May 2022 Natural Awakenings Chicago Magazine

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Special Edition

WOMEN’S WELLNESS RESILIENT MOMS

Moving Ahead in Uncertain Times NATURAL REMEDIES FOR FIBROIDS

GROW HERBS & VEGGIES IN A CONTAINER GARDEN THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF INTERMITTENT FASTING FREE

MAY 2022 | CHICAGO | NACHICAGO.COM

If menopause is a “normal” phase of life, why do I feel so far from normal?

Reclaim Your Life…

“I am a family physician who tried to cure myself for a few years, as I was suffering from menopausal symptoms, fatigue and a change in my body weight and composition. It was hard to find a cure. Fortunately, I found this at Heal n Cure with Dr. Meena Malhotra. The practice is very well organized, focused on patient’s needs, and very cost effective in the long run. I went from 146 pounds to 138 in two short months and feel great.” ~Bella

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A common misconception is that estrogen levels get diminished during menopause while many postmenopausal women have plenty of estrogen, but in reality, several other hormone levels are out of whack. Menopause symptoms may be a natural phenomenon, but there is no reason to believe we can’t make this phase of life as enjoyable as possible

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Our Next Seminar:

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June 2nd at 6:30 pm

Call to see if you qualify and RSVP as seating is limited!

♦ Mood Disturbance 2

Chicago

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Contents

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 27 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

21 MOTHERING THE WORLD

22

20

22 RESILIENT MOTHERING How Moms Are Forging Ahead in a Changing World

26 FENDING OFF FIBROIDS Natural Approaches Offer Relief

28 THE MYSTERY OF

‘NORMAL’ MENOPAUSE

34

44

36

30 INTERMITTENT FASTING BASICS

How to Improve Health by Eating Less Often

34 THE BLENDED FAMILY Tips for Creating a Successful Stepfamily

36 EASY CONTAINER

39

GARDENING

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 847-858-3697 or email info@NAChicago.com. Deadline for complete and finalized ads: the 14th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Amy@NAChicago.com.

Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit online at: NAChicago.com/events/new or email Calendar Events to: Calendar@NAChicago.com. Deadline for calendar: the 8th 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 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

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How to Grow Edibles in Pots and Planters

38 ROOKERIES

Reveal Lives of Herons, Egrets and Cormorants

42 JEFFREY BLAND on Rejuvenating Our Immune System

44 SAVING BIRDS FROM CATS

Simple Strategies to Protect Feathered Friends

42

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M

ay is an incredible month of vibrant seasonal transformation. Here in the Chicago area, we’ve pretty much finally shaken the last vestiges of winter weather, even after this year’s reluctant spring. The outside world is a palette of fresh colors displayed abundantly in flowers and newly emerged leaves. The aroma of fresh blossoms drifts through the air. Rainy days are warmer, days are longer and the sun seems to shine more brightly.

All year, I eagerly anticipate May mornings when I can finally open the windows and hear the sounds of spring birdsong. There’s something so magical about stepping out the door and being enveloped in the layered songs of countless birds as they travel through the area. This is the main month of spring Peggy Malecki migration, when the chorus starts at dawn and begins anew at dusk. I think about myriad robins singing their twilight songs from the trees in May and June and can’t help but smile. To this day, I remember sitting on the back steps in our city backyard when I was a kid, learning the robin’s song and attempting to add my whistle to the chorus.

May’s calendar seems to fill so quickly, and as we transition back to more in-person events and gatherings, plus general busy-ness, it’s not always easy to mindfully stay in the moment and notice the wonders of spring. As social activities return, we may feel more external stress from family and community, and more internal stress to get it all done while managing a new routine. It’s time to take a breath, give ourselves a break and savor the glorious days of May. This month in Natural Awakenings Chicago we celebrate May with a focus on women’s wellness and take a look at resiliency as it applies to our health. In our main feature, “Resilient Mothering, How Moms are Forging Ahead in a Changing World,” writer Carrie Jackson explores some new habits and self-care techniques that may help us rebalance our mental health and navigate new challenges as we move into the summer months. We also cover healthful topics that include natural approaches to preventing and managing fibroids, balancing menopausal symptoms, keeping hydrated, rejuvenating our immune systems and how intermittent fasting may help some people improve overall wellness.

Fresh, local food is always on trend, and we feature some great recipes for seasonal eating, as well as tips from the experts (including Chicago Botanic Garden horticulturist Lisa Hilgenberg) on starting an edible container garden in your yard or on the deck.

Our wildlife expert Sheryl DeVore takes us to some local bird rookeries where avian parents are also very busy this month raising their new families.

Before summer gets here, I encourage you to take in all the wonders that May has to offer. Take a slow walk on a misty day, stop to admire the abundant flowers and trees, sit in the warm sun and savor this amazing month. Stop by an independent garden center to check out the native plants and early vegetable starts. Shop a farmers market for spring-only veggies. Open a window to feel the warm, humid breeze. And of course, find a few May days to rise a little early, pour your morning beverage and step outside to greet the birds.

Happy May!

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

CHICAGO EDITION Publisher Peggy Malecki Sales & Marketing Peggy Malecki

Carrie Jackson Heidi Hetzel Dee Bayro Operations Amy Hass Editors Marty Miron Theresa Archer

Randy Kambic Writers Carrie Jackson Megy Karydes Sheryl DeVore Design & Production Suzzanne Siegel

Martin Friedman

CONTACT US Natural Awakenings Chicago P.O. Box 72, Highland Park, IL 60035 Ph: 847-858-3697 • Fax: 888-858-3107 Info@NAChicago.com • NAChicago.com Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $29 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

NATIONAL TEAM CEO/Founder COO/Franchise Sales Production Designer Financial Manager Asst. Director of Ops Digital Content Director National Advertising Administrative Assistant

Sharon Bruckman Joe Dunne Gabrielle W-Perillo Yolanda Shebert Heather Gibbs Rachael Oppy Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Kristy Mayer

© 2022 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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Photo credit Peggy Malecki

from the publisher…

Improve your tummy health

by way of telehealth.

Is your body telling you it needs help?

Do new symptoms creep up on you too fast?

Have dietary modifications failed to provide relief ?

Help is a phone call away.

into the bloodstream through a condition called “leaky gut syndrome,” which often leads to more serious conditions like Crohn’s Disease, colitis, and other autoimmune disorders.

Environmental irritants also affect digestion.

Reneé Barasch, Certified Digestive Health and Detoxification Specialist, has been helping clients achieve nutritional balance and enhance quality of life for more than 17 years. Reneé’s individualized plans help clients re-boot their digestive tracts and increase absorption of needed nutrients—creating the environment for detoxification of all organs and the pathways between them.

The environment can also produce irritation and inflammation. Everyday, airborne toxins — perfumes, cleaning products, smoke, automotive exhaust, indoor dust, and springtime pollen— find their way into our bloodstream (in less than 20 seconds!) and cause digestive organs to work overtime. A runny nose, itchy eyes, and red and blotchy skin often result in a trip to the allergist, when a digestive imbalance may be contributing.

Working with Reneé, you will:

Stay strong and healthy with a gut ‘reset.’

• Identify digestive triggers. (Some may surprise you!)

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and those that don’t.

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Digestion is one of the main ways the body detoxifies and cleanses.

If the food you consume isn’t thoroughly broken down, your body cannot work as efficiently as it should. Poor digestion causes stress for the entire digestive system and leads to gas, bloating, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea—and even insomnia, psoriasis, eczema, chronic pain, and anxiety. Undigested food can seep

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May 2022

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news briefs

Will County Forest Preserve District Hosts Spring Migration Celebration

Discover Benefits of Emsculpt Neo at thriveMD Open House

T

Photo by Paul Dacko

Location: 1355 Remington Rd., Ste. I, Schaumburg. RSVP (required) at 312-600-5070 or at thriveMD.com. See ads on page 5, in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

Infinity Foundation 25th Anniversary Gala to Feature Cyndi Dale

Admission is free and registration is not required. For more information and directions, visit ReconnectWithNature.org.

Location for both: 1200 Saunders Rd., Riverwoods. For more information and registration, visit InfinityFoundation.org. See ads on page 19, in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

CLICK ON nachicago.com 8

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Photo courtesy of Infinity Foundation

S

upport and celebrate the Infinity Foundation community at a vital fundraising evening event on May 13 at the Ravinia Green Country Club. A practitioners’ fair with mini-demonstrations and silent auction from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. precedes an elegant dinner at 8 p.m. 2022 Spirit Award recipient Cyndi Dale, a recognized authority in the field of energy work and an author, will be the keynote speaker. Admission is $125 Cyndi Dale plus optional VIP meet-andgreet opportunity with Dale ($50 additional).

A daylong workshop with Dale, titled Activating Energetic & Empowering Pathways, including lunch, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 14. She has written 26 books about energy medicine, intuition and holistic healing, including the recent Advanced Chakra Healing. She will explain how to claim and direct three types of supernatural resources to promote health that is healing and transformative. Cost is $140/$125 payment 10 days in advance.

T

he Forest Preserve District of Will County will sponsor a Migration Celebration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 14, at the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, in Channahon. This is the time of year songbirds migrating from South America pass through the area on their way to breeding grounds in the forests of Canada. These tiny travelers use forest preserves as stopover spots to rest and refuel.

Participants can learn the secrets of these birds’ extraordinary journeys during guided hikes, family activities and presentations.

During the event, keynote speaker Joel Greenberg will present On Contested Ground: The Changing Nature of the Prairie Forest Ecotone about the plants, birds and other wildlife of the area, and how their status has changed since Europeans first arrived in 1673. Greenberg will be selling and signing copies of his book.

The event also includes live raptor presentations by Hoo’s Woods, a wildlife photography exhibit featuring local artists, bird seed for sale from The Feed Loft, birdhouses and sculptures for sale from PK’s Wood Things and food truck fare from Lil’ Deb’s Mobile Eats.

hrive MD will host an open house from 4 to 6 p.m., May 4, to introduce the Emsculpt Neo. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration-cleared, long-lasting Emsculpt Neo is the first and only non-invasive body shaping procedure that provides simultaneous fat elimination and muscle building in a combined 30-minute session.

The method can reduce fat by 30 percent and increase muscle by 25 percent. Clients having a body mass index of up to 35 can sculpt their abdomen, buttocks, arms, legs and calves. The treatment is quick and convenient, with no pain or downtime.

Open House Chicago Fair Trade: World Fair Trade Day Celebration

I

n honor of World Fair Trade Day 2022, Chicago Fair Trade member businesses, organizations and allies are hosting events on May 14 throughout the city to showcase how they support economic and environmental justice.

Attendees will receive virtual passports to use when checking in at different sites; those that do so at three or more will be entered to win a fair trade raffle valued at more than $200. Chicago Fair Trade is the largest and most active fair trade coalition in the U.S. Activities include a kickoff event hosted by Jerome McDonnell at Metropolis Roasterie, in Avondale; a fair trade sample sale at Sobremesa’s space, in West Garfield Park; fair trade cocktails and tours at local indie designer Production Mode, in Pilsen; studio tours and weaving demos at the Weaving Mill, in Humboldt Park; and shopping at the Andersonville Galleria, Union Handmade, Embellish and Eco & the Flamingo. Suburban locations include Glen Ellyn, Oak Park, Evanston and Deerfield.

Itineraries are neighborhood-based for easy access and an interactive map listing all participating locales is available at ChicagoFairTrade.org/events. See ad on page 19.

Good Days Start With Better Nights Supplements that Support Healthy Sleep Habits Improving your sleep can improve many other aspects of your life, but resting easier isn’t so simple for many people. Fortunately, you don’t have to take sleep challenges lying down. Standard Process and MediHerb® offer a range of products — a number of which contain plants grown on the Standard Process certified organic farm in Wisconsin.

E-Z MG™

Magnesium is involved in sleep pathways that support brain homeostatic sleep processes.

MIN-TRAN®

Contains mineral complexes to support emotional balance.*

MEDIHERB® KAVA FORTE

Contains compounds that calm the nerves, ease the effects of stress, support muscle relaxation, and promote sleep.*

Find a health care professional near you who offers Standard Process products at standardprocess.com/Find standardprocess.com *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. ©2022 Standard Process Inc. All rights reserved. LN02226 03/22

May 2022

9

news briefs

Dr. Montalvo Offers Webinar to Explore Lyme Disease

J

essica Montalvo, M.D., of Forum Health Wheaton, a certified tick-borne infections provider, will present an online webinar, Lyme Disease 101, at 7 p.m., May 19, to break down the complex and frustrating nature of Lyme disease and how to heal using an integrative medicine approach.

Participants will learn why Lyme is difficult to diagnose and the best methods for diagnosis; common coinfections associated with Lyme; how to identify and cope with Lyme flare-ups; how to treat chronic Lyme Jessica Montalvo, M.D. disease with an integrative medicine approach; and engage in a Q&A session.

Montalvo is a certified Moorcraft Lyme disease practitioner, and certified Re-Code Practitioner. She blends her knowledge of conventional medicine with functional and integrative medicine therapies and principles and a science-based cognitive and recovery program developed by renown brain health expert Dale Bredesen, M.D.

Image courtesy of Northwest Medical Screening

Register at ForumHealthWheaton.com. See ads on page 17, in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

Save on Proactive Screening for Women’s Health

I

n celebration this month of all the women in our lives, Northwest Medical Screening (formerly known as Northwest Medical Thermography) is offering Women’s Health Check Screenings at a special rate. Clients can save $100 on this comprehensive, half-body, thermography screening for issues that women are most concerned about, including dental, TMJ, thyroid, heart, lymphatic and breast health, as well as signs of imbalanced hormone levels and autoimmune indicators. Screenings are offered in locations across the Chicago area, including Oak Park and Lake Barrington.

“We lose too many moms, aunts, sisters, daughters and friends to conditions that go undetected until they become a medical emergency. My passion is helping women identify medical dysfunction in their body when it’s still in a reversable state,” says founder Erica Cody.

Non-invasive, painless, preventive screenings can detect inflammation and other signs of dysfunction at an early stage, allowing individuals to be aware of what is happening in their body and make their own choice of what medical action they may want to take. All screenings are performed by an experienced, certified technician, with private results prepared by a radiologist M.D. Offer is valid for Women’s Health Check Screenings purchased by May 31 and booked by August 31. For more information, to schedule an appointment or to bring mobile screenings to a practitioner office, call Erica Cody at 224-600-3216 or visit NorthwestMedicalScreening.com. See ads on page 29, in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

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Chicago

NAChicago.com

Body Mind Spirit Expo Comes to Tinley Park

T

he Body Mind Spirit Expo will take place 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., June 4, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 5, at the Tinley Park Convention Center. Visitors can share a weekend of shining insights and lifeaffirming wisdom, and enjoy more than 100 exhibitors offering the latest in natural health, personal growth and metaphysics.

Among more than 50 authors, psychics, mediums, channels and healers are Sharon Sampsel and Ann Marie Ellison. Lauri Rodic, of Angelic Roots, will provide sound healing baths. Other speakers include Sandy Wilcox, Camille Conti and Paul Ling Tai, M.D. Attendees may choose from aura photos, relaxing massage, quality nutritional supplements and natural healing products or have their future revealed and connect with lost loved ones. All areas of new thought, from ancient healing traditions to New Age technology, are represented.

Cost for the weekend: $15. Free parking.

Location: 18451 Convention Center Dr., Tinley Park. For advance tickets and $1 off coupon, visit bmse.net. See ad on page 3.

Celebrating a Pet’s Life and Legacy

K

at Bright, of Pawsitive Spirit, will be presenting a lecture, Pet Bereavement: Celebrating Their Life and Legacy, in a speaker session at The Body Mind Spirit Expo at the Tinley Park Convention Center at 11 a.m., June 4. She is an animal reader, pet medium and intuitive advisor who appears at events helping people to understand their pets, heal from a loss or just collaborate on how to empower their own lives and get unstuck.

Cost for the weekend: $15. Free parking.

Location: 18451 Convention Center Dr., Tinley Park. For advance tickets and $1 off coupon, visit bmse.net. For more information about Pawsitive Spirit, call 813-738-5683, email PawsitiveSpirit1@gmail.com or visit @PawsitiveSpirit.home on Facebook.

New 21-Day Guided Meditation Available to Raise Personal Awareness

V

alue-U has released the 21-day Guided Meditations with Hebrew chants to raise vibration and provide focus, clarity, peace and self-awareness. Hebrew is one of the five sacred languages, and it evokes a reality in our consciousness. The letters and syllables comprise a higher dimensional vibrational code with its own inherent vibrational signature. Translations are provided. Its vision is to awaken individuals to their true self and provide a highly conscious community in which to share, enrich and enjoy life in oneness.

Cofounder Lynda Hope says, “We wish to raise the frequency of this planet, and it all begins with each of us. Low self-esteem is at an all-time high. We are here to remind, uplift, shine and enlighten all who seek to discover their true nature.

It takes 21 days to establish a spiritual practice.”

Meditation is free. Cost: $49.95 for the journal and CD of the chants, plus shipping, handling and any appropriate taxes. For a free demonstration, visit Value-U.com. See ad in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

SCAN ME To Win a FREE

VITACLAY COOKER Enter by May 31, 2022 at vitaclaychef.com/pages/win-vitaclay

Life Changes can be Bumpy, even Turbulent!

You can consciously choose how you want to come out the other side. Call me.

Let’s turn your stress to strength so you can move through in a more confident, kinder, and joyful way!

Coaching and De-stressing – so YOU can Change Your World!

262-745-8362 • www.SarahDKarnes.com May 2022

11

news briefs

Free! Crate Free Illinois App

In-Person Judging Returns to Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards

F

or a fast, easy way to find local farmers, farmers markets and farm-to-table restaurants, the mobile app from Crate Free USA, a local animal welfare nonprofit, connects consumers with farmers that raise animals naturally and respect the environment. Now in its fifth year, the Crate Free Illinois app includes hundreds of farmers, farmers markets and now dozens of restaurants that source locally.

