July Issue Natural Awakenings Greater Hartford

EE H E A L T H Y L I V I N G R F

Beyond Factory Farms ‘Big Meat’ Carries High Cost

HEALTHY

GUT TALK

Building a Healthy Microbiome

PLANET

Empowerment as Medicine Use the Keys to Your Wellness

July 2020 | Greater Hartford County Edition | NAHRT.com

July 2020

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Many Paths Many truths One Bridge

BRIDGE HEALING ARTS CENTER Bridge Healing Arts Center is a diverse holistic wellness center, offering the community many choices of complementary and holistic healing modalities, workshops, events, and classes on their journey to wellness.

Meet some of the Bridge community…

Chinese Medicine

Hypnotherapy

Donna M. Gordon, RMT, Tui Na Acupressure, Usui Ryoho Reiki, Qi Gong Therapy, Tong Ren Healing, Tai Chi and Qi Gong Instruction myheartsourcewellness@gmail.com www.heartsourceintegrative.com 860-978-2938

Massage Therapy

Carl Brown Hypnosis Licensed Hypnotherapist Easily change limiting beliefs.

You can have, be, or do anything you want! www.carlbrownhypnosis.com 860-309-9004

Psychic/Mediumship/Events/Workshops

Eric Rodgers, Licensed Massage Therapist, Massage and Anatomy/Physiology Instructor, Myofascial Release, Soft Tissue Mobilization, Cupping, Reiki • erodglmt@gmail.com www.ericrodgers.amtamembers.com 860-748-7443

Keiko Broyles, Psychic Spiritual Medium Willows Healing Path, LLC - Owner Tested Member of Shay Parker’s Best American Psychics • Usui Reiki Master Teacher keiko@keikomedium.com www.keikomedium.com • 860-280-5548

Reiki/Intuitive Readings

Reflexology/Reiki Tara Cornish, Certified Reflexologist, Usui Reiki Master/Teacher, Aromatouch, Bio-Well Health Scans, Infrared Therapy.

Farmington & Torrington Locations Taraholistichands@gmail.com www.HolistichandsCT.com • 860-921-8307

Deborah Lyons, RMT Owner/Operator of The Lotus Petal, LLC Reiki Master Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Psychic/Medium, Nutrition Health Coach LotusPetalReiki@gmail.com www.TheLotusPetalReiki.com • 860-335-4060

Our Village is Growing!

There is currently a wide variety of services available at The Bridge Healing Arts Center.

Please visit our website at www.BridgeHAC.com for a complete list.

If you are a practitioner who is interested to move your practice to The Bridge, please be in touch today!

We have limited space available for you to join our growing village!

��� Main St. | Farmington, CT �6��� | bridgehac.com | 86�-���-���� | info@bridgehac.com 2

Hartford County Edition

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LAUNCHING SOON!

ONE ONLINE DESTINATION FOR TODAY’S TRUSTED “WHOLISTIC” KNOWLEDGE, RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY A NEW

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July 2020 The KnoWEwell Collaborative with benefits for all in the “wholistic” health and well-being ecosystem.

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Natural Awakenings is a family of nearly 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Contents 14 COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR 13 YEARS

20

Natural Awakenings Greater Hartford Seeks New Steward

16 BEYOND

FACTORY FARMS

‘Big Meat’ Comes at High Cost

19 EMPOWERMENT AS MEDICINE

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20 HORMONAL UPS AND DOWNS

Take Control and Feel Better Now

22 FOLLOWING

NATURE’S CUES

Eat Seasonally for Better Health

24 BUILD IMMUNITY ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings, please contact our sales team: Ads@NAHRT.com or 860-507-6392.

Our fax is 860-357-6034.The due date for ads is the 10th of the month prior to publication.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Submit articles, news items and ideas to Editor@NAHRT.com or call 860-507-6392. The due date for editorial is the 8th of the month prior to publication.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit ALL calendar events on our website at NAHRT.com.

The due date for calendar is the 10th of the month prior to publication.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets, call 239-434-9392.

For franchising opportunities, call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

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Hartford County Edition

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YEAR-ROUND

An Ayurvedic Approach to Gut Health

26 YOUR GUT AND YOU 31 CULTIVATING

CONTENTMENT

The Spiritual Discipline of Evoking Joy

DEPARTMENTS 7 news briefs 12 global briefs 13 health briefs 14 community spotlight

24 20 wise words 27 ongoing

events 29 resource

guide 31 inspiration 31 display ad index

Holistic Community Professionals HCP

Our professional team of holistic and natural businesses provides community outreach and education.

We are committed to improving the health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit in the communities we serve.

See more holistic practitioners at: www.HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org To join the HCP contact Shirley R. Bloethe, Executive Director, at 860-989-0033.

Chiropractic/Acupuncture/Nutrition Raya Clinic - Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Nutrition, Spinal Decompression, Physical therapy, Food-sensitivity testing, Cold-laser and Neuropathy treatments 200 Queen St, Southington RayaClinic.com 860-621-2225

Crystal/Sound/White Time Bradford tilden, Universal White Time • Energy, Gemstone and Sound Healing, Distance Healing Sessions, Trauma Clearing, Blockage Removal, Spiritual Development and Empowerment info@CrystalMusicHealing.com www.CrystalMusicHealing.com 860-830-5841

Healing & Wellness Center

Holistic Diabetes Coaching

Lily Holcomb, The Water Lily Holistic Empowerment Center, Intuitive & Mediumship Readings, Empowerment Energy Healings, Groups, Classes & Events • 129 Tolland Stage Rd. Tolland, CT thewaterlilycenter.com 860-756-6391

Laura Estan, RD, LDN, CDE Specializing in mindfulness-based Diabetes health coaching and holistic medical nutrition therapy.

10 Grassmere Avenue Suite 300 West Hartford, CT *Now accepting Medicare Laura.EstanRD.CDE@gmail.com 860-930-0308

Mind • Body • Soul

Professional Intuitive Energy Work Justin Speller, Certified Holistic Practitioner Professional Intuitive Energy Work Source Light Healing Ancestral Energy Clearing Past Life Resolution, EFT www.tapintothelight.com tapintothelight@gmail.com Wethersfield, CT 617-435-7798

Shamanic/Reiki/Sound Healer Denise Cassella, Stairway to Healing Light, LLC Reiki Master/Sound Healer Teacher, Angelic & Spiritual Guide, Interfaith Minister, Shaman, Qigong Instr. CT/RI/Cent. & East. MA Stairway2Healing@gmail.com StairwaytoHealingLight.abmp.com 860-965-6398

Quantum Psychotherapy Celeste E. Mattingly, LCSW, Creator of Celestial Psychology® Quantum Brainstorming Psychotherapy, state-of-the-art multidimensional energy medicine & Tachyon Zero-PointEnergy products for anti-aging, healing, & enlightenment. Insurance accepted for in-person & TeleHealth Psychotherapy celestialempowerment.com 860-798-6176

Transformational Healing Shari Dorman, LPC Inner Mountain Peak Healing, LLC- Owner Licensed Professional Counselor Reiki Master/Teacher InnerMountainPeakHealing.net InnerMountainPeakHealing@gmail.com 860-324-3309

Healing/Coaching Robin Barros, Spirit of the Lotus Integrative Manual Therapy, Medical Shamanism, Holographic Sound Healing, Advanced Soul Coaching® & Past Life Journeys Medical Intuitive, Medium, Channel SpiritoftheLotus.org Columbia, CT 860-709-3903

Naturopathic Physician Dr. Nicole Klughers, ND, PharmD, MSAc Naturopathic Provider & Acupuncture Specialist Vis Wellness Center at Nova Spa Rocky Hill DrNicoleKlughers.com DrNicoleKlughers@gmail.com (234)2-ACU-DOC

Reiki/Sound Therapy Ed Cleveland The Ed Cleveland Reiki & Sound Therapy Training Center, Hartford Sound therapy, Reiki, Classes, Workshops EdReiki3@yahoo.com 860-681-3981

We Welcome You! To join the Holistic Community Professionals, contact Shirley R. Bloethe at 860-989-0033 or ShirleyBloethe.com

SAVE THE DATE! AUGUST 23, 2020 STATEWIDE HOLISTIC SUMMER EXPO PASSPoRt to HEALtH & WELLNESS ExPo Sunday, August 23, 2020 10am - 4pm DoubleTree by Hilton 42 Century Drive, Bristol, CT 06010 75+ Exhibitors and Speakers Free Raffles • Free Drum Healing 4 - 5pm

FREE ADMISSIoN Donations Accepted All door donations to benefit: Hartford Hospital's Integrative Medicine Angie’s Spa and CT Children’s Medical Center.

GRAND PRIZE A Hilton Overnight Stay for Two!

For more information please contact: Shirley R. Bloethe at 860-989-0033 Email: yourholisticevents@gmail.com Facebook.com/events/508429413040751 Vendors apply at: www.yourholisticevents.com July 2020

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from publisher

A

few weeks ago I found a butterfly lying on the ground near my back door, wings intact GREATER HARTFORD but obviously weakened and seemingly unable COUNTY EDITION to fly. It clung fiercely to my finger as I carried it Publisher Nicole Miale over to a crop of pretty purple wildflowers. I gently offered a leaf and, when it climbed on with alacrity,

Managing Editor Patricia Staino I thought my good deed was done. But I couldn’t

Design & Production Kathleen Fellows stop thinking about that butterfly so I did some

Erica Mills research. After a while I checked and the butterfly

Contributing Writers Emily Fritz was exactly where I’d left it, which did not seem Brielle Kelly

Patricia Staino right. I inspected its wings; there were no tears to mend, nothing visible to prevent it from flying.

I offered my finger; it abandoned the leaf and hopped back to me, but its grip was less firm than

Sales & Marketing Shirley R. Bloethe Nicole Miale before; my sense was that it was weakening. I read they often land on people because the salt on our skin offers needed nutrients. Since it chose me over the leaf, even after I added drops of water,

Social Media Amy Hass I thought it must be starving. I dissolved some sugar in warm water and soaked a piece of reus Website Erica Mills able dish cloth, which I held next to my finger where the butterfly was still perched, unmoving.

