Regenerate for a Better World

~Virgina Woolf

Our March issue, with a focus on food and nutrition, celebrates the local farming visionaries who have made it their mission to bring healthy, nutritious foods to their families, neighbors and community. You’ll find inspiration for moving toward a plant-based diet, dietary guidance for supporting healthy kidneys, how to reduce inflammation from MS and the latest local initiatives of the organic regenerative agriculture pioneer, the Rodale Institute.

Blessed by verdant meadows with rambling streams, pristine rows of garden vegetables, cattle, pigs, sheep and goats on pasture and natural woodlands that host a vast array of wildlife and flora, this area of the country is fortunate to have rich, welldrained soil, packed with minerals and excellent for growing nutrient-dense foods that heal and support the body and mind.

We are well-served by the synergy it offers as we balance stressors and ward off health crises and potential chronic diseases. Our communities are realizing the necessity to prioritize immunity, equilibrium and the way food systems play a role in this vital cycle.

It is likely that you recognize the power of diet and food choices for optimal health and well-being. For many, this focus is now a profoundly life-changing health priority, affecting quality of life, relationships and longevity. We’ve all heard a lot about the benefits of choosing organic foods that are not genetically modified, and prioritizing biological fertilizers and management practices that encourage healthy soils, rich in nutrients and with the ability to absorb water.

Organic regenerative agriculture includes farming practices that intentionally repair soil and manage water, address the whole ecosystem of a farm and the surrounding forests, streams and meadows to improve the soil. It includes low-or-no soil tillage, diverse plantings, rotating crops and infusing soil with nutrients from organic matter and cover crops.

Foods grown or raised with organic regenerative practices have a higher concentration of vitamins, minerals, lean protein and healthy fats relative to the calories they hold. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seafood, eggs and lean meats; especially those sustainably sourced or grown and raised with organic regenerative practices, are the very best things we can eat.

We can love our Mother Earth as we love ourselves; the efforts are intertwined as we make choices to care for ourselves and the world. We’re grateful you’re a part of our ever-growing vibrant and health-conscious community. May March winds bring April showers, May flowers and June bugs!

Kendra Campbell and Jacqueline Mast, Co-Publishers

Co-Publishers/ Kendra Campbell

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Berks Nature is launching a countywide Earth Day Preserve Challenge scavenger hunt designed to get people outside and nurture a deeper appreciation for Berks County’s natural spaces, from March 1 through Earth Day, April 22.

To enter the challenge, pick up a Preserve Passport at The Nature Place, in Reading, or print one from the Berks Nature website. Then visit as many of Berks Nature’s public preserves as possible and find the Earth Day Challenge rubbing post. Make a rubbing in the passport, then explore the preserve, breathe deeply of the fresh air and keep an eye out for wildlife.

On Earth Day, validate the passport at The Nature Place or the city of Reading Earth Day Celebration at City Park. Visiting at least three preserves qualifies for a prize. A passport with rubbings from all six preserves will be entered into a raffle for a gift card.

Participation is free. For more information, call 610-372-4992, ext. 111, email Regan.Dohm@BerksNature.org or visit BerksNature.org. See ads, pages 8 and 53.

Foster parents are an integral part of helping children in the foster care system. Approximately 13,000 to 15,000 children, from infants to 21-year-olds, are currently in foster care and a part of the Pennsylvania child welfare system. Many have endured traumatic experiences prior to placement in foster care, and those that age out of the system are often homeless and struggling with depression, substance abuse, anxiety and more. One in four will be arrested.

The Children’s Home of Reading provides training to assist with placement for the many children seeking a safe space to feel supported during the reunification process with their biological parents. It also helps to create plans for living independently or pursuing adoption.

The role of a foster parent is to be the support system that children look for while in care, to understand their past trauma and their triggers, to meet these children at their emotional state and have the ability to remain present in the moment and to act as a support person to help these youth to transition successfully back to their families or transition to adulthood.

