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Start the Year Well Simple Changes for Feeling Good
Stand Up & Move Easy Ways to Get Fit
Raw Food for Pets Weighing the Pros & Cons
January 2013 | Mercer County, NJ | NAMercer.com 1
Mercer County, NJ | NAMercer.com
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Mercer County, NJ
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natural awakenings
January 2013
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letterfrompublisher
contact us Owner/Publisher Lori Beveridge Managing Editor Dave Beveridge Editor Martin Miron Proofreader Randy Kambic Writer Beth Davis Design & Production Melanie Rankin Stephen Blancett Franchise Sales John Voell II 239-530-1377
Phone: 609-249-9044 Fax: 609-249-9044 NAMercer.com LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com © 2013 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $25 (for 12 issues) to the publisher. Call for details. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.
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As we move forward into 2013, I am reflecting on all that has happened and changed in our family members’ lives during the past year. Like you, we are looking forward to new challenges, plans and goals, including supporting everyone’s optimal Health and Wellness (this month’s theme). I admit that while focusing on responsibilities at the children’s school, I have been neglecting my regular sessions at the gym. So that’s on my list. On days when a workout is impossible, I am resolved to at least take a brisk walk. I love how exercise brings strength and flexibility and gives me more energy while reducing stress. When I keep it up, I find I have an overall more positive outlook on sometimes overwhelming daily activities. I’m more confident that if I don’t take on too much at once, the most important to-do’s will eventually all get done. This month our contributors offer plenty of ways to help jump start our new year, from Deb Melani’s “Stand Up and Move” to Jim Occhiogrosso’s “Be Supplement-Savvy.” Kathleen Barnes’ “Healthy Lifestyle Tweaks” suggests easy ways to knock off a harmful habit or two. I am inspired by this thought from author, Carl Bard, “Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending.” Here’s to progress for us all, with great thanks to our readers, advertisers and contributors that make this magazine possible. Together we are growing the possibilities for living truly healthy lives on a healthy planet. Wishing you and yours a happy and prosperous new year,
Lori Beveridge, Owner/Publisher
The way you think, the way you behave, the way you eat, can influence your life by 30 to 50 years. ~ Deepak Chopra
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6 newsbriefs 9 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs 17 fitbody 18 healthykids 19 inspiration 20 healingways 22 greenliving 24 consciouseating 26 wisewords 28 naturalpet 31 calendar 34 classifieds 35 resourceguide
Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
14 HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
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TWEAKS
Surprisingly Simple Changes for Feeling Good by Kathleen Barnes
17 STAND UP AND MOVE! How to Sizzle, not Fizzle by Debra Melani
18 ADDRESSING AUTISM
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Families Have Reasons for Hope by Brita Belli
19 NO DUST ON THE MIRROR Reflections on a Life of Conscious Wholeness
by Michael Bernard Beckwith
advertising & submissions how to advertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 609-249-9044 or email LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. Editorial submissions Email articles, news items and ideas to: LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month. calendar submissions Email Calendar Events to: Calendar@NAMercer.com or fax to 609-249-9044. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. regional markets Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
20 BE SUPPLEMENT SAVVY How to Choose Wisely for Optimal Health by James Occhiogrosso
22 FRACKING WRECKS
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AMERICA’S BEDROCK
Clear and Present Dangers by Sandra Steingraber
24 SUSTAINABLE
WEIGHT LOSS Five Secrets for Feeling
Like Yourself Again by Judith Fertig
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26 GMO TRUTHS AND CONSEQUENCES
Health and Safety are Question Marks by Melinda Hemmelgarn
28 RAW FOOD DIETS FOR PETS Weighing the Pros and Cons
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by Sandra Murphy
natural awakenings
January 2013
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Free Natural Awakenings App Offers Healthy Living Resources
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eeping in touch with the best choices for a green and healthy lifestyle is now easier than ever, thanks to Natural Awakenings’ iPhone and iPad app, available as a free download at Apple’s iTunes App Store. Individuals on the go can find products, practitioners and services dedicated to healthy living, right at their fingertips. They can also read articles on the latest practical, natural approaches to nutrition, fitness, creative expression, personal growth and sustainable living, offered by national experts with fresh perspectives and inspired ideas. The exclusive app instantly connects to user-friendly galleries: “Local Magazines” includes a searchable listing of all Natural Awakenings franchise publishers, with instant links to phone numbers and websites. “National Directory” lists healthy, green businesses, resources and services, complete with directions. “This Month” shows the current national magazine content, always fresh and new. “Healthy Kids” is a collection of how-to articles that focus on raising, nurturing and empowering vibrant children. “Natural Pets” offers an information resource dedicated to holistic well-being for companion animals. “Article Archives,” a comprehensive library of thousands of articles, is searchable by key words. “En Español” features an archive of current and historical articles in Spanish. “Our goal is to empower people to enjoy healthier, happier and longer lives, wherever they are,” says Natural Awakenings founder Sharon Bruckman. “Offering free access to Natural Awakenings’ powerful network of healthy living resources through this exclusive app is yet another way for us to help people feel good, live simply and laugh more.” To download the free app, search “Natural Awakenings” in the iTunes App Store or visit NaturalAwakenings Mag.com. See ad, page 20. 6
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newsbriefs Wassailing the Trees
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aise a glass of cider with the Mount family from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 27, as Terhune Orchards, in Lawrence, celebrates the apple trees. The party is free and open to the public. The annual Wassailing Party is a fun gathering that follows a British tradition. Wassail is an ancient Saxon word that means “health be to you,” and it’s the health of the trees that will be celebrated. One of Terhune Orchards’ most popular events, the festivities will include dancing and singing by the Handsome Molly Dancers and reenactments of traditional old English rituals. The Handsome Molly Dancers will dance among the trees and perform traditional British chants to drive away evil spirits. Everyone joins in with chanting and music making, hanging gifts of cider-soaked bread in the tree branches while chanting words of praise for the new year. Wassailing is an ancient tradition from the cider-making regions of southern and western England. It is usually held on Twelfth Night. People would gather in the apple orchard and perform rituals to drive away evil spirits and ensure a successful apple crop for the next year. Guns were fired through the branches to scare off any evil spirits lurking there, and the tree’s health was toasted with warm cider, passed in a bucket. The custom was especially important during a period when laborers’ wages were partially paid in hard apple cider. Landlords needed a strong apple crop to attract good workers. Wassailing was meant to keep the tree safe from evil spirits until the next year’s apples appeared. Location: Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd., Lawrence. For more information, call 609-924-1310 or visit TerhuneOrchards.com.
New Acupuncturist in East Windsor
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ne Yoga Wellness Center now offers acupuncturist service in their East Windsor location. Licensed Acupuncturist Jim Slaymaker is now practicing at this center. He will offer initial Oriental evaluation and the first three treatments for a discounted rate through January 31. Having originally received a bachelor’s degree in engineering in electrical power, Slaymaker resolved his own chronic low back pain with alternative health modalities. In 1992, he became a professional Massage Therapist, choosing to dedicate himself to assisting others in finding non-invasive solutions to their health challenges. A Master of Science Degree in Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York broadened Slaymaker’s scope of practice in 2004 with more than 3500 hours of study and clinical internship. He is honored to help empower you towards good health and well-being. Slaymaker comments, “Reclaiming health and wellness is a positive way to start the new year. Acupuncture is a powerful modality for addressing chronic and acute medical conditions.” He continues, “Acupuncture noticeably improves well-being while treating acute, degenerative and chronic conditions in people of all ages. Often used for pain relief, acupuncture has been proven to stimulate the release of endorphins and enkephalins—the body’s own natural pain-killing chemicals.” Location: East Windsor, 405 Rte. 130 N., 609-616-2281, email Jim@Acupuncture 2Heal.com or visit Acupuncture2Heal.com. See One Yoga Wellness Center ad, page 15, and CRG listing, page 35.
vRide Sustainability Program Available in Mercer County
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ou may be asking, what is vRide? vRide is a ridesharing platform that saves you money on your way to work. It is composed of a ride-matching system linking five to 15 people with similar commutes in an effort to help them save money and time on their commute. While vRiding you can sleep, socialize with friends or get a head start on the workday. vRide currently serves Mercer County, as well as nationwide, popular, metropolitan areas. Vans available include seven-, 10- and 15-passenger vans. “The process is very simple,” states vRide Account Coordinator Bob Hittleman. “It’s as easy as joining vRide and signing up, meeting up for your commute at a convenient location, and enjoying the benefits,” Hittleman ads. “Members not only save commuting stress and cost, but this concept is green and sustainable in essence thus a benefit to the environment.”
Come Visit Our Farm
Check our web site for upcoming events, classes, and farm store hours.
For more information, contact vRide at 1-800-VANPOOL, or visit vRide.com.
www.cherrygrovefarm.com 3200 Lawrenceville Rd. Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Cherry Grove Farm Kicks Off Winter Farmers’ Markets
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he Central New Jersey Slow Food “Eat Slow” Winter Farmers’ Market’s 8th season kicked off in December with the first market on December 15 at Cherry Grove Farm in Lawrenceville. Cherry Grove Farm opened its outdoor event barn to market-goers, offering an array of locally grown and produced foods including cheeses, breads, baked goods, fresh produce, jams, wine, mushrooms, and much more. Vendors that participate include, but are not limited to, Cherry Grove Farm, Cherry Grove Organics, Fulper Farms, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, North Slope Organic Farms, The Artisan Tree and many more. For those that missed December’s event, markets will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on January 27 and February 24. D&R Greenway Land Trust of Princeton will host January’s market and Tre Piani Restaurant of Princeton will host February’s market. Cost: $2 suggested donation. Locations: January 27, D&R Greenway Land Trust, 1 Preservation Place, Princeton; February 24, Tre Piani Restaurant, 12 Rockingham Row, Princeton. For more information, contact Beth Feehan at 609-577-5113, email BFeehan@Comcast.net, or visit SlowFoodCentralnj.org. See ad on page 7.
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natural awakenings
January 2013
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kudos Bordentown Regional Schools Honored
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nited States Department of Agriculture and officials of New Jersey Governor Christie’s administration presented Clara Barton and Peter Muschal Elementary Schools, and MacFarland Intermediate School in Bordentown with Healthier U.S. School Challenge Awards during a ceremony Wednesday, December 12 at the Bordentown Regional Schools Board of Education meeting. The program recognizes schools that promote good nutrition and physical activity. The schools are among only 50 schools in New Jersey that have met the Healthier U.S. School Challenge, a voluntary program open to schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program. Each school was presented with a banner and a certificate and will receive a prize of $500. “These three schools involved students, parents and staff in making positive changes in school meal menus and physical activity opportunities that led to this recognition,” says Rose Tricario, New Jersey Department of Agriculture Division of Food and Nutrition director. “These changes will better equip its students to do their best and help them grow to be strong, healthy adults. We encourage the schools to continue to build upon their success and reach higher levels of the award.” Schools that champion the HUSSC work hard to make changes to their school nutrition environment in order to improve the quality of the foods served, provide students with nutrition education, and provide students with physical education and opportunities for physical activity. For more information, call Lynne Richmond at 609-6332954 or visit NJ.Gov/Agriculture, or for more information on the U.S. Healthier School Challenge, visit USDA.Gov/TN/ HealthierUS.
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Grand Opening, Aroma Care and Energy Work
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osemary & Om, which offers Aroma Care and Energy work, has opened an office at the Orchard Hill Suites in Skillman. Ranessa Porter, Integrated Energy Therapy Master-Instructor and Reiki Practitioner, has created a beautiful space on the grounds of this former 19th-century farmhouse for folks to relax and escape stressors. Aroma Care sessions combine the harmonizing power of energy work with the soothing and restorative power of aromatic essential oils. Experiencing energy work helps you naturally create peace, wellness and joy. As Eastern medicine suggests, wellness naturally occurs when your life-force energy flows in a balanced way. Aromatic essential oils boost the restorative power of energy work, so that relaxation and peace easily, naturally follow. Porter adds, “At a time when so many folks are searching for ways to relax and to restore, Rosemary & Om offers a peaceful, calming and nurturing space to bliss out naturally and easily.” Porter continues, “Aroma Care sessions use therapeutic-grade essential oils, and costs start at $55. Energy work sessions begin at $65.”
