Natural Awakenings Fairfield County August 2014

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

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Children’s Health

Beyond Bullying: Building Peace Hands-on Schools Make Learning Fun Natural Support for Anxiety & Sleep Challenges Eco-Savvy Day Care

Embracing the Four Agreements Summer Mini-Getaways Foraging for Wild Edibles in CT new section

Fairfield Green

Food Guide August 2014 | Fairfield County Edition | eNaturalAwakenings.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

August 2014

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The Natural Choice – The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center

Optimize Your Smile and Your Health!

Whole-Body Dentistry® 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 Dentistry®

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

WholeBodyDentistry.com 203-371-0300

5520 Park Ave., Trumbull / Fairfield town line at Exit 47 off Merritt Pkwy

Doesn’t it make sense to see the authority?

The Natural Choice – The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center Caring Naturopathic Physicians Offering the Best in Holistic Healing

Our integrative approach treats a widerange of conditions including: ADD/ADHD Allergies Anxiety & Depression Autism Brain Injuries Candidiasis Chronic Fatigue (or Fatigue Concerns) Difficulty Concentrating Female Concerns Fibromaylgia

Gastrointestinal Concerns Healthy Aging Hormonal Issues Immune Disorders Lyme Disease RSD Sports Injuries Stress-related Symptoms Thyroid & Adrenal Issues Toxicities Weight Gain

Learn more about our approach. Watch our new therapy videos – all on our website!

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

From left to right:

Dr. Adam Breiner, ND, Director Dr. Elena Sokolova, MD, ND & Dr. David M. Brady, ND, CCN, DACBN

WholeBodyMed.com 203-371-8258

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) EEG Neurofeedback Acupuncture Chinese Medicine Homeopathy Energy Medicine Electrodermal Screening Metabolic Typing

Functional Medicine Colon Hydrotherapy Natural Hormone Therapy Herbal Medicine Nutritional Assessment Allergy Desensitization FDA-cleared Phototherapy Detoxification Abdominal Manual Therapy

FREE CDs on our Whole-Body approach to Lyme Disease.

Call now for details.

Office located on the Fairfield/Trumbull line

Whole-Body Medicine, LLC – The Natural Approach for Optimal Health 2

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

Healthy

Pizza & MoRe made with 100% Organic Whole Grain Flour ~ no exceptions ~

Savor Healthy Pizza

430 Main Ave (Rt 7) Norwalk, CT Across from the Merritt Professional Buildings

203-939-1666

Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm

Now taking orders on line!

www.savorhealthypizza.com

e at

healthy, natural & organic pizza you’ll savor every bite Now serving zero grain pizza crust!

Extremely low-carb

Ask About Our Homemade, Gluten-Free & Vegan Pizzas free local delivery with $ 15 min. order

h e a lt h y

2014 l 3 l eNaturalAwakenings.com i v e w August e l

contents 16 7 newsbriefs balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal 16 healthbriefs growth, green living, creative expression and the products 19 globalbriefs and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

22 ecotip 25 SCHOOLS THAT ROCK 33 therapyspotlight Innovators Blaze Creative Paths 25 38 fairfieldgreen

19 foodguide 30 Beyond Bullying 50 greenliving Peacebuilding to Create 51 communityspotlight Compassionate Schools 52 naturallyhealthypet and Communities

56 naturalpet 59 petresourceguide 34 Natural Support 34 for Anxiety and 62 60 healingways Sleep Challenges 62 inspiration

64 calendar 35 Thrive Rather 68 classifieds Than Survive Embracing The Four Agreements 69 resourceguide at Work and School 40 advertising & submissions 40 Finding Wild Edibles Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more

by Sandra Murphy

by Lisa Worth Huber

by Lisa Singley

by Carrie Picardi

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.

in Connecticut

by Eileen Weber

50 DAY CARE

GOES GREEN

What’s Good for Kids is Good for the World

by Avery Mack

51 Community Spotlight:

Organic Sleep

by Sleep Etc

by Natasha Michaels

54 PTSD in Pets:

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 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

What to Look for and How to Help

by Mary Oquendo

eNaturalAwakenings.com

by April Thompson

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Fairfield County Edition

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50

60 SUMMER MINI GETAWAYS

Green Travelers Recharge at Spas, Parks and Vineyards

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Join 1700 Like-Minded Vegans Join our 12th annual Holistic Holiday at Sea cruise for 7 nights on the beautiful, new MSC Divina, one of the most elegant & ecologically-friendly cruise liners on the seas. Bask in gracious Italian hospitality & service all while enjoying inspiring lectures & vegan natural foods prepared by our own chefs. Departing from Miami, FL & sailing to lush Falmouth, Jamaica; Georgetown, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico & sunny Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Learn more about the classes, cuisine & itinerary at holisticholidayatsea.com.

Chosen by National Geographic Traveler as “One of the 100 best worldwide vacations to enrich your life.”

holisticholidayatsea.com

info@holisticholidayatsea.com Toll-Free (US): 1-800-496-0989 Ph: 1-828-749-9537 Or join the conversation: Holistic Holiday at Sea holisticholidayatsea.com/blog

Lorraine Travel

bookings@holisticholidayatsea.com Toll-Free: 1-877-844-7977 Ph: 1-305-443-0542 (option 1 for program information option 2 for travel agent) All reservations for our holistic group must be made through Lorraine Travel

Food options for everyone vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, and ship’s menu Swim, snorkel & kayak in the crystal waters of the Caribbean Continuing Education Credits (CMEs & CEUs) will be available Award-winning environmentally-friendly ship Dancing, socials & singles events Vegan pizza & ice cream parties Cancer support group & recovery panel 35 teachers 135 lectures & workshops 9 cooking classes, 4 intensives Daily yoga, meditation, Pilates, Qi Gong, Do-In, running, fitness & body building classes

Best-selling author of Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease; starred in the film Forks Over Knives; featured on CNN special “The Last Heart Attack” Co-author of The China Study and author of Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition; featured in the film Forks Over Knives Chef & author of Unprocessed: How to Achieve Vibrant Health and Your Ideal Weight, inspiring public speaker & cooking instructor Founder of the Physicians Commitee for Responsible Medicine; author of Food for Life & Power Foods for the Brain; active health advocate Physician, author, & internationally-recognized speaker on nutrition; founded NutritionFacts.org; spoke at Congress, on Dr. Oz, & the Colbert Report Award-winning author of five bestselling books, including The Joy of Vegan Baking & The Vegan Table; speaker, chef, contributor to NPR

Private consultations & treatments available

eNaturalAwakenings.com

August 2014

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letterfrompublisher

I contact us Publisher/Managing Editor Nicole Miale Assistant Editor Ariana Rawls Fine Food Editor Analiese Paik Design & Production Kathleen Fellows Erica Mills Contributing Writers Jaime A. Heidel Beth Leas Natasha Michaels Sales & Marketing Nicole Miale Francesca Moscatelli Analiese Paik Virginia Trinque Distribution Man in Motion LLC Natural Awakenings Fairfield County Phone: 203-885-4674 Fax: 203-516-2392 NicoleM@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com eNaturalAwakenings.com NAWebstore.com NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com © 2014 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

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

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

We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

Nicole Miale

Our excellent writers were more than up to the task, providing insight and ideas for concerned adults to discuss with the children in their lives. There will never be a better time to begin instilling these teachings – which sadly may not be taught in public school.

Speaking of schools, this issue puts a spotlight on some innovative schools and learning philosophies which seem to offer a rich and more holistic learning environment than the current standardized academic curriculum. There are some excellent schools and programs espousing these philosophies in Fairfield County.

This month is the second to feature the Fairfield Green Food Guide, our new monthly section devoted to local and sustainable food. The farmstands and markets are bustling at this time of year! The primary feature discusses local opportunities and resources for foraging wild edibles. My fiance’s daughter declared, “I ate a plant!” after camp at Two Coyotes Wilderness School. She was excited and intrigued by the new experience. You too can pick and eat plants; just please do it with guidance until you know what you’re picking and eating.

August has lots of fun, inspirational and family-friendly events happening in Fairfield County. Natural Awakenings is an enthusiastic supporter of activities which encourage individuals and families to put down their electronics, go outside, and connect with each other, nature, art, music and food… in community. When was the last time you went to a summer event? Did you bring your children with you?

It may take come convincing if they’re older, but ask them to come with you at least once. They’ll thank you some day and in the process you’ll form precious memories for yourself and them.

I remember when my parents took, er, dragged me to my first music festival. We were camping on our summer vacation and happened upon a bluegrass music event one evening. I remember being mortified but secretly thrilled to see my parents and other adults dancing and laughing so openly. I was intrigued by the unfamiliar music, by the sights, smells and sounds all around me. Such memories take only minutes to form, but I’ve never lost my love of music festivals. What childhood memory and lifelong love can you help your child create this August?

Wherever you go, whatever you do, ENJOY these hazy days of summer!

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $15 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

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Fairfield County Edition

n this month’s issue, we are focusing on children’s health, including physical well-being as well as the equally important mental and emotional health of our kids. In recent years, this area has experienced a number of tragedies involving children. I asked our contributing experts to explore what we are doing to support not only those children directly affected, but others growing up in the shadow of our world’s unsettling events. How will the next generation – the leaders of tomorrow – learn about building peace, adhering to the Four Agreements, and living happily in a time which seems to foster insecurity and anxiety more than comfort?

natural awakenings

newsbriefs

Dr. “Jenny” Federman

Newtown Summer Festival with SOUND

S

OUND (Center for Arts and Mindfulness) presents Wellness for Your Spirit, a summer festival and fair, on August 9 from 3 to 7pm in Newtown.

The event will include a fall class preview of yoga classes, mindful meditation and hypnosis demonstrations, a nutrition workshop, homeschooling information, and psychic and intuitive readings. In addition to vendors’ products, participants can experience Reiki and energy sessions, sacred bellydance, kirtan and a drum circle with fire at sunset.

SOUND, a center for music, creative arts and mindfulness, is a holistic educational and wellness space located in a historic wedding chapel in Newtown. Jennifer Zulli is the founder and director of SOUND.

For more information, visit SoundCenterArts.com. The center is located at 31 Hawleyville Rd, Newtown. See ad, page 11.

Children’s Dental Care Pediatric Dental Care for Infants Toddlers and Teens • We help your child’s teeth stay HEALTHY • We create a FRIENDLY environment • We cater to ANXIOUS children and CONCERNED parents 60 Old New Milford Rd • Brookfield

203.304.7571

New Vegan Restaurant Opens in Ridgefield

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ood Evolution, a new gourmet, vegan restaurant, was recently opened by Elizabeth Berney and husband in Ridgefield. The couple bought the restaurant from the original owner of So Good Vegan Café, retaining the same space and staff. Chef Rachel Lattarulo, trained in Manhattan at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts, incorporates her creativity, flavors and presentation into the all plant-based menu items.

Food Evolution is planning its first vegan brunch for Sundays and will have a liquor license with vegan alcohol by mid-August. In the meantime, customers are encouraged to bring their own beer or wine or enjoy a glass on the house with their meal.

Berney’s mission as a long-term vegan is to educate people about how they can have delicious gourmet meals that are entirely plant-based. Both the owner and head chef are committed to working with area farmers to offer local and seasonal organic foods whenever possible. Food Evolution also partners with local bakeries to offer fresh baked breads and desserts.

Food Evolution is located at 109 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield.

The café is open Monday through Thursday from 11:30am to 9pm and Fridays and Saturdays until 10pm. It will be closed Sundays during the summer. For more information, email BerneyFoodInnovations@gmail.com.

FOr YOur SaKE & FOr thE SaKE OF YOur ChiLdrEN . . .

A UNIQUE WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS if you’re a parent who wants to give your children the best of who you are . . . if you’re a parent who wants to give your children the best chance to succeed, not only in functioning, but in being their true selves . . . if you’re a parent who knows that your children trigger you at times . . . and you don’t understand why, or if you do, you don’t know how to get to the root of the trigger . . . register for this workshop for parents . . . so you can learn more . . . so you can experience more . . . so you can discover the depths of the healing you can do to help your children in a way nothing else can . . . and nobody else can.

Saturday October 11, 2014 from 2-5 pm Judith Barr’s office – Brookfield, CT SPECiaL OFFEr FOr ParENtS FOr FaLL 2014: REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 1: $85 – BY SEPTEMBER 12: $90

BY SEPTEMBER 24: $95 – AFTER SEPTEMBER 24: $100 Registration and payment must be received by October 7th, 2014.

Judith Barr, LPC, LMhC ... hEaLiNG tO thE rOOt To learn more or to register, call Judith’s office at 203-775-5006 or email Judith at JudithBarr@PowerabusedPowerhealed.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

August 2014

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newsbriefs Connecticut Startup Focuses on Liver Health

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iver Medic is a new local company seeking to improve people’s health with a line of uniquely formulated liver products. Brendan Gaughran, president of Liver Medic, says the inspiration for the company’s mission came to him after helping a hospitalized, obese New York City firefighter with multiple health issues rapidly return to good health. Gaughran says, “About one-third of Americans suffer from some liver-related health issue. We are excited about our opening here in Connecticut. There is a need here and we find residents readily accept natural alternatives in well-educated communities.”

Liver Medic is now available in a number of community health food stores, including Thyme & Season in Hamden. “Liver Medic’s unique position in the market provides superior liver formulations with a holistic approach to all the systems involved,” states Gaughran.

For more information, call 800-387-2278. To order, visit LiverMedic.com. See ad, page 47.

Shaman Walter Luebeck to Appear in New Haven

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alter Luebeck, rainbow Reiki spiritual master, shaman, author and musician, is conducting five, full-day events in New Haven, taking place from 9am to 6pm on their respective dates. The prerequisite for all classes is Usui or Rainbow Reiki I and II. Walter Luebeck

Luebeck will teach Advanced Metaphysical Healing for healing of musculoskeletal problems September 19 through 21 (cost: $450/person).

On September 22, he will offer a Rainbow Reiki Parents and Children class to help heal families and harmonize childhood issues (cost: $220/person).

A Rainbow Reiki Loving Relations class will take place on September 23. Participants will learn how to help heal and develop strong, loving family relationships (cost: $220/person).

Luebeck’s Rainbow Reiki Vocation and Success, held on September 24, helps people discover the spiritual nature of their daily work and how to become more successful (cost: $220/person).

Luebeck will also perform his Magic Drumming Concert, filled with shamanic rituals and sound healing, at 8 pm on September 20 (cost: $15/person).

For more information, call Marie Marchesseault at 860-9334349 or email ReikiMarie@gmail.com. Classes will be held at 86 Chapel Hill Rd, New Haven and at 473 Washington Ave, New Haven for the concert.

DID YOU REALIZE THAT

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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Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

ARE OFTEN THE ROOT CAUSE OF

INFLAMMATION?

D r M a r v i n S c h w e i t z e r. c o m 2 0 3 . 8 4 7. 2 7 8 8

1 We s t p o r t A v e n u e Norwalk, CT 06851

Open House for Aspiring Massage Therapists

R

idley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute is hosting an open house at their campus in Danbury for those interested in a career as a massage therapist.

The event is scheduled for August 14 from 2 to 6pm.

Attendees will learn about career opportunities as a massage therapist, receive a free chair massage, meet the school’s instructors, and learn about financial aid opportunities. Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute is currently enrolling for evening classes, scheduled to begin September 2 and day classes starting September 25.

Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute is a career technical institute with five campuses that provides training in accounting, administrative, cosmetology, health care, information technology, legal and skilled trades. The massage therapy program covers anatomy and physiology, pathology, kinesiology, therapeutic massage, spa services, sports and medical massage, and legal and ethical issues related to massage therapy.

For more information, call 203-797-0551, visit Ridley.edu or email DBAdmissions@Ridley.edu. Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute is located at 24 Shelter Rock Rd, Danbury.

5k Run/Walk to Benefit Ann’s Place

T

he Amber Room Colonnade’s 6th Annual Run from the Sun 5k (3.1 miles) will begin at 6:30pm on August 21 to benefit Ann’s Place’s cancer support services. Come run or walk, take in the scenic course, and then enjoy the Amber Room’s post-race BBQ offering cold beverages, music and an awards ceremony. The race is professionally managed by JB Sports.

Participants that collect at least $100 in pledges will have their race participation fee waived. Those that raise at least $250 in pledges will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win one of many prizes. If your company, school, club or group would like to form a team and fundraise for Ann’s Place, email Lori@AnnsPlace.org.

Ann’s Place is a compassionate nonprofit agency serving Connecticut and eastern New York with professional counseling, support groups and wellness activities at no charge. They strive to help cancer patients and their loved ones create a unique pathway, through cancer, to improve their quality of life.

For more information, visit AnnsPlace.org, email Lori@ AnnsPlace.org or call 203-790-6568. Ann’s Place is located at 80 Saw Mill Rd, Danbury. An open house is held on the first Thursday of every month from 2 to 3:30pm.

Struggling to Find Happiness in Your Marriage?

If you are feeling hopeless, there are things you can do right now to restore love and connection.

This is not couples counseling.

You’ll learn immediate solutions to the biggest challenges in your relationship.

You can eliminate your relationship stress and restore the love and connection.

Call 860-633-8555 Today to Get Help and receive a complimentary book, The 90-Minute Marriage Miracle

Jeff Forte CSIC CME and author of The 90-Minute Marriage Miracle 2389 Main St • Glastonbury, CT Jeff@PeakResultsCoaching.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

August 2014

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Beautiful Color Shouldn't Be Hazardous To Your Health

newsbriefs

The best thing about our products is what we leave out!

Ridgefield Shakespeare on the Green & Green Expo

No Ammonia • No Parabens No Scalp Staining • No Scalp Discomfort Best Eco Salon

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838 Main Street • Monroe • Tollgate Plaza Tues & Fri 9-5 • Wed & Thur 9-8 • Sat 8-4

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Do You Suffer with Lower Back Pain, Neck, Arm, Leg Pain, or a Spine Pain Condition?

Let Cox® Technic Be Your Pain Relief Solution Cox®Technic

Non-surgical, doctor-controlled, hands-on, gentle spinal manipulation performed on The Cox Table

Call Today for a Consultation

Dr. Kristine DeMarco Chiropractic Physician

203-333-6544

Black Rock Holistic Health Center

825 Kings Highway East Fairfield, CT 06825

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Musculoskeletal Care • Acute & Chronic Pain Graston Technique • Nutritional Consults Certified Acupuncturist

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

irst Niagara Bank and The Ridgefield Playhouse will present the ninth annual community event, Shakespeare on the Green and Green Expo, on August 9. The “how to live green” fair runs from noon to 4pm with a performance of Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona taking place under a tent for a seated audience at 2pm. The events will be held on the green at The Ridgefield Playhouse.

This free extravaganza is a thankyou from the Playhouse to the greater Ridgefield community, which supports it throughout the year. More than 500 will be able to spend family time experiencing a contemporary rendition of Shakespeare and learn about green living, which means making sustainable choices about what we eat, how we travel, what we buy, and how we use and dispose of it.

The experts participating in the Green Expo will explain how easy it can be to implement sustainability in our workplace practices and our homes and how we can make everyday choices that are good for us and the environment. The event includes food samples, food for purchase, product information and demonstrations.

Tickets are free but must be reserved by calling 203-438-5795 (limit of 5 tickets per family) on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets will be held at the box office until 1pm on August 9. For more information, visit RidgefieldPlayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a nonprofit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield. See ad, page 16.

3rd Annual Stamford Hospital Health Wellness & Sports Expo

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he 2014 Stamford Hospital Health Wellness & Sports Expo 2014 will take place on September 20 and September 21, from 9am to 4pm.

Located on Chelsea Piers Connecticut at 1 Blachley Road in Stamford, this free expo will also feature a Run Walk for Health & Hunger. The 5k run, 1-mile walk for families and children and 1-mile dog walk will all start and finish at Chelsea Piers Connecticut on Saturday morning.

Throughout the weekend of Expo 2014, Stamford Hospital will offer complimentary health screenings for adults and activities for children while more than 80 exhibitors showcase their services and products. Special guests will include Bobby Valentine, former professional baseball player and manager and current athletic director at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, and Sean Hyson, author of 101 Best Workouts of All Times and training director of Men’s Fitness Magazine. A raffle and silent auction will benefit The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. Pet Wellness Day on September 20 and Health & Fitness Technology Day on September 21 will be new elements at the expo this year.

The 5 K Run on a USATF-certified course through Stamford and Cove Beach will begin on September 20 at 8:15am and the 1 Mile Walk will start at 8:30am. The 1 Mile Dog Walk, sponsored by The Veterinary Cancer Center, will also take place at 8:30am. Free doggie day care will be provided

by Wagmores from 9am to 1pm.

The entry fee for the Run Walk For Health & Hunger is $40 per adult plus three nonperishable food items and $20 per child (14 and under) plus one nonperishable food item.

Dogs must be up-to-date on vaccines and kept on leashes during the 1 Mile Walk. The food and $5 from each entry fee will be donated to The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County.

Massage Therapy

The Gift of Relaxation Specializing in: Swedish • Pregnancy • Injury • Infant Trigger Point • CranioSacral Therapy

Robin Ordan, LMT 203-561-8535

www.robinordanlmt.com Located on the Old Greenwich/Stamford Border

For further information, call 203-531-3047, visit HWS-Expos.com, or follow Facebook/hws.expos or Twitter/HWS_Expos.

To register for the Run Walk For Health & Hunger, visit HWS-Expos.com and click on Active.com. See ads, pages 18 and 19.

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. ~Benjamin Franklin

145 Grassy Plain St. Bethel, CT

Soul Focus Mela Rispoli 203-570-3868 mrispoli2@aol.com eNaturalAwakenings.com

August 2014

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newsbriefs Tunes and Family Fun at Blues, Views & BBQ Festival

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Expanding Possibility Through Vision There’s More To Healthy Vision Than 20/20 Eyesight Eyes Are Important Indicators Of Overall Health • Comprehensive eye exams for all ages • Solutions for dry eyes, computer use,

and sports • Exceptional treatment for eye diseases

• LASIK and Refractive Surgery co-management • High quality eyeglasses and specialty contact lenses • Iridology

Eyecare Associates, ��

6515 Main Street Trumbull, CT 06611 203-374-2020

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www.cteyecareassociates.com

Fairfield County Edition

2600 Post Road Southport, CT 06890 203-255-4005

natural awakenings

139 Main Street Norwalk, CT 06851 203-840-1991

he 7th annual Blues, Views & BBQ Festival, presented by the Westport Downtown Merchants Association, will be held in Westport on August 30 and 31 at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts and the grounds of the Westport Library.

Smokin’ Blues and Rock will feature headliners Spin Doctors and Rick Derringer as well as Anders Osborne, Poppa Chubby, Raw Oyster Cult, Coco Montoya Band, Bill Kirchen, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Mia Borders, Rory Block, Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys and Bobby Paltauf Band.

The Family Fun Fest, on the grounds of the Westport Library, offers activities for every age, including cooking demonstrations by local chefs presented by the CTbites food blog, pie and rib eating contests, performances by the School of Rock and other local musicians, street performers, bull riding, children’s activities, and a Kansas City Barbeque Society amateur competition to benefit the Westport Woman’s Club’s Food zCloset.

