E E HEALTHY LIVING FR
HEALTHY
PLANET
SPECIAL EDITION
HEALTH &WELLNESS
LOSE WEIGHT
AND GAIN HEALTH IN 2021
SIMPLE WAYS TO
BLESS A HOME TIPS FOR MANAGING
ECO-ANXIETY
HOSPITALS GO HOLISTIC
INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE GAINS GROUND
January 2021 | Houston Metro-Edition | NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com
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Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 60 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.
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Contents 7 Slow Fashion: mending to extend the life of clothing
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13 Integrative Hospital Care 16 Climate Anxiety
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17 House Blessings
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19 Losing Weight Without Dieting
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20 Recipes for the New Year
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EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS
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22 The Power of Tea
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26 Staying Fit in 2021 4 letter from the publisher
22 plant-based wellness
5 affirming naturally
27 calendar of events
6 healthy living finds
28 healthy living guide
7 eco tip
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letter from publishers
HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET
Greetings! Like most people, Cindy and I have been looking forward to the New Year. There has been a lot of talk about “bouncing back” from the economic impact of COVID sometime in 2021 but we are not looking to go back but rather to Spring Forward. Let me explain. Gardening is one of our spiritual practices and honestly, this year, it has been one of the ways we’ve had food to eat some days. We won’t start planting until spring but we aren’t waiting until then to start. In December, I harvested the last of the green tomatoes and pulled all the plants. This month, we will start seedlings inside under grow lamps and deep mulch the garden so that by Spring everything will be ready to plant out. Similarly, if you own a healthy living business and been hunkering down the past many months, don’t wait until Spring or the middle of the Summer when things begin to open up to start promoting your business. It usually takes a month or two of seeing your ad for people to begin responding. Let them know NOW that you survived and are still in business waiting to serve
HOUSTON EDITION PUBLISHERS
Cindy & Mike Hart
EDITOR & DESIGN Mike Hart CREATIVE
them so that you will be the one they turn to when things do open up. Don’t hope just to bounce back to where you were in 2019 embrace the changes and plan to Spring Forward in 2021! We at Natural Awakenings are here to help. If you aren’t a business owner, you too can participate in this Springing Forward by shopping at the local businesses you see featured in our magazine. You will find only the best in healthy natural holistic products and services but you will also be helping to support those local business and to make our little magazine possible. Until next month, remember to be kind.
Cindy & Mike Hart
Cindy Hart
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Doyle Ward Linda Sechrist Dr. Nettie Ramsay April Thompson SALES & MARKETING Carmen Jules WEBSITE
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© 2020 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. 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. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.
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I choose success! by Doyle Ward
You have more than 55,000 thoughts each day. Many are the same thoughts over and over again. Every single one is an affirmation; this also includes everything that you say. By reducing your negative thoughts and words and increasing the positive ones, you can reshape your life. Expecting a better day helps to create a better life. The only place we have to take action or make changes is the present. It’s the start of a new year. Do you have any ideas or plans about the direction you want to take or what you want to accomplish this year? It’s a perfect time to start something new. Start making plans, setting goals and working toward your success. It’s important to believe in your idea or plan. If you start something and have any doubts you may have placed limitations on your success. We tend to meet our own expectations, so if you have any misgivings, utilize affirmations and get a clear idea of what success looks and feels like. Then take those steps toward achieving your goals. Here’s my affirmation for this month:
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I choose success! The only thing that you’re guaranteed in life is this moment. Working with positive affirmations can radically change your mindset. Say them and write them repeatedly with the feeling that they are your truth. You have the power to make great changes in yourself and the world. I know this is true because I have made huge changes in my life by changing my thoughts. Doyle Ward, Blissful Quests ® Doyle Ward is a successful life coach, workshop leader and lecturer in the field of personal development
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DR. NETTIE’S HEALTHY FINDS January 2021 FORGIVENESS by Dr. Nettie Ramsay, ND Dr. Nettie’s Healthy Finds for January 2021 is FORGIVENESS. Practicing forgiveness is extremely good for your health. Unforgiveness is a certain way to add stress and anxiety to your life. Basically, you are holding anger, frustration, regret, guilt and pain that only steal your energy and keep you connected to the person/persons who wronged or neglected you. Imagine unforgiveness keeps you energetically connected AND steals your energy. I think that many people believe that by forgiving a person you condone their behavior; not so! Forgiveness means you are not carrying the burden of their actions any longer. You are energetically giving those painful actions back to the originator. I learned how to forgive through the process of New Decision Therapy, developed by Kandis Blakley PhD. Her book, “Your Body Remembers” helped me to really get to the who, what, when and why of Forgiveness. After my first NDT session I knew that I wanted to help others feel the peace that I was feeling. I was able to stop re-acting by running away from difficult situations. I love this work; helping people forgive, let go and move on with their lives is fulfilling and rewarding. Please take a moment to look at facebook.com/newdecisiontherapyhouston.net/ or give me a call at 281-794-5255. I can put you in touch with other NDT Practitioners as well. Let’s start 2021 being free and clear and full of life!
Live simply and share time, energy and material resources with those who are in need. ~Thich Nhat Hanh
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Grateful Giving
eco tip
Generosity Fosters Increased Longevity
Slow Fashion Mending to Extend the Life of Clothing
Globalization and cheap labor have lowered clothing prices so much that many people view garments as disposable—a phenomenon called “fast fashion”. Magazines and other influencers create demand for trendy items each season, inciting us to overfill our closets and toss last year’s fads, leading to a more than doubling of worldwide consumption since 2000. It’s a vicious cycle with a huge pollution footprint. The textile industry expels about 1.2 billion tons of CO2 per year. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the fashion industry produces 10 percent of humanity’s carbon emissions and 20 percent of global wastewater. Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is either landfilled or burned. Polyester, a petroleum-based plastic found in about 60 percent of garments, doesn’t break down in the ocean, where half a million tons of microfibers end up every year. It takes about 2,000 gallons of water to manufacture just one pair of jeans, and textile dyeing is the second largest polluter of waterways. To embrace a more sustainable lifestyle, reject fast fashion; buy good-quality, longer-lasting garments; and mend them to prolong their useful life. Whether it’s reattaching a button, patching a worn sleeve or
sewing a hem, mending is a way to love and care for clothing and reject the notion that new is always better. Another option is to rely on a local seamstress or tailor to take care of mending needs. For the do-it-yourselfer, there are many ingenious products available besides needle and thread to help complete simple repairs—iron-on patches, fusible interfacing, mending glue and tape—as well as helpful instructional online videos and sewing classes at local fabric stores. SewGuide.com is an excellent resource for step-by-step instructions and creative ideas. Building upon the vintage-wear market, a new trend has emerged called visible mending. In the past, mended clothes might have been interpreted as exposing a family’s lack of funds or status, but today it’s a concept we proudly embrace. Mending a hole or tear with embroidery is a great way to add whimsy and creative expression. By incorporating colorful threads and fancy stitching techniques, as well as beads, decorative buttons, ribbons and appliqués, we can turn off-the-rack items into unique, wearable art. To cover stains, consider using fabric paint to add a pretty flower or bold political slogan.
A new study published in the journal PNAS suggests that people that share more live longer because the act of giving and receiving increases well-being. The recipient benefits directly from the gift, while the giver benefits indirectly through emotional satisfaction. Co-authors Fanny Kluge and Tobias Vogt found a strong relationship between a society’s generosity and the average life expectancy of its members. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, in Rostock, Germany, conclude that people are living longer in societies where members support each other with resources. Residents of African countries such as Senegal and South Africa share the lowest percentage of their lifetime income and have the highest mortality rate of the countries studied. Western European countries and Japan transfer more to the youngest and oldest, and their mortality rates are lower. Kluge notes that the relationship between generosity and lifetime income doesn’t depend on whether the benefits come from the state or from the wider community.
Winning Grins
Smiling Makes for More Positive Thoughts
According to research from the University of South Australia published in Experimental Psychology, the act of smiling and moving facial muscles can trick our mind into taking a more positive attitude. The study evaluated a real smile as well as an artificial one induced when participants held a pen between their teeth, finding that in either case, this facial muscular activity alters our perception of facial and body expressions and generates more positive emotions. The research found that the practice of forcefully smiling will stimulate the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain, which releases neurotransmitters to encourage an emotionally positive state. By inducing the brain into perceiving stimuli as happy, the mechanism could potentially be used to boost mental health.
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business brief
this process. Whittle designed KnoWEwell to serve as a role model for using business as a force for good, not just profits. In recognition of her innovative approach and leadership, Whittle was honored as one of Industry Era magazine’s 10 Best CEOs of 2020. Research is proving the effectiveness of ancient healing therapies and confirming that our lifestyle can modify the way our DNA is expressed, pushing us toward or away from chronic diseases. Studies also reveal that there is about a 17-year lag between new scientific discoveries and their adoption into medical practice and patient care. KnoWEwell is bridging that knowledge gap by creating a centralized online destination with the latest evidence-based research and connecting the dots between soil, food, lifestyle choices, people’s health and the health of the planet. KnoWEwell received the Top 50 Healthcare Companies award in 2019 from the International Forum for Advancements in Healthcare for its contributions to health care, industry impact and spirit of innovation.
