Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey / February 2023

Nexus for Consciousness, Healing and Hope

Mindful Practices That Nurture Intimacy

Avoiding Heart Disease Begins in Childhood

Ingredients to Heal the Heart

Easy Steps to Detoxify the Home

Improving Mood With Vagus Nerve Toning

Beautyrest to name a few. We have something for everyone at all prices. ...a truly ONE OF A KIND store!

Over 30 Years Family Experience.

Once a Cus tomer Always a Customer.

Education is our top priority

From one of our satisfied customers. Free Deliver y (over $899)

We spent months searching for a mattress and were so glad to have found Hibernate Bedding in Bernardsville, NJ. They are friendly, professional and helpful we learned a lot about organic mattresses. Mike and Pam were delightful to work with. They went out of their way to ensure that we had a great purchasing, delivery and set up experience. If you are in the market for a mattress and don't want the typical sales experience that you receive from a big box store where they pressure you, then visit Hibernate Bedding. You'll be glad you did.

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Serving the counties and surrounding areas of Morris, Union, Sussex & Essex. Natural Awakenings ~ your muse for a healthy YOU and a healthy PLANET.

publisher letter

79 is the New 60

Thismonth I was blessed to have reached a milestone in my life—a 79th birthday. It was hard for me to look in a mirror at 70 and accept that number, and today it’s not that much easier. I know that acceptance is a key to running a smoother life and a contributing corner stone of a well-balanced personality, but 79! I still feel 30-something.

Publisher Joe Dunne

Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

908-405-1515 • Fax 239-920-5147

Managing Editor Kathy Tarbell

Kathy@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

908-912-4569 • 770-867-2101 direct

Design & Production Kathy Tarbell

Contributing Writer Kiki Powers

Digital Marketing Kristy Mayer

Joe Dunne, Publisher

Years ago, a favorite college course on “Interpersonal Communications” introduced me to Looking Out, Looking In, a self-discovery view of how to develop and fit into a moral society. I’m happy to report to myself that at 79, looking out at the world, I still feel like a kid. I’ve had to learn a lot the hard way and I’ll always be a work in progress—working on the inside and caring about the outside. But the gratitude I feel to have reached this milestone is enormous. Life has been good to me, and I hope that continues for a long time. With good health, hitting 100 sounds terrific.

Along the way, I’ve become aware of a few things. I wish I could have known these things 55 years ago, for my sake, as well as for my children (ages 53 to 20), but I needed life to teach me what is really important. Here is only a small sample of what I discovered when I started paying attention.

Smile often, society needs it | Believe in yourself, and take good care of you | Don’t judge others; you do not have that right | Be real, be you, be honest | Treat all people with respect | Risk Love | Always take Full Responsibility for yourself | Accept life as it is delivered to you | Be humble | Question what needs to be questioned | Remember being right is, not always that important | Make mistakes | Take risks | Develop integrity | Help others | Be grateful; every day is a gift | Stand for something | Hug a lot of people, especially your family | Know your human rights | Have empathy | Watch what you eat, I still believe it is key to good health | Learn to meditate | Make a difference in the world | Live with passion | Nurture your soul |Be a lifelong learner, saver, and memory maker for yourself, and your family | Chill out. Worry will never put another day on your life | Remember “It is not what you know in life that is important; It is what you do with what you know that matters.”

Learning that I was responsible for my own happiness has been one of my life’s great lessons. I was always looking for someone to fix me, to make me feel better, happier. I wanted someone else to make life softer, easier but that was just a dream. I should have been looking in rather than looking out. Today I know that “I am responsible for me,” for my thoughts, behaviors, actions, and decisions. Once I finally learned that, I realized that I wouldn’t have it any other way because it also means that you are responsible for you, and I do not have to shoulder that responsibility.

So I’m glad that 79 is the new 60. I still have time to develop, learn and grow, and make progress in my life’s wonderful journey.

With peace, love and laughter,

Accounting/Billing Asta Dunne

Asta@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

908-405-4040

SALES & MARKETING

Joe Dunne • Bedminster, NJ 908-405-1515

Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

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CEO Kimberly B. Whittle

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© 2023 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. 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.

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Directory of Advertisers

The Heart of Oneness Holistic Expo Returns to Edison

Getready to affirm, align and arrive in 2023. Experience an incredible weekend of healing, upliftment and transformation on the weekend of March 3-5, at the NJ Convention and Exposition Center in Edison. The Heart of Oneness Holistic Expo features over 150 healers, readers, crystals, unique shopping, psychics, aura photography and so much more.

The two-day expo includes over free lectures, workshops and special guest presentations on Saturday and Sunday that are certain to spark and awaken connections both far and wide for all.

Witness and be a part of this co-creative, collaborative holistic and spiritual event with some of the finest practitioners and share in the celebration. Organizers look forward to connecting hearts and communities while supporting wellness as a way of being.

Tickets, available through the website and at the door, are free on Friday and $10 on Saturday or Sunday, and $15 for a weekend pass. The first 200 people, 18 years and older, will receive a free tote at the door on Saturday and Sunday.

Location: NJ Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Ave, Edison. Hours: Friday, 5-9pm; Saturday, 10am-7pm; and Sunday 10am-5pm. For more information, visit HeartOfOnenessHolisticExpo.com. To apply and register as an Exhibitor, call 732-508-7990. See ad, page 25.

Eat More Wild Seafood

Kwee-Jack

Fish Co. offers wild, sustainably harvested Alaskan halibut and cod ordered online from February 1 through 28, with local pick-up in May. Wild Alaskan salmon is available to order online in April or May for local pick-up in September, October or November at locations in Lancaster, York, Mechanicsburg, Chambersburg, Altoona and Florham Park, New Jersey.

Annual bulk purchases for local pick-up offer the best price, and convenient year-round shipping to every state but Alaska and Hawaii is also available. For two decades, this family-owned and fishermen-operated model has provided access to the best wild Alaskan seafood. For a direct connection to the fisherman or fisherwoman, allow their community supported fishery to provide ethically harvested, wild and delicious nutrition.

Cost varies. A personalized referral code allows customers to give others $20 off while accumulating $10 off per referral purchase. For more information, call Anna Echo-Hawk at 717-8420180, email Anna@EatWildSalmon.com or visit EatWildSalmon.com. See ad, page 9.

“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Change Your

Become Certified in a Breakthrough StressReduction Program

Brett Cotter, founder of Stress Is Gone, is conducting a live, interactive 30-hour program for Stress Is Gone Certification from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from February 15 through May 10 via zoom. The certification program guides participants step-by-step in mastering the Stress Is Gone method. This innovative relaxation program empowers one to stop stress in seconds; release anxiety in minutes; heal trauma naturally; and stop negative thinking quickly.

An additional 18 hours of training includes attendance at live Stress Is Gone meditation classes and other Live Stress Is Gone trainings. Certification includes lifetime access to the Stress Is Gone masterclass and three weekly meditation classes that meet via Zoom. Those certified can pursue further training and certification to become a Stress Is Gone Coach, Meditation Teacher and/or Workshop Facilitator. Cotter has 20 years’ experience and is certified by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. He shares, “This certification is perfect for people who are ready to break free from stress and anxiety; reconnect to source; embody self-love; and better their own life and the lives of those around them.” The core modality is certified by the American Institute of Stress and the company is accredited by the International Mindfulness & Meditation Alliance.

Cost is $977. Scholarships are available for veterans, first responders, frontline healthcare workers and inner city teachers. For more information, call 833.867.3529, email brett@stressisgone.com or visit StressIsGone. com. See

with Hibernate Bedding Sleep Deeply

Afamily business, Hibernate Bedding opened in 2012 and is owned and operated by Pamela Nardone, a lifelong resident of the Somerset Hills.

Pam recognizes that shopping for a mattress can be a difficult, annoying and for some an extremely painful experience, but not at Hibernate Bedding. “We try to make it fun for people to shop,” says Nardone, whose warm, friendly personality helps put customers at ease. “Many of my customers are now my friends and come visit me all the time.”

Hibernate’s product selection is geared toward organic, natural, and chemical free mattresses such as Vispring Luxury Beds, Millbrook Luxury Beds, both from England, OMI Organic Mattresses, IVY Organics, Naturepedic, Savvy Rest, Harvest Green, and Paramount.

They also carry the more well known traditional mattress manufacturers including Stearns & Foster, Sealy Posturepedic, and Beautyrest along with organic crib mattresses and a nice selection of headboards, platform beds, adjustable comfort bases, sheets and toppers.

Having the right pillow is just as important as having the right mattress. Hibernate has a huge selection of pillows including organic options filled with wool, cotton, and latex. Customizable down and down alternative pillows are available with monogramming and embroidery options, which make wonderful gifts.

Pam does her best to educate people on the benefits of sleeping on an organic or chemical free mattress. Most conventional mattresses contain polyurethane foams, flame retardants, and glues that off gas VOC particles which can cause various symptoms from itchiness and sore throat to lethargy, sleepiness, sleeplessness and obvious signs of poisoning. These particles are also known to be carcinogenic and exposure to them can be linked to a number of serious health conditions including cancer, developmental brain disorders, and obesity. Nardone says, “Why take that risk? We are exposed to enough chemicals in our daily lives. Our bedrooms should be a healthy and safe place for all of us, especially our children.”

Most importantly, Pam and Mike want you to have fun and feel relaxed while in Hibernate Bedding, so be prepared to have a good laugh and an easy process in purchasing your new mattress.

Visit Hibernate Bedding at the Bernardsville Centre, 80 Morristown Road, Bernardsville. For more information, call 908-766-5450 and visit HibernateBedding.com. See ad, page 2.

Dr. Justin Ponquinette, DMD and board certified, practices the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery including full mouth rehabilitation. We can also diagnose and treat facial pain, facial injuries, TMJ disorders, remove wisdom teeth, and perform a full range of dental implant and bone grafting procedures. Our staff is trained in assisting with I.V. sedation within our state of the art office setting.

We do things differently.

At Atlantic Oral Surgery Center, we embrace homeopathy, laser/light therapy, ozone therapy, supplementation and more to provide a higher caliber of care to our patients.

• Autogenous Blood Products (PRF)

• Ceramic (Metal-Free) Implants

• Homeopathy

• Laser/Light Therapy

• Ozone (O3 Super-Charged Oxygen)

HHHHH

“Dr. Ponquinette and his team are exceptional. ... Not only is Dr. P a talented surgeon but he offers advanced technology that no one else has (ie- cold laser, PRF, and ozone.) ... Since my surgery, I’ve finally been able to regain my health. It’s amazing how quickly the body can bounce back once an infection is finally removed.”

