August Issue Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley by Natural Awakenings Magazine

E E FR

HEALTHY

Mustafa Santiago Ali on Healing Through Social Justice

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Thriving Back to Through School 2020 Connecticut Transition Homeschooling

Opportunity Disguised as Loss

Options

August 2020 | Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition | eNaturalAwakenings.com Aiugust 2020

203-856-9566 www.203TLC.com

203 TLC

203 TLC is a community of accredited health and wellness providers offering a wide variety of services and products. Founded in 1997 by Beth Leas, the TLC Tribe is Fairfield County’s largest holistic health resource - a vibrant and growing community of over 90 Members, committed to living consciously and offering healthy lifestyle opportunities. We offer high quality private sessions, products, workshops, classes and resources designed to help you live life well. Energy Healing/Meditation/Tarot Beth Leas 25+ Years Experience Private Sessions, Workshops, Events In-person or by phone bethleas.com 203-856-9566

Essential Oils Wayne Leiss, LMT Centering Our Lives Through Touch. dōTERRA Essential Oils and Symphony of the Cells™ Protocols 20 Fifth Ave, Apt A, Danbury Wayne@WayneLeiss.com WayneLeiss.com 203-994-1207

Lyme Disease Healing Gregg Kirk, Lyme Recovery Clinic & Detox Center Heal from chronic illness through all-natural herbal treatments, intensive detox, cleanses & energy healing. 528 Post Rd, Darien Gregg.Kirk@gmail.com 203-858-9725

Spiritual Counseling Katherine Gray Silvan, LMSW Clear Light Spiritual Counseling Interfaith Minister, Reiki Master Inspirational Speaker katherinesilvan.com 203-912-5252

Life Coach/Hypnotist Thea Litsios, CHy Life Coach, Hypnotist, Teacher of Active Dreaming Remote sessions available 203-693-1493

Meditation & Counseling Meg Reilly, MS, CH Counselor, Workshop Facilitator, Writer, Poet Services in person or by phone megreilly360.com 203-952-6272

Salt Cave Salt Cave of Darien Salt therapy, massage, meditation & yoga 555 Post Rd, Darien Info@SaltCaveofDarien.com SaltCaveofDarien.com 203-658-7667

VISIT US

Transformation Coaching/Healing Katie Augustyn, MA, CPC Transformation Coach, Shamanic Practitioner, Spiritual Evolution Trainer, Energy Healer, TV Host TransformationCenterCT.com 203-820-3800

www.203TLC.com www.TribeTLC.com FB: Tribe TLC

Get to know us at TLC’s monthly networking breakfast! Looking for a relaxed group of professionals offering a supportive community, free networking events, many affordable marketing opportunities, and FUN? We meet on the first Tuesday of every month, at Valencia Luncheria, 164 Main St, Norwalk, CT, from 8:30 -10:00am. Come the first time as Beth's guest - and if you find your time with us worthwhile, we invite you to become a TLC Member. Please RSVP to Beth Leas at: 203-856-9566 (call/text) orTLCBethLeas@gmail.com so she can reserve your place.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

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Change Brings Opportunity!

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Human Relations Program Focuses on Hope

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Contents

30 COOL TREATS FOR CATS AND DOGS

DEPARTMENTS 7 health briefs 8 global briefs 9 eco tip 10 community

spotlight 12 healthy kids 16 conscious eating eNaturalAwakenings.com

19 inspiration 26 wise words 27 green living 30 naturally

healthy pet 33 calendars 35 resource guide 38 display ad index

Natural Awakenings is a family of nearly 60 healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Live Your Soul's Purpose | Attain Deep Peace Have Balance Around Giving and Receiving Have Loving, Supportive Relationships Have the Career that Sings to Your Soul The Academy for Soul Healing supports the growth and expansion of humanity, individually and on a global scale. "I foresee many students from the Academy becoming the teachers of this integrated way of service."

September

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ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 203-885-4674 or email FFCAdvertising@NaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for News Briefs: the 8th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for magazine calendar listings: the 12th of the month. Website calendar listings may be entered at any time. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com. Aiugust 2020

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

FAIRFIELD COUNTY/ HOUSATONIC VALLEY Publisher Nicole Miale

Managing Editor Patricia Staino

Design & Production Kathleen Fellows Erica Mills Contributing Writers Paul Epstein Ariana Rawls Fine Patricia Staino

Sales & Marketing Nicole Miale Social Media Amy Hass

Website Erica Mills Distribution Man in Motion LLC

CONTACT US 137 Danbury Rd, #323, New Milford, CT 06776 Phone: 203-885-4674 Fax: 203-516-2392 NicoleM@NaturalAwakenings.com eNaturalAwakenings.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $30 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

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letter from publisher

’m dating myself with this reference, but remember the character in The A-Team who used to say, “I love it when a plan comes together”? That’s how I feel about this particular issue. More than a year ago, when we developed the editorial calendar for 2020, we could not have imagined how extremely relevant and necessary our two editorial themes this month would be. No one could have foreseen the contextual backdrop of world and local events making our “education out of the box” and “prospering through transition” themes so topical. We pride ourselves on offering great, actionable information each month; I feel like this month we raised our own bar. I hope you will agree once you’ve had a chance to read Nicole Miale our insightful and thoughtful offerings. We are in the midst of a social sea change unlike what most of us have witnessed or experienced in our lifetimes. The challenges, opportunities and growth experiences are exponential, and no one story is exactly the same. The details may differ greatly, but what remains constant is that every individual is tasked with doing the best they can in each moment, and stringing those moments together to make a life well-lived. There are many paths up and around that particular mountain; if you take anything away from this issue, I hope it is understanding that while your neighbor’s path may not be yours, it is no less valuable and important than your own. One of my favorite talks to give is called “Mining for Gold in Times of Stress and Chaos”. The point of that talk, and of many of the articles in this issue, is that inside each of us are the tools and wisdom we need to not only survive the hurricane, but to thrive beyond it. I know this to be true. The answers do not lie outside of us, in the expert advice of well-meaning others, but rather in the quiet inner knowing that whispers to us when we care enough to ask. Always accessible, trustworthy and consistent, our individual inner guidance system holds the key to emerging triumphant from these troubled times. I hope you enjoy this month’s offerings and bask in the light of possibility. To quote a lyric from Les Misérables, “Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.” And so it shall. Who will you be when that day dawns? It’s entirely up to you and I look forward to meeting you again. With love and light,

© 2020 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

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Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

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health briefs

Dirt Can Help Heal Wounds Dirt has specific healing properties for wounds, new research from the University of British Columbia has found. The study published in Blood Advances reported that the presence of soil in wounds helps activate a blood protein known as coagulation factor XII that kicks off a rapid chain reaction helping trigger the formation of a plug, sealing the wound and limiting blood loss. “Excessive bleeding is responsible for up to 40 percent of mortality in trauma patients. In extreme cases and in remote areas without access to health care and wound-sealing products like sponges and sealants, sterilized soil could potentially be used to stem deadly bleeding following injuries,” says senior author Dr. Christian Kastrup. The study was done with sterilized dirt; unsterilized dirt poses a risk of infection.

Eat More Fiber for a Longer Life Eating the right kind of fiber lowers the risk of death from multiple causes, reports a new study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers from the University of Toronto followed more than 92,924 Japanese people 45 to 74 years old for nearly 20 years and found men that ate higher levels of dietary fiber had a 23 percent reduced risk of death compared to those that ate the least dietary fiber; the figure was 18 percent for women. The more dietary fiber people ate, the less likely they were to die from cardiovascular or respiratory diseases and injuries; it also protected against cancer mortality in men, but not women. Fiber from fruits, beans and vegetables, but not from cereals, was linked to lower mortality.

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

Dinosaur Bone Ownership Resolved

In 2018, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that fossils belonged to mineral rights owners, threatening to put a damper on scientific fossil hunting by paleontologists, but the Montana Supreme Court has now decided that fossils should not be deemed minerals, thereby restoring ownership of two dinosaurs buried together to the landowners, as had been customary in the past. A year after buying their property, Mary Anne and Lige Murray, along with a private fossil hunter, found an impressive array of specimens, including a complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. Scientists like David Polly, an Indiana University paleontologist and past president of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, had warned that tying fossils to mineral rights would make it harder to get permission to excavate them and put the ownership of fossils already on display into doubt. They also feared that distinctive fossils would be purchased by private collectors, denying access to the public and researchers.

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A Contemplative Practice to Improve Self-Awareness and Serenity

Dig Business

Elbow Room

Nature Needs More Space

All over the world, plants and animals are increasingly threatened by human activities and habitat encroachment. A 2019 study published in Science News estimates that 1 million species face extinction within decades. The natural world makes the planet livable by cleaning the air, filtering water, cycling carbon dioxide and pollinating crops. To impede biodiversity loss, governments are working to set aside more space for natural habitats. The UN Convention on Biodiversity (Tinyurl.com/Post2020 GlobalFramework), which is now under consideration, seeks to designate 30 percent of land and sea as protected by 2030 and 50 percent by 2050 in order to revive ecosystems and safeguard the diversity of species on Earth. Humans have altered more than three-quarters of Earth’s surface, and of the 14 terrestrial biomes, such as tropical rainforest, tundra or desert, eight retain less than 10 percent of undeveloped wilderness, according to a 2016 study in Current Biology. Many species have already vanished.

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Lectio 360

global briefs

HCP

Don’t Sweat It

Eco-Friendly Home-Cooling Tips Summer is here, prompting homeowners to crank up their air conditioners, but that can bump up electricity bills and strain the environment. Here are some eco-friendly tips to stay cool at home with minimal or zero use of the AC.

Our professional team of holistic and natural businesses provides community outreach and education. We are committed to improving the health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit in the communities we serve. See more holistic practitioners at: www.HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org To join the HCP contact Shirley R. Bloethe, Executive Director, at 860-255-8844. Healing/Coaching

Fans to the Rescaue During daylight hours when outside temperatures are highest, close all windows to seal out the humidity and heat. Open them at night to expel hot air and welcome the night’s fresh breezes. To speed up ventilation, place a window fan on the east side of the house blowing in to pull in cooler night air, and another window fan on the west side blowing out to expel warm air. Ceiling fans are great, but technically, they cool people, not the house, so there’s no need to run them in empty rooms. Set the rotation counterclockwise to push air down and at the fastest setting for maximum relief. Fan blades collect dust; regular wiping is recommended to maintain good air quality. Blade size and angles matter—choose those big enough for the room, set at 12-to-15-degree angles.

Sun Blockers White reflects heat and black absorbs it. Paint the roof white or another light shade and insulate attic floors to keep from transferring heat into living spaces. The sun’s effect intensifies as it radiates through windows. Shutters, awnings and external blinds will keep unwanted heat outside, as can strategically placed trees and shrubs that shade east- and west-facing windows. Reflective or sun-control film on windows reduces solar heat and keeps out ultraviolet rays. Close curtains (preferably with white backs) in any room that gets direct sunlight.

Too Hot for Summer Replace heat-generating items around the house with cooler alternatives. Choose eco-friendly LED lights instead of traditional, hot-to-the-touch lightbulbs. Hang-dry clothes in the sun rather than running the dryer. Grab the slow-cooker, Instant Pot or outdoor barbecue and give the oven a break. Ditch the dishwasher’s heated drying option; choose the air-dry cycle instead.

AC TLC On a scorching day, the air conditioner may be the only option. Replace an old unit with a newer, high-efficiency model and invest in a smart thermostat that can be programmed based on daily schedules and weather conditions. Dirty filters use much more energy than clean ones, so replace or clean them regularly.

