January 2021 Natural Awakenings Fairfield County & Housatonic Valley CT

E R F

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HEALTHY

LIVING

HOSPITALS GO HOLISTIC INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE GAINS GROUND

CLIMATE ANXIETY

HOW TO DEAL WITH A CHANGING PLANET

HEALTHY

PLANET

LOSE WEIGHT

AND GAIN HEALTH IN 2021

SPACE CLEARING INVITES POSITIVE ENERGY

January 2021 | Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition | eNaturalAwakenings.com

January 2021

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INDIVIDUAL: USE CODE: PROVIDER: USE CODE:

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Fairfield County & Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

NAPUB60 NAPC300

203-856-9566 www.203TLC.com

203 TLC

203 TLC is a community of accredited health and wellness providers offering a wide variety of services and products.

Founded in 1997 by Beth Leas, the TLC Tribe is Fairfield County’s largest holistic health resource - a vibrant and growing community of over 90 Members, committed to living consciously and offering healthy lifestyle opportunities. We offer high quality private sessions, products, workshops, classes and resources designed to help you live life well.

Energy Healing/Meditation/Tarot Beth X Leas 25+ Years Experience Private Sessions, Workshops, Events In-person or by phone bethleas.com 203-856-9566

Lyme Disease Healing Gregg Kirk, Lyme Recovery Clinic & Detox Center Heal from chronic illness through all-natural herbal treatments, intensive detox, cleanses & energy healing.

528 Post Rd, Darien Gregg.Kirk@gmail.com 203-858-9725

Spiritual Counseling Katherine Gray Silvan, LMSW Clear Light Spiritual Counseling Interfaith Minister, Reiki Master Inspirational Speaker katherinesilvan.com 203-912-5252

Essential Oils Wayne Leiss, LMT Centering Our Lives Through Touch. dōTERRA Essential Oils and Symphony of the Cells™ Protocols 20 Fifth Ave, Apt A, Danbury Wayne@WayneLeiss.com WayneLeiss.com 203-994-1207

Life Coach/Hypnotist Thea Litsios, CHy Life Coach, Hypnotist, Teacher of Active Dreaming Remote sessions available 203-693-1493

Meditation & Counseling Meg Reilly, MS, CH Counselor, Workshop Facilitator, Writer, Poet Services in person or by phone megreilly360.com 203-952-6272

Salt Cave Salt Cave of Darien Salt therapy, massage, meditation & yoga 555 Post Rd, Darien Info@SaltCaveofDarien.com SaltCaveofDarien.com 203-658-7667

VISIT US

Transformation Coaching/Healing Katie Augustyn, MA, CPC Transformation Coach, Shamanic Practitioner, Spiritual Evolution Trainer, Energy Healer, TV Host TransformationCenterCT.com 203-820-3800

www.203TLC.com www.TribeTLC.com FB: Tribe TLC

Get to know us at TLC’s monthly networking breakfast!

Looking for a relaxed group of professionals offering a supportive community, free networking events, many affordable marketing opportunities, and FUN? We meet on the first Tuesday of every month, at Valencia Luncheria, 164 Main St, Norwalk, CT, from 8:30 -10:00am.

Come the first time as Beth's guest - and if you find your time with us worthwhile, we invite you to become a TLC Member.

Please RSVP to Beth Leas at: 203-856-9566 (call/text) orTLCBethLeas@gmail.com so she can reserve your place.

January 2021

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Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Contents 12 THE COMPUTER FAIRY HELPS WOMEN NAVIGATE THE COMPUTER WORLD

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14 INTEGRATIVE HOSPITAL CARE

Medicine Embraces Holistic Modalities

17 STAYING FIT IN 2021

Workout Trends Bend to the Times

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18 LOSE WEIGHT

WITHOUT DIETING

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How to Eat to Feel and Look Your Best

20 TERRY WAHLS

on Taking Control of Chronic Conditions

21 HOUSE BLESSINGS

for Clearing and Protecting Spaces

22 CLIMATE ANXIETY ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS

Navigating Our Emotions as the Planet Changes

HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 203-885-4674 or email Advertising@eNaturalAwakenings.com.

Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month.

24 HEALING PETS

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com.

Deadline for News Briefs: the 12th of the month.

DEPARTMENTS 6 ad index 6 news briefs 10 global briefs 11 health briefs 12 community

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for magazine calendar listings: the 12th of the month. Website calendar listings may be entered at any time.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

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Fairfield County & Housatonic Valley Edition

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HOLISTICALLY

Integrative Vets Treat Root Causes

spotlight 17 fit body 18 conscious

eating

eNaturalAwakenings.com

20 wise words 21 inspiration 22 green living 24 naturally

healthy pet 26 pet resource guide 28 calendar 29 resource guide 31 classifieds

letter from publisher

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

H

appy New Year! I hope your holidays were filled with so much love and joy.

Welcome to 2021. After a year filled with many ups and downs, I think we can all agree that the biggest hope for 2021 is to continue on a path of personal health and wellness, as well as personal growth. Natural Awakenings has started the year with just that. Included in the pages of this issue are articles and information to help you lead your best life in 2021 and beyond. From learning to be more self-sufficient online, to fitness trends, to moving into a new space, we have so much covered.

Erica Mills Our Community Spotlight this month (page 12) features Aliza Freedman, The Computer Fairy, whose services, now more than ever, can help you learn the ins and outs of computer organization, managing working from home, helping kids with online school and any other computer-based issues you have. Her goal is to support and help women be successful online and therefore in life.

In 2021 we are seeing holistic medicine more and more being integrated into everyday treatments. Thirty years ago, hospital patients were treated for symptoms based on the Western medical model, and holistic modalities were excluded, largely due to a lack of reliable scientific studies. More recently, because of promising research, the traditional template is expanding. You can read more on page 14 about how hospitals are using these holistic approaches to treat patients of all ages.

We are excited to share these articles with you and are so fortunate to have so many advertisers that support this free community resource. When you set your personal intentions for the year, think about the offerings you learn about within these pages.

Whether it’s visiting a new local shop, taking a class, trying a new treatment or just treating yourself, there are many options for our readers.

Remember there is always more online for your reading pleasure. Visit our website at eNaturalAwakenings.com for recipes, events, articles and so much more. If you can dream it, we can support it.

All the best in 2021 and beyond,

FAIRFIELD COUNTY/ HOUSATONIC VALLEY

Publisher Erica Mills

Editor Michelle Bense

Design & Production Kathleen Fellows Erica Mills

Contributing Writers Michelle Bense

Lisa Marlene

Linda Sechrist

Lee Walker Distribution Man in Motion LLC

CONTACT US

54 Danbury Rd, #354, Ridgefield, CT 06877 Phone/Fax: 203-885-4674 Erica@eNaturalAwakenings.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $30 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

NATIONAL TEAM

CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne

Art Director Josh Pope

Layout Gabrielle W-Perillo

Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy

National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Administrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakenings.com

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man. ~Heraclitus

© 2021 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. 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.

Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

Natural Awakenings is proudly printed in Connecticut at Trumbull Printing on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

January 2021

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display advertiser index

news briefs

203TLC 3

Cave Rental Experiences at Salt Cave of Darien

The Angel Cooperative/ Angel Wing

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Lectio 360

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The Market

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Natural Awakenings Singles

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Nature’s Temptations

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Nature’s Way Health Foods

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New Morning Market

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Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic

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Optimal Health Medical/ Henry Sobo, MD

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Robin Ordan, LCSW

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Ann Reeves

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Victoria Shaw, PhD

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Wellness Institute/ Marvin Schweitzer, ND

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Share International

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t Salt Cave of Darien, there are now more fun ways to experience the benefits of salt therapy with cave rental experiences. Guests are now able to Chamomille Natural Foods 23 rent the cave to spend relaxing time with up to eight Collaborative Natural people (family) or five people, socially distanced.

Health Partners 32 While in the cave for 75 minutes, guests now have the use of a projector and screen in the cave. This allows The Computer Fairy 7 for a variety of fun activities, including virtual wine tastings, Zoom calls with family, movies, trivia and more. The salt environment is antibacCountry Tick & Mosquito 18 terial, antiviral and antimicrobial, and staff cleans everything else with a green disinfectant.

Hilda Demirjian 9

During a wine tasting, guests sip new wines in the cave while learning from a virtual expert. The wine company chosen supports charities by donating a portion to one of four eNaturalAwakenings.com charities highlighted on Salt Cave’s website. As another way to bring people together, Website 28 attendees in the salt cave can have their families and friends Zoom in for the experience, Farm of Life, Costa Rica 21 getting the wine shipped to them separately so they can participate, too.

Attendees can also bring their own wine or drinks to hang out and Zoom with others Final Journey LLC 25 around the world. They can watch home movies or view pictures together or play a trivia HGH Gel 11 game. Other ideas for cave rental include: getting reflexology while relaxing, attending a private yoga class (for up to five people) or creating a “man cave” event for the guys to Institute for Ayurvedic and gather in lieu of a sports bar.

Naturopathic Therapies 13

Salt Cave of Darien also has more exciting ideas brewing for the near future. They KnoWeWell 2 have great special events as well, including the latest popular event, an aerial restorative yoga class, which uses silks. This class will be held again in January.

Soul Healing Journey

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Sustainne 8

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Touch of Sedona

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Whole Foods

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Location: 555 Post Rd, Darien. For more information, call 203-658-7667 or visit SaltCaveOfDarien.com. See ad, page 3.

Twelve-Month DNA Activation Series Starts Soon

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he Academy for Soul Healing will present a 12-month, Zoom-based DNA Activation series, starting on January 21, from 7 to 8:30pm. DNA Activation is a spiritually focused process of awakening dormant potentials within the multidimensional human DNA codex. The intention of this series is to unlock these codes using multidimensional music and sound. Future parts will take place on the third Thursday of every month this year, at the same time.

To begin unlocking these DNA codes, the course will be using many of the CDs developed

by Gary and JoAnn Chambers, Shapeshifter DNA, along with Theta Healing techniques, Sacred Geometry, Light Language transmissions, Quantum Light transmission and much more.

