Natural Awakenings Eastern PA : September 2020

EE H E A L T H Y L I V I N G R F

HEALTHY

PLANET

NATURAL

ANTIVIRALS

Help in Staying Strong and Healthy

WRITING TO HEAL

EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING SELF-CARE FOR TOUGH TIMES

September 2020 | Bucks & Montgomery County, PA Edition | NABuxMont.com

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Natural Awakenings is a family of nearly 60 healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Contents 12 EMOTIONAL

WELL-BEING IN THE PANDEMIC AGE

8

Self-Care Strategies for Tough Times

15 UNCERTAINTY

Help in Staying Strong and Healthy

16 TOXIC SUPPLEMENTS

When the 'Cure' Is Part of the Disease

18 NATURAL ANTIVIRALS

Help in Staying Strong and Healthy

20 SANDRA MARINELLA

18

on the Healing Power of Writing Our Stories

22 YOGA FOR EVERY BODY (Our Second Basic Human Need)

24 RAISING RESILIENT KIDS How to Help Them Bounce Back

28 FINDING THE RIGHT TUNE FOR PETS

24

Music Calms the Animal Soul

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 267-544-9585 or email Publisher@NABuxMont.com. Deadline for ads: the 5th of the month.

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CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit calendar events online at NABuxMont.com.

Deadline for calendar: the 5th of the month.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

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DEPARTMENTS 7 news brief 8 health briefs 9 global briefs 10 local spotlight 18 healing ways 20 wise words 22 fit body 24 healthy kids 27 teen voices 28 pet pages 33 yoga corner 34 directory

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from publisher

The Act of Balance Last month I wrote about acceptance, tolerance, understanding, empathy, listening and patience. In my world—and most likely yours too—busy is every day.

My day flows through work, and work dominates my thinking. I work longer hours into the night and my balance slips. Engrossed in the details of running a magazine and running a company, I allow my time to slip away, and with it the harmony of balance. This, of course, totally affects my self-care.

My balance reflects in my behavior, my patience, my understanding. When neglected, I act differently. I am not as tolerant. When my balance is off, I am off. This shift also has an effect on others. Self-care is my solution to balance. I know this. In my collection of quotes, there is one that follows me everywhere: “I can have excuses, or I can have success, but I cannot have both.” I have no excuse for not taking care of myself.

Meditation, exercise, nutrition, spending time on the lake or ocean—the list goes on.

Self-care has an enormous reward attached to it. For much of my life, I never knew how to take care of myself on any level. Now that I do, there is no excuse.

Experiencing contentment, joy and peace is only achieved when I am in balance, when I accept things as they are. When in balance, my mind, my work, my life, my thinking, my behavior have a rhythm. I can see the results in the family, smiling happens, appreciation, gratitude, creativity happens. I am a better person. When in balance I get to experience the good stuff. I see the good in everything. Why would I let this state of wellbeing slip away, allowing tired and stressed to rob me of contentment and calm? Again, there is no excuse. Self-care is more than important. It is required.

In peace, love and laughter,

Joe Dunne, Publisher

There is no such thing as work-life balance—it is all life.

The balance has to be within you. ~Sadhguru

BUCKS / MONTGOMERY EDITION

Publisher Joe Dunne Publisher@NABuxMont.com • 908-405-1515

Managing Editor Melanie Rankin Editor@NABuxMont.com• 850-466-8322

Calendar Editor Kevin Rankin

Design & Production Melanie Rankin

Sales & Marketing Joe Dunne

Website Kristy Mayer Accounting/Billing Asta Dunne Asta@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

CONTACT THE PUBLISHER Joe Dunne Cell: 908-405-1515 • Fax: 877-635-3313 Publisher@NABuxMont.com NABuxMont.com Visit our Facebook page for the latest health updates and information, or to post your events and comments.

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CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne

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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. 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.

The content herein has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not meant to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any condition.

Statements are the opinion of the author/speaker.

Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

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

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September 2020

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Directory of Advertisers

*new or returning advertiser

Thank you for being part of our community!

Ascend Hospice

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KnoWEwell 2

Center for Natural Healing

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Lanap & Implant Center of Pennsylvania

Doylestown Veterinary Hospital

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Let'sGetChecked 10

Fortis Farms

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Lisa's Thermography and Wellness

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Green Meadow Burial

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M.E. Matters

Greenway Pest Control

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NA Singles

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Holistic Dental Center

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Nature's Rite

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Inner Harmony Wellness Centers / Dr. Amato

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Parker University

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Inner Spa

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Sacred Rose – Michelle Christine

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ITEX, Peggy Washburn – doTERRA

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Step Into Joy Healing Arts

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Journey to the Self

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The Hemp Oil Store

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Kindred Yoga

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Whole Body Yoga Studio

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Let our advertisers know you saw them in Natural Awakenings BuxMont!

Coming Next Month OCTOBER

Stress Management plus: Joint Health

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call 908-405-1515 6

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news brief

When we say Body, Mind & Spirit,

We mean it

Psychological and Behavioral Health Services for Individuals, Couples, Teens, Families

Body: NEUROFEEDBACK. Brain health is essential for

optimal happiness. Neurofeedback helps to rewire the brain so that one experiences life in a quality and healthy way.

Virtual Events Available for Book Lovers

B

ibliophiles everywhere can rejoice in knowing that the Doylestown Bookshop is hosting two virtual events this month, accessible from anywhere.

The first event will be held at 7 p.m. on September 15.

Authors Heidi Pitlor and Lauren Acamporao will discuss their books Impersonation and The Paper Wasp. This event is free, and interested participants can sign up by clicking on the event listing at DoylestownBookshop.com/event.

The second event will be held at 7 p.m. the next evening, September 16. This ticketed, live-stream conversation between Christopher Paolini and best-selling author Chuck Wendig will center around Paolini’s new book, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars.

While this is Paolini’s first adult novel, he is author of the popular young adult book series The Inheritance Cycle, which began with Eragon. The event price is $31.79, which includes a copy of To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. Tickets and access information are available by clicking on the event listing at DoylestownBookshop. com/event.

The Doylestown Bookshop is a locally owned and operated bookstore dedicated to preserving the heritage, traditions and charm of the independent bookstore. Since opening its doors in 1998, it has become a fixture in the community, bringing people together for events, great books and unusual gift items for children and adults.

For more information, call 215-230-7610, email Mail@ DoylestownBookshop.com or visit DoylestownBookshop.com.

Mind: THERAPY. Examine actions, behaviors and patterns to create sustainable new patterns that promote health and decrease stress, anxiety, and depression.

Spirit: SPIRITUALITY & HEALTH GROUP SESSIONS.

Held each Friday at 10am. Reveal blocks & fears while creating awareness thru breathing, imagery, energy, processing & change.

Mind & Emotion

Matters

668 Woodbourne Rd, Langhorne

215-914-5344 • MEMatters.org

Schedule a FREE 30-min Consult!

Who You Are Makes Us Who We Are Become an Ascend Hospice Volunteer Ascend Hospice is actively recruiting reiki practitioners, certified massage therapists and comfort volunteers to positively impact the lives of our patients.

Reading makes immigrants of us all. It takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere. ~Jean Rhys

To sign up for volunteer training, or for more information on volunteer opportunities, please call 866.821.1212.

September 2020

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Oak Wood Extract Can Lessen Post-Surgical Effects

Try Foot Reflexology After Heart Surgery

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A brief, hands-on reflexology treatment after a major heart operation can have a significant impact, scientists at Iran’s Tabriz University of Medical Sciences report. Immediately following coronary bypass surgery, 60 of 120 male patients received a 15-minute foot reflexology treatment from nurses. The researchers found that foot reflexology decreased patient agitation and reduced the average amount of time spent on a ventilator.

Consider Mindfulness for Multiple Sclerosis

Hysterectomy surgery is sometimes necessary and may result in postoperative fatigue, headache, nausea, depression or pain. In a study reported in the journal Nutrients, researchers from Slovakia’s Comenius University gave 66 women recovering from a hysterectomy either a placebo or 300 milligrams of oak wood extract. Eight weeks later, those given the oak wood extract had lower oxidative stress, better energy and mood, and a greater ability to perform physical tasks and participate in social activities compared to the placebo group, which mostly saw declines in those areas. chamillew/AdobeStock.com

health briefs

Mindfulness training may help the estimated 1 million Americans with multiple sclerosis (MS) manage their emotions and process information quicker, according to a new study from Ohio State University. Researchers split 62 people with MS into three groups. The mindfulness group learned such practices as focusing on the breath and doing mental “body scans”. A second group underwent adaptive cognitive therapy training with computerized games that focused on skills like paying attention, switching focus and planning. The third group was a control. After four weeks, those in the mindfulness group were more likely to report being better able to handle their emotions than those in the other groups. The mindfulness group also had higher levels of cognitive processing speed, a reduction in the time it takes to complete mental tasks, along with increased understanding and response times.

