EE R F
HEALTHY
LIVING
HEALTHY
PLANET
JOYFUL GIVING How Generosity Transforms Us
WasteFree Feasts How to Reduce Holiday Food Waste
The Evolution of Community
Gathering to Make a Difference
December 2019 | Pittsburgh, PA Edition | naturalawakeningsswpa.com December 2019
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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET
PITTSBURGH, PA EDITION PUBLISHER Michelle Dalnoky EDITOR Martin Miron CALENDAR EDITOR Sara Peterson AD DESIGNER Zina Cochran DESIGN & PRODUCTION C. Michele Rose SALES & MARKETING Michelle Dalnoky Lisa Doyle
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letter from publisher
W
e certainly have been having a wonderful autumn as the beauty of Mother Nature
con-tinues her carousel of the changing which I love. We seasons, have gone through the amazing, vibrant colors of fall leaves and final harvest of our gardens and farms, and now the white of the snow and colder temperatures are prompting us to prepare for winter. The holiday season is always the best time of year to share community, and that is reflected in our main article this month, “The Emerging Power of ‘We’”. Community is something that I think about a lot and have always loved to observe in different cultures and people. When I travel, I am always interested in expressions of community. When I was young, everyone walked much more and would run in to friends and neighbors to chat. Now we tend to drive most places and may not even notice the people walking by. Back in the day, we knew every family in every house on our street. Now we only know a couple of people, and the rest remain complete strangers. We do have digital communication that has enabled us to keep in much closer contact with distant friends and family, which is such a good thing. I have family in Germany, and we enjoy much more contact online. I have spent a lot of time in Germany, and they are definitely more “we” minded. They feel responsibility for creating a better community in very notable ways, like accepting to pay taxes for the greater good of everyone. They appreciate the balance that society has when everyone has access to health care and fewer people are homeless or hungry. Everyone there participates in cleaning the streets and sidewalks, and renters in apartment buildings take turns cleaning common areas such as stairwells and even planting flowers. People have been shopping with reusable shopping bags there for many years and if you need a bag, you’ll have to buy it. If you go to a café, you’ll drink your coffee in a regular coffee mug and have to ask for a disposable if you want one, and you’ll probably get a dirty look to go along with it. Anything disposable is discouraged. Since WWII, every neighborhood has a recycling area with multiple bins for glass, plastic and paper. It’s just how things are done for the greater good of all; for society, for children and for the planet. Every time we dispose of waste properly, conserve water, refuse a plastic drinking straw or bring our own shopping bag to the store, we are taking care of our planet and our fellow human beings. I am encouraged by the sense of community in Pittsburgh, and as we approach the holidays, I remember that we all want and deserve the same things. No matter what religion, race, culture or socioeconomic status, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and kindness. I am always grateful for the opportunity to support and love a fellow human being; that is a gift for me. Gifts like this are all around us, and they make me the most grateful. Let’s take care of our community and our planet; it’s good for the soul.
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Michelle Dalnoky, Publisher
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Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 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 10 WASTE-FREE FEASTING How to Reduce Holiday Food Waste
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11 412 FOOD RESCUE Decreasing Food Waste is Just the Beginning
12 THE MERRY VEGAN
People-Pleasing Holiday Sweets
16 THE EMERGING POWER OF ‘WE’
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Awakening to the Evolution of Community
18 BEING THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
20 INHALING THE JOY OF LIFE Conscious Breathwork
22 REFRESH HOLIDAY
TRADITIONS
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Making the Old New and Green
ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 724-271-8877 or email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@ NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com. Deadline: 10th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Publisher@NaturalAwakenings SWPA.com or visit NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.
