Natural Awakenings Washington DC June 2015

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

FREE

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

RETHINKING RECOVERY

Holistic Ways to Heal Addictions

Yoga for the Bros Men Find Yoga Builds Fitness

GUTSY US

How Our Stomach Dictates Our Mind and Moods

Hidden Treasures Neighbors Discover Their Wealth of Resources

Coexist Thoughts on Universal Beauty

June 2015 | Washington, D.C. Edition | NaturalAwakeningsDC.com natural awakenings

June 2015

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Your Path to Healing Starts Here a n i n t e g r at i v e a p p r o a c h t o yo u r h e a lt h GeorGe WashinGton Center for inteGrative MediCine offers you a unique health care program principled in science and tradition where the patient is treated as a whole person and respected as an individual. With your visit to the Center, a highly-trained practitioner—licensed, certified and credentialed in his or her specialty—will develop with you a care plan tailored to fit your needs and honors your personal healing process. natural & inteGrative health ChoiCes W e prov i de C a r e f o r …

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letterfrompublisher Dear friends, contact us Publisher, Editor in Chief Robin Fillmore Contributing Editors Grace Ogden Jessica Bradshaw Design & Production Irene Sankey Marketing Director Beverly Nickerson Sales Director Malika Hook Muhammad Outreach Director Samantha Hudgins Natural Awakenings of Washington, D.C. Phone: 202-505-4835 Fax: 202-827-7955 5230 Tuckerman Lane, #408 North Bethesda, MD 20852 Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com NaturalAwakeningsDC.com ©2015 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.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe online to receive FREE monthly digital magazine at NaturalAwakeningsDC.com.

Natural Awakenings practices environmental sustainability by using post-consumer recycled paper and soy-based ink on uncoated stock, avoiding the toxic chemicals and huge energy costs of producing shiny, coated paper that is harder to recycle.

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Washington, D.C.

This month, it’s mostly (but not completely) about men. It’s not a surprise that a majority of our readers, about 83 percent according to our research, are women. But nearly 100 percent of our readers have a man or two in their life who they want to get or keep healthy. Nor do we want to forget about the 17 percent of our male readers who buck the trends by reading material on what helps to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

In my family, the men are just as interested in health as the women. They work out, they eat healthy foods (most of them, anyway), they work at achieving a sustainable work-life balance, they meditate and they are curious to learn more. My husband, John, was a high school and college athlete, and has grown with me to learn about new ways of caring for our bodies and souls. It has been glorious to watch him grow in his knowledge and share that with our children and friends.

I have read studies about the differences between men and women in maintaining health, primarily as it pertains to seeking outside assistance from a doctor or other medical practitioner. The studies normally show that men are much more resistant to go to the doctor, and in some cases, won’t go at all unless something is broken or bleeding incessantly. My son, Aaron, once worked with his youth group in the Caribbean for a week with a broken collarbone. He didn’t want to make a fuss. Needless to say, we went straight from the airport to the emergency room.

The situation, I am coming to understand, is not because men don’t want to be healthy. They want to possess that vitality that they had when they were young. My theory is that men don’t go to the doctor because they think that the pill that they will be prescribed will become their new lifestyle. For example, my husband, who is in excellent health, went for a checkup. A family member had been diagnosed with some genetic conditions and John wanted to find out if he carried the genes. Thankfully he is clear of those conditions but in the meantime, it was suggested to go on three different medications, instructed to take a battery of tests and scheduled for a host of additional appointments. The first option was not a lifestyle choice but a lifelong dependency on pharmaceuticals. As he said, “No wonder men won’t go to the doctor.”

As the goal of Natural Awakenings magazine is to bring the entire community to natural and healthy living, we provide some tools this month for men, as well as women.

Our other feature article this month focuses on healing addictions. This piece is complemented by the work of Dr. Chas Gant, who looks specifically at the spiritual dimensions of addiction recovery.

Finally, June promises to be a busy, busy month. The Green Festival is back for three full days from June 5 to 7. Stop by our booth or better yet, check out our website for discounted tickets. The following weekend, you will find us at BuddhaFest at the Artisphere in Arlington. Finally, on June 20, Natural Awakenings and Central Farm Markets have teamed up to bring you Healthy Living Day at Pike Central Farm Market. It is your morning to meet with practitioners, learn about green businesses and purchase organic products and foods. You can even get your weekly grocery shopping done that day with the terrific vendors who regularly come out to Pike Central and hundreds of your Montgomery County neighbors. All are invited to this free event. There will be raffles and giveaways throughout the morning.

Warmly,

Robin Fillmore, Publisher

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

contents 13 8 newsbriefs 13 healthbriefs 16 globalbriefs 32 naturalpet 16 33 ecotip 34 firstperson 36 community

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.

18 RETHINKING RECOVERY 18

Holistic Approaches to Healing Addictions

by Lisa Marshall

22 ADDICTION RECOVERY

The Spiritual Path

by Chas Gant

spotlight

24 NATURAL DADS

39 business

by Lane Vail

33 spotlight

41 calendar 45 resourceguide

advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 202-505-4835 or email Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com.

Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com. Deadline for editorial, news briefs and health briefs are due by the 10th.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit Calendar Events online: NaturalAwakeningsDC.com within the advertising section.

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.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

How They Raise Conscious Kids

24

26 YOGA FOR THE BROS

Men Find it Builds All-Around Fitness

by Meredith Montgomery

28 MANLY FOODS

Boost Testosterone with the Right Choices

by Kathleen Barnes

29 THE GUT-MIND CONNECTION

27

David Perlmutter on How Stomach Microflora Affect Brain Health

by Linda Sechrist

30 LYME DISEASE

A Deeper Look

by Isabel Sharkar

35 HIDDEN TREASURES

Neighbors Discover Their Wealth of Resources

40

by John McKnight and Peter Block

40 COEXIST

A Poem of Universal Beauty

by Woomyung from Rockville Meditation Center

natural awakenings

June 2015

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newsbriefs where healthy food comes naturally

Get DC Growing: Cannabis Cultivation Seminar

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ith legal changes taking place in the District concerning the cultivation and consumption of cannabis, a special daylong seminar will be offered. Get DC Growing will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on July 21 at the Quality Inn & Suites, in the District. The event is sponsored by Cannabis Concepts, a local support group.

The main speaker for the event is the accomplished cannabis cultivator and instructor David Degraff. Founder and CEO of The Grow School located in Colorado, Degraff has been successfully teaching legal indoor and residential organic cannabis cultivation since 2010. With more than 27 years’ experience, including seven years working with legal growers in Amsterdam, Degraff will give a thorough instruction on the basics of indoor cannabis cultivation.

David Degraff

Topics for the seminar include: proper grow equipment selection, correct grow room setup and safety, electrical theory and safety requirements, ventilation options and solutions, odor mitigation and elimination and trimming, harvesting and curing the cannabis.

With the ticket price, each attendee will receive a 120-page e-book titled Grow 101, two years of live garden center support, a coupon for 15 percent off a local grow supply store and a complimentary lunch.

Cost: $150 for advanced purchase (limited supply)/$175 (general admission).

All tickets are non-refundable. Location: 1600 New York Ave., Washington, D.C. For more information or to register, visit TheCannabisConcepts.com. See ad, page 14.

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Washington, D.C.

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Call to find out how a Naturopathic Physician can help you achieve optimal health!

Dr. Kai Parker, ND, CPM

Naturopathic Physician and Homebirth Midwife Vice President, DC Association of Naturopathic Physicians • Naturopathic Medicine • Women’s Healthcare • Homebirth Midwifery • Naturopathic Pediatrics

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International Day of Yoga

L

ast December, the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. Across the globe, yoga teachers and students will be coming together on this day to celebrate this new annual event. Locally, it will be celebrated at the Sylvan Theater on the National Mall from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Following yoga, there will be cultural events, sponsored by the Embassy of India.

The U.N. declaration came after the call for the adoption of June 21 as International Day of Yoga by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to U.N. General Assembly last September. He noted: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.”

There will be a special televised message from PM Modi and videos instruction demos and Indian dances.

Yoga teachers from local studios will serve as volunteers to assist as well.

June 21 is also the summer solstice, which has special meaning to the yoga community. According to yogi and mystic, Sadhguru: “On the day of the summer solstice, Adiyogi [the first yogi] turned south and first set his eyes on the Saptarishis or Seven Sages, who were his first disciples to carry the science of yoga to many parts of the world.” This is a fitting date for this new global tradition.

Location: Washington Memorial Driveway, SW. For more information, visit IDayOfYoga.org.

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newsbriefs

Natural Awakenings Publishers Attend Conference in Florida

Sushi’s Luau Fundraiser

I

t is a party to celebrate life, love and healing for us all, including a dear little cat named Sushi Yoki.

This fundraiser will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. on June 21 at Chico’s Pet Depot, in Falls Church. There will be lots of fun events and enlightening workshops. The community is coming together to continue support for Sushi, who has become a little marvel and inspiration for many other pet owners.

His journey started on April 1 when he was found—collapsed and unresponsive. He was taken to the hospital and was placed on a mechanical ventilator, during which time he arrested twice. Several exams were conducted, including an MRI that revealed that he had abnormal areas and lesions on his brain. At that point, the veterinarians entertained two possibilities­­­—either brain cancer or an infection. After two blood transfusions, eight days on life support, two weeks on oxygen and 30 days in the ICU, Sushi went home.

Sushi gained almost all motor function back.

His extraordinary recovery has puzzled the doctors, but not those that believe in something beyond traditional medicine. The spiritual support that Sushi received, combined with the holistic treatments, made the difference in his recovery.

Join Sushi’s supporters and learn more about his case, and how you can improve your pet’s quality of life with natural remedies and spiritual healing. In addition to the workshops, there will be hula dancers, a live and silent auction, a pet fashion show, vegan snacks and other refreshments.

Location: Chico’s Pet Depot, Barcroft Plaza, 6349 A Columbia Pk., Falls Church. For more information, visit ChicosPetDepot. com. See ad, page 30.

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Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

N

atural Awakenings publishers from around the nation, including Robin Fillmore, the Washington, D.C. publisher, attended a company conference from May 1 to 3 at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort, in Marco Island, Florida. Highlights included separate presentations by two prominent master life and business coaches, David Essel and Mary Lynn Ziemer, who also participated in discussions on how publishers can become more personally empowered in awakening and uplifting their communities.

In addition, special topics included expanding editorial exposure for a strong advertiser base, effectively managing reach and keeping operations efficient. Subsequent breakout sessions afforded the opportunity for franchisees to share progressive ideas.

The conference was followed by a three-day training program for new publishers taking over the production of three existing magazines. Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. training staff worked with the new publishers of the Bucks and Montgomery counties, Pennsylvania; Hudson County, New Jersey; and South New Jersey editions from May 4 to 6 at the corporate headquarters in nearby Naples.

Launched by founder and CEO Sharon Bruckman with a single edition in Naples in 1994, Natural Awakenings has grown to become one of the largest free, local, healthy lifestyle publications in the world, serving approximately 4 million readers in 95 cities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

“It’s always heartening to bring our Natural Awakenings family of publishers together to share successful practices and pioneering ideas as we work together with our communities to create a healthier, more sustainable world,” Bruckman says.

For more information, visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. See ad, page 51.

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Washington Humane Society Offers Mobile Adoption Service

M

eet your new furry family favorite on neutral turf and take them home, without ever setting foot in a shelter.

Adopt Force 1, the Washington Humane Society’s mobile animal adoption vehicle, will be at a place near you with adoptable cats and dogs. All available fluffy friends have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and are ready for their forever home.

The vehicle will tavel throughout the greater Washington, D.C. area for the next three months, stopping in at local libraries, events and pet stores. A full list of their events can be found on their website.

According to Lauren Lipsey, the director of rehoming for the Washington Humane Society, “Off-site adoptions are another tool in helping animals find homes. By bringing animals to a potential adopter’s neighborhood—at a pet store, farmers’ market or other location—and showing them outside of the shelter environment, more animals will find permanent, adoptive homes than if we waited for every adopter to walk through the doors of our shelter. Our mobile adoption vehicle enables us to transport and present animals in a safe way so that passers-by are tempted to visit and maybe adopt! The animals receive exposure that they otherwise may not receive inside the shelter.”

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For more information and to see the list and dates of stops, as well as the adoptable pets currently with the Washington Humane Society, call 202-727-5425 or visit WashHumane.org.

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June 2015

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newsbriefs Local Meditation Center Celebrates First Anniversary

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ockville Meditation is offering a series of special events to celebrate their first anniversary.

They begin with an open house event that will run from June 3 to 5, beginning at 5:30 p.m. each day at their location in Rockville. The S A T U R D A Y events will culminate with a special seminar on June 6 at 5:30 p.m.

Rockville Meditation offers guided meditation that focuses on a method of subtraction. This maum (or “mind” in Korean) meditation method was started in 1996 : 3 0Myung P M in South Korea. Currently, there are more than 340 centers by teacher5Woo practicing this method in 34 countries INTRODUCTORY SEMINARworldwide. The method reaches people of all religions, ages, languages and races because it is a logical, precise and constructive WITH NEW CONCEPT method of meditation. Rockville Meditation offers unlimited guided meditation sesRELEASE YOUR STRESS!! sions each day of the week.

1ST ANNIVERSARY JU N E

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OPEN HOUSE LECTURE Location: 11601 Nebel&St., Rockville. For more information about the special JUNE 3-5Meditation, @ 5:30PMcall 301-770-7778, contact RockvilleMeditation@ events or Rockville ROCKVILLE MEDITATION CENTER See ad, page 11. gmail.com or visit RockvilleMeditation.org.

11601 NEBEL ST. ROCKVILLE MD 20852

RSVP : 301-770-7778 www.rockvillemeditation.org

Join Us at Healthy Living Day

N g n

atural Awakenings is teaming up with Central Farm Markets to present Healthy Living Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m on June 20 at Pike Central Farm Market, in Rockville. Join us for this free event, to meet local practitioners, learn about organic businesses and healthy products from your neighbors. You can also get your weekly shopping done at the farmers’ market.

Our goal is to inspire education and empower attendees with cutting-edge information, access to the best locally made products and opportunities to speak with experts about healthy, green and balanced living. We also seek to introduce the community to our amazing farmers’ market, in the newest, hippest part of town. Pike and Rose is quickly emerging as the place to be for shopping, dining and entertainment. Bringing the community together for this day of healthy living and learning will be fun for all.

Since 2013, Natural Awakenings has been the region’s guide to a healthier, more balanced life. Our mission is to provide insights and information to improve the quality of life physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Since 2008, Central Farm Markets has been bringing professionally managed, community shopping venues to customers, where they can purchase high-quality, fresh and prepared food products at three local markets.

Healthy Livi Day

Cost: Free. Location: Pike Central Farm Market, 5229 Executive Blvd., Rockville.

For more information, including on exhibiting, visit NaturalAwakeningsDC.com.

See ad, page 4.

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Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Belly Love Day is Coming

E

ver notice yourself criticizing, berating or even loathing your belly?

What if you knew that loving your belly would tap into your divine powers? Your belly can affect you and your experiences in life. That is what Belly Love Day is all about. It is the day to celebrate the belly, all it has going for it and its direct connection to the Divine Within. Belly Love Day takes place on June 21, which is the solstice and Father’s Day, so there will be celebration of fathers’ bellies, including Father Sun’s shining round belly.

At one point in the day, participants gather online to practice Belly Love as a global community. Participants in Belly Love Day also receive materials to create activities to share with family and/or friends in local gatherings. Activities include art projects, scavenger hunts, nature adventures, movement practices and recipes.

The day is led by Jen Young, founder of Spitfire Fitness Arts. Young is a fitness educator, yogini, ecstatic dance facilitator, performer and writer.

As she discovered the power of sending love to the belly, she understood how this practice could bring healing to so many people. Ultimately, all of her work is about personal growth through physical movement, creativity, imagination and connection to the natural world. When people have the tools they need to heal and express who they authentically are, the world also heals.