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS)—“forever chemicals” often found in non-stick cookware, food packaging and contaminated water—may cause menopause to occur two years earlier in women, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. University of Michigan scientists tracked more than 1,100 women for an average of 17 years and found that those with higher levels of the chemical in their blood experienced menopause an average of two years earlier than those with lower levels. “Even menopause a few years earlier than usual could have a significant impact on cardiovascular and bone health, quality of life and overall health in general among women,” says co-author Sung Kyun Park.

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Reduce PFAS Exposure to Help Delay Menopause

Drawdown Direction

global briefs

Nurses Stand Up Against Climate Change

Planetary Planning Keeping Half the Earth Natural

A study led by the National Geographic Society and the University of California (UC), Davis, published in the journal Global Change Biology compared four recent global maps of the conversion of natural lands to anthropogenic (human activity) land uses. It concluded that if we act quickly and decisively, there is an opportunity to conserve about half of the planet’s ice-free land. The developed half includes cities, croplands, ranches and mines.

The authors note that areas having low human influence do not necessarily exclude people, livestock or sustainable management of resources. A balanced conservation response that addresses land sovereignty and weighs agriculture, settlement or other resource needs with the protection of ecosystem services and biodiversity is essential. Approximately 15 percent of the Earth’s land surface and 10 percent of the oceans are currently protected in some form.

Lead author Jason Riggio, a postdoctoral scholar at the UC Davis Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, says, “The encouraging takeaway from this study is that if we act quickly and decisively, there is a slim window in which we can still conserve roughly half of Earth’s land in a relatively intact state.”

Energy: Supporting a clean energy future by promoting energy efficiency and advocating for a transition to renewable energy.

Food: Committing to a plant-based diet, use of clean cook stoves and reduced food waste.

Mobility: Supporting bike infrastructure, walkable cities and mass transit.

Gender equity: Educating girls and family planning.

Nature-based solutions: Planting trees, protecting tropical forests and forest protection.

Founded in 2014, nonprofit Project Drawdown seeks to help the world reach “drawdown”, the point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline.

For upcoming events, visit Drawdown.org.

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Nurses, the most numerous and trusted health profession in the world, have organized the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments and partnered with Project Drawdown to significantly impact climate change. Together, they are working to help decrease greenhouse gas emissions and create a healthier future for humans and the planet. Nurses from all specialties and in all practice settings are encouraged to take action in four key areas.

September 2020

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I

n 2016, Joseph Wilker decided it was time for a change when the school in which he was teaching began to lose its focus on putting students first.

Mike Weiner, a business owner Wilker had known for over 30 years, suggested that he look into benefits of cannabinoids as a possible career change. After much research and picking the brains of many, many people, he was sold on its health benefits and business potential. So Wilker and Weiner started Cool Breeze Distributors, LLC. Wilker’s background in education as a health teacher was an excellent fit. Wilker’s son, who had a background in biochemistry, was also invited to join the business to help in product research.

The distributorship grew, and after a few years, they felt it was time to branch out, so they opened The Hemp Oil Store, in Yardley. “We found that people needed a lot of education on CBD and hemp—what it is, if it’s safe to use, what to expect when using, etc. And we also needed to correct the notion that one product fits all, which, unfortunately, is still prevalent in our business,” explains Wilker. “People need a more personal and informative approach about what these cannabinoids can do, and how, to improve overall well-being for themselves and their pets. Each person’s body is different, so no two people will react to CBD or hemp in exactly the same way.”

As a family-run business, they have the opportunity to help educate customers in a more personal way. Their commitment is to offer high-quality CBD products at affordable prices. All

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business spotlight

brands and products are thoroughly vetted to ensure they use high-quality, domestic hemp. Each product is third-party lab tested to verify its quality and safety.

“We carry a wide variety of products to fit every lifestyle. Our selection includes a large number of THC-free products that are safe for everyone, including individuals that may get drug tested. For individuals looking for topical relief, we carry a wide variety of creams, lotions and sticks that utilize menthol, camphor and other natural ingredients in addition to CBD,” states Weiner. Featured offerings include beauty products such as bath bombs and mud masks that allow the individual to relax and unwind while enjoying the benefits of CBD, a selection of CBD droppers in a variety of strengths and flavors for the perfect dose of CBD, and a wide variety of products to support pet needs.

Wilker shares, “Our knack for selecting only the finest quality hemp oil is what led us to create our own exclusive line of hemp oil products, Colorado Brands Direct. We are dedicated to providing quality and value in our products and customer service, and we hope that your experience mirrors those goals.”

Located at 3 E. Afton Ave., in Yardley.

The Hemp Oil Store is open from 10am to 6:30pm, Mon. through Sat., and from 10am to 4 pm Sun. For more information, call 855-904-4367, email Support@ TheHempOilStore. com or visit The HempOilStore.com.

See ad, page 11.

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September 2020

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Self-Care Strategies for Tough Times

A

s the pandemic ravages our country, we are engulfed by a sea of challenging emotions, including fear, loss, anger, disappointment and grief.

Compounding the suffering, past emotional traumas and pent-up desires are surfacing and crying for attention. One way to navigate these treacherous waters is by first enveloping ourselves in self-compassion.

Next, we can gather the courage to face our fears and experience unpleasant feelings in order to heal them and let them go. Then, we search for and internalize positive emotional states to rewire our brains for positivity. This noble voyage promises immense rewards along the way.

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by Sandra Yeyati

The Cocoon of Self-Compassion

Some of us chase self-esteem like the Holy Grail, yet it eludes us when we need it most.

Faced with a failing grade or cruel insult, our self-worth withers. We can’t understand why we lost it or how to get it back. When we attach our self-worth to achievements or comparisons with other people, self-esteem becomes unstable and unreliable.

Enter self-compassion, the life-changing perspective of showing kindness to ourselves in any and all situations—a supportive best friend that lives within us and can be accessed any time, every day. A pioneer and expert in this topic, Kristin Neff believes that

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self-compassion has three components: a decision to be kind to ourselves, a mindful awareness when we are in pain so that we can seek some relief and a sense of common humanity or connectedness.

We already know how to be compassionate, says Neff, an associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and co-author of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook. “It’s linked to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a natural part of our organism. We’re tapping into this way of feeling safe, which is through care, bonding and connectedness.”

Encouraging our friends when they’re feeling down or hugging our moms in the

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Emotional Well-Being in the Pandemic Age

Finding Confidence Through Unpleasant Feelings

Nobody likes to feel sad or embarrassed.

We’d rather have an ice cream cone or turn on the TV. But for Dr. Joan Rosenberg, a prominent psychologist and speaker, uncomfortable feelings present an invaluable opportunity for people to transform into confident individuals that relate to the world around them with authenticity and resilience.

In her book 90 Seconds to a Life You Love, Rosenberg offers a formula—one choice, eight feelings, 90 seconds—to experience and move through eight of the most common unpleasant feelings: sadness, shame, helplessness, anger, embarrassment, disappointment, frustration and vulnerability.

“The choice is to stay aware of and in touch with as much of your moment-to-

moment experience as possible and not get lost in avoidance,” she explains, adding that there are more than 30 behaviors, thoughts and emotions that we employ as distractions, including substance abuse, social media, pornography, exercise, obsessive thoughts about body image, humor and denial.

“Be aware of what you’re aware of,” she advises. “If we know that we don’t like feelings, and we know we’ve been engaged in using ways to distract ourselves, then our challenge is to be more awake and aware of those times we do it, and as soon as we start to do the thing and become aware, that’s when we make the decision to stop and ask, ‘What’s really going on?’”

Discoveries in neuroscience suggest that most of us come to know what we’re feeling emotionally through bodily sensations. We might feel heat in the neck and face when embarrassed or a sinking feeling in the chest when disappointed. As feelings get triggered in the body, a rush of biochemicals in the bloodstream activate these sensations and are flushed out of the bloodstream in roughly 90 seconds.

“Most people have the impression that feelings linger a whole lot longer and that they’re going to be overwhelmed by it and never come out of it if they start. But when they understand that what they’re trying to avoid are uncomfortable bodily sensations that help you know what you’re feeling emotionally, and that these are short-lived, most people will start to lean into them, and once they do, their life changes,” Rosenberg says.

