Natural Awakenings New Haven & Middlesex CT NOV 2017

EE R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

SACRED SILENCE Discover the Benefits of Quiet at a Silent Retreat

METABOLISM MYSTERY

HEALTHY

PLANET

Natural

Remedies for

Diabetes

Warming Up to

Geothermal

ENERGY

Balancing Body Systems Key to Weight Loss

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November 2017

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letterfrompublisher Brenda Tate Photography

Our November issue is themed Metabolic Imbalances and Silent Retreats. We would all benefit from a little quiet time right now to help ease some of the tension in our minds and bodies after months of angst surrounding geopolitical instability and disasters brought on by nature—and humans. Many of us have personal connections with people, who were affected by these unprecedented catastrophic events.

November is a reflective time when we review all that has transpired during the past ten months.

The year 2017 has certainly tested our emotional resilience, both personally and as a nation, calling upon us to navigate our way through uncharted waters polluted with widening political polarization, toxic rhetoric and violent expressions of anger. In terms of the unexpected, we have weathered many storms—literally and figuratively—and to make matters even more interesting, these uncharted waters haven’t even felt like water at times.

In the spirit of our November theme, I am going to keep my message simple and let our editorial speak for itself. However, I would like to share with you, my dear readers, what has been helpful for me in regaining my center and emotional balance, though I am not offering this as advice. After all, there is no one-size-fits-all for wellness, which is precisely why I love publishing this magazine. Natural Awakenings is a resource that informs about many different modalities to help enhance health and well-being. We leave it up to our readers to choose whatever resonates best.

All of that being said, in early October, I felt a strong urge to go on a two-week cleanse (longer than usual) and discipline myself to meditate daily. While neither of these modalities would be considered a silent retreat, the release of toxins from my body and negative thoughts from my mind has been very effective in quieting the incessant noise that was creating a tug of war between my head and heart.

Prior to the cleanse, I was feeling totally ungrounded. In late September, when I went for my weekly Reiki session with Susane Grasso, she also brought this to my attention. Susane took one look at me and said “Your energy is misfiring all over the place. When was the last time you did a cleanse?” I thought “Okay, that’s it!

Cleanse begins tomorrow.” A week later when I saw Susane again, she noted a dramatic shift in my energy—and I could feel it too. For me, a plant-based diet, meditation, exercise—and, of course, regular laughter (one of the best ways to release tension) has always been the magic bullet for enhancing my own wellness.

However, it may not be for everyone. It is always best to educate yourself about a particular modality before you try it on and then—just see if it fits.

We hope you enjoy our informative reads and explore some of the offerings in our community calendar, news briefs and advertisements. Have fun with it!

contact us Publisher Art Director Gail Heard 203-988-1808 Gail@naturalnewhaven.com Managing Local Editor Ariana Rawls Fine Design and Production Gail Heard Sales and Marketing Gail Heard Distribution Man in Motion LLC Printer TN Printing To contact Natural Awakenings New Haven/Middlesex Counties: Natural Awakenings PO Box 525 North Branford, CT 06471 Phone: 203-988-1808 Gail@NaturalNewHaven.com NaturalNewHaven.com © 2017 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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

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

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

We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available for $30 ( for 12 issues ). Please call 203-988-1808 with credit card information.

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contents 6 newsbriefs 10 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs 21 wisewords 10 22 healingways 12 28 inspiration 30 consciouseating 34 greenliving 36 naturalpet 38 calendar 13 42 classifieds 44 resourceguide

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

14 THE METABOLISM MYSTERY

Balancing Body Systems Key to Weight Loss

by Nicole Fevrier Davis

16 GENETIC IMPACT ON

METABOLIC DISORDERS

The Role of the MTHFR Mutation

by Dr. David Johnston

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18 PREVENTING, REVERSING 18 AND MANAGING DIABETES NATURALLY

by Linda Sechrist

21 LISSA RANKIN ON advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 203-988-1808 or email Gail@NaturalNewHaven.com.

Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to Gail@NaturalNewHaven.com Deadline for editorial: the 1st of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit calendar events online at NaturalNewHaven.com.

To revise or discontinue a calendar listing email Calendar@NaturalNewHaven.com.

Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

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

MOVING FROM FEAR TO FREEDOM

by April Thompson

22 SACRED SILENCE

Discover the Benefits of Quiet at a Silent Retreat

by April Thompson

24 FLOATING AWAY STRESS Isolation Tanks Induce Deep Rest and Healing

by Gina McGalliard

26 MEDITATION AS PATH

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TO INNER KNOWING Explore True Inner Reality

by Bobby Kitsios

30 NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S 36 STUFFING

Healthy Twists on Old Favorites

by Judith Fertig

36 MANAGIING HOLIDAY STRESS IN PETS

by Mary Oquendo

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November 2017

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Experiencing Spiritual and Creative Enlightenment

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n November 12, the New Age and Craft Expo will be held at the Wyndham Southbury from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Intuitive readers will be available. Learn about your past, any obstacles or open doors ahead. Be guided by the angels, spirit guides or loved ones. Bring a picture of a pet and find out what they’d like you to know. Have your aura photo taken. Or take a break for a relaxing massage or Reiki session.

Handcrafted gifts will be available in time for the holidays as well as unique jewelry, soaps and skin care, natural teas and cookies, candles, fairies, and dolls. Stock up on your spiritual needs with crystals and gemstones, Tibetan singing bowls, tuning forks, sage, incense, and more.

There will also be two rooms of dynamic speakers and guided meditations.

Admission is $6 per person. This year, all proceeds from the raffles will go towards hurricane relief.

For more information, call 203-733-6560 or email Cryours87@yahoo.com. Location: Wyndham Southbury (formerly Crowne Plaza), 1284 Strongtown Rd., Southbury, CT. See ad on right page.

So, You Want to Make a Difference?

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ome learn how to turn your concern into a cause or find one to give or receive support at the monthly meeting of Holistic Moms Network’s New Haven County chapter on November 21 at 6:30 p.m. in Milford, Connecticut. Making a difference can be very rewarding but it can also take a toll on your personal and home life. There are many ways to contribute some that take more time and energy than others.

Hear from “recovering” advocates as well as those who are currently “being the change” that they want to see in the world in both big and small ways. Learn how to write a letter to your legislators, find places to connect with others with similar concerns and more. Everyone can make a difference. Every voice does matter.

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Holistic Moms Network is a nonprofit support and discussion network that welcomes all people wherever they are on the holistic path in an environment that does not judge. The member chapter, open to the public, meets the third Tuesday of each month at the Woodruff Family YMCA, 631 Orange Avenue, Milford, Connecticut. Children are welcome.

For more information, visit HolisticMoms.org or Facebook. com/HMNNewHaven.

Open House for Holistic Health in Milford

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ith winter approaching, how do you relax and recharge in order to enjoy the holidays (in spite of all the hard work they involve)? On November 16 from 6-9 p.m., Holly Burton, a licensed massage therapist and the owner of Walnut Beach Wellness & Boutique in Milford, Connecticut, will be offering a sampling of holistic health offerings at her wellness center. They include mini-treatments and organic house-blended teas.

Guests will be able to mix and mingle over organic wine and chat with acupuncture, reiki and massage therapy practitioners. There will be a free raffle to win therapeutic services and discounts on a range of boutique items from jewelry to locally made organic body products to apothecary items such as bulk organic herbs and therapeutic-grade supplements.

The open house is also part of the Walnut Beach 3rd Thursday Neighborhood Stroll. The November Stroll is widely anticipated as it marks the 5th Annual Chili Cook Off. Locals and travelers will have the opportunity to peruse Milford’s Walnut Beach businesses while enjoying free samples of the contending chilies and cast their votes for the winner. Walnut Beach Wellness & Boutique will feature an organic, wholefood, allergy-friendly entry in the Chili Cook Off. For more information, call 203-693-3893, email Info@WalnutBeachWellness.com or visit WalnutBeachWellness.com. Location: Walnut Beach Wellness & Boutique, 41 Naugatuck Ave., Milford, CT.

Unrelenting Pain

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re you one of the many with neck, upper back or low back pain that just won’t go away? Have you tried therapy, injections and exercise, yet it persists?

Consider that the area that is uncomfortable may be a compensation for another area of the spine that is not painful.

Similar to a necklace, the links (vertebrae) are all connected, and all the areas need freedom of movement to flow naturally.

A complimentary 10-minute biomechanical assessment of the spine is being offered. Meet with Phyllis Quinn P.T. on

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newsbriefs

November 14 from 3-4 p.m. or November 16 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. to discuss your symptoms; she can help you decide if physical therapy might be a good option. Call to register. If these times are not convenient, call to schedule another time.

For more information and to register, call 203-315-7727.

Location: Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, 500 East Main Street Suite 310, Branford, CT. See ad on page 17.

Celebrating and Supporting the Feral Feline Festival

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n November 4 from 7 p.m. to midnight, the Greater New Haven Cat Project (GNHCP) invites you to their 21st Feral Feline Festival in New Haven, Connecticut. This is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year and will feature dancing with live music from Angelo Vessichio’s Sound Alternative Band. In addition there will be raffle basket draw with many prizes.

The event is B.Y.O.B. with complimentary light hors d’oeuvres and coffee. Tickets are $30 per person, with all proceeds benefitting GNHCP’s spay/neuter program for feral cats.

The Greater New Haven Cat Project, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of stray, abandoned and feral cats in the Greater New Haven area of Connecticut.

For more information and ticket reservations, email gnhcp1@ gnhcp.org or visit Facebook.com/Events/280176829157465.

Location: Annex YMA Club Lounge and Hall, 554 Woodward Ave., New Haven, CT.

Community Building of a Sweat Bath

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n November 11 at 10 a.m. to November 12 at 6 p.m., Robert Vetter, MA, will be coming from Long Island, New York, to share his teachings about the Mexican Temezcal therapeutic sweat bath tradition and begin to build a sweat bath at PillWillop Therapeutic Farm in Wolcott, CT. This will be an ongoing approximately once a month ceremony at the farm as Vetter and the community look to create the space.

Vetter, a teacher and practitioner of Mesoamerican Curanderismo, is a cultural anthropologist who has been conducting fieldwork in the area of spirituality and healing since 1980. He is a seasoned and traditionally apprenticed Curendero (folk healer), blending his experience in Plains

Come Exerience a Day of Spiritual & Creative Enlightenment!

Sun. Nov. 12, 2017 10 AM - 5 PM 2 Rooms of Dynamic Speakers & Guided Meditations TAROT & INTUITIVE READINGS HANDCRAFTED JEWELRY HEALTH & WELLNESS AURA PHOTOS ANGEL CARDS CRYSTALS CANDLES SOAPS DOLLS AND MUCH

For more info email:

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November 2017

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Indian knowledge, and Peruvian and Mexican shamanic healing practices. He also leads retreats to various places focused on indigenous wisdom ways.

“If it is to work, it means a commitment of everyone to begin the process, see it thru to building, and maintain so the community continues to have this amazing tool for improving health, wellbeing, and individual spiritual growth,” say Audrey Bennett and Lisa Plihcik Corson.

For an itemized list of what supplies are needed, visit Facebook.com/events/1922077754713634. The suggested donation for the November events, which are sober events, is $40. Contact Bennett at 860-819-8570 to hold a space, and for specific protocol for health issues, what to wear and what to bring.

Vetter is also available for personal shamanic healing sessions for a suggested donation of $100.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ events/1922077754713634. To learn more about the farm, visit DocWarren.org/PillWillopTherapyFarm/ ServicesattheFarm.html. Location: PillWillop Therapeutic Farm, 1089 Woodtick Road Wolcott, CT.

Give A Crap!

World Toilet Day Fundraiser

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o celebrate World Toilet Day, the Whistle Stop Cafe will be holding a fundraiser on November 19 from 5-9 p.m. for a community water resource project at the Sanctuary environmental retreat center in East Haddam, CT. This project will include a composting toilet, solar shower and outdoor kitchen for community gatherings held on the Sanctuary land trust. It will showcase design and building techniques supporting self-sufficiency, eco-system harmony and unfolding wholeness.

“Water is our most precious resource, actually a sacred substance. Conventional toilets are just one environmental problem with our disastrous waste water treatment systems.

A composting toilet, which wastes no water and recycles ‘humanure’ to earth to promote soil fertility, is the toilet of the future,” says Jen Taylor, executive director of the Sanctuary.

Guests will enjoy a family style po po platter prepared by water activist, cooking yogini and Whistle Stop Cafe owner Hedy Watrous. It includes soup, vegetarian world foods and a warm crisp dessert. Outdoor dining is near the fire pits so dress warm. Live music by musicians from the Sanctuary’s active musical scene will be playing as well. Tickets are $35 per person.

For reservations and more information, call 860-319-1134 or visit Sanctuary.org. Location: Whistle Stop Café, 108 Main St., Deep River, CT. See retreat center profile on page 27.

Random Acts of Kindness Rock Painting

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s part of Shubert Theater’s seasonlong Beautiful Kindness Project, they will be partnering with the New Haven Land Trust to create Kindness Rock Gardens at the Fair Haven Library Garden, the Truman Street Community Garden and the Winchester Community Garden. Join for this rock painting session on November 1 and 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and help pass along some kindness to others.

The L. Suzio York Hill Companies provided the rocks.

The National Honors Society Students at Co-op High School prepared the rocks for painting and the students will also be assisting people with their designs.

For more information, visit Shubert.com/Community-Outreach or Facebook.com/Events/278103512700623.

Therapy for Alzheimer’s Available to Help

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lzheimer’s disease, dementia and related cognitive problems are amongst the most devastating illnesses facing individuals and families today. The global burden of Alzheimer’s disease is staggering, and unfortunately on the rise. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are a leading cause of death in the United States. Presently, over 5 million Americans are living with this disease. Another 45 million currently living Americans are expected to develop it. More so, it is well established that the health of family members and additional caregivers is severely impacted by this condition. They have to provide consistent care for loved

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For more information, call the Cognitive Enhancement Program at 203-239-3400, email Office@TheLifeCenterofCT.com or visit TheLifeCenterofCT.com. Locations: The Life Center of CT, 2 Broadway, North Haven, CT and 1007 Farmington Ave. 7A, West Hartford, CT. See ads on page 11.

Jim Durant’s Myofascial Therapy

Fall Hikers’ Hike Uphill at Sleeping Giant

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he Sleeping Giant Park Association invites you to join their Fall Hikers’ Hike on November 12 at 11 a.m.

Hike along with experienced leaders who know and love the “Giant.” Since the pace will be faster than that of other hikes—and the duration, length and difficulty greater—this hike is for experienced hikers only.

You should plan for a strenuous hike over rough terrain, lasting for four to five hours. Meet at the bulletin board by the kiosk near the park entrance at 11 a.m. Wear hiking shoes. Bring snacks and water (preferably in a day pack).

The hike is free and open to the public. Advance registration is not necessary; however, minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Out of consideration for other hikers, dogs are not permitted on the hike.

For more information, visit SGPA.org. Inquiries can be directed to the SGPA Hiking Committee at Hike_the_Giant@ yahoo.com. The Sleeping Giant Park is located on Mt. Carmel Avenue in north Hamden (off Whitney Avenue). The park entrance is directly across the street from Quinnipiac University.