To learn more about Belly Love Day and to sign up, visit SpitfireFitnessArts. com/Belly-Love-Day.

healthbriefs

The Benefits Of Garlic

by Laina Poulakos

T

he use of garlic dates back to 3000 B.C. A relative of the onion, garlic can help with a variety of ailments. It can stimulate a sluggish thyroid and is quite powerful at killing internal parasites. When eaten, garlic disperses throughout the body via the bloodstream, allowing it to disinfect the body.

“Garlic breath” is a byproduct of garlic cleaning the respiratory system upon the exhaled breath. It is beneficial for the circulatory system and immune system, because it is excellent at cleaning the blood. It also helps to get rid of heavy metals from the body.

Most people find that the easiest way to bring the benefits of garlic to the ones they love is to use it in everyday cooking. Cut the bulb up into very small pieces and add it to a variety of dishes including beans, vegetables, sauces, breads and mix with rice or noodles.

If a loved one starts feeling under the weather, a chopped clove of garlic mixed with olive oil and eaten on top of a cracker or piece of bread may be all that he or she needs. This recipe works like magic for many people who find that cold symptoms are much milder than they would be ordinarily. Of course, this remedy can cause strong garlic breath and it’s why garlic is sometimes known as the “stinking rose” Laina Poulakos is a mother of five children and has certifications in aromatherapy and herbology. To schedule a consultation or find out more, call 703-851-0087 or visit MothersNatureStore.com. See ad, page 20.

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Are You an Addict?

by Babette Lamarre

A

ccording to a 2013 article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating foods high in sugar causes a surge in the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in a part of our brain called the nucleus accumbens, often referred to as our pleasure center.

When we consume a meal high in sugar, we experience temporary feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. However, as we consume more and more sugary foods, we see a down regulation of the receptors sensitive to dopamine. This means that over time, we need more sugar to get the same effect, thus we eat more of it.

These are the same effects seen in users of highly addictive drugs such as dopamine and methamphetamine.

In fact, a study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 2013 revealed that “sugar and sweet reward cannot only substitute to addictive drugs, like cocaine, but can even be more rewarding and attractive.” According to Dr. Mark Harmon, here are five clues that you may be addicted to sugar: •

You consume certain foods even if you are not hungry.

•

You worry about cutting down on certain foods.

•

You feel sluggish or fatigued from overeating.

•

You have health or social problems (affecting school or work) because of food issues and yet keep eating the way you do.

•

You need more and more of the foods you crave to experience any pleasure or reduce negative emotions.

The best way to control your addiction is to abstain. Modify your diet to be as low as possible in added sugars.

Babette Lamarre is a nutritional therapy practitioner at Neck, Back and Beyond, in Fairfax. For more information or help with overcoming sugar addictions and other conditions, contact her at 703-865-5690 or NeckBackAndBeyond.com. See ad, page 19. natural awakenings

June 2015

13

healthbriefs

Hatha Yoga Boosts Brainpower

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esearch from Wayne State University, in Detroit, has found that hatha yoga can significantly improve cognitive health in as little as two months. Researchers tested 118 adults with an average age of 62 years. One group engaged in three, hour-long hatha yoga classes per week for eight weeks, while the other group did stretching and strengthening exercises for the same duration. The participants underwent cognitive testing before and after the eight-week period.

At the end of the trial, the hatha yoga group showed significant improvements in cognition compared to the other group. The yoga group also recorded shorter reaction times, greater accuracy in high-level mental functions and better results in working memory tests.

Source: Journal of Gerontology

Acupuncture Treats Prostate Enlargement

R

esearch from China has found that a combination of acupuncture and moxibustion, a form of heat therapy in which dried plant materials are burned on or near the surface of the skin to warm and invigorate the inner flow of qi, or energy, can effectively reduce the symptoms of benign prostate enlargement.

Researchers tested 128 patients with prostate enlargement for three months, dividing them into two groups. One group was given acupuncture and moxibustion; the other took a traditional Chinese herbal medication for prostate enlargement called Qianliekangi. The patients’ prostate symptoms were tested using the International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum urine flow rate and residual urine tests.

At the study’s end, the patients given the acupuncture/moxibustion treatment reported significantly reduced levels in all three tests—calculated at an 89 percent total effective rate—compared to the herbal medication group.

ANTIOXIDANT-RICH BERRIES THWART ALZHEIMER’S

A

n international team of scientists has confirmed that consuming berries such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, mulberries and raspberries can significantly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Blueberries, in particular, were found to be associated with increased memory and learning.

Researchers from Washington State University, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, India’s Annamalai University and Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences reviewed two decades worth of research relating to consuming berries and dementia. They found that the many biochemicals contained in berries provide antioxidant protection to neurons and prevent the formation of beta-amyloid fibrils found in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients.

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Stroke Risk Rises with Two Drinks a Day

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ew research published in the American Heart Association’s journal Stroke has determined that drinking two alcoholic beverages per day during middle-age years increases the risk of stroke more than other known factors, including high blood pressure and diabetes.

The study followed 11,644 twins from Sweden for 43 years, starting between 1967 and 1970. All began the trial when they were under the age of 60. The scientists compared the effects of having less than half a drink—classified as four and two ounces of wine for a man and a woman, respectively—daily to drinking two or more daily.

The study found that consuming two drinks per day increased the risk of stroke by 34 percent compared to drinking less than half a drink per day. Those that downed two or more drinks a day during their 50s and 60s had strokes an average of five years younger than light drinkers. The increase in stroke risk was found to be higher than the danger generally posed by diabetes and hypertension.

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An Avocado a Day Keeps Bad Cholesterol Away

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esearch published by the Journal of the American Heart Association has determined that just one avocado a day can significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), a type of cholesterol carrier known to increase the risk of hardening of the arteries.

The researchers tested 45 overweight adults between 21 and 70 years old that followed an average American diet for two weeks before adopting one of three diets: a low-fat diet, a moderate-fat diet that included one Hass avocado per day or a moderate-fat diet without an avocado.

After five weeks, researchers found that the addition of the avocado reduced LDL significantly more than the diets that did not contain the fruit. While both the low-fat and moderate-fat diets reduced LDL levels, the moderate-fat diet with an avocado reduced LDL by better than 60 percent more than the moderate-fat diet alone, and above 80 percent more than the low-fat diet alone.

PAIN AND DEPRESSION EBB WITH FLOTATION THERAPY

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ew research from Sweden has found that flotation therapy helps increase sleep quality, reduce pain and relieve anxiety and depression.

Flotation therapy, sometimes called isolation therapy, consists of floating in a tank of water with minimized interruptions and sensory stimuli.

Researchers from Karlstad University divided 65 people into two groups. One group underwent 12, 45-minute flotation therapy sessions for seven weeks, while the other group did not. Both groups were given a battery of physiological and psychological tests before and after the treatment period. The therapy was conducted using three commercial flotation therapy centers that provided sensory isolation systems to promote relaxation as part of the treatment.

Compared to the control group, the flotation therapy group reported significant decreases in pain, anxiety, depression and stress levels and better sleep quality. The flotation group’s average depression scores went from 4.42 to 2.25, while the control group’s scores barely budged. The worst pains among the flotation group dropped from 64 to 40 on the scale.

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

Solar Harvest

New Technology Makes Windows Power Producers

SolarWindow Technologies, Inc.

SolarWindow Technologies’ new window coatings are a “first of its kind” technology that could turn the buildings we live and work in into selfsufficient, mini power stations. They can generate electricity on see-through glass and flexible plastics with colored tints popular in skyscraper glass.

The coating can be applied to all four sides of tall buildings, generating electricity using natural and artificial light conditions and even shaded areas. Its organic materials are so ideal for lowcost, high-output manufacturing that the technology is already part of 42 product patent applications.

When applied to windows on towers, it’s expected to generate up to 50 times the power of conventional rooftop solar systems while delivering 15 times the environmental benefits. For example, a single SolarWindow installation can avoid the amount of carbon emissions produced by vehicles driving about 2.75 million miles per year, compared to 180,000 miles for conventional rooftop systems.

Lost Lands

Salinity is Eating Away Farmland Worldwide Every day for more than 20 years, an average of almost eight square miles of irrigated land in arid and semiarid areas across 75 countries have been degraded by salt, according to the study Economics of Salt-Induced Land Degradation and Restoration, by United Nations University’s Canadianbased Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

Salt degradation occurs in arid and semi-arid regions where rainfall is too low to maintain regular percolation of rainwater through the soil and where irrigation is practiced without a natural or artificial drainage system, which triggers the accumulation of salt in the root zone, affecting soil quality and reducing productivity. In the Colorado River Basin alone, studies peg the annual economic impact of salt-induced land degradation in irrigated areas at $750 million.

The cost of investing in preventing and reversing land degradation and restoring it to productive land would be far lower than letting degradation continue and intensify. Methods successfully used to facilitate drainage and reverse soil degradation include tree planting, deep plowing, cultivation of salt-tolerant varieties of crops, mixing harvested plant residues into topsoil and digging a drain or deep ditch around salt-affected land.

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Farm Therapy Veterans Heal Through Agriculture

Of the 19.6 million veterans in the United States alone, approximately 3.6 million have a service-related disability, 7.6 percent are unemployed and they collectively make up 13 percent of the adult homeless population, according to the Independent Voter Network.

Organizations worldwide are helping veterans heal their wounds through farming and agriculture.

The goal is to create a sustainable food system by educating them to be sustainable vegetable producers, providing training and helping families rebuild war-torn lives.

Eat the Yard, in Dallas, Texas, was founded by Iraq War veterans James Jeffers and Steve Smith to cultivate fresh produce in community gardens. The two began organic farming in their own backyards for both therapeutic and financial reasons, and then slowly began to build more gardens in their community.

They now sell their produce to local restaurants and businesses.

The Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) is working with veterans across the U.S. to transition them into agriculture. The coalition partners veterans with mentors experienced in farming and business, matches them with agriculture-related job opportunities and organizes equipment donations in Iowa and California. FVC is helping former members of the armed forces in 48 states.

Source: FoodTank.com/ news/2014/11/veterans-day

Creature Crime Feds Make Animal Abuse a Felony In October, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) classified animal cruelty as a class A felony and a “crime against society,” on a par with such serious crimes as homicide. The FBI intends to prosecute intentional abuse and torture, gross neglect, sexual abuse and organized abuse, which includes dog fights.

Also, the onset of tracking animal abuse cases nationwide will assist local police and counselors in identifying and connecting with minors that show an early tendency to abuse.

FBI studies show an alarming connection between animal abusers and perpetrators of extremely violent crimes against humans. The goal is that early detection and intervention will help certain children get the counseling and social support they need to live productive lives free of crime and abuse.

“Regardless of whether people care about how animals are treated, people, like legislators and judges, care about humans, and they can’t deny the data,” says Natasha Dolezal, a director for the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark College, in Portland, Oregon.

Source: EliteDaily.com

Plastics Ping-Pong

China Reverses Its Recycling Policy Plastic items we carefully separate from the rest of the trash and put in a distinct container may have a dubious fate, according to environmental watchdog Quartz. U.S. recycling companies have largely stayed away from accepting plastic, and most of it has been shipped to China, where it can be processed more cheaply. But China has announced a new Green Fence policy (Tinyurl.com/ ChinaGreenFence), prohibiting importation of much of the plastic for recycling that it once received.

Plastic categories #3 through #7 (shampoo bottles to butter tubs) may go into domestic landfills again until a solution is found, says David Kaplan, CEO of Maine Plastics, a post-industrial recycler.

China controls a large portion of the recycling market, importing about 70 percent of the world’s 500 million tons of electronic waste and 12 million tons of plastic waste each year. These Chinese policy changes will put pressure on Western countries to reconsider their reliance on this formerly cost-effective practice of exporting waste and the necessity for increasing their domestic recycling infrastructure.

Euro Space

Forty Percent of Hamburg Will Be Green Space Hamburg, Germany, named Europe’s 2011 Green Capital by the European Union, is implementing an ambitious plan to create and link 27 square miles of new and existing green space, comprising 40 percent of its land area. The result will put nature within easy reach of every resident, provide connectivity for walking and bicycling to eliminate automobile traffic by 2035 and make the city more resilient to flooding caused by global warming. The metro area population currently numbers 4.3 million as Europe’s 10th-largest city.

Since 2000, Germany has converted 25 percent of its power grid to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass. The architects of the clean energy movement energiewende, which translates as “energy transformation”, estimate that 80 percent to 100 percent of Germany’s electricity will come from renewable sources by 2050.

Angelika Fritsch, a spokeswoman for the Department of Urban Planning and the Environment, says, “The more important result may be the provision of green infrastructure to absorb rain and flood waters.” Sea levels in the port city have risen by 20 centimeters over the past 60 years and are expected to rise another 30 centimeters by 2100.

Source: Inhabitat.com

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RETHINKING RECOVERY Holistic Approaches to Healing Addictions

by Lisa Marshall

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hrough 15 years of alcohol and prescription drug addiction, one prominent Virginia business owner tried it all to get clean: three inpatient rehab centers; talk therapy; Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), spending roughly $200,000 in the process.

“I would follow through for about a year, and then start to feel like I was on top of things and get complacent,” says the 52-year-old, who asked that her name not be used. She’d treat herself to “just one drink” and soon find herself in a familiar downward spiral. She last relapsed in October 2012. Three months later, she was on the interstate in the morning, a half-empty four-pack of mini wine bottles on her front seat, when she swerved and slammed head-on into a semi-trailer truck. She escaped her flattened car with minor head trauma, gratitude that her children didn’t have to “bury their drunk mother,” and a renewed will to sober up and rediscover happiness.

Today, she’s done just that, thanks to a comprehensive, holistic approach that included hiring a life coach that specializes in addiction, overhauling her diet, making time for daily physical and spiritual exercises and reframing her addiction, not as a disease she is cursed with, but as a predisposition she has the power to keep at bay.

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“Yes. I was passed a gene by my alcoholic father. Yet that only becomes a threat to me when I make a choice to ingest something that cuts the beast loose,” she says. “I work hard every day, using a whole bunch of different tools to keep that from happening again.”

She is one of a growing number of alcoholics and addicts reaching beyond the standard trifecta of 28-day rehabs, 12-step programs and psychotherapy toward an approach that addresses mind, body and spirit. More than 40 million Americans over the age of 12 (16 percent of the population) are addicted to alcohol or drugs, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at New York City’s Columbia University.

Yet the standard treatments yield lessthan-stellar success rates.

Sixty percent of addicts return to drug use within a year after rehab, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and only 5 percent of AA attendees continue with meetings after 12 months, according to AA research.

David Essel, a Fort Myers, Florida, life coach who specializes in working with substance abusers, says that when examining all the data, only about one in 10 addicts or alcoholics that use conventional means alone are still clean after one year. Fortunately, because

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people vary widely in emotional needs and physiologies, other complementary options are also catching on.

Mending Brain and Body

Enter a group meeting for recovering addicts or alcoholics and chances are there will be a pot of black coffee, plus donuts or cookies. “Having poor eating habits is a primary contributing factor to relapse,” says Registered Dietitian David Wiss, founder of NutritionInRecovery.com, which provides nutrition consulting for recovery programs in Los Angeles. Because substance abuse can deaden appetite and many of the same neurological circuits that drugs and alcohol stimulate are also activated by salty or sugar-laden foods, newly recovering addicts tend to be ravenous and drawn to junk food. “After 30 days in treatment, people can gain 10 to 30 pounds. They often turn back to addictive substances they’ve abused to get their appetite back under control,” says Wiss. (Because smoking deadens taste buds, drawing people to seek out more intense salty or sugary flavors, it exacerbates the problem.)

In a subconscious attempt to get maximum stimulation of now-neglected reward centers in the brain, users often eat little most of the day, then binge later, leading to erratic blood sugar levels that can impact mood, further sabotaging recovery. After years of abuse, addicts also tend to suffer deficiencies of proteins and good fats—key building blocks of a healthy brain.

