Natural Awakenings Fairfield County March 2017

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

Eat For Wellness

FREE

Moving Past Food Sensitivities Good Fats for Metabolic Health

Wood, Leaf, Bark and Root Trees’ Lasting Impact on Human Well-Being

Heart-to-Heart with Horses

Equine Experiences Support Personal Potential Wise Words from

Dr. Joseph Mercola March 2017 | Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition | eNaturalAwakenings.com

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

501 Kings Highway East, Suite 108, Fairfield CT

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

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

WholeBodyMed.com 203-371-8258

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.

501 Kings Highway East, Suite 108, Fairfield CT

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

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

Why is Organic Plant Care important to you?

Contact us for more information or to schedule a c o m p l i m e n ta ry c o n s u ltat i o n Tel: (203) 854-6869 |Email: info@premierlawnsolutions.com |norwalk, ct eNaturalAwakenings.com March 2017

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contents

Natural Awakenings is now in the

HOUSATONIC VALLEY!

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

24 TREES AND HUMAN WELL-BEING

27

Caring for Trees Protects Us

by Ariana Rawls Fine

27 AS ABOVE, SO BELOW

Trees Connect Us to Earth and Heavens

by Alexandra Leigh

30 FOOD RELATIONSHIP WOES

How to Recognize the

Effects of Food Sensitivities

by Tatiana Fleischman

38 THUMBS-UP ON FATS Good Fat Doesn’t Make Us Fat

by Judith Fertig

43 DR. JOSEPH MERCOLA On Simple Steps To Well-Being

by Judith Fertig

30

44 THE GARDEN CURE

Natural Sanctuaries

Heal Body and Spirit

by Sandra Murphy

Send us your news, your advertising requests, and share our FREE monthly magazines at your place of business in Fairfield County and now also the

Housatonic Valley 203-885-4674 eNaturalAwakenings.com

46 CELEBRATION OF

CONTROLLED MOVEMENT

Pilates is Much More Than Stretching

by Ariana Rawls Fine

44

52 PLAYING WITH HORSES AND SELF POTENTIAL

Center in Wilton Invites Mindful Exploration

by Nicole Miale

56 FOREVER GREEN

Eco-Burial Options Grow

by Avery Mack

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

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7 newsbriefs 20 healthbriefs 22 globalbriefs 23 therapyspotlight 36 inspiredtable 38 consciouseating 46 fitbody 48 pilatesprofiles 49 masteringyoga 50 naturallyhealthypet 52 communityspotlight 54 naturalpet 55 petresourceguide 58 calendar 63 classifieds 63 resourceguide 70 displayadindex

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

Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com.

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

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Visit eNaturalAwakenings.com.

Deadline for magazine calendar listings: the 12th of the month. Website calendar listings may be entered at any time.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

eNaturalAwakenings.com

It’s easy to

eat well

A FREE Gift for Natural Awakenings Readers Prime Your Mind to

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Your FREE Gift Natural Awakenings’ tagline is ‘feel good, live simply, laugh more’. Each month we bring you news and information to help you achieve those goals.

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March 2017

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letterfrompublisher

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contact us Publisher/Executive Editor Nicole Miale Editor Ariana Rawls Fine Design & Production Kathleen Fellows Erica Mills Contributing Writers Vicki Blumberg, Tatiana Fleischman, Tracy Schiff Sales & Marketing Leslie McLean, Nicole Miale, Debbie Morgan Operations Manager Lisa Lent Distribution Man in Motion LLC Natural Awakenings Fairfield County 54 Danbury Rd, Ste 323 Ridgefield, CT 06877 Phone: 203-885-4674 Fax: 203-516-2392 NicoleM@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com eNaturalAwakenings.com NAWebstore.com NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com

aindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…” Well, it’s not exactly about that but this issue does focus on two of my favorite things: trees and horses. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of playing for hours in the woods near my house–alone where no one knew where I was (are kids allowed that kind of freedom anymore?!).

My connection to trees has only deepened over the years; no day is truly complete for me without time spent among the wooded ones. Turns out I’m not the only one who feels that way. Our local feature articles this month examine the Nicole Miale centuries-old, fascinating and many connections between people and trees. We benefit from them greatly on lots of different levels; it would behoove us to take care of them as well.

When I wasn’t in the woods, as a teen I could frequently be found at the small and somewhat decrepit horse stable down the road. The owner was mostly patient with my enthusiastic attempts to educate him about horse care and his horses seemed to appreciate my inept attempts to bond with them. I’m fortunate in my current residence to share property with two equines who also tolerate my attempts to befriend them. I also count myself lucky to have made recent acquaintance with Mere and Potato (see picture below), the resident horses at Possibilities Farm in Wilton. Check out our spotlight article on the farm as well as a companion piece about how horses are helping people heal from a myriad of ills. As one who has been appreciating their special energy for years, I’m thrilled to see horses getting so much well-deserved recognition for their amazing hearts. They provide infinite possibilities as partners in healing for humans willing to work with them.

Food sensitivities get a lot of attention these days; they really can’t be discussed enough since most people suffer from one kind of issue or another. We asked some local experts to weigh in on what exactly is happening and what people can do to address their specific concerns.

The spring event season has begun! March is buzzing with inspirational and educational activities. Check out the news briefs, ads and calendar for local happenings. We hope to see you at many of them!

Until then, wishing you sunny days surrounded by horses and trees.

With love and light,

© 2017 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.

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

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

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

See our advertiser index on page 70.

Making it easier to find the resources you need. natural awakenings

newsbriefs Shalva Clinic Team Expands

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aturopathic physician Carine Bonnist has joined the wellness team at Shalva Clinic, in Westport. She recently relocated to Connecticut from San Francisco, where she completed a general medicine residency with a focus on antiaging medicine, cardiovascular health, Lyme disease and other chronic infections.

In addition to using herbal medicine, nutraceuticals, nutrition and lifeCarine Bonnist style changes, Bonnist has training in ozone therapy, which can be used to address a multitude of concerns including chronic infections due to ozone therapy’s broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.

Shalva Clinic, LLC, founded in 2012 by Dr. Ellen Lewis, is a full-service naturopathic clinic offering a wide range of services, including women’s and men’s health services as well as pediatric care. Acupuncture, bodywork/energy healing, cold laser therapy, holistic pelvic care, hydrotherapy, intravenous nutrition therapy and ozone therapy are some of the services provided to clients.

For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Carine Bonnist, call 203-916-4600 or visit ShalvaClinic.org.

Location: Shalva Clinic, LLC, 8 Lincoln St, Westport. See ad, back cover.

C O O P E R A T I V E & WELLNESS CENTER

the co-op: gallery, shop, design studio, art openings, 1st fridays in the depot!, performance events, jewelry from nepal, knitting workshop, essential oils, organic skin care, chinese herbal apothecary

the wellness center: acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, massage, meditation, organic facials, pilates, chi nei tsang, reflexology, neural reset therapy, medical qi gong, aromatherapy, shamanic healing, biomat, chinese medical massage, sound healing, facial rejuvenation acupuncture, cupping, barre, qi gong, chinese herbal consult

where art meets wellness

SPARK YOUR SPIRIT! valleyspiritcoop.com

6 green hill road washington depot, C T

RP Natural Awakenings march.qxp_Layout 1 2/13/17 1:45 PM Page 1

Delving into Living in Neighborhoods by Design

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n April 8 at 2:30pm, an introductory session on Neighborhoods

by Design: Cohousing and Intentional Community will take place at Whole Foods Market in Westport. David Berto, president of Housing Enterprises, Inc, and Dick Margulis of Rocky Corner, Connecticut’s first cohousing community in Bethany, will talk about the concept and what it takes to build a cohousing community.

They will also be on hand to share their experiences and answer questions. If you’ve ever been curious about “neighborhoods by design”, this is an opportunity to learn more.

More information on the group can be found at Facebook. com/Groups/1653835394860707.

Berto, a project manager of the Rocky Corner cohousing community, has over 23 years of experience as a housing and development consultant, coordinating the development of housing projects in towns throughout Connecticut and other parts of the country.

For more information on the event and to reserve a seat, visit Facebook.com/events/1477149735651192. Location: Whole Foods Market, 399 Post Rd W, Westport.

860.619.2788

203.438.5795 RIDGEFIELDPLAYHOUSE.ORG

THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE for movies and the performing arts

Non-profit 501 (c) (3)

KIM RUSSO

Psychic-Medium to the Stars as seen on A&E and Lifetime Movie Network!

APRIL 1 WORLD MUSIC SERIES MARCH

26 Raul Midón

“A One-man band who turns a guitar into an orchestra and his voice into a chorus” - NY Times

APRIL

19 Ozomatli and Squirrel Nut Zippers A Hot Night of Music!

MAY

9 The Tenors

The thrilling vocal group as seen on PBS!

JUNE

27 THE GIPSY KINGS Melding deep-heated flamenco, rumba, salsa and pop!

eNaturalAwakenings.com

March 2017

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newsbriefs

Welcome Relaxation Celebrates First Anniversary

Spend an Evening with Psychic Medium Kim Russo

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ave you ever wondered what lies in the world beyond? Now is your chance to connect with the spirit world when psychic medium Kim Russo returns to the Ridgefield Playhouse on April 1 at 8pm as part of the Hearst Media Entertaining Conversation Series.

Russo has appeared on A&E’s Paranormal State and Psychic Kids shows. She has also appeared on The Biography Channel’s Celebrity Ghost Stories, featuring the country legend music star Loretta Lynn. She is currently the host of the weekly running series The Haunting Of... on The Lifetime Movie Network. Each week Russo visits with celebrities who have had a paranormal experience.

Tickets are $45 or $75 with the meet and greet upgrade.

The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not for profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to present a variety of performing arts to the community and the surrounding area that they can enjoy and experience at a varied price point. The Playhouse presents national and local acts and is the cultural hub for the town of Ridgefield.

elcome Relaxation, a small privately owned massage and energy studio in Shelton, is celebrating its first anniversary in March. Owner, Leticia Solis—also known as “Tish”—has over 13 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist, eight years as a Reiki master and five years as a certified aesthetician (skin care not offered at this time).

Leticia Solis

Solis became a massage therapist and Reiki master because she has always had a strong desire to bring healing and peace to others. She has seen and experienced the positive benefits of a holistic approach to healthy living and believes cultivating wellness is the doorway to happiness, clarity and improved self-esteem.

The studio’s massages include the Signature Massage (with towels), Relaxation (Swedish), Hot Stone, Pregnancy, Reikissage (Reiki/massage combo), Therapeutic (deep tissue) and Targeted Treatment Massage. Reiki, personalized aromatherapy and reflexology services are also available.

All services are by appointment. The studio is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:30am to 7pm, Thursday from 11am to 5pm, Friday from noon to 7pm, and Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

For tickets and more information, call the box office at 203438-5795 or visit RidgefieldPlayhouse.org. Location: The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge (parallel to Main St), Ridgefield.

See ad, page 7.

For more information, call 203-343-2240, email at WelcomeRelaxationSpa@gmail.com or visit WelcomeRelaxation.com. Location: Conti Building, 415 Howe Ave, Shelton.

H

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/Housatonic Valley 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

Art Day Celebration in Hartford

We’re Dedicated To Every Client Because of you there is a change for the better!

Beautiful Hair Shouldn’t Be Hazardous To Your Health The best thing about our products is what we leave out!

No Ammonia | No Parabens | No Scalp Staining | No Scalp Discomfort

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he Connecticut Office of the Arts, in partnership with the state’s nine regional arts organizations, presents the annual CT Arts Day 2017 to celebrate Connecticut’s investment in and support of the arts and to reaffirm the role the arts play in our state. The art day celebration is scheduled for March 2 from 9am to 4pm at the State Capitol in Hartford.

The theme of this year’s event is Moving Forward: Connecting Cultural and Creative Industries. The day will include networking opportunities, workshops, special performances and interactive opportunities to share #CTARTS17 stories.

The roster of speakers by state leaders includes Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, House and Senate officials, and other state and local representatives. Special guest speakers include Elizabeth Monoian and Robert Ferry, founding directors of the Land Art Generator Initiative, and keynote speaker Laura Callanan, founding partner of Upstart Co-Lab.

The nine regional arts organizations participating include Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County; Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut; Arts & Culture Collaborative, Waterbury Region; Northwest Connecticut Arts Council; Arts Council of Greater New Haven; Greater Hartford Arts Council; Shoreline Arts Alliance; Windham Arts; and Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition.

General registration for the event is free but ticket reservations for both admission and the panel discussions are encouraged as there is limited space.

Boxed lunches are also available for purchase online only for pickup at the event.

To register for the event, visit Eventbrite. com/e/Connecticut-Arts-Day-2017Registration-21317951567. Location: The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford.

i Celebrating 27 years in business! I Salon AponteLLC 838 Main Street, Tollgate Plaza, Monroe, CT 203-261-2838

Tues & Fri 9-5 | Wed & Thur 9-8 • Sat 8-4 | www.salonaponte.com

Take Your Business to the Next Level Create the vision and success for yourself and/or your team with the guidance and support of a professional business coach.

Robin Ordan, LCSW

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203-561-8535 www.robinordanlcsw.com Located on the Old Greenwich/Stamford Border

Business Coaching For Pinnacle Success

MASTER OF ARTS Degree Integrative Health & Healing A Holistic & Transformative Education Coursework includes: Nutrition, Stress Management, Homeopathy Art & Music Therapy, Aromatherapy, Naturopathy Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine Energy Medicine & more 2 year program – 1 weekend per month Certificate Programs Available Transformative Coach Training

171 Amity Road, Bethany, CT • 203.874.4252

INFO@LEARN.EDU • WWW.LEARN.EDU

eNaturalAwakenings.com

March 2017

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newsbriefs New Services for Creative Entrepreneurs

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he Dancing Curtain’s new Courageous Creative Professionals Package consists of six, customized, one-hour sessions that are infused with a Reiki/shamanic blend, insight, guidance and recommended action steps. These sessions are specifically catered to creative professionals, but anyone who would like more joy, confidence and creativity may enroll.

The Dancing Curtain offers three styles: Reiki and insight, meditations and mantras, and guided visualizations. Khristee Rich will follow-up in-between sessions to recap and see how you are progressing. Through the work, releasing fears, perfectionism and inner self-sabotaging critics will come easier.

Khristee Rich To boost confidence and grow visibility, Rich also offers a three-month package, Total Transformation Coaching. This package helps entrepreneurs stand out in their industry through dynamic online videos.

All services are available via Skype, phone and in person in Ridgefield.

For more information, visit TheDancingCurtain.com.

Twin Star Opens Apothecary and Boutique in New Milford

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upo Passero, owner of Twin Star Herbal Education of New Milford, and her long-time collaborator and office manager, Tina Hartzell, are expanding their existing business in historic downtown New Milford to include a new retail location. The current herbal education center will continue to offer healing classes in its second floor location on Bank Street, while they open the new retail space at street level.

In addition to regular weekly class schedules, the new apothecary space will offer a variety of products and crafts and will be hosting special guests, motivational speakers and healing arts providers. The products include bulk herbs, custom tea blends and other locally made products.

For more information on Twin Star Herbs, visit TwinStarTribe.com/Apothecary.

Location: 57 Bank St, New Milford.

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ortheast Natural Medicine, LLC, is the private practice of Shawn M. Carney, ND, and his wife Stacy Carney, LMT, located “at the flagpole” in Newtown. Now Carney Shawn Carney has expanded his practice to include office hours at bustling natural and organic food market New Morning in nearby Woodbury. He will be at New Morning every Friday from 9am to 1pm and the third Saturday of each month from 9am to 1pm.

He will also be scheduling educational talks on a variety of topics in the coming months; these are open to the public.

Northeast Natural Medicine offers individually tailored, evidence-based care for all medical concerns. As a naturopathic clinic, they have a comprehensive variety of effective and minimally invasive interventions available to meet patients’ needs. Shawn Carney was trained as a primary care physician and offers innovative, less invasive diagnostic testing.

Services include personalized nutrition, detoxification and weight management programs, botanicals, homeopathy, physical medicine and more. The practice is also in-network with most insurance companies. As a therapeutic massage center, they provide a wide array of bodywork treatments from experienced hands.

To contact Northeast Natural Medicine, LLC, call 800-723-2962 or visit NortheastNatMed.com. Office location: 19 Church Hill Rd, Ste 1, Newtown. New Morning location: 129 Main St N, Woodbury. See ads, page 13 and page ??.

yoga • meditation • massage • reiki • facials

•

nutrition

Metaphysical Shop & Healing Space www.therubytreect.com (203) 586-1655 Sherman Village, 650 Main St. S Woodbury, CT

Monthly Mystical Market, 3rd Sunday of Every Month crystal healing • psychic readers Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

• aroma touch • rocks & crystals

natural awakenings

• psychotherapy

events • workshops

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ND Schedules Office Hours at New Morning

•

Music and Healing Center Launches Wellness Workshops

Celebrating Life... and Beyond “People who are unable to confront the fact of their own mortality, are unable to fully appreciate life.” ~ Mother Teresa

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oulSong Music Education & Healing Arts Center will present the first of its monthly Saturday wellness series on March 18 from 2-4:30pm. Sharon A. See, a holistic health and nutrition coach and owner of Vitalized Wellness in Shelton, will be presenting, Diets Don’t Work...

But What Does? as the first guest speaker.

See will help participants understand why diets don’t really work and why repeat dieting can actually be harmful.

They will learn the four key areas of life that are negatively impacted by dieting in addition to getting the “real skinny” on why the most popular diets fail.

Through a series of thoughtful journaling exercises, each attendee will reconnect to his/her own inner wisdom and explore what has been in the way of permanent weight loss. During this workshop, attendees will clarify vision for a healthier, thinner and happier self and walk away with simple practical tools for incorporating healthy lifestyle habits right away.

Attendees are asked to arrive by 1:45pm to sign in and be settled for the opening mediation that will begin promptly at 2pm. Please bring a pen and a journal or notebook. Early bird pricing is $35 until March 13. The regular workshop fee is $55.

SoulSong Music Education & Healing Arts Center is a new Shelton-based center that provides music education, mentoring and energy healing. Owner Suzanne Vick is a vocal coach, professional performer, Reiki master teacher and mentor. She has taught voice and vocal performance for over 12 years.

To register for the workshop, call 203-605-6587 or email SoulSongCT@ gmail.com. For more information on the center, visit SoulSongCT.com. Location: SoulSong Music Education & Healing Arts Center, 163 Leavenworth Rd, Shelton. See ad, page 33.

SERVICES: End-of-Life Doula, Reiki, Vigil & Legacy Planning, Bedside Healing Services & Music, Experiential Workshops, Monthly Discussion Group.

Alliance for Conscious Transitioning

Upcoming Events: (SEE MARK YOUR CALENDAR) March - The Conversation 3/2 April - Gene Ang, Patricia Shelton David Leven, Isha Lerner

For more information, visit us @

www.AllianceFCT.com

Alliance Awareness Ad - 1/4 page March 2017 Issue

DISCOVER A NEW YOU Contact Jeanne@jeannestreet.com

Spiritual Medium & Healer www.jeannestreet.com

Inspirit HEAL

LEARN

GROW

Find yourself within this peaceful space of Mind, Body and Spirit

(203)788-9338 346 Main St Woodbury, CT 06798

• Healing Sessions • Intuitive Art Classes • Energy & Sound Healing Massage • Medium Readings • Workshops • Boutique • Nutritional Guidance • Spiritual Counseling • Health & Wellbeing Lectures eNaturalAwakenings.com

March 2017

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newsbriefs newsbriefs 7eFit Your Spa Open House Craft Heaven on Earth Philpott at Soul Healin Stamford Eilis ing Journey is offering an

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tamford has inspirational new service called a new option The Heaven Project - Creating for those seeking Heaven on Earth. The program’s to look and feel mission is to create heaven on their best during Earth by respecting and honoring ™ the extending holiday seaall living things and son and beyond. 7eFit Spa has on High Ridge Road, loveopened one relationship at a time. offering a variety of aesthetic services and non-invasive The 10-class course will taketechniques to support mind andplace body biweekly wellness. on AnThursday open house eve-is scheduled for November 22nings fromstarting noon toMarch 7pm. 16 at 7pm in The regular service offerings—which will be available as Eilis Philpott Fairfield.

Relax while our technology brief demonstration sessions during the open

In each of the 10 lessons of the course, house—include participants will . does the work anti-aging oxygen facials with oxygen therapy, Torc Plus biolearn whatand supports them in creating heaven on Earth, what Nogets surgery or invasive procedures. electric stimulation for targeted muscle activation (also available in their way, and how to overcome obstacles that preInfrared Sauna • Micro-dermabrasion with each oxygen therapy) weight loss, infrared sauna for detoxifivent from livingand in their heaven.

These classes will be Myolift • Torc • Body Waxing cation, Reiki and the DietMaster personal weight loss program. informative and experiential in nature, including discussion Diet Master •energy Oxygen Bar • Reiki The Torc Plus has been FDA-cleared andwith is known and various healing techniques along sacredto be Dermalogica Facials • Oxygen Facials effective for muscle tightening, toning, cellulite reduction ceremony. inchTeeth loss.Whitening andThe project itself is an education hosted by the virtual Save Now with Founder Tracey Scalzi, a long-time Stamford resident University of Heaven.

Each class takes place in a classroom Introductory Prices! and business owner, decided to open 7eFitSpa because she with a key to each door in this virtual university. You graduate Call 203-356-5822 wanted a new business dedicated to helping people look with the knowledge that all are indeed major contributors to and feel atheir best.

The spaconsciousness. had a soft opening in June but creating loving heavenly 1092 High Ridge Road | Stamford, CT 06905 was The course costs $350 and a $100 deposit is required for fully operational with all equipment and services avail7efitspact1@gmail.com | www.7efitspa.com registration.

The balance can be paid in two installments by able in mid-September. the sixth session.

For more information, visit 7eLLC.com and visit the For more information, visit7eFitSpaCT1@gmail.com SoulHealingJourney.com,or email Stamford location, email call Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com call 203-767-5954.

203-356-5822. Location: 1092orHigh Ridge Rd, Stamford (inside Salon Cheveaux). See ad, page 15.

Fit Spa

A new way to looking and feeling good.

Shamanic Healing Retreat Electrolysis and Skin Care Clinic in Reddingin Stamford Relocates

TJ

oin shamanic practitioners and he Primping Place has teachers Deana Paqua and Jessica expanded Hunter forand a day of shamanic healing isfor now locatedtransformation, abungratitude, in the heart of dance, discovery and enlightenment. downtown This all-dayStamhealing retreat is open ford, sharing to anyone and all levels who wish clinical to learnspace more about shamanism and with Coastal OB/ practices and techshamanic healing Gyn, thethat offices Robert Gennaro, Cahill, Dr. niques can of beDr. incorporated into Dr. Patrick Deana Paqua Shieva Ghofrany, Dr. Antonios Panagiotakis and Gold Coast daily life for transformation and posiPlastic Surgery.The An event open house the new tive changes. will beatheld at location will be held on April 1.at The Redding Center the sanctuary for Meditation Lisa Mecca Primps is a licensed electrologist, certified on November 14 from trichologist, licensed hairdresser and cosmetologist, and an 10am to 5pm. aesthetician. is happy and to celebrate A varietyPrimps of techniques teach- her 25th year in business helping clients from the tri-state ings will be incorporated throughoutarea improve their selfesteem removingshamanic unwantedjourney facial and body hair, improving the day,byincluding acne, and helping clients with various work, shamanic ceremonies, crystal forms of alopecia. healing, The new space hasmedicine two private rooms for electrolysis, skin various spirit healing care and hair restoration with low-level and a teachings and shamanic techniques forlaser therapy Jessica Hunter unique multi-therapeutic approach to successfully help clients clearing and manifestation practices. to regrow their own hair. The Primping Place is an affiliate Paqua and Hunter bring a unique and informative combinasalon of Hair Loss Control Clinics in, Latham, New York. tion of shamanic healing and teachings to their gatherings.

Follow the Primping Place on Facebook and like and Paqua specializes in Andean and South American shashare the contest for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate manic traditions, while Hunter focuses on North American towards a service of choice, including electrolysis, hydrafashamanic traditions. Together, they provide educational and cials, clinical facials, peels and more. inspirational shamanic gatherings that encompass a variety of teachings and a global connection of a variety of ShaFor more information, call 203-325-9565 or visit manic Healing practices.

ThePrimpingPlace.com or. For details about the April 1 open house, visit ThePrimpingPlace.com/blog. Location: For Primping more information, EmbodytheSacred.net and The Place, 999visit Summer St, Ste 401, Stamford.

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oud to present two special screenings of the documentary

Special Screenings of PANDAS Documentary

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he New England PANS PANDAS Association (NEPANS) would like to invite the public to attend special pre-screenings of a documentary on pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric Tickets On Sale Now $15.00 ($16.52 w/handling fee) disorders, or PANDAS. My Kid Is Not Crazy: A Search for Hope in the Face of Misdiagnosis is a film by Tim Sorel that tracks the journeys of six children and their families as they become tangled in a medical system heavily influenced by the pharmaceutical industry. The Connecticut screening will be on March 30 at 7pm at Fairfield Cinema at Bullard Square, Fairfield.