This DNA Activation approach is for those who know deep in their heart that they are here to assist in bridging the energetic pathways from the third dimension to a fifth dimensional template. It is coded in our DNA to be a part of this wave of energy and many of us have already begun our activation process. The DNA soundscapes—along with other energy techniques, including, but not limited to, Theta Healing, Sacred Geometry, Light Language transmissions and Quantum Light transmission—will provide the frequency maps required in order to build the roadways to navigate this multidimensional terrain.

This series starts at a basic/beginner level and finishes at an advanced level; because of that, all sessions are required. The investment is $360, which can be paid in multiple payments.

For more information and to register, visit AcademyForSoulHealing.com/dna-activation.

See ad, page 9.

Fairfield County & Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

The Gift of Coming Home to Yourself Workshop via Zoom

Online Events from Twin Star Herbal Education & Community Apothecary

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he Hartford Family Institute knows that the COVID crisis taxes our ability to feel safe and not feel isolated. We struggle between our need to survive and our desire to feel grounded, safe and sane. At the Stuart Alpert and Naomi Lubin-Alpert same time, we long for love and intimacy and to feel deep meaning in our lives. From January 8 through 10, they will present “The Gift of Coming Home to Yourself ” workshop online, via Zoom, to help attendees develop greater self-acceptance and feel more personally empowered to deal with the stressors in life and in the world.

It will be a time to share what we are going through and deepen connections with the other participants. Attendees will gain a unique and in-depth understanding of how they work for or against themselves. Whether seeking personal or professional growth, or wanting to deepen personal relationships, this workshop can provide the necessary tools to enhance life.

Stuart Alpert, Psy.D., LCSW and Naomi Lubin-Alpert, Psy.D., LMFT work with all physical, emotional and relationships issues.

They are heartfelt and supportive and bring their insightful way of guiding people to the center of their experiences, helping participants feel more balanced and alive. Their work integrates their many years of experience with emotional and body processes, their understanding of the molecular structure of emotional issues and physical illness, their spiritual and mindfulness practices, along with the knowledge from their studies with Native Healers.

People from all walks of life are welcome to attend the workshop. Therapists and healers who attend will also come away with a deeper understanding of the transformational process for their clients. CEUs are available. The cost of the workshop is $450.

For more information and to reserve a space, call 860-236-6009 or visit HartfordFamilyInstitute.com.

T

win Star Herbal Education & Community Apothecary, in New Milford, will host several educational online events this month, with many continuing throughout the year.

On January 7, from 6:30 to 8:30pm, Star Circle will take place online. This event happens monthly, with participants gathering together (currently remotely) in sacred space to work with the astrological energy of the New Moon. This group meets on the Thursday closest to the New Moon to explore the astrological sign of the month, its ruling planet and how they relate to our personal natal charts.

On January 8, from 6 to 9pm, The Art and Science of Herbalism course will begin. The course includes 10 lessons from Rosemary Gladstar’s core curriculum, a specially designed binder, correction of all homework and a certificate upon successful completion of the course. Each lesson provides directions and recipes on making herbal preparations, dozens of herbs to research and projects (such as making an herbal first aid kit, designing an herb garden, making a herbarium and more). Classes will be held on one Friday evening of each month through October.

On January 12, from 6 to 8:30pm, The Green Witch: Magical Herbalism and the Way of the Witches will be hosted by Green Witches Lupo Passero and Rebekah Sutter. Each participant will receive a special Grimoire, build an at-home magical herbal apothecary and engage in and learn ritual practices, spells and ceremonies. The course will be held online on January 12, 19 and 26, and February 2, 9 and 16.

For more information and to register, visit TwinStarTribe.com/events.

I offer safe, friendly, & convenient help either right in your own home OR remotely!

Virtual Help Via Phone, FaceTime, or Zoom!

Personalized Computer Training & Troubleshooting for Ladies In the comfort of your own home!

Call today and mention the code “na01” for $10 off!

January 2021

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CONNECTICUT'S LOCALSUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE DESTINATION IS SUSTAINNE.COM Our actions and decisions today will shape our future. Visit us to get inspired and shop responsibly.

news briefs

Southwestern Art and Gifts Abound at Touch of Sedona

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ocated in the heart of Ridgefield, Touch of Sedona is a spiritual boutique that brings the warmth and energy of the American Southwest and its Native American culture to Connecticut. In their shop, you’ll find Southwestern-style gifts, décor, jewelry, art, CDs and more.

Touch of Sedona reflects the celestial appeal of Sedona, Arizona, but is located in the heart of Ridgefield. Looking for a special gift? Touch of Sedona offers plenty of unique pieces, including: Native American art, crystals of all sizes, candles and books, as well as an ever-changing showcase of artists, intuitive practitioners, healers and lots more. Their jewelry offerings include Native American and equestrian pieces, featuring turquoise and silver, plus chakra jewelry.

The finest in Southwest goods and healing items also includes dreamcatchers, Buddhas, angels, tapestries, wind chimes, incense and oils.

Location: 452 Main St, Ridgefield. For more information, call 203-438-7146. See ad, page 13.

Black Rock Holistic Health Launches Line of Organic CBD Products OVVEETTHHISIS E LLO UE DDTTRRU FIN FIN

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r. Kristine DeMarco of Black RockHolistic Health Center has launched a new line of Organic CBD products.

DeMarco, a doctor of natural medicine, has designed her own CBD oil and buds to help patients and people deal with their pain, anxiety, stress and insomnia.

“For 20 years, I have been treating patients with pain and managing their pain with acupuncture, chiropractic and nutrition. I had decided to include CBD as a means of treatment to help patients manage their pain,” explains DeMarco.

“It not only is amazing for decreasing pain throughout the body, but also eliminates anxiety and decreases stress. Stress creates a fight-or-flight in the body and releases high cortisol levels, which is bad for the body. So who can’t benefit from CBD in today’s day and age?

DeMarco decided to start growing hemp on her family farm in Washington County, New York, which has been in existence for over 100 years. She uses the most feminized Organic CBD Oregon Seed available to grow the hemp. This summer, she launched an organic CBD line of hemp including Suver Haze, a very relaxing strain that is great for anxiety, sleep and pain. The other line is Lifter which picks you up and gives you energy.

Both are available in buds which can be smoked, or used as tea. The CBD oil line comes in 1200mg, and soon she will have CBD topical Salve.

HIS T E V O L E FIND TRU Try for FREE at NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com

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Connect at 203-333-6544 or BlackRockHolisticCBD.com. See Community Resource Guide Listing, Page 29.

Fairfield County & Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Stressbusters 2020 Available Online from Institute of Holistic Health Studies

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hrough Western Connecticut State University’s Institute of Holistic Health Studies, Director Christel Autuori presents an online guide to relieving all the stress we are no doubt feeling these days. Stressbusters 2020 is available online at wcsu.edu/ ihhs/stressbusters-2020, full of helpful tips and tricks from experts in stress relief.

“We need stressbusters now, more than ever, with all the Christel Autuori stress and upheaval in our lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is much uncertainty (and uncertainty creates anxiety) about what will happen next, how long before we have a vaccine and will life ever return to normal?

The antidote to anxiety about the future is mindfulness, and to be in the present moment,” says Autuori. “To help draw our attention in and be present in the moment, we have assembled a group of holistic practitioners who have generously shared their expertise and offered their own methods and modalities to help everyone better manage the stress and the stressors in our lives.”

Autuori, Jesse Rovero, Marcia Kendall and Dr. Robyn Housemann offer meditations; Lara Ward offers a restorative yoga practice; Bobbi Soares presents an experience in sound healing; Alison Birks provides information on adaptogenic herbs for stress; Dr. Sheri Marshall offers a video on energy, caffeine and good lifestyle habits; Dr. Deborah Augenbraun offers Creating Calm Meditations; Autuori has tips for busting stress in seconds; and a group of WCSU students have created a website with other information and techniques to help relax and destress.

Autuori recommends that people look at the offerings and try one or several of these practices, once, or several times, as they wish. “Be gentle with yourself, be patient. Taking just a little time each day, to settle yourself, to give yourself the gift of rest and relaxation, can make a positive difference in your life, make the day go more smoothly, and bring you a sense of calm and peace,” she says.

“I am happy that we have a dozen offerings, and I plan to keep Stressbusters up on the web… well into the spring semester,” says Autuori. “In fact, I would like to keep it as a permanent section of the webpage and continue to add more offerings to it.”

For more information, email AutuoriC@wcsu.edu or visit wcsu.edu/ihhs/stressbusters-2020.

Celebrate what you want to see more of. ~Tom Peters

HILDA DEMIRJIAN LASER & SKIN CARE LASER COLLAGEN TREATMENTS AND LASER HAIR REMOVAL FOR ALL COMPLEXIONS

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Your skin will love you for it.” Deborah S.

Free Consultations 914-374-1756 34 S. Broadway, Suite 607 • White Plains, NY 10601

HildaDemirjianLaser.com • HildaDemirjianSkincare.com

Is your Soul calling to be in alignment with your Divinity?

If your Soul says YES, please join us to transform your mind, body, and spirit!

An Enhanced Year of Healing 2021/2022 with Eilis Philpott

Master Healer and Teacher

Module I 13th Octave and 13th OctaveLaHoChi Monthly, January - June 2021

Module II Rebirthing Breathwork

Monthly, July - December 2021

Module III Akashic Field Healing

Monthly, January - April 2022

See website for more information.

You may participate in any one or combination of modules.

The Academy for Soul Healing supports the growth and expansion of humanity, individually and on a global scale. "I foresee many students from the Academy becoming teachers of this integrated way of service."

academyforsoulhealing.com • SoulHealingJourney.com Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com • 203-767-5954 Fairfield, CT January 2021

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Grateful Giving

Microscopic Compass

petrovich12/AdobeStock.com

Bacteria Powers Animal Magnetic Sense

A new paper in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B may explain why some animals, including birds, fish and lobsters, are able to sense the Earth’s magnetic fields. It allows sea turtles to return to the beach where they were born. Researchers hypothesize that this ability comes from a symbiotic relationship with magnetotactic bacteria that are influenced by magnetic fields, including the Earth’s.