— Molly G.

We offer methods to promote/ provide oral health while respecting and embracing the body’s ability to heal itself.

event spotlight

Whittle is quick to celebrate the visionary behind Natural Awakenings , which has had an almost 30-year run across American cities, saying, “I am thankful for the tremendous leadership, vision and spirit that Natural Awakenings founder Sharon Bruckman instilled in this great publication—which I have been reading, enjoying and benefitting from for many years—and I look forward to continuing her legacy as part of the KnoWEwell family.”

Natural Awakenings is—and will continue to be—a franchise with scores of publishers in different markets. “As a franchisee, each publisher manages their own magazine, collaborating with local businesses and producing hyperlocal news reporting and feature stories about people and events in their hometowns. Because they’re right there, they are wellequipped to connect readers with the best

PUBLISHING CORPORATION

noWEwell, P.B.C., the Regenerative Whole Health benefits and services company, acquired Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation in December, 2022. “This is a transformational moment for both companies. Readers and consumers looking for trusted knowledge and education related to whole health, sustainable green living and community connections, locally and globally, will surely benefit from this collaboration,” says Kimberly Whittle, CEO of both companies.local resources. Publishers also are able to offer their readers national articles that are produced by a team of professional journalists. It’s the best of both worlds,” says Whittle.

KnoWEwell operates the Regenerative Whole Health Hub, a digital ecosystem, community and marketplace that centralizes global health and well-being knowledge, resources and connections. With a mission to transform health care, it is connecting the dots between regenerative organic agriculture, lifestyle choices, social issues and environmental solutions to inspire and empower individuals to prevent harm, address the root causes of chronic disease and achieve “WELLthier Living”.

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Mental Health Benefits of Breastfeeding

Add maternal mental health benefits to the well-documented physical advantages that breastfeeding offers to moms and their infants. A systematic review published in the Journal of Women’s Health found that breastfeeding was associated with overall improved maternal mental health outcomes. A majority of the studies concluded that breastfeeding was connected to fewer mental health symptoms. Thirty-six of the 55 articles reported significant relationships between breastfeeding and reduced symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety. Notably, when breastfeeding challenges arose or when the actual experience of breastfeeding didn’t meet expectations, five studies reported negative mental health symptoms.

The researchers suggest that breastfeeding may have protective effects on mental health due to the release of oxytocin—also known as the love hormone—which is associated with decreased maternal stress levels and anxiety. This suggests that breastfeeding may have immediate, short-term effects on maternal mood. Further research is needed to help provide better personalized breastfeeding and mental health counseling to moms.

Zinc for Colds and Flu

A study published in BMJ Open evaluated the use of zinc for the prevention or treatment of acute viral respiratory tract infections (RTI) in adults. As a treatment for colds and flu, zinc reduced symptoms by two days, compared to the placebo. The researchers surmised that of 100 people with upper respiratory infections, 19 of them recovered by day seven as a result of the zinc treatment. Symptom severity appeared to be lower for those treated with zinc—with improvements seen by day three. Those taking zinc experienced an 87 percent lower risk of developing severe symptoms.

In terms of the prevention of colds and flu-like illness, taking zinc was found to have a modest effect compared to the placebo, with one out of 20 infections prevented. Preventive effects were most significant in reducing severe symptoms. Overall, there was evidence suggesting zinc might prevent RTI symptoms and shorten its duration. Researchers were unable to clearly ascertain the efficacy of different dosages and delivery (oral or nasal spray).

Weighted Blanket for Better Sleep

Weighted blankets may be a non-drug option to help ease conditions like insomnia and anxiety by allowing the body to release more melatonin (a hormone that promotes sleep) at bedtime.

In a new study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden measured the amount of melatonin, oxytocin and cortisol in the saliva of subjects after sleeping with either a light blanket or a weighted blanket. They found that using a weighted blanket helped naturally increase production of melatonin by 32 percent. There were no significant changes in the levels of oxytocin, cortisol or sympathetic nervous system activity.

Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind and spirit—the realization that everything we do, think, feel and believe has an effect on our state of well-being.

~Greg Anderson

Herbal Toothpaste Deemed Safe and Effective

Toothpaste containing certain plant-derived extracts was found to be effective in the prevention or treatment of gingivitis and early-stage periodontitis, according to a study published in Dentistry Journal. The authors noted that people should still get regular, in-depth cleanings and treatments to maintain oral hygiene, and that antibacterial herbal extracts have safer toxicity profiles for human use.

In the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with a previous diagnosis of gingivitis or initial stages of periodontitis were given an experimental toothpaste or the control toothpaste for a 60-day trial period, during which time they brushed twice daily. The experimental toothpaste contained chemical components and extracts of German chamomile, sage, arnica and echinacea. The control toothpaste contained only chemical active ingredients.

The herbs used in the study showed positive anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic and antibacterial actions. Patients in the experimental group experienced diminished bleeding of the gums and teeth whitening. The indices of gingivitis, general oral hygiene, plaque, tartar buildup and mild periodontitis decreased in both groups over the trial period. While both toothpastes eliminated several bacterial periodontal pathogens, the experimental one was more efficient against several of them.

Put On a Happy Face

According to a new study led by Stanford University and published in Nature Human Behaviour, positioning our facial muscles into a smile can actually cause us to feel happier. Researchers collected data from 3,878 participants across 19 countries, using three techniques:

n Mimicking facial expressions of actors seen in photos

n Moving the corners of their mouths to their cheeks using only their facial muscles

n Using the “pen-in-mouth” technique, which moves facial muscles in a simulated smile shape

The study found a noticeable increase in feelings of happiness from people that mimicked smiling photographs or pulled their mouth toward their ears.

One Step Closer to Fusion Power

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced the achievement of fusion ignition at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). This is a major scientific breakthrough decades and billions of dollars in the making, paving the way for us to be able to produce clean fusion energy. Fusion power is considered a game-changer because it would allow us to produce electricity with no carbon footprint or radioactive waste, using fewer resources than it takes to harness solar and wind power.

On December 5, 2022, the LLNL team conducted the first controlled fusion experiment in history to reach what is known as “scientific energy breakeven”, meaning that it produced more energy from fusion than the laser energy used to drive it. Merely a theory until now, fusion combines two light nuclei to form a single heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy. To achieve this milestone, LLNL built a series of powerful laser systems housed in a facility the size of a sports stadium. The lasers create temperatures and pressures comparable to cores of stars and giant planets. There are still enormous challenges to be tackled in the decades ahead. The first is to develop machinery capable of affordably turning the reaction into electricity without destroying the machinery in the process. The hope is to address these challenges in time to have a positive impact on climate change.

Reforestation Is More Than Planting Trees

The United Nations designated 2021 to 2030 the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. To that end, the European Union and 26 nations, along with donor support, recently pledged $16 billion to protect, restore and sustainably manage forests. A significant portion of the monies will be spent on reforestation.

Many reforestation projects focus on the number of trees planted, with less attention to how well they survive, how diverse the resulting forests are or how much carbon they store. A study of data from 176 reforestation sites found that on average only 44 percent of newly planted trees last more than five years, with some sites reporting a sapling survival rate of less than 20 percent.

Several studies have explored ways to improve survival rates. Promising measures include planting near mature trees, fencing out cattle, improving soil conditions, planting native species first to pave the way for other tree species and involving local people to support reforestation efforts.

Finding Hydrogen in Oil Wells

Climate change has spurred researchers and companies to develop fuels with zero carbon emissions. A simple solution is hydrogen because it burns without carbon emissions and is seemingly everywhere—under our feet and in every glass of water. The challenge is obtaining a reliable, safe and sustainable volume of hydrogen at a reasonable cost. There are several methods used today to produce pure hydrogen in large quantities. Most hydrogen is a byproduct of natural gas or coal gasification.

Cemvita Factory, a Texas biotech firm, field-tested a new method of hydrogen production in July, 2022, by injecting a propriety combination of bacteria and nutrients into a depleted oil well. Once inside, the microbes broke down the oil dregs to generate hydrogen and CO2. Cemvita Factory estimates there are more than 1,000 depleted oil wells in the United States that are suitable for their microbial treatment. While hydrogen production using depleted oil wells is getting some interest and attention, it still appears to be at a relatively early stage of development. One challenge faced by Cemvita Factory and other innovators in this area is how to prevent the CO2 from leaking into the atmosphere and contributing to climate change. Methods to capture, store or neutralize the CO2 byproduct will need to be developed.

If staying

in

Regenerative Medicine utilizes your own cells, including Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to facilitate your body’s natural ability to heal from orthopedic and spine problems that were previously treated with steroids and surgery.

We specialize in treating pain in the spine and joints including osteoarthritis. With minimal down time, Regenerative Medicine can help you return to work, sports and activities quickly.

The right food choices don’t just prevent heart disease and help shrink artery plaque, they also nourish and heal the heart. For a healthy ticker, enjoy these five food groups every day.

Fabulous Fiber

Fiber is the roughage in vegetables, fruits, beans and nuts, and it is loaded with age-busting nutrients. Eating fiber suppresses appetite, promotes weight loss, improves blood sugar and cholesterol levels, decreases inflammation and feeds a healthy gut microbiome.

The challenge is to get more fiber every day. Too often, people consume fiber from processed grains and flour, and the sugar load that comes with grain fiber has many adverse impacts on heart health. The best option is to enjoy daily fiber from the following sources: three cups of colorful vegetables; two pieces of fruit, such as one cup of berries and one apple; two handfuls of nuts and seeds; and one-half to one cup of beans.

Nourish the Heart

FOODS THAT PROMOTE CARDIAC HEALING

by Steven Masley, M.D., FAHA, FACN, CNS

Beneficial Beverages

Smart Fat

Clinical studies show that enjoying fats from seafood, extra-virgin olive oil and nuts decreases the risk of a heart attack and stroke without causing weight gain. Healthy fats improve cholesterol levels, assist with blood sugar control, are critical for the brain, improve hormone balance and reduce inflammation.

Fats enhance the texture of food, adding that smooth, creamy mouth feel to a meal that makes eating a pleasure. Enjoy healthy fats from avocados, seeds and dark chocolate daily.

Clean (Not Mean) Protein

Raising animals in large-scale conventional operations with cruel living conditions is not just mean, it also produces less nutritious meat that can be loaded with hormones, antibiotics and pesticides. Choose clean protein instead, which does not contain added hormones, pesticides and other toxins. Good sources of protein are organic dairy products and eggs, wild seafood and animal protein that has been grass-fed or organically fed while living on open pasture. Beans are also a great protein-packed choice that improves blood sugar and cholesterol profiles. They are the most powerful anti-aging food ever tested.

