Natural Awakenings Greater Pittsburgh Edition November 2021

E R F

E

HEALTHY

PLANT Medicine How it Heals Us

LIVING

HEALTHY

DYING WELL

Practical Steps to a Good Ending

PLANET

Good Mood FOODS Holiday Fare that Boosts Mental Health

November 2021 | Pittsburgh, PA Edition | naturalawakeningsswpa.com November 2021

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The Rise of Plant Medicine I have always been interested in and advocated for plant medicine. Herbalism really is the original medicine and the precursor of pharmaceuticals. Its use predates recorded human history and plants are still being analyzed to find and develop new medicines on a large scale. We use plants as food, drink, nutrition and supplementation, including cannabis, a wonderful plant with many beneficial properties.

In 2014, while visiting my sister in Colorado, I found a three-day conference called “Marijuana for Medical Professionals”. Although I didn’t know it at the time, the lineup of speakers was impressive. It included Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli organic chemist and professor of medicinal chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He was actually the scientist that isolated and identified THC in cannabis in the 70’s. Also there was Dr. Lester Grinspoon, an American psychiatrist and long-standing associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, best known for his groundbreaking works on the science and social policy of cannabis.

There were many other doctors, pharmacists, nurses and healthcare practitioners speaking about their experience with cannabis and educating attendees on what was known about the medicinal use of cannabis. As a nurse who has always leaned toward a natural approach to medicine, I was impressed with the myriad beneficial uses of this particular plant. It is effective for seizures, Parkinson’s, anxiety and depression, insomnia, pain and more. It is so much safer than narcotics, and I soon became an advocate for its use recreationally. Again it is so much safer and although I had taken care of many people suffering from and even dying from liver failure due to alcohol overuse as a hospital nurse, I had never had a patient suffering from or dying from cannabis overuse.

People continue to die from narcotics, but not from cannabis. I personally don’t use recreational substances, and I don’t use alcohol, either. I have just never liked that feeling, but I think this plant is a much less harmful option for people who do use recreational substances. There are tens of thousands of references to cannabis and marijuana on PubMed. gov and research continues, but there are references to the use of cannabis going back thousands of years in recorded history, as well. It does have a risk of overuse for some, but that is true for all mind-altering substances. Even so, the adverse effects of overuse in even in the worst-case scenario very rarely ends in death.

I can’t forget to mention this plant’s benefits for the planet. Studies show that hemp, which is cannabis, can regenerate toxic soil. It can be turned into hempcrete for use as a building material, and used to make fabric, rope, shoes, paper, bioplastic, insulation, biofuel and more. There didn’t used to be any restriction on growing this plant and there shouldn’t be any restriction on growing it now. It is not a dangerous plant on any level. In my opinion, it should be freely available.

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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 7 NEXT DISTRO

14

Combating the Opioid Crisis

8 CULTIVATING TEEN SELF-COMPASSION WITH MINDFULNESS 10 ECO-DECOR FOR THE HOME

How to Buy Sustainable Furnishings

12 EAT WELL TO FEEL WELL Thanksgiving Fare that Boosts Mental Health

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14 HEALTHY BRAIN STRATEGIES

How to Prevent Cognitive Decline

16 DYING WELL

Four Steps to a Good Death

20 HONORING THE LOSS OF A PET

24

Simple Ways to Grieve and Heal

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22 DAVID CROW

on the Healing Power of Medicinal Plants

24 SACRED DANCE Moving into Divine Energy

25 THE HEALING

POWER OF A HUG

DEPARTMENTS 4 news briefs 6 health briefs 7 community

spotlight 10 green living 12 conscious eating 14 healing ways

20 natural pet 22 wise words 24 fit body 25 inspiration 26 calendar 30 resource guide 31 classifieds November 2021

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news briefs

Himalayan Institute Makes a Comeback

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he Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh is transitioning back into regular operation by adding programming after the COVID-19 restrictions of summer, including an art show by local talent from 6 to 9 p.m., November 19.

They have repainted and reorganized the layout of the center, and also added a laundry center for massage, acupuncture and reiki services. Classes and certification programs now have both in-person and online and options via Zoom.

Several new upcoming workshops include Susan Volkar offering a Yin workshop and Jennie Bolas offering the tarot workshop: “Using the Tarot to Cultivate Intuition”.

Location: 300 Beverly Rd., Pittsburgh. For more information, call Share ideas 412-344-7434 oryour visit hipyoga.org. See ad, page 21. in our Natural

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With the interests and welfare of readers in mind, Natural NaturalAwakenings.com/survey Awakenings provides information and resources for living a healthier, happier life. Publishing in more than 50 communities nationwide, Natural Awakenings is one of the country’s most widely read healthy living magazines, with a loyal monthly readership of over 1.3 million.

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kudos The nonprofit Pittsburgh Foundation Eben Demarest Fund awards were granted to three artists that will receive awards of $18,000 each: Pittsburgh-based visual artist Gavin Benjamin, Evanston, Illinois-based figurative realist painter Daniela Kovačić and Brooklyn-based sculptor Kennedy Yanko.

The Eben Demarest Fund supports the work of independent creative artists and archaeologists from across the United States. The fund was established by Elizabeth B. Demarest in 1939 in the name of her father as an expression of their shared interest in the arts and world cultures.

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cover artist

We’re Listening

Roberto Clemente Bridge Grant Bailie Grant Bailie is a painter and the author of the novels Cloud 8, Mortarville, New Hope for Small Men, and TomorrowLand, as well as numerous short stories and articles both in print and online. His work can be found on Amazon and Facebook. This painting of the Roberto Clemente Bridge was created using acrylics. The artist can be contacted at: GrantBailie@hotmail.com.

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health briefs

Lose Weight with Small Calorie Reduction

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A reduction of just 200 calories a day combined with aerobic exercise four times a week produced greater weight loss and better heart health in obese, sedentary adults than exercise alone or a 600-calorie reduction plus exercise, reports a new study in Circulation.

Researchers from the Wake Forest School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, tested 160 adults ages 65 to 79. Those that combined exercise with 200 fewer calories a day lost 10 percent of their weight, about 20 pounds, over five months. They had a 21 percent average increase in the aorta’s ability to expand and contract, a key indicator of heart health. Measures of aortic stiffness did not change significantly for the exercise-only group or the 600-calorie-reduction-plus-exercise group. Weight loss was similar for both calorie-reduction groups, even though one group consumed nearly three times fewer calories per day.

Boost Kids’ Learning Abilities with Exercise yulianto poitier/Pexels.com

The right kind of exercise can help kids learn vocabulary better, suggests research from the University of Delaware. An article published in the Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research reports that when 48 children between 6 and 12 years of age were taught new words before swimming, they scored 13 percent higher on a test of the words than children that did CrossFit-like exercises or colored pictures.

Lead researcher Maddy Pruitt says that exercise is known to increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein she describes as the “Miracle-Gro of the brain.”

Swimming made a difference, she says, because it is an automatic movement, while the CrossFit exercises were new to them and required mental energy.

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Herbal Teas for Winter Lung Health In preparing our bodies for the upcoming cold season, there are steps we can take to boost lung wellness, such as having a few beneficial blended herbal teas on hand.

One herbal ally is mullein, (Verbascum thapsus). Common names include feltwort, flannel leaf, Indian tobacco and lady’s foxglove. This tall. weedy biennial grows upwards of seven feet tall. The flowers are yellow and arranged on a long, club-like spike.

This figwort family species blossoms from late June to September, growing in rocky areas on roadsides, embankments and pastures. The leaves have been used for years in Appalachia for treating the common cold. If wildcrafting use caution, as the leaves can cause skin irritation.

Simple herbal tea infusions can be made by steeping the dried herbs and straining the liquid. No fancy equipment is required other than a pot, water and a heating source.

Congestion Tea Blend 2 parts elderflower 1 part yarrow 1 part sage ½-1 part horseradish

Achy Throat

2 parts licorice 1 part mullein 1 part slippery elm 1 part plantain

Healthy Lung Tea 2 parts mullein 1 part hyssop 1 part sage 1 part peppermint

Sweeten the tea with honey or choice of sweetener. Drink either hot or chilled, then refrigerate.

Diet is crucial in the effectiveness of plant-based remedies. To receive the most significant benefit, consult with a nutritionist or health coach for a dietary plan to complement the herbs.

