July 2022 Natural Awakenings Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties CT

EE R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

JULY FOOD CONNECTION ISSUE

More Than Food

Growing Better Local Food Systems

Tasty Flowers

Edible Petals Add Fun to Food

Frightful Fireworks Tips to Calm an Anxious Pooch

July 2022 | Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties-Edition | eNaturalAwakenings.com July 2022

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203 TLC 203TLC 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.

VISIT US: www.203TLC.com • www.TribeTLC.com • FB: Tribe TLC • 203-856-9566 Breathwork & Spiritual Healing/Coaching Alexia Clonda, The Mind & Breathing Edge ThetaHealing & Mindset Coach. Helping women create healthy relationships and clear negative thought patterns. 20+ years experience.

Virtual & In Person • 607-319-9161 mindbreathingedge@gmail.com ThetaHealing.com/alexiaclonda

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

Life & Business Coach Jenn T Peterson, Wilton, CT Life & Business Coach with Horses and Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher. I help you release fear to market & sell your services. Virtual & In-Person.

Hello@JennTPeterson.com 917-340-1328

Salt Cave Salt Cave of Darien Salt therapy, massage, meditation, yoga & more!

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

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

Career Coach/Hypnotist Thea Litsios, Certified Career Coach & Hypnotist. Assisting you in creating your dream career. Learn how to use your intuition to guide you on your career path. thealitsios.com • 203-693-1493

Essential Oils Wayne Leiss, LMT, CAO Adventures in Connection. dōTERRA Essential Oils, Symphony of the Cells™ Applications and Massage Therapy 20 Fifth Ave, Apt A, Danbury Wayne@WayneLeiss.com WayneLeiss.com • 203-994-1207

Life Coach Diane Nicosia, MBA, ibalanceLLC Certified Coach & Reiki Master Teacher. Move forward toward your personal & business goals. In person or Zoom.

NicosiaDiane@gmail.com ibalanceuthrive.com 203-858-5848

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

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Energy Healing Gail Christie, Joyful Living Reiki Holy Fire Reiki Master, Private Reiki sessions, Reiki-infused meditations & Reiki certification classes Online, Stamford, CT, and Mt Kisco, NY • JoyfulLivingReiki.com 203-979-0918

Holistic Healing Spa Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness Halotherapy/Salt Therapy, Infrared Sauna, Reiki, Quantum Healing, Massage Therapy, Sound Healing, Yoga, Wellness + Crystal Shop. revivesalttherapy.com 374 New Haven Ave, Milford, CT 203-283-5968

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

Monthly Networking Breakfast!

We meet on the first Tuesday of every month at Valencia Luncheria, 164 Main St, Norwalk, CT, from 8:30 -10:00a.m.

Come the first time as Beth’s guest!

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

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July 2022

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HCP

Holistic Community Professionals

Our professional team of holistic and natural businesses provides community outreach and education. We are committed to improving the health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit in the communities we serve.

Certified Intuitive Life Coach Elizabeth Raver, PhD Evidential Psychic-Medium, Loving Hearts Connections™ Facilitator, American Association of Psychics, Red Barn in Durham. Online & in person sessions.

Drlizmedium.com • Ravelizabeth516@gmail.com 203-400-9212 Naturopathic Physician Dr. Nicole Klughers, ND, PharmD, MSAc Vis Wellness Center. Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncture Provider. Rocky Hill, CT & TeleMedicine Statewide • DrNicoleKlughers.com info@DrNicoleKlughers.com (234)2-ACU-DOC Reiki Teresa Murphy Costello, Reiki Master/Teacher Healing Touch Reiki Holistic Arts Center Reiki/IET/Animal Reiki/Yoga/Massage/Meditation Bee Well Ridgefield, CT • healingtouchreikillc.com healingtouchreikillc@gmail.com 914-320-5429 Universal White Time / Sound Healing Rev. Bradford W. Tilden, MM, CMT, UWT Certification courses in Universal White Time Healing & Gemstone Healing. Mentoring/healing sessions, Spiritual growth, Vocal toning info@crystalmusichealing.com https://linktr.ee/BradfordTilden • 860-830-5841

HCP

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See more holistic practitioners at: HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org To join the HCP contact Shirley R. Bloethe at: 860-255-8844

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

Contents 11 HEALTHY FOODS

AND BEVERAGES

Featured at Health Wellness & Lifestyle Expo this September

12 ASTROLOGICAL

ENERGY FOR JULY

14 THE LET DOWN EFFECT:

Why Illnesses Re-emerge

16 NATURE’S SUPERFOOD FOR BETTER HEALTH

CBD and Other Cannabinoids

14 18

18 FULL-SPECTRUM NUTRITION WITH AYURVEDA

20 FOOD AS MEDICINE 22 THE HEALTHY FOOD

MOVEMENT

Pandemic Trends are Shaping Better Local Food Systems

26 FLOWER POWER

30

Edible Blooms Add Flavor and Color to Summer Fare

28 JEFFREY SMITH

on the Threat of Gene-Edited Microbes

30 CANINE CALM

Anti-Anxiety Tips for Dogs

DEPARTMENTS 7 news briefs 8 ad index 26 conscious eating 28 wise words

eNaturalAwakenings.com

30 naturally

healthy pet 32 calendar 34 classifieds 35 resource guide

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 27 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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ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS 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.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com.

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

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.

July 2022

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from publisher

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FAIRFIELD & SOUTHERN LITCHFIELD COUNTIES Publisher Erica Mills Editor Michelle Bense Design & Production Kathleen Fellows Erica Mills Contributing Writers Alexa Lane

Berta Prevosti Sales & Marketing Shirley Bloethe Erica Mills Distribution Man in Motion LLC

CONTACT US

Erica Mills

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

EE FR

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

JULY FOOD CONNECTION ISSUE

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

NATIONAL TEAM CEO/Founder COO/Franchise Sales Art Director Layout Financial Manager Asst. Director of Ops Digital Content Director National Advertising Administrative Assistant

Sharon Bruckman Joe Dunne Josh Pope Gabrielle W-Perillo Yolanda Shebert Heather Gibbs Rachael Oppy Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Anne-Marie Ryan

More Than Food

Growing Better Local Food Systems

Tasty FlowersAdd

Edible Petals Fun to Food

Frightful Fireworks an Tips to Calm Anxious Pooch

m

eNaturalAwakenings.co July 2022 ld Counties-Edition |

Southern Litchfie July 2022 | Fairfield &

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his bright, colorful issue is a celebration of food. There are so many options and ideas on how our attitudes about food and health have changed. Especially recently, there have been many exciting and important advancements in our food systems that were in some ways forced, due to so many factors involving the pandemic. Our feature article, “The Healthy Food Movement”, on page 22, talks about some of the changes that are making healthy, local food more accessible to all.

Hear from local experts Dr. Neeru N. Kaushik and Dr. Neha Kaushik on the Ayurvedic wisdom concerning best nutrition practices, on page 18.

Then, on page 20, Jessica Chichester writes about the connection between our food intake and our mindset. From the foods we eat to the time we take to eat them, all aspects of nutrition are important to our wellness.

From there, we have some fun with edible blooms that can add color and flavor to summer dishes in “Flower Power”, on page 26. You can also try some colorful, flavorful recipes both in this magazine and online. We have many recipes available on our website, eNaturalAwakenings.com, under the Conscious Eating tab. Enjoy!

Don’t forget the incredible importance of buying local foods whenever possible. Support your local farmers, communities and your family’s wellness by putting healthier, fresher options on the table.

Now, dig in!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 NaturalAwakenings.com © 2022 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.

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ONLINE @eNaturalAwakenings.com POLLINATOR HAVEN

Create a Toxin-Free Yard for Critical Critters

eNaturalAwakenings.com

COOL TREATS FOR HOT DAYS

DIY Recipes Even Kids Can Make

news briefs

Guided Meditation and Energy Healing Sessions with Diane Nicosia

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eiki Master Practitioner and Intuitive Coach Diane Nicosia is offering two energy healing events this July. The events will cover the Diane Nicosia exploration and opening of the seven energy centers, or Chakras, each associated with a different body part, color, crystal and purpose.

On July 12, at the Salt Cave of Darien, in Darien, a relaxing and rejuvenating Guided Meditation and Energy Healing session will be held from 6:30 to 7:45pm.

This session combines Nicosia’s work with the natural healing therapy of Himalayan salt. The event will include Angel Cards drawn for each participant as a tool to inspire introspection. Cost is $65. Register at SaltCaveOfDarien.com.

On July 19, at Imagine Yoga, in Ridgefield, Nicosia will host a Guided Meditation and Energy Healing session from 6:45 to 7:45pm. Experiencing the art of energy healing, participants will be elevated to a more light and relaxed state of being.

Cost is $25, or use of the Imagine Yoga package. Register at ImagineYoga.space.

Nicosia will use positive visualization to strengthen one’s self-image, thus embracing the goals that are being focused on by participants. Attendees will be able to take the empowering skills from these workshops home to develop their own mindfulness practices.

For more information and to register, visit SaltCaveOfDarien.com and ImagineYoga. space. Locations: Salt Cave of Darien, 555 Post Rd, Darien; Imagine Yoga, 10 Roberts Ln, Ridgefield. See ad, page 2.

Call for Artists: Exposures 2022 Juried Open Photography Show at Gallery 25

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ew Milford’s Gallery 25 and Creative Arts Studio is hosting Exposures 2022, an open juried photography show held July 22 through 31, and is currently looking for artists to enter framed photographs and digital prints. The opening reception is July 23, from 2 to 4pm, and awards will be announced at 3pm.

Accepted medium are framed photographs and digital prints. Entry fee per artist is $25 for one or two photographs no larger than 1,000 square inches (roughly 26” x 36” including frame), original work only. Delivery for all works is July 17 from 3 to 6pm. No works will be accepted after the deadline. All works must be for sale, with a 30 percent commission on all sales.

Awards will be given at the discretion of the judge. The judge for Exposures 2022 is Michael Yurgeles, a photographic artist and educator from Litchfield County who has served as faculty for public/private schools and colleges. He studied photography with Richard Merritt at the University of New Hampshire and Gary Metz at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Gallery 25 is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm. Thanks to the town of New Milford and the Commission on the Arts, this co-op fine art gallery is located in the historic railroad station in the heart of a vibrant downtown that includes fine restaurants, an Art Deco movie theater and many unique shops.

For more information, contact Barbara (Bobbi) Soares, call 860-946-9470, email BSoares105@sbcglobal.net or visit Gallery25CT.com. Location: Gallery 25 and Creative Arts Studio, 11 Railroad St, New Milford. See ad, page 12.

Private Readings in Durham & Sandy Hook with Elizabeth Raver

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lizabeth Raver DeCesare, Ph.D., a practicing medium, energy worker, clairvoyant and trance worker, will host Gallery Readings in two locations in July: on July 9, from 11am to 4pm at New Insights Metaphysical Boutique in Sandy Hook, and July 16, from 11am to 4pm at The Red Barn, in Durham.

Gallery Readings will be held as Raver DeCesare channels guides and loved ones in an intimate setting of only eight participants. Early registration is strongly recommended for both events.

Raver DeCesare offers mediumship development classes, private sessions, readings and group demonstraElizabeth Raver tions in Fairfield County either by appointment or via Zoom. She has been trained in the Loving Heart Connections (LHC) modality, by Dr. Jane Bissler. Whether working as a medium with her inner circle guides or facilitating a LHC session, she finds great joy in connecting people with Spirit. She is especially interested in the merging of spirituality and science as we enter the Aquarian age.

Costs vary based on duration. To register, call 203-400-9212 or email Ravelizabeth516@ gmail.com. For more information, visit DrLizMedium.com. Location: The Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main St, Durham; New Insights Metaphysical Boutique, 111 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. See ad, page 4.

