Natural Awakenings November 2018

E E HEALTHY LIVING FR

HEALTHY

PLANET

Supercharge Immunity!

Natural Ways to Protect Your Family

MASSAGE FOR PETS

Design a Healthier Home

PlantBased Holiday Pie Recipes

Reduce Clutter, Increase Space and Peace

November 2018 | Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition | eNaturalAwakenings.com November 2018

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The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center z

The Natural Choice

Optimize Your Smile and Your Health!

Whole-Body DentistryÂŽ provides comprehensive oral health care using traditional and holistic approaches. We understand the "mouth-body connection."

Mark A. Breiner, DDS

Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry Fellow of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology Speaker and best-selling author of Whole-Body dentistryÂŽ

Mercury-free for over 30 years. Dr. Breiner is a pioneer and recognized authority in the field of biological and holistic dentistry.

Doesn't It Make Sense To See The Authority?

Join our FREE online health newsletter!

501 Kings highway east, suite 108 | Fairfield, Ct | 203-371-0330 | WholeBodydentistry.com

Caring Integrative Physicians Offering the Best in Holistic Healing The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center

Our integrative approach treats a wide range of conditions including:

Adam Breiner, ND Brain Health Lyme Disease

David Brady, ND, CCN Fibromyalgia Thyroid Conditions

ADD/ADHD Allergies Anxiety & Depression Autism Brain Injuries Chronic Fatigue or Fatigue Concerns

Insomnia Lyme Disease Sports Injuries Stress-related Symptoms Thyroid & Adrenal Issues Toxicities Weight Gain

Difficulting Concentrating Female Concerns Fibromyalgia Gastrointestinal Concerns Healthy Aging Hormonal Issues Immune Disorders

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We can help you get your health back in balance naturally with proven treatments and therapies:

David Johnston, DO Osteopathic Medicine Cranial Osteopathy

Elena Sokolova, MD, ND Oriental Medicine Female Health

Hyperbaric Oxygen Neurofeedback Acupuncture Chinese Medicine Homeopathy Energy Medicine

Colon Hydrotherapy Natural Hormone Therapy Nutritional Assessment Allergy Desensitization Detoxification Pulsed Magnetic Field Therapy

Bio-identical Hormone Therapy PRP & Stem Cell PEMF & Bemer IV Nutrient & Chelation Therapy Thermography Cranial Osteopathy

To learn more, watch our website videos.

Whole-Body Medicine, LLC ~ The Natural Approach for Optimal Health 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 108 | Fairfield, CT | 203-371-8258 | WholeBodyMed.com 2

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

EDUCATION FIT EVERY FAMILY EDUCATION TOTO FIT EVERY FAMILY WORKSPACE (7+) ATAT WORKSPACE (7+)

21st Century Learning 21st Century Learning Diverse and Inclusive Community Diverse and Inclusive Community Join Over Fifty Families Co-Creating Join Over Fifty Families Co-Creating Customized Education Experiences Customized Education Experiences In Our State of the Art Facility In Our State of the Art Facility Project-based Learning Project-based Learning Tech Skills Tech Skills Science & Research Lab Science & Research Lab Visual & Performing Arts Visual & Performing Arts Entrepreneurial Program Entrepreneurial Program Makerspace Makerspace Foundational Literacies Foundational Literacies College Level Classes College Level Classes WorkspaceEducation.org WorkspaceEducation.org

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November 2018

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Contents 21 TAKE A ONE

Festival of Trees

HOUR VACATION

Stamford Spa Offers Affordable Wellness

24 SUPERCHARGE YOUR

November 16-18, 2018 Now at the Danbury Sports Dome

IMMUNE SYSTEM

Natural Ways to Stay Healthy

28 NATURAL IMMUNE

BOOSTERS FOR KIDS

How to Power Up Their Defenses

32 ECO-FRIENDLY,

Over 100 Decorated Trees & Great Raffle Prizes Shopping Live Entertainment Taps & Trees Beer Fest Tennies and Ties Gala Children’s Crafts, Magic Shows, Characters and Bouncy Houses

34

SAFER SLEEP

Choosing a Less Toxic Mattress

34 LIFE BY DESIGN

How Our Homes Shape Us

38 LOVE YOUR HOME!

Feng Shui Tips for Health and Happiness

40 ORGANIZING FOR

Benefitting

A HEALTHY HOME

Clear Clutter for Space and Peace

42 GIVE ROVER A

A n nu h t al 16

RUBDOWN

Massage Keeps a Dog

at Peak Health

51 THANKSGIVING

DESSERTS

Plant-Based Pies for Every Palate

DEPARTMENTS 7 news briefs 15 health briefs 18 global briefs 20 event spotlight 21 community

AnnsPlaceFestivalofTrees.org 4

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

28

spotlight 22 mastering yoga 30 green living 42 naturally

healthy pet

eNaturalAwakenings.com

51

45 pet resource

guide 46 healing ways 49 inspiration 50 inspired table 54 calendar 59 classifieds 59 resource guide 66 cosmic rhythms 66 ad index

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

HILDA DEMIRJIAN SINCE 1974

Love your skin!

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Laser Hair removaL for aLL CompLexions • Suitable for ALL areas on the body • Short course of treatment, accurate, non-invasive HiLda demirjian Laser and skin Care Center 34 South Broadway | Suite 607 White Plains, NY 10601 | 914-374-1756

www.hildademirjianlaser.com

46 ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 203-885-4674 or email FFCAdvertising@NaturalAwakeningsMag.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 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

Natural Health & WELLNESS CENTER

Individualized Treatment Plans for Acute and Chronic Conditions Osteoarthritis & Joint Disorders • Back Problems Cholesterol Problems • Anxiety & Depression Fatigue, Insomnia & Weight Gain • Diabetes High Blood Pressure • Headaches & Migraine Upper Respiratory Conditions

LIsA sINGLeY, N.D. Naturopathic Physician 203.874.4333

We accept most health insurance plans including Husky Health Connecticut

Schedule a consultation and receive 20% off all recommended supplements

NAtURAL heALth AND WeLLNess CeNteR 203.874.4333 2013 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06615 • www.nhawc.com November 2018

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from publisher

FAIRFIELD COUNTY/ HOUSATONIC VALLEY PUBLISHER Nicole Miale EDITORS Michelle Bense Ariana Rawls Fine DESIGN & PRODUCTION Kathleen Fellows Erica Mills CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Betsy Cameron Mary Cipriano

Margarita M. Cossuto Gina Cronin Sandra Gordon Mary Oquendo SALES & MARKETING Alexa Ferrucci Nicole Miale WEBSITE Erica Mills ADMINISTRATION Rebecca McManus DISTRIBUTION Man in Motion LLC

CONTACT US 137 Danbury Rd, #323, New Milford, CT 06776 Phone: 203-885-4674 Fax: 203-516-2392 NicoleM@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com eNaturalAwakenings.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $30 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

NATIONAL TEAM CEO/FOUNDER Sharon Bruckman

NATIONAL EDITOR Alison Chabonais

MANAGING EDITOR Linda Sechrist NATIONAL ART DIRECTOR Stephen Blancett

ART DIRECTOR Josh Pope FINANCIAL MANAGER Yolanda Shebert FRANCHISE DIRECTOR Anna Romano FRANCHISE SUPPORT MGR. Heather Gibbs WEBSITE COORDINATOR Rachael Oppy NATIONAL ADVERTISING Kara Scofield Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

Nicole Miale

A

s the days turn colder and we approach the start of the busy holiday season, now is a perfect time to formulate and implement plans for keeping ourselves and our families healthy for the festivities (and trials) this time of year can bring.

Boosting immune systems and avoiding triggers that create potential for ill health are the major keys for finding and maintaining balance. Following our experts’ advice, some small nutritional adjustments and lifestyle changes can reap huge benefits in being able to enjoy the holiday season without the sniffles and illnesses that may typically show up around this time.

Being proactive about the state of our home’s health is something that can seem daunting—is anyone else guilty of willfully ignoring clutter piles and potential health hazards in their home or is it just me?! We asked a few local experts to weigh in with ideas and practical strategies for creating a healthier and more peaceful home space.

Taking the time to do so will support and even enhance any efforts you are taking with your physical body. Some home wellness projects are big-ticket items, but even simple things like adding a plant or Himalayan salt lamp to a space—great holiday gift idea!—can easily change the health of a room for the better. My allergies got significantly better once we brought more live plants and salt lamps into our home so I can personally vouch for the ease and efficacy of those two simple examples.

We at Natural Awakenings are thankful for any part we may play in your enjoyment of the season. Thank you for reading, distributing and advertising with us!

Without the support of the community, this publication would not exist; we are grateful for your interest and positive feedback about what we’re doing.

Wishing you and your families’ vibrant good health, endless abundance and a flow of gratitude this month and always…

With love and light,

© 2018 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 printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

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“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” ~ Melody Beattie

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

“Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action.” ~Mother Teresa

See our advertiser index on page 66, making it easier to find the resources you need. eNaturalAwakenings.com

news briefs

Cacao Ceremony and Sound Bath

S

elf-love is important. On November 4 at 3pm, Alicia Feller, LCSW LLC is offering an opportunity to connect to and nurture your heart with the heart-opening medicine of cacao and the soothing sounds of crystal bowls and other healing tools. Through the combination of cacao, sound and guided meditation, you can calm the mind, relax the body, nourish the soul and connect fully to your heart.

Kelvin Young is a holistic stress management instructor and sound healer. He has studied with Brian Luke Seaward, an international expert in the field of stress management. He has also studied sound healing with Paul Hubbert and Satya Brat Jaiswal.

Alicia Feller specializes in holistic stress management, which complements her more than 20 years of experience as clinical social worker in the behavioral health field. Feller has level 1 certification in aromatherapy and Reiki.

Space is limited for the two-hour workshop so reservations are encouraged. The suggested donation is $20.

For more information, visit tinyurlcom/114CacaoCeremony.

Location: Alicia Feller, LCSW LLC, 572 White Plains Rd, Trumbull.

Aesthetician Joins Greenwich Skincare Practice

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isa Wynne Salvatore, a long-time aesthetician and wellness practitioner, announced the addition of Chrissy Innominato, a former California-based aesthetician, to her downtown Greenwich practice. Innominato joins a practice that has provided cutting-edge skin care and treatments for over 35 years. With the addition of Innominato, the practice’s appointment hours will be extended to seven days a week by appointment only.

Chrissy Innominato

“I have known Chrissy for 25 years,” says Salvatore. “She is an extraordinary technician with 18 years of experience as an aesthetician, who combines Reiki and energy healing in her work.”

Salvatore is nationally licensed with a specialized background of aesthetics, physiognomy, massage therapy, nutritional counseling and meditation. She creates customized treatments using certified organic and wild-crafted products that have never been tested on animals and are preserved naturally without the use of harmful chemicals and synthetics. She is also the creator of an organic deodorant product called Pure Pitz.

“My practice is to identify, isolate and thoroughly examine a person’s skin first, and then call on my specialized and diverse background and knowledge in the psychological, environmental, physiologic and dietary factors that affect skin,” says Salvatore.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 203-622-4772.

Tibetan Sand Mandala & Empowerment heal & protect one’s lifespan • restore vitality • increase good luck & prosperity 9:30am-4pm

Nov. 6th-8th FREE Sand Mandala sacred art creation Morning Meditation at 8:30am

9:30am-4pm

Nov. 9th Empowerment

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S p i

Tuesday - Saturday

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Va

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11/6 - 11/10

Call or Visit website for more details:

10am-1pm

Nov. 10th Closing Ceremony

valleyspiritcoop.com

$50.00

donation

$25.00

donation

860.619.2788 November 2018

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Two Coyotes Joins #GivingTuesday Movement

news briefs

Innovative Drum Program in Stamford

K

evin Makarewicz, MA, LPC, LMT, a long-time psychotherapist and certified Drumbeat facilitator, and teacher Georgia Monahan are now offering a unique drum program in Stamford.

The award-winning Drumbeat program makes the empowerment and joy of group drumming available to all, regardless of past musical experience.

“There is considerable mounting scienKevin Makarewicz tific research about the social, emotional and neurobiological benefits of a well-led group drumming program,” says Makarewicz. “Not to mention hundreds of thousands of years of evidence regarding the cultural benefits of group drumming.”

Participants join in music-based games and improvisation, and learn specific basic rhythmic patterns. They participate in discussions linking prinGeorgia Monahan cipals learned and experienced through drumming activities to other aspects of their life.

The hour-long classes are held at Harmony Yoga Studio in Stamford. Teen classes begin at 5:15 and adult classes start at 6:30pm every Monday through November 26.

Classes are $20. Space is limited; reservations are encouraged.

Makarewicz is an Old Greenwich-based psychotherapist and creative arts facilitator with a background in using the expressive arts modalities for social and emotional development and personal growth. Monahan holds a Master's in Special Education from Dowling College and is specialized in teaching life skills.

For more information and to register, call Makarewicz at 203-698-2465 or visit KevinMakarewicz.com. Location: Harmony Yoga Studio, 1110 High Ridge Rd, Stamford.

Sarah Rotella

• Integrative Wellness Therapist • Intuitive Medical-Energetic & Spiritual Healer • Expert Advanced Manual Therapies LMT #005377 • Certified Practitioner & Educator of Frequency Specific Microcurrent

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wo Coyotes Wilderness School has joined the global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity. Occurring this year on November 27, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The day is meant to inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.

“This year, we invite you to help support children of all ages, in all communities, by championing the Two Coyotes’ goal of bringing the inherent power of nature to as many communities as possible,” says Thomas Case, president of the Two Coyotes’ board of directors. “We believe no one should be turned away from programming based on income. Your generous donation will help ensure that Two Coyotes programming is available to all children by supporting our scholarship fund.”

The fundraising activities support scholarship funds for families in need, the hiring of program staff to maintain a staffto-student ratio of 1:6 and more. The donations make an impact in Two Coyotes’ programs with $10 paying for a knife, or flint and steel; $50 for tarps, rope and cooking supplies; $125 for a staff person to be trained in first aid and CPR; and $365 to send a child to camp. It costs $500 for a bus to bring a school group to a local park, while $750 pays one of the lead mentors for five days of programming. Become a major funding partner for an eightday urban school collaboration for $6,000.

Visit TwoCoyotes.org/Donate.html to make a donation. For donor information and more about creating student scholarships, contact Thomas Case at Tom@TwoCoyotes.org.

To learn more about #GivingTuesday participants and activities or to join the celebration of giving, visit GivingTuesday.org, Facebook.com/GivingTuesday or Twitter.com/GivingTues.

Inspiring the sacred essence and spirit of every being toward self-awareness, life purpose, and passion for self and all humanity.

Transformational Healing Using Advanced Clinical Applications to Align Mind, Body and Spirit • Intuitive Mentorship • Experiential Workshops • Empowered Group Sessions • Revolutionary Self Care

203-525-5830

Additional locations in Greenwich & Southbury

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

100 Danbury Rd. Suite 102 Ridgefield, CT 06877 s.light@mac.com

www.SenLightenMent.com

Find Relief at Wolf Spirit Wellness Center

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oodbury’s Wolf Spirit Wellness and Counseling Center, LLC is not a traditional mental health office but instead is a connected care center offering support for all during the stressful holiday season and beyond.

The center offers both conventional and alternative paths to heal and empower the mind, body, spirit connection, allowing each client to find his or her own path to optimal health and well-being.

Wolf Spirit Wellness, led by founder Julie Levesque, offers mental health counseling, hypnosis, meditation, drumming, health and fitness coaching and spiritual counseling. In addition, the center offers naturopathic medicine and works with an APRN for psychopharmacological intervention if needed. The practitioners offer an integrated approach to counseling creating an individualized environment for each client to achieve optimal healing.

The center offers individual, couples, family and group counseling and takes most insurance including Husky (Medicaid). Currently, they are offering multiple options for the group experience including a men’s group, Unmasking the Narcissist, Living on the Spectrum (a social group for individuals on the Autism Spectrum ages 18 to 35), a bereavement group for parents who have lost children and others.

Wolf Spirit Wellness specializes in working with clients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline and other cluster B personality disorders, in addition to providing Bariatric Counseling, Expressive Arts, Therapeutic Yoga, Music and Play Therapy.

For more information, call 203-263-3175 or visit WolfSpiritWellness.org. Location: Behind New Morning Market at 125 Main St North, Ste 2B, Woodbury. See ad, page 29.

Calm Kids & Stress-Less Solutions

Teaching children practical skills to reduce anxiety

Diane Bahr-Groth CHy, TFTdx

Help their star shine!

Mind-Body Transformation Hypnosis Center

1177 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT Mindbodytransformation.com 203 595-0110

27 3 4 9 6 m 203-9acave.co n salta

Saltana C ve & Spa

590 D an Ridgef bury Rd ield, C t

Salt therapy is: • known to significantly improve respiratory issues in children and adults, asthma, allergies, countering the side effects of smoking and pollution, cystic fibrosis, acne • naturally anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal

The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Victoria F. Shaw, PhD, LPC

Intuitive & Consultant LPC Shaw, PhD, F.Psychotherapist Victoria

Intuitive Psychotherapist & Consultant Combining the best of traditional

psychotherapy with intuitive guidance in Combining the best of traditional psychotherapy with working with children, teens and adults. intuitive guidance in working with children, teens and adults.

Offices in Wilton, Westport and Fairfield.

Offices in Wilton and Westport www.victoriashawpsychotherapy.com

www.victoriashawintuitive.com VictoriaShawPsychotherapy.com • VictoriaShawIntuitive.com 203-254-3403 203-254-3403 •• vfshawphd@gmail.com vfshawphd@gmail.com November 2018

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news briefs

Holistic Psychotherapy

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al󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮󰇮 Traditional Psychotherapy

󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲 co󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲󰇲 wi󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹 Holistic Healing Methods

Anxiety • Depression • Relationship Issues • Trauma Grief & Loss • Addictions • Self-Esteem To schedule an appointment with an experienced therapist, call: Sherry Minniti D’Elia, LCSW, Founder

203-655-4854 sherrymdelia@gmail.com | Darien, CT 06820 | holisticpsychotherapyct.com

Naturopathic Physician & Licensed Acupuncturist Holistic, Natural Medicine for Health and Wellbeing Botanicals, Nutrition, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Lab testing & more

Anxiety/Depression • Auto-Immune Disease • Chemical Toxicity Digestive Issues • Fatigue • Hormone Imbalance • Insomnia Muscle/Joint Pain • Tobacco Addiction • Stress Reduction

y New York

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Connecticut

72 North St. Suite 100A, 4 Smith Ave, 2nd Floor Mount Kisco, NY, 10549 Danbury, CT 06810

Kurt Beil, ND, LAc, MPH

HUDSON VALLEY NATURAL HEALTH

914-362-8315 |drkurt@earthlink.net |hudsonvalleynaturalhealth.com

Awa ken You r

Creativity

Lori Jeanne’s Tangles

Body-Mind-Spirit Expo Returns

T

he popular Awaken Wellness Fair returns to its home base of Tarrytown, New York on November 18 from 10am to 5pm.

The fun, educational day includes vendors presenting products and services ranging from essential oils and chiropractic doctors to nutritional supplements and organic cleaning products. Healing crystal and jewelry vendors will be there as well, offering loose stones as well as those embedded in handmade jewelry.

Expert speakers will present information about awakening “your best self ” throughout the day at no extra charge. A Spiritual Revolution: The Quest to Experience God; A Meditation to Help the World; and Brain Coach Answers All Your Questions about Memory Loss, Insomnia, Fatigue & Anxiety are several of the presentations.

Intuitive readers and holistic healers offer insight through tarot reading, mediumship, angel reading, pet readings and more (for entertainment purposes only). Healers practice a variety of energy healing, including Reiki. Until November 17, discount rate appointments can be made with readers and healers online at AwakenFair.fullslate.com.

For more information, visit AwakenFair.com. Location: Double Tree Hotel, 455 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY.

Zentangle ® Classes

for Individuals and Groups

Lori Jeanne Bach, CZT Call or text 203-209-2703 Lorijeannestangles@gmail.com

HoliStiC CounSElinG CoaCHinG & HEalinG Enhanced Reiki Healing One hour sessions

Coaching & Enhanced Reiki Healing One-and-a-half hour sessions

Rebecca Schoenewolf lmhc, lpc, rmt

203-826-2558 • www.rsholisticservices.com

Offering mental health services in the Danbury area.

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

Celebrate What Makes Us Beautiful Inside and Out

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n November 9 from 6:30 to 8:30pm, Common Bond Market will host its annual Night of Beauty. Join for a fun night of samples, demos, coupons, sales, refreshments, raffles and holiday gifts. The event is free to attend and will feature the beauty care products carried at the store.

Common Bond Market is a local, independently owned health food store that also offers fresh, store-made hot food, soups, sandwiches and naturopathic supplements.

For more information, visit TheCommonBondMarket.com.

Location: The Common Bond Market, 40 Huntington St, Shelton.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Cut-a-Thon to Save the Sound

O

wner Nancy Aponte is hosting a cut-a-thon at Monroe’s Salon Aponte to benefit Save the Sound, an organization focused on ensuring a healthy, sustainable Long Island Sound. Taking place from 10am to 3pm, the November 18 event will feature cut and styling for customers with proceeds going to the organization.

There will also be a raffle with over 50 chances to win prizes.

Many businesses from Monroe, Newtown, Shelton, Stratford, Milford and Westport have donated gift cards for restaurants, boutiques, health food stores and cafes.

Aponte grew up in Stratford and enjoyed spending time at the beach with friends and family, as well as cycling through Lordship, a coastal section of the town. She hopes to bring awareness to the health of Long Island Sound, an estuary ecosystem with a watershed covering more than 16,000 square miles.

Shorelines are delicate biological environments where plant and animal life are threatened by global warming and pollution.

Established in 1990, Salon Aponte is an eco-conscious hair salon offering safer alternatives in hair, skin and nail products.

For more information, call 203-261-2838 or visit SalonAponte.com.

Location: 838 Main St, Monroe. See ad, page 18.

Danbury Welcomes 2018 Festival of Trees

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nn’s Place invites you to welcome the holidays at its Festival of Trees Under the Dome. From Friday through Sunday, November 16-18, 10am to 4pm daily, the Danbury Sports Dome’s 90-foot ceiling will provide the backdrop for the annual Holiday Tree competition, craft beer tasting, and the Tennies & Ties Gala. The weekend will feature musicians and dancers, artisans and quilters, gifts, sporting games, Tom Pesce’s Saturday Magic, famous characters and amazing raffles.

