November 2022

Publisher Claire Byers

Anil Singh

Editor Martin Miron

Contributing Writers Thomas Brenton Ashley Di Capri

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Mental Health Brings Anxiety-Free Living

Withall the changes happening around us, coupled with the evolution of new social interaction protocols for meeting and greeting, mental health is fast becoming a critical issue. The anxiety is coming from all directions; per sonal, professional and financial. Society has become competitive at all levels, so to address anxiety, we need easy, community-based approaches with which to slowly adapt a more equitable and inclusive ap proach. Affirmative thinking and self-care are more important than ever to avoid putting undue stress on ourselves.

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Anil Singh and his wife Vartika

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Our feature story, “Staying Serene in Turbulent Times,” provides clear action items to convert anxiety into positive actions. Also check out Be Well founder Lauren Taibi, in Caldwell, helping the community with her unique approach to mental health. Our current social structure is creating anxiety and stress in kids, too. We have great way to healing them in our Healthy Kids department, “The Colors of Healing.” Our local contributors have some great information about heart health by Dr. Finn, and functional medicine hab its for mental health by Dr. Pucci.

Our November issue contains something for everyone about health and wellness from our local community and healthcare providers. Find even more great information in our online edition at NAHudson.com Natural Awakenings of Hudson County is your all-season health and wellness resource for body, mind and soul—the physical body and inner, spiritual, well-being. Like us on Facebook and Instagram.

Stay Healthy, Stay Happy!

Anil Singh, Publisher

Become an Access Bars Practitioner in Paramus

The Access Bars (Bars) class from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 12, with Theresa Obssuth is a one-day training session where participants will learn to administer an innovative energy clearing technique that can create greater ease and cultivate more joy in life through greater awareness.

While training, participants learn how to “run the Bars” and will also receive two Bars sessions. The Bars are 32 points on the head that when gently touched, effortlessly and easily release thoughts, ideas, decisions, beliefs and attitudes that keep us in limitation. Access Bars can release disharmonious thoughts and behavior patterns, and the release of these old thoughts and patterns can bring greater possibilities into our life.

No prerequisites are required, and anyone can learn, including children. Class participants receive a certificate of completion and become qualified to provide Access Bars ses sions to family, friends or clients. Pro viders of other therapies can introduce Access Bars into their practice.

Location: Paramus. For more informa tion, preregister (required, or book a private session, call Obssuth at 201655-3836 or visit AccessConsiousness. com. See ad, page 12.

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Sunny Health Spa Getaway

The Island of Health Wellness and Retreat Center, in Hal landale, Florida, north of Miami, offers a step-by-step full-body detox program and cleanse to re move everything from toxins and heavy metals to stones and excess fat from the liver.

Seven, 7, 10 and 14-day, allinclusive holistic packages include comfortable rooms near the ocean; low-carb diet food for lunch and dinner; oxygen cocktails; green cocktails; yoga classes: and four treatments a day (after indi vidual computer bio-resonance testing). Transportation from the airport is provided.

Those suffering from arthritis, diabetes, kidney problem, fatty liver, psoriasis, obesity or low immune system functioning can enjoy individually customized ionic detox, lymph drainage, cupping massage, reflexology massage, hot stone massage, classical massage. infrared wrap with collagen and Dead Sea application, electromagnetic therapy, jade ap plication, ultrasonic cavitation, lipo laser treatment , vitamin IV. and much more (cos metic procedures not included).

For more information, call 305-916-1248 or visit WellnessAndDetoxCenter.com. See ad, page 12.

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Lauren F. Taibi, NCC

Lauren F. Taibi, NCC, is the owner and founder of Be Well Psychotherapy. She is a well ness speaker and author of the children’s book, Dance with Me, Please, and states, “At Be Well Psychotherapy, we are fortunate to work alongside a team of eight therapists. Each therapist brings something remarkable to the center. Our team allows families to receive care all in one center. It is a humbling experience to be able to work alongside dedicated and quali fied professionals!”

Taibi graduated from Drew University, in Madison, and Caldwell University, in Caldwell. Prior to entering the mental health field, she was an elementary educator and New Jersey certified teacher. During graduate school, she volunteered with the Con tact We Care national suicide lifeline and is assist-certified. Her graduate work began in hospice, expanding her bereavement and grief experience.

She shares, “Often times, one might find saying ‘Goodbye’ tough. When I was first humbled with the op portunity to work alongside clients, I searched for a way to express my farewell until the next session or time. Something did not sit right with ‘Goodbye,’ or ‘Have a good night,’ or ‘Have a nice weekend.’ I stumbled a few times, until trying, ‘Take care and be well.’ I was led to encourage those that welcomed our therapeutic relationship in offering them a reminder to ‘take care,’—taking care of themselves and the goals they yearned for. Last, but not least, I wanted to wish them well, to ‘be well’ in whatever that was for them.”

As Taibi continued working alongside others as a licensed counselor, the experience inspired the name of her business, Be Well Psychotherapy. “Before long, it came time to put an image with our name; a bumblebee was the first thing that came to mind. As we may know, bees are needed for our food supply, pollinating flowers and producing honey,” she says. “Needed, or essential, is the way each of us deserve to feel.”

Be Well Psychotherapy is located at 175 Fairfield Ave., Ste. 1C, in West Caldwell. For appointments and more information, call 973-886-8300 or visit BeWellCaldwell.com.

Holistic and compassionate mental health services for Adults, College students and Couples, utilizing research based methods including CBT.

“Walk and talk” sessions utilizing our private, outdoor space.

Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.

Our team of 8 therapists allows families to receive care all in one center.

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Visit BeWellCaldwell.com for“Ask The Hive” - a place to ask anonymous questions.

175 Fairfield Avenue • Suite 1C West Caldwell • 973-886-8300

Lauren Taibi, LPC, NCC

Fruit and Vitamin B6 May Relieve Anxiety and Depression

The best strategy to stay upbeat may be to reach for the fruit bowl, sug gests a new study comparing the habits and mental states of 428 people published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Researchers at the UK’s Aston University found that the more often people ate fruit, the lower they scored for depression and the higher for mental well-being. The frequency of fruit con sumption seemed to be more important to psychological health than the total amount consumed. People that ate savory snacks such as potato chips, which are low in nu trients, were more likely to report more frequent memory lapses and greater levels of anxiety and depression. The researchers found no connection between eating vegeta bles and psychological health. Nutrients can be lost during cooking. “As we are more likely to eat fruit raw, this could potentially explain its stronger influence on our psycho logical health,” says lead author Nicola-Jayne Tuck.

In another study, researchers from the UK’s University of Reading gave 478 young adults either high doses of vi tamins B6 or B12 or a placebo. After one month, they found that 100 milligrams of the B6 (about 50 times the recom mended daily allowance) significantly boosted gamma aminobutyric acid, which inhibits excitatory impulses in the brain, and reduced self-reported anxiety and depression levels. B12 had no such effects.

Different Fibers Produce Different Results

Although high-fiber diets reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular disease, the latest research from Stanford University indicates that not all fibers are equal in their effect on different species of probiotics in the intestines. Arabinoxylan, which is common in whole grains, was found to reduce cholesterol naturally and was easier to digest than long-chain inulin, which is found in onions, chicory root and Jerusalem artichokes. Commonly used for weight-loss products, inulin was linked to a mod est decrease in inflammation markers and an increase in Bifidobacterium, a “good” gut microbe; however, at high doses it increased inflammation and raised the possibility of liver damage.

