Natural Awakenings SW PA Greater Pittsburgh Edition July 2022

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POLLINATOR FRIENDLY YARD HEALTHY FOODS FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY TOXINFREE SKINCARE TASTY EDIBLE FLOWERS July 2022 | Pittsburgh, PA Edition | naturalawakeningsswpa.comJuly 2022

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

PITTSBURGH, PA EDITION Publisher Michelle Dalnoky Managing Editor Sven Hosford Lead Editor Martin Miron Production Assistant Joann Dalnoky Design & Production C. Michele Rose Sales & Marketing Michelle Dalnoky

CONTACT US Natural Awakenings – Pittsburgh P.O. Box 390 Uledi, PA 15484 Phone: 724-271-8877 Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe online to receive your FREE monthly digital magazine at NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com.

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letter from publisher

Good Fortune As I drive around Southwest Pennsylvania and surrounding areas, I am awe-inspired by the beautiful scenery, history, architecture, waterways, lush greenery and amazing wilderness. We are so fortunate. I could write an entire letter on each of these aspects, or even a book, but I really enjoy the many facets of this beautiful area. I love to travel far and wide, but I am so happy just being here, too.

I love driving through the Liberty Tunnel and bursting onto the whole of Pittsburgh! I so enjoy Mount Washington’s views and that amazing old church as you round the corner—one of many beautiful, old churches in the city—and many that I might just stumble upon driving down a country road. Turn a random corner and there is a grand, old orthodox church with golden onion domes. Wow! Or take a drive, and you might find an old log cabin or a colonial home that was built hundreds of years ago. How about the Mount Washington Tavern, near Fort Necessity?

I stumbled upon the Andrew Rabb house, in Ronco, a couple of years ago. It was built in 1773 and is on the National Register of Historic Homes. Similar structures can be found scattered throughout the region; many sitting alone, up on a hill, and I can imagine what it took to build those grand houses so long ago. I can envision the horse-drawn carriages going up long, winding driveways and really, just the fortitude it took to make roads through this terrain to be able to get from one place to another. Amazing! I love driving in the different and fascinating neighborhoods in the city and the small towns and villages.

I love the old capitol buildings in the smaller cities like Little Washington, Greensburg and even Waynesburg. I am in awe of the big rivers that are still working hard, the smaller rivers and even the creeks. While much of the nation, even the entire world, is experiencing a great scarcity of water, we find it everywhere here. We are so fortunate. Let’s not take it for granted.

I really enjoy driving into the mountains and seeing the small villages nestled in the forest, or to turn a corner and happen upon an amazing, small, downtown that used to be grand, and is still thriving.

I also see the people here as a treasure. People here are generous and really look out for one another! I have read a couple of national articles recently that say more and more people are being drawn to this area. I have always felt it was one of the most beautiful parts of our nation, and I guess more people are figuring that out. The temperatures are still moderate, the water is plentiful, the forests are lush, the soil fertile and the pace is still relatively slow. This place is abundant in so many ways. Rejoice, and take in the fullness of summertime’s bounty!

Michelle Dalnoky, RN, BA, Publisher

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.

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Natural Awakenings is a family of 55-plus healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Contents 8 POLLINATOR HAVEN

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Create a Toxin-Free Yard for Critical Critters

11 WELCOME TO THE

FREEMAN FAMILY FARM AND GREENHOUSE

12 THE NATURAL GLOW

Radiant Skin with Fewer Health Risks

14 THE COMFREY PLANT 16 THE HEALTHY FOOD MOVEMENT

Pandemic Trends are Shaping Better Local Food Systems

20 FLOWER POWER

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22 JEFFREY SMITH

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Edible Blooms Add Flavor and Color to Summer Fare

on the Threat of Gene-Edited Microbes

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 724-271-8877 or email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com.

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24 COOL TREATS FOR HOT DAYS

DIY Recipes Even Kids Can Make

26 CANINE CALM Anti-Anxiety Tips for Dogs

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 7 health brief 8 green living 11 community spotlight

12 healing ways 14 plant medicine 20 conscious eating

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wise words healthy kids natural pet calendar resource guide classifieds

July 2022

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news briefs

A Garden with Biblical Roots

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he Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden is celebrating their 36th summer season from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday through Thursday until September 15 with a special exhibit, The Healing Garden. Many of the plants mentioned in all three Holy Scriptures (Hebrew Bible, New Testament and Quran) are the same.

The Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden, established in 1987, is the largest such garden in North America. It includes a waterfall, a desert, a stream and a representation of the River Jordan. The plants are labeled with appropriate biblical verses and displayed among replicas of ancient farming tools.

Among the specimens are wheat, barley, millet, and herbs valued by the ancient Israelites. Olives, dates, pomegranates, figs and cedar trees round out the historic and educational inventory.

Admission and parking are free. Location: 4905 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh. For Registration and more information, visit RodefShalomBiblicalGarden.org.

Podcasts Get Results

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atural Awakenings of Southwest Pennsylvania Managing Editor Sven Hosford started his journalism career in the Navy, and has been podcasting since 2013. He recorded his first interview at age 19 and has been the publisher or editor of several magazines, including Point of Light, Dispense Sven Hosford and The Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, with more than 300,000 views and upwards of 10,000 followers and subscribers.

He says, “A podcast, coupled with a full-page Business Profile in Natural Awakenings magazine, will get your news out to your target audience. Remember, podcasts are a permanent advertisement. Our readers care about your sustainability news and want to hear your story. Our advertising is results-oriented.” Podcasts can be done virtually or in person.

For more information, call 412-915-5340 or email Editor@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com. For print ads, email Michelle Dalnoky at Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com.

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health brief

Try Music and Muscle Relaxation to Lower Surgery Anxiety

sasirin pamai/EyeEm/AdobeStock.com

Surgery often activates high levels of anxiety in patients, but a Chinese pilot study of 116 women undergoing operations for gynecological cancer found that simple strategies dubbed “expressive arts therapy” can help. In the study group, women were encouraged to dance and do handicrafts while listening to music the day before the surgery. They practiced progressive muscle relaxation and listened to music immediately after the surgery, and on the day before their release, they were invited to write and draw to express their emotions. The researchers found that women in the therapy group experienced significantly less anxiety during their operations than women in a placebo group, although the effects didn’t continue after discharge. Ninety-eight percent of the women found the therapy beneficial.

July 2022

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green living

Pollinator Haven

Develop a greater tolerance for weeds, embracing a slightly wilder garden aesthetic. Avoid using herbicides by mulching and manually pulling weeds before they go to seed.

A few pests in the vegetable garden are okay, as long as they don’t harm overall production. Search online for nonchemical solutions by vegetable type and location. As in farming, try rotating crops or look into companion planting to learn which plants work well together. Ensure the soil has what each plant needs. For example, blueberries require an acidic soil.

Pesticides address the symptom rather than the problem. Killing pests may be a temporary fix, but won’t address the underlying cause, so the problem will likely return. Even so-called “reduced risk” products contain concerning chemicals for pollinators. Always try non-chemical solutions first. For example, instead of applying a fungicide to address powdery mildew, water the affected plant less and prune it to improve air flow.

CREATE A TOXIN-FREE YARD FOR CRITICAL CRITTERS

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by Sandra Yeyati

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imée Code has stopped trying to grow roses in her Eugene, Oregon, backyard, where the ground is too muddy for them to flourish. If we stick to plants that do well in our own region, they’ll be less susceptible to disease and pests, and we won’t need to use dangerous chemicals in our gardens, says the pesticide program director at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Code works to preserve invertebrate species that are threatened by habitat loss, climate change and pesticides. “Many of these animals provide valuable services,” she says. “Solitary wasps feed their young certain caterpillars that we consider pests because they eat our crops. Riverbed mussels filter our water. Stone flies help break down organic matter. Bees are effective pollinators, helping to sustain our most nutritious food sources.”

U.S. bees are declining at alarming rates, thanks in part to neonicotinoids and other harmful pesticides, Code reports. The good news is that a few gardening modifications can provide food and safe haven for beneficial invertebrates, while keeping our families (and pets) free from scary chemicals.

Gardening Tips from Aimée Code Create a resilient garden with hardy, native plants that invite both pollinators and natural enemies like solitary wasps, lacewings and hoverflies, which help control pest populations.

Use restraint when trimming plants or clearing debris. Many bees create nests inside pithy stems and downed wood or underneath bunch grasses and fallen leaves.

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Eco-Friendly Pest Management According to Ryan Anderson, community integrated pest management manager at the IPM Institute of North America, “Chemicals should only be used in a lawn or garden as a last resort, and even then, only the least amount of the least harmful product.” For reduced-risk and organic product lists, visit Tinyurl.com/EPAPesticideList and MidwestGrowsGreen.org.

Anderson laments the rampant overuse of noxious products, including glyphosate and 2,4-D, which are classified as probable and possible carcinogens, respectively, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer; commercial fertilizers that lead to nitrogen and phosphorus runoffs, threatening marine wildlife; and pyrethroid insecticides for mosquito control, which kill most insects.

He champions sustainable measures, starting with a reduction of turf grass.

“People like sitting on their lawn, but try keeping it as minuscule as possible and plant native plants which require less

maintenance,” he says. “Make sure you’re not planting grass where grass doesn’t want to grow.”

Consider an eco-lawn with micro-clover in the mix, Anderson advises. “Clover recycles nitrogen and stays green in drought conditions, so you don’t have to fertilize or water, and you only need to mow ecolawns once a month.”

Lawn Care Strategies from Ryan Anderson For weeds, the best defense is a dense, deeply rooted, turf grass system that will out-compete for air, water, nutrients and sunlight.