The film also tells the story of Dr. Susan Swedo of the National Institutes of Health, who discovered a link between strep throat and sudden onset OCD and/or tics as well as other psychiatric symptoms. Since her breakthrough discovery, there has been controversy regarding the PANDAS and its appropriate treatment. Sorel interviews the nation’s top experts in science, medicine and treatment to separate fact from fiction. My Kid Is Not Crazy looks at the diagnosis, physicians on both sides of the argument, and, most importantly, the lives of young children and the families that PANDAS affects.

Attendees will get to meet the filmmaker and some of the families depicted in the film during a Q&A session after the screenings.

For those in more northern areas of Connecticut, another special screening and Q&A will also be held in Massachusetts on March 29 at 7pm at Showcase Cinema de Lux Patriots Place, located at 24 Patriot Place, Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Proceeds from ticket sales will support NEPANS mission to spread awareness and understanding of PANS/PANDAS.

To purchase tickets for either screening, visit BrownPaperTickets.com/ profile/2514715. For more information, visit NEPANS.org/My-Kid-is-Not-Crazy. html. Connecticut screening location: Fairfield Cinema at Bullard Square, 41 Blackrock Tpke, Fairfield.

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March 2017

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

newsbriefs Arts Grant Deadlines Approach

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he Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (CAFC) on behalf of the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) offered two information sessions in February about the COA fiscal year 2018 grant offerings. The grant application deadlines are March 15 and 22, depending on particular grant types. The state grants fall into three categories: Supporting Arts in Place (SAP), Arts Learning Grants (ALG) and Project Grants.

The SAP grant, with a March 15 application deadline, awards matching grants to eligible arts organizations and municipal art departments to strengthen the state’s non-profit arts industry. The awards for fiscal year 2017 ranged from $365 to $18,630 with the minimum award amount increasing to $500 for the new cycle. While applicants do not specify a grant request amount or indicate how grant funds will be spent, grantees will be required to document how SAP funds were used.

The ALG grants, also with a March 15 deadline, provide funding in three categories.

• Access: Exposure to the arts through field trips, school or classroom visits, performances and lectures by artists or artist groups or arts venues.

• Connection and Correlations: Extension of arts access experiences that begin to make connections between the arts experience and preschool through grade 12 curriculum.

• Integration: Sequential arts learning experiences that weave ideas and concepts between and among arts and nonarts disciplines.

With an application deadline of March 22, the Project Grants program encourages and supports arts-based projects of artistic excellence that are aligned with the READI (Relevance, Equity, Access, Diversity, Inclusion) framework. The larger grant requests range from $5,000 to $15,000 for planning and implementation of arts-based projects. In addition, there are Regional Initiative Grants, also due by March 22, which go toward supporting small community arts projects that are aligned with the READI. For more information on the different grants, visit tinyurl.com/z2zqbue. Additional information on the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County can be found at CulturalAllianceFC.org.

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. ~Edith Wharton natural awakenings

NewLife Expo Comes to New Yorker Hotel March 17 to 19

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ore than 100 experts are slated to speak at the NewLife Expo, which returns to New York City March 17 to 19 at the newly renovated New Yorker Hotel, with exhibits and panel discussions covering topics from nutrition to UFOs. “Most exhibitors are exclusive to the expo,” says the event founder, Mark Becker.

Among returning experts are Marianne Williamson, Eric Pearl and Dannion Brinkley, who will join Sean Morton, Richard Doyle, Gail Thackray, Stacie Breeze and dozens of other high-profile lecturers. “They’ll make it a weekend you’ll remember forever,” Becker says. “And this is one of our healthiest expos, as Dr. Joel Wallach joins Dr. Jane Goldberg, Dr. Chi, Dr. Cua, Dr. Paul Ling Tai, Dr. Eric Kaplan, Kat James and others to bring you the latest in alternative health care and proper nutrition.”

The NewLife Expo is America’s longest-running event focused on holistic enlightenment and rejuvenation, he notes.

“The expo continues at the vanguard of raising awareness to more than a million Americans for over 27 years, with its lecturers and exhibitors promoting a healthy mind, body and spirit; alternative medicine; yoga and meditation; anti-aging; and the metaphysical and psychic realms.”

For more information or to preregister for discounts, email Mark@NewLifeMag.com or visit NewLifeExpo.com.

Location: New Yorker Hotel, 481 8th Ave and 34th St, New York City, NY.

Workshop for Positively Priming the Mind

K

im Serafini, founder and CEO of MindPT, will be the keynote speaker at a Positively Priming the Mind Workshop from 10am to 1:30pm on March 22 in New York City. Participants will learn more about the research and technology behind the accelerated learning tool called Mind Power Technology (MindPT) that serves businesses, nonprofits, organizations and entrepreneurs in creating positive results by priming the mind to start each Kim Serafini day on a positive note.

Serafini is a leading authority on positive priming and how to accelerate learning and change. This workshop is for coaches, practitioners, doctors, healers, educators, advocates, managers, trainers and others. Attendees will leave with real tools to navigate life more easily and beautifully.

“MindPT is a revolutionary new way to integrate new beliefs and cultivate the mindset and habits of happiness and success,” she says. “Traditional personal growth programs often fail to produce the desired results because they require time, effort and discipline, but MindPT is quick and effortless, based on the latest in neuroscience research and proven, positive psychology principles. It is shared in fun and engaging bite-sized lessons on a desktop computer or mobile app to create fast, enduring results.”

Cost is $49, including lunch. For location and tickets, visit PositivePrimingForSuccess.com. See ad, page 5.

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March 2017

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newsbriefs Trumbull Women’s Expo Seeks Exhibitors

Awakening Your Intuition Workshop in Norwalk

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he 2017 Southern Connecticut Women’s Show will take place on April 30 from 11am to 5pm at the Trumbull Marriott Merritt Parkway, in Trumbull. The expo, produced by Western New England Women’s Expo, is seeking vendors and exhibitors that offer products or provide services in categories such as apparel, beauty, bedding and linens, cooking, fitness, food and beverage sampling, handcrafted arts, health and wellness, nutrition, skin care products, spas and salons, women’s civic groups and many others.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available. As a show sponsor, in addition to receiving exhibit space, you will be included in the show’s marketing plan. Several levels are available, including title, corporate and silver.

The show will have over 100 exhibitors with a variety of products and services for the modern woman. Some of the exhibitors include Whole Foods Health, Sport Hill Farms Farmers Market, Massage Envy, Dana Bartone make-up consulting, hair consults from Hair Bellagio and Vanna Hair Studio, wine and liquor sampling, psychic readings and others. Dress for Success of Fairfield County will be the official charity of the event.

To become an exhibitor or vendor, contact Annmarie Gagne of Consumer Expos of New England at 860-916-6343 or GagneAP@gmail.com.

n April 2, Victoria Shaw, PhD, LPC, an intuitive counselor, is leading a workshop at Norwalk’s LifePath Yoga & Wellness to help participants awaken their intuition.

What do many of the world’s greatest thinkers, healers, creators, teachers, leaders and entrepreneurs have in common? They know how to tap into their intuition. This source of wisdom and guidance is available to all of us, Victoria Shaw we just have to learn how to use it.

The two-hour workshop begins at 1:30pm. It combines discussion with hands-on activities and meditations designed to help participants develop their own intuitive gifts. Participants will learn to identify their natural intuitive style, how to tell the difference between everyday thoughts and intuition, and how to use their intuitive awareness to enrich all aspects of their lives. Shaw will draw on her own intuitive gifts to offer wisdom and guidance to the group, and well as to connect each participant energetically with their own highest guidance. All levels are welcome.

The workshop fee is $35 per person. An early bird discount of $30 is available until March 24. Space is limited and preregistration is required.

Shaw is a psychologist and licensed professional counselor who discovered her own intuitive abilities through meditation. She works with children, teens and adults in her private practice in Westport.

For more information, email VfShawPhD@gmail.com or visit VictoriaShawPsychotherapy.com/Workshops. Location: LifePath Yoga & Wellness, 430 Main Ave, Ste 208 (second level, entrance in back), Norwalk. See ad, page 13.

Come Join Us !

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Celebration Service Sundays at 10:30 am Open Mic Night - Saturday, Mar 18th at 7 pm Reiki Healing Circle - Thursday, Mar 9th at 7pm Sing Your Heart Out Cabaret Show - Satruday, Mar 11th at 7pm The Original 4T’s Porsperity Class Begins Monday Mar 27th at 7pm

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

see all events in the calendar listings

natural awakenings

Rev. Shawn Moninger, Unity Minister

35th Annual Organic Food, FarmFarm, Gather with Organic & Garden Conference Food and Garden Enthusiasts

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armers, landscapers, foodies, gardeners and community leaders convene at CT NOFA’s 35th Annual Winter Conference to learn innovative practices, share ideas and network with others. This year’s event will take place on Saturday and Sunday,•March 11 and 12, at Western Connecticut ctnofa.org 203-308-2584 State University, in Danbury.

Saturday highlights include 45 workshops to choose from plus keynote speaker, Leah Penniman. Nearly 100 farm, food and sustainable service exhibitors will have tables in Berkshire Hall while some of Connecticut’s most creative and generous chefs cook up a storm for lunch.

Sponsored by UConn and featuring agriculture-related loan and service providers, the Agricultural Re$ource Fair will take place on Sunday morning, offering an in-depth look at what it really means to access agricultural funding in Connecticut. Service providers and farmers will pair up to present with a detailed account of what it’s like to apply for various grants and loan programs.

A special workshop with 2016 NOFA Farmer of the Year, Bryan O’Hara, will take place from 12:30-3:30pm for all kinds of vegetable growers. Intensive Vegetable Production - No Till, Soil Health, & Appropriate Fertilization will cover the concepts and practices that lead to the high yields of high-quality vegetable crops. There will be an emphasis on soil health, producing vegetables without tillage and how to choose fertilizer materials. Register to save a seat.

Penniman will focus on Ending Racism and Injustice in the Food System. She is an educator, farmer and food justice activist from Soul Fire Farm in, Grafton, New York.

Among many other roles, Penniman is a core member of the Freedom Food Alliance and also runs an on-farm restorative justice program that is an alternative to incarceration for area teens and a training program for aspiring black and Latino activist-farmers.

The cost to attend the conference for Saturday only is $35 for a student/farmer/senior, $50 for CT NOFA members, $60 for non-members, and free for children; add $15 for lunch. The cost for both days is $55, $70, $90 and free. The Sunday afternoon workshop is only $20 for members and $30 for non-members.

LET US TREAT

Y U to a free pilates class

March 11 & 12 ~ Danbury

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For more information, visit CTNOFA.org. Register for one or both days and various workshops and the main event at CTNOFA.org/WinterConference. Location: Western CT State University, Midtown Campus, 181 White St, Danbury. See ad, page 37. eNaturalAwakenings.com

March 2017

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newsbriefs

If My Lab Testing is Normal…

Why do I still feel sick?

Mental Health Center Expands; Holds Grand Re-Opening

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

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he Ridgefield center where Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge and Associates work with children, adults and families to address learning, behavioral, and social challenges has expanded to include new therapists and services. A grand re-opening ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at the center on March 8 at 10:30am. The event will showcase the new Neuro-Bio clinic, including Advanced Bio-Regulation therapy, a recent addition to the center’s suite of brain-based therapies. According to Capanna-Hodge, bio-regulation uses PEMF and biofeedback to create healing through cellular repair. The therapists at the center will use bio-regulation to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, Lyme, PANS/PANDAS, depression, anxiety, OCD and autism.

“Our mission at the center is to provide high quality service and always focus on non-medical alternatives for mental health,” Capanna-Hodge explains. She and the team of therapists organize and implement appropriate assessments, create educational plans, suggest services and accommodations at school or work, locate tutoring, provide solution-focused counseling support, and offer neurofeedback and biofeedback.

Neurofeedback is a safe, non-medication alternative used to treat a variety of conditions, including ADHD, ADD, tics, Tourette’s, OCD, learning disabilities, sensory integration issues, NVLD, Asperger’s, autism, TBI, concussion, sportsrelated concussion, headaches, migraine, anxiety, depression and others.

The team at the center has also expanded to meet the needs of the community. New team members include: neurofeedback technician Nancy McDermott, JD, CSW; therapist Lisa Hughes, NCC, LPC; and therapist Jackie Brady, MA.

Capanna-Hodge recently unveiled the 360° Reboot Program, a new intensive therapy program. Adults can choose a 10-day or two-week course, and children come for two weeks to receive intensive neurofeedback and biofeedback, Advanced bio-regulation therapy, traditional therapy, Reiki and meditation. A nutrition consult and support from a naturopathic physician are also part of this program, as well as other brain-based treatment sessions.

For more information call 203-438-4848 or visit DrRoseann.com. Location: 898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield.

See Community Resource Guide listings, pages 63, 67 and 68.

natural awakenings

New Reconnection Events Available

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r. Eric Pearl, author of The Reconnection: Heal Others, Heal Yourself, demystifies the healing process. He teaches others (90,000 and counting) how to activate and use what he refers to as an all-inclusive spectrum of healing frequencies.

“Reconnection teaches people how to transcend the ego and its judgment, and reach a state of non-judgment observation,” explains Pearl. “Many of the individuals I have taught describe their experience simply as an internal activation of an advanced level of consciousness, in which awareness allows the perception of a multidimensional universe.”

Pearl posits that as part of our growth as human beings, stating, “We not only discover that we have become more, we understand that we can’t stand in fear, lack and limitation, and we can only offer ourselves as a vessel for healing for ourselves and others when we reside in oneness and love.”

Pearl believes that it is part of everyone’s life journey to discover that they are an empty vessel, born to be filled with spirit. He advises, “By letting go of beliefs that block our ability to deeply understand this, we can harmonically converge with the lives of others at the level where we are all energy, as physics indicates.”

For more information on the Online Level I Course and Integrated Combinations with Live & In-Person Level II schedules, visit ReconnectiveHealing.com. Mention the promotional code word AWAKE and receive a 20 percent discount. See ad, page 71.

Take Time to Rejuvenate in New Milford

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AB Boutique is offering an Afternoon of Rejuvenation event to the public on March 4 from 2-4pm. Join local wellness practitioners for a glass of wine and learn some ways to improve and soothe both your body and soul.

Facilitators will include Marilyn Fuller, RN, BSN, MN, an integrative nutrition health coach, and massage therapist Lisa Lent, LMT. Lent will be providing chair massages and discussing her intuitive movement class. Jennifer Brewer, a wellness advocate for dōTERRA essential oils, will also be on hand with rejuvenating oils.

For more information, email Judy@BABBoutique.com with questions or Facebook.com/BABProducts to register.

Location: BAB Boutique, 46 Danbury Rd, New Milford.

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Ecoscapes

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Patricia’s Presents

Beautiful Objects for Discerning Customers Pet and Equestrian Themed Items

A treasure trove of unique gift items to suit all tastes!

Luscious Vegan Leather Goods 860-946-9705 199 Ethan Allen Highway Ridgefield, CT 06877 Stunning Fair Trade Jewelry… www.patriciaspresents.com and more

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annreevespsych@optonline.net • www.annreevespsychology.com Offices in Newtown & Wilton, CT eNaturalAwakenings.com

March 2017

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healthbriefs

A

Yeko Photo Studio/Shutterstock.com

nyone that has struggled to reduce their intake of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) may have considered avoiding saturated fat in their diets, although the latest meta-study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine now refutes this.

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen, in Denmark, conducted a test to determine if consuming low-fat versus regular cheeses impacts LDL cholesterol levels.

The study divided 139 people into three groups. One ate regular fat cheese, one consumed reduced-fat cheese and one didn’t eat any cheese at all for 12 weeks. Both LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good” cholesterol) levels were tested at the beginning and end of the period.

Researchers found no significant difference in the LDL levels of any of the groups and no difference between the HDL levels of the reduced-fat and regular cheese groups, suggesting that consuming low-fat versions has no measurable metabolic benefit.

An increase in HDL levels among those that abstained from eating cheese altogether was noted.

The Five-Second Rule Debunked

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he five-second rule is a belief that food that falls to the floor can be safely eaten as long as it’s picked up quickly. Researchers from Rutgers University, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, sought to test its veracity. Four different food items were tested, including watermelon, bread and butter, plain bread and gummy candy, using four different surfaces—stainless steel, ceramic tile, wood and carpet.

Each surface was contaminated by bacteria and completely dry before the scientists dropped each item for one second, five, 30 and 300 seconds. A total of 128 separate scenarios were repeated 20 times each and 2,560 measurements were taken and analyzed for contamination.

The results proved that longer contact time resulted in more bacterial contamination, but there were also cases of instantaneous contamination, which disproves the five-second rule. The wet surface of a watermelon yielded the most contamination and gummy candy the least. The surface tests yielded surprising results, with carpet transferring significantly fewer bacteria than tile and stainless steel, while wood floors exhibited varied results.

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

Joe Belanger/Shutterstock.com

No Benefit to Cutting Fat in Cheese

coverartist

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Peace in Winter Susan Andra Lion This month’s cover art, Peace in Winter, is one of 20 illustrated works featured in Just Imagine Trees, a coloring book for nature lovers of all ages. “The inspiration for much of my art comes while I’m listening to concerts. Music is incredibly visual to me,” says graphic designer and fine artist Susan Andra Lion.

“This piece came to me while listening to one of Haydn’s string quartets.”

Her illustrations in waterproof ink and colored pencil are often accompanied by inspirational messages. Based outside of Boulder, Colorado, Lion is also the author and illustrator of the children’s book How the Trees Got Their Voices, an upcoming companion coloring book, plus creative card decks.

“I have a real love affair with trees. When I put my hands on a tree, I can feel the energy coursing through it,” says Lion, who studied graphic design at Colorado State University. “I believe that everything is alive; even stones vibrate. We all have a reason to be here and live in harmony with all other life forms.”

Visit the artist’s portfolio at SueLion.com. eNaturalAwakenings.com

March 2017

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globalbriefs Jessie Eldora Robertson/Shutterstock.com

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

Raw Hide Igor Gorelchenkov/Shutterstock.com

A Veggie Leather Alternative Researchers from Iowa State University have developed a new form of synthetic leather using cellulose fibers taken from kombucha tea, along with vinegar and sugar, made in shallow plastic tanks. When a colony of bacteria and yeast is added, the material grows on the top of the liquid’s surface, where it can be harvested and dried.

The researchers have successfully used the material to make prototype garments, including shoes and a vest. It’s 100 percent biodegradable, so when the fabric gets wet, it softens and becomes less durable; in very low temperatures, it can become brittle.

Young-A Lee, Ph.D., associate professor of apparel, merchandising and design at Iowa State University, in Ames, says, “Fashion, to most people, is an ephemeral expression of culture, art and technology, manifesting itself in practical form. Fashion companies keep producing new materials and clothing, from season to season, year to year, to fulfill consumers’ desires and needs. Think about where these items eventually go. They will take up tremendous underground spaces of the Earth, like other trash.”

Spanish designer Carmen Hijosa has created Piñatex, another faux-leather product made from pineapple leaf fibers as a more sustainable and cruelty-free alternative. She acted after seeing how leather tanneries operate.

Source: News.iastate.edu

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

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Clean Jeans

Laundry Machines Boost School Attendance Kids in middle schools with attendance problems may simply lack clean clothes to wear. An experiment by the Whirlpool company has taken on the issue with significant results.

The Whirlpool Care Counts Program donated 17 pairs of washers and dryers to school districts in St. Louis and Fairfield, California.

Kids with attendance problems were asked to bring their laundry to be cleaned while they were in class. Each student had approximately 50 loads of laundry done at school during the year, and more than 90 percent increased their attendance, with at-risk students attending almost two more weeks in class. Whirlpool is now expanding the program.

Compared to factors such as economic opportunity, unemployment and institutional racism, laundry might seem inconsequential, but for a 10-year-old facing stacked odds, having nothing clean to wear could be the deciding factor in whether or not they want to face their classmates that day.

Seventh-grade teacher Alison Guernsey, in Fairfield, says, “One of my students had more or less withdrawn from school completely. After we started the program, he was more excited about coming and started to actively engage in class. He didn’t feel like an outsider anymore.”

therapyspotlight

Low Dose Immunotherapy for Autoimmune Conditions Treatment Offers Hope for What Ails Many

by Vicki Sara Blumberg and Nicole Miale

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hen our immune system does not tolerate the external environment, symptoms such as food allergy, chemical sensitivity, and inhalant or seasonal allergy ensue. When the immune system no longer tolerates the internal environment of the body, autoimmune disease develops, frequently causing debilitating and chronic symptoms. Diagnoses of autoimmune diseases have been increasing in prevalence and intensity in recent years. The NIH estimates up to 23.5 million Americans suffer from autoimmune disease; a safe, effective treatment raises hope of relief for many. Seeking ways to relieve patients’ suffering when conventional methods seem inadequate has become a priority for many physicians and researchers.

Treatment of various allergies and inflammatory diseases with ultra-low dose enzyme-activated immunotherapy, also known as LDA, has been used successfully for many years by trained physicians in the United States, Canada and other countries. As experience with the therapy has evolved, the term low dose immunotherapy (LDI), has been adopted.

As is the case with many medical breakthroughs, the potential for this therapy was discovered almost by accident.

A British ear, nose and throat physician, S. Popper, was treating a patient with nasal polyps by injecting them with the enzyme hyaluronidase. The patient noticed after treatment that his respiratory allergy symptoms improved. Leonard McEwen, MD, discovered the enzyme responsible for the symptom improvement was actually a contaminant in the enzyme mixture. McEwen, working in England in the 1960s, called his therapy EPD or enzyme-potentiated desensitization. EPD helped mitigate and, in many cases, eliminate the inappropriate immune response commonly known as allergy.

In the early 1990s, William Shrader, MD, created an American version of EPD and named it LDA. In his protocol, an enzyme is added in a minute dose to a group of extremely dilute allergens, also known as antigens. Combined with a tiny amount of sterile water, a dose as little as one part in ten million to one part in one quadrillion is injected under the skin with a tiny needle or dripped under the tongue.

In general, there are two categories of immune reaction, one involving B cells which make immunoglobulins, called humoral immunity, and the other involving T cells, the effector

cells of what is known as cell-mediated immunity. The latter is involved in LDI. When antigens are presented to immune cells just under the superficial layer of skin or under the tongue, the enzyme potentiates the production of large numbers of T regulator cells in the lymph nodes. T regulator cells are responsible for restoring “tolerance”. They do this by suppressing other types of T cells that cause an exaggerated reaction. These invaders may be external to the body or they may be self-antigens, which are internal to the body. Low dose immunotherapy uses a natural, physiological pathway of immune modulation.

In contrast, standard escalating dose immunotherapy (conventional allergy shots), where the doses start much higher and are increased over time, is mediated by immunoglobulins produced by B cells in the lymph nodes. The higher the blocking antibody made, the more successful the therapy.

Unfortunately, very high doses of allergens are required over shorter periods of time for this to work and intolerable symptoms from the therapy may occur. These can range from itching and swelling­—sometimes severe—to, in rare instances, anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a total body allergic reaction that can lead to death if not treated rapidly. The doses of antigens used in LDI are so miniscule that in the nearly 50 years since the discovery of EPD in England, and in the years since Shrader pioneered the use of LDA in the U.S., there has not been one reported case of anaphylaxis.

Some patients’ symptoms improve permanently...

Since T regulator cells are so long-lived, doses are needed less frequently. Initially doses are given every seven weeks. Often after six-eight treatments, doses may be given every three-four months, and the ideal outcome is dosing only once or twice per year. Some patients’ symptoms improve permanently and they may be able to discontinue the treatment altogether while remaining symptom-free.

As a fellow of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, Shrader has taught numerous physicians over the years. Ty Vincent, MD­, who coined the phrase “LDI”, is now training many physicians in the use of LDI to treat various conditions, including chronic Lyme disease and other tickborne illnesses. At this time approximately 150 physicians now offer LDI in 17 different states. Several compounding pharmacies in the U.S. distribute the antigens and enzyme for LDA for use in this country.

While LDI has been extensively studied­—a study conducted in the U.S. from 1993-2001included approximately 10,500 patients with 65 different conditions—and has been demonstrated to be safe and effective, as presently designed it does not qualify for evaluation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because of its formulation process.

The practitioners currently trained to administer LDA therapy in Connecticut are Vicki Sara Blumberg, MD, in Ridgefield (203403-3907) and Perry Perretz, DO, in Redding (203-544-9090).

For more information about LDA/LDI or to find trained physicians in other states, visit DrSchrader.com. eNaturalAwakenings.com

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Trees and Human Well-Being

Caring for Trees Protects Us

by Ariana Rawls Fine

“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues,” goes the famous saying from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.

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here is a reason we see so many depictions of humans as trees in art. Both have mobile limbs from a central trunk. Both need strong root grounding to weather the storms of Earth and those of life. People also equate trees to an area, whether it is the palm trees of Florida or the majestic oaks of the Northeast. They are physical reminders of where we were and where we grew up. “People are more attached to trees than they know. I’ve seen how personal health can decline when a tree that has been on someone’s property is gone,” says a Premier Lawn Solutions (PremierLawnSolutions.com) representative who asked to remain anonymous.

Trees represent strength, harmony and connection to us. “Unless moved 24

by humans, trees remain rooted in one place throughout their lifetime, preserving their native character. They stand tall, solid and strong, rooted in the earth. They become an integral part of the place where they live, a contributing member of the biotic community.