Stretching and Balance Exercises Can Avert Mental Decline

To protect against memory loss, simple stretching and balance exercises work as well as hard-driving aerobics, concludes a new study from Wake Forest University. The study enrolled 296 sedentary older adults with mild cognitive decline such as forgetting dates, keys and names. Those that performed simple stretching routines for 120 to 150 minutes per week expe rienced no memory decline in a year’s time, as measured by cognitive tests and brain scans that showed no shrinkage. These results matched the outcome of people that did moderateintensity aerobic training on treadmills or stationary bikes four times a week, striving for about 30 to 40 minutes of a heightened heart rate. A control group of equally matched people that did not exercise did decline cognitively. The people that exercised were supervised by trainers at local YMCAs, which may have helped them stay motivated, say the researchers.

Longevity Diet Involves Fasting, Too

After reviewing hun dreds of studies on nutrition, diseases and longevity in laboratory animals and humans, the optimal diet for longevity has “lots of legumes, whole grains and vegetables; some fish; no red meat or processed meat and very low white meat; low sugar and refined grains; good levels of nuts and olive oil, and some dark chocolate,” reports University of Southern Califor nia gerontology professor Valter Longo. According to the literature review he and others authored for Cell, a day’s meals should ideally occur within a window of 11 to 12 hours, allowing for a daily period of fasting. A five-day fast or fast-mimicking diet every three to four months was also suggested to help reduce insulin resistance, blood pressure and other risk factors for those with increased disease risks.

Marek Studzinski/Unsplash.com

Aging and Heart Health

We all have anecdotal experience that people of advanced age have more heart attacks, but statistically speaking, the average age men have their first heart attack is 65, and for women, the average age is 72. Menopause, which women experience around the age of 50, lowers the amount of estrogen in the body. Estrogen helps keep arteries flexible, so the heart attack risk goes up once estrogen starts to drop. However, there is now an increasing number of cases with much younger people getting heart attacks. There are some key factors affecting heart health risk with increasing age to watch out for.

Weight: By the age of 50, body metabolism, the process the body uses to break down food for energy, slows down by 30 percent. A slower metabolism can make it hard to maintain a healthy weight and increases the risk of insulin resistance, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity—all of which raise the odds of heart disease.

Hardening of the Heart: With age, arter ies get stiffer and similarly, the heart muscle

stiffens, too. This makes it tougher to pump blood well, especially during high-intensity activities like exercise.

Blood Pressure: By the mid-to-late 50s, the risk of getting high blood pressure is signifi cant. It hardens and damages the smooth inner lining of the artery walls, stiffens blood vessels and increases the chance of blockage.

Poor Sleep: Aging often leads to trouble sleeping, which can increase the stiffness of arteries and harden cholesterol plaque, rais ing the risk of heart disease.

Blood Vessels Narrow: Aging is one of the risk factors for atherosclerosis, or the harden ing and narrowing of arteries. It occurs when cholesterol, fats and other fatty substances known as plaque build up on the inner walls of the arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart.

Increased Sensitivity to Salt: The body doesn’t deal as well with salt intake as we age. Too much can raise blood pressure and lead to swelling.

Higher Risk of Diabetes for Women: As es

trogen drops after menopause, body doesn’t use insulin as well as it once did, raising the risk of getting diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves that control the heart.

The aging process brings changes that cannot be avoided, but careful analysis of lifestyle is key in managing the hearth health risks. A regular consultation and guidance with a wholistic practitioner can have a posi tive impact.

Roman E. Finn, M.D., is a holistic and integrative practitioner of traditional medicine in modern ways. For consultations, call 201-2910401 or visit citm-drfinn.com. See ad, page 13.

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Functional Medicine Habits to Improve Mental Health and Well-Being

In a world overflowing with smartphones, social media, instant texts, advertise ments, 24/7 news cycles and a million other distractions, it is no wonder that many of us are stressed out, tired and mentally ex hausted, all of which can take a negative toll without our even being aware of it. Thanks to the whole-body approach of functional medicine and a few simple habits, it is easier than ever to reverse course when it comes to improving our own mind, body and overall well-being. These habits are not only easy to implement, but can have a profound and lasting impact on every aspect of our lives.

Healthy Gut Equals Happy Life

Scientists have discovered that healthy gut bacteria produce key neurotransmitters that include dopamine, serotonin and GABA. All of these chemicals play an essential role in mood and improved mental health. This means that our gut-brain axis plays a pivotal role in maintaining mental health. This simple fact has been changing the course of treatment for patients with depression and conditions like Parkinson’s. By cultivating a well-balanced and healthy gut microbiome that includes plenty of good bacteria, not only will digestion quickly improve, but so will the quality of our mental health and well-being.

Take the Flame Out of Inflammation

Another problem that can cause havoc on mood and health is chronic inflamma tion, which implies too much surveillance and not enough repair. It has a negative impact on internal organs and tissues, and plays an important role in numerous health

conditions, including heart disease. It can cause hormones to shift as it drains energy essential to growth and nurture. By nursing the immune system back to balance, we can better our health and mood, and focus on what is important: living and doing what brings us joy.

Make Restorative Sleep a Top Priority

More than 50 percent of Americans lose sleep to anxiety or stress. Sleep deprivation can further amplify our negative response both physically and mentally to daily stresses, and also impact memory, focus, appetite, decision-making, happiness and energy levels. Deep, restorative sleep is one of the most essential foundations of abundant health and personal vitality. Start by making a mental note to put the technology away, take a few deep breaths or light stretches and slip into something relaxing and quiet.

By implementing these three simple, yet transformative functional medicine hab its into our lives, we can bring pleasure and restore mindfulness of our physical health and well-being. Start small with one habit or dive into all three. Either way, the positive changes these habits can create will be sure to make a lasting impact that can be felt from the inside-out now and in the future.

For information on conquering health issues naturally using a natural, holistic approach called functional medicine, visit GetWell-Now.com, choose “Learn More” and register for the free Root Cause Solution minicourse.

Plastic Recycling Hoax Revealed

Cool Pavement Program

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data shows the difference in nighttime temperatures in heat island areas can be as much as 22 degrees warmer than temperatures measured outside such loca tions. This leads to more energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and other harmful effects.

Cool pavement is a road treatment made with no harmful chemicals—just asphalt, water, an emul sifying soap, mineral fillers, polymers and recycled materials—applied on top of existing asphalt pavement. Because the surface reflects, rather than retains heat, it has the potential to offset rising nighttime temperatures.

In 2020, portions of eight neighborhoods in Phoenix received cool pavement asphalt coating treatment in areas already in need of pavement preserva tion. The city partnered with Arizona State University researchers to conduct scientific tests using thermal imaging by helicopter flyovers and temperature sensors embedded in the pavement surface, studying how it could mitigate the urban heat island effect. In October 2021, the pilot program ended and cool pavement has become a regular program for the city’s Street Transportation Department.

Similarly, 1 million square feet of roads in Los Angeles have been covered with solar-reflective paint in the GAF Cool Community Project, which includes colorful murals by a local artist on a basketball court, a school playground and a parking lot.

