngel@ charter.net or visit ThetaHealingWisconsin.com. See ad, page 18.
News Briefs We welcome news items relevant to the subject matter of our magazine. We also welcome any suggestions you may have for a news item. Call 608-721-2254 for additional information, or email Publisher@AwakeMadison.com
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newsbriefs
Maitreya Campaign of Awakening
Eighth Annual Nelson Institute Earth Day Conference
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he eighth annual Nelson Institute Earth Day Conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 22, at the Monona Terrace Community Convention Center. The theme for this year’s conference is Earth: To Be Determined, and will explore challenges and opportunities presented by rapid, large-scale changes in the global environment, including implications for energy and climate, human health, natural resources, the economy, urban development, the demographics of the environmental movement and more. Activities include exhibits, student and alumni awards and panel discussions. Actress and activist Rosario Dawson, British science fiction author China Mieville and leading ecologists Erle Ellis and Kevin Noone will be among the featured speakers, along with Nelson Institute Director Paul Robbins. Cost: $55 general admission includes lunch; $25 students; $45 senior citizens. Registration due by Apr. 15. Location: 1 John Nolen Dr., Madison. For more information or to register, visit Nelson.Wisc.edu/events/earth-day/2014/registration.php.
City Parks to Host Earth Day Challenge
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arth Day is an opportunity to get out and support the 260 parks in Madison. Volunteers will gather from 10 a.m. to noon, April 19, at their local park to help with one of the projects taking place or to participate in beautification efforts. Twenty volunteers are needed at Warner Park, located at 2390 North Sherman Avenue, to pick up trash, pull weeds and prune back shrubs; and at Olbrich Park, on 3527 Atwood Avenue, to remove invasive species, prune shrubs and clean up. Elver Park, at 1250 McKenna Boulevard, needs 15 volunteers to rake playground surfaces, remove invasive weeds and pick up trash. Thirty volunteers are needed at Olin Park, located at 1156 Olin-Turville Court, to rid the grounds and shoreline of litter. Garner Park, at 333 South Rosa Road, and Cherokee Marsh, at 6098 North Sherman Avenue, need 20 volunteers each to plant native shrubs, remove invasive weeds and clean up. For more information, call Anne Whisner at 608-267-4919 or email ParksVolunteer@CityOfMadison.com. 6
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piritual teacher Maitreya, whose mission is to function as a world teacher for all, predicts that he will be invited to speak by humanity, through the media, on Declaration Day. He will call for freedom and justice, based upon sharing resources, so that all may have the basic necessities of life: nourishing food, safe housing, effective medical care and education. Betsy Whitfill Share International is committed to awakening people to this event and hastening Declaration Day. This spring, notices are being published across the United States in a campaign of awakening, detailing free public presentations in many cities and town, offering clarity and insight and answering questions regarding Maitreya’s mission. “In order for humanity to survive, we, as a family, need to make the conscious decision to learn to cooperate and share resources so that all may live in dignity,” says Betsy Whitfill, correspondent for Share International magazine. “Maitreya stimulates that divine spark within each of us and offers us the wisdom and experience of the ages. His teachings will engage your heart. It will fire your imagination and restore your purpose for living. For more information, email Info@Share-International.us or visit Share-International.us. See ad, page 23.
Regional Herbal Conference for Women
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he third annual Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference will take place from June 6 to 8 at The Beber Camp, in Mukwongago, offering 50 workshops and plant walks for both novice and experienced herbalists. Topics include wild edibles, herbal medicine making, digestive health, menopause, crafting herbal lotions, natural pet and livestock care, natural mothering and more. Five longer preconference workshops will be held. Featured guests are Dr. Tieraona Low Dog (Herbs for Stress, Immune and Mental Health), Lisa Ganora (Demystifying the Herbal Pharmacy) and Brooke Medicine Eagle (Holding the Ceremonial Bowl). These women bring expertise in the fields of herbalism, women’s health and personal growth. Additional workshops include Reading the Healing Plants, with Elizabeth Heck, and Wild Edible Mushrooms, with Sarah Foltz Jordan. Movement and plant journaling classes are available in the early morning and evening entertainment includes music, storytelling, film screenings and fire circles by the lake. For more information or to register, visit MidwestWomens Herbal.com. Enter to win a ticket to a preconference workshop at Tinyurl.com/HerbalConferenceContest. Contest expires May 20.
New Student Specials at JOY in YOGA
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fter a year in the community, JOY in YOGA (JIY), in Monona, has added new class times, modalities and discount rates for new students. JIY’s mission is to provide down-to-earth, caring, safe and quality instruction with a touch of humor. Beginner yoga and gentle yoga for people of all shapes and sizes were JIY’s focus when the business opened and they continue to embrace these values and more with the addition of more instructors and classes to the schedule, including intermediate, energetic and yin yoga, meditation, Nia, qigong and tai chi. Classes are offered every day of the week with no membership fees; new students can purchase a one-month pass for $25.
Wellness & Learning Center, LLC 408 E. Wilson St. • Madison (608) 575-8600
Location: 5113 Monona Dr., Monona. For more information, email FindJoyInYoga@ gmail.com or visit FindJoyInYoga.com.
Madison Waldorf School Hosts Online Community Auction
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adison Waldorf School, an independent K-8 school, is hosting an online community auction from April 7 through May 2 to support the school and highlight artisans, businesses and service providers in the greater Madison area. Auction items include large group meals at sustainable restaurants, a month of unlimited classes at a local yoga studio and small children’s toys made by local craftsmen. Interested bidders will have the ability to explore and connect with a large number of high-quality, local businesses that they might not otherwise be aware of. Last year, this auction featured more than 122 items and yielded more than 468 unique bids, raising more than $7,000. To order tickets, call 1-800-838-3006 or visit MadisonWaldorf.org. For more information, call Nate Schorr at 608-270-9005 or email NSchorr@MadisonWaldorf.org.
Zoo Celebrates Party for the Planet
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enry Vilas Zoo, in Madison, will host an Earth Day and Party for the Planet Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 19, to encourage tree planting and the protection of local biodiversity. Kohl’s A Team volunteers will distribute 1,250 saplings to attendees, courtesy of Wisconsin DNR. The event includes a kid’s tree climb; MG&E solar energy trailer; Earth Day fun books; face painting; repurposed poaching snares from Vietnam and Laos sold to help to raise funds for anti-poaching in these countries; and Henry the Lion, zoo mascot. Biodiversity (the number of species) is an important indicator of ecosystem health. Many factors—including invasive species, habitat loss from pollution, farming, logging or building cities, poaching and collecting wild animals for the pet trade—can affect biodiversity in a habitat. Planting trees helps protect local biodiversity.
Providing Health & Wellness Practitioner Services to Madison’s Downtown Capitol Square Community • Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine • North American Herbal Therapies • Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork • Herbal & Nutritional Consultations • Weekly Community Acupuncture
Monthly Demonstrations of Therapies beginning:
Saturday, April 26 • Noon-4 Complimentary Acupuncture Demonstrations Coming Soon: Yoga, Pilates, Meditation Instruction & Our HERB SHOP!
Contact www.rawmaterialswellness.com for online class registration. Mention this ad for
40% off
our daily rates for any 1st private health session...
Location: 702 S. Randall Ave., Madison. For more information, call 608-266-4732 or visit VilasZoo.org. natural awakenings
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healthbriefs
Home Renovations Aggravate Childhood Asthma
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ew research suggests that renovation planning should involve more than just picking the right colors and styles; doing it right may help prevent childhood respiratory conditions. Researchers from St. Louis University, in Missouri, linked home renovations with increased wheezing, asthma and chronic coughing among children living in the home. The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, followed 31,049 children between the ages of 2 and 14 years old from seven Chinese cities over a two-year period. Previous research has also reached a similar conclusion, identifying some specific materials responsible for increased childhood respiratory disorders. A Russian study of 5,951 children ages 8 to 12 found that increased asthma and wheezing were related to recently completed painting, as well as the installation of new linoleum flooring, synthetic carpets, particleboard and wall coverings. That study, published in the same journal states, “Exposure levels are the highest during and shortly after painting, but low levels of exposure may remain for several months. Wooden furniture, as well as painted or varnished and new furniture, is likely to emit chemical substances.” A 2002 study of New York children published in the Journal of Urban Health found similar results.