Help create the miracle of hope and comfort for neighbors living with cancer by sponsoring, volunteering and attending this year’s Festival of Trees. There are many ways to join and support the festival: be an Elf; donate a tree or raffle prize; become a vendor; or volunteer your time, talent, expertise or labor.

Gather your friends and family members to attend and enjoy the festivities. Admission costs $10 per adult/child and $5 per senior.

Children under the age of three enter for free.

Ann’s Place provides help and hope to individuals and their loved ones living with cancer with a host of free professional services aimed at improving quality of life during and after cancer.

For Festival questions, call Jack Bouffard at 203-790-6568 or email Festival@AnnsPlace.org. To buy tickets, visit AnnsPlaceFestivalofTrees.org/ tickets-online. For general information about Ann’s Place, visit AnnsPlace. org. 2018 Festival Location: Danbury Sports Dome, 25 Shelter Rock Lane, Danbury. Ann’s Place location: 80 Saw Mill Rd, Danbury. See ad, page 4.

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TOXINS Toxins drive neurological, metabolic (including weight gain), immune and cardiovascular illnesses – and any disease ending in “itis”. We have the knowledge and technology to help your body heal itself. For 25+ years, our patients have enjoyed remarkable success with naturopathic treatments which cleanse, detox, nourish, repair and balance. Call us to schedule an appointment:

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news briefs

Ridgefield Center Infuses Wellness

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he Osteopathic Wellness Center in Ridgefield will be offering intravenous (IV) nutrition and hydration drips starting in December 2018. The therapies will complement the treatment approach of Dr. David Johnston, the overseeing physician at the center, which includes manual osteopathic and cranial-sacral techniques.

David Johnston “IV therapy is ideal for people looking for wellness and anti-aging solutions, for those with fatigue and autoimmune diseases, and for athletes wishing to improve performance or recovery,� Johnston says.

IV nutritional therapy is used to maintain adequate hydration and replenish fluid loss, replace essential vitamins and reduce symptoms of illness and chronic health conditions. The therapy delivers 100 percent of each vitamin and mineral directly into your bloodstream by bypassing the digestive system. When you take vitamins or supplements orally, your body can absorb far less of the nutrients at the cellular level.

The therapy is quickly becoming a common treatment to achieve optimum wellness, as well as treat the symptoms of acute and chronic health conditions. Benefits can include improved sleep, increased immunity, more energy, clearer thinking, muscle recovery, and anti-aging effects.

For more information on IV nutrition therapy at the Osteopathic Wellness Center, call 203-438-9915 or visit OsteopathicWellness. net. Call 203-371-8258 or visit WholeBodyMed.com for the Fairfield location. See ad, page 49.

Soulful Connections Gathering in Monroe

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ou are invited to a soulful connections gathering with Penny Cohen, LCSW, on November 2 at 7pm at Muktinath Holistic Penny Cohen Center in Monroe. The three-hour evening will feature fun, like-hearted connections as you experience unconditional surrender and allow sensations of love, wisdom and inspiration to flow through you. As you receive more sensations of love and wisdom, you automatically radiate love to others and spread joy.

During this evening, participants will be connecting on deeper authentic levels with practitioners from multiple health and wellness fields to create a community of trust, inspiration, and support.

The fee is $25 with pre-registration or $30 onsite. Space is limited to 15 people.

For more information and to register, visit CTWellness.Weebly. com/Events.html. Location: Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St, Unit #121, Monroe.

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

Eco Beauty Store Opens in Greenwich

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herwood Green Beauty, Greenwich’s first eco-beauty shop, WO R will hold its grand opening on November 14 from 5 to E 8pm. The festivities include multiple raffle prizes from Ursa Major, Beauty by Popsugar, Suntegrity and other skincare and cosmetic brands. Guests will enjoy product demonstrations, refreshments and the opportunity to meet representatives I E from numerous green beauty brands including Tata Harper E N L skincare and Rahua haircare.

Designed for those searching for the perfect non-toxic skincare as they seek to s help you live your life toxin freeSherwood Green Beauty has something for everyimprove theirhealthiest health and well-being, one. Owner and founder Rhonda Sherwood has made it her lifelong mission to pursue a lifestyle free of ingredients that are harmful to humans and the environment. “I opened Sherwood Green Beauty because I think everyone has the right to live a long and healthy life, free of disease. Using safe beauty and personal care products is an exciting and costeffective way to transition to toxin-free living,” she explains.

The grand opening events are free and open to the public. Sherwood Green Beauty is open 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 pm on Sunday. In addition to natural cosmetics and skin care, Sherwood Green Beauty will also sell water filters and non-toxic mattresses.

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

For more information about how to live your healthiest life toxin-free, please call 203-9944601 or visit SherwoodGreenLife.com and sign up for the newsletter to receive updates.

Location: 271 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich.

kudos

Wilda Hayes and Ann’s Place Recognized by Patriots Foundation

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ight years ago, the Kraft family and Patriots Foundation introduced Celebrate Volunteerism, a season-long initiative focused on recognizing community volunteers and promoting the importance of giving back to the community through service.

Throughout the 2018 season, the foundation will continue Wilda Hayes its Celebrate Volunteerism initiative by teaming with nonprofit organizations to educate fans about the need for volunteering, highlighting deserving volunteers from across the region and seeking to inspire Patriots fans to become life-long volunteers. The foundation will present a weekly Patriots Difference Maker of the Week award, which recognizes deserving volunteers who go above and beyond to support their New England communities.

Wilda Hayes from Danbury was selected as a 2018 Patriots Difference Maker of the Week in October for her commitment to Ann’s Place.

Hayes, a pharmaceutical marketing and advertising executive, was one of the first people to volunteer for the Ann Olsen Endowment in 1987, a fund designated to support cancer patients and their families. The endowment partnered with I Can, a support services group, and eventually merged into Ann’s Place, a full-service nonprofit agency that now supports more than 1,100 clients from Connecticut and New York.

Hayes joined the board of Ann’s Place, and later served as its pro bono executive director and then president for 16 years. She played a key role in creating and running long-running fundraising events like the Ann Olsen Golf Classic and the Festival of Trees. She was also behind finding a permanent home for the organization in a large facility offering comprehensive counseling, support groups and wellness activities.

Fans are encouraged to nominate a local volunteer for the Patriots Difference Maker of the Week award by visiting Patriots.com/Community.

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health briefs

Tapping in the Classroom Reducing Childrens’ Anxiety Improves Learning

Change Your Story, Change Your Life!

Restoring Creativity, Wellness, and Balance Nancy S. Scherlong, lcsw,ptr, m/s Coaching, Psychotherapy, Expressive Arts Workshops

by Suzanne Rossini

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FT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Tapping is a stress and trauma somatic release method that is simple to learn, child-friendly and recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) as an effective treatment for stress and trauma. EFT Tapping is just as highly effective for stress resiliency, anxiety, pain relief, test anxiety, panic attacks, and a host of other physical and emotional symptoms. Because of this, tapping can make a remarkable difference in a classroom setting.

Many students have moderate to extreme test anxiety and need help to stay calm and focused in the classroom. The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, and perhaps the most remarkable. As students become anxious, the brain, in particular the amygdala, releases stress hormones that significantly interfere with brain functioning. When fear triggers the amygdala, the brain goes into fight, flight or freeze mode. In this mode, the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for learning and retrieving long-term memory (necessary for testing) is not functioning optimally. Tapping, a technique that enables proper flow of energy throughout your body by gently tapping on the body’s energy meridians, can radically change a child’s relationship not only to test anxiety, but to learning overall.

“EFT or Tapping is a stress management tool. It is self-applied and easy to learn and use,” adds Dr. Peta Stapleton, Associate Professor in Psychology at Bond University in Australia. “Many studies have examined the effects of EFT on test-taking anxiety and depression in students, teacher burnout, anxiety, presentation anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Recent research has shown EFT to significantly reduce fear of failure in 15-year-old students, and improve their self-perceived difficulties. The combination of a short-term intervention, easy to master technique, and immediate results contribute to the hypothesis that EFT may be an effective tool for students in classroom situations.”

For more information about Tapping in the Classroom, contact Suzanne Rossini about her 10-Hour Master Class for Sustainable EFT Tapping in the Classroom at Suzanne@TheTappingPractice.com or 914-434-8998. See ad, page 32.

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health briefs

Eating Well Protects Hearing A healthy diet can lower the risk of moderate to severe hearing loss by 30 percent or more, conclude researchers from Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Studying the diets of 33,000 women for 22 years, they found that hearing was better retained among those that ate closer to the Mediterranean Diet—with more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish and virgin olive oil. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, high in fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy, as well as low in sodium, also was associated with better hearing.

Breath and Urine Tests Detect Breast Cancer Early-stage breast cancer can be accurately detected via a simple breath test and urine sample, report researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in Israel. Using electronic nose sensors and gas-chromatography mass spectrometry to analyze breath and urine, respectively, they were able to identify biomarkers for breast cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer for women worldwide. “Our new approach… with inexpensive, commercially available processes, is non-invasive, accessible and may be easily implemented in a variety of settings,” says study co-author Yehuda Zeiri, Ph.D.

Mammography, the common screening test for breast cancer, is typically 75 to 85 percent accurate, a figure that drops for full-bodied women and those with dense breast tissue. Dualenergy digital mammography is more accurate, but increases radiation exposure, and MRIs are more expensive.

The Israeli research, published in the journal Computers in Biology and Medicine, compared breath and urine samples taken from 85 women with breast cancer and 81 healthy women. The electronic e-nose device, picking up on a unique breath pattern, detected cancer cells accurately 95 percent of the time.

The urine test proved 85 percent accurate. “With further study, it may also be possible to analyze exhaled breath and urine samples to identify other cancer types, as well,” says Zeiri.

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Gut Bacteria Linked to Artery Health A lack of diversity of gut bacteria is linked to hardening of the arteries, a new study concludes. By analyzing the gut microbiome and measuring the arterial stiffness of 617 middle-aged female twins, researchers from the University of Nottingham and King’s College London found that those with a greater diversity of healthy bacteria had more flexible arteries.

The finding explains why women, young adults and others may suffer heart attacks without traditional risk factors such as smoking or obesity. It opens the door to reducing cardiovascular disease by targeting the microbiome through diet, probiotics and other supplements.

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Air Pollution Harms Developing Brains Fetal exposure to air pollution, even at levels considered safe by current standards, has been linked by Dutch researchers to thinning of the outer layer of a child’s brain and later cognitive difficulties. Following 783 children ages 6 through 10, the researchers concluded those brain abnormalities contributed in part to impulsiveness that could lead to addictive behavior and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

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Hostile Teachers Hamper Learning Teachers that antagonize their students by belittling them, showing favoritism or criticizing their contributions can damage their learning potential, warns a new West Virginia University study of 472 undergraduates. Split into two groups, the students watched either a class taught by a teacher with antagonism or a standard lesson taught without antagonism, and then took a multiple-choice quiz.

Test scores were up to 5 percent lower for those that watched the antagonistic teacher because they disliked what they were being taught. They were also less likely to put forth as much effort and were unwilling to attend that teacher’s future courses.

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

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Dumping Disincentive

Big Bank Acts to Protect Oceans from Mine Waste Citigroup is no longer financing mining projects that dump mine waste into the ocean. The move comes in response to pressure from the Ditch Ocean Dumping campaign, which calls on financial institutions to divest from any project or company that employs the practice.

“Banks and financial institutions must actively take steps to ensure that they are not bankrolling the destruction of our oceans,” says campaign coordinator Ellen Moore of Earthworks. Mine waste can contain up to three dozen dangerous chemicals, including arsenic, lead, mercury and cyanide. These metals accumulate in fish, and ultimately, the wildlife and people that eat them. The pollution contaminates drinking water, decimates ecosystems and destroys fisheries.

While the outdated practice has been phased out in many parts of the world, new mining proposals in Papua New Guinea and Norway signal that such dumping is being ramped up, not phased out.

End Game

Extinctions of Threatened Species Continue SurfsUp/Shutterstock.com

The death of the world’s last male northern white rhino has rendered the species functionally extinct, which means the only hope of reviving the population is through in vitro fertilization. World Wildlife Fund head of campaigns Colin Butfield calls this a “uniquely bad situation.” Two other animals, the vaquita, a very rare porpoise discovered in 1958, and the Javan rhino are facing the same fate. Many other species, including the Sumatran rhino, black rhino, Amur leopard, forest elephant and Bornean orangutan are considered critically endangered, some with fewer than 100 individuals left. The International Union for Conservation of Nature currently considers 5,583 species of plant, mammal, bird, amphibian and marine life critically endangered.

Really Natural

Organic shoppers may see additional labeling on produce.

More than a dozen farmers and scientists from around the country met to create the standards for an additional organic certification pilot program called the Real Organic Project (ROP), which they plan to initially introduce at 20 to 60 farms.

Under the current U.S. Department of Agriculture program, the organic label means that produce has been grown without synthetic substances or genetic engineering; it doesn’t specify whether produce was grown in water or soil, which the new labeling would address.

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November 2018

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event spotlight

Sand Mandala and Longevity Blessings

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Tibetan Delegation to Visit Connecticut

alley Spirit Wellness Center in Washington Depot will host a special delegation of Tibetan Yungdrung Bön Buddhist monks from November 6 to 10. His Eminence (HE) 7th Kündrol Namkha Trinley Wangyal Rinpoche will be bestowing the longevity blessings and empowerment of the longlife deity, Drenpa Namkha.

“Traditionally, longevity empowerments are given as a method to heal and protect one’s lifespan, restore vitality, and to increase good luck and prosperity,” says Jampa Stewart, co-owner of Valley Spirit

Wellness Center, who for over 35 years trained with many Tibetan Buddhist masters and is now one of the leading meditation instructors in the U.S.

The Tibetan monks are visiting from Tashi Menri Monastery in Dolanji in India, and Triten Norbutse Monastery in Nepal.

This special delegation is led by HE Kündrol Rinpoche, the abbot of Za Mongyal Yungdrung Ling in Dehra Dun, India. He is considered to be an emanation (tulku) of the great lama Drenpa Namkha, around whom this empowerment is based. Drenpa Namkha was a highly reputed teacher be-

lieved to be born in the 8th century, and to have gained the yogic power of being able to tame wild yaks with a wave of his hand.

He is famed for saving and preserving the Yungdrung Bön tradition during a major persecution. Yungdrung Bön is the ancient pre-Indian Buddhist tradition indigenous to Tibet, established several millennia BC

by Buddha Tönpa Shenrap.

As part of the longevity empowerment, the monks will be creating a traditional sand mandala of Drenpa Namkha.

From November 6-8, the public is invited to observe the ritual process of creating the sand mandala free of charge. Donations are welcome. For groups over eight people, contact Valley Spirit in advance to schedule a private visit. As part of this public event, there will also be a daily meditation each morning led by HE Kündrol Rinpoche.

On November 9, HE Kündrol Rinpoche will bestow the actual longevity empowerment of Drenpa Namkha. In addition to the empowerment, each participant will receive the longevity mantra of Drenpa Namkha and instructions for the meditation practice. Registration is required for this event. Early registration is advised as space is limited.

On November 10, the empowerment ritual will formally conclude with the dissolution of the sand mandala. The monks will also perform the victory dance of the enlightened protector Sipé Gyalmo, Queen of Existence, and one of the primary guardians of the Yungdrung Bön religious tradition.

Valley Spirit Wellness Center in Washington Depot offers a variety of classes and therapies for good self-care and overall health of body and spirit. Offerings include meditation, tai chi and qi gong, yoga and Pilates, Chinese medical treatments, massage, acupuncture, organic facials, medical intuitive healing, ayurveda, Reiki, sound healing, personal coaching, floral design and art, and more.

For more information, registration and event times, contact Jampa Stewart at 860-619-2788, email Media@ValleySpiritWellness.com or visit ValleySpiritCoop.com.

Location: Valley Spirit Wellness Center, 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot. See ad, page 7.

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

community spotlight

Take a One-Hour Vacation Stamford Spa Offers Affordable Wellness

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by Nicole Miale

aute Healing Oasis owners Jessica and Peter Chichester are longtime Stamford residents who have had physically demanding jobs and vocations; Peter is a Stamford firefighter and Jessica is a Hall of Fame weight lifter. Years of such tough physical activity eventually took its toll on their bodies.

Their search for healing and more supportive ways to prevent and repair injury led them to create Haute Healing Oasis, which opened in January in Stamford’s Harbor Point.

“The idea originated five years ago when I was rehabbing a back injury,” Peter explains. “My chiropractor recommended infrared sauna, which I had never heard of.

I researched it, tried it, loved it and then we bought one. We started seeing the difference it was making in our bodies: pain decreased, blood pressure was lower, skin was better. We started thinking about how many people could benefit from it. That’s how the whole thing began.”

Jessica, a teacher in Stamford, is the vision-keeper for the spa which currently offers six distinct infrared sauna rooms with chromotherapy, sound therapy, essential oils, a BEMER lounge, and massage services. Holistic health has been a passionate interest of hers since she was a vegan teenager working at Mrs. Greens. Her early interest later became the theme of her Masters’ thesis on holistic ways of learning through optimizing environments.

“My vision for Haute Healing Oasis was to create a safe place for all people to

come, no matter what their personal situation or need is,” she says.

“This is a place where the modalities help you heal but on your terms and in your own way.”

To that end, all the services and packages are customizable to suit individual needs. Each sauna room is unique in its healing intent with names like “Abundance,” “Flow,” Exhale,” “Balance,” and décor to evoke the feelings of the label. The offered modalities are designed to be supportive of each other. For example, the Chichesters recommend a BEMER or sauna session before a massage because those therapies loosen the body’s overall tension level and stimulate blood flow. That helps the massage therapist to release deeper trigger points.

“Our goal is to be able to give people a one-hour vacation during the course of their day or week,” Peter explains. “People are running so hard, so fast without a break these days and our bodies have become so toxic. These therapies are proven to help the body detoxify and heal. People say all the time that they don’t have time, but they have time for what they make a priority. We think feeling good should make the list.”

They designed Haute Healing Oasis with a luxurious spa-like feel but have kept the prices reasonable with specific intention. “Feeling good is a right of life,” Peter says. “Wellness shouldn’t be so expensive that people can’t afford to take care of themselves.”

Since they opened nearly a year ago, the Chichesters have developed a devoted

following and have refined their offerings since beginning primarily with the saunas.

“The BEMER is an amazing product we’re so blessed to be able to offer people,” says Peter. “It’s a natural medication for the whole body; it helps the body come back into balance.”

The BEMER is a non-invasive FDAregistered medical device relatively new in the U.S. but used for decades in other countries, including in doctors’ offices and hospital settings. The patented frequency protocols are known to increase blood flow and oxygen in the body by up to 30 percent. This in turn speeds healing and reduces pain, as well as lowering blood pressure and improving the body’s ability to handle inflammation and remove toxins.

“The beauty of what we offer is that these therapies are all designed to help your body heal itself,” Jessica explains.

“They work well on their own but the more you use them and when combined, the more the benefits magnify.”

All first-time spa visitors can receive up to two complimentary BEMER sessions.

In addition to the demo BEMER unit in the lobby and the BEMER lounge for private sessions, Haute Healing Oasis now offers BEMER mats for weekly rental.

For the Chichesters, offering Haute Healing Oasis’ healing therapies is not just a business but a calling. “Everything in our background was leading us here,” Peter says. “We are grounded in hard work with heart in our day jobs and in the spa. Having the ability to give back and share what has helped us so much is really the key for us. It’s such a blessing to hear how people feel when they come out after a session. I hope I never get used to it because it is so beautiful.”

Haute Healing Oasis is located at 792 Pacific St, Stamford. For more information, call 203-595-5304, email Info@HauteHealingOasis.com or visit HauteHealingOasis.com. See ad, page 28.

Nicole Miale is Publisher of Natural Awakenings Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley, CT and Natural Awakenings of Greater Hartford. Connect with her at NicoleM@ NaturalAwakeningsmag.com.

November 2018

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Mastering Yoga

The yoga community in Fairfield County and the Housatonic Valley has never been more vibrant! This section provides connections to studios and teachers in the area, as well as helpful editorial to support your efforts to improve your practice.

YO 2O GA

happy_fox_art/Shutterstock.com

Yoga 203 3 Wall Street,2nd Floor Norwalk, CT 06850

203-918-6757 www.yoga203.com info@yoga203.com @yoga203norwalk

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Gentle Poses Foster Flexibility Your studio could be featured here

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203-885-4674 22

by Marlaina Donato

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lthough media coverage of yoga often highlights advanced yoga poses, the practice is not reserved solely for super-flexible folks. Benefits are available to everyone of any age or physical type.

“Many people assume that yoga requires the ability to be a contortionist.

Yoga is an internal process and can meet us wherever we are,” says yoga therapist Kimberly Carson, of Mindful Yoga Works, in Portland, Oregon. Springing from the theory that half of our capacity to become more flexible lies less in the muscles than in the nervous system, this calming practice helps the body release tension and achieve a suppler state.

Why it Works Yoga poses don’t need to be intense to have a significant effect. Gentle, regular practice can improve range of motion, increase muscle strength and promote circulation of the synovial fluid surrounding joints that supplies oxygen and nutrients to cartilage.

“Basic yoga is just as beneficial as

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eNaturalAwakenings.com

more advanced ideas of yoga, especially in terms of body awareness,” says Piper Abbott, an integrative yoga therapist and teacher who owns Burlington Yoga, in Burlington, Vermont. “Where our attention goes, energy flows. When we’re holding a posture and directing this focused awareness into the sensation of a stretch, we’re learning to read our body.”

Agility is usually associated with muscles and joints, but underlying flexibility goes deep to further enhance wellness.

Stiff muscles often go hand-in-hand with stiff arteries, for example, but appropriate exercise can have a positive effect there, too.

According to studies by physical therapist Miriam Cortez-Cooper, Ph.D., and her colleagues during her tenure at the University of Texas at Austin, stretching exercises performed for 11 weeks improved flexibility of the carotid artery—the main vessel that transports blood to the brain—by 23 percent. Such an increase did not result from aerobic exercise or strength training.

Every Body Can Benefit “Yoga is truly for any and every body. Flexibility or a lack thereof can be found in anatomies of any shape. Many options for poses exist to help you find the version that works best for you. Yoga props such as blocks and straps can provide support to encourage experimenting while ensuring a safe approach,” says Anna Guest-Jelley, CEO of Curvy Yoga, in Portland, Oregon. She loves sharing the value of yoga with people of all sizes. “What’s important is working wherever you are within your current range of motion, so your body can open to new movements appropriately.”