July 2022

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display advertiser index 203TLC Academy for Soul Healing

23

AcuBlend/Dr. Sian James

11

The Angel Cooperative/ Angel Wing

15

Bill Flanagan Energy Healing

23

Chamomille Natural Foods

39

Dr. Michael Wald

5

Feng Shui Joan’s Way

18

Final Journey LLC

31

Hemp Lifestyle

15

Hilda Demirjian Laser & Skin Care

13

Holistic Community Professionals

4

Haute Healing Oasis

9, 29

Hummingbird Sound Yoga

12

Insight Counseling

24

Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies

10

KleinSleep

21

KnoWEwell

34

The Market

39

Muse of Wellness

17

Natural Awakenings Westchester for Sale

25

Natural Awakenings Singles

39

Nature’s Way Health Foods

39

Nature’s Temptation

39

New Morning Market

39

Ojaya Meditation

8

2

3

Optimal Health Medical/ Henry Sobo, MD

17

Passport to Health & Wellness Holistic Expo

19

Rewilding Families/ Kristy M. Vanacore

18

Sedona Art

10

Soul Healing Journey

23

Touch of Sedona

10

We Are One/Connie Martin

31

Wellness Metaphors/ Nancy S. Scherlong

11

Whole Foods

39

Wolf Spirit Wellness

17

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

news briefs

Holistic Support at Healing Touch Reiki

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eresa Murphy Costello, owner of Healing Touch Reiki, LLC in Ridgefield, is a Holistic Reiki Therapist, teacher and intuitive energy healer who passionately believes in the power of the body to heal with support from a naturistic path. Healing Touch Reiki offers a safe space, where healing can begin.

The team at Healing Touch Reiki is available for a variety of holistic needs, with a Reiki Room and Meditation Room, plus calming massage by Katherine Ford. The Meditation Room is the home of sound bowl healing, women’s circles, sound bathing, Reiki certifications (levels 1, 2 and 3), guided meditation, Tarot card readings, Teresa Murphy Costello psychic readings and mediumistic work.

Costello hosts a Sound Bowl/Meditation class each Friday from 7 to 8pm. On Wednesdays from 7 to 8pm, she hosts a Parent and Child Meditation Class, which is a fun take on learning the basics of the Chakras, plus the spirit animal connected to each Chakra, along with quiet time for meditation.

“I was first introduced to Reiki back in 2013 after going through a difficult recovery from surgery that left me with severe anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia. Reiki helped me to relax mentally, physically and emotionally and brought about a calmer and more peaceful state of being,” says Costello, who also holds certifications in Advanced Animal Reiki and Advanced Integrated Energy Therapy.

A bright and spacious shopping area at Healing Touch Reiki includes one-of-a-kind gifts for loved ones, as well as personal needs. Costello sees patients in the office, virtually and through in-home visits when needed. All modalities are by appointment only.

For more information and to book sessions, call 914-320-5429 or visit HealingTouchReikiLLC.com. Location: 158 Danbury Rd, Ste 7, 2nd floor, Ridgefield.

See ad, page 4.

Salt Time Now Open for Tranquility and Relief

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orrington has a great new option for wellness and relaxation, as well as unique products.

Newly opened Salt Time is offering a tranquil atmosphere to help realign areas of your life while providing well-documented and known therapeutic relief to common ailments—right on Main Street. Melissa Rahming, Joye Jones and their practitioners in-house are offering many modalities for release, relaxing and cleansing of the body, mind and soul.

Salt Time offers a Dry Salt Therapy/Halotherapy room that multiple people can join in for a session. An Infrared sauna will remove the toxins, and a massage for body release and healing therapy are also offered.

A foot ion cleanse removes impurities and meditation classes bring ease and serenity to participants. Accelerated Resolution Therapy is offered by appointment. Regular classes with yoga and Reiki round out the offerings.

For more information, schedules and package offerings, call 860-201-4418 or visit CTSaltTime.com. Location: 257 Main St, Torrington. eNaturalAwakenings.com

Bradford Tilden Joins The Center For Higher Living

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radford Tilden, one of the most diverse vibrational healing masters in New England, is announcing a move to join the team at The Center For Higher Living, in Berlin. Tilden has been a presence in the holistic and spiritual healing community in Connecticut since 2015. This move to the new center will allow him to anchor his strong energies, allowing him to expand his work and continue to grow and radiate positivity into the community and surrounding lands.

Tilden is holding a free talk with a Q&A for anyone interested in his work, Universal White Time, Crystal Healing, Sound Healing or anything pertaining to New Earth Consciousness, on July 26, from 6 to Bradford Tilden 7:30pm.

To celebrate his entrance into the community of exemplary healers already on staff, Tilden is also offering a Three-Session Package Special called the “Cosmic Cleanse” through the end of August for $330. It is designed to clear out the energetic “crap”, byproduct and psychic residue for the collective trauma we have all experienced these past few years, and open you up to the possibility to grow toward wholeness and spiritual fulfillment within this new normal. This is accomplished with six targeted gemstone layouts, including Detoxifying the Blood and Releasing Grief, and concludes with an extended session called the Cosmic Charka Chord Activation, that incorporates four additional layouts to open your energy to achieve balance and accelerated growth over the duration of the three sessions.

Tilden has also established a new monthly sound healing journey at the Center that

is held every third Tuesday. Lastly, learn about Lemurian Seed Crystals and their role in human potential and awakening in his Lemurian Crystal Healing Workshop on July 17.

Join The Center for Higher Living newsletter at TheCenterForHigherLiving. com. For more information, email Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com or visit linktr.ee/bradfordtilden. Location: 130 Webster Square, Berlin. See ad, page 4.

coming in august

Self-Empowerment

July 2022

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news briefs

Passport to Health & Wellness Expo Features New England’s Holistic Community

9 th Bi-Annual

Touch of Sedona @Touch.Of.Sedona

203.438.7146

Passport to Health & Wellness presented by the Holistic Community Professionals

Statewide Benefit * HoliStic expo

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Sunday | October 16 | 10am - 5pm | Vendors he Passport to Health 10am-4pm & Wellness Expo will Speakers! be held October 16, 75+ Exhibitors and from 10am to 4pm, at The Bristol

DoubleTree by Hilton

by CT Hilton.

The call for ex42 CenturyDoubleTree Drive, Bristol, 06010

hibitors has begun and applications are

FREE DRUM HEaling 4-5pm FREE aDMiSSiOn (Donations Accepted*) taken online at YourHolisticEvents.com.

Speakers all day * All door donations to benefit: Free Raffles • Drumming Hospital's Integrative TheHartford Benefit Holistic Expo,Medicine, presented Debbie Bator Memorial Fund, gRanD PRiZE: by the Holistic Community Professionand CT Children’s Medical Center.

A Hilton Overnight Stay for Two!

Sedona Art

als, will feature For more information please speakers contact: on the halfhour and a Keynote Speaker at 1pm.

Vendors apply at: yourholisticevents.com Shirley R. Bloethe at 860-989-0033 - Passportfree to Health and all Wellness Email:more yourholisticevents@gmail.com Enjoy than 75 vendors andFBreaders, raffles day Expo and

@SedonaArt06877

203.244.5520 Paintings © Marge Courtney

450-452 Main Street • Ridgefield CT

a grand prize of a Hilton overnight stay with breakfast for two, Holistic Community Professionals as well as a free sound and drum healing with Fred Maerkle as a www.HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org closing ceremony on the patio.

Sound Healer Maerkle has his own holistic healing practice, Zentastic Wellness in Plainfield, CT, and is a Usui Holy Fire II Reiki Master, Kundalini Reiki Master, Certified Biofield Tuning practitioner, Certified VFRT therapist and Tibetan Singing Bowl Master Healer. He also performs group sound mediations and healings in the tristate area, and has a great love for vibrational sound healing.

Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with vendors and exhibitors as they learn about available resources to help promote healthy living and overall well-being. Visitors will have the chance to gain inspiration by visiting the booths and participating in the scheduled events.

The Passport to Health & Wellness Expo is a free event, and any door proceeds will be donated to the CT Children’s Medical Center (ConnecticutChildrens.org) and Hartford Hospitals Integrative Medicine Debbie Bator Memorial Fund. All funds will be used directly for patient care and will be matched to the maximum allowed by the grants for each organization.

Natural Awakenings is proud to be a member of The Holistic Community Professionals and a sponsor of the expo. Interested vendors can apply online at PassItOnLLC.com.

For more information, call Shirley Bloethe at 860-989-0033, email YourHolisticEvents@gmail.com or visit PassItOnLLC.com.

Location: The Bristol DoubleTree by Hilton, 42 Century Dr, Bristol. See ad, page 19.

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

eNaturalAwakenings.com

photos by BluIz60 on Shutterstock

Healthy Foods and Beverages Featured at Health Wellness & Lifestyle Expo this September

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he 11th Annual Health Wellness & Lifestyle Expo 2022 with special thanks to Stamford Health, Exclusive Healthcare Partner, returns to Harbor Point along the boardwalk in Stamford on September 10, from 10am to 6pm. The one-day, free Expo will feature over 100 inspiring and educational exhibitors, selling and showcasing their products and services, providing on-site health screenings, free group fitness classes, pet and kids zones and a high-energy dance exercise experience with Dance it Out creator Billy Blanks, Jr. Healthy food and beverage options will be abundant at the popular Healthy Food, Restaurants and Beverage Zone and the Eco-Friendly Wine, Spirits and Craft Beer Zone, as well as the Healthy Food Truck Zone.

Change Your Story, Change Your Life!

Restoring Creativity, Wellness, and Balance Nancy S. Scherlong, lcsw,ptr, m/s Coaching, Psychotherapy, Expressive Arts Workshops HOLISTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY • COACHING • EXPRESSIVE THERAPIES/TRAINING

914.572.3167 | www.wellnessmetaphors.com 898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Suite 7 | Ridgefield, CT 06877

Consumers continue to become more conscious of what they put into their bodies. The public’s demand for better quality, organic, clean, sustainable and healthier food and beverage choices has sparked a whole new generation of products to come on the market that are easily attainable and enjoyable. Premiere event sponsor Grade A ShopRite will be on site with registered nutritionists providing healthy recipes and guidance on smart food choices when shopping for household groceries. ShopRite offers free dietician counseling and nutritional services, in addition to their WELL Everyday program.

According to Livestrong.com, a positive outcome during the pandemic saw households preparing more meals at home and taking a significant departure from fast food consumption and indulgent restaurant fare. Forty-four percent ate breakfast at home every day (compared to 33 percent pre-COVID), 31 percent ate lunch at home every day (compared to 18 percent pre-COVID) and 33 percent ate dinner at home every night (compared to 21 percent pre-COVID). With a shift back into a new normal, healthy food choices and food preparations are essential in maintaining the balance our bodies crave.

Education and convenience remain a key factor in our healthy choices. Red meat has made a comeback on our tables with the accessibility to lean grass-fed beef choices. Whole grain breads continue to give white bread a run for its money with consumers opting for more nutrient and fiber rich varieties. Even our caffeinated and alcoholic beverages are being produced with healthier and more sustainable practices at the forefront.

This year’s theme is: Go. Gather. Grow. Let’s go to the expo.

Let’s gather by coming together with family and friends and making new connections. Let’s grow by experiencing the many extraordinary sponsors and exhibitors, selling and showcasing cutting-edge programs, products and services to help you and your family grow physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually in a healthy direction.

For more information, visit HWLExpos.com, and like and follow HWL Expo on Instagram @HWLEXPO and Facebook.com/ hwlexpo. To register as an exhibitor or sponsor, contact TMK Event Marketing at 203-531-3047 or Tamara@TMK-EventMarketing. com. To register online, visit HWLExpos.com/cart. Location: 1 Harbor Point Rd, Stamford. See ad, back cover.

