Natural Awakenings New Haven & Middlesex CT JAN 2002

E R F

E

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

PLANT-BASED COFFEE ALTERNATIVES

CALM CORNERS

2022 TRENDS IN PET FOOD P E T E R RU S S E L L ON LETTING GO January 2022 | New Haven-Middlesex | NaturalNewHaven.com January 2022

1

2022 Resource Directory

Be Found

Year-Round

Our 2022 Resource Directory is coming in March!

It will be referred to by readers throughout the year...

Now more than ever, our readers need to know about your healthy and sustainable services/products, especially those that can be offered remotely, picked up, delivered or ordered online.

2

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com

AVAILABLE IN PRINT & ONLINE...

Including ALL mobile devices

The 2022 Resource Directory will be the centerpiece of our March issue, reaching more than 50,000 health-conscious consumers in print and online.

For details and early bird discount, go to: NaturalNewHaven.com /annual-resource-d irectory

Reserve your space

by January 21 and save!

203.988.1808 Ads@NaturalNewHaven.com

ASK US ABOUT:

HOLISTIC BUSINESS 1/2 PAGE PROFILES for only $200!

January 2022

3

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letterfrompublisher

PUBLISHER Gail Heard

EDITOR Ariana Rawls Fine LAYOUT & PRODUCTION Gail Heard

DESIGN Chik Shank Sandra Haniph CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ariana Rawls Fine

SALES & MARKETING Gail Heard

DISTRIBUTOR Man In Motion, LLC

WEBSITE Chik Shank

CONTACT US PO Box 525 North Branford, CT 06471 Ph: 203-988-1808 • Fax: 203-488-8523 NaturalNewHaven.com

NATIONAL TEAM

CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne

Layout & Design Gabrielle W-Perillo

Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy

National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Administrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakenings.com

© 2022 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. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

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

Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Brenda Tate Photography

NEW HAVEN/ MIDDLESEX EDITION

Happy 2022!

There are a few wishes I have for this new year, some that are deeply personal and others that are more worldly. My number one wish for myself and for everyone, including you my dear readers, is good physical, mental and emotional health—in spite of COVID and all of its variants.

Our January editorial theme is entirely centered around health and wellness for adults, children, pets and our planet. As with every issue, our intention is to provide you with cutting edge information to help you achieve optimal health and offer insights from wellness experts to leave you feeling inspired and hopeful.

This month’s feature article shares 10 top wellness trends for 2022, covering topics such as benefits of a plant-based diet, an increase in telemedicine, a surge in coaching (e.g. Lynda Mettler’s transformational life coaching. Check out her services on pages 11 and 29), mindfulness practices, health apps, virtual experiences and more. When I read this article, I was encouraged to learn that our genetic expression can be positively influenced by making healthy lifestyle choices. That’s really good news!

During the early part of the pandemic and lockdown, I developed a few good habits that I have continued to practice to this day. One daily routine is exercise and getting enough time outdoors, which has done a world of good for my physical and emotional health. I receive physical benefits from the cardio workout and the fresh air, and emotional benefits from my appreciation of nature. Outdoor walks have been a very helpful distraction from the negative chatter and scary headlines that we have been inundated with on a daily basis. Another ritual of mine is spending the last hour before bedtime reading a book, rather than watching TV. This quiets my mind and induces a feeling of peace, which helps me sleep better. Watching TV can stir up negative emotions and I don’t want to take those feelings to sleep with me.

The next book on my reading list is: Letting Go of Nothing: Relax Your Mind and Discover the Wonder of Your True Nature, authored by Peter Russel. In the interview article with Russel (see page 18), he talks about the healing power of letting go of things that only exist in our mind, stating “The world pulls us outward, taking us out of ourselves. When we step back from it and let go for a while, it’s like coming home to our self.”

On that inspiring note, may 2022 be a year of fulfilling your deepest, heart-felt desires and letting go of attachments, fixed beliefs and judgements that hold you back from being the happy soul you were born to be! Happy New Year!

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

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

4

New Haven/Middlesex

New Year’s Day. A fresh start. A new chapter in life waiting to be written. New questions to be asked, embraced and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery. Today carve out a quiet interlude for yourself in which to dream, pen in hand. Only dreams give birth to change. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach

NaturalNewHaven.com

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 27 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

12

Contents

12 HEALTH IN

16

THE NEW YEAR

10 Top Wellness Trends for 2022

15 WHY WORDS MATTER 16 A BETTER

MORNING JOLT

20

Healthy Coffee Alternatives and Hacks

18 PETER RUSSELL

on the Healing Power of Letting Go

20 ZEN ZONE FOR KIDS Create the Perfect Calm-Down Corner at Home

24

22 THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE REVOLUTION

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact Gail Heard at 203-988-1808 or email Ads@naturalnewhaven.com. Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Gail@naturalnewhaven.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit Calendar Events online at: 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 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities, call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

Moving Toward an All-EV Future this Year

24 PET-PLEASING FOOD TRENDS

What Dogs and Cats Will Eat This Year

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 15 inspiration 16 conscious

eating 18 wise words 20 healthy kids

22 green living 24 natural pet 26 calendar 27 classifieds 28 resource guide

January 2022

5

news briefs

Berlin Workshops Help Women Set New Intentions

A

nnette Guidone, Master Usui, shamanic Reiki practitioner and owner of Lotus Moon Reiki Healing located in Berlin, Connecticut, is offering services to help women set intentions and set out on a new path in the new year, whether it is healing physical pain, addiction, grief and emotional trauma, or personal growth.

Transformative Reiki Level 1 is taking place on February 27 Annette Guidone at 11 a.m. It will be held at The Center For Higher living, located at 130 Webster Square Road, Berlin, Connecticut.

The six-week Beginner Belly Dance series starts February 10 from 6-7 p.m. No experience needed. Unleash femininity and creativity while learning the fundamentals of belly dance and having fun.

Usui Reiki with Annette is also being offered by appointment.

Reiki uses universal life force energy. The energy channeled from the universe through the practitioner and to the person receiving. Positive imagery and sacred Reiki symbols are used to help release, relax and prepare the body for healing. Techniques may vary depending on the needs of the body at the time of the session.

Guidone is offering Shamanic Reiki by appointment. Through natural worldly elements and the four directions of the medicine wheel, Shamanic Reiki helps to unblock deep emotion and trauma. We may cut cords of attachment that keeps us from moving forward, retrieve pieces of ourselves that were once thought lost and light the path forward.

For more information and to register for classes and energy healing sessions, call 203-314-5764 or visit LotusMoonReikiHealing.com.

Location: Lotus Moon Reiki Healing, 130 Webster Square, Berlin, CT. See ad on page 11.

Register Now for Winter Art Classes at Earthly Goddess Art Studio

E

arthly Goddess Art Studio, located at The Red Barn in Durham, Connecticut, is holding winter semester art classes.

The classes include Landscape Acrylics on February 5 and 26 (10 a.m.-noon), Painting for Adults on Wednesdays from January 12 to February 16 (1-3 p.m.), Creative Clay on Tuesdays from January 11 to March 1 (6:30-9 p.m.), and Adaptive Acrylic Painting on Fridays from January 14 to February 3 (4-5:30 p.m.).

For kid-specific classes, the studio is offering Studio Art for Homeschoolers Ages 5-7 on Thursdays from January 13 to February 2 (noon-1:30 p.m.), Exploratory Art for Grades K through 2 on Wednesdays from January 12 to February 14 (4-5:30 p.m.), Clay Pottery Hand-building for Kids ages 8-10 on Mondays from January 10 to January 31 (noon-2 p.m.) and Clay Creations for Grades 3-5 on Thursdays from January 13 to February 17 (4-5:30 p.m.).

Workshops include Paper Earrings on January 22 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.), Soulful Acrylic Abstract Painting on February 19 and 26 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), Zoom Class – Painting with the Masters on February 12 (12:30-3:30 p.m.), Paint! Paint!

WOW! with the Gellie Plate on March 5 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), and Crafting Circle starting January 14, the first and third Friday of every month from 6-9 p.m.

To schedule a class or for more information, call 860-349-0251 or email Earthlygoddess3@yahoo.com. Location: The Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main St., Durham, CT. See ad on page 17.

Maintain your youth

with Homeopathic HGH Transdermal Gel Maximum Strength Somatropin EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED! Mindfulness • Guided Relaxation • Reflexology Energy Healing • Acu-Wellness • Hypnosis • Essential Oils Mind-Body Healing with Julie Thackeray, LPN, CRT, CH, ADS 203.215.6087 • solutionsforwellnessinc.com 6

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com

Unique and affordable alternative designed to support your pituitary gland!

Usage may

• Improve Bone and Joint Health • Improve Sleep • Increase Muscle and Reduce Fat Contact Shirley R. Bloethe

860-989-0033 or www.PassItOnLLC.com

Restore in January at Mountain View Wellness

W

hat are you doing to prepare for a new year? Julie Bailis (MVWCT.com) and Lauri Ingram (LauriIngram.com) are offering a unique opportunity to restore your energy and enter the new year with intention. Through 90 minutes of restorative yoga, meditation and journaling, sink into relaxation and allow your intentions for the new year to emerge. After another difficult year, Julie Bailis restorative practices assist us in building and sustaining our resilience.

The event will be held at Mountain View Wellness’ new offices on Whitney Avenue in Hamden, Connecticut. From 4 to 5:40 p.m. on January 2, attendees should plan to bring a yoga mat, two blocks and blankets as well as something for journaling. The cost of the event is $30. Bailis and Ingram bring a unique combination of yoga, meditaLauri Ingram tion and spiritual exploration to all their offerings. The class is for all levels and experience.

Register for the event at MountainViewWellnessCT.com/ Events/2022/1/2/Restore-a-Meditation-Restorative-Yoga-andJournaling-Experience.

Begin Again on January 9 via Zoom from 1-2:30 p.m. A new year brings opportunity to start anew. Are you considering what you are bringing into this new year? Explore with creativity and begin the new year with a unique spiritual art journaling practice, Cosmic Smashbooking. Through meditation, journaling and creative practices, Ingram will lead you through a process of setting intention and entering 2022 with clarity for what you are leaving behind.