24 PERFECT PET PRESENTS Safe and Eco-Smart Toys
25 THE GENEROUS HEART How Giving Transforms Us
DEPARTMENTS 4 news briefs 6 health briefs 8 therapy brief 9 global briefs 10 green living 11 nonprofit spotlight 12 conscious eating
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fit body healthy kids natural pet inspiration calendar classifieds resource guide December 2019
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news briefs
Talent Wanted for Innovate Game Show
G
ame Time! a new initiative from the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, has begun casting for the interactive, team-based live game show that will launch in Spring 2020 in the Cultural District involving large-format games, high-energy entertainment and larger-than-life host personalities. Game Time! offers an unprecedented opportunity for physical activity, competition and fun, inspired by nostalgic activities such as mini golf, fishing and board games. Pittsburgh’s first locally produced game show employs challenges like escape rooms and bar trivia to a new level by adding an audience, team-based competition and the chance to win a grand prize. The program features a soundscape by DJ Inception, an inflatable pool, pink pirate ships, a hamster cage and a large rubber duck, Game Time!’s lineup of games promises a night of challenge and high-energy entertainment unlike anything experienced before. In addition to a charismatic host, prospective contestants need to submit video links, and four finalists will each be invited to host one of four, 30-minute versions of Game Time! at Highmark First Night Pittsburgh, in the Cultural District, on New Year’s Eve with a live audience. Participants will be compensated for their time and energy that night. The grand prize winner will be notified within two weeks of the new year. To apply, visit TrustArts.org/GameTime.
Pittsburgh Opera Hosts Brown Bag Series
D
uring a Brown Bag concert, audients bring the snacks and the Pittsburgh Opera provides the entertainment. Once a month during the season, Pittsburghers and visitors of all ages may enjoy intimate noontime concerts. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Resident artists perform some of opera’s most popular arias, as well as a mix of Broadway, musical theater and other surprises. These concerts are a wonderful opportunity for an informal introduction to opera. Guests can even meet the performers after the show. Brown Bag concerts are scheduled on December 14, January 4, 2020, February 8, 2020, March 7, 2020 and April 4, 2020.
Admission is free. Location: 2425 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. For more information, call 412-281-0912 or visit PittsburghOpera.org. 4
Pittsburgh, PA
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Beat Back Cancer Naturally
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r. Dominic Brandy, owner of nonprofit Natural Insights into Cancer, LLC, who is thriving with multiple myeloma, has written a book, Beat Back Cancer Naturally, based on five scientifically proven ways that require patients to first get educated, make a plan and gain a feeling of empowerment over cancer to not only survive, Dr. Dominic Brandy but thrive. The steps are: adopt a whole food, plant-based diet; learn about the more than 25,000 phytonutrients in foods and herbs; engage in the activity that cancer hates; discover the biologic act that enhances genetic repair; and incorporate behaviors that will transform the stress of life. Brandy has practiced anti-aging and aesthetic medicine for more than 38 years, written a book, Head Start, as well as more than 70 articles in the scientific literature and many consumer articles, and addressed physicians at more than 200 conferences. Location: 406 Heights Dr., Gibsonia, PA. For more information, call 412-979-5318 or visit NaturalInsightsIntoCancer.com.
December 2019
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Maintain a Healthy Diet and Weight to Lower Cataract Risk A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition used adherence to dietary guidelines and total diet scores to assess the effects of diet on cataract risk. The researchers followed 2,173 older Australians for five and 10 years in two phases. They found that maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI) of less than 25, combined with a healthy diet, reduced the risk of developing cataracts.
Eat a Better Diet to Improve Gut Bacteria Researchers at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center tested stool samples of 858 men and 877 women in Los Angeles and Hawaii with a mean age of 69—regarded as an ethnically diverse study population with varied food intakes. The study found that those with higher quality diets also had significantly better gut bacteria diversity, a factor linked to reduced risk for a variety of diseases. Diet quality and a reduced risk of developing chronic disease is strongly associated with fecal microbial diversity. 6
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New research offers potential paths for treatment for the nearly 20 percent of patients with high blood pressure that don’t respond well to medications. University of Florida College of Medicine researchers, testing 105 volunteers, found that the populations of gut bacteria differed between hypertensive individuals with depression and those without depression. A second study by Italian researchers found that patients with heart attacks had different bacteria in their guts than patients with stable angina.
