news briefs

Avoid frustration and failure growing mushrooms by enrolling in a local mycology class from noon to 2 p.m., September 11, and every Sunday thereafter at the same time at The Boston Gardener. Taught by Scott Trano, the Modern Mycologist, students completing the two-hour class will have the knowledge and materials needed to grow mushrooms of their own at home.

Mushrooms are incredible waste recyclers, and some mushrooms can be grown on fallen trees, cardboard, coffee grounds, straw, sawdust and more. Students will learn about the life cycle of fungi, their role in our ecosystem, the growing process from inoculation to harvest, sterile technique and best practices, and themental health benefits of psilocybin.

With the recent decriminalization of psilocybin mushrooms in multiple Massachusetts cities (Cambridge, Somerville, Northampton and Easthampton,) now is the perfect time to learn from an expert. Learning independently can take anywhere from 100 to 300 hours of research and trial and error.

Each ticket includes an all-inone grow bag and spore syringe. Natural Awakening readers receive $100 off the regular price using promo code NaturalAwakenings100. Scan to register

Cost: $299; $100 off with promo code NaturalAwakenings100. Location: The Boston Gardener, 2131 Washington St., Boston, MA. For more information, call 617-606-7065 or visit Modern Mycologist.com or Boston-Gardener.com. See ad on pages 20 and 21.

The Sustainable Business Network and Boston Local Food will be sponsoring and hosting New England’s largest single-day farmers market from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., September 18, on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, in Boston. In celebration of “healthy food for all,” organizers of the Boston Local Food Festival invite locals to this free event to taste some of New England’s best flavors, learn new recipes and techniques from experts and cheer on local chefs as they battle it out in the fan-favorite Seafood Throwdown in the heart of downtown Boston.

Festival-goers can meet local farmers and food producers, sample their goods and learn about new products hitting the local markets, while the younger crowd can enjoy kid-pleasing activites in the Family Fun Zone. The festival is a zero-waste event, so please remember to bring a reusable water bottle and shopping bags.

Cost: Free. Location: Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston. To see a list of vendors and sign up to volunteer, visit Boston LocalFood.org. See ad on page 7.

Join homeopath Vandana Pitke of Om Homeopathy from 6:30 to 8 p.m., October 19, for an online class on how to improve immunity using natural and holistic modalities. Boosting Your Immunity will cover homeopathy, flower remedies, gemmotherapy and simple lifestyle habits and breathing exercises

Vandana Pitke to improve one’s health. Pitke will be sharing her knowledge and experiences from her more than 18 years of practice.

Says one recent student, “I highly recommend the class on Boosting Your Immunity system. My concept of immunity was expanded and enhanced as I listened to Vandana explain the many aspects of immunity. Her knowledge base is vast, and she integrates the material very well.”

Pitke teaches various ongoing classes about homeopathy, flower essences, cell salts and mindfulness to enthusiastic learners that want to take their health and well-being into their own hands. Her classes empower, educate and enhance people’s knowledge in an easy-to-understand and practical style.

Cost: $50. Location: Online. For more information, call 401-573-3757 or visit OmHomeopathy.com/classes. See Resource Guide on page 36.

Time for You Yoga is hosting a free, introductory yoga class for new students from 1:30 to 3 p.m., September 24, at its studio in Cumberland, Rhode Island. No prior yoga experience is needed.

Stress and tension are like boulders blocking the flow of energy. Svaroopa yoga offers people tools to remove those blocks. As tension in the spine is decompressed, inner healing is unlocked, leaving people feeling better, even blissful. Learn how this style of yoga is radically different, easy to do and adaptable for each body.

Svaroopa yoga (Swa-roo-pa) is often described as blanket yoga. It uses blankets and props for support along with alignment that’s customized to each body’s needs. Certified Svaroopa yoga instructors Maria Sichel and Janice O’Brien will lead the class and offer individualized attention, helping students learn to release tension and experience deep relaxation without a lot of effort or strain.

This session will cover Svaroopa yoga through four basic poses, a short, guided awareness and time for questions. Class space is limited. Reserve a spot by calling the studio. Dress comfortably and plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of class.

Photo bt Stephanie Greene

Cost: Free. Location: 2155 Diamond Hill Rd., Cumberland, RI. For more information, call 401-305-5319 or visit TimeForYouYoga.com. See Resource Guide on page38.

Empowerment Inc. is hosting a four-day Integrative Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner Certification Training from October 20 to 23, at the Hilton Boston Woburn hotel. Sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day; registration will take place from 8:30 to 9 a.m., October 20. Described as a user manual for our conscious and unconscious mind, neuro-linguistic programming is used by many successful people to bring about immediate and effective changes in life. Attendees will receive hands-on training, demonstrations, tools and techniques and an action plan to put into practice as a certified practitioner following the sessions. Best of all, sessions are backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

Empowerment Inc. has been providing unique training experiences for 40 years to professionals, entrepreneurs, coaches and individuals wishing to advance themselves and help others do the same.