WELLthier Living
Online Healing Resources at KnoWEwell.com by Patti Trenchak Imagine a one-stop, online site for healing, health and well-being information, resources and screened providers in a caring, supportive environment. KnoWEwell has launched a personalized, private and secure online community and marketplace to transform health care. KnoWEwell’s mission is to proactively prevent harm, address chronic diseases and inspire and empower individuals to achieve WELLthier Living. Driven by a series of healthcare challenges in her family that began more than a decade ago, founder and CEO Kimberly B. Whittle embarked on a journey to search for solutions. She immersed herself in research, attended conferences and joined several nonprofit provider organizations along the way. Using a multitude of Regenerative Whole Health (RWH) approaches—including natural, integrative and functional medicine, as well as lifestyle wellness practices—and collaborating with caring practitioners, Whittle created a personalized, integrated wellness approach to prevent and heal chronic conditions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has sharpened the focus on chronic illnesses such as diabetes, obesity and respiratory diseases because they increase the risk of serious and deadly consequences of the virus. As an online platform, KnoWEwell provides a new community outlet for like-minded individuals to share their experiences, challenges and triumphs. It is empowering its members to navigate today’s RWH knowledge and resources, as well as find their bestmatched, vetted providers to help prevent and address the root causes of their chronic diseases. Members can engage in immersive learning from thought-leading professional organizations and these trusted providers. “Our DNA may be our ancestry, but it does not have to be our destiny. We are building a global healing community, rooted and united through love of humanity and our planet. We are sharing healing success stories to inspire hope, foster meaningful connections and ensure that mission-aligned organizations prosper,” says Whittle. “KnoWEwell brings an unparalleled depth of health and well-being benefits to individuals and families and the entire Regenerative Whole Health ecosystem. Together, WE inspire and empower WELLthier living—happy, healthy, abundant and purpose-filled living.” Natural Awakenings is proud to be a collaborative partner with KnoWEwell. With gratitude for 27 years of sharing its mission, the magazine is pleased to provide its readers with the gift of a free, basic, annual KnoWEwell membership for individuals and providers. The new platform can be found at KnoWEwell.com. To begin a WELLthier Living journey, see page 12, which includes free membership codes.
Motivated to share this transformative knowledge, she started KnoWEwell to help people easily connect with global healing approaches, therapies, providers and organizations that together can cultivate and regenerate humanity, other living species and our planet. Whittle’s personal healing journey wasn’t easy, but she is determined to make the path easier for others. She also wants to acknowledge and thank the many health and well-being providers and professional organizations that assisted, guided and educated her in
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Chiropractic Guide Innate Chiropractic Healing Arts Center Dr. Jackie St.Cyr, DC 8100 Washington Ave, #210 Houston, TX 77007 713-521-2104 n8chiro.com HealthPro Chiropractic & Acupuncture Dr. Alayna E. Pagnani-Gendron, DC 4101 Green Briar Dr. #135 Houston, TX 77098 281-506-0105 9720 Cypresswood Dr #130 Houston, TX 77070 281-809-0100 healthprochiro.com Franson Chiropractic Dr. Brett V. Franson, DC 1652 South Dairy Ashford Rd. Houston, TX 77077 281-701-1596 fransonchiropractor.com
Try Ashwagandha for Anxiety
In just the first month of the 2020 pandemic, the use of antianxiety medications increased by 34 percent among Americans, according to pharmaceutical surveys. Because select serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in particular tend to lose their effectiveness over time, some sufferers may take heart in a new study in Current Clinical Pharmacology. Iranian researchers gave one gram of ashwagandha root extract (Withania somnifera) each day for six weeks to 22 patients with generalized anxiety disorder and a placebo to a second group of 18. People in both groups were also put on SSRIs. Anxiety scores for the ashwagandha group improved by week two and kept improving during the study, significantly outperforming the scores of the control group. The extract was considered safe and free of side effects.
Improve Muscle Strength with Schisandra
Schisandra chinensis, an ornamental, woody vine with pink leaves and bright red berries, has long been used as an adaptogen in China and Russia to lower stress, improve immunity and enhance energy. Korean researchers in a new study in Phytochemical Reviews report it may also be a boon for aging muscles. They tested 45 post-menopausal women that were given 1,000 milligrams of Schisandra chinensis or a placebo for 12 weeks. Compared to the control group, the Schisandra group had significantly increased quadriceps muscle strength and lower lactate levels, indicating greater endurance.
Try Ginger Extract for Hay Fever
For people suffering from the miseries of allergic rhinitis, better known as hay fever, ginger extract can be just as effective as the popular pharmaceutical product loratadine (Claritin), concludes a study from Thailand’s Thammasat University. Eighty hay fever patients were given either 500 milligrams of ginger extract or loratadine. After three and six weeks, the ginger group’s improvements in nasal symptoms and quality of life matched those of the loratadine group, but those taking ginger had fewer side effects such as drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness and constipation.
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innovative classroom experiences. “Our health science programs help prepare future chiropractors, among other student programs, to work independently or in a collaborative health care environment,” Moschella explains. “We really try to think of the patient and how to work in multidisciplinary practices, using different modalities to care for that patient in their specific needs.”
business brief
Moschella notes that from an academic standpoint, Parker’s functional nutrition, strength and human performance, and psychology programs have a similar curriculum to state universities. because the programs are developed with certain requirements and standards determined by specialty. “Our functional nutrition and strength and human performance programs were created to adhere to industry standards that allow graduates to apply for licensure and to be accepted into advanced degree programs,” she says. “Many of our programs are online, so students from anywhere in the U.S. and abroad can earn their degrees. It allows flexibility for working adults.”
Parker University Drives Natural Health Movement by Sheila Julson Dr. Jayne Moschella is a chiropractor that has worked in career education for most of her adult life. As executive vice president and provost of Parker University, she and the faculty prepare students for certification and licensure through the Doctor of Chiropractic program. Parker’s Health Science program, which explores disciplines from massage therapy to functional nutrition, was added in 2007 and has experienced exponential growth. Through therapeutic exercise and activities designed to retrain muscle and joint coordination, chiropractors manually restore and reactivate joint mobility and function without the use of medicine. To serve growing interest in chiropractic, Dr. James William Parker founded the school in 1982. In 2011, Parker College of Chiropractic became Parker University to reflect new health care degree programs designed to expand students’ scope of knowledge and provide more opportunities for graduates to practice in integrative care. The school added programs in functional nutrition, strength and human
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performance, integrative health and more. All courses are designed to ultimately allow patients to heal themselves. Because the holistic health care realm is broad, with regulation and licensing varying by state, Moschella believes that obtaining degrees and certifications from reputable schools in disciplines such as functional nutrition or massage therapy helps drive the natural health movement forward. “We very much believe in credibility, and that credibility is supported through evidence-based results and collaboration among other health care professionals,” she says. “Reputable schools will provide paths to degrees, state licensure and certification, as well as training experiences and learning opportunities. We’re focused on the future expansion of holistic care that complements mainstream health care.” Because working in health care requires compassion and drive, as well as a comprehensive education, Parker University readies students for impactful careers through
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Students have the option of completing one course at a time rather than adhering to the traditional academic schedule that requires students to take four or more classes over a 16-week period. “At Parker, students can concentrate and focus on one course at a time, one mid-term at a time and one final at a time. In the master’s degree program, students complete one or two courses at a time, but they are seven weeks long and allow for more breadth for research and mastery,” she adds. The chiropractic program uses a trimester approach so students can study year-round and obtain their doctor of chiropractic degree sooner. Parker University’s Office of Career Services provides placement assistance to students and alumni. “You never outgrow our ability to place you. If you have graduated from Parker, you can utilize our placement office,” Moschella affirms. “We have career assistance such as online career management tools so students can use databases, services and communication. We help students with practical applications like developing resumés and honing interview skills. We sponsor career preparation workshops. We do a lot of career fairs that work with alumni and potential employers.” Parker University is located at 2540 Walnut Hill Ln., Dallas. For more information, call 1-800-637-8337 or 214-902-2429, or visit Parker.edu. See ad on the back cover.
Techno-Threads
New Fabric Generates Solar Energy
Scientists at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology have developed a material that works like a luminescent solar concentrator for producing energy directly where needed that can even be applied to textiles. Because people are constantly on the move and dependent on a power supply to recharge smartphones, tablets and laptops, the needed electricity will come from our clothing by means of the new polymer applied on textile fibers, jackets and T-shirts. Based on amphiphilic polymer co-networks already available on the market in the form of silicone-hydrogel contact lenses, this new material is permeable to air and water vapor, as well as flexible and stable. The luminescent solar concentrators capture and transfer diffuse ambient light to a solar cell that converts it into electrical energy. By adding two different luminescent materials to the gel tissue, the solar concentrator becomes flexible, preventing the textile to which it is attached from becoming brittle or susceptible to cracking, or accumulating water vapor in the form of sweat.