Start with at least four cups of water per day. It doesn’t matter whether it’s flat or sparkling, so long as it’s pure. Pure water can be purchased or made at home or at work with a reverse osmosis filter system.

Except for people that are caffeine sensitive, one to two servings of caffeinated beverages can be enjoyed daily. In moderation, those tea and coffee pigments are good for us.

Don’t forget a fiber- and protein-rich smoothie to stay satisfied and revved up all morning. A balanced and delicious recipe includes one serving of protein powder, frozen organic cherries or blueberries, almond milk and chia seeds.

Take advantage of the option to enjoy wine with dinner—just be sure to limit wine intake to no more than two servings daily. Avoid any beverage with added sugar or commercial sweeteners. Don’t be fooled into drinking juice; without the fiber, fruit juice is much closer to drinking soda than to eating fruit.

Powerful Probiotics

Not only do probiotics help gut function—a healthy gut microbiome decreases inflammation and supports weight control. The latest research reveals that the microbes in the gut have a dramatic impact on the risk for heart disease, as well. Because healthy microbes feed on fiber, eating fiber is good for the gut microbiome, too.

The right gut microbes offer numerous benefits. They lower harmful cholesterol levels, improve blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure to normal levels, assist with weight loss, decrease inflammation and decrease

production of trimethylamine N-oxide (also known as TMAO), a marker for heart disease. Support the gut microbiome by eating probiotic food sources daily, such as yogurt,

kefir, sauerkraut, pickled veggies and miso.

Dr. Steven Masley is a physician, nutritionist, trained chef, clinical professor at the

University of South Florida and creator of health programs for public television. He is the author of The 30-Day Heart Tune-Up. Learn more at DrMasley.com.

1 tsp Italian herb seasoning

2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped

8 large cage-free, organically fed eggs

2 Tbsp organic, whole fat milk (or sour cream)

½ cup organic Comté (or Gruyère) cheese, grated

¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated

FRITTATA WITH SPINACH, MUSHROOMS AND CHEESE

YIELD: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS

½ pound fresh spinach, washed and drained, stems removed, chopped

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

½ medium sweet onion, finely chopped

2 cups mushrooms, sliced

½ tsp sea salt

Preheat oven to 375° F. Place spinach in a saucepan with ½ cup of water. Cover with a lid and allow to steam on high heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and drain; squeeze out excess water. Set aside.

Heat a sauté pan to medium heat; add olive oil, then onion; stir occasionally. After 1 minute, add mushrooms and continue heating for about 3 to 4 minutes until the onion is translucent and the mushrooms

3 small zucchini, chopped into ½-inch cubes (about 2½ cups)

2 small yellow squash, chopped into ½-inch cubes (about 2 cups)

2 Tbsp white wine

3 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 2½ cups)

4 medium garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp fresh rosemary, diced

1 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped

⅛ tsp paprika or cayenne powder (or to taste)

have softened. Add garlic and Italian herbs and heat 1 minute, then remove from heat. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Stir in the Comté or Gruyère cheese, steamed spinach and sautéed onions with mushrooms.

Grease a pie dish with extra virgin olive oil, then pour the egg and vegetable mixture into the pie dish. Sprinkle Parmigiano Reggiano cheese over the top.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it has the texture of custard—trembling and barely set. For a golden crust, turn on the broiler for the last couple minutes of baking, but don’t over-bake, or it will get tough. Check it 5 minutes before it’s supposed to be done.

This recipe and photo were excerpted from The Mediterranean Method. ©2019 Steven Masley, M.D. Used with permission of Harmony Books. All rights reserved.

tastes better when served the next day. Steam eggplant on the stove top for 6 minutes or microwave in a glass container for 4 minutes. Cook until tender.

RATATOUILLE

YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

1 medium eggplant (remove ends and any damaged skin), cut into 1-inch cubes

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium sweet onion, diced

½ tsp sea salt

¼ tsp ground black pepper

½ tsp oregano, dried

½ tsp fines herbes (or Italian herb seasonning), dried

1 lb firm tofu, cubed, or 15 oz cooked cannellini beans (optional)

Fresh herbs for garnish (parsley, basil, and/ or thyme)

This fragrant side dish from southern France is packed with nutrients. It goes well with chicken or fish, and especially a soufflé. To convert this from a side dish to a complete meal, add 1 pound of cubed tofu or 15 ounces of cooked cannellini beans. Can be served hot or cold and usually

Heat a pan on medium heat and add olive oil; add the onion, salt, black pepper, oregano and fines herbes. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes or until onions are soft and translucent. Add zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant and wine; stir. Cover and heat for 3 to 4 minutes, until the vegetables soften, stirring occasionally. Add the tomatoes, garlic and fresh herbs; cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 4 to 10 minutes, until squash softens and the flavors blend.

For a touch of heat, add paprika or cayenne pepper. Garnish with fresh herbs.

Excerpted from The 30-Day Heart TuneUp. Copyright © 2021 Dr. Steven Masley, Used with permission from Little, Brown Spark, New York, NY. All rights reserved.

BRUCE CRYER on His Love Affair With the Heart

by Kirby Baldwin

Bruce Cryer has been called a Renaissance man because of a varied, four-decade career as a singer, actor, dancer, publisher, author, marketing executive, teacher and coach. In New York City, he played The Boy for 800 performances in the world’s longest running musical, The Fantasticks. He co-authored the book, From Chaos to Coherence: The Power to Change Performance, was lead writer of the Harvard Business Review article titled “Pull the Plug on Stress” and taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Cryer was part of the original leadership team and former CEO of the HeartMath Institute, which has scientifically studied heart-brain communications and deepened our understanding of how the workings of the heart can influence human perceptions, emotions, intuition and health. For three decades, he has dedicated himself to developing and teaching stress reduction and resilience techniques that tap into the power and intelligence of the heart.

As one of the leaders of HeartMath, what did you hope to achieve?

Part of what motivated me to join the original HeartMath team was the notion that the heart is much more than a pump. The values we associate with the heart— courage, wisdom, love, compassion—were being viewed as completely separate from the physical heart. Before founding HeartMath, Doc Childre discovered that anything he did in life that succeeded—a job, a diet, an exercise program, a relationship—worked better if he “put his heart into it”. Childre also realized that every major religion, culture and civilization revered the heart throughout history. However, the Western scientific method had reduced the human body to individual components and viewed the heart as a “fantastical machine”. This perspective was inadequate to explain the profound feelings of love, care and even grief we experience in the heart.

How has HeartMath evolved through the years?

The core message of HeartMath has always been this: Human beings have a remarkably well-integrated system with physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions. The heart’s intelligence helps to coordinate all these aspects. The phrase “follow your heart” has actual scientific meaning.

HeartMath’s work has been validated through more than 400 peer-reviewed studies. When we started in the early 1990s, we were a research, education and training organization. Our discoveries using heart-rate variability proved to a mainstream, scientific audience that individuals can regulate their hearts, minds and emotions to produce profound changes in health, well-being, brain function and performance.

How can HeartMath positively impact people’s lives?

HeartMath is a beautiful and simple system that allows people to adapt to life’s relentless change and uncertainty and find balance. The brain directly benefits from

the heart’s balancing capacity, which then facilitates expression, communication, listening, reaction times, coordination and emotional strength.

Having survived two life-threatening conditions and then rediscovering many sources of creative expression in myself, I’ve learned that our capacity to keep growing and learning is one of the greatest gifts of being human. Research is now confirming that the more we stay active, interested and curious in life, the more we continue to create a flexible, youthful brain. A childlike spirit of delight and wonder is something we can tap into our entire lives.

How do you practice HeartMath in your own life?

I use heart-focused breathing many times each day. The idea is to inhale for about five seconds and then exhale for about five seconds while keeping your focus in the area of the heart. This 10-second cycle is the optimal pace allowing our systems to find balance and coherence. Sometimes I sit and radiate love to someone I care about or a situation in trouble. Heartfocused breathing has been an integral part of my life for 30 years. I do this not only to maximize my own health physically, mentally and emotionally, but also to connect with humanity as one family, one heart.

Why do you encourage people to develop heartfocused coherence?

The heart is a key center of intelligence for our human system. The practice of breathing and focusing our attention on the heart is the first step to bring the heart and brain into coherent alignment. As we breathe in qualities we value—kindness, compassion, love—and then exhale worries, tension, anxiety or fear, a surprising power is unleashed. More than 30 years ago, I dedicated my life to this path of the heart. It’s an incredible journey.

Kirby Baldwin writes and edits for KnoWEwell, the Regenerative Whole Health Hub and the parent company of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp.

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A New Chapter— Nexus for Consciousness, Healing and Hope

by Brooke Goode

In 1994, the same year Jeff Bezos founded Amazon and Deepak Chopra laid the first bricks on his path to enlightenment, Sharon Bruckman created Natural Awakenings magazine. Each a visionary. Each ahead of their time.

By the late 1990s Americans had developed a voracious appetite for well-researched, practical information about the latest natural approaches to nutrition, fitness, personal growth and sustainable living. The Natural Awakenings franchise was born, expanding into the largest

franchise publishing network in the health and wellness industry.

As the magazine’s 25th anniversary issue, published in 2019, explained, Natural Awakenings was woven from the threads of grit, inspiration and serendipity, creating a tapestry of health, healing and mindfulness. In an interview appearing in that issue, Bruckman clarified her purpose, saying, “The why that has been keeping me ‘on purpose’ can be found in the same mission

statement that inspired me to create Natural Awakenings: to inspire and empower people to awaken to their highest potential, so together we can create a world that works for all living things.”

The world’s delicate ecosystem, now in crisis, was also in need of help. “The critical issues we now address in Natural Awakenings like genetically modified foods and climate change—were just emerging in serious public discourse then, but have since grown in urgency,” Bruckman said. “The good news is that in the past 25 years, viable solutions in renewable technologies, organic farming methods and holistic healthcare practices have made great strides; now they just have to be implemented on grander scale.”