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ones experiencing an inevitable loss of memory, thought processing, basic human function and life associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Robert Lee, ND, MS, MA, of The Life Center of CT has begun implementing a therapy shown to reverse memory and cognitive impairment associated with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions. It involves assessing over 30 biological markers through blood/urine tests and physical exams, then correcting them through low-risk dietary changes, Dr. Robert Lee nutritional supplement and other lifestyle modifications. These therapies can also be used alongside medications if they are currently being prescribed.

Coming Next Month True Prosperity Plus: Community Connections December articles include: Tips for a Peaceful and Happy Holiday Uplifting Your Family New Year Inspirations and so much more!

Onions Healthy for Heart and Kidneys

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cientists from the Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, both in Tehran, Iran, investigated the impact on leading diseases of regularly eating onion and garlic (both belonging to the genus Allium). Using data from more than 12,000 people for an average of six years, researchers assessed their onion and garlic consumption using a food frequency questionnaire and compared those measurements with blood pressure and incidences of both cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease.

The scientists discovered the subjects that ate more onion and garlic regularly had risk reductions of 64 percent in cardiovascular disease, 32 percent in chronic kidney disease and 25 percent in hypertension compared to those that ate less of them.

TEETOTALERS ENJOY LESS HEART DISEASE In a meta-analysis of 45 research studies covering thousands of subjects led by Canada’s University of Victoria, in British Columbia, researchers found that former and occasional drinkers have a 45 percent increased risk of heart disease than nondrinkers. This discovery contradicts the widely held belief that occasional alcohol consumption reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.

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healthbriefs

Overtime Hours Linked to Tooth Decay

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esearchers from the Tokyo Dental College, in Japan, have discovered a link between excessive overtime work and oral health by comparing overtime hours worked per month with the rate of untreated tooth decay. Of 951 financial workers studied, 13 percent of the men with no overtime hours reported tooth decay, while 19 percent of those working up to 45 hours of overtime per month did. This increased to 27 percent for those working 45 to 80 extra hours per month and exceeded 31 percent for those logging more than 80.

Workers with the most overtime hours were more likely to list “too busy with work” as their reason for leaving decayed teeth untreated. The results came after adjusting for differences in age, education, smoking, snacking, dental visits and oral hygiene.

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Aerobics Improve Brain Function

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esearchers from the Wake Forest School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, have found that aerobic exercise increases overall brain volume and gray matter, and helps improve brain function.

Thirty-five adults with mild cognitive impairment were split into an aerobic group and a stretching group. The aerobic group participated in moderate-to-vigorous exercise four times per week for six months, while the others did stretching exercises at the same rate. The researchers used magnetic resolution imaging with each participant at the beginning of the study and after six months to determine potential changes in the brain.

They found that both groups showed volume increases in gray matter regions linked to short-term memory, but the aerobic group displayed a larger preservation of overall brain volume. They also had greater improvements in cognitive function.

Cranberry Prebiotic Promotes Gut Health

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There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.

esearch from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, has found that the cell walls of cranberries contain xyloglucan, a complex sugar that feeds the beneficial, naturally occurring bifidobacteria, enhancing the body’s microbiome.

“A lot of plant cell walls are indigestible, just like we can’t digest the special sugars found in xyloglucans,” explains nutritional microbiologist and researcher David Sela, Ph.D. “But when we eat cranberries, the xyloglucans enter our intestines, where beneficial bacteria can break them down into useful molecules and compounds.”

Sela emphasizes the importance of prebiotics. “With probiotics, we are taking extra doses of beneficial bacteria that may or may not help our gut health,” he says. “But with prebiotics, we already know that we have the beneficial guys in our guts, so let’s feed them with more nutrients and things that they like.”

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~ George Carlin

November 2017

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globalbriefs

Renewables Hit High Mark in UK

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

Wine Worry

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Monsanto’s toxic Roundup herbicide glyphosate has been found in all 10 California vintages tested, including organic wines. While glyphosate isn’t sprayed directly onto grapes because it would kill the vines, it’s often used to spray the ground in the vineyard to be absorbed via the roots.

Sometimes, glyphosate drifts from conventional vineyards into nearby organic and biodynamic vineyards. Other times, the toxin remains in the soil after a conventional farm has been converted to organic; the chemical may persist onsite for more than 20 years.

Glyphosate is patented as an antibiotic. Designed to kill bacteria, it harms both soils and human health, and has been cited as a human carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

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Glyphosate Toxin Turns Up in Wines

In a major marker of renewable growth, sources of energy that includes wind, solar, hydro and wood pellet burning briefly generated more electricity—50.7 percent—than coal and gas in Great Britain for the first time on June 7.

When nuclear sources are added, the number increased to 72.1 percent.

Records for wind power are also being set across Northern Europe.

For glyphosate-related consumer information, search Actions at MomsAcrossAmerica.com.

Faster Rescues

Artificial Intelligence Helps Locate People and Wildlife

Landfill Eulogy

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Sweden Dumps its Dumps Landfills generate environmental problems such as the greenhouse gas methane that warms the atmosphere and toxic chemicals from household cleaning products that pollute soil and groundwater. Installations are smelly, noisy and can breed disease-transmitting vermin, as well as harm wildlife.

Recycling helps cut the volume of waste, but the bulk of all trash continues to fill these dumps.

Sweden produces about the same amount of waste as other European nations, but less than 1 percent of its household refuse ends up in landfills.

Thirty-two waste-to-energy (WTE) plants that have been operating across the country for years incinerate more than 2 million tons of trash annually—almost 50 percent of all waste.

The country still recycles, but anything else normally ends up in the WTE incinerators, creating steam to generate electricity distributed on the grid. This system heats close to a million homes and powers more than a quarter-million, thus reducing Sweden’s reliance on fossil fuels. Sweden also helps to clean up other countries in the European Union by importing their trash and burning it.

Because specific products contain materials that cannot be recycled or incinerated, some landfills are still necessary.

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Getting Greener

Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping doctors and scientists worldwide do their jobs better. In wildlife preservation, many researchers want to know how many animals there are and where they live, but Tanya Berger-Wolf, a professor of computer science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, states, “Scientists do not have the capacity to do this, and there are not enough GPS collars or satellite tracks in the world.”

At AI-driven Wildbook.org, photos are uploaded by experts and the public and analyzed for species, age and even gender. One massive Kenyan study in 2015 prompted officials to alter their lion management program.

Also, the locations of stranded victims of floods, earthquakes or other disasters can be determined via computer programmers writing basic algorithms that examine extensive footage. In flooded areas, AI technology can also find debris that harbors trapped people.

AI techniques can even monitor social media sites to find out more about missing people and disasters.

Why Whales Leap High

Humpback whales are famous for their prodigious leaps from the water. A recent paper published in Marine Mammal Science proposes that breaching the surface and making a big splash serves as an acoustic telegram to communicate with far-off pods.

The phenomenon may be compared to a distant drumbeat, which probably carries farther than the whales’ signature songs.

Former University of Queensland marine biologist Ailbhe S. Kavanagh, Ph.D., and her colleagues observed 76 humpback groups off the coast of Australia for 200 hours between 2010 and 2011 and found that breaching is much more common when pods are at least 2.5 miles apart, with more local slapping of fins and flukes when fellow whales are nearby.

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Humpback Holler

Pedestrian Power Smart Street Lights Powered

by Footsteps

Window Pain martin33/Shutterstock.com

Birds Die Flying Into Reflective Glass One night earlier this year, nearly 400 birds migrating north from Central and South America died in the midst of a storm from slamming into the 23-story American National Insurance Company skyscraper in Galveston, Texas. Among the victims were Nashville warblers, yellow warblers and ovenbirds.

The American Bird Conservancy estimates as many as 1 billion birds die annually from colliding with glass in the U.S. as they see and therefore fly into the reflection of landscapes and the sky or inside vegetation.

The exterior of the Galveston building, previously lit by large floodlights, is now illuminated only by green lights on its top level for air travel safety considerations. Other widely available means to protect birds include products to make residential and commercial windows less attractive to them. Specially placed tape or mullions creating stripes or patterns can help birds identify glass and avoid deadly crashes. Awnings, shutters and outside screens can also reduce bird collisions with buildings.

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Black Friday Alternative This year, all REI outdoor outfitter stores will close on Black Friday and join hundreds of national and local organizations and like-minded brands to ask, “Will You Go Out with Us?” For the third year, the REI #OptOutside initiative will mobilize Americans to firmly establish a new tradition of choosing trails over sales on Black Friday, including camping under the stars instead of camping out at malls.

For helpful ideas, visit rei.com/ opt-outside.

Conventional street lights collectively emit more than 100 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.

The city of Las Vegas, a leader in municipal sustainability, has contracted with EnGoPlanet, a New York City clean tech startup, to install the world’s first Smart Street Lights powered by pedestrians’ footsteps via kinetic energy pads and solar energy. When someone steps on a kinetic tile, energy is created and goes directly to a battery.

Petar Mirovic, CEO of EnGoPlanet, says, “Clean and free energy is all around us. Urban cities have to build the smart infrastructures of tomorrow that will be able to harvest all of that energy. This project is a small but important step in that direction.”

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman says, “Through our LEED-certified buildings, solar projects, water reclamation, alternativefueled vehicles and sustainable streetlights, Las Vegas continues to lead the way.”

The company also cites Smart Street Light projects in Chicago, Detroit, Auburn Hills (Michigan), Asbury Park (New Jersey) and at stadiums such as the MercedesBenz Superdome, in New Orleans.

View an illustrative video at Tinyurl. com/SmartStreetLights.

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The Metabolism Mystery

Balancing Body Systems Key to Weight Loss

by Nicole Fevrier Davis

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he word, “metabolism” seems to confuse many people, appearing to be the mystery part of being human that eludes our personal goals to lose weight. Health and fitness advertisers seem to take advantage of this.

There are quite a few supplement or food advertisements that claim to boost metabolism, promise a metabolic burn after a workout or promote supplements that offer a “miracle metabolic charge.”

The reality is that these claims are suspect; there is no one supplement, workout or diet that can super charge our entire metabolism. That’s because it is a complex combination of several systems within the body.

Metabolism describes the sum of everything our bodies do in order to 14

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turn food into energy. There are many things that can affect that process. It is commonly thought that if we decrease calories and increase activity, it should help us lose weight. While that is the case for some, others may have intestinal bacterial problems, hidden food addictions, or hormonal or brain chemical imbalances which inhibit achievement of the goals. Ensuring all of the body’s systems are balanced and in good working order is crucial to a healthy running metabolism. Some of these systems are within our control and others are more elusive as they can’t be found without proper testing.

Here is a checklist of things to consider when evaluating metabolism function for a weight-loss goal.

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Cardio Vascular Training First check to make sure we are physically active 5-6 days out of the week.

The reality is many of us have difficulty finding the time to walk or workout.

Once we do find the time, we need to make sure we are working within a heart rate training range appropriate to our goals.

We need to keep in mind that highintensity workouts can sometimes miss the mark. We can regularly work out at a heart rate that is simply too high to produce the weight loss effects we want. Be mindful about goals; highintensity workouts are great to balance the lower heart rate workouts but they shouldn’t be the only thing we do.

Diet Eating is another metabolic sub-system that needs attention. Our metabolism loves food. It is unrealistic for anyone to survive on less than 1,400 calories a day for an extended period of time. That can be the main reason why so many people gain the weight they lost back or even more as soon as the diet ends.

The body needs nutrients to create energy to be able to accomplish our daily tasks and to work out. When we restrict caloric intake, we are actually sending the brain messages that we are starving; that sends further messages via chemicals like cortisol or insulin to store more body fat so we can survive.

Rather than restrict calories and slow the metabolism down, try eating more frequently throughout the day.

Eating several small meals full of protein, vegetables and fruits encourages our bodies to utilize those nutrients.

The new habit being created sends the brain messages that more nutrients are coming and there is no need to conserve body fat anymore.

Gut imbalances can also affect our moods and ability to digest nutrients, thus affecting our energy levels and other vital functions in the body. These imbalances can then have a “domino effect” on chemicals and hormones within the body.

Chemical and Hormonal Balance What about the times when we are eating properly, working out within the right heart rate range for our weight-loss goals and drinking plenty of water but we still can’t lose weight? Our metabolism may be affected by an imbalance

Eating several small meals full of protein, vegetables and fruits encourages our bodies to utilize those nutrients.

The new habit being created sends the brain messages that more nutrients are coming and there is no need to conserve body fat anymore. in our hormones or brain chemicals.

If we have an imbalance in cortisol, homocysteine, estrogen, testosterone, serotonin, endorphin or any of the other 100 chemicals and hormones that can affect our metabolism, we will continue to have issues losing weight.

This is what is dysfunctional about our current understanding of what is considered healthy weight loss in the fitness industry. The assumption that diet and exercise alone will get us to lose weight is flawed, especially if there are underlying brain and hormonal chemical imbalances.

If traditional methods are not helping someone lose the desired weight, it may be time to consider getting blood

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panels done by a metabolic physician.

Many metabolic doctors will not only prescribe appropriate medications for chemical or hormonal imbalances, but they can recommend supplements and specific changes in diet that can help the metabolism work properly.

Mental and Emotional Balance Thoughts create our reality and our behavior. Very often thoughts are the very things we should be changing most if we don’t have other imbalances. Emotional or mental stress has a direct impact on cortisol levels within the brain, and that affects metabolism. Other emotions like depression, anxiety, fear or anger can wreak havoc on our brain chemicals as well. We should be well equipped with coping strategies during our weight loss journey. Try meditation, find inspirational quotes, write down ideas or look for revelations from other people that helped them lose weight.

Create a mantra journal of great things and ways to think about the weight loss goal; pull it out when times get tough.

Paying attention to all of these metabolic subsystems helps rule out ambiguity of how or what we should be doing. It will also give us the added advantage when trying to lose weight.

And knowing these things will help our overall thought process and sense of accomplishment.

Nicole Fevrier Davis, principal of MindBody Mastery in Ridgefield, is a NASM and AFAA certified personal trainer, Reiki Master and psychic. To connect, call 646-739-7879 or visit MindBodyMastery.org.

Lisa Rosenberger, ND, LAc Naturopathic Physician and Licensed Acupuncturist 217 Montowese St. Branford, CT 06405

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Genetic Impact on Metabolic Disorders The Role of the MTHFR Mutation

by Dr. David Johnston

T

he human body is remarkable in its ability to maintain balance and function within its biochemistry of all the cellular processes occurring simultaneously. When we are healthy, this allows our tissues, organs and body to operate at peak performance as long as we get enough sleep, exercise and maintain proper nutrition. However, there are many imbalances within the metabolic processes of the body that can lead to inflammation and disease if they are not diagnosed and treated.

These can be due to toxins in the environment like pesticides, chemicals and heavy metals; genetic deficiencies; or nutrient deficiencies or imbalances of the intestinal environment, called the microbiome. Fortunately, in the field of functional medicine, there have been many advances made in understanding the science of the body. Modern science allows detection of imbalances early on before they become a disease or before they cause a person to suffer with uncomfortable symptoms.

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What is a Metabolic Disorder?

Metabolism is defined as the sum of the chemical reactions that take place within each cell of a living organism that provides energy for vital processes and synthesizing new organic material. Inherited metabolic disorders are referred to as inborn errors of metabolism. This occurs when a defective gene causes an enzyme deficiency. Metabolic diseases can also occur when the liver or pancreas are not functioning properly.