In support of this theory, Robert Fitak, assistant professor at the University of Central Florida Department of Biology and co-author of the paper, drew from one of the largest genetic databases of its kind, the Metagenomic Rapid Annotations using Subsystems Technology, to identify the presence of these magnetotactic bacteria in animal samples. The researchers are working to develop a genetic test to help with further study. They have not yet identified exactly where the bacteria live in the animals, although they theorize that it could be associated with nervous tissue like the eye or brain.

Learning how organisms interact with magnetic fields could facilitate our use of them for navigation, while also understanding how human modifications of magnetism—such as constructing power lines—might be affecting biodiversity. This knowledge may also help develop therapeutic drug delivery systems.

51 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rt 7), Ridgefield, CT PURVEYORS OF POSITIVITY

A Unique Lifestyle Boutique Featuring the first Shungite Room in the USA. HOME • BODY • SOUL

Introducing…

THE ANGEL WING, A DIVINE SPIRITUAL CENTER The Angel Wing is available to rent for individual or group sessions, workshops, classes, retreats, or for any therapeutic practice including yoga, meditation, reiki, massage, musical events, and more. Optional rental spaces include a large open room and/or an intimate private room with massage/reiki table.

• Wide selection of crystals & jewelry • Candles, essential oils, incense & soap

Generosity Fosters Increased Longevity

A new study published in the journal PNAS suggests that people that share more live longer because the act of giving and receiving increases wellbeing. The recipient benefits directly from the gift, while the giver benefits indirectly through emotional satisfaction. Co-authors Fanny Kluge and Tobias Vogt found a strong relationship between a society’s generosity and the average life expectancy of its members. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, in Rostock, Germany, conclude that people are living longer in societies where members support each other with resources.

Residents of African countries such as Senegal and South Africa share the lowest percentage of their lifetime income and have the highest mortality rate of the countries studied. Western European countries and Japan transfer more to the youngest and oldest, and their mortality rates are lower. Kluge notes that the relationship between generosity and lifetime income doesn’t depend on whether the benefits come from the state or from the wider community.

• Feng Shui & home decor • Spiritual gifts, statuary, decks, books & cards • Private & group readings, reiki, guided 49 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rt 7), Ridgefield, CT meditation, sound therapy & energy work (Located next door to The Angel Cooperative) 203 -4 31-2959 • WWW.THEANGELCOOP.COM

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Fairfield County & Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Open your eyes, look within.

Are you satisfied with the life you’re living? ~Bob Marley

kzenon/AdobeStock.com

global briefs

health briefs

Storyblocks.com

Avoid Fluoride to Lower Risk of Behavioral Issues in Children Fluoride is added to public water supplies to reduce tooth decay, but its effects on health are contentious enough that only 38 percent of Canadian and 3 percent of European public water supplies are fluoridated, compared to 74 percent in America. Its effects on neurodevelopment in children are a particular concern: a meta-analysis correlated high levels of fluoride in water with a seven-point drop in children’s IQ scores. Two new studies have linked fluoride exposure to ADHD and other behavioral issues in children.

Canadian researchers that collected urine samples and tap water information on 1,877 children between ages 6 and 17 found those that lived in areas with fluoridated water had 2.8 times the incidences of ADHD diagnoses, as well as increased symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention. The effect was most pronounced in teenagers, suggesting a cumulative effect over time, wrote the authors in the journal Environment International. In a Chinese study published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 325 children between ages 7 and 13 were studied, and higher levels of fluoride exposure were correlated with rises in behavioral issues, especially psycho-somatic symptoms.

Storyblocks.com

Try Ginger Extract for Hay Fever For people suffering from the miseries of allergic rhinitis, better known as hay fever, ginger extract can be just as effective as the popular pharmaceutical product loratadine (Claritin), concludes a study from Thailand’s Thammasat University.

Eighty hay fever patients were given either 500 milligrams of ginger extract or loratadine. After three and six weeks, the ginger group’s improvements in nasal symptoms and quality of life matched those of the loratadine group, but those taking ginger had fewer side effects such as drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness and constipation.

Positive & Nature Based Psychology Promoting well-being and resilience.

Happiness • Strength • Hope • Wisdom • Coping • Flourishing Ann C. Reeves, Psy. D, CAPP Licensed Psychologist

203-451-6208

annreevespsych@optonline.net • www.annreevespsychology.com

Lectio 360

3 Hollyhock Lane, Wilton, CT 06897

A Contemplative Practice to Improve Self-Awareness and Serenity

Regular Online 30-Minute Sessions Conveniently Scheduled and Designed to Fit Into Your Day

Learn More and Register at www.lectio360.com

Maintain your youth

with Homeopathic HGH Transdermal Gel Maximum Strength Somatropin Unique and affordable alternative designed to support your pituitary gland!

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• Improve Bone and Joint Health • Improve Sleep • Increase Muscle and Reduce Fat Contact Shirley R. Bloethe

860-989-0033 or www.PassItOnLLC.com

Family and Child Psychotherapy Support and Guidance • Divorce Anxiety • Parent/Child Conflict Attachment and Bonding • Trauma • Grief Professional/Executive Coaching

Robin Ordan, LCSW 203-561-8535

www.robinordanlcsw.com Located on the Old Greenwich/Stamford Border January 2021

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; Photo by Julia M Cameron from Pexels

Photo by Polina Zimmerman from Pexels

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

community spotlight

The Computer Fairy Helps Women Navigate the Computer World

by Michelle Bense

T

his year, most of us were forced to learn new technology skills in order to adapt to a worldwide pandemic.

We suddenly needed to master Zoom, homeschooling, video calls to family members, ordering groceries online to avoid crowds—or even making use of all that time at home to take an online course, or finally sort through digital photo collections. In such a time of forced change, one local businesswoman has made it her goal to take the stress out of mastering those crucial new computer skills.

Since 2010, Aliza Freedman has been helping women with their computers—everything from attaching documents to an email, to entering a Zoom call—with her business, 12

Fairfield County & Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

The Computer Fairy. Her passion lies in making technology less challenging and even fun for people who previously felt only fear and frustration.

With a unique perspective and background, Freedman says, she was not classically trained with computers, but rather was an English Literature major. “I grew up with my father always playing with technology. He was always on his CB radio.

He came home with a computer when I was 8 or 10. He was always tinkering. I was comfortable because I grew up around it,” she explains. “I’m a people person more so than a geek. I watched technology change and grow in terms of what computers can do, and what people used computers for. I noticed a trend that women in particular are uncomfortable and feel they are at a disadvantage—that computers are something to be conquered instead of understood.”

Freedman began working with women specifically because she saw the need for this particular type of help in an industry that is often more male-focused.

“There isn’t a place for my clients to go and get what they need. Even women with husbands, kids or grandkids who are confident [with computers]—they aren’t good at teaching or are impatient. I will take

as much time as the person needs. I don’t get frustrated with my clients like a family member might,” she says.

Though she previously assisted clients in the comfort of their own homes, she shifted to a remote model of work to keep herself and others safe during COVID-19. “Ninety percent of the time that I’m working with someone, we’re both at home,” Freedman explains. “I’ve devised a way to work on the phone or video call to access their computer from my couch. They can see what I’m doing on their computer as I’m explaining things to them. It keeps everybody safe, but also helps people relax.” Because of this, she is now able to help people in the Connecticut area, but also all over the world.

Patience is key when learning a new skill, and something that many of us don’t have with our family members when they ask for technology help. Freedman helps clients relax, take a deep breath and learn. Clients learn from first watching her do something, then repeating what they saw, with her supervision. She typically then gives them some “homework” to use their new skill on their own.

“People would be very surprised by how not scary something can be when it’s broken down in a way that’s more user friendly,” explains Freedman. “I use a lot of metaphors when I teach. I use regular, everyday language, which helps it not seem completely foreign and intimidating. When you’re less afraid, you’re able to learn.”

“I will take as much time as the person needs. I don’t get frustrated with my clients like a family member might.” ~Aliza Freedman

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Some of the most common topics from Freedman’s clients include: using Zoom, working remotely, sending emails with attachments, downloading photos, backing up photos and files, taking an online course, updating to newer operating systems and getting advice for buying new computer equipment.

Freedman works on an hourly rate, but offers a discount for prepaying for several lessons at once. She also extends a discount to seniors on a fixed budget. Unless she is troubleshooting someone’s computer issue, Freedman keeps lessons to a one-hour limit.

“I have found that after one hour of learning, people get overwhelmed. They need a break,” she says.

“There is nobody who should be held back from trying something new because of fear or insecurity,” says Freedman.

“It means so much to be able to help women navigate the world in such an important way.”

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Michelle Bense has been a freelance writer and editor for Natural Awakenings magazines across the U.S. for more than seven years.

Connect at EditorMichelleBense@gmail.com.

January 2021 13

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Integrative Hospital Care Medicine Embraces Holistic Modalities

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by Marlaina Donato

hirty years ago, hospital patients were treated for symptoms based on the Western medical model, and holistic modalities were excluded, largely due to a lack of reliable scientific studies. More recently, because of promising research, the traditional template is expanding. The Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health encompasses 75 university health centers and health systems that offer integrative approaches—a remarkable

seven-fold increase in 21 years. America’s top hospitals, including the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Mayo Clinic, the Duke University Medical Center and the Yale New Haven Hospital, now offer therapies such as acupuncture, reiki, homeopathy, touch therapy, yoga, clinical aromatherapy and chiropractic.

According to a report in Advances in Medical Education and Practice, nearly half of Americans receiving medical care use alter-

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native medicine (although 80 percent don’t inform their doctors) and physicians agree on the importance of further research and training in such modalities. A 2017 University of California survey published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that hospital patients of all ages were willing to pay out of pocket for healthier food, therapeutic massage and energy work.

Disease: The Big Picture

“Research has repeatedly shown that even with full medical access and optimal medical treatments, a population’s health improves by only about 15 to 20 percent.

The rest comes from lifestyle, environment and the social and personal determinants of health. Even factors like emotional health, what you feel is your purpose in life and what motivates you to be healthy plays a role,” says physician Wayne Jonas, in Alexandria, Virginia, a clinical professor of family medicine at Georgetown University and former director of the World Health Organization Center for Traditional Medicine.