“The brain has been rewired due to the use of substances. Without healing it, you can attend all the meetings in the world and you’ll still struggle with cravings,” reports Essel. He starts new clients with 500 milligrams (mg) daily of the dietary supplement DLphenylalanine, an amino acid precursor to feel-good neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine. He also gives them tyrosine, an energizing amino acid said to quell sugar cravings. For relieving a craving in progress, he recommends 500 to 1,000 mg of glutamine, placed under the tongue.

Wiss says he generally recommends food over supplements, yet asking newly recovering addicts to also revamp their diets can be tough. “I wouldn’t expect anyone to make a big nutritional change in their first week of sobriety,” he says.

After that, he encourages small steps: Drink eight glasses of water per day. Eat three meals and three snacks to keep blood sugar stable. Load up on fiber, which can help heal the gut and replenish it with healthy bacteria. Eat plenty of lean protein to promote production of feel-good brain chemicals. Load up on nuts, seeds, fatty fish and other omega-3 fatty acids that suppress inflammation in the brain and have been shown in some studies to quell depression.

Daily exercise is also key as Wiss notes that it “circulates our blood and gets all those healthy nutrients into our brain.”

Physical activities can also help fill the void and even provide a new sense of identity for someone whose selfesteem has been shattered, says Scott Strode, founder of Denver, Colorado’s Phoenix Multisport, which hosts group cycling, running and climbing outings for recovering addicts and alcoholics.

Strode kicked his own cocaine habit 18 years ago by immersing himself first in boxing, then climbing and triathlons.

He founded Phoenix in 2007 to help fill what he sees as a gaping hole in recovery support services—a place where people with similar pasts can gather and talk without dwelling exclusively on their dependence issues. He has since served 15,000 people in Colorado, California, and Boston, offering 60 free outings a week for anyone at least 48 hours sober.

“By being part of something like this, you can let go of the shame of

being the addict, the junkie or the one that let down the family. Now you are the climber or the mountain biker,” says Strode. He stresses that Phoenix programs aren’t intended to replace treatment. Still, “For some, just that redefining of self may be enough. For others, it’s a powerful tool in a broader toolbox.”

Beyond AA

Co-founded in 1935 by an alcoholic named Bill Wilson, Alcoholics Anonymous now has 2 million members and has played an important role in many successful recoveries. However, its Godbased approach (five of the 12 steps refer to God or Him), a credo that alcoholics must admit “powerlessness” and its emphasis on alcoholism as a defining disease aren’t for everyone. Naysayers point to a 2006 finding by the nonprofit Cochrane Collaboration that states, “No experimental studies unequivocally demonstrated the effectiveness of AA or 12-step approaches for reducing alcohol dependence or problems.”

Such concerns have prompted some alternative recovery fellowships, including Moderation Management (Moderation.org), which helps people that want to drink less; and Smart Recovery (SmartRecovery.org), which supports an ethos of self-empowerment via cognitive behavioral therapy, nutritional changes and group discussions. Other programs focus on renewing the soul by applying metaphysical practices to the traditional 12 steps.

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“The conventional 12 steps talk about a higher power outside of you,” says Ester Nicholson, a singer, author and addictions counselor. In her book Soul Recovery: 12 Keys to Healing Addiction, she describes a descent into crack cocaine addiction beginning in her teens, and the long climb out of it.

At first, she says, the 12 steps helped her break free of what she calls the “spiritual malady, mental obsession and physical allergy,” that is addiction.

But after a decade of being clean, followed by a near-relapse, she discovered meditation and other spiritual practices.

“I realized that this higher power can restore me to sanity, but the higher power is actually within me. I found this wonderful bridge between the 12 steps and universal spiritual principals, and it is rocking my world.”

Patti Lacey, 54, an Essel client, likewise found lasting sobriety by extending her toolbox, learning to focus not only

on past pain, but on bringing forth her best self. According to the International Coach Federation, which reports an uptick in interest in recovery coaching, a coach helps to establish individual goals and map a journey to success.

Two years into recovery, Lacey still takes her supplements daily, rises at dawn to meditate, attends 12-step meetings and is part of a nondenominational church community. She also regularly meets with her coach to report progress and update goals, including getting a handle on her finances, a frequent casualty of addiction. “Everybody’s journey is different,” Lacey confirms.

“What I needed was someone to tell me exactly what to do in the beginning, and then be around to hold me accountable. That changed everything.”

Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall.com.

Complementary Healing Tools

by Lisa Marshall

Ear acupuncture: Since 1974, addiction specialists have used an ear acupuncture needling protocol to ease cravings, decrease anxiety and improve sleep during withdrawal. Numerous published studies in The Lancet, the Archives of Internal Medicine and others support its efficacy. More than 1,000 U.S. programs now use it, according to the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (AcuDetox.com).

Neurofeedback: Also known as EEG biofeedback, this technique uses electroencephalography sensors attached to the head to enable someone to observe their own brain wave activity on a computer and learn to intentionally alter it via visualization and relaxation techniques (isnr.net).

Aromatherapy: Life coach David Essel recommends three aromatherapy oils to clients in recovery: lavender, a relaxant; lemon grass, for energy; and frankincense, a mood-balancer.

Ibogaine: This psychoactive brew derived from the West African shrub Tabernanthe iboga has been used cer20

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emonially for centuries. In the 1960s, an opioid addict accidentally discovered that after experiencing an intense, four-to-eight-hour dreamlike “trip”, his cravings for heroin ceased. Deborah Mash, Ph.D., a professor of neurology and molecular and cellular pharmacology at the University of Miami, traveled to Amsterdam in the early 1990s to see if there was any truth to such cases.

“I saw a man that was on heroin and cocaine and addicted to benzodiazepines undergo detox with no withdrawal signs, and in 36 hours look like a new person,” she recalls. She has been studying it ever since. The drug is believed to serve as an addiction interrupter, acting on opioid receptors in the brain to quell withdrawal symptoms.

Some describe it as “resetting the brain” to a pre-addicted state.

Ibogaine is illegal in the U.S. Some offshore clinics are providing it, but Mash warns that some are unscrupulous, so buyer beware. (ClearSkyIbogaine.com offers medically supervised Ibogaine therapy in Cancun, Mexico).

Recovery at the Deepest Soul Level I

n her book, Soul Recovery: The 12 Keys to Healing Addiction, Ester Nicholson offers a metaphysical take on the 12 steps. Here’s a look.

You are the Power. Through my conscious union with the infinite universal presence, I am powerful, clear and free. Through the realization that God is within me, expressing as me, my life is in divine and perfect order.

Restored to wholeness. Through my conscious connection with the one power, I reclaim my spiritual dominion and emotional balance. I am restored to my original nature of clarity, peace and wholeness. I am restored.

Complete surrender. I turn my life over to the care of the God I understand, know and embody as love, harmony, peace, health, prosperity and joy. I know that which I am surrendering to, and I do so absolutely. Knowing that this power is the very essence of my being, I say with my whole heart and mind: Thy will be done.

An examined life. Through my absolute surrender and conscious connection to the one power and presence, I courageously, deeply and gently search within myself for all thought patterns and behaviors that are out of alignment with love, integrity, harmony and order.

Living out loud. I claim the courage and willingness to share the exact nature of my mistakes with another spiritual being. I am heard with compassion, unconditional love and wisdom. In this loving vibration, clarity, peace and balance are restored.

Honoring the inner child. I am now ready to release all thought patterns and behaviors

unlike my true nature, which is wholeness. I free-fall into the loving presence of spirit within, and allow it to heal every known and unknown false belief. I am transformed by the renewal of my mind.

Never give up. In loving compassion for every aspect of my being, I humbly surrender to the love of spirit. I know myself as a perfect expression of life. I surrender all, and I am restored to the life I am created to live.

Willingness. I acknowledge the people I have offended based on false beliefs, fear, doubt and unworthiness. I am willing to go to any lengths to clean up my side of the street.

Cleaning up the wreckage. Backed by all the power of the universe, I lovingly, directly and honestly make amends in a way that supports the highest good of all concerned.

Spiritual maintenance. I am in tune with my inner self. With integrity, love and self-compassion, I acknowledge my mistakes and continue to clean up the mistakes of my past and present.

Conscious contact. Through daily prayer and meditation, I deepen my conscious connection to the divine and experience the fullness of the universal presence as the dynamic reality of my life.

Loving service. Through my awakened consciousness, I am now prepared to carry the message of truth out into the world. I am now a clear channel to support the awakening of others to their true identity of wholeness.

natural awakenings

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leadingedge

Addiction Recovery The Spiritual Path

by Dr. Chas Gant

I

n previous Natural Awakenings articles on addiction (January and February 2015), some important mindbody factors in recovery were discussed.

The fictitious duality of mind and body was shown to be an inseparable concept. Spirituality was mentioned in a vague way, as an important adjunct to this unitary mind-body approach. Here the discussion wraps up with a more expanded discussion of the whole notion of spirituality and how it is an inseparable issue from mind-body, suggesting that an authentic, holistic approach to recovery or any health matter, is incomplete without incorporating mind, body and spirit into a seamless mix.

The obvious limitation of an exclusive mind-body approach, however espoused in the healing arts and integrative medicine, is that it is concerned with the well-being of the self, the ego, the identity as a separate entity.

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Fully 80 percent of our brain, with its primitive, ancient, reptilian behavioral compulsions, its old limbic emotionality and its more recent cognition and intellect, is devoted to perpetuation of this separateness of self. However, our most recent neurological structures, the prefrontal cortex and associated brain structures, while also providing supportive enhancements to self-survival, have been shown through psychological and brain imagery studies to promote selflessness, an empathetic concern for the survival of others including non-human lifeforms.

It has been suggested that had we not evolved this tempering, compassionoriented, prefrontal part of our brain that, like a race car with no brakes, we would have been stunted with very smart, dominance-obsessed, reptilian brains and we would probably have driven ourselves into extinction through unrestrained addiction to power and violence.

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The world’s great religions are roadmaps to spiritual awakening, and they all suggest ways, such as through prayer, contemplation and meditation, to enhance the function of what we now know as the human prefrontal cortex.

Like any part of the brain specialized for a certain task, such as motor function, emotional appreciation, sensory experience or intellect, the prefrontal cortex confers the experience of awareness of thoughts, feelings, actions and sensation.

It is a truth-telling device, conferring the experience of self-observation. The life Jesus of Nazareth was a model of selflessness and self-honesty.

Muhammad was clear that the highest jihad, often mistaken to mean war, was a jihad or “struggle of the heart” against fear, hate and craving—the baser, limbic instincts that enhance egoism and separateness. The Buddha suggested that the primary addiction is addiction to self, and from that all other addictions stem.

Step two of the 12-step philosophy, the basis for Alcoholics Anonymous and related treatment models, was morphed from Judeo-Christian traditions and monotheism. It reads, “...to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity” and suggests that the very process of connecting to something greater than a separate self, whatever that is for one personally, is the central answer to addiction.

Psychologically, the separate self seems to compulsively seek to complete itself by reaching outside for magic solutions. Love addicts are obsessed with finding the perfect partner. Food addiction attempts to fill the empty heart.

Sex addicts seek the all-fulfilling sexual encounter. Power addiction, perhaps the most insatiable of all, looks toward control and adulation as its solution. Addiction to social causes, or professions and work, can drive compulsions. Let’s not forget “recreational” (alcohol, tobacco), prescribed and illicit chemicals. Religiosity, political ideology, gambling—the list is endless. A separate self somehow becomes disconnected from a greater existence and then seeks to find its happiness through compulsive activity at reconnecting, but never can.

Spirituality begins by understanding how contradictory addiction is. There must be a more sustainable, less dangerous way to find inner peace and happi-

ness other than achieving the temporary satisfaction of getting one’s gambling, chemical, control, ideological, sensory, money, sexual, love or food “fix”. All of these fixes obviously harden the sense of separateness—deepening its craving to find an answer—desperately trying to find a way to maintain its self-identity, its uniqueness, its existential aloneness and nevertheless, be happy. All spiritual traditions, in one way or another, start with the same belief: that separate identity and ego needs to be dropped in order to discover who you really are and to be sustainably happy. Likewise, our attachment to addictive elements that seem real and permanent need to be dropped as well.

At first, this transition may seem difficult and painful. Withdrawal from our fixes, like a withdrawal from drugs and alcohol, can seem like exquisite torture. However, to others who have been getting ready to “let go,” “surrender” or “turn it over” for some time, to borrow 12-step language, the transition is easier—like a snake wiggling out of its skin that was cramping its body to take on a larger form.

Whether you rip the skin of your old separate identity off or slowly let it fall away, the metaphor fits exactly as to how the self, which was once limited to its skin, connects to something larger and expands.

It’s not that the ego is too big and deserves to be punished, despite the fact that its addictions and compulsions stir up all kinds of mischief. Rather, the ego was limited—too proud to ask for help, and never big enough to selflessly lose its isolated, separate identity or connect with or experience the universal love it had always craved. Yet it was always there—waiting quietly—for a few quiet moments of meditation, prayer and contemplation, to be discovered.

Dr. Chas Gant, M.D., Ph.D., is an author, physician and educator, specializing in functional medicine, molecular health and healing. For more information, call 202-237-7000, ext. 152 or visit DoctorChas.com. See ad, page 37.

To receive a link to this recording of Dr. Chas’ talk on this topic, visit NaturalAwakeningsDC.com. See ad, page 32.

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healthykids

Natural

DADS How They Raise Conscious Kids

by Lane Vail

F

athers are more involved in their children’s lives than ever before, embracing their roles of leader, nurturer and protector, and they’re reaping extraordinary benefits. According to a 2014 study published in the Academy of Management Perspectives, fathers that spend more time with their kids are both happier at home and more satisfied at work. Today, many mindful dads engaged in a natural lifestyle apply that same health consciousness to their parenting.

Support Mama. Natural fathering begins during pregnancy, with an informed birth plan. “Support whatever birthing decision the woman feels will provide her the most comfort and relaxation,” advises Dr. John Douillard, an ayurvedic chiropractor and author of six books, including Perfect Health for Kids. Hold her hand, rub her back, advocate for her rights and after the birth, support her efforts to breastfeed whenever, wherever and however long she wants.

“Fathers should recognize that the burden of care is clearly on the mother for at least the first year, so her opinions and wishes deserve special consideration and respect,” says Ben Hewitt, father of two, home unschooler and author of The Nourishing Homestead.

Embrace physical closeness. Bonding through nurturing touch is powerful and rewarding for father and child. A recent study published in the Journal of Perinatal Education found that fathers that practiced infant massage experienced significant stress release and bonding with their offspring. Wearing a baby or toddler

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in a sling, wrap or carrier is another comforting way to spend time together.

Co-sleeping helps foster a more natural sleep rhythm with a nocturnally hungry baby, while also offering another way to connect. “Any stress my family may have experienced during the day dissipated when we reconnected at nighttime,” Hewitt attests. “Looking back, I can’t imagine having missed out on that opportunity to be so close with my kids.”

Feed healthy habits. Natural dads are educated about both naturopathic and Western medicine to make informed choices regarding prevention and intervention. Douillard applies the ayurvedic principle of seasonal eating in order to bolster the immune systems of his six children and clients. Cooling foods like fruits and vegetables in summer prevent overheating; warming foods like soups, nuts and meats in winter lubricate mucus membranes and facilitate fat and protein storage; light foods like leafy greens in spring detoxify the body. His experience is that when kids with robust immunity catch the occasional malady, its severity and duration are reduced, and natural herbs often provide a gentle first step toward recovery.

Douillard treats colds with a spoonful of equal parts turmeric and honey mixed into a paste. “Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antiviral herb that also helps liquefy mucus in the respiratory tract,” he says. For tummy troubles, he suggests offering kids an herbal tea of cumin, coriander or fennel.

Above all, parents must exemplify good health habits. “Eat better, exercise

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When dads are calm and present, they become a calming presence. ~Hal Runkel regularly, change your diet with the local season and your kids will follow along,” says Douillard.