The principal classes of metabolic disorders are acid-base imbalances, metabolic brain diseases, calcium metabolism disorders, DNA repair deficiency disorders, glucose metabolism disorders, iron metabolism disorders, lipid metabolism disorders, mal-absorption syndromes, metabolic syndrome X, inborn error of metabolism, mitochondrial diseases and phosphorus metabolism disorders.

MTHFR is a gene that provides the body with instructions for making a certain enzyme called methylenetetra-

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Recommendations for those with the MTHFR Genetic Mutation Those with a MTHFR mutation are more likely to be low in folate and

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hydrofolate reductase. Mutations found are often called “polymorphisms” and affect genes referred to as MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C. Mutations can occur on different locations of these genes and be inherited from only one or both parents. Having one mutated allele is associated with increased risk of certain health problems, but having two increases the risk much more.

A MTHFR mutation is an example of an inherited metabolic disorder, which causes a problem associated with poor methylation and enzyme production.

MTHFR mutations affect every person differently, sometimes there are hardly any noticeable symptoms at all; at other times there may be serious, long-term health problems. Health conditions associated with MTHFR mutations include autism, ADHD, fertility problems, depression, heart problems, mood disorders and autoimmune disorders.

Although the exact prevalence rate is still debated, it’s believed that 30 to 50 percent of all people might carry a mutation in the MTHFR gene, which is inherited and passed down from parent to child. If we suspect we may carry the gene mutation or have any family history, it is helpful to ask a doctor to test for the MTHFR gene mutation through a blood test.

When we eat foods that contain folic acid (vitamin B9), MTHFR converts it into methylfolate, folate’s active form. Methylfolate is a key player in methylation, the process of adding a methyl group to a compound. Methylation is fundamental to the proper function of almost all of the body’s systems.

It’s involved in repairing and regenerating our cells, tissues and DNA; regulating gene expression and protein function; synthesizing neurotransmitters that influence mood, sleep, behavior, cognition and memory; controlling homocysteine (an amino acid that can damage blood vessels); keeping inflammation in check; assisting our liver in processing fats; activating and regulating the immune system; and modifying toxins and heavy metals.

related vitamins, including vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. The B vitamins are easier to obtain from supplements, but food sources are always best. To get more B vitamins, focus on eating enough quality protein foods, organ meats, nuts, beans, nutritional yeast and raw/fermented dairy products.

Getting more folate is very different than taking folic acid supplements. Some research even suggests that people with MTHFR mutations might have a harder time converting folic acid into its useable form and actually experience worsened symptoms from taking supplements containing folic acid.

Adequate folate is especially important before and during pregnancy. The period three months before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy, mothers who get enough folate lower their children’s risk for various health problems. Look for the bioavailable form of folate in supplements called l-methylfolate and consume plenty of foods with folate (beans and lentils, leafy green vegetables like raw spinach, asparagus, romaine, broccoli, avocado, and bright colored fruits like oranges and mangos).

Other factors can also make MTHFR mutation symptoms worse by further decreasing folate levels and raising homocysteine levels. These include eating a poor diet, leaky gut syndrome/ poor absorption, malnutrition, gastrointestinal illness, high amounts of stress, alcohol and drug use, and toxin exposure.

Natural treatments and ways to manage MTHFR symptoms include improving gut health, getting more natural folate from our diet, increasing intake of vitamin B6 and B12, exercising, decreasing ingestion of inflammatory foods, and managing stress.

David Johnston, DO, is a boardcertified osteopathic physician in neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine, and a Diplomate with the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine.

He holds additional certifications in cranial osteopathy. He practices at the Osteopathic Wellness Center, located at 158 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield.

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Preventing, Reversing and Managing Diabetes Naturally

by Linda Sechrist

M

ore health practitioners today are recognizing both the mind-body connection, as well as energetic and metaphysical insights into preventing and reversing illnesses. As a result, those facing diabetes and other health challenges are accessing contemporary resources such as Louise L. Hay’s explanation of the emotional roots of disease in You Can Heal Your Life, and the medical science and natural methods explained by health researcher and author Gary Null, Ph.D., in No More Diabetes: A Complete Guide to Preventing, Treating, and Overcoming Diabetes.

Applying a “both” rather than an “either” approach illuminates the importance of recognizing the ways our thoughts, emotions and lifestyle choices can impact chronic illness and long-term health.

Two Perspectives

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Hay suggests that this metabolic disorder may be rooted in a feeling of being deprived of life’s sweetness and longing for what might have been, accompanied by a great need to control deep sorrow. Such chronic unease can show up as Type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes; Type 2, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes; latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), a slowly progressing variation of Type 1; or gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy.

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Eavesdropping on our repetitive inner mind chatter and observing its impact on outer experiences can reveal faulty thinking that disrupts the mindbody connection. Hay, a firm believer in the power of affirmations to send a message to the subconscious mind, recommends them to aid healing. For diabetes, she suggests, “This moment is filled with joy. I now choose to experience the sweetness of today.”

Null cites medical evidence that explains how the physical causes of diabetes are related to the pancreatic production of the hormone insulin and the body’s use of it, together with rollercoaster blood sugar levels determined by food selections, stress, sleeplessness, insufficient rest and lack of exercise. His approach for preventing, reversing or managing this debilitating condition is to raise awareness of the physical, behavioral and mental causes that lead to its emergence, and making healthy lifestyle choices that regulate blood sugar levels.

Naturally Control Blood Sugar

Glucose, the human body’s key source of cellular energy, is the end product of the digestive system breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and fats for absorption in the intestines. From there, it passes into the bloodstream. Glucose also supplies energy for the brain. Normal blood glucose levels vary throughout the day. For healthy individuals, a fasting blood sugar level upon awakening is less than 100 milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dl) of blood. Before meals, normal levels are 70 to 99 mg/dl; otherwise, 100 to 125. Consistent readings above 126 indicate that lifestyle changes are needed to avoid eventual progression into full Type 2 diabetes.

When there’s an inability to efficiently transport glucose from the blood into cells, cells don’t receive the energy they need to function properly. “Elevated glucose levels contribute to blood vessel damage, high blood pressure and inflammation among other issues. High glucose causes insulin levels to spike in an effort to draw the glucose into cells.

This stresses the pancreas and causes a sugar crash, called hypoglycemia, which can lead individuals to make impulsive, poor food choices,” advises Marcy

processed foods, have a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.

Iankowitz’s effective, patientcentered practice follows a practical, four-month healing plan that includes tracking foods, moods, blood pressure, sleeping habits and exercise, all necessary to manage or reverse Type 2 diabetes.

Effective Diet Choices

Nourishing myself is a joyful experience, and I am worth the time spent on my healing. ~Louise L. Hay Kirshenbaum, a board-certified clinical nutritionist and owner of Enhance Nutrition, in Northbrook, Illinois.

She notes, “Elevated sugar and insulin levels raise triglycerides, a fat that circulates in the blood, and cholesterol, specifically the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels. Triglycerides and cholesterol are important measures of heart health. Triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dl in fasting blood is a risk factor for a stroke or heart attack.”

Early Heads-Up

According to the American Diabetes Association, 8.1 million of the 29.1 million individuals diagnosed with diabetes were previously unaware of any early symptoms such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, frequent urination, constant hunger (even after meals), unusual weight gain or loss and lack of energy. “Many individuals only learn of their condition from a doctor-ordered routine blood test such as the A1C glycated hemoglobin procedure, which reads blood sugar levels over a three-month period,” advises Dr. Nancy Iankowitz, a boardcertified family nurse practitioner and founding director of Holistic and Integrative Healing, in Holmes, New York.

Individuals that consume large amounts of simple carbohydrates and sugars, are overweight or are exceedingly sedentary and eat unhealthy

Making the highest-impact food choices is critical in the earliest stages of diabetes. That’s why nutritionist and holistic integrative health practitioner Saskia Kleinert, an independent practitioner who also serves as director of the Emeryville Health & Wellness Center, in California, helps patients integrate dietary changes into everyday life.

“Patient education includes the necessity of eating low-glycemic index foods and reducing blood glucose levels, while increasing healthy fats with nuts, avocado and olive oil,” advises Kleinert. She notes that antioxidant-rich plant foods are another key component of an effective dietary plan for all age groups.

The role of exercise is also vital for those needing to reverse pre-diabetes or managing diabetes aided by insulin injections. “Exercise increases the muscle cell’s demand for glucose, moving it out of the blood into muscle cells that use it as fuel, and so lowering insulin levels,” explains Jamie Coughlan, a naturopathic doctor who practices in Pleasanton and Pleasant Hill, California.

Dr. Angelo Baccellieri, owner of Westchester Wellness Medicine, in Harrison, New York, introduces patients to intermittent fasting, an eating pattern that helps treat insulin resistance and control blood sugar. “The concept is predicated on going 14 to 16 hours without food, replicating how our primitive ancestors ate. They feasted when food was available and fasted during famines, sometimes going several days without eating,” advises Baccellieri, who notes that intermittent fasting can be done one day a week.

“Our biochemistry actually does very well with this approach, which isn’t hard to do when your last meal is at 7 p.m. and you skip breakfast and delay lunch the next day until 1 p.m.

You can drink water with lemon, teas

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and black coffee throughout. By 1 p.m., the body has been 18 hours without protein and carbohydrates, allowing insulin levels to remain at a low level.

Excess insulin from too much sugar shifts the body into a storage mode.

Having no sugar stores available, the body can then switch into a ketogenic state that allows the body to burn fat for fuel,” explains Baccellieri.

Herbs such as turmeric reduce inflammation. Berberine can help cells use glucose efficiently. Supplements such as vitamin C, B-complex, resveratrol and pycnogenol (pine bark extract) can raise antioxidant levels, in which most pre-diabetic and diabetic individuals are deficient, according to a study published in PubMed. Cautious health professionals tailor supplement recommendations to each patient.

12-week Why WAIT (Weight Achievement and Intensive Treatment) program offered at the Joslin Diabetes Center, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, in Boston. WAIT allows participants to reach their weight and blood glucose goals, along with improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and liver and kidney function.

The program’s success is due to doable increases in exercising that put greater emphasis on strengthening muscles; effective ways to change bad habits; successful portion control; healthy alternatives to favorite foods; carbohydrate counting; and meals composed of the right balance of complex carbohydrates and antioxidantrich plant foods, protein and fat, all to achieve optimum body weight and diabetes control.

Helpful Weight Loss

No Quick Fix

In The Diabetes Breakthrough, based on a scientifically tested way to reverse diabetes through weight loss, Dr. Osama Hamdy and Sheri R. Colberg, Ph.D., explain a home-based version of the

Restoration of health begins with the most important lifestyle changes. n Replace processed and sugary foods in meals and snacks with nutrient dense, whole foods.

n Determine possible food sensitivities with an elimination diet. n Eat some protein with every meal. n Eliminate environmental toxins. n Perform some form of cardiovascular exercise and resistance training at least three to five times a week. n Add stress-relieving practices such as yoga, tai chi or qigong.

According to Hamdy, “On average, diabetes has the potential to rob you of more than 12 years of life, while dramatically reducing the quality of life for more than 20 years through chronic pain, loss of mobility, blindness, chronic dialysis and heart disease.” Such serious consequences also include stroke, hearing impairment and Alzheimer’s, he adds.

All provide good reasons to live responsibly every day, cherishing longterm goals of laying claim to the best possible health.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at LindaSechrist.com.

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Moving from Fear to Freedom

by April Thompson

L

issa Rankin wears many hats: physician, mystic, author, artist, speaker and blogger. What unites her many pursuits is a passion for helping people optimize their health and understand how science and spirituality converge toward that goal.

A former obstetrician and gynecologist, Rankin is the founder of the Whole Health Medicine Institute, in San Francisco, which trains doctors in mindbody-spirit medicine. She’s authored six books to date, including the bestseller Mind over Medicine, The Fear Cure and The Anatomy of a Calling.

She lives in California’s Marin County and blogs at LissaRankin.com.

What common signs indicate that fear is affecting our health?

When people are sick, there is almost always an element of fear. Many of us have “ridden shotgun” at one time or another with a health diagnosis, and that’s scary, so even if it’s not predisposing the illness itself, it can stimulate fear. Studies from institutions such as the Harvard School of Public Health and Carnegie Mellon University have discovered strong correlations between fear, stress and anxiety and health issues.

When fear is predisposing us to illness, addressing the root cause of the issue is preventive medicine.

Whether triggered by something trivial or real, fear activates the “fight-or-flight” stress response in the brain.

The body has natural self-healing mechanisms, but these only operate when our nervous system is relaxed, so effectively dealing with fear is foundationally critical to wellness.

How can we distinguish between true and false fear?

True fear is an actual threat to physical survival, like being approached by someone wielding a gun. However, most fear is generated by a story we make up in our minds. Our wild imaginations, the source of beautiful creativity, can be a destructive force, too, as we envision all kinds of worst-case scenarios, most of which will not come true.

Modern-day humans average more than 50 stress responses a day, which indicates we’re way off track in our relationship to fear. The mind constantly strategizes how to get what it wants and avoid what it doesn’t. A spiritual practice can help interrupt the “monkey mind” constantly ruminating on what could go wrong.

Paying attention to fear around practical issues like not being able to pay bills is helpful because it can keep us from being reckless, such as buying an unneeded luxury item although our mortgage payment looms. But letting false fear prevent us from following a

dream, ending an unhealthy relationship or leaving a toxic job can predispose us to illness. Fear is the emotional equivalent of pain in the body. Attend to it when it arises; try to understand what it is telling you and see what’s in need of healing.

What are some effective ways to defang false fear?

Ultimately, we need to come into the right relationship with uncertainty; it’s the gateway to possibility. People often think that fear provides protection, when our intuition, which typically requires a relaxed state of mind, is a far more effective protector. There have been studies about doctors following their hunches to a patient’s underlying condition, leading to life-saving diagnoses.

How can we cultivate courage, curiosity and resilience, rather than feed our fears?

Cultivating a spiritual practice such as mindfulness helps put a pause between a feeling like fear and the reaction that might ensue. You learn to sit with uncomfortable feelings and recognize the story you are spinning in your mind about what’s happening. It also means letting go of expectations when things don’t go as planned.

Fear is my cue to activate a practice of surrender; to turn something over to the universe. I will also ask for help to calm my heart and let go of attachments. For me, this life-changing practice means I now trust the mystery more than my mind. I trust the unknown more than science and logic.

The latter may be useful tools when doing taxes or a research paper, but I don’t trust them to be the best navigation system of my life or help me in a crisis.

Psychology isn’t enough to address fear, which comes with the territory if you think that we are just flesh robots programmed to maximize self-interest, alone in a hostile universe. Once you learn to see the possibilities and hand over the wheel to a greater, benign organizing intelligence, something unwinds in the nervous system and we relax into the wonder of mystery.

Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

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SACRED SILENCE Discover the Benefits of Quiet at a Silent Retreat

by April Thompson

I

ndividuals seeking to escape life’s ceaseless distractions, deepen their personal spiritual practice, enhance well-being and gain fresh perspective, are patronizing silent retreats in rising numbers.

“Retreats are a special opportunity to enter a healing space where your natural energy, insight, intelligence and wisdom can arise,” says Linda Mary Peacock, known as Thanissara, a former Buddhist nun, cofounder of South Africa’s Dharmagiri Hermitage and Outreach and a retreat leader at the Spirit Rock Insight Meditation Center, in Woodacre, California.

Sheila Russ, of Richmond, Virginia, has participated in several retreats with silent components, hosted by spiritual traditions spanning Baptist to Benedictine. “People of different faiths all have the same need to reach inside and listen.