Shortly after the 25th anniversary issue was published, Joe Dunne, Natural Awakenings’ COO, had a serendipitous meeting with Kimberly Whittle, founder and CEO of KnoWEwell. One conversation later, he was certain that Whittle and Bruckman should meet, given their shared vision and mission. Dunne describes KnoWEwell’s online Regenerative Whole Health Hub as “WebMD, NEJM [New England Journal of Medicine], Match.com, Home Advisor, LinkedIn, Facebook, Amazon, Quora, Medium and Apple News all rolled into one for health.” A week later, Whittle was on a plane to Florida to visit Bruckman at her home. It was the start of a providential relationship between two visionaries determined to bring natural healing, health and hope to individuals and families.

A decade earlier, in 2009, Whittle was driven by a series of family health crises to embark on a search for solutions. Deep diving into evidence-based research, she traveled the country to multiple integrative and functional medicine practitioner conferences. “I was blessed to find tremendous success in the prevention and healing of chronic conditions through what today is defined as Regenerative Whole Health, a broad spectrum of global healing approaches and therapies that consider the whole person—mind, body and spirit—connecting the dots between soil, food, lifestyle choices, planet and personal health to help prevent and address the root causes of chronic diseases,” she explains. “I began as a mom on a mission. As I grew into my family’s healer, and then a health and well-being resource for my friends, I felt a deep yearning to go beyond my community and help more people.”

Combining her entrepreneurial spirit, professional experiences, passion and purpose, Whittle formed KnoWEwell as a force for good in the world, to pay it forward and make it easier for others facing their own health crises, and to pay it back to the professional organizations and providers that helped her family heal. Much like Natural Awakenings, KnoWEwell’s mission is to transform health care by

inspiring and empowering individuals with the knowledge, resources and community to proactively prevent harm, address chronic diseases and create “WELLthier Living” for themselves, their families, humanity and the planet.

Last December, KnoWEwell acquired Natural Awakenings, creating an integrated ecosystem that is committed to community, spanning the information gaps, providing immersive multimedia educational experiences and fostering trusted connections locally and globally. Together, these two companies are set to be the solution for consciousness, healing and hope.

A World in Crisis Needs Our Collective Help

Individually and collectively, we are facing unprecedented challenges. Human and planetary health are in crisis, and they are inextricably linked. According to the World Health Organization, climate change is the biggest global health threat confronting humanity.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that 33 percent of the Earth’s soils are already degraded, and more than 90 percent could become degraded by 2050. Soil erosion decreases agriculture productivity and contributes to a host of environmental threats. It can take up to 1,000 years to produce just two to three centimeters of soil.

While gene-edited crops are being promoted by the world’s largest chemical companies as “giving mother nature a boost,” Jeffrey Smith, founder of the Institute for Responsible Technology, warns, “With gene editing techniques, such as CRISPR, nature could be permanently corrupted by countless GMOs, and our food supply—including organic—could be overrun.”

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Meanwhile, six in 10 adults and more than half of all children have a chronic health condition. The problem, Whittle believes, is that while our conventional medical system excels at acute care for an injury or a heart attack, it was never designed to treat chronic conditions, focusing more on the symptoms than the root cause of disease. Studies show there is a roughly 17-year lag between new research and mainstream health and medicine practices.

Hope for People and Planet

Evidence-based research is proving that while our DNA may be our ancestry, it is not necessarily our destiny. According to Dr. Jeffrey Bland, the father of functional medicine, “Our gene expression is altered by numerous influences including environment, lifestyle, diet, activity patterns, psycho-social-spiritual factors and stress. These lifestyle choices and environmental exposures can push us toward (or away from) disease by turning on—or off—certain genes.” Ninety percent of the risks of chronic disease are due to non-genetic factors, and with the right knowledge and resources, individuals can change their lifestyle and environment to prevent and reverse chronic health conditions.

Rodale Institute, a leader in organic farming education and research, points to the importance of farming methods in addressing the health and planet crises. According to the organization, “Hope is right below our feet. Healthier soil grows healthier plants, and healthier plants are more nutritious plants. In our work at Rodale Institute, we’re investigating the links between soil health and human health and proving that organic [farming] can feed the world.”

Research by Rodale Institute has confirmed that adoption of regenerative organic farming practices could capture more than 100 percent of current, human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Rodale Institute researchers concluded, “We now know enough to have real hope, and with this hope comes the responsibility to journey down a new path.”

Millennials are leading the way on conscious living, flocking to integrative options and opting for more “natural” care, long advocated by Natural Awakenings. They now constitute the largest

sector of the U.S. workforce with annual spending power of $600 billion. Close to 60 percent of millennials research information about health and nutrition online and on social media. This health-conscious generation believes good health is both a personal and social responsibility. They are early adopters of wearable technology and prefer organically grown, locally sourced and ethically raised foods. But consumers of all ages are overwhelmed by information and unverified online sources in the fragmented whole health market.

Looking Forward

The World Economic Forum reported in 2021 that health care is undergoing a digital revolution that requires multi-stakeholder collaboration and the bridging of information gaps by fusing the digital and analog worlds. The 2017 industry white paper “The Rise of Well-

care”, by PricewaterhouseCoopers, concluded that integrated ecosystems for the consumer in the healthcare industry are essential. This paradigm would include products, services, social media, commu-

nity and environmental activism. The good news is that the local Natural Awakenings print magazines, together with KnoWEwell's Regenerative Whole Health Hub, a global digital ecosystem, are forging the paradigm shift. Whittle is honored to be continuing Bruckman’s legacy. “We are kindred spirits; I have the same purpose and unwavering drive that Sharon had founding Natural Awakenings nearly 30 years ago. I am deeply committed to multi-stakeholder collaboration that benefits all—our families, communities and the planet. We will educate to bring consciousness of connections into daily practices and respect for Mother Earth so all can thrive and prosper. Together, we will inspire, empower and achieve a WELLthier Living World.”

Brooke Goode is KnoWEwell’s national editor.

RHYTHMS OF THE HEART IMPROVING MOOD WITH VAGUS NERVE TONING

by Kirby Baldwin

While most people consider the brain to be the power center of the body, the heart is stronger in several ways. In research pioneered by the HeartMath Institute in the 1990s, the heart has been found to be 40 to 60 times stronger than the brain electrically and about 100 times stronger magnetically.

HeartMath studies heart rate variability (HRV), which measures the naturally occurring beat-to-beat changes in heart rate and rhythms, and is a key marker of overall health, resiliency and longevity. HeartMath discovered people could train themselves to improve their HRV and, as a result, their ability to regulate emotions by using breath as a type of biofeedback.

Central to this work is the vagus nerve, a main component of the parasympathetic nervous system that carries signals at an unconscious level between the brain, heart and digestive system. Due to its many functions, particularly controlling mood, researchers have targeted the vagus nerve in treating depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders.

According to a 2018 study, “Vagus Nerve as Modulator of the Brain-Gut Axis in Psychiatric and Inflammatory Disorders,” published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, “Treatments that target the vagus nerve increase the vagal tone and inhibit cytokine production. Both are important mechanisms of resiliency. The stimulation of vagal afferent fibers in the gut influences monoaminergic brain systems in the brain stem that play crucial roles in major psychiatric conditions, such as mood and anxiety disorders. Since the vagal tone is correlated with capacity to regulate stress responses and can be influenced by breathing, its increase through meditation and yoga likely contribute to resilience and the mitigation of mood and anxiety symptoms.”

Vagal tone tells us how well the vagus nerve is functioning, and it is measured indirectly by HRV. A toned vagus nerve can help regulate the nervous system and improve digestion, heart health and breathing rate. It can also counter the body’s “fight”

response and help us relax and bounce back from daily stresses by boosting the “rest-and-digest” response, which also boosts HRV.

Because the vagus nerve is integral to the gut-brain connection, Michael Ruscio, DNM, DC, writes that lifestyle practices that are good for the gut and brain, like diet, exercise and deep breathing, can improve vagal tone. The Cleveland Clinic states that the vagus nerve can be naturally strengthened through meditation, massage, music therapy and cold-water immersion.

Other non-invasive methods of stimulating the vagus nerve include lightly tapping the chest while holding the breath, as well as light-to-moderate massage in areas near the vagus nerve. Because the nerve connects to the throat, gargling with salt water and laughing have also been proposed as potential interventions.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved electrical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for the treatment of

drug-resistant epilepsy and depression, and there are ongoing studies to expand its use for other health conditions and disorders. This is an invasive solution, as the device is surgically implanted under the skin on the chest.

Bruce Cryer, co-founder and former CEO of HeartMath, says, “We could all use a helping hand to get into our happy place” in these uncertain times. The 40-year wellness leader recently turned to Sensate, a new personal device designed to help people improve HRV and derive calming benefits without the need for extensive training in meditation or breathing techniques.

Developed by Stefan Chmelik, a physician, Sensate is a palm-sized device that is simply placed on a person’s chest as it emits stress-relieving sound waves directly to the nervous system using bone conduction. Similar to the comfort a person experiences when a purring cat lies on their chest, Sensate causes the chest to resonate sound, which signals the vagus nerve to relax. When used over time, the device can train (or retrain) the vagus nerve to default to this calming state.

In a 2022 study, adults with and without anxiety and depression disorders used Sensate for an average of three and a half months, five to six days per week. After the test period, more than 70 percent of the participants reported low, mild or normal stress levels. More than 65 percent of the participants with anxiety disorder and over half of those with a depressive disorder reported an improvement in their condition.

Chmelik says, “Stress is a ‘global catastrophe’, and with a chronically stressed public, there is no will or ability to address all the other issues facing us. My goal in developing Sensate was to enable people to self-regulate more efficiently. I want to create a tipping point to create a more conscious world. As more people become aware of their breath and its connection to stress, and take advantage of the powerful tools of meditation, breath and other tools like Sensate, hopefully that tipping point is reached.”

Kirby Baldwin writes and edits for KnoWEwell, the Regenerative Whole Health Hub and the parent company of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp.

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BABY STEPS TO LIVING GREENER

TIPS FOR LOWERING TOXINS IN THE HOME

by Tom O'Bryan, DC, CCN, DACBN

Millions of Americans are spending more time in their homes as employers embrace work-at-home arrangements following the pandemic. Many families have redesigned living spaces to accommodate one or more offices, and as they streamline their abodes, it is important to also take care of any potential hazards.

Some dangers around the house are easy to spot, like toys left in a hallway where people might trip or exposed electrical wires that could cause a fire. Other hazards are not as obvious but equally dangerous. Daily exposure to invisible household toxins, for example, can cause serious health consequences.

