Natural Awakenings of Detroit / Wayne County Michigan - December 2021

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HEALTHY

LIVING

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PLANET

THE HEALING POWER OF A SACRED CIRCLE Holiday Helpers Ways to De-Stress and Stay Fit Sugar-Free Holiday Treats Celebrating the Soul of Winter

December 2021 | Detroit / Wayne County | HealthyLivingMichigan.com December 2021

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Nature’s Virus Killer

not a sniffle!” she exclaimed.

Businesswoman Rosaleen says when people around her show signs of cold or flu, she uses copper morning and night.

“It saved me last holidays,” she said.

“The kids had crud going round and round, but not me.”

Attorney Donna Blight tried copper for her sinus. “I am shocked!” she said.

By Doug Cornell “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” cientists have discovered a cold never got going. That was A man with trouble breathing natural way to kill germs fast.

September 2012. I use copper in the through his nose at night tried copper Now thousands of people nose every time and I have not had a just before bed. “Best sleep I’ve had in are using it against viruses and bacteria single cold since then.” years!” he said. in the nose and on “We can’t In a lab test, technicians placed 25 the skin. make product million live flu viruses on a CopperZap. Colds start health claims,” he No viruses were found surviving soon when cold viruses said, “so I can’t after. get in your nose. say cause and Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams Viruses multiply effect. But we confirming the research. He placed fast. If you don’t know copper is millions of disease germs on copper. stop them early, antimicrobial.”

“They started to die literally as soon as they spread and He asked they touched the surface,” he said. cause misery. relatives and Some people press copper on a lip New device puts copper right In hundreds friends to try it. right away if a warning tingle suggests where you need it. of studies, EPA and They reported unwanted germs gathering there. university researchers have confirmed the same thing, so he patented The handle is curved that viruses and bacteria die almost CopperZap® and put it on the and textured to increase instantly when touched by copper. market. contact. Copper can That’s why ancient Greeks and Soon hundreds of people had kill germs picked up on Egyptians used copper to purify water tried it. The feedback was 99% fingers and hands after and heal wounds. They didn’t know positive if they used the copper you touch things other about microbes, but now we do. within 3 hours after the first sign people have touched.

Scientists say the high conductance of unwanted germs, like a tickle The EPA says copper of copper disrupts the electrical balance in the nose or a scratchy throat. still works even when Dr. Bill Keevil: in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in Early user Mary Pickrell tarnished.

Copper quickly kills seconds. said, “I can’t believe how good CopperZap is made cold viruses.

Tests by the EPA (Environmental my nose feels.” in the U.S. of pure Protection Agency) show germs die “What a wonderful thing!” copper. It has a 90-day full money back fast on copper. So some hospitals tried exclaimed Physician’s Assistant Julie. guarantee. It is available for $79.95. Get copper for touch surfaces like faucets Another customer asked, “Is it supposed $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA24. and doorknobs. This cut the spread of to work that fast?”

Go to www.CopperZap.com or call MRSA and other illnesses by over half, Pat McAllister, 70, received one for toll-free 1-888-411-6114. and saved lives.

Christmas and called it “one of the best Buy once, use forever.

The strong scientific evidence gave presents ever. This little jewel really Statements are not intended as inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When works.” product health claims and have not been he felt a cold about to start he fashioned Frequent flier Karen Gauci had been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to a smooth copper probe and rubbed it suffering after crowded flights. Though diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any gently in his nose for 60 seconds. skeptical, she tried copper on travel disease.

“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The days for 2 months. “Sixteen flights and ADVERTORIAL

Copper can stop a cold before it starts

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from the publishers Spirit-Infused Serenity

DETROIT / WAYNE COUNTY

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o discover the simplicity of a spiritual life and find

Publishers John & Trina Voell III

inspiration within the everyday is sought out by multi-

tudes today. When we pay attention to and nurture our body,

Design & Production John & Trina Voell III Editor Martin Miron Theresa Archer Randy Kambic

mind and soul, we increase self-awareness and expand our capacity to deepen connections with the world around us.

In these days when so many of us are feeling separated

A2 Sales & Marketing John & Trina Voell III 734-757-7929

and isolated, situations that bring people together in small

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groups offer participants valuable opportunities for healing and wholeness. These community gatherings, known as wisdom circles, story circles or prayer circles, invite people to share experiences, find creative solutions to societal issues and mentor each other’s growth. Our main feature, “Circles

CONTACT US

of Healing,” offers some best practices for starting and maintaining one of these sacred

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Despite our best efforts, holiday time can frazzle our nerves and snag us in an

unhealthy loop of overindulgence. But we can avoid that pitfall with such strategies as five-minute bursts of exercise or dancing and eating foods like berries and walnuts to boost serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. “Holiday Zen” explains why power naps and conscious mouth breathing are powerful, effective ways to restore balance in the body quickly.

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CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne

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In addition to getting enough sleep, exercise and nutritious foods, we can boost our

immunity during this stressful season by adding specific adaptogens and mushroom powders into our daily routine. “Amp Up Immunity” explains why such adaptogens as panax ginseng and mushrooms like reishi perform specific functions in the immune system that keep our body in balance and boost our resistance to illness.

In the ancient world, fire festivals marked holy days celebrating the sun’s promise

of return in a time of hardship. Today, something inside our ancestral memory makes us crave celebration as we wrap the year’s end in shiny ribbon, ethereal lights and scented candles. “Season of Light” offers ideas to treat our senses by buying a few yards of red velvet to sleep on or picking up a long-anticipated novel to balance out the long

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winter ahead.

Over the years, we have come to love and appreciate winter. The time change and the

sun setting earlier naturally makes it a time to slow down and get to bed earlier, rise earlier to enjoy the quietude of the morning and face the day’s bustle with more ease and grace.

With the magic of the holidays in the air and the need for a few gifts, please be sure

to visit our Natural Awakenings advertisers and distributors. They’ll help you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. ‘Tis the season to be jolly; look all around, there is much to celebrate and be grateful for as 2022 draws near!

May warmth, joy and love surround you this holiday season and always,

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

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

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Contents 16 CIRCLES OF HEALING

The Power of Gathering in Community

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22 HOLIDAY ZEN

Stress-Free Fitness and Self-Care

24 THE SWEET DANGER OF SUGAR

Ways to Enjoy Healthier Holiday Fare

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26 TOYLAND FOR POOCHES

Choosing Safe Playthings a Dog Will Love

27 SEASON OF LIGHT

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Celebrating the Soul of Winter

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DEPARTMENTS 8 news briefs 12 health briefs 13 global briefs 14 eco tip 15 action alert 19 business

spotlight 20 plant medicine 21 action alert 22 fit body

23 product

spotlight 24 conscious

eating 26 natural pet 27 inspiration 28 calendar 29 classifieds 30 resource guide December 2021

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news briefs

Custom Foot Orthotics Make Walking a Pleasure

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he Wellness Center of Plymouth, the office of Elizabeth Sisk, DC, and Scott Anderson, DC, uses a hands-on approach to health and healing with natural pain solutions. Sisk advises, “Pain is not a lifestyle! Low back pain can drastically affect your quality of life, and is the number one cause of work-related disabilities. Typically, people turn to using opioids or becoming less active in order to relieve pain. In a recent study, 34.5 percent of people who use orthotics saw a reduction in their lower back pain.”

Their InMotion line is the most popular and doctor-recommended custom orthotic. Patients get added strength and stamina for improved performance, plus strong odor and moisture control. “We make purchasing custom orthotics as convenient as possible,” says Anderson. “Our in-office scanner takes just a few minutes to scan and prepare your order, and your orthotics will be sent directly to your home.”

Location: 1075 Ann Arbor Rd., Plymouth. For appointments and more information, call 734454-5600 or visit WellnessCenterOfPlymouth.com. See ad page 25.

Women’s Wellness Series Starts in January

M Liberate yourself from suffering.

Gnosis is the practical, fact-based knowledge of consciousness that guides us to our full potential and innate happiness.

idwest Women’s Herbal presents In Our Own Hands: Women’s Wellness Series, a unique virtual event beginning January 8, 2022, with workshops being held every other Saturday through April 2, and concluding with a virtual talking stick ceremony and intention-setting for spring to stay grounded and connected to the Earth all winter long.

Herbal elders from around the world will share their knowledge and Wise Women wisdom. Midwest Women’s Herbal founder Linda Conroy asks, “What if nourishment works?” Modern-day mystic Rev. Judith Laxer will share The Power of Oracles and Isla Burgess joins from New Zealand to talk about Nutritional and Herbal Tonics After Menopause.

Ellen Evert Hopman gets witchy with baneful plants and will teach us how to use their medicine safely through homeopathy. Robyn Klein informs on the importance of keying in plant identification, and Lucretia Van Dyke presents Ubuntu—I Am Because We Are, guiding and empowering the way to processing our individual and collective grief.

For more information and to register, visit MidwestWomensHerbal.com/inourownhands-2022. See ad on page 10 and at NAChicago.com.

Train for a Natural Health Career

Experience is better than belief.

Learn more at GnosticTeachings.org

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nrollment for January 2022 programs at the Naturopathic Institute of Therapies & Education (NITE) is open through December 21. Classes are offered on weekends, beginning from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Lab classes for the Therapeutic Bodywork Practitioner program are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

NITE allows students to dive deep into the art of natural healing. Combining practical skills, comprehensive knowledge and an understanding of the connection between physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health and wellness makes learning at the Naturopathic

HealthyLivingMichigan.com

Institute truly unique. Classes are taught by highly skilled and qualified instructors that bring a wealth of experience and expertise into the classroom.

It’s a place for those pursuing a career as a natural health practitioner, massage therapist, holistic doula or that want to learn more about natural remedies and therapies. The Naturopathic Institute offers three excellent diploma/certificate programs: Natural Health/ Naturopathy; Massage Therapy/ Therapeutic Bodywork; and Doula Training/Holistic Doula.

Location: 503 E. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant. For more information, call 989-773-1714. To apply, visit NaturopathicInstitute.org/admissions/apply. See ad page 5.

Specialized Compounding Pharmacy Services

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uperior Compounding Pharmacy is an independent pharmacy that specializes in making patient-specific sterile and non-sterile preparations. They combine, or “compound”, different ingredients to create a specific medication that is not commercially available. This service is useful for patients that cannot find the medication they need, but also for physicians that want to provide their patients with treatments that are more tailored to their needs.

