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CHANGE YOUR THINKING

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WORLD SMILE! IT CAN MAKE YOU HAPPIER

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August 2021

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letter from publisher

Late-Summer Smiles

ugust is our month to chill out, relax and enjoy the best that New Jersey has to offer, from biking and hiking to berry picking to beach trips and water sports. There’s so much to do outdoors, especially now—a wonderful time of year to appreciate the natural beauty all around us. With that in mind, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite late-summer activities. Make sure to take advantage of them before the school year and cooler weather set in. We’ve listed some berry-picking locales within driving distance from Hudson County, and don’t miss our great companion article on how to preserve summer’s bounty, whether it’s the berries you just picked or fruits or veggies from your local farmer’s market. If you would rather be on the water, we offer some good options for SUP or kayaking right on the Hudson River. Check out our August calendar for free kayak, SUP and river trips out of Hoboken, as well as outdoor entertainment, like Shakespeare, concerts and movies in the park. There are so many things to do that will bring a smile to your face—and that’s great news, because smiling is actually good for your mental and physical health. As this month’s feature article explains, smiling makes your brain happy, and that makes you happy—sort of like the old expression “Fake it till you make it.” The mere act of making that facial expression, even if you’re not happy, causes your brain to release endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, which can alleviate pain, reduce stress and lead to a genuine smile. So let’s all smile this month as much as possible, because happiness is the best kind of contagious—just the medicine we need after the tough year we’ve all endured. For parents and kids, the end of August is always a little frenetic under the best of circumstances, as everyone rushes to get ready for school. But this year that annual ritual could be more fraught than usual, causing mixed emotions and a heightened sense of stress and worry. If you have a school-aged child, make sure to read “Back to School Wellness Tips to Keep Kids Healthy,” which provides tips for making the transition go more smoothly. Until then, get out and make the most of the rest of summer. I hope you spend this wonderful time of year doing things that make you smile. In health and happiness,

Publisher@NAHudson.com

Contents

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 27 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

12 THINK YOURSELF HAPPY Seven Ways to Change Your Mind and Be Happier

15 POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY YARDS

Gardening for Wildlife with Native Plants

18 WATER SPORTS FOR A TOTAL BODY WORKOUT

Cool Ways to Stay Fit this Summer

20 PRESERVING THE HARVEST

Classic Ways to Store Garden Bounty All Year

23 ALBERTO VILLOLDO

on Shamanic Healing

24 BACK-TO-SCHOOL WELLNESS

Tips to Keep Kids Healthy

26 UNLEASH YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL

Working with a Life Coach Can Help

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS

27 SMILING CAN MAKE

HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 201-798-3236 or email Publisher@NAHudson.com. Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month.

Five Ways to Strengthen Your Dog’s Immune System

US HAPPIER

28 POWER UP FIDO

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Tina@NAHudson.com. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Tina@NAHudson.com. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets contact us at 201-798-3236. For franchising opportunities, call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 10 health briefs 11 global briefs 9 eco tip 15 green living 20 conscious eating

18 fit body 24 healthy kids 27 inspiration 23 wise words 26 healing ways 28 natural pet 30 calendar 32 resource guide August 2021

news briefs

A Better Life Physical Therapy Specializes in Accidents

Mandala Workshop at Powerflow Yoga Hoboken

Locations: 3363 Kennedy Blvd., Floor 1, Jersey City, NJ, and 5300 Bergenline Ave., Floor 3, West New York, NJ. For more information, call 866-965-2253, email PT@ABetterLifePT.com or visit ABetterLifePT.com.

Cost: $35 to preregister or $40 day of. Location: 104 Hudson St., Hoboken, NJ. To register online, visit bit.ly/3j6gUNs. For more information, contact the studio at 201-533-9642 or hoboken@powerflownj.com, or visit Powerflow-Yoga.com or Facebook.com/PFYHoboken.

ven minor auto accidents can become bureaucratic nightmares, and that’s especially true when physical injuries are involved. A Better Life Physical Therapy, which has offices in Jersey City and West New York, has expertise working with accident victims to ensure that the claims and legal processes go as smoothly as healing and rehabilitation do. “We are experienced in the medico-legal field, and work closely with your attorney and insurance company,” says Jenina Villasin, PT, one of three physical therapists at the practice, along with Mike Mastropasqua, DPT, and Josef V. Tuazon, DPT. “We take the stress away from your car accident, workers’ compensation, slip and fall or medical malpractice case so that you can focus on what’s most important—your health.” In addition to car and work accidents, A Better Life specializes in neck and back pain, sports injuries, pediatrics and orthopedics. Its team of physical therapists have a diverse background treating people of all ages and abilities, including professional athletes. A Better Life also accepts Medicare.

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arina De Lima will lead a workshop in Mandala: Elemental Yoga from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on August 8, at Powerflow Yoga Hoboken. This heated yoga class is open to all levels, with variations from beginners to advanced practitioners. “The mandala practice connects you to all the elements of nature as you move 360 degrees around the mat in a creative dynamic vinyasa designed to harmonize energy,” De Lima says. “You’ll open up to new patterns of movement and access the power of connecting to earth, air, water and fire. This class uses repeat methodology to access the target area with playfulness and ease.” Powerflow Yoga offers high-energy classes designed to tone the whole body while calming the mind. Its hot power vinyasa yoga classes are appropriate for all student levels, from beginner to the very advanced. Studios are heated to 98 degrees and 40 percent humidity to promote students’ flexibility, focus and endurance as they recharge physically and mentally.

Distance Jikiden Reiki Sessions Available

haron Bykerk-Lonergan, owner of Energetic Bliss Women’s Holistic Care, is offering remote Jikiden distance-reiki sessions designed to “soothe your senses, restore your body and replenish your spirit.” A licensed massage therapist and Jikiden Reiki teacher and practitioner, Bykerk-Longergan says distance reiki is an effective way to receive the universal life force in the comfort of home. “Distance reiki works according to the Hermetic Law of Similarity, which holds that we are all connected, as we are all energy matter and part of a larger whole,” she says. “As such, invoking this law during a distance-reiki session allows the practitioner to link up to the energy field of the recipient, wherever they may be.” Her aim, she says, is “to support each client where they are in the moment, with the intention of encouraging their innate vitality, health, clarity and peace. For me, finding my bliss means dedicating my life to the well-being of others. Healing is a constant, ongoing life process, and I want to help with balancing people’s life energies and being a conduit in helping them heal themselves.” Cost: $90 for a 1.5-hour Zoom consult (talk therapy plus distance reiki). For more information, email sharon@energeticbliss.com or visit EnergeticBliss.com.

Happy Notes Book Simplifies Gratitude Practice

Registration Opens for Yoga Teacher Training

For more information, visit HappyNotesBook.com.

For more information, visit AsanaSoulPractice.com.

he concept for the Happy Notes Book is simple, says Hoboken resident Lindsay Colameo: “Find a smile in every day and write that baby down.” Gratitude journaling isn’t new—it’s been proven to have a positive correlation with a person’s well-being, Colameo says—but in creating the Happy Notes Book, she wanted to simplify that practice. So she “replaced a laundry list of overly scripted prompts with a simple, short-form practice that encourages people to celebrate the moments of joy that happen each day and are too often glazed over in the hustle and bustle of life.” Designed to facilitate a 15-second daily practice, the book combines the functionality of a traditional everyday lined notebook (on the first two-thirds of the pages), with the simplified “happy notes” practice (on the last third). “The intentions are to keep this self-care ritual inexcusably convenient and accessible during your daily life, so it’s something you actually stick to and in turn reap the uplifting benefits,” Colameo says. “Every element of the notebook is designed to make you smile—including the stamped envelope and ‘happy note’ card that’s included in each notebook to encourage you to spread the joy.”

Be-Vi Vitamin Adds Online Store

e-Vi Vitamins health and food store, the Union City business that has offered personal customer care and natural wellness products since 1970, now has an online store too. The web-based retail site allows customers to buy the same lines of natural vitamins, homeopathic remedies, organic food, organic cosmetics, weight-loss products and natural health food carried in the brick-and-mortar location, without leaving home. One of Be-Vi Vitamins’ specialties are products to boost immunity. As an authorized distributor of Organic World supplements, it carries a complete line of immune-health options. Store hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Orders can be place online 24/7. Location: 4500 Bergenline Ave., Union City, NJ. For more information or to place an order, contact the store at 201-590-9991 or bevivitamin45@gmail.com, or visit BeVitaminsUSA.com or Facebook.com/ Bevitaminsusa.

sana Soul Practice, which has yoga studios in Hoboken and Jersey City, is now accepting applications for its fall/winter teacher training, scheduled for 10 weekends between October 22 and February 26. The 200-hour class is limited to 16 students, with an early-bird discount of $350 for those who apply by October 1. The class will be taught by Celeste Cusumano, a 500-hour registered yoga teacher (RYT) and the studio’s founder, alongside 500RYT lead teacher Lauren Hemley. The two combined have more than 1,000 hours teaching experience as well as 500 hours of training under internationally renowned yoga teachers. Class sessions will be held every other weekend (no major holidays), with a hybrid format: virtual sessions on Friday evenings and in-person sessions on Saturdays and Sundays. “We’ve built this training with a focus on practice teaching,” Cusumano says. “We want our students to find their voice and to feel confident that they can lead a class after our 10-week training. Not only will you find your voice, you’ll receive a wellrounded training, diving into the heart of yoga, exploring not just the physical practice, but also the spiritual, magical, wonderful aspects of living a yogic lifestyle.”

Mana Contemporary Exhibit Targets Climate Change

ana Contemporary, located in Journal Square in Jersey City, is currently showcasing an exhibit designed to encourage discussion about the imperiled health of our planet. Implied Scale: Confronting the Enormity of Climate Change features pieces that raise awareness about the many facets of this truly global challenge, as well as programs that include the world’s leading scientific minds on the subject. Curated by Kele McComsey, the exhibit is on view by appointment through August 28. On Saturdays in August, the exhibit is open to the public with no reservations required. Among the featured artists are Ames Prosek, whose site-specific installation of murals and works on paper, in his signature silhouette style, have transformed the gallery lobby; Zaria Forman, whose immersive installation features works on paper and video documenting her travels to the most remote regions of the world; Jeff Frost, who trained as a firefighter to create his film California on Fire; Alaska-based illustrator Ted Kim, whose large-scale mural lends a lighthearted aesthetic to express the serious nature of the humanenvironment relationship; and Catherine Chalmers, an engineer and artist whose work confronts the anthropocentric view of the world. Location: 888 Newark Ave., Jersey City, NJ. For more information, visit ManaContemporary.com. August 2021

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eco tip

Bug Battle

How to Keep Mosquitoes at Bay

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It’s no fun fending off uninvited airborne guests at the family cookout, but bloodthirsty bugs are an inevitable part of summer. Mosquitoes aren’t just an annoyance; they can carry infectious diseases like West Nile and Zika viruses, so it’s important to know the best ways to keep them at bay. Sprays containing the chemical DEET—developed by the U.S. Army after World War II and made commercially available in 1957—have long been the go-to option for mosquito repellent. DEET sprays came under scrutiny after isolated reports of seizures; these were subsequently dismissed as involving “off label” applications such as ingesting DEET (it’s best not to drink bug juice). DEET can occasionally cause a rash or skin irritation; however, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have both deemed DEET sprays as generally safe and effective for both adults and kids as young as two months. DEET also breaks down quickly in the environment, posing minimal danger to wildlife. For outdoor lovers seeking a more natural bug repellent, one formula performs as well as DEET at stopping mosquitoes and even better at repelling ticks: products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus extract, which contains the naturally occurring compound para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), a byproduct of the leaves of Corymbia citriodora tree. In a study published in the Journal of Insect Science in 2015, researchers from New Mexico State University found that it deterred mosquitoes for up to six hours, unlike largely ineffective candles, bracelets and ultrasonic devices. The PMD compound differs from lemon-eucalyptus essential oil, so look specifically for repellents containing PMD, found at most outdoors sports stores and

major retailers. Lemon-eucalyptus essential oil itself is also sometimes touted as a natural mosquito deterrent, but like other essential oils like clove or citronella, the limited protection it offers is short-lived, as their volatile compounds evaporate quickly. While DIY insect repellents made from essential oils smell wonderful and are easy to make, they can also irritate the skin at higher concentrations and in some cases, such as clove oil, be toxic to pets. Products containing essential oils are also not registered by the EPA, and therefore not tested for efficacy. Products containing Picaridin, a chemical modeled on black pepper, also have proven to be as effective as DEET. Picaridin-based products are better at deterring mosquitoes from landing than DEET, and are less oily and strong-smelling. The percentage of DEET or Picaridin in a product determines how long it protects, with higher concentrations providing longer protection with fewer reapplications. Those benefits taper off at 30 percent DEET and 20 percent Picaridin. Covering up with long sleeves and spraying clothes, not just skin, with insect repellent will help keep skeeters at arm’s length and also help keep off ticks.