Perhaps there is no better example for us, as humans, to emulate. Listening to the trees, we can learn not only about a particular geographic place, but also about our place in the larger community of life,” wrote Ruth Wilson in her 2013 “People and Trees: An Intimate Connection” article for the American Forests organization.

Trees “provide benefits that are called ecosystem services, which include the obvious ones such as cooling

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the air, and other, less noticeable ones, such as providing oxygen, intercepting ultraviolet (UV) light, absorbing rainfall, storing carbon and reducing air pollution,” explains a research review, titled “Trees Improve Human Health and Well-Being in Many Ways,” published by the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station in April 2015.

Trees release oxygen and store large amounts of carbon in their wood.

Their leaves absorb lower-atmospheric ozone and other pollutants, which can have adverse effects on our health. Tree coverage is also an important part of public health as it keeps the temperatures down and absorbs dust, lessening the impact of local air pollutants.

“The calming effect of nearby trees and urban greening can significantly reduce workplace stress levels and fatigue, calm traffic, and even decrease the recovery time needed after surgery.

Trees can also reduce crime. Apartment buildings with high levels of greenspace have lower crime rates than nearby apartments without trees,” explains the International Society of Arboriculture in its 2011 “Benefits of Trees” article.

From an economic standpoint, property values of homes with trees and landscaping can be from 5 to 20 percent higher. The shade provided by trees overhead can directly lower energy costs with less sun beating down on the roof in the summer and creation of a wind barrier that reduces the chilling effect of winter winds.

Our Physical Impact on Trees

To reap the proven benefits from trees, we bear increasing responsibility for helping trees succeed in the new environments being created by human actions. Considerations to boost trees’ health include maintaining the strength and makeup of soil monitoring, the amount of moisture available to the trees, controlling tree diseases in the area, and a myriad of other factors. The condition of tree bark and leaf color can provide clues that something is afflicting one of our tall friends.

What is happening in areas around our trees impacts their health.

Construction on a property, removing nearby trees or disturbing tree roots can have unexpected detrimental effects.

When planning work on property, it is best to consult with an arborist to determine the best and least disruptive approach for the entire property’s health. Tree roots can be damaged by changes in soil level, soil temperatures, trenching, soil compaction, drought and erosion, according to Stacey Marcell, a licensed arborist, degreed horticulturalist and the owner of Stratford-based Northeast Horticultural Services. She has been practicing for more than 17 years, 10 of those in Fairfield County.

One easy change homeowners can make is to adjust the breadth of lawn so it does not lead directly up to the base of a tree. Marcell explains that when lawn is watered too closely around trees, the tree roots will wind their way closer to the surface because that is where the water has settled.

This weakens the strength of the root structure, making the tree more vulnerable to damage during high winds or other extreme weather conditions.

The toxicity of ingredients in pesticides and herbicides also creates problems for trees. These are often applied systemically and their volatility rate during application can cause the vapors to go underneath the tree canopy and into the foliage, negatively affecting the leaf system.

Allan Fenner is Connecticut Tree Protective Association’s (CTPA) vice president and an ASCA consulting arborist for SavATree Consulting Group with more than 25 years of experience. CTPA is an educational association (CTPA.org) dedicated to advancing the care of Connecticut’s trees. Fenner suggests sending soil samples to the New Haven-based Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CT.gov/CAES) to better understand which nutrients may be lacking or exceeding recommended levels, and whether disease is present on the property. Parts of the tree or pictures can also be sent to the lab for insect and disease diagnostics. Fenner also recommends visiting CTPA.org/Tree-Diseases-CT-Exotic-and-Native when trying to determine disease with a tree.

Pruning, Planting and Protecting

Trees peak around 80 years old. At that point, trees are more prone to attract insects and disease. Professional arborists can carefully prune older trees to extend tree life and cut down on the chances of diseases spreading. “Bad cuts can cause the demise of trees but proper pruning to remove the dead source for insects every five years can make all the difference,” Marcell says. She recommends developing a good relationship with a professional arborist to create a priority list of what needs to be taken care of and when each step can be implemented. Such a proactive approach with proper care can not only extend the life of a tree but make it look healthy and beautiful, reduce potential hazards on the tree and improve its structure. “Trees need to adapt as they can’t move. As good tree stewards, we can help them,” Marcell explains. By removing wood decay, fungi and bacteria, food sources that attract detrimental insects are also eliminated.

By pruning live branches, the increase in sunlight and air circulation can help the health of the tree as well.

When structural pruning is needed, it is optimal to have it done during the tree’s dormant season, which is December to mid-March. It is also a better time to evaluate

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deciduous trees’ structure without the leaves obstructing the view. However, exceptions include those trees that flower in the beginning of spring; for those, pruning is best done after the tree has flowered.

Loosening up soil around the tree can help as moisture is best captured when the soil is better aerated.

Little fibrous roots can’t push through compacted soil, so fewer nutrients get through to the root mass. The healthier the root mass, the healthier the tree.

Also, installing a line from a rain barrel with a tube that trickles water down to the trees can help. A mulch made of nutrient-rich brown matter, such as leaf compost or shredded bark, will help the soil near the tree moist as well as provide a natural barrier against weeds.

Listening to the trees, we can learn not only about a particular geographic place, but also about our place in the larger community of life. ~ Ruth Wilson

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Marcell recommends planting a variety of vegetation that will be mutually beneficial. Plant surrounding areas with other plants that are symbiotic with the tree, such as winterberry holly, callicarpa or other native woodland plants. A combination of plants that work well include different ground covers, such as a moss carpet around the tree with subtle ferns. Button bush, witch hazel, lindera, swamp azalea, comptonia, fothergilla and even blueberry bushes are additional plants to consider.

It is imperative to keep lawn equipment, such as weed whackers and lawn mowers, away from trees. An injury can interrupt the vascular flow from the roots through the caliber of the tree to the branches and leaves as well as leave the tree more susceptible to insects.

Ariana Rawls Fine is editor of Natural Awakenings Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley, CT and New Haven/Middlesex Counties, CT. She resides in Stratford with her family.

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Mike Jacquemin Photography

As Above, So Below Trees Connect Us to Earth and Heavens

by Alexandra Leigh

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he trees are telling stories in songs and whispers our minds have forgotten but our hearts, souls and spirits still understand. Our modern lives misrepresent the lineage of co-evolution we share with these immense beings; they, for so long, were honored for their life-giving breath, medicine, shelter and shade as well as for the incredible wisdom ancient cultures understood they possessed. The ancients were vitally connected to the notion that trees and plants held keys to unlocking our identity as humans. At this time on the planet when our success as a species requires a re-evaluation of how we as humans treat our home, all the natural beings and each other, trees are offering their help and calling out for us to remember who we truly are. We are all part of the Family of Earth.

Before reptiles, mammals or people, our planet teemed with photosynthesizing bacteria that balanced levels of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide to form an atmosphere that could sustain life. For more than three billion years, plants reigned as the most populous beings on this planet. It was not until approximately 500,000 years ago that humans appeared onto the evolutionary scale, coinciding with the appearance of flowering plants. The trees and plants have watched and aided our evolution from its inception. They are truly our ancestors, a familial connection that can be felt simply by bringing mindfulness to the give-and-take dance of our breath and by bringing thankfulness to the bounty of nourishment they provide us.

The idea that our human ancestry and the great green beings are connected is still echoed in how we perceive our lineages today: family trees.

Yggdrasil, The World Tree of the Norse—also known to the Kabbalists and many other cultures as The Tree of Life—is an ancient and profound emblem of the macro and microcosm. This symbol gives us a map for our physical place in the universe, while representing the meaningful spiritual dimensions that are constantly influencing and interacting with

us on cosmic and personal scales. The Tree of Life can be seen as the structure of the cosmos as well as the human soul on the journey of discovery and enlightenment. The shape of a tree—branching on one end into the heavens, plunging with the other into the dark underworld and converging at a balance point on Earth—provides a natural allegory for the adage, “as above, so below.”

For initiates of the Syrian Mysteries who were known as The Cedars of Lebanon or for societies like the Druids, whose name roughly translates to People of the Oak, trees represented a mastery of spiritual arts. The Druids constructed an alphabet of trees called Ogham and used this encoded language to store their tree knowledge. However, most of their traditions and techniques were spoken or sung to students in sacred groves of trees where they felt the wisdom could be accessed like a library from the wise green ones themselves.

The cornerstone of shamanistic thinking is that our physical reality is surrounded by and interactions with various worlds or spirit that also contain intelligent life. Trees have long been perceived as not only conscious beings themselves, but portals or gateways to these realms. They are bridges between the tangible and intangible worlds. Hawthorn is still revered in England today as a tree of the faeries and an entryway to working with such beings of light.

Many cultures use trees ceremonially. Birch has long been used as the May Pole, representing the Axis Mundi and our continuous rotation through the cosmos. In the Native American Sun Dance, dancers attach themselves by their skin to a cottonwood tree, a physical offering for the good of the planet and their people. Many ceremonies use trees to represent a sky-ladder upon which shamans ascend into higher realms and return to Earth transformed.

We can invite the medicine of the Standing Ones into our daily lives with little effort. It is part of our biologic technology as well as our birthright to commune with the natural world.

With a grateful heart, try taking time to stand with a tree, one hand on its trunk and one on our human heart, and practice consciously breathing with the intention to open lines of communication. Burn sacred woods and resins like palo santo, juniper and copal to invoke the sense of our sacred past and seamless integration with nature. Try drinking white pine tea or add a few drops of a tree essence to the morning coffee (make sure the oil is graded for ingestion). Working with tree consciousness helps us feel in sync with the rhythms of nature as well as enabling us to open ourselves to healing personal and global wounds. Healer Pam Montgomery teaches that currently, “plants are stepping up to the plate and serving as our Elders to initiate us so we can take up our rightful place within the circle of life being co-creative partners with the plants, trees, elements and great Lady Gaia.”

Alexandra Leigh of Triple Goddess Remedies in Easton offers workshops and individual plant wisdom healing opportunities.

Connect with her at 203-293-7669, TripleGoddessRemedies@ gmail.com or TripleGoddessRemedies.com. See ad, page 14.

Photo credit: Mike Jacquemin Photography. Connect with him at MJNaturePhotos@yahoo.com on Instagram at NatureForEnergy or at Facebok.com/MJNaturephotos. eNaturalAwakenings.com

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WOOD, LEAF, BARK AND ROOT Chinese Herbal Medicine in the 21st Century

by Jampa Mackenzie Stewart

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ur interconnectivity with trees and plants is intimate and vast.

We build many of our homes with boards from trees. We create our furniture, tools, sculptures and other household implements from trees.

All our food is from plants directly, or indirectly by building and nourishing the animals we eat. We couldn’t survive without the oxygen that plants give off as their waste gas; trees and plants feed on the carbon dioxide that we and all animals exhale. Our solid waste can serve as fertilizer for plants as well. Many people heat their homes with firewood. Our clothes and fabrics are made from plants: cotton, hemp and bamboo. Many of the dyes traditionally used to color fabrics and paint are sourced from plants.

Herbal medicine dominated the medical world throughout all cultures on this planet for millennia. If we were to take a step back in time and walk

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into an apothecary shop in New York City 100 years ago, we would find its shelves lined with dried plants in glass jars for treating health disorders.

These include grasses, leaves, bark, wood, flowers, oils, seeds, stems and roots. With mortar and pestle—still the symbol of drugstores today—the pharmacist would crush and mix the plants into herbal concoctions to be taken internally or applied externally.

This changed in the mid-20th century with the industrialization and commercialization of pharmaceuticals.

With the introduction of sulfa drugs and penicillin, the public embraced these scientific discoveries as magic silver bullets and many turned their backs on traditional herbal remedies as antiquated and backward, or even worse, as worthless or witchcraft.

In the process, while millions of people benefitted from the new medicines, new problems and issues

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arose. People can die or develop serious problems from drug side effects, adverse reactions and allergies, toxic drug combinations and accidental overdose. Antibiotics are overprescribed, allowing harmful strains of bacteria to mutate and develop resistance to the drugs.

Due to a rising mistrust and disenchantment with many Western pharmaceutical medicines, today we are once again seeing widespread interest in natural remedies and plant medicine. Safe for the most part and timetested over centuries, we are discovering that many of these almost forgotten plants work just as well or better than modern pharmaceuticals—and usually without harmful side effects.

For example, the culinary spice turmeric (Curcuma longa), which gives the yellow-orange color to curry as its main ingredient, has been the subject of thousands of research studies. It has strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for over 4,000 years in Indian Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, turmeric compares favorably to drugs for treating indigestion, ulcerative colitis, stomach ulcers, osteoarthritis, heart disease, cancer, bacterial and viral infections, and neurodegenerative conditions. Other research confirms that turmeric is as effective as 14 common drugs.

As another example, WebMD cites the use of our common gardenvariety peppermint for treating the common cold, cough, sore throat, oral inflammation and other respiratory infections. Peppermint is also used to treat many digestive problems, including indigestion, morning sickness, heartburn, vomiting, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea and gas. It is used effectively as a painkiller when applied topically for headache, muscle pain, toothache, nerve pain, joint conditions and more.

One of the world’s oldest and most sophisticated systems of herbal medicine is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). China has had a written language and literary tradition for over 5,000 years; it has enabled TCM to be preserved, disseminated and refined

throughout the nation for thousands of years. Historical records trace its earliest recorded origins back about 2,800 years to Shennong (translated as “divine husbandman”), who is said to have tasted and shared his findings of both medicinal and poisonous plants with farmers. His work, Shennong’s Materia Medica, is the oldest known Chinese herbal medicine text, classifying 365 species of herbal medicines.

Many famous Chinese doctors have added to this list over the centuries; Chinese herbal medicine today uses over 3,000 different medicinal herbs.

These might include all parts of a plant, including the root, trunk, bark, stem, leaf, flower, fruit and seed. It also includes minerals, and animal and insect-derived ingredients.

Although there are a few Chinese herbal formulas that use only one or two herbs, most combine at least four or more ingredients. This is based on the “Hierarchy Principle” of the usual structure of a monarchical government, in this case meaning it includes a King herb, Minister herb, Assistant herb and Guide herb.

The King herb is the most important ingredient in the typical Chinese herbal medicine formula, one that best addresses the main condition the practitioner is treating. The Minister herb helps to support and enhance the King herb function and to treat any secondary symptoms. The Assistant herb sup-

ports and reinforces the function of the other herbs; it also helps to moderate or eliminate any potential side effects of other herbs in the formula. The Guide herbs help to harmonize the entire formula ingredients; they guide the action of the other herbs to specific areas, organs or acupuncture channels within the body. Thus, Chinese herbal formulas that follow these proper guidelines should have little or no side effects when properly diagnosed and administered.

Another important principle of Chinese medicine is this: “Food is medicine. Medicine is food.” Diet plays a vital part in keeping healthy. When treating a health problem, what we eat can have a good or bad medicinal effect. For example, people who tend to run hot, have a fever or have inflammation should avoid eating hot foods like jalapenos, chili pepper or other warming foods. Instead, they should eat cooling foods like cucumber, watermelon, green beans and rice. Similarly, for someone who runs cold inside, warming foods are recommended and cold foods and drinks should be avoided.

Our diets have a profound effect on our health, not just in terms of nutrients, but in terms of flavor, color, temperature and overall energetic effect. Diet is thus considered a fundamental part of staying healthy and treating health problems.

Prevention is a cornerstone of

Chinese medicine. Chinese cooking uses both culinary and medicinal herbs in dishes for their health benefits as well as for flavoring. In fact, most of the culinary herbs and spices in our kitchen have powerful medicinal properties as well as flavoring benefits.

Cinnamon, for example, is one of the most popular culinary spices. It is also a rich source of antioxidants, has strong anti-inflammatory properties, helps to control diabetes and fights infections and viruses. Cinnamon may protect brain function and prevent cognitive decline and dementia associated with aging. It may also help lower cancer risk. It benefits heart health by helping to reduce bad cholesterol and by lowering blood pressure.

We are intricately connected to the natural world and to the trees and plants that are our cohabitants and allies on our planet. The more we can stay awake to that connection and live accordingly, both we and our environment are sure to benefit.

Jampa Mackenzie Stewart, MSOM, LAc, is a board-certified acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist, tai chi and qigong master. He may be contacted at Valley Spirit Wellness Center, located in Washington Depot. Connect at 860619-2788, Jampa@ValleySpiritCoop. com or ValleySpiritCoop.com. See ad, page 7.

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Food Relationship Woes How to Recognize the Effects of Food Sensitivities

by Tatiana Fleischman

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hen our immune system declares war on food, the entire body becomes the battlefield.

Our relationship with food is the longest relationship we have in our lives. Things don’t always go smoothly in relationships; the disagreements can be mild or severe. Although problems are usually resolved quickly, sometimes they can drag on for weeks, months or years, causing chronic distress.

When things are not going well between us and food, many parts of our bodies suffer. Unexplained pain, weight gain, fatigue, arthritis, headache, depression and many other conditions have been linked to ingesting food that is wrong for us. The symptoms, however, may be too vague for most people and even doctors to attribute to a strained relationship with food.

The negative reaction, whether

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quick and obvious or hidden and delayed, involves the immune system and is usually called a food allergy or sensitivity. When the immune system takes center stage in our conflict with food, its actions vary. Sometimes they are quick and easily recognized as an allergy, such as hives, rashes, swelling or even life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Peanut allergy is a common example of such a reaction. The quick allergic reaction may happen only in the gut and lead to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The victims—or their parents as this type of reaction often begins in childhood—may think they just have food poisoning when, in reality, it is an allergic reaction called gastrointestinal anaphylaxis.

In the case of food sensitivity, the immune system response is neither quick nor immediately obvious. It starts

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with inflammation that damages the wall of the intestine, reducing its ability to absorb valuable nutrients. The now “angry” immune system doesn’t always stop there. It now looks for “enemies” everywhere; its “foot soldiers” start attacking normal organs. Meanwhile, the damaged intestinal wall becomes leaky, allowing allergens and toxic substances to enter the bloodstream, spreading throughout the body, making the person sick and triggering even more immune system attacks and inflammation.

Some of the mechanisms of abnormal immune system reaction to ingested substances are better understood than others. Celiac disease is the best studied example of such an immune response going awry. In case of celiac disease, the immune system reacts to gluten or similar proteins found in common grains, such as wheat, rye and barley. The resulting inflammation in the intestine leads to malabsorption, gastrointestinal symptoms and can eventually damage virtually any organ in the body, including joints, skin, bones and the brain.

Although the most infamous, gluten is far from being alone in producing inflammatory responses. Cow’s milk is another major offender. While in some people it causes an instant allergic reaction, in many others it leads to chronic inflammation, the mechanism of which is not completely understood.

Many additional substances, including food that is normally considered healthy such as vegetables or fish, can trigger an abnormal immune system response. Because the reaction is delayed, the symptoms are not always typical; different individuals have their own unique immune response triggers. They may complain of fatigue or arthritis, or be diagnosed with premature osteoporosis or anemia. Attention deficit, lethargy, headaches and even gait disturbance have been shown to improve after elimination of certain foods from the diet. The true cause of health problems may go undiscovered for years while the person is unsuccessfully treated with multiple medications that cause their own slew of side effects.

Among less expected manifestations of food allergies is unexplained

weight gain. While the exact mechanism of the connection is not fully understood, there are many reports of significant weight loss after elimination of reactive foods from the diet.

A possible explanation is that inflammation in the intestines leads to nutrient depletion, food craving and overeating. At the same time, chronic fatigue caused by the body being in a constant state of war may lead to abuse of sugary drinks or coffee with caffeine in an attempt to boost energy.

How to Prevent the Damage

With so many people suffering from obvious and hidden food allergies, it is only natural to ask what we can do to prevent the damage. First and foremost, it is important to undergo a medical evaluation to make sure other treatable medical conditions are not missed. Identify foods that have already caused problems in the past—no matter how minor—and stay away from them. The body knows better and often sends early warnings.

It also helps to switch to a healthier balanced diet.

That alone may be enough to keep many reactive foods off the menu and reduce the inflammation. In addition, get tested for food sensitivities. Test panels for up to 184 foods are available. While they may not always provide definitive answers, they may help narrow the search for the offending food or foods

Tests for nutrient deficiencies may indicate intestinal damage due to a hidden food allergy that needs to be further investigated. The uncovered deficiencies should be promptly corrected by proper diet and supplementation. It is also beneficial to get a comprehensive digestive stool analysis that includes markers for the presence of inflammation due to allergy and microbiome (bacteria living in the intestine) imbalance.

Consider probiotics if tests show intestinal microbiome imbalance. “Wrong” bacteria living in the intestines and even overgrowth of the normally “good” bacteria may produce substances triggering the immune system to produce inflammation. A test for bacterial overgrowth can be performed first to establish an initial baseline.

Food allergies should be taken seriously because even when the symptoms are not severe, the abnormal immune response to food is much more than just an inconvenience or a passing problem. Research has shown that long-standing inflammation in the intestines increases the chance of dying prematurely. Moreover, even after the intestinal inflammation improves or resolves following the removal of the offending food, the attacks of the immune system on other body organs may not go stop as quickly, if ever. It is therefore paramount to take action without delay whenever a food allergy is suspected.

Tatiana Fleischman, MD, is an internal medicine physician who is the founder and medical director of Integrative MD in Stamford. In addition to practicing internal medicine, she teaches her patients about nutrition, fitness, supplements, vitamins, herbs and stress management. Connect at 203-275-666, Info@IntegrativeMDCenter.com or IntegrativeMDCenter.com.

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31

Food Sensitivities Are All in Our Gut!

by Tracy Schiff

T

hirty years ago, it was rare to know someone with a food sensitivity or allergy. These days, every elementary school has a peanut-free table. There are millions of gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free items lining our supermarket shelves. It seems rare to not know someone with a food sensitivity or allergy nowadays. How can we prevent—or at least slow down—the seemingly ever-increasing number of food sensitivities? And what can we do to reduce our chances of getting more if we already have one?

Research has shown that 80 percent of our immune system is housed in the gastrointestinal tract, commonly referred to as the gut. Our gut contain tens of trillions of microbes, all living in a delicate balance between those that are beneficial for us—aiding in our digestion and absorption and forming the foundation of our immune system—and 32

those that are potentially pathogenic.

That homeostatic relationship is not something we want disturbed. If the microbes in our gut become imbalanced, our entire immune system will be compromised.

While there are also genetic factors at play, our immune system, to a large extent, controls the level to which we react to things in our environment, including germs, toxins, pollen in the air and even the food that we eat. Since a majority of our immune system is housed in the gut, it is reasonable to believe that maintaining excellent gut health is vital to preserving the proper function of that immune system. Luckily, there are several steps we can take to promote optimal gut health:

• Eliminate foods we are already sensitive to. Many people believe that they do not have food sensitivities if they do not have gastrointestinal symptoms.

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However, reactions to food come in many forms, including skin conditions like acne, eczema and rosacea; headaches; fatigue; joint pain; congestion; autoimmune conditions like alopecia, Hashimoto’s and rheumatoid arthritis; and countless other issues that can have ties to the foods we eat. A functional medicine practitioner can help us find out what bothers us. A 30-day reset diet can also help by eliminating and then adding foods back in one at a time.

• Check for any gut pathogens like bacteria, viruses or yeast. We all have these things in our bodies all the time; the pathogens are ideally kept in check by our good bacteria so that they do not become overgrown, a condition called dysbiosis. If dysbiosis does occur, this can lead to a compromised immune system. Functional medicine doctors are trained to look for symptoms of gut dysbiosis, test to find out if it is bacterial, viral or fungal, and then treat it appropriately and naturally.

• Getting vitamin D levels checked at least once a year is recommended, but ideally every six months.

A primary care physician can order this test, or a kit from Grassroots Health can be ordered and done at home with a finger prick. Ordering from Grassroots is also an opportunity to become a part of their international research project to help fight vitamin D deficiency.

• Take probiotics and eat fermented foods. Probiotic capsules and the probiotics found in fermented foods have an immuno-regulatory effect, meaning that they help to keep everything running smoothly down there.

Probiotics aid with digestion, helping to break foods down and keep the pathogens in check. A variety of fermented foods and changing up the type of probiotic every month or two introduces a larger variety of bacterial species.

• Eat a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet. Many of us know the benefits of eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables—organic and often raw—but it is just as important to eat eggs from pastured hens for choline; shellfish for vitamin A, vitamin D and zinc; and cold-water fatty fish like wild salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines for EPA and DHA. Grass-fed beef contains a much healthier ratio of omega-6 to ome-

ga-3 fats than conventional beef does. These and many other nutrients are the building blocks for creating new, healthy cells that join together and form the gut lining. Without them, the cell regeneration process does not work properly and the gut—and therefore the immune system—are compromised.

Most grains, as ubiquitous as they are, are much less nutrientdense than the other foods listed here and are also typically more inflammatory and, as such, should be minimized.

• Start making bone broth. Bone broth made from the bones of grass-fed beef or pastured chicken can be amazingly restorative for the gut and is a great source of glycine, an amino acid that is missing from our modern diet. Muscle meat is high in methionine, which has been shown to raise homocysteine levels—a marker of heart disease—and is believed to be the reason red meat used to be maligned.

