EE R F
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It’s All Beyond About ‘We’ Calcium Coming Together for Creative Change
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Contents 14 THE EMERGING
16
POWER OF ‘WE’
Awakening to the Evolution of Community
16 WASTE-FREE FEASTING How to Reduce Holiday Food Waste
18 SURGEON MARY NEAL On Lessons From Heaven
20 BEYOND CALCIUM
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Full-Spectrum Bone Health
22 THE MERRY VEGAN
People-Pleasing Holiday Sweets
26 INHALING THE JOY OF LIFE
Conscious Breathwork
28 THE GENEROUS HEART How Giving Transforms Us
29 REFRESH HOLIDAY
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TRADITIONS
ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 616-604-0480 or email Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for ads and News Briefs: the 12th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@ NaturalWestMichigan.com or submit online at: NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Calendar submissions Submit calendar events online at: NaturalWestMichigan.com. Calendar deadline is the 15th of the month prior to publication. 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 616-604-0480. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.
Making the Old New and Green
30 PERFECT PET PRESENTS Safe and Eco-Smart Toys
DEPARTMENTS 5 news briefs 7 health briefs 10 global briefs 13 eco tip 16 green living 17 community
spotlight 18 wise words 20 healing ways
22 conscious
eating 26 fit body 28 inspiration 29 healthy kids 30 natural pet 33 calendar 36 classifieds 37 resource guide December 2019
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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET
letter from publisher
Creating Stress Free Holidays!
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n the spirit of the season, we rightly turn our attention to metaphysical matters, most notably Linda Sechrist’s uplifting feature, “The Emerging Power of ‘We’: Awakening to the Evolution of Community.” Here you’ll find a compelling argument that collective wisdom, collaborative change and the need to evolve from a culture of “me” to a culture of “we” may be the key to addressing the major challenges that confront humankind.
Creating community is important and that’s one of the things that I hope this magazine does for you, dear readers. The activities, groups, classes and businesses we highlight are a community and I sincerely hope it helps all of you find places to come together with other individuals and families who care about the same things. People coming together for a higher purpose is one of the best things about this season. This month’s Wise Words also takes us on a spiritual journey with the story of Mary Neal, an orthopedic surgeon and author of 7 Lessons from Heaven: How Dying Taught Me to Live a Joy-Filled Life, who shares her account of a near-death experience in which she believes she penetrated the veil dividing the physical and spiritual worlds. Her lifealtering experience prompted her to pay more attention to those things that are truly important: faith, family and relationships with others. I hope you will find Dr. Mary Neal’s absolute trust and faith in the Divine an inspiring message and that her words will resonate with you this holiday season. In addition to feeding the soul, we focus on nourishing ourselves with Earth-friendly holiday practices, from updating family traditions and serving vegan treats, to reducing food waste and choosing safe and eco-smart pet toys. I love the increasing variety of traditions and eco-practices surrounding the holiday season. My editorial editor started a new gift giving tradition with her family a few years ago after deciding that everyone had enough “stuff.” All gifts given within the family are now handmade, homemade edible, or needed items purchased from a thrift store. Gifts are wrapped in recycled materials. The focus is on family, not gifts. This is a great time of year to incorporate some new ecopractices, perhaps by shopping less or looking for eco-products when you do. As always, we explore the pursuit of healthy living with articles detailing the many benefits of breathwork in “Inhaling the Joy of Life: Conscious Breathwork,” and the importance of maintaining strong skeletal integrity in “Beyond Calcium: Full-Spectrum Bone Health.” May you find much joy to inhale and much health to celebrate. To conscious living,
Pamela Gallina, Publisher
WEST MICHIGAN EDITION PUBLISHER/EDITOR Pamela Gallina EDITORIAL EDITOR Julie Peterson DESIGN & PRODUCTION Scott Carvey CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dan Gleason Julie Peterson Lena Wilson
CONTACT US P.O. Box 330 Spring Lake, MI 49456 Ph: 616-604-0480 • Fax: 616-855-4202 Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com NaturalWestMichigan.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $30 (for 12 issues) to the above address.
NATIONAL TEAM CEO/FOUNDER Sharon Bruckman COO/ FRANCHISE SALES Joe Dunne NATIONAL EDITOR Jan Hollingsworth MANAGING EDITOR Linda Sechrist NATIONAL ART DIRECTOR Stephen Blancett ART DIRECTOR Josh Pope FINANCIAL MANAGER Yolanda Shebert FRANCHISE SUPPORT MGR. Heather Gibbs WEBSITE COORDINATOR Rachael Oppy NATIONAL ADVERTISING Kara Cave Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 © 2019 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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news briefs
Fair trade, handmade gifts available in Grand Haven
W
hile shopping for loved ones this holiday season, don’t miss out on the unique and fair trade finds at Just Goods Gifts and Cafe. Whether it’s handmade items from artisans in developing countries or social cause merchandise from local organizations, gifts are available at a variety of price points. Holiday ornaments and baskets, spices, bags and jewelry are always great for gift giving. New arrivals include an assortment of handmade accessories by artisans in Guatemala, Alpaca plushies from Peru, and a custom order of keychains and magnets. In need of assistance putting gifts together for any occasion, the friendly staff will help you create a delightful gift basket. Gift certificates are also available, as well as pre-paid cards for the cafe. While shopping, you may also enjoy Aldea coffee, Grand Finale cookies, Leppinks doughnuts, and loose-leaf teas from Refu Tea. In addition to buying gifts for loved ones, all sales from Just Goods Gifts and Cafe benefit the Momentum Center for Social Engagement. While the cafe is a place that welcomes everyone and aims to reduce stigma, the Momentum Center provides opportunities for often disenfranchised individuals to build healthy relationships, engage in positive activities and move out of isolation.
CBD Products at Life Force Energetics
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ife Force Energetics is now offering Tree of Life Botanicals organically grown hemp CBD products. The line includes CBD oil in different concentrations, capsules, infused body care products and CBD for pets. “The potency and safety of these products is guaranteed by third part testing. They’re the best in class full-spectrum hemp and CBD products available,” says Rebecca Stephens, intuitive energy healer and owner of Life Force Energetics. Stephens is a certified aromatherapist and has been creating small-batch organic skincare products since 2015. She now also offers her custom blended immortal cream with CBD. Stephens is well-versed on the endocannabinoid system in the body, in addition to applications and dosing of hemp CBD products for a variety of issues. “The health benefits can include reducing anxiety and inflammation, improving sleep and lowering blood pressure,” says Stephens. Life Force Energetics, 730 Chicago Dr, Holland (located inside Simio Health & Wellness). LFEnergetics.com. Rebecca@ LFEnergetics.com. 616-510-6525. See ad, pages 7 & 9.
Just Goods is located inside the Momentum Center at 714 Columbus Ave. in Grand Haven. Hours are 10-6 Monday through Friday; 10- 2 Saturday; and 12-3 Sunday. See ad, page 6.
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. ~Dalai Lama
Tired of walking on pins and needles? We can help! Peripheral Neuropathy occurs when the nerves in your body become damaged and don’t work properly. Peripheral Neuropathy is a feeling of tingling,numbness or pain in the toes/feet or fingers/hands or sometimes both, some can even experience muscle weakness. Many times patients are prescribed medication to relieve the discomfort but CANNOT treat the condition. Dr. Aaron Rackham, D.C., C.H.T. Chiropractor Dr. Serge Hurtubise, D.C. Chiropractor
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Peripheral Neuropathy Help at Rackham Chiropractic Plus
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Get Informed... Be Inspired... Make an Impact!
M I S S I O N
Momentum Center is a nonprofit grassroots movement to create a stigma-free community. Forming collaborative relationships and offering programs and events to nurture, educate and inspire individuals so that together we can address issues of social justice and human rights.
V I S I O N V A L U E S
Celebrating Inclusivity Building Relationships Calling Out Injustice Making A Difference
Rackham Chiropractic Plus, 9396 SW Greenville Rd, Greenville. 616-754-7717. TheGreenvilleChiropractor.com. See ad, page 5.
Conscious Breath Circle
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714 Columbus • Grand Haven • 616-414-9111 Office@MomentumCenterGH.org MomentumCenterGH.org Facebook.com/MomentumCenter
n Sunday, December 8 from 4:30 to 6:30pm, join Carey and Dr. Greg Ling in experiencing an accelerated healing modality (circular/connected breathing) that naturally releases energetic blockages, providing long-lasting healing at the root cause. Conscious Breathwork is an extremely powerful technique based on circular/connected breathing. Through connecting with your higher self and source energy, you will be able to access expanded states of consciousness, where clarity and insights are able to shine through. Experience major shifts and healing in just one session! Cost is $30. Session is restful and relaxing. Bring anything to make you more comfortable (pad, blanket, pillow, eye mask, etc.) No experience required.
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ackham Chiropractic Plus offers treatment that has helped many patients with peripheral neuropathy, a condition that can cause tingling, numbness or pain in fingers, toes, arms, feet and legs. Drugs cannot cure peripheral neuropathy, but treatments at Rackham have been shown to diminish pain, restore nerve endings, improve circulation and other provide benefits for patients with peripheral neuropathy. It’s important to seek treatment for this condition, which left untreated can result in frequent falling or organ malfunction. The neuropathy evaluation and first treatment at Rackham are free. Dr. Aaron Rackham, D.C., C.H.T. and Dr. Serge Hurtubise, D.C. offer treatments that include infrared diode therapy, vibration therapy, The Rebuilder and pulsed electro-magnetic field (PEMF) therapy. These treatments have no side effects. Infrared diode therapy can stimulate sluggish blood flow and increase levels of nitric oxide, which reduces inflammation and regenerates tissue, among other things, allowing patients to regain normal sensations. Vibration therapy has been shown to reduce pain and help patients experience improvements in balance and the ability to stand and walk. The Rebuilder is a device that patients can use at home to increase blood circulation to the extremities, improve range of motion and reduce pain. PEMF triggers the body to restore optimal functioning cells, which assists in healing. Doctors at Rackham will assess a patient’s condition and create a custom program to meet specific needs.
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health briefs
The ION Test: Individual Optimal Nutrition
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he American diet is deficient in many necessary nutrients required for optimal health and longevity. Food is grown in ways that diminish its nutrient content and it is packaged and shipped in ways that further degrade nutrition. Processing removes many essential nutrients and often adds toxic additives and preservatives. “It is nearly impossible to get everything that’s needed in the diet, so supplementation is required for optimal health,” says Dr. Dan Gleason DC, owner of The Gleason Center. “Everyone has an individual biochemical makeup. Testing is the only way to determine each person’s idiosyncrasies and which nutritional supplements will promote optimal health and help prevent disease.” Functional and holistic practitioners test patients to determine their needs.
The Gleason Center tests patients using the Individual Optimal Nutrition (ION) test. Some deficiencies are found to be common to most people, even though everyone has unique nutrient needs. “We commonly find what we call the Fab Five deficiencies. If someone can’t do the ION test, we recommend the Fab Five supplements for them: Vitamin D3, high-quality fish oil, magnesium, a highquality multivitamin and a probiotic,” says Gleason. The ION test results measure far more than the fab five and provide thorough results on amino acids (the building blocks that proteins are made of), nutrient minerals, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, CoQ10 and antioxidants), dietary fats (omega 3/6/9, mono/saturated/ trans), fat metabolism, carb metabolism, mitochondrial function, B vitamin levels, neu-
The GleasonCenter Your Personal Path to Health
rotransmitters (adrenaline, dopamine and serotonin), liver detoxification pathways and gasses given off by bad bugs in the small intestine (such as candida albicans). The ION test is performed by Genova Diagnostics, in Ashville, North Carolina, and test kits can be ordered online. “For best results, I recommend consultation with an experienced practitioner to help with the interpretation and implementation of the findings. To get an even more comprehensive evaluation, findings of this test can be combined with the results of conventional lab tests, as well as other functional tests including comprehensive stool testing for GI function, food allergy testing, and hormone testing,” says Gleason. The Gleason Center, 19084 North Fruitport Rd, Spring Lake. TheGleasonCenter.com. 515-846-5410. See ad page 2.
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Maintain a Healthy Diet and Weight to Lower Cataract Risk A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition used adherence to dietary guidelines and total diet scores to assess the effects of diet on cataract risk. The researchers followed 2,173 older Australians for five and 10 years in two phases. They found that maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI) of less than 25, combined with a healthy diet, reduced the risk of developing cataracts.
Eat a Better Diet to Improve Gut Bacteria Researchers at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center tested stool samples of 858 men and 877 women in Los Angeles and Hawaii with a mean age of 69—regarded as an ethnically diverse study population with varied food intakes. The study found that those with higher quality diets also had significantly better gut bacteria diversity, a factor linked to reduced risk for a variety of diseases. Diet quality and a reduced risk of developing chronic disease is strongly associated with fecal microbial diversity. 8
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New research offers potential paths for treatment for the nearly 20 percent of patients with high blood pressure that don’t respond well to medications. University of Florida College of Medicine researchers, testing 105 volunteers, found that the populations of gut bacteria differed between hypertensive individuals with depression and those without depression. A second study by Italian researchers found that patients with heart attacks had different bacteria in their guts than patients with stable angina.
Hong Vo/Shutterstock.com
Researchers followed more than 36,000 Japanese men older than 40 for an average of 13.2 years. They found that those that consumed culinary mushrooms three times a week had a 17 percent lower chance of developing prostate cancer compared to those that ate mushrooms less than once a week. Participants that ate mushrooms once or twice a week had an 8 percent lower risk. The trend was even greater for those men over the age of 50 and was unrelated to other dietary habits.