DrLMSteinberg.com • BiologicalDentistsOfNJ.com

August 2021

health briefs

Certain gut microbiota can predict possible causes of mortality, reports a new study from Finland’s University of Turku. Researchers collected stool samples from 7,055 Finnish adults around 50 years old and followed them for 15 years. They found that greater numbers of bacteria from the Enterobacteria family increase the risk of death from cancer, respiratory disorders and gastrointestinal disease. “Many bacterial strains that are known to be harmful were among the Enterobacteria predicting mortality, and our lifestyle choices can have an impact on their amount in the gut,” says study co-author Teemu Niiranen.

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Microbiome Linked to Risk of Death from Disease Eat Oily Fish to Live Longer Omega-3 fatty acids have previously been linked to better heart, brain, eye and joint health, and a new large-scale analysis published in Nature Communications suggests that omega-3s from oily fish may also extend lifespan. Researchers reviewed pooled data from 17 studies of 42,466 people that were followed an average of 16 years. Those that had the highest amount of fish-based omega-3s in their blood—at the 90th percentile—had a 13 percent lower risk for death than people with omega-3 levels in the 10th percentile. The risk of dying from cardiovascular disease was 15 percent lower and from cancer 11 percent lower. The blood levels of alphalinolenic acid omega-3s obtained from plant-based sources like nuts and flaxseed did not show a conclusive link to lower mortality.

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People needing a push to eat more fruits and vegetables might be motivated by two new studies from Australia’s Edith Cowan University. Studying data from 8,600 Australians between the ages of 25 and 91, researchers found people that ate at least 470 grams (about two cups) of fruits and vegetables per day had 10 percent lower stress levels compared to those that ate less than half that amount. “Vegetables and fruits contain important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and carotenoids that can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and therefore improve mental well-being,” says lead author Simone Radavelli-Bagatini. In a second study based on 23 years of data on 50,000 Danes, researchers found that those that consumed one cup each day of the most nitrate-rich vegetables like leafy greens and beets had about a 2.5 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure and a 12 to 26 percent lower risk of peripheral artery disease, heart attacks, strokes and heart failure. Eating more than one cup daily didn’t increase the benefits, they found, and blending greens into smoothies (but not pulp-destroying juicing) is a good option for increasing intake.

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Eat Produce to Lower Stress and Heart Disease

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global briefs

Bugs Matter

Thorny Problem

Pesticides cause significant harm to earthworms and thousands of other vital subterranean species. These invertebrates, nematodes, bacteria and fungi filter water, recycle nutrients and help regulate the planet’s temperature. The most comprehensive review ever conducted on how pesticides affect soil health, published in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science, reveals that beneath fields of monoculture crops, a toxic soup of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides is wreaking havoc on the ecosystem. The study recommends changes in how regulatory agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assess the risks posed by the nearly 850 approved pesticide ingredients. Presently, regulators ignore pesticide harm to earthworms, springtails, beetles and many other subsoil critters. The EPA relies on one insect, the European honeybee, to represent the thousands of species that live or develop underground. The ongoing escalation of pesticide-intensive agriculture and pollution are major driving factors in the precipitous decline of many soil organisms that are critical to maintaining healthy soils. This contamination has been identified as the most significant driver of soil biodiversity loss in the last decade.

More than 30 percent of the world’s 1,500 or so cactus species are threatened with extinction, and criminal scavengers are primarily to blame. A 2020 seizure by authorities in Italy yielded more than 1,000 of some of the rarest cactuses in the world, valued at more than $1.2 million on the black market. Some were over 100 years old. President of the Association for Biodiversity and Conservation Andrea Cattabriga helps police identify specimens taken from tourists or intercepted in the mail. He says, “Here is an organism that has evolved over millions of years to be able to survive in the harshest conditions you can find on the planet, but that finishes its life in this way, just as an object to be sold.” Trafficking can take a serious toll because many species are highly localized and often extremely slow-growing, thus quite sensitive to over-harvesting. Cactuses and other succulents have become popular on social media, promoted by indoor plant influencers for their unusual appearance and minimal care requirements. The pandemic has increased their popularity, with shops unable to keep some species in stock. Sales of legally sourced plants could help offset illegal trade, with the proceeds going directly to communities living alongside the plants, creating an incentive to protect them.

Soil Regulators Soft on Pesticide Use

Cactus Poachers Are Denuding Deserts

August 2021

THINK YOURSELF HAPPY Seven Ways to Change Your Mind and Be Happier

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by Ronica O’Hara

hat is happiness? Aristotle pondered it, our country’s founders encouraged its pursuit, but only now—thanks to the thriving field of Positive Psychology—have we learned more precisely how to attain and sustain it. In thousands of studies in the last two decades, researchers have watched babies share crackers, put Tibetan monks in brain scanners, asked college students to do kind deeds and explored databases, among other strategies. A major finding has emerged: Happiness is, to a great degree, in our own hands—or more exactly, our own minds. “You get to choose,” says trailblazing researcher Barbara Fredrickson, author of Positivity and Love 2.0 and a professor at the University of North Carolina. “No matter where your river of emotions flows today, over time and with continued effort and attention, you can change its course and location to live a happier, more positive life.” Using advanced brain imaging technology, neuroscientists and psychologists have discovered that the brain is “plastic” and malleable. When we change our thinking and actions in positive ways, brain neurons start rewiring themselves to make newfound happiness settle in, especially if our practices are repetitive. “Interestingly, changes can start quite quickly,” says neuroscientist 12

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Andrew Newberg, who has authored 10 books on the brain, emotions and spirituality, including Words Can Change Your Brain. “For those changes to become more fully ingrained, it can take a few months, but it does not necessarily require hours a day for many years.” A change in thinking shifted the behavior and life of John Peterson, a sales manager at a major West Coast auto retailer and editor of SafeDriveGear.com. “I was unhappy and miserable, so I decided to give gratitude a shot,” he recalls. “It was mechanical to start, but the reactions I got turned into a domino effect.” Instead of giving cursory thanks, he praised a co-worker’s kindness in handing him a daily cup of coffee; now they chat about their families. Instead of “keeping myself to myself,” he offered to help a neighbor he barely knew to clean gutters; now they’re “barbecue besties,” he says, adding, “I was kind of blown away at the incredible effect gratitude had on my life, both in improving my mental health and boosting my relationships. It was a real revelation to me!” Positive psychologists offer two major approaches: adopting habits that encourage happiness and clearing away the mental debris that blocks it. Many books and websites offer a wide range of theories, techniques and tips. “The most effective practices for you are the

ones that you enjoy and are willing to do more often,” says Tchiki Davis, Ph.D., a Psychology Today blogger and founder of The Berkeley Well-Being Institute. The following are research-based methods to enhance happiness:

Aim for a three-to-one ratio of positive to negative experiences

The difference between languishing and flourishing, says Fredrickson in her book Positivity, is constructing a life in which heartfelt positive experiences outnumber the negatives by three to one. Positive experiences that flow from feelings such as gratitude, serenity, hope, awe and love can be as simple as exchanging smiles with a passerby, patting a friend on the back, joking with a cashier, picking up something that someone has dropped or planting a kiss on a son’s head. She emphasizes that the experiences must be authentic and heartfelt: acting “Pollyanna-ish” out of habit or pasting on a smile can actually make us feel worse, and positivity can turn toxic if it’s relentlessly turned on 100 percent of the time. “True happiness is not rigid and unchanging,” she says. When it comes to marriage, five positive interactions for every negative one is the “magic ratio” that makes it happy and stable, according to studies by renowned relationship psychologist John Gottman, author of What Makes Love Last. “Successful long-term relationships are created through small words, small gestures and small acts,” he writes.

Flip negativity by reframing experiences

Defuse the inner critic with caring self-talk

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Positive reframing involves shifting misery-making thinking to see the positive side of any situation. Canadian researchers reported in a 340-person survey at APA PsycNet that during the pandemic, reframing was the most effective mental health strategy; people practicing it gradually felt better, while people that vented, distracted themselves or disengaged from others fared worse. Reframing strategies include viewing a problem as a challenge, a learning opportunity or a way to help others; finding the higher purpose or divine order in a bad situation; exploring what the unexpected benefits might be; and finding humor in a situation.

Berating ourselves for our shortcomings is a sure route to suffering, but applying self-compassion powerfully lowers the volume. It involves three elements: treating ourselves as kindly as we would a dear friend; realizing that making mistakes is intrinsically human so we’re not alone; and non-judgmentally facing our emotions without denying or indulging them, according to its major theorist, psychologist Kristin Neff, author of Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind. Numerous studies show that people that practice self-compassion have less self-doubt and fewer negative thoughts, are less likely to feel anxious or depressed, enjoy better health and relationships and are more resilient and motivated to change.

Another way to handle the inner critic is to transform it by befriending and chatting with it, a method used in voice dialogue therapy and in the Internal Family Systems approach. Jackie Graybill, a Seattle songwriter and piano teacher, calls her “mean girl” inner critic Brutista Dynasticus. “I’ll find myself responding to an inner thought like, ‘You look fat. Just how much weight have you gained over COVID?!’ with a recognition like, ‘Oh, Brutista, that wasn’t very nice. I may have some extra pounds, but this healthy body has gotten me through a freaking pandemic! Show a little respect, okay?’ This quiets her down because I’ve recognized her and addressed her, and I feel an inner sense of victory because I’ve brought a positive truth to bear. It’s a very empowering practice.”

Clear away pain by questioning assumptions

Of our estimated 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day, about 80 percent are negative and 95 percent are repetitive, says the National Science Foundation. Those noisy mental loops dampen our spirits by repetitively telling us that something regretful should not have happened in the past or is going to happen to blight the future. Few worries have real credence: A Cornell University study found that 85 percent of what people worry about never happens. Of the 15 percent of worries that did happen, 79 percent of people found they handled the problem better than they had expected or that they learned a valuable lesson from it. Cognitive behavioral therapists help clients to examine those beliefs and assumptions, challenge the dysfunctional ones and try out different interpretations to uncover the truth. Victor Blue, a Tampa transportation engineer, examined his difficult relationship with a tyrannical father by asking himself two questions that spiritual teacher and author Byron Katie suggests applying to any painful thought: “Is it true? Can you absolutely know it’s true?” Self-inquiring deeply, Blue realized he had a distorted view: His father had in fact loved him, but had lacked the capacity to show it with warmth or tenderness. “My father started with very little and saw a tough world and treated everyone tough,” he says. “And I came to realize that yes, I am able to father myself.”

the heart by 5Open deepening gratitude

Perhaps the most popular and direct approach to happiness is gratitude. Research shows that feeling and expressing thankfulness significantly boosts emotional well-being, makes us feel more connected and generous to others, and improves health and sleep quality. In one study, writing a few sentences of gratitude once per week for 10 weeks increased optimism and hope in participants; they even exercised more August 2021

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and had fewer doctor visits than those writing about aggravations. Writing a thank-you letter to someone we haven’t appreciated enough in the past can induce a sense of wellbeing that lasts for at least six months, a University of Pennsylvania study found. Gratitude can be cultivated simply by daily journaling; writing a list every few days often works even better, research indicates. The more concrete the items are and the more freshly observed, the better: Rather than, “I’m grateful for my daughter,” it might be, “I’m grateful for my daughter because she made me laugh at breakfast by making a funny face.” Some people kick off their day by writing two thank-you emails; others find creative ways to fold gratitude into relationships. During the pandemic, Nadia Charif, a San Jose-based wellness and health advisor at Coffeeble.com, shared with her boyfriend a note-taking phone app in which they wrote the ways they appreciated each other during the day. “Somehow, no matter how frayed our nerves were, we remembered the last lovely entry and melted like ice to water,” she says. “It diffused many arguments before they escalated.”

the noisy mind with meditation, prayer and 6Quiet mindfulness

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Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, Newberg and other neuroscientists studied meditating Buddhist monks, prayerful Catholic nuns and mindfulness meditators. They found that each practice has its own distinctive pattern of brain activity, yet all three deactivate the brain regions that underlie mind chatter. That “default mode network” is constantly ruminating, nagging and making sure we avoid trouble. Sustained spiritual practices gradually turn down its everyday volume, which may explain in part the well-documented link between spiritual practices and well-being. Even brief meditations can have a quieting effect, counsels New York City psychologist and mindfulness teacher Loch Kelly, author of Shift into Freedom. In a quiet moment, he suggests, “Ask yourself, ‘What is here right now if there is no problem to solve?’”