Maintaining a regular practice offers an opportunity for individuals living with chronic pain or undergoing cancer treatment to feel more at ease. “Even in cases of severe fibromyalgia, some movement is better than none, and can foster better sleep. Restorative sleep can help to heal microtears in muscles, which can be common. Non-goal-oriented yoga also offers layers of benefits for cancer patients, both supporting physical function, as well as offering a way to practice kindness towards the body/mind during tough times,” says Carson.

For seniors, yoga is an excellent way to foster better flexibility, even in the presence of osteoarthritis. Studies conducted by Dr. Sharon Kolasinski, of the University of Pennsylvania, found that Iyengar yoga reduced joint stiffness and pain reduction during an eight-week period in people with knee osteoarthritis. Chair yoga, though popular with seniors, can introduce unnecessary risk if not tailored appropriately for

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those with osteoporosis, Carson cautions. “It’s important for older adults to find classes taught by appropriately trained instructors. Inappropriate chair sitting itself can compromise bone health, so teachers trained in spinal health and planes of action are recommended.”

No matter the level of an individual’s agility, improved flexibility is a boon, especially when it goes beyond the physical to embrace mental and spiritual aspects. Abbott remarks, “Yoga has taught me not only how to move and relate to my body, but how to gracefully adjust to change and the challenges of life.”

Marlaina Donato is a freelance writer and authors books related to the fields of alternative health and spirituality. Connect at MarlainaDonato.com.

Where to Learn More

Yoga for Every Body: Basics for Alignment and Flexibility, Diane Finlayson DVD, Tinyurl.com/Yoga-Align-Flex

Curvy Yoga YouTube videos, include 15-minute morning wake-ups with Anna Guest-Jelley, YouTube.com/user/ CurvyYoga/featured Power Yoga for Flexibility, Rodney Yee DVD, Gaia.com/person/ rodney-yee Relax into Yoga for Seniors: A Six-Week Program for Strength, Balance, Flexibility and Pain Relief¸ a book by Kimberly Carson, MindfulYogaWorks.com/products

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November 2018

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Supercharge Your Immune System

Natural Ways to Stay Healthy

by Kathleen Barnes

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ike many other health conditions, challenges to our immune systems are on the rise. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 26.5 million adults and kids have asthma, 50 million have allergies and up to 20 percent get the flu each year. Catching a cold is common, with U.S. adults generally coping with two or three a year and children about twice as many.

As many as 50 million Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, celiac and lupus, costing $100 billion a year to treat, which is nearly twice the amount spent on cancer care, according to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association. Initial statistics released 20 years ago estimated that 9 million Americans had autoimmune diseases; a five-fold increase since then illustrates the magnitude of the problem.

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People that are free of some degree of immune system dysfunction are relatively uncommon.

Identified Culprits

“We are absolutely seeing a rise in immune disorders,” says Michael T. Murray, a doctor of naturopathy in Lyons, Colorado, and author of Chronic Candidiasis: Your Natural Guide to Healing with Diet, Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, Exercise and Other Natural Methods. “Many factors are responsible for the increase.” He cites the most notable as the widespread use of antibiotics and pesticides; dietary factors, including too much sugar; decreased intake of essential vitamins and minerals; overconsumption of calories in general; lifestyle factors like not getting enough sleep or exercise; excessive alcohol; stress; and exposure to cigarette smoke.

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“The microbiome—the bacterial structure that supports a strong immune system—is largely inherited from the mother during a vaginal birth,” says Sayer Ji, of Miami, Florida, founder of GreenMedInfo.com, sponsor of the 2017 Immune Defense Summit and a member of the National Health Federation’s board of governors. “The rising number of Caesarean sections, at nearly one-third of all U.S. births, up from 18 percent in 1997, deprives infants of those naturally occurring bacteria, and can result in immune deficiencies at an early age.”

Low-level chronic stress of the kind that occurs in everyday modern life is a leading underlying factor in immune system compromise, says natural health and healing expert Dr. Deepak Chopra, of Carlsbad, California, author of The Healing Self: A Revolutionary New Plan to Supercharge Your Immunity and Stay Well for Life. Along with emotional stress, he points to any kind of inner or outer challenge that pulls us off center.

Everyone experiences some stress every day; when unrelieved, it’s been widely shown to have a huge negative impact on our health. “Imbalance can be negative or positive, and so can stress,” says Chopra.

“Winning the lottery is just as stressful as going through a divorce. So the challenge isn’t to achieve static balance, but to successfully thrive in stressful surroundings.”

Yuliya Gontar/Shutterstock.com

Internal Communiqués

Medical science now generally agrees that the greatest part of the immune system resides in the gut. “We need those trillions of bacteria that live in the digestive tract.

Without them, we are unable to defend ourselves from all types of assaults, including the autoimmune diseases, in which the body turns upon itself,” says Ji.

“The immune system lines the large and small intestines,” says Dr. Susan Blum, of Rye Brook, New York, author of The Immune System Recovery Plan: A Doctor’s 4-Step Program to Treat Autoimmune Disease. “The microbes in the gut lining speak to the immune system. Anything that alters the microbes in negative ways—like antibiotics or viral illness, among others—can also negatively alter the immune system.”

Unavoidable Toxin

We can’t avoid the toxic exposure that underlies much of the immune dysfunction we are experiencing today, says Wendy Myers, a functional diagnostic nutritionist in Los Angeles, California, and author of Limitless Energy: How to Detox Toxic Metals to End Exhaustion and Chronic Fatigue.

“Toxins, especially heavy metals like lead and mercury, are in the air, water and soil.

Since we can’t escape them, we need to know how they are affecting us and work to neutralize them.”

Experts agree that immune challenges can be neutralized and overcome with the right diet and lifestyle, stress management and appropriate supplements to restore and maintain the whole system balance needed to flourish in a world of our own making that stresses us on every level.

The Right Food

Eliminating wheat and dairy can end half of current immune system dysfunction through helping to repair the microbiome and healing the immune system, Ji believes. As one example, “If my mom had

known I was allergic to cow’s milk when I was a child, I wouldn’t have suffered for 20 years with bronchial asthma,” he says.

An anti-inflammatory diet also speeds gut healing and strengthens the immune system, says Blum. Highlights of her program for a basic clean-up include eliminating anything white (sugar and all products made with flour); eating quality fats (cold-pressed vegetable oils, nuts and seeds); protein (grass-fed beef, organic and free-range poultry, wild game and wildcaught fish); organic fruits and vegetables as much as possible and fermented foods daily; limiting and preferably eliminating dairy; and reading labels and banishing additives, chemicals and processed foods.

According to CDC statistics, almost everyone has some level of immune dysfunction, so this clean-up diet will benefit most of us, Blum says. After a basic regimen of three weeks or longer, she recommends exploring an elimination and challenge diet in which gluten, dairy, corn, soy and eggs are all eliminated for three weeks. People with arthritis should also eliminate nightshades like tomatoes and potatoes. “Then add back in the eliminated foods one at a time and carefully note the body’s reaction. It’s not that hard to get a clear picture of what aggravates inflammation such as arthritis pain,” Blum says.

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The Right Supplements

to 5,000 international units (IU), even in apparently healthy adults,” Murray says.

Multivitamins: “High-quality vitamin

and mineral supplements are foundational to immune health,” Murray says. “Vitamins C, E and B and selenium are especially important.”

Digestive enzymes: “Digestive

enzymes are key to restoring gut health, and thereby healing the immune system.

They’re useful in reducing immunemediated inflammation in autoimmune disorders,” Murray explains.

Australian research from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research confirms that supporting the immune system helps heal inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Instead, these are commonly treated with immune system suppressants that leave the patient with diminished resistance to other diseases.

Raw foods, especially pineapple and papaya, are good sources of digestive enzymes. They’re also available as supplements.

Prebiotics and probiotics: Prebiotics, plant fibers that ferment in the colon helping to increase desirable bacteria in the gut, and probiotics, live beneficial bacteria,

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help restore balance in the microbiome, effectively feeding and strengthening the immune system. Myers suggests that declining levels of friendly bacteria in the gut may actually mark the onset of chronic degenerative disease.

Vitamin D: Several studies, including

one from Israel, have shown that people with the highest vitamin D levels have the lowest number of upper respiratory infections. “To ensure optimal vitamin D status, many health advocates, myself included, are recently advocating daily dosages of 2,000

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charides; soluble fiber naturally occurring in the cell walls of grains, bacteria, yeast, algae and fungi. Natural sources include oats, barley, seaweed, and shitake and reishi mushrooms. In supplements, look for products extracted by fermentation if grain or yeast is a concern. These sugars are known to help prevent and shorten durations of colds and flu and provide relief for allergies and sinus congestion, and may help regulate an overactive immune response in cases of autoimmune disorders.

Both internal and external factors can affect us all the way to the cellular level. Chopra says, “You are talking to your genes all the time, and what you say affects every cell in your body. Through lifestyle choices, you can make healing decisions rather than damaging ones.”

Kathleen Barnes is the author of numerous natural health books including The Calcium Lie: What Your Doctor Still Doesn’t Know, with Dr. Robert Thompson. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.

Cozine/Shutterstock.com

Beta glucan: Beta glucans are polysac-

Wellness Solutions for Pain-Free Living Local Experts Provide Insight at Community Event

by Sandra Gordon

A

midst Fairfield county’s natural beauty lies an ugly truth: Connecticut is among the top 10 states with the highest rates of opioid-related overdose deaths, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In an effort to build healthier communities, the “Wellness to Painless” Conference at the Hindu Cultural Center (HCC) took place in Stratford on September 29, providing tools, information and resources for healing pain naturally. Sponsored by Dr. Jaya (Vaidya) Daptardar, CEO of Active Ayurveda and Yoga, and Natural Awakenings magazine, the day-long conference featured a roundup of inspiring speakers and natural healers with the goal of providing community wellness education and experience.

Psychiatrist Sudha Sreenivasan, MD kicked off the event with an overview of the causes of acute and chronic pain and the inside story from a neurological perspective. “Opioids can be addictive because they activate the reward centers of

the brain, releasing dopamine,” Sreenivasan said. To prevent acute pain from becoming chronic, opioid-free options are effective, including exercise, muscle strengthening, stopping smoking and changing your lifestyle by, for example, avoiding “text neck,” which is a major cause of neck pain today, caused by looking down at your devices, Sreenivasan said.

Natural Awakenings publisher, Nicole Miale, discussed how to be your own change agent. Stress overload, including working long hours, juggling multiple responsibilities, financial demands, changing family models and the constant influx of new technology can lead to chronic pain.

Stopping the progression of tension and stress to physical pain can be done through many mechanisms and modalities. Coping with life’s “super stressors,” is possible; Miale encouraged attendees to build a support network and try new things to feel better.

“Use Natural Awakenings as a resource; the people and modalities in the magazine are

your toolbox for feeling better,” she said.

Next up was Dr. Carlo Monsanto of the Mindful Connection Institute in Princeton, New Jersey, who explained the science of Ayurveda and its philosophy that healing happens from the inside out.

“When you give up your inner wisdom, you go through a rough time internally,” Monsanto said. He urged participants to “read your sensations to relate to them differently, to develop a sense of intimacy with yourself.” Awareness is key. The alternative—rejection or disassociation— “makes us feel blocked and heavy,” he said.

After a yoga session led by Wendy Simmons-Taylor, yoga teacher with HCC yoga teachers' team, and delicious healing lunch with healing ingredients, such as garlic and ginger, Daptardar provided a more detailed account of Ayurveda, which uses herbs and breathing exercises to balance the mind, body and the environment.

“We all have three doshas—kapha, vata and pitta,” Daptardar said. “Determine your dominant dosha and make it work with your lifestyle,” she said. “If you’re in pain, your vata dosha is dominating. To balance it, eat foods with ginger, garlic. Turmeric and Boswellia supplements and meditation can also help.”

Kristen Rzasa of InterPlay Health then demonstrated the MELT method, a self-treatment technique to reduce and prevent chronic pain in just ten minutes a day, and discussed the healing powers of essential oils. If you’re feeling stressed about pain, try rubbing your palms together with a drop of mint and orange essential oils. “Inhaling the scent goes into the limbic system in your brain to immediately shift your emotional state,” Rzasa said.

Reiki master Berta Prevosti, of the Jiiva Center in Stratford, wrapped up the conference with a soothing Reiki demonstration. “The whole day was truly a healing experience,” Daptardar said.

For more information on Dr. (Vaidya) Jaya Daptardar’s upcoming wellness seminars and services, visit AyurBeautyAndLifestyle.com.

Sandra Gordon is a Weston-based freelance journalist specializing in healthcare topics.

November 2018

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Natural Immune Boosters for Kids

How to Power Up Their Defenses

by Marlaina Donato

S

trong immunity is a cornerstone of optimum health, and may be weakened or enhanced by what we eat and how we manage our emotions. Starting young in incorporating good ongoing habits can go a long way toward building a better immune response to whatever a person encounters.

Kid-Friendly Foods Organic strawberries, brightly colored peppers, vitamin D-rich eggs or almond trail

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mix can turn a child’s brown bag lunch into an immune-boosting power meal. “Diet is one of the main pillars for children’s health.

I teach parents and kids that food can be fun, and not to be obsessed with counting calories or portions,” says Dr. Alina Olteanu, a holistic pediatrician in Dallas, Texas. “I recommend an anti-inflammatory diet based on lots of colorful vegetables and fruits, and healthy fats like fish, nuts, seeds, avocado and olive oil. Eating fermented foods like sauerkraut, pickled

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vegetables and kimchi supports a healthy microbiome.”

Adequate protein supports healthy immunity, as does reducing inflammatory foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG), caramel color, sodium nitrite, food dyes and chemical preservatives. Such measures help reduce the burden on a child’s immune system. According to Naturopathic Doctor Sarah Anne Rothman, of Thyme Integrative Health, in Pacifica, California, limiting or eliminating processed sugar is also recommended; studies by Loma Linda University, in Loma Linda, California, show that sugar consumption suppresses immune response for five hours.

Olteanu notes, “Desserts can be fruits and a small amount of dark chocolate, which is rich in antioxidants and actually healthy.” Her favorite sweetener for kids older than 1 year is raw honey; however, she cautions against giving honey to infants during their first year.

Exercise and Herbal Allies Exercise has been shown to increase blood and lymphatic circulation and in turn, helps move antibodies through the system and do a better job at fighting invaders, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Exercise is also a renowned stress-reliever, especially outdoors, which manifests the bonus of vitamin D fortification from healthy sun exposure. “I strongly encourage all my patients to spend at least an hour a day playing outside,” says Olteanu.

Childhood stress is a real factor that can weaken immunity, yet juvenile anxieties may be dismissed or go unnoticed by adults. Caffeine-free herbal teas and glycer-

Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com

healthy kids

in-based tinctures such as chamomile, lemon balm, passionflower and lavender can be reliable double-duty allies for children, calming them while also promoting immune response.

Essential oils are another boon. “The benefits of using essential oils on children are immense. Many oils are safe for all age groups and can elevate mood, induce relaxation and boost natural defenses,” says holistic nurse and certified clinical aromatherapist Patricia Springer, in Mason, Ohio. Springer recommends diffusing organic lemon or orange essential oil for 30 minutes two to three times a day in the house or applying one to two drops on a cotton ball and inhaling.

Adding a few drops of Roman chamomile or lavender essential oil to Epson or sea salt makes a calming, immune-boosting bath.

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Homeopathy Homeopathy is a system of natural healing to which kids often respond positively. There are well-known over-the-counter remedies that treat acute conditions without side effects, but certified classical homeopath Julia Eastman, a doctor of Oriental medicine in Naples, Florida, recommends a more thorough approach.

“Homeopathy can be life-changing, but it’s a system based upon the unique physical, emotional and energetic constitution of the individual. Going to a board-certified classical homeopath is the ideal route, because they can profile the child’s complete constitution, including patterns of illness and personality for the best possible result.”

Treating children’s illness homeopathically when symptoms arise without taking the big picture into account can sometimes cause more harm than good. “Homeopathic remedies are not preventive medicine unto themselves, but using them constitutionally can help to improve overall health, immunity included,” says Eastman, who has witnessed dangerously high fevers in infants relieved within minutes when whole-care homeopathy has been applied.

Health is wealth, and fortifying the next generation benefits us all.

Marlaina Donato is a freelance writer, author and multimedia artist. Connect at MarlainaDonato.com.

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Germs Can Be Helpful Research from Professor Linda Harrison, of Charles Sturt University, in Australia, reveals that children that are exposed to other children in a daycare or school environment at an early age develop stronger immunity, even though they might sometimes get sick at the outset. According to a study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, daycare kids have a decreased risk of developing asthma and allergies later in life.

Children also benefit from getting their hands into microbe-rich soil, say Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers in a study published in Science. While germs can help kids build stronger immunity, common good habits like regular hand-washing curb the spread of viruses.

(203)263-3175 November 2018

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“Growing old in place and staying at home instead of a retirement or nursing home is easier to accomplish when you have a social network.” Meet regularly with friends.

green living

The Rise of Blue Zones in America

a larger resource far greater than oneself and enhances a sense of purpose, social network and calm content.

Prioritize Family – Amid the busyness of life, make the most enjoyable family time and nurturing activities each day’s first choice.

Places that Encourage Healthy Living

by Avery Mack

D

an Buettner’s book The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest launched a movement a decade ago. Sequels include The Blue Zones of Happiness, The Blue Zones Solution and Thrive. Many communities have embraced the principles of this “make healthy living easier” paradigm, resulting in the improved well-being of residents.

“Add more years to your life and more life to your years,” says Nick Buettner, vice president at Blue Zones LLC, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the founder’s brother who spoke with us. “The people around you, the places where you work, live and play, and the social norms in your community have an impact on your health.”

The original U.S. pilot project in 2009, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, is a prime example. Instead of widening a main thoroughfare and raising the speed limit, the city widened the sidewalk and created a path around nearby Fountain Lake, offering safe exercise for bikers, joggers and walkers. The Hy-Vee grocery increased its health market section from two to seven aisles, leading to a 130 percent rise in related sales, and added a Blue Zones checkout lane for healthy grab-and-go options. City workplaces now offer quiet rooms and fruit instead of candy; one business converted a garage to a pickleball court.

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The five original Blue Zones are Ikaria, Greece; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; Okinawa, Japan; and Sardinia, Italy.

Blue Zone Basics Move Naturally – Even at work, get up and move at least once every 20 minutes.

Reduce Stress – Take a nap, nature walk

or meditate.

Act Intentionally – “People that feel

they have a reason to get out of bed in the morning tend to live seven years longer than those who just go through the motions,” says Buettner. A strong sense of purpose defines quality of life.

Eat Healthy – Enjoy the benefits of a plant-based diet. One cup of beans a day adds three to four years in life expectancy.

Plant a garden to grow fresher, pesticidefree food. Eat meat an average of five times a month and in small-portioned stir-fry, soups and pasta. Consume fewer calories.

Drink wine in moderation. Check out BlueZones.com/recipes.

Maintain Relationships – “If you have fewer than three friends, it’s the equivalent of smoking for 20 years,” Buettner maintains.

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“Over the last four years in Florida, our sponsor, NCH Healthcare System, has helped to build well-being infrastructure and sustainability for approximately 400,000 people; that swells to nearly 1.2 million during high season from January to April,” says Deb Logan, executive director of Blue Zones Project-SWFL (Southwest Florida). “We have 33 Blue Zone-approved restaurants that collectively make an additional 176 plant-based menu items available locally; the first half of this year, they sold 130,000 Blue Zones-inspired dishes.”

The healthful community philosophy was vital in Hawaii, when the Kīlauea Volcano spewed lava, sulfur dioxide and acid rain. First-responders staffed checkpoint stations around the clock to protect the public from dangerous areas, exposing themselves to combined sun and volcanic heat. The Hawaiian Blue Zone team delivered smoothies, beverages and paletas—healthy popsicles made with real fruit—to help workers stay cooler. They also delivered them to volunteers and public service groups, including Hope Services Hawaii, which built tiny houses for families displaced by volcanic activity.

“We don’t come into an area and say, ‘This is what you must do.’ We say, ‘This is what you can do.’ The readiness must come from the city level, businesses, schools and nonprofits,” Buettner says. “The right leadership must be committed and prepared to follow through on multiple years of initiatives.”

He remarks, “In the end, my hope for the future lies in the fact that communities care about their health. Blue Zones isn’t about the quantity of years, but the quality of life, and often that adds years, too.”

Connect with the freelance writer via AveryMack@mindspring.com.

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ou spend a third of your life on your mattress so if you can avoid breathing in chemicals all that time, it’s probably a good idea,” says Jeffrey Klein, owner of Sleep Etc. in Norwalk and Stamford. There are two ways that chemicals can make their way into mattresses: the first is in the synthetic foams and materials that make the mattress itself, and the other is the flame-retardant chemicals sprayed onto mattresses.

Klein transitioned into the ecofriendly mattress industry about 10 years ago when his daughter was born. “My wife started buying organic food because she was worried about our daughter being exposed to tiny amounts of chemicals and pesticides over time,” he says. “This way of thinking made sense to me, and having already been in the mattress industry, I knew the conventional practices did not hold up to this natural philosophy.”

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Around that same time, the fire standards in the industry were becoming more strict and manufacturers had to pass a much harder burn test. The way most of the larger manufacturers dealt with this was with heavier chemical applications.

The commonly used chemicals were and are known carcinogens, banned from use in food products. Klein decided he did not want his daughter or his clients on a conventional mattress.

“When people questioned it, they’d say ‘look, it’s not food, it’s a mattress.’ But tests have shown these chemicals are indeed absorbing into the body,” says Klein.

Though there are no official studies deeming the mattresses unsafe, the chemicals used on them have been linked to skin irritation, learning and memory deficits, cancers, heart and kidney damage, respiratory issues, and birth defects.

Consumers are also increasingly concerned about the fumes from the synthetic

materials, particularly some of the memory foam mattresses on the market. Many people have described a “new mattress smell” upon receiving a new mattress, especially ones that have been vacuum sealed, packaged, and shipped. Klein explains that what’s happening is off-gassing as a result of the breakdown of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the foam, which can release formaldehyde, benzene, methylene chloride, toluene, trichloroethane, naphthalene, perfluorocarbons, and/ or other chemicals into the air.

Because of the free shipping and free returns, many people are skipping the trip to their local mattress retailer and choosing online ordering; consequently, they are skipping the ability to test a range of mattresses for optimal support and comfort. With the phenomenon of shipped mattresses, chemicals are more toxic than ever. Once packaged, the chemicals have a chance to build up and are released more potently upon opening. The retailers themselves often recommend airing out a mattress in a well-ventilated area for three to seven days before use. As with the fire retardant chemicals, there are no proven health risks of sleeping on these synthetic materials, but the intensified emissions remain a concern.