Calm Restless Legs Naturally
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estless Leg Syndrome (RSL) can wake both sufferers and their partners at night. Even when both continue to doze through a bout of restlessness, it hampers the quality of sleep and can cause fatigue. Some only notice that a problem exists when a vacation or business trip prompts sleeping alone and they notice a deeper, more restful sleep. Other problems can follow RSL if left untreated. A 2011 study by the Interdisciplinary Pain Centre at University Medical Centre, in Freiburg, Germany, reported that untreated RSL patients exhibited depression, anxiety, compulsivity and other impaired behaviors. With topical application of appropriate herbs, oversensitive nerves in legs can be settled and the muscles can be made less responsive to such stimulation. Cramp bark, St. John’s wort and wild yam have been used for centuries to relax oversensitive nerves and relieve residual tension in skeletal muscles. Sage also has a history of medicinal use, including modern-day application as an antispasmodic. Rosemary, another essential herb, is used to increase circulation and help flush toxins built up by stagnant muscle fibers. The Journal of International Clinical Psychopharmacology recently reported that peppermint and lavender work to naturally relax the body. Combining all of these plants can be an effective herbal treatment for RLS. Place one tablespoon of each herb in a cup of hot, but not boiling, water to produce a decoction that can be spread or rolled on the legs. The liquid will be absorbed into the skin within a few minutes and leg restlessness will subside and motion will cease. For more information, call 888-465-4404 or visit MyNaturesRite.com. See ad, page 27. 8
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Orange Oil Calms Kids in Dental Chairs
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or centuries, aromatherapy using orange oil has been heralded in traditional herbalism for its ability to alleviate anxiety. Research published in the journal Advanced Biomedical Research now finds that aromatherapy using the same ingredient can significantly reduce a child’s anxiety at the dentist’s office. The study, conducted at Iran’s Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and published in the peer-reviewed journal Advanced Biomedical Research, tested 10 boys and 20 girls between 6 and 9 years old. In this crossover design study, participants were assigned randomly into two groups. Half the children were treated with water instead of any essential oil (control) initially and received orange aroma in the second session (intervention). Another 15 children received treatment under orange aroma in the first encounter (intervention) and were treated without any aroma the second time (control). When the children were given orange oil aromatherapy, they experienced significantly reduced heart rates and lower salivary cortisol levels compared with those not receiving it. The results corroborate findings from a 2000 study from the University of Vienna, in Austria, published in Physiology and Behavior.
Olive Leaf Outperforms Diabetes Drug
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live leaf may provide nature’s answer to diabetes treatment. A recent study from the University of Auckland, in New Zealand, suggests that olive leaf extract can help reduce insulin resistance and increase insulin production by beta cells in the pancreas. The researchers tested 46 middle-aged, obese adults at risk for developing metabolic syndrome-related Type 2 diabetes. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, olive leaf extract outperformed the diabetes drug metformin and “significantly improved insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta-cell secretory capacity,” according to the researchers. Insulin helps escort glucose into the body’s cells.
Supplements Could Save $70 Billion in Medical Costs
EMBODIED PRACTICE Engaging through meditation & movement HEALING THROUGH MUSIC & DANCE/MOVEMENT THERAPY An open house and program for Sexual Assault Awareness Month A D AY O F D I S C O V E R Y A spring workshop in music and movement for women
hancockcenter.net (608) 251-0908
I
n a Frost & Sullivan study report authored by Christopher Shanahan and Robert de Lorimier, Ph.D., the use of dietary supplements, including B vitamins, phytosterols and dietary fiber, could reduce the cost of treating coronary artery disease in the U.S. by nearly $50 billion over the next seven years. In addition, healthcare costs related to diabetes, vision problems and osteoporosis could be reduced by nearly $20 billion collectively with the use of certain supplements. The projections were based on cost-benefit analysis comparing a series of scenarios to assess the effect on overall disease management costs if an identified high-risk population were to avoid costly medical events by increasing their intake of dietary supplements purchased out-of-pocket versus no supplement usage. “The healthcare system spends a tremendous amount of money treating chronic disease, but has failed to focus on ways to reduce those costs through prevention,” says Steve Mister, president of the Council for Responsible Nutrition Foundation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 3 percent of U.S. healthcare costs are spent on the prevention of chronic diseases.
Celebrate April 22
Air Conditioning Cleans Up Indoor Air
A
ir conditioning does more than keep us cool. A study of 300 adults and homes concludes that central air conditioning removes significant levels of volatile organic compounds and pollution particulates from indoor air. The research, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, finds that using air conditioning with windows closed reduced indoor air pollution the most. One caveat, however, is that the research was conducted in Taipei, China—notable for its extreme outdoor pollution. Another recent study published in Environmental Science confirms the general premise. A research team in Zhejiang, China, found that air conditioning reduced the presence of potent atmospheric pollutants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAC) by 23 percent. PACs contain compounds that are carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic (damaging to fetuses). natural awakenings
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globalbriefs
Trees are Trying
News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Food Charter
United Nations Blueprints Sustainability Goals A new publication, Trade and Environment Review: Wake Up Before it is Too Late, from the United Nations Commission on Trade and Development, declares that transformative changes are needed in current food, agriculture and trade systems to increase diversity on farms, reduce use of fertilizer and other inputs, support small-scale farmers and create strong local food systems. Key indicators of needed transformation in agriculture include increased soil carbon content and better integration between crop and livestock production; more incorporation of agroforestry and wild vegetation; reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of livestock production; reduction of GHG through sustainable peatland, forest and grassland management; optimization of organic and inorganic fertilizer use; reduction of waste throughout the food chains; changing dietary patterns toward climate-friendly food consumption; and reform of the international trade regime for food and agriculture. The report includes contributions from more than 60 international experts, including a commentary from the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy.
Forests Have Limited Powers to Save Us
Forests have a finite capacity to soak up atmospheric carbon dioxide, according to a recent study from Northern Arizona University. Results published in the online journal New Phytologist illustrate how today’s rising atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) might alter the carbon and nitrogen content of ecosystems. In contrast to expectations, research over an 11-year period showed that ecosystem carbon uptake was not significantly increased by high CO2. While plants did contain more carbon in the presence of higher CO2 levels, the soil lost carbon content due to microbial decomposition. These factors essentially canceled each other out, signifying that nature cannot entirely self-correct against climate change.
Marine Maneuvers
Source: iatp.org
Harnessing the Ocean’s Power Potential
Pick-Me-Up Books
Alice Mills smiles as she looks at the box that sits on her lawn in Hutchinson, Kansas, an act of kindness for neighbors and the community. Inside the box is a miniature library. Books sit on two shelves; the bottom with short stories for children and the top with novels for adults. After her children grew up and moved away from home, they took the books they wanted with them. The rest sat on a bookshelf collecting dust. “If they’re here, they’re not being read,” Mills says. The concept for the Little Free Library began in 2009 to promote literacy and the love of reading, as well as to build a sense of community, according to LittleFreeLibrary.org. They are now popping up around the world in the United States, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Pakistan, Spain, Turkey and the Congo. A recent Pew Internet & American Life Project survey shows that Americans strongly value the role of public libraries in their communities, both for providing access to materials and resources and for promoting literacy and improving the overall quality of life. More than half used a public library in a one-year period, and 72 percent say they live in a “library household”. Most Americans say they have only had positive experiences at public libraries and value a range of library resources and services. National Library Week begins April 13.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is investing $16 million on 17 tidal and wave projects to sustainably and efficiently capture energy from waves, tides and currents. The projects will also help gather crucial data on how these devices interact with the surrounding environment. The DOE will also spend $13.5 million on eight projects to help U.S. companies build durable, efficient wave and tidal devices that reduce overall costs and maximize the amount of energy captured. Specifically, the projects will focus on developing new components and software that predicts ocean conditions and adjusts device settings accordingly to optimize power production.
Contributing source: HutchNews.com
Source: Ecoseed.org
Mailbox Libraries Gain Worldwide
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earthdayevents
Dane County Parks Visit! Come out and enjoy the trails in the parks and grounds. Visit Lake Farm County Park and the Lussier Family Heritage Center, open from dawn to dusk each day, and see your local ecosystems in action.
Celebrate Earth Day 2014
UW Arboretum Family Walk: All About Frogs, 1-2pm Ribbit, ribbit! Walk and talk about spring peepers and other frogs with naturalists and families of all ages.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to Renew the Health of Our Planet
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hether already an activist or still struggling to sort recyclables, we all have a prime opportunity before and during the week of April 22 to renew our individual and collective pledge to tread more lightly on the planet. “Environmentalism touches every part of our lives, from what we eat to what we wear to what we breathe,” says Earth Day Network President Kathleen Rogers. “Learning about where our food comes from or how a product is made can be fun,” she continues, “and awareness is the foundation for action.” More than a billion citizens have already registered their acts of green through the organization’s website; this year, the campaign seeks to engage a billion more. Suggestions range from the personal, such as pledging to stop using disposable plastic, to the political, in calling our congressional representatives to reestablish a tax credit program for renewable energy. With an estimated two out of every three people on Earth expected to be living in cities by 2050—straining water, energy and transportation systems—Earth Day Network has chosen Green Cities as this year’s theme. Advocates are calling upon cities to invest in smart grids, overhaul outdated building codes and increase public transportation options. U.S. success stories helping to lead the way include Chicago’s Solar Express 12
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SUNDAY, APRIL 13
MONDAY, APRIL 14
program, using incentives to drive solar installations, and New York City’s pedestrian plazas, designed to replace urban gridlock with open space. Denver’s low-income South Lincoln neighborhood is also getting a makeover with its green public housing community that boasts a platinum-certified Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design building. Its energy efficiency and water reuse systems are reducing resource consumption by up to 40 percent. Plus, bicycle lanes in roads and expanded access to city bus and tram systems decrease traffic-related pollution. Visit EarthDay.org to pledge a personal act of green, find a volunteer opportunity or learn more about the re-greening of urban communities around the world. Help Madison celebrate its progress toward sustainability at these local Earth Day 2014 events. The following is a sampling of events found on naturenet.com/ earthweek2014.html. These events are free and require no pre-registration.
SATURDAY, APRIL 12 UW Arboretum Night Walk: Skydance, 6:30-8pm Join this evening walk all about the interesting spring behaviors of the American woodcock.
