NATampaMay2015

H E A L T H Y

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WOMEN’S WELLNESS

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Rethinking Breast Health Gentle Ways to Give Birth Eating Skinny Pet Vaccine Alternatives Building Muscle

May 2015 | Tampa Bay-Edition | NATampa.com

We Fix Your Health...Naturally

301 Turner Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

Are you read y to final ly be as well & healt hy as y ou shoul d be ?

(727) 466-6789

www.lifeworkswellnesscenter.com

Bachelor’s Degree Alternative Medicine COURSES INCLUDE: • The Herbal Medicine Chest • Ayurvedic Medicine • Herbology and Botany • Introduction to Homeopathy • Traditional Chinese Medicine • Naturopathy • Introduction to Chiropractic • Manual Therapies: Massage, Reflexology, and Acupressure • Nutrition and Aging • Antioxidants • Dietary Influences on Health and Disease “Today I am more confident than ever. Thank you, Everglades University, for a great experience.”

Edith Kaplan, Alternative Medicine Graduate

Ranked in the Top 30 Best Online Colleges TheBestSchools.org

Tampa Campus 1.844.297.1715 Sarasota Campus 1.866.907.2262 EvERgLADESUNIvERSITy.EDU natural awakenings

May 2015

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NATIONAL QIGONG EVENT

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Practice in a Profound Group Energy

4-Day Immersion of Qigong, Yoga, Radical Wellness & Food Healing $149

Thousands attend each year because the experience is Electric.

Real Deal Taiji Master, Jesse Tsao is joining Qi Revolution!

He teaches ART OF ROOTING to be grounded firm in a stance.

He demonstrates being pushed by 10 huge men and not budging.

Few humans in Qigong can do this. We get to learn how!

Access Your Full Potential and Raise Your Energy Levels.

Learn To Use Food-Healing for Optimal State of Wellbeing.

Practice Powerful Breathing and Meditation Techniques.

Orlando Convention Center June 6th-9th

$149 for all 4-Days! June 6th & 7th is (L-1) June 8th is (L-2) June 9th is (L-3) Limited Seating Avail. CEU Hours.

(800)-298-8970 QiRevolution.com

Hotels walking distance to convention w/free parking: $57 per night!

4

Tampa Bay Edition

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See website for details.

natural awakenings

May 2015

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contents 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.

26 RETHINKING

BREAST HEALTH

26

Natural Ways to Keep Breasts Smooth, Pain-Free and Firm, while Reducing the Risk of Cancer

by Lisa Marshall

30 GIVING BIRTH NATURALLY

Conscious Choices Lead to Less Intervention

30

by Meredith Montgomery

34 KIDS LOVE VEGGIES How to Instill Healthy Lifelong Habits

by Clancy Cash Harrison

36 EATING SKINNY

Why Vegans and Vegetarians are Naturally Trim

40

by Judith Fertig

40 UPCYCLED DÉCOR Old and Oh-So-Stylish

by Avery Mack

42 LAURA PREPON’S

JOURNEY TO HEALTH

Home Cooking, Organics and Massage are Keys

by Gerry Strauss

44 PET VACCINE

ALTERNATIVES

Natural Steps to Nurture Immunity

by Shawn Messonnier

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www.natampa.com

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16

10 newsbriefs 16 healthbriefs

18 globalbriefs 30 healingways 34 healthykids 36 consciouseating 40 greenliving

18 22

42 wisewords

44 naturalpet

46 calendar

52 resourceguide

advertising & submissions how to advertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please visit www.natampa.com or contact us at 727—865—9339. Ads due the 15th of the month.

Editorial submissions Advertisers email articles and news briefs to dwilson@ natampa.com. Editorial due the 10th of the month. We reserve the right to edit all submissions if necessary. calendar submissions Advertisers email calendar events to dwilson@natampa. com by 15th of the month for magazine. Everyone go to natampa.com to submit events on-line for inclusion in web based calendar. regional markets Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 727-865-9339. For franchising opportunities call 239—530—1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

natampa.com natural awakenings

May 2015

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letterfrompublisher

O

n the 10th of this month we celebrate “Mothers’ Day”, a custom recognizing mothers and motherly-others who have nurtured and been there for us through thick and thin. In harmony with this tradition, this month’s Natural Awakenings has a particular focus on issues of Breast Health and Natural Birth. Esteemed journalist Lisa Marshall offers a thought-provoking article entitled “Rethinking Breast Health: Natural Ways to Keep Them Healthy” (page 26). It is a wonderfully proactive approach to the subject I know our readers will appreciate.

May is National Bike Month, a welcome reminder of the many advantages of bicycling - for fun, fitness and as an ecofriendly and sensible means of transportation. The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) is one of several organizations advocating on behalf of a “bicycle-friendly America,” coast to coast.

In my travels throughout the Bay Area, I see ever growing indications of bicycle-friendly consciousness. It makes so much sense, especially here, in an area blessed with gorgeous tropical weather, flat scenic land, and nature parks. There are the health/eco/pocketbook-friendly aspects to consider as well. All in all, pretty good arguments for upgrading awareness of people-powered conveyances.

Memorial Day is also celebrated this month on the 25th.

This time honored tradition acknowledges the many men and women who have served, and are serving, in our nations military. As always, open your mind and read on.

contact us Publisher/Sales: Debbey Wilson, dwilson@natampa.com Phone: 727.865.9339 • Fax: 727.864.5599 Editor: Cheryl Hynes Contributing Editor: Eleanor L. Bailey Franchise Sales: Toll Free 877—530—1377 © 2015 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

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Tampa Bay Edition

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natural awakenings

May 2015

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newsbriefs Peaks of Health Grand Opening May 20

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eaks of Health Metabolic Medical Center announces the Grand Opening celebration of their new state-of-the-art facility, 3 to 7pm, May 20th. WTIS Radio will be onsite recording Dr. Tracie Leonhardt’s weekly broadcast, and there will be raffles and special offers for attendees.

Dr. Leonhardt opened the original Peaks of Health in February 2012, to meet the demand for functional medicine doctors in the Pinellas County area.

Little did she realize how quickly her practice would grow. The new 7,000 sq. ft. center houses a huge IV room, offering both therapeutic and energy boosting IVs.

Dr. Leonhardt had the recent privilege of reacquainting with Dr. Oz while he was in Tampa. They originally met two years ago, when he touted her as “one of the finest functional medicine doctors in this area.” That reputation has continued to grow, and she treats patients from all over the U.S. as well as internationally.

With her team, including Drs. Jeanne Bangtson and Betty Wedman-St. Louis, the pieces of your health puzzle are put together for you to achieve your “peak of health!”

Meet the medical staff, tour the facility, and enjoy festivities and refreshments at 1120 Belcher Rd. S., Ste. 2, Largo.

See ad page 9.

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Tampa Bay Edition

www.natampa.com

Where Do You Get Your Food?

T

he ‘necessities of the times’ dictate a new approach to where we get our food. “There is a pot of gold in your backyard, both nutritionally as well as economically,” states Glenn Wahlquist, creator of the Constant Gardening concept.

“Food quality and availability are really top tier ideas in achieving a better and safer tomorrow.”

To have a source of clean food always available means you need to bring food production to your home. To replace a good portion of what you now purchase requires growing a lot of food, not just a 2’ x 4’ window box (regardless of the claims of how much that will produce).

Constant Gardening makes the seemingly daunting task achievable and with relative ease by providing a comprehensive video documentation of their two year backyard conversion project, demonstrating all the new hydroponics, aquaponics, and high nutrition soil techniques, comparing one to another with recommendations.

A growing salad bar inside, next to the kitchen, provides greens year round! Great for apartments! This full view of what is available and how it works is a confidence builder and ignition point for action taken in your best interest.

For details, visit ConstantGardening.net. See ad page 45.

newsbriefs dōTERRA Essential Oil Grounding Blend

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he warm, woodsy aroma of Balance, dōTERRA’s grounding blend, creates a sense of calm and well-being. Spruce, one of the oils in Balance, was used by Native Americans for medicinal and spiritual reasons and is still used today to bring harmony to the mind and body. Ho Wood, Blue Tansy, and Blue Chamomile can soothe sore muscles and joints, promote circulation and relax the body, while Frankincense supports cellular health and overall well-being.

Begin your day by putting Balance on the bottom of your feet to lessen stress throughout the day. It is also great to use during an AromaTouch Hand Massage. Feeling anxious? Apply Balance to your wrists or neck to help with nerves. Diffuse in your car during road trips to create a calming, soothing environment. dōTERRA (meaning “Gift of the Earth”) essential oils are 100 percent pure aromatic extracts, contain no artificial ingredients and are tested to be free of pesticides. We welcome your participation in our mission to share the life-enhancing benefits of therapeutic-grade essential oils with the world. Your path to a new philosophy of wellness begins by opening a bottle.

Order products online: http://bit.ly/1y4ABHE. Read the blog: http://bit.ly/1y8jczr. See ad page 7.

Dr. George Springer Speaks on Toxicity at Nature’s Food Patch

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r. George Springer of LifeWorks Wellness Center will be hosting a seminar at Nature’s Food Patch in Clearwater, 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 14. Titled “GI Health, Detoxification and Fatigue,” the seminar will cover the reasons why a dysfunctional GI tract and toxicity could be robbing you of vitality.

Dr. Springer explains, “Many people have toxicity that they are unaware of.

Toxins can build up slowly over time and can infest the GI tract, leading to a general feeling of fatigue which people often just learn to live with. Being aware of these potential problems and taking steps to identify and deal with them means a person can begin to regain their energy and zest for life.”

The talk will take place in the Patch Works Community Room next to Nature’s Food Patch which is located at 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Space is limited; arrive early to get a seat.

LifeWorks Wellness Center is located at 301 Turner St., Clearwater. For more information, call 727-466-6789 or visit LifeWorksWellnessCenter.com. See ad page 2.

natural awakenings

May 2015

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The Learning Connection, TLC Tutoring

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nnette Primiani was a dedicated classroom teacher and teacher trainer/consultant for 10 years in the public schools of New York City, specifically Brooklyn and the South Bronx. She came face to face with students who were labelled unteachable/could not learn.

She refused to believe these labels, and instead focused on finding and creating new ways to get learning to take place.

At a seminar for teachers in New York City, she learned of Applied Scholastics and how it was used to overcome study barriers. She developed expertise in this area and success with her students followed.

Primiani had the same success when she moved to Los Angeles and met students with the same labels. In the best interests of the students and teaching, she bypassed the school system and developed a preschool reading program (privately tutored); students were ‘ready’ to read and write in 20 hours.

Today, Primiani has her tutoring available at The Learning Connection TLC, Inc., Clearwater, serving preschoolers through adults. Voted six years in a row “Best Tutoring Service” by Tampa Bay Family magazine, they also offer expert family coaching.

For more information, call 727-443-5353 or visit LearningConnectionTLCInc.com. See ad page 35.

National Business Development Director Joins Circulation Nation® Studios

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hen Julie Phillips, Certified Professional of Natural Health Sciences, visited the Circulation Nation® headquarters, she knew instantly that she wanted to be part of this innovative, successful model of water, wind, fire, and earth.

“Circulation Nation® is the breakthrough I have sought for years—for professionals and consumers alike. Benefits abound from brilliantly combining the hydrogen-enriched energized water, whole body vibration machines, FAR infrared sauna with color, and unique mineral salt lamps,” states Phillips.

“The Circulation Nation® Studio offers a whole body, lowimpact program consisting of hydration, vibration, detoxification and rejuvenation to build upon what the professional has already accomplished, while attracting new clients,” she explains. “You don’t even have to change your clothes for the workout.”

Circulation Nation® whole body rejuvenation studios can be placed in existing businesses via a cost-cutting revenue and clientproducing method called “fractional franchise”. This is like putting a Starbucks into a Target with existing staff and clientele, offering an affordable, simpler way to help your clients and grow your business.

In March, Phillips helped implement the first Circulation Nation® studio in Florida, which opened inside Infinity Integrative Medicine in Safety Harbor.

For more information call 813-695-4372, email JulieCNHP@ gmail.com or visit CNProfessionals.com. See ad page 8.

Books • Cards • Music • Free WiFi

h mucMore Than

A Bookstore…

"It's an experience."

“We inspire, ignite and invigorate the Spirit within.”

Facebook.com/UnityCampus

Sunday Services 9:30 & 11:30 am Wednesday Service 6:00 pm

460 46th Ave N, St Petersburg | (727) 527-2222 | FirstUnity.org 12

Tampa Bay Edition

www.natampa.com

h mucMore Than

Located at 4500 4th St North in St. Pete.

Call us at (727) 52BOOKS or visit WingsBookstore.com to see

A Bookstore… how much more!

"It's an experience."

Located at 4500 4th St North in St. Pete.

Call us at (727) 52BOOKS or visit WingsBookstore.com to see

how much more!

4500 4th St N, St Petersburg | (727) 522-6657 | WingsBookstore.com

natural awakenings

May 2015

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Young Living Essential Oils Classes

L

esley Jacobs-Keeler, registered dietitian and nutritionist of Healthy-Living Nutrition of Tampa, is an essential oil educator, health coach, aromatherapy student, and a Young Living essential oil distributor, offering classes on chemicalfree living.

Essential oils have been around for thousands of years, only recently coming into mainstream awareness. Jacobs-Keeler advises that very few essential oils are safe enough to be classified as therapeutic, and the use of lower grade oils can even be harmful. She learned firsthand that Young Living’s “Seed to Seal” guarantee of pureness is genuine. She had the fortunate opportunity to attend the 2015 Winter Harvest in Naples, Idaho, this past January, and participated in the process of cutting down trees, chipping them, loading them into a cooker, watching the distillation process, and bottling Idaho Balsam Fir Essential Oil. Jacobs-Keeler became interested in essential oils when she began searching for an alternative to ease chronic pain and address other personal health concerns. It has been months since she has taken over-the-counter pain medications, and she no longer takes daily allergy medications.

Find out how therapeutic essential oils can help you and your family live a healthy lifestyle. For a schedule of classes, call 813-857-7752 or email Lesley.JacobsRD@gmail.com.

See ad page 49.

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Tampa Bay Edition

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ReNew Life Relocates Colon Hydrotherapy Practice

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onnie Barrett of ReNew Life has relocated her practice to MAC Therapy office, 28469 U.S. Hwy. 19 N., Ste. 402, Clearwater. From the south: 1/2 mile N. of 580 on east side, first driveway past Bob’s Carpet Mart (big orange building). From the north: 1 mile S. of Curlew on left side of road, U-turn at Bob’s Carpet Mart (big orange building), first driveway.

Barrett’s move, after 20 years in her previous location, has expanded services being offered to include several types of massage, nutritional testing, chiropractic, and skin care.

She continues to offer colon hydrotherapy with abdominal massage, lymphatic drainage, essential oils and pressure points, and has added raindrop therapy massage to her services.

For the past 25 years, Barrett has been passionate in educating clients as to how the digestive system plays a critical role in overall health. She takes great pleasure in providing a comfortable experience while performing the very unique and beneficial service of colon cleansing, using all disposable tubing. She is state and internationally certified. Clients not only feel great, they look better.

