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November 2011 | West Michigan Edition | NaturalWestMichigan.com natural awakenings
November 2011
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contents 10
10 globalbriefs
12 healthbriefs
14 ecotip
12 17 inspiration 18 wisewords 22 greenliving
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28 healthykids
32 naturalpet
34 healingways 36 fitbody
advertising & submissions How to Advertise
Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
18 EMPOWER LOCAL
BUSINESSES TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL ECONOMIES Success Tips from Advocate
Michelle Long
by Brian Clark Howard
22 SHOP SMART
Keep Dollars Working in Local Communities by Linda Sechrist
24 ECONOMICS OF
HAPPINESS: THE NEW ECONOMY
Changing the Rules to Benefit America’s People by John de Graaf and Linda Sechrist
To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 616-656-9232 or email: Publisher@ NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for space reservation is the 12th of each month prior to publication.
32 GOOD DOG
News Briefs & article submissions
34 HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Email articles to: Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for articles is the 5th of the month prior to publication. Submit News Briefs online at NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for news briefs is the 12th of the month prior to publication.
calendar submissions Submit Calendar Events online at: NaturalWestMichigan.com. Calendar deadline is the 15th of the month prior to publication.
WHERE TO PICK UP NATURAL AWAKENINGS If you enjoyed this magazine and would like to know where you can pick up a free copy in your area, please contact us at 616656-9232 or email us at: publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com
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22
Positive Training Yields Fast Results by Sandra Murphy
TO YOU
Mood-Boosting Health Tips by Kim Childs
24
36 OUR WORST
FITNESS HABITS Six Roadblocks to Sidestep by Tosca Reno
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November 2011
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letterfrompublishers
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contact us Publishers Kyle & Amy Hass Editors S. Alison Chabonais Scott Gillis Linda Sechrist Design & Production Interactive Media Design Scott Carvey Printer Stafford Media Solutions Natural Awakenings 484 Sunmeadow Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 Phone: 616-656-9232 Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com
www.NaturalWestMichigan.com
Subscriptions are available by sending $30 (12 issues) to the above address. © 2011 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
Committed to Sustainability Natural Awakenings is locally owned and operated.
ecently I had the pleasure of attending the annual Natural Awakenings publishers’ conference, held this year at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in upstate New York (eOmega.org). It’s a beautiful and magical place where kindred spirits go to refresh, renew and recharge both physically and mentally. Such positive energy exudes from every part of the campus that you can’t help but leave there supercharged. I hope you make it a point to visit sometime. I would have loved to have stayed longer to enjoy all the good things they offer and look forward to my next visit. Less than a week after returning home, Kyle and I were again privileged to attend the amazing Bioneers Conference in Traverse City. We dove into the weekend with our all, learning how to be better stewards of the environment. The best word I can come up with to describe what happens when so many like-minded people join in making good change happen is… inspiring. After partaking of both events I feel that I am ready to take on anything. Occasions like these pump us up for the big game. Sometimes we can get too complacent just trying to keep up and moving from day to day; we all need such cheerleaders in our life—Get up! Get moving! Spur change! This month we take a closer look at Local & Personal Economy. According to Reuters.com, current data shows that Michigan’s “green” economy is growing fast, with thousands of clean energy jobs on the horizon. They are being planned based on a new foundation of manufacturing being laid using the expertise of our state’s battered auto industry. The change raises the prospect that Michigan might one day be a global hub for electric vehicles and advanced battery development, along with bio-fuel technologies, wind power parts and solar panels. Michigan businesses are expected to create more than 150,000 clean energy jobs in the next decade, leveraging $14 billion of projects in the pipeline. Today’s Michigan is all about creating vision and opportunities. Another way to set our state’s economy on a prosperous path is to support local Michigan businesses every time you buy a product or service and eat out. Taking small, consistent neighborly steps together, day by day, we can make big leaps forward starting right here in our own community. Happy Thanksgiving to all,
Amy Hass, Publisher Natural Awakenings is printed on 100% recycled newsprint with soy based ink.
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newbriefs NAN~Natural Awakenings Network cards now available?
NAN
ÂŽ is a groundbreaking national network
through which members may obtain discounts on products and services f o c u s e d o n n a t u ra l health, wellness, sustainability and healthy lifestyles. NAN providers are practitioners and integrative health professionals who specialize in complementary and alternative medicine and therapies. Additional participating businesses that offer member discounts include health clubs, health food stores, yoga centers, green living products and services, bookstores, spas, vegetarian/healthy restaurants and many others. NAN members can save from 5% to 50% on the many products and services from our comprehensive network of providers. Now you can enjoy discounts on services from naturopaths, chiropractors, iridologists, massage therapists and spas... not always covered by health insurance! Save money every time you use your NAN card and experience better health and quality of life. Now through January 31st you can take advantage of our Launch Special and purchase annual individual NAN Memberships for 50% off. A savings of $54. Annual Family Plans are also available for 50% off. A savings of $108. Family Plans include up to four members. Convenient and easy to use. Just show your NAN card at participating Providers and start enjoying the savings. No paperwork, no insurance claims, no limits! Preventive health is the best prescription for better health. Visit page 38 to view a list of current West Michigan NAN Providers. New Providers are added weekly and a list will be posted on www.NaturalWestMichigan.com. To see a comprehensive list of all providers nationwide, visit www.NaturalAwakeningsNetwork.com.
Is there a business that you frequent that is not listed on our Network list? Suggest to them that they become a NAN Provider. It is FREE for providers to participate in for their first year. Contact NAN@NaturalWestMichgan.com for more information. 616-656-9232. See ad page 37 Like us on Facebook at Natural Awakenings Magazine of West Michigan so you don’t miss out on an unbelievable Black Friday special rate.
2012 Annual Natural Living Directory
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e invite you to be a part of Natural Awakenings 3rd Annual Natural Living Directory for West Michigan, coming March 2012. Th i s s p e c i a l annual directory of Natural Awakenings magazine will serve as a handy reference guide for consumers to keep at their fingertips all year long when searching for the products and services they want to live a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. This A to Z directory will feature a glossary to educate our health conscious readers about the benefits of various natural health modalities, sustainable practices and more. Consumers trust Natural Awakenings information and its featured advertisers because we offer refreshing and educational editorial on natural health and green living. Natural Awakenings also provides the resources that support Health, Fitness, Sustainable Living, Personal Growth, and Creative Expression. This Directory is a must for businesses that offer healthy products and sustainable services. Don’t miss out on this important issue!
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November 2011
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Natural Living Directory prices: $119.00 per category listing includes 5 header lines, a 35-word description and a photo or logo. A second category is 50% off and a third category is FREE. Early Registration Rates: $99 for the first listing. Special pricing ends February 3rd, 2012. ½ page and Full Page Ads are also available. Call Natural Awakenings at 616-656-9232 for details, examples and to reserve your space in our Natural Living Directory. Deadline to register is February 17th. See ad page 44.
Looking for Work?
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re you a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist looking to align yourself with an established business? MI Clinical Massage is looking to grow their family and add another therapist to their new building. Hours are flexible but every other Saturday is a must. Call or email for an interview. Contact MI Clinical Massage at 616-793-0737 or miclinicalmassage@gmail.com. See ad page 30.
Destination Africa
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afari Healing is looking for adventurers’ who truly embrace mind, body, spirit, in all they do. They have a unique and enriching formula that will make your trip to East Africa the experience of a lifetime. A trip to Africa on February 28th through March 19th, will touch you all on its own, and after they add to your story book trip, some healthy moves like Yoga, Qigong and Massage, your spirit -will soar. Top this off with lavish, clean meals to nourish your body and you just might want to return some day and do it again. Safari Healings experienced guides will escort you and the itinerary will direct you to some of the best - Lodges, Bush Inns and Tented Camps available, a combination of luxury and adventure awaits you. Enjoy the natural beauty and the wildlife of this land while having ample time to meditate and relax with some massages and morning Thai Chi Wa exercises designed to keep you healthy and in tune. Learn and take home some relaxing techniques along with all those wonderful memories.
Mary a. delange C.C.T. C.M.T. Colon HydroTHerapy Some Benefits of Colon Therapy are: • Remove toxic waste from ones body • Eradicate constipation • Removes stomach bloat • Increases ones energy also offering Therapeutic Massage P: 616.456.5033 E: mary@harmonynhealth.net www.harmonynhealth.net
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Memories like sundowners overlooking the Riff Valley, the amber glow of the campfire, a star studded sky plus an excursion to the Indian Ocean to bask on the warm beaches of Zanzibar. They take great care planning and guiding your eco-friendly, photo Safari and are always looking to leave a good impression with clients and country hosts. Seen from space Africa looks like a heart, maybe it is one of the hidden reasons many people consider it the most exciting destination on the planet. For more information contact Safari Healing, Mick@ SafariHealing.com or visit www.SafariHealing.com. See ad page 31.
Gathering Thunder Foundation
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ll the way from Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, Gathering Thunder Foundation welcomes Lakota spiritual leader, Chief Wakinyan Sna Mani, Sr., former Oglala Tribal Councilwoman Barbara Dull Knife and Davian StandsGilpin, First Youth Ambassador to the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers, to the Center for Holistic Education in Lowell on Saturday November 5th. This daylong event entitled, “The Spirit of the Lakota” will run from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. From Lakota wisdom sharing and story telling to drumming, dancing and sweat lodge, this is sure to be an amazing day! To register for this event ($75.00), please visit: www. ElizabethCosmosPhd.com. On Sunday, November 6th at 6:00 p.m. The Coptic Center of Grand Rapids will be host for Chief Wakinyan Sna Mani, Barbara Dull Knife and Davian Stands-Gilpin at the 6:00 p.m. Sunday Lecture Series. To learn more visit www.GatheringThunderFoundation. org. Gathering Thunder Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit, dedicated to the preservation of Native American Traditions, as well as the health and welfare of the Native American People of North America.
Live a Pain-Free Life
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t’s time to take action and become a better feeling you! Live a pain-free life with West Michigan Rehab & Pain Center. Dr. Rahimi, a West Michigan pain specialist, has extensive experience in treating spine, joint and muscle pain with an emphasis on MIGRAINE and headache suffering. Dr. Rahimi’s independent practice allows him to spend more time with each patient; listening to their needs and providing them with the personal attention and care they deserve. With traditional and non-traditional therapies, you’ll be sure to find a treatment plan that suites your needs. Whether you have reoccurring discomfort, a sports related injury or acute pain, Dr. Rahimi can help. West Michigan Rehab & Pain Center has two convenient locations in Grand Rapids and Grandville. Call today to schedule your appointment, 616-447-4090. Visit www.rehabpaincenter.com. See ad page 29.
New Location
MI
Clinical Massage is moving to a new location. Don’t worry, it’s not too far. Clients will be parking in the same parking lot as before but will walk over to 173 Dunton as opposed to 313 N River. They are still offering New Clients $35/ hour Massages and would LOVE to meet you! Call or email for an appointment. Cont act MI Clinical Massage at 616-793-0737 or miclinicalmassage@gmail.com. See ad page 30.
One Mans Search for Faith
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uthor rejects the forced dogma of the church of his upbringing to find a faith he can call his own and urges readers to do the same. In The Non-Religious Christian – Finding Faith Outside the Church (Principia Media), author Vern Jones shares his experiences growing up in a rural fundamental Christian church with its strict
rules and dogmatic beliefs. After leaving the church and receiving a scientific education, Jones spent his adult years studying the Bible to see if it was possible to abandon organized religion and still be a Christian. Carefully constructing thoughtful, scientific and fact-based arguments against biblical inerrancy, Jones vigilantly deconstructs many commonly accepted Bible-based truths and puts forward a new and empowering way of looking at one’s faith. This book is for those who claim to be more spiritual than religious, who go to church but have yet to find true meaning, and for those who have questioned their Christian faith after being judged by others or feeling unloved. “The millions of Americans who have been raised in a restrictive religious environment and who have wrestled with these issues will find this book extremely helpful,” says Fred Hood, Presbyterian minister and author, in the book’s foreword. Many of the significant and controversial social issues of our time, including abortion, stem cell research, school prayer, evolution and the display of the Ten Commandments, are discussed in this book with new insights that run contrary to many in the evangelical and fundamental movement. Jones, by centering on the person of Jesus and discarding the rules set by religious leaders, discovers a renewed faith without the persistent myths and restrictive ideology taught in many churches today. This book is not an attempt to convince anyone that their faith is wrong; rather it is the author’s hope that it empowers others to find a faith they may call their own. The Non-Religious Christian – Finding Faith Outside the Church. Principia Media, ISBN 978-1-61485-301-5. Hardcover List $19.95. To order the book, visit Amazon. com: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1614853010. To arrange an interview or speaking engagement with the author, contact Julie Hurley at 616-460-5070. See ad page 9.
natural awakenings
November 2011
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National Health Conference
Natural Skin-Care Product
he Wellness Forum will be celebrating its 15th year with a national health conference in Columbus, Ohio on November 11-13th. Featured guest speakers will be some of the stars from the film, Forks Over Knives, such as Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Dr. Pam Popper, San’Dera Nation and many others. Dr. Campbell will be introducing his new book and you will hear the first lecture on this exciting ground-breaking piece. Dr. Ralph Moss will lecture on various cancer treatments that he has spent over 30 years researching. There will be great food, fun and education. To register, visit www.wellnessforum.com.
nfinite Healthcare Partners LLC is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative cosmetic and medi-cosmetic skin & body care solutions for those suffering with Psoriasis, Eczema and Rosacea. Renucell® brand products with Phyoxolin™ offer a natural, safe and effective alternative to skin-care products that contain unwanted drugs, steroids and other synthetic ingredients. With their farm in Australia to grow the Centipeda cunninghamii plant (Phyoxolin™), patented extraction of the material and proprietary formulation and US manufacturing, the company offers a complete, uncompromising product development network. It is this contained infrastructure that successfully addresses the many challenges of providing results, which are designed to meet the needs of today’s well-educated and discerning consumer. The Phyoxolin™ patent has been accepted in each of the countries applied for. They provide the highest possible quality standards for healthy looking skin without the unwanted synthetic ingredients commonly found in everyday products. Renucell can be purchased online or from area retailers. Visit their site for a list of stores near you.
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The Wellness Forum, 830 Forest Hill Ave in Grand Rapids. 616-942-7907. See ad page 46.
New Zen and Buddhist Temple
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he Grand Rapids Zen Center and Buddhist Temple located at 156 E Fulton in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan is a Korean Zen Buddhist Temple organized under the Constitution of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order, Korea’s second largest order of monks and nuns. Their Buddhist Order was founded 1600 years ago by Zen Master Taego Bowoo. The Grand Rapids Zen Center and Buddhist Temple is guided by The Venerable Deokwun Russell Pitts. As a Korean Zen Buddhist Temple, they offer a rich tradition of Korean Zen Buddhism coupled with a commitment to community service and engagement. At the Grand Rapids Zen Center and Buddhist Temple you will find a warm and welcoming environment. Even though they are a Korean Zen Buddhist Temple, everyone is invited, regardless of religious tradition, to learn and live the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha for the benefit of all beings. Yoga Classes are also offered at the Grand Rapids Zen Center and Buddhist Temple via the Formless Yoga Studio with teacher Stephanie Squibb. The Grand Rapids Zen Center and Buddhist Temple, 156 E Fulton in Grand Rapids. www.grzen.org. 616-822-2465. See ad page 29.