Location: Rosemary & Om, 88 Orchard Rd., Skillman. Information: Call 732-939-4471 or email RosemaryAndOm@ yahoo.com, or visit RosemaryAndOm.com. See listing, pg 35.
Welcome Winter Walk
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oin Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association’s Education Director, Jeff Hoagland, on a morning walk at the Mountain Lakes Preserve in Princeton to explore the wonders of the natural world in winter from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on January 5. Discover the unique survival strategies of local plants and animals from milkweed to meadow vole and red oak to robin. Learn where animals store food and how they survive the season’s relentless chill. Enjoy the fun of the “Hibernation Game.” Be sure to dress warmly and wear boots. The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association was central New Jersey’s first environmental group. Since 1949 they have worked to protect water and environment through conservation, advocacy, science and education. They speak out for water and environment, protect and restore sensitive habitats, test waterways for pollution and inspire others to care for and protect the natural world. Their goal is to improve the health and quality of central New Jersey’s water and sustain a network of protected habitats for wildlife and people. As a nonprofit organization it depends on the support of members and volunteers to make a difference. Location: The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd., Pennington. Reservations required for all Watershed Association activities. Call 609-737-7592 to register or visit TheWatershed.org.
Local Places 9th in Ultraman World Championships
healthbriefs
Red Meat Raises a Red Flag
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EAC Trainer and Nutritionist Christopher Draper recently placed ninth in the Ultraman World Championships, a three-day, worldclass endurance competition that was held November 23-25 in Hawaii. Participants come from around the world for the Ultraman and must be invited to compete. Draper, who resides in Hamilton, has competed in this event for the past three years. The Ultraman covers a total of 320 miles, including a 6.2-mile swim, 261.4 miles of cycling and a 52.4- mile run. The course follows the perimeter of Hawaii, starting and ending near Kailua Bay on the island’s western shore. Day one combined the open-ocean swim and a 90-mile bike ride, which entailed an 8,000-foot total elevation climb from sea level to the finish in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Day two was a 171.4-mile bike ride with another 8,000-foot elevation gain. Draper achieved a personal best on this portion of the race, finishing in 8 hours, 40 minutes. The third and final day of the Ultraman demanded a 52.4-mile double marathon run. Again, Draper achieved a personal best, finishing in 7 hours, 40 minutes. Overall, his three-day total time was 26 hours, 45 minutes, earning him an age group World Championship and ninth place overall. Location: PEAC, 1440 Lower Ferry Rd, Ewing. For more information, contact Christine Tentilucci at 609883-2000 or CTentilucci@PEAC HealthFitness.com, or visit PEAC HealthFitness.com.
teak is still one of America’s favorite meals, but regular consumption of red meat products comes at a high cost for health. In a recent large study, Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers found red meat to be causally associated with mortality, including from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Senior author Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at HSPH, and his team observed 37,698 men from the HSPH Health Professionals FollowUp Study for up to 22 years and 83,644 women from the National Institutes of Health Nurses’ Health Study for up to 28 years, all of whom were free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer at the beginning of the study. The researchers assessed diets via questionnaires every four years and documented a combined 23,926 deaths in the two studies, of which 5,910 were from CVD and 9,464 from cancer. Their evaluation revealed that one daily serving of unprocessed red meat (about the size of a deck of cards) was associated with a 13 percent increased risk of earlier mortality, and one daily serving of processed red meat (one hot dog or two slices of bacon) with a 20 percent increased risk. Red meat and related products contain heme (meat-based) iron, saturated fat, sodium and nitrites, as well as carcinogens formed during cooking. The researchers recommend turning to healthier protein sources instead, like fish, poultry, nuts, legumes and whole grains.
Black Pepper Fights Fat
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simple, widely available spice and kitchen staple may help us trim our waistlines. New research published in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry gives the nod to black pepper. The study provides evidence of a long-sought explanation for the beneficial, fat-fighting effects of the common seasoning. Piperine, the pungent-tasting substance that gives black pepper its characteristic taste, helps block the formation of new fat cells.
Wisdom from Water
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imply drinking a glass of water can prompt better choices at the dinner table, concludes new research by T. Bettina Cornwell, Ph.D., of the University of Oregon, and Anna R. McAlister, Ph.D., of Michigan State University. In separate studies, young adults and children were tested according to their food and beverage choices. When the participants were served a soda, they selected foods that tended to be more salty and calorie-dense. However, when the provided beverage was water, participants ate more raw vegetables.
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January 2013
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healthbriefs
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Keep Tabs on Radiation Exposure
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he cumulative exposure to ionizing radiation used in medical diagnostic tests from dental and chest X-rays, mammograms, heart health exams and other procedures adds up, often reaching or surpassing the recommended lifetime limit of 100 milliSieverts (mSv) set by the American College of Radiology, according to a recent Harvard Medical School advisory. Among the tests that emit ionizing radiation are computerized tomography (CT scans), cardiac catheterizations, coronary CT angiograms, cardiac calcium scoring and some types of stress tests. Heart tests that pose no radiation risk include electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Dr. Warren Manning, chief of noninvasive cardiac imaging and testing at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston, and a Harvard Medical School professor, advises, “One or two CT scans over a lifetime is appropriate. But if you have a condition that requires repeated monitoring, a test that does not expose you to ionizing radiation may be preferred.” Many radiologists take precautions to minimize clients’ radiation exposure, such as performing cardiac CT scans with one-sixth the conventional radiation dose.
Functional Training Protects Against Falls
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eniors that integrate strength and balance training into everyday activities experience nearly one-third fewer falls, according to a new study published online by BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal). A team of researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia, designed and tested the Lifestyle Integrated Functional Exercise program to reduce the risk of falls in people over 70. For example, a prescribed activity for improving balance was to stand on one leg while working, and for strength training, squatting to close a drawer. The study found that the average rate of falls per year for those in the program was 1.66, compared with 2.28 in a control group.
Supplementation Cuts Colon Cancer Risk
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diet enhanced with multivitamin and mineral supplements may dramatically lower the risk of developing precancerous colon cancer lesions, according to research published in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. Nearly 150,000 men and women in the United States are diagnosed with this second-most common form of cancer each year. In the study, rats were fed a high-fat (20 percent) diet for 32 weeks. Those fed a high-fat, low-fiber diet and also exposed to a carcinogen, developed precancerous lesions of the colon. The animals that underwent a similar diet and treatment, but also received daily vitamin and mineral supplements, showed an 84 percent reduction in the formation of precancerous lesions and did not develop tumors.
Frying Pan Faux Pas
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ried foods may please the palate, but cooking them in the wrong medium, such as sunflower oil, can present a health risk. Researchers from the University of the Basque Country, in North Spain, have discovered that organic aldehyde compounds become toxic when heated. These chemicals, previously linked with some types of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, are generated by the degradation of fatty acids in sunflower and other oils high in polyunsaturated fats, and some remain in food after frying. Oils with higher concentrations of monounsaturated fats, such as olive, peanut or coconut, are less worrisome if frying is the only cooking option.
Flame Retardant May Pose Health Risks
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besity, anxiety and developmental and reproductive problems have all been linked to small quantities of a flame retardant frequently used in furniture and baby products, according to a recent, limited study on rats by researchers at Duke University. Baby rats with mothers that ingested small amounts of the chemical Firemaster 550 gained more weight than those that weren’t exposed, and exposed female offspring displayed more anxiety, reached puberty earlier and exhibited abnormal reproductive cycles. Study co-author Heather Stapleton, Ph.D., associate professor of environmental chemistry at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, is a leading expert on flame retardants, particularly children’s exposure to the toxic chemicals they can release. She specifically notes that the new research assessed exposure to doses far lower than those of earlier studies. “This raises red flags about a widely used chemical that we know little about,” advises Stapleton. “What we do know is that it’s common in house dust, and people, especially kids, are being exposed to it.” “Firemaster 550 was put on the market with almost no study,” says Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, which funded the new research. She says the preliminary findings strongly suggest the need for more studies.
A GMO-Free Grocery List
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ccording to a recent article published in Green American magazine, 93 percent of Americans believe that genetically modified foods should be labeled. However, only USDA-certified organic products cannot intentionally contain genetically modified organisms (GMO), so identifying GMO foods and products in a typical U.S. grocery store is difficult. The following information can help. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirms that large percentages of the nation’s crops were genetically modified in 2011: 94 percent of conventional soy and soy products; 90 percent of cottonseed, a common ingredient in margarine, salad dressings and oils; and 88 percent of corn, contained in breakfast cereals, corn flour products such as chips and tortillas, high-fructose corn syrup, soups and condiments. More than 90 percent of the U.S. canola crop also is now genetically modified. The Independent, one of England’s leading newspapers, reported in 1999 that the artificial sweetener aspartame has been made with genetically modified bacteria since 1965. Aspartame, inconclusively linked with numerous health risks, is present in more than 6,000 products, including diet sodas. Two other ubiquitous artificial sweeteners, Nutrasweet and Equal, also contain aspartame. The USDA further lists 95 percent of the 2009 U.S. sugar beet crop, used to produce conventional sugar, as genetically modified. NonGMO alternative sweeteners include pure cane sugar and honey from organic farms. Source: GreenAmerica.org
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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Cut Abuse
Government Steps In to Curb Greenwashing The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued updated green marketing guidelines intended to stop advertisers from making deceptive or unqualified claims about products being environmentally beneficial or eco-friendly, called “greenwashing”. The FTC said that few products deliver the far-reaching environmental benefits that consumers associate with such claims, and they are nearly impossible to substantiate. The revision is the first since 1998, when phrases like “carbon footprint” and “renewable energy” were relatively new. Using input from consumers and industry groups, new sections address the use of carbon offsets, “green” certifications and seals, and renewable energy and renewable materials claims. Marketers are warned not to make broad, unqualified assertions that their products are environmentally benign or eco-friendly. Arthur Weissman, president and CEO of Green Seal Inc., a nonprofit environmental certification organization based in Washington, D.C., says, “We hope that there will be enforcement to help rid the marketplace of the many less-than-credible seals and greenwashing that exist.” The new guidelines are not rules or regulations, but general principles that describe the types of environmental claims the FTC may find deceptive. They do not address use of the terms “sustainable”, “natural” and “organic”. Source: The Christian Science Monitor
Shell Game
Turtles Facing Extinction Get Help The Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation (TSA) is opening a facility to house some of the world’s most endangered freshwater turtles and tortoises near Charleston, South Carolina. The 50-acre Turtle Survival Center will maintain living groups, or assurance colonies, of many species facing an uncertain future in the wild. The center will house 20 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises ranked “critically endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Nine are also on the Turtle Conservation Coalition list of the world’s most endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles. According to TSA President Rick Hudson, “No group of animals is under greater threat or faces a higher risk of extinction than freshwater turtles and tortoises.” The center will focus on species that have little chance of being recovered in nature because of habitat loss and intensive hunting pressures. Some species have undergone such dramatic declines that without intervention, their extinction is imminent. It’s hoped that offspring born at the center will eventually repopulate their ancestral habitats. Contribute to the TSA Turtle Survival Center capital campaign to help at TurtleSurvival.org. 12
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Dirty Pool
Great Lakes Under Siege by Global Warming Don Scavia, director of the University of Michigan Graham Sustainability Institute, stated in a regional leaders’ conference that climate change is aggravating the effects of devastating algae blooms in the Great Lakes by increasing the intensity of spring rains that wash phosphorus into the water. Rampant algae levels degrade water quality because as algae decompose, oxygen levels can drop low enough to kill fish. After the United States and Canada signed the initial Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 1972, many local governments banned detergents containing phosphorus and the algae problem faded, but it has returned in the past decade. Analysts note that while the practice of planting crops without plowing the ground may help prevent erosion, it leaves high concentrations of fertilizer phosphorus in the upper layers of soil, where it easily runs off into waterways. A task force of academic and government experts has recommended more than 50 helpful practices, including providing funding and technical assistance for phosphorus reduction projects; authorizing state regulators to require pollution reduction measures in stressed watersheds; and working with farmers and equipment manufacturers to develop fertilizer application methods that avoid runoff. Source: EarthKnowledge.net
Zapped Tap
UV Light Cleans The Big Apple’s Water Supply New York City has opened the world’s largest water disinfection plant, using ultraviolet (UV) light as a sanitizing agent to eliminate cryptosporidium, giardia and other pathogenic microorganisms that can cause nausea, cramps, diarrhea and more serious ailments. Fifty-six massive UV units will neutralize waterborne pathogens in all drinking water derived from the city’s major sources. The Catskill and the Delaware water supply systems, completed in 1927 and 1967, respectively, provide about 90 percent of the city’s water. The facility will process up to 9 billion liters daily, adding a second layer of sanitation to the city’s traditional chlorine treatment. While cryptosporidium is highly resistant to chlorine, UV has proved effective at controlling the parasite. Adenovirus is resistant to UV disinfection, but can be killed using chlorine. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires that if unfiltered surface water treatment systems don’t filter drinking water, another barrier for microorganisms besides chlorine treatment needs to be installed. The alternative to UV would have been to build a much more expensive filtration facility that passes drinking water through a series of porous materials such as layers of sand, gravel and charcoal to remove chemicals, hazardous materials and toxins. Source: Scientific American
People Power Modified Bicycles Recycle Electronic Waste Harvard graduate Rachel Field, 22, has invented the Bicyclean device, a contender for an international James Dyson Award recognizing the next generation of design engineers. The Bicyclean helps people in Third World countries separate valuable recyclable materials from the mountains of refrigerators, computers, cell phones and other electronic e-waste dumped in their “backyards” by richer nations. She aims to show that the needlessly harmful process can be made healthier, using simple bicycle technology that can be implemented virtually anywhere. Her solution is to stand up a bike in the normal position, but with the back wheel removed and replaced with an enclosed, pedal-powered, grinder-and-separation system. Pushing bits of circuit board down an attached chute onto a grinding mill of coarse cement ejects crushed e-waste fragments. Magnets collect the ferrous metals, and a battery-powered electromagnetic current pushes away non-ferrous metals. The device is more sustainable, plus it deposits and emits much less pollution into nearby waterways and air than other methods.