Aerate the lawn in the fall by removing narrow, three-to-six-inch-deep cores and leaving them on the soil. After a day or two, mow the cores over to return nutrients to the soil. Spread turf seed over bare-soil areas and over the entire lawn whenever aeration is conducted.

Before or after aerating, spread onequarter to one-half inch of compost over the lawn to promote a nutrient- and microbiology-rich, spongy soil structure.

Visit CompostingCouncil.org for reputable suppliers and DIY instructions for highquality compost.

Apply leaf mulch and grass clippings to feed and promote protozoa, bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter, recycle nutrients, inhibit plant pathogens, balance pH and aerate the soil.

Mow less often and as high as possible to minimize stressing the grass plant.

Lawns need only a single, one-inch watering per week.

photo by Sandra Yeyati

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

July 2022

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community spotlight

Welcome to the Freeman Family Farm and Greenhouse

by Martin Miron

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he family-owned and run Freeman Family Farm grows market-type vegetables like tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, green peppers, chili peppers, bell peppers, Italian peppers, green beans, cucumbers, cabbage, Swiss chard, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, squash, zucchini and herbs. They also raise chickens that provide delicious, jumbo-sized, brown eggs. Their Brunch Bag includes brown eggs, gourmet coffee from a neighborhood roaster, fresh herbs, fresh veggies and a nice tote.

The Bag would allow one to make a fresh; aromatic quiche with a cup of coffee on the side. Freeman says it has been wellreceived by their neighbors.

Owner Lisa Freeman is a social worker with more than 40 years of experience. She says, “We engage our community through educational opportunities, healthy cooking and eating demonstrations, black history month celebrations and a community gathering during National Night Out that occurs in August.” They also have quarterly events that include the entire community, including live bands, support groups, free food distributions and artists’ events.

Freeman recalls, “It all began when I won an award for best front yard from my local community development organization almost 15 years ago. I had just purchased and rehabbed my Victorian home in the

historic community of Manchester and planted all types of perennial bulbs that needed TLC from a local garden center.

They were beyond blooming that year; but, OMG the next year, it was a celebration of majestic color! The award kind of went to my head, and I found another patch of city-owned land and began a school/community garden that was a one-of-a-kind success that grew into a special “Garden of Goodwill”. My farm came along about three years later.”

Freeman bought a condemned building from the city of Pittsburgh that had gone through many incarnations and was quite run down and abused beyond repair.

“The Garden of Goodwill allowed us a good reputation for building healthy relationships in the community,” relates Freeman. She collaborated with JobCorps, a local construction company and a demolition contractor. After removing the building in October 2018, they began to test the soil, remediate the earth and grow in 2019. She says, “In 2020, the world stopped with the onset of the coronavirus, and we experienced the closure of our startup business!”

After starting up again in 2020, Freeman Family Farm formed a relationship with the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank through the “Green Grocers” project. “We pro-

vided fresh produce to the Green Grocer, who in return travelled to the many food deserts in the city of Pittsburgh in order that neighbors have access to fresh and affordable produce. I really do not know how much we grew. We just kept growing, giving and giving in order to ensure our community would not experience food insecurity,” advises Freeman.

The farm incorporates permaculture practices and focuses on the medically vulnerable, the elderly and the most at risk of food insecurity. Freeman notes, “We use only natural remedies to address pests and organic solutions to fertilize our fruits and veggies. Our chickens are free-ranged and fed organic feed.”

Soon, a Green Grocer store will be open daily to provide good health in the form of freshly made salads, sandwiches, vegan options and morning delights. Ancient grains, legumes and superfoods will be supplied to showcase and give the best opportunities of nourishment.

Freeman is also a chef who has experience in cooking and serving food that addresses the needs of those going through chemo, radiation and/or restrictive diets.

The farm is starting a pilot project to provide an extra layer of support for neighbors diagnosed with cancer, high blood pressure and/or diabetes, working closely with doctors in Pittsburgh.

The Freeman Family farm is located at 1426 Juniata St., in Pittsburgh. For more information, call 412-290-9294 or visit FreemanFamilyFarm.net.

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healing ways

That Natural Glow RADIANT SKIN WITH FEWER HEALTH RISKS

by Marlaina Donato

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or basic hygiene and improved appearance, we wash, slather, hydrate, scrub and cover up, often forgetting that our skin is our largest organ and much of what we expose it to can be absorbed and accumulated in the body over time. If we are using products with potentially toxic additives, we are putting ourselves at a higher risk for hormone disruption, reproductive cancers and allergic reactions.

Many chemicals that have been banned or controlled in Japan and some European countries are still being used on an unregulated basis in the U.S. Even products labeled “organic” and “natural” can have harmful elements alongside the good stuff. Recent research from the University of Vermont Cancer Center has linked phthalates, the “forever chemicals” used as bonding agents in many personal care products, to a higher risk of cancers in children. The encouraging news is that with a little savvy preparation, these hazardous ingredients can be avoided, and we can have glowing skin with fewer health risks.

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Knowledge is Power

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Being an informed consumer is important when it comes to what goes into the body, and reading labels is just as vital for what’s applied on the outside. “The beauty industry can become fascinated with chemical-based ‘quick-fixes,’ but so often what you find is that these interventions can have long-lasting effects that may actually damage the skin,” says Tammy Fender, founder of Tammy Fender Holistic Skincare, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Liver-compromising and potentially cancer-causing formaldehyde, phthalates and parabens are plentiful in shampoos (including baby shampoo), soaps, deodorants, antiperspirants, body lotions and moisturizers, and have been linked to breast cancer and other malignancies, kidney damage and depression. While some sources claim these substances to be low-risk due to minimal amounts in skin care products, looking at the broader picture can be disturbing when we consider long-term use and the number of products used daily.

On a superficial level, the skin just responds better when it is exposed to fewer toxins. “Our skin is our biggest organ and absorbs up to 60 percent of whatever you put on it. When you eat healthy, your body feels great. The same goes for your skin,” says Shannon Reagan, owner of Glimmer Goddess Organic Skin Care, in Frisco, Texas.

“Throughout my life, I’ve tried just about every product in the stores looking for something that wouldn’t irritate my skin. I found that the cleaner the products, the better my skin looked and felt.”

What Our Skin Loves An outstanding resource for information about a particular product’s safety is the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database at EWG.org/skindeep, which evaluates and grades more than 88,000 personal care products for toxicity. When shopping online or in a store, nixing any that have long, difficult-to-pronounce ingredients is key. Any label that simply lists “fragrance” is also a red flag for hundreds of possible chemicals. Instead, opt for skin care products with Latin botanical names for herbal and essential oil-based scents.

“Natural products may cost a bit more than store brands, but the benefits far outweigh the incremental cost. They contain vitamins, phytonutrients, antioxidants and flavonoids that help heal, rejuvenate and protect skin,” says Reagan.

Fender, a holistic aesthetician and pioneer of clean skin care, concurs, “There is so much care that comes through the plants. Nature is generous.” Her favorite go-to ingredients in her organic skin care line range from white lily to citrus. “I love rose for its powerful rejuvenating benefits. I also love chamomile, an ancient calming and soothing remedy, which is so beneficial for sensitive skin.”

Fun in the Sun Chemicals found in conventional sunscreens such as avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, oxybenzone and PABA activate free radicals in the body, but natural sunscreens offer total protection without the elevated cancer risk. Reagan, whose products offer broad-spectrum sun protection, explains, “Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin while natural sunscreens (mineral-based) sit on top of your skin, blocking the sun’s rays at the surface.

Natural sunscreens such as zinc oxide and non-nano titanium dioxide are usually thick like a body lotion texture. They work by reflecting UVA/UVB rays away from the skin and start to work right away.”

Essential oils like red raspberry seed and carrot seed are also reliable ingredients to look for in any natural sunscreen, and may even be helpful for certain types of precancerous skin lesions caused by UVA/UVB rays.

Overall, healthy skin comes from a well-balanced lifestyle. For Fender, it is truly a holistic approach. “I love how inspired and educated my clients are these days. They come to the treatment room with insightful questions, and they understand that caring for the skin is not separate from caring for the soul.”

HEALTHIER SUMMER SKIN TIPS FROM SHANNON REAGAN, OWNER OF GLIMMER GODDESS ORGANIC SKIN CARE Our skin needs hydration all year round, but most especially in the hot summer months. The keys to keeping our skin soft, healthy and hydrated is to drink plenty of water, wear lip balm with sun protection and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen throughout the day.

For ultimate summer goddess skin, be sure to not over-wash your face, which would dry out our skin. Instead, use a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water in the morning and night. Use a sunscreen during the day and a body lotion or body butter at night.

Shea butter is a great moisturizer for all skin types and is packed with skin-nourishing vitamins. Almond oil is an all-around gem when it comes to skin health. As a child, my mom would melt down shea butter and mix it with almond oil to soothe my eczema. These two natural ingredients have become a staple in my line of natural and organic skin care products.

Marlaina Donato is an author, composer and painter. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

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green living

plant medicine

The Comfrey Plant

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he leaves of the amazing and beautiful comfrey plant are high in potassium and nitrogen, which are good for tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, currants and fruit tree fertilizer. The name itself means to heal and to come together. Used appropriately, comfrey provides myriad healing and anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically to the skin.

Wound Healing Salve

Add about two to three tablespoons calendula, yarrow, plantain and comfrey with coconut and olive oils. Shake and mix well. Place the jar in a dry, cool dark place for a month. Add stained mixture to beeswax to make a salve. It can be applied to minor cuts and abrasions to speed the healing process.