Remember that when buying meat, dairy or eggs from large grocery chains, patrons are likely consuming products from animals that have suffered on factory farms.

A

fter a two-year hiatus, the Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards (CEGA) is back again, free and in person.

CEGA judges will visit city backyards, patios, school lots and more, looking for gardens that best exemplify our citizens’ efforts to make Chicago neighborhoods more beautiful and sustainable.

Contestants may enter their garden through the website application form from May 1 to July 1. Judges have set a goal of reaching every Chicago ward, neighborhood and green corner of the city this year.

The 2022 awards ceremony will take place in September at a venue to be announced. The contest is open to residents of the city of Chicago. Only one entry per garden will be accepted. There is no entry fee. Award-winning entries receive certificates and permanent, allweather signs that can be displayed yearround in the gardens. CEGA welcomes Chicago gardens of all shapes and sizes, including residential, community, school, church, business and urban farms to enter.

Free on Android and iOS at CrateFreeUSA.org/mobile-app.

National Lymphatic Centers Opens Third Office

N

ational Lymphatic Centers (NLC) has opened a third location in Downtown Hinsdale, conveniently located near the south Ogden Avenue exit of I-294.

Additional NLC offices are located in Joliet and Downers Grove.

Established in 1991, NLC focuses on hands-on patient care using the Vodder, Foldi and Vogel Method of Manual Lymphatic Drainage medical massage, which can be beneficial for those with inflammation, lymphedema, long-haul COVID, detox, cosmetic surgery (including pre-operative care to release tension and fascial restrictions before surgery) and postoperative manual lymphatic drainage medical massage for the best chance Sharon Vogel of recovery.

Videos are available on the website to learn more and discover if this modality is a good fit. Complimentary consults are available by appointment. NLC schedules clients using an online scheduler for individual visits of first or follow-up 70-minute sessions.

Locations: 7 N Grant St., Hinsdale; 5002a Main St., Downers Grove; 3100 Theodore St., Ste. 202, Joliet. For more information and appointments and more information, call 630-241-4100 or visit Lymphatics.net. See ads in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

to all Moms!

Pet Moms count, too!

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Photo by germanshepherdcountry.com

Happy Mother’s Day

To enter, visit ChicagoGardeningAwards. org/entry-form. See ad on page 11.

CLICK ON nachicago.com/videopodcasts and find the latest health and wellness

PODCASTS

Photo by pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3760279

SPONSORED CONTENT

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MINDFUL

CO-PARENTING Healthy Co-Parenting Tips from Grunyk Family Law

Photo Credit: DEONNA CARUSO PHOTOGRAPHY

The smell of fresh rain, tulips and trees budding back to life, the sounds of birds and wildlife waking up from a long winter nap – these are the moments we yearn for as spring holidays approach.

But for many families, there is an underlying feeling that their Mother’s Day or Father’s Day holidays will not be filled with excitement and celebration, but instead with anxiety and stress as they struggle to co-parent. For many families, the idea of co-parenting and sharing time with your ex is not something to celebrate. Some families are sharing these holidays for the very first time. Others are realizing it’s the last shared holiday with their child who is about to

turn 18 and can soon decide where to spend it next year. The attorneys at Grunyk Family Law, in Naperville, understand the difficult nature of co-parenting during the holidays and offer some healthy strategies to these families.

DEVELOP A THOROUGH PARENTING AGREEMENT Parenting agreements are legal documents that outline your rights and obligations as a parent and address parenting time for every holiday and school break until the child turns 18. These agreements are designed to protect your children, you and the other parent when making decisions. They should be completed by an experienced family law attorney who is capable of offering the “what if ” scenarios.

USE HEALTHY COMMUNICATION Communication is key to all successful relationships. The same is true for co-parenting. Open communication can mitigate a lot of confusion and frustration for parents and children alike. Compare calendars and plan ahead. If you feel like you need help communicating effectively, mediation may be an option for you. Mediation is a great problem-solving tool for co-parents. Furthermore, sometimes adjustments need to be made to a parenting agreement, and mediation can be utilized for this purpose.

HONORING YOUR EX’S CUSTOMS AND MAKING NEW MEMORIES Many families have holiday traditions. Maybe it’s Christmas Eve at Grandma Nancy’s house, or Father’s Day at the golf club. Perhaps in a family with parents of the same sex, there is an issue over who gets to celebrate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. When developing a parenting agreement, consider what’s important to you and the other parent involved. Which traditions can be maintained? Where is there some flexibility? A positive attitude is vital when it comes to co-parenting. Your children will love spending time with you on the holiday itself or the weekend before.

May 2022

13

health briefs

The 17.6 million Americans living within one kilometer of one of the country’s 100,000 hydraulic fracturing (fracking) facilities face a higher risk of heart problems, cancer and respiratory disease, recent research suggests. In the latest study from Harvard, statisticians found that living near or downwind from a fracking site contributes to earlier death among elderly people. Combining the Medicare records of 15 million people over age 65 with zip codes of fracking wells, they found that the closer to the wells people lived, the greater their risk of premature mortality.

Those that lived closest had a statistically significant elevated mortality risk (2.5 percent higher) compared with those that didn’t live close by, and those living downwind faced a higher risk of premature death than those upwind. The results suggest that airborne contaminants emitted by the wells are contributing to the increased mortality, the researchers write.

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Chicago

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Try Tai Chi to Boost Neurological Health With its slow, rhythmic, controlled movements and synchronized, deep breathing, the ancient Chinese practice of tai chi has been shown to improve balance, reduce falls and enhance the quality of life for people with neurological challenges such as strokes, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. A meta-review of 24 studies by researchers at the University of North Texas Health Science Center concluded that tai chi may be able to reduce pro-inflammatory contributors to cellular activity, increase anti-inflammatory cytokines that help regulate immune response, decrease oxidative stress factors and increase neurotrophic factors regulating neural health.

Researchers pointed to its “potential effectiveness in neurorehabilitation,” which aims to improve the functions and well-being of people with diseases, trauma or disorders of the nervous system.

picture partners/AdobeStock.com

Avoid Living Near a Fracking Facility

A popular staple since ancient times, prunes have long been esteemed for their culinary, nutritional and medicinal purposes, and a new review of research has found that they can also help counter the bone loss linked to fragility in postmenopausal women. After reviewing 28 studies, Penn State University researchers reported in the journal Advances in Nutrition that eating five to 10 prunes each day can help prevent or delay bone loss, lowering the risk of fractures. In one study, women that ate 100 grams of prunes (about 10) per day for one year experienced improved bone mineral density in their forearms and lower spines.

In another study, eating five to 10 prunes a day for six months was shown to prevent bone density loss and decrease TRAP-5b, a boneloss marker. The nutritional benefits of prunes, including minerals, vitamin K, phenolic compounds and dietary fiber, may reduce the inflammation and oxidative stress that contribute to bone loss, said the authors.

In a separate study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Harvard Medical School researchers that studied 1,700 older adults for 12 years found that those that ate a highly pro-inflammatory diet rich in simple carbohydrates and saturated fats were more than twice as likely to develop fragility—increasing the risk of falls, hospitalization and death—as those eating the least amount of those sweet, fatty foods.

olga/AdobeStock.com

Eat Prunes and Anti-Inflammatory Food to Reduce Bone Loss and Fragility

Ancient meets modern… popout/AdobeStock.com

The most versatile kitchen appliance in the world.

Practice Good Dental Care to Lower Heart and Cognitive Risks A whopping 47 percent of U.S. adults over 30 have periodontal disease, and the consequences can be severe for their physical and mental health, suggests a new study in the journal BMJ Open. Researchers from the UK University of Manchester followed 64,379 people diagnosed with periodontal disease, including gingivitis, marked by swollen and red gums, as well as periodontitis, in which gums pull away from the tooth and bone or teeth are lost. The subjects, with an average age of 44, were compared over an average of three years to 251,161 people without the disease. Those with periodontal disease had a 37 percent higher risk of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and serious mental illness; a 33 percent higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases like arthritis, Type 1 diabetes and psoriasis; an 18 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, stroke and vascular dementia; and a 26 percent higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.

“This research provides further, clear evidence why healthcare professionals need to be vigilant for early signs of gum disease and how it can have wide-reaching implications for a person’s health, reinforcing the importance of taking a holistic approach when treating people,” says Caroline Aylott, head of research delivery at the University of Birmingham Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research.

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May 2022

15

Vitamin D: the Extraordinary Hormone

As up to 50 million Americans can personally testify, autoimmune disorders (AD) defy easy treatment, but a new study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, offers hope that vitamin D3 supplementation can significantly reduce the risk of incurring these disorders in the first place. Researchers divided 25,871 older adults into four groups: the first took 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily; the second took 1,000 milligrams a day of marine omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil); the third took both D3 and fish oil; and a fourth was given a placebo. After two years, those that took vitamin D with or without the fish oil had a significantly lower rate of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, autoimmune thyroid disease and psoriasis, compared to the placebo group. While the fish oil alone didn’t lower AD risk, there was some evidence that it had an effect over time. “Autoimmune diseases are common in older adults and negatively affect health and life expectancy. Until now, we have had no proven way of preventing them, and now, for the first time, we do,” says first author Jill Hahn, Ph.D., an epidemiologist.

Vitamin D may also protect against COVID-19 severity, report Israeli researchers in the journal PLOS One. Examining the records of 1,176 patients admitted to a hospital with COVID-19-positive PCR tests, they found that those with a vitamin D deficiency (less than 20 nanograms per milliliter in their blood) were 14 times more likely to have a severe or critical case of COVID-19 than those with levels higher than 40 nanograms per milliliter. Mortality among patients with deficient vitamin D levels was 11 times higher than those with sufficient levels—25.6 percent compared to 2.3 percent.

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Dr. Jordan Leasure is the founder of North Shore Pro-Active Health, located at 112 W. Lake St., in Libertyville. For more information and appointments, call 847-362-4476 or visit DrLeasure.com.

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Take Vitamin D to Protect from Autoimmune Disorders and COVID-19 Severity

Vitamin D deficiency (hypovitaminosis D) is a common disorder in the Chicagoland area with our long winters spent indoors. We are meant to absorb vitamin D from the daystar, but either we don’t get to see the sun, cover up or use sunscreen to block the vitamin D from getting to our skin. Ten to 15 minutes per day in bathing suit attire will provide approximately 10,000 IU of vitamin D. Although usually found using a blood test, symptoms of the deficiency include aches and pains, depression and bone demineralization problems. Vitamin D is fundamentally important for the regulation of how the body functions—more than 200 genes are controlled by vitamin D, and at least 35 different tissues in the body have receptors. For instance, vitamin D receptors in the pancreas regulate blood levels of insulin.

Some common conditions that vitamin D supplementation can improve include blood pressure, depression and low back pain. For those looking to boost immunity, vitamin D may be the answer because it controls the immune response in autoimmune conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis and arthritis (meaning the body doesn’t attack itself).

It is recommended to be tested every six months (see SalutogenicLife.com) to make sure vitamin D levels are where they should be.

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health briefs

Buzz Kill

More Bad News for Bumblebees

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A joint Emory University and University of Washington study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B indicates that streptomycin, an antibiotic sprayed on orchard crops to combat bacterial diseases, slows the cognition of bumblebees and reduces their foraging efficiency. Laura Avila, first author of the paper and a postdoctoral fellow in the Emory Department of Biology, states, “No one has examined the potential impacts on pollinators of broadcast spraying of antibiotics in agriculture despite their widespread use.”

The researchers think that the negative impact of streptomycin on bumblebees may be due to the disruption of the insects’ microbiome.

In lab experiments with managed bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) to test the effects of an upper-limit dietary exposure to streptomycin, half of the bees were fed sugar water to simulate nectar. The remaining bees were fed sucrose dosed with streptomycin. After two days on this diet, the bees fed streptomycin displayed a marked decrease in short-term memory and foraging ability. The scientists note the timing of antibiotic application, the amount applied and possible alternatives to the use of an antibiotic may be potential mitigation methods if research verifies the harmful impacts on bumblebees of agricultural spraying with streptomycin.

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global briefs Western Megadrought Surge Continues

Trouble in Solar Paradise

Prescription Problem Pharmaceutical Pollution is Out of Control

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A megadrought is a dry spell that lasts for more than 20 years, and the Southwestern U.S. endured the worst occurrence since at least 800 A.D. in the period from 2000 to 2021. So says research based on evidence embedded in tree rings from 1,600 sites in the North American West published in the journal Nature Climate Change. University of California-Los Angeles climate scientist and lead author Park Williams says, “The results are really concerning, because it’s showing that the drought conditions we are facing now are substantially worse because of climate change ... but there is quite a bit of room for drought conditions to get worse.”

Temperatures in the Southwest have averaged 1.6 degrees higher since 2000, and the megadrought has depleted California’s reservoirs, shrunken the Utah Great Salt Lake to record lows and fueled destructive wildfires.

University of Michigan climate scientist Julie Cole, not involved in the research, says it shows how temperature can make more of a difference than precipitation alone when it comes to prolonging a drought. “The air is basically more capable of pulling the water out of the soil, out of vegetation, out of crops, out of forests, and it makes for drought conditions to be much more extreme.” Unless climate change is mitigated, there is no end in sight.

Sundown Showdown

Sixty miles from Las Vegas, the unincorporated town of Pahrump, Nevada, has plenty of sunshine to generate solar power, but residents are upset that San Francisco-based Candela Renewables wants to build a large-scale solar field across approximately 2,300 acres. Candela Manager of Development Dewey Klurfield discussed plans for the Rough Hat Nye County solar project at a meeting of the Pahrump Public Lands Advisory Committee, and many residents criticized the company for encroaching on their land.

Although Nevada is striving to be a leader in renewable energy, around 80 percent of the state is public land, mostly maintained by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Residents and conservationists fear that the project could destroy thousands of miles of delicate cryptobiotic desert crust­­—a thin layer of bacteria-rich soil that retains water and nutrients, and slows erosion­­— at the expense of local ecosystems. Large-scale solar fields also run the risk of displacing native plant and animal life, and contributing to dust storms. Nels Johnson, North American director for renewable energy at The Nature Conservancy, states, “We need to recognize that any form of energy is going to have some impacts. The question is how do we try to avoid and minimize those impacts?”

A new study by the University of York, “Pharmaceutical Pollution of the World’s Rivers,” in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has determined that pharmaceutical drugs polluting the world’s rivers pose “a global threat to environmental and human health.” Research leader Dr. John Wilkinson says, “What we know now is that even the most modern, efficient wastewater treatment plants aren’t completely capable of degrading these compounds before they end up in rivers or lakes.”

Biologically active compounds cause harm to wildlife such as the feminization of fish, and the presence of antibiotics in the environment increases the risk of drug resistance. The survey sampled 258 rivers in 104 countries and more than a quarter were regarded as unsafe for aquatic organisms. The most extensive global study to date found that the most polluted rivers were in Bolivia, Pakistan and Ethiopia. In the U.S., Dallas ranked in the top 20 percent. Those in the Amazon rainforest, Iceland and Norway had the least amounts of pharmaceutical pollution. Wilkinson advises, “The World Health Organization and UN and other organizations say antimicrobial resistance is the single greatest threat to humanity; it’s a next pandemic.”

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Crispy Critters

eco brief

Images courtesy of BCN

Volunteers Needed for Annual June Bird Count The Bird Conservation Network (BCN) volunteer organization, comprising 21 separate conservation groups across Northeast Illinois, is dedicated to the preservation of our endemic breeding bird species. Lake County Audubon, a charter member of BCN, is looking for birders to help launch an expansion with the June 2022 bird count survey at selected preserves across the region.

Because the count data is used for habitat conservation planning and scientific studies, volunteers with at least three years of birding experience are needed and should be able to identify birds breeding in our area by both sound and sight. Individuals can volunteer to monitor alone or team up with a birding friend to monitor together.

Only one birder in a team needs to be adept at identifying birds by sound. Areas available in Lake County include Lakewood, Cuba Marsh and Fort Sheridan Forest Preserves.

Monitoring entails two bird survey visits in June at predetermined points in one of the selected preserves for 10 minutes at each point. Results are entered into a special Forest Preserve smartphone app (mECO) at each point. The app automatically records weather conditions and also prompts for questions about the foliage.

For the past 20 years, these surveys have provided vital information for understanding the population trends of the key species. Most importantly, this detailed data is used by forest preserve districts and other land managers to identify their properties’ most critical preservation and restoration needs.

For more information or to volunteer, email BCN Monitor Coordinator Charlotte Pavelka at CPavelka4@gmail.com.

For more information, visit bcnbirds.org.

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May 2022

19

eco tip

DIY Salt Scrub

DIY SALT SCRUB RECIPE

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with Himalayan Salt and Essential Oils

A sea salt scrub is an easy and inexpensive way to maintain a glowing complexion. Salt scrubs work hard to exfoliate and remove dry skin from the surface, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and pores, and improve the overall tone. Exfoliating scrubs are good for the entire body, especially dry areas like feet and hands. They are easy to make because they are a simple combination of salt and oil.

Maraes Hair color with no ammonia, PPD, SLES, parabens, gluten or added salts.

In addition to standard sea salt, adding Himalayan pink salt to a scrub recipe adds an extra boost of health because it contains 84 trace minerals and nutrients. Grapeseed oil, which can be found at natural grocery stores, is a good carrier oil for a scrub because it is extremely nourishing.

Adding both almond and jojoba oils, and vitamin E into the mixture increases the scrub’s moisturizing effect, making it especially good for dry skin.

Essential oils add fragrance and healing qualities to the scrub, and they can include such variations as: Margarita salt scrub: 12 drops lime essential oil, 8 drops orange essential oil Rose salt scrub: 15 drops rose essential oil, sprinkle with dried rose petals Citrus burst salt scrub: 5 drops orange essential oil, 10 drops grapefruit essential oil Lavender vanilla salt scrub: 15 drops lavender essential oil, 5 drops vanilla essential oil

1 cup finely ground sea salt ½ cup Himalayan pink salt 4 Tbsp grapeseed oil 3 Tbsp almond oil 1 Tbsp jojoba oil 10 drops vitamin E 15-20 drops essential oil Put sea salt and Himalayan salt into a mixing bowl. Add in grapeseed oil, almond oil, jojoba oil and vitamin E. Add the essential oils last, right on top of the other oils.