Impart green morals. Earth-conscious parents teach their children how to leave a faint ecological footprint by supporting local eco-friendly companies, reducing the presence of toxic chemicals in the home and consuming and wasting less. However, wagging a finger and imploring kids to be ecofriendly is not enough; model helpful behaviors and illustrate the implications of their choices. “Instead of saying, ‘You should recycle,’ show kids online pictures of the giant flotillas of plastics polluting the oceans,” says Hewitt. Maintain an experiential dialogue about respecting, preserving and enjoying nature.

Encourage adventure and resourcefulness. “Historically,” says Hewitt, “children learned alongside their parents and community, immersed in their environment, an arrangement that allowed them continual opportunities to prove their own resourcefulness.” All dads, like homeschoolers, will find satisfying fun in sharing problem-solving, hands-on projects with their kids, like building a debris shelter in the woods, planting a garden, or using repurposed materials to engineer something with form and function.

Learning doesn’t have to be a hierarchical activity, wherein dads teach children, says Hewitt. “The opportunity to learn and explore together is powerful.”

Play. Hewitt encourages dads to look for opportunities to relieve kids of their often overwhelming and scattered schedules. “It’s incredibly important for kids and adults to set aside time for free play and exploration,” he says.

“Go outside with them,” says Douillard. “Make up games, goof off, run around, roll around and just be with them. It makes a world of difference in their lives.”

Lane Vail is a freelance writer in South Carolina and blogger at Discovering Homemaking.com.

Cool Daddy

by Lane Vail

I

n terms of discipline, natural fathering is neither tough nor timid, punishing nor permissive. The mindful dad is calm, connected and capable. He’s able to harness introspection and observe himself as he parents, because he focuses more on managing his own behavior than that of his kids.

“Fathering is a leadership role, not a management role,” says Hal Runkel, a licensed marriage and family therapist and author of the bestseller ScreamFree Parenting. “If I manage myself with calmness and clarity, I can lead my children to learn to manage themselves.”

Runkel says the first step is “committing to cool.” Find an anxiety- or anger-managing technique that feels natural, such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing, visualization, prayer or counting beads on a bracelet, and call on that skill to maintain coolness when challenged by a child, advises Runkel.

It’s a misconception that emotions need to be released or they will consume us, he says. “Emotions just are; it’s the thoughts about emotions that drive us crazy.” Learning to name, tame and befriend feelings through introspection and mindful exercises allows space for calm conversations with children to emerge.

“We fathers have a special responsibility to lead with calm because we are physically imposing in children’s eyes,” he says. “The approachable dad has teachable kids, and he lets natural and logical consequences do the teaching.”

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ive thousand years ago, most yoga teachers and students were men.

Today, of the 15 million American practitioners, less than a third are males.

However, this figure has increased in the past decade, with teachers in some areas reporting a balanced ratio of men and women in their classes.

Yet, even as professional athletes add yoga to their training regimen, Power Yoga founder Bryan Kest, in Santa Monica, California, points out, “To the mainstream man, yoga is not masculine. You see men in ballet performances, but it doesn’t mean men are attracted to ballet.”

Eric Walrabenstein, founder of Yoga Pura, in Phoenix, agrees. “To achieve the widest adoption of the practice, we need to shift away from the notion that yoga is a physical exercise primarily for women, to one that embraces yoga’s holistic physical, mental and emotional benefits for anyone regardless of gender.”

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Physically, yoga can complement traditional workout routines by increasing flexibility, strength and balance, and also play a role in pain management and injury prevention. Kest says, “Yoga is the best fitness-related activity I know of, but the tone and shapeliness that results is a byproduct. The focus is on balance and healing.”

He encourages students to challenge themselves without

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being extreme. “The harder you are on anything, the faster you wear it out. If our objective is to both last as long and feel as good as possible, it makes no sense to push hard. Instead we should be gentle and sensitive in our practice.”

Men will do well to learn how to stop what they’re doing and breathe, says Kreg Weiss, co-founder of My Yoga Online (now on Gaiam TV), from Vancouver. He emphasizes the importance of modifying poses as needed during classes and notes that doing so takes vulnerability that doesn’t come naturally to most men. “If you find yourself shaking while holding downward dog, allow yourself to go down to the floor without worrying about what others will think.”

Societal pressures of masculinity sometimes dictate who a man thinks he should be. Breaking through such barriers enables a man to be relaxed with himself and unafraid as, “It changes what goes on off the mat, too,” observes Weiss.

Bhava Ram (née Brad Willis), founder of the Deep Yoga School of Healing Arts, in San Diego, points out, “Men need yoga because it helps us deal better with stress and emotional issues. When we have more inner balance, we show up better for ourselves, spouses, friends and loved ones.”

Therapeutic Benefits

As modern science begins to document yoga’s healing effects, it’s being used in treatment plans for conditions ranging from addiction and trauma to multiple sclerosis and cancer. Ram was a Type A

aggressive reporter and network war correspondent and, “Like many men with similar personality types, I struggled with anger and control issues. I had no interest in yoga; it seemed strange and unnecessary to me,” he recalls.

After a broken back, that ended his journalism career, failed surgery, advanced cancer and dependance on prescription drugs, he found himself facing death. Inspired by his young son to take control of his health, he embraced yoga as a healing way forward.

After two years of dedicated practice, Ram says he turned 80 pounds of physical weight and 1,000 pounds of emotional toxins into gratitude, forgiveness and loving kindness. “I left 90 percent of my back pain behind and the cancer is gone.”

Kest explains that yoga’s significant therapeutic value is based on its capacity to reduce stress and its effects, while teaching and strengthening techniques to cope with it. “Ninety

percent of the stress we put on our bodies originates in the stress we put on our minds,” he says. “If you want to be healthy, you have to look at mental fitness, not just the size of your biceps or the strength of your cardiovascular system. It’s calmness and peacefulness of mind that matter.”

Tips for First-Timers

Weiss urges men new to yoga to take time to find the right class. “When men that can’t touch their toes walk into some preconceived notion of a class full of women Om-ing, they feel apprehensive and the experience does them no service.” Regardless of one’s state of fitness, it’s important to start slowly, with a focus on the breath. “If you don’t have a good foundation, you can miss a lot of yoga’s benefits. Seek teachers with a solid yoga background educated in anatomy.”

Walrabenstein recommends that first-timers find a class that meets their expectations of targeted benefits. “Re-

Yoga Helps Vets Heal

by Meredith Montgomery

A

ccording to the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, an essential aspect of recovering from trauma is learning ways to calm down, or self-regulate. As suicide, divorce, domestic violence, drug abuse, homelessness and violent behavior continue to plague veterans and members of the military, yoga is being regarded as a promising treatment or adjunctive therapy for addressing symptoms associated with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Numerous studies indicate that veterans that practice yoga (including postures, breath work, guided visualization and affirmation) can better cope with PTSD and other emotional challenges, and realize enhanced physical and mental stability.

Former war correspondent Bhava Ram founded Warriors for Healing (W4H). Launched online and through trained teachers this year, “We want

to spread the word that yoga science is proven to be extremely effective for coping with PTSD and life-based trauma,” he says. The intention is to help people unlock their inherent power to heal, and to assist in a journey of self-empowerment as they establish new lives.

W4H and its foundation partners provide resources for veterans and their families to implement yoga’s transformational lifestyle practices, including nutrition, philosophy, breath work and postures. Studies from leading institutions including the University of California, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital have shown that these practices can change the organism that is us down to the level of our genomes.

“We’re not stuck where we are,” says Ram. “My own history illustrates this, and I’ve seen many others heal from remarkable challenges.”

member that yoga is supposed to serve you in enabling your best life possible.

If for you that means a vigorous workout, go for it. Even the most physicallyoriented yoga styles can carry profound mental and spiritual benefits—and can lead to a deeper, more rewarding practice over time.”

Arrive early to class to get settled and talk with the teacher about physical status, potential limitations or other concerns. Yoga is practiced barefoot and clothing should be loose and comfortable, allowing the body to sweat and move.

Walrabenstein reminds men to have fun. “Yoga, like anything, can be awkward at first. Make space for your learning curve and remember, no one in class is judging you.”

Meredith Montgomery, a registered yoga teacher, publishes Natural Awakenings of Mobile/Baldwin, AL (HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com).

Bootstrap, an online yoga system specific to the challenges of military duty-related stress, has distributed 70,000 yoga sessions to troops and veterans and their families since 2013. Designed to fill the many gaps left by traditional treatment strategies, it’s tailored to empower users to manage stressors and stressful episodes in a productive and ongoing way.

Founder Eric Walrabenstein, a former U.S. Army infantry officer, notes that the program is curriculum-driven.

Beyond breath and body postures, its 10-week structure makes it accessible to those that wouldn’t necessarily step into a studio. “The multimedia program has been clinically proven to derail chronic stress caused by military service in less than one hour per day,” he says.

Bootstrap is presented as a stressmanagement program that just happens to use yoga techniques. “We did this because many men tend to self-select themselves out of the practice,” he says.

“We wanted to avoid that as well as the idea that yoga is primarily about postures, when that’s only a small fraction of what the practice is.”

Visit WarriorsForHealing.org and BootstrapUSA.com. natural awakenings

June 2015

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consciouseating

MANLY FOODS

Boost Testosterone with the Right Choices

by Kathleen Barnes

Today’s rates of male infertility and sexual dysfunction suggest that low testosterone is rapidly becoming a national problem.

J

ohns Hopkins School of Medicine epidemiologists estimate that 18.4 percent of all American men over the age of 20, totaling 18 million, have reported experiencing erectile dysfunction. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 7.5 percent of all sexually experienced men under 45, or more than 4 million, have consulted a fertility doctor, suggesting it’s a serious problem among younger men.

“Both erectile dysfunction and infertility reflect elements of lifestyle choices, especially obesity, smoking and exposure to environmental toxins,” says Naturopath James Occhiogrosso, of Fort Myers, Florida, author of Your Prostate, Your Libido, Your Life: A Guide to Causes and Natural Solutions for Prostate Problems and ProstateHealthNaturally.com. He says there are many ways to address low testosterone, a factor in both issues, and a healthy diet is crucial for healthy sexual function in both men and women.

Some foods can help, while others can hinder a man’s sexual vitality, advises Craig Cooper, of Newport Beach, California, founder of the CooperativeHealth network of men’s health websites and author of Your New Prime: 30 Days to Better Sex, Eternal Strength, and a Kick Ass Life After 40. He identifies key 28

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no-nos that decrease testosterone as eating excess sugar, drinking excessive alcohol and being sedentary. Here are the best foods for increasing testosterone.

Shrimp: Like fatty fish, this tiny crustacean is one of nature’s few food sources of vitamin D, which Harvard School of Public Health research confirms is linked to testosterone levels.

Four ounces of shrimp contain 162 IU (international units), about 40 percent of recommended daily intake.

Oysters, red meat and pumpkin seeds: All of these are rich sources of zinc, which Cooper notes has a direct link to higher testosterone levels. He cautions, however, that too much zinc can cause its absorption to diminish.

Men need 11 milligrams (mg) of zinc a day. Oysters are considered a food of love for a reason: One shelled oyster contains 12.8 mg of zinc. Pumpkin seeds are zinc powerhouses with 7 mg in 3.5 ounces. By comparison, 3 ounces of beef liver or dark chicken meat deliver 4.3 mg and 2.4 mg, respectively.

Lean, grass-fed beef, tuna and nuts: These are high-quality sources of omega-3 fatty acids. “Without obtaining at least 20 percent of our daily calories from fat (no less than 15 percent) we can’t function at optimum capacity, as hormones are produced through the components of dietary fats, including the sex hormones like testosterone,” advises Virginia Beach, Virginia, Registered Dietitian Jim White, a spokesman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “A diet high in carbohydrates and too much dietary fat—more than 35 percent—will cause a gain in body

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fat, which can decrease testosterone levels. Balance is the key.”

Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage: Cruciferous vegetables are rich sources of indole-3-carbinol, which helps both balance testosterone and estrogen, and neutralize excess estrogen in men and women, says Occhiogrosso. Yes, men have estrogen, too, just less than women, and too much blocks testosterone production.

Red grapes: This whole food is a good source of resveratrol and proanythocyanidin, which block harmful estrogen production, says White. Excess estrogen production spurred by eating foods like soy and flax and the growth hormones contained in big agriculture’s meat and dairy products lowers testosterone production in men.

Strawberries: Due to their cortisol-lowering vitamin C, all berries help reduce stress, including when hormones are released during a heavy workout that can hamper testosterone production. One study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine confirms that more cortisol equals less testosterone; another in the World Journal of Men’s Health shows that high cortisol lowers sex drive and results in delayed ejaculation. Plus, two Brazilian studies showed animals with the highest vitamin C intake had the highest sperm counts among study subjects.

Another good cortisol fighter is the allicin in garlic.

Pomegranates: Occhiogrosso likes pomegranates for building testosterone levels. An impressive study from the International Journal of Impotence Research showed that the performance of 47 percent of the impotent male study participants improved after consuming a daily glass of pomegranate juice for four weeks.

“Food is always the first choice when I’m treating men with testosterone and fertility issues,” says Occhiogrosso. “It’s often effective without the dangers of testosterone injections.”

Kathleen Barnes is the author of numerous health books, including Food Is Medicine: 101 Prescriptions from the Garden.

Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.

wisewords

What is the most eye-opening information about the roles played by gut organisms?

The Gut-Mind Connection David Perlmutter on How Stomach Microflora Affect Brain Health

by Linda Sechrist

D

r. David Perlmutter, a board-certified neurologist and recipient of the Linus Pauling Award for his innovative approaches to addressing neurological disorders, has recently released Brain Maker, the latest in a series of books on brain health. This medical advisor to the Dr. Oz Show demonstrates how brain problems can be prevented by adopting lifestyle changes that nurture the bacteria living in the digestive system.

Why did you begin your book with the quote, “Death begins in the colon,” rather than “Brain health begins in the gut”?

I wanted to draw attention to the real life-or-death issues mediated by what goes on inside the gut. Individuals with an immediate concern for their heart, bones, immune system or brain must recognize that the health of these parts and functions are governed at the level of commensal gut bacteria, the normal microflora that eat what we eat. This relationship is the most powerful leverage point we have for maintaining health.

How were you led to expand from studying the nervous system and brain to investigating gastrointestinal medicine?

Early on in my career, I was taught that everything that goes on in the brain stays there. But leading-edge research now reveals that seemingly disparate organs are in close communication, regulating each other’s health. As scientific literature began supporting the notion that gut-related issues

have a huge bearing on brain health, and specifically on brain disease, it became important to me to be able to leverage deep knowledge of this empowering information in terms of being able to treat brain disorders.

What is the Human Microbiome Project (HMP)?

HMP, launched in 2008 by the National Institutes of Health, is a $115 million exploration of the gut microbiome. In the ongoing research project involving genetic and DNA assessment, researchers are looking at the microbiome array in the gut of individuals suffering from various diseases. They are drawing correlations between emerging patterns in the abnormalities of gut bacteria and specific diseases. For example, autism correlates with an overabundance of the Clostridia species. In diabetes, there are more Firmicutes than Bacteroidetes, which we also see in obesity characteristic of the Western cosmopolitan diet.

This is paving the way for interventions designed to restore a normal balance of gut bacteria. An example in my book is Dr. Max Nieuwdorp’s research at the University of Amsterdam, in which he discovered an array of abnormal bacteria that characterize Type 2 diabetes. In the more than 250 individuals diagnosed with diabetes that he treated in a double-blind study, he was able to reverse the disease by inserting a series of fecal material transfers from healthy, lean donors into diabetic patients.

More than 100 trillion bacteria live in our gut. Plus, there are viruses, yeast species and protozoa. When we factor in their genetic material, it means that an astonishing 99 percent of the DNA in our body is bacterial. It’s humbling to realize they influence all manner of physiology, from our immune system to our metabolism, making vitamins, maintaining the gut lining and controlling inflammation, the key mechanism involved in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and any number of brain degenerative disorders. They also exert influence over the expression of our 23,000 genes, in effect regulating the expression of the human genome.

