Buffalo Natural Awakenings - August 2016 by Buffalo Natural Awakenings

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Leftover Makeover Ways to Halt Food Waste

Just Walk

22 Minutes a Day Boosts Well-Being

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Growing Up Empowered

Helping Kids Step into Their Best Selves

August 2016 | Buffalo, NY Edition | BuffaloAwakenings.com natural awakenings

August 2016

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advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 716-909-7805 or email Publisher@BuffaloAwakenings.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Editor@BuffaloAwakenings.com. Deadline for editorial: feature articles are due by the 5th of the month, news briefs and health briefs are due by the 10th. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Publisher@BuffaloAwakenings.com or visit BuffaloAwakenings.com for more information. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

13 YAY FOR PLAY

Ways to Spark a Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Creativity by April Thompson

14 BARNET BAIN ON HOW

CREATIVITY CAN SAVE THE WORLD

Fresh Thinking Challenges Rigid Mindsets

by Linda Sechrist

16 JUST WALK

22 Minutes a Day Boosts Well-Being

by Randy Kambic

18 SALT AIR IN THE CITY Salt Rooms Soothe Allergies and Skin Conditions by Avery Mack

20 GROWING UP

EMPOWERED

Helping Kids Step into Their Best Selves

by Judith Fertig

23 EARTH GUARDIANS

Kids Say No to Global Warming by April Thompson

26 A GOOD FOOD FIGHT

Keeping Food Out of the Trash Bin by April Thompson

29 THE GARDEN CURE Natural Sanctuaries Heal Body and Spirit

by Sandra Murphy

30 HANDLE WILD THINGS WITH CARE

How to Help Injured Animals by Sandra Murphy

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August 2016

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contact us Publisher Sally Hess Gower Editor Brad Gower Copy Editor Steve Jagord Calendar Editors Rachel Johnson Sara Peterson Design & Production Stephen Blancett C. Michele Rose Sales & Marketing Sally Gower Ida Pannozzo Multi-Market Advertising 239-449-8309 Franchise Sales 239-530-1377 Buffalo Natural Awakenings P.O. Box 108, Buffalo, NY 14226 Phone: 716-909-7805 Fax: 716-970-4712 Publisher@BuffaloAwakenings.com BuffaloAwakenings.com ©2016 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

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ne of my favorite summer memories as a kid was lying on my back in the natural grass and watching the clouds drift by. I guess some would call me lazy, but I remember with clarity how happy it would make me. While life led me away from watching the clouds for many years, I now realize that I was actually practicing a form of mindfulness. Those times of peace and quiet would allow creative thoughts and ideas to spring up out of nowhere. This recollection arose through contemplation of this month’s themes of youth empowerment and creativity. Both qualities have the power to truly change the world and by cultivating them in our children, we can prepare them for trying times like those we’re living through today. We can help them to understand, deal and make a difference with everything they encounter both near and far. Creativity can provide the fresh thinking needed to challenge rigid mindsets. Many of us have childhood memories of playing dress up and making forts from our sofa cushions, simple experiences of intense delight and fun. April Thompson ruminates on such activities in “Yay for Play: Ways to Spark a Child’s Creativity” on page 13. It’s important to note how closely creative play is linked to empowering our kids to step into their best selves. As they experience divisive and trying times, it will be critically important that they continue to care by listening, being good and decent to others, and not waiting for others to step up. The energy we put out there is critical in encouraging our children to take hold of their future. On page 22, Judith Fertig is our guide with her article “Growing Up Empowered: Helping Kids Step into Their Best Selves.” One current challenge that requires empowered individuals of all ages is described in April Thompson’s “A Good Food Fight” on page 26, where she explains that “as much as 40 percent of food produced in the U.S. is wasted, even as one in six Americans goes hungry.” This breaks my heart. In addition to solving larger, serious issues, our children will need to maintain control of their health, just like us. However, in “Just Walk” on page 16, Randy Kambic suggests that even a brisk 22-minute walk each day can deliver significant and wide-ranging health benefits. Let’s do it! Walking 22 minutes a day seems easy compared to solving the gross inequality of food waste and hunger, but Thompson’s article, along with a list of local resources, stresses that “the battle against wasted food needs to start at home, where small steps add up to big change.” Each and every empowered and inspired individual we can collectively produce brings us one step closer to a solution, and creative thinking will no doubt be paramount. Stepping back into the present moment, let’s recognize that the last full month of summer is here. Find a moment to lay in the grass and look up at the clouds to see if they can inspire any new thoughts. Start taking that daily walk. Listen to some great local music. Savor a dripping ice cream cone. Maybe even turn that sofa into a fort. Realize that what we cultivate within will lead to a better world for all.

Sally Gower, Publisher BuffaloAwakenings.com

newsbriefs Farmers’ Market Comes To Main Street

new farmers’ market geared towards an underserved East Side community has opened in Buffalo. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday, the Main Amherst Fillmore Market is welcoming vendors to the parking lot of International Wine and Spirits at the intersection of Main Street, Amherst Street, and Fillmore Avenue. The market is looking to add food and non-food vendors, although raw food is their primary desire. Instead of rent or application fees, vendors are currently asked only to accept $20 worth of vouchers distributed to the community. A statement from the market’s Facebook page reads: “This market looks to serve a population underserved by fresh food operations and social gathering outfits. The Main/ Amherst/Fillmore area has no easy access to a supermarket or anything larger than a corner bodega. These rarely offer butter, milk, or bread, let alone vegetables or fruits.” Location: 2580 Main St., Buffalo. For more information, email MAFMarketBuffalo@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/ mafmarket.

Buffalo Paddle Festival Returns

he 3rd Annual Buffalo Paddle Festival, the largest area paddle sports race and first of its kind locally, will take place at Woodlawn Beach State Park in Hamburg on August 19 and 20. In addition to kayak, canoe, and stand up paddleboard (SUP) races geared to varying ages and skill levels, this year’s event will also feature beach camping, SUP and kayak demonstrations, fitness classes, and a pig roast and craft brew after party with live bands and a bonfire on the beach. All participants must register at the event website. “This is my third year organizing the Buffalo Paddle Festival and I’m incredibly excited for a number of reasons,” says organizer Jared Callahan. “This year I have an amazing team I’m working with, and there are three new races, including a family fun recreational ‘race’ where participants can team-up relay style, go solo, or come up with any type of creative way to finish. The only rule is to have fun!” The two-day community expo celebrates and promotes health and wellness, outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship, with proceeds benefiting Kids Escaping Drugs and Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. For more information, call 716-866-3747, email BuffaloPaddleFestival@gmail.com, or visit BuffaloPaddleFestival.com.

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August 2016

newsbriefs New Yoga Studio Hits Hertel Strip

ertel Yoga, located on Hertel Avenue between Colvin and Saranac avenues, is the latest addition to the burgeoning strip of businesses along the North Buffalo thoroughfare. “Yoga is for everyone,” says owner Naila Venkova. “Yoga is creating strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body. It’s about community awakening and supporting each other on and off the yoga mat.” The new studio will offer a variety of different yoga classes taught by multiple teachers and geared towards students of all ages and ability. Students can take single classes, purchase a multi-class package, or enroll in an unlimited monthly membership. An introductory, one month unlimited special is also offered for new students to try different classes. Location: 1353 Hertel Ave., Buffalo. For more information, call 716-221-0175, email HertelYoga@gmail.com, or visit HertelYoga.com.

New Energy Will Power Canalside Carousel

92-year old carousel has found a new permanent home at Buffalo’s Canalside. But this time around, the restored carousel will run on the power of the sun. The Buffalo Heritage Carousel Inc. (BHC), City of Buffalo and Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation announced an agreement to provide a future location for the DeAngelis Carousel at Canalside. The vintage menagerie, park-style carousel was manufactured in 1924 by Spillman Engineering in North Tonawanda, and has been in storage for 61 years. The BHC website states that the solar-powered carousel “will celebrate the history of carousel manufacturing in Western New York and our legacy of leadership in the use of renewable energy,” and will be “surrounded by an educational ‘path’ demonstrating the use of the sun to power the carousel.” “By making Canalside the new home to this historic carousel, we are offering families new ways to enjoy our waterfront, and providing an important link to Buffalo’s past and Canalside’s bright present and future,” says Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. The goal is to enclose the wooden carousel in a building that would provide year-round access, protect it from the elements, provide space for events and activities, display the story of the custom-designed carousel and offer a gift shop. Restoration is expected to take about 18 months. For more information, visit BuffaloHeritageCarousel.org.

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Trés Auraé Introduces New Organic Skin Products

rés Auraé Spa is now offering the brand new Repechage brand Fusion Express Bar and Spa Masks. The all-natural, seaweed-based treatments contain nutriceutical organic actives, and come in a variety of unique flavors. In addition to providing vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants for the skin, the treatments are designed to enhance and stimulate the senses. Nutriceutical organic flavor actives include chocolate, vanilla pumpkin, mixed berry and matcha, with additional key ingredients like coconut oil, acai berry, aloe vera and orange water. Aside from the in-spa treatments, at-home Fusion skin care products are available. Trés Auraé is a full-service spa located at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Williamsville, featuring a comprehensive selection of aesthetic services and an extensive line of allnatural, seaweed-based products.

kudos Susi Rosinski of Ancient Far East Healing Arts has been granted the 2016 Richard Amarnick Scholarship for additional training in Qigong and the Daoist Healing Arts. The scholarship will allow Rosinski to learn techniques that are rarely publicly taught, helping to keep the Susi Rosinski traditional arts alive in Western New York. She traveled to Ibiza, Spain for the training in July. For more information, call 716-803-0113, email ChiSusi99@ gmail.com, or visit AncientFarEastHealingArts.com. See ad, page 9.

Location: 5195 Main St., Williamsville. For more information, call 716-478-7546, email Info@SpaBuffalo.com, or visit SpaBuffalo.com.

VegFest Celebrates Plant-Based Eating

n August 7, the 3rd annual Western New York VegFest will be held at Riverside Park in Buffalo. The growing event is dedicated to educating, inspiring, and encouraging a vegan diet to improve health, expand compassion and take greater care of the environment. This year’s event will include world-renowned speakers, exhibitors, vendors, live music, healthy food, children’s activities, and performances. According to the event’s website, at 10 a.m., pre-registered participants will meet at the Aqua Lane Path for the “largest Tofurkey Trot 5K in the country.” The main festival immediately follows from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. While the race requires pre-registration and a fee, the festival is free and open to the public. For more information, visit WNYVegfest.com. natural awakenings

August 2016

coverartist

healthbriefs

Legumes Facilitate Weight Loss

Spring Fever by Mary Leslie Drawing since the day she could hold a crayon, Mary Leslie also spent much of her childhood collecting stray dogs and cats, injured birds and the occasional squirrel. Because her love of all things furred and feathered was matched by her passion to create, she learned to carefully observe and draw the creatures in her care. Leslie studied art at the Savannah College of Art and Design and the Art Institute of Atlanta, going on to paint murals throughout the Southeast. After moving from suburban Atlanta to a small farm in Madison, Georgia, she began focusing on nature and animals. Spring Fever was commissioned by a grandmother who asked Leslie to paint a representation of her five granddaughters. “She told me that they loved to dress up and dance,” says Leslie, whose richly hued oil on canvas captures the sheer exuberance of youth and joyful movement. “It’s my goal in every painting to convey the character and personality of my subjects and pass it on to the viewers, hoping they can catch a glimpse of what I enjoy so much.”

review of 21 clinical trials has found that just one daily serving of legumes can facilitate an average drop of three-quarters of a pound over a six-week period. Published in the journal Obesity, the research analyzed results from studies that tested a total of 940 men and women eating about three-quarters of a cup of beans, lentils, chickpeas and other legumes each day. The subjects reported feeling nearly one-third fuller on average after eating about 5.6 ounces of these foods with their meals, compared with a control group’s diet. These beneficial legumes may also reduce body fat percentages. According to senior study author and physician John Sievenpiper, Ph.D., of St. Michael’s Hospital’s Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center and the University of Toronto, “Ninety percent of weight-loss diets fail, resulting in weight regain, which may be due in part to hunger and food cravings. Knowing which foods make people feel fuller longer may help them lose weight and keep it off.”

Buffalo, NY

esearch from the UK University of Leeds has confirmed that drinking just one glass of grape juice a day increases spatial memory and driving abilities. The researchers attribute the brain boosting benefits to the polyphenols in the grapes, The study followed 25 healthy mothers between the ages of 40 and 50. Each had young children and worked more than 30 hours a week. The mothers drank 12 ounces of Concord grape juice every day for 12 weeks and had their driving skills tested before and after the study period using a computer simulator. Louise Dye, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Leeds and senior author of the study, notes, “This research is very promising, as it suggests that the cognitive benefits associated with Concord grape juice are not exclusive to adults with early memory decline. We saw these benefits even after the grape juice was no longer being consumed, suggesting a long-term effect of dietary flavonoids.”

View the artist’s portfolio at MaryLeslieStudio.com. 8

Grape Juice Boosts Memory and Driving Skills

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P lay is often talked about as if it were a relief from

serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. ~Fred Rogers

Aromatherapy Soothes Allergies

Breastfed Babies Have Fewer Colds and Ear Infections

study from the University of Texas has found that increased breastfeeding decreases ear infections among nursing children. The researchers followed 367 babies between 1 and 12 months old from 2008 through 2014. The scientists analyzed family history traits of smoking, ear infections, breastfeeding and formula feeding. Nose and throat mucosal samples were taken throughout the study period to identify infections, and parents informed the researchers whenever the baby experienced an infection. The study was led by Dr. Tasnee Chonmaitree, a pediatrics professor from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. “We clearly showed that frequent upper respiratory infections, carriage of bacteria in the nose and lack of breastfeeding are major risk factors for ear infections,” he states. “Prolonged breastfeeding was associated with significant reductions in both colds and ear infections, a common complication of colds.”

esearch from Korea’s Chung-Ang University has found that inhaling aromatherapy infusions comprising a combination of sandalwood, frankincense and ravensara for five minutes twice daily significantly reduces symptoms of allergies after seven days. The researchers tested 54 men and women, half of which were tested using a placebo of almond oil. Total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) results were both significantly lower in the aromatherapy group. TNSS scores decreased by more than half and RQLQ scores decreased by more than 60 percent. Scores for fatigue and sleep quality also improved in the aromatherapy group. “These findings indicate that inhalation of certain aromatherapy oils help relieve perennial allergic rhinitis symptoms, improve rhinitis-specific quality of life and reduce fatigue in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis,” Chung-Ang University’s Seo Yeon Choi and Kyungsook Park explain in their paper.