For more information about donating or becoming a foster parent, call 610-655-5505 or visit BuildingKidsLives.org. See ads, pages 45 and 50.

herbalist, energy worker and reiki master/teacher Sarah Preston will teach a Reiki Level 1 class from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 5, at Radiance/Herbs from the Labyrinth. Students should dress in comfortable layers and consider bringing slippers, a water bottle and lunch, or plan to purchase food at the nearby Central Market. Participants will experience the healing energy of reiki; learn the modern history of reiki; hear a brief introduction to the three levels, or degrees, of reiki; receive the attunement to the first degree of reiki practice; and begin giving reiki to ourselves and others. Students will receive a Reiki I certificate after completion of the class.

Cost is $150. ($50 non-refundable deposit is required to hold a place). Class size is limited to nine people and includes a copy of the book Essential Reiki, by Diane Stein. Location: 13 W. Grant St., Lancaster. To register, call 717-290-1517, email HerbsFromTheLabyrinth@gmail.com or visit HerbsFromTheLabyrinth.com. See ads, page 10 and 51.

The Salty Turtle Float Center, the only floatation therapy center in Lancaster County, is transitioning from Bala Float Center under owners John and Kris Fernandez, has new storefront signage. A Dead Sea theme evokes the briny environment that allows people to float like a cork, as they do in the therapy suites. Floatation therapy is great for pain management and stress.

Their vision includes educating the community by visiting local college and high school athletes and wellness programs in corporate settings to explain the health benefits of floating holistically. Excellent customer service, outreach and relationship building are also part of that vision.

Location: 903 Nissley Rd., Unit H, Lancaster. For more information, call 717-537-6955, email SaltyTurtleFloats@gmail.com or visit SaltyTurtleWellness.com. See ad, page 23.

Inshanti

Pure Essential Oils has introduced a new multipurpose blend, Hyppy Lips Healing Balm, which promotes healing while banishing cold sores and irritation from sunburn and chapping on lips and sensitive skin. Blending the moisturizing power of shea butter and beeswax with four essential oils, its strong antiviral, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties aid in recovery, while a soothing aroma eases the mind and spirit.

Owner Debra Stoltzfus says, “This powerful balm combines the germ-fighting powers of helichrysum and hyssop with the healing power of lavender and the mild, yet highly effective, calendula oil, gentle enough for sensitive skin.”

Cost is $34. Location: 48 Slaymaker Hill Rd., Kinzers. For more information, call 717-5873990, email Debra@Inshanti.com or visit Inshanti.com. See ads, pages 10 and 51.

Hub Online

Night and Day CBD Hub, a Blackowned cannabidiol (CBD) company, has broken down cultural barriers by teaming up with Amish farmers and business owners to supply CBD globally. Established in April 2021, the online CBD store quickly developed their brand through growing social media influence, and are now also making their presence known locally.

Owner Keisha Torrence says, “All our products are grown and manufactured in Lancaster County, so locals don’t have to guess if our hemp is grown without synthetic pesticides and harmful chemicals, nor do they have to question the quality. Our mission is not only to deliver CBD products to homes, but also to businesses who may want to offer CBD products to their customers and clients.”

In addition to CBD oil and loose flower, 2,400 milligram Extra Strength Pain Balm and Extreme Delta-8/THC-O 50 milligram gummies are popular items.

Natural Awakenings readers receive 15 percent off their first order with coupon code CBDLOCAL15. For more information, visit NightAndDayCBDHub.com, email NightAndDayEnt2018@gmail.com or call 484-752-0019. See ads, pages 4 and 50.

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Helpful Veterinary Services, the office of Dr. Judith M. Shoemaker, is using new BioNote testing equipment that can detect multiple health conditions before a cat or dog becomes clinically ill. Screening and early detection are key to effective preventative medicine and long-term management.

Always

She says, “Knowing what you need to help your animal live well with common diseases by finding them early is most effective. We can detect the early stages of feline heart disease, cardiac damage, Cushing’s and pancreatitis so that treatment can prolong life and its quality. Get instant results!”

Location: 305 Nottingham Rd., Nottingham. For appointments and more information, email Info@JudithShoemaker.com, visit AlwaysHelpfulVeterinaryServices.com or call 717-5290526. See ad, page 40.

The ninth annual Lancaster County Women’s Expo, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 15, at Wyndham Resort (formerly Lancaster Host Resort), invites women of all ages and interests for a lively experience of shopping, inspiration and relaxation, and to learn about local products and services.

Guests can connect with representatives from participating businesses and organizations in home improvement, finances, health and wellness, beauty, fitness, fashion, retirement living, leisure, entertainment and more.