SK Design/Shutterstock.com
Eat Mushrooms to Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer
Reduce Blood Pressure and Heart Attacks With Better Gut Bacteria
Train Students in Mindfulness to Reduce Stress and Improve Grades Sixth-graders that received mindfulness training each day for eight weeks experienced lower stress levels, less depression and improved academic performance compared to their peers in a control group that studied computer coding, report Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers. In addition to that 100-student study, researchers surveyed 2,000 students in grades five through eight and found those that showed more mindfulness tended to have better grades and test scores. They also had fewer absences and suspensions.
Daxiao Productions/Shutterstock.com
health briefs
dencg/Shutterstock.com
Marry to Halve the Risk of Dementia Wedlock tends to stave off dementia, according to a new Michigan State University study. Analyzing 14 years of data on 15,000 people older than 52, researchers found those in all unmarried groups—cohabiting, divorced, separated, widowed and never married—had significantly higher odds of developing dementia than their married counterparts. The differences were most acute for those divorced, separated or widowed—about twice as prone as married people to develop dementia, with the men faring worse cognitively than the women.
Extreme Weather Events Affect Mental Well-Being People that experience storm and flood damage to their homes are about 50 percent more likely to experience depression and anxiety, British researchers report. Surveying more than 7,500 people after the 2013-2014 season of severe weather, they found that those with homes damaged by wind, rain, snow or floods had mental health risks similar to living in a disadvantaged area. This occurred even when the effects of the extreme weather were relatively minor and did not force people to leave their homes.
Fascinadora/Shutterstock.com
Eat Nuts to Reduce Odds of Death From Heart Disease Adults that ate nuts two or more times per week had a 17 percent lower risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke, reports an Iranian study that followed 5,432 adults for 12 years. The research was presented in August at the European Society of Cardiology. “Nuts are a good source of unsaturated fat and contain little saturated fat,” says study author Dr. Noushin Mohammadifard, of the Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute. “They also have protein, minerals, vitamins, fiber, phytosterols and polyphenols which benefit heart health.”
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Nature Cure
global briefs
Making Meat Without Animals
Five major food technology companies have converged to form the Alliance for Meat, Poultry and Seafood (AMPS) Innovation, which seeks to create real meat from animal cells without the need to slaughter animals. The founding members of the coalition are both cell-based seafood companies BlueNalu and Finless Foods and meat makers Fork & Goode, San Francisco-based JUST Inc., and Memphis Meats. AMPS Innovation (ampsinnovation.org) intends to tackle obstacles presented in the cellular agriculture industry and bring products to the consumer faster with transparency and proper regulatory frameworks for cell-based products. Each member company has made significant strides in the development of these products with the hope they will soon be options in the everyday diets of individuals, as well as a nutrition source for a human population projected to grow to 10 billion by 2050.
A new study based on the National Land Cover Database of 3,086 of the 3,103 counties in the continental U.S. published in the journal Urban Forestry and Urban Greening found that increases in forest and shrub cover corresponded to decreases in Medicare health care spending, even when accounting for economic, geographic or other factors that might independently influence healthcare costs. Urban and rural counties with the lowest socioeconomic status appeared to benefit the most from increases in forests and shrubs. University of Illinois graduate student Douglas A. Becker, who led the new research with Matt Browning, a professor of recreation, sports and tourism, says, “It occurred to me that low-income communities are getting the biggest bang for their buck because they probably have the most to gain.” Other studies have shown that people in intensive care units recover more quickly and have fewer complications after surgery if their hospital rooms look out over trees rather than parking lots and that forest walks can influence potentially health-promoting hormone levels or anti-cancer immune cells in the blood.
BK foto/Shutterstock.com
Lab Steak
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com
Forests and Shrubs Lower Medical Costs
Charge It
The RS Automotive gas station, in Takoma Park, Maryland, has been around since 1958, and Depeswar Doley has been running it for 22 years. Now, frustrated by the complicated rules, requirements
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West Michigan Edition
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and contracts of oil and gas companies, he has completely transitioned away from offering petroleum and become the country’s first exclusively electric vehicle (EV) charging station. Because there has been a shortage of EV charging stations in the state, the station’s changeover was partially funded by the Baltimore-based
Electric Vehicle Institute and the Maryland Energy Administration. Its new 200-kilowatt electrical system will now be able to recharge up to four vehicles at a time while drivers wait inside. Doley says, “It’s not something that I expect to become rich overnight or something like that, but it’s a good cause [and] good for the environment.”
Petair/Shutterstock.com
Electric Vehicles Get Their Own ‘Gas’ Station
Animal Rescue
Lung Relief
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler has signed a directive reducing the animal testing that the agency has long required on such animals as dogs, birds, rats and fish to gauge the toxicity of chemicals before they can be bought, sold or used in the environment. The agency also authorized $4.25 million in funding for five universities to research the development and use of alternative test methods and strategies that reduce, refine or replace vertebrate animal testing. He says, “Today’s memo directs the agency to aggressively reduce animal testing, including reducing mammal study requests and funding 30 percent by 2025 and completely eliminating them by 2035.” Any mammal studies requested or funded by the EPA after 2035 will require administrator approval on a case-by-case basis. It directs leadership and staff in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and the Office of Research and Development to prioritize and direct existing resources toward measurable impacts in the reduction of animal testing while ensuring protection of human health and the environment.
A 2016 study at the University of British Columbia revealed that air pollution is the fourth-leading cause of death worldwide, with at least 5.5 million air pollution-related fatalities every year. A new cultivation system developed by researchers from Imperial College London collaborating with the startup Arborea have created the world’s first Biosolar Leaf technology to purify and improve the air in London. They hope it’ll boost environmental outcomes not only in the UK, but all over the world. The process works by purifying the air through photosynthesis of microscopic plants, which removes the greenhouse gases from the environment and generates breathable oxygen at the same time. The startup’s innovative cultivation system can facilitate the growth of microalgae, phytoplankton and diatoms on large, solar panel-like structures that can be installed on buildings and other infrastructure to improve the quality of the atmosphere. Arborea’s cultivation system also creates a sustainable source of organic biomass from which nutritious food additives can be extracted for plant-based food.
laymanzoom/Shutterstock.com
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Government Order Reduces Animal Testing
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Heave Ho
Cruise Line Abandons Plastic Bottles
As a result of its partnership with Just Goods, Inc., the Norwegian Cruise Line will replace single-use plastic bottles across its fleet by January 1, 2020, beginning with the Norwegian Encore. The company’s ships will feature JUST, which is 100 percent spring water in a plant-based carton made of 82 percent renewable materials from trees grown in responsibly managed forests. The cap and shoulder are made from a sugarcane-based plastic. It’s refillable and recyclable. Just Goods, located in Glen Falls, New York, has a global presence with bottling facilities in New York, Northern Ireland and Australia, allowing the company to meet demand around the world without shipping water from a single production source. It plans to replace more than 6 million single-use plastic bottles every year. CEO Ira Laufer says, “The company is pushing the boundaries of what’s always been done because it knows we all need to do better.”
Biosolar Leaf Purifies Air in London
Repurposing Weeds
Pond Plants Offer Protein Strategy
Fast-growing lemna, or duckweed, a flowering green plant that blooms on the surface of still and slow-moving bodies of water that is often mistaken for algae, is finding new utility as a protein source. Californiabased Plantible Foods claims that duckweed, traditionally the enemy of pond owners, is superior to other alternative proteins like pea, wheat and soy. The unusual crop naturally contains higher amounts of the complete protein RuBisCo and is easier to digest than some other popular plant proteins. It can be used as a substitute for egg white, is free of the top eight allergens and has a neutral color and taste. Due to its rapid growth, duckweed is less vulnerable to climate change. Plantible Foods co-founder Tony Martens says that duckweed grows reliably and can typically be harvested daily, no matter what the weather may be. December 2019
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eco tip
Burn Notice
Safe and Sustainable Fireplace Practices
One of the charms of winter is enjoying the warmth and glow of indoor fireplaces and wood stoves. It also emphasizes the need for sustainable, safe and healthy practices—especially when it comes to maintaining air quality. Try to buy wood from providers that use good forest management practices such as harvesting during sustainable months, reports WoodHeat.org. Environmentally sound woodlot operations include thinning out dying, less desirable and damaged trees, and including a blend of species. “Have a high-efficiency, properly installed stove that meets local building codes that’s sized for the area to be heated,” says Brad Harr, senior environmental scientist and president of Summit Environmental Inc., in Boise, Idaho. “Use dry, 10 to 12 percent wood moisture. Water
sucks up heat to get to combustion temperature. Run at high heat, generally over 1,000° F in the firebox, to effect complete combustion of the wood and gases.” Denser woods such as ironwood, rock elm, hickory, oak and sugar maple burn longer and conserve resources. Use a higher British thermal unit (BTU) per cord of wood to maximize heat production. (WorldForestIndustries.com has tips per region.) Harr adds, “Don’t starve the fire to extend burning time, as smoldering can cause incomplete combustion.” This leads to more carbon monoxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) being released that can cause flu-like symptoms, and at high levels, unconsciousness and even death. To help maintain proper airflow and prevent soot buildup, shovel excess ash into a covered metal container, store it outside and dispose of it in a few days. Smelling smoke can indicate the fireplace may be backdrafting and needs to be inspected. Harr also suggests checking periodically for potential cracks or rusting in the joints of a stovepipe. Make sure children and the elderly don’t accidentally touch the stove while in use and keep furniture a suitable distance away. Periodic inspections by a professional can address potentially dangerous creosote (tar deposit) accumulations, assure the catalytic converter is operating correctly and detect trapped debris in escape shafts that can force toxic gases back into the home and clog spark-arresting screens on tops of stovepipes or chimneys. If buying a new unit, make sure it’s U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified, which requires two-thirds less wood to generate heat and emits fewer harmful particles—two to seven grams per hour—compared with 15 to 30 grams for models manufactured before 1992, according to MotherEarthLiving.com.
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Awakening to the Evolution of Community by Linda Sechrist
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en master Thich Nhat Hanh’s suggestion that the next Buddha would likely not take form as an individual but rather as a sangha, a community practicing mindful living, led many people to ask, “Why a community?” The author of more than 100 books that explore the Buddha’s core teachings on mindfulness, kindness and compassion, Hanh clarified the meaning of sangha as a good community necessary for helping individuals learn how to encounter life in the present moment, resist the unwholesome ways of our time, go in the direction of peace and nourish seeds of enlightenment. Even the best intentions, he noted, can falter without such a group of trusted family, friends and co-practitioners experiencing mindfulness together.
A Migration to Forming Community
Today’s trend toward collaborative processes and opportunities for transformation through online communities is made easier by the availability of affordable video conferencing providers such as Zoom, Skype and Mighty Networks, as well as online platforms like Facebook and MeetUp. 14 14
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Although many groups form for marketing, political, civic or social purposes—allowing participants to share values and common interests—thousands more gather as online intentional communities associated with personal growth and spiritual awakening. Myriad individuals have been able to experience some aspect of community through international organizations such as MindValley, Hay House, the Shift Network and Dr. Deepak Chopra’s Jiyo, a wellness-focused mobile app intended to extend the reach of his ideas on health and social transformation from millions of people to more than 1 billion. In MeetUp, spiritual awakening groups recently comprised 1,113,972 members in 3,631 groups worldwide. Additionally, co-housing communities, spiritual residential communities and eco-villages continue to form around the intention of designing and implementing pathways to a regenerative future.
The Old Story Versus the New Story
The increased interest in intentional communities may hint at a possibility that the
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human desire for community might be nature’s evolutionary nudge toward a collective leap that helps us to survive a changing climate and Earth’s potential sixth mass extinction. If so, this possibility needs a new supportive story that includes humans as part of nature, with its evolutionary impulse as a guide for body, mind and soul. With our modern scientific worldview, when people talk about nature, they typically mean animals, plants, geological features and natural processes, all happening independently of humans. A more suitable new story is cultural historian Thomas Berry’s moving and meaningful narrative in The Great Work: Our Way Into the Future, in which humans aren’t above nature by virtue of superior intellect, but instead are equal partners with all that exists in a materially and spiritually evolving universe. From Berry’s perspective, humans are the eyes, minds and hearts through which the cosmos is evolving so that it can come to know itself ever more perfectly through us. Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell shared Berry’s perspective. Traveling back to Earth after walking upon the lunar surface, Mitchell gazed out of the spacecraft
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THE EMERGING POWER OF ‘WE’
window, whereupon he was flooded with an ecstatic awareness. “I was a part of the universe I was observing, and I became aware that everything that exists is part of one intricately interconnected whole,” recounts Mitchell, who founded the groundbreaking Institute of Noetic Sciences to explore the nature of human consciousness.
A Guiding Light
Seijaku Roshi, the abbot and founder of the Pine Wind Zen Community, aptly named for its location in a pine forest in Shamong, New Jersey, advises, “People are searching and hungering for community, which is number one on my agenda. If we aren’t talking about community, we’re squandering the moment. Whether it’s an evolutionary nudge or not, it appears that our tragic world situation is pushing us towards an alternative vision for living a meaningful life that meets the needs of people, society and the environment. We are awakening to the fact we’re interconnected, interdependent and need community, which is the spirit and guiding light whereby people come together to fulfill a purpose, to help others fulfill their purpose and to take care of one another.”
Conscious Evolution
Craig Hamilton, the guiding force behind the movement known as Integral Enlightenment, is the founder of the telecourse training program Academy for Evolutionaries. His spiritual guidance and teachings reach a growing international online community spanning 50 countries. “Transforming ourselves in the deepest possible way is, in fact, an evolutionary imperative, and we need to be able to identify the indicators of emergent shifts and participate creatively with change as an evolutionary force. Evolution up to this point has been playing out unconsciously. We’re now waking up and realizing that we can collaborate and participate in an emerging future.” Hamilton’s experience is that where humans awake to the one that is expressed through the many, they also begin to engage together. “Practicing community isn’t as simple as it seems. In online communities, a lot less can go wrong. The stakes aren’t as high. People come and go, share and engage as they like.”