If we don’t slow down and get quiet, we can’t hear what’s going on with us,” says Russ. “Spending time in contemplation is cleansing and freeing; I feel like mentally and spiritually I can breathe.”

Scientific Support

Attaining heightened well-being after a retreat may have a neurological basis, according to research from Thomas Jefferson University’s Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, in Philadelphia.

Silent retreats appear to raise the brain’s levels of mood-boosting chemicals, 22

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according to Dr. Andrew Newberg, director of research there.

Newberg’s team tested the brains of retreat participants before and one week after an Ignatian-based retreat, finding significant changes in their serotonin and dopamine systems. “Whether through prayers, walks or meditations, the single-minded ritualistic aspect of retreats seems to predispose the brain for peak spiritual experience,” he observes.

What to Expect

Formats vary, but most silent retreats entail extended periods of sitting meditation or prayer, often alternating with walking meditation or other mindful movement. Some may also entail a work detail, like sweeping the meditation hall or helping prepare meals.

“Work tasks help bring mindfulness into everyday life,” says Chas DiCapua, a resident teacher for the Insight Meditation Society’s flagship retreat center in Barre, Massachusetts, who has led silent retreats teaching Buddhist practices for 20 years. “The community aspect is equally important; being surrounded by people that support your spiritual practice can encourage you on what can be a lonely path.”

Silence doesn’t mean being static and somber or not thinking, counsels David Harshada Wagner, of Ojai,

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healingways

California, whose meditation retreats draw from the Indian mystical traditions of yoga, vedanta and tantra.

“Silence is more than the absence of talking; it’s a powerful energy,” says Wagner. “Silent retreats are the loudest, as the energy is roaring within. It should be a joyous practice.”

Yet retreats aren’t a cakewalk. Los Angeles author and mindfulness facilitator Jennifer Howd chronicles the challenges of her first nine-day silent retreat in Joshua Tree, California, in her memoir Sit, Walk, Don’t Talk. Seven retreats later, Howd says that although the journey isn’t always easy, she always gains insights about herself and the nature of the mind.

Choosing a Retreat

Retreat leaders caution that while it’s good to jettison expectations and approach the experience with an open mind, choose a retreat that fits individual needs. The level of personal attention at retreats can vary greatly, remarks Thanissara. “Some may host 100 or more people, relying largely on taped instruc-

The deliberate, conscientious practices of my first silent retreat made me appreciate each moment: the gifts, blessings, music, stretching, meditation, prayers and practice of stillness. ~Unity retreat feedback tion without much interaction with group leaders. A small group might be better for a first retreat,” she suggests.

Thanissara recommends an upfront review of instructor credentials and starting with a weekend retreat before embarking on one of longer duration.

Regardless of length, retreats aren’t always for everyone. “If you’re going through emotional or psychological difficulties, it’s best to discuss your

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Retreats for All Faiths

circumstances with a teacher at the retreat center before deciding to attend.

If you’re in therapy, talk with your therapist,” counsels DiCapua.

Retreat Back to Everyday Life Afterwards, ease back into the daily routine; don’t rush back into old patterns of media and food consumption, recommends Howd. “Try to build-in a day or two of down time. You may still be processing things emotionally.”

DiCapua suggests finding a local community of a kindred practice to keep the momentum going, and not expect to keep it up as earnestly at home as at the retreat. Attending daylong maintenance retreats on Saturdays or Sundays can also help sustain individual practice. Above all, “Appreciate yourself for having thought to go on a retreat and follow it through,” says DiCapua. “It can be a radical thing.”

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

(RollingMeadowsRetreat.com) offers silent retreats combining yoga and meditation. Leaders Patricia Sunyata Brown and Surya-Chandra Das take an eclectic approach incorporating multiple traditions to stimulate selfinquiry and compassion.

Insight Meditation Society:

R

etreat centers vary from nondenominational to those aligned with a faith, but even within a tradition, styles of meditation vary. The following opportunities highlight some of the more prevalent offerings. RetreatFinder. com and RetreatsOnline.com can be helpful tools.

Omega Institute: One of the largest centers on the East Coast, the Omega Institute (eOmega.org), in Rhinebeck, New York, offers yoga, meditation and mindfulness retreats led by notable and varied spiritual teachers.

Unity: The Unity church, a Christian faith honoring all paths to God, offers an annual silent retreat facilitated by

Rev. Paulette Pipe (TouchingTheStillness. org). Held at Unity Center, in Kansas City, Missouri, the experience incorporates soulful music, labyrinth walks and meditation practice.

Tassajara Zen Mountain Center:

A working monastery for more than 50 years, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and Hot Springs (sfzc.org/tassajara), in the Ventana Mountains of northern California, offers lay meditation practitioners a sense of monastic life each summer. Retreats are mainly taught in the Zen Buddhist tradition, focused on observing the breath and mind.

Rolling Meadows: Located in rural Brooks, Maine, Rolling Meadows

Founded by Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein in the 1970s, the Insight Meditation Society (Dharma.org) focuses on the Buddhist practices of metta (spreading lovingkindness) and vipassana (insight) meditation. Silent retreats at its historic center in Barre, Massachusetts, range from two days to three months.

Jesuits: A Roman Catholic order cofounded by St. Ignatius, the Jesuit tradition incorporates prayer, meditation, self-awareness and other contemplative practices. Jesuits.org/ retreat-centers lists Jesuit retreat centers across the U.S. where seekers can deepen their relationship with God through silence.

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~ Sophocles

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Isolation Tanks Induce Deep Rest and Healing

by Gina McGalliard

S

ensory isolation in a floatation tank is known for inducing deep relaxation with subsequent improved health. A 2014 study published in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry investigating the effects of a series of flotation tank treatments for 65 participants, showed it to be an effective measure in decreasing stress, depression, anxiety and pain, while enhancing a sense of optimism and quality of sleep.

The Book of Floating: Exploring the Private Sea, by Michael Hutchison, reports on 20th-century research suggesting the therapy can help allay ailments like chronic pain, migraines and sore muscles. There’s also evidence for enhanced meditation, creativity and spiritual experiences.

Float therapy was invented by Dr. John C. Lilly, a neurophysiology specialist. The individual enters an enclosed tank containing 11 inches of water heated to 93.5 degrees—a normal temperature for human skin— and some 1,000 pounds of dissolved Epsom salt. The effect is like buoyantly floating in the Dead Sea, but in a clean, quiet, private realm. The water is typically filtered three to five times

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between each session and sanitized using UV light; some also use peroxide and ozone gas to purify the water.

Without any sensory input—no sight, sound or tactile sensations—the floater typically enters a profound deeply calm state of theta brain waves that tends to bring the subconscious to the surface. It can take experienced meditators years to learn to consistently achieve this condition, remarks Bryan Gray, of Float North County, a spa in Solana Beach, California.

Ultimate Meditation Venue

Scientific research has shown that floating can release the feel-good neurotransmitters endorphins and dopamine, and lower the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol.

Studies performed by the Laureate Institute of Brain Research, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which maintains a float clinic, have found the therapy is an effective treatment for patients with anxiety disorders.

“It frees your mind of distraction and puts it in a zone,” explains Gray. “It removes the need for fight or flight, so those hormones are reduced. That part of the brain mellows out.”

Marvelous Magnesium

Lying for an hour in water infused with Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, the body receives a huge infusion of magnesium, a mineral essential to optimal health. While calcium and vitamin D deficiencies get more attention, it’s even more likely most of us are low on this element due to magnesiumdepleting drugs and inadequate farm soils. Many ailments shown by research to be helped by floating have also been linked to magnesium deficiency.The mineral is also essential for heart health, strong bones and central nervous system function, as reported in The Magnesium Miracle, by Dr. Carolyn Dean, a physician and naturopath in Kihei, Hawaii.

Wide-Ranging Healings

Chronic pain sufferers often find relief through floating because the lessened gravity allows the body to fully relax.

The accompanying serenity releases the brain’s natural endorphins, which act as natural painkillers, into the bloodstream, reports Hutchison.

The sheer tranquility of floating can alleviate some mental health issues. “We’ve treated several people with post-traumatic stress disorder. One man has returned six times and says he’s advanced more in the last three months while floating than he did in the prior five to 10 years,” says Andy Larson, owner of Float Milwaukee.

Athletes also appreciate floating because it shortens injury recovery periods through enhancing blood flow, helping to heal sore muscles. The way it facilitates a calm state ideal for implanting ideas into the subconscious mind enables them to better visualize improved performance.

Discoveries Within

Floaters can fall into what sleep specialists call the hypnagogic state, meaning they are apt to have lucid dreams while awake. Also known as Stage 1 sleep, it is the drowsiest condition we experience while still consciously aware. This is the scientific explanation for reports of visions or “Eureka!” problem-solving moments in the tank, says Hutchison.

This phenomenon can be especially beneficial for creative artists.

“We have a girl that always emerges from the tank with an idea for a new painting,” says Gray. He also regularly hosts a composer that has worked with famous singers, who has experienced innovative musical breakthroughs while floating.

Floating is among the rare healing modalities that can benefit body, mind and spirit in just one hour, with repeat benefits.

Gina McGalliard is a freelance writer in San Diego, CA. Connect at GinaMcGalliard.com.

Local Floatation Centers n ifloat Westport LLC 163 Main Street, 2nd Floor Westport, CT 203-226-7378 iFloatCT.com n PuREST Float Center 212 Crown Street New Haven, CT 203-404-7755 PuRESTFloat.com 35 Corporate Drive Trumbull, CT 203-445-6918 PuRESTFloat.com

n Surrender to the Float 236 Church Street Guilford, CT 203-506-9142 LetItFloat.com n Tranquil Balance, LLC 15 Chesterfield Road, Suite 213 East Lyme, CT 860-451-8040 TranquilBalanceCT.com

With the new day

comes new strength and new thoughts. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

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Meditation as Path to Inner Knowing Explore True Inner Reality

by Bobby Kitsios

A

ncient Greek philosopher Plato once said that “Thinking is the soul talking to itself.” Meditation is the quieting of the rational mind in order to hear the words of the soul. In that, we experience our divine spark and can truly grow into spiritual beings living on this earth plane. “The noblest of all studies is the study of what man is and of what life he should live,” Plato continues.

When we take the time to go within and listen to our soul and connection to “infinite intelligence”, we will, as the temple of Delphi has inscribed, “Know thyself!” Our life’s purpose—and our struggle in this high-paced world— is the discovery of self and the exploration of our true inner reality. With the knowledge of self, we begin to bridge the gap between the mind connected to the physical body and spirit. Knowing, liking and applying ourselves are aspects of self-knowledge that would change the world. Liking ourselves honors the healthy relationship with body, mind and soul. If we took the time without doctrine or creed to find this out for ourselves, there would be a much happier human race.

Knowing ourselves encompasses the three parts of our being. Physical awareness means we know our capabilities, are aware of our limitations and push to recognize our

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potential. This awareness helps us be the best we can be and do the best that we can do. Mental awareness honors the mind, often considered the “window to the soul.” Therefore, mental and spiritual awareness complete each other. The mind acquires knowledge that must be recognized and used.

Our innate abilities and talents, when applied, create true self-worth, competency and well-being. When we share these innate abilities, we share who we are and express our soul’s purpose.

This self-awareness and realization can be achieved through a tool called meditation. Meditation is looking inward, but is not an escape from physical reality. We live on a physical plane and must live responsibly. Self-knowledge obtained through meditation improves us by helping us recognize the existence of the divine spark of human potential somewhere within us. It may be viewed as inner awareness or knowledge of our oneness with all of creation. This improvement to the individual is the re-acquaintance with the in-dwelling divinity we have lost sight of in modern times. It shows that the path of reaching total attainment of our total human potential is through discipline, insight and principles of meditation. The process is never-ending.

Meditation also offers us efficiency and greater serenity.

Those who meditate regularly tend to be very efficient at any task they set to do. They also enjoy serenity and a joy of living. An inner grace is felt strongly within and its reflection seen from without. Meditation brings a great value emotionally and intellectually, enabling us to understand the relationship of self and the universe as well as our emotions and intellect. Meditation serves as a guide and tool to truly know the self on every level.

The process of meditation begins with silence, which is defined as “absence of any sound or noise; or stillness.” It is silence in our surroundings and in ourselves. The atmosphere conducive to meditation is a quiet and relaxed place without distractions. Meditation can be done anywhere in the stillness of silence. It doesn’t have to necessarily be quiet. Many people enjoy nature as the location of their meditative experience as it has a unique stillness. Nature offers its own peace, serenity and energy. Whether it’s the cozy sound of a forest or the soft crashing of ocean waves, nature offers us direct connection to Mother Earth.

Meditation has been practiced throughout history across the world. There are many types of meditations and methods to connect with the self. Silencing the rational mind and our thoughts is the way to obtain that connection. The trick to this is not focusing on silencing the mind but simply relaxing into the quiet that includes the mind. This quiet is a quietness of heart rather than an imposed cessation of speech or activity. It is the re-introduction to the unspoken divine spark, which has no expectations or demands; it simply is.

This silence, therefore, becomes a vehicle to take us to the place of power, of self.

This may seem daunting. However, the benefits are well worth the effort. A meditation or silent retreat may be a good start. Surrounding ourselves for a period of time with likeminded people searching for the same results can increase dedication and overall experience. In such retreats, the collective energy benefits all, offering support and guidance.

The purpose of the retreat is to help disconnect from the outside world and focus on the inner one. Inward reflection of this kind allows for greater clarity.

To healers, mediums and psychics, it is the still mind obtained through meditation that allows the connection to form and connects us to our own soul. The soul can also touch the discarnate spirit world and bring the memories and messages of that spirit person, allowing them to be felt and heard. Meditation—in whatever form resonates with us—is a benefit not only to us, but to the soul expression here and hereafter and to the world. It promotes peace and understanding, which are sorely needed in today’s world.

Bobby Kitsios is an evidential psychic medium who has studied with manyinternational mediums both in the US and abroad. He is in the process of becoming a Spiritualist Minister and he owns and operates TheSacredSpirit.Net. He combines the psychic and spiritual world with a practicality much needed on this earth plane. For more information call The Sacred Spirit at 203-344-9311 or email TheSacredSpirit.net@gmail.com.

retreatcenter The Sanctuary 59 Bogel Road East Haddam, CT 860-319-1134 Info@oursanctuary.org OurSanctuary.org Practice/business summary of primary services offered: The Sanctuary is a solarpowered holistic retreat center nestled on 40 acres of forest replete with a yurt, permaculture gardens, a walking labyrinth, beaver ponds, walking trails, chickens, goats and wildlife.

We offer innovative educational programming in yoga, circus arts, mindfulness training, holistic healing, sustainable architecture and permaculture.

What first drew you to this business?

An understanding that change must happen at the community level drew us to this project. Stewardship of a 40 acre land trust and nonprofit focused on environmental sustainability is a dream come true for us.

How are your services different from that of others in your business?

The Sanctuary is unique in offering mindfulness culture in a natural setting in New England, and in a way that is accessible to the local community. Many of our guests are surprised to find this kind of innovative nature/community experience in CT. How is your business evolving in 2018?

We will be pursuing our mission at a slightly larger scale with the construction of a community stage by visionary green architect, Hans Lohse—a beautiful venue for music, circus, theatre and more.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your work?