Adding bone broth into our diet gives us that much-needed, homocysteine-lowering glycine.

• We are bombarded by environmental toxins all day, every day. It is impossible to completely eliminate our toxic exposure, but we can do our best to at least minimize it.

Swap out chemical-filled home cleaning products for more natural versions; do the same for personal care products.

Installing an air filter and a water purifier in our homes can help. Buying organically grown fruits and vegetables whenever possible is beneficial, especially for those known as the “Dirty Dozen”, and avoid GMOs. Buy grass-fed meat, pasture-raised organic poultry and wild-caught fish rather than conventional. Switch plastic food storage containers for glass and do the same for water bottles.

Ditch that Teflon pan and buy a castiron skillet. If seasoned enough, they’ll become almost as non-stick as Teflon.

Taking these steps may not be a cure-all for food sensitivities, but they will certainly improve our gut health and slow down the inflammatory process that led to the food sensitivities in the first place. And, if we are lucky enough to not have any food sensitivities, following these guidelines can help prevent us from getting them in the future; it also protects us from a myriad of other inflammation-related issues.

Tracy Schiff, FDN-P, CHC, CGP, is a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner and certified health coach. She also completed Chris Kresser’s ADAPT Course at the Kresser Institute for Functional and Evolutionary Medicine and Andrea Nakayama’s Full Body Systems.

Schiff works as a health coach in the office of Dr. Tamara Sachs in New Milford and also sees clients privately through her company, BetterFed. She can be reached at 844-458-2801, Tracy@TSachsMD.com or Tracy@Better-Fed.com.

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Food Intolerances Self-Questionnaire

by JJ Virgin Answer each question with never (0), seldom (1), sometimes (2) or often (3).

1. I need a cup of coffee or another caffeinated pick-me-up to jumpstart the middle of my morning or afternoon. _____ 2. I crave baked goods, pasta and other high-sugar impact foods. _____ 3. I have difficulty falling asleep or I awake during the night feeling anxious and struggle to get back to sleep. _____ 4. My bowel movements occur infrequently (less than one a day), which can sometimes be painful and involve straining. _____ 5. My mood can change swiftly and I take out my crankiness and irritation on coworkers and family members. _____ 6. I want to lay my head down on my desk mid-morning or afternoon because I have little motivation to remain productive. _____ 7. During meetings or conversations, I zone out and struggle to concentrate for long periods of time on my work. _____ 8. After eating a big meal, I’m hungry and craving more of what I ate several hours later. _____ 9. Doing routine and important tasks takes all the energy and initiative I have. _____ 10. Even as an adult, I struggle with acne, rashes or blotchy skin, even though I use expensive skin cream. _____ 11. I head to the bathroom or step outside after a meal because of gassiness, bloating or other uncomfortable gut issues. _____ 12. The smell of a scented candle, perfume and detergent bothers me. _____ 13. Walking or moving around can create cramping, achiness or joint pain. _____ 14. I develop headaches that prevent me from enjoying the moment and leave me scrambling for a pain reliever. _____ 15. Even though I don’t have other cold/flu symptoms, I suffer from a scratchy throat or sinus trouble. _____ 16. I eat all the right foods in moderation, exercise religiously, and yet struggle intensely to lose every pound. _____ Total Score: ______

What Scores Mean

18 or above – You most likely struggle with food intolerances that create many unpleasant symptoms and stall fat loss. By removing the seven target foods for just three weeks, you’ll see these symptoms disappear and the scales will start moving again.

10 to 17 – You display some of the symptoms that food intolerances can trigger. You would greatly benefit from eliminating target foods to lose symptoms and those last few pounds.

Below 10 – While you suffer few of the symptoms brought about by food intolerances, you could still benefit from the same regimen. Even the healthiest person can take their game up a notch and ditch those last few stubborn pounds.

Source: The Virgin Diet, by JJ Virgin

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one-year certification program begins in September with The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition (TIOSN). TIOSN is reshaping nutrition education by teaching nutrition, soil health, soil re-mineralization, growing food, foraging, cooking, kitchen medicine and overall sustainable health. TIOSN will host an open house Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. All classes are held at Holcomb Farm. Holcomb Farm, 113 Simsbury Rd, West Granby.

To register or for more information, call Joan at 860-764-9070, email Joan@TIOSN.com or visit TIOSN.com. See ad on page 38.

Curbside Food Recycling Pick-up Expands To Fairfield County

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To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

ver the past three months, Nick and Erica Skeadas’ Curbside Compost has partnered with a number of local organizations to bring its organic food scrap recycling service to Fairfield County. These organizations include Grace Farms Foundation, Winfield Street Italian Deli, Nature’s Temptations, O2 Living, HAPA Food Truck, Matt Dorfman Catering, Keter Environmental Services, Ridgefield Farmers’ Market Co-Op and Grana Pastificio.

With support from these organizations and local residents, Curbside Compost has already diverted more than 9,000 pounds of organics from incinerators. Their efforts support the community and the environment by increasing recycling in Fairfield County and providing everyone another opportunity to compost. Curbside Compost also provides waste minimization services at events by maximizing recycling and composting and minimizing waste sent to incinerators.

Interested households can be on a weekly pick-up schedule, which costs $6 per week, while larger generators and events require a more customized solution. Curbside Compost provides clean containers, which are replaced after each pick-up. Curbside Compost picks up meat, fish, bones, eggshells, coffee grounds, vegetables, table scraps and leftovers from food preparation. A complete list is available on CurbCompost.org.

Curbside Compost closes the loop by delivering finished compost back to the home or business as requested by customers. Residents then mix the compost into soil to nourish their plants and gardens.

For more information or to sign up for weekly food scrap recycling for a home, business or event, visit CurbCompost.org.

203-885-4674 36

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

The sweetest of all sounds is praise. ~Xenophon natural awakenings

ecotip

S

ince 2011, Community Plates, has helped lead the food rescue movement across the nation.

To better reflect who they are and where they’re heading, Community Plates has changed its name and is now Food Rescue US.

Food rescuers at Community Plates have delivered more than 15 million fresh and healthy meals to people who don’t have enough to eat. They recently launched a new app— available for download now in the iOS store—that will make food rescue simple and seamless wherever volunteers and places are.

Interested community members can support Food Rescue US on Fairfield County Giving Day, March 9. (FCGives. org). This one-day effort by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation inspires and empowers the community to make a difference through 24 hours of collective generosity. Last year, over $1.2 million was raised to support local causes.

For more information on Food Rescue US, call 800-280-3298 or visit FoodRescue.us.

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Eco-Joe

Making a Cuppa More Planet-Friendly A Gallup poll last year reported that 64 percent of U.S. adult coffee lovers consume one or more cups daily and the average number of cups quaffed each day is 2.7. We can express our affection for both java and the Earth by following these eco-tips.

4 Forego the convenience of single-cup, plastic pod makers like Keurig. As Mother Jones magazine recently reported, only 5 percent of current pods are made with recyclable plastic, and even those, having hard-to-remove aluminum tops, pose recycling challenges. Keurig plans to make all of its pods recyclable by 2020.

4 Many other simpler coffee-making devices maximize energy use by facilitating more servings and reducing waste.

Treehugger.com recommends the Moka Pot, a pressure-driven aluminum stovetop brewer; the Chemex Coffeemaker, a funnel-shaped glass unit with a wooden collar; the Canadian wood product Aeropress; an old-fashioned vacuum pot with two glass chambers connected by a thin neck; and a traditional non-electric stovetop percolator.

4 Some coffee farms exploit their workers, paying subsistence wages, damage rainforests and use unsustainable farming practices. Jake Carney, co-founder of TheAlternativeDaily.com, founded Lucy’s Bru, an organic whole-bean coffee that’s exclusively shade-grown under fair trade conditions, sustainably farmed and free of harsh fertilizers and pesticides.

4 Reuse steel and aluminum coffee cans. ChasingGreen. org details how they can make effective dehumidifiers for damp basements when filled with salt; soak paint brushes in thinner solutions; store items in a garage or work space; and serve as a spot lawn or garden seeder after punching holes in the bottom.

The website also lists ways that coffee grounds can be used as a beauty, cleaning, deodorizer and dying agent.

4 Use better filters at home. Instead of paper, single-use filters, INeedCoffee.com suggests reusable or unbleached, biodegradable alternatives such as the Medelco cone permanent filter and a French press.

4 For to-go drinkers, many coffee shops and restaurants will pour fresh brew into mugs that patrons bring in. Keeping a clean spoon in the car can save on plastic stirrers.

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Community Plates is Now Food Rescue US

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37

Thumbs-Up on Fats Good Fat Doesn’t Make Us Fat

I

Heart Health Benefit

A recent metastudy in the Annals of

saturated, or “bad”, fat did not show a higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared with those that ate the least.

Note that processed trans fats remain a villain, still deemed a risk to heart health per the metastudy.

The misleading information began in the 1950s, when Physiologist Ancel Keys, Ph.D., discovered a correlation between diets high in saturated fats and higher cholesterol levels. Soon, the low-fat diet was born.

In 2000, further research introduced the concepts of good and bad fats. More recent analysis confirmed this finding with the refinement that saturated fats increase both types of cholesterol. However, the latest research from the journal BMJ shows that saturated fat does not increase the number of LDL, or “bad”, particles, a predictor of cardiovascular disease.

Instead, it makes existing LDL particles larger, a fairly benign situation in regard to such disease.

Weight Loss Benefit

by Judith Fertig

n an era of too much information, the role of fats in our diet has been a victim of not enough information. Today’s turnaround in nutritional thinking acknowledges natural fats as being vital to heart health and weight loss.

Craevschii Family/Shutterstock.com

consciouseating

Internal Medicine, a journal of the American College of Physicians, concluded that saturated fat does not appear to increase heart disease risk, overturning almost 60 years of accepted medical thought. The researchers analyzed data from 76 studies involving more than 600,000 people and found that those that ate the most

Fat doesn’t even make you fat, claims Mark Hyman, a well-known medical doctor in Lenox, Massachusetts, and author of Eat Fat, Get Thin: Why the Fat We Eat Is the Key to Sustained Weight Loss and Vibrant Health. “The theory that all calories have the same impact on your weight and metabolism remains one of the most persistent nutrition myths,” says this practitioner

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

of functional medicine who points out that we’ve been sidetracked by wrong thinking.

“Eating fat can make you lean.

Healthy cell walls made from highquality fats are better able to metabolize insulin, which keeps blood sugar better regulated. Without proper blood sugar control, the body socks away fat for a rainy day. The right fats also increase fat burning, diminish hunger and reduce fat storage,” he notes.

Whole30, a 30-day diet revolving around clean eating, also emphasizes healthy fats. Devised in 2009 by Dallas Hartwig, a functional medicine practitioner and certified sports nutritionist, and Melissa Hartwig, a certified sports nutritionist, the program aims to reduce inflammation, detoxify the body and reset metabolism. The Salt Lake City, Utah, authors of the New York Times bestselling The Whole30 recommend healthy fats to keep us full and rev up metabolism. Recommended healthy fats include coconut milk and oil, avocados, olive oil, organic ghee (clarified butter) and raw nuts.

Josh Axe, a natural medicine practitioner and clinical nutritionist in Nashville, Tennessee, recommends the healthy fats contained in avocados, organic butter and ghee from grassfed cows and goats, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, sardines, walnuts, chia seeds and flax seeds.

“Butter’s experiencing a comeback as a healthy fat as its benefits become more widely known,” says Axe. “The omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in butter help the brain function properly and improve skin health.”

Ghee, an ancient Indian version of butter, is lactose- and casein-free, while being loaded with fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E, says Axe. These vitamins are best absorbed by the body when they’re in a fat substance and then stored in the gastrointestinal tract, keeping metabolism and digestion on track, he notes. Ghee’s high level of vitamin K2, best known as a natural blood coagulator, “also helps strengthen bones, while the fatty acids found in it improve digestion and reduce inflammation.”

Healthy Levels of Fat

“If you’re active, about 40 percent of your calories should come from carbohydrates, another 30 percent from protein and the other 30 percent from fat in general,” says Axe, adding that this has the added benefit of helping prevent arteriosclerosis. “Some people may consume a greater percentage of healthy fats if the goal is to become a

fat burner.”

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss and health,” Hyman reminds us. “Low-carb, higherfat diets work for most people, but for some, they may not be optimal in the long term.”

Judith Fertig writes food health articles and cookbooks from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).

Prime Sources of Healthy Fats Functional medicine physician Mark Hyman suggests that we include four to five servings of fat in our diets every day. “In the last five years, the scientific evidence has been mounting that high-fat diets outperform low-fat diets for weight loss and for revising every single indication of heart disease risk, including abnormal cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension and inflammation,” he says.

Each amount listed indicates a serving size.

Nuts (a handful of walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts or cashews) Seeds (a handful of pumpkin, sunflower of flaxseed) Most plant-based liquid oils (one tablespoon of olive, safflower, sesame,

avocado, macadamia, grape seed or walnut oil) Fatty fish (4 ounces of salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, tuna or trout) Avocado (one-half to one avocado) Extra virgin coconut oil (one tablespoon) Organic coconut milk (one-quarter cup) Olives (one-quarter cup) Grass-fed animal butter, clarified butter or ghee (one tablespoon) Aim to eat fats that remain liquid (not solid) at room temperature; it’s a sure sign of heart-healthy, unsaturated fats.

Source: Adapted from Eat Fat, Get Thin, by Mark Hyman, M.D.

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GMO Effects on Asthma, Allergies and Eczema

by Mark Joachim

M

any crops of corn, soy, wheat, tomatoes, potatoes, dairy, papaya, peas, rice, rapeseed (a source of canola oil) and cotton have been genetically modified; more are likely to come in the near future. With this growing prevalence of modified products, an increase in food allergies and sensitivities is likely as our bodies attempt to process materials they are not equipped to handle.

A GMO is an organism with genetic characteristics that have been altered in a laboratory. Foods are modified to make them resistant to insects, pests and weather in addition to allowing them to grow faster, bigger and at a lower cost.

The chemicals produced by these modifications are believed to be unsafe for human consumption; a grassroots movement has been working for years to convince legislators across the nation to pass a law requiring food manufacturers to list GMO ingredients in their labels.

Seventy percent of the immune system originates in the gut; an unhealthy gut that cannot process the items it is being fed will create an unhealthy person. Allergies, whether caused by food or environmental agents, rarely appear all of a sudden; they develop over time and can lead to breathing difficulties, asthma and eczema.

The body eliminates toxins through urination, bowel movements, coughing, sneezing or perspiration. When it

has trouble eliminating toxins, especially as a result of poor digestion, toxins begin to seep through the intestinal walls, causing a condition called leaky gut syndrome. These toxins will circulate the body until it finds a way to eliminate them.

When a person has a constant circulation of toxins, their inflammatory response is always active and the body is never allowed to heal. As a general rule, any medical condition with “itis” at the end indicates inflammation. Common ailments such as bronchitis or sinusitis indicate inflammation of that region. Some people suffer with these on a chronic basis.

The lungs and skin are elimination organs, and in Eastern philosophy, the skin is considered to be the third lung. Just like any other part of the body that is not functioning properly, the skin compensates when the lungs need help. Working harder, this extra effort to detoxify may be expressed as rashes, hives and eczema. Counter to what we usually attribute these symptoms to, namely environmental irritations, from a holistic perspective, these rashes, hives or eczema usually result when internal toxins are trying to leave the body.

In the world of allopathic medicine, the progression from dermatitis (skin rash) to eczema to breathing problems is called the Atopic March, a condition that was reported in a Science Daily article titled “Why Eczema Often Leads to Asthma.” The authors explain that when skin is damaged, a chemical is released which then circulates in the body causing another chemical reaction that elicits asthma-type symptoms. These findings suggest that early treatment of skin rashes and inhibition of the trigger substances might block asthma development in young patients with eczema.

Similarly, research findings by Raphael Kapan, PhD, a research professor of developmental biology and dermatology, suggest that patients that have damaged or defective skin can elicit a powerful immune response, causing the lungs to trigger a hypersensitivity characteristic of asthma.

The labeling of GMOs, better understanding of our food supply, and increased awareness of the body’s response to various foods is far from being of theoretical importance. Our health as individuals and as a society depends on improvement in all of these areas.

Mark J. Joachim, DC, FIAMA, a co-owner of Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health P.C., practices at 156 East Ave, Norwalk. For more information, call 203-838-1555 or visit Allergy EliminationNorwalk.com.

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healingways

Holistic Eye Care Taking the Whole Body into Account

by Linda Sechrist

T

he “old wives’ tale” about eating carrots for healthy vision wasn’t wrong, but fell far short of a holistic approach to eye health. Today’s holistically trained healthcare providers and ophthalmologists believe that properly maintaining the marvelous phenomenon of eyesight requires taking into consideration genetics, diet, toxin exposures, life environments and our belief systems.

“The body does not work as a series of parts in isolation, but as a dynamically integrated living system,” says Marc Grossman, a doctor of optometry, licensed acupuncture physician and co-founder of Natural Eye Health, in New Paltz, New York. “The reductionist method of referring each symptom to the domain of a particular specialist, isolated from the whole person, is slowly being replaced with a complementary view of health care that may include acupuncture and other forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine. We are beginning to look at each person as an integrated being.”

Progressive health providers now consider dietary preferences, general exercise regimens, environmental factors and physical, emotional and mental issues, as well as an individual’s particular symptoms, in determining treatment strategies. “To improve vision, the condition of the whole person needs to be addressed,” says Grossman, whose books include Natural Eye Care: Your Guide to Healthy Vision.

Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and Homeopathic Doctor Edward Kondrot’s practice at Healing The Eye & 42

Wellness Center, which he founded in Zephyrhills, Florida, embraces traditional and alternative therapies. He uses microcurrent, ozone therapy and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved stem cells from a newborn’s umbilical cord in treating serious eye disease.

Kondrot, the author of 10 Essentials to Save Your Sight, systemically understands the eyes as windows to overall health. For instance, his perspective is founded on the fact that a balanced diet is one of the best preventive measures for maintaining eye health. Systemic disorders such as high blood pressure, diabetes, stress-related effects and nutritional deficiencies are easily determined under the scrutiny of his holistic biomicroscope.

According to science published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, chiropractic spinal manipulation may also contribute to normal vision; in one case study, 20 treatment sessions helped an individual recover the function of optic nerves and normal vision. It’s generally accepted that chiropractic adjustment realigning the spinal column allows the nervous system to function properly, reduces tension and frees up the body to better transport blood to locations such as the eyes. Additionally, the second vertebra below the skull contains nerves that affect the eyes, optic nerves, auditory nerves and sinuses.

Common eye conditions generally develop so slowly that they may not present noticeable symptoms until deterioration has become severe. “Many factors can affect our eyesight, including

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

other health problems. Having a family member with eye disease may mean you’re genetically prone to having that condition as well, but living a healthy lifestyle may prevent the gene from being activated,” advises Kondrot.

Viewing the condition of the eyes as a reflection of whole body health means that lifestyle and diet choices play major roles. The Vision Diet and supplement program recommended in Grossman’s Natural Eye Care has been shown to reduce the intraocular pressure in the eyes of study participants by five to seven millimeters, which generally equates to 10 to 15 percent.

In general, a diet high in beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, and sulfur-bearing amino acids can be helpful. Foods containing such nutrients include garlic, onions, beans, spinach, celery, turnips, yellow and orange vegetables, green leafy vegetables, seaweed, apples, oranges and tomatoes.

Other dietary and lifestyle options recommended by Grossman are daily drinking one pint of juice made from mostly green vegetables and drinking eight to 10 glasses of purified water to keep eyes hydrated. Managing stress and doing palming and other eye exercises, such as those found at Tinyurl.com/ ComputerEyeStrainExercises, as well as daily aerobic exercise for at least 20 minutes, are also beneficial. Additionally, Kondrot’s use of multimodal protocols such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, homeopathy, and detoxification can be applied to reverse visual loss.

Kondrot advises that avoiding foods that trigger allergic reactions is important.

“A study of 113 patients with chronic simple glaucoma showed an immediate increase in pressure in the fluid inside the eye when they were exposed to foods to which they were allergic. Take up meditation, yoga, tai chi or any other practice that helps you manage stress and relax,” he advises. “Some consider glaucoma a stress-related condition.”

The best strategy for healthy eyes is to have regular eye examinations. Early detection and prompt treatment can prevent significant vision loss.

For Dr. Kondrot’s free report on how to heal macular degeneration, see ad, page XX.

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Of course, you will want to replace a high net carb intake, or total carbs minus fiber, with healthy fats such as those in avocados, coconut oil, seeds and nuts.

Avoid industrially processed omega-6 vegetable oils like corn, soy and canola.

Dr. Joseph Mercola on

SIMPLE STEPS TO WELL-BEING

Because an indoor, climatecontrolled, sedentary lifestyle may lead to slowly developing chronic disease, what changes do you suggest we make?

by Judith Fertig

D

octor of Osteopathic Medicine Joseph Mercola has practiced as a boardcertified family physician for more than 30 years.

His educational website, Mercola.com, has been the most visited natural health site for the past 12 years, with 12 million unique visitors each month. His three New York Times bestsellers include Effortless Healing.

With today’s overload of conflicting health information—and the temptation to self-diagnose—how can we accurately assess our status in terms of optimal wellness?

One of the major principles I strongly embrace is to listen to your body and adjust your lifestyle based on the feedback it’s providing you. The seven clinically proven gauges I advise you to assess now and continue to monitor every six months or so are fasting insulin level (normal is less than five micro-international units per milliliter of blood; ideal is less than three); vitamin D level (normal is 40 to 60 nanograms per milliliter); waist-to-hip ratio (ideal for men, 0.8; for women, 0.7); body fat percentage (fitness level for women is 21 to 24 percent; for men, 14 to 17 percent); HDL to total cholesterol ratio (ideally 24 to 30 percent or higher); blood pressure (ideal numbers are 120 over 80 systolic/diastolic without medication); and uric acid level (ideal is three to five milligrams per deciliter).

It is important to get these levels checked, because it is impossible to know without testing.

In your opinion, what is the greatest health risk Americans face today and what can we do about it right now?

I’m convinced that for the typical American, the most important health step to take is to stop drinking soda, sports drinks, fruit juices or artificially flavored and sweetened waters and replace them with pure water.

Most people are now aware that sodas are laced with processed sugars like high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners, but many don’t know that their favorite sport and vitamin drinks contain these sweeteners plus a host of frightening extras, including toxic chemicals like chlorine, fluoride, phthalates, BPA [bisphenol A] and disinfection byproducts.

What role do carbohydrates play?

Carbs are a far dirtier fuel than fat and generate far more reactive oxygen species than fat. Some 70 years of following low-fat diet recommendations has resulted in the vast majority of dieters losing the ability to burn fat as their primary fuel.

One of the most powerful strategies to regain this ability is to start a practice of regular intermittent fasting, restricting your eating window to six to 14 hours a day and fast the rest of the day.

Spending time outside with bare feet in contact with the ground even for short periods can yield significant benefits.

It’s even better to do it with the sun shining on your bare skin.

The Earth is an abundant source of free electrons, and when the sun shines on your skin a vital biological circuit forms that helps transfer energy to water throughout the body, which serves as a cellular battery. Albert Einstein won a Nobel Prize for describing this process, called the photoelectric effect.

Reducing the length of time sitting each day and regularly moving is even more important for most of us than getting regular exercise. A good rule of thumb is to stand up every 15 minutes or so.

What can we do better to maintain optimal health?

Two-thirds of Americans are overweight. The problems with carrying excess weight are more than aesthetic.

At the root of obesity is mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction. Metabolic disorders go hand-in-hand with many of the chronic diseases plaguing Americans in record numbers—including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, dementia and cancer—according to numerous studies such as research by the Centers for Disease Control and the Center for the Study of Chronic Metabolic and Rare Diseases, at George Mason University.

The most potent strategy to address such metabolic dysfunction is to make a strong commitment to reaching and maintaining a personally healthy level of body fat.

Judith Fertig writes food health articles and cookbooks from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).

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Nature is my medicine.

The Garden Cure Natural Sanctuaries

by Sandra Murphy

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. ~John Muir Renew

Since ancient times, gardens have been employed as a place of healing for body and spirit. Japanese healthcare providers prescribe shinrin-yoku, meaning, “walking in forests to promote health” or “forest bathing”. Its intent is to use sight, sound and smell to connect with nature through stress-reducing, meditative walks.

Based on a program created by the Morikami Japanese Gardens, in Delray Beach, Florida, Washington state’s Bloedel Reserve, on Bainbridge Island, conducts Strolls for Well-Being. Partici-

pants sign up for a free, 10-week session of 12 self-guided walks and three group meetings. A companion workbook is provided to encourage journaling on themes such as forgiveness, gratitude and joy.

“Public gardens are a safe place where people can focus and do the work,” says Erin Jennings, with Bloedel.

“We see people that wish to reflect and refuel or simply be more aware and intentional in life.” With 150 acres of natural woodlands and landscaped areas, ranging from a moss garden to a bird marsh, participants can take as much time as they need.