AcuBlend

Blending the Art Science of Wellness

&

Acupuncture • Cupping Moxibustion • Gua Sha Tui Na • Massage Therapy Movement Therapies Herbal Medicine and much more!

Dr. Sian James, DACM, LAc, LMT, RYT

Locations in Stamford, Westport & Fairfield 203.987.6585 • acublend.com • info@acublend.com July 2022

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by Alexa Lane

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appy summer! The Sun is in the sign of Cancer, associated with the summer solstice, and will move into Leo on July 23.

At the beginning of July, Mercury in Gemini is trine Saturn in Aquarius. There is supportive energy to define ideas and create innovative projects. Self-discipline and a positive mindset are essential. Thinking logically and carefully, listening to alternative views and committing to personal truth and freedom can lead to successful outcomes.

Early July also offers a sextile between Venus in Gemini and Jupiter in Aries. The energy stimulates the expansion of faith and love. It supports the courage to engage in intimate, meaningful conversations that involve individual values.

Cancer Season Cancer is a cardinal water sign ruled by the Moon. Cancer has a nurturing and sensitive quality and resonates with home, protection, self-preservation, mothering and family.

Cancer strives to explore the depths of the psyche and experiences the inner world as a rich resource for creativity. To that end, healing and feeling emotions are essential for evolution.

To embody Cancer energy, practice self-nurturing activities, offer supportive care to others or prepare a meal at home and share it with friends.

Cancer calls individuals to create a soul family with deep emotional bonds. It inspires intimate unions between people where it is safe to share sacred secrets. Evolutionary growth happens by using discernment and knowing when it is time to shed the shell of protection and open up to loving relationships and experiences.

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Photo by Gorbash Varvara on Shutterstock

Astrological Energy for July

Capricorn Full Moon in July On July 13, a Full Moon occurs at 21 degrees and 21 minutes in the earth sign Capricorn at 2:37 p.m., EDT. Capricorn initiates the creation of a strategy to achieve something significant in the world: a Master Work. It embodies integrity and living up to individual standards. The Full Moon in Capricorn inspires the endurance and self-discipline to devise a plan that helps manifest this masterwork.

During this Full Moon, Pluto in Capricorn is conjunct the Moon. Pluto stimulates the need to bring wounds to light for recovery and healing. The conjunction offers an opportunity to let go of limiting beliefs that impede evolution or the accomplishment of your masterwork. The energy may be intense. However, releasing past wounds leads to transformation and happiness.

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Leo New Moon in July On July 28, a New Moon occurs at 5 degrees 38 minutes in the fire sign Leo at 1:55 p.m., EDT. Leo energy is invigorating, joyous, open-hearted and inspires creative self-expression. Leo motivates the courage to express from the heart.

During this New Moon, Uranus and Mars are conjunct the North Node of the Moon, all in Taurus, and oppose the South Node of the Moon in Scorpio.

From an astrological perspective, the nodes represent energetic points. The South Node represents the past, ancestry, prior lives and karma. The North Node represents healing and keys to soul evolution in this lifetime.

This New Moon offers support for healing the past and evolution. The conjunction inspires a great awakening and assertion to walk a heartfelt, truthful path that resonates with nature, security and serenity. Listening carefully to instinctual and soul signals will offer insight that inspires liberation, individuation and new beginnings.

Readers can personalize these themes by finding the astrological signs and points on their astrological natal charts.

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Alexa Lane is a best-selling author, evolutionary astrologer and holistic consultant.

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July 2022 13

THE LET DOWN EFFECT: Why Illnesses Re-emerge

Photo by GrAl on Shutterstock

by Veena Verma-Dzik

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hy is my Lyme back? Why am I having horrible stomach problems? Why do I keep getting sick? Many patients with chronic illnesses say how well they were feeling, then all of a sudden after a life event, all of their symptoms return and their illness is back. This happens with Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, stomach issues, viruses and more.

We most certainly have all been there, in that place in life where we are finally feeling like our normal selves, and after a period of prolonged stress, whether we perceived it as stress at the time or not, we become ill again. The chronic stress takes a toll. This situation is known as The Let Down Effect, where pre-existing chronic conditions reignite or frequent illnesses 14

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take over our health. Flare-ups—not in the midst of a period of concentrated stress— but after the stressful event resolves.

There are so many different life stressors. Most people perceive stress as any time we are faced with conflict in our lives or emotional trauma. However, stress is also that day-to-day grind that a lot of us live through, juggling work, kids, family, friends and more.

For the most part, we are able to hold it together and get it all done. This daily hustle-bustle, whether you realize it or not, demands a lot out of us and is a stress on our bodies.

So, why after stress do illnesses appear or flare-up? Thanks to our good old friend and stress hormone, cortisol, we are able to kick into survival mode eNaturalAwakenings.com

and get through stress. At the same time our healthy fight-or-flight response is activated, cortisol is doing its job to put our bodies in defense mode and our immune system is kicking out cells needed to prevent us from getting sick.

All is fine and good now that the stress is over, right? Not necessarily. The most vulnerable time for our bodies to get hit with an illness is actually after periods of emotional and physical stress, when our immune system is burnt out and inflammation in our bodies rise. There may be mental relief after the stress is over, but physically, our bodies are spent.

Most of us become wrapped up in doing so much for others, and become so overwhelmed by life’s stressors that we forget about ourselves. Though it is not easy at

times, you have to remember to prioritize your health, especially if you are in the midst of caring for others.

Stay ahead and support your body. There is value to supplementing with herbs and nutrients during and after stressful periods in your life. When under stress, your immune system pulls from your nutrient stores to function at its best. Over time, vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and B vitamins become depleted, and your white blood cells do not have enough to work at their best. It is also a very good idea to support your adrenals and cortisol levels with adaptogens, such as Ashwagandha, Rhodiola and Tulsi, which have been shown to be very beneficial during periods of stress to not just modulate cortisol, but also to help assist in keeping inflammation down and improving anxiety and depression.

Take time for yourself. This definitely can be easier said than done, but achievable. Whether it is 10 minutes or an hour, every moment that you take for yourself matters. Go for a walk, listen to a podcast or sit in silence with a book. Do anything that will bring you a moment of peace to keep yourself grounded.

Find some joy. Believe it or not, during stressful periods, it is a good time to try something new. It gives you something to look forward to and experience.

Whether it’s meditation, joining a book club or paddle boarding for the first time, planning something for yourself is important. Making time for yourself and prioritizing your health is absolutely worth it—because you are.

Dr. Veena Verma-Dzik, ND, FIAMA practices at Insight Counseling, 105 Danbury Rd, in Ridgefield. Connect at 203-431-9726, InsightCounselingLLC.com or DoctorVeena.com. See ad, page 24.

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July 2022 15

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Nature’s Superfood for Better Health

CBD and Other Cannabinoids

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by Valerie Aloisio

e all have a self-regulatory system in our bodies called the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and that system is responsible for homeostasis, or balance, between all bodily functions like pain, sleep, mood, appetite, immunity and recovery. Researchers believe that the major cause of many ailments, particularly those related to the immune system and inflammation, could be a disorder called clinical endocannabinoid deficiency syndrome.

So how do we feed this critical system within our bodies? With plant-based cannabinoids found in hemp. Hemp and marijuana are different varieties of Cannabis Sativa, a flowering herb indigenous to many parts of the world. Marijuana is cultivated for high levels of THC, while hemp is cultivated mainly for its fiber, and has trace levels of THC and comparatively higher levels of CBD and other cannabinoids that will not make you high. Hemp has been grown and cultivated worldwide for thousands of years for industrial and medical purposes, making useful items like rope, clothing, sails, paper, fuel, building materials and thousands of other products.

As laws are changing, millions of people around the world are now experiencing all the health benefits associated with 16

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consuming cannabinoids found in hemp, like CBD, CBG and CBN. Even though it seems like cannabidiol (CBD) is something new, it has been used by humans since the dawn of civilization.

CBD is a natural constituent of cannabis, a plant that has been utilized for centuries as medicine. CBD itself was first identified in the 1930s and 1940s, and its specific chemical structure was not documented until 1963. The research didn’t end there; many scientists now consider CBD to be the single most important cannabinoid ever discovered. We may hear more about THC (Δ9tetrahydrocannabinol) in the news—it’s the cannabinoid that gets you “high”—yet CBD is the real cannabinoid superstar. CBD is responsible for most of the health and wellness benefits of the cannabis plant, without the psychoactivity of THC. And new benefits are being discovered all the time.

Let’s talk about some newer cannabinoids that are making headlines that many people are not yet aware of.

Cannabigerol (CBG), known as the “Mother” Cannabinoid, has several nicknames. It’s been called the “Rolls Royce of cannabis”, the “stem cell cannabinoid” and even the “mother of all cannabinoids”. While it’s been historically ignored for more popular cannabinoids like CBD and THC, new eNaturalAwakenings.com

research has unveiled that it too has unique benefits that deserve to be recognized.

CBG products are rare because it’s a compound that’s challenging to extract from the plant. Thankfully, just a few cannabinoid companies are rapidly discovering new ways to extract CBG more efficiently.

Researchers first identified CBG in 1964.

CBG is the non-acidic form of CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) and it’s the very first cannabinoid that cannabis plants produce during maturation. As the plant matures, enzymes convert CBG to other acidic cannabinoids, including CBDA, THCA and CBNA, before converting over time to CBD, THC, CBN and the rest.

CBG has a direct “lock-and-key” effect upon cannabinoid receptors, particularly CB1 receptors. It appears that CBG’s influence on the endocannabinoid system enhances the expression of serotonin, the “feel good hormone”. So those that experience “blue moods” like stress may experience a benefit. CBG is also non-intoxicating, meaning it can be used as an everyday supplement without having to worry about any unwanted psychoactive effects.

Now let’s talk about sleep. Like all cannabinoids, CBN (cannabinol) elicits its natural effects by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system. With that said, CBN interacts differently with the endocannabinoid receptors than CBD does. CBD positively influences the endocannabinoid system and its cannabinoid receptors through indirect means. CBN, on the other hand, fits into cannabinoid receptors like a lock and key for a more direct exchange, similar to CBG. When you use a pure CBN product, the CBN compounds are absorbed into the body, where they’re able to have this direct interaction with your body’s cannabinoid receptors. By interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, CBN can affect the function of many hormones and neurotransmitters, all in the effort of supporting the endocannabinoid system’s role of keeping the body performing at its best.

Among the many natural wellness benefits researchers continue to discover about CBN’s influence on the endocannabinoid system is a naturally sedative effect that can help promote better sleeping cycles. CBN’s natural sleep-promoting properties combine

beautifully with CBD, as the two cannabinoids interact differently with cells’ cannabinoid receptors to naturally encourage better, more rejuvenate sleep through different means. A well-operating endocannabinoid system leads to better, more consistent sleep cycles.

So, while CBD doesn’t have sedative effects, it encourages healthier sleeping habits through its support of the endocannabinoid system.

How do we know what products to choose? There is so much on the market now. Quality and quantity matters, which is why you want to consult with someone who is knowledgeable about this industry.

Where is the product grown? Is it certified organic? Are certificates of analysis readily available and is the product tested by independent labs? How much CBD or other cannabinoids like CBG or CBN is actually in the product and what is the price per milligram?

Not all products in this category are created equal. You may also need to experiment with how much CBD daily is necessary for your particular situation to get optimal results.

The cannabis industry is booming for good reason. Hemp derived products such as CBD, CBG and CBN are nature’s superfood and is good for you and for the planet.

Valerie Aloisio is founder of Hemp Lifestyle and a pioneer at bringing education and information about the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoid products to medical and healthcare professionals and the public in the U.S. and abroad. She is available for complimentary educational sessions and speaking engagements for the Natural Awakenings community. Connect at 203-521-2396, Valerie@ HempLifestyleNetwork.com or HempLifestyle.net. See ad, page 15.