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Olbrich Botanical Gardens Spring Bloom, daily, 8am-8pm Experience the first buds of the year in all their glory! Thousands of colorful spring-flowering bulbs and wildflowers bloom in the Meadow Garden, one of several beautiful natural gardens at Olbrich.
TUESDAY, APRIL 15 MacKenzie Center Hike and Explore on Your Own, daily, 8am-4pm Learn about the environment and be inspired to take care of it! Museum and wildlife exhibits are open daily 8am4pm; trails are open dawn until dusk.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 Cherokee Marsh Hike the Marsh Discover nature and hike the marsh at your leisure. Look and listen for wetland wildlife emerging for spring. Open daily from dawn to dusk. Troy Gardens/Community Groundworks Self-Guided Tour of Troy Gardens Take a tour of the land on The Sol Levin Memorial Trail. Download the educational trail brochure or pick one up at the driveway kiosk.
THURSDAY, APRIL 17 Geology Museum Museum Storytime, 10:30am Museum Storytime is geared toward preschool-aged children and each week features a book, museum specimens and a craft to take home.
ecotip Heirloom Home
A Fresh Look at Furnishings that Last
SATURDAY, APRIL 19 Henry Vilas Zoo Earth Day and Party for the Planet Celebration The zoo will be featuring fun, ecofriendly activities and encounters with some friendly animals.
SUNDAY, APRIL 20 UW Arboretum Walk: For the Love of the Earth, 1-2:30pm Search for signs of spring and renewal in this special celebration of Earth Day, Easter and John Muir’s birthday.
MONDAY, APRIL 21 Aldo Leopold Foundation Self-Guided Tours, 9am-5pm Take a peek at the country’s first LEEDplatinum facility, tour the Leopold family shack and learn about Aldo Leopold and his environmental work. Wander the grounds to see sprouting wildflowers and spring wildlife.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23 UW Arboretum Native Plant Garden Tour, 7pm-dark Enjoy the sights, sounds and setting sun as the spring day shifts towards evening.
SATURDAY, APRIL 26 Bethel Horizons Earth Celebration, 9am-5pm Enjoy the beautiful wildflowers, the magnificent view, an abundance of migrating birds, and a variety of environmental activities, demonstrations and speakers emphasizing the beauty and importance of nature. Isthmus Isthmus Green Day, 10am-5pm Monona Terrace. Programs and activities on nature, recycling, alternative transportation, local dining and energy conservation, this community expo and forum will celebrate and promote environmentally conscious living.
Why not expand on the spring tradition of home cleaning by appraising existing home furnishings and décor to see how rearrangements can freshen the whole presentation? Employing a few basic creative strategies will yield long-lasting beauty, cost savings, health benefits and utility, all adding up to enhanced sustainability. Secondhand items readily spruce up interiors when they are thoughtfully selected. Look for gently used, new-to-you items—ranging from furniture and lamps to accent pieces like pottery and wall art—at antique and thrift shops, yard and estate sales or via online forums such as CraigsList.com and Freecycle.org. Seeking out fair trade items helps support a fair wage for artisans around the world. Plants enliven and beautify any space while cleaning indoor air, according to a recent study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Associated Landscape Contractors of America. Plants cited as especially effective in removing formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide from the air include bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen, English ivy, gerbera (African) daisy, chrysanthemum and peace lily. Pot them in used jars or other repurposed containers to conserve materials and add character and more personality to home décor. Overall balance is key. “An imbalanced room has large furniture grouped together at one end and lightweight furniture and bare walls at the other,” says professional designer Norma Lehmeier Hartie, author of Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet. “The effect is like being on a tilting boat in a storm.” Furniture arrangements are best when they allow light to flow through spaces with ample allowance for moving about the room. The ideal setup facilitates worktable projects and small-group conversations. Round tables help make everyone feel like they belong, according to green living expert Annie Bond. Sustainable kitchen wares are often the classiest. Sturdy pots, pans and kettles, like Le Creuset and Picquot Ware, may offer replacement parts and lifetime guarantees; Bialetti and Bodum coffee makers and Littala glassware are durable and long-lasting. While some may cost more upfront, their longevity saves money over time. Then there’s always grandma’s iron skillet. Additional sources: GreenPages.org and GreenAmerica.org
It’s important to recognize that humans are not the measure of all things... The Earth is the measure of all things. ~James Balog
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The Beginning of Earth Day
E
ach year, Earth Day—April 22— marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. The height of hippie and flowerchild culture in the United States, protest was the order of the day, but saving the planet was not the cause. War raged in Vietnam, and students nationwide increasingly opposed it. At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through massive, V8powered sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. Although mainstream America remained oblivious to environmental concerns, the stage had been set for change by the publication of Rachel Carson’s New York Times bestseller Silent Spring in 1962. The book represented a watershed moment for the modern environmental movement, selling more than 500,000 copies in 24 countries. Up until that moment, more than any other person, Carson raised public awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and public health.
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persuaded Pete McCloskey, a conservation-minded Republican congressman, to serve as his co-chair; and recruited Denis Hayes as national coordinator. Hayes built a national staff of 85 to promote events across the country. Twenty million Americans took to streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies on April 22. Thousands of universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness and the extinction of wildlife collectively realized they shared common values. Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers,
We invite you to be a part of Earth Day and help write more victories and successes into our history. Discover energy you didn’t even know you had. Feel it rumble through the grassroots under your feet and the technology at your fingertips. Channel it into building a clean, healthy, diverse world for generations to come. ~Earth Day Network (EarthDay.org) Earth Day 1970 capitalized on the emerging consciousness, channeling the energy of the anti-war protest movement and putting environmental concerns front and center. The idea came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after he witnessed the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, he realized that if he could infuse such energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. Senator Nelson announced to the national media the idea for a national teach-in on the environment;
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tycoons and labor leaders; it led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. The fight for a clean environment continues in a climate of increasing urgency, as the ravages of climate change become more manifest every day. Earth Day Network invites every global citizen to be a part of Earth Day and help write more victories and successes into our history. Source: Earth Day Network. To learn the history of Earth Day, decade by decade, and to find out how you can contribute, visit EarthDay.org.
Even Renters Can Practice Eco-Friendly Living
Green Living Starter Tips for Renters Kitchen
• Use real plates, cups and flatware instead of disposable. • Choose cleaning products with natural ingredients. • When buying appliances, look for the Energy Star logo.
by Seth Nowak
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hether they inhabit a single-family home in the suburbs, an urban high-rise or a threeunit apartment house, renters can make a difference for the Earth with the actions they take. The cumulative effect of each person’s daily choices makes a bigger impact than many people realize. Renters in Madison know how competitive finding a place to live can be. With a vacancy rate of 2.7 percent (a seven-year low), renters may feel like they have little power to negotiate sustainable upgrades and that owners may have little incentive to make the changes. Fortunately, the feeling that renters have little power is an illusion. Eco-conscious choices and opportunities that contribute positively to a cleaner, greener world are becoming more abundant and accessible. Innovative information, organizations and businesses are adding to the pool of options each day. In Australia, the nonprofit Green Renters, which provides sustainable living advice, workshops, events and projects specifically for those living in rental properties, asserts, “Renters are a growing part of the sustainability community, and we believe their involvement is vital and possible.” Tutorials, product reviews, inspiring stories and tips for every room can be found at GreenRenters.org. Along the same lines but closer to home, a fledgling group called Green Apartment Network, based in Madison, aims to expand what is possible for sustainable apartment living. In Dane County, the nonprofit Sustain Dane
(SustainDane.org) provided exciting prospects in an email newsletter article, “Could Madison Lead the Nation in Green Apartment Living?” One of the most effective choices renters can make is to select a dwelling that is close to where they work, so they drive less. Known as “location efficiency”, living close to work, especially along a bus line or a bicycle route, can be the best strategy for reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned daily, which means reducing one’s contribution to air pollution and the production of greenhouse gases. Before signing a lease, renters can consider a location’s walkability, or walk score, by entering the address at WalkScore.com/apartments. The Congress for the New Urbanism provides an overview of the location efficiency concept at cnu.org/locationefficiency, and the financial benefits are detailed in the Environmental Protection Agency’s white paper, Location Efficiency and Housing Type: Boiling it Down to BTUs (Tinyurl.com/epa-btu). Of course, the energy efficiency of the unit itself can make a difference. The average usage and cost of energy for individual residences, including the high, low and average gas and electric usage, can be found through the Madison Gas and Electric website, MGE.com, under Customer Service. From food choices to energy-efficient appliance and light bulb purchases, sustainable living tips are listed at GreenLivingApartments.com, in Crissy Trask’s article, “Green Home Checklist: Room-by-Room Steps We Can Take, Starting Right Now,” archived at Tinyurl.com/NAGreenHomeChecklist,
Laundry Room
• Select cold water for clothes washing. • Choose concentrated and ecofriendly laundry products.
Bathroom
• Use recycled and unbleached paper products. • Get an ultra-efficient showerhead and a filter that removes chlorine. • Don’t leave water running when brushing teeth.