The latest startling discovery— which is so new that it’s not in the book—is that bacterial DNA sequences have now been found in the human genome, meaning we are partly bacterial. It reveals the most sophisticated symbiotic and intimate relationship at the deepest level imaginable. It turns the previous way of thinking about who we are upside-down. Our perceptions of the world, moods, hunger or satiety, even our metabolism, are dictated by gut bacteria, which deserve careful stewarding.

They don’t deserve, for example, to be bombarded by the capricious use of antibiotics whenever we have the sniffles.

How can we reestablish good gut health?

Better food choices bring about significant changes in our body’s microbiome.

By incorporating prebiotic foods such as Jerusalem artichokes, dandelion greens, garlic, leeks, onions, jicama or Mexican yam, as well as fermented foods such as kimchi, kombucha tea, yogurt and kefir, individuals can reestablish good gut health that helps them gain control over inflammation, the cornerstone of all degenerative conditions. Inflammation originates in the gut. Balancing bacteria and reducing intestinal permeability, which allows substances to leak through the lining of the small intestine into the bloodstream, can reduce it.

Visit Linda Sechrist’s website, ItsAllAbout We.com, for the recorded interview.

natural awakenings

June 2015

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healingways

Lyme Disease A Deeper Look

by Dr. Isabel Sharkar

C

hances are you may know someone with Lyme disease and you’ve heard of all the potential debilitating consequences of it or you are experiencing it firsthand.

There are various factors that contribute to the severity of symptoms and a lot of controversies in both diagnosis and treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vectorborne illness in the United States.

Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the spirochete bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, which is spread through the bite of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis. The white blood cells are one of the primary cells that get infected with Lyme spirochetes.

The spirochete releases bacterial lipoproteins, which are neurotoxic with the potential to cause memory problems, burning neurological pain

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and numbness. Although not proven, some experts in the field believe Lyme can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her child as well as through intercourse. It is important to note that not all ticks carry Borrelia burgdorferi.

If you get bit by a tick, the best measure to take it to safely and slowly remove it with a tick twister, making sure the head stays intact. It is important to save the tick so it can be tested for Lyme and co-infections. Co-infections include babesia, ehrlichiosis and bartonella.

These co-infections further complicate the symptom presentation.

The standard of care for treatment of Lyme disease is two weeks of Doxycycline antibiotic treatment immediately after being bitten. The longer before treatment is sought, the greater the chances of Lyme disease spreading. Symptoms associated with Lyme disease vary from person to person.

Some people will present with the typical bull’s eye rash while others will

feel flu-like symptoms with weakness and a mild fever, muscle and joint pain, headaches or extreme fatigue. Symptoms follow after an incubation period that may last between two days to three months and in some cases the bacteria goes latent and does not affect the person until years later. More long-term complications may include varying degrees of neurological symptoms, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Bell’s Palsy, insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s. Joint pain, gut issues and a weakened immune system may be the result of co-infections.

Why do some people express severe symptoms of Lyme disease while others do not?

The severity of symptoms is related to the degree of toxicity in the body, which up-regulates the bacteria into higher pathogenicity. Toxicity exposure may come from the diet, external environment and emotions. Unprocessed emotional issues will make the body very acidic, which becomes the perfect breeding ground for disease. A proper detox is needed to free the body of a high toxic burden. Avoid putting more toxins in the body through diet and personal care products. This will also help to reduce the overall inflammation occurring in the body.

There are several contributing

factors other than co-infections that affect Lyme disease such as parasites, mold, heavy metals, electromagnetic smog and secondary infections such as mycoplasma, candida, Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Mold is a big obstacle to cure in Lyme disease. According to Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, “Mold in the home gets by a factor of hundreds of times more virulent if it is exposed to microwave from incoming cellphone radiation or wireless internet.” Many microbes naturally inhabiting us may become more aggressive and illness producing when exposed to electromagnetic fields.

What is the relationship between oxicity and treatment?

Although many treatments are geared towards treating the borrelia, it is not the borrelia that needs to be treated, but rather the toxicity in the body. Eat organic as much as possible, drink three liters of natural spring water a day to flush toxins out and only put organic natural products on your skin.

A long course of intravenous (IV) antibiotics may not always be the answer.

Some experts believe that long-term antibiotics impair the immune function and help to drive the spirochetes deeper and should only be used in rare circumstances. Instead, nutritional IV’s may be a better option as they are used to boost

and support the immune system.

Treatment should also include dissolving the biofilms because the spirochetes burrow deep into the biofilm layers. Biofilm is an aggregate of microorganisms where cells adhere to each other and to a surface. Chelation is used to address heavy metals and mercury fillings in the mouth must be removed.

There is no quick fix for Lyme disease. The longer the person has Lyme, the longer the treatment to restore the body. Prevention and awareness is the best option. Wear trousers tucked into your boots and long sleeve clothing when hiking outdoors. Use non-toxic insect repellants and always check yourself for any signs of ticks after spending a long day outdoors.

Isabel Sharkar, ND, is a licensed naturopathic physician and co-owner of Indigo Integrative Health Clinic, in Georgetown. Stop by her clinic to pick up a complimentary tick twister. The tick twister removes the tick quickly and painlessly and reduces the risk of infection due to the unique way in which it removes the tick itself. If you suspect you have Lyme disease, visit a qualified doctor who is able to diagnose and treat you properly. For more information, call 202-298-9131 or visit IndigoHealth.com. See ad, page 5.

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S

ome days it seems as if ticks are taking controls of our backyards.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes a growing list of diseases that are carried by ticks.

In addition to Lyme, there are now 12 other tick-borne diseases identified in the United States and the areas in which the deadly ticks inhabit are spreading at an alarming rate.

“There has been an increase in tick populations over decades, but in the last 10 years, they have really exploded,” suggests Susan E. Little, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVM, professor and KrullEwing chair in veterinary parasitology at Oklahoma State University. “And it is not just more ticks, it is more ticks in more places.”

The challenge to protect our furry friends from ticks, safely, can be daunting. Many pet owners are concerned, and with good reason, with chemically based prevention routines, like powders, sprays and skin treatments. There is growing evidence that the chemicals used in many of these treatments, from the family of chemicals called organophosphates, are effective because they interfere with the transmission of nerve signals, which is harmful to the pets they are meant to protect.

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These same chemicals are now credited for thousands of acute toxic poisonings at local poison control centers throughout the country, according to the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). These chemicals affect not only pets, but people too. According to the NRDC, “Evidence suggests the possibility of worrisome long-term effects for children exposed to these products at an early age, including later-in-life cancer and perhaps Parkinson’s disease.”

But there is hope with a number of nontoxic alternatives to protect our dogs and cats, as well are their owners.

One of the most effective new tools, with a 97 percent protection rate (and a guarantee by the manufacturer) is the Pet Protector (FleaFreePets.info). The small disc is made of high quality steel alloys and is charged with a specific combination of magnetic and scalar waves, which, after being triggered by the animal’s movement (blood circulation), produces an invisible field around the entire animal’s body.

The Pet Protector’s scalar waves are totally harmless to people and animals (they go absolutely undetected by humans and animals alike) and they are effective against external parasites,

repelling them from the shielded area.

It drives fleas, ticks, as well as mosquitoes away before they get the chance to infest the pet. Topical preventions only kill external parasites after they have already infested the pet.

Another approach to prevent fleas and ticks is garlic. Dr. Richard Pitcairn, author of The Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, suggests that adding raw-pressed garlic or organic garlic juice into the dog’s food up to five days a week will stop fleas and ticks from biting your pet. The amount of garlic depends on the size of the dog—with dogs under 15 pounds requiring a half a clove, while up to three cloves are needed for dogs over 100 pounds. The added benefits is a boost your pet’s immune system.

For thousands of years in Chinese and ayurvedic medicine, garlic has been used to help conditions from fighting infections, enhancing liver function, boosting the immune system, lowering blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, a cardiovascular tonic, as well as a tick or flea repellent.

A third approach it so make a flea collar with essential oils for the trendy pet. Three to five drops of either cedar or lavender oil can be diluted in one to three tablespoons of water, placed in an eyedropper and rubbed in to the pet’s collar or onto a bandana to hang around the pet’s neck. The oil mixture should be reapplied to the bandana or collar weekly.

It is important to protect all your loved ones, including those with four paws, from deadly diseases. The summer is high season for fleas and ticks, so dog and cat parents need to be extra vigilant against the exploding tick population, as safely as possible. Fortunately now, there are effective options to do so.

ecotip Antisocial Insects

Natural Ways to Keep Crawling Critters Away With picnics and barbecues on the calendar, summer is a time for indoor/outdoor entertaining with family, friends and neighbors. To keep invading ants away, hosts will want to use natural materials, many of which can be found in the kitchen, instead of chemical products that may be hazardous to humans, pets and wildlife.

Natural lines of defense. Applying ground cinnamon or mixing some of the spice with sugar, cloves and water into a thin paste and using a cotton swab to dab it in cracks and around doors and windowsills outside the house where ants might enter can be effective. The aroma is too strong for them, so they’ll either succumb or turn away. Another method recommended by the Mother Nature Network is to clean floors and countertops with a solution of one cup each of vinegar and water, with the option to enhance it with 15 drops of lemon oil.

Try a simple spray. An organic insecticide for application in grassy locations, applied to the legs and sides of the picnic table or chairs, can help reduce intrusion by ants and other pests. ChasingGreen.org suggests pouring one-and-a-half cups of water into a blender and adding two bulbs of garlic. Liquefy the ingredients to a smooth blend, strain out the remaining pieces of garlic, dilute the mixture with about a gallon of water and fill a spray bottle.

Organic pest control. Some manufacturers specialize in eco-friendly products, including the Extremely Green Gardening Company (ExtremelyGreen.com) that offers diatomaceous earth, Hasta La Vista Ant! and Bug Shooter insecticide.

Other chemical-free bug traps can be found at many hardware stores.

Avoid temptation. Keep food container lids and boxes tightly closed indoors and keep food covered as much as possible outdoors.

Taking natural preventive steps now is timely because many ant species are highly active in early summer as they seek to increase the food stores for their colonies.

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June 2015

33

firstperson

Natural Remedies

for Mind, Body and Spirit

by Teresa Boardwine

I

t is my belief that there is a physiological and emotional aspect to each symptom, imbalance and disease. Our nervous system is taxed with the busy “things to-do” list, sleep deficiency, stress of jobs and relationships or lack thereof.

How can herbal medicine, nutrition and supplements help? Plants and nature can aid the body, mind and spirit to rejuvenate, provide inspiration and balance the demands of our lives.

Herbs are plants that provide vital nutrients, phytochemicals and energetic support of humans to balance, support and tone. The herbs for the nervous system vary from a gentle nervine like lemon balm to the more intense anxiolytic herb like kava. Lemon balm (melissa officinalis) offers its aromatic lemon volatile oils to our brain promotes joy and productivity, it grows easily and make a delicious tea which “gladdens the heart”.

The herb I like for anxiety is kava (piper methysticum), grown mostly in Hawaii and the South Pacific, works wonders to quiet anxiety and promote

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peace and euphoria. There are many herbs known to relieve tension and offer support to stressed lives, like passion flower (passiflora incarnate).

Passion flower is one of my favorites to enjoy in the evening before bedtime to release the tension in the shoulders and promote restful sleep. Skullcap (scutelaria laterifolia) is useful for busy minds that need a rest and it also rejuvenates the nerves.

There are deeper diagnosed conditions and symptoms of depression, lack of focus, excessive thoughts and insomnia that are challenging to any individual.

Herbs may not be the cure but can certainly be of help to balance the physical, emotion and mental imbalances.

When there is a dark cloud hanging over our heads, we can look to a wonderful herb known to us casually as black cohosh (actea racemous), used for rheumatism, hormonal imbalance but it also helps relieve the pressure from congested cervical vertebrae, compromised by whiplash. Released, the congested

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cerebral spinal fluid may be the headache or depression remedy specific to an individual who was rear-ended. Others may be best served by an anti-inflammatory nervine that I use for sciatica, shingles and fried nerves, St. John’s wort (hypericum perforatum). It may not be the best for depression but it will help to repair the nerves. To boost well-being, raise spirits and generally promote a happier nervous system, I like to include damiana (turnera diffusa), known as the happy herb and lemon balm, the gladdening herb and bacopa. Bacopa is an ayurvedic herb that is said to stimulate memory and generally feed the brain. It works with antidepressant herbs well and increases a sense of well-being.

For anyone dealing with PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or have long-term stress, adrenal adaptogens may be needed to build resistance to stress.

Adaptogens have been used in many cultures to build support, boost vitality and promote chi. Siberian ginseng, now known as eleuthero (eleutherococcus senticosus), was studied by Russian scientists in the 1950s. They discovered that it fortifies the individual and takes them out of fight-or-flight mode.

These herbs combine easily into teas or tinctures to provide support to an individual finding herself frayed from the worries of the world. Several herbal supplement companies make capsule formulas which target letting go of stress internally. As always, look for quality products. When you find yourself in need of nervous system support you may just want to find a local herbalist to consult. However you proceed, you might want to look up the herbs, read about them and always buy quality. May you find relief from the stressors of life by reestablishing your health and balance with plant medicine.

Teresa Boardwine teaches and conducts clinical consultations at Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine. She is a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild and has lectured throughout the country on a variety of topics related to herbs and healthy living. For more information, call 540-937-4283, email Green.Comfort@gmail.com or visit GreenComfortHerbSchool.com. See ad, page 17.

inspiration

HIDDEN TREASURES Neighbors Discover Their Wealth of Resources

by John McKnight and Peter Block

T

he essential promise of consumerism is that everything fulfilling or needed in life can be purchased— from happiness to healing, from love to laughter and from raising a child to caring for someone at the end of life.

What was once the task of relatives and neighbors has been outsourced, costing the family its capacity to manage traditionally provided necessities. The community, which once provided an extended support system, is no longer viable, replaced by paid professionals and technology.

Until the 20th century, the basic philosophy of rearing children was that they become effective grownups by connecting with productive adults and learning the community’s skills, traditions and customs from them. Youth had jobs to do: caring for the elderly and young, doing household chores and helping with food. When they became adults, they were thus equipped to care both for the next generation and for those that had cared for them.

Today, the most effective communities are those in which neighborhoods and residents have reclaimed their traditional roles. The research on this point is decisive. Where there are “thick” community connections, there is positive child development. Health

improves, the environment is sustained and people are safer and have a stronger local economy.

We too, can decide to shift our attention toward rebuilding the functions of our family and neighborhood. We have the gifts, structures and capacities to substitute for our habit of consumption. Here’s an example of how it works.

Neighbors Naomi Alessio and Jackie Barton were talking about family challenges when Alessio noted her son Theron’s encouraging turnaround after he met Mr. Thompson, who had a metalworking shop in his garage. The old man invited him in and something clicked. Theron began to stop by every day, proudly bringing home metal pieces he’d learned to make. Alessio could see Theron change and finally stopped worrying about what he was doing after school.

Barton admitted that her son Alvin was in trouble, and asked Alessio if there might be someone in the neighborhood whose skills would interest him. They decided to ask all the men in the neighborhood about their interests and skills. In three weeks, they found men that knew about juggling, barbecuing, bookkeeping, fishing, hunting, haircutting, bowling, investigating crimes, writing poems, fixing cars,

weightlifting, choral singing, teaching dogs tricks, mathematics, praying and how to play trumpet, drums and the saxophone. They discovered enough talent for all the kids in the neighborhood to tap into.

Three of the men they met— Charles Wilt, Mark Sutter and Sonny Reed—joined Alessio, Barton and Thompson in finding out what the kids on the block were interested in learning. Also, why not ask the kids what they knew? They found 22 things the young people knew that might be of interest to some adults on the block.

The six neighbors named themselves the Matchmakers and began to connect neighbors that shared the same interests, from gardening to job opportunities. They created a multiuse neighborhood website. Many neighbors formed a band, plus a choir led by Sarah Ensley, an elder who’d been singing all her life.

Charles Dawes, a police officer, formed an intergenerational team to make the block a safe haven for everyone.