Concrete Made with Rubber Refuse

tanvi sharma/Unsplash.co,,

According to a new report (Tinyurl.com/Chemical Recycling) from the non profit Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), 20 states have passed bills to exempt chemical recycling facilities from waste management requirements, despite sig nificant evidence that most facilities actually incinerate the plastic they receive.

The petrochemical industry, as represented by the American Chemistry Council, has been lobbying for state-level legislation to promote “chemical recycling”, a process that critics say is recycling in name only. Their goal is to reclassify chemical recycling as a manufactur ing process, rather than waste disposal, with more lenient regulations concerning pollution and hazardous waste.

GAIA Policy and Research Coordinator and author of the report Tok Oyewole says, “These facilities are in actuality waste-to-toxic-oil plants, processing plastic to turn it into a subpar and polluting fuel.” The report calls for federal regulation to crack down on the plastic industry’s misinformation and affirm chemical recycling’s status as a waste management process.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering whether chemical recycling should be regulated under Sec tion 129 of the Clean Air Act, which would define chemical recycling processes as incineration, potentially short-circu iting the petrochemical industry’s state legislative strategy, although Oyewole says it’s unclear whether the agency’s determination would override existing state legislation.

Concrete consists of water, cement and an aggregate such as sand or gravel. The aggregate has to be mined from the ground, and is now in short supply in many parts of the world, while discarded tires can be partially recycled, but are often burned or relegated to landfills.

Attempts to replace some of the aggregate used in concrete with crumbled, used tires has been stymied by a bonding problem because pores in the rubber fill with water when the concrete is first mixed, and become empty holes as the water evaporates and the concrete sets.

As reported in the journal Resources, Conservation & Recycling, scientists at Australia’s RMIT University have produced good-quality concrete in which all of the aggregate has been replaced with tire particles. They started with wet concrete in which all the aggregate is comprised of tire particles, then placed it in special steel molds as it set to place pressure on the concrete, compressing the particles and the pores within.

Once the concrete dried and set, the cement had bonded much better to the tire particles. When compared to previous 100-percent tire-aggregate concrete produced by conventional means, the preloaded concrete exhib ited 97 percent, 59 percent and 20 percent increases in compressive, flexural and tensile strength, respectively.

The Bayonne Farmers’ Market – The market opens from 2-7 pm. and will run every Tuesday at the same time. The market is located on West 23rd Street between Broadway and DelMonte Drive. The Bayonne Farmers’ Market aims to foster “a sense of community by bringing farmers and local businesses to gether right in our neighborhood.” The goal is to offer a variety of fresh foods to

community.

Downtown Jersey City Farmers’ Market – Mon & Thu through Dec. 4-8pm. The Historic Downtown Jersey City farmers’ market features various NJ ven dors 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 runs weekly through the fall. The hours will be from 4-7pm, Wednesdays in Hamilton Park, 25 West Hamilton Place, Jersey City, 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. GNADF.com/Events/HNPA-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 Newark Avenue Pedestrian Mall. Check the website for a list of vendors and products for sale. JCDowntown.org.

Hoboken Farmers Market – The Hoboken Farmers Market is open through mid-November on Tuesdays from 2-8pm. It is located between Fourth and Fifth Garden Street on the east side of Church Square Park near the Demarest School. 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 – The Paulus Hook Farmers Market is both a farmers’ market and a CSA pickup spot for local subscribers. It is open through December on Saturdays from 10am-4pm. The Market is located at the end of Washington Street in the Morris Canal State Park next to the Korean War Memorial, in Jersey City. For more information: PaulusHook.org.

Riverview Farmer’s Market – This farmer’s market is held at Riverview-Fisk Park through November. The vendors are between Ogden & Palisade from 10am-3pm. Take a stroll through Riverview-Fisk Park (with NYC views) in Jersey City Heights and enjoy live music, and a variety of awesome vendors like Alstede Farms, Stony Hill Farms, Headquarters Farms, RH Farms, Nature’s Own, and more.

The Southwest Park Farmers Market – This farmers market is brand new to the 2022 season. Like other markets, the new market will offer an underserved neighborhood fresh vegetables, fruits, and baked goods. Where: North side of Observer Highway between Jackson Street and Harrison Street through midNovember Thursdays 2-8pm.

Uptown Farmers Market – The City of Hoboken will host the Uptown Farmers Market every Saturday, from 9am-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 atten dance are Stony Hill Farms, Cotton Cattle, Hoboken Farms, Roger’s Seafood, Pick-Licious, 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 Jersey Avenue, Jersey City, will be open until December on Saturdays, 8am-2pm. This open-air market offers a wide variety of goods, including fresh organic and conventional fruits and vegetables, baked goods,

Pretty Hot and Tempting Podcast

Actor/comedian Brooke Hoover has a new podcast, Who’s Dat Phat Girl, about 100-pound weight loss and 100 percent health gain. She says, “How do you convince yourself you are PHAT (Pretty Hot And Tempting) when for decades, you were told that since you’re fat, you’re therefore ugly, unworthy, unlovable?” She professes that that stuffing your face with kale all day won’t do any good if we aren’t also feeding ourself with kindness.

Hoover’s podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts, plus a video ver sion at BrookeHoover.com/podcast and YouTube.com/brookehoover. Episodes range from smoking ces sation and her battle with polycys tic ovary syndrome using natural remedies to a dose of nostalgia revisiting bogus 80s exercise and diet fads.

Hoover’s television credits include Blue Bloods, Law & Order: SVU, High Maintenance and her own award-winning projects. She cur rently performs with Lunatic Fringe Improv of New Jersey and is available to speak at in-per son or online events. For more information, call 646-470-7458 or email ContactBrookeHoover@gmail.com.

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Most Labs & Performed On Working With Insurance Companies (201)291-0401 www.citm-drfinn.com 22 Madison Ave. Paramus,

Americas' Top Doctors'- 2021

Contact Us To Schedule An Appointment

Most Labs Performed Working With Insurance (201)291-0401 www.citm-drfinn.com 22 Madison Ave. Paramus,

STAYING SERENE IN TURBULENT TIMES

HOW TO TURN ANXIETY INTO POSITIVE ACTION

by Ronica O’Hara

Inthis day and age, we have good reason to toss and turn in our beds at night. As our nation faces climate catastrophes, acrid politics, stubborn inflation, unpredict able virus variants and hot-button issues like abortion and guns, there’s good reason our collective anxiety levels are at a high pitch. A recent Yale survey found that 70 percent of Americans report being anxious or depressed about global warming, and a Penn State survey this year found that 84 percent of us say we are “extremely worried” or “very worried” about where the country is headed. Researchers are coining new terms: “polycrisis”, for complex, cascading crises in interacting systems, and “pre-traumatic stress disorder”, when fear of an outcome makes it as good as real to our psyches.

“It’s easy for people to feel overwhelmed now, feeling there are breakdowns and threats on many fronts. People can wonder ‘Where do I even start?’ and feel powerless and hopeless and numb,” says psychiatrist Ja net Lewis, M.D., a founder of the nationwide Climate Psychiatry Alliance and a University of Rochester clinical assistant professor of psychiatry. “We are part of a complex system

that is moving into new ways of functioning, but there’s no way of predicting ahead of time exactly what all the features of the new ways of operating will be. That makes it impossible for us to wrap our minds around everything that is happening.”