What happened next was magical... the previously motionless butterfly suddenly hustled CONTACT US itself over my finger so all its legs could rest on the square of dishcloth. Its antennas started 137 Danbury Rd, #323, New Milford, CT 06776 vibrating, first slowly then with rapid force. Its wings, until now folded and barely fluttering, Ph: 860-507-6392 • Fax: 860-357-6034 began to flex and flutter with small then larger, more purposeful movements. It stayed on the Publisher@NAHRT.com • NAHRT.com square for maybe 30 seconds, then moved back to my finger, then moved so half its body was SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $30 on one and half the other. Its antenna and wings started vibrating so fast I feared I had given (for 12 issues) to the above address. it a sugar shock, then suddenly it took off, flying, fluttering, and riding the wind as it ought! It NATIONAL TEAM flew over my head, circled back once, then was gone, disappearing into the nearing sunset.

After months of feeling impotent, frustrated, shocked and worried in the face of illness and

CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne tragedy, those precious few minutes with the butterfly meant the world to me. The encounter

National Editor Jan Hollingsworth gave me renewed hope, for that butterfly seemed to be transitioning and then took off looking

Managing Editor Linda Sechrist vibrant and strong just minutes later. It made me realize anew that in times of sorrow and pain,

National Art Director Stephen Blancett when we feel at our lowest, a well-timed bit of support can truly make a huge difference. As

Art Director Josh Pope long as there is a spark and the potential for aid, all is not lost.

Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert

Whether it’s reaching out to a friend because they’re suddenly on your mind, taking the Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs time to research and educate yourself about COVID-19, racism or an environmental cause, at Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy tending a protest or rally, choosing to vote, speaking to your children about current events, or

National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell any other myriad of steps you can take, your actions – no matter how small they may seem in Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation the moment – could be pivotal for someone or something else. Recognize and use your power 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 for infinite good. The time is now.

Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513

It is bittersweet to announce that this is my last edition at the helm of Natural Awakenings NaturalAwakeningsMag.com Greater Hartford. There are many reasons and the decision was hard to make. I have truly © 2020 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be enjoyed the past three years, getting to know so many of you reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior in this terrific community and having the opportunity to permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed showcase fabulous practitioners and products while inspiring, locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please educating and informing our dedicated readers. The magazine call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. franchise is available for immediate sale; see page 14 for more We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed information about my journey with it and the exciting in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. opportunity now presenting for someone else.

Check with a healthcare professional regarding the

It has been a true pleasure to work with and serve as a appropriate use of any treatment. resource and connector for you these past years.

Natural Awakenings Wishing you love, light and miracles for the rest of your days, Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

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

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Hartford County Edition

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news briefs

Rigpa Reiki in Hartford

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ound healer Ed Cleveland has created Rigpa Reiki to teach others how to build and amplify their innate abilities to heal their own bodies.

He will be teaching these techniques on July 19 from 11am to 4:30pm.

Rigpa, which means “knowing or awareness” in the Dzogchen teachings, refers to the innate, primordial, pure, non-dual awareness of the nature of mind, so be prepared to go deep into your own being and heal your own past, bring happiness to your present and create a positive future. In these Master Classes, no one needs to open you up or breathe attunements into you. This practice is in line with the lifestyle that Usui studied, where women had important roles as healers, where breathing techniques, meditative practices and sounds amplify the energies through the Kotodama practice. The use of mudras and mantras as extended prayers are also included from Cleveland’s in-depth studies of the Bonpo Tradition. Himalayan Bowls will also be part of these studies.

The group will study the Tibetan 5 Elements and learn why they are deeply connected to the five primary energy flows or lights in the body. The word for lung in Tibet is prana, so you will learn how to use the five lights in healing as a modality for your five major organs that feed your five limbs while working with your five senses. The “list of 5s” is extensive and also will be part of the practice.

Attendees will learn about the secret activity of the mind with the internal visualizations and three levels of spiritual practices—external, internal and secret levels. You will learn how the elements become unbalanced and which elements to work with to connect with optimum health and various emotions, temperatures, directions, color, tastes, body types, thinking styles and your character.

The transmission of this program is from Cleveland’s interpretation of many different aspects of personal training collected over his lifetime.

Each level costs the same daily rate of $250 for 5.5 hours.

45 S. Main Street, West Hartford, CT

$ 32 New Student Special: Tai Chi & Qigong

To Register for Workshops CALL 978-790-8888 center@wuhealing.com wuhealing.com

For more information, call 860-681-3981 or visit EdClevelandSoundHealing.com. Location: Ed Cleveland Sound & Reiki Training, 555 Asylum Ave, Hartford. See listing, page 19.

July 2020

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news briefs

Virtual Sound Healing for Racial Reconciliation

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Lydia McClain and Kelvin Young

oin sound healer Kelvin Young and breathwork facilitator Lydia McClain for a monthly night of conversation, connection and community in a Virtual Breathwork and Sound Healing Workshop for Racial Reconciliation and Healing.

This two-hour monthly workshop was formed with the intention to create a safe space for people from all walks of life, skin colors, genders, orientations, identities and ages to come together as a community and heal. Young and McClain’s home base is the Creative Studio at Tainted Inc in Hartford, where they developed this offering with community activist and founder of Tainted Inc, Andrea Cortez. The event began as a monthly, donation-based community gathering in August 2019 and has now become a virtual experience where all are invited to tune in from across the globe for a night of racial reconciliation and healing on the first Friday of every month. Their next virtual offering is on Friday, August 7 at 7pm.

SUMMER GROWTH GROUP Wednesdays: July 1, 15, 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm Designed for therapists, experience the healing power of community and discover your true self with David Gilroy, Psy.D., LPC and Donna Baker-Gilroy, Psy.D.,LPC. Virtual program. $200, series.

The class begins with a group discussion, followed by a one-hour guided breathwork and sound healing meditation. Breathwork is an active form of guided meditation that utilizes dynamic breath, essential oils and music to safely release stuck energy in the body. The active breath is a two-part inhale followed by an exhale, all done while lying down. McClain guides you through the experience, accompanied by a curated musical playlist designed to open up your heart and stimulate any suppressed emotions in the body.

The active breath is followed by a passive resting state, during which Young utilizes crystal and Himalayan singing bowls, gongs, ocean drums, tuning forks, rattles and other healing tools to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. The combination of deep breathing and the vibration of the instruments guides you to drop into a state of deep relaxation to heal the mind, body and spirit. Leave feeling recharged, nourished and with the clarity and focus to show up grounded and energized.

Together, these active and passive healing modalities promote healing from chronic/toxic stress, muscle tension, physical pain, energetic blockages, past traumas, addictive behaviors, PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep issues and other chronic health conditions.

This community class is currently offered on the first Friday of the month in a sliding-scale format ($0 to $50) so everyone can receive healing, regardless of financial limitations.

Young and McClain are available to bring this virtual healing experience to organizations, companies, community centers, families and private groups to create a safe healing container for difficult and necessary conversations around race. They are in the beginning stages of forming a non-profit group, dedicated to creating safe spaces for facilitators and communities of color to access mental health care and holistic healing modalities.

For more information or to reserve your spot, visit LydiaMcClain. com/events and follow the Community Class’ page on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest virtual offerings and events.

COMING HOME TO YOURSELF August 1–5, 2020 Stuart Alpert Psy.D., LCSW and Naomi Lubin-Alpert Psy.D., LMFT integrate the science and the soul of psychotherapy in this long-running transformational workshop.

Virtual program. $950, series.

www.hartfordfamilyinstitute.com | (860) 236-6009 8

Hartford County Edition

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Western CT State Educators Honored

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r. Neeta Connally and Dr. Howell Williams of Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) have been recognized by the Board of Regents of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities for their passion for working with students.

Connally, associate professor of biological and environmental Neeta Connally sciences, was recognized with the system-wide research award, as well as a SCSU campus research award. A medical entomologist who teaches and oversees the Tickborne Disease Prevention Laboratory at WCSU, she is known for her work studying blacklegged ticks, which can carry multiple disease-causing agents including the bacterium that causes Lyme Howell Williams disease. Connally’s research is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency.

For the past 10 years she has spent her summers monitoring tick populations and conducting studies to better understand backyard risk for tick-borne diseases. Connally’s research team includes undergraduate students who learn how to collect and identify ticks, how to properly handle scientific data, and how large-scale research studies work. She and students also collaborate on Lyme disease prevention projects with the Ridgefield Health Department, the Nuvance Health hospital network, Yale Emerging Infections Program, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and the TickEncounter Resource Center at the University of Rhode Island.

Raines, assistant professor of social sciences, was recognized with the campus teaching award for WCSU. Williams is a political scientist who teaches on a range of topics, including American government, political institutions, political theory, and gender and sexuality politics. His classes often use roleplaying games to introduce students to historical events such as the Constitutional Convention and Supreme Court rulings.

The awards — both campus-based and system-wide — recognize faculty for excellence in teaching or research. The awards are given to adjunct faculty members and assistant and associate professors in tenure-track or tenured positions who have distinguished themselves as outstanding teachers, promote instructional improvements for their departments, and are doing exceptional research, scholarly and/or creative work.

Experience the Energy and Enjoy the Benefits of UnIveRsal WHITe TIMe Receive guidance and support for advancing your spiritual development.

Release anxiety, stress and past traumas. gemstone healing • energy work • sound • guided visualization Schedule an introductory session today.

Bradford Tilden Universal White Time 860-830-5841

Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com www.CrystalMusicHealing.com Facebook.com/CrystalMusicHealing

A g n e t a B or s te i n A st rologe r

• Natal Interpretation • Relationships • Business Consultation • Transits - Updates For appointments: 860 -983-5666 www.agnetaborstein.com

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION MASTER OF ARTS DEGREES

Sixth-Year Equivalent, 30 Credit Planned Programs ONE WEEKEND A MONTH

• Integrative Health & Healing • Consciousness & Transpersonal Psychology • Learning & Thinking • Writing & Oral Traditions • Organizational Leadership Voted #1 Holistic School!

THE GRADUATE INSTITUTE Locations Throughout Connecticut!