To move through bodily sensations, which may come in multiple waves, take deep, slow breaths. Try not to tighten up or clench the jaw and swallow. Notice the location and nature of the bodily sensations to help identify which of the eight unpleasant feelings it might be, and be curious as to what might have triggered it. All of this will take a few moments. With practice, identification will become faster, easier and more accurate.

“If I have more time, then I can think about whether this is connected to anything else. Is it just one thing that triggered it, or is it like something else that’s happened before?” Rosenberg says. This level of awareness leads to a calming effect, clearer thinking, improved decision making and,

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morning is hardwired into us. When we decide to be kind to ourselves, it’s easy to think of what we would say: “I’m sorry you failed that test. You’ll do better next time.

How can I help you?” To lend perspective, add a statement about our common humanity, counsels Neff. “This is hard for everybody. You’re not alone.”

We must be aware of our pain before we can comfort it, and many of us try to suppress or resist pain, choosing to numb it with distractions like alcohol addiction or compulsive shopping. Others may get lost in the storyline of what’s happening and succumb to suffering with no apparent way to obtain relief. Self-pity or self-criticism may creep in.

Mindful awareness is the antidote to these emotional extremes, because it helps us become aware that we are experiencing pain and to stay with that pain long enough to make a conscious decision to take care of ourselves. “One easy thing is physical touch,” says Neff. “The first few years of life you have no words, so the body is programmed to respond to touch as a signal of care. Put your hand on your heart or your stomach, or hold your hand. This changes your physiology, activates your parasympathetic nervous system, helps you calm down and helps you feel physically supported. Sometimes, that’s an entryway for people.”

Making Courage a Habit In her book The Courage Habit, life coach Kate Swoboda presents a four-part method for people to face their fears, release the past and live their most courageous life.

Access the body. Practice any body-centric activity like mindful meditation, exercise or dancing every single day to release stress and anxiety, become centered and more present, and clear the mind.

Listen without attachment. When your self-critic offers a warning or criticism, hear the words, understanding that this is fear trying to protect you and deciding that it’s misguided and not true.

Reframe limiting stories or beliefs.

Amend your internalized self-critic’s messages to be more respectful and supportive. If it says, “You’re stupid to try that,” revise it to, “I’m smart because I’m willing to try.”

Create community. Reach out to likeminded individuals that are supportive of the changes you are trying to make.

September 2020

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Building Up Our Happiness Quotient These exercises are recommended by psychologist Rick Hanson: Slow down, breathe and see the big picture. This simple practice brings us into the present moment, reduces the stress activation in the body, disengages us from verbal chatter and negative reactivity, and buys us time to see more clearly.

Take three breaths, making the exhalation longer than the inhalation.

Five-Minute Challenge Take in the good. It could be a flower blooming, birds singing or a nice exchange with another person. Slow down, take a few breaths and let it sink in for a minute or two.

Focus on something to cultivate. Perhaps it’s patience or gratitude. Look for opportunities to have an experience of this quality and internalize it for another minute.

Marinate in pleasant feelings. Cultivate a sense of calm, contentment or warmheartedness for a couple of minutes.

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perhaps most importantly, an ability to speak authentically.

“If we don’t handle the eight feelings, we don’t feel capable in the world,” she says.

The ability to speak adds to that empowerment. “From asking someone to stop a behavior so that you feel safer to telling someone you love them, asking your boss for a raise or letting people know about yourself and your work to garner opportunities and desired experiences—it cuts across every aspect of our lives and is absolutely crucial to our sense of well-being.”

Rewiring the Brain for Positivity

Discoveries in neuroplasticity have revealed that the brain changes throughout life well into adulthood. It’s designed to learn not just ideas and information, but skills, attitudes, feelings and moods. Rick Hanson, a clinical psychologist and author of several books, including Hardwiring Happiness and Resilient, contends that we can develop greater happiness, just like we can develop greater depression.

“There’s a lot of research that shows that through deliberate little practices spread out through the day or sometimes more formal practices like psychotherapy or meditation, we can actually produce

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physical changes in the brain that are now measurable with things like MRIs,” he remarks.

Hardwiring happiness is easy, pleasurable and doesn’t take a lot of time. “If you take care of the minutes, the years will take care of themselves,” says Hanson. “Little steps gradually move us forward a breath at a time, a minute at a time, a synapse at a time. Bit by bit, we grow the good inside while gradually releasing the bad.”

“Our power to positively influence who we are in small, genuine ways every day is really important to compensate for the brain’s negativity bias, which makes it like Velcro for bad experiences, but Teflon for good ones,” he says. “We evolved a negativity bias over the 600-million-year evolution of the nervous system. Learning from negative experiences and mistakes was a critical survival skill, so we have a brain that is designed to scan for bad news, overreact to it and fast-track it into memory. It’s not our fault, but it is our responsibility to deal with it by first, feeling the negative without reinforcing it and second, focusing on the positive and taking it in. Gradually, you can give yourself a brain that’s like Velcro for the good and Teflon for the bad.”

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer.

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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Uncertainty (Our Second Basic Human Need)

by Joan Summers

W

e all have a basic need for certainty in our lives. It provides us with comfort and the ability to avoid pain and gain pleasure. Certainty is connected to our need to be safe and supported. It is the foundation of a calm state and a peaceful existence. Certainty is our first Basic Human Need.

Uncertainty is the second of our Basic Human Needs. It provides us with variety.

Life would be very boring without it. There wouldn’t be a surprise birthday party or a chance, first time romantic meeting; no ultrasound to know if it’s a girl or a boy; no unexpected job offer or running into a long-lost friend. Each of us has a threshold for the amount of uncertainty we are comfortable with. Our history, temperament and current support systems are key in understanding the level of uncertainty that is emotionally and physically healthy for us. We all need to feel that we have some control over what happens next. The good news is that we do.

Coronavirus and physical distancing have created shared feelings of isolation and frustration, triggering something within each of us. It could be a deep secret, a regret or a buried trauma. Whatever we have been avoiding for a long time is now present and asking to be resolved. What do we fear the most? It is time to dig in and release the fear and the belief systems that no longer serve us. We have an opportunity to make extraordinary changes, learn new skills and release the patterns of the past.

The uncertainty of not knowing what happens next is part of our current experience. For most people the “not knowing” is where they are stuck, in limbo and asking,

“How much more can we take?” Who or what are we directing that question to? Who or what is answering? Are we listening?

Our uncertainty is making us squirm. If we can hold still and be very present with this uncomfortable, even painful experience, the epiphany will come. Our subconscious knows exactly what we need to do next.

We have all heard about being present.

It is a healing experience. It allows us to live in the here and now instead of worrying about the past or future. We get to return to a calm brain state. Some of us live in a perpetual hyper-vigilant brain state that can quickly switch to panic, producing a fight, flight or freeze reaction. This reaction is experienced as anxiety and PTSD. Presence allows something that has been pushed down, in the act of self-preservation, to surface.

Presence will also give answers to the why and the how of healing it. Once this has been experienced, a sense of certainty returns.

The balance between certainty and uncertainty is essential before attaining the next four, higher Basic Human Needs. Do we have significance? Do others need us?

Do we matter? How are we unique, and what do we value? Our self-esteem and confidence are actualized here. Significance is the third Basic Human Need. The fourth is Connection. We need to feel we belong and can love and be loved. The ways we connect are evolving daily. Fifth is our own personal growth, which brings us back to learning new skills and releasing old patterns. In order to make improvements we must know our truth. Are we ready for that journey? Last and certainly not least is the sixth Basic Human Need. It is the contribution we make in our world, what we are passionate about and fulfilling our authentic purpose, our legacy.

In a time of great uncertainty, we can still choose our path and feel supported on it. With grace, courage and compassion we can move forward. Most of us are unaware of our own power and ability to release fear. We are being offered an opportunity to move out of the darkness and bring light to the world.

Joan Summers, owner of Step Into Joy Healing Arts, is a Gestalt Life Coach and Intuitive Reiki Master specializing in the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method. For more information, call 267-272-9343, email Joan@StepIntoJoyHealingArts.com or visit StepIntoJoyHealingArts.com. See ad, below.

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September 2020

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Toxic Supplements When the 'Cure' Is Part of the Disease

by Peter Amato

A

landmark research study as reported in the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association suggests that a shopper’s chance of purchasing an effective, non-toxic herbal product is only 2.5 percent. That means a shocking 97.5 percent of products tested were either toxic, not effective or both.