A Community of Sisterhood
Laurie McCammon, author of Enough! How to Liberate Yourself and Remake the World with Just One Word, feels certain that humans are evolving. “We were last to the party with our big brains, and now we’re trying to intellectualize our way to an uncertain future without important feminine values such as feeling, intuiting, nurturing, interdependency and vulnerability,” says McCammon, who is deeply involved in the circle movement, in which women gather in small groups to empower each other. A regular participant in Gather the Women Global Matrix, a worldwide sisterhood that connects thousands of women sharing meaningful conversations and celebrating the divine feminine with the intention of bringing about personal and planetary transformation through cooperation and collaboration, McCammon says, “No one of us can bring about large-scale transformation alone. It’s time to tell the new story wherein our lives and actions demonstrate that together we are enough. Non-hierarchical circles that encourage authentic communication are part of this new story.” Citing other important circle communities such as Tree Sisters and The Millionth Circle, McCammon suggests that women tap into The Divine Feminine app, which allows them to find circle communities and events anywhere in the world.
Co-Creating With the Intelligence of Nature
Teacher and futurist Peter Russell writes books that are focused on consciousness and contemporary spirituality. His lectures help humans free themselves of limited beliefs and attitudes that belie many of humanity’s personal, social and global problems. The author of The Global Brain: The Awakening Earth in a New Century, Russell posits that the evolutionary process naturally draws humans together. “Humans are social creatures that need community, which I find very energizing,” says Russell, who cites the Findhorn Foundation eco-village, in Scotland, as a dynamic experiment in community. “Although residents went through hard times, they recognized the need for
honest communication so they could attune to one another in loving ways that would allow everyone to work through their difficulties. Today, life at Findhorn is guided by the inner voice of spirit, and residents work in co-creation with the intelligence of nature,” he says.
The Collective Wisdom of Community
An uncertain future is emerging, making it necessary for new and more intuitive methods and spiritual practices for developing collective wisdom, human potential and the skills for practicing community. “I’m in the process of finalizing 118 chapters from 90 different authors for a Collaborative Change Library: Transforming Organizations, Revitalizing Communities, Developing Human Potential,” says associate editor Carole Gorelick, who clarifies that spiritual practices are now playing a part in bringing about collaborative change. She notes that several chapters are updated versions of The Change Handbook: The Definitive Resource on Today’s Best Methods for Engaging Whole Systems (2007 second edition), which included modalities such as World Café, Open Space Technology, Art of Hosting, Appreciative Inquiry and many others. A living handbook for developing human potential and the skills to practice community, Fred Eppsteiner has been teaching Buddhism for 23 years. A student of Hanh’s since the 1960s, he is the founder of the Florida Community of Mindfulness, in Tampa. Eppsteiner sums up why the next Buddha could be a community: “A better future will be created by people who are living the values they want for the world, not just abstractly using only the intellect. In community, we ask ourselves, ‘Can I be what I want to see in the world? Can I practice these things mindfully in community with love, acceptance, deep listening, compassion and kindness?’ These are values that every Buddha has lived for centuries, and certainly ones we need to evolve from a culture of, ‘It’s all about me’ to a culture of, ‘It’s all about we’.” Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at LindaSechrist.com. December 2019
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Waste-Free Feasting How to Reduce Holiday Food Waste by Yvette C. Hammett
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he heaping platters that cheerfully mark the holidays have an unfortunate downside: Americans increase their waste by 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The discarded food and packaging burden landfills with an additional 1 million tons of waste each week. That’s in addition to the 40 percent of food Americans typically waste each year— nearly half of all the food prepared at home or in restaurants. Monica McBride, senior manager of food loss and waste for the World Wildlife Fund, notes that squandered bounty is grown in areas that were converted from natural habitat into farm fields, so it’s also a waste of natural resources. “Once you start cooking, you realize the impact on the planet,” says chef and caterer Steven Laurence, owner of Vegan Commissary, in Philadelphia. “My grandmother was the kind of person who, if there was one pea left over, she put it in a container and someone ate it the next day. That kind of informs my cooking. The way I was trained, you didn’t waste anything. You used everything.”
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In individual households, small changes can have a big impact, especially during the holidays; all it takes is awareness and a plan. Frugal cooks can make room for a holiday waste reduction strategy by taking inventory of the pantry and boxing up a load for the local soup kitchen or food bank. Then, design a menu with the environment in mind, using portion control to avoid food waste and whipping up dishes that can easily be upcycled into new creations that can be used as appetizers in the coming days or tucked in the freezer for future enjoyment. Start with the Guest-imator at SaveTheFood.com, a great way to determine portions for a holiday party, says Cheryl Coleman, director of the EPA Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division in the Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery. The Guest-imator and Save the Food, a program of the Natural Resources Defense Council in conjunction with the Ad Council, tells cooks how much to make to keep guests happy
and includes recipes for leftovers, such as Crispy Sheet Pan Hash, made with leftover roasted vegetables, and Ugly Vegetable Pasta, made with zucchini, tomatoes and eggplant. Spoilage is another way food finds its way into the garbage can, and that too, can be avoided, Laurence says, pointing out that most food goes bad because it’s not cooked properly or is mishandled in storage. “Mix animal protein with starches and grains in a container and it goes bad because of two different sorts of enzymes. It is a fuel for bacteria.” He also recommends using as many organic ingredients as possible for longer-lasting leftovers. “We guarantee all of our dishes for two weeks,” he says. Encouraging visitors to take home leftovers is another effective food-saving strategy, says McBride. “Have Tupperware or to-go boxes you could provide to your guests.” Reilly Brock, content manager at Imperfect Produce, in New York City, agrees. “Just like repurposing excess product requires creative thinking, food waste around the holidays requires out-of-the-box ideas to keep impact low,” says Brock, whose company delivers imperfect produce to customers’ doors for a cost savings. “Why end the fun when the meal ends? The best part about leftovers—and the holidays—is keeping the celebration going.” “Also, make sure you keep food safe,” McBride says. “The CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] has a really great overview of how to do that for parties. Standard guidance is not to leave food out for more than two hours. So, as a party planner, make sure you mentally note when you put food out.” Coleman recommends taking it a step beyond the holidays by joining a movement to cut food waste year-round. She suggests visiting FurtherWithFood. org to learn more. “Through that and additional outreach, we might be able to start to change,” says McBride. Yvette C. Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, Florida. Connect at YvetteHammett28@hotmail.com.
community spotlight Energy & Lights: Innovative, Effective and Natural Healing by Julie Peterson
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s a Physician Assistant with more than three decades of experience providing health care in the Grand Rapids community, Mary Wisniewski has been passionate about studying alternative modalities to help those who want to complement Western medicine with natural health options. When she learned about and experienced the healing benefits of pulsed lowlevel light therapy (LLLT), she decided to empower and educate others by becoming a Professional Certified Light Therapist and started her business, Energy and Lights (located at Grand Rapids Natural Health). LLLT uses near infrared light with blue and/or red light. Pads containing pulsed low-level light emitting diodes (LEDs) are placed directly on the skin, which disperses light wave energy and programmed frequencies to the body. It’s completely painless and safely complements medical treatments. LLLT was first discovered to have beneficial medical uses in 1967 by Endre Mester at the Semmelweis Medical University in Hungary; however, it was not initially widely accepted in the medical community. This was likely due to a lack of scientific understanding regarding the mechanisms of action at a molecular, cellular and tissue-based level. Thousands of independent medical and scientific research studies later, LLLT has become known as a reliable method to deliver therapeutic healing benefits for a multitude of physical and emotional issues. In 2016, Michael R. Hamblin, Ph.D., at Boston’s Wellman Center for Photomedicine, wrote that light therapy has made “major progress in obtaining recognition from authorities in medical schools, scholarly journals, the popular press and media, medical practitioners, therapists and other bodies concerned with biomedical science.” Wisniewski knows the research, but the most affirmative moments for her are seeing clients find relief and get results. “Pulsed light is the most profound, noninvasive, drug-free way to stimulate the body’s innate capacity to heal on a cellular level,” says Wisniewski, who says that LLLT is for people experiencing chronic pain or who want to use a natural, painless approach to heal emotional or physical issues.
The first session at Energy & Lights includes consultation so that Wisniewski can learn the client’s history and explain the benefits of light therapy and specialized spinal cord technique. The client, in comfortable clothing, gets light therapy pads placed on different areas of the skin for the LLLT and Wisniewski also does a gentle spinal cord stimulation. Clients typically feel at least partial relief after the first session. As the research on this no-downtime treatment continues to grow, there is evidence that it can be used to accelerate wound healing, reduce inflammation, control pain, kill antibiotic resistant strains of MRSA, and assist with neurorehabilitation for strokes or traumatic brain injury. Other beneficial applications include disorders of the joints, nervous system, skin, immune system, digestive system and organs. “LLLT stimulates a cellular response that triggers the release of nitric oxide,” says Wisniewski. This ignites a cascade of beneficial chemical reactions on a cellular level that promote healing and increase circulation, increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the whole body. “Light therapy is very relaxing and leaves you with a feeling of being more balanced within your body,” says Wisniewski, who recommends that anyone with unresolved issues give it a try and offers gift certificates so that people can share this gentle technique with others. “My goal is to assist the body to heal and become naturally balanced, working together to get to that point of having perfect health. The body knows what it must do to heal itself when given the proper tools.” Contact Mary Wisniewski at marywis@ energyandlights.com or schedule your appointment at 616-264-6556. Energy & Lights is located within Grand Rapids Natural Health, 638 Fulton St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504. See ad page 25. Julie Peterson has contributed to Natural Awakenings for more than a decade. Contact her at JPtrsn22@att.net. December 2019
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wise words
Surgeon Mary Neal on Lessons From Heaven by Kajsa Nickels
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n 1999, while kayaking on the Fuy River in Chile, orthopedic surgeon Mary Neal became trapped beneath a waterfall and drowned. She was underwater for 30 minutes before the current pulled her out. During that time, Neal experienced what she believes to be a miraculous event in which she penetrated the veil dividing the physical and spiritual worlds. There, she was told that it was not yet her time, and of the future death of her eldest son, a prediction that was fulfilled 10 years later. The experience gave her a new perspective on the purpose of our Earthly existence and life after death. She has since written two books on the subject: To Heaven and Back: A Doctor’s Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven, Angels and Life Again; and 7 Lessons from Heaven: How Dying Taught Me to Live a Joy-Filled Life. Her life-altering experience prompted her to pay more attention to those things that are truly important: faith, family and relationships with other human beings. She lives with her family in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where she continues to mend broken bones.
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How do you think your medical background makes you uniquely qualified to speak on near-death experiences (NDE)?
I am a very concrete thinker and analyze everything. Being a doctor also gave me ac-
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cess to many resources that the common person would not. I spent many months researching scientific and medical literature to try to come up with a logical explanation of what had happened to me. I was forced to conclude that my experience fell outside of the parameters of both science and medicine. I could not find any examples to disprove what happened, especially when the predicted death of my oldest son came to pass.
What was the most profound moment of your experience?
It’s hard to pinpoint the most profound moment of the entire experience, but what impacted me most was the realization that God is real, and He is present to each and every one of us every moment of our daily lives. I realized to the depths of my soul that all God’s promises are true, not just wishful thinking or a vague hope.
How has your NDE made you a better wife, mother and medical professional?
You can’t have an NDE without having your entire life changed. When you realize that there is more to life than what you can see with your physical eyes, it changes your entire perspective on every moment of every day. The things we say and the things we do create a ripple effect that spreads beyond the boundaries of our human sight. Love
is ultimately the only thing that matters, to reflect love to the world and other people. I was a “good person” before my NDE, but I now see differently. I see that each human being is incredibly loved, and that we are all one: We are them, and they are us. Everything else in the world is secondary to God’s love and presence in our lives.
How is your approach to everyday life different than it was prior to your NDE?
I am able to be entirely present in every moment of my life. I can experience deep and abiding joy regardless of my circumstances. I am able to trust that grace covers my past, that there is life after death and a plan for my life. No matter what is happening, even if it is terrible, beauty will come out of it. Most people are trapped in regrets of the past and worry about the future. With complete trust in God, I am able to fully have joy in each and every moment.
Is there a difference between joy and happiness?
Absolutely. Happiness is an emotion based on circumstances. Happiness can accompany joy, but not always. Joy is a state of being, of trusting in God, of believing that his promises are true. Joy comes from freedom—freedom from disruptive emotions like guilt, remorse, unforgiveness. Even in the devastation of my oldest son’s death, I can honestly say that I experienced a deep joy from trusting in God’s love and promises.
Why do you believe heaven is written in our hearts?
As a scientist, I firmly believe that we are created beings with physical bodies and spiritual souls. I believe that our spiritual self remembers heaven and remembers joy. Part of our journey here on Earth is to rediscover our connection with God. As adults, we often feel that we have to choose between science and spiritualism. The truth is that they coexist, answering questions in different ways. Kajsa Nickels is a freelance author who lives in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Connect at fideleterna45@gmail.com.