There will be a BBQ, gourmet and specialty food marketplace and a food court filled with wood-fired, grilled and roasted food, handcrafted beer, premium liquor, wine and other refreshments.

For entry forms for the eating and BBQ competitions, tickets or more information, visit BluesViewsBBQ.com.

Tickets to the Family Fun Fest and the Main Stage at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts are sold separately.

Children 12 and under are free. Rain or shine. See ad, page 32.

Feldenkrais Eyes and Balance Workshop in Kent

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arol Lessinger, who presented a Psoas workshop last year in Danbury, is returning to Connecticut in September to team up with local Feldenkrais trainer, Anna JohnsonChase for an. Eyes, Orientation and Balance workshop. The event will take place in Kent on September 12 and 13.

Your eyes can directly affect your entire muscular system. The workshop will address flexibility, Carol Lessinger your orientation in space, and what you see and don’t see. Attendees will experience easy, usable movements for improved sight and the capacity to improve balance. The lessons were able to transform more than vision for some past participants.

Taking place on Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 10am to 2pm, the workshop cost is $175.00 for the full weekend or $135 for Saturday only. An early bird discount is available ($160/weekend and $125/Saturday) for those who register before August 15. Lessinger will also be available for private sessions in Ridgefield on September 15 and 16.

Sound Equals Energy

Tibetan Sound Therapy & Health Coaching

Jan Adamovic

International Academy of Sound Healing, Certified Practitioner

Call 203-550-5996

www.soundequalsenergy.com

stop talking i start living LIFE / MENTOR COACH / YOGA INSTRUCTOR Do you want more from your life?

Would you like to invite a change into your life?

Align your life with what you want the most for yourself.

Let me be your support on your journey to a happier life. time management i relationships i career i family communication i finances i health i spirituality Alzbeta Peskova

To register, email Melene Rose at RT4res@gmail.com or call 203-403-3338. For more information, visit CarolLessinger.com or Feldenkrais.com. See ad, page 20.

Visit my website for a free consultation Yoga2LifeCoaching.com • 203.326.0405

Hunter Healing Hands

SoNo Arts Celebration 2014

Photo by Claire Lewis Photography

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he annual SoNo Arts Celebration will take place on the historic downtown streets of South Norwalk on August 16 and 17. In its 39th year, the event offers family fun with live music, arts, a children’s area playground and more. It will once again feature over 150 juried exhibiting artists.

Attendees can help make puppets for the annual puppet parade on Saturday in the children’s arts playground, explore the oceans at the Maritime Aquarium exhibit, and dine with more than 30 dining options. The diversity of musical selections includes a broad array of genres, including funk, blues, folk, reggae, Americana, jazz, jam and improv.

The event is free to the public thanks to the support of numerous sponsors and vendors. The weekend kicks off on August 15 with a live music and silent disco late night at the park at 50 Washington Street in Norwalk.

For more information, visit SonoArts.org. See ad, page 9.

For Body, Mind, & Soul

Classes Workshops Drum Circles Reiki Shares Private Healing Sessions by Appointment

Jessica C. Hunter

Shamanic Practitioner & OM Certified Reiki Master Teacher Certified Crystal Therapy Practitioner Empath Intuitive, Shamanic Medium Spiritual Teacher

203-916-8381

www.hunterhealinghands.com hunterhealinghands@hotmail.com

Personal Wellness Center Inspiring You to Live Your Best Life!

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coverartist

A Girl’s Best Friend Richard Laycock

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Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

Many of cover artist Richard Laycock’s paintings depict the beautiful coastline, farmland and forest around his adopted home of Hillsboro, Oregon, a landscape “strikingly similar to the Yorkshire countryside of my English youth,” he says. “There are endless vignettes to capture in the ever-changing conditions of western Oregon.”

Since art school, the pencil has been Laycock’s tool of choice. “I love the way a pencil reduces the subject to shape and light, which color often masks,” he notes. After selling his national company that provided representation for storyboard artists, Laycock decided to explore the challenge of pastels, and now “revels in a whole new world of color.”

For A Girl’s Best Friend, the artist used pastels to depict his granddaughter, Bella, joyfully skipping along the beach with her dog, Harley. The painting is a happy family memory of the beloved, recently departed pet.

Laycock studied design at the Huddersfield College of Art, in England, and has served as creative director for companies in London and Los Angeles.

His work hangs in galleries and private collections across Oregon and elsewhere. He has also designed covers for the Territorial Seed Company’s catalog for more than 12 years.

View the artist’s portfolio at RichardLaycockStudio.com.

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August 2014

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healthbriefs

Parents’ Smoking Linked to Artery Damage in Children

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esearchers from Australia’s University of Tasmania have found that children exposed to the secondhand smoke of their parents will likely face abnormally thickened carotid arteries later in life. The finding, published in the European Heart Journal, followed 3,776 children that participated in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study and the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study.

The children were divided into groups according to whether neither parent smoked, one parent smoked or both parents smoked. Questionnaire results were combined with ultrasound testing to correlate exposure during childhood with the health of carotid arteries, and researchers concluded that the effects are pervasive even 25 years later.

Those exposed to two parental smokers as children had significantly greater thickness of inner carotid artery walls than did children with non-smoking parents.

Their arteries also showed signs of premature aging of more than three years compared to children of nonsmokers. The researchers wrote, “There must be continued efforts to reduce smoking among adults to protect young people and to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease across the population.”

Heelless Shoes May Help Prevent Runners’ Injuries

A

British study published in Footwear Science analyzed the effects of running in experimental heelless footwear compared with conventional running shoes with reinforced heels. The objective was to see if the heelless footwear would reduce the risk of chronic injury related to the habitual rear-foot strike pattern associated with conventional heeled shoes.

Using eight cameras with optoelectric running motion capture technology,12 male runners were tracked at four meters per second. The heelless running shoe resulted in less impact, greater plantar flexion and greater ankle eversion (rolling outward). The researchers concluded that the heelless shoes decreased the risk of chronic running foot injuries linked to excessive impact forces, but concede they may increase injury potential associated with excessive ankle eversion.

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Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

Pediatric Chiropractic Care Improves Babies’ Spinal Misalignment

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ediatric chiropractic physicians specialize in treating pregnant women and their babies. It is a poorly understood fact that even a normal vaginal delivery without intervention can be traumatic for a newborn’s spine, particularly the head and neck. Breech delivery, Cesarean section, forceps and vacuum extraction aids cause even more stress, often resulting in spinal misalignments at birth or shortly thereafter.

Some of the more noticeable signs indicating spinal misalignment in a newborn or infant include the child’s head being consistently tilted or turned to one side. Decreased head or neck mobility on one side or difficulty in nursing, particularly on one side, are signs as well. Congenital torticollis is a condition which may cause any of these indicators.

Documentation cited in leading obstetric and pediatric medical journals states that most torticollis seen in newborns is due to birth trauma. Torticollis is usually due to misalignment (subluxation) of the first few bones in the neck and/or an injury to neck muscles, resulting in muscle spasms. Common conventional medical therapy for torticollis involves physical therapy to stretch the spasmed muscles. However, solely addressing the muscular component of torticollis is not often successful.

Specially trained pediatric doctors of chiropractic may gen-

tly and effectively correct these misalignments, and babies often relax and sleep through the office visit. In 1992, the Journal of Manual Medicine published a European medical doctor’s study reporting that 43 of 44 infants with torticollis responded favorably to this type of conservative spinal care. In 1998, the medical journal Spine reported that the sooner babies had spinal misalignments corrected, the more favorable the outcome.

According to a 1993 medical report in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, failure to detect and correct subluxation will likely result in residual head posture problems, even after “successful” neck muscle therapy. The longer torticollis persists, the more likely a patient will develop scoliosis and/or the facial-head asymmetry known as plagiocephaly. This is caused by a chronic muscle spasm pulling on the mastoid process, which is the bone behind the ear. The longer this pulling occurs, the more distorted and flattened the head appears.

One of the current conventional medical solutions for plagiocephaly is the use of a helmet. While this solution may help change the shape of the infant’s head, it does not correct the underlying subluxation causing the torticollis in the first place. Plagiocephaly has also been successfully addressed by gentle chiropractic care to the spine and cranium, in conjunction with gentle stretching and cranial sacral techniques.

Dr. Risa Sloves is one of a small group of chiropractic physicians in Connecticut who is board certified in chiropractic pediatrics and maternity care. She practices with her husband, Dr. Mark Joachim, at Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care, P.C., at 156 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-838-1555. See ad, page 36.

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Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

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

Dirty Waters

Trenton to Chicago via Eco-Outrigger

The American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) seventh annual American Fitness Index (AFI) ranks Washington, D.C., at the top with a score of 77.3 (out of 100), followed by Minneapolis-St. Paul (73.5), Portland, Oregon (72.1) Denver (71.7) and San Francisco (71). Overall, metro areas in 25 states scored 50 or above; the two lowest-ranking hovered near 25 points.

“The AFI data report is a snapshot of the state of health in the community and an evaluation of the infrastructure, community assets and policies that encourage healthy and fit lifestyles. These measures directly affect quality of life in our country’s urban areas,” says Walter Thompson, Ph.D., chair of the AFI advisory board.

Margo Pellegrino, a homemaker, mother of two and healthy oceans advocate from Medford Lakes, New Jersey, will begin a 1,600-mile journey from nearby Trenton to Chicago, Illinois, by outrigger canoe on August 13 as part of Blue Frontier Campaign’s ocean explorers project. During her two-month trip, she’ll meet with local environmental groups and the media to raise awareness of the urgent need to clean America’s waterways.

“All water and everything in it ends up in the ocean,” Pellegrino says. “Plastics and chemicals are particular problems, but soil runoff during floods and heavy rains also impact the ocean and marine life.” During previous paddles, Pellegrino saw firsthand the effects of dumped industrial waste in the waterways she traversed. She notes that nationally, oil rig operators have federal permits to dump 9 billion gallons of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, waste into the ocean each year.

On Pellegrino’s first trip in 2007, she paddled nearly 2,000 miles up the Atlantic Coast, from Miami, Florida, to Maine.

In 2009, she partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council to go from Miami to New Orleans, Louisiana, to build support for a Healthy Oceans Act (OnEarth.org/author/healthyoceanspaddle). In 2010, she canoed along the Pacific coastline from Seattle, Washington, to San Diego, California. Next summer, Pellegrino plans to paddle down the Mississippi River.

Find the complete report at AmericanFitnessIndex.org.

Follow her upcoming trip at Miami2Maine.com or on Facebook.

Fitness Update

Healthiest U.S. Metro Areas in 2014

eNaturalAwakenings.com

August 2014

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globalbriefs Flight Zone

Airports Establish Bee-Friendly Acres The Common Acre is a nonprofit partnering with the airport serving Seattle, Washington, and the Urban Bee Company (UrbanBee.com) to reclaim 50 acres of vacant land to plant native wildflowers as pollinator habitat for hummingbirds, butterflies and disease-resistant bee colonies.

A GMO-free (no genetic modification) wildflower seed farm is also in the works. Bees present no threat to air traffic and the hives discourage birds that do pose a danger to planes.

Beekeeper Jim Robins, of Robins Apiaries, in St. Louis, Missouri, rents an area with a plentiful supply of white Dutch clover, and Lambert Airport views his enterprise as part of its sustainability program. O’Hare Airport, in Chicago, the first in the U.S. to install hives, is rebuilding to its full complement of 50 hives after losing about half of them to 2014’s extreme winter. It’s a project that could be a model for airports everywhere—using inaccessible scrubland to do something revolutionary, like supporting a local food system. One hundred foods make up 90 percent of a human diet, and bees pollinate 71 of them.

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Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

Harvesting Fog

Simple Device Provides Safe Water in Africa photo: ArchitectureAndVision.com

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

The WarkaWater tower is providing an innovative new way to harvest safe drinking water, normally an onerous task in Ethiopia and many other parts of Africa.

Obtaining water via repeated trips to the nearest source is extremely timeconsuming and what’s collected is often highly contaminated and harmful to drink. Also, this task is commonly carried out by females, putting them in danger of sexual harassment or worse enroute.

The towers, inspired by the native warka tree, are a vertical bamboo system that harvests potable, clean water from the air through condensation, using a fog-harvesting fabric that can collect up to 25 gallons of safe drinking water per day. Each tower costs about $550, and can be built in a few days by village residents using locally available materials.

Source: Inhabitat.com

True Grit

Why Persistence Counts Some educators believe that improvements in instruction, curriculum and school environments are not enough to raise the achievement levels of all students, especially disadvantaged children.

Also necessary is a quality called “grit”, loosely defined as persistence over time to overcome challenges and accomplish big goals. Grit comprises a suite of traits and behaviors that include goal-directedness (knowing where to go and how to get there); motivation (having a strong will to achieve identified goals); self-control (avoiding distractions and focusing on the task at hand); and a positive mindset (embracing challenges and viewing failure as a learning opportunity).

A meta-study of 25 years of research by John Hattie and Helen Timperley, professors at the University of Aukland, New Zealand, has shown that giving students challenging goals encourages greater effort and persistence than providing vague or no direction. Students aren’t hardwired for these qualities, but grit can be developed through an emerging battery of evidence-based techniques that give educators a powerful new set of tools to support student success.

A famous example of the power of self-regulation was observed when preschoolers that were able to withstand the temptation of eating a marshmallow for 15 minutes to receive a second one were more successful in high school and scored about 210 points higher on their SATs later in life than those with less willpower (Tinyurl.com/Stanford MarshallowStudy).

Source: ascd.org.

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Rejuvenation ecotip and Healing

New School Rules

Eco Strategies for Back-to-School Prep Families preparing for the coming school year will welcome easy ways to stretch the budget while protecting the environment our kids are growing up in.

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n Buying new clothes can be expensive, and most of today’s synthetic fibers are petroleum-based, while toxic pesticides are commonly used to grow cotton. For healthier alternatives, check labels for clothes made from organic, low-impact or recycled materials such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo or recycled fibers. Inexpensive options are found in Salvation Army and other thrift store locations, as well as repurposing hand-medowns among siblings. n Avoid buying all new school supplies. Gently used binders and book bags can last years. Sturdy, simple backpacks skip the cost of faddish brand-name and celebrity products. For supplies that must be replenished, like paper, seek out postconsumer-recycled options. n For lunch boxes, food containers and utensils, look for retro metal, a cloth bag and other alternatives to plastic (which can contain harmful chemicals) and glass (which can break). Beth Terry, in her book, Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too (MyPlasticFreeLife.com), suggests searching Mighty Nest.com and LifeWithoutPlastic.com, makers of stainless steel, naturally lacquered wood and other non-plastic, durable children’s bowls, cups, plates and utensils.

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n Healthy afterschool extracurricular activities today typically require driving commutes. Look into carpooling with nearby families to save time and gas, cut vehicle emissions and expand friendships. n Check the school’s eco-practices. Encourage local administrators to conduct recycling programs and to email documents to parents instead of using regular mail.

Attend A FRee inFo session: Monday, Aug. 4th • 7:00pm–7:30pm Monday, Aug. 18th • 7:00pm–7:30pm or contact dr. Worden for an evaluation appointment and for more information.

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Fairfield County Edition

Cutting-edge BioEnergetic Technology can pinpoint the cause and customize a remedy protocol to reduce your body’s reaction to: Allergies, Fatigue, Heavy Metal Toxicity, Hormone Imbalance, Nutritional Deficiencies, Brain Dysfunction, and more. www.blissnutritionct.com Call today for a free phone consultation 203-710-3925

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Beth has created a vibrant holistic health and resource center and growing community of people who are committed to living consciously and to offering healthy lifestyle options in the form of private sessions, classes, workshops and special events.

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actionalert Dangerous Influx

Gas Pipeline Pumps Radioactive Radon into Homes In New York City, the Spectra gas pipeline that went online in 2013 is delivering more than just energy-efficient, cleanburning natural gas from Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale. It’s also piping radioactive radon gas that’s contaminating commercial and residential boilers, ovens, stoves, dryers and water heaters at 30 to 80 times baseline levels—well above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency safe level for radiation exposure.

According to Dr. Sheila BushkinBedient, with the University of Albany, New York, “While it may be possible to remove other components of raw natural gas such as ethane, propane, butane and pentanes at natural gas processing centers, it’s not possible to remove radioactive substances such as radon. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers and the second-leading cause among smokers and indirect (secondhand) smokers.”

The Spectra conduit is one of hundreds of pipelines and fossil fuel infrastructure projects across the country being quickly approved by the Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission.

Citizens should demand that elected officials connect the dots and halt the uncontrolled rush to drill new sites regardless of safety concerns and let them know people are alarmed by the possibility of radioactive gas entering their communities.

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The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique. ~Walt Disney 24

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

The foundation of a Waldorf early childhood program is based on profound respect for childhood and the belief in the limitless potential of their imagination. ages 3 through 13 attend, with 1,000 names on the waiting list.

Waldorf

Schools that Rock Innovators Blaze Creative Paths

by Sandra Murphy

Creative educational initiatives offer more flexible programs of study than traditional institutions. First introduced into the United States in the latter part of the 20th century, today there are thousands of such facilities operating according to their own lights. Yet many share certain distinguishing characteristics including emphasis on close studentteacher relationships, diverse experiential learning, and development of student decision-making skills aided by peer and parental support.

All aim to prepare and equip students for future success both inside and outside the classroom.

Montessori

At age 3, kids at the Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School, in Maryland, are gaining early math and motor skills, plus an appreciation for healthy foods, in unique and innovative ways. “The children roll out a long mat containing 1,000 beads that they use to learn to count by twos, fours and 10s,” says Jenny Smolen, development coordinator and grant writer for the school. “When it’s time for multiplication and division, they’re prepared.”

The school is located in a food desert—fresh, unprocessed food isn’t

readily available—so the kids plant seeds to grow in pots until it’s time to transplant them to the garden. “Before the seed-to-table program, the kids didn’t know what fresh tasted like. Now they go home and ask for vegetables for dinner,” says Smolen.

The school also has six chickens that supply fresh eggs, and two beehives produced 100 pounds of honey last year that was sold to raise funds. The school is free of charge to Baltimore city students chosen by lottery. Currently, 330 students from diverse backgrounds

Waldorf School alumna Jocelyn Miller, an account manager at Matter Communications, drives 45 minutes from Newburyport, Massachusetts, to take her three children to the The Waldorf School at Moraine Farms, in Beverly.

“On bad weather days, I wonder why I make the drive, but the smiles when we arrive are worth it,” she says. There, her children spend time outdoors regardless of the weather. Indoors, they draw illustrations to bolster lessons on history and geography.

Second-graders work in three-hour blocks of time, rather than the traditional 45 minutes. Fifth-grade students recently spent three weeks studying Greek mythology. Older students play in an orchestra and learn German and Spanish.

They also knit; the craft builds manual dexterity and helps children learn to plan, correct mistakes, be creative, visualize the finished product and mindfully create something useful or decorative.

Middle school and high school students at the Waldorf School of Garden City, in New York, universally participate in seasonal sports—baseball, softball, basketball and soccer. The emphasis on the values of teamwork and sportsmanship complement development of skills. The school’s policy is, “You don’t have to be a superstar to get playing time,” noting that the quality of athletic teams is consistently strong.

The school also brings some green into the city with a horticultural program that fully cultivates a quarteracre field. Its steady harvest of fruits, vegetables, herbs and grains includes lettuce, beans, spinach, broccoli,

eNaturalAwakenings.com

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kale, corn, oregano, thyme, rosemary, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. A new greenhouse keeps produce growing through winter months.

Students at Conservatory Prep High School, in Davie, Florida, were tasked with finding a way to walk on water in order to explore principles of flotation and buoyancy. After researching and experimenting with each of a series of materials, they analyzed what went wrong, worked to fix it and then tried again. “We did the testing at our onsite pool,” says Wendy Weiner, Ed.D., the school’s founder and principal and a Waldorf alumna. “We saw some pretty funny results, but they eventually invented a pair of shoes that worked. Of course, they were pretty big shoes.”

Homeschooling

Homeschooling provides another option. Parents don’t need to know all about a subject with organizations like Bridgeway Academy’s homeschool curricula at hand. This Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, institution provides easy access to tools and support for families

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Fairfield County Edition

Children at Wisconsin’s Montessori School of Waukesha learn to baste; spoon beans or rice from bowls; cut paper, draw, paint or paste cutouts; and sew or embroider using a three-finger grip.

It strengthens the muscles they will need later to practice writing skills. nationwide. “We’re a kindergartento-12th-grade provider,” says Jessica Parnell, academy president. “Teachers in a school setting have to teach standardized subjects, in certain ways, to the whole class. We use customized learning to inspire and excite children individually. We help parents discover their child’s learning style, personality

natural awakenings

and ideal learning environment.”

Materials provided include instructor guides, user-friendly websites and interactive games and other activities.

“It gives kids the freedom to explore, learn and discover,” Parnell adds. “This is how you grow a lifelong learner.”

Un-Schooling

Un-schooling, another pioneering approach, is a method of homeschooling in which children pursue areas that interest them, eat foods they enjoy, rest when needed, choose friends of all ages or none at all and engage their world in unique, powerful and self-directed ways. Suzanne Strisower, a life and career coach in Oroville, California, has written a commoncore, standards-based curriculum for un-schoolers. “It’s a yearlong program for ages 15 and up designed to enable a student to realize his career path and life’s purpose,” she says.

Online Tutorials

“There’s an explosion in online learning, too,” observes Bob Bowdon, executive director of nonprofit Choice

Media, an education news service at ChoiceMedia.tv, produced in New York City. School kids in some states are able to opt out of a class at school if they feel the teaching style is holding them back, instead tapping online teachers available in a virtual school setting.

Louisiana’s Department of Education’s Jump Start program partners high schools and local companies to offer students one-day-a-week internships apprenticing in trades. “It’s real-world, on-the-job training,” says Bowdon.

Thanks to such innovative approaches to school curricula and technology, parents and children have more options than ever before for learning. Instead of memorizing information until the next test and then forgetting it, more learning is customized and hands-on, because children that learn by doing, remember.

Connect with Sandra Murphy at StLouis FreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.

Standout Schools Help Inner-City Kids Shine New York City students participating in The Young Women’s Leadership of East Harlem School are motivated to think about where, not if, they will attend college. The first three all-girl graduating classes boasted 100 percent college enrollment with the help of the Young Women’s Leadership College Bound Initiative, which funds a full-time college counselor at several of the city’s public high schools. The majority of the students are the first in their families to attend college.

Harlem Village Academy Charter School, in Manhattan, ranks highest among all public, non-selective high schools in New York City in terms of college enrollment. Because many

The Waldorf Experience

T

he foundation of a Waldorf early childhood program is based on profound respect for childhood and the belief in the limitless potential of their imagination. The commitment to protecting the young child’s imagination through play-based learning sets the Waldorf education method apart.

A vivid imagination will serve children well in later years, enhancing their creative problem-solving, social and analytical skills.