Health- and eco-minded individuals are turning to natural alternatives.

Sleep, Etc. has a wide range of 100 percent

natural and organic beds, plus more traditional beds that do not use questionable compounds. “If someone comes in and wants a completely organic mattress, I can provide them with a large selection of beds made from organic and sustainablysourced materials,” says Klein. Nearly all of the beds available at the showroom are designed and built for Sleep, Etc. at factories in New Jersey and Maryland.

Materials used in production include wool—a natural fire retardant—sourced in New Zealand, organic cotton sourced in the U.S., latex made in Connecticut, and wood from Forest Stewardship Councilcertified sources in North America. For those who have their heart set on memory foam, Klein provides selections that are more eco-friendly and health-focused than conventional. Their models are about 50 percent natural, and the petroleumbased oils in the mattress are replaced by soybean oil.

“We are committed to being transparent, and show our clients exactly what is in each and every mattress,” Klein says.

Many major mattress companies are not transparent, and are actually misleading customers with a practice called greenwashing, he continues. This allows them to present an environmentally-responsible image, without having to commit to the costs and efforts of being environmentally responsible. Often a mattress will have

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explicit advertising that the bed is made with organic cotton; however, the entire bed is made with the toxic chemicals and synthetic materials, save for one layer of organic cotton on the surface. Other mattresses may claim to be made from wool, cashmere or silk, but by law only five percent of it needs to include these materials to be labeled as such. As a result, the bulk of the material is typically synthetic. Others will have absolutely no natural materials at all, but use “natural” or “inspired by nature” repeatedly in marketing efforts.

“The overwhelming majority of people are trying to live a healthier lifestyle, and it’s safe to say organic mattresses are the fastest growing segment in the natural market,” says Klein. “A lot of my customers come in and know just as much as I do about all of this. They’ve done their research, and are looking to make a change for their well-being, their families’ well-being, and the well-being of the earth.”

For more information, call 1-800-41-SLEEP or visit OrganicSleep.com. Sleep Etc. Locations: 508 Main Ave, Norwalk, and 75 High Ridge Rd, Stamford. See ad, page 38.

Gina Cronin is a contributing writer for Natural Awakenings. To connect, visit GinaImagines.com.

We treat the following conditions: ADHD / ADD / Executive Functioning Anxiety & Anxiety-Related Disorders Autism Behavioral & Social Issues Chronic Pain / Fibromyalgia Concussion / TBI Depression / Mood Issues Learning Disability / Dyslexia Lyme, PANDAS/PANS Chronic Health Conditions PTSD / Trauma Seizures Sleep Problems November 2018

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the expansive “ahhhh,” or the contracting "ugh"? This simple exercise is a great way to note areas of our homes and lives that reflect a need for change. This can be a pile of papers we’ll go through later, decor that no longer serves our taste or needs, or perhaps an office that could be more inspiring. These all send daily messages that contribute to a state of expansion or one of contraction; they directly affect our mood and sense of well-being. As much as a space can elevate us, spaces can also influence whether we feel tired, foggy, unmotivated, and even depressed or anxious.

Since the majority of us are spending 90 percent of our time indoors, awareness of this direct relationship is more important now than ever.

LIFE BY DESIGN How Our Homes Shape Us

Design = Self-Care

by Betsy Cameron

O

ur homes are lenses through which we can see who we are and how we live. From the light in a room, to the colors we choose, to the shapes and textures of our furnishings, design elements influence how we feel, behave and perform. A growing body of scientific, architectural and spiritual findings shows that the spaces we inhabit are expressions of what is really going on with

us—as within, so without, as a common saying goes. There is a notable correlation between the creation of “beautiful” spaces and meaningful, satisfying and joyful experiences. Further, when we align our internal and external environments, we can consciously create spaces that reflect us and who we want to be.

Take a quick look around your home.

How does the space feel? Does it evoke

Taking the best possible care of ourselves and our homes is not an indulgence, but rather an act of self-care. It is not a materialistic or trivial process. Taking time to optimize our homes for happiness and create safe spaces to decompress is valuable and necessary. Just like other types of self-care, designing havens where we can unravel, relax and reboot helps us to build up our resilience in a demanding world. “The physical world can be a powerful resource to us in creating happier, healthier lives,” says Ingrid Fettel Lee, a designer and the author of Joyful:

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In this 5 week course, take steps toward living a more empowered life by practicing these principles.

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the Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness.

In fact, our homes are foundational resources for getting our needs met. This ranges from basic survival— shelter, security, water and food—to the deeper soul needs of privacy, connection, contribution and personal growth.

“I think a lot about the psychology of spaces—the intention of architecture,” says Jason Silva in his YouTube clip, Why Design Matters. “The capacity of dwellings to inform our inner world. You walk into a room and you start feeling better, and you don’t quite know why,” Silva muses. He observes the influence that shape, texture, light, color and sound have upon us.

“When you design the without, you design the within.”

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Is this why we crave beauty, symmetry and balance? Or why we have chill-inducing, emotional responses to aesthetics and space—that piece of art, serene setting or a texture we can’t help but touch? Perhaps it’s because beauty inspires, invites contemplation and evokes enjoyment. For centuries, artists have celebrated this notion, evidenced by the musings of the novelist and poet, Alice Walker. “Whenever you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your own soul,” she says.

Increasingly, designers, architects, interior environmentalists and design psychologists are harnessing the power of beauty; they have begun to actively apply it to our homes and beyond.

“True beauty in design is when the two [functional and aesthetic elements] work so seamlessly with each other, it feels like poetry walking in the space,” says Jay Dee Dearness, whose PhD focuses on the intersection of beauty and design. A welldesigned space is not just something that individuals move through, but rather a key influence on a dweller’s health, happiness and overall sensory experience.

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They are physical renderings of our emotional state and needs, and a reflection of our thoughts, dreams and issues. It isn’t just about the walls or objects that surround us; it is also about the energy we use to fill it. Our homes tell the stories of our lives in the past as they play out in the present, and how they inevitably impact our futures. Understanding the integral relationship between ourselves and our spaces is key to promoting balance and well-being in many areas of our lives, including our health, level of organization, spaces to create memories and our overall environments.

As a growing field, design psychology is a process of reflection meant to help us explore our deepest sense of home and place—past, present and future. This holistic approach to design allows us to dive into designing the spaces, and, in turn, the lives we love. The goal is to offer us insight into what’s going on within us and how it plays out around us. Whether we are simply freshening up our spaces or looking to experience greater flow in our lives, creating havens begins with us.

Founder of the field of design psychology, Toby Israel, PhD, hopes this growing design niche will help people to, “become more conscious of the meaning that the environment holds for them, and encourage all to more consciously create homes and other places that express a fulfilling self/place bond.”

This self/place bond becomes more clearly defined when we have a concept of our personal likes and dislikes, particular needs and desires, and a sense of what our unique histories bring to the table. Our personal lifestyles and goals need to come before our designer’s ideas, what our friends or neighbors are doing, or what any other strong voices that weigh in on our lives have to say. It is critical to connect with our own taste and values, beyond trends or the influence of others.

Living life by design invites us to bring awareness to what we love, and actively infuse our lives with it. When our spaces reflect beauty, balance and items that we love, we’ll see the positive impact ripple into other areas of our lives.

Betsy Cameron is the owner and principal designer of Seva Interiors. She combines design psychology and personal growth/ wellness work with a love of design to transform spaces. Connect at SevaInteriors@gmail.com or SevaInteriors.com.

Sources of Further Contemplation: Some Place Like Home: Using Design Psychology to Create Ideal Places, by Toby Israel Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness, by Ingrid Fettell Lee SoulSpace: Transform Your Home, Transform Your Life,

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Love Your Home!

Feng Shui Tips for Health and Happiness

by Mary Cipriano

A

t this time of year our intuitive reflex is to hunker down indoors and create spaces within our homes that feel cozy and warm. Home is truly a haven as daylight hours grow shorter. We spend a lot of time indoors, and want to create healthy-feeling spaces that are inviting, soothing and uplifting. This is an ideal time to consider feng shui for help.

Feng shui is a guide to moving energy, or chi, in our homes in a way that supports our feelings and intentions. The goal of feng shui practice is to harmonize the physical energy that circulates in our homes with our personal energy— thoughts, feelings and intentions—so that whatever we desire will show up.

Translated as “wind and water,” feng

shui is an ancient art and science that observes how the “unseen” forces of nature (wind) and “seen” forces (water) move within spaces; it looks at how these forces constantly interact with and influence each other. Unseen energy relates to personal desires, thoughts, intentions and feelings.

Seen forces are the home, physical objects within, and all that surrounds it.

More than 5,000 years ago, Chinese feng shui masters observed three fundamental principles of energy.

• Everything is alive with energy.

• Everything is connected by energy, thereby causing interactions.

• Energy is constantly changing.

The early feng shui masters observed that when energy interactions are blended and balanced, beneficial occurrences manifest, resulting in a joyful, successful, prosperous and abundant life.

Feng shui may be ancient practice, but it’s not obsolete and it’s a home practice we can apply to live life well. “Home” applies to any environment where we spend most of our personal time, including home, apartment, bedroom, dormitory room, external office, shared communal space or other areas.

Take a Quick Feng Shui Space Analysis

Feng shui is often intuitive. We may notice that the energy of a room or home feels

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comfortable or uncomfortable because we can “feel” the energy of a space. For example, think of one room in a home and answer these questions: • Does it feel open and/or airy?

• Is it easy to walk around in the room?

• Does it feel closed and/or stagnant?

• Is the room cluttered?

• Is it sparse?

• Does it contain a lot of curved or angled furniture?

Each of these guiding questions will point the way to the feelings we may have about the room and indicate whether the chi in the room is balanced or unbalanced.

Balanced chi results in feelings of happiness, relaxation, energy, calm, cheer or protection. Unbalanced chi results in feelings of depression, distress, anxiety, discomfort, overwhelm or being unprotected. The goal of feng shui is to balance the chi of a home or workspace, and align it with our personal energy in order to manifest the life we desire.

In complicated or long-standing difficult situations, a feng shui professional may be required to help balance the energy of the home. However, in many situations where a person’s life is generally in a healthy state, the use of a few feng shui tips can be applied to keep life going in the right direction. These tips can be applied at any time of the year, using examples from nature and the emotions that the current season brings up for us.

TIP 1: Clear clutter to bring back a healthy home and life. In feng shui, clutter is stagnant, dead energy. It can cause unhealthy feelings of depression, sadness, frustration, anger and lack of focus, to name a few. One way to immediately perk up a home and get energy moving again is to clear the clutter.

When clutter is cleared, we notice immediately how refreshed, focused and centered we feel about our homes and ourselves.

TIP 2: Indoor plants are excellent healthy energy resources. They release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, bringing benefits of fresh air into closed-up homes.

Why do we add live evergreens to our homes in December? People added evergreen boughs and trees to homes before

Christianity in an effort to bring nature into their homes during the winter months, to ward off evil spirits, or as a reminder of the regrowth of nature in the spring. The shapes, scents and colors of plants uplift and inspire feelings of well-being, caring and comfort.

Plants can be placed in any location where they will grow and thrive.

One especially good place is in a corner where trapped energy needs to be revitalized and circulated. From the feng shui perspective, the best indoor plants are those with rounded leaves, or softly draping varieties such as philodendron, pothos, jade, croton, ivy, peace lily, fichus, dracena and palm.

TIP 3: Color creates a mood. What mood do we want to create in a particular room during the winter months? Is it comfort, coziness, energetic, quiet, playful, creative or cheery? We can choose colors that reflect nature and pair them with colors that create the mood we want to feel.

«

Start with foundational earth tones, such as brown, rust, yellow ochre and dark green for feelings of warmth, relaxation and comfort. Add accent colors such as yellow for enthusiasm, optimism and cheer.

Gold is good for grounding and richness, and greens for growth. Reds add a bit of passion and stimulation. The accented colors will help to make a room feel fresh, stimulating and cheerful.

Each of these tips can be practiced immediately. They offer opportunities to balance energy in the home with personal energy that will result in the manifestation of joy.

Mary Cipriano is a certified feng shui consultant based in Danbury. She received her feng shui design certification from the New York Institute of Art and Design. Cipriano works with individual clients in their home or office, and conducts group workshops.

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done. Simply begin the organizing process by sorting the items you have by category, putting like items together. This step applies to organizing a drawer, closet or any cluttered space. For example, if you’re organizing a closet, start by putting all your pants together. With any items that you’re organizing, you can ask yourself questions that will help direct you while decluttering your home. “If I came across this item now in the store, would I buy it?” “How does this item make me feel?”

Consider Donations

Organizing for a Healthy Home Clear Clutter for Space and Peace

As you declutter, you will have to make decisions on your items. Most will fall into one of three categories: keep, toss or donate. Keep items that you use regularly, need, and like and enjoy. Toss items are that damaged beyond repair or expired.

Add to this category any items that can be recycled. Donate items that still have life in them but you haven’t used in a long time, and no longer need or like. Keep a donation box in your home that you add to as you go about your days. If while putting away clothes you see a shirt you no longer wear or like, put it in the donation box. If while looking for a pot or pan you see a kitchen gadget you have never used, put

by Margarita M. Cossuto

D

ecluttering the home is a good way to improve overall wellbeing. Being in a space that is clutter-free can have tremendous emotional and psychological effects. And in the process of focusing on your home, you are also focusing on yourself. Taking time to organize your home and manage the clutter can bring about many positive benefits, such as reducing stress, saving time down the road, and bringing a sense of relaxation and peace. Here are some steps you can take to keep clutter from accumulating in your home and establishing an organizational system that works for you.

Visualize Your Space

First, take a few moments to imagine how you want your space to look and 40

feel. Really take some time to visualize every detail, from the layout of furniture in each room, to the placement and types of items. How does your space look? Is it clutter free? Is it relaxing? Use this exercise to guide you in creating a space in your home that will contribute positively to your well-being. Doing this exercise will not only help you tune into how you feel in each room, but it will also give you a goal to work toward.

Start to Declutter

The first step to accomplishing anything is to just start the process. The key to not getting overwhelmed when organizing is patience. Don’t worry how long it will take you or how messy your space will look along the way. Keep your focus on how great your space will look once you’re

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the gadget in the box. Ask yourself why you are keeping an item. This question gives you a chance to think about what you use the item for, when you last used it, if you will use it again, and if you still like it.

Maintain Order

Keeping a space organized can be one of the most challenging tasks. Busy days

lead to busy homes; there never seems to be enough time in a day to get everything done. But there are some simple maintenance tips that can help. Use the Only Handle It Once (OHIO) organizational principle. When dealing with items in your home, only handle or touch the item once so that you can get it off your mind and free up mental energy for more important things.

Think about this next time you open postal mail. Sort it immediately into a pile of bills to be paid, papers to shred/recycle, or mail that needs further attention later. Or when cleaning up dishes after dinner – put them into the dishwasher immediately instead of piling everything into the sink. Of course, the OHIO rule doesn’t work for everything, but hopefully, it will prompt you to think next time you’re holding an item.

To avoid clutter from accumulating in your home, establish an organizational system that works for you. Focusing on these steps can help you organize your home the way you want it to look and feel. Keep in mind how great your space will look once you’ve completed your tasks, and how refreshed you and your space will feel!

Margarita M. Cossuto, PhD, is a professional organizer and owner of Living Organized, LLC. She applies her background in psychology to understand the unique needs of her clients in Connecticut and New York. Connect at 203-451-7880 or LivingOrganized.com.

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The Monthly Naturally Healthy Pet Section Starts Here!

Give Rover a Rubdown

Massage Keeps a Dog at Peak Health

A

by Karen Shaw Becker

“

nimals have performed massage on themselves or others since the dawn of time through natural grooming behaviors,” reports the Northwest School of Animal Massage, in Vashon, Washington. “Any animal’s quality of life can be enhanced with massage.”

Therapeutic Massage Results

News, articles, resources, events— all dedicated exclusively to happy, naturally healthy living for our furred, feathered and scaled animal companions For information on how you can be a part of a future issue, call

203-885-4674 or email NicoleM@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

42

“Maintenance massage is great for helping your pet stay at their peak level of health for as long as possible. It’s also a great tool for monitoring and early detection,” says Kim Tews, a certified small animal massage practitioner located near Portland, Oregon.

Jonathan Rudinger, a registered nurse, licensed massage therapist and authority on canine massage in Toledo, Ohio, explains that massage supports oxygen exchange, helping animals to breathe more deeply, and even encourages coughing to loosen phlegm and debris in the lungs.

Increasing both blood and lymphatic circulation is another benefit. “Manual lymphatic drainage massage is a good immune booster, and benefits pets of all breeds and ages,” says Tews. Massage shortens postoperative recovery time for pets and helps decrease inflammation and pain while lowering blood pressure and working to normalize breathing patterns and digestion.

For dogs with arthritis, Rudinger says that massage works to increase the natural fluids within the dog’s body, along with improving lymph and blood circulation and

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hormone and energy flow. When it comes to sporting events and intense recreation, massage can be used to increase blood flow to muscles beforehand and reduce muscle soreness afterward.

Massage is a comfort for beloved dogs receiving treatment for a terminal illness or palliative care. The practice can also reduce the need for pain medication, decrease metabolic end products in tissues, ease constipation and feelings of anxiety and isolation, and instill greater peace.

Behavioral Results

Massage therapist Michelle Rivera with the Healing Oasis Wellness Center, in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, remarks in the journal Integrative Veterinary Care, “It was in China that I learned that many behavioral problems can also be alleviated or eliminated with the addition of massage therapy.

In my own practice, the majority of issues I successfully work with using massage are behavior problems and seizures.”

Highly sensitive animals may find that therapeutic massage makes being touched more tolerable. Rudinger explains that it can clear physiological energy blocks. His approach with dogs is to work on the stomach energy meridian, which flows down around the mouth, down both sides of the midline and underneath the abdominal side of the body. It ends up around the anus, beneath the animal’s tail.

As the meridian is associated with the

Rasulov/Shutterstock.com

natural pet

Gumpanat/Shutterstock.com

emotional brain or limbic system, working on this area is particularly useful for dogs that are fear-biters, food- or dog-aggressive, have separation anxiety or problems with their gastrointestinal tract.

Generally speaking, dog massage can be a useful tool for stress relief and relaxation.

Find the Right Expert

An integrative veterinarian can provide advice and recommend an experienced area canine massage therapist to treat an animal’s specific need. At-home or in-clinic sessions may last from 30 to 80 minutes.

Having a family member massage a pet can add calming and bonding benefits, especially in palliative care. A workshop or continuing education course will teach basic to advanced hands-on massage skills.

Offering the benefits of therapeutic massage to a dog is one of the greatest gifts we can give to support their happiness and quality of life. It can also work wonders for cats.

Karen Becker, a doctor of veterinary medicine, is a proactive, integrative practitioner who consults internationally and writes for Mercola Healthy Pets (HealthyPets.Mercola.com).

MASSAGE FOR CATS A

by Sandra Murphy

lthough the method of massage and results can be similar to that for dogs, cats have their own rules about how they are touched.

“Every massage must be individualized,” says Katie Mehrtens, owner of The Right Spot Pet Massage, near Chicago, and a nationally certified small animal massage therapist. “Cats are typically more sensitive to touch than dogs, and can become overstimulated. I am hyperaware of the cat’s reactions, and often give them more breaks to avoid stress,” she says.

“If your cat doesn’t like to be touched, you just haven’t figured out the best moves yet,” advises Maryjean Ballner, a massage therapist in Santa Barbara, California. “Common mistakes include rubbing, instead of caressing, and going too fast. Felines get the reputation they’re difficult. Pay attention to the basics.”

“Although many bones and muscles in cats and dogs have the same names and locations, they may not be identical in physical appearance or function,” Mehrtens says. “A cat’s skeleton is slender, with lean, fluid muscles designed for leaping distances with stealth and

agility. They’re likely to experience less wear and tear on joints than dogs.”

Ballner offers tips to let the cat be the teacher as to what works best: n Get down to their level. n Approach at shoulder height, not the top of the head. n Caress using full palms, not just fingertips.

Slower is safe, enjoyable and desirable. n Caress under the chin and around the cheeks using finger pads and full palms or the flat area between the knuckles. n Focus totally on the cat for four minutes.

Make it routine. n Voice soft, soothing, low-tone phrases— not baby talk; maybe repeating, “Oh, you good boy, good boy.”

Susi Rosinski, a certified feline, canine and equine massage therapist and owner of Ancient Far East Healing Arts, in Tonawanda, New York, offers, “Most of my [feline] clients have joint pain or back mobility difficulties. Working on legs and joints after they’re fully relaxed helps them, as well as being safer for me, as I slowly add pressure to the areas where they need it most.”

“For four minutes a day, cat massage is therapeutic, whether it’s for you or the cat,” says Ballner.

Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.

November 2018

43

CLEAR THE AIR Reducing Home Pollution Benefits Humans and Pets

by Mary Oquendo

“Walking into a modern building can sometimes be compared to placing your head inside a plastic bag that is filled with toxic fumes.” ~ John Bower, Founder of Healthy House Institute

W

e cannot control the air quality in public spaces. However, we can make impactful changes to our homes that positively affect our families, including our pets.

There is a growing body of evidence that points to the interior of our homes being as polluted as outdoor air. In fact, because indoor air is more contained without natural airflow, there may be even greater exposure to toxins than outdoor air. Now consider that toxins are heavier than air, and can settle to the lower parts of homes where our pets and young children spend most of their time.

In addition, there are airborne diseases such as canine influenza and kennel cough. Airborne diseases are most often contracted by close contact with infected pets. It is not always feasible to keep your pets away from other pets. Strengthening immune systems may reduce the likelihood of contracting airborne diseases as well as talking with your veterinary professional about whether or not vaccines are beneficial to the specific pet.

Regular cleaning along with moisture control can reduce exposure to harmful biologic agents.

Biologic Pollutants

These include carbon monoxide poisoning from idling cars, boilers, space heaters, grills, gas stoves and wood stoves. In addition, carbon monoxide fumes from lawn equipment and generators can enter the home through open windows. A carbon monoxide detector can alert us to these

Biologic pollutants include bacteria, molds, viruses, animal dander, saliva, dust mites, cockroaches and pollen. Just like humans, pets can develop respiratory ailments and allergic reactions when exposed.

44

Chemical Pollutants

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eNaturalAwakenings.com

dangers; it’s a good idea to install at least one in your home.