For more information and to book an appointment, call 727-461-7227 or visit ReNewLifefla.com. See ad page 53.

healthbriefs

Italian Court Links Boy’s Autism to a Vaccine

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ast September, a Milan Court held in favor of plaintiffs that claimed that three doses of the hexavalent GlaxoSmithKline vaccine Infanrix Hexa that were administered to an infant beginning in 2006 caused autism later when he was a young boy. The vaccine is used for polio, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, whooping cough and haemophilus influenzae type B. After hearing from several medical experts, the court ruled that the child likely suffered autism and brain damage as a result of the vaccine’s content of mercury and aluminum, combined with a genetic mutation in the child rendering greater susceptibility. The ruling ordered damages to be paid by the Italian government’s national vaccine injury compensation program. The court’s decision was also based upon GlaxoSmithKline’s list of possible adverse events resulting from the vaccine, which included five cases of autism during clinical trials.

Today in the U.S., most vaccines routinely given to children under 6 years of age are free of thimerosal, a mercury-derived preservative.

Heart Disease Detected Early with Breath Testing

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esearch published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has found that breath testing can reveal potential heart disease and artery problems quickly and efficiently. Testing 31 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) together with 34 healthy control subjects, the study found that concentrations of volatile gases such as propanol, ethanol and ammonia were significantly different among the heart disease patients.

It also found that the breath can reveal specific details about the heart’s condition. The breath test can be analyzed in fewer than 30 minutes.

Meditation Improves Brain Health

H

arvard Medical School researchers working at the Massachusetts General Hospital have determined that meditation can improve brain health. The researchers studied 16 volunteers that took part in an eight-week mindfulness meditation study at the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness.

The participants conducted mindfulness meditation exercises for an average of 27 minutes a day. Before and after the trial, the subjects were given tests and magnetic resonance imaging of their brains.

The researchers found that the practice of mindfulness meditation resulted in increased gray matter density in the hippocampus of the brain, an area associated with increased memory and learning capacity, plus a greater sense of compassion and introspection.

natural awakenings

May 2015

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Weight Gain in Moms Lowers Toxins in Newborns

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any expectant mothers try to know about everything they put into and onto their bodies as multiple studies are finding that infants are exposed to toxins during pregnancy. A new study of 325 expectant mothers has determined that the baby’s exposure to toxins in the womb decreases when the mother’s weight gain during pregnancy approaches the guidelines recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 2009. Women that are underweight at the start of pregnancy are advised to gain between 28 and 40 pounds, women of a healthy weight 25 to 35 pounds, overweight women 15 to 25 pounds and obese women 11 to 20 pounds.

The researchers found that expectant mothers with a gestational weight that meets or exceeds the IOM guidelines gave birth to infants with reduced toxin levels. In their analysis of the umbilical cord blood of mothers from Spain, the researchers tested for 14 pesticides and 21 other environmental toxins, including seven polychlorobiphenyls (PCB). Other influencers such as age, education and fish consumption may also be relevant.

To Get Healthy, Get a Healthy Partner

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You must do the things you think you cannot do. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

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Tampa Bay Edition

aving a healthier partner may be one of the best things to do for our own health. Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine finds that losing weight, stopping smoking or becoming more active is easier with a partner that has led the way in any or all healthy pursuits.

The study authors reviewed data collected by the UK Health Behavior Research Center at the University College London that followed 3,700 couples between 2002 and 2012—most of them ages 50 and older and married. Those that smoked at the beginning of the study were more likely to quit by the end of it if their partners quit smoking, and those that were physically inactive at the beginning of the study were more likely to become active if their partners did so first. About two-thirds of the men became newly active during the course of the study.

Men with wives that had lost weight were more likely to also shed pounds during the study, and women with husbands that didn’t lose weight were less likely to do so through the study period.

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natural awakenings

May 2015

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

Corporate Climate

Companies Slowly Embrace Sustainability The 2015 State of Green Business report (Tinyurl. com/2015GreenBusinessReport), which assesses the environmental performances of companies worldwide, along with the trends to watch, is produced by GreenBiz, in partnership with Trucost.

Collectively, companies have been nibbling at the edges of challenges such as climate change, food security, ecosystems preservation and resource efficiency. One measure of corporate engagement going forward will be proactive involvement on political issues that could accelerate the transition to a low-carbon and more sustainable economy. It remains to be seen whether companies can afford to sit on the sidelines, letting the political process unfold, or worse, play defense against changes that might roil their status quo.

2015 will be an interesting year on multiple fronts, especially with the launch of the new sustainable development goals at the United Nations (UN) in New York this fall, along with UN climate talks in Paris in December. Both will be tests of corporate engagement and resolve in driving the kinds of change many of their CEOs publicly call for. The reports’ findings of companies’ progress in greenhouse gas and emissions, air pollutants, water use and solid waste production are all leveling off or even declining.

Animal Genocide

‘Lethal Control’ Trades Off Species Over the next four years, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers will shoot 16,000 double-crested cormorants nesting near the Columbia River, in Oregon, at a cost of $1.5 million a year and eliminate almost 100 sea lions because both feed on endangered salmon and steelhead trout. “If people knew how many animals are killed at taxpayer expense, they’d be horrified,” says Camilla Fox, executive director of Project Coyote, a San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit.

Termed “lethal control”, there’s a growing trend to kill one species to protect another, and not all methods used are humane. In 2012, Dennis Orthmeyer, acting director of California’s Wildlife Services, said, “We pride ourselves on our ability to get it done without many people knowing about it.”

Climate change, reduced habitat and food supplies, and the introduction of non-native species are the result of human interference. “With society’s growing footprint, lethal control can only increase,” observes Michael Scott, a University of Idaho ecologist.

A plan to poison 4,000 ravens will protect greater sage grouse. More mountain lions will be killed to save bighorn sheep. The human rampage goes on, and concerned citizens are advised to urge lawmakers to end lethal control and protect wildlife habitat sustainably.

Take action at Tinyurl.com/AnimalLiberationFrontCampaign.

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Tampa Bay Edition

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Persistent Pacers

Women Marathoners Better at Maintaining Speed Danish researchers studying almost 2 million marathon results from 131 marathon races over a period of five years have concluded that women are 18.6 percent better than men at maintaining a consistent pace overall, compared to the first and the last parts of the distance. Among the population studied, 68.5 percent were men and 31.5 percent were women. The research further suggests that both men and women “burn out� en route and could improve their marathon results significantly simply by starting slower.

Source: Consumer.HealthDay.com

Dirty Dollars

Stores Filled with Toxic Products HealthyStuff, a project of the Michiganbased Ecology Center, in collaboration with the Campaign for Healthier Solutions (CHS), has released a report, A Day Late and a Dollar Short: Discount Retailers are Falling Behind on Safer Chemicals, about toxic chemicals found in dollar store products.

It includes test results for 164 dollar store products such as toys, jewelry, school supplies and household items and found that 81 percent contained at least one hazardous chemical above a level that generates concern.

The campaign sent a letter to the CEOs of the four largest dollar store chains, including Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and 99 Cents Only, urging them to stop the sale of these unsafe products, especially to communities of low-income and ethnic families that already live in more polluted areas and food deserts, and adopt policies that will instead protect both customers and their own businesses. Combined, these discount chains have annual sales totaling more than $36 billion and operate more stores nationally than Walmart.

The CHS is asking for a comprehensive set of reforms; communities need to let dollar store chains know that they want safer products and join local and national efforts advocating for nontoxic products.

Scroll to Dollar Store Report at Healthy Stuff.org for the complete test results.

Take action at NontoxicDollarStores.org.

natural awakenings

May 2015

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globalbriefs

Eco-Eating

Town Eateries Embrace Sustainability

Tool Pool

Farmers Share Farm Machinery Instead of buying or renting expensive specialized machinery, farmers in Maine can now join a “lending library” of farm tools on short-term loan by using the Shared-Use Farm Equipment Pool, a partnership between the Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. There are already equipment co-ops and joint machinery ownerships around the country; now the sharing economy being established in urban areas seems to be catching on in rural America, too.

For a $100 annual fee, members can gain access to a seedbed cultivator, twoshank sub-soiler, plastic mulch layer, tine weeder, and strip and ridge tillers. The 1,200-pound mulch layer, for instance, retails for more than $2,000. Each piece is undeniably useful, but pricey, especially given the cost per use. Farmers have a three-day window to use the tools.

The pool came about when Mike Gold, an MFT staff member, saw the need to lower costs for both new and seasoned farmers. Currently, most of the tool pool members are newer vegetable farmers, but Gold says there’s appeal for established land stewards, too: “They see the opportunity to use that one piece of equipment that they may only need once a year or once every few years.”

Source: ModernFarmer.com

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Enflamed Water Home Flame Retardants Found in River

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The city of Maplewood, Missouri, outside St. Louis, has teamed up with the Green Dining Alliance to become the area’s first Green Dining District, with at least 25 percent of all of its independently owned businesses certified by the Green Dining Alliance (GDA).

The GDA helps businesses with sustainability and green business practices while also helping them save money.

So far, eight restaurants in downtown Maplewood are GDA-certified.

Green Dining Alliance’s Olivia Engel says, “It’s a win-win that makes sense for businesses and communities.” The city is also encouraging the program by subsidizing Green Dining Alliance membership fees.

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Scientists with the Washington Toxics Coalition tested household dust and laundry wastewater from 20 homes in the state’s cities of Longview and Vancouver and took samples of incoming and outgoing flow from two wastewater treatment plants that discharge into the Columbia River, the Northwest’s biggest waterway. They detected flame retardants in all the tests.

The conclusion of the study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, is that flame retardants are sloughing off household products such as couches and TVs and collecting on people’s clothing, washing out in the laundry and passing through wastewater treatment plants into local waterways.

Source: WaToxics.org

natural awakenings

May 2015

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ecotip

actionalerts

Raised Right

Investigate Climate Censorship in Florida

Organic Flowers Honor Mom and Mother Earth The Mother’s Day tradition of gifting mom with flowers, including such perennial favorites as lilies, orchids, tulips and roses, can be practiced in a sustainable manner. Buying organic varieties protects workers, families and the environment.

Flowers grown with conventional techniques contribute to the contamination of groundwater and streams through fertilizer and pesticide runoff that can also threaten animal species. Many of the cut flowers are grown in South America, where farms continue to use pesticides that are restricted in the U.S. and cited as highly toxic by the World Health Organization. GreenAmerica.org provides several helpful tips on bringing joy to mom on her special day in eco-friendly ways:

Grow Your Own. Buy organic bulbs or seeds in consumer seed catalogs and retail racks or online from reputable sources that include SeedsOfChange.com.

Children can then grow their own flowers to make them mean even more. Tips for natural weed and pest control, environmentally friendly watering, making raised garden beds and more are posted at EarthEasy.com/yard-garden.

Buy Local and Organic. Support local communities and save shipping costs and energy by purchasing chemical-free organic flowers from a local farmers’ market or community supported agriculture. Online retailers like OrganicBouquet. com and LocalHarvest.org/organic-flowers.jsp offer U.S. Department of Agriculturecertified organic flowers.

Ask Local Florists to Go Organic. Find out if local florists purchase any organic and local flowers, and if not, request that they do so.

Also, eschew plastic wraps and vases for eco-friendly flowers to avoid toxic ingredients and the carbon manufacturing footprint. Fun options to hold and showcase the gift include old, recycled Mason and glass jars and bottles or an artistic vase from an estate sale or antique or thrift shop.

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Tampa Bay Edition

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Scientists and state employees report that Governor Rick Scott’s office has discouraged them from using the phrases “climate change, global warming and sustainability” in official communications, including reports about the future of Florida’s coasts.

Florida scientists such as David Hastings have advised the governor that the state of Florida is one of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change in the U.S. The damaging effects of sea level rise alone may threaten 30 percent of the state’s beaches by 2100. Hastings, who met with Scott last year, called the language ban “Orwellian.”

According to a report by the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting, the “unwritten policy” was implemented in 2011 after Scott took office and appointed a new Department of Environmental Protection director.

Sign the petition to investigate censorship in Florida at Tinyurl.com/ FloridaClimateCensor.

Support Mandatory GMO Labeling in Florida

Two Florida legislators, Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda (D-Tallahassee) and Sen. Jeremy Ring (D-Margate), are working to pass bills (HB 351 and SB 416) to label some foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Similar efforts died last year in the House and Senate agriculture committees.

House Bill 351 and Senate Bill 416 would require 25 raw fruits and vegetables to carry labels if they contain GMOs. Wheat, corn, cotton, papaya, rice, zucchini and squash would be among the targeted produce. Both bills would require the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to annually update the list to include any newly introduced GMO produce.

Additionally, products containing recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) to increase milk production in cows would also require mention on labels. The new requirements would take effect on January 1, 2017.

To ask that Florida representatives vote YES on these bills and support mandatory food labeling, visit Tinyurl.com/FLA-GMOPetition.http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/ label-genetically-engineered-4.

Motherhood:

All love begins and ends there. ~Robert Browning

natural awakenings

May 2015

23

Healing Your Digestion with

Chinese Medicine

by Kerry Kott, DOM

I

n Chinese medicine the root of wellness is directly correlated with a healthy digestive system. Our digestive systems is connected with our immune system, therefore being able to absorb all vital nutrients and eliminate excess waste products are necessary for the health of the body’s organs, tissues, muscles, nerves, blood and vessels. If you are unable to absorb your food, your body is unable to nourish or heal itself, which leads to disease. We get all of our nourishment from food; that’s why our digestion is number one in importance.

How do you know if you have a digestive issue?

When a new patient comes into my office, I always ask them

about their digestion. Unless a digestive issue is their main complaint, I usually get the answer “my digestion is good.”

As I dig deeper, often it is made clear that there is disruption with their digestion. Directly related to digestive health, when I ask my patients about passing gas, I often get the responses, “no more than normal” and “it’s common.” Passing gas may be “common,” but it’s not normal. It is important to understand the difference between the two. Your digestive health is described by a consistent, daily large bowel movement (or multiple ones), feeling good after eating a meal and experiencing energy from food, with the absence of some of these common digestive symptoms: bloating, heartburn, abdominal pain, poor diet, weight gain/loss, cravings, food sensitivity, acne, poor sleep, anxiety, memory loss, poor concentration, physical pain, asthma, allergies, menstrual issues, sexual dysfunction and chronic fatigue.

In my practice, acupuncture, herbal medicine and food healing are used to address digestive issues. By utilizing these three healing modalities, my patients experience quicker and more effective results.

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Acupuncture has been effectively helping and healing digestive issues for thousands of years. It

helps digestive energy by directing it in the proper direction—from the mouth downward through the entire system to the anus. If there is an issue in this direction, movement symptoms will be present. Such symptoms can include acid reflux, indigestion, constipation, nausea and vomiting.

If the digestive system is unable to absorb nutrients properly, problems may manifest as watery or loose bowel movements, anemia, fatigue, physical pain and insomnia. If elimination of waste problems exist, constipation, bloating, gas, poor appetite and weight gain may occur. Other complications related to the functions of absorption and elimination of the digestive system include arthritis, chronic inflammation, kidney stones, gallstones, and autoimmune disorders.

Acupuncture helps the body with proper absorption of nutrients and can redirect the flow of energy downward for expeditious elimination of waste.