As executive director of Samueli Integrative Health Programs, which aims to make integrative health regular and routine, Jonas emphasizes that patients become healthier and medical costs are reduced when they are engaged in the healing process.

For Jonas, the shift toward integrative health care has become most evident during the current opioid crisis and the search for non-pharmacological approaches like acupuncture and therapeutic massage therapy for pain management. “The evidence body for many of these approaches has grown tremendously over just the past five years, and has shown a spotlight on what works and what doesn’t. These approaches are now recommended in national guidelines as mainstream for chronic pain.”

Denise Millstine, integrative physician and internal medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, concurs: “The opiate crisis is an example of the need to broaden our clinical toolbox to incorporate care strategies that are less risky. I believe this change has been multifactorial, based on patient demand and more awareness of the importance of lifestyle management.”

expanded my approach to include nutrition, exercise, mind-body (connection), spirituality and other medical philosophies like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the patient’s therapeutic plan.”

Whole-Patient Cancer Care

Patient demand is also fueled by a desire to avoid medication side effects. In 1998, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that 106,000 hospital deaths take place each year from adverse reactions to prescription drugs. With more than half of Americans already taking a pharmaceutical drug, and three being the average, adverse side effects can easily mount in a hospital setting.

For Millstine, integrative medicine offers many solutions. “We might recommend the best medication or provide cutting-edge therapies, but without considering stress management, resilience, movement and what people ingest, it’s hard to get optimal results. Integrative medicine

A 2016 meta-analysis by Taipei Medical University published in the journal PLOS ONE concluded that certain applications of acupuncture reduce pain and opioid use on the first day after surgery. Acupuncture—an ancient modality based on the concept of energy meridians in the body—is also offered in many major hospitals to offset the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

Acupuncture treatments at the Mayo Clinic are given in a calming atmosphere of soft lighting and music, and performed by trained doctors, as well as licensed acupuncturists with a firm TCM foundation.

Integrative health care addresses the emotions that accompany a cancer diagnosis, and patients undergoing conventional treatment now have access to not only acupuncture but therapeutic massage, meditation, movement therapy, clinical aroma-

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Reiki, a Japanese form of energy medicine once considered alternative, is now offered at major hospitals like Yale New Haven, where it’s given free of charge to cancer patients. Many hospitals are also offering classes in energy work to families of patients, hospital staff and the community.

“A medical doctor introduced me to the practice when my grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer,” says Denise Baron, a Philadelphia-based reiki practitioner who works with referrals from clients and wellness professionals. “A hospital does not hire me directly, but the staff know I am available. I’ve worked on patients post-surgery, during and after births, people with cancer and people in hospice. I would say 96 percent of clients walk away with a deep experience of peace, harmony and lower stress levels.” Most recently, she has seen an increase in nurses asking for support during stressful times, with many wanting to learn how to practice reiki themselves.

According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, reiki is more effective than a placebo and activates the parasympathetic nervous system via the vagus nerve. Results include lower blood pressure and less anxiety and depression. Other research shows that the modality also reduces nausea, improves appetite and lessens fatigue.

Holistic Nursing’s Role

therapy, herbal applications, biofeedback and yoga. Millstine says of theMayo Clinic, “We have oncology-trained massage providers who are comfortable with what is and what isn’t safe after someone has had a cancer diagnosis and/or treatment.”

Jonas highlights that when given under the supervision of a doctor and with conventional cancer care, complementary therapies may help people to manage cancer symptoms, boost overall well-being, better handle side effects of treatment and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. “Integrative cancer care can help by activating one’s ability to heal and feel better physically and emotionally,” he says. “Lectures on nutrition, yoga classes and support groups for cancer patients are now common.”

The Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program, launched

by American fashion designer Donna Karan in 2009 after her husband died from cancer, partners with heavy hitters such as the American Cancer Society and the Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City. In many hospital settings, Urban Zen is creating “Zen dens”, calming nooks where staff can discuss cases with colleagues, take a break for self-care or talk to their patients in a nurturing environment. Urban Zen’s dedication to healthcare integration is international and promotes therapeutic applications of reiki, essential oil therapy, nutrition and other contemplative care.

Energy Medicine Goes Mainstream

“Alternative therapies are no longer considered ‘alternative’ when conventional medicine adopts them—for example, using calcium and vitamin D supplements, which are a standard consideration,” says Millstine. “With high-deductible plans, many patients are accustomed to paying out of pocket for care, thus making payment for alternative providers possibly more palatable.”

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Collaborating with physicians and holistic practitioners, nurses play a key role in integrative hospital care. “We all work together to facilitate the client towards a higher level of well-being. Each profession brings something to the table,” says Margaret Erickson, in Cedar Park, Texas, CEO of the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation.

The nurse’s role in a patient’s healing journey is an intimate one, and holistic nurses ensure that the whole patient is tended to.

“The roots of holistic nursing, grounded in holism, were verbalized over 150 years ago by Florence Nightingale,” says Erickson. “She believed in the mind-body-spirit-emotion connections and that all aspects need to be nurtured in order for people to heal.”

Due to increased demand, more nursing schools are creating educational programs grounded in holistic philosophy, she says. “What makes a nurse holistic is not the skills or alternative therapies she/he/ they do, but rather how they show up in their interactions with others.

They value and recognize that they are gifted with sharing a person’s most vulnerable moments, and that this shared space is sacred.”

Some holistic nurses may use healing therapies such as guided imagery, aromatherapy, energy work, bodywork, deep breathing, mindfulness and meditation to help both their clients and other healthcare providers.

Those in the field of integrative medicine agree that the future of medicine is now. “People are becoming more self-aware and taking responsibility for their health and life. Consciousness is growing [by] leaps and bounds,” says Baron.

Jonas, drawing on 40 years of experience, agrees. “By working as partners with our patients to help find the care that works for them, we can help them achieve better health and quality of life.”

Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer.

Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

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Staying Fit in 2021 Workout Trends Bend to the Times

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by Marlaina Donato

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or 2021, fitness will be more about better health and inner peace rather than weight loss. Gyms and studios will be on the top of their game adhering to hygiene standards and offering safer environments with smaller class capacity and vitamin D-enhanced outdoor sessions.

From remote coaching to cost-effective wellness apps, the workout will get a fresh makeover.

High-Tech Wellness

Pandemic repercussions in 2020 amped up client demand for alternatives and also inspired trainers to get more creative. “I’ve enjoyed working with private clients virtually through FaceTime and Zoom. It has required me to create more precision with my training programs depending on what each client has at their home or home gym,” says Hollywood, California, fitness trainer Ridge Davis. “Results have been going through the roof because my clients are more likely to dive into healthy routines and meal plans with my daily guidance.”

For those that cannot find local, inperson fitness provisions, subscriptions to streaming-fitness websites like DailyBurn. com and OnePeloton.com provide plenty of guides to workouts from yoga to musclebuilding.

Health apps can tailor individual wellness strategies for the new year. “Fitness and health apps are becoming more popular, and trainers are able to interact with clients all over the world. If you are like me, you need accountability if you cannot meet your trainer directly,” says Dominic Kennedy, a personal trainer in Los Angeles and creator of the newly launched fitness and nutrition app Dominic Effect. “Nutrition is also going to be key now more than ever.

Apps will help keep you in check and on track with your food and goals, helping to set up monthly meal plans, as well as recipe suggestions.”

Wearable tech in the form of watches and smart clothing will be another hit in 2021, providing accurate readings on calories burned, number of daily steps and even heart rate and blood pressure.

Virtual Variety, No Pressure

Having the option to work out at home might motivate more people to begin a fitness routine without the pressure of comparing with others. Sampling classes online can help them find what they like before they sign up at their local gym or studio. “Virtual fitness classes provide an opportunity for people to test out different instructors at different times all around

the country and even the world,” says Paris Alexandra, co-founder of the BK Yoga Club, in New York City. “People are now realizing the things we can control is our breath and our bodies. Because of this, there’s an appreciation of our capacity, challenging ourselves to try something new.”

Even with gym cutbacks, there is a silver lining. “One of my private weight-loss clients has loved our FaceTime workouts so much that she swears she will never go back to in-person training with a coach,” says Chicago-based Stephanie Mansour, host of the weekly national PBS show Step it Up With Steph. “Even on vacation or while traveling, people can still get in their workout because everything is virtual. Trainers also win because they can still do their job, but at a distance.”

Me-time with a private virtual coach will offer a tailored regimen for those that prefer a one-on-one experience. Mansour muses, “Private fitness and health coaching sessions will be the hottest trend in 2021. By now, many people’s excitement toward their ‘pandemic workout’ is waning, and they’ll be looking for a totally customized approach to kickstart their motivation and goals.”

Allies for Body and Mind

Davis predicts there’ll be greater appreciation for stress-recovery tools such as massage guns for percussive self-treatments, foam rollers to release muscle tightness and stretching apps, noting, “There’s so much noise, uncertainty and anxiety that has come with this pandemic; on-demand meditation classes will be huge.”

Mansour concurs, “Focusing on finding inner peace, meditating and positive programming are all huge trends that have emerged due to COVID. By getting your head in the game, you’re 75 percent of the way to your goal.”

Mostly, 2021 will be a year for selfcare. “I think growth mindset is everything right now,” says Kennedy. “We need to fill our minds with positive affirmations, thoughts or whatever it is that makes you light up inside.”

Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

January 2021 17

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Lose Weight Without Dieting How to Eat to Feel and Look Your Best

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by April Thompson

ne of the top New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight, and to that end, millions of Americans go on a diet each year.

As we look to reset after holiday indulgences, nutrition experts say it’s a great time to cultivate healthy, long-term eating habits rather than unsustainable diets that lead us in circles.

“A ‘live it’ is better than a diet: small, manageable changes you can live with over time,” says Lisa Mallonee, a registered dietician and professor at the Texas A&M College of Dentistry, in Dallas. “People get focused on losing 15 pounds, but once they get to the finish line, they don’t have a plan for after and often end up regaining the weight.”

While navigating the labyrinth of nutrition information can be tough, eating better is actually simple, says David Katz, M.D., founder of both the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center and the nonprofit True Health Initiative, and co-author of How to Eat: All Your Food and Diet Questions Answered. “There are two general shifts to make: first, to less processed foods, and second, to more plant-based foods,” says Katz.