Ill Wind
Nitrous Oxide Hastens Global Warming
Rising nitrous oxide (N20) emissions are jeopardizing the climate goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, according to a study published in the journal Nature, which was spearheaded by professor Hanson Tian at Auburn University, and included scientists from 48 research institutions in 14 countries. Researchers report that the growing use of nitrogen fertilizers in worldwide food production is causing the alarming increase in atmospheric concentrations of this greenhouse gas, which is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide and remains in the atmosphere for more than 100 years. N20 is considered the most significant human-induced agent depleting the stratospheric ozone layer. Notably, the study shows that the colorless gas has risen 20 percent from pre-industrial levels—from 270 parts per billion (ppb) in 1750 to 331 ppb in 2018—with the fastest growth observed in the last 50 years, due to emissions from human activities.
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feature article
Integrative Hospital Care Medicine Embraces Holistic Modalities by Marlaina Donato
T
hirty years ago, hospital patients were treated for symptoms based on the Western medical model, and holistic modalities were excluded, largely due to a lack of reliable scientific studies. More recently, because of promising research, the traditional template is expanding. The Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health encompasses 75 university health centers and health systems that offer integrative approaches—a remarkable seven-fold increase in 21 years. America’s top hospitals, including the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Mayo Clinic, the Duke University Medical Center and the Yale New Haven Hospital, now offer therapies such as acupuncture, reiki, homeopathy, touch therapy, yoga, clinical aromatherapy and chiropractic. According to a report in Advances in Medical Education and Practice, nearly half of Americans receiving medical care use alternative medicine (although 80 percent
don’t inform their doctors) and physicians agree on the importance of further research and training in such modalities. A 2017 University of California survey published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that hospital patients of all ages were willing to pay out of pocket for healthier food, therapeutic massage and energy work.
Disease: The Big Picture
“Research has repeatedly shown that even with full medical access and optimal medical treatments, a population’s health improves by only about 15 to 20 percent. The rest comes from lifestyle, environment and the social and personal determinants of health. Even factors like emotional health, what you feel is your purpose in life and what motivates you to be healthy plays a role,” says physician Wayne Jonas, in Alexandria, Virginia, a clinical professor of family med-
icine at Georgetown University and former director of the World Health Organization Center for Traditional Medicine. As executive director of Samueli Integrative Health Programs, which aims to make integrative health regular and routine, Jonas emphasizes that patients become healthier and medical costs are reduced when they are engaged in the healing process. For Jonas, the shift toward integrative health care has become most evident during the current opioid crisis and the search for non-pharmacological approaches like acupuncture and therapeutic massage therapy for pain management. “The evidence body for many of these approaches has grown tremendously over just the past five years, and has shown a spotlight on what works and what doesn’t. These approaches are now recommended in national guidelines as mainstream for chronic pain.” Denise Millstine, integrative physician and internal medicine specialist at
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Mayo Clinic in Arizona, concurs: “The opiate crisis is an example of the need to broaden our clinical toolbox to incorporate care strategies that are less risky. I believe this change has been multifactorial, based on patient demand and more awareness of the importance of lifestyle management.” Patient demand is also fueled by a desire to avoid medication side effects. In 1998, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that 106,000 hospital deaths take place each year from adverse reactions to prescription drugs. With more than half of Americans already taking a pharmaceutical drug, and three being the average, adverse side effects can easily mount in a hospital setting. For Millstine, integrative medicine offers many solutions. “We might recommend the best medication or provide cutting-edge therapies, but without considering stress management, resilience, movement and what people ingest, it’s hard to get optimal results. Integrative medicine expanded my approach to include nutrition, exercise, mind-body (connection), spirituality and other medical philosophies like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the patient’s therapeutic plan.”
Whole-Patient Cancer Care
A 2016 meta-analysis by Taipei Medical University published in the journal PLOS ONE concluded that certain applications of acupuncture reduce pain and opioid use on the first day after surgery. Acupuncture—an ancient modality based on the concept of energy meridians in the body—is also offered in many major hospitals to offset the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Acupuncture treatments at the Mayo Clinic are given in a calming atmosphere of soft lighting and music, and performed by trained doctors, as well as licensed acupuncturists with a firm TCM foundation. Integrative health care addresses the emotions that accompany a cancer diagnosis, and patients undergoing conventional treatment now have access to not only acupuncture but therapeutic massage, meditation, movement therapy, clinical aromatherapy, herbal applications, biofeedback and yoga. Millstine says of theMayo Clinic, “We have oncology-trained massage providers who are comfortable with what is and what isn’t safe after someone has had a cancer diagnosis and/or treatment.” Jonas highlights that when given under the supervision of a doctor and with conventional cancer care, complementary therapies may help people to manage cancer symptoms, boost overall well-being,
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better handle side effects of treatment and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. “Integrative cancer care can help by activating one’s ability to heal and feel better physically and emotionally,” he says. “Lectures on nutrition, yoga classes and support groups for cancer patients are now common.” The Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program, launched by American fashion designer Donna Karan in 2009 after her husband died from cancer, partners with heavy hitters such as the American Cancer Society and the Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City. In many hospital settings, Urban Zen is creating “Zen dens”, calming nooks where staff can discuss cases with colleagues, take a break for self-care or talk to their patients in a nurturing environment. Urban Zen’s dedication to healthcare integration is international and promotes therapeutic applications of reiki, essential oil therapy, nutrition and other contemplative care.
Energy Medicine Goes Mainstream
“Alternative therapies are no longer considered ‘alternative’ when conventional medicine adopts them—for example, using calcium and vitamin D supplements, which are a standard consideration,” says Millstine. “With high-deductible plans, many patients are accustomed to paying out of pocket for care, thus making payment for alternative
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providers possibly more palatable.” Reiki, a Japanese form of energy medicine once considered alternative, is now offered at major hospitals like Yale New Haven, where it’s given free of charge to cancer patients. Many hospitals are also offering classes in energy work to families of patients, hospital staff and the community. “A medical doctor introduced me to the practice when my grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer,” says Denise Baron, a Philadelphia-based reiki practitioner who works with referrals from clients and wellness professionals. “A hospital does not hire me directly, but the staff know I am available. I’ve worked on patients post-surgery, during and after births, people with cancer and people in hospice. I would say 96 percent of clients walk away with a deep experience of peace, harmony and lower stress levels.” Most recently, she has seen an increase in nurses asking for support during stressful times, with many wanting to learn how to practice reiki themselves. According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, reiki is more effective than a placebo and activates the parasympathetic nervous system via the vagus nerve. Results include lower blood pressure and less anxiety and depression. Other research shows that the modality also reduces nausea, improves appetite and lessens fatigue.