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Anxious, Depressed, Struggling with Chronic Pain or Weight Gain?

TREAT YOURSELF TO A HEALTHIER YOU, NATURALLY! With a uniquely-integrated healthcare approach, drawing on the wisdom of Ayurveda & Traditional Chinese Medicine.

What are you waiting for?

CALL 917-538-2080 for your 20 minute complimentary phone consultation.

Dr. Skye Roberts Doctor of Acupuncture, Board Certified Chinese Herbalist, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, and Reiki Master.

www.drskyeroberts.com skye@drskyeroberts.com

SK YE ROBERTS

ACUPUNCTURE & AYURVEDA

news briefs

CT Adds Chronic Pain Qualification for MMP

L

ast month, one of the state’s regulatory committees met via Zoom and approved chronic pain as an addition to the conditions eligible under the state’s medical marijuana program (MMP).

More than 41,000 patients receive medical marijuana from dispensaries through the program, and this change in the regulations is expected to open it up to thousands more.

“We realized there are thousands of conditions that have pain associated with them and there’s no way that we as a board or the program could think of and approve all of those conditions individually and separately,” said Dr. Andrew Salner, Hartford Healthcare, Medical Marijuana Board of Physicians.

Chronic pain is one of 38 qualifying conditions for adults. However, to be eligible, patients must have a diagnosis longer than six months, and it must be associated with an underlying condition. In other words, if someone twists their ankle or pulls a muscle while working out, they won’t be eligible for the program.

Even with this change, Connecticut’s program is still considered one of the most regulated in the nation. It’s overseen by the Department of Consumer Protection.

For more information on the program, visit Portal.ct.gov/DCP/Medical-MarijuanaProgram/Medical-Marijuana-Program.

The Gravel Pit Solar Project in East Windsor

D

We stand together to fight racism, injustice, brutality and backlash.

To the black members of our community: we see you, we support you and we stand by you.

10 Hartford County Edition

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eveloper D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) and project developer North Light Energy plan to seek state approval this year for a massive 120-megawatt solar development in East Windsor, which could be the largest array in the Northeast and one of the biggest in the country.

The proposed project, which could generate enough energy to power more than 12,000 homes, would cover 485 acres stretching northeast from the South Windsor town border up to Apothecaries Hall Road.

In April, the Board of Selectmen approved a tax stabilization agreement that would provide about $10 million in local revenue over the next 20 years, but the Connecticut Siting Council has ultimate jurisdiction over any new energy projects that generate 2 megawatts or more in power. D.E. Shaw hopes to begin construction between late 2021 and late 2022.

Gravel Pit was one of nine solar developments, both in and outside of Connecticut, selected by the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in late 2018 to negotiate contracts to sell their energy to Connecticut’s utilities.

Gravel Pit Solar is expected to become the town’s largest taxpayer. The developer plans to encircle the massive property with a fence to discourage illegal use of the land.

There are only a handful of properties with sightlines to the proposed solar panels.

Virtual Therapy Animals Kids Club Summer Sessions

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nimal Assisted Therapy Services will hold its popular For the Love of Therapy Animals Club for kids via Zoom this summer.

Each weekly session provides four days of animal-focused fun from 10am to 1pm. Children will work with AaTs therapy animals, learn to train their own pets, do yoga, hear from guest speakers, make lunch, enjoy dress-up days and volunteer. Cost for the week is $200.

Sessions for ages 12 to 15 are June 29 to July 2 and July 20 to July 23. Sessions for ages 7 to 11 are July 6 to July 9 and July 27 to July 30.

For more information or to register, contact Beth.Patella@ AATSCT.org or call 203-804-5396.

Wellness Relief Fund Launches New Fundraising Campaign

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eclamation Ventures, the group behind the Wellness Relief Fund campaign on Go Fund Me to help wellness instructors and practitioners through microgrants, is launching a second round of fundraising to help those in the wellness community impacted by COVID-19.

The original fund, which began in June 2019 and ran through early this year, raised $158,000 and helped 76 practitioners. The new fund, which will begin accepting donations this month, will provide members of the wellness community with one month of lost wages, up to $2,500.

To donate, visit GoFundMe.com/f/reclamation-impact-grants. To learn more about the organization and the fund, or to apply for a microgrant, visit Reclamationventures.co/relief-fund.

July 2020

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KRIACHKO OLEKSII/Shutterstock.com

Tree Believers

Forest Loss Leads to Spread of Human Disease

A new Stanford University study published in Landscape Ecology reveals viruses like COVID-19 that jump from animals to people will likely become more common as people continue to transform natural habitats into agricultural land.

Researchers found the loss of tropical forests in Uganda put people at greater risk of physical interactions with wild primates and the viruses they carry, with implications for the emergence and spread of infectious animal-to-human diseases in other parts of the world.

People have converted nearly half of the world’s land into agriculture. Tropical forests have suffered the most, with some of the highest rates of conversion occurring during the last few decades. Study co-author Tyler McIntosh says, “At the end of the day, land conservation and the reduction of forest fragmentation is our best bet to reduce human [to] wild animal interactions.”

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Spending Time in Nature Increases Cognitive Performance

More of our time is spent indoors than ever before. One of the ways by which nature may improve cognitive function (i.e., the acquisition of and goal-oriented use of knowledge) is by improving memory formation and recall, specifically that of short-term or working memory, and goaloriented or directed attention; the kind that requires focused effort. By comparing and contrasting 13 studies, a team of researchers has shed light on this complex interaction in research published in Frontiers in Psychology.

The studies used the backward digit span task, which requires participants to invert a series of numbers and repeat them back. All demonstrated significantly improved cognition in nature as compared to urban environments.

The benefits of studies like this are two-fold: not only are we learning more about how the brain interacts with its environment, but also how to leverage this interaction to lead healthier, more productive and happier lives.

the Holistic chamber of commerce is an international organization focused on supporting holistic, complementary, alternative and sustainable professionals, practitioners and businesses in connecticut.

cBd Wellness

Dr. David Tolk, Tolk Wellness Center. Advanced chiropractic; expertise in nerve rehabilitation, NET, & applied kinesiology. Medical Director for OakLeaf Wellness + Health. Vitalibis CBD products.

102 Hopmeadow St, Weatogue, CT Info@TolkWellnessCenter.com 860-651-3521

crystal dreaming/Healing K.T. ‘Suli’ Sullivan Release traumas, fears, blockages & negative energies with Crystal Dreaming™ Sharing the Light Wholistic Center, LLC 395 W. Avon Rd, Avon SharingtheLightWC.com 860-936-0012

drum Building

Reiki

Ed Hare, Fast Eddie Drums Purchase a pre-made drum at Sharing The Light in Avon or sign up to build your own drum. Classes held monthly & by private appointment. sharingthelightwc.com 860-936-0012

Cheryl Case, Sharing the Light Wholistic Center, LLC Reiki sessions and training, Peace Attunements, AngelLink Classes, Buddha Reiki 395 W Avon Rd, Avon SharingtheLightWC.com Cheryl@SharingtheLightWC.com 860-936-0012

12 Hartford County Edition

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Four connecticut chapters aVOn President, Cheryl Case 860-936-0012 Avon@HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com/Avon mOnROe President, Sierra North 203-518-5808 Monroe@holisticchamberofcommerce.com HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com/Monroe Hamden President, Lilian Martinez 203-808-1124 Hamden@HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com/Hamden Willimantic President, Lisa Day-Lewis 860-593-5002 Willimantic@HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com/Willimantic

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Natural Thinking

global briefs

health briefs

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In good news for the 10 to 20 percent of people over age 65 that suffer with mild cognitive impairment, research from China’s Central South University, in Hunan, shows that practicing the gentle ancient martial art of tai chi can significantly improve memory, learning, mental speed and attention, the ability to formulate abstract ideas, mental flexibility and visuospatial perception.

The research analyzed data from 10 studies that included 1,061 people with symptoms such as forgetting conversations and names, and having difficulty with complex tasks. “As it emphasizes mental concentration, physical balance, full-body stretching and relaxation, and relaxed breathing, tai chi has a great potential for becoming widely integrated into rehabilitation interventions for various medical and psychological conditions,” write the study’s authors.

The Earth laughs in flowers. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

OSTILL is Franck Camhi/Shutterstock.com

Reduce Cognitive Decline with Tai Chi

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community spotlight

COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR 13 YEARS

Natural Awakenings Greater Hartford Seeks New Steward

W

hen the first Natural Awakenings edition was published in Naples, Florida 27 years ago, it was to fill a specific community need. Founder Sharon Bruckman wanted to make it easier for people in her area to find information in one place about local farmers’ markets and healthy living activities and events. It may seem quaint in the post-Google era we’re in now, but Natural Awakenings was born from one woman’s honest desire to help people be informed and empowered. That mission has driven Nicole Miale’s leadership as publisher of the Fairfield County/Housatonic Valley edition for over seven years and the Greater Hartford/Tolland County edition for the past three years. We asked Miale about the role the magazine currently plays and what is next for the Greater Hartford edition.

How do you define the role of Natural Awakenings in the local community?

This magazine is an extension of the people in the community and a reflection of the interests and passions expressed there. The magazine is for, by and about the local community. Natural Awakenings continues to be a free community resource, supported 100% by members of the community and containing news and 14 Hartford County Edition

NAHRT.com

educational articles from many others.

We connect people in the area who need and want help with people and products they think may help them. We work hard to be actively involved in the community: introducing new businesses, sponsoring events, having a visible presence at workshops and fairs; distributing the magazine anywhere that will have us. The more people who can find us, the more people we can help. That’s my job; to ensure the magazine is easy to find all over the broad area and packed with credible information people can use to improve their daily lives.

How long has the Greater Hartford edition been publishing?

I’m the third owner of this franchise; in October 2020 Natural Awakenings will have been publishing in Hartford County for 13 years. The magazine’s success in recent years has been gratifying for me and the team but is mostly a mirror for the limitless energy and ability of the people in the local community. It’s pretty phenomenal to appreciate that, in part because of their involvement with the magazine, many practitioners, businesses and enterprises first established themselves and have been thriving for years.

What is most rewarding to you about publishing Natural Awakenings?

