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August 2014 | Virginia’s Blue Ridge Edition | NABlueRidge.com
letterfromthepublisher contact us Publisher Tracy Garland Publisher@NABlueRidge.com Editor Karen Adams Marketing & Advertising Bonnie Cranmer Bonnie@BlueRidgeGreenMedia.com Design & Production Courtney Ayers Karen Garland, Graphic Design Distribution Leigh Anne Wood distribution@nablueridge.com To contact Natural Awakenings Virginia’s Blue Ridge Edition:
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© 2014 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
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e’re pleased to present the August Transformative Education + Children’s Health edition of Natural Awakenings magazine! In this month’s issue, you’ll find information about innovative learning approaches for adults and for kids, as well as holistic ways to keep kids healthier. In our Feature article “Learning that Transforms Hearts and Minds,” you can explore several innovative and effective ways of learning that are being practiced by businesses, students and individuals all over the world. In “Schools that Rock: Innovators Blaze Creative Paths,” we uncover several of the most creative educational institutions and techniques. This is supplemented by a tour of alternative educational opportunities in Roanoke by Growing Up in the Valley magazine’s Amanda Powers. “Super-Immunity for Kids” features simple ways to help keep kids strong, and the “Day Care Goes Green” article takes a peek at some green and healthy child care innovations. Local kids are learning about healthy eating habits through a popular program called “Healthy Happy Cooks.” This month, our Community Spotlight features this innovative program, which has helped thousands of city schoolchildren—and their families—eat better, and feel better as a result. As founder Heather Quintana says, “I believe that people don’t need fancy diets to be healthy, but just a diet of lean protein, and lots of fruits and vegetables—and encouragement.” Looking for last minute expedition to fill these waning weeks before school starts? Check out “Summer Mini-Getaways: Green Travelers Recharge at Spas, Parks and Vineyards” for ideas. Or maybe you need a respite from the kids after a long lively summer at home. If so, find a few relaxing retreats in “Natural Spas in Central Virginia.” This month marks a full year of our Blue Ridge Green Travel article series by contributor Anne Piedmont. We hope you’ve enjoyed the past year’s installments and look forward to bringing you more in the coming months. Check out our news briefs and calendar listings for green and healthy living, learning and fun opportunities happening in the coming months, and mark your calendar so you don’t miss out! September is Yoga Month, so we’re busily preparing our September Conscious Caretaking + Yoga issue. As always, we welcome your ideas and input.
Sincerely,
Tracy Garland, Publisher
contents 4
4 newsbriefs 8 healthbriefs
Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
9 ecotip 10 community
8
spotlight
12 blueridge greentravel
14 healingways
9
COOKS
Helping Kids Eat Better, One Bite at a Time by Karen Adams
12 BLUE RIDGE
GREEN TRAVEL
19 greenliving
Natural Spas in Central Virginia
22 healthykids
by Anne Piedmont
24 calendar 28 resource directory
advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 540-384-1815 or email Publisher@NABlueRidge.com. Deadline for ads: the 5th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@NABlueRidge.com. Deadline for editorial: the 1st of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Publisher@NABlueRidge.com. or fax to 540-444-5668. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 540-384-1815. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
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10 HAPPY HEALTHY
12 14
14 SUMMER MINIGETAWAYS
Green Travelers Recharge at Spas, Parks and Vineyards by April Thompson
16 LEARNING THAT
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TRANSFORMS HEARTS AND MINDS Rethinking How We See Our World Changes Everything by Linda Sechrist
19 DAY CARE
GOES GREEN
What’s Good for Kids is Good for the World
19
by Avery Mack
20 SCHOOLS
THAT ROCK
Innovators Blaze Creative Paths by Sandra Murphy
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22 SUPER-IMMUNITY FOR KIDS
Simple Ways to Boost a Child’s Long-Term Health by Lisa Turner
natural awakenings
August 2014
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newsbriefs Save Green Expo: Waste Not, Want Not
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rayson LandCare is hosting the 5th annual Save Green Expo at Crossroads Institute, in Galax, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 13. This event is free and open to the public. This year’s Save Green Expo theme is “Farm and Garden: Waste Not, Want Not.” Vendors will be on hand to showcase methods of planting, growing, harvesting, preparing and preserving food. Attendees may also register for door prizes and enjoy live music. Expert demonstrations and displays will include pocket farming, pastured meats, raised bed and container gardening, edible landscapes, orchards, composting, non-timber forest products, beekeeping, nontoxic pest control, backyard chickens, renewable natural resources and solar greenhouses Grayson LandCare is a nonprofit, grassroots organization. It is a democratic approach to community development seeking the triple bottom line: increased incomes, improved community services and protection of our natural resources Cost: Free. Location: Crossroads Institute, 1117 East Stuart Dr., Galax. For more information, visit GraysonLandCare.org. See ad, page 15.
Local Volunteer Wins Big for Greenways
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atural Awakenings would like to thank all of its readers who voted for Roanoke volunteer Brian Batteiger for the Virginia’s 2014 Cox Conserves Hero award. Batteiger ultimately won the top prize of $10,000, which has been donated to his nonprofit of choice: Pathfinders for Greenways. Batteiger builds new trails and prevents erosion on older trails for Pathfinders. His volunteer work with Pathfinders for Greenways extends beyond Liz Belcher and Brian Batteiger trail building to include website development, accept Cox Conserves Hero Award from Cox VP Vonya Alleyne equipment maintenance and volunteer recruitment. Pathfinders for Greenways provides a forum for involvement of volunteers, coordination of work days, greenway promotional events and fund-raising. The Pathfinders have worked at building and maintaining natural surface trails. They donate 3,000 to 5,000 hours of volunteer service each year and have purchased more than $40,000 worth of trail building equipment. For more information, visit Greenways.org.
Holistic Nutrition Source Offers Food Sensitivity Testing
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ertified health coach Taunya Bruton, of Holistic Nutrition Source, in Blacksburg, now offers clinical food sensitivity testing, which may help those with those with chronic illness and unexplained symptoms. “With the ever-increasing amount of chemicals in our food supply and genetic alterations to our crops, we are seeing more food sensitivities than ever before,” says Bruton. “Most people with chronic illness, such as fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease, joint pain, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue, and even unexplained symptoms, have undiagnosed food sensitivities.” A simple, reliable blood test called ALCAT can identify these sensitivities and provide results within seven business days. The test measures a patient’s response for up to 400 different food substances, then classifies the response as reactive, borderline or non-reactive. Several versions of the ALCAT testing panel are available; Bruton provides free consultations to help clients choose the best panel for their specific needs. Bruton also offers a free health coaching session with every test. For more information, call 540-454-8191, email Info@HolisticNutritionSource. com or visit HolisticNutritionSource.com. See ad, page 13, and Community Resource Directory, page 29.
Grandin Village & Downtown Roanoke www.roanokenaturalfoods.coop 4
Virginia’s Blue Ridge
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Get Outside Expo and Radical Reels Tour
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oanoke Outside’s annual Get Outside Expo and Radical Reels Tour will be held on September 10 at the Jefferson Center, in Roanoke. The expo will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and the Radical Reels Tour will be held from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. The event is free with a donation of canned goods for Feeding America Southwest Virginia. Beer, wine and food will be available for purchase. The expo, located in the center’s Fitzpatrick Hall, will feature more than 30 exhibitors, including local outdoor and environmental groups, causes, organizations, outfitters, nonprofits, volunteer groups and businesses. “It’s a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys the outdoors to get together, socialize, and meet all the people that are making our growing outdoor scene so cool,� says Pete Eshelman, organizer and director of outdoor branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership. “It’s your chance to discover a new outfitter, meet the guy who tunes your bike, and get involved with a local club. And when you’re done with that, you get to watch incredible adventure films from around the world.� After the social hour, a series of action sport films will be shown in Shaftman Hall. National Geograhic’s Radical Reels Tour is a traveling film festival sponsored by The Banff Centre. Each year, filmmakers from around the world visit Banff, Canada, for the “Sundance� of outdoor films. The winning films then travel the world as the Radical Reels Tour. Visitors can expect to see 10 to 12 films of varying length throughout the two-hour viewing period. Cost: Free with canned food donation. Location: Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Ave., Roanoke. For more information, call 540-343-1550, ext. 104, email Pete@Roanoke.org or visit RoanokeOutside.com/RadicalReels.
Appalachian Trail Geological Study
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n 2015, a U.S. Geological Survey researcher will lead a team from Virginia Tech and North Carolina State University to create the most comprehensive data set about trail and campsite conditions in the Appalachian National Scenic Trail’s more than 90-year history. Jeff Marion, adjunct professor of natural resource recreation in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment and a recreation ecologist with the U.S. Geological VT’s Jeff Marion (right) Survey, has received a $300,000 grant from the National Park Service. The team will characterize visitor impacts on vegetation and soils and apply a comprehensive set of measurements to assess the conditions and sustainability of the trail tread, shelters and campsites. From these measurements, they will then create a comprehensive, spatially referenced database to conduct statistical modeling and geographic information system analyses. Marion and his team will then develop sustainability guidance to minimize impact, provide workshops on trail design for maintenance staff and volunteers and provide education materials about “Leave No Trace� practices and outdoor ethics for schools, youth groups and trail users. “The research results will be able to be applied immediately to improve the sustainability of trails and overnight camping,� Marion says. “The National Park Service wants to ensure that the clubs have the information they need for sciencebased trail and campsite design and management.� For more information, visit http://bit.ly/1n6Zoq4.
new natural naturalcemetery burial section for AA new for those those wishing to leave a smaller wishing to leave a smaller andand greener footprint when we pass. greener footprint when they pass. • No burial vaults—each year millions of
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natural awakenings
August 2014
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newsbriefs BluSkye Hoops Offers Hoop Dance Fitness Classes
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luSkye Hoops is now offering hoop dance fitness classes at Essentials Yoga in downtown Roanoke and at the YMCA in Blacksburg. Hoop dance is a blend of “hula hooping� and dancing that combines exercise with creative expression. Owner Kristin Marlowe explains that hoop dance expands on conventional waist rotation by incorporating “off the body� moves, linear transitions and jumps. The hoop travels up, down and off the body to create an athletic and expressive modern dance form while providing a fat-burning, low- to medium-impact cardio workout. Regular practice can help tone the whole body, especially the core, and can help develop balance and coordination, increase energy and improve posture and flexibility. “The art of hoop dance isn’t exactly what you might imagine when you think of hula hooping,� says Marlowe. “It’s a fun, healthy way to get moving and provides a creative means for self-expression.� BluSkye currently offers Level 1 Hoop Dance Basics and Level 2 Guided Flow Hoop Dance. Each class is a six-week series; new classes are forming now. For more information, call 252-489-7451, email info@ BluSkyeHoops.com or visit BluSkyeHoops.com. See Community Resource Directory, page 29.