The Women’s Expo includes demonstrations, seminars and entertainment, including tips for finding an organizing style by professional organizer Sara Hall and book signings by area romance novelist Chas Williamson.

Admission and parking are free. Location: 2300 Lincoln Hwy. E., Lancaster. For more information, call 717-285-1350 or visit AGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com. See ad, page 3.

10% on your 1st online purchase using promo code: NATURAL

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The harvest of nature, expertly crafted in Lancaster county 48 Slaymaker Hill Rd | Kinzers · 717-587-3990 · Inshanti.com

Hempfield Apothetique will conduct a class, Cooking with Cannabis, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., on the second Saturday of each month, including March 4, taught by Hempfield coowner Heather Kreider, RN, who completed advanced cannabis training and is Pennsylvania dispensary agent certified.

She says, “We believe in food as medicine.” Participants will receive the tools and knowledge to incorporate herbal medicine into tasty dishes and blend the magic of cannabis with the craft of cooking in this introductory class.

“Held in our demo kitchen, we will show you how to make infused butter and oil to give you the building blocks to include hemp in your dishes. These methods can be adapted for vegan bases as well, and edibles are a good solution for anyone who wants to experience the healing powers of hemp without smoking or vaping,” advises Kreider.

Cost is $50. Location: 100 W. Walnut St., Lancaster. For more information, call 717-874-8480, email Hello@HempfieldApothetique.com or visit HempfieldApothetique.com/event/cooking-with-cannabisintroduction-class-march-2023. See ads, pages 35 and 50.

Nonprofit Grey Muzzle Manor counselors Marcy Tocker, MA, NCC, and staff are available for children, adults, couples, families and groups, using the 45-acre farm to work with clients. Animals, nature, art and other features, along with conventional therapeutic approaches, are utilized to address a variety of struggles such as adoption and foster care, ADHD, life transitions, anxiety, neurodivergency, relationship issues and other mental and emotional health concerns.

The farm comprises woodlands, a stream, meadows, barns, pasture and a tiny office. Horses, pigs, chickens, ducks, and dogs are available to assist in the therapeutic process. Hippotherapy— physical/occupational therapy using horses as tools—is also available onsite. Grey Muzzle Manor clients are given the opportunity to make necessary changes in their lives, a means by which to heal from past trauma and take initiatives to create the life they desire.

Location: 1164 Blattadahl Rd., Mohrsville. For appointments and more information, email MTocker@GreyMuzzleManor.org, call 610-655-5271 or visit GreyMuzzleManor.com. See ad, page 51.

“Celebrating childhood, community, and the inherent value and dignity of every person, students develop strong academic and social skills, mindful self-awareness, and intense personal interests, learning to build inclusive, just and peaceful communities.”

GSL Organics is conducting both candle- and soapmaking classes on Saturdays. Owner Candy Ann Pack says, “In about one-and-a-half hours, I will teach you how to make three different fun luxury products that you get to take home with you. We will start with a 100 percent domestic soy candle with a cotton wick with your choice of fragrance. We will then make a soap that you can roll into a scroll—you choose your herbs and essential oils. Finally, we will be making a face spritzer that contains organic aloe vera. We will chat about the benefits of essential oils, organic ingredients and herbs, and which would be the best for you.” Pack is a certified aromatherapist, holistic nutritionist and the formulator of GSL Organics, which are vegan and vegetarianfriendly. She has been making products for more than 25 years using only natural, organic and pure essential oils and ingredients with no parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, petroleum or gluten.

Cost is $50, registration required. Location: 216 S. Church St., Quarryville. For more information, email Candy@GreenStreetLux.com, call 717-844-1444 or visit GSLOrganics.org/classes. See ads, pages 15 and 53.

PEAK Integrative Medicine will hold a grand opening on March 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 1120 Centre Turnpike, in Orwigsburg. Owner Dr. Buddy Touchinsky, Dr. Liana Rodriguez, Dr. Brandon Aucker, Amy Strauss, NP, and Christin Kellett, NP, provide care for the whole family, including family medicine

(sick visits, acute disease management and annual well visits), functional and lifestyle medicine, and chiropractic care. Memberships start at $129 per month, with couple and family discounts. They also provide functional wellness labs (in-depth blood testing) with consults via telemedicine for those outside the immediate area.