Mix until all of the salt is coated with oil.

It should not be swimming in oil, just coated. Store in a glass or metal container. This recipe fills a single, pintsized Mason jar or two half-pint jars.

Because this salt scrub recipe does not contain any water, it will last up to six months. Make sure to keep it sealed in a jar with a lid to ensure it stays fresh and free of contaminants.

If it is kept in the shower, store the scrub away from the water stream.

For more healthy DIY recipes, along with natural skincare and eco-friendly home and garden ideas, visit EcoLivingMama. com.

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inspiration

Mothering the World

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by Marlaina Donato

A

ll that is brought to fruition has someone behind the scenes tending to its innate potential. The quality of nurturing permeates both the human and the natural world and goes much deeper than raising beloved offspring. Whether it be a well-balanced child, a verdant backyard garden or the premiere performance of a symphony, tending to what we love can yield great things. Equally rewarding, nourishing what we find challenging or uncomfortable can deepen our human experience.

“Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, ‘Grow, grow,’” states the Talmud, and we, too, can be angels. Whether or not we are inborn nourishers, every day we have simple opportunities to refine this beautiful impulse. We flex the “mother muscle” whenever we acknowledge someone else’s accomplishments, welcome a new neighbor or heat a bowl of soup for a loved one after a long day. We can nourish

community when we pick up trash along a hiking trail, whip up a sweet treat for the local bake sale, invite friends for a potluck supper or offer a helping hand at a local food pantry. The smallest gestures—smiling at a stranger, giving or asking someone for a hug or saying “I’m sorry”—don’t require time, money or effort, yet exemplify spiritual generosity which is the nucleus of all nurturing.

We also cannot forget ourselves. Too often, we place our most fervent callings last, shuffling our sources of joy to the back of the line because there aren’t enough hours in the day. When we starve our talents and interests, lock down our emotions and neglect our spiritual needs, we become energetically malnourished, and from this famished core, have little from which to draw. Sometimes we are so invested in mothering the well-being of others that we forget to do the same for ourselves. It is not selfish to tend to our own potential to thrive. It is a beautiful necessity, and we are worth it.

Marlaina Donato is a mind-body-spirit author, composer and artist. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

May 2022

21

Resilient Mothering How Moms Are Forging Ahead in a Changing World

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by Carrie Jackson

T

wo years after “coronavirus” became a household word, the pandemic continues to affect every aspect of our lives. Mothers, in particular, have learned to reimagine what it means to be a parent, employee, partner and friend, while still finding time for themselves. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, almost 70 percent of mothers say that worry and stress from the pandemic have damaged their mental health.

While social distancing, quarantining, remote learning and masking quickly became a new and often unwelcome normal, positive shifts have also been developing. Already resilient mothers are exploring how to adapt to an ever-changing situation and learning when to hold on and when to let go. They are discovering new ways to be available for their children’s mental health, maintain their jobs, stay connected with other moms and prioritize self-care.

Shae Marcus, publisher of Natural Awakenings South Jersey (NASouthJersey.com), says that the pandemic has brought a number of unforeseen silver linings. As a single mother of two young children, she has been in a constant state of transition the last two years and is starting to achieve greater balance. “Like most other 22

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mothers, my life before the pandemic was nonstop. I was getting by, and at the same time comparing myself to other parents. The world had to slow down so I could catch up, and I’ve been forced to stop, breathe and take it in stride,” she says.

Marcus shares a common concern, that the isolation has affected her kids’ development. “I worry that the lack of social integration over the past two years will have a lasting impact on my children.

My son, who is now in third grade, was in kindergarten the last time he had a full year in a ‘normal’ school setting. That’s a lot to miss out on. While he is academically on track, I’m concerned about him being mature enough. Having sports and other extracurricular activities starting back now is helping to get them integrated again, and I’m able to fully appreciate going to an outdoor spring football game that wasn’t able to happen for so long,” she says.

Marcus has discovered that working from home has had advantages. “Now, I can do a load of laundry in-between meetings, go to the grocery store when I would have been commuting and be more present when my kids are home. Since I’m not worried about rushing out the door, we have time to talk during breakfast, and I’m able to accompany them to the bus stop. Afterwards,

I take 10 minutes for myself to walk around the block and gather my thoughts for the day,” she explains.

Reordering Priorities Seventy-one percent of mothers describe being a working mom during the pandemic as very challenging, according to research done by the global consultancy group APCO Impact. As president of Families and Work Institute (FamiliesAndWork.org), a New York-based research nonprofit, Ellen Galinsky has seen employers grant access to a wider variety of benefits that fit their employees’ individual and family needs. “The pandemic, coupled with racial reckoning, has made many of us rethink our priorities.

It now is becoming clear that the world that seemed relatively normal before wasn’t working. Mothers and fathers were thrust on the front lines of schooling and saw firsthand how different teaching and parenting are,” Galinsky notes.

An estimated 82 percent of employers plan to allow their employees to keep working remotely after the pandemic, reports a survey by human resources consultancy Mercer, but that turnaround is just a first step, says Galinsky. “Studies show that having workplace flexibility procedures in place is a floor, but how employers treat you when you need that flexibility matters the most.

The pandemic made us all experience collective and multiple losses together and brought some difficult issues to light,” she explains.

In juggling work and life duties, Galinsky shies away from the word “balance”, which suggests that time and energy needs to be split evenly. “Work and home lives are deeply intermingled, and often when one is in sync, the other will follow,” she says. “It’s important for mothers to set realistic expectations for themselves and let go of the notion that they’re not doing a good job, their kids have to be perfect or they don’t have time to take care of themselves. Children will absorb what they see, so being mindful in your words and actions around work will have an impact on them. If you have a stressful meeting and bring that home with you, the energy in the house will change. It’s okay to tell the kids that you’re upset at your boss and are going to call a friend and talk

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or go for a walk; let them know it’s not their fault and that parents get stressed, too.”

Stress Survival Skills The pandemic also put many mothers in a chronic state of hypervigilance, because they not only had to manage their own anxiety, but also help kids manage their experiences. A University of Rochester study of 153 mothers of toddlers found that ongoing strains can disrupt the body’s natural stress response, making it more difficult to respond with patience and sensitivity to a child’s needs.

Elizabeth Cohen, a clinical psychologist and director of the Center for CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) in New York City (CenterForCBTInNYC.com), says that a shock to the nervous system can only be released with the acknowledgement that the trauma is being experienced in the first place. “Having an understanding of how you’re responding to this stress and uncertainty is key to moving through it. Even going back to the office after so long may trigger a panic attack if the trauma of the past two years isn’t addressed,” she says. “Mothers need to practice compassionate awareness for themselves and what they’ve gone through. They need to be seen, heard and witnessed in the same way their children are.”

Cohen advises that while part of a mother’s job is to make kids feel emotionally safe, it’s not as effective if they are themselves depleted. She recommends adopting simple, actionable practices throughout the day to help restore and reset the mind and body, suggesting, “Put some Epsom salt in the bottom of the tub and allow your feet to soak for a few minutes during a shower. Before brushing your teeth, take three deep breaths and pay attention to where you might be feeling tension in your body. Keep a gratitude journal handy to reflect and record your observations and interactions.”

She advises us to remember that we have all had different experiences of this trauma, and nobody is the same as they were in 2019. “It’s okay to tell a friend, ‘I’m excited to see you and also, I’m uncomfortable not wearing a mask.’ We’ve also had to be more selective about who we spend time with, and that has allowed us to foster more nurturing relationships,” she says. “Be more discerning about who you spend time with, instead of saying yes to every invitation to get coffee. It’s okay to do less, and making authentic decisions in the moment will help you truly feel aligned with your thoughts and actions.”

Joint Healing Claire Zulkey, a Chicago-based writer and mother of two young boys, has found creative ways to stay connected with other mothers and not feel so isolated. She pens a newsletter, Evil Witches (EvilWitches.substack.com), which gives her a platform to share stories of everyday motherhood triumphs and concerns. Topics have included perimenopause, end-of-life options for the family pet, finding the best hand lotion and other subjects that mothers in her circle think about.

She also maintains a Facebook group of 100-plus mothers, providing a safe place for members to commiserate and support each other. “The group has allowed me to really get to know mothers in a more intimate way, truly understand what they’re going through and appreciate how much they care about their kids,” says Zulkey.

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SELF-CARE FOR STRESSED-OUT MOMS For mothers trying to juggle it all, making their own mental health a priority is key. Here are some practical ways busy moms can incorporate their overall wellness into a daily routine.

Set Up Self-Care: Sneaking in breaks throughout the day can have a positive cumulative effect. Follow a guided meditation while waiting for soccer practice, use essential oils in the car, keep a favorite lotion next to the bed or savor a favorite nourishing snack.

Cultivate a Network: Nurturing relationships with supportive peers can provide emotional and social support. Meet a friend for a morning coffee or afternoon walk, join a book club, host a potluck with other mothers or volunteer with a community group.

Prioritize Therapy: The right therapist can provide an unbiased and supportive perspective and help process new and lingering issues. Find a practitioner that understands a mom’s unique needs and a modality that resonates with us. Traditional talk therapy works well for some, but be open to exploring other forms, such as movement therapy or art therapy.

Keep Communication Open: Modeling and encouraging dialogue gives kids a safe space to practice sharing and lets everyone feel valued. Find time during car rides, at the dinner table or before bed to check in with the family and share each other’s thoughts.

Take a Class: Learning a new skill can spark creativity and help build a social network. Try a pottery workshop, join a dance club, take a photography class or study a foreign language just for fun.

She made a personal decision to stop drinking a few months into the pandemic, a lifestyle choice that she has maintained for the past year. “While I was not an alcoholic, there were too many times when I would wake up with a hangover or get into a tipsy argument with my husband. I quickly learned to appreciate how much easier parenting is when I’m in a stable mood, and the entire household has benefited, especially during the pandemic, when we were in such close quarters,” she says.

For all of us, moving forward after two years of collective grief, loss and uncertainty will undoubtedly present new unforeseen challenges, yet maintaining a sense of perspective can help if things start to feel overwhelming. “At the start of the pandemic, I started to feel sorry for myself, but soon I realized that I actually was so much better off than a lot of people. Once I oriented myself with that reality, it was easier for me to move on with a sense of gratitude and desire to help others,” says Zulkey.

Carrie Jackson is an Evanston, IL-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.

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healing ways

Fending Off Fibroids NATURAL APPROACHES OFFER RELIEF

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by Marlaina Donato

O

ptimal reproductive health is key to our vitality, which is why living with uterine fibroids can be debilitating. Studies indicate that as many as 80 percent of American women develop these non-cancerous growths during their childbearing years. Oftentimes, the condition is free of symptoms, but an estimated 26 million women currently suffer from associated effects like chronic pelvic and back pain, frequent urination, excessive menstrual bleeding and a swollen abdomen. Also called myomas, fibroids can often be a hidden cause of infertility, even in asymptomatic cases.

Asian women have a lower incidence of fibroids, while African American women are two to three times more likely to develop them than white women, particularly at a younger age. Genetics, obesity, estrogen-promoting foods and environmental toxins can fuel the fire of this condition, but a tailored, natural approach can minimize symptoms and for some, ward off the need for invasive surgery.

Happier Hormones Through Diet While there is no definitively known cause of fibroids, the most accepted theory is a disruption in the ratio between estrogen and progesterone. Italian researchers that examined data from 1990 to 2020 reported in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health last year that diets deficient in fresh fruits, green vegetables and vitamin D increase the risk for the onset and formation of uterine fibroids.

“I do believe prevention is important by avoiding the use of toxic cosmetics and cookware with chemical components, and by choosing lower-inflammatory foods,” says Crystal Fedele, a doctor of Chinese medicine who treats patients with acupuncture 26

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and Chinese herbs at her clinic, Holistic Women and Families Natural Health Center, in Port Orange, Florida.

Conventionally farmed produce and farm-raised fish are treated with environmental estrogens to stimulate growth, which in turn contribute to estrogen dominance and an increased risk of fibroids in women that consume such foods. “It’s important to eliminate dairy and meat raised with synthetic hormones that can act like estrogen in the body,” advises Alisa Vitti, a New York City-based women’s hormone expert and author of In the FLO: Unlock Your Hormonal Advantage and Revolutionize Your Life. “While no diet can guarantee fibroid prevention, altering the food you eat may help slow fibroid growth. When it comes to food, your first step is to remove inflammatory foods.”

Vitti recommends opting for fiber-rich whole grains that aid in the elimination of

excess estrogen, as well as nixing gluten and all dairy products unless they are made from organic goat or sheep milk. “High insulin levels from white, starchy stuff—which acts like sugar in the body—is a factor in making fibroids grow,” she says.

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale and bok choy are allies in the fight against fibroids by boosting detoxifying enzymes in the liver. Regular servings of sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots, pumpkin, spinach and other carotene-rich foods are also valuable.

Ancient Healing Modalities Traditional Chinese Medicine offers promising benefits, but when using recommended herbs, it’s important to seek out qualified practitioners rather than self-treat, advises Fedele. “In Chinese medicine, each case is individual, so herbal formulations are often constructed to treat the whole health of the person and modified as we see improvements,” she says. “We also use a lot of supplements that can help regulate hormones— DIM (diindolylmethane) and broccoli seed extract being two that are commonly used for estrogen-related disorders.” Fedele also recommends acupuncture, but says it is most effective when combined with herbals, supplements and dietary therapies.

Susannah Neal, a licensed acupuncturist in Iowa City, Iowa, concurs, saying, “Chinese medicine is highly effective for rebalancing the flow or energy and breaking up old patterns of imbalances.” Neal, certified in the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy, attests to this gentle modality designed to invigorate the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems of the digestive and reproductive organs. “Fibroids may be a result of impaired blood flow in the uterus, and while many styles of massage use techniques to improve circulation, these techniques focus specifi-

FOODS TO CONSUME FOR ACHIEVING HORMONE BALANCE Almonds and hazelnuts

Organic wheat germ

Arugula

Radish

Cold-water, deep-sea fish: salmon, tuna, herring, halibut, mackerel, sardines

Reishi mushrooms

Garlic Green tea

Turnips Vitamin E, vitamin B complex, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids Watercress

cally on the reproductive and pelvic organs,” she says.

According to Neal, one benefit of the Arvigo technique is regulation of the menstrual cycle. When applied regularly, the massage may reduce the size and severity of fibroids. In cases of larger, chronic or more severe fibroids, she says that three to six months of treatment or longer may be required, and in some cases will be used only as adjunctive treatment along with therapies prescribed by a medical doctor.

No matter which alternative approach is taken, monitoring progress is key. Fedele says, “I usually suggest six months to a year of trying holistic options under the care of a licensed provider and then at that time re-evaluating the scenario.”

Marlaina Donato is an author and multimedia artist. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

STRATEGIES TO STAVE OFF FIBROIDS FROM HORMONE EXPERT AND AUTHOR ALISA VITTI: Eat to balance estrogen. Prioritize foods that help modulate and balance estrogen, like flax seeds, beans and whole grains.

Pears and apples are liver-supporting foods that contain lots of fiber, along with a flavonoid named phloretin, which impairs tumor growth. Be mindful of alcohol and caffeine consumption. Just a couple of glasses of wine significantly raises estrogen levels. Coffee suppresses ovulation, thereby suppressing production of progesterone and increasing the likelihood of estrogen dominance. Organic, unprocessed soy in the form of tempeh and miso can be beneficial, with an anti-estrogenic effect on the uterus.

Balance the microbiome. The microbiome contains a colony of bacteria that helps metabolize estrogen. When the good and bad bugs in the microbiome are out of balance, the estrobolome can’t do its job efficiently, and estrogen builds up. Another key to building and maintaining a healthy microbiome is supplementing with a high-quality probiotic.

Cut out the chemicals. Many chemical-free options are less expensive than conventional products, especially when bought in bulk. Use baking soda and vinegar to clean around the house. Refrain from treating the lawn with chemicals. Replace plastic food storage containers with glass and stainless steel options which last a lifetime and don’t leach harmful agents into comestibles. Opt for a shower curtain made of less-toxic materials than plastic.

FROM ACUPUNCTURIST SUSANNAH NEAL: Fibroids that are smaller than two centimeters will respond more quickly to treatment and may only require the use of one or two modalities, such as monthly, professional, abdominal massage; self-care massage at home; and herbal medicine prescribed by a licensed herbalist for three months. Larger, more chronic and severe fibroids may require multiple modalities and a longer course of treatment in addition to these measures, including weekly acupuncture sessions and dietary recommendations.

Three to six months of treatment may be required. Natural medicine understands and respects that each person’s ability and time required to heal is complex and must be individualized.

May 2022

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THE MYSTERY OF

‘Normal’ Menopause

Photo credit Adobe Stock

by Meena Malhotra

B

y the year 2030, the global population will include approximately 1.2 billion women that have entered menopause, a phase in life when menstruation has stopped for 12 or more months.

Typically, it starts between the ages of 45 and 53, and symptoms vary, including hot flashes, sleep disruption, sudden weight gain, anxiety, loss of bone density, thinning hair and decreased sex drive.

A common misconception is that estrogen goes down with menopause, but most peri- and postmenopausal women have plenty of estrogen, although many other hormones get out of whack. Even though menopause is natural, many women are not ready to give up on life when it hits. They still want and deserve the same quality of life as in earlier years. Here is a brief description of what women can do to preserve and maintain their quality of life.

Menopause has been linked to risk of several chronic diseases, like increased risk for cardiometabolic disease, fatigue, diabetes, hypertension and abdominal obesity. Hormonal changes in aging 28

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patients have also been associated with greater risk of frailty and disability, likely due to disruptions along several hormonal axes, rather than deficiency of a single hormone. The Mediterranean Diet has a cardioprotective effect for women during perimenopause and menopause; of course, adherence matters.