Almost beyond comprehension, the average person is exposed to 700,000 to 2 million toxins each day, and some of these

are “forever chemicals” that never leave the body or take decades to be expelled. This huge toxic burden can accumulate in the body, strain the immune system and compromise overall health. “The research is very clear—huge, huge, strong correlations between toxin load and most of your autoimmune diseases,” remarks Joseph Pizzorn, ND, author or co-author of six textbooks for doctors and seven consumer books, including, most recently, The Toxin Solution

The good news is that many of these threats can be corrected with a little insight, planning and budgeting. Changes to our everyday choices can go a long way toward keeping our bodies and homes healthy and safe, while also creating a greener and healthier environment.

The Air We Breathe

The air inside our homes can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air, containing pollutants such as mold, smoke, out-gassing chemicals, pollen, pet dander, bacteria and viruses. There are many portable HEPA and carbon air filter options available at different price points that will help remove contaminants. According to a 1989 Clean Air Study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, common houseplants can remove organic pollutants from indoor air and, when combined with activated carbon air filters, are more effective. Examples of such plants are the Boston fern, spider plant, variegated snake plant, peace lily, English ivy, cornstalk dracaena and many other inexpensive varietals.

Between the Sheets

Flame-retardant chemicals in our sheets, mattresses, mattress pads and even pajamas out-gas minute amounts that can accumulate in our bodies over time. Because we spend approximately onethird of our lives in bed, it is important to ensure that the sleeping environment is as healthy as possible. Consider switching to organic cotton options for all bedroom items. Pressboard furniture is soaked with formaldehyde; replace it with solid wood pieces to reduce exposure to off-gassing. Turn off Wi-Fi at night to reduce exposure to EMF radiation. These changes can be

made gradually, as the budget allows; think of them as an investment that will pay off with improved sleep and wellness

In the Kitchen

For many of us, turning on the faucet for a glass of water can produce a cocktail of toxic chemicals, including lead, arsenic and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—also known as the “forever chemicals.” The Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database (ewg.org/ tapwater) provides a searchable database of contaminants found in drinking water by zip code.

Investing in a water filtration system is a great way to avoid these chemicals. They, too, are available at different price points. Whether it’s a countertop unit, a filter mounted on the faucet, an under-sink device or a whole-house system, the best solutions include charcoal granulation, a two-micron filter and reverse osmosis.

Smart swaps in cookware and bakeware are also a must. Begin by replacing nonstick pans with stainless steel, glass or cast-iron options. If replacing them all at once isn’t economically viable, start with the most damaged and scratched pans and continue as finances allow.

Food storage can be another source of toxins. Studies have found that certain chemicals in plastics can leach into our food. Move away from plastic storage containers to glass, and swap plastic wrap for a non-toxic alternative like beeswax wrap or

reusable bowl covers.

In the Bathroom

Clean the shower head and install a chlorine shower filter. Gradually begin to replace soap and shampoo with non-toxic products that contain all-natural ingredients; specifically look for ones that are paraben-free, gluten-free and organic.

For other personal products such as perfume, move away from synthetic fragrances, which can contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and replace them with all-natural alternatives such as essential oils. Toothpaste should be gluten- and fluoride-free. Newer options contain hydroxyapatite—a naturally occurring mineral— which can be an alternative to fluoride and help remineralize teeth. Replacing makeup all at once can be costly, so begin with lipstick and lip balms and look for gluten-free alternatives.

Baby Steps

While it may feel overwhelming to embark upon a green living journey, positive change doesn’t happen all at once. Pick one area and make baby steps. Even small, incremental actions can have a powerful cumulative impact on the mind, body and planet.

Dr. Tom O’Bryan is the founder of theDr.com, author of The Autoimmune Fix and chief health officer for KnoWEwell, the parent company of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp.

Heart-Healthy Kids

SETTING A COURSE FOR CARDIOVASCULAR WELLNESS

by Ana-Maria Temple, M.D.

When a middle-aged, thin adult comes to the hospital with heart attack symptoms, the doctors will ask about family health history; alcohol, drug and cigarette use; current medications; and cholesterol levels. But because the person is thin, they may not question their diet. In reality, the food choices we’ve made since childhood may determine our likelihood of developing heart disease as adults. Heart-healthy diets for kids can establish a healthful baseline and set them on a path to lifelong wellness and longevity.

Studies have demonstrated that the development of coronary atherosclerosis begins in childhood.

These findings have been replicated in studies of children of different ethnic backgrounds across the globe. Characterized by the deposition of fatty material (plaques) on the inner walls of arteries, atherosclerosis contributes to heart disease and heart attacks.

The immediate reaction may be to blame genetics for heart disease in young children and assume it is outside of our control, but this assumption would be wrong. Genetics are only a blueprint. What we eat, how we sleep, our stress level and our exposure to environmental toxins determine how our house is built. “Genetics load the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger,” wrote Judith Stern, professor of nutrition and internal medicine at the University of California, Davis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, epigenetics is the study of how our behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way our genes work. Researchers at Duke University Medical Center demonstrated the effects of genetic malleability in a study involving agouti mice that have genetically mutated to produce obese offspring that develop heart disease, diabetes and cancers. The scientists fed two groups of these unhealthy mice different diets. One group ate standard mouse food. The other consumed standard mouse food plus vitamin supplements, including choline, folic acid, B12 and betaine.

The agouti mice mothers that were given a vitamin-supplemented diet produced offspring that were healthy, without evidence of heart disease or other problems, while the mice that ate a regular diet without nutritional supplementation continued to produce terribly unhealthy mice. What humans can surmise from this study is that parents have the power to alter their children’s gene expression and subsequent heart disease risk.

To raise healthy adults, a child’s nutrition is where to start. As Mark Hyman, M.D., an internationally recognized leader in the field of functional medicine, says, “Chronic disease is a foodborne illness,” and one of the biggest dietary culprits is sugar. It leads to the development of plaque in the arteries and wreaks havoc on the health of Americans. In the 1980s, the low-fat craze prompted food companies to remove fat from foods and replace it with sugar to preserve taste. A whopping 240 sugar alternatives followed, including corn syrup, rice syrup and dextrose.

The liver can process only 24 grams of added sugar per day. Any extra sugar gets turned into fat, which contributes to the development of atherosclerotic plaques. In the U.S., adults consume an average of 77 grams of sugar per day, according to the American Heart Association. That’s more than three times the amount the liver can handle.

Parents can begin to shield their children from this dangerous ingredient by steering them away from sugary drinks. We all know that sodas are full of sugar, but even organic juice boxes, sports drinks, flavored waters and coconut waters contain loads of the stuff. Choose water or coconut water without added sugar,

and wean kids off of juice by gradually diluting it. Also consider fruit-infused waters or bubbly, carbonated water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Start reading food labels and encourage kids to become sugar detectives. It is not about categorizing food as evil or bad. It’s about learning together which foods and drinks help their little hearts become stronger and more resilient. When they grow up to be heart-healthy, middle-aged adults, they will be thankful.

Dr. Ana-Maria Temple is an integrative pediatrician and wellness educator in Charlotte, North Carolina. Learn more at DrAnaMaria.com.

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Love in the Present Moment

MINDFULNESS FOR COUPLES

by Marlaina Donato

Jam-packed schedules and answering the demands of everyday life can trip us up and break the spell of even the most solid intimate partnership. With dulled senses, it is easy and all too common to go on autopilot. Like abandoned gardens, heart-unions can become casualties of neglect and the absence of joy.

Mindfulness—awareness and cultivation of the present moment—has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and depression and deepen our appreciation of what we have. Relationships can expand and strengthen when couples practice the art of being in the “now”. A 2021 study involving 1,360 heterosexual couples published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy indicates that gratitude and forgiveness also contribute to satisfaction, both relational and sexual.

Conscious Hearts

“Mindfulness practice comes in many forms: journaling, meditation, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, tai chi or breathwork, to name just a few. By routinely practicing mindfulness, we are able to deepen our own awareness of what we are feeling and how we want to respond to someone we care about,” explains Moraya Seeger DeGeare, in-house relationship expert for Paired, an app for couples.

Maci Daye, the author of Passion and Presence: A Couple’s Guide to Awakened Intimacy and Mindful Sex says, “Even a few minutes a day of mindfulness practice can rewire the brain, build new habits and help us dis-identify from our limiting beliefs, stories and intense emotions.”

This is a critical factor in transcending personal

triggers and promoting conflict resolution. She emphasizes that couples often go into fight-or-flight mode because they feel threatened by their partner’s non-verbal behavior or are triggered by old, painful wounds.

Daye, a licensed professional counselor and certified sex therapist, notes, “Mindful couples are less attached to being ‘right’ and explore their own sensitivities instead of blaming their partners.” Once “awakened intimacy” is put into practice, couples become interested in each other’s perspectives and team up to heal and grow. In addition to formal training, she suggests bringing presence to all aspects of life. “Couples can engage their senses when they hug, touch or hold hands,” Daye explains. “They can pause to look at each other when they say hello and goodbye. They can slow down and taste their food, savoring every bite. These behaviors also make sexual experiences more sensual, intimate and connecting.”

Taking a few moments for eye contact, the brush of a hand or compassionate interaction can strengthen bonds. DeGeare, who is also a couple’s therapist at BFF Therapy, in Beacon, New York, recommends slowing down together to get in sync. “This could be going for a walk, cooking or listening to the same podcast and talking about it later. It helps the body tune into your partner a bit and connect. The time you spend doing this outside of the bedroom will deepen your connection in the bedroom.” She suggests bringing movement like a shared dance or yoga class into the mix to foster connection, as well as setting “dedicated times to check in through the week or month, uninterrupted.”

A Deeper Dive

Daily verbal exchanges beyond the mundane can amplify resonance between two people. “Asking questions is vitally important, as it cultivates curiosity—but not the day-to-day questions, such as, ‘What are you doing today’ or ‘What do you want for dinner?’” says Debbie Lambert, co-author of The Mindful Couple. The Del Mar, California, couples counselor and life coach encourages people to ask, “What scares you today? What is

the most important thing that you would like to create today? What was one thing that made you grateful today, and what is one thing that disappointed or frustrated you today? What is one thing I can do for you today? These types of questions scrape the surface of knowing and create intimacy and connection.”

Lambert compares the practice of mindfulness to a beautiful dance—flowing, loving and creative—that can change future generations. “The energy from

such a dance extends far beyond the couple,” she says. “It can be felt intimately by anyone in its presence. When parents dance this dance, their children are bathed in a high-vibrating energy. They feel safe and loved. Most importantly, they learn a model for how to be in a loving relationship.”