Holistic Community Professionals

Robin Barros, Spirit of the Lotus Integrative Manual Therapy, Medical Shamanism, Holographic Sound Healing, Advanced Soul Coaching® & Past Life Journeys, Medical Intuitive, Medium, Channel SpiritoftheLotus.org • Columbia, CT 860-709-3903

Naturopathic Physician Dr. Nicole Klughers, ND, PharmD, MSAc Naturopathic Provider & Acupuncture Specialist, Vis Wellness Center at Nova Spa, DrNicoleKlughers@gmail.com DrNicoleKlughers.com • Rocky Hill, CT (234)2-ACU-DOC

Shamanic/Reiki/Sound Healer Denise Cassella, Stairway to Healing Light, LLC Reiki Master/Sound Healer Teacher, Angelic & Spiritual Guide, Interfaith Minister, Shaman, Qigong Instr. CT/RI/Cent. & East. MA, Stairway2Healing@gmail.com StairwaytoHealingLight.abmp.com • 860-965-6398

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eco tip

Save The DaTe! Sunday, November 1, 2020 • 10am - 4pm PASSPoRt to HeAltH & WellNeSS exPo DoubleTree by Hilton, 42 Century Drive, Bristol, CT 06010 GRAND PRiZe 75+ exHiBitoRS & SPeAKeRS A Hilton Overnight Stay for Two! Free Raffles Free Drum Healing 4 - 5pm FRee ADMiSSioN Donations Accepted F All door donations to benefit: Hartford Hospital's Integrative Medicine Angie’s Spa and CT Children’s Medical Center. For more information please contact: Shirley R. Bloethe at 860-255-8844 Email: HCPinc.org@gmail.com FB Events: Passport to Health and Wellness EXPO Vendors apply at: www.yourholisticevents.com Aiugust 2020

community spotlight

GOING DEEP Human Relations Program Focuses on Hope

“I

wanted to know more about who I am, and figure out where I wanted to go,” says Jay Wood, a recent participant in Hartford Family Institute’s Human Relations Training Program. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Hartford Family Institute not only provides an array of counseling services to residents throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts, but also offers popular Donna Berman training programs, including the Human Relations Training Program (HRP). “HRP is a way to learn and grow with others. It is a complement to individual therapy,” explains Program Director Donna Berman. “The program enables people and gives them the tools to get in touch with and take responsibility for their whole selves—the light and the shadow—and to experience what it feels like to have acceptance for all of who we are.” HRP uses the somatic wisdom of body-centered Gestalt therapy to help people understand and have compassion for themselves and, as a result, others. “The whole point of HRP is to contain what we feel, not to suppress it, and to live in our own bodies and experiences,” Berman says. “If I’m feeling angry, I can say, ‘wow I’m feeling angry,’ instead of acting it out on someone.” Berman, who spent just over 20 years in the program as a student, acknowledges that it changed her life. “It was like an earthquake,” she says. “Many long-held things I thought about myself got shaken to the ground. I felt liberated. To have the 10

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

opportunity to share what I have learned and am continuing to learn, to help others along their way, is a true blessing.” HRP participants come from all walks of life and from throughout New England and parts of New York state. In some cases, people drive several hours to attend. Since the pandemic, sessions have been held online. While that has meant less driving, the sessions still deliver the same amount of deep connection and learning. “Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect going in,” says participant Aaron Wartner. “I was unsure of sharing my darkest struggles with a group of strangers. In the end, I’ve discovered just the tip of the iceberg. It helped me go to a deeper level of understanding in all facets of my life: personal, my career, my family relationships, my friendships. I was able to examine parts of my past and to let the things holding me back go. And I had the support of the facilitator and the group.” Another participant, Cindie Caganello, agreed that the group format helps students grow with each other, and through that, grow yourself. "I developed bonds unlike anything before," she said. "It's like a light was turned on, and I became progressively more aware of the origins of my "issues"... but without any anger or blame, just awareness, clarity, hope. With that kind of knowledge comes the power to make positive changes." Berman says, “The program is about teaching techniques that go inside, to make room for our feelings. Ultimately this is the only way find true peace. It is a way of knowing ourselves, feeling safe and being honest with ourselves and others. As soon as you are allowed to admit anything, you make room in yourself and bring acceptance to it, and the group helps you know that. It’s about being awake about how we feel and what we need.” The HRP format begins with a kick-off weekend, which will be held September 26 and 27 this year. From then on, classes meet every Wednesday starting at 5:30 with a lecture from one of Hartford Family Institute’s partners. The lectures focus on a range of topics, such as the basics of body-centered gestalt therapy, including the various character structures, the significance of dreams, “victimizers” (like the negative voices in our heads) and more. For each 90-minute lecture, the HRP participants are joined by students from the Professional Training Program (developed specifically for therapists). After the lecture, there is a 30-minute break, and then students meet in their small groups of eight to 10 people for 90 minutes of discussion, therapy and mindfulness exercises. Students also have the opportunity to choose from two weekend intensive workshops. The topics range from Animal Imagery and Healing Physical Pain to Bonding and Attachment. “At Hartford Family Institute, we talk a lot about recognizing our defensive systems,” says Berman. “We come by them legitimately. We develop this armor to protect ourselves, especially during childhood. When we grow up, we forget that we are wearing the armor. Then as adults, we inadvertently keep people out because we can’t get past our armor. Inside we are someone who wants to connect.” Stuart Alpert, PsyD, LCSW, and wife Naomi Lubin-Alpert, PsyD, LMFT, the founders of Hartford Family Institute, sought

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to “create a unique place of warmth and welcoming,” says Alpert. Together, they developed Body-Centered Psychotherapy, a combination of in-depth body emotional work, energy healing, shamanic spiritual healing and trauma work. Several years later they were joined by partners Donna R. Baker-Gilroy, PsyD,LPC, David Gilroy, PsyD, LPC, and Sylvia Gingras-Baker, MA, LMFT. Together, they have several publications, including Alpert’s Roads Back In Time, Seeing The Invisible and Healing The Impossible, and Transforming Relationships: Come As You Are by Gilroy and Baker-Gilroy. The partners have also lectured widely, including throughout the Northeast, and conduct workshops in various places including Kansas City, Santa Fe, and Germany. Located in West Hartford, Hartford Family Institute has four associates in addition to 14 independent practitioners. “We’re thrilled to be celebrating 50 years of helping people to a better place,” says Alpert. He estimates that over 5,000 people have been a part of the HFI family over the years. “Our professional programs are a cornerstone of the entire practice,” added Alpert. “We see many of our individual clients ‘graduate’ to the training program. We find that our students learn deeper self-acceptance, find greater meaning and purpose in life, clear old patterns and beliefs that are no longer useful, and develop stronger bonds with others.” Organizers are hopeful that the 20202021 program will, at some point, return to in-person meetings, but for now, the beginning of the year will be on Zoom. According to Berman, “Whether in person or on Zoom, HRP is a rare opportunity to enrich your life, make deep connections with yourself and with others, to flourish and to blossom into the fullness of your own unique self.” For more information about the Human Relations Training Program at Hartford Family Institute, visit HartfordFamily Institute.com/HRP. A free introductory session will take place on September 9 at 7pm. See ad, page 20.

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healthy kids

of 365 days. We as homeschoolers have seven days a week to choose from, so 180 days really comes to 15 days a month,” says Connors. “We can have consistent ongoing learning that allows for family time, parents that work, extra activities outside the home and more.”

Withdrawal Logistics

Back-to-School 2020 Education Outside the Box by Ariana Rawls Fine

o say we are living in unprecedented times is an understatement. Parents who expected to be sending their children to school in the fall are facing dilemmas in terms of both school safety and restrictions. The reasons run the gamut from apprehension about virus transmission to distance learning not working well to concerns about masking children all day to the frequent use of harsher cleaning supplies to sanitize schools. Due to this, the number of parents investigating homeschooling as an option is growing exponentially every day, and more guidelines are being released by school districts as the new school year approaches. The good news is that Connecticut is a great state for homeschooling families, whether it was a planned choice or something being considered now simply because of the current situation. It is important to remember that homeschooling is flexible by nature; parents or guardians can adapt homeschooling to better fit their individual children’s learning styles, attention spans, interests, family traveling needs, parental work constraints, religious traditions and other aspects. There are also helpful options for supplemental education. 12

Start by “Deschooling”

One of the first pieces of advice a veteran homeschooler will give those contemplating homeschooling is to start out with “deschooling”. In the homeschooling world, the term refers to giving children (and parents) time to phase out of traditional schooling’s way of thinking and routines. It is generally recommended that parents deschool one month for every year of traditional schooling. It allows children pressure-free time to pursue their own interests, for parents to observe how they learn and for taking family trips that can lay the foundation for a vibrant, engaging homeschool life for the whole family. “If you are coming out of the school system, be gentle. Start slowly, have a period of deschooling, ease into studies,” says Diane Connors, a founder of the Connecticut Homeschool Network (CHN). With the current urgent interest in homeschooling, the top concern she is observing is about time management. “People need to realize it doesn’t take six hours a day to homeschool. A key thing to keep in mind when planning your homeschool lifestyle is that there are supposed to be 180 days of schooling out

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Once the decision has been made to homeschool, the first logistical step is to withdraw the student from conventional school. Connecticut General Statute 10-184 (find out more legal information at CTHomeschoolNetwork.org/ Home-Schooling/Link-Legal) covers what subjects the child’s guardian is supposed to cover. Other than that, Connecticut homeschoolers benefit from freedom from government oversight to find the best learning fit for each child. If the student is already registered in a public school system, a letter of withdrawal must be sent to the local school district’s superintendent, according to CHN. It is highly recommended that the letter is sent as certified mail with a return receipt requested so that there is a signed receipt for the parents/guardians’ records. The child is subject to truancy laws until they are officially withdrawn. A school district may ask for a Notice of Intent to be signed; however, this is not a statutory requirement but rather a suggested procedure, explains Connors. The majority of parents withdrawing their children do not file the Notice of Intent nor do they submit an annual portfolio of student work for review; these are suggested practices but are not requirements (the link above includes reasons). If a child is transferring from another district, they need to be withdrawn from that district but do not need to file with the new school district. If a child has never been enrolled in a school district, no withdrawal paperwork is required.

Curriculum

Veteran homeschoolers advise not buying an expensive curriculum right away. Get a feel for how each child learns best. They may be a grade ahead in one subject and challenged in another, making a set-grade curriculum an inadequate investment. The

deschooling process grants adults the time to figure out a child’s interests as well as figuring out how each child best learns. By taking the time to observe, challenge and offer various learning opportunities to children before deciding on a curriculum, parents/guardians can find a collection of learning resources that fits each child. Additionally, free or low-cost field trips can be incorporated based on subject lessons or a child’s interests. Many museums, centers, art studios and businesses have been open to creating classes. Common Ground (New Haven), Sticks and Stones Farm (Newtown), Mystic Seaport (Mystic), The Connecticut Historical Society (Hartford), Connecticut Science Center (Hartford), Old Sturbridge Village (Sturbridge, MA) and The Connecticut Audubon Society have held homeschool days or courses. Some are open to teaching classes to homeschool groups organized by parents. These excursions and classes have been an integral part of many homeschooling families’ school year. During this unusual time, check in with these places as they may have restrictions on how and what they are able to offer for Fall 2020.

Costs

The annual cost of homeschooling can vary greatly based on curriculum choices, memberships, learning and crafting materials and even travel. Once a curriculum has been chosen, check state and even regional/national homeschooling groups’ used-curriculum marketplaces first. CHN, for instance, has a marketplace group on Facebook where used resources are being sold by other parents. Vendors also will offer discounts on new curriculum. Although borrowing materials from the library is a bit different now due to COVID-19-related safety measures, it is possible. The local library and the state book borrowing system are invaluable resources for homeschooling families as they offer free resources and books to supplement any curriculum. Audiobooks and DVDs can be beneficial for challenged readers or for more audiovisual learners. And audiobooks are great for learning while traveling in the car.

There are many ways to engage students in learning. Here are some of the possibilities: • Purchasing a box curriculum with all materials included • Buying a curriculum guide and then purchasing books and other resources separately • Doing unit studies to dig deep on specific topics of interest, which can incorporate math, English, science, social studies and other skill-building components into the learning • Subscribing to online education resources—such as Time4Learning, Education.com, Khan Academy and others— in order to pick and choose workbook, game or online work sheet assignments according to each student’s level (and even attention span on a specific day) • Taking online video classes on a variety of subjects through sites such as Outschool.com or VarsityTutors.com • Joining a local homeschool co-op or group where parents collaborate on the structure, time commitment, topics and more “The first thing you need to do as a parent is to change your mindset about what it is to learn. What does that look like for you? We set ourselves up for parental failure when we judge ourselves against the school model. That is not what homeschooling is about. Learning can happen any time,” explains Connors. “You can be out and about in the world and see something in a museum that coincides with what a child learned about geography or history on Netflix. They are connecting real life to what they are learning.” Many homeschooling resources can be found through the Connecticut Homeschool Network (CHN), a local homeschooling support organization for parents with up-to-date information. Visit CTHomeschoolNetwork.org for more information. The organization’s CT Parents Seeking Homeschool Info group on Facebook offers prospective homeschooling families more specific information from other parents. Ariana Rawls Fine is an experienced homeschooling parent and contributor to Natural Awakenings. She resides in Stratford.

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Out, About, and Beyond Four Walls

wo local nature-education programs—Two Coyotes Wilderness School and Common Ground—offer homeschooling parents weekly options for outdoor science enrichment. For those who decide to send their children to school, parents can work with their school district to apply for approval for their children to attend both programs’ science and nature education program one day a week.

Two Coyotes Wilderness School

ith locations in Granby, Killingworth and Newtown, Two Coyotes Wilderness School (TwoCoyotes. org) offers a 35week program and seasonal trimester wilderness-based mentoring options for 5- to 12-year olds from homeschool and traditional school backgrounds. They also have a Firekeeper program for teenagers and Coyote Pups classes for smaller children and their caregivers. All programs are held outside, except in inclement weather. Students are immersed in plant and animal identification, scouting techniques, playing nature games, stewardship of the land, and much more. While younger students focus on forest mysteries, games and crafts, older students learn more advanced survival techniques. Each program varies based on the age of the group and the instructor’s specialty. Students are encouraged to

develop qualities such as leadership, team building, emotional intelligence, resilience, confidence, expression, service and integrity. “We are a low-risk environment for COVID. We have adapted activities to be less ‘on top of each other’ and we wipe down the little amount of gear that kids may be sharing,” says Stephanie Niles, Two Coyotes’ program director.