Holistic Nursing’s Role
Collaborating with physicians and holistic practitioners, nurses play a key role in integrative hospital care. “We all work together to facilitate the client towards a higher level of well-being. Each profession brings something to the table,” says Margaret Erickson, in Cedar Park, Texas, CEO of the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation. The nurse’s role in a patient’s healing journey is an intimate one, and holistic nurses ensure that the whole patient is tended to. “The roots of holistic nursing, grounded in holism, were verbalized over 150 years ago by Florence Nightingale,” says Erickson. “She believed in the mind-body-spirit-emotion connections and that all aspects need to be nurtured in order for people to heal.” Due to increased demand, more nursing schools are creating educational programs grounded in holistic philosophy, she says. “What makes a nurse holistic is not the skills or alternative therapies she/he/they do, but rather how they show up in their interactions with others. They value and recognize that they are gifted with sharing a person’s most vulnerable moments, and that this shared space is sacred.” Some holistic nurses may use healing therapies such as guided imagery, aromatherapy, energy work, bodywork, deep breathing, mindfulness and meditation to help both their clients and other healthcare providers. Those in the field of integrative medicine agree that the future of medicine is now. “People are becoming more self-aware and taking responsibility for their health and life. Consciousness is growing [by] leaps and bounds,” says Baron. Jonas, drawing on 40 years of experience, agrees. “By working as partners with our patients to help find the care that works for them, we can help them achieve better health and quality of life.” Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
Meditation for Transformation Online self-paced meditation courses by Claire Villarreal, PhD. focusing on bringing your practice into daily life. Start with the Free Mini-Course Essential Tools for Meditation ClaireVillarreal.com
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green living
CLIMATE ANXIETY Navigating Our Emotions as the Planet Changes by Sandra Yeyati
Following a record-breaking hurricane
season, out-of-control wildfires and a deadly prolonged pandemic, many of us are anxious and fearful, prompted by the growing realization of being in a state of environmental insecurity. These inklings of impending doom are nothing new for members of the youth climate movement—kids in their teens or younger—succumbing to hopelessness, anger and rage as they learn the science and watch leaders do nothing to address it. Hardest hit are “marginalized communities, including indigenous people, climate refugees, farmers struggling with drought and communities of color, who disproportionately suffer from the health effects of polluting industries,” says Jennifer Atkinson, associate professor of environmental studies at the University of Washington-Bothell. Some of us are affected in more subtle ways. Perhaps we’re noticing slow-moving changes around us, like the gradual loss of bees or a disappearance of
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trees, and we develop a sense of loss the philosopher Glenn Albrecht coined “solastalgia”, which plays on the concept of nostalgia—a longing for a time or place we can’t go back to. Or, we’re standing in front of a package of blueberries at the grocery store feeling confusion and ambivalence. A desire to be healthy and adopt a sustainable, vegetarian lifestyle is playing tug-of-war with the fact that these blueberries were flown in from South America, are wrapped in plastic and were grown in a monoculture that depletes the soil. It’s hard to know whether to eat or boycott them. “The greater this dissonance grows, the more likely we’ll tell ourselves that the problems are too big. We decide that we can’t make a difference, so why try? We check out,” says integrative psychotherapist Leslie Davenport, author of Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change. The first step to alleviate this anguish is to validate and normalize the
HOUSTON METRO EDITION
dark feelings. “It’s important to remember that there’s nothing wrong with you. What’s happening is actually painful and difficult; there’s a lot of loss involved. Eco-anxiety is a natural response to having your heart and mind open, being an attentive and caring person, if you tune in to what’s happening in the world,” says Davenport, adding that good self-care, including mindfulness practices, will expand our tolerance for dealing with tough times. Another powerful antidote can be found in community, according to Sarah Jaquette Ray, associate professor of environmental studies at Humboldt State University, in Arcata, California, and author of A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet. “People feel like they can’t impact the world because they’re only one person. But when they start to shift the lens toward the collective, it allows them to realize that the positive things that are happening in the world are actually happening at scale, and it allows them to feel like they’re part of some larger purpose,” says Ray. As we accept climate-related anxiety and seek the company of like-minded people to affect change, surprisingly positive emotions will arise, including joy, laughter, dancing and camaraderie at street protests. “Those positive feelings help us process grief and anger, engage us in the work long term and help us maintain the stamina we need for sustained work,” Ray says. “Think of climate anxiety as a kind of superpower, a signal that goes off to tell us something’s wrong and needs to be addressed,” says Atkinson, the creator and host of the climate-anxiety podcast Facing It. She points to grief as a compelling motivator. “You can’t feel grief without love,” she explains. “Grief is an expression of compassion and connection to others and to the pain we feel when those lives are destroyed. Love is far more powerful in motivating us to fight than any other affect. There’s no limit to the lengths we’ll go to protect what we love.” We are only limited by a lack of ecological imagination, Davenport proposes. “Our contemporary Western culture emphasizes the rational, cognitive way of thinking, which is linear and analytical. But another part of the brain—the imaginative, creative and intuitive part—views the world synergistically and holistically. If we open up to this ecological imagination, we can have a visceral knowing of interconnectedness, making it simpler to act in a way that’s beneficial to all of us.” Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.
FEBRUARY
Coming Next Month
inspiration
Heart Health
Plus: Eco-Friendly Weddings
HOUSE BLESSINGS for Clearing and Protecting Spaces by Marlaina Donato
Moving into a house, office or any new
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space prompts us to envision bright days ahead filled with hope and joy. Perhaps this is why, from first-century Christians praying to dissuade evil influences to the Mayans smudging herbs to welcome positive energy, the act of blessing a house is such a time-honored tradition. Whether held in private or with a group of kindred souls, with or without religious elements, blessing a new dwelling takes the concept of housewarming to a sacred level. A house blessing can temper the hair-pulling stresses of a move and be a wonderful way to restore harmony after life gives us a jolt, be it a job loss, a broken relationship, a loved one’s passing or an illness. Simple gestures of intention, sprinkled with some beauty, enable us to claim our space and sow a new beginning. Arranging seasonal blooms in jewel-toned vases, scattering fresh rose petals over the threshold or misting the air with ethereal scents consecrates what might otherwise seem mundane. Singing a favorite song, whispering a spontaneous prayer or reciting a Buddhist chant during the flurry of unpacking invites calm and attracts benevolent influences. Pungent smudges of dried, white sage, sweetgrass, pine or lilac flowers help dissolve unpleasant memories and energetic imprints from the past.
Honoring the four elements of earth, air, fire and water can create balance and celebrate ancient customs. Adding one or more essential oils to a spray bottle filled with distilled water or culinary rose water is an easy way to mist the air and the space inside drawers, closets and cupboards before filling or refilling them. Hanging fresh evergreens, leafy branches or tufts of blossoms over doorways evokes what 10th-century mystic and healer Hildegard of Bingen called veriditas—the greening energy of the Earth. Employing a crystal or Tibetan singing bowl, beating a shamanic drum or playing an instrument in select rooms can charge the atmosphere with fiery hope. Opening windows, even briefly during cooler seasons, invites in the fresh air of possibility. Stepping into a new life—or revitalizing an existing one—is one of the most beautiful acts of caring for soul and self. Blessing our spaces is also an expression of gratitude, something that can make any life wonderful. Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
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Julie Hollingsworth, PhD., Intuitive Empath Kathleen Markham, ND, Intuitive Empath Kensey Payge, Intuitive Empath & Animal Communicator
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or vegetarian, low-carb or high-carb,” he says. For Jill Weisenberger, a registered dietitian nutritionist, in Yorktown, Virginia, and author of The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition, a healthy diet comes down to three meals a day, each with a good source of protein and fiber. “When losing weight, it’s especially important to eat enough protein so you don’t lose muscle mass with the fat,” she says, suggesting a target of 25 to 35 grams of fiber a day, achieved through a diverse diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables and legumes. Katz, Mallonee and Weisenberger all caution against a diet like keto that restricts many nourishing foods only because they contain carbs. “There is no evidence of long-term safety or benefit of keto,” says Katz. “A truly keto diet cuts out a lot of highly nutritious foods like fruit, grains and beans, all associated with better health and longer life. I think a diet excluding these foods would be a colossal mistake.”
conscious eating
Lose Weight Without Dieting How to Eat to Feel and Look Your Best by April Thompson
One of the top New Year’s resolutions is
to lose weight, and to that end, millions of Americans go on a diet each year. As we look to reset after holiday indulgences, nutrition experts say it’s a great time to cultivate healthy, long-term eating habits rather than unsustainable diets that lead us in circles. “A ‘live it’ is better than a diet: small, manageable changes you can live with over time,” says Lisa Mallonee, a registered dietician and professor at the Texas A&M College of Dentistry, in Dallas. “People get focused on losing 15 pounds, but once they get to the finish line, they don’t have a plan for after and often end up regaining the weight.” While navigating the labyrinth of nutrition information can be tough, eating better is actually simple, says David Katz, M.D., founder of both the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center and the nonprofit True Health Initiative, and co-author of How to Eat: All Your Food and Diet Questions
Answered. “There are two general shifts to make: first, to less processed foods, and second, to more plant-based foods,” says Katz. In making such shifts, Mallonee suggests applying the 80/20 rule to food. “If 80 percent of the time you are making healthy choices, and the other 20 percent of the time you allow splurges, you’re less likely to feel deprived and revert to old ways.” Katz agrees that small shifts are more likely to stick, in part because of our adaptable palates. “If you commit to improving your diet little by little, you will find that taste buds are adaptable fellas that will learn to love the foods they are with. For example, try something as simple as switching from regular soda to diet to seltzer to water over time.” The good news for dieters with questions, suggests Katz, is there is no one superior diet. “You can have a high-quality diet whether you are flexitarian, pescatarian
Weighing In While it’s not healthy to obsess over numbers on the scale, it is important to understand the health risks of carrying extra weight, particularly around the middle. “Belly fat is a concern for co-morbidities like pre-diabetes, diabetes, increased blood pressure and even sleep apnea,” says Mallonee, stating that women should aim for a waist circumference of less than 35 inches and men of less than 40. Katz advises that the effects of abdominal fat can vary. “Certain ethnicities are extremely vulnerable to excess weight around the middle, which can result in insulin resistance and metabolic mayhem. However, many people can gain considerable amounts of weight and show no metabolic effects,” he says, suggesting that a comprehensive health checkup can clear up any doubts. Physiologically, it is hard to keep weight off, says Weisenberger, but people should not get discouraged if they fall short of their goals. “If you are overweight, you will get an enormous boost from the first 5 to 10 percent of weight loss—it’s much more important than that last 5 to 10 percent.” While weight loss is an exercise in delayed gratification, the power of high-quality food is immediate, advises Katz. “You can improve the quality of your immune response with a single meal. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, too, as those positive health benefits accumulate over time.” Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.
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Recipes for the New Year Cindy’s Blackeyed Peas yield: 4 servings If presenting the soup mix as a gift, layer dry ingredients in a Mason jar and print recipe to attach to the jar. 1 cup dried blackeyed peas 1 stalk celery, diced 1/2 large white onion, diced 1 tsp salt ½ tsp ground black pepper 4 cups water Optional: 1 strip bacon, diced Rinse, pick over, and place the peas in a large bowl. Cover with several inches of cool water; let stand 8 hours to overnight. Pour water and other ingredients to a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir in the peas, cover and reduce heat and bring to a simmer. Continue to simmer for 8 hours, stirring every hour.