Waldorf’s education programs for children range from parent-child classes through eighth grade, as well as aftercare, summer camp, and many lectures and special events for the

children enter it as fifth-graders with a first grade reading ability, they typically receive extracurricular, phonics-based reading instruction, attend a homework club and have access to outside tutors. Performance generally improves throughout middle school, and 90 percent of the students stay in the Harlem Village Academies (HVA) network through high school. The class of 2012 had a 100 percent graduation rate compared with a 60 percent average for the city’s high schools. Nationally, only 8 percent of low-income students graduate from college, but 88 percent of all HVA high school graduates starting with its first senior class in 2011 have remain enrolled in college classes.

whole family. At the core of the Waldorf philosophy is a distinct understanding of the human spirit and human development and the conviction that education is an artistic process, and children best learn experientially. Locally, parents can find the Waldorf philosophy at work in Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, now celebrating the milestone of providing academic excellence through the arts for 25 years in Connecticut.

During the eight years of grade school, the students travel from the fairy tales all the way through Shakespeare, from dreamy water color painting to the precision and exactness of geometry, from the wonder of nature up through botany, chemistry, physics and physiology.

Spanish and German, orchestra, strings, chorus, painting, beeswax and clay modeling, dramatic plays, and practical arts such as knitting, crocheting and sewing not only round out the school day, but support the academic subject matter.

Every student is educated to be an artist and musician as well as a scholar. The majority of graduates thrive in the finest private and public high schools. Best of all, this is accomplished without the stress of standardized testing, the pressure of grades, or the burden of huge amounts of homework.

It is accomplished by teaching to the head, heart and hands of every student in a safe, serene environment that inspires life-long learning.

For more information on Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, visit WaldorfCT.org. See ad, page 24. eNaturalAwakenings.com

August 2014

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Reading Comprehension

eurodevelopmental disorders are on the rise, and our children need help. In 2011, approximately 12 percent of Connecticut’s school-age children had an Individualized Education Program (IEP). There are also a large number of children who struggle in school but don’t qualify for services. A decade ago, you might never have crossed paths with a child with autism. Today, it’s rare not to know someone affected by the disorder. Twenty years ago, a hyperactive and disruptive child was viewed as a “discipline” problem. Today, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is one of the most prevalent childhood problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2011, approximately 6.4 million U.S. children carried an AD/HD diagnosis. A short time ago, most parents had never even heard of Asperger’s syndrome,

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bipolar disorder or oppositional defiant disorder. Today, these diagnoses are in the consciousness of many parents.

What’s causing this epidemic rise

in neurodevelopmental issues? The wellresearched theory of epigenetics steps in to help explain what many people have suspected for decades; Environmental factors are interacting with our genes to make them behave differently. The “environmental” term refers to physical environmental factors as well as everything your developing child encounters.

The genes behave differently by turning on or off in new ways or at odd times, resulting in a change in the way the two hemispheres of the brain develop.

When one side of the brain is significantly less developed than the other, the result is called a functional disconnection. This means that the two sides of the brain are unable to communicate and work together as a whole.

illustration provided by Brain Balance Center, Norwalk

Hemisphere Brain Functions

Environmental factors are interacting with our genes to make them behave differently.

Long-standing research has shown the different functions of the right and left hemispheres of the brain. The right brain is about the big picture, including gross motor, nonverbal communication, social and reasoning skills. The left brain is more about details, such as fine-motor and verbal communication skills, and logical and sequential thinking.

These two sides of the brain have to work together to handle higher-level tasks.

Imagine the brain as an orchestra in which many skilled musicians are playing at different speeds or in different keys at the same time. The result would be chaotic and inharmonious. Similarly, children suffering from functional disconnection may feel as if they’re in the middle of a jumbled, chaotic mess. This makes even simple tasks seem overwhelming and often results in unpleasant or even disturbing behaviors.

Functional Disconnection Syndrome (FDS) encompasses a myriad of symptoms. Each child is individual and presents his/her own blend of issues. When a child is dealing with a right brain underdevelopment, hyperactivity, a lack of social understanding, impulse control and behavior issues, anxiety, and emotional reactivity or distractibility can be seen. When a left brain weakness is present, the children are much more socially adept but may have an abundance of academic issues, auditory processing and speech problems, poor motivation, depression, memory issues or problems with task completion. Additionally, the underdeveloped hemisphere can also hold back the more developed hemisphere.

Understanding these processes brings increased ability to remedy the problems associated with FDS. The brain behaves much like a muscle—the more it is used, the stronger it gets. The brain is comprised of neural pathways which are easiest imagined as trees. A weak, underdeveloped tree has few branches and roots; conversely, a strong tree has a full volume of each. The more that specific neural pathways are exercised, the more “branches and roots” they will sprout, and the closer they are to full function. Finally, when both sides of the brain are on equal playing fields, the brain will start to work together, to integrate. This is achievable through a process termed Hemispheric Integration Therapy. In the therapy, only one side of the brain is worked to help it develop further. Higher-level tasks are then introduced which require both sides to work together in an integrated fashion.

Because of advances being made in our understanding and research about the brain, parents seeking help beyond a pill may have an answer and a way to provide their children with more hope.

Kristina Crivellone is the center director for Brain Balance Achievement Center. To find out more about functional disconnection and corrective treatment, email Norwalk@ BrainBalanceCenters.com or call 203-847-3000. Brain Balance Achievement Center is located at 15 Cross St, Norwalk.

WHY AN ORGANIC MATTRESS IS RIGHT FOR YOU

While we sleep, our immune system recovers and prepares for the day ahead. If your mattress is filled with airborne allergens and chemical toxins, your immune system will battle these rather than repair itself. Regular bedding & mattresses are laden with polyurethane foam, toxic flame retardants, and water or stain resistant chemicals.

Organic Innerspring Mattresses Our cotton innerspring mattresses are made with organic cotton batting and organic wool — free from chemicals and pesticides! Great for those who are chemically sensitive or allergic to latex. A good fit for families on a budget because an innerspring is generally less expensive than a latex mattress.

Natural Latex Organic Mattresses When it comes to latex there’s “natural” and then there’s “all natural”. We sell only “all natural” latex mattresses so you sleep chemical-free. Beware mattress stores online and in your neighborhood selling “natural” or “green” or “sustainable” foam mattresses.

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violence.org), is their shared commitment to Connecticut’s youth and to each child’s future. The stories of bullying incidents range from severe street and gun violence to online bullying, suicide, and to subtle but soul damaging acts of silencing and exclusion. The question everyone continues to ask is: “How do we heal these issues and create more compassionate and cohesive schools, neighborhoods and communities?” The answer evolves and deepens over the weeks of training. We must educate our youth about peacebuilding skills, the methods of nonviolence, restorative justice, and the values and behaviors that create and nurture compassionate communities.

What constitutes a Compassionate Community?

Beyond Bullying: Peacebuilding to Create Compassionate Schools and Communities

by Lisa Worth Huber

T

he room at Southern Connecticut State University is packed with educators, community leaders, government officials and active citizens. Some work in the toughest neighborhoods in Connecticut while others work in more affluent towns in the state. The commonality of all participants in this Kingian Nonviolence Certification Training, led by the Connecticut Center for Nonviolence (ctNon-

In compassionate communities, peacebuilding flourishes and reconciliation is a way of life. It is where we find healing and good will, interconnectedness and cohesion. The Charter for Compassion has established a Compassionate Cities initiative in which Danbury is a participant. To learn more, visit CharterforCompassion.org/City-Campaigns.

One of the challenges schools and communities face around issues of bullying is the tendency to address the symptoms rather than the root causes of these problems. We need to: • Educate children and teens to identify all forms of bullying behavior.

• Model moral courage by standing up for what is just and kind.

• Create a system of communication in schools whereby students can anonymously report their concerns without the fear of retaliation from perpetrators.

• Establish safety measures within homes, schools and communities to protect everyone from all forms of bullying and violent acts.

Essential to the success of transforming bullying behaviors is the encouragement and development of each student to shift their behavior from a passive bystander to one of an active peacebuilder. This requires training of teachers and staff in methods that create and maintain peaceful and compassionate classrooms and schools. Skills such as mediation, restorative justice, dialogue and empathic listening are vital to effectively address bullying or any other forms of disruption or violence. These lifetime skills will enhance all aspects

Celebration Service Sundays at 10:30 am Our mission is to continually discover, demonstrate, and educate that our source of Good is God within.

Our Ongoing Events

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Celebration Service, Sun at 10:30 am Open Mic Night, 3rd Sat at 7 pm

Reiki Healing Circle, 1st Thu at 7 pm Purls of Wisdom, 2nd Sat at 6:30 pm

Summer Retreat “Deep in the Depths of MY Soul” - August 10-15th Meditation, Yoga, Spirit-Filled Music, Open Discussion Workshops, 24 Hours in Silence, Drumming Circle, Free Time, Small Group Time, Laughter, Entertainment, Gourmet Meals, and more! A few spots left!

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of students’ lives now and throughout adulthood.

Excellent outsourced programs do exist to help educate on bullying and build peacebuilding skills: • The Connecticut Center for Nonviolence’s ThinKING Youth Nonviolent Leadership • Roots of Empathy • Challenge Day • The Anti-Defamation Leagues’ Names Can Really Hurt Us • Facing History and Ourselves’ Bullying: A Case in Ostracism and Bully • Teaching Tolerance’s Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case That Made History • Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center’s Unity Day

Peace: Wholeness Created by Right Relationships When we speak of peace, what do we mean? An excellent definition used at the National Peace Academy (National PeaceAcademy.us) is articulated in its Earth Charter; “Peace is the wholeness created by right relationships with oneself, other persons, other cultures, other life, Earth, and the larger whole of which all are a part” (EarthCharterinAction.org). By encouraging youth to learn and develop skills in right relationships with themselves, others and their communities, we begin to assist them in becoming more confident in handling challenges that often derail them, and sometimes lead them down destructive paths.

Following are some questions parents can answer to begin to establish peacebuilding behaviors with their children.

First, let’s explore the idea of right behavior with oneself. Do children get enough exercise and eat healthy food? Despite the academic pressures and after-school activities, do they have time for recreation and play? Is there established time away from their online devices? Do they have access to nature? Does the family sit down to share meals together at least three nights a week? During that mealtime, do conversations include everyone at the table? Are questions asked that require children and teens to share more about their day and thoughts than how they did on their test?

It’s important during these family conversations to wait patiently for answers and demonstrate attentive listening.

Establishing these rituals will help provide opportunities for our children to feel heard, centered, and to become more self-reflective. The added benefit is that these rituals will also refresh and deepen our family connections.

How might parents support their children’s development of right relationships with others? Some peacebuilding ideas would be to establish a plan to perform an act of kindness for someone anonymously once a week. Provide time to brainstorm together and write up a list of possible actions. The key is to make this an ongoing event, not something done once.

The aim is to develop and sustain caring relationships with others, thereby cultivating empathy through experience.

• Create a poster for a classmate’s school locker who’s been having a hard time recently. Perhaps the poster highlights their wonderful qualities.

• Volunteer once a week at the local senior center, animal shelter or a community food bank.

• Do something helpful for an elderly neighbor.

Clinics Your Partners in Health and Wellness

The UB Clinics, located on the campus of the University of Bridgeport, are staffed by some of the brightest and most talented healthcare professionals of the future. Open to the public, the UB Clinics offer affordable, high-quality care at a fraction of the cost of comparable treatments elsewhere.

• Naturopathic Medicine • Dental Hygiene • Chiropractic • Acupuncture Call our UB Clinics at 203-576-4349 to take advantage of this unique healthcare opportunity located in your own backyard. Or visit www.ubclinics.org

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Establishing right relationships with other cultures is an essential skill in a world becoming more interconnected. For those living in multi-cultural communities, this means extending oneself to one’s neighbors – learn about their special holidays, religious practices, food, language, music and favorite stories. You can invite them to join you in your celebrations. Our lives are enriched and expanded the more we understand and interact with people from other cultures and races.

Living in right relationship with other life and Earth is intertwined with our focus on sustainability and the consciousness with which we bring to local food, recycling, global warming and our carbon footprint. How do we make these issues of vital concern to the youth who are inheriting a world with serious ecological challenges? The more we can educate and encourage them to actively participate in finding solutions to our local environmental concerns, the better prepared they will be to live effectively and efficiently on a warmer planet with fewer resources.

Research shows that the more involved youth are in identifying and addressing problems and finding solutions to issues from school bullying to global warming, the greater their investment is in treating themselves, each other and the Earth with care.

When they recognize the positive changes they can make, they take on larger responsibilities and hone their leadership skills. They realize that they are a part of an interconnected world where their actions for the greater good have a positive impact on themselves, their families and friends, their schools, their communities and the world.

Lisa Worth Huber, Ph.D. is a Connecticut based peace educator, facilitator, storyteller and writer with a focus on narrative and the creative arts as tools to develop empathy, create compassionate communities and give voice to the silenced. She works with diverse populations designing, developing and teaching nonviolence and peacebuilding programs. Email her at LisaHuber@ earthlink.net.

therapyspotlight

Pediatric Dentistry: Reducing Fear while Building Good Habits

F

by Jenny Federman

or young kids, going to the dentist can be a frightening new experience. Good habits start at a young age. If proper care is not taken in those crucial first appointments, one bad experience may scare a child away, leading to poor dental care and hygiene in their adult life. Pediatric

dentistry plays the important role of helping your child gain trust and confidence in the dental process.

To help children develop good dental habits which will serve them into adulthood, they should go to a pediatric dentist for cleanings, brushing and flossing lessons and other services. The goal is to help children grow up happy going to the dentist, and pediatric dentists spend a lot of time and staff training to make each visit as fun as it can be.

In pediatric dentistry, extra time and care is given to putting each child at ease from the minute they walk into the waiting room. The games, toys, and even fun pictures on the wall create a safe, inviting and friendly environment to provide children with the best experience possible.

Once a child is actually in the dentist’s chair, it is key to inform and educate children about the process, whether the topic is cleaning their teeth or filling a cavity. It is the dentist’s responsibility to teach and instill good habits of oral hygiene that will last the patient’s lifetime. This can only be achieved by working with the child at their own individual pace.

Pediatric dental offices put the effort into creating the most comfortable, safe environment for your child. Since the average person will eat over 85,000 times in their life, good habits developed early will help them enjoy each meal to the fullest extent possible.

Dr. Jenny Federman is director of Children’s Dental Care, located at 60 Old New Milford Rd, Ste 1D in Brookfield, CT. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 203745-2489 or visit ChildrensDentalCareCT.com. See ad, page 7.

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Turning off electronic devices and allowing everyone to relax and unwind at least an hour before bed time can help everyone fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Natural Support for Anxiety and Sleep Challenges

by Lisa Singley

S

tress and anxiety are a part of everyone’s life and these days it seems even more so. Our days are filled with so many activities and obligations that we rarely have time to relax and unwind. We are constantly doing something, going somewhere and often doing multiple things at the same time. The stress response is a normal reaction that helps us survive. However, when stress becomes chronic or the amount of stress is more than we feel we can handle, it can become overwhelming. This can lead to frustration, nervousness and anxiety.

Anxiety is a feeling of fear, unease and worry. The source of these symptoms is not always known. Anxiety affects people physically, mentally and emotionally; the way it manifests is different for individual people. Some people have an upset stomach, others have a stiff neck or back. Others feel shaky inside and cannot sleep.

Children are also highly affected by stress and anxiety.

Although their stressors are different from adults, they are just as real and debilitating. Children often have not developed the skills to understand the impact of stress and to articulate their feelings of frustration and fears. Often these feelings will manifest as bullying other kids, being argumentative or defiant, or being more withdrawn, quiet and isolated.

Helping children naturally cope with stress and anxiety often requires working with their parents to review diet and sleep habits. It is hard to be healthy if there are unhealthy eating habits. If most of the diet consists of highly processed food, high in sugar and salt with minimal vegetables, fruits and healthy fat, 34

Fairfield County Edition

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you are not going to have a healthy, well-balanced child.

Eating regularly scheduled, balanced meals with protein, fiber and healthy fat will keep blood sugar stable, energy levels high and moodS more even. Addressing food allergies and removing additives, colorings and preservatives are also highly beneficial for everyone in the family.

Sleep is critically important for growing bodies. Turning off electronic devices and allowing everyone to relax and unwind at least an hour before bed time can help everyone fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Giving your child an Epsom salts bath can promote relaxation; adding lavender oil can also help. Some herbs that can improve sleep are passionflower, chamomile, lemon balm and skull cap. These can be prepared as a tea or taken as a glycerite.

Staying physically active, an important part of a healthy lifestyle, has many health benefits. Aside from maintaining a healthy weight and keeping muscles and bones strong, it also helps support cognitive skills, boosts self-esteem and improves sleep. Yoga has been shown to increase gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a calming neurotransmitter. You can take GABA, or GABA precursors, or you can do yoga and let your body make more GABA by itself. Also, a variety of breathing exercises can quiet an over-active mind and help ease anxiety and manage stress.

Adaptogens are a group of herbal medicines that help the body handle stress. They do this by supporting the endocrine system, nervous system and immune system, allowing them to respond more appropriately to stress. Ashwagandha is one that can be very calming. Siberian Ginseng, which comes as a solid extract, can be combined with other herbs as needed to fit the individual needs of the child. Herbal glyercites are great for kids because they are liquid, have no alcohol and taste pleasant. Theanine, another supplement useful for anxiety, is found in green tea. It eases anxiety, improves mood and promotes a more restful sleep. It can be taken as a capsule, and some companies manufacture chewable forms for children.

Another type of treatment is the castor oil pack. This treatment involves taking a piece of cloth and soaking it with castor oil. The cloth is placed on the body; the abdomen, in this case, is then covered with a sheet of plastic wrap (to protect clothes from absorbing the oil). A hot water bottle can be applied on top, if desired. This is great before bed because it is very soothing and can help with relaxation, digestion and sleep.

Lisa Singley, ND is Director of the Natural Health and Wellness Center located at 2103 Main St, Ste #2, Stratford. The center offers comprehensive natural solutions to prevent illness and maintain optimal health for body mind, and spirit.

For more information, call 203-874-4333 or visit nhawc.com.

See Community Resource Guide listing, page 72.

realizing our full potential at work, at school and at home.

Agreement #1: Be Impeccable With Your Word

Thrive Rather Than Survive: Embracing The Four Agreements at Work and School

by Carrie Picardi

A

s an organizational psychologist and an educator, Dr. Carrie Picardi works with individuals in both work and school settings to enable them to work towards their fullest potential professionally and academically. Discovering their unique blend of interests, skills and abilities can make a difference in their current or future careers. Together, they delve into understanding how to use tools and techniques to collaborate more effectively with others for shared success.

As Picardi has listened and assisted students, clients and co-workers

over the years, something became apparent: everyone has similar needs, concerns, struggles and hopes, regardless of age, gender, personal background or goals. She found herself referring to the classic book The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz time and time again for its beautiful and practical pearls of wisdom. Picardi imagined how peaceful and positive the world would be if more people tried to remember and follow these principles each day. Ruiz’s simple yet profound agreements can aid us each day as we strive for peace, joy, and

This holds true for all forms of communication, including verbal conversations in-person and by phone, email exchanges and text messages. Remember that everything that comes from us by mouth and in writing is contributing to the overall energy and well-being of our environment and our world. Our word also creates or supports a chain reaction. The notion of “one bad apple spoils the bunch” is a real phenomenon in psychology; it is called “emotional contagion”. In our society, we have become desensitized to the impact of negative, damaging written and spoken words on each other, our surroundings and ourselves. Try this exercise: Say the word “hate” aloud ten times.

Notice how your face feels as you say the word, how your body feels and your state of mind during and afterward.

Next, say the word “love” or “happy” and notice those same feelings. Have they changed from one word to the other? You may experience feeling sad or heavy while saying “hate”, and that shifted to light, hopeful, and peaceful with the second word you chose to say aloud. This is the importance of being impeccable with your word.

Agreement #2: Don’t Take Anything Personally This is the agreement that most people find quite challenging. To not take anything personally, we must release the ego from our thoughts and behaviors,

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Dr. Sloves has 25 years of experience and is one of the only Chiropractic Physicians in Connecticut with Board Certification in Maternity and Pediatric Care.

Call 203-838-1555

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and remember it’s not all about us. For the most part, when someone’s words or actions hurt us, that person is not acting out to harm us. They are typically looking out for themselves, and we are usually an unintended side effect.

Sometimes another person will tell us something that actually is directed towards us, perhaps feedback or constructive criticism on a decision we made, a behavior we exhibited, or some work we performed. Even in this type of situation, this agreement still applies. In our workplaces and schools, the idea of “looking out for number one” is rampant.

When we operate in a mode of reactivity in response to others’ words or actions, we put ourselves in an unnecessary position of feeling the need to be territorial and defensive.

Instead, we should focus more objectively on the message and how it can be valid, useful information for our goals and aspirations. If you find yourself becoming offended more often than not, perhaps look inside for possible reasons for your reaction. Are you not ready to hear a particular truth?

Are you subconsciously fearful of improving and succeeding?

Most of the things that we think people are “doing to us”, really have nothing to do with us, or are really just meant to help us to realize our fullest potential and highest good.

Agreement #3: Don’t Make Assumptions Miscommunications can occur with even the simplest of exchange between two people; a tone of voice that is misinterpreted as an “attitude problem” or disinterest, a wording in an email that comes across as combative or aggressive, or even a perceived delay in response to a voicemail message or email that is interpreted as uncaring or selfish. We can practice becoming more attentive to situations in which an assumption can spiral into a hasty exchange, an argument, or a retaliatory behavior that can yield damaging results. Just remember the previous agreement – Don’t Take Anything Personally – and you may find it easier to stop making assumptions about others’ intentions and behaviors.

Agreement #4: Always Do Your Best No matter what is going on around you, always strive to do your best in your job, at school, and in your personal lives.

You will be viewed by others as conscientious, grounded and stable, ethical, and full of integrity. You will feel empowered and strong while remaining true to yourself and your beliefs.

This is the balance we all should continue to strive for every day. We live in a reality in which many of the environments we live, work, study and socialize in are filled with passivity, negativity, low motivation, complaints, and others reducing their efforts. By remembering this final, straightforward agreement, you will stand out from the group in the most positive way, while also focusing on personal achievement and realizing your highest potential.

This shift in thinking and behavior may seem challenging at first. Integrating the four agreements into your daily life will come more naturally with practice and awareness.

Remember, this is all about reclaiming your personal power, instilling peace within your body, mind and soul. It is about moving closer to your life fulfillment and highest good.

Living the Four Agreements: Four Things You Can Do Today Agreement #1: Be Impeccable With Your Word Imagine every word that comes out of your mouth has energy. Positive words emerge as a pure white light and fill your environment with beauty. Negative words emerge as a murky, dark cloud that contaminates everything and everyone it touches. Positive words will attract positive people, situations and opportunities; negative words will attract negative people and circumstances. If you are surrounded by complainers, gossipers or offensive talk among others, imagine that your words are clearing and purifying the air where negative words hang heavily.

because these are the souls who need it the most.

Agreement #3: Don’t Make Assumptions Many assumptions are the result of our own personal fears.

Are you afraid of appearing foolish, or stupid or uninformed if you ask a clarifying question or one that will set a mutually agreeable expectation of behavior with a friend or co-worker? Most of the time, any assumption can be easily remediated by speaking up and asking a question or seeking clarification. What is the worst thing that could happen by asking? What is the worst thing that could happen by assuming?