Allow your muse to guide you and see what may arise in your creation. Cosmic Smashbooking is a process of self-discovery.

Combining art journaling, writing, meditation and creativity through intentional creativity, Ingram has been using Cosmic Smashbooking for self-exploration and healing. The process allows you to leave the inner critic behind, move away from perfection and have fun while also connecting to those messages and healing opportunities that are within each of us.

No art experience is needed; you can use whatever supplies you have at home. This is a complementary event, and a recording will be available to those who register.

To register, visit LauriIngram.com/Event-Details-Registration/ Begin-Again-Entering-2022. See ad on page 19.

Continuing Behavioral Health Courses Benefit Community Practitioners

T

he Connecticut Women’s Consortium, located in Hamden, Connecticut continues to provide quality, behavioral health trainings and courses during these challenging times. They offer trainings on a variety of topics including traumainformed care, clinical skills, children and families, substance use, veterans, and healing arts. All the trainings offer CECs through the CT NASW. Zen in America: Holistic Stress Management for Everyday Use will take place on January 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. The live

Breast thermography

We also provide

A Safe, Radiation-Free Way To Assess Your Breast FemaleHealth & Male

Upperchanges Body and Breast Thermography’s key asset is that it detects early physiological breast

which often take place years before a lump can be seen or felt.

• No X-Rays! No Compression! Non-invasive!

• Suitable for women of all ages and breast types including dense breasts, implants, and women who are pregnant.

New clients receive 10% OFF of an Upper Body or Full Body Screening (includes breasts).

Cannot be combined with other offers.

Full Body Screenings

Call today to schedule, or book your appointment online.

860-415-1150

2 Convenient Locations in Farmington and Glastonbury • ctthermography.com January 2022

7

news briefs training will be held at 2321 Whitney Avenue, Suite 201, Hamden, Connecticut with trainer Alicia Feller, LCSW. The purpose of this presentation is to define the different types of stress; understand its impact on the mind, body and spirit; and introduce some holistic stress management techniques one can use to reduce stress.

On March 25, Mindfulness Skills for Clinicians will be held at 9 a.m. to noon virtually on Zoom with trainer Tracey Meyers, PsyD. This workshop is designed for mental health clinicians who want to learn how to use the powerful tools of mindfulness clinically and in their own lives. Participants will gain the confidence and knowledge to tailor mindfulness techniques to their and their clients’ needs. Specific mindfulness tools for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and schizophrenia will be reviewed.

For more information and to register, visit WomensConsortium.org.

Both classes are worth three CECs and cost $60 for each.

Are You Experiencing Costochondritis/Chest Pains?

C

ostochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum. It can be related to the disruption of one or a group of ribs as a result of lifting heavy objects or falling on an outstretched arm. This dysfunction may be experienced as non-cardiac chest pain.

CT Thermography Offers Breast Health Webinars in the New Year

O

n January 12, February 7 and March 1 at 7 p.m., Thermographer, April Beaman (owner of CT Thermography) will be hosting 30-minute free breast health webinars.

Are you looking for a radiation-free breast screening? Have you considered thermography to assess your breast health? Join Beaman to learn about the benefits of breast thermography, the difference between thermography and mammography, and how this screening tool has helped thousands of women assess and monitor their breast health safely and effectively.

To register for the free Zoom webinars, visit CTThermography.com/Events or email Info@CTThermography.com.

April Beaman

CT Thermography has two locations in Farmington and Glastonbury. The Farmington office is relocating this month to 11 Melrose Drive. For more information, to register for the events above or to book an appointment, call 860-415-1150, email Info@CTThermography.com or visit CTThermography.com/events. See ad on page 7.

Passport To Health & Wellness Expo Features Holistic Community

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, take advantage of a complimentary 10-minute screening to see if physical therapy can relieve your pain. The sessions, given by Phyllis L. Quinn, PT, will be held at Physical Therapy Services of Guilford in Branford, Connecticut.

Call Physical Therapy Services of Guilford at 203-315-7727 to reserve your 10-minute screening. Location: Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, 500 East Main St., Ste. 310, Branford, CT. PhysicalTherapyGuilford.com. See ad on facing page.

8

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com

he 8th Bi-Annual Passport to Health & Wellness Expo will be held May 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at The Bristol DoubleTree by Hilton.

The benefit holistic fair, presented by the Holistic Community Professionals, will feature speakers on the half hour and a keynote speaker at 1 p.m., with more than 75 vendors and readers, free raffles all day and a grand prize of a Hilton overnight stay with breakfast for two, as well as a free drum healing closing ceremony on the patio.

Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with vendors and exhibitors as they learn about available resources to help promote healthy living and overall well-being. Visitors will have the chance to gain inspiration by visiting the booths and participating in the scheduled events.

The Passport to Health & Wellness Expo is a free event, and any door proceeds will be donated to the CT Children’s Medical Center (ConnecticutChildrens.org) and Hartford Hospitals Integrative Medicine Debbie Bator Memorial Fund. All funds will be used directly for patient care and will be matched to the

Prostock-studio/Bigstock.com

T

maximum allowed by the grants for each organization.

Natural Awakenings is proud to be a member of The Holistic Community Professionals and a sponsor of the expo. Interested vendors can apply online at Tinyurl.com/SpringExpoVendors.

For more information, call Shirley Bloethe at 860-989-0033, email YourHolisticEvents@gmail.com or visit PassItOnLLC.com.

Location: The Bristol DoubleTree by Hilton, 42 Century Dr, Bristol.

See ad on page 19.

Herpes Cream Provides Natural Relief

L

elia Cahill, founder of Royal John, is pleased to offer natural relief for those that suffer from genital herpes. Royal John’s Genital Herpes Cream is comprised of all-natural ingredients including echinacea, lady slipper, purslane, golden seal, lemon balm, witch hazel, licorice, tea tree and black cumin.

Utilizing Winter Break to Learn About Crystal Healing

T

he month of January is marked by stillness and quiet. It is a great time to invest in oneself.

During this winter break, Bradford Tilden is offering two very different, yet equally insightful and engaging crystal healing workshops. They are designed for beginners and intermediate level crystal healing enthusiasts who desire more than the basic overview of crystals, but Bradford Tilden are not quite at the serious committed level of the certification courses in Universal White Time Gemstone Healing and Lemurian Intuitive Natural Healing Tilden will be offering again later this year.

Intuitive Crystal Healing Intermediate Level Workshop, which explores grid making for manifestation and creating intuitive chakra balancing layouts, takes place on January 19 from 4-7 p.m. and is being held at the Braulttree Wellness Center, located at 415 Killingsworth Road, Suite 9A in Higganum, Connecticut. The Joy of Crystals Introductory workshop takes place on January 23 from 2-5 p.m. and is being held at The Bridge Healing Arts Center at 304 Main Street in Farmington, Connecticut.

Both workshops are $125 each.

For more information, call Bradford Tilden at 860-830-5841 or Info@CrystalMusicHeailng.com. Register via Venmo @Bradford-Tilden (specify which workshop) or Eventbrite (tinyurl.com/IntuitiveCrystal1-22 or tinyurl.com/ JoyOfCrystals1-22). See ad on page 29.

coming in february issue

“Thirty-five percent of American adults have genital herpes,” says Cahill. “While there is not currently a cure, it is important to find comfort and relief from symptoms naturally with a product you can trust.”

The plant-based, antioxidant-rich formula is designed to soothe sores and temporarily relieve pain and swelling due to genital herpes. This cream-based formula is chemical-free and easy to use for management of bothersome symptoms.

Cahill brings more than 28 years of expertise in development and research. She has worked with the National Development and Research Institute as well as many brilliant doctors.

“Statistically speaking everyone knows someone who has herpes, but not many people talk about it, a big reason is the stigma it carries. It’s a normal, non-life-threatening part of a lot of people’s lives. My hope is to remove the stigma of genital herpes and give relief to the symptoms until we find a cure,” says Cahill.

For more information or to order, visit RoyalJohn.com or email info@RoyalJohn.com. Also available on Amazon. See ad on inside back cover.

2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

TO ASK WHEN SEEKING A PHYSICAL THERAPIST 1. Will my PT work ONLY with me during my treatment?

HeartCentered Living

ABSOLUTELY! At Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, we are one of the few remaining practices that spend 40 minutes, one-on-one, with YOU and ONLY YOU.

2. Will I ONLY be doing exercises during my treatment?

No. Your physical therapist will be using hands-on techniques to relieve your pain and will provide you with exercises to do at home.

Physical Therapy Services of Guilford • 500 East Main Street • Branford

203-315 7727

•

PhysicalTherapyGuilford.com

January 2022

9

Nature’s Virus Killer

not a sniffle!” she exclaimed.

Businesswoman Rosaleen says when people around her show signs of cold or flu, she uses copper morning and night.

“It saved me last holidays,” she said.

“The kids had crud going round and round, but not me.”

Attorney Donna Blight tried copper for her sinus. “I am shocked!” she said.

By Doug Cornell “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” cientists have discovered a cold never got going. That was A man with trouble breathing natural way to kill germs fast.

September 2012. I use copper in the through his nose at night tried copper Now thousands of people nose every time and I have not had a just before bed. “Best sleep I’ve had in are using it against viruses and bacteria single cold since then.” years!” he said. in the nose and on “We can’t In a lab test, technicians placed 25 the skin. make product million live flu viruses on a CopperZap. Colds start health claims,” he No viruses were found surviving soon when cold viruses said, “so I can’t after. get in your nose. say cause and Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams Viruses multiply effect. But we confirming the research. He placed fast. If you don’t know copper is millions of disease germs on copper. stop them early, antimicrobial.”

“They started to die literally as soon as they spread and He asked they touched the surface,” he said. cause misery. relatives and Some people press copper on a lip New device puts copper right In hundreds friends to try it. right away if a warning tingle suggests where you need it. of studies, EPA and They reported unwanted germs gathering there. university researchers have confirmed the same thing, so he patented The handle is curved that viruses and bacteria die almost CopperZap® and put it on the and textured to increase instantly when touched by copper. market. contact. Copper can That’s why ancient Greeks and Soon hundreds of people had kill germs picked up on Egyptians used copper to purify water tried it. The feedback was 99% fingers and hands after and heal wounds. They didn’t know positive if they used the copper you touch things other about microbes, but now we do. within 3 hours after the first sign people have touched.