April Smith is an herbalist in Morgantown, WV, and owner of Native Holistics. See ad, page 23.

community spotlight NEXT Distro was founded by Jamie Favaro in 2017, based on the work of Tracey Helton, author of The Big Fix and outspoken advocate for proactive drug user health resources....

NEXT Distro

Combating the Opioid Crisis

by Martin Miron

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onprofit NEXT Distro is an online and mail-based harmreduction service designed to reduce opioid overdose death, prevent injection-related disease transmission and improve the lives of people that use drugs. NEXT Distro was founded by Jamie Favaro in 2017, based on the work of Tracey Helton, author of The Big Fix and outspoken advocate for proactive drug user health resources and expanded naloxone (a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose) distribution.

NEXT Distro mails supplies to people with low-access to harm reduction services or are unable to obtain them on their own or anyone that needs them to keep themselves and others safe. Most states have a statewide standing order that has made it much easier to get naloxone at a pharmacy without having an opioid use disorder diagnosis, but many of participants feel stigmatized when requesting naloxone or discover that their pharmacy has chosen not to carry naloxone or to honor the standing order. Even with insurance, out-of-pocket costs for naloxone have been known to exceed $80 to $100 per kit.

NEXT Distro operates from a main office in New York coordinating programs in other states through partner organizations that mail supplies. In Pennsylvania, NEXT Distro has partnered with Prevention Point Pittsburgh (PPP) since 2020, a nonprofit that provides harm-reduction services and advocacy for people that use drugs to mail naloxone, fentanyl test strips and condoms to anyone in the state that requests it at no cost (Philadelphia is served by SOL Collective). They have mailed more than 13,800 doses.

Alfred DiRosa manages NEXT Distro’s program in Pennsylvania. He says, “I coordinate our daily mailing operation and help grow the program by performing outreach around the state. My fellow PPP co-workers (Fred Lapka and Julia Hilbert) help fulfill mailing requests and offer support to groups looking to distribute naloxone locally. We also work with NEXT Distro’s main office in New York City to help mail syringes and other harm-reduction supplies that we’re not able to mail from Pennsylvania due to restrictive drug paraphernalia laws.”

NEXT Distro receives funding from Vital Strategies, which funds public health initiatives around the world, but also relies on donations. “We’re most interested in connecting with those most likely to witness or experience an overdose: people who use drugs and their friends and family. We work with community members already working with this population, such as underground syringe service programs or medicationassisted treatment providers, to share us with their clients,” advises DiRosa.

Employees receive video training to prepare to respond to an overdose and educational materials. The website has a resource library with information on safer injection techniques, sexual health, HIV/HCV, drug-specific details, dealing with stigma and other topics related to harm reduction.

“Nationally, NEXT Distro hopes to provide a national network of mail-based syringe access providers. For Pennsylvania, NEXT Distro is not quite fully operational because of restrictive laws that prevent us from mailing clean syringes,” says DiRosa. “We hope to use our naloxone mailing program to show the efficacy and need for more mail-based access to harm-reduction services. There is a bill focused on syringe access being presented to the state legislature this fall, and we’ve been working with advocates across the state to rally support for that.”

For more information, visit NextDistro.org/pennsylvania.

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Cultivating Teen Self-Compassion with Mindfulness

by Sara Remington

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indfulness teaches acceptance and self-compassion.

These are powerful tools that can help adolescents to adjust or cope with peer pressure and stressors. Teenagers tend to base life and choices on self-esteem and self-worth.

Through learning self-compassion, the teen learns common themes in others and how to have a non-judgmental connection.

Self-compassion incorporates self-kindness, which is a way to respond to our imperfections, setbacks and mistakes. By cultivating a mindfulness practice, teens learn to care for their stressful situations instead of adopting a means of criticism as coping.

By cultivating a mindfulness practice into daily life, emotions can be accepted. Through this acceptance, there is room for self-compassion to change perspective of the harm the emotion is causing. Establishing an attitude of acceptance and non-judgement can be achieved through learning to develop self-compassion. This then invites in the space to have compassion toward others. To begin this path, it is necessary to notice the way they may treat their friend when expressing emotions of discomfort.

A beautiful place to begin a mindfulness practice is to notice the breath, so find a comfortable place to sit or lie down. Paying attention to the breath is simply breathing while thinking of the phrase, “Breath in,” then release the breath while thinking, “Breath out.” A body scan teaches teens to pay attention and cultivate compassion for their thoughts and body. Other great ways to practice mindfulness include a walking meditation, practicing gratitude and journaling. Through these exercises, a teen can envision how they would cultivate a conversation with a friend that is experiencing discomfort. It is their nature to offer compassion to another. Through viewing themselves through the eyes of a friend, they learn to accept themselves in kind and nonjudgmental ways.

Sara Remington is a consulting family wellness coach. Contact her at Kidpass.com/providers/10757/learn-and-grow-with-sara-online and OutSchool.com/teachers/Sara-Remington.

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green living

Eco-Decor for the Home How to Buy Sustainable Furnishings

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by Sandra Yeyati

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hile comfort and beauty are clear priorities when shopping for furnishings, sustainability and health should be, too. By asking the right questions and doing a little up-front research, consumers have the power to appoint their sanctuaries with non-toxic, ecologically responsible items that are built to last and won’t pollute the environment.

According to the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) (SustainableFurnishings.org), 80 percent of the environmental impact of any product comes from the materials used to make it, so it’s vital to ask about all of the material components in a piece of furniture.

Sustainably Harvested Wood Because it is long-lasting and sturdy, wood can be an excellent, eco-friendly material. The most important consideration is that it hasn’t contributed to deforestation. SFC Executive Director Susan Inglis recommends third-party certification to confirm that wood was sustainably harvested in ways that preserve the forest’s ecosystem and benefit nearby communities. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC.org) issues one of the industry’s most coveted independent certifications.

Reclaimed wood is another Earth-friendly option. “Perhaps the tree was cut down 10

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decades or centuries ago and made into a building, and now it’s being used to make a piece of furniture,” explains Inglis. A third sustainable choice is wood from a plantation that was established more than 25 years ago. “While it is not sustainable to convert natural forests to plantations today because you’re losing biodiversity, wood from long-established plantations is considered sustainable,” she says, adding that in those settings, new trees are planted to replace those harvested.

Non-Toxic Textiles According to Inglis, the most environmentally sound textiles are made of natural fibers like organic cotton, linen, hemp and

wool, which are long-lasting and can be recycled into new textiles. Synthetic fibers are petroleum-based and much less desirable.

Textile manufacturing practices can also be environmentally problematic. “Look for certification that they’re not polluting waters or using toxic dyes,” says Aimee Robinson, owner of EcoBalanza, an organic furniture boutique in Seattle. She points to the Global Organic Textile Standard (Global-Standard. org) as a reliable organization which identifies producers of natural fibers that are organically grown without pesticides, while also considering the social and environmental impacts of their production systems.

Volatile Compounds and Unhealthy Chemicals

The SFC has identified five classes of chemicals commonly found in furniture that have been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption and immune impairment: volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde found in paints and finishes; flame retardants; fluoridated chemicals used in

performance fabrics; antimicrobials; and polyvinyl chloride, known as PVC or vinyl. Inglis recommends that consumers ask about the potential presence of these chemicals when shopping for furniture and avoid them if possible.

Recycled Plastic Recycling plastic to make furniture is trending, and that’s a plus, according to Inglis.

“The best thing would be to avoid making anything out of plastic,” she says. “Plastic is a huge environmental problem, and our use of it continues to go up, especially in the COVID era. Only a small percentage of it is being recycled, leaving a lot of it to break down into microparticles, unfortunately. So, making things out of our plastic waste is good.”

Robinson, on the other hand, refuses to use any plastic in her handmade, all-natural furniture. “Plastics are a non-biodegradable, petrochemical product,” she says. “They’re polluting everything. The plastics industry is so insidious.

Anything we can do on any front to pull away from petrochemicals in every aspect is good.”

Price and Durability “Well-made furniture can get expensive, but you’ll have to replace cheap furniture because it’s not built to last. What’s cheap in the beginning is expensive in the end, because it’s not taking into account the cost of having to replace it or the cost of cleaning up an environment that gets more and more filled with junk,” says Robinson, who also recommends looking for well-made vintage pieces that can be restored and brought back to life.