We host green weddings and personalized overnight retreats spring-fall. Retreats here can be tailored to include meditation instruction, sound healing, forest bathing, yoga and the aerial arts.

natural awakenings

November 2017

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inspiration

Sharable Thanksgiving

Ways to Focus on What Really Matters

by Marlaina Donato

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Thanksgiving inspires a season of appreciation for what sustains us and gives meaning to life.

Share Good Food “I think true sustenance is when our hunger for connection and belonging meet,” says Sarah Ban Breathnach, the Los Angeles author of The Simple Abundance Journal of Gratitude. “When my daughter was small, we would purchase a complete Thanksgiving dinner for the local food pantry when we shopped for our own, saying, ‘One for us, one for them.’”

Nourishment of our emotional and spiritual selves often begins with choosing simple, whole food. Rocco DiSpirito, a New York City celebrity chef and author of Rocco’s Healthy + Delicious, reminds us, “Eat real food! Return to the basics of eating what’s produced by Mother Nature. You’ll become a better partner, parent and person.” Cooking is more enjoyable when shared; beyond partaking together, partnering in meal preparation is a fun way to nurture bonds with others any time of the year.

Bangor, Pennsylvania, has opened her doors for intimate community events through the years. “My former home, a converted church, was a perfect space for organizing and a way to give back,” says Caldara, who has hosted gatherings on local environmental issues, music performances, literary nights and annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations.

Small living spaces can be just as welcoming and facilitate simple conversation, a valuable gesture. “The art of listening is such a beautiful, but rare act of kindness. I love technology, but there’s no denying that our devices have made us poor listeners,” says Michael J. Chase, of southern Maine, the founder of The Kindness Center, whose books include Am I Being Kind and Off: A Memoir of Darkness, a Manual of Hope.

Each month, Chase makes it a point to visit friends and send some handwritten notes instead of using social media.

Share Life’s Happiness

Practice Kindness

Common interests lessen the chasm between our to-do lists and nurturing camaraderie. Anna Maria Caldara, of

Sharing our time or talent will be remembered long after the holiday feasting. Author Nicole J. Phillips, of Athens,

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Ohio, author of Kindness is Contagious, observes, “We are literally created to be kind; it’s well known that feel-good endorphins are released when we do an act of kindness. I think we often hold back because we predetermine that our resources are limited. Know your talents and gifts, and build your acts of kindness accordingly.”

Marlaina Donato is a freelance writer, author and multimedia artist (MarlainaDonato.com).

Feed Your Soul n Revive a traditional weekly or monthly dinner with family or friends. n Whip up and enjoy a healthy dinner or dessert with someone not seen in a while. n Organize a healthy potluck using local ingredients and encourage invitees to bring someone that’s new to the group.

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n Choose a healthier version of a holiday favorite and print out the recipe for everyone at the event. n Fill a holiday basket with yummy and colorful edibles and drop it off at a local business or library to express appreciation. n Seek reconciliation by initiating a conversation with someone that may have been hurtful. n Explore ThePeoplesSupper.org to join or host a dinner to make new friends.

Visit NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com to

Meet Your Soul Mate

Offer Some Time n Offer to help clean up a friend’s yard or organize a closet or room in their house. n Host a children’s art party and donate their works to a local facility or shelter. n If in possession of a holistic, artful or practical skill, gift it. n Bring a pot of homemade soup to a friend or neighbor that’s under the weather. n Find ideas for random acts of kindness at Kindness.org.

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November 2017

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Not Your Grandma’s Stuffing Healthy Twists on Old Favorites

by Judith Fertig

has been ranked in the best 50 in its size class among 200 companies named in the Franchise Business Review’s 2015 Top Franchises Report.

The healthy living magazine was one of five franchise companies cited as best-in-class in the advertising and sales category. To select the top franchises across industries and performance categories, the organization surveyed more than 28,500 franchisees.

Franchise Business Review, headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences. 2015 marked its 10th annual Top Franchises Report.

For more information visit our website: NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/ mymagazine or call 239-530-1377 30

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T

hanksgiving side dishes continue to evolve, even though traditional entrées still hold pride of place.

New, lighter alternatives to time-honored stuffing maximize flavorful dried fruits, herbs and nuts. Healthy options may use gluten-free bread or black rice, cauliflower, chestnuts or pecans for flavor, bulk and color. A stuffing can also fill a halved acorn squash or cored apple.

According to renowned health authority Dr. Joseph Mercola, pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals, including anti-inflammatory magnesium, heart-healthy oleic acid, phenolic antioxidants and immuneboosting manganese. Erica Kannall, a registered dietitian in Spokane, Washington, and a certified health and fitness specialist with the American College of Sports Medicine, likes dried fruits because they contribute antioxidants and fiber.

Intriguing Options

Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito, of New York City, salutes his Italian heritage

with chestnuts and embraces healthy living with millet and mushrooms in his special stuffing. His new book Rocco’s Healthy + Delicious includes healthy takes on Thanksgiving dishes such as a sugar-free cranberry sauce.

Sonnet Lauberth, a certified holistic health coach, blogger and cookbook author in Seattle, created a healthy stuffing she loves. “My GrainFree Sage and Pecan Dressing is one of my favorite dishes to bring to gatherings because it works with a variety of diets,” she says. “It’s gluten-, dairy- and grain-free, paleo and vegan. The pecans can be omitted for a nut-free version.”

Riced cauliflower is the base, which is available prepackaged at some groceries, but can be made at home simply by chopping the florets into rice-kernelsize pieces. “Cauliflower is the perfect base for this recipe, as it adds a nice texture in place of bread and provides extra fiber,” she says.

Laurie Gauguin, a personal chef in

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

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Lisa F. Young/Shutterstock.com

consciouseating

the San Francisco Bay area, specializes in gluten-free dishes that she prepares in clients’ homes. “Anything that will hold its shape and not crumble too much can work as a stuffing base,” she says. “Gluten-free, somewhat sticky grains, like short grain brown rice, Chinese black rice, millet or soft-cooked quinoa work well.”

“Choose a mixture that contrasts with the texture and color of the food you’re stuffing,” advises Gauguin. “I created a stuffing that has crunchy pecans, tender black rice and chewy, dried cranberries to contrast with the

creaminess of the cored squash entrée.

The black rice looks striking against the golden squash.”

A stuffing that everyone can eat is ideal for a holiday gathering, either to serve or bring. Lauberth observes, “While not always possible, it’s nice if the host can accommodate various dietary concerns and preferences. Bring your own hearty side dish or two so that you have enough to make a meal for yourself if needed.”

Judith Fertig writes cookbooks and foodie fiction from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).

Healthy Holiday Stuffing Recipes Rocco DiSpirito’s Stuffing 1 Tbsp grapeseed oil ¼ cup millet 1 lb crimini mushrooms, sliced 1 large onion, diced 3 stalks celery, diced 1 medium carrot, diced 4 chestnuts, chopped 1 Tbsp fresh sage, chopped 1½ Tbsp poultry seasoning 3 scoops Rocco’s Protein Powder Plus (check Amazon.com) 2 egg whites 1¾ cups low sodium chicken or vegetable stock Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground pepper Place grapeseed oil in a 12-inch cast iron pan; place the pan in the oven and preheat oven to 425˚ F. Cook a quarter-cup millet in a small saucepan on the stovetop according to package instructions.

When millet is cooked through, transfer it to a large mixing bowl.

Heat a large, safe, nonstick sauté pan over high heat and use it to sauté the mushrooms until tender and golden, approximately seven to 10 minutes.

Transfer mushrooms to the same mixing bowl as the millet.

photo by Stephen Blancett

Yields: 8 servings

Heat a large, safe, nonstick pan over medium heat and use it to sweat the onions, celery and carrots until tender and translucent, about 10 minutes.

Transfer the vegetable mix to the same mixing bowl as the millet and mushrooms.

Add the chestnuts, sage, poultry seasoning, protein powder, egg whites and chicken stock to the large mixing bowl, and then use a rubber spatula to mix well, so that no lumps are visible.

Carefully remove the cast iron pan from the oven, and then pour stuffing batter into it. Popping occurs as the outside batter develops a crust.

Return the cast iron pan to the oven and bake for 13 minutes.

Remove from oven and turn the result out onto a serving dish.

Recipe courtesy of Rocco DiSpirito, Rocco’s Healthy + Delicious.

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Brush the interior, plus the cut sides of the squashes with the 4 teaspoons oil, then sprinkle with ½ teaspoon sea salt.

Roast for 40 to 50 minutes on the upper middle rack of the oven until tender when pierced with a fork.

While the squash is roasting, place a medium, heavy saucepan over medium heat and pour in one tablespoon of olive oil.

Add the onion and sauté for two to three minutes, until the onion begins to soften.

Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed With Black Rice, Pecans, Dried Cranberries and Tempeh Yields: 8 servings

Stir in the rice, salt, cinnamon and coriander. Cook and stir for 30 seconds.

Pour in the water and bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over very low heat for 30 to 60 minutes, until rice is tender.

Scatter crumbled tempeh over the cooked rice.

Squash: 4 acorn squashes (1½ lb each) 4 tsp olive oil ½ tsp sea salt

Cover the pan, then take it off the stove and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Rice: 1 Tbsp olive oil ¾ cup finely diced onion 1 cup Chinese black rice (also called Forbidden Black Rice) ½ tsp sea salt ¼ tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground coriander 2 cups water 4 oz tempeh, crumbled

While the rice is cooking, combine pecans, ginger, four teaspoons olive oil, one teaspoon coriander, nutmeg and ¼ teaspoon salt.

Arrange squash halves, cut side up, on a serving platter. Combine rice with the pecan mixture and divide among the squash halves, pressing gently so the stuffing stays put.

Preheat oven to 375° F.

If made one day ahead, cover and reheat in a 350˚ F oven until heated through.

Cut squashes in half lengthwise, then scoop out the seeds.

Recipe courtesy of Laurie Gauguin, LaurieGauguin.com.

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2 oz dried figs, finely chopped 1 Tbsp roasted, shelled hazelnuts, chopped 1 tsp orange zest ¼ tsp allspice 4 Granny Smith apples, cored ½ cup maple syrup 1 Tbsp coconut oil 2 Tbsp fresh orange juice Preheat oven to 350° F. Combine the chopped figs, hazelnuts, orange zest and allspice in a bowl.

Place the apples in a baking dish and loosely press the fig mixture into the cavities of the apples.

Combine the maple syrup, coconut oil and orange juice and drizzle it over the apples.

Bake the apples for 25 minutes or until tender.

Set cooked apples aside for 10 minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly, and then serve warm or at room temperature.

Adapted from a recipe in Family Circle Australia.

Pour this mixture into an eight-by-eightinch baking pan; roast at 375° F for 15 minutes on the bottom middle oven rack, stirring halfway through.

Stir in the sage, dried cranberries and maple syrup. Roast for another 10 minutes, then remove from the oven.

Roasted Pecans and Cranberries: 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans 1 tsp minced ginger root 4 tsp olive oil 1 tsp ground coriander ¼ tsp ground nutmeg ¼ tsp sea salt 10 large sage leaves, chopped 1 cup dried cranberries 2 Tbsp maple syrup

Yields: 4 servings

NaturalNewHaven.com

photo by Stephen Blancett

photo by Stephen Blancett

Arrange squash halves on a baking sheet, cut side down.

Stuffed Apples with Fig and Hazelnuts

Add additional salt and pepper if desired.

Toss with parsley and serve hot.

Recipe courtesy of Sonnet Lauberth, InSonnetsKitchen.com/60-healthygluten-free-thanksgiving-recipes.

Bonus Recipe Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce

an unforgettable, experiential evening of discovery, freedom and power!

Yields: 4 Servings

Grain-Free Sage and Pecan Stuffing 1 cup pecans 1 Tbsp coconut oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 stalks celery, diced 4 cups raw cauliflower rice (prepackaged or via a grater or food processor shredding blade) 1 Tbsp fresh sage, chopped 2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped ½ tsp kosher or sea salt ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

½ lb cranberries 2 Tbsp grated orange zest ¼ cup orange juice 8 packets Monk Fruit in the Raw sweetener Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper In a small saucepot, combine the cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, monk fruit, salt and pepper.

LivingWithoutLimits.com

Cook over medium heat until the cranberries burst and the mixture becomes thick and dry, about 40 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of Rocco DiSpirito, Rocco’s Healthy + Delicious.

Spread pecans on a baking sheet and place in the oven until lightly toasted, about five minutes. Monitor to ensure the nuts don’t burn.

Remove pecans from the oven and place in a food processor. Coarsely chop and set aside.

Heat coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onions, garlic and celery and cook until onions are translucent, about five minutes.

Add the pecans, cauliflower rice, sage, thyme, salt and pepper and cook for seven to 10 minutes, until the rice is tender.

photo by Stephen Blancett

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I

t’s an uncertain time for home-based geothermal heating and cooling, which has been increasing for years.

The good news is that the cost of the technology is down and its efficiency is up. Yet a helpful 30 percent federal income tax credit inaugurated in 2009 disappeared in 2017 and may not get renewed anytime soon, even though H.R. 1090, a bill aimed at restoring the credit, has had strong support in Congress, led by New York Republican Congressman Tom Reed.

While ideal spots for tapping into Earth’s energy are where tectonic plates meet and move, such as along the U.S. West Coast and in Alaska, it’s a misperception that it’s only possible in corresponding states. Anyone in the U.S. can use a geothermal heat pump, which works by accessing the constant 50-degree temperature just below the Earth’s surface.

Iceland is equipped to get 50 percent of its energy from geothermal. Other countries now accessing it for at least 15 percent of their energy include Costa Rica, El Salvador, Kenya and the Philippines.

How It Works

Where to Learn More

The systems work by moving water through plastic pipes sunk into the ground, and using a heat exchanger to warm or cool refrigerant that then circulates throughout the house.

Operating like a conventional heat pump, it needs less than half as much energy—just one kilowatt-hour of electricity— to produce 12,000 BTU (British thermal units, a standard energy measure). Its efficiency is double that of the best air conditioner and 50 percent superior to the best natural gas furnace, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Planetfriendly geothermal energy emits no pollution and reduces the need for fossil fuels.

Geothermal Energy Association 202-454-5261, Geo-Energy.org Geothermal Exchange Organization, 888-255-4436, GeoExchange.org Geothermal HVAC, by Jay Egg and Brian Clark Howard

Return on Investment While they can cost $20,000 to $25,000 for an average-sized home, the systems are long-lasting; most provide a 10-year or longer warranty, based on having few moving parts that may break. The above-ground compressor and pump have a 20-year life expectancy and the expensive underground piping system should last a lifetime, says Brian Clark Howard, a National Geographic editor and co-author of Geothermal HVAC [heating, ventilation and air conditioning]. “Once the wells are dug and the loops are in, you’ll probably never have to revisit them.”

According to Ryan Dougherty, chief operating officer of the Geothermal Exchange Organization, which represents manufacturers and installers, a typical home system costs approximately $24,000 installed, including the ground heat exchanger and all necessary ductwork.

Renewable energy often makes sense without subsidies.

Dougherty still sees geothermal as a good deal for homeowners, with a payback period of seven to 10 years.

Dale Binkley of Landenberg, Pennsylvania, installed his home’s geothermal heat pump in 2006, before the 30 percent federal tax credit took effect. His out-of-pocket cost was $23,522, with a small federal credit and modest rebate from the local utility.