Common Ground

or the Common Ground environmental education center in New Haven, its year-long NatureYear group sizes will be modified based upon Connecticut’s final group guidelines. As of July, there were more than 200 kids interested in the program, which usually serves 140 students. The science learning and outdoor play program is almost entirely conducted outside with students, says Rebecca Holcombe, Common Ground’s executive director. A key component of the program is giving children time for unstructured, independent exploration and play in nature. The weekly Family Nature Club Class offers environmental enrichment to families of children from 5- to 12-years-old while the Seedlings class focuses on the younger children. In addition, they offer the Kids Unplugged! after-school program from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m., several days a week (homeschoolers are welcome). Some activities are mixed-age groups and others are divided by age. Common Ground will publish a weekly email starting in September to support the community with lesson suggestions, videos, outdoor activities, suggested hikes of the week and more.

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Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC)

ELC (CTExperiential.org) in Branford, Connecticut, is a small program, by design, with a 1:6 teacher-to-student ratio that focuses on project-based learning and includes different teaching artists instructing in the classroom and remotely from places such as Guatemala. They are planning to have in-person classes in the fall as well as options for virtual learning, says co-founder Melinda Alcosser. There are still spots available for their weekly, in-person summer program. CELC is hiring additional faculty to offer more parents the CELC schooling experience for this coming school year. In their new design for Fall 2020, students who do not feel comfortable coming in person or who live farther away can learn remotely with those in the classroom or participate in a hybrid in-person/online alternative. Other options include homeschool Monday classes where students sign up for a trimester. Although masks will be required indoors, CELC provides opportunities to get students outside, where activities will not necessarily require masks. CELC also will offer support for parents looking for middle school curriculum guidance. They are looking to hold online Zoom workshops about content, curriculum ideas and more in addition to private consultations with parents. Disclaimer for all programs: Availability, class size, set up and more for all these programs are subject to change and contingent on guidelines published by the State of Connecticut.

Education Without Walls

ew Milford’s Education Without Walls (EWW) is a micro-school, mainly geared toward homeschoolers, that offers large spaces and a teacher-to-student ratio of about 3-to-1. They create areas where students socially distance but also have their own workstations so they can remove masks (when moving around, however, they need to wear them). Spaces are cleaned continuously. In addition, EWW (EducationWW.org) tries to create as many indoor/outdoor classes as possible, including yoga, stretching classes and movement outdoors. There are less than 24 enrolled in the high school program and fewer than 15 in the middle school program. EWW offered online classes before the COVID-19 crisis, deploying Google Classroom to connect with students. Subject to changing guidelines, EWW will offer a mix of online and on-location classes. Options available for middle schoolers include core academics, cooperative education (co-op) and core academics/co-op bundle. Parents pick the types and numbers of classes with student input. On the high-school level, EWW offers a plethora of subjects and accredited classes, transcripts and diplomas in addition to a dual-credit program with Post University. Students take the online classes at the New Milford location or with EWW teachers who are adjunct professors with the university. Admission is rolling as space is available, and fees are calculated with a need-based sliding scale. Merit scholarships and incentive scholarships are available.

Workspace Education

orkspace Education (Workspace Education.org) is a co-learning community comprised of families, educators and experts united to create the best personalized pathways for their children. In addition to a network of member families, community training and events and teambased competitions, it offers educational guidance to families with resources and trainings, tutors and specialists, workshops on curricula development, and an on-staff “dream director.” The Bethel location serves as both a virtual hub and interdependent co-learning space. Workspace Education utilizes a membership pricing model. The center is tentatively planning on opening two days a week in the fall, enforcing social distancing and requiring masks inside the building. With a coronavirus spike predicted for mid-fall, they are prepared to go online fully if necessary. Workspace Education is launching Workspace in the Sky, an online co-learning community in the cloud, to enable students to connect, collaborate and learn. The highly interactive site will offer online events and classes, a member comment feed, pathway mentoring, an educator portal, a co-creation studio, parental support and more. In addition to enabling parents beyond the Connecticut area to utilize Workspace Education, Workspace in the Sky will be less expensive because it doesn’t require the on-site experience or its overhead. It will include three platforms: one for parents to organize and cocreate; another for 7-to 13-year-olds to cocreate, learn, participate in clubs and more; and the third to house portfolios. Check the website for more detailed information in mid-August. Aiugust 2020

No-Waste Garden Edibles Ways to Maximize Your Garden’s Bounty

by April Thompson

ost gardens are loaded with delicious, nutritious food that goes uneaten and overlooked, from edible greens like sweet potato leaves to flavorful flowers like tulips, marigolds and wisteria. Getting better acquainted with the edible parts of common backyard plants opens up a world of culinary possibilities. With continued concerns around potential exposure to COVID-19, maximizing a garden’s bounty while minimizing trips to the grocery store is an added benefit. “Food foraged from your backyard is fresher, tastier and cheaper than storebought food,” says Ellen Zachos, the Santa Fe author of Backyard Foraging: 65 Familiar Plants You Didn’t Know You Could Eat. “There is also the novelty factor. People don’t expect to be served a BBQ sauce made from crabapples or a curd made with flowering quince fruit. You simply can’t buy those flavors.” Many plants and trees commonly

thought of as being ornamental have edible parts. Hostas are a common one that Zachos loves to nibble on as much as the deer do. “You can harvest at a couple stages: First, when spears are poking up and the leaves have not unfurled. A little later in the season, you can blanch them and put in a stir fry or quiche, or roast them as you would asparagus,” explains Zachos. Roses are another multipurpose ornamental, with organically grown rose petals making aromatic additions to sweet or spicy treats. Leaving the roses to decay after the first frost rather than dead-heading them yields rose hips rich in vitamin C for teas and jams.

Tip-to-Root Eating

Several common vegetables are edible from leaf to root, including broccoli, beets, chard and radishes, says Josh Singer, a garden specialist with the U.S. Department of Parks and Recreation, in Washington, D.C., who teaches classes on “alternative edibles” from

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the garden. “One of my favorite recipes is a hummus made with chard stalks in place of chickpeas. It’s so creamy and delicious.” Singer also cites borage, passionflower and squash flowers as favorite floral foods. “Unfortunately, it does mean making a hard choice between having beautiful flowers in your garden and eating them,” he adds. “It can also mean the plant not producing fruit or vegetables, but you can hand-pollinate female flowers in the case of squash and just use the male flowers for cooking. They make delicious fritters.” Marie Viljoen, author of Forage, Harvest, Feast: A Wild-Inspired Cuisine cookbook, has one tip for daylilies (Hemerocallis fulva) that overagressively multiply: eat them. “Daylilies are nose-to-tail eating: their tender, cooked shoots are as melt-in-yourmouth as leeks, and their firm, underground tubers are delicious snacks, raw or cooked. I like to roast them with olive oil, like mini-home fries,” says the New York City forager, instructor and chef. “Their buds are juicy snacks and their open, fresh flowers are edible—and stunning in a salad—but so are the older, dried flowers, the so-called ‘golden needles’ that one can sometimes find in Chinese stores.” Viljoen cautions that a small percentage of people have a bad reaction to daylilies, and they should be eaten in moderation, especially when trying them for the first time. Lindsay-Jean Hard, a food writer in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and author of Cooking with Scraps: Turn Your Peels, Cores, Rinds, and Stems into Delicious Meals, points out some common fruits with edible greens. Strawberry greens can be used to make a pesto or flavor water. Tomato leaves can flavor a tomato sauce (sparingly, as they pack a strong taste)—a tip found in Harold McGee’s On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen. Carrot tops and celery leaves also make great pesto, says Tama Matsuoka Wong, a New Jersey forager, chef and author of Foraged Flavor: Finding Fabulous Ingredients in Your Backyard or Farmer’s Market. While pea shoots have gotten to be a trendy item on many menus, Wong says they have long

EKramar/Shutterstock.com

conscious eating

been an off-menu item at Chinese restaurants. “You won’t find it on the menu, but Chinese people eat pea shoots instead of beans all winter long, often stir fried with sesame oil, garlic and bamboo shoots.” Many scrappy cooks know to use garden produce that fails to ripen before the season ends or bolts too soon. Singer uses unripe tomatoes to make green tomato chili, muffins and bread, whereas Hard likes working with flowers from bolted herbs and greens, including arugula, basil, chives, chervil, kale, sage, rosemary and others. “I mainly use them as garnishes, but every year, I make a batch of chive blossom vinegar,” she says. Leaving a plant like cilantro to bolt and flower not only feeds pollinators, but also provides free spices at the season’s end, says Singer. Simply let cilantro dry on the stalk, then gather the seed pods for home-harvested coriander seeds. Letting annuals go to seed (and saving the seeds) provides the start for next year’s food plot.

2 Tbsp soft goat cheese (can substitute vegan cheese or leave out for a vegan version) 2 tsp toasted sesame oil 1 Tbsp aged balsamic vinegar 2 field garlic flower heads, separated With a sharp knife, slit some of the flowers down the middle. (Remove the anthers and the pistil if following traditional Chinese preparation.) Top and tail the peapods if they have strings. Split half of them down the middle to expose the peas.

Arrange the peas and flowers on a plate. If using cheese, crumble and scatter across the salad. At this point, the salad can be covered and chilled to make it ahead of time. To serve, drizzle first the sesame oil, then the soy and balsamic vinegar, across the top. Finish with the field garlic flowers. Serve within 10 minutes. Recipe and photo courtesy of Forage, Harvest, Feast: A Wild-Inspired Cuisine by Marie Viljoen, (Chelsea Green Publishing).

April Thompson is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. Connect at AprilWrites.com.

Flower-ful Feasts

Daylily Salad

This strikingly beautiful salad marries the sweet crunch of pea pods with crisp orange daylily petals and creamy cheese. Eat the flowers in moderation. 6 daylily flowers (Hemerocallis fulva) 2 cups snap peas or fresh garden peas in pods

Aiugust 2020

photo by Penny De Los Santos

soda, in a medium-size pot over high heat. Stir constantly for about 3 minutes.

Kale Stem Hummus Yields: 6-8 servings 1 cup dried chickpeas 1 tsp baking soda Stems from 1 bunch kale 3 garlic cloves, minced ⅔ cup tahini 1 tsp fine-grain sea salt ⅔ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice Ice water Extra-virgin olive oil for serving The night before making the hummus, put the chickpeas in a large bowl, cover them with at least twice their volume of water and leave to soak overnight at room temperature. The next day, drain and rinse the chickpeas. Put them, along with the baking

Add 6 to 8 cups water until the chickpeas are covered by a few inches, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot and simmer until the chickpeas are very tender—45 to 60 minutes—checking on them occasionally to skim off any foam on the surface. Skim off any chickpea skins that float up as well, but there’s no need to try to remove the skins if they don’t come off. They were softened by the baking soda and will blend smoothly into the hummus. Meanwhile, fill another medium-size pot with water and bring to a boil. Add the kale stems and cook until they are very tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Drain them. Blend the kale stems, garlic and tahini in a food processor, scraping down the sides as necessary until well blended. Once the chickpeas are cooked, drain

them, add them to the kale stem mixture in the food processor along with the salt and lemon juice, and process until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons of ice water and process until the hummus is very smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes. Add up to 2 additional tablespoons, one at a time, and process again as necessary. To serve, spoon into a shallow bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Note: The hummus can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. After thawing frozen hummus, we might need to adjust the seasoning—taste and add salt and lemon juice as necessary. Also, try this hummus with other scraps like Swiss chard stalks or cauliflower cores. Follow the same cooking method as outlined, boiling until very tender, 15 to 30 minutes. Recipe courtesy of Cooking with Scraps, by Lindsay-Jean Hard.

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

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inspiration

Buddha in the Weeds

by Liz Driscoll Jorgensen

or three years or so I had completely neglected my garden, as I stretched my limits of endurance with work and family duties, including caring for elders. I did only the bare minimum maintenance so that my muchloved plants and trees did not die. Quarantine gave me the time I needed to address the thorny, weedy mess that engulfed my gardens. With determination and all-natural bug spray, I began the task of “digging out”. As I was carefully separating precious perennials from invasive species and weeds, I remembered how joyful gardening was, and what an intense workout it could be. In hour four or five, I stumbled over something underneath a large tangle of debris, a well-loved and worn statue of the Laughing Buddha. His smile was eternal and his belly round, although he was half-covered in moss, and encircled by vines. Even though I knew he was underneath my neglected garden, and I still had days of labor to go, finding him gave me a wonderful lift. No matter what my journey—painful as it was as I cared for my father towards the end of his life, sad as I have been over the state of the world and instability in people I had loved and relied on—I knew this was a lesson: My spirit was always ready to be renewed. I could let go and be present in this precious moment any time I chose.