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healing ways
What’s good for muscles is good for bones. wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com
~Susie Hathaway
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BEYOND CALCIUM Full-Spectrum Bone Health by Marlaina Donato
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ur bones are the Osteoporosis can be I’ve seen many patients reverse osteoporosis,” foundation that prevented, and I’ve says Leat Kuzniar, a supports our seen many patients Nutley, New Jersey, bodies and the quality of reverse osteoporosis. naturopath. “It becomes our lives. Unlike the brick more difficult after and mortar and bedrock ~Leat Kuzniar menopause and if the of a building, the human bone density is very low, skeletal system is living but we can always make some improvetissue that breaks down and rebuilds; ments in bone health. We need to assess this constant remodeling demands much diet, exercise, gastrointestinal health, more than just taking an obligatory hormones, medications, pH and even calcium supplement. stress levels.” Compromised bone health is most often associated with postmenopausal women, but it can also impact men and Synergy of Vitamins and younger adults. Genetics, hormonal Minerals changes and nutritional deficiencies can Walter Willett, M.D., chairman of the all foster bone loss. The National OsteoDepartment of Nutrition at the Harvard porosis Foundation reports that 44 milT.H. Chan School of Public Health, arlion Americans have low bone density gues that the daily recommended 1,000and 10 million suffer from osteoporosis, to-1,200 milligrams of calcium is based facing a high risk of fracture from this on inadequate studies, and advises half debilitating condition. that amount. Fortunately, it’s never too early Other minerals may play an equally or too late to do right by our bones. critical role. The body robs calcium from “Osteoporosis can be prevented, and the bones when blood levels of this vital
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mineral fall too low; but taking a calcium supplement—especially without co-nutrients—can increase fracture risk. “Calcium supplementation is complex; more isn’t better. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, and vitamin K2 is essential for getting that calcium to your bones and keeping it out of your arteries,” Kuzniar says. Magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and potassium are also allies in calcium metabolism. Vitamin C, too, is a key player in bone health, promoting collagen synthesis. Nutrient absorption relies on integrity of gut health, so opting for probiotics is a wise choice across the board.
Bone Up on Superfoods Optimally, the quest for stronger bones begins with a nutrientdense diet. “Plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein and some fats create a physiology in the body to support optimal bone health. Avoiding too much sodium and animal protein also helps,” says Mary Jane Detroyer, a New York Citybased nutritionist and certified dietitian. She underscores the importance of mineral-packed kale, collards, mustard greens, bok choy and broccoli, but warns against oxalate-laden spinach and chard, which inhibit calcium absorption. “Other calciumrich foods like tofu, edamame, yogurt, kefir and cheese are also good, as well as milk substitutes fortified with calcium.” Omega-3-rich chia seeds, walnuts and other tree nuts are heavy hitters that boost both calcium absorption and collagen production essential for bone strength. A 2016 Brazilian study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that a diet with excessive sweets and caffeinated beverages negatively impacts bone mineral density in
postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Soda consumption also amps up the risk of fractures. An analysis of female subjects spanning 30 years published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2014 reveals a 14 percent increased risk for fractures with each daily serving of soda, including diet beverages.
Get Moving High-impact activities like jumping rope and jogging build strong bones in our youth, but as we age, low-impact exercise is easier on the joints. Mayo Clinic recommendations include walking, gardening, dancing, stair-climbing and elliptical training. Resistance also yields significant results. A 2018 Korean study published in the journal EnM reveals that exercise employing free weights, weight machines and elastic bands increases muscle and bone mass in both women and men. American College of Sports Medicine-certified personal trainer Susie Hathaway, in Fairfield, Iowa, explains why. “What’s good for muscles is good for bones. When a muscle contracts, it gives a beneficial pull on the adjacent bones, stimulating the bone-building cells to be more active.” Hathaway highlights safety and the importance of bearing weight on the feet. “Gravity is important for bone health. Weightbearing aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, provides a mild stimulus for your bones and helps slow down bone loss.” Kuzniar reminds us that with the right care, our bones can carry us through life. “Once we know what factors are at play in the patient, we can address the underlying causes.” Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
Conscious breath control is a useful tool for achieving a relaxed,clear state of mind. ~Andrew Weil
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Stick with your favorite recipes that you know are going to be a success and are going to leave everyone’s taste buds happy. ~Pamela Reed
THE MERRY VEGAN
People-Pleasing Holiday Sweets
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You can either see yourself as a wave in the ocean or you can see yourself as the ocean. ~Oprah Winfrey
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West Michigan Edition
by Julie Peterson
he holidays may send too many sugar plums and frosted gingerbread figures dancing in the heads of people with dietary restrictions. Anyone that chooses to avoid highly processed flours or sugars, artificial ingredients and loads of butter will typically be presented with all of this and more at social gatherings this time of year. They arrive on visually appealing cookie platters that tempt with their cute shapes, vibrant colors and sparkle. Some, like the gingerbread and reindeer cutouts, will beckon with glazed eyes: “Just one,” they whisper. But one can turn into nine and make someone that may normally avoid sugar or gluten feel bodily regrets. Someone that is vegan or allergic may feel they can’t have treats. Making healthier choices about food is difficult for reasons many don’t understand. “People have relationships with food—involving family, comfort and traditions—and they don’t want to give that up,” says James Brandon, of Tampa, founder of Facebook’s Vegan and PlantBased Beginner’s Community. Brandon says that holiday treats are tough to resist, but staying true to health goals is most important in the long run. The best defense to avoid frustration at social food events is to bring a dish to
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share that meets your dietary needs, says Megan Gilmore, the author of No Excuses Detox: 100 Recipes to Help You Eat Healthy Every Day and a blogger at Detoxinista. com. “That way, you can introduce something delicious to your friends, family or co-workers and be sure you’ll have something to eat!” A batch of simple, delectable, visually appealing and healthful cookies can be that plate to share, a gift to give or something to keep on hand for guests. Keep the focus on simple, advises Pamela Reed, who blogs at BrooklynFarmGirl.com. There are plenty of recipes that will satisfy the sweet tooth and decorate the holiday buffet (until they’re all eaten, that is). Don’t increase holiday stress by trying a new recipe at the last minute. “Stick with your favorite recipes that you know are going to be a success and are going to leave everyone’s taste buds happy,” she says. Transitioning to a more conscious way of eating isn’t about deprivation or leaving tradition behind. Bring on the new and healthful cookie recipes and name one after your grandma. Julie Peterson writes from her home in rural Wisconsin. Contact her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.
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conscious eating
Oh-So-Healthy Holiday Treats Prepare 2 cookie sheets with silicone baking sheets or spray with nonstick spray. Roll the dough into large balls, and then gently roll in sugar to cover them. Use a fork to gently press down on each cookie a little bit—not too much, or they will crumble.
photo by Pamela Reed
Bake cookies for 12 minutes. Once out of the oven, allow to cool for 15 minutes. This is important, as the cookies will be very soft when they come out of the oven, but they will harden up as they cool. Store in an airtight container or freeze.
photo by Megan Gilmore
Recipe courtesy of BrooklynFarmGirl.com.
blade, and process until the pecans are broken down and crumbly. Add in the rest of the ingredients and process again, until a sticky dough is formed. (It should stick together when pressed between two fingers.) Scoop the dough by rounded tablespoons and roll the dough between your hands, forming balls. Arrange the balls on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then place them in the freezer to set, about 1 to 2 hours. For a “snowball” look, roll the balls in additional arrowroot or tapioca starch—just a light coating will do—since the starch will not enhance the flavor. It’s just for looks! Note: If you’d prefer to roll the balls in coconut sugar or shredded coconut, roll them in one of those options before freezing, so the coating will stick better. Store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to two weeks for best texture. Source: Detoxinista.com/no-bake-pecansnowballs-paleo-vegan
Peanut Butter Cookies (Vegan, Gluten Free) Yields: About 18 cookies 1 cup creamy peanut butter ½ cup coconut sugar ½ cup brown sugar 2 tsp vanilla ⅔ cup oat flour 1 tsp baking soda ¼ tsp salt ¼ cup almond milk Additional sugar to roll cookies in Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter and sugars with a hand mixer. Once combined, add vanilla and continue mixing. Add flour, baking soda, salt and almond milk into the bowl and mix for a few seconds, until combined. The cookie dough will be a little crumbly.
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No-Bake Pecan Snowballs (Grain-Free, Vegan) Yields: 12 balls 1 cup pecan halves ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut 1 cup soft Medjool dates, pitted (about 10 dates) 1 Tbsp coconut oil ½ tsp sea salt ½ tsp vanilla extract ½ cup arrowroot or tapioca starch Extra arrowroot for dusting, or coconut sugar Place the pecans and shredded coconut in a large food processor fitted with an “S”
Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible.
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Peanut Butter Filling: ½ cup creamy natural peanut butter 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup 1 Tbsp melted coconut oil Pinch of sea salt Chocolate Topping: ¼ cup cocoa powder ¼ cup melted coconut oil 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Bars (Vegan, Gluten Free) Chocolate Crust: ¾ cup ground almond meal 2 Tbsp cocoa powder 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup 1 Tbsp melted coconut oil Pinch of sea salt
To prepare the filling, you can use the same bowl to stir the peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil and salt. Depending on whether you’re using salted or unsalted peanut butter, consider adding more salt to taste. Store-bought peanut butter cups are quite salty, so I like to add a generous pinch of salt to mimic that flavor. Remove the
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Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper and set it aside. In a medium bowl, stir together the chocolate crust ingredients until a moist dough is formed. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the lined loaf pan and place it in the freezer to set.
Rinse the mixing bowl and use it again to make the final layer. Combine the cocoa powder, melted coconut oil and maple syrup, whisking well to break up any clumps. Once the mixture has become a smooth chocolate sauce, pour it over the peanut butter layer, and return the pan to the freezer to set until firm, about an hour or two. Once the bars are firm, grab the edges of parchment paper to easily lift the solid bar from the pan, and use a sharp knife to slice the bars into your desired size. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to a month. (The bars become very firm if frozen for too long, so I prefer serving them from the fridge after the initial firming-up time.) Source: Detoxinista.com/no-bake-peanutbutter-cup-bars-vegan
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crust from the freezer and pour the peanut butter filling over the top, using a spatula to spread it out evenly. Return the pan to the freezer to set.
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Many people have found that a regular breathing practice has helped them increase energy and decrease anxiety. ~Rachael Walter
INHALING THE JOY OF LIFE
Conscious Breathwork
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by Marlaina Donato
ur first breath is instinctual and belly-deep, but as we grow into life, everyday stress and trauma can bring us into the shallows. Mindful breathing can help guide our breath back to its original, healthy rhythm. Both the brain and organs benefit from increased oxygen, and the vagus nerve that connects the two—prompted by changes in the body’s pH levels—releases acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for lowering heart rate. Breathwork can improve vagal tone, a major component in a wide range of conditions like depression, pain syndromes, sleep disturbances, anxiety disorders and chronic inflammation. A 2016 study by the Medical University of South Carolina published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine shows a lower number of proteins associated with inflammation in the saliva of participants that employed breathing exercises. A study that appeared in the journal Psychophysiology in 2015 found that 20 minutes of mindful breathing at bedtime fostered a good night’s rest for people with insomnia.
Breathing Breaks
From traditional rebirthing techniques using circular breathing to Middendorf Breath 26
West Michigan Edition
Work for somatic awareness, there are many styles of conscious breathing. The gentler approaches best suit everyday needs and taking a breathing break can actually provide more refreshment than one featuring coffee. “Many people have found that a regular breathing practice has helped them increase energy and decrease anxiety. It is a powerful tool to reset the nervous system when we’re overwhelmed and stressed,” says Somatic Breath Therapy (SBT) practitioner Rachael Walter, owner of Breathe-HereNow, in Keene, New Hampshire. Like many forms of breathwork, SBT bridges the chasm between mind and body. “Conscious breathing can also help people access and understand their emotions,” notes Walter. Pranayama, an ancient technique of yoga that focuses on breath control and employs alternate nostril breathing, can be performed while lying down, seated or on the yoga mat. Kundalini yoga teacher Melissa Crowder, owner of 4 States Yoga, in Joplin, Missouri, advises students to start out slowly, three to six minutes a day, and then work up to a longer practice. “Alternate nostril breathing is a great practice for everyone. As little as six minutes of yogic breathing, as needed, can make a profound difference in decreasing pain and stress,” she says.
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Belly Benefits The American Lung Association recommends a variety of exercises, including diaphragmatic (belly) breathing, for conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Engaging the diaphragm is key in breathing to fullest capacity. Walter explains, “An open, healthy breath is one in which we use the diaphragm to initiate the breath, followed by the belly expanding and the breath moving into the chest.” Most of us unconsciously fall into shallow and sometimes self-conscious breathing patterns at an early age. “During my training, I read that by age 6, we pick up on cues telling us to tuck in our tummies. This simple, bad habit begins a cascade of physiological responses. Upper chest breathing can create anxiety symptoms and poor digestion,” explains Colleen Breeckner, owner of Colleen Lila Yoga, in New York City. “Diaphragmatic breathing causes the diaphragm to become flat and wide, and in turn, presses upon the stomach and helps to churn the gastric juices. For this reason, it can aid earlier stages of digestion.” When used in conjunction with other modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, diaphragmatic breathing might be beneficial for irritable bowel syndrome.