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NaturalWestMichigan.com
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For more information contact Infinite Healthcare Partners LLC, 41 Washington Ave, Suite 345 in Grand Haven. 616842-3354. Visit www.renucellusa.com to see some before & after pics. See ad page 9.
Festival Highlights Healthy Living and Raw Foods
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he Michigan Raw Health EcoFestival will take place on Sunday, November 13 at Laurel Manor, in Livonia. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and features presentations and demonstrations by some of the best teachers in the fields of natural healing and raw, vegan and living foods. Admission is $10.
According to event organizer Joyce Oliveto, a live foods expert since 1980, “The intention and hope of the Raw Health EcoFest is that attendees walk away with the knowledge and inspiration to know they can achieve vibrant health and be touched in such a way that they will understand the possibilities of how lives and the world can be transformed physically, mentally and emotionally”. Throughout the day, attendees can learn about the raw and living foods lifestyle, taste samples of raw foods prepared on-site during live demonstrations and enjoy exhibits on a range of healthy lifestyle topics such as live blood cell analysis, solar energy, composting, worm casings, geothermal products, yoga and tai chi. Complimentary treatments, such as infrared sauna and biomat sessions, will also be offered. A raw food court with offerings from the area’s premier raw food restaurants, such as Red Pepper Deli, The Cacao Tree Cafe, Zerbos, Creative Health Institute, The Raw Cafe and The Tree House, provides an opportunity for guests to enjoy a wide range of raw foods. The event features a live food demonstration and keynote presentation by renowned teacher and author of Survival in the 21st Century, Victoras Kulvinskas. The keynote address is scheduled from 3:55 to 4:35 p.m. Kulvinskas, who speaks worldwide and has tens of thousands of followers, will also be leading an incredible workshop from 5 to 8 p.m. The fee is $50 and includes a question and answer session with Kulvinskas. Location: 39000 Schoolcraft Rd., in Livonia. For general information, visit RawHealthEcoFest.com. To register for the special workshop, visit LivingSimplyRaw. com and select the shopping page. See ad page 33.
Kudos
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h e Yo g a S t u d i o congratulates teacher and co-owner Kat McKinney for passing her Introductory 1 Teaching Assessment in the Iyengar tradition. She now begins studying Kat McKinney for the second part of the rigorous Iyengar assessment process to attain full certification. Certified Iyengar Yoga instructors are held to an unusually high standard of knowledge and training that requires many years of practice and study assuring you of an instructor who is well trained in the art, science, and philosophy of yoga. Kat says “While the Assessment process is difficult, it is also an illuminating experience that continues to deepen my practice and dedication to the Iyengar method. It is an honor to teach and I’m committed to providing the best instruction I can to my students.” Carolyn Heines, founder and co-owner of the Yoga Studio, is grateful to have a teacher as diligent and accomplished as Kat to carry on the tradition of the Yoga Studio. The Yoga Studio is located at 955 Cherry SE, in Grand Rapids. Visit www.gryoga.com for more information and the latest class schedule.
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natural awakenings
November 2011
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Borrowing from a bank has traditionally been a slow, bureaucratic process, often off-limits to people outside the wage-and-salary mainstream, whether they’re starting a business or getting back on their feet. Over the centuries, groups of people have organized various styles of societal credit arrangements to address these shortcomings. Today’s credit union, a co-operative, community-based banking model, still thrives. In the past 30 years, the rise of microcredit has been providing small loans to people around the world that have no access to traditional banks or could not meet banking industry requirements. More recently, the combination of microfinance and online social networking has resulted in a new phenomenon: peer-topeer lending, or social lending. Today, more than a dozen websites connect borrowers and lenders without using banks as middlemen. The economic advantage of such peer-to-peer lending extends to attractive interest rates for borrowers; often half that of Visa or MasterCard. LendingClub.com has surpassed $1 billion in such loans. “Interest rates turn a charitable relationship into a business relationship,” notes Matt Flannery, who founded the online micro-lender Kiva.org in 2005. “That empowers the poor by making them business partners.” Kiva lenders don’t earn interest on their loans, but the underlying micro-lenders that administer the loans in their countries do. Sources: Ode magazine, MainStreet.com
sOccket to Me
A Powerful Plaything Two Harvard undergraduate students, Julia Silverman and Jessica Matthews, have come up with a way to harness the kinetic energy of a moving soccer ball and store it as electric current in a battery inside the ball. The invention, called sOccket, collects enough energy in 15 minutes of play to power a typical LED lamp for three hours. The device sports its own power outlet to retrieve the juice inside. Today’s sOccket is designed to last for a year or longer; researchers are studying its larger potential. Source: CleanTechnica.com
Honor World Kindness Day on November 13 10
West Michigan Edition
NaturalWestMichigan.com
Toxic Redux
Fairer Trade
B Corps Aim to Right the System Traditional business models have recently experienced many manmade traumas, including the housing/banking industry collapse, world recession, nuclear pollution in Japan, the BP Gulf oil spill and the Massey Energy Company coal mining deaths in West Virginia. The conventional response is that smarter regulation is needed to prevent such crises in the future, but a growing number of business analysts say the problems go deeper, and a new kind of corporate legal structure is needed that requires companies to operate for the good of society, not just for their shareholders. These new entities, called B Corporations (the B is for benefit), are growing in number, having been adopted so far in Maryland, New Jersey, Vermont and Virginia. According to B Lab, the nonprofit behind the concept, “Our vision is simple, yet ambitious: to create a new sector of the economy that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. It will be comprised of a new type of corporation—the B Corporation—that meets rigorous and independent standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.” Jay Coen Gilbert, a B Lab co-founder, says, “We can’t have a new economy unless we have a new type of corporation. Corporate law actually works against sustainability.” Its certification effort helps consumers identify truly responsible companies. It also works with private equity investors to help them make better-informed investment decisions. Ultimately, it is pushing for new laws to, “…redefine fiduciary duty and hold companies accountable to create a material positive impact on society and the environment, as measured by an independent, transparent, third-party standard.” Source: GreenBiz.com
Community Currency Private Mints on the Upswing
A local currency movement is again emerging as a way to focus business capital, especially consumer spending, on community economies. BerkShares illustrate the phenomenon. First issued in 2006 in the southern Berkshires region of Massachusetts, more than 2 million of these paper notes are currently in circulation. One hundred BerkShares can be purchased for $95 at one of five local banks and exchanged at participating merchants with the same purchasing value as U.S. dollars. The program provides consumers an incentive to keep the notes active and shop and dine locally in the 400 neighborhood businesses that accept them. “At the moment, we’re a very sophisticated ‘buy local’ program,” says Susan Witt, co-founder and administrator of BerkShares, Inc., “but the potential to move to an independent currency is built in.” Networking is key. Some local currency success stories include New York’s Ithaca Hours, North Carolina’s Plenty and Wisconsin’s Madison Hours, but others have not survived, despite sometimes extensive marketing support. BerkShares continue to represent a relatively small part of the region’s local economy. Witt says: “In the short term, it’s about educating people about local economies. In the long term, it’s transforming the institution of money. We’re not there yet. But everyone knows what BerkShares are.” Source: Adapted from E/The Environmental Magazine.
Global Warming Releases Imprisoned Poisons During the industrial boom of the last half of the 20th century, thousands of manmade chemicals were created. Used in consumer products, pest control and crop production, they have also proved deadly, causing and contributing to cancers, birth defects and other health crises. Once the connection was scientifically proven, the international community restricted or banned the use of 12 pollutants, including DDT and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), at the 2001 Stockholm Convention on POPs, or persistent organic pollutants (Tinyurl.com/3sa2v47). This group of the world’s most toxic compounds takes decades to degrade, gradually accumulating in the fatty tissues of humans and wildlife. Initially, climatic forces helped to limit the reach and impact of the chemicals in places like the Arctic, where POPs trapped in snow, soil and oceans were capped by sea ice, and atmospheric levels of the toxic substances monitored by Canada and Norway have steadily declined during the past decade. Scientists at the Canadian environmental agency, Environment Canada, think that global warming is reversing the downward trend. They found that as the planet warms, sea ice and snow continue to melt and the pollutants, called legacy POPs, are being released back into the atmosphere with potential worldwide effects. Once airborne, POPs can ride wind and ocean currents to as far as Latin America and Africa. It also undermines international treaties regarding human exposure to highrisk toxins. Source: SolveClimateNews.com
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November 2011
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healthbriefs
Taking Steps Against Diabetes
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ovember is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a reminder that by taking the necessary steps, many Americans can prevent incurring the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 79 million of us have prediabetes and may develop diabetes later in life. New research suggests that inactivity, along with an overly refined diet, impairs the body’s control of blood sugar levels and may play a key role in the development of Type 2 diabetes. “We now have evidence that physical activity is an important part of the daily maintenance of glucose levels,” advises John Thyfault, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, whose new study monitored the activity levels and diets of healthy and moderately active young adults. He concluded that, “Even in the short term, reducing daily activity and ceasing regular exercise causes acute changes in the body associated with diabetes, which can occur before weight gain and the development of obesity.” The CDC reports that 25 percent of Americans have inactive lifestyles, taking fewer than 5,000 steps a day, instead of a recommended 10,000 steps. Seventyfive percent do not meet the weekly exercise recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate activity, combined with a muscle-strengthening activity twice a week. While regular exercise is crucial in preventing the disease, so is diet. Research led by scientist Patrice Carter, at the University of Leicester, in England, has found that cutting down on high-fat, high-sugar foods and refined grains while eating more green leafy vegetables can significantly reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Her study, published online in the British Medical Journal, states that an extra serving of green leafy vegetables a day can reduce the risk of diabetes by 14 percent.
Dish Up Some Pecan Pie
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ho doesn’t relish a slice of pecan pie for Thanksgiving dessert? New research from Loma Linda University (LLU) demonstrates that naturally occurring antioxidants in pecans may help contribute to heart health and disease prevention. Earlier LLU research showed that a pecan-enriched diet lowered levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) by 16.5 percent. Both studies were published in the Journal of Nutrition.
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The New Coconut Oil
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ost older studies that gave coconut oil a bad rap involved partially hydrogenated oil loaded with trans-fatty acids. But the unrefined virgin coconut oil now available in many health food stores is not chemically treated and is trans-fat free. Marisa Moore, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, a nonprofit organization of nutritionists, explains that the main saturated fat in virgin coconut oil is lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that can help increase levels of HDL (good cholesterol).
Home Is Where the Healthy Meal Is
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ne of the joys of heading home for the holidays is the anticipation of gathering around the table with loved ones and enjoying delicious foods. But we do well to indulge in the home-cooked meal experience on non-holidays, as well. Foods prepared away from home, including fast food eaten at home and store-prepared food eaten away from home, tend to fuel an increase in total calorie intake. Conversely, eating at home is linked with healthier choices. According to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill recently published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, both the eating location and food source significantly impact the daily calorie intake of school-age children and may be linked to rising rates of childhood obesity. The study found that the percentage of calories eaten away from home increased from 23.4 to 33.9 percent from 1977 to 2006. A new study from McGill University, based on data from 160 women, further suggests that a home-cooked meal can prompt people to make healthier and more nutritional food choices. The women in the study tended to reach more for the greens, rather than high-calorie desserts. Reporting in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the researchers suggest that when we eat at home, emotionally rewarding factors like contentedness may help override our wired-in preference for high-fat, sugary foods. The findings point to factors that may encourage healthy eating such as interpersonal communication, home design and atmospheric cues, including pleasing music, dining landscape and kitchen equipment; all have all been found to induce positive emotions.
See the Good
F
eeling happy in an increasingly troubled world can be challenging, but according to a new study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, we can evoke more consistent feelings of happiness by holding a positive, nostalgic view of the past and banishing negative thoughts and regrets. San Francisco State University researchers that studied the happiness status of 750 volunteers point out that although we may not be able to change our personality, we can alter our view of a time in our life and thus create happiness. They concluded that savoring happy memories and reframing painful past experiences into positive ones is an effective way to increase overall life satisfaction.
Happier and Healthier at Work
A
UK study from the University of Exeter confirms good news: Employees that have a say in the design and layout of their workspace are happier and healthier. But that’s not all—they also become up to 32 percent more productive.
natural awakenings
November 2011
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ecotip
actionalert
Green Greetings
Universal Prosperity
Even with the advent of email, texting, smart phones and animated web greetings, the traditional paper holiday greeting card, wishing recipients a “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hanukkah” or simply “Happy Holidays,” still holds a place in our hearts as a way to send, receive, display and even file forever a treasured memento. RawPeople.com reports that 300,000 trees are consumed each year in the making of some 2 billion holiday cards, but appealing alternatives are coming to the rescue. Purchasing cards made of recycled paper is the easiest way to save some lumber. Look for a local card retailer that is big on labels signifying use of 100 percent recycled content, post-consumer waste and vegetable inks. More unusual options include tree-free paper made from sugar cane and plantable cards with embedded seeds. Nonprofit and conservation-oriented organizations can fill in the gaps. CardsThatGive.com (Tinyurl.com/3arz7ms) works with scores of them and offers online visitors a legend of icons that explains the environmental and charitable benefits of each one. The Sierra Club (Tinyurl.com/3wven48), America’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization, offers holiday designs printed in the United States with soy-based inks on recycled paper. The Greenpeace Natural Collection (Tinyurl.com/4xwabus) also offers eco-friendly cards. To reduce a card’s carbon footprint to the bare minimum, with the only transport required that expended by the post office to deliver it, make it yourself. One option is to take old received cards, creatively paint over the original addressee’s name and reuse it. No envelope? Just write on the back of the clean front panel and cut it off to create a holiday postcard. Sites such as CraftStylish.com (Tinyurl.com/dng4z5) offer attractive suggestions for making original greeting cards from recycled materials. All that’s needed are a few household items like paper bags, pencil, pen, ruler, tape, glue and crayons; professional art supplies are not required. Fun stamping dies can be fashioned from a potato. Even sewing skills can come into play to craft oneof-a-kind cards that will be warmly received and cherished for years to come. Source: Adapted from GreenPromise.com.
Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. ~Robert Louis Stevenson
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A Peaceful Perspective Occupies Wall Street
Photo: Jessa Johnson/City Life Wellness
The Medium is the Message with Holiday Cards
The Occupy Wall Street movement has succeeded in spotlighting the growing economic gap between sectors of the American populace, yet the grassroots protest is also being criticized for its lack of clear demands and goals. A more focused approach, grounded in more positive intention, is being led by the New York Meditation Mob. From June to August this year, the group held daily meditations in front of the New York Stock Exchange, creating a patch of calmness and peace along an otherwise busy sidewalk. Organizer Anthony Finno says, “Our intention was for [embracing] conscious prosperity, and to practice acceptance and tolerance on Wall Street.” A week into the Occupy Wall Street movement, New York Med Mob organizers remobilized for a meditation flash mob at the park where the occupation was taking place. Meditations continue to take place there twice a week. The Med Mob movement facilitates meditation flash mobs in public places around the world. Their mission is to foster an environment in which people from all religions, worldviews and experience levels unite in meditation. A global meditation flash mob is scheduled for November 11 (Tinyurl. com/44jrp8x). Communities around the world are encouraged to participate; events already are planned in Austin, Texas; Los Angeles; New York City; Orlando; and Paris. For more information, visit MedMob. org or OccupyTheNet.com.
communityspotlight
on
S
Green Heart
ometimes finding yourself and defining what you stand for comes easily and effortlessly, but for many it may take years or even a lifetime. For Green Heart Founder Shannon Elhart, it took a decade of trials and challenges, of life and death moments, of facing truly difficult times, for her to begin to take charge of who she was and what was important to her. She decided that Peace - both for herself and the world would become her personal mission as she moved forward. She said with conviction, “I do believe we can reach world peace, but it needs to begin with ourselves.” “I started Green Heart so that others - who may be searching for peace – could learn in 16 weeks what took me almost 10 years to figure out,” she said with a rueful laugh. “I do believe that we can bring more peace to the world one heart at a time, beginning with our own.” The core of Green Heart is the Live Peace Process, which takes those enrolled in the program through a spiritual journey that encompasses and cultivates the issues of compassion, awareness, authenticity, emotional stability, peace, purpose, and forgiveness. Elhart, who received her Masters in Counseling from Western Michigan University, is a Certified Life Coach, Reiki Master and Meditation Teacher. In addition to her work with her students at Green Heart, she also speaks, teaches and gives workshops, and has added a Stress Reduction Workshop in conjunction with Russ Pitts-the Founder of Zen Center. “Russ Pitts is a monk, and fabulous,” she said with a smile. “Those might be two surprising words to have in the same sentence but it’s true.” Elhart will also be offering the components of Live Peace Process ala cart. It really is though, the components of the Live Peace Process that is at the heart of all of her teaching. “When people come to me-mostly women but we’re adding in some pilot programs for the men- they are searching for emotional or spiritual answers. All of us carry around too much baggage, whether it is anger, self-doubt, judging ourselves and others, pain, the list is endless,” she said. “We are not meant to live in anxiety, with fear, stress and anger.” Elhart, who is very open about her own past struggles, knows that carrying around these issues is like trying to, as she says, move forward with an elephant on your back. “Having gone through my own problems, which included physical abuse, deep depression, a divorce, and the death of
by Kim Racette
my second baby in my arms, I understand the issues that sometimes have to be overcome, and there is certainly no judgment here of anyone else,” she said. “After training and reading everything I could get my hands on in developing the Live Peace Process, it has become a way I can teach others what cost me thousands of dollars and many years of my life.” Each of the six components of the Live Peace Process are explored over the 16 weeks of the program. “Typically coming to Green Heart we see women who are generally successful, but are not happy. They want more out of life. They want a sense of fulfillment, of self-worth, of peace. It isn’t usually a trauma that brings on this search for a spiritual growth, although we do see that too,” she explained. “Usually there are physical ailments that have come into play too, like aching stomachs, lack of energy, just not feeling grounded. We’ve had women from 22-74 years old come to Green Heart, and there have been some wonderful success stories.” After a thorough examination of the client’s life satisfaction, Elhart may recommend various treatments in addition to the Live Peace Process, including Reiki. “Reiki is a Japanese healing method,” explained Elhart. “It is a way to balance the energy of the body-physically, spiritually, and emotionally. It can help people become unstuck in their current patterns, restoring them to health and energy.” The Live Peace Process though, provides the foundation to help clients move forward and realize their true selves. “We cultivate compassion, awareness, authenticity, peace, purpose, and forgiveness,” said Elhart. “Working through these principles, we have seen many of our clients soar. As a teacher, it is wonderful to see the whole paradigm shift in someone, even in their body language, as they heal.” Elhart is flattered when people tell her she seems like a peaceful person. “I walk the walk,” she said with a smile. “It took me a long time to get here, but it’s a wonderful way to live.” For more information call Shannon Elhart at 616-403-2120, or visit her website at www.Shannonelhart.com. Green Heart is located at 222 South River Ave, Holland MI 49423 Kim Racette lives in Kentwood, and writes for many local publications, as well as DressMeDaddy.com. She can be reached at kim.racette@yahoo.com.
natural awakenings
November 2011
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inspiration
10
Steps to Abundance
by Carolyn Blakeslee
Call
616.656.9232 to be a par t of this exclusive directory!
Make a list of what you overcome your own limitTake mental desire. List your desires— ing beliefs, so why listen snapshots of not wants or needs, which to anyone else’s self-limitimply lack of, rather than good times and ing negativity? Step away abundance of, something. with kindness. tell yourself, By saying/thinking/writing, “I desire [this] or some“Remember this.” Select news sources thing even better now carefully and set a time manifesting for the good limit. Read only thoughtof all concerned,” you create room for ful, responsible journalism, which even greater possibilities. doesn’t include most TV news. You’ll avoid wasting time on nasty stories that Remember a situation of abundance. engender negative feelings and harmIf you catch yourself wallowing in a ful physiological responses. You’ll feel bad memory or engaging in “stinkin’ better for it. thinkin’,” call up a contrasting memory in which you felt rich, beautiful, acHave the proverbial “attitude of graticomplished, capable—whatever state of tude.” Count your blessings. Think often being you desire. of all the good in your life. Say “Thank you,” more than once a day. ContemAlign with your passions. By taking even plate the areas of your life that are a small step toward a passion or goal working well; take those skills and apply that nurtures you, you will feel cleaner, them to what you would like to improve. clearer and more energetic, thus opening the way for progress. God has a plan Express gratitude. Thank others frefor your life and His deep desire for His quently, with thank-you cards, exprescreation—you—is for you to flourish. sive emails, gestures of encouragement and smiles. People always appreciate Look forward. List your most cherished kindness and good manners, especially dreams and immediate intentions. Betwhen civility seems in short supply. ter yet, pull pictures from a past happy time and cut out magazine pictures that Smile! When you answer the phone, represent the good things you desire in put a smile on your face and in your your future, and then paste them in a voice. Welcome people into your life, journal or on a poster board to refer to even if it’s just for that moment. Allow during moments of reflection. them to feel your warmth. When you catch yourself frowning with concenStreamline your life continually. Let go tration during a task, pause to lift your of situations and clutter that don’t supbrows, pull back your face and smile! port your aspirations. Carolyn Blakeslee publishes the North Spend time with positive people. Don’t Central Florida edition of Natural Awakbelieve naysayers. You are working to enings (NaturalAwakeningsncfl.com). natural awakenings
November 2011
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Are you a woman who’s looking for answers to moodiness, pain, hormonal issues, nutritional needs, or osteoporosis? Come to the
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Don’t forget to love
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by Brian Clark Howard
M
ichelle Long is the executive director of the Bellingham, Washington-based Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). The fast-growing network aims to empower local businesses with their financial goals while they actively contribute to healthier communities and a cleaner environment. Their triple bottom line is people, the planet and profit. BALLE represents 22,000 independent businesses in 30 states and Canadian provinces. By serving as an information clearinghouse and support center, BALLE is proving that no business is too small to make a difference.
Why is it important to foster local economies? Locally based activity is where we are seeing real prosperity. Today, as we face economic, community and ecological crises, we see bright spots where local businesses are working together to build strong, healthy local economies.
How can local businesses positively affect their communities and the environment? There is a natural accountability when business owners live with the impacts of their decisions, instead of from hundreds or thousands of miles away. Local supply chains also reduce carbon 18
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impacts by decreasing transport time.
Why is it vital to foster new strategies and support networks for local businesses? Small businesses are stronger together than they are alone. Working in collaboration, business people enjoy enhanced powers of communication and networking, including opportunities to save on smart, shared purchasing. They often support each other through learning, mentoring and even investing in each other’s businesses.
How does investing money locally, or community capital, help? This aspect is a critical component of a healthy community economy, because too often, when we put our money into something like a mutual fund, we don’t know the impact and how much harm is coming from it. Community capital, investing locally, is much more personal and direct; it can help ensure we’re bringing about changes we want, such as resilient communities and local food supplies. Just going for impersonal financial returns isn’t working. More local banks are innovating in this area. One example is One Pacific Coast Bank, in the Northwest. New kinds of investment clubs also are coming on line.
Which examples illustrate how businesses are thriving as a result of new local models? Several local manufacturing groups spoke of their results at BALLE’s 2011 annual conference. Examples include SF (San Francisco) Made and Made in Newark. These nonprofits build a regional economic base by developing a sustainable and diverse local manufacturing sector. In Philadelphia, the apparel boutique Sa Va uses local materials in every detail, down to people growing plants for dye in vacant lots. The city has granted the shop tax breaks in acknowledgment that it creates jobs and supports other local businesses.
Which examples illustrate how businesses have reinvented themselves based on new local models? After attending a BALLE conference, the president of T-shirt maker TS Designs
launched steps to localize the entire supply chain to enhance its push for social and ecological sustainability. Typically, a tee travels 16,000 miles before you put it on, but TS now collaborates with North Carolina farmers, cotton ginners and others to go from “dirt to shirt” in 750 miles.
What challenges loom for local business efforts, and how can they be overcome? One of the biggest hurdles is that many people are innovating, but they are going it alone. BALLE connects businesses to other people, ideas and resources so they can learn from each other and not have to start from scratch. Another barrier is financing. We have started to bring together pioneering philanthropists that put a little funding in to create the conditions for businesses to proceed from there. The Cleveland Foundation, for example, recently helped seed a worker-owned laundry co-op.
Most economic development subsidies still favor large corporations rather than local businesses, but some shift when they see studies like those from Civic Economics, proving that the cost per new job is much cheaper by catalyzing and growing local business. In Phoenix, a study by BALLE network’s Local First Arizona showed how the state gets more high-paying jobs with benefits from a local office supply company, Wist Office Products, than from a big box store. Wist also spends more money locally for services ranging from graphic design to legal assistance, and donates more to local charities. In all, the study found that on a $5 million state contract, Arizona was losing half a million annually in economic leakage by doing business with a nonlocal competitor. As a result, the city of Phoenix changed its procurement rules and now buys local. Brian Clark Howard is a multimedia journalist and the co-author of Green Lighting, Geothermal HVAC and Build Your Own Wind Power System. Connect at BrianClarkHoward.com.
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November 2011
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TALES FROM WISE WOMEN: ‘Into These Hands’ By Sharon Pisacreta
A
ny woman who has ever given birth has an emotional story to tell about the delivery of her child. But depending on who assisted in the birth, that story can be wonderful or frustrating. According to the book Into These Hands, Wisdom From Midwives, a woman’s experience before, during and after the birth process has a much greater chance of being a positive, beneficial one if a midwife is involved. Published by Spirituality & Health Books in 2011, Into These Hands is a collection of memoirs by twenty-five women, each with decades of experience as midwives. The President of the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) Geradine Simkins edited the book and selected these women for their extraordinary achievements as advocates for mothers and babies. Simkins, who has served as a community midwife to the Grand Traverse area for over thirty years, begins the book with a moving account of a midwife attended home birth. The stories that follow explore the paths that each of the anthology’s authors took to becoming what they term ‘baby catchers’. One fascinating aspect of the book is the history it provides about midwives. Because modern U.S. births are largely confined to hospital settings, it is easy to forget that for centuries midwives delivered most babies. Perhaps the earliest written record for midwifery can be found in the Book of Genesis, 35:17 and Exodus, 1: 20 which says, “Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed mighty.” More than one culture called them ‘Wise Women’ as they obviously possessed valuable knowledge and healing skills. Sometimes these skills led to their persecution since it was suspected that such knowledge must come from supernatural sources. This persecution unfortunately continues to the present day as too many in the medical community try to marginalize their work. In contrast to U.S. birthing norms, World Health Organization (WHO) statistics reveal that in Western Europe 70% of all births are delivered by midwives. Compared to the U.S., these same countries show lower mortality rates for both mother and child and lower cesarean birth rates. Correspondingly, maternal health care costs are also lower. At one time however, midwifery was the standard for delivery in this country. In the early 1900s, over 95% of births in the U.S. were delivered at home by midwives. That number dropped to 30% in the 1930s. And as the number of hospital births continued to rise in the middle of the 20th century, so too did maternal mortality rates. When obstetrics replaced midwifery, birth became a medical issue rather than a natural rite of passage. The widespread use of drugs and the sharp rise in cesarean births were
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indications that the medical establishment regarded birth as a potentially hazardous event that must be handled as quickly as possible. Compare that to the model used by midwives who “provide optimal care with least interference in the body’s natural process.” Such a philosophy is too often seen as anathema by a high-tech, bureaucratic medical system where maternity care generates billion dollar profits. The book lists some alarming facts: “The most common reason for hospitalization in the United States is childbirth. Cesarean section is the most frequently performed surgical procedure in the US, reaching an all-time high of 32% of all births in 2007. Of the most common hospital procedures, six out of fifteen involve childbirth. The use of obstetrical procedures has doubled in the past fifteen years.” Small wonder that a corporate, profit-driven maternity system would try to marginalize the low-tech, holistic approach of midwives who treat childbirth as a natural physical process that should be celebrated, not feared. And while midwives welcome obstetrical intervention when critical situations arise during delivery, the fact that such intervention is too often the norm is a cause of great concern to the midwife community. Although their passion and commitment are the same, the women in the anthology came to midwifery in various ways. Arisika Razak became a midwife for the inner city community out of a deep love and concern for “those who are poor, helpless, female and alone.” Patrice Bobier is an organic farmer (and the daughter of an obstetrical nurse) whose life was transformed in 1977 when she attended the at-home births of friends. By 1982, she had her own midwife practice serving a primarily rural population and is proud to be “now catching the babies of babies” that she helped deliver. Geradine Simkins chose midwifery because she did not want the modern health care system to deliver her children. Or as she writes, “I wanted my babies to be born naturally and gently.” It was also important to Simkins that the spiritual and sacred aspects of birth be honored during the delivery process. Like most midwives, Simkins has had to struggle for what she believes in. Even after becoming a registered nurse and a certified nurse-midwife, Simkins could not find an obstetrician willing to sponsor her so she could get hospital privileges. This led to her involvement with the public health system where the inequities in treatment for mothers and children convinced her that maternity care is indeed a human rights issue. Sr. Angela Murdaugh, a registered nurse and Franciscan Sister, had her “aha!” moment in 1967 when she was in nursing school. There she observed a couple instructed in the
Erna Wright Method of childbirth, in which both parents are actively engaged in labor and delivery. At one point, the mother and father were even singing during transition. When Sr. Murdaugh compared this birth to standard hospital deliveries where most mothers were heavily medicated, she was struck by how family-centered and joyous the natural childbirth was. A more disturbing epiphany belongs to Marina Alzugaray, who later became a pioneer in water births. While a student nurse in Florida in the 1960s, she was appalled at the five births she witnessed on her first night in the hospital. All of the women were strapped to their beds, screaming in pain and disoriented from the drugs. When they were taken to the delivery room, more drugs were administered to put them to sleep. The babies were then removed with forceps and resuscitated. When the mothers finally awoke, they weren’t even aware they had delivered their child. Alzugaray was determined to find a natural and humane alternative to this nightmarish scenario in her own career as nurse and midwife. She - like many others - took inspiration from Ina May Gaskin’s book Spiritual Midwifery, a book so influential it has been called the “midwife’s bible”. Not surprisingly, Ina May Gaskin is one of the contributors to the anthology. Each midwife in the book has a powerful and moving story to relate about her commitment to social change. From pioneering lay midwife Kate Bowland, who was arrested in 1974 when her Birth Center was raided, to Saraswathi Vedam, who taught midwifery at Yale, the twenty-five ‘Wise Women’ of Into These Hands have worked tirelessly to empower women and make the birthing process more supportive and sacred. Read this book and let them share with you not only their struggles and achievements but - more importantly - their wisdom. To order a copy of Into These Hands, Wisdom from Midwives, or to learn more about the authors, visit wisdomfrommidwives.com. To find a local midwife see our Natural Directory page 47. Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who lives in Saugatuck-Douglas. She is also the editor of the online site lakeeffectliving.com. Sharon may be contacted at spisacreta@twmi.rr.com. natural awakenings
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greenliving
SHOP SMART Keep Dollars Working in Local Communities by Linda Sechrist
T
oday, Americans can tap into one of the best bargains around by voting to support our local and regional economies. By shifting our shopping to locally owned and operated retailers and service providers, we help create and retain area jobs, support community commerce and build valuable relationships and social connections within our community. With every local purchase, we leave the store enriched, having deepened both community social capital and genuine wealth. Imagine the joy of knowing that your purchase contributes to the dentist supplying braces for the local grocer’s kids, the local insurance agent’s mortgage payment, the local banker’s roof repair and the local roofer’s dinner— all of them friends and neighbors. The list of benefits—from shoring up local home values to ensuring access to local produce—keeps expanding as your dollars continue to circulate within the community. Yet, finding a fuller range of locally made items at locally owned stores will continue to be challenging until shoppers demand it. One way to begin aligning purchases with your values is 22
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by patronizing stores that offer socially responsible and fair trade items. Shaktari Belew, author of Honoring All Life: A Practical Guide to Exploring a New Reality, explains how purchasing goods and services can actually create local community wealth for all if they are specifically designed for that outcome. “When items are designed to be created and sold locally, everyone involved benefits, from the suppliers that obtain the raw materials through those that manufacture, sell and buy the finished item. Even the environment benefits.” Belew encourages our learning as much as possible about purchases. “Once people are aware of the two vital concepts of localization and design, they will be better able to scrutinize purchases,” advises this designer and wholesystems thinker who focuses on resilient community design. As a Transition US.org workshop leader and one of the primary designers of the Community Engagement Process for Unified Field Corporation’s whole-systems/ quadruple bottom line financial model,
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this Oregon resident tries to follow her own advice. “The Cradle to Cradle C2C certification helps,” she says. The C2C program is an eco-label authorized by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, co-founded in 1995 by William McDonough, the author of Cradle to Cradle. The certification process assesses a product’s safety to humans and the environment, plus its potential for future life cycles. The “program focuses on using safe materials that can be disassembled and recycled for another purpose or composted as biological nutrients. To date, hundreds of items, from building materials, bedding and linens, baby care and haircare products to personal and household cleaning products, have been C2C certified. If you plan to ship gifts long distances this gift-giving season, why not use the first C2C-certified consumer product—a U.S. Postal Service packing box? It exemplifies how a complex good design makes a product people- and planet-friendly. All 60 of the product’s boxes, decals and labels, involving 1,400 component materials, had to be certified, but the benefits are big: reduced costs for handling waste and disposing of hazardous materials; plus, the receiver may easily recycle the item with a free conscience. “Imagine a closed-loop market system in which any number of items made from finite resources such as glass, paper, steel, plastic and cloth are designed to be reused in a near-endless cycle,” says Belew. “Imagine a world of goods designed for easy repair and maintenance, rather than obsolescence.” Belew, the designer of Will’s Bills, a form of complementary currency, also recommends buying items that have long-term reusability specific to our needs. “My daughter loves a particular curry sauce, which comes in a little glass jar with a screw-top lid,” she relates. Rather than recycle the jars, the family reuses them for storing small things at home. “They’re also the perfect size for single servings,” she says. Sometimes, just a simple shift in perspective can change an item from trash to treasure. Linda Sechrist is an editor of Natural Awakenings community magazines.