Lifestyle
• Buy locally produced goods from local businesses whenever available. • Reduce the thermostat by two degrees in winter; increase it two degrees in summer. and in Trask’s article that begins on page 16 of this issue. Trask’s new book, Go Green, Spend Less, Live Better, offers a more detailed resource and illustrates the financial benefits of green living, a benefit that surprises many renters. By considering location and energy efficiency when choosing an apartment, as well as making greener everyday choices in household products and living practices, renters can be empowered environmental conservationists. For more information, visit GreenApartments-wi.blogspot.com. Madison resident Seth Nowak is founder of the local nonprofit Green Apartment Network cooperative association and a senior analyst at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. Connect with him at GreenApartment Network@gmail.com.
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routine. You grow a strong bond with your home.” Securing a much smaller dwelling than what we originally had designs on can lead to a lifetime of savings. With less space to furnish, heat, cool, light, clean and maintain, we can enjoy greater financial freedom, less stress and more time for fun.
2. Deciding Where to Live
LIVE GREEN,
SAVE BIG Five Eco-Friendly Life Decisions that Can Actually Save Us Money by Crissy Trask
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very pivotal life decision, from choosing where we live to eating healthier, can support our best interests environmentally, as well. The good news is that it is possible to afford a sustainable way of life. Eco-friendly choices for housing, vehicles and food— generally perceived as expensive for the average individual or family—often are not only attainable when pursued in a thoughtful way, but can actually save us money compared to maintaining the status quo.
1. Buying a Home
When considering a move to a new place, we often find out how much house we can manage and then proceed to invest to the hilt. But if hitting our spending limit will leave a deficit in the amount of green and healthy home features and furnishings we can achieve, we could end up with a residence that makes neither financial nor 16
South Central Wisconsin
ecological sense, and isn’t good for our health. A solution is to scale back on costly square footage. Spending 25 to 40 percent less than we think we can on a smaller home provides more possibilities when planning the renovation budget, enabling us to create a home that is more deeply satisfying. Nicole Alvarez, an architectural designer with Ellen Cassilly Architect, in Durham, North Carolina, who blogs at IntentionallySmall.com, says that if we value quality over quantity, place over space and living more intentionally in every aspect of our lives, we are ready for a small home. Occupying less space has profoundly influenced her daily life and happiness. Alvarez has found, “When space is limited, everything has a function and a purpose. Everything has to be intentional. Over time, as you grow in the home, you make small modifications to personalize it more to adjust to your
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Urban, suburban or rural, where we live incurs long-term repercussions on the natural environment. Choosing an established community within or close to an urban center tends to be more protective of air, water and land quality than living in a distant, car-dependent suburb, yet many families feel either drawn to or resigned to the suburbs for the lower housing prices. But as Ilana Preuss, vice president at Washington, D.C.-based Smart Growth America, explains, “There is more to housing affordability than how much rent or mortgage we pay. Transportation costs are the second-biggest budget item for most families. In locations with access to few transportation choices, the combined cost of housing and transportation can be more than 60 percent of the total household budget. For families with access to a range of transportation choices, the combined cost can be less than 40 percent.” In most suburbs, where the only practical transportation choice is a personal vehicle, dependency on a car takes a toll on us financially and physically. Driving a personal vehicle 15,000 miles a year can cost about $9,122 annually in ownership and operating expenses, according to AAA’s 2013 Your Driving Costs report, and hours spent daily sitting behind the wheel being sedentary is eroding our health. Lack of transportation options is a leading detriment to the nation’s collective wellness, according to the federal agency Healthy People. Sustainable cities provide many transportation options, including public buses and trains, car-sharing services and all forms of ride sharing; and perhaps most importantly, they are bike- and pedestrian-friendly. Choosing communities that make it possible to reduce driving and even go car-free
price of $28,431, the category has been around long enough to create a market in previously owned vehicles. A used hybrid that is just two years old can cost up to 25 percent less than a new one.
4. Buying American Eco-friendly choices for housing, vehicles and food—generally perceived as expensive for the average individual or family—often are not only attainable when pursued in a thoughtful way, but can actually save us money compared to maintaining the status quo. much of the time can save us money, reduce stress and improve our health.
3. Choosing a Car
We know two primary facts about cars: They are expensive and those with internal combustion engines pollute during operation. Still, many of us need one. Reducing the total impact and burden of owning a car can be as simple as prioritizing fuel efficiency. It helps that fuel-sippers now come in more sizes than just small, yet small subcompacts remain a good place to start our research because of their budget-friendly prices and high fuel economy. A subcompact that averages 32 miles per gallon (mpg) and has a sticker price below $15,000 can save us so much money compared with a top-selling compact SUV—upwards of $16,000 over five years, according to Edmunds.com—that if we need a larger vehicle on occasion, we can more easily afford to rent one. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), both small and midsized, can be an even better choice, averaging 41 mpg. Cost comparisons show that an HEV can save a heavily travelling city driver nearly $1,000 in fuel costs annually versus a comparably sized conventional gasolinepowered car. Although a 2014 midsized HEV has an average suggested retail
According to Consumer Reports, many shoppers prefer to buy products made in the USA, but with more than 60 percent of all consumer goods now produced overseas, finding American goods is not always easy. The good news is that buying American doesn’t mean only buying American made. We back the U.S. economy and jobs when we purchase used items that have been renewed or repurposed by enterprising citizens. Creative reuse supports new and existing businesses that collect, clean, sort, recondition, refurbish, remanufacture, update, refinish, reupholster, repair, tailor, distribute and sell used parts, materials and finished goods. Sarah Baird, director of outreach and communications of the Center for a New American Dream, an organization working to shift consumption away from wasteful trends, loves the history of used items. She says, “An item that has already lived one life has a story to tell, and is infinitely more interesting than anything newly manufactured.” Another reward is the big savings afforded by previously owned durable goods; not even America’s big-box discount retailers can beat these genuine bargains. Of course, not everything is available in the used marketplace, but when it makes sense, we can proudly know that our purchases support American ingenuity and workers.
Green Housing Yields Social and Security Benefits n Large-home inhabitants may go all day without seeing one another and communication and togetherness can suffer. Family members living in small homes can more easily cultivate strong communications and cohesion. n Dense neighborhoods encourage interaction and cooperation among neighbors, nurturing a cohesive community that can reward us with social connections, collective responsibility and assistance when needed. n Urban homes give vandals and thieves fewer opportunities because neighbors are close by and passersby may be more readily noticed. n Small homes can encourage disconnecting from technology and getting outside. When the TV can be heard throughout the house, parents are more likely to urge outdoor playtime for kids. n The footprint of a small dwelling uses a fraction of the buildable lot, leaving more outdoor space for planting gardens that can nourish bodies and souls. Source: GreenMatters.com
5. Getting Healthy
Going green is healthy in innumerable ways. In addition to driving less, banning toxic products from our household cupboards and dinner plates is another solid place to start on the road to improved well-being for ourselves and the planet. Toxic consumer products pollute the planet, from manufacture through use and disposal. They aren’t doing us any favors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that the average human body now contains an estimated 700 industrial compounds, pollutants natural awakenings
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and other chemicals due to exposure to toxic consumer products and industrial chemicals. After researching proper local disposal of such hazards, replace them on future shopping forays with safer choices. It’s an investment in our health that can save untold pain and money and pay off big time in avoiding health problems ranging from cancer, asthma and chronic diseases to impaired fertility, birth defects and learning disabilities according to the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition. To reduce exposure to the toxins that are commonly sprayed on conventional crops, select sustainable and organic versions of foods to prepare at home whenever possible. Such choices help keep both our bodies and the environment healthy and can be surprisingly affordable compared with eating out and consuming prepackaged convenience foods. By substituting whole foods for prepared foods, cooking more meals at home and practicing good eating habits—like eating less meat and downsizing portions—the average person can enjoy high-quality food for $7 to $11 per day. This matches or falls below what the average American daily spends on food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Considering that diet-related diseases can cost afflicted families thousands of dollars a year, better food choices can make us not only healthier, but wealthier, too.