“I recommend that you spend the most budget you have on a quality product, because that sofa, if it’s made well, can be reupholstered over and over again,” says Robin Wilson, a New York City designer and founder of Robin Wilson Home. “By keeping that sofa, you’re being eco-friendly to the world because it is not going into a landfill.”

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

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green living conscious eating

Eat Well to Feel Well thanksgiving fare that boosts mental health

jchizhe/AdobeStock.com

by Christy Ratliff

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cross America, people of all ages are struggling with mental health issues. Nearly one in five people is living with a mental health condition, and the number of people seeking help for anxiety and depression is skyrocketing, reports Mental Health America. According to the organization’s 2021 State of Mental Health in America Report, suicidal thoughts are increasing among both adults and children, and 9.7 percent of youth is experiencing severe major depression compared to 9.2 percent last year. The highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant has only exacerbated these mental health challenges.

The hope and help we seek may be as close as our own kitchen.

Accumulating research shows that a diet rich in highly processed foods may increase the risk of developing or worsening vari12

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ous mental health conditions. But a nutrient-based diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables; omega-3 fatty acids; nuts, seeds and legumes; whole grains, fresh herbs and spices; fish and olive oil, may help to support and enhance mental health. We can start this Thanksgiving by serving up healthier, nutrient-rich options to alleviate anxiety and depression, stabilize mood and promote mental health and wellness.

“The gut/brain connection helps us understand the food/ mood connection,” explains Dr. Uma Naidoo, a Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef, nutrition specialist and author of the national bestseller This is Your Brain on Food.

“The enteric nervous system—that is, the nerves supplying the gastrointestinal tract—totals over 100 million neurons and communicates directly with the brain, or central nervous system, by way of the vagus nerve, which is responsible for our ‘rest-anddigest’ response.

“It’s also vital to note that the gut contains the highest number of serotonin receptors, and the gut itself produces all the neurotransmitters that are also made in the brain, including serotonin, often called the happiness hormone. In turn, these neurotransmitters are implicated in sound mental health or potential problems when they are deficient.”

“What we eat affects mental health in many ways,” adds Amy Spindel, a functional holistic nutritionist in Plano, Texas, and founder of FoodWithThoughtNutrition.com. “Nutrient deficiencies can cause poor neurotransmitter production. Insufficient vitamin B6, folate and vitamin B12 can be implicated in depression and anxiety symptoms, as they are all needed for various stages of neurotransmitter production, especially serotonin, dopamine and GABA.” “Traditional sugary, high-carbohydrate foods promote unstable blood sugar and selectively feed inflammatory gut microbes,” Spindel says, suggesting that we skip the typical foods many of us associate with the holidays such as pecan pie, marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole and canned cranberry sauce. “Blood sugar fluctuations cause the body to scramble in an attempt to re-regulate glucose, which may mean spikes of cortisol or adrenaline, as well as insulin. The end result can be depression and anxiety from excessive stress hormones and a glucose-starved brain.”

But making such changes, particularly during the holidays, isn’t easy. “If the thought of changing up the traditional Thanks-

giving menu gives you pause, you are not alone—and this is why I believe in adding in habits (and in this case, dishes) which have a positive ripple effect on our bodies and our brain, allowing for a self-sustaining cycle in our lifestyle,” advises Naidoo.

“As a nutritional psychiatrist, I feel that we are more emotionally nurtured by a feeling of abundance in ‘adding’ new Thanksgiving dishes than thinking about this as ‘excluding’ foods,” she notes. “For example, tossing a fresh, folate-rich spinach and arugula salad with bits of antioxidant-rich strawberries, crisp roasted chickpeas and omega-3-rich olive oil adds color, flavor and a plethora of mood-nourishing ingredients to the dinner table.

Even adding extra veggies to existing dishes, such as allicin-rich garlic to green beans or extra celery and fresh herbs to stuffing, adds in powerful phytonutrients with gut-loving fiber.”

“Thanksgiving favorites that are ample in neurotransmitterproducing nutrients include turkey, shellfish, sweet potatoes and acorn squash, asparagus, leafy greens, oranges and green beans,” Spindel adds.

While it’s true that we cannot control a global pandemic or solve the mental health crisis in America with positive thinking alone, we can minimize our feelings of powerlessness and despair by making small but significant dietary changes—not just on Thanksgiving, but every day of the year.

Christy Ratliff is a professional health and wellness writer based in Central Florida.

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healing ways

Healthy Brain Strategies How to Prevent Cognitive Decline

benjavisa ruangvaree/AdobeStock.com

by Linda Sechrist

A

healthy brain performs mental processes known as cognition, which is the acquiring of knowledge and understanding by means of thought, experience and the senses. This includes functions and systems such as memory, learning, language, problem solving, decision making, reasoning and intelligence. The aging process, a stroke or a brain injury can cause a mild to severe reduction in healthy brain functioning resulting in impaired memory and concentration, and difficulty in learning new things or making decisions that impact daily living.

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Functional medicine experts focused on preventive health care agree on the ABC’s for optimizing the brain and protecting against decline: eating a healthy diet, exercising, reducing inflammation and stress levels, balancing hormone levels, cultivating healthy relationships and getting enough restorative sleep. With their expertise, they are helping to shift the old paradigm of inevitable aging and cognitive decline into a new one based on the brain’s neuroplasticity.

Harvard-trained neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor, author of the bestseller My Stroke of Insight and the recent Whole Brain Living, is a true poster child for demonstrating the brain’s neuroplasticity and ability to recover from a massive stroke. She writes about the congenital neurological brain disorder that became a problem when an arteriovenous malformation exploded in her brain’s left hemisphere. For four hours, she observed her brain functions systemically shutting down one by one. On the afternoon of her stroke, she could not walk, talk, read, write or recall any of her life. Eight years later, she was not only slalom waterskiing again, but also explaining to the world, “We are the life-force power of the universe, with manual dexterity and two cognitive minds. We have the power to choose, moment to moment, who and how we want to be in the world.”

Devaki Lindsey Berkson, author of Sexy Brain, a hormone formulator and former researcher at Tulane University’s estrogen think tank, advises, “Most people think hormones are sexy, reproductive things and when they get older, they’re relieved that they don’t have to think about

them. Not true. The body has a virtual physiological internet system. Hormones are the email signals to most cells. While the robustness of hormones and their signals affects lungs, gut, kidney and vocal cord health, it especially affects the brain. Balancing hormones with bioidentical hormones is one solution.”

David Perlmutter, neurologist and co-author of Brain Wash, cites food as the biggest player in both brain and overall health in his books and PBS workshops. “Eating inappropriately causes intestinal permeability, resulting in inflammation, which in the brain, threatens good decision making—from deciding on the foods we eat to turning off our televisions at night, getting a good night’s rest, making sure that we exercise regularly and connecting with other people. Not good for the gut are dairy products, alcohol, highly processed foods that are low in fiber, high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, as well as antibiotics,” he says, adding that meditation and exposure to nature are powerful ways of reducing inflammation in the body and brain.

As explained by neurologist Dale E. Bredesen, author of The End of Alzheimer’s, stress leads to an increase in cortisol levels that can be toxic to our brains—in particular the memory— consolidating the hippocampus, one of the first structures affected by Alzheimer’s. Studies show that high stress levels can also contribute to brain fog, involving difficulty concentrating,

forgetfulness and mental fatigue. The Bredesen Protocol, available from health practitioners and online, includes exercising, eating a plant-based diet, supplementing to reduce insulin sensitivity and optimize cognitive function, reducing both gut inflammation and exposure to toxins, treating pathogens and optimizing sleep.

HealthyBrains.org, Cleveland Clinic’s Healthy Brains Initiative, is an online resource center with information on how to manage brain health and create a brain span that matches a life span. It offers six pillars of brain health as explained by brain health experts, including exercise, sleep, relaxation, mental fitness and social interaction.

Supplementing for brain health should be done wisely, says Mark Hyman, author of Food: What the Heck Should I Eat? and director of functional medicine at Cleveland Clinic. He recommends at the very least taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement, omega-3, extra vitamins B3, B6 and B12, folate and a good probiotic that enhances the brain-gut relationship.