It is imperative to look at the diet in regard to your digestive health. Food is always discussed with my

clients. Quantity and quality of food are commonly reasons for digestive disharmony. Even how you feel about your food is important. A lot of my patients tell me they eat healthy.

Most of the time when I hear this, my patients are indeed eating healthy, but they may not be eating foods for healing.

There is a difference. For example, a patient comes to me for enlarged prostate treatment. I find that he isn’t eating foods with lycopene in them; therefore he isn’t consuming the best foods for his own healing. Lycopene is a phytochemical that

gives foods their red carotenoid pigment. Foods high in lycopene include tomatoes, watermelon and red/pink grapefruit.

It’s important to know where the phytochemical lycopene is stored, as often times this part is discarded: the peel of the tomato; the white (pith) of watermelon; the white (pith) of grapefruit. Food is naturally healing, and by using foods properly, our body can heal more effectively.

Herbal medicine is extremely beneficial in helping the digestive system heal. Acid reflux is a com-

mon digestive complaint yet can have an immediate positive response with a single healing herb. Many people are aware of aloe vera for external healing benefits yet are surprised to learn of its internal healing abilities. Not only does it heal cuts, burns and scrapes, it also has the ability to heal acid reflux along with the entire digestive system.

Acupuncture, food healing and herbal medicine are valuable tools in addressing digestive issues, working quickly and more effectively when properly combined. Regardless of other health issues, it is critical to take care of your digestive health. Remember, when poor digestion is present, disease can occur. As always, consult your health care provider when making any health changes.

Kerry Kott, DOM, LAc, is a Licensed Acupuncture Physician, Herbalist, Food Healing Instructor, and Pranic Healer. For the past 11 years she has educated herself on healing physical, mental and emotional aspects of the body. To learn more about her healing and treatment options, call 813-833-2299 or visit PureElementsHealing.com. See ad below.

natural awakenings May 2015

25

RETHINKING BREAST HEALTH Natural ways to keep breasts smooth, pain-free and firm, while reducing the risk of cancer.

by Lisa Marshall

W

e’ve been conditioned to narrowly define breast health in terms of pink ribbon campaigns, cancer awareness marches and cold, steel mammography machines.

Nearly 30 years after anticancer drug maker Imperial Chemical Industries (now AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals) established the first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 1985, many women have come to equate healthy breasts with cancer-free breasts, and assume the most important thing they can do is undergo regular screening.

But amid this chorus, some women’s health advocates are striving to get a different message across: There are a host of steps women can take to not only fend off disease in the future, but keep their breasts in optimal condition today. “We need to change the conversation about our breasts from how to avoid breast cancer and detect it early to how to have healthy breasts and enjoy them,” says Dr. Christiane Northrup, an obstetrician and gynecologist from Yarmouth, Maine, and author of the new book Goddesses Never Age: The Secret Prescription for Radiance, Vitality, and Well-Being.

Healthy Breasts, Healthy Body

nected to your femininity, compassion and sensuality,” says Hawaiian Naturopathic Doctor Laurie Steelsmith, coauthor of Natural Choices for Women’s Health. Because breasts are extremely sensitive to hormonal fluctuations throughout the body, they can also serve as a barometer of overall health.

“If you’re having chronic breast symptoms, it can be your body’s wisdom saying, ‘Help. Something’s wrong.’

Women need to listen.”

While some premenstrual swelling and tenderness is normal, exaggerated or persistent pain is often a sign of systemic estrogen dominance in relation to progesterone. It’s common in the years leading up to menopause, but can also hint at impaired thyroid function, because low levels of thyroid hormones have been shown to boost estrogen in breast tissue, advises Steelsmith.

Large, fluid-filled cysts or fibrous lumps, while non-cancerous, can also be a reflection of overexposure to harmful chemicals and toxin buildup, combined with poor lymph flow, notes Dr. Elizabeth Vaughan, an integrative physician in Greensboro, North Carolina. “If a

In adolescence, breast changes are the first to signal the arrival of womanhood. When she’s aroused, a woman’s nipples harden and change color.

When a woman gives birth, her breasts fill with life-giving milk. “In all these ways, your breasts are deeply con26

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woman has lumpy, bumpy breasts, they probably contain too many toxins, and those toxins are primarily estrogenic.” Addressing such symptoms is important not only to relieve discomfort, but also because excess estrogen can fuel future cancer risk, says Vaughan.

Any new, suspicious lump should be evaluated by a professional. Also, severe breast tenderness combined with nipple discharge could be a sign of infection or a problem with the pituitary gland, so it should also be checked. But typically, subtle natural healthcare steps can go a long way toward restoring breast wellness.

For nipple tenderness, Steelsmith recommends chaste-tree berry (175 milligrams [mg] of powdered extract or 40 drops daily). The herbal supplement mimics naturally occurring progesterone in the body, helping to counter estrogen dominance. Vitamin E (400 to 800 international units [IU] per day) and evening primrose oil (1,500 mg twice a day) have also been shown to alleviate breast tenderness.

For fibrous or cystfilled breasts, Vaughan advises supplementing with iodine (up to 12.5 mg per day via kelp, seaweed or oral tablets) or applying an iodine solution to the

breasts at night. A key constituent of thyroid hormones, iodine helps the liver convert unfriendly forms of estrogen into friendlier forms and flush toxins out of lymph nodes in the breast. Also, steer clear of chocolate and coffee, because caffeine is believed to interact with enzymes in the breast, exaggerating pain and lumpiness.

Also consider ditching the bra, says Vaughan. Brassieres can constrict lymph nodes and hinder blood circulation in breasts, locking toxins in and aggravating fibrocystic symptoms. The link between bras and breast cancer risk remains hotly debated, with one 2014 U.S. National Cancer Institute study of 1,400 women concluding unequivocally that, “There’s no evidence that wearing a bra increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer,” while smaller studies from the United States, China, Venezuela, Scotland and Africa suggest a link. Vaughan, the founder of BraFree.org, says the science is compelling enough that she has chosen to keep her own bra use to a minimum

and advises her patients to do the same.

“Obviously, there are certain sports where you should wear a sports bra and there are certain dresses that only look right with a bra,” says Vaughan. At a minimum, avoid wearing a bra to bed and steer clear of underwires and overly tight bras that leave red marks. “This is not about guilt-tripping women into never wearing a bra. It’s about wearing a bra less.”

Beautiful Breasts Naturally

Too small or too big, lopsided or riddled with stretch marks… it seems almost every woman has a complaint about the appearance of her breasts.

That’s a problem, says Northrup, because, “Healthy breasts are breasts that are loved. We have to stop beating them up.”

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of women getting breast implants for cosmetic reasons ballooned from 212,500 in 2000 to 286,254 in 2014. Physi-

cians—including Northrup—claim that modern implants don’t, in the majority of cases, promote disease like older silicone implants did. Yet even plastic surgeons warn that having implants should be fully thought out, and at some point they’ll probably have to come out.

“They are manmade devices, and are not intended to be lifelong. At some point, you will probably have to have further surgery,” says Dr. Anureet Bajaj, an Oklahoma City plastic surgeon.

Bajaj notes that implants can rupture, forming scar tissue and lending irregular shape to the breast. Often, as a woman ages and her body changes, the larger breasts she chose in her 20s no longer look right and may cause back and shoulder pain. In some cases, implants can also lead to loss of nipple sensitivity. For these and other reasons, 23,774 women—including actress Melissa Gilbert and model Victoria Beckham—had their implants removed in 2014, often following up with a breast lift (using their own tissue) to restore their shape.

continued next page

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May 2015

27

Vaughan sees breast implant removal as a wise and courageous choice to restore optimal breast health.

Better yet, don’t get implants in the first place. “There are a lot of other things you can do to improve the appearance of your breasts,” she advises.

Vaughan recommends breastperking exercises like dumbbell bench presses and flys that tone the pectoral muscles beneath the breasts, making them more resilient and look larger.

To prevent or reverse sagging, she again urges women to go bra-free.

“We have ligaments in the upper outer quadrant of our breasts called Cooper’s ligaments, and they’re responsible for holding our breasts up. Just like your muscles atrophy when you put your arm in a sling, your Cooper’s ligaments atrophy if you wear a bra all the time.”

In one unpublished, yet highly publicized 2013 study, French Exercise Physiologist Jean-Denis Rouillon measured the busts of 330 women ages 18 to 35 over a period of 15 years and found those that regularly wore a bra

had droopier breasts with lower nipples than those that didn’t. In another, smaller, Japanese study, researchers found that when women stopped wearing a bra for three months, their breasts perked up.

Those worried about stretch marks also have options. They can be a sign of inadequate copper, which promotes collagen integrity and helps skin stretch without injury, says Steelsmith.

If rapid weight gain is occurring due to adolescence, pregnancy or for other reasons, try taking copper supplements or applying a topical copper spray on the breasts.

Remember to massage your breasts daily, not only as a “search and destroy mission” for early detection of cancerous lumps, says Northrup, but as a way to get waste products flowing out and loving energy flowing in.

“It concerns me that women feel pressured to think of their breasts as two potentially pre-malignant lesions sitting on their chests,” Northrup says.

“These are organs of nourishment and pleasure for both ourselves and others.

We need to remember that, too.”

Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall.com.

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How much longer will you be okay with SICK CARE!?

With all of the changes in insurance, making your HEALTH CARE work for you is more important than ever.

We currently have SICK CARE, not HEALTH CARE Last year Americans spent $2.8 trillion on healthcare. That is around $8,000 per person.

So does this mean that we are all healthy and living well?

Absolutely NOT! In fact, we lead the world in heart disease, obesity, and cancer.

Astonishingly, 5 out of 6 Americans will be diagnosed with either heart disease or cancer.

If we were spending the most money in healthcare and had the healthiest people, maybe it would be worth it. But we are spending the most money AND have the unhealthiest people.

In a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association, of 37 different developed countries the United States ranked 37th (dead last) in terms of overall health of the population.

SO where are we spending all of this money?

When we are sick or in pain, we go to the doctor. We get prescriptions to help cure and prevent illness and pain. What do we do when that medication has a side effect or no longer works? We go back and get more medications for the next side effect. Americans take up 5% of the world’s population, yet we consume 85% of the world’s medications. You would think that if drugs make you healthy then we would be the healthiest nation, and that is far from the truth. We had 1.1 million people die last year because of drugs and these are not street drugs like heroin or other illegal drugs. These are prescription drugs that were prescribed for the right condition, the right amount, the right time.

Prescriptions are not the only culprit, a large amount of that money is spent in nursing homes and cancer treatment centers.

We have so many sick and ailing people in our population that we are seeing more and more longterm nursing facilities. People may be living longer, but we are not living better.

The focus needs to change. We cannot be okay with a health system that has no regard for health.

It is time to take the focus off of SICK care and focus on health.

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH A lot of people believe that genetics are to blame for the disease we see in our society today, but only 2-5% of degenerative illnesses are actually caused by genetics. So that leaves 95-98% of disease that is caused by lifestyle.

The foods we eat, the drinks we drink, and the habits we live are the main cause of the increase in disease.

Our offices are focused on HEALTH care.

We recognize that health is not just about what you eat and whether or not you exercise. Our offices implement maximized mind, maximized nutrition, maximized nerve supply, maximized oxygen and lean muscle. We personalize each care plan and work with our patients to establish health and wellness goals that create a healthy lifestyle that maximizes each patients’ quality of life.

We offer full health and wellness care that excludes drugs, shots, and harmful combinations or both. Our goal is to make sure our patients live the healthiest life possible.

BUT WHAT TRULY SETS US APART FROM ALL OTHER WELLNESS CLINICS It is our dedication to whole health wellness.

Our patients are not just adjusted and sent on their way. We spend time focusing on spinal CORRECTION not just spinal alignment. By providing our patients with in office and at home stretching, strengthening, and lifestyle changes, our patients are the healthiest they can possibly be without introducing toxins. It is truly about balance and focus on health.

What does CORRECTIVE CARE mean?

If your spine and Central Nervous System are “abnormal,” there is a need for corrective chiropractic care. This type of care will restore “normal” spinal position and alignment. By properly restoring normal curves to the spine and aligning the vertebrae, it will eliminate interferences allowing your body to function and heal “normally.” This optimizes your chance to live at 100% of your body’s peak performance.

A healthy spine will allow your body to express a normal body temperature, a normal blood pressure, and other measureable norms for the spine itself.

There are four primary curves of the spine in the lateral (side) view of the spine.

These curves give the spine strength, stability, and flexibility. Any loss of integrity of these curves can affect the function of the nervous system as this is the basis of evolution. These misalignments can put further stress on several aspects of the spine including the soft tissue structures, muscles, ligaments and discs that support the spine and its normal function.

Much like braces straighten teeth, it is our aim to restore the proper alignment of your spine. Recent research allows us to now know the measurements and proper alignment of your spine. There is a normal body temperature, a normal blood pressure, and there are measureable norms for the spine. We take the necessary steps to restore the regions of abnormal alignment to normal through whole health wellness.

Obtaining the level of normal alignment allows us to cure and prevent disease that otherwise leads to a lifetime of harmful shots and pills.

Take the next step and allow your body to function at 100% of peak performance.

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May 2015

29

healingways

Giving Birth Naturally Conscious Choices Lead to Less Intervention

by Meredith Montgomery

L

abor and delivery alternative. By 1938, Most births is a natural process half of domestic births that can be enjoyed. should be viewed took place in hospi “It’s not something tals, and by 1960 it as a natural life to be afraid of,” says rose to 97 percent.

Mel Campbell, author process instead Currently, midwives of The Yoga of Pregnanattend less than 8 of a potential cy. “It’s a wonderful and percent of births here, beautiful experience. medical emergency. and fewer than 1 We need to remember percent occur outside that the body is designed ~Abby Epstein, The a hospital. for giving birth.”

Natural labor Business of Being Born and delivery in a hos Natural childbirth uses few or no artificial pital is possible, but, medical interventions such as drugs, “It’s hard to have an unmedicated birth continuous fetal monitoring, forceps in many hospitals if you don’t know delivery or episiotomies (cuts to enlarge your rights, understand your physiology the vaginal opening). According to and have a doula by your side helping the U.S. Centers for Disease Control you avoid unnecessary interventions,” (CDC), 32.7 percent of deliveries were says Ina May Gaskin, a pioneering

by Cesarean section in 2013—most midwife and author of Ina May’s Guide performed in situations where a vaginal to Childbirth. Key factors to discuss birth would have posed a relatively low include fetal monitoring, intravenous risk to the health of mother and child. tubes and the option to eat or drink Entirely natural childbirth is now rare during labor. here compared with other countries, but that wasn’t always the case.

Benefits of Home Births

In 1900, 95 percent of all U.S. Women choose home births and births took place in the home; when homey birthing centers because they more moved to hospitals here in the labor there more comfortably, feel more early 20th century, midwives still in control of the process and can more typically handled the delivery in other easily avoid interventions. Many moms countries, sometimes without a doctor seek out a midwife’s services because present. In America, obstetrics became they don’t want to repeat the convena profession and a doctor-attended birth tional hospital experience that accomin a hospital was promoted as a safer panied their first baby’s arrival.

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can take with you

When actress By 2006 Cesarean into labor.”