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January 2013
13
Healthy Lifestyle Tweaks Surprisingly Simple Changes for Feeling Good by Kathleen Barnes
A
ll of us have heard the admonition: “Eat lots of veggies and exercise daily and you’ll live a long, healthy life.” There’s no question this advice is sound, but what about other helpfully healthy lifestyle adjustments we can make? Experts attest that doing easy things, such as going braless, walking barefoot or using a plug-in model instead of a cordless phone can all support wellness. Results range from stress relief to prevention of cancer, heart disease and other ailments often associated with aging. “Making some of the simplest changes can have far-reaching positive effects on your health,” contends Frank King, a doctor of chiropractic and naturopathic medicine, president of King Bio Natural Medicine, in Asheville, North Carolina, and author of The Healing Revolution. “When we consider the huge negative effects shadowing the field of prescription drugs, it is just good sense to try things foundational to our health that are
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natural, inexpensive, effective and free of problematic side effects.”
Muscle Testing
“The human body is an excellent lie detector. It is the world’s most sophisticated laboratory, with more wisdom than all medical professionals put together,” says King. His favorite technique is to tap into the body’s vast wisdom using applied kinesiology, or muscle testing. “The principal is simple. When you are telling a truth or when something is good for the body, whether you are conscious of it or not, your body loosens up. When you are telling a lie or the body is rejecting something, your body tightens.” Many holistic practitioners use applied kinesiology as a diagnostic tool. An easy way to use muscle testing at home is to bend forward, fingers stretching toward the toes. Set a baseline truth by saying out loud, “My name is _______,” and notice the length of the stretch. Then utter an untruth, like calling yourself by a different name. Most people
will find their range of motion is noticeably limited in the event of an untruth or something else that is not helpful. A practical solution: Apply this technique in making any choice related to personal health.
Control Electronic Pollution Turn away from using cordless phones and turn off the Wi-Fi. Keep cell phones out of pockets and purses. Move the TV out of the bedroom. These devices emit enormous amounts of radiation, disturbing our sleep patterns, thickening our blood and causing inflammation and a number of associated diseases, according to Dr. Stephen Sinatra, an integrative cardiologist and co-author of The Great Cholesterol Myth. Recent findings of Sinatra’s research team at the University of California-Irvine, published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, confirm that physical contact with the Earth naturally thins blood. “Grounding appears to be one of the simplest and yet most profound interventions for helping reduce cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular events,” the researchers concluded. A recent study of animals by the Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory at Zhejiang University School of Medicine-Hangzhou, in China, shows that exposure to radio and electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) like those found in cell phones can alter some genes. An Indian study by the Bioelectromagnetic Laboratory at Jawaharlal Nehru University-New Delhi suggests that EMF exposure increases the production of free radicals in animal brains, which can lead to inflammation, cancer, heart disease and other serious diseases. Swiss research published in the journal Somnologie by University of Bern scientists shows a clear connection between radio frequencies (RF) and sleep disturbances. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) admits a possible link between extensive cell phone use and exposure to RF waves and brain cancer. Sinatra calls Wi-Fi signals “the new coronary risk factor” and warns, “Be aware that if you are on a computer at home on Wi-Fi, that is toxic to your body.”
A practical solution: Use an ethernet cable to connect computers rather than wireless; switch to an old-fashioned plug-in phone with a handset attached; and stay three feet away from cell phones—never wear them. Sinatra says his research shows that men that put a cell phone in a pocket experience a reduction in testosterone within four hours.
Change Footwear In addition to unplugging from potentially harmful devices, Sinatra recommends plugging into Earth’s healing energies. “Our ancestors walked barefoot and slept on the ground. They were connected to Earth’s electrical energies that kept them balanced and healthy,” explains the co-author of Earthing. New research from the University of California-Irvine published in the Journal of Environment and Public Health explains how modern lifestyles tend to separate us from the healing electrical energies of the Earth. Because we rarely walk barefoot or sleep on the ground and most people wear rubbersoled shoes that break the currents, few are benefitting from this wealth of easily accessed healing energies that benefit the heart, brain, muscles and nervous and immune systems. “Practically no one has the slightest notion of an electrical or energetic connection between his or her body and the Earth,” explains Sinatra. “The ground provides a subtle electric signal that governs the intricate mechanisms that help maintain health and make our bodies work, just like plugging a light into a power socket.” Taken together, the research points to many health benefits gained by staying connected with our home planet, which Sinatra reports in Earthing, including reduced inflammation, relief from chronic pain muscle tension and headaches, lower blood pressure and tempered hormonal swings. As a practical solution, Sinatra prescribes taking a little
Ditch Antiperspirant Along with the Bra Most commercial antiperspirant deodorants contain aluminum compounds, which have estrogen-like properties. Because estrogen imbalances can promote the growth of breast cancer tissue, aluminum may have the same effect when absorbed through the skin. Source: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health “vitamin G” (for grounding) every day: Walk barefoot as much as possible. Sit or lie on the ground with as much skin as possible in contact with living things such as grass, trees, pine needles or earth. During the winter, touch grounded electrical outlets or metal plumbing pipes. Also, wear comfortable, leathersoled shoes without socks indoors and out, because leather is an excellent conductor of Earth’s energies.
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The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt with the heart. ~ Helen Keller
Ditch the Bra “Breast cancer is caused by bras,” medical anthropologist Sydney Ross Singer states unequivocally. He is coauthor of Dressed to Kill, with Soma Grismaijer, and director of the Institute for the Study of Culturogenic Disease, in Pahoa, Hawaii. “Bras are designed to change the shape of a woman’s breasts to a culturally approved image,” remarks Singer. “But bras also create a pressure band between the breast and the lymph nodes, causing inflammation and swelling, and causing lymph to back up, restricting the body’s natural detoxification system.” “Cancer-causing toxins are delivered to the breast tissue by the bloodstream and are kept there by the bra,” he explains, likening the toxins to bullets. “The bra holds them in place, pointed directly at the breasts.” Singer’s research, conducted in the early 1990s, showed that women that wore bras 24/7 had a breast cancer risk 125 times that of women that never wore bras. Yet Singer’s findings have
Happiness is the
feeling you’re feeling when you want to keep feeling it. ~ author unknown
natural awakenings
January 2013
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Simple Stress Relief Resets Brain Function Using the index fingers, find two small knobs, usually about an inch above the midpoint of the eyebrows, known as the neurovascular reflex points. Rest fingers very lightly on these points until a pulse is felt. It may take several minutes. Be patient. Mentally review a current stressor using all the senses; see, feel, smell, hear and taste it. Source: Dr. Frank King, president, King Bio Natural Medicine, Asheville, NC been largely dismissed by the medical community, and bra manufacturers still offer few wire-free styles. A Harvard School of Public Health study, published in the European Journal of Cancer Care in 1991, also discovered that bra-free women had a lower rate of breast cancer. Because the results were not central to the focus of the university’s research at the time, there’s been no follow-up. A practical solution: Wear a bra as little as possible. If it is sometimes necessary, wear one without wires, and engage in regular breast massage. This can be enjoyable and is an ideal partner activity.
Hum Often Another Singer assertion is that simply humming “mmmmmmmmm” a couple of minutes a day can stimulate the thyroid and increase the produc-
tion of thyroid hormones of those with an underactive thyroid. The butterflyshaped gland wraps around the larynx, or voice box, which Singer contends is part of nature’s elegant design, meant to be stimulated by sound. The Cleveland Clinic reports that 10 percent of the U.S. population age 65 and over suffers from hypothyroidism, with the rate in the general population between 1 and 2 percent. The condition is a special problem for women encountering perimenopause or menopause, when hormone levels can fluctuate wildly. “The medical community has considered the effect of the thyroid on the voice but not the vibratory effect of vocalization on thyroid function,” says Singer. “It stands to reason that humming, singing or quietly talking is preferred to the overstimulation of shouting or yelling.”
Adopt a Pet “Animals are among our best teachers,” says Dr. Carol Roberts, the author of Good Medicine: A Return to Common Sense, who teaches holistic care at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine. “Animal companions give us so much more than they ask for and live in a state of unconditional, open-hearted love.” Roberts notes numerous studies that show the simple presence of a loving animal can lower our blood pressure and slow the heart rate. A CDC heart study, for example, showed subjects that had owned a cat at any time were 40 percent less likely to die of a heart attack. Japanese researchers from Azabu University, in Kanagawa-ken, found that dog owners experienced a spike in oxytocin—a neurotransmitter that helps us cope with stress—by simply meeting their pet’s gaze. While people widely recognize that walking the dog is great exercise, other loving interactions with our pets support happiness and health, as well.
Exercise Artistic Skills Giving oneself artistic license is also healthy, advises Roberts. “Just bring a little beauty into your life, whether it’s choosing which clothing and acces16
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Supplement Cocktail Counters Radiation Coenzyme Q10 – 100-200 mg a day Melatonin – 1-5 mg a day Nattokinase enzyme – 50 mg a day Vitamin C – 100 mg a day
sories to wear, arranging a vase of table flowers or dancing to favorite music. Just do something creative every day.” Energy therapists maintain that exposure to creative activities improves circulation to the brain and thyroid; on a psychological level, it also works to improve self-confidence and self-expression. A recent study at the University of Colorado published in the journal Palliative & Supportive Care confirmed that individual art therapy is useful in supporting cancer patients during chemotherapy. Fifty-one of the 54 participants said it helped them to relax, talk about their situation or explore and express emotions to their benefit. Roberts adds, “It’s even better if you join a group engaged in a creative activity. I think people in general do better when we come together to create something beautiful.” These experts’ prescriptions for such simple lifestyle changes have shown how commonsense adjustments in everyday living can have profound, health-altering results, with only good after effects. Kathleen Barnes is a natural health advocate, author and publisher. Among her many books is The Super Simple HCG Diet (Square One). Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.
fitbody
STAND UP A ND MOVE! How to Sizzle, not Fizzle by Debra Melani
A
s millions of Americans ponder quitting newly launched fitness resolutions after finding it tough to squeeze in toning workouts or sweat off a few extra pounds, researchers implore: Don’t give up. Just pump out 20 minutes a day of any kind of exercise—take a brisk walk, jog, lift weights—and stop sitting so much. Results can bring a healthier, more youthful feeling of well-being, akin to what explorer Juan Ponce de León sought in the Americas long ago. In a recently completed study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers followed up with more than 18,000 middle-aged men and women that had been tested an average of 26 years earlier for cardiorespiratory fitness via a treadmill test. They compared those results with the individuals’ current Medicare data at the Cooper Institute Clinic, in Dallas, Texas. “We found those who were fitter had a much lower rate of heart failure, chronic kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, certain kinds of colon cancer and coronary artery disease,” says coauthor Dr. Benjamin Willis. “Fit people that did become ill did so at a much later age than their non-fit counterparts.