Agreement #4: Always Do Your Best

Agreement #2: Don’t Take Anything Personally

Every task that you do has a unique purpose and importance, no matter how large and prestigious or small and mundane.

Try to imagine the “small stuff” as the supporting cast of your life, enabling the “big picture” goals to be realized. In this way, every single task that is undertaken should be done with respect for its role in moving towards your life purpose. If this notion sounds odd, make a game out of it; try to create mental stepping stones from that “insignificant” task to the dream you are striving towards.

When someone does something that you immediately perceive as a personal attack, pause, take a deep breath, and remember it has nothing to do with you. It can be “cutting” in front you at the grocery store checkout to putting you down to look good or feel better about themselves. Repeat a mantra in your mind such as, “This is not about me.” Send them healing energy, and remind yourself that you do this

Dr. Carrie A. Picardi has more than 17 years of experience in the areas of human resource management, training and development, career coaching and higher education. She is currently an assistant professor for the University of Bridgeport and has expanded her personal exploration as a Reiki practitioner and yoga teacher-in-training.

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foodguidenewsbriefs Barefoot & Chocolate Announces Vegan Product at Summer Fancy Foods Show

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Your Local and Sustainable Food Destination FairfieldGreenFoodGuide.com

asha and Trent Lewis, co-owners and founders of Barefoot & Chocolate in Norwalk, have expanded their line of crafted chocolate spreads to include a third flavor. Dark Chocolate Almond Spread with Sea Salt, a milk-free, vegan chocolate, will arrive on store shelves at the end of August. At the Summer Fancy Foods Show in Manhattan, New York, the duo also unveiled single serve packs of Hazelnut Chocolate and Almond Coconut Chocolate spreads, a convenience when traveling or packing snacks for school.

Barefoot & Chocolate spreads achieve their distinctive flavor from quality ingredients that are responsibly sourced and pack more nuts and less sugar than conventional spreads. All products are made with Non-GMO Project Verified, Fair Trade ingredients including organic cane sugar, organic cocoa powder, organic sunflower oil, organic skimmed milk powder and organic vanilla.

For more information, visit BarefootandChocolate.com. Barefoot & Chocolate spreads are sold at Ridgefield Organics, Palmer’s Market, Aux Delices, King’s, Caraluzzi’s and Whole Foods Markets.

Olivette Opens Second Olive Oil and Balsamic Tasting Room in Westport

O

Analiese Paik, Food Editor

News, articles, resources, events... all dedicated exclusively to local and sustainable food in Fairfield County.

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

203-520-3451 or email Analiese@snet.net

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Fairfield County Edition

livette has opened a second extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting room at 24 Railroad Place in Westport. The new location showcases fresh, ultra-premium, extra virgin olive oils from around the world and authentic balsamic vinegars from Modena.

Guests are encouraged to taste before they buy and discuss food pairings and recipes with the staff.

Olivette provides the origin and production date of each of its extra Grand opening of Olivette in Westport virgin olive oils as well as a detailed with Dee Lawrence, Alina Lawrence, chemical report that guarantees freshState Representative Gail Lavielle, ness and healthfulness. Their balsamic First Selectman Jim Marpe and vinegars contain all natural ingredients State Senator Toni Boucher. with no added sugars, artificial flavors, thickening agents or caramel color. Olivette’s balsamics are aged in the traditional style from 12 to 18 years and imported from Modena, Italy.

Olivette is a distinctive extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting room with locations in Darien and Westport. It is an exclusive Connecticut retailer of ultra-premium extra virgin olive oil, the highest standard for extra virgin olive oil in the world. Olivette’s olive oils are served at restaurants such as leFarm, The Whelk, The Spread and Community Table.

For more information, visit OlivetteCT.com. Olivette is located at 24 Railroad Pl, Westport, and 1084 Post Rd, Darien. See ad, page 42.

natural awakenings

Old Greenwich Home to New Home Goods Store

B

ack 40 Mercantile, a retailer of sustainably-produced home goods, has opened on Soundview Avenue in Old Greenwich. The high quality work of farmers and artisan craftsmen can be found in this modern country store, along with organic foods prepared by Back 40 Mercantile’s sister business, Organic Planet.

The Back 40 Farm in Washington Depot is the restaurant’s main source of organic produce, herbs and eggs. It is owned

by Lesley and Bill King, who are also co-founders of the Old Greenwich Farmers’ Market.

Products sourced from New England include Crown maple syrup, which is organically produced on a familyowned farm in Dutchess County, New York; pillows by Alexandra Ferguson made in the United States from recycled felt; hand-made tableware from Farmhouse Pottery in Vermont; and single origin honey from Weston’s Red Bee Honey.

From Vermont farms and our country kitchen… straight to your fridge or table.

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For more information, visit Back40Mercantile.com. Back 40 Mercantile is located at 264 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich.

Bailey’s Backyard Celebrates a Year of Local, Seasonal Dining

A

year ago, Sal Bagliavio closed Bailey’s Backyard for a few months to renovate and reopen as an American farm-to-table restaurant. Executive Chef Forrest Pasternack, a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef who grew up in Ridgefield, was hired to bring Bagliavio’s vision to life.

Pasternack refined his culinary skills in the kitchens of luxury, boutique hotels in Manhattan and as Chef de Cuisine at Terra and Mediterraneo in Greenwich before joining Bailey’s.

The lunch menu features salads and starters that showcase the seasoned, grass-fed burgers made from dry-aged beef from Johnnycake Mountain Farm in Burlington, and traditional and vegetarian sandwiches and wraps. “Slow roasted suckling pig is always on the dinner menu,” said Chef Pasternack. “We order two a week.” All the desserts are house-made including a strawberry rhubarb tart served with Arethusa Farm & Dairy’s vanilla ice cream.

Diners will find an extensive menu of craft beers and hand-crafted cocktails. Bryan Walsh, beverage manager and chief mixologist, makes all the infusions including ginger vodka, blueberry rum and vanilla bourbon.

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August 2014

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Step Into the Quiet of the Woods at Sticks & Stones to experience this working Farm, Educational and Retreat Center • Cabin & Houseboat Rentals • Food Vendors: Newly Licensed Commercial Kitchen for Rent • Nature Summer Camps, Educational Workshops, Day Retreats Yoga, Drum Circles, Ukulele Club, Foraging & more • Organic Farm Stand

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Finding Wild Edibles in Connecticut

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Easy Zucchini and Tomato Bake (Serves 6)

Embrace summer’s bounty with this super simple vegetable bake. Experiment with your own combination of vegetables and herbs to make it unique.

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for the pan 1 1/4 pound zucchini and/or summer squash, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds 1 large tomato (about 8 ounces), diced 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon and/or oregano 3/4 cup crumbled feta 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a 9- to 10-inch glass or ceramic pie dish.

• Arrange zucchini slices in several layers in the prepared dish. In a medium bowl, toss diced tomato with 1 tablespoon of the oil, salt, pepper and herbs. Arrange tomato mixture on top of zucchini. Bake 30 minutes.

• Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle with feta. Combine bread crumbs and remaining oil; sprinkle over top. Continue to bake about 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender and bread crumbs are golden brown. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

40

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

F

oraging isn’t just for French pigs sniffing out truffles.

Mushrooms are a big favorite, but there is much more available – especially in this area - than a few random fungi. Take a stroll through any open woodland preserve and an abundance of luscious produce is at your fingertips. Ever come across a raspberry bush on a nature walk? See any dandelion greens? How about a cluster of ramps in the spring?

Those are just a few of the goodies out there waiting for you if you take the time to go on a short hike. You can enjoy the outdoors while eating nature’s candy. The best part? It’s free.

Renee Allen, founder and director of the Wine Institute of New England in Guilford, has been foraging mainly for mushrooms for the last five years. She came by these succulent wild edibles honestly—she got a dog. Kahuno, her Siberian Husky, needed a lot of exercise. Walking the parks and trails near her home, she discovered some really tasty morsels.

“It’s incredible how much open space we have,” she said of her foraging trips. “I don’t think most people realize that.”

Michelle Spinei, the events and marketing manager at the Greenwich Land Trust in Greenwich, agrees with Allen. She got her love of wild edibles from her grandmother, who grew up in southern Italy. “There is so much right in our backyard!” she said. “We have the coast, which is full of mussels, clams and oysters; forests filled with berries, ramps and mushrooms; and meadows of violets, dandelions and chicory, [just] to name a few!”

Allen occasionally takes her own backyard trip. “Some of the wild edibles I have found in my own yard and woods that I have eaten include sorrel, dandelion greens and roots, burdock roots and autumn olives, as well as fiddleheads,”

Foraging 101

by Chaya Foedus Foraged edible plant sushi at Miya's Sushi

she said. “Everybody has sorrel in their yard. It is often mistaken for clover but it has a delicious lemony zing that’s great for salads.”

When Allen became passionate about foraging, she researched what to pick and where to pick it. She joined the Connecticut Valley Mycological Society. She went on a tour in New York with renowned forager “Wildman” Steve Brill and even hosted a “forest-totable” event in Goshen this past spring with a high-caliber chef.

She cautions fledgling foragers about overharvesting – knowing when to leave a crop alone is important to conserving nature’s bounty. A good rule of thumb is to take a small portion and leave the rest.

Joan Palmer, founder and director of The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition (TIOSN) in West Granby, said some plants like stinging nettle, purslane, dandelion and chickweed are examples of plants that can’t be overharvested.

“They are so prolific in everyone’s backyard,” she said. “They are just screaming, ‘Pick me! Pick me!’.”

As with any activity, doing your homework reaps rewards. Allen recommends looking at websites that will list indigenous edible plants as well as finding books on the subject. (Amazon has Backyard Foraging in a Kindle edition for $9.99.) Harvesting a plant that is a “lookalike” for another plant can lead to severe intestinal distress or even death. Familiarize yourself with what is poisonous and not poisonous.

While Allen has only been foraging for five years, Bun Lai, owner and executive chef at Miya’s Sushi in New Haven, has been doing it since he was

4 Start small.

4 Get permission before picking on private property.

4 Make sure no chemical fertilizers or pesticides were used.

a little boy. His mother taught him everything he ever wanted to know about foraging. Today, he lives on a 10-acre farm in Woodbridge. He picks what he needs in the morning – from mugwort and sassafras to trout weed and garlic mustard – before heading to the restaurant. Later in the day, he will head out to his 70-acre, certified shellfishing grounds off the coast of Branford for his seafood. The grounds are in a green zone away from shore and therefore unaffected by shoreline run-off and pollution. “I’m living the way I always wanted to live,” he explained. “I’m in one of three places: on the boat diving, in the restaurant cooking, or on the farm foraging.”

Lai praised the health benefits of eating foods that are wild and not from an industrial farm. He also counseled against urban foraging saying that picking things in soil contaminated by chemicals should be avoided.

Sam Schaperow, a marriage and family therapist from East Lyme who has foraged for the past 16 years, doesn’t necessarily agree. It doesn’t necessarily

Local Foraging Resources Connecticut Valley Mycological Society cvmsFungi.org Greenwich Land Trust Greenwich glTrust.org The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition Holcomb Farm West Granby TIOSN.com

Two Coyotes Wilderness School Sticks & Stones Farm Newtown TwoCoyotes.org “Wildman” Steve Brill WildmanSteveBrill.com Wine Institute of New England Guilford WineInstituteofNewEngland.com

4 It’s easy to mistake a poisonous lookalike for an edible plant. Learn to identify both before picking.

4 Skip the mushrooms at first—learn from an experienced mushroomer before going solo.

4 Always taste-test at home; the woods are not the place to cope with a surprise allergic reaction.

4 Make a day of it. Enjoy the outdoors, learn more about native plants and invite kindred spirits along on the hunt.

Source: Adapted from PantryParatus.com. mean you can’t forage in an urban area if that’s where you live,” according to Schaperow. Be aware of “any place that has visual evidence of a problem—it’s near a toxic waste dump, a creek that’s really stinky with colored foam on top,” he stated. “You have to be mindful of your area.”

Schaperow pointed out even some of the local farms we love to visit are relatively close to busy roads. If you are an amateur forager, his advice was the same as Allen’s – do your homework.

Research what is in your foraging basket and what is available in your area.

Take a foraging tour. In the beginning, stay away from anything unfamiliar.

The next time you stroll down a wooded lane, take the time to smell the roses. You may just find something to eat.

Eileen Weber is a Fairfield-based freelance writer with a master’s degree in journalism and a professional background in publishing. She has written numerous articles for magazines, newspapers, newsletters and websites, including the Fairfield Green Food Guide.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

August 2014

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An Italian Garden Feast

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natural awakenings

T

he beauty of Italian cooking is its simplicity and reliance on the few ingredients each recipe requires, usually no more than five. For delicious pasta sauces, vegetable soups, frittatas, contorni (vegetable side dishes) and even secondi piatti (main courses), only the freshest produce (local organic if available), good quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), fresh garlic and onion and especially fresh herbs are necessary.

Abondanza, the abundance of ripe garden tomatoes of all varieties and all sizes, is the backbone of many summer vegetable recipes. You can use your garden’s plum tomatoes to make batches of leek and tomato sauce; after simmering the tomatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, freeze the batches to enjoy during the cold winter months. The most divine and simple sauce for pasta can be made from a quick sauté of yellow and red cherry tomatoes, very good quality EVOO and garlic. Serve it over thin spaghetti and garnish with lots of fresh basil and parsley.

Tomatoes are a stand-alone fruit when made into a Sicilian salad, along with diced red onion, fresh basil, a sprinkle of dried oregano and EVOO. Caprese salad-stacked beefsteak and fresh mozzarella slices garnished with fresh basil and

EVOO are a must at picnics. Another favorite can be zucchini boats stuffed with chopped tomatoes, sautéed onion and the zucchini pulp bound with breadcrumbs, topped with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and baked in the oven.

In August, combine beautiful ripe tomatoes and fried eggplant for a host of fabulous Sicilian recipes such as Caponata (sweet and sour eggplant and tomato relish); eggplant rollatini, eggplant Parmigiano and timballo of eggplant stuffed with bucatini pasta combined with fresh plum tomato sauce, Romano cheese, mozzarella and fresh basil.

All summer meals seem to start with bruschetta, grilled or toasted slices of crusty bread topped with diced

garden tomatoes, red onion, basil and EVOO. Combine sautéed tomatoes with onion and add fresh peas or zucchini for a first course soupy pasta dish with small shells or ditali pasta. Swiss chard and plum tomato soup with broken pieces of cooked linguini is also savory.

Try chick peas and tomatoes with shell pasta for a great complex carbohydrate dish. You can also try string bean, diced potatoes and plum tomato soup, served with crusty Italian bread for dipping.

At summer’s end, Tuscans love Pappa al Pomodoro, a soup made of skinned and seeded tomatoes, sautéed onions and vegetable broth, served with crusty slices of Italian bread. Although you will love the Pizza Bianca, the pomodoro can be another favorite

Rigatoni alla Norma Rigatoni with Fried Eggplant and Ricotta Salata Recipe from Festa del Giardino by Sally Maraventano Ingredients: Tomato Sauce

(can be made ahead of time) ¼ cup of olive oil ½ onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced *2 pounds of very ripe garden plum

tomatoes, diced Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 4 basil leaves torn and more for garnish Method: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the onion and garlic, and sauté until translucent. Add the tomatoes salt, pepper and basil and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.

Sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for several days or in the freezer for six months. *If you wish to skin and seed the tomatoes, make a cross cut on each tomato bottom and plunge them into boiling water for about 60 seconds. Remove the tomatoes with a slotted spoon or Chinese strainer and put into a bowl of ice water to cool. The skin will slip off easily with your fingers. Cut the skinned tomatoes in half and remove the seeds with a small paring knife.

Ingredients: Pasta and Eggplant 2 small eggplants, thinly sliced Salt 2 cups or more of olive oil or

vegetable oil 1 pound of rigatoni pasta 1 cup of grated Ricotta Salata or 1 cup

of freshly grated Romano cheese

when baked in a brick oven. The classic Margherita is made up of sliced plum tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil while the more complex Sfincione is a thick-crusted rectangular pizza with uncooked plum tomatoes, caramelized onions, anchovies and toasted breadcrumbs. Tomatoes rule the pizza world!

The joy of picking your own homegrown tomatoes and cooking up one of these dishes is indescribable. If you cannot plant a vegetable garden yourself, visit one of Fairfield County’s many farmers’ markets or farm stands for your produce.

Buona Cucina!

Sally Maraventano is the founder of Cucina Casalinga, a homestyle, handson Italian cooking school in Wilton, where she has been teaching adults and children for 32 years. Sally’s Kids Cook Italian Camp for children ages 10-15 will be held from August 18-22. Recipes can be found in Maraventano’s cookbook “Festa del Giardino: A harvest of recipes and family memories” and on her website at CucinaCasalinga.com.

Method: In a large bowl, sprinkle the eggplant with salt, cover it with water and weigh it down with a heavy pan. Let it stand for 30 to 45 minutes. Drain and pat dry thoroughly.

Pour the oil into a large, deep, heavy skillet and deep-fry the eggplant until it is golden on both sides. Drain well on paper towels and set aside.

Cook the pasta in 6 quarts of boiling water, to which 2 tablespoons of salt has been added, until al dente (about 7 to 10 minutes). Drain and toss with the tomato sauce. Top each serving with eggplant slices and some of the Ricotta Salata or Romano cheese and additional torn basil, if desired. Pass additional grated cheese at the table.

Yield: 5 to 6 servings eNaturalAwakenings.com

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privatechefsandcaterersprofiles Along Came Carol Creative Foods & Catering The Nook @ Along Came Carol Creative Foods & Catering Black Rock/Bridgeport 203-583-7684 • Cater@AlongCameCarol.com AlongCameCarol.com Facebook.com/AlongCameCarolCreativeFoodsCatering Twitter.com/AlongCameCarol Please describe your business: Along Came Carol is a full-service catering company in its 27th year in business, specializing in multi-ethnic styles, eclectic menus and full flavors with an emphasis on healthy, made-fromscratch whole foods. At the Kitchen, we offer daily grab-n-go meals and prepared foods. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available. We offer seasonal, themed cooking classes for all ages as well as cooking parties. On certain days, we will be serving family-style meals with BYOB from our new party room, The Nook.

What is your culinary training and experience? Born and raised in Southport, CT, Carol began her culinary journey in her mother’s kitchen and with a large extended Italian family.

She has catered to Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Bernstein and Paul Newman, to name a few. Carol furthered her nutritional knowledge at The Institute for Integrated Nutrition.

Who are your clients and why do they use your services?

We serve a variety of private and corporate clients from Fairfield County and the tri-state area. We pride ourselves on being old school, with a hands-on approach to everything being prepared and created.

What size events do you cater and can you accommodate special diets? We provide full-service catering for events from an intimate gathering of two to a major social event of 500. Our menu is diverse, locally-sourced and organic (when available) and can satisfy all types of special diets. Our new party room, The Nook, can accommodate up to 25 people for private parties and events.

What makes your service unique? Our close attention to detail and personable style, along with delicious, imaginative menus and creative presentation, make for a successful event and wonderful memories.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your business? We provide excellent service, uncompromised quality and super delicious foods available to all palates and diets. Watch for upcoming events and dinners to be hosted by us at The Nook.

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Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

Taste by Karla Sorrentino New Canaan, CT 203-273-2834 KarlaSorrentino@live.com • KarlaSorrentino.com Facebook.com/Taste.ByKarlaSorrentino Twitter.com/SorrentinoKarla Please describe your business.

I’m a boutique caterer who specializes in parties in private residences throughout Fairfield County. I offer a personal chef service and private cooking lessons upon request and am in my 6th year of business.

What is your culinary training and experience? A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, I’ve worked in some of Fairfield County’s most prestigious restaurants and homes during my 18 years of experience in the industry. I’ve also worked in Europe.

Who are your clients and why do they use your services?

I take pride in creating personalized, memorable experiences for my clients who range from individuals to families to businesses. They rely on my high level of quality in food and service. Word of mouth recommendations and repeat clients account for much of my business.

What size events do you cater and can you accommodate special diets? I can accommodate parties up to 75 people and am sensitive to dietary restrictions and allergies. All of my menus feature seasonal, organic ingredients that are responsibly sourced, often locally grown.

What makes your service unique? Menus are created custom for clients based on their vision for each function.

I always use high quality ingredients, employ good technique and have an extremely strong work ethic, giving much attention to detail.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your business? I love to draw upon my travels for inspiration in my cooking.

I’m very passionate about what I do and love to bring joy to others by nourishing both their bodies and their souls.

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#5

Savor an ice cream sandwich from The Farmer’s Cow, locally made with their ice cream and Sweet & Simple cookies, while watching the sunset at the beach.

#6

Preserve herbs by drying and storing them in glass jars, vegetables by cooking and freezing them, and fruit by freezing whole berries and sliced tree fruit on a cookie sheet before transferring them to a freezer container or bag.

#7

Visit a farm stand or farmers’ market and buy a vegetable you’ve never eaten before. Ask the farmer how to prepare it and be sure to use the whole vegetable if it’s entirely edible.

10 Things to Do Before Summer’s End

by Analiese Paik

A

ugust has arrived, yet we are far from ready to say goodbye to summer’s long, hot days. It’s the perfect time to revisit or write summer bucket lists to ensure we make the most of the beautiful weather and create memories to sustain us through the cold winter ahead.

Our farms are overflowing with a cornucopia of delicious and nutritious produce in late summer. You can still plan a few special green food activities before the bounty ends. Here are 10 suggestions for creating your own endof-season bucket list.

#1

Go blueberry picking at Jones Family Farm in Shelton, stay for the Friday farmers’ market from 3:306:30pm in the Harvest Kitchen Courtyard, then stop in the Winery Tasting Room to savor their wines. Visit JonesFamilyFarms.com for more infor46

Fairfield County Edition

mation and call the Farmer Jones Crop Line at 203-929-8425 for crop and field reports when planning your visit.

#2 #3

Dine al fresco at a farm with friends for a magical evening.

Make an heirloom tomato salad with fresh basil and mozzarella dressed with high-quality olive oil and vinegar. Heirloom tomatoes are the most delicious and coveted late summer vegetable, widely available at farm stands and farmers’ markets through September.

#4

Head to Bishop’s Orchards Winery in Guilford August 16 and 17 to attend the 8th Annual Shoreline Wine Festival and enjoy tastings from six Connecticut wineries, entertainment and food vendors. Visit Shoreline WineFestival.com for information and online ticket sales.

natural awakenings

#8

Plant something edible in your yard, preferably in a container or raised bed filled with healthy, organic soil. Fast maturing, cool weather crops including bok choy, spinach, Swiss chard and mustard greens can be direct sown in August.

#9

Read Dan Barber’s book, The Third Plate: Field Notes on the Future of Food, for enlightenment, entertainment, and excellent fodder for dinner conversation, especially the kind you’ll engage in while dining at community tables during farm dinners.

#10

Make homemade ice cream with your kids, adding fresh fruit that’s macerated overnight, for a delicious and refreshing indulgence that might just become a tradition. Use organic dairy and fruit whenever possible.