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Full-Spectrum Nutrition with Ayurveda

by Neeru N. Kaushik and Neha Kaushik

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yurveda, the world’s oldest healing system and “mother of all sciences,” defines health as a balance of body, mind and spirit—in harmony with the environment and cosmos. Its goal is to achieve this balance and harmony so that life can be led to its fullest.

One of the cornerstones in Ayurveda for achieving balance is proper nutrition.

Although “you are what you eat” could easily be a mantra, Ayurveda takes it several steps further with all processes involved in the proper nourishment of body, mind and spirit. This includes not only substances that are ingested, but also their proper digestion, absorption, assimilation and transformation.

If ingested substances are not properly digested in the stomach and colon, nutrients will not be absorbed properly by the blood and lymph, and they will not be carried to the various organs for proper assimilation; thereby, their transformation into energy for use by the body will not be realized. Every step of this process is critical to health.

To achieve the proper functioning of each of these processes, it is important to understand one’s unique body constitution. Ayurveda defines our constitution as composed of the five universal elements—fire, water, earth, air, space—grouped together to form three Doshas: Pitta (fire/water), Kapha (earth/water) and Vata (air/space). Keeping these natural elements in balance is key. If one or more of these elements is out of balance, all aspects of health are effected.

In addition, the seat of all Doshas is in the gastrointestinal tract: Kapha is the stomach, Pitta is the stomach and small intestine, Vata is the colon. Therefore, an imbalance in any of the Doshas will have an impact on digestion. Western medicine is now realizing the connection of the gastrointestinal system to illness and often refers to it as “the second brain”.

Although each of us contains all three Doshas, the combinations are unique, with one or two predominating. Understanding your unique combination will help to determine a Dosha-specific diet that will most favorably achieve balance and harmony for you. To determine your own Dosha profile and diet, it would be best to consult with a trained Ayurvedic practitioner. This will ensure that if imbalances are present, they will be correctly addressed.

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In addition to following a Doshaspecific diet, it is important to remember that Ayurveda defines health as being in harmony with your environment and the cosmos. Understanding this principle explains the importance of choosing foods that are appropriate to the season. Each season is also identified in Ayurveda with Dosha terms: winter is Kapha (cold), spring/summer is Pitta (warm) and fall is Vata (damp). We can help our bodies thrive by choosing foods that are seasonal, local and grown without pesticides.

Remember the rule of thumb “like attracts like” and choose foods opposite to the season to balance the Doshas.

And while it might be obvious to choose warm foods in winter, and cool foods in summer, it might not be so obvious to stay away from cold foods. Lowering our normal body temperature is actually detrimental as it reduces the heat necessary for proper digestion, thereby interfering with the entire process as described above.

Raw or frozen foods, as well as processed, canned or packaged foods are also harder to digest and contain preservatives and other ingredients that create toxins which prevent nutrients from reaching the cells.

For a Pitta balancing diet (spring/summer), choose foods that reduce heat and are water-rich. Include fruits such as apples, pears, plums, berries, pomegranates, papayas, pineapples, peaches, mangoes and melons—especially watermelon. Vegetables might include artichokes, asparagus, zucchini, tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, baby bok choy, baby beets and green leafy vegetables, along with bitter greens like escarole, dandelion leaves or broccoli rabe.

Staying well hydrated with water or herbal teas will combat dryness. Ginger, with its anti-inflammatory properties, helps ease

overheating. Avoid hot and spicy or deepfried foods, as they impair digestion.

For a Vata or Kapha balancing diet (fall/ winter) choose foods that are warming, cooked and easy to digest so that the digestive fire (agni) will not be dampened.

Warming foods to include are root vegetables, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, parsnips, turnips, beets, carrots, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, as well as steamed or stewed green leafy vegetables. Adding warming spices— such as garlic, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cumin and cayenne—will help to burn off toxins as well. Baked or stewed fruits— such as apples, pears, plums—with some cinnamon will add a boost of antioxidants. Add whole cooked grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet, barley), legumes (beans, peas, lentils) and ghee (easy to digest fat).

It is also advisable to eat your main meal during the middle of the day when digestion is strongest and finish eating at least two hours before bedtime to allow your evening meal to be completely digested.

Eat slowly and chew thoroughly to aid digestion and increase absorption. Through-

9 th Bi-Annual

out the day, sip warm water and warming teas, such as ginger and turmeric, to keep the digestive fire strong.

Poor digestion effects all aspects of health and, in turn, digestion itself is effected by stress, insomnia, emotional issues, lifestyle choices and, as already mentioned, pesticides and other toxins.

Seasonal detox plans and Ayurvedic treatments can be beneficial in addressing these issues and assist in helping the body, mind and spirit regain balance and harmony. Maintaining an intuitive connection to your body is the key to allowing it to function and heal with its own innate wisdom. Most important is keeping a positive outlook on life, as that will translate into a positive health outcome as well.

Dr. Neeru N. Kaushik, ND, MA, MS, MS Acu, and Dr. Neha Kaushik, NMD, MPH, MS, practice at Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies, located at 805 Kings Highway East, in Fairfield.

Connect at 203-331-9111, DrKaushik@ AyurCT.com, DrNeha@AyurCT.com or AyurCT.com. See ad, page 10.

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FOOD AS MEDICINE

by Jessica Chichester

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“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

e live in a microwave mindset culture. From our food to our digital lifestyle, everything is fast with instant gratification. It’s so instant that there ends up being no gratification— no nutrients, no fulfillment. Zapped empty. When was the last time we sat with our food for more than 20 minutes while offering it passion, gratitude, sensuality, and savoring each morsel at the recommended 32 chews per bite?

Probably not often enough. We are taught that food is delicious, but our systems are designed to force feed us like they do our cattle—feed us processed feces and bacteria, like they do our pigs and chickens, and give us beautiful red ripe produce while, “strawberries and leafy greens contain the most pesticides of any produce, even after washing them.”

What we see—this plump peach—is not 20

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what we get on an array of levels, as it’s designed to confuse the consumer. How do we speak up and sit down for our health?

Our schools allow our children less than 25 minutes to eat lunch. By the time students get down to the cafeteria, wait in line and are handed cardboard crap, it’s under 15 minutes. How do our corporations treat meal time? Does this “shoveling food” practice by day impact one’s dinner habits, and life habits? Many are still standing in the kitchen, eating in for the race of consumption. Studies show that Americans are spending less time eating than they did a decade ago and for those who live alone, this number increases. How does this impact our physiological and psychological health?

These habits can lead to decreased satisfaction not only in food but in relationship eNaturalAwakenings.com

to self, others and in one’s overall quality of life. Standing while eating signals stress centers in the mind, triggering a psychological response that could lead to a thought pattern where one can’t take time for pleasurable moments and basic human needs. The question then becomes, “If I can’t experience pleasure in the most basic of human ways, then how can I experience pleasure and passion in others?”

Mindfulness and every spiritual and religious practice teaches us that what we do in one area affects all. Plato summarized this idea well when he said, “The part can never be well, unless the whole is well.” Biblically speaking, “What a man thinks so he is.” So if we are addressing our biological needs in this state, is pleasure even possible? It’s contradictory.

Rushing is not enjoyable. Our body tells us stress increases cortisol, decreasing the production of major hormones and shutting down some pleasurable receptors. With a nervous system operating in fight-or-flight, satisfaction centers are microwave fried.

The area we must first practice mindfulness is in our food. Food is an introduction and the most basic yet profound way to cultivate mindfulness. Increasing connection to the hands that created it, cultivated and nurtured it, provides an army of positive signals that fire off in the body and mind. Dr. Emoto, a Japanese scientist who tested how our thoughts and words impact water and the food we eat, taught us that regardless of the “cleanliness” of our consumption, this focused specific gratitude and love is critical for the health of whatever we ingest, in the dance of our bodies.

The numbers for mental health issues are increasing in our state and country.

Society is skillfully designed to keep us at a short attention span, to embody feelings of shame, dysmorphia and not being enough.

The most powerful decision we could make that will find its marriage to mindfulness and a spiritual practice, is deciding to commit to loving yourself through food.

By taking the time our body deserves and the mind needs to connect to its pleasure, will ultimately increase pleasure in every area imaginable.

An easy way to start is by reflecting on which meal you rush through the most. If it’s lunch and there is no additional time, bring a smoothie, and speak words of loving kindness while you make it and eat it. Put on your favorite song in the background, like a mother would put headphones to belly for her unborn baby to hear. If it’s dinner, start with a colorful plate. Increase the textures and colorful diversity of the foods you eat, offering it thanks for the packed nutrients with each bite. Breakfast could be used as a time to fast and connect with a higher source.

Choosing a life of pleasure is choosing a life that encourages you to feel alive. This starts with a practice of gratitude and extends to your plate. Choose to awaken all your senses by having a sacred experience with them. This is the gateway to harmony, and will in turn meet all our needs.

Jessica Chichester has been in the health, wellness and spiritual science field for over 25 years. She was the first woman inducted into the Hall of Fame for weightlifting, the strongest woman in the U.S. and was ranked one of the top 10 strongest women in the world.

She has been a Kundalini, Vinyasa and Hatha yoga and intuitive fitness coach for over 20 years, and specializes in NLP, Dream Linguistics, self-hypnosis, DNA activation and more. She combines the power of breath work and visualization to get clients to their goals at Haute Healing Oasis, in Stamford. Connect at 203-595-5304, Info@HauteSauna.com and HauteHealingOasis.com. See ads, pages 9 and 29.

SUMMER SUN PASTA Gluten-free, vegan, free of top eight food allergies 2 shallots 2 JusEgg or eggs ¼ package of Whole Foods 365 frozen broccoli & blue kale 2-4 cloves of garlic Cassava pasta (one box) Sauté shallots in avocado or coconut oil. Add JusEgg and cook for 3 minutes per side, then break up into bite-sized chunks with a dash of salt and pepper.

Before the egg is done, add desired amount of frozen broccoli and blue kale.

Put this mixture to the side when done.

In a separate pan, sauté lions mane and shiitake mushrooms with Vidalia onions. Add a splash of coconut aminos and chickpea miso, Italian herbs and pesto. Put this mixture to the side when done.

Cook one package of Cassava pasta and run under cool water when done to prevent from sticking. Add coconut oil to the pasta.

Mix all parts together. Substitute nutritional yeast as parmesan cheese and Cocojune yogurt instead of ricotta, as desired.

Recipe provided by Jessica Chichester of Haute Healing Oasis.

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THE HEALTHY FOOD MOVEMENT

Pandemic Trends are Shaping Better Local Food Systems

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by Bob Benenson

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ike so much else on the planet, the two-year coronavirus pandemic turned the health food world upside-down. “I found myself thinking real dystopian and wondering if people would be able to survive if grocery stores crumbled,” recalls Diana Mondragón, of Rockford, Illinois. “That scary thought train reminded me that I want to learn how to be more self-sustainable.” Her once-occasional drop-bys to farmers markets are now an essential weekly ritual. “I want to support local farmers and food producers to help communities grow stronger and healthier,” she says.

When the long supply chains of the conventional food system became disrupted, many Americans found themselves feeling insecure about food availability for the first time in their lives. The industrialized food system that had operated so efficiently for many generations had relied on long and complicated supply links; when they broke down or became gridlocked, the result was empty supermarket shelves and long waits for home deliveries. Add the economic repercussions and job losses, and about one in nine households lacked enough nutritious food to sustain a healthy life, report researchers from New York University.

Faced with the system’s shortcomings, a noteworthy outcome has been a surge in demand for healthier food production using sustainable and humane practices. Unable to drop by a nearby grocery store and get whatever they wanted whenever they wanted it, many consumers began buying locally grown produce for both practical and environmental reasons. After two high-growth decades, farmers markets initially took a hit 22

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eNaturalAwakenings.com

during pandemic closures, but they have since bounced back with renewed energy.