Then Lenore Manse decided to write family histories with photos and persuaded neighborhood historian Jim Caldwell and her best friend, Lannie Eaton, to help. Wilt suggested that the Matchmakers welcome newcomers by giving them a copy of the block history, and then updating it with information about each new family.

Three years later at the annual block party, Barton summed up the neighborhood’s accomplishment: “All the lines are broken; we’re all connected. We’re a real community now.”

These local connections can give the modern family what the extended family once provided: a functioning community with a strong culture of kin, friends and neighbors. A regenerated community emerges, yielding essential qualities of a satisfying life: kindness, generosity, cooperation, forgiveness and the ability to nurture families that have reclaimed their function.

Adapted from an article by John McKnight and Peter Block for YES! Magazine that appears in its anthology, Sustainable Happiness. They are co-authors of The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods (Abundant Community.com). natural awakenings

June 2015

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communityspotlight

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Rose Wellness Providing a Fully Integrative

Approach to Wellness and Healing

by Samantha Hudgins

S

ushma Hirani, M.D., a board-certified family medicine practitioner, has been practicing integrative medicine using the best of conventional and alternative medicine techniques for the past nine years. Last year, she started Rose Wellness Center, an integrative medicine clinic, to expand the scope of the services.

Hirani was motivated to open her practice when working with patients with chronic diseases. She saw a need to focus not only on improving the health of the patients but also improving the quality of their life by guiding them on their journey to optimum wellness.

The team at Rose Wellness treats a multitude of conditions including fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue, hormone imbalances, hypothyroidism, digestive issues, adrenal fatigue, women’s health issues, allergies and chronic pain. To ensure the best diagnosis, they employ specialty testing including blood and saliva tests and functional digestive tests, when necessary.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

These specialized tests help measure hormone levels, vitamin and nutrient levels and gut function.

Illness is not the only reason that brings people to Rose Wellness. Preventive health care and health maintenance draw in patients as well. According to Hirani, there are five foundational elements to good health. These are: a well-balanced diet, an efficient digestive system, a good hormone or endocrine balance, a healthy emotional state and regular or adequate body detoxification. These elements are examined and discussed at each appointment to get the best picture of each individual’s health and healing journey.

Rose Wellness follows integrative medicine practices by focusing on the whole person—mind, body and soul - but takes things a step further to include education. The practice’s website RoseWellness.com contains information on the most common conditions they treat, as well as frequent articles and blog

posts on health and wellness. Additionally, free seminars are held every month on a variety of topics.

When a patient has what Hirani refers to as their “Aha! moment”—the moment they finally start to understand why their body is behaving the way it is—the healing process begins automatically because they not only feel empowered, they also have renewed hope.

Empowering patients with education also helps strengthen their relationships with patients.

The Rose Wellness team includes other practitioners such as a licensed acupuncturist and a mind-body therapist. Depending on their needs, a patient may use the services of one or more practitioners. The patient-doctor relationship is vital to the practitioners at Rose Wellness. An example of this is seen in the length of time Hirani sets aside for initial visits; an hour and a half. Patients are shown respect by having appointments with minimal-to-no wait times.

This is accomplished through incorporating technology and digitizing most information. For instance, patient forms are e-mailed to be filled out and returned before the appointment.

The use of digital information is something else that sets Rose Wellness apart from other practices. Through the use of a secure patient portal, patients have access to their medical records. A secure email system allows patients to request prescription refills and confidentially contact their doctor at any time of the day. While staff often responds to emails within 24 hours, it can take up to two business days because they take the time to properly research the answers to individual concerns.

Patients can call during office hours for quick, personal contact.

Rose Wellness incorporates innovations in traditional medicine, integrative health care and technology to provide the best care to their patients. With a warm and welcoming spacious office they are ready to take on new patients and hope to expand with more physicians and practitioners in the near future.

Location: 2944 Hunter Mill Rd., Oakton, VA. For more information, visit RoseWellness.com or call 571-5206699. See ad, page 38.

The Health Solutions you’ve been looking for.

Fatigue • Depression • Alzheimer’s • AD/HD • Autism Cardiovascular • Diabetes • Gastro-intestinal Hormonal imbalances • Asthma • Allergies • Cancer Autoimmune • Lyme • Addictions Weight Loss & Obesity • Chronic Pain • Neurological disorders Parkinson’s Disease • Anti-aging • Preventative medicine and more

Dr. Chas Gant, MD, PhD

Call now for an appointment: 202-237-7000

For over 35 years, Dr. Chas Gant, MD, has helped patients of all ages identify & reverse their unique root causes of chronic disorders. He is known internationally for his expertise in Functional Medicine & Genomics, Integrative Medicine, & the Mind/Body connection.

National Integrated Health Associates 5225 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Suite 402

DoctorChas.com

Transform Your Corporate Kitchen with

Beth Lindley works with progressive companies that have escalating health care costs and unhealthy kitchens to transform their company kitchens into health conscious havens and increase their revenue.

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Contact for a COMPLIMENTARY consultation bethlindley.com 202-285-8191 • beth@bethlindley.com

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person—he believed in me. ~Jim Valvano natural awakenings

June 2015

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These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Chronic Pain? Fatigue? Stress? Allergies?

Rose Wellness Center for Integrative Medicine specializes in functional medicine using natural techniques. Focus is on preventive care and a healthy lifestyle. Enjoy Personalized Attention, On-Time Appointments, Access to Health Records, and Secure Communication.

Services Include: • Integrative and Functional Medicine • Acupuncture • Allergy Elimination Technique (AAT) • Energy Healing Therapies • Detoxification • Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) • Specialized testing to identify hormone, metabolic, digestive, nutritional, and food sensitivity issues Sushma Hirani, MD Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Road Suite101, Oakton, VA Call now for an appointment

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businessspotlight

Wintergreen Organics Delivering Local Produce and Foods to Your Doorstep

by Robin Fillmore

of processed mayonnaise from Wintergreen, but you will get fresh and wholesome food that is non-GMO and only days from the farmer’s field. It is like having a farmers’ market come to you. The other benefit that Wintergreen offers is that of size. There are weekly/biweekly box options for single people, couples or enough for a whole family.

Zeches sees the work of Wintergreen Organics and other local produce providers as a grassroots movement. It is important to her to expose the practices of big agricultural companies and manufacturers that put profits ahead of their customers’ health.

And to her, it is personal. After being diagnosed with breast cancer a number of years ago, Zeches decided to forego chemotherapy and radiation and sought healing through food. Her regime was no sugar, no meat, raw foods and she took steps to alkalize the body, realizing that her food was to be her medicine.

She notes, “If you understand how the body works, and you’re not eating healthy, you have to know that what you eat is creating the devastation of disease. Food is medicine and you are what you eat.”

With the eye of a designer (another profession in which Zeches used to work), she developed a simple system for ordering online that provides all of the needed information clearly, with beautiful pictures of her exquisite produce.

What’s next for Wintergreen Organics? Zeches is working on developing a retail location. But until then, Zeches will keep driving down the road, bringing smiles and nutritious goodness to all she meets.

For more information, visit WintergreenOrganics.com. See ad, page 11.

T

he person who coined the phrase, “Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life” quite possibly wrote this after watching Zana Zeches, owner of Wintergreen Organics & Naturals, in motion. She is a woman on the move, who spends her days getting local, organic and natural produce from farms in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania delivered to the doorsteps and offices of metro D.C. residents, every week, 12 months a year.

Her love of wholesome and nutritious food, such as tomatoes and peaches like her grandmother grew in the backyard, plus a culinary background led her to launch Wintergreen Organics in 2012. After working at an organic farm in Warrenton, Virginia, as their business developer for a number of years, she launched her home delivery service after spending time cultivating relationships with area growers. It was important that she learn from each farm not only what they grew, but also how they grew it.

By 2013, the deliveries began. She currently services areas throughout the greater metropolitan area and is looking to increase her scope.

All of her produce and other food items are mainly local, which is what separates her from many of the larger delivery services in this area. In addition to her weekly produce boxes, she has launched into delivering organic and natural meats, sustainable seafood, farm fresh eggs, coffee and teas, and will soon be adding award-winning olive oil and balsamic vinegar to the lineup. You won’t get a jar natural awakenings

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Coexist

by Woomyung

I, who does not possess, am beautiful I, who can give everything, am beautiful You, who does not possess, are beautiful

You, who can give everything, are beautiful We, who do not seek from each other, are beautiful We are always together, we are beautiful We can do together, we are beautiful We, who transform pain to happiness, are beautiful We, who transform impure to pure, are beautiful We, who believe in each other, are beautiful We, who love nature, are beautiful

This poem was provided by Rockville Meditation in honor of their first anniversary. The poem is based on the thought that the human mind is an accumulation of the pictures in which one has taken through past experiences.

The body is a five-sense camera that takes pictures of the world, thus creating a false picture world. Through medi40

Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

We, who transform from incompletion to completion, are beautiful People are beautiful Nature is beautiful The universe is beautiful Coexistence is heaven.

tation one will become one with the Universe by becoming one with the world.

To learn more about Rockville Meditation or to join them during their anniversary events, June 3 to 5, visit RockvilleMeditation.org. See ad, page 11.

calendarofevents

M3Wellness LLC at Heal From Within, 4545 42nd St, Ste 301, NW. Register: MarvaMakle.com. Info: Marva@M3Wellness.com.

NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

THURSDAY, JUNE 4 Hug Your Cat Day – Bring a picture to the store or share it at our Facebook page or Twitter. Every time you make a purchase you will enter for a chance to win the Lueow Prize, a Meow Luau Basket. Receive 20% off your purchase and a free cat toy. Chico’s Pet Depot, 6349 A Columbia Pk, Falls Church. Info: 703-750-6675 or Chicos@PetDepot.com.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5 Superhero Family Yoga – 6-7pm. With Michelle.

Enjoy a super fun time with your kiddo as we discover our own super powers, build strength and flexibility to bring peace to the bad guys and of course, learn to fly. For ages 3-6 years. $30/parentchild couple and $15/additional sibling. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown.

Register: Bit.ly/1Ho80Re. Info: LilOmm.com.

Nia Jam – 7:30-9pm. Nia is an innovative, transformational exercise that expands and deepens the experience of fitness. Through movement, music, and fun. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Register: 301-9861090 or Info@TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

specialevent

1st Anniversary Seminar With scientific concept, release your stress.

You can start to change human mind to Universe Mind.

Free to Attend

June 6, 5:30-7pm Rockville Meditation Center 11601 Nebel St, Rockville, MD. Register: RockvilleMeditation@gmail.com.

Info: 301-770-7778 Hands On, Respectful, Chemical-Free Beekeeping – 10am-12pm. Combine, condense or create a nuc. All ages welcome. Our bees are gentle, but stings are a possibility. Bring your own veil, if you want. $50. Azure B LLC, 4730 Bicknell Rd, Marbury, MD. Register: Info@AzureBLLC. com or AzureBLLC.com.

Mindfulness for Stress Management – 12-2pm.

This 2-hour workshop will explore the physiology of mindfulness, including the evidence basis underlying this self-care practice, and provides an opportunity to experience for yourself mindfulness practices for stress management, health and relaxation. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Register: 301-986-1090 or Info@TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

Shivananda Workshop Silverstein. This is a class aimed at centering and body. A Sivananda

– 4-6pm. With Shana meditative, slow-paced and balancing the mind yoga class incorporates

chanting in the sacred Sanskrit language, invigorating pranayama techniques, practice of the twelve major asanas, and deep relaxation. $25 plus tax. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

Sutra and Samadhi Sanskrit Studies Course Series – 6-9:30pm. Through June 20. With Manorama D’Alvia.

During this course Manorama will share teachings on the Yoga model that was laid out by Shri Patanjali and how to incorporate these teachings into everyday life.

Gain direct access to the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali. $249 plus tax. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 7

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

Intro to Nia – 12:30-2pm. You’ll dance, move, laugh and shake and put pleasure into your workout. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Register: 301-986-1090 or Info@TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

Curvy Yoga Lab: Increasing Flexibility – 2:303:30pm. With Annie. In this curvy yoga lab, learn how to safely work on increasing flexibility while still maintaining optimal alignment and joint integration and stability. We’ll use lots of props, move slowly and carefully and breathe our way into poses customized for your body. $20/yogi or yogini. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Bit.ly/1IDIfel. Info: LilOmm.com.

Yin Yoga: Energize, Balance and Restore – 6:30-8:30pm. With Manisha. Enter into a deep meditative space in this two-hour practice inclusive of yin postures, pranayama, meditation and restorative poses. All levels are welcome. $35/ yogi or yogini. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Bit.ly/1N55VyU. Info: LilOmm.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11 Itsy Bitsy Session – 12:45-1:45pm. Developmentally appropriate yoga for baby, a time to connect and support for mamas. $150/mommy and baby for all 6 classes or $225/twins. Childcare is available for this class. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Bit.ly/1bmfw2S. Info: LilOmm.com or Info@LilOmm.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 14 NBB at the Love Your Body Yoga Festival – 10am5pm. Neck Back and Beyond will have a booth at the 2015 Love your Body Yoga Festival in Reston Town Center sponsored by Beloved Yoga. We will be offering ear acupuncture, Amethyst Biomat sessions, mini chiropractic consultations and more.

No need to RSVP: Just come by and check it out.

Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St, Reston, VA. Info: LoveYourBodyYogaFestival.com.

Order of Melchizedek: Ordinations and Basic Ministerial Class – 12-5pm. Open to those called to serve. This is a priesthood of individuals committed to teach and/or heal the human condition. Workshop covers practical and logistical aspects in ministerial roles. Intuitive Wellness Center, 8996 Burke Lake Rd, Burke, VA. Register: 571-354-6444. Info: NewGrowthHealing.com/Ordination.

Moms Up! Series – 7-9:30pm. With Pleasance and Alexandra. This empowering monthly series merges life coaching exercises and yoga practice to help mothers to manage their biggest challenges - balance, stagnation, self-doubt and energy - in a healthy and mindful way. $50/retreat or pre-register for all 4 for $160 (save $40). Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Bit. ly/1PiDwB2. Info: LilOmm.com.

TUESDAY, JUNE 16 4 Secrets to Getting It Done Without Hitting the Wall – 7-8:30pm. Success without (di)stress may

seem elusive, but Ayurveda shows us a new way to get things done in your life with energy and joy.

Pleasure Medicine Series – 5:30-8:30pm. Join us one Saturday evening per month to explore the arts and pleasure of plants. Natural Dyes, Intro to Knitting, Incense Making, Soap making, and the Art of Coffee Roasting. $45/class or $200 for entire series. Centro Ashé Farm, 1620 Chester Ave, Bryans Road, MD. Register: CentroAshe. org/Pleasure-Medicine-Series.html. Info: Info@ CentroAshe.org.

SUNDAY, JUNE 21

specialevent Sushi’s Luau Fundraiser

A celebration of life, love and healing. Fun events and enlightening workshops. Hula dancers, live and silent auction, pet fashion show, vegan snacks and other refreshments.

June 21, 2-6pm Chico’s Pet Depot 6349 A Columbia Pk, Falls Church, VA Learn more about Sushi’s case and how you can improve your pet’s quality life with natural remedies and spiritual healing at 703-750-6675 or Chicos@PetDepot.com.

Info Session for North India Yoga Pilgrimage – 12-1pm. With Hari-kirtana das. The session will a detailed look at our travel itinerary ­— Haridwar / Rishikesh /Jaipur / the Govardhan Eco-Village — and include a description of the various sites and holy places we’ll be visiting. Free. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

The End of Bending Over Backwards – 2-4pm.

With Beth Filla. Learn to work wisely with the physical structure and energetic principles of these powerful postures so you can move deeply into the higher levels of your practice. $30 plus tax.

Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

Family HEART Camp West Virginia – 4pm.

Through June 28. Week-long whole-family summer camp around the principles of nonviolence,

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collaborative parenting, compassion and empowered, positive, holistic nurturing. $150$675 (depending on age/lodging/early bird).