Scientists say the high conductance of unwanted germs, like a tickle The EPA says copper of copper disrupts the electrical balance in the nose or a scratchy throat. still works even when Dr. Bill Keevil: in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in Early user Mary Pickrell tarnished.

Copper quickly kills seconds. said, “I can’t believe how good CopperZap is made cold viruses.

Tests by the EPA (Environmental my nose feels.” in the U.S. of pure Protection Agency) show germs die “What a wonderful thing!” copper. It has a 90-day full money back fast on copper. So some hospitals tried exclaimed Physician’s Assistant Julie. guarantee. It is available for $79.95. Get copper for touch surfaces like faucets Another customer asked, “Is it supposed $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA25. and doorknobs. This cut the spread of to work that fast?”

Go to www.CopperZap.com or call MRSA and other illnesses by over half, Pat McAllister, 70, received one for toll-free 1-888-411-6114. and saved lives.

Christmas and called it “one of the best Buy once, use forever.

The strong scientific evidence gave presents ever. This little jewel really Statements are not intended as inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When works.” product health claims and have not been he felt a cold about to start he fashioned Frequent flier Karen Gauci had been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to a smooth copper probe and rubbed it suffering after crowded flights. Though diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any gently in his nose for 60 seconds. skeptical, she tried copper on travel disease.

“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The days for 2 months. “Sixteen flights and ADVERTORIAL

Copper can stop a cold before it starts

S

10

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com

Holistic Community Professionals HCP

Our professional team of holistic and natural businesses provides community outreach and education. We are committed to improving the health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit in the communities we serve. Visit our Site: HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org

CBDa 10xPure TM Earleen Wright CBDa 10xPure TM is known for its healing power over CBD alone. We are the only company that has CBDa. Contact Earleen Wright 203-215-3222 EarleenWright@gmail.com EarleenWright.myctfo.com

Lightworker Bradford W. Tilden, MM, CMT, UWT Remote journey and coaching sessions Workshops in Crystal & Sound Healing Professional certification courses In Universal White Time (UWT) Energy and Gemstone Healing 860-830-5841 Info@CrystalMusicHealing.com CrystalMusicHealing.com

Naturopathic Physician Vis Wellness Center Dr. Nicole Klughers ND, PharmD, MSAc Naturopathic Physician Acupuncture Provider Rocky Hill & TeleMedicine info@DrNicoleKlughers.com DrNicoleKlughers.com 234-2-ACU-DOC

Energy Healing (Women) Lotus Moon Reiki Healing With Annette Reiki Master/Shamanic Healing Spiritual Guidance Belly Dance instructor Berlin, CT 203-314-5764 LotusMoonReikiHealing.com

LMT, RMT, Psychic Jill Andrzejewski LMT, RMT, Psychic Massage Therapy #9900 Reiki & Chakra Balancing Angel Tarot & Oracle Card Readings A Moment In Time Treasures items for self-care and healing Workshops and classes 203-909-1108 jillamomentintimemassage@gmail.com AMomentInTimeMassage.org

Transformational Life Coaching Channeling Your Wisdom Coaching Lynda Mettler, ACC Transformational Life Coach Reiki Master Guiding clients on a healing journey to discover their confidence, courage and self-compassion.

203-623-6066 Lynda@YourWisdomCoaching.com YourWisdomCoaching.com

Intuitive Counselor & Healer Gayle Franceschetti, MEd, CHt Hypnotherapy, Meditations Reiki/Energy sessions, Essential Oils Group Past Life Regression Individual Past Life Regression Workshops, Spiritual Power Journeys, Private mentoring & counseling Return2love3@gmail.com Return2Love.com 203-631-7803

Medical Intuitive/Shaman Past Life Regression Therapy Spirit of the Lotus Robin Barros IMT-C, CSC, CPLC Hands-on Healer Medical Intuitive Shaman/Medium Spiritually-Guided Coach Advanced Soul Coach (R) Holographic Sound Healer 5 Gavin Drive, Columbia CT Robin@SpiritoftheLotus.org SpiritoftheLotus.org

Wellness Center The Red Barn in Durham Janice Juliano, MSW, LCSW Holistic Psychotherapist Coordinator MassageTherapy Nutrition / Yoga / Reiki / Sound Healing Professional Photography / Art Classes 860-559-6151 352 Main St, Durham TheRedBarninDurham.com

We Welcome You! To Join Holistic Community Professionals contact: Shirley Bloethe: 860-255-8844 HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org 11 January 2022

Health in the New Year 10 Top Wellness Trends for 2022

wayhome studio/AdobeStock.com

by Sandra Yeyati

E

very new year marks the convergence of endings and beginnings—an opportunity to assess where we’ve been and anticipate where we’re going. As this dynamic relates to our health, this year promises an intensification in the development and adoption of several trends that have been years in the making.

Plant-Based Foods Take Center Stage The consensus among researchers is that filling our plates with colorful vegetables and fruits improves health and reduces our risk of developing a number of chronic degenerative diseases.

“This approach, along with eating less meat and avoiding sugar, is wonderful to control blood sugar, lower uric acid and nurture your microbiome, which is fundamentally important to reduce 12

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com

inflammation, increase your body’s production of antioxidants and vitamins and help maintain the integrity of the gut lining so that you don’t get leaky gut and, therefore, inflammation,” says board-certified neurologist David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain and four other New York Times bestsellers.

Awareness of the devastating effects of industrialized meat production is also accelerating. “Avoiding animal products is probably the first and most important ethical choice one can make,” says Princeton University bioethics professor Peter Singer, author of the seminal Animal Liberation. “That’s going to dramatically lower your carbon footprint. You will no longer be complicit in the suffering of tens of billions of factory-farmed animals, and you won’t be contributing to the increasing risks of viruses being bred in factory farms.”

According to market blood oxygenation, while analysis firm CB Insights, “Core concepts like being present in the moment or diabetics and non-diabetics taking in the other person in an empathetic way are alike employ continuous “As COVID-19 spread glucose monitoring systems across the globe, shifting rippling out into so many aspects of life.” to pinpoint how lifestyle consumer behavior and –Leslie Davenport choices like food, exercise virus outbreaks in factories and sleep affect blood sugar levels. “That is not only trending has dealt major blows to the meat supply chain, with the beef now, but will increase quite dramatically as consumers push to industry alone facing an estimated $13.6 billion in losses.” Several learn more about themselves,” Perlmutter predicts. “No longer is U.S. meat processing plants were forced to close their doors. this information going to be siloed in the doctor’s office. People In response, a growing inventory of plant-based alternative are becoming more and more empowered to learn this data about proteins is emerging, offering new products that seek to mimic themselves and act on it.” the experience of eating a juicy hamburger (Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods) or crispy chicken nugget (Simulate). Banza Learning to Improve Genetic Expression makes high-protein pasta from chickpeas. Retail sales of plantbased meals in the U.S. have grown by 25.5 percent over the “Our evolving understanding of epigenetics—how we can change past two years, and other manufacturers joining the field are our gene expression—is bringing more people on board to the Plantible Foods, Rebellyous Foods, Livekindly and InnovoPro. idea that our lifestyle choices matter,” Perlmutter says. “When A recent survey found that 36 percent of consumers intend to I went to medical school, we thought our DNA was locked in increase their consumption of alternative protein sources in the a glass case and that it would determine everything about us. near future.

Nowadays, we know that the expression of more than 70 percent Perlmutter cautions, “Just because they’re plant-based doesn’t of our DNA that codes for health and longevity is under our give them full sanction. They may contain unfermented soy, control and influenced by our lifestyle choices. The food we eat, which may not be non-GMO or organic, and per an article whether or not we slept well last night, the stress in our lives, in the New York Times, their carbon footprint may be a lot whether or not we spent time in nature—all of these things, higher in production of these products than we have been led moment-to-moment, change our gene expression. Holy Toledo! to believe. Do a little research on these manufactured foods We now know that certain lifestyle choices are good for you and go for plant-based options that aren’t processed. Shop the because they favorably change gene expression. They teach it in periphery of the grocery store.” med school now. It’s a breathtaking reality.”

Telemedicine Will Continue After the Pandemic According to management consultants McKinsey and Company, when COVID-19 began, the level of telemedicine increased in America 78-fold, peaking in April 2020. Although it has been declining since then, the use of telemedicine is still at a 38-fold increase compared to pre-pandemic times.

“While it has leveled off, we are going to see persisting use of telemedicine in situations that involve basic communication with a patient,” says Perlmutter, citing compelling attributes such as cost savings, convenience and a lower carbon footprint because people don’t have to commute to a doctor’s office.

Wearable Devices and Home Testing Empower Patients Perlmutter also anticipates an amplification of the use of wearable devices and home testing to provide biometric data that informs people about their health status and inspires them to modify lifestyle choices. The Oura Ring records the time it takes to get to sleep, how many times the wearer awakens during the night and how much time they spend in REM and deep sleep. This information enables people to modify day-to-day activities to improve the quality and quantity of sleep.

Apple Watch aficionados are increasingly relying on the device’s biofeedback features, including its newest metric,

Harnessing the Power of Low-Level Stress Life hackers and high-performance junkies are looking to leverage something called hormesis, which involves introducing low-level stress to the body for a positive outcome, so that when the body repairs itself from that condition, it doesn’t just repair back to the previous level, but to a new one with an advantage. This includes exposing the body to a hot sauna or cold exposure through cryotherapy, as well as intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating. “People are starting to see how good things happen when we engage in things that push us in places that are perhaps a little bit uncomfortable, activating mechanisms that help with metabolic health, immunity, cognitive function and even the growth of new brain cells,” Perlmutter explains.

Mental Health Destigmatized When U.S. gymnast Simone Biles dropped out of the 2021 Summer Olympic Games citing mental health challenges, she created an opening for other people to speak up. If a world champion could reveal her vulnerability on the global stage when the stakes were so high, certainly so could they. Her compelling story is emblematic of an emerging trend: Mental health is gradually becoming destigmatized.