Still, she adds, “We are also by definition part of the system, and therefore have a responsi bility to do what we can. We can’t sit on the sidelines and merely hope that things transform in good directions. The situation being so serious also means that what we do now is really important.”

To move from anxiety into effective action, mental health experts advise several strategies: taking a wider perspective, building resilience through self-care and taking individual steps to make a collective difference. As the Dalai Lama encourages, “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito!”

Taking a Wider Perspective

News reports almost always sound dire—just like the amygdala of our brains, journalists often see their function as focusing on threats to alert us to dangers. “Still, if you take the long view of history, we are much better off than we were 200 years ago or 1,000 years ago, but it took many years to make those changes,” counsels Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D., director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy and author of the bestselling The Worry Cure and the upcoming If Only

“We never know if something is hopeless until we have all the data, and we seldom have all the data,” he says. “And when it comes to political emotions, many of the predictions that are made by the ‘talking heads’ in media never come true.”

Leahy counsels patience: “Social change does not come about by one person doing some thing. That usually comes about by a long process of millions of people changing their at titudes and changing their behavior. Small efforts can be made on a daily basis that move this slow process forward. We need to take a longer view, rather than expect immediate change.”

In this ongoing process, anxiety has its rightful place. “Anxiety makes us look around, figure

out solutions and act. This can absolutely be turned into something positive,” says neuropsychologist Barbara Easterlin, of Jackson, Wyo ming, an expert on eco-anxiety who is on the steering committee of the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America. “Doing just one thing to help the planet consistently helps defeat anxiety.”

Taking action moves us into our power—as 15-year-old Greta Thunberg demonstrated by holding a sign outside the Swedish par liament. Personal actions matter because numbers add up. Only 25 percent of individuals in a social group need to make a shift before significant social change follows, conclude researchers at the Univer sity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science that analyzed a decade of societal changes in voting, health, technology and finance. Once a group reaches that tipping point, it can trigger a change in the rest of society, says study author Damon Centola, Ph.D., author of Change: How to Make Big Things Happen.

Building Resilience with Self-Care

Fears about the shape of the planet and nation are often piled on top of our everyday living anxieties about family and finances, which can induce emotional overload. “We all have a ‘zone of resilience’ or ‘window of tolerance’, outside of which we become more reac tive, less able to function effectively. But it is not fixed. We can learn tools to expand it and cultivate the capacity to be with more,” says Easterlin.

Therapy can be a part of that process by challenging us to examine “the mental narratives that can exacerbate distress,” says Leslie Davenport, a climate psychology consultant and author of Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change. It’s important to find a thera pist, she says, that “validates that your feelings are a normal response to an existential crisis.” She has helped develop new programs at the American Psychology Association and the California Institute of Integral Studies to train therapists in treating eco-anxiety. For low-cost online support, the Good Grief Network offers a 10-step, 10-week program to help process personal anxiety and grief about climate change. People are also sitting down to share their distress at climate cafes, small local gatherings springing up across the country and globe, including some online.

Getting enough sleep, eating healthy and exercising are also key self-care strategies. When anxiety strikes, psychologists advise shifting attention from the head to the body, using such approaches as mindful breathing, dancing and grounding. Meditation, easily accessed these days through apps like Calm and Headspace, helps us to enter into what religious and spiritual teachings call “the still point within.”

Rather than “doomscrolling” when anxiety mounts, cutting back our media use can significantly lower stress levels, studies show. Wise media strategies include choosing well-established, credible news sources; reading rather than watching the news to lower its emotional impact; limiting news intake to 10 minutes once or twice a day; taking a “news fast” on occasion; and passing up sources that incessantly feed fury.

On the other hand, it’s essential to find sources for hope, an emo tion important in recovery from anxiety disorders, according to a

study in Behavior Therapy. Googling “good news on climate change” will bring up articles about alternative energy growth, new superenzymes that eat plastic rubbish and black rhinos coming back from the brink of extinction. Although dystopic books abound, others of fer hope, such as Drawdown, with its sensible, scaled-down strategies to stop global warming by 2050.

Moving into Action

Virtually no one can take on all the problems of the nation and globe at once—and the good news is that unless we hold high public of fice, we don’t have to. Instead, “In taking action, focus on what you are good at, what your sphere of influence might be,” advises Lewis. “What are you most heartbroken over? Get involved in that and allow yourself to feel really good about what you’re doing and other people are doing.”

By narrowing our focus, we can hone in on an issue and figure out our part in its solution. “We need a broad range of collective action for transformation,” says Davenport. “For climate change, a teacher could bring social-emotional learning to climate education into the classroom or start an after school ‘green club’; an artist could use their creative medium to communicate about climate in a moving

Learn to Become a Naturopath!

way that could engage others; a nurse could create a waste-reduction initiative within a medical setting. These efforts all have ripple effects and help to elevate each other.”

Clinical Nutritionist, Dian Freeman, in practice for

years

for

clients, has taught

over

graduates.

a Certification as a

Holistic Health Counselor, CHHC

Noon to 5pm

In one recent study, people were found to consume less energy if they believed their neighbors did so and personally cared about conservation. Our neighborhoods are the place to take the small, meaningful steps that address the “crisis of connection” underly ing rancorous national crises, says New York Times columnist David Brooks. He advo cates “radical mutuality”, saying, “Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accom plished alone.” Through simple actions like having casual conversations around town, pitching in to help a family in crisis, bring ing a salad to a block party, tutoring a child or holding a civic post, we build the warm relational bonds that strengthen communi ties. As we meet others that feel as strongly as we do about our issues, our numbers start building and collective action can unfold.

Or, On Zoom, Tuesday

Wednesday Nights Nov. 22 & 23, 7-9:30 pm

or to register: Go To: www.WellnessSimplified.com or call: 973 267-4816

For

“Independent of political beliefs, many people can find common values such as wanting safety for their families, a clean environment with clean waterways and recreation in natural environments,” says Easterlin.

That, in turn, helps lower our distress. A recent Yale study found that eco-anxiety was linked to depression only among students not involved in group activities; those en gaged in collective action such as being part of an environmental group, working in a letter-writing campaign or going to events or protests did not spiral downward emotion ally. “Personal transformation and social transformation happen simultaneously. When you reach out and build community, you nourish yourself,” Brooks says.

As Thunberg has put it: “When I’m taking action, I don’t feel like I am helpless and that things are hopeless, because then I feel like I’m doing everything I can. And that gives me very much hope, especially to see all the other people all around the world, the activ ists, who are taking action and who are fight ing for their present and for their future.”

Health writer Ronica O’Hara can

at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

SKIING FOR FITNESS AND PURE FUN

TIPS FOR ENJOYING ALPINE AND NORDIC STYLES

by Randy Kambic

Whetherit’s the thrill of alpine skiing down the side of a high mountain with breathtaking views or the serene pleasure of Nordic cross-country skiing in a nearby park, strapping on skis and swooping off burns lots of calories, makes winter more enjoyable in diverse settings and ac commodates all ages and skill levels.