Chronic stress brings unfavorable biochemical, neurological and cellular changes to a woman’s body. When ovaries starts to shrivel during “normal” menopause, the adrenal gland, responsible for energy, mental clarity and mood, comes to the rescue and provides relief. Menopausal suffering becomes more pronounced when perimenopausal stress has burned out the adrenal glands, leaving the body devoid of this natural relief, a condition called adrenal fatigue. Thus stress management with deep breathing exercises, yoga, meditation and aerobic activity play an important role. Vegan diets report less bothersome vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes.

Toxicity accumulated over decades interferes with neural signaling in the

body. Common examples are endocrine-disrupting chemicals embedded in products such as pesticides, plastics (BPA), chemical drugs (parabens) and heavy metals. Even personal hygiene products have been linked to creating hormonal imbalance, producing emotional lability and non-restorative sleep. A structured detoxification using all natural foods can help alleviate these symptoms. Fruits and vegetables may help alleviate symptoms of increased inflammation. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, especially, contain glucosinolates that help the body send estrogen metabolites down a pathway to prevent and suppress the development of hormone-modulated female cancers.

Thinning hair is a common quality-of-life issue. All of the hormones—estrogen, progesterone, thyroid and insulin—need to be working in harmony for lush, shiny, smooth and youthful hair.

Their imbalance during menopause causes thinning. Adequate intake of protein and vegetables help support hair, but only in a setting of balanced hormones. Two important enzymes that are gatekeepers for estrogen and testosterone metabolism are aromatase and 5-alpha reductase. Aromatase can affect the conversion of testosterone to estrogens, and 5-alpha reductase can affect the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Modulating these enzymes at the follicle level help strengthen weakened or dormant hair follicles.

Good communication is key to having the body working well as a system.

Hormones are important messengers. As these messengers begin to cease function or malfunction through menopause, this presents as a wide variety of chronic conditions, and women begin to feel abnormal even in this “normal” stage of life.

Meena Malhotra, M.D., is the medical director and owner of Heal n Cure, 2420 Ravine Way, Ste. 400, in Glenview. To get started with a hormonal balancing plan, call 847-686-4444 or visit HealNCure.com.

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conscious eating

Intermittent Fasting Basics HOW TO IMPROVE HEALTH BY EATING LESS OFTEN

tатьяна kреминская/AdobeStock.com

by Sheila Julson

F

asting has been part of religious and cultural practices since ancient times, but now it is entering into everyday American eating habits. Intermittent fasting (IF), which involves restraining from eating for periods ranging from hours to days, was the most popular dietary strategy among Americans in 2020, outpacing low-fat keto diets and “clean eating”, reports the International Food Information Council. About 10 percent of survey respondents reported that they were following IF diet procedures, usually for weight loss and better health.

“Intermittent fasting is a lifestyle,” says Jerron Hill, an anesthesiologist, in Plano, Texas, who has practiced it for two years and found himself with more energy. “Many metabolic syndromes and diseases can be avoided by making IF a way of life.”

Research on the health benefits of IF is ongoing, but Hill says that advantages include stabilized blood sugar levels, because insulin levels rise after eating meals. “In a fasted state, insulin levels fall, blood sugar stabilizes and fat stores can be utilized as a source of energy,” he says. Other benefits he cites include lowered blood pressure, decreased low-density lipoprotein, or “bad” LDL cholesterol, and lower triglycerides There are several IF methods. The 16/8 method is most popular and involves fasting for 16 hours and eating within an eight-hour window each day. The 5:2 plan is for those that would rather fast twice a week and eat regularly the other five days. Another method

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known as OMAD involves eating one meal a day. While most IF models do not restrict specific foods, they encourage the consumption of nourishing, satiating, whole foods. Snacking is discouraged.

Women’s Fasting Needs Differ “In the United States, 90 percent of Americans are metabolically unhealthy. Fasting is one of many strategies that can help people improve their metabolic health. That translates to being a healthy weight and having balanced hormones,” says Cynthia Thurlow, a nurse practitioner in Washington, D.C., and founder of the Everyday Wellness Project, an online subscription plan. Her new book, Intermittent Fasting Transformation, integrates IF with women’s hormonal needs during every stage of life.

“Women need to fast differently,” Thurlow emphasizes. “A woman in peak childbearing years under age 35 has to account and fast for her menstrual cycle, meaning her body is much more sensitive to macronutrient depletion or changes than a menopausal woman. Younger women need to limit fasting if they are already lean. They need to avoid fasting five to seven days prior to their menstrual cycle and remain attuned to messages their bodies send them in response to sleep, stress, nutrition and exercise.”

In general, once women reach menopause, they experience less hormonal fluctuation and thus more flexibility to fast on a daily basis, she says, although they, too, should keep an eye on their

experiences with sleep, stress, nutrition and exercise.

Planning for Success The word “fasting” often conjures up thoughts of hunger and starvation, but proper planning will leave us full and satisfied while practicing IF. “When you’re eating a balanced diet and not necessarily following a particular fad or specific type of diet, you can enjoy nourishing meals without restrictions and still practice IF,” says lifestyle coach Laura Fuentes, of Madisonville, Louisiana, author of the e-book Intermittent Fasting for Women.

Fuentes recommends starting with the 16/8 model, because approximately half of the 16-hour fasting time is spent sleeping. “There’s also downtime in the evening while you’re preparing to sleep. In the morning, most of us are getting ready for work or getting kids off to school, and we don’t eat right away. Those hours are generally not focused on food.”

When it’s time to eat, fasts should be broken with satiating, nutritious food, not a light snack. The first meal of the day should be nutritious, with protein and healthy fats. Breaking a fast with just an apple, or carrots and hummus, will lead to hunger and eventual snacking.

A common misnomer is that we must eat ketogenic or low-carb diets while practicing IF. While carbs need to be considered, Thurlow emphasizes eating nutrient-dense, whole foods and fewer

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processed foods, whether they are part of keto, paleo, omnivore or vegetarian diets.

Some people practice “clean” fasting by consuming only water, black tea or other calorie-free beverages during the fasting time. Others prefer “dirty” fasting and might consume a handful of grapes, walnuts or other foods or beverages containing less than 50 calories during the fast.

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“I like patients to understand the value of a clean fast,” Thurlow says. “People might think 50 calories doesn’t count, but that is food, and that does break a fast.”

Sheila Julson is a Milwaukee-based freelance writer and contributor to Natural Awakenings magazines throughout the country.

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31

recipes from a plant-based kitchen

Recipes From a Plant-Based Kitchen

by Chef AJ

Spicy Peanut Noodles with Broccoli

“This reminds me of the peanut noodles from Chin Chin, a group of West Coast restaurants. If you don’t want to use traditional noodles, you can try vegetable “noodles” made from spiralized zucchini, sweet potato, or butternut squash. You can also buy pasta in a variety of shapes and sizes made from hearts of palm, legumes, sweet potatoes, or zucchini ,” says Chef AJ, author of the book, Unprocessed 10th Anniversary Edition.

1 lb favorite noodles 1 lb broccoli florets ¾ cup unsweetened, unsalted peanut butter ¾ cup water ¼ cup rice vinegar 2 Tbsp low-sodium tamari 2 Tbsp date syrup 2 cloves garlic, pressed ¼ to ½ oz piece fresh ginger, pressed ½ tsp red pepper flakes 8 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal Sesame seeds or chopped unsalted Peanuts for garnish

yaki vinegar for the tamari. For a reduced-fat version, substitute salt- and sugar-free powdered almond butter or powdered peanut butter for the fresh peanut butter.

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Run under cold water when done. Drain and place in a large bowl.

Blanch the broccoli and run under cold water when done. Drain and add to the pasta along with the scallions.

12 cups water or salt-free vegetable broth 6 (15-oz) cans salt-free black beans 2 (16-oz) bags frozen corn 8 cloves garlic 2 red onions

To make the sauce, combine the peanut butter, water, rice vinegar, tamari, date syrup, garlic, ginger and red pepper in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk until smooth and cook for about 10 minutes, until thickened.

Pour the sauce over the noodles and broccoli and thoroughly combine. Chill before serving and top with sesame seeds or unsalted peanuts, if desired.

Chef ’s notes: If you are avoiding all sodium, substitute 2 Tbsp California Balsamic Teri32

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Nutrient-Rich Black Bean Soup

“No one will guess that there are two pounds of greens hidden in this delicious and easy-tomake soup. There is no need to cut anything up as the soup will be blended. If you are using salt-free beans, it is not even necessary to rinse or drain them,” says Chef AJ.

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled if not organic 1 lb baby bok choy (approximately 3 heads) 1 lb mushrooms ¾ cup oil-free, salt-free, sun-dried tomatoes (about 3 oz) 1 lb greens (kale, collard, mustard, chard, or a combination) 2 Tbsp cumin 2 Tbsp oregano 1 Tbsp smoked paprika 1 tsp chipotle powder Zest of 1 lime (optional) ½ cup lime juice Place the water or broth in a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the beans, one pound of the corn, the garlic, onions, sweet potatoes, bok choy, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and greens. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.

Remove from the heat and blend the soup with an immersion blender, or carefully process in a blender, one to two cups at a time, until pureed. Stir in the cumin, oregano, chipotle powder, lime zest (if using), lime juice, and remaining pound of corn.

Chef’s notes: For more texture, you can also set aside half the beans (3 cans) and stir them in whole after the soup is blended. Garnish with pepitas and cilantro, if desired. This makes a lot of soup. The recipe can be cut in half and made in an Instant Pot. It also freezes well.

Recipes reprinted with permission from Unprocessed 10th Anniversary Edition,

by Chef AJ with Glen Merzer, ©2022

by BPC. Unprocessed 10th Anniversary Edition celebrates the amazing versatility and health benefits found in an oil-, sugar- and salt-free, nutrient-rich, whole-food, plantbased diet. To achieve optimal health, including reaching our ideal weight, begin by eliminating processed foods. Those that do so can eat as much as you desire (with the exception of whole-food fats such as avocado, coconut, nuts or seeds) and be completely nourished.

recipe from a gluten-free kitchen

Spring Lettuce a Healthy Addition to Lunch

by Tiffany Hinton

Mediterranean Lettuce Wraps Yield: 2, ½-cup servings 1 cup chick peas, rinsed and drained, blotted dry ¼ red onion, chopped ½ cup cucumber, chopped ½ cup tomatoes, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced ½ tsp dried oregano 1 lemon (optional) 2 Tbsp Greek yogurt (optional) Olive oil

Photo credit Tiffany Hinton

B

y now, garden lettuce is plentiful and we may actually have an abundance ready to be picked as we move through the warming month of May. Fresh lettuce in many varieties is also available at the local farmers market this month.

Lettuce is one of the easiest and fastest garden vegetables to grow and can easily be ready to pick from seed in as little as three weeks. Lettuce can be grown in one square foot of space in only about six-inch-deep soil.

Lettuce loves to be watered in the morning, and grows very well before the temperatures reach 80 degrees during summer days. Remember to pick back the flower heads to extend the life of the lettuce plants.

WebMD lists many nutritional benefits of lettuce, including increased bone strength, hydration, improved vision and improved sleep. Lettuce is high in vitamin A, vitamin K and water (WebMD.com/ diet/health-benefits-lettuce). Here is an easy and tasty recipe to enjoy the fresh, crisp lettuce of the season.

The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful medicine or the slowest form of poison

Salt and pepper Lettuce leaves for serving Preheat oven to 375° F. Toss chick peas with olive oil, garlic, oregano and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Roast for 10-15 minutes until slightly browned.

Fill each lettuce wrap with roasted chick peas, chopped veggies (cukes, tomatoes, and onion), a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and Greek yogurt, if desired.

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Recipe courtesy of Tiffany Hinton, GF Mom Certified. Connect online at @gfmomcertified and listen to Tiffany’s podcast, Cultivating Guts, on Spotify or iTunes.

May 2022

33

healthy kids

The Blended Family TIPS FOR CREATING A SUCCESSFUL STEPFAMILY

by Ronica O’Hara

T

josue michel/Unsplash.com

he Brady Bunch aside, blended families seldom look like TV sitcoms. They often come with a cast of characters—freshly remarried parents, a number of kids and step-kids, up to four sets of relatives and exes in the wings—all with their own needs, hopes and issues. One in six children today lives in a blended family, so the stakes are high for their well-being, and yet, understandably, two out of three blended marriages fail.

They don’t have to, says Kimberly King, a children’s book author in Fairfield, Connecticut, who was raised in blended families and as a parent, now has her own blended batch of kids. “Blended families work when parents plan for challenges, have space for disagreements and have an incredible amount of patience and love. But they are not for the faint of heart!" she says.

Therapists and blended-family veterans offer advice for those on this important journey:

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Go slow and steady. It can take two to four years for a blended family to adjust to living together, counsels the American Psychological Association. The process can be particularly hard for youngsters from 10 to 14. “Don’t pressure the children. If they don’t want to call you Mom or Dad, don’t take it personally. They have their own biological parent whom they love, and they didn’t ask for their parents to get divorced. Stay positive and realize that time itself is an important factor,” counsels Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, a licensed clinical professional counselor, in Baltimore, and founder, with his wife, Rivka, of TheMarriageRestorationProject.com.

Determine discipline roles. “My husband and I thought we were total failures because we couldn’t agree on how to parent his son. To save our marriage, we agreed that I would ‘resign’ as the boy’s mother and allow my husband free rein to parent as he saw fit,” recalls Nancy Landrum, a relationship coach in Murrieta, California, and author of Stepping TwoGether: Building a Strong Stepfamily. Studies show that blended families work best when each parent disciplines his or her own child, while the stepparent works to develop affectionate bonds with their stepchild and serves as the child’s sounding board, particularly in the beginning. “One of the worst things you can do as a stepparent is talk negatively about your stepchild to the bio-parent. Nothing will strain a relationship more quickly,” says King.

Keep an eye out for turning points. In a classic 1999 study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, University of Iowa researchers reported on factors they called “turning points” that can knit a blended family together. These include celebrating holidays and special events together, perhaps by creating new rituals; spending quality time together, even doing such ordinary things as shopping or watching a football game, either as a family or as a parent-stepchild activity; and pulling together over a family crisis. On the other hand, unresolved conflict among parents and children drives families apart.

“The best thing my dad did to blend our post-divorce, new family was take us on a four-day hike to Mount Washington,” recalls King. “We hiked, talked, helped each other, suffered, whined, got wet, struggled, laughed, slipped, learned campfire songs, slept in bunks and found a new respect for teamwork, nature, overcoming adversity, and our stepmother!”

NDABCREATIVITY/AdobeStock.com

Give talking a chance. Over shared meals, board games, nature hikes and everyday activities, stepfamilies can build bonds with each other. Having regular meetings to hash out problems also strengthens a new family unit. King’s family uses the summer camp strategy of the talking stick. “When you have the talking stick, it is your turn to talk and everyone else has to pay attention and listen. No interruptions,” she says. They also keep a family journal in which kids can write out their problems, enabling parents to respond in writing or conversation.

DEEP TALKING

Deepening the Dialogue When the going gets tough in a blended family, an Oprah Winfrey-endorsed dialogue technique known as Imago Therapy can help transform animosity into harmony. As laid out by relationship therapist Harville Hendrix in his New York Times bestseller Getting the Love You Want, it involves specific conversational steps that ensure each side is heard and responded to with empathy.

“Imago is effective for parents of blended families because it teaches them to listen and validate the feelings of the children, as well as to better communicate with each other about the challenges,” says Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, of Baltimore, whose own marriage was saved by the process and who, with his wife Rivka, teaches it to couples. “If your children are not adjusting well, it is important to be able to give them a voice. The Imago dialogue process does just that, without judgment.”

The three basic steps include: Mirroring. Person number one describes the problem in a few sentences, using “I” and feeling words. For example, “I feel shut out when you pick up your phone when I’m talking.”

Person number two repeats it back as closely as possible.

“You feel shut out when I pick up my phone when you’re talking.” It may take a few attempts to get it right. Person number two then asks if there’s more to that feeling, and again repeats the phrases back.

Validating. Person number two responds showing respect for the problem, with words like, “I can see why …”

Showing Empathy. Person number two searches for the place inside himself or herself that connects with person number one’s concerns. “I get upset, too, when it feels like someone cuts off a conversation.”

Then, they reverse positions and go through it again.

Demonstrations can be found on YouTube and worksheets can be viewed at PositivePsychology.com/imago-therapy.

Don’t give up. “For me, the time I knew it was going to work forever was actually directly after one of our lowest points,” says Brooke Carlock Lobaugh, of Lititz, Pennsylvania, a teacher and creator of TheBlendedMess.com, an online resource for stepfamilies. “We had separated, and we just both really missed each other and missed the family, and we realized that the kids would eventually get older and our problems would lessen, and that we needed to choose each other, over and over again. I realized that if our separation led to another divorce, I would either be alone or find someone new with a new set of problems, and I wanted to fix the problems with the person I loved. We haven’t looked back since.”

Health and wellness writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

May 2022

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green living

EASY CONTAINER GARDENING HOW TO GROW EDIBLES IN POTS AND PLANTERS

freely/AdobeStock.com

by Maya Whitman

C

ontainer gardening offers something for everyone, from beginners to seasoned green thumbs. Growing vegetables, flowers and herbs in pots can be cost-effective, inspiring and tailored for any urban balcony or country patio.

The perks of planting in pots include a reduced risk of disease spreading from one crop to another, fewer critters helping themselves to a free lunch, and less weeding and overall work. For urban garden expert Mark Ridsdill Smith, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, tending to plants has provided a sense of community. “When I lived in London, I knew almost no one on my street after 10 years, but when I started growing food by the front door, I was constantly chatting to passersby as I tended my tomatoes and squash,” says the author of The Vertical Veg Guide to Container Gardening, who also enjoys the practical side of making connections: swapping seeds, gifting produce and exchanging advice.