NABlueRidge.com
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EAP, a local nonprofit that supports community sustainable agriculture, recently was awarded a grant from the United Way of Roanoke Valley. The three-year grant will support LEAP’s Mobile Market, a vehicle retrofitted with shelves to stock local foods. As part of the Healthy Start program, LEAP will work with community organizations to increase consumption of healthy, local food. The organizations served will be TAP Head Start Centers, Happy Healthy Cooks, Virginia Cooperative Extension Family Nutrition Program and Roanoke Community Garden Association. LEAP’s 2014 community market vendors include Barefoot Farms and Permaculture, Catawba Meadow Farm, Farm Friendly Gourmet, Ferguson Farm, Glories of the Sun Bouquets, Good Food Good People, Green Acres Farm, Lick Run Farm and Public Market, Local Seafood Delivery, Otterdale, Patchwork Farm, The Professor’s Garden, Red Rooster Coffee, SamNana Farm, Sedulous Seed, Sleepy Goat Farm, Thistle Dew Farm and Under the Green Umbrella Bakery. For more information, visit LeapForLocalFood.org.
VT Researchers Help Architects Make Case for ‘Green Roofs’
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rchitectural researchers at Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture and Design have generated equations that predict the effectiveness of vegetative roof installations to control stormwater runoff relative to temperature, humidity and frequency of sunlight and rainfall. A vegetative or “green” roof is covered in living, growing plants to Five platforms at the the Research and Demonstration soften the effects of heat, flooding, Facility managed by the College of Architecture and Urban noise and stormwater runoff. Green Studies were used to test various depths of “green” roofing. roofs use the sun to transform water into water vapor, which provides cooling as a byproduct. In the same way, these vegetated roofs reduce stormwater runoff and flow rates, which in turn helps prevent sewers from overflowing and stream banks from eroding. “These systems are on the rise not just because they represent a link to the natural world that is scarce in the city, but because they work,” says assistant professor Elizabeth J. Grant. “Extremes of temperature and rainfall are becoming unpredictable as climates change, and vegetated roofs help us build resilience in a rapidly changing world.” The researchers’ findings were presented at the 2014 International Conference on Building Envelope Systems and Technologies. “Our research should give architects and designers justification that they are helping the environment by incorporating green roofs in their plans,” says Grant. “We are bridging the gap between science and design.” For more information, visit VTNews.vt.edu/Articles/2014/06/061114-rResearchGreenRoof.html.
The Well, in Bedford, Announces New Ownership
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en and Linda Burger, owners of The Well, a natural food store in Bedford, have announced the store’s sale to Linda’s son, Adam Markham, and his wife and business partner, Kendall Hurt. The Well carries herbal tinctures, supplements, essential oils for aromatherapy, personal care items, bulk teas and spices as well as bulk grains, beans and groceries. The store has built relationships with local farms to offer chemicalfree foods, including free-range eggs, pork, chicken, beef and honey. Currently the store carries products from many producers around the region, including IdleWild Farm, Previous owner Linda Burger Bramble Hollow Farm, Dahlia Farms, Falling Creek Farm, with new owner Adam Bold Branch Beef, Ostrom Apiary, Buffalo Mountain KomMarkham at The Well. bucha and Red Rooster Coffee Roaster. Markham, a native and resident of Bedford with a background in retail operations and marketing, will continue developing the store as a center for health and wellness resources for Bedford and surrounding communities. “I have been passionate about The Well and its mission since it first opened its doors to the public,” he says. “I appreciate the work Linda, Ken and all of the stupendous employees have put into the store over the years and aspire to do the same.” Linda Burger adds, “Our customers can be assured that the new owner and the store’s familiar staff will continue providing the same high level of customer service they’ve always enjoyed.” The Well is located at 1764 Patriot Ln., Bedford. For more information, call 540587-9000 or 877-843-9355, email The.Well.in.Bedford@gmail.com or visit WellOfCourse.net. See ad, page 6, and Community Resource Directory, page 29.
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August 2014
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healthbriefs
Pine Bark Extract Reduces Perimenopausal Symptoms
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esearch published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine confirms that pine bark extract can significantly reduce symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, including restless legs syndrome and hot flashes. For three months, 170 perimenopausal women were given 30 milligrams of Pycnogenol patented pine bark extract or a placebo twice a day. Although a placebo effect was noted, the supplement significantly improved all but two symptoms and was especially effective in improving vasomotor and insomnia/ sleep patterns. The severity of symptoms among the Pycnogenol group, as measured by the Kupperman Index, decreased 56 percent more than for the placebo group. In another study, scientists from Italy’s Pescara University gave 70 perimenopausal women a placebo or 100 milligrams of Pycnogenol daily for two months. The supplement group experienced fewer menopausal symptoms and showed improvements with symptoms that include fatigue, insomnia, reduced concentration, memory problems, dizziness, depression and irritability.
Medicinal Mushrooms Boost Athletic Performance
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esearch from Italy’s Pavia University found two medicinal mushroom species—cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) and reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)—significantly improve race performances and recovery times among competitive cyclists. The researchers studied seven male cyclists that had competitively raced for more than 10 years. For one month, they were given placebo supplements, after which the researchers tested their performance and recovery during races and workouts. Then, for the next three months, the cyclists daily used medicinal mushroom supplementation. The researchers found the mushrooms significantly increased performance and recovery in both workouts and races compared with the placebo period. The two types of mushrooms both boosted testosterone levels and reduced post-workout cortisol levels. The mushroom supplementation also increased their antioxidant status, reducing their risk of exhaustion.
HEELLESS SHOES MAY HELP PREVENT RUNNERS’ INJURIES
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British study published in Footwear Science analyzed the effects of running in experimental heelless footwear compared with conventional running shoes with reinforced heels. The objective was to see if the heelless footwear would reduce the risk of chronic injury related to the habitual rear-foot strike pattern associated with conventional heeled shoes. Using eight cameras with opto-electric running motion capture technology,12 male runners were tracked at four meters per second. The heelless running shoe resulted in less impact, greater plantar flexion and greater ankle eversion (rolling outward). The researchers concluded that the heelless shoes decreased the risk of chronic running foot injuries linked to excessive impact forces, but concede they may increase injury potential associated with excessive ankle eversion.
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True Grit Why Persistence Counts Some educators believe that improvements in instruction, curriculum and school environments are not enough to raise the achievement levels of all students, especially disadvantaged children. Also necessary is a quality called “grit”, loosely defined as persistence over time to overcome challenges and accomplish big goals. Grit comprises a suite of traits and behaviors that include goal-directedness (knowing where to go and how to get there); motivation (having a strong will to achieve identified goals); self-control (avoiding distractions and focusing on the task at hand); and a positive mindset (embracing challenges and viewing failure as a learning opportunity). A meta-study of 25 years of research by John Hattie and Helen Timperley, professors at the University of Aukland, New Zealand, has shown that giving students challenging goals encourages greater effort and persistence than providing vague or no direction. Students aren’t hardwired for these qualities, but grit can be developed through an emerging battery of evidence-based techniques that give educators a powerful new set of tools to support student success. A famous example of the power of self-regulation was observed when preschoolers that were able to withstand the temptation of eating a marshmallow for 15 minutes to receive a second one were more successful in high school and scored about 210 points higher on their SATs later in life than those with less willpower (Tinyurl.com/Stanford MarshallowStudy). Source: ascd.org.
Families preparing for the coming school year will welcome easy ways to stretch the budget while protecting the environment our kids are growing up in. Buying new clothes can be expensive, and most of today’s synthetic fibers are petroleum-based, while toxic pesticides are commonly used to grow cotton. For healthier alternatives, check labels for clothes made from organic, low-impact or recycled materials such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo or recycled fibers. Inexpensive options are found in Salvation Army and other thrift store locations, as well as repurposing hand-me-downs among siblings. Avoid buying all new school supplies. Gently used binders and book bags can last years. Sturdy, simple backpacks skip the cost of faddish brand-name and celebrity products. For supplies that must be replenished, like paper, seek out postconsumer-recycled options. For lunch boxes, food containers and utensils, look for retro metal, a cloth bag and other alternatives to plastic (which can contain harmful chemicals) and glass (which can break). Beth Terry, in her book, Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too (MyPlasticFreeLife.com), suggests searching Mighty Nest.com and LifeWithoutPlastic.com, makers of stainless steel, naturally lacquered wood and other non-plastic, durable children’s bowls, cups, plates and utensils. Healthy afterschool extracurricular activities today typically require driving commutes. Look into carpooling with nearby families to save time and gas, cut vehicle emissions and expand friendships. Check the school’s eco-practices. Encourage local administrators to conduct recycling programs and to email documents to parents instead of using regular mail.
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communityspotlight
Heather Quintana and some of her Happy Healthy Cooks
Happy Healthy Cooks Helping Kids Eat Better, One Bite at a Time by Karen Adams
Heather Quintana noticed something startling when her son started attending Roanoke public schools five years ago: many of the kids were eating so poorly that they couldn’t function. “I became more aware of what and how kids were eating, and more aware of the issues they were having because of their diets,” Quintana says. The result was Happy Healthy Cooks, Quintana’s non-profit organization that uses volunteers to teach kids how important—and fun and delicious—it is to eat healthy food. The program has changed many kids’ lives, as well as their families’ lives, for the better. “Lots of kids had just a biscuit and jelly for breakfast, and then at school
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Virginia’s Blue Ridge
they were expected to pay attention and focus,” Quintana says. “And they couldn’t. You get a sugar spike and then a drop in energy, and you can’t learn in that condition.” She also learned that 70 percent of students in Roanoke city qualify for reduced-fee lunches. She talked with administrators, and heard about the challenges of offering healthy food at school—the main challenge being that most kids simply won’t eat it. “But I knew that kids would eat healthy food, and I wanted to help,” says Quintana, who had observed the eating habits of her own three children. She also is a certified health coach and has worked in restaurants, as well
NABlueRidge.com
as her own kitchen, for many years. “Many of those kids in school are hungry, and they will eat the good stuff, if it’s given to them.” So she and her friend Mary Harshfield found a curriculum program called Food Is Elementary, and in September 2009 they began visiting Roanoke elementary classrooms to teach students about healthy eating. “We find the more kids are involved with healthy foods and their preparation, the more likely they are to try them,” Quintana says. Happy Healthy Cooks’ school curriculum has now developed into a 20-week program, divided into 10 weeks each in the fall and spring, and it has touched the lives of thousands of students. The program is delivered by scores of trained volunteers who work with the children in the classroom. Quintana also recently completed a summer school program, which taught students how to make a meal that includes an entrée of whole-grain pasta shells with white beans, kale and garlic, a salad and a dessert. The salad, a small biology lesson, included all parts of a plant: a bulb (onion), root (carrot), stem (celery), leaf (lettuce) and flower (broccoli). Students made their own salad dressing, too. The dessert was watermelon stars, which the kids cut out with cookie cutters. “It’s all very hands-on and active,” Quintana says. “They learn to peel carrots and wash lettuce and pare broccoli and how to do that safely.” Teachers participate, too. “We are teaching the teachers as well, which is why we ask them to help in the class-
“The more kids are involved with healthy foods and their preparation, the more likely they are to try them.”