A wide range of innovative solutions are being pursued by e-commerce entrepreneurs and food-equity advocates to get healthier local food into more hands and more neighborhoods.

Surging Concerns Sales of natural and organic products in the U.S. grew by about 10 percent in 2020, the year of the COVID-19 outbreak, and by another 8 percent in 2021, reports SPINS, a Chicago-based data research firm, in Nutrition Business Journal. Sales growth in that sector was six to seven times larger than for conventional products, which experienced barely any sales growth at all.

Helping spur the trend, cheap food at supermarkets isn’t so cheap anymore, making

organic food look better by comparison. The research company Data Weave reported in March that conventional food prices jumped by 11 percent in the previous 12 months of the pandemic, while prices for organic food increased by a relatively modest 2 to 4 percent.

The price pressures on conventional food “will continue to go up rapidly,” says Matt Tortora, co-founder of WhatsGood, a Rhode Island-based food e-commerce company. “The war between Russia and Ukraine is going to exacerbate that issue. And it seems like most of what’s going on in the world is going to affect our global supply chains even further, and in more profound ways than just our gas pump.”

Food-to-Table Creativity

The dominance of supermarkets and big-box stores in the years following World War II greatly diminished supply and demand of farm-fresh local food. A back-to-the-future trend that started taking hold a generation ago spurred a five-fold increase in the number of farmers markets across the nation, along with a proliferation of farms selling community supported agriculture subscriptions that delivered weekly batches of fresh produce to members. These increased sales enabled many small farmers to offset the body blow from business lost due to pandemic-related restaurant shutdowns; a number of them thrived, with record sales.

The signs for the 2022 outdoor market season have been encouraging. Green City Market, widely regarded as Chicago’s premier farmers market, reported more than 13,000 visitors in a six-hour span on May 7, even though the weather was still on the cool side and few spring crops were in season after a chilly and wet April.

At the same time, a previously little-used conduit for local health food sales—e-commerce—shows signs of spurring long-term growth. Some individual producers nimbly built out their web-based product sales by also providing home delivery, previously a rarity in the local food scene. For example, the e-commerce site Avrom Farm (AvromFarm.com), of Ripon, Wisconsin, sells not only its own products, but also goods from other farmers, and Three Sisters Garden, of Kankakee, Illinois, which raises specialty vegetables, has converted entirely to e-commerce and home delivery.

Taking this concept to the next level is WhatsGood, which in 2014 began providing home delivery and pickup services for farmers markets in several cities. In the pandemic, the company became a lifeline to connect farmers with consumers at a time when stay-at-home orders and social distancing concerns hampered or closed farmers markets.

Late last year, WhatsGood introduced a new business model that bypasses farmers markets to allow consumers to order goods online directly from farmers for home delivery. SourceWhatsGood.com now operates in 21 states. Tortora estimates that demand for local food is about 12 times greater than it was before the pandemic, even as supermarkets again start stocking more faraway-grown, conventional produce.

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Even Better for the Planet While the pandemic created a sense of urgency about healthier eating, it also elevated concerns about the health of the living environment. An April 2022 study issued by New York University’s Stern Center for Sustainable Business found that products specifically marketed as sustainable had a 17 percent share of the market for consumer-packaged goods, up from 13.3 percent in 2015. Nearly half of

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

all products introduced in 2021 touted sustainability benefits, up from 28 percent in 2017. Organic food sales in 2021 amounted to $51 billion; 30 years earlier, that market was estimated at a mere $1 billion, says the SPINS report.

Now there is growing support to take stewardship of the land to the next level through regenerative agriculture practices which focus on building and maintaining the health and biological vitality of the

eNaturalAwakenings.com

nation’s soils, and in some cases, means restoring soils stripped of their vitality by conventional farming practices. It has been most heavily promoted by the Rodale Institute, based in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, which has developed standards for a Regenerative Organic Certified food label.

The sustainability issue resonates deeply with people like Katlin Smith, founder and CEO of Chicago-based Simple Mills, a 10-year-old company that’s

Prostock-studio/AdobeStock.com

widely recognized as the preeminent natural baking mix brand nationally. “I started the company after seeing what a huge impact food has on all of our bodies, and I realized how much we had processed the heck out of our food. And it was really undermining people’s health,” she says.

In the last two years, the company has expanded its focus to work with farmers to improve soil health and biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It recently joined forces with the frozen smoothie company Daily Harvest and glutenfree frozen pizza maker Capello’s to advance regenerative soil practices in almond growing. “Regenerative agriculture is really just growing food in a way that leans into nature and builds a healthy ecosystem for all who are involved,” says Smith.

interest in the Collective’s community gardens, with the number of volunteers jumping from 10 to 50. “It made a lot of people realize this ain’t no joke. People close to us were passing away,” says farm manager Malcolm Evans, who started volunteering for the Collective a decade ago as a teenager growing up in a nearby public housing project. “People wanted to really know how to grow food. We’ve been doing it for years, trying to bring this to folks’ attention. Everybody needs to understand food and know where it comes from.”

Bob Benenson is publisher and writer of Local Food Forum, a newsletter that covers all aspects of the local food communityin the Chicago region. He can be contacted at Bob@LocalFood Forum.com.

Supplying Underserved Communities Local food communities around the country are also playing an increasingly dynamic role in addressing food equity, access and security issues. Less than a decade ago, fewer than half of all farmers markets nationwide accepted federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for purchases. Today, backed by U.S. Department of Agriculture funding, most do, with many markets accepting state-backed debit cards. To further increase access to locally produced food for lower-income families, many states provide matching shopping funds up to a certain limit, as do programs run by nonprofit organizations such as California’s Market Match and Double Up Bucks, run by the Michigan Fair Food Network.

To get healthy produce to people that live in urban “food deserts”, nonprofits are pioneering creative approaches. The Urban Growers Collective operates eight farms on 11 acres of land on Chicago’s Southside that combine education, training and leadership development with the growth of organic crops, which are then driven in a “Fresh Moves” bus to local community and health centers, and churches. Founded by food justice advocates Laurell Sims and Erika Allen, the Collective worked with a coalition of nonprofits during the pandemic to deliver boxes of free food to households in underserved neighborhoods across the city. The pandemic “forced us to do some of the things we’d been talking about, but said we don’t have time yet. We just dived in,” Sims says.

The dramatic impact of the COVID-19 crisis drove up local

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conscious eating

Flower Power EDIBLE BLOOMS ADD FLAVOR AND COLOR TO SUMMER FARE

by April Thompson

26

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

photo courtesy of Marie Viljoen

F

ruits, leaves, stems and roots are commonly eaten as part of a plantbased, farm-to-table diet, but until recently, the only flowers on the table were in a vase. Today’s health-conscious foodies are finding edible flowers to be a fantastic way to eat the rainbow, adding fun flavors and colors to all sorts of dishes.

Urban homesteader Holly Capelle turned her family’s backyard in the Portland, Oregon, suburbs into expansive edible gardens, enjoyed by their flowereating chickens and children alike. “We grow everything from seed, including 15 to 20 edible flower varieties, from spring through fall,” says Capelle. “I love to grow edible flowers for two reasons: one, to eat, and second, for the natural pest control they provide. I think of flowers as a beautiful army that I can eat along the way.”

Capelle’s favorite edible flowers are pansies and violets, as they “pop up again and again all growing season and make a beautiful garnish without overpowering flavor.” The home gardener likes to freeze the fresh flowers in ice cubes, press them on the outside of herb butter or dry them between pieces of wax paper to later add to the tops of homemade chocolate bars, along with dehydrated strawberries, lemon balm, mint or other botanical flavors.

The family’s fowl get in on the flower fun, too. “We make frozen treats for the chickens out of edible flowers, corn and strawberries, which they love in summer.

We also add dried flowers like marigolds to their nesting boxes,” she says, adding that marigolds, with their bright orange hues and distinct flavor, are great in scrambled eggs or as a substitute for saffron.

For larger blooms like sunflowers, Capelle recommends pulling off the often-hard centers. “I often see whole zinnias on edible cakes, but no one wants to eat an entire zinnia. With daisies, for example, I will pull off the petals and recreate the flower on top of a dish, using peppercorns or chocolate chips in place of the center,” she says.

Capelle also loves chamomile for its distinctive, apple-like flavor that has the “feel of fall,” and dianthus, with a slightly spicy taste like cloves. “Nasturtiums are another super defender in the garden, with a delicious peppery flavor and nice orange pop of color in a salad,” she adds.

“Flowers brighten any dish up, especially hors d’oeuvres, omelets and soups. Pea soup is an ugly soup, but sprinkle some microgreens and a viola on top and it’s beautiful,” says Jan eNaturalAwakenings.com

photo courtesy of Jan Bell

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

SPICY MAGNOLIA SALAD CUPS YIELD: FOUR APPETIZER SERVINGS All magnolia petals have a strong, gingery flavor with a hint of cloves or menthol, depending on the variety.

Blooming through summer, North American southern magnolia flowers (Magnolia grandiflora) are the size of dinner plates. Their substantial, fragrant petals make beautiful edible cups for assertively flavored salads or ceviche. Here, blandly creamy avocado, crisp peppery radish slices, quick-pickled onion and a kiss of high-quality soy sauce fill the luscious petals with complementary textures and flavors. Pick the whole petal up like a taco and bite to get the full effect in a mouthful.

1 ripe avocado, cubed 3 radishes, very thinly sliced 2-3 Tbsp quick-pickled red onion rings 2 pickled Japanese knotweed shoots (optional) ¼ tsp chili flakes 2 tsp soy sauce (like organic Ohsawa nama shoyu) Roasted sesame oil

QUICK-PICKLED ONION The heavy seasoning is important to make these pickles pop. Leftover pickles keep indefinitely in the refrigerator, and the flavorful brine is delicious in salad dressings. ½ cup white wine or rice vinegar ¼ cup water 1 tsp salt 2 Tbsp sugar 2 small red onions, thinly sliced into rings In a Mason jar, combine the vinegar, water, salt and sugar. Close the lid tightly and shake to dissolve the seasonings. Add the onions. Allow the mixture to sit in the brine for a minimum of 30 minutes before using.

To assemble the magnolia cups, arrange the avocado cubes, radish and pickled onion between the four petals. Season lightly with chili flakes and soy sauce. Add a few drops of the roasted sesame oil. Serve at once and inhale.

Recipe courtesy of Marie Viljoen.

For more recipes visit eNaturalAwakenings.com.

Click the “Conscious Eating” tab.

July 2022 27

photo courtesy of Marie Viljoen

Bell, of Gilbertie’s Organics, in Easton, Connecticut. The 34-acre farm, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, grows herbs, vegetables and microgreens in 24 greenhouses, including a microgreen blend with nasturtium and viola flowers. “If you pick the flowers on herbs, the plant will grow better and last longer,” Bell adds.

Flowers like wild violets, chive blossoms and common milkweed can add bold color and flavor to vinegar with pinkish purple hues that power up salad dressings. Bell also likes to dry chive flowers to use year-round. “They are a nice purple sprinkle to add to dishes when things are boring in winter,” she says.

Marie Viljoen, a New York City forager, chef and author of the cookbook Forage, Harvest, Feast: A Wild-Inspired Cuisine, incorporates numerous wild and cultivated flowers, including tree flowers like magnolia and black locust, into her hyperlocal, seasonal meals.

Even common garden roses can add a delicious dimension to dishes and drinks, according to Viljoen. “I like to ferment roses into a simple soda, using organically grown rose petals, honey or sugar and tap water. It’s ready within a few days, or else you can leave to ferment a few months to make a sipping vinegar,” she says. “You can also combine really fragrant rose petals with a neutral honey like clover, then strain after a few days for a rose water essence you can add to yogurt or other dishes.” Viljoen also uses rose petals as edible garnishes for deviled eggs or as edible plates for goat cheese balls on her gourmet picnics.