More information on local food activities, organic farm stands, farm dinners, farmers’ markets, canning workshops and ice cream producers in Fairfield County can be found at FairfieldGreenFoodGuide.com.

A version of this article was also published on FairfieldGreenFoodGuide.com.

Analiese Paik is founder and editor of the award-winning website FairfieldGreenFoodGuide.com and Food Editor of Natural Awakenings Fairfield County. She resides in Fairfield with her family. Connect with her on the website, at 203-520-3451 or Analiese@snet.net.

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Three Essentials for a Chemical-Free Kid’s Room

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rom the nursery to the dorm, creating a chemical-free kid’s room is essential to minimize or avoid exposure to toxins found in many modern bedrooms, like dust mites, mold and mildew. As children grow and mature, their lungs, skin and digestive systems are especially prone to the dangers of indoor environmental pollutants; rising rates of allergies and asthma indicate

that more attention needs to be paid to these areas. A healthy environment is critical to enhance overall physical development, reduce chemical sensitivities, improve sleep and keep childhood allergies at bay.

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Toddler – Just-their-size mattress options for this age include the Toddler Mattress by Pure Rest Organics, which features organic cotton and chemicalfree wool.

Pre-schooler, grade-schooler and teen – Once they’ve graduated to a twin or full bed, make sure it’s organic or all natural like The Grow with Me Sleep System from Suite Sleep’s Little Lamb Organics line. The bed starts with a latex mattress and grows with two different toppers that add plushness and comfort as needed.

Young adult – Outfit their dorm room with an XL twin mattress topper (available in wool, latex or cotton) to provide extra cushioning, soft comfort and a barrier between them and their conventional mattress. A topper like the Classic 1000 Wool Mattress Topper by Naturally Organic goes on top of the mattress, and then the fitted sheet goes over both the topper and the mattress itself.

• Fear • Weight Loss • Self Sabotage • Sleep • Motivation

• Smoking • Trauma • Anger • Sports • Success

Call (203) 595-0110 for a FREE Consultation 1177 High Ridge Rd, Stamford MindBodyTransformation.com 48

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

Diane Bahr-Groth, CHy, TFTdx

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.�

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Washable, kid-proof pillows: Whether it’s from nightly pillow fights or frequent contact with chocolate-covered fingers, a child’s pillow needs to be laundered often.

The Organic Rubber Children’s Pillow

by Naturally Organic is chemical-free, comfortable and easy to care for. At 14 by 19 inches, it’s the perfect size for children. Filled with organic rubber that’s antibacterial, hypoallergenic and dust resistant, it has a heavy-duty, 100 percent organic cotton cover that’s removable and machine-washable.

Air purifier: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.� As a result, it is now vital to clean the air in a child’s room with an air purifier like Baby’s Breath by Austin Air (available in pink or blue). Using HEPA filtration, this type of air purifier eliminates 99.97 percent of all particles three microns in size or larger, making a difference that’s immediate and noticeable.

Christine Chamberlin is co-founder and co-owner of The Clean Bedroom, a resource for allergy-free, eco-friendly mattresses, bedding and accessories.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary later this year, The Clean Bedroom has sleep showrooms in Greenwich, CT, Wellesley, MA, Portland, ME, Kittery, ME, New York, NY, Santa Monica, CA, and Austin, TX. For more information, visit TheCleanBedroom.com or call 207438-9778. See ad, page 29.

Karate

wiÂ? Sensei June Fagan

No ing is so strong as gentleness, No ing so gentle as real streng .

Karate • Weapons Forms • Kickboxing Summer Camps • Family Classes Classes offered for Children and Adults.

203-938-3690 Kempo Karate & Self Defense, Inc. 59 Ledgewood Road, Redding, CT 06896 For a schedule of classes visit www.Kindredspiritscenter.com and cli on e Karate tab

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August 2014

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greenliving

Day Care Goes Green What’s Good for Kids is Good for the World

by Avery Mack

W

ith children especially susceptible to germs, chemical sensitivities and allergens, it makes sense to ensure that the child-friendliness of day care facilities extends to their ecological integrity.

When Denise Adusei, of New York City, was unable to find a preschool that included all the criteria she sought, she decided to create and direct Peartree Preschool, a yearround day care facility for 2-to-5-year-olds. “An eco-friendly day care environment is more than nontoxic paint, organic food and unscented soaps. It’s what you don’t see, as well,” says Adusei.

“We first looked for a building with lots of natural light near Central Park. Manhattan has a high rate of allergens, so we went ahead with a thorough environmental inspection on what looked like an ideal building,” recalls Adusei.

Inspectors pulled tiles from the floor, opened walls to check for mold and collected samples. “When they discovered signs of an old oil spill in the basement, we knew it was an unsafe place for children. We kept looking until we found the right building with large windows, near the park and environmentally safe,” she says, noting that her own kids now attend Peartree.

Workplace coach Paul E. McGinniss, who also blogs at NewYorkGreenAdvocate.com, says, “Creating a garden onsite and connecting with local farmers or CSAs [community supported agriculture] to provide healthy, fresh foods is a great way to educate kids via a learning activity. New York’s Hudson Valley, where I live, has a farm to school move-

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ment. Everyone should know where their food comes from,” he says, echoing another day care cornerstone.

In Madison, Connecticut, Tina Pascoe, a registered nurse, attorney and health consultant, co-founded Nurses for Day Care, a nationwide program. The staff finds that many children are sensitive to dye additives in mustard or ketchup, certain oils in soap, paint or cleaning fumes and fire-retardant chemicals embedded in new rugs and carpeting.

“We push for the whole school to go green, not just the classroom, with the sensitive or allergic child in mind,” she says. “We’re willing to do whatever it takes, like providing special menus, banning perfumes and smoking, and only using disinfectant wipes or bleach during nighttime cleaning.” Pascoe personally works with about 80 facilities throughout the state.

The Cottages at Michaels Learning Center, in Sarasota, is Florida’s first school to earn a Level Three Green School and green infant care certification from the National Green School Coalition and operates the city’s only certified green infant care program. Children from 6 weeks through kindergarten benefit. The school even conducts regular radon testing.

Owner and Director Michelle Ireland assesses, “It’s cause and effect. One of the things we teach the children is how our actions have an impact on the world.”

Mark Stedelbauer, vice president of marketing at eWater Advantage, in Raleigh, North Carolina, strives to inform day care administrators about the value of using electrolyzed water instead of cleansers. An electrical current that runs through a blend of ordinary tap water and minerals changes the basic nature of water. A lower pH creates a disinfecting solution; a higher pH results in a degreaser. Both solutions clean and kill germs without fumes, residue or allergy triggers.

“Often, the combined cost of the electricity, water and mineral supplements used is less than what would be spent on multiple cleaning products,” Stedelbauer points out. It can be created by the half-gallon in a toaster-sized unit onsite and has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture (for use on meat) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (for use on produce).

Also, electrolyzed water won’t harm skin or clothing.

Creative Minds Learning Centers’ six locations are recognized by the Oregon Program of Quality as among the top 25 schools in the state. They buy renewable energy from wind, solar and biomass sources. At the school, they compost, plant sustainable gardens, collect rainwater and recycle.

Nature preschools in the U.S., nearly 30 sites and growing, use a community nature center as a regular part of their learning program (Tinyurl.com/NaturePreschools). Generally, the children are outdoors for 45 to 90 minutes per day, weather permitting, and flexible activities allow them to investigate their own interests safely. Daily explorations build valuable skills like observation, sorting and experimentation.

Children experiencing green day care see firsthand how healthy, environmentally sound choices can help make their present and future safe. Telling their parents about their school experiences is a natural bonus.

Avery Mack is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect via AveryMack@mindspring.com.

communityspotlight

Family Inspiration Drives Business Shift for Organic Sleep by Sleep Etc

by Natasha Michaels

I

n this day and age, our best to keep the many individuals whole process clean seek gurus and and free of allergens lifestyle coaches for and toxic chemicals,” guidance about best Klein states. “I love practices and directhat our line is USAtion. Some, like Jeff made because it’s not Klein of Sleep Etc, only healthier to sleep are lucky to find that on, but its production kind of inspiration is reducing the carbon from those closest to footprint too.” them, like his wife Sleep Etc is a and young daughter. legacy business in When his daughter Fairfield County, havwas born seven years ing operated in the ago, Klein’s wife area for more than 45 Jeff & Tamar Klein made him “see the years. With current light” about the toxic locations in Stamford chemicals and components in the matand Norwalk, Klein says their customer tresses and bedding he was selling in base is also generational and customhis two Connecticut stores. ers travel from New York and Hartford

“It was 2007 and the right time for their unique products. The evoluand place for change to take place,” tion from conventional products to a Klein says now of the business decimore earth and health-friendly line has sion to shift from selling conventional changed their customer base a little, he bedding and mattresses to a natural explains, but there was a good business and certified organic line. “There were reason for the change. changes in the industry which were

“There was an emotional and concerning me, with most manufacturlogical health reason to make the shift ers taking the path of least resistance in which was inspired by my daughter and meeting new fire retardant standards by wife,” Klein says. “But there was also a adding more toxic chemicals. My wife good competitive reason because larger talked to me about research she was stores were coming to the area and I doing, and made me realize there was needed to give Sleep Etc a fresh apanother way to go.” proach.”

TerraBed is Organic Sleep’s

The change in direction has signature line, an all natural, certified worked, in large part because - despite organic mattress line processed in Con- increasing demand and interest - organnecticut. Various elements are sourced ic mattresses still aren’t seriously on the from New Zealand (wool), Sri Lanka radar of larger manufacturers. However, (latex) and Maryland (the beds). “We do he is concerned about the “greenwash-

ing” of the industry. Klein has seen examples of organic covers placed on synthetic and toxic mattresses then sold as organic.

“This really is a case of buyer beware. To protect themselves, consumers should ask to see the certifications on the materials of any product they are considering buying,” Klein advises.

“If every mattress store carried natural mattresses there wouldn’t be a need for the specialty category. We’re not there yet and we may never get there since the big companies are primarily interested in what they can mass-produce and ship to hundreds of dealers. But what we are seeing is clever marketing and misleading information designed to make consumers think some massproduced mattresses are healthier when they aren’t.”

He thinks small chains with the boutique mentality will continue to be the leaders in natural and organic mattresses and bedding for some time to come. “The average is that every six years people are in the market for a mattress for someone in their family,” Klein says. “As the volume for natural products grows, the price point will continue to go down which means more people will be interested. Who doesn’t want to buy a healthier product for their family if they can afford it? People who do their homework are willing to spend a little more and travel a bit to find the right product.”

In addition to their TerraBed line – which comprises approximately 75 percent of their products – Sleep Etc also carries the Carpe Diem line of beds from Sweden. Klein is excited to be shifting production of the Carpe Diem line – one of the highest rated beds in the industry – to the U.S., where it will be relaunched under a new name.

Organic Sleep at Sleep Etc has two showrooms in Connecticut, located at 508 Main Ave, Norwalk and 55 High Ridge Rd, Stamford. For more information, call 203-846-2233 (Norwalk) or 203-323-1509 (Stamford) or visit OrganicSleep.com. See ad, page 37.

Natasha Michaels is a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings.

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petbriefs Adopt-A-Dog to Host Puttin’ On The Dog Festival The Monthly Naturally Healthy Pet Section Starts Here!

A

dopt-A-Dog has announced the date of its annual Puttin’ On The Dog festival. On September 21, Greenwich’s Roger Sherman Baldwin Park once again will host this day of fun, music, competitions, demonstrations and activities for dogs, their families and pet lovers.

This year marks the 27th time this fundraiser has been held to aid Adopt-A-Dog in its mission to provide dogs with a safe, healthy and quality environment while they await adoption.

Nearly 7,000 people joined their fourlegged friends at last year’s festival. Adopt-A-Dog has been fortunate to have Pet Pantry Warehouse as a loyal Presenting Sponsor. Returning Premiere Sponsors to date include Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, Blue Buffalo and Reckson.

H/2 Capital Partners is a new Premiere Sponsor of the event’s first Cat Adoption Pavilion.

For more information about the Puttin’ On The Dog festival, sponsorships or volunteering opportunities, visit AdoptaDog.org or call 914-273-1674. Adopt-A-Dog, located in Armonk, NY, is a nonprofit rescue and adoption organization with a caring sanctuary for dogs and cats. See ad, page 53.

Pet Wellness Day in Stamford September 20

A 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

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Fairfield County Edition

1-mile dog walk for families and children, sponsored by The Veterinary Cancer Center of Norwalk, will start on September 20 at 8:30am as part of the Run Walk for Health & Hunger event taking place at Chelsea Piers Connecticut, 1 Blachley Road in Stamford.

After the 1 Mile Dog Walk, free doggie day care provided by Wagmore will be available from 9am to 1pm so owners can attend the 3rd Annual Stamford Hospital Health Wellness & Sports Expo 2014 (9am to 4pm).

Saturday is Pet Wellness Day at Expo 2014, which is free to the public. The event features special exhibits related to pets, activities for children, complimentary health screenings for adults provided by Stamford Hospital and more than 80 exhibitors.

The entry fee for the 1 Mile Dog Walk is $40 per adult plus three nonperishable food items and $20 per child (14 and under) plus one nonperishable food item. Dogs must be up-to-date on vaccines and kept on leashes during the walk.

The food and $5 from each entry fee will be donated to The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County.

The event is produced by TMK Sports & Entertainment. For further information, call 203-531-3047, visit HWS-Expos.com or follow at Twitter.com/HWS_Expos and Facebook.com/HWS.Expos. Register now at HWS-Expos.com and click on Active.com.

natural awakenings

kudospetbriefs

Photo credit Steven M. Cooper

Therapy Dogs Honored in Milford

A

group of furry and four-legged heroes who responded to the fatal stabbing of a student at Jonathan Law High School in Milford in April were honored on July 7 by school officials, the Mayor of Milford and Connecticut state legislators.

Representing Pet Partners, therapy dogs Spartacus, Cooper, Muffin, Socrates and Dascha - along with their handlers - coordinated the efforts of 55 therapy dog teams. These therapy dogs comforted the students and staff at Jonathan Law for 10 days in the aftermath of the April 25 stabbing of Maren Sanchez, a popular junior who attended the school. Many of these teams also responded to the December 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Newtown Kindness, founded and named in memory of six-year-old Sandy Hook victim Charlotte Bacon, supported and facilitated the K9 First Responder presence at Law. Charlotte loved animals and Charlotte’s Litter, named in her memory, advocates the use of therapy dogs in all schools.

According to one K9 First Responder, “The dogs who have been evaluated and have the characteristics to be part of a crisis response team have intrinsic qualities that can’t be trained. They just know what each person needs and how to deliver it. The effect on the people they interact with is powerful.”

For more information on therapy dogs, visit PetPartners.org or visit K9 First Responders on Facebook.

Title Sponsor Premiere Sponsor Cat Adoption Pavilion

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August 2014

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PTSD in Pets:

What to Look for and How to Help

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F

or many, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) conjures up images of a person who is the victim of a harrowing injury or severe psychological shock. However, pets also can suffer from PTSD. While not widely recognized by veterinary medicine, many animal behavioral experts are familiar with PTSD in animals. Veterinarians such as Dr. Karen Becker and Dr. Nicholas Dodman have been leading the way for the veterinary medical community to acknowledge PTSD in pets.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder modifies the chemistry of the brain.

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natural awakenings

There are three ways in which this happens: 1. The first change is seen in the locus coeruleus, which regulates the brain’s synthesis and release of two catecholamines.

Catecholamines are hormones secreted during stress, panic and pain. The locus coeruleus becomes over-reactive, releasing too much of these hormones even when the event is over or in new situations which hold little or no threat.

2. There is an increase in the secretion of corticotropinreleasing hormones (CRH). CRH is one of the hormones that prepare the body and mind to face an emergency. It is regulated by neurons linking the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. This increase in secretion is telling the body that there is an emergency that is not really there.

3. The opioid system of the brain, which desensitizes feeling of pain, becomes hyperactive. It results in an emotional numbing and inability to experience feelings.

All these factors overwhelm the ability of the pet to cope.

In the wild, these mechanisms are necessary for survival; it is how they learn to protect themselves. But our pets are not wild animals.

What can cause PTSD in pets?

Some causes include, but are not limited to: • Fireworks • Gunshots • Severe weather, such as earthquakes and thunderstorms • Being dropped off at shelters and boarding facilities • Highly traumatic emotional experiences, such as war zones and natural or man-made disasters • Break-ins while pets are home • Grief over the loss of a family member, including other pets • Scheduled surgery. There is a condition called ICU psychosis, in which the kidneys and livers do not respond to the normal processing of anesthesia. It causes disorientation and fluctuations in alertness during the procedure.

• Unscheduled emergency hospitals visits, especially if they are admitted • Becoming lost and unable to find way home • Physical abuse Some pets are more prone to PSTD than others. Some experts believe genetics plays a role in a pet’s ability to process trauma. In addition, therapy, trauma, military and police dogs are particularly vulnerable.

What are the symptoms of PTSD? A pet can present with one or more of these symptoms: • Anxiety, which can form the foundation of many different adverse behavioral issues • Difficulty sleeping and nightmares • Avoidance of any physical contact with people and other pets.

• Reactive to stimuli associated with trauma If you suspect your pet has PTSD, contact an animal behaviorist and holistic veterinarian who recognize and have experience with PTSD. Long-term effects of untreated PTSD can result in a pet being unable to form attachment bonds, learning and/or training difficulties, and medical problems from living in a state of stress.

What can you do to prevent or lessen the effects of exposure to PTSD? If you think your pet will be in a stressful situation such as in a nursing home, scheduled surgery, large crowds or outside family, try to prepare beforehand.

The following activities can help: • Play soothing or classical music (refer to Natural Awakenings Fairfield County’s’ July 2014 issue for an article on music and pets) • Use botanicals or essential oil blends developed for stress reduction from Bach’s, Aroma Dog/Cat, Do Terra or Alaskan Essences • Place light blue or purple crystals, such as blue lace agate, lepidolite or amethyst, in a mojo bag on or near your pet • Play beforehand as exercise releases dopamine, also known as the “happy hormone” • Ground before and after. Grounding is letting their paws touch the earth.

The earth has a negative charge. Stress creates free radicals in the body, which have a positive charge. Allowing your pet to run or hike neutralizes those free

radicals, resulting in a calmer animal.

“The best way to minimize PTSD in your pet is to first identify the triggers that have the potential to cause a reaction and then figure out the protocols to minimize a reaction. The key is to be proactive as opposed to reactive,” states Donna Gleason, CPDT, CDBC, who has extensive experience with canine response work to trauma situations.

If your pet is in a stressful situation, especially if it is a therapy or trauma dog, pay attention to them. Look for signs of stress and remove them from the stressful situation.

Signs of stress include: lip and nose licking, yawning, panting, ears pinned back or to side of head, avoidance behaviors such as inattention, looking or turning away and excessive sniffing, shaking, low tail set, excessive shedding, whining and other vocalizations, dilated eyes, refusing food and treats, and leaning back with weight on rear legs.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is as acute and disabling for pets as it is for people. Like any chronic medical condition, early detection and intervention play a huge part in maximizing function and recovery.

Owner and stylist of Pawsitively Pretty Mobile Grooming Salon in Danbury, Mary Oquendo ACM, RM, is one of only 13 Certified Master Pet Tech Instructors worldwide. She is a Reiki master and certified crystal therapist. For more information, visit MaryOquendo.org. See ad, page 53.

Since 2008, we have rescued more than 1000pure and mixed breed dogs and cats from death row and placed them in foster and forever homes!

We are a foster-based, no-kill rescue dedicated to saving the lives of homeless, neglected, and abused animals by providing a safe refuge, rehabilitation, and permanent homes.

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ADOPT • FOSTER • DONATE • VOLUNTEER www.TheLastResortRescue.com • TheLastResortRescue@gmail.com The Last Resort is a 501(c) non-profit, volunteer-run organization. eNaturalAwakenings.com

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naturalpet

explore the power of the human-animal bond and the qualities every good therapy animal should possess.

What is a Therapy Animal?

Although several states have laws defining therapy animals, they are not legally defined by federal law as are service animals. Therapy animals, usually personal pets, work with their handlers to provide healing contact to people, but are not limited to working with those with disabilities. Federal laws have no provisions for people to be accompanied by therapy animals in places of public accommodation that have “no pet” policies.

The Human Animal Bond

Horses, Dogs, Alpacas: What Defines a Therapy Animal?

by Donna Gleason

M

ost of us have become familiar with therapy animals such as horses, dogs, and cats.

However, with the right skill set and temperament, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, llamas, alpacas and even donkeys can also become therapy animals. Pet

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Fairfield County Edition

Partners, formerly referred to as Delta Society, embraces all of the above species of animals into their program. They have recognized the importance of the human-animal bond for over 35 years.

In order to understand if a pet may be a good therapy animal, it is necessary to

natural awakenings

Nearly 30 years ago, Alan Beck, a Purdue University psychologist, and Aaron Katcher, a psychiatrist with the University of Pennsylvania, measured what physically happens to a person when interacting with a friendly and familiar animal. They found that the individual’s blood pressure lowered, heart rate slowed, breathing became more regular and muscle tension relaxed. Current studies indicate that interactions with an animal reduces stress. There is now evidence that it also brings about changes in blood chemistry (reducing the number of stress-related hormones). Additionally, a study published in Canine Corner in 2009 found that interacting with an animal has a faster positive psychological effect upon the body than taking stress-related prescription drugs.

Brad Cole, Pet Partners’ team handler and founder of K9 First Responders, and his dog Spartacus have been actively deployed many times to provide crisis response support to those in need. One of Cole’s most powerful moments, highlighting the strength of the human-animal bond, was when they were asked to attend a victim’s wake. “Spartacus was asked to be with the mother and father while viewing their child’s body for the first time after the incident. It was powerful and emotional watching Spartacus bring a small measure of calmness to that sad occasion,” said Cole.

Qualities of Good Therapy Animals Animals that perform therapy work need to have a certain level of training and obedience skills. Organizations such as Pet Partners, Therapy Dog International and Good Dog Foundation offer team evaluations to assure that the animals registered with them possess certain skills and are able to behave under different situations. Most major therapy dog organizations also have health requirements and age restrictions (one-year old or older). In addition, to developing a specific skill-set, there are several intrinsic qualities of a good therapy animal, including: n Being friendly, patient and calm Inspiring confidence and being confident n Being predictable and reliable Enjoying going on therapy visits and meeting people

n Understanding what it takes to be a good therapy animal and the humananimal bond can help you decide if your pet has those qualities to do therapy work. And remember, even if your pet may not make the perfect therapy animal, he or she still offers you and your family the benefits of the miracle of the human-animal bond each and every day.

Donna Gleason, owner of TLC Dog Trainer, resides in Sherman. She is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and IAABC certified dog behavior consultant (CDBC) with a master’s degree in behavior modification. She offers professional in-home dog training and group puppy/ basic obedience classes. For more information, call 203-241-4449 or visit TLCDogTrainer.com. See ad, page 54.

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. ~Phyllis Diller

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photo by John Schultz

DOG GONE SWIMMING SAFETY TIPS

by Sandra Murphy

F

irst, check if area community pools allow dogs for special sessions.