Family HEART Camp at Abram’s Creek Retreat and Campground, Elk Garden, WV. Register: FamilyHeartCamp.org.

postures, mantras, and karmic relationships that are connected to our energy centers. All levels are welcome. $25 plus tax. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

Acupuncture and Yoga: A meeting of two great traditions – 6:30-8:30pm. With Jamie. In this workshop we will start out with some yoga to refresh and invigorate the body. As we move into the final relaxation period, acupuncture needles will be placed in the ear, thus allowing for a deeper rest, relaxation and cleansing of the physical and energetic body (*If childcare is needed contact Info@LilOmm.com.) $30/yogi or yogini. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Bit.ly/1NfO9Jc. Info: LilOmm.com.

Yoga Nidra Meditation – 1:30-3pm. Join Margarita Reyes for Yoga Nidra which helps us to relax and to live centered lives, free of conflict, anxiety, fear and suffering. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Register: 301-986-1090 or Info@ TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

MONDAY, JUNE 22 Laughter Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Please join us for a playful and fun practice that has been proven to reduce stress and strengthen the immune system. The session ends with a silent meditation. Free. Arlington Central Library auditorium, 1015 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA. Info: ArlingtonLaughterYoga@yahoo.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25

HEALTHY EATING STARTS WITH NATURAL FOODS Advertise in Natural Awakenings’

Food Democracy & Inspired Living July Issue To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

202-505-4835 42

Washington, D.C.

200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training – 6-9pm.

Through June 28. This program is perfect for the avid yoga student who wants to become a yoga teacher or anyone that wants to deepen their personal practice. Scholarships available.

The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Register: 301-986-1090 or Jessie@TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

Movie Night – 7-9pm. We will be screening the documentary Doctored. This incredible film looks at the deception and control behind the American Medical Association and why they are oftentimes so against natural therapies. $5.

Neck, Back and Beyond, 10560 Main St, PH1, Fairfax, VA. Register: 703-965-5690 5690 or NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com. Info: NeckBackAndBeyond.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 28

India Stories and Charity Auction, Potluck and Kirtan to Follow – 2-5pm Stories and Auction, 4:30pm Potluck and 6:15pm Kirtan. Bidding Starts June 17th. Raising money for girls rescued from sex trafficking and underserved children in India. (32Auctions.com/IndiaStories2015).

BE Yoga and Gita’s Dream Kirtan at BE Yoga, 45406 Lakeside Dr, Sterling, VA. Info: Info@ BEyogaYurt.com or BEyogaYurt.com.

MONDAY, JUNE 29

specialevent Healing Tour to John of God

Visit John of God at his spiritual hospital in Brazil for two weeks with well-respected and known official guide, Kathy South

June 29 through July 11 Cost $1,750.

Register: 703-924-3768 or KathySouthHealing@gmail.com or KathySouth.com.

plan ahead

FRIDAY, JUNE 26

FRIDAY, JULY 10

Prenatal Teacher Training – 6-9pm. Through June 28. With April Puciata. This training will prepare you to teach to all different levels and all three trimesters in the same class. See the website for more details. $375. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Chevy Chase, MD. Info: Info@TheYogaFusionStudio.com or TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

Herb Camp for Kids – 9am-12pm. Also July 17, 24 and 31. We invite youth ages 5-11 to join us for this hands-on class that includes explorations of various medicinal plants, plant identification and field walks on the farm, herbal activities including medicine making, herbal gardening, crafts and more. $108/child includes materials ($78 for additional children in immediate family.) Centro Ashé Farm, 1620 Chester Ave, Bryans Road, MD. Register: CentroAshe.org/Herb-Camp-for-Kids.html.

Info: Info@CentroAshe.org.

Weekend Meditation Retreat – 6:30-9:30pm.

Through June 27. Experiential in nature, the Advanced Meditation Seminar takes the student deep into the realms of personal awareness and integration with the universal field of awareness –ultimate consciousness. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Register: 301-986-1090 or Info@ TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 27 Chakra 101 – 2:30-4:30 pm. With Lisa Pettinati.

After a brief discussion of the chakras, there will be a 75-minute energizing and inspirational practice designed to explore the specific

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

SATURDAY, JULY 11 200-hr Summer Yoga Teacher Intensive – 10am-6pm. Through July 31. Immerse yourself in a joyous, soulful and transformational teacher training guided by global yoga instructor, Faith Hunter, E-RYT 500. $3250. Faith Hunter Yoga at Embrace Yoga DC, 1650 Columbia Rd, NW. Register: EmbraceDC.com or Yoga@ EmbraceDC.com.

Info: EmbraceDC.com/ Teacher-Training.

ongoingevents

16th St, Ste 402, Silver Spring, MD. Register: ShiraOzSinai.com/Classes. Info: 240-839-1661 or Shira@AwakenMyHeartNow.com.

NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

aCHIeve Weight Loss 4 Life – 5:30-6:30pm.

Our Naturopathic Doctor, Nutritionist, and Health Coaches will educate, guide, and support you to ensure long-lasting weight loss is maintained through lifestyle change. Casey Health Institute, 800 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Register: 301-355-2030 or CaseyHealth.org.

sunday Sunday Morning Meditation Class – 10:30am12:30pm. With Hugh Byrne. An oasis in a busy week, including 30-minute guided meditations, a 10-minute walking meditation and 30-minute discussion. A mini-retreat. Drop-ins welcome. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Introduction to Transcendental Meditation – 12-1:30pm. What you’ll learn: Why TM is so effective for stress and anxiety. How TM improves brain function and memory. What happens during TM. Why TM is easy to practice. Why TM works from the start. How to learn TM in Bethesda.

Transcendental Meditation Center of Bethesda, 11300 Rockville Pike, Ste 408, Rockville, MD. Register: 301 770-5690 or Bethesda@TM.org or TM.org/Bethesda.

Grow Sprouts and Micro-Greens in Your Home Year Round – 2:30-5:30pm. 4th Sun. Indoor growing: wheatgrass, sunflower, broccoli and more. $50 (includes handouts and kit). Raw Living D’Light, Fairfax, VA. Register: Luzy@RawLivingDLight.com.

monday Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. A beautiful way to start your day, with a 30-minute meditation and optional 15-minute discussion following. Drop-ins welcome. A project of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW). The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown.

Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Yoga for Backs and Hips – 9-10:30am. Tight hips and weak back muscles lead to poor body posture and back pain. Yoga teacher Doerthe Braun will work with students to improve hip mobility and

back strength, allowing the spine to extend with freedom. $15/class. Casey Health Institute, 800 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Info: 301-3552030 or CaseyHealth.org.

Introduction to Transcendental Meditation – 12-1:30pm. See Sun for details. Transcendental Meditation Center of Bethesda, 11300 Rockville Pike, Ste 408, Rockville, MD. Register: 301 7705690 or Bethesda@TM.org or TM.org/Bethesda.

tuesday Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown.

Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

I Meditate DC: Introduction to the Art of Living – 7-8pm. Refresh and rejuvenate with a free community service initiative to introduce people to breathing and meditation techniques that have a calming effect on the mind and reduce stress. In this 60-minute interactive session, participants develop insight on how to reduce negative emotions that eat up our energy and time. The Art of Living Foundation, 2401 15th St, NW. Register: Secure.ArtOf Living.org/Events.aspx. .

wednesday

Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown.

Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

The Chakra Balancing Class – 1-2:15pm. 2nd and 4th Wed. Lean into your inner wisdom and allow it to guide you towards optimal health, enlightenment, and joy using movement, self-applied healing touch, meditation, and conversation. $30. The Spectrum Center for Natural Medicine, 8555

Introduction to Transcendental Meditation – 6:30-8pm. See Sun for details. Transcendental Meditation Center of Bethesda, 11300 Rockville Pike, Ste 408, Rockville, MD. Register: 301 7705690 or Bethesda@TM.org or TM.org/Bethesda. .

thursday

Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown.

Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Astrology Insights Weekly Forecast – 10-11am.

Join Candice in this one hour fun and informative class about the week ahead in astrology. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Info: RisingPhoenixHC.com.

Yoga Level 1 – 11am. Work slowly and deeply with classic poses in well-rounded sequences, with an emphasis on healthy alignment. Appropriate for all levels. Cost: $20/drop in. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Info: 301986-1090 or Info@TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

Meditation Info Session – 5:30-7pm. Learn about the guided meditation. Rockville Meditation is located just a block away from the White Flint metro station located in the flint hill plaza on Nebel St. Rockville Meditation, 11601 Nebel St, Rockville, MD. Register: 301-770-7778.

Info: RockvilleMeditation@gmail.com or RockvilleMeditation.org.

Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) Meeting – 7-8:30pm. 1st Thurs. Open to anyone with an interest in living gluten-free. Meet with other like-minded individuals to share ideas and recipes.

Held by Babette Lamarre, certified nutritional therapist. Free. Neck, Back and Beyond, 10560 Main St, Ste 204, Fairfax, VA. RSVP: 703-8655690 or NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com.

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June 2015

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I Meditate DC: Introduction to the Art of Living – 7-8pm. See Tues for details. The Art of Living Foundation, 2401 15th St, NW. Register: Secure.

ArtOfLiving.org/Events.aspx.

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Gyrokinesis – 11am-12:30pm. Gyrokinesis helps to build strength and flexibility through a progression from seated stretches to standing movements to floor work. $18. Elements Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Register: FrontDesk@ElementsCenter.com. Info: ElementsCenter.com.

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Introduction to Transcendental Meditation – 3-4:30pm. See Sun for details. Transcendental Meditation Center of Bethesda, 11300 Rockville Pike, Ste 408, Rockville, MD. Register: 301-7705690 or Bethesda@TM.org or TM.org/Bethesda.

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Strength and Balance with Gyrotonic Exercise – 11am-12pm. This group class avoids movements not suitable for those with osteoporosis/osteopenia. $35. Elements Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Register: FrontDesk@ElementsCenter. com. Info: ElementsCenter.com.

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Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown.

Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

N E T P L A

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September

2014 | Washing ton,

Introduction to Transcendental Meditation – 12:30-2pm. See Sun for details. Transcendental Meditation Center of Bethesda, 11300 Rockville Pike, Ste 408, Rockville, MD. Register: 301 7705690 or Bethesda@TM.org or TM.org/Bethesda.

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September

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I Meditate DC: Introduction to the Art of Living – 4-5pm. See Tues for details. The Art of Living Foundation, 2401 15th St, NW. Register: Secure.

ArtOfLiving.org/Events.aspx.

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Anne Maitrepierre-Moss, MSJ

August 29 - Sylvan Theater

Autism Consultant/Holistic Health and Wellness Coach

Autism Diagnosis?

Customized Help is on the Horizon!

70 Upper Rock Circle Apt. 401 Rockville, MD 20850

44

Washington, D.C.

Mob. (301-461-2135 amaitrepierremoss@ comcast.net NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

□

□

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 Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE NECK, BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER 10560 Main St, Ste PH-1, Fairfax, VA 703-865-5690 NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com NeckBackAndBeyond.com Neck Back & Beyond offers chiropractic and naturopathic care, acupuncture, massage, colon hydrotherapy (colonics), reflexology, lymphatic drainage and more. lasting change to heal the mind, body and soul. Fitness, educational consultant and hypnotist. See ad, page 19.

SHAWNA SNYDER Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA Info@RoseWellness.com • RoseWellness.com 571-529-6699 Shawna Snyder is a licensed acupuncturist specializing in pain management. She effectively relieves pain by custom tailoring a comprehensive treatment plan to achieve optimal results. See ad, page 38.

ALLERGY MANAGEMENT DEBRITT EALEY

Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 Info@RoseWellness.com • RoseWellness.com DeBritt Ealey specializes in the treatment of all forms of symptoms associated with allergies and sensitivities with the Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT) therapy. See ad, page 38.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE NOVA CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

4635 Chain Bridge Rd, Ste 100, McLean, VA 703-229-3106 NOVAAlternativeMed.com

Our holistic approach gets to the nexus of your pain and treats your pain’s cause, not just your symptoms. Dr. Sanford’s approach and treatment will greatly improve your quality of life. Specializing i n p e r i p h e r a l n e u r o p a t h y, chiropractic care, acupuncture, nutrition, physical therapy and functional medicine. See ad, page 31.

BIRTH CENTER NOVA NATURAL BIRTH CENTER 4200 A Technology Ct, Chantilly, VA 703-357-3808 • PeggyFran@gmail.com NovaBirthCenter.com

Beautiful, Intimate, Childbirth the way it was designed, Naturally. See ad, page 26.

AROMATHERAPY MOTHER’S NATURE STORE 703-851-0087 Laina_Poulakos@hotmail.com MothersNatureStore.com

BIRTH SUPPORT

Certified aromatherapist and herbalist offering lifestyle consultations and handmade products, including soaps, balms, and beard oils. Reach a better state of body and mind. See ad, page 20.

PEACEFUL EARTH, GRACEFUL BIRTH

202-297-2722 PeacefulEarthGracefulBirth@gmail.com PeacefulEarthGracefulBirth.com

AUTISM CONSULTING ANNE MAITREPIERRE-MOSS

our office or your home.

301-461-2135 AMaitrepierreMoss@comcast.net

Autism consultation and holistic wellness coaching from a veteran autism mom. Provides support for parents of children with autism, including those who have been newly diagnosed. See ad, page 44.

BARRE BARRE TONE

370 Maple Avenue West Unit 1, Vienna 703-242-TONE (8663) Barre-Tone.com Jazz up your routine and experience the latest trend in full body workout. Barre Tone is ideal for those who want to sculpt, strengthen, and increase flexibility, while enjoying the infusion of dance, aerobics with the benefits of the ballet barre at its core. Leave with renewed energy, a calmer spirit and a new passion for life.

BEDROOM FURNITURE SAVVY REST NATURAL BEDROOM

258 Maple Ave East, Vienna and 12242 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 703-255-7040 (VA) or 301-770-7040 (MD) Maddie@SavvyRest.com • SRNB.com

Savvy Rest Natural Bedroom is the premier retailer of Savvy Rest organic mattresses and bedding, a Virginia manufacturer, and retailer of fine bedroom furniture. See ad, page 25.

We offer birth and postpartum labor support services. Personal and group childbirth education classes as well as vaginal steaming in

BOTANICAL GARDENS MEADOWLARK BOTANICAL GARDENS 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 703-255-3631 KTomlinson@Nvrpa.org • Nvrpa.org

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, a public garden for all the senses, a place of peace and reflection.

Near Wolf Trap in Vienna.

CHIROPRACTOR NECK, BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

10560 Main St, Ste PH-1, Fairfax, VA 703-865-5690 NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com NeckBackAndBeyond.com Neck Back & Beyond offers chiropractic and naturopathic care, acupuncture, massage, colon hydrotherapy (colonics), reflexology, lymphatic drainage and more. lasting change to heal the mind, body and soul. Fitness, educational consultant and hypnotist. See ad, page 19.

CLEANING MAID BRIGADE CAPITAL REGION

4813-A Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 800-515-6243 Marketing@Maid-Brigade.com MaidBrigade.com

We are Green Clean Certified so you can have peace of mind that your home will be healthier for you, your pets, and the environment. See ad, page 9.

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June 2015

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DOULA

CONSULTING

THE DC DOULA

GRACE PRODUCTIONS

Grace Ogden, Principal 301-445-6771 • GraceProductions.co Grace Ogden leads this consulting and event production firm that supports progressive social change with an awareness of why spiritual principles and practices matter.

See ad, page 15.

202-630-HOOK (4665) TheDCDoula@gmail.com • TheDCDoula.com Picture Plan for your future.

Birth and postpartum doula offering a variety of women’s wellness services.

We support birth with great confidence and help you welcome your new baby. See ad, page 26.

EDUCATION COUNSELING MARY KENDELL, MS, NP

Individual and Couples Therapy GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • GWICM.com YourSexualHealthMatters@gmail.com Evaluation, treatment, counseling, and education for all sexual health concerns. See ad, page 2.

NATALIE X. KORYTNYK, PHD

Individual & Couples Therapy GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com With over 20 years of experience, D r. N a t a l i e K o r y t n y k i s a psychologist with an expertise in relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, work stress, eating disorders and self-esteem. See ad, page 2.