Comfrey salve is beneficial to use on insect bites, bruises, blemishes and scars. It is safe to use for children over 12.

Fractured Bone Tincture

Combine comfrey, common horsetail, alfalfa, dong quai, St. John’s wort and rue or use comfrey alone. Add to 2 cups of 40 percent alcohol or olive oil. Keep in a jar in a cool, dry location for about 3 weeks. Strain and use as a rub. Comfrey has antiinflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

April Smith, owner of Native Holistics, is an herbalist in Morgantown, WV. See ad, page 13.

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July 2022

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THE HEALTHY FOOD MOVEMENT

Pandemic Trends are Shaping Better Local Food Systems

by Bob Benenson

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ike so much else on the planet, the two-year coronavirus pandemic turned the health food world upside-down.

“I found myself thinking real dystopian and wondering if people would be able to survive if grocery stores crumbled,” recalls Diana Mondragón, of Rockford, Illinois. “That scary thought train reminded me that I want to learn how to be more self-sustainable.” Her once-occasional drop-bys to farmers markets are now an essential weekly ritual. “I want to support local farmers and food producers to help communities grow stronger and healthier,” she says.

When the long supply chains of the conventional food system became disrupted, many Americans found themselves feeling insecure about food availability for the first time in their lives.

The industrialized food system that had operated so efficiently for many generations had relied on long and complicated supply links; when they broke down or became gridlocked, the result was empty supermarket shelves and long waits for home deliveries.

Add the economic repercussions and job losses, and about one in nine households lacked enough nutritious food to sustain a healthy life, report researchers from New York University.

Faced with the system’s shortcomings, a noteworthy outcome has been a surge in demand for healthier food production using sustainable and humane practices. Unable to drop by a nearby grocery store and get whatever they wanted whenever they wanted it, many consumers began buying locally grown produce for both practical and environmental reasons. After two high-growth decades, farmers markets initially took a hit during pandemic closures, but they have since bounced back with renewed energy. A wide range of innovative solutions are being pursued by e-commerce entrepreneurs and food-equity advocates to get healthier local food into more hands and more neighborhoods.

Surging Concerns Sales of natural and organic products in the U.S. grew by about 10 percent in 2020, the year of the COVID-19 outbreak, and by another 8 percent in 2021, reports SPINS, a Chicago-based data research firm, in Nutrition Business Journal. Sales growth in that sector was six to seven times larger than for conventional products, which experienced barely any sales growth at all.

Helping spur the trend, cheap food at supermarkets isn’t so cheap anymore, making organic food look better by comparison. The research company Data Weave reported in March that conventional food prices jumped by 11 percent in the previous 12 months of the pandemic, while prices for organic food increased by a relatively modest 2 to 4 percent.

The price pressures on conventional food “will continue to go up rapidly,” says Matt Tortora, co-founder of WhatsGood, a Rhode Island-based food e-commerce company. “The war between Russia and Ukraine is going to exacerbate that issue. And it seems like most of what’s going on in the world is going to affect our global supply chains even further, and in more profound ways than just our gas pump.”

Food-to-Table Creativity

The dominance of supermarkets and big-box stores in the years following World War II greatly diminished supply and demand of farm-fresh local food. A back-to-the-future trend that started taking hold a generation ago spurred a five-fold increase in the number of farmers markets across the nation, along with a proliferation of farms selling community supported agriculture subscriptions that delivered weekly batches of fresh produce to members.

These increased sales enabled many small farmers to offset the body blow from business lost due to pandemic-related restaurant shutdowns; a number of them thrived, with record sales.

The signs for the 2022 outdoor market season have been encouraging. Green City Market, widely regarded as Chicago’s premier farmers market, reported more than 13,000 visitors in a six-hour span on May 7, even though the weather was still on the cool side and few spring crops were in season after a chilly and wet April.

At the same time, a previously little-used conduit for local health food sales—e-commerce—shows signs of spurring long-term growth. Some individual producers nimbly built out their webbased product sales by also providing home delivery, previously a rarity in the local food scene. For example, the e-commerce site Avrom Farm (AvromFarm.com), of Ripon, Wisconsin, sells not only its own products, but also goods from other farmers, and Three Sisters Garden, of Kankakee, Illinois, which raises specialty vegetables, has converted entirely to e-commerce and home delivery.

Taking this concept to the next level is WhatsGood, which in 2014 began providing home delivery and pickup services for farmers markets in several cities. In the pandemic, the company became a lifeline to connect farmers with consumers at a time when stay-at-home orders and social distancing concerns hampered or closed farmers markets.

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Late last year, WhatsGood introduced a new business model that bypasses farmers markets to allow consumers to order goods online directly from farmers for home delivery.

SourceWhatsGood.com now operates in 21 states. Tortora estimates that demand for local food is about 12 times greater than it was before the pandemic, even as supermarkets again start stocking more faraway-grown, conventional produce.

Even Better for the Planet While the pandemic created a sense of urgency about healthier eating, it also elevated concerns about the health of the living environment. An April 2022 study issued by New York University’s Stern Center for Sustainable Business found that products specifically marketed as sustainable had a 17 percent share of the market for consumer-packaged goods, up from 13.3 percent in 2015. Nearly half of all products introduced in 2021 touted sustainability benefits, up from 28 percent in 2017. Organic food sales in 2021 amounted to $51 billion; 30 years earlier, that market was estimated at a mere $1 billion, says the SPINS report.

Now there is growing support to take stewardship of the land to the next level through regenerative agriculture practices which focus on building and maintaining the health and biological vitality of the nation’s soils, and in some cases, means restoring soils stripped of their vitality by conventional farming practices. It has been most heavily promoted by the Rodale Institute, based in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, which has developed standards for a Regenerative Organic Certified food label.

The sustainability issue resonates deeply with people like Katlin Smith, founder and CEO of Chicago-based Simple Mills, a 10-year-old company that’s widely recognized as the preeminent natural baking mix brand nationally. “I started the company after seeing what a huge impact food has on all of our bodies, and I realized how much we had processed the heck out of our food. And it was really undermining people’s health,” she says.

In the last two years, the company has expanded its focus to work with farmers to improve soil health and biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It recently joined forces with the frozen smoothie company Daily Harvest and glutenfree frozen pizza maker Capello’s to advance regenerative soil practices in almond growing. “Regenerative agriculture is really just growing food in a way that leans into nature and builds a healthy ecosystem for all who are involved,” says Smith.

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Supplying Underserved Communities Local food communities around the country are also playing an increasingly dynamic role in addressing food equity, access and security issues. Less than a decade ago, fewer than half of all farmers markets nationwide accepted federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for purchases. Today, backed by U.S. Department of Agriculture funding, most do, with many markets accepting state-backed debit cards. To further increase access to locally produced food for lower-income families, many states provide matching shopping funds up to a certain limit, as do programs run by nonprofit organizations such as California’s Market Match and Double Up Bucks, run by the Michigan Fair Food Network.

To get healthy produce to people that live in urban “food deserts”, nonprofits are pioneering creative approaches. The Urban Growers Collective operates eight farms on 11 acres of land on Chicago’s Southside that combine education, training and leadership development with the growth of organic crops, which are then driven in a “Fresh Moves” bus to local community and health centers, and churches. Founded by food justice advocates Laurell Sims and Erika Allen, the Collective worked with a coalition of nonprofits during the pandemic to deliver boxes of free food to households in underserved neighborhoods across the city. The pandemic “forced us to do some of the things we’d been talking about, but said we don’t have time yet.

We just dived in,” Sims says.

The dramatic impact of the COVID-19 crisis drove up local interest in the Collective’s community gardens, with the number of volunteers jumping from 10 to 50. “It made a lot of people realize this ain’t no joke. People close to us were passing away,” says farm manager Malcolm Evans, who started volunteering for the Collective a decade ago as a teenager growing up in a nearby public housing project. “People wanted to really know how to grow food. We’ve been doing it for years, trying to bring this to folks’ attention. Everybody needs to understand food and know where it comes from.”

Bob Benenson is publisher and writer of Local Food Forum, a newsletter that covers all aspects of the local food community in the Chicago region. He can be contacted at Bob@LocalFood Forum.com.

Pittsburgh Area Farmers Market Guide 2022 Most accept SNAP/EBT

sunday

friday

Squirrel Hill (CitiParks) Farmers Market – 9am1pm. May-Nov 20. Great line-up of fresh produce and on-site cooked foods from Greek to Jamaican.

Beacon/Bartlett lot behind 1900 Murray Ave. Keystone Farmers Market, Derry – 10am-2pm.

Jun-Sep. A make it, bake it, or grow it market. 1150 Keystone Park Rd, Derry.

Carnegie Farmers Market – Noon-3pm. Jun 12, Jul 10-Sep 25, and special holiday market Nov 20.

East Main St between Broadway and Mary Streets.

The Block Northway Farmers Market – 3-6pm.

Jun-Sep. Indoor/outdoor market with local produce, dairy, food trucks, live entertainment. 8013 McKnight Rd, upper level between DSW and Land’s End. Cranberry Township Farmers Market – 3-7pm.

Jun-Sep. Produce, dairy, special events. Front parking lot, 2525 Rochester Rd. South Fayette/Cecil: Original Farmers Market – 5:30-8:30pm. May Fridays only. Jun-Sep, Mon, Wed, and Fri. Oct-Nov, Mon and Fri. Open air covered space market. Cash only. 151 Parks Rd, McDonald.

monday Robinson Farmers Market at Holy Trinity – 3-7pm. May-Oct. Produce, diary, ice cream, wine, whiskey baked goods. Holy Trinity, 5718 Steubenville Pike, McKees Rocks.