Investing Responsively in the Future
by Colin Chase
W
hether you want to change the entire system or make one part of it better, socially responsible investing can be your tool to effect change. Called by many names—sustainable investing, impact investing, ethical investing, green investing or responsible investing—the common threads are caring about each other and wanting to align our resources with our values to help create a better world for generations to come. It’s tough to say exactly when socially responsible investing started; it may have begun in the 1700s, when religious groups didn’t want to support companies that used slavery to produce their goods, and they made conscious choices to not do business with them. More recently, socially responsible investors have traditionally avoided industries such as tobacco manufacturers, nuclear power producers and military contractors. Today, socially responsible investors are doing everything from avoiding companies dealing in genetically modified foods (GMOs) to not backing so-called “too big to fail” banks. In addition to excluding particular companies, another strong focus of socially responsible investing is to identify profitable companies that maintain positive social, environmental and corporate governance policies. Three main components are involved in socially responsible investing: screening, shareholder advocacy and community investing.
Some socially responsible money managers will engage in dialogues and go through a formal process of writing shareholder resolutions to bring social and environmental concerns to the boards and other shareholders of a company. Recent examples include attempts to improve hydraulic fracturing (fracking) disclosures, promote more workforce diversity, re-evaluate executive compensation and a host of other environmental, social and governance concerns.
Screening – This practice consists of both positive and negative screens. Most people associate negative screening with socially responsible investing—that is, avoiding particular companies or industries that don’t align with your values. It’s your money, and you have a choice of the way you want to allocate it. Positive screening attempts to find better-managed companies by evaluating them on environmental, social and governance factors. This is in addition to doing the fundamental stock research to identify if the company is a good stock to own. Some in the industry say that doing this extra analysis leads to not only focusing on the bottom line, but also identifies companies that are good corporate citizens and can create long-term sustainable value.
Community investing – This means deploying your money into your community and trying to improve the local economy. Whether it’s lending your money to community banks in underserved communities or investing in local organic farmers, it’s a way of making an impact both financially and socially. Socially responsible investing is now more or less a mainstream practice, with more than 250 socially screened mutual funds available. Stockholders are increasingly looking for ways to understand and influence their portfolios. According to the Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment, one of every eight dollars under professional management in the United States is involved with socially responsible investing of some kind. Get started by making a list of the values that are most important to you. Meet with a financial planner that can help you create a plan, align your investments with your values and work toward achieving your financial goals and vision for the world. Many socially responsible investment managers are available, and there’s a good chance that you will find those that are personally aligned with your particular values. An effective industry website to explore for more information about socially responsible investing is USSIF.org. Although it’s easy to get overwhelmed and you can’t change the world all at once, implementing small, incremental changes can lead you in the right direction. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Shareholder advocacy – Many people may wonder how their small amount of money is really going to effect change. Shareholder advocacy is a way of being heard and attempting to change things. It’s the small amounts of individuals’ money added together in socially responsible mutual funds that makes a greater impact and creates a larger voice.
Colin Chase, CFP® is the founder of Mindful Money Financial Counsel, LLC, a Chicago-based investment advisory firm that offers financial planning and socially-responsible investing. To learn more, call 312-675-8311 or visit MindfulMoneyFinancial.com.
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November 2011
23
Economics of Happiness:
The New Economy
Changing the Rules to Benefit America’s People
by John de Graaf and Linda Sechrist
sociated under it.” Likewise, the Constitution of the United States declares that government is to promote, among other things, the general welfare of the people. Americans are able to achieve a better life, as we’ve proved many times in the past, benefiting mightily as a result of forward steps ranging from democracy, women’s suffrage and civil rights to inventive technological leadership. Although history shows that this has been accomplished primarily by changing national policies, any new economy delivering improved well-being is first brought about largely by active citizens that choose to invest more time in building a nation that reflects increasingly enlightened values. Everyone’s quality of life—from today’s parents to future generations of great-grandchildren—depends upon individuals collectively working to build a new economy based on the concept of genuine wealth. In his award-winning book, Economics of Happiness: Building Genuine Wealth, ecological economist Mark Anielski explains this new and practical approach grounded in what people value most, which he states is: “Love, meaningful relationships, happiness, joy, freedom, sufficiency, justice and peace”—qualities of life far more vital than blind economic growth and material possessions.
Most Americans are facing their most significant economic challenges in generations. From the hardships of unemployment to the perils of mounting debt, worry about the health of a national economy that depends on consumerism and market success dominates our conversation. But have we asked what the economy is really for? Preferred Measure of Progress
S
ince the Second World War, we have been assured that more economic growth is good for us. But is it? By any measure, the U.S. economy, in its pursuit of constant growth, is in dire need of critical life support. Too many people have lost jobs, homes, scholarships and retirement savings, along with peace of mind, in the face of complex uncertainties. Those individuals that have jobs are earning less in real income than in 2001, even though they spend more hours working and commuting than previous generations. We’ve had enough of the official mantra: Work more, enjoy less, pollute more, eat toxic foods and suffer illnesses, all for the sake of increasing the gross domestic product. Why not learn ways to work less and enjoy it more; spend more time with our friends
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and families; consume, pollute, destroy and owe less; and live better, longer and more meaningfully? To do all this, we need fresh solutions that engage America’s people in redefining goals for the economy (what we want from it) as opposed to the economy’s goals (what it demands from us).
An Economy Based on Quality of Life
Although an economy based on a high quality of life that makes people happy may sound revolutionary, Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president, enshrined the pursuit of happiness as a human right when he drafted our Declaration of Independence. Jefferson emphasized that America’s government was, “to secure the greatest degree of happiness possible for the general mass of those as-
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To determine whether our economy promotes the greatest good or the happiness of the American people, we need to understand what makes us happy and how economic policies enhance or thwart our pursuit of happiness; we also need a better instrument of economic measurement than the gross domestic product (GDP). The GDP counts remedial and defensive expenditures for pollution, accidents, war, crime and sickness as positives, rather than deducting these costs. GDP also discounts the value of contributions such as natural resources and ecosystem services, improvement in quality of life, unpaid domestic work, volunteer work, good health and social connection. Anielski, in concert with economic experts such as Charles Eisenstein, au-
thor of Sacred Economics, Hazel Henderson, author of Ethical Markets, and Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, recommends that economic policies aim to boost societal welfare, rather than GDP. All agree that a new indicator of well-being, such as the U.S. Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), could be used to more accurately measure economic progress.
The Science of Happiness
A respected “science of happiness,” pioneered by University of Illinois positive psychologist Edward Diener, Ph.D., dubbed Dr. Happiness, and other researchers, has existed for more than a decade. The study of what makes people happy and life fulfilling repeatedly demonstrates that the economic route to happiness does not consist of endlessly widening the superhighway of accumulation. Rather, it resides in a host of personal values that are closer to our hearts, as illustrated by the Himalayan nation of Bhutan (population: about 700,000). For many years, Bhutan has measured its general well-being—as the people themselves subjectively report
it—using a Gross National Happiness (GNH) index. Its government bases policy decisions on how they might effect the kind of happiness associated with contentment, family, community, spirituality, education, compatibility with nature and good physical health. After years of primary research, the Bhutanese have identified nine domains for assessing happiness: psychological well-being, physical health, time use (work-life balance), community vitality and social connection, education, cultural preservation and diversity, environmental sustainability, good governance and material well-being. In 2004, the first annual International Conference on Gross National Happiness was held in Bhutan. Hundreds of government representatives, scholars and other thought leaders from more than 40 nations gathered to explore the possibility of making GNH the true indicator of a country’s health and quality of life. As of 2011, a non-binding resolution by the United Nations General Assembly urges that countries now measure their health and happiness, as well as wealth. Sixtysix countries backed it.
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Tools to Navigate the New Economy New Economics Foundation: The Great Transition NewEconomics.org Browse NewEconomics.org/sites/ neweconomics.org/files/Great_ Transition_0.pdf. This independent think-and-do-tank inspires and demonstrates real economic well-being. The Economics of Happiness: Building Genuine Wealth GenuineWealth.net Author Mark Anielski maps how to measure genuine wealth and create flourishing economies grounded in people’s well-being. Transition United States: Transition Towns TransitionUS.org Participants in this vibrant, grassroots movement seek to build community resilience in the face of challenges such as high oil prices, climate change and economic crises. Sustainable Seattle: The Happiness Initiative SustainableSeattle.org Founders provide tools to comprehensively assess well-being, involve citizens and inspire people, organizations and policymakers to take action. World Café: Real Conversations for a Better World TheWorldCafe.org This application of powerful social technology helps engage people in conversations that matter, offering an effective antidote to society’s fast-paced fragmentation and lack of connection. Living Economies Forum: Agenda for a New Economy: From Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth LivingEconomiesForum.org “The old economy of greed and domination is dying. A new economy of life and partnership is struggling to be born. The outcome is ours to choose.” ~ Author David Korten 26
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Measuring Americans’ Life Satisfaction
Seattle, Washington, the first U.S. city to implement a measurement of life satisfaction, is parlaying Bhutan’s indicators—psychological well-being, physical health, work/time balance, education and capacity building, cultural vitality and access to arts and culture, environmental quality and access to nature, apt governance and material well-being—as part of its own Sustainable Seattle Happiness Initiative. Spearheaded by Sustainable Seattle Executive Director Laura Musikanski and her team with encouragement by City Council President Richard Conlin, it may become America’s first GNH city. Initial survey results, intended to spark conversations that matter, will be discussed at future town meetings in Seattle neighborhoods and used to recommend policies for consideration by the city council. Repeating the survey every couple of years will reveal progress. Interest in a similar Happiness Initiative is growing in cities and towns from coast to coast, such as Napa, California; Bowling Green, Kentucky; Duluth, Minnesota; Santa Fe and Roswell, New Mexico; Bellevue, Nebraska; Portland, Oregon; and Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Some 100 colleges and universities also are beginning to apply the Happiness Initiative survey.
How to Become Happier
To improve our own well-being within any economy, we need to attend to our security, social connections and the way we balance our time. Choosing to live with less stuff and lighter debt supports a better life with less income but more time, lower stress and better health. As individuals, we can: n Focus more on matters of family and community and on building trust. n Devote less attention to maximizing incomes and more attention to acts of generosity. n Ask our employers for more time off instead of higher pay. In our local communities, we can find ways to design more relationshipfriendly places such as farmers’ markets,
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where shoppers tend to engage in many more conversations than in supermarket aisles (Worldwatch Institute). In cities, we can call for public and private spaces that facilitate social connection, instead of discouraging it via urban sprawl. Ecological economist Dave Batker, co-author of What’s the Economy for Anyway? (film clip at Tinyurl. com/3tc9dlk), believes that moving forward requires greater citizen involvement in the shaping of democracy, laws and our collective future. By ditching pundits and talking with neighbors, city by city and town by town, citizens throughout the United States are moving to do this using newly learned techniques such as those offered by Open Space Technology, World Café, Transition Towns, Sustainable Cities, The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education, and the Institute of Noetic Sciences’ Worldview Literacy Project. In St. Petersburg, Florida, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and other places, citizens are cultivating a stronger sense of community with real discussions about local issues and economic goals. They aim to arrive at a clear-eyed view of what citizens really want from the economy. In St. Petersburg, the culmination of Sharon Joy Kleitsch’s 10-year effort to build a flourishing community through helpful workshops on timely subjects, meaningful conversations and aligning constructive partnerships is reaching a crescendo this month at Beyond Sustainability: Ecosystems, Economics,
and Education, the Institute of Florida Studies’ 36th annual conference, at Hillsborough Community College (Tinyurl.com/3avntte). Kleitsch remarks, “I show up, pay attention and listen for opportunities where my connections with policy makers, educators, nonprofits and community activists can help convene people in meaningful conversations that can make a difference in building a resilient community.” In Oklahoma City, Sustainable OKC, a volunteer organization working towards community sustainability at the crossroads of business, environment and social justice, frequently partners with the city’s Office of Sustainability, the CommonWealth Urban Farms project and the Oklahoma Food Cooperative (Sustainableokc.org). The grassroots organization advocates shopping locally and sustainably. Jennifer Alig, Sustainable OKC president, is consistently delighted by the growing number of residents that don’t just attend events such as movie screenings of The Economics of Happiness, but also show up to plant food
to feed the hungry and join Commonwealth Urban Farms work parties to feed neighborhoods using the products of thriving urban farms on vacant city lots. Alig notes, “After events, we sometimes use Open Space Technology to talk about topics that people are passionate about and willing to invest their time in.” The kind of society that makes for health, happiness, true prosperity and sustainability is one with strong local economies and flourishing communities that includes many activities provided by local nonprofits. It’s one characterized by:
n Salary differences that are not vast n Citizens building a better world together We intuitively know what is required to create such a society, starting in our own community. What we need is the determination to make sure the economy serves us; rules that benefit all of the people; a commitment to widespread quality of life, social justice and sustainability; and the political will to make good change happen.
n Circumstances in which buyers know sellers
John de Graaf, media and outreach director for the Happiness Initiative, speaks nationally on overwork and overconsumption in America. He recently co-authored What’s the Economy for, Anyway? – Why It’s Time to Stop Chasing Growth and Start Pursuing Happiness, with David Batker. He is also co-author of Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic. Fifteen of his documentaries have aired on PBS.
n Businesspeople that sponsor and volunteer for local activities
Linda Sechrist writes and edits for Natural Awakenings.
n Local small businesses and banking n Farmers’ markets and urban gardens n Urban designs that favor shared walks instead of isolated commutes n Public spaces for social interaction
Create a Personal Plan that Works How do we keep our personal economy strong and contribute to the kind of world we want to live in? How do we walk the vital path of local sustainability in every part of our life—including work, investing and buying necessities? Mark Anielski, author of The Economics of Happiness: Building Genuine Wealth, explains five ways to take action that are worth exploring. Investments Move the majority of money reserves out of the stock market and into community banks that loan money in their neighborhoods. Eliminate debts in order to have more discretionary income and ultimately, more time to pursue the things that make life worthwhile. Work Join up with and pursue clients that are contributing to all of their stakeholders and the environment in positive ways.