Mastery of the ABC’s in kindergarten is required as the foundation of language and a lifetime of learning. Living the fundamentals for a healthy brain can result in a brain span that equals our life span.

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

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Four Steps to a Good Death

by Ronica O’Hara

nikkizalewski/AdobeStock.com

O

n his deathbed, Apple founder Steve Jobs looked for a long time at his children, his sister and his wife, then moved his gaze to the space behind them. “Oh wow! Oh wow! Oh wow!” he gasped. No one can know for certain what he was experiencing, but his words point to the deep, mysterious potential of our final hours—the awareness of which can transform our life long before its end.

“An awareness of dying, of death, can wake us up to life. It helps us live a life that’s rich and full and meaningful. When we deny the truth of dying, we live less wholeheartedly, less completely,” says Frank Ostaseski, founder of the pioneering San Francisco Zen Hospice Project and author of The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully.

The pandemic has 51 percent of us thinking more about our own mortality, a survey shows. The subject of death has been slowly opening up in America: TV programs like Six Feet Under and Alternative Endings: Six New Ways to Die in America present dying and grief more realistically; thousands of small conversational gatherings called “death cafes” are being held each year; people are designing their own funerals and choosing green burial sites; and the field of “death doulas” is emerging to help families navigate the legal and emotional shoals. Half a century after the release of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’ seminal book On Death and Dying, palliative care to ease pain is offered by two-thirds of American hospitals, and Medicare funding for end-of-life hospice care has grown tenfold over the last two decades.

Yet for many, death remains the last taboo—85 percent of us have not discussed our last wishes yet with loved ones. Thousands of studies in the emerging field of experimental existential psychology have found that when reminded subconsciously of death, people tend to drive faster, drink harder, smoke more and get meaner to out-groups in attempts to lower their anxiety.

But when we look death squarely in the face, that anxiety recedes, the research concludes. Gratitude, self-honesty and the humility of recognizing our place in the larger whole are also proven antidotes. With less fear, we are better able to take the proactive, concrete steps that ease our passage—getting clear on our values and desires, having important conversations, attending to final decisions and opening to our spiritual process. Although death has its own ways and means, these four processes can make it more likely we will die as we would like to.

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Defining What We Value “Deeply consider what your

priorities in life are,” says Tarron Estes, founder and CEO of The Conscious Dying Institute, in Boulder, which has trained more than 6,500 doulas since 2013. “Ask yourself, if I had only three months to live, what’s important to me spiritually, emotionally, physically? What do I still need to do or say?” She recommends Stephen Levine’s book, A Year to Live, for exercises and meditations for that process.

“Don’t wait until the time of your dying to discover what it has to teach you,” advises Ostaseski, who has sat beside more than 2,000 hospice patients in their last hours. “When I’m with dying people, the things that are important to them are not their spiritual beliefs, but are more about relationships—‘Am I loved? Did I love well?’ Those two questions are useful inquiries now. They help us to discover where value and meaning can be found.”

By applying our values to the dying process, we can start sorting through options. Do we want to die at home or in a hospital? What medical procedures will we accept or decline? What measures do we want to be taken to sustain our life? Who do we want to be at our side? And what do we need to say before that time?

Having Important Conversations As daunting as the prospect of an end-of-life talk with family and friends may seem, it can start with simple words like “I want to talk with you about something important to me.” Without spelling out our desires, death can become inadvertently medicalized: Nine in 10 of us say we want to die in our homes, but only two in 10 do. “The default systems are all to treat, treat, treat, until someone finally says, ‘No,’ so many people end up on a high-tech conveyor belt to the ICU,” says award-winning journalist Katy Butler, author of The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life. Among people that undertake such talks, 73 percent describe the experience as positive, reassuring and productive. A downloadable Conversation Starter Guide (TheConversationProject.org) provides practical guidance for these critical conversations.

Attending to Medical and Burial Decisions Taking care

of business—the paperwork aspects of death known as advance directives—spares loved ones from having to make tough decisions later. A last will and testament precludes pain and infighting among family and friends. A living will specifies what treatments are wanted under what conditions. A medical power of attorney designates a trusted person to make medical decisions if a patient is not capable. A Do Not Resuscitate order approved by a doctor means emergency medical workers are less likely to give CPR, which frequently causes trauma and broken ribs in elderly or frail patients. Either cremation or a burial can be decided upon; environmental options such as a forest burial in a wooden casket can be explored. Local hospice options can be surveyed in advance; nonprofits generally are rated better than profit-making groups.

Opening to the Spiritual Process Whether or not we have

religious beliefs to carry us through waves of loss and sorrow, death can spur spiritual insight. “In dying, we withdraw from our outer circles and come into the inner circles of our lives—the relationships that matter most to us,” says Ostaseski, who has worked

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four decades with hospice patients. “There’s a growing silence that has us becoming more contemplative and reflective. Our sense of time and space changes and we enter into a kind of free flow.

The boundaries we have lived by begin to dissolve, and we start to feel ourselves as part of something larger—not as a belief, but as a natural occurrence. Often people realize themselves to be more than the small, separate self they had thought themselves to be.”

Joan Tollifson, a Zen-trained spiritual teacher and author of Death: The End of Self-Improvement, concurs: “When the future disappears, we are brought home to the immediacy that we may have avoided all our lives. With no future left to fantasize about, the focus of attention may finally be fully on right Now, the only place where our life ever actually is. Really getting that ‘This is it,’ there may be a sudden recognition of the absolute preciousness and wonder of every simple ordinary thing and of the people around us, just as they are, with all their flaws and foibles. Old grudges and resentments often melt away, and love shines through.

“All the things which may have been part of our self-image—independence, physical strength, cognitive sharpness, good appearance and so on—have either disappeared or are rapidly collapsing, which invites the discovery that none of that really mattered, that what we truly or more fundamentally are is not dependent on any of that.

“The greatest gift we can give to a loved one who is dying,” says Tollifson, is to “simply be present, listen, follow your heart, trust the process. Everything else will follow from that. There’s no right or wrong way.”

It can be difficult to know what to say to a loved one near the end, but hospice workers recommend five phrases that have deep healing potential, even if a person seems unconscious: “I love you,” “Thank you,” “Please forgive me,” “I forgive you,” and “Goodbye” or “Until we meet again.” As Butler points out, the first four phrases can be said any time in our lives.

Increasingly in hospice care, loved ones are encouraged to sit with the body after the death, touching it, sharing stories, perhaps gently bathing it and dressing it in favorite clothes. “Touching the body, feeling the coolness, makes the death real to the family,” Ostaseski says. “Research shows that people that went through that process still grieved, but they were able to be with the emotion and not be overwhelmed by it.”

Facing the reality of death—as hard and heartbreaking as that can be—can free us to truly live life, said Jobs. After his terminal cancer diagnosis, he told Stanford students in a commencement address, “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

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

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natural pet

Honoring the Loss of a Pet Simple Ways to Grieve and Heal

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by Marlaina Donato

F

rench novelist Anatole France’s sentiment, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened,” rings true for anyone that shares a love story with a beloved pet. Whether we lose a cat, dog, horse, bird or lizard, the final parting can be quite emotional. Society supports us with empathy and rituals of closure when we suffer the loss of a human love, but grieving an animal companion can be a uniquely silent passage. Surrendering fully to the mourning process, creating a joyful ceremony and celebrating the life of a loved one invites healing and solace.

Sacred Grief The animal-human alliance is hallmarked by the absence of emotional baggage, and is therefore capable of provoking grief that equals or exceeds losing a close relative. “This is a deep bond that is never judgmental on how we look, spend money or what we do for a living, as long as we love and nurture. And, in return, we receive undying, unconditional love,” says Pam Baren Kaplan, a pet loss grief counselor and life coach in Chicago.

Diane Stout, a pet parent and retired dog groomer in Paupack, Pennsylvania, knows the impact of this unconditional love, especially through life’s changes. “Long after a spouse has died and family have moved away to other lives and preoccupations, the family pet remains the faithful dinner or TV time companion,” she says. “A cherished pet is often the last true companion.”

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Cancelling appointments or taking time off from work after a pet’s passing does not connote emotional weakness. “Treat yourself with the same kindness you would show another person going through this difficult time,” advises Cheryl Wyatt, a certified grief companion at Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, a national network of veterinarians that provides compassionate end-of-life care. “Allow yourself the time to do your mourning work. Tears are cleansing. If they happen to come 10 hours or 10 years from now, you have permission to shed them.”