City of Pittsburgh: East End – 3:30-6:30pm. JunOct 24. Farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, baked goods. Liberty green Park, 100 Larimer Ave. Zelienople-Harmony Farmers Market – 3:307pm. June-October 10. Fruit and vegetables from McKinney Family Farm, rotating vendors like Awesome Acres, Becky’s Baked Goods, Belle Fleur Gardens, and The Enchanted Olive. 402 E Beaver St, Zelienople.

tuesday Bethel Park Farmers Market – 3-7pm. May-Sep. Fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods, dairy.

South Park VIP parking lots off Corrigan Dr near skating rink.

Lawrenceville Farmers Market – 4-7pm. MayNov 22. Fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, prepared foods. SNAP accepted. Bay 41, 115 41st St, Lawrenceville.

wednesday Mount Pleasant Farmers Market – 2-6pm. JunSep at the American Architectural Salvage lot, 23 W. Main St.

saturday Bellevue Farmers Market – 3-7pm. Jun-Oct 26.

Locally grown food, hand-crafted items. Bayne Park, 34 North Balph Ave, Bellevue.

Hampton Community Center Farmers Market – 3-7pm. Jun-Oct 12. 3101 McCully Rd. Ross Twp Farmers Market – 3-7pm. May-Oct. Produce, prepared foods, baked goods. St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church parking lot, 920 Perry Hwy, Ross Twp. City of Pittsburgh: Carrick Farmers Market – 3:30-6:30pm. Jun 1- Oct 26. Snap accepted. Carrick Dairy District, 1529 Brownsville Rd. Moon Township Farmers Market – 3:30-6:30pm.

Jun-Sep (except Jun 22). St. Philip’s Church, 1629 Beaver Grade Rd. Midweek Market at Southside Works – 4-7pm.

Every other Wed. Jun-Oct 6. Town Square area of SouthSide Works, 424 S. 27th St. Mt. Lebanon Lions Farmers Market – 4-7pm.

Jun-Oct. Special events including music and entertainment. United Lutheran Church, 975 Washington Rd, Mt Lebanon.

thursday

East Liberty Farmers Market Cooperative – 5am-noon. Year-round. Western PA’s oldest continually operating Farmer-owned indoor cooperative.

344 N Sheridan Ave. Irwin Farm Market – 8am-noon. May-Oct. 100 Pennsylvania Ave. Morgantown Farmers Market – 8:30-noon.

Through October. Wide variety of food and farm products grown and made by vendors within 50 miles of the market. 400 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV. Info mfmgamanager@gmail.com.

Monroeville Lions Farmers Market – 9am-noon.

Jun-Nov 19. Monroeville Community Park, 2399 Tilbrook Rd. 18th Annual Sewickley Farmers Market – 9am1pm. Apr-Nov. St James Parish lot, 200 Walnut St. Bloomfield Saturday Market – 9am-1pm. JunNov 19. 5050 Liberty Ave. Swissvale Farmers Market – 9am-1pm. Jun-Oct. Fresh produce, good food, live music and other events. 2036 Noble St. Black Urban Gardeners and Farmers of Pittsburgh – 10am-2pm. Jun-Oct. 501 Brushton Ave at Susquehanna St, Homewood.

Market Square Farmers Market – 10am-2pm.

May-Oct. Forbes Ave and Market St. Main Street Farmers Market, Washington – 3-6pm. May-Oct. Municipal lot at 139 S Main St. Murrysville Farmers Market – 3-7pm. Jun-Sep. Produce, dairy, food trucks, live entertainment.

3235 Sardis Rd. Shiloh Farm Stand GROW Pittsburgh – 3-6pm.

Jun-Oct. 7290 Thomas Blvd, Point Breeze.

Wilkinsburg Farmers Market – 4-6pm. Jun 16Oct 13. Harold Young Sr Parklet, 739 Penn Ave. Ambridge Farmers Market – 4-7pm. May-Nov. St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 624 Park Rd. Green Tree Farmers Market – 4-7pm. May-Oct. Green Tree Park, lower level, Greentree Rd. Upper St. Clair Rotary Farmers Market – 4-7pm.

May-September. 2040 Washington Rd.

July 2022

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conscious eating

Flower Power EDIBLE BLOOMS ADD FLAVOR AND COLOR TO SUMMER FARE

by April Thompson

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Pittsburgh, PA

photo courtesy of Marie Viljoen

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ruits, leaves, stems and roots are commonly eaten as part of a plantbased, farm-to-table diet, but until recently, the only flowers on the table were in a vase. Today’s health-conscious foodies are finding edible flowers to be a fantastic way to eat the rainbow, adding fun flavors and colors to all sorts of dishes.

Urban homesteader Holly Capelle turned her family’s backyard in the Portland, Oregon, suburbs into expansive edible gardens, enjoyed by their flowereating chickens and children alike. “We grow everything from seed, including 15 to 20 edible flower varieties, from spring through fall,” says Capelle. “I love to grow edible flowers for two reasons: one, to eat, and second, for the natural pest control they provide. I think of flowers as a beautiful army that I can eat along the way.”

Capelle’s favorite edible flowers are pansies and violets, as they “pop up again and again all growing season and make a beautiful garnish without overpowering flavor.” The home gardener likes to freeze the fresh flowers in ice cubes, press them on the outside of herb butter or dry them between pieces of wax paper to later add to the tops of homemade chocolate bars, along with dehydrated strawberries, lemon balm, mint or other botanical flavors.

The family’s fowl get in on the flower fun, too. “We make frozen treats for the chickens out of edible flowers, corn and strawberries, which they love in summer.

We also add dried flowers like marigolds to their nesting boxes,” she says, adding that marigolds, with their bright orange hues and distinct flavor, are great in scrambled eggs or as a substitute for saffron.

For larger blooms like sunflowers, Capelle recommends pulling off the often-hard centers. “I often see whole zinnias on edible cakes, but no one wants to eat an entire zinnia. With daisies, for example, I will pull off the petals and recreate the flower on top of a dish, using peppercorns or chocolate chips in place of the center,” she says.

Capelle also loves chamomile for its distinctive, apple-like flavor that has the “feel of fall,” and dianthus, with a slightly spicy taste like cloves. “Nasturtiums are another super defender in the garden, with a delicious peppery flavor and nice orange pop of color in a salad,” she adds.

“Flowers brighten any dish up, especially hors d’oeuvres, omelets and soups. Pea soup is an ugly soup, but sprinkle some microgreens and a viola on top and it’s beautiful,” says Jan

NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com

photo courtesy of Jan Bell

Bell, of Gilbertie’s Organics, in Easton, Connecticut. The 34-acre farm, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, grows herbs, vegetables and microgreens in 24 greenhouses, including a microgreen blend with nasturtium and viola flowers. “If you pick the flowers on herbs, the plant will grow better and last longer,” Bell adds.

Flowers like wild violets, chive blossoms and common milkweed can add bold color and flavor to vinegar with pinkish purple hues that power up salad dressings. Bell also likes to dry chive flowers to use year-round. “They are a nice purple sprinkle to add to dishes when things are boring in winter,” she says.

Marie Viljoen, a New York City forager, chef and author of the cookbook Forage, Harvest, Feast: A Wild-Inspired Cuisine, incorporates numerous wild and cultivated flowers, including tree flowers like magnolia and black locust, into her hyperlocal, seasonal meals.

Even common garden roses can add a delicious dimension to dishes and drinks, according to Viljoen. “I like to ferment roses into a simple soda, using organically grown rose petals, honey or sugar and tap water. It’s ready within a few days, or else you can leave to ferment a few months to make a sipping vinegar,” she says. “You can also combine really fragrant rose petals with a neutral honey like clover, then strain after a few days for a rose water essence you can add to yogurt or other dishes.” Viljoen also uses rose petals as edible garnishes for deviled eggs or as edible plates for goat cheese balls on her gourmet picnics.

Some flowers are for the eyes only, however. Many can be poisonous, so it’s important to ensure a particular species is edible before digging in. Viljoen also advises carefully distinguishing between poisonous lookalikes when foraging: A delicious daylily and a toxic true lily look similar, but are in different plant families, for example. She also says to look for organically grown flowers that haven’t been sprayed with pesticides.

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

SPICY MAGNOLIA SALAD CUPS YIELD: FOUR APPETIZER SERVINGS

All magnolia petals have a strong, gingery flavor with a hint of cloves or menthol, depending on the variety. Blooming through summer, North American southern magnolia flowers (Magnolia grandiflora) are the size of dinner plates. Their substantial, fragrant petals make beautiful edible cups for assertively flavored salads or ceviche. Here, blandly creamy avocado, crisp peppery radish slices, quick-pickled onion and a kiss of high-quality soy sauce fill the luscious petals with complementary textures and flavors. Pick the whole petal up like a taco and bite to get the full effect in a mouthful.

1 ripe avocado, cubed 3 radishes, very thinly sliced 2-3 Tbsp quick-pickled red onion rings 2 pickled Japanese knotweed shoots (optional) ¼ tsp chili flakes 2 tsp soy sauce (like organic Ohsawa nama shoyu) Roasted sesame oil

QUICK-PICKLED ONION The heavy seasoning is important to make these pickles pop. Leftover pickles keep indefinitely in the refrigerator, and the flavorful brine is delicious in salad dressings. ½ cup white wine or rice vinegar ¼ cup water 1 tsp salt 2 Tbsp sugar 2 small red onions, thinly sliced into rings In a Mason jar, combine the vinegar, water, salt and sugar. Close the lid tightly and shake to dissolve the seasonings. Add the onions. Allow the mixture to sit in the brine for a minimum of 30 minutes before using.