According to the National Ski Areas Association, there were 61 million ski resort visits during the 2021-2022 season, a 3.5 percent increase over the previous season. A survey by Snowsports Industries America found that 4.8 million people cross-country skied on backcountry, public and private trails, and in other areas in the 2019-2020 season. To encour age neophytes to try either style or for skiers wishing to do more, here are some technique, conditioning, fitness and safety tips.

Alpine

Skis have parabolic characteristics: they are made to turn. When the knees are slightly bent forward, the upper legs serve as shock absorbers. “When skiers don’t sufficiently flex their knees and ankles, they can’t adequately pressure the fronts of their skis, which is where the control is,” says Mike Cyr, a ski instructor at Lost Valley, Maine, in SKI magazine’s July edition.

“Tip your skis into their uphill edges to turn up the hill until you stop,” advises Deer Valley, Utah, ski instructor Rusty Carr in SKI . The more experienced skiers get, the more they understand how long this will take, based on terrain, speed and snow conditions.

“In addition to keeping strong the more obvious muscles like quads and hamstrings, being sure your glutes are strong and not inhibited by tight hip flexors is key,” says Leigh Damkohler, a certified chiropractic sports physician and a licensed massage therapist, in Yonkers, New York. “Maintain ing a strong core and a combination of high-intensity, shortburst training, as well as sustained cardio, will keep your body prepared for skiing.” She recommends cycling, swimming, walking, running, yoga, Barre and Pilates, plus doing “wall sits, lunges or squats that are ideal to work your muscles in a parallel way to when you’re on the slopes.”

Conditions are key. A “fast track”—hard-packed snow—de mands sharp, forceful turns to maintain control. Spots on the slope that are shaded may be icy, especially early in the day. Skiing in powder or slushy snow will slow skis down, allowing for subtler turns and carving a path down the slope. Tightfitting, stiff ski boots are necessary to provide the most direct intention of energy to either ski. Always be alert. To avoid collisions, look before turn ing and listen for skiers or snow boarders that might be speeding down the slope from behind.

Cross-Country

All that’s needed is a few inches of snow for a recre ational playground. Along with snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing is a serene and quiet connection with nature. Some hardcore aficionados take multi-day backcountry or mountain ous treks along marked trails with overnight stays in lodges, huts and cabins that may pro vide ski equipment.

Cross-country skiers glide on thin ner skis over relatively flat terrain with their weight slightly forward and evenly distributed over both skis, moving in a scissors-like motion akin to an elliptical workout machine or power walking with a long gait. Only the toe in a sneakerlike boot is attached to the ski’s binding, so skiers lift up with each arm, planting a pole and pushing on it, and a fuller gliding motion is attained. Overall, it’s a highly aerobic exercise facilitating an extensive workout for arms and legs.

Many park and recreation departments and sporting goods retailers put on win ter festivals that feature the activity. Next year’s Slumberland American Birkebeiner, North America’s largest cross-country ski marathon, covering 50 kilometers from Cable to Hayward, Wisconsin, is ex pected to attract 13,000 participants from throughout the U.S. and overseas, plus 40,000 spectators, on February 25.

“It’s physically gratifying to self-propel yourself on snow,” says Ben Popp, execu tive director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (Birkie.com), which operates the event. “It’s accessible to every effort level—it’s as easy as walking. It’s not grueling—that’s a misconception.”

With either form of skiing, make sure to respect the sun and consume liquids. Surrounded by snow, both direct rays and

the glare of indirect sunlight will hit un exposed parts of the face not covered by goggles or sunglasses, so apply sunscreen to those spots beforehand. “Hydration be fore and during your day is going to help prevent muscle cramping and fatigue,”

TIPS FOR BEGINNER SNOWBOARDERS

The slopes of alpine ski resorts are shared with snowboarders. Here’s some basic advice to give it a try:

adds Damkohler. Freelance editor, writer and avid skier Randy Kambic lives in Estero, Florida.

n A great way to decide which foot to lead with is to go with the foot used to kick a soccer ball.

n To attain and maintain proper balance, keep most of the weight over the board.

n Learn to strap into the board while standing, as this saves consid erable energy, instead of repeatedly pushing up from sitting in the snow.

n Traverse evenly across the slope to learn how to ride and gain edge control. With improvement, use this skill to explore new terrain, find stashes of powder and deal with any slopes encountered.

n To execute turns in one smooth movement, start in a heel side slide slip (body facing down the hill). Press down on the front foot. As the board starts to point down the hill, rotate the head, shoulders and hips until the front hand is pointing to the other side of the slope and the body is facing up the mountain.

Source: SnowboardAddiction.com.

DrLMSteinberg.com • BiologicalDentistsOfNJ.com

The Colors of Healing

ART THERAPY FOR KIDS

by Marlaina Donato

Opening a brand-new box of crayons or making a happy mess with homemade salt dough can provide hours of fun for most kids, but art therapy—based in a clinical setting—can help children achieve emotional equilibrium, cultivate social skills and increase their capacity for learning. Dipping a brush into bright colors or creating a collage under the guidance of a qualified therapist can help a child express what is beyond spoken language: unprocessed trauma, emotional and physical pain or the multilevel challenges of autism spectrum disorder.

“Art therapy is completely different from arts and crafts, or even teaching a child how to do art. The idea behind art therapy is that not everyone attending therapy is able to talk about what is going on inside of them,” says Robyn Spodek-Schindler, owner of Paint the Stars Art Therapy, in Manalapan, New Jersey.

Art and the Nervous System

According to 2018 research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology & Behavioral Science, painting-based art therapy has been effective in reducing symptoms of depres sion and anxiety in preschool-aged children. Dipping into the unconscious wellspring of creative impulse through doodling and drawing, finger painting or taking a photo graph can help kids bounce back more easily from bullying or family conflicts, includ ing divorce. Splashing color on a canvas or throwing pottery has been shown to enhance fine motor skills, increase attention spans and instill a sense of accomplishment. For those that are not neurotypical, engag ing in guided artistic expression can foster sensory integration and promote positive social interaction.

“I have worked with children who have lost a parent, experienced abuse, abandon ment, consequences of addiction in the family, COVID [-19] anxiety and autism spectrum disorders,” says Andrea Davis, founder and CEO of Dallas Art Therapy, in Richardson, Texas. “Many times, the body is expressing the trauma in the form of sleep disturbance, eating changes, anxiety, depression and panic attacks, to name a few. Art-making bypasses the brain’s trauma response. The art therapist is trained to sup port the person in the process of creation and allows the person to utilize their other senses to express themselves.”

Celeste Wade, an art psychotherapist at the Child and Family Art Therapy Center, in Haverford, Pennsylvania, emphasizes that emotional processing cannot occur when an individual is on the alert for potential danger,Sukjai Photo/AdobeStock.com

a physiological response from an over stimulated amygdala. “Trauma needs to be processed for the client to gain mastery and function in a calm state versus fight, flight or freeze. Art making can also activate this area of the brain and have calming effects to counteract trauma responses,” she says.