They were able to enjoy a healthier life longer.” Researchers found that for every higher MET fitness level (standard metabolic equivalent, a unit for measuring fitness related to the amount of oxygen used by the body during physical activity), the risk of chronic disease decreased by about 6 percent. “So those that can raise their fitness levels by three METs have an estimated 18 to 20 percent reduced risk of developing a chronic disease,” Willis explains. The take-away message is, “Just move,” says study co-author Dr. Laura DeFina. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends investing in a weekly total of 150 to 300 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous exercise, either of which can be broken down into two or three 10-minute increments a day, DeFina confirms. As simple as it sounds, few people are doing it, something New York Times fitness columnist Gretchen Reynolds underscores in her recent book, The First 20 Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How We Can: Exercise Better, Train Smarter, Live Longer. “Most of us sit an average of eight hours a day,
whether it’s at a desk or in front of a television,” Reynolds says. “The human body was not meant to be sedentary.” More than three-quarters of Americans are not meeting exercise recommendations, with one-quarter remaining completely sedentary, the CDC reports. Breaking this cycle does not need to be difficult, Reynolds notes. “You get the benefits from just moving. Start by standing up more and moving around in your office.” Reynolds, who hops on one foot while brushing her teeth and reads standing up using a music stand, says studies have shown that bad things happen to bodies that sit for long stints, even those that start each day with an hour of exercise, and good things happen to bodies that stand often, even if it’s just for two minutes every half-hour. “For instance, when you stand, the big muscles in your legs and back contract, releasing enzymes that stabilize blood sugar,” Reynolds says, echoing findings of a study of more than 120,000 men and women published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. The researchers found that the combination of both sitting more and being less physically active was associated with a significant increase in accelerated death rate, particularly in women, at 94 percent, as well as men, at 48 percent. As Reynolds’ book title suggests, the majority of health benefits are derived from the first 20 minutes of exercise and begin to flatten out after 30 minutes or so. Dr. Carl Lavie, medical director of cardiac rehabilitation and prevention at the Ochsner Medical Center, in New Orleans, points out that this timeframe supports general health. He and Reynolds agree that to reach specific goals, such as increased running speed or dramatic weight loss, moderate levels won’t do the trick, so do more, if possible. The most vital message, experts agree, is to do something every day, consistently. Willis observes that, “The effects can quickly reverse if you stop.” Freelance journalist Debra Melani writes about health care and fitness from Lyons, CO. Connect at Debra Melani.com or DMelani@msn.com.
natural awakenings
January 2013
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healthykids
Dietary Turnaround
Addressing Autism
Families Have Reasons for Hope by Brita Belli
P
arents of autistic children are encouraged when they witness improvements after eliminating gluten (wheat) and casein (dairy) from their kids’ diets. Now a parental study supports the correlation—for some kids on the autism spectrum, the gluten- and casein-free (GFCF) diet appears to be connected with remarkable changes. Laura Cousino Klein, associate professor of biobehavioral health and human development at the Penn State College of Medicine, helped lead research that surveyed 387 parents or caregivers with affected children. For those diagnosed with combinations of autism and gastrointestinal issues or
food sensitivities, the GFCF diet brought marked improvements in their autism spectrum disorder (ASD) behaviors— reducing hyperactivity and tantrums; minimizing constipation and seizures; and improving social behaviors. Klein says scientists are still working to understand the interaction between the brain, gut and behaviors, but recent findings suggest that significant links exist. “One hypothesis is that by eliminating dietary triggers in the presence of food allergies or gastrointestinal distress, you’re reducing inflammation or irritability of the immune system, and that’s affecting the way the brain is functioning,” she says.
There is only one success— to be able to spend your life in your own way. ~ Christopher Morley
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One Racine, Wisconsin, mom, Cindy Schultz, a tireless advocate for her autistic son, says, “As an infant, he either had constipation or diarrhea. There was never a happy medium.” The GFCF diet has improved his health and his ability to communicate. Shauna Layton, in Clinton, Indiana, says her son experienced similar bowel problems and she also saw a remarkable turnaround in his language abilities and social interactions as they adhered to a GFCF diet and eliminated sugar and yeast. Other parents from her online support group, Together in Autism, report similar success. “Some children have never talked, and now they are saying ‘Mom,’ ‘Dad,’ or ‘I love you,’ for the first time,” Layton says. A definitive gut-brain link with autism has yet to be identified. Some scientists suggest that kids with autism are more likely to have leaky gut syndrome (intestinal permeability), which allows peptides from gluten and casein to escape from the digestive tract, cross the intestinal membranes, enter the bloodstream and go to the brain, causing the neurobehavioral symptoms known as ASDs, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. While the AAP knows of no scientific proof that a GFCF diet will bring benefits, they note that it’s possible, especially in people suffering from celiac disease. Parents have also observed that food dyes can exacerbate hyperactivity in children, a connection unconfirmed by the federal government. In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Advisory Committee suggested further testing, while voting against additional food labeling requirements for potentially problematic dyes. Meanwhile, some parents affirm that eliminating such dyes has helped them better manage their children’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A 2011 study taking into account 35 years of research found that many ADHD children showed significant improvement after eliminating dyes from their diets; it also registered that greater than 70 percent were positively influenced by various dietary changes. The results were promising
enough for researchers to conclude, “A trial elimination diet is appropriate for children that have not responded satisfactorily to conventional treatment.”
The Role of Vitamin D A 2012 study in the Journal of Neuroinflammation found that autistic children had significantly lower levels of vitamin D than control subjects. Vitamin D, the study notes, regulates immune function and thus autoimmunity; when the immune system is disrupted and the body attacks itself, it may play a role in the development of autism. Dr. John Cannell, founder of the nonprofit Vitamin D Council, remarks that fear of sun overexposure has led to the deficiencies. “Vitamin D is not a vitamin,” Cannell clarifies. “It’s a steroid hormone system that begins in the skin. If children aren’t getting any photons of UVB light, they’re not making any vitamin D.” He notes that the rise in autism rates during the last 25 years tracks with increases in 50-plus SPF sunscreen use, more time spent indoors and a rise in breastfeeding. Because breast milk contains low amounts of vitamin D, since 2003 the AAP has emphasized the importance of parents giving vitamin D supplement drops to breastfed infants. The same vitamin D study showed that the severity of autism correlated strongly with deficiencies of this vitamin and that the higher the level, the less severe the symptoms. Cannell has witnessed this phenomenon via a clinic hosted by the Vitamin D Council, recommending increases in vitamin D levels for autistic children to “high normal levels” and reducing vitamin A, which blocks the action of vitamin D. “We have children on 5,000 to 10,000 units of vitamin D a day,” Cannell reports. “We see improvements in terms of sleep, meltdowns, eye contact, cognitive capacity, fine motor skills, language and reading—across the spectrum.” Brita Belli is the author of The Autism Puzzle: Connecting the Dots Between Environmental Toxins and Rising Autism Rates.
inspiration
No Dust on the Mirror Reflections on a Life of Conscious Wholeness
by Michael Bernard Beckwith
W
e spend a good deal of time gazing at ourselves in a mirror with the physical eye, as well as into the mirror of our mind with an analytical eye, endeavoring to size ourselves up in our own estimation, and also determining how others might evaluate us. Both of these mirrors are clouded with ego-related dust that distorts our vision. Only when we turn our gaze inward with the intuitive eye of awareness can we perceive our innate wholeness, for there is no dust on the mirror of the soul. Consider this: A consciousness of wholeness reunifies us with our authentic self, so that even during those times when we are unaware of it, our wholeness is intact and utterly dust-free—only our awareness of it is missing. When awareness returns, we live free from ego’s bondage and its ignorance-soaked history and habits. We are reunified with the reality of our being. Our daily practice is to be ever mindful—on the dot—the moment we lose sight of our true nature. Everyday experiences grace us with reminders by mentally tapping us on the shoulder and returning us to the qualities we wish to express in our interactions with our self, others and all of life. We are continually given the opportunity to reconnect with the high vision we hold
for ourselves in our mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, professional, relational and communal life structures. It serves us well to remember that we are here learning to mother our consciousness, just as the universe mothers us throughout our lifetime and beyond. Intelligence, wisdom, intuition, joy and creativity—these are the qualities we want to mother within ourselves in order to unveil our original face. As we set a conscious intention to evolve, we live as the master artists we are—creating, directing and producing our lives. The more time we set aside for meditation, contemplation and life visioning, the more we can have 20/20 vision in foresight, rather than hindsight. Through practice, we activate our intuition, clean off egoic dust and enter a more consistently clear-sighted state of mindful being. Thus we actualize our highest potential and realize our organic, enlightened consciousness. Michael Bernard Beckwith is the founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center, in Los Angeles, California, author of Life Visioning: A Transformative Process for Activating Your Unique Gifts and Highest Potential (Sounds True, 2011/2013), and originator of the Life Visioning process.
natural awakenings
January 2013
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A NEW DAY A NEW APP
healingways
Be Supplement
SAVVY How to Choose Wisely for Optimal Health by James Occhiogrosso
According to the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements, nearly half of us regularly use some kind of dietary supplement, including vitamins, minerals and botanical herbs.
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hile mainstream media have recently targeted supplements with alarming coverage about their value and safety, James J. Gormley, former editor of Better Nutrition and author of User’s Guide to Brain-Boosting Supplements, helps set the record straight. In an open letter on the Citizens for Health website, at Tinyurl.com/LetterRebuttal, he contends the worst part about misleading articles is that they can scare readers away from benefits that safe supplements might offer. He notes that although nothing in life is 100 percent risk-free, supplements are inherently benign, while pharmaceutical drugs frequently have unhealthy side effects. Controversy over supplements seems to arise primarily from misinformation. Following are some guidelines and resources to help ensure their wise use and maximum benefit.
chemicals that target one body system or organ, causing it to alter its function; they mask symptoms, but do not cure disease. On the other hand, the goal of vitamins, minerals and plant-derived supplements is to provide nutrients to help a troubled body system by supporting health and healing. Some confusion occurs because many pharmaceutical and supplement manufacturers take advantage of people’s desire for a one-bullet solution, which rarely exists in either source. Stephen Lawson, administrative officer of the Linus Pauling Institute, at Oregon State University, maintains that, “Lumping together items like vitamins, minerals and botanicals, each of which can have profoundly different physical profiles and effects on the body, is dangerous and misleading.”
Supplements Versus Pharmaceutical Drugs
Everyone can benefit from taking the right supplements to address specific health needs. Numerous studies attest that many diseases, especially in older adults, are caused by a deficiency of certain vitamins or minerals. For example, pernicious anemia, common in adults over the age of 60, is due to
Natural health practitioners report that their clients tend to mentally group pharmaceuticals and supplements together. However, pharmaceutical drugs are typically synthetic, single-action
Who Needs Supplements?
a long-term deficiency of vitamin B12. The condition often proved fatal until researchers discovered that taking such supplements could effectively treat it. Another common nutritional deficiency disease among aging adults is osteoporosis, a loss of bone minerals that often leads to fractures. Its primary cause is chronic deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D levels. The latter is crucial for absorbing calcium—a primary mineral for building bone. According to the National Institutes of Health, older adults are likely to spend more time indoors, plus, even when they are exposed to the sun, their skin does not synthesize vitamin D as efficiently as when they were younger. Serious nutrient deficiencies rarely cause fatal outcomes, but deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals can deter organs from optimal functioning. General medical tests do not always show minor shortfalls, and practice shows that supplementing with the appropriate vitamin or mineral can often both eliminate symptoms and resolve an underlying problem.