Breathing Into Feelings The depth and quality of the breath can help us to become aware of emotional states that include “holding patterns”. “Conscious breathing is a doorway into deep meditation, which can help alleviate anger and insecurities. It can also be helpful in dropping addictions,” says Crowder. “Linking pranayama with physical movement [asanas] helps to release tension and emotions that can be held in the body’s soft tissues.” Breeckner agrees, “Developing this awareness can help us to move unpleasant and stuck emotions through the body.” Well-being can be just a breath away, says Walter. “When we open up our breath, we open ourselves to a fuller experience of being human. It has the capacity to bring us into the present moment to access our joy and our life’s purpose.” Marlaina Donato is an author and a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
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fit body
Uses for Activated Charcoal by Lena Wilson
C
harcoal has been used since ancient times to prevent poisoning in humans, to purify water and remove odors. Today it is sometimes used as an emergency medical treatment for overdoses and poisonings. In recent years, knowledge of charcoal’s usefulness has resurfaced among the general public and has been further developed into activated charcoal with an array of uses. Charcoal’s properties largely come from its ability to adsorb other substances, which means that other substance adhere to the surfaces of charcoal, kind of like a magnet. Modern activated charcoal (AC) products have a surface area of at least 1,000 meters squared—it is a very, very fine powder. More surface area means higher adsorbent power. AC is made by carbonizing and oxidizing, or ‘activating’, carbon rich materials. Activation empties bonding sites. It also reduces pore size and increases the number of holes in each molecule, thereby increasing surface area. Simply put, activation greatly improves the adsorbent quality. The specific conditions of how the original material is carbonized and activated affects the quality of the product. There are two main ways activated charcoal is made: Physical Activation involves carbonization of carbon rich materials by exposing them to high heat and then activation of the resulting char by exposing it high temperatures with carbon dioxide, steam, air or some mixture of oxidizing gases present; Chemical Activation involves usage of a chemical agent such as zinc chloride, potassium hydroxide, phosphoric acid or potassium carbonate, which raises environmental protection concerns. In addition to how AC is made, it’s important to know what the activated charcoal is made from when considering internal use and environmental impact. For internal consumption, charcoal made
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from coconut shells is considered by many to be the highest quality. Overall, AC is made from agricultural ‘wastes’ that are renewable and abundant such as rice husk, wood, jujube seeds, durian peel, corn cobs, coconut shells, walnut shells, banana peels and bamboo. Some uses of AC are well-known, such as water purification systems with AC filters, air filters and cartridges for respirators, bags that adsorb odors near problems areas in the home such as the trash or pet areas and in skin care products. Environmentally, large-scale bioremediation uses AC to adsorb heavy metals, organic pollutants and dyes from water. Other uses of AC are still undergoing testing but could be coming more into the mainstream as the efficacy is proven. For personal use, AC is an ingredient in some new toothpastes, possibly helping with odor elimination and having an antibacterial effect in the mouth. It is used as an ingredient in some deodorants, which helps with odor control. In addition, AC tablets that are available over the counter as supplements are said to reduce excessive intestinal gas and alleviate upset stomach. Medical research is being done to see if certain types of AC can promote kidney function by removing undigested urinary toxins and other waste products in addition to adsorbing harmful microbe from wounds. As with any supplement or treatment, it is wise to consult your physician regarding use of complementary therapies. For example, since AC can adsorb substances in the stomach and intestines, it could also reduce efficacy of medication by reducing the amount of medicine available for your body to absorb. Lena Wilson is the owner of Health Hutt. Find this supplement and more at all Health Hutt locations. Visit TheHealthHutt.com. See ad, page 12.
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The Generous Heart How Giving Transforms Us
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by Cindy Ricardo
ne of the ways we come into balance and connection with each other and with life is by giving from the heart. When we give to others, whether it’s an act of kindness, generosity or compassion, it helps us live from the heart instead of the ego. Living from the ego is painful and exhausting. It’s like feeding a hungry monster that’s never satisfied. Ego craves, pursues and clings to status, approval, material wealth and control. It views the world through the eyes of fear—constantly evaluating, judging and acting in ways that are self-centered, defensive and protective. Like with Scrooge, ego closes our heart and makes us small, fearful and contracted. By contrast, generosity requires that we open our hearts to the world and each other. We allow ourselves to be vulnerable. In doing this, we open ourselves fully to life, love and relationships. We let go of striving and pursuing things. When we stop striving, we begin to see, value and respond to what’s happening in the present moment in ways that are healthy and healing. Our priority shifts from acquiring things to appreciating what we have and being open to sharing with others. Generosity is a quality of kindness, of living from a place of abundance. We see the world through a clear lens that isn’t clouded by fear, wanting or clinging. When we interact with others, our connection is
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genuine. We see people instead of judgments or labels. Being generous arises from the heart, not the wallet. We don’t need to have material wealth in order to be generous. The only requirement is a willingness to open our hearts, to see life as it is and to interact with others from a place of compassion and love. Some examples of generous acts are: n Doing a household chore without being asked. n Setting aside what we’re doing and listening to someone in need of emotional support. n Telling loved ones what we appreciate about them. n Listening to children and trying to see the world through their eyes before offering advice. n Smiling at a stranger. n When asking, “How are you?” looking into the person’s eyes and taking time to truly listen with an attitude of curiosity and compassion. Generosity awakens goodness in the heart, and this helps us open to life, love and relationships. Cindy Ricardo is a Coral Springs, Floridabased psychotherapist who blogs at ACaringCounselor.com.
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healthy kids
Refresh Holiday Traditions Making the Old New and Green by Ronica A. O’Hara
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elebrating classic holiday traditions the same way we always have—and maybe the way our parents and grandparents did—is part of the rich family heritage we pass on to our children. These family rituals are binding, grounding, memorable and much more, says Saul Levine, M.D., professor emeritus in psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. A survey of 50 years of family research published in the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Family Psychology found that family holiday rituals, as well as everyday routines like family dinners and bedtime stories, build stronger family relationships, enhance children’s health and academic achievement, help teenagers’ sense of personal identity and even boost marital satisfaction. It’s also natural and perhaps inevitable that these traditions undergo changes over the years. “If people from only five or six generations ago could see our modern Christmas, they’d barely recognize it,” says Brian Earl, host of the popular Christmas Past podcast that chronicles holiday traditions. “New trends and customs become traditions in time; every generation has
its opportunity to add new chapters to the narrative and continue the story.” For Elizabeth Newcamp, Christmas festivities took an eco-turn for her military family of five when they were living for a few years in the Netherlands, where “Sinterklaas” traditionally delivers gifts in reusable burlap bags. “In an effort to reduce wrapping paper, we now use the sacks on Christmas,” says Newcamp, who blogs about family travel at DutchDutchGoose.com. She and her husband Jeff also ask for and give experiences as gifts whenever possible; their 7-year-old son asked if he could organize a little library for their Navarre, Florida, neighborhood. Anyone that wants to send gifts to their sons is asked to find them used. “I don’t think we’ve lessened any of the fun of the holidays, but hopefully we are eliminating some of the waste,” she says. For many years, Ginny Underwood’s family in Bluffton, South Carolina, would dress up and go to a restaurant on Christmas Eve, exchange gifts and then return home to watch a movie or play board games. Last year, they tried something new: staying home, putting on pajamas, eating cottage pie and playing handmade “Minute
to Win It” games that Underwood, a professional organizer who blogs at VirginiasEasyLivingSolutions.com, created. “We had a blast; we didn’t stop laughing all night,” she says. “We saved hundreds of dollars and we had a lovely time.” Lighting red, green and black candles while focusing on principles like unity, selfdetermination or purpose are key in the seven-day Kwanzaa celebrations; but, “Instead of just lighting the candle amongst friends and family and discussing, I want my family to spend that day exemplifying the principle,” says Vanessa Davis, executive director of the nonprofit African Village International, in Jacksonville, Florida. Now her children meditate, journal and practice mindfulness to learn about self-determination; volunteer or pick up trash outdoors to learn about collective work and responsibilities; and buy something at a locally-owned store and discuss future finances for cooperative economics. “I was inspired to change because Kwanzaa isn’t really a religious holiday, but it is a darn good way to reflect on the past year and goal-set for the future,” she says. “Giving children more hands-on experiences for Hanukkah and taking the emphasis off of ‘What am I going to get?’ makes the holiday more meaningful for the kids,” concurs Pamela Morris, early childhood education director at the East Valley Jewish Community Center, in Chandler, Arizona. Each Hanukkah evening, her family of five lights a menorah and says traditional prayers while also volunteering to wrap food packages at a local Feed My Starving Children event, crafting personal menorahs at a pottery studio, going to see Phoenix ZooLights and gathering to make the traditional potato latkes or jelly donuts. “Each night is a focus on family time and welcoming friends to join us,” she says. By observing and evolving traditions, family bonds can strengthen through time, relates Earl: “By participating in holiday rituals, children are learning about who they are. And by passing them down, parents reaffirm what’s important to them and keep the connection to the past intact.” Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based natural-health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com. December 2019
29
A New Generation Spurs Change
Safe and Eco-Smart Toys by Julie Peterson
T
he pet aisles are so full of squeaking, plush and colorful toys it can make a dog or cat parent’s head spin like a Frisbee. Add blinking lights, flavors, promises of higher intelligence or cleaner teeth; then toss in concerns about sustainably sourced materials, potentially toxic ingredients and varying degrees of quality. The choices are complex. It would be nice to look for that gold seal of approval from the Pet Toy Regulatory Agency. But don’t bother: There is no such thing. It’s all up to the consumer to figure it out.
The Problem Is Real
Concern regarding toxicants in children’s toys and the realization that they posed a risk of chemical exposure led to regulatory protections. “Similar safeguards do not exist for pets, even though they exhibit similar chewing and mouthing behaviors,” says Philip N. Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of terrestrial ecotoxicology at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. “Owner education is key to limiting unintentional chemical exposure.” According to a 2013 study co-authored by Smith and published in the journal 30
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Chemosphere, common endocrine-disrupting chemical toxins in plastics can enter a dog’s body through saliva. Concentrations of leachable chemicals can increase in older, degraded toys, according to the National Institutes of Health. For anyone that has ever had a pet destroy a toy faster than it takes to calculate the cost per second, durable construction may be the highest concern. After all, if the toy is vigorously ripped to shreds, pieces may be swallowed. The most immediate issue becomes intestinal blockage. This is a common problem for cats and dogs with a propensity to eat garbage, plants and holiday decorations. But when we spend good money on actual toys, we would like to think that it won’t lead to surgery. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee. Poorly constructed toys have required many pet owners to watch for the parts to pass through the animal or, worse yet, make a trip to the vet. Even if a toy seems sturdy, it’s best to observe the animal with the toy. Charlotte Easterling, a graphic designer in Madison, Wisconsin, learned this from her
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Shopping for Safety Experts offer some guidelines for ways consumers can choose harmless toys: 4 Be suspicious of toys manufactured overseas or cheap ones made in the U.S. 4 Contact the manufacturer and ask if toys contain phthalates, BPA, arsenic, bromine, chemical dyes, chromium or formaldehyde. 4 Look for toys made with ingredients from nature (hemp, leather or wool). 4 Find a pet supply store that has natural, safe and sustainably sourced products. 4 Inspect toys periodically for loose parts and watch the pet with new toys. 4 If a pet plays with a toy and then acts oddly, contact the vet. Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin. Connect at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.
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Perfect Pet Presents
The American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Pet Owners Survey provides insight into the demographics, buying habits and other traits of dog, cat, bird, small animal, reptile, fish and horse owners. The 2019-2020 survey shows that about 85 million U.S. homes, or 67 percent, include a pet. This leads to a lot of money flowing into the pet toy and care community. Annually, dog owners spend about $124 and cat owners spend about $89 on treats and toys. The survey also indicates that Millennials are the largest pet-owning demographic. “The pet care community is doing a great job of meeting the demands of a new generation by offering a range of products made from sustainable, recycled and upcycled materials,” says Steve King, CEO of APPA, in Stamford, Connecticut. King notes it’s expected that as Gen Z pet owners begin to assert themselves in the marketplace, we will see more products based on sustainability and transparency.
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cat, Hazel, who choked on a common cat toy. “She was playing with a glitter ball and then started meowing kind of frantically, scrambling around and pawing at her face. I jumped up and pulled the ball out of her mouth,” recalls Easterling. Hazel only gets big glitter balls these days.
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Seven years without a cold?
had colds going round and round, but not me.” Some users say it also helps with sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a 2-day sinus headache. When her CopperZap arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” she said. “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” Some users say copper stops By Doug Cornell nighttime stuffiness if used just before cientists recently discovered time. He hasn’t had a single cold for 7 bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had a way to kill viruses and years since. in years.” bacteria. He asked relatives and friends to try Copper can also stop flu if used early Now thousands of people are using it it. They said it worked for them, too, so and for several days. Lab technicians to stop colds and flu. he patented CopperZap™ and put it on placed 25 million live flu viruses on a Colds start the market. CopperZap. No viruses were found alive when cold viruses Soon hundreds soon after. get in your nose. of people had Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams Viruses multiply tried it and given confirming the discovery. He placed fast. If you don’t feedback. Nearly millions of disease germs on copper. stop them early, 100% said the “They started to die literally as soon as they spread and copper stops colds they touched the surface,” he said. cause misery. if used within 3 People have even used copper on In hundreds hours after the first cold sores and say it can completely of studies, EPA sign. Even up to prevent outbreaks. New research: Copper stops colds if used early. and university 2 days, if they The handle is researchers have confirmed that viruses still get the cold it is milder than usual curved and finely and bacteria die almost instantly when and they feel better. textured to improve touched by copper. Users wrote things like, “It stopped contact. It kills germs That’s why ancient Greeks and my cold right away,” and “Is it picked up on fingers Egyptians used copper to purify water supposed to work that fast?” and hands to protect and heal wounds. They didn’t know “What a wonderful thing,” wrote you and your family. about microbes, but now we do. Physician’s Assistant Julie. “No more Copper even kills Dr. Bill Keevil: Copper quickly kills Scientists say the high conductance colds for me!” deadly germs that cold viruses. of copper disrupts the electrical balance Pat McAllister, 70, received one have become resistant in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in for Christmas and called it “one of the to antibiotics. If you are near sick seconds. best presents ever. This little jewel really people, a moment of handling it may Tests by the EPA (Environmental works.” keep serious infection away. It may even Protection Agency) show germs die Now thousands of users have simply save a life. fast on copper. So some hospitals tried stopped getting colds. The EPA says copper still works copper for touch surfaces like faucets People often use CopperZap even when tarnished. It kills hundreds of and doorknobs. This cut the spread of preventively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci different disease germs so it can prevent MRSA and other illnesses by over half, used to get colds after crowded flights. serious or even fatal illness. and saved lives. Though skeptical, she tried it several CopperZap is made in America of The strong scientific evidence gave times a day on travel days for 2 months. pure copper. It has a 90-day full money inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When “Sixteen flights and not a sniffle!” she back guarantee. It is $69.95. he felt a cold about to start he fashioned exclaimed. Get $10 off each CopperZap with a smooth copper probe and rubbed it Businesswoman Rosaleen says when code NATA15. Go to www.CopperZap.com or call gently in his nose for 60 seconds. people are sick around her she uses “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold CopperZap morning and night. “It saved toll-free 1-888-411-6114. Buy once, use forever. never got going.” It worked again every me last holidays,” she said. “The kids ADVERTORIAL
Copper in new device stops cold and flu
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calendar of events ALL MONTH LONG
BVI School of Ayurveda Accepting Applications: Ayurvedic Consultant Certificate Program. Webinar and On-Site Courses, one weekend a month. State Licensed. NAMA Member. The Sambodh Society, Inc. 6363 N. 24th St., Kalamazoo. Info and Catalog: AyurvedaMichigan.org or 269-381-4946.