In making such shifts, Mallonee suggests applying the 80/20 rule to food. “If 80 percent of the time you are making healthy

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choices, and the other 20 percent of the time you allow splurges, you’re less likely to feel deprived and revert to old ways.”

Katz agrees that small shifts are more likely to stick, in part because of our adaptable palates. “If you commit to improving your diet little by little, you will find that taste buds are adaptable fellas that will learn to love the foods they are with. For example, try something as simple as switching from regular soda to diet to seltzer to water over time.”

The good news for dieters with questions, suggests Katz, is there is no one superior diet. “You can have a high-quality diet whether you are flexitarian, pescatarian or vegetarian, low-carb or high-carb,” he says.

For Jill Weisenberger, a registered dietitian nutritionist, in Yorktown, Virginia, and author of The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition, a healthy diet comes down to three meals a day, each with a good source of protein and fiber. “When losing weight, it’s especially important to eat enough protein so you don’t lose muscle mass with the fat,” she says, suggesting

a target of 25 to 35 grams of fiber a day, achieved through a diverse diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables and legumes.

Katz, Mallonee and Weisenberger all caution against a diet like keto that restricts many nourishing foods only because they contain carbs. “There is no evidence of long-term safety or benefit of keto,” says Katz. “A truly keto diet cuts out a lot of highly nutritious foods like fruit, grains and beans, all associated with better health and longer life. I think a diet excluding these foods would be a colossal mistake.”

Weighing In While it’s not healthy to obsess over numbers on the scale, it is important to understand the health risks of carrying extra weight, particularly around the middle.

“Belly fat is a concern for co-morbidities like pre-diabetes, diabetes, increased blood pressure and even sleep apnea,” says Mallonee, stating that women should aim for a waist circumference of less than 35 inches and men of less than 40.

Katz advises that the effects of abdomi-

nal fat can vary. “Certain ethnicities are extremely vulnerable to excess weight around the middle, which can result in insulin resistance and metabolic mayhem. However, many people can gain considerable amounts of weight and show no metabolic effects,” he says, suggesting that a comprehensive health checkup can clear up any doubts.

Physiologically, it is hard to keep weight off, says Weisenberger, but people should not get discouraged if they fall short of their goals. “If you are overweight, you will get an enormous boost from the first 5 to 10 percent of weight loss—it’s much more important than that last 5 to 10 percent.”

While weight loss is an exercise in delayed gratification, the power of high-quality food is immediate, advises Katz. “You can improve the quality of your immune response with a single meal. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, too, as those positive health benefits accumulate over time.”

Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

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wise words

Terry Wahls on Taking Control of Chronic Conditions

by Sandra Yeyati

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wenty years ago, University of Iowa Clinical Professor of Medicine Terry Wahls was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Conventional treatments didn’t work, and her health deteriorated to the point where she was wheelchair-bound and facing a progressively grim future. Through rigorous scientific study and clinical trials, she developed a groundbreaking diet and lifestyle protocol that allows people to take control of their health, reversing many chronic disease states, including her own. She is the author of The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles, as well as an accompanying cookbook, The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life.

What is your personal journey with multiple sclerosis?

In 2000, I had problems walking, which led to the MS diagnosis. After consulting the best doctors and taking the newest drugs, I went downhill anyway. At my lowest point, already in a tilt-recline wheelchair, I realized that conventional medicine wasn’t going to stop my decline into a bedridden, possibly demented state with intractable face pain due to trigeminal neuralgia.

My physicians introduced me to the work of Loren Cordain, who developed 20

the paleo diet, so after 20 years of being a vegetarian, I went back to eating meat; gave up grains, legumes and dairy. I also studied the basic science for animal models of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and ALS, and decided that mitochondria—the organelles that generate the energy that cells use to run the chemistry of life—were leading to my early loss of myelin and brain cells. I also discovered The Institute for Functional Medicine and took their course in neuroprotection. Based on the science, I devised a supplement program to support my mitochondria. My decline slowed.

Then came my “Aha!” moment: What if I redesigned my paleo diet, combining ancestral health with functional medicine principles, relying less on supplements and more on food to support my mitochondria? I did that, and my pain, brain fog and fatigue resolved. I began to get stronger, started walking. In three months, I was able to go for a bike ride with my family around the block for the first time in six years. It felt miraculous.

It changed the way I think about disease and how I practice medicine. I now talk to patients about diet, lifestyle, exercise, toxics exposures and stress management, and I’m able to stabilize, reverse and greatly improve their blood pressure, blood sugar, pain and chronic diseases that I was struggling to manage using the latest drugs.

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What have you learned about resilience?

People who maintain a sense of control have more robust immune function and are generally healthier. Many of my patients say that their diagnosis ended up being a tremendous gift because it allowed them to take stock of their lives and understand their priorities. That’s true for me. If I eat gluten, dairy or eggs, or I’m exposed to too much stress or toxins, my trigeminal neuralgia will turn on and I’ll have horrific facial pain, but I consider it to be a tremendous gift, because that’s my barometer for the inflammation levels in my brain, which reminds me to look at my triggers and recommit to my self-care. We teach patients how to track their biosensors.

Are you cured of MS?

No. I still have the genetic vulnerability and lesions in my spinal cord, and will always be sensitive to gluten, dairy and eggs. If I become severely stressed or don’t sleep, I’ll probably have a problem again. I caution all of my patients: If you go back to your previous diet and lifestyle, your disease states will return.

Isn’t it easier to just take a prescription drug for symptoms?

It’s a smaller level of effort, but they’re not cures, either. The underlying disease state progresses, so people typically need higher doses of their medications. They also develop co-morbid diagnoses that require new medications. Conventional medicine is effective for some symptom improvements, but it has never been evaluated for improving global health, whereas studies have shown that improving diet quality and incorporating exercise and meditation will improve multiple chemical pathways in the body, gene expression and your microbiome, and dramatically improve health outcomes across many disease states.

For more information, including diet protocol guidelines and online courses, visit TerryWahls.com.

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer.

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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inspiration

HOUSE BLESSINGS for Clearing and Protecting Spaces

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by Marlaina Donato

oving into a house, office or any new space prompts us to envision bright days ahead filled with hope and joy. Perhaps this is why, from first-century Christians praying to dissuade evil influences to the Mayans smudging herbs to welcome positive energy, the act of blessing a house is such a time-honored tradition.

Whether held in private or with a group of kindred souls, with or without religious elements, blessing a new dwelling takes the concept of housewarming to a sacred level. A house blessing can temper the hair-pulling stresses of a move and be a wonderful way to restore harmony after life gives us a jolt, be it a job loss, a broken relationship, a loved one’s passing or an illness. Simple gestures of intention, sprinkled with some beauty, enable us to claim our space and sow a new beginning.

Arranging seasonal blooms in jewel-toned vases, scattering fresh rose petals over the threshold or misting the air with ethereal scents consecrates what might otherwise seem mundane.

Singing a favorite song, whispering a spontaneous prayer or reciting a Buddhist chant during the flurry of unpacking invites calm and attracts benevolent influences. Pungent smudges of dried, white sage, sweetgrass, pine or lilac flowers help dissolve unpleasant memories and energetic imprints from the past.

Honoring the four elements of earth, air, fire and water can create balance and celebrate ancient customs. Adding one or more essential oils to a spray bottle filled with distilled water or culinary rose water is an easy way to mist the air and the space inside drawers, closets and cupboards before filling or refilling them.

Hanging fresh evergreens, leafy branches or tufts of blossoms over doorways evokes what 10th-century mystic and healer Hildegard of Bingen called veriditas—the greening energy of the Earth.

Employing a crystal or Tibetan singing bowl, beating a shamanic drum or playing an instrument in select rooms can charge the atmosphere with fiery hope. Opening windows, even briefly during cooler seasons, invites in the fresh air of possibility.

Stepping into a new life—or revitalizing an existing one—is one of the most beautiful acts of caring for soul and self. Blessing our spaces is also an expression of gratitude, something that can make any life wonderful.

Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

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January 2021 12/10/20 21 11:09 AM

CLIMATE ANXIETY Navigating Our Emotions as the Planet Changes

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by Sandra Yeyati

ollowing a record-breaking hurricane season, out-of-control wildfires and a deadly prolonged pandemic, many of us are anxious and fearful, prompted by the growing realization of being in a state of environmental insecurity. These inklings of impending doom are nothing new for members of the youth climate movement—kids in their teens or younger—succumbing to hopelessness, anger and rage as they learn the science and watch leaders do nothing to address it.

Hardest hit are “marginalized communities, including indigenous people, climate refugees, farmers struggling with drought and communities of color, who disproportionately suffer from the health effects of polluting industries,” says Jennifer Atkinson, associate professor of environmental studies at the University of Washington-Bothell.

Some of us are affected in more subtle ways. Perhaps we’re noticing slow-moving changes around us, like the gradual loss of bees or a disappearance of trees, and we develop a sense of loss the philosopher Glenn Albrecht coined “solastalgia”, which plays on the concept of nostalgia—a longing for a time or place we can’t go back to.

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Or, we’re standing in front of a package of blueberries at the grocery store feeling confusion and ambivalence. A desire to be healthy and adopt a sustainable, vegetarian lifestyle is playing tug-of-war with the fact that these blueberries were flown in from South America, are wrapped in plastic and were grown in a monoculture that depletes the soil. It’s hard to know whether to eat or boycott them. “The greater this dissonance grows, the more likely we’ll tell ourselves that the problems are too big.

We decide that we can’t make a difference, so why try? We check out,” says integrative psychotherapist Leslie Davenport, author of Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change.

The first step to alleviate this anguish is to validate and normalize the dark feelings. “It’s important to remember that there’s nothing wrong with you. What’s happening is actually painful and difficult; there’s a lot of loss involved. Eco-anxiety is a natural response to having your heart and mind open, being an attentive and caring person, if you tune in to what’s happening in the world,” says Davenport, adding that good self-care, including mindfulness practices, will expand our tolerance for

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green living

dealing with tough times.