Touchinsky says, “It’s rare to find a practice that truly integrates professionals that can offer the care best suited for the most common health issues out there—traditional medicine, functional and lifestyle medicine, and chiropractic care. If medications are needed, we can prescribe them. If a natural approach using diet, lifestyle, and supplements are best, we can add that to the plan. If a hands-on approach is best, we can do that, too.”

For appointments and more information, call 570-366-2613, email Info@PeakIntegrativeMed.com or visit GoPeakMed.com.

Dr. Darlene Heath, DC, CTT and Teresa Greco, NP, CTN, of Heath Chiropractic and Wellness Center, have received technician training certification for the QEST4 Meridian Stress Analysis Bioenergetic Testing System to provide patients with non-invasive, cutting-edge technology that provides information they need for total health.

Bioenergetic testing pinpoints what forms of supplementation the body’s innate intelligence recognizes as beneficial for supporting itself. Heath says, “Bioenergetic testing is used to provide the body with the support it requires to function the way it was originally designed to function.”

Location: 14 W. Main St, Landisville. For appointments and mor information, call 717-530-5555, email HeathChiropractic@ gmail.com or visit HeathChiropractic.com. See ads, pages 33, 50 and 54.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than 100 U.S. crops depend on pollination by honeybees and other insects. Safeguarding commercial honeybee colonies is critical to food production as there has been an alarming population decline in wild species due to habitat loss, pesticide use and the climate crisis.

Recently, the USDA granted a two-year conditional license for a vaccine that protects honeybees from American foulbrood disease (AFB), a widespread, destructive ailment. The non-GMO inoculation will initially be available to commercial beekeepers and can be used in organic agriculture.

Prior to this booster, the only treatment method for AFB required beekeepers to burn the infected hives and equipment. According to vaccine manufacturer Dalan Animal Health, their vaccination is incorporated into the royal jelly, which worker bees feed to the queen. Once ingested, fragments of the treatment are deposited in the queen’s ovaries, providing developing larvae AFB immunity as they hatch.

Wind turbines provide one of the cleanest sources of energy; the power they produce is free, helping us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Several European companies are working to improve wind turbines by further reducing their carbon footprint. Stora Enso, one of the largest private forest owners in the world, has partnered with Voodin Blade Technology of Germany to make sustainable wooden, wind turbine blades. They are currently producing 66-foot blades and plan to make 262-foot blades in the future. These sustainable, laminated veneer, lumber blades have a high load-bearing capacity, are lighter and reduce the use of fossil fuels in manufacturing. Because they are relatively lightweight, the blades can be transported without heavy-duty equipment, further reducing their carbon impact. Stora Enso is also partnering with Swedish wood technology company Modvion in an effort to make wood the material of choice for wind turbine towers.

SAFE

Hughes Home Services professional cleaning & organizing

717-538-6383 samanthannehughes@yahoo.com lancaster, pa family owned and operated since 2007

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• Hormonal Changes

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MERGING THE ART OF HEALING WITH THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE

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14 Preston Rd. · Reinholds 717-925-7462

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Scientists have warned for years that as forests and grasslands are disappearing at unprecedented rates and oceans are pressured by pollution, humans are pushing Earth beyond tenable limits. In December 2022, nearly 200 countries agreed on a Global Biodiversity Framework at the United Nations 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The historic agreement represents hope for real progress to halt the loss of biodiversity. Among its numerous provisions, the framework commits nations to protect 30 percent of the world’s lands, inland waters, coastal areas and oceans by 2030; increase financing for nature restoration and protection; halt human-induced extinction; and protect the rights of indigenous people. The protections will emphasize areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and services.

Throughout the talks there was division over the strength of the measures and how to finance them. In a statement released by the Wildlife Conservation Society, vice president of international policy Susan Lieberman said, “The [framework] is a compromise, and although it has several very good and hardfought elements, it could have gone further to truly transform our destructive relationship with nature.” During negotiations, some countries called for a new fund to be set up to help preserve biodiversity, but this recommendation was not included in the final pact.