Many offer canine swims as fundraisers during off-season periods. Make sure the pet is sociable and wears a life jacket.

The best swimmers include breeds used in water rescue or retrieval, such as the Newfoundland, Labrador retriever, Portuguese water dog, poodle and spaniel, as opposed to those with shorter snouts and airways. The stocky bodies and shorter legs of Scotties and

dachshunds are also less conducive to water play.

Dr. Jules Benson, vice president of Veterinary Services at Petplan Pet Insurance, in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, gives three key safety tips: Be alert for signs of tiredness, like trouble staying afloat or struggling to catch their breath; watch for vomiting, diarrhea or fever due to harmful bacteria in some waterways; and don’t let dogs drink from the ocean. Ingested salt water can

unbalance electrolytes and lead to dehydration, brain damage, kidney failure and even death.

Pet expert Eileen Proctor recommends dabbing sunscreen on pet noses and ears before swimming and putting on the dog’s life jacket before going into, on or near the water. Always ensure that dogs are well-trained to come when called and leave found items and to take a break to rehydrate and rest.

Supervise swimming dogs closely and make sure they aren’t drinking the water. If a dog hesitates to enter the water, leave his non-retractable leash on to reassure him he has assistance if needed, and stay in the pool with him.

Establish a cue for entering and leaving the pool and use it before the dog overtires. Don’t allow a pet to climb the pool’s ladder to exit because a paw could slip, causing injury or panic.

When boating, pull into a secluded area with no running propellers, active paddling or underwater snags, and keep the pet on a non-retractable lead or trained to swim close by. Rinse fur immediately after every swim to remove chlorine, bacteria, dirt or salt, and then dry the dog’s inner and outer ears.

Passage East Boarding Kennels “Compassionate care for all breeds since 1967”

Overnight Boarding Doggy Daycare Full service grooming 24 hour on-site staff Veterinarian recommended Group playtime daily

“This is the best kennel. My Sadie loves to spend the day there. They treat her like a celebrity!” - Marie-Wilton, CT

P: (203) 762-7998 F: (203) 834-0502 499 Danbury Road Wilton, CT 06897

www.passageeastkennels.com 58

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natural awakenings

email: passage_east@sbcglobal.net

petresourceguide Adoption/Rescue Animals in Distress Inc. 238 Danbury Rd, Wilton 203-762-2006 Animals-In-Distress.com

Bridgeport Animal Control 236 Evergreen St, Bridgeport 203-576-7727

Bully Breed Rescue P.O. Box 953, New Canaan BBRct@yahoo.com BullyBreedRescueInc.org

Danbury Animal Welfare Society (DAWS) 147 Grassy Plain St, Bethel 203-744-3297

Doggie Day Camp, Day Care, Training & Boarding 15 Cross St, Norwalk 203-838-7729 DogGoneSmart.com

Earth Animal has been the pioneer in the natural pet health industry for decades.

Fairfield County’s TOP The family-owned business canine center! We have sells its own veterinarianbeen serving pet lovers in formulated products for cats our area for more than 20 and dogs. These include years. Our staff consists of dog trainers and animal vitamins, organic herbal remedies and a natural Goldstein behavorists who work together to make Dog Gone flea and tick prevention program. Dr. Bob ® Smart a loving, safe, fun and happy home away from recently partnered with Bell&Evans to produce a hormone-and antibiotic-free line of Americanhome for your dog. See ad, page 54. treats. Earth Animal also sells raw Love yourselfmade first chicken and everything and dehydrated foods and organic home-cooking Passage East Boarding Kennels else falls intopre-mixes, line. Youplus really havequality treats, bones, toys, the best 499 Danbury Rd, Wilton to love yourself to get anything leashes, collars, beds, etc!

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Pet Animal Welfare Society Inc. (PAWS)

been dedicated to caring for pets for more than 40 years and makes your dog feel like it never left home.

Passage East is a full-service dog boarding kennel. We offer daycare services, overnight boarding and full-service grooming. See ad, page 58.

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

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

Strays and Others

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

Tails of Courage

1 Pembroke Rd, Danbury 877-63-TAILS TailsOfCourage.org

Westport Animal Shelter Advocates (WASA)

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

Earth Animal

606 Post Rd East, Westport 203-222-7173 • EarthAnimal.com

Dog Gone Smart

Friends of Felines, Inc.

P.O. Box 8147, Stamford 203-363-0220 Cats@AdoptAPet.org • AdoptAPet.org

Pet Food & Health Supplies

Wholistic Pet Services Boutique Dog Resort & Spa East Norwalk • 203-542-0910 WholisticPetService.com Loukia@WholisticPetservice.com

866-437-9729 • TheHonestKitchen.com

The Honest Kitchen provides natural, human-grade pet food products for dogs and cats. Our gourmet recipes are 100% natural and gently dehydrated. See ad, page 56.

Veterinary Services Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic

Wholistic Pet Services is a unique and “boutique” dogboarding and training resort in a private home with a fully fenced and landscaped garden.

Furry guests receive good manners training, sleep on cotton sheets and Persian carpets and go for daily socialization and training hikes. Homemade holistic nutrition supplemented by herbal remedies and nutritional advice and cooking lessons available for health-conscious dog parents. See ad, page 54.

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 only 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 an even more reduced rate, and the clinic offers spay/neuter and vaccine discounts for feral cats. See ad, page 57.

UNLEASH YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL Fetch new customers by advertising in Natural Awakenings’ Monthly Section Naturally Healthy Pet. eNaturalAwakenings.com

August 2014

59

Summer Love,

healingways

Find Your Natural Match!

Summer Mini-Getaways

Green Travelers Recharge at Spas, Parks and Vineyards

by April Thompson

C the largest Join database

of healthconscious and eco-minded, spiritual singles for FREE!

Join for FREE at NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com 60

Fairfield County Edition

arving out time from crammed calendars for a week or more away from home can pose such a hurdle that more than half of all American workers forfeit hard-earned vacation days every year. Sometimes a long weekend in an inspiring locale is all we need to recharge our batteries.

Short vacations invite welcome rest and relaxation and are often more sustainable, according to Gary Diedrichs, publisher of the online Green Traveler Guides (GreenTravelerGuides.com).

“Airplanes pollute more than any other form of travel. When you take shorter trips by other means, whether bicycle or a hybrid rental car, you’re way ahead environmentally,” says Diedrichs, whose family enjoys road-tripping in an old Mercedes converted to run on recycled vegetable oil.

For families, short, sweet trips are also easier to do with the kids in tow. “It’s also an opportunity for parents to reinforce that living sustainably isn’t just something you do at home,” notes Diedrichs.

natural awakenings

We can prescribe—and reward— ourselves with one of the following minivacations, whether it’s a trip to a green spa if we’re stressed or a hike in a park or the woods if we’ve been sedentary.

Travel on tracks to trails. Leave behind stressful traffic and uninspiring highway views by hopping a train to a nearby state or national park. Riders can venture through a variety of terrains without leaving their seats. Amtrak reaches more than 237 national parks and monuments (AmtrakToParks.com), many of which offer stunning backdrops for outdoor music festivals.

A rail-to-park adventure can rekindle old friendships with faraway, but not forgotten friends. Draw a circle encompassing everyone’s location and pick a park within the perimeter as the meet-up spot, distributing the travel burden equally. Agree beforehand which friends bring which essential camping equipment, food and other provisions so that everyone travels light. Traversing trails is a fun, bonding experience.

Go farm to fork. Escape city crowds, live bucolic fantasies and learn about sustainable agriculture during a farm stay.

Organic family farms across the country offer overnight accommodations to supplement farming incomes and connect with local consumers.

Farm life is about simple pleasures, like waking to a rooster’s call and then digging into a farm-fresh breakfast of free-range eggs, accompanied by homemade bread, cheese, jam and honey. Afterwards, stroll an apple orchard or fragrant field of lavender. Most farms allow guests to pitch in with the chores, maybe feeding chickens, milking cows, picking cherries or making yogurt. Find a place nearby at FarmStayUS.com.

Renew your spirit. Reconnect with your faith or explore a new spiritual calling with a short stay at a retreat center.

Some furnish structured guided sessions, such as vipassanã Buddhism’s silent retreats, at which participants sit in meditation eight hours a day without access to media or other distractions. Other centers assist guests in creating self-directed retreats tailored to personal goals. Grounds often feature sacred spaces like labyrinths or meditation gardens, providing an inspiring environment to contemplate one’s spiritual journey.

RetreatFinder.com supplies a comprehensive listing of possibilities conducive to every spiritual persuasion, from Anglican to Zen, across the country and worldwide.

Taste the terroir. A long weekend amidst vineyards can be a refreshing way to simultaneously explore the countryside and refine our wine palate. Along with tastings, some vintners provide tours of their vineyards and cellars, including insights into the characteristics of local terroirs that give each vintage its distinctive taste. Some also have bed and breakfast inns onsite, eliminating the need for a designated driver.

The site WineriesByState.com lists domestic wineries in all 50 states; KennUncorked.com provides information about biodynamic and organic winemakers.

Pamper your body. Visiting a green destination spa is a soothing way to detox from stress while indulging in corporeal treats like a hot stone massage, aromatherapy treatment or rose petal bath.

Green spas use natural products such as unbleached organic linens and botanically derived oils, which are gentler on skin. Most practice sustainability in other areas as well, such as water management, energy use and waste reduction. Search for the perfect getaway treat at GreenSpaNetwork.org.

Numerous farms, spas, parks and vineyards are waiting to be explored; many nearby that we may overlook draw visitors from around the world. “Local travel gives us a chance to dig more deeply into the places that surround us,” says Diedrichs.

“We can have fun playing tourists in our own backyards and support sustainable, local businesses we discover along the way.”

Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

Whole Foods Market is bringing you natural & organic foods at premium quality, not premium prices.

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August 2014

61

GET WITH inspiration THE Be Happy Now PROGRAM Simple Ways to Quickly Teach others how to live a healthy lifestyle by advertising your products and services in Natural Awakenings’ September Caregiving and Yoga Edition

To advertise or participate in our next edition, call

203-885-4674 62

Fairfield County Edition

Lift Your Spirits

by April Thompson

S

inger-songwriter Pharrell Williams, whose infectious hit song, “Happy,” has spread joy worldwide, seems to know the secret to happiness. More than 1,500 people from 140-plus countries have posted their own happy video spinoffs at WeAreHappyFrom.com, inspired by his daylong music video featuring Los Angeles residents from all walks of life dancing and lip-syncing to the tune.

Can happiness really be just a finger snap away? It depends on our unit of measurement—a moment versus a lifetime. Research by such authorities as Psychologist Martin Seligman, Ph.D., director of the University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center, suggests that several basic ingredients are keys to long-term happiness, including a sense of purpose, engaging activities, quality relationships and achievable goals. Ultimately, happiness is a subjective state, gauged only by personal perception.

Still, there are quick, simple things we can do to shift our mood into a higher gear, according to Jonathan Robinson, author of Find Happiness Now: 50 Shortcuts for Bringing More Love, Balance, and Joy Into Your Life. “Broadly, happiness shortcuts fall into two categories—those that help in letting go of negative emotions and those that help in tuning into or expanding positive feelings,” says Robinson. “The end result is the same.”

Practice gratitude. When the day’s affronts seem excessive, we can reframe them by counting our blessings mentally or in a journal. Review the day with an eye to everything that went right.

“Soon, you’ll start to see everything as a gift,” observes Robinson.

Pencil it in. Take a few moments at the start of each week to block out a little time every day for happy activities.

Pay it forward. It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day, advises Robinson. Give someone a compliment or a piece of chocolate and watch their attitude instantly change, which in turn lifts you into their happy cloud.

Sing and dance. Williams applies this secret: Moving our bodies and vibrating our vocal chords helps shake us out of our mental cages. “It’s hard to feel bad when you sing. It’s a choice: You can stay angry for four hours or sing for 15 seconds,” Robinson notes.

Don’t underestimate the power of a simple jumpstart to happiness.

Research from the University of Arizona shows that as little as a forced smile not only releases stress-fighting neuropeptides and mood-lifting serotonin in the brain, it activates a chain reaction of happiness around us.

Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

This fall, the University of California-Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center will host the first public online course on the Science of Happiness. According to Dacher Keltner, Ph.D., professor of psychology and founding director of the center, the university’s meta-analysis of research indicates that 50 percent of our happiness level is tied to genetics, while only 10 percent stems from our environment.

“Therefore, about 40 percent of your happiness is up to you,” remarks Keltner. Students will learn practical, scientifically tested strategies for nurturing their own happiness and tracking progress. Sign up to audit the free course, which has already attracted 40,000 registrants, at Tinyurl.com/UCLA-Happiness.

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August 2014

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calendarofevents Magazine calendar events must be received by August 12th (for September issue) and adhere to our guidelines. All calendar submissions must be entered online at eNaturalAwakenings.com click on “submit calendar” at the very top of the page.

markyourcalendar The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition’s

Meet and Greet and Tour of Holcomb Farm

Wednesday, August 20 • 6:30-8pm Meet staff and students, tour the farm and garden, enjoy our wild edibles, whip up a simple dish. Learn about our one-year certification program. Free.

Holcomb Farm 113 Simsbury Rd, West Granby To Register: 860-764-9070

able. All welcome. $40/and up readings, $20/healings. Albertson Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch@ gmail.com. AlbertsonChurch.org.

Sunday, August 3 Hiring the Heavens – 1-3:30pm. With Rev. Marylou Palmer. Explore our birthright to joyfully weld the Power of the Universe in a light-hearted, supportive way. Rev. Marylou encourages participation and deepening our connection with each other. Get your “Angel Card Express” and discover how to hire the heavens to support your plans, goals and dreams. $25. Albertson Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch@ gmail.com. AlbertsonChurch.org.

Monday, August 4 Saturday, August 2 Reiki Level 1 Workshop – 9am-5:15pm. With Gigi Benanti, reiki master/teacher. Learn Reiki Level 1 in the Western style from an experienced Reiki Master (19 years). Includes latest info. Learn to use Reiki for self-healing and healing for others. Included 4 powerful energy connections, from short Linage.

Receive 2 manuals and certificate $115+ $10/ materials. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave (enter private office downstairs in back), Norwalk.

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

AngelHealReiki.com.

Spiritual Psychic Fair – 12pm-5pm. Gifted and caring intuitive readers available for private readings. Mediumship, tarot, angel cards, pendulum, palmistry sessions are approximate. 25 minutes.

Reiki Master available for hands on shoulder healing sessions with people and animals. Animals must be leashed or crated. Email AlbertsonChurch@gmail. com for reservations. Walk-in appointments avail-

Free Introduction to Reiki – 7-8:30pm. This is the place to start if you’re simply curious about Reiki or interested in learning more about how to heal yourself and others. Beth Leas will share 20 years experience using Reiki in this fun, explorative and interesting evening. Free. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. Beth@BethLeas. com. BethLeas.com.

Tuesday, August 5 Reiki Review and Refresher – 7-9pm. Ready to reconnect to Reiki? This evening is designed to provide support for those still new to Reiki or a jump-start for those who have been away for a while. Everyone will receive a re-attunement and enjoy giving/receiving Reiki healings. No matter how long it has been since your Reiki attunement, this promises to be an enlightening evening. $40.

TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566.

Beth@BethLeas.com. BethLeas.com.

markyourcalendar Feldenkrais® in Kent Weekend of September 13 and 14 Eyes, Orientation, and Balance Workshop presented by

Anna Johnson-Chase and Carol Lessinger Contact Melene Rose: RT4res@gmail.com Details at CarolLessinger.com

Friday, August 8 TLC Tarot Fun & Fabulous Friday – 7-9pm.

What’s in the cards for you? This exciting and playful event is designed for everyone from novices to long-time tarot friends. Receive a reading from Beth Leas - guaranteed to be a positive experience leaving you feeling empowered and with new insights. Bring a friend. $40. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. Beth@TLCTarot. com. TLCtarot.com.

Saturday, August 9 Reiki I Certification Training – 10am-4pm. Learn this gentle Japanese healing art from Beth Prins Leas, one of the area’s longest practicing Reiki Masters with over 20 years experience. Explore energy, self-healing and healing for others. Certificate issued at end of class. Class size limited for personal attention. Please call for more information.

TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566.

Beth@BethLeas.com. BethLeas.com.

The Symbology and Power of Lughnasadh – 1-3pm. With Rev. Mary Yankee. Understand and use the symbology and power of Lughnasadh to celebrate our own accomplishments. Use the momentum to bring blessings into our own lives

by Samhain (All Hallow’s Eve). This workshop includes a meditation exercise to set intentions, focus will and manifest desires and goals. $30. Albertson Church of Spiritualism, 292 Sound Beach Ave., Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch@gmail.com.

AlbertsonChurch.org.

Monday, August 11

Do not seek to follow in

the footsteps of the wise.

Seek what they sought.

Free Full Moon Meditation – 7-8:30pm. The full moon is a time of celebration, of acknowledging your accomplishments. Beth Leas will lead us in a guided meditation designed to help you discover inner peace and harmony, while connecting to the

~Matsuo Basho

64

Fairfield County Edition

Charge Up Your Chakras – 10:30am-12:30pm.

Explore your Chakra Energy Centers as we kick off TLC’s Play Camp weeklong series, with this fun class designed to recharge, renew and rejuvenate your body/mind/spirit. Beth Leas will help you find balance and harmony using meditation, energy healing techniques and much more. $45. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. Beth@ BethLeas.com. BethLeas.com.

natural awakenings

rhythm of the universe. Generously sponsored by ProMindful.Org. Free. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. Beth@BethLeas.com.

ProMindful.org.

Tuesday, August 12 Writing to Discover Your Self: The Art of Inquiry – 10:30am-12:30pm. Who are you? This provocative and playful process of inquiry will reawaken your sense of wonder about yourself, your relationships and your life. It’s time to curl up with your journal, giving yourself time and space.

If not now, when? $45. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. Beth@BethLeas.com.

BethLeas.com.

Tai Chi Easy For Every BODY – 7-8pm. Take a “Chi” break to end your day reducing stress, tension and fatigue. Combination of QiGong and Tai Chi to improve circulation, coordination, joint mobility and balance. Strengthen immune system and organ function, increase energy, focus and slow down aging. $18/drop-in. BreakThru Family Fit 4 Life, 48 Union St, Bldg 2, (on-site parking lot), Stamford. 203-6633000 ext 5. Linda@BalanceIntegratedHealth.com.

BalanceIntegratedHealth.com.

Wednesday, August 13 Creating a Vision Board: A Treasure Map to Your Desires – 10:30am-12:30pm. Do you have a vision board? Jack Canfield says “They are one of the most valuable visualization tools because they represent your dreams, your goals, your ideal life.” Event part art of TLC’s Play Camp week long series - leading you to the hidden side of your authentic self. $45.

TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566.

Beth@BethLeas.com. TLCcenter.com.

Thursday, August 14 How to Make a Gem Elixir – 10:30am-12:30pm.

Crystals can bring a beautiful energy to water and beverages. During this workshop, part of the TLC Play Camp weeklong series, Lauren Peters will teach you how to raise the vibrational level of your water using crystals to enhance your health and wellbeing. $45. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk.

203-856-9566. Beth@BethLeas.com. AromaEnergyHealing.com.

sage, tour campus, meet instructors, learn about what you qualify in federal financial aid. 203-797-0551.

TLC Healing Circle – 7-9pm. This fun, experiential evening is for the curious, first timers and practitioners of all modalities/levels. We start with a healing circle meditation led by Beth Leas and then everyone will have the opportunity to receive/give mini-sessions. Open to all. $20/suggested donation.

TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566.

Beth@BethLeas.com. BethLeas.com.

Friday, August 15 TLC Tarot Fun & Fabulous Tarot Friday – 10:30am-12:30pm. What’s in the cards for you? Find out during this playful daytime event, part of TLC’s Play Camp week-long series. Receive a reading from Beth Leas - guaranteed to be a positive experience leaving you feeling empowered and with new insights. Bring a friend. $40. TLC Center, 1 5 2 E a s t Av e , N o r w a l k . 2 0 3 - 8 5 6 - 9 5 6 6 .

Beth@BethLeas.com. BethLeas.com.

Saturday, August 16 The Axiotonal Grid as a Blueprint for Human Healing by Aimee, author of Facts or Beliefs Made Solid – 1-3pm. With each infusion of Divine Energy, you are becoming light in form. Learn about healing those parts of you that are out of alignment with your soul’s original intention. Then experience a powerful meditation as you meet your true self. $25. Albertson Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch@ gmail.com. AlbertsonChurch.org.

Sunday, August 17 Telepathy Workshop – 1-3:30pm. With Priscilla Keresey. Do you find yourself thinking of someone and then the phone rings. They say “I was just thinking about you...” This workshop explores what telepathy is, how it works, the scientific history of telepathy and how to communicate telepathically yourself. There will be opportunities to practice techniques in a supportive learning environment. $40. Albertson Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch@ gmail.com. AlbertsonChurch.org.

markyourcalendar

For Your Sake & For the Sake of Your Children…

A Unique Workshop for Parents Saturday, October 11, 2014 Brookfield • 2 - 5pm To learn more or to register, call 203-775-5006 or email JudithBarr@ PowerAbusedPowerHealed.com

Special Offer for Parents for Fall 2014: Registration & Payment By 9/1: $85 Registration & Payment By 9/12: $90 Registration & Payment By 9/24: $95 Registration & Payment After 9/24: $100 Registration and payment must be received by Oct 7

Sunday, August 24 Calling all Empaths - Understanding your Sensitivity and Letting it Work For You – 1-4pm. With Rev. Deborah Steen Ross. Focuses on what it means to be empathic and how to use it to help people and the world while staying balanced yourself. Learn to connect to your own empathic, intuitive being while also learning to release unwanted energies.

All welcome. $40. Albertson Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch@gmail.com. AlbertsonChurch.org.

Tuesday, August 26 Take Back Your Health – 7pm. Are you sick of juicing? We have a simple solution to get 25 fruits, vegetables and berries into your system every day and the best part is that children are free for four years! Please join us for healthy refreshments at our wellness meeting to find out more. New Milford. RSVP: Virginia 203-733-1330 or Lynn 434-426-0555 EFT to Clear Anxiety and Stress and Live Your Dream – 7-8:30pm. Using Meridian Tapping (EFT) we will clear anxiety and stress in order for you to easily live your dream. $30. Total Life Care Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-247-1318. Robin@ RobinFriedman.net. EnergyToolsForDailyLiving.com.

Monday, August 18

Friday, August 29

markyourcalendar Homeopathic Medicine Course

Questions & Answers About Reiki – 7-9:30pm.

With Gigi Benanti Reiki Master/Teacher with 19 years experience. Includes latest information in Western Style Reiki. Reiki Intro fun talk about Reiki Intro and Q&A for non-Reiki: 7-8:30pm, $5. Mini-Reiki sessions, 8:15-9:30pm, $10. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave (in the back, downstairs), Norwalk. Pre-register: 203-852-1150.

AngelHealReikiGiGiB@snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com.

For the Lay Person & Health Professional

Wednesday, August 20

Reiki Second Degree Workshop – 10am-5:30pm.