Another powerful antidote can be found in community, according to Sarah Jaquette Ray, associate professor of environmental studies at Humboldt State University, in Arcata, California, and author of A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet. “People feel like they can’t impact the world because they’re only one person.

But when they start to shift the lens toward the collective, it allows them to realize that the positive things that are happening in the world are actually happening at scale, and it allows them to feel like they’re part of some larger purpose,” says Ray.

As we accept climate-related anxiety and seek the company of like-minded people to affect change, surprisingly positive emotions will arise, including joy, laughter, dancing and camaraderie at street protests.

“Those positive feelings help us process grief and anger, engage us in the work long term and help us maintain the stamina we need for sustained work,” Ray says.

“Think of climate anxiety as a kind of superpower, a signal that goes off to tell us something’s wrong and needs to be addressed,” says Atkinson, the creator and host of the climate-anxiety podcast Facing It. She points to grief as a compelling motivator. “You can’t feel grief without love,” she explains. “Grief is an expression of compassion and connection to others and to the pain we feel when those lives are destroyed. Love is far more powerful in motivating us to fight than any other affect.

There’s no limit to the lengths we’ll go to protect what we love.”

We are only limited by a lack of ecological imagination, Davenport proposes.

“Our contemporary Western culture emphasizes the rational, cognitive way of thinking, which is linear and analytical.

But another part of the brain—the imaginative, creative and intuitive part—views the world synergistically and holistically. If we open up to this ecological imagination, we can have a visceral knowing of interconnectedness, making it simpler to act in a way that’s beneficial to all of us.”

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer.

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

Natural Awakenings appreciates the generosity of its distributors throughout the area. Please consider supporting these essential businesses and major distributors by shopping there and picking up the magazine each month from one of the racks. Thank you!

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January 2021 23

natural pet

firn/AdobeStock.com

The Monthly Naturally Healthy Pet Section Starts Here!

Healing Pets Holistically Integrative Vets Treat Root Causes

by Julie Peterson

E News, articles, resources, events— all dedicated exclusively to happy, naturally healthy living for our furred, feathered and scaled animal companions.

For information on how you can be a part of a future issue, call

203-885-4674

or email Erica@eNaturalAwakenings.com 24 24

mma, a mini-schnauzer mix, was 4 years old when she started acting like a senior lacking zest for running or playing. After being treated by an integrative veterinarian for one month, she regained vibrancy. “She’s 6 years old now, and she’s her normal, barky, running, zig-zagging self,” says Yvonnda Agent, a volunteer with animal transport rescue operations, near Rockvale, Tennessee.

Agent’s practitioner determined Emma had kidney issues that were slowing her down. Upon deeper investigation, these problems were found to be the only visible symptom of a tick-borne illness.

Once given immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory and liver-detox herbs, the dog made a full recovery.

tend to treat the symptoms, versus treating the root cause of disease, which is why a majority of the time, the symptoms return when the drug is finished,” says veterinarian Katie Woodley, in Fort Collins, Colorado, who blogs at TheNaturalPetDoctor.com.

“With a holistic approach, we look at the nutrition, gut health and how all the systems are connected … and resolve the imbalance.”

Holistic veterinarians may specialize in acupuncture, herbal medicine, kinesiology, chiropractic, laser therapy or any of many other natural modalities as an adjunct to conventional medicine. They first must earn a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree and then may pursue optional holistic training. Following this path can take a great deal of time.

Expanded Options

Natural Nutrition

Getting to the root cause of the condition is what integrative veterinarians are known for. They combine both conventional and holistic medicine, may use fewer drugs and limit vaccinations.

“With conventional medicine, we

Fairfield Fairfield County County & Housatonic & Housatonic Valley Valley Edition Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

At the Franklin Road Animal Hospital, in Brentwood, Tennessee, Mark C. Ingram, DVM, has found inadequate nutrition from low-quality foods at the root of most health problems. High-quality food helps animals absorb nutrients needed for

optimal well-being. “The first ingredient should always be meat, and we like limited-ingredient foods due to the numerous allergies we see,” says Ingram. “Every case of cancer that we have seen in the last 20 years has food allergies. Every torn cruciate and every paralyzed dog with disc problems has food allergies. It is also the most underlying cause for ear infections and cystitis.”

This was the case with Gabby, a 3-year-old mini-schnauzer that Agent rescued about a year ago. “She came to us with a bottle of ear solution and a history of green pus in her ears,” says Agent.

Gabby’s medical history indicated that the ears, in addition to digestive problems, had been unsuccessfully treated with antibiotics and changes in diet.

“Our holistic vet recommended a raw diet with no grains and no starchy vegetables. Gabby hasn’t had a single instance of ear irritation since,” says Agent, who believes that whole foods served as medicine and now serve as prevention for her pets.

Vexing Vaccinations

There is ongoing debate whether pet vaccination boosters that may be required by law or strongly recommended by vets provide increased protection or are harmful. Mounting evidence says that they are often overdone: for example, both five-pound and 100-pound dogs receive the same dosage. Yet vaccinations do prevent some serious diseases. “We do not like to over-vaccinate, but provide appropriate protection by minimal vaccination and encourage titers,” says Ingram. Titers are blood tests used to determine if a pet’s antibodies are high enough from a previous vaccination to warrant a booster shot for the specific disease.

“Many of the core vaccines that your pet needs to be protected from diseases like parvovirus and distemper actually provide lifelong immunity with one vaccine,” says Woodley.

natural pet kudos Rising Starr Horse Rescue recently celebrated the first anniversary of moving to its permanent location in Wilton, on December 5, 2019.

The rescue began in 2016 with just one horse, and today, they have 30 horses, many volunteers and a great community.

The organization works to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses to give them a second chance at life.

Available For Adoption at Rising Starr Horse Rescue

Drew

Rumi & Tessa

Cheyenne

Cyrano

Choosing a Veterinarian

Commonly, people seek holistic veterinarians after they have had success with human integrative medicine. But finding such a provider isn’t simple. “My clientele regularly travels one to four hours for a consultation,” says Ingram, who fully understands that demand is outstripping supply for integrative veterinary care.

The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, which has 1,500 members, has a search-by-state feature that also lists the modalities practiced by each veterinarian at ahvma.org/find-aholistic-veterinarian. In addition, Woodley, Ingram and others offer telehealth or long-distance consults. In lieu of finding a vet that is listed as holistic, pet parents can call clinics to ask questions about alternative treatments. Some facilities are more flexible than others.

Choosing a veterinarian is a personal decision for owners.

“I feel that traditional versus holistic care is simply sick care versus well care,” says Agent. “Their quality of life is so important to me and they’re solely dependent on the choices I make for them. I’m going to choose well care.”

Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin and has contributed to Natural Awakenings for more than a decade. Contact her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

Connect at 203-257-8345 or RisingStarrHorseRescue.org.

Final Journey,

LLC

( Pet Euthanasia Service )

Kristen Klie, D.V. M. and Associates

( 203 ) 645-5570 www.finaljourneyllc.com

January January 2021 2021 25 25

pet resource guide

VETERINARY SERVICES

ADOPTION/RESCUE ANIMALS IN DISTRESS INC

NFSAW

238 Danbury Rd, Wilton 203-762-2006 • Animals-In-Distress.com

223 State Rt 37, New Fairfield 203-746-2925 • NFSAW.org

BRIDGEPORT ANIMAL CONTROL

PET ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY INC (PAWS)

236 Evergreen St, Bridgeport 203-576-7727

504 Main Ave, Norwalk 203-750-9572 • PAWSCT.org

COMMUNITY CATS

PET PROTECTORS

PO Box 4380, Stamford CommunityCatsCT@yahoo.com CommunityCatsCT.org

2490 Black Rock Tpke, #453, Fairfield 203-330-0255 PetProtectorsRescue.org

DANBURY ANIMAL WELFARE

RIDGEFIELD OPERATION FOR ANIMAL RESCUE (ROAR)

SOCIETY (DAWS) 147 Grassy Plain St, Bethel 203-744-3297

45 South St, Ridgefield 203-438-0158 • ROAR-Ridgefield.org

FRIENDS OF FELINES INC

STRAYS AND OTHERS

PO Box 8147, Stamford 203-363-0220 Cats@AdoptAPet.org AdoptAPet.org

PO Box 473, New Canaan 203-966-6556 StraysAndOthers@hotmail.com

LOOKING GLASS ANIMAL RESCUE

WESTPORT ANIMAL SHELTER ADVOCATES (WASA)

Ridgefield • LGARinc.org On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

1 Tower Ridge, Westport 203-557-0361 • WestportWASA.org

26 26

Fairfield Fairfield County County & Housatonic & Housatonic Valley Valley Edition Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

NUTMEG SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC 25 Charles St, Stratford 203-690-1550 NutmegClinic.org

The Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic is a low-cost, high-volume facility for cats and dogs, the first such professional clinic in Fairfield County. The clinic offers other low-cost services during the spay/neuter appointment. Nutmeg honors state spay/neuter vouchers at face value from adopted shelter pets and qualified lowincome families, and offers further low-cost incentives to nonprofit rescue groups. Pit bulls and mixes are welcome at an even more reduced rate, and the clinic offers spay/neuter and vaccine discounts for feral cats. See ad, page 26.

PET ASSISTANCE, INC

PO Box 2015, New Preston 860-355-PETS GetaPet@gmail.com PetAssistanceInc.org Pet Assistance helps keep pets in their homes in times of financial and medical crises, providing emergency veterinary subsidies to pet owners in financial need.

We only give grants for pets that have a good prognosis, unless the knowledge we gain from the treatment or surgery may help future animals in need.

ADVERTORIAL

The Awakening of Humanity

By Lynne Girdlestone

T

oday we are all experiencing one or more of the negative effects of an incredibly destructive ‘agent of change.’ Although horrific things happen every day on this planet, they usually affect other people elsewhere. COVID-19, however, can potentially reach anyone, anywhere, upending our lives in a multitude of ways. The obvious questions—how do we stop this virus, will a vaccine help, will the global economy recover—are all unknowns. They occupy our thoughts and emotions with every newscast.

For some, the crisis is merely an inconvenient interruption in their ‘business as usual.’ For others it has created new ways to profit at the expense of others.