Mike’s Mixed Greens yield: 4 serviings 4 1/2 lbs.fresh turnip, mustard and/or collard greens 1 large onion, chopped 1/2 tsp black pepper 2 cups water Optional: 1 strip bacon, ham or salt pork, diced Wash greens in cold water, twice. Strip the large stems from the leaves and tear the leaves into 1-2 inche pieces. Add the ingredients to a large stock pot and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for one hour.
Evelyn’s Cornbread yield: 4 serviings 1 1/2 cup white corn meal 1 1/2 tbsp. all purpose flour 1 tbsp. baking powder 1/2 tbsp baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1 egg Some buttermilk Preheat oven to 400F. Grease (bacon grease tastes best) 10 inch skillet and do it around to get grease on the sides too. Mix dry ingredients. Add egg and buttermilk and mix till it looks like pancake batter. Put skillet on top of stove and heat till grease smokes. Beat batter hard and pour in skillet. It should sizzle. Put in on the middle rack of the oven for about 15 min. Flip the corn bread out onto a plate so it will be crisp.
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HOUSTON METRO EDITION
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plant-based wellness
The Power of Tea by J. Garnett
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of
different teas available on the market today. Which is the best? It depends on how tea is being defined, and the purpose for choosing the drink. There are basically two categories of tea: true tea and herbal tea. True tea consists of varieties made from leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush, commonly known as the tea tree, tea shrub or tea plant. Such teas include black tea, green tea, oolong tea and white tea, and may have other ingredients added for flavor. Herbal tea is not really tea at all because it doesn’t contain any tea leaves. Herbal tea is made up of ingredients such as spices and herbs, flowers, fruit, bark, roots and other organic vegetation. True tea, one of the most popular drinks in the world, second only to water, has medicinal value, and has been shown through research-based data to help the body ward off disease and illness because of the high levels of antioxidants in the leaves. According to BlackTeas.com, Chinese folklore says that tea was discovered almost 5,000 years ago by Shennong, a Chinese Emperor in the 2700s BC. The story goes that a servant of Shennong was purifying water by boiling it for the emperor to drink. Leaves from a nearby tree, which may or may not have been the Camellia sinensis bush, blew into the pot of hot water. When Shennong tasted the drink, he found it to be enjoyable. Tea was discovered.
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Herbal tea does not contain any part of the Camellia sinensis plant, which disqualifies the beverage from being a true tea. Instead, herbal tea is any drink in which water is infused with the essence of other organic matter, including flowers, herbs and spices. Herbal tea is also known as tisane, which is pronounced tee-zahn. There are two etymologies as to where the word tisane originated. In Greek, ptisanē is defined as a medicinal drink made from barley-soaked water. In French, the word tisans literally means “tea without tea”. The practice of mixing water with spices and herbs dates back to prerecorded time, especially when preparing it specifically for medical treatment. One of the first recorded entries of the popularity of tea dates back to 1550 BC in the Egyptian Ebers papyrus. Egyptians used tea to pay tribute to the gods, prepare the dead for burial and cure the afflicted. Herbs like dill and basil were prepared into tisanes to help digestion and to aid with heart issues. With countless plant material combinations, how is it that a comprehensive list of benefits from the many different types of blends came to be? It is believed that Shennong discovered that chewing the leaves and other parts of different plants produced beneficial outcomes for certain maladies. For years, Shennong experimented and made what scholars would today call numerous medical breakthroughs. Apparent-
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ly, even after chewing on poisonous plants, a combination of certain herbs and spices in water acted as an antidote for the poison. For the last 5,000 years, tea (whether true tea or herbal tea) has been traveling the world spreading its goodness and healing qualities. Through the years and with discovery after discovery, the list of medicinal benefits of tea has continued to grow. Tea was first brought to the early colonists in 1650 by Peter Stuyvesant. The early settlement of New Amsterdam, known today as New York City, consumed more tea in 1670 than all of Europe combined. So how did coffee become the drink of choice over tea in this country? Before the U.S. became its own country, English rule made it difficult for the colonists by taxing products and services provided by the Motherland. In 1763, England won the French and Indian War. It was costly. In 1767, England decided to recoup some of the cost from the war by increasing taxes on the colonists who were building this country under English control. The predominantly tea drinking settlers were outraged by the high tax and revolted against the British. The Boston Tea Party was when tea, valued at almost 10,000 silver pieces, was thrown into the harbor in rebellion of the tax. This event was the catalyst for the American Revolution. Tea was at the center of, and indirectly responsible for, America winning its freedom from England. With its long history and wide array of uses, tea has become a staple for many around the world. There are as many medicinal benefits of tea as there are different kinds of herbs and plants, flowers and stems, roots and bark on the planet. It is an elixir that can aid in the treatment of, and even cure of, many ailments, conditions and diseases of the body, mind and spirit. Tea’s power is highly regarded in the medical community throughout Asia and Europe, and is becoming more popular in the U.S. as an alternative health device. Its presence in the world is strong enough to even help in the creation of a new country. Perhaps someday, tea will again be the drink of choice for most Americans, either for the great taste or for the medicinal value. J. Garnet, MA, is an educator, having taught in elementary, middle and high schools and at the University of Arizona. Currently, he is a freelance writer, reiki practitioner and a light and energy worker. As a freelance writer for Natural Awakenings, J. enjoys educating the public on all things positive, natural and metaphysical.
A Moveable Feast: for all your herb and herbal tea needs
Located in the Echo Lane Shopping Center off the Katy Freeway, A Moveable Feast carries all the national brands of herbal teas as well as some special blends of their own. If you are interested in blending your own they have 350 kinds of dried herbs in stock. If you need help choosing which tea or herb, be sure to ask for Adam, their resident herbalist, who can help you with your selection. A Moveable Feast 9341 Katy Fwy TX 77024 713-365-0368 amoveablefeast.com See ad page 5.
A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children. ~John James Audubon
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Coming Next Month Eco-Friendly Plus: Heart Health
Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing. Believe in yourself. And believe that there is a loving Source - a Sower of Dreams - just waiting to be asked to help you make your dreams come true. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach
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ADVERTORIAL
The Awakening of Humanity By Lynne Girdlestone
T
oday we are all experiencing one or more of the negative effects of an incredibly destructive ‘agent of change.’ Although horrific things happen every day on this planet, they usually affect other people elsewhere. COVID-19, however, can potentially reach anyone, anywhere, upending our lives in a multitude of ways. The obvious questions—how do we stop this virus, will a vaccine help, will the global economy recover—are all unknowns. They occupy our thoughts and emotions with every newscast. For some, the crisis is merely an inconvenient interruption in their ‘business as usual.’ For others it has created new ways to profit at the expense of others. But for most, it’s an amplified survival issue. We know that nothing happens by chance: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” and “As you sow, so shall you reap.” What is happening today has its roots in everything that has gone before. When dysfunction reaches a tipping point, something extraordinary happens to get our attention. This pandemic may be saying “STOP... NOW ... look at the world you’ve built ... untold suffering amidst obscene excess ... all life forms and the planet itself in mortal danger!” The slowing and isolation are giving us the opportunity to consider these issues deeply and emerge with a better Plan B. That so many people are getting the message is an incredibly hopeful sign. Neighbors are helping each other; service organizations are expanding their roles and methods; scientific organizations around the world are sharing their research findings on possible treatments and vaccines; governments are trying to lift the financial burden of their citizens.
What would happen if this behavior were to continue post-Covid-19? Could it lead to treating a recovering planet as a ‘global village’ and its citizens as the one human family it is? It would take time, but we can start by demanding of our ‘leaders’ that we all push the ‘reset’ button and begin to move in that direction! Fortunately, at this very time, a little-known cosmic event is also taking place. As we move into the Aquarian age, characterized by energies of synthesis, unity and cooperation, the spiritual custodians of human evolution—the Masters of Wisdom—have once again sent one of their great ones into the world to act as a teacher for the coming time. Some of the past teachers we have known historically as Confucius, Krishna, Buddha, the Christ and Mohammed. Major world religions all expect another great teacher at some future time, and his imminent appearance has been foreseen by some writers since the late 1800s. For more than 40 years, British esotericist and lecturer Benjamin Creme informed the world of a coming change— of the collapse of our old structures to make way for the new. He served as a herald for the World Teacher for this age, Maitreya—the one expected by many and longed for by millions (consciously or not), who has come now to guide us through this perilous time and into a cleansed and transformed new world. Maitreya has advised humanity to make the needed changes to put our world on a saner, fairer path: “He [Maitreya] will show that essentially men are one, no matter the colour or the creed, that the bounty of Earth belongs to all, and that sharing of that
bounty is the key to man’s future. Only sharing, and the justice which it will bring, offers hope to man. Only justice wrought out of sharing will end the plagues of war and terror. Only sharing and justice can bring men to that Brotherhood which is their true inheritance. When men see this they will rise to the challenge and tackle one by one the many problems which daunt us now.” (Benjamin Creme’s Master from ‘Transformation,’ Share International magazine) Maitreya and his group have worked behind the scenes for millennia to guide our human family. Now, with these powerful, incorruptible allies openly in the world for the next 2,000 years and beyond, we have the opportunity to build a new world that works for everyone. Will we take it? In response to today’s injustices, we are marching. We are protesting. We are sharing resources and helping others. We are agitating for change. We are on the right track! Let’s not even consider returning to ‘business as usual.’ For free information: Share-International.us 888-242-8272 info@share-international.us
In The Awakening of Humanity, Benjamin Creme leads us on a journey of hope for the joyful world-changing events that are on the way. Free download at: https://share-ecart.com/ the-awakening-of-humanity-pdf/
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fit bodies
Staying Fit in 2021
Workout Trends Bend to the Times by Marlaina Donato
so much that she swears she will never go back to in-person training with a coach,” says Chicago-based Stephanie Mansour, host of the weekly national PBS show Step it Up With Steph. “Even on vacation or while traveling, people can still get in their workout because everything is virtual. Trainers also win because they can still do their job, but at a distance.” Me-time with a private virtual coach will offer a tailored regimen for those that prefer a one-on-one experience. Mansour muses, “Private fitness and health coaching sessions will be the hottest trend in 2021. By now, many people’s excitement toward their ‘pandemic workout’ is waning, and they’ll be looking for a totally customized approach to kickstart their motivation and goals.”