Before supplements arrive on the shelf of a health practitioner’s office or over-thecounter location, a complex process that takes place that includes growing, harvesting, encapsulation, bottling and delivery.

The quality of each step in this process affects the effectiveness of the product.

Growing and Harvesting the Raw Living Source The quality of the raw living product is where supplement manufacturing begins, because most whole food is grown with pesticides or is irradiated, especially in the United States. Raw food that was grown with clean standards may also run the risk of being stored for too long after harvest, becoming old and rancid.

Nutrients that are most effective for cellular support are those that are grown under ideal conditions, that are pesticidefree, harvested at their peak and are packaged and stored in a toxin-free environment. With the toxic environment we live in today, it is hard to find nutrients this pure. Our air, water and soil are polluted, which means our food source and raw material source for supplements is also heavily polluted.

Encapsulation, Bottling and Delivery of Living Source Excipient-Free: Excipients are highly

questionable, and often toxic, tag-along

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chemicals or agents that are used in typical nutritional supplement manufacturing. Many popular nutritional supplements contain healthdamaging excipients that are sometimes listed as “other ingredients” or “natural flavors” on the label or may not be listed at all.

Long-term consumption of these toxic excipients is detrimental to our optimal health. When toxic excipients accompany whole food nutrients, these nutrients enhance cellular access, which means our cells are primed and ready to accept nutrients as well as toxic excipients.

Even a minuscule amount of consumption can have far-reaching adverse effects long-term. The old adage “it’s better than nothing” does not apply when it comes to toxic supplements.

Capsules vs. Tablets: There is an ongo-

ing debate about capsule versus tablets for nutraceuticals. Some gel capsules use animal-based gelatin. Animal source gelatin typically contains toxins and may be hard to digest. Solvent-free vegetables capsules are the cleanest form of nutrient encapsulation.

Tablets most likely contain toxic tag-alongs and some sort of non-nutritive agent. Tablets need glue and binders to hold their ingredients together. It takes immense pressure to combine ingredients into tablets, as well as heat, which can cause damage to the nutrients.

Therefore, it is extremely important to maximize well-being through topquality, organic, high-grade nutraceuticals.

Most holistic practitioners are aware of top-quality brands, so getting personally

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97.5 percent of storebought herbal products tested in a landmark study were either toxic, not effective or both. tested, and having nutritional products tested specifically, can radically impact health, increase vibrancy and save money.

Visit a holistic practitioner—guessing and wondering should not be part of choosing supplements.

Dr. Peter Amato, founder of Inner Harmony Wellness Center, is a board-certified doctor of Natural Medicine, holds a Ph.D. in MindBody Medicine, an MA in Transpersonal Psychology and a BA in Nutrition. He pioneered of one of the nation’s first integrative wellness centers. His approach to healing interweaves functional medicine, energy medicine, psychology and neurology. Location: 131 Reynolds Rd., Dalton. For more information, call 570-3196073 or visit InnerHarmonyWellness.com.

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Holistic Healing for Autoimmune Diagnoses

I

nfections, in general, are a group of conditions characterized by an immune system whose defenses have been breached. A healthy immune system is fighting off infective agents all the time, often without us even noticing. We are under constant attack from bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites.

Acute infections occur when the defenses get breached, but the immune system responds actively.

After a brief battle, the immune system is typically victorious, and, in many cases, antibodies formed from the exposure can protect the individual for certain periods of time from future infections.

Chronic infections are scenarios in which the immune system fails to respond to the infective agent—for many possible reasons. It can cause inflammation of tissues that we may or may not be able to feel, but which can have long-term, deleterious effects.

Chronic infection can affect and weaken the immune system, resulting in many serious disorders. The result is often an autoimmune diagnosis.

When focusing on clearing chronic infection, we should focus first on creating an alkaline environment in the body, boosting the immune system and then adding antivirals.

Only once the immune system is bolstered and strong can we begin to get to the root cause of the cluster of symptoms or infections that our healthcare system labels as autoimmune.

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you. ~Frank Lloyd Wright

Learn The 5 Steps to Optimum Health

Source: Dr. Peter Amato, creator of the Inner Harmony Approach: A 5-Step Process to Optimal Health. For more information, call 570-319-6073 or visit InnerHarmonyWellness.com.

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Natural Antivirals

Help in Staying Strong and Healthy

by Ronica O’Hara

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THANK YOU

healing ways

I To the healthcare professionals who are risking their lives during this epidemic, thank you for fighting COVID-19 on the front lines.

18

n these sobering times, we must use every weapon in our arsenal against invasive viruses, including often-overlooked natural remedies with antiviral properties. As is also the case with pharmaceutical agents, natural approaches have not been shown to stop an aggressive virus in its tracks, but they may ameliorate symptoms. “Nutrition and supplementation are unlikely to prevent an infection, but they may help prevent the infection from becoming symptomatic or severe,” explains Leo Galland, M.D., a global leader in functional medicine and author of Power Healing: Use the New Integrated Medicine to Heal Yourself.

Eating healthy foods, sleeping seven to nine hours a night and exercising at least 150 minutes a week are also key in fortifying our natural defenses against viruses. Steps still necessary for COVID19 protection include hand-washing, mask-wearing, social distancing and sterilizing objects and surfaces.

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Baseline Protectors Scientists report that some vitamin and mineral deficiencies appear to be linked to poor COVID-19 outcomes, while adequate levels help combat other viruses. ConsumerLab.com, which provides comprehensive research overviews and information on nutritional products, lists these natural supplements as potential aids against COVID-19, although at this early stage, none have been proven to work: Vitamin D: According to Galland, vitamin D “stimulates your immune system to produce factors called defensins and cathelicidins that kill viruses.” People with levels below 30 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ mL) were 45 percent more likely to test positive for the coronavirus and 95 percent more likely to be hospitalized, Israeli researchers found. Getting three 30-minute sessions of sun exposure a week and eating D-fortified foods raise levels, and supplementing with up to 2,000 international units daily is generally considered safe.

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Zinc: “Zinc throws a wrench in the viral replication machine and helps fight infections by boosting the production of antibodies,” says Nicole DeMasi, an integrative dietitian nutritionist in Los Angeles. Zinc lozenges may ward off the coronavirus in the upper respiratory tract. The recommended dosage is 15 to 30 milligrams (mg) a day for up to two weeks.

Vitamin C: A cup of orange juice, tomato juice or a kiwi supplies most of the minimum recommended intake of vitamin C, a vital supplement for white blood cells that fight viral infections. Supplementing with 1,000 mg daily is also safe. Intravenous megadoses are being studied for critically ill COVID-19 patients, but no evidence exists so far that higher levels prevent infections, reports ConsumerLab.com.

Potassium: A critical antiviral mineral and electrolyte, low levels of potassium were found in 61 percent of 175 Chinese patients hospitalized with COVID-19, making them more prone to heart damage, reports the Journal of the American Medical Association. Foods that boost levels include potatoes, squash, lentils, spinach, avocados, bananas and raisins.

Supplemental Supporters When choosing supplements proven to be effective, “Much of what we know and can apply is based on our previous research on viruses of the past,” says Monisha Bhanote, M.D., an integrative physician in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Here are some good choices.

Melatonin: Known best as the hormone that regulates sleep, melatonin also supports antiviral immunity and helps control inflammation in viral infections. A study of 11,672 people tested for COVID-19 found that those taking supplemental melatonin were less likely to test positive, and a clinical study is underway to see if 2 mg a day helps protect healthcare workers. Typical dosages range from 0.3 to 3 mg.

Licorice Root Extract: This herb contains a substance called glycyrrhizin that makes it hard for a virus to attach to and invade a cell and hinders its ability to replicate, slowing the spread from one cell to another. Chinese doctors used it with other traditional herbs to combat COVID-19, and studies have shown it effective against an earlier coronavirus, as well as against HIV, herpes, viral hepatitis and respiratory infections. For dosage, follow package directions. People with high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, kidney disease or low potassium levels are advised against its use.

Astragalus: Known as huang qi, astragalus “is one of the most powerful herbs used in Chinese medicine for people with weakened immune systems,” says Tsao-Lin Moy, a New York City acupuncturist and herbalist. It’s best taken as a hot or cold tea using tea bags or the root itself.

Andrographis: This herb has long been used for colds and throat infections in China and India, and may prevent flu viruses from binding to cells. In a Swedish study, flu patients that took an andrographis extract along with Siberian ginseng recovered more quickly with fewer complications than those given a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved flu medication. Because of its potency, it’s best to consult a health practitioner to avoid interactions. The recommended dosage is 400 mg twice a day.