To assemble the magnolia cups, arrange the avocado cubes, radish and pickled onion between the four petals. Season lightly with chili flakes and soy sauce. Add a few drops of the roasted sesame oil. Serve at once and inhale.

Recipe courtesy of Marie Viljoen.

July 2022

21

wise words

Jeffrey Smith on the

Threat of Gene-Edited Microbes

by Sandra Yeyati

W

and swap genes with thousands of other microbes. These, in turn, can travel and mutate with unpredicted side effects and changes in function. This can potentially damage or collapse ecosystems around the world.

hen most people didn’t know what a GMO (genetically engineered organism) was 25 years ago, Jeffrey Smith, the founder and executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, was one of the leaders of a global movement that helped consumers understand the dangers of genetically engineered foods. The success of these efforts prompted significant swaths of the population to reject GM comestibles, leading food manufacturers to develop non-GMO alternatives. His most recent efforts focus on gene-edited microbes.

How can we stop this threat?

First, GMOs can persist forever in the gene pool. They’re self-propagating. Second, the most common result of genetic engineering is surprise side effects. Third, gene editing is so inexpensive that virtually everything with DNA can be a target. You can buy a do-it-yourself CRSPR kit online for less than $200. Already, it’s being used in high school biology labs. Nature’s gene pool is up for grabs with no real safety net, and the impact can last for thousands of years from a single release.

courtesy of Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy

Why do you believe that unregulated releases of gene-edited plants, animals or microbes could devastate our planet?

What are the world’s most dangerous organisms to gene edit and why?

We need to disallow any release of genetically engineered microbes through legislation and international treaties.

The microbial ecosystem known as the microbiome. It is a basis for human and environmental health. Experts say we’ve outsourced about 90 percent of our metabolic and chemical functions to our microbiome, and imbalances in the microbiome are

precursors to about 80 percent of diseases.

The microbiome is essential for soil health and health in virtually every ecosystem. If you release a genetically engineered microbe, it might travel around the world, mutate

22

Pittsburgh, PA

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We need to disallow any release of genetically engineered microbes through legislation and international treaties. Without such laws, we could see a million GM microbes released in this generation, which could destroy the nature of nature, and all future generations would be forced to grapple with our mistakes. We also should restrict access to these technologies and ban so-called gain-of-function enhancement of potentially pandemic pathogens, even in so-called bio-secure laboratories, because over 1,000 recorded accidents show that bio-security isn’t reliable enough to create and house pathogens which, if released, could lead to another pandemic.

How did you help build a movement that led to widescale rejection of GMOs? I’ve spoken in 45 countries, counseled politicians and leaders, written two books, made five movies, trained 1,500 speakers and helped organize over 10,000 activists in more than a hundred groups. We exposed the dangers of GMOs and the corrupt practices by the biotech industry and regulatory agencies. Now, 51 percent of Americans and 48 percent of global consumers correctly believe that GMO foods aren’t safe. This was designed to influence purchasing choices to put economic pressure on food companies to remove GMO ingredients. The tipping point of consumer rejection is underway.

How are you mobilizing a movement against GM microbes?

Our choices in supermarkets won’t stop the release of genetically engineered microbes, so we need to focus on enacting new laws in individual countries and international treaties. But we can’t rely on consistency of government laws. We need to build a popular movement so that everyone in the world realizes we have now arrived at an inevitable time

in human civilization where we can damage the streams of evolution for all time, and that we need to become far more responsible in our relationship with nature. We need to institutionalize the choices in academia so that everyone growing up, just as they now learn about climate change, also learns about the dangers of genetic technology and what we need to do as a civilization to protect nature’s gene pool forever.

How can people help?

I invite people to visit ProtectNatureNow. com, sign up for our newsletter and watch the 16-minute film Don’t Let the Gene Out of the Bottle. We post action alerts for people to reach out to elected officials and local papers, and we’ll have plenty more opportunities for people moving forward, including training programs and a global advocacy network.

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer.

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

July 2022

23

healthy kids

Cool Treats for Hot Days DIY RECIPES EVEN KIDS CAN MAKE

by Sheila Julson

M

any of us have fond childhood memories of cool confections from the neighborhood ice cream truck on sultry summer days. By creating homemade, hot-weather treats with our kids, we get to enjoy the delights of fresh, seasonal produce and inventive flavor combinations, while also providing our kids with kitchen fun, healthy fare without unwelcome additives and summertime memories of their own.

“There are plenty of frozen treats from the grocery store that are in the natural or organic categories, but sometimes those still have levels of sweeteners, sugar or other preservatives that we don’t want or need,” says Annie Wegner LeFort, a Milwaukee-based chef and founder of the healthy living business EatMoveMKE.com.

She has been making frozen pops for her 13-year-old daughter Vera since she was a toddler. Anything that is homemade is more economical and has less packaging, Wegner LeFort says. Pop molds can be used over and over, and even cups can be used and reused as molds to reduce waste.

galitskaya/AdobeStock.com

Crafting Cool Treats

24

Pittsburgh, PA

NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com

Making frozen pops can be as easy as mashing fruits and other ingredients in a bowl, pouring the mixture into molds and freezing them. A blender or a food processor can be used to make a smoother mix, with parents supervising younger kids.

Older children that know how to use small appliances can safely blend—and clean up—without supervision. Wegner LeFort notes that young kids might enjoy straightforward flavor combinations, but older kids with more developed palates can experiment with herbs or exotic concoctions.

Parents can deftly blend vegetables and herbs into frozen pops and refreshing summer smoothies without being detected by finicky eaters. She recommends adding spinach to fruit blends with berries or dark-colored fruits: “You don’t even really see the greens. They are overtaken by the blue and purple fruits.”

Beets or beet juice, which is high in iron and vitamins, also add a beautiful color to berry blends. Cooked and mashed sweet potatoes lend a vibrant orange to red and yellow blends made with strawberries or pineapple.

Gwen Eberly, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based chef who teaches cooking to kids and teens through the Zest! cooking school, recalls making healthy, decadent, frozen orange cream pops with her mother and enjoying them on her farmhouse porch on hot summer days. “The original orange cream pops recipe came from a cookbook called More With Less, a compilation of recipes offered by Mennonite women in the 1970s,” Eberly says. She made them with her own children when they were young, and they became a family favorite. Now, as teenagers, they make the treats themselves all year long.

Other simple cool snacks include monkey tails—frozen bananas rolled in melted chocolate. “That’s a simple and healthy treat that can be topped with nuts or seeds. If you use dark chocolate, that helps cut down on sugar,” Wegner LeFort advises. Ice cream sandwiches can be made with either store-bought or homemade cookies and ice cream. “Those have endless options for creativity and different flavor combinations.”

Jessi Walter Brelsford, founder and “Chief Bud” at the cooking school Taste Buds Kitchen, based in New York City, recommends putting a fun twist on fruit salad with Rainbow Kabobs, which parents and kids can make together. “Our recipe uses fresh, summer favorites like strawberries, cantaloupe, kiwis and blueberries, but depending on your family’s preferences, you can easily make these with any fruit sturdy enough to go on the skewers,” she says. “Kids love helping out, so get them even more excited to be involved by using cool tools together, like a melon baller or crinkle cutter. It will help them practice fine motor skills and pattern recognition by threading the fruits onto the skewers in specific patterns.”

With a little encouragement and experimentation, kids will be proudly and happily creating their own delicious and healthy summer snacks.

Any

Time,

Any

Where

ENERGY HEALING

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine.

iStock.com

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natural pet

Canine Calm

ANTI-ANXIETY TIPS FOR DOGS

by Ronica O’Hara

26

Pittsburgh, PA

Kira_Yan/AdobeStock.com

W

hen they signed the Declaration of Independence, little did our country’s founders know that more than two centuries later, their revolutionary act would lead to millions of dogs trembling, cringing and running for cover. As many as 45 percent of American pet dogs are struck with “fireworks phobia”, studies show, and more dogs run away over the July Fourth holiday than at any other time of the year, report animal control officials.

The kind of situational anxiety caused by sudden loud noises can affect almost any dog, but it happens most often to those pets predisposed to anxious behavior because of breeding or troubled pasts. A new study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science from the University of California, Davis, has found that even common noises such as a vacuum, microwave or beeping smoke alarm can trigger anxiety in many dogs, and that many owners don’t recognize subtle signs.

“Monitor your dog’s behavior for anything unusual, such as excessive barking, panting, shaking, trembling, licking or drooling,” advises John Woods, a New York City professional dog trainer and editor-inchief of AllThingsDogs.com. “Also look for cues in your dog’s body language, paying particular attention to their eyes, ears, mouth and tail for other signs of anxiety or discomfort.”

Happily, research shows that a number of strategies can help soothe anxious pooches both from immediate terror and ongoing anxiety.

TURN IT AROUND. Swiss scientists at the University of Bern’s Companion Animal Behavior Group that analyzed the New Year’s fireworks strategies of 1,225 dog owners concluded that the most effective method was what they called “counterconditioning”—turning a negative into a positive with treats. As the fireworks exploded, these owners played with their dogs, gave them chews and treats, and expressed positive emotions; their dogs were on average 70 percent less anxious. The method works best when a dog’s calmness is reinforced on a daily basis, say the researchers.