Buddha didn’t appear to suffer under the weeds; he was ready to be joyous and delight again if I was willing to dig him up. If you will allow me to extend this metaphor just a bit further, even relationships that have been hurt by neglect, anger and pride can sometimes be resurrected if we are willing to focus on our own weeds and “injuries”, digging them up to examine if we were too harsh, too frightened or almost gave up hope for others. As long as we are open to possible healing, the Buddha waits under the brush. Even as we face continued uncertainty and the real threat of illness and loss, we can find our own small, joyful moments

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in the cycles of life and the healing power of grounding practices like gardening, laughing, cooking, music, connection with others and whatever we most need to feel alive. There is no predetermined path out of our suffering, except to abide by the firm conviction that we are obligated to create and maintain meaning and value in our everyday practices. Somehow, as the long quarantine impacted all of us, I have been blessed to connect with others who keep hope alive and push through the thorny weeds of fear and anger, greed and projection. I have learned so much about how much less I need to buy and eat and become attached. I have also learned that I can share my heart with others without concern for their acceptance or rejection and stay smiling in my heart, ready for hope to come around again. I wish for you the ability to find your own Buddha in the weeds and connection in the present as we travel on together. Liz Driscoll Jorgensen is a psychotherapist and spiritual seeker who has been on the path of recovery for almost 35 years. She is the owner of Insight Counseling, llc, in Ridgefield CT and can be reached by email at Liz@insightcounselingllc.com or through InsightCounselingLLC.com. See ad, page 17.

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At this point, illness provides the opportunity to embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing and spiritual awakening. Instead of supporting continued efforts to get rid of their disease/symptoms, a new approach and fresh perspective is needed and possible. This approach asks new questions, allows a shift in attitudes, and enables a new relationship with the disease as the patient looks inside to engage their self in the process of healing. This is the next paradigm shift in medicine: making new choices and using new resources that weren’t previously available to heal from within.

“You cannot solve a problem from the same perspective that created it.” ~Albert Einstein

ILLNESS AS OPPORTUNITY

Transform Sickness into a Self-Healing Journey

by Paul Epstein

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

“The journey of discovery lies not in seeking

new landscapes—it is in seeing with new eyes.” ~ Marcel Proust

Seeing with New Eyes

hen we are sick and in pain, we try to get well quickly. This is the natural response. We seek treatments to “fix” or get rid of our pain and symptoms so we can get back to our normal lives. When the treatment doesn’t make the symptoms go away, and we begin to suffer more, both physically and emotionally, our search for answers intensifies. Often, we then begin to feel hopeless, helpless and worthless. One becomes worn out, not just from experiencing the disease itself, but also from the battle to get well.

go deep

Where’s the Healing? Disease may tell the story of ourselves, not just our cells. By taking the risk of listening, we may be led to the emotions that lie at the core of our authentic being. Looking at symptoms as separate from the rest of our lives splits the body from the mind and spirit. When we try to get rid of our pain and symptoms, we deepen the split. Even if we do remove the symptoms, the underlying systemic cause (and real message) of the disease may not have been addressed, but bypassed momentarily. Therefore, only temporary relief is attained, and deeper healing isn’t happening.

Despair can turn into hope, impatience can turn into patience, fear can turn into courage and resistance can turn into acceptance. In the willingness to look inside and see with new eyes, healing and awakening our consciousness becomes possible. We begin to see and hear the messages of illness and symptoms; our bodies are telling us something. Learning to understand these messages can be the key that unlocks the door to recovery. In this fashion, the crisis of illness thus becomes the vehicle for transformation and healing from within.

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Creating a Healing Environment

A shift in one’s perspective, attitude and consciousness allows a person to create a context for healing as much as any conventional therapy or treatment. This emotional, psychological and spiritual context—the healing environment—may be more important to the healing process than any particular medicine or therapy. There is no one therapy, treatment protocol or sure-fire method for any particular chronic disease. Healing is not painting by the numbers. Every patient has a unique history, the background for their disease, and healing is an individual, personal and solitary journey. A holistic approach seeks to integrate how biography can become biology and synergizes the more clinical aspects of a treatment plan with the mind’s emotions, attitudes and beliefs. As people work to create this healing environment in their lives, they need guidance and support.

Shifting Roles for Doctor and Patient

Offering guidance and support during the journey of healing means the roles of the doctor and patient must shift. In addition to providing appropriate therapies, the doctor must also become a guide, teacher, coach and advocate in helping patients learn from their dis-ease and illness. The patient, in turn, takes responsibility for their illness and works to create the proper environment for their healing journey to proceed. By opening to the symptoms, listening to the illness’s message, and believing healing and change are possible, the process is stimulated. Together the doctor and patient form a healing relationship, an important component of the healing environment. “Perhaps everything that

frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something that feels helpless and needs our love.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Healing Our Whole Lives

Are you willing to listen with your heart to the other voices of yourself speaking? Often, childhood and/or adult wounds from physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse, abandonment and neglect are carried as burdens, expressing themselves in self-defeating patterns and addictions that eventually can become illness and disease. Recovery begins when we face our truth and learn to be with it in a new way. As Jung said, “All neurosis is a substitute for legitimate suffering”. There are two kinds of suffering; the kind that leads to more suffering and the kind that leads to awakening. It’s our choice, and having choices is liberating. But it hurts, it’s painful, it’s tough stuff and it requires courage, compassion and commitment. We come to realize directly what Alice Miller referred to as “the liberating experience of facing painful truth”. Facing the pain of our dis-ease engages us in a healing journey and spiritual path and becomes the vehicle that awakens our consciousness. Thus, by embracing and remembering, we experience that in the heart of the pain is the awakening and the healing. We come to understand that all sickness is home-sickness, and all healing is self-healing—the journey home to our true self. There is a difference between curing and healing. In curing, we are trying to get somewhere, we are looking for answers. Our efforts are specifically designed to make something happen. In healing, we live questions instead of answers. We hang out in the unknown. We trust the emergence of whatever will be. We trust the insight will come. The challenge in medicine is not the choice between one and the other. We need both. Paul Epstein is a naturopathic physician, mind-body therapist, mindfulness meditation teacher, and public speaker. He travels the world leading mindful healing workshops and retreats and maintains a private practice in Westport.

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TRANSITIONING FROM CAREGIVING Finding Self Again After the Patient Passes by Patricia Staino

“There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” ~Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter spoke these sage words, and never have they been truer.

ith the growing number of people afflicted with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in the world, increasingly family members are called to take on the sacred (and onerous) responsibility of providing daily care to a loved one suffering through a long illness. Every caregiver’s story is different: Some accept these responsibilities out of love, others out of obligation. Some express grief, others anger, many a deep loneliness. They often operate on autopilot, juggling work, home, children, and patient care. And no matter how many people are in the household, caregiving often feels like a lonely journey on a never-ending road. But it does end. Eventually, the loved 22

one transitions to the next stage of being, leaving behind this world and the failing body they inhabited. The caregiver is left behind to grieve, of course, but also to “get back to normal”. In truth, they start over. Just as their loved one has transitioned, the caregiver transitions as well, to their next Self. Before that transformation, however, they face complex emotions that can feel like barriers to a prosperous transition.

Grief No family caregiver truly is prepared for their loved one’s passing, no matter how much time they’ve had to prepare. For a caregiver, thinking about the inevitable

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death of the loved one they care for somehow feels like a betrayal—as if they are wishing the patient out of their life. So, when the loved one does pass, the family caregiver often feels intense grief at the loss. After all, the caregiver spent more time with the patient than other family members, and much of that time was quite intimate—bathing and dressing them, feeding and soothing them. Acknowledging this sense of loss— by telling a friend, pastor, counselor, or other family member—can start the process of grieving (and healing) almost immediately. Simply saying, “It’s so odd to look over at their chair and see it empty,” can prompt a conversation that will culminate in sharing stories about your loved one, transforming a sad thought into a pleasant memory.

Relief Alongside the grief, relief surges almost immediately when the family caregiver loses their loved one. They’ve watched the patient grow sicker and sicker, perhaps forgetting who they are and growing increasingly frustrated with a world they can no longer navigate. The most crushing emotion of all comes in watching a loved one feel pain, sadness, and fear. It’s not surprising, then, that caregivers breathe a sigh of relief when their patient breathes their final breath. Their loved one is safe and healed, and that’s a tremendous burden lifted from their shoulders. Yet, many caregivers feel further guilt about their relief. “The feelings are not mutually exclusive,” says Barbara Slaine, end-of-life doula, Reiki master, and founder of Liphe Balance Center and ConsciousDyingMatters.com. “It is walking with life and death at the same time. This enhances the preciousness of life and prepares for the inevitable departure. When loved ones die, it is natural to have ambivalent feelings. Of course, you love them, but there is tremendous relief. Understanding you can love and feel relieved at the same time is important during this time.”

Guilt/Remorse It’s so easy for a family caregiver to fall victim to guilt and remorse after they lose their loved one. Even the most compassionate, selfless caregivers are apt to find themselves laboring under “shoulda, coulda, woulda” questions that only lead to more pain and sorrow. They hold themselves responsible for the loss, when, in truth, there was nothing they could have done to prevent the death. After their family member dies, loving caregivers may run through every decision they made, every interaction they had with the patient, and wonder what they could have done differently. They may be riddled with self-blame that can consume them if not put into perspective.

Confusion Often, they manage grief and relief while figuring out how to “move on”. But how can a family caregiver pick up after their loved one has passed? First and foremost, they must turn their care and healing ministrations toward themselves. Most have neglected self-care for the duration of their loved one’s illness, and the only way to reclaim their core Self is to begin tending to their own needs for a while. “Often with chronic disease, the patient’s identity becomes their illness, and they lose themselves in it,” says Marlon Simpkins, chaplain at Regional Hospice in Danbury. “I think the same thing happens with family caregivers. Their identity becomes so much about taking care of their patient, that when that role no longer exists, they are in crisis. Not only are you grieving the loss of your loved one, but you also are having a kind of identity crisis.” No matter what “before” meant to family caregiver, the act of caring changes the person taking care. Just as their loved one transitioned from this world, the caregiver must transition as well. Grief itself is a transitive process, and part of the caregiver’s grieving should include reconnecting with Self, although they may not remember who they were.

Mindful Steps for Caregiver Self-Healing • Pause, take a breath, and try not to judge yourself. • Understand grief comes in waves and encompasses a myriad of feelings. Feel them, acknowledge them and remind your self where they are coming from. • Remember your loved one—especially the stories that make you laugh. • Think about what you did for your loved one, and how you took care of them in a way no one else could. • Be grateful for the gift you gave them, as well as the gifts you received from the time you spent with them. • Build yourself back up. Try to remember what used to make you happy. What small step could you take today to get closer to that happiness again? • Each day, do at least one thing that makes you feel better. • Ask for help when you need it, then keep moving forward.

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Euphoria The opportunity to reconnect with who they once were, however, does lead to feelings of hope and excitement, which may seem out of place when discussing loss and grief. One of the most confusing symptoms of grief in family caregivers, according to those who study the process, is “euphoria”. Often, they have sacrificed quite a bit of their life to care for their loved one—giving up travel, work opportunities, limiting socializing and hobbies. It’s no wonder then that many caregivers exhibit signs of depression. When a family member’s illness is prolonged, as happens with dementia and Alzheimer’s in particular, the caregiver may begin to feel despondent, as if

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there is no joy left in life, and there never will be again. When the family member’s death is imminent, the caregiver unexpectedly experiences flashes of euphoria—hope and excitement about what might be in the future. These brief moments of joy are short-lived, however, because guilt quickly overshadows them. “It’s really okay to feel relief and take that big exhale; let yourself feel the space of it, for now, having this time to yourself,” says Katherine Silvan, spiritual counselor, Reiki practitioner, interfaith minister and inspirational speaker based in Fairfield County. This may be the emotion hardest to handle, yet the one the caregiver needs to embrace in order to move on to the next stage of their life. Silvan recommends joining a bereavement group to help deal with these complex emotions: “You’ll hear how other people are taking care of themselves, traveling, moving on, meeting new people, and it gives you permission to

do that. We have this strange idea that as a grieving person, we’re supposed to be in mourning all the time, depriving ourselves of all joy. That’s not something anyone who’s loved us would want for us.”

Transitioning from Grief to Hope Successfully transitioning beyond the role of caregiver isn’t easy, and it’s not quick. There’s no easy answer or magic formula. But hospice workers and grief counselors recommend finding a support system. A bereavement group, spiritual counselor, church organization, or a great group of girlfriends can all lend a listening ear, strong shoulders, and warm words, as needed. Don’t rush the process and be willing to feel all the feelings. Accept that you will feel guilt, relief, sadness, loneliness and hope, sometimes all in one day. While most hospice organizations offer 14 months of bereavement counseling to patients’ family members, there is no

time limit on grief. Years after your family member has passed, it’s okay to be sad on their birthday or to lay low on the anniversary of their death. “For caregivers, one of the most helpful tools is engaging with their spiritual resources, and that’s very broad,” says Simpkins. “A lot of people relate spirituality to religion, and that can be the case for some people, but it means whatever rituals, activities, and relationships breathe life into you. If you’re an artist, for example, but you’ve been caregiving for six months and haven’t had time to sketch and paint, it’s important to re-connect with that, because it’s part of the core of who you are.” Family caregivers will find themselves again after their loved one passes, but only if they feel the mix of emotions, accept that those feelings are valid and normal, and acknowledge that today is a new day with new possibilities. Patricia Staino is the managing editor of Natural Awakenings’ Fairfield County edition.