Lift up others with a positive outlook

The more we give with a full heart, the more happiness we experience, studies show— and the benefits radiate far beyond ourselves. Following nearly 5,000 people over 20 years, Harvard researchers found that one person’s happiness triggers a chain reaction up to three degrees away, lifting the spirits not only of friends, but friends’ friends, and their friends’ friends’ friends. Effects can last up to one year. It’s a vital way to help the world, says Fredrickson. “The happiness that you experience together with others has ripple effects, both biological and behavioral, that make whole communities healthier.” Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

Online Resources AuthenticHappiness.org: positive psychology news and self-tests Martin E.P. Seligman, a University of Pennsylvania professor and bestselling author who coined the phrase “positive psychology” in 1998, designed this comprehensive website that includes new research and dozens of self-questionnaires. Pursuit-of-Happiness.org: research and curriculums Resources offered by Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D., author of Positivity and Love 2.0, include an overview of research, online courses and curriculum suggestions.

green living

Pollinator-Friendly Yards Gardening for Wildlife with Native Plants

by Betsy S. Franz

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or some people, perfectly mowed lawns without a trace of a weed or an insect makes them proud, but they may not realize that this method of gardening and landscaping could be harming the local ecosystem and the important pollinators that we rely on to keep food and flowers reproducing. Pollinators are the creatures that move pollen grains from the male anther of one plant to the female stigma of another, thereby helping plants to produce seeds for the next generation. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, these hard-working animals pollinate more than 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants and nearly 75 percent of our crops, including choco-

late and coffee. Without pollinators, say biologists, neither the human race nor the Earth’s ecosystems would survive.

Like many species, some pollinators are showing steady population declines, attributed in part to habitat loss and exposure to pesticides. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that grassy lawns occupy almost 2 percent of the total U.S. land mass, making grass the single largest irrigated crop in the country, which is why the way that people garden and maintain their landscapes can either harm or help pollinators. Many people spending more time at home last year due to the pandemic did more gardening and maintaining of their own landscapes, often without realizing the significance and impact of their activities. “Now, for the first time in its history, gardening has taken on a role that transcends the needs of the gardener. Like it or not, gardeners have become important players in the management of our nation’s wildlife,” writes Douglas Tallamy, an agriculture and natural resources professor at the University of Delaware, in his book Bringing Nature Home. “Bees are what comes to mind when most people think of pollinators, but pollinators include many other species, including some flies, moths, butterflies, wasps and beetles, as well as bats, hummingbirds and even a few mammals,” says David Mizejewski, a naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation. Fortunately, the same principles that make home landscapes more inviting to pollinators also make it safer and friendlier for a wide variety of wildlife.

Rethink the Perfect Landscape “One of the main dangers for pollinators is loss of appropriate habitat,” says Andre

Kessler, an ecology and evolutionary biology professor at Cornell University. “To help them, give up your idea of the perfect, manicured landscape and aim to restore their preferred habitat.” Kessler suggests leaving part of a landscape a bit untidy by including native plants and mowing less often. “An island of native vegetation usually provides flowering plants year-round and, similarly important, nesting sites for native bees,” he says. Tallamy advocates halving the total amount of space devoted to lawns in the continental U.S.—reducing water, pesticide and fertilizer use—and replacing grass with plants that sustain more animal life. Leave the leaves, sticks and debris, says Mizejewski. “Many species rely on leaf litter for food, shelter and nesting material. Many moth and butterfly caterpillars overwinter in fallen leaves before emerging in spring.”

Choose Appropriate Plantings

With so many different species of pollinators across the diverse terrain of America, few plants work for all locales. Most experts believe the best option is choosing native plants. The Pollinator Partnership (Pollinator.org) lists plants for each zone by ZIP code, as well as the pollinators they attract. There are also native plant societies in many areas that offer specific recommendations.

Eliminate the Chemicals

“Probably the most important thing the home gardener can do to overcome the pollinator and broader biodiversity crisis is to avoid using any pesticides,” says Kessler. “The uncontrolled use of insecticides and herbicides is the major reason for the dramatic loss of insect life in general and most other organisms depending on those insects.” “It is now within the power of individual gardeners to do something that we all dream of doing: to make a difference,” Tallamy writes. “In this case, the difference will be to the future of biodiversity, to the native plants and animals of North America, and the ecosystems that sustain them.” Betsy S. Franz is a freelance writer and photographer who seeks a loving, sustainable balance between the nature of our world and the inner nature of man. August 2021

Composting Made Easy Drop-Off and Pickup Options Make Recycling Food Waste Simple By Angelina Capalbo

never thought it was possible to compost without a house, garden, balcony or deck. It’s easy to feel limited, living the apartment building life. But composting was always a destination on my sustainable journey, and so this past March, after finding a local pickup service, I decided to go for it. I’m really happy that I did. Not only do I get to compost things that would normally end up in a landfill—fruit and veggie scraps, eggshells, meat and bones, dairy products, bread, nuts, grains and more—but I have learned to portion control and ration so that I can limit my food waste altogether. What I love most, though, is that my scraps get a chance at a second life. Did you know that a whopping 80 billion pounds of food is thrown away in the United States each year? The pickup service I use provides me with a five-gallon airtight bucket, and I bought compost collector bins for my refrigerator and freezer. The three combined help limit the number of times I open my airtight bucket, and with all three I’m on a monthly pickup.

Composting On the Go

My composting journey has opened my eyes to all kinds of waste. I bring waste bags to restaurants, to compost any leftovers. I try to bring my own takeout containers, including when I order takeout; I can appreciate that only a handful of restaurants in our area have ecofriendly packaging. I was also able to find some local restaurants that compost too. When you start doing the research, it really helps you see everything compostable around you.

Want to join me on my composting journey? Here’s how to get started:

Check with your local municipality to see if they have a free community drop-off compost program. Or if you want a pickup service like the one I use, check out Neighborhood Compost and Community Compost Company. (Let them know I sent you!) If you cannot find composting initiatives in your town, check with your local environmental commission or green team, or help start one today. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out. I help people on their journey of achieving sustainability—let me know if I can help you. I also blog on local things to do, including local farmers markets, at AngelinaCapalbo.blog. Check it out! Angelina Capalbo, of North Bergen, is the founder of the online local retail store Organic Good Market. Follow it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @OrganicGoodMarket. 16

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Local Composting Neighborhood Compost

Neighborhood Compost is a subscriptionbased compost pickup service rooted in New Jersey, committed to reducing waste and building community by collecting food scraps and other organic matter from your residence or business in order to recycle them into nutrient-rich compost in order to restore and nourish New Jersey’s soil. Various plans include bi-weekly pickup of the 5-gallon buckets at $34 for four weeks. Members are given finished compost twice a year. Info and signup online: NeighborhoodCompost.com. 725 River Road, Suite #32, Edgewater.

Community Compost Company

Community Compost Company is a women-owned business based in the Hudson Valley. They are a team of passionate environmentalists committed to educating the public on food waste reduction, composting, and soil health. They provide a 5-gallon bucket, pick up weekly ($39/ month) or biweekly ($24/month), and leave a clean bucket. You can opt to receive compost 2x/year or, if you don’t need it, donate your share. Info and signup online: CommunityCompostCo.com. 256 Observer Hwy, Hoboken. 845-787-DIRT.

Free Residential Compost Drop Off Program

The City of Hoboken and Jersey City offer food scrap drop spots to residents. The residential compost drop off program expanded to four sites in 2020 and twelve sites in 2021. Residents are invited to drop off food scraps and other compostable materials in the Compost Shed which is locked to avoid contamination. The combination to unlock the shed will be provided after you successfully complete the a signup. 201-420-2277.

Online Order System for Compost Bin/Rain Barrel Sales

The Hudson County Improvement Authority has an online order form for residents to purchase compost bins and rain barrels. Each of these items are $40 and will be delivered directly to your doorstep. By making compost bins and rain barrels available for purchase online, the HCIA is keeping with its commitment to build a more sustainable and environmentally friendly Hudson County. 830 Bergen Avenue, 9th Fl, Jersey City. 201-324-6222. HCIA.org.

Contact Courtney Glaslowat cglashow@anchortherapy.org

Urban Composting

The goal of this Sierra Club (NJ Chapter, Hudson County Group) initiative is to make composting accessible for individuals and communities who want to live in a better, more sustainable environment and to help combat climate change. Composting shouldn’t be a chore. It should be as easy as throwing out the trash. This is already the case in many cities throughout the Northwest. Change is also starting to happen in communities throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan. They are voluntary programs; however, the goal is to eventually make composting available to everyone in Hudson County, as readily as picking up your trash. To learn more and see what you can do in your home or for your community, contact Pramod Raju at: Modisone@gmail.com.

Dr. Juliana Paternina, DPM

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August 2021

fit body

Water Sports for a Total Body Workout Cool Ways to Stay Fit this Summer

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by Marlaina Donato

hether it’s adrenaline-fueled kiteboarding or peaceful paddle boarding, getting active in the water helps to improve bone density, elevates mood and engages major muscle groups without stressing the joints. The highlight of a vacation might be rafting down a river, surfing at sunset or waterskiing on a mountain lake. Whether done regularly or occasionally, water sports offer a good workout disguised as play. While some water sports require a higher level of fitness, most are beginner-friendly and only require the willingness to try something new.

Core Adventures “Many lifelong skiers call waterskiing the fountain of youth. My friends who are in their 70s, 80s and even 90s that still ski are living proof,” says pro water skier Corey Vaughn, owner of Bum Pass Water Ski Club, in Bumpass, Virginia. “Waterskiing is one of the best total body workouts on the planet, yet you are having so much fun it never feels like a workout.” For Natali Zollinger, a raft guide, river surfer and whitewater 18

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stand up paddle boarder, it’s about trusting and working with the current: “Either rafting or paddling, our core has to engage way more than it would with other sports, and you’ll definitely notice the internal strength.” Based in Moab, Utah, Zollinger says that in only one week, paddling and kayaking produce noticeably more tone in the triceps and biceps, adding, “If you row boats, you’ll see the traps, shoulders and back muscles develop.” Stand up paddle board (SUP) yoga on the water, although seemingly placid, challenges the abdominals and cultivates balance. Christy Naida Linson, yoga instructor and owner of Prana Yoga Center and Aligned Flow Floating Studio, in Denville, New Jersey, says, “Paddling is excellent exercise for the core, back, shoulders, arms and legs. Postures are done in relationship to the current of the water and recruit many of the smaller stabilizing muscles.”

