Natural Awakenings August 2011

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KIDS & FAMILY

HOBBY FARMING

AQUATIC FITNESS FUN

A Field of Dreams

Solutions for Non-Swimmers

JUICE UP! Drink in Nutrients for Engergy and Health

AUGUST 2011 | Tallahassee, South Georgia, Gulf Coast | www.natallahassee.com natural awakenings

August 2011

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contact us Publisher Donna L. Konuch Editor Donna L. Konuch Writer/Marketing Bethany Cavano Design & Production Susan McCann

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advertising & Submissions How to Advertise

To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at natallahassee@yahoo.com.

Deadline for ad space reservation for the September issue is Friday, August 12.

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COMING IN SEPTEMBER

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY

am celebrating two very special events this month. This issue of the magazine marks my Two Year Anniversary as publisher of Natural Awakenings magazine! I am blessed that I have been able to fulfill a personal dream in helping people find health and happiness in the most natural way possible.

Through this particular medium, I am able to share knowledge about living a green and ecological lifestyle. I happily promote local authors and business people as they seek to share vast talents and knowledge that I have come to realize exists in abundance here in Tallahassee and the surrounding communities.

The second thing my family will celebrate this month is the anniversary of adopting our beautiful daughter from China.

Jade-Rose has been with us for one year now, and to see how she has succeeded and blossomed with love shining out of both eyes is beautiful to behold. Adopting an older child has been a wonderful experience for us, and there has not been a single moment when she has not felt like a perfect fit for our family. We feel as if she has always been with us, not in just the last 12 months. I think her spirit always has, and we had to go out and find her. With the utmost gratitude to God, we feel He helped us do just that.

The theme for this month’s issue of Natural Awakenings magazine is all about raising vibrant children. This is poignant in my life as I raise three very vibrant children. I am also a mother of twin boys, and have always sought a natural approach for any of their health concerns and to support their particular, joie de vivre as they make their way through life. In honor of the special family anniversary that we share this month, my three little monkeys (born in the Year of the Monkey under Chinese Astrology) grace the cover of the magazine this month.

We had our photo shoot at Cape San Blas with Ansley Simmons, photographer.

Her work is phenomenal and her artist bio can be found on page 10.

Articles in this month’s magazine include one by Bethany Cavano on the exceptional and diverse school options available in our community. If you are looking for something different for your child, Bethany writes, “Remember, the goal is to find the school to fit your child, not the other way around!” Her article can be found on page 33.

Rick Ferrall, a wonderful CranioSacral therapist has written an article on what CranioSacral therapy is and how it can help newborn babies. My entire family at one time or another has received Rick’s special therapeutic touch. I cannot recommend him highly enough. His article can be found on page 7.

Vivianne Asturizaga, shares with us a scientific study conducted in 2005 which highlights many benefits for children who take music lessons, such as better motor skills and focused attention. Her article can be found on page 27.

I want to express my gratitude to you for welcoming me as publisher these last two years and supporting Natural Awakenings magazine. Since I have come on board the magazine has grown larger, has more color pages and more local content. Our advertisers see results and are happily supported by the readers of this publication. I thank you and they thank you.

Blessings,

Donna K. natural awakenings

August 2011

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contents 8

7 globalbriefs

10 healthbriefs

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 actionalert

10

16 inspiration 22 consciouseating 25 wisewords

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26 ecotip

7 RESTORING VIBRANCY18 IN OUR CHILDREN

by Rick Ferrall, LMT, B.S.

16 KIDS TEACH US JOY

by Carolyn Rubenstein

18 DRUG-FREE KIDS

28 naturalpet

30 healingways

Natural Alternatives to Common Medications

by Lisa Marshall

22

22 JUICE UP

Drink in Nutrients

32 fitbody

for Energy and Health

by RenĂŠe Loux

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE THERAPY

25 UPGRADING

SCHOOL FOOD

16

Chef Ann Cooper Helps Kids Eat Right

by Ellen Mahoney

28 EVERYBODY www.tallahasseeacupuncture.net

OUTSIDE!

Create a Yard that Welcomes

30 HEADACHE REMEDIES Natural Ways to Spell Relief

by Dr. Lauri Grossman

32 AQUATIC FITNESS FUN Solutions for Non-Swimmers

by Martin Miron

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Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast

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newsbriefs Public reception Announced for Fiber Arts Exhibit

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he 17th Annual Fiber Arts Exhibition in the City Hall Gallery has brought together fiber works from talented local artists of the Tallahassee Quilters Unlimited guild. This year’s exhibit promises to showcase a wide range of styles, colors and textures. The show is available now and runs through September 12.

This year, 33 quilts by 19 quilters will be on display. With quilts featuring Celtic-inspired “knots,” amazing geometric patterns, and vibrant colors, the range of design and inspiration will be sure to dazzle the eye. Come meet and talk with the quilters during the public reception on Friday, August 19th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Both the exhibition and the reception are free of charge and open to the public.

City Hall Gallery is located on the second floor of City Hall, 300 South Adams Street and is open Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:30 pm.

For information about the Tallahassee Quilters Unlimited, contact www. quilttallahassee.com

Meet and Tweet at the Exotic Bird Fair

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he Big Bend Bird Club, Inc. of Tallahassee will host its 22nd Annual Exotic Bird Fair and Festival on August 27th and 28th, 2011 at the North Florida Fairgrounds.

Come see some of the most beautiful birds from around the world—macaws, cockatoos, cockatiels, lovebirds, parrolets, finches, African Greys, and more. In addition, you can choose from a huge variety of bird toys, bird food, birdcages in all price ranges, and much more!

Headlining the 22nd anniversary celebration will be The Paradise Parrots from Tampa Bay. They talk, roller skate, do gymnastics, play basketball and more.

Taught by circus animal trainer Vickie Howle, the birds that were once abandoned by former owners have appeared on Animal Planet’s Pet Star cable TV show.

This relaxing family experience includes special raffles, balloons, and special shows for the kids. On both Saturday and Sunday, educational programs will give new pet owners tips on appropriate bird behavior, health, training tricks, and proper techniques of care from an avian vet and a professional parrot trainer from ZooWorld. You will see baby birds being fed, and meet local artists with bird related jewelry, pottery, and cards.

Vendors and visitors are coming to Tallahassee from as far away as Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Make new friends and relax with some of nature’s most beautiful and wonderful winged creatures!

For more information, please visit www.bigbendbirdclub.com.

Attention Healthy Dogs and Cats!

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he Naturally Healthy Pet is the new “go to” pet supply store for anyone interested in natural and organic products for their dogs and cats.

It is clear when you walk in the store that co-owners, Basil Cousins and Jerry Ayers are in their element. A dreamcome-true career for two entrepreneur animal lovers, you will be greeted with a friendly smile when you walk in the door.

“It’s so welcoming here, people just want to hang out and chew the fat,” says one loyal customer, her dog in-tow. “We’ve been buying all of our pet food and supplies here since they opened their doors... wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

“Customer service is our highest priority,” says Cousins. “I think that’s one reason we have such a loyal clientele.”

“We enjoy getting to know our customers and their pets, they’re kind of like extended family,” says Ayers as he hands a complimentary treat to a canine customer.

Wagging all over in agreement, the dog woofs, “Thanks, Uncle Jerry!”

The Naturally Healthy Pet is located in the Capital Plaza 1850 Thomasville Road just a few doors down from The Red Elephant. On the web at www.TallahasseePetStore.com, or call 850-576-7387.

Check out their ad on page 29. Second Saturdays at The Naturally Healthy Pet is Shitzu Rescue Day. The store is aptly named considering the wide variety of natural and organic products they have on their shelves, including a wide variety of chemical and grain-free dry and wet pet foods, canine gourmet cookies, recreational raw marrow and femur bones in pork, beef and buffalo, frozen raw meats for cats and dogs and all natural pet dental products.

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newsbriefs Entrepreneurs Take the Spotlight

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he new entrepreneur 2 entrepreneur Connect (e2eConnect), an organization of entrepreneurs and community leaders, is celebrating with deserving entrepreneurs at the 1st annual recognition celebration - the Dandi Awards.

Happening Thursday, Oct. 6th at 6:30 p.m. in the Horizon Ballroom at Hotel Duval, this not-your-daddy’s awards program will award winners from eight different archetypical descriptions, Renegade, Rising Star, Reluctant, Accidental, Compassionate, Confidant, Serial and Transcendent.

“Our goal is to make it easier for start up companies to connect with vital contacts,” Deanna Mims, president of MarketDone, says. “Our strength lies in our ability to facilitate and coordinate.” The Dandi’s – a very different kind of awards program - will be a fresh type of event to spotlight and reward the grit, determination and courage of those innovators that give back. We’ll have collaborator information, exciting Dandi awards and packages, and fun surprises in store. We will also be debuting an entrepreneurial documentary called SHINE, a short documentary reveals the elation, fears, dreams, and tears that accompany anyone on the entrepreneur’s path. ” E2e Connect invites all entrepreneurs to NOMINATE NOW, themselves or others, and then gather with us for an evening of signature cocktails, entertainment and celebration of those pursuing their dreams.

For more information: Deanna Mims, MarketDone. Phone: (850) 425-5240. www.e2econnect.org About e2eConnect: e2eConnect clears a path for new entrepreneurs to find their way, and help connect them with vital resources and contacts along their journey.

More Community Gardens for our Community

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oming Fall 2011, SouthWood will have a Community Garden ready for planting. The idea, originally spearheaded by Brian Ramos, Southwood Cub Scout leader in collaboration with Nathan Ballentine, the ‘Man in Overalls’ of Tallahassee Food Gardens, has grown to include many Southwood neighbors combining their talents and ideas to make it a reality. The effort is rooted in a desire to enrich the community, teach kids where their food comes from, and provide families with healthy, fresh produce year-round.

The Southwood Community Garden (SWCG) will also be a beautiful destination point for the neighborhood with 48 all-organic raised-bed gardens, butterfly garden, white picket fence, grape arbor, picnic benches and more.

Residents and visitors would be welcome to stroll through the garden.

Along with providing a space for people to grow their own produce and flowers, the SWCG will host a few learning seminars with Nathan Ballentine.

For those new to gardening, help will be available through these seminars as well as fellow gardeners that are looking forward to helping others and learning something new themselves. The SWCG will provide compost and a few tools to help gardeners maintain their plots.

Starting this month, volunteers will be working together to put in infrastructure such as irrigation and fencing. Materials will be provided by donations and plot rental fees. If you would like to find more information on how you can be a part of this garden, please visit www.SouthWoodCommunityGarden.org

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Providing All Services for All Children

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rogressive Pediatric Developmental Center (PPDC) is excited to announce their new school endeavor called The Learning Center. This August kicks off the pilot year for their private school! PPDC is a non-profit, tax exempt organization that was founded on the premise that children with disabilities and their families need one main location that encompasses quality therapies and interventions, progressive and alternative education, and behavioral services.

Presently, PPDC has two main service areas: Therapy and Education.

The Therapy department offers physical, occupational, speech, music and art therapies. Progressive Pediatrics is known for always being informed on the latest and most innovative therapeutic techniques.

Their Education department offers learning interventions and tutoring, afterschool enrichment programs, communitybased instruction projects and now the new Learning Center. The Learning Center will include traditional areas of education including reading, math, science and social studies units, with monitored progress measured through alternative assessments. All units will also include “life skills” building lessons to ensure the future success of each child.

According to Tammy Smith, Founder and Director of PPDC, “We believe that families are an integral part of therapy and education. We encourage and collaborate with them to make every session the best learning experience possible.”

For more information for Progressive Pediatric Developmental Center services call (850) 325-6301 or on the web at www.progressivepediatric.org.

Restoring Vibrancy in our Children

Rick Ferrall, LMT, B.S.

C

ranioSacral Therapy is a gentle light touch type of body-work that is especially beneficial to children; newborns and on up. Its main component involves releasing an electrical static charge that constricts the body, and restoring the body’s CranioSacral rhythm. This rhythm is caused by the production of cerebral spinal fluid in the cranium and its flow over the nerve tissues down the spinal cord, causing a normally gentle movement throughout the body. This rhythm occurs approximately every three seconds as fluid is produced and then absorbed down the spinal cord. Restrictions in the fascia can be felt as imbalances in the strength, symmetry, and quality of flow.

Using 5 grams (the weight of a nickel) and usually much less, a therapist uses their hands to feel and evaluate this rhythm. As restrictions are felt, the hands are then placed on each side of a restriction, and a natural mini electromagnetic field is induced between their hands. This slowly and gently releases the electrical charge causing the child’s affected fascia to constrict on the muscles, nerves, arteries, or digestive system.

The therapist follows the movement of the CranioSacral rhythm until a pulsing is felt. This pulsing slowly builds up to a crescendo and then seems to melt or dissipate. The therapist waits to see if the pulse returns, and if so, follows it through what is called a therapeutic pulse. If the pulse doesn’t return, the therapist moves on to the next constricted area in the body. Because the therapist is using such light touch, there is no chance of doing harm to the child. Ironically, because the work is happening so gently, parents are generally slow to accept that something is actually going on!

Birth can be a traumatic experience for both mother and child. Sometimes trauma is experienced by the child in utero. For example, the head can get wedged under the rib cage, the cord can get wrapped around the neck, the fetus might get stuck in the wrong delivery position, etc. Then at birth, the head can get stuck in the birth canal.