Create a personal business plan with a goal of income sufficiency—having just enough income to meet the basic needs for a good life. Live with one vehicle, rather than two, and ride a bike to places where friends gather. Volunteering Get involved in community activities, such as participating in the local town council, neighborhood association and service groups. Purchases Buy local whenever possible. Choose the local pharmacy instead of the big chain, the farmers’ market rather than a multi-state supermarket. Examine each purchase and consider its ramifications. Avoid buying clothes that need to be dry-cleaned and patronize green cleaners that do not use toxic chemicals. Buy goods in the local economy, so that dollars remain in the community. Purchase from locally owned
businesses that employ neighbors and other locals. While material possessions and luxuries are nice, having too many means too much routine maintenance, fixing things and dusting. Once we’ve reached a “maintenance stage” of life, a time when most material needs have been realized, direct energy and funds to maintaining the integrity of the home (built capital). The payoff includes more time for passions outside of work and more time with friends, family and neighbors. Philanthropy Offset part of the family’s ecological footprint by donating to organizations that supply clean power or plant trees. Assist the community’s poor and homeless by applying available time, talent and treasure. Source: Adapted from The Economics of Happiness, by Mark Anielski.
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healthykids may start to discern the triggers for his or her anxiety.” Trying to solve the problem immediately can backfire, she advises. Create a consistent time, such as a snack break after school, to allow a child to download her day. You’ll learn more about what causes her stress and she’ll gain confidence in your care and her own ability to face fears.
Examine yourself
For many school-age kids, performance anxiety becomes an overriding constant. Unfortunately, parents often play a role by projecting their own ambitions onto their kids, notes Geary. Carl Honoré, author of Under Pressure, cites parents’ good intentions, but blames modern forces—including a perfectionist culture, a volatile and hypercompetitive economy and older, first-time parents that bring a workplace ethos to child rearing—for conspiring to pressure kids. “What we’re squeezing out is the simple, soaring human pleasure and joy of being a child,” says Honoré. So find ways to lighten up on expectations.
Calming Anxious Kids Six Ways to Ease Upsets by Elisa Bosley
K
ids today are no strangers to stress. In a media-saturated world, children face scary stuff every day, from wars and natural disasters to divorce and peer pressure. In addition to the mental toll, anxiety affects kids’ bodies, too: A study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity found that family stress directly compromises immune function and increases the likelihood of illness in children. As a parent, how can we help? First, take a deep breath. “Childhood anxiety is not a new problem in our society,” says Dr. Anandhi Narasimhan, a Los Angeles physician specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry. She notes that all children go through stages of normal fears and worries, and anxieties can show up as stomach aches, headaches, potty accidents, aggression and sleep problems. Here, experts offer tips to discern normal versus unhealthy stress levels and to help a child develop coping skills for life’s inevitable hardships.
Make space
Start by simply listening to your child. “When my children are upset, my immediate instinct is to ask ‘How can I fix this?’” says Dr. Natalie Geary, an integrative pediatrician and mother of three in New York City. “But you need to step back, listen and empathize, without trying to problem-solve right away. If you allow the child to express his or her discomfort, and if you step back and try to gain some perspective, you 28
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Consider help
“Children are expected to visit a pediatrician for preventive health, and we should adopt the same principle for mental health,” counsels Narasimhan. “If anxiety is impacting a child’s functioning—such as causing him to want to avoid school or public places, showing extreme difficulty separating from caretakers, or complaining of frequent pains for which the pediatrician doesn’t see a medical explanation—take the child to a therapist or psychiatrist [to screen for anxiety].”
When appropriate, Narasimhan recommends cognitive behavioral therapy, in which a therapist teaches the child strategies to combat fears and address certain feelings and behaviors. “This may include deep-breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation and alternative coping thoughts,” she says. A metaanalysis of clinical trials first published in School Psychology Review concludes that such therapy can play a key role in alleviating childhood anxiety.
Unschedule
Speed breeds stress. “Don’t be in such a rush,” advises Geary. “Whatever you can take out of the day, take out.” Work out a looser schedule, whether that means limiting kids to one musical instrument or sport or instituting a weekly day of rest, when playtime replaces all homework and chores. Says Geary, “I see a lot of kids coming in with stomach pains or school issues, or they’re hitting others. Nine times out of 10, I feel like saying to the parents, ‘Just take your kids to the playground, sit in the park with them and get really dirty digging in the mud.’ If they did that for a month, they’d be fine.”
Pay attention to food
“If blood sugar drops, it’s a very anxiety- and irritability-producing sensation,” observes Geary. “Try to feed children snacks that provide slow-release nutrition, meaning they’re not getting a jolt of hardto-digest fat, protein or sugar.” Her favored choices include low-fat cheese and hummus, or whole-grain bread, spread with nut butter, an easy-to-digest protein.
Relax
Children often reflect their parents’ moods, so create calm. “Massage, maybe with calendula oil or something that smells nice for the child, is wonderful,” says Geary. The key is the interaction of the touch and the stillness. Just before bedtime, enjoy a cup of herbal tea together. “It’s more the ritual of sharing a warm drink at the end of the day than actually what you’re drinking,” she says. “They will absorb the fact that you’re spending time with them.” Elisa Bosley is a senior editor at Delicious Living magazine. natural awakenings
November 2011
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naturalpet
GOOD D G! Positive Training Yields Fast Results by Sandra Murphy
Dogs love to learn and live to please at every age. Teaching a pet good manners, social skills and YouTube-worthy tricks are great ways to build a bond and have fun, too.
“W
hen a fearful or shy dog associates a new situation with good things, the dog blooms. I love to see it,” says Victoria Stilwell, of Animal Planet’s It’s Me or the Dog. “It’s the basis for positive reinforcement training.” Stilwell explains that her method, known as Positive Dog Training, is all about spotting and rewarding the behavior you like as it happens. “Thus, the good behavior is likely to repeat, encouraging the dog to learn to live in a human world successfully.” Each dog has his own idea of the best reward— some favor toys, some work for food, others simply want approval. Training doesn’t have to be timeconsuming, repetitive homework. Once you and your dog learn the basics, you can do short sessions.
The Clicker Method
A click of a small noisemaker used in 32
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training lets the dog know when he’s just done the right thing. As soon as we see the behavior, we’ll click faster than our brains can tell our mouths to say, “Good dog!” For example, to train “Watch me,” sit down with your dog, the clicker and some tiny treats. If he focuses on the treats or looks away, do nothing. If he glances at you, click and toss him a treat. A few click/treats later, your dog will figure out he did something to make the reward happen. Be prepared, because that thought will be followed by a very deliberate look at your face. After that, training will move at high speed. “Work on the basics first,” counsels psychologist Linda Michaels, owner of Wholistic Dog Training, in San Diego. “Four commands—sit, down, wait and come—will get you started. You can do mini-training sessions throughout the day, such as ‘sit’ for breakfast or dinner, ‘come’ when called, ‘wait’ before going
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out the door, and ‘down’ during television programs. Continue practicing during commercials.” “How my service dog, Hunter, figured out what I needed and how to help me, I don’t know, but I have great respect for the intellectual abilities of dogs. Training is a way of opening communication; just like with a human, you can never be sure where the conversation will take you,” remarks M. Shirley Chong, a professional clicker trainer in Grinnell, Iowa. “Positive training lets a dog be your friend, not a boot camp soldier obeying orders,” advises Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., a certified applied animal behaviorist in Black Earth, Wisconsin, and author of multiple titles, including The Other End of the Leash. “When he exhibits new behaviors, capture them, add a cue and give them a cute name. Always, the basis of the best tricks happens when the dog offers his own ideas.” Pat Miller, of Peaceable Paws, in Fairplay, Maryland, also respects an animal as a thinking partner, “You get to see them figure out how things work,” she says. Miller, who serves as the training editor for Whole Dog Journal, has trained dogs, cats, horses and a pot-bellied pig. She’s particularly pleased to have transformed a terrier, previously deemed unadoptable by a shelter because of his biting, into a happy, stable
“Dogs like to obey. It gives them security.” ~ James Herriot, author, All Creatures Great and Small
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Retraining/Renaming Bad Behaviors
With patience and know-how, jumping up on people can turn into dancing the conga. Grumbly growling noises can turn into “Whisper,” or “Tell me a secret.” Excessive barking can be interpreted as bored whining: “There’s nothing to do!” Or, your pet could be answering another dog that you can’t hear. Changes in weather also can make a dog anxious and vocal. Of course, he may just want attention. If you find the reason, it’s easier to find the cure. Is a dog shy or fearful? “Don’t put him in a situation beyond his comfort zone,” counsels Cara Shannon, an expert in curbing aggressive dog behavior in Austin, Texas. “Let him observe from a safe distance, but not interact, perhaps watching his surroundings with you from inside the car.” She also relates the story of a fearful foster dog that learned nose work (scent discrimination) and can find a small vial of essential oil hidden in a room. “The praise she receives gives her confidence to try other new things,” observes Shannon. Stilwell remarks, “Learning to cope with newness is a huge benefit for any animal.” Sandra Murphy is a freelance writer at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com. Connect with positive trainers: Victoria Stilwell, Positively.com; Linda Michaels, WholisticDogTraining.com; Pat Miller, PeaceablePaws.com; M. Shirley Chong, ShirleyChong.com; Patricia McConnell, PatriciaMcConnell.com; Cara Shannon, BuddysChance.com/Caravacchiano.html. natural awakenings
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healingways
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU Mood-Boosting Health Tips by Kim Childs
H
appy though they can be, the holidays can leave some folks feeling overstuffed, overcommitted and especially in colder regions, grappling with winter blues. The good news is that the holiday season can be a happier and healthier time with a few strategies, supplements and herbs in hand.
Eat, Drink… and be Mindful
“Many of us get down during the dark winter months, so we fight the darkness with festivities and foods that we think will pick us up,” says nutritionist Judith Mabel, Ph.D., of Brookline, Massachusetts. “But most holiday foods don’t succeed because like alcohol, they bring your mood up briefly and then bring it down.” During the holidays, Mabel advises her clients to keep exercising for better brain function and mood, to avoid sugar when possible and to reduce hunger before parties by eating snacks like nuts, seeds, fruit and cheese or soup. “It’s also important to eat a high-fiber, low-glycemic breakfast in the morning such as eggs, whole grain cereals or yogurt,” adds Mabel. “That keeps you from consuming too many calories during the day.” Mabel recommends bringing healthy offerings to gatherings, like hum34
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mus or eggplant dip with whole grain crackers or a platter of crudités. “If you are going to splurge, dark chocolate that is at least 60 percent cocoa is a good choice,” she says. “It can lower blood sugar and it has healthy flavonoids and theobromine, which is a mood booster. It does have some caffeine, however, so be aware if you are sensitive.” To counteract wintertime vitamin D deficiency, which is linked to depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), Mabel suggests Vitamin D3 supplementation in the range of 1,000 to 2,000 IU daily. Fish oils and B vitamins also make her list of mood boosters year-round.
Herbal Help
When it comes to managing stressful situations, Bonnie Rogers, a clinical herbalist in Briarcliff, New York, recommends a natural approach to calm nerves. “Nettles help to balance the adrenals,” she says. “It’s a tonic herb that you could use every day of your life, and it delivers calcium to your system.” Rogers recommends covering ½ to ¾ cup of loose nettles with boiling water in a jar and letting the herbs “drink” a bit before topping them off with more boiling water. Allow the mixture to sit for at least four hours (or overnight) to release the vitamins and minerals, and
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then strain the tea and drink it cold or hot, storing leftovers in the refrigerator. “In the winter, I add a tablespoon of elderberries, which are antiviral,” says Rogers. “Sometimes I also add a quarter cup of oat straw, which helps to balance the nervous system; letting the mixture steep releases its magnesium, which relaxes the body.” Rose petal tea can be a quick fix for anxiety, notes Rogers, who also likes rose glycerite from a dropper bottle. “I often give my herbal students a drop without telling them what it is,” Rogers reports. “When I ask them what it feels like, almost everybody says, ‘I feel like my shoulders relaxed and my heart opened.’” Motherwort tincture is another aid for reducing anxiety, she adds, and skullcap helps with insomnia and racing thoughts. For those coping with SAD but not on medication, Rogers suggests a combination of St. John’s Wort and lemon balm. “A simple lemon balm tea is wonderfully relaxing, and it helps with digestion.” Rogers adds that tulsi, the ayurvedic name for holy basil, also helps the body to manage stress and comes in tea bags for convenience.
Keep Sleep, Water on the Holiday List
Getting adequate sleep during the holidays is essential to fortifying the body and keeping the mind clear, says Dillan DiGiovanni, a certified holistic health coach in Somerville, Massachusetts. “It helps everything. More sleep equals greater energy and less need for caffeine and sugar.” DiGiovanni adds that a glass of warm water with lemon juice in the morning can lift fatigue and irritability, while cleansing the digestive organs. “Drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day helps with detoxification yearround,” she says, “and it curbs appetite during a season of overindulgence.” DiGiovanni further counsels people to limit alcohol, a depressant that disrupts sleep and dehydrates the body, and to guard against holiday overspending and overcommitting in the name of fun. Kim Childs is a writer in Boston. Connect at KimChilds.com.