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Researchers followed more than 36,000 Japanese men older than 40 for an average of 13.2 years. They found that those that consumed culinary mushrooms three times a week had a 17 percent lower chance of developing prostate cancer compared to those that ate mushrooms less than once a week. Participants that ate mushrooms once or twice a week had an 8 percent lower risk. The trend was even greater for those men over the age of 50 and was unrelated to other dietary habits.
SK Design/Shutterstock.com
Eat Mushrooms to Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer
Reduce Blood Pressure and Heart Attacks With Better Gut Bacteria
Train Students in Mindfulness to Reduce Stress and Improve Grades Sixth-graders that received mindfulness training each day for eight weeks experienced lower stress levels, less depression and improved academic performance compared to their peers in a control group that studied computer coding, report Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers. In addition to that 100-student study, researchers surveyed 2,000 students in grades five through eight and found those that showed more mindfulness tended to have better grades and test scores. They also had fewer absences and suspensions.
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health briefs
Ease and Convenience of At-Home Health Tests The public can check many health aspects at home in an easy and highly convenient way without going to a doctor’s office. LetsGetChecked, based in Dublin, Ireland, and New York City, provides comprehensive, at-home health testing along with complementary clinical services and connections with a global network of regulated laboratories, enabling users to take more active roles in their health and decision making. After obtaining a testing kit online or from a selected pharmacy, customers selfcollect a blood, saliva or urine sample with a kit-provided lancet and send it to an affiliated lab—all Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-approved and College of American Pathologists-accredited—using a pre-paid label. Most will receive a call from the company’s nursing team with results a few days later, which are also posted in their LetsGetChecked account. Thirty separate kits—grouped in men’s, women’s and sexual health plus wellness—can check for sexually transmitted diseases; some cancers; thyroid function; vitamin, cholesterol and hormonal levels; and more. Since its founding in 2014, the company has performed more than 250,000 tests. CB Insights, a leading private company research and analysis firm, named LetsGetChecked to its inaugural Digital Health 150 list in October. For more information or to register, visit LetsGetChecked.com. Natural Awakenings readers can receive 20 percent off their order by using discount code NASSWPA20. See ad, page 14. ADVERTORIAL
Make your community a little GREENER…
Support our advertisers. For every $100 spent in locally owned business, $68 returns to the community. source: the350project.net
December 2019
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health briefs
Organic Hair Products Offer Good Looks Without the Risk Small changes can have a big impact, especially with our health, and now there are options to not only feel our best, but to look it, too. On average, women use 12 hair and beauty products and are exposed to roughly 68 unique chemicals per day. According to the Environmental Working Group, one of every 13 women are exposed to a known or suspected carcinogen every day, as well as one out of every 23 men. Combined, that’s 12.2 million adults. Many of the ingredients in U.S. products, such as anything ending with paraben—propylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben—have been banned in Europe and other countries because scientific studies suggest they could be linked to cancer, reproductive harm and neurotoxicity. With more consumers becoming aware of their exposure to these types of toxins, there has been a push for more wholistic alternatives. Organic Way (Oway) is the first of its kind in professional organic hair color, care and styling, made with biodynamic, organic and fair trade ingredients. Their color line is completely ammonia- and paraphenylenediamine -free, which is a common allergen. By using organic products, we reduce exposure to these unnecessary toxins and repair hair at the same time. For many people that have allergies or sensitivities to traditional beauty products, Oway has been an option for them to experience salon and at-home products without reaction. Not only does it provide exceptional results, but it helps to improve their hair’s moisture and texture, actually making it healthier after a treatment.”