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

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

Refresh Photo courtesy of The Boiron Medicinal Garden at the Rodale Institute

Heal Body and Spirit

~Sara Moss-Wolfe

444 Westport Avenue Norwalk, CT 06851 203-840-1991 natural awakenings

Bees are an integral part of any flowering garden, and Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, in Floyd, Virginia, sustainably hosts 30 hives on six acres adjacent to a field planted with buckwheat, mustard, sunflowers and clover for its biodynamic beekeeping. An orchard on the property dovetails with an organic farm next door. Tours, talks, plant sales, food and music enhance the hospitality.

Hope Hill Lavender Farm, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, adds lavender to soap, sugar scrubs, lotion and essential oil. “It takes 11 pounds of hand-picked fresh blossoms to make one ounce of essential oil,” says Troy Jochems, coowner with his wife, Wendy. A member of the mint family, lavender adds distinctive flavor and fragrance to both sweet and savory dishes (find recipes at HopeHillLavenderFarm.com). Visit the farm on summer weekends through mid-August and plan to partake of the annual lavender festival next June.

In Glen Allen, Virginia, visitors enjoy a cool serving of lavender lemonade or honey ice cream at Lavender Fields Herb Farm after a stroll through the garden. Greenhouse tours and fall classes on growing herbs, vegetables and lavender include how to make an herbal wreath.

Restore

Tea Wellness classes and tastings of fair trade heirloom varieties are a big draw at Light of Day Organics, in Traverse City, Michigan. They’re taught by founder and horticulturist Angela Macke, a registered nurse. It’s the only dual-certified organic and Demeter Biodynamic commercial grower of tea plants in North America.

The Boiron Medicinal Garden at the Rodale Institute, in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, emphasizes the importance of plants in homeopathy. Maggie Saska, plant production specialist with the research farm, explains, “Walking tours with educational signage in the garden let visitors know which species to look for when planting their own organic

healing garden. Plants from a store may not be organically grown or of the correct species,” although a nursery may afford more options.

Christophe Merville, D.Pharm., Boiron USA director of education and pharmacy development, attests that many familiar plants can offer benefits beyond beauty, such as reducing stress, promoting healing or easing congestion. He cautions, “People think plants are naturally safe, but they can be dangerous. St. John’s wort extract, for example, can relieve mild depression, but interacts with prescription medicines. It also reacts to light, so users may experience rashes from sun exposure.

“Lemon balm can be made into an antioxidant tea. It can be grown in a garden, on a balcony or indoors, and combines well with chamomile or lavender.

We like it for helping to relieve anxiety or to improve mental performance.”

Merville suggests steeping German chamomile tea for relaxing sleep.

He says breathing in the steam helps a stuffy nose. When used as a compress, it can relieve pain and itch from rashes. “Don’t drink too much or make it too concentrated,” he warns, because of its blood-thinning properties. Saska and Merville recommend that enthusiasts take classes, work with an herbalist and find a good reference book. Merville prefers Rodale’s 21st Century Herbal for beginners.

Vicki Nowicki, founder of Liberty Gardens, in Downers Grove, Illinois, observes, “The world is seeing the first generations that don’t have a relationship with the land or know how to grow their own food.” Its seed-lending library, classes and tours, along with other healing gardens throughout the country, aim to get everyone back to basics including going outside.

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

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fitbody

Celebration of Controlled Movement Pilates is Much More Than Stretching

by Ariana Rawls Fine

I

ncreased stability, flexibility and balance. More body awareness. Easier movement. Better focus. Improved posture. Individualized challenges.

These are all phrases associated with the Pilates exercise system. In a simplified definition, the modality is described as a mind-body exercise that utilizes floor mats and an assortment of specialized equipment.

Pilates follows the principles established by Joseph Hubertus Pilates, a German-born self-defense and exercise instructor who eventually made his way to the U.S. in 1926 after World War I. During his internment in England during the war as an “enemy alien”, Pilates refined his system of exercise, including rigging hospital beds with springs that enabled bedridden patients to use resistance in order to exercise. This provided inspiration for the equipment designs we are now more familiar with, according to Balanced Body, a California based company offering Pilates and mindful movement equipment, infor46

mation and education.

The Pilates exercise system gained popularity over the years, especially with dancers and athletes because of its focus on the body’s core and its ability to help them optimally build their strength and flexibility with specialized equipment. There are currently more than 11,000 Pilates studios in the U.S. alone. With an emphasis on breath awareness, balance and coordination, some of the benefits of Pilates can include increased self-confidence, improved posture, quicker rehabilitation from injuries and/or surgeries, and enhanced strengthening for performances or injury prevention. Boosting immunity by reducing stress is an added bonus.

“One of the big misunderstandings is that people think Pilates is all about stretching; it is more about learning how our bodies move. It is so rewarding as an instructor to have people coming in with injuries, body issues and posture problems who are then able to line up their

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

body so it can function better,” explains Laura Pennock, owner of The Black Rock Pilates Studio (BlackRockPilates.com) in Bridgeport.

Pennock relays a story about a client several years ago who had broken her back and was prompted by her orthopedist to try Pilates. Within six weeks, Pennock says she was doing a full class after not being able to do a “bridge” pose in the beginning. “She was taking the time at home to sit better, she was walking, and she was working with her body. ‘Make your body a place where you want to live,’ a saying goes. So we needed to make her ‘house’ better.”

Pennock was introduced to the practice of Pilates as a dancer in New York City. After she finished professionally dancing and teaching dance, an injury prompted her to begin exploring Pilates again as a teacher 16 years ago.

While she learned the classical Pilates at first, she was more drawn to the practice of “contemporary Pilates” and also became involved with Balanced Body four years ago. She opened her Black Rock studio in 2005. Situated in the same building as Black Rock Physical Therapy, Pennock collaborates with owner Tara Collins, PT, IMT.C, CSCS, who shares a similar philosophy and offers more holistic physical therapy to patients.

While running was important to Marion Cooper, frequent bouts of back pain were curtailing her ability to enjoy the activity. Now the owner of Mind-Body Connection Pilates (MindBodyConnection.com) in New Milford, Cooper found through the practice of Pilates that her pain issues were actually attributed to weaker core muscles and limited flexibility rather than the strain of running. She began teaching the modality in 2010, leaving behind many years of working in a corporate environment to become certified through the Balanced Body University program.

There are different styles of Pilates, similar to other modalities, with different workouts, equipment setups, individual services and environment. An instructor’s focus and background—such as in dance, boxing, injury recovery or surgery preparation—are also important

components in figuring out what makes sense for individual systems, bodies, needs, levels and temperament.

“Everyone finds a connection mentally to heal better and be active; to breathe deeper; and to be taller, stronger and more open,” Cooper explains. “A low-impact repertoire enables people to connect directly to their bodies. That is a really unique beauty about Pilates.” When movement becomes painful—such as with arthritis and fibromyalgia—people often stop moving, she says. Pilates is controlled, low impact motion, working with different amounts of resistance to isolate muscles or use the whole body, so it is ideal for those suffering from autoimmune conditions.

For someone who is very fit, Pilates can be athletic. For those with special needs, instructors can adjust to meet the current limitations of the client. That’s why it is key to learn the background of a potential instructor and understand whether their expertise is in classical, fusion or another variation that best fits a person’s needs, Cooper says.

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There are different styles of Pilates, similar to other modalities, with different workouts, equipment setups, individual services and environment.

“It is frustrating because while anyone can teach Pilates, it needs to be taught well and taught individually in order to be truly effective for each person,” Pennock says.

Simona Cipriani, director of The Art of Control (ArtofControl.com) and the educational director of The Art and Science of Contrology Pilates Training Program, agrees. She is a second-generation Pilates instructor who studied with Romana Kryzanowska and became a certified Authentic Pilates Method instructor in 1993. Cipriani travels throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia teaching Pilates seminars and workshops in addition to offering Pilates, massage therapy and Feldenkrais

9:11 PM

services at the Stamford-based Synergy Health & Fitness.

Working in collaboration with her husband, Dr. Joe Muscolino, DC, the certifications Cipriani offer also focus on the art and science of control, on the mechanics behind the movement, and on the medical aspects of what is happening inside the body during Pilates. To address the need for qualified teachers, she focuses her certificate program on teaching the teachers in studios that represent The Art of Control school in Singapore, Sydney, Amman, London and other cities.

In addition to dedicated studios, Pilates classes can be found at fitness clubs, wellness centers, rehabilitation clinics and even recreation centers such as a local YMCA. Based on a person’s need, time availability and funds, group and individual sessions are offered by most practitioners.

Ariana Rawls Fine is editor of Natural Awakenings Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley, CT and Natural Awakenings New Haven/Middlsex. She resides in Stratford with her family.

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pilatesprofiles

Black Rock Pilates Laura Pennock 2889 Fairfield Ave, 2nd Fl, Bridgeport 203-335-1987 BlackRockPilates@gmail.com BlackRockPilates.com Facebook.com/BlackRockPilates

Art of Control Simona Cipriani 1177 Summer St, 2nd Fl, Stamford 203-973-7262 Info@ArtofControl.com ArtofControl.com

Practitioner/Studio summary of services offered: The Art of Control offers private, semi-private and small group classes. All our instruction is based on the practice of classical Pilates.

What training and/or certifications do you have?

Simona Cipriani has been certified through the Authentic Pilates Method since 1993. She taught alongside Romana Kryzanowska for many years.

How long have you been practicing the techniques you teach?

Cipriani has been teaching Pilates for over 20 years.

Do you work in a studio setting, in clients’ home or does it vary?

The Art of Control, formerly located at SUNY Purchase for 10 years, is a brand Pilates studio located in the center of Stamford, offering private and group session both outside and inside the studio.

What is your particular specialty in working with clients to achieve better fitness?

As Mr. Pilates taught with Contrology, the whole body is worked in harmony. By incorporating all facets of movement, and increasing challenges of strength, flexibility and focus, a body can be restored.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about physical fitness and its impact on overall well-being?

Pilates is all about functional training and building strength in your deep muscles while, at the same time, training you to move efficiently and reawaken the nervous system.

Business/practice summary and/or services offered: In 2005, I, Laura Pennock, opened The Black Rock Pilates Studio.

Over the past 12 years, the business has grown to become the premier Pilates studio in Fairfield County. The studio not only offers over 30 group classes a week, but also private and semi-private clients seven days a week. Offering a comfortable and relaxed environment to practice Pilates is of the utmost importance for me. The studio with its warm welcoming management and fully certified instructors works in conjunction with Black Rock Physical Therapy. Clients from the physical therapy offices graduate to Pilates to regain strength and mobility after treatment.

What drew you to this profession?

I was a professional dancer in NYC and studied Pilates to improve my technique. Years later, I returned to Pilates while recovering from a neck injury. It was then I realized I wanted to not only continue my studies of this amazing technique but pass it along to others so they can improve their quality of life.

How is your work different?

Our amazing, knowledgeable instructors are dedicated to helping others reach their goals. Our studio is known for its warm and friendly environment.

What should a client expect when working with you?

Personalized attention for your needs and goals, whether they are just feeling better and stronger or regaining strength after injury.

How is your practice/work evolving?

The studio has grown from just me to nine certified instructors. I am a master instructor for Balanced Body Pilates and now host and instruct Pilates teacher training courses.

We will continue to offer quality instruction with awesome teachers!

What is the most important things you want readers to know about your business?

Pilates is for everyone. At our studio we do whatever we can to accommodate you. No matter where you are fitness-wise, we will do our best to help guide you to be healthy and strong!

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natural awakenings

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

Yoga Nidra Training with John Vosler

Y

oga for Everybody is hosting a Yoga Nidra Training with John Vosler beginning March 2 from 10am3pm.

Part one of the program is an Immersion experience from March 2-5. Yoga Nidra Immersion 4 Days/50 Hours is for those who want to explore the power of Yoga Nidra. The immersion provides in-depth information and personal experience of this transformative technique. It includes information on the historical, biological and psychological foundations of Yoga Nidra as well as current research on the therapeutic impact of entering the “Zero Stress Zone” state through Yoga Nidra. The program will support participants in the development of a home study regimen and includes a John Vosler comprehensive Yoga Nidra manual.

The immersion will also include an explanation of the benefits of each component of the Amrit Method of Yoga Nidra. The next step is to become a Yoga Nidra Professional Facilitator and a certification course is planned for April 12-16.

Pricing varies depending on the levels taken. For immersion only it is $1099; for certification only it is $1099. Immersion and certification courses together are $1800.

Register through the Amrit Yoga Institute website: tinyurl.com/JohnVosler.

Location: Yoga for Everybody waterfront/offsite training location in Stratford.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Ayurveda s Meditation sTeacher Training

New Student Special 30 days Unlimited Practice $59 Guided and Mysore-style classes offered daily. All levels welcome.

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49 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield, CT 203-544-8811 www.theyogashalact.com

Your studio could be featured here

Call for more info.

203-885-4674

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HEART-TO-HEART WITH A HORSE

Their Gentle Empathy Helps Us Heal

by Sandra Murphy

P 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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hysical therapists have long used horses to help patients improve balance or strengthen core muscles.

Now they’re helping to teach empathy.

Given a horse’s significant size, sometimes distracting surroundings and the need for safety, humans need to learn the animal’s non-verbal cues, and to regulate their own. Close interaction without riding is proving to be helpful for those dealing with addictions, trauma and grief, and for employees to improve their communication and teamwork skills.

Kelly Wendorf and Scott Strachan, co-founders of Equus, in Santa Fe, work with both individuals and organizations. Strachan emphasizes, “This isn’t magic. Horses reflect our feelings back to us. If we’re nervous, the horse will be more skittish.”

“We’ve had executives arrive with cell phones firmly in hand and leave holding soggy tissues instead,” comments Wendorf. “For them, it was unexpectedly emotional.”

For addicts caught up in a debilitating cycle, “Equine therapy gets the brain firing in a new direction,” says

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

Constance Scharff, Ph.D., director of addiction research at Cliffside Malibu, in California. “Patients may say they’re fine when they’re not, but you can’t lie to a horse. They have boundaries; if you’re angry, a horse won’t tolerate your behavior and will walk away.”

Scharff notes, “Equine therapy is complementary to psychotherapy medicine, and one tool we use in approaching addiction. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be the underlying issue, so we can address it, to understand why the person became an addict.”

Wendorf relates the story of an 18-year-old client facing body image issues. “Five horses approached her and touched her with their noses on her arms and legs. Where they touched was where she had been cutting herself to try to relieve her emotional pain.”

“People feel a powerful connection when they let down their defenses and a horse responds,” says Sheryl Jordan, equestrian director at Salamander Resort & Spa, in Middleburg, Virginia. “Our Equi-Spective life lessons program brings

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The Monthly Naturally Healthy Pet Section Starts Here!

Horses help bring back memories for clients with dementia. ~Hearts & Horses, Loveland, Colorado, nonprofit therapeutic riding facility self-awareness and the power to better control emotions. During the session, they may hug, pet and cry on the horse, but they leave the corral smiling.”

The program teamed up with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) serving bereaved military families. Kelly Griffith, a surviving sister of U.S. Marine Corps Major Samuel Griffith, points to the power of equine therapy in a video at Tinyurl.com/ Equi-SpectiveVideo.

Susan Wight, a former professional steeplechase rider and ambassador for TAPS in Leesburg, Virginia, says, “My husband was my riding coach. When he passed away, I was numb when facing decisions, but at the session, it felt like one of the horses was the one to choose.

The initial flood of emotions and memories from being around horses again wasn’t pretty, but empathy is a specific language, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. Horses are a huge part of my life.”

At Ranch Hand Rescue Counseling Center & Animal Sanctuary, in South Argyle, Texas, founder Bob Williams considers animal therapy a ministry.

“We rescue abused and neglected farm animals, including horses that come into play when patients are not responding to usual therapies,” he says.

“It’s important for damaged people to learn to live in the light, and our partnering with the special needs animals helps put them on the emotional path to health.” The rescue’s mission is to provide hope, healing and a sense of security for children and adults that have suffered severe trauma such as abuse, domestic violence and witnessing violent death (Tinyurl.com/RanchHandRescueVideo).

Riding Beyond’s four-session program, in Ashland, Oregon, is free to women recovering from the rigors of breast cancer treatment. Expenses are covered by donations from the com-

munity. German research published in the journal Psycho-Oncology reported that 82 percent of participating breast cancer patients studied displayed symptoms of PTSD following diagnosis.

“They often don’t want to touch or be touched, and have trouble with friendships and intimate relationships; issues that can cripple a woman’s life,” says Trish Broersma, founding director and a certified therapeutic riding professional at Riding Beyond (Tinyurl. com/RidingBeyondVideo). “The medical team that saved their lives doesn’t treat these issues.”

The first client, unfamiliar with horses, met Mystic, who touched her on the site of the former tumor. She says, “Even weeks later, when I brought her image to mind when stressed, sad or even happy, it brought feelings of contentment, peace and well-being.”

Horses have been serving humans in many ways for centuries. Equine therapy shows they have even more to give if we are open to receive.

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

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communityspotlight

Playing with Horses and Self Potential

Center in Wilton Invites Mindful Exploration

by Nicole Miale

A

growing body of evidence shows simply being with horses can produce positive physical effects in people. Similar to petting a dog or a cat, stroking a horse delights the senses, reduces stress and aids in relaxation. Animals live completely in the present so working with animals of any kind typically helps people become more mindful as well. “It’s easy to pay attention and be fully present when there is a 1,200 pound animal with you,” says Carrie Brady, founder of Possibilities Farm in Wilton. “The horses recognize and reward that presence with their own interest and attention.”

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

Possibilities Farm is a unique resource center where clients achieve personal and professional development through partnering with horses. Looking through the eyes of horses during interactive, non-riding exercises, clients gain fresh perspectives on their strengths and challenges, build new skills, and discover possibilities for self-growth they may not have previously considered. Being outside in the farm’s serene wooded setting heightens this effect as fresh air, nature, and freedom of movement work their magic on clients’ exhausted bodies and minds.

Brady fell in love with horses when she was 4 and bought her first horse Lucky, sixteen years ago. She says she was lucky to discover the opportunity to partner with horses professionally while working as a healthcare industry executive and consultant. In all her professional roles, she saw a consistent pattern of limiting beliefs that interfered with individuals and teams achieving their goals. People and teams tended to focus on the negative, working to address problems but not really believing they had the power to succeed, and typically only considered a very narrow range of options in any situation. When Brady discovered that Stanford University and other medical schools were using horses as teaching partners, she found her calling. She pursued certification through the Equine Experiential Education Association and created Possibilities Farm.

Equine experiential education—also known as equinefacilitated learning—sessions offer more than a relaxing retreat; they are powerful opportunities for transformation. In experiential learning, people gain new perspectives through direct experience rather than cognitively-based instruction.

In carefully selected non-riding activities with the horses, Brady’s clients have an opportunity to recognize their own behavior patterns and experiment with new approaches.

The activities are flexible and promote maximum freedom for horses and humans to partner, explore, and discover. Each activity is followed by a period of self-reflection guided by Brady, an experienced facilitator who helps clients examine what happened with the horses and how lessons from that experience can be applied to their personal and professional lives.

Horses have characteristics that make them well-suited to partnering in personal and professional development.

Horses primarily communicate non-verbally and will automatically detect others’ heart rates, respiration, and other signals of stress or relaxation. Since horses are prey animals, this finely tuned perception is a matter of survival. If one herd member detects danger, the other horses know and can respond as a group without using verbal signals which would reveal their locations to a predator. Horses use this same skill to read human body language better than other humans can.

Horses also model effective teamwork, communication, and authentic leadership, and will innovate and adapt, skills particularly relevant to high-functioning teams. Horses are unimpressed by status, title, or history and will provide non-judgmental feedback to each person or team based on their behavior in the moment. “Horses reflect back what’s going on with people,” Brady explains. “They are masters of attention and intention.” Clients have the opportunity to see immediately how changes in their behavior will change the

natural awakenings

way a horse responds. The horses help people see their potential and the opportunities hidden in any challenge.

Brady carefully selected the two resident horses at Possibilities Farm for their willingness and ability to guide humans, as well as their enthusiasm for working with people. “While all horses can do this kind of work, not all horses will,” she explains. Mere is a 15-year old female and Potato is a 19-year old male. Both were born in Europe, trained as show jumpers and competed internationally before coming to the United States. During their jumping careers, they spent years helping people quickly navigate through a course full of obstacles and successfully leap over any hurdles in their path. In their teens, Mere and Potato were each injured and no longer able to jump. Their owners didn’t want to retire them to live in a herd with very little human contact so they sought a different option. At Possibilities Farm, Mere and Potato found a home where they still partner with people, helping them navigate different kinds of obstacles than before.

At Possibilities Farm, the horses guide the work. “Sometimes a horse will pick a client and sometimes a client has an instant connection with one of the horses,” Brady says. “It’s not always the pairing I might expect, but it always works out.” Private personal development sessions are structured around insights gained from the horses, such as the 90-minute personal development session Swinging Open the Gates, which focuses on setting a direction

and opening any gates between you and where you want to go. Humans tend to see gates as roadblocks rather than passageways and often forget to try them but horses will frequently test gates to see if they are actually locked or if they can simply push them open and walk right through.

Other sessions include Love Yourself/ Love Your Life, which brings the natural playfulness, self-care and joy of horses back into life and Return to Grazing, which focuses on staying in the present and returning to peace, even when faced with stressful situations. ”Learning from horses helps

humans bring the best of themselves to any situation,” Brady explains. “Horses help people change their mindsets and that changes lives. It’s an honor to be part of this work.”

Possibilities Farm is located in Wilton. For more information, visit PossibilitiesFarm.com. Connect with Carrie Brady at 203-210-7484 or PossibilitiesFarm@gmail.com.

Nicole Miale is publisher of Natural Awakenings Fairfield County, Housatonic Valley. Connect with her at NicoleM@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

A spacious fully air-conditioned and heated facility outfitted for the safety and comfort of your dog with two fully-supervised outdoor play yards, securely fenced for running, playtime, and socialization with other dogs.

OVERNIGHT BOARDING Slumber party style with a staff member present TRAINING CLASSES Puppy Kindergarten, Basic and Advanced Obedience classes LIVE WEBCAMS! Watch your dog from anywhere on your computer, iPad or iPhone.

860-799-7979 90-B Danbury Road, New Milford, CT 06776 info@UnleashedDaycare.com www.UnleashedDaycare.com New Milford area’s only cage-free dog daycare and boarding facility!

eNaturalAwakenings.com

March 2017

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NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ITCHY PETS

Gentle Ways to Calm Allergies

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even just nibbles the eliminated food, you have to start all over again,” says Dohmen. Whether commercially prepared or home cooked, the number of ingredients can substantially extend a test period. Each item must be completely avoided for about six weeks for an accurate assessment.

Environmental allergies, which encompass everything unrelated to food, range from common grasses to inhaled pollutants. New carpets or rugs, cleaning supplies, a neighbor’s pesticides, dust and pollen are among the culprits that can cause an allergic reaction. Common symptoms are itchy ears or skin, ear infections, sneezing, runny eyes, scratching, vomiting or diarrhea.

Veterinarian Judy Morgan, owner of Naturally Healthy Pets, in Clayton, New Jersey, also uses herbs in her practice to alleviate food and environmental allergy symptoms. “They can be tinctures or poultices; one herb or a blended mixture. Some are applied externally, some internally.” Giving the proper dosage for the size of the pet is vital.

She particularly likes calendula for hot spots, despite its

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

pterwort/Shutterstock.com

R

ather than routinely giving drugs to dogs and cats to relieve dry, itchy, skin or food allergies, consider more gentle natural alternatives. As with people, knowing what an animal is allergic to is key to finding the right remedy and preventing future outbreaks.

With dogs, about 20 percent of itching and scratching can be attributed to food ingredients.

Symptoms can show up as early as 5 months or as late as 12 years old, often combined with inhalant or contact allergies. Chronic ear infections are often traced to food allergies.

“If a pet is suffering mightily, see your veterinarian for shots or pills for immediate relief. Then ask the vet to allergy test for the specific problem,” advises Veterinarian Laurie Dohmen, owner of Purple Moon Herbs and Studies, in Hartly, Delaware. “This isn’t something you can do yourself. I’ve seen pet owners use what worked for a friend’s dog and make their own pets sicker, despite research and good intentions. What works for one pet won’t necessarily work for another.”

While food elimination testing works, it’s a long process that must be done with precision. “If your pet

Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock.com

by Sandra Murphy

odor, because it’s antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral, followed by witch hazel to dry them, and then coconut oil or aloe to soothe and soften affected skin—plus Echinacea to boost the immune system. She uses ginger or peppermint to counteract nausea.

“Many people think an allergic pet should be switched to a lamb and rice diet. In some cases, that makes dry, itchy, skin worse,” she says. “That’s why it’s important to know what they are allergic to before trying out new foods or herbal remedies. Find a holistic vet to work with.”

Morgan often prescribes a mixture of herbs for the best results. “I like licorice because it works like a steroid without the side effects. Probiotics help keep gut bacteria and the immune system healthy. Parsley works well for dry, itchy, skin caused by a blood deficiency, or imbalance.

“Parsley brings a protein, as well as several vitamins, to the party,” notes Kimberly Gauthier, a dog nutrition blogger in Marysville, Washington. “It’s a natural anti-inflammatory and also great if your dog’s breath needs a freshness boost.” She suggests rosemary and thyme as ingredients in an antibacterial, antifungal salve; she mixes these essential oils with extra virgin coconut oil and beeswax to create paw balm.