Choosing Helpful Supplements Determining which supplements can best meet individual needs requires sound information. First, determine if a perceived condition could be caused by a vitamin or mineral deficiency, and then identify the best dosage. It is also vital to know how a supplement might interact with any current medications. Most vitamin and mineral supplements are safe when used properly, but always consider asking an experienced professional for guidance; this is especially true for botanicals, because some manufacturers make unsupported claims based only on their own research. Generally, nonprofit organizations such as the Linus Pauling Institute (lpi.Oregon State.edu) that do not sell supplement products, present unbiased information.
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Final Word Although conflicting information continues to circulate, abundant scientific evidence verifies that commonsense use of vitamin and mineral supplements is safe and usually helpful. The recommendation is to take enough, but not too much, of a deficiency-specific supplement, along with nutritious foods, in order to achieve a normal balance. A 2009 report by the U.S. National Poison Data System indicated that the number of serious adverse events that year from the use of vitamins, minerals, amino acids or herbal supplements was extremely low, with no related U.S. deaths. Many natural healthcare experts, including naturopaths, nutritionists and dieticians, conclude that supplements are useful and in some cases, necessary, especially when treating a significant nutrient or hormonal deficiency. It’s wise to consult a knowledgeable professional before buying the antioxidant du jour mentioned by a friend from the gym. James Occhiogrosso, a natural health practitioner and master herbalist, specializes in salivary hormone testing and natural hormone balancing for men and women. Find helpful articles at HealthNaturallyToday.com. Connect at 239-4981547 or DrJim@HealthNaturallyToday.com.
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natural awakenings
January 2013
21
greenliving
FRACKING WRECKS AMERICA’S BEDROCK Clear and Present Dangers by Sandra Steingraber
Current environmental policies must be realigned to safeguard our health, sustain planetary life-support systems and free us from dependence upon fossil fuels.
U
nder the misleading banner of clean and green, the global natural gas rush is on, and nowhere more so than in the United States. We are literally shattering America’s bedrock to bring methane out of the Earth and consuming enormous quantities of precious fresh water to do so, without any clear knowledge of the health or environmental consequences. Due to economies of scale and required infrastructure, fracking is an all-or-nothing proposition, and each state decides its own fate. The Marcellus Shale forms a 600-mile-long basement foundation for communities spanning New York, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio. As the largest natural gas deposit in the country, it has become ground-zero for high-volume, slickwater hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Many more states are equally vulnerable (see GaslandTheMovie.com/map). In a two-to-200-foot-thick bedrock layer up to a mile below Earth’s surface, the shale and its captured meth22
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ane, uranium, mercury, arsenic and lead have remained locked in place for millions of years. Above it lie drinking water aquifers. Prior to the 21st century, capturing methane gas bubbles dispersed within such a horizontal formation, instead of a vertical well, was deemed uneconomical and labeled unrecoverable. Now, modern drills can bore down steel piping, some portions encased in cement, and direct pressure-packed explosions of up to 10,000 pounds per square inch of water, sand and chemicals into the rock, fracturing it. Next, hundreds of chemicals are injected to reduce friction (thus the term slickwater) so that the fracking fluid can flow easily. The mixture includes acids, rust and scale inhibitors and pesticides to kill microbes, plus sometimes gelling agents, petroleum distillates, glycol ethers, formaldehyde and toluene. The result is that gas flows back up the borehole along with 30 to 60 percent of the injected cocktail of water
and chemicals. The rest is left behind. Fracking a gas well once requires 2 to 8 million gallons of fresh water, 10,000 to 40,000 gallons of chemicals and at least 1,000 diesel truck trips. Wells can be fracked multiple times before they run dry. Between 34,000 and 95,000 wells are envisioned for New York State alone, according to Cornell University Engineering Professor, Anthony Ingraffea, with 77,000 likely over the next 50 years. While New York residents are watching the result of fracking in other states and have elected a temporary moratorium on fracking, Pennsylvania has issued thousands of permits since 2004. Continued unknowns stir debate. Meanwhile, scientists across leading institutions are certain of five universal impacts. First, fracking industrializes rural landscapes, clearing and fragmenting vital woodlands and wetlands. Second, fracking brings urban-style air pollution to the rural countryside. Third, accidents happen, necessitating the evacuation of surrounding communities. Fourth, fracking makes huge volumes of Earth’s limited fresh water disappear forever. Fifth, sooner or later, the gas will run out, while the environmental damage remains.
Known and Unknown Dangers
Beyond these certainties lie questions. Drilling proponents may claim that there have been no confirmed cases of drinking water contaminated by fracking. Yet in Pavillion, Wyoming, residents noticed a few years ago that their water was yellow, cloudy and oily, bubbled and smelled like chemicals. Some people felt sick. A joint investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry found petrochemicals— including diesel fuel, benzene, cyclohexane, methane, propane and ethane, plus traces of arsenic and a microbe-inhibiting pesticide—in 20 water wells. The EPA recommended that residents not drink their water. Turning on a fan while showering to avoid possible methane explosions was also suggested. Fracking enjoys special exemptions from many regulations—the
“Wherever Marcellus Shale natural gas development has occurred in Pennsylvania, reports of poisoned water, sick kids and dead animals have followed.” ~ Marcellus Protest, a Pennsylvania alliance to halt fracking operations Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Superfund Act and National Environmental Policy Act—that govern other types of industrial activities. Fracking also gets a pass on federal right-to-know laws, because natural gas operations do not report their air and water emissions under the EPA Toxics Release Inventory. A special amendment to the 2005 Energy Policy Act grants fracking exclusion from the Safe Drinking Water Act, which authorizes the EPA to regulate all injection of toxic chemicals into the ground. Thus, a drilling company doesn’t have to disclose the formulation of its fracking fluids.
Eco-Horrors and Economics
Biologist Theo Colborn and her research team at The Endocrine Disruptor Exchange report that of the 353 chemicals tested as presumed ingredients of fracking fluid, 60 percent can harm the brain and nervous system, 40 percent are endocrine disrupters and one-third are both suspected carcinogens and developmental toxicants. What should we do with this lethal fluid—a million or more gallons with every wellhead? The trend, say gas industry service providers like Halliburton, is to recycle it, but flowback water gets more poisonous with every reuse. At some point, this highly concentrated toxic liquid still has to be disposed of via designated underground wells or municipal sewage-treatment plants or else it’s clandestinely dumped. Then there’s the lure of fracking’s economics. In many cases, a homeowner can receive $5,000 per acre, plus 12 to 20 percent royalties, from leasing land to a gas company. The Marcellus Shale may be worth a trillion
dollars and possibly provide enough natural gas to supply the nation’s consumption for six years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s most recent estimates. (It’s unknown how much gas is recoverable or how often wells may need to be refracked to stimulate production.) No study of the cumulative impact of fracking on public health or agriculture, including its full lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, has been conducted; it’s an economic gamble and a bona fide environmental crime.
A Community Speaks Out
In New York’s Tompkins County, 40 percent of the land acreage covering the Marcellus Shale is leased to gas drillers. Local feelings are mixed. Some people just wish the whole practice would go away. Some find fracking such a vile and preposterous idea that they don’t believe it will really happen. Others, seeking personal gain or believing that it’s inevitable, plan to “ride the tiger,” hoping for greater future oversight. At a recent community meeting, candidates for mayor and the village board declared their unified opposition to fracking. Soon afterward, at a packed town meeting on fracking at the village library, someone noted that a nearby community had successfully turned away frack waste trucked in from Pennsylvania that was headed to an old well for disposal. An elderly man declared passionately, “We have to be ready to lie down in front of the trucks.”
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Take a stand at Tinyurl.com/FrackMedia, Tinyurl.com/FrackingMap and Tinyurl. com/FrackAction (scroll to petitions). Note: Find films at GaslandTheMovie. com; and Tinyurl.com/FilmPromisedLand. Biologist Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., is the acclaimed author of Living Downstream, now also a documentary film, and Having Faith, on the threat of environmental toxins to infant development. A visiting scholar at New York’s Ithaca College, she often testifies at hearings. She adapted this article from Raising Elijah: Protecting Our Children in an Age of Environmental Crisis, reprinted courtesy of Da Capo Press. natural awakenings
January 2013
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SUSTAINABLE WEIGHT LOSS Five Secrets for Feeling Like Yourself Again by Judith Fertig
Health experts agree that many foods can play multiple roles in weight loss.
S
tarting in the 1970s, natural foods advocate and journalist Kathleen Barnes, of Brevard, North Carolina, avidly practiced vegetarianism, yet through the years she still gained weight. Searching for answers, she shared her findings in an array of books that include 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health: A Take Charge Plan for Women (co-authored with Dr. Hyla Cass) and Rx from the Garden: 101 Food Cures You Can Easily Grow. “When I at last learned which key foods to add to my diet, I lost 100 pounds—and kept them off,” says Barnes. Burn fat. Foods with thermogenic properties help heat up the body and may help burn fat. “You feel a flush when you eat or drink them,” Barnes notes. Chili peppers, curry powder, horseradish, mustard, garlic, onion, wasabi, ginger, black pepper and radishes are especially good choices in cold weather, when we want to feel warm anyway. The intense flavors delivered by such foods help us to practice the principle of portion control, Chester KuLea, a health and nutrition consultant in Vancouver, British Columbia, says, “Adding these foods to dishes generates a higher rate of caloric burn, and their powerful flavors prompt people to eat far less than they normally would. Plus, red, cayenne and jalapeño peppers, hot
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sauces and any other spicy foods are all very low in calories.” Enhance mood. We don’t want to feel hungry or deprived when trying to lose weight. The protein in turkey, chicken and cold-water fish like salmon and mackerel helps us feel more satisfied and on top of things. Barnes also suggests eating low-fat cottage cheese, avocado, wheat germ, whole-grain crackers and bananas to help increase serotonin levels and feelings of well-being. “When you crave something sweet or feel like you’re crashing mid-afternoon, that’s the time to eat a small amount of these foods to get you back on track,” she advises. Julia Ross, author of The Mood Cure and The Diet Cure, agrees. This Mill Valley, California, nutritional psychotherapist recommends complex carbohydrates such as whole grains to keep us on an even keel during weight loss. “This means pushing away the leftover cake and eating sensible carbs to stimulate serotonin,” she says.
Promote digestion. The fiber in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains helps move things along in the digestive system, making our bodies work more efficiently. Barnes favors drinking peppermint and other herbal teas and incorporating sage, dill, oregano and other herbs in savory dishes to aid digestion. According to a recent University of Illinois study, soluble fiber found in oat bran, fruits, vegetables and nuts not only facilitates digestion, but also supports the immune system. Professor Gregory Freund, who teaches at the university’s medical school in Champaign, explains, “Soluble fiber changes the personality of immune cells—they go from being pro-inflammatory, angry cells to antiinflammatory, healing cells that help us recover faster from infection.” Feel full. Hunger pangs can derail anyone’s best efforts to eat better. Barnes learned that liquids, including up to two quarts of water a day, help retain a satisfied feeling. In cooler months, she makes soups that incorporate leafy green vegetables, onion, garlic, chili peppers and herbs. An apple a day might keep the doctor away—and help in other ways, as well. “Apples have a high water content and are packed with fiber, two factors that leave you satiated,” says Keren Gilbert, a registered dieti-
Adding foods with thermogenic properties, such as chili peppers, curry powder, horseradish, mustard, garlic, onion, wasabi, ginger, black pepper and radishes, to dishes generates a higher rate of caloric burn, and their powerful flavors prompt people to eat far less than they normally would. tian and founder of Decision Nutrition, in Great Neck, New York. “For a tasty protein-packed snack, top apple slices with natural almond butter.” Accept treats. Leaving room for a treat, like a piece of fine chocolate, can leave us feeling satisfied rather than stuffed, says Katherine Harvey, a registered dietitian in Kansas City, Missouri. Indulging in a little sweet treat from time to time reinforces the perception that eating right can be simple and pleasurable, says Barnes. In cold months, she likes to bake apples sweetened with Stevia and cinnamon, or poach pears in fruit juice and spices. She might break open a pomegranate and slowly munch each ruby-colored seed, or stop at a coffee shop to sip a latte made with low-fat milk. Barnes’ evolved natural foods strategy has helped her maintain a desirable weight for many years now. “Sustainable weight loss involves sustainable eating,” she says, “finding healthy foods that we can enjoy for the rest of our lives.” Award-winning cookbook author Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com.