Dissolving Kidney Stones by Bessheen Baker, ND; Director of Education, Naturopathic Institute
I
had to laugh when a wife recently displayed little sympathy for her husband in the middle of passing kidney stones for yet another season. Mind you, I wasn’t laughing at him or his pain: just at her analogy that passing a small stone was little in comparison to the passing of their 10 pound child (referred to by her as a watermelon) during childbirth. He clearly had not shown enough sympathy for her several years ago. Maybe, her frustration comes from the fact that we go through this little song and dance with him every Fall. Yet, he still does not make the life-style changes that could prevent the yearly return of these painful stones. For one who studies the patterns of the seasons, the Fall is a clean-out time to flush the kidneys in preparation for the winter season when less fruits and vegetables are available. These stones, which could be better described as spurs, go through the 1/8 inch diameter ureter tubes all the way down our back into the bladder and then, out the urethra which is a slightly easier task for the ladies than for the men with their tender male parts. This may be why the wife of this dear man had a slight smirk on her face as she happily announced it was his choice to keep drinking the sodas and coffee that contribute to the formation of these spurs. We turned to our favorite herbal remedies to dissolve the problem, reminding him of the changes he could make to avoid this condition in the future. One of the simplest ways to prevent kidney stones is proper hydration of the body. Your kidneys are filters that clean your entire blood stream 60 plus times per day. That’s your entire blood stream every 25 minutes through these two, tiny fist-sized filters; how amazing! Only about one thousandth of the filtered material becomes urine. Yet, for many, the lack of water keeps these essential filters from staying spongy, pliable, and clean! Previously used and unusable minerals like calcium build up into these painful spurs. When the body moves them out of the kidneys, it is very painful.
So, how much water should you drink? Consider how much you weigh; now, cut that number in half and that is the number of ounces you could consume for a normal healthy body. So, if you weigh 200 pounds, that’s 100 ounces of water per day. If you weigh 150 pounds, that’s 75 ounces per day. There a few other things to keep in mind. Plain water tends to not be absorbed, so add the fresh juice of a lemon or lime, or consider adding a tablespoon of concentrated cherry juice, or one of my favorites, chlorophyll. Our chlorophyll comes from pressed alfalfa flavored with spearmint. Chlorophyll in your water gives you a great supply of minerals, is healthy for your bowels, and improves energy. Tea also counts toward your total ounces, but herbal teas are preferred. You can only absorb 3 oz. of water at a time, so sipping it all day long is preferred. Keep your water in glass, hard plastic, or stainless steel containers to avoid toxins from the general plastic water bottles. Many people think this is a lot of water, but remember a gallon is 128 oz., not 64 oz. You can do this; it takes time to re-hydrate a dry sponge, but after a few weeks, you will not need to urinate as frequently. Lemons are great in the water for kidney stones. They help to balance the pH of the body, leaving it in a more alkaline state which helps to dissolve stones. Hydrangea is a great herb, as it has traditionally been used to dissolve both kidney and gall bladder stones. Stone root also works well. They both contain alkalizing minerals that help to bring minerals back into proper solution and to dissolve hard mineral deposits anywhere in the body, especially the joints. Some people have amino acid deficiencies involved, especially if the problem is said to be genetic; these are best found with the help of a knowledgeable Naturopath. Two ladies in the last few years have presented with this exact condition and have since stopped suffering from stones after a good nutrition program was followed. Finally, getting back to our gentleman friend... avoid carbonated and acidic drinks, like coffee. They are hard on the kidneys and contribute to the pH imbalance that can lead to stones. Let’s drink our water with lemon, consider herbs like Hydrangea from a good herb shop, and stop consuming over-acid foods and drinks, especially coffee and pop. Then, we can enjoy the beautiful Fall without extreme pain and unsympathetic smirks from those who know better.
Bessheen Baker, ND, is the Co-Founder and Director of Education at Naturopathic Institute of Therapies & Education (NITE), located at 503 East Broadway, Mt. Pleasant, MI. 48858. Visit www.nite-mtp.com or call 989-773-1714. See ad page 2.
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fitbody
Under-training. Once you’re dressed and ready to sweat, commit to giving it your all for the next 30 to 60 minutes. Just going through the motions doesn’t do much for the body and makes it easy for boredom to creep in. You owe this time to yourself—you deserve it—so make sure you give it your all.
4
Daydreaming. You can develop a laser-sharp focus by actively involving your mind in every pose, set, rep and step—thinking about how your body moves, how the muscles engage, which muscle or muscles you’re using and correct form. Mindfulness adds up to a better workout and faster results. So forget about the laundry, the kids’ schedules and that afternoon conference call, turn off the TV and stay 100 percent in the moment.
Our Worst Fitness Habits Six Roadblocks to Sidestep by Tosca Reno
W
e all know that working out is beneficial. But how you work out makes all the difference in staying safe, seeing better results and keeping your body balanced. Here’s how to make sure you aren’t sabotaging a good workout.
1
Bad form. Correct form is your safety net. Once you compromise the way you do a move, you’re no longer getting the greatest benefits from the exercise, and you’re seriously increasing your risk of getting hurt. Even if it means, for example, lightening up the amount of resistance, follow the correct form for the best results. 36
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2
Over-training. Don’t expect that you are going to dive right in and pound your body into its best shape ever overnight. Not only will this all-or-nothing approach cause burnout, but you also risk injury and will give up on yourself, because this is an unreasonable expectation. Instead, you need to gradually build up your muscles so they get the most effective and efficient workout possible. More doesn’t always mean better, faster results. Remember, rest is good for the body. Take days off between training to repair and rebuild or if you’re training daily, don’t work the same muscle groups back-to-back.
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Staying with a few exercises you know. Your muscles love being challenged, so if you just stick to the same routine, they’ll eventually adapt and won’t have to work as hard to do the same moves. But if you change the exercises and even the order you do them in, you ensure that muscles don’t get too efficient with any single routine. Not only is this better for toning, but it also helps your mind stay focused and engaged.
6
Holding your breath. Regular steady breathing has many benefits: Proper inhalations and exhalations can help you power through moves, keep lactic acid (a byproduct that builds up in the muscles during exertion) at bay and help maintain a steady heart rate. A full breath delivers the maximum amount of oxygen to the blood, which in turn delivers more energy to the working muscles. Tosca Reno is the co-author of Your Best Body Now, excerpted here with permission from Harlequin Books S.A.
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November Photo Contest Winner
calendarofevents Note: Visit www.NaturalWestMichigan.com for guidelines and to submit entries. All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication.
Wednesday, November 2 Guided Meditation and Healing Circle- 7:00-8:00 pm. Escape from stress and discover an inner world of calm, peace & joy through guided meditation, and energy healing from Healing in America-trained healers. $5. Holistic Care Approach. 3368 E. Beltline Ct. NE, Grand Rapids. 269-929-6796.
Thursday, November 3 Congratulations to James Tanis of Lakeview, Michigan. His photo captured a tricky Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar on his bird feeder. Their eyespots are much bigger, with the black part being kind of shiny. They also have two other secondary fake eye spots that are yellow. Viewed from certain angles they look like a small snake, to help scare off predators. James will be receiving a copy of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raw Food Detox, by Adam A. Graham. Thank you Adam for providing this month’s photo contest prize. You can purchase your copy of Adam’s book at area retailers or through www.Amazon.com.
Reiki I Class- 10:00 am-5:00 pm. Learn a variety of techniques along with the Reiki I Attunement which can enhance your life. Held at Subtle Energies w/ Ken & Dana Gray. $75. Eligible for NAN 20% discount. To register call 1-800-260-4544 or visit reikiconnect.com for more info. Free Qi-Gong Classes- 6:00 pm. Qigong is the Mandarin Chinese term used to describe various Chinese systems of physical and mental training for health, martial arts and self-enlightenment. This free class teaches light breathing and stretching exercises to promote health and relaxation. Natural Health Improvement Center. Grandville. 616-301-0808. Trigger Point Massage- 6:00 pm. Dr. Michael Kwast, DC, CSCS will be presenting on how to do trigger point massage, what a trigger point is, what causes them and how to prevent them. Seating is limited to the first 30 callers. Grand Rapids. Make your reservations today by calling 616-447-9888. The Wellness Forum- 7:00 pm. What is stopping you from making positive changes in your life? Join us tonight and hear from the owners of Well Being about their passion for helping individuals change their lives through counseling and physical fitness. Grand Rapids. 616-942-7907.
All past photos will be in next months issue to give readers the chance to vote on Best Photo of the Year. Winning photo will receive a FREE NAN~Natural Awakenings Network Card. $108 value.
There can be economy only where there is efficiency. ~Benjamin Disraeli
World of Wellness Symposium- 7:00-9:00 pm. Searched and tried everything but the pain is still there? Partake in a P.A.T. and feel the change in your body! FREE event! Kentwood Holiday Inn, 3063 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. 49512. Pre-register by calling Clara Vanderzouwen, 616-698-6148.
Friday, November 4 World of Wellness Symposium- 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Join Dr. Dana C. Young as he teaches the M.A.T., a joining of Ancient Chinese Medicine and Therapeutic essential oil usage on the body’s Meridians. $15 for 1 day or $25 for both days. Kentwood Holiday Inn. Pre-register by calling 616-698-6148, 3063.
Saturday, November 5 World of Wellness Symposium- 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Join Dr. Dana C. Young as he teaches the P.S.M. technique. Fix the causes of illness, premature aging, mental & emotional fragility & stress. $15 for 1 day or $25 for both days. Kentwood Holiday Inn. Pre-register by calling 616-698-6148, 3063. Advanced Reiki Training- 9:00-4:30 pm. This is a one day intensive class, which includes: The Usui Master attunement, The Usui Master symbol and its usage, Review of Hatsurei Ho
meditation (yes, it’s that important!) etc. $175. Reiki Haus. Holland. 616-283-6339.
Tuesday, November 8 Transition to Winter- 6:30-8:00 pm. Winter is the season of the Water element. Deep within, the body is expressing a fundamental principle of winter, to conserve and store. $39 includes Chinese herbs that assist with the transition to winter. Lisa W. Lee’s International Wellness Partners. Spring Lake. 616-634-2714.
Wednesday, November 9 Herbal Class: Peace in Chaos- 6:00-7:30 pm. ‘Tis the season! Join local foodista and herbalist Lisa Rose Starner to discuss ways food, herbs, and simple lifestyle changes can be used in dealing with stress, anxiety and fatigued adrenals. $10, preregistration required. Elder & Sage. Grand Rapids. 616-242-1355. Introduction to Healing Touch- 6:30 -8:30 pm. Learn about energy medicine. $20. Holistic Care Approach, 3368 Beltline Ct NE, Grand Rapids. 616-361-9221 Guided Meditation, Prayer and Healing Circle - 7:00-8:00 pm. Relax to guided meditation, and receive energy healing from local healers while church chaplains pray over your prayer requests. Donation. Unity Church on the Lakeshore, 41 So. Washington. Douglas. 269-857-8226.
Thursday, November 10 Caregivers: Who’s Taking Care of You?- 1:00 pm. Lynn Alexander will discuss her book Caregiver Tsunami. Caregivers will learn how to take care of themselves, reduce stress and find strategies to get through, even if they are in the “Sandwich Generation.” Free. Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids. 616-988-5400. Book Signing: The Non-Religious Christian: Finding Faith Outside the Church- 4:00-7:00 pm. Meet local author Vern Jones. His book is for those who claim to be more spiritual than religious, who go to church but have yet to find true meaning. Free. Principia Media. Railside Golf Club. Byron Center. 616-460-5070. Relaxation Response for Beginners- 6:00-7:30 pm. Learn simple breath and mental awareness techniques to de-stress your nerve system, improve immune system function, balance mind & emotions; support your healing process. Space limited. Pre-registration required. FREE. Dr. Ragini Pierce. Muskegon. 231-670-0179. angeltouchfamilychiropractic.com. Author Visit: Aaron DeSersa-7:00 pm. One of the authors of the book BLACK ELK LIVES, and the great-grandson of Lakota visionary Black Elk will discuss his new book and the lives of the Lakota people today. Co-sponsored by GVSU. Free. Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids. 616-988-5400.
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Friday, November 11
Wednesday, November 16
Reiki I/II Class-9:00 am-5:00 pm. A training class to teach you how to use Reiki for self and family & friends for physical, emotional or spiritual issues. Includes a textbook and lunch. $225.00. Jan Atwood, Reiki Master/Teacher. 801 Broadway Ave NW, Ste 436, Grand Rapids. 616-915-4144 to register.
Natural Health Class: Balancing the Menstrual Cycle with Kathryn Doran-Fisher- Join Dr. Kathryn as she covers some of the most common herbs and natural remedies for balancing the female reproductive system. $3. Elder & Sage. Grand Rapids. 616-242-1355.
EcoTrek Fitness Late-Night Adventure- 11:00pm12:30am. Full Moon Midnight Session with Cari. Bring a flashlight. $5/person. Lake Forest Cemetery/ South End Mulligan’s area Lake Ave., park in the angle parking spots along Lake Ave. Grand Haven. www.ecotrekfitness.com. To sign up email cari@ ecotrekfitness.com or call 616-291-2851
Introduction to Reiki: Urevia Healing Classes7:00 pm. This intro overviews the Reiki - Urevia Classes and provides an opportunity for participants to ask questions. Held at Subtle Energies. Cost is FREE. RSVP required, please call 1-800-260-4544 or visit us on the web at www.reikiconnect.com.
Thursday, November 17
Saturday, November 12 Essential Oil Basic Training I- 10:00 am-12:00 pm & II 1:00-3:00 pm. Learn the basics of the benefits and uses of Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. $15 per class includes class materials & pre-registration required. Grand Rapids. To pre-register call or email Jodi at 616-443-4225 or heavenlyhealings@ yahoo.com. Bath Salts & Body Spray Workshop- 10:00 am. Learn how to make your own natural bath salts and body spray using essential oils. $35 per person includes all materials. Must be pre-registered by Thursday, Nov. 10. Lakeshore Natural Skin Care. Holland Township/Zeeland. Call 231-557-3619 for more information and to register. Herbal Fondue- 1:00-3:00 pm. For this class we are going to make classic cheese Herbal Fondue, Two-Chocolate Fondue with Lavender Flowers, and, as a bonus, mulled wine and mulled cider. $20 per person. You must pre-register by November 8. To register call 616-929-4204.
Sunday, November 13 Essential Oil Training III (Raindrop)- 10:00am12:00 pm & IV (Emotional Clearing) 1:00-3:00 pm & V (Spiritual Journey Work) 3:00-5:00 pm. Learn the benefits of these sets of oils, and how to apply them. $15 per class. Pre-registration required. Grand Rapids. To pre-register call or email Jodi at 616-443-4225 or heavenlyhealings@yahoo.com. Midwest Raw Health EcoFest – 10:00am-8:00pm. Presentations and demonstrations by some of the best teachers in the fields of natural healing, raw, vegan, and living foods. Complimentary infrared sauna and biomat treatments, raw food court, crafts and artisans for holiday shopping, Victoras Kuvinskas – keynote speaker. $10 admission. Laurel Manor, 39000 Schoolcraft Rd, Livonia. RawHealthEcoFest.com
Tuesday, November 15 Reiki Share Group-5:30-7:30 pm. A place to come if you have been trained in Reiki to practice and share with others. Donations appreciated, but not necessary to attend. Jan Atwood, Reiki Master/ Teacher. 801 Broadway Ave NW, Ste 436, Grand Rapids. 616-915-4144. Dream Catcher workshop- 6:00- 8:00 pm. Learn how to make a dream catcher and take home the one you make. $25 includes all supplies. Pre-registration is required. Grand Rapids. Call or email Jodi at 616-443-4225 or heavenlyhealings@yahoo.com.