Getting the Feet Wet SUP yoga is accessible to both new and experienced students that can swim and are comfortable in the water. All postures can be modified to be done in positions lower to the board, such as kneeling, to

make balancing easier. “A typical class is 90 minutes long and begins with instruction on land. We go through paddle strokes and safety, how to get onto the board kneeling, transition to standing when feeling stable, paddle and stop,” says Linson. “The worst thing that happens if you lose your balance is that you go for a little swim!” Fitness requirements for river rafting can vary, depending on the type of trip and location. “Usually a couple months of ‘stair-stepper’ and some squats and lunges will do the trick,” says Zollinger. When it comes to gear, commercial trips offer the most freedom, especially for beginners, she says. “Normally, commercial trips pack all the gear that you need for basic camping, and all you have to bring is your personal gear like clothes, toiletries, etc.” Waterskiing can be a challenge, but learning is easier with proper instruction, optimal equipment, an experienced, skilled boat driver and positive encouragement. “People tell me about Uncle Fred just throwing them behind the boat with a couple of old skis, telling them to hang on tight and then gunning the boat. This is not what I would consider best practices,” says Vaughn. A typical lesson lasts about 30 minutes, involves six to eight passes up and down the lake and includes technical guidance on body positions and timing. For optimal waterskiing, Vaughn prefers private lakes to avoid interruption in the rhythmic flow of skiing that can occur on busier lakes or bodies of saltwater due to boat traffic, winds, tides and currents. Vaughn marvels when everything comes together; “There is nothing quite like the smile of a first-time skier when they get up [on their skis] and realize they are gliding across the water.” In the end, water sports are all about embracing possibilities.“It is a genuine joy to see people who may be new or doubt their ability come away feeling empowered,” says Linson. Zollinger passes on wisdom about time on the water. “The river continuously teaches me to be in the flow and appreciating the little things.” Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

SUP in Hudson County Building a Healthy Community On The Water

hat’s SUP in Hudson County? A lot, thanks to Resilience Paddle Sports and Urban Paddle. Operating from Pier 13 in Hoboken, Resilience Paddle Sports serves residents of and visitors to the greater New York-New Jersey area. Its primary mission is to make paddling accessible for urban populations, with the philosophy that outdoor activities are empowering and can build personal resilience as well as awareness of the natural world. That’s important, they explain, because people living in urban areas face unique daily stressors, such as traffic, a fast-paced work life and a high cost of living: “Due to limited time and access, urbanites are also faced with few opportunities to spend time simply enjoying a peaceful natural outdoor setting. In this kind of environment, it is easy to make unhealthy choices like eating poorly, putting off exercise and hanging out online rather than getting outside.” Although the Hudson River is now clean enough for recreational use, many people who live nearby don’t get the chance to take advantage of it. So Resilience Paddle Sports offers SUP yoga and fitness classes, as well as regular paddleboarding, kayaking and youth programs. Urban Paddle operates from a kiosk at Liberty Harbor Marina in Jersey City, steps from the Grove Street Path and Liberty Harbor lightrail. They offer tours of the harbor by SUP and kayak, paddling lessons—including SUP yoga—and paddleboard and kayak rentals. It’s a beginner-friendly business, with tour guides who are experts at teaching basic paddle technique and marine safety. All tours include free pictures. Urban Paddle has a club membership option that comes with exclusive discounts and events. For more information about Resilience Paddle Sports, email info@resilienceadventures.org or visit ResilienceAdventures.org. For more information about Urban Paddle, call 551-775-3653, email info@urban-paddle.com or visit Urban-Paddle.com. August 2021

conscious eating

levels can be increased with lemon juice. Vegetable pickles become acidic through the addition of vinegar. Heat-sealed jars are shelf-stable if the seals remain intact. Paul Fehribach, chef and co-owner of Big Jones, a restaurant in Chicago, gives canning tips in The Big Jones Cookbook. For pickles and preserves, he recommends using a simple canning kit with a tool to lift jars in and out of boiling water, a jar rack that sits in the bottom of a stock pot and Mason jars with new canning lids to hold the food. Both Paster and Fehribach suggest using professionally tested recipes. “Go to a reliable source, whether it’s a cookbook or a website, because there are some food safety issues. Recipes have been calibrated to have the right ratio of water and vinegar to vegetables to ensure it’s acidic enough,” says Paster. “Pickles are a great place to begin because they’re really hard to mess up.”

Preserving the Harvest Classic Ways to Store Garden Bounty All Year by Julie Peterson

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Refrigerator Pickling

hether gardening, purchasing at farmers’ markets or ordering from a community supported agriculture farm, preservation techniques capture the bounty of the harvest and ensure availability of fresh flavors year-round.

Dehydrating “Dehydrating machines can be purchased for about $50, but an oven that goes down to a temperature of 150 or less will work,” says Brekke Bounds, educator at City Grange, a garden center in Chicago. Before dehydrating, consider the end use. Peaches or cherries can be cut into bite-size pieces. Roma or cherry tomatoes, sliced or cut in half and dried, can go in winter soups and stews. “Apple chips are super-easy,” Bounds says. “Core and slice with a mandoline, dunk in a lemon solution, sprinkle with cinnamon, dehydrate and store in an airtight jar.” Foods can be seasoned or marinated before drying. “We make zucchini bacon for vegan BLTs,” says Anthony Damiano, chef proprietor at Counter Culture restaurant, in Vero Beach, Florida. Dried herbs chopped in a food processor can be stored in airtight containers and used up to a year later as a flavorful salad toppings or soup mixes.

Canning “One of my go-to methods is water bath canning,” says Emily Paster, author of The Joys of Jewish Preserving. “It’s a really safe and effective method of home preservation for highacid foods. Certain kinds of microorganisms, most specifically botulism, can’t live in a high-acid environment.” Fruits that go into jams and jellies are typically acidic enough, but 20

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The pickling process can be done without water bath canning, but the jars must remain refrigerated. The fun is in the quickness and variability of the recipes. Beyond traditional cucumber pickles, excellent pickles can be made with green beans, carrots, onions, cauliflower and green tomatoes. Brine can be dill, spicy or sweet. Damiano makes refrigerator pickles with a variety of local organic produce, including radishes, okra and other vegetables. The pickles are great for eating and can be used in salads and recipes like plant-based tostadas.

Fermenting “Fermentation is an essential part of how people everywhere make effective use of food resources,” says Sandor Ellix Katz, fermentation revivalist in Liberty, Tennessee, and author of The Art of Fermentation. “Fermentation produces alcohol, helps preserve food by producing acids and makes foods more digestible, more nutritious, more delicious and sometimes less toxic.” Cultures around the world developed fermentation techniques as a practical method to prevent food decomposition. Studies show that fermented foods and beverages provide beneficial probiotics

to the gut microbiome. Anyone can give fermentation a try with ordinary kitchen tools—a knife, cutting board, mixing bowl and a jar. “Certain ferments, such as yogurt or tempeh, require specific temperature ranges,” advises Katz.

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Cold Storage Many fruits and vegetables freeze well, but a basement or backyard root cellar is a noelectricity, cold storage method. Items that store well in a root cellar include most root crops and firm fruits like apples and pears. “Root cellars use the natural, cool, moist conditions underground for fruit and vegetable storage. Earth-sheltered options work best for cooler climates where the ground temp is naturally cooler,” says Laurie Neverman in Denmark, Wisconsin, creator of CommonSenseHome. com. Those with no outdoor spot or cold basement room can still use cold storage. “Some crops like onions, garlic, potatoes, winter squash, apples and carrots keep well in dark, dry, cool room temperatures of about 55 degrees,” says Neverman. Food preservation methods extend the blessings of the harvest. A little preparation now will provide edible delights for months to come. Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin. Reach out at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

‘Clean the Garden’ Kimchi This easy kimchi recipe turns common garden veggies into a spicy probiotic ferment that’s loaded with good bacteria and health benefits. yield: 32 servings 4 Tbsp sea salt and 4 cups water 1 lb Chinese cabbage (napa or bok choi preferred, but other cabbage will do) 1 daikon radish or a few red radishes 1 to 2 carrots 1 to 2 (minimum) onions (or shallots or leeks) 3 to 4 (minimum) cloves garlic 3 to 4 hot red chilies to taste (seeds removed, dried is fine, nothing with preservatives) 2 to 3 Tbsp (minimum) fresh grated ginger root Prepare brine in a nonreactive container such as a glass bowl or large measuring cup. Mix water and salt, and stir thoroughly to dissolve salt. Cut up cabbage, radishes and carrots. (Add in other vegetables as an option.) Mix vegetables together and move them into fermentation vessel. Cover vegetables with brine. Use a fermentation weight or plate with a heavy object to weigh the vegetables down and keep them below the brine. (Mix more brine if needed to make sure vegetables are completely submerged.) Put a cloth over the fermentation vessel and wait for vegetables to soften (a few hours or overnight). Drain the brine from the vegetables, reserving it. Give the vegetables a taste. They should be salty, but not too salty. Sprinkle on additional salt, if needed, and mix; rinse if too salty. Mix the onion, garlic, chilies and ginger into the drained vegetables and blend well. Pack the vegetable mix into the fermentation vessel. Use the fermentation weight or plate to press it down until the brine covers the kimchi-in-progress. Add a little brine back, if needed, to make sure the vegetables are completely covered. Cover the fermentation vessel with a cloth and leave it on the counter for about a week. Taste test to check the fermentation. When happy with the flavor, the kimchi is done. Store in the refrigerator in a glass container to stop the fermentation. Recipe by Laurie Neverman at CommonSenseHome.com.

Food Preservation Resources National Center for Home Food Preservation: nchfp.uga.edu Ball & Kerr recipes and products for canning: FreshPreserving.com Complete Dehydrator Cookbook, by Carole Cancler The Pickled Pantry: From Apples to Zucchini, by Andrea Chesman Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetables, by Mike and Nancy Bubel

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible. August 2021

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Pineapple Tepache Tepache is a wonderful, effervescent, lightly fermented pineapple beverage. It’s made from the skins and core of pineapple, making use of the parts typically discarded. yield: about 1 quart

Dissolve the sugar in about 1 cup of water. Place the pineapple skin and core pieces and spices into the vessel. Pour the sugar water over the pineapple, then add additional water as needed to cover the pineapple. Cover with a loose lid or cloth and stir daily. Ferment for 2 to 5 days, depending upon temperature and desired level of fermentation. It’ll get fizzy, then develop a pronounced sourness after a few days. Taste each day after the first few to evaluate developing flavor. Strain out the solids. Enjoy fresh or refrigerate for up to a couple of weeks. Recipe is an exclusive first look from the forthcoming book, Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys (Chelsea Green Publishing, October 2021).

Pickled Watermelon Radishes 1 to 2 watermelon radishes ¼ cup white wine vinegar ¼ cup rice wine vinegar ½ cup water 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt 1 tsp sugar 2 cloves garlic, peeled 1 tsp ginger, microplaned ½ tsp peppercorns, lightly crushed Wash and peel watermelon radishes. With a sharp knife or mandoline slicer, slice radishes into round discs. In a non-reactive saucepan, bring the water, white wine vinegar, rice wine vinegar, salt and sugar to a boil. Simmer for 1 minute or until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Remove from heat and add the garlic, ginger and peppercorns. Pour the hot liquid including the garlic and peppercorns over the radishes. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate. Recipe by Chef Anthony Damiano at Counter Culture, in Vero Beach, Florida. 22

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Pick and Preserve

reserving fresh berries and fruits is a task that pays off all year long. And now, at the height of the growing season, is the best time to get the goods. Look for a local farm that practices organic and sustainable growing methods. Even better if that farm has a you-pick option. Harvesting your own berries and fruits is typically the most economical way to get the large amount you’ll need for preserving. And if you have kids, there’s nothing they’ll love more than helping pick the food your family will enjoy for months to come. Hudson County residents are lucky to have some quality youpick farms and orchards an hour or two away. Make sure to doublecheck crop availability online or by phone before leaving home.

Greig Farm, 227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook, NY \ GreigFarm.com Located a couple of hours from Jersey City, Greig Farms is open from 8am to 8pm for blueberry-picking seven days a week. An online picking schedule will tell you what other fruit and berries are ready. Greig Farms also has a Farm Market. Hillview Farms, 223 Meyersville Road, Gillette, NJ Hillview-Farms.com Less than an hour drive from Hoboken is Hillview Farms, some 53 acres of locally grown fruit. Picking is to 5:30pm. According to their online schedule, they have blueberries ready, and this month they should also have peaches. The farm has a $5 entry fee per person, children under three are free. Hillview also has a farm market. Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ AlstedeFarms.com About an hour away from Jersey City is Alstede’s fruitpicking farm, open daily to the public from 9am to 6pm. They have a variety of fruit and veggies, and it’s the perfect time to pick-your-own juicy strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. They have a large farm market. Ochs Orchard, 4 Ochs Lane, Warwick, NY OchsOrchard.net Ochs Orchard is a little over 90 minutes from Hoboken, but worth the trip. Call ahead to see what’s pickable, but the farm generally has an abundance of strawberries and blueberries this time of year, and picking is to 6pm. There is a farm market.

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½ cup sugar, or more, to taste (ideally piloncillo, panela or another unrefined sugar, but any type of sugar will work) Peel and core of 1 pineapple (eat the rest of the fruit), cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces 1 cinnamon stick and/or a few whole cloves and/or other spices (optional)

wise words

Alberto Villoldo on Shamanic Healing by Marlaina Donato

Shamans mediate between the visible world of matter and the invisible world of energy and consciousness.

n his mid-20s, Alberto Villoldo, a psychologist and medical anthropologist, was the youngest clinical professor at San Francisco State University, where he founded and directed the Biological Self-Regulation Laboratory to decode the effects of energy medicine on the human brain. Villoldo eventually set aside the limitations of the microscope in search of a broader, more ancient perspective. His 10-year deep dive into the heart of shamanic culture in the Andes and the Amazon regions filled in the missing pieces of his research, but a dire health crisis decades later drove him to explore shamanic transformation. Today, Villoldo is in vibrant health and the author of bestselling books translated into several languages, including Grow a New Body: How Spirit and Power Plant Nutrients Can Transform Your Health. He is the founder of the Four Winds Society, which trains energy medicine practitioners in its Light Body School.