In an effort to get the baby to safety, forceps or vacuum assist devices are used as needed. These often cause additional trauma to the baby. As a result, many babies enter the world with birth rage. This is commonly diagnosed

as colic or fussy baby syndrome. The common advice is “they will grow out of it.” Babies may have a subconscious memory of the events causing trauma, and because they do not have coping mechanisms acquired later in life, they can only express themselves with emotional driven crying.

The good news: CranioSacral Therapy gently releases the traumatized tissue where-ever it might be.

The bad news: The birth rage can be intense, and quite often there is excessive crying. Releasing the physical trauma with CranioSacral techniques, releases the emotional trauma.

The good news again: there is a bottom to the emotional releasing and when it arrives, the baby calms down and cruises into a state of bliss!

Babies are known to sleep deeply for long periods of time after reaching this point. Therapists would not be able to continue on to the next baby if they had not experienced this cataclysmic event repeatedly! Immediately after reaching the blissful state, most fascial restrictions resolve themselves. Three visits is usually all that is needed to clear this trauma. More visits are needed in cases of severe trauma, but most parents understand due to the severity of the birth issues. CranioSacral Therapy can also resolve other birth related issues such as nursing issues (latching, suck reflex, swallowing), and the problem of reoccurring ear infections.

Although only birth trauma as a topic has been discussed in this present article, other childhood matters that can experience relief and/or release through CranioSacral therapy include torticollis, acid reflux, ADD and ADHD, seizure disorders, and issues along the autism spectrum.

Rick Ferrall, LMT (Fl lic:MA24604) has been practicing CranioSacral Therapy for over 15 years, the last nine plus at Healthy Solutions, Inc., along his wife Bunny who is an Occupational therapist with over 20 years of CST experience. The clinic is located at 521 E College Ave in Tallahassee and can be reached at 850-521-0800. They are proud to be associated with Jennifer Mason, LMT (Fl lic:MA18173) and Vicki Westmoreland, LMT (Fl lic:MA24604) who also practice CST along with their other modalities.

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healthbriefs

Are Fit Kids Smarter?

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ow important is it that kids engage in physical activity? Very, according to a recent study published in the journal, Brain Research. Kids that are more physically active tend to have a betterdeveloped brain, which in turn helps them perform better on memory tests.

The study involved 49 children, ages 9 and 10, who ran on a treadmill to measure their oxygen intake, a standard measure of fitness. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging data of the children found that the more physically fit kids tended to have a larger hippocampus— about 12 percent bigger, relative to total brain size—than their out-of-shape peers and outperformed them on relational memory tests. The hippocampus is known to be important in learning and memory.

The new findings suggest that interventions to increase childhood physical activity could have an effect on brain development. “We knew that experience and environmental factors and socioeconomic status all impact brain development,” says Art Kramer, the University of Illinois psychology professor and Beckman Institute director who led the study. “It’s not easy to do something about your economic status, but here’s something that we can do something about.”

Source: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010

Kids Know What’s Fair

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espite what many grown-ups might think, toddlers have a marked sense of fairness. In a recent study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, 3-year-olds shared a small reward with their peer after they worked together to earn it, even in situations where it was easy for one child to keep all the spoils.

To learn how youngsters share, the researchers paired children to complete a task for a prize, like gummy bears or colorful stickers, piled on a board with wheels inside a transparent box. If only one child pulled on a rope, the board wouldn’t move, but if both pulled together, they could bring it close enough to reach the prize through windows in the box. Some boxes had only one window, so one child could easily grab the prize and keep it, but the toddlers nearly always shared the reward with their partner. Sometimes, if one child didn’t take their half of the spoils immediately, the other even pointed it out.

The insight for all of us: If we cooperate, everyone is better off.

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Just Say No to Indoor Tanning

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espite repeated warnings from dermatologists about the health dangers of tanning, results of a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology confirm that a large percentage of Caucasian teen girls and young women admitted using tanning beds or intentionally tanning outdoors during the past year.

Thirty-two percent of respondents had used a tanning bed in the past year—one-fourth of them at least weekly, on average. An overwhelming majority (81 percent) of all respondents reported that they had tanned outdoors either frequently or occasionally during the past year.

“Our survey underscores the importance of educating young women about the very real risks of tanning, as melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer—is increasing faster in females 15 to 29 years old than in males of the same age group,” says dermatologist Dr. Ronald L. Moy, president of the academy. “Most young women with melanoma are developing it on their torso, which may be the result of highrisk tanning behaviors such as indoor tanning. In my practice, I have had patients—young women with a history of using tanning beds—that have died from melanoma.”

Outdoor Workouts Trump the Gym

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hen deciding whether to run on a treadmill in the gym of jog in a nearby park, opt for the park, suggests a recent study published in the research journal, Environmental Science & Technology.

The study authors—a team at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry—say exercising outdoors not only appears to promote physical health, but boosts mental well-being, as well. The team analyzed data from a number of sources, including 11 randomized and non-randomized control trials incorporating information from 833 adults.

The study found that exercising in natural environments decreased feelings of tension, confusion, anger and depression, while increasing feelings of revitalization, increased energy and positive engagement. Study participants that exercised outdoors also reported greater enjoyment and satisfaction and stated that they were more likely to repeat their exercise activity.

Cruciferous Cancer Fighters

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ccording to a new report in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, scientists have discovered how broccoli, cauliflower, watercress and other cruciferous vegetables help stunt cancer growth. The vegetables contain substances called isothiocyanates (ITCs) that appear to target and block a defective p53 gene associated with cancer. Healthy p53 genes act as tumor suppressors and prevent cells from starting the abnormal growth that is a hallmark of cancer. The mutated genes— which occur in half of all human cancers—do not offer that protection. ITCs appear to work by removing defective p53 genes while preserving normal, protective ones.

Researchers believe the substances support the advice of moms throughout the ages: Eat your vegetables.

No Junk Food Babies

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ew research published online in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal suggests that pregnant mothers whose diets are high in sugar and fat deliver babies that are more likely to become junk food junkies themselves. According to the report, which used rats, such diets lead to changes in the fetal brain’s reward pathway, altering food preferences. The results may offer insight into the ever-increasing rate of human obesity and help explain why some people easily resist fatty and sugary foods, while others seem hopelessly addicted.

Sticky News on Peanut Butter

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onsumers that grind their own peanut butter fresh in the supermarket may be at risk for ingesting aflatoxin, a mold linked to liver cancer. That’s because the peanuts in grinding-machine cases are stored for much longer than those processed for commercial butters, increasing the potential for mold and fungus growth. More, the machines are not tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for aflatoxin contamination.

Buying only prepackaged, commercial peanut butter may put anxious consumers at ease; although virtually all sources contain minute quantities of aflatoxin, it is usually far below the FDA’s recommended safe level. However, added sugars and trans fats, as well as high pesticide levels in non-organic brands, can make them a less than ideal choice.

Individuals that opt for healthy, organic peanut butter may want to pick up some celery sticks to dip in it.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that eating vegetables such as celery, carrots, parsnips and parsley can decrease the carcinogenic effects of aflatoxin. They also found success with chlorophyllin, abundant in green, leafy vegetables. Consumption of chlorophyllin at each meal resulted in a 55 percent reduction of aflatoxin in urine.

It’s believed that chlorophyllin reduces aflatoxin levels by blocking the absorption of the toxin in the gastrointestinal tract.

Source: EMagazine. com

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coverartist

healthbriefs

Kid-Friendly Clues to Healthy Eating

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by Ansley Simmons In the summer of 2000, Ansley Simmons studied Art Appreciation in Paris, France. To be surrounded by many of the artworks she was studying in the classroom was magical. Her father gave her an SLR camera before she left, encouraging her to photograph everything since he was not able to go himself.

ccording to a recent study conducted by the YaleGriffin Prevention Research Center, it takes less than two hours to turn students and their parents into “Nutrition Detectives,” able to identify better-for-you foods quickly and reliably.

Nutrition Detectives is a 90-minute program for elementary schools and families, developed by Drs. David and Catherine Katz and a team of nutrition and education experts, in response to the current childhood obesity crisis.

The study included more than 1,200 Independence, Missouri, students in grades two through four and their parents. Students in all three grades increased their food label literacy scores by 18 percent, with third grade students showing the most improvement (23 percent). The overall gain in scores among students was retained three months after their initial exposure to the program.

Download or order free program materials from NutritionDetectives.com.

Diet at Puberty Linked to Breast Health

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irls eating a high-fat diet during puberty, even those that do not become overweight or obese, may be at greater risk for developing breast cancer.

The findings come from research at Michigan State University’s Breast Cancer & the Environment Research Center and may help drive new cancer prevention efforts. The pubertal time period is crucial for healthy mammary gland development, and a high-fat diet during puberty could lead to the production of inflammatory elements in the mammary glands of adults which can promote cancer growth.

When Ansley returned home and had the film developed, she discovered another magic – showing friends & family her perspective of the trip. She quickly changed her major from botany to studio art. She went on to graduate with a bachelors from Georgia Southern University and a masters from Florida State University, both in photography.

In addition to exhibiting her fine-art photography nationwide, Ansley owns a contemporary on-location photography business specializing in weddings & lifestyle portraits. Ansley Studio, LLC opened in 2006 and delivers eco-friendly museum quality products & artist-designed coffee table books.

She serves the South Georgia & North Florida area, including Thomasville & Tallahassee.

View the artist’s portfolio at AnsleyStudio.com.

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Pick a Safer Sunscreen

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ifting through marketing hype to find the best protection for exposed skin just got easier, thanks to the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) online 2011 Sunscreen Guide.

After analyzing more than 600 beach and sports sunscreens, EWG recommends only one in five, noting that many include misleadingly high sun protection factor (SPF) ratings that may protect against ultraviolet short-wave (UVB) rays that cause sunburn, but leave skin at risk for ultraviolet long-wave (UVA) damage. Their research discovered that nearly one in three products in the guide is still laced with vitamin A ingredients that accelerate the growth of skin tumors and lesions, according to recent government studies.

Find the guide at BreakingNews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen. www.natallahassee.com

Meditation Eases Anxiety in Kids Mindfulness meditation is good for kids, too, especially those with high levels of anxiety. Researchers from the University of Cambridge analyzed 155 boys from two independent United Kingdom schools, before and after a four-week crash course in mindfulness.

After the trial period, the 14and 15-year-olds were found to have increased well-being, defined as the combination of feeling good (including positive emotions such as happiness, contentment, interest and affection) and functioning well. Best of all, the youth enjoyed the exercises and said they intended to continue meditation, a good sign that many children would be receptive to this type of therapy. natural awakenings

August 2011

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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Age-Appropriate Lessons

The Ocean Project Reaches Out to Teens and Tweens

Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet.

We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future.

And we are all mortal. ~John F. Kennedy

We are healthy and green And going…..Greener!

If you have a green business • Natural and recyclable • Green and sustainable

home building • Solar systems • Windows, insulation • Air and water purifiers • Environmental • More earth friendly

Advertise healthy, green and clean!

Call:

850-590-7024

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Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast

Encouraging children’s appreciation for nature and their concern for the environment must be approached in age-appropriate ways. Some educators and parents with good intentions teach young children by delving into serious environmental issues such as disappearing species, deforestation and climate change before the children possess the cognitive maturity and background knowledge necessary to fully understand the issues.

If children learn abstract information before they have a chance to connect with the natural world, they may end up being confused and the message may not yield results. So, The Ocean Project has developed a new section of its website (TheOcean Project.org) with tips and resources for educators working with young children.

Research suggests that when children spend time engaged in nature and outdoor activities, they are more likely to become long-term stewards of our planet. Children could, for example, begin connecting with nature by learning about plants and animals in their backyard, exploring a nearby park or visiting a zoo, aquarium or museum. Empathy, followed by exploration, should be the main objectives in establishing a connection between children and their environment.

The Ocean Project’s research has shown that youths ages 12 through 17 are a key audience for improving our ocean planet. Not only is this age group more concerned about environmental issues, they are also more willing than many adults to take action to help the environment. They also exert a huge amount of influence within their households, because parents often view their children as more informed about current environmental issues than they are.

This forward-looking age group already reports more involvement with ocean and climate conservation activities than any other age group, but their potential for taking action is far from fully realized.

Sacred Vows

Most Americans View Marriage Positively A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of 1,000 adults found that 56 percent of married respondents regard their marriages as excellent, while 29 percent categorize them as good. Just 1 percent report that their married life is poor. Although Americans seem overwhelmingly to rate their marriages as good or excellent, those married five years or less are the most enthusiastic, and women are more likely than men to say their marriages are good.

The questions did not define marriage, but 56 percent of adults think it is very important as an institution to U.S. society. Forty-seven percent feel that children are a very important factor in a marriage’s longevity. Eighty percent of all Americans believe it is very important for children to grow up in a home with both their parents rather than parents that are divorced. www.natallahassee.com

Name Game

What Do You Want to be Called Today?

With “Generation Y” becoming a popular nickname for current teens and young adults, it’s helpful to look back at the history of this trend for some perspective. Generational names are the handiwork of popular culture—some are drawn from a historic event, others from rapid social or demographic change, while others come from a big turn on the calendar.

The Millennial Generation falls into the third category. The label refers to those born after 1980, the first generation to come of age in the new millennium.

Generation X covers people born from 1965 through 1980. X-ers are often depicted and described as savvy entrepreneurial owners.