Megan Marrs, an Austin, Texas, dog trainer and founder of K9OfMine.com, lowered her rescue pit bull’s anxious behavior by giving him cold, chewable treats whenever he calmly sat on his bed and didn’t cause trouble. “This did require keeping treats on me at all times, but it worked wonders,” she says.

IT’S A WRAP. The Swiss study also found that 44 percent of dogs became calmer during fireworks after being wrapped in a tight-fitting pressure vest. Sold commercially under

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smastepanov2012/AdobeStock.com

Studies have confirmed that music can ease situational anxiety for up to half of dogs, but the genre matters: classical soothes, heavy metal agitates. such names as ThunderShirt and Anxiety Wrap, the vests can also be easily improvised at home by following YouTube videos. A tight wrap helped soothe the trembling of Zed, the Japanese Chin of Amy Tokic, editor-in-chief of the Toronto-based PetGuide.com.

“He’s still not comfortable with loud noises, but when he’s snuggly swaddled, he doesn’t get into a panic state over it,” she says.

PLAY MELLOW MELODIES. Studies have confirmed that music can ease situational anxiety for up to half of dogs, but the genre matters: classical soothes, heavy metal agitates. Researchers at Pooch & Mutt, a British natural-health dog food maker, surveyed Spotify playlists and concluded that the ultimate calming songs for dogs were reggae and soft rock, because of their simple arrangements, minimal electronic orchestration and gentle beats that match the heartbeat of a puppy’s mother. “The wrong music or music that is being played too loud has the potential to upset your dog,” warns London veterinary surgeon Linda Simon.

THE SWEET SMELL OF SAFETY. The sense of smell in dogs is 10,000 times greater than that of humans, so the right scent—like of their lactating mother—can comfort them. Pheromones are synthetic or herbal formulations in sprays, collars, plug-in diffusers or wet wipes that replicate nursing scents, and studies have found them effective for many dogs during fireworks, thunderstorms, and for mild anxiety. Jeraldin Paredes, a New York City professional dog sitter at TalkTheBark.com, suggests simply using an old T-shirt to bundle up a pooch during a high-stress situation or to put as a “baby blanket” into their favorite hiding place. “That way, no matter where they hide, a piece of you is always with them,” she explains.

SPEAK STRAIGHT. “Simply speaking with your pet can make a huge difference in their anxiety,” says animal communicator Nancy Mello, in Mystic, Connecticut. “Don’t just say goodbye to them, but tell them how long you will be gone and when you will be back. Use a visualization: ‘I will be home at 7 p.m.,’ while visualizing your house at dark. Or say to an anxious pet, ‘You are safe,’ on a daily basis. Even if your pet doesn’t get the exact wording, they understand the connotation behind it.”

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

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calendar of events NOTE: Events were accurate at the time the magazine went to press – please call ahead to check for date or time changes. All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review submissions guidelines at NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com or email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com for more information.

FRIDAY, JULY 1 Baby & Me Yoga – 10-11am. Hosted by Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy in partnership with UPMC Children’s Hospital, at Schenley Plaza. Geared toward children 0-18 months and their adults. Mats, water, lunch provided. Afterwards, story time and carousel rides from 11am-noon. Free event. Text “yoga” to 412-216-7929 to reserve. Schenley Plaza, 4100 Forbes Ave.

SATURDAY, JULY 2 Lawrenceville Sidewalk Sale – Noon-4pm. Hosted

by Lawrenceville Pittsburgh. Business district-wide Sidewalk Sale. May through Aug. Sales, samples, and sips. Re-engage and celebrate the business community. This month coincides with Artist Pop Up Market from 11am-4pm at Radiant Hall (4514 Plummer St), Attack Theatre (212 45th St) and Ice House Studios (100 43rd St), and at Blackbird Studios (3585 Butler St). Details LvPGH.com/ sidewalk-sale.

MONDAY, JULY 4 Waynesburg Lions Club July 4th Celebration – 7am-10pm. Hosted by Waynesburg Lions Club & Community Park. Pancake Breakfast at Waynesburg fairgrounds 7-11am. Lions Club food booth, car show, live entertainment, and at 9:30pm, fireworks at Lions Club Park. Info at e-clubhouse.org/sites/ Waynesburg/.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 Evening Yoga in the Garden – 6:30-7:30pm.

Hosted by West Virginia Botanic Garden. All-levels vinyasa flow inspired by nature. All ages. $12/ members, $15/nonmembers. Class packs of ten is $100/members, $115/nonmembers. Tickets and info at wvbg.org. West Virginia Botanic Garden – free and open to the public dawn to dusk. 1061 Tyrone Rd, Morgantown, WV.

FRIDAY, JULY 8 Restore & Rebalance – 6:45-7:45pm. Hosted by Youghiogheny Holistic Living (YHL) The Mind & Body Boutique. Rebalance & restore the body & mind with Yoga, Reiki, and live acoustic healing sounds by Veruse. $35 at square.link/u/ygX7fLHo. YHL The Mind & Body Boutique, 110 South Pittsburgh St, Connellsville. Info at YoughioghenyHolisticLiving.com.

performers, and the PNC Carousel. Registration is not required. Schenley Plaza, 4100 Forbes Ave. Info PittsburghParks.org.

Sacred Sounds at the Salt Cave – 4-5pm. Hosted

by Sacred Centered You and Salt of the Earth. Join Leza for a relaxing, powerful meditative experience to cleanse the chakra system, followed by sharing of vibrations and frequencies of the crystal bowls. $45 tickets at SaltOfTheEarthPGH.com/Classes-atsalt-of-the-earth. 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray.

Human Rewilding – 6-7pm. Hosted by West Virginia Botanic Garden and ecotherapist Adrienne Epley Brown. Reconnect with your wild self and heal your relationship with nature. Most appropriate for adults. $5/members, $15/nonmembers. Tickets and info at wvbg.org. West Virginia Botanic Garden – free and open to the public dawn to dusk. 1061 Tyrone Rd, Morgantown, WV.

THURSDAY, JULY 14 Restorative Yoga in the Salt Cave – 6:45-7:45pm.

Through Dec. Hosted by Salt of the Earth. Revive and restore with awesome and unique combination of restorative yoga and detoxifying salt. Tickets clients.MindBodyOnline.com/classic/MainClass.

Salt of the Earth, 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray.

Moe Taters and The Gravy Train at Schenley Plaza – Hosted by Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society, and Charlie Barath Harmonica in coordination with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

The best Western Swing and Vintage Country Music around. Guaranteed to get your boots moving. Cash bar provided by The Porch at Schenley Plaza. No tickets required, tips for the musicians appreciated.

Schenley Plaza, 4100 Forbes Ave.

Lake Galilee to the Dead Sea. Featuring specimens valued by the ancient Israelites. Free admission, parking. RSVP: RodefShalom.org/events-1/storytime-in-the-garden-2/form. Info: BiblicalGarden@ RodefShalom.org. 4905 Fifth Ave. Summer Concert Series: Lords of Lester – 6:30pm. Hosted by West Virginia Botanic Garden.

Lords of Lester, an indie folk Americana band with an Appalachian klezmer sound. $5/members, $15/nonmembers. Tickets and info at wvbg.org.

West Virginia Botanic Garden – free and open to the public dawn to dusk. 1061 Tyrone Rd, Morgantown, WV. Movie Night on the Lawn – 7-10pm. Hosted

by Hazelwood Local and Row House Cinema at Hazelwood Green Plaza. Enjoy the movie Encanto with complimentary popcorn and free face painting. Bring family, friends, and picnic goodies! Free, open to the public, free parking.

Hazelwood Green Plaza, 4501 Lytle St. Info: HazelwoodLocal@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 22 Summer Fridays at the Frick: No More Daisies – 5pm. Hosted by the Frick Pittsburgh. Pop/ country band No More Daisies performs retro hits with a modern twist, and original songs. Food: Beatnik Sweet Eats and Dessert Truck, PGH Halal Truck, Revival Chili, Revival Pasta, The Café at the Frick. Free. The Frick Pittsburgh, 7227 Reynolds.

Info: TheFrickPittsburgh.org.

MONDAY, JULY 25 Forest Therapy Walk – 6-8pm. Hosted by West Virginia Botanic Garden. Join Charlie Yuill, certified nature and forest therapy guide, in forest bathing for enhanced health, wellness, and happiness. Ages 12+. $5/members, $15/nonmembers. Tickets and info at wvbg.org. West Virginia Botanic Garden – free and open to the public dawn to dusk. 1061 Tyrone Rd, Morgantown, WV. Let’s Restore with Daphne – 6:15-7:45pm.

Hosted by Youghiogheny Holistic Living (YHL) The Mind & Body Boutique. Join Daphne for body-melting breathwork, restorative movement, and connection. Experience the true power of your breath. $30 at square.link/u/wWfW41bp.

110 South Pittsburgh St, Connellsville. Info at YoughioghenyHolisticLiving.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 26 Salt Cave Crystal Bowl Sound Bath Meditation w/Brooke Smokelin – 6-7pm. Hosted by Salt of the Earth, Chakra Yoga Healing, and Vox Lumina.

Come relax, unwind with beautiful crystal bowl sound bath in the salt cave. $55. 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray. 724-260-0472.

FRIDAY, JULY 15

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27

1st Annual Carnegie ArtsWalk – Noon-6pm.

Hosted by Artsmiths of Pittsburgh, held throughout the business district in Carnegie, with art exhibits at local galleries, live art demos, art activities, live music, food trucks and more. Info at ArtSmithsPGH.org

Cosmic Immersion – 6:15-7:15pm. Hosted by Youghiogheny Holistic Living (YHL) The Mind & Body Boutique. Reiki infused meditation and cosmic experience focused on expanding consciousness. $22.