Compassionate Transitions Loving an animal until the last goodbye includes relieving their suffering to the best of our ability. In-home euthanasia can

make a heartbreaking time more bearable for both pet and owner. “Providing beloved pets euthanasia at home differs from a clinical setting because it allows them to remain in their safe, happy place.

At home, the veterinarian can greet the pet family and provide the loved one’s peaceful passing wherever they are most comfortable—a favorite bed or spot on the couch—surrounded by all those who love them most,” explains Wyatt.

Pet funerals are becoming more common, and ceremonies are as unique as the animal remembered. Stories, poetry and memories can be shared by family and they can include a living memorial such as a tree planted in the animal’s name.

Stout, also an accomplished artist, finds joy in painting her pets that have gone and suggests “a scrapbook of pictures and memories, because a look back at puppy or kitten pictures can bring an instant smile.”

Kaplan agrees, “Creating what I refer to as ‘a legacy of love’ can be done by the entire family or by one person. This is a book that you put together with favorite photos of your pet and journal the story around the photo. This is a great way to include family member’s memories from their perspective.”

Choosing a unique, handmade vessel for ashes can honor an animal. Mary Jane Panebianco, owner of SpiritpetShop on Etsy.com, was inspired by the passing of a co-worker’s dog. “At the time, I worked in a mixed media art gallery, and she had one of our ceramic artists create her dog Sandy’s memorial urn. It was beautiful and so well done. I did some research on the pet industry, and everything I found was so commercial and mass-produced.

I knew pets and their owners deserved another option.”

Panebianco works with a small number of award-winning American artisans and accepts custom orders for handcrafted urns. “Many of my pet parents have told me how having a beautiful memorial for their beloved pet helps them make peace with their pet’s passing. It’s the last thing you will do for them.”

In the beginning and in the end, it’s all about the love. For Stout, it’s what animals teach us. “To play and dance often, to give unconditional love, loyalty and friendship, to find joy in the little things, and that life is too often short.”

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. ~Victor Hugo

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

Share your ideas in our Natural

Awakenings Reader

Advice for the Bereaved Cheryl Wyatt, of the Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, recommends:

your beloved pet. Leave it up for as long as you like.

n Set aside some time each day to be alone in a quiet place to give yourself space to grieve.

n Continue to speak to your loved one, sing to him/her whatever brought you joy in being together.

n Honor the memories.

n Wear a piece of jewelry that bears your pet’s name or contains a small amount of his/her remains.

n Write out your emotions freely in a journal; compose a poem or letter to your pet. n Light commemorative candles in his/her honor. n Create a memory table—include all of the things that remind you of

n Join an online group or meet in person with other people that are going through the mourning process. n Don’t let people that don’t grasp the depth of the human-animal bond tell you how you should feel.

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wise words

energies in forms that plants provide; our physiology, respiration and metabolism is a mirror image of photosynthesis. We have complete biological dependency on plants in every moment; understanding this is the basis of reverence for nature, which is ecological spirituality, the only long-term solution to the environmental crisis we have created through lack of sensitivity and appreciation of our place in the biosphere.

David Crow on the Healing Power of Medicinal Plants

by Randy Kambic

photo by Simone Anne

How is self-care changing to empower people?

D

avid Crow, author of In Search of the Medicine Buddha, among other books, is a foremost expert in botanical medicine and other natural health applications. As a teacher, telemedicine consultant, researcher, certified master herbalist, aromatherapist and acupuncturist, he has studied Chinese, Tibetan, Ayurvedic and Western herbal medicine for more than 30 years. He is a strong advocate of the safe use of herbs and essential oils, and installing gardens in public and private spaces. As one of the first medical pioneers to use essential oils and aromatherapy in clinical practice, integrating them into comprehensive treatments, he is also the founder of Floracopeia Aromatic Treasures.

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Why do you feel humanity needs to reconnect a sacred relationship with plants?

For our survival as a species. Plants created the biosphere over hundreds of millions of years, including the ozone layer, the oxygen in the atmosphere, the fertility of the soil, the regulation of the seasons and the foundation of the food chain. From those conditions, higher life was able to emerge and evolve: Humans emerged from conditions created by plants. Since we cannot live directly on soil and sunlight as plants do, the structure and function of the human body are designed so that we can extract those

NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com

The doctor/patient paradigm is changing in many ways as a result of the internet, availability of natural medicines and awareness of the limitations and dangers of pharmaceutical drugs. The availability of nutraceuticals and herbal products from around the world has created a golden age of natural medicine, but has also brought widespread confusion from the overwhelming amount of information combined with marketing of products.

People are asking more about drugs and prescribed procedures; they are seeking natural alternatives, and in many cases, either reducing or eliminating their need for pharmaceutical drugs. This change is an important step toward greater health consciousness, which is linked directly to other aspects of creating a healthier society, like the increased demand for organic food that’s driving more organic agriculture.

Why are cultural medical systems inseparable from spiritual and meditative practices?

Classical medical systems such as Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, along with indigenous and shamanic uses of plants for healing, have evolved and are inseparable from the spiritual practices of their cultures. For example, Chinese medicine evolved from and with the same philosophical roots and practices as qigong and Taoist alchemy, and Ayurveda emerged from and in turn influenced yoga, tantra and Vedic philosophy.

The significance of this is that medical

practices were used both for healing the body and to support yogic and spiritual practices, and vice versa. Now we have modern scientific research confirming the health benefits of spiritual practices such as meditation and prayer, but more importantly, traditional medical systems remind us that there is an ultimate spiritual goal that is higher than mere physical health.

What is your view on the resurgence of psychedelic plant medicines for healing?

All plants have healing properties and also have potential dangers and toxicity, depending on how they are used. The psychoactive plants, specifically the entheogens (those that awaken the perception of divinity) have been used in ceremonies and mystery cults throughout history for healing conditions of body, mind and spirit, but those traditions have always been under the care of highly trained and experienced priests, priestesses and shamans. The experiences while under the influence of these plants are highly dependent on the container of the environment, the cultural mythologies, the ritual, its leaders and the other people present in the ceremony, and it can be highly unpredictable with both good and bad outcomes.

The use of these medicines at higher doses is an excellent opportunity for deep inner transformation, exploration of consciousness and appreciation of the visionary realms that are available to us, but like all intensive spiritual endeavors, requires preparation, orientation and guidance. Using these plants at lower doses, like microdosing daily with psilocybin mushrooms for treating depression and anxiety, offers great benefits for some people without the risks of the psychological, mental or emotional disruptions that can occur at higher doses.

For more information, visit CrowConsultations.com or Floracopeia.com.

Randy Kambic, in Estero, Florida, is a freelance editor and writer.

November 2021

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fit body

SACRED DANCE Moving into Divine Energy

viktoriia protsak/AdobeStock.com

by Marlaina Donato

H

eart-healthy dancing of all types is known to promote overall physical and mental health. When they are spirit-infused, forms like African, Middle Eastern, ecstatic and yoga-inspired kundalini dance offer us the opportunity to stay in shape while also fortifying the body’s intrinsic life force.

Classes in these styles of dance, which are most often conducted barefoot, draw upon a deep cultural well and include the infectious heartbeat of live accompaniment. Just about anyone can find their own blissful groove when going with the flow is the focus. “In class, I choose to emphasize the feeling more than the step itself. The goal is always to get a spiritual release,” says Darian Parker, a Brooklyn-based West African dance teacher, professor and choreographer. “I always encourage my students to privilege ‘having a good time’ over succumbing to self-criticism from not perfecting a step.”

Modern Moves, Ancient Roots There are more than 3,000 ethnic groups on the continent of Africa, and each dance style has a purpose that is defined by its unique history. In the West African tradition, dances are designed to heal the individual and from the broader perspective, restore community.

Parker, a faculty member of Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance, in Brooklyn, celebrates the culture and art of the Mande people. “In short, Mande dance trains your spirit just as much as it trains your body,” says Parker. “In many Mande cultures, the ground is thought to be the habitation of our ancestors, who are thought to animate our 24

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bodies when we dance. In this way, you can think of dance as a ritual technology that renews our connections with those who came before us.”