“It’s becoming acceptable to talk about our feelings and ask for help, and this trend is shattering unhealthy cultural myths, like the erroneous assumption that if we talk about our emotions January 2022

13

we’re going to fall into a pit of despair and sadness,” says Licensed Integrative Psychotherapist Leslie Davenport, the author of Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change. “There’s a boldness among younger generations that are challenging the status quo and demanding to be accepted as they are. Tucking away anything that might not be socially acceptable is a part of the past. Kids want their families and adults to accept and love them exactly as they are.” On Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, #itsoknottobeok is a popular hashtag.

Mental health surveys show that eco-anxiety in particular is prevalent among the young. Late last year, scientists at the University of Bath, in England, interviewed 10,000 youth between the ages of 16 and 25 across 10 continents. In the U.S., 68 percent said that the future was frightening. Almost half admitted that they had distressing feelings related to climate change on a daily basis, 42 percent believed that the things they valued most would be destroyed and 35 percent feared that their family security would be threatened.

A Surge in Coaching According to Davenport, “In addition to therapy becoming more acceptable, I’ve seen coaching become more common as another option in which people don’t have to examine their past and can instead look forward. A coach can help them make sense of their life, set goals and hold them accountable.”

Mindfulness Becomes Ubiquitous

Therapy and Meditation Apps Abound Redefining the conventional, in-person therapy session that is 50 minutes in a quiet room, therapy apps allow people to have short phone calls, video chats or text exchanges with a therapist for a low monthly fee. Notable therapy apps include BetterHelp. com, OnlineTherapy.com, BrightSide.com and Calmerry.com. For meditation, Calm.com, InsightTimer.com and HeadSpace.com are dominating the field.

Virtual Experiences Are Here to Stay Many people that were devastated by isolation and loneliness during the pandemic sought social engagement via streaming and app-enabled webinars, exercise routines or art classes. Suddenly, virtual conferences attracted participants from all over the world.

Davenport relishes the fact that she was able to take tap dancing classes from a renowned New York City teacher, even though she lives in Washington State. “In a surprising silver lining, we’ve come to appreciate the convenience of these virtual experiences, which we likely wouldn’t have attended in person before the pandemic.”

Sandra Yeyati is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

prostockstudioo/AdobeStock.com

In a few decades, mindfulness practices have catapulted from Buddhist monasteries to corporate boardrooms and have become

a billion-dollar industry in the U.S. with an 11 percent annual growth rate. “Mindfulness has been emerging for a while, but at this point, it’s a household word,” Davenport says. “People are talking about mindful eating or mindful conversations. Core concepts like being present in the moment or taking in the other person in an empathetic way are rippling out into so many aspects of life.”

14

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com

inspiration

Why Words Matter

by Marlaina Donato

Radiation-free state-of-the-art safe breast screening.

FDA-Approved Adjunctive Applications of Medical Thermography Include: • Breast cancer screening • Thyroid pathology • Cerebrovascular screening • Peripheral vascular disorders • Neuromuscular conditions

Medical Thermography can also be Used to Detect: • Systemic conditions • Infection • Inflammation • Toxicity • Dysfunction of the lymphatic system • Testicular disorder

F

rom witchy incantations in Shakespeare’s Macbeth to ancient Sanskrit mantras; from the stirring speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. to the divinely inspired poetry of the Sufis, words have bridged the chasm between the visible and the invisible since the dawn of human language. They have the capacity to conjure change, rock the boat, manipulate mood and alter the inner landscape.

According to language research center Ethnologue, there are more than 7,000 languages in the world. We use words every day to communicate, to learn, to teach, to bond with kindred souls and to win opinion wars on social media. We can use words as medicine or weapons, and we too often forget their power.

Many religious texts draw attention to the spoken word, especially in creation stories and the creative capacity of deity. In the Vedanta Sutra, an ancient Vedic text, the phrase anavritti sabdat translates to “by sound vibration, one becomes liberated.” Consider what it would be like if we each made a daily commitment to use everyday words as a conscious tool for healing—a practical form of spiritual discipline from which everyone might benefit.

In our age of rapidly developing technology and jam-packed schedules, the spoken word is becoming a casualty in the daily blur of abbreviated texts and emojis. Forty percent of the world’s languages are on the threshold of extinction, and so is the language of everyday courtesy and compassion. “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” the old saying goes, but words do hurt, chipping away at our mental health in the classroom, on the checkout line at the supermarket and in our social media newsfeeds.

Negativity-overwhelm has become the norm. If the mystics of old are correct regarding the energetic impact of our words, thoughts and self-talk, incredible power awaits on the tip of our tongues. With a little bit of attention and intention, there’s so much we might be able to create for ourselves and others.

Words are seeds, and we can sow life-sustaining gardens for generations to follow.

Consider what to plant today.

loran4a/AdobeStock.com

*New Patients receive $25 off their first scan.

Shirley Prendergast, CTT, INHC B Well Thermography 380 Boston Post Rd, Orange, CT 06477 For other locations please call: Cell 203-915-9712

www.bwellthermography.com

Kindness in words creates confidence.

Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.

Kindness in giving creates love. ~Lao Tzu

Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer of visionary music. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

January 2022

15

conscious eating

A Better Morning Jolt

Healthy Coffee Alternatives and Hacks

freedom lifeAdobeStock.com

by April Thompson

M

ost Americans enjoy a daily dose of coffee, and an increasing body of research indicates it’s not a bad habit to have. Meanwhile, a growing number of people are adapting their morning drink rituals to incorporate ingredients ranging from matcha to mushrooms in search of additional health benefits.

“After many years of research, we have concluded that coffee can be a fantastic additive to the diet. Coffee consumption is associated with a decrease in all-cause mortality, risk of cardiovascular death and stroke,” says Claudia Hleap, a registered dietician nutritionist in Philadelphia.

Regular coffee consumption is also correlated with a decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes, potentially due to its naturally containing polyphenols, which are plant compounds with protective antioxidant properties. The caffeine in coffee, as well as in tea and cocoa, can also boost short-term metabolism and brain function.

As with most things in life, moderation is key; overconsumption of coffee can result in insomnia, irritability, 16

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com

gastrointestinal issues and other short-lived side effects. “Caffeine intake may negatively impact sleep duration and quality, which is essential for optimal health,” says Hleap. “Coffee can also serve as a vessel for added sugars and unhealthy fats in the diet if you are adding sweeteners and artificial creamers.”

Many java drinkers today are experimenting with healthy alternatives and add-ons to shake up their routine morning pickme-up. Chicory-based drinks, made from roasted ground chicory root, are a favorite for Lauren O’Connor, a Los Angeles registered dietitian nutritionist and author of Healthy Cooking for One. “Chicory is caffeine-free, acid-free and a gut-friendly alternative to coffee,” she says. “It also has a robust, roasted taste that can satisfy those who desire more than an herbal tea. Date ‘coffee’, made from date seed, also has a deep, rich flavor.”

Some chicory tea blends also incorporate roasted dandelion root, which has been used by herbalists for centuries to enhance the body’s detoxifying functions, particularly of the liver. Golden milk, a traditional Indian beverage associated with Ayurvedic

Rather than swap out coffee altogether, some java lovers are bettering their beloved beans with healthy add-ons such as powdered mushrooms, ghee and spices.

Art to NurtureYour Soul

Art Classes for all ages and abilities.

medicine, is another flavorful alternative with numerous health benefits. Recipes vary, but golden milk is typically prepared by heating milk or a plant-based milk alternative along with turmeric, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, honey, vanilla and/ or cardamom. “These warming spices go above a simple caffeine replacement to provide powerful anti-inflammatory benefits,” says Trista Best, a registered dietitian in Dalton, Georgia.

Best also recommends matcha, a traditional Japanese drink made from powdered, young, green tea leaves whisked in water as a coffee alternative with less caffeine and other added benefits.

Because the tea leaves are essentially consumed in powder form rather than just steeped in water, matcha contains more catechins, an important antioxidant, than a typical preparation of green tea.

“The L-theanine, an amino acid, in matcha is known to improve brain health, which shows itself through improved memory, attention and reaction time,” notes Best.

We have classes in clay, painting, jewelry, printing and specialty workshops.

We also offer private classes for individuals or groups; including special needs, dementia, and home schooled students.

860-349-0251 EarthlyGoddess3@yahoo.com Located at the Red Barn 352 Main Street, Durham, CT 06422

A Better Bean Rather than swap out coffee altogether, some java lovers are bettering their beloved beans with healthy add-ons such as powdered mushrooms, ghee and spices. “A healthy addition to coffee can include coconut oil, collagen or butter. These can add some fat and protein content, which will provide more energy while also jumpstarting your metabolism at the beginning of the day,” says holistic health coach Virginia Gruhler. Ghee, a clarified butter that originated in ancient India, has been touted as a “ketofriendly” way to help neutralize the acidity of coffee while adding healthy fats and nutrients.

Spices like cinnamon and cardamom have been added to coffee and black tea for centuries in the Middle East and Asia to enhance both flavor and health. Cinnamon, for example, may help lower blood sugar, in addition to having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Mushroom coffee is another popular “coffee-plus” beverage which combines the flavor and energy boost of java with the benefits of medicinal fungi like turkey tail, lion’s mane and chaga, boosting the immune system and potentially warding off serious health conditions like dementia and cancer.

Because caffeine can stay in the bloodstream for up to 10 hours, staying clear of all caffeinated drinks in the later hours of the day will help ensure a better night’s sleep. When a mid-afternoon slump hits, a brisk walk followed by a cup of a flavorful herbal tea like Rooibos or lemongrass can wake up the body and the brain naturally.

KCC_bc_final_vendor2.pdf

1

10/25/15

11:26 AM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

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

K

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

January 2022

17

wise words

Susane Grasso

Peter Russell on the

REIKI MASTER

Healing Power of Letting Go

by Linda Sechrist

well as immersing in A Course in Miracles and the writings of contemporary teachers including Eckhart Tolle and Ram Dass.

What exactly do you advise us to let go of?

Relaxation Therapy Chakra Balancing Aura Readings

photo by Peter Russell

203.500.6950 DISTANCE REIKI AVAILABLE

I The beginning is the most important part of the work.