Tickets at Square.Link/u/fHrHF1b9. YHL The Mind & Body Boutique, 110 South Pittsburgh St, Connellsville. Info at YoughioghenyHolisticLiving.com.

Webinar: Magnificent Moths – 5-5:45pm. Hosted

by Allegheny Land Trust. The fascinating biology of moths. Which came first, butterflies or moths?

Free event. Join the webinar at us02web.zoom. us/j/89434782794. Info at AlleghenyLandTrust.org.

SUNDAY, JULY 10

THURSDAY, JULY 21

SATURDAY, JULY 9

Kid’s Day in Schenley Plaza – Noon-4pm. Hosted

by Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, sponsored by Eat n Park. Free activities for children (and children at heart) including balloon artist, craft activities,

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Story Time in the Garden – 1pm. Hosted by Rodef Shalom Congregation. Established in 1987 as the largest Biblical garden in North America, featuring the river Jordan meandering through from

NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28 Restorative Yoga in the Salt Cave – 6:45-7:45pm.

Through Dec. Hosted by Salt of the Earth. Revive and restore with awesome and unique combination of restorative yoga and detoxifying salt. Tickets clients.MindBodyOnline.com/classic/MainClass.

Salt of the Earth, 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray.

cal in SWPA and beyond. A virtual public affairs forum featuring elected officials, policymakers and thought leaders. 617-517-7600. Facebook. com/1HoodPower.

tuesday FRIDAY, JULY 29 Rain Day Festival in Waynesburg – 9:50am-9pm.

In the 1870s a local farmer claimed it always rained on his birthday, July 29. Begun as a friendly wager, it has evolved into a great festival. Records show that since 1874, on July 29th, in 116 of the last 148 years, rain has fallen. Live music on two stages, arts, crafts, hometown food vendors, contests, kids’ activities, and mascot, Wayne Drop. Start with the National Anthem, and end with fireworks. Info at RainDay.com.

plan ahead SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

savethedate

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Nourish the Body Mind & Soul Expo – Sept 24-25. Hosted by Gratzie Ventures at the Monroeville Convention Center. Stay tuned for details.

ongoing events

sunday Sacred Sounds – 1-2:30pm. 3rd Sun. Hosted by Sacred Centered You and Visions Reiki & Soul Spa. $25. Join Leza for a relaxing, powerful meditative experience, sound immersion with crystal bowls, and individual healing vibrations through the gong.

206 Alexander Ave, Strabane. 724-745-1785. Tickets at Eventbrite.

Sunday’s Restorative Rejuvenation – 5-6:30pm.

3rd Sun. Hosted by Morgantown Power Yoga. All levels welcome. Learn to use breath, props, and focused awareness to decrease stress and anxiety in the body and the mind. Compliment your power yoga practice with restorative rejuvenation. $25.

235 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV. Tickets: Clients.

MindBodyOnline.com.

monday Monday Evening with the Wellness Warrior – 6:30-7:15pm. Learn about a different health and wellness topic every week. Zoom in at Zoom. us/j/92446493853. Meeting ID: 924 4649. Steve@ WellnessWarrior.coach.

1 Hood Power Hour – 7-8pm. A virtual forum hosted by 1 Hood Power to discuss all things politi-

Table-Top Tuesday – 11am-2pm. Hosted by Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy at Schenley Plaza. Enjoy a selection of free, classic table-top games through October. Games are available on a first-come basis.

Schenley Plaza, 4011 Forbes Ave. Laser Cutting Workshop – Thru Nov. 7-9pm.

Meets once a month. Hosted by Prototype PGH. Learn to use the Full Spectrum Muse CO2 Laser at Prototype PGH for etching and cutting. This laser cutter can cut acrylic, fabric, leather, paper, rubber and wood. It can also etch coated metals, glass, and stone. $10 at Eventbrite. 460 Melwood Ave, Oakland. Info: PrototypePGH.com.

wednesday Tinkergarten – 11am-noon. Through 24 Aug, with Sara Remington at The Space, Greensburg. Ages 18 months to 8 years. Play and learn with others in your community. Live and on-demand sessions available. Resources and at-home activities, family networking. Info at TinkerGarten.com. The Space, Greensburg, 203 Old Rt 30, Greensburg.

Yoga and Sound Bath – 7-8:15pm. 1st Wed. With Susannah Azzaro. $25. Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh, 300 Beverly Rd. 412-344-7434.

THRIVE Carmichaels Community Garden Project Meeting – 6-7pm every 2nd Wed. Hosted

by Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA. Attend in person or via Zoom. Fellowship Hall, 101 W South St, Carmichaels. Info: 724-223-5477.

Evening Yoga in the Garden – 6:30-7:30pm at West Virginia Botanic Garden. Use breathing techniques to relax, postures to strengthen muscles, and guided meditation to calm the mind, body, and spirit. $12/members, $15/nonmembers. Tickets and info at WVBG.org. 1061 Tyrone Rd, Morgantown, WV.

thursday Yoga Classes – 9:30-10:30am. 1st & 2nd Thurs. Hosted

by Spruce Street United Methodist Church. All ages and abilities with variations to accommodate health and movement issues, with students sitting or standing next to a chair. Emphasis on meditative practices. Wear comfortable clothing. 386 Spruce St, Morgantown, W Virginia. 304-292-3359.

Millvale Weekly Block Party – 5-9pm. May 12Aug 25. Hosted by Abeille Voyante Tea Co, Cousins Lounge and Maude’s Paperwing Gallery in the 200 block of Grant Ave, Millvale. Check the hosts’ Facebook pages for details.

Restorative Yoga in the Salt Cave – 6:45-7:45pm.

Through Dec. Hosted by Salt of the Earth. Revive and restore with awesome and unique combination of restorative yoga and detoxifying salt. Tickets clients.MindBodyOnline.com/classic/MainClass.

Salt of the Earth, 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray.

Sound Bath Thursdays – 7-8pm. Hosted by Harmonic Egg Wellness and Rooted in Sound. Visit us in The Strip’s newest Wellness Center. Gongs and therapy grade Himalayan singing bowls create space for deep meditation and relaxation. $30. Tickets

at: WellnessLiving.com/schedule/harmonic_egg_ boardman. 412-609-8999.

friday 6th Annual Yoga in the Park Series – 10-11am at Allegheny Commons Park, May 28-August 27.

Hosted by Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. Free.

Meet at Allegheny Commons West near Brighton & Ridge. CounselingWellnessPGH.com.

First Friday Walk/Hike – 10-11:30am. Hosted

by Allegheny Land Trust at various interesting parks and green areas around greater Pittsburgh.

For info on location, focus, and cost go to AlleghenyLandTrust.networkforgood.com/events.

412-741-2750.

Friday Family Walk – 10am-Noon. Hosted by West Virginia Botanic Garden. First Friday of every month.

Enjoy a short story followed by a walk around the Garden, conclude with a simple craft. Trail accommodates off road strollers. Members/free, $15/donation per family suggested. Preregistration required: wvbg. org or Forms.donorsnap.com/form.

Friday 101 – Carnegie Science Center Fab Lab Public Workshops – 1-2pm. Hosted by BNY Mellon Fab Lab Carnegie Science Center. Take a crash course in maker technology – learn the basics of 3D printing, laser cutting, vinyl cutting, and more. $30/ nonmembers, $25/members. One Allegheny Ave. 412-237-3400. Register: CarnegieScienceCenter.org.

saturday Morgantown Farmers Market – 8:30-Noon.

Saturdays thru Oct. Wide variety of food and farm products grown and made by vendors within 50 miles of the market. 400 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV. Info: mfmgamanager@gmail.com.

3D Printer Workshop – Noon-2pm. Hosted by Prototype PGH. Learn to use the Elegoo UV Photocuring 3D resin printer. $10 at Eventbrite. 460 Melwood Ave, Oakland. Info: PrototypePGH.com.

Prototype PGH – Monthly Open House – Noon2pm, 2nd Sat of the month. Meet with members of our team to ask questions about Prototype and the events, workshops and services offered. Donations appreciated to cover free events and workshops. 460 Melwood Ave, #208. RSVP on our Facebook page.

Lawrenceville Sidewalk Sale – Noon-4pm. Hosted

by Lawrenceville Pittsburgh. Monthly Business district-wide Sidewalk Sale – May through Aug. Sales, samples, and sips. Re-engage and celebrate the business community. LvPGH.com/sidewalk-sale.

Chakra a Month Workshop Series with Brooke Smokelin – Thru July. 1-3pm, Sat; 7:30-8:30pm, Wed. Online or in person: sessions recorded. Take a transformational journey of self-discovery, deep dive into self, activate and explore chakras one at a time, learn specific yoga poses and practices for each chakra. 25 CEUs for yoga instructors. Two levels: $385 or $1060. Info/register: Brookesmokelin.kartra.com/page/2022ChakraAMonthONLINEJan-July.

Sacred Sounds Healing Meditation Series – 7-8:30pm, 1st Sat through Jul with Visions Reiki and Soul Spa and Sacred Centered You. Explore higher levels of guided meditation using Sound Healing, Reiki, and Self-awareness. $25 at SacredCenteredYou.com/registration. Visions Reiki and Soul Spa, 206 Alexander Ave, Strabane. 724-745-1785.

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community resource guide

HERBS

Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our Pittsburgh community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com to request our media kit.