Fertile Foundations Vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, radishes and beans are ideal for container gardens, and with a little know-how, other crops like watermelon and muskmelon can also thrive. “Many types of vegetables can be grown in pots if they are large enough to accommodate the root system, even potatoes,” says Lisa Hilgenberg, horticulturist at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s four-acre Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, in Glencoe, Illinois. Choosing pots with the right size and materials is an investment worth making, she notes. “Peppers and tomatoes prefer terra cotta pots. Many herbs thrive when root-bound and do well in smallish pots or grouped together in shallow bowls.

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Plants needing to climb can be trained to grow on a trellis placed in a container.”

Melinda Myers, the Milwaukee-based author of Small Space Gardening and more than 20 gardening books, encourages gardeners to think outside the box.

“Repurposing items is another way to add fun and plantable space. I have seen old teapots, coffee makers, washtubs, coolers and more converted into planters.” For the well-meaning, but sometimes absent-minded gardener, she recommends self-watering pots to reduce maintenance. “These containers have a water reservoir you keep filled. Water moves from the reservoir into the soil, so you need to water less often.”

Generational Nourishment Using high-quality potting soil is paramount and can be store-bought or made at home for less by combining pH-fostering

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peat moss, vermiculite and perlite. Plants started from seed are more nourishing for both people and the planet.

“Some seeds thrive most when sown directly in the soil, and cilantro is one of them, as are all root vegetables, as well as beans and peas. Other seeds, like tomato and ground cherry, are best started indoors.

Some seeds, like kale and basil, thrive either way,” explains Petra Page-Mann, co-owner of Fruition Seeds, an organic seed company in Naples, New York, that specializes in open-pollinated heirlooms and offers free online tutorials. Seeds can easily be saved for future plantings from crops such as beans, peas, cilantro, dill, sunflower and cosmos. “No one can save seeds better adapted to your garden than you,” she says.

Children are prime candidates for container gardening, especially in cities. Smith muses, “Children get to smell and feel the whole plant—the extraordinary smell of tomato leaves, the bristles on zucchini—and they love getting their hands into the compost. I’ve witnessed children who rarely eat salad demolish a whole tray of fresh pea shoots in minutes!” For young gardeners, he recommends growing “pea shoots, new potatoes (they love digging them up), herbs like mint (to play with and make drinks and potions), alpine strawberries and sorrel.”

Even gardeners with conventional suburban or country plots may find that container crops come in handy. “For those with plenty of garden space, it is a way to bring the garden to your back or front door,” says Myers. “Keeping pots of herbs and veggies close to the house makes harvesting and using fresh herbs and vegetables easier. I have 11 acres, but still use containers to test new plants and bring the garden to my front and back doors.”

Page-Mann attests to willingness and possibility when she says, “Seeds, again and again, remind me that our imagination is the limit, that regional adaptation is the language of resilience and that we can grow so much more than we think possible.”

Maya Whitman writes about natural health and living a more beautiful life. Connect at Ekstasis28@gmail.com.

POT GARDENING TIPS FROM THE PROS FROM MELINDA MYERS, AUTHOR OF SMALL SPACE GARDENING: Mulch the containers. Covering the soil with an organic mulch like evergreen needles and shredded leaves helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds until the plants cover the soil surface.

Use a slow-release, eco-friendly fertilizer. Incorporate it into pots at planting and if needed, make a second application mid-season. It’s a lot easier than applying a fast-release product every week or two.

Incorporate organic wool pellets into the potting mix to reduce watering up to 25 percent and add air space, nutrients and organic matter to the soil.

Tips on Types of Pots: Terra cotta pots are heavy and tend to dry out faster.

Glazed ceramic pots hold water for long periods and are available in a variety of shapes and colors. Both should be moved indoors for the winter.

Plastic pots come in a variety of colors, are lightweight and can often be left outdoors.

Fiberglass is lightweight, pricey and designed to be left outdoors year-round.

Metal is usually not a problem for northern gardeners and are quite trendy.

For more information on galvanized steel safety, visit Seeds_for_Thought64596.pdf (ucanr.edu).

FROM LISA HILGENBERG, CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN HORTICULTURIST: Climbing plants: Growing plants vertically is a great way to save space and add an architectural aesthetic to a container kitchen garden. Select a trellis to accommodate the type of climber. Peas and beans climb using tendrils that grow best around a thin fishing line netting; they won’t stay secure to an iron trellis. Some vining plants need help climbing, so they will need to be tied onto bamboo poles.

Melons: The minimum diameter container is 12 inches for watermelon, provided it’s a smaller stature, bush-type cultivar. Generally, watermelons produce two melons per plant if they are provided with highly fertile, well-drained soils. Muskmelons can be trellised in pots. Apply organic fertilizer three times during the melon plant’s growth: when the vines begin to run, when the first flowers appear and after the first harvest.

FROM AUTHOR MARK RIDSDILL SMITH: Seasonal favorites: Spring: new potatoes, kale, mangetout snow peas (edible pods) Summer: tomatoes, chilies, climbing French beans, Japanese wineberry Fall: arugula, kale, chard, apples

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natural chicago

by Sheryl DeVore Baker’s Lake rookery, in Barrington.

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enior wildlife biologist Chris Anchor has been studying rookeries—places where egrets, herons and cormorants nest communally—for decades. Like no other species in the region, these birds offer humans a chance to watch them court, build nests and raise young. “There’s so much interesting bird behavior to see from spring through summer at a rookery,” says Anchor, who works for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (fpdcc.com).

Sometime in March or early April, herons, egrets and cormorants arrive at the rookery and begin carrying long twigs to build or tidy old nests in trees.

“There, you’ll hear a lot of noise and competition and see males displaying for the females,” Anchor says. “They lift their wings and show off their plumage. It’s gorgeous.”

As the season progresses, the eggs hatch and the young demand food and constant attention from their busy parents that fly for miles to bring them regurgitated fish and other aquatic delights. Herons and egrets wade in shallow water to find fish and frogs, while cormorants swim 38

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and dive for fish.

Several large rookeries exist for the public to visit in the Chicago region, including Baker’s Lake, in Barrington, and Lake Renwick, in Plainfield. Types of species have changed over the years at these rookeries, and numbers of nests have risen and declined for various reasons. Many smaller rookeries can also be found throughout the Chicago region; some can be seen while driving, while others are nestled in hidden places.

Herons, egrets and cormorants nest in colonies from several to thousands of nests. They feel protected from predators when they’re in large numbers. “It’s like a big school of fish in the ocean,” Anchor explains, noting, “Herons and egrets are near the top of the food chain, so when you have a rookery, that indicates your environment is in good shape.”

Five types of herons and egrets, plus one cormorant species, have nested in small to large rookeries in Cook County.

The fairly common, but secretive green heron and the rare Left: Black-crowned night-heron

Photo by Jeff Nelson

Reveal Lives of Herons, Egrets and Cormorants

Photo by Jeff Nelson

Rookeries

Photo by Jeff Nelson

The Baker’s Lake rookery yellow-crowned night-heron has changed dramatically nest in small, loose colonies, over the years. It started with and are not easy to find. “Plus, the black-crowned night-herthey can appear one year and ons in the 1980s. That be gone the next,” Anchor attracted the great blue hersays. “At one time, eight, ons, which took the highest yellow-crowned night-heron place in the rookery, leaving nests were found at Busse the night-herons to lower Woods, in Rolling Meadows.

Then they left. Another time, quarters where they can more they showed up in a neigheasily be preyed upon. Great borhood in someone’s blue egrets, once state-endanspruce. We’ve seen that in gered, nest there, too.

South Holland, Barrington Rookeries don’t last Hills and Glencoe.” forever. They can collapse Forest Preserve District of Cook County researchers take blood samples for many reasons, and when Colonial nesters that of birds at the Baker’s Lake rookery, in Barrington. breed together in rookeries they do, birds have to find include the state-endananother suitable spot to nest in a colony. At Baker’s Lake, as at other rookeries, concentrated gered black-crowned night-heron, great egret, great blue heron bird droppings add nitrogen and phosphate to the environment, and double-crested cormorant. Once endangered in the state, killing the vegetation, including the trees in which the birds are cormorants have overtaken some of the rookeries, kicking out nesting. To keep the rookery going, forest preserve staff erected the smaller night-herons and sometimes even the larger blue herons. “At one point, Baker’s Lake had the largest black-crowned manmade nesting structures with platforms for them. “The birds readily accepted the structures,” Anchor says. “But because the night-heron rookery in the state,” Anchor relates. “Now, we maycormorants are now dominating, the staff has removed the platbe see one or two nests.” forms. We know the cormorants and egrets will continue to nest Black-crowned night-herons have recently established a on the ground, but at some point we’re hoping the process will rookery at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo (LPZoo.org) in a place allow itself to rehabilitate. We’re hoping the native vegetation will that’s not suitable for the cormorants or larger great blue herons.

To protect this endangered species, officials temporarily close the get growing again and another rookery will begin.”

Baker’s Lake, however, serves as an excellent study site. “Evchildren’s zoo during the night-heron nesting season to give the birds privacy. Colonial nesters might feel safe from predators, but ery spring, we go out with Brookfield Zoo staff and band a couple hundred birds,” Anchor says. “We take blood samples. We monthey prefer to be away from humans, according to Anchor. itor for heavy metals and pesticides. We’ve been doing this for decades.” For the most part, the levels have been within normal standards. These herons and egrets serve as environmental

Where to View Rookeries

… continued on page 40

The Forest Preserve District of Will County closes the Lake Renwick Nature Preserve rookery, in Plainfield, during the nesting season, but schedules times for public to take a guided walk to watch the birds. Visit ReconnectWithNature.org/ Preserves-Trails/Visitor-Centers/Lake-Renwick-Heron-Rookery-Visitor-Center.

Photo by Jeff Nelson

Other rookeries that can be visited include Copley Nature Park, part of Lake Renwick Nature Preserve, Joliet, Plainfield (ReconnectWithNature.org/preserves-trails/preserves/ lake-renwick/lake-renwick-copley), Baker’s Lake Nature Preserve, Barrington (fpdcc.com/places/locations/bakers-lake) and Rock Run Creek Forest Preserve, Joliet (ReconnectWithNature.org/preserves-trails/preserves/rock-run-rookery).

Make inquiries beforehand.

Great egret young wait for food from their parents at Baker’s Lake rookery, in Barrington.

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Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock

sentinels. Metals and pesticides accumulate in the fish the birds eat and then get transferred to the herons, egrets and cormorants. “By taking their blood samples, you can detect issues that could affect humans,” Anchor says.

Rookeries that are not on an island surrounded by water, like Baker’s Lake, leave the birds open to predation by raccoons. So a rookery may be established for a few years and then the raccoons find them, and birds need to look for another place to nest. “The whole system of rookeries is complex,” Anchor says.

David Robson, a biologist for the Forest Preserve District of Will County (ReconnectWithNature.org), agrees. He has been observing the changes at a long-lived rookery at Lake Renwick Forest Preserve for 35 years. Birds started a rookery there when it was an old quarry in the 1960s.

In the mid-1980s, five bird species nested in the rookery. These were the great blue herons, great egrets, double-crested cormorants, black-crowned night-herons and even some cattle egrets at that time, though they no longer breed at Lake Renwick.

As with the Baker’s Lake rookery, the trees began dying, so staff erected artificial structures to keep the birds breeding there. “There were all kinds of vegetated islands nearby which they’ve never attempted to nest on,” Robson says. “So we

Great blue heron chicks at Lake Renwick Nature Preserve, in Plainfield. said let’s try to keep them here.”

Still, the number of active nests is declining, he says. In 2011, wildlife ecologist surveyed and found roughly 1,200 active nests. In 2021, a wildlife ecologist discovered 241 active nests including 40 great blue, 77 great egret and 124 double-crested cormorant. Part of the rookery also moved to an island at Copley Nature Park, within the Lake Renwick preserve.

Robson says, “The number of good nesting locations is shrinking for these birds. We don’t know exactly what makes them choose a particular nesting site or how close it needs to be to where they

forage for food. “It’s the same old story,” he continues. “Every time someone talks about a form of wildlife in peril, it’s almost inevitably due to habitat loss and degradation.”

The hope is that enough natural habitat exists in the region so the herons and egrets have plenty of places to choose from. “And we need to hope that development and congestion in that part of Will County won’t get to be too much for them,” Robson says. After the breeding season, herons, egrets and cormorants disperse and can be found in the region foraging in lakes, ponds and rivers until they head south for the winter.

Double-crested cormorants at Lake Renwick Nature Preserve, in Plainfield.

Photo by Forest Preserve District of Will County

Sheryl DeVore has written six books on science, health and nature, as well as nature, health and environment stories for national and regional publications. Read more at SherylDeVore.wordpress.com.

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Editor’s Note: At press time, it was reported that some cormorants at Baker’s Lake may have been affected by avian flu. For more information, see the digital version of this article at NAChicago.com.

Learn more about Birdwatching in Illinois in the Natural Chicago section at NAChicago.com.

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wise words

Jeffrey Bland on

Rejuvenating Our Immune System

by Sandra Yeyati

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over, leading to a rejuvenated, balanced immune system that can be more resilient to the environment and isn’t overreacting or under-reacting, while still working as you would like it—to defend us.

How can we reset our immune system?

Jeffrey Bland

What is Immuno-Rejuvenation?

Recent discoveries show that exposure to things like a toxin, a serious viral infection or even post-traumatic stress syndrome may create an alarm reaction in our immune system, and the memory of that gets encoded in something called the epigenetic programming of our immune system, becoming a controller of how the immune system functions. This new state of alarm is passed on from immune cell to immune cell, locking the immune system into an imbalanced state that is tipped either towards too much response, which we call inflammation, or too little response, which is immune suppression and increased risk to infection.

A balanced immune system, on the other hand, is resilient and capable of moving forward and backward depending on the exposure that the individual is living through. We believe we can activate Immuno-Rejuvenation through a process built into our body’s system of renewal called autophagy. Its discovery won a Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology in 2016.

In the immune system, autophagy selectively prunes damaged cells that are carrying bad epigenetic messages, allowing cells that are not predestined to be alarmed to take 42

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There are two parts to our immune system. One is the adaptive immune system, which produces antibodies that remember what we were exposed to in terms of viruses or bacteria, and can mount a response if we are reinfected. The other, the innate immune system, is the first line of defense, found on our mucosal surfaces like our gastrointestinal tract, our respiratory tract or on our skin. In the last five to 10 years, immunologists have discovered that the innate immune system can be epigenetically retrained to be more in balance through things like time-restricted feeding, regular activity or exercise, predictably getting into REM sleep and the incorporation of plant-derived nutrients called phytochemicals into our diet, which are believed to activate selective autophagy processes. In conjunction with these lifestyle principles, you want to remove exposure to specific chemicals, including agrochemicals, airborne pollutants, heavy metals—things known to increase inflammation.

The innate immune system is cleansed in part through the activity of the lymphatic system, which is circulated by physical motion. If we’re not moving, our lymphatic system becomes sluggish. Many types of physical medicine—massage, acupuncture, manipulation, chiroprac-

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nown worldwide as the founder of functional medicine, Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., began his career as a professor of biochemistry at the University of Puget Sound, in Tacoma, Washington. In the 1980s, he was chosen

by Nobel laureate Linus Pauling to serve as director of nutritional research at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine. Bland’s expertise and visionary influence helped to popularize science-based nutrition and establish standards for evidence-based formulations, quality ingredient sourcing and ethical manufacturing practices in the natural products industry. Bland is the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed research publications and several bestselling books, most notably The Disease Delusion. His latest project is Big Bold Health, a company designed to transform the way people think about the immune system.

tic—are ways of activating lymphatic draining. This is a very important additional component for the improvement of our immune function.

At Big Bold Health, we put together resources to take people through an assessment of their own immune system by answering a questionnaire and a host of educational assets including videos, podcasts, blogs, recipes and more. You can access these for free on our website, BigBoldHealth.com.

What targeted, phytochemical-rich foods are you excited about?

Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat. Over the millennia of its evolution, this unique plant developed the ability to activate its immune system to defend itself against bugs, pollutants, poor soils, drought, sun. As a result, it has in its genes the ability to produce the highest level of immune-activating phytochemicals of any plant we know—50 to 100 times higher. Human clinical trials indicate that people who consume about 100 grams a day of the whole-meal Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat experience distinctive health advantages, reducing inflammation, lowering blood fats and blood sugar, and improving insulin sensitivity, all of which are conditions related to dysfunctions of the immune system.

How does the Immuno-Rejuvenation concept relate to women’s health?

Women have evolved mechanisms to modulate the immune system to accommodate pregnancy, but that estrogen/androgen balance that controls pregnancy also influences their immune system, and we’re starting to learn how it can significantly influence immune cell aging and injury. So this process of selective immune autophagy is very important in women who go on to have the most prevalent cases of autoimmunity, meaning they are more sensitive to some of these things that would produce an immune response that would be inflammatory.

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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natural pet

FEATHERED FRIENDS

by Karen Shaw Becker

W

hen they’re roaming outdoors, domesticated cats turn into natural-born predators. According to the American Bird Conservancy, domestic felines are the number one human-caused threat to birds in the U.S., killing an estimated 2.4 billion birds every year. Cats have contributed to the extinction of 63 species of birds, mammals and reptiles in the wild.

New studies suggest ways to let a cat enjoy the outdoors without endangering winged species.

Use Rainbow-Colored Ruff Collars A small study by the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) suggests that when bright, rainbow-colored ruff collars are placed on free-roaming cats, it reduces the number of birds they kill. Birds have excellent color vision, and the flashy collars work as an early warning system of impending stealth attacks. “To the bird, this rainbow color stands out like a sore thumb,” says Ken Otter, chair of the UNBC Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. “It’s the opposite of a hunter’s camo.”

Another study at the UK University of Exeter focused on 219 cats whose owners regularly let them hunt outside.

The researchers divided the cats into six groups, including a control group that didn’t change their habits. For 12 weeks, the owners took pictures of every animal their cats brought home and found that collar covers like those used in the Canadian study reduced the numbers of captured birds by 42 percent.