Baby Boomer is drawn from the great spike in births that began in 1946—following the end of World War II the year before—and ended almost as abruptly in 1964, around the time the birth control pill first went on the market. It’s a classic example of a demographically driven name.

The Silent Generation describes adults born from 1928 through 1945. Children of the Great Depression and World War II, their “silent” label refers to the conformist and civic instincts that we associate with many of them. (It also makes for a nice contrast with the noisy waves of the anti-establishment boomers.)

The Greatest Generation, those born before 1928, is the generation that fought and won World War II, both overseas and on the home front.

As the zeitgeist changes, labels that once seemed spot-on can fall out of fashion. Generational names are works in progress.

Source: Pew Research Center

Storytime Pals

Animals Help Children Read Roo, a 6-year-old collie certified by Intermountain Therapy Animals as a therapy dog for visits to nursing home residents and hospital patients, works primarily with his handler, Tina Anderson, as a reading education assistance dog (R.E.A.D.) at Graytown Elementary School, in Graytown, Ohio.

Children with trouble reading, a learning disability or shyness, or that just feel intimidated by reading in front of a class, like to read with Roo. “It’s a special connection that makes them feel important,” says Anderson.

“Dogs have been successful in having a calming effect on adults. Why not use them with children who have reading and social disabilities?” queries Lesley Pulsipher, national R.E.A.D. coordinator, in Salt Lake City, Utah. “Animals are not judgmental, and children feel safe reading to them. In a classroom, a child’s classmates may laugh at them if they mess up.”

According to Pulsipher, the program is not just limited to dogs; carefully vetted cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and miniature horses also visit schools and libraries to help foster reading. She observes that, “The program really helps bring kids out of their shell and gives them a boost of selfconfidence.”

Source: aol.com

Green Dads

Moving Sustainability from Niche to Normal A new dimension of sustainable fathering is emerging among Americans. According to a consumer trend report by EcoFocus Worldwide, Make Way for EcoAware Dads, 65 percent of the nation’s 36 million dads agree that, “When my kids are grown, I want them to remember me as teaching them to be environmentally responsible.”

Eco-aware dads want their family’s home and lifestyle to be safe, efficient and responsible, and they see room for improvement: Only 16 percent are very satisfied with how green or eco-friendly their lifestyles are today.

“For an eco-aware dad, this is all very integrated and very personal to his role as a father,” explains Lisa Harrison, the research leader for EcoFocus. “For example, while he may have insulated his family’s home for economic reasons first, the secondary benefit is in quality of life, because the home becomes a quieter and more comfortable living space.”

More than eight in 10 agree that being eco-friendly is a way to improve quality of life for themselves and their families.

Eco-aware dads realize that changes sometimes take big investments of both time and money, and they are concerned about affordability. Still, they see prospects for big payoffs; 83 percent have already changed the way they do things to make choices that are better for the environment.

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globalbriefs Green Schools

Earth Day Social Network Launches Earth Day Network (EDN) has launched the first interactive social network for K-12 educators and students, the Educators’ Network, (edu.earthday.org), which is intended to fill the growing need for high quality educational tools that support environmental literacy and share “green” school resources.

The network will empower teachers and students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make their communities healthier and more sustainable, thanks to a $250,000 grant from Wells Fargo & Company.

EDN’s Educators’ Network enables educators to share a library of materials collected from teachers nationwide, including lesson plans, teaching materials, grants and blogs. Network members can also “Ask the Expert” for advice, engage in dialogue with EDN staff and key partners, and find grant opportunities targeted to educators.

The network also provides resources and tools to support schools in winning the Green Ribbon Schools Award, recently announced by the U.S. Department of Education, rewarding schools that demonstrate significant progress toward increasing their sustainability literacy, reducing their school’s environmental footprint and improving the overall health of students and staff.

Sunday, August 7, is International Forgiveness Day ~ ForgivenessAlliance.org

Conservation Matures

WWF Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Hope World Wildlife Fund is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year by posting a progressive step of environmental awareness and action on its website each week. Collectively titled 50 Reasons for Hope, they demonstrate that conservation makes a real difference and that, working together, we can protect the future of our planet.

By the end of the year, the 50 Reasons for Hope will give a broad, rich and playful understanding of WWF and a hopeful vision for the future—a vision that everyone can help make a reality.

Visit WorldWildlife.org/sites/anniversary.

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inspiration

C O MIN G IN S E P T E MBER

Kids Teach Us

JOY

by Carolyn Rubenstein

C

hildren daily teach us many lessons about the joys of life.

If you’re not good at something, do it again. Kids often do many things badly at first. They fall off their bikes. They stumble in races. They try to hop on one foot, but can’t. They sing off key. It goes on and on. Yet, they usually don’t cry about their initial failures. If anything, they laugh them off. They enjoy the process of failing. And because they keep trying, they get better and eventually even good at many things.

If you feel like crying, do it. As adults, we tend to hide our tears and try not to cry at all. This causes sadness and tension to linger longer. When kids are sad or frustrated, they scream and cry and bang their little fists and stomp their feet on the floor. Then, once they’ve had a good, cathartic moment, they recover with a smile and are ready to face the world again.

Make up your own dance moves. Have you ever put on a Kidz Bop CD and watched a roomful of 4-year-olds react?

It’s an amazing experience. The kids jump and hop and shimmy without a care in the world as to what they look like. They don’t worry about perfecting the latest dance moves; they just move their bodies in ways that feel good to them—and they enjoy every minute of it.

Hug your friends. Kids love to hug.

They offer kisses easily. They snuggle and generally express themselves easily through touch. As adults, we can learn a lot from their openness.

Wonder why, about everything. As adults, we tend to take the world around us for granted. We are so used to things being a certain way that we no longer question them. Children, though, are more curious. They want to know: Why do flowers grow in one place and not in another? What’s at the center of the Earth? Why do leaves change colors? The world delights and awes them on a daily basis. It can do the same for us, too, as long as we allow ourselves to remain curious about the wonders all around us.

Carolyn Rubenstein is the author of Perseverance, a clinical psychology Ph.D. student at Harvard University, and the founding president of a nonprofit that funds scholarships for young adult cancer survivors (cccScholarships.org).

What Children Teach Us About Hope There is something about the way a young child sees the world that can make us believe in anything at all. Children seem to believe in miracles even before they happen. They believe that if they wish for something hard enough it will come true. Children have hope that when they blow on a dandelion or see the first star at night, their wishes will come true. Children know in their hearts that if they find a four-leaf clover they will have good luck. They put faith in the results of blowing out all the candles, with one breath. Don’t stop believing just because there are more candles to blow out.

Source: WavesOfGratitude.blogspot.com

GET E V I T A E CR

!

Natural Awakenings’ September edition shows you how.

For more information about advertising and how you can participate, call

850-590-7024

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actionalert Opinion Editorial

Dietary Supplement Industry at Risk

by Jonathan Emord, Esquire

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is poised to remove 20 to 30 percent of existing food supplement companies from the market, force a rise in prices and eliminate the availability of most, if not all, herbal supplements.

T

he most basic of human rights is that of self-government over our own bodies, especially regarding individual choice over what nutrients to ingest and treatments to receive to sustain optimal health.

Today, federal and state regulatory agencies constrict those rights by limiting our choices. Those restrictions on freedom are destined to continue.

Recent examples include state dietitian licensing bills, global censorship of health information, and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA; S. 510/HR 2751). Dietitian licensing bills designate those licensed by the American Dietetic Association as nutritionists and the sole dispensers of nutritional advice and recommendations. Global censorship of nutrient-related disease treatment information by all Western governments that regulate drugs works to preserve a monopoly on therapeutic claims for drug companies. The Food Safety Modernization Act requires that all companies that make food and dietary supplements 16

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be registered with the federal government for the first time, deprives those companies of access to the courts in favor of administrative tribunals, and forces those companies to pay for mandatory federal investigations.

With passage of FSMA, which made every food and dietary supplement company operating in the United States subject to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensing, the regulators’ decades-old dream of ridding the market of supplements and leaving the field to FDA-approved drugs is closer to realization than ever before.

The FSMA comes atop aggressive FDA implementation of new and costly current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) regulations, positioning the agency to regulate every aspect of supplement production. Will the public awaken to the threat and compel the FDA to back down, or will the agency succeed in eliminating safe supplement products, to the detriment of the consuming public?

Call for Action

all claims associating a nutrient with a ing to protect natural health- disease, even provPublic outcry has ably true claims) helped stem FDA moves to eliminate care options challenges the keeps consumers in the dark. dietary supplements Unfettered from the market on Federal Trade Commission’s by a groundswell dozens of occasions in the past, but has illegal move to restrict health- of public opposition, the FDA is failed to reach a related claims. Sign the proceeding at an fever pitch in reaccelerated pace in sponse to the latest round of regulatory petition at anh-USA.or g: inspecting facilities, issuing citations efforts. Perhaps that is because the most S e a r ch F T C , t h e n o p e n and ultimately driving supplement recent efforts have arisen under a more April 26, 2011 post and click manufacturers out of business. Compalatable public interest justification: This Link at bottom of page. panies incapable of affording the asThe argument that sociated costs have consumers must no choice but to dissolve.

To reverse be protected from potentially unsafe this course, consumers must contact products by permitting the FDA to run their elected representatives in congress companies it thinks may threaten public and demand an immediate repeal of health out of existence. both FSMA and GMP regulations.

Then,

The FDA’s current approach, using vote wisely in the 2012 elections to allegations of adulteration, contaminadefeat candidates that voted in favor of tion and misbranding—combined with limiting our freedoms in these areas. cessation of distribution and recall of

One current petition fight-

unapproved supplements—appears to be far more acceptable to the public than the argument that supplements in general should be removed from the market. It seems that the lesson FDA regulators have slowly learned is that people generally appear to be willing to permit regulatory abuses in the name of public safety.

Moreover, under the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), as interpreted by the federal courts, any promotion that associates a dietary supplement with a disease treatment claim is prohibited.

That is so even if the claim is demonstrably true. Censoring information concerning the potential benefit of dietary ingredients shrouds the market in ignorance, depriving consumers of helpful, life-extending or life-saving information.

Just one example is the FDA’s censorship of the association established in peer-reviewed scientific literature (some 6,000 articles) between Vitamin D and a reduction in the risk of certain kinds of cancer. All Americans could experience a reduction in cancer risk were that association made known at the point of sale, but FDA’s prior restraint (its ban on

Worldwide Trend Many governments around the world currently prohibit essential health claims backed by credible scientific evidence. For example, claims that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may eliminate symptoms of osteoarthritis are forbidden in Europe, as well as in Australia, Canada and the United States.

Groups have formed to protest such censorship and restrictions on access to dietary supplement ingredients.

For a global view, consult information provided by the Alliance for Natural Health, which is active in Europe and America. In the United States, take action via the Alliance for Natural Health USA, Citizens for Health, Freedom of Health Foundation, The Health Keepers Alliance and National Health Freedom Action.

The way back to liberty lies not only in allowing the marketing of all dietary ingredients that are being used without serious adverse effects, but also in stripping countries of the power to censor nutrient-related disease treat-

ment information. When well-informed consumers make dietary ingredient choices that minimize disease risk and maximize longevity, their improved health reduces their dependence on costly drug therapies which too often carry unwanted side effects.

Imagine a world in which fruits and vegetables, as well as dietary supplements, could lawfully be accompanied by labels summarizing the dietary ingredients present, their effects and their potential for protecting against or fighting disease. In such a world, consumers would be truly active, engaged participants in their own health care.

Jonathan W. Emord is a constitutional and administrative lawyer in Washington, D.C. The author of The Rise of Tyranny and Global Censorship of Health Information, he has defeated the FDA in federal court eight times. Visit Emord.org.

TAKE ACTION HERE Check these websites regularly to keep abreast of pending state legislation and to sign helpful petitions.

Elected Officials, usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml Alliance for Natural Health USA, anh-usa.org Citizens for Health, Citizens.org Freedom of Health Foundation, thefhf.org The Health Keepers Alliance, HealthKeepers.net National Health Freedom Action, NationalHealthFreedom.org

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DRUG-FREE

KIDS Natural Alternatives to Common Medications

by Lisa Marshall

W

ant to keep your kids off drugs? The place to start is with your own medicine cabinet. So say a growing number of health practitioners that are viewing the recent proliferation of medications being targeted at kids with alarm and urging parents to turn first to common-sense home remedies or natural alternatives when possible.

“We tend to be a nation of pill-takers, who turn to medication whenever we need relief for anything,” says Dana Point, California, pediatrician Robert Sears, co-author of the new book, The Portable Pediatrician. “If we can increase the use of our skills as parents in using time-tested home remedies to help our kids feel better, we can rely less on pills.”

Because children metabolize drugs differently than adults do, cases of lingering side effects, like grogginess or hyperactivity, and accidental overdoses are widespread.

Poison control facilities nationwide received 30,000 calls regarding pediatric acetaminophen alone in 2009, and roughly 7,000 kids end up in emergency rooms each year due to cough and cold medicine overdoses. Between 2000 and 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports of 14 deaths and 74 non-fatal adverse events due to acetaminophen-dosing errors.

According to a 2010 report by Orlando, Florida-based Medco Health Solutions Inc., children’s drugs now constitute the fastest growing segment of the pharmaceutical industry, with sales increasing by 10.8 percent in 2009 over 2008, and usage by children rising four times faster than for the general population during the same period.