Young Adult Insomnia Linked to Chronic Pain

esearch from the University of Groningen, in The Netherlands, has found that young adults between 19 and 22 years old that don’t sleep well may have more chronic pain later in life. The researchers followed 1,750 people for three years. About 50 percent of the participants that had sleep problems at the beginning of the study still had them at the end of the study. Roughly 38 percent of those reported chronic pain after three years. This compares to 14 percent of those that didn’t have sleep problems at the start of the research, but reported chronic pain at its conclusion. Overall, the study found that sleep problems were associated with more musculoskeletal pains, headaches and abdominal pain. The relationship occurred in both men and women, but was stronger among women.

natural awakenings

August 2016

globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Good Reads

Fiction Readers Have More Empathy The love of books may begin at any age, but for most, it starts in childhood. Now, scientists are studying the effects of reading on the brain with MRIs, polls, surveys and experiments. The results indicate that readers of fiction are more empathetic toward others. By engaging with a story, they are temporarily placing themselves in a character’s shoes, thus fostering empathy in real life, and literary reading amplifies this effect. According to a Stanford University study, reading a challenging book also helps us become smarter, as well as more empathetic. By attempting to tackle harder books, we create new connections in our minds that we might not have done otherwise. Neuroscientist Bob Dougherty remarks, “The right patterns of ink on a page can create vivid mental imagery and instill powerful emotions.” David Comer Kidd, author of another related study, observes, “Like opening a window to let fresh air into our home, literature opens up our minds to the myriad ideas that we wouldn’t be able to experience on our own. We can pause to analyze the experiences depicted as if they were our own, expanding our experience of the world.”

Show Stopper

Circuses Cease Exotic Animal Acts The Ringling Brothers Circus made good on a promise to retire their last contingent of performing elephants to the Center for Elephant Conservation, in Polk City, Florida, with the last such show streamed worldwide in May. While Ringling will retain the services of tigers, lions, leopards, horses, camels, dogs and kangaroos, the Mexican Congress has voted to prohibit exotic animals under big tops across their country. That means no more tigers jumping through hoops, elephants used as props or monkeys dressed in tiny outfits. The bill requires circuses to report the wildlife they own, which would then be made available to interested zoos. Source: The New York Times

Scrambling Species Climate Change Favors Some Birds over Others

Decades of data show that climate change is manipulating the way avian species move across continents. For instance, the orchard oriole is losing prime habitat in the South, but gaining more up north. Thousands of species worldwide face the same dilemma. Specific birds need a particular habitat, such as open spaces or groves of trees, and some of their traditionally preferred spots are becoming unlivable. England’s Durham University ecologist Phillip Stephens, along with researchers from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the U.S. Geological Survey, have compiled nearly half a century’s worth of occurrence data from thousands of citizen scientists. Birders submitted their observations to the Pan-European Common Birds Monitoring Scheme and the North American Breeding Bird Survey for 145 terrestrial bird species native to Europe and 380 species native to the United States. “We used that information to generate a prior expectation for whether the species would’ve been advantaged or disadvantaged by climate change,” says Stephens. The predictions were compared with actual bird abundance data from 1980 through 2010, and the populations that were expected to lose suitable habitat declined, while those expected to find their habitats improve increased. He states, “Recent climate change has already favored one set of species over another.” Read the report at ClimateChange. Birdlife.org.

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ecotip Vegan Leather

Walk the Talk with Cruelty-Free Shoes

Toxic Trinkets

Low-Cost Jewelry May Harbor Cadmium In recent years, the European Commission has banned cadmium in all jewelry sold in Europe, but those shopping for low-cost jewelry in North America from popular fashion chains may be wearing products made with cadmium, a heavy metal that can be particularly toxic for kids. There are no known risks for people that wear contaminated jewelry, but swallowing or chewing on a piece containing high concentrations of the toxic metal could allow it to seep into the body. James Van Loon, director of risk management at Health Canada’s consumer product safety branch, says that children’s bodies more readily absorb the toxic metal, and because they are more likely to put things in their mouths, jewelry that is marketed to those under 15 should contain virtually no cadmium. Dr. Gérald Zagury, who performed tests and has published several studies on heavy metals in jewelry, says one sample contained the highest amount of cadmium ever reported in Canada for such a product. “It’s pretty close to pure cadmium,” he says. According to Health Canada, cadmium is cheap and melts at a lower point than more commonly used zinc, lowering energy costs for product makers. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, cadmium is a known carcinogen that can also lead to kidney failure, bone loss and other complications in those that are chronically exposed over time.

With a wealth of luxury faux alternatives available in today’s market, shoe lovers can obtain the quality footwear they desire without incurring the usual environmental and human health costs. Vegan leather is an animal-friendly alternative to real leather, derived from synthetic materials. No cow, sheep, goat or any other animal is killed in order to make vegan leather shoes, and for most people, that’s a good enough reason to choose it over the “real” thing. Provided that we pick the right maker, it also boasts the added advantage of being far more eco-friendly and sustainable than conventional leather. Elizabeth Olsen, founder of the luxury vegan shoe brand Olsenhaus, says, “The only difference is the materials—one uses a dead animal’s skin preserved in toxic chemicals; the other is made from a mixture of natural and manmade materials that are better for animals and the environment.” Twenty times more energy is used to create a leather hide than what is required for synthesized material. Conventional leather tanning involves treating animal skins with large quantities of toxic chemicals, including mineral salts, lead, cyanide and formaldehyde. This process wreaks havoc on our environment and the people that work in or live near tanneries, where chemical exposure can cause sickness or even be lethal. Olsen cautions that just because a shoe is vegan doesn’t mean it’s been made in an eco-friendly way. She uses natural and manmade materials such as linen, cotton, cork, wood, imitation leathers and recycled faux suede in her vegan shoe line. To assess the quality of vegan leather shoes, she advises, “Shoppers can feel the material and look at the grain to see if it’s faux; with faux, the grain will show a repeating pattern. Also, look for labels noting materials either inside or on the bottom of shoes.” Olsen notes that an online search for vegan fashion will yield everything from adult couture to baby clothes. Several websites and blogs report on the latest vegan products. She especially likes GirlieGirlArmy.com for vegan lifestyle and fashion.

Source: EWG.org natural awakenings

August 2016

communityspotlight

Slyboots School of Music, Art and Dance Drumming a Connection Between Buffalo and the World by Brad Gower

hey performed for 40,000 people, traveling 25,000 miles and playing close to 100 shows at schools and colleges all across the country. For some performance groups, these numbers would be career accomplishments. But for Griffin Brady and the Saakumu Dance Troupe from Ghana, West Africa, it was just four months earlier this year. Those months marked the 9th annual tour for the Slyboots School of Music, Art and Dance, which travels the country performing for students. Brady, an ethnomusicologist, touring musician, and music educator, founded the Buffalo-based school as part of a calling made obvious to his family long ago. “My parents tell me that from the time I was very little, I would take all of the pots and pans out of the kitchen cupboards and just wail away,” he recalls. “I started building my own drum sets out of buckets and kitty litter tins, and they thought, ‘we’ve got to get this kid some drums.’” For a while, Brady’s life played out as one might expect for a music-obsessed drummer. He joined musical groups at school, received a drum set as a gift from his uncle, played in the marching band, and finally went off to college in Fredonia, where he teamed up with likeminded musicians Andrew Moore and Mike Sisto to form the jazz-fusion band On the Sly. During his time at Fredonia, however, two things happened that would change the course of his life and lead him down a unique and inspiring path. First, he met Bernard Woma, a world-renowned Ghanaian xylophone musician who was guest lecturing at Fredonia, and the reason Brady enrolled at the school. The man, who has shared the stage with Yo Yo Ma and performed for Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth, became a close mentor and teacher. “He invited me to his home in Ghana, and when I came back I laid it on Andrew and Mike,” Brady explains. “I told them I was going to create a school modeled after the school over there. But instead of it being a cultural preservation center like the one in Africa, it would be a cultural awareness hub in America, where we could host these groups and bring students, like a sister school.” Brady knew exactly where to start: by getting people together. In 2005, On the Sly launched Slyfest, an overnight music festival that fea12

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tured a diverse lineup of local and regional music acts. Beginning on a plot of land in Fredonia, the festival ran each year, changing venues in the region as it outgrew its home. All the while, Brady was busy building the Slyboots School from the ground up, working tirelessly to secure visas for the musical friends he met in Ghana, networking with educational and cultural institutions, and spreading his roots in the Western New York community. He earned a master’s degree from Goddard College in Vermont while writing The Slyboots Guide to Life and Drumming, a method book that follows the phases of the moon. Eleven years later, all that hard work seems to have paid off. This year’s Slyfest will be held for the first time at The Great Blue Heron Music Festival site in Sherman, New York. The event, which takes place Sept. 9 to 11, will feature a list of renowned artists representing different parts of the world, including Woma and the Slyboots Circus, Cyro Baptista, Toubab Krewe, Arthur Lipner with Brasilian Music Soul and more. “It’s just an honor to have these guys on board,” Brady says. “It’s going to be a really different kind of festival experience. It’s family friendly and it’s accessible. You don’t have to be a drummer or dancer. You can come and drum and dance and leave feeling inspired. The name of the game is to educate, entertain, and inspire. That’s the mission of Slyfest.” There are also big plans for the Slyboots School back in Buffalo, which currently holds weekly drum and dance classes and workshops around the city. In 2017, the school will move into the Richmond/Ferry Church, rebranding and collaborating with others to form the Buffalo World Music and Dance Academy, with a new focus on educational programming. While Brady has worked hard to connect faraway cultures, part of what drives him is the way music can resonate with what’s right in front of us. “Music has the ability to transcend so many barriers,” he says. “Everybody’s creativity is accessible, but how do you inspire them to search for it? You’ve got to make them curious and show them something they’ve never seen.” For more information, visit SlyFest.com and SlyBootsBuffalo.com.

healthykids drop in original thinking that happens as students move into early adolescence,” reports Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind. Creativity isn’t only child’s play; parents also could do well to infuse their own lives with its discoveries and delights. “Through creativity, parents can reawaken a sense of wonder and joy, and nurture characteristics like patience,” says Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way for Parents: Raising Creative Children.

YAY FOR

PLAY

Ways to Spark a Child’s Creativity by April Thompson

hether it’s playing dress-up, making forts from sofa cushions or drawing pictures, creative moments can define and distinguish a happy childhood. Yet it’s not all just fun and games, according to experts. Childhood creativity, nurtured both in the classroom and at home, is crucial for developing qualities such as sound decision-making, flexible thinking and mental resiliency. Analyzing more than 150 studies across the fields of psychology, neuroscience, education and business management, the Center for Childhood Creativity, in Sausalito, California, found many important life skills are affiliated with a creative upbringing. The resulting white paper, Inspiring a Generation to Create, underscores that rather than simply being an innate trait, creativity can be taught. “Creativity should be an integral part of every child’s education. The research shows that we can avoid the

Engaging Parents

Cameron wrote the book in part to guide her own daughter, actress and film director Domenica Cameron-Scorsese, in her creative journey through motherhood. While many such works focus on art projects for kids, Cameron’s book emphasizes activities that put creative fuel in the parental tank. For example, she recommends parents take up the ritual of “morning pages”; writing three pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts the first thing each morning. Jean Van’t Hul, author of The Artful Parent, started a daily sketchbook practice for herself and to set an example for her kids. “I like that the kids see me creating regularly and they’ve joined in a couple times. I also want to get over my self-limited belief that I’m not a good artist,” remarks Van’t Hul, who blogs at ArtfulParent.com.

Engaging Kids

A family ritual, like a bedtime story or relationship with a pet, can be re-imagined to inspire household members to co-create together. “Instead of always reading to my kids, we take turns making up stories by ‘giving’ each other three things, like an airplane, a shovel and a pair of pants, which we have to use in a story,” says Nicole Corey Rada, a working mother of two in Richmond, Virginia. “Sometimes, we pretend our pets are having conversations, and use different voices and accents to express what they might be saying, given their

Every child and parent is creative. Exercising our creativity is an act of faith. ~ Julia Cameron circumstance at the time. This is a family favorite; we laugh constantly.” Mark Runco, Ph.D., a University of Georgia professor of gifted and creative education, founder of the Creativity Research Journal and advisor to the Center for Childhood Creativity, notes the importance of balancing unstructured and structured activities, creating space for both individual expression and creative collaboration. To foster the former, Van’t Hul encourages “strewing”, which she refers to as “the art of casually yet strategically leaving invitations for learning and creativity out for kids to discover on their own.” Invitations to play could be a basket of non-toxic blocks, a recycled-paper sketchpad opened to a blank page or some nature finds from a walk in the woods. As an example of the latter, Cameron suggests that parents lead kids on a weekly creative expedition, allowing the kids to choose a new place to aimlessly explore such as a park, bookstore, pet shop or museum. According to the author, that sense of shared adventure, fostered in a safe space, naturally nurtures the creative process, both for now and the future. “If you make art the center, insisting that kids be creative, they may feel a sense of pressure,” advises Cameron. “If you make inspiration the center, it spills over into art.” Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

natural awakenings

August 2016

wisewords

create anything we like; from a work of art to a fulfilling relationship.

Barnet Bain on How Creativity Can Save the World

Why is creativity so vital now?

Fresh Thinking Challenges Rigid Mindsets by Linda Sechrist

ilmmaker Barnet Bain’s credits include writer/director of Milton’s Secret, due out this fall, starring Donald Sutherland and Michelle Rodriguez and based on Eckhart Tolle’s book, producer of the Oscarwinning What Dreams May Come, executive producer of the Emmy-award nominee Homeless to Harvard and writer/ producer of The Celestine Prophecy

movie. Now, as author of The Book of Doing and Being: Rediscovering Creativity in Life, Love, and Work, he offers tools that everyone can use to develop a creativity practice designed to move us beyond our unconscious hand-me-down worldview, escape mental and emotional straightjackets and unlock great reservoirs of imagination. In so doing, we discover we can

FREE Introduction to Mindgardens Services: Fri, Aug 19, 6PM

More than ever before, the nature of human consciousness today is making it apparent that we live inside stories and are pushing up against their edges. Strategies we’ve used to try to attain control, success or empowerment—structured ideas about how the world works, false assurances and guarantees about life—may not be working. As a result, we are mired in anxiety, stress and crises. It all offers us the opportunity to wake up to a larger truth that supersedes everything else: We must discover where our true safety resides, in building newly intelligent relationships within, as well as with others, using capacities beyond logic and reason.