Ricki Lake gave birth delivery was the number She reminds to her second child in her home bathtub one surgical procedure women that the baby is always getwith the assistance in American hospitals. ting nourishment of a midwife, she felt from all that mom empowered by doing ~U.S. Centers for eats and breathes it on her own terms. in, and also feeds “Giving birth wasn’t Disease Control off of her feelings an illness, someand emotions. “The more we can feel thing that needed to be numbed. It was something to be experienced,” she says. at peace with ourselves and incorporate the baby into our being, the more we

When women let their bodies feel a connection and union,” she says. naturally lead, labor can last as little as “It’s vital that you let your body’s innate 20 minutes or as long as two weeks, and wisdom be your guide and respect any the spectrum of pain intensity is equally cues it may give.” broad. A healthy prenatal lifestyle that

Campbell guides expectant mothers prepares a mom-to-be for a natural physithrough a yoga practice that embraces cal, emotional and spiritual experience of the changes occurring each trimester. childbirth is highly beneficial.

For example, a more physical practice in the second trimester utilizes the surge Compassionate Self-Care of energy to build stamina and strength, “Pregnancy’s not the time to overexert yourself; let go of the temptation to over- while opening the heart, hips and pelvis.

Complementary relaxation techachieve and instead practice breathing niques for labor include breathing and mindfulness,” advises Campbell. “If practices, visualization, meditation and you’re experiencing morning sickness, massage. When a mother isn’t contry to embrace it and how it serves you.

By doing so, you’ll be more in tune with nected to monitors and tubes, she’s free to experiment with positions and props your body. These lessons are gifts you

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by Ina May Gaskin Spiritual Midwifery

by Ina May Gaskin Your Best Birth

by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein The Business of Being Born a film by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein Mothering Magazine’s Having a Baby, Naturally

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31

such as balls, bars and pillows, plus a warm shower or bath. If a hospital birth is planned, Gaskin notes that labor often slows once a woman leaves the comfort of home, and recommends laboring at home as long as possible.

There is no way to predict the course of labor and delivery when women let nature take the lead. Campbell, a mother of three, says, “I tried to focus on the intention of what I wanted for my birthing experience, while also surrendering expectations, knowing that I would have whatever type of birth I was supposed to have.” She adds, “The breath is the most important thing—it keeps us in the moment, helps us to relax and supports us through labor.”

While the home birth option is important to America’s new generation of trailblazing women, it’s also significant on a macro level. Gaskin explains, “It’s hard for staff to change routine practices in hospitals but home births make innovation possible.” Home births demonstrated that women don’t require routine episiotomies and have shown how maternal mobility and position changes can help labor progress and free badly stuck babies (earlier methods often injured mother and child).

Gaskin has found, “Wherever and however you decide to give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, mind, body and spirit for the rest of your life. No one should have a home birth who doesn’t want one, but it must be one of the choices.”

A Mother’s Guide to Natural Childbirth

by Meredith Montgomery

D

Meredith Montgomery publishes Natural Awakenings of Mobile/Baldwin, AL (HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com).

etermining the best birth setting for a mother necessitates sound planning.

If an unmedicated birth is a goal, these insights may help in making decisions.

Home birth takes place in the comfort of home, typically with the assistance of a midwife, and is suitable for a healthy woman with a low-risk pregnancy. She is able to wear her own clothing and eat as she pleases. Because monitoring of mother and baby is done intermittently, she is free to move around.

Confirm the midwife’s training and experience; ask how many home births she’s attended and which obstetricians she consults. Discuss the signs and symptoms that might necessitate a move to the hospital and how quickly it can be done. While a midwife’s fee is often far less than the cost of a hospital birth, not all insurance companies cover home births.

A birth center provides personalized, family-centered care in a home-like environment for healthy women. Practitioners follow principles of problem prevention, sensitivity, safety, appropriate medical intervention and costeffectiveness. A mid-

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wife typically delivers the baby, but the collaborative practice team also includes obstetricians, pediatricians and other specialists. Mothers experience personal freedoms similar to a home birth, and tubs for water births are usually available, plus other birthing props such as squatting bars, stools and balls.

The center should be accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Birth Centers. Inquire what the protocol for care will be if complications arise, learn what the center’s charges for care cover and confirm if the family’s insurance policy will pay for the services provided.

A hospital generally has access to the latest medical technology, making it a preferred option for medium-to-highrisk pregnancies. With proper preparations, an unmedicated birth is possible in this traditional setting. Investigate their rates of Cesarean births and episiotomies and the determining parameters.

To allow for an active labor, request intermittent fetal monitoring, avoid intravenous fluids and ask about the availability of birthing props. Become familiar with hospital policies, such as who can be in the delivery room and whether the baby will stay with mom after the birth. If a nurse midwife is not on staff, consider hiring a doula to assist in preparing for and carrying out the family’s birth plan.

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Keep it fun, so that your kids will try new things like vegetables. Remember, it takes 12 times before a baby actually prefers a new food, so don’t give up!

healthykids

~Veronika Van de Geer Buckley, Maine mother

KIDS

VEGGIES

How to Instill Healthy Lifelong Habits

by Clancy Cash Harrison

Starting at conception, the early years of a child’s life are a perfect window of opportunity to establish a foundation of healthy eating.

W

ant a child to love veggies?

Here are simple tips parents can practice in the first three years to establish lifelong good eating habits.

Start early. We all know that eating healthy during pregnancy will help a baby grow, but many may not realize that an infant can taste flavors in utero and through breast milk. Eating a variety of fresh produce during pregnancy and breastfeeding helps shape a healthy diet later in life.

Treat weaning as a time for the infant to explore the texture, taste and aroma of an array of foods. After six months of exclusive breastfeeding, food can be introduced, although breast milk is still the primary source of nutrients.

Small, repeated exposures to many foods during this stage will help minimize refusals to try or accept foods in the toddler years.

Children’s foods should be exploding with nutrients. Offering a variety of organic produce ensures optimal nutrition and decreases chemical exposure. Research reported by the Harvard Medical School and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, among others, shows that richly colored foods help build dense bones, powerful brains and tough immunity. Good candidates include butternut squash, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, berries and citrus. Also go for those naturally high in iron, such as peas, leafy greens, apricots, raisins and legumes.

Avoid anything high in sugar and other sweeteners, hydrogenated oils, artificial colorings and other harmful additives.

Another important yet often overlooked foundation of healthy eating is encouraging a child to self-regulate his

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or her calorie intake. Self-regulation starts on the first day of breastfeeding and is carried through adulthood.

Respecting a child’s decision to end a meal allows them to control their own food intake. Common signals infants use to end a meal include turning their head away, arching back, throwing food on the floor and showing an interest in other activities. To encourage self-regulation, always serve meals and healthy snacks on a schedule and allow the child to feed himself when possible.

As early as 7 months of age, most healthy infants are developmentally ready to do this, which should optimize nutrient consumption, increase participation in family meals and contribute to a less stressful mealtime. Appropriate foods for self-feeding should easily melt in an infant’s mouth and be a safe size, such as soft fruits and cooked vegetables. To prevent choking, avoid round, hard and sticky foods such as whole grapes, peanuts, popcorn and nut or seed butters.

Don’t be afraid to add mild herbs and spices to a child’s food. An easy way to teach healthy flavor preferences, develop taste buds and reduce pickiness when they’re older is to expose children to many foods, textures and aromas. A dash of cumin in smashed avocado or freshly chopped mint mixed with diced strawberries introduces new perspective on a favorite food.

Food refusal is inevitable, normal behavior. Children will love a food one day and hate it the next. Rethinking the definition of variety empowers parents to reintroduce a not-so-favorite food many times. If children don’t like the way an item feels or looks, they may not taste it. The refusal of a carrot doesn’t necessarily doom carrots. They can be

It’s important to give the child the same food that the family eats, but in smaller servings. This allows the child to watch others eat and enjoy the same meal. ~Maria Myers Maiden, North Carolina mother coined, minced, mashed, puréed and diced to change the texture, plus they can be served cold, at room temperature or tepid.

A child’s early adventurous eating increases the willingness to experiment with a wider range of less familiar foods as a young adult in a multicultural foodscape. Kids are not born reciting an alphabet; it takes time and practice to read and learn a new language. Similarly, it requires time and patient practice to establish a healthy foundation for eating. Have faith in the family’s ability to make eating together enjoyable for everyone.

Clancy Cash Harrison is a mother of two, pediatric feeding therapist, registered dietitian and author of Feeding Baby: Simple Approaches to Raising a Healthy Baby and Creating a Lifetime of Nutritious Eating. Connect at FieldsOfFlavor.com.

Kid Feeding Tips

by Clancy Cash Harrison n Holding off on fruits as a first food to prevent development of a sweet tooth is a myth. A sweet taste preference is engrained in an infant’s DNA (Annual Review of Nutrition; Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care). n Restricting foods high in sugar and fat increases a child’s preference for them. Then, when sweets are made available, the child feels compelled to overeat them (Appetite; The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; Proceedings of the Nutrition Society). n Most children will refuse a new food and by age 2, become afraid of anything new. Therefore, introduce a large variety of foods early in life (Appetite; International Journal of Obesity). n Infants and children can regulate calorie needs based on current growth patterns and age. Some days an infant will eat large amounts of food, on others very little. n Pressuring a child to eat is a behavior associated with unhealthy eating habits. Not only does it set them up for long-term food aversions, it teaches them to distrust their internal feelings of hunger and fullness, often leading to a habit of overeating.

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e read the labels touting low sugar, carbs, fats and calories. We try this and that diet, hoping the pounds will melt away.

Yet more than a third of U.S. adults, nearly 80 million of us, remain overweight or obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta.

The problem might be that we’re getting the wrong advice. While most weight-loss plans focus on reducing calories, recent research shows that vegan and vegetarian dietary patterns can result in more weight loss than those that include meat, without even emphasizing caloric restriction. Scientists at the University of South Carolina, in Columbia, point to their study, How Plant-Based Do We Need to Be to Achieve Weight Loss?

Study participants were divided into five groups, according to eating style, from vegan to flexitarian to carnivore, and monitored for an eight-week period. At the end of the evaluation, those that followed an entirely plantbased diet achieved the greatest weight loss. Study leader Gabrielle Turner-McGrievy, Ph.D., notes, “Many researchers agree that vegan eating styles are tied to lower BMI [body mass index], lower prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and less weight gain with age.”

Can it really be that simple… eat more plants and lose weight? “Yes,” says clean food coach Jeannette Bessinger, of Newport, Rhode Island. “Most people could benefit from eating more vegetables.” Co-author of Natural Solutions for Digestive Health with Naturopath

www.natampa.com

Eat food. Not too much.

Mostly plants. ~Michael Pollan Jillian Sarno Teta, Bessinger advises her clients to start by eating more green, leafy vegetables.

Vegetables contribute to weight control in several ways, says Bessinger.

They fill us up and help calm cravings.

Plus, when plants become the bulk of what we eat, we naturally consume fewer high-fat, high-calorie foods.

For an easy appetite-control strategy, Bessinger suggests having a cup of vegetable soup about 10 minutes before a meal. “It shuts off your appetite valve and you’ll eat noticeably less,” she says, while still feeling full. She also recommends slowing down and being mindful when we eat. Vegetables help us do that. “It takes two-and-a-half minutes to eat a piece of cheesecake, but much more time to eat a big salad,” she says.

For New York City-based Victoria Moran, author of Main Street Vegan and The Good Karma Diet, losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle became easier once she adopted a vegan diet. “I’ve been through life and loss and ages 40 and 50, and my weight stays steady, some 60 pounds less than it once was,” she says. “Every year when I put

away my winter clothes and get out my summer clothes, they fit.”

Her eating strategy is easy, too.

“Make your plate look like a Christmas tree,” says Moran, “mostly green with splashes of other bright colors from vegetables and fruits.” She eats green veggies in several ways. She makes her own green juices—one favorite combines celery, kale, apple and lemon juice. She also adds tender greens like romaine or spinach to smoothies that might also contain fruit and citrus juice.

She steams greens with plenty of garlic and makes big salads.

“I bought my salad bowl at a restaurant supply house,” Moran exclaims. Salads get an oomph factor with a selection of avocado, pumpkin or hemp seeds, mushrooms, chickpeas or red beans, artichoke hearts, chunks of steamed yam and sautéed tofu or tempeh. Moran cites benefits of more energy to do more physical activity and “feeling really good” as additional outcomes of her dietary shift.

Sophie Uliano, a Los Angelesbased natural beauty expert and author of the new Gorgeous for Good, agrees, believing that eating a vegan diet 80 percent of the time can pay dividends in weight loss, well-being, energy and beauty. “Most of the time, eat clean and healthy,” she recommends. “It’s not a diet. It’s a ‘live-it’, a way of life.”

Uliano recently asked two colleagues on the Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family show to try eating

Nothing can be delicious when you are holding your breath. For something to be delicious, you have to be present to savor it; and presence is in attention and in the flow of breath.

It begins in the mouth, and then it connects our heads to our bodies through our throats and into our lungs and tummies, a beautiful, connective cord of air. ~Anne Lamott vegan, while also eliminating gluten, alcohol, caffeine and refined grains.

The pair lost weight, gained energy and improved their skin tone.

“Transformation comes in a series of small, consistent decisions over time,” concludes Bessinger, eating salad instead of cheeseburgers and vegetables instead of fries. For natural weight management, “Make strategic, long-term changes in stages that you can actually sustain over time.”

Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.

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Qigong Healing and Universal Oneness Interview with Jeff Primack, Founder of the Qi Revolution Conference

by Kathy Rivera Wallace

Kathy Rivera Wallace: When I attended the Qi Revolution, my favorite posture was the “Qi Ball”. I felt like I was carrying a magnetic orb of energy. What significance does this posture have?

Jeff Primack: Our hands are like mirrors reflecting light back and forth. The Qi Ball posture is 10x stronger if palms are aligned correctly, i.e. not having one palm more forward. Learning to align your hands/body allows you to build a higher magnetic charge, which most people get excited about. Kids are especially drawn to the Qi Ball and a few schoolteachers that I’ve trained share it in their classrooms. Aside from feeling cool, the Qigong postures are shown to improve energy and resolve health issues.

KRW: How can everyday people use Qigong to reach their full potential?

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JP: More than simply collecting Qi, the Gong is a change in our discipline and character. Awakening to God/Nature’s presence in our daily lives is greatly supported by realizing we are energy, but most don’t physically experience this unity. Qi profoundly increases mind focus because it changes us on the deepest level possible—the vibrational level.

War veterans love that our Qigong breathing techniques actually get you high, like a euphoric rush of energy.

The 9-Breath method works so well for veterans because their traumas are at the vibrational level. Holding breath and skillfully exhaling excites the vibration of our cells and brings a healing force. This ever-present force of Qi belongs to no religion yet is spiritual and available to all people willing to learn skillful breathing. Reaching our highest www.natampa.com

potential or enlightenment begins with being in charge of our own vibration and emotional state.

KRW: How does food affect a person’s Qi vibration, according to your teachings?

JP: Eating raw fruits and veggies gives us enzymes with lots of Qi, however it is a source of dampness in Chinese medicine. Qigong views digestion like a cauldron of water boiling over a fire.