Pollution in the air, as well as smoke from wildfires, increases ozone to dangerous levels in the air. Himalayan salt lamps as well as mechanical air purifiers can be placed around the home to mitigate the harmful effects of ozone. Consider talking to an HVAC professional about a system that is right for your home.

Second-hand smoke isn’t the only concern for pets because there are now studies that indicate third-hand smoke.

This means because smoke permeates walls, carpets, and floors and is difficult to remove, pets are being exposed to those carcinogens even if no one in the home is smoking.

Most spray aerosols, paint varnishes, air fresheners, art supplies, spot removers and other products may continually release volatile organic compounds, which studies have linked to serious medical issues. Read labels before using, and research non-toxic alternatives.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive material that is odorless and colorless. Most people do not realize it’s a concern until they buy or sell a home and the house inspector informs them of it.

There are units to eliminate radon from the home.

If a chemical is deadly to pests, it’s equally dangerous for our pets. Keep insect and pest traps and pesticides away from your pets.

While more of a concern for older homes, asbestos in siding and walls can cause lung damage if disturbed. Likewise, lead in water pipes can cause lead poisoning in the drinking water.

As caretakers of our pets, it is up to us to make the necessary changes in our homes to ensure we are providing a healthy environment for them. These changes can result in healthier pets and lower veterinarian bills. That’s a win-win for all concerned.

Mary Oquendo is a Reiki master, advanced crystal master and certified master tech pet first aid instructor. She is the owner of Pawsitive Education. She can be reached at PawsitiveEd.com. See ad, page 45.

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LOOKING GLASS ANIMAL RESCUE Ridgefield • LGARinc.org On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

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

PET ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY INC (PAWS) 504 Main Ave, Norwalk 203-750-9572 PAWSCT.org

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

RIDGEFIELD OPERATION FOR ANIMAL RESCUE (ROAR) 45 South St, Ridgefield 203-438-0158 ROAR-Ridgefield.org

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

Do You: *Want To Align Whole Families *Desire To Transition From Working With Just Humans *Long To Complete Your Soul's Path

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

Online and On-Site Workshops &Trainings

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

The Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic is a low-cost, high-volume facility for cats and dogs, the first such professional clinic in Fairfield County. The clinic offers other low-cost services during the spay/ neuter appointment. Nutmeg honors state spay/ neuter vouchers at face value from adopted shelter pets and qualified low-income families, and offers further low-cost incentives to nonprofit rescue groups. Pit bulls and mixes are welcome at an even more reduced rate, and the clinic offers spay/neuter and vaccine discounts for feral cats. See ad, page 43.

with Mary Oquendo Master Animal Healer

www.PawsitiveEd.com www.SpiritedDog.com

PET ASSISTANCE, INC

PO Box 2015, New Preston 860-355-PETS • GetaPet@gmail.com PetAssistanceInc.org Pet Assistance helps keep pets in their homes in times of financial and medical crises, providing emergency veterinary subsidies to pet owners in financial need. We only give grants for pets that have a good prognosis, unless the knowledge we gain from the treatment or surgery may help future animals in need.

Final Journey,

LLC

( Pet Euthanasia Service )

Kristen Klie, D.V. M. and Associates

( 203 ) 645-5570 www.finaljourneyllc.com November 2018

45

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46

A

mericans trust bottled more than tap water, but that confidence might work better if reversed. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) notes that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors tap water for more than 90 contaminants, and it must meet the strict standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974. Nationally distributed bottled water, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, isn’t as carefully or frequently checked.

A quarter of all bottled water is actually filtered tap water, reports the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Concern about safe tap water is relatively recent—in the 1960s, for instance, people worried more about fluoridation than contamination. But since 1990, partly driven by bottled water ads, Gallup polls have shown tap water concerns rising; 63 percent of us now worry about our drinking water “a great deal”.

Bottled water is usually safe to drink, but isn’t environmentally friendly. Plastic bottle production in the U.S. requires 17.6 million barrels of oil annually, reports the nonprofit Riverkeeper; plus the energy used to transport it to market, refrigerate

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

it and collect the empties equals filling the bottles a quarter full of oil. Then, 77 percent of discards end up in the landfill. the Earth Day Network reports.

Retail costs range from 89 cents a serving to $8 a gallon for designer water, averaging $1.11 a gallon, compared to .002 cents per gallon for tap water.

What’s in Tap Water Legitimate concerns about tap water exist, mostly because homes built before 1986 likely have lead in their pipes, solder and fixtures, possibly contaminating municipally sourced water. Well water is also susceptible to outside contamination from chemicals and microorganisms that must be monitored.

Because lead accumulates in stagnated water in pipes, run the water until it gets as cold as possible; up to two minutes if the taps haven’t been turned on in six hours or more. Other chemicals found in tap water include low levels of chlorine, arsenic, nitrates, atrazine, perchlorate and pathogens, reports the NRDC. Pharmaceutical products can also get into tap water, warns the World Health Organization (WHO).

A recent study from the EWG and North-

eastern University, in Boston, showed small quantities of toxic chemicals in tap water serving 15 million Americans in 27 states.

Testing Our Hydration IQ

somchaij/Shutterstock.com

Filter Options Filters can allay tap water worries from municipal or well supplies.

Several types—tap-mounted, under-sink and pitchers—are effective and affordable, ranging from $20 to $300. Seek filters certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) testing agency that check for specific contaminants of concern.

NSF-42 coding certifies filters that improve water taste and remove both chlorine and particulate matter. NSF-53 is more stringent and requires removal of metals and harmful chemicals.

The highest standard, NSF-401, covers filters that eliminate bacteria, pesticides/herbicides and residue from drugs like ibuprofen.

Activated carbon filters, which require regular replacement cartridges, remove large particles like sediment and silt. Reverse osmosis filters remove dissolved inorganic solids (including salts) by pushing tap water through a semi-permeable membrane.

Ultraviolet water purification is effective at treating bacteria and viruses, but not contaminants such as chlorine, volatile organic compounds or heavy metals.

Charcoal pitcher filters are the most common, easiest to use and least expensive, although cartridges add to the cost and are only effective for processing about 40 gallons each. To save money, DIY products allow individuals to refill used cartridges with new activated charcoal. Filter pitchers need to be cleaned regularly because the charcoal can leak, producing mildew, calcium and grime.

Faucet-mounted models are easy to install and can be switched easily from filtered to unfiltered water (e.g., for washing up). Under-sink filters and cartridges are effective for up to 200 gallons, but more challenging to install. Connecting to refrigerators and ice makers makes installation more complex, and leakage can be an issue; countertop filters take up space, but are less likely to clog.

Consumer Reports says reverse osmosis filters are effective at removing contaminants, but can operate slowly, consume cabinet space, need periodic cleaning with bleach and create three to five gallons of wastewater for every gallon filtered.

WHO indicates that conventional municipal water treatment processes can remove about half of the compounds associated with pharmaceutical drugs. Advanced treatment like reverse osmosis and nanofiltration can be more efficient, removing up to 99 percent of large pharmaceutical molecules.

The first step is a water test. Some state and local health departments offer free test kits and they are also sold at hardware stores. Certified laboratories test tap water samples, with information often available from the local water provider.

Find a state-by-state list of certified labs plus program contacts at Tinyurl.com/DrinkingWaterCertificationInfo. The EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline is 800-426-4791.

Jim Motavalli, of Fairfield, CT, is an author, freelance journalist and speaker specializing in clean automotive and other environmental topics. Connect at JimMotavalli.com.

by Ronica O’Hara

M

yths abound regarding proper hydration—many of them encouraged by purveyors of bottled water. Gauge personal hydration know-how by answering these true-or-false questions.

1

If we’re thirsty, we’re already dehydrated.

True. Our kidneys let us know when we need water by sending a “thirsty” message to the brain. “If you ignore that warning, it will go away and other symptoms will occur, such as headache, brain fog, muscle cramps and dry, cool skin, making the dehydration more serious,” warns Chiropractor Livia Valle, of Valins Chiropractic, in Smithtown, New York.

2

We must drink eight glasses of water every day.

False. Eating fruits and vegetables also bolsters hydration (watermelon and spinach are almost 100 percent water by weight), as do milk, juice and herbal tea, advises the Mayo Clinic.

3

It’s impossible to overhydrate.

False. Although rare, hyponatremia can result from some diseases, medications and consuming too much water too quickly, causing sodium (salt) levels to plummet; this can lead to nausea and coma, to which marathon runners can be prone (WebMD.com).

4

Electrolyte-enhanced drinks beat out water.

False. Experts say that for most people most of the time, plain water hydrates just as well, which is good news, considering the sugar and artificial dyes in Gatorade and similar electrolyte drinks. Even for athletes, hydrating with electrolytes is called for only after more than an hour of intense, sweaty exercise, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. If concerned about hydrating on an active, steamy day, consider stirring additive- and sugar-free electrolyte tablets or powder into water.

5

Caffeine causes dehydration.

False. A UK University of Birmingham study of 50 people that drank three to six cups of coffee daily found no significant effects on hydration—perhaps because the water in coffee and tea makes up for any dehydrating effects.

6

The volume of urine is a better hydration indicator than its color.

True. “Urine color varies based on many factors, including diet,” says exercise physiologist Mary Jayne Rogers, Ph.D., of Albuquerque, New Mexico. “But if you are not producing much urine, it can be a sign that your body is clinging to water and may need more.”

November 2018

47

wise words

Kristi Nelson

on Why Gratefulness Brings Happiness

by April Thompson

K

risti Nelson has dedicated her career to leading, funding and strengthening organizations committed to progressive social and spiritual change. Today, at the helm of the Network for Grateful Living, she is helping awaken thousands of people around the world to the life-changing practice of gratefulness. Co-founded by Benedictine monk, teacher and author David Steindl-Rast, the network offers educational programs and practices that inspire and guide a commitment to grateful living, and spark the transformative power of personal and societal responsibility.

Earlier in her career, Nelson founded a values-based fundraising, consulting, training and leadership coaching company, working with groups such as the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Buddhist Peace Fellowship and the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. She also served in director-level positions for the Soul of Money Institute, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society.

Nelson lives in Western Massachusetts with her family, grateful to be surrounded by the wonders of the natural world and connected to a vibrant, loving and grateful global community.

Why is it helpful to differentiate between gratefulness, gratitude and thanksgiving?

48

Gratefulness is a proactive orientation to life that originates inside.

You wake with a sense of thankful awareness for the gift of another day, of all the miraculous things your body did overnight to keep you alive and healthy and an all-encompassing sense of the great fullness of life.

Gratitude is more of a response to something going well; anything from receiving the perfect present to five green lights on the way home to beautiful weather. It can become an addictive pursuit to try to get life to deliver something positive again and again, whereas gratefulness emanates from a more unconditional core.

Thanksgiving bubbles up when we’re so filled with a sense of gratefulness—that great fullness—that we overflow into finding ways to express thanks aloud and in actions, such as delivering praise or being of service.

In what way is happiness related to gratefulness?

The truth is that it’s not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. We can have all the things that should make us happy, and that we wish would make us happy, but unless we feel grateful for what we have, it’s likely nothing will truly make us happy. Happiness can be susceptible to outside circumstance, whereas gratefulness is an orientation we can more consistently maintain.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

How do we cultivate gratefulness as a way of being, rather than an intermittent feeling?

It’s a three-step process: stop, look and go.

First, we pause to be present; slow down enough to notice all the things for which we can be grateful.

Second, we enlarge our perspective to take nothing for granted and acknowledge that life is short and uncertain, so we are grateful each day we wake up. This step is also about being aware of our privileges, starting with our ability to see, hear, move about and function. It keeps us aware, awake and alert.

Consider how we feel when electricity returns after an outage or when we can use our hand or foot after a cast comes off. Within minutes, we can forget how appreciative we were for those things, so we need to build reminders into our lives.

Third, we generate possibilities. Find ways to express appreciation or nurture something we care about by engaging in an actively grateful way. Even when we suffer hardship, shifting our awareness to notice whatever is sufficient, abundant and beautiful enables us to be grateful.

This creates a ripple effect, bringing more reasons to be grateful. It’s a radical way to live.

Which other qualities of life that people now seek give you hope?

It gives me hope when people seek contentment. Paradoxically, discontent gives me hope too, because when people recognize injustice and social biases, it pushes us to engage; to stand up and take note of what’s not okay and needs to be changed.

Love also gives me hope, especially when individuals seek to love more generously, inclusively and compassionately. It brings me the most hope of all when I see people building bridges and stretching their own capacity to love beyond their comfort zone.

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

inspiration

Holistic Psychiatrist

Resolve the cause naturally!

HAPPINESS CORNER

E

by Terry Chriswell

very November as Thanksgiving rolls around, we’re reminded to be grateful; literally “giving thanks” for all we have. What if we put that mindset into practice every day of the year?

1

Make a choice to focus on aspects of your life that make you feel thankful and appreciative. Is the glass half-empty or halffull? In reality it’s both, but what are you conditioned to look at first? Gratitude requires a perspective shift, and an awareness of the many things, people and circumstances we take for granted.

A gratitude practice fosters heightened awareness and creates a feedback loop known as a “virtuous circle.”

2

Notice how you compare from a place of deficiency. We try to keep up with the Joneses but the competition is all in our heads. When we compare ourselves to others (or someone does it for us, by “shoulding” on us), we feel less powerful, less important, inadequate, unsure about who we are and what we’ve done. You can’t possibly feel gratitude when you are focused on lack. That race is simply unwinnable.

3

Focus on present self and the glass is already half-full. You are valuable; you have important contributions to make to the world; and you are the reason someone has a smile on her face or an extra tip in his pocket. You are special and unique, so have gratitude simply for who you are, as you are, every day. How many ways can you find to be grateful about yourself?

4

An “attitude of gratitude” affects everything. When you focus each day on things, people and situations you appreciate, that positive flow of energy will extend to other areas of your life.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to automatically think in terms of gratitude and appreciation? Instead of feelings of inadequacy and selfdoubt, you will experience your life as full and rich and vibrant, looking forward to even more.

Excerpted from “Moving Toward Happy” by Terry Chriswell, author and co-publisher of Natural Awakenings. She can be reached at Terry@MovingTowardHappy.com

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49

Eating Well Protects Hearing

TABLE

A healthy diet can lower the risk of moderate to severe hearing loss by 30 percent or more, conclude researchers from Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Studying the diets of 33,000 women for 22 years, they found that hearing was better retained among those that ate closer to the Mediterranean Diet—with more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish and virgin olive oil.

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, high in fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy, as well as low in sodium, also was associated with better hearing.

Daxiao Productions/Shutterstock.com

INSPIRED

inspired table briefs

Eating a handful of walnuts daily boosts certain types of healthy gut bacteria that appear to contribute to cardio, metabolic and gastrointestinal health, according to a study of 18 adults by University of Illinois scientists published in the Journal of Nutrition. The researchers found that eating walnuts increased species of healthy gut bacteria, while decreasing species of unhealthy bacteria. Eating walnuts also improved cholesterol levels.

Tim UR/Shutterstock.com

Eating Walnuts Boosts Gut Bacteria

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

In addition to being tasty, autumn’s pumpkin pie may also help prevent cancer. Two studies have confirmed the ability of certain nutrients in pumpkins to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Researchers from the Italian Institute of Food Science found that carotenoid compounds from pumpkins delayed the growth of human colorectal cancer and bone cancer cells by an average of 40 percent. In China, Harbin Medical University researchers found that a polysaccharide compound from pumpkins halted the growth of human liver cancer cells.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

topseller/Shutterstock.com

Pumpkin Compounds Inhibit Cancer Growth

Thanksgiving Desserts Plant-Based Pies for Every Palate

G

by Judith Fertig

ratitude for the bounty in our lives has been a constant in every American Thanksgiving since the Pilgrims’ first celebration at Plymouth Plantation. What has changed is the menu.

Many holiday hosts today wish to be inclusive and respect everyone’s increasingly restrictive dietary needs. A few dishes that offer naturally gluten-free, paleo and plant-based options never go amiss, especially when we’re talking pie.

It’s easy to make a plant-based pie— think pumpkin, sweet potato and chocolate. As a bonus, many vegan pies can be made ahead and actually taste better the next day.

small sugar or pie pumpkins or sweet potatoes can be baked in the oven and puréed in the food processor days ahead of time. Or, make the purées weeks ahead and freeze them, ready to thaw for a recipe.

Award-winning cookbook author Deborah Madison, author of Seasonal Fruit Desserts: From Orchard, Farm, and Market, in Galisteo, New Mexico, preheats her oven to 375° F. “Cut the squash in half, the pumpkins into quarters, scrape out the seeds and brush the cut surfaces with a vegetable oil such as sunflower or safflower,” she suggests.

“Place the squash or pumpkins cutside-down on a sheet pan. Prick sweet potatoes all over with a fork. Bake the vegetables until tender, about 40 minutes,” says Madison. When baked, scoop out the flesh, discard the rinds or skin and purée the flesh in a food processor. About two cups of purée equals a 15-ounce can of pumpkin, sweet potato or butternut squash. Pies made with fresh purées will have a lighter color and flavor.

Madison says she prefers natural sweeteners. “Honey and maple syrup are so dynamic—they’re more like foods in their own right than just sweeteners.” Maple and date sugars give pies a deep, caramelized flavor.

Always taste test during preparation, recommends Alissa Saenz, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, who blogs at ConnoisseurusVeg.com. She loves a big dose of chai spices and little dose of sweetener in her Vegan Chai-Spiced Sweet Potato Pie. But pie is personal. “I recommend tasting your batter to decide if you’d prefer a little more or less of each,” she says.

Finishing Touches

An ethereal cloud of coconut whipped cream can taste just as delicious as the dairy version, says vegan baker and cookbook author Fran Costigan, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She refrigerates a 14-ounce can of unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk for at least 24 hours. After opening it, she spoons out only the solid coconut cream into a chilled bowl, saving the remaining liquid coconut milk for another use. She whips the coconut cream with an electric mixer until fluffy, adding a natural sweetener and vanilla extract if desired. It all makes for a perfectly healthy plant pie.

Judith Fertig writes award-winning cookbooks plus foodie fiction from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible.

The Crust

A mellow nut crust might be the best way to go; pecans or almonds, sweetened with dates, crumbled in the food processor and pressed into a pie pan. It’s deliciously easy and can be made the day before, always a plus at holiday time. Gluten-free vanilla, chocolate or gingersnap cookie crumbs, mixed with a little coconut oil pressed into the pan, can serve as an alternative to nuts.

The Filling

The freshest filling makes the freshest-tasting pie. Winter vegetables such as squash,

ajg/Shutterstock.com

Lili Blankenhship/Shutterstock.com

conscious eating

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November 2018

51

1 tsp vanilla extract ½ Tbsp pumpkin pie spice ½ tsp sea salt ⅔ cup Medjool dates, pitted Preheat the oven to 350° F. Add all ingredients, except for the starch and dates, into a large pot. Stir well and bring to a simmer.

photo by Stephen Blancett

Our Pick of Plant Pie Recipes

While the pumpkin mixture is heating, prepare a “slurry” by adding two to three tablespoons of water to the starch in a small bowl. Gently mix together until a thick liquid has formed; avoid clumps.

This pie filling is robust with spices and not too sweet. Add less spice and more maple syrup to taste.

Yields: Filling for one nine-inch vegan pecan-date pie crust 2 large sweet potatoes ¾ cup coconut milk 3 Tbsp maple syrup 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 Tbsp arrowroot or tapioca starch 2 Tbsp ground cinnamon 1 Tbsp ground ginger 1 tsp ground cardamom ½ tsp ground nutmeg ¼ tsp ground cloves ½ tsp sea salt Preheat the oven to 400° F. Poke a few holes in each sweet potato using a sharp knife.

Place the sweet potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake until very soft, about 45 minutes. Or microwave them for about eight minutes, checking every minute or so after the first five minutes.

Remove from oven and slice the sweet potatoes open to allow the steam to escape.

Let them sit a few minutes to cool.

Lower the oven temperature to 375° F. 52

When the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, scoop out the insides and place them into a food processor bowl. Add the coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves and salt.

Process the filling until smooth, stopping to scrape the bowl as needed. Pour the batter into a prepared pie crust and smooth out the top with a rubber scraper.

Bake about 40 minutes or until it sets.

Remove the pie from oven and allow it to cool completely before slicing.

Top with whipped coconut cream, if desired.

Add the slurry to the simmering pumpkin mixture and cook over medium heat for five to six minutes, stirring continuously.

Transfer this mixture to a blender or food processor, add in the pitted (unsoaked) Medjool dates and blend until smooth.

Pour the filling into a prepared crust, then bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

Let cool completely before slicing and serving.

Adapted recipe courtesy of Caitlin Shoemaker, of Miami, FL; FromMyBowl.com/ pecan-pumpkin-custard-pie.

Adapted recipe courtesy of Alissa Saenz, of Phoenixville, PA; Connoisseurus Veg.com/vegan-chai-spiced-sweet-potato-pie.

Pecan Pumpkin Custard Pie With no flour, this pie has a softer, more velvety texture. For a thicker filling, simply refrigerate before serving.

Yields: Filling for one nine-inch vegan pecan-date pie crust 1 (15-oz) can pumpkin purée 1½ cups unsweetened plant milk such as soy or coconut for the creamiest texture ¼ cup arrowroot or tapioca starch

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

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photo by Stephen Blancett

Vegan Chai-Spiced Sweet Potato Pie

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calendar of events

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Tru Elements Essence and Sound Meditation – 6:30-8pm. With John Odlum and David Ascenza.

Guided meditation which combines pure medicinal essential oils and musical bliss. $25. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-2634868. MorganL@NewMorn.com. NewMorn.com.

Holiday DIY with PRANAROM Essential Oils – 4:30-6pm. Discover recipes for DIY personal care and household products just in time for holidays.

Free - registration requested. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-263-4868.

MorganL@NewMorn.com. NewMorn.com.

Holiday Indulgence Night – 6-8pm. Desserts will be offered as well as organic wine. Kick off the holiday season with your community bring your friends and family and indulge. Free. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-2634868. MorganL@NewMorn.com. NewMorn.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8

All Calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication and adhere to our guidelines. Calendar submissions must be entered online at eNaturalAwakenings.com: click on “submit calendar” at the very top of the page.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1 7 Foundations: Tools for Transformation with Karen Pierce – 7:30-9:30pm. With Karen Pierce.

Tools for Transformation is about freeing energy; strengthening your aura; awakening your luminous body; and bringing a deeper sense of balance, healing and ease into your world. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642. Info@ Yogaspace-CT.com. Yogaspace-CT.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Reiki Level 1 Workshop – 10am-5:30pm. With Gigi Benanti. Learn Western style from an experienced Reiki Master (21 years). Includes latest info.