While an African dance class encourages high energy and joyous expression, ecstatic dance can be a portal to self-discovery and connectedness. Springboarding from ancient societies worldwide, modern ecstatic dance is freeform and hallmarked by trance or tribal beats.

“Ecstatic dance has offered me a portal to my subconscious, my spirit, my deep knowing. It’s a way to, as Gabrielle Roth, the creator of 5Rhythms, put it, ‘Get out of my head and into my body,’ and in my body there is wonderful wisdom,” explains Heidi Sheldon, a seasoned ecstatic dancer and licensed counselor in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. “Your spirit knows what to

Belly of Bliss, Heart of Light Middle Eastern dance is comprised of many dance styles—folk and tribal, classical and most widely known, belly dancing. In ancient times, the latter was practiced in rituals for fertile harvests and women’s fertility, including physical preparation for childbirth. In 2017, a pilot study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies showed that belly dance improves depressive symptoms, fatigue and quality of life in women with breast cancer.

“Belly dancing is a tantric form of dance that empowers women to release shame and accept and love themselves and their bodies just as they are. The movements open us to pleasure and sensual bliss in our very own skin. In this way, it is very healing and therapeutic,” says Banafsheh Sayyad, a Persian dance artist and founder of the Dance of Oneness Academy, in Los Angeles.

Sayyad’s movement, a fusion of Persian and Middle Eastern dance, flamenco, contemporary dance and meditative whirling, is deeply connected to an ancient feminine ethos.

As a teacher, she brings the Sama—the dervish (pronounced “darvish” in Persian) dance of the Sufis historically reserved for men—into the hands of women.“In the traditional Sama, the right arm is extended up toward the sky with the palm facing up,” she says. “The left arm is extended out with the palm facing down toward the Earth. In so doing, you transmit and emanate the light you’ve received into the world through your heart. So, this dance is about becoming a channel for light and love in the world.”

In essence, stepping into any dance class can be good for the soul. Sayyad reminds us, “Every movement and dance style, if done with the intention of surrendering one’s sense of separateness into an experience of the greater or dissolving one’s identity as a drop of water into the greater ocean of oneness, can be sacred.”

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

inspiration

The Healing Power of a Hug

by Marlaina Donato

W

hen we were children, a hug helped to take the sting out of a skinned knee or quell first-day-of-school jitters.

In adulthood, hugs are not as plentiful or practical; many people lack partners or loved ones, and the gesture—both giving and receiving—is too often labeled as sentimentality. As we continue to move through life with pandemic restrictions, hugs can feel risky at a time when we need them the most.

A hug elicits a powerful shot of neurotransmitters like oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine, and we don’t necessarily need another human to reap the benefits. Wrapping our arms around a breeze-swept tree in the backyard or on a hiking trail can lower heart rate and set our brains abuzz with feel-good endorphins.

Earlier this year, the forestry service in Iceland invited people to cuddle up to trees to offset COVID-19 isolation and get in a good dose of forest bathing. Scientific research, including a study from Carnegie Mellon University, backs what unapologetic huggers have always known: Even the most casual embrace can help to lower stress, boost immunity and promote a better night’s sleep.

Cuddling up with a stuffed animal is a part of everyday life for 43 percent of American adults, with men taking the lead. Befriending a plush toy is part of some trauma recovery programs and has a soothing effect on those navigating the dark waters of grief, loss and chronic anxiety. Snuggling up under a warm, weighted blanket is also akin to a hug, and has benefits much like the real thing.

Holding and being held strengthens the body’s defense systems, as well as romantic partnerships, friendships and our relationship with ourselves. Opening our arms can foster the spiritual discipline of not only giving, but receiving—a vital requirement in self-care. In a time of chaotic uncertainty, isolation and change, hugs can be medicine; they can also be a powerful metaphor and reminder to remain open, willing and beautifully human. jason stitt/AdobeStock.com

do when it hears and feels the rhythms.

You just need to allow your body to follow.”

Marlaina Donato is a mind-body-spirit author and recording artist. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

November 2021

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calendar of events

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18

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.

13th Annual Yough Defense Party – 1pm. By Youghiogheny Riverkeeper and Mountain Watershed Association at Falls City Pub. Raffle begins 1 Sept. Prizes include whitewater kayak, fishing kayak, SUP board, canoe, dry suit. Only 250 tickets sold. Winner announced at event. Live music, silent auction, local artisans, potluck dinner. $15. Falls City Pub, Garret St, Ohiopyle. Info: MtWatershed. com. Tickets/raffle tickets: mtWatershed.com.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Bug Out Bag 101 – 5:30-8:30pm. Hosted by Dr. Lillian Ronzio School of Holistic Health. In this first class for the new survival series, make and take home an emergency disaster survival kit (value over $150) to get you through the first 72 hours of an evacuation. $199. Tickets at RonzioSchool.com.

724-603-2444.

Annual Art Show at Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh – 6-10pm. Free admission, food, and wine.

Support local artists. 300 Beverly Rd. 412-344-7434.

Sacred Sounds Level I: Sound Bath & Body Work – Nov 19-20. 6-9pm, Fri; 11am-5pm, Sun. Hosted by Dr. Lillian Ronzio School of Holistic Health and Sacred Centered You. An alternative requirement for both Certified Holistic Energy Practitioner and the Certified Holistic Health Practitioner programs. Must have completed Introduction to Sacred Sounds. $250/8-hour course split over two days. Register by Nov 14. Ronzio School, 275 Pleasant Valley Rd, Connellsville. 724-603-2444.

Pete Pasqua and Mary Dewitt Live Art Sale – 6:30pm. Live online event by Uniontown Art Club.

Unique wood carvings and vinyl art by Pete Pasqua and stained glass by Mary Dewitt. To participate, comment of the Uniontown Art Club Facebook page. Info on Facebook page. Gallery 86, 86 West Main St, Uniontown, PA.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Vintage Holiday Market – Nov 6-7. 8am-4pm, Sat; 10am-2pm, Sun. Hosts Reclaimed by Ramsey and Marianne Robosky Houck open their 5000 sq-ft 100-year-old barn for this two-day vintage event.

Free parking, additional parking and shuttle at Norwin Alliance Church. Vintage Holiday Market, 1983 Clay Pike, Irwin.

Reiki Class and Attunement Certification Levels I & II – Nov 6-7. 10am-3pm, Sat; 10am-2pm, Sun. Hosted by The Millvale House and Back to the Earth Healing Center, with Rebecca Bloom, RMT. Reiki I and II attunement processes unlock awareness of your connection with your divinity. $450.

Light fare, snacks, water, tea provided. Register: 412-821-2265.

Pittsburgh Vegan Expo-Holiday Festival – 11am5pm. Event by Sundae at Monroeville Mall. Family friendly. $5/door. Kids/free. Vendors and exhibitors. 209 Mall Blvd, Monroeville. Info PittsburghVegan.com.

Pittsburgh Art Jam Masquerade Party – 6-11pm.

By The Sleeping Octopus Events. Local artists create and converse with one another in an outlet where their work can be seen. Child-friendly. Ticket links to be announced. The Sleeping Ocotpus, aka the Yingling Mansion, 1300 Wood St, Wilkinsburg, PA. Pittsburgh Poetry Society Reading – 7-9pm. Free event by Riverstone Books. Come enjoy an evening of poetry. Tickets at Eventbrite. Riverstone Books, 5825 Forbes Ave. 412-366-1001.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Sacred Sounds at the Salt Cave – 4-5pm. By Sacred Centered You and Salt of the Earth. Join Leza for a relaxing and powerful meditative experience of vibrational sound healing in the restorative Himalayan salt cave. $45. Tickets: Clients.MindBodyOnline.com/classic/ws. Salt of the Earth, 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray. 724-260-0472.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Webinar: Fall and Winter Gardening for Wildlife – 5-5:45pm. Free online class by Allegheny Land Trust. Register at Facebook page. Learn tips

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20 and tricks on creating a winter backyard habitat.

412-741-2750. AlleghenyLandTrust.org.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Veterans Day Multi-Artist Live Art Sale – 6:30pm. 30pm Live Online event by Uniontown Art Club. Featuring local artist’s unique carvings, pottery, paintings and more. To participate, comment of the Uniontown Art Club Facebook page.