Marlaina Donato is an author, visionary painter and recording artist. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

MINDFUL TIPS FOR DEEPER SEXUAL INTIMACY

FROM DEBBIE LAMBERT

Couples get too familiar with each other over time, and the wonder and curiosity leave the bedroom. To deepen the sexual experience, couples can:

n Shift from knowing to curiosity. Ask yourself, “What does my partner need in this moment?” Be in tune with subtle movements and embrace them in the moment, versus thinking this is what my partner likes.

n They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Eye-gazing in bed is a deeply spiritual activity that allows us to connect beyond our normal experiences with each other.

n Smile, laugh and embrace the moment with some lightness. When we smile and laugh, we are out of our heads and into our hearts. This is where we want to spend more time in general.

FROM MACI DAYE

While most couples think they must do more to experience novelty, the best sex results from simply being there and tuning into bodily sensations. Knowing this relieves couples that are exhausted and pressured by the demands of modern life, which have been exceptional lately. They may avoid sex because they fear they must “go all the way”. However, if we are fully present, we can have magical, erotic experiences that are brief and don’t necessarily involve the genitals.

Healing as a Lifestyle

7. Mindfulness. Much of our life is on autopilot, and we must honor our body and life with full participation.

8. Remember, our nature is perfect health. Every cell of our body seeks balance to heal ourselves. Our job is to support our health and allow the body to return to its natural state of health.

9. When something hurts or stops functioning well in your body, address it immediately. Our body has intelligence and speaks to us with pain and dysfunction to get our attention.

by Janet StraightArrow

Working with people as a healer for decades led me to teach healing as a lifestyle. So often, self-awareness and care can elevate our pain and suffering.

The Top Ten Things You Can Do To Stay Healthy

1. Choose health with every thought and action. Stay aware of what creates health and what creates pain and disease.

2. Drink more water. Hydration keeps our cells and organs functioning at maximum vibrancy. Lack of water creates a desert in our body, and we dry up, and the body shuts down more each day. Dehydration is one of our mental and physical problems from youth through elder health issues.

3. Eat nourishing foods. Whole foods nutrition is best. Fruits, vegetables,

grains, and proteins are needed to fuel those hydrated cells and our entire body. In addition, mind, body, spirit, attitude, focus, and thriving require fuel that supports us.

4. Mental health support is essential. A positive, loving, grateful mind keeps our body in top shape. Ask for help to find a way to stay uplifted and hopeful even in tough times. Making a choice to choose the best in life, and letting go of being a victim, is the best focus to heal and grow.

5. Movement. Our body needs exercise and activity. Unfortunately, our computer and desk job lifestyle keeps our body and mind static. Taking breaks, developing new habits, walking, biking, dancing, yoga, and more can free up our bodies to stay in perfect health.

6. Play. Working on a soul level, we find the joy, wonder, and playfulness we have been missing inside. Even selfcare is not severe. Make it fun to uplift, nourish and support yourself.

10. Instead of rushing to take pain relievers or medicines, ask your body and inner wisdom what is needed to come back to health. The suggestions above are often more healing than pills. Seek medical help when required. Know that your habits and choices support your body and mind or break it down.

Living consciously and knowing we are more in control of our health and well-being is powerful. Extend your life, improve your mood, live vibrant health, and have fun in being alive.

Janet StraightArrow is a shaman, healer, Reiki master teacher, and sage. Her work and focus are to help you to Be The Medicine in your life. www.Bethemedicine.com

Janet@bethemedicine.com 973-647-2500 for private sessions and classes. See ad, page 13.

Natural Virus Killer

Copper can stop a virus

before it starts

Scientists have discovered a natural way to kill germs fast. Now thousands of people are using it against viruses and bacteria that cause illness.

Colds and many other illnesses start when viruses get in your nose and multiply. If you don’t stop them early, they spread and cause misery.

Soon hundreds of people had tried it. 99% said copper worked if they used it right away at the first sign of germs, like a tickle in the nose or a scratchy throat.

Longtime users say they haven’t been sick in years. They have less stress, less medical costs, and more time to enjoy life.

Soon people found other things they could use it against.

By Doug Cornell Colds

with a tip to fit in the bottom of the nostril, where viruses collect.

When he felt a tickle in his nose like a cold about to start, he rubbed the copper gently in his nose for 60 seconds.

Flu

Virus variants

Sinus trouble

Cold sores

Fever blisters

Hundreds of studies confirm copper kills viruses and bacteria almost instantly just by touch.

That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyptians used copper to purify water and heal wounds. They didn’t know about viruses and bacteria, but now we do.

“The antimicrobial activity of copper is well established.” National Institutes of Health.

Scientists say copper’s high conductance disrupts the electrical balance in a microbe cell and destroys it in seconds.

The EPA recommended hospitals use copper for touch surfaces like faucets and doorknobs. This cut the spread of MRSA and other illnesses by over half, and saved lives.

The strong scientific evidence gave inventor Doug Cornell an idea. He made a smooth copper probe

“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold never happened. I used to get 2-3 bad colds every year. Now I use my device whenever I feel a sign I am about to get sick.”

He hasn’t had a cold in 10 years.

Users say:

“It works! I love it!”

“I can’t believe how good my nose feels.”

“Is it supposed to work that fast?”

“One of the best presents ever.”

“Sixteen flights, not a sniffle!”

“Cold sores gone!”

“It saved me last holidays. The kids all got sick, but not me.”

“I am shocked! My sinus cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.”

“Best sleep I’ve had in years!”

After his first success with it, he asked relatives and friends to try it. They all said it worked, so he patented CopperZap® and put it on the market.

ADVERTORIAL

Canker sores

Strep throat

Night stuffiness

Morning congestion

Nasal drip

Infected sores

Infected wounds

Styes

Warts

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Other microbial threats

The handle is curved and textured to increase contact. Copper can kill germs picked up on fingers and hands after you touch things other people have touched.

The EPA says copper works just as well when tarnished.

Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the science teams. He placed millions of viruses on a copper surface. “They started to die literally as soon as they touched it.”

CopperZap® is made in the USA of pure copper. It has a 90-day full money back guarantee. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA35.

Go to www.CopperZap.com or call toll-free 1-888-411-6114.

Buy once, use forever.

Statements are not intended as product health claims and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

New research: Copper kills viruses in seconds.

Yoga Corner

The Bath

by Nicole Zornitzer

Iwatched as each drop hit the basin. One drop meeting thousands of other drops that created an ocean of forgiveness, an ocean of acceptance.

I anxiously awaited the moment that my toe, then my legs, then my entire body will be submersed in the healing waters. Immersed in the heat, supported by the forgiving arms of sacred water.

As a child I remember bath time, it was so serene and peaceful. I would stay in the bath until sequestered elsewhere by my parents. The bath was my time to imagine, to imagine a different world, to surrender into the unknown and allow my spirit to guide me to places unexplored.

As an adult it was only recently that I began to truly acknowledge this feeling and more importantly, embrace it. The bath—my safe haven, my respite, my peace, my quiet, my ability to float aimlessly without barriers.

In yoga we discuss surrendering. We also encourage personal sadhana which translates to rituals or routines that we participate in each day to encourage health and wellness. Part of this personal sadhana is finding moments of tranquility and quiet. In a world filled with chaos, this idea is of extreme importance for all to understand to achieve optimal health. As we maneuver the landscape of life many of us ponder on finding tangible ways in which

to experience bliss. Bliss can be found in moments spent outdoors, in moments with loved ones, in moments at the gym or on the yoga mat, in nature, and so many other beautiful experiences that this life offers us. It is simply a matter of finding what resonates in our soul.

For me, the bath has become my haven. When life is overwhelming, when emotions seem to take the best of me, when my body is in pain, when my heart hurts, when my mind refuses to shut off, when I think I just can’t do another day—I run a bath. I watch the water trickle from the facet, I pour healing salts and aromas into the water, I stir the particles with my fingers, and I wait. I wait for the magic to begin, even when I feel hopeless.

I write this tonight as I needed to draw a bath not for me, but for my little girl. Watching a child experience their first heartbreak is truly heart wrenching and tonight, I knew exactly what she needed to feel calm, acceptance and renewal; because as we all have experienced, heartbreak does heal in time. As I ran the water and infused my soul and my healing energy into the water and created a haven of serenity for her, I pondered on this idea of the bath and the healing aspects of water.

Water is perceived in Ayurveda as one of the earths elements and is comprised

of universal healing power, along with many other attributes. As I view the power of water, I am drawn to the forgiving elements and what this feeling of being held or supported means to me. I have spent that majority of my life without one parent and now without both, so for me feeling love has to do with security and the idea of being supported for my values, ideas and morals. When I enter a bath, I truly feel a sense of connection to not only myself by my inner knowing, my intuition, and my ancestors. This moment of respite provides me the knowledge and security to know that all will be okay. This is exactly what I recommend to any of my family members or clients who feel overwhelmed or emotionally charged.

Sometimes healing is so simple, it is within our reach and does not require money or much effort other than running water through a faucet. Society may lead us to believe otherwise, the medical society may suggest medication or other means of healing. In my opinion, the best therapy, the most profound healing comes with simply sitting in the pain and allowing healing water to wash over the physical body to ultimately reach the mind, the soul, the heart. Healing is possible in time, with patience and the proper understanding of exactly what your body is really calling for.

As I watched this water falling on my daughter’s body, I watch in awe the power of a bath. I am grateful for this bath; I am grateful for my knowledge of such, and I am overcome by feelings of gratitude for finally understanding how we can truly heal our own hearts.

Nicole Zornitzer, ERYT 1000, yoga therapist, founder of Niyama Yoga & Wellness Shala, located in Randolph, New Jersey; Upper Lake Mohawk in Sparta, New Jersey; Roseland, New Jersey; and Delray Beach in Florida. NiyamaYogaShala.com.

FEBRUARY 2023 daily & ongoing

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Soul Food with Krishna Venkatesh – 6pm. Soul Food is the creation of yoga instructor Krishna Venkatesh. This 90-minute event combines the Dharma teachings of spiritual yogic texts with the thoughts and ideas of great Soul, R&B, and Funk artists from the 60’s, 70’s, on up! Dharma, Pranayama, Kundalini flavors mixed with Vinyasa Flow are all included with a serious backdrop of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Erykah Badu, Sly Stone and many more. Physical adjustments are offered and above all we will have serious fun! $55. Niyama Yoga Shalas, 161 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland. For information call 973-500-2939 or email niyamayogastudio@ gmail.com. NiyamaYogaShala.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Sound Immersion Workshop – 6pm. Come learn the benefits of sacred sound healing with Susan Novick, one of our RYT 300 Teachers in Training. This program will expose you to the concepts behind sound therapy and its connection to Yoga & Ayurveda. Free. Niyama Yoga Shalas, 161 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland. For information call 973-5002939 or email niyamayogastudio@gmail. com. NiyamaYogaShala.com.