Feed Them a Fresh Meat Diet The UK researchers found that when cats were fed a high-meat protein, grain-free food, they brought home 36 percent fewer dead birds and other wildlife. Because cats are strict carnivores, a balanced diet rich in fresh animal meat, fed raw or gently cooked (rather than rendered meat or meat meal), meets their nutritional needs and reduces their urge to kill prey animals. A feline family 44

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member will do best with a diet that replicates that of captured prey: high in moisture content with excellent-quality meat, moderate amounts of high-quality animal fat and a very low percentage of carbohydrates. This means absolutely no kibble.

Play with a Cat Daily Households in which owners engaged in five to 10 minutes of daily object play with their cats (using, for example, an interactive feather toy like Da Bird) reported a 25 percent decrease in captured prey, according to the UK researchers.

“Cats who are young and still kittenish will play with almost anything. Older cats who’ve been around the block a few times and know how to hunt and play with their toys do tend to get bored more easily,” explains feline behaviorist Marci Koski, Ph.D. “I recommend having a number of different lures and wand toys in your toolbox.”

Avoid Cat Bells or Puzzle Feeders Cat bells have “no discernible effect” on cats’ prey catch, the UK researchers report. Puzzle feeders containing kibble actually increased killed prey by 33 percent, perhaps because of cats’ “inability to easily access food and resulting hunger or frustration,” they write.

Have Them Hunt Indoors for Food To ease boredom, give a cat opportunities to “hunt” for their food indoors. Try separating his daily portion of food into three to eight small meals, fed throughout the day in a variety of puzzle toys, or indoor hunting feeder mice. Or, hide his food bowls in various locations around the house. Start with one bowl in his usual spot, and then place his food portion into additional bowls in other areas where he is sure to find them. If there is more than one cat, keep the bowls in separate areas of the house.

Give Cats Safe Outdoor Access For reasons of safety and overall health and longevity, cats should be kept indoors, but with regular supervised access to the outdoors. Training her to walk on a harness and leash can be an ideal way to allow safe, controlled access to the great outdoors.

An alternative is a catio (cat patio), which is a safe outdoor enclosure that allows a kitty secure access to the outdoors. The enclosure should be open-air, allowing the cat to feel fresh air and sunlight, but shielded enough to prevent escape or a predator from getting inside. It also keeps birds safe.

Veterinarian Karen Shaw Becker has spent her career empowering animal guardians to make knowledgeable decisions to extend the life and well-being of their animals. For more information, visit DrKarenBecker.com.

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Saving Birds from Cats SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO PROTECT

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calendar of events CALENDAR DEADLINE: All listings must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Calendar events must be submitted online at NAChicago.com/Calendar.

Call First: Events or services may be cancelled, postponed or are now offered online.

Call and check websites for up-to-date information.

Mental Health Awareness Month Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month Jewish American Heritage Month

SUNDAY, MAY 1 May Day Int’l Workers Day The Arbor Day Plant Sale – 9am-4pm. Offers thousands of carefully chosen plants, and expert Plant Geniuses are available throughout the sale to answer questions and suggest plants.

The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. 630-968-0074. MortonArb.org.

Wildflower Preservation and Propagation Committee – 12-3pm. 150 species of forbs, grasses and ferns. Sales from other vendors available too. Cash and check only. McHenry County College, 8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake. thewppc.org.

Meet a Beekeeper – 12:30-2:30pm. Local beekeeper Mike Rusnak will discuss the art of beekeeping. Ask questions, chat and troubleshoot.

Pick up specific beekeeping tips or simply learn more about the world of beekeeping. Free. Plum Creek Nature Center, 27064 Dutton Rd, Beecher.

ReconnectWithNature.org.

MONDAY, MAY 2 Eid Ul-Fitr begins at sunset (Islam) Liberty Prairie Foundation’s 2022 Plant Sale Begins – Order online a wide variety of healthy vegetable, flower and herb seedlings. Pick-up on May 13 & May 21. OrganicPlantSale.net.

TUESDAY, MAY 3 World Press Freedom Day Eid Ul-Fitr (Islam) ONLINE: Lunch and Learn: Paddling Safety and River Hazards – 12-1pm. Join a certified canoe and kayak instructor for an informational virtual presentation that will discuss safe paddling in Will County and the potential hazards that can exist on the waterways. Via Zoom.

ReconnectWithNature.org.

ONLINE: Go Green Highland Park Monthly Meeting – 7pm. 1st Tues. Join GGHP for our monthly meeting and share your ideas. Find out how you can get involved in event planning or help with other group activities. More info: GoGreenHP.org.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 4

Thrive MD Open House – 4-6pm. Learn about the Emsculpt Neo, the first and only non-invasive body shaping procedure that provides simultaneous fat elimination and muscle building in a combined 30-min session. 1355 Remington Rd, Ste I, Schaumburg. RSVP required: ThriveMD.com.

Hiking with Your Hound: Spring Wildflowers – 6-7pm. Enjoy a springtime walk in this wildflower haven with a naturalist and your pup. All dogs must be on a leash no longer than 10 ft. 1 dog/person.

McKinley Woods, Frederick’s Grove, 27110 S McKinley Woods Rd, Channahon. Register by May 3: 815-722-9470 or ReconnectWithNature.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 5 Cinco de Mayo ONLINE: Birding in the Preserves – 7-8pm.

Learn to bird from home on this virtual hike through one of the District’s preserves. After viewing the webinar, you will know how to go out on your own in the preserves to find birds and how to contribute to citizen science. Free. Via Zoom.

ReconnectWithNature.org.

FRIDAY, MAY 6

Rejuvenating Qigong Retreat – May 6-7. With Lorrie Formella. When we choose to think, believe, and act from a position of power, refusing to be a victim of stress, anxiety and other negative energy, the healer within is automatically strengthened. $295. Golden Light Healing, 7102 Sundew Rd, Sobieski, WI. 920-609-8277.

GoldenLightHealing.net.

Spring Wildflower ID and Ethnobotany – 9-11am. Wander through the ever-changing array of native wildflowers on a guided walk at the Arboretum with instructor Cindy Crosby, a natural history writer and master gardener. Learn basic tips to identify wildflowers, their folklore and uses, and how wildflowers inspire literature, poetry and art. $32. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. 630-968-0074.

Register: MortonArb.org.

Cupping Part One: Cupping for Health and Vitality – 10am-5pm. Cupping creates a vacuum to draw out stagnation and toxins and mobilizes the blood, qi and lymph. Learn a variety of cupping techniques addressing the common cold, muscle aches and pains, digestive disorders and irregular menstruation, etc. 6 CEs. $150. Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 818 Lake St, Evanston. 847-864-1130.

ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 7

Mother’s Day Weekend at Monee Reservoir – May 7 & 8. 6am-7pm. Take part in outdoor activities including fishing, hiking, picnicking, boating or just lounging in the sun. Visit the concessions building and mention that you are a mother and receive a complementary Mother’s Day gift.

Free. Monee Reservoir, 27341 S Ridgeland Ave, Monee. ReconnectWithNature.org.

Frederick’s Grove Wildflower Hike – 9-11am.

Explore one of our oldest preserves and see what’s in bloom. Rain or shine. Approximately 2 miles on natural trails over uneven terrain. Free. McKinley Woods, Frederick’s Grove, 27110 S McKinley Woods Rd, Channahon. Register by May 6: 815-722-9470 or ReconnectWithNature.org.

Go Green Wilmette 2022 Native Plant Sale – 9-11am. In-person only; no pre-order.

Gillson Park Beach Parking Lot, Wilmette.

GoGreenWilmette.org/plantsale.

Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners Plant Sale – 9am12pm. Find plants that have been locally grown by our Batavia Plain Dirt Gardener members. Many native plants. Sun, shade, plants, shrubs, small trees, all ready for your yard. Free admission.

Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S Lincoln St, Batavia.

BataviaPlainDirtGardeners@gmail.com.

Native Plant Sale – May 7 & 8. 9am-3pm, Sat; 10am-2pm, Sun. In-person and online.

Choose from a variety of native ferns, flowers, plants, shrubs or woody plants suited to almost any backyard. Independence Grove Forest Preserve, North Bay Pavilion, Libertyville. lcfpd.org/plant-sale.

Heal Your Life with Love – 9:30am-1pm.

Through the practice of love, each day will have a clear direction and purpose, and we will gradually access our potential to experience a powerful, pure, and all-embracing love that brings tremendous happiness to our family, friends, and finally to everyone. $35/advance, $40/at door.

Cheney Mansion, 220 N Euclid Ave, Oak Park.

MeditateInChicago.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 8 Mother’s Day Buddha Day (Buddhism) Mother’s Day Brunch – 9, 11am, 2pm. Treat the special woman in your life to a delicious buffet-style Mother’s Day Brunch in the Ginkgo Restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Meadow Lake. After brunch, spend the rest of the day exploring the Arboretum grounds during one of the most popular times of year to visit. $64/adults, $34/ages 4-12, free/ages 3 & under. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. 630-968-0074. MortonArb.org.

Steel and Stone Hike: Joliet Iron Works and I&M Canal – 9-11am. Get a brief introduction to its industrial past and then hike the trails.

Free. Joliet Iron Works Historic Site, Columbia St, Joliet. Register by May 6: 815-886-1467 or ReconnectWithNature.org.

MONDAY, MAY 9 See NAChicago.com for latest events.

nachicago.com for the latest updates in health & wellness

TUESDAY, MAY 10 See NAChicago.com for latest events.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 See NAChicago.com for latest events.

THURSDAY, MAY 12 See NAChicago.com for latest events.

FRIDAY, MAY 13

Cupping Part Two: Silicone Moving Cups – 10am-5pm. Silicone Moving Cups are a versatile and natural extension of the therapist’s hands.

This class will review silicone moving cup methods and protocols for soft tissue dysfunction of the neck, shoulder, hip and scars. 6 CEs. $150.

Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 818 Lake St, Evanston.

847-864-1130. ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

ONLINE: Take a Break with a Frog Symphony – 12-12:30pm. Grab your lunch and enjoy a quick 30-min naturalist-led session on frogs. Learn what they look and sound like and which ones are the best singers, from tree frogs to bullfrogs to the all-American toad. Free. Via Zoom.

ReconnectWithNature.org.

Tarot Reading – 12-4:30pm. By appt. With Andre. $35/30-min session. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922.

ShopSacredGround.com.

WILL-derness Women’s Weekend – May 13-15. 4:30pm, Fri-11am, Sun. Take the time to unplug and enjoy the outdoors with camping, archery, hiking, crafts, evening campfires, camp cooking, outdoor skills, mindfulness activities and more. Ages 18 or older. $20/person. Hickory Creek Preserve, Cleveland Road Access, Frankfort Township. Register by May 6: 815-727-8700 or ReconnectWithNature.org.

SAVE THE DATE Infinity Foundation 25th Anniversary Gala – 5:30-10pm. Practitioners’ fair with mini-demonstrations and silent auction from 5:30-7:30pm. precedes an elegant dinner at 8pm. 2022 Spirit Award recipient Cyndi Dale is the keynote speaker. Ravinia Green Country Club, 1200 Saunders Rd, Riverwoods.

847-831-8828. InfinityFoundation.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 14 World Fair Trade Day International Migratory Bird Day Local World Fair Trade Day 2022 – Member businesses, organizations and allies are hosting events throughout the city to showcase how they support economic and environmental justice. Receive virtual passports to use when checking in at different sites, and after checking in at 3 or more be entered to win a fair trade raffle valued at more than $200.

More info: ChicagoFairTrade.org/events.

The Audubon Chapter Big Day – 12am11:59pm. Aa competition between participating Illinois Audubon Society Chapters and Affiliates for the most species identified. All welcome. Free.

Pre-registration required: IllinoisAudubon.org.

Wildflower Photography Hike – 8:30-10:30am.

Will start at the preserve’s Hawthorn Grove Shelter to briefly learn what makes this preserve so special each spring. Then hike with a naturalist and take photos along the way. Free. Messenger Woods Nature Preserve, 13800 W Bruce Rd, Homer Glen. Register by May 12: 815-722-4121 or ReconnectWithNature.org.

Reiki Play Day – 9-11am. All members of the reiki community are welcome, whatever your reiki level or lineage. Share in the expansiveness that group meditation brings as we lift our energies together. Let’s revel in the energy and support of our community. $20 suggested donation. Calandra Center for Health and Wellness, 830 E Higgins Rd, Unit 112, Schaumburg. 312-796-3965. Registration required: CalandraAcupuncture.com.

30th Annual Chicago River Day – 9am-Noon.

The spring litter cleanup and restoration event draws thousands of volunteers every year to work in and along the river system at nearly 70 locations throughout the watershed: from Lake County to the Calumet region and southwest to Summit, Palos and beyond. Registration required: Tinyurl.com/37jaaekx.

Migration Celebration – 9am-1pm. This is the time of year songbirds migrating from South America pass through the area on their way to breeding grounds in the forests of Canada.

Learn the secrets of these birds’ extraordinary journeys during guided hikes, family activities and presentations. Free. Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, 25055 W Walnut Ln, Channahon. ReconnectWithNature.org.

Activating Energetic & Empowering Pathways Workshop – 9am-3pm. Cyndi Dale will explain how to claim and direct 3 types of supernatural resources to promote health that is healing and transformative. $140, $125/10 days advance. Ravinia Green Country Club, 1200 Saunders Rd, Riverwoods. 847-831-8828. InfinityFoundation.org.

ONLINE: Chicago IANDS – 2pm. Support/ study/resource forum for near-death, out-ofbody and spiritual experiences, losses. Guest Speaker: Virginia Jablonski, NDEr, animal communicator and intuitive healer, spiritual teacher. $20 tax-deductible donation requested (see website). For more info & to register: 847-2515758 or ChicagoIANDS.org.

Lymphormation Class – 2pm. 2nd Sat. Join CLT Lymphatic Practitioner Sharon Vogel and staff for complimentary community service monthly lecture about the lymphatic system, lymphedema, post-surgical swelling, new surgeries available, natural remedies, selfcare, bandaging, plus receive complimentary measurements for garments and pneumatic pumps. Learn how to perform The Vogel Method of self-manual lymphatic drainage. National Lymphatic Centers, 3100 Theodore St, Ste 202, Joliet & 5002a Main St, Downers Grove. RSVP: 630-241-4100. Lymphatics.net.

Amazing Gong Journey – 6-7:30pm. With Sound Healer Andre Peraza. The gong is a powerful instrument that works on many levels to heal the listener. It can help release deep emotional energy and feelings to better ground yourself.

Bring yoga mat, pillow, blanket and an open mind. $30. The Edgar Cayce Holistic Center, 259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines. 847-299-6535.

HolisticCenterChicago.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 15

Tails on the Trails – 7am-sunset; 9am-4pm, vendor expo. Enjoy a “paw”fect day out with your pup, meandering down the Arboretum’s 16 miles of hiking trails. Shop from local businesses and organizations in the pet expo. Regular admission applies, $5/dog. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. 630-968-0074. Registration required: MortonArb.org.

Hawaiian Elemental Healing Treatments – 2-5pm. Treatments by Barbara Petersen work with the elemental qualities of Fire, Water, Air and Earth that are directed to specific areas of the body. During this process the elements support areas that are strong and build up the energies that are weaker to create harmonious function of your mind, body and spirit. $35/30min session. The Edgar Cayce Holistic Center, 259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines. 847-299-6535.

HolisticCenterChicago.com.

MONDAY, MAY 16 Full Moon Ohyaihgo-nah: Moon of Great Ripening Berries, Flower Moon ONLINE: Ethics: Safety & Consent or Trauma Conscious Language – 10am-1pm. Also held May 23. Classes fulfill both the 3-hr Ethics credit and 1-hr Sexual Harassment Prevention requirements for Illinois Licensed Massage Therapists. May 16, Safety and Consent; May 23, Trauma-Conscious Language. 3 CEs/class. $75/class. Zen Shiatsu Chicago: 847-864-1130.

ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

TUESDAY, MAY 17 Endangered Species Day International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia Reiki: Journey to True Self – 7-9pm. Workshop is about experiencing reiki for yourself. Learn about and do some Traditional Japanese Reiki practices.

Get to play with the energy and find the fun of it together with others. Practice the first meditation taught in Reiki Level 1 and connect with the feeling of the energy within and around you. $30. Infinity Foundation, 1280 Old Skokie Rd, Highland Park.

847-831-8828. CalandraAcupuncture.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18

Arboretum History Hike – 1-3pm. Also June 1. Celebrate 100 years of the Arboretum with a guided hike of the grounds. Visit historic locations on the Arboretum’s West Side, including the Thornhill residence and the Morton family cemetery. $23. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. 630-968-0074. Register: MortonArb.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 19

ONLINE: Lyme Disease 101 – 7pm. With Jessica Montalvo, MD, of Forum Health Wheaton.

Learn why Lyme is difficult to diagnose and the best methods for diagnosis; common coinfections associated with Lyme; how to identify and cope with Lyme flare-ups; and how to treat chronic Lyme disease with an integrative medicine approach, and Q&A to follow. Register: ForumHealthWheaton.com.

May 2022

47

FRIDAY, MAY 20 Bike-to-Work Day Long Life, Merit & Wisdom: The Blessing Empowerment of Buddha Amitayus – May 20-22.

An ideal opportunity to draw close to Buddha Amitayus and learn how to rely upon him through profound and effective meditations anyone can practice. Through this training, we will gradually free ourselves from all obstacles and unhappiness, enjoy a long and happy life, and develop profound ability to benefit others. $12-$80.

Kadampa Meditation Center Chicago, 13 Harrison St, Oak Park. MeditateInChicago.org.

Cupping Part Three: Silicone Cupping for Myofascial Syndromes of Shoulder, Neck, Hip, & Leg – 10am-5pm. Prerequisite: Cupping Part Two. Learn cupping protocols for a variety of syndromes, focusing on effective acupoints and meridians, including exercises to assist in expansive, pain-free movement. 6 CEs. $150.

Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 818 Lake St, Evanston.

847-864-1130. ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

Northbrook Art in the Park – May 21 & 22. 10am5pm. 85 artists showing paintings, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics and more. Live music in the gazebo, festival food and youth art activities make this a family friendly event. Admission free. Village Green Park, Walters Ave, Northbrook. Amdur Productions: 847-926-4300.

AmdurProductions.com.

Shoshin Shiatsu – May 21 & 22. 10am-5pm.

Shoshin Shiatsu or “Beginners Mind” shiatsu, is a traditional combination of classical shiatsu and Thai massage using tsubo stimulation and meridian stretching. In this hands-on class, experience: breath meditation, hara engagement, tsubo point combinations and paired meridian stretches. 12 CEs. $300. Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 818 Lake St, Evanston. 847-864-1130.

ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

Sound Healing – 6:30-8pm. With Andre. Gong baths are a type of meditation, where you “bathe” in the healing vibrations of sound. $35.

Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights.

847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 21

Lake Forest Open Lands Go Native! Plant Sale – 8am-1pm. Mellody Farm Nature Preserve, 350 N Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest. lfola.org/GoNative.

SUNDAY, MAY 22

Lake County Master Gardener 2022 Plant Sale – 9am-2pm. Featuring a selection of nursery-grown plant varieties not readily available in traditional garden centers. Many varieties of home-grown tomatoes and vegetables, as well as gently used garden-related items. University of Illinois Extension, 100 S Highway 45, Grayslake. 847-223-8627. Tinyurl.com/2se8ezzs.

Canoe & Kayak Marathon – 8am. The beautiful course runs 18.5 miles on the upper Des Plaines River in northern Illinois. Added in 2014 the 5.25mile Minithon ends at the same finish line as the longstanding 18.5-mile Marathon. More info: CanoeMarathon.com.

Spring Pop-Up Native Plant Sale – May 21 & 22. 9am-2pm, Sat; 9am-12pm, Sun. Shop in-person for over 65 different species of native plants perfect for the pollinators in your life. Isle a la Cache Museum & Preserve, 501 E Romeo Rd, Romeoville. WillCountyNature.org.

SPRING! A GREAT TIME TO

World Biodiversity Day

Boating Safety Day – 12-4pm. Enjoy fun boating-related activities and music. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be on site to inspect boats and gear such as sails, dinghies, kayaks and decks, so bring it out to ensure you are safe and ready for the water. Free. Monee Reservoir, 27341 S Ridgeland Ave, Monee.

ReconnectWithNature.org.

Consider a new

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is looking for PRINT & DIGITAL MEDIA SALES PEOPLE Commission-based position with GREAT EARNING POTENTIAL for the right person!

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48

Chicago

NAChicago.com

Tarot Reading – 12-4:30pm. By appt. With Andre. $35/30-min session. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922.

ShopSacredGround.com.

Crystal Grids for You in The Aquarian Age – 2-5pm. Learn about crystal grids and how to choose the elements of a grid, how to activate the grid, where to place it, and how to continue interacting with the power of the grid. Learn tools and techniques to attract what you want to bring into your life: abundance, spirituality, love, Divine Light and more. $40. The Edgar Cayce Holistic Center, 259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines. 847-299-6535.

HolisticCenterChicago.com.

MONDAY, MAY 23 World Turtle Day

TUESDAY, MAY 24

Malcolm Smith, Spiritual Healer – May 2426. 9am-6pm. Malcolm considers himself an ordinary person with an extraordinary gift, the ability to be a channel for healing energy from God. In addition to in-person sessions, there are a limited number of remote sessions available if you are unable to get to the Edgar Cayce Holistic Center. $100. The Edgar Cayce Holistic Center, 259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines. 847-299-6535.

HolisticCenterChicago.com.

Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners – 6:45-8:30pm.

Learn some tips and tricks for creating the perfect container garden for flowers or veggies. Free. The Lodge At Laurelwood, 800 N River St, Batavia.

BataviaPlainDirtGardeners@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25 See NAChicago.com for latest events.

THURSDAY, MAY 26

Democracy of Trees: What Forests Can Teach Us About Community Health – 7-8:30pm. Join Todd Fink, founder of the Kind Mind podcast, as he leads us on a mindfulness journey in this unique program. He will explore the philosophy, mythology and ecology of the forest world and how it relates to human potential. Free. Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E Romeo Rd, Romeoville.

ReconnectWithNature.org.

FRIDAY, MAY 27

SAVE THE DATE 11th Anniversary Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference Weekend: Honors Flora, Fauna and Funga – May 27-29. Keynote speakers are Dr. Cornelia Cho, Misty Cook and Suzanne Simard, author of Finding the Mother Tree. Enjoy more than 60 workshops and plant walks, herbal education, personal growth workshops, singing, dancing, nourishing meals, swimming, campfires and a Red Tent communal space. Camp Helen Brachman, Almond, WI. MidwestWomensHerbal.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 28 Museum Campus Exploration Day – 10am4pm. Learn about the French fur traders and Potawatomi who once called this area home.

Drop in for self-guided exploration. Free. Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E Romeo Rd, Romeoville.

ReconnectWithNature.org.

Barrington Art Festival – May 28 & 29. 10am5pm. Includes 130 artists from near and far showing and selling art in all media including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, wearables and more. Live music, youth art activities, food.

Free admission. Downtown Barrington, S Cook St & E Station St, Barrington. 847-926-4300.

AmdurProductions.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 29 See NAChicago.com for latest events.

MONDAY, MAY 30 Memorial Day New Moon

TUESDAY, MAY 31 See NAChicago.com for latest events.

THURSDAY, JUNE 2

Stress, Hormones & Health Seminar – 6:30pm.

Learn how hormone imbalances can affect your sleep cycles, carbohydrate cravings and fat burning. Why “counting calories” doesn’t work for belly fat. Learn the biggest mistake that people make with exercise that prevents weight loss.

With Meena T. Malhotra, MD. Free. Heal n Cure Medical Wellness Center, 2420 Ravine Way, Ste 400, Glenview. RSVP: 847-686-4444 or HealNCure.com/seminar.

SATURDAY, JUNE 4

SAVE THE DATE Body Mind Spirit Expo Weekend – June 4-5. 10am-7pm, Sat; 10am-6pm, Sun. Live performances featuring entertaining music, dance and spoken word. Explore an incredible selection of the nation’s finest psychics and mediums, the best in alternative health, wellness tools, products and resources. $15/ weekend. Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Dr, Tinley Park. bmse.net.

MONDAY, JUNE 6

SAVE THE DATE Birds, Bees, and Butterflies: Plant Your Own Pollinator Garden – 6:30-8pm. In-Person & online. With the Darien Garden Club. Sarah Michehl, Community Engagement Specialist at the Land Conservancy of McHenry County, will teach how to attract butterflies, birds and bees to your yard. Indian Prairie Public Library, 401 Plainfield Rd, Darien. Registration required: ippl.libcal.com/event/8880935.

2 Misconceptions

about Bladder Pain and

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI s) If you suffer from bladder pain or reoccurring UTIs, you’re probably doing all the things to avoid the next painful onset: drinking enough water, and consuming cranberry juice or cranberry extract. Bladder discomfort can happen when bacteria enters the urinary system by way of the urethra.

Most commonly, this bacteria comes from the bowel. But could something else be causing the issue?

Misconception 1 : Bladder irritation is always a UTI .

People experiencing bladder urgency or pain may think that they have a UTI. However, bladder irritation often occurs when the body is taking in food that cannot be digested properly.

Misconception 2 : Taking antibiotics will rid the pain or discomfort. Looking at the issue scientifically, this is

what we know: Cultivating a healthy gut balance through proper nutrition can get to the source of what is causing the irritation, and may be a helpful therapy for reoccurring or chronic issues.

Get Expert Help.

If you experience bladder irritation, you can identify what’s really going on and establish an effective therapy plan. I take a science-based approach to understanding your unique digestive needs. Developing a healthy gut balance by identifying food irritants and optimizing digestion—can have a big impact on reducing chronic symptoms and boosting overall health and vitality.

The Tummy Whisperer is here for you.

Call today for a free 15-minute consultation.

Let’s get you feeling better.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

SAVE THE DATE Integrative NLP Practitioner Certification Training – Sept 8-11. Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) teaches proven techniques to communicate effectively, build rapport easily, release limiting beliefs, overcome procrastination, lack of motivation and phobias. $144 with Promo Code NATURAL. Intercontinental Chicago, 505 Michigan Ave, Chicago. 800-800-6463.

NLP.com/nlp-training-chicago-illinois.

Digestive 847-207-2 Call 84 7-207-20 034 Telehealth and in- offi officce t he tu m mywh i sp e re r. c o m May 2022

49

Check Online:

Check the NA Online Calendar and Directory for many updates and new online events and workshops.

ongoing events To ensure we keep our community calendar current, ongoing events must be resubmitted each month. DEADLINE: All listings must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Calendar events must be submitted online at NAChicago.com/Calendar.

DAILY ALL MONTH

TUESDAY

The Way We Worked: A Traveling Exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution – Thru May 8.

Explores how work became such a central element in American culture by tracing the many changes that affected the workforce and work environments over the past 150 yrs. Free. Isle a la Cache Museum, Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E Romeo Rd, Romeoville. 815-886-1467.

ReconnectWithNature.org.

Peruvian Shaman Healing – 12-3pm. By appt.

Melissa’s Shamanic healing is based from Peruvian descent. The goal of a healing is to create balance within and create harmony. $35/30 mins, $60/hr. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922.

ShopSacredGround.com.

Spring 95-Mile Challenge – Thru Jun 30.

Walk, run or bike 95 miles in the district’s 127 miles of paved, crushed limestone and natural surface trails. Receive a commemorative prize. Free. For more info: 815-727-8700 or ReconnectWithNature.org.

SUNDAY ONLINE: The Mike Nowak Show Radio Program – 9-11am. Live weekly online local talk show focused on gardening and the environment, with lots of humor to wake us up. Author and master gardener Mike Nowak and cohost Peggy Malecki feature a variety of guests and weather/climate scientist Rick DiMaio in a live show on Facebook and YouTube @The Mike Nowak Show and streaming live at MikeNowak.net. Also available in podcast on MikeNowak.net, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and podcast apps. Free.

MikeNowak.net.

Glenwood Sunday Market – Jun 5-Oct 23.

9am-2pm. Composed entirely of farmers and food artisans that work within 200 miles of Rogers Park, the market’s mission is to make sustainable, regionally produced foods accessible to the whole community. Glenwood Ave between Morse & Lunt Aves, Rogers Park.

GlenwoodSundayMarket.org.

Time to Dance: Ballet – 10:30am. Also 1:30pm, Tues & 5:30pm, Thurs. Although not beginner classes, dancers of all levels of experience welcome. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

MONDAY See NAChicago.com for latest events.

50

Chicago

NAChicago.com

Time to Dance: Ballet – 1:30pm. Also 10:30am, Sun & 5:30pm, Thurs. Although not beginner classes, dancers of all levels of experience welcome. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

Reiki with Rose – 3-7pm. By appt. Reiki, a form of therapy relating to energy healing, works with the energy fields around the body and involves the transfer of universal energy from the practitioner’s palms to the client. $60. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922.

ShopSacredGround.com.

Green Drinks Libertyville – 6:30pm. 2nd Tues. Check our Facebook page for updates.

Facebook.com/greendrinkslibertyville.

ONLINE: Guided Meditation for Inner Balance & Quieting the Mind – 6:50-8:10pm. 3rd Tue. With Ellen Radha Katz. Donation. Via Zoom. Register: Meetup.com/Inner-Balance-Meditation.

Advanced Meditation with Phillip – 7:30pm. By appt. Come together to meditate and pray for Mother Earth and humanity. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922.

ShopSacredGround.com.

Shiatsu Student Clinic – Thru June 14. 7 & 8pm.

Receive a 45-min session from an advanced Zen Shiatsu student. Sessions are performed in a group setting with instructor observation. $35/45-min or $90/3 treatments. Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 825A Chicago Ave, Evanston.

Availability limited; for appts: 847-864-1130.

ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

Private Numerology Readings – 12-3pm. By appt. With Philip Clark. Numerology helps us understand our vibration, universal energy and personal experiences. It helps us understand our uniqueness. You can ask all types of questions and Philip will help guide you using the numbers that are specific to you. $35/30 mins, $60/hr; $125/Birth Angel. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922.

ShopSacredGround.com.

Green Drinks McHenry County – 5-7pm.

1st Wed. Check website for updates.

GreenDrinks.org/IL/Crystal Lake.

THURSDAY Time to Dance: Fitness – 9:30am. Emphasizes low-impact, high-intensity, cardio dance and fitness routines accompanied by music. Alternate dance with resistance routines to build and maintain muscle and bone density. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

Time to Dance: Modern – 1:30pm. Although not beginner classes, dancers of all levels of experience welcome. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

Time to Dance: Ballet – 5:30pm. Also 10:30am, Sun & 1:30pm, Tues. Although not beginner classes, dancers of all levels of experience welcome. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

Shiatsu Student Clinic – Thru Jun 16. 7 & 8pm.

Receive a 45-min session from an advanced Zen Shiatsu student. Sessions are performed in a group setting with instructor observation. $35/45-min or $90/3 treatments. Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 825A Chicago Ave, Evanston.

Availability limited; for appts: 847-864-1130.

ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

Beginner Meditation with Phillip – 7pm. By appt.

Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights.

847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

Green City Market: Lincoln Park – May-Oct. 7am-1pm. 1817 N Clark, South end of Lincoln Park, Chicago. GreenCityMarket.org.

See NAChicago.com for latest events.

ONLINE: Body & Brain Tai Chi Class – 1011am. Additional classes held daily; see website for times. After a short set of warm up exercises, get into meridian stretching (to improve circulation, strength and flexibility, and relax the mind) and then go into Body & Brain-style tai chi called DahnMuDo. We stream all classes live on Zoom.

Info & to register: 847-362-2724, Libertyville@ BodyNBrain.com, BodyNBrain.com/Libertyville.

SATURDAY Green City Market: Lincoln Park – May-Oct. 7am-1pm. 1817 N Clark, South end of Lincoln Park, Chicago. GreenCityMarket.org.

Palatine Farmers Market – May-Oct. 7am-1pm.

Palatine Train Station, 137 W Wood St, Palatine.

PalatineSisterCities.org/winter-farmers-market.

Spring Early Birds at North Park – Thru May. 8-10am. The Nature Center is open early for morning hikes and bird watching during the spring bird migration. Binoculars and field guides available for free use upon request. Join a group of birders or enjoy a self-guided walk.

Beginners welcome. Free. North Park Village Nature Center Park, 5801 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago.

ChicagoParkDistrict.com.

Advanced Allergy Therapeutic Treatment – 8am-12pm. Offering holistic, non-invasive, drug-free treatments to calm the sympathetic nervous system. Taking all precautions to protect from COVID-19. For an appt: 847392-7901, MWAllergyRelief@gmail.com or MidwestAllergyRelief.com.

Green City Market: West Loop – Thru Oct. 8am1pm. Mary Bartleme Park, 115 S Sangamon St, Chicago. GreenCityMarket.org.

ONLINE: Body & Brain Basic Yoga Class – 9-10am. After a short set of warm up exercises, get into meridian stretching, followed by core strengthening and breathing postures to accumulate energy. Then be guided in the practice of energy meditation. $20/class. Body & Brain Yoga and Tai Chi, 860 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville.

847-362-2724. BodyNBrain.com/libertyville.

61st Street Indoor Farmers Market – May 14Oct 29. 9am-2pm. 61st & Dorchester, Chicago.

ExperimentalStation.org/market.

Breathe Easy Yoga Workshop – 11am-12:15pm.

1st Sat. Learn not only learn several pranayama techniques, but also use movement to strengthen and stretch the body in ways that support functional posture to enhance your natural capacity to breathe well and with ease. In-person and online. $25/class, $125/6 sessions. Room to Breathe & Center Psychotherapy, 25 E Washington St, Ste 1025A, Chicago. 414-436-7244.

RoomToBreatheChicago.com.

CLASSIFIEDS AKASHIC CONSULTATION AKASHIC RECORD READING – Open the record of your soul’s journey to find information to support you in your life right now, heal your past and help you into your future. Heal. Grow. Investigate.

Find direction. Lin Ewing: 847-609-0034.

AstrologicalDetails.com.

ASTROLOGY ASTROLOGY – Understand yourself, your motivations, your feelings. Recognize your talents, strengths, successes. Overcome difficulties and confusion. Astrology can help pull it all together. Relationships.

Career. Plan the future. Serious astrology for serious seekers. Private, personal consultations. Lin Ewing: 847-609-0034.

AstrologicalDetails.com.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES YOUR LISTING CAN BE HERE – Visit NAChicago.com/classifieds.

HELP WANTED YOUR LISTING CAN BE HERE – Visit NAChicago.com/classifieds.

community resource guide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community.

Acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine CALANDRA CENTER FOR HEALTH & WELLNESS

Teri Calandra, MSTOM, Dipl Acu, LAc, LMT, RMT South Loop: 312-796-3965 Schaumburg: 312-515-9492 Facebook @CalandraAcuChi CalandraAcupuncture.com We believe that when someone has the tools to help themselves that the possibilities are endless.

Offering acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal medicine, NAET allergy elimination, reiki, Access Consciousness, and a variety of wellness educational classes. Teri specializes in gynecological disorders, infertility, menopausal syndrome, musculoskeletal dysfunctions, allergies, respiratory disorders, digestive disorders, thyroid disorders.

LANA MOSHKOVICH, LAC, ND, MSOM

Nirvana Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine 707 Lake Cook Rd, Ste 100, Deerfield 60015 847-715-9044 NirvanaNaturopathics.com

We use acupuncture to help you get immediate relief from acute or chronic pain. Combining Western and Chinese Medicine, we can treat and resolve insomnia, anxiety, fertility and women’s health issues, plus chronic conditions. Certified NAET. Preferred MeiZen Provider. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. Major insurances accepted. Schedule your initial appointment on NirvanaNaturopathics.com. Get a healthier and alternative approach to your chronic health conditions. See ad on page 23.