If you put too much water/raw foods in the pot all at once, it will take longer to boil. By not eating unto fullness and cooking, we access more energy, and Qigong focuses on improving this “digestive fire”. Eating a highphytochemical diet that is rich in deep colored foods and electron-abundant antioxidants and cooking with saturated fats are suggested. I drink smoothies with organic veggies and fruits like strawberries and avocado with its big seed, however, studies indicate cooking is known to improve nutrient absorption, therefore, cooking hot meals is a big part of our program.

Claudia Gabrielle, MD, is a practicing Ivy League physician who is currently suggesting components of our food healing protocols to interested patients. As a family practice doctor having seen over 70,000 patients, Dr. Claudia brings wisdom and feels it is time to change people’s health at the food level. She will be speaking at the Orlando National Event about the latest advances in ‘Chromatography’ allowing

“Qi Revolution” comes to Orlando Convention Center, featuring guest Qigong Masters Jesse Tsao & Tom Tam. June 6th–9th Jeff Primack and 200 Qigong teachers will teach 4-days of Qigong for only $149!

This is the largest Qigong event in the USA. Tickets and more info, 800-298-8970 or visit QiRevolution.com. scientists to quantify healing phytochemicals, thus attributing functional medicine to specific foods.

KRW: Why should people interrupt their busy lives to attend the National Qigong Event at the Orlando Convention Center, from June 6 to 9?

JP: It is rare when so many beautiful souls gather and practice Qigong

under one roof. We are stronger in one massive field and group energy being exponentially more powerful. We keep our conference price low because people now more than ever require this knowledge to prosper. This year we are celebrating our 10th year at the National Event and people can justify dropping what they’re doing simply to be in the amazing energy present in the ambient ballroom. Learning to eat and

do Qigong for maximum wellness are benefits you will enjoy for a long life.

Interviewer Kathy Rivera Wallace is a TV talk show host who regularly interviews leading wellness experts.

Jeff Primack is a Qigong teacher that studied with many Qi masters from all over the world and has taught 50,000+ people at live Qi Revolution conferences across the U.S.A. See ad page 4.

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natural awakenings

May 2015

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greenliving

Upcycled Décor Old and Oh-So-Stylish

by Avery Mack

photo courtesy of Lit for a Queen/Etsy

Lighting

Search the words recycled, repurposed and upcycled on Pinterest, Etsy or any search engine to picture results ranked from simple-to-do to how-in-the-world astonishment. Light fixtures can be made from almost anything.

Cookie jars and books turn into lamps, wine bottles become a chandelier— go homespun or industrial, follow a theme or incorporate a hobby. Freshen lamp shades using old sewing patterns,

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vintage fabrics or ribbon applied as découpage. A coat of paint transforms tacky, tarnished brass chandeliers into elegant décor.

At a flea market, look for boxes of stainless forks, knives and spoons— avoid costly sterling silver that can tarnish. A drill, frame, wiring and bulb later, we can have an intriguing hanging light or lamp. Combining a chafing dish, silverware and assorted tea cups in a chandelier creates artful lighting.

Seating

Chairs are plentiful in garage and whole-house sales, flea markets and on Craigslist.

Sometimes all that’s needed is a coat of paint and fun fabric. New cushions, bought or made, are easy upgrades. Recovering a padded seat only requires the right amount of fabric and a sturdy staple gun. Mismatched chairs, painted a neutral color and redone with the same fabric, turn a mishmash of styles into a coordinated set. Chevron (zig zag) or checkerboard patterns in black and white are popular—understated, yet posh. Bright colors in a pop art style or 70s florals brighten any room and give the owner style points.

Benches created from a bookcase, shortened dresser or car parts can be padded or plain and incorporate storage capacity. A child’s bench may have

photo courtesy of Jessica-Allyn.com

O

ld furniture used to go to college dorms and student apartments. At graduation, it was moved to the curb to be picked up by incoming students or the trash man. Now, with the influx of TV shows like Flea Market Flip and American Pickers, the DIY Network, HGTV and complementary books and magazines, vintage and mid-century recyclables barely touch the curb before being reinvented. Lighting, storage and seating provide ample opportunities for one-of-a-kind creations of imagination, vision and innovation.

photo courtesy of Restoration Alley

been a skateboard in its former life.

When buying reclaimed wood, ask about its origin; factory pieces might still retain unhealthy contaminants.

Storage

Old dressers and desks are frequent throwaway finds. Often big and bulky, scratched and ugly, it’s easier to set them out for pickup than list them for sale. Paint can transform a desk that shows its age into a welcome addition to a home office. For added interest or to hide imperfections, découpage with maps, postcards, kid’s artwork, pages from beyond-repair cookbooks or old sheet music. Need a shelf above the desk? A pair of old shutters works well; cast iron brackets add flair. Matching or complementary paint colors will make the pieces look like they belong together.

Broken pieces of furniture can live on if cobbled together. A coffee table’s sturdy legs and frame, an old window and a little paint combine to furnish a unique table with built-in storage. To protect fragile glass and create an even surface, top with a sheet of Plexiglass or sturdy beveled-edge glass.

Look beyond what is there and imagine what it could be. Ideas are everywhere, especially with spring cleanouts, garage sales and flea markets. Expect upcycling to become an obsession, because everything will become a possibility.

Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at AveryMack@mindspring.com.

Finders Keepers

by Avery Mack n Take cash to garage sales. Flea markets are more apt to take credit cards. Discounts may by possible with cash, which saves the seller the transaction fee. n Negotiate. It’s expected and half the fun. But don’t offer an offensively low price.

Ask, “What is the best you can do on this?” Then, making a slightly lower counteroffer is often acceptable. n Although the general theory of, “Buy it when you see it,” is sound advice, be prepared to walk away. n Set a budget and stick to it, especially at an auction. Smartphones can help research what price to offer. n Watch for posted signs around town; search “garage sale finder” or “flea market finder” (there’s an iTunes app for that). Locate auction and estate sales the same way, as well as in a local newspaper. Churches and organizations like the Veterans Administration, Elks Lodge, Lions Club and Scouts often organize sales as fundraisers. n Shop early for the best selection. Shop late for the lowest prices.

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May 2015

41

wisewords

Laura Prepon’s Journey to Health Home Cooking, Organics and Massage Are Key

by Gerry Strauss

and bring meals to work so I don’t stress about food during the day. It feels good to get people together in the kitchen and I’ve taught friends how to cook healthy foods in simple ways, so they now bring their own meals with them to work. It’s all about preparation, so that you’re not just grabbing something on the run. Knowing what’s going into the food we’re eating is important. photo by Michael Simon

F

rom That ‘70s Show to Orange is the New Black, actress Laura Prepon has long been considered by TV audiences to be a welcome image of health. Yet Prepon’s recent discovery that she’d been falling short in nourishing her body as effectively as possible has set in motion a complete redirection of lifestyle, from her diet to fitness routine. Now working on a book about clean living and eating due out next year, Prepon has rededicated herself to educating us just as much as she’s entertained us through the years.

Why do you include a lot of soup in your diet?

My mother was a gourmet chef and an advocate of organic food, so we always had amazing meals growing up. Eating organic produce that’s in season locally seems to help me assimilate nutrition more readily. Whenever I can, I also try to tap into biodynamic agriculture, which takes an even broader holistic approach to food production and nutrition. I view GMOs [genetically modified foods] as toxic to the system.

As a self-taught chef, I like to cook at least 80 percent of my food at home

With all of the GMO food sprayed with chemicals in the typical American diet and the other environmental toxins everyone has to deal with, our gut flora, intestines and bodies in general are becoming compromised. Ten years ago, few had even heard of gluten allergies unless you had celiac disease, which was rare even then. Now, everywhere you go, there’s a gluten-free option.

I love eating soup because the healthful ingredients I use are broken down completely, so the body can immediately assimilate needed micronutrients, which help heal us from the inside out. I’m talking about homemade broth from grass-fed beef bones,

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How do you manage to consistently eat local organic food instead of fast food?

Tampa Bay Edition

so you get the marrow; I’m partial to knuckle bones. I always have soup broth in my refrigerator.

What’s key to your ability to naturally stay healthy and fit in the midst of an intense schedule of work and travel?

I love modalities like acupuncture, massage … all of that. I fully believe in keeping energy flowing to benefit the functioning of all our organs.

As school kids, we learn about the circulatory system and central nervous system, but who knows much about the lymphatic system? It’s extremely important, and people are starting to get the idea. Activities like yoga, swimming and bouncing on the trampoline can help.

Do you see society’s penchant for medicating as a way to avoid listening to and addressing our body’s real needs?

I do. That’s why I study Eastern medicine, because I feel that Western medicine treats problems and Eastern medicine prevents problems from happening.

I grew up in a family of doctors and “full-on” Western medicine and respect the medical community. Unfortunately, these days, most people are continually medicated and they’re not getting better.

As a society, we tend to just take a drug to handle a symptom instead of addressing the actual cause of the problem.

As a celebrity, do you see yourself as a conduit to facilitate a shift away from unnatural lifestyles?

Yes. The reason I decided to write a book was because I’ve been struggling with a bunch of different ailments in secret for a long time. When I began working with my integrated health coach, Elizabeth Troy, I started to heal for the first time in all the years of reading books on health, diet and fitness, seeing doctors, taking loads of pills and spending crazy amounts of money on all of these activities. I want to help people struggling to regain their health to get answers.

Gerry Strauss is a freelance writer in Hamilton, NJ. Connect at GerryStrauss@aol.com.

Collaborative Divorce

by Audrey A. Jefferis, PA

I

t may seem counterintuitive to collaborate with your spouse during a divorce. There is so much anger, hurt and disappointment that all-out war seems the only way to get what we want or need. However, those who regularly handle contested divorce cases know that even if the battle is won, there is no real winner in the war.

In a traditional contested divorce, a judge decides matters concerning children, allocation of assets, debts,

alimony, child support and even whether one spouse pays the other spouse’s attorney’s fees. Many people who want to “let the judge decide” are disappointed to learn that it is not uncommon to wait a year or more to get in front of a judge. Worse, they often discover that what they’ve been dying to tell the court about the other spouse is not even considered very important by the judge.

In many cases collaborative divorce is a better alternative. Al-

though not easy, it is an approach that minimizes the cost of the divorce process as well as the acrimony that is so common in contested divorces. The collaborative divorce process allows couples to move forward in a healthier way.

Parties enter into a collaborative divorce participation agreement in which they agree to work toward a mutually acceptable settlement of their issues. They each hire lawyers who are trained in collaborative divorce along with neutral financial, mental health or child specialists, if needed. The parties and their attorneys agree to be respectful of each other throughout the process.

Collaborative divorce is most suitable for couples who are mindful of the potential negative impact of a divorce on their finances, emotional health and wellbeing and their future relationship where children are involved. Couples who disagree about the terms of a divorce but agree that they do not want a war are the best candidates.

Audrey A. Jefferis, B.C.S., Esquire specializes in collaborative divorce, with offices at 3060 Alternate 19 North, Suite B6, Palm Harbor, and 8138 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey. For more information call 727-845-6174 and visit FloridaFamilyDivorce.com.

See ad page 23.

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naturalpet

PET VACCINE ALTERNATIVES

Natural Steps to Nurture Immunity

by Shawn Messonnier

W

ith pets, as with kids, vaccine safety and necessity are likely concerns. While holistic veterinarians tend to minimize the use of vaccines, their strongest stance is against unnecessary vaccinations.

The point is to immunize only when it’s needed by individual patients while maximizing natural immunity.

In the late 1970s, amid the discovery of the canine parvo virus, vets saw many puppies under 4 months of age suffer from this mysterious disease and die or be euthanized. Once a vaccine was made, we rarely saw pets dying from the parvo virus or parvoviral infection. So, in certain cases, vaccines can be life-saving.

However, unnecessary and multiple simultaneous vaccines can also be life-taking, which doctors rarely mention. The truth is that only minimal vaccines are needed for dogs

If I had to live my life over again, I’d dare to make more mistakes next time.

~ Natine Sanger 44

Tampa Bay Edition

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and cats over the course of a pet’s life.

No pet needs all of the vaccines that are currently manufactured, and none needs vaccines every six to 12 months.

Pets do need veterinary checkups once or twice a year to screen for diseases affecting the liver, heart, kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal and urinary systems, as well as cancer. Blood and urine testing, including blood testing for undiagnosed cancer, is vital, easy and inexpensive (every six months for pets 5 years and older and annually for those that are younger).

A good protocol is akin to that developed by Dr. Jean Dodds, founder of Hemopet, of Garden Grove, California, a holistic veterinarian and an expert in animal vaccination and immunology. Her system involves administering limited vaccines to puppies and kittens based on their individual needs, and not more often than every three weeks for those younger than 8 weeks. Following this course, by 4 months of age the pet has been injected with four to six vaccines, compared to double to triple the amount supported by vaccine manufacturers and administered by breeders and most conventional doctors.

Such a judicious, limited vaccine protocol offers protection against the diseases that are the most lethal to the puppy or kitten while doing no harm to its natural immune system. As needed, individual pets may also receive a natural detoxification protocol to minimize vaccine reactions. Antioxidant supplements can boost the immune response, as well.

Adult pet patients can also be given blood titer testing instead of vaccines.

This measures the animal’s individual antibody responses to prior immunizations or common disease exposure and assures us the pet has adequate immunity against a specific disease.

All of this assures the pet owner that the pet is protected against infectious diseases without the risks of annual multiple vaccinations. In most cases a protective titer is maintained for many years, which preempts disease and further reduces the number of vaccines the animal receives over its lifetime.

Titer testing costs less than $100 for three common infectious diseases, is safer than routine immunization,

protects the immune system, prevents vaccine reactions and assures owners, vets, boarding facilities, groomers and day care facilities that it’s safe to introduce the pet into such environments.

This approach of minimal vaccinations is a prime reason holistic veterinarian patients tend to be healthier and live longer than the average pet, with even larger dogs regularly living in good health up to 15 to 20 years of age.

Holistic veterinarians perform limited vaccines supplemented by titer testing to ensure levels of care that meet accepted standards. They base their approach on supportive science from institutions including the American Animal Hospital Association and American Association of Feline Practitioners to provide safe, proven, ongoing immunity for patients.

Shawn Messonnier, a doctor of veterinary medicine practicing in Plano, TX, is the award-winning author of The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats and Unexpected Miracles: Hope and Holistic Healing for Pets. For more information, visit PetCareNaturally.com.

Positive anything is better than negative nothing. ~Elbert Hubbard

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calendarofevents

See monthly, by the day and hour, what’s happening in the Bay area. So many educational and uplifting events to assist with personal and planetary health: enjoy seminars, lectures, workshops, book signings, beauty and nutrition events, leading edge health solutions, spiritual connections, for singles, couples and families. Printed calendar is a gratis feature exclusively for advertisers who make this magazine possible. Non-advertisers are free to use on-line calendar at natampa.com, click on submit calendar tab.

SATURDAY, MAY 2 Introduction to Reflexology: Parts 1 & 2 – May 2-3. This weekend workshop is available for LMTs to receive 14 CEUs while learning the art and science of Reflexology. Massage therapists will learn basic relaxation techniques, how to walk the reflex areas on the hands and feet, and use hot towels to increase extremity circulation. Begin your new year by adding Reflexology to your list of bodywork services. $295. Cortiva Institute of Massage, 4045 Park Blvd. N., Pinellas Park, Details 727-541-5200, Cortiva.com/Tampa.