Why do we need an internal sense of safety? Safety found within shows up in our experiences of the world. As we become increasingly reliant on and confident in our creative skills to survive and thrive, we give ourselves the gift of resilience in chaos. Humanity’s creativity must be awakened in order to meet the challenges of a changing world and effectively address problems that appear to have too few solutions. The same inner awareness and skill set that give birth to the creative process can be applied to all aspects of life. Only through creative acts can we rise above unworkable paradigms, group thinking and earlier conditioning to create new and more fluid stories that grow from revised thoughts, beliefs, choices and attitudes that mature from the inside out. Deep, compassionate understanding of how we arrived at this point allows us to shed restrictions. It begins with facing the whys and wherefores of our most intimate consciousness.

How do male and female energies play into this? Everyone possesses both masculine and feminine energies; neither is better or less valuable than the other. Doing and acting characterize masculine energy, which makes things. It builds, structures, orders and files. 14

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Being characterizes the feminine, womb-like energy, pregnant with possibilities and subsequent manifested outcomes. The capacities to imagine, feel and receive also are feminine. In the dance with the masculine, the harmony of these feminine qualities is the primal desire for and the impulse of creativity itself. When the masculine and feminine energies are balanced and intimately joined, they express the ability to act, create, manifest, build and bring order. When we learn how to balance them, we become more creative and effective, individually and collectively. We are better at meeting challenges and responding to opportunities.

How does chauvinism block creativity? Chauvinism, an elevation of masculine over feminine energy, would separate us from our feelings. It does violence to femininity and castrates legitimate masculinity. The mildest trace of such subordination diminishes and reduces primal creative energies to second place, so that nothing new can arrive. Civilization suffers from this systemic disorder to the degree that we believe our needs won’t be met unless we are controlling or relying disproportionately on action principles. A culture that elevates doing over being is ignorant of how to pop the clutch and shift into neutral, and so keeps driving down the same road without hope of changing direction. When spirituality was more alive inside religious traditions, we honored the sanctity of the Sabbath and the importance of putting aside doing in order to be intimate with the mystery of life. It’s what breathes new life into our thoughts and feelings, arousing body, mind and spirit to new heights. Every creator understands that all creativity is a gift of the feminine energy and a gift of the gods. Integrative masculine energies are always constellated around such a gift. Allowing ourselves to become intimate with a greater state of being rather than doing, we open ourselves to receiving a new relationship with life. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com.

Kohava Howard on Inspiring Creativity by Brad Gower

ohava Howard is a Western New York artistic spiritual healer, holistic nurse, wellness coach, and therapeutic movement specialist who helps women and girls find their true, authentic selves.

What are some of the tools that one can use to become more creative? To become more creative is to know that creativity can be many things. It’s creating life experiences. It’s doing and creating without stress, and allowing it to manifest itself. Learn how to cocoon yourself, giving yourself space and time to create. Gather information about how to be more creative, but don’t over think things. Trust yourself and be courageous to try new things. Trust your gut. Trust the process and let go of the result. We worry that if we start out towards a big goal, then we might not make it to the finish line. Continue to pursue opportunity. Move forward and see where the path takes you. Imagine yourself on a big inner tube, floating on the river called life, and whatever the curve brings, don’t fight it, just float. Effort matters. Try. Fail. Try again. Trust that you are learning and moving further towards your goals. Start with something manageable. Break big goals into smaller chunks and soon you will have accomplished your dream.

How can we help ourselves to be creative “doers” while also feeling at ease?

Knowing yourself for self-confidence and allowing yourself to be, you have the power to create selfjoy, abundance and vibrant health. Make three lists: one of your strengths, one of your achievements, and one of your goals or things that excite you. Try to get a friend or relative to help you. Write a few sticky notes with empowering messages for your soul, and place them on the mirror – a great “good morning” affirmation. You are a unique, special, and valuable person. Dance to a meaningful music. Don’t just do the move, listen to the rhythm of your body, feel where it’s coming from within, then let your body lead you. Try doing it with other tasks as well. Not just doing it, but feeling it from within as well. Is it true to you?

How can one become more balanced? It’s all about making choices. You need to make a commitment to yourself and make it happen. All you need to do is show up and trust the universe. It’s all already there for you. Remember that 10 percent is what is happening to you and 90 percent is how you react to it. Try using mindfulness to acknowledge self-critical thoughts or frustration and allow them to dissipate. For more information or to connect with Howard, visit KohavaHoward.com.

natural awakenings

August 2016

fitbody

JUST WALK 22 Minutes a Day Boosts Well-Being by Randy Kambic

ven mainstream media have picked up on the many physical and mental benefits of walking, including weight loss, reduced stress, increased energy and better sleep, and that’s only the beginning. These additional compelling effects may well catalyze us to consistently step out for a daily walk, understanding that cumulative steps count, too. For more inspiration, check out this month’s race walking at the Summer Olympics. Walking helps heart health and diabetes. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action on Walking program launched last fall, the risk of heart disease and diabetes can be significantly reduced via an average of 22 minutes a day of brisk walking. “Physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain cancers, osteoporosis, cognitive decline and even depression,” says Dr. JoAnn Manson, chief of the division of preventive medicine at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “Can you imagine if there was a pill that could simultaneously have all those benefits? Everyone would be clamoring for it.” Walking reduces anxiety and clears thinking. The results of a national survey of nearly 3,000 women be-

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tween the ages of 42 and 52 published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that those that walked as part of a regular physical activity showed fewer signs of depression compared with inactive women. The more physical activity a woman logged, the less likely she was to exhibit such symptoms, suggesting that moderate-to-intense levels of exercise may help protect against mental illness. The survey further revealed that 85 percent believe walking helps reduce any present anxiety and feelings of depression, while two-thirds reported that walking stimulates their thinking. Walking facilitates doctor-patient communication. Columbus, Ohiobased Walk with a Doc (WalkWithADoc. org) helps organize free walking events each month via 230 chapters nationwide. They’re led by physicians and other healthcare authorities. “It’s a casual forum in which to communicate and also learn about the health benefits of walking,” says Executive Director Rachael Habash, who’s aiming for 350 chapters by year’s end. When doctors emphasize the benefits of exercise, patients tend to listen. Walking boosts life performance. “Until the late 1960s, 90 percent of America’s children that lived

The moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow. ~Henry David Thoreau up to a mile away walked to school. Today, that figure is 30 percent,” says Sheila Franklin, of the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, in The Walking Revolution documentary (scroll to the video at EveryBodyWalk. org). Experts warn that less walking by youngsters can create sedentary habits and lead to shortened life spans. Daily walks to school boost cognitive performance in students, according to Mary Pat King, the National Parent Teacher Association director of programs and projects. Dr. Richard Jackson, a pediatrician, professor and chair of Environmental Health Sciences at the School of Public Health at University of California, Los Angeles,. and former environmental health director

at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, reports that walking improves children’s learning ability, concentration, moods and creativity. Even lifelong walkers are moved to walk more by using a pedometer to track their steps and distance traveled, says Dr. Lauren Elson, a physical medicine and rehabilitation instructor at Harvard Medical School, who is also the medical editor of the recent Harvard Special Health Report Walking for Health (Health.Harvard.edu/walk). A meta-review of 26 studies found that using the device raised physical activity levels by nearly 27 percent, adding about 2,500 steps per day. Most stores that sell exercise equipment offer inexpensive pedometers, while smartphone users can download an app such as Moves, Breeze or Pedometer++. Apple’s iOS includes the free app Health. Walking leads to meaningful exchanges. Social connections and honest conversations between two

people can be aided by walking outside instead of sitting inside. Clay Cockrell, a licensed clinical social worker in New York City, began walking with clients 12 years ago. He notes that casual venues like parks have been especially helpful for men. “They sometimes have a more difficult time making eye contact in sessions. Outside, they are looking where they are going, looking at nature, other people—the pressure is less. My own health has improved, as well,” he says. He shares ideas with the public and other therapists at WalkAndTalk.com to maximize the benefits. He sees moving the body forward along a path as a metaphor for moving forward in life. Adds Habash, “We believe that engaging in health should be simple and fun, like putting one foot in front of the other at every opportunity.” Randy Kambic is an Estero, FL, freelance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings.

Local Walks with the Wellness Institute

he nonprofit Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo’s Walking to Wellness initiative, a New York State Department of Health recognized community best practice, seeks to improve the health of all Erie County residents by encouraging regular physical activity, good nutrition and the creation of more walkable communities (see AmericaWalks.org). For 2016, the institute set a goal of 40 million collective steps, tracked by attendance at multiple community walks, including the Explore Buffalo program (ExploreBuffalo.org) and Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus’

Walking on Wednesdays, a summer noontime program. This summer, the institute is also producing a training video to assist local communities in becoming more walkable. The next walking event – free, fun and open to the public – is a wellness-focused morning program at Ellicott Creek Park on August 13, beginning with a wellness fair at 9 a.m. with a walk scheduled at 10. For more information, email Phil Haberstro or Sarah Martin at BeActive@City-Buffalo.org or visit CreatingHealthyCommunities.org.

natural awakenings

August 2016

healingways

Salt Air in the City Salt Rooms Soothe Allergies and Skin Conditions by Avery Mack

thrive

Buffalo, NY

ccording to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, as many as 50 million Americans are affected by seasonal or yearround nasal allergies. Additionally, 56 million suffer from eczema, psoriasis or rosacea. Prescriptions and overthe-counter drugs may help, but aren’t a cure. Salt therapy can be a gentler, all-natural solution for easing associated symptoms. While eating too much salt is bad for the body, breathing it is a healthy activity. The Greek word for salt is halos, and halotherapy provides a welcome alternative to conventional pills, sprays and injections. In the mid-1800s, after salt mine workers in Poland were found to have a low rate of respiratory illness, the Wieliczka Salt Mine Health Spa was established on the site of a mine to treat clinic patients for asthma and allergies. That pioneering facility is still in operation. “In the beginning, I think salt therapy was seen as a time-consuming novelty. Now, holistically minded

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people are more supportive,” says Clay Juracsik, owner of the St. Louis Salt Room, in Maplewood, Missouri. The room’s walls are covered in salt, with blocks of backlit Himalayan pink salt at floor level. Clients wear disposable booties to walk through inches-deep, loose, mineral-rich Dead Sea salt to reclining chairs. The lights dim, soft music plays and salt, rich in negative ions, infuses the air for a 45-minute session. “We have a second, smaller room where the walls and floor are not salted, so a child and parent can move around or play without disturbing others. Our youngest client was 2 weeks old,” says Juracsik. With the help of specially designed machines and software, microscopic salt particles one to five microns in size are circulated through the air to be deeply inhaled. As a natural anti-inflammatory agent, salt helps reduce swelling of throat tissues and nasal passages, making breathing easier for individuals suffering from such respiratory ailments

For a list of U.S. salt rooms, see Tinyurl.com/SaltSpaLocations. as allergies, asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis. “True halotherapy is based on using 99 percent pure sodium chloride in the halogenerator,” says Leo Tonkin, co-founder of the Salt Therapy Association, in Boca Raton, Florida. “Dead Sea, Himalayan or other salts can be used as décor.” “My husband, Gary, had three sinus surgeries before he discovered a salt room during a trip to London and had a eureka moment,” relates Ellen Patrick, owner of four Breathe Easy salt rooms in New York City and nearby Westchester County. “A client’s 4-year-old son tells Mom when he needs a treatment to ‘make his nose work better,’” reports Lisa Cobb, owner of Luxury on Lovers, in Dallas, Texas. “He uses a salt bed similar in style to a tanning bed and large enough for his mother to be with him for a 20-minute treatment. Pilots and flight attendants like salt rooms to counteract the recirculated air on planes. Athletes use them to increase lung capacity. A treatment works like a visit to the ocean.” A recent pilot study conducted at The Salt Room, in Orlando, Florida, and published in the International Journal of Respiratory and Pulmonary Medicine, concluded, “Halotherapy is associated with improvement in symptoms of sinus disease in cystic fibrosis and should be explored as an adjunct treatment.” Salt’s anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial properties may also reduce skin swelling and itchiness, and even acne, without drying the skin. Increased lung capacity aids blood circulation, which also helps improve skin health. Salt room operators note that frequent treatments are needed during early stages of therapy or during acute outbreaks of conditions, but can be reduced to a maintenance level over time. Juracsik remarks, “The best success I’ve seen is with respiratory ailments like bronchitis and pneumonia. We don’t need a new, fancy pill for every illness. Salt is historically proven to be a natural and effective way to improve respiratory health.” Options go beyond basic treatments. “Meditating in the salt room allows double relaxation,” comments Patrick. “Salty yoga is one of my favorite therapies because clients can exercise and breathe easier at the same time. Another option comprises a sound bath, during which crystal bowl music creates a vibration similar to piano notes to quiet and focus the mind during a salt session.” Salt treatments can be experienced regularly, seasonally or as needed. For those free of respiratory issues, a salt room visit provides a refreshing way to relax, sit, chill and breathe. Patrick views it as a form of stress management to increase well-being.

Salt Therapy in Western New York Nearby Salt Cave

hile the closest salt therapy facilities are over the border in Ontario, the nearest domestic option involves a trip down Route 219 to the Ellicottville Salt Cave Halotherapy Spa. The facility offers 45-minute sessions in a room filled with pure Himalayan salt, with gravity chairs, blankets and pillows for comfort. Location: 32 West Washington St., Ellicottville. For more information, call 716-699-2068, or visit EllicottvilleSaltCave.com.

Salt Lamps

f you can’t make the trip down to Ellicottville, area businesses, including Western New York Life Coaching in Williamsville, offer Himalayan salt lamps for home use. Proponents of salt lamps say that they can deliver some of the health and wellness benefits of a salt cave every day, without the need to travel. Location: 5500 Main St., Ste. 313, Williamsville. For more information, call 716-560-6552, or visit WnyLifeCoaching.com. See ad, page 9.