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May 8th-10th Basic Class May 19th-21st Advanced Class May 31st-June 1st Manifesting and Abundance Class June 11th Rhythm Weight Class June 12th-13th Soulmate Class June 25th-27th Game of Life Class 3 weeks in July Intuitive Anatomy Class
Crissy Trask is the author of Go Green, Spend Less, Live Better. Connect at CrissyTrask.com. 18
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Discovering the Microcosm Within by Jerry Landau
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orty years ago, the first Earth Day brought together 20 million people to press for protection of the Earth’s ecosystems. Around the same time, the Gaia Hypothesis, formulated by James Lovelock and co-developed by Lynn Margulis, laid out the interconnectedness of all life on the planet. They made the case that the entire Earth acts as if it were a dynamic, self-regulating system. As the state of its parts changes, it evolves into a new equilibrium. This can help explain evolutionary changes that have been occurring for millennia. A process similar to that in the macrocosm can be observed in our microcosm, as well. While estimates vary, the human body comprises tens of trillions of cells, all containing identical DNA, that act like individual organisms, yet work together synergistically to keep the human organism functioning; muscle cells help us move, neurons enable action and communication, mucus-secreting cells protect other cells and so on. It is estimated that another 100 trillion microbes containing different DNA are also found throughout our body. Known collectively as the body’s microbiome, they are mostly gut bacteria, and contribute to digestion, nutrient synthesis, growth, blood sugar regulation, immune function and a number of other roles, as is described in a 2012
Whether we eat a diet that is vegan, Paleo, Mediterranean or some other protocol, the myriad bacteria in our bodies must have access to the nutrients they need in order to maintain a balanced internal ecosystem. New York Times article, “Tending the Body’s Microbial Garden.” Genetic analyses demonstrate the presence of between 300 and 1,500 different types of bacteria in the typical human. Diet has a large impact on the balance and the variety present in the digestive tract. Whether we eat a diet that is vegan, Paleo, Mediterranean or some other protocol, these bacteria must have access to the nutrients they need in order to maintain a balanced internal ecosystem and in turn, for us to maintain our own health. For our overall health and that of our gut microbiome, not only are the foods we eat important, but also how we prepare them. In the past few hundred years, the use of herbs and spices in cooking has begun to dwindle. Anthropologists have discovered traces of spices in cooking pots that date back more than 6,000 years. It is not known whether the spices were added for flavor or for other effects, but according to William Siff, founder of Goldthread Apothecary, in Massachusetts, they were most likely used to aid in digestion. Historically, natural digestive aids have included cinnamon, black pepper, clove, cumin, as well as cardamom, coriander, fennel, fenugreek and ginger, which have been used in culinary traditions to reduce gas. Spices
and herbs were also incorporated into disease treatment; their regular use in food preparation can be thought of as preventative medicine, bolstering the body against disease later. One method of integrating these spices into the diet is to make a tea using one-quarter teaspoon each of cumin seeds, coriander seeds and fennel seeds. Pour boiling water over the seeds and steep for 10 minutes. Drink one or two cups daily, during or after meals. Other natural practices that can assist digestive function include mindful eating, chewing well and eating on a regular schedule. Digestion begins in the mouth; if the digestive enzymes in saliva mix well with food, alkaline digestion can occur before the food hits the acidic environment in the stomach. Mindful eating also helps to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, the body’s calming aspect, which controls the digestive process. Regular meal times align digestion with our circadian rhythms, which prompts better functioning throughout the body, resulting in a happier digestive tract. Jerry Landau practices a blend of Chinese and ayurvedic medicine and yoga therapy at Well Within, in Madison. Contact him at 608-236-9138 or visit WellWithinMadison.com.
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greenliving
Washing soda, a caustic chemical cousin of baking soda, softens water and removes stains. Bond advises, “It’s a heavy duty cleaner as powerful as any toxic solvent,” so wear gloves. Hydrogen peroxide is considered an effective disinfectant and bleach alternative by the Environmental Protection Agency. Use it to whiten grout and remove stains.
HOMEMADE ECO-CLEANERS DIY Recipes Keep Your Home Naturally Clean by Lane Vail
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mericans use 35 million pounds of toxic household cleaning products annually. According to the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, in Los Angeles, traces of cleaning chemicals can be found throughout the human body within seconds of exposure, posing risks like asthma, allergies, cancer, reproductive toxicity, hormone disruption, neurotoxicity and death. Equally sobering is the decades of research suggesting a relationship between the overuse of powerful disinfectants and the rise of antibiotic-resistant super bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as concerns over these toxins entering water supplies and wildlife food chains. Cleaning product labels lack transparency, says Johanna Congleton, Ph.D., a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group, because “manufacturers aren’t required to specify ingredients.” One approach to assure safe ingredients is do-it-yourself (DIY) products. For Matt and Betsy Jabs, the authors of DIY Natural Household Cleaners who blog at DIYNatural.com, creating homemade cleaners is a rewarding exercise in sustainability and simplicity. “We’re cutting through all the marketing and getting back to basics,” says Matt. Affordability is another benefit:
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The Jabs’ homemade laundry detergent costs five cents per load, compared with 21 cents for a store brand. Annie B. Bond, a bestselling author and pioneering editor of the award-winning Green Guide, dispels a DIY myth: “What’s time-consuming isn’t making the cleaners; it’s making the decision to switch and figuring it all out,” she says.
Nine Basics
Find these multitasking ingredients in local groceries and health stores or online. White vinegar effectively cleans, deodorizes, cuts grease and disinfects against bacteria, viruses and mold. Castile soap in liquid or bar form serves as a biodegradable, vegetable-based surfactant and all-around cleaner (avoid mixing with vinegar, which neutralizes its cleansing properties). Baking soda cleans, whitens, neutralizes odors and softens water. It’s an excellent scrubbing agent for bathrooms, refrigerators and ovens. Borax, a natural mineral, improves the effectiveness of laundry soap. Although classified (as is salt) as a low-level health hazard that should be kept away from children and animals, borax is non-carcinogenic and isn’t absorbed through skin.
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Essential oils derived from plants infuse cleaners with fragrance and boost germ-fighting power. Tea tree, eucalyptus and lavender oils all boast antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. The Jabs advise that although they can be pricy, “The investment will pay for itself many times over.” Lemon juice or citric acid cuts through grease, removes mold and bacteria and leaves dishes streak-free. Coarse kosher salt helps soften dishwasher water and acts as a scouring agent.
Home Formulas
All-purpose cleaner: Homemade Cleaners: Quick-and-Easy Toxin-Free Recipes, by Mandy O’Brien and Dionna Ford, suggests combining one cup of vinegar, one cup of water and 15 drops of lemon oil in a spray bottle. Use it anywhere, including glass and mirrors. For serious disinfecting, follow with a hydrogen peroxide spray. Foaming hand/dish soap: Shake one cup of water, a quarter-cup of castile soap and 15 drops of essential oil in a foaming dispenser. Use in bathrooms and kitchens. Dishwashing detergent: DIYNatural recommends mixing one cup of borax, one cup of washing soda, a half-cup of citric acid and a half-cup of coarse kosher salt. Leave it uncovered for several days, stirring often to prevent clumping. Cover and refrigerate. Use one tablespoon per load with a half-cup of citric acid in the rinse to combat streaks. Laundry detergent: Combine one cup of borax, one cup of washing soda and one 14-ounce bar of grated castile soap. Use one tablespoon per load, adding a half-cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle. Prior to washing, use hydrogen peroxide as a stain remover (test first; it may lift color).
More than 95 percent of “green” products manipulate labels by providing irrelevant information (declaring a product is free of an already illegal chemical), being vague (masking poisons as natural ingredients), outright lying (claiming false endorsements) and other maneuvers. ~ TerraChoice Group
April Events Crystal Class ~ Spirit Drawing Reclaiming your creative power Psychic Readings Aura Imagining visit our website for full listing & details
Bathroom soft scrub: Bond recommends creating a thick paste with liquid castile soap and a half-cup of baking soda. Scour tubs, showers and stainless steel surfaces with a sponge, and then rinse.
Hard floor cleaner: Environmental Working Group’s DIY Cleaning Guide suggests combining a half-gallon of hot water with one cup of white vinegar in a bucket to mop.
Toilet bowl cleaner: Sprinkle one cup of borax into the toilet at bedtime and then clean the loosened grime with a brush the next morning, advises Bond. Wipe outer surfaces with the all-purpose spray.
Carpet cleaner: Freshen rugs by sprinkling baking soda at night and vacuuming in the morning, suggests Bond. For deeper cleaning, combine one cup of vinegar and two-and-a-half gallons of water in a steam cleaner.
Wood polish: Bond recommends mixing a quarter-cup of vinegar or lemon juice with a few drops of olive and lemon oil.
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Lane Vail is a freelance writer in South Carolina. Connect at WriterLane.com.
Stop in and check out all our new crystals & stones! jewelry ~ music ~ scarves bath salts ~ lotions ~ candles ~ oils wide variety of crystals and stones just 7 miles south of Madison
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123 S. Main St.~Oregon, WI~835-5288 Hrs: Mo-Fr 10-6; Sa 10-5; Su 12-4
by Lane Vail Americans, comprising less than 5 percent of the world’s population, use 30 percent of the world’s paper, according to the Worldwatch Institute. Some 13 billion pounds of this comes from paper towels, mostly landfilled because grime-soaked paper is non-recyclable. Ecological and economical alternatives include cloth dishrags, towels, napkins, wipes and handkerchiefs plus washable diapers and menstrual pads. Jean Calleja, co-owner of the Eco Laundry Company, in New York City, suggests customers buy recycled, organic, unbleached cloths and local products when possible. In the kitchen: Use washcloths or repurpose cotton T-shirts into 10-by10-inch squares to use regularly with a homemade all-purpose cleaner on surfaces. Replace paper towels with cloth towels for drying hands. At the table: Cloth napkins enhance mealtime. Buy or make plain napkins (by hemming cotton fabric squares) for everyday use and celebrate holidays with fancypatterned fabric rolled into napkin rings.
In the bathroom: Substitute chlorineladen disinfecting wipes with homemade reusable ones. DIYNatural.com recommends mixing three-quarters of a cup of white vinegar, three-quarters of a cup of water and 25 drops of essential oil in a glass mason jar. Stuff five to seven washcloths into the jar, seal with a lid and shake, so the solution is absorbed into each wipe. Pull out a ready-made disinfecting wipe for a quick clean. Laundering linens: Change cleaning rags often, hang-drying them thoroughly before adding to the laundry basket. Wash kitchen and bathroom rags (added to the bathroom towel load) separately each week. According to Calleja, “Presoaking rags overnight in a non-toxic, chlorine-free, whitening solution can make a huge difference in getting them clean.” Combine a halfcup of hydrogen peroxide with two to three gallons of water, spot-testing every fabric first for colorfastness. Calleja also likes using a white vinegar and eucalyptus oil rinse aid to dissolve soap residue, soften fabric and leave a fresh scent.