Cost: $194. Location: 2 Forbes Rd., Woburn, MA. For more information, call 800-800-MIND, email info@NLP.com or visit NLP.com/NLP-TrainingBoston-Massachusetts. See ad on page 18.

Check our website for upcoming lectures

ActonPharmacy.com

563 Mass, Ave., Acton, MA 01720

KeyesDrug.com

2090 Comm. Ave., Newton, MA 02466

TheatrePharmacy.DinnoHealth.com

1784 Mass. Ave., Lexington, MA 02420

WestConcordPharmacy.com

1212 Main St., Concord, MA 01742

Dr. Abby Egginton, whose private naturopathic practice is Balance Natural Medicine, will begin seeing patients at her new location at 393 Massachusetts Avenue, in Arlington, beginning September 1. She will continue seeing patients on Saturdays in Lexington at 49 Waltham Street. Naturopathic doctors are now licensed in the Commonwealth, allowing Egginton to provide local families Dr. Abby Egginton with a holistic and personalized approach to their health care. Specializing in women’s health, LGBTQ health, oncology, mental health and pediatrics, she can address a range of concerns using lab and functional medicine testing, botanical medicine, homeopathy and nutrition recommendations.

Egginton earned her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University in Washington state before completing a residency in naturopathic oncology at Indiana University Cancer Center followed by a fellowship at Bastyr. She is also a registered nurse and obtained her nursing degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has completed advanced training in women’s health, homeopathy and craniosacral therapy, and has been trained as a birth doula.

Naturopathic medicine works to understand the underlying cause of symptoms and disease, and Egginton partners with her patients to find personalized health solutions for lasting wellness. She provides individualized plans to optimize health and help those working with her to feel their best and to prevent chronic disease.

For more information, call 914-919-9300 or visit BalanceNaturopathic.com. See ad on page 13 and Resource Guide on page 37.

Fitness Adventure, an instructor-led workout gym in Warwick, Rhode Island, is offering two free classes between September 12 and 23. Owner and fitness instructor Heather Sischo recently moved the gym to a larger, updated facility with central air, fresh decor, turf and new equipment.

Fitness Adventure offers group fitness classes using rowing and skier machines, assault bikes, kickboxing bags, steps, weights, wall balls, running and more. Spin classes and private training sessions are also offered. Members range from 17 to 75 years old; all classes can be modified to meet any needs.

After 15 years of being in business, Sischo has many success stories to share. “Anything from conquering a fear, losing weight, building muscle, healing from an injury, doing a first race and building friendships,” she says. It’s a close community where everyone feels welcome. Often, gym members of all levels travel together to support each other at races. “As we grow older, sometimes people forget about little events that make them feel accomplished,” Sischo says. She invites new members to come make healthy memories and have a good time while doing so.

Cost: First two classes are free. Call 401-575-1300 to reserve a spot. Location: 2515 Warwick Ave., Warwick, RI. For more information, visit Fitness AdventureRI.com.

On World Gratitude Day, September 21, tune in to the global virtual cinema premiere of director Louie Schwartzberg’s new film, Gratitude Revealed. Hosted by the Center of Spiritual Living, North American audiences can watch at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET. The event will include a live Q&A with the director and other special offerings including music and surprise guests.

Forty years in the making, this documentary is a rich visual tapestry, interweaving breathtaking images of the natural world with extraordinary stories of ordinary people. It features luminaries Norman Lear, Jack Kornfield, Dr. Christine Carter, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Michael Beckwith, Lynne Twist, In-Q and Jason Silva.

“During the pandemic, I was moved by how society was disconnected and the small things in life, whether meeting a friend for coffee or hugging a family member, were taken away,” Schwartzberg says. “I felt compelled to show my gratitude for our world during such a complex and unpredictable time. I wanted to help people in desperate need of internal and external connection and address the global suffering from isolation, stress and anxiety.”

Research has shown that cultivating gratitude improves well-being, health and our sense of connection with each other and the natural world. Gratitude is an antidote to despair.

Cost: $12. Location: Online at Tinyurl.com/43zva2tu.

After a two-year hiatus, the 14th annual Green Festival returns to Harrisville, Rhode Island, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., September 10. A rain date of September 24 is scheduled. Numerous vendors will be on hand at this outdoor festival to help promote and educate residents in northern Rhode Island on topics such as energy conservation/ efficiency, renewable energy, recycling, the environment and sustainable living practices. The festival has no admission fees and provides a variety of free entertainment, activities, workshops and games for attendees.

With help from the Burrillville Prevention Action Coalition (BPAC), this year health and wellness vendors have been added to the mix. BPAC is a hardworking, volunteer task force comprised of individuals interested in substance abuse prevention issues in Burrillville.

Cost: Free. Location: 75 Tinkham Ln., Harrisville, RI. For more information, call 401-567-1262, or visit PUD-RI.org/GreenFestival.