With Gigi Benanti Reiki Master/Teacher Learn Reiki.

2nd Degree in the Western style from an experienced Reiki Master. Learn how to send distance Reiki healing. Deepen your use of Reiki for others and yourself. Includ newest info. Receive 2 powerful energy connections. Receive 2 manuals and certificate. $215. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave (enter private office downstairs in back), Norwalk.

RSVP: 203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGiGiB@ snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com.

One Saturday a month for 10 months

Albertson Church Healing Evening – 7:308:30pm. Guided meditation followed by the opportunity for all who wish to sit in a healing chair.

Hands-on shoulders healing is offered by church designated healers. All welcome. Free. Albertson Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch@gmail.com.

AlbertsonChurch.org.

Massage Open House – 2-6pm. Learn about a career as a massage therapist, receive a free chair mas-

with Susanne Saltzman, MD

Informative and enjoyable Begins September 2014 in Tarrytown A second year course is also available

Info: 914-472-0666 HartsdaleHomeopathy.com

eNaturalAwakenings.com

August 2014

65

ongoingevents

Transformation and Healing – 7:30-8:15pm. Rev. Ed O’Malley uses a Shamanic Illumination Process which removes heavy energies from luminous energy fields, returning the body and soul to its initial state of wellness. ARC Sacred Center, 458 Monroe Tpke, Monroe. 203-268-1272.

sunday

monday

Angelic Reiki Meditation with Essential Oils – 8-9am. Receive short, hands-on Angelic Reiki, experience powerful techniques to reduce stress and relax. $10. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave (in the back, downstairs), Norwalk. Pre-register: 203-852-1150.

Monthly Mutual Support-Alternative Cancer – 10:30am-12pm. 1st Monday every month. Starting monthly mutual support meeting for those choosing to treat our cancer diagnoses alternatively. A happy, positive connection starting. Free. At Silvermine studio, Norwalk. RSVP: 203-847-2561.

Guided Meditation at Sabita Holistic Center –7:30-8:30pm. Give yourself the gift of meditation at Sabita Holistic Center. Internationally known Dr. Levy has worked for over the past 35 years in stress reduction, deep relaxation and meditation. Free. Sabita Holistic Center, 3519 Post Rd, Southport. 203-254-2633.

CHANTSFORMATIONS-A Chant & Meditation Experience – 9-9:45am. With Andrea Rudolph, Jewish Interfaith Minister. Gather to contemplate and nurture the spirit within through the practice of chant and meditation. No prior Hebrew knowledge required. All Faiths. Suggested donation: $10.

ARC Sacred Center, 458 Monroe Tpke, Monroe.

203-257-1009. InTheSpiritofLife@gmail.com.

InTheSpiritofLifecom.

Intuitive Readings By Caroline – 1-4pm. Come play in the psychic realm! Past Lives & Spirit Messages. Find out how your past lives reflect in your current life. Mondays. In Stamford. $35/30 minute reading. Call for location/RSVP: 914-318-4845.

Monday Meditation for Everyone – 7:30-9pm. This is Meditation Guided imagery for relaxation and stress reduction. It also helps you move forward on your Spiritual path. No experience necessary. $20. Soul Focus, 145 Grassy Plain St, Bethel. 203-570-3868.

The Power of Meditation – 5:30-6:30pm. Meditation sharpens focus, lowers blood pressure, relieves pain, reduces stress and opens the door to real and accessible happiness. 3-class series offers a practical approach and individualized support as you develop a solid life skill. $120/5 class series or $30/class.

TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566.

Beth@BethLeas.com. BethLeas.com.

Reiki Share – 7:30-9:30pm. Last Monday. With JoAnn Duncan. 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. The Redding Center for Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding.

203-438-3050 or TurningPointReiki.com.

Flying Aerial Yoga Beginner Series – 6-7pm. With Carla Zilka. Basic techniques of how to use the hammock and how to invert safely. Same flow as a yoga class, warm up, asana and ending with Savasana or Cocoon. No food or drink 30-60 minutes before class. $25/per class by 5/19. Yoga for Everybody Annex, 63 Unquowa Rd, Fairfield. 203-254-9642.

Info@Yoga4Everybody.net. Yoga4Everybody.net.

tuesday

Spiritual Sunday Services – 10-11am. A one-hour service followed by community hour from 11am to noon. The Arc Sacred Center is a non-profit spiritual community center created for the purpose of offering a gathering place for spiritual exploration and teaching, freedom of spiritual expression and healing for the body, mind and soul. Free. ARC Sacred Center, 458 Monroe Tpke, Monroe. 203-268-1272.

Interfaith Service Gathering – 10-11am. A community to celebrate life, hope, healing, love and Spirit. Followed by a community hour from 11am-12pm. My Little Light Children’s Program is available during the service. Free. ARC Sacred Center, 458 Monroe Tpke, Monroe. 203-268-1272.

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

Mahasati is a form of Insight Meditation. The Redding Center for Meditation’s mission is to help people of all faiths develop the self-awareness and inner peace necessary to live life in a skillful way.

Visit ReddingMeditation.org or call 203-244-3130.

Reiki Volunteers – 10am-12pm. Pledge time to volunteer Sundays at various homes for the elderly and nursing homes in Fairfield and Southbury. Receive credits towards Reiki training. Reiki Overtones, 95 Harris St, Fairfield. Reservations, Jim or Jeannette: 203-254-3958.

Celebration Service – 10:30am-12pm. With Rev. Shawn Moninger. Inspiring message supports one’s spiritual unfoldment. Great music by award-winning singers. Childcare provided. Fellowship hour after the service. All are welcome. Love offering. Unity Center, 3 Main St (above Ford dealership), Norwalk.

203-855-7922.

Albertson Church Service – 11am-12:30pm. Includes an inspirational talk from caring ministers, guided meditation, time to receive healing energy and spirit messages from those we continue to love.

Free. Albertson Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 203-637-4615.

66

Fairfield County Edition

Gentle Flow Yoga Candle Lit – 6:15-7:15pm.

With Aga. Beginner’s welcome. Bring water bottle and Yoga Mat if you have one. First class free for new students! $15/drop-in. $10/class pass. $100/10 classes. More information: 203-559-9656. Sticks and Stones Farm Retreat. 201 Huntingtown Rd, Newtown. 203-270-8220. SticksAndStonesFarm.com.

Yoga – 7-8:15pm. With Charles Sikorski, RYT. Weekly. Charles encourages one to find one’s true self: physically, mentally and spiritually. $13/per session or 5/$60, 10/$110, 20/$200. ARC Sacred Center, 458 Monroe Tpke, Monroe. 203-414-6790.

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

Mahasati is a form of Insight Meditation. The Redding Center for Meditation’s mission is to help people of all faiths develop the self-awareness and inner peace necessary to live life in a skillful way.

Visit ReddingMeditation.org or call 203-244-3130.

Tapping for Abundance – 7-8:30pm. Break free of old negative blocks and install new conscious programming regarding abundance. 4-week workshop (some 28 day exercises, suggested though not necessary to do it all) and 4 mid-week goodies. No class on 6/16. $40/week, $120/all. Total Life Care Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-247-1318. Robin@ RobinFriedman.net. EnergyToolsForDailyLiving.com.

natural awakenings

TLC Monthly Networking Breakfast – 8:30am.

First Tuesday of the month. Looking for a community of healthy living professionals? At TLC Center we understand the power of networking. Relaxed, supportive group of professionals. Grab a friend, your biz cards and join us for a fun morning of connecting.

Free. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-8569566. Beth@BethLeas.com. TLCcenter.com.

Pilates – 9:15-10am. Wth Laura Lehrhaupt, Certified Holistic Health Counselor. Laura is also a certified Spinning, Kickboxing, Balletone and Pilates Instructor. $13/class. $15/drop-in. ARC Sacred Center, 458 Monroe Tpke, Monroe. BeWellLaural@ gmail.com. BeWellLaural.com.

Tots Yoga for Crawler-17months – 10:15-11am.

Partner with your little one for animated yoga poses, games, music and breathing exercises to strengthen coordination and build body awareness. Please preregister for your free trial class. First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Bedford St, Stamford. 203-253-0764.

KimberlyMotill@gmail.com. FamilyTreeYoga.net.

Mommy & Me Yoga for Babies 6 weeks old pre-crawling – 11:15am-12pm. Moms will restore and rejuvenate through stretching and strengthening poses. Babies will enjoy yoga poses to aid in digestion and sleep. Great opportunity to bond with your baby and connect with other moms. Please preregister for free trial at FamilyTreeYoga.net. First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Bedford St, Stamford.

203-253-0764. KimberlyMotill@gmail.com.

Lunchtime Yoga in Downtown Stamford – 12-1pm. Take a wellness break during your day.

Release stress, re-energize, find balance with vinyasa flow yoga. $20/drop-in, 4/$68 or 8/$120. Call 914-393-9221. Limitless-Potential.net.

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

Mahasati is a form of Insight Meditation. The Redding Center for Meditation’s mission is to help people of all faiths develop the self-awareness and inner peace necessary to live life in a skillful way.

Visit ReddingMeditation.org or call 203-244-3130.

Women’s Creative Mediterranean Movement – 6pm. Learn to be graceful, tone and creative with Maria Fiora. Class uses many forms of dance with Maria’s Mediterranean style, gaining flexibility, creativity and confidence. Learn to move your arms gracefully, understand how beautiful the body can be and get toned in the process. 4-class series. Classes are small for more personal attention. $70/one-month. Maria Fiora Dance Studio, 456 Glenbrook Rd, Stamford. 203-570-5440.

Maria@DanceWithMaria.com. DanceWithMaria.com.

Gentle Yoga Class – 6-7pm. Perfect for beginners and people with physical difficulties such as back pain and knee pain. $10. Fairfield County Integrative Family Medicine and Healing Therapies, 2 Corporate Dr, Trumbull. Registration required: 203-445-9060.

BodySmart – 6:15-7:30pm. Semi-private sessions for 2-4 participants. Complete core/body conditioning exercises and stretching utilizing a 9-foot floor to ceiling X-Pole. $45/class-discount with 6+ classes (pre-reg required). BodySmart, 115 Main St, Unit 11, Monroe. Call Lisa for details, additional schedule information and to register: 203-209-7359.

Radical Forgiveness – 7-8:15pm. With Rev Shawn Moninger. Let go of anger & blame and find peace in any situation. Explore the five essential stages of Radical Forgiveness and learn a series of quick, effective and easy-to-use techniques. Six Tuesdays begins April 15th. Love offering. Unity Center, 3 Main St, 2nd Flr, Norwalk. 203-855-7922. Office@ UnityCenterPS.org. UnityCenterPS.org.

Food, Freedom & Fun – 7-8:30pm. 4-week seminar will discuss common nutrition questions and myths. Find out what is safe, real and how you can start immediately to change the way you look and feel. Suggested $80/4 weeks. Love offering. Unity Center, 3 Main St, 2nd Flr, Norwalk. 203-855-7922.

Geri@ZatcoffWellness.com. UnityCenterPS.org.

Angelic Healing Group—7-9pm, 1st Tuesday. Experience the healing energy of the Angelic Realm. Your energy body will be infused with the love and light of the Divine through meditation and hands-on touch. $20.

Stevens Memorial Church, 8 Shady Ln, South Salem, NY. 203-438-4893.

Reiki Shares – 7:30-10:15pm. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. Gigi Benanti Usui/Karuna Reiki Master/ Teacher. For Reiki practitioners only. Exchange ongoing since 1996. Instructions included. $20.

Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk.

Pre-register: 203-852-1150.

wednesday Guided Meditation – 1-1:45pm. Give yourself the gift of meditation at Sabita Holistic Center. Internationally known Dr. Levy has worked for over the past 35 years in stress reduction, deep relaxation and meditation. Free. Sabita Holistic Center, 3519 Post Rd, Southport. 203-254-2633.

Candlelit Yoga Flow – 6:30-7:30pm. With Aga. Beginner’s welcome. Bring water bottle and Yoga Mat if you have one. First class free for new students! $15/drop-in. $10/class pass. $100/10 classes. More information: 203-559-9656. Sticks and Stones Farm Retreat. 201 Huntingtown Rd, Newtown. 203-2708220. SticksAndStonesFarm.com.

Albertson Church Healing Service – 7-8pm. 3rd Wednesday. Guided meditation, receive healing energy from church-sanctioned healers and the gift of saging. All are welcome. Free. Albertson Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich.

203-637-4615.

Journaling with Spirit – 7-8pm. By Rev. Shawn Moninger. Journaling is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get in touch with the highest voice within ourselves. First-time attendees receive a new journal. Love offering. Unity Center for Practical Spirituality, Norwalk. 203-855-7922.

Radical Self Forgiveness – 7-8:15pm. Explore the five essential stages of Radical Forgiveness and how they help us transcend the victim archetype and embrace the inherent perfection of life. 4-week class. Begins, July 16 with Rev Shawn Moninger.

All classes offered on a Love Offering basis. Unity Center, 3 Main St, 2nd Flr, Norwalk. 203-855-7922.

Office@UnityCenterPS.org. UnityCenterPS.org.

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

Mahasati is a form of Insight Meditation. The Redding Center for Meditation’s mission is to help people of all faiths develop the self-awareness and inner peace necessary to live life in a skillful way.

Visit ReddingMeditation.org or call 203-244-3130.

Psychic Development Class – 7-8:30pm. Every other Wednesday, begins March 12 for March series of 6 classes. Please bring journal and pen. Reserve a spot at Soul Focus, 145 Grassy Plain St, Bethel.

203-570-3868. Soul-focus.me.

Journey Within: Do You Feel Stuck? – 7-9pm. 1st Wednesday. Need support trying to begin something new? Support, intuitive insight, wisdom. Facilitator: Cindy Miller, intuitive. $20. Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown. Call: 203-4269448. SacredGrounds.bz. TrinityProduction.org.

Holistic Moms Network Fairfield County, CT Chapter – 7:30pm. 2nd Wednesday. Associates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care, 156 East Ave, Norwalk.

Monthly Relaxation Class – 7:30-8:30pm. 1st Wednesday. Reduce stress with Hypnosis by Clinical Hypnotist, Meg Tocantins. Space is limited. $90.

Stamford Healthcare Associates, 1425 Bedford St, 1G, Stamford. Register by texting: 917-292-8115.

Turning Point S.H.A.R.E. Divorce Group – 7:30-9:30pm. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Offering support, healing, advocacy, resources and education for women in the process of, or recently divorced.

Themes and speakers cover the legal, financial and emotional issues encountered during or in the aftermath of divorce. Redding Center for Meditation, $20, $150/10-session card. Registration required.

9 Picketts Ridge Rd, Redding. 203-438-3050 or TurningPointShare.com.

Couples “Beyond Words” Movement Series– 8-9:30pm. with Maria Fiora. 3 sessions. 1.5hr each. Couples series teaches communication and intimacy using dance movement and music.

Maximum 4 couples. Semi-private series. Wine and refrehments will be served. $200/per couple. Maria Fioras Dance Studio, 456 Glenbrook Rd, Stamford.

203-570-5440. Maria@DanceWithMaria.com.

DanceWithMaria.com.

thursday Thursday Morning Meditation for Moms – 9:3011am. Come and unwind with a Guided Meditative Journey geared to release stress and a healthful more positive understanding of self. $20. Soul Focus, 145 Grassy Plain St, Bethel. 203-570-3868.

Yoga Tea Potluck – 6:30-8pm. Do your own practice, no instruction. 8-10pm. Potluck in barn.

Practice together with other yogis. Also open for meditation if this is your main practice. Please prepare food to share. Also bring own plate, cup and utensils. Tea provided. Information: DesreTarr@gmail.com. Sticks and Stones Farm Retreat.

201 Huntingtown Rd, Newtown. 203-270-8220.

SticksAndStonesFarm.com.

Reiki Healing Circle – 7-9pm. 1st Thursday. All welcome. Non Reiki & Reiki Practitioners share and experience Reiki. See details on Unity website.

Hosted by Gigi Benanti Reiki Master/Teacher. $20.

Unity Center for Practical Spirituality, 3 Main St, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGiGiB@ snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com, UnityCenterPS.org.

Pre-Natal Yoga – 7:30-8:45pm. For all stages of pregnancy. This class will combine yoga postures, breath work and relaxation techniques to help release tension and fatigue and prepare for labor, delivery and the post-partum period. Please pre-register for your free trial class. The United Church of Rowayton, 210 Rowayton Ave, Norwalk. 203-253-0764.

KimberlyMotill@gmail.com. FamilyTreeYoga.net.

Channeled Messages and Meditations – 7:309:30pm, 4th Thursday. Through meditation and channeling receive information, energetic atonements and initiations from Spirit. This group is for those who want to develop and expand their energetic vibration. $20. Ridgefield. Call 203-4384893, space is limited.

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ongoingevents

classifieds

friday

saturday

A Course in Miracles Study Group – 9:15am.

Meets bi-weekly in Westport. Facilitator: Henry Grayson, PhD. Free. To reserve seat and for dates/ location: 203-454-1745.

Angelic Reiki Meditation with Essential Oils – 8-9am. Receive short, hands-on Angelic Reiki, experience powerful techniques to reduce stress and relax. $10. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave (in the back, downstairs), Norwalk. Pre-register: 203-852-1150.

Reiki Share – 9:30-11:30am. First Friday. With JoAnn Duncan. Reiki shares for those interested in practicing Reiki in a small group setting. Share experiences and help others develop in a safe, fun environment while providing a wonderful, relaxing, rejuvenating experience. $20. Registration required. The Redding Center for Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding.

203-438-3050 or TurningPointReiki.com.

Student Massage Clinic – 11am-1pm. Relax and enjoy a full-body massage at the Danbury Campus public’s Student Massage Therapy Clinic. Wednesday evenings or Friday mornings available. $30/50 minutes. RidleyLowell Business & Technical Institute, 24 Shelter Rock Rd, Danbury. Call for appt: 203-748-0052.

Mommy & Me Yoga for Babies 6-weeks old-Precrawling – 11:15am-12pm. Mom and baby will practice yoga together! This class is a great opportunity to bond with your baby and to connect with other moms.

Pre-register for free trial class. First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Bedford St, Stamford. 203-253-0764.

KimberlyMotill@gmail.com. FamilyTreeYoga.net.

Teen Meditation – 5-6pm. This is an enjoyable approach to the understanding of self and how you fit into the world in which you can grow with confidence. Come and explore a guided meditative journey that helps to melt away stress and anxiety.

For teens and up. $15. Soul Focus, 145 Grassy Plains St, Bethel. 203-570-3868.

TLC Tarot Fun & Fabulous Tarot Friday – 7-9pm. Have fun with Beth with this self-help tool for novices to longtime tarot friends to explore the Tarot or develop a deeper relationship with your cards. $40. TLC Center Norwalk, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566.

Discussion with Spirit – 7:30pm. Last Friday. Bring questions, receive channeled information to help understand who you are, why you’ve come to the earth plane and empower yourself with messages from Spirit and loved ones. $35. Private residence, Monroe. Information/RSVP: 203-268-3262.

Circle of Life – 7:30-9:30pm. Third Friday. Explore topics such as love, trust, permission and forgiveness as tools in navigating through life’s opportunities, losses and changes. Learn how to bring love, life and happiness. Notetaking welcome and encouraged. $40. Bridgeport location given with registration: 203-268-3262. TrinityProduction.org.

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Beach Yoga & Meditation – 8:30-9:45am. Nourish your body, mind and spirit as you practice gentle flow yoga and meditation. Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk. Every Saturday through September, weather pending. $20/drop-in. 4/$68 or 8/$120. Call 914393-9221. Limitless-Potential.net.

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

Mahasati is a form of Insight Meditation. The Redding Center for Meditation’s mission is to help people of all faiths develop the self-awareness and inner peace necessary to live life in a skillful way.

Visit ReddingMeditation.org or call 203-244-3130.

The Universal Reiki Plan – 11am-1pm. 3rd Saturday. Reiki Practitioners. Register for a free Reiki session. Free. Love offerings appreciated. Bloodroot Vegetarian Restaurant, 85 Ferris St, Bridgeport.

Reservations, Jim or Jeannette: 203-254-3958, ReikiOvertones@sbcglobal.net. ReikiOvertones.com.

The Universal Reiki Plan – 1:30-4:30pm. 3rd Saturday. Reiki practitioners only. Workshop and Reiki Share. Free. Love offerings appreciated. Bloodroot Vegetarian Restaurant, 85 Ferris St, Bridgeport.

Reservations, Jim or Jeannette: 203-254-3958, ReikiOvertones@sbcglobal.net. ReikiOvertones.com.

Reiki Session – 5-6pm. Offering free Reiki sessions during classes. Students participate as part of class syllabus. 1st reserved. ReikiOvertones, 95 Harris St, Fairfield. Reservations, Jim or Jeannette: 203-254-3958, ReikiOvertones@sbcglobal.net.

ReikiOvertones.com.

Kirtan with the Bindu Band – 7-9pm. Come join The Bindu Band on their vibrational journey back to the heart. Bring some snacks and beverages to share.

Love offerings accepted. ARC Sacred Center, 458 Monroe Tpke, Monroe. Register: 203-268-1272.

Open Mic Night – 7-9pm. 3rd Saturday. Bring music printed out in your key and Kenneth Gartman will accompany on the piano. Comedians, poets and writers welcomed as well. $10. Unity Center, 3 Main St (above the Ford dealership), Norwalk.

203-855-7922.

natural awakenings

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

Magazine deadline: 12th of month prior to publication.

Email copy to NicoleM @NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. for rent Part-time rental space for Holistic health practitioner. Weekday/weekends available. $175/ month. Newtown. 203-270-1119.

Space Available in small Wellness Center 2-3 days/week in Bethel location in time slots of 4-hr minimum. Open area perfect for Yoga, Pilates, Offices for Reiki, Massage, Counseling and Readings, etc. 203-570-3868.

for SALE Wooded 6 acre prime building lot in gated lake community. Woods at Duck Harbor in Equinunk, PA, near NY state border and Honesdale, PA. Lot borders protected PA game land, gorgeous mountain views in fall and winter, walk to lake. Low taxes and maintenance fees. If interested, call 914-763-0464.

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.

M assage T herapist e x panding office; seeks licensed therapists for Monroe location. Please send resume, including training and experience by modality. Interest in energy work a plus! Must be licensed and insured. Send resume to Lauri at TheEthericCenter@outlook.com.

SERVICES Would you like to take a fresh look to renew an area in your life with exquisite professional coaching? Telephone sessions available. Coaching Coterie. 203-219-7358.

communityresourceguide

Nina Antolino, RYT, RMT, MBA

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 (CRG) in print and online email FFCadvertising@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com to request our advertising rates.

ACUPUNCTURE Ingri Boe-Wiegaard, LAc

Fairfield, Wilton, Bethel 203-259-1660 • CTAcupuncture.com 25-year full-time practice Ingri treatments help alleviate Pain, Depression, Neck & Back, Anxiety, Headaches, Stress, Allergies, Asthma, Arthritis, Digestive, Menstrual, Infertility and Smoking & Weight Loss Issues. See ad page 32.