Specialized medications can be picked up or delivered.

Instead of just relying on what’s available on the market, physicians can now prescribe medications based on the exact needs of patients to not only ensure that they recover from their illness, but also reduce the risks for complications and adverse effects.

Compounding pharmacies are not mandated by law to become accredited, but Superior Compounding Pharmacy is accredited through the high comprehensive compliance standards of the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board.

Location: 46983 Five Mile Rd., Plymouth. For more information, call 734-404-6065 or visit SuperiorCompounding.com.

An App Designed to Get People Offline

R

uva (Ruva.app) was designed by Dearborn resident Daniel Kastner as a healthier alternative to existing apps. Its mission is to keep people connected, not addicted. He explains, “One of the values is to design something that can still connect us well, but does not have this pull to come back to the app over and over. I wanted an app that operates in a social way that’s closer to real-life interactions.”

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news briefs

HANDS WOMEN'S WELLNESS SERIES january - april, 2022 • HELD VIRTUALLY

WORKSHOPS: Herbal Nourishment • The Power of Oracles • Herbal Tonics for Aging Phytosluething Phials (botany tips and tricks) • Healing Magick and Homeopathy Holistic Approaches to Trauma, Transformation & Grief Talking Stick & Intention Setting Ceremony

Discover your voice, nourish yourself, and partner with the plants to heal yourself and those around you.

Spend time with amazing wise women from around the world as they share their powerful wisdom and knowledge.

These programs will support those beginning their herbal/healing journey, as well as experienced herbalists and healers.

Give yourself or someone you love the gift of connection and self-care this winter. Register today!

l e a r n m o r e a n d r e g i s t e r at midwestwomensherbal.com With over 40 dealers, the Chelsea Antique Mall is sure to have something for everyone!

Ruva doesn't have a “like” button.

Rather than employing the traditional feed layout, an unpredictable, never-ending scroll, Ruva takes away the surprise factor and gives users control of the curation of their feed. Users have no public-facing profiles. To add friends, each user has a private link they can share directly with friends with which they want to connect. This eliminates fears of spam bots or parents’ fears of predators finding their children.

“[Mainstream] news feeds are essentially designed like casino slot machines, so when you open one of these social media apps, you don’t actually know what you’re going to get,” says Kastner, who has an engineering background.

Urban Craft Fair Returns at Masonic

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he Detroit Urban Craft Fair 2021 by Handmade Detroit will be held at the Masonic Temple from December 3 to 5, showcasing more than 100 juried vendors and selling traditional handicrafts with a contemporary spin that are perfect to tackle any holiday shopping list. More than 10,000 visitors are expected to attend Michigan’s largest and longest-running indie craft fair.

Chelsea Antique Mall Collectibles Dolls • Furniture Jewelry • LP’s • Retro 50/60’s Tools • Toys

Categories include jewelry, clothing, accessories, home decor, bath products, children’s items and other handmade goods. All COVID-19 protocols will be observed, and no food will be served this year.

Admission fee varies. Location: 500 Temple St., Detroit. For donations, online shopping and more information, visit DetroitUrbanCraftFair.com. View events at Facebook.com/ events/193677056239917.

Antique furniture, home goods & decor, vintage jewelry, vintage clothing and so much more!

Reasonable prices! We have it all!

Make sure to stop in and see us!

Located right off I-94....next to Chelsea Lanes 1178 S Main St, Chelsea • (734) 562-2190 Call 734-562-2190 if you are looking to rent a booth!

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Detroit / Wayne County

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Estella’s Vegan Dessert Boutique

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stella’s all-vegan cooking company specializes in vegan cuisine and desserts, with catering, group cooking classes and pop-ups available. Chantele Jones, chef and owner, says, “Our mission is to spread the plant-based lifestyle, its many health benefits, and to prove that vegan cooking can be flavorful, easy and affordable for everyone.”

Jones offers goodies like banana pudding, cookies, sweet potato pies and peach cobbler. Her vegan pound cakes have created quite a buzz in the community with four different flavors, including lemon, chocolate turtle, red velvet and strawberry crunch.

She explains, “My journey has really been a journey of unlearning unhealthy habits, and that has led me to my mission of helping people start their own journeys Chantele Jones to better health. I’m also determined to destroy the negative stereotypes associated against vegans and our food—one meal and pastry at a time.”

Location: 19120 Grand River Ave., Detroit. For more information or order, call 313-288-2206 or visit EstellasCuisine.com.

Treat Sciatica without Prescriptions

D

r. Kenneth Hughes, at Hughes Chiropractic, has offered natural health care for the whole family since 1991.

He advises, “Sciatica is a condition characterized by pain going down the sciatic nerve pathway, which runs from the leg to the lower back. The most frequent cause of sciatica is a spinal disc herniation, which puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, and is present in about 90 percent of cases.

The key symptom associated with sciatica is a pain that starts in your lower back and travels down one leg. In some cases, this pain also radiates into your foot.”

Hughes will perform chiropractic adjustments without the need for surgery or harmful medications to alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve and restore motion to the joints. Spinal traction therapy is another way to aid in the recovery from sciatic nerve pain. Additional therapies for sciatica include spinal traction therapy, physiotherapy and custom stretching and exercise programs.

Consultations are free and most insurance is accepted. Location: 25010 Ford Rd., Dearborn Heights. For appointments and more information, call 313-562-9966 or visit DearbornHeightsChiropractic.com.

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health briefs

Acupuncture for Depression Depression affects 121 million people worldwide, and can be debilitating for those that experience it by provoking prolonged feelings of sadness, discouragement and hopelessness. Most people have experienced some form of depression, but when we feel physically and emotionally balanced, we can bounce back from a depressed state and move on.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs incorporate thousands of years of experience in treating depression. Not only can they help alleviate the signs and symptoms, they can address the root cause and underlying imbalances that contribute to the problem, safely and naturally.

Research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders covered 207 clinical studies conducted on the effectiveness of treating depressive disorders. It found that the efficacy of acupuncture was comparable to antidepressants alone in improving clinical response and alleviating symptom severity of major depressive disorders, and the incidence of adverse reactions of acupuncture treatment was significantly lower than that of antidepressants.

Cancer Risk Posed

by Birth Control Pills Oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, along with many other formulations of hormones for women, are carcinogens. Many official health-related organizations acknowledge this, including the World Health Organization, which ranks it as in their “Group 1 Carcinogenic to humans (107 agents).” This is the group of agents known to be carcinogenic in human beings, including such things as arsenic, asbestos and tobacco smoke.

A U.S. government site (Tinyurl.com/NIH-Cancer-Risks) states: “In 2017, a large prospective Dan12

Detroit / Wayne County

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It is helpful to drink homemade, fresh-pressed cucumber, apple juice or other green juice to attain the necessary nutrients. Potassium and other minerals are very important for kidney health and to maintain chemically balanced endorphins. Ongoing acupuncture has a high success rate in completely getting rid of depression.

For more information, call Lucky Flow Acupuncture, located at 19242 Newburgh Rd., in Livonia, at 734-237-8709 or visit LuckyFlow.com. See ad page 30. ish study reported breast cancer risks associated with more recent formulations of oral contraceptives. Overall, women who were using or had recently stopped using oral combined hormone contraceptives had a modest (about 20 percent) increase in the relative risk of breast cancer compared with women who had never used oral contraceptives. The risk increase varied from zero to 60 percent, depending on the specific type of oral combined hormone contraceptive. The risk of breast cancer also increased the longer oral contraceptives were used.”

These facts are well-established, but not well known.

Most women and girls that start BCP are not told this and are completely unaware that they are exposing themselves for years on end to drugs that are known to cause breast cancer. A significant number of the one-out-of-eight women that have been or will be afflicted with breast cancer would not have gotten it if they had not used BCP. We will never know which ones.

Women, and especially girls and their mothers, should know the risks before they make the choice to use BCP. They should not make the choice casually in ignorance of the facts, particularly in this time when there is a formal recommendation that women and girls be started on BCP without even a physical examination.

Ellen H. Gryniewicz, M.D., is a retired family practice physician in Ypsilanti.

global briefs

Green Future

Planting 500 Billion Trees The UK tech company Dendra claims their drone can plant two trees per second using artificial intelligence for guidance in an effort to re-green the Earth. Their ambitious goal is to plant 500 billion trees by 2060 with 400 teams of two drone operators and 10 drones per team. The plan would plant 10 billion trees per year 10 times more cheaply than planting by hand, especially in remote areas.

First, the replanting areas are identified using a combination of satellite images and drone-collected data. Then, specialized drones carrying seedpods that contain a germinated seed and nutrients use pressurized air to fire the seeds into athe ground once in proper position as determined by an algorithm.

The seedpods penetrate the ground and start to grow when activated by precipitation.

The World Wildlife Fund estimates the planet is losing 27 football fields of forest every minute due to deforestation. Dendra CEO Susan Graham says, “We need to use technology to scale up our restoration efforts, and the scale we’re talking about is tens of billions of trees every year. We’ll be able to see the ecosystems that we’ve restored from space.”

Holy Smoke!

Forever Chemicals in Indoor Air University of Rhode Island research published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters describes a new technique for measuring the presence of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in indoor air, which found them in kindergarten classrooms, offices, laboratories and a home.

We have known about toxic “forever chemicals” in food and drinking water, and it seems they are also ubiquitous in the air.

PFAS are a class of approximately 9,000 chemicals used to improve stain, water or heat resistance in products. The public health concern is that they don’t break down in the environment. PFAS accumulate in animals and humans and are linked to health impacts including cancer, birth defects and immune suppression.

The scientists think PFAS enter the atmosphere when compounds break off of treated products like coats or carpets and attach to dust. “It’s an underestimated and potentially important source of exposure to PFAS,” says study co-author and Green Science Policy Institute Senior Scientist Tom Bruton.

According to the Institute, schools and offices can protect students and employees by replacing carpeting, but that doesn’t prevent PFAS from entering via coats or shoes. Bruton writes, “As long as they continue to be used in products, we’ll all be eating, drinking and breathing PFAS. We need to turn off the tap and stop all unnecessary uses of PFAS as soon as possible.”