Connect with the freelance writer via AveryMack@ mindspring.com. natural awakenings

August 2016

GROWING UP EMPOWERED Helping Kids Step into Their Best Selves by Judith Fertig

he plugged-in, stressed-out world that challenges adults can be even more difficult for teens in the throes of hormones, peer pressure and a selfie culture. Parents can help their children thrive and become empowered individuals by nurturing desirable character traits such as resourcefulness, resilience, perseverance, self-reliance, independence, empathy and social competence. Child psychologist Michele Borba, Ed.D., of Palm Springs, California, is a former classroom teacher and the mother of three grown children who dispenses advice at MicheleBorba.com/blog. Her main parenting focus is character education, as reflected in her latest book, Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World. “Tune in to what your kids love,” advises Borba. “Then find learning experiences that help them develop traits they need to be happy, productive adults.” 20

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This positive parenting approach—accentuating youthful desires and strengths, instead of deficiencies and weaknesses—helps young people develop a secure footing in life. “Kids are driven by their hearts,” observes Borba. “A positive parent doesn’t do the cookie-cutter approach, as in, ‘That’s what worked for other kids in the neighborhood,’ nor even reference what the parent did as a teen.” Teens also impose upon themselves, thinking that being trendy, beautiful, rich and famous are valuable life goals. “The positive parent looks at each child as an individual, listens to what really makes them light up, and then supports that.”

Dreaming Big

Landmark Worldwide, active in 125 cities globally, is committed to the idea that people everywhere have the possibility of achieving success, fulfillment

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and greatness. Corporate leaders praise its programs for helping participants relate, communicate and perform well. Josselyne Herman-Saccio, a Landmark program leader in New York City, remarks, “Every one of us has a dream, yet too many of us choose our path with fear, disguised as practicality. Our kids might get the message that, ‘You don’t do your dream as your career.’” That thought can leave anyone feeling like something is missing. After putting off her own career as a singer and ultimately deciding to go for it, Herman-Saccio recorded That’s What Love Can Do with her group Boy Krazy. The song rose to the top of the pop charts in 1993. That empowering experience helped her decide to help others—including her own three children—fulfill their dreams. Today, Herman-Saccio leads the Landmark Forum for adults, and the company also offers a version of the course for 13-to-17-year-olds, an interactive, three-day program in cities across the U.S. It helps teens first understand their existing patterns of thoughts and behaviors and then move forward to create new possibilities and face new challenges and discover a new level of power, freedom, self-expression and peace of mind. For a teen to register, a parent or legal guardian must register for or have completed the organization’s adult forum and provide permission. Teens planning for life after high school get help identifying their career passion at schools such as Upland Hills School, in Oxford, Michigan. Its emphasis on experiential learning culminates in a senior project the teen produces, whether it’s writing a novel, building a storage shed or volunteering at the local senior citizen center. Each must someway contribute to the community. Beginning with the student’s dream, they must work their way through obstacles, setbacks and all the steps required to bring a dream to reality.

Emotional Literacy/Healthy Risk-Taking Sometimes parents need to address a teen’s longing for friends and social connections. For youths that especially need to nurture their social skills, such

as high-functioning kids with autism or Asperger’s syndrome, film school might be an answer. At the Joey Travolta Film School and summer camp, in Lafayette, California, kids work together to make a movie; they start with a script, create sets, operate the camera, act and direct. At the Hunter School, in Romney, New Hampshire, kids dealing with attention challenges can nurture mindbody awareness, energetic mindfulness and sensory integration. It all helps them get to know themselves and relate better to others. Outdoor skills can help teens develop healthy risk-taking behaviors, as well as teach resilience, perseverance and self-reliance. SheJumps (SheJumps. org), in Salt Lake City, offers young women 6 to 18 years old an opportunity to master outdoor living skills, boost confidence and encourage leadership via collaborating with strong female role models. Fun activities include mountain biking, skiing and trailblazing.

Leadership

Over time, experiential learning can help youths develop leadership skills. Lander, Wyoming’s National Outdoor Leadership School, a gap-year program for high school graduates taking a year off before college, offers courses lasting two weeks, several months or even a full year. Activities include sea kayaking, Alaskan mountain and glacier climbing and wilderness medicine. Teens already on track and wanting to develop additional leadership skills can tap into motivational speaker and self-help author Tony Robbins’ annual Unleash the Power Within youth leadership program event. Groups of youths

14 to 17 years old collectively participate to create individual breakthroughs, move beyond fears and limiting beliefs, accomplish goals and realize true desires. Application requirements include a good academic record, at least 20 hours of community service and a guidance counselor’s recommendation. Robbins maintains, “Grow and give is what life is all about.”

Service to Others

A way for youngsters 5 to 19 years old to become empowered is by joining a 4-H group in urban, suburban or rural areas. If we envision a farm kid raising a calf to show at the state fair, that’s still one facet of today’s 4-H, but far from the entire scope. Founded in 1902, 4-H is a global nonprofit dedicated to learning by doing; specialties now range from computer science and graphic design to leadership, healthy living and the performing arts. Positive mentoring by adults and developing community spirit ground 4-H clubs, camps and programs. Research by Tufts University’s Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development and America’s land-grant colleges and universities shows that people with a 4-H background are more likely to give back to their communities than others (see Tinyurl. com/YouthDevelopmentStudy). For Grammy-winner Jennifer Nettles, of Nashville, 4-H meant learning to perform at an early age, even flying to Chicago to do it. “I don’t know that I would be where I am today without 4-H,” she says. “Mentors there help you. They helped me with the skills of performing and learning about being on stage; they also taught me the importance of giving back.”

Sustainable Sustenance

Growing food for themselves and others can be a great adventure for teens, while fostering resourcefulness, perseverance and ecological awareness. Seventeenyear-old Katie Stagliano launched Katie’s Krops, in Summerville, South Carolina, several years ago based on her desire to fight hunger by growing food for people that need it. Today, the enterprise offers grants for youth in any area to start and maintain a local garden, provided they give away the produce to the hungry.

The initiative has grown to more than 50 gardens around the U.S. Both Mobile Urban Growers, in Mobile, Alabama, and Closer to Earth, in Oklahoma City, empower youth through exercising organic gardening skills, environmental and food justice advocacy and personal mentorship. Empowering experiences for teens don’t have to cost a lot or involve travel. “Dream big, but start small. Look around your own backyard, in your community,” says Borba. “Teens can learn to pay it forward in all kinds of ways. They can get together with their peers and take on a doable project to help others. They may even need to start by learning to self-regulate and manage stress by getting away from their phones and instead being outside getting exercise.” Casual family activities can provide opportunities for conversations about what teens want in life or what they’re worried about, and that opens the door for adults to step up to help mentor and empower their children. “Boys are more likely to talk while they’re doing something, like shooting baskets with you in the driveway,” observes Borba. “Girls are more likely to talk if it’s one-on-one.” Positive parents actively listen and then clarify what they heard from their teens, says Herman-Saccio. This information helps point the way forward, to more interactive dialogue, brainstorming, problem-solving, helpful experiences and eventually, youth empowerment. Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.

natural awakenings

August 2016

Massachusetts Avenue Project Hosts Growing Green, a youth development and urban agriculture program focused on increasing healthy food access and improving our communities. Mass-Ave.org Slyboots School of Music, Art & Dance International touring organization promotes positive social change through world music, cultural arts education, local workshops and classes. SlybootsBuffalo.org

EMPOWERMENT STARTS EARLY

ositive parenting skills go hand-in-hand with children learning how to be their best. Kids can get an early start at programs like these.

Western New York Book Arts Center Promotes greater understanding of printing and book-related arts through education, creation, and exhibition for a broad and diverse community. WNYBookArts.org

Art Therapy Buffalo Local practitioner group helps people of all ages discover new ways to express themselves, be a positive outlet for growth, and find a path to recovery from past trauma. ArtTherapyBuffalo.com

Empower Girls Buffalo A fun, interactive program for girls that incorporates healthy living, exercise, creating nutritious snacks and learning how to navigate through life with a positive perspective. EmpowerGirlsBuffalo.com

YMCA Buffalo Niagara Charitable, community-based organization committed to providing programs designed to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. YMCABuffaloNiagara.org

Community Music School Sharing the gift of music with people of all ages through private lessons, group classes and performing ensembles. CommunityMusicBuffalo.org

LEAP of WNY Literacy Empowerment Action Plan of Western New York is an organization that promotes literacy as a vehicle to transformational and autonomous thinking. LeapOfWNY.org

YWCA of Western New York Organization working to benefit the lives of women and young girls by promoting racial justice and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic advancement. YWCA-WNY.org

In a universe made out of energy, everything is entangled; everything is one. ~Bruce Lipton

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inspiration

EARTH GUARDIANS Kids Say No to Global Warming by April Thompson

t age 6, climate change activist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez gave his first speech to a packed crowd in his hometown of Boulder, Colorado. Raised in the Aztec tradition, he was taught that as indigenous people, they are descendants of the land and inherit a duty to protect it. “I felt such sadness that my generation inherited this crisis to clean up. That night, I saw that those emotions could be channeled into action and my voice could make a difference,” says Martinez, founder and youth director of the nonprofit Earth Guardians. Ten years later, his impassioned message has sparked a global move-

ment. More than 2,000 “youth crews” from Bhutan to Brazil are fighting climate change and improving their communities in other ways. These activists aren’t yet old enough to vote, but are still making their voices heard by global policy-makers. On their behalf, Martinez delivered a plea to representatives from 192 countries at the United Nations General Assembly meeting on climate change last year, asking for stronger measures to protect both the planet and its people. He particularly pointed to the ever-increasing “climate refugees” that have lost their homes to rising oceans and other havoc caused by Earth’s warming trend.

Although Martinez serves on President Obama’s youth council, he and 20 other young plaintiffs filed a landmark lawsuit earlier this year against the federal government for failing to protect its citizens from climate change. The plaintiffs are seeking a court order requiring America’s president to establish a national plan to decrease atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide to “safe” levels by 2100. At home, Martinez is working with Boulder County community and environmental organizations to locally eliminate pesticides from parks, charge for plastic bags at retail, regulate coal ash emissions and ban fracking. EarthGuardians.org offers many ways anyone can plug into the movement, whether taking individual actions to lighten our carbon footprint, creating school gardens or signing its Silence into Action pledge, inspired by Martinez’s younger brother Itzcuauhtli’s 45-day silence strike for climate action. “The most important thing you can do is educate yourself. Whatever makes you come alive, use that passion to make a difference,” says Martinez, whose performances as a pianist and hip-hop artist inform and enliven music festivals worldwide. “Together, we can create a legacy we can be proud to pass on to the next generation.” Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

natural awakenings

August 2016

businessspotlight

Osteopathic Wellness Medicine of Western New York A Holistic Approach To Esthetics In Downtown Buffalo by Brad Gower

steopathic medicine is a non-invasive, drug-free form of medical practice that uses hands-on manipulation of the body to diagnose and treat disease. From the beginning of his career, Dr. Leonard Kaplan, a physician at Osteopathic Wellness Medicine of Western New York (OWM), favored a holistic approach to health and well-being. When his practice put roots down in the brand new Delaware North building at South Elmwood Avenue and West Chippewa Street, a wholebody focus on wellness was planned. In addition to osteopathic approaches to pain management and injury recovery, OWM offers yoga classes using a yoga wall suspension system, high-tech fitness training, and comprehensive nutritional education. “The whole mission of an osteopathic physician is to create an environment where well-being can grow,” says Kaplan. “A person can come out of whatever they’re dealing with into a state of wellbeing, a state of balance. So that’s always been part of the picture.” Now, Kaplan and his dedicated team are looking to expand even further into holistic treatment by launching a full menu of medical spa services. “It’s part of feeling better,” says Kaplan. “When you look better, you

Dr. Leonard Kaplan feel better. So it’s all about creating an entire spectrum of services that provide a sense of well-being.” At the forefront of the esthetic services being offered is Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP), a cutting-edge process that uses a small amount of a patient’s own blood to accelerate the biological healing process. While PRP is commonly used for injury recovery, OWM is now offering it as a medical spa treatment, with facial injections to repair skin blemishes and scalp injections for hair regrowth. The unique approach is proving to be an effective alternative to traditional injections that use fillers. “It works over a course of two to three months, naturally building up lost tissue using your own healing potential, says Kaplan. “It’s an exciting advance.”

In addition to the medical treatments performed by a physician, OWM has brought on experienced esthetician Katerina Waters to provide a broader range of spa services including laser treatments, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, facials, and even makeup. Waters, who helped establish a successful chain of spas in Boston and New York, has been recognized by national publications like InStyle and Lucky magazines. Part of the reason for the rapid expansion of spa services is the plethora of exciting downtown development surrounding OWM. Business is growing and expansion plans are in the works, including more classes, workshops, and a full range of massage services. “That was one of the reasons why I decided to move down here,” Kaplan says. “The opportunity of growing with downtown – it’s so exciting.” The need for more services is allowing OWM to offer the wholebody approach they’ve been building all along. “This is just an extension of that mission,” says Kaplan. Location: 235 S. Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. For more information, call 716-6266301 or visit WnyOsteoWellness.com. See ad, page 7.