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One in four children under 10 and one-third of adolescents ages 10 to 19 take at least one prescription medication on an ongoing basis, according to the report. The number of minors taking drugs for respiratory problems is up 42 percent since 2001 and those medicated for the chronic heartburn of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is up 147 percent.

Market research firm IMS Health reports that spending on non-prescription pain medication for children spiked from $191 million in 2005 to $250 million in 2010. Despite three years of government warnings about potential dangers, including seizures and death, of giving over-the-counter cold and flu medications to children under age 2, 61 percent of parents do it anyway, according to a recent national poll by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Meanwhile, new ad campaigns marketing drugs for kids continue to proliferate. Publisher Scholastic, Inc. was criticized recently for distributing coupons for the allergy medicine Children’s Claritin in its elementary school newsletter distributed to kids.

“I find it very concerning,” says pediatrician Hilary McClafferty, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. “Some drug companies are exploiting parents at a vulnerable time, preying upon their feeling that they need to do something to make their child feel better immediately.”

Why shouldn’t a worried, sleep-deprived mom or dad reach for a quick fix to placate a miserable little one in the

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middle of the night? At times, medications are warranted, says McClafferty, particularly in the case of strep throat, which can lead to serious health problems when left unchecked.

But routinely medicating away symptoms can interfere with the body’s natural protective mechanisms, McClafferty says. For instance, cough medicine can inhibit the body’s natural effort to clear mucous from the lungs, prolonging congestion; also, suppressing mild fevers with drugs can sabotage the body’s own defense against infection.

“Even the conventional medical world has begun to focus on this. They are realizing many of these drugs are not very effective and they can cause toxicity in young patients,” says Matthew Baral, a doctor of naturopathy and president of the Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

For example, according to a 2011 review in the online journal of the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, antihistamines can lead to sedation, constipation, drying of the mucous membranes and at higher doses, hallucinations in kids. Decongestants can increase heart rate and lead to “rebound congestion,” or a worsening of symptoms after a child stops taking the drugs. Proton-pump inhibitors, approved in 2008 for GERD in babies as young as 12 months, have been shown to boost levels of harmful intestinal bacteria and may increase fracture risk later in life, according to a study recently published in Annals of Family Medicine.

In 2008, the FDA advised that cough and cold medicine should not be used for children under 2, and called on companies to revise their dosage instructions to indicate this more clearly. In March, 2011, it went so far as to pull hundreds of prescription cold medications off the market, with FDA spokesperson Deborah M. Autor telling The New York Times that, “We don’t know what’s in them, whether they work properly or how they are made.”

While McClafferty is pleased with the FDA’s recent actions, she remains leery, saying, “I approach all over-the-counter medications for children with great caution and rarely recommend their use.”

Here are some alternatives to try.

Remember that many herbs have not been tested for safety specifically for children, so check with a health practitioner first.

Bug Bites

For quick relief, grate a potato or some leaves of plantain to create a poultice and place it on the spot of the bite. “It will draw off some of the itching and swelling,” says Baral. Don’t forget two of the lowest-tech and natural remedies, mud and ice.

Fever

“It’s important to know that most fevers don’t need to be treated unless

they are really bothering the child,” advises Sears. “Fever helps the body to fight off infection and may keep the child subdued so she can rest and recover.” He recommends tepid baths, cold cloths on the forehead, and calling the doctor if a fever persists for three days or if it rises above 103 degrees.

Herbalist Brigitte Mars, author of The Country Almanac of Home Remedies, suggests diaphoretic herbs like peppermint, ginger and elderflower, in teas, which prompt perspiration and enable the body to cool down naturally.

Cough and Congestion

Apply an herbal vapor rub of menthol and tea tree oil to the bottom of the child’s feet and put their socks back on.

The decongesting menthol vapor will help them to breathe and the antimicrobial properties of the tea tree oil will be absorbed through their skin, says Mars. For nasal decongestion, try irrigating the child’s nose with a cleansing neti pot.

Sears recommends kid versions of herbal remedies Sinupret and Bronchipret

Diarrhea and Constipation

“Probiotics are the most extensively researched remedy we have out there for diarrhea,” says Baral. Studies in the journal Pediatrics have shown probiotics to shorten bouts of diarrhea in infants and school-age children, and prevent the onset of antibiotic-induced diarrhea in kids. Look for yogurt, powder or capsules containing 10 billion colonyforming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus GG. Sears suggests the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) to quell diarrhea. For constipation, reach for apricots, peaches, pears, plums and vitamin C.

Earache

Drop four drops of warm mullein garlic oil into the ear.

Sears says the warm oil will calm the inflamed eardrum and the antibiotic in the garlic will get to work on the infection. Olive oil will work in a pinch.

Growing Pains

While it’s common for kids between the ages of 3 and 5 or 8 and 12 to complain of dull aches deep in their legs, there is little consensus about what causes them. Mars has found that it helps to supplement their diet with calcium and magnesium supplements in kid-friendly powdered form, or foods that contain these nutrients.

Heartburn

Deglycerrhizinated licorice (DGL), slippery elm and aloe all may be able to help soothe inflamed esophageal tissue, says Baral, “But they need to be given under a doctor’s supervision.” Also take a hard look at dietary triggers: Common culprits include dairy, chocolate, tomatoes and mint. natural awakenings

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Seasonal Allergies

One of the most commonly recommended natural treatments for addressing seasonal allergy symptoms is stinging nettle, believed to modulate the production of the histamine that prompts noses to run and eyes to water and has been shown to be safe in adults. It comes in tincture, tea and capsule form. Mars also likes Allergena region-specific homeopathic allergy medicines, which deliver traces of local pollen to help the body develop immunity to them.

Alternately, substitute citrus juices for milk during allergy season. Vitamin C has been shown to normalize histamine levels, while dairy products can boost mucous production.

Sore Throat

Stir one teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of water and gargle. “It is antiseptic and will make the pain go away,” counsels Mars. She also recommends using the infection-fighting herb Isatis root, in tincture or capsule form. McClafferty says to try a spoonful of honey; it has antimicrobial properties and may act as a cough suppressant.

Teething Pain

Oil of clove contains a compound called eugenol that serves as a natural pain killer and antibacterial agent.

Baral recommends mixing no more than one drop of clove oil with honey and rubbing it on the gums (not recommended for children under 12 months). Or, saturate a clean cloth with calming chamomile tea or wintergreen tea, a natural analgesic, and let the baby chew on it.

When children suffer from common ailments, it is natural for parents to wish to soothe their suffering as quickly as possible. Just be aware that, along with the physician and the pharmacist, there is still an important role to play for “Doctor Mom.” Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer and mother of four who lives near Boulder, CO. Connect at Lisa@LisaAnnMarshall.com.

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NATURAL APPROACHES TO ADHD

by Lisa Marshall

D

rugs for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are among the hottest-selling medications today, garnering 13 percent of children’s prescription dollars, with sales soaring so quickly that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently had to declare a national shortage.

That worries naturopathic doctors Matthew Baral and David Deichert.

“People have gotten in the bad habit of going to medication first, without trying natural therapies,” states Baral, a pediatrics professor at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, in Tempe, Arizona.

In some cases, prescription medication is warranted, says Deichert, an ADHD specialist with Bastyr University, in Kenmore, Washington. But in most cases, he sees it as a stopgap measure as the longer-term benefits of diet and lifestyle changes slowly kick in.

The two naturopaths offer these natural wellness approaches.

Minimize Food Additives

After decades of parents’ suspicions that additives like food coloring and artificial flavors may fuel behavioral changes in kids, several recent studies have bolstered such claims. A 2007 study of nearly 300 kids ages 3 to 8, published in The Lancet, found that those given drinks containing artificial dye showed significantly higher hyperactivity within a few hours. The British government now requires labels warning that children’s products containing dye may impair attention.

Consider an Elimination Diet A first-of-its-kind 2011 study, also in The Lancet, showed that when 50 kids with ADHD were put on restrictive hypoallergenic diets free of allergens like gluten and dairy for five weeks, their symptoms improved far more than those in the control group. When the eliminated foods were reintroduced, symptoms returned in 63 percent of the children. Deichert says that ADHD pa-

tients with digestive problems, recurring ear infections or skin problems—all symptoms of possible food sensitivities—are particularly good candidates for elimination diets.

Curb Screen Time and Get Moving

“Very large studies have associated TV and video game use with a worsening of ADHD symptoms,” notes Deichert.

He recommends that for each half-hour of screen time a child gets outside of schoolwork, they get a half-hour of exercise.

Buy Organic

A 2010 study of 1,100 children, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that the more pesticide residue children had in their urine, the more likely they were to be diagnosed with ADHD.

Check the Iron

Studies in the Archive of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine and elsewhere have shown that children diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to have lower iron levels, and when those that are deficient take iron supplements, their symptoms either subside without medication or they react better to lower doses of medications. As a precautionary measure, Deichert suggests that kids be checked for their ferritin levels before beginning iron supplementation.

ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder for kids in the United States, with at least 4.5 million diagnoses among children under age 18, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A Michigan State University (MSU) study now reports that 20 percent are potentially misdiagnosed simply because they are the youngest—and most immature— in their class.

Among kindergarteners, the youngest were 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than the oldest children in the same grade. Similarly, when that group of classmates reached the fifth and eighth grades, the youngest were twice as likely to be prescribed stimulants. MSU Economist and researcher Todd Elder puts the cost of the unnecessary medication at $320-500 million a year.

Consider Safer Supplements

Clinical research is still inconclusive, but in their practices, Deichert and Baral have both seen ADHD patients benefit from zinc, ginkgo biloba, acetyl-carnitine and omega-3 supplements.

A final note: While it helps that research has been stepped up to address the epidemic of attentionrelated disorders, that doesn’t mean that all valid solutions need to carry a company trademark. natural awakenings

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consciouseating

JUICE UP Drink in Nutrients for Energy and Health

by Renée Loux

W

e all know that eating an ample amount of fruits and vegetables does the body good, but what about drinking them? Juices extracted from whole fresh produce deliver pure liquid nutrition. Each sip proffers clean bio-available fuel, instant energy and cell-quenching hydration.

Juicing is an optimal way to add more fruits and vegetables to any diet, particularly for kids that are finicky about food. Stripped of produce fiber, the clarified juice contains all of the plant’s health-promoting compounds in a form that is extremely easy for the body to digest and absorb. Fresh juice can be assimilated in as little as 15 minutes on an empty stomach—a true fast food.

An array of fresh juices provides a con-

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centrated source of a full spectrum of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes needed to fortify, protect and nourish the body. Because fresh juice requires very little energy to digest, it allows the body to direct more of its energy into repairing cells and tissues.

More, fresh juices work to “speed the recovery from disease, by supporting the body’s own healing activity and cell regeneration,” advises Dr. Gabriel Cousens, a raw food advocate known for treating diabetes through nutrition.

Many health practitioners believe that fresh juice also improves digestion by eliminating toxins, while facilitating nutrient uptake.

Dr. Joseph Mercola, of the Natural Health Center, explains: www.natallahassee.com

“Most of us have impaired digestion as a result of making less-than-optimal food choices over many years. This limits your body’s ability to absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables. Juicing will help to [in essence] pre-digest them for you, so that you will receive most of the nutrition.”

The raw state of fresh fruit and vegetable juice means that all of the nutrients, enzymes and compounds remain intact. This includes water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C that are easily destroyed by cooking and processing, and essential enzyme proteins that catalyze digestion and the assimilation of nutrients. Leading health authorities further believe that these enzymes also help boost metabolism for healthy weight management and stable energy levels.

Fresh juice is obviously preferred to packaged juice from a taste standpoint, as well. One significant distinction is that commercially prepared juice is heat pasteurized to kill pathogens. As Dr. Andrew Weil remarks, “Unfortunately, while heat treating can help keep store-bought juices safe, it also destroys enzymes, lowers vitamin concentrations and alters the taste— juice becomes blandly sweet, rather than featuring a natural symphony of complex and subtle flavors.”

So drink deep and enjoy fresh juices’ bountiful benefits.

Renée Loux is a green expert, organic chef, restaurateur and media personality, and the co-founder of Andalou Naturals. She has authored four books, including Easy Green Living and The Balanced Plate. Visit ReneeLoux.com.

Did You Know?

What appeals most to Americans on a food product label? A new survey released this summer finds Americans most want to see “Natural,” “Organic” or “Grown in the USA.” Asked “Which is the best description to read on a food label?”, 25% of consumers said “100 percent natural” or “All natural.” Another 24% said “USDA Certified Organic” or “100% organic.” Surprisingly, 17% preferred “Grown in the USA.”

Lemon Ginger Green Beauty Tonic At first sight, this juice appears intensely green, but it’s mild and delicious (in a healthy way). Both cleansing and fortifying, this tonic flushes and hydrates the system to grow beautiful skin, hair and an inner glow.

Romaine lettuce is mild and juicy; parsley is rich in antioxidant vitamin C, minerals and chlorophyll; cucumber is full of silica for beautiful skin and hair; celery contains an optimum balance of potassium and sodium to promote nutrient uptake in cells; ginger fires up digestion; and lemon is full of vitamin C and electrolytes to hydrate the body. Some prefer tart, green apples for their bright taste and lower sugar content, although any firm, organic apple is welcome.