room,” Quintana says. “We talk a lot about nutrition, for everyone, and how it helps your brain and body to function properly.” She also teaches them to read labels, and, for children who can’t read yet, how to count ingredients. “If there are a lot of ingredients, that usually means there are a lot of chemicals, sugars, dyes and preservatives,” she says. “But an apple is just an apple. We explain that it is made up of vitamins and fiber and because it is simple and nutritious, it helps your mood and your capacity to think.” Quintana’s most important guideline is the “No Yuck Rule”: Kids and volunteers are not allowed to say “yuck.” “Even adult volunteers in our program sometimes say, ‘I don’t like vegetables,’” Quintana says. “But once they start working with us they change their minds. Usually they had ickytasting vegetables during childhood, because they weren’t prepared in a good way.” Because many parents simply can’t get to grocery stores and farmers’ markets easily, Happy Healthy Cooks includes dry goods and canned vegetables that can stay on the pantry shelf
“Many of those kids in school are hungry, and they will eat the good stuff if it’s given to them.” for a while. Even though fresh food is ideal, Quintana realizes that it’s not always available to some families. So she explains how to pair fresh food, such as kale, with longer-lasting staples that can be bought in bulk, such as beans and brown rice. For the next school year, the program will be in five elementary schools and five Head Start centers in Roanoke. The busy schedule is great news to Quintana. “It’s good because we’re getting to turn more kids on to good food and reach more families,” she says. Her only concern is whether she will have enough help, as each program needs 70 volunteers every week. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact
her, and no experience is required. “We train our volunteers, and all you need to do is show up with a smile on your face,” she says. Some people who can’t commit to the whole program have split the volunteer slots with a friend or co-worker, which Quintana recommends. Happy Healthy Cooks is also part of a new collaboration called Healthy Start, which includes the Roanoke Community Garden Association, LEAP for Local Food, TAP Head Start Centers and the Virginia Cooperative Extension Family Nutrition Program. Working together enables the groups to offer nutritious food choices to more families. Quintana says she hears back from families whose lives have been changed by Happy Healthy Cooks. “They write letters that say, ‘We’ve changed our eating habits at home,’ and ‘My son never would eat a vegetable but now asks for a salad every night,’” she says. “I believe that people don’t need fancy diets to be healthy, but just a diet of lean protein, and lots of fruits and vegetables—and encouragement.” For more information, visit HappyHealthyCooks.org.
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Visitors to the Salt Cave at London’s Salt Spa, in Forest, can relax in anti-gravity chairs.
NATURAL SPAS in Central Virginia by Anne Piedmont
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any of us dream of a luxurious spa getaway. Thanks to the vision of three women, we need not look any farther than Central Virginia for a green, natural or unique spa experience. For London’s Salt Spa, in Forest, it all started with allergies. Owner Debbie Naff says that when her allergy-suffering husband and son found relief at a salt spa, she embarked on a plan that resulted in Central Virginia’s only salt spa, and the second on the East Coast. After spending a year researching salt caves, she found an ideal building off U.S. Highway 460, bought 21 tons of pink Himalayan salt and opened her spa in November 2012. It is modeled after Poland’s Wieliczka Salt Mine, the world’s largest underground rehabilitation and treatment center. Salt therapy was discovered in 1843, when physician Dr. Felix Boczkowski noticed that people with pulmonary and respiratory problems experienced healing effects after breathing the air in the Wieliczka salt mines. Naff explains that pink Himalayan salt is filled with more than 80 minerals, including calcium, magnesium,
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potassium, copper and iron, which saturate the air inside the cave so that it is 10 times purer than outside air. The oxygen and negative ions improve lung function, which speeds healing and boosts organ function, leaving guests both relaxed and energized. Visitors relax in anti-gravity chairs, under blankets (they can bring their own or use one provided). Naff encour-
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ages people to meditate, listen to music or just “take your glasses off, breathe deeply and take a nap.” It’s a chance to “go someplace else for a while,” she adds. Massages and facials also are available, and Naff has created her own, all-natural products, including a salt scrub made with coconut oil. At The Labyrinth Spa, in Bedford, owner Chastaneyka Willcox says her goal is to “provide a space of healing.” She began her massage career in Bedford more than 20 years ago. She moved away briefly, but was drawn back by her love of the area and founded the spa, located in a pre-Civil War home on Main Street, in January 2010. Willcox says she offers “a little bit of serenity in the middle of everything,” with spa treatments in a “simple, homegrown atmosphere.” Her expansion plans include a café that will feature local food and produce. Willcox’s green philosophy embraces recycling and reusing, and she buys new materials only when necessary. She uses locally sourced, fair trade and organic products and works hard to reduce waste and eliminate products with a high waste impact, replacing them with reusable, recyclable, repurposable and/or compostable products. The labyrinth, from which the spa gets its name, is located in the back yard and is made from used bricks donated
The Labyrinth behind its namesake spa, in Bedford, is made from reused bricks.
by a local man. Willcox’s goal is to become a zero-waste facility. Lynchburg’s Isis Spa and Salon is the dream of Samantha Harvey, who moved to Virginia from the Napa Valley of California. She offers a full-service day spa with an extensive menu of options, including massages, body care, relaxation facials, exfoliation peels and hair removal. She also offers spa packages. Harvey blends organic and natural products and approaches with cosmeceutical-grade skin care.
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Harvey opened Isis in 2004, bringing with her 20 years of spa experience. She also has an extensive background in photography, makeup artistry, health care and beauty. “Isis is a friendly and artistically relaxed atmosphere, with customized service and where the very best products are used generously,� Harvey says. Isis also offers its own line of organic body oils and polishes. All staff members are licensed estheticians, massage therapists and cosmetologists. “Our goal is to make you feel beautiful inside and astonishingly striking esthetically,� Harvey says. For more information, visit LondonSaltSpa.com, TheLabyrinthSpa.com and IsisSpaAndSalon.com. Anne Piedmont is a writer and research associate based in Roanoke. For more information, visit PiedmontResearchAssociates.com.
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arving out time from crammed calendars for a week or more away from home can pose such a hurdle that more than half of all American workers forfeit hard-earned vacation days every year. Sometimes a long weekend in an inspiring locale is all we need to recharge our batteries. Short vacations invite welcome rest and relaxation and are often more sustainable, according to Gary Diedrichs, publisher of the online Green Traveler Guides (GreenTravelerGuides.com). “Airplanes pollute more than any other form of travel. When you take shorter trips by other means, whether bicycle or a hybrid rental car, you’re way ahead environmentally,” says Diedrichs, whose family enjoys road-tripping in an old Mercedes converted to run on recycled vegetable oil. For families, short, sweet trips are also easier to do with the kids in tow. “It’s also an opportunity for parents to reinforce that living sustainably isn’t just something you do at home,” notes Diedrichs.
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We can prescribe—and reward— ourselves with one of the following minivacations, whether it’s a trip to a green spa if we’re stressed or a hike in a park or the woods if we’ve been sedentary. Travel on tracks to trails. Leave behind stressful traffic and uninspiring highway views by hopping a train to a nearby state or national park. Riders can venture through a variety of terrains without leaving their seats. Amtrak reaches more than 237 national parks and monuments (AmtrakToParks.com), many of which offer stunning backdrops for outdoor music festivals. A rail-to-park adventure can rekindle old friendships with faraway, but not forgotten friends. Draw a circle encompassing everyone’s location and pick a park within the perimeter as the meetup spot, distributing the travel burden equally. Agree beforehand which friends bring which essential camping equipment, food and other provisions so that everyone travels light. Traversing trails is a fun, bonding experience.
Go farm to fork. Escape city crowds, live bucolic fantasies and learn about sustainable agriculture during a farm stay. Organic family farms across the country offer overnight accommodations to supplement farming incomes and connect with local consumers. Farm life is about simple pleasures, like waking to a rooster’s call and then digging into a farm-fresh breakfast of free-range eggs, accompanied by homemade bread, cheese, jam and honey. Afterwards, stroll an apple orchard or fragrant field of lavender. Most farms allow guests to pitch in with the chores, maybe feeding chickens, milking cows, picking cherries or making yogurt. Find a place nearby at FarmStayUS.com. Renew your spirit. Reconnect with your faith or explore a new spiritual calling with a short stay at a retreat center. Some furnish structured guided sessions, such as vipassanã Buddhism’s silent retreats, at which participants sit in meditation eight hours a day without access to me-
dia or other distractions. Other centers assist guests in creating self-directed retreats tailored to personal goals. Grounds often feature sacred spaces like labyrinths or meditation gardens, providing an inspiring environment to contemplate one’s spiritual journey. RetreatFinder.com supplies a comprehensive listing of possibilities conducive to every spiritual persuasion, from Anglican to Zen, across the country and worldwide. Taste the terroir. A long weekend amidst vineyards can be a refreshing way to simultaneously explore the countryside and refine our wine palate. Along with tastings, some vintners provide tours of their vineyards and cellars, including insights into the characteristics of local terroirs that give each vintage its distinctive taste. Some also have bed and breakfast inns onsite, eliminating the need for a designated driver. The site WineriesByState.com lists domestic wineries in all 50 states; KennUncorked.com provides information about biodynamic and organic winemakers.
Pamper your body. Visiting a green destination spa is a soothing way to detox from stress while indulging in corporeal treats like a hot stone massage, aromatherapy treatment or rose petal bath. Green spas use natural products such as unbleached organic linens and botanically derived oils, which are gentler on skin. Most practice sustainability in other areas as well, such as water management, energy use and waste reduction. Search for the perfect getaway treat at GreenSpaNetwork.org. Numerous farms, spas, parks and vineyards are waiting to be explored; many nearby that we may overlook draw visitors from around the world. “Local travel gives us a chance to dig more deeply into the places that surround us,” says Diedrichs. “We can have fun playing tourists in our own backyards and support sustainable, local businesses we discover along the way.” Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.
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Learning that Transforms Hearts and Minds Rethinking How We See Our World Changes Everything by Linda Sechrist
I
n the 30 years since Harrison Owen introduced Open Space Technology (OST), it has been used hundreds of thousands of times by three-quarters of the world’s countries. Whether a few people gather in a circle to share ideas and brainstorm personal issues or thousands discuss a bulletin board of topics around tables, OST is a safe, informal venue for transformative learning. Guided by purpose-based, shared leadership, it allows individuals focused on a specific task to freely speak their thoughts and be heard. It also encourages breakout groups to mine for more information—learning individually, as well as collectively, and self-organizing in order to concentrate on more complex topics. “Boeing engineers used OST to learn how to redesign airplane doors and young Egyptians used it to strategize for their Arab Spring,” as examples, comments Owen.
Circle Principle For Owen, like Jack Mezirow, author of the paper, “Core Principles of Transformative Learning Theory,” 20th-century Brazilian educator Paulo Freire and
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Juanita Brown, cofounder of The World Café, learning is transformation, the keystone of life, and the essence of meaningful education. “The circle principle contains the predictability of fresh, emerging thoughts and learning that never occurred previously,” explains Owen. He points to an experiment regarding children’s capacity for self-learning initiated by Sugata Mitra, Ph.D., the former science director of an educational technology firm in India. On the outside wall of the building where he worked, Mitra installed a computer facing a New Delhi slum where most children were unschooled and illiterate and had never seen a computer. He turned it on and told children they could play with it. Via a noninvasive video camera, he watched 7-to-13-year-olds discover how to use the computer and teach each other how to play music and games and draw using Microsoft’s Paint program. Repetition of the experiment in other impoverished sections of India yielded similar results. Wherever he established an Internet connection, children that could not read English, the Internet’s default language, taught themselves
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how to use the Web to obtain information through their interactions with each other and the computer. “I agree with what Mitra surmised from his experiment—learning is emergent, which is another word for self-organizing,” remarks Owen. Like Freire, Owen likens traditional education to the “banking” method of learning, whereby the teacher passes information to students that become dependent on someone else rather than learning how to think on their own. Suzanne Daigle, a Sarasota, Florida-based consultant with a Canadian multidisciplinary consulting firm, explains how the OST learning environment changed her life: “My personal transformation began in 2009, when I volunteered to assist another OST facilitator. I was a perfectionist who judged myself harshly and struggled with the question, ‘Who am I to think I can help hold space for leaders to transform themselves through their learning when I have so little experience?’” She notes, “Before such experiences, even though I was a leader in my corporate career, I doubted myself and often believed that what others had to say was more significant and interesting than what I could express.” Now she says she has shed her people-pleasing tendencies and former attempts to control other people’s agendas and discovered the freedom and courage of her own voice. “As an OST facilitator, my life work now occurs in the moments I am collaboratively learning and listening for opportunities to enter into meaningful conversations that can lead to actions,” says Daigle. “I invite others to do the same.”