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August 2016

consciouseating

A GOOD FOOD FIGHT Keeping Food Out of the Trash Bin by April Thompson

s much as 40 percent of food produced in the U.S. is wasted, even as one in six Americans goes hungry. Instead of feeding people better, we are feeding the city dump. Of all types of trash, food consumes the most space in our municipal landfills, followed by plastic and paper. Rotting food then releases harmful methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. While food waste is a big problem, social entrepreneurs see a big opportunity. Around the country, they are working to reduce, recover and rethink discarded food valued at more than $160 billion a year. In the process, they are not only cutting food costs, but also creating jobs and fighting climate change. University of Maryland College Park alumna Cam Pascual co-founded the nonprofit Food Recovery Network (FRN) after watching hundreds of pounds of food hit the trash in her campus dining hall every night. Pascual and her colleagues mobilized a volunteer network to shuttle leftovers from the university to soup kitchens, donating 200 meals a night to feed the hungry. In the last five years, FRN has recovered more than 1 million pounds of food from 184 campuses in 42 states, proving that ingenuity and philanthropy can together fight the food waste travesty. “There are two major barriers to recovering leftover food; one is awareness, like helping businesses to understand the laws that protect them from liability,” says Pascual, the organization’s current director of innovation and operations. “The other is the labor involved. Universities are the perfect ecosystem for food recovery because college students have flexible schedules and are community service-minded, offering a ready supply of volunteers.” The latest FRN initiative is a certification program to verify that farms and restaurants are engaging in food recovery that

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Food waste reduction can be engineered in ways less noticeable to consumers, such as doing away with dining hall trays or using smaller plates. ~Cam Pascual includes creating a toolkit to help restaurants safely recover leftover meals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture recently set a goal of slashing food waste in half by 2030, with several supporting bills approaching the floor in Congress. The EPA food recovery hierarchy calls for reducing food waste first and foremost, with recovering food to feed people or animals as a fallback and utilizing landfills only as a last resort. “It’s one thing to set goals, but to realize those reductions in food waste, we have to change our behavior,” says Jonathan Bloom, author of American Wasteland: How America Throws Away Nearly Half of Its Food (and What We Can Do About It). Farms and households are the two largest generators of food waste, according to Bloom, whose blog at WastedFood.com offers dozens of beneficial tips for keeping food out of the trash bin. Fighting food waste starts before we go to the grocery. Bloom recommends consumers organize cupboards to know what’s already in stock, plan meals and stick to the shopping list. Post-purchase, easy tips include serving smaller portions, freezing leftovers and sharing surplus with friends and neighbors. Bloom’s website fans contribute more ideas like mixing veggie scraps into pet food or making them into soup stock. Using a smaller refrigerator keeps shoppers from bulking up while saving energy costs. The battle against wasted food needs to start at home, where small steps add up to big change. Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

A FOOD FIGHT WORTH WINNING Diverting Unsold Food from Full Landfills to Hungry Tummies

onathan Bloom speaks to college students around the U.S. explaining how fighting food waste requires changing beliefs and behaviors about food. “Recognize that taste should trump appearance, and don’t be so concerned with superficialities,” is a leading message. He cites replicable countermeasures like Hungry Harvest and Imperfect Produce, both predicated upon giving “ugly produce” a second chance. Based in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco’s Bay Area, respectively, these businesses offer low-cost home delivery of surplus produce, much of which is rejected for not meeting grocery stores’ high cosmetic standards. Here are more examples of the community pioneers working to divert food from overstuffed landfills to people. Daily Table (DailyTable.org) purchases excess food from growers, manufacturers and supermarkets to provide healthy food at fast-food prices for populations in need. The Dorchester, Massachusetts, retail grocery store offers fresh produce and grocery items, plus ready-to-cook and grab-n-go prepared meals. Fruitcycle (TheFruitcycle.com) makes healthy dried snacks from produce that would otherwise be tossed. The Washington, D.C.-area business also provides jobs for formerly incarcerated, homeless or otherwise disadvantaged women. Food Cowboy (FoodCowboy.com) reroutes food rejected by distributors. Truck drivers use a mobile app to communicate availability of such produce and find a charity or compost site to accept it. Re-Nuble (Re-Nuble.com) transforms food waste into affordable, organic fertilizer for hydroponic growing, thus contributing a solution to hunger. BluApple (TheBluApple.com) makes a plastic, fruit-shaped device that can triple the shelf life of refrigerated food. It absorbs ethylene, a naturally occurring gas that accelerates spoilage.

Local Groups Fight Food Waste

hese Western New York organizations are playing their part to reduce food waste in local communities: Food Bank of WNY Organization that collects nutritious food from public and private sources and efficiently distributes it to the hungry. FoodBankWNY.org

Baskin Livestock Family-owned Batavia farm that recycles food waste to make animal feed. BaskinLivestock.com Buffalo Food Not Bombs Volunteer-based activist group uses salvaged ingredients to share a free vegan meal in public places with anyone who is hungry. Facebook.com/buffalofnb Farmer Pirates Cooperative of urban farmers in Buffalo with open membership that offers compost using organic matter from food waste. FarmerPirates.com

Food Shuttle of WNY All-volunteer program that serves as a link between the sources of surplus food and the locations where it is needed most seven days a week. FoodShuttleWNY.org WasteNotWantNot Small crew of folks raising awareness and working to establish a Pay-AsYou-Feel cafe to serve food that otherwise would have gone to waste. Facebook.com/wnwnbuffalo

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Natural Sanctuaries Heal Body and Spirit by Sandra Murphy

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. ~John Muir Renew

Since ancient times, gardens have been employed as a place of healing for body and spirit. Japanese healthcare providers prescribe shinrin-yoku, meaning, “walking in forests to promote health” or “forest bathing”. Its intent is to use sight, sound and smell to connect with nature through stress-reducing, meditative walks. Based on a program created by the Morikami Japanese Gardens, in Delray Beach, Florida, Washington state’s Bloedel Reserve, on Bainbridge Island, conducts Strolls for Well-Being. Participants sign up for a free, 10-week session of 12 self-guided walks and three group meetings. A companion workbook is provided to encourage journaling on themes such as forgiveness, gratitude and joy. “Public gardens are a safe place where people can focus and do the work,” says Erin Jennings, with Bloedel. “We see people that wish to reflect and refuel or simply be more aware and intentional in life.” With 150 acres of natural woodlands and landscaped areas, ranging from a moss garden to a bird marsh, participants can take as much time as they need.

Refresh

Bees are an integral part of any flowering garden, and Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, in Floyd, Virginia, sustainably hosts 30 hives on six acres adjacent to a field planted with buckwheat, mustard, sunflowers and clover for its biodynamic beekeeping. An orchard on the property dovetails with an organic farm next door. Tours, talks, plant sales, food and music enhance the hospitality. Hope Hill Lavender Farm, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, adds lavender to soap, sugar scrubs, lotion and essential oil. “It takes 11 pounds of hand-picked fresh blossoms to make

Photo courtesy of The Boiron Medicinal Garden at the Rodale Institute

The Garden Cure

Nature is my medicine. ~Sara Moss-Wolfe one ounce of essential oil,” says Troy Jochems, co-owner with his wife, Wendy. A member of the mint family, lavender adds distinctive flavor and fragrance to both sweet and savory dishes (find recipes at HopeHillLavenderFarm.com). Visit the farm on summer weekends through mid-August and plan to partake of the annual lavender festival next June. In Glen Allen, Virginia, visitors enjoy a cool serving of lavender lemonade or honey ice cream at Lavender Fields Herb Farm after a stroll through the garden. Greenhouse tours and fall classes on growing herbs, vegetables and lavender include how to make an herbal wreath.

Restore

Tea Wellness classes and tastings of fair trade heirloom varieties are a big draw at Light of Day Organics, in Traverse City, Michigan. They’re taught by founder and horticulturist Angela Macke, a registered nurse. It’s the only dual-certified organic and Demeter Biodynamic commercial grower of tea plants in North America. The Boiron Medicinal Garden at the Rodale Institute, in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, emphasizes the importance of plants in homeopathy. Maggie Saska, plant production specialist with the research farm, explains, “Walking tours with educational signage in the garden let visitors know which species to look for when planting their own organic healing garden. Plants from a store may not be organically grown or of the correct species,” although a nursery may afford more options. Christophe Merville, D.Pharm., Boiron USA director of education and pharmacy development, attests that many familiar plants can offer benefits beyond beauty, such as reducing stress, promoting healing or easing congestion. He cautions, “People think plants are naturally safe, but they can be dangerous. St. John’s wort extract, for example, can relieve mild depression, but interacts with prescription medicines. It also reacts to light, so users may experience rashes from sun exposure. “Lemon balm can be made into an antioxidant tea. It can be grown in a garden, on a balcony or indoors, and combines well with chamomile or lavender. We like it for helping to relieve anxiety or to improve mental performance.” Merville suggests steeping German chamomile tea for relaxing sleep. He says breathing in the steam helps a stuffy nose. When used as a compress, it can relieve pain and itch from rashes. “Don’t drink too much or make it too concentrated,” he warns, because of its blood-thinning properties. Saska and Merville recommend that enthusiasts take classes, work with an herbalist and find a good reference book. Merville prefers Rodale’s 21st Century Herbal for beginners. Vicki Nowicki, founder of Liberty Gardens, in Downers Grove, Illinois, observes, “The world is seeing the first generations that don’t have a relationship with the land or know how to grow their own food.” Its seed-lending library, classes and tours, along with other healing gardens throughout the country, aim to get everyone back to basics including going outside. Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com. natural awakenings

August 2016

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HANDLE WILD THINGS WITH CARE How to Help Injured Animals by Sandra Murphy

hen encountering a bird or animal that appears to be abandoned, take only minimal steps to help. “People mean well but a lot of rescues we see, didn’t need help,” says Lacy Campbell, wildlife care center operations manager for the Audubon Society of Portland, Oregon. Make sure the animal is away from traffic or predators, and then call a local wildlife rehabilitator before taking further action, especially if the animal is injured.

Vulnerable Little Ones

Baby squirrels can fall out of the nest. “Leave him at the base of the tree,” says Jennifer Keats Curtis, author of the children’s book Squirrel Rescue. “Mom will rebuild the nest before coming to get her baby. If it’s cold, put it in a box with a towel. Once squirrels have been treated as a pet, they can’t be released.” Tiny, not-yet-feathered nestlings should be returned home; it’s a myth that human scent poses a problem. If the nest is out of reach or can’t be located, make one with a box and soft cloth. Put it in the tree, so the parents can resume feeding. Leave the area so as not to frighten them. “After young robins, scrub jays, crows and owls leave the nest, they typically spend up to a week on the ground before they can fly,” says Campbell. “At night, the parents will escort the fully feathered fledglings to safety beneath a bush.” In parks, ducks and geese may nest away from the water. Mama will lead her babies to the pond, even across busy streets. If it’s safe, stop the car to halt traffic, act as their crossing guard, and then resume driving. A box turtle operates on innate GPS. “It lives in an area the size of a football field,” explains Curtis. “It will go onward, no matter how many times people try to redirect it. If injured by a car or lawn mower, the shell can be mended by a rehab center.” Bunnies eat at dusk and dawn. In-between, the nest may look abandoned. “Wild baby rabbits are difficult to keep alive if injured,” says Curtis. “At sundown, see if mom returns; if not, they need a wildlife rehab expert.” A lone, young raccoon is either old enough to climb a tree by itself or the mother will carry it. If we feed a raccoon, it will become a beggar. Opossums are dramatic actors. 30

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The best outcome for injured animals is rescue, rehabilitation and return to the wild. When cornered, they hiss and fall over and play dead in a coma-like state for up to four hours. Check back later. If a mother possum has been killed by a car, call a rehab official to check her pouch for potential babies. “If you find a young deer fawn or moose calf, leave it. The mother comes back several times each day to nurse,” advises Amanda Nicholson, director of outreach for the Wildlife Center of Virginia, in Waynesboro. “Its coloring helps it remain undetected by predators.”

Other Unexpected Encounters “Don’t feed wild animals or leave out food or accessible comestible trash. Bobcats, wolves, bears and coyotes will avoid people unless food is involved,” cautions Jennifer Place, program associate for Born Free USA, a nonprofit in Washington, D.C. “Wild animals protect their space, food and young, so stay on marked trails when hiking and never turn your back on them.” For unexpected meetings, stay calm. “Make sure there’s an escape route for the animal,” says Place. “With foxes or coyotes, throw sticks or small rocks, but don’t hit the animal. Make yourself look large and yell.” With snakes, sidestep away slowly for more than six feet before walking in the other direction. Bears require a different response. “Speak in a low voice so the bear realizes you are not prey. Never climb a tree,” says Place. “Bears know the terrain, can run faster than a horse and can climb trees, too. Sidestep away, remaining carefully upright, calm and unthreatening. If the bear moves toward you, keep talking until he moves away. Running kicks in its prey drive.” Yellowstone Park regulations require visitors to stay 25 yards away from most wildlife and 100 yards away from bears and wolves. Selfie photos with animals can result in injury or death for humans and animals through carelessness; safety depends on good judgement, respect and common sense. Friends of wildlife know beforehand how to contact local rehabilitators if there’s an emergency, observe before taking action, and protect pets. “Always leash dogs when going into the yard at night and keep cats indoors,” says Place. “Peaceful co-existence allows for the safety of both people and animals, domestic and wild.” Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.

Wildlife Transport Tips If a wild animal is injured, wear heavy gloves in its vicinity to avoid being bitten or scratched. Completely cover the animal with a blanket so it stays relatively calm, and place it in a carrier for transport to a rehabilitation facility. A warm hot water bottle can help ward off shock. Do not give the animal water, milk or food. Time is of the essence to ward off dangers of stress. Wild animals can carry disease without appearing to be ill. Fleas, ticks and mites are likely, so keep injured wildlife away from pets and children.

A DV E RTO RI A L

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The Hidden Deficiency Having the proper amount of iodine in our system at all times is critical to overall health, yet the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that iodine deficiency is increasing drastically in light of an increasingly anemic national diet of unpronounceable additives and secret, unlabeled ingredients. This deficit now affects nearly three-quarters of the population.

Causes of Iodine Deficiency

Radiation

Almost everyone is routinely exposed to iodine-depleting radiation

Low-Sodium Diets

Overuse of zero-nutrient salt substitutes in foods leads to iodine depletion

Iodized Table Salt

Iodized salt may slowly lose its iodine content by exposure to air

Bromine

A toxic chemical found in baked goods overrides iodine's ability to aid thyroid

Iodine-Depleted Soil Poor farming techniques have led to declined levels of iodine in soil

A Growing Epidemic Symptoms range from extreme fatigue and weight gain to depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, high blood pressure, fibrocystic breasts and skin and hair problems. This lack of essential iodine can also cause infertility, joint pain, heart disease and stroke. Low iodine levels also have been associated with breast and thyroid cancers; and in children, intellectual disability, deafness, attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and impaired growth, according to studies by Boston University and the French National Academy of Medicine.

What to Do The easy solution is taking the right kind of iodine in the right dosage to rebalance thyroid function and restore health to the whole body.

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August 2016

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Preregister but, walk-ins welcome. $20 donation. Santosha, 22 Lafayette Blvd, Williamsville. Register: 425-2996.

NOTE: All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review guidelines for submissions at BuffaloAwakenings.com or email Publisher@BuffaloAwakenings.com for more information.