Some flowers are for the eyes only, however. Many can be poisonous, so it’s important to ensure a particular species is edible before digging in. Viljoen also advises carefully distinguishing between poisonous lookalikes when foraging: A delicious daylily and a toxic true lily look similar, but are in different plant families, for example. She also says to look for organically grown flowers that haven’t been sprayed with pesticides.

wise words

Jeffrey Smith on the

Threat of Gene-Edited Microbes

by Sandra Yeyati

W

hen most people didn’t know what a GMO (genetically engineered organism) was 25 years ago, Jeffrey Smith, the founder and executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, was one of the leaders of a global movement that helped consumers understand the dangers of genetically engineered foods. The success of these efforts prompted significant swaths of the population to reject GM comestibles, leading food manufacturers to develop non-GMO alternatives. His most recent efforts focus on gene-edited microbes.

courtesy of Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy

Why do you believe that unregulated releases of gene-edited plants, animals or microbes could devastate our planet?

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Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

First, GMOs can persist forever in the gene pool. They’re self-propagating. Second, the most common result of genetic engineering is surprise side effects. Third, gene editing is so inexpensive that virtually everything with DNA can be a target. You can buy a do-it-yourself CRSPR kit online for less than $200. Already, it’s being used in high school biology labs. Nature’s gene pool is up for grabs with no real safety net, and the impact can last for thousands of years from a single release.

What are the world’s most dangerous organisms to gene edit and why?

The microbial ecosystem known as the microbiome. It is a basis for human and environmental health. Experts say we’ve outsourced about 90 percent of our metabolic and chemical functions to our microbieNaturalAwakenings.com

ome, and imbalances in the microbiome are precursors to about 80 percent of diseases.

The microbiome is essential for soil health and health in virtually every ecosystem. If you release a genetically engineered microbe, it might travel around the world, mutate and swap genes with thousands of other microbes. These, in turn, can travel and mutate with unpredicted side effects and changes in function. This can potentially damage or collapse ecosystems around the world.

How can we stop this threat?

We need to disallow any release of genetically engineered microbes through legislation and international treaties. Without such laws, we could see a million GM microbes released in this generation, which could destroy the nature of nature, and all future generations would be forced to grapple with our mistakes. We also should restrict access to these technologies and ban so-called gain-of-function enhancement of potentially pandemic pathogens, even in so-called bio-secure laboratories, because over 1,000 recorded accidents show that bio-security isn’t reliable enough to create and house pathogens which, if released, could lead to another pandemic.

How did you help build a movement that led to widescale rejection of GMOs? I’ve spoken in 45 countries, counseled politicians and leaders, written two books, made five movies, trained 1,500 speakers and helped organize over 10,000 activists in more than a hundred groups. We exposed the dangers of GMOs and the corrupt practices by the biotech industry

We need to disallow any release of genetically engineered microbes through legislation and international treaties. and regulatory agencies. Now, 51 percent of Americans and 48 percent of global consumers correctly believe that GMO foods aren’t safe. This was designed to influence purchasing choices to put economic pressure on food companies to remove GMO ingredients. The tipping point of consumer rejection is underway.

How are you mobilizing a movement against GM microbes?

Our choices in supermarkets won’t stop the release of genetically engineered microbes, so we need to focus on enacting new laws in individual countries and international treaties. But we can’t rely on consistency of government laws. We need to build a

popular movement so that everyone in the world realizes we have now arrived at an inevitable time in human civilization where we can damage the streams of evolution for all time, and that we need to become far more responsible in our relationship with nature. We need to institutionalize the choices in academia so that everyone growing up, just as they now learn about climate change, also learns about the dangers of genetic technology and what we need to do as a civilization to protect nature’s gene pool forever.

How can people help?

I invite people to visit ProtectNatureNow. com, sign up for our newsletter and watch the 16-minute film Don’t Let the Gene Out of the Bottle. We post action alerts for people to reach out to elected officials and local papers, and we’ll have plenty more opportunities for people moving forward, including training programs and a global advocacy network.

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

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

July 2022 29

The Monthly Naturally Healthy Pet Section Starts Here!

News, articles, resources, events— all dedicated exclusively to happy, naturally healthy living for our furred, feathered and scaled animal companions. To contribute, email Editorial@eNaturalAwakenings.com.

Canine Calm

ANTI-ANXIETY TIPS FOR DOGS

TURN IT AROUND. Swiss scientists at the University of Bern’s Companion Animal 30 30

Behavior Group that analyzed the New Year’s fireworks strategies of 1,225 dog owners concluded that the most effective method was what they called “counterconditioning”—turning a negative into a positive with treats. As the fireworks exploded, these owners played with their dogs, gave them chews and treats, and expressed positive emotions; their dogs were on average 70 percent less anxious. The method works best when a dog’s calmness is reinforced on a daily basis, say the researchers.

Megan Marrs, an Austin, Texas, dog trainer and founder of K9OfMine.com, lowered her rescue pit bull’s anxious behavior by giving him cold, chewable treats whenever he calmly sat on his bed and didn’t cause trouble. “This did require keeping treats on me at all times, but it worked wonders,” she says.

IT’S A WRAP. The Swiss study also found that 44 percent of dogs became calmer during fireworks after being wrapped in a tight-fitting pressure vest. Sold commercially under such names as ThunderShirt and Anxiety Wrap, the vests can also be easily improvised at home by following YouTube videos. A tight wrap helped soothe the trembling of Zed, the Japanese Chin of Amy Tokic, editor-in-chief of the Toronto-based PetGuide.com. “He’s still not comfortable with loud noises, but when he’s snuggly swaddled, he doesn’t get into a panic state over it,” she says.

Fairfield Fairfield & Southern County & Litchfield Housatonic Counties Valley Edition eNaturalAwakenings.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

Kira_Yan/AdobeStock.com

W

hen they signed the Declaration of Independence, little did our country’s founders know that more than two centuries later, their revolutionary act would lead to millions of dogs trembling, cringing and running for cover.

As many as 45 percent of American pet dogs are struck with “fireworks phobia”, studies show, and more dogs run away over the July Fourth holiday than at any other time of the year, report animal control officials.

The kind of situational anxiety caused by sudden loud noises can affect almost any dog, but it happens most often to those pets predisposed to anxious behavior because of breeding or troubled pasts. A new study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science from the University of California, Davis, has found that even common noises such as a vacuum, microwave or beeping smoke alarm can trigger anxiety in many dogs, and that many owners don’t recognize subtle signs.

“Monitor your dog’s behavior for anything unusual, such as excessive barking, panting, shaking, trembling, licking or drooling,” advises John Woods, a New York City professional dog trainer and editor-in-chief of AllThingsDogs.com. “Also look for cues in your dog’s body language, paying particular attention to their eyes, ears, mouth and tail for other signs of anxiety or discomfort.”

Happily, research shows that a number of strategies can help soothe anxious pooches both from immediate terror and ongoing anxiety.

by Ronica O’Hara

PLAY MELLOW MELODIES. Studies have confirmed that music can ease situational anxiety for up to half of dogs, but the genre matters: classical soothes, heavy metal agitates. Researchers at Pooch & Mutt, a British natural-health dog food maker, surveyed Spotify playlists and concluded that the ultimate calming songs for dogs were reggae and soft rock, because of their simple arrangements, minimal electronic orchestration and gentle beats that match the heartbeat of a puppy’s mother. “The wrong music or music that is being played too loud has the potential to upset your dog,” warns London veterinary surgeon Linda Simon.

THE SWEET SMELL OF SAFETY. The sense of smell in dogs is 10,000 times greater than that of humans, so the right scent—like of their lactating mother—can comfort them. Pheromones are synthetic or herbal formulations in sprays, collars, plug-in diffusers or wet wipes that replicate nursing scents, and studies have found them effective for many dogs during fireworks, thunderstorms, and for mild anxiety. Jeraldin Paredes, a New York City professional dog sitter at TalkTheBark. com, suggests simply using an old T-shirt to bundle up a pooch during a high-stress situation or to put as a “baby blanket” into their favorite hiding place. “That way, no matter where they hide, a piece of you is always with them,” she explains.

SPEAK STRAIGHT. “Simply speaking with your pet can make a huge difference in their anxiety,” says animal communicator Nancy Mello, in Mystic, Connecticut.

“Don’t just say goodbye to them, but tell

them how long you will be gone and when you will be back. Use a visualization: ‘I will be home at 7 p.m.,’ while visualizing your house at dark. Or say to an anxious pet, ‘You are safe,’ on a daily basis. Even if your pet doesn’t get the exact wording, they understand the connotation behind it.”

Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

MORE HOME REMEDIES Pharmaceuticals are widely prescribed by veterinarians for highly anxious dogs and have a study-proven track record, but come with side effects. For example, the sedative acepromazine (ACP) actually increases noise sensitivity in dogs while lowering their ability to respond. Another sedative, dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor), can pose serious health risks even at low doses.

Natural remedies, although seldom backed by large, double-blind clinical studies, have done well in smaller studies, pose few potential dangers and have proven their worth to many pet parents. It may take trial-and-error to find what works, a process that holistic veterinarians can help fast-track.

These approaches may be worth trying out at home: CBD. This non-psychoactive compound of the hemp plant, increasingly used for canine pain management, has been shown in some studies to calm dogs. It’s best to choose a high-grade, broad-spectrum, organic product in a tincture or oil form so the amount can be adjusted drop by drop, advises the American Kennel Society.

PHEROMONES. The collars, sprays, mists, wipes and diffusers that deliver a calming scent to a dog have been found effective for many, but not all, anxious dogs in situations of loud noises, car travel and vet’s offices. Sprays work quickly, but last only a few hours; plug-in diffusers can be effective for as long as a month. Many are synthetic, petroleum-based products. Instead, look for pheromone products that employ essential oils, with one caveat: use caution if cats are around, because some essential oils are toxic to them. For a DIY approach, dab a drop of vanilla, coconut, valerian or ginger essential oil onto a bandana and if the dog likes the scent, tie the bandana around its neck. A British study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found those scents lowered barking and excessive activity in shelter dogs.

FISH OIL. Purina researchers found that adding DHA-rich fish oil to the diet of 24 anxious Labradors for 12 weeks reduced cortisol responses and lowered their heart rate during anxiety-provoking events for 21 of the dogs; it cut by almost half the time they spent jumping, pacing, spinning and barking. A general guideline is 300 milligrams of combined EPA/DHA per 30 pounds of a dog’s body weight. Other commonly used supplements to discuss with a veterinarian are L-theanine and L-tryptophan, amino acids shown to help calm down dogs with mild to moderate anxiety.

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203-274-3267 • AnimalHealing@optonline.net July 2022

31

events calendar

SUNDAY, JULY 24

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

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6

FRIDAY, JULY 15

Toning for Change – 6-7:30pm. Learn to use your own voice to clear your body, mind, and soul of energy that no longer serves you. Feel the power of the group as we make sound for pure joy and healing. RSVP, Bradford: 860-830-5841, Info@ CrystalMusicHealing.com. $30. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-4042578. tinyurl.com/Toning4Change.

Sonic Alchemy – 7-8:30pm. This sound healing meditation concert combines Bradford Tilden’s inspiring piano music, crystal bowls and channeled vocal tones to create a powerful activating, and healing experience. RSVP: 203- 481-8443, AvantGardeCT13@yahoo.com. $20-$25 cash at door. Avant Garde Holistic Center, 328 E Main St, Branford. 203-980-3163. AvantGardeCT.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 7

SUNDAY, JULY 17

Sound Healing Meditation – 6-7pm. With Bradford Tilden. Deeply restorative and activating Sound Healing Meditation. Walk-ins welcome. $20. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-404-2578. tinyurl.com/BridgeSoundBrad.

SATURDAY, JULY 9 Universal White Time Healing Level 2 – 7/9-7/10.