But for most, it’s an amplified survival issue.

We know that nothing happens by chance: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” and “As you sow, so shall you reap.” What is happening today has its roots in everything that has gone before. When dysfunction reaches a tipping point, something extraordinary happens to get our attention. This pandemic may be saying “STOP... NOW ... look at the world you’ve built ... untold suffering amidst obscene excess ... all life forms and the planet itself in mortal danger!”

The slowing and isolation are giving us the opportunity to consider these issues deeply and emerge with a better Plan B. That so many people are getting the message is an incredibly hopeful sign. Neighbors are helping each other; service organizations are expanding their roles and methods; scientific organizations around the world are sharing their research findings on possible treatments and vaccines; governments are trying to lift the financial burden of their citizens.

What would happen if this behavior were to continue post-Covid-19? Could it lead to treating a recovering planet as a ‘global village’ and its citizens as the one human family it is? It would take time, but we can start by demanding of our ‘leaders’ that we all push the ‘reset’ button and begin to move in that direction!

Fortunately, at this very time, a little-known cosmic event is also taking place. As we move into the Aquarian age, characterized by energies of synthesis, unity and cooperation, the spiritual custodians of human evolution—the Masters of Wisdom—have once again sent one of their great ones into the world to act as a teacher for the coming time. Some of the past teachers we have known historically as Confucius, Krishna, Buddha, the Christ and Mohammed.

Major world religions all expect another great teacher at some future time, and his imminent appearance has been foreseen by some writers since the late 1800s.

For more than 40 years, British esotericist and lecturer Benjamin Creme informed the world of a coming change— of the collapse of our old structures to make way for the new. He served as a herald for the World Teacher for this age, Maitreya—the one expected by many and longed for by millions (consciously or not), who has come now to guide us through this perilous time and into a cleansed and transformed new world.

Maitreya has advised humanity to make the needed changes to put our world on a saner, fairer path: “He [Maitreya] will show that essentially men are one, no matter the colour or the creed, that the bounty of Earth belongs to all, and that sharing of that

bounty is the key to man’s future.

Only sharing, and the justice which it will bring, offers hope to man. Only justice wrought out of sharing will end the plagues of war and terror.

Only sharing and justice can bring men to that Brotherhood which is their true inheritance. When men see this they will rise to the challenge and tackle one by one the many problems which daunt us now.” (Benjamin Creme’s Master from ‘Transformation,’ Share International magazine) Maitreya and his group have worked behind the scenes for millennia to guide our human family. Now, with these powerful, incorruptible allies openly in the world for the next 2,000 years and beyond, we have the opportunity to build a new world that works for everyone. Will we take it? In response to today’s injustices, we are marching. We are protesting. We are sharing resources and helping others.

We are agitating for change. We are on the right track! Let’s not even consider returning to ‘business as usual.’

For free information: Share-International.us 888-242-8272 info@share-international.us

In The Awakening of Humanity, Benjamin Creme leads us on a journey of hope for the joyful world-changing events that are on the way.

Free download at: https://share-ecart.com/ the-awakening-of-humanity-pdf/

January 2021

27

What a

to sitesee!

ongoing events NOTE: All calendar events must be received online by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Calendars@eNaturalAwakenings.com for guidelines and instructions. No phone calls or faxes, please. Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com to submit online.

daily Perspectives of a Pandemic – 10am-4pm. MondayFriday. The Galleries at WORK_SPACE have partnered with EquityCT for the 2nd annual diversity, equity and inclusion art exhibit and program series.

Featuring art created since March 2020, this year our theme is Perspectives of a Pandemic. Also join us for the Equity Symposium on Saturday, January 9 from 9am-3pm. No charge. Galleries at WORK_ SPACE, 903 Main St, Manchester. 860-647-3168.

WORKSPACEManchester.com/art-culture.

sunday NATURAL AWAKENINGS HAS A

NEW

WEBSITE We’ve launched a brand-new, comprehensive online hub for all things healthy and sustainable.

Check us out to see the exciting features we’re rolling out for readers and advertisers alike.

How can we help your business succeed?

eNaturalAwakenings.com

If you are interested in digital advertising opportunities with online placements available on a firstcome, first-serve basis, contact:

Virtual Live Streaming and On Demand Meditations – 10:30-11:45am. Experience inner peace and lasting happiness by learning to control your mind through the practice of meditation. Improve your mental and physical well-being, both in and out of meditation sessions. Classes include guided meditations and practical advice to carry into daily life. Everyone is welcome, no meditation experience necessary. $5-$12. MeditationinConnecticut.org.

wednesday Forest Days: Little Rangers Enrichment Outdoors Program for 3-5 year olds – 9:30am. Begins January 12. Registration open for the Wednesday morning session. Forest Days is the only forestbased enrichment program in Greenwich with access to 200 acres of forest, ponds and trails in the middle of town. The children will spend their time in the woods, rain or shine. 14-week program. $900/members; $1050/non-members.

Greenwich Botanical Center, 130 Bible St, Cos Cob. GreenwichBotanicalCenter.org.

Aleph Talks by Dr Bart Stuck and Rev Marjorie Partch – 7-9pm. An ongoing weekly online lecture series discussing linkages between science and religion through mysticism. Spirituality and mysticism are for many not any part of daily life, with empty materialism becoming dominant, Email BartStuck@gmail.com explaining why you wish to participate and will receive remote lecture access information. Offered through the Unitarian Church in Westport CT. No charge. AlephTalks.com.

Erica@eNaturalAwakenings.com

28

Fairfield County & Housatonic Valley Edition

friday Rosemary Gladstar’s Science and Art of Herbalism: Home Study Course – 6-9:30pm. Course builds a firm foundation upon which to continue to build one’s herbal education. It guides students into the many areas and aspects of herbs providing pathways to deepen one’s awareness. The students complete the course with a well-rounded and grounded herbal education. Full course through September is $1,500. TwinstarTribe.com.

Rosen Movement: A Gentle Wellness Class – 10:30pm-11:45am. Open to people who have or have had breast or ovarian cancer. Rosen Movementt encourages relaxation through range of motion and stretching exercises set to music.

The movements are easy and simple. No charge.

Pre-registration is required. Support Connection, 914-962-6402. SupportConnection.org.

saturday On line Energy Healing and Support with Cynthia M Chase – 1-2pm. First, third and fifth Saturday. In this time of global crisis, Reiki Master and Teacher Cynthia M Chase offers bi-weekly inspirational Zoom. Meet online, focus on the positive and identify opportunities for growth.

Requested donation: $20. Please text or email to join: 860-395-0284 or CynthiaMChase@gmail. com. CynthiaMChase.com.

Please create your free online account at eNaturalAwakenings.com. Enter calendar listings, offers and any other information you would like to share about your business or community group.

It’s easy and only takes a few minutes. eNaturalAwakenings.com

community resource guide

ESSENTIAL OILS WAYNE LEISS, LMT

20 Fifth Ave, Apt A, Danbury 203-994-1207 Wayne@WayneLeiss.com WayneLeiss.com

CBD

NEERU KAUSHIK, ND, MS ACU, MS, MA

BLACK ROCK HOLISTIC HEALTH CBD

Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies 805 Kings Highway East, Fairfield 203-331-9111 DrKaushik@AyurvedicInstituteCT.com AyurvedicInstituteCT.com

A combination of Ayurveda and Naturopathy is used to create a unique treatment plan to regain and maintain health. Based on one’s particular body constitution (dosha), a plan may include supplements, diet/ nutrition suggestions, lifestyle management, detoxification, hydrotherapy, 0zone therapy, Panchakarma. See ad, page 13.

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY ALBA THERMAL IMAGING LLC Safe, painless early detection 71 East Ave, Ste D, Norwalk 203-856-1421 AlbaThermalImaging.com

Thermography can detect breast disease at its earliest stages and monitor and assess pain in any part of the body. Safe, painless, non-invasive, FDA registered.

SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Ken Hoffman, DACM, LAc, Medical Director 31 Old Rte 7, Brookfield 203-740-9300 INM.Center Women’s Health: hormonal balancing, breast cancer prevention.

Breast and full body thermography screening. Screening and treatment of chronic inflammation using medical infrared thermography (MIT). Safe, painless and non-invasive, thermography can detect early changes in breast tissue up to eight years before a mammogram. FDA-registered, our high-definition camera is the most advanced in the region.

Dr. Kristine DeMarco 203-333-6544 BlackRockHolisticCBD.com

Black Rock Holistic Health Center has the most feminized Organic CBD Oregon Seed products on the market. We offer CBD oil, as well as CBD Buds.

Organically Grown in Washington County, NY. CBD oil and Buds to help deal with pain, anxiety, stress and insomnia.

EDUCATION THE INSTITUTE OF SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION 113 Simsbury Rd, West Granby 860-764-9070 Joan@TIOSN.com TIOSN.com

We offer a unique certification program blending the science of nutrition with the hands-on components of sustainable gardening practices. We use food and herbs to make kitchen medicine, teach basic culinary skills, and practice foraging for and using nutrient-rich wild food. Now enrolling.

ENERGY HEALING BETH LEAS

Transformative Healing • Tarot 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com TLCTarot.com If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection. 20 years of intuitiv healing experience with adults and children of all ages.

Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 3.

W

AYURVEDA

YN

ELE

I SS

A

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

Centering our lives through touch. Essential oils address

stress reduction, pain relief and overall well-being. They are used in topical, internal CENTERING OUR LIVES and aeromatic applications.

THROUGH TOUCH Improve physically, emotionally and spiritually as I teach you about the benefits and uses of massage with natural and pure dōTERRA Essential Oils. See ad, page 3.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TAMARA SACHS, MD

Functional Medicine and Integrative Care LLC 15 Bennitt St, New Milford 860-354-3304 • TSachsMD.com Using Functional Medicine, Dr. Sachs prevents and treats chronic illnesses by addressing their underlying root causes, remaining respectful of the uniqueness, complexity and intuitions that make us human. Trained at Mt. Sinai Medical School and Yale University Hospital in Internal Medicine, in 2003 she opened Functional Medicine and Integrative Care LLC. She has great success with IBS, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, autoimmune problems, toxicity and more, by creating individualized, realistic and comprehensive personalized wellness plans. She consults in her New Milford, CT office, and also by phone or video using telemedicine.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE PHYSICIAN HENRY C. SOBO, MD

Optimal Health Medical LLC 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-348-8805 DrSobo.com Advances in Regenerative Medicine allow Dr. Sobo to offer cutting-edge technologies such as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) treatments and adult stem cell therapy. Dr. Sobo’s integrative approach addresses a variety of conditions such as: food allergies, Alzheimer’s/ dementia, chronic fatigue syndrome, weight loss, hormonal health, fibromyalgia, anti-aging medicine, and MTHFR-Genetic Mutation.