Serenity Now Meditation – 7-8pm. Betty Everett, meditator and healer will lead the group through a series of breathing and relaxation exercises culminating in a guided meditation often incorporating Buddhist concepts. $10/class. Complete Wellness Arts & Science Center, 1515 Kensington Ave, Buffalo. CompleteWellnessWNY.com. New students contact Betty: 716-633-5977 or B.Everett@ verizon.net.

MONDAY, AUGUST 1 Ask the Doctor Series – 6:15-7:15pm. On the first Monday of every month various workshops about living natural. Presented by Dr Tammy BialekLehrer about Juicing vs. Blending. Free. Inner Balance Chiropractic, 2800 Sweet Home Rd, Ste 2, Amherst. 716-210-1060. InnerBalanceChiro.com.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3 Spinal Rejuvenation II – 5:30-7pm. With Jessica Vargas. This sequence explores the full range of motion of the spine; flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation. The particular order and repetition of these postures, done on the Great Yoga Wall, allows for lengthening and decompression of the spine. Ideal for active people who deal with back pain. $25. OWM Yoga Downtown, 235 S Elmwood Ave, Ste 120, Buffalo. 716-864-1869. WNYOsteoWellness.com.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 Asana and the Yoga Sutra: Two-Hour Specialty Yoga Practice – 5:30-7:30pm. After a 30-minute discussion of Yoga Sutra concepts, a 90-minute yoga sequence focused on breath, balanced effort and surrender, pranayama, and meditation. Prerequisite: completion of Yoga I. $25. Himalayan Institute, 841 Delaware Ave, Buffalo. 716-8832223. HIBuffalo.org. Moving Inward: A Meditation and Philosophical Study – 8-9:15pm. A seven-week session on Thursdays. Study and practice the art and science of yoga and meditation with Julia Kress. $84/7 weeks, $15/class. Be Healthy Institute, 40 Main St, Hamburg. 716-648-3400. BeHealthyInstitute.com.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 First Fridays at the Gallery – 10am-10pm. On the first Friday of every month admission to part of the museum and select events are free to everyone. Art classes and certain tours are available to the public for a fee. Free. Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo. 716-882-8700. AlbrightKnox.org. Metaphysics on the Lake – Aug 5-7. 4-8pm, Fri; 11am-8pm, Sat; 11am-5pm, Sun. Vendors, psychics, healers, classes, lectures, gallery readings, demos,

Buffalo, NY

and much more. $5. My Garden of Healing, 5860 Main St, Olcott. 716-807-5354. MyGardenOf Healing.Weebly.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 Yoga Reset – 10-11am. A six-week class to bring your body, mind and spirit back to its perfect state. Participants will learn yogic breathing, postures for all levels, systematic relaxation, yoga ethics and meditation. $80. Karuna Yoga Buffalo at Made 2 Move Fitness, 777 Maple Rd, Williamsville. 716432-5857. JeanStinsonKarunaYoga.com.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7

Supermom Empowerment Group – 7pm. Rachael Phillips, mommy life coach with AKA Supermom and Emelie Obrochata, personal trainer and doula with Mama Zen will co-host this bi-weekly meeting and share tips and tools along with supporting an open dialogue for all moms involved. RSVP at Facebook.com/RachaelAkaSupermom/. Free. Spot Coffee, 6519 E Quaker St, Orchard Park. AkaSuperMom.com or MamaZenLife.com.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 Reiki Share – 7pm. Learn about reiki on the second Thursday of every month with Leslie Roberson, RMT. The evening begins with a guided meditation and brief discussion of reiki, then participants will practice giving and receiving reiki. All levels of experience welcome, but no reiki experience is necessary. $5 donation. The Body Essential Holistic Wellness Center, Georgetown Square Plaza, 5225 Sheridan Dr, Williamsville. 716-626-4466.

M & T Second Fridays – 10am-8pm. Every second Friday, the Burchfield Penney hosts special events, happy hours, programs, concerts and screenings. Free. Burchfield Penney Art Center, 1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo. 716-878-6011. BurchfieldPenney.org.

Moving Inward: A Meditation and Philosophical Study – 8-9:15pm. A seven-week session on Thursdays. Study and practice the art and science of yoga and meditation with Julia Kress. $84/7 weeks, $15/class. Be Healthy Institute, 40 Main St, Hamburg. 716-648-3400. BeHealthyInstitute.com.

Western New York VegFest – 11am-7pm. This 3rd annual event is dedicated to educating, inspiring and encouraging a vegan diet to improve health, expand compassion and take greater care of the environment. Speakers, exhibitors, vendors, live music, healthy food, children’s activities and performances are included. Free. Riverside Park, Hotaling Dr, Buffalo. WNYVegFest.com.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12

MONDAY, AUGUST 8 Nature’s Medicine – 6:30-8:30pm. Learn about the healing properties of various oils commonly used, make your own natural first aid kit and how to replace oils with your medicine cabinet products.

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Yoga on Tap – 6:30pm. Outdoor one hour yoga class with Megan, followed by a draft pour from the beer selection and souvenir glass to take home. Must be 21 years of age and older. $20. Brewed & Bottled Craft Beer Shop, 402 Center St, Lewiston. Preregistration required: MeganSackman@gmail.com.

Ask The Experts – 7-9:30pm. Psychic, lecturer, author Carol Ann Liaros, certified TBA practitioner and kinesiologist Debra Ann Lattuca and another special guest. $10. My Garden of Healing 5860 Main St, Olcott. RSVP: 716-807-5354. MyGardenOfHealing.Weebly.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 StarSeeds Children’s Esoteric Day Camp – 8:4510:45am. Children ages 4-7 can learn meditation, organic gardening and composting, healthy eating, how to do energy healings, about chakras and more. $15. My Garden of Healing, 5860 Main St, Olcott. Preregistration required: 716-807-5354. MyGardenOfHealing.Weebly.com. StarLights Children’s Esoteric Day Camp – 8:45am-2:45pm. Children ages 8-12 can learn meditation, about chakras, organic gardening and composting and holistic health. Also, do esoteric arts and crafts, drumming, qigong, yoga and more. $50. My Garden of Healing, 5860 Main St, Olcott. Preregistration required: 716-807-5354. MyGardenOfHealing.Weebly.com. Wellness Fair and Walk – 9am-noon. Hosted by nonprofit Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo. Community health resources, interactive activities and healthy refreshments will be available. Free. Shelter #14 in Ellicott Creek Park, 1 Ellicott Creek Dr, Tonawanda. 716-851-4052. BeActive@City-Buffalo.org.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14 Fifth Annual Holistic Health Expo – 11am-4pm. Join the holistic community as they share their knowledge, skills and gifts of self care. Expo features exhibits, vendors, demonstrations and new this year a children’s section. Marcy Casino, Delaware Park, 199 Lincoln Pkwy, Buffalo. 716-425-2996. Intro to Ayurveda – Part II: Ayurveda’s Vi e w o f P r a n a a n d A g n i – 1 0 a m - 1 p m . Prana is the life force that enlivens and invigorates the body, mind and senses. Agni, the digestive fire in the body, governs digestion, assimilation and elimination on all levels; physical and mental. This workshop will begin with the theory behind these two subtle forces of health and close with an asana practice designed to help you experience the forces of agni and prana in your own body and mind. $45. 3 CE credits with Yoga Alliance. Himalayan Institute, 841 Delaware Ave, Buffalo. 716-883-2223. HIBuffalo.org.

MONDAY, AUGUST 15 Kids Yoga Camp – Aug 15-19. 1-4pm. For ages 4-9. Mind Body Flow Yoga, 9390 Transit Rd, East Amherst. 716-218-3167. MindBodFlowYoga.com.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17 Introduction to the Great Yoga Wall – 5:307pm. This workshop will focus on Yoga Wall basics and include some standing as well as supine postures. Suitable for beginners as well as experienced students. $25. OWM Yoga Downtown, 235 S Elmwood Ave, Ste 120, Buffalo. 716-864-1869. WNYOsteoWellness.com. Law of Attraction in Action: Terri Songbird’s Interpretation of the Work of Abraham – 6:308pm. Terri Songbird has been studying the works of Jerry and Esther Hicks for over 20 years. Join this monthly Law of Attraction Circle for leading edge thought. $20 love offering. Complete Wellness Arts & Science Center, 1515 Kensington Ave, Buffalo. CompleteWellnessWNY.com. 716-2536548, ext 200.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18 Moving Inward: A Meditation and Philosophi-

cal Study – 8-9:15pm. A seven-week session on Thursdays. Study and practice the art and science of yoga and meditation with Julia Kress. $84/7 weeks, $15/class. Be Healthy Institute, 40 Main St, Hamburg. 716-648-3400. BeHealthyInstitute.com. Screening of “Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story” – 6:15pm. The City of Buffalo presents the screening of this movie. Proceeded at 5pm by a “pay as you feel” food and drink reception. Free. Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, 341 Delaware Ave, Buffalo. 716-851-5014. BuffaloRecycles.org. Yoga in the Vines – 6:30pm. One-hour yoga class with Megan in the vineyard, followed by a wine tasting and coupon for 10 percent off a bottle of wine (this evening only). Must be 21 years of age and older. $20. Eveningside Vineyards, 4794 Lower Mountain Rd, Cambria. Preregistration required: MeganSackman@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19 Introduction to Mindfulness – 6-8pm. Learn about mindfulness. Free. Mindgardens, LLC Office, 484 Connecticut St, Buffalo. 716-259-2994. MindGardens.net. Buffalo Paddle Festival – Aug 19-20. 7pm, Fri; 9am, Sat. 3rd Annual Buffalo Paddle Festival features Buffalo’s largest paddle sports race and is a two-day community expo celebrating health and wellness, outdoor recreation, and promoting environmental stewardship. Registration cost and fees vary. Woodlawn Beach State Park, S3580 Lake Shore Rd, Blasdell. Registration: BuffaloPaddleFestival.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 Reiki Master Level – 10am-4pm. Workshop to master the healing art of reiki. Preregister, but walk-ins also welcome. $175. Santosha, 22 Lafayette Blvd, Williamsville. Register: 425-2996.

MONDAY, AUGUST 22 Serenity Now Meditation – 7-8pm. With Betty Everett. See Aug 8 listing. $10/class. Complete Wellness Arts & Science Center, 1515 Kensington Ave, Buffalo. CompleteWellnessWNY.com. New students contact Betty: 716-633-5977 or B.Everett@ verizon.net.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23 Homeopathy: Basic Introduction with Arup Bhattacharya, PhD – 6-8pm. Learn basic concepts of homeopathy and how it is different from conventional medicine. Your personal questions will also be answered. $10. Himalayan Institute, 841 Delaware Ave, Buffalo. 716-883-2223. HIBuffalo.org

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24 Supermom Empowerment Group – 7pm. See Aug 10 listing. Spot Coffee, 6519 E Quaker St, Orchard Park. AkaSuperMom.com or MamaZenLife.com. Circleformance – 7-9pm. Every 4th Wed. Poetry and music series with open slots to read poetry. Hosted by Lynn Ciesielski. Free. El Buen Amigo, 114 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo. 716-885-6343.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 Backbend to Basics – 10-11:30am. This workshop is perfect for current practitioners looking to deepen

their practice. Participants will prepare their bodies for backbends by engaging in specific postures that will target areas that require opening such as the quadriceps, shoulders and thoracic spine using the Great Yoga Wall. Led by Yoga Wall certified instructor Elizabeth Coffey. $25. OWM Yoga Downtown, 235 S Elmwood Ave, Ste 120, Buffalo. 716-864-1869. WNYOsteo Wellness.com. Slow Flow and Roll – 9:30am. Bike ride from Kiwanis Park to Joe Davis State Park where Megan will lead an hour yoga class. A slow flow suitable for all levels. Then bike ride back. Round trip is seven miles. $20. Kiwanis Park, 940 Oxbow Lane, Lewiston. Preregistration required: MeganSackman@gmail.com. StarLights Children’s Esoteric Day Camp – 8:45am-2:45pm. Children ages 8-12 can learn meditation, about chakras, organic gardening and composting and holistic health. Also, do esoteric arts and crafts, drumming, qigong, yoga and more. $50. My Garden of Healing, 5860 Main St, Olcott. Preregistration required: 716-807-5354. MyGardenOfHealing.Weebly.com. Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts – Aug 27-28. 10am-6pm, Sat; 10am-5pm, Sun. 17th annual family oriented festival is a celebration of community and features local artists, music and dance performances, food, a healing arts area, cultural and environmental exhibits and more. Elmwood Ave, between St James Pl & W Ferry, Buffalo. 716-830-2484. ElmwoodArtFest.org.

MONDAY, AUGUST 29 Introduction to Kundalini Yoga – 5:30-6:45pm. Kundalini yoga offers a prescription for awaking, elevating us toward our highest potential. Learn the fundamentals of the practice in an open and accessible atmosphere. $12. Udumbara Yoga, 400 Plain St, Lewiston. UdumbaraYoga.com.

plan ahead FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Discover Yourself – Three-Day Holistic Retreat – Sept 2-4. 10am-6pm, Fri; 8am-6pm, Sat; 8am-4pm, Sun. Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara Retreat & Conference Center, 4421 Lower River Rd, Stella Niagara. Harisa.co.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

savethedate SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Tour de Farms – 9am-5pm. Buffalo. 716-2187161. GoBikeBuffalo.org. Fourth Annual Project 308 Art Festival – Noon5pm. Oliver St between Schenck St & Robinson St, North Tonawanda. 716-523-0068. Project308Gallery.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Intuition Retreat – Sept 23-25. 5pm, Fri to Sun afternoon. With Reverend Dawn Lynn. Ellicottville. Judy Hartke: 716-462-9174. Willowlight.org.

natural awakenings

August 2016

ongoingevents

wednesday

sunday

Niagara Falls City Market – 9am-5pm. 18th & Pine Ave, Niagara Falls. 716-946-7473.

Outdoor Community Yoga Class – 9:30am. A slow flow class suited for all levels. Donations support a different great local animal welfare organization. Donation of your choice. Grandpaws Pet Emporium, 402 Center St, Lewiston. OneYogaWNY.com.