Fightin’ Foods To lower the inflammation linked to poor viral outcomes, integrative physician Monisha Bhanote, M.D., recommends a predominantly whole foods diet with at least five to seven servings of vegetables and two to three servings of fruit a day.

Quercetin-rich foods, such as apples, onions, broccoli, raspberries, parsley and celery are especially important, she says, because the bioflavonoid enhances zinc’s antiviral actions: “It functions as a zinc ionophore, chelating zinc and transporting it into the cell cytoplasm.” Quercetin can also be taken as a supplement in doses ranging between 500 and 1,000 mg daily.

Garlic has potent antiviral and antibacterial properties, and can be cooked into food, eaten raw in salads and dressings or obtained from capsules of allicin, the active component.

Green tea has epigallocatechin gallate, a compound with “a wide range of antiviral activity, especially in the early stages of infection, by preventing viral attachment and entry into the cell,” says Bhanote. Aim for three to five cups a day.

Ronica O’Hara is a Denver-based health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

Learn More Coronavirus Handbook by Leo Galland, M.D.: A comprehensive look from an integrative physician at coronavirus mechanisms, nutritional strategies and supplements. DrGalland.com/coronavirusprotection-protocol Coronavirus Information Center: Up-to-date information on natural remedies and nutritional supplements. ConsumerLab.com/coronavirus

September 2020

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wise words

Sandra Marinella on the Healing Power of Writing Our Stories

by Sandra Yeyati

A

n award-winning teacher and author of The Story You Need to Tell: Writing to Heal from Trauma, Illness, or Loss, Sandra Marinella has empowered thousands of people to use stories, poems and journal writing to find greater well-being and resilience in their lives.

Prompted by a breast cancer diagnosis and her own journal, she helps people connect with their truth and move beyond entrenched negative emotions and thoughts.

What is the power of story and personal writing?

We all have stories in our minds that play over and over again. They define who we are. In recent years, neuroscience has led us to this powerful understanding that we are quite flexible as human beings. After we become conscious of our stories and how we’re using them in our lives, we can rework and reframe them, and choose to see them in a positive or better light. We can change and grow our stories to become better people with greater well-being.

How do we get unstuck from playing out stories in our minds?

A story that keeps looping, one that you are obsessed with, is generally being re20

played in the emotional centers, or right side, of your brain, and you don’t have much control over it. To get unstuck, you need to voice this story and complete it.

Writing it down and sifting through it later can help. Once you do this, you can be logical and choose how you’re going to interpret, frame and live with it.

In the book, I talk about Chris, whose sister was homeless and died. He was struggling with that story. It was going around in his mind, over and over, all the time.

He was in pain and grieving from the loss of his sister. It took him a while before he decided to rewrite the story as fiction, telling it in the way he wished it had come out. In the process, he was able to better understand his loss, make peace with it and set it free.

How do we edit our stories while remaining grounded in reality?

We do not want to lie to ourselves. We want to know our truth, but there is so much wisdom in what we call “positive illusions”. If we can choose to take a hard story and see it in a very positive way, we can find threads of it that we can weave through our truth, and let that help us grow and make our vision of our story better.

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If we don’t tell others or write our stories, can they harm us?

Yes. I think they can, but I don’t want to underestimate the value of silence. When we are facing trauma, we need space and time and silence to be able to wrap our heads around the hard things that are happening to us. But then, breaking the silence is cathartic. It releases the pain. It helps us establish not only that we have the pain, but how we can bear it. Later, we can come back to those words and reflect on them—that’s when we come to understand more about where we are, what we think, what we feel and how we can move forward and rewrite and regrow our stories in positive ways.

Do you have any recommendations for those suffering in these trying times?

I’ve interviewed many war veterans, and they said that when they were out in the midst of warfare, they had to put their thoughts and emotions on hold so that they could move forward and be strong.

That’s why many of them were falling apart with PTSD afterwards. I also interviewed a few soldiers who carried journals into war and found it extremely helpful to be able to scream, yell and release their words into them. We should be giving all healthcare workers journals and online support on how to write and how to take care of themselves. Counseling and therapy are wonderful, and I wish we could provide it to everybody all the time, but we can’t; and journal writing, or any kind of therapeutic writing, is such a wonderful backup for a human being to have when they are struggling. Keeping a pandemic journal might prove to be not only a healthy choice for our times, but a treasure historically for our grandchildren.

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a freelance writer.

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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September 2020

21

of modification I do with them is endless,” says Ramat, who underscores the importance of listening to the body. “I learned the hard way 17 years ago when I first became a teacher. I am gentle with myself if I am unable to do a pose and embrace the modification. I go deeper in my poses now than when I was younger.”

fit body

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Freedom Through Support

Yoga for Every Body Adaptive Ways Ease Pain and Immobility

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by Marlaina Donato

aming chronic pain, restoring energy reserves, improving heart health and relieving symptoms of depression and anxiety are only a few of the science-backed perks of spending time on a yoga mat. However, misconceptions about this ancient practice can make yoga seem intimidating for individuals that could benefit the most from it.

Adaptive yoga, designed for people challenged by injury, chronic pain, autoimmune disease or debilitating conditions like multiple sclerosis, can foster perhaps unexpected gains through the use of props, chairs, wall space and even countertops. From wheelchair-bound veterans to seniors with compromised balance, adaptive yoga offers new horizons for achieving well-being.

Yoga’s gentle influence goes beyond physical benefits. A 2017 British study published in the Journal of Pain Research found people with spinal cord injuries that took sitting yoga classes twice a week for six weeks were less depressed, more self-

22

compassionate and more mindfully in the moment than those in a control group.

Empowerment, Not Perfection “Yoga is for any body, no matter the size, shape or color. It’s not about designer clothing, athletic ability, talents or perfection in the pose. Adaptive yoga is a movement to change this misconception and mitigate the anxiety to try yoga,” says Mindy Eisenberg, a Detroit-area certified yoga therapist and author of Adaptive Yoga Moves Any Body: Created for Individuals with MS and Neuromuscular Condition and the accompanying Adaptive Yoga Cards. For Eisenberg, the focus is about the internal experience, healing and most of all, “the sense of joy that comes from a regular practice.”

Ora Ramat, owner of the Wagging Tail Yoga Studio, in Bethel, New York, witnesses remarkable, everyday mastery in her students through adapted poses. “Many of my students are 40 to 95 years young, and the range

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“Our students have a wide range of health conditions including spina bifida, arthritis, MS, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, paraplegia, epiphyseal dysplasia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, chronic back pain and more,” says Miranda McCarthy, CEO of Wavelength VR (WavelengthVR.com), a healthcare company that produces a library of sciencesupported content for pain management without medication. The London-based creator of Adaptive Yoga LIVE, which offers seated online classes, knows firsthand how yoga can change lives.

“Until I found adaptive yoga, I felt like I was constantly at war with my body,” she says. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 2 and the youngest recipient of bilateral hip replacement surgery in the U.S., McCarthy thought she knew her body inside and out. After 40 surgeries and decades of rehabilitation and medication, she went through a radical shift in perspective.

“When I discovered adaptive yoga, I soon realized my relationship with my body had only just begun.”

Eisenberg highlights the internal process that adaptive yoga can catalyze: “The energy and sensation that yoga students feel on the inside is much more important than what the pose looks like on the outside.” Items such as chairs, blocks, straps, blankets and bolsters are used to make traditional postures more accessible to those with physical challenges and to ensure safety. “Using props is not a sign of weakness or inferiority. We even use ambulatory devices such as a cane as a prop.

Those who require assistive devices cease to see them as a hindrance. In fact, they become an accessory,” says Eisenberg.

For McCarthy, the biggest takeaway is simple, yet profound self-acceptance. “I no longer judge myself or compare myself to

able-bodied people. I gained a newfound love for my body and a love for myself.”

Eisenberg affirms, “It’s exciting to realize that our bodies are so much more capable than we thought, and we learn that we are not defined by our individual disease or limitations. As my teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn says, ‘As long as you are breathing, there is more right with you than wrong.’”

Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

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infested neighborhoods where they live,” says Damon Nailer, a Monroe, Louisiana, motivational speaker and author of Living, Loving, Leading. For children in all circumstances, he says, it’s important to “teach them that setbacks, failures, losses and adversity help you to learn, grow and become stronger.”

healthy kids

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Raising Resilient Kids How to Help Them Bounce Back

I

by Ronica O’Hara

n these turbulent times, children need to know how to confidently weather and deal with changes no matter what life hands them, say many psychologists. Studies show that when kids are resilient—having the ability to recover quickly from difficulties—they are less fearful and anxious, more confident and empathetic, and better able to handle cataclysmic events like 9/11.