Yoga for Arthritis Workshop – 7pm; 2/2, 2/9, /2/16 & 2/23. Free. Niyama Yoga Shalas, 161 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland. For information call 973-500-2939 or email niyamayogastudio@gmail.com. NiyamaYogaShala.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group – 10-11:15am; 5:45-7pm; Zoom. Open group. Members are welcome to join any time. Confirm by calling 484-526-7035 and asking to speak with the group facilitator at St. Luke’s Senior Care Associates. For additional support and resources, please go to alz.org/help-support.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

Sound Immersion Workshop – 7pm. Come learn the benefits of sacred sound healing with Susan Novick, one of our RYT 300 Teachers in Training. This program will expose you to the concepts behind sound therapy and its connection to Yoga & Ayurveda. Free. Niyama Yoga Shalas, 161 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland. For information call 973-500-

All calendar events for the March 2023 issue must be received by February 10 and adhere to our guidelines. To submit, visit https://www.naturalawakeningsnj.com/ pages/calendar-listings or email kathy@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com for submission form.

2939 or email niyamayogastudio@gmail. com. NiyamaYogaShala.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Mindfulness Based Meditation Course – 7-9pm, 3rd Fri. In this series, Debbie guides participants step-by-step through a process of techniques called Vipassana that she acquired during a 10-day silent meditation retreat. Vipassana is a form of self-healing because it places focused, conscious attention on each area of the body in a mindful and healing way. Use guided meditations to practice between classes until Vipassana method is mastered. $195 for series. Portal of Healing, 50 Main Street, Chester. For information, visit PortalOfHealing.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18

Change Your Life with Hypnosis –9-11:45am Barry Wolfson leads three one-hour sessions. Take any or all for tools to help you change your life for the better. Stop Smoking with Hypnosis – 9-10am. Lose Weight with Hypnosis – 10-11am. Better Sleep with Hypnosis – 11-1145am. $60 each session. Hypnosis Counseling Center, 28 Mine St., Flemington. For more information, contact Barry at 908-303-7767, or barry@ hypnosiscounselingcenter.com. HypnosisCounselingCenter.com.

Animal Communication Level 1 – Noon6pm. Ever wondered what their animal friend was thinking or feeling? In this fun and experiential class, learn tools and techniques to communicate more effectively with animals using the universal language of telepathic communication. Information and instructions about what to bring provided upon registration. $185. Spaces are limited to ensure individual attention. For information, call 717-4867823 or email dtulemassage@yahoo.com. Register at MellaLunaHealing.Simpletix. com. Inner Peace and Wellness Center, 1073 Pottsville Pike, Shoemakersville, PA. MellaLunaHealing.Simpletix.com.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Ceremonial Cacao Sound Bath – 7pm. Ceremonial Cacao is a powerful superfood, plant medicine that has a plethora of benefits for the mind / body / soul connection including enhancing consciousness and spiritual connection increasing productivity; elevation

of emotions and soaring the spirit creating a bliss-like internal experience; helps to heal the heart due to the rich antioxidant content as well as clearing blocked channels of energy; promoting physical health and connection with the bodies innate ability to heal. $65. Niyama Yoga Shalas, 1250 Sussex Turnpike, Randolph. For information call 973-500-2939 or email niyamayogastudio@ gmail.com. NiyamaYogaShala.com.

plan ahead

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

Heart of Oneness Holistic Expo – 3/3, 5-9pm; 3/4 10am-7pm; 3/5, 10am-5pm. Plan to attend this outstanding holistic experience at the NJ Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., in Edison. With over 150 unique and expansive exhibiting participants and co-creators, this promises to once again be an amazing connection with like-minded souls. Vendors and speakers are still being welcomed. Tickets will be available at the door and on Eventbrite. For more information, visit HeartOfOnenessHolisticExpo.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

Change Your Life with Hypnosis –9-11:45am . Barry Wolfson leads three one-hour sessions. Take any or all for tools to help you change your life for the better. Stop Smoking with Hypnosis – 9-10am. Lose Weight with Hypnosis – 10-11am. Better Sleep with Hypnosis – 11-1145am. $60 each session. Hypnosis Counseling Center, 28 Mine St., Flemington. For more information, contact Barry at 908-303-7767, or barry@ hypnosiscounselingcenter.com. HypnosisCounselingCenter.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 19

Holistic Health and Healing Expo – 10am5pm. This outstanding expo is the go-to resource for natural wellness and green living. Now accepting vendor and speaker applications. The Westin Hotel, 555 Fellowship Rd., Mount Laurel. For more information, contact Shae Marcus at 856797-2227. HHHExpo.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22

Change Your Life with Hypnosis – 6:30-

9:30pm. Barry Wolfson leads three one-hour sessions. Take any or all for tools to help you change your life for the better. Stop Smoking with Hypnosis – 6:30-7:30pm.

Lose Weight with Hypnosis – 7:30-8:30pm.

Better Sleep with Hypnosis – 8:30-9:30pm.

$60 each session. Fair Lawn High School, 14-00 Berdan Av., Fair Lawn. For more information, contact Barry at 908-303-7767 or barry@hypnosiscounselingcenter.com. HypnosisCounselingCenter.com.

TUESDAY, MARCH 28

Change Your Life with Hypnosis – 6:309:30pm. Barry Wolfson leads three one-hour sessions. Take any or all for tools to help you change your life for the better. Stop Smoking with Hypnosis – 6:30-7:30pm. Lose Weight with Hypnosis – 7:30-8:30pm. Better Sleep with Hypnosis – 8:30-9:30pm. $60 each session. Hunterdon Co. Polytech, 8 Bartles Corner Rd., Flemington. For more information, contact Barry at 908-303-7767 or barry@hypnosiscounselingcenter.com. HypnosisCounselingCenter.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 30

Change Your Life with Hypnosis – 6:309:30pm. Barry Wolfson leads three one-hour sessions. Take any or all for tools to help you change your life for the better. Stop Smoking with Hypnosis – 6:30-7:30pm. Lose Weight with Hypnosis – 7:30-8:30pm. Better Sleep with Hypnosis – 8:30-9:30pm. $60 each session. South Orange/Maplewood Adult School, 17 Parker Ave., Maplewood. For more information, contact Barry at 908-3037767 or barry@hypnosiscounselingcenter. com. HypnosisCounselingCenter.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 2

Holistic Health and Healing Expo – 10am5pm. This outstanding expo is the go-to resource for natural wellness and green living. Now accepting vendor and speaker applications. Philadelphia Mainline, The Inn at Villanova University, Radnor. For more information, contact Shae Marcus at 856797-2227. HHHExpo.com.

ongoing monday

Bhagavad Gita – 6:15-7:15pm; Zoom. The Bhagavad Gita is a divine conversation between Arjuna, the Warrior and Krishna. There are many gifts for all of us in this tale that teaches us about karma, dharma, artha and moksha. We will go through the story together to uncover the gems left for us to through study, meditation and conversation. 10-week series Mondays. $200. For information visit Yoga-Loka.com/ workshops.html.

tuesday

Mediumship, Intuitive, & Psychic Development Circle – 7-9pm. This on-going, interactive workshop series is presented in a way that assists in building intuitive muscle. Maureen guides participants in connecting with their intuition. This is a spiritual growing environment and each week will focus on different techniques to help you unfold and develop to the next level. Every class will be different in development lessons. All levels welcome! $15. Portal of Healing, 50 Main Street, Top Floor, Chester. PortalOfHealing. com.

wednesdays

Quiet the Monkey Mind – 7-9pm. 2nd Wed. This gathering of teachings and tools is life changing. You learn to be in charge of your mind instead of your mind running you—achieve a calm mind and peaceful heart as we release anxiety, fear, memories, current challenges, and resolve issues. $60 per night $60 or prepay $200 for the series. Audio recording and notes if you miss a class. Be The Medicine (Online In-PersonSessions-Classes-Retreats), 247 North Rd., Chester. 973-647-2500. BeTheMedicine. com. $60-$200. Be The Medicine (Online In-Person-Sessions-Classes-Retreats), 247 North Road, Chester. 973-647-2500. BeTheMedicine.com.

thursdays

Yoga for Arthritis Workshop – 7pm. Each Thursday in February. Free. Niyama Yoga Shalas, 161 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland. For information call 973-500-2939 or email niyamayogastudio@gmail.com. NiyamaYogaShala.com.

Soul Shamanism 201 – 7pm. 101 was an introduction, and 201 completes the training. After practicing for a while, it is important to regroup as more subtilties become important to be aware of and navigate. Learning to move through any blocks into wholeness, health, happiness, truth, beauty, and light allows your entire life to transform into perfect alignment. In this class, you will join more fully with your timeless self and know more clearly about your life and soul purpose. $395/$425. Be The Medicine, 247 North Road, Chester. For information, call 973647-2500, email Janet@BeTheMedicine. com or visit BetheMedicine.com.

Self Awareness is the Key to Ascension –7-9pm; in person or Zoom. 3rd Thur. This interactive workshop carries the intention of assisting participants in their personal evolutionary process. Each workshop includes Healing Meditations, Ascension Techniques and Soul Psychology. Facilitated by Debbie Carcuffe.Portal of Healing, 50 Main St., Top Flr., Chester. For information, visit PortalOfHealing.com. $25. Portal of

Healing, 50 Main Street, Top Floor, Chester. 201-841-0358. PortalOfHealing.com.

Intuitive Development Circle – 7-9pm. 2nd & 4th Thur. This on-going series is presented in a way that will assist you in building your intuitive muscle. In this interactive workshop, Maureen will guide you in connecting with your intuition. This is a spiritual growing environment. Each week will focus on different techniques to help you unfold and develop to the next level. Every class will be different in development lessons. All levels welcome! $15. Portal of Healing, 50 Main Street, Top Floor, Chester. PortalOfHealing. com.

fridays

Mindfulness Based Meditation Course –

7-9pm; 3rd Fri. In this series, Debbie guides participants step-by-step through a process of techniques called Vipassana which she acquired during a 10-day silent meditation retreat. Vipassana is a form of self-healing because it places focused, conscious attention on each area of the body in a mindful and healing way. Use guided meditations to practice between classes until Vipassana method is mastered. $195 for series. Portal of Healing, 50 Main Street, Chester. For information, visit PortalOfHealing.com.

classifieds

Have a business opportunity, job opening, space for rent or other need? Place your classified ads here, 30 words for $30, extra words $1 each. Email to Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com by the 10th of the month prior to publication date.