MONDAY DECEMBER 2
How Hemp Can Help – 6pm. Dr. Weessies will discuss pain relief, anxiety relief, stress relief. How CBD can help with PTSD, depression, migraines, seizure and convulsion reduction, inflammation reduction, and more. CBD and the endocannabinoid system. CBD classifications. The Gleason Center, 19084 North Fruitport Rd, Spring Lake. Info: 616-846-5410 or online at TheGleasonCenter.com
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5
Zentangle®: Gifts of Gold – 6:30-8:30pm. The Zentangle Method® is a form of artistic expression and meditation that allows you to create beautiful images using techniques of drawing structured patterns and reflective prompts. Immerse yourself in creative mindfulness as you tangle with gold ink on black tiles. $25. Dominican Center at Marywood. 2025 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids. To register or for info visit DominicanCenter.com.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
Gentle Yoga – 9-10am. Enjoy 60 minutes of gentle movements and stretching with Kari Jo of Holy Ground Yoga Fit. We will discover the places in our bodies that need some extra love & attention and work toward increasing the range of motion in our joints and overall flexibility. This Christ-centered practice is designed with the seasoned and wise in mind. However, anyone will reap benefits as we move our bodies and listen for what the Spirit might want to reveal. $15/person. PrivaMD, 16986 Robbins Rd, Ste 180, Grand Haven. For more info & to purchase tickets, visit PrivaMD.org/events or call 616-213-0253.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
Enneagram and Relationships – 9am-4pm. Using the Enneagram tool, discover ways to strengthen and create healthy relationships by understanding the role you play in them and by deepening your awareness of how others approach a relationship with you. $85, includes continental breakfast and lunch. Dominican Center at Marywood. 2025 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids. To register or for info visit DominicanCenter.com. An Evening to Be Untitled – 6-8pm. Join us in our first Artist Showcase featuring Rachael Bogdans of Untitled Studios. Rachael will be featuring a series of paintings too imaginative for words. An Evening to be Untitled celebrates those parts of ourselves that long to lose the labels so that our true authenticity can shine. Artist Q&A at 7pm. Free admission with snacks and kombucha provided. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. TheRemedyHouse.org. 616-443-4225.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
Discover the Spiritual Laws of Life by Eckankar – 10-11am. How can we shape our lives and destiny to live in harmony? Monthly ECK Light and Sound Service. Free. Dominican Center at
Marywood, Rm 4, 2025 E Fulton, Grand Rapids. Visit ECK-MI.org. Contact hu4heart@gmail.com or 269-370-7170.
Santa, his helper, and pet Santa’s live reindeer. Free. The Momentum Center for Social Engagement, 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven.
Girls Sunday Afternoon SIP, SHOP, SAVE – Noon-4pm. SIP organic beverages, SHOP Holiday gifts, SAVE 20% on total purchase. When done shopping for everyone else, fill out your wish list so we can share it with the man in your life during our December 19 guys shopping w/bourbon tasting & gift wrapping night. Serendipite Organiques and Flicker + Gem, 2458 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9
Community Yoni Steam – 6:30-8pm. Join Becky Haderer & Megan Lendman for a community practice of yoni steaming. Also called vaginal steaming, V-Steam or Bajos, all women can benefit from this ancient healing ritual but it is especially healing if you have period cramps, brown blood, clots, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, are healing postpartum, have bladder, yeast or vaginal infections. We will be steaming together but no one will see your yoni and you are not required to steam if you just want more info. Intake forms will be completed onsite to confirm no contraindications before steaming. Class fee of $20. Register in advance, space for walk-ins. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. TheRemedyHouse.org. 616-443-4225.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
Body Scan: Slow Flow Yoga – 7-8pm. Do you hold tension in your body? We all do. Join Kari Jo of Holy Ground Yoga Fit to help release any built-up tension in this 60-minute practice focusing on our typical tension retaining areas: face, shoulders & neck, low back and hips. Allow the love of God to fill you and nourish your soul in this Christ-centered practice. $15/person. PrivaMD, 16986 Robbins Rd, Ste 180, Grand Haven. For more info & to purchase tickets, visit PrivaMD.org/events or call 616-213-0253. Gentle Yoga – 7-8pm. Enjoy 60 minutes of gentle movements and stretching with Kari Jo of Holy Ground Yoga Fit. We will slowly build heat within our bodies to enable us to safely get deeper into stretches, increasing range of motion in our joints and overall flexibility. This practice is for all levels. Beginner to advanced practitioners will reap benefits as we move our bodies and listen for what the Spirit might want to reveal. $15/person, $10/PrivaMD member. PrivaMD, 16986 Robbins Rd, Ste 180, Grand Haven. For more info & to purchase tickets, visit PrivaMD.org/events or call 616-213-0253. Keto Clinic – 7pm. Keto cooking and intermittent fasting has many benefits to the body and mind. Learn how in this class. $10. The Gleason Center, 19084 North Fruitport Rd, Spring Lake. Info: 616-846-5410 or online at TheGleasonCenter.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13
Full Moon Women’s Circle – 7-9pm. Megan Lendman will guide a circle of women through meditation, story, and song. This is a space for sister support and expression. All women are welcome. Limited capacity of 12. Sliding scale donations of $10-35. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. TheRemedyHouse.org. 616-443-4225.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
Santa in Centertown – 11am-2pm. Throughout the day, vendors will offer gifts, discounts and activities in Grand Haven’s Centertown. Families can meet
Reiki Share – 10am-Noon & 6-8pm. Check out what reiki is all about, and have a mini session done. Open to those that know reiki and those that don’t. $10-$35 donations welcome. Register in advance, call ahead day of to find out if there is space for walk-ins. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. TheRemedyHouse.org. 616-443-4225.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17
Outward Signs of Inward Problems – 10am-11am & 6-7pm. Learn about how to evaluate your body signs and what it is telling you about your health. Taught by Mallory Feyen, Natural Health Therapist. Class fee of $10. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. TheRemedyHouse. org. 616-443-4225.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18
Sound of Soul by Eckankar – 7-8pm. Experience chanting HU (inward or aloud) a charged name for God that spiritually uplifts people of any belief. Free. Dominican Center at Marywood, Rm 4, 2025 E Fulton, Grand Rapids. Visit ECK-MI.org. Contact hu4heart@gmail.com or 269-370-7170.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
Guys Shopping Evening w/Bourbon Tasting – 4-8pm. Calling all last-minute shopping dudes. Let us help choose holiday gifts that are sure to be adored. If your loved one came to our December 8 event, we’ll even have their wish list to make things easier. Organic Bourbon and Free gift wrapping provided. Serendipite Organiques and Flicker + Gem, 2458 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
Gentle Yoga – 9-10am. Enjoy 60 minutes of gentle movements and stretching with Kari Jo of Holy Ground Yoga Fit. We will discover the places in our bodies that need some extra love & attention and work toward increasing the range of motion in our joints and overall flexibility. This Christ-centered practice is designed with the seasoned and wise in mind. However, anyone will reap benefits as we move our bodies and listen for what the Spirit might want to reveal. $15/ person. PrivaMD, 16986 Robbins Rd, Ste 180, Grand Haven. For more info & to purchase tickets, visit PrivaMD.org/events or call 616-213-0253. Advanced Reiki Skills Workshop – 6:30-8:30pm. You must have a Reiki Certification to attend, all certification levels welcome. For the serious student who wants to develop their skills with reiki. Key topics include, understanding how to work with your clients, understanding energies and the body systems, and developing your own abilities. Taught by Jamie VanDam, Reiki Master. Workshop fee is $30. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. TheRemedyHouse.org. 616-443-4225.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
Inspire – 10am-1pm. The December Inspire will focus on emotions and money. Free. The Momentum Center for Social Engagement, 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Community Yoni Steam – 6:30-8:00pm. Join Becky Haderer & Megan Lendman for a community practice of Yoni Steaming. Also called vaginal steaming,
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V-Steam or Bajos, all women can benefit from this ancient healing ritual but it is especially healing if you have period cramps, brown blood, clots, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, are healing postpartum, have bladder, yeast or vaginal infections. We will be steaming together but no one will see your yoni and you are not required to steam if you just want more info. Intake forms will be completed onsite to confirm no contraindications before steaming. Class fee of $20. Register in advance, space for walk-ins. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. TheRemedyHouse.org. 616-443-4225.
on going events
SUNDAY
Restorative Yoga is an antidote to stress. Bodhi Tree Yoga & Wellness Studio, 208 W 18th St, Holland. Info: MiBodhiTree.com, 616-392-7580.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27
Yogi’s Choice – 4pm. This class is taught by various instructor’s and the choice is up to them. All classes are designed to leave you feeling invigorated, refreshed, and restored. Several genres may be taught in this class or just one. Including Gentle Flow, Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Restorative, or Yin. Always changing and always fun. All Levels to Level 1-2 (check class schedule for level) Bodhi Tree Yoga & Wellness Studio, 208 W 18th St, Holland. Visit MIBodhiTree. com or call 616-392-7580 for info.
Qigong and TaiChi Easy Class – 10:15-11:15am. Qigong and Tai Chi Easy™ are moving meditations which use slow graceful movements and controlled breathing techniques to strengthen the mind-body connection, reduce stress and improve circulation thereby enhancing overall health. Bodhi Tree Yoga & Wellness Studio, 208 W 18th St, Holland. Info: MIbodhitree.com, 616-392-7580.
Free Dinner and a Movie Night – 6pm. Join us for the free monthly dinner and a movie night. Dinner will begin at 6pm followed by a film at 7pm. Food will be provided, and side dishes are welcome. Free. The Momentum Center for Social Engagement, 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven.
save the date Save The Date Events Must be submitted online each month at NaturalWestMichigan.com. Events priced $80 or more require a corresponding display ad. There is a $40 charge per listing, up to 50 words. Current advertisers, distribution sites or nonprofits, use this listing in place of your two free listings.
mark your calendar WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1
New Years Day Yoga – 10am-Noon. Make 2020 the best yet with an energetic all levels Flow followed by a Restorative & Yoga Nidra class. While we will have some props onsite for you to use, the supply will be limited. We recommend you bring some mats, blankets, bolster, pillows, blocks. $20 per person. Space is unlimited. Holland Civic Center Place, 150 W 8th St, Holland. Register at MIbodhitree.com or call 616-392-7580. Rainbow Therapy Chakra Series – 6-8pm. This 9-week class is designed to give proactive support to those who are struggling with day-to-day pressures of anxiety and depression and those that desire to generally work their emotions through a holistic approach. We will tap into the seven main energy centers of the body, known as the chakras, teaching ways of understanding, coping and developing emotions throughout troubled times. $349 fee includes all materials needed for class. Must register by December 28. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. TheRemedyHouse.org. 616-443-4225. 34
West Michigan Edition
NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Or visit NaturalWestMichigan.com/submitcalendar-event to submit online. No phone calls or faxes, please. Deadline is the 15th of the month prior to publication.
Narcotics Anonymous: Just for Today – 9-10am. Free. Momentum Center Annex, 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Call Jessica for more info: 616-632-4775. Meditation-Self Realization Fellowship – 1011am. Every Sunday we gather to meditate, chant, & explore the wisdom of the Hindu/Yoga tradition as taught by Paramhansa Yogananda. Free will offering. Marywood Center 2025 Fulton, Grand Rapids. Info: Fred Stella 616-451-8041, GrandRapids.srf@gmail. com, GRSRF.org Sunday Worship and Youth Services – 10:30am. A warm and inviting New Thought Spiritual Community, inclusive and accepting of all, honoring diversity, for those seeking spiritual truth. Unity of Grand Rapids, 1711 Walker Ave. NW, Grand Rapids. Info: UnityGRoffice@gmail.com or 616-453-9909. Celebration Services – 10:30am. Join us each Sunday for our Sunday Celebration Service. Unity is a positive, peaceful path for spiritual living. We offer spiritual teachings and programs that empower a life of meaning, purpose, and abundance in all good things. We seek to discover the “universal” spiritual truths that apply to all religions. Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Dr., SE, Ada. Info: office@Unitycsg.org or 616-682-7812. Spirit Space Sunday Worship – 10:30am. An interfaith, non-denominational gathering place for worship and spiritual enrichment. Join for inspiring messages called Reasoning’s. Spirit Space, 3493 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck. Info: 616-836-1555 or Spirit-Space.org Sunday Series – 6pm. Explore spirituality, universal truths, self-mastery and balanced, positive, loving and joyful living with The Coptic Center and their ongoing offering of enlightening ministers, teachers and guest presenters. Love offering. 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr, Grand Rapids. Info: TheCopticCenter.org
MONDAY Restorative Yoga – 6:45-8pm. All levels are welcome and encouraged to come learn gentle yet powerful poses for the body, mind and spirit. Through these postures one will be seeking and finding balance. This balance will recharge, refresh and rejuvenate.