Jody Eisemann, LAc

Offices in Norwalk and Fairfield 203-216-2548 • AcupunctureHealingCT.com High-quality acupuncture at the most affordable prices in Fairfield County. 20+ years experience, specializing in treating all kinds of pain and general health issues.

See ad page 23.

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER 31 Old Rt 7, Brookfield 203-740-9300 • SophiaNaturalHealth.com

As the hormone experts, we specialize in women’s health, natural hormone balancing, breast cancer prevention and thermography utilizing the highest definition camera in the area with interpretations from MD specialists in the field.

X TO RAYS.COM

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging Suzanne Pyle, MS, CCT 866-XtoRAYS • SuzannePyle@prodigy.net Get peace of mind with safe (no radiation), FDA-approved breast cancer screening. 8 years earlier detection vs. mammography.

Certified DITI thermographer.

Conveniently located throughout Fairfield.

COACHING Certified Empowerment Life Coach, Reiki Master Certified Interdisciplinary Yoga Instructor Founder & Executive Director, Limitless Potential Norwalk • 914-393-9221 Nantolino@aol.com • Limitless-Potential.net

CANCER TREATMENT Advanced Medicine of Mt. Kisco, PC Neil Raff MD CNS 37 Moore Ave, Mt. Kisco, NY 914-241-7030 • NeilRaffMD.com

The most advanced natural nutritional treatment and support for all stages of cancer – highdose vitamin C, European herbals, Iscador (mistletoe), ozone, immune boosters. Specializing in removal of cancer causing toxins.

Call for free consultation.

COACHING Alzbeta Peskova

Norwalk 203-326-0405 Info@Yoga2LifeCoaching.com Yoga2LifeCoaching.com I am a life/mentor coach and yoga instructor. My mission is to help people to clarify their dreams, goals, and real potential.

Making meaningful changes in our lives can be tough when we try to do it all by ourselves. The professional support, insight, and accountability of coaching can help you make lasting breakthroughs. See ad page 13.

Healy Coaching Solutions

Anna Healy, Certified Columbia University Coach Fairfield & Westchester County 617-852-3027 AHealy@HealyCS.com • HealyCS.com Anna works with individuals to help ‘get out of their heads’ so they can become aware of the habits, patterns and blocks impacting personal transformation.

A unique, integrative approach which empowers and guides you to create the life you want. You gain the practical tools, motivation and commitment necessary to achieve your goals. I specialize in women’s empowerment and wellness. I blend my business background, holistic training and empowerment coaching to guide women to reach for more than they ever believed possible.

CHIROPRACTIC Black Rock Holistic Health Center Kristine DeMarco, DC, MS, FIAMA 825 Kings Hwy East, Fairfield 203-333-6544 • DeMarcoChiropractic.com

Kristine M. DeMarco, Doctorate of Chiropractic and founder of the Black Rock Holistic Health Center, has been successfully specializing in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal problems for over 12 years. She is certified in “Cox Flexion Distraction Technique,” Graston Technique, Applied Kinesiology and Acupuncture. Specializes in disc problems, LBP, neck pain and musculoskeletal pain.

See ad page 10.

Risa Sloves, DC

Associates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care 156 East Ave, Norwalk 203-838-1555 • CtChiropractic.com Dr. Risa Sloves is 1 of 10 Chiropractic Physicians in Connecticut with Board Certification in Maternity and Pediatric Care including Webster and Bagnell Turning Techniques.

Also provided: acupuncture, BioSET Allergy Elimination Technique and the DRX9000 Spinal Decompression. See ad page 36.

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.

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ENERGY HEALING

COLONICS

Virginia Trinque, Usui Reiki Master

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLC

Fairfield/Trumbull town line 203-371-8258 • WholeBodyMed.com Ready to start feeling healthier? Take your first step with this gentle cleansing procedure. Watch our colonic and detoxification videos on our new video website located at WholeBodyMed.com. Call for Free CD on detoxification. See ad page 2.

Detoxification Advanced Medicine of Mt. Kisco, PC

Neil Raff MD CNS 37 Moore Ave, Mt. Kisco, NY 914-241-7030 • NeilRaffMD.com Westchester’s most experienced office for the detection and treatment of toxic metals (lead, mercury, aluminum, etc), the underlying cause of many inflammatory, immune and digestive conditions.

Years of experience with chelation, IV or oral. Call for free consultation.

EDUCATION Housatonic Valley Waldorf School

844-733-1330, Danbury VirginiasHealthyLiving@gmail.com VirginiasHealthyLiving.com

Virginia is a Reiki Master/Teacher with years of experience healing children and adults. Specializing in physical and spiritual pain relief and “body and soul integration” for easier living in this world. Usui Reiki classes offered for Master level, Levels I and II and Teacher Training. Sessions and classes held in a private, serene setting.

HALOTHERAPY (Salt therapy) 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 antiinflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal.

HEALING CENTER

40 Dodgingtown Rd, Newtown 203-364-1113 • WaldorfCT.org

Rev. Christine Guerrera, LMFT

We develop each child’s unique capacity to engage meaningfully in the world by integrating experiential and artistic learning, academic excellence, respect for diversity and reverence for nature. See ad page 24.

Psychotherapist, Interfaith Minister ARC Sacred Center, Monroe 203-268-1272 • ARCSacredCenter.org

Chris is a licensed psychotherapist and inter-spiritual teacher offering psycho-spiritual therapy and sacred ceremonies such as baby blessings, weddings, interfaith gatherings and healing workshops. See ad page 35.

ENERGY HEALING The Light of Happiness Reiki and Wellness

HEALTH COACH

Deborah Arconti, LPN, RMT, IARP Reiki Master/Teacher Advance Practice IET™ Danbury • 203-470-0635 TheLightOfHappiness.com Specializing in Reiki and IET™ sessions for mind, body and spirit connections. IET™ “Integrated Energy Therapy” uses angelic connections for soothing results.

Teaching all levels of small Usui Reiki classes, experienced in training healthcare professionals.

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Fairfield County Edition

Mary Gilbertson MS, BSN,CHHC

Licensed RN,Nutritionist & Certified Health Coach 500 Monroe Tpke, Monroe • 203-521-4733 GilbertsonMary@yahoo.com Prescription4Wellness.com Working 1:1, in groups and corporations to develop customized healthy lifestyle plans. You receive tools to optimize your health through nutrition, disease management, exercise, weight loss & stress reduction. 28 years of experience supporting teens & adults in healthy lifestyle. Available for speaking engagements and health events. See ad page 61.

natural awakenings

HEALTH COACH Thrive Results Coaching

Kristina Hess, CHHC, SNS, FDN, CHT 30 Old Kings Hwy S., Ste 223, Darien 203-984-7989 Kristina@ThriveResultsCoaching.com ThriveResultsCoaching.com Facebook.com/ThriveRC Pinterest.com/KristinaHess Twitter.com/ThriveRC Being mindful about eating helps you break free from routine habits by examining the thoughts, feeling, and internal pressures affecting how and why you overeat (or restrict). Holistic Health Coach & Sports Nutrition Specialist Kristina Hess, teaches that learning to eat mindfully will bring you more self awareness, and help you naturally release unwanted behaviors and lbs. See ad page 23.

HOLISTIC DENTIST MARK A. BREINER, DDS, FIAOMT

5520 Park Ave, Ste 301, Ffld Town Line Merritt Pkwy, Exit 47 203-371-0300 • WholeBodyDentistry.com Dr. Mark A. Breiner is a pioneer and recognized authority in the field of holistic dentistry. With over 30 years of experience, he is a sought after speaker and lecturer.

His popular consumer book, Whole-Body Dentistry, has been sold world-wide. See ad page 2.

Hypnosis MIND BODY TRANSFORMATION HYPNOSIS

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 ad page 48.

INTEGRATIVE HealTH Bliss Nutrition & Wellness, LLC Gail Perrella, MS, CNS 2103 Main St, Stratford 203-710-3925 • Blissnutritionct.com

BioEnergetic Assessment (BEA) is a cutting-edge, non-invasive tool to measure pathways of energy flowing in the body.

Natural healing is increasing harmony between one’s body and the natural environment. BEA provides information which makes it possible to achieve greater health and well-being, naturally.

See ad page 22.

INTEGRATIVE HealTH Worden Wellness Center

Thomas Worden, DC 41 Kenosia Ave, Danbury 203-244-8801 DocWorden@WordenWellnessCenter.com WordenWellnessCenter.com At Worden Wellness Center, we use an integrated approach of chiropractic, acupuncture and nutrition to incorporate therapeutic lifestyle changes to help you reach your optimum health. Dr. Worden has been practicing in Danbury for 25 years. See ad page 22.

Integrative Medicine Physician RIVERSIDE OB/GYN

Russell Turk, MD 1200 East Putnam Ave, Riverside 203-637-3337 Riverside Obstetrics & Gynecology in Greenwich, C T, p a r t o f S t a m f o r d Health Integrated Practices, an affiliate of Stamford Hospital, is a full-service medical practice incorporating traditional and holistic approaches to women’s health. The practice includes one OB/GYN and a naturopathic physician. See ad page 33.

STAMFORD INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE Michael E. Doyle, MD Conventional & Alternative Medicine 22 5th St, Ste 201, Stamford 203-324-4747 StamfordIntegrativeMedicine.com

Specializing in Natural and Alternative approaches to restoring health. Focusing on underlying causes of illness. Hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalances, nutrition and much more. See ad page 26.

INTEGRATIVE OPTOMETRY Eyecare Associates, PC

Drs. Randy Schulman, Steve Carr, Narvan Bakhtiari, Carl Gruning and C. Lee Mellinger Locations: 6515 Main St, Trumbull • 203-374-2020 139 Main St, Norwalk • 203-840-1991 2600 Post Rd, Southport • 203-255-4005 CTEyeCareAssociates.com We offer behavioral optometry, comprehensive vision exams, contact lenses and vision therapy.

See ad page 12.

INTUITIVE CONSULTANT Joan Carra, Psychic Medium 203-531-6387 PsychicJoanCarra.com Facebook.com/PsychicJoan.Carra

Joan is recommended by six books and has 20 years experience. Find solutions, comfort and closure.

Specializing in contacting passed loved ones. Available for private sessions, parties and corporate events.

Massage & Bodywork

Massage & Bodywork Robin Ordan, LMT, LCSW, CICMI Licensed Massage Therapist & 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 11.

Zak Walker, LMT

iFloat

163 Main St, Westport 203-226-7378 • iFloatSpa.net Experience this superior form of body/mind relaxation as you float effortlessly in warm water with high concentrations of Epsom salt. Relieve stress, chronic pain and more.

See ad page 23.

JOY CARBINO

Licensed Massage Therapist Holistic Nutrition Consultant & Reiki 203-470-1226 • HealingWhiteLight.com Joy combines her intuitive ability and her expertise in massage therapy to enhance the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Holistic health & nutrition programs also offered. See ad page 49.

Laura Carlson, LMT

Redding/Monroe/Easton 203-885-7353 (SELF) Facebook.com/LauraCarlsonMassageLLC Yo u d e s e r v e t o b e nurtured and time to be still, to breathe and to restore balance.

Relaxing and nourishing massage will encourage positive changes in your mind and body. Individual sessions and massage parties available.

Roberta Russell

Licensed Massage Therapist Reiki and Polarity Practitioner West Redding • 203-438-2354 Beyond-Touch.com Relieve stress and pain. Improve sleep, energy levels, immune system. Swedish and Integrated Deep Tissue Massage styles incorporated with Energy Healing.

Rebalance energy for body, mind and spirit. Restorative and deeply relaxing! 15 years experience. See ad page 20.

Wellness Institute One Westport Ave, Norwalk 203-443-6679 • ZaxWeb@gmail.com I combine elements of Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage, Acupressure and Myofascial Release, according to the goals and preferences of each client. I’m here to help you feel your best!

MASSAGE SCHOOL Finger Lakes School of Massage

272 N. Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco, NY 914-241-7363 • FLSM.com Join us for a transformative experience as you develop your intuitive and scientific abilities to heal through therapeutic touch.

Classes taught to auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners. Financial aid available for full and part-time programs. See ad page 28.

MEDITATION Redding Center for 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.

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Naturopathic Physician Debra Gibson, ND

Naturopathic Physician Marvin P. Schweitzer, ND

ORGANIC MATTRESSES & BEDDING

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

Healthy Choice Mattress

Family Health Care using all natural therapies for 25 years.

Acupuncture, Bio-Identical H o r m o n e s , H o m e o p a t h y, Chinese/Western Herbs, Allergy/ Toxin Testing, Oxygen Therapy, Meridian Stress Assessment, Nutrition/Enzyme Therapies. See ad page 8.

Healthy Choice Organic Mattress offers luxury mattresses and bedding made from the highest quality natural materials. With four showrooms, including two in CT, Healthy Choice features locally made mattresses that are chemical and toxin free, biodegradable, comfortable and durable. See ad back cover.

Lisa Singley, ND, MS 2103 Main St, Ste #2, Stratford 203-874-4333 Info@NHAWC.com • NHAWC.com

SHALVA CLINIC, LLC

Organic Sleep by Sleep Etc.

We use advanced diagnostic testing with safe, effective, allnatural 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.

Dr. Lewis offers comprehensive holistic care for women including well-women exams, fertility, thyroid and menopause support.

She also has a special interest in pediatrics and utilizes a variety of natural modalities when working with patients with ADD/ADHD, autism, allergies, eczema and asthma. Treatments include herbal medicine, functional medicine, biotherapeutic drainage, homeopathy and more. See ad page 36.

Dr. Marina Yanover, ND, LAc

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLC

100 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield 203-431-4443 Natural family healthcare using nutrition and biochemistry; herbal, homeopathic and energetic medicine; lifestyle transformation and detoxification, to promote well-being of body, mind and spirit. See ad page 22.

Natural Health and Wellness Center

Ellen M. Lewis, ND, Director 260 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-916-4600 • ShalvaClinic.org

1300 Post Rd East, Westport 203-255-5005 • BigAppleHealth.com

Naturopathic Medicine, Acupuncture, Craniosacral Therapy, Natural Face Lift using microcurrent therapy. Specialties include Family Medicine, Women’s Health, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Pain Management, Skin Care. Insurance accepted.

Adam Breiner, ND, Director Elena Sokolova, MD, ND David Brady, ND, CCN, DACBN Fairfield/Trumbull town line 203-371-8258 • WholeBodyMed.com

Northeast Natural Medicine, LLC Shawn M. Carney, ND 19 Church Hill Rd, Ste 1, Newtown 800-723-2962 • NortheastNatMed.com

Integrative naturopathic medicine clinic and therapeutic massage center for the whole family.

Services include advanced diagnostic testing, detoxification programs, personalized nutrition and botanicals. Insurance accepted.

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natural awakenings

Using state-of-the-art science combined with centuries-old healing modalities, our caring naturopathic doctors correct underlying imbalances and address issues which may interfere with the body’s ability to heal itself.

Treatment protocols or therapies include: Abdominal Manual Therapy, Acupuncture, Allergy Desensitization, Chinese Medicine, Colonics and other Detoxification Protocols, Electro-Dermal Screening, Energy Medicine, FDA-cleared Phototherapy, Functional Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Hormonal Balancing, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Metabolic Typing, Nutritional Assessment, Real-Time EEG Neurofeedback and other therapies. See ad page 2.

141 Post Rd East, Westport • 203-557-3900 HCMattress.com

508 Main Ave, Norwalk • 203-846-2233 55 High Ridge Rd, Stamford • 203-323-1509 Founded in 1947, Sleep Etc now offers a new line of socially responsible bedding products, including higher quality, more comfortable and, longer-lasting mattresses. See ad page 37.

The Clean Bedroom

79 West Putnam Ave, Greenwich 203-292-9275 | 866-380-5892 TheCleanBedroom.com The Clean Bedroom is an organic and all-natural mattress and bedding resource with seven showrooms, including its new location in Greenwich. Through its showrooms and web site, eco-minded shoppers gain insight to create a healthier sleep environment. See ad page 29.

PHYSICAL THERAPY Physical Therapy of Southern CT

Linda Maude, PT 917 Bridgeport Ave, Shelton 203-926-6997 • PhysicalTherapySoCT.com Specializing in evaluation & treatment of musculoskeletal imbalance & injuries. Results achieved that traditional physical therapy may not. Therapeutic approaches such as manual therapy, cranialsacral, visceral manipulation and vestibular rehab. State of the art facility for strengthening & overall rehabilitation.

PSYCHOTHERAPY DENI WEBER, MA, LPC, D-CEP

Holistic Psychotherapist Comprehensive Energy Psychology Fairfield County 203-544-6094 • DeniWeber.com Within a supportive, empathic relationship Deni guides individuals on their journey of self-discovery integrating psychology, Eastern medicine and spirituality to heal suffering from traumatic stress related to chronic illness, disabilities, abuse & PTSD.

JUDITH BARR, LPC, CCMHC Brookfield 203-775-5006 • JudithBarr.com PowerAbusedPowerHealed.com

At its heart, psychotherapy is soulwork, which helps you reconnect with wounded, buried parts of yourself, finally healing, becoming your true Self – heartful, matured, full. This is not quick-fix, band-aid work. Do yourself justice – mind, body, heart, soul. Journey safely to your Self with Judith. See ad page 7.

Maria C. Castillo, MSW, LCSW 238 Monroe Tpke, Ste B, Monroe 203-445-8966 • Msisi@aol.com LifeBetweenLivesTherapy.com

Past Life Regression, trained by Brian Weiss, MD. Life Between Lives Hypnotherapy, trained by TNI and Michael Newton, PhD. Traditional psychotherapy with a spiritual approach; Reiki. Connect with your soul self and let your inner wisdom guide you.

Robin Ordan, LCSW

Family, Child, Individual & 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 20.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

RESULTS COACHING

VICTORIA SHAW, PhD

Intuitive Psychotherapist 3 Hollyhock Ln, Wilton • 203-210-5700 VictoriaShawPsychotherapy.com VictoriaShawintuitive.com

Jeff Forte PEAK Results Coaching

2389 Main St, Glastonbury 860-633-8555 • PeakResultsCoaching.com Want to quickly improve your marriage or personal happiness?

Hope is not a strategy for success.

Call to learn proven strategies to overcome your life challenges. See ad page 9.

I combine the best of traditional psychotherapy with intuitive guidance in my work with children, teens and adults. My goal is to connect clients with their own inner source of strength, wisdom and healing. See ad page 23.

SOLAR ENERGY

REIKI

Pure Point Energy

28 Knight St, Norwalk 203-642-4105 • PurePointEnergy.com

EMBODY THE SACRED® Deana Paqua, MA, LMT 203-994-5045 EmbodyTheSacred.net

Turn your deepest pain or trauma into your greatest strength.

Shamanic Reiki, Usui/Karuna® Reiki, Shamanic Healing and Bodywork. Offerings in Ridgefield, Danbury and NY areas.

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.

PurePoint Energy is dedicated to providing quality solar electric projects that make our clients’ lives, our communities and our planet a better place.

Transformative Healing Beth Prins Leas

Transformative Healing • Tarot Offices in Norwalk & Ridgefield 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com • TLCTarot.com

See ad page 23.

TURNING POINT REIKI, LLC

JoAnn Duncan, MS, RMT Reiki Master Ridgefield • 203-438-3050 TurningPointReiki.com TurningPointShare.com

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

Heart’s Desire Method Shiloh@TheHDMethod.com TheHDMethod.com

JoAnn uses intuition, experience and a deep spiritual connection in her Reiki, IET and Reconnective Healing sessions. Specializing in care for individuals with Cancer, Lyme disease and Back Pain. All Reiki levels taught.

The Heart’s Desire Method – 7 Steps to making your dreams come true. Bring highdefinition focus on what you want in all areas – work, family, relationships and money. By energizing the healing power of the authentic self, you will lead a happier, more peaceful and fulfilling life.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

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Mrs. Greens Natural Markets

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Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care Judith Barr Black Rock Holistic Health Center

10

Bliss Nutrition and Wellness

22

Blues, Views & BBQ Festival

32

The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center: Medical

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The Center for Naturopathic Medicine/Susan Rzucidlo, ND

16

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Children’s Dental Care

Fairfield County Edition

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Kelly Carroll

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Beyond Touch/Roberta Russell

The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center: Dental

Search “Natural Awakenings Fairfield County”

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Nature’s Temptations Healthy Food Market 39 Newtown Hypnosis

14

Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic

57

Olivette

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Robin Ordan, LMT

11

Robin Ordan, LCSW

20

Organic Sleep at Sleep Etc

37

Pangaea Massage

61

Passage East Boarding Kennels

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The Clean Bedroom

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49

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Coaching Excellence Institute

10

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CT Open

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Detoxified Iodine

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33

Dog Gone Smart

54

Run Walk For Health & Hunger

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26

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Debra Gibson, ND

22

The Graduate Institute

15

Growing Solutions

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Eliana Grubel

39

Feldenkrais Workshop/Carol Lessinger

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Finger Lakes School of Massage

28

Habit Change Coach Training Programs

32

Hands & Paws Reiki for All Healing White Light/Joy Carbino

SAVOR Healthy Pizza

3

Simple Scallion

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Shalva Clinic/Ellen Lewis, ND

36

Victoria Shaw, PhD

23

SONO Arts Celebration

9

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11

SOUND Center

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Sound Equals Energy

13

53

Stamford Hospital Health, Wellness & Sports Expo 2014

18

49

Sticks & Stones Farm

40

Healthy Choice Mattress

47

Thrive Results Coaching/Kristina Hess

23

Healthy Choice Mattress

76

TLC Dog Trainer

54

Total Life Care Center

23

Holistic Holiday at Sea

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The Honest Kitchen

56

Touch of Sedona

31

Housatonic Valley Waldorf School

24

Unity Center for Practical Spirituality

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Hunter Healing Hands

13

University of Bridgeport Clinics

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Ifloat

23

Wellness Institute/Marvin Schweitzer, ND

The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition

45

Westport Farmers’ Market

39

Izzi B’s Allergen-Free Bakery

43

Whole Foods

61

Kempo Karate

49

Wholistic Pet Services

54

Kindred Spirits

21

Worden Wellness Center

22

The Last Resort

55 23

Yoga2LifeCoaching/Alzbeta Peskova

13

Beth Prins Leas

natural awakenings

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THE NEW NAME IN LEGENDARY TENNIS

TICKETS START AT JUST $25!

WOMEN’S WORLD CLASS TENNIS

MEN’S LEGENDS EVENT

AUGUST 15-23

CTOPEN.ORG

855-464-8366 eNaturalAwakenings.com

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You Eat Organic Food, You Exercise, But Then You Go Home And Sleep On A Toxic Mattress?

Now Ope nI Summit, n NJ

Detoxify Your Bedroom • All Natural Latex • Certified Organic Cotton • Certified Organic Wool • No Toxic Flame Retardants • No Petro-Chemicals • Made in America

Summit, NJ 361 Springfield Ave (908) 263-7400 Mt. Kisco, NY 681 East Main Street, (914) 241-2467

Fairfield County Edition

natural awakenings

Ridgewood, NJ 14 Wilsey Square (201) 857-3245

www.HCmattress.com for special offers.

Because Nature Makes The Best Stuff 76

Westport, CT 141 Post Rd. East (203) 557-3900