Allies for Body and Mind
For 2021, fitness will be more about better
health and inner peace rather than weight loss. Gyms and studios will be on the top of their game adhering to hygiene standards and offering safer environments with smaller class capacity and vitamin D-enhanced outdoor sessions. From remote coaching to cost-effective wellness apps, the workout will get a fresh makeover.
High-Tech Wellness
Pandemic repercussions in 2020 amped up client demand for alternatives and also inspired trainers to get more creative. “I’ve enjoyed working with private clients virtually through FaceTime and Zoom. It has required me to create more precision with my training programs depending on what each client has at their home or home gym,” says Hollywood, California, fitness trainer Ridge Davis. “Results have been going through the roof because my clients are more likely to dive into healthy routines and meal plans with my daily guidance.” For those that cannot find local, in-person fitness provisions, subscriptions to streaming-fitness websites like DailyBurn. com and OnePeloton.com provide plenty of guides to workouts from yoga to muscle-building. Health apps can tailor individual wellness strategies for the new year. “Fitness and health apps are becoming more popular, and trainers are able to interact with clients all over the world. If you are like
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me, you need accountability if you cannot meet your trainer directly,” says Dominic Kennedy, a personal trainer in Los Angeles and creator of the newly launched fitness and nutrition app Dominic Effect. “Nutrition is also going to be key now more than ever. Apps will help keep you in check and on track with your food and goals, helping to set up monthly meal plans, as well as recipe suggestions.” Wearable tech in the form of watches and smart clothing will be another hit in 2021, providing accurate readings on calories burned, number of daily steps and even heart rate and blood pressure.
Davis predicts there’ll be greater appreciation for stress-recovery tools such as massage guns for percussive self-treatments, foam rollers to release muscle tightness and stretching apps, noting, “There’s so much noise, uncertainty and anxiety that has come with this pandemic; on-demand meditation classes will be huge.” Mansour concurs, “Focusing on finding inner peace, meditating and positive programming are all huge trends that have emerged due to COVID. By getting your head in the game, you’re 75 percent of the way to your goal.” Mostly, 2021 will be a year for self-care. “I think growth mindset is everything right now,” says Kennedy. “We need to fill our minds with positive affirmations, thoughts or whatever it is that makes you light up inside.” Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
Virtual Variety, No Pressure
Having the option to work out at home might motivate more people to begin a fitness routine without the pressure of comparing with others. Sampling classes online can help them find what they like before they sign up at their local gym or studio. “Virtual fitness classes provide an opportunity for people to test out different instructors at different times all around the country and even the world,” says Paris Alexandra, co-founder of the BK Yoga Club, in New York City. “People are now realizing the things we can control is our breath and our bodies. Because of this, there’s an appreciation of our capacity, challenging ourselves to try something new.” Even with gym cutbacks, there is a silver lining. “One of my private weight-loss clients has loved our FaceTime workouts
HOUSTON METRO EDITION
Other Fitness Trends on the Rise n Outdoor classes from yoga to strength training n Boutique and micro-studios with specialty clientele n Safer small groups, especially for seniors n Broga yoga, with a focus on strength training, cardio and muscle toning for men n Less-crowded yoga classes with BYO mats and props n Mind-body fitness
calendar of events January 2021 EVERY DAY IN JANUARY
Discovery Green presents The Ice Check website for times. Visitors can glide beneath the glittering lights of downtown Houston and discover holiday magic on The Ice powered by Green Mountain Energy. Tickets for a specific time must be purchased in advance online to ensure contactless ticketing and to minimize overcrowding, $15. Discovery Green 1500 McKinney St.Houston, TX 77010. discoverygreen.com/ice
tuesday Core Focused Yoga 6:30-7:30 pm Strengthen your body, relax your mind and find your center with this dynamic flow yoga sequence with John Tran. Discovery Green 1500 McKinney St.Houston, TX 77010. discoverygreen.com
FRIDAY JANUARY 1st SUNDAY JANUARY 19th
TXU Energy presents Zoo Lights 5:30 pm Guests can sip hot chocolate as they stroll through the Houston Zoo grounds and take in the sights and sounds of the season. Houston Zoo 6200 Hermann Park Dr. Houston, TX 77030, Tickets must be purchased in Advance. $12.90, houstonzoo.org/events/zoolights/
SUNDAY JANUARY 31st
Being Healthy in a Toxifying World 6 pm Join Steve Stelzer, Program Director at the Houston Green Building Resource Center, as he discusses the many paradoxes we face as global citizens regarding staying healthy in a world where business insists on dumping toxic wastes into our air and water supply. Please register for this talk on www. eventbrite.com. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs. lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
Have your organization’s events listed in our calendar. Email mike@naturalawakenings-houston. com Deadline the 5th of the month for next month’s edition.
wednesday YIN With Lin 9:30 am Yin yoga targets the deep connective tissues: fascia, ligaments, joints, and bones. It’s slow and meditative, facilitating the space to turn inward and tune into both your mind and the physical sensations of your body. RSVP Required. 713.858.8595 Lin Weiss - Certified Yoga Therapist linweiss@conscioushealingnow. com Blissful Quests® with Doyle Ward-The Pocast. 1:00pm.Are you looking for answers? Have you ever had a “hunch” or a “gut feeling” that came true? Are you wondering if you are intuitive? Maybe the real question to explore is not IF you are intuitive, but HOW you are intuitive. Doyle Ward is an experienced intuitive medium, teacher, grief recovery specialist, and life coach. Call in during the show at: 1-760-456-7277, access on-demand episodes or listen live! blissfulquests.com/podcast/ Healing Meditation at First Spiritualist Church of Houston. 7:30 pm Livestream on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FirstSpiritualistChurchofHouston/ People of Earth. 7:00 pm. Hosted by Jacquelyn Battise. A program created to provide Native American and non-Native people with timely news and information about culture, news and realities. KPFC: Community Radio 90.1 FM. kpft.org
friday Brith Shalom 6:15 pm Shabbat Online https:// www.brithshalom.org Friday Night DJs on the Ice 7:30-10 pm The city’s hottest party is happening on The Ice. Enjoy a night skating while a DJ spins the hits. Masks are required to skate. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you. Tickets must be purchased online. Discovery Green 1500 McKinney Houston, Texas 77010 discoverygreen. com/621946
saturday Hatha Yoga 9 am A basic vinyasa yoga class for enhanced awareness and a strong, healthy body led by Andria Dugas. Discovery Green 1500 McKinney St.Houston, TX 77010. discoverygreen.com Integrative Hatha Yoga 9:30amTherapeutic and flowing asana practice focusing on heart and hip openers, twists, postural alignment, the energetic subtlebodies and meditation.Lin offers the wisdom of many traditions to address each student’s goals, whether beginner or advanced. RSVP Required. 713.858.8595 Lin Weiss - Certified Yoga Therapist linweiss@conscioushealingnow.com Tai Chi 10:15-11:15 am Simone Oliver of Four Dragons Institute teaches the Chinese internal martial art of Tai Chi which focuses on slow, meditative movements. Discovery Green 1500 McKinney St.Houston, TX 77010. discoverygreen. com
sunday Grace Episcopal Church & School. 10 am. Sunday Worship Livestream. https://www.facebook.com/GraceinHouston/ Unity Spiritual Center of Greater Houston 10:15 am Sunday Service. Facebook Live https://unityspiritualcenterhouston.org First Spiritualist Church of Houston 10:30 am Sunday Healing & Spirit Greetings Facebook Live First Unitarian Universalist Church 10:30 am Sunday Morning Worship Livestream. https:// firstuu.org/ Unity of Houston. 11 am Sunday Morning Service Livestreaming. https://unityhouston.org/ Creative Life Spiritual Center 11 am Sunday Celebration. Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/creativelife.org/ Dawn Mountain Center for Tibetan Buddhism 12 noon. Sunday Meditation & Dharma Talk. https://www.youtube.com/user/dawnmountain ISKCON 5 pm Sunday Feast Class Livestream https://www.mayapur.tv/ Whole Mother. 7:30 pm. Hosted by Pat Jones. A show that discusses the political and practical aspects of being a mother today. KPFC: Community Radio 90.1 FM. kpft.org