NaturalWestMichigan.com
Support Group: for Loss of Loved One Due to Addiction – 6-7:30pm. First Monday of every month. This support group is for those who have lost a loved one due to addiction, including, but not limited to death due to drug overdose, addiction-related disease, and suicide. Free. The Momentum Center Annex, 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Info: MomentumCenterGH.org, 616-632-4775. 3rd Monday Support Group – 7-8:30pm. This support group is available for parents, guardians and caregivers of teenagers and pre-teens facilitated by Nicki Kubec, LMSW. Free. Momentum Center, 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Info: 616-414-9111. A practice of A Course in Miracles – 7-8:30pm. Learn miracle-mindedness. Got joy? This is how to have it. Hint: You already do. All are welcome. Free. Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids. 616-458-5095.
TUESDAY Treat Others Tuesday – 10am-7pm on Dec 3,10,17. 10am-2pm on Dec 24. The spirit of giving, treat yourself Tuesday in December will be “Treat Others Tuesday”. Autism is a part of Haylea’s life, and mine, so we’re donating 20% of Serendipite Organiques and Flicker + Gem sales to Autism Support of Kent County (ASK). Help us reach our goal of $300. Serendipite Organiques and Flicker + Gem, 2458 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids. 3 Principles of the Path to Enlightenment – 7-8:30pm. Based on a text by 14th century master and founder of the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism, Je Tsong Khapa, this course explores the spiritual determination to be free, unlimited compassion and the nature of reality. 1758 N. 10th St, Kalamazoo. Yoga Basics for Beginners Series – 7:15pm. We will explore basic postures (asana) to get you moving and breathing techniques (pranayama) to deepen your breath capacity. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that you can move and stretch in, bring a no sweat water bottle (optional) and yoga mat. Don’t have a yoga mat? No problem, we have extra for you to use. Space is limited - Pre-registration & pre-payment required. $80 for series only, $115 for Beginner Package (6 weeks series plus one-month unlimited yoga to start after series is finished, no exceptions). Visit MIBodhiTree.com or call 616-392-7580 for more info.
Reiki Share/Outreach – 6-9pm. 2nd Tuesdays of the month. Free reiki sessions open to the public and all reiki practitioners who would like to help or practice reiki. A reiki session/treatment feels like a glowing, warm energy radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats one with many beneficial healing effects that include reduction in stress, anxiety, pain and discomforts. Reiki sessions creates relaxation, feelings of peace, security and well-being. Unity Church, 2052 Bourdon St, Muskegon. For more info contact 231-329-9184 or Lrosencransphd@hotmail.com. Peer Support Group: for Parents of Children with Disabilities – 7-8:30pm. Third Tuesday of every month. Led by Laura Marcus-Nolan, these meeting are an opportunity to share stories and discover resources with other parents of children with developmental disabilities. Free. Momentum Center Annex, 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Info: MomentumCenterGH.org. Chair Yoga – 10:30-11:30am. Chair Yoga uses a chair for greater support and stability. With an emphasis on breath, alignment, and moving at one’s own pace, Chair Yoga brings simplicity to the practice and easeful connection with the healing and restorative benefits yoga offers. This class it taught by Kathy Julien. $10 per session. 2025 Fulton St East, Grand Rapids. Register: dominicancenter. com, 616-514-3325. A Course in Miracles – 9:30-11am. A complete self-study spiritual thought system. It teaches that the way to universal peace is by undoing guilt through forgiving others. The Course focuses on the healing of relationships and making them holy. It expresses a non-sectarian, non-denominational spirituality. Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Dr., SE, Ada. Info: Unitycsg.org. 616-682-7812.
WEDNESDAY Chakra Vinyasa Yoga Class – 6:30-7:30pm. Take some time to care for and connect with yourself by slowing down and moving your body through space in an intentional way. Each class will focus on one of the seven main chakras (energy centers/ endocrine glands) located in your body. This is a small class of only seven students max which will create an intimate environment for you to focus on your needs and which will allow you to receive more personalized instruction for deeper growth. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. TheRemedyHouse.org. 616-443-4225. Chakradance™: 7 Keys to Freedom – 6:308:30pm. Oct 30 – Dec 11. 7-week course. Participants are brought back into balance and experience wellbeing through guided meditation, mandala work and the Chakradance™ itself. It is a healing movement practice for the chakras, body and the soul. No dance or meditation experience needed. $120 early bird if paid by Oct 1st or $140 thereafter. The Wellness Collective, 1324 Lake Dr SE, Grand Rapids. Register at SacredPathways1@gmail.com or 616-635-8281. Smart Recovery – 6-7:30pm. Recovery through Self-Empowerment: the purpose is to help participants gain independence from any addictive behavior. Individuals seeking recovery should be fully informed about the range of recovery options and free to choose among them. This program encourages participants to take responsibility for their
own recovery. The meetings support their capacity to regulate their own behavior. Free. 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Info: MomentumCenterGH.org. A Course in Miracles – 9:30-11am. A Course in Miracles begins. Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God. As its title implies, the course is arranged throughout as a teaching device. It consists of three books: Text, workbook for students, and manual for teachers. The order in which students choose to use the books, and the ways in which they study them, depend on their particular needs and preferences. Come for a study group. We have an open door policy, meaning guests can come anytime. Guests do not have to attend every week. Love offering. 6025 Ada Dr., SE, Ada. Info: Office@unitycsg.org. The Law of Attraction Speaking Club – 6:308pm. Do you want to learn how to apply the law of attraction in your life and in your business? We are a group of like-minded individuals who support each other in our growth. Come to Toastmasters where we provide a supportive learning experience where individuals can become better communicators and leaders. Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Dr., SE, Ada. Info: lawOfAttractiontm@gmail.com or 616-717-3203. Meditation – 6-7pm. Every Wednesday we meet in our meditation room from 6-7pm. We begin and end meditation time with live, native flute music. Join us for the full hour or any part of the time. Call 616836-1555 for more info or visit our meditation page to learn more. 3493 Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck. Info: Info@Spirit-Space.org.
THURSDAY Sacred Self-Care: Well-Being for Every Body – 6-7:15pm. Join Susan Duesbery to care for your whole self (body, mind, and spirit) by committing to self-care as a sacred practice. This free, weekly class will have an inclusive spiritual focus that weaves together meditation, breath work, guided imagery, chair yoga, and deep relaxation. All are welcome. No yoga experience is necessary. Class and parking are free. First Park Congregational Church, 10 E Park Place, NE, Grand Rapids. For info visit SusanDuesbery.com. Restorative Yoga – 7-8pm. Calm the mind and nourish the body with Restorative Yoga. Restorative poses are held on a mat and deeply supported with yoga props. The practice seeks to balance the physical, mental, and spiritual while also experiencing profound rest and relaxation. Taught by Kathy Julien, certified yoga instructor. $10/session. Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 Fulton St East, Grand Rapids. Info and register: DominicanCenter.com, 616-514-3325. Gentle Yoga – 5:30 - 6:30pm. This gentle class offers a peaceful session to gradually build strength and range of motion. With this quiet practice, experience how mindful movement and breath work can deliver much needed nurturing, rest, and clarity. Taught by Kathy Julien, certified yoga instructor. $10/session. Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 Fulton St East, Grand Rapids. Info and register: DominicanCenter. com, 616-514-3325.
the practice and easeful connection with the healing and restorative benefits yoga offers. Taught by Kathy Julien, certified yoga instructor. $10/session. Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 Fulton St East, Grand Rapids. Info: DominicanCenter.com, 616-514-3325. Restorative Yoga – 12-1:15pm & 7:15- 8:30pm. All levels are welcome and encouraged to come learn gentle yet powerful poses for the body, mind and spirit. Through these postures one will be seeking and finding balance. This balance will recharge, refresh and rejuvenate. Restorative Yoga is an antidote to stress. Bodhi Tree Yoga & Wellness Studio, 208 W 18th St, Holland. Info: MiBodhiTree.com, 616-392-7580.
FRIDAY Dinner and Movie Night – 6-9pm. The last Friday of every month, we offer a free dinner & movie night for the whole community. Anyone can join us- we love making new friends. We’ll be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs to have dinner at 6pm. Feel free to bring a dish to pass, or just come as you are. Then at 7pm, we’ll be starting the movie. Momentum Center, 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Info: 616-414-9111 or online at MomentumCenterGH.org 3rd Friday Narcan Training and Distribution – 12-2pm. Red Project offers Free Narcan Training and Distribution for those interested. This event is held the Third Friday of every month from 12:00pm2:00pm. Free. The Momentum Center, 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Info: 616-414-9111 or online at MomentumCenterGH.org
SATURDAY Reiki Classes – 9am-6pm. Reiki is a natural physicalemotional-mental and spiritual healing system. Reiki empowers one too immediately to transmit healing energy frequencies directly and at a distant. Reiki energy works on oneself, family, friends, clients, pets, plants and wildlife. Reiki reduces stress, anxiety, depression, headaches, pain and suffering. $75. Unity Church, 2052 Bourdon St, Muskegon. For more info contact 231-329-9184 or Lrosencransphd@ hotmail.com. What is The Third Testament? – 11am. Introduction to The Third Testament, the life work of Martinus. Live Stream with chat questions. Contact 941-462-3177 or at Info@TheThirdTestament.info. 3rd Saturday Inpire Event – 10am-1pm. SeptMay. Everyone is invited to this collaborative community event. Brunch/lunch served. Registration not required. Momentum Center, 714 Columbus, Grand Haven. Info: 616-502-2078 or online MomentumCenterGH.org Sweetwater Local Foods Market – 9am-12pm. A double-up bucks and bridge card market. Mercy Health Lakes Campus, 6401 Harvey St. Located inside during inclement weather. Muskegon. SweetwaterLocalFoodsMarket.org
Chair Yoga – 4-5pm. Chair Yoga uses a chair for greater support and stability within the practice. With an emphasis on the breath, alignment, and moving at your own pace, Chair Yoga brings simplicity to
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classifieds Fee for classifieds is $1 per word\per month. To place listing, email content to Publisher@naturalwestmichigan. com. Deadline is the 15th of the month.
SERVICES Natural Color Hair Services. Master hairdresser, specializing in color, cuts to fit your face and lifestyle needs. DSI Hair. Contact Diana_Springwater@yahoo.com or 231-343-8381 to set your next appointment.
VOLUNTEERS Volunteer Instructors – Mental illness is a community issue and it requires a community solution. The Momentum Center for Social Engagement offers social and recreational activities for people with mental illness, addictions and disabilities. We are seeking people willing to share their skill, hobby, vocation, or interest with our members once a month or as often as available. We welcome yoga, tai chi, exercise, dance, self-defense, cooking, sewing, and so much more. Momentum Center, 714 Columbus, Grand Haven. Info: Call Jenna, if you want to be part of the solution, at 616-414-9111 or email Office@MomentumCenterGH.org
Quality of life actually begins at home— t’s in your street, around your community. ~Charles Kennedy
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West Michigan Edition
NaturalWestMichigan.com
Coaching gives you an accountability check for your personal and professional goals. We assist you in developing a plan for all aspects of your life and help you to stay motivated while pursuing your goals!
Get started today!
Find us online at LIAConsulting.org/coaching
Call: 616.433.6720 or Email: PamGallina@LIAConsulting.org
community resource guide
THE GLEASON CENTER
Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com to request our media kit.
ACCESS CONSCIOUSNESS
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
REBECCA STEPHENS, CFMW, BF, AFF
ASEA, RENU 28 & RENU ADVANCED
730 Chicago Dr., Holland, MI 616-510-6525 LFEnergetics.com
“All of life comes to me with ease, joy, and glory!”™ Access Consciousness is a different point of view about life. It’s based on the idea that you’re not wrong, that you know, and that consciousness can shift anything. It gives you access to the possibilities that exist when you no longer stick yourself and no longer believe that you are stuck. See ad pages 7 & 9.
ACUPUNCTURE ALTERNATIVE CARE SOLUTION Raymond Wan 3790 28th St. SW, Ste. B, Grandville 616-419-6924 AltCareSolution@gmail.com
Raymond Wan is a Certified Medical Acupuncture Practitioner, Certified Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist, Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Holistic Health Counselor. For more information, visit AltCareSolution. com. See ad page 16.
ANTI-AGING ASEA, RENU 28 & RENU ADVANCED Jacque Jennings Carter, Independent Associate 269-779-2900 Jacque@advancinglives.biz AdvancingLives.TeamASEA.com
Age better and live younger longer. A breakthrough science, Redox Signaling molecules help cells communicate more effectively. Cells perform at peak levels which helps us age more slowly, internally and externally. Protect your cells; detect problems within your cells; rejuvenate cells. Look Better. Feel Better. Live Better. See ad page 9.
Jacque Jennings Carter, Independent Associate 269-779-2900 Jacque@advancinglives.biz AdvancingLives.TeamASEA.com
Looking for peak performance or improved recovery time? When everything else is equal, endurance and recovery are everything! Athletes using ASEA experience improved recovery time, less fatigue, less soreness after workouts, lower average heart rates and Ventilatory Threshold endurance gains averaging 12%. See ad page 9. .