9am-6:30pm. Prerequisite UWT Energy Healing Level 1. In the second level you are getting an upgrade that stands for 150 hours of healing. Contact Bradford to register: 860-830-5841, Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com. $500. Braulttree Wellness Center, 415 Killingsworth Rd, Ste 9A, Higganum.

860-344-9573. tinyurl.com/UWTEnergy2July2022.

Yoga and its Cross-Cultural Archetypes with Karen Pierce – 1:30-3:30pm. We will honor our sacred connection to all that is through our yoga practice as we explore the life cycle from Child’s pose to Corpse pose, Shamans and Superheroes; Muses and Magicians, Avatars and Archetypes and the animal totems. $39; bring a friend free. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-1893.

Yogaspace-CT.com.

Lemurian Crystal Healing Workshop – 1-4pm.

Unlock your own inner wisdom, strengthen your intuition and activate your DNA with the assistance of the special energies of Ancient Lemuria and Lemurian Seed Crystals. Each participant will receive a Lemurian Seed Crystal to work with. Contact Bradford: 860-830-5841, Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com. $70/advance; $80/cash at door. The Center For Higher Living, 130 Webster Square, Berlin. tinyurl.com/LemurianWorkshopJuly2022.

TUESDAY, JULY 12 Meditation and Energy Healing with Exploration of the Seven Chakras with Diane Nicosia – 6:30-7:45pm. Experience guided Meditation/ Energy healing with a practical twist lead by certified Reiki Master Practitioner and Wellness Coach Diane Nicosia. $65. Salt Cave of Darien, 555 Post Rd, Darien. 203-658-7667. SaltCaveOfDarien.com.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 White Time Experience – 6-8:30pm. Second Wednesday. All are welcome to participate in this exclusive round-robin style healing circle featuring White Time Energy and Gemstone healing. $30; $10 discount for UWT Practitioners. Braulttree Wellness Center, 415 Killingsworth Rd, Ste. 9A, Higganum.

860-344-9573. Roslyn@BraulttreeWellnessCenter. com. BraulttreeWellnessCenter.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 14 Holy Fire Reiki Circle – 7-8pm. Online via Zoom with Gail Christie. Join us to release stress and experience peace with the new Holy Fire World Peace meditation and shared Reiki. Free. Sign-up by 5pm on 7/14 for logon link. Joyful Living Reiki, Stamford. 203-979-0918. JoyfulLivingReiki.com.

32

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

TUESDAY, JULY 19 Sonic Awakening – 6-7:30pm. Clear your mind and energy-field and raise your core frequency with this powerful sound journey with channeled voice, crystal bowls, Tibetan bowls and gongs. Space limited. $30/advance; $40/cash at door. Center For Higher Living, 130 Webster Square, Berlin. tinyurl. com/SonicAwakeJuly2022.

Guided Meditation and Energy Healing – 6:457:45pm. Experience guided meditation and energy healing with certified Reiki Master Practitioner and Intuitive Coach Diane Nicosia. Diane will lead participants through the exploration and opening of the seven energy centers, or Chakras, each associated with a different body part, color, crystal and purpose. $25; or Imagine Yoga package. Imagine Yoga, 10 Roberts Ln, Ridgefield. 203-770-8938.

ImagineYoga.space.

THURSDAY,JULY 21 Sound Healing Meditation – 6-7pm. With Bradford Tilden. Deeply restorative and activating Sound Healing Meditation. Walk-ins welcome. $20. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-404-2578. tinyurl.com/BridgeSoundBrad.

SATURDAY, JULY 23 Reiki and Guided Meditation – 1-2pm. Zoom online with Gail Christie. Come to release stress and experience peace with the new Holy Fire World Peace meditation and shared Reiki. Free. Sign up by 11am on 7/23 for logon link. Joyful Living Reiki.

203-979-0918. JoyfulLivingReiki.com.

Opening Reception: Exposures 2022, Juried Open Photography Show @Gallery 25 – 2-4pm.

Thanks to the town of New Milford and the Commission on the Arts, this coop fine art gallery is located in the historic railroad station in the heart of a vibrant downtown that includes fine restaurants, an Art Deco movie theater and many unique shops.

Gallery 25, 11 Railroad St, New Milford. 860-3556009. Gallery25CT.com.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Holy Fire Reiki Level 2 Certification – 10am5pm. Online via Zoom with Gail Christie, Usui/ Holy Fire Reiki Master. Learn the Reiki 2 symbols for enhanced and distance healing. Included are an attunement to Reiki 2 energy, Holy Fire World Peace meditation, practice time, an online manual, course materials and a certificate. Prerequisite: Reiki 1 certification. $275. Register no later than 7/10.

Sign up with a friend and save 20%. 203-979-0918.

JoyfulLivingReiki.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 30 Lemurian Intuitive Natural Healing Level 1 – 9am-6:30pm. 7/30-7/31. Learn the fundamentals of ancient Lemurian intuitive crystal and sound healing. In class we work with Lemurian Seed Crystals, gemstone layouts to heal childhood and past life traumas and toning with the voice and crystal bowls. $450. Contact Bradford: 860-830-5841, Info@ CrystalMusicHealing.com. Braulttree Wellness Center, 415 Killingsworth Rd, Ste 9A, Higganum.

860-344-9573. tinyurl.com/LSINH1July2022.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 Yoga on the Ball and Wall with Karen Pierce – 1:30-3:30pm. Explore yoga-based poses done using a stability ball to provide support in helping you improve balance and flexibility. The stability ball is a great way to get extra support for moves that require endurance and flexibility and it also adds a balance challenge. Please bring your own stability ball. $39; bring a friend free. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-1893. Yogaspace-CT.com.

ongoing events

daily Exposures 2022, Juried Open Photography Show @Gallery 25 – 10am-4pm. 7/22-7/31. Thanks to the town of New Milford and the Commission on the Arts, this coop fine art gallery is located in the historic railroad station in the heart of a vibrant downtown that includes fine restaurants, an Art Deco movie theater and many unique shops. Gallery 25, 11 Railroad St, New Milford. 860-355-6009.

Gallery25CT.com.

sunday Online Meditation Practice Session – 10-11am.

While in-person meditation is limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering online meditation practice sessions and Dharma talks using Zoom.

All levels welcome. No formal charge. By donation. Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130.

ReddingMeditation.org.

monday Monday Mobility Flow Yoga – 9:30-10:30am. Work on your mobility and flexibility in a slow flow yoga sequence designed to target joint and muscle groups in order to explore various ranges of motion. Everybody is different and our mobility expert, Gilly Lusby, will collaborate and take into account your experience level. Please bring your own yoga mat and blanket and wear white socks. $25. Salt Cave of Darien, 555 Post Rd, Darien. 203-658-7667. SaltCaveOfDarien.com.

tuesday Shamanic Clinic on Zoom – 6:30-8:30pm. Second Tuesday. Experience the physical and spiritual benefits of Shamanic Healing. Shamanic Practitioners trained and certified by Medicine Woman Ahalya Baguio, offer the community these sacred healing sessions. Each personal session ends with a Medicine Drumming. Limited half-hour sessions available. $20/ suggested donation. TransformationCenterCT.com.

wednesday White Time Experience – 6-8:30pm. Second Wednesday. All are welcome to participate in this exclusive round-robin style healing circle featuring White Time Energy and Gemstone healing. $30; $10 discount for UWT Practitioners. Braulttree Wellness Center, 415 Killingsworth Rd, Ste. 9A, Higganum.

860-344-9573. Roslyn@BraulttreeWellnessCenter. com. BraulttreeWellnessCenter.com.

Online Meditation Practice Session – 7-8pm.

While in-person meditation is limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering online meditation practice sessions and Dharma talks using Zoom.

All levels welcome. No formal charge. By donation.

Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130.

ReddingMeditation.org.

Mysticism: Where Science, Art and Religion Meet – 7-8:30pm. What is the purpose of life? Our intent here is to address these issues through lectures, readings and guided group discussions. We will present ancient concepts, cutting-edge theories, speculations, assertions, data, and most of all, thought-provoking ideas for discussion. Free. Aleph Talks, 606 Post Rd East, Ste 667, Westport. AlephTalks.com.

thursday Sound Healing Meditation – 6-7pm. With Bradford Tilden. Second and fourth Thursday. Soothing sonic tapestries with his voice and crystal bowls for you to relax, unwind and release stress and unwanted energies from your body, mind, and field. Please Bring your own blanket, chair or yoga mat to sit on. Walkins welcome. Register: tinyurl.com/BradfordBridge.

Walk-ins welcome. $15-$35 sliding scale. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St. Farmington. 860404-2578. BridgeHAC.com.

Good Weeds: A Weed is Just a Plant with a Bad Marketing Program – 7pm. Got weeds? You’ll learn that many weeds are edible, medicinal and nutritious. Each week you’ll meet new “weeds,” learn their materia medica, create an herbal remedy, and join us in the kitchen. $39. Register for Zoom link.

Grounded Goodwife. GroundedGoodwife@yahoo. com. GroundedGoodwife.com.

Art of Meditation – 7:30-8:30pm. This 4-week Meditation Course is an excellent program for beginners and also a great place for seasoned practitioner who desire to go deeper, to find more in their meditations. This course will introduce you to meditation and its many facets revealing hidden treasures along the way. $60/series; or drop-in rates VIP member discount applies. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel.

203-730-1893. Yogaspace-CT.com/events.

friday Reiki 1st Degree Workshop: Online or In-Person – 10am-5pm. First Friday. With Gigi Benanti, Reiki Master/Teacher (24 years). Learn Reiki 1st Level (Western Style). Learn how to use Reiki for self-healing and healing for others. Two manuals and certificate included.

Zoom link will be given with e-mail and payment.

Please call to register. Also held on the first Saturday.

No drop-ins. $135. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReiki.com.

saturday Saturday Dharma and Morning Meditation – 7:308:15am. Every week we will discuss various works on topics such as self-study, meditation, self-improvement, mindfulness, joy and much more. The discussion will be followed by a 30-minute guided breath-based meditation. Proceeds are donated to our charity of the month. $10/cash. Yoga Culture, 105 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury. 203-730-0250. WeAreYogaCulture.com.

One-Day Meditation Retreat – 9:30am-4pm. Second Saturday. Limited in-person meditation retreat. The extended practice is meant to deepen self-awareness and a previously established meditation practice is suggested. Please abide by guidelines listed on our events page. Must register online. By donation. Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. ReddingMeditation.org.

In-Person Meditation Practice Session – 10-11:30am.

Limited in-person meditation practice offered on Saturday mornings. All levels welcome. If it’s your first time, please let someone know so that we can provide a brief introduction. Please abide by guidelines listed on our events page. MUST register online. Donations encouraged. Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. ReddingMeditation.org.

Reiki Second Degree Workshop: Online or InPerson – 10am-5pm. Fifth Saturday. With Gigi Benanti, Reiki Master/Teacher (24 years). Learn Reiki Level 2 (Western Style). Learn how to send reiki distance healing, deepen your use of Reiki for yourself and others and more. Two manuals and certificate included. Also held on the last Friday. No drop-ins. $225. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReiki.com.

Sunrays must be the sun’s way of dancing alone. ~Prem

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with special thanks to Stamford Health, Exclusive Healthcare Partner September 10 10am - 6pm Harbor Point Boardwalk 1 Harbor Point Road, Stamford HWL-Expos.com July 2022 33

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ORANGE CREAM POPS YIELD: 8 SERVINGS 1 banana 1 cup vanilla yogurt, whole milk 1 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice 1 Tbsp honey Jenifoto/AdobeStock.com

Combine all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour blended mixture into molds, leaving ½ inch for them to expand. Freeze until hard, about 4 hours. When ready to eat, run under warm water and remove from the mold.

Variations: omit bananas or substitute milk with full-fat coconut milk.

Recipe courtesy of Gwen Eberly, adapted from More With Less.