Shine On

Large-Scale Solar Power Cost Plummets A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) describes a significant decrease in the cost of renewable energy sources compared to 2020, with solar leading the pack by a wide margin. The 10-year average adjusted costs of generation for a plant over its lifetime are 85 percent for utility-scale solar; 56 percent for onshore wind; 48 percent for offshore wind; and 68 percent for concentrated solar power. IRENA continues to see drops of between 7 percent and 16 percent in these categories this year. According to the same report, the 62 percent of new renewables added last year had lower costs than the cheapest fossil fuels.

New renewables are increasingly competitive against existing fossil fuels. In the U.S., 61 percent of current coal capacity already has higher operating costs. Phasing out these coal plants would start saving money almost immediately. IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera states that because renewables cost more upfront than keeping old coal rolling, action is needed to make sure emerging economies are not left behind. “We are far beyond the tipping point of coal.”

December 2021

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eco tip

MICHIGAN FRIENDS CENTER AT FRIENDS LAKE COMMUNITY

Sustainable Kitchen Advice for Buying and Storing Food

A Scenic and Tranquil Meeting Place...

We offer the holistic community a nature-oriented meeting space for workshops, meetings, counseling, yoga, youth groups, and family gatherings. Main room accommodates 100 pre-Covid, with two smaller classrooms and kitchen facilities. Hiking trails. Weekend rates range from $200-$400, additional for extensive grounds use, camping. Book your next gathering at https://MFCenter.org/rent “We need to preserve a few places, a few samples of primeval country so that when the pace gets too fast we can look at it, think about it, contemplate it, and somehow restore equanimity to our souls.”

– Sigurd Olson

7748 Clark Lake Road, Chelsea, MI 48118 (734) 475-1892 https://MFCenter.org/rent

coming in the january

Health & Wellness Issue

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Detroit / Wayne County

example for the rest of the industry.

Read labels not just for ingredients, but for packaging practices, too. For example, look for shelf-stable dried goods packaged in recycled cardboard boxes printed with vegetable-based inks. While loose tea is the most sustainable choice, we can also opt for compostable tea bag brands that don’t use strings, staples or individual wrappers.

IN THE KITCHEN

As we awaken to the climate crisis, we are called to participate in its solutions. In addition to frequenting farmers’ markets, much can be done at the grocery store and in the kitchen. By adopting these easy practices incrementally, we’ll be living zero-waste lifestyles before we know it.

One of the most elegant and traditional storage solutions is the Mason jar. It’s an inexpensive, reusable, versatile option, not just for canning and preserving foods, but also for storing bulk pantry items or refrigerated leftovers.

Before entering the grocery store, plan meals for the week and build a shopping list to prevent overbuying.

AT THE GROCERY STORE Food waste is environmentally problematic, producing a significant amount of greenhouse gases. Before entering the grocery store, plan meals for the week and build a shopping list to prevent overbuying.

Buy staples like nuts, beans, flours, grains, dried fruit and chocolate chips in bulk, carrying them home in reusable cotton sacks that can be purchased from artisans on Etsy.com. Some grocery stores offer paper bags in the bulk aisle; choose these over plastic and save them for subsequent uses.

Many of us have stopped drinking bottled water to ditch single-use plastics. Consider expanding that effort by forgoing packaged products that can be made easily from scratch, including salad dressings, breads, hummus, nut milks, nut butters, jams, tortilla chips and granola.

Some food companies employ eco-friendly packaging, setting an

HealthyLivingMichigan.com

While paper towels and napkins may be biodegradable, an Earth-friendlier choice is reusable washcloths and fabric napkins that are easily washed in the laundry.

Avoid ones that come in plastic wrapping. Darker colors will hide stains better, but if they help save the planet, embrace the stains.

Several options exist to avoid plastic wrap and disposable plastic containers, including reusable silicone freezer bags, beeswax wraps, glass spray bottles and stainless steel canisters. Keep and reuse grocery store jars. Soaking them to remove the labels is easy.

A bristled, wooden dish brush is preferable to petroleum-based disposable sponges that come wrapped in plastic. They last longer, don’t produce as much bacteria and are capable scrubbers. Use bar soap to avoid plastic dishwashing liquid containers.

action alert

Michigan Still Has a Lead Poisoning Crisis An abundance of old houses, lead water service lines, crumbling infrastructure and industrial heritage create elevated risk for lead poisoning. First in Flint, and now in Benton Harbor, elevated levels of lead in majority Black communities have been found since 2018. Many children are poisoned in their homes from lead-contaminated dust, soil and paint chips. The Ecology Center has launched its Lead Impacted Family Training, a seven-month program for families affected by lead poisoning. If a home was built before 1978, it can be tested for lead.

A call for statewide action addressing lead contamination resulted in the formation of the Childhood Lead Exposure Commission, which issued a set of recommendations to end lead poisoning in the state by providing funding to local health departments to investigate lead risks and 24 innovative pilot projects.

The Great Lakes Lead Elimination Network works with nonprofit partners from Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Pennsylvania

An abundance of old houses, lead water service lines, crumbling infrastructure and industrial heritage create elevated risk for lead poisoning.

There are no safe levels of lead. In 2019, more than 3,000 kids ages 6 and under in Michigan were found to have elevated lead in their blood, while thousands more went untested. The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention estimates that lead poisoning affects threeand-a-half million children per year. If absorbed into the body, lead can damage the brain and nervous system, resulting in learning and behavior problems, slow growth and development, and hearing and speech problems. It is critical to prevent children from coming into contact with this hazardous substance.

to eliminate lead hazards in homes, schools, workplaces and other areas throughout the Great Lakes region.

They engage with decision-makers regarding local- and state-level policy, and share resources to educate the public about avoiding lead.

Take action at Tinyurl.com/MichiganLeadCrisis. For more information, visit EcoCenter.org.

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December 2021

15

Circles of Healing

The Power of Gathering in Community

by Linda Sechrist

H

ad the intellectual achievements of human culture evolved during a revolution based on living systems in the natural world rather than one of rapid industrial growth and resource consumption, we might be experiencing interconnectedness instead of divisiveness during this time of social and ecological crisis.

A nature-focused revolution embracing humans as an integral part of the Earth’s natural systems would have instilled a deeper understanding of the wonders of the human body as a living system imbued with inner intelligence, as well as the intelligence of the non-human living world.

This perspective, held by Native Americans, would have helped to create sustainable human communities that flourish by connecting, collaborating, cooperating and communicating.

With such approaches as wisdom circles, story circles, power of eight intention 16

Detroit / Wayne County

circles, support groups, prayer circles and dialogue circles exploring conflict solutions, Western minds are just beginning to comprehend how small-community experiences of fellowship and communion can assuage feelings of separation and isolation, and create inner experiences of wholeness and belonging.

Mentoring Each Other Although not always sharing a common geographical location, small communities formed around common interests and shared values enable emotional healing. The ManKind Project (MKP), which describes itself as a “men’s community for the 21st century,” has more than 1,000 peer-facilitated groups in 22 countries in which men mentor each other through their life passages.

“In our MKP communities, there’s a sense of shared commitment and the shared values of accountability, authentic-

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ity, compassion, generosity, integrity, respect, leadership and multicultural awareness, along with a shared vision pointing us in the direction we want to go together,” says Boysen Hodgson, MKP-USA communications director. “While MKP’s mission statement informs our work, in New Warrior Adventure training, each man creates a personal mission statement. Mine is, ‘I transform culture by designing change, building bridges and co-creating space for connection.’”

According to Hodgson, when a man shares how he hears his inner voice for the first time along with his story in another man’s story, he becomes aware of his interior capacities and cultivates internal and external listening skills. By sharing personal stories, men experience epiphanies that can result in connections and bonding.

Douglas Bonar, a 35-year veteran of mental health counseling and owner of

A Center for Wellness, in Pinellas Park, Florida, has been facilitating men’s groups for 22 years. Men and occasionally women that have been court-ordered to undergo counseling with Bonar for 29 weeks after their incarceration learn the value of growing together in community. “I initiate the uninitiated who’ve never heard about the powerful impacts of respectful, attentive listening without judgement, giving/receiving feedback and support, and learning about successes and failures in the company of community,” says Bonar. “Actively engaging the minds, hearts and energy of people participating in community makes experiencing emotional healing possible.

Feeling truly heard and deeply listened to and comprehending life from a multisensory human perception and a sense of oneness can lead to understanding that we are never alone, the universe is alive—conscious, intelligent and compassionate.”

More about progress than perfection, Bonar’s unique Roots and Wings Way of Wholeness approach to healing in community tills the soil of an inner world and plants seeds via the introduction of guidelines for creating authentic power, spiritual growth, levels of consciousness, coherence, the realization of one’s true self as more than an enculturated personality, the Noetic experience of oneness, humans as energetic beings, emotions as energy in motion and a coherent energetic field that the HeartMath Institute notes creates synchronization, or entrainment, between the heart and mind, as well as a sense of unity.

Sharing Sacred Space Jean Shinoda Bolen, a Jungian psychiatrist, activist and author of Moving Toward the Millionth Circle: Energizing the Global Women’s Movement, encourages everyone to follow a path with soul and take on a personal assignment that contributes to change, while relying on the support of circle communities of like-minded individuals. “Fundamental principles applicable to any group include creating sacred space, listening with compassion and for wisdom, speaking from the heart and personal experience, inviting silence and reflection when needed, taking responsibility for your experience and your impact on the circle,

keeping the confidence of the circle and making decisions when needed by consensus,” says Bolen, whose active events include a prayer circle and another with women she has been together with since the 1980s.

“The more frequently a circle meets to fully witness one another’s life stories, including all the changes and crises, a growing trust and heart connection occurs and a coherent energy field is created,” says Bolen. At the beginning of her circle gatherings, upon hearing the tone of a Tibetan bowl, she says, everyone immediately drops into coherence; a state of connectedness in which the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

Cultivating Deep Listening As the host of New Dimensions, a nationally syndicated radio program that addresses cultural shifts, Justine Willis Toms has deeply explored interconnectedness with some of the greatest minds on the planet, including the Dalai Lama and physicist David Bohm.