Co-Learning In a compulsory two-year Theory of Learning class for an International Baccalaureate degree at California’s Granadas Hill Charter High School, math and science educator Anais Arteaga helps students apply two major elements of transformative learning: self-reflection to critique one’s own assumptions and discourse through which they question or validate their judgments. She focuses on the roles that perception, language, reason and emotion play in a student’s learning and decision-making abilities.
“Questions and lively discussions are the basis of the class,” Arteaga says. “We begin with a question and explore what we know, how we know it and any conclusions drawn from the process.” Using a democratic model in which the teacher welcomes critical discussion, Arteaga and her students have mutually discovered that knowledge is not static, but has a history and changes over time. “When we first started the class, it was challenging to accept that in many situations there is no right or wrong, just relativity and a matter of perception. We don’t really know anything for certain,” she remarks.
Worldview Explorations Katia Petersen, Ph.D., is the executive director of education at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), headquartered in Petaluma, California. She co-developed the tools, practices and 22 lessons in the pioneering organization’s Worldview Explorations (WE) project. Founded on 40 years of IONS research, WE engages everyone in age-appropriate ways in reflecting upon long-held assumptions and how beliefs create the lens they see through, ultimately improving how they understand and respond to the world. “When individuals understand the power of offering their story and are open to the worldview stories of others, they no longer focus attention on differences and limitations,” says Petersen. “They realize that everyone has their own truth.” Through small groups and conversations, participants unpack how the program has influenced them by answering questions that explore what inspired, surprised and changed the way they perceive the world. “WE’s transformative learning experiences draw from the heart and soul of individuals, rather than stuffing heads with ideas and perspectives, which serves them well as they embody and apply these tools and practices in their daily lives,” notes Petersen. She cites a particularly powerful moment for a group of young people she worked with. “A student was killed in a drive-by shooting two weeks before their certification. The transformative moment came when they said that
“There is no such thing as a neutral education process. Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate the integration of generations into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity to it, or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world.”
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their new awareness and capacity for compassion and understanding would not allow them to seek revenge. Instead, they chose to save lives in their communities using their new skills.”
Mycelium School Ashley Cooper and Matt Abrams, cofounders of the Mycelium School, in Asheville, North Carolina, re-imagined a learning environment for aspiring entrepreneurs and social change agents committed to activating their potential and realizing solutions to today’s challenges. A 12-week learning journey allows individuals to become increasingly adept at learning from and helping each other learn. The curriculum offers minimum structure, significant support and collaboration with others. “In the learning community, individuals are dedicated to a project or life question of their choice,” explains Cooper. Participants’ goals include changing careers, determining the next steps after retirement or how to pursue true passions to make a difference in the world.
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Cheri Torres, Ph.D., founder of the Asheville-based Innovation Partners International SE, was one of the earliest participants in the Mycelium Learning experience. She says that she obtained an expanded understanding of the approach that she uses in her work. “The whole systems approach I use with organizational and community leaders enables them to shift from a top-down management model to one that engages everyone and uses the collective intelligence and collaborative efforts of all for the collective good. My own learning journey transformed the level of awareness I bring to my work and the understanding of who I am,” advises Torres. “My original guiding question was, ‘How can I get so clear about my work that I can explain it in plain language?’ Ultimately, my question shifted to what would it be like for me to live and work from a place of wholeness. Through conversations with Ashley and self-reflection, I realized I was not walking my talk within my own mind-body-spirit system. My journey helped me under-
stand that my most effective role in my own life, as well as with clients, is to create the conditions for collective intelligence and collaboration to emerge in service to the whole,” says Torres.
World Café Like OST, the World Café, co-created by Brown and David Isaacs, of Burnsville, North Carolina, creates a transformative learning environment for individuals of all ages. Its primary principles are: set the context, create hospitable space, explore questions that matter, encourage everyone’s contributions, connect diverse perspectives, listen together for patterns and insights and share collective discoveries. Webs of conversation created around actual or occasionally virtual tables resemble those found in coffeehouses. “Conversation is a core meaningmaking process, and people get to experience how the collective intelligence of a small or large group can become apparent,” says Brown. After several rounds of conversation on one or more topics, participants offer their harvest of key insights, learning and opportunities for action with the full group gathered to reflect together on their discoveries.
“World Café provides an environment in which you are comfortably drawn forward by the questions you are asking together. When enough diversity is present, varied perspectives are offered and people feel listened to and free to make their contribution,” observes Brown. What participants learn in this setting creates the climate of conditions that support the kinds of transformations that can changes lives. Brown remarks, “When it happens to me, I feel like my brain cells have been rearranged. I know something in the collective, as well as the individual, has been evoked, so that something never before imagined becomes present and available.” Transformative learning has been compared to a sea journey without landmarks. Adventurous individuals that are open to traversing its highly engaging processes can emerge as autonomous thinkers, capable of contributing fresh, new ideas that just might transform the world we live in. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Visit ItsAllAbout We.com for the recorded interviews.
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Day Care Goes Green What’s Good for Kids is Good for the World by Avery Mack
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ith children especially susceptible to germs, chemical sensitivities and allergens, it makes sense to ensure that the child-friendliness of day care facilities extends to their ecological integrity. When Denise Adusei, of New York City, was unable to find a preschool that included all the criteria she sought, she decided to create and direct Peartree Preschool, a yearround day care facility for 2-to-5-year-olds. “An eco-friendly day care environment is more than nontoxic paint, organic food and unscented soaps. It’s what you don’t see, as well,” says Adusei. “We first looked for a building with lots of natural light near Central Park. Manhattan has a high rate of allergens, so we went ahead with a thorough environmental inspection on what looked like an ideal building,” recalls Adusei. Inspectors pulled tiles from the floor, opened walls to check for mold and collected samples. “When they discovered signs of an old oil spill in the basement, we knew it was an unsafe place for children. We kept looking until we found the right building with large windows, near the park and environmentally safe,” she says, noting that her own kids now attend Peartree. Workplace coach Paul E. McGinniss, who also blogs at NewYorkGreenAdvocate.com, says, “Creating a garden onsite and connecting with local farmers or CSAs [community supported agriculture] to provide healthy, fresh foods is a great way to educate kids via a learning activity. New York’s Hudson Valley, where I live, has a farm to school move-
ment. Everyone should know where their food comes from,” he says, echoing another day care cornerstone. In Madison, Connecticut, Tina Pascoe, a registered nurse, attorney and health consultant, co-founded Nurses for Day Care, a nationwide program. The staff finds that many children are sensitive to dye additives in mustard or ketchup, certain oils in soap, paint or cleaning fumes and fire-retardant chemicals embedded in new rugs and carpeting. “We push for the whole school to go green, not just the classroom, with the sensitive or allergic child in mind,” she says. “We’re willing to do whatever it takes, like providing special menus, banning perfumes and smoking, and only using disinfectant wipes or bleach during nighttime cleaning.” Pascoe personally works with about 80 facilities throughout the state. The Cottages at Michaels Learning Center, in Sarasota, is Florida’s first school to earn a Level Three Green School and green infant care certification from the National Green School Coalition and operates the city’s only certified green infant care program. Children from 6 weeks through kindergarten benefit. The school even conducts regular radon testing. Owner and Director Michelle Ireland assesses, “It’s cause and effect. One of the things we teach the children is how our actions have an impact on the world.” Mark Stedelbauer, vice president of marketing at eWater Advantage, in Raleigh, North Carolina, strives to inform day care administrators about the value of using electrolyzed water instead of cleansers. An electrical current that runs through a blend of ordinary tap water and minerals changes the basic nature of water. A lower pH creates a disinfecting solution; a higher pH results in a degreaser. Both solutions clean and kill germs without fumes, residue or allergy triggers. “Often, the combined cost of the electricity, water and mineral supplements used is less than what would be spent on multiple cleaning products,” Stedelbauer points out. It can be created by the half-gallon in a toaster-sized unit onsite and has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture (for use on meat) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (for use on produce). Also, electrolyzed water won’t harm skin or clothing. Creative Minds Learning Centers’ six locations are recognized by the Oregon Program of Quality as among the top 25 schools in the state. They buy renewable energy from wind, solar and biomass sources. At the school, they compost, plant sustainable gardens, collect rainwater and recycle. Nature preschools in the U.S., nearly 30 sites and growing, use a community nature center as a regular part of their learning program (Tinyurl.com/NaturePreschools). Generally, the children are outdoors for 45 to 90 minutes per day, weather permitting, and flexible activities allow them to investigate their own interests safely. Daily explorations build valuable skills like observation, sorting and experimentation. Children experiencing green day care see firsthand how healthy, environmentally sound choices can help make their present and future safe. Telling their parents about their school experiences is a natural bonus. Avery Mack is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect via AveryMack@mindspring.com. natural awakenings
August 2014
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Children at Wisconsin’s Montessori School of Waukesha learn to baste; spoon beans or rice from bowls; cut paper, draw, paint or paste cutouts; and sew or embroider using a three-finger grip. It strengthens the muscles they will need later to practice writing skills.
Schools that Rock Innovators Blaze Creative Paths by Sandra Murphy
Creative educational initiatives offer more flexible programs of study than traditional institutions. First introduced into the United States in the latter part of the 20th century, today there are thousands of such facilities operating according to their own lights. Yet many share certain distinguishing characteristics including emphasis on close student-teacher relationships, diverse experiential learning and development of student decision-making skills aided by peer and parental support. All aim to prepare and equip students for future success both inside and outside the classroom.
Montessori At age 3, kids at the Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School, in Maryland, are gaining early math and motor skills, plus an appreciation for healthy foods, in unique and innovative ways. “The children roll out a long mat containing 1,000 beads that they use to learn to count by twos, fours and 10s,” says Jenny Smolen, development coordinator and grant writer for the school. “When it’s time for multiplication and division, they’re prepared.” The school is located in a food desert—fresh, unprocessed food isn’t readily available—so the kids plant seeds to grow in pots until it’s time to transplant them to the garden. “Before the seed-to-table
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program, the kids didn’t know what fresh tasted like. Now they go home and ask for vegetables for dinner,” says Smolen. The school also has six chickens that supply fresh eggs, and two beehives produced 100 pounds of honey last year that was sold to raise funds. The school is free of charge to Baltimore city students chosen by lottery. Currently, 330 students from diverse backgrounds ages 3 through 13 attend, with 1,000 names on the waiting list.