Resilience can help them deal creatively with everything from cyberbullying to societal change. A Florida Atlantic University study of 1,204 children found that those that agreed with such statements as, “I can deal with whatever comes my way,” “I am not easily discouraged by failure,” and, “Having to cope with stress makes me stronger,” were less likely to be bullied in person or online and better able to cope when it occurred.

Resilience can be taught and learned at any stage in a child’s life, studies suggest. Some useful strategies include:

1

Let them know they’re loved and supported. One stable, committed relationship with a supportive adult such as a parent, grandparent, aunt, teacher or coach is what a child needs to be resilient, according to research from Harvard’s Center for the Developing Child. This can be particularly important for children raised in lessthan-ideal circumstances. “It is absolutely critical for African-American children to learn resilience due to the current climate of hostility and racism, the inherent disadvantages in education and household income they are born into and hostile, crime-

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Make resilience a household word.

When San Diego child psychologist Bruce Thiessen’s daughter Kassidy was 4, he’d pretend to be the wolf in The Three Little Pigs, howling, “I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down!”

She would reply, “Go ahead! I’ll rebuild it tougher and stronger!”

It was his way of embedding resilience in her, which he and his wife Roxie have reinforced with books, movies and songs. “Making the theme of resilience dominant in multiple activities will make an enduring, indelible impression on your child,” he says.

3

Be a good example. “The most important thing to cultivate resilience, mindfulness and any other emotions really, is for parents to practice and model these things themselves,” says Christopher Willard, Ph.D., a Harvard lecturer and author of Raising Resilience: The Wisdom and Science of Happy Families and Thriving Children. Adults need to bounce back from setbacks, whether it’s a social media mistake or a lost job, and find ways to reframe what happened in a positive light.

To convey that attitude to a child, ask at dinner or bedtime, “What was the rose in your day? The thorn? What did you learn? What would you do differently next time?” The parent can model responses to these questions by sharing their own rose and thorn.

4

Let them figure things out. “As tempting as it may be to step in every time you see your children struggling, allowing them to figure things out on their own builds resilience,” says Katie Lear, a Davidson, North Carolina, therapist specializing in childhood anxiety. “On the flip side, when a parent

hovers or immediately steps in to solve a child’s problem, the child may interpret that behavior as, ‘I don’t trust you to be able to do this without help.’” Asking a child how they plan to solve a problem rather than questioning why the problem happened in the first place is a way to teach them creative problem-solving, advises Lynn Lyons, a Concord, New Hampshire, psychotherapist and co-author of Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents.

5

Teach thankfulness. Feelings of gratitude bolster resilience, studies show. For example, college stu-

dents that performed gratitude-inducing exercises reported feeling better able to handle academic challenges. “Teach your child to look for the gift within every problem,” advises C.J. Scarlet, author of Heroic Parenting: An Essential Guide to Raising Safe, Savvy, Confident Kids.

“That’s often hard to do in the midst of challenges, but just knowing there will be a gift found at some point can help your child to ride out the storm with greater patience and confidence.”

Ronica O’Hara is a Denver-based health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

Resilience is Just a Deep Breath Away

HEALTHY PLANET

2020 EDITORIAL CALENDAR HEALTHY LIFESTYLES ISSUE

JAN

Age-Defying Habits Plus: Healthy Immune System

FEB

Cardiovascular Health Plus: Regenerative Medicine

PLANT-BASED NUTRITION ISSUE

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Mindful Means to Resilience BounceBack Breathing

HEALTHY LIVING

Mindfulness—being in the moment without judgment—has been linked to youthful resilience, numerous studies show, perhaps because it allows a child to take a deep, calming breath in the midst of a trying event. “Mindfulness training really does create new brain connections that boost resilience to stress,” says Christopher Willard, a Harvard lecturer and author of Growing Up Mindful. When children learn mindfulness, he says, they “can better self-regulate their emotions, and stress is less likely to overwhelm them and lead to mental health issues like anxiety or depression.” Getting a child started on mindfulness can be as simple as teaching them a breathing exercise.

MAR

Thriving on a Plant-Based Diet Plus: CBD

APR

Grassroots Climate Crisis Strategies Plus: Healthy Home

WOMEN’S WELLNESS ISSUE

MAY

Autoimmune Breakthroughs Plus: Protein & Collagen Connection

JUN

Inspired Lifestyle Travel Plus: Brain Health

THE FOOD CONNECTION ISSUE

JUL

Beyond Factory Farming Plus: Gut Health

AUG

Biological Dentistry Plus: Environmental Education

SELF-EMPOWERMENT ISSUE

SEP

Emotional Well-Being Plus: Adaptive Yoga

in through your nose like you are smelling it, then exhale through your mouth like you are cooling it off. Repeat for a minute or two.

OCT

Stress Management Plus: Joint Health

Bumblebee breathing: Sitting comfortably, breathe in through your nose for a

THE DIABETES CHALLENGE ISSUE

Chocolate breathing: Imagine you are holding up a mug of hot chocolate. Breathe

count of four. Exhale, making a buzzing or humming sound. Repeat 10 or more times.

Mountain breathing: While inhaling through your nose, raise your arms high

above your head and bring your palms together, imagining you are as high as a mountain. Then ground your feet into the floor, imagining roots going deep into the earth.

Exhale through your mouth while lowering your palms together in front of your chest.

Repeat several times.

Count breathing: Closing your eyes and sitting quietly, count “one” to yourself as you exhale. With the next exhale, count “two” and so on up to “five,” start back at one again, and repeat for at least five minutes.

NOV

Personalized Diabetes Strategies Plus: Skin Care

DEC

Creating Community & Connection Plus: Spending Locally

IN EVERY ISSUE...

HEALTH BRIEFS | GLOBAL BRIEFS ECO TIP | GREEN LIVING HEALING WAYS | FIT BODY CONSCIOUS EATING HEALTHY KIDS | WISE WORDS INSPIRATION | NATURAL PET

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teen voices

A New Landscape This Fall

by Isabella Dussias

T

his fall brings a new landscape for each of us. As students, many things will be different. Some will learn remotely; some will learn through a hybrid model of in-person and remote; and so-on. Added to that are changes to athletic schedules and after-school activities. While teens realize these measures and protocols are all in place for health and safety, it is something we have to get used to. Our world has truly been changed.

As teens, we strive to be patient and flexible; we strive to understand and adjust. I think my peers are doing a good job of rolling with our ever-changing world. We understand our schools are trying to promote learning while keeping us safe. Still, there is a lot for us to take in. As a generation, I believe the teens of today are adept at being resilient. We were born in a post-9/11 world when America had changed. We have not known those carefree times our parents experienced. We have seen many world events in our young lives, and now we are experienc-ing a pandemic.

These are unsettling times for all of us. As teenagers we had certain things in our head about how our graduation would look, how our prom would be, who would be homecoming king or queen and how our first year of college would be. This past year has accentuated that there are no guarantees in life. With life comes lessons, and my generation is learning that if we accept the unexpected and keep moving forward in difficult times, we will develop a strength that will aid us in the future.

Isabella Dussias is a 17-year-old singer-songwriter/composer from New Jersey. She enjoys writing about issues that are important to today’s youth, and she believes music is an important outlet to connect people and share messages through the creativity of lyric and melody. For more information, please visit IsabellaDussias.com.

September 2020

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pet pages

Finding the Right Tune for Pets

Music Calms the Animal Soul

by Julie Peterson

serejkakovalev/AdobeStock.com

In t ro ducing Ad ve rt ise rs to Re ade rs since 1994

S ps s s t... c al l or te xt Joe while t his spo t is s t il l ope n 908-405-1515

ometimes it takes a little dog to bring about a big truth, as Cheryl Christine, a professional musician and composer in Ridgeland, South Carolina, learned. “I was playing the piano at a party and the owners had a hyper little dog. After a while, I started playing some of the music from my CD and the dog stopped, turned around and came up to me, and just sat there and listened. The owners were shocked.”

The mood of dogs and cats can be improved by hearing the right kind of tunes, but it’s important to choose their music wisely, because they are more highly attuned to sensory cues than humans.

Resounding Research The nicest notes for animals have been well studied, especially dogs. Colorado State University researchers found that auditory stimulation with music can be helpful or detrimental. Results of a study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior suggest that dogs sleep more and bark less when they listen to classical music; and they shake more and rise to their feet when exposed to heavy metal music, possibly from nervousness.