Bonus Diet Tips Be mindful. Hunger may be more mental or emotional, rather than physical, says nutritionist Katherine Harvey. “Becoming more aware of where in our bodies we’re feeling hungry—our heads, chests or stomachs—can help us discern if we’re eating out of boredom, emotional distress or true physical need.” Celebrate each meal. If we can focus on each bite and do nothing else—no reading, watching TV or working at our desk—we’ll eat less, says health writer Kathleen Barnes. “It helps our focus to bless our food, the people who grew it, where it came from and the good work it is doing in our bodies.” Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is important. To keep track of her allotted two quarts of water a day, Barnes drinks it from a two-quart canning jar. natural awakenings
January 2013
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wisewords
GMO Truths and Consequences Health and Safety are Question Marks by Melinda Hemmelgarn
T
he food industry tells consumers that genetically engineered foods are safe. On university campuses, agriculture students learn that such genetically modified organisms (GMO) are both safe and necessary to feed the world. The Council for Biotechnology Information, a biotech industry-supported nonprofit, even created a coloring book to teach children about the many benefits of GMO crops, including improved nutrition. Most GMO crops have been genetically engineered to withstand spraying with herbicides, such as Monsanto’s Roundup-Ready soybeans, or to produce their own pesticides, such as “Bt” corn and cotton. Bill Freese, a science policy analyst at the nonprofit Center for Food Safety, warns us to be leery of simplistic claims that don’t take into account unintended consequences. For example, he points out that, “GMO crops have nothing to do with feeding the world, because almost all genetically engineered crops are corn and soybeans... used to feed livestock in rich countries, or to feed automobiles.” Approximately 40 percent of corn currently is used to make ethanol. Freese adds, “They don’t increase yields and they don’t increase nutrition.” But GMO crops have led to a staggering increase in herbicide use, putting both farmers and consumers at greater risk for exposure to these toxins 26
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and related diseases, according to the Center for Food Safety. So the question is: Are GMOs the panacea industry wants us to believe, or are they contributing to chronic disease? Here are three claims commonly heard about GMOs, generally made by the biotechnology industry and their funded researchers.
Claim: GMOs are safe. Fact Check: Little research exists
on the long-term effects of consuming GMO foods. According to Douglas Gurian-Sherman, a senior scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, safety assessments have left us with significant uncertainties about whether GMO food is safe or not. However, concerns voiced by the Center for Food Safety revolve around potential allergens and toxins from both herbicide and pesticide residues and new genetic material. New research from the European Union published in Food and Chemical Toxicology adds to growing concerns about the risks. Researchers discovered that rats fed GMO corn and drinking water containing Roundup herbicide experienced negative health effects during their two-year lifespan, including mammary tumors and disabled pituitary function in females, and liver and kidney damage in males. These outcomes were attributed to the endocrine-disrupting ef-
fects of Roundup, as well as the genetic makeup of the engineered corn. What makes this study unique and troubling is that it’s the longest such study period to date. Most studies funded and conducted by industry last just 90 days—not long enough to fully document potential harm. Michael Hansen, Ph.D., a senior scientist at Consumer Reports, states in a memo to the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Council on Science and Public Health, “Unlike all other developed countries, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require safety testing for GE [genetically engineered] plants.” Hansen explains, “In addition to the FDA not requiring any premarket safety testing, there is virtually no independent safety testing of these crops in the United States, due to intellectual property rights. When farmers buy GE seed in the U.S., they invariably must sign a product stewardship agreement that forbids them from giving such seeds to researchers.” Plus, “Researchers must get permission from the biotech companies before they can do research, which means there is a paucity of independent research.” The good news is that last June, the AMA recommended mandatory pre-market safety testing to better characterize the potential harms of bioengineered foods.
Claim: GMO crops use fewer pes-
ticides, and those used are safer than most others and break down quickly.
Fact Check: Roundup herbicide is increasingly sprayed on a growing number of herbicide-resistant GMO crops, including corn, soy, canola, sugar beets and most recently, alfalfa. By tracking the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s pesticide use data, Charles Benbrook, research professor at the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, at Washington State University, discovered that herbicide-resistant crop technology led to a 527-million-pound increase in herbicide use in the United States between 1996 and 2011. With the growing presence of herbicide-resistant weeds, new GE forms of corn and soybeans have been developed to resist stronger and more
dangerous herbicides, such as 2,4-D, one of the two ingredients in Agent Orange, a defoliant used in the Vietnam War. Benbrook projects that these new GMO crops could drive herbicide usage up by about another 50 percent. According to Warren Porter, Ph.D., a biologist and environmental toxicology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Theo Colborn, Ph.D., president of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange, glyphosate, the active chemical ingredient in Roundup, is an endocrine disruptor, meaning it interferes with hormone systems. Porter says we can expect higher levels of herbicide residues in GMO food crops. A report from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) found that glyphosate is now commonly found in rain, streams and air during the growing season. “Though glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world, we know very little about its long-term effects to the environment,” cautions Paul Capel, a USGS chemist. A Canadian study showing that the Bt toxins from GMO corn are showing up in umbilical cord blood and the blood of pregnant women is another concern. Monsanto claims Bt is harmless and will break down in our digestive tracts. But we have no way of knowing the effect of these toxins on developing fetuses, says Marcia IshiiEiteman, Ph.D., a senior scientist with the Pesticide Action Network.
Claim: GMO labeling isn’t necessary. Fact Check: Hansen believes that if
there are unexpected adverse health effects resulting from consuming GMO foods, a product label would allow people to begin connecting symptoms with foods consumed. Until there is consistent, national GMO food labeling, everyone is just dining in the dark. Learn more and take action at JustLabelIt.org. Melinda Hemmelgarn, aka the “Food Sleuth,” is a registered dietitian and award-winning writer and radio host at kopn.org, in Columbia, MO (Food Sleuth@gmail.com). She advocates for organic farmers at Enduring-Image. blogspot.com.
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naturalpet
than other options, the food rapidly rehydrates to four times its original weight by adding warm water. A meatless variety allows owners to add their choice of raw meat, meaty bones or cooked meat and can be suitable for sensitive dogs, raw feeders and dogs that need a unique protein source. “Dehydrated foods are also a good way for a squeamish owner to start a raw diet for their dog,” remarks Dr. Laurie Coger, an associate veterinarian at the Bloomingrove Veterinary Hospital, in Rensselaer, New York, by Sandra Murphy who also offers consultations through TheHonestKitchen.com. Coger suggests, “First, determine what a dog or s with their own food, dog and many owners turn to home-cooked cat needs in his diet, then transition cat owners are reading pet food meals, but know-how is key. “A big risk gradually from kibble to a cooked or labels more closely these days with home-prepared diets is that they are raw diet. Cats may resist change, while to evaluate ingredients and their sourc- almost always nutritionally inadequate dogs can be more flexible.” es. American pet food companies may for long-term feeding, even when using Pet food maker Steve’s Real Food outsource to foreign published recipes,” is another option as it does not use manufacturers, someadvises Dr. Brennen “You can spend lamb, pork or venison. Each poses a times with disastrous McKenzie, president greater risk of carrying toxoplasmosis, a money on vet visits of the Evidence-Based results. Various brands parasitic disease that can be passed on of dry dog food (kibble) or on better food.” Veterinary Medicine to pets, especially cats. and treats have been Association. “Consult a “If you decide to incorporate raw ~ Veterinarian Laurie Coger recalled for melamine board-certified nutrifoods, find a wholesale meat supplier contamination or other tionist for the unique so you can buy in bulk. You’ll need a problems—even brands manufactured nutritional needs of the pet, based on freezer to take full advantage,” suggests here have been recalled for salmonella age, breed, health condition and other Coger. “Feeding raw is not an all-orcontamination. factors. Don’t substitute ingredients.” nothing proposition, so mix and match. To ensure that what we’re serving Cooking for pets can be time-conCook when you have time, feed raw our dogs contains a proper balance of suming. Some owners have found dehy- several days a week and use high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals for overdrated foods like those from The Honest dehydrated or dry food when traveling.” all health, the Dog Food Advisor rates Kitchen, made in the United States Dr. Cathy Alinovi, owner of Hoof dog foods and treats by brand name, using human food-grade ingredients, Stock Veterinary Service, in Pine Vilexplains the ingredients, including both cost-effective and easy to prepare. lage, Indiana, found that switching to byproducts not fit for human consumpWhile the purchase price can be higher a raw diet solved an itching problem tion, and recommends the with her mixed-breed dog. She reports best options. Owners can that, “Eighty percent of the reasons my sign up for emails about clients bring their pets to me are cured recalls and other alerts by changing to better food.” at DogFoodAdvisor.com. Alinovi points out two Other reasons to read labels drawbacks of serving raw include potential allergic reactions to food: “You can’t leave it foods, especially chicken and corn, out all day and it common ingredients in kibble. The edcan be a chalucational website lenge to transport notes, “Corn home on a hot day.” But she’s found is an inexpensive and that the benefits are controversial cereal grain of only many, “Dog and modest nutritional value to a dog.” cat furs shine and shed less; even Homemade Meals their behavior To have more control over what improves.” Dog the family dog or cat eats,
Raw Food Diets for Pets Weighing the Pros and Cons
A
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owners also note cleaner teeth, with no tartar buildup, cutting down on trips to the vet.
Not Everyone Agrees
Feeding a raw food diet is not without controversy. The American Veterinary Medical Association voted last summer to advise veterinarians to recommend clients against feeding raw meats and bones to pets. Pet Partners, formerly known as the Delta Society, which registers pets as therapy animals, has instituted a policy that states, “Animals may not be fed a raw protein diet. Animals previously fed [such] a diet must be off it for at least four weeks before registering them.” (See PetPartners.org/ rawdiet.) Deciding which foods to feed our pets requires extra research and meal preparation time, as well as money, but motivated owners like the results they see in their pet’s health. Missourian Sandra Murphy may be reached at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.
Safe Pet Food Prep To handle raw meat and bones safely, follow the same guidelines as when cooking for family members. When shopping, keep meat, seafood and poultry separate from other foods—double-bag them to keep juices contained. In the fridge, store meat products in sealable containers on the lowest shelf, so that potential drips won’t touch other foods. Fridge temp should be 40° Fahrenheit or lower. Use one cutting board for meats and another for produce. Wash hands before and after handling meat. Sanitize countertops, wooden cutting boards and knives with white distilled vinegar (5 percent), undiluted, heated to 130° F and left on the surface for one minute; then dry with a recycled-paper towel or air dry. It will kill 99 percent of germs. Plastic cutting boards go in the dishwasher.
Deep clean wooden boards by scrubbing with natural coarse salt and lemon juice (the second half of the lemon face works as a scrubber); rinse with hot water and dry upright. Keep wood from drying out by periodically applying beeswax or walnut or almond oil. Refrigerate or discard any uneaten food, wash dog bowls after every feeding with soap and hot water, and then let air dry or wipe with a recyclable paper towel. Sponges hoard germs. If used, sanitize them in the microwave at least every other day. Make sure the sponge is wet, not dry. Two minutes will kill 99 percent of most diseasecausing germs. Let it cool before handling. Primary sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration; OrganicAuthority.com
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calendarofevents
Saturday, January 12
NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Calendar@NAMercer.com for guidelines and to submit entries.