Referring to her circle communities as “friends of the heart,” she enthuses, “When I am deeply listening to another or speaking authentically aloud in a circle of trust, I get to hear myself in a way that I don’t if I’m only listening to what is in my head.”

Recalling a tumultuous time in her life, Toms relates a profound healing experience that occurred in a circle community in which she and her husband had been participating since the 1980s. “This particular circle usually gathers for an entire weekend. On one, I arrived in deep distress—so much so that on Friday I began pouring out my fears, anxiety, blame and judgements.

I raged through the night and didn’t stop until after breakfast on Saturday, when I felt complete, totally heard, emotionally healed and revived.”

From a sense of peace and clarity, Toms knew that healing occurred because of the circle’s capacity for deep listening. “We know and trust the true genius that each of us is, and we know how to not be afraid for each other when life is in a rollercoaster cycle and we’re at the bottom, but don’t want to pull the brake because we’ll never have the momentum to go back up. This is the power of a circle of friends of the heart who love you,” says Toms, who shares a favorite

African saying, “‘A friend is someone who knows your song and sings it to you when you have forgotten it. Those who love you are not fooled by the mistakes you’ve made or the dark images you hold about yourself.

They remember your beauty when you feel ugly, your wholeness when you are broken, your innocence when you’re feeling guilty and your purpose when you are confused.’”

Connecting through Common Emotions Physician Jennifer Phelps, owner of Phelps MD Integrative Medicine, in Redding, Connecticut, is a trained facilitator of small groups who has worked in communities traumatized by natural disasters and human-caused catastrophes in her role as a faculty member of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, in Washington, D.C. “Where individuals listen to the grief and loss of others, emotional healing can be quite profound. Sharing stories in community, we learn we’re not alone and isolated, but rather related and connected in our human emotions,” says Phelps, adding that in groups of fewer than six people cohesiveness dissipates, leaving only conversation and cross-talk.

The process of human and community development unfolds from within each person, relationship and community. According to Cate Montana, of Kula, Hawaii, author of The E-Word: Ego, Enlightenment & Other Essentials, awakening to the illusion of separation, which can happen in community, sparks healing. “The persona of an individual as only a body and mind is the big sleep,” advises Montana, whose life work has been about waking people up to the truth of their essential spiritual nature and giving them tools for a more fulfilling life.

Having experiences of fellowship and communion with like-minded people can make it possible to observe and understand how ego and mind function, and to become aware of crippling social programming which fragments, separates and divides us.

Experiencing a sense of wholeness in such an environment allows for healing naturally on many levels.

Linda Sechrist is Natural Awakenings’ senior staff writer. Connect at LindaSechrist.com.

December 2021

17

Ideas for Starting and Maintaining a Circle

by Justine Willis Toms

W

hen I tell someone that I’ve been meeting in a circle with the same people for more than three decades, they invariably ask, “How can I have that in my life?”

They are eager to hear my stories, but feel overwhelmed about how to start a circle of their own. While those first steps feel like the biggest steps, they are really baby steps.

Best Practices for Circles These agreements have helped circles to function more successfully for all participants.

Three-step advice: 1. Make the commitment and write it down 2. Put out the call 3. Be consistent

n Consider it a sacred space

Step One: Set forth a clear intention.

n Encourage and welcome diverse

n One person speaks at a time n Speak and listen from the heart

Years ago, I learned from Rev. Mary Manin Morrissey that everything is born twice: first in the imagination and then into the world. In the beginning, you will not know all the details, but you need to be clear in the overall intention of starting a circle and meeting regularly. Instead of saying, “Having a circle in my life is a good idea,” say, “It’s as good as done; I’m going to make it so no matter what.” Then write it down. This anchors it into the world of manifestation.

Step Two: Put out the call.

After making the inner commitment, you need to tune into other people that want to travel with you. It doesn’t take a lot of people to begin; one or two others will be fine.

Talk to a friend about this idea. You may feel awkward at first, but be assured there is a field of energy holding you—humans we have been circling since the dawn of history.

If people turn you down, do not be discouraged. Trust that the perfect people will begin to show up. It is my experience that if even two people meet using circle principles on a regular basis it acts as an attractor for others.

Step Three: Meet on a consistent basis.

Put your circle time in your calendar as an important event. Keep this commitment just as you would a medical or dental appointment. Show up and keep the appointment even if you are the only one. There will be times when you feel too tired to go.

Go anyway. Afterwards, you’ll be truly delighted you went. Being sporadic in your meeting time will create a “leaky container”. Meeting consistently builds a powerful and vitalizing bond.

points of view

n Listen with discernment instead of

judgment

n When in doubt or need, pause and

silently ask for guidance

n Share leadership and resources n Decide together how decisions

will be made

n Work toward consensus

when possible

n Offer experience instead of advice n Decide together what is to be held

in confidence

n Speak from your own experiences

and beliefs rather than speaking for others

n Open and close the circle by

hearing each voice (Check-ins and check-outs)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: New Dimensions Radio NewDimensions.org

Cate Montana CateMontana.com

Mankind Project MankindProject.org

Institute of Noetic Science (IONS) Noetic.org

Jean Shinoda Bolen JeanBolen.com

Douglas Bonar A Center for Wellness ACenterForWellness.net

Circle Principles MillionthCircle.org/circle-resources/ circle-principles 18

Detroit / Wayne County

HealthyLivingMichigan.com

The Center for Mind Body Wellness cmbm.org HeartMath HeartMath.com Jennifer Phelps, M.D. cmbm.org/faculty-member/ jennifer-phelps-md

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Empowering Black Urban Farmers

by Martin Miron

T

he Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund is a coalition of three established Detroit urban farming organizations; Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, Oakland Avenue Urban Farm and Keep Growing Detroit, with a mission to rebuild intergenerational land ownership for Black farmers in Detroit. Established on Juneteenth 2020, Black farmers in Detroit have been turning blighted properties into thriving sources of food, and now the door is opening to official ownership.

The city’s population was close to 2 million in the 1950s, but due to deindustrialization and white flight to the suburbs, fewer than 700,000 residents remain, leaving behind abandoned houses and land. Black farmers and Black-owned farmland are at a historical low. In the 1910s, they made up 15 percent of all farmers nationwide, but less than 1 percent today. Detroit, which is almost 80 percent Black, has more than 1,500 farms and community gardens, with a large percentage run

by Black farmers. But many of those farmers do not own the land they cultivate.

Barriers to property ownership can be found in the Detroit housing mortgage sector. A year-long analysis of 2016 data by the Associated Press found that Black applicants in Detroit were almost twice less likely

to be approved for a mortgage loan than white applicants. “The legacy of predatory lending practices keeps Black farmers and landowners dispossessed of their land,” says Jillian Hishaw, an agricultural law attorney and founder of F.A.R.M.S, a legal nonprofit that helps landowners keep their land for future generations. The Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund was created to address the issue of land ownership.

The Detroit Black Food Community Security Network started the fund with Tepfirah Rushdan, of Keep Growing Detroit, and Jerry Hebron, at Oakland Avenue Urban Farm. In its first year, the group awarded money to 30 farmers. In its second year, the fund has raised almost $100,000 and will be able to support 40 Black farmers to buy land.

The amount each farmer gets is determined by how much the land costs and how many plots they want to purchase. The fund also provides assistance with technical aspects of buying property and navigating the bureaucratic process. The Land Fund is supported by donations from community members and a few wealthy white donors that want to do reparations work, according to Rushdan.

For more information, visit DetroitBlack Farmer.com.

December 2021

19

plant medicine

Plant-Based Remedies and Healthy Living

by Kevin Burbank

W

hen we think about our bodies and what is good for them, most people feel that the best way is to turn to what makes the body heal quickly and naturally without side affects.

Here is a list of plants many people use today to combat many illnesses.

Yarrow, for example, helps stop bleeding, rosemary is for sore joints, mint is for digestion and there are helpful plants for inflammation, such as red clover, or even mycelium-based chaga that grows on birch trees. For common colds, use wild rose in a tincture or even ground as a tea. For sleep issues, try lavender oil or rub it on the skin for anxiety.

Honeysuckle is known for its properties for asthma and arthritis. Ash-

For centuries, people have used chaga mushrooms for medicinal purposes.

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Detroit / Wayne County

wagandha is known for strengthening bones, helping with libido, teeth and memory loss. When we need something for respiratory problems, try mullein in a tincture or smoking the dry leaves. For skin ailments, sumac can be used for multiple medicinal remedies, but it is one of the few plants that healers use for treating eye problems. A decoction of sumac is used as a gargle to relieve sore throat or taken as a remedy for diarrhea. The leaves and berries are combined as a tea to reduce fever or as a poultice to soothe poison ivy.

Native Americans use hummingbird blossom for treating mouth and throat conditions, as well as cysts, fibroid tumors and inflammation. It can be made into a poultice to treat burns, sores and wounds.

A diuretic that stimulates kidney function can be made using the roots of this plant. The early pioneers used it as a substitute for black tea. Recent studies have shown that hummingbird blossom is also effective in treating high blood pressure and lymphatic blockages.

Sage is commonly used as a spice, but it is a sacred plant for many indigenous tribes because it is thought to have effective purifying energies and the power to cleanse the body of negative energies. As a remedy, it was used for treating medical conditions like abdominal cramps, spasms, cuts, bruises, colds and flu.

Healers use wild ginger for treating earache and ear infections.

They make a mild tea from the root stock for stimulating the digestive system and relieving bloating. It also helps with bronchial infections and nausea. Prickly pear cactus is another plant used as both a food and medicine. Native Americans made a poultice from the mature pads as an antiseptic and for treating wounds, burns and boils. Tea was made to treat urinary tract infections and help the immune system. New research shows that the prickly pear cactus helps to lower cholesterol, and prevent diabetes and diet-related cardiovascular disease.

Aloe vera is another great plant for sunburns and stings. Valerian plant is a medicinal aid for sleep, as well as indigestion. Indian ghost pipe is used for toothaches and migraine headaches. Wooly lamb`s ear shouldn’t be eaten or used to make tea. Instead, the soft leaves are used to cover and bandage cuts and scrapes like a Band-Aid. Chamomile is amazing for making tea and for its anti-inflammatory

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properties to help allergy sufferers. women with heavy, painful periods and those living with arthritis.