Morgan reminds us that essential oils can be harmful, even life-threatening, for cats. “If Kitty has itchy skin, lavender tea can be used as a rinse on cooperative cats,” she suggests. “For a less cooperative feline, chamomile tea as a drink or as leaves mixed into the food soothes itches.”

Dohmen cautions, “Herbs and other homeopathic remedies or flower essences are medicine and should be given as a prescription by a qualified veterinarian.”

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

Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock.com

naturalpet

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 PO Box 953, New Canaan BBRCT@yahoo.com • BullyBreedRescueInc.org COMMUNITY CATS PO Box 4380, Stamford CommunityCatsCT@yahoo.com CommunityCatsCT.org DANBURY ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY (DAWS) 147 Grassy Plain St, Bethel 203-744-3297 FRIENDS OF FELINES INC PO Box 8147, Stamford 203-363-0220 Cats@AdoptAPet.org • AdoptAPet.org LOOKING GLASS ANIMAL RESCUE Ridgefield LGARinc.org On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram NFSAW 223 State Rt 37, New Fairfield 203-746-2925 NFSAW.org

ANIMAL COMMUNICATION/ PET SITTING Fur to Feathers Pet Services Monroe • 203-610-2444 (call or text) FurToFeathersPets@gmail.com FurToFeathers.com Gwen Gangi has been an animal communicator all her life and has been doing consultations for the past 23 years. Practical for any situation, you enter into a 3-way conversation to get and give information needed.

Consultations done over the phone or in person, including home visits.Workshops on animal communication available.

HOLISTIC MOBILE GROOMING MARY OQUENDO

203-994-5308 Mary@PawsitivelyPretty.com MaryOquendo.com Pet grooming in a relaxed one-on-one environment in your driveway by a leader in the holistic grooming industry. Mary also offers Reiki and crystal therapy for your beloved pets.

See ad, page 53.

PET NUTRITION PAUL’S CUSTOM PET FOOD LLC

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

Nutrition is your pet’s best friend.

We create handmade, personalized pet food and treats with ingredients that are organic, free of GMOs, synthetic chemicals, added growth hormones, unnecessary antibiotics, and preservatives.

Food is handmade in small batches. See website for details about ordering or customizing for your pet’s special needs.

STRAYS AND OTHERS PO 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

A HAND FOR A PAW

PO Box 389, Bridgeport 203-258-3069 • Info@AHFAP.org AHandForAPaw.org

GWEN GANGI

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

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

VETERINARY SERVICES

PO Box 794, New Milford 603-706-0739 Paul@PaulsCustomPetFood.com PaulsCustomPetFood.com

A Hand for a Paw, Inc is a local non-profit dedicated to keeping animals home. Programs include mobile clinics providing pet families with affordable vaccines, micro-chipping and pet food pantry. Visit Animal Artisans at 187 Ferry Blvd, Stratford to support our cause.

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

The Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic is a low-cost, high-volume facility for cats and dogs; the first such professional clinic in Fairfield County. The clinic offers other low-cost services during the spay/ neuter appointment. Nutmeg honors state spay/neuter vouchers at face value from adopted shelter pets and qualified low-income families and offers further lowcost incentives to nonprofit rescue groups. Pit bulls and mixes are welcome at an even more reduced rate, and the clinic offers spay/neuter and vaccine discounts for feral cats. See ad, page 51.

PET ASSISTANCE, INC

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

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

March 2017

55

greenliving

FOREVER GREEN Eco-Burial Options Grow

Winston Link/Shutterstock.com

by Avery Mack

N

atural burials allow those that lived their principles of an environmentally sound life to complete their days in a planet-friendly, personalized way.

“The number of U.S. cemeteries allowing natural burials has increased by 30 in the last year,” says Elizabeth Fournier, owner of Cornerstone Funeral Services, in Boring, Oregon. “More than 150 cemeteries allow them now. We encourage replacing cut flowers with plants. A multipurpose wooden casket can serve as a bookshelf until needed, or a casket can be made of natural wicker, paper or grass.” Formaldehyde-free embalming fluids made of non-toxic and biodegradable essential oils allow for a synthetic chemical-free burial.

“Green burials tend to be unique and can last from one to four hours,” says Brian Flowers, green burial coordinator for Moles Farewell Tributes, in Bellingham, Washington. “One funeral had 50 Civil War re-enactors in blue and gray outfits, along with a 21-musket and two-cannon salute. Another was led by a shaman. Natural burial isn’t just for the Birkenstock/patchouli crowd. Our area is farm-rich, so a green burial fits with the idea of living close to the land.”

The Moles’ four-and-one-half-acre meadow for natural burial will expand in the next two years to eight acres.

Flowers explains, “It’s an ecological restoration site. We manage invasive

56

species and plant three native plants for each burial.”

In Houston, Terry Ward, president and CEO of Country Communities, notes how fast-paced lifestyles can prevent intimate connections among siblings. “At Indigo Fields, we’re able to implant an app-accessible microchip into an urn or stone. The information can include photos, details of the person’s life and stories that might otherwise become lost. It can be updated at any time and serves as a gift for anyone researching the family tree.

It helps the living heal and talk about their fears, too.”

Added Green Alternatives

Cremation has always been an alternative to burial, but is energy intensive; recycling medical parts helps green up this option. Many choices are available for the cremains, the ashes that remain after a cremation.

Many states outlaw burying pet remains in a human cemetery, so Lisa Brambilla, of Yorba Linda, California, invented 100 percent biodegradable Bio Urns. “Before, pet lovers had few choices when it came time to say goodbye. Laying a cremated pet to rest

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

this way makes a loss easier because it’s a physical manifestation of a pet in plant form. It hurts a little less,” she says. Each urn comes with a seed for a tree or shrub and the proper soil to help it grow.

“Maka, a keeshond, was the dog my son’s heart bonded with; he was 6 when she died,” Brambilla relates. “After she grew into a tree, he could smile when he talked about her. It teaches kids to create a new life and to treat the planet well. Death is nothing but a word. The only thing real is life.” Bio Urn expanded to include human clients after Brambilla’s father-in-law requested to be remembered via a redwood tree and her mother, a Christmas tree.

Eternal reefs are made of ashes mixed with cement placed in the ocean in a military-style ceremony to help support marine life for at least 500 years. Family members retain the reef’s GPS coordinates and can boat or dive to visit it.

Music lovers can choose to have their ashes compressed into a vinyl record. A live recording of goodbyes, a last will and testament or compilation of favorite songs can be prerecorded. Ashes can also be compressed into colorful memorial gemstones ready to be set into jewelry to keep a loved one close.

Resomation, or bio-cremation, liquefies the body in a heated alkaline bath, using far less energy than traditional cremation and without environmentally harmful chemical emissions; afterward, the bones are ground, resembling cremains, and are returned to the family.

Promession is a way to freeze-dry the body by immersion in liquid nitrogen at -321° F. When it becomes brittle, vibrations shake the corpse into small pieces, water is evaporated and the dust that remains can be used as compost.

Invented by Swedish biologist Susanne Wiigh-Mäsak, she feels it’s the utmost Earth-friendly way to return a body to the soil.

As people opt to avoid the higher costs of a traditional funeral and elect practical, eco-friendly ways to exit the human scene, natural burials can become more accepted ways to achieve Biblical dust-to-dust while doing no harm.

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

Tur� Your Passion Into a Business

Own a Natural Awakenings Magazine Our publishers ranked us among the highest in franchise satisfaction for our Training, Support, Core Values and Integrity!*

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calendarofevents Magazine calendar events must be received by March 12 (for April 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.

THURSDAY, MARCH 2 Dine Out Fairfield Restaurant Week — 2/27-3/5.

Featuring over two dozen of your favorite Fairfield dining establishments. Offering prix fixe lunch and dinner specials. Check out your local favorites and sample someplace new. Fairfield Town. 203-256-3120.

CEDOffice@FairfieldCT.org. FairfieldCT.org/rw.

Charge Up Your Chakras — 7-9pm. With Beth Leas. Explore your Chakra Energy Centers with this fun class designed to recharge, renew and rejuvenate your body/mind/spirit. $40. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. TLCBethLeas@ gmail.com. BethLeas.com.

The Conversation — 7-9pm. Come join our lively and meaningful discussion on life and death.

RSVP. Free. Alliance for Conscious Transitioning @ The Liphe Balance Center, 36 Michaels Way, Weston. 203-556-9521. Info@AllianceFCT.com.

AllianceFCT.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3 Reiki Level 1 Workshop — 10am-5:30pm. With Gigi Benanti. Learn Western style from an experienced Reiki master (20 years). Includes latest info.

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

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

AngelHealReiki.com.

mini-workshops, 20 minute healing sessions and readings $20/20 min. Free. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. TLCBethLeas@ gmail.com. TLCCenter.com.

Rebirthing with Eilius — 1-3pm. Rebirthing is a simple breathing technique which can transform the mind, body and spirit as well as your perceptions of yourself, others and the world. $35. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch.org.

AlbertsonChurch.org.

MONDAY, MARCH 6 Reiki Healings at Albertson — 1-3pm and 6:30-8:30pm. Mondays for the month of March.

Come, recharge your batteries and receive a session of Reiki Healing with a Reiki Master. All are welcome- no appointment needed. $10. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch.org.

AlbertsonChurch.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 7 TLC Networking Breakfast — 8:30-10am. Are you a healthy living professional/entrepreneur looking for your tribe? The TLC Center is a vibrant, supportive and growing community celebrating 20 years in Norwalk. Bring a friend. Free. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. TLCBethLeas@ gmail.com. TLCCenter.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4 Rewiring the Brain: What is Neurofeedback? — 9:30-11am. With Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge.

Neurofeedback therapy is a powerful, safe, nonmedication treatment for common childhood and adult issues and disorders. Attendees receive a $100 coupon towards a brain mapping (new clients). Free.

The Offices of Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, 898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ste #6, Ridgefield. 203-438-4848.

DrRoseannInfo@att.net. DrRoseann.com.

Reiki 1st Degree workshop — 9:30am-5:30pm.

With Gigi Benanti. Learn Western style from an experienced Reiki master (20 years). Includes latest info. Learn how to use Reiki for self-healing and healing for others. 2 manuals and certificate. $125.

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

Spiritual Psychic and Healing Fair — Noon-5pm.

Gifted readers and healers available for appointments. 30 minutes or 1 hour. Reiki Healing sessions also available. $45 and up for readings; $30 for healing. Albertson Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch@ gmail.com. AlbertsonChurch.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5 TLC Healing and Psychic Sunday — 11am-4pm.

This popular and fun event features a day of insight, clarity, peace and healing brought to you by the professionals at TLC Center. Free admission, free

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markyourcalendar THE NEW LIFE EXPO

March 17-19 America’s longest-running event focused on holistic enlightenment and rejuvenation returns to New York City at a new location, the freshly renovated New Yorker Hotel.

Take a weekend out of your life to change it forever and meet thousands of people like yourself.

We will welcome back people like Sean David Morton, Dannion Brinkley, Gail Thackray, Stacie Breeze, Dr Robert Sorge, and many others who will open your mind to all possibilities in the fields of holistic health, metaphysics and anti-aging.

Some of your favorite exhibitors like Crystal Tones, Vitamix, Momentum 98, Waterworks and 100 others are back to create the marketplace you always wait for.

481 8th Ave and W 34th St (across from Madison Square Garden), New York, NY. For more information, visit NewLifeExpo.com.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8 Wise Woman (and Wise Guys) Workshop: Growing and Harvesting Medicinal Herbs — 6:308:30pm. Topics include obtaining seeds, inside seed starting versus starting seeds in the garden and the unusual requirements of some herbs. $25/pre-registration; $30/at door. Twin Star Herbal Education, 65 Bank St, New Milford. 203-460-2854. BekahTwinstar@gmail.com. TwinStarTribe.com/events.

FRIDAY, MARCH 10 TLC Tarot Evening—7-9pm. Explore the tarot or develop a deeper relationship with the cards.

Receive a reading from Beth Leas. Every month is a unique experience. Bring a deck or use on of ours. $40. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-8569566. TLCBethLeas@gmail.com. BethLeas.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11 Dark Moon Astrology Webinar: Patricia Highsmith — Noon-1pm. With Michele Leigh. Explore the birth chart of Patricia Highsmith, an American novelist and short story writer. She was known for her psychological thrillers, which led to more than two-dozen film adaptations. Free. Global.

GoToMeeting.com/Join/970514645. Darkmoon Astrology@gmail.com. DarkmoonAstrology.com.

Shamanic Healing Journey — 1-3pm. With Eve Kerwin, White Buffalo Woman. Receive a Shamanic healing which works with electromagnetic fields on your spiritual, physical, mental and emotional bodies. Each participant will receive a personal message. $50. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch.org. AlbertsonChurch.org.

Pranayama, Bandha, Mudra: The Power of the Breath — 1:30-4:30 pm. With Daniel Orlansky.

Experience harmony, lightness, joy and a radiant spirit with breathing exercises and inner energy practices drawn from classical and Kundalini yoga. $45/members; $65/non-members in advance; $10 more at door. The Yoga Studio at Club Fit, 584 North State Rd, Briarcliff Manor. 914-582-7816.

YTAPresident@gmail.com. YTAYoga.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12 Healing with Your Angels — 1-3:30 pm. With Rev. Barbara M. Hardie. Learn the components of Healing. Determine whether a health issue is a part of your soul contract. Participate in a powerful healing meditation. $35. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich.

AlbertsonChurch.org. AlbertsonChurch.org.

Restorative Yoga with Tibetan Singing Bowls — 4:30-6:30 pm. With Marie-Anne Gajdosik and Judy Vuozzo. Revitalize, heal and renew your body, mind and spirit. This practice is to experience deep rest and healing. $35/before; $40/day of. Naam Yoga Connecticut, 164 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. 203-730-2400. Info@NaamYogaCT.com.

NaamYogaCT.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 13 Reiki Healings at Albertson — 1-3pm and 6:30-8:30pm. Mondays for the month of March.

Come, recharge your batteries and receive a session of Reiki Healing with a Reiki Master. All are welcome- no appointment needed. $10. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch.org.

AlbertsonChurch.org.

markyourcalendar CELEBRATING LIFE AND BEYOND

Alliance For Conscious Transitioning Presents:

End Of Life ‘The Conversation” March 2 • 7-9pm Free - Open to All - RSVP Awakening Breath with Gene Ang April 6 • 6:30-9:30pm • $75 Moment of Death with Patricia Shelton Author, Teacher, Founder of the Clear Light Society April 17 • Intro Talk • 7-9pm • $10 April 22 & 23 • Workshop 9am-5pm • $275 David Leven with End Of Life Choices, NYC Advanced Life Planning and Decision Making What you should know and why it is important.

April 20 • 7-9pm • $10 Flower Essences, Health, Adaptation and Life Transitions with expert Isha Lerner April 29 • 7-9pm • Intro Talk • $10 April 30 • 9am-5pm • Workshop RSVP / Details: Call: 203-912-2791 Email: info@alliancefct.com Visit: AllianceFCT.com Liphe Balance Center, Weston

THURSDAY, MARCH 16 The Heaven Project - Creating Heaven on Earth – 7pm. 10 classes from March to July. Create heaven on earth by respecting and honoring all living things and extending love one relationship at a time. Deposit or payment in full is required for registration.

Space is limited. Soul Healing Journey, LLC, Fairfield. 203-767-5954. Eilis@SoulHealingJourney. com. SoulHealingJourney.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18 Reiki Review and Re-attunement — 10am-noon.

With Beth Leas, Reiki Master 25+ years. Reconnect to the Reiki energy. Support for those still new to their Reiki practice, or need a jump-start after some time away, or who want a Reiki re-attunement. All levels. $50. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-8569566. TLCBethLeas@gmail.com. BethLeas.com.

Celebrate the Spring Equinox with Community Drumming — 5-7pm. With Mark Zarrillo. Community drumming is an extraordinary dialogue that connects us with our world, our neighbors and ourselves. Everyone is welcome to participate. $25. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch.org. AlbertsonChurch.org.

History is Served! Culinary Antiques Whang — 5:30-8:30pm. With Ehris Urban and Velya JanczUrban. Use vintage kitchen tools and utensils to prepare a simple, filling meal at their unique 1770 farmhouse. Gluten-free and vegetarian meal. BYOB. $30, all materials included. Grounded Goodwife Farmhouse, Woodbury. 860-354-4881. GroundedGoodwife@yahoo.com. GroundedGoodWife.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 19 Full Moon Celebration — 7:30-8:45pm. With Regina Snyder. Bring your mental, emotional, and physical bodies into balance. Let go of unhealthy patterns, sending healing to places in need of opening yourself to receive Divine Love. $17 or class pack. Naam Yoga Connecticut, 164 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. 203-730-2400. Info@NaamYogaCT.com.

NaamYogaCT.com.

TUESDAY, MARCH 14 Free Introduction to Reiki — 6-7pm. 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 25 years experience using Reiki in this fun, explorative and interesting evening. Free. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. TLCBethLeas@gmail.com.

BethLeas.com.

Herbal First Aid Kit Workshop — 6-9pm. From backyard herbs to the goodies in your kitchen, learn how to naturally treat cuts, bumps, bruises, colds, stomach aches, itchy skin and more. Each participant will go home with their own fully stocked herbal first aid kit. $75. Twin Star Herbal Education, 65 Bank St, New Milford. 203-313-7883. TwinstarHerbs@ gmail.com. TwinStarTribe.com/events.

TLC Healing Circle/Reiki Share — 7-9pm. With Beth Leas. For those new to energy healing and practitioners of all modalities and levels alike. We open with a healing meditation and then provide an opportunity to receive and/or give energy work as we explore the wonderful world of healing. $20.

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

TLCBethLeas@gmail.com. BethLeas.com.

Nutrition for Vibrant Health, Happy Mind and Strong Body — 1-2:30pm. With Katherine Yeudakimenka. $20/in advance; $25/day of. Naam Yoga Connecticut, 164 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. 203-7302400. Info@NaamYogaCT.com. NaamYogaCT.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 20 Reiki Healings at Albertson — 1-3pm and 6:308:30pm. Mondays for the month of March. Come, recharge your batteries and receive a session of Reiki Healing with a Reiki Master. All are welcome- no appointment needed. $10. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch.org. AlbertsonChurch.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 21 Free Spring Equinox Meditation — 7-8:30pm. Join us for a guided meditation to celebrate the arrival of Spring led by Beth Leas - inspiring new beginnings and unleashing a surge of rapid growth. Great for both new and experienced meditators. Space is limited.

Free. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-8569566. TLCBethLeas@gmail.com. BethLeas.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23 Make Your Own Smudge Sticks — 7-9pm. With Ehris Urban and Velya Jancz-Urban. Smudging is performed to correct the energy in a home, office, object or even a person. Learn about the history/ practice of smudging, the herbal benefits and make 2 mugwort smudge sticks for your own use. $30, all materials included. Grounded Goodwife Farmhouse, Woodbury. 860-354-4881. GroundedGoodwife@ yahoo.com. GroundedGoodWife.com.

markyourcalendar THE HEAVEN PROJECT CREATING HEAVEN ON EARTH with Eilis Philpott at Soul Healing Journey, LLC

Thursday evenings • 7pm March 16 & 30 • April 13 & 27 May 11 & 25 • June 8 & 22 • July 6 & 20 I invite you to join me in The Heaven Project - Creating Heaven on Earth. Let’s build a loving community one relationship at a time!

Fairfield • 203-767-5954 Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com Register at The Heaven Project

SATURDAY, MARCH 25 Reiki Second Degree — 9:30am-5:30pm. With Gigi Benanti, Reiki master/teacher (20 years). Learn to send distance Reiki healing, deepen use of Reiki for others and yourself. 2 powerful energy connections from my short Japanese/Usa Linage. Two manuals and certificate. $215. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGigiB@snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com.

Tracking the Origin of Illness: A Journey into Ancestral DNA and the Spirit World — 1–3pm.

With Laura Aversano, author and medical intuitive.

Lauren works with audience members to help us understand how to palpate the world around and within. LauraAversano.com. All welcome. $40. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch.org.

AlbertsonChurch.org.

Empowerment Series, Session 3: The Emotional Body — 1:30-3:30pm. With Tracy Mignone and June Fagan. Pre-registration required. $45. Naam Yoga Connecticut, 164 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. 203-7302400. Info@NaamYogaCT.com. NaamYogaCT.com.

markyourcalendar 2017 LIVEWELL HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLNESS SUMMIT Saturday, April 29 • 9am - 5pm Edmond Town Hall, Newtown An incredible life-transforming day of learning about how to achieve true wellness from the inside out.

For questions, to sponsor or exhibit, contact Anne Vogel, Founder, livewell LivewellShop.com AVogel@LivewellShop.com Land line: 855-778-WELL C: 203-496-2440 Facebook.com/Livewell2017

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calendarof events

ongoingcalendar sunday

MONDAY, MARCH 27 Reiki Healings at Albertson — 1-3pm and 6:308:30pm. Mondays for the month of March. Come, recharge your batteries and receive a session of Reiki Healing with a Reiki Master. All are welcome- no appointment needed. $10. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch.org. AlbertsonChurch.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 28 Service for Healing Featuring the Ho’oponopono Prayer — 7-8pm. A service featuring the Ho’oponopono Prayer, a repeated prayer directed towards oneself or someone else. Reiki Healing available during the service. Free. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. AlbertsonChurch.org.

AlbertsonChurch.org.

Birth Your New Life — 7-9pm. With Eilis Philpott, Rebirthing breath-work practitioner. See how birth trauma, family patterns, inherited attitudes and specific negative thoughts are still impacting your life now. Experience a breathwork session. $30. Soul Healing Journey, LLC, 40 Livingston St, Fairfield.

203-767-5954. Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com.

SoulHealingJourney.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29 New Moon Celebration — 8-9:15pm. With Regina Snyder. The new moon is the best time to manifest and bring in all things new, health, abundance, and prosperity. $17 or class pack. Naam Yoga Connecticut, 164 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. 203-730-2400.

Info@NaamYogaCT.com. NaamYogaCT.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 30 Documentary: My Kid Is Not Crazy — 7-9:30pm.

New England PANS PANDAS presents special screening of My Kid Is Not Crazy. A Search for Hope in the Face of Misdiagnosis, a film by Tim Sorel, tracks the journey of six children and their families as they become tangled in the nightmare of a medical system heavily influenced by the pharmaceutical industry. $15. Fairfield Cinema at Bullard Square, 41 Blackrock Tpke, Fairfield. CTPANDASPANS@ gmail.com. NEPANS.org/my-kid-is-not-crazy.html.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31 Reiki Second Degree Workshop —10am-5:30pm.

With Gigi Benanti, Reiki master/teacher (20 years).

Learn to send distance Reiki healing, deepen use of Reiki for others and yourself. 2 powerful energy connections from my short Japanese/Usa Lineage.

Two manuals and certificate. $215. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. AngelHealReikiGigiB@snet.net. AngelHealReiki.com.

Guided Meditation with Tibetan Healing Bowls — 7-8pm. With Linda Fiske and Judy Vuozzo. Last Friday of each month. Relaxing guided meditaiton with the live playing of Tibetan singing bowls. $17 or class pack. Naam Yoga Connecticut, 164 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. 203-730-2400. Info@ NaamYogaCT.com. NaamYogaCT.com.

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Satsang Meditation – 9:30-11am. Satsangs are spiritual and community gatherings of like-minded people. Music, mantra, meditation, spiritual instruction/discourse and spiritual blessings to help you reset, recharge and get ready for the week ahead. By donation. Muktinath Holistic Center, 755 Main St (Rte 25), Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@ gmail.com. MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.

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

NewBeginningsInCommunity.Weebly.com.

Family Meditation Program (Kids and Teens) – 10-11:30am. Second and fourth Sunday. Introducing kids to meditation, metta, yoga, art practice, a discussion of ness in everyday life, generosity, compassion, letting go of negative mind states and other basic Parents can meditate in the main building. Info@ReddingMeditation.org.

ReddingMeditation.org.

Family Meditation Program – 10-11:30am.

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

ReddingMeditation.org.

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

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

ReddingMeditation.org.

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

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

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

UnityCenterNorwalk.org.

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.

Women Empowerment Life Coaching Circles – 11:30am-1:30pm. Third Sunday. With Nina Antolino. Integrate this powerful Life Coaching process with Reiki Healing and other mind/body tools for deeper transformation. $40 by 2/9 or $45 by 2/11.

LifePath Yoga & Wellness, 430 Main Ave, 2nd Fl, Norwalk. 203-354-7070. Nina@LifePathYoga.net.

LifePathYoga.net.

Ignite your Spirit Healing Clinic – 11:45am2pm. Second Sunday. Healing clinics are a great way to try out or receive on-going assistance with anything life throws your way. Register in advance to participate. $20/suggested donation.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

Muktinath Holistic Center, 755 Main St (Rte 25), Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@gmail.com.

MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.

Reiki Healing Circle – 4-5pm. Fourth Sunday. With Nina Antolino. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. Based on the idea that an unseen life force energy flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. Please pre-register. $22 or All Access Pass.