The knowledge that information we provide has lasting value and, in some cases, life-altering meaning for so many people. When someone comes up to me at an event and says, “I love your magazine!”

I say, “Thank you so much. Please tell me what you love about it and what we can do better.” I’m passionately concerned with the reader’s experience. The goal is to consistently create and put out a highquality product that inspires, educates and informs on subjects that may be new to many. When I hear that faculty members at the Institute of Holistic Health Studies at WCSU have used some of the magazine’s articles as required reading for their modules, I know we’re doing something right. I am proud of the impact our collective work is having in the region.

What brought you to this work?

My passion for service is in my DNA. Compassion and concern for others were modeled for me by my parents whose vocations were fire chief and social worker.

I’m a seeker by nature; no matter what job I’ve held I always strive to go beyond and make it better. I look for rough spots so I can help smooth them out and break new ground. I brought that “change for the better” mindset to my role as publisher by emphasizing development of credible independent content, and building mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations with community organizations. Empowering people to make positive change is rewarding. My ongoing challenge is to get more people involved in the magazine each month. I’m doing my readers a disservice if something innovative is happening in the area and I haven’t yet included it in the magazine.

What might surprise readers about you?

My deep fascination for the diverse subject matter we cover has surprised people over the years. At no time has publishing Natural

Awakenings ever been ‘just’ a business for me; I’m passionate about the information in our pages. I am a certified energy practitioner myself (Reiki and 13th Octave/ LaHoChi) and I hold a master’s degree in integrative health and healing in addition to my undergraduate journalism degree.

I haven’t ever wanted the magazine to be about me; it turns me off when a publisher makes their magazine too much about their interests and ventures (I’m talking to you, Oprah!). My focus has consistently been on how I can support others and how I can, through the magazine, contribute to the overall health and growth of area communities and our global community.

What’s on the horizon for the magazine?

We’re obviously in the midst of extraordinary change on the planet and in our culture, on all levels, and Natural Awakenings is no exception when it comes to that wave. In the aftermath of the upheaval, new projects, businesses and enterprises will be forming, which will be thrilling to witness (some of it is already underway!).

Exciting new digital partnerships are forming for the national franchise and those represent innovative opportunities for the local magazines and their constituents.

While I know the future of the magazine is bright, for a variety of reasons both personal and professional, now is the time for me to step away from publishing the Greater Hartford County, CT edition.

I am making the franchise available for immediate sale; this July 2020 edition will be my last new issue as publisher.

Reaching this decision has been a long time coming and has not been easy.

Forces beyond my control are steering the ship, which was difficult to accept because I truly love what I do and the people I work with. At the same time, I have become aware that it’s no longer a matter of choice; there are other things I’m being called to do now and personal health challenges that require much more of my attention. Taking over the magazine in 2017 was divinely guided; so too

is this coming change. Because of that, I know there is someone ready and waiting for the opportunity to lead this edition into the future. They will have the chance to redefine its mission again, extend its reach even further using the new digital platforms, and create more community significance during the next chapter.

When I took over my first Natural Awakenings edition in 2013, I knew I was stepping into a role that would enable me to empower tens of thousands of people in their efforts to change and become better, happier

versions of themselves. I didn’t realize until recently how profoundly doing this work has empowered and changed me as well. I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to serve so many. I look forward to passing the torch to the next lucky soul who gets to lead this community service.

For more information about the sale of Natural Awakenings Greater Hartford County, CT, contact Nicole Miale at 203-981-2451 or Publisher@NAHRT.com.

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BEYOND FACTORY FARMS ‘Big Meat’ Comes at High Cost

High Cost of Cheap Meat

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a push toward greater efficiency created the shift to industrial livestock production. However, attempts to maximize production for higher returns at minimal cost come at a price.

For example, a growing body of evidence shows that CAFO leads to the social and economic decline of rural communities.

“Research has consistently found that living near a CAFO is associated with an array of negative health impacts, including respiratory disease, mental health problems and certain types of infections,” says Keeve Nachman, Ph.D., director of the CLF Food Production and Public Health Program.

Everett Murphy, M.D., a retired pulmonologist from Kansas City, concurs, “Not only are the odors from factory livestock farms offensive, but individuals living within three miles of industrial animal operations are at risk for serious, life-shortening illnesses and permanent disabilities.”

Concrete reservoirs designed to hold manure present a problem as well, he adds, “They always leak into the groundwater, spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria and making the source of water to neighboring communities unusable and toxic.”

Joan Olive says she is living proof that exposure to air pollution from factory farms is every bit as harmful as scientists and health experts have warned about for years.

On one fateful December day 16 years ago,

County Edition 16 Hartford Hartford County Edition NAHRT.com NAHRT.com 16

Olive was outdoors on her family farm near Spencer, Iowa, when she noticed a strong, sickening odor. Feeling nauseous, she went inside, but later that evening, her tongue swelled, she became disoriented and began shaking and sweating profusely.

Olive’s symptoms subsided over the next few days, but since then she has experienced multiple chemical sensitivities, transient symptoms of brain fog, muscle twitching, migraines, and respiratory and circulatory problems. Health experts at the University of Iowa identified the source of the sickening odor as toxic hydrogen sulfide from liquid CAFO waste that had been sprayed on farmland one mile from Olive’s home. In addition to the region’s concentration of hog CAFO, her home sat two miles from 1.5 million chickens.

Today, Olive drinks filtered water and eats organic food to protect her health, but she notices that her symptoms return when triggered by exposure to CAFO air pollution and pesticides. In March, Olive moved to Spearfish, South Dakota, where she’s breathing easier and enjoying time outdoors. But she believes she left behind “thousands of rural residents who are having their lives and health destroyed

by Big Ag.”

SaimonSailent/Shutterstock.com

K

evin Walker, a Michigan State University professor and author of The Grand Food Bargain and the Mindless Drive for More, says, “Meat is the poster child of industrial food gone awry.” Independent animal farmers are disappearing while factory farms are getting bigger, causing more air, soil and water pollution in rural communities nationwide, reports the Center for a Livable Future (CLF) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Large industrialized farms known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) rely on the routine use of antibiotics to both prevent the spread of disease and promote animal growth and weight gain—a practice known to fuel antibiotic resistance and compromise human health.

by Melinda Hemmelgarn

Iakov Filimonov/Shutterstock.com

There Ought to be a Law

“Government oversight and policies designed to safeguard the health of individuals and the environment from these operations have been inadequate,” says Bob Martin, director of the CLF Food System Policy Program.

Citing environmental and public health hazards, the American Public Health Association issued a new policy statement last November calling for a precautionary moratorium on all new and expanding CAFO. It advises a complete halt until additional scientific data has been collected and public health concerns addressed.

Bypassing Industrial Eating

Many consumers don’t realize that the majority of beef, pork and chicken sold in supermarkets, served in restaurants and distributed to institutions nationwide comes from the industrial food system. According to the Public Justice Food Project, 85 percent of the meat Americans consume is produced by four corporate giants—Tyson, Smithfield, Cargill and JBS—each accused of hiding labor, animal or environmental abuses behind folksy brand names and packaging images.

To shed light on abuses and steer consumers away from industrial meat, the Center for Food Safety created a website that pulls back the curtain on CAFO. It recommends replacing half of the meat

Once you learn how our modern industrial food system has transformed what most Americans eat, you become highly motivated to eat something else. ~Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation, Chew on This and co-producer of Food, Inc. we eat with humane, sustainably raised, grass-fed and organic meat, while replacing the other half with plant-based sources of protein such as beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds—a dietary approach that benefits our gut microbes and protects us against a host of chronic diseases.

Meat Alternatives

As concerns mount about the health, ethical and environmental impact of animal products, the food industry has responded with more plant-based, lab-grown meat alternatives. Yet, according to the Food

and Technology 2019 report by the market research firm The Hartman Group, many meat replacements rely on highly sophisticated technologies that hardly meet consumers’ definitions of “natural”.

“It’s all about what isn’t on the label,” says Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D., chief science advisor of the GRACE Communications Foundation. According to Rangan, many plant-based and fake meat products are actually ultra-processed foods that contain genetically engineered ingredients and rely on petroleum-based chemicals that are not required to be listed on the label.

“The Impossible Burger introduces over 48 new proteins to the human diet without a thorough safety investigation,” warns Rangan. She questions whether these new meat alternatives are better than meat from animals raised on pasture without routine drugs and synthetic fertilizers.

There’s a big difference between the health and environmental impact of meat from animals raised in feed lots versus those raised with regenerative agricultural practices. “Industrial agriculture is absolutely harmful,” reports A Greener World, a nonprofit certifier of the trustworthy Animal Welfare Approved label. But thinking we have to go vegan or purchase fake meat to protect our health or the planet is misguided.

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“Our bodies are designed to be omnivores, and animal products are part of a diverse, real food diet,” says Rebecca Thistlethwaite, director of the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network at Oregon State University. Thistlethwaite, author of Farms with a Future and The New Livestock Farmer: The Business of Raising and Selling Ethical Meat, believes in ancestral eating and eating as close to nature as possible. She is mindful of portion size and eats only organic and pasture-raised animal foods to avoid synthetic chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Will Harris, owner of White Oak Pastures, in Bluffton, Georgia, declares, “It’s not the cow, it’s the how.” Harris transitioned his livestock operation from the industrial model to certified humane animal husbandry and sustainable practices that emulate nature.

The switch to a pasture-based system yields healthier animals, he explains, and helps take carbon out of the atmosphere and back into the soil.

In Cows Save the Planet and Other Improbable Ways of Restoring Soil to Heal the Earth, author Judith Schwartz describes how grazing animals play a key role in restoring soil health, and therefore human health. “Well-managed pastures and grasslands with ruminant animals can sequester more carbon than they emit, improve soil health and increase groundwater recharge,” explains Thistlethwaite. Plus, both livestock and poultry can make use of inedible feeds that humans don’t consume, such as grass and sagebrush.

Power To the People

Rangan and Harris emphasize that the power of consumer spending can shift the market. However, Thistlethwaite says, “We cannot just vote with our forks, as many people don’t have that luxury.” She urges change at both personal and political levels, favoring incentive-based approaches with fewer subsidies going to the industrial system.