There are many plant-based, natural medicinal ways to help manage our body and health, and most of them grow naturally all over America—maybe right in our driveway or back yard. Many helpful plants can help our bodies the natural way without harsh the side affects of pharmeceuticals. Take a walk in nature and see what there is to help our bodies body naturally.

Kevin Burbank is the owner of U.P. Chaga Connection LLC. For more information, visit UpChagaConnection.com. See ad opposite page.

action alert

Déjà Vu All Over Again In 2008, voters passed the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, but since recreational marijuana was legalized in 2018, cannabis corporations have been trying to restrict caregivers that grow pot at home. The new Michigan Cannabis Safety Act would radically change how caregivers are allowed to operate. Legislation has cleared the House Regulatory Reform Committee, and will go to the House for a vote.

Michigan Cannabis Manufacturers Association (MCMA) Executive Director Steve Linder states, “We applaud the members of the House Regulatory Reform Committee for taking this major step toward addressing Michigan’s unregulated, unlicensed cannabis market by helping ensure all patients have access to cannabis that is tested, clearly labeled, tracked and licensed.”

Licensed caregivers are allowed to grow up to 12 marijuana plants for up to five patients. The new regulations would cut the number to one, potentially cutting off about 42,000 patients and forcing them to purchase products from state-licensed dispensaries or go to the black market.

These new regulations seem designed to fix a problem that doesn’t exist. Anton Harb, a Macomb County caregiver, says, “There is no data showing that anyone has been injured by caregiver flower.” Of his clients that are veterans, he advises that for PTSD patients, many of which are wary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the caregiver system gives them a degree of anonymity. HB5301 would allow the state Marijuana Regulatory Agency to also disclose the addresses of caregivers to law enforcement.

The MCMA posts no list of member businesses at Michigancma.com, and Rick Thompson, executive director of MiNORML, states, “They scrubbed their website of the names of all member companies and guarded the member list like Fort Knox. That creates a greater image of dark money.”

No vote has been scheduled on the new regulations. To lobby against the Michigan Cannabis Safety Act, visit norml.org/act/ michigan-oppose-medical-cannabis-caregiver-restrictions.

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This class is an excellent place to start for people new to herbal studies and usage or for those who want to expand their working knowledge of herbs. Wholistic Training Institute is a State of Michigan Licensed Proprietary School.

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21

fit body

image just after five minutes of exercise,” says the Chicago-based wellness coach. “This mindset is huge when it comes to eating healthier and taming holiday cravings.”

Bolstering neurotransmitters through good nutrition can take the edge off the to-do list or a gloomy winter day. “When we fuel our bodies with a variety of whole foods, we are also supporting healthy brain function, which has a direct impact on our emotions,” says Teigan Draig, a life coach in Spencerville, Ohio. Draig suggests berries, citrus fruits, fresh fish, turkey, walnuts, almonds, avocados and eggs to boost serotonin and dopamine levels, “which improve mood and help to reduce the effects of stress and anxiety on the body.”

Prioritizing Self

Holiday Zen Stress-Free Fitness and Self-Care

by Maya Whitman

D

espite our best efforts, holiday time can frazzle our nerves and snag us in an unhealthy loop of overindulgence. To combat holiday pressure, the Mayo Clinic suggests maintaining a regular exercise program and investing in me-time activities like meditation and deep breathing.

Movement and simple self-care, even for a few minutes, can lower cortisol levels that often contribute to excessive food cravings.

Walking, going for a run, lifting weights, or getting into the pool or onto the yoga mat can help us enjoy the season with less angst.

Cancelling Guilt, Staying Healthy With simple strategies, enjoying the office party dessert table doesn’t have to get us off track. “One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself when reaching for a cookie is to be in full approval of eating it. Let your experience of eating it be clean, present and so free of resistance that you can really experience it,” says Maria Miller, a spiritual life coach in Oceanside, California.

Stephanie Mansour, host of the weekly national PBS health and fitness show Step It Up with Steph, also opts for a no-stress approach, especially when it comes to working out. “When cortisol levels are through the roof, we crave fattening, salty or sweet foods. Studies have shown that people have a more positive body 22

Detroit / Wayne County

HealthyLivingMichigan.com

Most of us are short on time, but committing to good health doesn’t require hours at the gym. “Many of my clients are looking for fast, simple workouts that they can squeeze in during the holidays,” says Mansour. “Set the timer for five minutes and get down on the floor to do ab exercises. Doing leg lifts, bicycle abs and crunches for five minutes is an excellent way to fire up the core.” She also suggests setting the morning alarm or going to sleep at night five minutes earlier to do some stretches in bed. “If you’re cooking, you can do squats in the kitchen while a smoothie is blending or calf raises while stirring a pot on the stove.”

For Miller, putting on some music and dancing in the living room is a sure way to get a boost. She is also a fan of guilt-free, unplugged intervals of shut-eye: “Five-to-25-minute power naps are a great way to rest and recharge with a very high return on your investment of time.” During the winter months, it can be easy to turn to screens for distraction and as a way to cope with the stress of the season. Miller reminds us to nourish our souls and get out in nature to “notice the way the weather impacts your body, the way it feels to draw in a breath and how you’re part of a constant exchange with life through each breath you take.”

Inhaling Peace Conscious breathing makes the effects of workouts go further and halts the cascade of stress hormones. “Whatever fitness routine you’re doing is fine, just always breathe through your nose. Mouth breathing triggers cortisol release,” says Ed Harrold, breathwork and performance coach in Draper, Utah, and author of Life with Breath. “When we slow the breath rate, we encourage a relaxation response. We can manage the release of cortisol by inhaling through the nose, slowly from the belly to the collarbone and exhaling slowly through the nose by gently drawing the belly back into the lower spine. This is called diaphragmatic breathing and is our proper breath, even during exercise.”

For nature, winter is a time of repose from which we can take a cue and enjoy the moment. Draig muses, “Mindfulness requires us to be present in the here and now, rather than worrying about the to-do list or stressing over holiday finances.”

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

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Mango leaf extract (Zynamite) has a long history of use in tropical areas where mangoes are grown as a “body and brain tonic” to elevate mental and physical energy levels. Recently, mango leaf extracts have been shown to be high in anti-inflammatory compounds called xanthones. These high-xanthone extracts have been studied in seven clinical trials, showing enhanced mental energy (cognitive performance, brain electrophysiology and reaction time) and improved sports performance (higher power output, reduced fatigue and accelerated post-exercise recovery).

Lychee fruit extract (Oligonol) is extremely rich in highly-absorbed polyphenols, including catechin monomers and proanthocyanidin oligomers, and has been shown in more than two-dozen clinical trials to reduce body weight, waist circumference by more than an inch, and

visceral (belly) fat by 12 percent compared to baseline and placebo over 10 weeks. In addition, lychee fruit extract has also been shown to reduce the stress hormone cortisol and inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1beta in a four-week, randomized, controlled trial—and after12 weeks has been shown to improve skin tone, texture, smoothness and resiliency (reduction in appearance of freckles/blemishes and wrinkle length/depth).

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Recent clinical trials on PFB supplementation in moderately stressed subjects have shown a dramatic increase in oxidation-reduction potential, suggesting not only that PFB can directly protect cells from stress, but it can also enhance the internal cellular machinery that allows the cells to actively protect themselves. In addition, PFB supplementation resulted in a 22 percent improvement in levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a major contributor to neuronal plasticity, and with improved mood and memory, as well as substantial improvements in psychological mood state (50 percent lower depression indices and 25 percent lower fatigue indices), suggesting a dual heart/brain benefit from the collection of flavonoids in PFB. Price is one for $69.95, two for $129.95 and $10 off the first order with code 68754. Kellie Ziehm is a Amare Global wellness partner. To order, call 734-344-2339, email Kellie.Amare@ yahoo.com or visit AmareMentalWellness. com. See ad page 9.

December 2021

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C The Sweet Danger

conscious eating

of Sugar

Ways to Enjoy Healthier Holiday Fare

by Christy Ratliff

hocolate Santas, decorated cookies and other sweet confections are ingrained in our holiday traditions, yet sugary food does little to actually make us feel merry and bright in the long run.

A high-sugar diet increases the risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol, inflammation, weight gain and weight-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It can also contribute to tooth decay and acne. “Most high-sugar foods are ‘treats’ and are not intended to be high in nutrition or consumed instead of healthier foods,” says Shelley Maniscalco, registered dietitian and CEO of the consulting firm Nutrition on Demand, in Arlington, Virginia. “When we have too many foods that are what we call calorie-dense versus nutrient-dense, we run the risk of displacing healthier foods, and, therefore, under-consuming key nutrients.”

This can impact mental health and impair the body’s ability to manage stress. “When we eat nutritious foods, and our gut is healthy, we obtain necessary nutrients to create neurotransmitters, which are key to optimal mental health,” explains Maggie Roney, a licensed counselor and certified functional medicine provider in Wylie, Texas.

“There’s mood-stabilizing serotonin, which is a precursor for melatonin, needed for sleep; dopamine, involved in pleasure, focus and motivation; and GABA, which provides a calming effect that can help with stress and anxiety. All of these require amino acids, zinc, iron, vitamin D, magnesium, copper and B vitamins.”

In moderation, sugar is not necessarily detrimental to our health and well-being, but differentiating between naturally occurring sugar and added sugar is key to finding a middle ground. “New changes in the food label allow consumers to more easily identify sources of sugar in foods,” Maniscalco says. “Many healthy foods naturally contain sugars, such as fructose in fruits and lactose in dairy products. These natural sugars don’t need to be avoided.

When checking the label, look for amounts of added sugars and choose the options that have less.”

Foods and beverages with added sugars are now required to list the number of grams and percent daily value for added sugars on the nutrition facts label. For example, a container of yogurt with

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Detroit / Wayne County

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Local, Free Range, Pasture Raised, and Grass Fed Offerings, Including:

• Beef • Pork • Chicken • Turkey • Buffalo • Lamb • Venison • Rabbit • Duck • Elk • Pastured, Non-GMO Eggs • Great Lakes Fish • Local Honey & Maple Syrup • Paleo-Friendly/Gluten-Free Selections • Organic, Grass-Fed Dairy Products • Large Cheese Selection • Beef, Chicken & Buffalo Bones for all your Bone Broth Needs

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fruit on the bottom might list total sugars at 15 grams (g), including 7 g of added sugar, which means 8 g of naturally occurring sugars.