Willingness, Not Talent

The art therapist provides a nourishing presence without art instruction or critiqu ing, and sessions can be private, in a group setting or include family members. Con versation, combined with art making, is typical in any art therapy session. Schind ler stresses that creating pretty images is not the goal of an art therapy session and dispels the common assumption that “the person attending art therapy needs to have either a talent in art or an interest in art. They just need the willingness to participate in a session.” Some children see immediate benefits, while others realize emotional progress after several sessions. Art therapy, sometimes in conjunction with other modalities, not only gives children a voice, but provides them with an opportunity to stretch their wings. Group therapy, says Davis, “can look like working together to create a collaborative mural. In the process, taking turns, hearing one an other’s ideas, sharing materials, respecting boundaries and each other’s art becomes an important part of meeting goals.”

During an initial art therapy assessment, Wade might ask a client to draw a family of animals, which creates an opportunity “for the client to share about their own family dynam ics in a safe way. If the client has experienced any type of familial trauma and I were to present the same directive as, ‘draw you and your family doing something,’ the child may be more hesitant or may shut down.”

In a world that can be overwhelming, self-expression through art can give a young person a safe harbor. Schindler accentuates human rapport in the clinical setting, saying, “Art, much like play, is a universal communication tool for children. Sometimes you just feel better when creat ing and sharing with a trusted person.”

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

inspiration

Gratitude is Good Medicine

by Madiha Saeed

Stress, work and family routines can trap us in a pattern of negative thinking that feeds on itself and creates stress and unhappiness. With our internal and external worlds being bombarded these days with negativity, being optimistic is more impor tant now than ever before.

Gratitude is not just a feel-good word. It is an emotion expressing appreciation for what one has—a universal concept in nearly all of the world’s spiritual traditions. Practicing gratitude daily is proven to have actual physiological consequences. It helps lower inflam matory markers, influences epigenetics, improves the immune system and even helps the heart, adding years to life.

Optimism has been found to correlate positively with life satisfaction and self-esteem. “Heartfelt” emotions like gratitude, love and caring produce coherent brain waves radiat ing to every cell of the body, as shown by technology that measures changes in heart rhythm variation and coherence.

Our subconscious governs 90 percent of our thoughts and actions. It shapes our every behavior. But the subconscious mind is nothing other than neural pathways that have been established in the brain as a result of past beliefs and conditioning. Our subconscious does no thinking of its own, but rather relies on our perception of the world around us, interpreting verbal and nonverbal cues.

When we consciously turn negativity to positivity from the inside-out, the neural path way associated with negativity will take time to come down fully, so it is critical to practice gratitude regularly. Upon waking in the morning, say 10 things that you are grateful for. Keep a gratitude journal. Put sticky notes all over the house with gratitude messages—on photos, light fixtures, fans, exercise equipment—to create a zone of subliminal positivity.

Remember that our perspective can reflect either our pain or our power. That choice is in our hands. Know what you are grateful for each day.

Madiha Saeed, M.D., ABIHM, is the bestselling author of The Holistic RX, an international speaker, founder of HolisticMomMD.com and director of education for KnoWEwell.

MAKING FOREVER CHEMICALS GO AWAY

M ANMADE COMPOUNDS POSE LASTING THREAT TO OUR HEALTH

by Sheryl DeVore

Decades

ago, environmental groups urged the banning of what are known as forever chemicals, which have been linked to cancer, compromised immune systems and hormonal imbalances, among other health issues. Today, although some of these man-made per- and polyfluoroalkyl sub stances (PFAS) are be ing phased out, there’s still much to worry about.

“These chemicals are everywhere–in products, in our homes, in our drinking water. They’re even coming down in rain,” says Mike Schade, director of the Mind the Store program of Toxic-Free Future (ToxicFreeFu ture.org), a national nonprofit based in Seattle. “This is a growing public health crisis.”

A recent Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) report says that 200 million Ameri cans are likely drinking water contaminated with PFAS, and that these chemicals are even more toxic than once thought. In June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established new health advisories for these chemicals, warning about the toxicity of even lower amounts in water. The EPA is offering $1 billion in grants initially and $5 billion over time to help remove them from drinking water. Recent research has

also shown PFAS detected in sludge used as fertilizer in home gardens. “We need action at all levels of government,” Schade says. “We need states to step up. We need Congress to step up. We need big companies to step up and consumers to take action.”

Origin of PFAS

Since the late 1940s, forever chemicals have been manufactured for use in products such as nonstick cookware; water proof, water-resistant and stainresistant textiles; dental floss; and food packaging, such as icrowave popcorn bags and fast-food contain ers. Firefighters also use foam that contains the chemicals. “Production and disposal of these chemicals is leading to the contamination of drinking water supplies and surface water bodies all across the country,” Schade says. “It’s a huge issue, especially in the Great Lakes.”

“We’re talking about more than 9,000 chemicals,” says Susie Dai, Ph.D., a leading PFAS researcher and an associate profes sor of plant pathology and microbiol ogy at Texas A&M University. “Because they contain one of the strongest chemical bonds, the carbon-fluorine bond, they are very stable. That makes it difficult for the chemicals to break down and easy for them to accumulate in the environment.”

Several years ago, chemical companies began manufacturing what they deem are less-toxic PFAS. They’re known as either short-chain or alternative PFAS, and include chemicals named GenX and PFBS. “The more that scientists study this very large

class of chemicals, the more that scientists find the replacement chemicals are likely just as toxic,” Schade says. The EPA June health advisories include these two new PFAS.

Meanwhile, as public concern grows, 11 states have banned PFAS in food packag ing, and Congress is considering a similar ban, says Schade. Whole Foods Market has stopped using the chemicals in food packag ing, and Keen, an outdoor shoe brand, has phased out use of PFAS in their products.

In February, Toxic-Free Future sent rain jackets, hiking pants, cloth napkins, bed ding and other products marked as stain- or water-resistant to independent labs for analysis. “Seventy-two percent of them contained forever chemicals,” Schade says. Some of these products are manufactured by recreational equipment company REI, which Toxic-Free is urging consumers to write to, asking it to end the practice.

In July, Columbia Sportswear received petitions with 48,000 signatures from the Natural Resources Defense Council and other environmental organizations urging the company to eliminate PFAS from its products. Although it has begun taking steps, Columbia has yet to set a timeline or define PFAS sustainability standards.

“We can minimize the threat of PFAS contamination by turning off the tap on their use,” says Paloma Paez-Coombe, an associate of Environment Illinois, which participated in the petition drive. “One of the best ways we can do that is by getting a major brand like Columbia Sportswear to publicly lead the way.”

These actions, however, won’t fix the problem of PFAS already in drinking water.

Dai and other researchers have created a new bioremediation technology using plantbased material and fungi that could clean places where forever chemicals have been disposed. She hopes a similar concept can be applied to PFAS-contaminated drinking water.

Northwestern University researchers published a paper in August in Science show ing PFAS can be destroyed using somewhat harmless chemicals called sodium hydrox ide, which is the lye used to make soap, and dimethyl sulfoxide, a medicine for bladder issues. Dai says that before these new ap proaches, the only way to break down PFAS was to expose them to high temperatures in an incinerator, but that is costly and still introduces harmful chemicals into the envi ronment.

Meanwhile, the Delaware-based chemical company Chemours, a spinoff of Dupont that manufactures PFAS, has filed a lawsuit against the EPA saying the agency’s most re cent health advisory regarding PFAS is based on flawed science. Chemours is the same company that has been ordered to pay a $12 million fine to the state of North Carolina after contaminating waterways with PFAS. Schade surmises, “This is an issue that should be of concern to every American, especially when these chemicals are linked to health problems that are on the rise in our communities.”