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Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., a zoologist and certified applied animal behaviorist in Wisconsin, wrote her dissertation on the effect of different types of sounds upon working domestic animals.

“What is important is not whether the music is ‘classical’ or ‘heavy metal’, but whether it includes a set of acoustic features that appear to be universally associated with soothing or stimulating internal states,” states McConnell in her blog, TheOtherEndOfTheLeash.com.

McConnell explains that, “Pure tones and regular rhythms are associated with positive states.” On the other hand, harsh, noisy tones and irregular rhythms are linked with negative ones. She adds, “A tempo matching an animal’s resting heart rate (or respiration) tends to be calming.”

Composers and musicians are currently writing music specifically for animals with the aim of reducing stress from noise or separation, assisting with healing, controlling overeating and soothing irritability.

Compositions for Cats Christine was volunteering at a local animal shelter that played country music for the cats. “I wondered what

their reaction would be if I wrote some meditative music with different tones—beta/alpha waves—to present to them alternative sounds,” she says. She composed some music and experimented with it in the cat room, noticing that the animals reacted positively to certain tones. That eventually led to a CD for cats, and then one for dogs, with the proceeds donated to the ASPCA and the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, in New York City.

Harmonies for Hounds The Rescue Animal MP3 Project, an organization that has donated free MP3 players filled with music to more than 1,420 animal shelters and sanctuaries, was founded by Pamela Fisher, a holistic veterinarian in North Canton, Ohio.

Calmer animals are more likely to be adopted, and the music is designed to provide a relaxed environment for animals so they can better cope with stressful housing conditions. The MP3s contain a variety of music and artists, including selections like Canine Lullabies, by Terry Woodford, therapeutic music expert; Pet Calm, Pet Healing, by hypnotherapist Rick Collingwood; and Harp Music to Soothe the Savage Beast,

by Alianna Boone, who states, “The structure of the harp is considered to be the most healing instrument next to the human voice.”

Pet owners may need to listen more closely. “We so often focus on other aspects of their environment—Is their dog bed comfy? Does it look pretty to us?—and fail to attend to the impact of sound on our dog’s environment (not to mention our own),” writes McConnell about new animal-music studies.

There are many melodic medleys for pet parents, but buyer beware. “If you’re to spend your money on this, make sure you are looking at music backed by research,” advises Christine.

For more information, visit Cheryl Christine.com.

Julie Peterson writes about wellness for people, animals and the environment.

Reach her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

Celebrate Your Sexuality Together we will: RECLAIM sexuality and sensuality CREATE sense of self love and self acceptance EMBRACE authentic sexual expression RELEASE trauma, shame and guilt AWAKEN sexual energy to bring renewed vitality to your life and your relationships

Michelle provides Sacred Sexuality, Love and Relationship Coaching helping women love, nourish and heal themselves.

Michelle Christine | www.SacredRose444.com michellechristine@sacredrose444.com | 215-345-1966 Sacred Rose located at The Unity Barn 4000 Sawmill Road | Doylestown, PA

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Pet Palliative Care

by David MacDonald

I

t’s not unusual in veterinary medicine that a medical diagnosis is matched with a prognosis—a projection of the progress of the disease state and expected survival time. It is appropriate to establish expectations for the patient, which helps guide treatment, both short- and longterm. Not all diagnoses are good, nor are they bad. Similarly, not all prognoses are good, nor bad.

Unfortunately, challenging medical problems often carry a poor prognosis. In veterinary medicine, the intention is to always provide the best medical care for the best outcome. When including holistic options, it is possible to extend healthy living well beyond the usual expectations, there-

fore improving the prognosis. Examples of exceeding expectations include treatment for kidney disease, liver disease, endocrine disorders and immune-mediated disease, including allergies.

Holistic veterinary medicine has an opportunity to shine a particularly illuminating light on patients with a cancer diagnosis in two important ways; first, the concept of how cancer might develop, and second, offering treatments that are associated with better outcomes.

Cancer and Holistic Options Cancer is, and will likely continue to be, the most challenging medical condition to

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Extending the Reach of Holistic Veterinary Medicine

treat in pet patients. Of course, there are many different types of cancer and variations on the impact of the body. In holistic veterinary medicine, rather than thinking that a particular thing causes cancer, it is accurate to consider that cancer represents a dysfunctional state of how the body performs normal functions.

There are many components yet to be determined in the sequence of events that are responsible for this transformation, but it is likely that diet, gut health and the metabolic state of the body are all pieces of the puzzle. These and other components should be considered critical to understanding the nature of the cancer patient.

This conceptual approach does not suggest that a full understanding of cancer has been fully illuminated at this time, but taking the step of choosing a different perspective is more likely to bear fruit than the current methodology of treating only the manifestation of cancer.

Investigated therapies found to be beneficial in cancer treatment include Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C therapy, Chinese and Western herbs and acupuncture. Many of these treatments are compatible with traditional medications, and do not interfere with conventional cancer treatments. Ultimately, when undertaking a multi-modal approach, a synergy is observed, and better outcomes are achieved than if only one treatment were chosen.

Holistic veterinary practitioners are on the front lines of treating cancer cases, and many cases have a poor prognosis.

The condition and diagnosis are not to be disputed; however, given the opportunity to utilize other treatments, adjustment in the patient’s prognosis may be considered.

In many ways, quality of life becomes the focus. When using holistic veterinary medicine, the ability to improve quality of life despite a poor prognosis is predictably achievable.

Case Study The principles of extending quality of life with a cancer diagnosis are best illustrated by examining a case study of a canine patient with lymphosarcoma.

An 11-year old, female, spayed beagle mix presented for a routine dental NABuxMont.com

procedure but was observed to have severe bruising on the body and under the tongue. The dental was postponed, and bloodwork showed a drastically high white blood cell count and a severely low platelet count. The dog was transferred to an emergency hospital for acute care of the life-threatening blood disorder.

In the course of care, it was discovered that the low platelet count was an effect of cancer called lymphosarcoma in the lymph nodes of her chest. The dog was discharged and started on a corticosteroid.

Prognosis was grim at a few weeks, maybe a month to live.

Through a holistic consultation, diet was improved, and treatment was enhanced with three different Chinese herbal formulas to address the swollen lymph nodes, improve the platelet levels and minimize the spread of the cancer. The dog stayed on the steroid, but at a much lower dose. The dog improved clinically and was stable without any bruising within two weeks. Bloodwork performed during recovery showed that the white blood cell count and platelet levels normalized after three months.

The dog remained in stable equilibrium for an extended time and ultimately was humanely euthanized 15 months following diagnosis.

Despite the cancer diagnosis and a grave prognosis, holistic care allowed the dog to survive with an excellent quality of life for longer than expected. The early treatment at the emergency hospital and the steroid were still important; however, the addition of effective diet and Chinese herbs extended survival time.

Dr. David MacDonald is a veterinarian with Doylestown Veterinary Hospital & Holistic Pet Care, located at 380 N. Shady Retreat Rd. He is a certified veterinary acupuncturist (CVA) and a certified veterinary spinal manipulative therapist (CVSMT). To request an appointment, call 215-345-6000. For more information, visit DoylestownVeterinaryHospital.com. See ad, this page.

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Yoga Corner Svadhyaya

LOCAL

north wales

by Nicole Zornitzer

S

vadhayaya is the art of study of self. As described by some yogis, this practice of understanding the “self ” allows you to know yourself so well that you grow into your wholeness and greatness. This niyama is so important to me that it has become my company’s mission statement.

It is through human conditioning that over time we build walls or barriers around ourselves without even realizing that this process is occurring. These obstructions may occur as a result of a traumatic experience, a failed relationship, a loss of a job or just society telling us what we are supposed to be doing versus what our heart is telling us our true calling is. We begin to identify ourselves as this packaged human behind layers upon layers of protection. It can become suffocating.

Many years ago, a psychic approached me after a class I’d taught and advised me that, as a healer, I needed to protect myself from the negative energy fields around me and that I was susceptible to being taken advantage of or my energy being taken away from me. Subsequently, I spent the next several years creating an even thicker layer of protection around myself, including the use of essential oils for protection, the use of sage to clear the space and practicing self-reiki to keep my energy intact.

What I came to understand, largely due to my education in Ayurveda, is that this advice was not necessarily appropriate for me. While we all need to be cautious of becoming a victim of someone else’s malice, I realized that it is still our given right to be open and experience the offerings that

are presented to us. If we continue to build barriers, we will lose the very lessons life is trying to teach us. We begin to identify with the “packaged individual” versus our own essential being. We forget who we are.