In a society long obsessed with counting calories, we may assume we’re making smart choices with low-fat, non-fat, reduced calorie or light versions of grocery items. But, the amount of added sugar is actually higher in low calorie versions of a wide variety of foods because sugar is used to compensate for the loss of flavor from fat. “Sugar tastes good and balances out other flavors, so many foods that we wouldn’t consider sweet have added sugars,” says Colleen Tewksbury, Ph.D., bariatric program manager and senior research investigator at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Common products include pasta sauce, cereal and salad dressing. Reading food labels looking specifically for added sugars is key to finding these foods.”

“Hidden sugars are often found where we least expect them,” adds Ricardo Díaz, chef and registered dietitian nutritionist at the New York-based nonprofit Wellness in the Schools, which works to improve nutrition in school lunches. “Many savory or salty foods tend to have added sugars, such as tortilla chips, popcorn, jerky and frozen prepared foods. Check your labels and compare between products on the supermarket shelves to find the healthiest pick for you and your loved ones.”

“Often, we think of eating in ‘all or nothing’ terms. When we cut out foods we enjoy, it often backfires and we end up overeating them in the end when our willpower runs out,” Maniscaclo says. “I would really encourage mindfulness in eating so that individuals can enjoy treats in moderation and feel satisfied by them so that there’s less need to over consume. Also, being physically active year-round is a great habit to get into and can create more space in the diet for treats.”

As we implement these small but significant low-sugar strategies, we’ll be rewarded with better physical and emotional health all year long. That’s something to celebrate.

Plymouth

Christy Ratliff is a professional health and wellness writer based in Central Florida.

December 2021

25

natural pet

Toyland for Pooches Choosing Safe Playthings a Dog Will Love

by Karen Shaw Becker

breeds, tend to rip soft toys apart within seconds to taste-test the stuffing. There are also dogs that can swallow small soft toys whole.

A pup’s temperament, size and age all play a role in determining which toys are safe, and there are also considerations based on the toy itself, such as materials used, size, shape and more.

Potentially Toxic Toys. Pet toys are not regulated, so they can be made with virtually any material. Plastic toys, in particular, can be dangerous, because many contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA). Old or weathered toys such as those left outside leach higher concentrations of harmful chemicals.

While BPA-free toys are available, the toxin may have been replaced with similar—or even more toxic—chemicals, including bisphenol-S (BPS), so “BPA-free” unfortunately isn’t a reliable indicator of toy safety. Other adulterants found in dog toys include heavy metals like lead and formaldehyde.

When looking for new toys, choose those made in the U.S. out of 100 percent natural rubber, organic cotton or other eco-friendly and contaminant-free materials. Try the sniff test. If a toy being considered smells strongly of chemicals, put it back. Testing shows that some tennis balls made for pets contain more contaminants than those made for sports.

The best toys for pets are usually hand- made by individuals or very small companies and can be found at local farmers’ markets or sold regionally in small, independent pet stores. There’s no plethora of companies that produce 100 percent organic toys, but some great, all-natural toys can be found online.

What Dogs Seem to Prefer. Researchers have discov-

ered that regardless of the type of toy, once a dog is completely familiar with the sight, sound, smell and feel of it, boredom can set in. In addition, we may want to avoid “indestructible” toys the dog can’t make a dent in, because they enjoy toys they can pull apart and destroy, or those that are edible.

M

ost healthy dogs retain their love of play throughout their lives. Because canine family members can be loosely compared to perpetual human toddlers, it makes sense that they enjoy playtime no matter their age.

Most dogs are also fascinated, at least temporarily, with toys made just for them. Some love to chase a ball or Frisbee and others like a good game of tug or stuffed toys. Most dogs seem to enjoy playthings that squeak when they bite them, possibly because the noise brings to mind the sound of captured prey, or perhaps because pet parents give their dogs extra attention when they “get their squeak on”.

Most dogs in the U.S. have lots of toys, and many pet parents practice trial-and-error to determine what type their dog prefers—and which are safest—from a mind-blowing selection of tugs, balls, discs, chews, puzzles, squeaky or stuffed toys and more. Because many pet stores welcome dogs, some pet parents even bring their four-legged family members along and allow them to sniff out their favorites.

It’s important to select a dog’s toys carefully, because not every option is a good choice. For example, some dogs, especially large 26

Detroit / Wayne County

HealthyLivingMichigan.com

Offering a dog easily destroyed toys isn’t ideal, either, as they may accidently or intentionally ingest some of the non-edible pieces. A good alternative is recreational bones (large, raw chunks of beef and bison femur bones), which are quite enjoyable to most dogs, even though they’re not technically toys. Lick mats that hold a soft food treat are also a great environmental enrichment choice for dogs that tend to destroy toys quickly.

Treat-release puzzle toys, toys meant to be chewed and those that make noise or are edible (like a nontoxic dental bone) can also be good options, while toys that are hard, unyielding and silent will probably not be a big hit.

Don’t underestimate our human ability to stimulate a dog’s interests. A session of playtime—playing fetch, tug-of-war or hide-andseek—will be far more stimulating to the pup than any toy could be.

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.

inspiration

Season of Light

Celebrating the Soul of Winter

by Marlaina Donato

I

nevitably, the wheel of the year turns with the nuances of the seasons hardly noticed in the blur of our busy days. “Next year,” we say, when we realize that we’ve run out of time to try that holiday recipe, connect with friends or revel in a winter sunset. Collecting small joys takes us out of survival mode and into wide-awake living. Pausing to sip from winter’s steaming cup of comfort can be the perfect way to begin a new chapter that prompts us to come back to the center.

In the ancient world, fire festivals marked holy days celebrating the sun’s promise of return and supplied felicity in a time of hardship. Today, something inside our ancestral memories makes us crave celebration as we

wrap the year’s end in shiny ribbon, ethereal lights and scented candles. Singing, chanting or caroling this time of year—“old-fashioned” pastimes—were ancient elements of winter’s revels that invited benevolent energy and chased away bad luck. While most of us no longer grace our neighbors with song, raising our voices to any capacity can be an offering, an invitation to hope and beauty. Singing multicultural songs with the kids, writing a spontaneous prayer or sharing seasonal or funny stories naturally boosts the immune system and helps to fight off the winter blues.

Winter has its own jewel-toned beauty that rivals summer’s most dazzling hour if we pay attention: ruby fruits baked with brown sugar,

Revels Around the World: n The celebration of Soyal by the Hopi people of northern Arizona centers on purification, dancing and inviting the favor of the Kachinas, or protective nature spirits. n The ancient Persian festival Yalda celebrates family time and the triumph of the sun, with people staying awake to see the sunrise

rosy desert mornings and snowy sapphire twilights. Pointing out December constellations over a beach or lacing up our boots for a brisk walk helps us to unplug from the world’s problems. Sprinkling heart-healthy spices in our morning coffee opens a gloomy day on a lovely note.

Winter can feel long, so go ahead and treat your senses; buy a few yards of red velvet to sleep on or pick up that novel you’ve been planning to read. Live and give a little more deeply. Feed the birds and feed your soul.

Marlaina Donato is an author and a composer of ambient holiday music. Connect at WildflowerLady.com. and eat foods such as pomegranates and nuts. n The Chinese festival of Dong Zhi, or the “arrival of winter”, is an ancient celebration of labor and the closing year. n The Ukrainian celebration of Malanka, or Orthodox New Year, is a type of Mardi Gras involving masks, costumes and singing from house to house.

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27

calendar of events

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2 Piquette Holiday Craft & Gift Fair – 3-8pm.

Features several Detroit and Michigan vendors.

Crafts on display and available for purchase. Artthemed silent auction. Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, 461 Piquette Ave, Detroit. Tinyurl.com/3zm55yuh.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 Online: Stop Eating your Feelings (and all that food!) – 12-1pm. A Foundations of Wellness for Women Conversation. Through discussion and role-play with the FWW team (Dr. Suman Tewari, Jen Sprague, Liza Baker), learn how to handle relationships during the holidays, navigate some common holiday scenarios, deal with awkward social situations in a stress-free way, tune in to your emotions and prepare with mental rehearsals. $12. More info: 734-418-2188 or bit.ly/StopEating YourFeelings.

Make Your Own Mosaic Cabinet Knob – 2-4pm. Whether you are a beginner or have mosaic experience you will come away with a small piece of art and big satisfaction. You will be supplied with one cabinet knob finding (more, $15 each), adhesive and some supporting colored stones will be supplied. With Wasentha Young. $100. Peaceful Dragon School, 1945 Pauline Blvd, Ste B, Ann Arbor. 734-741-0695.

WasenthasMosaics.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19 Holiday Market: Eastern Market – 10am4pm. Features plenty of Michigan-made gift options including clothing, art, jewelry, beauty products and more. 2934 Russell St, Detroit.

EasternMarket.org.

PLAN AHEAD

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4

Let’s Meditate Detroit: Free Guided Meditation – 6:30-7:30pm. With Sahaja Yoga Meditation we generally sit on chairs to achieve yoga, effortlessly and spontaneously. As such no asanas (exercises) are required, no mat or special clothing. Campbell Library, 8733 Vernor Hwy, Detroit. 315-390-0278.

DetroitPublicLibrary.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11

28

Detroit / Wayne County

Slow Flow Yoga – 11:30am. All-level practice offering an enjoyable balance between movement and stillness that encourages deeper feelings of calm, stress release and relaxation. A blend of guided flowing sequence of postures. Yoga 4 Peace, 13550 Dix Toledo Rd, Southgate. Y4Peace.org.

Virtual Pilates with Gwyn – 9:30-10am. Build a better understanding of your mind & body connections through alignment, posture and natural movement awareness. $5/class. GwynJonesPilates.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5

Dedication December Vision Board Planting a Vision Event – 5-8pm. With S.H.E (She Has Everything) in collaboration with Leaf Me Plant Boutique. This vision board planning will set you up to go into the new year with a mindset and vision to be dedicated to the goals you set forth. at Good VibzYoga.com. Leaf Me Plant Boutique, 9618 Joseph Campau Ave, Hamtramck. 313-462-8144.