What is shamanism and the shaman’s role? Shamanism is a philosophy and a lifestyle similar to Buddhism in many ways. It includes healing practices for clearing the imprints of trauma from the luminous energy field (LEF) that surrounds the physical body, and that organizes the body in the same way that a magnet organizes iron filings on a piece of glass. Shamans mediate

between the visible world of matter and the invisible world of energy and consciousness. The understanding of the shaman is that what we call reality is simply the projection of a map of the world we carry within us. To change the world, you need to change the map, but the map only changes through sacred ceremony. Shamanism is making a comeback because we have exhausted our masculine, reductionistic and predatory Western paradigm. It offers a more feminine, participatory worldview that is founded on the notion of becoming Earth Keepers—stewards of the garden of nature.

our health span can equal our long lifespan.

How does shamanism address body, mind and spirit?

How do you see our future?

We need to think of the quaternity, including Gaia, the great mother. There is only one illness—disconnection from the great mother. There is only one cure, which is returning to Gaia. The luminous energy field is an information field. It contains all your genetic history—the story of the drama that runs in your family that you have programmed into the neural networks in your brain. Shamans discovered how to upgrade the quality of the information in the LEF. Out of the 40 million different species on Earth, only humans, whales and dolphins don’t have death programmed into their DNA. There are no grandmothers in nature; menopause doesn’t exist. The minute you cannot make babies, you are eliminated. We have the opportunity to take part in an experiment to grow bodies that are disease-proof, where

What shamanic principle can we apply daily? Our Western diet and antibiotic use have decimated our gut flora, and in the process, ruined our “gut instinct”—the basis of the shaman’s “second sight”, the ability to see the hidden nature of reality. You cannot meditate, heal yourself or others, forgive those who wronged you or stop feeling like a victim if your gut flora is compromised. If your gut is riddled with Candida, you will only perceive strife and be angry. Even if you live in a city, you can cultivate sprouts and make probiotic-rich foods.

I was trained as a medical anthropologist, yet what I do today is to train modern shamans; men and women versed in the ancient wisdom teachings and cutting-edge neuroscience. This is where the magic of science and shamanism meet. Western science and religion are very patriarchal and repressive of the feminine, confusing information for knowledge. We know how to diagnose, but do we know how to heal? I love science, but we must understand that most science, especially in medicine, is bogus. Studies are poorly designed; results are cherry-picked to support the authors’ beliefs. The greatest science is the one that explores the soul’s journey through infinity, which is what shamans are concerned with. This is where we discover true healing. Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com. August 2021

healthy kids

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Back-to-School Wellness Tips to Keep Kids Healthy by Ronica O’Hara

school and intentionally tell your student that throughout the year if they are needing support or are feeling overwhelmed or concerned, they can always talk to you to work through the issue together,” she says.

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Reset bedtime creep

fter a year dealing with the ups and downs of pandemic-era schooling, many parents are anticipating their children’s return to school with mixed emotions. “Families indeed have had a rough time in the pandemic, resulting in increased food insecurity, weakened social skills, splintered attention spans due to constant multitasking and arguments over screen time, yet many families also feel that they grew closer together as they coped with the adversity,” says Jenifer Joy Madden, author of How To Be a Durable Human. As we wave our children off to classes, we can draw on those hard-won, deeper ties by taking steps to ensure our children’s health and well-being. Here are some suggested strategies:

Hold a family sit-down Meet as a group to talk about schedules and logistics to make sure everyone’s commitments will work together, recommends Erika Beckles Camez, Ph.D., a licensed family therapist in Temecula, California. “Talk as a family about how everyone feels about going back to 24

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“During the summer, bedtime tends to creep later and later. Two weeks before school starts, begin to reset bedtime by reversing the creep by 15 minutes every few nights,” suggests Amber Trueblood, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Culver City, California, and author of Stretch Marks. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children 6 to 12 years of age sleep nine to 12 hours a night and teenagers 13 to 18 sleep eight to 10 hours. Getting enough sleep, it advises, leads to “improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health.” Sleep experts recommend not allowing kids to be on device screens beginning an hour before bedtime, and perhaps storing devices in another room.

Buoy them with breakfast According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, children that eat a complete breakfast have been shown to work faster, make fewer math mistakes and show improved concentration, alertness, comprehension and memory. “Get in the habit of a healthy breakfast that contains a mix of lean pro-

Children need healthy, whole-food, nutritious snacks after school to fuel both their bodies and their brain. teins, healthy fats and unrefined carbohydrates and fiber,” advises Amy Spindel, a functional holistic nutritionist in Plano, Texas. “That might be something like eggs scrambled with spinach in olive oil; a smoothie with greens, coconut milk, nut butter, cherries and steamed cauliflower; or a small bowl of steel-cut oatmeal with berries and almond butter alongside some turkey sausage. These types of combinations help promote stable blood sugar until lunchtime, which means your child will be able to focus on learning and social interactions instead of their tummies.”

Satisfy them with healthy snacks There’s a metabolic reason students head straight for the fridge when they get home—but it’s best if they can’t grab sweets. “Children need healthy, whole-food, nutritious snacks after school to fuel both their bodies and their brain,” says Uma Naidoo, M.D., a Harvard-based nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef and author of This Is Your Brain on Food. To support optimal brain development and help lower kids’ anxiety and hyperactivity levels, she suggests snacks rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B12 and D, and iron and folate, such as: “Fries” cooked in an air fryer to crisp up zucchini, carrots or green beans n Veggie dips or hummus made with chickpeas, carrots, beets or spinach n Almond butter on celery sticks, or seed butter for dipping sweet peppers or apple slices n Homemade fish sticks made by heating salmon pieces in an air fryer n Granola that includes walnuts, chia seeds and flax seeds

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Take allergy precautions About one in 14 U.S. children has a food allergy. Anisha Angella, an early childhood specialist and author of Easing Allergy Anxiety in Children, recommends taking special precautions with an allergy-prone child, including frequent handwashing; carrying an EpiPen for sudden, severe reactions that require an epinephrine injection; and not sharing foods. “Connect with their teachers,” she advises. “They want to help in any way, too. When a child sees an adult that supports their allergy safety in all environments, they feel comfortable, and that lessens anxiety.” “Readjusting from the pandemic will take patience and perseverance on the part of parents,” says Madden. “Having the family start simple wellness habits can help.” Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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August 2021

healing ways

iring a life coach can be an empowering decision for people that want to understand themselves better and lead fulfilled lives. Coaches may specialize in distinct topics like business, parenting or weight loss, but, “It’s all life coaching,” says Patrick Williams, a master certified coach by the International Coach Federation, licensed psychologist and founder of the Institute for Life Coach Training. “If I hire a specialist like a wellness coach, I assume they’re going to know something about wellness, but I’m not hiring a consultant to tell me what I should do in diet and exercise. I want to be coached in living a more well life.” According to master certified coach Fran Fisher, with 30 years of experience, “Life coaching is a safe environment or sacred space of unconditional love and acceptance where learning, growth and transformation naturally occur. It’s a partnership of two experts. The client is the expert of the content: who they are, what’s important to them and what they believe, think and feel. The coach is the expert of the process. They’ve been specially trained to help the client access their deeper wisdom and make better choices that align with who they are.”

Unleash Your True Potential

Working with a Life Coach Can Help by Sandra Yeyati

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Going for Gold

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Martha Beck, Ph.D., a Harvard-trained sociologist, renowned coach and bestselling author of The Way of Integrity, says, “Most problems can be resolved by simply talking to someone who is willing to listen compassionately and deeply to whatever is going on in their lives and to give them good feedback. A coach will get you to high levels of happiness, self-fulfillment and self-expression. Unlike therapists, coaches don’t deal with the mentally ill. They deal with the mentally well who want to maximize their performance.” “A coach helps you think and say and dream of things you hadn’t thought before,” says Williams. “I can advise myself all day long, but as soon as I have a conversation with a trained coach, I hear myself differently. I get new ideas, and that motivates me to make change. The value may come monetarily. It may improve someone’s business or money decisions, but it also may come in how you live your life. There may be value in having less stress, more time, more fun. Anybody who is motivated to make a change or maybe is in the midst of change and they don’t know what to do; that’s who

benefits from coaching.”

inspiration

Limiting Beliefs and Turtle Steps

Smiling Can Make Us Happier

According to Beck, one of the most common issues a coach must address is their clients’ limiting beliefs. “It’s about freeing yourself from beliefs that are preventing you from moving forward or convincing you that you can’t have what you want, so you never try,” says Beck. “There’s something in your behavior that’s not allowing you to move forward. Let’s find the behavior, figure out why you’re doing it and change that belief. It’s good old-fashioned problem solving in partnership with the client.” Beck’s favorite tool for making changes is what she calls one-degree turns, or turtle steps, defined as the smallest steps you can take toward a goal. “Research shows that large steps tend to get discouraging,” she notes. “We could do them at the beginning of a really passionate, goal-seeking time, but we almost never sustain it. If we go in tiny steps toward what we really believe and what we really want, we get there. The tortoise wins the race.”

by Julie Peterson

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

Julie Peterson is a Random Acts of Kindness activist (RAKtivist.com) and an advisor for Kindness Bank, a nonprofit invested in improving community health and well-being.

Achieving Goals and Feeling Free

When it comes to setting and achieving goals, coaches have different approaches. Williams, for example, considers himself an accountability partner. “I won’t punish you if you don’t achieve your goals,” he says. “If you report progress, we celebrate and talk about what’s next. If you say, ‘I didn’t get it done,’ then we talk about what got in the way, what needs to change. We never make the client wrong. It’s what’s true for you.” For Beck, goals take a back seat. “My clients tend to give me goals that are culturally based on what they think they should do. People move forward much more rapidly when you don’t hold them to a goal. When they have permission to do whatever they want, they actually start doing the things that all the goal setting in the world won’t allow them to do. We have such a strong response to freedom. When we feel like we’re forcing ourselves to do something, we won’t do it because it’s not free. When we’re free, we do the things that are best for us.”

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For more information, visit DrPatWilliams.com, FranFisherCoach.com and MarthaBeck.com.

smile makes the brain happy. As it turns out, it doesn’t matter if we smile at first because we’re genuinely happy or if we simply fake a smile. The brain doesn’t know the difference. When we are happy, we naturally smile. But research has shown that the act of smiling can also induce happiness. It happens because the muscles required to lift the mouth into the shape of a smile are connected to nerves that send signals to the brain. Once the brain gets the message that a smile is happening, it releases dopamine, endorphins and serotonin throughout the body. These feel-good chemicals make us feel less stressed, less pain and happier, which can effortlessly transform a fake smile into a genuine one. Platitudes through the ages have urged us to “Turn that frown upside down” and “Put on a happy face.” In 1872, Charles Darwin hypothesized that facial feedback could alter emotions and, ever since, the topic of smiling and mood has been a subject of discussion and research. Whether or not forced smiles can have a strong enough impact on our state of mind to effectively boost overall mental health is still being debated, with some research indicating that “false” smiles can lower mood if used continuously to avoid expressing certain feelings; however, there are several more positive aspects of smiling to take into consideration. Smiling is contagious. Seeing other people smile stimulates our mirror neurons, which discharge; they discharge similarly whether we’re doing an action or observing someone else do it. So, being around smiling people, seeing them smile, affects our brains as if we were doing the smiling. Smiling also provides the health benefits of reduced anxiety and lowers both blood pressure and heart rate. Over the long haul, these attributes add up to improved cardiovascular health and a measurable reduction in risk for stroke. Get more smile time by working these muscles at every opportunity. Fake it if you must until it comes naturally, watch funny shows, spend time with cheery people and when things are looking down, grin and bear it. You might just feel better right away, and better long-term health is certainly something to smile about.

August 2021

natural pet

Power Up Fido Five Ways to Strengthen Your Dog’s Immune System

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by Shawn Messonnier

long, healthy life for our animal companions depends on them having resilient immune systems that can resist disease. While supporting a dog’s immunity during illness is vital, it’s also important to help it maintain natural defenses when well to help stave off disease. Adopting all five of these suggestions will help promote optimal wellness.

1Minimize vaccines

Vaccinations can help prevent disease when the immune system responds appropriately to such treatments. However, when dogs are over-vaccinated, improper immune responses can cause immediate allergic reactions or chronic problems such as autoimmune disorders and even cancer. A simple and inexpensive blood antibody test called a titer can determine if and when a dog may require a vaccine after completing the first adult booster vaccination visit. Dogs with serious and chronic immune disorders should never be vaccinated. 28

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chemicals and 2Minimize medications

Overuse and misuse of chemicals and conventional medications can harm a dog’s body in numerous ways, including causing adverse effects on the immune system. Whenever a chemical product such as a flea preventive or conventional medication like a steroid or antibiotic is needed, we should ask two important questions. First, whether there is a safer, natural alternative to use—there usually

is. Secondly, what the lowest dose is to heal the patient. Usually, lower doses of many chemicals and medications can be used safely and effectively. Some doctors over-prescribe chemicals and medications because of incorrect diagnoses, a lack of knowledge of safer natural therapies and to increase their income.