Sheryl DeVore has written six books on science, health and nature, as well as health and environmental stories for national and regional publications. Read more at SherylDe Vore.wordpress.com.

WAYS TO AVOID EXPOSURE TO FOREVER CHEMICALS

n Choose textiles and carpeting without water- and stain-repellency.

n Avoid food with greaseproof packaging, such as microwave popcorn.

n Stay away from personal care products with perfluor, polyfluor or PTFE on the label.

n Choose PFAS-free products, some of which are listed at pfasCentral.org.

n Contact businesses to ask them to stop selling products that contain PFAS.

n Reach out to legislators to urge the passage of laws to ban PFAS unless their use is essential.

Sources: Toxic-Free Future, Green Science Policy Institute and Environment Illinois.

ECO-SKIING

PLANET-FRIENDLY WAYS TO HIT THE SLOPES

Many alpine ski resorts are going more and more green, enabling enthusiasts to reduce their impact on the planet while enjoying the winter sport. Here’s some eco-information, as well as money-saving tips:

As detailed on SkiVermont.com, the latest Vermont Ski Areas Energy Savings Impact Report from Efficiency Vermont revealed that 13 state ski areas have completed 668 projects since 2000, including “low-energy snowguns, compressed air right-sizing, lift terminal heater controls, thermal shells and many other systems and improvements.”

Last year, Taos Ski Valley, in New Mexico, treated 245 acres of high mortality spruce and fir trees to help restore the for est ecosystem and diverted 10,287 pounds of waste from landfill to compost, equal ing a CO2 reduction of approximately 3.2 megatons. Park City and Deer Valley, in Utah, have partnered with nearby districts to source power from an 80-megawatt solar farm. Vail Resorts, encompass ing more than 40 ski areas, continues its EpicPromise program with the goal of zero net emissions, zero waste to landfills and zero operating impact on land and ecosys tems by 2030 (TheAvantSki.com).

Skiers at Big Sky Resort (BigSkyResort. com), in Wyoming, can minimize their car bon footprint by offsetting their trip with partner Tradewater, a Chicago company

that facilitates lowering greenhouse gas emissions. All of the resort’s lift opera tions have been running carbon-free since March 2020, and ongoing efficiency proj ects include upgrading hotel thermostats and increasing the use of solar power.

Wear sustainable brands. Patagonia, The North Face and Cotopaxi are some of the brands that make ski jackets from recycled materials. Also, instead of buying new, con sider patching up an old jacket if it has a tear.

Take a pass. Many individual ski resorts and associations offer lift ticket passes. Tips on making the best choice for in dividual or family needs can be found at SkiMag.com. It’s a popular trend: The National Ski Areas Association (nsaa.org) reports season passes now make up more than half of all lift ticket sales.

Group together. Gather family and friends in one car. Also, local ski clubs, sporting goods retailers and parks and rec reation departments often organize group trips by chartering buses and arranging for discounted lift tickets. Warm-weather ski clubs arrange for flights to ski resorts. Making new friends along the way is a nice bonus.

Leave a clean path. Don’t leave any plastic water or sports drink containers or power bar wrappers on the snow.

coming in the december issue UPLIFTING HUMANITY

Gorilla/AdobeStock.com

events

ongoing

Diabetes Support Group – 12-1pm. First Mon. Join this virtual support group once a month to discuss issues you are having living with diabetes – with other people living with diabetes. Utilizing peer group problem-solving (asking questions, lis tening to responses and having a group discussion) we will come up with personalized solutions for you. Seize the opportunity to meet others living with diabetes and talk about your personal challenges as you would talk to a friend. Register online Diabetes FoundationInc.org.

Recovery Meetings – RWJBarnabas Health In stitute for Prevention and Recovery’s Hope and Healing Program offers emotional support services, education and community-based resources for in dividuals and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a variety of virtual services, this program aims to assist those impacted by the pandemic to better adjust to their new reality, mitigate stress, review options, develop coping strategies, and, if needed, find linkages to agencies, programs, and other resources in their community. All Recovery virtual meetings provide social support for those seeking or maintaining recovery, as well as family members, friends and supporters of those who have been influenced by substance use. See website for a list of meetings and registration info. RWJBH.org/treatment-care/institute-for-preventionand-recovery/programs/hope-and-healing/.

Crossword Club – 5-6pm. Join on Zoom to do a crossword puzzle every Monday! Test your puzzle skills! Geared for children in grades 4 to 12. NBPL. org/Event/Crossword-Club.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5-6

The Hoboken Art Walk—12-6pm. Free self-guided walking tour of artists’ studios, galleries and group exhibition spaces. Over 100 participating artists. Free Tour maps available on day of tour at Hoboken City Hall. Even though there are many locations, the tour is designed so that you can easily walk from studio to studio, gallery to gallery.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Jersey City Farmers Market —Mon & Thur. through Dec. 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 grocer ies 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.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12-13

New Jersey Vegan Food Festival—11 am - 5 pm. The New Jersey Vegan Food Festival is a two-day celebration that features yummy vegan and plantbased meals from local chefs, as well as vegan products, plant-based fashion, live music and good times. All welcome!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Live Musical Cooking Class—11am - 5pm, online get ready for a tasty and entertaining experience with One Great Vegan! Join me! The Singing Chef Gabrielle Reyes in a Live-Streaming Musical Cook ing Class where I’ll teach you all how to make some colorful and flavortastic treats that you can create easily from the comfort of your own kitchen. Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Boss Summit 10:30am–5:00pm. WE ARE BACK! SAINT PE TER’S UNIVERSITY WE’RE COMING HOME!!! Are you ready to take control and become the CEO of your own life?

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16

UCMP 10TH ANNIVERSARY GALA—7-10pm. Celebrate UCMP’s 10 years of transforming Hud son County kids with low-cost after-school music classes! Enjoy our Advanced Orchestra of local middle and high school students, eat delicious food, and help support UCMP’s intensive, long-term mu sic education program for urban 3-to-18-year-olds. We’re making a difference by making music!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20

Monthly Artisan Market—11-4pm. Shop small and local at Main Street Pops outdoor market with artisanal foods, jewelry. home goods, fashion & ac cessories, beauty, fine art, photography, kid’s stuff, pet products and more! A variety of other attractions like live music, arts and crafts projects and special themed holiday activities. Under 14th Street Viaduct, 1401 Adams St, Hoboken

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Balance + Flow Event Series–Feel to Heal (Sacral)—3:30 pm. Join us in Jersey City for a live group experience designed for each of the seven energy centers, monthly. This series begins from the foundational root chakra, all the way up, end ing at the crown. Co-hosted by The Purple Thread & Sol Spirit.

SATURDAY JANUARY 21-22

Hudson County Health and Wellness Expo—11 am–3 pm. Join The Hudson Reporter for our 2023 Health and Wellness Expo. We are opening the doors to the community to learn how to live a healthy life. This event will provide information, resources and interactive activities for people of all ages.

classifieds FOR SALE

Fee for classifieds is $33 (up to 40 words) + $1 per word over 40 words, prepaid. To place listing, email con tent to Publisher@NaturalAwaken ingsNNJ.com or Call 201-781-5577. Deadline is the 10th of the month.