Tinyurl.com/65yzvdyr.

Dance Meditation Technique – 10am-12pm. This 90-min, un-choreographed, whole-being workout is a drug-free, scientific technique and art for transforming tension into creativity. $10. Detroit Kung Fu Academy, 1353 Division, Ste 3E, Detroit. 248910-3351. DanceMT.com.

Sunrise Flow – 7-7:45am. Gentle vinyasa that intentionally opens and challenges the sometimes sleepy and stiff morning body. Citizen Yoga Studio, 1224 Library St, Detroit. 313-502-5450. Citizen YogaStudio.com.

Holiday Market: Eastern Market – 10am-4pm.

Features plenty of Michigan-made gift options including clothing, art, jewelry, beauty products and more. 2934 Russell St, Detroit. EasternMarket.org.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12

ECK Light and Sound Service –10-11am. 2nd Sun. Dominican Center at Marywood, Lower Level, 2025 E Fulton St, Rm 4, Grand Rapids. 248-546-9224.

Eck-Mi.org.

mondays

Holiday Show & Grand Opening – 4-9pm. Enjoy live demonstrations in the glass shop, along with a selection of handmade work by local artist and craftsmen in our gallery space. Shop for a unique gift for the holidays while supporting local artists.

Wyandotte Art and Glass Center, 4308 13th St, Wyandotte. Tinyurl.com/y4yvfm3r.

Holiday Market: Eastern Market – 10am-4pm.

Features plenty of Michigan-made gift options including clothing, art, jewelry, beauty products and more. 2934 Russell St, Detroit. EasternMarket.org.

Livestreamed Sunday Service – 9:55am. Unity of Livonia, 28660 Five Mile Rd, Livonia. UnityOf Livonia.org.

Peace: Candlelight Yoga – 4pm. For all levels. This class is diffused with essential oils and soothing soaking into your mat music. Sacred Space Yoga & Reflexology Centre, 4801 Chrysler Dr, Detroit. 313352-6788. SacredSpaceYogaDetroit.com.

Crown Chakra Balancing Workshop – 1-2:15pm.

With Kim Thompson. Learn the fundamentals of the crown chakra, mudras, mantras, essential oils, crystals, and specific yoga postures to harmonize and gently stimulate energy flow. $30. Breathe Yoga Salt, 33599 W Seven Mile Rd, Livonia. Breathe YogaSalt.com.

Considering Matthew Shepard – 4:30pm. A live performance film of the U‑M Chamber Choir performing the oratorio on Detroit Public Television.

More info: dptv.org.

sundays

ongoing events

daily In-Person and Virtual Classes Daily – 7am-6pm.

A variety of classes for every body, including seniors. Classes include daily chair yoga classes, candlelight yoga every Sunday, neck and shoulder, as well as hip and back classes. Sacred Space Yoga & Reflexology Centre, 4801 Chrysler Dr, Detroit.

313-352-6788. SacredSpaceYogaDetroit.com.

Teen Mentoring – 9am. Helps teens who may be feeling alone and seek another non-parent to assist them. Helping with guidance, support and motivation. Details: GoodVibzYoga.com.

HealthyLivingMichigan.com

Meaningful Mondays – 8pm. SevaLight Retreat Centre warmly welcomes everyone, of all faiths, meditation practices and traditions, to join us virtually. Will gather on video conference sharing in song/ chants and inspiring readings from Mata Yogananda Mahasaya Dharmaji’s writings, followed by Pure Meditation and silent prayer. Free. Email by 10am any Monday to receive the info about how to join by video: Info@SelfRealizationCentreMichigan.org.

tuesdays Virtual Tuesday Connection Group – 8-9am. 1st & 3rd Tues. With Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber. Opportunity to receive business referrals; form lasting business relationships with other working professionals; give a 10-min presentation about your product/service to an attentive audience; help others you know find the products/services they are

looking for and more. RSVP, Melanie Hojnowski: MHSecondstep@yahoo.com. swcrc.com.

The Natural Playroom – 9am-3pm. The all-natural materials of wood, silk, wool and cotton impart a warmth and beauty that encourages babies and kids to explore the world around them. Gives kids an inviting space to play. $5-$8/family. Camden Rose Inc, 502 Farmer St, Plymouth. 734-927-5005.

NaturalPlayroom.com.

Chair Yoga – 10am. With Holy Yoga Detroit. Free.

Durfee Innovation Society, 2470 Collingwood, Ste 213, Detroit. 313-437-1549. DurfeeIS.org.

Therapeutic Yoga – 10am. All levels. Perfect for those with back problems, healing injuries, inflexibility, weak abs or back muscles, stress, fatigue, overweight, depression and arthritic conditions.

Yoga 4 Peace, 13550 Dix Toledo Rd, Southgate.

Y4Peace.org.

Family Yoga – 11am-12pm. With Holy Yoga Detroit.

All ages welcome. Free. Durfee Innovation Society, 2470 Collingwood, Ste 213, Detroit. 313-437-1549.

DurfeeIS.org.

Parent-to-Parent Support Group – 12-1:30pm.

3rd Tues. Also 6-7:30, 4th Thurs. For parents and caregivers of children, adolescents and young adults.

An open, welcoming group providing dialogue and peer support. Free. The Children’s Center, 90 Selden, Detroit. TheChildrensCenter.com.

Iyengar Yoga Detroit – 5pm. Vibrant, dynamic, heart-opening Iyengar yoga class for all levels and abilities. Bilingual Spanish. Free. 313-528-9493. For Zoom link: InfoAtIYDC@gmail.com. Facebook. com/IyengarYogaDetroit.

wednesdays Virtual Wednesday Connection Group – 8-9am.

2nd & 4th Wed. With Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber. Opportunity to receive business referrals; form lasting business relationships with other working professionals; give a 10-min presentation about your product/service to an attentive audience; help others you know find the products/ services they are looking for and more. RSVP, Silvia Rainer: SRainer@PayChex.com. swcrc.com.

Cooking Matters – 10:30am-12pm. Help end childhood hunger by inspiring families to make healthy and affordable food choices. Program to teach parents and caregivers with limited food budgets to shop for and cook healthy meals. Free. Brilliant Detroit Cody Rouge, 7425 Fielding St, Detroit. RSVP: 313-406-3275.

Online: Conscious Leaders Group Coaching – Thru Dec. 3-4pm. A place to receive continuous guidance for leading with compassion and flow. Includes 2 monthly calls, where you can bring questions or issues to be coached around. Learn about your blind spots, tackle your growth edges, and build resilience for your leadership. $222/mo. AmbrosialAlanimals.

MyKajabi.com/offers/Fcot2cjT/checkout.

ArtBlock Yoga – 6-7pm. Last Wed. Free yoga in the new art-infused space, ArtBlock. 1411 Holden St, Detroit. 313-871-4000 x 3. Tinyurl.com/y4xksa7g.

The Sound of Soul: Experience Singing HU – 7-8pm. 3rd Wed. Dominican Center at Marywood, Lower Level, 2025 E Fulton St, Rm 4, Grand Rapids.

248-546-9224. Eck-Mi.org.

thursdays Virtual Thursday Connection Group – 8-9am. 1st & 3rd Thurs. With Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber. Opportunity to receive business referrals; form lasting business relationships with other working professionals; give a 10-min presentation about your product/service to an attentive audience; help others you know find the products/services they are looking for and more. RSVP, Jen Brown: JBrown@KeyConcerns.com. swcrc.com.

Virtual Tai Chi Easy – 10-11am. Tai Chi Easy consists of 5 movements from traditional Yangstyle Tai Chi that can be done sitting or standing plus other gentle movements, breathing exercises and self-applied massage. All movements are gentle. With Erin Reas. Suggested donation: $5/ class. Via Zoom. To register: Erin@ErinReas.com.

ReduceYourStressNow.com.

Better Backs Yoga – 12pm. All levels. We explore different variations and styles of classic hatha yoga postures. Yoga 4 Peace, 13550 Dix Toledo Rd, Southgate. Y4Peace.org.

Parent-to-Parent Support Group – 6-7:30pm, 4th Thurs. For parents and caregivers of children, adolescents and young adults. An open, welcoming group providing dialogue and peer support. Free.

The Children’s Center, 90 Selden, Detroit. The ChildrensCenter.com.

Wellness Workouts – 6:30pm. Customized fitness programs adaptable for all fitness abilities including body weight, core strengthening, cardio conditioning, HITT and exercise lead ball. Targets upper and lower body issues, create muscle balance and help increase energy. $10; first class free. Wellness Center of Plymouth, 1075 Ann Arbor Rd, Plymouth. RSVP: 734-454-5600. WellnessPlym.com.

Candlelight Yin Yoga – 6pm. With Rae Golematis. A slow-paced, meditative yoga practice, where postures are held longer than in most other yoga traditions.

Yoga 4 Peace, 13550 Dix Toledo Rd, Southgate.

Y4Peace.org.

saturdays Eastern Market – 6am-4pm. Year-round. 2934 Russell St, Detroit. EasternMarket.org.

Plymouth Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct 23. 8am12:30pm. Find fresh, farm-to-table produce, flowers, baked goods and more. 760 Penniman Ave, Plymouth. PlymouthMich.org.

Saturday in the Park – 9am-3:30pm. Six miles of Hines Dr will be closed from Ann Arbor Trail to Outer Drive for the public of all ages to enjoy running, walking, skating or cycling safely on a traffic-free road. Free. Parking available at Nankin Mills & Helms Haven Park. Hines Park, 33275 Edward Hines Dr, Westland. 734-261-1990. WayneCounty.com.

Fireside Youth Meditation Workshop – 12-1pm.

A great workshop for kids who will do activities and learn breathing exercises to help them be more mindful. S’mores kits provided after the event for attendees and hot cocoa from local sponsors during the event. Free. Valade Park, 2670 Atwater St, Detroit. DetroitRiverfront.org/youthmeditation2021.

Detroit Reiki Share – 6-8pm. 4th & 5th Sat. Join Dr. Zee for an evening of focused intention on healing and connecting with others. A reiki share is a sacred space where practitioners and attendees each have a turn practicing in giving and receiving energy. Everyone welcome. $20 donation. Psychedelic Healing Shack & Vegetarian Cafe, 18700 Woodward Ave, Detroit. 313-366-2247. AKHealingArts.com.