Introduction to Craniosacral Therapy Workshop – May 2-3. Don’t be fooled by the title. If you are a bodyworker or healer, this can be the most important class you will ever take. You will refine palpation skills and learn specific techniques that could transform your practice. 12 CE hrs. $250/Early Registration.

Southeastern College, Memorial Hwy., Tampa. Details & registration, 330-701-8780, polarityhealthcare.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 3 Como Dejar de Fumar con la Ayuda de la Hipnosis – 1pm. Dra. Marta Alarcon, Reiki Master, Consejera Familiar, Hipnoterapista y Terapista de Luz. La hipnosis es util en muchos aspectos y puede ayudarle a sanar heridas y traumas del pasado. RSVP 813-340-3556 Marta, reikishrine@gmail.com.

Yoga Nidra: The Sleep of Awareness – 3:30-4:30pm.

With Nancy MacDonald E-RYT500. Yoga Nidra is a deep and profoundly powerful meditation having a tremendous soothing effect on the body and mind by refreshing the physical, emotional and mental bodies. It allows a systemic release of stress preparing the mind to receive the personal affirmations you develop in class. It is said that one hour of yoga nidra is equivalent to four hours of sleep. $15. yoga4all, 8836 Seminole Blvd., Seminole. Info & Registration, Nancy 727-5420116 or yoga4all.com/workshops.

MONDAY, MAY 4 Willaru: The Mystery of the Aquarian Age – 7pm.

Born in the Peruvian Andes, Willaru spent time in the

Amazon Jungle, where he was initiated by ancient Lemurian Masters from the inner cities. Asked to become an Inca Spiritual Messenger for the Aquarian Age and share his messages of healing and pathways inner peace, he brings us ancient wisdom from the Great White Brotherhood about the transitional times in which we live. $20/Sugg’d Love Offering. First Unity Sanctuary, Wings Bookstore, 4500 4th St. N, St. Pete, 727-522-6657, WingsBookstore.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 5 Young Living Therapeutic Essential Oils Workshop – 6:30pm. May 5, 11, 18, 26. Facilitated by Lesley Jacobs-Keeler, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Licensed Dietitian. Find out how living a healthy lifestyle that includes therapeutic essential oils is beneficial for you and your family. For class or health info, call 813857-7752 or email Lesley.JacobsRD@gmail.com.

Awakening Into Your Intuition Series with Emily Rivera Andrews – 7:30-9:30pm. May 5, 12, 19, 26.

This intensive four-week event offers a unique opportunity to shift to a more spiritual way of being through the awakening of your intuitive capabilities. Series includes Energy Attunements, setting of intentions, energetic meditations, discussions and exercises that are designed to awaken your intuition while uplifting. $25/class; $88/series. Wings Bookstore, 4500 4th St. N, St. Pete. 727-522-6657, WingsBookstore.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 Thyroid Problems? Free Seminar – 6pm. Fatigue? Weight gain? Thinning hair? Feeling cold?

Anxious? Brittle nails? Brain fog? Drs. John & Alexa Parker, DC, D.PSc provide answers. Synergy Integrated Health, 4343 W Henderson Blvd., Tampa, Seating limited, Reservations, 813-254-5200, tampathyroid.com, synergyfixme.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 7 Paleo Diet – 6pm. Presented by Dr. Betty WedmanSt Louis. Free. Peaks of Health Metabolic Medical Center, 1120 Belcher Rd. S, Ste. 2, Largo. RSVP 727-826-0838, rsvp@peaksofhealth.com.

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Young Living Therapeutic Essential Oils Workshop – 6:30pm. May 14, 21, 28. Facilitated by Lesley Jacobs-Keeler, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Licensed Dietitian. Find out how living a healthy lifestyle that includes therapeutic essential oils is beneficial for you and your family. For class location or health info, call 813-857-7752 or email Lesley.JacobsRD@gmail.com.

Full Moon/New Moon Gong Meditation – 7:158:15pm. Monthly event with Lisa Recchione, eRYT200, RYT500, scheduled close to either the new or full moon. The Gong has all the sounds and vibrations of creation within it. It cancels out thoughts and the mind is overcome and relaxed so that a very deep state of meditation can be reached. $15; Discount with class pass (at door). yoga4all, 8836 Seminole Blvd., Seminole. Prepayment required to guarantee space, walk-ins welcome depending on availability. Info, Lisa 727-595-6036 or yoga4all.com/workshops.

“Tongue and Fingernail Analysis” Seminar by Dr. Chi – 7:30-9:30pm. Are you wanting to live longer and prevent serious health issues? Free Seminar. ($30 screenings taking place May 8 & 9 at NaturalMED Therapies; see calendar ‘Screenings

by Dr. Chi’). Hampton Inn, 4050 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater. Limited space, RSVP 727-541-2211.

FRIDAY, MAY 8 Screenings by Dr. Chi “Tongue and Fingernail Analysis” – May 8-9. 8am-5pm. Dr. Chi is the leading expert in the study of Tongue and Fingernail Analysis. $30 screenings. NaturalMED Therapies, 7600 Bryan Dairy Rd., Ste. C, Largo. Limited consultations, RSVP 727-541-2211.

SUNDAY, MAY 10 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 Nature’s Anti-Aging Secrets – 7pm. Discover how to get billions of antioxidants that slow down aging without taking pills, potions or juices. Find

Near Death Experiences Lecture

  

Respected author and lecturer Frank Valentín will take you on a spiritual journey as living proof that there IS life after death in ways never taught beforeÑfrom his Þrst NDE in 1979 to his most recent manifest in 2014.

www.journeyswithanna.com

w w w. S e a r c h i n g T r u t h . o r g

Need Guidance on Life Issues, Lessons or Purpose? 

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www.natampa.com

RSVP ( 8 1 3 ) 4 4 0 - 1 2 9 9

out how to easily lose weight, reduce pain, improve digestion, boost energy & immunity, and look and feel younger naturally. Learn how a change in diet and lifestyle habits can help improve your life. Free.

Presented by Dr. Carol Ann Fischer, retired, who loves to share knowledge and help others. Handouts provided. Clearwater location. Limited seating.

Reservations required 727-201-2192.

THURSDAY, MAY 14 Yoga Foundations: Level 1 – May 14, 21 & 28.

11am-12:30pm. If you are new to yoga this workshop with Jill Perry is designed to give beginners an understanding of the breath, how it links to movement, and correct structural alignment in each pose, including appropriate modifications to suit the needs of each individual. $100/incl. 5 Class Pass; Members All Sessions $30. Alternately, we are offering this information in a 1-day workshop. Saturday, May 16, 11:30am-1:30pm, $20/Advance, $25/Door.

Sign up 727-514-3051, treeoflifeyoga.org.

FRIDAY, MAY 15 Couples Weekend Getaway & Workshop – 7pm-Sun 2pm. Join Richard & Diana Daffner, authors of Tantric Sex for Busy Couples, for a romantic beach getaway.

Bring greater joy, intimacy and passion to your relationship. Celebrate your love. Connect with your beloved on a soul level. $695/couple. Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota. More info, other dates & locations, brochure, 941349-6804, IntimacyRetreats.com.

Club Divine – 8-11pm. One night only, from Chicago, DJ Taz brings his vibrational, inspirational music. Celebrating Life and Love! Music, Dance, Kai Chi Do and Hoola-Fit. $15/Advance. $5/Add’l ticket. Doors open 7:30pm. Evolve Holistic Health & Wellness Center, 2120 Range Rd., Clearwater.

727-223-8911, Pre-register EvolveClearwater.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 16 Biofeedback for Insomnia – 1-3pm. Problems falling asleep or staying asleep can have us waking up feeling exhausted. This can affect our physical, emotional and mental well-being. Come to this informative talk and find out how biofeedback can help you have an amazing night’s sleep. Free. Evolve Holistic Health & Wellness Center, 2120 Range Rd., Clearwater.

727-223-8911, Pre-register EvolveClearwater.com.

Yoga: A Therapeutic Series for Tight Hips #2 – 3-4:30pm. Join Heather Overton, eRYT200, RYT500. When the hips lock up they may prevent you from walking properly or even attending your weekly salsa class. Advance registration required to receive copy of sequence. No refunds 24 hours prior to event. $20. yoga4all, 8836 Seminole Blvd., Seminole. Info & registration, Heather 727-4803004, yoga4all.com/workshops.

Reflexology Certification Program Weekend – May 16-17. This weekend is part of a 12-month, 300-hour program available for LMTs, acupuncturists and licensed health professionals with massage in their scope of practice to train to become Certified Reflexologists. Sam Belyea, program director, guides students through balancing the systems of the body using the technique of Reflexology. Each weekend includes additional topics such as business development, meditation, and self-care. $2100/Year; $175/

Weekend, The Foot Whisperer Reflexology Institute, 4810 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa, Details 813-831-9420, FootWhisperer.com/reflexology_training.

TUESDAY, MAY 19 The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success / Unity Master Mind Group – 7-9pm. Rev. Stephen J. Kosmyna facilitates this 7-week study of Deepak Chopra’s classic, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. Discussion during the first hour then we’ll move into small Master Mind groups. This will give you answers and direction.

Potentially life changing; take your success to a whole new level! $10-$15/Sugg’d Offering per week. First Unity Campus, 460 46th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Info 727-322-4610, revstephen@firstunity.org.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 Mid-Week Bliss – 3:15-8:15pm. Special Ladies Only Mid-Week Spa afternoon! Program includes Restorative Yoga, Essential Oils, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Guided Meditation and a Healthy Meal. $20.

Evolve Holistic Health & Wellness Center, 2120 Range Rd., Clearwater. 727-223-8911, Pre-register EvolveClearwater.com.

Thyroid Problems? Free Seminar – 6pm. Fatigue?

Weight gain? Thinning hair? Feeling cold? Anxious?

Brittle nails? Brain fog? Drs. John & Alexa Parker, DC, D.PSc provide answers. Synergy Integrated Health, 4343 W Henderson Blvd., Tampa, Seating limited, Reservations, 813-254-5200, tampathyroid. com, synergyfixme.com.

Nature’s Anti-Aging Secrets – 7pm. Discover how to get billions of antioxidants that slow down aging without taking pills, potions or juices. Find out how to easily lose weight, reduce pain, improve digestion, boost energy & immunity, and look and feel younger naturally. Learn how a change in diet and lifestyle habits can help improve your life. Free.

Presented by Dr. Carol Ann Fischer, retired, who loves to share knowledge and help others. Handouts provided. Clearwater location. Limited seating.

Reservations required 727-201-2192.

Grand Opening Peaks of Health – 3-7pm. Tour our new spacious facility; meet our friendly medical staff. Radio WTIS live broadcast; refreshments; door prizes. Peaks of Health Metabolic Medical Center, 1120 Belcher Rd. S., Ste. 2, Largo. RSVP 727-8260838, rsvp@peaksofhealth.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 21 Hypnotic Fat Ban™ – 6:30-9pm. Patricia V. Scott, Ph.D., leads powerful program developed over 30 years by Robert Otto, first hypnotist to get Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition listed in Library of Congress. Uses hypnosis, guided imagery & visualization to effect positive, permanent change. $97, $75/UPHI Members. One-year FREE Tune-UPs. UP Hypnosis Institute, Palm Harbor. Info 727-943-5003, UPHypnosis.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 23 Holistic Self-Care for Women – 1-2:30pm. Join De’Nicea Hilton, DOM, AP to learn how to use methods from Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine to take care of yourself. Women are exceptionally

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gifted and talented at balancing the many areas of their lives. This workshop includes what you can do at home to relieve stress, anxiety, acute colds and headaches. Includes demos and food samplings.

Free. Evolve Holistic Health & Wellness Center, 2120 Range Rd., Clearwater. 727-223-8911, Preregister EvolveClearwater.com.

Yoga Swing: Power to Traction – 1-4pm. Jill Voorhis, 500 E-RYT facilitates a Yoga Swing workshop to strengthen, stretch and stabilize, exploring the aerial yoga swing. It’s great for high intensity strength work (low risk-high reward); joint stabilizing postures; deep release stretch postures; spine and joint traction. No experience required. $35/advance; $40/door. Sign up 727894-9642, info@stpeteyoga.com, StPeteYoga.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 24 Yoga to Heal Your Back – 1-4pm. Doug Warner, 500 E-RYT. Not all yoga postures are good for someone with back issues. Here you will learn the correct sequence and practices to heal your back. This workshop is for you if you are experiencing: back pain, herniated/ bulging discs, compressed discs, degenerative disk disease, scoliosis, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, pinched nerves, headaches resulting from back issues. $35/ in advance; $40/door. Sign up 727-894-9642, info@ stpeteyoga.com, StPeteYoga.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 28 Hormones BHRT – 6pm. Presented by Tracie Leonhardt, DO. Free. Peaks of Health Metabolic Medical Center, 1120 Belcher Rd. S, Ste. 2, Largo.

RSVP 727-826-0838, rsvp@peaksofhealth.com.

Past Life Exploration – 6-9pm. Open to general public & healing arts practitioners interested in exploring

experiences that might have taken place in another lifetime. In a safe environment, we will travel in time, gaining insights to shed new light onto our feelings, thoughts & beliefs. $35; $25/UPHI Members. UP Hypnosis Institute, 800 Tarpon Woods Blvd., Palm Harbor. Info 727-943-5003, UPHypnosis.com.

behaviors, attitudes, limiting beliefs & more using a technique she learned from its creator, Dr. Michael Preston, author of Hypnosis: Medicine of the Mind. $20; $15/UPHI Members. UP Hypnosis Institute, 800 Tarpon Woods Blvd., Palm Harbor. Info 727-9435003, UPHypnosis@yahoo.com, UPHypnosis.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 29

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

New Beginning Oneness Center’s Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Celebration – 4-8:30pm. Join us for the Ribbon Cutting at 4pm or drop in anytime during the evening for delicious hors d’oeuvres, music, drumming, entertainment and vendors. Visit our book & gift shop, enjoy sample treatments from our holistic practitioners, and meet all the amazing people who are practicing at NBOC! There will be chances to win prizes & gifts during the evening too! 210 S. Pinellas Ave. (Alt 19 & Boyer), Ste. 195, Tarpon Springs. Info 727-935-4891.

Self-Hypnosis Training: Your Unlimited Mind – 1-4pm. Patricia V. Scott, Internationally Certified Trainer of Hypnosis, teaches how to discover untapped potentials, talents & abilities using the power of your Unlimited Mind. $35; $25UPHI Members. Hypnosis CD, workbook & scripts included. UP Hypnosis Institute, 800 Tarpon Woods Blvd., Palm Harbor. Info 727-9435003, UPHypnosis@yahoo.com, UPHypnosis.com.

PLAN AHEAD SATURDAY, JUNE 6 Rhythms of Ayurveda – 1-4pm. Ayurveda recommends daily (Dincharya) and seasonal (Ritucharya) routines to help us attune ourselves with the rhythms of nature, promote health, and help maintain balance in our lives. Sample unique Ayurvedic massage (Abhyanga) oils, essential oil body and room sprays, herbal teas, and more in this interactive workshop with Kathleen Hoffman. $30/Advance, $35/Door.