Hamburg Field House Pine Street • Hamburg, PA 19526

Swagbag to the first 150 visitors each day

For directions and details go to: www.innerpeaceholisticexpo.com

April 15 th & 16 th | Sat. 10am-6pm • Sun. 10am-5pm

Variety of vendors including: • ionic cleanse foot detox

• reflexology • crystals & gemstones • reiki • massage

• CBD products • wellness products for home and person

• handcrafted soaps & jewelry • live blood analysis sessions • psychic mediums • aura photos • readers • holistic pet care • essential oils ...and much more! Food & drink available

80 our website to subscribe NALancaster.com | NABerks.com or call 717-399-3187

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Each year, humpback whales migrate from the frigid waters near Alaska and western Canada to the warm waters of Mexico and Hawaii to breed and give birth. At the end of 2022, an extraordinary whale named Moon made the 3,100-mile journey from British Columbia to Hawaii with a broken back. The Canadian researchers that have been tracking Moon for the past decade discovered that the entire lower portion of her tail was bent into an unnatural “S” shape, presumably as a result of a boat strike.

Researchers speculate the whale made the arduous journey without the use of her tail, essentially using the breaststroke to make her migration. The journey left Moon emaciated when she reached Hawaii, having used up her fat stores and with no hope of recovery, given the scarce food resources in the tropical waters. Moon’s story serves as a cautionary tale for the devastating effects of ship collisions with whales. Boaters are reminded to treat whale areas like school zones and slow down to keep marine creatures safe.

For centuries, brazilwood (Paubrasilia echinata) has been used to make the finest bows for classical stringed instruments due to its unmatched ability to project sound. The wood comes from Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, one of the most threatened biomes in the world. This once abundant wood is now endangered, and its trade is regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Since 2018, Brazilian authorities have been cracking down on brazilwood smuggling. They’ve confiscated almost 150,000 bows (and sticks) and last year raided 37 properties connected to their manufacture. In November 2022, signatories to the CITES treaty voted to expand restrictions and require permits to export newly made brazilwood bows. The classical music industry and several of its stars have voiced their opposition to such restrictions, but ecologists assert it is the only way to save the species.

Offering Monthly: Chakradance

Saturday Soul Strategies

New Moon Circle (check website for details)

Call/text: 610-463-8701 ∞ peace.n.reki@gmail.com www.PeaceNReiki.com

A new study may shed light on why some people gain more weight than others regardless of diet and activity levels. Led by researchers at the University of Copenhagen and published in the journal Microbiome, the study found that being overweight may also be related to the makeup of a person’s gut microbiome. The researchers studied 85 overweight adults and found that 40 percent of the participants had more Bacteroides in their gut microbiome, which are more effective at extracting nutrients from food, possibly causing leftover food to be stored as fat. Before they began their study, the researchers had hypothesized that a long digestive travel time would allow people to extract more energy from their food, but they found instead that people with shorter digestive travel times were actually the ones that extracted the most nutrition. Those with Bacteroides had shorter intestinal transit times and higher body weight.

Although human-grade foods for pets are commercially available, little research has been done on their health impacts. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Animal Science compared the fecal output of 12 dogs that ate one of three types of dog food: fresh, human-grade or extruded (kibble). The researchers found that the dogs that were fed fresh and human-grade food excreted about half as much as those that were fed classic, processed dog food. The human-grade foods were also found to be extremely digestible, and the dogs that ate them had to eat less food to maintain the same weight. There were many differences in fecal microbiota among the three diets, and the scientists stated that this was likely because of differences in ingredient source, nutrient concentrations and processing methods.

Stressed college students might benefit by adding walnuts to their diet before their next exam. A randomized clinical trial published in the journal Nutrients sought to investigate the effects of academic stress and daily walnut consumption on mental health, general well-being and gut microbiota in a group of 80 college students. Walnuts are full of nutrients that support brain and gut health, including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, melatonin (sleepinducing hormone), polyphenols, folate and vitamin E.

The University of South Australia researchers concluded that daily consumption of one half cup of walnuts improved self-reported mood and mental health status, metabolic biomarkers and sleep quality. The data also suggested that walnuts might counteract the negative effects of academic stress on the gut microbiota in women. The scientists noted that more research was needed with respect to males, as far fewer men participated in this study. They also cautioned that the placebo effect could have influenced results, as this was not a blind study.