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Thriving Through Life’s Ups and Downs by Thea Litsios

ome say the best way to ride a roller coaster is to relax and allow your body to move with the motion of the car. It can be unnerving to be thrown, not knowing which direction you’ll turn next, unsure how to prepare for what’s coming. However, if you allow yourself to relax, let go of the need to know and go with the motion of the car, the ride can be exhilarating! There is a lot of similarity between riding a roller coaster in the dark and navigating our world these days. Many have found their lives irrevocably altered, and are striving to reinvent and rebuild their lives while still surrounded by the great unknown. Whether you are dealing with huge changes or small ones, knowing a few ways to deal gracefully with uncertainty can be very helpful. Here are some strategies to smooth the ride: Remember to relax. While it doesn’t seem natural to relax while life tosses you around, it’s the best thing you can do. If we tense up and go rigid, we are less able to navigate quick changes in direction. Practices like meditation, tapping or walks in nature can help you relax and quiet your mind.

Allow yourself a laughter break. Whether you prefer a movie or a comedian, laughter can be great medicine during times of change and a balm for stressed nerves. Don’t avoid your responsibilities, of course, but taking a much-needed break for some belly laughs can be restorative. Learn how to improvise. If you’ve ever watched a great musician improvise, you know there are many years of study and practice behind what looks like an effortless flow of notes. But years of study alone won’t ensure great improvisation. You also must learn to be in the present moment. If a musician is worrying about how they played at their last gig (the past) or about how the next performance will go (the future), they lose the ability to simply let the music flow. Similarly, you must be present in the moment to improvise your life. When mastered, this skill helps you navigate life through quick decisions and directional changes while appreciating the joy of now. Use your imagination. Were you chastised in school for daydreaming? In fact, our imagination is one of the most powerful tools we have to create change in our lives

and deal with uncertainty. When faced with horror in the concentration camps of WWII, Viktor Frankl, Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist and author, used his imagination to continuously envision himself dressed in a suit, addressing a large crowd, speaking on surviving the death camps. His vision eventually became a reality. Your present challenges are likely not as daunting as Frankl’s, but his example is a powerful one. Use your imagination to envision the future that you wish for yourself, no matter how improbable it might seem in the present moment. Time spent in your imagination envisioning your desired future is time well spent. Ask your dreams for guidance. In Active Dreaming, teachers share a technique called incubating a dream, in which you request a dream in answer to a question. Keep a journal by the side of your bed to record any dreams that you might have. Then, repeat a question – either in your mind or written on a piece of paper that you can put under your pillow. Your question should be about a challenge, dilemma or simply an inquiry, such as “What direction should I go?” or “Should I take that job?” Be open to receiving a dream that directly answers your question. It might not happen the first night, but repeat the process every night for a few nights, and make sure you record any dreams as soon as you wake. Be willing to reinvent yourself. If you don’t want to stay stuck over time, have faith in yourself and be determined to succeed. Remember that reinvention requires a willingness to let something go in order for the new to arise, and this can be the most difficult part. Make sure you allow yourself time to grieve what has been lost, so you will be more prepared to take a leap of faith into your new future. If your life feels like you are riding a roller coaster in the dark, remember to take a deep breath, relax and enjoy the ride. Thea Litsios is a certified transformational life coach, a certified hypnotist, and a teacher of Active Dreaming. You can reach her at TheaLitsios.com or thea@TheaLitsios.com. See Community Resource Guide listing, page 36. Aiugust 2020

wise words

Mustafa Santiago Ali on Healing America Through Social Justice by Sandra Yeyati

ustafa Santiago Ali has dedicated his career to fighting for environmental justice, public health, resource equity and political empowerment to uplift the most vulnerable communities in America. For 24 years, he served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is currently vice president of environmental justice, climate and community revitalization for the National Wildlife Federation. He is a renowned public speaker and has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, VICE TV, Black Entertainment Television, Democracy Now! and other networks.

Does the Black Lives Matter movement feel different than other moments in our history?

Yes. This is a transformational moment. So many different types of folks are coming together in large numbers, not just in our country, but across the planet, saying that change has to happen and we have to eliminate systemic racism and discrimination. They want the 21st century to look like the 21st century, and not something from the 1950s or the 1940s or even the 1960s.

for. Then we focus on getting engaged in the civic process—voting. Dr. King said, “I cannot pass legislation to make you love me, but I can pass legislation to stop you from lynching me.” When we fast forward that to today, we can pass legislation that addresses social ills, disparities and other egregious types of behaviors. We can also make sure that our organizations are representative of what America looks like—in our hiring practices and on our boards—and make sure that our philanthropic organizations are moving in the right direction where they are helping to fund and support folks who are doing this transformative work. It really is a holistic set of actions.

How do you remain hopeful in light of America’s turbulent history?

I see many artists and entertainers who are getting engaged in an effective way, and they have the ability to reach so many folks. Even more critical are the thousands upon thousands of incredible young leaders who are pushing, willing to put their bodies on the line, creating their own How can we keep the organizations and investing their time to make real change happen. momentum going? I see people at the local and state level By bringing all kinds of different folks tochanging laws that have been entrenched gether, building authentic coalitions that are for decades. I see organizations that would rooted in change, harvesting the energy of this moment and making sure that the right not normally see themselves in these types types of legislation—whether at the federal, of conversations or actions saying, “You are state, county or local level—are reflective of right. I apologize for not being here sooner, but we’re going to do everything we can what people are asking 26

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now to stand in solidarity with this change that’s happening.” My hope is anchored in the fact that people are already doing the work and we’re seeing fruits from the seeds that people planted sometimes hundreds of years ago, but definitely decades ago.

What kind of justice are you fighting for?

We’re fighting for housing, transportation, economic and public health justice, and of course, the environment.

Which vulnerable communities are you fighting for?

I fight for communities of color. I fight for lower-wealth white communities. I fight for indigenous brothers and sisters. And I fight for the planet. I know that disproportionately, these are the communities that are often unseen and unheard, and I know if we can give voice to those communities, then it will benefit everyone. Social justice gives us the opportunity to make America whole—to be stronger and better, as we become anchored in real justice. We have to be focused on moving our most vulnerable communities from surviving to thriving.

What is your contribution to the National Wildlife Federation?

I sat down with President Collin O’Mara to have real conversations about what a 21st-century organization and their 6 million members would look like. I thought that if I could get 10 or 20 percent of those members to embrace environmental justice and to stand in solidarity with folks, then that could help the movement and make real change happen. The National Wildlife Federation board has just approved a full environmental justice analysis of all of its programs, policies, activities and budgeting decisions. No other organization in our country does that, and it sends a clear message to all the other organizations that are out there that these are the types of things you have to do to be a 21st-century organization. Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a freelance writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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green living

THE UPSIDE OF LOCKDOWNS

Air Gets Cleaner Around the Globe

by Kimberly B. Whittle

round the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way millions of people live their day-to-day lives, but despite their dire consequences, government-mandated lockdowns have had an unintended positive consequence: cleaner air. In China, as major cities shuttered factories and reduced transportation earlier this year, experts found that carbon emissions dropped by about 100 million tons over a two-week period. Scientists at the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, in Brussels, are using satellite measurements of air quality to estimate the changes in nitrogen dioxide (NO2)—a pollutant emitted into the air when fossil fuels are burned— over the major epicenters of the outbreak. Their research shows that NO2 pollution over Chinese cities decreased by an average of 40 percent during the lockdown compared to the same period in 2019. Across the United Kingdom, the reduc-

March 2015-19 Avg.

tion in traffic and industry similarly impacted the climate. Within the first six weeks of lockdowns, in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff, NO2 and fine particulate pollutant levels dropped by a third to half, with large declines recorded in other cities. These are the two air pollutants that have the biggest health impacts on people, says James Lee, professor of atmospheric chemistry at the University of York and research fellow at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science. The U.S. has been part of these trends, as well. In Los Angeles, known for its smog, the air quality index improved by about 20 percent during March. According to Yifang Zhu, a professor at the University of California (UC) Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, during March, the region recorded the longest stretch of “good” air quality that it has experienced for 25 years. NASA has observed significant air quality improvements in other parts of the

March 2020

Schindler, T. L. NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio (2015-2020, March)

U.S., as well. Satellite data for March showed that the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions had the lowest monthly atmospheric levels of NO2 that month since 2005. Data on NO2 from the Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument over the Northeast in March indicated that levels of the pollutant in March of this year were about 30 percent lower on average across the region of the I-95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to Boston than the mean of the previous five years. Another immediate benefit of the reduction in pollutants is their effect on the pandemic itself. Public health experts agree people that have higher long-term exposure to fine particulate pollution have a 15 percent greater likelihood of dying from COVID-19. They attribute this to the lung damage caused over time by air pollution, combined with the fact that the virus targets the lungs and increases the risk of pneumonia. Experts warn, however, that the cleaner air is likely to be temporary if we return to pre-COVID-19 levels of travel and industry. Although we have seen a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide (CO2) levels—another important contributor to global warming—have continued to rise. “The crisis has slowed emissions, but not enough to show up perceptibly [in CO2 levels everywhere]. What will matter much more is the trajectory we take coming out of this situation,” geochemist Ralph Keeling, who directs the Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s CO2 monitoring program at UC San Diego, told The Washington Post. But it’s possible that if people start expecting and demanding the cleaner air we have been enjoying during the pandemic, the coronavirus shutdowns could lead us to embrace new ways of living and working. Scientists worldwide have emphasized that most of the air quality improvement is due to a reduction in traffic. Ed Avol, a professor of clinical preventive medicine at the University of Southern California, told Forbes that telecommuting is here to stay. “Telecommuting from home for those who can, even just for a couple of days a week, can have a marked reduction in terms of emissions.” Kimberly B. Whittle is the founder and CEO of KnoWEwell.com, a community and marketplace platform committed to rigorous, evidenced-based research that empowers healthier living. To learn more, visit KnoWEwell.com or see ad on page 29. Aiugust 2020

5G RADIATION:

More Than You Think

by CT Residents for Responsible Technology

very day we’re bombarded with ads in media outlets extolling the virtues of 5G-microwave radiation. The media hype behind 5th-generation wireless telecommunications promises consumers greater speeds along with connectivity of all things— the “Internet of Things.” What the telecom industry chooses not to disclose, however, are the devastating health effects that will impact every living organism, from insects and trees to livestock and humans. Perhaps the greatest peril will be the radiation-induced decimation of our bee population, threatening our very food supply. If bees were to disappear, according to Albert Einstein, we’d have no more than four years to live. With the introduction of cellular phones in the 1990s, we came to trust and rely on the technology. So, if 5G is just an 28

upgrade from 4G/3G, shouldn’t we assume the FCC and FDA have already approved the applied science we’ve been using for the last 30 years? No. While marketing spin has presented 5G as simply an upgrade, it is, in fact, an entirely new and evolving system based on the military’s selective beam technology. The telecommunications industry is currently deploying this infrastructure on utility and light poles, existing cell towers and the tops of buildings near your home, workplace and schools. This means there will be powerful cells on every street, alarmingly close to our homes. While the use of the term “small” wireless telecommunications facilities (sWTF) makes them sound harmless, the man-made, pulsed-modulated micro-

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wave radiation emitted from these cells is extremely dangerous. In thousands of peer-reviewed studies, these unnatural pulsing and spiking frequencies have been proven to be highly disruptive to the cellular functions of our bodies. Worse still, this bombardment of unnatural microwave radiation will be ongoing 24/7/365, with no break for our bodies to return to homeostasis. Nor will we be able to shield our families from the unceasing assault. Willfully dismissed by industry and government leaders alike are massive numbers of scientific studies documenting harmful health effects. Recently unclassified papers from the U.S. government, Russia and the WHO from 1945 and the 1970s reveal that millimeter waves are quite damaging based on duration and proximity. These thousands of peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that radiofrequency/microwave radiation causes suppressed melatonin and sleep disruption, headaches, dizziness, memory and learning impairments, cardiac arrhythmias, immune dysfunction, DNA damage, cancer, infertility, miscarriages and neurodevelopmental complications, particularly in exposed fetuses. Vastly increased wavelengths can interfere with electronic medical devices such as pacemakers and hearing aids. This radiation is especially damaging to children, born and unborn. The developing brains of the young absorb up to 10 times more radiation than do adult brains. Such whole-organism and cellular damage is not limited to humans, but also occurs in pets, farm animals and wildlife— especially our pollinators. There are other concerns beyond those that are biological. Data, it seems, is the new currency. The 5G technology in enhanced conveniences such as smart refrigerators, smart phones and home thermostats is deployed with microchips that gather data uploaded to the grid for sale to industry and government agencies for purposes of analysis and targeting. Worse still, 5G-enabled drones will capture data that will be used to monitor social distancing, body temperatures and contact tracing. Are we willing to give up our privacy for speed, autonomous cars and manufacturing robots—innovations already available without 5G?