Thursday, January 3
Wednesday, January 9 Pre-Natal Yoga – 6-7pm. Week 2 of 4. See January 3 listing. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Classroom 2 & 3, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register: RWJHamilton.org. Simple Suppers: A Healthy Way to Dine – 6-7pm. Come to the Healthy Cooking Kitchen for a delicious dinner prepared by our very own RWJ Hamilton chefs. Led by Michael Tuccillo, CDM, BA, culinary arts, each session will explore the dietary guidelines of a chronic disease and offer recipes tailored to fit into most meal plans. A registered dietician will answer your questions. Cost $10. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Healthy Cooking Kitchen, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register: RWJHamilton.org. Community Unity Hightstown – 7pm. Community Unity is a group of residents from Hightstown, East Windsor and Roosevelt that plan events to promote thriving, integrated communities. Mt. Olivet Baptist Church on Rev. William Powell Dr., Hightstown. For info call Steve at 609-448-3017 or Lenore at 609-448-6470.
Happy New Year!
Wellness Club 1-Day Immersion Are you ready to dive into the world of wellness? Join us for an exciting day of cooking classes, nutrition classes, fitness, and all things wellness. By the day’s end, you will have all the tools you need to get your journey towards optimal health off to an amazing start.
Heartsaver AED Course – 9am-12:30pm. The Heartsaver AED course teaches CPR, automated external defibrillation (AED) use, relief of choking in adults, children and infants; and use of barrier devices for all ages. Heartsaver AED is designed for those who have a duty to respond to a cardiac emergency because of job responsibilities or regulatory requirements. This course includes a skills test. Participants will receive a course completion card. Fee $60. Community Education & Outreach, Hamilton Area YMCA John K. Rafferty Branch, 1315 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd., Suite 100, Hamilton. Register PrincetonHCS.org or call 888-897-8979. Pre-Natal Yoga – 6-7pm. Week 1 of 4. Exercise with a certified prenatal yoga instructor in a class that encourages flexibility, endurance and strength through physical poses. This specialized class for expectant mothers can help you meet and bond with other pregnant women and prepare for the journey of being a new parent. No prior yoga experience needed. Bring yoga mat. Fee $32. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Classroom 2 & 3, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register: RWJHamilton.org.
markyourcalendar
January 12 • 9am Whole Foods Market Wellness Club 3495 Rte 1 S, Princeton
Register: 609-799-2919, in store or
PrincetonWellnessClub@WholeFoods.com
Sunday, January 13
markyourcalendar Reiki Sharing Evening Trained practitioners are invited to share Reiki with each other. Bring a pillow and a small sheet and blanket.
January 9 • 7-9pm
The Weight is Over – 6:30-8pm. It’s a new year and you don’t need resolutions, you need results. Get them using your most powerful weapon - your thoughts. Join Barb Ulrich for motivation and strategies to change your mind and your body. You’ll leave empowered. Fee $10. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Classroom 4, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register: RWJHamilton.org.
Tuesday, January 15
Fee: $5 RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness Classroom 4, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd
Register: RWJHamilton.org
Thursday, January 10 Time at Last, Navigating Retirement – 2-3pm. So much of our life and identity revolves around work. This supportive group will discuss the joys, concerns and challenges of having extra time and making decisions about how to use it to create fulfillment. Led by Shirley Roberts and Carol King. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton. Please call 609-584-5900 to register. Preventing and Reversing Back Pain Class – 7pm. Led by Tarra Madore, DC. Whole Foods Market Wellness Club, 3495 Rte 1 S, Princeton. Register 609-799-2919, in store or PrincetonWellnessClub@ WholeFoods.com. Integrated Energy Therapy (IET) and Reiki Share – 7-9pm. If you’ve never experienced energy work, this is an opportunity to see how easily it can work for you. If you’re an IET or Reiki practitioner, come share the gift of energy work with others. Space limited, call to reserve. Rosemary&Om, 88 Orchard Rd., Skillman. Ranessa 732-939-4471, RosemaryandOm@yahoo.com.
Creative Beginnings Open House – 5-6pm. Hamilton YMCA, JKR Branch. 1315 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd., Hamilton. 609-581-9622. HamiltonYMCA.org. Feeling Healthy & Happy in the Golden Years – 1:30-3pm. Free. This group is an upbeat and safe place for older adults to express their concerns, talk openly about their stressors and find inner peace in a discussion group format. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Classroom 1, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register: RWJHamilton.org. Ginger Bread Man, Read and Explore Program – 10am. Read and Explore Program is a winter education series, featuring the Gingerbread Man. Did you know he grows on a farm? After we read the story, each child will decorate a big gingerbread man cookie to take home. Fee $7/child. Pre-registration is requested. Terhune’s Orchard. 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. For more information 609-924-2310 or terhuneorchards.com.
Wednesday, January 16 Shape for Life: Information Session – 6:30pm. Free. Tired of fad diets? Learn to change your lifestyle and permanently lose weight. Join Lisa Dobruskin, MD, who specializes in the treatment of Obesity, as she discusses the new RWJ Hamilton Comprehensive Weight Loss Program – including physician-supervised weight loss, a specially tailored exercise program and nutritional counseling. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Conference Room B, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register: RWJHamilton.org.
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Health Rhythms® Drumming – 7-8pm. Group drumming is good fun and good for you. HealthRythms®, an evidence-based program, strengthens the immune system and reduces stress. Drums provided or bring your own. Mauri Tyler, CTRS, CMP. Fee $15. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Healthy Cooking Kitchen, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register: RWJHamilton.org.
Sunday, January 20
Thursday, January 17
Tuesday, January 22
Pre-Natal Yoga – 6-7pm. Week 3 of 4. See January 3 listing. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Classroom 2 & 3, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register: RWJHamilton.org.
Make that Noise Go Away – 10-11am. Free. Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) suffers need to know they are not alone and there is help! In this monthly meeting we will discuss the possible causes and treatments of tinnitus and offer some simple remedies to help alleviate the symptoms. Don’t feel isolated by the noises in your head. Learn and share with others the many ways to alleviate the ringing in your ears. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D., CCCA. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Classroom 4, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register: RWJHamilton.org.
Stress Management in Life Experience – 6:308pm. Free. Art of Living Workshop: Breathing & Meditation The breath has proven to be an effective tool to remove stress and impurities, and bring clarity and focus to the mind. Join Heena Dhruv, Art of Living Facilitator. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Conference Room B, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register: RWJHamilton.org.
Friday, January 18 In Search of Owls – 7-8:30pm. Presentation and night hike. Begin the evening indoors with a presentation by a Naturalist, who will introduce you to owls, their calls and adaptations. After a night hike in search of the nocturnal raptors, we will warm up indoors with a hot beverage. Appropriate for adults and families with children 6 and older. Dress for wintery weather, boots are recommended. Registration required. $10/$15 member/non-member. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Reserve, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592. TheWaterShed.org.
Saturday, January 19
markyourcalendar Integrated Energy Therapy Beginner and intermediate. Integrated Energy Therapy (IET), called healing with the energy of angels, uses high-vibration, violet-flame energy to release deep seated energetic patterns. IET clears patterns such as stress, heavy emotions, physical pain and even karma from your cellular memory and from all layers of your human energy field without your having to relive the traumatic event or pain. Help yourself and others live with ease, grace, peace and joy.
January 19 & 20 • 10am-6pm Fee: $200/225, Basic/Intermediate Register for both, receive 10% discount. Rosemary&Om 88 Orchard Rd., Skillman
Ranessa 732-939-4471 RosemaryandOm@yahoo.com Certificate Performance in Musical Performance Recital – 7:30-9:30pm. Free. Tara Ohrtman, Voice. Program to be announced. Taplin Auditorium in Fine Hall, Princeton University, Princeton. For more information visit Princeton.Edu/Music/Events.
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Certificate Performance in Musical Performance Recital – 3-5pm. Free. Daisy Joe, Violin. Program to be announced. Taplin Auditorium in Fine Hall, Princeton University, Princeton. For more information visit Princeton.Edu/Music/Events. Integrated Energy Therapy – 10am-6pm. Beginner and intermediate. See January 19 listing.
Thursday, January 24 Pre-Natal Yoga – 6-7pm. Week 4 of 4. See January 3 listing. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Classroom 2 & 3, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register: RWJHamilton.org.
Sunday, January 27 Wassailing the Apple Trees – 1-4pm. Free. Terhune Orchards will host a Wassailing party including singing, dancing and playing of primitive instruments, toasts of hot cider and placing gifts of cider-soaked bread in the tree branches while chanting the lively words of praise and New Year. Farm wagon rides, weather permitting. Live music. Terhune’s Orchard. 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. For more information 609-924-2310 or terhuneorchards.com.
Monday, January 28 Eat Healthy this Winter – 6-7pm. Whether its winter, spring, summer or fall, it’s important to eat seven to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Join Jane Schwartz, RD, Outpatient& Community Education Dietitian with University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro’s Nutrition Program, and discover a number of ways to work vegetables into your daily menu, from hearty vegetable-based salads to soups and stews. This program features a hands-on demonstration. Fee $10. Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center, Princeton North, Shopping Center, 1225 State Rd., Princeton. Register PrincetonHCS.org. New Parent Essentials – 6:30-8:30pm. From birth to one year, this class is designed for new moms and dads as well as grandparents. Topics addressed include car seat safety, baby-proofing your home, infant nutrition and starting solids, getting your baby to sleep and stay asleep, immunizations, common childhood illnesses and when to call your pediatrician. Join our certified staff of Childbirth Educators as they provide the information to help guide you through the first year of your newborn’s life. Fee $25/couple. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Classroom 2 & 3, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register: RWJHamilton.org.
markyourcalendar Westminster Choir: Homecoming Concert Welcome the Westminster Choir and Joe Miller back from their 2013 Midwest Tour with this free community concert.
January 28 • 7:30pm Free admission, but tickets required. Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall Princeton University, Princeton
Princeton University ticketing 609-258-9220
Tuesday, January 29 Wheezes & Sneezes, Allergies & Asthma – 6:308pm. Free. Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood, and yet many parents know little about it. Clement A. Maccia, M.D, board certified in Pediatric Allergy, Infectious Disease and Immunology, as well as pediatrics, will talk on this important topic. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Conference Room B, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register: RWJHamilton.org. Introduction to Retirement Lifestyle – 7pm. Free. You’ve got your financial plan for retirement, now what about your lifestyle plan? This Next Step program from the Princeton Senior Resource Center will help you explore your options, including managing your time, identifying your passions, exploring new career opportunities and making a difference through volunteering. This program is designed to help you get a start on developing your vision and goals for achieving a meaningful, satisfying retirement. Location: Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Str., Princeton. For info, Carol King 609-924-7108.
Wednesday, January 30 Maple Tree Tapping Time – 12-12:45pm. Help the Naturalists get ready for maple-sugaring season 2013. Join us for a short talk about maple sugaring. Then head out on the property and assist as we tap the maple trees that we will use this year for sap collection. Come dressed for wintery weather, boots are recommended. Adults and families are welcome, registration required. Fee $3. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Reserve, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington. 609-737-7592. TheWaterShed.org.