My Garden Flowers are color Flowers are form Flowers are memories Arranged in tributes My Grandma liked sweet peas My Mother had roses I like wildflowers So grows my garden
Linda Schumacher 9761 NE Badger Hts Rd Edgerton, WI 53534 608-884-4584 blschue@charter.net
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A proven practice for supporting health and selfhealing, qigong has been used in China for millennia to maintain and improve physical, mental and emotional well-being.
“Q
i” (pronounced chee) refers to the life force or vital energy present in all things throughout the universe while “gong” means dedicated effort or steady practice of a skill. Qigong is the art of working intensely with this energy, cultivating life force. Acupuncture physician and qigong instructor Walter Hayley, in Bonita Springs, Florida, became passionate about qigong while working as a stockbroker in need of stress relief. He compares qigong’s movement of energy in the body to water running through a hose: “Qi is concentrated in channels throughout the body. Think of the qi as water and those channels as a garden hose branching out to every aspect of the individual. Stress, whether physical or emotional, can kink the hose. Qigong helps get the kinks out,” he explains. “It relaxes the body, letting energy flow more efficiently, allowing the body to heal itself.” Qigong styles vary, but Hayley remarks that most involve slow movement, focused awareness and special breathing techniques. Many describe the practice as a moving meditation. Qigong teacher Judith Forsyth, in Mobile, Alabama, says, “It’s often described as the mother of tai chi. When the quiet, internal energy art of qigong mixed with the powerful external martial arts, it developed into tai chi.” She emphasizes that the focus of qigong is less on its physical mechanics and more on understanding how the vital force moves through the body and can be used to enhance health and longevity.
Inside the body, there’s an integrated network of subtle energy centers that international Qigong Master Robert Peng believes are connected to the capacity for genuine happiness. The goal is to awaken and pack these centers with qi. “By repeating slow, gentle movements over and over, you can develop the body’s capacity to draw qi from the universe. It can be stored in these centers and later channeled back through the body to empower your daily activities,” explains Peng, author of The Master Key: The Qigong Secret for Vitality, Love, and Wisdom. He focuses on three of the body’s big energy portals: the “third eye”, located between the eyebrows; the “heart center”, at the center of the chest on the sternum and the “sea of qi”, just below the navel. The idea is that when energy is accessed in these three centers, specific spiritual qualities are accessed: wisdom, love and vitality (respectively). Harmonizing all three is ideal. Peng advises that when these essential elements are woven together in balance, dynamic happiness is possible. “You begin to project more wisdom, love, vitality, inspiration and peacefulness. Conversations flow more smoothly. Your life becomes more productive, meaningful and serene,” he says. “Whatever the challenges encountered, you’ll be better equipped to deal with them, while remaining inwardly content.” Forsyth was first guided to qigong when the prescribed rest, drugs, exercise and physical therapy following an accident left her with lingering neck and back problems. She recalls, “After eight weeks of practice, I experienced significant physical improvement, not only where I had considerable pain, but in my overall energy level, ability to sleep and the condition of my skin and hair. The peace and harmonizing meditation benefits of qigong were also affecting me positively in other ways. I became less worried, less of a perfectionist, less stressed out and began to experience more joyfulness.” While all styles benefit overall health, specific qigong exercises may be prescribed for specialized needs, from athletic conditioning to management of chronic conditions such as arthritis, hypertension or cancer. The gentle movements can be performed by almost anyone at any age and ability level, even those confined to a chair or bed. “Qigong speaks to the body and the body then addresses the condition,” Hayley remarks. The experts advise that qigong is best practiced every day, even if for just five minutes. “A group class offers a synergy that a home practice lacks, but the more important practice is at home,” observes Hayley. Some personal instruction is ideal so the practitioner receives feedback, but books and videos make qigong accessible to everyone, everywhere. Hayley reminds newbies, “Just be patient. If one form doesn’t suit you, remember there are thousands of different forms to try.” Peng’s advice to beginners is, “Be happy! Think of the exercise as lighthearted play and remember to smile as you move.” Meredith Montgomery is the publisher of Natural Awakenings Mobile/Baldwin, AL (HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com).
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healthykids
Backyard Birds and Butterflies Native Habitats Draw Critters and Delight Kids by Avery Mack
C
reating a backyard wildlife habitat provides valuable teaching moments. With planning and care, birds, bats, butterflies and bunnies can view yards as safe havens and sources for food, water and shelter, providing endless fascination. Hummingbird Josh Stasik, a father of three and owner of SweetNectar Recipe Seed.com, in Syracuse, Measure one part New York, sees firsthand ordinary white sugar how feeding winged wonto four parts water ders can be an inexpensive (no unhealthy red way to start a new family dye needed). Boil activity. “My mom taught me about flowers and bird the water first, and feeders. I hope my kids will then mix the nectar someday pass the informawhile the water is tion along to their chilhot; the sugar will dren,” he says. easily dissolve. Habitat plantings and available foods determine Source: TomatoEnvy.com what creatures will visit.
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“Native plants attract native bugs that are eaten by native birds and bats,” observes Stasik, noting that staff at extension services and garden centers can provide helpful advice. Based on his own research, Stasik knows, “Bird species have definite tastes in food. Bluebirds love mealworms. Hummingbirds like floral nectars. Orioles look for citrus fruit. Butterflies are eclectic sippers of both floral and citrus.” Hummingbirds pose particular appeal for kids and adults because they appear always on the move. Hummingbirds.net/ map.html follows their migration sites. Videographer Tom Hoebbel, owner of TH Photography, outside Ithaca,
New York, builds birdhouses and nesting boxes with his kids. They also participate in the annual Christmas bird count for the Audubon Society (Birds.Audubon. org/Christmas-birdcount). The Great Backyard Bird Count, a joint project between nonprofits Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, bird photos courtesy of Susan follows in February Gottlieb, of Venice, California (gbbc.BirdCount.org). “In our yard, we have five nesting boxes made from reused wood. Once or twice a week, we check to see who lives there and how many eggs there are,” says Hoebbel. “So far, we’ve seen bluebirds, chickadees and house wrens.” He laments the rapid decline of bats in the Northeast due to pesticides killing bugs, the main course for birds and bats. “In the winter, bats live in caves, so we put one-by-one-foot boxes in the yard for their summer homes.” Warm evenings on the patio are more enjoyable when bats clean up the mosquito population; a single bat can eat as many as 1,000 in an hour. The monarch butterfly population is another favorite species in decline, with the spectacular annual migration on the verge of disappearing due to illegal deforestation, climate change, expansion of crop acreage and imposition of genetically modified plants that reduce the growth of native species. “You can help them by planting perennial milkweed in your garden,” advises Brande Plotnick, founder of Tomato Envy, in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. Milkweed is the food of choice because it makes the caterpillars and butterflies toxic to birds and other predators. Also consider planting garden phlox, coneflower and lantana. Migrating monarchs live about nine months and fly up to 30 miles per hour. Plotnick also suggests planting an herb garden
that includes parsley. “Swallowtail butterflies will lay eggs on parsley, caterpillars hatch and feed on it, and eventually create a chrysalis,” she says. “You’ll be able to see the entire butterfly life cycle.” Rabbits add another dimension to backyard wildlife. Just as birds and butterflies need trees, bushes and plants to land on and hide in, bunnies need ground cover. The Virginia Department of Game and Fisheries counsels that brush piles should start with a base of large limbs, logs or stones to raise the floor above ground and create tunnels and escape routes, plus a home base. Top with smaller branches and maybe a recycled Christmas tree or dead plants. Encourage structural density and permanence with live vines. The resulting brush pile should be igloo-shaped and about six to eight feet tall and wide. Visit Tinyurl.com/BunnyShelters. City ordinances or subdivision regulations might prohibit brush piles in ordinary yards. Find out how to gain certification as a wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation at Tinyurl.com/CertifiedWildlifeHabitat. Rabbits can have as many as seven babies per litter, depending on the species. Make sure their space is sufficient. Before attracting bunnies to the yard, be aware of local predators—hawks, owls, coyote, dogs and stray cats. The brush pile may also attract other animals like skunks, raccoons and reptiles. A wildlife habitat is a fun, ongoing learning experience. It calls on math skills for bird counts, geography to follow migration maps and woodworking to build homesites and feeding spots. It becomes a lesson in local ecology and the roles of native plants and animals. When children comprehend they can help save wildlife, it’s also a lesson in hope. Avery Mack is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect via AveryMack@mindspring.com.