34

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

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community resource guide

ENERGY HEALING

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.

AMPCOIL CENTER AMPCOIL

CAREER COACH / HYPNOTIST

Freddie Kimmel, Product Expert 95 Cross Hwy, Redding 833-267-2645 Freddie@AmpCoil.com AmpCoil.com

THEA LITSIOS

Extraordinary Wellness!

AmpCoil is an extraordinary system that delivers sound frequencies through PEMF to harmonize, balance, and support you on your journey to wellness.

90% of AmpCoil’s most active users reported that AmpCoil has been instrumental to their personal wellness, and over 55% reported that they experience relief from symptoms related to Lyme or other chronic conditions.

I help you clear away subconscious blocks and use intuition to discover your unique gifts. My clients create a meaningful career of their dreams that is Soul Centered.

When you are ready to have a career that lights you up, call for a free 60-minute consultation. 12+ years experience helping clients connect to their soul. See ad, page 2.

AYURVEDA NEERU KAUSHIK, ND, MS ACU, MS, MA 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 10.

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY 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.

Certified Career Coach Hypnotist, & Teacher of Active Dreaming TheaLitsios.com 203-693-1493

CHINESE MEDICINE ACUBLEND PLLC

Dr. Sian James, DACM, LAc, LMT, RYT Locations in Stamford, Westport & Fairfield 203-987-6585 AcuBlend.com AcuBlend will serve your healthcare needs by blending the art and science of wellness, offering acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, Gua Sha, Tui Na, massage therapy, movement therapies, herbal medicine and much more. See ad, page 11.

EDUCATION 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.

BETH LEAS

Transformative Healing • Tarot Virtual and In-Person Sessions 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection. 30+ years of intuitive healing experience with adults and children of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 2.

ESSENTIAL OILS WAYNE LEISS, LMT, CAO 20 Fifth Ave, Apt A, Danbury 203-994-1207 Wayne@WayneLeiss.com WayneLeiss.com

Essential oils address stress reduction, support the natural functioning of body systems and can enhance overall well-being.

They are used in topical, internal and aromatic applications. Improve physically, emotionally and spiritually as Wayne teaches you about the benefits and uses of massage with natural and pure dōTERRA Essential Oils. See ad, page 2.

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.

July 2022 35

HEALING SPA REVIVE SALT THERAPY & WELLNESS 374 New Haven Ave, Milford 203-283-5968 Hello@ReviveSaltTherapy.com ReviveSaltTherapy.com

A Holistic Healing Spa for Body, Mind, and Soul. We offer Halotherapy/ Salt Therapy, Infrared Sauna, Reiki, Quantum Healing, Massage Therapy, Sound Healing, Yoga, and Wellness plus a Crystal Shop. We offer unique and potent products and services to accelerate physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing.

See ad, page 2.

HOLISTIC NETWORKING HOLISTIC COMMUNITY PROFESSIONALS

Shirley R. Bloethe, Executive Director 860-255-8844 HCPinc.ORG@gmail.com HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org Holistic Community Professionals is an organization of holistic practitioners and businesses focused on improving health and wellness with products and services throughout New England.

We also connect consumers with a wide variety of modalities, holistic products, and services as well as offering two EXPOs a year at The DoubleTree by Hilton in Bristol. See website for details. See ad, page 4.

INTEGRATIVE NATURAL MEDICINE 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.

36

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE PHYSICIAN MEDICINE FOR LIVING

Dr. Alicia McKelvey 51 Sherman Hill Rd, Bldg A, Ste 104C, Woodbury 203-405-1464 Medicine4LivingCT@gmail.com MedicineForLivingCT.com Medicine for Living is an Integrative Medicine practice whose mission is to help clients achieve optimal health and disease prevention. Using powerful genomic tools, we are able to help patients understand aspects of their health and bodies previously unknown to them.

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 17.

INTEGRATIVE OPTOMETRY EYECARE ASSOCIATES, PC

Dr. Randy Schulman, MS, OD, FCOVD Dr. Jason Grygier Dr. Diana Ngo Dr. Justin Rapp Dr. Sonia Singh Dr. Magy Tepliz Locations: 6515 Main St, Trumbull • 203-374-2020 444 Westport Ave, Norwalk • 203-840-1991 2600 Post Rd, Southport • 203-255-4005 1425 Bedford St, 1M, Stamford • 203-357-0204 CTEyecareAssociates.com We offer behavioral optometry, comprehensive vision exams, contact lenses and vision therapy. Call to schedule your appointment today.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

LIFE & BUSINESS COACH JENN T PETERSON

Rising Starr Horse Rescue, Wilton Virtual & In-Person 917-340-1328 Hello@JennTPeterson.com JennTPeterson.com Life & Business Coach With Horses & Shamanic Reiki Master Teacher. I help life coaches & energy healers gain clarity, increase confidence, breakthrough fears to market & sell your services, connect with ideal clients & make money.

15+ years creating Rising Stars. Virtual & In Person.

See ad, page 2.

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 selfawareness 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.

METAPHYSICAL ARTIST HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC Barbara (Bobbi) Soares Merryall, New Milford 860-946-9470 BSoares@LightOfTheNewMoon.com HummingbirdSoundYoga.com Facebook @HummingbirdSoundYoga

Barbara (Bobbi) Soares, MA, CYT, is a metaphysical artist, photographer and musician available for performances, concerts and ceremonies. Bobbi’s band Hummingbird and Friends is well- known for their eclectic blend of chants, jazz, blues, reggae and country. As a solo performer/ poet & singer, her influences include John Cage, Sun Ra & Laurie Anderson. Her artwork can be viewed at Gallery 25 in New Milford and online. She studied improvisation with Bobby McFerrin, vocal yoga with Heather Lyle, and sound healing with Silvia Nakkach, John Beaulieu and Don Conreaux See ad, page 12.

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, divination tools, spiritual gifts, statuary, oracle decks and tarot and home décor. Available in The Shungite Room: readings, Reiki, meditation, sound therapy, energy work, workshops, and special events. See ad, page 15.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN HEALTHFUL HARMONY

Dr. Amy Wiesner 91 East Ave, Second Floor, Norwalk 203-962-5887 DrAmyWiesner@gmail.com HealthfulHarmony.com Dr. Wiesner, practicing for almost 20 years, uses acupuncture, lifestyle medicine, nutritional supplementation and homeopathy to help her patients achieve health and well-being. Infertility, Diabetes, Stress, Pain, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Allergies, Headaches, Cardiovascular Disease, Lyme Disease, Menstrual Disorders, other imbalances.

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 10.

NICOLE KLUGHERS, ND, PHARMD, MSAC

Vis Wellness Center Rocky Hill & TeleMedicine Statewide (234) 2-ACU-DOC DrNicoleKlughers.com Info@DrNicoleKlughers.com Dr. Nicole Klughers offers comprehensive naturopathic care to restore optimal health and prevent disease. Dr. Nicole’s “health detective” approach identifies the root cause of symptoms and provides all-natural solutions such as personalized nutrition (food as medicine), herbal medicine, nutrient therapies, acupuncture and more. In-depth assessment is often done with detailed testing of vitamins/ minerals, hormones, advanced cardiovascular markers, inflammation, food sensitivities, gut/ microbiome and more. See ad, page 4.

NUTRITION OFFICE OF DR. MICHAEL WALD

29 King St, 2nd Fl, Chappaqua NY 10514 914-552-1442 Info@BloodDetective.com DrMichaelWald.com #BloodDetective Dr Wald is a holistic DC, Nutritionist, and Dietician whose Blood Detective software, labs and detailed consult help get to the cause(s) of persistent health issues. Conditions include autoimmune, weight loss, anti-aging, cancer, GI issues, depression, and more. See ad, page 5.

.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

NANCY S. SCHERLONG, LCSW, PTR, CM

Coaching/Psychotherapy/Consulting Offices in Norwalk 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.

See ad, page 11.

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.

JOYFUL LIVING REIKI LLC

Gail Christie, Holy Fire Reiki Master Stamford, CT and Mt Kisco, NY 203-979-0918 JoyfulLivingReiki.com Gail will help you get in touch with your energy and bring balance to your life with Holy Fire Reiki. She offers gently powerful Holy Fire healing sessions, Reiki-infused meditations and Usui/Holy Fire and Karuna Reiki certification classes. See ad, page 2.

REIKI TURNING POINT REIKI LLC

JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield 203-438-3050 TurningPointReiki.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, back pain, Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses. All Reiki levels taught.

THE SHUNGITE ROOM THE ANGEL COOPERATIVE

The Angel Cooperative 51 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte. 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 TheAngelCoop.com The first and only Shungite Room in the USA. Shungite is the only natural material known to contain fullerenes, a naturally occurring antioxidant.

Shungite is believed to have active metaphysical properties with strong healing powers. The Shungite Room hosts readings, Reiki, meditation, sound therapy, energy work, workshops, and special events.

The public is welcome to enjoy the room at no charge when the room is not in use. See ad, page 15.

July 2022 37

HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC Barbara (Bobbi) Soares Merryall, 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-forhealth meditations, her goal is to help individuals experience becoming “one with sound” to promote a deep relaxation response that balances energy and encourages healing. See ad, page 12.

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 2.

BETH LEAS

Transformative Healing • Tarot Virtual and In-Person Sessions 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection.

30+ years of intuitive healing experience with adults and children of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 2.

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 23.

UNIVERSAL WHITE TIME, CRYSTAL & SOUND HEALING CRYSTAL MUSIC HEALING Bradford Tilden, MM, CMT, UWT Remote: Phone or Zoom 860-830-5841 • Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com CrystalMusicHealing.com

My goal is to empower you to develop spiritually and professionally. I offer UWT energy and gemstone healing with guided visualization for spiritual healing and self-actualization, and transformational voice activation coaching sessions. I teach certification classes in Universal White Time (UWT), Lemurian Intuitive (LSINH), Crystal, and Sound Healing. I use these techniques, and more to help you to obtain authentic expression, empowerment, and transformation. You can purchase personally attuned crystals and gemstones through me. My clients and students gain a renewed clarity and a sense of purpose as they perceive their truth and remove blockages that distort their perception. Contact me for a free 30 minute consultation. See ad, page 4.

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 is next door to The Angel Cooperative. It has a large yoga room and private treatment room.

The Angel Wing hosts workshops, retreats, readings, energy work sessions, Reiki and Reiki Certification classes, massage, sound and gong baths, guided meditations, acupuncture, and yoga classes and yoga teacher training. It is also 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 15.

SALT CAVE OF DARIEN

555 Post Rd, Darien 203-658-7667 • Info@SaltCaveofDarien.com SaltCaveofDarien.com Our wellness destination offers an oasis of peace, calm and serenity. Whether you want to release stress, address a health challenge, or gather with friends and family, the Cave is inviting, warm and soothing. Check out our website for the many different ways to experience the benefits of our healing salt! See ad, page 2.

YOGA HUMMINGBIRD SOUND YOGA LLC Barbara (Bobbi) Soares Merryall, 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. Her goal is to help individuals experience becoming “one with sound” to promote a deep relaxation response that balances energy and encourages healing. See ad, page 12.

Yulia/AdobeStock.com

SOUND HEALING

MIXED BERRY POPS YIELD: 8 SERVINGS 2 cups mixed berries (frozen or fresh) 1 ripe banana ¾ cup fresh-squeezed orange juice 1 cup milk 1 cup plain yogurt 1 Tbsp honey Combine all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour blended mixture into molds, leaving ½ inch for it to expand. Freeze until hard, about 4 hours.

When ready to eat, run under warm water and remove from the mold.

Variations: omit bananas or substitute milk with full-fat coconut milk. For smoothies, add 2 cups of ice to the recipe and pour the blended mixture into a glass.

Recipe courtesy of Gwen Eberly.

38

Fairfield & Southern Litchfield Counties

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