OCEAN-FRONT PROPERTY IN BELIZE FOR SALE– This expensive oceanfront propery is an amazing opportunity to develop beachfront lots, a resort, nature reserve, or your own private oasis. The 37-acre property stretches 700 feet along the Caribbean coast line. The land has been surveyed. Priced for quick sale: $550,000. 201-926-0338.

HELP WANTED

WELLNESS PROFESSIONALS – Health and Wellness Coaches, Acupuncturist P/T or F/T independent Position in the e-commerce Wellness Industry, a Life giving opportunity. Create your own Schedule from Home, Com plete training for passionate, Knowledgeable, Enthusistic, Wellness Professionals. Please contact: Dr Marianne Messina at 914-309-4741 or mmessinadc@gmail.com.

TAROT READINGS

NOT SURE YOU’RE ON THE RIGHT PATH? Let’s chat. Schedule a tarot reading and get the clarity you’re looking for. Visit: theclairgar dener.com or call 201503-6335.

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.

DENTIST

DR. VLADIMIR GASHINSKY DDS

Holistic Dental Center of NJ 91 Millburn Avenue, Millburn, NJ 973-609-5984 • HolisticDentalCenterNJ.com

Holistic Dental Center focuses on oral care that’s good for the body as well as the teeth and gums. By treating the cause - not just the symptoms, Dr. Gashinsky and his team of doctors seek to improve patients’ quality of life through holistic and biological dentistry that respects and honors the body. See ad on back cover.

LOUIS STEINBERG, DDS, MS

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

Whole body dentistry focused on im proving smiles and overall health. We provide full preventative services in cluding safe removal of mercury amalgams, biological periodontal therapy, orthodontics, supportive thera pies for toxin removal, TMJ dysfunc tion and chronic face pain and dental management of sleep disorders. See ad on page 20.

DOWSING

JEANIE PASQUALE

Professional Dowser 845-709-5245 dowsing@househarmony.org HouseHarmony.org

Protect Yourself from EMFs and other Negative Energies. A profes sional dowser can block the nega tive affect of cell phones, satellite dishes, high tension wires, geopa thic stress, interference lines and more. If you’ve been experiencing unexplained health issues and would like to be protected from this negative energy , call to see how dowsing can help protect you.

ENERGY HEALING

ACCESS CONSCIOUSNESS® Terry Obssuth

Access BARS Facilitator Paramus, NJ 201-655-3836 • AccessConsciousness.com

What if you are far greater than anyone has ever acknowledged? Where have you not acknowledged this for your self? What keeps you in frustration of limitation, judgment of yourself and the lack of peace and joy in your life? What if this could all change easily and create a new way of life for you. Let me introduce you to the process of Access Bars and a way to live life where you function from your own awareness having more happiness and ease. Offering Access Bars and Access Energetic Facelift sessions and classes. See ad, page 12.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

ROMAN E. FINN, M.D.

Center for Integrative & Traditional Medicine 22 Madison Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652 201-291-0401

• citm-drfinn.com

Dr. Roman Finn has successfully com bined holistic and integrative ways as well as modern developments in tradi tional medicine to treat a wide range of conditions including cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and immune disorders as well as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, fibrommyalgia and stress related conditions. An all-encompassing holistic approach provided through non-invasive testing. Most labs and tests are performed on premises. We are working with major insurance companies and Medicare. See ad, back cover.

HEALTHY DRINKS

NUTE JUICE

Made-to-order delivery: NUTEJUICE.COM Instagram/Facebook: @NUTEJUICERY 201-572-4201

High quality unpasteurized (no HPP) 100% organic cold pressed juice. Offering convenient delivery to improve your healthy lifestyle easily! Mix and match your favorite flavors and ginger bombs, or choose from our selection of curated juice cleanses and health boost kits. We also offer catering and bulk discounts. All juice is pressed fresh and made to order!

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 community. This health-supportive, local eatery offers in-store 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.

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 on page 3.

PLANT BASE JC

370 Pacific Ave, Jersey City, NJ 551-256-3868

• PlantBaseMarket.com

Plant Base, is a nonprofit, vegan, zero waste community café. They recently introduced Plant Space, their new community project where the goal is to offer an affordable vegan food supply to residents as well as educate them about the benefits of being plant-based. The market is now completely donation-based in order to give everyone access to fresh and healthy food. 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.

Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.

~Native American Say

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.

JACQUIE BIRD, SPIRITUAL WELLNESS

JacquieBirdWellness.com

Jacquie Bird, Spiritual Wellness offers products and services that, support, guide and empower the individual. She is the 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

MIND BODY HOBOKEN

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

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.

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 highquality products. The Green Room is open Sunday through Thursday 11am-8pm and Fri and Sat 11am-10pm in Jersey City and Monclair.

HOLISTIC DENTAL CARE

VLADIMIR GASHINSKY, DDS 91 Millburn Ave, Millburn 973-457-4244 • HolisticDentalCenterNJ.com

We focus on performing holistic dental care that is good for the body as well as the teeth and gums. We put an emphasis on a more natural or holistic approach to dentistry. As a holistic dentist, Dr. Gashinsky treats the cause of the problem and not just the symp toms. He seeks to improve his patients’ quality of life through holistic dental care that respects and honors the body. See ad, back cover.

INTUITIVE FENG SHUI & MEDIDTATIVE CLEARING

LOIS KRAMER-PEREZ INTUITIVE FENG SHUI & MEDITATIVE CLEARING

Lois Kramer Perez

201-906-5767 • Fax 201-265-6037

LoisKramerPerez.com

“If we want to make changes in our lives, we must start from within.” Are you ready? Through her own journey of self-discovery, Lois has embraced diverse energy modalities as a way of life, and she wants to share them. Lois has developed simple, effective techniques that help clients sharpen their awareness, clarity and empowerment through feng shui, personal meditative clearing, and environmental space clearing. Each of these services can provide anchors for creating change from the inside out. Let’s get started! See ad, page ??.

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.

VICTORIA REED MASSAGE THERAPY

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.

Victoria Radzinski, LMT, CPT 80 River St., 3E-2, Hoboken 201-551-7154 • VictoriaReed.Info@gmail.com ReedWellness.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.

Ten years without a cold?

Copper can stop a virus before it starts

By Doug Cornell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When he felt a tickle in his nose like a cold about to start, he rubbed the copper gently in his nose for 60 seconds. “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold never happened. I used to get 2-3 bad colds every year. Now I use my device whenever I feel a sign I am about to get sick.”

He hasn’t had a cold in 10 years.

Users say:

“It works! I love it!”

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

“Is it supposed to work that fast?”

“One of the best presents ever.”

“Sixteen flights, not a sniffle!”

“Cold sores gone!”

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

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

“Best sleep I’ve had in years!”

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

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

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

Soon people found other things they could us it against.

Colds Flu

Virus variants

Sinus trouble

Cold sores

Fever blisters

Canker sores

Strep throat

Night stuffiness

Morning congestion

Nasal drip

Infected sores

Infected wounds Styes

Ringworm

Other microbial threats

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

The EPA says copper works just as well when tarnished.

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

CopperZap® is made in the USA of pure copper. It has a 90-day full money back guarantee. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA32.

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

Buy once, use forever.

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

New research: Copper kills viruses in seconds.