Info on Facebook page. Gallery 86, 86 West Main St, Uniontown, PA.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Guided Meditation with Reiki in the Salt Cave – 4-4:50pm. Gain deep inner awareness, personal presence, and inner peace in the serene atmosphere of the salt cave, followed by group reiki healing.

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

724-260-0472. Tickets: SaltOfTheEarthpgh.com.

2021 Pittsburgh Pet Expo – Nov 12-14. 5-9pm, Fri; 10am-8pm, Sat; 10am-5pm, Sun. By Healthy Pet Products at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. $5-$10. Family friendly with more than 200 exhibits of products and services for every genus of animal. Info: pghpetexpo.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Community Through Making – 10-11:30am.

Free online event by Carlow University. Sister Mary Paul Educator Workshop Series. Learn to Assemble with Nina Marie Barbuto. Assemble is a community space for arts and technology in the Garfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh. It envisions diverse neighborhoods of empowered people who create, connect, learn and transform together. Assemble builds confidence through making by uniting communities of artists, technologists, makers, and learners. Register at Eventbrite.com.

Refresh and Renew! – All day event by Love En Light and OMBody. Receive three 30-minute sessions for reiki, reflexology, and intuitive reading.

Get yourself ready to dedicate your energy to holiday gatherings and duties. $155. No walk-ins. Tickets: Schedulicity.com or call Leann: 724-434-4890.

NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com

Rock, Gem, and Mineral Show and Featured Readers – Nov 20-21. 9am-4pm, Sat; 10am-4pm, Sun. East Huntingdon VFD, 120 Fire Department Rd, Tarrs, PA. By Gemsbymail.com.

Mini Retreat with Lady Bec & Gypsy Soul Nicole – 9am-5pm. By The Space GBG, Becca Corvin, and Nicole Lea Craig. Bring snacks, a journal, yoga mat.

Optional 9am yoga class. $175. 203 Old Route 30, Greensburg. Tickets: Ladybec.com/MiniRetreats.

Scenery Hill Christmas Market & Light Up Night – 5-9pm. Also Nov 27. Free event hosted by Scenery Hill PA. Quaint village hosts the perfect Christmas Market and annual tree lighting with vendors, home-made goods, fire pit, heated tent, and children’s activities – Santa. 2183 E National Pike, Scenery Hill.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21 Asana Rhythms – 9:30-10:30am. By Visions Reiki & Soul Spa. A moving yoga asana class to the live drumming of Karen Romano. 206 Alexander Ave, Strabane. Info: 724-745-1785.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27 Small Business Saturday – Appalachian Creativity Center – 9am-7pm. Support local artists and small business owners. Beautiful hand-crafted gifts. Kid friendly. Gift certificates for classes available. 139 West Crawford Ave, Connellsville.

724-208-1746.

Small Business Saturday – Uniontown Art Club – 10am-5pm. Join at Gallery 86 to find a wide variety of unique handcrafted items for holiday decorating and gifting. Support our non-profit club and local artists. Products range from paintings to photography, leathercrafts, carvings, pottery and more. Custom orders accepted. 86 West Main St, Uniontown, PA. Light-Up Wooden Advent Calendar Class – 1-3pm. By Appalachian Creativity Center. Create lighted wooden advent calendar with large numbered boxes. $30/person. 139 West Crawford Ave, Connellsville. Reservations required. 724208-1746.

Reiki and Restorative Yoga – 6-6:45pm & 7-7:45pm. $15/drop-ins, $40/four-class pass.

Visions Reiki & Soul Spa, 206 Alexander Ave, Strabane. 724-745-1785.

Guiding Light: An Empath Assembly – 6:30-8pm.

Free online event hosted by Sacred Centered You. Calling all lightworkers, empaths, and high vibrating souls. Join their monthly assembly to share space. Register: SacredCenteredYou.com/events.

ongoing events

sunday Heartfulness Meditation – 11am-noon. 1st Sun. Hosted by Heartfulness Pittsburgh. Age 15+. Guided relaxation and meditation for ages 15 and up. Learn the basics of heartfulness and how it can benefit you.

Be casual. Free. Winchester Thurston Lower School in Shadyside, Rm 202. Info: Heartfulness.org.

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.

Tickets at Eventbrite. 206 Alexander Ave, Strabane.

724-745-1785.

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 Vinyasa Flow Yoga – 10-11am. With Jill Sansome, hosted by Visions Reiki & Soul Spa. Vinyasa connects the breath with movement with focus on building strength, flexibility, and balance. $15/ dropins, $40/four-class pass. 206 Alexander Ave, Strabane. 724-745-1785.

Military Share Pittsburgh Food Distribution – Noon-2pm. Various Mondays – check schedule.

Hosted by Veterans Leadership Program in partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Food distribution for Veterans and Military Families in need. Fresh produce, shelf stable goods.

No-contact pickup. No sign-up or RSVP. 2934 Smallman St. 412-481-8200 ext 221.

1 Hood Power Hour – 7-8pm. A virtual forum hosted by 1 Hood Power to discuss all things political in SWPA and beyond. A virtual public affairs forum featuring elected officials, policymakers and thought leaders. 617-517-7600. Facebook. com/1HoodPower.

tuesday Managing Career Transition and Life During Uncertain Times – Noon-1pm. Online event by The Salon – a Female-Forward Space to Gather and Grow. $10. Tickets at Eventbrite. TheSalonPGH.com.

Family Night at the Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh – 6-9pm. 2nd Tue. Hosted by Hofbrauhaus. Kids eat free with each adult entrée purchase. 2705 S Water St. 412-224-2328.

Online Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Hosted by WVU Collegiate Recovery. All skill-levels welcome. A password is required, but anyone can join! Free.

Email Olivia.pape@mail.wvu.edu to get the code.

Morgantown, WV. WVBG.org Preregistration required at Forms.donorsnap.com.

The Salty Core – 7-8pm. 4th Tue. Hosted by Salt of the Earth and Valleybrook Pilates & Fitness. Pilates in the Cave to lengthen and expand muscles for a leaner, stronger you. Incorporate breath, stretch, and strengthening. Open to all levels. 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray, PA. Tickets: SaltOfTheEarthpgh.com.

wednesday Yoga for Wellbeing – 8:30-9:30am. Wellbeing Solutions hosts in-person (limit 4) or online to harmonize body, mind, spirit, and breath with your dedication to attendance. Colleen Harshbarger, ERYT-500 and MS in Exercise Science Biomechanics, provides alignment-based instruction. All levels. $8. 304-508-2398. Wellbeingwv.com.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga – 10-11am. With Jill Sansome, hosted by Visions Reiki & Soul Spa. Vinyasa connects the breath with movement with focus on building strength, flexibility, and balance. $15/dropins, $40/ four-class pass. 206 Alexander Ave, Strabane. 724-7451785. Register; VisionsReikiSoulAndSpa.com/yoga.

Children’s Fine Art Classes – 5:30-6:30pm.

Hosted by Arty by April Ryan, Thistledown Boutique. Kids learn basic art techniques starting in charcoal and progressing to acrylic painting. Get kids off the screen and into hands-on creativity. $20/ class plus supplies. 151 S Main St, Washington, PA. 724-470-3775.

Wild Wednesday: Virtual Live Animal Encounter – 1:30-2pm. Online event hosted by Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Join museum educators via Zoom to meet members of the museum’s living collection. Each week is unique! $10/household ($5/ members). 412-622-3131. Register at Carnegiemnh. org/explore/live-animal-encounters/.

Yoga for Wellbeing – 5:30-6:30pm. Wellbeing Solutions hosts in-person (limit 4) or online to harmonize body, mind, spirit, and breath with your dedication to attendance. Colleen Harshbarger, ERYT-500 and MS in Exercise Science Biomechanics, provides alignment-based instruction. All levels. $8. 304-508-2398. Wellbeingwv.com.

Gentle Flow Yoga – 5:30-6:30pm With Jill Sansome, hosted by Visions Reiki & Soul Spa. Gentle Flow is slow yoga that is great for all levels. Encourages movement, mindfulness, breath control, and holding poses. $15/dropins, $40/four-class pass. 206 Alexander Ave, Strabane. 724-745-1785. Register: VisionsReikiSoulAndSpa.com/yoga.

GREEN IS SEEN when you advertise with us.