Allergies MIDWEST ALLERGY RELIEF CENTER

3365 N Arlington Hts Rd, Ste D, Arlington Hts 60004 847-392-7901 MidwestAllergyRelief.com

Dr. Amanda Thiry, DC, BSN, uses Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT), a non-invasive alternative technology that’s effective and safe for all ages, to identify and treat specific allergen elements that affect your quality of life.

Discover how you can eat foods, be near pets and use products again that you now avoid, and experience a new lease on life.

Bodywork NATIONAL LYMPHATIC CENTERS

Sharon M Vogel, LMT, CLT, BCTMB, MFR 5002a Main St, Downers Grove 7 N Grant St, Hinsdale 3100 Theodore St, Ste 202, Joliet 630-241-4100 • Lymphatics.net Sharon Vogel is referred to by Mayo Clinic practitioners, national surgeons and physicians. She offers 46 years hands-on experience, 29 years as a licensed practitioner, and is Nationally Board Certified, specializing in oncology massage, lymph drainage MLD and myofascial release JFB MFR, all to help assist clients in regaining health. Free consult with RSVP.

ROTH STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

Diane Roth, BCSI Highland Park, 60035 847-533-3213 • RothSI.com Structural Integration (SI) realigns, rebalances and re-educates the body through manual therapy and movement education. Chronic pain, bad posture, tired and achy bodies are signs that the body is out of balance.

SI benefits include decreased pain, injury rehabilitation, improved posture, ease in movement, and increased flexibility and stamina.

ZEN SHIATSU CHICAGO

825 Chicago Ave, Evanston 60202 847-864-1130 ZenShiatsuChicago.org

You’ll feel the stress melt away like the snow in spring through our relaxation-focused shiatsu massage practice, which offers the same energizing benefits as acupuncture combined with the restorative power of yoga poses. Dress in cozy threads, shiatsu is performed on fully clothed clients. Professional and student therapists available.

See ad on back cover.

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for the latest updates in health & wellness May 2022

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CBD/Hemp Oil NATURAL REMEDEE HEALTH SOLUTIONS

Dee Bayro, CHHC NaturalRemedee.com HempHealthTalks.com

Your hemp health coach. Too many people are living with daily pain and chronic conditions, without much support. Many have not heard or know how cannabis works in the body, and that it is essential to maintain homeostasis (balance of all the body systems) or that it is involved in a number of physiological processes, including pain sensation, mood, memory and appetite, and more. As your health advisor, I will help guide you and find answers. We get to the root cause and see if cannabinoid therapy is right for you. Over thousands of studies support the therapeutic benefits for over 250 health conditions. Visit our website or attend an online free informational Zoom (register on website) to learn more.

Coaching & Counseling BELIEF REDESIGN: REDECORATE YOUR MIND!

Rebecca J. Robbins, PhD 862-254-3637 Info@BeliefRedesign.com BeliefRedesign.com

Dr. Robbins is a trained neuroplastician and is helping people around the world heal from anxiety and other negative emotions using the mind’s natural ability to rewire and heal. This is done through Eutaptics™, in her practice called Belief Redesign. She has helped hundreds of people rewire their brains with good stuff. Hence the tagline “redecorate your mind.”

SUSAN CURRY

InteriorWerx 312-479-7893 Info@InteriorWerx.us InteriorWerx.us Feeling anxious or scared? Are you seeking solutions to regain emotional balance and clarity? Susan Curry of InteriorWerx can assist, using her intuitive energy coaching skills. 15-min complimentary phone consult available using promo MYFIRSTSESSION. See ad on page 25.

LYNDA HOPE

847-209-1366 Lynda@LyndaHope.com Value-U.com Value yourself and become your greatest validator. The Value-U platform provides a 21-day meditation and sacred chanting that will gently guide you into your truth, that you are already love and peace.

Be the consciousness and free yourself from your egoic mind that keeps you trapped in habitual patterning, lifetime after lifetime. Hope has self-actualized through the non-dualistic ancient teachings and provides counseling both on a 3-D level and on an awakened higher mind level. Individual and group counseling available.

can do you good Join the Natural Awakenings Franchise Family

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Chicago

NAChicago.com

JOANN LYSIAK, ENERGY SPECIALIST

Joann Lysiak Gems 847-596-0274 Joann@JoannLysiakGems.com JoannLysiakGems.com

Gemstones have energy properties that you can benefit from when wearing them or displaying them.

Using the energy properties, you can attract love, abundance or increase your intuition and Spiritual Consciousness or strengthen your energy. View my collection with purpose or let me intuitively find the perfect gemstone for you.

Energy Healing Dance for Health TIME TO DANCE WITH CBG INSTITUTE FOR DANCE & HEALTH

North Shore School of Dance 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park 60035 DanceForJoy16@gmail.com CBG-Institute.org

Discover the healing art of dance through ballet, modern and tap for adults 50+. Dance is proven to have both physical and psychological benefits.

Taught by dancer teachers Lisa Gold, Lynne Chervony Belsky, MD, and Lorraine Chase. See ad on page 25.

THE SACRED PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT

Stacey Valle 1240 Iroquois Ave, Ste 500, Naperville 60563 331-274-2042 RadiantLifeHolisticWellness.com Stacey is an intuitive energy healer who holds many certifications and offers integrative healing sessions in the following areas: chakra balancing, color therapy, crystal therapy, reiki, shamanic healing, sound healing, spiritual life coaching and tuning fork therapy. Join her on The Sacred Path to Enlightenment to heal and transform your life.

Digestive Health Specialist Float Therapy RENEÉ S. BARASCH, LDHS

Telehealth and In-Office 847-207-2034 DigestiveHealthSolutions.com Digestive problems? Acid Reflux/ GERD, IBS, Crohn’s, colitis? Let us help you naturally achieve nutritional balance, feel better and enhance the quality of your life. Improve digestion while reducing discomfort and bloating so you can eat the foods you love again. Certified digestive health specialist/enzyme therapist. See ads on pages 7 and 49.

Energy Clearing CATHREN KAYCE

change

Energy Gemstones & Jewelry

3833 E Main St, Ste 1043, St. Charles 60174 331-254-8334 Cathren@CathrenKayce.com CathrenKayce.com Energy clearing is a powerful spiritual modality that facilitates the healing of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual problems that most people endure at some point in their life. With 20 years’ experience, Cathren Kayce provides healing and coaching for aliments from cancer to anxiety, to abuse and low self-esteem.

FLOTSTONE

57 E Scranton Ave, Lake Bluff 60044 847-482-1700 • Flotstone.com Floatation therapy is quickly being recognized as a very safe and effective way to shift into the parasympathetic state of total relaxation. Floating cradles you in its graceful healing waters optimizing your body’s ability to do what it does best, heal! Float effortlessly in over 1,250 lbs of Epsom salt.

Functional Medicine FORUM HEALTH

Jessica Montalvo, MD, IFMCP 2150 Manchester Rd, Ste 210, Wheaton 60187 630-933-9722 Wheaton@forumhealth.com ForumHealthWheaton.com Forum Health Wheaton is an integrative medicine practice led by Jessica Montalvo, MD. She utilizes a personalized and functional approach to restore patients’ health.

Dr. Montalvo is passionate about reversing cognitive decline, treating chronic infections, managing mold-related illness and balancing patient hormones. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. See ad on page 17.

HEAL N CURE MEDICAL WELLNESS

Meena Malhotra, MD, ABIM, ABOM 2420 Ravine Way, Ste 400, Glenview 60025 847-686-4444 • HealNCure.com

Specializing in medical wellness, weight loss, hormone balancing, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and anti-aging using integrative and functional medicine. We find and resolve the root cause of medical conditions and achieve outstanding, lasting results for our patients, many of which had almost given up on wellness goals. Free educational seminars. PPO insurance and Medicare accepted for covered services. See ad on page 2.

DR. CAROLYN MCIRVIN

92 Turner Ave, Elk Grove Village 60007 847-626-5758 Doc-Koz.com Fluent in Spanish, and a functional and emergency medicine physician, Dr. McIrvin has knowledge in both medical approaches. She specializes in mold/metal toxicities, hormone imbalances and autoimmune disorders. Services available remotely and in office. If you want a warm, approachable, holistic approach to wellness and health, please call to make an appointment.

Gyms, Fitness & Online Workouts GET FIT EGV

Rowena Dziubla, Owner 1100 Nerge Rd, Ste 206 Elk Grove Village, IL 773-819-7459 • CoachRo@GetFitEGV.com Facebook | Instagram

more info.

RX your workout at GET FIT EGV. Semi-private classes available 7 days a week: barbell/Olympic training, HIIT, bootcamp and more. We also offer ONLINE virtual coaching options for home workouts; see website for

Holistic Dentistry DR. ALLA AVER, DDS

2400 Ravine Way, Suite 400, Glenview 60025 847-998-5100 GlenviewSmiles.com Our office uses whole-body, preventive dental care. We utilize non-fluoridated ozonated water, herbal periodontal treatments, and gluten-free herbal paste. We offer: safe amalgam removal; BPA-free fillings and sealants; non-metal crowns; sleep apnea and TMJ appliances; ozone therapy; microscopic plaque analysis; material reactivity testing kits; and non-acrylic night guards, partials.

K. BOEHM, DDS, & ASSOCIATES

1585 N Barrington Rd, Ste 106, Hoffman Estates 60069 847-884-1220 1440 Maple Ave, Ste 2A Lisle 60532 630-810-1280 KBoehmDDS.com

Offering state-of-the-art holistic dental care in a relaxed environment, Dr. Boehm and his staff are ready to meet all your dental needs in either of his two locations. Bio-compatible materials and an extensive knowledge of the correlation between oral and overall health are his specialties. Services include safe mercury removal, electrodermal screening for materials compatibility and tooth viability, crowns, bridges, dentures, zirconia implants, homeopathy, cranial osteopathy, orthodontics, ozone therapy, CT/3D imaging, and laser treatment for both gum disease and decay.

Holistic Skincare HOLISTIC SKIN EXPERT: PAULINA IANNOTTA

24W788 75th St, Naperville 60565 (within Estuary Center for Living and Healing Arts) 708-769-5351 • HolisticSkinExpert.com Paulina has been a holistic-licensed esthetician since 2010. She believes in balance and treats the body as a whole, and that the skin should be nourished and nurtured with love and not abused with harsh chemicals and treatments. Every treatment is about 2 hours and it’s customized to meet the needs of every individual.

Integrative Medicine WRIGLEYVILLE DENTAL

Dr. Bernice Teplitsky, DDS, PC 3256 N Ashland, Chicago 60657 773-975-6666 WrigleyvilleDental.com In addition to state-of-the-art technology and methods offered by most holistic dentists (microscopes, ozone therapy, etc.), we treat you as a partner. We thoroughly explain your unique situation, provide treatment options and keep you comfortable with Netflix, music and paraffin wax treatments. Now offering reiki treatments.

Located off the Brown line. Free garage parking.

Holistic Health Practitioner BIO-ENERGY CENTER

Kankakee Natural Foods BioEnergy Center 815-933-6236 KankakeeNaturalFoods.com Our BioEnergy Center brings together stateof-the-art machines in one location for an integrative wellness experience. Our approach to healing meets each client’s unique needs through personalized testing and therapies. Come as you are, no appointment needed. Kankakee Natural Foods Wellness under One Roof.

WHOLE LIFE SPINE & SOFT TISSUE

Christopher Codina, DC 33 W Higgins Rd, Ste 735 South Barrington 60010 WholeLifeChiroHE.com

Constantly foam rolling or taking meds to get through the day, just for it to come back? Learn how something that is easily treated and commonly found in the body may be the reason for your pain. Schedule your free consultation today to learn more. Conveniently located and insurance accepted.

thriveMD – OPTIMAL HEALTH

Dr. Greg Seaman 1355 Remington Rd, Ste I, Schaumburg IL 60173 312-600-5070 Info@thriveMD.org

Using IV therapies, PRP, weight management and other natural programs, we help conditions like fatigue, brain fog, hormone imbalance, pain, injury, weight gain, decreased performance, tickborne disease and more. After an initial consultation, we design your custom program to obtain true optimal health, which includes living a healthy lifestyle and being committed to yourself. See ad on page 5.

Integrative Psychotherapy ELLEN KATZ, MS, LMFT

Clinical Director, Inner Balance Northbrook, Chicago, Palm Springs 847-224-0244 EllenKatz.net Ellen’s 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist integrates a conscious approach to healing old patterns through a mix of trauma and mindfulness-based psychotherapies, HMR, Lifeline, The Work (Byron Katie), energy medicine and somatic awareness. Join Meetup.com “Inner Balance Meditation” for updates on her events, and visit her at EllenKatz.net.

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53

Intuitive Consultation MICHELE HEATHER

847-509-8289 MicheleHeather1@yahoo.com Get clarity, direction and empowerment as we release old patterns and blockages that keep you feeling stuck in life. Using Soul Memory Discovery, Michele helps you work with your angels and guides to practice new inner processes and expand into your highest good and true self. Michele is also intuitive and a Reiki Master Teacher.

Lifelong Learning & Personal Growth THE EDGAR CAYCE HOLISTIC CENTER AND BOOKSTORE

At Unity Northwest Church 259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines 60016 847-299-6535 AREChicagoCenter@gmail.com

Full-service bookstore, Cayce remedies, spiritual growth study groups, monthly programs, workshops and holistic fairs, intuitive skills development training, knowledgeable seekers, intuitives, healers and more. Call for hours. See ad on page 31.

INFINITY FOUNDATION

1280 Old Skokie Rd, Highland Park 60035 847-831-8828 • InfinityFoundation.org Many courses now live (masks required) on Zoom; some are recorded to watch later.

CEUs available. 25th Anniversary Gala, Anita Moorjani keynote, included dinner and practitioner’s fair, May 13.

Anita Moorjani, Live, Daylong Workshop, Sensitive is the New Strong, May 14. Call for free course guide. See ad on page 19.

Meditation Center KADAMPA MEDITATION CENTER CHICAGO

13 Harrison St, Oak Park 60304 2010 W Pierce Ave, Chicago 60622 708-763-0132 • MeditateInChicago.org Meditation and modern Buddhism. Everyone welcome. We offer an array of drop-in classes, weekend events, and retreats open to everyone and suitable for all levels of experience. A nonprofit, all-volunteer organization, we’re dedicated to sharing the practical wisdom of Buddha’s teachings with Chicagoland through meditation and mindfulness practices.

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Chicago

NAChicago.com

Naturopathic Consultation Thermography and Ultrasound DR. ALLA ARUTCHEVA, MD, PHD, ND Associate Professor, Rush University Med. School Antalee Wellness 1836 Glenview Rd, 2nd Fl, Glenview 60025 847-486-1130 • AntaleeHolistic.com

If you are seeking integrative and natural approach to your wholebody health, Dr. Arutcheva will use her extensive knowledge, training and experience to work with you to create a personalized plan to prevent and overcome illness based on her strategy of health screening tests, state-of-the-art technology and the best natural supplements. These methods accelerate your ways to optimum health and prevent the development of serious chronic diseases.

Nutraceuticals & Supplements STANDARD PROCESS

NORTHWEST MEDICAL SCREENING

(formerly known as Northwest Medical Thermography) Locations across Chicago area 224-600-3216 Facebook: @northwesthealingcenter NorthwestMedicalScreening.com Now offering Thermography and Ultrasound… Erica Cody is a certified thermographer and works with a team of ultrasound technicians and doctors together focusing on women and men’s health. Our scans help to indicate issues throughout the body, including head, breast, abdominal and pelvis. Women’s Health Check half-body scans can also detect dysfunction and provide indications for further investigation.

Multiple locations: see website for schedule and to make an appointment. See ad on page 29.

Kathy Kiss Sr Account Manager KKiss@StandardProcess.com

Vegan Market and Restaurant

Standard Process is a Wisconsin-based, family-owned, wholefood-based nutritional supplement company that partners with healthcare practitioners to address issues related to health conditions. See ad on page 9.

BE MARKET

Nutritional IV Therapy thriveMD

1355 Remington Rd, Ste I Schaumburg IL 60173 312-600-5070 • thriveMD.com Thrive MD offers a way to deliver vital fluids, vitamins, electrolytes and nutrients directly into the bloodstream which can restore hydration, support the immune system and aid in faster recovery. Offerings include nutritional immune support, weight loss, vitality and stress relief. See ad on page 5.

Cafe and Bar serving Plant-based (v) • FRESH • ORGANIC Market 24 E Scranton, Lake Bluff 60044 224-436-8330 BeMarketLB.com BeMarket offers gourmet comfort foods that promote wellness and a healthy lifestyle, including vegetable juice and detox programs along with wild raw superfoods and herbs. In addition to the packaged foods and groceries, there is a dine-in menu from the basement kitchen. Enjoy Craft beer and wine.

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Get the support you need to start a rewarding new career!

Beginning Zen Shiatsu 10 Week Sessions

June 22 - August 24, Wednesdays 7-10pm September 13 - November 15, Tuesdays 10am-1pm September 15 - November 17, Thursdays 7-10pm

2 Weekend Intensive

July 15-17 & 22-24, Fri 7-10pm, Sat/Sun 9:30-4:30 or try one of our

Rooted in universal principles of change and balance, the study of Zen Shiatsu enriches your life while you learn to help others.

Learn to relieve aches and pains through acupressure and assisted stretching while also listening to the deeper messages our bodies have to tell us. Try an entry-level class and decide if our program is the one you’ve been looking for.

Free Introductory Workshops May 18, Wednesday, 7:00-9:30pm June 15, Wednesday, 7:00-9:30pm

https://zenshiatsuchicago.org/ce/beginning_zen_shiatsu/

E-mail info@zenshiatsuchicago.org or call 847-864-1130 to sign up today!

www.zenshiatsuchicago.org CEs Available

Approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education

818 Lake Street, Evanston, IL