Feed a great diet

No matter what else is done to keep a dog healthy, it is critical to feed a good, natural diet, either homemade or purchased from a reputable company that specializes in healthy, natural foods. Many pet foods are full of unhealthy ingredients that may not be helpful for a dog’s immune system. Animal and plant byproducts, which typically are scrap from the food processing industry, provide little if any positive health benefits and may actually be harmful to a dog. Added chemicals, flavorings and colorings have no specific wellness attributes and may harm the dog’s DNA through oxidative damage, resulting in various immune problems such as cancers.

Enable exercise

As with people, a sensible exercise program for a dog is important. It keeps the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems in great shape by mimicking the natural activities that a dog’s wild relatives experience every day. It also strengthens the immune system and builds and enhances the human-dog bond.

Use supplements

Dogs that receive supplements every day tend to live longer, feel better and act happier. Even when they may have serious problems like cancer from which they may not recover, they are healthier, stronger and happier while battling the disease. Good formulas contain enzymes, probiotics, glucosamine, vitamins, fatty acids and minerals to help support a normal dog’s overall constitution. Choline reduces symptoms in senior animals with cognitive disorder and reduces the chances in normal older animals of developing it. Its use is advisable for animals

with liver disease or diabetes and for those with seizures. Chamomile and tryptophan reduce any type of anxiety or phobia. They can also reduce itching in allergic patients with an obsessive component to their scratching. Olive leaf extract is not only good for immune support, but can also help animals with infections of the ears and skin, making it a good alternative to antibiotics and anti-yeast medications. A cancer and immune support supplement containing scute, cordyceps, poria, American ginseng and coix is good for any animal with an immune disease, chronic infections and especially cancer. These five easy and inexpensive steps to keeping a dog’s immune system healthy will reduce trips to the doctor and extend his life with minimal effort. Shawn Messonnier, DVM, owner of Paws & Claws Animal Hospital and Holistic Pet Center, in Plano, Texas, is the author of several books on veterinary medicine. Visit PawsAndClawsAnimalHospital.com.

August 2021

calendar of events Exhibition - Implied Scale: Confronting the Enormity of Climate Change – Through Aug 28. Schedule by appointment. Also Saturdays in Aug, 12-4 pm. No RSVP necessary. A series of poignant works that raise awareness about the many facets of climate change, with programs featuring the world’s leading scientific minds on the subject. Working together, artists and scientists have the ability to imply the scale and effects of climate change, while informing the public on how we can start to reverse it. Mana Contemporary Jersey City, 888 Newark Ave, Jersey City. ManaContemporary.com. The Magic Hour – Streaming on demand through Aug. Mile Square Theatre presents the cinematic filming of its world premiere production of Sarah Weber Gallo/dance theatre’s The Magic Hour. Dancers fling themselves through a scary/happy/sad dreamscape in search of how to be, how to make an impact, and how to fade away in this ecstatic new dance theatre work. The Magic Hour attacks the existential problem of unstoppable time with ferocious energy as the performers grasp at immortality. Free; reserve tickets on line. Mile Square Theatre, 1400 Clinton St, Hoboken. MileSquareTheatre.org. Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) Meditation & Qigong – Sat & Sun through Aug. 6:50-8:50am. A selfcultivation practice based on the Buddha school of teachings, Falun Dafa consists of four standing qigong exercises (similar to tai chi) and a seated meditation. Besides the exercises, practitioners seek to refine their character by improving themselves in everyday life. Pier A Park, 100 Sinatra Dr, Hoboken. FalunDafa.org. News About Media for Kids – Sun through Aug. 6pm. A radio show hosted by a nationwide team of more than 60 youth entertainment reporters, ages 8 to 21, who attend press screenings, press junkets, premieres and red carpets and other media events. They give you the latest news about media for kids, by kids. Before you spend your hard-earned money at the movies, listen to what they have to say. VoiceAmerica. com/Show/1950/Kids-First-Coming-Attractions.

MONDAY, AUGUST 2 Farmer’s Market – Mon & Thu through Aug. 4-8pm. The Historic Downtown Jersey City farmers’ market features various NJ vendors and local Jersey City vendors. Operating for over a decade, the Historic Downtown Jersey City Farmers Market, conveniently located by the PATH Train station and Grove Street bus stop in the heart of the historic downtown, it’s the place to get your groceries and treats! Come out and support NJ farms and businesses and get your fresh produce, pies, cookies, flowers and more. 201-547-3554. JCDowntown.org. Sing, Unburied, Sing, by Jesmyn Ward – 6:30-8pm. This is an in-person Meetup, held at a private residence near the Essex Street Light Rail. Address will be sent to attendees (limit 12, must be vaccinated). In Jesmyn Ward’s first novel since her National Book Awardwinning Salvage the Bones, this singular American writer brings the archetypal road novel into rural 21st-century America. An intimate portrait of a family and an epic tale of hope and struggle, Sing, Unburied, Sing journeys through Mississippi’s past and present, examining the ugly truths at the heart of the American story and the power - and limitations - of family bonds. Free; register online. Susan’s House, Paulus Hook, Jersey City. Meetup.com/JC-BookClub/.

Hudson County

Kids Museum Art Classes – Through Aug. 10am1pm. Classes take place three days a week – Tues, Thurs, Fri – for fun art making in the Museum walkway. Recommended for ages 2-5. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Art materials are provided; adults must wear masks and maintain social distance. Seating available first-come, firstserved. Hoboken Historical Museum, 1301 Hudson St, Hoboken. 201-656-2240. HobokenMuseum.org. CASA Volunteer Service – 6:30pm; virtual information session via Zoom. CASA volunteers are ordinary people who have the opportunity to influence a foster child’s life across many significant and far-reaching life concerns such as medical care, academics, and enrichment activities. Individuals with a desire to help children and a willingness to commit themselves to a foster child in need of the unique one-on-one attention of a CASA volunteer. The first step to becoming a volunteer is to attend an information session. Email Volunteer Coordinator Clare Daley: CDaley@hudsoncountycasa.org.

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Artist & Maker Market – Wed and Fri through Aug. 12-6pm. An open-air bazaar featuring locally created fine art and premium hand-crafted goods. Artist & Maker Market connects artists and artisans with the Jersey City & metro NYC community, to support handmade goods as an alternative to massproduced items and work to cultivate small business and entrepreneurship by providing a thriving place for them to sell. Grove Street PATH Plaza, Jersey City. Groove on Grove – Wed through Aug. 6-9pm. Jersey City’s free summer weekly music series featuring a wide variety of musicians and performers, and a wide variety of artisans and vendors. This is a family friendly event that brings the community together to celebrate Jersey City and its diversity. Grove Street PATH Plaza. 201-547-3554. JCDowntown.org. Social Chess – Wed through Aug. 7-10pm. An adult social chess night for all levels, and basic instruction is available from 6:30-7pm. In addition to chess club, Play Hoboken offers and abundance of fun activities including golf, billiards, ping pong, board games, darts and more. Food and beverages are available for purchase and it is a BYOB facility if anyone wishes to bring beer or wine. Pay what you can. Play Hoboken, 1012 Grand St, 3rd, Hoboken. HobokenChess.com. Shamanic Sound Journey – 7:30-9pm. In studio & livestream. Leigh Higgins leads a sound immersion for the soul, using vocals and a variety of ancient instruments to shift our inner and outer perspective, helping discover our spirit guides and soul’s path. At the core of this path are experiential practices that lead to a deeper understanding of who we are. By exploring these practices personally and as a community, we learn to access the wisdom of spirit and make changes that enable us to feel fully connected. $25/livestream, $35/in studio. Urban Souls Yoga, 100 Hudson St, Fourth Fl, Hoboken. To register: 201-683-4002. UrbanSoulsYoga.com. Movies Under the Stars – Wed through Aug. 9pm. This Hoboken event that brings together residents (and visitors) alike to enjoy some of the most popular films ever made is back. Social distance guidelines will be followed. Be sure to bring a blanket (or two to double up for extra comfort) or a lawn chair. Show up early to

snag a good spot – the lawn gets packed quickly. Don’t forget the snacks (and be sure not to leave any wrappers behind. Free, rain cancels. Pier A location as well as 7th and Jackson. Pier A Park, 1st and Sinatra, Hoboken.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5 Mana Contemporary Special Exhibits – Thu, Fri by appointment. Mana Contemporary’s special exhibitions - 44 Signs of the Times, Dawn Clements, Living Large: A Survey, Implied Scale: Confronting the Enormity of Climate Change, and Ruth Hardinger: Transcending Fields - are currently on view by appointment only, through engaging tours. Reserve your spot online. Mana Contemporary, 888 Newark Ave, Jersey City. ManaContemporary.com. Hoboken Talks! – Thu through Aug. 7-8pm. The Hoboken Museum offers a live-streamed program Hoboken Talks! - streamed live on YouTube, as well as Facebook and Twitter. Viewers can submit questions using the chat feature. YouTube.com/User/HobokenMuseum. See the website for other social media links to bookmark your preferred channel. Hoboken Historical Museum, 1301 Hudson St, Hoboken. 201-656-2240. HobokenMuseum.org. Concert in the Park: Julio Fernandez and Friends – 7-9pm. These Hoboken concerts bring together residents (and visitors) to enjoy a variety of musical offerings. Julio Fernandez and Friends will present a selection of music, from jazz and funk to classic rock. There will be a mixture of covers with one or two originals thrown in. As in past years, the band will include top area musicians with some surprises in store. Be sure to bring a blanket (or two to double up for extra comfort) or a lawn chair. Show up early to snag a good spot – the lawn gets packed quickly. Don’t forget the snacks (and be sure not to leave any wrappers behind. Free. Sinatra Park, 4th Street at Sinatra Drive, Hoboken. HOHA Run – Thursdays, 7:40pm. The Hoboken Harriers Running Club, a diverse group of runners/ joggers, welcomes runners of all abilities for a 5.2-mile run. 6th Street & Washington, Hoboken. Libations: Moran’s Pub. Info: HOHA.net.

MONDAY, AUGUST 9 Baking Week for 9- 15-Year-Olds – Aug 9-12. 9-11:30am. Students will learn to bake kid-friendly desserts from around the world. Staring with basic knife skills and kitchen safety, students will develop techniques that build confidence in the kitchen. Expect such European classics such as cream puff and apple tarts, as well an exploration of modern bakeshop techniques with chocolate twists and bread pudding. $149. Hudson County Community College, 161 Newkirk St, Jersey City. To register: 201-360-4246. HCCC.edu/ContinuingEducation. Contact Carmen Guerra: CGuerra@hccc.edu.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 10 Family Fun Night – 7pm. With Erin Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band. Join Erin Lee, Philip and Tony O - seriously silly and safely distanced - for some songs for a summer’s evening. Shipyard Park, 500 Park Ave, Hoboken.

FARMERS MARKETS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12 Basic Life Support Training Certification – Aug 12, 26. 9am-1:30pm. BLS for Healthcare Providers uses a scenario-based approach to develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that drive better outcomes for adult, child, and infant patients. Topics include: choking, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and teamwork and many more. $77. Hudson County Community College, 161 Newkirk St, Jersey City. To register: 201-3604246. Time, details: Gransom@hccc.edu. HCCC. edu/ContinuingEducation. Shakespeare In the Park: Twelfth Night – 7-8:45pm. Hudson Shakespeare Company presents one of the Bard’s most hilarious and thoughtprovoking romps, Twelfth Night. Viola, a young noblewoman, is traveling with her twin brother, Sebastian, where they are involved in a shipwreck and get separated in the mysterious country of Illyria. Viola, thinking Sebastian died in the wreck and not knowing who to trust in this new land, disguises herself as her brother and lands an assistant’s job with the local governor, Count Orsino. This fast-paced comedy of mistaken identities, love quadrangles, and live music with 5 actors playing multiple parts with quick changes and sketch comedy slant. Free. Church Square Park: Grassy area, directly across from the library on 5th street. HudsonShakespeare.com. Concert in the Park: Orquesta La Experiencia – 7-9pm. These Hoboken concerts bring together residents (and visitors) to enjoy a variety of musical offerings. Orquesta La Experiencia provides a mix of Latin sounds like salsa, merengue and more; sponsored by The Puerto Rican Cultural Committee. Be sure to bring a blanket (or two to double up for extra comfort) or a lawn chair. Show up early to snag a good spot – the lawn gets packed quickly. Don’t forget the snacks (and be sure not to leave any wrappers behind. Free. Sinatra Park, 4th Street at Sinatra Drive, Hoboken.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 15 Public River Trip: Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse – 9-11am. No experience necessary. However, it will be a workout. Trip leaders will run a short paddle test before leaving the cove to ensure everyone is comfortable and safe in their kayak. All participants must be at least 18 years of age and must know how to swim. Free. Maxwell Place Park. Hoboken waterfront near the intersection of Frank Sinatra Drive and Maxwell Place. HobokenCoveBoathouse.org. Pop-Up Artisan Market – 11am-4pm. 3rd Sun. Open-air artisan market provides a public venue in Hoboken for high quality artisans and makers to sell their handmade goods as well as for local residents to enjoy their neighborhood, view art, and engage with one another. Fashion, accessories, jewelry, bath products, pet products, home goods, fine art, photography. Under 14th Street Viaduct, GPS- 1401 Adams Street, Hoboken.