Yields: 2-4 servings

Every book is a children’s book if the kid can read! ~Mitch Hedberg

1 head Romaine lettuce 6 stalks celery 1 cucumber ½ bunch parsley 2 organic green apples 1 lemon 1 inch of fresh ginger 1. Wash all of the produce. Separate the Romaine and cut the bottom stem into pieces that will easily fit through the juicer. Cut the cucumber into quarters lengthwise. Cut the apples into sections that will fit through the juicer. There is no need to remove seeds if the produce is organic.

2. Juice all ingredients in a vegetable juicer, alternating for easy processing.

3. Drink while the juice is fresh. natural awakenings

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Yields: 2-4 servings

Watermelon Kidney Cleanse Because watermelons are full of organic water, they act as a natural diuretic to tonify and cleanse kidneys. The recipe’s spicy ginger and cooling mint will stimulate and support digestion. This simple, delicious juice requires only a blender to prepare.

Yield: 2-4 servings 6 cups cubed watermelon, chilled (about 1½ lbs) 1-2 Tbsp ginger, chopped 1 cup mint leaves Juice of 1 lime Pinch of sea salt Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional) 1. Place all ingredients in a blender at high speed until smooth.

3. Pour through a fine strainer or sieve; for well-strained results, line the strainer or colander with cheesecloth.

2. Serve chilled or over ice, garnished with a sprig of mint.

Virgin Bell Mary This juice is a fortifying cousin of a Bloody Mary. The red bell peppers are loaded with antioxidant vitamins A and C; lycopene, protective of heart and lungs (American Cancer Society and The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition); and lutein and zeaxanthin, both supportive of eye and skin health (American Society for Nutritional Sciences and Clinics in Dermatology). Plus, they lend a beautiful crimson color and tangy sweetness. Add a pinch of cayenne for an extra kick. This one’s perfect for Sunday brunch or an afternoon pick-me-up.

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Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast

4 cups red bell peppers with stem, seeds and veins removed 1 cucumber, cut into quarters lengthwise 6 stalks celery 4-6 sprigs cilantro 4-6 sprigs parsley 1 clove garlic 1 inch of fresh ginger Pinch of cayenne pepper, to taste Pinch of sea salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1. Wash and prepare vegetables.

2. Juice all vegetables, garlic and ginger in a juicer.

3. Stir in cayenne, salt and pepper to taste.

4. Option to add one ounce of good quality vodka (Grey Goose, Belvedere, or Ketel One are excellent choices) to each serving to de-virginize, then serve with a tender rib of celery. Serve immediately.

Bonus: Smooth Bell Gazpacho Soup The Virgin Bell Mary juice makes a succulent base for a smooth soup. Place prepared juice in a blender and add: 2 cups seeded, diced tomato 1 avocado 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 tsp agave nectar 1. Blend until smooth and season with sea salt and fresh black pepper.

2. Garnish with finely chopped basil.

Pomegranate Antioxidant Punch Pomegranates are a champion source of polyphenol antioxidants to help keep cells and skin young and beautiful and to sweep the body of free radicals from pollution and metabolic waste. Look for fruit with smooth, firm skin and a uniform shape.

Red grapes contain an abundance of cell-protecting resveratrol, as well as age-defying antioxidant flavonoids and phenolic acids. Oranges are loaded with antioxidant vitamin C and carotenoids to disarm free radicals and fortify overall health. Add a splash of sparkling water for a lighter, scarlet colored, fizzy drink.

Yields: 2-4 servings 3 pomegranates, seeds separated 1½ cup red grapes ¼ cup fresh orange juice, apple juice, apple cider or water 1. Cut the pomegranates into quarters.

2. Separate the pomegranate seeds from the skin and pith.

3. Place pomegranate seeds in blender with grapes and juice, cider or water.

4. Blend until smooth.

5. Pour through a mesh strainer or sieve and press with the back of a large spoon to extract all the juice.

6. Serve chilled.

Source: Recipes are courtesy of Renée Loux; from The Balanced Plate and Living Cuisine.

www.natallahassee.com

wisewords

Upgrading School Food Chef Ann Cooper Helps Kids Eat Right

by Ellen Mahoney

C

When it comes to healthy lifelong nutrition, what are the three biggest mistakes young people make?

In general, I would say the three biggest mistakes are drinking their calories— not understanding how many calories are in sodas, eating way too much sugar in general, and not eating enough colorful fruits and vegetables.

What are the consequences of poor nutrition?

Poor nutrition means overall poor health that results in diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and strokes. Too often, young people eat a diet of highly processed foods with high percentages of fat, salt and refined sugar (as well as dyes and additives) and it absolutely, unequivocally causes disease. It’s an acknowledged fact that poor nutrition is literally killing our kids.

How receptive are school systems to improving student menu plans?

I think it’s all over the board; some school systems try hard and are doing a really good job and some are not. The toughest part is garnering community support for change.

Specifically, I’ve encountered five big challenges when it comes to upgrading to healthier options.

They are food, where we are going to get it; finance, how will we pay for it; facility, what we can do if a school doesn’t even have a stove; human resources, how we train onsite staff; and marketing, how we get students to eat healthier food.

Schools often see themselves as being in the business of education, but often don’t see the correlation between good food and academic performance.

People really do need to understand the truth of the adage, “You are what you eat.” If we don’t help change young people’s relationship to food and do it soon, we’re likely to see the Centers for Disease Control prognostication come true, as well: “Some studies indicate that children born in 2000 may die at a younger age than their parents, because of the food they eat.”

There isn’t anything more important than feeding our kids healthy foods, starting today.

Courtesy of Kirsten Boyer Photography

alled the “Renegade Lunch Lady,” Chef Ann Cooper is helping change the world one healthy food at a time.

The author of books such as Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed our Children and In Mother’s Kitchen, she’s championed sound youth nutrition since 1999. After upgrading menus in several New York and California schools, she moved to Colorado, where she directs nutrition services for the Boulder Valley School District, bringing smarter and healthier school lunches to its 28,000-strong student body.

What are the most successful changes you’ve made in your school district?

We got rid of all of the processed foods and have no high-fructose corn syrup or trans fats in our menus. We serve

fruits and vegetables every day and have salad bars in every school. We also serve organic milk and abide by a quota of having at least 51 percent of whole grains in our baked products. All of our food is cooked from scratch.

I think that schoolyard gardens are also important. Involving our young people in growing food is a way for them to become part of the food system and learn to have a healthy relationship with food.

What are the biggest or most persistent challenges you’ve encountered?

Getting kids to eat right is the key hurdle. We provide a tremendous amount of education to help students learn how, with programs ranging from tastings to iron chef competitions. I regularly attend PTA meetings, show up in school cafeterias and meet with parents. Some of the kids love our food and some don’t, but we’re moving along in the right direction.

What can parents do to help?

Parents need to make healthy food a priority in their families. If we want to change our children’s relationship with food, we have to shop with them, cook with them and sit down and eat with them.

If humanity could start all over again with a sustainable and healthy food system, what might that look like?

At one time, when we were an agricultural economy, this country did have a sustainable food system; by and large we grew the food we ate. But it changed when we became a mechanized society, especially after World War II, when wartime technologies led to developments in refrigeration and advances in transportation.

A truly sustainable food system must have a triple bottom line of healthy foods, healthy kids and a healthy planet. One way to create a more sustainable food system is to find our way back to the kitchen again… and cook.

For more information, visit ChefAnn.com.

Ellen Mahoney is a freelance writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at evm@infionline.net.

natural awakenings

August 2011

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ecotip

the first time, a toxic herbicide known as 2,4-D—a major component of the infamous defoliant Agent Orange—has been the primary weed-killing ingredient used to give homeowners a “fairway front lawn.” Today the substance, banned in much of Canada, has come under increased scrutiny in the United States. In its place, a product known as Fiesta instead utilizes the gentler option of naturally occurring iron to keep weeds under control while allowing grass to grow.

“Businesses have to take the lead in providing safer lawn alternatives.”

Chemical-Free Lawns Good for People, Pets and Nature

by Paul Tukey

W

substances, ith cooler Pioneering communities poisonous and fortunately, manuweather just around across the United States facturers are listening.

Here are just a few the corner, late August are now embracing of the kinder, gentler through October is an products available this ideal time to tackle the organic lawn care. coming season: annual rejuvenation of

Fertilizers – any lawn and consider As many as 20 states, especially those renovating it into a healthier and more sustainable landscape. But before head- with numerous lakes or prominent oceanfront, are actively legislating the ing out the door for the next round of amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen seed, soil, conventional fertilizer and permitted in lawn fertilizers. Scotts all manner of weed and insect sprays, Miracle-Gro, the world’s largest chemiit’s good to know that a major positive cal fertilizer and lawn pesticide comoverhaul is underway at our local garpany, will voluntarily remove phosphoden centers. Synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides are being cast aside rus from lawn fertilizers nationwide, beginning in 2012. Companies like Esin favor of natural, organic materials. poma already are offering 100 percent

“Organics is by far the fastest organic options made from plant and growing sector of the lawn and garden animal byproducts that are not prone to industry,” says Bruce Butterfield, who leaching. researches the market for the National

Weed killers – Since 1967, when Gardening Association. The message is the Masters golf tournament was clear: Today’s parents don’t want their broadcast live in color nationwide for children rolling around in potentially

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Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast

www.natallahassee.com

~ Mike Serant, organic landscape supplies distributor, Houston

Insecticides and Fungicides – What is designed to kill one lifeform almost always also poses negative consequences for other lifeforms. Increasing evidence from major research institutions from the American Academy of Pediatrics to Harvard University linking pest killers to childhood diseases such as attention deficit disorders and autism has amped up the demand for safe alternatives. Products like EcoSmart, with insect killers made from food-grade ingredients; and Actinovate, a natural fungicide that gently removes black spot, fairy ring, brown patch and dollar spot; are meeting the demand.

Enlightened homeowners are further embracing the notion that the whole landscape need not be grass. Native plants, which generally require less fertilizer and water than import species, are better for the environment, as well as natural animal life.

Paul Tukey is a pioneering author of the bestselling The Organic Lawn Care Manual: A Natural, Low-Maintenance System for a Beautiful, Safe Lawn.

His nonprofit educational website is SafeLawns.org.

Music Lessons Produce Vibrant Children

By Vivianne Asturizaga

T

hroughout my teaching experience, the light in the eyes of the families and children touched by music has been inspiring and motivational. Music is very important in the lives of all people. This became particularly clear, upon reading a research article written in 2005 that explored whether music affects a child’s intelligence. “YES”, answers Dr. E. Glenn Schellenberg. “Music listening and music lessons can lead to short term and long term cognitive benefits, respectively.” It is not only through listening to something beautiful, but working towards a goal, succeeding at it, and going beyond a learned skill that makes the music “light” turn on. Parents of children in the Music Lessons Express program agree.

Focused Attention and Concentration “Due to his involvement in music lessons, my son is more disciplined and continues to progress academically.”

- Parent of Homeschool Student Variables such as family income, parent’s education as well as the length of music lessons received were taken into account for the research conducted by Dr. Schellenberg. Across the board, students with a music lesson background showed improvements in tests of math, spelling and reading; academic subjects that all require focused attention and concentration.

Motor Skills and Self-Confidence “My child needs to build his fine motor skills. He also needs to build his self-confidence. We believe playing an instrument will help with these needs.”

– Parent of Gilchrist Elementary Student Coordinating fingers and legs, while reading and listening, and at the same time counting, can be intimidating. But

once the challenge has been faced and overcome, self-confidence grows and the child is better prepared for new challenges.

“My daughter is very shy and it was a “miracle” that she participated in a recital. She was very pleased with her performance and this boosted her self esteem”.

Parent of Roberts Elementary Student Emotional Expression “Her teacher fosters self esteem, encourages independence, and truly teaches her a love for musical expression.”

- Parent of Hawks Rise Student Recognizing musical similarities across contexts, trying to convey, capture, and at the same time interpret sounds, are abstractions the brain realizes when perform- ing music. In addition to this, understanding different ways of communicating emotions, in this case through music, is a path to understanding the world with different perspectives.

Positive Influence The influence of music does not end with a recital or when children grow older, it lasts forever through the positive influence of instructors on their students.

“One of our in-home instructors has formed a relationship with her student that goes beyond their time together in music lessons. She is often invited to the home of her student for meals and “play dates”.

- Lindsey Benedict, Director, Music Lessons Express Yes! Music lessons produce vibrant children by enhancing motor skills, focusing attention, boosting self-esteem, and expressing emotions that lead to improved academic achievement, self-discipline, creativity and positive influence that lasts a lifetime.

As a community, we must support our children through music in our schools, after-school music programs, churches and music organizations. The benefits to the community are evident; through music children are growing and shining; fostering a more creative, intelligent and vibrant world.

Vivianne Asturizaga is a recent MM graduate from FSU School of Music and a current teacher at Music Lessons Express, a Tallahassee business “delivering” instructors to after-school programs, homes and churches. *References - Schellenberg, E. G.(2005), Music and Cognitive Abilities. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14, (6), 317-320.

natural awakenings

August 2011

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naturalpet

dogs. “Daily scooping is a must,” Boswell counsels. “Fecal chloroform kills grass.”

EVERYBODY OUTSIDE!

PROTECT PETS FROM PREDATORS. Dangers range from poisonous frogs and snakes to birds of prey and coyotes. Six-inch-high wire mesh, dug into the ground at the bottom of a fence, will help keep out problematic reptiles and amphibians. Install a coyote roller bar at the top of the fence to foil potential animal attempts to climb up and over. Consider using canvas “sails” to prevent overhead predators from spotting small, vulnerable pets. Sails also add shade and help protect the whole family against harmful ultraviolet rays.