Sign up 727-514-3051, treeoflifeyoga.org.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9 Library Technique Group Hypnosis – 6:308:30pm. Patricia V. Scott, Ph.D. guides you through the library in your mind to affect wanted changes in

SATURDAY, JUNE 27 Body, Mind, Spirit Expo – 10am-6pm June 27.

11am-5pm June 28. Coming to Tampa for the 12th year, Body Mind & Spirit brings to life a positive healing environment. $10/Weekend admission includes free lectures and demos as well as admission to the exhibit hall. Visit bmse.net for a $1 off coupon!

Florida State Fairgrounds Event Center, 4800 US Hwy 301 N, Tampa. Info 541-482-3722, X 1 or 2.

Near Death Experiences Lecture – 10:30am-1pm.

Respected author and lecturer Frank Valentín will take you on a spiritual journey as living proof that there IS life after death in ways never taught before—from his first NDE in 1979 to his most recent spiritual manifest. $10. Seats are limited. Perkins Family Restaurant, 2375 Curlew Rd., Dunedin.

Reservations 24/7 live call center 813-440-1299.

Details SearchingTruth.org/lectures.

Couples’ Retreats!

Led by Richard & Diana Daffner, M.A. authors of Tantric Sex for Busy Couples

Create Magic in your Relationship!

Romantic Vacation Workshops

Siesta Key

Celebrate Your Love - Rekindle Your Passion May 15-17 June 5-7 June 19-21 (Father's Day Weekend, Register Early) Call for ADD’L DATES & Free Brochure: 941-349-6804 Intimac yRetreats .com

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ongoingevents sunday 25 Years of Teaching Meditation – 10-11am Sun; 6:30-8:30pm Weds; 6-7pm Fri. Learn three unique pre-Buddhist approaches to practicing meditation; techniques used by the earliest Yogis designed to awaken into the freedom and fullness of yourSelf.

Practice the fundamentals, avoid common pitfalls, and get guidance creating a practical, sustainable, life-changing practice. No experience needed. St. Petersburg Yoga, 2842 Dr. MLK St. N., 727-8949642, info@stpeteyoga.com, StPeteYoga.com.

Mindfulness Meditation and Buddhist Teaching – 10am-Noon. In the spirit of Thich Nhat Hanh with Fred Eppsteiner. Mindfulness practice helps one to cultivate compassion, develop inner peace and experience joy in daily life. 6501 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, Info tampa-updates@floridamindfulness. org or visit floridamindfulness.org.

Sunday Celebration Service – 10:30amNoon. Meditation 9:15-10am; Free Reiki & Healing 10am. Join our radically loving spiritual community as we share inspiring music & empowering messages which can transform your life. NBO Center embodies, express & practices oneness with all! New Beginning Oneness Center, 210 S. Pinellas Ave. (Alt 19 & Boyer), Tarpon Springs. Info 727-415-3600.

Candlelight Meditation – 6pm. Let yourself drift in a sea of peaceful music, beautiful imagery, and candlelight that creates an atmosphere of tranquility and serenity for you to soak in. This is gently guided meditation mixed with intervals of sacred silence, all underlined with soft, heavenly music to wrap up your weekend. Sanctuary at First Unity Spiritual Campus, 460 46th Ave. N (at 4th St.), St Petersburg, 727-522-2222.

monday Yoga for Cancer Survivors – 10:30am Monday & Wednesday; 9:30am Thursday. Yoga and movement can enhance quality of life as a complement to medical treatments. Gail Newfield will teach us how to relieve some common side effects during and after cancer treatments. We will focus the mind, breathe deeply and move gently to renew the mind, body and spirit. Sign up 727-514-3051, treeoflifeyoga.org.

Inner Wisdom Coaching Circle – 6-8pm. Join Coach Dianne Kipp in a “telecoaching” group each month to discover your internal wisdom, while

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learning how to overcome your “Monkey Mind” negative self-talk. You will learn the foundations of Ontological coaching, as well experience what it is like to “be coached”. Bring your life challenges, desires, and dreams and we’ll get you on the road to your success! $30 per person per month; 3 or 6 month commitment required. Contact Coach Dianne 727-481-1646 or coach@diannekipp.com.

Create Your Ideal Healthy Body! – 6:30-8:30pm.

Mind-Body Cohesion© System developed by Patricia V Scott combines Hypnosis, NLP, Pivotal Response Conditioning & more for weight, diet, cravings, confidence, exercise motivation. Initial 5 classes: $155 prepaid; $175 same day; $135 Members. UP Hypnosis Institute, 800 Tarpon Woods Blvd, Palm Harbor, 727-943-5003, Info@ UPHypnosis.com, map uphypnosis.com.

Embrace Your Infinite Potential – 7pm, 3rd Mon. Awaken yourself to a New Way of Being during this session designed to ignite and inspire your full potential. Each session will include the gift of Vibrational Alignment shared by Andi Schenbeck, aligning you with your highest potential by transmuting lifetimes of unconscious beliefs and energies that no longer serve you. 7pm, Love Offering, Wings Bookstore, 4500 4th St N, St Pete, WingsBookstore.com, 727-522-6657.

Free Being Meditation – 7-8pm. Practice inner being health through deep relaxation. Offering seated Yoga Nidra meditations; on the first Monday of every month we practice with recorded chanting or background music. Door opens 6:45pm to get settled, Love offering, First Unity Campus Bldg. (next to Wings Bookstore), 4500 4th St N., Rm. 400, FirstUnity.org, meetup.com/ Free-Being-Meditation-St-Petersburg-FL. Yum Yum Yoga – 7-8:15pm. Recovering from illness or injury? Stressed, overwhelmed or suffering from back pain? This therapeutic class taught by Yoga Therapist Nancy MacDonald ERYT 500 might be just what you need. Leave class feeling yummy and peaceful, with tools to support you and your journey of health. Yoga4All, 8836 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, shantivinyasa.com.

Attention Coaches and Want-a-Be Coaches! – Join Coach Dianne Kipp, experienced, certified and mentoring coach on a monthly “coaches conversation call” to build community, exchange ideas and gain insight to solving difficult client challenges.

Details 727-481-1646, diannekipp.com.

tuesday Inspiration Radio – 7:30am. Listen to Dr Tracie J Leonhardt, DO, on 1110 AM; call in with questions on topic of the day.

Qigong – 11am-Noon. An ancient Chinese exercise and healing technique that involves meditation, controlled breathing and movement exercises. $10/ Energy Exchange. New Beginning Oneness Center, 210 S. Pinellas Ave. (Alt 19 & Boyer), Tarpon Springs. Info 727-415-3600. Look for us on Meetup & Facebook.

Kids Mindful Yoga – 4-5pm. Also Thurs. Kids ages 5 to 9 can learn the fundamentals of Mindfulness in body, breath, mind & life through yoga. Taught by our Licensed Mental Health Councilor, Yoga Instructor, and Mom of two. Parents can relax at the same time in their own separate Restorative class. 4-5pm, St. Petersburg Yoga, 2842 Dr. MLK St. N., 727-894-9642, info@stpeteyoga.com, StPeteYoga.com.

Acupuncture Intern Clinic $25 + Cost of Herbs – 6-8pm. Students spend about an hour or two using the Chinese medicine system of evaluation to see what herbs and herbal formulas to recommend for you. They are supervised by one of our experienced acupuncture & herbal practitioners. Appointments only. St. Petersburg Health & Wellness, 222 2nd St. N., St. Pete, 727-551-0857, stpetehw.com.

Reiki I & II Usui System – 6-10pm. Class Certification and CEUs available for LMT, Provider #MCE 50–77, for Reiki credits. Rev Maria Antonieta Revello, Reiki, Karuna & Qigong Master. Reiki II, Thursday. RSVP 813-334-7424.

Prenatal Classes – 7:30pm. Gail Walker, facilitator.

Open to all levels of students in any trimester. Restore, rest, renew. $15, Tree of Life Yoga, 6800 Gulfport Blvd., Ste. 205, St. Petersburg. TreeOfLifeYoga.org.

Back Pain? Scoliosis? – Tues & Thurs. Looking for a Yoga Therapist? Fine tune your alignment? Nancy MacDonald E-RYT500, Yoga Therapist for 7+ years is offering private sessions and small group classes.

Chair yoga for those that cannot get up and down from the floor with ease might be just what you are looking for. Nancy has many advanced certifications including chair yoga. Tree Frog Yoga, Pinellas Park, Schedule with Nancy 727-542-0116, ShantiVinyasa.com.

wednesday Reiki Share – 10am-2:30pm. Also 3rd Sat. Experience the most profound, powerful & gentle relax-

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ation technique. It helps re-establish healthy frequencies to cells and tissues bringing back health.

Call 813-425-2596 Dr Marta Alarcon, 813-334-7424 Maria, reikishrine@gmail.com.

Inspiration Radio – 11:30am-Noon. Listen to Dr. Tracie J. Leonhardt, DO, on 1110 AM; call in with your questions on the topic of the day. Also listen daily for her metabolic health minute of the day.

Joel Chudnow Hosts Hawk Health Hour – Noon1pm. Wholistic Health Educator and Natural Lifestyle Counselor Joel Chudnow is back on the radio and web, interviewing and showcasing wholistic healthcare professionals in Tampa Bay. WMNF 88.5 HD4 and live streaming HawkRadio.com.

Tai Chi & Qi Gong – 4:30-6pm. Dao Yin and warm-up exercises 4:30pm. Qi Gong and Tai Chi sequences 5pm. Instructor Dr. Justin Fontanini has extensive experience and knowledge of these ancient arts. Donation. Reservations, 813-334-7424 Maria, 813-968-2128 Acupuncture & Natural Therapies, reikishrine@gmail.com.

Hatha Yoga, The Journey – 5:30-6:45pm. Join Nancy MacDonald E-RYT500 as she helps you understand yoga postures, demonstrated slowly to allow understanding of alignment and any props that may be needed to find comfort, balance and confidence. Become familiar with breath practices that sustain the body during the asana practice. This class is designed to deepen your understanding of the yoga postures, develop greater flexibility and awaken the mind-body connection. Yoga4All, 8836 Seminole Blvd., 727-542-0116, ShantiVinyasa.com.

Herb Student Clinic $10 + Cost of Herbs – 6-8pm.

Students spend about an hour or two using the Chinese medicine system of evaluation to see what herbs and herbal formulas to recommend for you.

They are supervised by one of our experienced acupuncture & herbal practitioners. Appointments only. St. Petersburg Health & Wellness, 222 2nd St. N., St. Pete, 727-551-0857, stpetehw.com.

Hypnosis & NLP Master Class (Public Welcome) – 6-9pm, Last Weds. Master Class for professional development (3 CEUs). Hypnotists expand skills with scripts & practice time & others participate as practice client. $30 UPHI Associates; $35 UPHI Members; $40 General Public). UP Hypnosis Institute, 800 Tarpon Woods Blvd, Palm Harbor, 727-943-5003, 866-5377746, Info@UPHypnosis.com, map uphypnosis.com.

Guided Meditation with Gong – 7-8:15pm. Relax and let go of all struggles as you are guided by the gentle, soft voice of Charles Robinson and the healing vibrations of the gong. Each week the meditation will be different, allowing you to release tension, anxiety and stress. Bring comfortable mat, blanket(s)

and pillow(s). Free. Evolve Holistic Health & Wellness Center, 2120 Range Rd., Clearwater. 727-2238911, Pre-register EvolveClearwater.com.

Medical Qi Gong: Science of Harmonizing the Mind & Body – 7pm. 2nd Weds. Through posture, breath and intention, transform your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Martin Keane, acupuncture physician, leads the group through exercises to master correct posture, improve spinal health by stabilizing the pelvis. $10. Wings Bookstore, 4500 4th St. N, St. Pete, 727-522-6657, WingsBookstore.com.

Restorative/Yin Yoga – 7-8:15pm. Join Nancy MacDonald E-RYT500, Certified Restorative Yoga teacher as she guides you in the peaceful practice of restorative/ yin yoga. Postures will be held so the body can unwind and unfold naturally. Yoga4All, 8836 Seminole Blvd, Seminole, 727-542-0116, Shantivinyasa.com.

Mindfulness Meditation & Practice – 7-8:45pm. In the spirit of Thich Nhat Hanh. Mindfulness practice helps to cultivate compassion, develop inner peace and experience joy in daily life. UU St Pete, 719 Arlington Ave N, St Petersburg, Info floridamindfulness.org.

thursday Free Beginners Yoga Class – 5:45-7pm. New to yoga or need a brief review of the basics? Join us for this class or any other one class for free. Open to all levels.

5:30-6:45pm. First class in studio (limit one) is FREE to Pinellas residents. Yoga4All, 8836 Seminole Blvd, Seminole, Info, Marty 727-392-9642, yoga4all.com.

A Course in Miracles – 7pm. A modern day expression of the demonstrations and teachings of Jesus as the path to happiness, love and joy; course focuses on letting go of thoughts and pictures in our minds that cause us to suffer. $5 Donation, First Unity, 460-46th Ave N, St Pete, 727-527-2222 x101 or FirstUnity.org.

friday Gentle Yoga – 8:30-9:45am. With Osiris; bring your mat. Reservations, Osiris 813-545-3261 or Maria 813-334-7424.

Community Acupuncture Healing Sessions – 10am-3pm. Patients sit quietly in comfortable recliners and benefit from the synergistic healing energy of a group. Payment is made anonymously, based on honor system, Suggest $20–$45, cash only, Mind Body Spirit Care, 3610 Madaca Ln, Tampa, Reservations 813-969-1311.

Glimpsing Your Soul – 6:30-8:30pm, 4th Fri. Join

inspirational author and teacher Laurel Geise as she leads the group in a past life session opening energetic doorways to explore the many dimensions of you. Beginning with an energetic expansion session and leading you deeper and deeper, she will guide you through the exploration of the eternal nature of your soul. $33, Wings Bookstore, 4500 4th St N, St. Pete, WingsBookstore.com, 727-522-6657.

Drum Circle with King James – 6:30-9pm. 2nd Friday. Our CommUNITY event begins with a pot luck. Bring a dish to pass, your family, friends, co-workers, and if you have your own drum, that too! King James will lead us in a Drum Circle filled with lots of energy, light and love! Love Offering Appreciated. Evolve Holistic Health & Wellness Center, 2120 Range Rd., Clearwater. 727-223-8911, Pre-register EvolveClearwater.com.

Couples Beach Retreat & Workshop – 7:30pm Fri-1:45pm Sun. Transform your relationship through sacred intimacy and conscious loving.

Discover Tantra. $595/couple, Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota, IntimacyRetreats.com; Dates, other locations, brochure, call 1-877-282-4244.

saturday Qi Gong: Supreme Science Qi Gong – 9-10am. Val Mirea, DOM, AP conducts guided group class through powerful and relaxing qi gong positions and techniques.

All levels, $10, St. Petersburg Health & Wellness, 222 2nd St. N., St. Pete, 727-551-0857, stpetehw.com.

Reiki Share – 10am-2:30pm, 3rd Sat. Experience the powerful & gentle relaxation technique. It helps re-establish healthy frequencies to cells and tissues bringing back health. 813-765-5166 Maritza, 813-4252596 Dr Marta Alarcon, or reikishrine@gmail.com.