DENTISTRY NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES

5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW 202-237-7000 ext 118 NIHADC.com

Leaders in integrative medicine and biological dentistry at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, our team of integrative doctors blends the best of Western medicine and safe, proven complementary and alternative therapies to help the body heal. See ad, page 19.

EMPOWERED LEARNING TRANSFORMATIONAL CENTER

Washington, D.C.

877-534-5534 HealingGateway.com

Sherry Lynn Dmytrewycz invites you to enter into a healthier, unlimited life with an energy clearing for you, your space or your animals. Handson or distance sessions. See ad, page 38.

HEALTH COACH BETH LINDLEY CONSULTANCY 202-285-8191 Beth@BethLindley.com BethLindley.com

Empowered Learning Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n Centers (ELTC) help people of all ages and ability achieve peak performance levels in the areas of learning, focus and attention. See ad, page 38.

Corporate Wellness Consultant Beth Lindley is fiercely committed to working with forward-thinking companies that are looking to make a big impact but that have escalating health care costs and unhealthy kitchens to transform their company kitchens into health conscious havens and increase their revenue and the impact they can create with their business. She offers personalized kitchen makeovers for COOs, CFOs and employees as well. See ad, page 37.

WASHINGTON WALDORF SCHOOL

LOTUS HEALTH AND HEALING

8120 Woodmont Ave, Ste 150, Bethesda, MD 301-654-5919 Bethesda@ELTCenters.com ELTCenters.com

4800 Sangamore Rd, Bethesda, MD 301-229-6107 SSmith@WashingtonWaldorf.com WashingtonWaldorf.org

Washington Waldorf offers a holistic education that blends arts, movement, and practical skills with academics at every step. Pre-K-12. Imagine a better way to learn.

See ad, page 37.

ENERGY HEALING LIZETTE AYALA Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 Info@RoseWellness.com • RoseWellness.co Lizette Ayala, Energy Health Coach, specializes in teaching the art of self-healing and mind-body health, breaking energy draining patterns and reducing unproductive stress. See ad, page 38.

ETHEREAL HEALING

Angel Barkley 312-618-4881 Love-LetGo-Live@hotmail.com The highest creation of man is to UNCONDITIONALLY LOVE everyone as his divine loves him.

Follow, believe, hold faith and journey with me to healing. See ad, page 11.

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HEALING GATEWAY

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

301-760-6924 EmpoweredHealth@LotusHealthAndHealing.org LotusHealthAndHealing.org Piamas Puatrakul is a health empowerment coach and pharmacist. She believes in the body’s ability to heal through self-awareness, diet change, emotional healing, meditation, and spiritual practice. Combining her background in both Eastern and Western healing practices, Pia helps clients suffering from chronic illness, stress and anxiety to reduce prescription medication and reawaken their natural ability to heal. See ad, page 20.

HEALTH EVENT PLANNING PAM SNYDER EVENTS, LLC 703-402-7223 PamSnyderEvents@gmail.com PamSnyderEvents.com

With over 25 years experience event planning, our concentration is in the area of Health and Wellness.

Whether you are interested in a high-energy full-scale conference or a small meeting/workshop, let us help plan your next health and wellness event.

HEALTHY PETS CHICO’S NATURAL PET DEPOT

6349 A Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 703-750-6675 Chicos@PetDepot.net • ChicosPetDepot.com

Chico’s Pet Depot Holistic Pet Care is your neighborhood all natural, organic and holistic pet food, supplements and alternative remedies for all your pet needs. Unique and customized supplies catering to your special needs companion. Pet adoption, grooming, pet events and more. See ad, page 30.

WHOLE PET CENTRAL

Info@WholePetCentral.com WholePetCentral.com We are your one-stop destination for all things natural regarding your pet’s nutritional and grooming needs. Shop online or visit one of our stores locations in Rockville, MD, Herndon, VA or Ashburn, VA. See ad, page 8.

HERBS GREEN COMFORT SCHOOL OF HERBAL MEDICINE

540-937-4283 • Green.Comfort@gmail.com Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine offers a variety of learning opportunities for the beginning and more advanced student of holistic life practice. See ad, page 17.

MOTHER’S NATURE STORE 703-851-0087 Laina_Poulakos@hotmail.com MothersNatureStore.com

Certified aromatherapist and herbalist offering lifestyle consultations and handmade products, including soaps, balms, and beard oils. Reach a better state of body and mind. See ad, page 20.

HOLISTIC HEALING YOUR LIFE ENERGY HOLISTIC CENTER 311 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 571-319-0093 • YourLifeEnergy.com Maricela@YourLifeEnergy.com

We integrate fitness, wellness and holistic modalities for the care of the body, mind and soul.

Bringing renewal, harmony and balance in your life. Our services: yoga, Zumba, massages nutrition and health coaching, meditation. Reiki, animal Reiki, EFT, Emotion Code Therapy, crystal healing and tuning forks. See ad, page 39.

ANGELA GABRIEL, MSOM, LAC, CH

HOLISTIC PARENTING

GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055, 202-300-4981 Gwcim.com

HOLISTIC MOMS NETWORK ARLINGTON/ALEXANDRIA CHAPTER 571-451-8273 HolisticMomsArlAlex@gmail.com HolisticMomsArlAlex.blogspot.com

A nonprofit resource for parents seeking support in their natural lifestyle choices. All chapters hold monthly meetings and most offer supplemental activities.

CHAS GANT, MD, PHD

National Integrative Health Associates 5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW, DC 202-237-7000 DoctorChas.com

HOLISTIC PROMOTIONS EARTHLIGHT PROMOTIONS 703-401-9663 BeverlyNickerson@comcast.net EarthLightPromotions.com

Bringing back the indigenous wisdom to our modern world. Organizing sacred retreat, reconnect with nature and sacred sites travel. Promoting holistic healers, traditional ancient medicine and wellness workshops. See ad, page 32.

HOME ENVIRONMENT MIKHAIL SOGONOV, PH.D.

InSitu EcoTesting LLC GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Sogonov@InSitu-ET.com Consulting company inspecting indoor environment for biological agents negatively affecting human health. Mainly focused on mold, also includes sewage contamination and pet and pest allergens.

See ad, page 2.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE CASEY HEALTH INSTITUTE

800 South Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg 301-664-6464 KGill@CaseyHealth.org CaseyHealth.org

Classical Chinese medicine, Japanese-style acupuncture, pain and stress management, chronic issues, family care, women’s health, pregnancy, children, Kiiko Matsumoto-style acupuncture, moxibustion, integrative medicine.

See ad, page 2.

Casey Health offers primary care, acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy, yoga therapy, massage, behavioral health, wellness classes, and health coaching all aimed at getting people healthy. See ad, page 5.

Dr. Gant, an internationally known author and integrative/functional medicine physician, addresses the root causes of chronic medical and psychiatric disorders, unique to each patient in all age ranges. See ad, page 37.

GW CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 908 New Hampshire Ave, NW, DC 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com

A clinic that effectively combines use of traditional and conventional evidence-based medical practices through a variety of complementary and alternative therapies and has many years of close collaboration with George Washington University Medical Center and a variety of physicians in most subspecialties. See ad, page 2.

SUSHMA HIRANI, MD

Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 Info@RoseWellness.com RoseWellness.com Sushma Hirani, MD, specializes in functional and integrative medicine to treat chronic diseases.

She has a special interest in women’s health care, natural hormone balancing, and detoxification. See ad, page 38.

INDIGO INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CLINIC 1010 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 660, DC 202-298-9131 IndigoHealthClinic.com

The body has an innate ability to heal itself and achieve balance from everyday stressors through non-toxic, non-aggressive and highly effective modalities. See ad, page 5.

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MIKHAIL KOGAN, MD

GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com

Dr. Kogan is Medical Director of GW Center for Integrative Medicine where he provides integrative consultations and primary care. In addition, he does geriatric consultations at GW University Hospital and makes home visits to frail patients. See ad, page 2.

NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES

5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW 202-237-7000 ext 118 NIHADC.com

Leaders in Integrative Medicine and Biological Dentistry At National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, our team of Integrative doctors blends the best of western medicine and safe, proven complementary and alternative therapies to help the body heal. See ad, page 19.

ROSE WELLNESS CENTER

2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 Info@RoseWellness.com • RoseWellness.com At Rose Wellness Center, we practice an integrative approach to medicine by combining the best of conventional and alternative medicine. Services include hormone balancing, acupuncture, allergy management (AAT), energy healing, specialty testing, and detoxification. See ad, page 38. .

MEDITATION HUGH BYRNE, PHD Hugh-Byrne.com

Mindfulness-based counseling and meditation instruction. Dr. Byrne teaches classes, retreats, and workshops on Buddhism and meditation in the Washington, D.C. area and nationwide and provides individual counseling.

ROCKVILLE MEDITATION

11601 Nebel St, Rockville, MD 301-770-7778 RockvilleMeditation@gmail.com RockvilleMeditation.org The Rockville Meditation center offers unlimited ROCKVILLE MEDITATION guided meditation sessions www.rockvillemeditation.org daily. The meditation Tel: 301-770-7778 focuses on a method of 11601 Nebel St. Rockville, MD 20852 subtraction. This logical and revolutionary method is about removing the problem of emotional pain and discomfort completely. There is also an END to the meditation. The method reaches to 340 centers worldwide and is causing a sensation in different corners of the world. Make an appointment for your free consultation today. See ad, page 11.

Stop thinking. Start becoming.

MIDWIVES DR. KAI PARKER

The Institute of Multidimensional Medicine 202-429-3783 DrParker@timmed.com • DCMidwife.com As a licensed Homebirth Midwife, Kai Parker provides loving support and personalized care in all stages of pregnancy to women in the DC Metropolitan area. See ad, page 8.

MASSAGE

AT EASE: TRAGER AND MASSAGE Lisa Bregman 202-686-7202 LisaBregman@yahoo.com

NOVA NATURAL BIRTH CENTER

4200 A Technology Ct, Chantilly, VA 703-357-3808 • NovaBirthCenter.com PeggyFran@gmail.com

YOUR LIFE ENERGY HOLISTIC CENTER

311 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 571-319-0093 Maricela@YourLifeEnergy.com YourLifeEnergy.com/Massage We integrate fitness, wellness and holistic modalities for the care of the body, mind and soul. Bringing renewal, harmony and balance in your life. We offer Swedish, sport, Thai and customized massage. Thai reflexology and chair massage. We also have pet massage. See ad, page 39.

Washington, D.C.

THE MINDFULNESS CENTER

301-986-1090 TheMindfulnessCenter@gmail.com TheMindfulnessCenter.org Empowering people to heal.

Embracing optimal wellness.

Mindfulness classes and services offered: yoga, meditation, tai chi, Nia, acupuncture, massage, Reiki, qigong, cranial sacral, hypnosis and more. See ad, page 25

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS DR. KAI PARKER

The Institute of Multidimensional Medicine 202-429-3783 DrParker@timmed.com • DCMidwife.com With advanced training in Eastern and Western Medicine, Dr. Parker combines scientific knowledge with ancient wisdom to provide comprehensive care for all of her patients. See ad, page 8.

MARIANNA LEDENAC, ND

Adult & Pediatric Naturopathic Medicine GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com Dr. Ledenac is a Naturopathic Physician in family medicine caring for adults and children. She has a special focus in weight management (body composition improvement), nutritional assessments, pediatrics and women’s health including fertility care. See ad, page 2.

NUTRITION

Deep bodywork that uses rhythmic, wavelike movement to ease pain, joint and muscle tension, and release long-held uncomfortable movement and postural patterns. See ad, page 2.

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MIND-BODY THERAPY

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Beautiful, intimate, childbirth the way it was designed, naturally. See ad, page 26.

RAW LIVING D-LIGHT

571-471-2891 • Luzy@RawLivingDLight RawLivingDLight.com Alkaline foods to restore your health and nourish your body.

Microgreens and sprouts, foods for superior health. Classes, workshops and private consultation. Available for lectures and home growing consultations.

See ad, page 9.

NUTRITION EDUCATION JULIE WENDT

JWendt@GWCIM.com GWCIM.com

My work as a Nutrition Educator is focused on working in partnership with individuals who want or need to implement changes to their diet and lifestyle in order to achieve optimal health See ad, page 2.

NUTRITIONAL THERAPY ASK BABETTE AT NECK, BACK AND BEYOND

10560 Main St, Ste PH-1, Fairfax, VA 703-862-4612 • Info@AskBabette.com NeckBackAndBeyond.com Babette Lamarre, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, offers individualized recommendations for what to eat/how to live for maximum health and happiness given your particular life situation.

See ad, page 19.

ORGANIC FOOD DELIVERY WINTERGREEN ORGANICS

ZanaZ@WintergreenOrganics.com WintergreenOrganics.com We are your gateway to local, organic and natural farmers. We are your online grocery store. Sign up, click on your food to add to your cart, get delivered. It’s that easy. Life is good and healthy.

See ad, page 11.

YOGA WITH NYA

THERAPEUTIC YOGA

Nya@YogaWithNya.com YogaWithNya.com

LINDA LANG

GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • TherapeuticYogaDC.com A highly experienced practitioner, certified in the medical, therapeutic arena of Cardiac Yoga. Specializing in chronic conditions and degenerative disease. Therapeutic yoga for special conditions and m e d i t a t i o n a r e o ff e r e d b y appointment with GW Center for Integrative Medicine. See ad, page 2.

Nya Alemayhu is a yoga instructor in Washington, D.C., dedicated to building community through sharing the practice of yoga. Nya offers private instruction and workplace yoga. See ad, page 23.

Y’S ELEMENTS

202-246-9592 YaelFlusberg@gmail.com • YaelFlusberg.com Experienced yoga therapist/coach available for group and individual sessions drawing from a deep well of creative, somatic and reflective methods to help you flourish. See ad, page 2.

THERMOGRAPHY NECK, BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

10560 Main St, Ste PH-1, Fairfax, VA 703-865-5690 • NeckBackAndBeyond.com NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com

Neck Back & Beyond in Fairfax, VA, offers chiropractic and naturopathic care, acupuncture, massage, colon hydrotherapy (colonics), reflexology, lymphatic drainage, and thermography clinics. See ad, page 19.

REIKI LUANN JACOBS, SLP/RMT

Reiki-Biofeedback Practitioner GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com Luann provides treatments and trainings in the use of Reiki hands-on and biofeedback for self-care, and Reiki care of others. See ad, page 2.

SPIRITUAL LIVING UNITY OF FAIRFAX

2854 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, VA 703-281-1767 • Admin@UnityOfFairfax.org UnityOfFairfax.org Unity of Fairfax offers a welcoming, environment to explore one’s own relationship with God in a community of like-minded individuals.

STEAM MEDICINE THE WOMB SAUNA

VETERINARIAN - HOLISTIC HOLISTIC VETERINARY HEALING

Pema Choepel Mallu, DVM, CVA, M.Ac, L.Ac 12627 Wisteria Dr, Ste C & D, Germantown 240-715-6570 HolisticVeterinaryHealing.com We offer integrative compassionate veterinary c a r e . We v i e w y o u r animal as a whole focusing on the root cause of dis-harmony for long term healing. See ad, page 19.

VETERINARY HOLISTIC CARE 4820 Moorland Ln, Bethesda, MD 301-656-2882 Info@VHCdoc.com • VHCdoc.com

A holisticveterinary clinic focused on keeping your pet healthy by promoting quality of life while providing excellent integrative medical care in an exceptional environment. See ad, page 23.

YOGA

888-576-WOMB Info@TheWombSauna.com TheWombSauna.com

BUDDHA B YOGA

The Womb Sauna is empowering women world-wide through their unique method of vaginal steaming, all-natural products and online university. Step into your power today.amilies with older children.

Experience a place of refuge and a spiritual center where all are welcome! A Vegan Vinyasa yoga studio and JivaMukti Yoga Center Affiliate. Open 7 days a week and offering over 55 classes a week, including 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training. See ad, page 13.

1115 U St NW, DC, Ste 202 202-588-5885 • BuddhaBYoga.com

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