724-271-8877

November 2021

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Learn to Draw Zentangle – 6:30-8pm. 1st & 3rd Wed. Online hosted by Monroeville Public Library.

Zentangle is a meditative, relaxing, fun method of pattern drawing. Classes are in conjunction with Zentanglers in Pittsburgh meet-up group. To participate, go to Meetup.com, register to become a member, then RSVP to the class you want to attend. Zoom link provided upon RSVP. Monroeville Public Library: 412-372-0500.

Reiki Share – Thru Dec. 6:30-9pm. 2nd Wed. Hosted by Visons Reiki and Soul Spa. Donations from the heart accepted when you register at Eventbrite. All levels welcome. Experience the healing, high vibrations, joy and fellowship of this informal event. 206 Alexander Ave, Strabane. 724-745-1785.

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 Street, Morgantown, West Virginia.

304-292-3359.

Zoom Family Storytime – 10:30-11am. Free online event hosted by C.C. Mellor Memorial Library. 1 Pennwood Ave. 412-731-0909. Tickets via Eventbrite.

Yoga – 10-11:30am. With Nancy Micheals. A series designed to focus on specific areas of the body to strengthen and stretch muscles. Classes will help participants build strength, balance the body’s system, increase body awareness, and increase energy while learning specific postures.

CDC guidelines observed. YWCA Westmoreland County, 424 N Main St, Greensburg. 724-834-9390.

Info@ywcawestmoreland.org. ywcawestmoreland. org/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/YWCA-Fall2020-Classes-and-Workshop-Insert.pdf.

Wellbeing Solutions Webinars – Noon-1pm. 2nd & 4th Thur. Self-Care as Healthcare with BoardCertified Health and Wellness Coach and Yoga teacher Colleen Harshbarger and Natalie Geary, MD and Ayurveda Therapist. COVID rate: $25 1st (trial class); $40/thereafter. 4-pack: $150; 8-pack: $280.

12-pack: $399 includes one-year Wellness Inventory subscription ($49.95 value). On-demand times for groups. 304-508-2398. Info/register: Wellbingwv. com/webinars.

Gentle Flow Yoga – 4-5pm. With Jill Sansome, hosted by Visions Reiki & Soul Spa. Gentle Flow

#Unblurred: First Friday Art Crawl by Green Mountain Energy – 2-10pm. Hosted by Penn Avenue Arts & Commercial District. Monthly art and entertainment crawl on the first Friday of every month. Stroll Penn Ave from the 4800 to the 5500 block to meet artists and local business owners. Family friendly mix of every form of art.

412-441-6950.

saturday is slow yoga - great for all levels. Encourages movement, mindfulness, breath control, and holding poses. $15/drop-in, $40/four-class pass. 206 Alexander Ave, Strabane. 724-745-1785. VisionsReikiSoulAndSpa.com/yoga.

Group Meditation and Reiki Virtual Healing – 7-9pm. Last Thurs of the month. Online event by Prana-Veda Studio and Victoria Zaitz. Virtual group energy healing with reiki and shamanic techniques.

In-depth guided meditation followed by distance work. $25. 412-390-5245. Tickets: Vagaro.com/ pranaveda/classes.

friday 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.

Write Now! – 10am-noon. Zoom Writer’s Group hosted by Sewickley Public Library. Participants enjoy writing from prompts in an encouraging and supportive atmosphere. Register: us02web.zoom. us. SewickleyLibrary.org.

Bakery Square Toastmasters Weekly Meeting – Noon. Online event hosted by Bakery Square Toastmasters. Practice public speaking, improve communications, and build leadership skills. People from diverse backgrounds find a warm, supportive group that shares your goals. Visit BakerySquareToastmasters.com for login info.

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.

Gentle Flow Yoga – 8:30-9:30am. With Jill Sansome, hosted by Visions Reiki & Soul Spa at Chartiers Park. Gentle Flow is slow yoga that is great for all levels. Encourages movement, mindfulness, breath control, and holding poses. $15/dropins, $40/four-class pass. 724-745-1785. Register: VisionsReikiSoulAndSpa.com/yoga.

Pittsburgh Nature Photography Weekly Walks – Thru Dec 18. By Global Photography School and WDO Photography LLC. Free weekly nature photography walk, all ages, all skills, all equipment – including cell phone. Family friendly. Location/ info/register: GlobalPhotoschool.com.

Loving Myself First: Personal Development Series – 10-11am. 2nd Sat. Free online event hosted by Visions 2020 LLC. Learn real life principles to improve and maximize your personal and professional life. Tickets at Eventbrite.

412-376-2110.

Watercolor Workshops – 10-11am. 1st and 3rd Sat. Hosted by April Ryan and Thistledown Boutique. $25 includes materials, $20 bring your own. Learn basic drawing and watercolor techniques. 151 S Main St, Washington, PA. 724-470-3775. Tickets: Paypal.com/paypalme/ArtbyAprilRyan.

Community Market Days – Thru Dec 18. 10am2pm. Hosted by Bedner’s Farm and Greenhouse.

Variety of family activities with local goods, guest vendors, food trucks, live music, U-pick, wine and beer tastings, cooking workshops, gardening workshops, DIY and children’s’ activities. Rain or shine.

Ryan Smith: Ryan@BednersGreenhouse.com.

Morgantown Farmer’s Market – Thru Nov 13.

8:30am-noon. Hosted by WVU Monongalia County Extension Service. Seasonal produce, honey, jams, flours, meats, eggs, bread, baked goods, plants, and more within a 50-mile radius of Morgantown.

SNAP, Apple Pay, Credit cards. COVID precautions, please! Well behaved, leashed dogs welcome.

Some vendors offering pre-ordering at MorgantownFarmersMarket.org/shop.htm. 400 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV.

coming in the december holiday issue

Boosting Immune System plus: Uplifting Humanity

28

Pittsburgh, PA

NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com

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 NATA23. 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 29 November 2021

Copper can stop a cold before it starts

S

community resource guide

WELLNESS WARRIOR COACH

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.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES

305 Jefferson Ave, Moundsville, WV 304-506-3585 • Dr.Carol@Remedies.com AlternativeRemediesOnline.com Dr. Carol offers a personalized holistic approach to your health concerns through nutrition, supplements, exercise, cellular spa treatments, homeopathy and self-help classes. Twenty years of experience in naturally supporting the body, her specialties are digestive health, women and children, and gluten-free living. Health memberships and video conferencing available.

ASTROLOGY SUN CONFLICT SOLUTIONS

Pittsburgh, PA and Online 412-897-0809 • Anjalisoi.com/astrology Evolutionary Astrology allows you to uncover your deep unconscious desires and align with the cycle of death and rebirth in your life.

Ensure your correct karma and life lessons manifest in an abundant way and find meaning and perspective of the experiences in your life.

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 13.

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 4.

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 4.

HEALTH COACH COTERIE

Calli Tony, CPT 139 W Crawford Ave, Connellsville 724-562-0682 • CalliTonycpt.com Calli is the founder of Coterie and Calli Tony CPT. She is an intuitive healer, specializing in mindset and movement. At her foundation she is a Certified Personal Trainer and Holistic Health Coach, who is deeply passionate about embodiment practices.

In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways and they’re still beautiful. ~Alice Walker 30

Pittsburgh, PA

NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com

Steve Manns, PHC2, CPT Monroeville and Online 724-516-2244 • WellnessWarrior.Coach Steve offers guidance for a healthy body, a clear and focused brain, and a sense of true well-being, even in midlife. We work on optimizing deep nutrition, sleep, movement and play.

He is passionate about helping you to reconnect with a better you through education, coaching and accountability.

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.

THE KEFIR CHICKS

Connellsville, PA TheKefirChicks.com TheKefirChicks@gmail.com Facebook.com/TheKefirChicks 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 11.

HERBS 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 1215 B 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 4.

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE APPALACHIA CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS, PC

Travis D Horne, DC • Gi Ming ‘‘Lili’’ Chan, ND 20120 Route 19, Ste 202, Cranberry Twp, PA 724-553-5312 • AppalachiaChiropractic.com Best of natural medicine – combining both chiropractic and naturopathic care. We provide integrative and individualized care to the community where patients feel heard and truly cared for. We offer manipulation, sports medicine, nutrition, herbal, homeopathy and hydrotherapy.

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.

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 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. See ad, page 23.

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.

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

November 2021

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