Habitat Tips Recognize the basic needs of all wildlife; food, water, cover and safe places to raise young. 4 Determine the most desirable species to attract and learn their specific needs. 4 Evaluate current yard habitat conditions for missing elements. 4 Develop a plant list; select for wildlife value, emphasizing native plants suitable for the region. 4 Realize that habitat will grow larger and mature. 4 Certify the family’s backyard wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. Source: Education Department at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA
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t seems dogs travel just about everywhere with their humans these days. They’re spotted at home improvement stores, happy hours, drive-through restaurants and workplaces, in addition to their usual hangouts. To get Sparky invited into even more people places, he must have good manners. “Just like with kids, not every venue is appropriate for dogs,” advises Eileen Proctor, a pet lifestyle expert in Denver, Colorado. “Some dogs are more introverted and want a quiet spot to relax. Others love a party. Know your dog and socialize him accordingly; never force him into an uncomfortable situation.” Instead, help him acclimate to new locales gradually, from a distance; stop when he shows signs of stress. A yawn, averted eyes, hiding behind his owner or nervous pacing are clues that a fourlegged pal has had enough. “Good manners at home might not translate to public manners,” Proctor notes. “Take practice runs to see how your dog handles distractions.” Day care or play dates with other dogs help hone canine social skills, while basic obedience—leave it, sit, stay, down, off, an effective recall and walking nicely on a leash—form the basis for good
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manners. Reward good behavior with praise, treats or a favorite activity.
Eating Out
Amy Burkert, the on-the-road owner of GoPetFriendly.com, says, “After a long day at the office or a ‘ruff’ week at work, it’s nice to include your dog when eating out. Pet-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating areas where the dog can join you are becoming more common, but always ask first. “Dogs in dining areas should lie quietly under your table or by your chair,” she continues. “This is not the time to socialize. Diners may find it unappealing to be approached by your dog while they’re eating. Choose a table where your dog can be out of the way of customers and the wait staff.” It will take practice. “If he acts up, apologize, leave and know that you’ll do better next time,” says Burkert. A good process for teaching good restaurant manners begins with sitting quietly with the dog when there are few people around, and then moving on. The next time, order an appetizer. Increase the amount of time the pet is expected to wait quietly, as well as the number of distractions.
Traveling Together
Christina Mendel, an international business coach with offices in Germany and Italy, adds that dogs need a safe and secure retreat from excessive activity. Her Chihuahua mix, Balu, is small enough to fit into a carry bag. He can take a nap, people watch or have a snack without fear of human interference. “The carry bag helps when I take clients to dinner, drive or fly to onsite appointments,” she says. “Many of my clients are dog owners, so we bond because he’s well behaved and knows tricks.” Flying presents its own challenges because airlines limit the number of pets on each flight. Check the company’s rules for pet size, weight and type of crate required. Dogs ride as cargo unless they are small enough to fit in a carrier under the seat. Other passengers might be fearful or allergic, so respect their boundaries. In the car, a dog needs to be calm and wear a special seat belt, be crated or otherwise restrained to keep him safe, not distract the driver and prevent lunging out the window.
Find tips for walking dogs in crowded urban areas at Tinyurl.com/ RulesOfTheDoggyRoad. At Work
Dogs may be welcome in the workplace. Alexandra Blackstone, design director for Killer Infographics, in Seattle, Washington, takes her corgi puppy, Buster, to the office. “He was good when he was the only dog at work,”
explains Blackstone. “When an older dog and another puppy were there, he barked and tried to herd them.” He didn’t read other dogs well, so to further Buster’s dog-to-dog communication skills, Blackstone enrolled him in doggie day care twice a week. She advises first introducing dogs outside of the office setting. “Communicate with coworkers as to what your dog is working on, so everyone is consistent in their behavior toward him,” Blackstone advises. “Be clear how to correct any inappropriate behavior if someone else shares responsibility for walking him.” She reports that with positive training techniques, Buster is learning to respond well and now splits his time between day care and the office. “It’s your responsibility to make taking the dog along a good experience for all,” counsels Proctor. “That includes using a leash and always picking up after him, every time.” Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy of St. Louis, MO, at StLSandy@ mindspring.com.
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calendarofevents Submit your calendar event by the 12th of each month to Publisher@AwakeMadison.com. $20/listing. SATURDAY, APRIL 5 Creating Crystal Elixirs – 10:30am-12:30pm. With John Deits. This workshop focuses on creating and using gem and crystal elixirs which are also often referred to as gem waters, essences, tinctures, vibrational sprays and anointing oils. Participants will learn the basics for creating elixirs through hands on experience. $10. Registration is requested. 608-8355288. Peaceful Heart, 123 S Main St, Oregon WI. Family Ki and Heart Workshops – 11am-12pm. Learn and practice how to make our energy and heart positive and strong through fun holistic practices including yoga, family shiatsu healing and Buddhist meditations. Tao Sangha Madison Center, 2330 Willard Ave (Atwood area). $8-10/ parent/child pair. Please RSVP at 608-257-466. Madison@TaoSangha-na.com.
SUNDAY, APRIL 6 Power of Ki: Good Fortune from the Buddha – 2-4:30pm. Gain an understanding of Eastern holistic approaches to health and healing by experiencing how our state of heart, words and images can shape and improve our lives. Includes introduction and practice of Buddhist Chanting. Tao Sangha Madison Center, 2330 Willard Ave (Atwood area). Freely given, donations accepted. Please RSVP at 608-257-4663. Madison@TaoSangha-na.com. TaoSangha-na.com.
MONDAY, APRIL 7 Demystifying Reiki – 6-7pm. For people that are new to Reiki and want to learn more about the benefits of receiving and giving this healing energy. Learn what to expect during a session, the levels of Reiki and what an attunement is, a brief history and a brief demo. Free. Please RSVP. 608-335-1934. Embrace Your Essence. 122 E Olin Ave, Madison. EmbraceYourEssence.org.
SATURDAY, APRIL 12 Reclaiming Your Creative Power – 10:30am12pm. With Doris Deits. All humans are born creators but somehow that understanding is lost and its importance to our health and well-being. In this workshop we will discuss how the creative process ignites our inner soul essence and feeds our yearning for fulfillment. Registration is requested. 608-8355288. Peaceful Heart,123 S Main St, Oregon.
TUESDAY, APRIL 15 Girl-Talk Tuesdays – 6-7pm. Supporting your weight-loss goals and fulfilling your dreams. A conversation about the 7th vital sign, your spirit. Free. Healthy Woman, 7617 Mineral Point Rd, Madison, WI. Dennis Kotnour; 608-203-9060. Dennis@Lose WeightMadison.com. LoseWeightMadison.com.
THURSDAY, APRIL 17 Community HU – 7pm. Followers of many spiritual traditions have used prayer, the singing (chanting) of holy words and meditation to bring themselves
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SATURDAY, APRIL 26 Earth Day Herb Walk –11am. Kathleen Wildwood and the Advanced Apprentices will lead an Earth Day Herb Walk through the UW Arboretum. This informational event will last approximately one hour. Free. Preregistration is required – class size is limited. Email your name, phone and number of your group to: Kathleen@WildwoodInstitute.com. Meet at the corner of Monroe St and Arbor Dr at 11am. Aura Imaging –11am-5pm. With John Gruba. Get a 6-page Aura/Chakra Report with interpretation. Appts are recommended. $30. 608-835-5288. Peaceful Heart, 123 S Main St, Oregon. Complimentary Acupuncture Demonstrations – 12-4pm. First monthly Complimentary Acupuncture Demonstrations will be held at Raw Materials Wellness & Learning Center, 408 E Wilson St, Madison, WI. 608-575-8600. RawMaterials@tds.net. RawMaterialsWellness.com.
closer to God. The HU Song opens with a spiritual reading followed by singing HU and closes with a few minutes of quiet contemplation. Fellowship with light refreshments will follow. Free. Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St, Madison. Occurs every 3rd Thursday. To experience the sound of HU, see the video Miracles in Your Life at HearHU.org.
SATURDAY, APRIL 19 Reiki I Attunement Class – 10am-3pm. This first level of Reiki opens one up to the Reiki healing energies that one can give to oneself and others. This course includes a guided meditation, the Reiki I attunement, important principles for giving Reiki, practical experience giving and receiving Reiki with classmates, a manual and certificate of completion. Limited to three students. With Reiki Master Teacher Sarah Barlow of Embrace Your Essence. $150. EmbraceYourEssence.org. Registration and $50 deposit due Fri., April 11. 608-335-1934. 122 E Olin Ave, Ste 150, Madison. Spirit Guide Drawings and Psychic Reading – 11am-5pm. With RonnaTrapanese. $60/hour. Appts are recommended. 608-835-5288. Peaceful Heart, 123 S Main St, Oregon.
MONDAY, APRIL 21 Self-Healing Group – 6-7:30pm. Take charge of your health and spiritual growth with guided meditations, exercises and other tips designed for empowerment. Topics will be catered toward areas specifically looking to heal/grow. $15. Please RSVP. 608-335-1934. Embrace Your Essence. 122 E Olin Ave, Madison. EmbraceYourEssence.org.