All this does not mean we cannot have speed and advancements in education, healthcare and entertainment. Safe and responsible solutions do exist today. For example, fees for fiber-optic infrastructure were added to our phone bills in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Yet, the telecommunications industry has lobbied our elected officials and government agencies to allow for the fraudulent use of our publicly funded fiber-optic cables for their industry profit, while the public has been given inferior service through wireless, which is slower and less reliable with known security risks. The fiber-optic alternative, which we’ve already paid billions for, is faster, safer and more reliable, and it can be deployed today—fiber to the premises without the use of wireless infrastructure. No wireless antennas in the community mean greater security and greater reliability in services. Industry lobbyists have subverted our understanding of the 1996 Telecommunication Act with the myth that state and local rights are preempted by government/industry partnerships. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 preempted neither “health effects” nor

“operations.” These matters are within the purview of our local town regulatory authorities—not some state-level agency or council far removed from our communities. What can you do? Become informed and get involved in your town meetings, asking questions and requesting they halt all deployment. Organize to ensure your freedom from assault with warrantless surveillance, privacy invasion and data seizure in our homes and communities. Families in Easton have successfully worked together to establish a town-wide 5G moratorium to

ensure only safe and responsible technology is deployed. Other communities across the state, including Trumbull, Greenwich, Brookfield and Fairfield likewise are engaged in educating the public and requesting their town governments halt all 4G/5G. At the very least, communities need to insist that decisions are made based on actual needs assessment, capping and monitoring power capacity of devices such as sWTF conducted by local towns, not some far-off bureaucrat. Connecticut must work on changing how decisions are made regarding telecommunications applicants, giving more power to the local municipalities and towns. Deployment closer to our homes means towns must engage and get involved sooner rather than later. The community should not have to sacrifice its health and safety for some Internet of Things. To connect with CT Residents for Responsible Technology on protecting the community’s natural rights to health, safety, property value and a clean environment, join the Facebook group at Facebook.com/groups/ Stop5GCT/.

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Aiugust 2020

photos courtesy of RaisingYourPetsNaturally.com

natural pet

The Monthly Naturally Healthy Pet Section Starts Here!

COOL TREATS FOR CATS AND DOGS News, articles, resources, events— all dedicated exclusively to happy, naturally healthy living for our furred, feathered and scaled animal companions For information on how you can be a part of a future issue, call

203-885-4674 or email NicoleM@NaturalAwakenings.com

by Tonya Wilhelm

pending quality time with our pets is always a win, especially if it’s in the kitchen. Pet treats can be more than tasty; if we use the right ingredients, they can be downright nutritional. Stop at a favorite local health store to pick up the ingredients to prepare these easy and cool pet treats.

has antifungal properties, making it a good choice for yeasty dogs. It also aids in digestion, although too much of a good thing can cause diarrhea. Berries are a great treat for pets. Raspberries contain quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid that reduces inflammation.

Berry Delicious

1 cup coconut oil ½ cup blackberries ½ cup raspberries 1 Tbsp basil leaves

Basil isn’t just a culinary herb—it improves digestion, delivers anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, strengthens the immune system and helps to detoxify the liver. It’s perfect for this summertime frozen snack. Blueberries aren’t the only healthy berries. Blackberries are full of vitamin C, high in fiber, manganese and antioxidants, are a good source of vitamin K and offer antibacterial and anti-inflammatory attributes. Coconut oil provides vitamins and minerals, is antibacterial, antiviral and

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Yields: Depends on size of molds

Place the coconut oil in a pan over low heat. Stir until melted and set aside. Place the blackberries, raspberries and basil leaves into a mixer and blend. Add the melted coconut oil into the mixer and blend ingredients together. Place a silicone ice cube mold on a cookie sheet for support. The smaller the cavities, the better.

Pour the mix into the molds and place in the freezer. Once frozen, pop out treats and store in a glass container in the freezer. Serve one frozen treat to each pet every few days.

blend. Place a silicone ice cube mold on a cookie sheet for support. The smaller the cavities, the better. Pour the mix into the molds and place in the freezer. Once frozen, pop out treats and store in a glass container in the freezer. Serve one frozen treat to each pet every few days.

Carrots offer a great crunch. They also are a fine source of betacarotene, vitamin A, fiber and potassium. Not just a calming herb, lavender is also anti-inflammatory and even aids in digestion. Strawberries are fragrant and tasty, and also provide vitamins C and B9 , magnesium and potassium. These sweet fruits are rich in antioxidants. Yields: Depends on size of molds ½ cup blueberries ½ cup carrots ½ cup strawberries 1 Tbsp dried lavender Place the ingredients in a mixer and blend. Place a silicone ice cube mold on a cookie sheet for support. The smaller the cavities, the better.

Sardines and Milk

This frozen pet treat will delight both dogs and cats. Not only will they enjoy this treat, but it offers a powerhouse of nutrition. Sardines provide pets with healthy fats such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), otherwise known as omega-3 fatty acids. They also provide vitamin D3, B12, coenzyme Q10 and amino acids. Not bad for a small fish. Cow’s milk for pets is pretty much a no-no. They do not tolerate its high level of alpha-s1-casein protein. Goat’s milk, on the other hand, contains extremely low to no amounts of this protein, and so allows better absorption of the nutrients. Goat’s milk also supplies essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin B5 and A, as well as healthy fats, enzymes and minerals, making it a good choice for the liquid component in this frozen treat. Yields: Depends on size of molds 1 can (3.75 oz) wild-caught sardines in water 1 cup goat’s milk, raw or fermented is best

Cooling and Soothing Blueberries are quite popular as a healthy fruit for good reason. They are the most antioxidant fruit around. Because they contain natural compounds called anthocyanins, which are flavonoids, blueberries help protect against cardiovascular disease. They also have high amounts of EPA and DHA, making these little berries quite the superfood.

Pour the mix into the molds and place in the freezer. Once frozen, pop out treats and store in a glass container in the freezer. Serve one frozen treat to each pet every few days. Tonya Wilhelm is a professional dog trainer, spreading the word about positive methods of preventing and managing behavioral issues with a holistic approach. To connect, visit RaisingYourPetsNaturally.com.

Final Journey,

LLC

( Pet Euthanasia Service )

Kristen Klie, D.V. M. and Associates

( 203 ) 645-5570 www.finaljourneyllc.com

Place the ingredients into a mixer and Aiugust 2020

pet resource guide

VETERINARY SERVICES

ADOPTION/RESCUE ANIMALS IN DISTRESS INC

NFSAW

238 Danbury Rd, Wilton 203-762-2006 • Animals-In-Distress.com

223 State Rt 37, New Fairfield 203-746-2925 • NFSAW.org

BRIDGEPORT ANIMAL CONTROL

PET ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY INC (PAWS)

236 Evergreen St, Bridgeport 203-576-7727

504 Main Ave, Norwalk 203-750-9572 • PAWSCT.org

COMMUNITY CATS

PET PROTECTORS

PO Box 4380, Stamford CommunityCatsCT@yahoo.com CommunityCatsCT.org

2490 Black Rock Tpke, #453, Fairfield 203-330-0255 PetProtectorsRescue.org

DANBURY ANIMAL WELFARE

RIDGEFIELD OPERATION FOR ANIMAL RESCUE (ROAR)

SOCIETY (DAWS) 147 Grassy Plain St, Bethel 203-744-3297

45 South St, Ridgefield 203-438-0158 • ROAR-Ridgefield.org

FRIENDS OF FELINES INC

STRAYS AND OTHERS

PO Box 8147, Stamford 203-363-0220 Cats@AdoptAPet.org AdoptAPet.org

PO Box 473, New Canaan 203-966-6556 StraysAndOthers@hotmail.com

LOOKING GLASS ANIMAL RESCUE

WESTPORT ANIMAL SHELTER ADVOCATES (WASA)

Ridgefield • LGARinc.org On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

1 Tower Ridge, Westport 203-557-0361 • WestportWASA.org

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

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NUTMEG SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC 25 Charles St, Stratford 203-690-1550 • NutmegClinic.org

The Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic is a low-cost, high-volume facility for cats and dogs, the first such professional clinic in Fairfield County. The clinic offers other low-cost services during the spay/neuter appointment. Nutmeg honors state spay/neuter vouchers at face value from adopted shelter pets and qualified low-income families, and offers further low-cost incentives to nonprofit rescue groups. Pit bulls and mixes are welcome at an even more reduced rate, and the clinic offers spay/neuter and vaccine discounts for feral cats. See ad, page 32.

PET ASSISTANCE, INC

PO Box 2015, New Preston 860-355-PETS GetaPet@gmail.com • PetAssistanceInc.org Pet Assistance helps keep pets in their homes in times of financial and medical crises, providing emergency veterinary subsidies to pet owners in financial need. We only give grants for pets that have a good prognosis, unless the knowledge we gain from the treatment or surgery may help future animals in need.

ongoing events All Calendar events must be received by the 12th of the month prior to publication and adhere to our guidelines. Calendar submissions must be entered online at eNaturalAwakenings.com: click on “submit calendar” at the very top of the page.

sunday Naam Community Yoga Class – 9-10:15am. Second and fourth Sundays through September. Social Distancing will be implemented. All proceeds go to the Friendship Bench Project. $10 or $20 per family. The Municipal Center, 1 School St, Bethel. 203-730-0250. WeAreYogaCulture.com.

Sunday Albertson Memorial Church Service – 11am-12:30pm. Join us for inspirational sermons, meditation, energy healing and messages from Spirit. By donation. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 203-637-4615. Info@AlbertsonChurch.org. AlbertsonChurch.org.

monday

Satsang Meditation – 9:30-11am. Satsangs are wonderful spiritual and community gatherings of like-minded people. Satsangs with Shanti Mission Healers are filled with music, mantra, meditation, spiritual instruction/discourse and spiritual blessings to help you reset, recharge and get ready for the week ahead. By donation. Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St, Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@ gmail.com. MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.

New Beginnings in Community Sunday Service – 10am. Join this group of spiritually minded people embracing and honoring all world religions, belief systems, cultures and traditions. Free. Mystics By The Sea, 394 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-980-6272. NewBeginningsInCommunity.Weebly.com.

Heart Speak – 11am. Start your week off relaxed and invigorated. Listen to this 2-minute audio which inspires and uplifts, a part of you that speaks inspiration, wisdom, and happiness. Rotate to another GEM each Monday you will feel refueled and refreshed. Contact@heartspeak.life. Heartspeak.life.

Family Meditation Program – 10-11:30am. Second and fourth Sunday. Ages 4-13. While the adults are meditating in the main building, young people can connect with others in their age-group, learn about mindfulness, compassion toward self and others. 203-244-3130. MMKeeler@gmail.com. ReddingMeditation.org.

Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness. A simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life. Discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org. ReddingMeditation.org.

Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 10-11:30am. Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness. A simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life. Discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org. ReddingMeditation.org.

Reiki Share – 7:30-9:30pm. Fourth Monday. With JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT. Practice Reiki in a small group setting. Share experiences and help each other develop in a safe, fun environment while providing a wonderful, relaxing, rejuvenating experience. $20. Registration required. Turning Point Healing Arts and Education Center, 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield. 203-438-3050. TurningPointReiki.com.

Celebration Service – 10:30am-12pm. With Rev. Shawn Moninger. Inspiring message supports your spiritual unfolding with thought provoking, soul -healing topics and uplifting music. By donation. Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, 2nd Fl, Norwalk. 203-855-7922. Office@UnityCenterNorwalk.org. UnityCenterNorwalk.org.

tuesday Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 12:30-2pm. Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness.A simple practice that can be easily incorporated into

NOTE TO OUR READERS:

Due to social distancing guidelines in place at press time, we suggest confirming details for all events before attending.

daily life. Discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org. ReddingMeditation.org. Monthly Information Sessions at The Graduate Institute – 6:30-7:30pm. Join us for an info session every 2nd Tuesday of the month at The Graduate Institute. Please contact us to let us know that you’ll be attending. The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. 203-874-4252. Yin Yoga – 6:15-7:45pm. With Jennifer Duncan, Certified Yoga Instructor. 90-minute class while receiving the healing benefits of the Cave. Yin Yoga is a slower paced practice, meditative in nature, where you sink into poses for 3-5 mins targeting the body’s connective tissue. Please bring a yoga mat. $35. Salt Cave of Darien, 555 Post Rd, Darien. 203-658-7667. SaltCaveOfDarien.com. NAMI Support Group – 6:30-7:45pm. Third Tuesday. A place where families and friends of individuals living with mental health challenges can come together in a safe and compassionate forum. Meetings are confidential. Free. Rowayton United Methodist Church, 5 Pennoyer St, Norwalk. 203-428-6864. ClaudiaDevita1123@gmail.com. NAMISouthwestCT.org. Shamanic Healing Clinic – 6:30-8:30pm. Second Tuesday. This relaxing and peaceful method helps clear emotional and psychological hindrances and has been used for thousands of years in all indigenous cultures. Limited sessions available. $20/suggested donation. Transformation Center CT, 7 Reimer Rd, Westport. 203-820-3800. TransformationCenterCT.com. Reiki Share – 7-8:30pm. First Tuesday of the month. With June and Tracy. Come join our circle of practitioners for sharing and caring and healing. All levels of practitioners are welcome. Please RSVP. $20/drop-in. Kindred Spirits, 197 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-938-3690. Intermediate Evidential Mediumship – 7-9pm. This class is designed for those who know how to connect to spirit and wish to deepen the connection and get more specific evidence. Once a month we work with the public to gain experience. $20. 135 Clover Hill Dr. 203-344-9311. Reiki Share – 7-9pm. Second Tuesday. Practice and enhance your Reiki healing and grow your intuition. All will receive healing time and practice time. You must have completed at minimum Reiki Level I in order to fully participate. $15/suggested contribution. Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St, Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@gmail. com. MuktinathHolisticCenter.com. Reiki Healing Shares – 7:30-9:30pm. First and third Tuesdays. With Gigi Benanti, Usui Reiki Master/ Teacher. For Reiki practitioners only. Includes short instruction and discussion. Must RSVP. $20. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGigiB@snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com. Yin Restorative Yoga with Rob Farella – 7:308:45pm. Yin practice focuses on postures that lengthen the muscles surrounding the hips, pelvis, and lower back. Postures are held with support for 3-5 minutes per side to lengthen and stimulate connective tissue that surrounds the joints. $20. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642. Yogaspace-CT.com. Info@Yogaspace-CT.com.