Binkley is pleased. “The system is easy to maintain, cost efficient, and works well. It heats and cools better than I thought it would,” he says. Binkley saved $1,000 on his heating and cooling bill the first year, a savings he continues to enjoy every year.

Added Benefits “You’ll gain outstanding temperature and humidity control, plus a better running, more-efficient HVAC system,” Howard says. “Installing geothermal will also increase property values.” Institutional customers reap comparable benefits.

As a tax-exempt entity, the Cozy Green Library, in Darien, Connecticut, uses geothermal heating and cooling, along with energy-efficient computers, LED light bulbs and storm water biofiltration,

Carefully evaluating options allows homeowners and commercial landlords to make an informed decision about tapping into Earth’s free energy.

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

Reading is to the

mind what exercise is to the body. ~Joseph Addisons natural awakenings

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holiday dishes contain onions, grapes, raisins and other foods that are poisonous to our pets.

Change in routine: We spend more time away from home shopping and visiting. Walks and feeding schedules may be disrupted.

Extra visitors in the home: Our pets’ senses are in overload. There may be children running around trying to touch them or adults using different or too much perfume or cologne. Our house may be louder than normal with tasty temptations everywhere. Visitors may also include other pets traveling with guests.

Travel: Visiting out-of-area friends and relatives is disruptive regardless of whether our pets are boarded or travel with us.

Indicators of Stress in Pets We may notice our pet suffering from depression, restlessness, exhaustion and lack of appetite. They may exhibit aggressive, destructive or obsessive compulsive behavior.

A stressed pet is more likely to bite or vocalize more. And, as mentioned above, they may experience physical ailments related to the immune, digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems.

Managing Holiday Stress in Pets

by Mary Oquendo

H

oliday season is about to get started. It is a stressful time for many people, but some may not realize that pets can suffer the same stressful effects, both physically and emotionally.

Stress isn’t just aggravation Studies have shown a similarity between the effects of stress on our bodies and that of pets. When we are stressed, our bodies release adrenaline and cortisol. The same happens for our pets. When these “stress hormones” are released into a pet’s body, the heart and respiratory rate, as well as the aging process, speed up. In addition, these chemicals inhibit the immune system, reduce blood flow to the brain and shut down the reproductive system. A secondary effect of a suppressed reproductive system is cardiovascular disease in both people and pets.

Causes of stress similar between people and pets Over-stressed family members: A pet’s sense of smell is greater than ours and they are able to perceive our adrenaline and cortisol hormones. They look to us as their pack leader; if we are worried, they assume there must be something to worry about and behave accordingly.

Change in diet: The holiday season can disrupt a pet’s normal diet and feeding schedule. Holiday food is usually richer, higher in fat and more available. In addition, many

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NaturalNewHaven.com

Ways to Relieve a Pets’ Distress n Provide a quiet place for the pet to escape. It can be as simple as allowing them to be in a bedroom and closing the door. Cover crates with a sheet for privacy. n Infuse the dog’s area with lavender essential oil in a diffuser. New guidelines from the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy recommend not to use essential oils in any form around cats and birds. n Do not use candles with essential oils, as it may be a fire hazard. n Add soothing music to the environment. There is music designed specifically for different species. n Give size-appropriate toys for mental stimulation. n Keep to their normal diet and feeding schedule. n Give pets extra exercise. Movements dissipate both adrenaline and cortisol, resulting in calmer pets. n An energetic space clearing removes built up negative energy that accumulates from day-to-day living and replaces it with fresh, positive energy.

Use protective and grounding stones around the home; this will benefit the entire household during the busy time of year. But keep them out of reach of chewers. Any brown, black, red, yellow or pink stones are a good choice.

Paying attention to our pet’s stress level over the holiday season and actively taking steps to counteract stress effects on their mind and body will result in a much happier holiday for all. In addition, these changes will have an all-around positive change in our lives throughout the year.

Mary Oquendo is a Reiki master, advanced crystal master and certified master tech pet first aid instructor. She is the owner of Hands and Paws Reiki for All. She can be reached at HandsAndPawsReiki.com.

hannamariah/Bigrstock.com

naturalpet

Happy Holiday Travel with Pets

Final Journey, LLC

If your holiday plans involve travelling, you may have to make decisions about whether to bring your pets with you. Here are some questions to ask to determine where your pet will be happiest:

(Pet Euthanasia Service) Kristen Klie, D.V.M. and Associates (203) 645-5570 www.finaljourneyllc.com

Does the dog prefer routine and consistency?

Some dogs are happiest when life is predictable. If so, they may prefer familiar surroundings with a trusted pet sitter.

Does the dog have the right amount of energy for the trip?

Take into consideration the energy level of your dog and if you are going to be able to take care of that need based on your planned itinerary.

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Does the pet have any health issues?

Does your dog get car sick? Does your dog have joint issues that may be made worse by hours traveling?

Are there medications you or someone else will be able to consistently give? Always have the following documents available: n Current copy of the pet’s medical records n Medications (including dosages and how administered) n Proof of vaccinations (including rabies) n Pre-existing medical conditions Does the environment offer pet-friendly accommodations?

Websites like DogFriendly.com can help if you need to stay at a resort or hotel. Here are questions to ask: n Does the facility have restrictions based on the size or breed of the dog? n What amenities, such as grooming, pet sitting and dog walking, are available to canine travelers? n What are the rules for being on or off-leash at the property? n Are there areas in the facility that are not dog friendly? n Will there be an extra charge for traveling with a pet?

PATTI HARTMAN I-ACT CERTIFIED HYDROTHERAPIST NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED PHartman57@comcast.net 203-500-0005

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calendarofevents THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Full Moon Meditation w/Gayle Franceschetti – 6:30pm-8:30pm. Align w/new energies of full moon. Opportunities for allowing spiritual energies to reach human hearts and minds. Tap into this vast pool of energy. $20. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford 203-265-2927, return2love3@gmail.com, Return2Love.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 First Friday Family Yoga in Support of IRIS – 5:30pm-6:15pm. Join a monthly family-focused yoga class that helps strengthen community in addition to our bodies and mindfulness. $16 for parent and child or $25 for families of 3+.

Breathing Room Yoga Center, 216 Crown St, New Haven. BreathingRoomCT.com.

Sound Bath & Yoga Nidra – 7pm-8:30pm.

Join Lisa in this special multifaceted experience, bringing together the modalities of yoga asana, sound bath and yoga nidra. We’ll begin with a short vinyasa yoga flow, designed to warm and energize the body and mind. Next we'll explore the senses with ancient sound using gong and tibetan singing bowl. We'll finish the class with beautiful yoga nidra (divine rest) session integrating the feelings of calm mind and renewed body.

36 Nod Rd, Clinton. Information, 860-669-9642, PradipikaYoga.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 Free Breakfast Provided by Assumption Church Breakfast Club & Masters Table Community Meals – 9am-10am. Join us for a hot breakfast or a cup of coffee. All are welcome! Assumption Church Hall, 61 N Cliff St, Ansonia. For more information, call 203-732-7792.

Yoga For Low Back Care Workshop – 2pm-4pm.

Learn yoga poses that can provide relief to various types of low back pain and learn simple tips to keep your back safe in daily life. $25. Breathing Room Yoga Center, 216 Crown St, New Haven.

BreathingRoomCT.com.

Full Moon Beaver Hike – 6:30pm. This was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for winter. Join the Nature Center guides as we lead you around our park by the light of the moon. For all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult). Wear comfortable shoes for uneven terrain. Fee $1. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Preregister: 203-736-1053.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 The Art of Manifesting: Techniques to Uplift and Transform with Kundalini Yoga – 10am12pm. Join Kundalini Yoga teacher Jennifer Greenwald in exploring tried and true principles on how to ATTRACT MORE OF WHAT YOU WANT AND LESS OF WHAT YOU DON’T. $25. Raven’s Wing Yoga, 19 S Main St, Branford. 203-488-9642.

RavensWingYoga.com.

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New Haven / Middlesex

Field trip: Rowanwood Farm – 1:45pm. (Farm tour starts at 2pm). Participants learn firsthand about the animals that live on Rowanwood Farm. Everyone has an opportunity to interact up close and personal with these amazing creatures. At the same time, we share the animals’ history, characteristics and care. Fee $10 per person; must prepay by Nov 1. We will meet at the farm in Newtown at 1:45pm.

Go to RowanwoodFarm.com for directions.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Young Living Essential Oils – 6:30pm-8pm. Help align your mind, body, spirit. Learn to take control of your health with therapeutic grade oils. Free class. Gayle Franceschetti, 36 Cheshire Rd Wallingford, 203-265-2927, or return2love3@gmail.com, Return2Love.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Holographic Sound Healing with Randeane Tetu – 7:30pm-8:30pm. Experience how sound used with intention can shift the energy in and around your body to help reestablish physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health and well-being. Randeane brings Hathor, Tibetan, Japanese, and Mechizedek healing energies to her work with Quartz Crystal Bowl and voice toning to help you release outworn patterning, balance the energy centers of your body, and stimulate healing at a very deep level. $15. Enchanted, 1250 Boston Post Rd, Guilford. 203-453-4000.

EnchantedGuilford.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Reiki I – 9:30am-1pm. Reiki is the science and art of activating, directing and applying natural, universal life energy, to promote energy balancing, healing and wholeness. Includes certificate and materials $125. 36 Wallingford. 203-265-2927, or return2love3@gmail.com.

Back to Basics: Soap Making – 1pm-3pm.

Will provide the basic skills you’ll need to make wonderful soaps! Attendees will learn basic safety and traditional techniques required for this timehonored craft which makes great gifts—or soaps to keep for your own use. Soap samples and recipes will be provided. Bring a small container for your take-home samples. Instructor: Dawn Sotir. Fee $10 per person. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Preregister: 203-736-1053.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 New Age & Craft Expo – 10am-5pm. Come Experience a Day of Spiritual and Creative Enlightenment! Intuitive Readers; Aura Photos and Crystals; Tibetan Singing Bowls; Healings; Handcrafted Jewelry; Soaps; Oils; Guided Meditations; Spiritual Art; 2 Rooms of Dynamic Speakers, and much more! $6 Admission. $1 with ad coupon (page 7). Location: Wyndham Southbury, 1284 Strongtown Rd, Southbury. Information: 203-733-6560. cryours87@yahoo.com.

NaturalNewHaven.com

Sunday Guided Hike: Woodlore – 1pm. Join Ranger Jess to learn how to identify trees by their bark and branches. Hear stories of how people have used wood over the years for many different things. Discover how magical trees really are! Free.

Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia.

Preregister: 203-736-1053.

Potluck and Presentation of Vegan Holiday Treats – 4pm. Northern Connecticut Vegetarian Society invites you to Vegan Potluck at Suffield Senior Center, Two Chefs will present a program on Vegan Holiday Treats for the holidays.

Demonstrations, food sampling, and recipes will be provided. Bring a healthy Vegan dish for potluck with serving utensils, list of its ingredients, and recipe. Vegan food has no animal ingredients (zero dairy, butter, cheese, fish, meat, honey). Bring your place setting. $8 donation requested. Children are free.145 Bridge Street, Suffield. Information/reservations, contact C o o r d i n a t o r H a r r y a t 8 6 0 - 6 2 3 - 8 0 8 2 o r veggyharry@aol.com.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Entering the Holiday Season with a Grieving Heart – 9:30am-3:30pm. During the holidays, loss and grief is more complicated and painful when the absence of a loved one cannot be avoided. This is a day of reflection that includes support of community, prayer, ritual and quiet. Led by Lisa Irish, MEd, MA, BCC, former hospital chaplain, Bereavement Program leader, and author of “Grieving with a Grateful Heart.” $50. Includes program and lunch. Madison. Register at MercyBytheSea.org.

Crystal Toning – w/Gayle Franceschetti 6:30pm8pm. Experience a unique method of healing by combining the energies of crystals with toning, creating an individualized healing experience in a group setting on many levels. $20, 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford 203-265-2927, return2love3@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 A Circle of Women – 7pm-9pm. Join in sacred space to discover and strengthen your authentic self. Be supported by the Beauty and rhythm of the seasons and like-minded community. What you are looking for is looking for you. Healing the world one woman at a time. $25. Central Wallingford.

Call Susan to explore/reserve space. 203-645-1230.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Candlelit Restorative Yoga with Reiki Assists – 6pm-7:30pm. With Erin Bartolome No prior yoga experience necessary. Come enjoy a rejuvenating evening of restorative gentle yoga while receiving hands on Reiki assists. Allow release of tension and stress and take care of yourself in a healing way. $25 by 11/7, $30. Raven’s Wing Yoga, 19 S Main St, Branford. 203-488-9642. RavensWingYoga.com.

Smudging Workshop w Jennifer Jean – 7pm8:30pm. Smudging is an indigenous practice to cleanse a person or building from negative energy. After an illness or other difficult event negative energy is left. This negative energy can lower the vibration of the individuals in the area, cause future illness, lethargy, sadness, fear and anger. In this workshop we will learn the tools and methods that can efficiently change your home, business, relationships and your own vibration for a happier and more productive environment. $20. Enchanted, 1250 Boston Post Rd, Guilford. 203-453-4000.

EnchantedGuilford.com.

Restorative Yoga & Massage – 7pm-9pm.

Join Tracee, yoga teacher and certified massage therapists, for this deeply relaxing, gentle and quiet practice that will help relieve the stress and tensions of daily life. You will also receive hands on adjustments, which will help you to get into poses more safely and will deepen your feeling of relaxation.

36 Nod Rd, Clinton. Information, 860-669-9642, PradipikaYoga.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Mindful Tools for Challenging Times – 9am-4pm.

Conflict and polarization leads to fear, anger and reactivity. This program encourages pause and introduces skills to see what really matters with wisdom, compassion and equanimity. Mindfulness brings balance and clarity to mind and body. Led

by Dr. Jerry Silbert (physician, leading mindfulness retreats for over 20 years) Roberta Silbert (Activist for social justice, health and environmental issues), Roger Reynolds (Practitioner of negotiation and conflict resolution) and Cheryl Cummin (Psychotherapist with Masters of Divinity). $50. Includes program and lunch. Madison. MercyBytheSea.org.

Protecting Yourself and Releasing Fear-w/Gayle Franceschetti – 9:30am-12pm. Psychic protection is important for anyone who is doing spiritual or psychic development work. Come and learn a vast array of tools and techniques for protection and shielding yourself. $75. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. 203-265-2927, return2love3@gmail.com.

Two Coyotes Wilderness School: Nature Connection – 1pm. Join Two Coyotes Wilderness School naturalist Karianna Rosenberg and embark on nature connection games where you will become the cougar, the tracker and the tracked! Hone in on your awareness and stealth as we lead games for all ages outside in the crisp fall air. Great program for families and scout groups. Fee $5 per person. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Preregister: 203-736-1053.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19 OPEN HOUSE! Free Day of Yoga at Raven’s Wing Yoga – 8am-6pm. Free classes all day for everyone intersted in the practice of yoga and meditation. Beginner Yoga, Gentle, Yin, Kundalini, Meditative Flow, Prana Soul, Ashtanga, Kids Yoga, Prenatal and more. Come try our experienced teachers and enjoy the positive vibes. Live Music and Tea. FREE. Raven’s Wing Yoga, 19 S Main St, Branford.

203-488-9642. RavensWingYoga.com.