South Buffalo Farmers’ Market – 10am-2pm. Cazenovia Park, Buffalo. 716-851-5158. Tours of the Schoolhouse #8 History Center & Museum – Thru Oct 15. 1-4pm. This museum is housed in a restored 1857 one-room schoolhouse. A visit is like “taking a step back in time”. Free. 2101 School St, N Collins. 716-337-3341. SchoolHouse8.info. GoBike Community Class – 6-8pm. Classes rotate between four topics. Class limited to 10 people. $10 donation. GoBike Buffalo, 98 Colvin Ave, Buffalo. RSVP two days prior: Stacy@GoBikeBuffalo.org. GoBikeBuffalo.org.

monday Clinton-Bailey Farmers’ Market – 7am-6pm. 1517 Clinton St, Buffalo. 716-822-2466. ClintonBaileyFarmersMarket.com. Lockport Farmers’ Market – Thru Nov. 9am-9pm. Walnut at Cottage St, Lockport. 716-439-6676. Niagara Falls City Market – 9am-5pm. 18th & Pine Ave, Niagara Falls. 716-946-7473. Pilates in the Park – 10am. Family-friendly mat class led by Melissa Meehan. $15. Delaware Park Rose Garden, 199 Lincoln Pkwy, Buffalo. 716-2893904. ThePilatesLoftBuffalo.com. Slow Roll Buffalo – Thru Oct. 6:30pm. Meet at 5:30pm; ride at 6:30pm. Free. Check website for different location each week. SlowRollBuffalo.org.

Clinton-Bailey Farmers’ Market – 7am-6pm. 1517 Clinton St, Buffalo. 716-822-2466. ClintonBaileyFarmersMarket.com. Blasdell Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct. 9am-2pm. The Shoppes at Lake Ave Plaza, 4271 Lake Ave, Blasdell. 716-649-7917. Hamburg-Chamber.org.

Lancaster Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct. 9am-2pm. 4913 Transit Rd, Depew. LancasterVillageMarket.com.

Meditation – 10am. Join Dr James Pilc, MD to remove stress and replace it with inner peace. Walk-ins welcome $30. The Body Essential Holistic Wellness Center, 5225 Sheridan Dr, Williamsville. 716-6264466. TheBodyEssential.net.

East Aurora Farmers’ Market – Thru Nov 23. 7am-1pm. Tops Plaza, Grey St, E Aurora. 716771-9590.

Lockport Farmers’ Market – Thru Nov. 9am-9pm. Walnut at Cottage St, Lockport. 716-439-6676. Massachusetts Avenue Project Mobile Market – Thru Oct. 11am-6pm. A farmers’ market on wheels. Gerard Place, 2515 Bailey Ave, Buffalo. 716-8825327. Mass-Ave.org.

tuesday Clinton-Bailey Farmers’ Market – 7am-6pm. 1517 Clinton St, Buffalo. 716-822-2466. ClintonBaileyFarmersMarket.com. North Tonawanda Farmers’ Market – 7am-1pm. Payne Ave at Robinson St, N Tonawanda. 716830-6025. Lockport Farmers’ Market – Thru Nov. 9am-9pm. Walnut at Cottage St, Lockport. 716-439-6676. Yoga – 9:45am. Everyone welcome. $48/4 classes. Clarence Hollow Wellness Center, 10946 Main St, Clarence. 716-572-2096. Downtown Country Market – Thru Nov. 10am2:30pm. Main St, between Court St and Church St, Buffalo. BuffaloPlace.com. Reiki Sessions – 10am-5pm. Reiki sessions at a sliding scale, pay as able. $1-$50. Reiki by Dena. 520 Longmeadow Rd, Amherst. 716-361-1235. Massachusetts Avenue Project Mobile Market – Thru Oct. 4-6pm. A farmers’ market on wheels. MAP Farm Stand, 389 Massachusetts Ave, Buffalo. 716-882-5327. Mass-Ave.org. Food Truck Tuesdays – Thru Oct 4. 5-8pm. Dozens of food trucks, most with a healthy options menu item, come together to celebrate a night of food, music and fun. Free. Larkin Square, 745 Seneca St, Buffalo. LarkinSquare.com. Introduction to Mindfulness – 6-8pm. This is an open group with individualized plans. $200. Tuition includes eight sessions and a workbook/CD. Mindgardens, LLC Office, 484 Connecticut St, Buffalo. 716-259-2994. MindGardens.net.

Walking On Wednesdays (WOW) – Noon12:45pm. Kaminsky Park, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Buffalo. 716-851-4052. HealthyCommunityNetwork.com. Lunchtime Yoga Break – Noon-1pm. Calming blend of gentle and restorative postures. $12/dropin. Trinity Old Lutheran Church, 3445 Sheridan Dr, Amherst. 716-864-1194. cmYoga.com. Wheatfield Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct. 3-7pm. 2800 Church Rd, Wheatfield. 716-694-6441. Massachusetts Avenue Project Mobile Market – Thru Oct. 4-6pm. 1st Wed. A farmers’ market on wheels. West Side Community Services, 161 Vermont St, Buffalo. 716-882-5327. Mass-Ave.org. Lancaster Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct. 4-7pm. 4913 Transit Rd, Depew. LancasterVillageMarket.com. Gentle Hatha Yoga – Thru Aug 17. 5:30-6:45pm. With Leanne Oldenbrook. For all ages and fitness levels. $15. Free to eligible BlueCross BlueShield of WNY members. The Botanical Gardens, 2655 S Park Ave, Buffalo. Register: 716-864-1194, crescmnyoga@yahoo.com or cmYoga.com. Qigong – 6:30-7:30pm. Open class. No reservations required. Participate in a single session or continue with multiple meetings. $15. 22 Lafayette Blvd, Williamsville. 716-622-6332. DonaldWScott.com. Yoga Reset – 6:30-7:45pm. A gentle practice suitable for all levels of students. $12/class. Clarence Hollow Wellness Center, 10946 Main St, Clarence. 716-310-3858. RichardJasonBruke.com. Guided Meditation – 7-7:45pm. Join Christine for these guided, calming sessions. All levels welcome.

GR W

Your Business Call for information: 716-909-7805

Buffalo, NY

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Donation. Udumbara Yoga, 400 Plain St, Lewiston. UdumbaraYoga.com.

saturday

thursday

East Aurora Farmers’ Market – Thru Nov 23. 7am-1pm. Tops Plaza, Grey St, E Aurora. 716771-9590.

North Tonawanda Farmers’ Market – 7am-1pm. Payne Ave at Robinson St, N Tonawanda. 716-830-6025. Clinton-Bailey Farmers’ Market – 7am-6pm. 1517 Clinton St, Buffalo. 716-822-2466. ClintonBaileyFarmersMarket.com. Downtown Batavia Public Market – Thru Sep. 9am-3:30pm. Bank St & Alva Place parking lot, Batavia. 585-344-0900. Downtown BataviaNY.com. Lockport Farmers’ Market – Thru Nov. 9am-9pm. Walnut at Cottage St, Lockport. 716-439-6676. Wellness Walk – 10am-noon. Enjoy the fresh air and the sights and sounds of the season with a healthy, guided outdoor walk on our trails. $2 donation/person. Tifft Nature Preserve, 1200 Fuhrmann Blvd, Buffalo. 716-825-6397. Tifft.org. Downtown Country Market – 10am-2:30pm. Main St, between Court St & Church St, Buffalo. BuffaloPlace.com. Massachusetts Avenue Project Mobile Market – Thru Oct. 11am-1pm. A farmers’ market on wheels. Moot Community Center, 292 High St, Buffalo. 716-882-5327. Mass-Ave.org. Pendleton Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct. 3pmdusk. 6570 Campbell Blvd, Pendleton. PendletonNy. us/Farmers-Market. Massachusetts Avenue Project Mobile Market – Thru Oct. 4-6pm. A farmers’ market on wheels. Elim Christian Fellowship, 70 Chalmers Ave, Buffalo. 716-882-5327. Mass-Ave.org. West Seneca Farmers’ Market – 4-7:30pm. West Seneca Town Park, Union Rd, W Seneca. Drop-in Yoga Class – 5:30-6:30pm. Beginner level. $10. Himalayan Institute, 841 Delaware Ave, Buffalo. 716-883-2223. HIBuffalo.org. Qigong – 7-8pm. 2nd & 4th Thur. With John Davis. Drop-ins welcome. $10/class or $32/4 classes. Complete Wellness Arts & Science Center, 1515 Kensington Ave, Buffalo. 716-539-9355. CompleteWellnessWNY.com.

friday Clinton-Bailey Farmers’ Market – 7am-6pm. 1517 Clinton St, Buffalo. 716-822-2466. ClintonBaileyFarmersMarket.com. Niagara Falls City Market – 9am-5pm. 18th & Pine Ave, Niagara Falls. 716-946-7473. Lockport Farmers’ Market – Thru Nov. 9am-9pm. Walnut at Cottage St, Lockport. 716-439-6676. Yoga, An Exploration of Kundalini Kriya Mudras and Mantras – 9:45-11am. Energetic techniques to create greater connectivity and balance. Everyone welcome. Clarence Hollow Wellness Center, 10946 Main St, Clarence. 716-310-3858. RichardJasonBruke.com. Massachusetts Avenue Project Mobile Market – Thru Oct. 11am-1pm. A farmers’ market on wheels. The Salvation Army, 960 Main St, Buffalo. 716-8825327. Mass-Ave.org. Allentown Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct. 4-7pm. 440 S Elmwood Ave, Buffalo. 716-881-1024. Allentown.org.

North Tonawanda Farmers’ Market – 7am-1pm. Payne Ave at Robinson St, N Tonawanda. 716830-6025. Clinton-Bailey Farmers’ Market – 7am-6pm. 1517 Clinton St, Buffalo. 716-822-2466. ClintonBaileyFarmersMarket.com. Hamburg Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct. 7:30am1pm. Village Municipal parking lot, Hamburg. 716-649-7917. HamburgChamber.org. Kenmore Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct. 8am12:30pm. 2919 Delaware Ave, Kenmore. 716-8741784. KenmoreFarmersMarket.com. Clarence Hollow Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct 22. 8am-1pm. 10717 Main St, Clarence. ClarenceFarmersMarket.com. Elmwood Village Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct. 8am-1pm. Elmwood Ave & Bidwell Pkwy, Buffalo. 716-881-0707. ElmwoodMarket.org. Lancaster Farmers’ Market – 8am-1pm. 4913 Transit Rd, Depew. LancasterVillageMarket.com. University Community Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct 15. 8am-1pm. University at Buffalo South Campus, Main St near Kenmore Ave, Buffalo. 716828-6145. OurHeights.com. Williamsville Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct. 8am1pm. Island Park, Main St, Williamsville. 716-9846572. WilliamsvilleFarmersMarket.com. Lockport Farmers’ Market – Thru Nov. 9am-9pm. Walnut at Cottage St, Lockport. 716-439-6676. Drop-in Yoga Class – 9:30-11am. Intermediate level. $12. Himalayan Institute, 841 Delaware Ave, Buffalo. 716-883-2223. HIBuffalo.org.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is a minimum charge of $20 for the first 20 words and $1 for each additional word. To place an ad, email Publisher@BuffaloAwakenings. com. Deadline is the 10th of the month. FOR RENT

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natural awakenings

August 2016

communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@BuffaloAwakenings.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE SHENDAO ACUPUNCTURE B.Schamberger, LAc 334 Bryant St, Buffalo 716-883-3166

INNER BALANCE CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Alison Bramer Cummings & Dr. Tammy Bialek-Lehrer 2800 Sweet Home Rd, Ste 1, Amherst 716-210-1060 • InnerBalanceChiro.com

Gentle adjustments; no cracking, snapping or bending. Treating neck, back, shoulder pain, headaches, scoliosis, migraines, vertigo, digestive issues, behavior issues, sports injuries, carpal tunnel, TMJ and more. See ad, page 22.

Now offering a special, anti-stress treatment which rebalances energy; resulting in a calmer mind, healthier glow to facial skin and brightening of the eyes.

CHILDBIRTH CARE THE BIRTHING CENTER OF BUFFALO Katharine Morrison, MD 2500 Main St, Buffalo 716-835-2510 BirthingCenterOfBuffalo.com

DENTISTRY AESTHETIC ASSOCIATES CENTRE Dr. Todd Shatkin 2500 Kensington Ave, Ste A, Amherst 716-839-1700 • GR8Look.com ShatkinDentalOffice@gmail.com

As a freestanding, licensed birth center, we offer comprehensive certified midwifery and OB care, giving you the freedom to create a meaningful, empowering, unmedicated birth experience. See ad, page 25.

Offering complete restorative and cosmetic dental care for adults and children. Includes bonding, veneers, bleaching, crown and bridge, dental implantology (all stages), mini dental implants and general dental care. See ad, back cover.

BUFFALO MIDWIFERY SERVICES

FITNESS

Eileen Stewart, CNM 289 Summer St, Buffalo 716-885-2229 BuffaloMidwiferyServices.com

Buffalo Midwifery Services provides respectful, personalized care to pregnant woman who have a low risk pregnancy. Options for giving birth, home, birthing center and hospital are available. See ad, page 25.

CHIROPRACTIC COOLEY NATURAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS

Complete Wellness Arts & Science Center 1515 Kensington Ave, Buffalo 716-253-6548, ext 210 RayCooleydc@gmail.com • Cooleydc.com If you suffer from a chronic injury or pain, are always tired or have difficulty losing weight, learn how to take back your health. See ad, page 23.

Buffalo, NY

CITY OF LIGHT FITNESS

Jared Callahan, Owner, Fitness Trainer 716-866-3747 • Info@CityOfLightFitness.com CityOfLightFitness.com Jared has developed a lifestyle approach to fitness and healthy living, integrating outdoor wateroriented sports like Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) with a structured strength and conditioning program. Call for a fun and unique style of fitness training.

FUSION WELLNESS CENTER BODY ESSENTIAL HOLISTIC WELLNESS CENTER

5225 Sheridan Dr, Georgetown Sq, Williamsville 716-626-4466 • TheBodyEssential.net W N Y ’s o n l y f u s i o n wellness center. An intuitive center for well-being. Providing the areas best in therapeutic massage, reflexology, reiki, NSA Chiropractic, acupuncture, meditative healing and so much more. Health, wellness and personal development programs and classes. See ad, page 10.

BuffaloAwakenings.com

HEALING THERAPIES TOUCH OF LIFE

Janice Wilton Locations: Hamburg • East Aurora 716-238-6426 TouchOfLife.net Offering integrated healing, energetic kinesiology, reiki, r e f l e x o l o g y, e s s e n t i a l o i l s including raindrop technique, emotional freedom technique and workshops. Mind/body health is the goal of Touch of Life where the focus is on the whole individual.