See ad, page 19.

I don’t spend any time whatsoever thinking about what might have been. ~Alex Trebec January 2021 29

MARVIN P. SCHWEITZER, ND

INTEGRATIVE NATURAL MEDICINE

Wellness Institute 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203-847-2788 DrMarvinSchweitzer.com

SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER Ken Hoffman, DACM, LAc, Medical Director 31 Old Rte 7, Brookfield 203-740-9300 INM.Center

Using naturopathic and Chinese medical principles, we get to the source of your health concerns.

Diagnostic methods include functional testing such as advanced bloodwork analysis, cardiovascular testing, hormone evaluation and thermography. Our customized treatment program includes acupuncture, herbal and nutritional medicine, diet and lifestyle counseling and more. Most insurance accepted.

INTUITIVE GUIDANCE MARISA DELZIO, SPIRITUAL MEDIUM

By appointment only • Ridgefield MarisaDelzio.com MarisaDelzio@gmail.com Connect with passed loved ones to experience healing, guidance, and love. Individual and group readings are available in-person or by Skype/Google Hangouts. rog\

LIFE COACH/HYPNOTIST

THEA LITSIOS, CHY

Life Coach, Hypnotist, Teacher of Active Dreaming Remote sessions available TheaLitsios.com • 203-693-1493 Use the power of your whole mind to transform your life: Hypnosis for weight loss, smoking cessation, stress relief, and past life review.

Certified teacher of Active Dream work. Individual dream consultations available, as well as workshops and monthly Dream Groups. See ad, page 3.

MEDITATION CENTER FOR MINDFULNESS & INSIGHT MEDITATION

9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding 203-244-3130 • ReddingMeditation.org We teach and practice Mahasati meditation. Mahasati meditation cultivates self-awareness through attention to the movement of the body and, at more advanced levels, to the movement of the mind. No prior meditating experience is necessary. Ongoing weekly meditation classes, retreats and events.

Please check monthly event calendar or visit ReddingMeditation.org for updated information.

30

METABOLIC OPTIMIZATION

We help you unleash your own body’s ability to heal. Cutting edge evaluations and 25+ years experience help to determine precisely which individualized therapies – including energy medicine, oxygen therapies, homeopathy, botanicals, nutrition, allergy/toxin testing and treatment are used to nourish, cleanse, balance and repair. We collaborate with you in a caring environment. See ad, page 15.

MARVIN P. SCHWEITZER, ND

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Wellness Institute 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203-847-2788 DrMarvinSchweitzer.com

.

We help you unleash your own body’s ability to heal. Cutting edge evaluations and 25+ years experience help to determine precisely which individualized therapies – including energy medicine, oxygen therapies, homeopathy, botanicals, nutrition, allergy/toxin testing and treatment are used to nourish, cleanse, balance and repair. We collaborate with you in a caring environment. See ad, page 15.

Jessica Lima, MS, LCSW Holistic Psychotherapy/Coaching 158 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield 203-260-5769 HolisticNewDay@gmail.com

METAPHYSICAL STORE THE ANGEL COOPERATIVE

51 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 TheAngelCoop.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube The Angel Cooperative is a unique lifestyle boutique featuring the first and only Shungite room in the USA. Wide selection of crystals, jewelry, candles, essential oils and soaps.

Spiritual gifts, statuary, oracle decks and tarot and home décor. Available in The Shungite Room: readings, Reiki, meditation, sound therapy, energy work and workshops. See ad, page 10.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN NEERU KAUSHIK, ND, MS ACU, MS, MA Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies 805 Kings Highway East, Fairfield 203-331-9111 DrKaushik@AyurvedicInstituteCT.com

A combination of Ayurveda and Naturopathy is used to create a unique treatment plan to regain and maintain health. Based on one’s particular body constitution (dosha), a plan may include supplements, diet/nutrition suggestions, lifestyle management, detoxification, hydrotherapy, 0zone therapy, Panchakarma.

See ad, page 13.

Fairfield County & Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

HOLISTIC NEW DAY COUNSELING SERVICES

Jessica will align with you on your journey to emotional and physical well-being. Combining her traditional psychotherapy background with her certification in integrative healing, she will work with you in exploring a more holistic approach to feelings of anxiety, depression, stress and more.

ROBIN ORDAN, LCSW

Family, Child, Individual and Couples Therapy Old Greenwich/Stamford 203-561-8535 • RobinOrdanLCSW.com Robin has more than 18 years of experience working with families and children.

Specializing in divorce, parent/child conflict, grief, attachment/bonding, child development and parenting. See ad, page 11.

NANCY SCHERLONG, LCSW

Coaching/Psychotherapy/Consulting Offices in Danbury and Ridgefield 914-572-3167 WellnessMetaphors.com Manage stress with relaxation techniques. Rediscover your creativity through writing and the expressive arts. Resolve trauma with EMDR, IFS or SE. Or book an experiential workshop! Nancy has over 20 years of experience with children, families, groups, adults and corporate wellness programs.

REIKI GIGI BENANTI, USUI REIKI MASTER Angelic Healing Center 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk 203-852-1150 AngelHealReiki.com

Gigi is an experienced Reiki Master/Teacher. She offers all levels of Reiki training monthly.

All classes and Reiki sessions include the latest techniques including Karuna, Angelic and Jikiden Reiki.

TURNING POINT REIKI LLC

JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield 203-438-3050 TurningPointReiki.com TurningPointShare.com JoAnn uses intuition, experience and a deep spiritual connection in her Reiki, IET and Reconnective Healing sessions. Specializing in care for individuals with cancer, Lyme disease and back pain. All Reiki levels taught.

SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER EMBODY THE SACRED

Deana Paqua, MA, LMT Ridgefield and New Milford Deana.Paqua@gmail.com EmbodyTheSacred.net Offering classes, training programs, healing sessions and mentoring in cross-cultural energy medicine and contemporary shamanism for healers, spiritual seekers and the energy sensitive. Learn self-healing, self-empowerment and trauma transformation through the sacred.

TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING KATIE AUGUSTYN, MA, CPC

Transformation Coach - Shamanic Healer TransformationCenterCT.com 203-820-3800 TransformationCenterCT@gmail.com Katie will assist you in reaching your true potential and heal what has been holding you back. You will experience real selfacceptance and start to live in alignment with who you truly are so you can create a life you love, a life of meaning and purpose. See ad, page 3.

BETH LEAS

Transformative Healing • Tarot 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com TLCTarot.com

If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection. 20 years of intuitive healing experience with adults andchildren of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 3.

SOUL HEALING JOURNEY, LLC Eilis Philpott Fairfield • 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com

Eilis is a master healer and teacher and certified in numerous modalities as both a practitioner and teacher. She offers soul-level healing, which clears any blocks, obstacles and challenges that are preventing you from living your life to its fullest potential.

See ad, page 9.

SOUND HEALING HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA

Barbara (Bobbi) Soares New Milford • 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com HummingbirdSoundYoga.com Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga Barbara (Bobbi) Soares, MA, CYT, is a sound yoga and vocal yoga teacher, blues/jazz singer, and Reiki master, certified in several modalities of energy and sound healing. She offers hummingbird sound yoga and sound healing immersions for groups and private sessions. Using earth, dance and symphonic gongs, bowls, tuning forks and humming-for-health meditations, her goal is to help individuals experience becoming “one with sound” to promote a deep relaxation response that balances energy and encourages healing.

Celebrate what you want to see more of. ~Tom Peters

WELLNESS CENTER THE ANGEL WING, A DIVINE SPIRITUAL CENTER

Located next door to The Angel Cooperative 49 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 •TheAngelCoop.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube The Angel Wing hosts workshops, yoga classes, retreats, energy work sessions, readings, Reiki and guided meditations.

It is available to rent on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis. Optional rental spaces include a large open room and/or an intimate private room with massage/Reiki table. See ad, page 10.

SALT CAVE OF DARIEN

555 Post Rd, Darien 203-658-7667 Info@SaltCaveofDarien.com SaltCaveofDarien.com

Our wellness destination offers a rich lineup of therapies: community salt cave sessions, special events with local healers, lunchtime meditation class, coffee chatter sessions and weekly yoga and stretch classes.

See ad, page 3s.

SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA

787 Main St S, Woodbury 203-586-1172 • NaturalSaltHealing.com Combining an array of natural therapies that have been used since ancient times with today’s technology, Salt of the Earth Spa provides a sanctuary for deep transformation, healing and grounding for mind, body and spirit.

classifieds BOOKS RECOGNIZE AND HEAL YOURSELF Through the Power of the Spirit.The human being is an energy field of the Spirit—The spiritual forces are also healing forces that can be requested. GabrielePublishing-House.com. Toll-Free: 844-576-0937.

HELP WANTED IMMEDIATE PT FLEXIBLE POSITION: Apprentice/assistant for yoga sound healing studio. Experience in social media, online delivery and live recordings. Enthusiasm for hands-on garden and grounds projects for concerts, small events. Resume/interest/references to PO Box 2186, New Preston, CT 06777.

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Collaborative Natural Health Partners

Your Best Health starts today.

In Network with: Aetna, Anthem, CTcare, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, Oxford

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Comprehensive Primary Care Naturopathic Medicine Acupuncture Advanced Diagnostic Testing IV Nutrients, Bioidentical hormones & compounded medications

Connect with us from anywhere!

ctnaturalhealth.com

Telehealth & Virtual visits available Fairfield County & Housatonic Valley Edition eNaturalAwakenings.com

(860)533-0179