“We need more farmers raising high-quality animals in a humane, ecologically responsible manner,” says Thistlethwaite. But we also need more small-scale slaughterhouses and meat processors throughout the country to get quality meat to more of our tables.

In addition to farmers’ markets, cooperatives and community supported agriculture, organizations such as the American Grassfed Association and Local Harvest connect consumers directly to farmers using sustainable practices to help rebuild regional food hubs and networks.

“Start with small steps,” suggests Thistlethwaite. “Buy milk from a local creamery, eggs from a farmer in your community or one-quarter cow to fill your freezer from a local, grass-fed beef producer. Reward the farms and ranches that are doing it right by purchasing from them, promoting them, supporting them.”

Melinda Hemmelgarn is an award-winning registered dietitian, writer and nationally syndicated radio host based in Columbia, MO. Reach her at FoodSleuth@gmail.com. Tune into Food Sleuth Radio at kopn.org.

oxinoxi/Shutterstock.com

The COVID-19 health crisis highlights inequalities in how we produce and distribute food. A new bill, the Farm System Reform Act (FSRA), will help to create a more healthy, sustainable and equitable model, by placing a moratorium on new Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (commonly known as factory farms), cracking down on the monopolistic practices of multinational meat corporations and supporting farmers to transition to healthier, pasture-based models and organic farming. To support the FSRA, the Sierra Club has made it easy to contact members of Congress at Tinyurl.com/BlockFactoryFarms.

Eating Less, But Better Meat

Tribalium/Shutterstock.com

Take Action to Stop Factory Farms

ence. Unfortunately, this old model also feeds an external locus of control, where doctors are in charge of your health. Shifting the paradigm in medicine to your doctor becoming your teacher, coach and partner in health creates the opportunity to build an internal locus of control for patients. It helps them take their health back into their own hands.

Empowerment as Medicine

W

by Lauren Young

ho is in charge of your life?

Can you impact your life or are you just along for the ride? Dr. Julian Rotter is a psychologist who explored this concept back in 1954 and coined the term “locus of control” to describe it.

Picture the locus of control as a continuum. One end is external and the other is internal. With external control, you feel that you do not have an impact on the outcomes in your life. It does not matter what you do, because you can control external events. Internal control, on the opposite pole, represents when you feel you can influence your life. The choices you make ultimately can impact your path and outcomes. Are you in the driver’s seat or are you a passenger in your life?

Controlling Wellness

Locus of control has a particularly interesting interaction with people’s health. Can you impact your current health state? Are you in charge of your wellness? Research has revealed several important outcomes.

Internal locus of control—being in control of your health—is strongly related to better outcomes. From cancer to cardiovascular disease, studies have shown being personally empowered about your health has a tremendous impact for the better.

This is a different concept than placebo,

which is often confused with locus of control.

Placebo is believing your medicine is working and causing good outcomes while locus of control is the belief that you can make your health better. Both have been shown to impact health in a positive way. Believing you control your path and that your path is a healing one can powerfully improve outcomes.

Medicine is a quickly shifting landscape. Access to information and misinformation is more prevalent than ever. This has an interesting impact on locus of control.

Dr. Google helps us diagnose ourselves with catastrophic diseases and/or we find social media groups that recommend kitchen medicine or anecdotal remedies. It is easy to become overwhelmed with information, building an extensive list of possible solutions…or none at all. Where do you start?

While the internet offers resources, it doesn’t help guide your particular path nor does it strengthen your confidence. And if you already felt empowered about your health, it may not offer the most effective resources.

Doctor as Teacher

The old-world model of the doctor as an authority figure who hands you a piece of paper that solves your issue is still pervasive. Although this attitude is shifting and certainly does not describe many physicians, this may be what you are prepared to experi-

What steps can you take to build a partnership with your doctor?

• The best way to shift any relationship is to start with yourself. Set up yourself and your doctor for success: Engage in your health. Ask questions. Invite discussion. Let your physician know you respect their opinion, but you want to understand how a medication works, what the alternatives and expectations are.

• Become your own record keeper. Hold on to tests, imaging and notes from your doctor. This will help you feel more organized and empowered.

• Education is a key component of building an internal locus of control. Learning and understanding how health conditions arise and how they can be improved will help dispel fear and worry, which rob us of control.

Doctor as Coach Researchers have found that internal locus of control positively impacts health outcomes, in part by being associated with improved health habits. It makes sense, doesn’t it? If you feel like you are the driving force in your health, won’t you make healthier choices?

Focusing on empowerment when it comes to healthcare allows us to build our internal locus of control and feel more motivated and engaged. Research shows how important patients’ internal locus of control is and medicine needs to start focusing on engaging and educating patients. This can start for you with your doctor during your next interaction.

Dr. Lauren Young is the founder and a physician at Collaborative Natural Health Partners, an integrative primary care center in Manchester with satellites in West Hartford and Stonington. For more information, please visit CTNaturalHealth.com or call 860-533-0179. See ad, back cover.

July 2020

19

wise words

Hormonal Ups and Downs

Take Control and Feel Better Now

by Patricia Staino

H

things—everything ormonal from PMS issues, adimbalance renal fatigue, PCOS, can wreak diabetes, thyroid havoc on your health issues, and more. affecting everything Typically, from digestion to hormonal imbalweight, brain health, ances are caused by a energy, mood, variety of things—it memory, sex drive, could be environsleep and fertility. mental toxins, unSamantha Gladish, healthy eating habits, a registered holistic dealing with a lot of nutritionist and metastress. Then there’s bolic balance weight a cascade effect: If loss coach, wanted to Samantha Gladish we’re suffering from help women realize poor-quality sleep, for example, it will there were simple, foundational steps they drive up cortisol, imbalance our insulin, could take to get back in balance, without depriving themselves. In her book, The 30- then lead to food cravings and poor eating choices, which will further imbalance our Day Hormone Solution, she helps women insulin, and that cycle will spiral out of learn more about regaining control of control. their hormones to optimize health. Natural Awakenings’ managing editor Patricia Staino sat down with Gladish to learn What are some common more about how hormones work and the misconceptions about hormones habits we can change to bring them back in women? in balance.

For women who still have a regular men-

The book is so informative and helpful. What motivated you to write it?

I thought to myself, if I had 30 days to spend with a woman, what would I teach her about her health? What does she need to know to really move the needle and optimize her health?

Hormonal imbalances are very common, and they mean a lot of different 20 Hartford County Edition

NAHRT.com

strual cycle, there’s a misperception that if they’re taking birth control pills, that’s going to end PMS symptoms and “regulate” their cycle. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Ingesting any kind of synthetic hormone will cause a lot of hormonal chaos in our bodies.

Synthetic hormones shut down our ovaries from producing our own natural estrogen and progesterone. Essentially,

it’s like the ovaries are getting lazy, and our own natural rhythms are no longer functioning like they should. Instead of taking synthetic hormones, we need to look at the root causes of PMS symptoms: Why are you experiencing an irregular cycle in the first place? Why do you have cramping, bloating, breast tenderness, or migraines during your cycle? The pill isn’t addressing the cause, it’s just masking it.

Another misconception is “adrenal fatigue.” That’s a term that gets thrown around quite frequently. What “adrenal fatigue” really indicates is a miscommunication between the brain and the adrenal gland; you’re not going to fix that by taking a supplement. We need to look at our lifestyle, how we react to and manage stress, how we’re sleeping, how we’re eating, how we’re integrating self-care, and that all plays a big role in our adrenal health.

One other thought: Post-menopausal women often ask if they can get anything out of reading my book. Absolutely. The chapter on the menstrual cycle may not relate to them, but the rest of it—adrenal health, sleep, detoxification—is all still relevant and will affect the symptoms they experience post-menopause.

Is hormonal imbalance more of a female issue, or do men have issues with hormones as well?

There are definitely a lot more issues with females, primarily because we have cycles and we give birth. Our hormonal issues are a little more complex than those of men. Women are functioning on a 30-day cycle, and men are going through a 24-hour cycle. That’s not to say that men won’t have issues, though. They can experience problems with sleep, cravings, moodiness and weight gain as well.

You offer a diet plan and 60 recipes in the book to help readers get started, but the first half of the book lays out how hormones work, how they are impacted by lifestyle, and how they can be returned to balance. Besides dietary changes, what other adjustments

can women make to optimize hormonal health?

Number one, sleep. That’s an important area that so many women need to focus on. That’s when our body detoxes and rejuvenates, so I recommend all women start to implement healthier boundaries around their sleep routine. Don’t go to bed after 11—10pm should be the cutoff point—and follow this rule every day of the week so you can set your internal clock; your body and your hormones crave that routine.

Don’t use bright lights, phone and iPad screens late at night; you want to signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down, which supports melatonin production.

Number two is something I think so many women forget about: hydration.

Drink more water! Water is essential to detoxing our bodies, supporting our bowel movements and digestion, and lubricating our joints to protect against inflammation.

I recommend women drink at least three liters of water every day; if you’re very active and you’re sweating a lot, you may need to drink a bit more. Another little tip is to add a very small pinch of really good quality sea salt to the water, because it is those electrolytes that help hydrate the cells, not just the water alone.

Finally, be conscious of your snacking habits. If you’re a snacker or a grazer, try to focus on eating meals instead. That’s

what going to keep you satiated and curb your cravings. The more frequently we eat throughout the day, the more we spike our insulin levels. Insulin is a fat-storing hormone, and it can lead to inflammation in the body, so it’s important to manage how many times we spike our insulin during the day. The less frequently we eat, the better.

So, you don’t agree with the often-recommended idea of eating five or six small meals throughout the day?

When I was in school, we were taught to tell our clients to eat small meals every two to three hours. Now we realize that if you are an elite athlete training at a high level, and your body efficiently handles insulin, it makes sense to eat many times a day to stay fueled. But the average woman who’s working a desk job and isn’t very active, even if she is going to the gym three or four times a week, doesn’t need to snack and graze.

Every time she eats, she’s spiking her insulin, which communicates with the adrenals, so cortisol levels go up as well. Both insulin and cortisol are fat-storing hormones and stressors on the body. Those spikes are going to take a toll on fat storage and weight.