Waldorf Waldorf School alumna Jocelyn Miller, an account manager at Matter Communications, drives 45 minutes from
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Newburyport, Massachusetts, to take her three children to the The Waldorf School at Moraine Farms, in Beverly. “On bad weather days, I wonder why I make the drive, but the smiles when we arrive are worth it,” she says. There, her children spend time outdoors regardless of the weather. Indoors, they draw illustrations to bolster lessons on history and geography. Second-graders work in three-hour blocks of time, rather than the traditional 45 minutes. Fifth-grade students recently spent three weeks studying Greek mythology. Older students play in an orchestra and learn German and Spanish. They also knit; the craft builds manual dexterity and helps children learn to plan, correct mistakes, be creative, visualize the finished product and mindfully create something useful or decorative. Middle school and high school students at the Waldorf School of Garden City, in New York, universally participate in seasonal sports—baseball, softball, basketball and soccer. The emphasis on the values of teamwork and sportsmanship complement development of skills. The school’s policy is, “You don’t have to be a superstar to get playing time,” noting that the quality of athletic teams is consistently strong. The school also brings some green into the city with a horticultural program that fully cultivates a quarteracre field. Its steady harvest of fruits, vegetables, herbs and grains includes lettuce, beans, spinach, broccoli, kale, corn, oregano, thyme, rosemary, strawberries, blueberries and raspber-
ries. A new greenhouse keeps produce growing through winter months. Students at Conservatory Prep High School, in Davie, Florida, were tasked with finding a way to walk on water in order to explore principles of flotation and buoyancy. After researching and experimenting with each of a series of materials, they analyzed what went wrong, worked to fix it and then tried again. “We did the testing at our onsite pool,” says Wendy Weiner, Ed.D., the school’s founder and principal and a Waldorf alumna. “We saw some pretty funny results, but they eventually invented a pair of shoes that worked. Of course, they were pretty big shoes.”
Homeschooling Homeschooling provides another option. Parents don’t need to know all about a subject with organizations like Bridgeway Academy’s homeschool curricula at hand. This Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, institution provides easy access to tools and support for families nationwide. “We’re a kindergartento-12th-grade provider,” says Jessica Parnell, academy president. “Teachers in a school setting have to teach standardized subjects, in certain ways, to the whole class. We use customized learning to inspire and excite children individually. We help parents discover their child’s learning style, personality and ideal learning environment.” Materials provided include instructor guides, user-friendly websites and interactive games and other activities. “It gives kids the freedom to explore, learn and discover,” Parnell adds. “This is how you grow a lifelong learner.”
Un-Schooling Un-schooling, another pioneering approach, is a method of homeschooling in which children pursue areas that interest them, eat foods they enjoy, rest when needed, choose friends of all ages or none at all and engage their world in unique, powerful and self-directed ways. Suzanne Strisower, a life and career coach in Oroville, California, has written a commoncore, standards-based curriculum for un-schoolers. “It’s a yearlong program for ages 15 and up designed to enable a student to realize his career path and life’s purpose,” she says.
Online Tutorials “There’s an explosion in online learning, too,” observes Bob Bowdon, executive director of nonprofit Choice Media, an education news service at ChoiceMedia.tv, produced in New York City. School kids in some states are able to opt out of a class at school if they feel the teaching style is holding them back, instead tapping online teachers available in a virtual school setting. Louisiana’s Department of Education’s Jump Start program partners high schools and local companies to offer
students one-day-a-week internships apprenticing in trades. “It’s real-world, on-the-job training,” says Bowdon. Thanks to such innovative approaches to school curricula and technology, parents and children have more options than ever before for learning. Instead of memorizing information until the next test and then forgetting it, more learning is customized and hands-on, because children that learn by doing, remember. Connect with Sandra Murphy at StLouis FreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.
Alternative Education in the Roanoke Valley by Amanda Powers For parents who are considering a non-traditional education for their child, the Roanoke Valley has a wealth of opportunity. From the numerous selections of private schools to topnotch homeschooling organizations, there is an education that fits each child’s style. Three unique options available to families in our area include homeschooling, Montessori education and Community School. The Roanoke Valley has one of the largest homeschooling communities on the East Coast, due to the abundant level of high-quality resources. Homeschooling can take many different forms and allows parents the most control over their child’s education. Parents are the primary educators in homeschooling, although many families join educational co-ops in order to widen horizons and provide knowledge that is outside their experience. Educational resources for homeschooling families can be found through online education, hands-on and experiential learning and traditional book learning. Many families choose to mix and match these methods to create a custom fit. For a more child-led education, Montessori schools are another option. Created by Dr. Maria Montessori, this teaching method is based on observation of how people learn, from the stages of childhood through adulthood. Montessori classrooms are designed to be educationally enriching. They allow the child to explore and learn with multi-age peers and teacher guidance. Montessori teachers believe in “freedom with limits” when it comes to education. Montessori education encourages critical thinking and cooperation, and teachers are actively involved by using every moment as a “teachable moment.” Community School is another unique option available to local parents. Community School also believes in experiential and cooperative education, and allows for learning through play while also providing lessons that encourage students to get involved with their own education. Community School specializes in education through science, technology and music and other arts. It also provides the extra benefit of teaching a foreign language to its students. Overall, Community School purposefully blends child- and teacher-led education to provide the best for its students. For more information, visit Homeschooling.About.com, amshq.org and CommunitySchool.net. Amanda Powers is a writer and blogger with Growing Up in the Valley, based in Blue Ridge. For more information, visit GrowingUpIntheValley.com. natural awakenings
August 2014
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healthykids
Super-Immunity for KIDS
Shore Up with Supplements
Simple Ways to Boost a Child’s Long-Term Health by Lisa Turner
We’d love it if our kids had fewer sick days away from school, but what if by bolstering their immune systems now, we could also protect them from serious diseases going forward?
“
D
uring childhood, when the immune system is still developing, there’s a great opportunity to set the stage for improved health and resilience,” says Dr. Joel Fuhrman, a family physician and nutritional researcher in Flemington, New Jersey, and author of Disease-Proof Your Child. “A healthy diet and lifestyle can help kids avoid common childhood illnesses like colds, ear infections and allergies, as well as ensure greater resilience against disease later in life.”
Focus on HighQuality Foods Fruits and veggies have a wealth of protective phytochemicals that enhance immune cell function and protect against disease. In a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, kids that ate
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consultation with a health specialist. “Whenever there is extra inflammation, the body has less available energy to keep the immune system functioning as well as it should,” says Dr. Fred Pescatore, a New York author of The Allergy & Asthma Cure. “It’s like putting the wrong type of gasoline in the car; it hinders your performance.”
the most fruit had a 38 percent lower risk of cancer later in life. Berries, cherries, plums and pomegranates are among the most powerful immune-boosting fruits. For veggies, eat more dark leafy greens, tomatoes, carrots and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower. Also emphasize whole grains and healthy fats such as those found in nuts, seeds and avocado, advises Fuhrman. Sugar-laden calories depress the infection-fighting activity of white blood cells, says Dr. Alan R. Gaby, of Concord, New Hampshire, author of the textbook, Nutritional Medicine. Even natural sweeteners such as honey and juice have similar effects when consumed in excess, he says. Try healthy options like pomegranate and kiwi fruit salad; trail mix with raw almonds; dried cranberries and air-popped popcorn; and hummus with red pepper strips and baby carrots for dipping.
Pinpoint Allergies Food allergies and sensitivities can suppress the immune system by increasing inflammation in the body and call for NABlueRidge.com
Probiotics can enhance immune function in children by stimulating white blood cells and reducing inflammation, says Gary B. Huffnagle, Ph.D., a University of Michigan Medical School immunology research professor and author of The Probiotics Revolution. They are especially protective against allergies, diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. Start with yogurt: Serve with cereal; mix with mashed bananas and freeze in ice cube trays for a cool treat; or make smoothies with unsweetened, non-dairy yogurt and frozen berries. Or consider a Lactobacillus acidophilus supplement; aim for 5 billion CFUs per day of Lactobacillus or bifidobacterium. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an ayurvedic herb, boosts immunity by supporting and balancing adrenal function, says Dr. John Douillard, Ph.D., a Boulder, Colorado, chiropractor, ayurvedic physician and author of Perfect Health for Kids. The adrenal glands produce cortisol, and overproduction of this “fight-or-flight” hormone can dampen immunity. Ashwagandha is particularly helpful for preventing colds and can also be used when kids are stressed or tired. For children ages 6 to 12, give 500 milligrams per day with breakfast; children over 12 can take 1,000 mg a day.
Stabilize Hormonal Changes “Puberty and adolescence are marked by dramatic shifts in and surges of hormones,” says Dr. Richard Shames, of Sebastopol, California, co-author of Feeling Fat, Fuzzy, or Frazzled? “This is monumental, as far as the developing immune system is concerned. As the immune system is directly linked to hormonal influences, any hormonal imbalance will affect overall immunity.” Shames recommends selenium—a potent antioxidant and general immune booster—to help
balance hormones. For children ages 8 to 18, aim for 100 mg per day.
Strengthening the Immune System Naturally
Let ’em Get Dirty “Once a child has been exposed to dirt and germs, the immune system responds by trying to expel those bacteria from the body, which strengthens immunity,” counsels Jane Sheppard, owner of HealthyChild.com and founding executive director of the Holistic Pediatric Association. Avoid antibacterial soaps, cleansers and gels; most contain the chemical triclosan, which some researchers suspect of contributing to development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Instead, use a natural antibacterial gel or make one, by combining witch hazel or alcohol, tea tree oil and lavender essential oil.
Stay in the Sun “The sun is our primary source of vitamin D, which has broad effects on the immune system,” Fuhrman says. “Depending on your skin tone and the local climate, about 15 minutes of full sun exposure a day will lead to natural production of sufficient amounts of vitamin D.” If kids have dark skin or live in a cloudy region, they may need vitamin D supplements—at least 200 IU per day.
Laugh Out Loud “You can give your kids the best food and nutrition, but if they have underlying sadness, their immune system will suffer,” remarks Sheppard. “When you’re happy and when you laugh, your brain releases chemicals that increase immunity.” Lisa Turner is a Colorado-based health writer.
by Linda Burger
A
sharp increase has been seen in immune-system deficiencies and/or disorders in the past three decades. Many complementary health practitioners maintain that poor nutrition is a primary factor. A 2012 study published in Nature by University of Chicago researchers points the blame at the Western diet as a driver of this increase in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other immune disorders. As nutrition is key to a strong immune system, choosing high-antioxidant foods to reduce immune-system damage caused by elevated free radicals is crucial. The guidelines that follow can make shopping for the right foods easier. Avoiding harmful pesticide residue in produce is also important for the immune system and for health in general. If possible, buy from local farmers. They welcome visitors to their farms and are willing to show how they grow clean foods. Some high-antioxidant foods include: citrus fruits and their juices; darkcolored berries; dark orange, red, yellow and dark leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, kale and spinach; sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots, red and yellow peppers, tomatoes and tomato juice, pineapple, cantaloupe, mangos, papaya and guava; vegetable oils such as olive, soybean, corn, cottonseed and safflower; nuts and nut butters, seeds, whole grains, wheat, wheat germ, brown rice, oatmeal, soybeans, sweet potatoes and legumes (beans, lentils and split peas). One of the most powerful immune-boosting foods of all is bone marrow broth, which, ideally, should be consumed daily. For the person who finds it difficult to follow a clean eating program consistently, antioxidant supplements and a natural food multivitamin can help meet nutritional needs. Probiotics are another supplement that directly contributes to a strong immune system, particularly if beneficial gut bacteria have been diminished or destroyed by antibiotic drugs. Ask a reliable source for information on good, high-quality products. Many people choose natural herb tinctures (the most effective and affordable form of medicinal herbs) to strengthen their immune health. Some that are often recommended include astragalus, ashwagandha and elderberry. Again, it’s important to ask a reliable source for valid information and talk with a physician before using, especially if the patient is taking prescription medications. Keeping the immune system strong is a top priority for good health. The good news is that it is, primarily, a personal choice. Linda Burger has studied and worked with medicinal herbs for three decades, and is the founder and former owner of The Well, an independent natural foods and supplements store in Bedford. For more information, visit WellOfCourse.net. See ad, page 6, and Community Resource Directory, page 29.