~Plato

18

New Haven/Middlesex

n Letting Go of Nothing: Relax Your Mind and Discover the Wonder of Your True Nature, Peter Russell reminds readers what lies at the heart of all spiritual traditions. Based on his half-century of practicing Transcendental Meditation and applying the lessons of ancient and contemporary spiritual teachers, he offers a new perspective on the age-old practice of letting go, which involves not being attached to outcomes, surrendering desires, accepting the present, opening to a higher power, relinquishing the ego and practicing forgiveness. He traces the seeds of many ideas in the book to his time in India studying with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, as

NaturalNewHaven.com

While the thought-provoking title suggests that individuals might be asked to let go of a situation, possessions or a relationship, the fundamental theme running through the book is not the letting go of things themselves, but rather letting go the things that only exist in the mind—thoughts, interpretations, fixed beliefs, points of view, expectations of the future, attachments to possessions and relationships, judgements, grievances, assumptions about how things should or should not be. These things in the mind are the lens through which the things of the world are experienced.

For example, looking at things through blue-tinted spectacles gives everything a blueish tinge. But the lens itself is not part of the world you see. In a similar way, the lens through which we see our world is not another thing we see. In this sense, we are letting go of the “non-things” that color our view of the world.

What led to your understanding of this?

The questions “Is there another way of seeing this?” and “Could there, just possibly, be another way of seeing this?” occurred spontaneously, without an effort on my part. With an open, curious attitude and

without trying to find an answer or even assuming there was one, my inner knowing was able to shine through and reveal another more helpful way of seeing things.

What benefits have you experienced from letting go?

I’m more in touch with my intuition and my feelings and less consumed by my thoughts. I feel better, experience more peace and am content. Discontent is largely self-created by thinking how things should or should not be. When discontent drops away, contentment becomes more prevalent. No one walks around wonderfully enlightened all the time.

Letting go is a lifetime process. Noticing where I get caught up, pausing, coming back to the present, to what is, has a feeling of “Ahhh.” It’s a sense of coming home to my inner home.

The world pulls us outward, taking us out of ourselves. When we step back from it and let go for a while, it’s like coming home to our self.

How can we better savor each moment?

In just pausing and noticing what is in the present moment of experience, you’ll simply be stopping and withdrawing your interest from the thoughts that showed up when you paused. If you notice that your attention relaxes and if there is a sense of ease, a gentle sense of happiness or joy or a quality of spaciousness and clarity, savor it. Later, when it occurs to you, pause again and again. But don’t let the practice of pausing become routine or a ritual. Instead, make each pause a fresh inquiry into the moment and be curious about what it feels like, as if it were the first time, because it is the first and only time you will savor “this” moment.

Linda Sechrist is the Natural Awakenings senior staff writer. Connect at Linda Sechrist.com.

Lauri Ingram

Are you longing to connect with your true divine nature?

Do you seek to live more authentically?

Perhaps you are a seeker, on a journey of self discovery?

Contact me for a complementary, introductory call where we can explore how I can companion you on your life journey through my various modalities:

• Energy Balancing through Reiki, Crystal, Light and Color Therapies • Creative Exploration through Sacred Art Journaling • Spiritual Companionship and Direction • Workshops and Community Gatherings

696 Amity Road Unit B-1 Bethany, CT

203.435.5650 www.lauriingram.com lauri@lauriingram.com

As an ordained interfaith/interspiritual minister, and certified Interspiritual Counselor, I companion those who consider themselves spiritual, but not religious.

Individual, Family, Couples and Group Counseling WOLF SPIRIT

• Art & Play Therapy • Sound Healing & Drumming • Hypnosis, Meditation & Energy Work • EMDR & Trauma Healing • Traditional & Alternative Modalities

Husky/Medicaid and Most Insurance Accepted • WolfSpiritWellness.org 203-263-3175 • 670 Main Street South, Suite B2, Woodbury, CT 06798

6th th 8 Bi-Annual

Bi-Annual

Passport to Health & Wellness presented by the Holistic Community Professionals

Statewide Benefit * HoliStic expo

Sunday | May 1 | 10am - 5pm | Vendors 10am-4pm

75+ Exhibitors and Speakers!

DoubleTree by Hilton 42 Century Drive, Bristol, CT 06010 FREE DRUM HEaling 4-5pm Speakers all day Free Raffles • Drumming gRanD PRiZE: A Hilton Overnight Stay for Two!

FREE aDMiSSiOn (Donations Accepted*) * All door donations to benefit: Hartford Hospital's Integrative Medicine, Debbie Bator Memorial Fund, and CT Children’s Medical Center.

For more information please contact: Vendors apply at: yourholisticevents.com Shirley R. Bloethe at 860-989-0033 FB - Passport to Health and Wellness Expo Email: yourholisticevents@gmail.com

Holistic Community Professionals

www.HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org January 2022

19

healthy kids

Zen Zone for Kids Create the Perfect Calm-Down Corner at Home

by Marlaina Donato

C

hildren and teens are sensitive beings, and like adults, they need daily tools to offset the stresses of life. Whether a child is overwhelmed by COVID-19 protocols at school, is on the autism spectrum or is highly sensitive or anxious, creating a special place to decompress can help manage big emotions. “Children, including teens, often don’t recognize the combination of sensory stimuli that is causing anxiety, irritation or exhaustion that can then lead to emotional reactivity in the form of anger, outbursts, silence, crying, inappropriate laughing or teasing,” says occupational therapist April Christopherson, owner of ExplorationTherapy.com, in Gunnison, Colorado.

Peace, Not Punishment

Crystal Sing/AdobeStock.com

A calm space can be an inviting corner, a designated room or a place outdoors. “Sensory processing is a blanket term for how our brains and bodies integrate and use the sensory information/input around us. This is mostly environmental,” says Christopherson. Triggers may include uncomfortable room temperature, noise, inadequate or intrusive lighting, even

scratchy clothing. Unlike time-out spaces that prompt kids to process actions and think about behavior, calm-down spaces can soothe a nervous system in overdrive and quell uncontrollable meltdowns.

“It’s common for kids with sensory processing needs to be misunderstood and labeled as overly sensitive or explosive.

Creating a space that meets your child’s sensory needs gives them a safe space to retreat to when they’re feeling overwhelmed,” says Alisha Grogan, a Pittsburgh occupational therapist and creator of YourKidsTable.com for picky eaters.

20

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com

Calming Nerves, Engaging the Senses Kids’ tranquil areas can be simple or elaborate, but part of the magic formula is including objects that soothe the senses. “The calm space can contain items that allow time for stress hormones to decrease,” says certified autism specialist Cara Koscinski, of Jacksonville, Florida, founder of PocketOccupationalTherapist.com, an online source for parents, therapists and students. She recommends including sensory allies such as bean bags, therapy putty or dough, slow or classical music, a white noise machine, books, emotion identification cards and fidget toys (squishy or gel-filled balls, tangle toys or a Rubik’s Cube). A weighted blanket or stuffed animal, especially for younger children, is also a good option.

“Time to refocus and allow deep breathing can make a world of difference,” says Koscinski, recommending cards with cues or instructions for deep breathing.

Sarah Norris, founder of the coaching website SensoryCoach.org, with offices in Denver, Atlanta and Chicago, believes we can all benefit from sensory strategies. “Using sensation is a powerful way to change how you feel without much thought or expression,” she says. “Sensory objects can often be used in more than one way, which allows you to discover how to help yourself feel better in a fun, nonjudgmental way.” She recommends including scented items with calming essential oils and drawing pads, as well as ageappropriate coloring books.

Grogan’s sensory picks are stress balls, kinetic sand, noise-cancelling headphones, scented teddy bears and chewy necklaces for a child to bite on. “Families may want to have a variety of sensory tools and toys available so a child can choose what’s helpful for them,” she says. Ambient lighting, including lava lamps and yearround holiday lights, can set the mood of any sensory space.

Tranquil Possibilities Setting up stress-free zones at home doesn’t have to be a one-sizefits all approach. Norris favors going outside the box. “If you have the space to set up a reading nook or a semi-permanent pillow fort, your kids will love you for it. Don’t overlook the possibility of using outdoor spaces as places to promote calm. Being in nature can be very regulating, especially if there is a comfy seat or fun swing to enjoy.” If making an area at home doesn’t work for some families, Norris suggests highly effective portable kits that can come along in the car or to doctor’s appointments.

Christopherson encourages creative options like a comfortable beanbag at the bottom of a closet, a rocking chair with a heavy blanket or an outside fort or tree house. For multi-sibling homes, Grogan recommends a pop-up tent in a corner or in smaller spaces or a blanket thrown over a table for an instant fort.

Whatever the setup or individual needs, calm spaces encourage kids to find their center and claim their space in a chaotic world.

“All kids should be given what they need for success,” underscores Koscinski.

THREE-MONTH EDITORIAL CALENDAR & MARKETING PLANNER

february

heart-centered living

march

food and nutrition

april

sustainable living

203-988-1808

Marlaina Donato is an author and a recording artist. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

January 2022

21

green living

The Electric Vehicle Revolution Moving Toward an All-EV Future this Year

photo by Chevrolet

by Jim Motavalli

A

lmost certainly, electric cars are in everyone’s future. Not only are automakers— from General Motors and Volvo to Rolls-Royce and Bentley—pledging to stop producing gas and diesel cars, but a long list of countries in Europe and Asia plus three U.S. states are planning to ban them by 2040 or earlier, often citing climate change imperatives.

This wouldn’t be happening if electrification technology was standing still. Instead, it’s made rapid progress to the point that electric vehicles (EV) are more often than not better cars than their internal combustion counterparts. A range of 300 miles or more (the top model of the luxurious Lucid Air claims 520) has become commonplace, and the inherent properties of electric motors—such as lots of low-end torque—means they’re very fast off the line. The Rimac Nevera, an EV supercar, reaches 60 mph in an incredible 1.85 seconds.