Learn how to use Reiki for self-healing and healing for others. 2 manuals and certificate. $125. Angelic Healing Center for Reiki, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk.

203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGigiB@snet.net.

AngelHealReiki.com.

markyourcalendar ALBERTSON MEMORIAL CHURCH NOVEMBER UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, November 3 and December 1 Spiritual/Psychic Fair • 11am-4pm • $35+

Sunday, November 4 Remember Who You Are – Myra Astorga 1-3pm • $30; $40/non-members Thursday, November 8 and December 13 White Light Healing Night Service • 7-8pm Sunday, November 11 Healing Negative Emotions 1-3pm • $25; $35/non-members Thursday, November 29 Lisa Williams – Mediumship Dem 7-9pm • $50 ($55 at Door) VIP Tickets $100 (limited number) Saturday, December 15 Thomas John - Mediumship Dem 7-9pm • $50 ($55 at Door) VIP Tickets $100 (limited number)

ONGOING EVENTS:

Sundays Service • 11am-12:30pm Bereavement Group for Parents • 1-2pm Tuesdays • Spiritual Philosophy & Development Circle • 7-9pm • Suggested donation $10 Wednesdays • 7-9pm and First Saturdays • 2-4p Beginner Psychic & Mediumship Class • $20 Cancelled events will be posted on our website Albertson Memorial Church 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich 203-637-4615 • Info@AlbertsonChurch.org AlbertsonChurch.org 54

Reiki 1st Degree Workshop – 9:30am-5:30pm.

With Gigi Benanti. Learn Western style from an experienced Reiki Master (21 years). Includes latest info. Learn how to use Reiki for self-healing and healing for others. 2 manuals and certificate. $125.

Angelic Healing Center for Reiki, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGigiB@ snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com.

Mushroom Hunting – 10am–3pm. Class begins with a slide show covering the basics of mushroom science and safety. Includes guided mushroom hunting in the woods and cooking demonstration. $35. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-263-4868. MorganL@ NewMorn.com. NewMorn.com.

CPR Certification – 1:30-3:30pm. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a lifesaving technique.

It aims to keep blood and oxygen flowing through the body when a person’s heartbeat and breathing have stopped. Class is for anyone new to CPR or those who need to renew their certification. $39. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642.

Info@YogaSpace-CT.com. YogaSpace-CT.com.

Gail Covney – 3pm. Oneness Meditation. Free.

Byram Shubert Library, 21 Mead Ave, Greenwich.

203-618-8987. Gac0421@optonline.net.

The Beat Goes Om: All You Need is Love (and Yoga) – 6:30-7:45pm. With Amanda. 75-minute flow set to the timeless music of the Beatles.

Deep Yin-style stretches to revitalize the body and clear the mind. All levels welcome. $20. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642.

Info@YogaSpace-CT.com. YogaSpace-CT.com.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4 New Age and Craft Expo – 10am-5pm. Intuitive readings and healings, handcrafted jewelry, soaps, pottery, and two rooms of speakers and guided meditations. Join the Spirit Circle with Angelina Diana after the Expo. Limited seating. Email: AngelinaDiana.com. $5/with coupon. Wyndham Southbury, 1284 Strongtown Rd, Southbury. 203733-6560. CryOurs87@yahoo.com. Facebook.com/ New-Age-Craft-Expo-724103394360582.

Holy Fire Reiki 2 Class – 10:30am-5:30pm. With Gail Christie, Usui/Holy Fire II Reiki Master Teacher. Learn to send distance healing, as well as learning how to use the Level 2 symbols for giving Reiki to yourself and others. Prerequisite: Reiki 1. $275. Joyful Living Reiki, 55 Three Lakes Dr, Stamford. 203-979-0918. GailChristie.Reiki@ gmail.com. JoyfulLivingReiki.com.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

Holy Fire Reiki Circle – 7-9pm. With Gail Christie, Usui/Holy Fire II Reiki Master. Evening of meditation, fellowship, tea and shared Reiki healing. All welcome. RSVP required one or more days before. $20. Joyful Living Reiki, 55 Three Lakes Dr, Stamford. 203-979-0918. GailChristie.Reiki@gmail.com.

JoyfulLivingReiki.com.

7 Foundations: Tools for Transformation – 7:309:30pm. With Karen Pierce. Tools for Transformation is about freeing energy, strengthening your aura, awakening your luminous body and bringing a deeper sense of balance, healing and ease into your world. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642. Info@Yogaspace-CT.com.

Yogaspace-CT.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Holiday Entertaining With Cheese and Wine – 6-7pm. With Lisa Cipriano and Jeanne Johnson from New Morning’s cheese department will share their favorite cheese and wine pairings. The class includes samples. $5. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-263-4868.

MorganL@NewMorn.com. NewMorn.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Children’s Story Time – 10:30-11am. Author Trisha Malfitano and her pup Kiefer will read My Dog Kiefer. Parents, grandparents, and/or caregivers are asked to accompany children during the story time. Free - registration requested. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-2634868. MorganL@NewMorn.com. NewMorn.com.

markyourcalendar WALKING IN THE WORLDS SHAMANIC JOURNEY Weekend Intensive Workshop with Jessica Hunter Saturday, November 17 • 9am-5pm Sunday, November 18 • 9am-3pm Workshop fee includes lunch for both days with vegetarian and gluten free options.

The Crystal Cavern • 139 West Main St Bayshore, Long Island, NY 11706 $375 with pre-registration by Nov 10 15 spaces maximum. Register with Nicole at The Crystal Cavern, 631-460-5009.

Visit HunterHealingHands.com for full class description and more info.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Reiki 2 Class – 10am-4pm. Come finish getting attuned and complete your Reiki practice by taking this Reiki II class. If you have taken a Reiki I class in the past from either myself or another Reiki master, then please consider finishing your education here with us. $250. The Jiiva Center, 2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford. 203-345-7747. Support@JiivaCenter.com.

JiivaCenter.com.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Holy Fire Reiki Share – 10am-noon. With Gail Christie, Usui/Holy Fire II Reiki Master. Enjoy a restorative morning of meditation, fellowship and shared Reiki healing. All are welcome. RSVP required. $20. Joyful Living Reiki, 55 Three Lakes Dr, Stamford. 203-979-0918. GailChristie.Reiki@ gmail.com. JoyfulLivingReiki.com.

Mobile Knife Sharpening – 10am-3pm. Bring your kitchen blades to be sharpened on site. The price is $1.25/inch of blade. Bring items wrapped in a dishtowel and secured with a rubber band. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-2634868. MorganL@NewMorn.com. NewMorn.com.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Herbal Cocktails & Cordials – 6:30-8:30pm. Learn to incorporate healing herbs into pleasurable libations. Learning herbs and essences to heal your mind, body and soul through delicious and tasty remedies. $25; $30/at the door. Twin Star Community Apothecary, 57 Bank St, New Milford. 860-350-0077.

BekahTwinstar@gmail.com. TwinstarTribe.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17 CT Vendor Variety Show – 10am-4pm. Featuring CT handmade and vintage vendors from across the state. Offering vintage fashion, handmade jewelry and arts, food trucks, water infusion bar, natural skincare, plants, household decor, and more. Free.

The Conti Building, 415 Howe Ave, Shelton. 203980-5285. MYLCollective@gmail.com.

The Healing Chamber – 2-4pm. This is a complete training in how to use the Healing Chamber protocol for the resolution of physical and emotional problems and life challenges. The Healing Chamber is a higher dimensional construct, so no equipment is required. $30; $35/day of event. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642.

Info@Yogaspace-CT.com. Yogaspace-CT.com.

Holy Fire Reiki Share – 2:30-4:30pm. With Gail Christie, Usui/Holy Fire II Reiki Master. Enjoy

markyourcalendar AWAKEN WELLNESS FAIR …Awaken to Your Best Self…

Sunday, November 18 • 10am to 5pm It’s all about body, mind and spirit!

Speakers, Healers, Vendors & Readers 120+ exhibitors, 1000 guests!

Exhibitor spots available Double Tree Hotel, Tarrytown NY 10591 AwakenFair.com Free admission with this CT notice

a restorative afternoon of meditation, fellowship and shared Reiki healing. Release stress, regain a sense of peace and joy, and return to your daily life refreshed. All are welcome. $20. Joyful Living Reiki, 55 Three Lakes Dr, Stamford. 203-979-0918.

GailChristie.Reiki@gmail.com. JoyfulLivingReiki.com.

Comedy: Growing Up MacDougal – 7pm. Nancy Witter’s newest show Growing Up MacDougal...

Happy, Hopeful and Hung-Over! is about growing up in the 60’s and 70’s with imperfect, loving parents and finding her way in the maze as one of seven, and then one of 16 kids. $20. Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, 2nd Flr, Norwalk.

203-855-7922. Office@UnityCenterNorwalk.org.

UnityCenterNorwalk.org.

Dramedgy – 7:30pm. This is a fundraiser performance for LOVE146, a global anti-child trafficking group. The performance chronicles the life of a young girl and all her struggles to become free. $20-$50. University of Bridgeport, Littlefield Theatre, 85 Iranistan Ave, Bridgeport. 475-206-9073.

Mastromonaco58@gmail.com. Eventbrite.com/e/ the-dramedgy-tickets-49747657583.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23 Community Yoga Class – 10:30-11:45am.

Kundalini Yoga class to help balance our glandular system, a meditation for gratitude, and the gong will be played. $10, plus a food donation for the Comida Food Pantry. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury, 24 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury. 203788-2606. CassettaWoman@hotmail.com.

Full Moon Spirit Circle – 6-8pm. We will celebrate the Full Moon and use its powerful energy for personal growth and spiritual development, focusing on intuition and the heart’s knowing. $15. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-2634868. MorganL@NewMorn.com. NewMorn.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Reiki Second Degree workshop – 10am-5:30pm.

With Gigi Benanti, Reiki Master/Teacher (21 years).

Learn to send distance Reiki healing, deepen use of Reiki for others and yourself. Two powerful energy connections from my short Japanese/Usa Lineage.

Two manuals and certificate. $215. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150.

AngelHealReikiGigiB@snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com.

Singer/Songwriter Series – 7-9pm. Evening of music featuring local singer songwriters performing original music. Snacks will be available for purchase and donations for the performance are graciously accepted. Contact Doug at 203-266-6688. Free. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury.

MorganL@NewMorn.com. NewMorn.com.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26 Angels and Crystals – 7-9:30pm. Join your love of both angels and crystals. Take a deeper look at one Archangel and a crystal associated with that Archangel. Hands-on as well as informative. $25.

Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St, Unit 121, Monroe. 203-556-7777. MuktinathHC@gmail.com.

MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Plant Partner: BORAGE – 6:30-8pm. We will discuss botany, parts used, actions, energies, traditional uses, essences, remedies and more. $25.

Twin Star Community Apothecary, 57 Bank St, New Milford. 860-350-0077. BekahTwinstar@gmail. com. TwinstarTribe.com.

markyourcalendar NEW AGE & CRAFTS EXPO

Sunday, November 4 • 10am-5pm Come Experience a Day of Spiritual & Creative Enlightenment 2 Rooms of Dynamic Speakers & Guided Meditations Tarot & Intuitive Readings, Spiritual Art, Handcrafted Jewelry, Health & Wellness, Aura Photos, Crystals, Candles, Soaps, Dolls, and much more!

Wyndham Southbury 1284 Strongtown Rd, Southbury For more info email: Cryours87@yahoo.com or call: 203-733-6560 ANGELINA DIANA: AN EVENING WITH SPIRIT Spiritual Psychic Medium & New Age & Craft Expo Reading Event at 5:15pm.

To purchase tickets visit: AngelinaDiana.com $6 Admission • $1 off with this coupon

markyourcalendar The Institute for Holistic Health Studies at Western Connecticut State University presents:

SOUL SURFING THOUGH OUR PAST LIVES: Hypnosis and Past Life Regression for Healing with Saundra Cindy Blum, MS Monday, November 5 • 7:30pm Blum, a certified Hypnotherapist, Past Life Regression Therapist, Reiki practitioner, and international lecturer, will share stories from her book, Footsteps through the Sands of Time— Past Life Dramas, Present Life Lessons. A book signing will follow.

Ives Concert Hall on the WCSU Midtown campus 181 White St, Danbury Tickets: $20, WCSU students free with current ID Purchase tickets through WCSU box office online at WCSU.edu/tickets or via telephone at 203-837-TIXX Proceeds benefit the Institute for Holistic Health Studies For more info: AutuoriC@wcsu.edu or call 203-837-8559 November 2018

55

ongoing events

markyourcalendar TIBETAN SAND MANDALA & EMPOWERMENT AT VALLEY SPIRIT WELLNESS CENTER Tuesday, November 6 - Saturday, November 10 Join Valley Spirit Wellness Center in welcoming a special delegation of Tibetan Yujngdrung Bön Buddhist monks. They are coming to create a sacred sand mandala, perform empowerment ceremony and lead meditation for those interested to heal and increase their lifespan, restore vitality and increase good luck and prosperity.

November 6, 7, 8: morning meditation and sand mandala creation is free November 9: $50 donation for Empowerment ceremony November 10: $25 donation for Closing ceremony Valley Spirit Wellness Center 6 Green Hill Rd Washington Depot Call 860-619-2788, email Info@ValleySpiritCoop.com or visit ValleySpiritWellness.com for detailed schedule of events and to register

calendar of events FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30 Reiki Second Degree – 10am-5:30pm. With Gigi Benanti, Reiki Master/Teacher (21 years). Learn to send distance Reiki healing, deepen use of Reiki for others and yourself. Two powerful energy connections from my short Japanese/Usa Linage. Two manuals and certificate. $215. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150.

AngelHealReikiGigiB@snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 Boost Your Immune System with Yoga – 2-4pm.

With Marlene Tendler, yoga instructor. Practice a combination of passive restorative poses that quiet the sympathetic nervous system and active restorative poses that energize and refresh the circulatory, lymphatic and endocrine systems. $40/pre-registered; $50/day of event. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642. Info@ Yogaspace-CT.com. Yogaspace-CT.com.

The 6th Annual Tisch Memorial Concert – 7:30pm. The Schubert Club of Fairfield County presents the 6th Annual Wendy Tisch Memorial Concert. This year we will be welcoming our guest Pianist, the incredible George Li to honor the memory of the late talented pianist, Wendy Tisch. $35. The Greenwich Library’s Cole Auditorium, 101 W Putnam Ave, Greenwich. Tickets: BrownPaperTickets.com. WenGros7@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5

markyourcalendar A YEAR OF HEALING with Dr. Eilis Philpott Soul Healing Journey, LLC

Herbal Gift Making – 6:30-8:30pm. We will learn how and make several handmade herbal gifts featuring bath bombs and receive bonus ideas and instructions for even more herbal and natural gifts. $25. Twin Star Community Apothecary, 57 Bank St, New Milford. 860-350-0077. BekahTwinstar@ gmail.com. TwinstarTribe.com.

The 2019 dates are: January 11-13 • February 8-10 • March 8-10 April 12-14 • May 3-5 • June 7- 9 • July 12-14 August 9-11 • September 13-15 October 11-13 • November 8-10 December 13-15 Meet one weekend a month for 12 months and receive what I have learned from trainings, life and guidance in a way that integrates the various modalities.

Some people

Payment plans available.

are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.

Be prepared to commit to one full year of healing.

~Alphonse Karr

By the end of this 12-month training you will have catapulted your personal, professional and spiritual journey into the stratosphere.

Investment: $350 monthly billing or $4200 for year to pay in full

Registration required • 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com/A-Year-Of-Healing 56

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

sunday Tal Fusion: Sunday Sweat – 9:15-10am. With Tal Fagin. Get your heart pumping and blood flowing with this eclectic, spirited, high energy class. Class is 50 minutes in length, so get ready to get in high gear. $18/class; $16/senior. Valley Spirit Cooperative & Wellness Center, 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot. 860-619-2788. Info@ValleySpiritCoop.com.

ValleySpiritCoop.com.

Gentle Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation – 9:3010:45am. Relax, release and flow into wellness in beginner/level 1 yoga classes with work on mindfulness practices, breathing techniques, alignment, flexibility and strength. Modifications suggested and props used when needed. $5/donation per class. Hindu Cultural Center of CT (HCC), 96 Chapel St, Stratford. 203-521-0359. HCC.Yoga.

Wendy@gmail.com. HCCYoga.org.

Satsang Meditation – 9:30-11am. Satsangs are wonderful spiritual and community gatherings of like-minded people. Satsangs with Shanti Mission Healers are filled with music, mantra, meditation, spiritual instruction/discourse and spiritual blessings to help you reset, recharge and get ready for the week ahead. By donation. Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St, Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@ gmail.com. MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.

New Beginnings in Community Sunday Service – 10am. Join this group of spiritually-minded people embracing and honoring all world religions, belief systems, cultures and traditions. Come together to share thoughts, experiences and wisdom in a supportive environment. Free. Mystics By The Sea, 394 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-980-6272.

NewBeginningsInCommunity.Weebly.com.

Family Meditation Program – 10-11:30am.

Second and fourth Sunday. Ages 4-13. While the adults are meditating in the main building, young people can connect with others in their age-group, learn about mindfulness, compassion toward self and others. 203-244-3130. MMKeeler@gmail.com.

ReddingMeditation.org.

Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 10-11:30am.

Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life, and discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org.

ReddingMeditation.org.

Celebration Service – 10:30am-noon. With Rev. Shawn Moninger. Inspiring message supports your spiritual unfoldment with thought provoking, soul -healing topics and uplifting music. By donation.

Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, 2nd Fl, Norwalk.

203-855-7922. Office@UnityCenterNorwalk.org.

UnityCenterNorwalk.org.

Sunday Morning Meditation – 11-11:45am.

Experience stillness and peace, establish a regular practice, reduce stress and tension, and enhance health and well-being. Meditation class for beginners and experienced meditators. $5/donation per class. Hindu Cultural Center of CT (HCC), 96 Chapel St, Stratford. 203-521-0359. HCC.Yoga.

Wendy@gmail.com. HCCYoga.org.

Sunday Albertson Memorial Church Service – 11am-12:30pm. Join us for inspirational sermons, meditation, energy healing and messages from Spirit. By donation. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 203-637-4615. Info@AlbertsonChurch.org.

AlbertsonChurch.org.

Monthly Mystical Market – 11am-4pm. Third Sunday. Psychics, mediums, intuitives, CT artisans, vendors and holistic practitioners. Free admission, vendors prices vary. The Ruby Tree, 670 Main St S, Woodbury. 203-586-1655. Christina@ TheRubyTreeCT.com. TheRubyTreeCT.com.

Ignite your Spirit Healing Clinic – 11:45am-2pm.

Second Sunday. Muktinath healing clinics are a great way to try out or receive ongoing assistance with anything life throws your way. Must register in advance. $20/suggested contribution. Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St, Monroe. 203-5185808. MuktinathHC@gmail.com. Muktinath HolisticCenter.com.

Reiki Healing Clinic – 11:45am -2pm. First Sunday. Experience the beneficial effects of relaxation and feeling of peace from Reiki healing. Reiki strengthens and balances the body, mind and spirit.

Must register in advance. $20/suggested contribution. Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St, Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@gmail.com.

MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.

Lorrie D. Therapeutic Massage, Pain Relief and Relaxation – Noon-5pm. With Lorrie D. Lori specializes in therapeutic massage, pain relief and relaxation. Advanced appointments are recommended, walk-ins are always welcome. $75. Black Cat Mystical Shoppe, 143 Bennett St, Bridgeport.

203-941-9408. BlackCat@aol.com.

Hip Hop Yoga – 1-2pm. Class combines mindfulness and hip hop. The class is designed for teens, using music they love by Drake, Post Malone and Rihanna. Students are encouraged to bring their own music. $60/six-week series; $12/single class drop-in. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-263-4868. NewMorn.com.

Karma Community Yoga – 5:30-6:30pm. Fourth Sunday. Our monthly donation-based class. Bring a non-perishable food donation, and enjoy an hour for your mind, body and spirit. The Ruby Tree, Sherman Village, 670 Main St S, Woodbury.

203-586-1655. Christina@TheRubyTreeCT.com.

TheRubyTreeCT.com.

markyourcalendar EXPLORING YOUR WAY OF BEING Friday, January 11 – Sunday, January 13 6:30pm-11:30am Begin 2019 by nourishing your emotional self in this personal development weekend. Our deeply caring listening community welcomes you to the Farmhouse on Litchfield, CT’s Wisdom House campus. Many options are offered throughout 5 sessions. $195.

Visit IntegralSchoolhouse.net for details and registration.

The Five Principles Classs – 7-9pm. Delve into The 5 Principles of Unity. Learn what these Laws are and how they affect our daily lives, whether we know them or believe in them or not. Take this step toward living a more empowered life by using what is available now. $20/suggested donation. Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, 2nd Fl, Norwalk.

203-855-7922. Office@UnityCenterNorwalk.org.

UnityCenterNorwalk.org.

monday Releasing The Heart Qigong – 9:15-10:15am.

Monday and Friday. Practicing Releasing the Heart has the power to bring about peace by removing distinctions between people, and reducing conflicts and quarrels. It is a uniquely carefree and vigorous form. $25. Barefoot Living Arts, 85 Mill Plain Rd, Bldg V, Fairfield. BarefootLivingArts.org.

Gentle Yoga for those 50+ – 9:30-10:45am. Created for people over 50 who need a gentle approach to learning yoga, these classes include yogic breathing, relaxation and restorative rejuvenating postures. $10/class. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-263-4868. MorganL@NewMorn. com. NewMorn.com.

Yoga All Levels – 10-11am. With Caroline. Class given according to whatever level of student happens to show up. All levels welcome. The class is hatha flow based with elements of relaxation, meditation, breath work, strength and flow. $18/ class; $16/senior. Valley Spirit Cooperative & Wellness Center, 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot. 860-619-2788. Info@ValleySpiritCoop.com.

ValleySpiritCoop.com.

Ayurveda and Wellness – 6-9pm. Ayurveda counseling and therapies. $150. Pryority Wellness, 46 Groove St, New Canaan. 203-857-4123. JMDaptardar@hotmail.com. AyurBeautyAndLifestyle.com.

Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 7-8:30pm.

Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness, simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life, and discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org.

ReddingMeditation.org.