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calendarofevents To have your event included in the Calendar of Events, please email Publisher@NABlueRidge.com or visit NABlueRidge.com for guidelines and to submit entries. Calendar entries are due by the 5th of the month prior to publication.
Community HU Song and Introductory Book Discussion in Lynchburg – 7pm. Community HU Song followed at 7:30pm with an introductory Eckankar book discussion on Eckankar: Key to Secret Worlds by Paul Twitchell. Sponsored by Roanoke Eckankar Center. Harmony Wave Wellness Center, 3201 Hill St, Lynchburg. 540-353-5365. SWVA.Eck.Cntr@gmail. com. Eck-Virginia.org. Eckankar.org.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 Sedalia Center Annual Fundraiser – 5-11pm. Celebrate the Sedalia Center’s 25th Anniversary with a seated dinner under a tent on Sedalia’s lawn. There will also be a silent auction, a juried art exhibit in the Gallery and a jazz concert under the Pavilion. $40/person. Sedalia Center, 1108 Sedalia School Road, Big Island, 434-299-5080. SedaliaCenter.org.
MONDAY, AUGUST 4 American Lung Association Freedom From Smoking Group – 6pm. Continues for eight weeks. $99. Preregistration required. Life in Balance Counseling and Wellness Center, 125-D Akers Farm Rd, Christiansburg. 540-381-6215. LifeInBalanceCenter.com.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6 Exploring Essential Oils: A Tool for Deeper Perception in Nature – 9am-5pm. Through Saturday, August 9. Four-day workshop presented by Yesha Karmeli. Experience the world in a different way than our daily life consciousness. $395/person; $345 each for couples. Special discounts available. Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, 445 Floyd Highway N, Floyd. 540-745-2153. Info@SpikenardFarm.org. SpikenardFarm.org.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 “Boogie in Your Bed; Boogie in Your Cot; You’re Gonna Boogie with Some Bugs, Like It or Not” – 7:30pm. Stink bugs, bed bugs and kudzu bugs have invaded our homes, beds and gardens. Can we be rid of them or do we have to live with them? Part of the Summer Nature Lecture Series, sponsored by Radford University. Free. Outdoor Classroom, Wildwood Park, East Main St, Radford. 540-831-5000. Radford.edu.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 Health Focus of Southwest Virginia’s 40th Annual Salem Distance Run – 8am. 5K and 10K race and 3 mile walk. The walk is in recognition of the Oral Health Cancer Foundation. Longwood Park, Salem. Sponsored by Health Focus of Southwest Virginia. Longwood Park, Salem. 540-444-2925. HealthFocusSWVA.org. Festival of Healing – 9am-3pm. Come and experience the variety of healing modalities available. Unity of the Seven Hills is a friendly, welcoming congregation that embraces many forms of healing. $5/person over 12. Unity of the Seven Hills, 3522 Campbell Ave, Lynchburg. 434-845-5832. UnityInTheSevenHills.org. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event – 9am2pm. Residents of Montgomery County can bring household hazardous waste for disposal, as well as electronic waste for recycling. Document shredding also will be available. Hosted by the New River Resource Authority. Pulaski County High School (rear parking lot), 5414 Cougar Trail Rd, Dublin. 540-674-1677.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10
Family Constellation Training – 9am-6pm. Learn unique techniques for revealing the hidden dynamics in a family so they can be worked with and healed. Instructor: Yesha Karmeli. $125/person; $200 for 2 family members each for couples. Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, 445 Floyd Highway North, Floyd. 540-745-2153. Info@ SpikenardFarm.org. SpikenardFarm.org.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12
Spiritual Experiences Discussion in Forest/Lynchburg – 7-8pm. Open discussion of past-life memory, insightful dreams, deja vu, inner guidance, soul travel and more. Free spiritual experiences guidebook with audio CD provided. Sponsored by Roanoke Eckankar Center. Forest Public Library, 15583 Forest Rd, Forest. 540-353-5365. SWVA.Eck.Cntr@gmail.com. Eck-Virginia.org. Eckankar.org.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16
Bedford County Family Farm Tour – 10am-3pm. This year’s tour at Russell Farms, in Forest, will highlight agriculture practices. Lunch and locally produced foods will be available for purchase. Free. Bedford Family Farm Tour, 122 East Main St, Ste 102, Bedford. 540-586-7675. SCBaker@VT.edu. BedfordFarmTour.org.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 19
Back to School with Essential Oils – 7-8:30pm. This hands-on presentation will discuss how to create mental clarity, memory retention, focus and continual wellness with the use of essential oils. Hosted by Kimball Egge, of Mountain Star Massage Therapy, and Alexandria Pederson, of Centers of Light and Love. Free. Please call or email to pre-register. 2231 Westover Ave, Roanoke. 540-588-0788. CelebrationOfLight@gmail.com. AlexandriaPederson.com.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 21
“Falcon Teeth and Hawk Talons” – 7:30pm. Part of the Summer Nature Lecture Series sponsored by Radford University. Presented by Lee Chichester, master falconer. Free. Outdoor Classroom, Wildwood Park, East Main St, Radford. 540-831-5000. Radford.edu.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
Distant Drums Music Fest – 12-9pm. Continues through Saturday, August 23, 12-9pm. Music and more: country, blues, jazz, gospel and oldies, plus artisan craft vendors. All proceeds benefit the Red Cloud Indian School at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation for Oglala Lakota Sioux. $10/person in advance; $12/person at the door. Sedalia Center, 1108 Sedalia School Rd, Big Island, 434-299-5080. SedaliaCenter.org.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 Law of Attraction Workshop – 9:30am-5:45pm. Create the abundance, health and relationships you desire by learning and applying the key concepts of the Law of Attraction. Pre-registration is required. $85/person. KeyQuest, 536 Wild Cherry Rd NE, Pilot. 540-6512727. KeyQuest.US.com. Dancing Under the Stars – 6-10pm. Dancing, food, beverages. Emcees: Bob Grebe (Fox 21/27) and Robynn James (94.9 Star Country). Proceeds benefit Bethany Hall. Rockledge on Mill Mountain. $75/person; $125/couple. Purchase tickets online at BethanyHall.org. 540-343-4261 x 305. Info@BethanyHall.org. BethanyHall.org.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26 Spiritual Experiences Discussion in Roanoke – 7-8pm. Open discussion of past-life memory, insightful dreams, déjà vu, inner guidance, soul travel and more. Free spiritual experiences guidebook with audio CD provided. Eckankar Center, 1420 Third St, Roanoke (first floor, back far right office). 540-353-5365. Eck-Virginia.org. SWVA.Eck.Cntr@gmail.com. Eckankar.org.
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Worship services, workshops, classes, book discussions, & more
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
Eckankar Book Discussion in Floyd – 11:30am12:30pm. Book discussion on Stranger by the River by Paul Twitchell. Floyd Library, 321 W Main St, Floyd. 540-353-5365. SWVA.Eck.Cntr@gmail.com. Eck-Virginia.org. Eckankar.org.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 Floyd Yoga Jam. Through Sunday, August 31. Three days of movement, music and magic. Sponsored by Dancing Dakinis. Purchase tickets at FloydYogaJam.net. Indian Valley Rd, Floyd. 540-745-5483. Info@FloydYogaJam. net. FloydYogaJam.net.
savethedate WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Get Outside Expo and Radical Reels Tour â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5-8:45pm. More than 30 exhibitors from local outdoor and environmental groups, causes, organizations, outfitters, nonprofits, volunteer groups and businesses at the expo, held in the Jefferson Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fitzpatrick Hall. Afterward, a series of sports action films from the National Geographic Radical Reels Tour will be shown in Shaftman Hall. Free. Jefferson Center, Roanoke. 540-454-8191, ext 104. Pete@ Roanoke.org. Roanokeoutside.com/RadicalReels. Eating for Energy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6:30-7:30pm. Learn about often overlooked reasons for fatigue and how to reclaim your energy with functional nutrition. Handouts included. RSVP only. $5/person until August 15; $10/person after August 15. Sponsored by: Holistic Nutrition Source. 540-4548191. Info@HolisticNutritionSource.com. Lucie Monroeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conference room, 1600 Roanoke St, Christiansburg.
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Save Green Expo â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9am-3pm. Join us for live entertainment, healthy free lunch and demos on raised bed and container gardening, edible landscaping, preserving food for winter, organic methods and resources, and kitchen, yard and farm composting. Also meet local producers of organics and pastured meats. Sponsored by Grayson LandCare. Crossroads Institute, 1117 E Stuart Dr, Galax. 276-238-7073. GraysonLandCare.org. Fall ECO (Electronics Clean Out) Day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8am-2pm. Dispose of your electronics responsibly at Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op. Acceptable items include computers, computer equipment and small electronics. Sponsored by Goodwill of the Valleys, Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op, Clean Valley Council and Natural Awakenings magazine.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Sustainability Week. Continues through Saturday, September 20. Various events highlighting sustainability in Blacksburg, VA Tech and the surrounding community include demonstrations, tours and presentations. Various locations. SustainableBlacksburgVA.org. Facilities. VT.Edu/Sustainability.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Designer White Elephant Silent Auction â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5-9pm. Bid on new designer items for the home as well as gift certificates to local merchants. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity and the Virginia Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. $30/person. Sheraton Roanoke Hotel and Conference Center, 2801 Hershberger Rd, Roanoke. Purchase tickets at Eventbrite.com.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 Monroe Institute Excursion Workshop â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9am-6pm. Continues on Sunday, September 28, 9am-5:30pm. Easily access expanded states of consciousness using Hemi-Sync technology to realize more of your untapped potential. Pre-registration is required. $190/ person. KeyQuest, 536 Wild Cherry Rd NE, Pilot. 540-651-2727. KeyQuest.US.com..
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ongoingevents The Peace Practice, 3200 Memorial Ave, Lynchburg. 434-609-3437. ThePeacePractice.com.
sunday Unity of Roanoke – 9 and 11am services. All welcome. 3300 Green Ridge Rd NW, Roanoke. 540-562-2200. Office@UnityRoanoke.org. UnityOfRoanokeValley.org.
Flow Yoga – 4:30-5:30pm. Practice yoga in a fun, safe, intelligent, well-stocked studio. No registration required; drop in any time. Bedford Yoga Center, 715 Liberty St, Bedford. 434-944-1150. YogaBedford.com.