HEALTHY DINING 700 BISTRO & CAFÉ

700 Center St, Lewiston 716-429-5466 • 700CenterStreet.com Serving a wonderful selection of natural and organic foods. Vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options. Healthy smoothies, organic coffee, wheatgrass shots, wraps, paninis, baked goods and granola made in house. A must visit in historic Lewiston. See ad, page 24.

MANGIA CAFÉ

621 Center St, Lewiston 716-754-1517 Naturally good food. Glutenfree and vegetarian options. Breakfast served all day and lunch; 8am-2pm. In the heart of beautiful, historic Lewiston. See ad, page 16.

HOLISTIC CENTER HIMALAYAN INSTITUTE

841 Delaware Ave, Buffalo 716-883-2223 • HIBuffalo.org Buffalo’s Center for yoga, meditation and wellness. Yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, homeopathy, yoga teacher certification, CEU’s for yoga instructors, bookstore and gift shop. Reconnect with your body, relax the mind and rejuvenate your spirit. See ad, page 17.

HOLISTIC STUDIO AND SALON DRAGONFLY STUDIO & SALON

8290 Main St, Williamsville 716-634-5950 • DragonflyStudioSalon.com A full service holistic spa and center for spiritual enlightenment. Organic vegan hair care, pedicures, massage, reiki, yoga, chakra balancing, homeopathy, meditation, readings, spiritual development classes and local artisan boutique. Where art and soul intertwine. See ad, page 6.

HOMEOPATHY HOMEOPATHIC HEALERS

Arup Bhattacharya, PhD, DHM, Hom(ON), RSHom (NA) 156 Ramsdell Ave, Buffalo 716-310-3789 Arup_2000@yahoo.com HomeopathicHealers.com Where healing is a way of life. Arup Bhattacharya, PhD, is a H o m e o p a t h e d u c a t o r, practitioner and a research faculty at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Make an appointment or join one of the courses. See ad, page 14.

LIFE COACH WNY LIFE COACHING CENTER – LIFE COACH

Shawn Marie Cichowski, Owner, Certified Life/Soul Coach 5500 Main St, Ste 313, Williamsville 716-560-6552 • WNYLifeCoaching.com Life coaching devoted to helping others help themselves. Using traditional and nontraditional coaching techniques to empower and heal from the inside out. Offering life/soul coaching, dream building, energy work, mindfulness and meditation, breathwork. See ad, page 9.

LIFE COACH – MOMMY AKA SUPERMOM

Rachael Phillips, Owner/Coach 301-524-5042 Rachael@akasupermom.com AKASuperMom.com Facebook.com/RachaelAKASuperMom.com Enjoy motherhood to the fullest. Phillips coaches moms who may feel lost in motherhood, or are looking for that missing piece, to find their passion and purpose. This gives them the ultimate fulfillment both in motherhood and in themselves – without any guilt. Be the mom you always wanted to be – happy and balanced.

MEDIA PLANTING SEEDS RADIO AND TV SHOW Jill O’Hara, Owner and Host PlantingSeeds2016@gmail.com 716-425-2996 • PlantingSeeds.us

Providing reliable information on holistic practices, healthy options, balanced living as a resource for the community. A weekly TV program (TWC Ch 20) on Tue at 4:30pm and Sat at 5:30pm (city of Buffalo); and Wed and Sat at 5:30pm (suburbs). Planting Seeds Radio 1520AM on Sat at 9:30am. Call Jill to be a guest on the show. See ad, page 7.

PETS

MINDFULNESS

ANCIENT FAR EAST HEALING ARTS FOR ANIMALS

MINDGARDENS

484 Connecticut St, Buffalo 716-259-2994 • Mindgardens.net Cultivating transformation. Find a better direction in life. New life-changing groups forming regularly. Free introduction to Mindgardens services on Friday, August 19 at 6 p.m. See ad, page 14.

NUTRITION SMART NUTRITION BY FRANK

Frank Giardina, RDN, CDN 5500 Main St, Ste 344, Williamsville 716-220-2342 Frank@SmartNutritionByFrank.com SmartNutritionByFrank.com

Susi Rosinski 3110 Eggert Rd, Tonawanda 716-803-0113 • ReikiBySusi.com

Energy medicine, medical qigong, acupressure, Karuna reiki and chi’atsu. Relief from stress, anxiety, behavioral issues, arthritis, immune deficiency, speeds healing of injuries, surgery and more. See ad, page 35.

PHYSICAL THERAPISTS ADAM FIELD PHYSICAL THERAPY, PLLC

Offering no nonsense, sciencebased medical nutrition support for patients looking to achieve better control of blood glucose, lipid levels, blood pressure as well as improved body composition and athletic performance. Covered by most insurances. We make house calls too! See ad, page 32.

ORGANIC FARM PRODUCTS ALPINE MADE LLC

Kerry Beiter, Owner 5363 East Creek Rd, S Wales 716-430-9928 • AlpineMade.com

JCC Benderson Building 2640 N Forest Rd, Getzville 716-982-8200 • Adamfpt@msn.com AdamFieldPhysicalTherapy.com

Adam Field, PT applies a whole body approach to treatment of chronic pain and injury. Utilizing myofascial/craniosacral therapies and manual joint techniques, clients experience improved movement, pain and function. Field’s experience, knowledge, and gentle manner allow him to develop individualized programs for his clients. See ad, page 26.

PHYSICIANS

Our certified organic goat farm is located in WNY and centered on pasture raising a small herd of Alpine goats using sustainable and organic farming practices. We craft the finest skincare products with our raw organic goat milk. Visit our website or like us on Facebook for additional information.

ORGANIC MATTRESS BUILD A BED

Randy Pegan, Owner 3835 McKinley Pkwy, Blasdell 716-248-2052 • BuildABedus.com

BUFFALO SPINE & SPORTS MEDICINE 100 College Pkwy, Ste 100, Williamsville 200 Sterling Dr, Ste 200, Orchard Park 6000 Brockton Dr, Ste 109, Lockport 716-626-0093 • BuffSpine.com

One of the largest and most established physical medicine and rehabilitation practices in Western New York. Non-surgical rehabilitation and therapy for acute injuries and chronic conditions. Holistic care focusing on patients’ functions. Take back your lifestyle! See ad, page 19.

PILATES

A new and exciting way to buy a mattress and dream better. Visit our local showroom to discover how you can improve the quality of your sleep and your health. See ad, page 25.

ORGANIC SPA GREEN SPA VILLAGE HOLISTICS

Joei Marie Lucey, RN, Green Spa Owner 5526 Main St, Williamsville 716-635-6482 • GreenSpaHolistics.com

STRETCH PILATES

1127 Wehrle Dr, Williamsville 716-626-7484 StretchWNY@gmail.com • StretchWNY.com A Pilates studio offering private and small group sessions focusing on stretching, strength posture a n d c o r e t r a i n i n g . Vi s i t Facebook, Instagram and the Pilates and fitness blog online. See ad, page 16.

Organic holistic spa focusing on health and wellness. Pamper your body, mind and spirit. Spa services include massage, facials, body treatments, energy balancing, life coaching, craniosacral, reflexology, Emotional Freedom Technique, hypnosis, aromatherapeutic touch and more.

natural awakenings

August 2016

REIKI ANCIENT FAR EAST HEALING ARTS Susi Rosinski 3110 Eggert Rd, Tonawanda 716-803-0113 • ReikiBySusi.com

Medical qigong/therapeutic tai chi, Karuna reiki, meditation. Relief from pain, anxiety, depression. Speeds healing of injuries and surgery. Boosts immune system and more. See ad, page 9.

EMERGING VIBRANT WOMEN EMPOWER AND AWAKEN YOUR FEMININE SOUL

Kohava Howard, Holistic Nurse, Wellness Coach, LYYD, Reiki Master • E Amherst 970-208-2503 • KohavaHoward.com

Skype or phone.

Intuitive, holistic, health and wellness coaching for women over 40 that are experiencing major life transitions. Reclaim your vibrant inner joy and feminine power to live your authentic life. Private sessions, wellness workshops, by

WNY LIFE COACHING CENTER – REIKI

Shawn Marie Cichowski, Owner, Reiki Master 5500 Main St, Ste 313, Williamsville 716-560-6552 • WNYLifeCoaching.com Helping you help yourself naturally, healing from the inside out. Reiki master and certified meditation instructor. Self-care and stress management trainer. See ad, page 18.

SPECIALTY MARKET

REIKI CLASSES REIKI CARE – REIKI CLASSES

Carolyn Musial, Senior Licensed Reiki Master Teacher 2167 Wehrle Dr, Williamsville 716-572-3980 • ReikiCare.com Learn this simple yet amazing technique for yourself and others to heal body/mind/spirit. All levels of reiki taught by a senior licensed reiki master teacher with the International Center for Reiki Training. CEs available. See how reiki can transform your life.

SELF DEVELOPMENT DESIGN FOR LIVING – THE AVATAR® COURSE

Tia Greno 716-633-0715 • TiaG12345@gmail.com If you are ready for a profound lasting change in your life, call Tia at 716-633-0715 to discuss the International Avatar Course July 2-10. “Avatar® is nothing more or less than an escape from a mind trap that you have been caught in for so long you have forgotten what freedom feels like.” ~Harry Palmer, The Avatar Path: The Way We Came. See ad, page 6.

SKIN CARE AESTHETIC ASSOCIATES CENTRE Dr. Sam Shatkin 2500 Kensington Ave, Amherst 716-839-1700 • GR8Look.com

Achieve natural rejuvenation with surgical and non-surgical services in the fields of plastic surgery and advanced skin care. Dr. Shatkin and his team of health professionals help clients look and feel better about themselves. See ad, back cover.

SPA TRES AURAE SPA

5195 Main St, Williamsville 716-478-7546 SpaBuffalo.com

Make your community a little GREENER …

Support our advertisers. For every $100 spent in locally owned business, $68 returns to the community.

Tres Aurae Spa offers a calm setting for all your spa needs. Services include their Best of Buffalo natural, seaweed-based facials, therapeutic massage, hair blowouts and styling, hair removal, and manicures and pedicures. Relax and enjoy spa services for individuals and groups in this award-winning facility.

Buffalo, NY

Specialty Meat Market 105 Portage Rd, Lewiston • 716-754-1199 Facebook.com/TheNaturalLink Free-range chicken, wildcaught fresh seafood, Boar’s Head deli meats, Angus Reserve beef, local honey, maple syrup, farm-fresh eggs, goats and cows milk. Excellent service and friendly owners (Brian and Cathy). See ad, page 34.

THERMAL IMAGING DYNAMIC THERMAL IMAGING Carol Knapp, CCT, office manager 585-734-6083 NYDTI.com

Provides radiation-free, noninvasive clinical imaging for detecting and monitoring overall health as well as a number of diseases and injuries. Totally safe, FDA-approved and available to women, men and children. Take responsibility for your own health and be proactive with Dynamic Thermal Imaging. See ad, page 18.

WELLNESS CENTER BODY BE WELL SOLUTIONS Rebecca Albert, LMT, CHHC North Tonawanda • 716-316-2511 BodyBeWellSolutions.com

One conversation could change your life. Specializing in small group wellness classes, personal/customized delivery. Individual/couples health coaching. Lifestyle approaches for chronic pain management.

COMPLETE WELLNESS ARTS & SCIENCE CENTER 1515 Kensington Ave, Buffalo 716-253-6548 CompleteWellnessWNY.com

Cultivate wellness with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Functional Neurology Chiropractic, Light Therapy, Tree Essences, health and wellness coaching, reiki, cooking classes, qigong, hula hoop, meditation, workshops and much more. See ad, page 23.

T here is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the

creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. ~Sophia Loren

source: the350project.net

THE NATURAL LINK

BuffaloAwakenings.com

HARISA AYURVEDIC WELLNESS CENTER

Shanthy Jayakumar 2360 Sweet Home Rd, Ste 1-2, Amherst 716-691-5738 • Shan@Harisa.co • Harisa.co We offer holistic health and wellness services, including Ay u r v e d a , e d u c a t i o n a l classes, massage and meditation. Stay tuned for details on our three-day Discover Yourself Holistic Retreat from Sept 2-4. Details available on our website.

OSTEOPATHIC WELLNESS MEDICINE OF WESTERN NEW YORK

235 S Elmwood Ave, Ste 120, Buffalo 716-626-6301 • Info@wnyOsteoWellness.com wnyOsteoWellness.com

WANT TO CONNECT WITH OUR READERS? THREE-MONTH EDITORIAL CALENDAR AND MARKETING PLANNER

plus: Healing Music

Osteopathic Wellness Medicine is a holistic musculoskeletal wellness practice that focuses on you. Our main mission is to provide an optimum healing environment focused on you. Experience relationship centered care, integrative health services and state-of-the-art healing technologies. See ad, page 7.

WILLOWLIGHT

Center for Wholeness 500 Buffalo Rd, E Aurora 716-222-3144 • WillowLight.org With 10 practitioners, more than 25 different holistic and spiritual offerings, retreats and many classes to choose from, WillowLight Center for Wholeness is truly a place of healing, transformation and community. Please explore what we have to offer by visiting our website or liking us on Facebook. See ad, page 11.

YOGA

S E P T

The Yoga Issue Our Readers are Seeking Providers & Services for Yoga Classes/Equipment & Healing Music

Chiropractic

O C T

plus: Game Changers

Our Readers are Seeking Providers & Services for Chiropractors & Community Activists Organizations

RISING SUN YOGA

5225 Sheridan Dr (at Evans St) Georgetown Square, Williamsville 716-632-5802 • RisingSunYoga.com Rising Sun Yoga offers you the opportunity to introduce yoga to your life if you are new and to immerse yourself if you are practiced. You will love the energy at Rising Sun. Check out our schedule and events at RisingSunYoga.com or Facebook. See ad, page 5.

Mental Wellness

N O V

plus: Beauty

Our Readers Are Seeking Providers & Services for Mental Health & Beauty

Contact us to learn about marketing opportunities and become a member of the Natural Awakenings community at: CONTACT NAME, TITLE Publisher@BuffaloAwakenings.com PHONE

716-909-7805 EMAIL natural awakenings

August 2016