Aiugust 2020

ongoing events

wednesday Power Yoga/Vinyasa – 9:30-10:30am, 11am-12pm & 5:30-6:30pm. Power yoga is a general term used to describe a vigorous, fitness-based approach to vinyasa-style yoga. $20. Soul Synergy Wellness, 1492 High Ridge Rd, Ste 6, 2nd Fl, Stamford. 203-814-1355. SoulSynergyWellness111@gmail.com. SoulSynergy.org. Tai Chi Classes – 6:30-7:30pm. With June Fagan, Tai Chi Instructor. A slow movement meditation for all levels of fitness. Known to reduce stress, increase focus and balance and improve self and well-being. $25/drop-in; $85/1 class per week; $150/unlimited classes month. Kindred Spirits, 1197 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-938-3690. Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness. A simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life. Discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org. ReddingMeditation.org. Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Meditation that often includes chanting, music and requires your active participation. All faiths and cultures are welcomed. By donation. Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St, Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@gmail.com. MuktinathHolisticCenter.com. Holistic Moms Network Fairfield County, CT Chapter – 7:30pm. Second Wednesday. Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care, 156 East Ave, Norwalk.Home.Homewebs.com/ HMNFairfieldCtyCT. Women Empowering Women Networking: New Milford Chapter – 7-9pm. Second Wednesday. Global, locally based networking community who’s goal is to support, educate and empower women entrepreneurs to live and love their best lifestyle businesses. $10, includes materials and snacks. Ah Yoga, 65 Bank St, New Milford. 203-233-8061. Bskicks@ sbcglobal.net. WomenEmpoweringWomenNow.com. Turning Point S.H.A.R.E. Divorce Group – 7:30-9:30pm. Third Wednesdays. Offering support, healing, advocacy, resources and education for women in the process of, or recently divorced. $20, $150/10-session card. Registration required. Turning Point Healing Arts and Education Center, 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield. 203-438-3050. TurningPointShare.com.

thursday Kundalini Yoga and Music Meditation – 9:3010:30am. With Leesa Sklover, PhD, C-IAYT, Certified Yoga Therapist, Kundalini Yoga Teacher. Experience the yoga of awareness weekly to heal your mind and your life. All welcome. $15 per class/monthly discount. Short Beach Union Church, 14 Pentacost St, Branford. 917-860-0488. DrSklover@gmail.com. LoveLifeProductions.net.

Vinyasa Yoga – 9:30-10:30am and 11am-12pm. Vinyasa Yoga is a flowing, dynamic sequence of poses that is one of the most popular styles of yoga in the U.S. This type of practice involves synchronizing the breath with a continuous flow of postures. $20. Soul Synergy Holistic Wellness Center and Spa, 1492 High Ridge Rd, Ste 6, 2nd Fl, Stamford. 203-814-1355. SoulSynergyWellness111@gmail.com. SoulSynergy.org. Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 9:30-11am. Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness. A simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life. Discover the benefits of becoming more present. By donation. Redding Center for Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org. ReddingMeditation.org. Gentle Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation – 6:45-8pm. Relax, release and flow into wellness in beginner/ level 1 yoga classes with work on mindfulness practices, breathing techniques, alignment, flexibility and strength. Modifications suggested and props used when needed. $5/donation per class. Hindu Cultural Center of CT (HCC), 96 Chapel St, Stratford. 203-5210359. HCC.Yoga.Wendy@gmail.com. HCCYoga.org. Reiki Healing Circle – 7-9pm. First Thursday. All welcome. Share and experience Reiki. Please join us while we enjoy a peaceful, powerful night of healing. Hosted by Gigi Benanti, Reiki Master/Teacher. $20. Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGigiB@snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com, UnityCenterNorwalk.org.

friday Vinyasa Yoga – 9:30-10:30am and 11am-12pm. Vinyasa Yoga is a flowing, dynamic sequence of poses that is one of the most popular styles of yoga in the U.S. This type of practice involves synchronizing the breath with a continuous flow of postures. $20. Soul Synergy Holistic Wellness Center and Spa, 1492 High Ridge Rd, Ste 6, 2nd Fl, Stamford. 203-814-1355. SoulSynergyWellness111@gmail.com. SoulSynergy.org. Reiki Share – 9:30-11:30am. First Friday. With JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT. Practice Reiki in a small group setting. Share experiences and help each other develop in a safe, fun environment while providing a wonderful, relaxing, rejuvenating experience. $20. Registration required. Turning Point Healing Arts and Education Center 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield. 203-438-3050. TurningPointReiki.com. Post-Natal Yoga – 11am-12pm. Improve your posture while strengthening and lengthening the areas that pregnancy, birth and motherhood impact in a friendly, supportive community. Learn breathing skills to help you through the stressful times of this new lifestyle. Adoptive mothers welcome. Mom’s only. $21/drop-in. Yoga Culture, 105 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury. 203-730-0250. WeAreYogaCulture.com.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Kundalini Yoga – 6-7:15pm. Kundalini yoga moves energy to create a clear and calm mind, strong and resilient body and open spirit. Learn to strengthen and balance your bodily systems, cultivate objective awareness and experience greater clarity and emotional balance. No experience necessary. All levels welcome. $20. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-7309642. Info@YogaSpace-CT.com. Yogaspace-CT.com.

saturday Gentle Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation – 9:3010:45am. Relax, release and flow into wellness in beginner/level 1 yoga classes with work on mindfulness practices, breathing techniques, alignment, flexibility and strength. Modifications suggested and props used when needed. $5/donation per class. Hindu Cultural Center of CT (HCC), 96 Chapel St, Stratford. 203-521-0359. HCC.Yoga. Wendy@gmail.com. HCCYoga.org. Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 10-11:30am. Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness. A simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life. Discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org. ReddingMeditation.org. New Men’s Group – 10:30-11:30am. This therapeutic support group is designed for men who are dealing with issues related to a relationship from their past, present or future. Limited seating available. $30 per session insurance accepted. Wolf Spirit Wellness and Counseling Center, LLC, 125 Main St N, Woodbury. 203-263-3175. WolfSpiritWellness@gmail.com. WolfSpiritWellness.org. Spondylitis Support Group – 11am-12:30pm. Last Saturday. Led by Dr. Andrew Cummins, naturopathic physician. Having lived with the chronic inflammatory disease Ankylosing Spondylitis for the last 18 years, Cummins understands what living with chronic pain and limited mobility is all about. Group provides education, empowerment, understanding and support. Free. Shalva Clinic, 8 Lincoln St, 1st Fl, Westport. 203-916-4600. DrCummins@ShalvaClinic.org. ShalvaClinic.org. New Women’s Group – 1pm. For women ages 29 through 35 who have difficulty navigating social situations that are interested in making new friends. This group will be working on understanding the nuances of social behavior and how to set attainable goals and boundaries. Space is limited. $20/ session. Wolf Spirit Wellness and Counseling Center, LLC, 125 Main St North, Ste 2B, Woodbury. 203-509-8602. WolfSpiritWellness@gmail.com. WolfSpiritWellness.org. Open Mic Night – 7-9pm, 3rd Saturday. Bring music printed out in your key and Kenneth Gartman will accompany you at the piano for your moment at the microphone. Comedians, poets, writers and musicians welcomed as well. Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, 2nd Fl, Norwalk. 203-855-7922. Office@UnityCenterNorwalk.org. UnityCenterNorwalk.org.

community resource guide

THE INSTITUTE OF SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION

Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email FFCAdvertising@NaturalAwakenings.com to request our media kit.

Board Certified Acupuncturist Valley Spirit Wellness Cooperative 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot 860-619-2788 ValleySpiritCoop.com

Compassionate professional care for those suffering from pain, internal disorders, menstrual issues and menopause, infertility, depression and anxiety, insomnia, addiction, fatigue, tune-ups and more.

AYURVEDA NEERU KAUSHIK, ND, MS ACU, MS, MA Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies 805 Kings Highway East, Fairfield 203-331-9111 DrKaushik@AyurvedicInstituteCT.com AyurvedicInstituteCT.com

BIOFEEDBACK ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE, EDD, LPC, BCN, LLC 898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield Offices in Ridgefield and Newtown 203-438-4848 Info@DrRoseann.com DrRoseann.com

Advanced Bio-Regulation (BRT) is a unique approach to health and wellness that uses Biofeedback and PEMF-based Electromagnetic Technology to help the body better self-regulate, adapt and heal naturally. It is used for chronic pain, depression, anxiety, hormonal issues, Lyme, etc. See ad, back cover.

Safe, painless early detection 71 East Ave, Ste D, Norwalk 203-856-1421 • AlbaThermalImaging.com Thermography can detect breast disease at its earliest stages and monitor and assess pain in any part of the body. Safe, painless, noninvasive, FDA registered.

SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Ken Hoffman, DACM, LAc, Medical Director 31 Old Rte 7, Brookfield 203-740-9300 • INM.Center Women’s Health: hormonal balancing, breast cancer prevention. Breast and full body thermography screening. Screening and treatment of chronic inflammation using medical infrared thermography (MIT). Safe, painless and non-invasive, thermography can detect early changes in breast tissue up to eight years before a mammogram. FDA-registered, our high-definition camera is the most advanced in the region.

EDUCATION

ENERGY HEALING BETH LEAS

Transformative Healing • Tarot 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com • TLCTarot.com If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection. 20 years of intuitive healing experience with adults and children of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 2.

ESSENTIAL OILS WAYNE LEISS, LMT

20 Fifth Ave, Apt A, Danbury 203-994-1207 Wayne@WayneLeiss.com WayneLeiss.com

THE GRADUATE INSTITUTE 171 Amity Rd, Bethany 203-874-4252 Info@Learn.edu • Learn.edu

The Graduate Institute is a state-accredited graduate school dedicated to promoting an integrative and holistic worldview through the study of health, wellness, education, and personal and professional transformation. Enrolling now for 2020 programs.

ELE

I SS

A combination of Ayurveda and Naturopathy is used to create a unique treatment plan to regain and maintain health. Based on one’s particular body constitution (dosha), a plan may include supplements, diet/ nutrition suggestions, lifestyle management, detoxification, hydrotherapy, 0zone therapy, Panchakarma. See ad, page 5.

ALBA THERMAL IMAGING LLC

JAMPA STEWART, MSOM, LAC

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY

We offer a unique certification program blending the science of nutrition with the hands-on components of sustainable gardening practices. We use food and herbs to make kitchen medicine, teach basic culinary skills, and practice foraging for and using nutrient-rich wild food. Now enrolling. See ad, page 13.

ACUPUNCTURE

113 Simsbury Rd, West Granby 860-764-9070 Joan@TIOSN.com TIOSN.com

Centering our lives through touch. Essential oils address

stress reduction, pain relief and overall well-being. They are used in topical, internal CENTERING OUR LIVES and aeromatic applications. THROUGH TOUCH Improve physically, emotionally and spiritually as I teach you about the benefits and uses of massage with natural and pure dōTERRA Essential Oils. See ad, page 2.

change can do you good Join the Natural Awakenings Franchise Family

For more info, visit: NaturalAwakenings.com Aiugust 2020

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TAMARA SACHS, MD

Functional Medicine and Integrative Care LLC 15 Bennitt St, New Milford 860-354-3304 TSachsMD.com Using Functional Medicine, Dr. Sachs prevents and treats chronic illnesses by addressing their underlying root causes, remaining respectful of the uniqueness, complexity and intuitions that make us human. Trained at Mt. Sinai Medical School and Yale University Hospital in Internal Medicine, in 2003 she opened Functional Medicine and Integrative Care LLC. She has great success with IBS, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, autoimmune problems, toxicity and more, by creating individualized, realistic and comprehensive personalized wellness plans. She consults in her New Milford, CT office, and also by phone or video using telemedicine.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE PHYSICIAN HENRY C. SOBO, MD

Optimal Health Medical LLC 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-348-8805 DrSobo.com Advances in Regenerative Medicine allow Dr. Sobo to offer cutting-edge technologies such as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) treatments and adult stem cell therapy. Dr. Sobo’s integrative approach addresses a variety of conditions such as: food allergies, Alzheimer’s/ dementia, chronic fatigue syndrome, weight loss, hormonal health, fibromyalgia, anti-aging medicine, and MTHFR-Genetic Mutation. See ad, page 18.