But there’s more. Fuel and service costs have been dramatically reduced with EVs. A 2018 University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute study pegged the average cost to operate an EV at $485 a year, compared to $1,117 for a gas-operated car, and battery packs and electric motors take up less space than engines, transmissions and radiators. This means larger passenger compartments with more legroom and no center “hump”, and storage up front (the so-called “frunk”), as well as behind. Designers are even 22

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com

able to ditch the grille—a feature shared by all but a few air-cooled cars on the market.

EVs Get More Affordable The high cost of EVs has been off-putting.

The Tesla Model S Plaid Edition, made in California, starts at $129,990, the Arizona-produced Lucid sells for up to $170,000, and the Croatian-made Rimac costs $2.4 million. That’s one reason EV penetration is low—accounting for only 2 percent of U.S. sales in 2020. By last year, there were almost 1.8 million EVs on American roads—three times the number of 2016—but affordable cars would make the numbers grow much faster. The federal $7,500 federal income tax credit for EVs

helps, but it has a 200,000-unit sales cap, and General Motors and Tesla have already met it. Some states, and especially EV-friendly California, have generous additional incentives, and a proposed increase in the tax credit from $7,500 to $12,500 is under consideration by Congress.

Battery pack costs—the key reason EVs are expensive—went down an average of 16 percent per year between 2007 and 2020, the University of Pennsylvania reports. And that has created cheaper electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Bolt ($31,995), Hyundai Kona ($34,000), Mini Cooper SE ($30,750), Nissan Leaf ($32,620) and Tesla Model 3 ($41,190).

The big news for truck fans is that the country’s bestselling vehicle for many years, the Ford F-150 pickup, will have a battery electric variant called the Lightning on the market this spring with a price under $40,000.

For some people, hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicles are a better choice. They’re certainly cheaper. Toyota’s long-lived Prius (with 58 mpg city/53 highway) starts at $24,525. And there’s an appealing Ford hybrid truck, too—the Maverick—at $19,995. It went on sale late last year.

These “green” trucks are undoubtedly better for the environment than their gas and diesel counterparts. Greenhouse gas production is directly tied to fuel economy, and some versions of the current F-150 pickup get only 15 mpg combined. The only emissions from its EV counterpart and battery trucks like it will be from the generation of the electricity to run them. The Maverick hybrid gets 40 mpg in city driving.

In 2020, researchers in England and Holland said that driving an EV is better for the environment in 95 percent of the world—the exception would be in areas with very dirty coal-based grids. For a complete lifecycle analysis, it’s necessary to factor in the effects of manufacturing, the mining of rare earth minerals, the makeup of the local grid, end-of-life recycling and other factors. EVs do have slightly higher greenhouse gas production from recycling (1.8 tons versus 2.4 tons) because of battery processing, a Chinese study says. But that

same study reports that complete lifecycle emissions for EVs are 18 percent lower.

The good news is that many of the factors that go into lifecycle analysis are getting better for EVs. Renewable energy is the fastest-growing energy source, and the amount in the U.S. grid increased 100 percent between 2000 and 2018. Lithium is essential for modern EV batteries, and both General Motors and BMW have invested in more sustainable methods of extraction.

Integrating with the Home Another EV cost is the installation of 240-volt electricity for home charging. But in 2020 the International Code Council (ICC) set new voluntary guidelines for new homes that would make all of them “EV-Ready”. Installing the necessary wiring when the house is built would cost $920, compared to $3,550 for a retrofit, says the ICC. Some municipalities, such as Seattle, already require EV wiring for new homes with off-street parking.

Increasingly, EVs are being equipped for two-way power, meaning they can power homes or construction sites. That’s one part of the appeal of Ford’s Lightning, which has 9.6 kilowatts of power available to keep the lights on during a power outage. It can provide full-home electricity for three days.

highly affordable, with good ones costing about $7,000. But its range is poor, just 73 miles. While some older Teslas have credible range, they’ve also retained their value pretty well. In general, buying new—which includes claiming the federal income tax credit—is a better idea.

First-time EV buyers worry about high prices, range, finding public chargers (although the $7.5 billion allocated to build them in the recent infrastructure bill may help), the considerable time needed to recharge at home, compromised interior space and replacing the expensive battery packs.

These are all legitimate concerns, but the lower-priced, roomy, fast-charging EVs coming on the market now— and a network of more than 41,000 public chargers—go a long way toward addressing them.

Jim Motavalli, a Connecticut-based journalist, writes about the environment, cars and music.

He can be contacted at JimMotavalli.com.

What to Expect

Buying an EV will require some lifestyle changes, most but not all of them positive.

Passing up gas stations is a plus. Studies show that 80 percent or more of EV charging will be done at home, mostly at night. Regular servicing for tuneups and oil changes will become a distant memory, and so will the financial bite. AAA says EVs will cost on average $949 less per year to maintain.

Many of today’s electric cars have range limitations, and this needs to be factored into trip planning. The 2021 Volkswagen I.D. 4 Pro can travel 260 miles on a charge, perhaps not enough to get to grandma’s house. The 2021 Nissan Leaf only has a 150-mile range, although the Leaf Plus increases that to 226.

Buying used is tempting, because some EVs—such as early Nissan Leafs—are

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

LivingWithoutLimits.com January 2022

23

natural pet

Pet-Pleasing Food Trends What Dogs and Cats Will Eat This Year

by Ronica O’Hara

D

Carol Osborne, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

“Fancy foods, gourmet treats, even personal pet chefs have become the norm.”

In a turnabout on animal testing, some companies advertise that their pet food products are tested on humans.

It’s the logical outcome of an evolution in how pets are regarded, say psychologists.

Only a few decades ago, most dogs slept in doghouses rather than in bedrooms, and most cats were free-range explorers of the

outdoors. Today, two in three American households have a pet, and the animals are increasingly part of the family—sometimes even more beloved than human family members. One study, for example, found young children more likely to confide in a pet than in a sibling.

A mattress company survey found that 71 percent of pet owners sleep with their furry friends. The forced togetherness of the pandemic drew pets and owners

chendongshan/AdobeStock.com

og and cat food is becoming ever more humanized in the U.S. Market researchers and veterinarians report that consumers are increasingly demanding for their pets what they want for themselves: highquality, sustainably sourced ingredients that are free of questionable byproducts.

“Organic, gluten-free and even vegan are now mainstream when it comes to Fido and Fluffy,” says integrative veterinarian

24

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com

even closer. “Today, pet owners want to reward their pets in every way possible to let them know how grateful they are for the unconditional love and companionship they provide,” says Osborne.

The urge to lovingly pamper pets starts at the food dish with many emerging trends.

wild boar. “Products are advertising how you can bring out their inner wolf by feeding them that food, because it is more natural to their instincts,” says Heather Venkat, the acting public health veterinarian for Arizona. Revenues are predicted to nearly double from $277 million in 2018 to $525 million in 2025 for a growing favorite: raw meat in the form of freeze-dried kibble.

Custom Tailoring

Ethical Buys

According to market analyst firm Mintel, three in five U.S. pet owners are willing to pay more for foods that are customized to their pet’s specific dietary needs, a trend being eagerly met by more than 700 brands and 10,000 products. Today, a dizzying array of foods are tailored to pets’ ages, breeds and physical and emotional conditions. Obese dogs can chomp down on highprotein, low-fat foods; anxious pups can mellow out with foods that contain hemp and CBD oil; and dogs prone to kidney stones may find relief on a renal-support formula. Consumers unable to purchase pricey, specialized formulas are making kibble less boring by adding flavorful mix-ins and toppers such as shredded tuna and lamb liver flakes.

Consumers are examining labels to find pet food that is sustainable and responsibly sourced. “‘Made in the USA’ remains a popular claim and feature that may even be increasing, along with a demand for ethical claims, sustainability concerns and cause marketing,” writes Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry. In a survey of U.S. dog and cat owners conducted by Packaged Facts in early 2020, 69 percent reported concern about the treatment of animals raised for use in pet food.

Going Plant-Based The slow but sure rise in the number of Americans that eat natural, plant-based diets has its parallel in animal diets. Organic pet food free of pesticides, antibiotics and chemicals constitute a robust, $22-billion-a-year business in the U.S., and vegan pet food sales are predicted to grow globally by 12 percent a year. Ancient grains like amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat and millet are included in gluten-free formulas to satisfy a small but growing market.

To make plant-based chow more appealing, pet food makers are adding savory flavors and substituting chemical enhancers with kitchen ingredients like vinegar.

Rethinking Meat Some manufacturers are replacing chicken and beef with more adventurous, gamey proteins such as rabbit, venison, bison and

Cautionary Notes When buying pet food, veterinarians urge pet owners not to be overly swayed by advertising claims. “For example, the words ‘holistic’, ‘ancestral’, ‘instinctual’, ‘gourmet’ and ‘premium’ are really just marketing. On the other hand, ‘organic’, ‘natural’ and ‘human-grade’ all have specific definitions when they are applied to pet foods,” says veterinarian Jennifer Coates, of Fort Collins, Colorado, author of The Dictionary of Veterinary Terms.

“Most importantly, watch how your pet does while eating a particular food. If your pet is maintaining a healthy weight and has normal digestive function (firm stools, no vomiting), good energy levels, normal amounts of shedding and that ‘glow’ of good health, the diet you’ve picked is probably a good match,” she says.

Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@ gmail.com.

coming in the february issue

Heart-Centered Living

January 2022

25

calendar of events SATURDAY, JANUARY 1 2022 Twelve Month Breakdown Readings by appointment virtually or in person – Interested in exploring what is coming up for you in 2022?

I will pull cards to see where you are now, then pull one card to represent the next twelve months.

90 min $125. A Moment In Time Massage, 3490 Whitney Ave, Hamden. Jill, LMT,RMT & Psychic. Call: 203-909-1108 Qi Gong Essence Meditation – 1pm-2:30pm.

New Year’s Day mediation integrating Qi gong, aromatherapy, sound healing, and crystal healing This guided meditation/journey will help you to set intentions for the new year and beyond. $45.

Starr Mill Yoga 91 Beverly Heights, Middletown.

ChiForHealing.com/pages/calendar.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 2 New Year’s Hike – 1 pm. Bring a healthy start to your new year at the Nature Center. Our Ranger will conduct this brisk walk while you learn a little natural history along the way. Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Ln, Ansonia. Free.