“Evenly space lights to avoid dark spots,” suggests designer Mitch Kalamian, owner of Solena Landscape, in Huntington Beach, California. “It lets you see where your dog is during the before-bedtime outing, as well as making sure no other animals are in the yard.”

Create a Yard that Welcomes Kids, Pets and Wildlife

by Sandra Murphy

From barbecues, lawn games and cooling dashes through the garden sprinkler to wondrous encounters with nature, a backyard is a place to grow summer memories enriched by active children, wildlife and family pets. But how can

GUARD AGAINST BOREDOM. Left alone in the yard for hours, a dog becomes as bored as a single kid on a teeter-totter. Barking, jumping fences and digging can lead to problems with neighbors, yard damage or pet injury, so offer him some options and ways to spend time with people.

Dogs understand “mine” and “yours,” so give him an area where digging is okay. Use decking wood to create a small, but deep, animal sandbox.

Hide treasures like tennis balls (nothing smaller) or eco-friendly squeaky toys for him to find.

everyone safely play and coexist in the same place?

START WITH NON-TOXIC PLANTS. Avoid planting species that are poisonous to pets, including amaryllis, azalea, chrysanthemum, English ivy, oleander, sago palm, tulip bulbs and yew. Several species of lilies, including those commonly sold at Easter, are especially toxic to cats if they ingest the pollen, stem or flowers.

DESIGNATE A DOG POTTY SPOT. “A designated potty area is key to a 28

Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast

healthy backyard,” says Lisa Peterson, an American Kennel Club spokesperson. Choose a spot away from the main play area, vegetables and flowers. Lead a dog there until it becomes his habit; effusive praise helps.

Matt Boswell, founder of the nationwide Pet Butler pet waste cleanup service, suggests installing a designated piddle post for easier training of male dogs. Use cedar chips to reduce odor— never cocoa mulch, which is toxic to www.natallahassee.com

Courtesy of Cheryl Smith

Courtesy of Susan Gottlieb

Set up a tunnel that is fun to run through or hide in; it can also be a cool shady spot to rest. A large pipe made of recycled material works well; cover it with soil and plant groundcover. Kids likewise will love sharing the pit and tunnel with Fido.

Felines, too, enjoy the outdoors, but keeping them from becoming predators or prey requires a bit of planning.

Susan Gottlieb, owner of G2 Gallery, who donates all gallery proceeds to environmental causes, replaced the exotic plants in her yard with native species. So her cats can enjoy the garden safely, she built an open-air cat run, composed of rubber-matted wood planks enclosed in a wire mesh tunnel.

Ground-level playpens invite games and snoozes. Viewing platforms wind up to the roof for safe sunbathing on cool days and birdwatching without harm to songbirds. The National Wildlife Federation has designated her Beverly Hills garden as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

“A backyard is not a babysitter,” remarks Cheryl Smith, author of Dog Friendly Gardens, Garden Friendly Dogs. “Find a livable solution. It’s easier than getting rid of the problem.”

INVITE WILDLIFE. Butterflies look for specific species of flowers and require a protected place to rest. A birdbath

If “Let’s eat out!” at your house translates into “Fire up the grill,” be sure it is stabilized on a firm surface, so that speeding kids and curious canines can’t upend the grill and spill the hot coals along with the turkey dogs. and fresh seed will attract birds and squirrels. Hummingbirds like hanging sugar-water feeders, which should be filled daily during the local hummingbird season. Children can help to attract old fun ad visitors by keeping the bath these and feeders full.

Aaron Burchett, of the Pond Market, in St. Louis, Missouri. “A depth of three feet is enough to keep fish safe from raccoons. Make a cave in the side or bottom and build a rock overhang, so the fish can hide.”

When outside temperatures dip below freezing, use a pond heater to maintain an opening should ice form.

This both lets oxygen in and lets gases from decomposing plants and animal waste escape while the fish hibernate.

Setting up a well-cleaned, bi- or tri-level water fountain for kids and dogs to drink from makes a nice water feature, as well.

Keep in mind that a people- and animal-friendly yard is a work in progress, so this summer’s plans can continue to build.

Sandra Murphy is a freelance writer based in St. Louis, MO. Connect at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring. com.

FISH CAN COEXIST. Surround a pond with greenery to shade the fish. Strategic plantings also may help camouflage a koi pond from raccoons, opossums Butterfly attractors: and birds of prey.

TheGardenHelper.com/

“Opossums won’t dive in, but butterflyflowers.html can grab a fish that gets too close to Hummingbird attractors:PET the surface or the pond’s edge,” notes THE NATURALLY HEALTHY Hummingbirds.net/attract.html Food and Gifts for you Best Friend

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facts: Natural, Organic & Raw Diets ForPond Dogs &and Catsfish - Made in the USA PondMarket.com Treats - Wheat & Corn FREE Made in the USA Rawhide, Bones & Antlerz • THUNDERSHIRTS Plants hazardous to dogs: Collars, Leads, Harnesses & Apparel ansci.cornell.edu/plants/dogs/ Chew, Training, Interactive & Puzzle Toys • Health & Beauty Aids index.html FLEA & TICK Treatments

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Natural, Organic & Raw Diets For Dogs & Cats - Made in the USA Treats - Wheat & Corn FREE Made in the USA Rawhide, Bones & Antlerz • THUNDERSHIRTS Collars, Leads, Harnesses & Apparel Chew, Training, Interactive & Puzzle Toys • Health & Beauty Aids FLEA & TICK Treatments

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Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast

by Dr. Lauri Grossman

H

eadaches can happen at any time. They can interfere with work, school, family time or the simple enjoyment of a sunny day, but anyone tired of this vexing health problem is far from alone. According to the Headache Institute that is affiliated with St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, more people complain about headaches than any other medical ailment.

Headaches present themselves in a variety of ways. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, for example, describes vascular migraines, tension headaches and cluster headaches. The institute cautions that headaches can serve as warning signals of problems that require professional attention. However, when serious conditions have been ruled out, conscientious preventive treatment can be more helpful than the all-too-common habit of taking multiple doses of aspirin or other tablets.

Dr. Roger Morrison, of the Hahnemann College of Homeopathy, further reports that there is good clinical evidence that, for most headaches, taking a single tablet of headache medicine such as aspirin or Tylenol can be just as effective as two or more pills.

He also states that such over-the-counter medications may www.natallahassee.com

be followed by rebound headaches in a never-ending cycle.

So, where can we get swift relief that also can improve our health in the long run?

Complementary Treatments: University Health Services at the University of California, in Berkeley, recommends acupuncture and manipulative treatments by a qualified chiro-

practor, osteopath or massage therapist as an alternative. These treatments help to release stress, balance the body’s energy and regulate disturbances in the nervous system, which can all be contributing factors to headaches.

Regular Exercise: The National Headache Foundation recommends regular exercise, such as swimming or vigorous walking, preceded by a good warm-up and followed with ample hydration to stave off head pain. A routine of 20 to 40 minutes of aerobic exercise, three or more times a week, helps to both relieve stress and balance internal physiology.

Good Posture: Pay attention to any tendency to bend over a computer or desk for long periods. Baxter Bell, a medical doctor from Northern California, recommends using yoga to help correct alignment that has gotten out of whack due to inattention to proper posture. He says that regular yoga practice often reduces both the frequency and intensity of migraines.

ish Homeopathic Journal and Journal of Liga Medicorum Homoeopathica Internationalis; these provide the basis for Homeopathic Educational Services’ guidance at Homeopathic.com. Individuals may pick the relevant remedy that best matches their symptoms and take a 30C potency (available in most health food stores) dosage four times a day for up to a week. Stop taking the remedy upon improvement, but begin again if symptoms return and consult with a physician.

Lauri Grossman, a doctor of chiropractic and certified classical homeopath, practices homeopathy in Manhattan.

She also serves as chair of the American Medical College of Homeopathy’s department of humanism, in Phoenix, AZ. Learn more at amcofh.org and HomeopathyCafe.com.

Proper Diet: It’s wise to avoid food additives and to eat meals consisting of whole foods. Eating high-fiber foods and drinking a glass of water every two hours lessens the chance of headache caused by a buildup of toxins in the system. It’s also generally accepted that eating smaller portions throughout the day instead of large meals helps to keep blood sugar steady.

Food allergies are a known culprit behind chronic headaches. In one study published in the medical journal, The Lancet, more than 90 percent of patients reported relief from migraine symptoms after eliminating allergenic substances from their diet. The most common offenders are foods with additives or nitrates, red wine, packaged lunch meats, MSG, hard cheeses, chocolate, citrus fruit, tomatoes, eggplant, fried foods and foods that are aged, fermented, or marinated with vinegar.

Natural Supplements: Leading natural health specialists James Balch, a physician, and Mark Stengler, a doctor of naturopathy, agree in recommending two supplements to counter headaches. n Magnesium to lessen migraines and prevent tension headaches, at the rate of 200 milligrams (mg) three times a day.

One study of 81 people mentioned in Stengler and Balch’s book, Prescription for Natural Cures, showed that magnesium alone can reduce the frequency of migraines by as much as 41 percent. n Riboflavin to prevent migraines, consuming 400 mg every day for at least three months. A second study in their book reported that at this amount, the number of migraine attacks among the 49 participants decreased by 67 percent, with severity reduced by 68 percent.

Applied Homeopathy: Homeopathy can be helpful in treating headaches, especially if individual symptoms are clear (for example, if headaches always occur on the right side at 3 p.m.).

Two studies have independently demonstrated homeopathy’s beneficial effects in headache relief, published in the Britnatural awakenings

August 2011

31

“You’ll do weight training in the water; you can do core training; you can do water walking and running. If you have balance issues, the water will hold you up, whereas on land, you are dealing with gravity issues and might fall over.”

She notes that hand gloves can create more stability and resistance, making a workout even more interesting.

fitbody

Pool Therapy

AQUATIC

FITNESS FUN Solutions for Non-Swimmers

Plastic foam pool noodles are popular because they afford convenient, cheap, flexible fun. They can also be used as resistance devices to create workout moves in water up to your neck that are similar to those which gyms offer.

In the National Multiple Sclerosis Society magazine, Momentum, Amy Paturel, a master of public health, notes that, “Participants use water noodles to gain strength.” Exercises performed in the pool produce marked improvements over those achieved on land. With the effects of gravity countered by water’s natural buoyancy, muscles needed to keep the body upright can take a break in order to isolate others for toning.

Saltwater Pool Therapy

In Seattle, m’illumino, a movement arts studio, maintains an outdoor in-ground saltwater pool, heated to 96 degrees, that was custom-built for therapy. Owner Bridget Thompson offers Feldenkrais Aquatic Weight Loss sessions in the water and a specially “As with any weight-loss exercise proadapted form of shiatsu. “Being in the gram, doing aquatic fitness activities at least three days a week is extremely ben- pool is like returning to the womb,” she eficial,” Carlson continues. “It is vertical says. “Sounds are muffled, and it’s almost like sensory deprivation, so you’re fitness without the impact on the joints really able to sense the inner body.” you get with any kind of land training.”

by Martin Miron

I

t’s summertime, and with a cry of, “Last one in’s a rotten egg,” everybody wants to get into the water.

Along with the fun, swimming is superb exercise. That’s terrific—if you can swim. But many people never learned to swim, have a limiting disability or are just afraid of deep water.

Aquatic Fitness

Tracy Carlson, director of the New Holland (Pennsylvania) Recreation Center and an Aquatics Exercise Associationcertified aquatic instructor who teaches at indoor and outdoor pools, observes that, “You tend to find an older crowd in their 30s, 40s and up. You don’t find the younger crowd here much, and they are really missing out on the benefits of aquatic fitness.” She explains, “It’s perfect for people who are afraid of the water, because they don’t have to immerse their head or take their feet off the bottom of the pool.”

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Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast

Water aerobics accessories range from various weights to webbed gloves, aquatic shoes and water jogging belts. ~ WaterGear.com www.natallahassee.com

At the Lake

Beach surf is an ideal aquatic playground if you have access, but for many, the closest approximation is a lake. Carlson says, “I think the reason that you don’t see the same types of shallow water activities in a lake is that people can’t see very far below the surface of the water, and the bottom may be uneven, bumpy or rocky.” She cautions, “A lake with a beachfront where the underwater portion is well maintained lends itself to aquatic fitness, but be careful in your choice of location, because of the bottom and balance issues. I recommend that you always wear properly fitted and comfortable water shoes, even in a pool.”

On the River

Many rivers and streams also provide fertile opportunities for a little exercise and therapeutic relaxation. Floating downstream in an inner tube, or “tubing,” on a shallow river can give legs and arms a workout, but as Sherry Green, manager of Ichetucknee Springs State Park, in North Florida, states, “Folks truly enjoy floating down the Ichetuknee; some so much so that they have made it a family tradition. There aren’t many places that offer the visitor a cool river, a comfortable float and wildlife viewing while conversing with friends and family. Daily distractions are removed while floating the river.”

When exercising outdoors in a pool or another body of water, remember to stay hydrated by drinking sufficient pure water, too. Keep a reusable water bottle, waterproof sunscreen, towel and appropriate footwear handy. For those that first try non-swimming aquatic activities to overcome inexperience or apprehension, the resulting comfortable familiarity will deliver multiple healthy benefits and may even result in a life-changing payoff: swimming lessons.