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Free Patient Education Night- 6:00 pm. Prolonging the Healthy Human Life Span With Holistic Health Care. Find out how eating habits, exercise and stress levels in your life affect your longevity. What are the Holistic Health Care solutions? Natural Health Improvement Center. Grandville. 616-301-0808. Seeking Sanity Savers- 6:30-8:30 pm. Join the MomSquad and help out a family who has a new baby. Become a MomsBloom volunteer! If you like holding babies and helping families, please join us for a free volunteer training. Grand Rapids. Contact Angie for more information at 616-828-1021 or angie@momsbloom.org.
Saturday, November 19 Reiki Master Teacher class- 9:00 am-5:00 pm. This is a two-day intensive that includes: Tibetan / Usui Master attunement, How to give a Healing attunement, Instruction on how to give full Reiki attunements for Reiki I, II, ART and Reiki Master, etc. Reiki Haus. Holland. Contact: Paula Bojsen, 616-283-6339. Relaxation Response for Beginners- 10:0011:30 am. Learn simple breath and mental awareness techniques to de-stress your nerve system, improve immune system function, balance mind & emotions; support your healing process. Space limited. Pre-registration required. FREE. Dr. Ragini Pierce. Muskegon. 231-670-0179. angeltouchfamilychiropractic.com. Reiki I & II class- 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Become attuned and learn how to give treatment to self and others. $175 includes manual and the $50 deposit required to register. Grand Rapids. Call or email Jodi at 616-443-4225 or heavenlyhealings@yahoo. com with questions or to register.
Advanced Reiki Class- 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Ready to enhance your Reiki skills? Learn psychic surgery to remove tough energy blocks. $200 includes textbook, certificate and deposit. Pre-registration with a $50 deposit required a week prior to class. Grand Rapids. Call or email to pre-register at 616-4434225 or heavenlyhealings@yahoo.com.
Tuesday, November 22 The Wellness Forum & Bartertown Deli- 6:00 pm. A cooking class and dinner-what a great combo! This new restaurant promotes fresh, local ingredients along with a fair working environment. Located at 6 Jefferson SE. Reservations call 616-942-7907 Price will be determined the week before.
Saturday, November 26 Peace & Quiet Weekend Retreat- Spend time in peace and quiet, with free time and silent Sunday morning. $75 includes shared room lodging, delicious, home-cooked vegetarian meals Saturday lunch-Sunday lunch. NAN discount on retreats. Private room available. Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre. Bath. 517-641-6201. SelfRealizationCentreMichigan.org. Pure Meditation Foundation Class for adults3:00-5:00 pm. Conquer stress, improve concentration, find inner peace, and so much more! $40 includes continuing support. Pre-registration required. Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre. Bath. 517-641-6201. SelfRealizationCentreMichigan.org.
Sunday, November 27 Peace & Quiet Weekend Retreat- Spend time in peace and quiet, with free time and silent Sunday morning. $75 includes shared room lodging, delicious, home-cooked vegetarian meals Saturday lunch-Sunday lunch. NAN discount on retreats. Private room available. Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre. Bath. 517-641-6201. SelfRealizationCentreMichigan.org. Come Meet Amma, Renowned Humanitarian and Spiritual Leader – 8:00 pm. Evening program begins with a satsang (spiritual discourse by Amma), followed by inspired devotional music (bhajans), meditation and darshan (Amma’s personal blessing). Free. Hyatt Regency, 600 Town Center, Dearborn. For program info call 734-995-0029 or visit AmmaMich.org.
Monday, November 28
Yoga of Weight Loss: Mood, Food, and the Body with Laura Burkett- 1:30-3 pm. In this segment we will delve into the influence of food, life cycles, detoxification, and environment on mood and energy. $28. Expressions of Grace Yoga. Grand Rapids. 616-361-8580. expressionsofgraceyoga.com.
Come Meet Amma, Renowned Humanitarian and Spiritual Leader – 11:00am-5:00pm. Program begins with a short meditation followed by darshan (Amma’s personal blessing). Amma’s embrace allows people to experience true, unconditional love. Free. Hyatt Regency, 600 Town Center, Dearborn. For program info call 734-995-0029 or visit AmmaMich.org.
Sunday, November 20
Tuesday, November 29
Reiki Master Teacher class- 9:00 am-5:00 pm. This is a two-day intensive that includes: Tibetan / Usui Master attunement, How to give a Healing attunement, Instruction on how to give full Reiki attunements for Reiki I, II, ART and Reiki Master, etc. Reiki Haus. Holland. Contact: Paula Bojsen, 616-283-6339.
CranioSacral Study Group- 6:45-9:00 pm. Open to all Upledger CST practitioners. Cost is $5 cash. Group facilitated by Ellen Costantino. Holistic Care Approach Lower Level Classroom 3368 Beltline Ct. NE Grand Rapids. Questions? Contact Jamilah Tuuk at 616-340-0543 or jamilahjf@gmail.com.
NaturalWestMichigan.com
Wednesday, November 30 The Windward Shore: A Winter on the Great Lakes-7:00 pm. Jerry Dennis will read from and discuss his powerful and insightful new book about winter in Great Lakes country. A book signing will follow the presentation. Free. Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids. 616-988-5400.
Thursday, December 1 Amma’s Public Devi Bhava Program – 7:00 pm. The evening begins with a spiritual discourse (satsang), followed by an Atma Puja, a ceremony to promote peace and well being for the whole world. Darshan begins around 9pm and continues into the morning. Free. Hyatt Regency, 600 Town Center Dr, Dearborn. For info call 734-995-0029 or visit AmmaMich.org
Sunday, December 4 Thai Chi Wa Class- 9:00-11:00 am. This class blends ancient gentle flowing movements with Thai Yoga postures and breathing techniques designed to relax and heal by stimulating the Sen lines and helping your body balance. Class size is limited. Email mick@safarihealing.com for more info. Frederik Meijer Gardens, 1000 E. Beltline Avenue NE, Grand Rapids.
Monday, December 5 Bamboo-Fusion Massage Workshop- 12/5 & 12/6. Full-body “table” class. NCBTMB approved for 16 CE’s. $399 per therapist. Tuition includes student manual 8 pcs warm bamboo set, with carrying case, DVD and certificate. For more Info / Register, please contact: Loree Kennedy at 616-791-0472 or visit www.sanativetranquility.com. Grand Rapids.
S AVE T H E D ATE Massage Certification Course - Institute of Sanative Arts State License School for Massage Classes Begin January 4th 2012. Enrollment Deadline November 26th 2012. Payment Deadline December 30th 2012. Small class sizes, lots of one-on-one training. Strong anatomy & business core, with education in many modalities. Visit www. sanativetranquility.com for more info.
S AVE T H E D ATE Save The Date Events - Must be submitted online each month at NaturalWestMichigan. com. Events priced $80 or above require a corresponding display ad. There is a $45 charge per listing, up to 50 words. If you are a current advertiser, distribution site or non-profit you October use this listing in place of one of your free listings for a $25 charge.
ongoingevents Note: Visit www.NaturalWestMichigan.com for guidelines and to submit entries. Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month. Events subject to change, please call ahead.
All Month Long
Barre Fitness Class- 9:30 am. Holland’s hottest workout at Align Fitness. Try it if you dare! Holland. AlignFitnessofHolland.com or call 616-928-0929.
Sale & Free Gift with Purchase! All Mineral Mine make-up now 25% off! PLUS: Purchase $60 in Mineral Mine products and receive an eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, lip-gloss, or lip polish FREE! Lakeshore Natural Skin Care, 10500 Chicago Drive. Holland Township/Zeeland. 231-557-3619.
Essential Oil Training- 2:00-4:00 pm or 6:00-8:00 pm. Basics of the benefits and uses of Essential Oils to more advanced training with specific sets of oils. $15 includes class materials. Pre-registration required. Grand Rapids. 616-443-4225 or heavenlyhealings@yahoo.com.
Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine Exhibit- Open hours. 11/1312/31. This exhibit explores Harry Potter’s world, its roots in Renaissance science, and the ethical questions that affected not only the wizards of Harry Potter, but also the historical thinkers featured in the series. Free. Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids. 616-988-5400.
Awareness Through Movement Class- 4:305:30pm. Movement is based on Feldenkrais with Joe Witte. First class if Free Holistic Care Approach, 3368 Beltline Ct NE, Grand Rapids. 616-361-9221
Sunday Unity Church of Peace - 10:00 am. Celebrating God’s presence in human nature. Offering uplifting messages that are spiritual without being religious. Youth programs & Nursery. Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Drive SE, Ada. 616-682-7812. www. unity-churchofpeace.org. Worship Service- 10:00 am. The last Sunday of each month we host this time of self-reflection and sharing. This month’s Love Offering will be new or used winter clothing. Rev. Barb Huttinga and associate Coptic Ministers speaking. The Healing Center 332 S. Lincoln, Lakeview. 989-352-6500. Unity of Muskegon “A Church of Light, Love & Laughter”- 10:30 am weekly. Sunday Services & Youth Education. Minister: Rev. John W. Williams. 2052 Bourdon St., Muskegon. 231-759-7356. Unitymuskegon.org. Class taught by Cindy Adams- 4:00-5:15 pm. 75-minute dynamic practice of specifically sequenced postures created by Baron Baptiste. $10. Satya Yoga Center. Saugatuck. 616-886-1882. The Coptic Center Sunday Series – 6:00 pm. An ongoing series of inspirational speakers, centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck. The Coptic Center, 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids. 616-531-1339. TheCopticCenter.org.
Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 6:15-7:30 pm. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662. Kripalu Yoga with Marro Spehar - 7:30 pm. Gentle/Moderate. Drop-ins welcome. For more details visit our website at sevayoga.net. Seva Yoga Studio, 2213 Wealthy Ste 220, East Grand Rapids. 616-458-2541. Class- 7:30-8:30 pm. Michele leads this practice of gentle movement, pranayama, meditation and guided relaxation. Class begins at 7:30 after conclusion of 6:00 pm Community Yoga. Satya Yoga Center. Saugatuck. 616-886-1882.
Tuesday Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman- 7:459:00 am & 9:15-10:30 am. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662. Yoga for Everyone- 10:00-11:00 am. With Ruth Sutherland. $3.00. The Healing Center. Lakeview. TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com. 989-352-6500. Education & Advocacy Meeting- 1:00-2:30 pm. 2nd Tuesday of each month. The Peter M. Wege Health & Learning Center (Wege North Building at St. Mary’s Hospital), 300 Lafayette Ave. SE, Grand Rapids. Conference Room #11 (subject to change).
Monday
Barre Fitness Class - 5:30 pm. Jiggle-free arms, toned thighs, lifted seat! Only $5 to try first class! Align Fitness. Holland. See full schedule at AlignFitnessofHolland.com or call 616-928-0929.
$30 Off BioMeridian Assessments- State-of-the-art profiling and tracking of all 58 meridians in the body with take-home computer generated results to assess progress. Grand Rapids. 616-365-9176. Visit Integrativenutritionaltherapies.com for more info.
Vinyasa Yoga- 6:00 pm. A moving meditation. Students will learn to refine postures while improving your flexibility, range of motion and physical strength. $10-$16 per class. East Grand Rapids. Seva Yoga. 616-901-7229. sevayoga.net.
Yoga-Beginning- 9:00 am. This is where you start. Learn the basic poses, strengthen, breath awareness and relax. For more information visit SmilingLotusYoga.com or call Smiling Lotus Yoga, 103 E. Ludington Ave, Ludington. 231-852-0849.
Ashtanga Primary Series- 6:00-7:30 pm. Join us for this dynamic series and learn to build fire from within, detoxify, reduce anxiety and heal the mind and body. $15. Satya Yoga Center. Saugatuck. 616-886-1882.
natural awakenings
November 2011
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Attract New Customers! Join Our 2012 Annual Natural Living Directory for West Michigan!
Don’t miss this oppor tunity to reach more than 30,000 Natural Awakenings readers by advertising in our 2012 Annual Natural Living Directory. Available in both print & online!
Natural Living Directory 2012
Mystic Angel Classes- 7:00-8:30 pm. With Denise Iwanwi. $15.00. The Healing Center. Lakeview. TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com. 989-352-6500.
Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 6:15-7:30 pm. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662.
Focused Energy Academic Success- 7:30 pm. Send kids to school prepared with fueled bodies & academic strength. Reliv Open Presentations at Spring Hill Suites, 450 Center NW, Grand Rapids. Deb Riolo 616-822-4247. debriolo.reliv@gmail.com.
Call 616.656.9232
today to reserve your space! (offer expires Feb. 3, 2012)
DEADLINE FEB. 17th, 2012
West Michigan Edition NaturalWestMichigan.com
Oils Classes- 6:30-8:00 pm. Every 3rd Thursday with Barb Huttinga. The Healing Center. Lakeview. TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com. 989-352-6500.
Meditation and Yin Yoga- 7:30 pm. Explore the breath, calm the mind and allow openness to occur through balancing Yin yoga poses. $10-$16 per class. East Grand Rapids. Seva Yoga. 616-9017229. sevayoga.net.
Meditation and Yin Yoga- 7:30 pm. Explore the breath, calm the mind and allow openness to occur through balancing Yin yoga poses. $10-$16 per class. East Grand Rapids. Seva Yoga. 616-9017229. sevayoga.net.
Wednesday
Friday
$30 Off BioMeridian Assessments- State-of-theart profiling and tracking of all 58 meridians in the body with take-home computer generated results to assess progress. Grand Rapids. 616-365-9176. Visit Integrativenutritionaltherapies.com for more info.
Yoga-Intermediate- 9:00 am. Learn the basics. Holding poses longer, moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core. For details visit SmilingLotusYoga.com or call Smiling Lotus Yoga, 103 E. Ludington Ave, Ludington. 231-852-0849.
Exploring the Shamanic Teachings of the Sweet Medicine Sundance Path with Marie Moon Star Seeker; Every other Wednesday; Rockford. Call 616-856-4957 for details.
Yoga Class-10:30 am-12:00pm. Join Master Yogini Ginjah Knuth and progress each week in your practice and your poses. Walk-ins encouraged - all levels welcome! $15. Satya Yoga Center. Saugatuck. 616-886-1882.
A Course In Miracles (ACIM)- 9:30-11:00 am. Self-study system unique in teaching forgiveness as the road to inner peace and the remembrance of the unconditional love of God. Unity Church of Peace. Ada. 616-682-7812. Kripalu Yoga with Marro Spehar - 10:00 am: Gentle & 7:30 pm: Gentle/Moderate. Drop-ins welcome. For details visit sevayoga.net. Seva Yoga Studio, 2213 Wealthy Ste 220, East Grand Rapids. 616-458-2541.
A Course in Miracles Class- 6:00-8:00 pm. With Cindy Barry. Free will offering. The Healing Center. Lakeview. TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com. 989-352-6500.
$99 SPECIAL
West Michigan Edition
Vinyasa Yoga- 6:00 pm. A moving meditation. Students will learn to refine postures while improving your flexibility, range of motion and physical strength. $10-$16 per class. East Grand Rapids. Seva Yoga. 616-901-7229. sevayoga.net.
Pilates on the Mat- 5:30 pm. All-level STOTT PILATES® Method mat class focusing on core strength and stability. Align Fitness. Holland. AlignFitnessofHolland.com or call 616-928-0929.
Natural Living Directory Prices: • $119.00 for the first category • 2nd category is 50% off • 3rd category is FREE.
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A Course In Miracles (A.C.I.M.)- 7:00-8:30 p.m. This self-study system teaches forgiveness as the road to inner peace and the remembrance of the unconditional love of God. Unity of Greater Grand Rapids. Ada. 616-682-7812.