Reiki Share – 7:30-9:30pm. Fourth Monday. With JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT. Practice Reiki in a small group setting. Share experiences and help each other develop in a safe, fun environment while providing a wonderful, relaxing, rejuvenating experience. $20. Registration required. Turning Point Healing Arts and Education Center, 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield. 203-438-3050. TurningPointReiki.com.

tuesday Slow Yoga – 10-11am. With Lella Ilyinsky. Class is set to a slower pace, and may include elements of restorative yoga, yin yoga and foundational flow sequences, depending on the needs of the class. Beginners welcome. $18/class; $16/senior. Valley Spirit Cooperative & Wellness Center, 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot. 860-619-2788. Info@ ValleySpiritCoop.com. ValleySpiritCoop.com.

Knit 2 Gather Knitting Club – 12:30-1:30pm.

We’re crafting wearable items for Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury and welcome all levels to join.

Instructors on-hand for beginners. Yarn, needles

and refreshments are also provided. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-2634868. MorganL@NewMorn.com. NewMorn.com.

Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 12:30-2pm.

Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness, simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life, and discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org.

ReddingMeditation.org.

Basic Acting Techniques for Teens – 5:30-6:30pm.

Six-week session culminating with a monologue performance for invited guests. The series will include Monologues, Acting for Commercials, Headshots, Getting an Agent. Class size limited to 10. $150/six-week series. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. NewMorn.com.

Monthly Information Sessions at The Graduate Institute – 6:30-7:30pm. Join us for an info session every 2nd Tuesday of the month at The Graduate Institute. Please contact us to let us know that you’ll be attending. The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. 203-874-4252.

Make Your Own Reality TV Show – 6:45-8pm.

Students will learn how to make a Sizzle Reel, a 3-minute mini-movie that introduces their show.

They will learn how to come up with a concept, cast, write a shot list, choose music and direct. $220/ six-week series. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-263-4868. NewMorn.com.

Reiki Share – 7-8:30pm. First Tuesday of the month. With June and Tracy. Come join our circle of practitioners for sharing and caring and healing. All levels of practitioners are welcome. Please RSVP. $20/drop-in. Kindred Spirits, 197 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-938-3690.

Reiki Share – 7-9pm. Second Tuesday. Practice and enhance your Reiki healing and grow your intuition. All will receive healing time and practice time. You must have completed at minimum Reiki Level I in order to fully participate. $15/suggested contribution. Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St, Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@gmail. com. MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.

Spiritual Philosophy & Self Unfoldment – 7-9pm.

Through a process of structured meditations on potent spiritual phrases, students will be exposed to the internal spiritual development of Jacob’s Ladder. $10/suggested donation. Albertson Memorial Church, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich.

Info@AlbertsonChurch.org. AlbertsonChurch.org.

Reiki Healing Shares – 7:30-9:30pm. First and third Tuesdays. With Gigi Benanti, Usui Reiki Master/ Teacher. For Reiki practitioners only. Includes short instruction and discussion. Must RSVP. $20.

Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk.

203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGigiB@snet.net.

AngelHealReiki.com.

wednesday Mat Pilates – 9-10am. With Suzette Caldwell. Classic mat Pilates work out, vigorous class but open to all levels. You set the challenge bar for your workout. $18/class; $16/senior. Valley Spirit Cooperative & Wellness Center, 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot. 860-619-2788. Info@ValleySpiritCoop. com. ValleySpiritCoop.com.

November 2018

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ongoing events Midweek Retreat – 3-4:30pm. With Dr. Tanvi Gandhi. This sacred time will consist of intention setting with a small tea ceremony, followed by breath work, and a combination of acupuncture and meditation.

You will leave with insight on your experience and a self-care tip for the week. $30/drop-in; $150/series.

Barefoot Living Arts, 85 Mill Plain Rd, Bldg V, Fairfield. BarefootLivingArts.org.

Tai Chi Classes – 6:30-7:30pm. With June Fagan, Tai Chi Instructor. A slow movement meditation for all levels of fitness. Known to reduce stress, increase focus and balance and improve self and well-being. $25/drop-in; $85/1 class per week; $150/unlimited classes month. Kindred Spirits, 1197 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield. 203-938-3690.

Gentle Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation – 6:45-8pm.

Relax, release and flow into wellness in beginner/ level 1 yoga classes with work on mindfulness practices, breathing techniques, alignment, flexibility and strength. Modifications suggested and props used when needed. $5/donation per class.

Hindu Cultural Center of CT (HCC), 96 Chapel St, Stratford. 203-521-0359. HCC.Yoga.Wendy@ gmail.com. HCCYoga.org.

A Course In Miracles – 7-8pm. A Course in Miracles was born out of a commitment between two people to find a better way to live in this world; a study group grows out of a commitment to be an unconditional, non-judgmental place of sharing, joining and learning, where everyone is welcome. $15/suggested donation. Registration required. Call for address. 203-767-5954. Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com. SoulHealingJourney.com.

Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 7-8:30pm.

Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness. simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life, and discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org.

ReddingMeditation.org.

Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Meditation that often includes chanting, music and requires your active participation. All faiths and cultures are welcomed.

By donation. Muktinath Holistic Center, 731 Main St, Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@gmail.com.

MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.

Heartspeak – 7-8:30pm. First Wednesday. With Cindy Miller and Bruce Zboray. The Art of Amazing Yourself: A GEM (Great Energy Moment) is a 2-minute audio, which will inspire and uplift you.

We will select a few gems each month and discuss it by phone or internet. $8. Contact@Heartspeak. life. Heartspeak.Life.

Holistic Moms Network Fairfield County, CT Chapter – 7:30pm. Second Wednesday. Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care, 156 East Ave, Norwalk. Home.Homewebs.com/ HMNFairfieldCtyCT. Yoga with Curves – 7:30-8:30pm. Your body, your yoga, your way. Yoga is not for a specific body type.

If you can breathe, you can do yoga. In this 4-week series, you will explore mindful movement in a supportive and non-judgmental environment, using props and modifications tailored to your comfort. $60/4-class series. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642. Info@Yogaspace-CT.com.

Yogaspace-CT.com.

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Learn to Love Yourself – 7:30-9:30pm. Second Wednesday. With Ginny Brown and Ellen Kratka. Little-known spiritual truths applied to everyday life. Let go of negative judgment and unconditionally accept yourself. $40. By phone or internet. 203-263-2643. E.Kratka@sbcglobal.net.

Results-BeyondBelief.com.

Turning Point S.H.A.R.E. Divorce Group – 7:30-9:30pm. Third Wednesdays. Offering support, healing, advocacy, resources and education for women in the process of, or recently divorced. $20, $150/10-session card. Registration required. Turning Point Healing Arts and Education Center, 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield. 203-438-3050. TurningPointShare.com.

thursday Kundalini Yoga and Music Meditation – 9:3010:30am. With Leesa Sklover, PhD, C-IAYT, Certified Yoga Therapist, Kundalini Yoga Teacher.

Experience the yoga of awareness weekly to heal your mind and your life. All welcome. Register for first class. $15 per class/monthly discount. Short Beach Union Church, 14 Pentacost St, Branford.

917-860-0488. DrSklover@gmail.com. LoveLifeProductions.net.

Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 9:30-11am. Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness.

Simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life. Discover the benefits of becoming more present. By donation. Redding Center for Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org.

ReddingMeditation.org.

Healing Gong – 10:30-11:30am. Healing Gong, a form of Sheng Zhen, is a restorative medical qigong that blends an ancient tradition with gentle, meditative movements performed seated on a chair.

Healing Gong is an integration of healing traditions, using the power of nature to heal oneself. $25. Barefoot Living Arts, 85 Mill Plain Rd, Bldg V, Fairfield.

BarefootLivingArts.org.

Knit 2 Gather Knitting Club – 4:30-5:30pm.

We’re crafting wearable items for Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury and welcome all levels to join.

Instructors on-hand for beginners. Yarn, needles and refreshments are also provided. New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-2634868. MorganL@NewMorn.com. NewMorn.com.

Gentle Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation – 6:45-8pm.

Relax, release and flow into wellness in beginner/ level 1 yoga classes with work on mindfulness practices, breathing techniques, alignment, flexibility and strength. Modifications suggested and props used when needed. $5/donation per class.

Hindu Cultural Center of CT (HCC), 96 Chapel St, Stratford. 203-521-0359. HCC.Yoga.Wendy@ gmail.com. HCCYoga.org.

Reiki Healing Circle – 7-9pm. First Thursday. All welcome. Share and experience Reiki. Please join us while we enjoy a peaceful, powerful night of healing. Hosted by Gigi Benanti, Reiki Master/Teacher. $20. Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, Norwalk.

203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGigiB@snet.net.

AngelHealReiki.com, UnityCenterNorwalk.org.

Mindful Movie Nights – 7:15-9:30pm. Fourth Thursday.

Inspiring movies, documentaries, Ted Talks, new ideas, conversation and more. $9. Yoga Space, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-809-4409. VeronicaMarr4@gmail.com.

YogaSpace-CT.com/Events.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

friday Releasing The Heart Qigong – 9:15-10:15am.

Monday and Friday. Practicing Releasing the Heart has the power to bring about peace by removing distinctions between people, and reducing conflicts and quarrels. It is a uniquely carefree and vigorous form. $25. Barefoot Living Arts, 85 Mill Plain Rd, Bldg V, Fairfield. BarefootLivingArts.org.

Reiki Share – 9:30-11:30am. First Friday. With JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT. Practice Reiki in a small group setting. Share experiences and help each other develop in a safe, fun environment while providing a wonderful, relaxing, rejuvenating experience. $20.

Registration required. Turning Point Healing Arts and Education Center 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield. 203-438-3050. TurningPointReiki.com.

The Monroe Farmers’ Market – 3-6pm. Shop at a seasonal farmers’ market that offers fresh, Connecticut Grown produce, baked goods, prepared foods, seafood, eggs and more. Free weekly entertainment and activities for children and families.

Free. Monroe Town Green, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe.

203-452-2800. Info@MonroeFarmersMarket.org.

MonroeFarmersMarket.org.

Kids Cooking Club – 3:45-4:45pm. Kids will make allergy-friendly, no-bake snacks that are perfect for a lunch box. Kids will make and eat their creations, and will take home recipes to enjoy later. Suggested age: 5-10-years old. Free, registration requested.

New Morning Market, 129 Main St North, Woodbury. 203-263-4868. NewMorn.com.

Discussion with The Higher Realms – 7-9:30pm.

Last Friday. Bring your heartfelt questions and receive the wisdom of The Ascended Masters and The Divine Feminine specifically for you as channeled by Ginny Brown. $45. Address provided upon registration.

HeartAndHealing@hotmail.com. GinnyBrown.net.

saturday Find Your Edge Yoga – 9-10am. With Pauline Koinis. For yoga practitioners. A chance for yoginis and yogis alike to get a Saturday morning groove on; where laughter, challenge and heart all meet on the mat. $18/class; $16/senior. Valley Spirit Cooperative & Wellness Center, 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot. 860-619-2788. Info@ValleySpiritCoop.com. ValleySpiritCoop.com.

Gentle Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation – 9:3010:45am. Relax, release and flow into wellness in beginner/level 1 yoga classes with work on mindfulness practices, breathing techniques, alignment, flexibility and strength. Modifications suggested and props used when needed. $5/donation per class. Hindu Cultural Center of CT (HCC), 96 Chapel St, Stratford. 203-521-0359. HCC.Yoga.

Wendy@gmail.com. HCCYoga.org.

Mahasati or Insight Meditation – 10-11:30am.

Learn how to live your life more skillfully through the development of self-awareness and mindfulness, simple practice that can be easily incorporated into daily life, and discover the benefits of becoming more present. 203-244-3130. Info@ReddingMeditation.org.

ReddingMeditation.org.

Spondylitis Support Group – 11am-12:30pm.

Last Saturday. Led by Dr. Andrew Cummins, naturopathic physician. Having lived with the chronic inflammatory disease Ankylosing Spondylitis for the last 18 years, Cummins understands what living with chronic pain and limited mobility is all about. Group provides education, empowerment, understanding and support. Free. Shalva Clinic, 8 Lincoln St, 1st Fl, Westport. 203-916-4600.

DrCummins@ShalvaClinic.org. ShalvaClinic.org.

Spiritual, Psychic and Healing Fair – 11am-4pm.

First Saturday. Would you like a second opinion on your life issues, or a personal message from a departed loved one? Are you curious about your purpose in this life, or seeking a bit more direction and focus? Come join us. $35+. Albertson Memorial Church, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 203-637-4615. Info@AlbertsonChurch.org.

AlbertsonChurch.org.

Yoga Advanced Studies 2018 with Karen Pierce – 1:30-3:30pm. First Saturday. Ongoing training for students who want to expand their practice.

Different topic each month. $39/single session; $339/10 sessions. Yogaspace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-9642. Info@YogaSpace-CT.com.

YogasSpace-CT.com/Events.

Monthly Healing Circle – 4-5:30pm. First Sunday.

With Susan Gagliardo, LPN, RM. Whether you are in need of healing or a healer wishing to share your gifts for the highest good of others, this group is for you. Everyone is welcome but you must pre-register.

Free; $10/suggested donation. Acupuncture Works, 132A St, Rte 37, New Fairfield. 845-494-0090. Reiki4Wellness@aol.com. AcupunctureFeelsGood.com.

Open Mic Night – 7-9pm, 3rd Saturday. Bring music printed out in your key and Kenneth Gartman will accompany you at the piano for your moment at the microphone. Comedians, poets, writers and musicians welcomed as well. Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, 2nd Fl, Norwalk. 203-855-7922. Office@ UnityCenterNorwalk.org. UnityCenterNorwalk.org.

classifieds To place a Classified Listing: $1 per word. $25 minimum.

Magazine deadline: 12th of month prior to publication. Email copy to NicoleM@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

HELP WANTED DISTRIBUTORS WANTED for monthly deliveries of Natural Awakenings and other local publications. Perfect for a retired person or stay-at-home mom looking to earn some extra income and connect with their local community. Honesty and dependability are the most important characteristics of our distributors if you don’t have it in spades, please do not apply!

Thomas@ManInMotionLLC.com.

community resource guide 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 FFCAdvertising@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE KURT BEIL, ND, LAC, MPH

72 North St, Ste 100A, Danbury 914-362-8315 DrKurt@earthlink.net HudsonValleyNaturalHealth.com Naturopathic and Chinese medicine for acute and chronic disease, including acupuncture, botanical medicine, cupping, moxa, homeopathy, nutritional and lifestyle counseling, mind-body medicine, ecotherapy and functional lab testing. Helpful for muscle/ joint pain and headaches, autoimmune disease, digestive disorders, mental health, boosting immune function, balancing hormones, tobacco addiction, and stress reduction. See ad, page 10.

INGRI BOE-WIEGAARD, LAC Fairfield, Wilton, Bethel 203-259-1660 CTAcupuncture.com 25-year full-time practice

Ingri’s treatments help alleviate pain, depression, neck and back, anxiety, headaches, stress, allergies, asthma, arthritis, digestive, menstrual, infertility, smoking, and weight-loss issues.

See ad, page 35.

JAMPA STEWART, MSOM, LAC Board Certified Acupuncturist Valley Spirit Wellness 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot 860-619-2788 ValleySpiritCoop.com

Concierge care for those suffering from pain, internal disorders, menstrual issues and menopause, infertility, depression and anxiety, insomnia, addiction, fatigue, tune-ups and more. Facial rejuvenation/ cosmetic acupuncture also offered. See ads, pages 7 and 36.

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 CMYK 1, 99, 1, 0 unique treatment plan to regain and maintain health. Based on one’s particular body constituCMYK tion (dosha), a plan may include 58, 79, 0, 0 supplements, diet/nutrition suggestions, lifestyle management, detoxification, hydrotherapy, 0zone therapy, Panchakarma. See – Bold ad, page 12. Aleo CMYK: 72, 66, 65, 79 P R O X I M A N O VA – S E M I B O L D

BIOFEEDBACK CMYK: 72, 66, 65, 79

ADAM BREINER, ND

The NeuroEdge Brain Performance Center Full Color Division of Whole-Body MedicineOne Color 501 Kings Hwy E, Ste 108, Fairfield 203-371-8258 • TheNeuroEdge.com The NeuroEdge is dedicated to keeping your brain sharp and high-functioning. We treat head injuries and brain traumas—such as concussion and stroke—as well as help athletes, students and businesspeople improve their performance. Learn and view our cutting-edge neurotherapies at TheNeuroEdge.com. See ad, page 2.

ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE, EDD, LPC, BCN, LLC

898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield Offices in Ridgefield and Newtown 203-438-4848 Info@DrRoseann.com • DrRoseann.com Advanced Bio-Regulation (BRT) is a unique approach to health and wellness that uses Biofeedback and PEMF-based Electromagnetic Technology to help the body better self-regulate, adapt and heal naturally. It is used for chronic pain, depression, anxiety, hormonal issues, Lyme, etc. See ad, page 33.

DO YOU LOVE NATURAL AWAKENINGS? Help us spread the word! We’re looking for Community Street Team Members to w o r k with us at upcom ing events all over CT. Please send an email (subject line: COMMUNITY) and resume to NicoleM@ NaturalAwakeningsmag.com.

November 2018

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

Thermography can detect breast disease at its earliest stages and monitor and assess pain in any part of the body.

Safe, painless, non-invasive, FDA registered.

See ad, page 13.

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE LLC

501 Kings Hwy E, Ste 108, Fairfield 203-371-8258 WholeBodyMed.com Breast cancer screening with medical-grade thermography is safe and noninvasive. We are pleased to have ThermaScan, the world’s premier source for the analysis and reporting of medical thermology, available at our health center. Early detection matters. See ad, page 2.

CHINESE MEDICINE ACUBLEND PLLC

Dr. Sian James, DAc, LAc, LMT, RYT Offices in Fairfield County 203-987-6585 AcuBlend.com

COLONICS COLONICS

914-921-LIFE (5433) LifelineHygienics.com Experience and personalized service you can trust.

The finest in colonic irrigation and personal care.

Serving the tri-state area since 1993.

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE LLC

501 Kings Hwy E, Ste 108, Fairfield 203-371-8258 WholeBodyMed.com Good health depends as much upon how well we eliminate wastes from our bodies as it does upon how well we eat. Our physiciansupervised colonics promote relief from a variety of disturbances by gently cleansing the colon and opening our body’s natural detoxification pathways. See ad, page 2.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY/ ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE VINCENT FRASER, CST, CAT, SEP Craniosacral Therapy, Alexander Technique, Somatic Experiencing Greenwich and Norwalk 203-570-2059 Vincent@VincentFraser.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 15.

Vincent offers paths to wholeness which lead to resolving pain and trauma, ease of movement in one’s body and life, and a fuller conscious embodiment.

True Health Family Chiropractic 7365 Main St, Stratford 203-923-8633 TrueHealthCT.com As a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, Dr. Braglia has received advanced training in Pediatric Adjusting and Prenatal Care, including the Webster Technique. We are proud to serve patients from all over Fairfield and New Haven Counties with our unique and gentle approach to health care.

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16 Trowbridge Dr, Bethel 203-505-1743 WorkspaceEducation.org

Workspace Education is a vibrant community of parents, K-12 students, educators and professionals. With an authentic culture and the freedom to design custom educations, Workspace delivers not only on the foundational literacies, but also enables students to pursue their passions.

See ad, page 3.

ENERGY HEALING BETH LEAS

Transformative Healing • Tarot 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com TLCTarot.com If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection. 20 years of intuitive healing experience with adults and children of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 31.

SOUL HEALING JOURNEY, LLC Eilis Philpott 40 Livingston St, Fairfield 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com SoulHealingJourney.com

Eilis is a certified Rebirther having completed Rebirthing and Advanced Rebirthing training. She is a certified Soul Language practitioner and is certified in Akashic Field therapy. She is a Reiki Master in Usui/Raku-kei Reiki and Angelic Reiki. She is an approved teacher for 13th Octave LaHoChi. A transformational healing session supports you in healing all aspects of your life. See ad, page 41.

EDUCATION

CHIROPRACTIC PETER BRAGLIA, DC

WORKSPACE EDUCATION

INSTITUTE FOR HOLISTIC HEALTH STUDIES

Western Connecticut State University Christel Autuori, RDH, RYT, MA, Director 181 White St, Danbury 203-837-8559 WCSU.edu/IHHS The mission of the IHHS is to provide the University and Greater Danbury area with an opportunity to engage in and explore different aspects of holistic and integrative health through programming and instruction. Programs include Wellness Wednesday lunchtime workshops, monthly meditation program, lecture series, health wellness and fitness fair.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

eNaturalAwakenings.com

FREQUENCY SPECIFIC MICROCURRENT SARAH ROTELLA

Enlightenment Center, Integrative Wellness Therapies 100 Danbury Rd, Ste 102, Ridgefield Additional location in Greenwich 203-525-5830 S.Light@mac.com • SenLightenment.com Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) uses a low-level current to reduce inflammation and scar tissue formation, as well as regenerate injured tissue. The frequencies target specific tissues and issues. Anyone who has experienced accidents, traumas, injuries or athletic strains can benefit. See ad, page 8.

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.

HEALING ACID REFLUX HEALING ACID REFLUX NATURALLY Susan Berman, Med, CHHC 860-670-4152 Susan@HealingAcidReflux.com HealingAcidReflux.com

I work with health conscious individuals to help heal their acid reflux or GERD to avoid further damage and prevent esophageal cancer. Find your unique food and lifestyle triggers. I work with groups or 1:1 through a virtual classroom so you can be anywhere to take the program.

HEALING CENTER THE RUBY TREE

Metaphysical Shop and Healing Space Sherman Village, 670 Main St S, Woodbury 203-586-1655 TheRubyTreeCT.com Rocks and crystals, magical objects, singing bowls, herbal candles and more.

Local artisans, an array of holistic practitioners, a monthly Mystical Market fair, regularly scheduled psychics/ mediums/intuitives, yoga, meditation, and workshops galore—all to enhance the health of your mind, body and spirit.

HEALTH COACH MARY GILBERTSON WELLNESS Mary Gilbertson, MS, BSN, CHHC Licensed RN, Nutritionist and Certified Health Coach 500 Purdy Hill Rd, Ste 2, Monroe 203-521-4733 MaryGilbertsonWellness@gmail.com MaryGilbertsonWellness.co

Using the concept of “Food as Medicine” to create your customized nutrition and lifestyle plan for whole living.

Working one-on-one, in groups and in corporations to develop customized healthy lifestyle plans. Works with patients on metabolism and weight loss, detoxification, gut health, cancers, inflammatory conditions and stress management.