Prenatal Classes – 10:30am. Gail Walker facilitator.

Open to all levels of students in any trimester. Restore, rest, renew. $15, Tree of Life Yoga, 6800 Gulfport Blvd., Ste. 205, St. Petersburg. TreeOfLifeYoga.org.

Self-Hypnosis Training: Your Unlimited Mind! – 1-4pm, Last Sat. Patricia V Scott, Certified Master Trainer, teaches how to discover untapped potentials, using the power of your Unlimited Mind. $45 prepaid; $55 same day; $35 Members, includes CD/materials, UP Hypnosis Institute, 800 Tarpon Woods Blvd, Ste A-1, Palm Harbor, 727-943-5003, 866-537-7746, Info@UPHypnosis.com, map uphypnosis.com.

Free Beginners Yoga Class – 5:45-7pm. FREE to Pinellas residents. Yoga4All, 8836 Seminole Blvd, Seminole, Info, Marty 727-392-9642, yoga4all.com

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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 visit www.natampa.com or call 727.865.9339.

alternative medicine

ACUPUNCTURE Jade Tree Wellness Center Tom Elman, AP, LMT 3039 - 49th St. N, St. Petersburg (727) 344—8690 JadeTreeWellness.com

Happy, Healthy, Whole! Acupuncture, Herbs and Massage to help you feel better. We treat everything from asthma to emotional issues, from Acid Reflux to Fibromyalgia. Free Consultations! See ad page 22.

Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Chris Dziubinski, DOM, AP, L. Ac 201 S. McDill Ave. (S. Tampa) 3610 Madaca Lane (N. Tampa) (813) 935-CARE (2273) MindBodySpiritCare.com

Florida Board Certified Acupuncture Physician offering acupuncture therapies for the whole family. Established, comfortable, caring and professional integrative medicine clinics in South & North Tampa. In-network with most medical insurances; accept payments from HRA, HSA and FSA.

Natural Med Therapies

Machelle Perkins, D.O.M. 7600 Bryan Dairy Rd # C, Largo, 33777 (727) 541—2211 NaturalMedTherapies.com National & state board certified with 15+ years experience in Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Cold Laser & more.

Bio-Puncture and Mesotherapy to treat pain, ADHD, anxiety, depression. Lab testing, most insurances. Free Nutritional Consultation.

astrology Astrology for Your Soul

LIFEWORKS WELLNESS CENTER

Aluna Michaels, M.A., Esoteric Astrologer Dunedin (727) 239-7179 alunamichaels.com

Dr. David Minkoff Dr. George Springer & Sue Morgan, ARNP 301 Turner Street, Clearwater (727) 466—6789 LifeWorksWellnessCenter.com Specializing in natural hormone replacement therapy: the natural, bioidentical way and other safe, natural nutritional solutions for menopause symptoms, including weight loss, acupuncture, chelation, allergy elimination, and walk-in care.

See ad inside front cover.

attorney Law Offices of Steven A. Culbreath, P.A.

Peaks of Health Metabolic Medical Center

Tracie Leonhardt, DO 1120 Belcher Rd. S., Ste. 2, Largo, Fl 33777 (727) 826-0838 PeaksOfHealth.com

Dr. Leonhardt is Board Certified & Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. Offers a personalized program for each individual patient.

Offering: Hormone replacement therapy, weight loss, thyroid, GI issues, Diabetes, infrared sauna, IV nutrition, Anti-aging, Chronic fatigue, adrenal fatigue, and toxicities. See ad page 9.

Steven A. Culbreath Esq. 111 - 2nd Avenue N.E., Suite 900 St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 456-6463 steve@saculbreathlaw.com ImmigrationLawTampaBay.com

Member AILA/prestigious AV-rating. Authored articles on U.S. immigration law, visa strategies, legislative / regulatory updates, demystifying government agencies, insight into government practices. Visas, Greencards, Citizenship.

blood analysis

Professional Herbalists Training Program

Stewart Analysis, Ltd.

Acupuncture & Herbal Therapies 222 2nd St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33705 (727) 551—0857 AcuHerbals.com

Second-generation astrologer and Soul Evolutionist practitioner.

Over 25 years of experience.

Insightful, unique perspective on goals and issues. “Together we will unveil your soul’s purpose.”

The 2-year program meets one weekend each month for class and Wednesday nights for our hands-on student clinic. This program is designed to create clinical herbalists in a combination of Chinese and western herbalism.

Many open classes. Designed to meet American Herbalists Guild standards.

See ad page 36.

Brandi Stewart Microscopist/ Insured Wellness Counselor 15511 N.Florida Ave. Suite 2, Tampa (863) 860-6643 brandi@stewartanalysis.com StewartAnalysis.com Specializing in Live and dry layer blood evaluations utilizing applied dark field microscopic technology for health, education and nutritional improvements. Locations available throughout Florida.

Sunshine Acupuncture Center Dr. Guansu Wang, AP, DOM, MD (China) 1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite H4, Clearwater (727) 797-1161 SunshineAcupunctureCenter.com

Aim for the moon. If you miss,

25+ years experience practicing and teaching Acupuncture and TCM. In bay area since 1992.

Specializing in Neurological pain, migraine, Arthritis, Anxiety, Insomnia etc. Free consultation.

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Tampa Bay Edition

you may hit a star. ~W. Clement Stone

www.natampa.com

chiropractic Conforti Chiropractic and Wellness

4040 Tampa Rd., (813) 818—7499 Benttree Clinic 10935 N. Dale Mabry, (813) 969—2225 Conforti’s Crossroads Chiropractic Center 1811 Healthcare Dr., Trinity (727) 376—9611 Providing affordable family plans. See ad pages 29 and 41.

colon Hydrotherapy RENEW LIFE

Bonnie Barrett 28469 US Hwy 19 N. #402, Clearwater (727) 461—7227 RenewLifeFla.com, Lic# MA14802 MM12728 25 years experience. Expert in colon hydrotherapy using pressure points, abdominal massage, essential oils, and lymphatic drainage.

All disposable tubing used. Very comfortable and relaxing room with private bathroom. Raindrop massage available also.

Lucy Westervelt

2708 Alt. 19, Ste. 708, Palm Harbor (727) 781-8446

Natural Living Chiropractic & wellness center Dr. Paula Giusto 2102 S. Mac Dill Ave., Tampa (813) 253—2565 NaturalLivingChiropractic.org

Family chiropractic care, wellness care, nutritional counseling, neuromuscular massage therapy.

Jin Shin Jyutsu & craniosacral therapy.

David F. Doering, DDS

Doering Family Dental 1201 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa (813) 933—5365 TampaDentalCare.com Cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Conservative approach to periodontal (gum) treatment. See ad page 19.

Paul T. Rodeghero DDS

Clearwater Family Dental 215 S Myrtle Ave., Clearwater (727) 442-3363 MyClearwaterFamilyDental.com Our practice is a full service family practice. We welcome patients of all ages and can handle any concern that you may present to us. See ad page 14.

Lic# MA33067 MM33474

Expert in Colon Hydrotherapy, using state-of-the-art equipment combined with Abdominal Massage, Reflexology, Pressure Points and Essential Oils during session for optimal results.

Professional, warm spa setting.

counseling

Ray Behm, DDS

127 N. Garden Ave., Clearwater 33755 (727) 446—6747 BehmNaturalDentistry.com Improve your overall health with holistic dentistry! Materials are tested for compatibility with your body. We remove toxic metals, treat root canals, and strengthen teeth and gums with state-of-the-art ozone treatments.

See ad page 16.

Willing Heart Counseling

cleaning We Are CONCIERGE!

Nancy Rosenthal, Nicki Bennett (727) 260-1883 WeAreConcierge@yahoo.com Office cleaning, house cleaning, sitting and open-ups. Day and overnight pet care. Utilizing all natural, green, biodegradable, non-toxic products, safe for your family and pets. Serving the Tampa Bay area.

coaching Dianne M. Kipp, BSN, PCC, CTT

ICF Certified Coach & Business Culture Consultant Dianne M. Kipp & Associates, LLC (727) 481-1646 coach@diannekipp.com DianneKipp.com

Wanting to achieve the best in your personal relationships, professional or business goals? Try coaching with a certified coach.

You will be amazed at the results!

Coaching Courageous Living choices & senior executives for over 8 years. Complimentary Personal Values Assessments & Intro-session available.

Kerry Knesl, LCSW 105 S. Albany Avenue, Tampa FL 33606 (813) 468-5858 Depression and bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis, eating disorders, anxiety and stress, PTSD, relationship problems, women’s issues, grief, self-esteem issues, adolescent issues, bullying and group therapy.

for sale Bonnie Barrett (727) 461-7227

dentists Beata carlson, DDS

2701 Park Dr. Suite 4, Clearwater, Fl. 33763 (727) 712—3837 NaturalAndCosmeticDentistry.com Natural, Holistic, Aesthetic Dentistry. Careful Silver filling removal. Non-metal crowns, bridges and partials. Be pampered in our Spa-like atmosphere. See ad back cover.

If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased. ~Katharine Hepburn

Add income to your practice with a Synergie Cellulite machine. Vacuum type massage that rids cellulite and smooths skin and firms. Has ability to add on micro-Dermabrasion. Low hours on machine. Moving and don’t have space for it. New cost $12,000. / Asking $3200.

herbalist Rose Kalajian—Herbalist

Natural Health Hut Clinic and Herb Farm (813) 991—5177 www.ImHerbalist.com Specializing in growing the herbs used in my clinic practice and in the Herbal Remedies I formulate.

Consultations are available for humans, dog, cats, and horses.

Promoting health through the use of Herbs. See ad pages 6 and 16.

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hypnosis UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES HYPNOSIS, INC.

Patricia V. Scott, President (727) 943—5003, (866) 537—7746 UPHypnosis@yahoo.com, UPHypnosis.com Professional Hypnosis & NLP Certification Training, Weekly classes & Private sessions (Smoking, Weight, Stress, Sports, Habits), Clinical/Medical Hypnotherapy available w/referral. Speaking Services & Corporate Programs.

See ad page 37.

integrative medicine St. Petersburg Health & Wellness

Les Cole, MD 222 2nd St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 202-6807 StPeteHW.com.

Board certified in Anti-Aging/ Regenerative and Integrative/ Holistic Medicine. Specializing in men’s & women’s health, bio-identical hormones, weight, diabetes, hypertension, thyroid, fatigue, stress, gut health, chelation, IV vitamin C, nutrition.

See ad pages 13 and 36.

Mind Body spirit Care Ron N. Shemesh, M.D. 3610 Madaca Lane, Tampa (813) 935—CARE (2273) MindBodySpiritCare.com

Integrative & holistic medicine for women & men: Natural Hormone Therapy, Anti-Aging, IV Chelation, Nutritional Vitamin Therapy, Fatigue & Stress Management, Weight Loss, Yoga, Nutritional Counseling. Affiliated with St. Joseph Hospital. Most insurance accepted.

lifestyle coaching Sarah Boughanmi, LLL, LLM, ESQ (QC.)

1-844-64-LIGHT (54448) LifeGlowOrganics.com,LifeGlowHealth.com FloridaHealthRetreat.com We help you attain a holistic and sustainable lifestyle for: health, beauty, rejuvenation, detox, and wellness. Specializing in produce/sprouts, coaching and retreats.See ad page 51.

meditation Meditation on the Inner Light and Sound 1-877- MEDITATE SantMat.net

Learn how to live in alignment with the soul’s purpose and to experience greater harmony within, with others, and with the environment. Always free, never a charge.

organic produce

Tampa Bay Edition

The Learning Connection, T.L.C. Inc.,voted #1 Best Tutoring Service for 6 years in a row, is celebrating its 19th anniversary! We offer a wide variety of educational services for Pre-school to Adults.

We produce results!

See ad page 35.

Tampa Bay Organics

Jessica Papesh (813) 949-1112 TampaBayOrganics.com hello@tampabayorganics.com Tampa Bay Organics delivers fresh, delicious 100% Certified Organic Fruits and Vegetables directly to your home or office.

Customize your delivery schedule and produce preferences to fit your lifestyle! www.TampaBayOrganics.com. See ad page 37.

psychotherapy Lois A. Miller, L.C.S.W., PA

238 E. Davis Blvd. Suite 302, Tampa (813) 258-3906, Fl. Lic. swooo1738 info@mytherapywithheart.com mytherapywithheart.com Integrative and holistic psychotherapy for individuals and couples. Treating anxiety, depression, grief, relationships, trauma, transitioning and more, using EMDR, EFT, mindfulness, and other modalities. See ad page 30.

SUZANNE P. PERSONS, Ph.D., LMHC MH#0423 / since 1982 Psychotherapy / Consultation 1700 Park Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33710 (727) 804—1706

EMDR Therapy for stress, trauma and change. Counseling for people with grief, loss, esteem issues; relationship communication, life assessment, direction and goals, father/daughter relationships.

NA Fun Fact: Natural Awakenings is published in 100 U.S. markets and Puerto Rico.

To advertise with us, call 727.865.9339 54

tutoring THE LEARNING CONNECTION TLC, INC. Annette Primiani, B.S., M.S., Director 1156 N.E. Cleveland St.,Clearwater, FL 33755 (727) 443-5353 LearningConnectionTLCInc.com tlcinc@earthlink.net

www.natampa.com

veterinarian animal alternatives holistic health care Dr. Anne Lampru 238 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa (813) 265—2411 AnimalAlternatives.org

Dr. Anne Lampru has practiced holistic veterinary medicine since 1983. Believing that each pet is unique, she tailors a health restoration or maintenance plan to their individual needs.

See ad page 36.

Medicine River Animal Hospital Shawna L. Green, DVM 15235 Gulf Boulevard Madeira Beach, FL 33708 (727) 299—9029 MedicineRiverAnimalHospital.com

Compassionate health care catered toward the needs of your pet offering preventative medicine, surgery, dentistry, senior wellness, and more.

See ad page 44.

weight loss HCG ACCELERATED DIET

LifeWorks Wellness Center Sue Morgan, ARNP Sue Minkoff, RN 301 Turner Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, (727) 466 6789 LifeWorksWellnessCenter.com Experience this revolutionary, medically supervised weightloss program, where patients lose 14-20lbs in 24 days.

See ad inside cover.

Who do you see when you look in the mirror?

A Loving Mom? A True Friend? A Talented Artist, Writer or Teacher?

Isn’t it time to start affirming that identity?

Come to one of our FREE* seminars and we’ll help you take the next step.

Stop affirming your own weakness, and your diagnosis. Take one more step, and get beyond labels, forever.

Start living a full and happy life.

My eEmpower experience was incredible to say the least! Through the endless modalities of therapies, I have transformed my life in a months’ time. My mind is clear and my body and spirit is alive! Much thanks to the wonderful, loving and compassionate clinical staff! You saved my life! I love you all.

—J.C., New Jersey, USA

Empower yourself, now!

Call (727) 410-8911 to reserve your space now. *Free to AA members, active and former 12-Step clients, and those in recovery or seeking help. $69.00/Seminar for all other clients.

Above Limits

www.Alternative2Rehab.com 2120 Range Road, Clearwater, FL