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healthy living guide COACHING
ACUPUNCTURE Houston Integrative Health, Acupuncture and Mindful Movement 716 Chelsea Blvd. Houston, TX 77006 832-304-0149 facebook.com/drlance houstonintegrative
Whether you are looking to optimize your health or take care of an injury, pain or a chronic medical problem, let Lance Westendarp ND, LAc, BCB, CKTP, E-RYT200, help. Lance is a graduate of Bastyr University with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and a Masters in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. He has also been teaching yoga and movement since 2003, is board certified in biofeedback and mind-body medicine. Follow him on Facebook and call him today for a FREE phone consultation. See ad
on page 5
Positive change starts now! 832-628-4113 blissfulquests.com Are you looking for answers? Have you ever had a “hunch” or a “gut feeling” that came true? Are you wondering if you are intuitive? Doyle Ward is an experienced intuitive, teacher, grief recovery specialist, and life coach. Tune in to his weekly PodCast, Wednesdays at 1 pm on inflowradio.com
Coming Next Month
Heart Health Plus: Eco-Friendly Weddings
See ad on page 21
COLONICS JOYCE LONG’S WELLNESS INSTITUTE
BIOLOGICAL DENTISTRY MARILYN K. JONES, DDS Houston Dental Health Center 800 Bering Dr. Houston, TX 77057 713-497-1355 houstonbiologicaldentist.com
Natural Dentistry supports the body and the mind by finding the cause of dental problems. The dental examination includes noticing systemic and habitual influences. If you have dental issues or currently have silver amalgam fillings, call me today to schedule an appointment. See ad on page 18
BRAIN BALANCING CERESET™
Galveston, Texas cereset.com 409-599-7268 The Cereset™ Gavston location is part of a national network of client centers focused on next-generation brain wellness - helping you relax your brain to manage restful sleep through patented BrainEcho™ technology, which empowers the brain to reset itself as it hears and “sees” its own reflection. To schedule an appointment call: 409-599-7268. See ad on pages 6 & 21
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BLISSFUL QUESTS
FEBRUARY
1308 James Street Rosenberg, TX 77471 281-232-7336 joycelongwellness.com
Established 1989. Call to schedule any of the following services: massage therapies, lymphatic drainage massage and facials, reflexology, infra-red sauna, ion cleanse foot or hand baths, Chinese cupping or colon hydrotherapy (prescriptions only- yours or ours). By appointment only. Be well-Stay well. CALL TODAY!
URBAN COLONICS
Barbara Ellis, Retired RN 5042 Briscoe St. Houston, TX.77033 713-738-8199 urbancolonics.com Serving Houston and the surrounding area since 1979. We continue to irrigate with State Of The Art Equipment (closed colonic systems cleared by the FDA). We utilize totally disposable colonic set-ups and sterile water. A prescription is required for this procedure. Our Medical Director at a different location will make an assessment and write a prescription for OUR clients only. Please call us or visit our website for details or to schedule an appointment. See ad page 5
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HOUSTON METRO EDITION
To advertise or participate in our next issue, call
713-927-6540
ENERGY MEDICINE Healing Solutions & Wellness Lin Weiss MH MHT CYT 713.858.8595 linweiss@earthlink.net conscioushealingnow.com
Healing is the restoration of balance in the Body with the integration of Mind & Spirit. While we have made many strides in western medicine, it’s becoming clear that we are in a perilous era of pharmaceutically-inclined bandages & bondages. Side-effects and the suppression of the body’s natural immunity only hide symptoms & are an epidemic detriment to our natural state of health and wholeness. Explore side-effect free options. Give your soul the support it needs to recover and your body the vitality it needs to thrive. Lin specializes in Holistic Healing; Bio-Energetic Balance; Brain Balancing; Homeopathy; Chakra Attunement; Nutrition Therapy; Life Enhancement Coaching. Addressing Adrenal Fatigue, Autistic Spectrum, Allergies, Anxiety, Auto-immunity, Depression, Digestive Solutions, Fertility, Focus Issues, & the human condition.Dwell in possibility! Contact Lin Weiss, today!
ENLIGHTENMENT School of Conscious Curriculums™ The Healing Arts & Self-Awareness
Expand Awareness, heal traumas, uplift your career, improve self-esteem, build better relationships, communicate effectively, sharpen intuition, strengthen your connection with your High Self and manifest your dreams, rapidly. Learn the wisdom of the ancients. Esoteric knowledge for a new age. Course offerings: Exploring Health & Higher Consciousness Through The Chakras, Intuitive Development, The Shadow & Archetypal Healing, Advanced Healing Techniques. Creator & Facilitator: Lin Weiss, Master Healer/ Teacher. Holistic Health Practitioner, Energy Healer, Homeopath, Medical Intuitive, Mind/Body Master, Life Enhancement Coach in private practice since 2003. Houston, Texas. FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO REQUEST APPLICATIONS: linweiss@earthlink.net conscioushealingnow.com
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE ERIN THOLE, CNHP ErinThole.com Thole.erin@gmail.com
HOLISTIC HEALTH PRIMARY CARE HOUSTON HOLISTIC HEALTH CLINIC & MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY CENTER
Get to the Root Cause of your Health Conditions. Erin has been working in the health and nutrition field for over 11 years specializing and working extensively with those suffering from: autoimmune, digestive, hormonal and inflammatory disorders. She works with each client’s unique biochemistry to determine what dietary, supplementation and lifestyle changes will work best for them as an individual. There is NO one-size-fits-all program. All appointments are conducted via phone! This makes it very easy and convenient to receive care from any location. If you want to reach your true health potential, Email Erin today to schedule your FREE 45 minute initial phone consultation. Hours until 5 pm Fridays. See Ad page 6
“Better Health Naturally” Dr. Gracie G. Chukwu, ND, CTN 6401 Southwest Freeway, Suite 250 Houston, TX 77074 713-781-9991 HoustonHolisticHealthClinic.com
Have you spent years in hope for finding answers to your symptoms or illnesses? We offer people an alternative solution to conventional medicine by determining the specific nutritional needs of your body so that it can to heal itself. We now also offer medical thermography useful in early diagnosis of cancer and chronic inflamatory pain. Call today to schedule an appointment.
HAIR DESIGN VENUS HAIR DESIGN
361 West 19th Street Houston, TX 77008 713-868-4725 venushairhouston.com Venus and her staff can do any age with any style, from a trim to a Mohawk. She is a wizard at color! If you are in The Heights, drop by, check out her art car, The Hairse, and say Hi! Now OPEN by appointment me only!
HAIR TISSUE MINERAL ANALYSIS DR. NETTIE RAMSAY 2900 Wilcrest St, Suite 220 Houston TX 77043 281-794-5255 Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is an elegant tool to help identify essential minerals that may be lacking or out of balance within your cells. A few snips of hair from the back of the scalp is all that is needed to find out exactly which minerals may be out of balance. We can then correct the imbalances within ionic minerals and food. You may think of this analysis as a three-month video of what’s going on in your cells nutritional make up. Mention this article and receive a free bottle of Probiotic (60) when you come in for and paid consultation. Call today to make an appointment.
Transforming
racism A Special Shift Network Facebook Live Series
Facebook.com/watch/shiftnetwork
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HYPNOSIS
CLAUDIA AUTRY, HYPNOTIST (by appointment only) 281-849-4610 ca@claudiaautry.com claudiaautry.com
CHUNG TAI ZEN CENTER OF HOUSTON
12129 Bellaire Blvd., Houston 77072 281-568-1568 • zen@cthouston.org cthouston.org
Want to stop smoking or lose weight? Looking for ways to relax, find balance and increase the joy in your life? Hypnosis can help you. Call SOON to book your appointment. Let’s work together to create the life you want!
INDIVIDUAL NUTRITIONAL PROTOCOLS LINDA ISAACS, MD 2500 W. William Cannon Dr., Suite 603 Austin, TX 78745 737-208-0831 DrLindaI.com For more than 20 years, Dr. Linda Isaacs and the late Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez offered individualized protocols involving diet, nutritional supplementation, and detoxification for cancer and other degenerative diseases. They published multiple articles in peer-reviewed medical journals about their results. The work is based on that of the Texas orthodontist Dr. William Donald Kelley. Dr. Isaacs is currently seeing new patients.
LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE JOYCE LONG’S WELLNESS INSTITUTE
Chan/Zen Meditation Classes, guided by Ordained Zen Masters of Chung Tai Chan Monastery Currently, due to corona virus outbreak. there are no events or classes scheduled. Check the web site (event calendar) for the most current information. See ad on page 4
Claire Villarreal: Meditation Instruction for Transformation clairevillarreal.com
Online meditation classes to help you bring your practice into your daily life. Whether you are an experienced meditator or just beginning to meditate, Claire Villarreal, PhD offers online classes to help you make a lifesytyle of Coming Home to Your Mind. The free mini-course is available on her website and the full course
january 2021
312 Main Street Spring, TX 77373 346-382-3039 Like us on Facebook
Take the short drive to Old Town Spring and visit the area’s newest metaphysical shop. We are all thing spiritual including...Incense, herbs, candles, books, jewelry, as well as guidance, teaching, tarot readings, palmistry, and so much more.
NATURAL HORMONES DR. FISHER ROAD 2 WELLNESS
Dr. LaTronica Fisher, DNP, ANP, GNP, RN 4544 Post Oak Place Dr. STE #254 Houston, Texas 77027 DrFisherRoad2Wellness.com 713 520-8188 Services: nHormone Rejuvenation nVaginal Dryness nUrinary Incontinence nLow Libido nErectile Dysfution nLow Stamina nWeight-Loss nSexual Dysfunction(men & women) nHair Restoration nNatural Face Lift Call today to schedule a consultation
See ad on page 15
DR. NETTIE RAMSAY 2900 Wilcrest St, Suite 220 Houston TX 77043 281-794-5255
METAPHYSICAL SHOP 123 Midway St, Bldg C Spring, Texas 77373 888-492-3584 odysseyemporium.com
Health conditions can interrupt the normal flow of lymph, causing lymph fluid to build up in a particular area of the body, often in the arms or legs, where it can causing swelling. Lymphatic massage can reduce swelling and improve circulation throughout the lymphatic system. By appointment only. Be well-Stay well. CALL TODAY!
THIS PEACEFUL PLACE
During this time of added stress when in-person meditation communities are closed, take advantage of this opportunity to receive timeless teaching and practice in the comfort of your home.
ODYSSEY EMPORIUM
1308 James Street Rosenberg, TX 77471 281-232-7336 joycelongwellness. com/
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MEDITATION
We are a retail shop and also have an online store. We can also custom-make many of our product lines. Our products include a range of metaphysical items, clothing, books, stones, jewelry, candles, soaps, teas, incenses, herbs, blades, and accessories for spiritual work. We also have some unique renaissance festival and gothic clothing and accessories. We carry some wonderful and unusual products some of which are artisan made. Check out our gaming and sci-fi themed products as well. We offer daily in-house Tarot reading and conduct private Old Town Spring Ghost tours. Open 7 days a week.
HOUSTON METRO EDITION
NEW DECISION THERAPY
New Decision Therapy (NDT) is an effective adjunct to natural health. How do you know if New Decision Therapy would be helpful to you? There are many conditions involving all levels of posttraumatic stress that can be overcome with the help NDT. If you had a lot of trauma and drama in your life, if there are things that you want to but something is standing in your way Nettie Ramsay N.D. is a certified naturopath and New Decision Therapy Trainer and Practitioner. Her office is located on office is located on Wilcrest St. near Westheimer. Dr. Ramsay is available to speak at your conferences, retreats and groups as a speaker and a practitioner. Mention this article and receive a free bottle of Probiotic (60) when you come in for and paid consultation. Call today to make an appointment. See Ad page 4
NUTRITIONAL MICROSCOPY DR. NETTIE RAMSAY, ND 2900 Wilcrest St, Suite 220 Houston TX 77043 281-794-5255 Nutritional Microscopy allows you to see, in real time, the health of your red blood cells and white blood cells. This educational tool allows you to see on a monitor what Dr. Ramsay is seeing in the microscope. We then worked to improve the quality and viability of your red blood cells and white blood cells. The more active and moving your red blood cells and white blood cells are the more energy you have to run your body. Mention this article and receive a free bottle of Probiotic (60) when you come in for and paid consultation. Call today to make an appointment.
OPTICIAN
SELF-HEALING Ching Chi Institute
Life energy education and research Kun Wu, Ph. D. Integral chi healer Chi H Wu, L. Acupuncturist 832-654-2885 .chingchiinstitute.com
CHING
Do you want to learn how CHI to use your body’s own chi energy to decrease your chance of becoming ill, INSTITUTE increase your chance of recovering more quickly from illness, prevent a minor illness from becoming a major one, and improve your overall health? We have live and prerecorded classes online to teach you the principles and techniques of self-healing. We will be resuming in-person classes this month. Look for our new offering on the Corona Virus. Visit our website for more information.
7921 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024 713-468-5665 factoryfineeyewear.com
4040 West Bellfort Street Houston, TX 77025 713-666-1408 GraceInHouston.org
Factory Eyeglass Outlet provides the ultimate services for all your eyecare needs. Whether you’re looking for premium or standard eyewear, we have something for you. As part of our superior services we offer complimentary consulting and frame styling. Next time you need you need new eyeglasses or need a repair choose Factory Eyeglass Outlet. Better sight- Better Life.
We are a welcoming, inclusive and affirming Christian community, committed to abundant, holistic living in the way of Jesus of Nazareth. Guided in our life together by the Episcopal Church tradition, we are committed a way of love. Come walk on our Tree of Life Labyrinth by appointment anytime. Grace: you are welcome here.
PAIN RELIEF AUNT ALBERTA’S REMEDY Homeopathic Pain Relief Cream 973-715-9097 info@AlbertasPainRelief.com albertaspainrelief.com
Need Relief from Arthritis? Try Aunt Alberta’s Remedy to ease muscular aches andjoint pain. Her Remedy is a homeopathic pain relief cream that penetrates deep into the skin and muscle tissues. Get beneficial relief from sciatica, fibromyalgia, arthritis, neuralgia, gout, and more. All-natural ingredients! Do you want to feel a real difference from the nagging aches of arthritis? Feel less pain & have more range of motion? Use Aunt Alberta’s Pain Relief Cream! Get relief today! Great buy, get a 4oz jar for $15! See website for other options. See what people say about Aunt Alberta’s Remedy and Purchase Now on our website. albertaspainrelief.com. See ad page 11
Thermal Imaging Services
24550 Kingsland Blvd. Katy, TX 77494 713-621-4406 info@thermalimagingtexas.com thermalimagingtexas. com Thermography views what cannot be seen by the naked eye using a high definition infrared camera. It senses temperature patterns and changes which provide information for evaluation. Offering Full Body, Health with abdominal and Breast Study at our Katy location as well as limited dates in our satellite offices. Visit us online at thermalimagingtexas.com or phone us at 713-621-4406 See ad on page 11
YOGA
SPIRITUALITY GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
FACTORY EYEGLASS OUTLET
THERMOGRAPHY
FIRST SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF HOUSTON 2115 Turner Dr. Houston, Texas 77093 713-695-2550 firstspiritualistchurchofhouston.org
Spiritualism is a common sense religion, one of knowing and living. We accept all truths and endeavor to prove their validity. Truths are found in nature, in other religions, in writings, in science, in philosophy, in Natural Law and are received through spirit communication. We are a growing family and would love for you to visit us LIVESTREAMING ON FACEBOOK Sunday Healing & Spirit Greetings 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Open Healing Service 7:30 p.m.
YIN With Lin 9:30am Wednesdays
Yin yoga targets the deep connective tissues: fascia, ligaments, joints, and bones. It’s slow and meditative, facilitating the space to turn inward and tune into both your mind and the physical sensations of your body. Because poses are held for a longer period of time, Yin practice helps you stretch and lengthen those rarely-used tissues while teaching you how to breathe through discomfort and sit with your thoughts. Healing results are remarkable with a consistent practice! RSVP Required. 713.858.8595 Lin Weiss - Certified Yoga Therapist linweiss@conscioushealingnow.com
Integrative Hatha Yoga 9:30am Saturdays
Therapeutic and flowing asana practice focusing on heart and hip openers, twists, postural alignment, the energetic subtle bodies and meditation. Lin’s passion for Yoga is evidenced by her warm and personable teaching style. She is a long-time practitioner/instructor of classical Hatha Yoga; Pranayama breathing technique; The Chakra System; and Meditation. Lin offers the wisdom of many traditions to address each student’s goals, whether beginner or advanced. RSVP Required. 713.858.8595 Lin Weiss - Certified Yoga Therapist linweiss@conscioushealingnow.com
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IN POSITION TO HELP OTHERS! Health care is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States and Parker University’s health and wellness degrees are a great option for anyone wanting to help improve the lives of others through natural, non-invasive health and wellness. Is a career helping through natural health and wellness for you? Do you want to bring your career and practice to the next level? Check out these degrees Parker University has to offer. • Master of Science — Functional Nutrition • Master of Science — Strength and Human Performance • Master of Science — Neuroscience • Master of Science — Clinical Neuroscience • Bachelor of Science — Psychology • Bachelor of Science — Integrative Health Parker University has been named the second fastest growing university in North Texas and the forth fastest in the state of Texas. For more information on these or other degrees at Parker University or to speak to an advisor today, call us at 800.637.8337 or email us at askparkeradmissions@parker. edu. Ready to apply? Go to Parker.edu today! Accreditation Parker University is a not-for-profit university and is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
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HOUSTON METRO EDITION