INTEGRATIVE NATURAL MEDICINE SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER Ken Hoffman, DACM, LAc, Medical Director 31 Old Rte 7, Brookfield 203-740-9300 INM.Center

INTUITIVE GUIDANCE MARISA DELZIO, SPIRITUAL MEDIUM

By appointment only Ridgefield MarisaDelzio.com MarisaDelzio@gmail.com Connect with passed loved ones to experience healing, guidance, and love. Individual and group readings are available in-person or by Skype/Google Hangouts. prog\

LIFE COACH/HYPNOTIST THEA LITSIOS, CHY

Life Coach, Hypnotist, Teacher of Active Dreaming Remote sessions available TheaLitsios.com 203-693-1493 Use the power of your whole mind to transform your life: Hypnosis for weight loss, smoking cessation, stress relief, and past life review. Certified teacher of Active Dream work. Individual dream consultations available, as well as workshops and monthly Dream Groups. See ad, page 2.

MEDITATION CENTER FOR MINDFULNESS & INSIGHT MEDITATION 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding 203-244-3130 ReddingMeditation.org

We teach and practice Mahasati meditation. Mahasati meditation cultivates self-awareness through attention to the movement of the body and, at more advanced levels, to the movement of the mind. No prior meditating experience is necessary. Ongoing weekly meditation classes, retreats and events. Please check monthly event calendar or visit ReddingMeditation.org for updated information.

Using naturopathic and Chinese medical principles, we get to the source of your health concerns. Diagnostic methods include functional testing such as advanced bloodwork analysis, cardiovascular testing, hormone evaluation and thermography. Our customized treatment program includes acupuncture, herbal and nutritional medicine, diet and lifestyle counseling and more. Most insurance accepted.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

METABOLIC OPTIMIZATION MARVIN P. SCHWEITZER, ND Wellness Institute 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203-847-2788 DrMarvinSchweitzer.com

We help you unleash your own body’s ability to heal. Cutting edge evaluations and 25+ years experience help to determine precisely which individualized therapies – including energy medicine, oxygen therapies, homeopathy, botanicals, nutrition, allergy/toxin testing and treatment are used to nourish, cleanse, balance and repair. We collaborate with you in a caring environment. See ad, page 7.

METAPHYSICAL STORE THE ANGEL COOPERATIVE

51 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 TheAngelCoop.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube The Angel Cooperative is a unique lifestyle boutique featuring the first and only Shungite room in the USA. Wide selection of crystals, jewelry, candles, essential oils and soaps. Spiritual gifts, statuary, oracle decks and tarot and home décor. Available in The Shungite Room: readings, Reiki, meditation, sound therapy, energy work and workshops. See ad, page 19.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN NEERU KAUSHIK, ND, MS ACU, MS, MA Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies 805 Kings Highway East, Fairfield 203-331-9111 DrKaushik@AyurvedicInstituteCT.com

A combination of Ayurveda and Naturopathy is used to create a unique treatment plan to regain and maintain health. Based on one’s particular body constitution (dosha), a plan may include supplements, diet/nutrition suggestions, lifestyle management, detoxification, hydrotherapy, 0zone therapy, Panchakarma. See ad, page 5.

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. ~Dalai Lama eNaturalAwakenings.com

NATURAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER

Lisa Singley, ND, MS 2103 Main St, Ste 2, Stratford 203-874-4333 Info@NHAWC.com NHAWC.com We use advanced diagnostic testing with safe, effective, all-natural healing modalities and treatment options to treat acute and chronic conditions; restore balance; and treat the mind, body and spirit. Specialists in endocrine disorders, digestive issues, pain management and chronic fatigue. We offer comprehensive solutions to prevent illness and maintain optimal health for body, mind and spirit. See ad, page 14.

MARVIN P. SCHWEITZER, ND Wellness Institute 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203-847-2788 DrMarvinSchweitzer.com

NEUROFEEDBACK ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE, EDD, LPC, BCN, LLC

898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield Offices in Ridgefield and Newtown 203-438-4848 Info@DrRoseann.com • DrRoseann.com We work with children, adolescents, teens, adults and families around a variety of issues with non-medication therapies. We provide brainbased treatments like neurofeedback, biofeedback, EFT, hypnosis, meditation, etc. Our staff provides non-judgmental support to help alleviate stress and promote wellness. See ad, back cover.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE, EDD, LPC, BCN, LLC

898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield Offices in Ridgefield and Newtown 203-438-4848 Info@DrRoseann.com • DrRoseann.com Our highly trained and experienced therapists utilize a variety of brain-based tools and techniques that allow the CNS to calm down so one can address their issues without heightened anxiety. We specialize in pediatrics, parenting and supporting individuals with chronic issues. See ad, back cover.

ROBIN ORDAN, LCSW Family, Child, Individual and Couples Therapy Old Greenwich/Stamford 203-561-8535 RobinOrdanLCSW.com

Robin has more than 18 years of experience working with families and children. Specializing in divorce, parent/child conflict, grief, attachment/bonding, child development and parenting. See ad, page 8.

NANCY SCHERLONG, LCSW

Coaching/Psychotherapy/Consulting Offices in Danbury and Ridgefield 914-572-3167 WellnessMetaphors.com Manage stress with relaxation techniques. Rediscover your creativity through writing and the expressive arts. Resolve trauma with EMDR, IFS or SE. Or book an experiential workshop! Nancy has over 20 years of experience with children, families, groups, adults and corporate wellness programs.

REIKI GIGI BENANTI, USUI REIKI MASTER Angelic Healing Center 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk 203-852-1150 • AngelHealReiki.com

TURNING POINT REIKI LLC

JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield 203-438-3050 TurningPointReiki.com TurningPointShare.com JoAnn uses intuition, experience and a deep spiritual connection in her Reiki, IET and Reconnective Healing sessions. Specializing in care for individuals with cancer, Lyme disease and back pain. All Reiki levels taught.

SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER EMBODY THE SACRED

Deana Paqua, MA, LMT Ridgefield and New Milford Deana.Paqua@gmail.com EmbodyTheSacred.net Offering classes, training programs, healing sessions and mentoring in cross-cultural energy medicine and contemporary shamanism for healers, spiritual seekers and the energy sensitive. Learn self-healing, self-empowerment and trauma transformation through the sacred.

SOUND HEALING HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA

Barbara (Bobbi) Soares New Milford • 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com HummingbirdSoundYoga.com Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga Barbara (Bobbi) Soares, MA, CYT, is a sound yoga and vocal yoga teacher, blues/jazz singer, and Reiki master, certified in several modalities of energy and sound healing. She offers hummingbird sound yoga and sound healing immersions for groups and private sessions. Using earth, dance and symphonic gongs, bowls, tuning forks and humming-for-health meditations, her goal is to help individuals experience becoming “one with sound” to promote a deep relaxation response that balances energy and encourages healing.

Gigi is an experienced Reiki Master/Teacher. She offers all levels of Reiki training monthly. All classes and Reiki sessions include the latest techniques including Karuna, Angelic and Jikiden Reiki.

Aiugust 2020

TAI CHI/QIGONG JAMPA STEWART, MSOM, LAC

Board Certified Acupuncturist Valley Spirit Wellness Cooperative 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot 860-619-2788 • ValleySpiritCoop.com Develop physical and mental fitness and find a new harmony of the mind, body and spirit using these ancient Chinese movement arts. Starting with basic movements, warm-up techniques and breathing exercises, you will learn a set of flowing natural movements done slowly with calmness, balance and awareness. Weekly classes, weekend workshops and retreats. Classes currently available each week online via zoom.

TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING KATIE AUGUSTYN, MA, CPC

Transformation Coach - Shamanic Healer TransformationCenterCT.com 203-820-3800 TransformationCenterCT@gmail.com Katie will assist you in reaching your true potential and heal what has been holding you back. You will experience real self-acceptance and start to live in alignment with who you truly are so you can create a life you love, a life of meaning and purpose. See ad, page 2.

BETH LEAS

SOUL HEALING JOURNEY, LLC Eilis Philpott Fairfield • 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com

Eilis is a master healer and teacher and certified in numerous modalities as both a practitioner and teacher. She offers soul-level healing, which clears any blocks, obstacles and challenges that are preventing you from living your life to its fullest potential. See ad, page 5.

WELLNESS CENTER THE ANGEL WING, A DIVINE SPIRITUAL CENTER

Located next door to The Angel Cooperative 49 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 •TheAngelCoop.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

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203TLC 2 The Angel Cooperative/ Angel Wing

Country Tick & Mosquito

Final Journey LLC

The Angel Wing hosts workshops, yoga classes, retreats, energy work sessions, readings, Reiki and guided meditations. It is available to rent on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis. Optional rental spaces include a large open room and/or an intimate private room with massage/ Reiki table. See ad, page 19.

Hartford Family Institute

SALT CAVE OF DARIEN

LifeWorks Wellness Center

Natural Awakenings Fairfield For Sale

Natural Awakenings Hartford For Sale

555 Post Rd, Darien 203-658-7667 Info@SaltCaveofDarien.com SaltCaveofDarien.com

Our wellness destination offers a rich lineup of therapies: community salt cave sessions, special events with local healers, lunchtime meditation class, coffee chatter sessions and weekly yoga and stretch classes. See ad, page 2.

SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA

787 Main St S, Woodbury 203-586-1172 NaturalSaltHealing.com Combining an array of natural therapies that have been used since ancient times with today’s technology, Salt of the Earth Spa provides a sanctuary for deep transformation, healing and grounding for mind, body and spirit.

classifieds To place a Classified Listing: $1 per word. $25 minimum. Magazine deadline: 12th of month prior to publication. Email copy to NicoleM@NaturalAwakenings.com.

Holisitc Community Professionals Insight Counseling Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition

9 17 5 13

KnoWeWell 29 Lectio 360

Natural Health & Wellness Center 14 Nature’s Rite

Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic

Optimal Health Medical/ Henry Sobo, MD

Passport to Health & Wellness Holistic Expo

Parker University

Robin Ordan, LCSW

Ann Reeves

Roseann Capanna-Hodge & Associates

Victoria Shaw, PhD

Soul Healing Journey Total Look Salon & Spa

5 11

Touch of Sedona

Wellness Institute/ Marvin Schweitzer, ND

Wolf Spirit Wellness

FOR SALE CURRENTLY PUBLISHING NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINES – For sale in HArtford and Fairfield. Email NicoleM@ NaturalAwakenings.com for details.

BOOKS

HELP WANTED

RECOGNIZE AND HEAL YOURSELF Through the Power of the Spirit.The human being is an energy field of the Spirit—The spiritual forces are also healing forces that can be requested. Gabriele-Publishing-House.com. Toll-Free: 844-576-0937.

IMMEDIATE PT FLEXIBLE POSITION: Apprentice/assistant for yoga sound healing studio. Experience in social media, online delivery and live recordings. Enthusiasm for hands-on garden and grounds projects for concerts, small events. Lower Litchfield county location. Resume/interest/references to PO Box 2186, New Preston, CT 06777.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

EARN YOUR ONLINE DEGREE TODAY AT PARKER UNIVERSITY! More and more patients want alternative methods of treatment that are healthy, holistic, and non-invasive. Earning your degree in one of these programs totally online could put you in position to help them. • Masters in Functional Nutrition • Masters in Strength and Human Performance • Bachelors in Integrative Health • Bachelors in General Studies • Bachelors in Psychology • Associates in Health Science For more information go to Parker.edu. For questions or to apply, give us a call at 800-637-8337 or email us at Askparkeradmissions@parker.edu today!

Aiugust 2020

YOU CAN REDUCE & REVERSE

MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS - Neurofeedback & Biofeedback - QEEG Brain Mapping - Advanced Bio-Regulation Therapy (BRT) - Short-term, Intensive Therapy - It’s Gonna Be OK™ Course - EFT/Tapping

- Counseling - Play Therapy - Executive Functioning Coaching / Therapy - Parent Education and Therapy - Behavioral Support - 360° Reboot® Program

Dr. Roseann Associates

Neurofeedback, Evaluation & Therapy

OUR CENTER HAS HELPED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE If you feel like you have tried everything and don't know what to do, call us today to schedule your QEEG Brain Map to "check under the hood" and get the clear path to help you or your child be focused, calm, and happy.

WE TREAT THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: - ADHD / ADD / Executive Functioning - Anxiety, Social Anxiety & OCD - Autism - Behavioral & Social Issues - Chronic Pain / Fibromyalgia - Concussion / TBI

- Depression / Mood Issues - Learning Disability / Dyslexia - Lyme, PANDAS / PANS & Other Chronic Health Conditions - PTSD / Trauma - Seizures - Failure to Launch Young Adults

RIDGEFIELD OFFICE

203.438.4848 info@drroseann.com 40

www.drroseann.com

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

898 Ethan Allen Highway, Suite 6 Ridgefield, CT 06877 Satellite Oﬃ ce in Newtown, CT

August Issue Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley

Articles inside

THE UPSIDE OF LOCKDOWNS

GOING DEEP

COOL TREATS FOR CATS AND DOGS

THRIVING THROUGH LIFE’S UPS AND DOWNS

TRANSITIONING FROM CAREGIVING

MUSTAFA SANTIAGO ALI

ILLNESS AS OPPORTUNITY