Unity in the Seven Hills – 10-11am. Sunday service. Free. 3522 Campbell Ave, Lynchburg. 434-845-5832. Love@ UnityInTheSevenHills.org. UnityInTheSevenHills.org. Community HU Song – 10:00-10:30am. Second Sunday of each month. Singing HU has helped people of many different faiths open their hearts more fully to the uplifting presence of God. Eckankar Center, 1420 Third St, Roanoke (first floor, back far right office). 540-353-5365. SWVA.Eck.Cntr@gmail.com. EckVirginia.org. Eckankar.org. Valley Community Church – 10:30am. Practical solutions based on the teachings of Jesus. Services include varied musical programs; refreshments served afterward. Also streaming live on the Internet. All welcome. Nursery available. 5000 Carriage Dr, Roanoke. 1 block off Rt 419, behind the McDonald’s at Oak Grove Plaza. 540-774-5512. VCCDS.com. Eckankar Worship Service – 11am-noon. Second Sunday of each month. During each worship service we explore a spiritual topic and practice simple spiritual exercises to help gain personal experience with the light and sound of God. All welcome. Eckankar Center, 1420 Third St, Roanoke (first floor, back far right office). 540-353-5365. SWVA.Eck.Cntr@gmail. com. Eck-Virginia.org. Eckankar.org. Peace Readers Book Group – 2pm. Last Sunday of every month. Book group focusing on titles that help to create a culture of peace. For more information, check the calendar on our website. All are welcome! Free.
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monday Flow Yoga – 5:30-6:30pm. Practice yoga in a fun, safe, intelligent, well-stocked studio. No registration required; drop in any time. Bedford Yoga Center, 715 Liberty St, Bedford. 434-944-1150. YogaBedford.com. Creating Your Joy: Yoga to Manage Your Mood – 7-8:15pm. Join us for a gentle yoga class that emphasizes balancing the nervous system and mood regulation. $12 drop-in or purchase a class card. All are welcome. Inner Wisdom Yoga and Psychotherapy, 1420 Third St, Roanoke. 540-798-8478. InnerWidsomYogaTherapy@gmail.com. A Course in Miracles – 7-9pm. All welcome. Love offering. Unity of Roanoke Valley, 3300 Green Ridge Rd NW, Roanoke. 540-562-2200 x10. UnityOfRoanokeValley.org.
tuesday Kid’s Yoga – 4:30-5:15pm. Beginner’s class aimed at being light and engaging for children. Call to preregister. Ages 4-11. First session is free; $8/one session; $36/six sessions. Life in Balance Counseling and Wellness Center, 125-D Akers Farm Rd, Christiansburg. 540-381-6215. LifeInBalanceCenter.com. Beginner’s Yoga – 5:30-6:45pm. Also Thursdays 4:15-5:30pm and Fridays 9:30-10:45am. Increase your
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strength and flexibility. No experience necessary. Call to pre-register. First session is free; $12/one session; $48/6 sessions. Life in Balance Counseling and Wellness Center, 125-D Akers Farm Rd, Christiansburg. 540-381-6215. LifeInBalanceCenter.com. Zen Meditation Group – 6-7pm. Meditation instruction is available. Stone Mountain Zendo, Christ Episcopal Church, 1101 Franklin Rd. SW, Roanoke. 540-345-5932. TaiNormand@verizon.net. Kripalu Yoga – 6-7pm. What distinguishes a Kripalu Yoga class is an emphasis on bringing awareness to the physical sensations, emotions and thoughts that arise throughout the practice. Accessible to all levels. Bedford Yoga Center, 715 Liberty St, Bedford. 434944-1150. YogaBedford.com. Vinyasa Flow Class – 6:15-7:30pm. Class is open to all levels. Facilitated by Christina Adams, RYT. $10/ public; $5/students. Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga, 2001 S Main St, Ste 106, Blacksburg. 540392-3723 or 540-544-6820. BlueRidgeMassage.org. Edgar Cayce Search for God group – 7:30-9:30pm. New members welcome. 413 Dunton Dr, Blacksburg. 540-552-2873. IniBeckman@yahoo.com. My Co-op 101. Learn more about a cooperative business and how to make the most of your ownership. Last Tuesday of every month. Free to owners; walkins welcome. Please call to reserve a space. Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op, 1319 Grandin Rd, Roanoke. 540-343-5652. RoanokeNaturalFoods.coop.
wednesday Mindfulness Self-Care for Practitioners – 9-10am. Second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Hosted by Alan Forrest, LPC, LMFT. Practice mindfulness for 30 minutes and then enjoy an open discussion for 30 minutes. Free-will offering. Pre-registration is required.
Life in Balance Counseling and Wellness Center, 125-D Akers Farm Rd, Christiansburg. 540-381-6215. LifeInBalanceCenter.com. Prayer and Meditation – Noon-12:20pm. Add your energy to the peaceful environment of our chapel and be lifted up through the use of positive affirmations during this sacred time of prayer and focused attention. Unity of Roanoke Valley, 3300 Green Ridge Rd, Roanoke (at the Woodhaven intersection). 540-5622200. UnityOfRoanokevalley.org. Music on the Lawn – Noon. Bring your lunch and a lawn chair at noon on the first Wednesday of the month and enjoy original music (as well as old favorites). Valley Community Church, 5000 Carriage Dr, Roanoke. 1 block off Rt 419, behind the McDonald’s at Oak Grove Plaza. 540-774-5512. VCCDS.com. Zen Meditation Group – 6-7pm. Meditation instruction is available. Stone Mountain Zendo, Christ Episcopal Church, 1101 Franklin Rd. SW, Roanoke. 540-345-5932. TaiNormand@verizon.net. Meditation, Reading and Book Discussion – 6:30pm meditation; 7-8:30pm reading and book discussion. Visit website for current book. Valley Community Church, Divine Science, 5000 Carriage Dr, Roanoke. One block off Rt 419, behind McDonald’s at Oak Grove Plaza. 540-774-5512. VCCDS.com. New River Valley Unity Study Group – 7:30-9pm. Meditation, introspection and discussion. Free. Location varies. Call for details: Bev 540-763-2410 or Betty 540-639-5739.
thursday Beginner’s Yoga – 5:30-6:45pm. Increase your strength and flexibility. No experience necessary. First session is free; call to preregister. $12/one session; $48/6 sessions. Life in Balance Counseling and Well-
ness Center, 125-D Akers Farm Rd, Christiansburg. 540-381-6215. LifeInBalanceCenter.com. Hot Yoga – 6-7pm. Best suited to the student with some prior yoga experience, this class incorporates a faster pace, high temperatures and fun music. No registration required; drop-in any time. Bedford Yoga Center, 715 Liberty St, Bedford. 434-944-1150. YogaBedford.com. Laughter Yoga – 6-6:30pm. Laughter yoga is held every first and third Thursday of the month. No experience required. Free. Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga, 2001 S Main St, Ste 106, Blacksburg. 540392-3723 or 540-544-6820. Laugh4u.org. Mysore Yoga – 6-7:30pm. Deepen your experience of yoga. $10/public; $5/students. Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga, 2001 S Main St, Ste 106, Blacksburg. 540-392-3723 or 540-544-6820. BlueRidgeMassage.org. Roanoke Community Drum Circle – 7pm. Express yourself through rhythm. Free. Grandin Village, Courtyard of Raleigh Court Baptist Church, corner of Memorial Ave and Grandin Rd, Roanoke. Sponsored by Plowshares of Roanoke. 989-0393. PlowshareVA.org.
friday Vinyasa Flow Class – 9:30-10:45am. Class is open to all levels. $10/public; $5/students. Blue Ridge Blue School of Massage and Yoga, 2001 S Main St, Ste 106, Blacksburg. 540-392-3723 or 540-544-6820. BlueRidgeMassage.org. Beginner’s Yoga – 9:30-10:45am. Increase your strength and flexibility. No experience necessary. First session is free; call to pre-register. $12/one session; $48/6 sessions. Life in Balance Counseling and Wellness Center, 125-D Akers Farm Rd, Christiansburg. 540-381-6215. LifeInBalanceCenter.com.
Alzheimer’s Support Group – 3-4pm. Meets every third Friday of the month in the Woodland Studio at the Village Center at Warm Hearth Village. Members will discuss issues that arise from caring for a loved one with dementia. Light refreshments available. Free. Warm Hearth Village, 2603 Warm Hearth Dr, Blacksburg. 540-552-9176. Retire.org.
saturday Zen Meditation Group – 9-10pm. Meditation instruction is available. Stone Mountain Zendo, Christ Episcopal Church, 1101 Franklin Rd SW, Roanoke. 540-345-5932. TaiNormand@verizon.net. Free Science-Based Natural Health Information – 10am5pm. Second Saturday of each month. Drawings for gift certificates, proven wellness information and great savings opportunities. The Well, 1764 Patriot Ln, Bedford. 540587-9000; 877-843-9355. TheWellInBedford@gmail.com. Monthly Silent Peace Vigil – Noon. Third Saturday of each month. All welcome. Downtown Roanoke City Market Building, 32 Market St, Roanoke. Sponsored by Plowshares of Roanoke. 989-0393. PlowshareVA.org.
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communityresourcedirectory To be included in the Community Resource Directory, please email Publisher@NABlueRidge.com or visit NABlueRidge.com for guidelines and to submit entries.
ANIMALS AND PETS – SUPPLIES
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY GRANDIN COLAB
NATURE’S EMPORIUM 3912 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke, VA 24018 540-989-8020 MyNaturesEmporium.com The largest selection of pet gifts, toys, beds and healthy foods and treats for all the special members of the family. Natural and holistic pet food, wild bird and garden supplies. See ad, page 11.
ANIMALS AND PETS VETERINARIANS CONCORD VETERINARY SERVICES Lori Leonard, BS, DVM, LFHOM 8908 Village Hwy., Concord, VA 24538 434-993-2403 ConcordVetServices.com Discover methods of support and comfort for your beloved animals. For 20 years we have offered homeopathy and other holistic modalities as well as conventional veterinary care. New patients welcome!
540-397-4377 GrandinCoLab.com The Grandin CoLab is a hub for ideation, or generation of new ideas. It is designed to connect innovators and entrepreneurs to resources, education and networking opportunities throughout the Roanoke and Blacksburg regions. The space is available for memberships, business meetings and events.
H2O AT HOME Jean Cox, Founding Director 360-271-9525 MyH2OatHome.com/Jean Ground-floor business opportunity. Earn “green” while helping others go green with your own homebased business. Be among the first advisors in Virginia and help launch the East Coast. Incentive packages available to experienced leaders. Call for more information. See ad, page 7.
HOLISTIC VETERINARY CONSULTANTS Marjorie M. Lewter, DVM 2401 S. Main St., Blacksburg, VA 24060 540-616-9247 HolisticVeterinaryConsultants.com Professional guidance for clients with many issues including vaccines, nutrition and special health problems. Geriatric care, cancer support and hospice care. Routine medical care for small animals, farm animals and horses. Integrative medicine including acupuncture, botanical medicines, chiropractic and homeopathy. Discover the power of holistic medicine. See ad, page 18.
BODYWORK – REIKI LUELLA CROCKETT Usui Reiki Practitioner 229 Union St., Salem, VA 24153 540-397-1355 LuellaCrockett.WordPress.com LuellaCrockett@gmail.com Reiki sessions available at Grandin Gardens every Wednesday and in Salem by appointment. Amethyst BioMat, Bach Flower Remedies and Young Living Essential Oils are combined to create a relaxing healing session as unique as you. Buy 2 Get 1 Free. See ad, page 17.