LifePath Yoga & Wellness4, 430 Main Ave, 2nd Fl, Norwalk. 203-544-8551. Nina@LifePathYoga.net.

LifePathYoga.net.

Ups and Downs – 4:30-5:30pm. Three sets of weights, different weights bring it up and bring it down, then continuing for muscle exhaustion. $20.

Forza 5, 26 Cannon Rd, Wilton.

Bliss Out! Dance to Live Drumming – 7-8:30pm.

Dirst Sunday. With Jojo. Find your tribe. Open Sky Yoga Barn, 95 Cross Hwy, Redding. Keane.Jojo@ gmail.com.

monday Align and Flow Yoga – 9:15-10:15am. With Michelle Didner. Expect both precise alignment instruction bringing new understanding to your body and to form and fluid movement. $22/drop-in current student; $10/new student first class. LifePath Yoga & Wellness, 430 Main Ave, 2nd Fl, Norwalk. 203-3547070. Nina@LifePathYoga.net. LifePathYoga.net.

Tai Chi – 9:30-10:30am. With June Fagan. $17 or class pack. Naam Yoga Connecticut, 164 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. 203-730-2400. Info@Naam YogaCT.com. NaamYogaCT.com.

Foundations of Herbalism: Level 1 – 9:30am-5pm.

First and third Monday March through October.

Program provides the opportunity spend time outdoors in Nature’s classroom discovering the numerous healing benefits of the plants that grow all around us. Twin Star Herbal Education, 65 Bank St, New Milford. 203-313-7883. TwinStarHerbs@ gmail.com. TwinStarTribe.com/events/2017/3/6/ foundations-of-herbalism-level-1.

Monday Morning Meditation — 11:30am12:30pm. With Beth Leas. Practical approach and individualized support. Great for those new to meditation and sage meditators. Explore different meditation techniques including breathwork, guided meditation, mantras (sound), yantra (sight), and slow motion movement. $100/5-week series. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566.

TLCBethLeas@gmail.com. BethLeas.com.

Open Flow Yoga – 12:30-1:15pm. With Nina Antolino. Vinyasa flow, movement is synchronized to the breath. $22/drop-in. $10/new student, drop-in.

LifePath Yoga & Wellness, 430 Main Ave, 2nd Fl, Norwalk. 203-354-7070. Nina@LifePathYoga.net.

LifePathYoga.net.

Gentle Yoga – 5:45-6:45pm. With Nina Antolino.

Focusing on slow, purposeful stretching and basic postures, breathing and balance. All skill levels and ages. $22/drop-in. $10/new student, drop-in.

LifePath Yoga & Wellness, 430 Main Ave, 2nd Fl, Norwalk. 203-354-7070. Nina@LifePathYoga.net.

LifePathYoga.net.

Core Yoga Fusion – 7-8pm. With Diana Deaver.

Strengthen the muscles that support the low back, abs, thighs and core. $22/drop-in. $10/new student, drop-in. LifePath Yoga & Wellness, 430 Main Ave, 2nd Fl, Norwalk. 203-354-7070. Nina@Life PathYoga.net. LifePathYoga.net.

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

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

ReddingMeditation.org.

Free Guided Meditation – 7:30pm: second Monday.

1pm: first and third Wednesday. With Dr. Allen Levy.

Session is catered towards providing information about the way in which meditation can assist with specific social, emotional and physical health need.

Free. Sabita Holistic Center, 3519 Post Rd, Southport.

203-254-2633. Sabita@SabitaHolisticCenter.com.

SabitaHolisticCenter.com.

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.

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

tuesday Tai Chi Classes – 9:30-10:30am. With June Fagan, Tai Chi Instructor. A slow movement meditation for all levels of fitness. Known to reduce stress, increase focus, balance and improve self and well-being. $25/drop-in, $85/1-class per week $150/unlimited classes month. Kindred Spirits, 59 Ledgewood Rd, Redding. 203-938-3690.

Toastmasters – Noon. Interested in public speaking?

Monroe-Trumbull Toastmasters is a chartered club of Toastmasters International dedicated to improving members’ communication and leadership skills. Meets alternate Tuesdays. Body Smart, Crescent Village, 115 Main St, Unit 11, Monroe. 203-459-6773. Franny.

Hannigan@charter.com. ToastMastersClubs.org.

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

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

ReddingMeditation.org.

The Art of Meditation – 6-7pm. Whether you are new to meditation or seasoned, this class will help you access inner peace and experience more clarity, purpose and joy. Chairs available. $10/ suggested donation. Any offering, large or small accepted. YogaSpace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, (Rte 6), Bethel. 203-730-9642. Info@YogaSpace-CT.com.

YogaSpace-CT.com.

Yoga – 6-7pm. Yoga with Julia. $20. Forza 5, 26 Cannon Rd, Wilton.

one or more of the salutations. $22/drop-in current student; $10/new student first class. LifePath Yoga & Wellness, 430 Main Ave, 2nd Fl, Norwalk. 203-3547070. Nina@LifePathYoga.net. LifePathYoga.net.

Meditating Holistically – 6:30-8pm. With Urgyan, a Western Buddhist lama sharing a rich practice of traditional meditation guidance directed toward holistic integration. Group meditation and discussion, devoted to our mutual innermost truths. $15. ah Yoga, 168 New Milford Tpke, New Preston. 860-868-6707 or Danbury Area Vajrayana Buddhist Meditation on Meetup.com.

Reiki Share – 7-8:30pm. First Tuesday of the month with June and Tracy. Come join our circle of practitioners for sharing and caring and healing.

All levels of practitioners are welcome Please RSVP. $20/drop-in. Kindred Spirits, 59 Ledgewood Rd, Redding. 203-938-3690.

Angelic Healing Group – 7-9pm. First 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.

Yoga Class or Yoga/Float – Yoga: 7-8pm. or Yoga/ Float package: 7-9pm. Enjoy the benefits of yoga in the beautiful PuREST relaxation room. $15/yoga only. $65/yoga and float package. PuREST Float Center, 35 Corporate Dr, Trumbull. PuRESTFloat.com.

How to Love Yourself – 7:30-9:30pm. Second Tuesday. With Ginny Brown and Ellen Kratka, with special higher-dimensional guests, the Multitude of the Greater Good. Little-known spiritual truths applied to everyday life. This is the how of letting go of negative judgment and unconditionally accepting yourself. $40. Call for location, Monroe. 203-2632643. E.Kratka@sbcglobal.net. ResultsBeyondBelief.com/how-to-love-yourself.

Reiki Shares – 7:30-10:15pm. First and third 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.

Reiki Share – 7-9pm. Second Tuesday. Practice and enhance your Reiki healing and grow your intuition.

All will receive healing time and practice time. You must have completed at minimum Reiki level I in order to fully participate. $15/suggested donation.

Muktinath Holistic Center, 755 Main St (Rte 25), Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@gmail.com.

MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.

Setting Your Allow Button for 2017 – 7-9pm.

6-part series. With Anthony Smokovich. As we enter the new year, it can be most beneficial to have a selfreview to take stock of where we are and where we want to go. Registration Required. $40/each class; $200/if all paid in advance. Lotus Wellness Center, 46 Pemberwick Rd, Greewich. 203-531-4784.

Info@LotusWellnessCtr.com.

Workshop: Learn Tarot in 8 Weeks – 7-9pm. Includes working with the mythic tarot deck, intuition with card meanings, layouts and variations, telling the story shown in the cards, practice and mentorship from other professional. $50. The Sacred Spirit, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 203-344-9311.

Piscese28@aol.com. TheSacredSpirit.net.

wednesday Sacred Spirit’s Reiki Shares – Second and fourth Wednesday. With Valerie Tarangelo R.M. Mini healing sessions and if you are a trained healer: Reiki or otherwise share and practice your gift. $10.

Albertson Memorial Church, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 203-344-9311.

Apothecary Hours – 10am-1pm. Meet like-minded folks and learn about what we do at Twin Star Herbal and Energetic Studies. Free. Twin Star Herbal Education, 65 Bank St, New Milford. 203-313-7883.

Info@TwinStarTribe.com. TwinStarTribe.com.

Women’s Wisdom Group – 10:30am-12:30pm.

Women support each other through the process of recognizing and embracing one’s full, authentic beings and, in doing so, nurturing their highest potential. $30. SunRaven, 501 Guard Hill Rd, Bedford, NY. 914-218-3113. SlowMedicine.org.

Free Guided Meditation – 1pm. First and third Wednesdays. With Dr. Allen Levy. In 20 minutes, you will be meditating for the first time. Please RSVP. Free. Sabita Holistic Center, 3519 Post Rd, Southport.

203-254-2633. Sabita@SabitaHolisticCenter.com.

SabitaHolisticCenter.com.

High-Powered Healing – 7pm. First Wednesday.

Easy ways to well heal on all levels. Intuitive insight, easy methods for daily wellness, how to determine quality foods and abundance. $20. Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown.

203-426-9448. Trinity@TrinityProduction.org.

TrinityProduction.org.

Group Money Coaching Circle – 7-8:30pm. 6-week course. If you aren’t experiencing the financial life you desire, this is an opportunity to dive in and discover what’s holding you back. Transform negative patterns and behaviors that are blocking you from abundance and joy. $55/per session. Donaldson Financial Wellness LLC, 191 Post Rd West, Westport. 203-221-2848. Bill@DonaldsonFWN.com.

DonaldsonFWN.com.

A Course In Miracles – 7-8:30pm. Study group where anyone can come without fear of being judged, a place where feelings can be shared in a loving, accepting atmosphere and above all, a place to enhance fun and inspire a sense of joy and laughter. $10/suggested donation. Soul Healing Journey, LLC, 40 Livingston St, Fairfield.

203-767-5954. Eilis@SoulHealingJourney.com.

SoulHealingJourney.com.

Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Experience bliss, peace, joy and deep healing. This is not your traditional silent or guided meditation class. This meditation will bring change into your life. By donation.

Muktinath Holistic Center, 755 Main St (Rte 25), Monroe. 203-518-5808. MuktinathHC@gmail.com.

MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.

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

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

ReddingMeditation.org.

Open Flow Yoga – 6:15-7:15pm. With Shannon Aleksa. In this vinyasa flow, movement is synchronized to the breath. It will almost always include

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ongoingcalendar Journey Group – 7-9pm. First Wednesday. With Cindy Miller. If you are looking to get unstuck, learn more about self-empowerment, becoming a healing facilitator, than this is the group for you. $20.

Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown. 203-426-9448. Cindy@TrinityProduction.org.

TrinityProduction.org.

Sacred Spirit’s Reiki Shares — 7-9pm. Second and fourth Wednesday. With Valerie Tarangelo R.M. Mini healing sessions. In healing others healers are also healed themselves. All welcome. $10.

Albertson Memorial Church, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 203-344-9311.

Using Smart Body (Kinesiology) for Everyday Situations– 7-9pm. Third Wednesday. Learn how to sense the energy of foods, supplements, books, places and more. Learn how to change energy. Presentation and discussion. $20. Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown. 203-377-6162.

Bruce.Zboray@yahoo.com. TrinityProduction.org.

Holistic Moms Network Fairfield County, CT Chapter – 7:30pm. Second Wednesday. Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care, 156 East Ave, Norwalk. Home.Homewebs.com/ HMNFairfieldCtyCT. Learn to Love Yourself – 7:30-9:30pm. Second Wednesday. With Ginny Brown and Ellen Kratka. Little-known spiritual truths applied to everyday life. Let go of negative judgment and unconditionally accept yourself. $40. By phone or internet. 203-263-2643. E.Kratka@sbcglobal.net.

Results-BeyondBelief.com.

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

thursday Tai Chi Classes – 9:30-10:30am. With June Fagan, Tai Chi Instructor. A slow movement meditation for all levels of fitness. Known to reduce stress, increase focus, balance and improve self and well-being. $25/drop-in, $85/1-class per week $150/unlimited classes month. Kindred Spirits, 59 Ledgewood Rd, Redding. 203-938-3690. JTKindredSpirit@gmail. com. KindredSpiritsCenter.com.

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

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

ReddingMeditation.org.

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.

EFT Tapping Circle Meetup – 7-8:30pm. Second and fourth Thursdays. Come learn about your energy body. Every month will be a different topic or exercise.

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No experience needed, all are welcome. $15.

Location given with RSVP. 203-247-1318. Robin@ RobinFriedman.net. EnergyToolsForDailyLiving.com.

Meditating Holistically – 7-8:30pm. With Urgyan, a Western Buddhist lama sharing a rich practice of traditional meditation guidance directed toward holistic integration. Group meditation and discussion, devoted to our mutual innermost truths. $15. YogaSpace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-YOGA or Danbury Area Vajrayana Buddhist Meditation on Meetup.com.

Medicine Wheel Teaching – 7-9pm. With Scott Nelson. Teachings of the ancient Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel, used by generations of Native Americans for health and balance. Come to one or all 5 evenings. Registration Required. $40. Lotus Wellness Center, 46 Pemberwick Rd, Greenwich.

203-531-4784. Info@LotusWellnessCtr.com.

Reiki Healing Circle – 7-9pm. Second Thursday. All welcome. Non-Reiki and 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, UnityCenterNorwalk.org.

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

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

Free Mommy and Me Yoga – 10am. With Brooke de Weaver. We supply water and mats - just bring yourself and your kids. Free. Yogasmoga Townhouse, 68 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich.

Somatics – 10:30-11:30am. With Darlene Carman.

The practice of body awareness and using the body to heal itself. Class Pack or $17 (+tax). Naam Yoga Connecticut, 164 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. 203-7302400. Info@NaamYogaCT.com. NaamYogaCT.com.

Women’s Wisdom Group – 10:30am-12:30pm.

Women support each other through the process of recognizing and embracing one,s full, authentic beings and, in doing so, nurturing their highest potential.. $30. SunRaven, 501 Guard Hill Rd, Bedford.

914-218-3113. SlowMedicine.org.

Student Massage Therapy Clinic – 11am-noon.

Relax and enjoy a 50-minute, full-body massage for only $20 at our Danbury Campus public clinic. $20.

44 Shelter Rock Road, Danbury. KMCCaffrey@ Ridley.edu. Ridley.edu.

Apothecary Hours – 11am-4pm. Meet like-minded folks and learn about what we do at Twin Star Herbal and Energetic Studies. Free. Twin Star Herbal Education, 65 Bank St, New Milford. 203-313-7883.

Info@TwinStarTribe.com. TwinStarTribe.com.

Gentle Naam Yoga – 3:30-4:45pm. With Darleen Driver. Gentle introductory class to learn about the special benefits of the Naam Yoga practice. Class Pack or $17 (+tax). Naam Yoga Connecticut, 164 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. 203-730-2400. Info@NaamYogaCT.com.

NaamYogaCT.com.

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

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.

Vinyasa Flow – 5:30-6:30pm. With Patricia Voorhees. Class guides you through classical yoga poses with attention to breath and mind-body awareness.

Class Pack, or $17 (+tax). Naam Yoga Connecticut, 164 Greenwood Ave. Bethel. 203-730-2400. Info@ NaamYogaCT.com. NaamYogaCT.com.

Discussion with Spirit – 7:30-9:45pm. Last Friday.

An evening of messages from Spirit and loved ones.

Bring questions, receive channeled information specifically geared to you. Receive help in empowering yourself to navigate this lifetime. $40. Call or email for location. EarthAndHealing@hotmail.com.

saturday 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.

Love Yourself Fit Meetings – 8:30am. Support for your sacred journey of real weight loss. Meetings offer you a place to be accountable to your highest vision for your healthiest self. $15. Insights Wellness Center, 458 Monroe Tpke, Monroe. 203-260-9353.

ChrisGuerrera@me.com. InsightsWellnessCenter.com.

Community Yoga and Meditation – 8:30-10:30am.

First Saturday. 4/4, 4/1 and 4/29. With Greg Barringer. Practice yoga, relax deeply to a gong meditation and share light refreshments. All welcome. $25/ suggested donation. Saint Luke’s Parish Youth Center, 1864 Post Rd, Darien. 203-722-2025. Greg@ ShaktiAnanda.yoga. Shaktiananda.yoga.

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

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

ReddingMeditation.org.

Intro to Power Vinyasa Flow – 10:30-11:30am.

With Janelle Taylor. Powerful, energetic form of yoga where students fluidly move from one pose to the next while connecting their breathing to their movements. $22/drop-in. $10/new student, drop-in.

LifePath Yoga & Wellness, 430 Main Ave, 2nd Fl, Norwalk. 203-354-7070. Nina@LifePathYoga.net.

LifePathYoga.net.

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

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

DrCummins@ShalvaClinic.org. ShalvaClinic.org.

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

communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care 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.

ASTROLOGY

ACUPUNCTURE

DARK MOON ASTROLOGY

KURT BEIL, ND, LAC, MPH

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

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

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

Thomas@ManInMotionLLC.com.

DO YOU LOVE NATURAL AWAKENINGS? Would you like to help spread the word about natural health and personal empowerment?

Contact Publisher Nicole Miale today about becoming a Community Street Team member to represent the magazine at some of our many upcoming community events. NicoleM@ NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

OFFICE SHARES LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST/ INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. I have my own private practice on Rt 7 in Ridgefield. I’m looking to share space with another PT female therapist. A great opportunity for someone with a client base looking to build their own private practice. LisaRuffleslmt@gmail.com.

OFFICE SHARE AVAILABLE in a professional building in Sandy Hook. Generously sized sunlit office and a smaller office that can be used as a waiting room or second treatment room: Furnished. Please call for details. 203-313-1560.

PRODUCTS “GROWING YOUR OWN GROCERIES” is much more than a book about gardening.

All nutrition begins in the soil and I also include a low-maintenance growing system.

Mark.Debarbieri@gmail.com HOME OF THE $10 YARD STATUE. Pet memorials, Angels, Buddha statues, Bird baths.

Many dog breeds. Shipping worldwide.75 Laura St, Tiverton, Rhode Island. 401-314-6752.

SpringhillStatuary.com. Open year round.

Michele Leigh LLC DarkMoonAstrology.com

72 North St, Ste 100A, Danbury 914-362-8315 DrKurt@earthlink.net HudsonValleyNaturalHealth.com Naturopathic and Chinese medicine for acute and chronic disease, including acupuncture, botanical medicine, cupping, moxa, homeopathy, nutritional and lifestyle counseling, mindbody medicine, ecotherapy and functional lab testing. Helpful for muscle/joint pain and headaches, autoimmune disease, digestive disorders, mental health; boosting immune function; balancing hormones; tobacco addiction; and stress reduction. See ad, page 31.

INGRI BOE-WIEGAARD, LAc

Providing birth chart analysis, synastry readings, progressions and solar returns. A practitioner of ancient astrology and planetary magic, Michele is an active member of the International Society of Astrological Research (ISAR). She is the author of the fantasy novel, Tales of the Deer Witch and produces a monthly podcast to coincide with the full moon. See ad, page 14.

BEHAVIORAL THERAPY THE CENTER FOR COGNITIVE & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (CCBH) 5 Sylvan Rd South, Westport 888-745-3372 • 203-307-5788 CCBHTherapy.com

Fairfield, Wilton, Bethel 203-259-1660 • CTAcupuncture.com 25-year full-time practice Ingri treatments help alleviate pain, depression, neck and back, anxiety, headaches, stress, allergies, asthma, arthritis, digestive, menstrual, infertility and smoking and weight-loss issues. See ad, page 13.

JAMPA STEWART, MSOM, LAc

Board Certified Acupuncturist Valley Spirit Wellness 6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot 860-619-2788 • ValleySpiritCoop.com Concierge care for those suffering from pain, internal disorders, menstrual issues and menopause, infertility, depression and anxiety, insomnia, addiction, fatigue, tuneups and more. Facial rejuvenation/ cosmetic acupuncture also offered.

See ad, page 7.

The Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Health (CCBH) provides individualized mental health services in a warm, holistic environment. Our Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) teams offer individual, group, and family sessions, as well as skills coaching for all age groups. Our CCBH team offers these therapies along with yoga, mindfulness, meditation and naturopathic services.

See ad, page 25.

BIOFEEDBACK ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE, EDD, LPC, BCN, LLC 898 Ethan Allen Highway Offices in Ridgefield & Newtown 203-438-4848 DrRoseannInfo@att.net DrRoseann.com

Advanced Bio-Regulation (BRT) is a unique approach to health and wellness that uses Biofeedback and PEMF-based Electromagnetic Technology to help the body better self-regulate, adapt and heal naturally. It is used for chronic pain, depression, anxiety, hormonal issues, Lyme, etc.

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BIOFEEDBACK

CHIROPRACTIC

OPTIMAL MIND

PETER BRAGLIA, DC

Biofeedback/neurofeedback for ADHD, enhanced focus, peak performance, test stress, anxiety, chronic pain, headaches, insomnia, anger, meditation, mindfulness training and more. Dr. Edwards is board certified and NYS licensed.

Physician and self-referrals welcome.

As a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, Dr. Braglia has received advanced training in Pediatric Adjusting and Prenatal Care, including the Webster Technique.

We are proud to serve patients from all over Fairfield and New Haven Counties with our unique and gentle approach to health care.

Lawrence Edwards, PhD, BCN, LMHC 2 Byram Brook Pl, Armonk, NY 914-219-8600 OptimalMind.net

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY ALBA THERMAL IMAGING LLC

Safe, painless early detection 71 East Ave, Ste D, Norwalk 203-856-1421 • AlbaThermalImaging.com

True Health Family Chiropractic 7365 Main St, Stratford 203-923-8633 TrueHealthCT.com

JILL M. CAPALBO, DC, CCSP Stamford 203-323-0522 CapalboChiropractic.com

With over 30 years experience in bodywork, Dr. Jill Capalbo is a certified chiropractic sports physician with additional certifications in Graston Technique, FAKTR and KinesioTaping as well as being a licensed massage therapist and Reiki Master.

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

CANCER SUPPORT THERAPIES DORETTE LEWIS-SENIOR, ND, MSAC, BS-RN, LCM Yale New Haven Health, Integrative Medicine 5520 Park Ave, Trumbull 855-735-2533 • Drs2Health.com

Dr. Lewis-Senior has been a Naturopathic physician and healthcare provider for more than thirty years combined. Her focus is on womens’ health, especially cancer, diabetes, weight and pain.

She is experienced using multiple modalities to establish health and bring about healing. Some insurance accepted.

KERRY HARDY, RN, HNB-BC, RMT, CCH

RISA SLOVES, DC

Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care 156 East Ave, Norwalk 203-838-1555 • CTChiropractic.com Dr. Risa Sloves is 1 of 12 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.

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.

Holistic Heaven 203-895-5134 HolisticHeavenWellness.com MyDoterra.com/HolisticHeavenWellness

As a holistic nurse, I understand the importance of balancing traditional medicine with alternative complementary therapies to heal the mind, body and spirit. Offering health and nutritional counseling as a Certified Holistic Cancer Educator, Reiki, pranic healing and crystal therapy, aromatherapy with dōTERRA essential oils. Specializing in working with patients experiencing chronic pain, chronic disease and cancer. See ad, page 31.

COLONICS BY DAWN Dawn Andreozzi 203-908-1950 ColonicsByDawn.com

personal care. Se

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Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

Are you ready to cleanse, tone and rebuild your inner body? Then colon hydrotherapy is for you! Our closed system is safe and comfortable. Dawn Andreozzi is an I-ACT Certified Colon Hydrotherapist. Schedule an appointment in our Stratford office today.

natural awakenings

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE LLC

501 Kings Hwy E, Ste 108, Fairfield 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.

ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPES ECOSCAPES

Rick Bednar 18 Eleanor Rd, Seymour 203-414-4605 RickBednar@gmail.com Ecoscapes is an ecological landscape company that combines more structural design, such as Japanese-style spirit gardens, with wildlife habitats and native plantings. We construct functional landscapes that bring the human spirit closer to our beautiful, natural planet and create healthy environments for us, our children and pets. See ad, page 19.

EDUCATION INSTITUTE FOR HOLISTIC HEALTH STUDIES

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

WESTBROOK NATURE SCHOOL 7 Long Ridge Rd, West Redding 203-664-1554 Info@WestbrookNatureSchool.org WestbrookNatureSchool.org

A nature-based education on six acres of trails, streams and meadows, with an organic garden and natural playscapes.

Our curriculum builds physical and emotional resilience, moral awareness and the foundation required for intellectual growth. See ad, page 26.

END OF LIFE ALLIANCE FOR CONSCIOUS TRANSITIONING

At the Liphe Balance Center of Weston 203-912-2791 AllianceFCT.com Our mission is opening the conversation and providing resources, programs and services, to support and embrace end-of-life transition. The Alliance was born out of a deep desire to honor, respect and meet the needs of individuals and their families at the end-of-life. See ad, page 11.

ENERGY HEALING BETH LEAS

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

Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 35.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE MARK JOACHIM, DC, FIAMA

Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care 156 East Ave, Norwalk 203-838-1555 • CTNutritionCenter.com Dr. Joachim has been in private practice since 1990, specializing in nutrition, natural allergy elimination and functional medicine.

Through specialized testing, he identifies subtle changes in individual physiology which may be at the root of troubling symptoms. Addressing the underlying dysfunction can help you feel better, for good. See ad, page 18.