MONDAY, AUGUST 16 Cooking Week for 9- 15-Year-Olds – Aug 16-19. 9-11:30am. Students will learn to cook kid-friendly dishes with global flavors. Staring with basic knife skills and kitchen safety, students will develop techniques that build confidence in the kitchen. Expect homemade pasta from scratch, a basic marinara sauce and toaster oven pizza. Steak tacos and chicken paella will round out the four-day culinary journey. $149.

Hudson County Community College, 161 Newkirk St, Jersey City. To register: 201-360-4246. HCCC. edu/ContinuingEducation.. Contact Carmen Guerra: CGuerra@hccc.edu. Hoboken Green Team Meeting – 6:30-7:30pm. Monthly conversation with the Green Team regarding updates and upcoming projects. Hoboken City Hall, 94 Washington St, Hoboken. 201-420-2000. HobokenNJ.gov.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17 CASA Volunteer Service – 6:30pm; virtual information session via Zoom. CASA volunteers are ordinary people who have the opportunity to influence a foster child’s life across many significant and far-reaching life concerns such as medical care, academics, and enrichment activities. Individuals with a desire to help children and a willingness to commit themselves to a foster child in need of the unique one-on-one attention of a CASA volunteer. The first step to becoming a volunteer is to attend an information session. Email Volunteer Coordinator Clare Daley: CDaley@hudsoncountycasa.org.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19 Hoboken Sings – 7-9pm. A giant sing along in Sinatra Park with the Hoboken Historical Museum, featuring the mid-century tune, I Was Born in Hoboken. The event is part of the City’s Summer Concerts in Sinatra Park series. Free. Sinatra Park, 4th Street at Sinatra Drive, Hoboken.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 Kayak / Stand Up Paddle Board: Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse – 11am-3pm. Kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and outrigger canoeing in our protected cove. All ages welcome! Free. Maxwell Place Park. Hoboken waterfront near the intersection of Frank Sinatra Drive and Maxwell Place. HobokenCoveBoathouse.org.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22 Neighborhood BBQ – 5-7pm. Sponsored by Neighborhood Church. Join your neighbors for a summer cookout! All food is provided. Just bring yourself and meet a new neighbor! All current COVID guidelines will be followed to ensure we all are safe and have a great time! 455 9th St, Hoboken.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26 Creativity Workshop – 6, 7, and 8pm. This unique workshop seeks to reclaim our inspiration and imagination, rethink the unthinkable. It is ideal for people working in the creative arts as well as students, entrepreneurs, team managers, corporate leaders and anyone looking to implement their creative vision. Feel free to bring along a personal object, a piece of clothing or even a small piece of furniture to play with during this hands-on experiment in innovative thinking. Please sign up for the sessions on Eventbrite. $30. Issyra Gallery, 300 Observer Highway, Hoboken.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 Public River Trip: Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse – 3-5pm. No experience necessary. However, it will be a workout. Trip leaders will run a short paddle test before leaving the cove to ensure everyone is comfortable and safe in their kayak. All participants must be at least 18 years of age and must know how to swim. Free. Maxwell Place Park. Hoboken waterfront near the intersection of Frank Sinatra Drive and Maxwell Place. HobokenCoveBoathouse.org.

Downtown Jersey City Farmers’ Market – Mon & Thu through May. 4-8pm. The Historic Downtown Jersey City farmers’ market features various NJ vendors and local Jersey City vendors. Operating for over a decade, the Historic Downtown Jersey City Farmers Market, conveniently located by the PATH Train station and Grove Street bus stop in the heart of the historic downtown, it’s the place to get your groceries and treats! Come out and support NJ farms and businesses and get your fresh produce, pies, cookies, flowers and more. 201-547-3554. JCDowntown.org. Hamilton Park Farmer’s Market The Farmers’Market began Wednesday, May 5, and runs weekly through the fall. The hours will be from 4pm to 7pm. Hamilton Park, 8th Street at Jersey Avenue, is easily accessible on foot from Jersey City PATH stations located at Grove Street and Newport. Check the website for a list of vendors and products for sale. HPNA.WildApricot.org/Farmers-Market. HDSID Farmer’s Market The Historic Downtown Special Improvement District Farmers Market is open year-round, and the summer/fall session, begun in April, runs Mondays and Thursdays from 4-8pm. The location will remain at the Grove PATH Plaza, Newark Ave and Grove St, but will also include the “first green” area of the NewarkAvenue Pedestrian Mall. Check the website for a list of vendors and products for sale. JCDowntown.org. Hoboken Farmers Market The Hoboken Farmers Market will be back June 1st for its 23rd year on Tuesdays from 2-7:30pm. It will be located between Fourth and Fifth Garden Street on the east side of Church Square Park near the Demarest School. The Farmers Market is sponsored by the Quality-of-Life Coalition. Vendors in attendance will include Union Hill Farms, Roger’s Seafood, Melick’s Town Farm, Circle Brook Organic Farms, Pickle-Licious, Gourmet Dried Fruit and Nuts, and Hoboken Farms. Paulus Hook Farmers Market Paulus Hook Farmer’s Market is located at the end of Washington Street in the Morris Canal State Park next to the Korean War Memorial, in Jersey City. It is open on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm December (closes after Christmas). For more information: PaulusHook.org. Secaucus Green Farmers Market Green Farmers Market is a retail store rather than an outdoor market, but some customers love it. “I actually drive from Fort Lee to Secaucus for my produce,” wrote one Yelp customer. It’s open from 8am to 9pm daily at 101 Plaza Center in Secaucus. Call 201-866-1200 for more information. Uptown Farmers Market The City of Hoboken will host the Uptown Farmers Market every Saturday, from 9am to 2pm, under the 14th Street viaduct between Grand and Adams Streets, Hoboken. The market will have a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other local products. Some of the vendors in attendance are Stony Hill Farms, Cotton Cattle, Hoboken Farms, Roger’s Seafood, Picklicious, Choc-O-Pain and Paolo’s Kitchen. To add to the fun, there will be live music on some days. Van Vorst Park Farmer’s Market Van Vorst Farmers Market, Van Vorst Park, Montgomery and JerseyAvenue, Jersey City, opened in May and will be open until December on Saturdays, 8am to 2pm. This seasonal open-air market offers a wide variety of goods, including fresh organic and conventional fruits and vegetables, baked goods, seafood, fresh mozzarella, pickles, and flowers. Bayonne Farmers Market Tuesdays, 2-7pm. It is on 23rd between Broadway and Demonte Drive in Bayonne.

August 2021

communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@NAHudson.com to request our media kit.

FITNESS

DENTIST LOUIS STEINBERG, DDS, MS

6050 Boulevard E, Ste LE, West New York, NJ 201-662-2020 • DrLMSteinberg.com

PRIME CYCLE HOBOKEN

70 Hudson St, Hoboken, NJ 201-683-6956 • PrimeCycle.com Prime Cycle Hoboken is now offering more than 25 outdoor classes a week—from early morning to midday to evenings, including Saturday and Sunday mornings—on the Hoboken Little League field, on 5th Street.

Biological dentist offering mercury-safe dentistry, Biocompatible Restorative Dentistry and TMJ analysis and treatment. See ad on page 9.

PUMP HOBOKEN

FAMILY

401 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken, NJ

ALPHAKEY CLUB

Virtual Based Jersey City, NJ info@alphakey.club • AlphaKey.club A foundation in reading is the classic predictor of academic success. But there are also certain character traits— like confidence, gratitude, integrity and patience—that are critical to success in the classroom and in life. AlphaKey Club is a holistic educational program and interactive workshops founded by ShalomIsrael Diggs, a Jersey City teacher, dancer and artist, who teaches those foundational qualities right along with the ABCs.

FASHION EMBROIDERED PANDA Jersey City, NJ EmbroideredPanda.com

Embroidered Panda is a minoritywoman-owned business that normally specializes in delightful, thoughtful and sometimes quirky embroidery customized for weddings, babies, and even pets. Owner Amanda “Panda” Farrell also makes masks that are available online, and at Love Locked, 353 Grove Street in Jersey City, a woman-owned small business that features the work of local artists.

ONE/SOL

1422 Grand Street, Suite 3A Hoboken, NJ 201-809-9401 • BeOneSol.com ONE/SOL is a lifestyle boutique devoted to the wellness scene. It offers beautiful clothing and accessories to add confidence and color to someone’s wardrobe, and is also a unique haven for events, bringing all types of people and their fabulous energy together to experience parts of themselves... variations of wellness that can propel them to truly find “what makes their SOL happy”.

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Boutique Pilates & fitness studio located in midtown Hoboken, offering smallgroup Pilates, reformer, mat classes and one-on-one sessions (virtual until studio re-opens). With a belief that every body is unique, Pump maximizes every workout with dynamic movements that work multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Strengthen your body and soul and view their virtual schedule.

HEALTHY FOODS BUSY BEE ORGANICS

451 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ 201-656-5065 BusyBeeOrganics.com Chef Michelle Berckes and her team make up Busy Bee Organics, which serves nutritious, immuneboosting eats to the local c o m m u n i t y. T h i s h e a l t h supportive, local eatery offers instore specials, a brand-new cafe menu & limited outdoor seating. With choices to accommodate every dietary restriction and allergy, you can expect to find delicious options for everyone organic, plant based, customizable & 100% gluten-free.

BWÈ KAFE

1002 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 1401 Adams St., Hoboken, NJ 140 River Dr. S, Jersey City, NJ 201-683-0045 • bwekafe.com All three locations serve drink and food menus with several fun and fresh seasonal items. Offering fresh lemonade, housemade lavender coldbrew lattes, green water detox drinks, salads and toasts, bwé kafe is always thinking of creative and tasty drinks to satisfy your health and pallet. They also source and roast their own coffee beans. Order at the door, ahead of time online, or have them deliver right to your home.

CAFE PEANUT

586 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 201-721-6270 • CafePeanut.com Funky cafe dedicated to quality foods using locally grown, natural and organic produce. Menu selections include delicious salads, sandwiches, soups, pastries, and artisan coffees & teas.

GREEN PEAR CAFÉ

93 Grand Street, Hoboken, NJ 201-659-0940 93 Franklin Street, Jersey City, NJ 201-968-7151 GreenPearGroup.com Green Pear Cafe is Hoboken’s healthy and innovative eating destination offering gluten free dishes, house made soups, nut milks and smoothies.Recently opened Jersey City Heights location completed their menu with European classic cuisine featuring AustroHungarian goulash dishes, wide variety of pickles, linzer desserts and much more. For more information, please visit greenpeargroup.com.

KEY FRESH AND NATURAL

574 Jersey Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 201-204-4200 Local grocer offering huge selection of healthy products and quality brand names for the entire family. Fresh produce with many organic options, quality meats and poultry, organic baby food, grain-free and natural pet foods, non-toxic cleaning products and much more. Save time shopping in one location and get all your grocery needs met at Key Fresh and Natural. Hablamos Espanol. See ad, page 2.

PLANT BASE JC

370 Pacific Ave, Jersey City, NJ 551-256-3868 • PlantBaseMarket.com An ethical, vegan, zerowaste market and restaurant offering a full-vegan, allday food menu, bulk groceries, organic produce, homeopathic wellness products, body care products and household products. Plant Base is also a strong community hub, known as “the living room for the hood”, where neighbors come together to share knowledge and ideas.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS ANCHOR THERAPY

223 Bloomfield St, Ste. 121, Hoboken, NJ 201-565-2275 • AnchorTherapy.org Therapy is the anchor that holds life together through choppy waters. Anchor Therapy specializes in helping teens and adults through these times. Their experience and professional skills help clients feel better sooner. Call for a free consultation.