FRIDAY, APRIL 25 Open House – 4-6pm. Hancock Center will host a short program for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.Healing through Music and Dance/Movement Therapy will be presented by music therapist RoseAnna P. Cyr, MA, MT-BC, and dance therapist Grace Valentine, MA, LPC, BC-DMT, DTRL. Exercises that build self-esteem and trust are demonstrated. Participation is voluntary. Light refreshments. Free. RSVP. Hancock Center for Dance/ Movement Therapy, 16 N Hancock St in downtown Madison. 608-251-0908. HancockCenter.net. Info@HancockCenter.net.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 27 Earth Partnership for Families – 12:30-3:30pm. Springtime at Teal Pond. Celebrate the end of Earth Week by dipping a net into the pond and learning about the wetland habitat. What animals have woken up and are stirring about the pond? Explore with us the awakening of the water critters. Drop-in activities inside the Visitors Center. Naturalist-led hike from 1:30-2:30pm. Free. Meet at the UW-Madison Arboretum Visitors Center.
plan ahead SATURDAY, MAY 17 A Day of Discovery: A Spring Workshop for Women – 9am-4pm. At this workshop we shall explore a few activities and exercises that can further deepen our understanding and appreciation of ourselves. Facilitated by music therapist RoseAnna P. Cyr and dance/movement therapist Grace Valentine. $50. Please register by May 10. Timebank hours accepted. Hancock Center for Dance/ Movement Therapy, 16 N Hancock St downtown Madison. 608-251-0908. HancockCenter.Net. Info@HancockCenter.net.
markyourcalendar Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference The conference will offer workshops for beginning as well as experienced herbalists. Featured speakers will be Tieraona Low Dog, MD, Lisa Ganora and Brooke Medicine Eagle, plus 50 workshops and plant walks with expert herbalists from the Midwest and beyond.
June 6, 7, 8 For more information:
MidwestWomensHerbal.com
ongoingevents
THINK
monday Awaken the Power of Ki and Heart Course – April 14–June 2. Ki and Heart courses offers opportunities to experience Ki, increase positive states of heart, relieve stress and pain and develop spiritually for the benefit of yourself and others. $199. To register: 855-473-2301. Offered at Madison College, 1701 Wright St, Madison.
tuesday Buddhist Chanting – 7-8:30pm. The 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Buddhist Chanting Meditation, known in Japan and the East as Nembutsu Samadhi, can heal deep wounds and also cultivate deep gratitude in our hearts. Tao Sangha Madison Center, 2330 Willard Ave, (Atwood area). RSVP. 608-257-4663. Madison@TaoSangha-na.com. TaoSangha-na.com.
wednesday Embodied Practice: Engaging through Meditation and Movement – 6:30-8pm. April 9 - May 14. Designed for people who have had some meditation experience class will explore the body as a resource for deepening our meditation practice on and off “the cushion”. Limit 8 people. $120/6 weeks. Call for more info or to register. Facilitated by Robyn Lending Halsten, MA, LPC, BC-DMT, DTRL. Hancock Center for Dance/Movement Therapy, 16 N Hancock St, downtown Madison. 608-251-0908. HancockCenter.net. Info@HancockCenter.net.
BEFORE YOU BUY:
1. Is it recycled Beginning Meditation – 6:45-7:45pm. Treat yourself to an hour of blissful relaxation in this guided meditation session at JOY in YOGA, 5113 Monona Dr (next to Wisconsin Bedding). Beginners welcome, blankets and mats provided, first session is free. $11 drop-in thereafter. FindJoyInYoga.com. FindJoyInYoga@gmail.com. 608-566-3638.
or made from sustainable materials?
2. Is it resource saving? 3. Is it vintage or
saturday
pre-owned?
Family Ki and Heart Workshop – 11am-12pm.1st Saturday of each month. Learn and practice how to make our energy and heart positive and strong through fun holistic practices including yoga, family shiatsu healing and Buddhist meditations. $8-10 parent/child pair. Tao Sangha Madison Center, 2330 Willard Ave (Atwood area). Please RSVP. 608-257-4663. Madison@TaoSangha-na.com. TaoSangha-na.com. Power of Ki: Good Fortune from the Buddha – 2-4:30pm. 1st Saturday of each month. Tao Sangha Madison Center, 2330 Willard Ave (Atwood area). Gain an understanding of Eastern holistic approaches to health and healing. Free, donations accepted. Tao Sangha Madison Center, 2330 Willard Ave (Atwood area). 608-257-4663. Madison@ TaoSangha-na.com. TaoSangha-na.com.
Asking these questions before you buy can help you make a green choice.
Coming Next Month
WOMEN’S WELLNESS
Tune into Your Body’s Intelligence and Take Charge of Your Life To advertise or participate in our May edition, call 608-721-2254 natural awakenings
April 2014
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communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included, email Publisher@ AwakeMadison.com to request our media kit.
HYPNOSIS
ACUPUNCTURE PIVOTAL POINT ACUPUNCTURE & WELLNESS CENTER, LLC
KARING HYPNOSIS AND THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE
106 N Main St, Oregon 608-835-9355 • PivotalPointOnline.com
629 Spruce St, Madison 608-256-0080 • Wellife.org
At Pivotal Point Acupuncture & Wellness Center, many holistic and complementary treatments are provided to promote healing and well-being. Services include acupuncture, massage, digestive and nutritional support through the use of herbal and enzyme supplements. See ad, page 23.
Quit smoking, lose weight & more. Ken-Adi Ring, CH, Consulting Hypnotist, offers you an opportunity to be free of addictive habits and to feel good. Ken is the only NGH Certified Instructor (CI) in Madison. Specialized treatment suited to your kneads/requests is available.In addition to private sessions, Ken teaches the course that prepares you for certified practice. Contact him for services that will help release you from patterns, become strong and embrace a better, way of being.
BODYWORK/HEALING ARTS BACK IN HARMONY HEALING FOR BODY & SPIRIT
Leora Weitzman, WI LMT #3833-146 437 S Yellowstone Dr, Ste 109, Madison 608-332-9581 • BackInHarmony.org Therapeutic massage, Reiki, intuitive work for humans and animals, myofascial release, gentle deep tissue. Lasting comfort and mobility.
DENTISTRY
MOVEMENT THERAPY HANCOCK CENTER FOR DANCE/MOVEMENT THERAPY
16 N Hancock St, Downtown Madison 608-251-0908 • HancockCenter.net Hancock Center is a nonprofit organization providing dance/movement therapy services and wellness education for people of all ages and abilities. See ad, page 9.
INTEGRATIVE DENTAL SOLUTIONS 23770 Capitol Dr, Pewaukee 262-691-4555 • MyNaturalDentist.com
At Integrative Dental Solutions (IDS), doctors Ingo Mahn and Supriya Shetty are committed to providing holistic dental care and using materials and methods that are the most beneficial to the overall health of their patients. See ad, back cover.
NUTRITION H2O ENERGY FLOW
Available at: Healthy Woman 7617 Mineral Point Rd, Madison 608-203-9060 • H2OEnergyFlow.com Info@H2OEnergyFlow.com At Healthy Woman, learn about the importance of water, how to lose weight and keep it off w i t h H 2 O E n e rg y F l o w combined with the right food choices. See ad, inside back cover.
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South Central Wisconsin
AwakeMadison.com
PRODUCTS/SERVICES PEACEFUL HEART GIFTS & BOOKS 123 South Main St, Oregon 608-835-5288 • PeacefulHeart.net
We strive to provide products and gifts with a light-hearted, fun or inspirational quality. Indulge your inner diva with great jewelry, healing music or an insightful book. Pick up a calendar of events featuring healers, readers, classes and other special events, or visit our website at PeacefulHeart.net. See ad, page 21.
SCHOOLS/TRAINING TAO SHIATSU TRAINING PROGRAM TAO SANGHA CENTER 2330 Willard Ave, Madison 608-257-4663 • TaoShiastu.com USA@TaoShiastu.com
The International Tao Shiatsu Society has one of the highest standards and most vibrant systems of shiatsu training. The unique hands-on curriculum allows students to realize the core principles of Oriental Medicine and become effective Tao Shiatsu therapists.
SPIRITUAL ECKANKAR
Meets 3rd Thursdays Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St, Madison Bryce 608-238-5650 • Eckankar.org (Se habla español) Discover how the teachings of Eckankar can awaken you to your true nature as Soul. The road to God is the adventure of a lifetime. Find us on Meetup.com: Spiritual Experiences Group (The Spiritual Experiences Group of Madison, Wisconsin). Meets 3rd Thursdays, Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St, Madison. See ad, page 9.
WELLNESS AND LEARNIING RAW MATERIALS WELLNESS & LEARNING CENTER
408 E Wilson St, Madison 608-575-8600 • RawMaterialsWellness.com RawMaterials@tds.net We provide professional accredited health services through licensed health practitioner treatments, nutrition & herbal remedies, class instruction & demonstrations, available for those that seek alternatives or complements to Western medical practices. See ad, page 7.
Activate longevity of life Turbocharge excellent health Increase momentum of hydration Increase velocity in performance
Do you experience fatigue, headaches or body aches and pains? These are all symptoms of dehydration or drinking that is energetically dead water. H2O Energy Flow has been scientifically engineered with technology that specializes in frequency imprinting of water and providing the best available pH at 7.8. It starts by taking water from the spring source and energizing it through an all-natural process;which means there are no added chemicals or artificial ingredients,setting the stage for optimal,high performance cellular hydration.Increase your water intake with H2O Energy Flow and drink to letting energy flow into your life.
H2O Energy Flow can be purchased at Healthy Woman, 7617 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI. At Healthy Woman you will learn about your current hydration level,body composition,how water consumption can help you lose weight today and keep it off by reducing cravings.
Call Now for your FREE Consultation - 608-203-9060
To learn more about the benefits of frequency imprinting of water and how to identifying energetically dead water, visit our website and register for our monthly information e-newsletter.
H2OENERGYFLOW WWW.H2OENERGYFLOW.COM For home or oďŹƒce delivery,
call 888-602-6568
natural awakenings
April 2014
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