Preregister: ansnaturectr@ansoniact.org. Inclement weather cancels.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 Feeder Chats – Virtual Program Series – 9 am.

(Jan 8 & 22; Feb. 5 &19; Mar. 5 & 19). Participants are invited to be part of a community that will share bird-feeding observations and knowledge. They will learn about Project FeederWatch, hear from guest speakers, share tips and tricks for managing feeders, and more. For novice and experienced birdwatchers, with a format that leaves plenty of time for discussion and conversation. Online access details will be shared with registered participants. Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Ln, Ansonia.

Preregister: Donna.Kingston@ct.gov.

Universal White Time Gemstone Healing Level 3 – (Sat, Jan 8 & Sun, Jan 9). 9am-6:30pm both days. This course focuses on preparing us for the Higher Vibrations of the New Earth. The shape and colors of our auras and chakras are changing as the vibration of the Earth is increasing. The layouts in this class help us integrate the changes, prepare our minds, auras, and bodies to help us make the shift to the New Earth harmonious. $400.

Venmo: @Bradford-Tilden For alternate payment arrangements, contact Bradford 860-830-5841, info@CrystalMusicHealing.com. Braulttree Wellness Center, Higganum. 860-344-9573.

BraulttreeWellnessCenter.com.

S t re n g t h e n I m m u n i t y M a k e a n d Ta k e workshop – 2pm-4pm. Use holistic healing and herbal medicine for pathogen prevention. Learn self-care tips to protect you and your family’s immune system. You will learn how to make an herbal tincture for winter wellness with vegetable glycerin, herbs, mushrooms, and filtered water. $60. The Red Barn in Durham, 352 Main St, Durham. For information/registration, go to ChiForHealing.com/pages/calendar.

26

New Haven/Middlesex

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22

Breast Thermography with April Beaman, RDH, CTT – 7pm-7:30pm. How do you know if your breasts are healthy? Are you looking for a radiation-free breast screening? Have you considered Thermography to assess your breast health? Join us to learn about the benefits of Breast Thermography, the difference between Thermography and Mammography, and how this screening tool has helped thousands of women assess and monitor their breast health safely and effectively.

To register for this free Zoom webinar please visit C T T h e r m o g r a p h y. c o m / e v e n t s o r e m a i l info@ctthermography.com.

Amazing Animal Adaptations – 1:30pm. Your children will learn what animals do to survive through the cold, winter conditions, how they adapt to frigid temperatures and are able to conserve body heat. Join Ranger Dawn and do an experiment called “The Blubber Glove” and if weather permits we’ll take a hike too! Dress for the weather. Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Ln, Ansonia. Preregister: ansnaturectr@ansoniact.org.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15 A Snakes Life – 12pm. Here at the Nature Center, we have two beautiful snakes, E.T. our Ball Python and Milkshake our Milk Snake. Come and learn about these two amazing creatures as well as their relatives with Ranger Jeremy during this familyfriendly event. You will be able to get up close and personal with them during our live animal showcase. Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Ln, Ansonia. Preregister: ansnaturectr@ansoniact.org.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16 Snowshoe Sunday – 1pm. Need to get out and breathe the fresh air? Enjoy the winter with this guided hike through our beautiful woodland and fields. Great exercise after the holidays. This program is geared toward adults and older children. Wear winter boots and extra layers for the weather. Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Ln, Ansonia. Limited number of snowshoes to borrow, so please Preregister at ansnaturectr@ansoniact.org.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18 Free Essential Oil Class – 6:30pm-8pm. Help align your mind, body, spirit. Learn to take control of your health with therapeutic grade oils. Free class.

In person, 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford, CT. For questions and to register, please call 203-6317803, email: Return2love3@gmail.com or visit: Return2Love.com.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19 Intuitive Crystal Healing – 4pm-7pm. In this intermediate level workshop we will learn about properties of some important crystals, how to use them through meditations and hands-on applications. We will also learn how to create Crystal Grids for manifestation and Intuitive Chakra Balancing Layouts and how to properly perform them. No previous experience is required. Includes a free stone kit valued at $30. Additional crystals and gemstones will be for sale. $125 to @ BradfordTilden via Venmo or Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/ IntuitiveCrystal1-22 to register. Braulttree Wellness Center, 415 Killingsworth Rd, Ste. 9A, Higganum.

860-830-5841 info@CrystalMusicHealing.com.

Full Moon Meditation w/Gayle Franceschetti – 6:30pm-8pm. Align w/new energies of this Full Moon. Opportunities for letting go of the old and allowing spiritual energies to reach human hearts and minds. $25. On Zoom.

For questions and to register, please call 203-6317803, email: Return2love3@gmail.com or visit: Return2Love.com.

NaturalNewHaven.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23 Reiki Class Level 1 – 10am-3:30pm. (Sundays, Jan 23 & Jan 30). Learn Reiki for Self-care and treatment of others. Participants will learn, the benefits, the history and precepts of Reiki. Ample time for practice while following CDC PROTOCOL. Small class open for 4 participants at The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St, Middletown. Cost $160 members, $170 non-members, For more information call: 203-314-5401, or email: eilande@comcast.net. ReikiwithEileenAnderson.com.

The Joy of Crystals – 2pm-5pm. Discover the healing powers of crystals and gemstones. Learn how to choose the right stones for everyday use and meditation, relaxation and stress reduction. We will also work with Lemurian Seed Crystals to tap into your intuitive potential. No previous experience is required. Includes a free stone kit valued at $30. Additional crystals and gemstones will be for sale. $125 to @ Bradford-Tilden via Venmo or Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/JoyOfCrystals1-22 to register. The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St, Farmington. 860-830-5841 info@CrystalMusicHealing.com.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28 Zen in America: Holistic Stress Management for Everyday Use – 9am-12pm. Live Training at 2321 Whitney Avenue, Suite 201, Hamden. Trainer Alicia Feller, LCSW. The purpose of this presentation is to define the different types of stress; understand its impact on the mind, body, and spirit; and introduce some holistic stress management techniques one can use to reduce stress. 3 CECs. $60. Register at WomensConsortium.org

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30 Groundhog Day Celebration – 11am. Explore a groundhog’s natural habitat while you learn about this quirky American folk holiday. Watch a shadow puppet show by Ranger Evelyn, then craft your own puppets to take home. Class limit 18. For all ages. Fee: $3 materials fee. Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Ln, Ansonia.

Preregister: ansnaturectr@ansoniact.org.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Transformative Reiki Level 1 (For Women) – 11am. One-day class. Held at The Center For Higher living, 130 Webster Square Rd, Berlin, CT. For more information and to register, visit LotusMoonReikiHealing.com.

ongoingevents

monday Birth Partners Doulas now offers in-home private yoga sessions with a relaxing hand/ foot massage included! – $75 per session Call 203-718-6512 or email info@birthpartnersdoulas.com to book your or to gift one to your favorite mamato-be! BirthPartnersDoulas.com.

Usui Reiki with Annette (for Women) – By appointment. Reiki uses universal life force energy. The energy channeled from the universe through the practitioner and to the person receiving. Positive imagery and sacred Reiki symbols are used to help release, relax and prepare the body for healing. Techniques may vary depending on the needs of the body at the time of the session.

For more information and to book a session, visit LotusMoonReikiHealing.com.

Shamanic Reiki with Annette (For Women) – By appointment. Through natural worldly elements and the four directions of the medicine wheel, Shamanic Reiki helps to unblock deep emotion and trauma. We may cut cords of attachment that keeps us from moving forward, retrieve pieces of ourselves that were once thought lost and light the path forward. For more information and to book a session, visit LotusMoonReikiHealing.com.

Come see CELC Middle School in action – Tours by appointment only! Middle school specialists, 5th – 8th grade. Small class sizes, personalized instruction, robust academics. Limited openings still available for 2022. 28 School St, Branford. Contact mandm@CTExperiential.org or call 203-433-4658.

For more information, visit CTExperiential.org.

Monday Morning Hikes – 9 am. Hike the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center trails for a positive start to your week. Come and learn about the history and ecology of the land while Ranger Dan, our Assistant Director, leads this weekly hike on our beautiful nature preserve. We will begin promptly at 9am. Dress for the weather and conditions Free. Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Ln, Ansonia. Please register in advance at: ansnaturectr@ansoniact.org.

wednesday Birth Partners Doulas now offers in-home private yoga sessions with a relaxing hand/ foot massage included! – $75 per session Call 203-718-6512 or email info@birthpartnersdoulas.com to book your or to gift one to your favorite mamato-be! BirthPartnersDoulas.com.

Explore White Time – 6pm-8:30pm. (Jan 12, Every 2nd Wed of the month). All are welcome to participate in this exclusive round-robin style healing circle featuring White Time Energy and Gemstone healing. Everyone gets a turn on the table to receive White Time energy and the featured gemstone treatment of the month. $30 for all participants, $10 discount for Universal White Time Practitioners. Braulttree Wellness Center, Higganum.

860-344-9573. roslyn@braulttreewellnesscenter.com.

BraulttreeWellnessCenter.com.

thursday The Caring Network: Free virtual support group for adults who have lost a loved one via Microsoft Teams – 6pm-8pm. (Thurs, Jan 6 & 20). Info about grief. Facilitated open discussion.

Adults do not need to register. The group is facilitated by a Bridges counselor and is sponsored by Bridges Healthcare and Cody-White Funeral Home.

949 Bridgeport Ave, Milford. For more information, please email the group facilitator, Brooke Torres M.Ed., at Brtorres@bridgesmilford.org.

Beginner Belly Dance 6-week one-hour series (For Women) – 6pm. (Beginning on Thursday, Feb 10). No experience needed. Unleash femininity and creativity while learning the fundamentals of belly dance with like-minded individuals and having fun. For more information and to register, visit LotusMoonReikiHealing.com.

Sound Meditation – 6pm-7pm. (Jan 6 & Jan 20).

Join Bradford Tilden every other Thursday for a deeply restorative and activating Sound Healing Meditation. He creates soothing sonic tapestries with his voice and crystal bowls for you to relax, unwind and release stress and unwanted energies from your body, mind, and field. Please Bring your own blanket, chair or yoga mat to sit on. Register via eventbrite: http://ow.ly/vu2C50GLPHM. Walkins welcome. $15-$35 sliding scale, The Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main St. Farmington.