Svadhyaya is the process of understanding who we are behind these walls, unpacking ourselves and finding solace in this process of self-discovery. We can release the ego mind when appropriate and become this witness of self and experience the beauty of self-study.

The process may be difficult; it may be uncomfortable or cause momentary pain; however, it is worth it. When I discuss this concept, I am reminded of a book about a bear that I would read to my son when he was a baby. The bear was trying to explain to his parents that in order to get to their desired destination, it was necessary to go through the challenges; not around them, not under them and certainly not over them.

Healing begins when we literally go through the difficult process of self-discovery, and who we are on the other side of this process opens us to the possibility of knowing and being present with our true self.

namaste Nicole Zornitzer, ERYT 1000, yoga therapist, founder of Niyama Yoga & Wellness Shala, located in Randolph, New Jersey, and Upper Lake Mohawk in Sparta, New Jersey.

NiyamaYogaShala.com.

Kindred Yoga

1364 Welsh Rd 267-664-1022 KindredYogaStudio.com

Whole Body Yoga Studio

103 E Walnut St 215-661-0510 WholeBodyYogaStudio.com

e h t a e br September 2020

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Bucks/Montgomery Community

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Your local source for natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle

Agribusiness

Dentistry - Holistic

Hospice

Fortis Farms, LLC

Holistic Dental Center

Ascend Hospice

Monika Christian and Kiley Doll

Vladimir Gashinsky, DDS

18230 Edwards Shop Rd, Elkwood, VA 540-409-6871 • Hello@GrowFortisFarms.com GrowFortisFarms.com

91 Millburn Ave, Milburn, NJ 973-457-4688 HolisticDentalCenterNJ.com

Fortis Farms’ goal is to create easy access to fresh, local food sources in a sustainable, resource-conserving system. We use and distribute aeroponic garden solutions to produce more, local, lower cost, healthy food in smaller spaces. See ad,

Holistic dental care that is good for the body as well as teeth and gums. By treating the cause, not just the symptoms, Dr. Gashinsky helps improve his patients’ quality of life through dental care that respects and honors the body. See ad, back cover.

page 3.

Behavioral Health

Lanap & Implant Center of PA David DiGiallorenzo, DMD Henry Hsu, DMD

M.E. Matters

184 W Main St, Collegeville 610-409-6064 • PerioImplants.us

Psychological and behavioral health services for individuals, couples, teens and families where mind, body and spirit matter.

We offer neurofeedback, therapy and a spirituality awareness group. Our goal is to help you experience life with increased awareness and without fear. See ad, page 7.

Providing oral health solutions through holistic, biologically compatible and organic practices.

One of the world's most accomplished centers for periodontal and implant care, which integrates wellness services into their therapeutic approach.

Experience with immediate total tooth replacement with metalfree dental implants, treating gum disease with LANAP, a no-cut, no-sew method of treating gum disease, comfortable gum grafting with PRGF, implant denture solutions, and chronic pain management. See ad, page 27.

668 Woodbourne Rd, Ste 108, Langhorne 215-914-5344 MEMatters.org

CBD Oil The Hemp Oil Store Joseph Wilker

Cool Breeze Distributors • 3 E Ave, Yardley 855-904-4367, 267-679-2949 CoolBreezeDist@gmail.com TheHempOilStore.com The Hemp Oil Store is a family-owned CBD store. Our goal is to bring you, your pets, and your loved ones high-quality CBD products at affordable prices. Shop online at TheHempOil Store.com with free shipping. We also have curbside pickup and walk-ins are always welcome.

License Number 82-2609404. See ad, page 11.

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Essential Oils Peggy Washburn Wellness Advocate doTERRA International 208-859-9155 MyPerfectLifeToday.com

Sharing natural health and wellness with the world through doTERRA Essential Oil. I’ve been “changing lives one oil at a time” with doTERRA since 2008. The purity and freshness of every product is unmatched, and the scents are amazing. See ad, page 23.

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108 Cowpath Rd, Stes 3 & 4, Lansdale 215-542-2100 AscendHospice.com Bringing a personalized and holistic approach to hospice care.

Our trained volunteers offer aromatherapy, massage therapy, reiki and pet therapy to bring healing and wholeness to clients and their families. See ad, page 7.

Life Coaching - Gestalt Step Into Joy Healing Arts Joan Summers, Certified Gestalt Coach,

Trauma Professional and Reiki Master 267-272-9343 • StepIntoJoyHealingArts.com Joan@StepIntoJoyHealingArts.com Experience deep and longlasting healing.

Joan offers healing for her clients who are tired of feeling stuck, disconnected or without purpose.

She offers Gestalt Life Coaching, Equine Gestalt Life Coaching and reiki, and you may choose to customize your session. See ad, page 15.

Metaphysical Services Journey To The Self Linda Harbaugh, Intuitive Medium

Certified Life Coach/Reiki Practitioner Linda@JourneyToTheSelf.com JourneyToTheSelf.com • 484-904-9268 Delivering messages of love and guidance from deceased loved ones and spirit guides via readings and intuitive reiki sessions. A certified life coach, Linda also offers intuitive coaching packages to help you navigate life, jobs and relationships.

Psychology degree, former teacher, 30 years business experience. Telephone or in person.

Natural Medicine

Sexuality Coaching

Inner Harmony Wellness Center

Michelle Christine

Peter Amato, PhD, DNM

Sacred Rose

Board Certified Natural Medicine Two PA Locations 647 Wyoming Ave, Kingston 131 Reynolds Rd, Waverly 570-319-6073 • InnerHarmonyWellness.com With 25 years of experience, we get to the root cause of your health concerns. Find out what is causing long-standing health issues and walk away with a precise care plan. Today's chronic illnesses are not located in the blood. We test at the cellular level. Our approach merges applied kinesiology, Quantum Biofeedback and (ART) Autonomic Response Testing developed by Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD. See ad, page 17.

Nutritional Healing Center for Natural Healing Jeffrey L Griffin, DC

Bailiwick Office Campus, Ste 26, Doylestown 215-348-2115 • C4NH.com Feeling poorly? Lacking answers?

Improvement at a standstill?

Locate the source of stress and the treatment becomes obvious.

Mention Dr. Jeff’s 35 years of experience when you call and receive a free phone consultation to learn how we can start helping you today. See ad, page 11.

Reiki Step Into Joy Healing Arts Joan Summers, Certified Intuitive

Reiki Master and Gestalt Coach 267-272-9343 • StepIntoJoyHealingArts.com Joan@StepIntoJoyHealingArts.com Experience peace of mind, enlightened awareness and physical restoration.

The connections between physical pain and emotional trauma are often revealed during an intuitive reiki session. It is a practice of compassion and spiritual connection. See ad, page 15.

Unity Barn, 4000 Sawmill Rd, Doylestown MichelleChristine@SacredRose444.com 215-840-8139 • SacredRose444.com Michelle Christine supports women to reclaim and redefine their sexuality in any stage of their lives. Together we will work on helping you to love, nourish and celebrate yourself and your divine femininity. See ad, page 29.

Spa - Holistic Inner Spa

4 Terry Dr, Ste 12, Atrium Bldg, Newtown Info@InnerSpa.org • 215-968-9000 InnerSpa.org • InnerVitalitySpa.com A fully organic, holistic, eco-friendly wellness spa featuring an array of detoxification, cleansing and therapeutic services. The spa is one of the only facilities in the area to offer colon hydrotherapy. See ad, page 23.

Thermography Lisa's Thermography and Wellness

Lisa Mack, CCT, HHC • 855-667-9338 Thermographer and Holistic Counselor See website for locations in NJ, NY & PA Lisa@LisasThermographyAndWellness.com LisasThermographyAndWellness.com Thermography gives an early look at the most important indicator of a potential health problem — inflammation. Earlystage disease screening is an area in which thermography excels. Whether your pain is acute or chronic, or you are merely curious about the state of your health, thermography can help provide answers. Radiation-free breast and full-body screenings for men and women. See ad, pg 29.

Veterinary - Holistic Doylestown Veterinary Hospital & Holistic Pet Care 380 N Shady Retreat Rd, Doylestown 215-345-6000 DoylestownVeterinaryHospital.com

Improving the lives of pets through acupuncture, herbal therapy, homeopathy, nutritional counseling and integration of holistic therapies with conventional medicine for customized approach to care. See ad, page 31.

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