Sunday Guided Hike: History Hike – How These Trails Came to Be – 1pm. Learn from Ranger Dan how ancient people utilized their tracking skills and followed animal signs. Gain a long list perspective on who created the trails we walk and the roads we drive today. Free. Ansonia Nature Ctr, 10 Deerfield Rd, Ansonia. Preregister: 203-736-1053.

Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner Presented by Masters Table Community Meals – 1pm-3pm. Everyone is welcome to join us for a fabulous traditional spread.

Assumption Church Hall, 61 N Cliff St, Ansonia.

Information: 203-732-7792, masterstablect@gmail. com or visit MastersTableMeals.org.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23 Thanksgiving Yoga Class with Sal Annunziato: Proceeds go to the Community Dining Room – 10am-11:15am/ Join Sal for this uplifting and grounding yoga session helping to connect with what is truly important. Let’s send gratitude out Across the Universe. Live Music to end! $10-$20 suggested. Raven’s Wing Yoga, 19 S Main St, Branford. 203-488-9642. RavensWingYoga.com.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27 Restorative Iyengar Yoga – 6pm-7:15pm. All Restorative yoga practices started with the Iyengar family. Go to the source and experience the source of your inner resources and peace. Yoga in Middletown, 438 Main St, Middletown. 860-347-YOGA (9642). YogaInMiddletown.com.

Young Living Essential Oils – 6:30pm-8pm. Help align your mind, body, spirit. Learn to take control of your health with therapeutic grade oils. Free class. Gayle Franceschetti, 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. 203-265-2927, or return2love3@gmail.com, Return2Love.com.

TUESDAY, NOVMEBER 28 Group Past Life Regression – 6:30pm-8:30pm.

Discover reasons for current fears, recurring dreams or personality tendencies. Attendees explore past lives, learn reasons for repeat patterns or why they were born to a certain family. $20. Gayle Franceschetti, Wallingford. 203-265-2927, return2love3@gmail.com.

Are you a business owner or practitioner wanting to enhance your success?

An individual seeking greater well-being?

An HR Director looking for ways to increase staff health, productivity and satisfaction?

JOIN Natural Awakenings Network (NAN)

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For details on NAN Membership Cards and becoming a provider:

203-988-1808 Gail@NaturalNewHaven.com To learn more about Natural Awakenings Network Visit our website:

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November 2017

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ongoingevents sunday Mystical Market and Craft Fair – 11am-4pm.

(The 3rd Sunday of every month). Psychics, vendors, artisans, holistic practitioners & more. Free admission, vendor’s fees vary. The Ruby Tree, Sherman Village Shopping Center, 670 Main St South, Woodbury. 203-586-1655, Christina@therubytreect.com, TheRubyTreeCT.com.

monday Pilates/Barre Community Class – 8am. This class is a mix between pilates moves to strengthen core muscles and the Barre technique to sculpt and lean our arms and legs. Discount price of $10.00 cash/ check or $12.00 credit card. Kneading Hands Yoga & Massage, 760 Main St S, Unit F, Southbury.

203-267-4417. KneadingHands.net.

Monday Tours: Find out about CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) Middle School of Branford – 9:45am-11am. Come see CELC in action. CELC - A middle school that makes a difference! RSVP: mandm@CTExperiential.org.

CTExperiential.org.

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement 5 Week Class Series – 6pm-7pm. Learn to move easily with simple movements that help to relieve pain and restore your body to its natural ease. $50 for 5 weeks or $15 drop in. Carol Meade Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford.

203-415-8666 or info@massage2movement.com.

Free weekly Tuesday Meditation classes – 6pm7pm. (those who would like instruction can come at 5:45pm). Open to all and fully accessible. Instruction provided for beginners. No reservations necessary. Walk-ins welcome. Program offered in cooperation with New Haven Insight and the New Haven Zen Center. New Haven Free Public Library.

133 Elm St, New Haven. 203-946-8138.

Meditation – 7pm-8pm. Silent, sitting meditation for anyone to attend. For all levels. Beginners welcome! Meditation begins and ends promptly on time.

Donation-based event; no set fees. New England Meditation Center, 455 Boston Rd, Old Saybrook.

For more information, visit: https://www.meetup. com/New-England-Meditation-Center/events/ Free Reiki Sessions: The Universal Reiki Plan – 7:30pm-8:30pm. (& 8:30pm-9:30pm Thurs).

Reiki teachers Jeannette and Jim of ReikiOvertones and students offer free Reiki sessions. Appt. only. Love offering appreciated. 95 Harris St, Fairfield. Details: Jim and Jeannette 203-254-3958. info@ReikiOvertones.com.

Yoga with Marlene – 10:30am & 7:15pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.

wednesday

Qigong for Health – 7pm-8pm. Learn a practice that invigorates the internal energy, relieves stress, tones and stretches the muscles and connects the mind and body. $15/class. Tranquil Mountain Internal Arts. Location: Shoreline Center for Wholistic Health, 35 Boston St, Guilford. Info: 860-301-6433. tmiarts.com.

Emei Wujigong Qigong Group Practice – 12pm1pm. Experience a qigong form for rebalancing and strengthening body, mind and spirit. For all abilities and levels of health. Schedule Available online. 1st class free (reg. $5). Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Info: EmeiQigongChan.com.

tuesday Yoga with Marlene – 9:30am & 6:30pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.

Healthy-Steps, The Lebed Method w/Susan Sandel – 3:45pm-4:45pm. (no class on 11/21).

Gentle therapeutic exercise/mvmnt prog. Helpful for breast cancer survivors/chronic health conditions.

Free. Sponsored by Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center of Integrative Medicine. Location: Madison House, 34 Wildwood Ave, Madison. Details: 203-457-1656.

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S t o n y C re e k Yo g a f o r S t re s s R e l i e f – 5:45pm-7pm. Classes led by Gina Macdonald MA, LPC. Sessions include breathing techniques, yoga poses and relaxation techniques. Emphasis on movement, flow and release of tension.. Beginning yoga experience recommended along with loose clothing and a yoga mat. Newcomers please arrive early. $10/session. Willoughby Wallace Library.

146 Thimble Island Rd, Stony Creek. Contact Gina: 203-710-6665.

Centering Prayer Group – 6pm–7pm. Come pray in silence and “rest in God.” No charge, although a free-will donation would be appreciated.

Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center, 167 Neck Rd, Madison. For more information, call 203-245-0401 or visit MercyBytheSea.org.

Alignment Yoga – 6pm-7:15pm. With Iyengar Teacher Training Graduate. Refine your yoga practice with optimal alignment practices that make you stronger, more flexible, and more emotionally stable. Yoga in Middletown, 438 Main St, Middletown. 860-347-YOGA (9642).

YogaInMiddletown. com.

NaturalNewHaven.com

The Caring Network: Free Support Group for adults who have lost a loved one – 6pm-8pm.

(Nov 4 & 18). Information about grief with focus on holiday planning. Facilitated open discussion.

Bridges, 949 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford, For information or brochure: Cody-White Funeral Home, 203-874-0268 or Facilitator Cynthia Dodd, M. Div, 203-878-6365 ext 344.

Yoga with Marlene – 6:30pm. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk.

Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.

Meditation In the World @ Guest House Retreat – 7pm-8pm. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced meditator, join us every week as we are led in the practice of focusing our awareness. Helping you find calm within everyday demands and stress.

Free. 318 West Main St, Chester. 860-322-5770.

thursday The Milford Chamber’s ‘Health & Wellness Council’ – 8:30am-9:30am. (2nd Thurs. monthly).

Group is comprised of businesses in the health and wellness industry. 5 Broad St, Milford.

203-878-0681. prisco@priscopr.com, Milfordct.com.

Ropes Yoga – 10am-11am. With Iyengar Teacher Training Graduate. Experience yoga poses in new and liberating ways. Therapeutic and challenging.

Great for scoliosis and back problems. Expert instruction since 1991. Yoga in Middletown, 438 Main St, Middletown, 860-347-YOGA (9642).

YogaInMiddletown.com.

Yoga with Marlene – 10am & 6:30pm.Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk. Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.

Emei Wujigong Qigong Group Practice – 6:30pm7:30pm. (Every Thurs. except the 1st Thurs. of month). Experience a qigong form for rebalancing and strengthening body, mind and spirit. For all abilities and levels of health. Schedule Available online. 1st class free (reg. $5). Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Info: EmeiQigongChan.com.

Qigong Group Healing & Silent Meditation – 6:30pm-8pm. (1st Thurs. of the month). All levels of health addressed. No experience necessary.

Fee: donation. Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford. Contact Pat for more information if this is 1st attendance: 203-500-6492.

Meditation – 7pm-8pm. Silent, sitting meditation for anyone to attend. For all levels. Beginners welcome! Meditation begins and ends promptly on time.

Donation-based event; no set fees. New England Meditation Center, 455 Boston Rd, Old Saybrook.

For more information, visit: https://www.meetup. com/New-England-Meditation-Center/events.

friday Yoga with Marlene – 9:30am. Yoga classes for all ages and problems in a serene atmosphere with emphasis on stress-management. 1221 Village Walk.

Guilford. Info: 203-453-5360.

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Class – 10:30am-11:30am. It only takes an hour to feel good again. Aren’t you worth it? $15 drop in or class cards. Carol Meade Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford.

203-415-8666 or info@massage2movement.com.

Intuitive Readings w/Susane Grasso – 11am-3pm.

Usui and Karuna Reiki Master and Clairvoyant Susane sees auras/mirrors of soul/emotions and physical being. Now also a certified Doreen Virtue Angel Reader. $1/min. Enchanted, 1250 Boston Post Rd, Guilford. 203-453-4000.

EnchantedGuilfordct.com.

saturday Levels I & II Yoga – 9am-10:30am.With Iyengar Teacher Training Graduate. Refine your yoga practice with optimal alignment practices that make you stronger, more flexible,and more emotionally stable. Yoga in Middletown, 438 Main St, Middletown. 860-347-YOGA (9642).

YogaInMiddletown.com.

Simple Moves 5 Week Series – 9am-10am. This class combines simple Qi gong movements with the Feldenkrais Method. Be prepared to feel good. $50 for Series or $15 drop in. Carol Meade Holistic Therapies Classroom, 15 South Elm St, Wallingford.

203-415-8666 or info@massage2movement.com.

ReikiShare: The Universal Reiki Plan – 11am1:30pm. Pre-register to share Reiki and join in a FREE workshop to make it a Reiki day! The 3rd Sat. of every month. Free (“love offering”).

Bloodroot Rest. 85 Ferris St, Bridgeport. Reservation only. Jim or Jeannette: 203-254-3958. info@ReikiOvertones.com.

Meditation – 1:30pm. Silent, sitting meditation for anyone to attend. For all levels. Beginners welcome!

Meditation begins and ends promptly on time. Lecture every other Saturday. Donation-based event; no set fees. New England Meditation Center, 455 Boston Rd, Old Saybrook. For more information, visit: https://www.meetup.com/New-EnglandMeditation-Center/events.

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. ~Vincent Van Gogh

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classifieds ALS SUPPORT THE ALS ASSOCIATION CONNECTICUT CHAPTER – Leading the fight to treat and cure ALS through research & advocacy while empowering people w/Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives w/compassionate care & support. 4 Oxford Road, Unit D4. Milford. 203-874-5050. WebCT.alsa.org.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES CAREER OPPORTUNITY IN PRESTIGIOUS SALON – For as little as $65 per week, you can own your own business, make your own hours, keep 100% of your sales in an established state of the art salon & spa. Fear no more of opening your own salon due to the costly start-up expenses. Do not wait to move on this opportunity. Call 203-980-3163.

SHORELINE STUDIO FOR RENT/SHARE 900 Sq Ft – Beautiful space off I95. Plenty of parking spaces. Daytime and evening hours available. Wellness Practitioners prefered. Contact joybodinmotion@gmail.com.

HELP WANTED

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT

INDIVIDUAL OR COUPLE TO LIVE WITH TWO ELDERLY PEOPLE AND ASSIST ONE OR BOTH IF NEEDED – So far, however, both of us are healthy, busy and driving—but that can change over time. We would like to offer you a free five-room apartment including utilities plus some salary which would increase as our situation changes. You both must have either a college or high school education plus some work away from here until we actually need you for services. Please send resume to PO Box 185294, Hamden, CT 06518.

CONNECTICUT CHAPTER, AMERICAN PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION – Mission: “To Ease the Burden, To Find A Cure” for those w/Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers in CT. Education, support and socialization.

860-248-9200, ctapda.org.

INTUITIVE READINGS AT ENCHANTED INTUITIVE READINGS AT ENCHANTED DAILY – 11am-3pm. Akashic, Angel, Aura, Clairvoyant, Goddess, Mediumship, Runes, Tarot, Tea Leaf Readings offered from eight world-class intuitives and masters. $1/minute. Enchanted 1250 Boston Post Rd ,Guilford. 203-453-4000. For more information and a schedule of who is available each day visit EnchantedGuilford.com.

SPACE FOR RENT BRIGHT, VIBRANT SPACE HOSTING YOGA AND JUICE BAR TO SHARE IN MADISON – Bodywork, Therapy, Dance/Movement or other Solopreneur. Treatment rooms w/en suite bthrm, office and mirrored studio space. Classy complex right on Rt 1 w/variety of thriving businesses and Cafe. Rates Negotiable. Contact bynh@mac.com.

SPREAD YOUR WINGS ADD A REJUVENATION STUDIO to your EXISTING beauty, fitness, or health/wellness business. – Bring in new customers, gain revenue from several sources, and your customers will love it! For more information, call: 864-569-8631.

LYME DISEASE

START A CAREER YOU CAN BE PASSIONATE ABOUT – Publish your own Natural Awakenings magazine. Home based business complete with comprehensive training and support system. New franchises are available or purchase a magazine that is currently publishing. Call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsmag.com/mymagazine.

AMERICAN LYME DISEASE FOUNDATION – Dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment, of Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. Lyme, CT. Info: aldf.com.

DISTRIBUTORS WANTED

MEDICAL/INTUITIVE HYPNOTIST

DISTRIBUTORS WANTED – For monthly deliveries of Natural Awakenings and other local publications. Perfect for a retired person or stay at home mom looking to earn some extra income and connect with their local community. Honesty and dependability are the most important characteristics of our distributors. Thomas@ManInMotionLLC.com.

HYPNOSIS THERAPY CENTER – There is a meaning behind every ailment and condition people have. It's your body speaking to you. If you are tired of being sick and are ready to help yourself heal, then consider having a Discovery Session so you can learn the cause and 'cure.' Madison. 203-245-6927.

Coming Next Month

D E C 42

Community Connections plus: True Prosperity

December articles include: Uplifting Your Family, New Year Inspirations, Tips for a Peaceful and Happy Holiday and more!

To advertiseNaturalNewHaven.com or participate in our next issue, call 203-988-1808

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natural awakenings

November 2017

43

communityresourceguide ALLERGIES

EDUCATION

ADVANCED ALLERGY RELIEF OF CT Anne Mitchell, ND North Haven and West Hartford Offices 203-239-3400 aarct.com

Do you have asthma, hay fever, sinusitis, excema or other allergy symptoms?

Are you careful about what you eat because of food allergies or intolerances? At Advanced Allergy Relief, we offer a safe, rapid elimination of allergic reactions. No medication, No Needles, Child friendly, Effective.

APPLIED KINESIOLOGY

CONNECTICUT EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CENTER (CELC) MIDDLE SCHOOL

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLC

CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) Middle School provides experientially-based education with a personalized approach to learning, designed to empower young people to thrive. Our students come from a variety of towns throughout Connecticut, from families looking for a program that engages and deepens learning, where their children can flourish during these important and impactful 5th - 8th grade years. See ad on page 34.