TAMARA SACHS, MD

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

HAIR LOSS & TRICHOLOGY LISA PRIMPS, TRICHOLOGIST, HLP, AT The Primping Place Spa 500 Newfield Ave, Ste 9, Stamford 203-325-9565 • ThePrimpingPlace.com

Fairfield County’s first location offering the XTC Multi Theraputic Hair Growth System including non-invasive, low level laser therapy—clinically proven and shown to be safe and effective at regrowing hair and creating a healthy scalp. The Primping Place also offers electrolysis and clinical skin care since 1992.

HEALING CENTER

ROOTS RISING ALCHEMY

Melissa Conroy, CHC 203-673-9491 RootsRisingAlchemy@gmail.com Offering 1:1 health coaching services including the “The 90 Day Total Transformation Program” and “14-Day Cleanse Reset”.

Book your free Total Transformation Discovery Session now at RootsRisingAlchemy.com to discover what has been keeping you from having the health and body you want, develop a powerful vision for what a total transformation means for you and your life, discover which foods and lifestyle habits are sapping your energy and bringing you down (and what to do about it!), and get crystal clear on a stepby-step plan to create a total transformation in 90 days or less. Change your Habits, Change your Life.

THE RUBY TREE

Metaphysical Shop & Healing Space Sherman Village, 670 Main St S, Woodbury 203-585-1655 TheRubyTreeCT.com Rocks and crystals, magical objects, singing bowls, herbal candles and more. Local artisans, an array of holistic practitioners, a monthly Mystical Market fair, regularly scheduled psychics/mediums/intuitives, yoga, meditation, and workshops galore—all to enhance the health of your mind, body and spirit. See ad, page 10.

HEALTH COACH

HOLISTIC DENTIST MARK A BREINER, DDS, FIAOMT 501 Kings Hwy East, Ste 108, Fairfield 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 soughtafter speaker and lecturer.

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

HYPNOSIS

MARY GILBERTSON, MS, BSN,CHHC

Licensed RN, Nutritionist and 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 and stress reduction. 28 years of experience supporting teens and adults in healthy lifestyle. Available for speaking engagements and health events.

HEALING TREE WISDOM

Thea Litsios, CHy, 2103 Main St, Ste 2, Stratford 203-693-1493 HealingTreeWisdom.com Use the power of your whole mind to transform your life: Hypnosis for weight loss, smoking cessation, stress relief, and past life review. Certified teacher of Active Dream work. Individual dream consultations available, as well as workshops and monthly Dream Groups. See ad, page 11.

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

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

Certified Hypnotherapist, Thought Field Therapy, Time Line Therapy, NLP and Complementary Medical Hypnosis, since 1989. See ads, pages 22 and 45.

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INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE INGELS FAMILY HEALTH Cindy Wechsler, APRN 22 Fairfield Pl, Fairfield 203-254-9957 Info@DarinIngelsND.com DarinIngelsND.com

I am a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with 26 years experience, Certified Educator of Infant Massage, Holistic Health Counselor. I offer well and acute care for ages birth through young adults, with a focus on integrative medicine. Specializing in breastfeeding counseling, nutrition, food sensitivities, vaccine and weight loss counseling, and guidance with constipation.

I provide health coaching to all ages.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE PHYSICIAN MICHAEL FINKELSTEIN, MD, FACP, ABIHM SunRaven: The Home of Slow Medicine 501 Guard Hill Rd, Bedford, NY 914-218-3113 SlowMedicineDoctor.com

Insightful health evaluations with customized medical guidance.

Consultation and holistic-lifestyle teaching and coaching aimed at attaining enhanced health and wellness on every level.Uniquely qualified to offer a second opinion from a Holistic Perspective. See ad, page 20.

INTEGRATIVE NATURAL MEDICINE

DARLENE ALVAREZ MADDERN SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Ken Hoffman, DAc, (RI), LAc, CCH, Medical Director Chris Maslowski, LAc, Resident Practitioner 31 Old Rte 7, Brookfield 203-740-9300 • INM.Center Using naturopathic and Chinese medical principles, we get to the source of your health concerns.

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

INTEGRATIVE OPTOMETRY EYECARE ASSOCIATES, PC

Randy Schulman, MS, OD, FCOVD Stephen Carr, OD, Narvan Bakhtiari, OD Brian Rodrigues, OD, Jason Rutherford, OD Locations: 6515 Main St, Trumbull • 203-374-2020 444 Westport Ave, 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 44.

HENRY C. SOBO, MD

Optimal Health Medical LLC 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-348-8805 • DrSobo.com Dr. Sobo provides Natural Hormone therapy, weight-reduction programs, IV vitamin/minerals treatments, allergy evaluation and treatment, fibromyalgia care and treatment for a wide variety of problems utilizing an Integrative Medicine approach.

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.

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LIFE COACHING

LEGAL SERVICES LAW OFFICES OF KIRSTEN E. BENNETT 27 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury 203-648-9883 50 Main St, White Plains, NY 914-246-2906

Advocacy, Representation, Communication. Kirsten Bennett is a solo practitioner with offices in Danbury and White Plains, NY. Her practice handles real estate, estate planning and probate, personal injury and criminal defense.

“My firm is committed to providing you with effective advocacy, quality representation and the highest level of personal service.”

Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley Edition

natural awakenings

“Create With Your Thoughts” Life Empowerment Coach, Teacher, Speaker and Mentor QSCA Certified Law of Attraction Coach, MA Sociology 860-488-2619 CreateWithYourThoughts.com

life you want!

I empower my clients to move beyond their limiting beliefs, strengthen their sense of self worth and confidence to create the happiness, abundance, home, health and relationships they have always wanted. Create the

MASSAGE & BODYWORK JIIVA YOGA, REIKI AND MASSAGE CENTER

2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford 203-345-7747 JiivaCenter.com We offer Traditional, Thai Massage and Prenatal massage.

At Jiiva Massage, our goal is to provide our clients with a variety of experienced therapists and modalities to choose from. Our hope is to provide you with an assortment of different techniques so you can find what works best for your individual needs. See ad, page 49.

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

Robin has been providing massage and Reiki for over 15 years. Specializing in Swedish, Pregnancy, Trigger Point, Injuries and Infant/Child Massage Instruction. Sessions are individualized to meet your needs. See ad, page 25.

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.

VALLEY SPIRIT WELLNESS

6 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot 860-619-2788 ValleySpiritCoop.com Meditation can be easier to master than you think. Taoist, Buddhist and generic meditation.

Beginners and experienced practitioners both welcome. See ad, page 7.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN INGELS FAMILY HEALTH Darin Ingels, ND, BCIP 22 Fairfield Pl, Fairfield 203-254-9957 Info@DarinIngelsND.com DarinIngelsND.com

Naturopathic physician, boardcertified in Integrated Pediatrics, I specialize in Lyme disease, autistic spectral disorders and other immune and autoimmune disorders such as asthma, allergies, eczema and persistent infections. I work with all ages and utilize the best of natural and conventional medicine to help you achieve your health goals.

INGELS FAMILY HEALTH Nina Manipon, ND 22 Fairfield Pl, Fairfield 203-254-9957 Info@DarinIngelsND.com DarinIngelsND.com

I offer holistic care for the whole family and support for conditions including but not limited to digestive issues, thyroid conditions, women’s health, and pediatric health. I utilize natural therapies such as acupuncture, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, nutrition, and herbal medicine to achieve optimal health and wellness.

INGELS FAMILY HEALTH Mark Sanders, ND 22 Fairfield Pl, Fairfield 203-254-9957 Info@DarinIngelsND.com DarinIngelsND.com

Naturopathic physician specializing in musculoskeletal and neurological conditions along with immune, autoimmune disorders and Inflammatory conditions. I utilize all aspects of Naturopathic medicine along with Craniosacral Therapy to create individualized treatment plans that focus on the cause and treating the whole person. I work with all ages in both acute and chronic care.

NATURAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE LLC

Adam Breiner, ND, Director Elena Sokolova, MD, ND David Brady, ND, CCN, DACBN 501 Kings Hwy E, Ste 108, Fairfield 203-371-8258 • WholeBodyMed.com

Lisa Singley, ND, MS 2103 Main St, Ste 2, Stratford 203-874-4333 Info@NHAWC.com • NHAWC.com We use advanced diagnostic testing with safe, effective, all-natural healing modalities and treatment options to treat acute and chronic conditions, restore balance and treat the mind, body and spirit.

Specialists in endocrine disorders, digestive issues, pain management and chronic fatigue. We offer comprehensive solutions to prevent illness and maintain optimal health for body, mind and spirit.

NORTHEAST NATURAL MEDICINE, LLC

Shawn M. Carney, ND 19 Church Hill Rd, Ste 1, Newtown 129 Main St N, New Morning Market, Woodbury 800-723-2962 NortheastNatMed.com Info@NortheastNatMed.com Integrative naturopathic medicine clinic and therapeutic massage center for the whole family.

Services include advanced diagnostic testing, detoxification programs, personalized nutrition, acupuncture, low level laser and botanicals. Insurance accepted. See ad, page 13.

MARVIN P. SCHWEITZER, ND

Wellness Institute 1 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203-847-2788 • DrMarvinSchweitzer.com Family Health Care using all natural therapies for 25 years. Acupuncture, bioidentical hormones, homeopathy, Chinese/ Western herbs, allergy/toxin testing, oxygen therapy, Meridian stress assessment, nutrition/ enzyme therapies. See ad, page 8.

SHALVA CLINIC LLC

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.

NEUROFEEDBACK ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE, EDD, LPC, BCN, LLC 898 Ethan Allen Highway Offices in Ridgefield & Newtown 203-438-4848 DrRoseannInfo@att.net DrRoseann.com

We work with children, adolescents, teens, adults and families around a variety of issues with non-medication therapies. We provide brain-based treatments like Neurofeedback, Biofeedback, EFT, Hypnosis, Meditation, etc.

Our staff provides non-judgmental support to help alleviate stress and promote wellness.

OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN

Ellen M Lewis, ND, Director 8 Lincoln St, Westport 203-916-4600 • ShalvaClinic.org

DAVID L. JOHNSTON, DO

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, back cover.

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

Dr. Johnston has been providing gentle, holistic hands-on osteopathic manual treatment and nutrition for over 20 years. Excellent for newborns, birth trauma, concussions, headaches, sports injuries, neck and back pain, digestive issues, brain support, stress, fibromyalgia, detoxification and weight loss, specialized bloodwork. See ad, page 26.

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PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL COUNSELING CHRISTINE GUERRERA, LMFT

PsychoSpiritual Therapy and Coaching 203-260-9353 ChrisGuerrera@me.com InsightsWellnessCenter.com

PSYCHOTHERAPY OPTIMAL MIND

Lawrence Edwards, PhD, BCN, LMHC 2 Byram Brook Pl, Armonk, NY 914-219-8600 OptimalMind.net Integrative psychotherapy: depression, anxiety, addictions, relationships, and more. Dr. Edwards is a NY lic. psychotherapist with 40 years of experience compassionately working with adults to realize their goals.

Meditation and mindfulness training are also offered.

Non traditional holistic sessions to free and empower yourself on your path of healing and awakening with a blend of psycho-spiritual therapy, energetics and universal wisdom.

ROBIN QUEEN-FINKELSTEIN

SunRaven: The Home of Slow Medicine 501 Guard Hill Rd, Bedford, NY 914-218-3113 SlowMedicineTherapist.com Offering a whole-being, integrative approach to wellness, nurturing clients into health on the emotional, spiritual, mental and physical levels. Following one’s heart to Re-envision life in order to flourish.

See ad, page 20.

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PSYCHOTHERAPY

ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE, EDD, LPC, BCN, LLC 898 Ethan Allen Highway Offices in Ridgefield & Newtown 203-438-4848 DrRoseannInfo@att.net DrRoseann.com

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

MARIA C. CASTILLO, MSW, LCSW 238 Monroe Tpke, Ste B, Monroe 203-445-8966 • Msisi@aol.com LifeBetweenLivesTherapy.com

ROBIN ORDAN, LCSW

Family, Child, Individual and Couples Therapy Old Greenwich/Stamford 203-561-8535 • RobinOrdanLCSW.com Robin has more than 18 years of experience working with families and children. Specializing in divorce, parent/child conflict, grief, attachment/ bonding, child development and parenting. See ad, page 14.

NANCY SCHERLONG, LCSW

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

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

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.

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.

Your ad could be featured here Reach over 60,000 Natural Awakenings readers by placing your ad here. Call for more info. 203-885-4674 68

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TURNING POINT REIKI LLC

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

JIIVA YOGA, REIKI AND MASSAGE CENTER

2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford 203-345-7747 JiivaCenter.com Berta Prevosti is a Usui and Karuna Reiki Master and has been practicing Reiki for over 20 years.

We also have several experienced Reiki Masters and practitioners.

We offer private Reiki sessions for physical and emotional pain. We also have ongoing Reiki Classes that are taught in the traditional Usui method by Berta. See ad, page 49.

ROLFING/STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION WELCOME TO GRAVITY

Yoni Hormadaly, LMT 109 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield 203-550-6888 StructuralTransformations.com Yoni has been practicing Structural Integration since 2002. Specializing in improving the relationship between the human body and gravity. Flat feet, chronic pain and discomfort, improvement in athletic pursuits, general self improvement, are some of the reasons clients of all ages have sought out this work. Free phone consultation.

WESTPORT ROLFING

Kaia Yoga Studio, Westport and Fairfield near Merritt exit 46 Sachi: 203-216-9720 Sachi@WestportRolfing.com Mikel: 203-216-9770 Mikel@WestportRolfing.com Providing Rolfing Structural Integration to Fairfield County. We provide soft tissue manipulation and movement re-education for postural, functional and chronic pain issues with offices in Westport and Fairfield. See ad, page 11.

SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER HUNTER HEALING HANDS

Jessica C. Hunter 203-916-8381 HunterHealingHands@hotmail.com HunterHealingHands.com Healing sessions in shamanic healing, Melody crystal healing, Reiki, shamanic intuitive readings. Accredited and certification training programs in Reiki, crystal healing and shamanic healing. See ad, page 15.

SPIRITUAL CONSULTING

Stacey Lyons is a Certified Energy Healer and Certified Medium who has performed international medium readings. Specializes in Spiritual Consulting, Space/Land Clearing, Energy Healing, Herbal and Essential Oil based spiritual products and more.

Start your spiritual journey with us today.

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

787 Main St S, Woodbury 203-586-1172 NaturalSaltHealing.com

Richard is a Reiki Master/Teacher and intuitive reader. He specializes in home and property cleansings.

Come and experience the healing attributes of Reiki and discover spiritual guidance and awareness, with over 30 years of experience.

WELLNESS CENTER

Combining an array of natural therapies that have been used since ancient times with today’s technology, Salt of the Earth Spa provides a sanctuary for deep transformation, healing and grounding for Mind, Body and Spirit. See ad, page 17.

SALT OF THE EARTH HEALING ARTS SANCTUARY/ATHENA HALL 346 Main St S, Woodbury 203-405-2241/203-586-1172

1492 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-356-5822 7eFitSpaCT1@gmail.com 7eFitSpa.com

Stacey Lyons 914-336-7693 Contact@ElysianLD.com ElysianLD.com

JAMPA STEWART, MSOM, LAc

SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA

Richard Wlodarski, RMT 2505 Main St, Ste 209B, Stratford 203-605-0773 Rich@SpiritualArts.info SpritualArts.info

7eFIT SPA

ELYSIAN LIFE DESIGN

TAI CHI/QI GONG

SPIRITUAL ARTS LLC

7eFit Spa offers a variety of aesthetic services and noninvasive techniques to support mind-body wellness. Services include antiaging and oxygen facials with aromatherapy, Torc Plus bioelectric stimulation for muscle activation and weight-loss, infrared sauna and the DietMaster weight-loss program. See ad, page 18.

Calling on the spirit of the past, the energy of the present and the promise of the future, a space of calm and beauty, healing and restoration of the body and spirit, Salt of the Earth Healing Arts Sanctuary offers a tranquil place to refresh and renew in a house charged with the energy of old. Beautiful Athena Hall, inside the Sanctuary, can be rented to likeminded ™ people for classes, workshops, lectures and special events. See ad, page 17.

Fit Spa

A new way to looking and feeling good.

STERN WELLNESS CENTER

JIIVA YOGA, REIKI AND MASSAGE CENTER

Berta Prevosti, Usui and Karuna Reiki Master 2900 Main St, Ste 1A, Stratford 203-345-7747 JiivaCenter.com

Relax whileJiivaour is in technology the business of building

community for .yoga and healing. does aWe the work offer yoga classes, a school of

20 North Salem Rd, Cross River, NY 914-763-8000 SternWellnessCenter.com When there is an interference, the body loses its ability to heal. Our goal is to unlock the healing potential within you through holistic approaches; wellness chiropractic and network spinal analysis, massage therapy, integrative nutrition, transformational coaching and Reiki healing. Call today for a complimentary wellness consultation.

No surgery or invasive Reiki, privateprocedures.

Reiki treatments, Develop physical and mental traditional massage therapy, Thai Infrared Sauna •massage, Micro-dermabrasion fitness and find a new harmony meditation classes, of the mind, body and spirit workshops andWaxing community events.

Myolift • Torc • Body using ancient Chinese arts.

See ad, page 49.

SUNRAVEN: THE HOME Starting with basic movements,Diet Master • Oxygen Bar • Reiki OF SLOW MEDICINE warm-up techniques and breathing Dermalogica SALTANAFacials CAVE • Oxygen Facials 501 Guard Hill Rd, Bedford, NY exercises, you will learn a set of 590 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield Teeth Whitening 914-218-3113 flowing natural movements done slowly with 203-969-4327 SlowMedicine.org calmness, balance and awareness. Weekly classes, SaltanaCave.com weekend workshops and retreats. See ad, page 7.

Promoting and supporting health Fairfield County’s first and and wellness; facilitating comonly therapeutic Himalamunity-centered experiential and yan salt cave provides TRANSFORMATIVE reflective learning for individurelief from respiratory isals, families, and groups, by ofHEALING sues such as allergies, 1092 High Ridge Road | Stamford, CT 06905 fering educational programs, events, and resources asthma, and side effects of designed to build integrative skills and understand7efitspact1@gmail.com | www.7efitspa.com smoking and pollution. Salt is naturally antiBETH LEAS ing for those looking to holistically care for theminflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal.

See ad, Transformative Healing • Tarot selves, others, and the world in which we live. page 45.

Offices in Norwalk and Ridgefield Transformative programs, holistic medicine, psycho203-856-9566 spiritual counseling; women’s, men’s and couples BethLeas.com • TLCTarot.com groups, garden co-op, cleansing program; special 12-week “immersion”. See ad, page 20.

If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels—greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection.

20 years of intuitive healing experience with adults and children of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 35.

Save Now with Introductory Prices!

Call 203-356-5822

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COSMIC RHYTHMS The Earth Awakens for the Spring Equinox

by Michele Leigh

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displayadvertiserindex 7e Fit Spa

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Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care 18

Nature’s Temptations Healthy Food Market

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The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center: Medical

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Nature’s Way Natural Foods

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The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center: Dental

New Morning Market

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2

Northeast Natural Medicine LLC 13 Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic

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The Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Health

25

Olivette 40

Chamomille Natural Foods

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Premier Lawn Solutions

The Cleanest Touch

19

Robin Ordan, Coach

e enter March with the Sun in mystical, dreamy Pisces. Follow intuition; however, be cautious of seeing things through rose-colored glasses. For better or worse, we may not see things as they really are for the first half of the month.

Venus, the planet that governs how we relate to others, is moving backwards for all of March. In Aries, her detriment, we may feel our interactions with others mirroring a child-like quality. Periods of intense curiosity may suddenly be interrupted by a temper tantrum. Venus retrograde periods are a good time to refresh and renew our ideas about relationships.

March 12 we have a full moon in Virgo, a good time to release those things we are trying to control. Let go of the need for perfectionism. Progress instead of perfection is what we should strive for with this full moon.

March 20 the Sun enters Aries, resetting the zodiac wheel and marking the Vernal/Spring Equinox. This is the launch of the astrological year, a time of balance, equal parts night and day. Our ancestors have celebrated this symbolic point between darkness and light since the beginning of time. The Great Sphinx of Egypt is said to be positioned facing the rising Sun at the Spring Equinox. There is great momentum behind our intentions now with the life force of the Sun in Aries. Big rewards come from taking the time to put our attention into what we truly want to create. Aries brings warmth and a lust for life. Venus and Mercury are both in Aries at the time of the Equinox, intensifying the action-oriented energy and stirring our motivational spirit. On the afternoon of the Spring Equinox, we have a harmonious trine of earthy energy between the Moon (in ambitious Capricorn), Mars (in persistent Taurus) and the North Node (in competent Virgo).

This aspect may encourage us to tap into Mother Nature for inspiration and guidance. If at all possible, get outside today!

On March 28, we close the month with a New Moon in Aries. This truly is a fresh start in the first sign of the zodiac with the promise of a new beginning.

Michele Leigh is an astrologer, author and podcaster. A practitioner of ancient astrology and planetary magic, she is an active member of the Organization for Professional Astrology.

Connect at DarkMoonAstrology.com. See ad, page 14.

Mind-Body Transformation Hypnosis Center

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Money Coaching/Bill Donaldson 35 Natural Awakenings’ Franchise Sales

CT Acupuncture Center/ Ingri Boe-Wiegaard

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Alliance for Conscious Transitioning 11

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CT Nofa Organic Food, Farm and Garden Conference

37

Dark Moon Astrology/ Michele Leigh

14

Michael E. Doyle, MD/ Stamford Integrative Medicine

26

Ecoscapes 19 Noreen Ehrlich

21

Embody the Sacred

25

Eyecare Associates

44

Final Journey LLC

52

Debra Gibson, ND

12

The Graduate Institute

9

3 9

Robin Ordan, LMT

25

Robin Ordan, LCSW

14

Organic Sleep at Sleep Etc

34

Osteopathic Wellness Center

26

Patricia’s Presents

19

Reconnective Healing

71

Ann Reeves

19

The Ridgefield Playhouse

7

The Ruby Tree

10

The Sacred Spirit

20

Salon 469

29

Salon Aponte

9

Saltana Cave

45 17

Hands and Paws Reiki for All

53

Salt of the Earth Healing Sanctuary & Spa

Harbor Harvest

39

Shalva Clinic

72

Healing Tree Wisdom/ Thea Litsios

11

Victoria Shaw, PhD

13

Holistic Heaven/Kerry Hardy

31

Soul Focus/Mela Rispoli

14

Hudson Valley Natural Health/ Kurt Biel, ND

31

Hunter Healing Hands

15

Insight Counseling

48

Inspirit Healing Studios

11

The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition 38 Jiiva Yoga and Wellness Center 49

SoulSong 26 Sun Raven, the home of Slow Medicine

20

Hilda Swaby

35

Total Life Care Center

35

Touch of Sedona

33

Triple Goddess Remedies

14

Unity Center for Practical Spirituality 16

Keller Williams/Miale Team 21 Unleashed 53

Beth Leas 35 Valley Spirit Cooperative &

Wellness Center 7 The Market 41 Wellness Institute/Marvin MicroCurrent Research 45 Schweitzer, ND 8 Mind Body Connection Pilates 17

Westbrook Nature School

26

Mind-Body Transformation Hypnosis Center

Westport Farmers Market

40

Westport Rolfing

11

Whole Foods Market

41

The Yoga Shala

46

45 22

MindPT 5

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PRACTITIONERS DR . E L L E N L E W I S DR . C A R I N E B ON N I S T DR . A N DR E W C U M M I N S DR . M A R A DAV I D S ON DR . NA DI A NO OR I A L E X A N DR A M A S ON, L M T B E V E R LY L E W I S T R AC Y PA R D O

T H E C E N T E R F OR NAT U R A L M E DIC I N E

NATUROPATHIC SERVICES NATUROPATHIC PRIMARY CARE SICK DAY VISITS LAB & DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

VITALITY ENHANCEMENT THERAPIES HYDROTHERAPY CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY MASSAGE THERAPY REIKI SHAMANIC HEALING

SPECIALTY SERVICES FOUNDATION TRAINING EXERCISE PROGRAM PELVIC FLOOR THERAPY ABNORMAL PAP & ESCHAROTIC TREATMENT OZONE THERAPY

COMMUNITY WELLNESS CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

SPECIALTIES DR. ELLEN LEWIS: THYROID DISORDERS, ABNORMAL PAPS, WOMEN’S HEALTH DR. CARINE BONNIST: ANTI-AGING, LYME DR. ANDREW CUMMINS: ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS, CHRONIC PAIN DR. MARA DAVIDSON: INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY DR. NADIA NOORI: ADD/ADHD, AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS EACH PRACTITIONER TREATS THE WHOLE FAMILY INCLUDING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, WEIGHT ISSUES, HEADACHES, FATIGUE, SLEEP DISTURBANCES, DIGESTIVE DISORDERS, COLDS/FLUS, ANXIETY/DEPRESSION, ALLERGIES, PEDIATRICS, AND MORE

T H E C E N T E R F OR NAT U R A L M E DIC I N E 8 LI N C O LN S TR E E T | W E S TPO RT, CT 06880 | ( 203) 916-4600 | INFO@ SH ALVACL INIC.ORG

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