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Virginia’s Blue Ridge
CHURCHES ECKANKAR, RELIGION OF THE LIGHT AND SOUND OF GOD 1420 3rd Street SW, Roanoke, VA 24016 540-353-5365 swva.eck.cntr@gmail.com eck-virginia.org Are you looking for the personal experience of God, every day? Each of us is connected to God through Divine Spirit (the ECK), which can be heard as Sound and seen as Light. Connect with a spiritual community of people who share your desire for truth See ad, page 24.
VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH, DIVINE SCIENCE 5000 Carriage Dr., Roanoke, VA 24018 540-774-5512 VCCDS.com Teaching practical, spiritual laws based on and found in the example and teachings of Jesus, as well as the Bible and other great wisdom literature. Through Divine Science teachings you can lead a life of joyful inner and outer satisfaction and serenity.
EDUCATION AND CAREERS MASSAGE SCHOOLS BLUE RIDGE SCHOOL OF MASSAGE AND YOGA Colony Park, Ste. 106, 2001 S. Main St., Blacksburg, VA 24060 540-552-2177 BlueRidgeMassage.org Prepare for a meaningful, wellpaid, flexible career in the growing profession of massage therapy. Gain excellent, varied bodywork skills and knowledge from experienced, caring instructors. Visit our website to learn more about programs, open house events and workshops or to complete an online application. (CTO SHEV)
ENERGY – CONSERVATION AND HVAC J & J WEATHERIZATION 434-847-5487 JoLangford@juno.com JJWeatherization.com With 30 years of experience in home energy performance, J&J Weatherization is a full-service company specializing in insulation, home energy conservation and efficiency. See ad, page 18.
FITNESS – HOOPING UNITY OF ROANOKE VALLEY
BLUSKYE HOOPS
Rev. Linda Taylor 3300 Green Ridge Rd., Roanoke, VA 24019 540-562-2200 UnityOfRoanokeValley.org
252-489-7451 Info@bluskyehoops.com BluSkyeHoops.com
We are a vibrant, loving, spiritual community, demonstrating Christ consciousness, embracing diversity and inspiring personal transformation. Join us in co-creating a world that works for all! See ad, page 18.
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At BluSkye Hoops we are passionate about making life fun through the art of hoop dance. Invoking a fun, creative way for self-expression, combined with classes and custom hoops, we aim to ignite the passion and light that we each hold inside.
FOOD – NATURAL, ORGANIC AND VEGAN ROANOKE NATURAL FOODS CO-OP 1319 Grandin Rd., Roanoke, VA 24015 1 Market Square, Roanoke, VA 24011 540-343-5652 RoanokeNaturalFoods.coop Virginia’s largest, cooperatively owned natural-foods grocery store. Nutritious food choices and earthfriendly products. We support sustainable environmental practices, local organic farmers, local businesses and our community. See ad, page 4.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING REV. KANTA BOSNIAK, CHT
ALL ABOUT YOU SALON
Life Coach and Wedding Officiant 540-577-8854 Art4Spirit@yahoo.com KantaBosniak.com
1630 Braeburn Dr., Salem, VA 24153 540-312-6141
Coaching and guided imagery for weight loss, life purpose, creativity, new directions, business and career growth, confident interviews, dating. Take positive thinking to a deeper level. Personalized and meaningful wedding ceremonies.
HOLISTIC NUTRITION SOURCE THE WELL 1764 Patriot Ln., Bedford, VA 24523 540-587-9000 The.Well.In.Bedford@gmail.com WellOfCourse.net The destination for natural health when looking for sciencebased information, superior products, herbal tinctures, supplements, natural foods, bulk foods, spices and teas. The Well has all of this and more. Your benefit is our business. See ad, page 6.
FOOD RESTAURANTS LOCAL ROOTS FARM-TO-TABLE RESTAURANT 1314 Grandin Rd., Roanoke, VA 24015 540-206-2610 LocalRootsRestaurant.com Roanoke’s first true farm-totable restaurant. Open Tuesday through Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner, Sunday for brunch and familystyle supper. Full bar and wood-fire oven. Available for private parties, corporate events, celebrations and catering. See ad, page 17.
FUNERAL AND BURIAL SERVICES - GREEN FOREST REST AT MOUNTAIN VIEW 5970 Grassy Hill Rd., Boones Mill, VA 24065 540-334-5398 Sensor@EvergreenMemorialTrust.com EvergreenMemorialTrust.com Forest Rest is a natural cemetery where interments are made without burial vaults or common embalming chemicals. Wood tablets or native stones mark the graves. See ad, page 5.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS SPAS AND SALONS
Full-service hair salon. Organic hair coloring and perms that are made with certified organic extracts and natural ingredients that are 100-percent ammonia-free. Spa services include manicures, pedicure, facials and massage. Flexible appointments for busy schedules. See ad, page 13.
REVIVE ORGANIC SALON
Info@HolisticNutritionSource.com HolisticNutritionSource.com 540-454-8191
2305-A Colonial Ave., Roanoke, VA 24015 540-816-0986
Health coach Taunya Bruton offers custom, bio-individual, whole-health solutions for people and companies. Services include individualized health coaching programs, ALCAT food sensitivity testing, functional blood chemistry analysis, pharmaceutical-grade supplements and wellness workshops. See website for upcoming events. Schedule your free consultation today. See ad, page 13.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS DENTIST DR. KAREN PERKINS, DDS 46 Shelor Dr., Lynchburg, VA 24502 434-237-6328 MercuryFreeDDS.com Providing the highest quality of dental care in a mercury-free environment, using safe and biocompatible dental materials. We practice safe removal of old mercury/silver (amalgam) fillings with the safe mercury/silver filling removal protocol outlined by the International Academy of Oral Medicine, IAOMT. See ad, page 13.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS – PRODUCTS AND SERVICES NATURE’S SPECIALIST Dorothy Harrell, Pharmacist 4620 Lee Hwy., Dublin, VA 24084 540-674-0914 NatPharm.Dottie@gmail.com
Organic salon offering ladies and men’s haircuts, demineralizing treatments, organic base coloring, highlights, color correction and hair loss solutions. Revive’s mission is to treat others with respect and dignity while nurturing them in an organic environment. See ad, page 25.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS – WELLNESS CENTERS LIFE IN BALANCE COUNSELING AND WELLNESS CENTER 125 Akers Farm Rd., Ste. D, Christiansburg, VA 24073 540-381-6215 LifeInBalanceCenter.com The Life in Balance team of therapists offers psychotherapy, equine-assisted psychotherapy, massage therapy, Reiki, yoga classes, creative movement and relaxation classes, meditation, workshops, classes and group therapy. See ad, page 9.
HOME – CLEANING SUPPLIES H2O AT HOME
Specializing in naturopathic consultation, natural therapies and hair analysis. Nature’s Specialist also keeps a stock of high-quality vitamins, herbs and nutritionals. Call for an appointment, or stop by to shop for supplements. See ad, page 27.
Jean Cox, Founding Director 360-271-9525 MyH2OatHome.com/Jean Now you can care for your home with our innovative smart tools and just water or certified natural and organic products. Your home will be sparkling with no harsh chemical residues or fumes! See ad, page 7.
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LIFE COACHING ALEXANDRIA PEDERSON, SPIRITUAL LIFE COACH & HOLISTIC PRACTITIONER 331 King George Ave., Roanoke, VA 24016 540-588-0788 CelebrationOfLight@gmail.com AlexandriaPederson.com Ready to live your life fully now? Enroll in a group class or come to a private session to awaken to the light within you, live from this place of light, thrive and accomplish your goals, while loving your life.
MUSIC
VIRGINIA GREEN
CLEAN VALLEY COUNCIL
804-986-9119 VirginiaGreenTravel.org
Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Ave., Ste. 319, Roanoke, VA 24016 540-345-5523 CleanValley.org
Virginia Green is Virginia’s program to encourage green practices throughout the state’s tourism industry. Member destinations and events include recycling, waste reduction, energy and water conservation and consumer education. The program is a partnership between Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality and Virginia Tourism. See ad, page 25.
PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION KEYQUEST, LLC.
EARTH MAMA®/ ROUSE HOUSE MUSIC
Ellen Jones-Walker 540-651-2727 KeyQuest.us.com
P.O. Box 450 Independence, VA 24348 276-773-8529 EarthMama.org Joyce “Earth Mama®” Rouse presents high-content, high entertainment musical motivational programs for a sustainable future to diverse audiences, inspiring actions for healthy living and a healthy planet. Concerts, workshops, keynotes, classes, and FUN. Helping Heal the Planet One Song at a Time!®
OUTDOOR RECREATION AND ECOTOURISM IT’S ALL NEARBY 540-999-8133 ItsAllNearby.com It’s All Nearby is a resource guide to entertainment, sales and specials at Smith Mountain Lake and surrounding areas. The comprehensive calendar, both in print and online, provides information on events at SML.
Highly experiential small-group workshops using powerful Hemi-Sync® audio guidance technology for self-discovery and personal transformation: Monroe Institute consciousness exploration workshops, calming mind and body, awakening to inner states, slowing the aging process, healing yourself, improving sleep, and more.
RECYCLING BOOKBAG SANTA
A nonprofit organization serving the Roanoke Valley for more than 30 years. Providing educational programming and citizen participation events to spread the word about litter prevention, recycling, waste-stream reduction, storm-water pollution prevention and protecting our natural resources. The go-to resource for local recycling information.
RETAIL - NONPROFIT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF THE VALLEYS 2502 Melrose Ave., Ste. A, Roanoke, VA 24017 540-581-0620 GoodwillValleys.com We put your donations to work by dedicating 90 percent of our resources to providing services to the community. Donations entrusted to us are used to help people with disabilities and disadvantages overcome barriers to employment and achieve a level of independence in life. See ad, page 23.
TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES
540-342-2083 BookbagSanta@verizon.net BookBagSanta.com
RIDE SOLUTIONS
Roanoke-based 501c3 charity keeps two TONS of used school supplies out of the landfill every year. Since 1990 the group has traveled each summer to Belize to deliver supplies to three schools. Email, call or visit the website for more information about making donations.
Ride Solutions connects you to your transportation options with free regional carpool matching, bike commute support, transit assistance and employer services, all for free.
866-424-3334 Info@RideSolutions.org RideSolutions.org
WATER CONSERVATTION AND FILTRATION - ALKALINE WATER
Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought. ~Matsuo Basho
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Virginia’s Blue Ridge
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HEALTHY WATER FOR ME 540-230-7459 or 540-789-7808 HealthyWaterForMe@hotmail.com HealthyWaterForMe.com Kangen Water® is a great way to increase hydration, balance body pH, obtain optimal health, neutralize free radicals, reduce pain and more. Change Your Water…Change Your Life ™. Call to begin a free threeweek alkaline, antioxidant water challenge today. See ad, page 23.
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Celebrity chefs, local restaurant food vendors, highlighted DUWLVDQV FUDIW EHHU ZLQH lots & lots of vendors
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FLOYD FARMERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; MARKET 203 S. Locust St., Floyd SustainFloyd.org/farmers-market/ Info@SustainFloyd.com
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