And it’s not just about fat loss; if insulin and cortisol levels increase, that’s communicated to the ovaries and causes issues with your sex hormones—estrogen

and progesterone. Continuously spiking insulin can stimulate the ovaries to overproduce testosterone, which can cause PCOS, cystic acne, and facial hair growth.

So, I recommend just three meals a day, focusing on getting protein, fat and fiber in each meal, which satiates your appetite and balances your blood sugar.

Doing that and getting in your three liters of water a day will curb your cravings, so you don’t feel the need to snack and graze.

What’s the most important thing for women to remember about hormonal health?

At the end of the day, I just want women to know that it doesn’t have to be hard. Being healthy doesn’t have to be about deprivation. It’s important they take the time to educate themselves so they can become the master of their own health. Focus on sleep, good quality food, simple movement, and simple protocols. It’s really not that hard and it really can be quite delicious.

For more information on Samantha Gladish, as well as access to recipes, her podcast, and special deals on her book, visit HolisticWellness.ca.

Patricia Staino is the managing editor of Natural Awakenings’ Hartford and Fairfield County editions. Connect at PatriciaStaino@gmail.com.

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Fall

Following Nature’s Cues Eat Seasonally for Better Health

by Brielle Kelly

T

he natural world is always changing, and the key to living in good health lies in our ability to adapt to this change and go with the flow. Plants and animals instinctively know how to thrive – growing and flourishing in the warmer months, then storing up and settling in for the cold of winter—by living in alignment with the seasons. Living seasonally means to go as nature goes and follow the cues and solutions it prescribes.

The foods we eat, the exercise and activities we do and even our daily thoughts and intentions all play a role in harmonizing our health with the seasons.

and activity. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) calls this type of energy yang, and summer represents the peak of yang in the cycle of seasons. Fueled by abundant sunshine and warmth, plants and trees grow and flourish rapidly.

To balance the pace and yang of the season, eat yin foods like juicy tomatoes, cucumbers and watermelon to cool and refresh the body. Consuming light meals and more raw fruits and vegetables is also important. Doing activities like yoga, meditation and progressive relaxation can help to calm the mind and improve emotional balance.

Spring

Indian Summer

The season of spring calls for letting go of the old and welcoming in the new. The primary health focus is to keep things moving and promote the flow of qi, the energetic force present in all living things.

In the spring, we should eat seasonally available foods like leafy green vegetables, herbs and members of the garlic and onion family. Physical activities like stretching and massage can help to remove any points where qi is blocked and keep our muscles loose and limber. Staying flexible and open-minded in our emotional lives is also important.

In the middle of the seasonal cycle lies Indian summer, when temperate weather and long days of sunlight give way to still and peaceful nights. TCM considers this season to be the balance point between the warm yang of spring and summer to the cool yin of fall and winter.

The focus of Indian summer is to build energetic qi and a grounded connection to the Earth. Eating whole grains, complex carbohydrates, and naturally sweet foods like corn and sweet potatoes is ideal. Fresh air and sunshine are also natural sources of qi, and spending time outdoors is a good way to connect to that energy from the Earth.

Summer Summer is characterized by heat, motion 22 Hartford County Edition

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As fall begins, the air turns crisp and cool and nature starts its move toward yin. The harvest season is a time for taking stock of the year’s gains and gathering and storing for the upcoming winter. For fall, the health focus is to keep the body warm and dry and strengthen and bolster immunity.

The best foods for this time of year include seasonal squashes, pumpkins and mushrooms, along with warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Slowcooked dishes and baked casseroles are especially beneficial. It is also important to engage in yang activities like aerobic exercise and group activities in the community.

Winter The last season of the year, winter is a period for peace, reflection and rest. The pace of life slows, signaling a quiet decline and Nature’s withdrawal into yin. In this season, the main focus is to keep the body warm and protected from the elements by developing and nourishing yang. Eat warming meals like simmered soups and hearty stews that include rich meats and seasonal root vegetables. As winter draws to a close, we slow down and wait for the arrival of spring, and the rebirth and renewal that comes with a new cycle of seasons.

Everything has its season. When our health is aligned with nature, our bodies are a direct reflection of our surrounding environment, and we follow its seasonal patterns and rhythms. Our health needs change throughout our lifetimes, from year to year, and even on a daily basis.

The most sustainable approach to optimal health is one informed by Nature’s seasons. By changing, adapting and going with the flow, just as the natural world does, we can align ourselves with the seasons for optimal health.

Brielle Kelly, L.Ac., Dipl.O.M., is an acupuncturist, herbalist and co-author of What’s Your Season? Healing Principles and Recipes for Your Body Type. For more information, visit WhatsYourSeason.com

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Greater Hartford/Tolland County, CT July 2020

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Build Immunity Year-Round An Ayurvedic Approach to Gut Health

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by Neeru N. Kaushik

he Ayurvedic approach to health and wellness, in any season, is based on maintaining a balance of body, mind and spirit according to one’s own body constitution (dosha). Ayurveda believes that we are all composed of the five universal elements—fire, water, earth, air, space—grouped together to form our doshas: pitta (fire/water), kapha (earth/ water), vata (air/space). Keeping these natural elements in balance is key. When in balance, our immune system is strong and can combat pathogens; when out of balance, our immune system is weakened and illness can result.

One of the most important keys to maintaining balance, and keeping the immune system strong, is making sure our digestion is working efficiently so that the nutrients from the food we eat are 24 Hartford County Edition

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properly absorbed. This is especially true during the change of seasons when the weather patterns are shifting and our bodies need to adjust to that shift. Ayurveda identifies the shift from winter to spring as kapha, from summer to fall as pitta, and from fall to winter as vata. The characteristics of vata (cold/dry) and kapha (cold/ wet) are especially ripe for the transmission of viruses that cause colds and flu.

But summer conditions, or pitta (heat/ dry), could lead to weak digestion, and so vigilance is warranted. We can help our bodies adapt to these shifts by choosing foods appropriate to the season. Remember the rule of thumb: “Like attracts like,” so choose opposite foods to balance the seasonal doshas (e.g. for summer, choose cooling foods; for winter, warming foods).

For a pitta-pacifying spring/summer

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

Staying well-hydrated with water or herbal teas will combat dryness. Adding a half spoon of ghee to food will ensure internal moisture as well. Coconut water with essential minerals like zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium is an essential electrolyte that will keep your system balanced. Adding coconut to vegetables or curries will also rejuvenate. Ginger, with its anti-inflammatory properties, will help ease overheating and ginger tea will soothe stomach discomfort. Avoid hot and spicy or deep-fried foods and raw cold foods or drinks as they impair digestion.

Raw cold foods are difficult to digest and will interfere with the digestive fire causing the undigested food to become toxic. Stored toxins (ama) prevent nutrients from reaching the cells and weaken the body’s immune function. Avoid frozen, processed, canned or packaged foods as they also are harder to digest and contain preservatives and other ingredients that create toxins.

To adopt a vata- and kaphabalancing diet, choose foods that are warming, cooked and easy to digest so that the digestive fire (agni) will not be dampened. Warming foods to include are root vegetables, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, parsnips, turnips, beets, carrots, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts. Hearty soups and stews made with these foods, as well as steamed or stewed green leafy vegetables, will help to build the immune response. Adding warming spices – such as garlic, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cumin and cayenne—will stimulate the immune system further and help to burn off toxins as well.

Baked or stewed fruits—such as apples, pears, plums—with some cinnamon will

add a boost of antioxidants. Whole cooked grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet, barley), legumes (beans, peas, lentils) and ghee (easy-to-digest fat) will boost immunity.

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

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

Immunity is also affected by lifestyle. Reducing stress goes a long way to enhancing immune function. Some stressreducing guidelines are adopting a regular routine for meals and other activities, making sure you get enough sleep (retiring before 10pm is best before the pitta time of day gives you a second wind), exercising to increase circulation and incorporating a regular meditation practice.

If you do feel a cold coming on, or succumb to the flu, try these 10 tips to ease the symptoms and re-build your immunity: n Gargle with salt water, try oil pulling, use a neti pot or nasya oil for your nos trils to reduce bacteria and clear passages n Sip hot water, tea with warming spices, and clear broths to hydrate, decongest and cleanse n Boil water with a ginger-eucalyptus mix and steam nostrils to clear passages and congestion n Steam clear vegetables: bok choy, celery, kale, asparagus, leeks to hydrate and add nutrients n Avoid sugar and mucous-producing dairy, which interfere with the immune response n Sit in the sun, even if you are indoors, to increase vitamin D3 n Take a warm bath with baking soda and warming essential oils (ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, pine, cedar, clove, juniper) to stimulate circulation

n Meditate, as silence calms the nervous system and increases immunity n Get plenty of bed rest as sleep is restorative n Cultivate a practice of gratitude, as negative emotions reduce immunity

The Ayurvedic therapy of panchakarma is especially beneficial as a seasonal detox to help the body adjust to these seasonal shifts. A qualified Ayurvedic practitioner can suggest an individual plan for each dosha profile so that the immune system can be kept at an optimal level.

Dr. Neeru N. Kaushik, ND, MS Acup, MS, MA, is a naturopathic physician at the Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies, 805 Kings Highway East, Fairfield. For more information, call 203-331-9111, email DrKaushik@ AyurvedicInstituteCT.com or visit AyurvdicInstituteCT.com.

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YOUR GUT AND YOU

T

by Emily Fritz

here are several gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), antibioticassociated diarrhea and clostridium difficile infection, that can occur when the microorganisms in the small or large intestine are disrupted. They often are a result of poor gut health. We know that “gut health” is important for a healthy body, but do we know what “gut health” actually means?

Gut health refers to the balance of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These microorganisms aid in contributing to a strong immune system, brain health and, of course, GI health. Therefore, it is important to maintain gut health to help prevent disorders of the body. So, how do we maintain gut health? Nutrition through prebiotics and probiotics are prominent sources for enhancing gut microbiota.

Prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients that stimulate the proliferation of certain gut bacteria. In other words, prebiotics provide the “food” for current bacteria in the GI tract to help strengthen 26 Hartford County Edition

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the mucosal barrier and protect against GI-related diseases and other alterations to normal bodily function. Looking more closely, prebiotics occur as natural or synthetic sugars. When these sugars reach the GI tract, they are fermented by the gut microbiota to create short-chain fatty acids. These short-chain fatty acids increase electrolyte and water absorption, decrease intraluminal pH, alter cell proliferation and differentiation (which can decrease the risk of colon cancer) and decrease intestinal inflammatory processes, as well as strengthen the immune system. Good sources of prebiotics include fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, Jerusalem artichokes, wheat bran, chicory and soybeans.

On the other hand, probiotics are live bacteria that are added to the gut to increase the presence of bacteria. Probiotics technically consume prebiotics for fuel.

Furthermore, probiotics are in a sense the opposite of antibiotics because rather than kill off bacteria, probiotics add to the microbiome to provide a strong protective layer that fights for our gut health. Thus, we

need to make sure that we consume plenty of probiotics when we are taking antibiotics for long periods of time. While probiotics can be found in the supplemental form of capsules or powders, it is not entirely necessary to seek these sources out because probiotics are also found in everyday fermented food products such as yogurts that contain added lactobacillus and bifidobacterium strains, kefir, kombucha (fermented tea), tempeh (fermented soybeans) and sauerkraut (fermented cabbage).

Experts recommend starting with probiotics, microbiota-loving foods that will feed and strengthen our current gut bacteria. After all, our gut buddies do a pretty good job fighting off disease and maintaining a homeostatic environment for our comfort and quality of life. Gail Cresci, PhD, RD, is an expert on the gut microbiome and suggests starting out with some of these types of foods to help fortify and strengthen the existing bacteria: • Fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains • Potatoes (boiled and cooled) • Bananas (not too ripe) • Jerusalem artichokes

Dr. Cresci explains that while it is ideal to obtain your prebiotics and probiotics from the diet, we may not get enough due to our busy lifestyles. If we need to take supplemental prebiotics and probiotics, she suggests choosing: • Product that has a seal of approval from testing agencies such as Consumer Reports or Consumer Labs • Probiotic capsules packaged with inulin or other prebiotics • Probiotic in spore form, which can survive on the shelf or in the digestive tract

Let’s help our army of bacteria by feeding them the fuel they deserve!

Emily Fritz is a recent dietetic graduate of the University of Dayton and has recently been accepted into Augusta University to pursue her M.S. in dietetics. Emily truly believes that food is medicine and is working towards becoming a registered dietitian to pursue her passion in health promotion and disease prevention.

Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. Call Rod Kelly, 860-216-8671 or email Rod@EyeOftheEagle.org.

ongoing events

Call ahead to confirm event

NOTE TO OUR READERS: Due to social distancing guidelines in place at press time, we suggest confirming details for all events before attending.

sunday Sunday Sadhana – 9-10:15am. This all-levels class combines gentle yoga with mantra, mudra, meditation and shamanism. Each heart-centered class is designed to bring balance and harmony to the mind, body and spirit. $15/drop-in. Bhakti Center CT, 750 Main St Rear, Willimantic. 860-593-5002.

Create Financial Freedom with Healthy Products – 4-5pm. Learn how to build a business and create financial freedom for you by distributing natural Aloe Vera nutritional supplements to help others be healthy.

Free. Bristol (call for address). RSVP: 860-372-8171.

Women’s Global Circle – 6:30-8pm. Live/in-person first Sunday. Online the rest of the month. For heartcentered activism and manifestation. Women wanting to make their dreams for self and world come true. $60/monthly fee. Phone interview/sign up: 917860-0488. Call for address. DrSklover@gmail.com.

monday Meditation Mondays – 7-8pm. First Monday.

Meditation for all. Beginners and drop-ins welcome.

Begin each week with a meditation practice to quiet your mind and let go of all that does not serve.

Facilitated by Melanie VanOstrand. $10. Sea in the Sky Healing and Wellness Center, Hebron. 860530-1552. SeaInTheSkyHealing.com.

Tong Ren Healing Class – 7-8pm. Dr. Ming Wu leads this class focusing on internally healing the body’s energy system by using the collective unconscious. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888.

Sacred Meditation – 7-8:30pm. First Monday.

Meditation can help to reduce stress and increase peace within. Lily will lead you as you settle in. Then you will have the opportunity to go off on your own

to deepen your connection to self and spirit. Free.

129 Tolland Stage Rd. TheWaterLilyCenter.com.

tuesday Dragon and Tiger Medical Qigong – 11:15am12:15pm. Gentle movements performed standing or sitting activate the acupuncture meridians. Improve your balance, coordination, energy and health. Don Myers, Certified Instructor, 30 years of teaching experience. $15/class. Universalist Church, 433 Fern St, West Hartford. Register at GreatPondTaiChi.com.

Tai Chi for Kids (Ages 6-12) – 4-4:45pm. Learning the Chinese art of Tai Chi is a great way for children to relax, have fun and strengthen body and mind. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga – 6pm. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-4042578. BridgeHAC.com.

Ayurveda 102 – 6-7pm. 8-week series. Register online at ScheduleBliss.com/BhaktiCenterCT. $108. Bhakti Center CT. 750 Rear Main St, Willimantic. BhaktiCenterCT@gmail.com.

Tai Chi with Dr. Ming Wu – 6-7pm. Learn from a Tai Chi master who has studied the art of Tai Chi for more than 40 years. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888.

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

Holistic Cancer Support Group – 6:30-8pm. Do you offer a healing modality or service which will aid those in recovery from cancer? If so, please attend and work with us to build CT’s first holistic cancer support group. BRIDGE Healing Arts

NOTE TO OUR READERS:

Due to social distancing guidelines in place at press time, we suggest confirming details for all events before attending.

Soul Circle: A Meditation and Journey Group – 6:30-8pm. First Tuesday. Join us for an evening of meditation, journeying, drumming and healing.

Explore power animals and spirit guides, healing light meditations, nature spirit allies and more. Sea in the Sky Healing and Wellness Center, Hebron. $20. 860-530-1552. SeaInTheSkyHealing.com.

Online Mediumship Development Circle/Class – 9-10:30pm. Mixed level circle/class with Sharon Farber to develop evidential mediumship. Support, instruction, practice. $13/per session. $100/ten sessions. Online in a Zoom room. 860-989-2358. SharonFarber.net.

wednesday Qi Gong Class – 9:30-10:30am. Class starts with standing Qi Gong exercises for beginners and then flows into Yang Style Tai Chi. $32 first month for new students then $92 month thereafter. $15/walkins. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. 860-593-8397. Erik@ChiForHealing.com.

Gentle Yoga – 10:30-11:45am. Gently held postures for joint health and nurturing. $50 for 30 days, unlimited classes/new students. Yoga Center of Collinsville, 10 Front St, Collinsville.

860-693-9642.

Soul{Her} Power – Second Wednesday. Calling all those who identify with the feminine Devine, those in touch and in tune with the magic that’s happening within and all around. Spiritual exploration, education and development. $30. 129 Tolland Stage Rd, Tolland.

TheWaterLilyCenter.com.

Weight Loss Meetings – 5:30-6:15pm. Second and fourth Wednesdays. Join Dr. Stacey Munro for an informational meeting about effective food-based weight loss and body composition change programs. We will go over program basics, cost and answer questions.

All welcome. Please RSVP: 860-758-7808. Nature’s Helper Medical Clinic, 178 Mountain Rd, Suffield.

Qigong – 6pm. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-404-2578.

BridgeHAC.com.

LivFree All Levels Yoga – 6-7pm. With Tracey.

Recharge your batteries midweek in this energetic, then relaxing yoga class. Walk-ins welcome. $10.

TriCity Massage and Wellness, 220 Hartford Tpke, Vernon. Tri-CityMassage.com.

Yoga Nidra – 6:30-7:30pm. Experience the calming effects of Yoga Nidra. Activate your parasympathetic nervous system and relax your body. $20.

Enlightenment Center of CT, 660 Prospect Ave, Hartford. EnlightenmentCenterCT.com.

Diabetes Support Group – 6:30-8pm. Third Wednesday. Explore the benefits of a supportive community of people struggling with similar issues and concerns. Share your wisdom and successes with others in need of help. Registration required.

10 Grassmere Rd, Ste 300, West Hartford. 860-9300308. Laura.EstanRD.CDE@gmail.com.

Support Group More Better Happy – 7:158:30pm. When people and circumstances are sucking the energy, motivation and life right out of you, come here. You can recharge while getting what

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ongoing events you want. Registration required. Free. Yoga Born, 1735 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. 860-432-5678.

Mediumship Development Circle – 7:30-9pm. Mixed level circle with Sharon Farber to develop evidential mediumship. Beginners welcome. Active since May 2012. $10-$15 donation. Dragonfly Healing Arts, 8 Wickett St, Pine Meadow. 860-989-2358. SharonFarber.net.

Soul{Her} Power – Second Wednesday. Calling all those who identify with the feminine Devine, those in touch and in tune with the magic that’s happening within and all around. Spiritual exploration, education and development. $30. 129 Tolland Stage Rd. TheWaterLilyCenter.com.

thursday Gentle Yoga – 9am. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-404-2578.

BridgeHAC.com.

Tai Chi & Meditation – 10:30-11:30am Instruction is focused on empowering Chi and enhancing health and healing of the mind, body and spirit. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888.

Online Mediumship Development Circle/Class – 1:30-3pm. Mixed level circle/class with Sharon Farber to develop evidential mediumship. Support,

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instruction, practice. $13/per session. $100/ten sessions. Online in a Zoom room. 860-989-2358.

SharonFarber.net.

originated from Traditional Chinese Medicine and shiatsu massage. $20/drop in; $65/monthly. 280 Garden Grove Rd, Manchester. 860-558-6146.

Community Acupuncture – 6-7pm. Every other Thursday. 315 E Center St, Manchester. 860533-0179. RSVP required: CTNaturalHealth.com.

saturday

Blended Style Yoga Classes – 6-7:15pm. Our many styles meet you where you are. Gentle sound allows tuning and awakening improving life and self.