Gong Meditation – 6:30-7:30pm. Gong meditation/ sound therapy is a unique type of sound practice that involves using therapeutic gong sounds and vibrations to bring about healing, insight, relaxation, stress and tension relief and so much more. $20. Bloom Transformation Center, 227 Iron St, Ste 122, Detroit.

Tinyurl.com/y68tbup8.

fridays Blend – 7-7:45am. Combines the flow of vinyasa with the guided challenge of slow burn. The pace of this class moves from some self-guided warm-ups into long-held postures that slow the body, focus the mind, and work toward a well-earned savasana.

Citizen Yoga Studio, 1224 Library St, Detroit. 313502-5450. CitizenYogaStudio.com.

Virtual TRX with Gwyn – 8:15-8:45am. TRX is a suspension training workout that will give total-body health benefits for everyone. Modifications given for every move. $10. GwynJonesPilates.com.

Integrated Healing at The Shack – 10am-7pm.

Receive reiki, energy work, chiropractic care, assisted stretch and breath, talk therapy and more. Direct holistic healing and intuitive counsel consultations available. Cost varies. Psychedelic Healing Shack & Vegetarian Cafe, 18700 Woodward Ave, Detroit.

313-366-2247. AKHealingArts.com.

classifieds HELP WANTED LOOKING FOR DEDICATED AND PASSIONATE DISTRIBUTOR / SALES OF ALLNATURAL PRODUCTS. This is not a MLM, this is based on product sales of retail and sales to the public. This will include contacting the public as well as outdoor and indoor events. Calling on stores and businesses. Must be passionate about healthy living and helping others be healthy. Michiganmade products. We are a licensed, insured, certified company. Please contact U.P. Chaga Connection 906-282-0787 (Serious inquiries only).

December 2021

29

community resource guide CHIROPRACTIC NEUROLOGY

ACUPUNCTURE

MICHIGAN FAMILY WELLNESS

LUCKY FLOW ACUPUNCTURE LUCKY AARON LI, R.AC. OMD

2200 N. Canton Center Rd, Ste. 150, Canton 734-335-0533 (Call or Text) MichiganFamilyWellness.com

19242 Newburgh Rd, Livonia 734-237-8709 Contact@LuckyFlow.com LuckyFlow.com

With a B.A. from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and a certification in acupuncture from The China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing, Lucky Aaron Li received the teaching from China's leading acupuncturist Dr. Hu Guang, the primary researcher of Tungs' Extraordinary Points: stress, allergies, sinus congestion, depression, infertility, asthma, trouble sleeping, irritable bowel, smoking cessation, fatigue, headaches, migraines, and chronic pains including, but not limited to, feelings of numbing, tingling, burning, cold, hallow, stingy in any skeletal-muscular area of body, and many more ailments. Imagine feeling lighter, energetic and motivated. Wake up refreshed, with a smile on your face and joy in your Heart! We help you become the best you possible with acupuncture!

ALICE HUANG’S NATURAL CHINESE THERAPIES

2939 1st St, Wyandotte, 734-324-1168 1311 N. Main St, Clawson, 248-278-6081 1890 Southfield, Birmingham, 248-582-8888 AliceHuangs.com Alternative and holistic healing specializing in natural chinese therapies: acupuncture, massage, cupping, DDS therapy, colon hydrotherapy, foot detox and more.

Multiple locations to better serve you. Make an appointment today.

See ad, page 3.

CHAGA PRODUCTS U.P. CHAGA CONNECTION

906-282-0787 MidnightSpcl_59@yahoo.com UPChagaConnection.com

Freshest, cleanest wildest organic Chaga available in the Upper Peninsula. State certified. Immune-Boosting Superfood. For centuries, people have used chaga mushrooms for medicinal purposes. Packed with antioxidants, its extract may fight cancer, chronic inflammation, improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels. See ad page 20.

30

Detroit / Wayne County

At the family wellness clinic, we believe if you fuel your body it will thrive, stress is the enemy, and the chiropractic adjustment is the foundation for a healthy lifestyle.

Focusing on functional neurology, Dr. Kyle Wallner takes a neurological, structural and nutritional approach to helping you achieve your health goals. Listen to our podcast and schedule online at our website.

CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS WELLNESS CENTER OF PLYMOUTH

Dr. Elizabeth Sisk, DC 1075 Ann Arbor Road W, Plymouth 734-454-5600

The Wellness Center of Plymouth provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to health and wellness.

The cornerstone of health is balanced body systems, and our 5 pillars – Chiropractic Care, Laser Therapy, Massage, Weight Loss and Nutrition – work together to bring your body into an optimal state of balance. Reclaim life and vitality by eliminating pain, disease and stress. See ad page 25.

HEALTH & WELLNESS KOFANO AFRICAN NATURAL WELLNESS

Dr. Kofi Annorh 17372 Livernois, Detroit 248-636-8448 KofiAnnorh@gmail.com

Master herbalist, health and wellness coach, Dr. Kofi Annorh’s passion is to consult and help you on your unique healing journey. He is a fifth generation practitioner of Ghanaian ancient knowledge. Dr. Kofi specializes in natural wellness and can help you with lifestyle changes, herbal teas, nutrition, herbal support, energy restoration, detoxification, weight loss, headaches, depression, sleep disorders and much more.

Call, visit or email him today.

HealthyLivingMichigan.com

HEALTH FOOD STORES THE BETTER HEALTH STORES

Locations: Dearborn • Plymouth • Novi • Livonia • Ann Arbor • Sterling Heights • Belleville • Southgate • Shelby Charter Twp • Lansing • Grosse Pointe Woods • Beverly Hills • Bloomfield Twp • Windsor, ON, Canada TheBetterHealthStore.com Vitamins, supplements, organic and natural foods. For more information: See ad page 5.

HOLISTIC HEALING DETROIT WHOLISTIC CENTER

Dr. Jesse Brown, ND 313-538-5433 DetroitWholisticCenter.com

Wholistic health services, colon hydrotherapy, reflexology, massage, body wraps, iridology, aqua-chi footbaths and consultations in nutrition and wellness.

Colon-cleansing herbal products such as Turkey Rhubarb herbal combination formula and Reneu’ by First Fitness.

Lose weight wholistically, relieve constipation and bloating, improve your energy and skin and more.

See ad, page 21.

HOLISTIC MENTAL WELLNESS KELLIE ZIEHM

Kellie.Amare@yahoo.com 734-344-2339 AmareMentalWellness.com Come join my team with this ground floor distributor opportunity with the only holistic mental wellness company in direct sales. I’m also looking for healthcare professionals to join our influencer program. See ad page 9.

NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS SMIDGE® SMALL BATCH SUPPLEMENTS

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Small-batch supplements crafted with care and the cleanest formulas. Probiotics, digestive enzymes, whole food vitamins and natural minerals made from honest, premium ingredients with critical nutrients. Gentle, no GMOs and no common allergens.

PAIN RELIEF AUNT ALBERTA’S REMEDY

Homeopathic Pain Relief Cream 973-715-9097 Info@AlbertasPainRelief.com AlbertasPainRelief.com Need Relief from Arthritis?

Try Aunt Alberta's Remedy to ease muscular aches and joint pain. Her Remedy is a homeopathic pain relief cream that penetrates deep into the skin and muscle tissues. Get beneficial relief from sciatica, fibromyalgia, arthritis, neuralgia, gout, and more. All-natural ingredients! Do you want to feel a real difference from the nagging aches of arthritis?

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Great buy, get a 4oz jar for $15! See website for other options. See what people say about Aunt Alberta's Remedy and purchase now on our website.

PSYCHIC MEDICAL INTUITIVE HEALING UNIVERSAL ENERGY HEALING & MASSAGE THERAPY FOR WOMEN

Christine Bridges 580 Forest Ave., Suite 3C, Plymouth ChristineBridges2@Comcast.net ChristineBridges2.wixsite.com/website 734-934-7271 By appointment only

Psychic medical intuitive healer with “X-ray vision hands”. Clients that may benefit from her work, includes anyone suffering from an “itis” (arthritis, colitis, etc.), old injuries, anxiety, depression, panic, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADD, ADHD, autism, OCD, sleep concerns, overly stressed, inability to conceive, or miscarriages, babies, unexplained weight-gain or loss, inability to quit (smoking, drinking, abusing yourself), chronic fatigue, energy maintenance for balance, chronic diseases, including cancer and autoimmune disorders. See ad page 8.

REFLEXOLOGY R3 REFLEXOLOGY (RELIEVE, RELEASE, RESTORE)

Kristi Holmes, Nationally Board Certified Reflexologist 689 N Mill St, Ste #103, Plymouth 248-872-3042 (Call or Text)

If You Are Reading This, So Are Your Potential Customers.

From head to toe, anxiety to vertigo, reflexology can help. Reflexology is a science, acknowledged by the National Institute of Health, based on the principle that there are reflexes in the hands and the feet that correspond with every gland, organ and part of the body. I received my initial Certification in hands and feet from Branch Reflexology Institute before going on to receive my National Board Certification. I am privileged to work with a variety of clients—men, women and children of all ages and the results I see from reflexology both personally and professionally continue to amaze me.

SCHOOL / EDUCATION NATUROPATHIC INSTITUTE OF THERAPIES & EDUCATION

503 East Broadway St, Mt. Pleasant 989-773-1714 Contact@NaturopathicInstitute.info NaturopathicInstitute.info

Educational programs offered: Natural Health Program: four years (one weekend a month); Massage Therapy Program: one year (two weekends a month); Holistic Doula Practitioner Program: six months (one weekend a month). Individual classes available. See ad page 5.

WHOLISTIC TRAINING INSTITUTE

313-255-6155 WholisticTrainingInstitute.com

WTI

Discover a Healer in You. Make a Healthy Living and Better the Life of Others. State of Michigan-licensed school offering professional certifications for the following alternative health practices: naturopathy, homeopathy, herbology, reflexology, colon hydrotherapy, iridology and many more. Find us on Facebook! Twitter: @WholisticGuru. See ad, page 21.

Contact us today for special ad rates.

734-757-7929 Publisher@HealthyLivingMichigan.com

December 2021

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