METAPHYSICAL SHOP

OFFERINGS: A unique gift shop for the mind, body and soul. Check out our collection of angels, candles, cards, crystals, crystal soaps, jewelry, sage, salt lamps, solar wind chimes, tea, t-shirts, tumbled stones and more. Card readings, classes and workshops available. Metaphysical & Spiritual Bliss, 19A Old Highway 22, Clinton. 908-268-8029. FB Metaphysical & Spiritual Bliss. Instagram @cmatsen11

North Central New Jersey Community

business directory

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

Join the community! Request our media kit today by emailing Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

Acupuncture

Dr. Andy Rosenfarb, ND, LAc

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine; Board Certified in Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine

332 South Ave East, Westfield 908-928-0060 • AcuVisionTherapy.com

Dr. Rosenfarb is world renowned in the field of holistic eye health. He is passionate about helping people with degenerative eye diseases. Learn of his astounding work in this area— call now to qualify for your free copy of his groundbreaking book, Recover Your Vision. Additional specialties include glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy. See ad, pages 20.

Bakery/Specialty

Starseed Bakery

Linda Beg

100 Hibernia Avenue, Rockaway 973-957-0500

StarseedBakery@gmail.com

StarseedBakery.com

100% gluten-, dairy-, soyand GMO-free retail and wholesale bakery. Available products: artisan breads, custom cakes, pies, cookies, desserts, seasonal, vegan, Paleo, natural sugars, nutfree. See ad, page 34.

Bedding - Organic

Hibernate Bedding

80 Morristown Rd, Bernardsville 908-766-5450

HibernateBedding.com

Exclusive collection of Organic and Chemical Free mattresses and accessories. Over 30 years family experience. Come see how easy it is to shop for a mattress. Free delivery, free set up, free removal. See ad, page 2.

Coaching

Law Of Attraction Life Coach

David Scott Bartky, CLOALC 973-444-7301

David@LifeCoachDavid.com

LifeCoachDavid.com

David is a certified and experienced Law of Attraction life coach. His clients all have great success because he teaches them powerful processes and techniques so they can attract what they want, instead of what they don’t want in all areas of life (both materialistically and emotionally). The Law of Attraction is always responding to you, so if you’re ready to say “Yes!” to attracting what you want, and/or improving your life in some way, contact David today. Coaching sessions are held over the phone and the first session is always free.

Colon Hydrotherapy

Living Waters Wellness Center

Ann Ochs • Colon Hydrotherapist

I-ACT Certified, Advanced Level

Certified National Board for Colon Therapy, Body Ecology Diet Certified 26 Elm St, Morristown 973-998-6550 • ColonHealthNJ.com

AnnLivingWaters@aol.com

Ann Ochs has more than 20 years experience as a colon hydrotherapist. She holds an advanced certification from the International Association of Colon Therapists (I-ACT), is certified by the National Board for Colon Hydrotherapy, and is a certified body ecologist. Living Waters offers the Angel of Water®, an advanced colon hydrotherapy system, designed to offer the ultimate in privacy and dignity. Call today Cosmetics – Organic. See ad, page 19.

Dental Holistic

Atlantic Oral Surgery Center

Dr. Justin Ponquinette, DMD, NMD, IBDM 21 N. Gilbert St., Ste 210, Tinton Falls, NJ 732-747-0993

info@atlanticoralsurgery.com

AtlanticOralSurgery.com

A compromised mouth can become a quality-of-life issue. We offer methods to promote/provide and health while respecting and embracing the body’s ability to heal itself. See ad, page 10.

Enzyme Nutrition

Next Level Healing Of NJ, Inc.

Susan Richter, RN, Nutritionist, CCH, LDHS Denville • 973-586-0626

NextLevelHealing.com

Enzyme nutrition is becoming a sought after therapy for the underlying digestive issues related to autism, auto-immune diseases, chronic pain, skin problems, mood disorders, bowel issues and allergies. The system of analysis is scientific, non-invasive, and based on anatomy and physiology. The methods of correction are foodbased, drug-free, and have no side effects. Regardless of age or diagnosis, correcting digestion, supporting the immune system, and following guidelines for healthy choices are the backbone of Susan’s successful private practice of 36 years. Call for a gentle approach to healing.

Eye/Vision Health

Dr. Andy Rosenfarb, ND, LAc, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine; Board Certified in Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine 332 South Ave East, Westfield 908-928-0060 • AcuVisionTherapy.com

Dr. Rosenfarb is world renowned in the field of holistic eye health. He is passionate about helping people with degenerative eye diseases. Learn of his astounding work in this area— call now to qualify for your free copy of his groundbreaking book, Recover Your Vision. Additional specialties include glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy. See ad, pages 20

Hair Restoration

The Hair For Life Center, LLC

201-731-3530

TheHairForLifeCenter.com

For over 35 years The Hair For Life Center has been helping women who experience hair loss.In as little as 2 to 3 hours we restore your hair to its natural state safely without using glues or extensions. For more information, visit at TheHairForLifeCenter.com. See ad, page 21.

Healing Through Art

T-Anya Paint

Anna Wasilczyk

17 Ross Rd., Wallington

tanyapaint@yahoo.com

TanyaPaint.com

Paint with T-Anya is a mobile art service that brings a joyous creativity to any social gathering: birthday parties, retirement parties, fundraising, couples, one-on-one sessions and therapeutic sessions. See ad, page 24.

Holistic Dental Center

Vladimir Gashinsky, DDS

91 Millburn Avenue, Millburn

973-457-4688

HolisticDentalCenterNJ.com

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, pages Xx.

“If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when?”

- Hillel the Elder

Holistic Healing Services

Heartmath+

Linda Sercarz Certified Heartmath Coach

Serving North Jersey & surrounding area 973-714-8650 • Sercarz@aol.com

Heartmath+ consists of simple heart-focused, sciencebased meditations. The techniques are designed to change the way your body responds to stress by learning to self-regulate. They create more resilience, coherence, clarity (even in stressful situations), and the capacity to self-regulate. Heartmath+.

Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis Counseling Center

Barry Wolfson

Offices in Flemington, Princeton, Livingston NJ, and King of Prussia, PA 908-303-7767

HypnosisCounselingCenter.com

Over 35 years of experience. We offer traditional counseling methods and the art of hypnotherapy in private and group settings, in person or virtual, for weight loss, stress, smoking, confidence building, phobias, insomnia, test taking, sports improvement, public speaking, and more. See ad, page 8.

Morris Hypnosis Center

Linda West, BA, ACH 55 Madison Ave, Morristown 973-506-9654

MorrisHypnosisCenter.com

Advanced clinical hypnosis using interactive, personalized techniques; based on a lengthy interview at the first session and dialogues at following sessions. For weight loss, stress/anxiety, smoking, chronic pain, improved performance, trauma, substance use, sleep, fears/phobias, anger, confidence, studying/ memory issues, and more. Self-hypnosis is taught at the first extended session. If you have constraints that you can’t seem to break through, or are overly burdened by negative thoughts or feelings, hypnosis can free you and put you back in charge.

Past Life Regression Therapy & Hypnotherapy

Cathy Ludwig, Ed.S., LPC

109 Main St., Suite 1B, Succasunna 201-738-8311 • ludcat2001@gmail.com

CathyLudwig.com

Do you want to make peace with your past? Self-acceptance and clarity are yours when you determine how the past is influencing the present and when you make conscious choices about the future. As a licensed psychotherapist, Cathy helps you experience healing in all areas of your life. Using the powerful and effective treatments of Past Life Regression Therapy or Hypnotherapy alone or in combination with talk therapy, Cathy helps you develop your full potential, resolve conflict and have more compassion for yourself and others. Call to discuss which treatment option will work best for you. See ad, page 31.

Professional Organizer

Everyday Organizing Solutions by Sherry LLC Sherry Onweller, Professional Organizer, Life Strategy & Organizing Coach 908-619-4561

SOnweller@aol.com

EverydayOrganizingSolutions.com

Providing sympathetic and nonjudgmental organizing and decluttering services to residential and business clients, also helping adults with ADD to get their physical space and time management in order. Virtual and inperson sessions available. See ad, page 27.

Spiritual Healing, Teaching

Janet StraightArrow

Shaman, Healer, Sage, Reiki Master Teacher, Astrologist 973-647-2500

Janet@BeTheMedicine.com BeTheMedicine.com

Profound Healing, Clearing, Reclaim yourself, Enjoy life. 41 years of experience. Shamanic and Intuitive Energy Sessions. Soul Retrievals. Past Life, Ancestral, Current life healing. Business, Home, and Land clearings. Meditation, Shamanic, and Reiki Healers Training. and more. See ad, page 13.

Spiritual Pathways

Eckankar in New Jersey

800-870-9139

spirituality@eckankar-nj.org

Eckankar-nj.org

A spiritual teaching that helps you recognize your true nature, Soul, an eternal, unique spark of God. Learn creative techniques to explore the path to greater spiritual freedom. Visit us at the Heart of Oneness Expo in Edison, NJ on March 3-5. See ad, page 31.

Thermography

Lisa’s Thermography and Wellness

Lisa Mack, CCT, HHC

Thermographer and Holistic Counselor

See website for locations in NJ, NY & PA 855-667-9338

Lisa@LisasThermographyAndWellness.com

LisasThermographyAndWellness.com

Thermography gives an early look at the most important indicator of a potential health problem – inflammation. Early stage 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, page 19.

Yoga/Wellness

Niyama Yoga & Wellness Shala

Nicole Zornitzer, Founder

1250 Sussex Turnpike, Randolph

161 Eagle Rock Ave., Roseland

270 Sparta Ave., Upper Lake Mohawk, Sparta 550 SE 6th Ave., Ste. 200K, Delray Bch, FL 973-500-2939

NiyamaYogaShala.com

Retreats.NiyamaYogaShala.com

Therapeutic Yoga, Infrared Radiant Heated Yoga, Yin Yoga, Meditation, Barre Fusion, Iyengar Rope Wall, Private Yoga Therapy, Integral Sound Therapy, Reiki Energy Healing, Crystal Healing. Yoga Alliance Accredited training school for RYT 200, 300, Yin Yoga and Meditation.

“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.”

- Karen Kaiser Clark

Receive 50% off your first year. Individuals apply: Practitioners apply:

The KnoWEwell Collaborative with benefits for all in the Regenerative Whole Health ecosystem.