Also every weekday. See our website. $5 or $8.

Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd, Manchester. 860-649-9600.

Tai Chi for Health and Meditation – 6:457:45pm. Experience the proven benefits of Wu Style Tai Chi and Qigong for superior well-being and stress relief. Don Myers, Certified Instructor, 30 years of teaching experience. $15/class. Universalist Church, 433 Fern St, West Hartford. Register at GreatPondTaiChi.com.

Shake Your Soul with Qi Gong – Third Thursdays. 7-8:30pm. Experience fluid dance and Qi Gong to awaken your energy and learn to ground.

Journey of Yoga LLC, 730 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. 860-680-1482. JourneyOfYoga.com.

friday

Self-Care Qigong and Shiatsu – 11:15am-12pm.

Class introduces some most profound and easyto-apply methods from Five Element Meridians

Tai Chi and Qi Gong – 8-9am. Dr. Ming Wu is a Tai Chi and Qi Gong Master who has dedicated his life to teaching others how to live healing and healthy lives. Wu Healing Center, 45 S Main St, West Hartford. To register: 978-790-8888.

Massage Ball Yoga – 9am. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-4042578. BridgeHAC.com.

Qigong, All Levels – 11am-12pm. An ancient practice that has flowing, focused movements that reduce chronic pain, stress and blood pressure, along with creating an overall state of wellness.

In Stafford. Call to register and for directions.

860-970-7383.

Sound Concert & Journey – First Friday.

7-8:30pm. With Denise Cassella from Stairway to Healing Light. Journey in healing sounds using Tibetan Singing Bowls, Native Drumming, Gong, Rain Stick, various percussion instruments and Vocal Toning. $30. 129 Tolland Stage Rd, Tolland.

TheWaterLilyCenter.com.

community resource guide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. Create your Community Resource Guide Listing online at NAHRT.com.

ASTROLOGY DEE RANDIS

Watertown 860-274-1690 MetaphysicalCntr.net Dee Randis is an astrologer and psychic medium with over 40 years of experience specializing in personal and relationship counseling. She provides guidance on business matters, real estate decisions, legal issues, as well as missing persons. She does private parties and organizes well-attended holistic/ psychic fairs.

BODYWORK WU HEALING CENTER

Rich Kevorkian LMT Certified Tui Na Therapy 45 S. Main St, Ste 100, West Hartford 860-462-3934 RichKevork@yahoo.com WuHealing.com Tui na is a hands-on body treatment that uses Chinese Taoist principles in an effort to bring the eight principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine into balance in the body. Tui na is a treatment strategy for both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as non-musculoskeletal conditions. See ad, page 7.

CHINESE HERBALIST WU HEALING CENTER

Dr. Ming Wu 45 S Main St, Ste 100, West Hartford 978-790-8888 Center@WuHealing.com WuHealing.com Chinese herbal therapy accounts for the majority of treatments in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Dr. Wu is a master herbalist with decades of experience and thousands of years of wisdom. The herbs he prescribes help stimulate the body toward self-healing. See ad, page 7.

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

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

See ad, page 17.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TAMARA SACHS, MD

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

HOLISTIC HEALING CENTER SHARING THE LIGHT WHOLISTIC CENTER, LLC

395 W Avon Rd, Avon 860-936-0012 Cheryl@SharingTheLightWC.com SharingTheLightWC.com Sharing the Light is your premier healing destination specializing in Traditional Usui Reiki Practitioner certification classes and sessions with Reiki Master Teachers; Crystal Dreaming; singing bowls; tuning forks; tai chi; yoga; reflexology; drum building; psychic readings; and AngelLinks. Visit website to view our calendar of events that includes programs with full-time and part-time practitioners.

See ad, page 15.

HOLISTIC & WELLNESS CENTER RAYA CLINIC

200 Queen St, Southington 860-621-2225 RayaClinic.com Our 30-year-old Wellness Center consists of a team of doctors combining chiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition, food-sensitivity testing, physical therapy, cold-laser, spinal decompression and neuropathy treatments.

HORMONE SUPPORT COLLABORATIVE NATURAL HEALTH PARTNERS

315 East Center St, Manchester 860-533-0179 • CTNaturalHealth.com The clinic offers the best of both worlds; our physicians are trained in both conventional and natural approaches for diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. We combine science with the wisdom of nature to address the causes of disease, not only the symptoms. See ad, back cover.

MEDIUMSHIP KEIKO BROYLES

Willows Healing Path, LLC 860-280-5548 Keiko@KeikoMedium.com KeikoMedium.com I am a Psychic Spiritual Medium and also a certified Usui Reiki Master and teacher.

As a natural psychic and medium, my sincere wish and desire is to promote healing for people in both the physical and spirit worlds.

I am a tested member of Shay Parker’s Best American Psychics. See ad, page 2.

NATURE SCHOOL TWO COYOTES WILDERNESS SCHOOL

P.O. Box 711, Monroe TwoCoyotes.org Facebook.com/TwoCoyotes Instagram.com/TwoCoyotes Two Coyotes Wilderness School is a nonprofit nature organization dedicated to creating a healthier, more connected future by connecting people to nature, community and their personal empowerment. We offer year-round, wilderness-based mentorship programs, including summer camps, for all ages.

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NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE COLLABORATIVE NATURAL HEALTH PARTNERS

315 East Center St, Manchester 860-533-0179 • CTNaturalHealth.com Receive sustainable and natural solutions for health conditions to address the cause of disease, not only the symptoms. We combine science with the wisdom of nature. See ad, back cover.

NICOLE KLUGHERS, ND, PHARMD, MSAC

Vis Wellness Center 1845 Silas Deane Hwy, Rocky Hill (234)2-ACU-DOC DrNicoleKlughers.com Info@DrNicoleKlughers.com

PRIMARY CARE COLLABORATIVE NATURAL HEALTH PARTNERS

315 East Center St, Manchester 860-533-0179 • CTNaturalHealth.com The clinic offers the best of both worlds; our physicians are trained in conventional and natural approaches for diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. We combine science with the wisdom of nature to address the causes of disease, not only the symptoms. See ad, back cover.

QUANTUM PSYCHOTHERAPY

Dr. Nicole Klughers offers comprehensive naturopathic care to restore optimal health and prevent disease. Dr. Nicole’s approach addresses the root cause of symptoms with all-natural solutions such as “Food as Medicine” with individualized nutrition, herbal medicine, nutrient therapies, acupuncture and more.

In-depth assessment is often done with detailed testing to evaluate the status of nutrients, hormones, inflammation, food sensitivities, toxins or digestive function.

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY THE HAPPINESS CLUB

Audrey Carlson 860-841-5894 AudreyBCarlson@cox.net HartfordHappinessClub.com

PSYCHOTHERAPY HEALING SERVICES, LLC Celeste Emelia Mattingly, LCSW West Hartford 860-586-8700 Fax: 860-236-1909 CMattingly100@comcast.net CelestialEmpowerment.com

The Sanctuary for Celestial Empowerment is a safe, uplifting, high-frequency environment for individual psychotherapy, Tachyon Anti-Aging and Reconnective Energy Healings, workshops and more. Distance healings, evenings and some Saturday appointments available. Celeste accepts insurance including Medicare and Husky.

TAI CHI/QIGONG

Come to Hartford’s Happiness Club monthly meeting on the first Thursday of every month from 7-8:30pm, at Town and County Club at 22 Woodland St in Hartford. Happiness is a choice… make it yours.

WU HEALING CENTER

Dr. Ming Wu 45 S. Main St, Ste 100, West Hartford 978-790-8888 Center@WuHealing.com WuHealing.com Tai chi and qigong focus on empowering Chi, enhancing health and healing the mind, body and spirit using diverse bodywork therapies. Develop physical and mental fitness with calmness, balance and awareness. Dr. Wu is now offering regular classes, workshops and retreats for all levels. See ad, page 7.

THERMOGRAPHY CT THERMOGRAPHY HEALTH SCREENING CENTER April Beaman, CTT, RDH Farmington 860-415-1150 April@ctthermography.com CTThermography.com

Thermography is a FDAapproved, radiation free, no-touch screening procedure.

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CULTIVATING CONTENTMENT

The Spiritual Discipline of Evoking Joy

O

by Marlaina Donato

ur four-legged friends—from pampered pooch to stray cat— have the inborn ability to seize the moment. No matter what chaotic circumstances may swirl around them, they have a knee-jerk response to spring into playful action or curl up in a patch of inviting sunlight.

As humans, we tend to postpone the smallest of joys and avoid emotional self-care, opting for that extra glass of wine or spending more than usual to feel better for a brief period of time. Tending to our own happiness begins by seeing joy not as a mood dependent upon circumstances, but as a spiritual discipline like any other. Emotional well-being is a garden we must weed and water daily, and in turn, our physical health can’t help but be well-nourished by the harvest. Studies through the years have shown that certain sites and organs in the body, including the thymus, immune cells and bone marrow, have receptors for neurotransmitters like serotonin, which could explain why cultivating contentment might boost our natural defenses.

Seasoned yogis and meditators often speak of an inner wellspring of joy that can be accessed through a committed practice.

Perhaps joy is less of a mood and more of a frequency that is accessible to all of us when we’re willing to align with its bandwidth. Making it a habit to step outside for 10 minutes to witness a sunset or greet the twilight while dinner cooks can be a beautiful way to advance felicity.

Taking five-minute joy breaks during the workday to listen to a favorite piece of music with earbuds, read a few pages of an inspiring book or notice the clouds is another easy way to tend to happiness. Filling a “joy jar” with lovely memories written on scraps of colorful paper can prompt a spontaneous smile any time of day. Taking a half-hour drive on a pretty back road instead of scrolling through social media can reset depleted emotional reserves.

Today, we can shift our thinking and see contentment as a precious, deserving loved one that needs nourishment like any other. Feeding joy in our lives can pave the daily humdrum road with jewels. In the end, perhaps fostering inner happiness by example is the greatest legacy we can leave behind.

Marlaina Donato is the author of Spiritual Famine in the Age of Plenty: Baby Steps to Bliss. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

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