HEALTHY EATING CHEF ELIANA GRUBEL, CHC

Licensed and Insured In-home Cooking Services 203-559-8946 • CleanFood4UrType.com As a Board-Certified Health Coach by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and member of the Unites States Personal Chef Association, Eliana’s passion is her clients’ success. She has been serving CT for over 15 years, and is now offering new services including short-term detoxes, meals to freeze, dinner parties, cooking classes, personalized coaching programs and seminars. See ad, page 29.

HOLISTIC DENTIST DAVID L LERNER, DDS, CAC, FIND Yorktown Heights, NY 914-214-9678 • HolisticDentist.com

We offer a unique approach to the health care of the mouth based on a holistic understanding of the whole body. I invite you to explore our website to learn how we can serve your needs. See ad, page 26.

HOLISTIC PSYCHIATRY DAVID LONDON, MD

544 Riverside Ave, Westport DavidLondonMD.com Contact@DavidLondonMD.com 203-557-6574 David London, MD, honors emotional, spiritual and biochemical individuality to assist healing psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

Sophisticated genetic and lab testing help identify underlying causes. Treatment may include acupuncture, psychotherapy, EMDR, herbs, vitamins, nutrients, lifestyle changes, medication. See ad, page 49.

HYPNOSIS HEALING TREE WISDOM

Thea Litsios, CHy Locations in Norwalk and Stratford 203-693-1493 • HealingTreeWisdom.com Use the power of your whole mind to transform your life: Hypnosis for weight loss, smoking cessation, stress relief, and past life review. Certified teacher of Active Dream work.

Individual dream consultations available, as well as workshops and monthly Dream Groups. See ad, page 18.

MIND-BODY TRANSFORMATION Diane Bahr-Groth, CHy, TFTdx 1177 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-595-0110 MindBodyTransformation.com

Fast, effective methods for weight, stress, fear, pain, smoking, etc.

Certified Hypnotherapist, Thought Field Therapy, Time Line Therapy, NLP and Complementary Medical Hypnosis, since 1989. See ads, pages 9 and 35.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE PHYSICIAN HENRY C. SOBO, MD

WHOLE BODY DENTISTRY

Optimal Health Medical LLC 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-348-8805 • DrSobo.com

Mark Breiner, DDS, is a pioneer and recognized authority in the field of holistic dentistry. His patients have found solutions to baffling, unresolved and seemingly unrelated dentalrelated health problems. He is the author of the award-winning book, Whole-Body Dentistry. See ad, page 2.

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 31.

Mark A Breiner, DDS 501 Kings Hwy East, Ste 108, Fairfield 203-371-0300 • WholeBodyDentistry.com

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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.

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE LLC Adam Breiner, ND, Director David Brady, ND, CCN, DACBN David Johnston, DO Elena Sokolova, MD, ND 203-371-8258 WholeBodyMed.com

Using state-of-the-art science combined with holistic medicine, our caring integrative physicians correct underlying imbalances and address issues which may interfere with the body’s ability to heal itself. We treat many conditions including Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, immune disorders, allergies, thyroid conditions, pain, neurological conditions, stroke, concussion, ADD/ADHD, depression, insomnia and more. We offer hyperbaric oxygen, neurofeedback and neurotherapies, osteopathic medicine, functional medicine, IV nutrient and chelation therapy, energetic medicine, homeopathy, Japanese Reiki, nutrition, colonics and detoxification, enhanced brain, athletic, scholastic performance, and more.

See ad, page 2.

INSPIRATIONAL BOUTIQUE

INTEGRATIVE OPTOMETRY EYECARE ASSOCIATES, PC

Dr. Randy Schulman, MS, OD, FCOVD 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.

See ad, page 17.

LYME DISEASE HEALING JUSTIN SPELLER, CHP, CST Source Energy Healing 617-435-7798 HowtoHealMyLyme@gmail.com HowtoHealMyLyme.com

I am creator of a unique Lyme Disease healing protocol. I specialize in working with clients on inner growth work and soul-centered transformation.

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE THERAPY SARAH ROTELLA

Enlightenment Center, Integrative Wellness Therapies 100 Danbury Rd, Ste 102, Ridgefield Additional location in Greenwich 203-525-5830 S.Light@mac.com • SenLightenment.com Advanced manual lymphatic drainage therapy is applying specific techniques to support, pre and post operative surgical procedures, detoxification, the immune system, neuro fascial release, the glymphatic system and the brain. This is supportive of both neural and cognitive functioning. See ad, page 8.

2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford 203-345-7747 JiivaCenter.com We offer Traditional, Thai Massage and Prenatal massage. At Jiiva Massage, our goal is to provide our clients with a variety of experienced therapists and modalities to choose from. Our hope is to provide you with an assortment of different techniques so you can find what works best for your individual needs. See ad, page 23.

ROBIN ORDAN, LMT, LCSW, CICMI Licensed Massage Therapist and Reiki Practitioner Old Greenwich/Stamford 203-561-8535 RobinOrdanLMT.com

Robin has been providing massage and Reiki for over 15 years. Specializing in Swedish, pregnancy, trigger point, injuries and infant/child massage instruction. Sessions are individualized to meet your needs. See ad, page 15.

MEDITATION CENTER FOR MINDFULNESS & INSIGHT MEDITATION 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding 203-244-3130 ReddingMeditation.org

We teach and practice Mahasati meditation.

Mahasati meditation cultivates self-awareness through attention to the movement of the body and, at more advanced levels, to the movement of the mind. No prior meditating experience is necessary. Ongoing weekly meditation classes, retreats and events. Please check monthly event calendar or visit ReddingMeditation.org for updated information.

6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot 860-619-2788 ValleySpiritCoop.com

Purveyors of Positivity 51 Ethan Allen Hwy (Route 7), Ridgefield 203-431-2959 • TheAngelCoop.com A unique lifestyle boutique featuring the first Shungite room in the U.S., The Angel Cooperative has products and experiences designed to care for your body and soul while also offering beautiful and healing goods for the home.

We offer a regular schedule of workshops, meditations, classes, and other holistic and spiritual events.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

JIIVA YOGA, REIKI AND MASSAGE CENTER

VALLEY SPIRIT WELLNESS

THE ANGEL COOPERATIVE

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MASSAGE AND BODYWORK

Meditation can be easier to master than you think. Taoist, Buddhist and generic meditation. Beginners and experienced practitioners both welcome. See ads, pages 7 and 36.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN ADAM BREINER, ND

Whole-Body Medicine LLC 501 Kings Hwy E, Ste 108, Fairfield 203-371-8258 • WholeBodyMed.com Dr. Adam Breiner has helped patients with a wide variety of neurological conditions—including stroke, concussions, TBIs, ADD/ADHD, depression and anxiety—as well as seeing patients for enhanced sports, scholastic and workplace performance. His center was the first facility in the country to offer the powerful combination of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and neurofeedback. Dr. Breiner also has natural and cutting-edge approaches for the treatment of Lyme disease. See ad, page 2.

SHALVA CLINIC LLC

Ellen M Lewis, ND, Director 8 Lincoln St, Westport 203-916-4600 ShalvaClinic.org Dr. Lewis offers comprehensive holistic care for women including well-women exams, fertility, thyroid and menopause support.

CMYKShe also has a special 1, 99, 1, 0 interest in pediatrics and utilizes a variety of natural modalities when working with patients with ADD/ADHD, CMYK autism, allergies, eczema asthma. Treatments 58, 79, and 0, 0 include herbal medicine, functional medicine, biotherapeutic drainage, homeopathy and more.

See ad, back cover.

Aleo – Bold

ORGANIC SALON ECO CHIC SALON SPA & BLOW DRY BAR 16 Center St, Wilton 203-966-5655 EcoChicSalonCT.com

Eco Chic Salon Spa & Blow Dry Bar is committed to the healthy way of life so many people strive for each and every day. Mindful stylists are dedicated to the use of environmentally friendly products, including Eco Chic branded products, and alternative hair services with less toxic variations from the typical salon experience. Be well. Be beautiful. See ad, page 17.

CMYK: 72, 66, 65, 79

NEUROFEEDBACK

P R O X I M A N O VA – S E M I B O L D CMYK: 72, 66, 65, 79

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

NEERU KAUSHIK, ND, MS ACU, MS, MA

ADAM BREINER, ND

DR. LORI MONACO

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 12.

The NeuroEdge is dedicated to keeping your brain sharp and high-functioning. We treat head injuries and brain traumas such as concussion and stroke as well as help athletes, students and businesspeople improve their performance. Learn and view our cutting-edge neurotherapies at TheNeuroEdge.com. See ad, page 2.

Dr. Monaco is a Transformational Speaker and Coach who helps people break bad habits and change negative behaviors and beliefs to unlock their full potential and manifest abundance. She offers one-on-one or group coaching sessions, lectures and workshops, and Laughter Yoga sessions. She works with children to adults.

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

NATURAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER

Lisa Singley, ND, MS 2103 Main St, Ste 2, Stratford 203-874-4333 Info@NHAWC.com • NHAWC.com We use advanced diagnostic testing with safe, effective, all-natural healing modalities and treatment options to treat acute and chronic conditions; restore balance; and treat the mind, body and spirit. Specialists in endocrine disorders, digestive issues, pain management and chronic fatigue. We offer comprehensive solutions to prevent illness and maintain optimal health for body, mind and spirit.

See ad, page 5.

The NeuroEdge Brain Performance Center Division of Whole-Body Medicine Full ColorHighway E, Ste 108, Fairfield One Color 501 Kings 203-371-8258 TheNeuroEdge.com

ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE, EDD, LPC, BCN, LLC

898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield Offices in Ridgefield and Newtown 203-438-4848 Info@DrRoseann.com • DrRoseann.com We work with children, adolescents, teens, adults and families around a variety of issues with non-medication therapies. We provide brain-based treatments like neurofeedback, biofeedback, EFT, hypnosis, meditation, etc.

Our staff provides non-judgmental support to help alleviate stress and promote wellness. See ad, page 33.

Inspire and Empower, LLC 203-395-9832 DrLoriMonaco@gmail.com Knockout White (For Dark Backgrounds) DrLoriMonaco.com

Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail. ~Kinky Friedman

OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN DAVID L. JOHNSTON, DO

MARVIN P. SCHWEITZER, ND Wellness Institute 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203-847-2788 DrMarvinSchweitzer.com

Family Health Care using all natural therapies for 25 years.

Acupuncture, bioidentical hormones, homeopathy, Chinese/Western herbs, allergy/ toxin testing, oxygen therapy, Meridian stress assessment, nutrition/enzyme therapies. See ad, page 11.

158 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield 203-438-9915 OsteopathicWellness.net

Dr. Johnston has been providing gentle, holistic, hands-on osteopathic manual treatment and nutrition for over 20 years.

Excellent for newborns, birth trauma, concussions, headaches, sports injuries, neck and back pain, digestive issues, brain support, stress, fibromyalgia, detoxification and weight loss, specialized bloodwork. See ad, page 49.

November 2018

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PSYCHOTHERAPY

ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE, EDD, LPC, BCN, LLC 898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield Offices in Ridgefield and Newtown 203-438-4848 Info@DrRoseann.com DrRoseann.com

Our highly trained and experienced therapists utilize a variety of brain-based tools and techniques that allow the CNS to calm down so one can address their issues without heightened anxiety. We specialize in pediatrics, parenting and supporting individuals with chronic issues. See ad, page 33.

ROBIN ORDAN, LCSW Family, Child, Individual and Couples Therapy Old Greenwich/Stamford 203-561-8535 RobinOrdanLCSW.com

Robin has more than 18 years of experience working with families and children.

Specializing in divorce, parent/child conflict, grief, attachment/bonding, child development and parenting.

See ad, page 29.

NANCY SCHERLONG, LCSW

Coaching/Psychotherapy/Consulting Offices in Danbury and Ridgefield 914-572-3167 WellnessMetaphors.com Manage stress with relaxation techniques. Re-discover 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 15.

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.

JAMPA STEWART, MSOM, LAc Board Certified Acupuncturist Valley Spirit Wellness 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot 860-619-2788 ValleySpiritCoop.com

Develop physical and mental fitness and find a new harmony of the mind, body and spirit using ancient Chinese arts.

Starting with basic movements, warm-up techniques and breathing exercises, you will learn a set of flowing natural movements done slowly with calmness, balance and awareness.

Weekly classes, weekend workshops and retreats.

See ads, pages 7 and 36.

JIIVA YOGA, REIKI AND MASSAGE CENTER Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) THERMOGRAPHY 2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford offers safe, FDA approved full body 203-345-7747 or breast screening.

JiivaCenter.com WHOLE HEALTH NonisInvasive on Berta Prevosti a Usui and • No Radiati THERMOGRAPHY LLC Karuna Reiki Master and has • Possible 8 years earlier breast Rachel Mazzarelli, MS, CCT been practicing for over Locations throughout Fairfield County, cancerReiki detecti on 20 vs mammogram years. We also have several Southbury, New Haven, Milford and New York • Clinical imaging for detecti ng and experienced Reiki Masters and 203-257-3785 practitioners.

We offer private monitoring a number of diseases WHThermography@gmail.com Reiki sessions forand physical and injuries. physical WholeHealthThermography.com emotional pain. We also have ongoing Reiki classes that are taught in the traditional Usui Rachel Mazzarelli method by Berta. See ad, page 23. ��,���

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) is an FDAapproved, noninvasive, 203-257-3785 no-radiation screening for the TURNING POINT REIKI whole body. It offers possible OffiLLC ces throughout JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, earlier detection of breast disease Fairfi eld RMT County, Southbury, 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield and can aid in diagnosis and New Haven, Milford, 203-438-3050 improved prognosis of many health conditions and New York TurningPointReiki.com and injuries.

TurningPointShare.com whthermography@gmail.com

JoAnn www.wholehealththermography.com uses intuition, experience TRANSFORMATIVE and a deep spiritual connection HEALING in her Reiki, IET and Reconnective Healing sessions. Specializing in care for individuals with ESSENTIAL HOLISTIC HEALING, LLC cancer, Lyme disease and back Jackie Karabin, Reiki Master, LMT pain. All Reiki levels taught.

Wilton

TAI CHI/QIGONG

203-984-1491 Info@EssentialHolisticHealing.com EssentialHolisticHealing.com

Find balance and enhance the health and well-being of your body, mind and spirit through Reiki and massage therapy. Offering a holistic approach with tailored sessions to honor the specific needs and goals of the client.

MINDFUL HEART TAI CHI Linda Dohanos Linda@mhtaichi.com MHTaiChi.com

With more than 20 years of experience teaching tai chi and qigong, I have developed a gentle, therapeutic exercise program for homebound seniors and seniors in rehabilitation. I teach to all levels and ages in a class setting as well. I also offer Reiki sessions.

See ad, page 39.

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BETH LEAS

Transformative Healing • Tarot 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com • TLCTarot.com If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection. 20 years of intuitive healing experience with adults and children of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 31.

RS HOLISTIC COUNSELING, COACHING AND HEALING

246 Federal Rd, Ste C23-A, Brookfield 203-826-2558 RSHolisticHealing@gmail.com RSHolisticServices.com RS Holistic Counseling, Coaching, and Healing offers Transformative Healing sessions in Brookfield. The sessions can be from one hour for pure healing sessions using a variety of methods including Reiki, guided meditations, crystals, essential oils specific to your needs. There is also a 1 1/2-hour session that consists of 45 minutes of coaching, and 45 minutes of transformative healing. See ad, page 10.

WELLNESS CENTER BAREFOOT LIVING ARTS

85 Mill Plain Rd, Fairfield 203-955-1955 BarefootMedicalArts@gmail.com BarefootLivingArts.org Barefoot Living Arts is a wellness center in downtown Fairfield that provides acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, massage, qigong, meditation, counseling, yoga and more. Our practice consists of two naturopathic doctors, a licensed massage therapist, a licensed clinical social worker and an advanced practice registered nurse. We strive to gently assist our patients to develop a deeper, more authentic connection with themselves.

HAUTE HEALING OASIS 792 Pacific St, Stamford 203-595-5304 Info@HauteSauna.com HauteHealingOasis.com

Haute Healing Oasis is Fairfield County’s premiere wellness spa.

Featuring luxurious, private infrared sauna spa rooms, Young Living aromatherapy, chromo light therapy, BEMER physical vascular therapy, elite massage services as well as other holistic, safe, noninvasive healing modalities. Come and experience the HAUTE difference in health and wellness today. See ad, page 28.

JIIVA YOGA, REIKI AND MASSAGE CENTER

Berta Prevosti, Usui and Karuna Reiki Master 2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford 203-345-7747 • JiivaCenter.com Jiiva is in the business of building a community for yoga and healing. We offer yoga classes, a school of Reiki, private Reiki treatments, traditional massage therapy, Thai massage, meditation classes, workshops and community events. See ad, page 23.

SALTANA CAVE

590 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield 203-969-4327 SaltanaCave.com Fairfield County’s first and only therapeutic Himalayan salt cave provides relief from respiratory issues such as allergies, asthma, and side effects of smoking and pollution. Salt is naturally anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. See ad, page 9.

DECEMBER

Spirit of Community plus Reflection & Intention

SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA

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

See ad, page 12.

SALT OF THE EARTH HEALING ARTS SANCTUARY/ATHENA HALL 346 Main St S, Woodbury 203-405-2241 203-586-1172

A space of calm and beauty, healing and restoration of the body and spirit, Salt of the Earth Healing Arts Sanctuary offers a tranquil place to refresh and renew in a house charged with the energy of old. Beautiful Athena Hall, inside the Sanctuary, can be rented to like-minded people for classes, workshops, lectures and special events. Heart and Home is a unique store in the sanctuary; a cozy place to shop, have tea, scoop and bag salts, purchase a variety of artisan goods.

JANUARY

Mental Wellness

plus Multicultural Health FEBRUARY

2019 Natural Living Directory

SOUL SYNERGY WELLNESS

1492 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-356-5822 SoulSynergyWellness111@gmail.com SoulSynergyWellness.co Soul Synergy Wellness offers a variety of aesthetic services and noninvasive techniques to support mind-body wellness.

Services include anti-aging and oxygen facials with aromatherapy, Torc Plus bioelectric stimulation for muscle activation and weight-loss, infrared sauna and the DietMaster weight-loss program.

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COSMIC RHYTHMS The North Node Floats into Cancer

T

by Michele Leigh

he nodes of the moon aren’t planets, but are mathematical points on a chart that fall in two opposite signs of the zodiac. The nodes move backwards through the zodiac wheel and spend about a year and half in each sign. The mythology around these points is connected to the head and tail of the dragon.

Rahu represents the head of the dragon, and Ketu is the tail.

This month we have a shift in the nodes from Fire/Air to Water/Earth. An 18-month changing-of-the-guard officially begins when the North Node moves into Cancer on November 6 at 1:09pm. This tuning of the energy wheel moves us away from Leo/ Aquarius and toward Cancer/Capricorn. This major shift of global energy will be active until May 6, 2020.

This past year and a half, was about the lion chasing the flame and coloring outside the lines. For the next year and half, we will be challenged to tap into the sensitive cardinal energy of Cancer, and encouraged to be more sensitive, nurturing and healing to others and ourselves.

With the North Node (Rahu/Head of the Dragon) in a watery, sensitive sign like Cancer, we are challenged to face each fork in the road like the ultimate caretaker. Which path is safest? We should use our inner guide—our highest point of light—to reason through things. This energy will encourage us to open our minds to more nurturing habits.

The South Node (Ketu/Tail of the Dragon) asks us to release things that may have become too structured or conventional for our current state of mind. Consider existing patterns and let go of the things that may have become outdated or ineffective. When the nodes are in this position, the focus is on prioritizing loved ones and choosing home life over work life.

When the nodes of the moon shift zodiac signs, it is worth paying attention. Other key astrological dates this month include: • New Moon in Scorpio on November 7 • Venus goes direct on November 16 • Mercury goes retrograde November 16 through December 6 • Sun enters Sagittarius on November 22 • Full Moon in Gemini on November 23 Michele Leigh is an astrologer, author and yoga teacher. A practitioner of ancient techniques, she is an active member of OPA, the Organization for Professional Astrology. Connect at DarkMoonAstrology@gmail.com.

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display ad index AcuBlend/Dr. Sian James

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13

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10

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39

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Workspace Education YOGA 203

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Copper device stops a cold naturally last holidays,” she said. “The kids had colds going around, but not me.”

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Some say copper stops nighttime stuffiness if used just before bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had in years.”

Copper may even stop flu if used earNew research: Copper stops colds if used early. ly and for several days. Lab technicians ew research shows you can went away completely.” It worked again placed 25 million live flu viruses on a stop a cold in its tracks if you CopperZap. No viruses were found alive every time he felt a cold coming on and take one simple step with a soon after. he hasn’t had a cold since. new device when you first feel a cold People have used it on cold sores He asked relatives and friends to try coming on. and say it can completely prevent ugly it. They said it worked for them, too, so Colds start when cold viruses get in outbreaks. You can also rub it gently he patented CopperZap™ and put it on your nose. Viruses multiply fast. If you on wounds, cuts, or lesions to combat the market. don’t stop them early, they spread in infections.

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The handle is curved and finely texand given feedback. Nearly 100% said But scientists have found a quick tured to improve the copper stops way to kill a virus. Touch it with copper. colds if used withcontact. It kills in 3 hours after the Researchers at labs and universities germs picked up first sign. Even up agree, copper is “antimicrobial.” It kills on fingers and microbes, such as viruses and bacteria, to 2 days, if they hands to protect still get the cold it just by touch. you and your That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyp- is milder and they family. tians used copper to purify water and feel better.

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Tests by the Environmental Protecbest presents ever. This little jewel really The EPA says copper still works tion Agency (EPA) show germs die fast works.” Now thousands of users have even when tarnished. It kills hundreds of on copper. Some hospitals tried copper stopped getting colds. different disease germs so it can prevent for surfaces like faucets and doorknobs.

People often use CopperZap preserious or even fatal illness. ventively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci This cut the spread of MRSA and other CopperZap is made in the U.S. of used to get colds after crowded flights. illnesses by over half, and saved lives. pure copper. It has a 90-day full money Though skeptical, she tried it several The strong scientific evidence gave back guarantee when used as directed times a day on travel days for 2 months. inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When to stop a cold. It is $69.95. Get $10 off he felt a cold coming on he fashioned “Sixteen flights and not a sniffle!” each CopperZap with code NATA5. a smooth copper probe and rubbed it Businesswoman Rosaleen says when Go to www.CopperZap.com or call people are sick around her she uses Cop- toll-free 1-888-411-6114. gently in his nose for 60 seconds.

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