BIOLOGIC DENTISTRY JANET LAZARUS – BIOLOGIC DENTIST Dr Janet Lazarus, DMD, NMD Mail: 4313 Walnut St, Ste 178 Office: Olympia Shopping Ctr Arcade, McKeesport • 412-754-2020 • Dr.Lazlo@hotmail.com

Dr. Lazarus practices compassionate biologic dentistry by looking at the whole body to offer preventative care and health maintenance. She offers compatibility testing on dental material, safe mercury removal, extraction and a host of other treatments including ozone therapy. She has been practicing for 28 years. See ad, page 7.

CHIROPRACTIC PANTHER FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE AND CHIROPRACTIC Dr Danielle Marra, DC Murrysville • Greensburg 724-387-1014 • PittsburghHealthPro.com

Dr. Danielle Marra has nearly 20 years’ experience helping patients regain their health through conservative and holistic approaches utilizing functional medicine, chiropractic, diet modifications, and nutritional support. The practice provides advanced lab testing, allergy relief, spinal decompression, CDL physicals, massage therapy, thermography and more. Their philosophy is treating the root of your symptoms, naturally. See ad, page 6.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE PANTHER FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE AND CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Danielle Mara, DC Murrysville • Greensburg 724-387-1014 • PittsburghHealthPro.com

Dr. Danielle Mara has nearly 20 years’ experience helping patients regain their health through conservative and holistic approaches utilizing functional medicine, chiropractic, diet modifications and nutritional support. Plus advanced lab testing, allergy relief, spinal decompression, CDL physicals, massage therapy, thermography and more. Their philosophy is treating the root of your symptoms, naturally. See ad, page 6.

HEALTH COACH MOLD RECOVERY COACHING FreedomFromMold.com 646-543-7836

Once you’ve been poisoned by mold, your world changes. You suffer from strange physical ailments, brain fog, as well as mental and emotional crises. Been there, done that, got the Merit Badge. I can help guide you out of the fog. See ad, page 14.

HEALTH FOOD EVEREST EATS

EverestEats.com • Orders@everesteats.com A local Pittsburgh plant-based meal delivery service providing, sourced, sustainable, flavorful, and nutritious meals to the Pittsburgh community.

change

can do you good

THE KEFIR CHICKS

Connellsville, PA TheKefirChicks.com TheKefirChicks@gmail.com Facebook.com/TheKefirChicks

Join the Natural Awakenings Franchise Family

For more info, visit: NaturalAwakenings.com 30

Pittsburgh, PA

NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com

Kathy and Haley, The Kefir Chicks, are two chicks on a mission to bring awareness to everyone about whole foods and gut health through whole, probiotic-packed food medicine – water kefir. See ad, page 10.

OLD THYME HERB SHOP, LLC Lisa Cunningham Old-Fashioned Family Herbalist 308 Liberty St, Perryopolis, PA 724-736-2400

Nothing fancy here; just hundreds of organic bulk medicinal herbs at your beck and call. Heal yourself ~ help others. In service and gratitude always. No Facebook, no website, no social media. Not enough thyme! Just you and I and your blessed healing herbs.

HOMEOPATHY MELANIE KRNETA

DIP HOM. ACH, Reiki Master 1252 Liberty St, Franklin, PA • 814-428-9895 Facebook: Melanie Krneta Homoeopathy Plus Classical homoeopathic consultations providing individualized care for t h e e n t i r e f a m i l y.

Migraines, hormonal imbalances, PTSD, grief, arthritis, digestive imbalance. Reiki sessions are beneficial for relaxation and pain management.

Other services provided are far infrared sauna with medical grade color therapy and Himalayan salt and ear candling.

NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS NAPTURAL BEAUTY SUPPLY 724-307-8487 NapturalBeautySupply.com

Naptural Beauty Supply was created to end the stigma around natural hair by empowering men and women to love themselves naturally. We do this by instilling confidence in our community and increasing convenience by having the tools and services in one place, such as hair and body butters, beard care and apparel. We are beauty supply with naturals in mind! See ad, page 10.

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE DR. ARETI, LLC

Dr. Areti Fitsioris 421 Cochran Rd, Pittsburgh 412-419-1537 (call/text) • Facebook.com/Dr.Areti Dr. Areti is a board-certified naturopathic physician who implements manual therapy, lifestyle medicine, nutritional analysis, and non-invasive methods to address functional and structural imbalances – services are 100% grounded in evidence-based science. She goes the extra mile to identify and address root causes of conditions and to provide ongoing support.

Summer is singing with joy, and the beaches are inviting you with dancing waves. ~Debasish Mridha

SPIRITUAL SACRED, CENTERED, YOU, LLC

412-258-0766 • SacredCenteredYou.com Leza is known widely for her abilities as a sound healer, inspirational speaker and interfaith spiritual counselor. Healing arts services include vibrational sound healing, past life and soul regression, journey work counseling and conscious relationships counseling. Private and group services offered. Lesa Vivio, MS, LPC, CMHIMP, DDiv, DSM.

URBAN FARMING GROW PITTSBURGH

Raqueeb Bey, Garden Resource Coordinator 6587 Hamilton Ave, Ste 2W, Pittsburgh 412-362-4769 ext 215 • GrowPittsburgh.org Raqueeb@GrowPittsburgh.org Grow Pittsburgh is an urban, agriculture nonprofit that teaches people how to grow food. They envision the day when everyone grows and eats fresh, local and healthy food. Get involved. Take a tour, become a member, learn, volunteer! Visit their website for workshops and events.

VIBRATIONAL MEDICINE ROOTED IN SOUND

Wyatt Melius 2000 Smallman St, Pittsburgh 412-609-8999 • RootedInSound.com Sound massage, Nada yoga, forest bathing, and acoustic-induced meditation. Check the calendar for sound baths on Sundays and Thursdays. See ad, page 25.

SACRED, CENTERED, YOU, LLC 412-258-0766 SacredCenteredYou.com

Offering individual and group experiences that promote healing through self-discovery and personal acceptance. Special focus on sound healing, life coaching, qigong, and vibrational medicine.

WELLNESS 360 CAFÉ LLC

Tyleda Worou Pittsburgh • 724-374-8089 • 360CafeLLC.com 360 Café LLC is an alternative health and wellness business with the goal of helping others to heal from the inside out while taking a holistic approach to healing by offering distance reiki, and crystal healing sessions to help our consumers restore physical and emotional balance.

SALT OF THE EARTH

Himalayan Salt Cave and Crystal Boutique 504 Valleybrook Rd,McMurray, PA 15317 724-260-0472 • SaltOfTheEarthPgh.com Experience the known ancient healing benefits of halotherapy in the Himalayan salt cave, built from 16 tons of pure Himalayan salt. 45-minute sessions scheduled on the hour. Can be rented for private groups up to 10. Provides an inviting and relaxing environment for events and classes: yoga, meditation, sound healing, and reiki. The crystal boutique offers an array of authentic crystals, jewelry, candles, locally-made bath and body, and Himalayan salt products. The knowledgeable staff will help find the right crystal for you or your home décor. See ad, page 7.

VISIONS REIKI AND SOUL SPA

206 Alexander Ave, Strabane 724-745-1785 • VisionsReikiAndSoulSpa.com As a full-service energy-health and wellness center, our goal is to empower people to be the best version of themselves. With the understanding that all wellness begins with a healthy energy system, Visions Reiki and Soul Spa offers holistic services, workshops, and coaching to help you establish a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle.

YOGA AND MEDITATION JENNY DAYTON YOGA

Jenny Dayton, E-RYT, YACEP MountainYogaShala@gmail.com 724-550-3661 Jenny offers indoor and outdoor yoga throughout the Laurel Highlands. She also offers private therapeutic yoga lessons, Ayurveda and aromatherapy sessions by appointment. Virtual options are also available. For more information and to view the class schedule and locations, visit JennyDaytonYoga.com.

THE HIMALAYAN INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH 300 Beverly Rd, Pittsburgh 412-344-7434 • HipYoga.org

The Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh is committed to creating and supporting programs for wellness in body, mind and spirit. Their purpose is to promote personal peace and global unity. Offering a daily schedule of yoga and meditation classes and healing services including massage, reiki and Ayurvedic health consultations. They are a leader in education, providing authentic yoga and Ayurveda certification programs.

Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life. ~Omar Khayyam

classifieds

Fee for classifieds is a minimum charge of $20 for the first 20 words and $1 for each additional word. To place an ad, email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com.

OPPORTUNITIES ADVERTISING SALES – Natural Awakenings magazine is looking for experienced advertising salespeople covering the Greater Pittsburgh area, SW Pennsylvania and Morgantown WV to help others grow their natural health & wellness and sustainable living or green businesses. Commission-based. Full- or part-time. Paying 25% commission. Unlimited potential income. Be a part of something magical! Send resume to Michelle: Publisher@ NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com.

PRODUCTS McCORMICK FAMILY FARM – 100% grass-fed/finished beef, pasture-raised chicken, and pure maple syrup following beyond organic, regenerative farming practices. 293 McCormic Rd, Portage, PA. 814-472-7259. Facebook: @ TheMcCormickFamilyFarm.

SERVICES READING POETRY RELAXES – Inquire at: wewuvpoetry@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 4725, Pittsburgh, PA 15206-0725.

Natural Awakenings Client Testimonial I have been advertising since the beginning of Natural Awakenings and I have to say. that it has been a great choice! I have gotten a lot of new patients from her magazine. The covers are always colorful and fun! Michelle has been very helpful and she is always available when I need to talk to her. I would highly recommend this magazine if you are considering advertising. ~Dr Janet Lazarus

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