ACUPUNCTURE ATELIER

1321 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 201-708-8577 • AcupunctureAtelier.com Acupuncture Atelier offers undivided personalized attention during each and every session. Sara and Samia pride themselves on being unique and adaptable. Treatments may include acupuncture, reiki, aromatherapy, moxibustion, cupping, auricular therapy, as well as ancient Shamanic healing methods.

BABY STEPS PEDIATRICS

Dr. Carmen H. Lebron 75 Montgomery Street, Ste. 401 Jersey City, NJ 201-600-4306 • LebronPeds@gmail.com BabyStepsPediatrics.com Carmen Lebron is a fun-loving and creative pediatrician in downtown Jersey City. Our clinical approach is holistic, giving attention not just to medical issues, but integrating all aspects of the social and family environment. Dr. Lebron is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, and is a clinical homeopath.

FOOT AND ANKLE PREMIER SPECIALISTS

Dr. Juliana Paternina 70 Hudson St, Hoboken, NJ 201-659-5222 • FootandAnklePS.com Dr. Juliana Paternina, is a boardcertified Foot and Ankle Reconstructive Surgeon. She provides compassionate and comprehensive care for both adult and pediatric patients with any type of foot and ankle needs. She is well known for being thorough and for having a holistic approach. Specialties include dermatologic foot conditions, any foot and ankle deformities including bunions and hammertoes, chronic nerve pain, sports-related injuries including heel pain, fractures, sprains, and treatment of diabetic foot complications. See ad, page 17.

HABIT DISRUPTION THERAPY

Kevin Munhall m.AmSAT Hoboken, NJ 316-461-7660 • HabitDisruption.com Identify the seemingly harmless habits of tension that we all carry with us throughout the day that can lead to aches, pains, and injury. Specialist, Kevin Munhall, will help relieve this tension and teach you how to move in line with how you are designed, with freedom and ease. By changing these habits, you are able to get to the root of the issue and can address what actually causes the pain instead of waiting for it to arrive.

HOBOKEN CHIROPRACTIC + WELLNESS

Dr. Laura Brayton/Dr. Olga Alvarez 113 Monroe Street, Hoboken, NJ 201-792-3544 • HobokenChiro.com Family wellness practice, specializing in pediatrics and maternity, that strongly believe in the body’s innate intelligence and ability to heal itself when blockages to the healing process are removed. Utilizing chiropractic, soft tissue techniques, allergy elimination, nutrition/supplements, and massage, health is restored and maintained for optimal wellness.

LOTUS GENESIS WELLNESS CENTER 7000 JFK Boulevard East Galaxy Mall, Ste. M-15, Guttenberg, NJ 201-210-4764 • LotusGenesis.com

A holistic sanctuary offering a team of healers, therapists, mind-body experts and a naturopathic doctor, who combine various modalities from energy healing, diet and nutrition, to hypnotherapy and body work. Lotus Genesis offers a full line of wellness services, from detox and weight-loss programs, to caring for more complex medical issues. Their unique focus and approach to addressing root causes allows for rapid and long-term wellness. See ad, page 29.

INSPIRED TO HEALTH

MIND BODY HOBOKEN

Dedicated to helping women de-stress and lead more healthful lives, Lorraine Giordano offers the following treatments: Quantum Touch, Quantum Energy Transformation, Reiki, Quantum Allergy Release, Age Clearing and Energy Medicine. Also specializing in helping women with female reproductive issues and helping them connect to their sacral chakra; an energetic center linked to emotions, self-care, creativity and passion. She also offers Akashic Record readings.

Mind Body Hoboken works with individuals, corporate teams and small business owners to find balance in their personal and professional life. Finding the calm and peace in life is essential to balancing out the “fight or flight” response caused by stress. Founder/practitioner Jennifer Araneo utilizes neurolinguistic programming, hypnosis, meditation and reiki to help clients find the Zen in their lives.

85 Maple Street #3L, Weehawken, NJ 201-344-6448 • InspiredToHealth.net

JACQUIE BIRD, SPIRITUAL WELLNESS JacquieBirdWellness.com

Jacquie Bird, Spiritual Wellness offers products and services that, support, guide and empower the individual. She is the author of the 7 Daily Thoughts & Mantras 4 Mindfulness eBook series; the Creator/Practitioner of Stress Busters Guided Meditations; she creates guided meditation as well as meditation music called SoundSoulVibin’ and is the Owner/Creator of the handmade wellness brand MODAL VISIONS, which is rooted in the energetically dynamic properties of gemstones, crystals and copper. Jacquie is also the Creator and host of the podcast Roll With Peace, In Mind. Her entire platform and intent is in mindfulness, personal growth, stress relief and stress management – in essence, how we can live more calm, centered, grounded and meaningful lives.

JC BUMP AND BABY Jersey City, NJ JCBumpAndBaby.com

JC Bump and Baby connects moms through support groups, yoga classes and workshops.

LEAH CRESCENZO

917-525-3477 • HeyLeahC.com Transformative healer who utilizes the powerful tools of Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) and Hypnotherapy to improve everything from emotional to physical conditions.

51 Newark Street, Ste. 402, Hoboken, NJ 201-994-3500 • MindBodyHoboken.com

MINDFUL PLAY YOGA

646-552-2982 MindfulPlayYoga@gmail.com Mindful Play Yoga brings out the kid in all of us by working with children, adults & caregivers through mindfulness, play & yoga to see the best in everyone. MPY is committed to inspiring children ages 3 -15 & families to be curious life-long learners.

NALU CHIROPRACTIC

Dr Sura Devi 75 Montgomery Street, Ste. 201, Jersey City, NJ NaluChiro.com Nalu Chiropractic is a holistic family practice with a special focus on Women’s Health and Healing. Providing unique, honoring and gentle care - body alignment for a happier and healthier life. Specializations include: fertility, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, motherhood and pediatrics.

OLEVIA METRY, MD

Family Medicine 108 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 201-656-5688 • Linktr.ee/Dr_Olevia Dr. Olevia Metry is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician who grew up in Florida and has made Hoboken home for 3 years. She’s passionate about preventative medicine, lifestyle medicine, women’s health and diabetes.

August 2021

RISE COACHING

Kelly Bonell West New York Kelly@YouWillRise.co • YouWillRise.co Serving ambitious professionals who strivie to live their best life, but sometimes get weighed down with stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and that ‘stuck’ feeling. RISE helps clients to close the gap between stagnation and success by expanding what their mind sees as possible, helping them release limiting beliefs, and accelerating their growth. Kelly Bonell is a trained life coach who provides her clients a non-judgmental, inclusive, and trauma informed space to empower them to rise to new heights. Virtual sessions available.

VIDA-FLO HOBOKEN

HOLISTIC PET CARE

Vida-Flo services offer IV hydration treatments, essential gains, advanced gains, injectable treatments & oxygen. All treatments are provided by trained nurses in a clean medical spa environment for your comfort.

Holistic Pet Care of Little Falls provides guidance on optimum diet and environment, and how to minimizing negative elements/toxins to keep your pet healthier and living longer. Holistic and complementary modalities include acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, homeopathy, bach flow remedies, herbal therapies (western, chinese & ayurvedic), nutritional therapy, ozone therapy, cold laser therapy, and reiki for addressing problems and for preventive care.

131 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 201-683-3222 • VidaFloHoboken.com

OUTDOORS A SMALL GREEN SPACE Jersey City, NJ ASmallGreenSpace.com

A Small Green Space is an urban garden design firm, specializing in designing, installing and maintaining small city spaces.

SALVATION WELLNESS

30 Provost St, Jersey City, NJ 551-689-0763 • SalvationWellness.com Salvation Wellness is a multiservice wellness center that offers services such as massage, meditation, yoga classes and sauna sessions. It also sells a variety of personal care products, including CBD bath and body items. Co-founders Celia and Andres Pender have lived in Jersey City for more than a decade. They both have been dedicated to holistic health studies and deductive, science-based, natural healing for more than two decades.

THE GREEN ROOM

109 14th St, Hoboken, NJ 64 Newark Street, Hoboken, NJ 512 Jersey Ave, Jersey City, NJ TheGreenRoomNJ.com Newly added Jersey City location. Hoboken and Montclair’s first CBD shops that provide both in-person and online shopping. Owner Darek Michael offers education and high-quality products. The Green Room is open Sunday through Thursday 11am-8pm and Fri and Sat 11am-10pm in Jersey City and Monclair.

VICTORIA REED MASSAGE THERAPY

Victoria Radzinski, LMT, CPT 201-551-7154 • VictoriaReed.Info@gmail.com VictoriaReedMassageTherapy.com As a licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Personal Trainer and Yoga instructor, Victoria’s healing and relaxing services reverse the effects of daily stress by repairing damaged muscle tissue to eliminate aches and pains throughout the body. Improve circulation, detoxify your body, and increase mental alertness as you decompress with her carefully designed massages. Victoria’s drive behind her work stems from her observations on today’s lifestyle/living. See ad, page 25.

Hudson County

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PETS GALLA WELLNESS

Florentina Galla, Rdh.MS GallaWellness.com Florentina has been using holistic care and reiki healing for decades and now is providing that for pets. She provides pet healing and holistic pet nutrition. She’s using gentle touching if an area is in pain after trauma and to reduce the healing time; she offers customized nutrition and supplement needs to manage stress and weight gain based on the pets need. She is a regular volunteer at North Star Animal Rescue and is the author of Confessions of a Holistic Hygienist in a New Era of Wellness.

HOBOKEN JENGO

Hoboken, NJ 732-277-0284 • Hello@HobokenJengo.com HobokenJengo.com Hoboken Jengo is a sustainable online shop designed to empower pets and their humans with ways to reduce their environmental impact through minimally processed highquality treats, safe lasting toys, and ethically-sourced products that spark joy, foster health, and make a positive difference. The name Jengo is derived from kujenga, a Swahili word which means “to build”. Hoboken Jengo provides access to eco-friendly, unique mission-driven brands for dogs, cats and humans in one central place.

125 Paterson Avenue, Little Falls, NJ 973-256-3899 • HolisticPetCareNJ.com

MEOW MINI MART

Sherry Cassin Hello@MeowMiniMart.com MeowMiniMart.com Online cat boutique featuring unique and sustainably made fashion pet collars, home and kitchen gifts, cat toys and wellness products. See charming and sophisticated collections created by artisans and designers who love all animals, especially cats! A percentage of every sale is donated to local cat rescue groups to help pay the vet bills.

PAWTANICALS

7622 Broadway, North Bergen, NJ 201-520-3036 • Pawtanicals.com Pawtanicals was established to give pet owners the accessibility of washing their pets without space constraints–as they normally would do at home in their bath tubs. It allows for pet owners to create a stronger bonding experience while simultaneously making their pets feel safe and secure having their owners personally wash them.

THE CUDDLY BOUTIQUE TheCuddlyBoutique.com

Founded by pet parents, Tom & Kimberley Bueno-Schonig of The Cuddly Cottage pet sitting service, the Cuddly Boutique is an online pet store that sells a variety of special gifts from cozy sweaters to unique toys. Their promise is that The Cuddly Boutique products will give your pet that “this is the best gift ever” look in their eyes and give you that warm and cuddly feeling in your heart.

SKINCARE SEAZEN SOAP Hoboken, NJ SeazenSoap.com

Handmade local luxury products for your skin. The Seazen Soap company specializes in natural soaps, skin butter and CBD products.

CELEBRATING 27 years in THE business of

August 2021

Dr. Tom O'Bryan Chief Health Off icer, KnoWEwell

"WE ARE TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE" Personalized. Diverse. Inclusive. Regenerative Whole-Health and Well-Being Benefits. It’s how KnoWEwell is transforming the future of healthcare. Award-winning. One global online destination for today’s trusted Regenerative Whole Health knowledge, resources, and ecosystem collaborating to inspire and empower individuals to prevent harm, address chronic diseases and achieve WELLthier Living – Happy. Healthy. Abundant. PurposeFilled. Join the movement as we share knowledge and healing success stories, access to evidence-based resources, immersive learning opportunities from the experts, and help create meaningful connections.. Take control and optimize your health and well-being by visiting: KnoWEwell.com As a Natural Awakenings reader, receive 50% off your first year of membership. Individuals apply:

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