General Anxiety support group- 7:00-8:30 pm. Open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends and family members meets every. Anxiety Resource Center, Inc. Grand Rapids. 616-356-1614. anxietyresourcecenter.org
Thursday Classes for the Childbearing Year and Beyond6:00 pm. Every 3rd Thursday. Designed to educate & support wholistic parenting & living from pregnancy through parenting and beyond. Advance registration required. Full Circle Midwifery. Hesperia. 231-861-2535. Spiritual Classes- 6:00-7:30 pm. Astrology, numerology, tarot, etc with Gail Brumeister. $15.00. The Healing Center. Lakeview. TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com. 989-352-6500.
NaturalWestMichigan.com
Kripalu Yoga with Marro Spehar - 7:00 pm. Gentle/Moderate. Drop-ins welcome. For details visit sevayoga.net. Seva Yoga Studio, 2213 Wealthy Ste 220, East Grand Rapids. 616-458-2541.
Saturday Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 9:0010:15 am & 10:30-11:45 am. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for info. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio. Montague. 231-740-6662. Morning Vinyasa- 9:00-10:15 am. Join Tony & Michele Saturday mornings for a wonderful vinyasa practice linking breath and movement in a gentle, healing way. $10. Satya Yoga Center. Saugatuck. 616-886-1882. Sweetwater Local Foods Market- 9:00 am-1:00 pm. Every other Saturday. Indoors at Hackley Health at the Lakes, Harvey St. 1/2 Mile South of Lakes Mall. Exit US 31 at Pontaluna Rd. Muskegon. Barre Fitness Class- 9:00 am. Get addicted to Barre Fitness. Only $5 to try first class! Align Fitness. Holland. See full schedule at AlignFitnessofHolland.com or call 616-928-0929. Focused Energy Academic Success- 9:30am. Send kids to school prepared with fueled bodies & academic strength. Reliv Open Presentations Spring Hill Suites, 450 Center NW, Grand Rapids. Deb Riolo 616-822-4247. debriolo.reliv@gmail.com
thenaturaldirectory
cOlon hydrotherapy
...connecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan. To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to www.NaturalWestMichigan.com/advertising.
ACUPUNCTURE SAMIR RAJANI, MD
Medical Acupuncturist SHMG Internal Medicine 890 S. Washington, Suite 130, Holland 616-395-9000 www.shmg.org Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions, including Pain, Fatigue, Depression and Anxiety. Samir Rajani, MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at SHMG Internal Medicine.
ALTERNATIVE heALTH PRACTITIONER OUT of THE BLUE INC
Nancy Despres RN, MBE 363 Cummings NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534 616-453-4215 www.OutoftheBlueInc.net *UPDATED* Out of the Blue helps find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy, enzyme therapy nutritional supplements & hair mineral analysis. Now carrying homeopathic Hcg drops for weight loss.
BODYWORK WHOLISTIC KINESIOLOGY HEALTH SERVICES, LLC Barbara Zvirzdinis, WK, CMT 616-581-3885 www.WKHealthServices.com
Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic & LaStone Massage. Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist, Reconnection Healing Practitioner, Certified Herbalist, Certified Acutonics Practitioner, Certified Reflexologist, and a Certified Matrix Energetics Practitioner. See ad page 21.
BUILDING / cONSTRUCTION
HARMONY ’N HEALTH
Mary De Lange, CCT., CMT. 1003 Maryland Av., N.E. Grand Rapids 616-456-5033 www.harmonynhealth.net Certified therapist since 1991 offering colon therapy in a sterile and professional environment. Using a holistic approach colonics relieve constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloat, poor digestion, back pain, body odor and more. See ad page 6.
DLH CONCEPTS
Kyle Hass Licensed Residential Home Builder hasskyle@gmail.com 616-299-5815
Locally owned and operated. Specializing in building custom livable and affordable new homes that are Energy Efficient and utilize Green Building practices. Unmatched efficiencies and uncompromising quality. See ad page 29.
TRICIA E. GOSLING
Natural Health & Healing Center 723 Kenmoor SE Grand Rapids 49546 616-481-9074
Offering an advanced clientcentered dimension of colonics: gentle, safe and effective. Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being. 15 years of experience. Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions. I-ACT certified Instructor. Visit www. holisticenergytherapies.net
chiropractic care DYNAMIC FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC
Dr. Ronson Dykstra & Dr. Ronda VanderWall 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville 616-531-6050 Family owned and operated in the heart of downtown Grandville, Dynamic Family Chiropractic focuses on lifestyle improvements through living a maximized life. A safe and natural approach to health through the combination of exercise, nutrition, detoxification and chiropractic care.
cOunseling JANICE DE LANGE, PH.D
1514 Wealthy St. SE Ste 260, Grand Rapids 616-451-3008 JDelange06@yahoo.com www.janicedelange.com A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery, PTSD, low sense of self-worth, panic & phobias, anxiety, depression, relationships. EMDR & Energy interventions.
SCHAFER CHIROPRACTIC AND HEALING SPA
Dr. Andrew Schafer 1801 Breton SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 616-301-3000 Tr e a t i n g m u s c u l o s k e l e t a l conditions, and specializing in back pain, sciatica neck pain, and headaches. Also offering physical therapy, massage therapy, and postural awareness. Most insurances accepted. Breton Village area. www.grchirospa. com. See ad page 8.
dentistry / holistic DENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER
Dr. Kevin P. Flood DDS 616-974-4990 www.FloodTheDentist.com
cleaning pRoDucts NATURAL HEALTH 4 TODAY Clara VanderZouwen 616-698-6148 www.NaturalHealth4Today.com
Imagine cleaning with only water! Improve the quality of your life with Norwex products by radically reducing the use of chemicals in personal care and cleaning. New to Michigan!
natural awakenings
Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services – Amalgam Removal & Replacement. Bio-Compatible, metal-free materials, Low-Dose Digital X-Rays, Gentle Anesthesia, Dentistry for Diabetes, TMJ, Chronic Head & Neck pain and Non Surgical Perio. See ad page 48.
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energy healing
health education center
AMA~DEUS®
THE WELLNESS FORUM
Beth Cosmos Grand Rapids: 616-648-3354 www.ama-deus-international.com Ama Deus® healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love. The energy helps to enhance one’s own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing. See ad page 33.
MATRIX ENERGETICS
830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-942-7907 www.WellnessForum.com
Educational programs for personal health improvement Workplace wellness programs Wellness Forum Foundation focused on school nutrition and children’s health - National conferences.
health food stores
Barbara Zvirzdinis, WK, CMT 616-581-3885 www.WKHealthServices.com
AFFORDABLE NUTRITION
Matrix Energetics is a system used to heal, transform and create new possibilities in your life. Using principles of quantum physics and subtle energy Matrix Energetics helps you to shift into a more balanced state. See ad page 21.
essential oils BE YOUNG ESSENTIAL OILS
Joel D. Manning, CNC®, Owner 7493 Cottonwood Drive, Jenison 616-667-1346 Affordable, natural approach to better health. Certified nutritional consultant. 20 years experience. Offering select high quality vitamins and nutritional supplements. Weight loss, cleansing, sports nutrition & more! Senior & Everyday discounts. Visit www.Affordable-Nutrition.com.
HEALTH HUTT
Clara Vander Zouwen 616-698-6148 www.NaturalHealth4Today.com
Learn how to address issues of Pain, Stress, Hormone Imbalance, Weight Management, ADD, Allergies, Diabetes & more with Essential Oils, Ionic Foot Baths, Bio-Energy scans, Nutritional & NEW Earthing products! Free monthly classes. See ad page 18.
HEAVENLY HEALINGS HOLISTIC HEALTH SERVICES
Grand Haven 616-846-3026 Muskegon 231-739-1568 North Muskegon 231-744-0852 www.HealthHutt.net Natural & organic foods, vitamins & herbs, sports nutrition, gluten free food, natural body and homecare products. Open 7 days a week. See ad page 21.
holistic health centers THE HEALING CENTER
Jodi Jenks - Reiki Master 4434 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 www.heavenlyhealings.org I am a Reiki Master that also does Essential Oil therapies including Raindrop Therapy, Emotional Clearing and Spiritual Journey work. Call or email for appointments or questions, 616443-4225 or heavenlyhealings@ yahoo.com. See ad page 23.
352 S. Lincoln Ave, Lakeview 989-352-6500 www.TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com Naturopathic / Holistic Practitioners. Physician assistant, Certified Natural Health Professionals. Private consultations. Counseling & Classes. Blood typing, acupressure, emotional release, i r i d o l o g y, h o m e o p a t h y, massage therapy, reflexology, cranial sacral, foot detox & more. See ad page 12.
haIR cOLOR AMY WORST
Organic Hair Color Specialist Aesthetica Image Group 616-916-1190
Feel good about looking beautiful! Hair services of all kinds for all types. Providing superior results with Organic Color. 8 yrs. experience. Appointment recommended. www.aestheticaig.com/organic.
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West Michigan Edition
NaturalWestMichigan.com
homeopathy BOB HUTTINGA
352 S. Lincoln Ave, Lakeview 989-352-6500 www.TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com A Physician assistant since 1976, specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care and ApoE Gene Diet. Also, certified Silva Method instructor. See ad page 12.
integrative medicine SHORELINE CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
South Haven Health System 950 S. Bailey Ave. South Haven, MI 49090 269-639-2833 Alternative therapies are used in conjunction with conventional medicine to balance your mind, body and spirit. Lori Dotson, MD Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine.
interior design services STANDALE INTERIORS
4046 Lake Michigan Dr. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49534 616-453-8201 www.standaleinteriors.com Offering environmentally friendly options for cabinetry, flooring, countertops and window treatments. The Homecoming Collection from Kincaid with the Eco3Home designation offers furniture manufactured in an environmentally responsible process. See ad page 7.
kinesiology WHOLISTIC KINESIOLOGY HEALTH SERVICES, LLC Barbara Zvirzdinis, WK, CMT 616-581-3885 www.WKHealthServices.com
Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist, Certified Massage Therapist, Reconnection Healing P r a c t i t i o n e r, C e r t i f i e d Herbalist, Certified Acutonics P r a c t i t i o n e r, C e r t i f i e d Reflexologist, and a Certified Matrix Energetics Practitioner. Specializing in muscle testing, massage, energy medicine, nutritional counseling, lectures and classes. See ad page 21.
massage therapy DYNAMIC CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE THERAPY
Erin Kieffer, MT 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville, MI 49418 616-531-6050 I offer Swedish massage with Integrated Te c h n i q u e s , c h o s e n specifically to your unique body. Relieve those tired and sore muscles and rejuvenate! Call for ongoing monthly specials and discounts. www. DynamicChiro.com.
SCHAFER CHIROPRACTIC AND HEALING SPA
Sheri Beth Schafer, CMT, Reiki Master 1801 Breton SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 616-301-3000
We have multiple certified massage therapists offering relaxation, prenatal, deep tissue massage, and medical massage. We also offer Reiki, chakra balancing, and Ayurvedic bodywork. Breton Vi l l a g e a r e a . w w w. grchirospa.com. See ad page 8 & 30.
midwifery BIRTH SONG MIDWIFERY SERVICES
Yolanda Visser CM, CPM Grand Rapids: 616-458-8144 www.BirthSongGR.com
quantum biofeedback TRICIA E. GOSLING
Natural Health & Healing Center 723 Kenmoor SE Grand Rapids 49546 616-481-9074 This highly complex device is a non-invasive technology that energetically scans & harmonizes the body’s stresses and imbalances, reducing those imbalances that make us uncomfortable. Visit www.holisticenergytherapies.net
reiki Katie Ray 269-804-9307 www.healwithkatie.com Katie Ray is a Certified Massage Therapist and Reiki Master. Offering deep tissue and medical massage, Usui Reiki treatments, healing attunements, and psychic surgery.
PAULA BOJSEN
Reiki Master Teacher and Gendai Reiki Shihan 616-283-6339 www.reikihaus.com Reiki Haus is your source for quality, in-depth Reiki classes at all levels. Both Western Traditional and Gendai (Japanese) Reiki are taught. Treatments are also available, specializing in PTSD, RAD, and fibromyalgia.
school / education NATUROPATHIC INSTITUTE OF THERAPIES & EDUCATION
FULL CIRCLE MIDWIFERY SERVICE, INC.
Educational Programs: Natural Health 1-4 Years (one weekend per month), Holistic Labor Companion –Doula 6 months (1 weekend per month), Massage Therapy 1 Year (2 weekends per month), Individual Classes available. 15 years of excellence. See ad page 2.
In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth. Over 1200 births attended. Offering midwifery care that maintains a family-centered safe birth experience. Empowering women to stay healthy during pregnancy, give birth naturally and parent in the best ways.
HOME BIRTH PARTNERS, LLC Susan Wente, CNM, Dr. PH 231-652-3247 www.HomeBirthworks.com
This regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 32 years experience – over 3000 births attended. Providing pre-natal, home and hospital births and postpartum care. Gynecological and Doula services available.
To place a Classified Listing: Email listing to Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com. Must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publication. $1.00 per word; must be pre-paid. FOR RENT Space for Rent in Cj’s Studio Salon, 5286 Plainfield, Grand Rapids. Chair rental $100/week full time. Call 616-364-9191. Space Available for rent in Holland Pilates studio. Good for massage therapist / bodywork. For details, call 616-928-0929.
HEAL WITH KATIE
Homebirth services since 1982. Committed to facilitating natural birth, bonding, strengthening the family, informed active participation, and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience.
Patrice Bobier CM, CPM Hesperia: 231-861-2234 www.FullCircleMidwifery.com
classifieds
503 E. Broadway St Mt. Pleasant, MI. 48858 989-773-1714 www.nite-mtp.com www.leaven.org
waterbirth SHORELINE’S WOMEN’S CENTER AT SOUTH HAVEN HEALTH SYSTEM
FOR SALE White Cloud- 80 Acre Farm, 6 bedroom home, vinyl siding, insulated. Dairy barn, outbuildings, 4 stall garage on M-20. Rob Breen 231-652-1100. Currently Publishing Natural Awakenings Magazines – For sale in Birmingham, AL; North Central FL; Lexington, KY; Santa Fe, NM; Cincinnati, OH; Tulsa, OK; Northeast PA; Columbia, SC; Southwest VA. Call for details 239-530-1377.
OPPORTUNITIES Holistic & Green Business Owners Wanted for Health Network - NAN, the Natural Awakenings Network, is a green and healthy living network that will allow members to enjoy discounts on products & services focused on wellness, green/sustainable living and healthy lifestyles. If you are interested in becoming a provider (a business or organization that offers discounts to members) in this innovative network or want more details, contact Natural Awakenings at 616-656-9232 or Publisher@ NaturalWestMichigan.com. Participating as a Provider is FREE for the 1st year.
Sales/Marketing Manager Marketing of the NAN~Natural Awakenings Network Program. Full time position. Oversee all aspects of this business including, but not limited to, setting up providers, selling NAN memberships to individuals and companies and managing sales staff. Serving all of West Michigan area. Pay is set up on a generous full commission structure. If interested, please email resume to Publisher@ NaturalWestMichigan.com
Eva Fronk, CNM and Mercedes Moran, CNM 950 S. Bailey Ave. South Haven, MI 49090 269-639-2720
Offering the only water birthing program in Southwest Michigan. Our Certified Nurse Midwives assist the mother during water birth delivery, in collaboration & consultation with our obstetricians. Call today to learn more.
Find us @: Natural Awakenings of West Michigan Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.
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West Michigan Edition
NaturalWestMichigan.com