The Mayo Clinic provides an instructional, non-swimming, water exercise slide show online at tinyurl.com/ 42ucg77.

Martin Miron is a freelance writer and editor for Natural Awakenings, in Naples, FL. Contact him at emem. creative@gmail.com.

Choosing the School to Fit the Child

by Bethany Cavano

T

he last trimester of summer is upon us and the eminent onset of school days is creeping into our consciousness. It will soon be time to brush off the backpacks and hit the stores for back to school bargains on school supplies. With wistful thoughts of falling leaves and cooler temperatures, we troll the store aisles for jeans, sneakers and sweatshirts, knowing it will be late October before it really cools off.

While most parents already know what school their child will attend this fall, there are those who are still undecided. Some seek a program where the classes are small and teachers are able to give more individualized attention to each student than they can in larger classrooms. Some may seek a curricula taught in an unstructured, interactive environment where individual subjects can be learned in an integrative fashion, some desire a highly structured academic program and some have interest in an educational program that includes vocational training.

There is a plethora of excellent small and individualized educational programs from which parents can choose in the region, both private and public. For those who want to try homeschooling, there are active groups of homeschool families who work within a homeschool network for parent support, student socialization, interactive projects and field trips. Recently, Florida has added a new educational resource in the new Virtual Schools online.

Below is an assortment of schools, private both faith-based and nonsectarian, autonomous charter schools, advanced placement programs and other individualized educational programs administered by the public school system, as well as vocational technical institutes.

Private & Charter Schools: Trinity Catholic School Woodland Hall Academy Maclay School Holy Comforter School Cornerstone Learning Community The Magnolia School Grassroots Free School Betton Hills Preparatory School John Paul II Catholic High School Creative Preschool PACE School for Girls Tallahassee Marine Institute Bethel Christian Academy School of Arts & Sciences School for Young Children Rickards IB Program (International Baccalaureate Program) SAIL High School (School for Arts & Innovative Learning) Lively Technical Institute

850-222-0444 850-893-2216 850-893-2138 850-383-1007 850-386-5550 850-385-3834 850-656-6329 850-422-2464 850-201-5744 850-386-1450 850-921-9280 850-921-1250 850-222-8440 850-386-6566 850-681-7889 850-414-5036 850-488-2468 850-487-7555

Homeschool Network and FL Virtual Schools: TEACH Tallahassee Homeschoolers info@teach-net.org C.H.A.R.T. Homeschool Coop – Thomasville, GA - 1-866-966-9986 Florida Virtual School – Connections Academy - www.connectionsacademy.com Florida Calvert Partners School – Tuition Free Virtual School - 800-361-2635 Each of these schools and educational programs has their own unique approach to teaching children. It is important to visit the schools you are interested in, meet the teachers and staff who will be working with your child. Ask questions about the things that are important to you. There are no stupid questions when it comes to your child’s education! If your child has any kind of disability, make sure the school has qualified teachers who will work with your child on his or her level for optimal learning. Remember, the goal is to find the school to fit your child, not the other way around! natural awakenings

August 2011

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savethedate September 10 – 12 First Degree Reiki class. Saturday, 10 – 5:30; Sunday, 2 – 5:00; Monday, 6 - 9:00. $150. Become empowered to treat yourself and others during this first degree Reiki class! During a Reiki treatment, Universal Life Energy is drawn through the hands of the practitioner by the person receiving the treatment. This generally results in deep relaxation and a sense of being lovingly supported.

In this process, the energy of both the practitioner and the person receiving the treatment tends to become more balanced. For more information or to register, contact Susie: 850-877-0371 or SusieHowell333@comcast.net.

Tuesday, August 2 Reiki. 10:30am – Noon. Reiki is a way of working with the Universal Life Energy to enhance our own natural healing ability. Join Susie Howell, Usui Reiki Master and Practitioner of 21 years, and her friends. Tallahassee Senior Center 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.

Thursday, August 4 Drumming: You’ve Got the Rhythm. 10:30 – 11:30am. Humans throughout the world share a love of music and a need to express themselves rhythmically. An exciting two-part series of drumming classes facilitated by Mershell Sherman.

Bring your drum if you have one, but there will be drums to borrow. You do not need to feel that you are “musical” to participate. Everyone is welcome to “explore the rhythm within!” Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.

Friday, August 5 Downtown Nights in Downtown Thomasville, 5pm – 9pm. Downtown Thomasville shops & restaurants are open late on the First Friday of every month! Information: 229-227-7020, www. downtownthomasville.com.

Saturday, August 6

ongoing calendar

Wednesday, August 10 Healthy Living: Delicious Dining Out. 11:00am – Noon. This class is the 3rd in a three-part series offered by Panhandler’s Kitchen. It will provide you with helpful tips for enjoyable and delicious dining out without busting your belt buckle. You’ve enjoyed the other two, so plan to join us for this informative and interactive presentation. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.

The Kingdom Within. 7:00 – 8:30pm. The class meets Wednesdays, August 10 – Sept 21. Located at Unity Eastside, 8551 Buck Lake Road. Registration is $20 and includes materials. A weekly love offering will also be received. Register at www. unity-eastside.org.

Tuesday, August 16 Reiki. 10:30 am – Noon. Reiki is a way of working with the Universal Life Energy to enhance our own natural healing ability. Join Susie Howell, Usui Reiki Master and Practitioner of 21 years, and her friends. Tallahassee Senior Center 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.

Wednesday, August 17 How Drugs Work and Why They Fail. 11:00am – Noon. This presentation will include a description of the four bodily functions that impact drug therapy, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, factors that impact drug effectiveness, the “Goldilocks Theory of Drug Therapy Management, “Keys and locks” and why there are so many drugs to treat the same disease, how to optimize drug therapy and the exciting new science of pharmacogenomics. Presented by Mike McQuone, RPh, Exec.

Vice President/CEO of Florida Society of Health Systems Pharmacists. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.

Friday, August 19 Needles. 6pm. $5 for students & TFS members, $7 general admission. A film by Doug Dearth and hosted by The Tallahassee Film Society. A man follows an unconventional health journey to China after suffering a stroke that paralyzes half of his body. The movie is a testament to his courage, faith, patience and desire to overcome adversity. Location of the movie will be at All Saints Cinema, 918 ½ Railroad Avenue, Tallahassee.

Sunday, August 21

Saturday Downtown Market. The Saturday Downtown Market features hand-crafted, homegrown, and organically grown products including vegetables, fruits, baked goods, salsa, dressings, jellies, coffee and more! Look for the Market the 1st Saturday every month from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in front of the Thomas County Courthouse on Broad St., Call 229-228-7977 for more information.

Needles. 5pm. $5 for students & TFS members, $7 general admission. A film by Doug Dearth and hosted by The Tallahassee Film Society. A man follows an unconventional health journey to China after suffering a stroke that paralyzes half of his body. The movie is a testament to his courage, faith, patience and desire to overcome adversity. Location of the movie will be at All Saints Cinema, 918 ½ Railroad Avenue, Tallahassee.

Monday, August 8

Tuesday, August 30

Lakulish Yoga Camp for children ages 6-12 - runs the whole week Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm lots of fun activities to introduce your child to yoga. $150 for the week. Call or email JoAnna 222-2091 joannadevi@earthlink.net for details or see our website at www.lakulishyogatallahassee.com.

Reiki. 10:30 am –Noon. Reiki is a way of working with the Universal Life Energy to enhance our own natural healing ability. Join Susie Howell, Usui Reiki Master and Practitioner of 21 years, and her friends. Tallahassee Senior Center 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.

sunday Unity Eastside Services – 10am Celebration Service and Youth Ministry. 8551 Buck Lake Rd. 850-6561678, www.transformingourworld.org.

Unity of Tallahassee Services – 9:30 & 11am Rev. Bill Williams. Dial-a-Thought 850-562-3766. 2850 Unity Lane, 850-562-5744, www.UnityofTallahassee.org.

Bhagavad Gita study group – 10am. We will begin with chapter 13 and 14 - understanding the distinction between matter and spirit, the Seer and the Scene, and learning about the 3 gunas and proceed with the interest of the group. Please call JoAnna if you are interested. 222-0291 or email joannadevi@ earthlink.net.

Pagan Picnic and Red Hills Pagan Council Meeting – 11 am on the second Sunday of each month. Our new location is the Divine Union Spiritual Co-op, 641-B McDonnel Drive in Railroad Square. Come meet local Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, Druids and other Earth worshippers. Bring a potluck dish to share, plates and utensils. Come for the picnic and stay for the RHPC monthly meeting at noon.

Tallahassee Buddhist Book Discussion/Meditation Group. 1 to 2pm. Meets every 2nd and 4th Sunday in the Barnes N Noble Cafe in the Tallahassee Mall.

Please contact Stacey Turknett for more information stayc1977@yahoo.com or 850-656-7066.

Red Hills Small Farm Alliance Online Market, 9:00 AM, weekly call-in orders begin, and continue until Tuesdays, 11:30 PM. Orders for fresh, locally grown produce can be ordered 24-hours-a-day during this time. Pick up Thursdays, 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Bread & Roses Food Cooperative. The yearly sign up fee is $10 per shopper, $25 for farmers who want to sell produce. www.localfoodmarketplace. com/redhills or call 850-216-1024.

monday Tallahassee Edible Garden Club – every first Monday. Meeting at the pavilion in Winthrop Park behind the tennis courts. 1601 Mitchell Ave. just off Thomasville Road and Betton Road. No RSVP necessary - for questions or to get on their email list contact the Edible Garden Club at Elizabeth. markovich@gmail.com.

Yoga to Feel Good. 5:30-7pm. This class combines postures with inward focus, conscious breathing and meditative awareness to support us in moving from the periphery of our being to the center. As the process unfolds, tension is released, the body relaxes, the mind calms and the Light within begins to burn a little brighter! $80 -8 weeks, drop-ins welcome.

Episcopal Church of the Advent 815 Piedmont Drive. www. lakulishyogatallahassee.com call 2220291 or email JoAnna joannadevi@earthlink.net.

Brain-Body-Memory Balance. 1:30-2:30pm. Low impact, seated exercise. Taught by Kathy Gilbert.

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Bring water bottle and wear comfortable clothing.

Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.

Spiritual Growth/Study Group based on the Edgar Cayce readings. 7pm . Join - us or let us help you start your own group. Genevieve Blazek - (850) 893-3269.

Chan/Zen Group meets at 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. There are two 20-minute periods of seated meditation punctuated by short periods of either walking meditation or mindful Yoga. Each meeting concludes with a short session of question and answers. If you have no meditation experience, please arrive 20 minutes before the meeting for basic meditation instructions. For more information see us at www. tallahasseebuddhistcommunity.org/mondayevenings.html. Located at the Tallahassee Buddhist Community in Railroad Square -- 647 McDonnell Drive.

tuesday Apalachee Beekeepers meets every second Tuesday at Leon County Extension Office on Paul Russell Road. Business at 6:30 and program at 7pm.

The Apalachee Beekeepers are a knowledgeable and friendly group. They love to help new beekeepers get started. Go to their website for more details at http://sites.google.com/site/apalacheebee.

Healing Arts Alliance Meeting – 7-8:30pm 2nd Tues each month. Educational meeting open to all interested in healing arts. Email SusieHowell333@ comcast.net to get meeting announcements. www. healingartsalliance.org.

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Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast

Life Exercise - 9:30–10:30am (also Thurs). Aerobics, light weights, stretching. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St, 850-891-4000. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.

Brain-Body-Memory Balance. 10:00 – 11:00 am.

Dynamic and fun low-impact exercise that improves memory, strength and balance. Bring water bottle and wear comfortable clothing. Taught by Kathy Gilbert.

Optimist Park Community Center, East Indianhead Dr. 891-4009.

Gentle yoga at Unity Eastside. 10:3011:45am. Drop-ins welcome. Please contact Geralyn Russell at 878-2843 or yogawithgeralyn@ yahoo.com.

Intermediate Yoga. 5:30-7:30. Salient principles of yoga and its journey using the Bhagavad Gita as our guide to inspire and arouse interest. 20 minutes of class is devoted to lively discussion to understand holistically the path of yoga. An intermediate posture sequence follows. Please call or email if interested.

Drop-ins are not permitted. $90 for 8 weeks at the Sanctuary 2824 Par Lane off Blairstone South. www. lakulishyogatallahassee.com call 222-0291 or email JoAnna joannadevi@earthlink.net.

Seated NIA Yoga (Neuromuscular Intergrative Action). 11:00 am-Noon. Taught by Lori Roberts, certified NIA yoga instructor. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.

Blood Pressure Screenings - 10am-12 Noon (also Wed & Thurs). Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St, 850-891-4000. Tallahassee Senior Center.

1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.

www.natallahassee.com

Men in Unity. Meets at 11:45 am on the second Tuesday of each month at Honey-Baked Ham, on Capital Circle near Mahan Drive.

wednesday Brain-Body- Memory Balance. 2:00-3:00 pm.

Low-impact, seated exercise. Bring water bottle and wear comfortable clothing. Heritage Oaks.

891-4000.

Blood Pressure Screenings. 10am-Noon (also Tues & Thurs). Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St, 850-891-4000.

Blood Glucose Screenings. 10:00 am - Noon.

Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St, 891-4000.

Tibetan Chenrezig Meditation. The Buddha of Compassion. Chanting, prayer and meditation in the Tibetan tradition. Open to all. Meets 7-8PM. Located at the Tallahassee Buddhist Community in Railroad Square, 647 McDonnell Dr. 445-0387.

Gentle Yoga. 6:00-7:00pm. $12 per class. Gentle stretches to open the body and deepen the breath followed up by a short, guided relaxation/meditation, a perfect addition to the middle of the week to glide smoothly to the finish! Drop-ins welcome. At the Sanctuary 2824 Par Lane off Blairstone South. www.lakulishyogatallahassee.com call 222-0291 or email JoAnna joannadevi@earthlink.net.

Prayer and meditation with Dr. Patty Ball Thomas, L.U.T. Noon. Unity Eastside, 8551 Buck Lake Road, admin@unity-eastside.org 656-1678.

classifieds CHiCKENS AND LIVESTOCK Are you a local organic egg provider? If so, please post your contact information on the Facebook fan page for Natural Awakenings magazine – Tallahassee. People are asking.

PRODUCTS / SERVICES Fountain Of Youth In A Bottle! Learn the secret to living a longer, healthier life. Call 850915-7572. (24 hrs.)

Tallylife-Tallahassee’s 1st Local Town Guide featuring the people, places and events of our Capital City. FREE iPhone app - Droid coming soon! Visit www.tallylife.com.

a drum, please bring it. Contact Mike Smith at msmithdrummerboy37@gmail.com for information. Unity Eastside, 8551 Buck Lake Road, www. unity-eastside.org 656-1678.

saturday The CrossRoads Shih Tzu Rescue Adoptions Event. 11am-2pm every second Saturday. Hosted

by The Naturally Healthy Pet. 1850 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee. For more information call 850576-7387, or got to www.tallahasseepetstore.com or visit their Facebook page.

Local Business Saturday. Local Business Saturday will take place on the 2nd Saturday of every month in 2011 and is intended to increase public awareness of the value of shopping locally. Mayor John Marks -- in collaboration with the Greater Tallahassee

Chamber of Commerce, the Capital City Chamber of Commerce, Locally Owned Tallahassee, Market District Tallahassee and other local business leaders -- launched the ‘Local Business Saturday’ initiative. Come on out and support locally owned businesses!

Chen Style Tai Chi. 9-10:30am. FREE. Class is suitable for practitioners of all skill levels. www. webdharma.com/taiji. Please email for additional information to: alannah1000@yahoo.com. Located at the Tallahassee Buddhist Community, 647 McDonnell Drive.

Tallahassee Farmers Market at Market Square.

8am – 5pm. Year-round. rain or shine. Early Birds get the best selection! The oldest farmers market in Tallahassee. Growers and resellers. Organic and conventionally grown. 1415 Timberlane Rd Tallahassee.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Currently publishing NATURAL AWAKENINGS magazines - For sale in Birmingham, AL; Cincinnati, OH; Lexington, KY; Louisville, KY Manhattan, NY; North Central, FL; Tulsa, OK; Northeast PA, Southwest VA, Wilmington, NC. Call for details 239-530-1377.

thursday Life Exercise. 9:30 –10:30am (also Tues).

Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St, 891-4000.

Blood Pressure Screenings. 10am-Noon (also Tues & Wed). Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.

Tallahassee Pagan Meetup - Second Thursday of each month at 7 pm. Come meet local Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, Druids and other practitioners of New-Age spirituality and religion! Make friends, share stories and exchange knowledge. For more information check out http://pagan.meetup.com/1296/ or email KrazyPagan@aol.com. Crystal Connection, 1105 Apalachee Parkway.

friday Chair Yoga: 11 a.m. – Noon, by Certified Yoga Instructors Bridget Kamke. A gentle yoga workout for increased mobility, bladder control, self-esteem, and mental focus. Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. 891-4000.

Chanting and Meditation. 7-9pm on Second Friday of the month. Enrich your spiritual practice!

Join Jeffji in singing easy-to-learn chants from eastern and western traditions. Donations will benefit the church. Unity Eastside, 8551 Buck Lake Road, 656-1678.

Drumming Circle. 7-9 p.m. on Third Fridays in the Children’s House behind Unity Eastside’s main building. A willing heart, moving hands and a loving participation is all that’s needed. Some percussion instruments may be provided, but it if you have

natural awakenings

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communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email TallaAdvertising@naturalawakeningsmag.com to request our media kit.

ART THERAPY Licia Berry, Integrative Artist

www.liciaberry.com licia@liciaberry.com (719) 850-1890

An artist and art educator with a passion for Jungian psychology, indigenous values, symbolism and writing (and over 25 years of professional experience), Licia blends visual image, written and spoken word, and healing and intuitive arts in original, unique art that reveal profound truths. Licia offers specialty commissioned collages for Rite of Passage, “Message from Spirit”, Birthday, Midlife, and Initiation into New Cycle (wonderful gifts!), playshops and customized Collage Retreats. With an international following on her Blog, FaceBook and Twitter, Licia’s genuine messages of self love and inner wisdom are gently affirming seekers all over the globe.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY healthy solutions, inc.

Rick Ferrall, lmt, 850-294-8069 521 E. College Ave., TLH 32301 www.healthy_solutions@comcast.net

CranioSacral Therapy addresses scoliosis, chronic fatigue and MS, infant disorders, learning disabilities, orthopedic problems, emotional difficulties, chronic neck/back pain, stress and tension related problems, TMJ, brain/spinal cord injuries, and cancer issues.

MA24604 / MM11960

HEALING Healing Path Alice McCall

Advanced Energy Healer & Counselor BS Psychology, MBA, Hypnotherapist www.healingpath.info: 850-585-5496

I offer phone sessions, specializing in healing serious health issues and unwanted patterns. My book ‘Wellness Wisdom’ has little known information on natural health and healing; inspired by my journey with cancer. Free 15 minutes phone consultation to learn how I can help you.

HEALTHCARE FLORIDA WELLNESS CENTER OF TALLAHASSEE 850.385.6664 2339 North Monroe Street (next to Boston Market) www.floridawellnessandrehab.com

At Florida Wellness & Rehabilitation Centers we are committed to keeping up with the latest technologies and treatments to provide our patients with the best rehabilitative experience possible. We believe in educating and encouraging our patients to take an active role in their own treatment.

38

Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast

Integrative Healthcare

N. Elizabeth Markovich, MSN, ARNP 850-878-4434 2016 Delta Blvd. Suite 100 Tallahasee 32308 www.IHCFL.com

We offer primary care, preventive care with a holistic approach. We use special testing with 11 outside laboratories to help find the cause of chronic illness and use a functional medicine approach (www. functionalmedicine.org). We also have hypnosis combined with acupuncture by IB Price MD, massage and cranio-sacral therapy by Angele LaGrave LMT and Nutritional Counseling by Leah Gilbert-Henderson PhD nutrition.Accept Medicare, Blue Cross, Universal, Aetna, others.

HEALTHY PET The Naturally Healthy Pet

NEW GENESIS CENTER Patrice Bullock, MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner-C www.NewGenesisCenter.com 229-228-9050

A healthcare center-Functional medicine, patient-centered approach, non-drug, science-based, results oriented. Getting to the source of your health problems rather than bandaiding. Simple to complex problems. Skin care, digestive problems to the more complex health problems such as Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Chemical Sensitivity. Extraordinary results & health transformation. Functional medicine approach consults, hormone testing, detoxification, weight loss, expert skincare consult & prof. treatments, colonics, far-infrared sauna, physical therapy, massage therapy,

HYPNOSIS DARLENE TREESE, Ph.D.

State Board Licensed 850-201-0073

Diplomate in Sports Counseling, National Institute of Sports Professionals. Past President, American Psychotherapy and Medical Hypnosis Association. e-Therapy and TherapyChat/Office-Based Hypnosis and Life Coaching/ Professional Seminar Training www.AskDrTreese.com

Owners, Basil Cousins & Jerry Ayers 1850 Thomasville Road Tallahassee, Fl 32303 850-576-7387 tnhpet@gmail.com www.tallahasseepetstore.com

The Naturally Healthy Pet is a unique pet supply store with a mission to provide the finest quality nutrition for dogs and cats. The store provides an eclectic assortment of Holistic, Grain-free dry and wet diets, 100% organic raw pet foods with no preservatives, hormones, chemicals, fillers or additives. There are also treats like natural bakerystyle cookies, rawhide and antler chews, as well as an abundant selection of toys, leashes and other pet gifts. We passionately support pet issues such as adoptions, spay/neuter programs, pet therapy and training programs.

HOLISTIC HEALTH Fertile Crescent Reiki Center

Susie Howell, Reiki Master Miccosukee Land Co-op Tallahassee, FL 850-877-0371

Susie Howell began practicing Reiki in 1986 and has been an Usui Master since 1995. She offers treatments and classes in a beautiful, peaceful setting, usually spread out over three days. The Usui System of Reiki Healing is a way of working with sacred energy to enhance natural healing. Reiki seeks to bring about integrity on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. It works well with other healing modalities, including allopathic medicine. Learning Reiki is simple and direct; it requires no prior training. See Calendar of Events for info on upcoming class.

www.natallahassee.com

INTERGRATIVE MEDICINE Archbold Integrative Medicine Center

John Mansberger, MD, Medical Director.

229-228-7008; 2705 E. Pinetree Blvd. #C, Thomasville, GA 31792.

A holistic team approach to a variety of medical problems. Offering acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, pain relief, natural hormone replacement, Cancer therapy, nutrition, weight control, herbal medicine, yoga and physical therapy. www.archbold.org.

IPHONE APP Tallylife

Tallahassee’s 1st Local Mobile Town Guide.

The Tallylife website features all the people, places and events happening in Florida’s Capital City. All your event listings are free and can be easily uploaded via the website.Download the FREE iPhone app and soon to be released Droid app! www.tallylife. com

UNITY OF TALLAHASSEE

REAL ESTATE

PHOTOGRAPHY

2850 Unity Lane, TLH, 850-562-5744, Rev. Bill Williams, Minister,

REAL ESTATE TEAM - KW

Ansley Studio

Debbie Leo - 273-9306 Jennifer Stowell - 567-3223

Ansley Simmons artist . photographer . owner 229.224.6021 • www.AnsleyStudio.com

You can have a green home or find a green home for your family’s health and future. If you’re looking to buy or sell, call Debbie Leo and Jenn Stowell!

Your Tallahassee Keller Williams agents.

Specializing in portraits & weddings. MFA in Photography, Arts Administration Doctoral Student, Art Museum Education Certificate Florida State University

WORSHIP 8551 Buck Lake Road, TLH, 850-656-1678 Rev. Jean Debarbieris Owen, Minister www,unity-eastside.org www.facebook.com- unityeastsidechurch

Southeastern community blood ctr.

1-800-722-2218.

Located in Tallahassee; Marianna, FL; Thomasville & Douglas, GA. scbcinfo.org

Blood donors save lives. Is there any greater reward? Save Lives.

Give Blood. M-F, 9am–6pm. (Sat. hours in Tallahassee: 9am–1pm)

YOGA LAKULISH YOGA

UNITY EASTSIDE

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

A ministry that seeks inspiration from the teachings of Jesus and finds common ground with spiritual masters from other traditions. We invite you to join us.

Sunday Services 9:30 & 11 AM. Youth Education 11 AM. Wednesday Service at Noon.

Rev. Jean believes the love of God is unfolding in each person, place, Thing. Join us in Worship: Celebration Service 10AM; Youth Ministry 10AM, noon prayer Wed.

www.lakulishyogatallahassee.com 850-273-1861 joannadevi@earthlink.net

Yoga is so much more than the postures we are so familiar with --- yoga is the science of the soul --- our ultimate journey! Come and explore yoga with us. We offer hatha yoga classes, chanting with Om Sweet Om, a Bhagavad Gita study group, summer yoga camp for children and periodic workshops to delve deeper into the classical 8-step path to liberation. We are dedicated to upholding the integrity of the original teachings in a loving and sacred environment.

Open the Door to Your New Home YOU CAN HAVE A GREEN HOME OR FIND A GREEN HOME FOR YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH AND FUTURE

We will be sure to discuss with you the $8,000 first time homebuyer credit/$6,500 “Move Up” credit.

Deadline April 30

n n n

Free Comparative Market Analysis of your home Free Consultation for buyers or sellers Free consultation on how to make your home eco-friendly If you’re looking to buy or sell, call Debbie Leo and Jenn Stowell!

Tallahassee’s Mother and Daughter Real Estate Team would love to HELP YOU FIND A HOME

Ask us how you can make a more eco-friendly purchase!

Debbie 273-9306 Jennifer 567-3223

Creative marketing • Strategic networking Public Relations outreach Project management Special events planning Product and service representation DEANNA MIMS

850.425.5240 DMIMS@MARKETDONE.COM WWW.MARKETDONE.COM natural awakenings

August 2011

39

Credibility and Scope

SMART advertising in a tough economy!

WHY NATURAL AWAKENINGS

850-590-7024

40

Tallahassee, S. Georgia, Gulf Coast

www.natallahassee.com

The Natural Awakenings family of magazines has been a respected source for cutting-edge healthy living information across the country for 17 years. Reaching more than 2.5 million readers each month with 80 individual magazines in 80 cities across the nation and Puerto Rico.