860- 404-2578, https://bridgehac.com.

friday Birth Partners Doulas now offers in-home private yoga sessions with a relaxing hand/ foot massage included! – $75 per session Call 203-718-6512 or email info@birthpartnersdoulas.com to book your or to gift one to your favorite mamato-be! BirthPartnersDoulas.com.

Developing Your Intuition Series (on Zoom) w/ Gayle Franceschetti – 6:30pm-8pm. (5 classes.

Fridays: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, & Feb 4th). Tap into your innate ability of “knowing.” Thru meditation, sharing and experiential exercises – master techniques of accessing your creativity and intuition.

Series: $97. To join: Return2Love.com and pay through PayPal. I will then send you the Zoom information necessary to attend. Call: 203-631-7803, Email: Return2love3@gmail.com or visit: Return2Love.com.

classifieds ALS SUPPORT

LYME DISEASE

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.

CT LYME RIDERS, INC. – Founded in 2007 by motorcyclists Sandy Brule & Tony Gargano. A 501(c)(3) non profit public charity aiming to bring awareness to the public about Lyme Disease. Events & info. 860-537-0255, ctlymeriders.com.

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT BOOKS THE TRUE SCHOOL IS LIFE – Books for Conscious Living such as: Recognize and Heal Yourself through the Power of the Spirit; Living and Dying to Keep on Living; Cause and Development of All Illness; The Life I Chose Myself… and much more! Gabriele-Publishing-House.com.

844-576-0937. 20% off with coupon code: OFF20.

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.

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

January 2022

27

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

Applied Kinesiology i s a n e u r o logical 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 17.

MASSAGE THERAPIST A MOMENT IN TIME MASSAGE, LLC Jill Andrzejewski LMT #9900, RMT & Psychic 3490 Whitney Avenue, Suite 205 Hamden, CT 203-909-1108 Jillamomentintimemassage@gmail.com AMomentInTimeMassage.org

I use a holistic approach to treat my clients—We work as a team, setting goals to move forward to get you where you wish to be physically, mentally and spiritually. My intention is to empower people to empower themselves. I am an advocate for gentle stretching, crystals and breath work to maintain a feeling of being grounded and calm. Services available: massage, 30-minute sessions for chronic pain management, Reiki, chakra balancing, angel tarot, oracle card readings, couples Reiki, foot baths with hand made all natural herbal ingredients, group events and classes. A Moment In Time Treasures items available for purchase.

Sessions available by appointment only.

MEDICAL INTUITIVE/SHAMAN PAST LIFE REGRESSION

BIRTH PARTNERS DOULAS OF CONNECTICUT 203-718-6512 Info@birthpartnersdoulas.com BirthPartnersDoulas.com

SPIRIT OF THE LOTUS

Not Just doulas … Birth Partners! Proudly serving clients for over 30 years, providing quality birth and postpartum doula care.

Contact us any time for more information.

I’ll never understand why everybody puts so much emphasis on January first.

There are 364 other days in the year that you can make a change.

Robin Barros, IMT-C, CSC, CPLC 5 Gavin Drive, Columbia, CT 860-709-3903 Robin@spiritofthelotus.org SpiritoftheLotus.org

Spirit of the Lotus is a sacred space, warm and welcoming, where you can go for holistic health and healing. Robin uses many modalities to get to the heart of what’s caus-ing you to be in pain, out of alignment or just frustrated with what feels like a block to living your best life. Integrative Manual Therapy, gently helps you release tension from injury, illness or surgery. Intuitive guidance helps you release Physical, Mental & Spiritual baggage, carried for years, lives or generations.

As an Advanced Soul Coach & Past Life Coach (R), we clear away inner debris in order to connect you with the wis-dom of your soul. With years of experience and training, you can experience optimal health & wellness.

~Elizabeth Eulberg

New Haven/Middlesex

CT THERMOGRAPHY

April Beaman 11 Melrose Drive, Farmington, CT 212 New London Turnpike Glastonbury, CT 860-415-1150 info@ctthermography.com CTThermography.com CT Thermography specializes in medical thermal imaging, also known as Thermography. Thermography is the use and study of thermograms for detecting and measuring variations of heat emitted for the surface of the body. A thermogram is produced by a highly sensitive, medical infrared camera that accurately maps the temperature variations which are then interpreted by Board Certified physicians known as thermologists. Thermography does not expose the body to radiation or involve contact and is used to aid in the detection of inflammation, disease and cancer. See ad on page 7.

PET EUTHANASIA SERVICE FINAL JOURNEY, LLC

DOULAS

28

MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY

NaturalNewHaven.com

Kristen Klie, D.V.M. 203-645-5570 FinalJourneyLLC.com

Final Journey, LLC is an in-home euthanasia service for your animal companion that brings comfort and peace during a sensitive and challenging time.

See ad on page 17.

PHYSICAL THERAPY PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES OF GUILFORD 500 East Main Street, Suite 310, Branford, CT 203-315-7727 (Phone) 203-315-7757 (Fax) PhysicalTherapyGuilford.com

At Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, we specialize in manual therapy using hands-on techniques to help the body’s natural healing process. We also incorporate traditional programs and modalities to maximize health. 40-minute sessions are conducted one-on-one in private treatment rooms. See ad on page 9.

community resource guide SALT HEALING THERAPY WELLNESS CENTER SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA

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

SHAMANIC ENERGY HEALING EAGLE FLIGHT HEALING, LLC Hamden, CT 203-535-8849 Info@EagleFlightHealing.com EagleFlightHealing.com

My service provides transformative energy work helping clients resolve the traumas, pain, shame, and struggles of the past. They experience new self-value and mattering, feel more vitality, happiness and joy with which to enjoy life and dream the future.

TALK THERAPY SENIEL LUCIEN LCSW, PH. D

Offices in Essex & W. Hartford 860-767-2189 Slucien.com In person (depending on CDC compliance) or telemedicine With separate trainings in behavior therapies, psychoanalysis, crisis and trauma, for adults, and children and adolescents, I am fortunate to have both a broad range and depthful knowledge to assist you. Whether from past wounds and conflicts or new situations like those surrounding Covid, many of us develop behaviors or symptoms as we struggle with fear, anxiety, or depression. Talking reveals your unique individuality: being ‘heard’ by a specially trained clinician allows us to consider better choices and understanding so that you are less drained, less pained, and have a better chance for increased productivity and contentment.

TRANSFORMATIONAL LIFE COACHING CHANNELING YOUR WISDOM COACHING

Lynda Mettler, ACC Transformational Life Coach Reiki Master Milford, CT 203-623-6066 Lynda@YourWisdomCoaching.com YourWisdomCoaching.com Combat anxiousness and overwhelm by embarking on a healing journey to discover your confidence, courage and selfcompassion. Transformation coaching with IFS “parts work” will help you get out of your head and into your life.

UNIVERSAL WHITE TIME CRYSTAL & SOUND HEALING CRYSTAL MUSIC HEALING

Bradford Tilden, MM, CMT, UWT 860-830-5841 info@CrystalMusicHealing.com CrystalMusicHealing.com My goal is to empower you to develop spiritually and professionally. I offer sessions and teach certification classes in Universal White Time (UWT), Lemurian Intuitive, Crystal, and Sound Healing, transformational voice coaching, and guided visualization. I use these techniques, and more to help you to obtain authentic expression, empowerment, and transformation. You can purchase personally attuned crystals, through me.

My clients and students gain a renewed clarity and a sense of purpose in working with me.

WHOLE BODY THERMOGRAPHY B WELL THERMOGRAPHY

Shirley Prendergast, CTT, INHC 380 Boston Post Rd, Orange, CT 705 Boston Post Rd, Guilford, CT 203-915-9712 shirley@bwellthermography.com BWellThermography.com

Choosing B Well Thermography is a step in the right direction for Early Detection and Prevention.

Thermography testing is a radiation-free, state-of-the-art screening procedure that captures heat images of the breast to aid in the early detection of cancer and fibrocystic breast disease. As a Health Coach, I use the holistic approach when working with patients to achieve optimal health.

See ad on page 15.

WHOLE BODY WELLNESS CBD MASSAGE ELM CITY WELLNESS 774 Orange Street New Haven, CT 203-691-7653 ElmCityWellness.com

Elm City Wellness is an independent, womanowned wellness center with a focus on community healing. Services include a variety of skilled massage, CBD massage, community and private acupuncture, Reiki, craniosacral therapy and organic skin care, including signature, microderm and high frequency facials. Skilled therapists specifically tailor each and every session. Our wellness store features local products, candles, wellness supplies and books, smudge kits and a large range of third-party tested, pharmaceutical grade CBD products. See back cover ad.

January 2022

29

YOUR ONE TRUSTED GLOBAL ONLINE DESTINATION FOR

Regenerative Whole Health™ Benefits 24/7 ACCESS

KnoWEwell is a One-Of-A-Kind Platform that centralizes today’s trusted global knowledge, resources and community to Prevent and Address the Root Causes of Chronic Diseases.

Find best-matched Vetted Practitioners.

Learn from Top Educators and Experts.

Access Evidence-Based Resources.

Make Meaningful Connections in Community Topic Groups.

Explore Funding Help for Outof-Pocket Costs of Practitioner Services.

Invest in Your Optimal Health & Well-Being.

Visit KnoWEwell.com Today and receive 50% Off your first year.

Practitioners Apply: NACT10221P | Individuals Apply: NACT10221 30

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com

CELEBRATING 28 years in THE business of

RELIEF FOR GENITAL HERPES

Straight from Nature

Stock up now for relief when you need it!

35% of American adults have genital herpes. While there is not currently a cure, you can find comfort and relief from symptoms naturally.

This pain-relief homeopathic cream is formulated with soothing all-natural ingredients eliminating worry of skin irritation from harsh chemicals.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

†

• Soothing All-Natural Plant-Based Formula • Fast Relief for pain, itching, tingling & swelling • No chemicals • Affordable

VISIT RoyalJohn.com or Amazon to Order. *Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.

January 2022

31

32

New Haven/Middlesex

NaturalNewHaven.com