Thursday, January 31 The Life of Trees: Painting & Sculpting Workshop – 10am-3:30pm. Explore how trees have been a central theme in artwork over the ages. Susan Hoenig, instructor at the Arts Council of Princeton, will lead an all-day mixed media workshop for adults at the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Reserve in Pennington. Participants will be instructed in how to create 2D and 3D depictions of trees, as well as guided on a short hike of the Reserve trails with a Naturalist and introduced to the maple syrup production process undertaken each winter. Registration is required. Snow date - February 7. $45/$60 member/ non-member. Contact Liz Murray 609-924-8777.
ongoingevents
Coming in February
NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email calendar@NAMercer.com for guidelines and to submit entries.
daily Trenton Farmers’ Market – 9am-6pm, Tues-Sat; 10am-4pm, Sun. Closed Mondays. Local specialties, vegetables, organic food, fruits and crafts. 960 Spruce St, Trenton. 609-695-2998. Contact@ TheTrentonFarmersMarket.com.
sunday Hatha Karma Yoga – 8-9am. Donation class. One Yoga & Wellness Center, 405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor. Info: 609-918-0963. OneYogaCenter.net. Gentle Yoga – 10-11:15am. One Yoga & Wellness Center, 405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor. Info: 609-9180963. OneYogaCenter.net.
monday Children’s Martial Arts Class – 5:30-6:30pm. Ages 9-13. PAMA’s Children’s Program provides traditional martial arts theory with a practical and reality-based physical martial arts program. Our program is one that is value and character oriented. The character qualities of respect for self and for others, humility, perseverance, self-control, honesty, and cultivation of an indomitable spirit are emphasized and cultivated in every class. Princeton Academy of Martial Arts, 14 Farber Rd, Princeton. Call to schedule a free individual lesson: 609-452-2208. PAMAUSA.com.
tuesday Winter Pre-School Nature Classes – 10-11:30am. Children 3-5 years old learn ABOUT nature IN nature. Topics vary weekly. Dress for wintery weather, boots are recommended. Parent must stay with child younger than 4. Registration is required. Register and pay for 4 classes, receive a 5th class free. $10/$15 member/non-member. Stony BrookMillstone Watershed Reserve, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington. 609-737-7592. TheWaterShed.org. Kid’s Yoga – 4:30-5:15pm. Benefits of children’s yoga for ages 5-11. One Yoga & Wellness Center, 405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor. Info: 609-918-0963. OneYogaCenter.net.
Children’s Martial Arts Class - 5-5:45pm. Ages 6-8. PAMA’s Children’s Program provides traditional martial arts theory with a practical and realitybased physical martial arts program. Our program is one that is value and character oriented. The character qualities of respect for self and for others, humility, perseverance, self-control, honesty, and cultivation of an indomitable spirit are emphasized and cultivated in every class. Princeton Academy of Martial Arts, 14 Farber Rd, Princeton. Call to schedule a free individual lesson: 609-452-2208. PAMAUSA.com. Breast Cancer Support Group – 6-7:30pm. 3rd Tues. No registration required walk-ins welcome. UMCP Breast Health Center, 300B PrincetonHightstown Rd, East Windsor Medical Commons 2, East Windsor.
wednesday Bright Beginnings – 10:30-11:30am. This informative, relaxed group is for parents and caregivers of infants. Each week focuses on a different topic of interest to new parents, and guest speakers are occasionally featured. Infants and children under 4 years of age are welcome to attend with the parent or caregiver. $5 payable at door. Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center, Princeton North Shopping Center, 1225 State Rd, Princeton. 609-683-7888.
Bodywork is Going Mainstream Explore how hands-on therapies feel good and help us heal.
Pre-Natal Yoga – 11am. Led by Leslie Hadley. One Yoga & Wellness Center, 405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor. Info: 609-918-0963. OneYogaCenter.net. Tea & Tour at Morven Museum & Garden – 12:15pm or 2:15pm, tours; 1pm, tea. Relax in the classic elegance of Morven’s Garden Room overlooking the Colonial Revival Garden. Featured menu items include tea sandwiches, scones, and an assortment of fresh fruit and sweets. Tea served at 1pm. A docent-led tour of the home can be scheduled at 12:15 or 2:15pm. 55 Stockton St, Princeton. Reservations required, Michelle Sheridan: 609-9248144 x 106 or MSheridan@Morven.org.
For more information about advertising and how you can participate, call
609-249-9044 natural awakenings
January 2013
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2013 EDITORIAL CALENDAR
JAN health & wellness plus: weight loss
FEB bodywork
Adult Martial Arts Class: Silat – 7pm. There are hundreds of systems of Silat found in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Southern Philippines. These arts were designed for survival in real combat, not for sport or tournaments. Some Silat systems specialize in close-quarter combat from a standing position, while others specialize in ground fighting, taking the attacker to the ground and using strikes, pressure points and locks. Princeton Academy of Martial Arts, 14 Farber Rd, Princeton. Call to schedule a free individual lesson: 609-452-2208. PAMAUSA.com.
Breastfeeding Support Group – 11am-12pm. Expectant parents will learn about the benefits of breastfeeding, getting started, positioning, nutrition, pumping and avoiding common problems. Facilitated by Lactation Consultant. Free. PHC Community Education & Outreach Program, 731 Alexander Rd, Ste 3, Princeton. 888-897-8979.
Bordentown City Environmental Commission – 7:30pm. 2nd Wed. Carslake Community Center, 209 Crosswicks Creek, Bordentown. BCEC@mail. com. BCEC.us.
Nicotine Anonymous – 7-8pm. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Outpatient Services Auditorium, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.
plus: relationships
saturday
MAR food & garden plus: natural pet
Breastfeeding Support Group – 11am-12pm. Expectant parents will learn about the benefits of breastfeeding, getting started, positioning, nutrition, pumping and avoiding common problems. Facilitated by Lactation Consultant. Free. PHC Community Education & Outreach Program, 731 Alexander Rd, Ste 3, Princeton. 888-897-8979.
APR green living plus: earth-friendly transportation
MAY women’s wellness plus: spring detox
JUN inspired living
plus: men’s wellness
JUL food watch
plus: summer living
AUG rethinking cancer
plus: children’s health
SEP fitness
plus: natural beauty aids
OCT environment
plus: energy therapy
NOV personal growth plus: mindfulness
DEC awakening humanity plus: holiday themes
thursday 4 Mom’s Networking Hour – 1-2pm. Weekly parenting topics with RWJ Hamilton experts and sharing with other moms. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton. 609-584-5900. Rise to the TASK Free Community Dinner – 4:306pm. First United Methodist Church, 187 Stockton St, Hightstown. CPAP Workshop – 6pm. 3rd Thurs. Free workshop provided by the Sleep Care Center for patients with sleep disorders. A respiratory therapist will provide CPAP education, adjust CPAP pressures, refit masks and discuss the importance of CPAP/BiPAP usage. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton. 609-584-6681. Adult Martial Arts: Bruce Lee’s Art – 6:30pm. Jeet Kune Do/Jun Fan Gung Fu is the training methods and techniques originally developed by Bruce Lee. Jeet Kune Do incorporates four ranges of defense: kicking, punching, trapping hands and joint locking/grappling. Princeton Academy of Martial Arts, 14 Farber Rd, Princeton. Call to schedule a free individual lesson: 609-452-2208. PAMAUSA.com. Meditation Group – 6:45-8:15pm. Free. This group consists of mutually-supporting students of meditation, who are willing to share their practice and pursue their wellness without a “teacher.” Lawrence Community Center, 295 Eggerts Crossing Rd., Lawrenceville. Info: Nobo Komogata 609-403-2383, email mfs1@insi2.org or mfs.insi2.org/meditation.
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friday
Tai Chi Classes – 7:30-9:45pm. $15/class, drop-in welcome. Led by Frank Malinowski. One Yoga & Wellness Center, 405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor. Info: 609-918-0963. OneYogaCenter.net.
Nicotine Anonymous – 7-8pm. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Outpatient Services Auditorium, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.
classifieds To place a Classified Listing, email listing to LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com. Must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Pre-pay $1/word, 20-word minimum. SERVICES EMPLOYEE BENEFITS – Does your company offer discounts for health and wellness services to its employees? Now it can at an affordable price. If you are an employee, small business owner or HR manager in a major corporation located in Mercer County and would like to find out more about a Healthy Living Discount Membership Program (NAN) Natural Awakenings Network, please contact our office today. Call 609-249-9044 or send us an email to LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com.
communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To be included, email LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com or call 609-249-9044 to request our media kit.
CHIROPRACTIC Pennington Family Chiropractic Dr. Glenn Gabai Dr. Aryn Gabai 2554 Pennington Rd, Pennington 609-737-3737 FamilyChiropractic.com
Practicing chiropractor in Pennington, with a specialty in pediatrics and maternity care. Our goal is to support the creation of a sustainable healthcare system through the continued support and care for healthy kids and adults, reducing the need for consumption of healthcare products.
DOULA / MIDWIFE Mama’s Best Friend, LLC Devon Clement, PCD (DONA) Princeton 732-618-6995 Devon@MamasBestFriend.com MamasBestFriend.com
Teaching, love, and care for new parents: Postpartum doula Devon Clement provides a combination of practical skills and emotional support, so parents can relax and truly enjoy time with their baby. She also provides breastfeeding support, and troubleshoots sleep and other issues.
ENERGY WORK Rosemary & Om AromaCare & Energy Work
Ranessa Porter, Integrated Energy Therapy Master-Instructor and Reiki Practitioner 88 Orchard Rd., Skillman 732-939-4471 • RosemaryandOm.com Bliss out naturally and easily! Wellness naturally occurs with balanced energy, and soothing scents help stress melt away. AromaCare combines energy balancing with aromatic, essential oils so you relax naturally and live peacefully. Blissfully shift sadness, stress, tension and pain. Hours by appointment, conveniently located 5 minutes from Princeton.
PHYSICAL THERAPY & WELLNESS
HEALTHY DINING ACACIA Restaurant
Joe Acacia 2637 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville 609-895-9885 AcaciaNJ.com
The Neurac Institute
Serving organic and natural cuisine. Closed Monday; Open: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 : 3 0 a m - 9 p m ; F r i d a y S a t u r d a y, 5 : 3 0 - 1 0 p m ; Sunday, 5:30-9pm. Reservations accepted.
The Neurac Institute is a leader and innovator in Physical Therapy, Sports Rehab and Wellness. Aside from offering Redcord, a revolutionary suspensionbased corrective exercise system, the Institute provides clients with a range of services using Pilates.
800 Bunn Drive, Princeton 609-683-1010 Neuracpt.com
HOLISTIC DENTISTS PRINCETON CENTER FOR DENTAL AESTHETICS Dr. Ruxandra Balescu, DMD Dr. Kirk Huckel, DMD, FAGD 11 Chambers St, Princeton, NJ 08542 609-924-1414 PrincetonDentist.com
YOGA Four Winds Yoga
We offer a unique approach to the health care of the mouth based on a holistic understanding of the whole body. Please contact us to learn how we can serve your needs. See ad, page 13.
NATURAL PRODUCTS ORGANO GOLD INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR
Jill Gutowski Suite K2, Straube Center 114 W. Franklin Ave., Pennington 609-818-9888 FourWindsYoga.com Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, semi-private and private lessons. Classes and workshops include Forrest Yoga, Forrest Basics, Yoga Fusion, Core, Core Flow, Deep Flow, Yoga Basics, Yoga Tune Up, Restorative Yoga, and Meditation.
ONE YOGA & WELLNESS CENTER
Melissa Bridgewater 609-529-5524 UzimaCafe@aol.com Uzima.OrganoGold.com
Tracey Ulsafer 405 Rte 130 N., East Windsor 609-918-0963 OneYogaCenter.net
Natural and organic products including beverages, nutraceuticals and personal care. Contact Melissa Bridgewater regarding her line of Gandoerma products for your everyday uses.
Yoga classes for everyone. Adults, kids, beginners and advanced welcome. Classes include Gentle, Hatha, Vinyasa, Pre-Natal, Yoga Teacher training and more. See ad, page 15.
NATURAL SERVICES Hamilton Organic Cleaners Laura Revano 1641 S Olden Ave, Hamilton 609-888-1500 HamiltonOrganic@yahoo.com HamiltonOrganicDryCleaners.com
True eco-friendly wet cleaning process. Free pick-up and delivery. All work done on premises. Same-day service available.
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January 2013
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HEALING RELIEF TAKES A SPECIAL TOUCH So do ailing marketing strategies Stimulate your sales by advertising in Natural Awakenings.
Special February
Bodywork & Massage Edition Reach health enthusiasts seeking: • Acupressure • Craniosacral Therapy • Deep Tissue Massage • Energy Work • Hot Stone Massage • Lymph Drainage
• Myofascial Therapy • Shiatsu • Neuromuscular Therapy • Somatic Therapy • Physical Therapy • Structural Integration • Reflexology • Swedish Massage • Reiki • Thai Massage • Rolfing – and this is just a partial list
Contact us at: 609-249-9044 LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com 36
Mercer County, NJ
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