Using state-of-the-art science combined with centuries-old healing modalities, our caring naturopathic doctors correct underlying imbalances and address issues which may interfere with the body’s abilityto heal itself. Treatment protocols or therapies include: Abdominal Manual Therapy, Acupuncture, Allergy Desensitization, Chinese Medicine, Colonics and other Detoxification Protocols, Electro-Dermal Screening, Energy Medicine, FDA-cleared Phototherapy, Functional Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Hormonal Balancing, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Metabolic Typing, Nutritional Assessment, Real-Time EEG Neurofeedback, and other therapies. See ad on page 17.

28 School Street, Branford, CT 203-433-4658 mandm@CTExperiential.org http://CTEXperiential.org

KC CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS Kevin Healy, DC 17 Woodland Road, Madison, CT 203-245-9317 KevinHealy@sbcglobal.net DrHealMe.com

HOLISTIC DENTIST MARK A. BREINER, DDS, FIAOMT

Applied Kinesiology is a neurological evaluation to find and treat dysfunction. Different because it addresses causes instead of chasing pains, Dr. Healy tests if a therapy alleviates dysfunction, finding immediate answers as to which provides the most improvement.

Chiropractic, craniosacral, myofascial and acupressure are among the therapies Dr. Healy uses. Generally, no single cure exists as disease and dysfunction typically involve multiple areas of the body. The goal of any therapy—physical, chemical, or emotional—is to improve function; a combination of therapies typically yields the best results. See ad on page 37.

501 Kings Highway East, Suite 108 Fairfield, CT 203-371-0300 WholeBodyDentistry.com Dr. Mark A. Breiner is a pioneer and recognized authority in the field of holistic dentistry. With over 30 years of experience, he is a sought after speaker and lecturer. His popular consumer book, Whole-Body Dentistry, has been sold worldwide. See ad on page 17.

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING ANNAHAVEN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, LLC

COUPLES THERAPY COACHING & RETREATS NANCY BUTLER, MSW, LCSW

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Improve communication, increase understanding, learn caring ways to resolve conflict.

Nancy Butler brings 25 years of experience to her compassionate and effective work with couples. Weekly Sessions: • In-depth 3 Session Relationship Consultation • Communication Coaching • Individual Couples Intensive Weekend Retreats.

44

New Haven / Middlesex

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS

Anna Martin, BSW, MSW, LCSW 410 State St, North Haven, CT 30 Hazel Terrace, Woodbridge, CT 377 Main St, West Haven, CT 203-606-2071 CounselingWithAnnaMartin.com

YOU deserve to be happy.

AHBHS helps with depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, Obesity, agarophobia, domestic violence, ADD, ADHD and anger management. Phone,internet,skype and office sessions. Evening and weekend hours are available. Most insurance accepted, including Medicaid, Medicare and Husky.

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Adam Breiner, ND, Director Elena Sokolova, MD, ND David Brady, ND, CCN, DACBN 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 108 Fairfield, CT 203-371-8258 WholeBodyMed.com

PAIN MANAGEMENT THE LIFE CENTER OF CT

Dr. Robert E. Lee Naturopathic Physician Offices in North Haven and West Hartford 203-239-3400 TheLifeCenterofCT.com Getting to the root of your pain.

Whether it’s structural, inflammatory, or related to injury, there are options that can significantly improve or eliminate your pain naturally. Here at The Life Center, we identify the pattern and employ a number of therapies such as Gua sha, Massage therapy, Bowen, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Botanical Medicine, Emotional, Mind-Body Medicine, Egoscue exercises, Laser therapy, nutritional supplements, and dietary changes to manage pain. We are not interested in covering pain up but fixing it and to helping you to understand it. In this way, you will have some say over the way you feel and be empowered to be pain free. See ad on page 11.

SALT HEALING THERAPY WELLNESS CENTER SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA

Publish One of the Nation’s Leading Healthy Living Magazines Own a Natural Awakenings Magazine

787 Main St, S Woodbury, CT 203-586-1172 NaturalSaltHealing.com

Turn Your Passion Into A Business

As a Natural Awakenings publisher, you can empower yourself and others to create a healthier world while working from your home earning an income doing something you love!

No publishing experience is necessary. You’ll work for yourself but not by yourself. We offer a complete training and support system that allows you to successfully publish your own magazine.

Combining an array of natural therapies that have been used since ancient times with today’s technology, Salt of the Earth Spa provides a sanctuary for deep transformations, healing and grounding for Mind, Body and Spirit. See ad on page 11.

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in Cision’s® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines list

Cision® is the world’s leading source of media research.

For more information, visit www.cision.com or follow @Cision on Twitter.

WEIGHT LOSS THE LIFE CENTER OF CT

Dr. Shannon Homkovics 2 Broadway, North Haven, CT 1007 Farmington Ave, Suite 7A, West Hartford, CT 203-239-3400 info@thelifecenterofCT.com TheLifeCenterofct.com Vo t e d # 1 We i g h t L o s s Program 4 years in a Row! Medically supervised weight loss program. Get off the dieting merry-go-round and F I N A L LY a c h i e v e y o u r ideal weight. We offer a whole foods diet, individualized nutrition, emotional eating support, meal planning and weight loss coaching.

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WELLNESS SUPPLEMENT MEDTECH HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS

284 Racebrook Road, Suite 217 Orange, CT 203-298-0677 Allison@medtechhealthcare.com Medtechhealthcare.com As a distributor of C W H e m p ( C h a rl o t t e ’s We b ) , w e want to help everyone better their health and wellness by offering a full line of Premium Whole-Plant Cannabinoid Hemp Extracts. Charlotte’s Web (CW) is The World’s Most Trusted Hemp Extract™.

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• Meaningful New Career • Low Initial Investment • Proven Business System • Home-Based Business • Exceptional Franchise Support & Training

*Natural Awakenings recently received the prestigious FBR50 Franchise Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business Review.

Contact us about acquiring an existing publication FOR SALE highlighted in RED*

Natural Awakenings publishes in over 80 markets across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic (listed below).

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Gulf Coast AL/MS Phoenix, AZ Tucson, AZ East Bay Area, CA San Diego, CA Northern CO/Cheyenne, WY Denver, CO Fairfield County/ HousatonicValley, CT Hartford, CT New Haven/Middlesex, CT Washington, DC* Daytona/Volusia/Flagler, FL NW FL Emerald Coast Ft. Lauderdale, FL Jacksonville/St. Augustine, FL Miami & the Florida Keys Naples/Ft. Myers, FL North Central FL* Central Florida/Greater Orlando Palm Beach, FL Peace River, FL Sarasota, FL Space & Treasure Coast, FL Tampa/St. Pete., FL Atlanta, GA Hawaiian Islands Chicago, IL Chicago Western Suburbs, IL Indianapolis, IN Acadiana, LA New Orleans, LA Boston, MA Worcester, MA Ann Arbor, MI East Michigan Wayne County, MI Western MI

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Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN* Charlotte, NC Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC* Bergen/Passaic, NJ* Central, NJ Hudson County, NJ Mercer County, NJ Monmouth/Ocean, NJ North Central NJ South NJ Santa Fe/Albuquerque, NM* Las Vegas, NV Albany, NY Long Island, NY Hudson Valley W., NY Manhattan, NY* Westchester/Putnam/ Dutchess Co’s., NY Central OH Toledo, OH* Oklahoma City, OK Portland, OR Bucks/Montgomery Counties, PA Chester/Delaware Counties, PA South Central PA Lancaster/Berks, PA Lehigh Valley, PA Northeast, PA Philadelphia, PA Rhode Island Charleston, SC Columbia, SC Greenville, SC* Chattanooga, TN Austin, TX* Dallas, TX Houston, TX North Texas*

• • • • • • • • •

San Antonio, TX* South Houston/Galveston, TX Richmond, VA Inland Northwest, WA Seattle, WA* Madison, WI* Milwaukee, WI Dominican Republic Puerto Rico

*Existing magazines for sale

Start a magazine in an OPEN TERRITORY

• Los Angeles, CA • Sacramento, CA • San Francisco, CA • Santa Barbara/Ventura, CA • Santa Clara Co., CA • Southern, MA • Annapolis, MD • Baltimore, MD • Kansas City, MO • Saint Louis, MO • Bronx, NY • Brooklyn/Staten Island, NY • Cincinnati, OH • Cleveland, OH • Pittsburgh, PA • Nashville, TN • Ft. Worth, TX • Salt Lake City, UT Inquire about other open areas

For more information, visit NaturalAwakeningsFranchise.com 45 natural awakenings November 2017 239-530-1377 or call

NATURAL AWAKENINGS NETWORK MEET OUR PROVIDERS

NaturalAwakeningsNetwork.com

Calling All Holistic and Green Businesses!

Interested in becoming a Provider?

Information: 203-988-1808 Gail@naturalnewhaven.com AMSTON A PLACE OF HEALING

Kelly Ann Matuskiewicz 203-747-8444 KellyAnnCory.com

BETHANY

EAST HADDAM

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DENNY CHIROPRACTIC & ACUPUNCTURE

CT FARM FRESH EXPRESS, LLC

EAST HAVEN

ATLAS CHIROPRACTIC

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Adam Church, D.C. 203-466-1111 Dr.Church.com

BRANFORD

EMPOWER MASSAGE

S.M. Cooper Photographic Artist

NATURAL FAMILY HEALTH Jasmine Manning, N.D. 203-315-6246

CHESHIRE

SERENITY HEALING PLACE Kim Nagle 203-565-6495 SerenityHealingPlace.com

DURHAM

CASHMAN NUTRITION

Natalie Cashman 860-398-4621 CashmanNutrition.com

DURHAM NATUROPATHIC HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER

Christopher Chialastri, LMT#005812 Home Visits for Massage Therapy 203-430-3163 EmpowerMassage.abmp.com

ESSEX

DOROTHY MARTIN-NEVILLE, PhD Psychotherapy-Adults in Transition Emotional & Spiritual Aspects in Health Care 860-461-7569 DrDorothyct.com

GUILFORD

EVERLASTINGS ORGANIC SALON & SPA

203-458-1298 EverlastingsSalon.com

MASSAGE SAVVY

Jason Belejack, N.D. 203-824-7428 DurhamNaturopathichealth.com

203-453-8667 MassageSavvyCT.com

DANCING WITH ANGELS LIFE COACHING

HAMDEN

Diana R. Carr 860-349-9542 DianaCarr.wordpress.com

46

New Haven / Middlesex

COLOR ESSENCE

Joan S. Gilbert 828-551-0420 JoanSusan.star@gmail.com

NaturalNewHaven.com

Eileen Denny, D.C. 203-407-8468 DennyWellness.com

JUNE CAN CHANNEL

June Can, Reiki Master Practitioner International Channel & Medium junehcan@gmail.com http://junecanchannel.blogspot.com

LISA LAUGHLIN, N.D

475-227-2773 NaturopathicWellnessLLC.com

TAKE SHAPE FOR LIFE

Marni Esposito 203-430-1009 YouCanLiveHealthyNow.tsfl.com

THE TAX GUY

Thomas Fortuna 203-684-3512 TheTaxGuy.us

TRANQUIL HEALING REIKI, LLC Anita Jones, RMT 203-415-4791 TranquilHealingReiki.com

MADISON

COASTAL CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS Keith Mirante, D.C. 203-245-8217 DrMirante.com

WALLINGFORD

MILFORD continued ROI MARKETING OF NEW ENGLAND Bob Kademian 866-306-9799 Bob@BizCoachBob.com

TINA KADISH

L.O.V.E.

Lghtworker of Vibrational Energy LLC Gayle Franceschetti 203-265-2927 Return2Love.net

MIDDLEFIELD

Life and Health Mentor 203-610-7477 LifeisIdeal.com

WATERBURY

860-349-7039 SolutionsByHypnosis.com

NEW HAVEN

Sports Medicine Dr. Joel Segalman, M.D. 203-270-6724 DrSegalman.com

MARY ELLEN MONEYMAKER HYPNOTIST

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CONNECTICUT YOGA CENTER

860-986-2017 CTYogaCenter.com

YOGA IN MIDDLETOWN 860-347-YOGA (9642) YogainMiddletown.com

MILFORD

CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS CENTER OF MILFORD Elizabeth Rumley, D.C. 203-713-8600 CWCofMilford.com

HEALTHY FOODS PLUS Natural/Organic Foods/Gluten-Free Vitamins/Supplements/Beauty Aids 203-882-9011

IMPRESSIONS SERVICES Raymond Daneault 800-217-1963 ImpressionsClean.com

JOANN DUNSING HYPNOSIS Joann Dunsing 203-907-7710 JoannDunsing.com

LYNN LYONS

Wt. Release/Loss/HypnoBirthing 203-415-8567 LynnALyons.com

MARCY DOLAN, N.D.

Milford, CT 475-282-4112 DoctorDolan@hotmail.com

NATUROPATHIC SPECIALTIES, LLC Dr. Florence McPherson 203-685-5795 Dr.FloMcPherson.com

PATTY SCHEIN

Holistic Counseling 203-878-3140 PattyScheinLMFT.com

PRISCO CONSULTING Priscilla Lynn 203-530-0103 PriscoPR.com

CHASE PARKWAY PODIATRIC GROUP, LLC

THE SERENE SPOT Anaika Ocasio 203-400-1293 TheSereneSpot.com

WEB-BASED BUSINESSES

NORTH HAVEN

GREEN & GLOBAL MEDIA, LLC

Candice Pollack, D.C. 203-691-5581 Apmct.com

LGN CONSULTING

ADVANCED PHYSICAL MEDICINE CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS CENTER

KellyAnn Carpenter 203-533-9823 GreenandGlobalMedia.com Lisa Nastu 203-301-4109 LGNConsulting.com

INNER HARMONY HOLISTIC WELLNESS

Karen Obier, Reflexologist 203-645-2188 InnerHarmonyHolisticWellness.abmp.com

STEAMATIC OF CT

LIFETIME HEALTH

Venice Walters 203-507-0889 YORHealth.com/LifetimeHealth1

LIVER MEDIC

Vincent Farricielli 203-985-8000 SteamaticCT.com

800-387-2278 LiverMedic.com

ORANGE

SUCCESS MARKETING, LLC

David Durso, D.C. 203-553-9300 StayBalancedCT.com

ZAHAVAH RAW BEAUTY

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BALANCED HEALTH FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

Aadil Al-Alim & Faith Bredwood 203-389-0089 Zahavah.co

PORTLAND NATUROPATHIC SPECIALTIES, LLC Dr. Florence McPherson 203-685-5795 Dr.FloMcPherson.com

STAIRWAY 2 HEAVEN Holistic Center 860-770-2126 Stairway2Heaven.net

WEST HAVEN

RUBINO CHIROPRACTIC CENTER Robert Rubino, D.C. 203-933-9404 RubinoBackCare.com

WOODBRIDGE

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Rosa Cervoni, LMT #003111 Reflexologist/Reiki Practitioner 203-929-1002 SerenityBodyWellness.com

WOODBURY

SERENITY BODY WELLNESS

Katey Hauser, D.C. 203-387-5015

ALISON BIRKS, MS, RH (AHG), CNS

New Morning Market 203-263-4868 NewMorn.com

natural awakenings

November 2017

47

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