CHIROPRACTIC CARE DYNAMIC FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Ronda VanderWall 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville 616-531-6050 • DynamicChiro.com
Family owned and operated in the heart of downtown Grandville, Dynamic Family Chiropractic focuses on lifestyle improvements through living a maximized life. A safe and natural approach to health through the combination of exercise, nutrition, detoxification and chiropractic care.
LINDA SQUIRES, D.C., P.C.
3368 East Beltline Ct., Grand Rapids 877-866-5133 LindaSquiresDC@gmail.com LindaSquiresDC.com I am a non-force chiropractor who has practiced 30 years (25 years in the Boston area). I apply myofascial release and energy therapy techniques during treatment and empower patients with exercises to maintain their alignment. Located within Holistic Care Approach. See ad, page 31.
RACKHAM CHIROPRACTIC PLUS Dr. Aaron Rackham, D.C., C.H.T. 9396 SW Greenville Rd., Greenville 616-754-7717 doc-rackham@live.com
We have a unique technique for the treatment of headaches. I am excited to bring to the area a clinic that offers Diverse Holistic Therapies from Acupuncture to Hydro Colonic Therapy and many more services to help you reach your health goals. See ad page 5.
Dr. Dan Gleason DC & Dr. Dan Weessies, MS, DC 19084 North Fruitport Rd, Spring Lake, MI TheGleasonCenter.com 616-638-6234 An alternative, holistic approach combining chiropractic and kinesiology as well as the latest in metabolic and hormone testing. Cold Laser Pain and Neuro treatments for: spectrum disorders, injuries, chronic pain, and pre/post surgical rehab. See ad, page 2.
COFFEE SHOP / FAIR TRADE GLOBAL INFUSION
143 Diamond Ave. SE, Grand Rapids 616-776-9720 WeLoveChai.com Mon-Fri 9-7; Sat 9-5 An eclectic marketplace of fairly traded handcrafted gifts, decor, accessories and more. Offering coffee and chocolate, bulk loose leaf teas, herbs and provisions. Featuring an extensive tea and coffee bar. See ad page 16.
JUST GOODS GIFTS AND CAFE’
714 Columbus, Grand Haven 616-414-9111 JustGoods@MomentumCenterGH.org MomentumCenterGH.org Just Goods Gifts and Cafe’ is located within the Momentum Center for Social Engagement. Fair trade and social cause merchandise. Local baked goods and beverages. Open 9am to 6pm M-F and 10am to 2pm Sat. A creative space for community integration and the end of stigma. See ad, page 6.
COLON HYDROTHERAPY HARMONY ’N HEALTH
Mary De Lange, CCT, LMT 1003 Maryland Ave, N.E., Grand Rapids 616-456-5033 • HarmonyNHealth.net Certified therapist since 1991 offering colon therapy in a sterile and professional environment. Using a holistic approach, colonics relieve constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, poor digestion, back pain, body odor and more. See ad, page 31.
December 2019
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HAKOMI THERAPY
COUNSELING
KEN PORTER CST, CHT
MARKETPLACE MINISTRY
2020 Raybrook SE, Grand Rapids 616-949-4911 MarketplaceMinistry.org Christian Counseling since 1970. Licensed therapist. Negligible fees/ donation. Personal counseling, relationships, life coaching/ adjustment, health concerns, alternative health counseling for catastrophic illness including cancer. Specialties include PTSD incidents including bullying, addiction, alternative health counseling. Also writing skills workshops for personal development.
TONYA NICHOLS, RPH
Certified Energy Medicine Practitioner 332 S Lincoln Ave, Lakeview 989-352-6500 Info@THCOFLakeview.com THCOFLakeview.com Do you feel like you have no energy? Do you feel disconnected and out of balance? Let Tonya help you find your center again. Combining Emotional Clearing with Full Spectrum Healing, Tonya helps her clients to remove emotional, mental, and energetic blocks that are keeping her clients stuck and preventing them from reaching their full potential for a healthy, happy, and meaningful life. See ad page 21.
ESSENTIAL OILS MOONDROP HERBALS, LLC
Cottage of Natural Elements 351 Cummings, NW Grand Rapids 616-735-1285 • MoondropHerbals.com Your local source for all things natural and botanical. Essential oils, bulk herbs, tea, hand-crafted bath & body products, raw ingredients, containers, local artwork, unique gifts. Practitioner discounts. Space rental and artisan consignment. See ad, page 20.
YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS Marilyn York Independent Distributor # 489656 877-436-2299 myYL.com/naturalhealth4u
Essential Oils – Revered for thousands of years for their naturally-enhancing support of body, mind, and spirit. Become a Young Living Essential Oils Member/Customer, and/or an Independent Distributor. See ad, page 25.
West Michigan Edition
Hakomi Therapy can truly change your life. It’s a mindfulnessbased, experiential therapy for transforming the unconscious patterns that keep you from the love, joy, and fulfillment you deserve. Offered with exquisite care and attentiveness.
HEALING SERVICES THE REMEDY HOUSE
ENERGY HEALING
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3355 Eagle Park Dr. NE Ste. 107, Grand Rapids 616-262-3848 BodyAndSoulGR.com
Jodi Jenks Natural Health Practitioner, Reiki Master 616-443-4225 TheRemedyHouse.org
THE HEALING CENTER
332 S Lincoln Ave, Lakeview 989-352-6500 Info@THCOFLakeview.com THCOFLakeview.com Naturopathic/Holistic Practitioners and retail health store. Natural health consultations, classes, oils, herbs, homeopathy, hypnosis, foods, candles, crystals, books, CDs, massage, reflexology, emotional clearing, foot detox, DOT/CDL health cards for truck drivers. See ad, page 21.
HUMAN RIGHTS/ SOCIAL JUSTICE MOMENTUM CENTER
Barbara@MomentumCenterGH.org 616-502-2078 • MomentumCenterGH.org
Certified in bodywork, lymphatic drainage, raindrop therapy, CranioSacral, reflexology, iridology, natural health consultations including a zyto bio-communication scan. Emotional clearing with essential oils and energy work, reiki, Energy Touch. See ad, page 7.
Extended Grace is a nonprofit grassroots social lab that builds community while solving problems. It does so through: Community Conversations including Inspire! and Deeper Dive events and Town Hall Meetings on Mental Illness; Mudita Gifts; Pilgrim Spirit Tours cultural immersion experiences; Momentum Center for Social Engagement; Just Goods Gifts and Cafe’. See ad, page 6.
HEALTH FOOD STORES
INTUITIVE COUNSELING
HEALTH HUTT
700 Washington Ave # 170, Grand Haven 3112 Henry St, Norton Shores (Café) 1519 E River Rd, Muskegon 356 W Western Ave, Century Club Muskegon TheHealthHutt.com Your local haven for everything healthy, organic, natural, allergen-free; grocery, supplements, bulk items, sports nutrition, beauty, home care, pet food. Full Deli in Norton Shores with juice, sandwiches, soup, vegan, GF and more. On Facebook. See ad page 12.
HEALTH / WELLNESS CENTER PRIVAMD | WELLNESS
16986 Robbins Rd., Suite 180 Grand Haven, MI 49417 616-312-2438 • wellness@privamd.org PrivaMD.org PrivaMD |Wellness: A relaxing affordable Functional Medicine practice where our patients become family. Our skilled practitioners work with you to create individualized plans which lead to optimal health. We help you with thyroid health, emotional wellbeing, autoimmune and digestive issue relief, find hormone balance + more. Call for a FREE 15 minute consult! See ad, page 19.
NaturalWestMichigan.com
INTUITIVE COUSELOR & ENERGY THERAPIST
Susan Duesbery 3355 Eagle Park NE, Suite 107, Grand Rapids 616-204-9756 Susan@SusanDuesbery.com SusanDuesbery.com Intuitive Counseling and Energy Therapy can assist you in identifying understanding and releasing your long-held, destructive beliefs and thought patterns so that you can live as the successful, vibrant and loving person you are meant to be. Work with me in person, by phone, or online.
JUICE BAR SIP ORGANIC JUICE BAR
888 Forest Hill Ave SE, Grand Rapids 616-301-4554 SipOrganicJuiceBar.com Our menu includes juices, smoothies, raw foods, salads, wellness lattes and teas. We offer 3-day and 5-day raw food detoxes, weekly. Call in or visit our website, siporganicjuicebar.com, for more details. See ad, page 24.
LIFE COACH LIA COACHING AND CONSULTING
Pamela Gallina, MA CMC PamGallina@LIAConsulting.org 616-433-6720 • LIAConsulting.org/coaching Pam works with highly–motivated individuals as they aim for their highest self. She assists you in developing a plan for all aspects of your life and will help you to stay motivated while pursuing your personal and professional goals. Begin the work toward achieving your very best life today! See ad, page 36.
MASSAGE THERAPY DYNAMIC FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE THERAPY Jaci Timmermans, MT 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville 616-531-6050 • DynamicChiro.com
Offering Swedish massage with integrated techniques, chosen specifically for your unique body. Relieve those tired and sore muscles and rejuvenate. Call for on-going monthly specials and discounts.
HARMONY ‘N HEALTH
Mary De Lange, CCT., LMT. 1003 Maryland Ave. NE, Grand Rapids 616-456-5033 • HarmonyNHealth.net Since 1991, professional, experienced and trained in a complete range of integrative methods. Whether you are seeking relaxation, renewal or treatment for a specific condition, Mary will help find an approach that is helpful for you. See ad, page 31.
NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE NATUROPATHIC INSTITUTE OF THERAPIES & EDUCATION
503 East Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant Contact@NaturopathicInstitute.info 989-773-1714 • NaturopathicInstitute.info Educational Programs Offered: Natural Health Program - Four Years (one weekend a month); Massage Therapy Program - One Year (two weekends a month); Holistic Doula Practitioner Program - Six Months (one weekend a month). Individual classes available. See ad, page 12.
THE REMEDY HOUSE
Jodi Jenks, ND Naturopathic Doctor, Reiki Master 5150 Northland Dr NE Ste N, Grand Rapids 616-443-4225 • TheRemedyHouse.org Ed Certified in bodywork, lymphatic drainage, r a i n d r o p t h e r a p y, CranioSacral, reflexology, iridology, natural health consultations including a zyto bio-communication scan. Emotional clearing with essential oils and energy work, reiki, Energy Touch. See ad page 7.
PAIN MANAGEMENT THE LASER PAIN AND NEURO CENTER AT THE GLEASON CENTER 19084 North Fruitport Rd. Spring Lake, MI 49456 info@thegleasoncenter.com 616-846-5410 • TheGleasonCenter.com
Cold laser therapy can provide drug-free pain relief. This noninvasive treatment is for those suffering from arthritis, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, inflammation and other pain syndromes. Our MLS cold laser also treats neurological degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s, ADHD, spectrum disorders and peripheral neuropathy. See ad, page 2.
PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINING CARI’S ONEONONE FITNESS TRAINING Cari Draft, Private Personal Trainer & Plant Based Nutrition Coach 616-291-2851 • Cari@EcoTrekFitness.com EcoTrekFitness.com
Regular, consistent exercise is essential and positive lifestyle changes must be a priority; once you find yourself in the stage where you are ready to initiate actual changes…THAT is the time to contact me! See ad page 12.
SCHOOL / EDUCATION NATUROPATHIC INSTITUTE OF THERAPIES & EDUCATION 503 East Broadway St, Mt. Pleasant 989-773-1714 Contact@NaturopathicInstitute.info NaturopathicInstitute.info
Educational programs offered: Natural Health Program: four years (one weekend a month); Massage Therapy Program: one year (two weekends a month); Holistic Doula Practitioner Program: six months (one weekend a month). Individual classes available. See ad page 12.
SEXUAL HEALING DENISE RACKHAM
Reiki Practitioner 9396 SW Greenville Rd., Greenville 616-754-7717 HolisticHealthPlus@hotmail.com Is your sex life lacking passion or are you just going through the motion with no sense of pleasure? Let Denise help you unblock the root causes and root chakra through the healing art of Reiki to bring love and passion back into your life. Call Denise to today to schedule your session. See ad page 5.
SKIN CARE MOMMA’S HOME, LLC
Amy Furman 140 W Washington Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464 616-951-1397 • MommasHome.com Momma’s Home passionately believes in luxurious, quality skincare at an affordable price. Our all-natural products are “food for your skin” and are naturally safe for the skin, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable. See ad page 13.
NATURE’S REPAIR
Summer Leigh 2885 Sanford Ave SW #45032, Grandville 833-7NATURE • NaturesRepair.org Nature’sRepair provides a skincare line that truly is 100% natural, 100% food. Made only from the highest quality superfoods from around the world and delicately balanced for healing. Keep your skin young, healthy and radiant. See ad page 40.
THERMOGRAPHY ADVANCED THERMAL IMAGING OF WEST MICHIGAN
Julie Bennett 616-724-6368 info@advancedthermalimagingllc.com AdvancedThermalImagingllc.com Thermography is a safe, tested, painless, and effective procedure providing information for breast cancer risk assessment, breast cancer prevention and early detection, possible hormone imbalance, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, musculoskeletal inflammation, and neurological problems.
YOGA BODHI TREE YOGA & WELLNESS STUDIO
208 W 18th St., Holland 616-392-7580 Info@MiBodhiTree.com • MiBodhiTree.com We are more than just Yoga. We offer diverse classes, workshops, spa treatments, massage, Reiki and meditation training. We are committed to making you stronger and to live a more peaceful, balanced, purposeful life. See ad page 16.
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West Michigan Edition
NaturalWestMichigan.com