Kelly Miller is the owner of Be Pure Organic Salon. Located at 8238 Ohio River Blvd., in Emsworth, PA. For more information, call 412-761-7873 or visit BePureSalon.com
therapy brief
Contact Reflex Analysis Contact reflex analysis (CRA), developed by Dr. Dick Versendaal more than 40 years ago, addresses a chronic medical condition, an emotion that won’t resolve or a desire to have vitality in an increasingly unhealthy world of drugs and surgery. In combating a feeling of hopelessness by using the body’s own reflexes and kinesiology to determine an assessment pattern, much can be learned about the imbalances that have led to weakness and ill health. He says, “Teach people how to manage their health, not their disease, so they will achieve much more!” The body is a miracle, and is fully capable of healing itself. The default setting is full health. We must uncover any imbalances and apply a simple plan to re-establish balance. The three basic reflexes, or doorways into the discovery of the body, are emotional, biochemical and structural. When these three corners of the triangle are in balance, health is achieved. CRA analysis helps determine which one is running too fast, running too slow, or is blocked. The CRA practitioner “asks the body” or tests the reflexes for the first priority or primary, followed by the secondary and tertiary answers that will begin to bring balance and health to a situation. Versendaal calls a stuck emotion that is causing ill health a broken heart. He describes the heart is the queen bee that will take an energy hit when something unexpected or painful happens. Even a severe injury can lock the heart into an emotion. The tools for returning balance can be the use of a specific supplement, essential oil combination or a chiropractic adjustment. All these tools can unlock a blockage or interference of the body’s default setting of vitality and health. Some people use CRA as a way to remain healthy and avoid the road to chronic disease, while some seek an answer to a longstanding condition.
Dr. William Howrilla, a chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner, practices at multiple locations in Pittsburgh and SW PA. For appointments and more information, call 412 445-3168 or visit YourHealthInvestigator.com. See ad, page 19. 8
Pittsburgh, PA
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global briefs
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Heave Ho
Cruise Line Abandons Plastic Bottles
As a result of its partnership with Just Goods, Inc., the Norwegian Cruise Line will replace single-use plastic bottles across its fleet by January 1, 2020, beginning with the Norwegian Encore. The company’s ships will feature JUST, which is 100 percent spring water in a plant-based carton made of 82 percent renewable materials from trees grown in responsibly managed forests. The cap and shoulder are made from a sugarcane-based plastic. It’s refillable and recyclable. Just Goods, located in Glen Falls, New York, has a global presence with bottling facilities in New York, Northern Ireland and Australia, allowing the company to meet demand around the world without shipping water from a single production source. It plans to replace more than 6 million single-use plastic bottles every year. CEO Ira Laufer says, “The company is pushing the boundaries of what’s always been done because it knows we all need to do better.”
Lung Relief
Biosolar Leaf Purifies Air in London
A 2016 study at the University of British Columbia revealed that air pollution is the fourthleading cause of death worldwide, with at least 5.5 million air pollution-related fatalities every year. A new cultivation system developed by researchers from Imperial College London collaborating with the startup Arborea have created the world’s first Biosolar Leaf technology to purify and improve the air in London. They hope it’ll boost environmental outcomes not only in the UK, but all over the world. The process works by purifying the air through photosynthesis of microscopic plants, which removes the greenhouse gases from the environment and generates breathable oxygen at the same time. The startup’s innovative cultivation system can facilitate the growth of microalgae, phytoplankton and diatoms on large, solar panel-like structures that can be installed on buildings and other infrastructure to improve the quality of the atmosphere. Arborea’s cultivation system also creates a sustainable source of organic biomass from which nutritious food additives can be extracted for plant-based food.
December 2019
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Waste-Free Feasting How to Reduce Holiday Food Waste by Yvette C. Hammett
T
he heaping platters that cheerfully mark the holidays have an unfortunate downside: Americans increase their waste by 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The discarded food and packaging burden landfills with an additional 1 million tons of waste each week. That’s in addition to the 40 percent of food Americans typically waste each year— nearly half of all the food prepared at home or in restaurants. Monica McBride, senior manager of food loss and waste for the World Wildlife Fund, notes that squandered bounty is grown in areas that were converted from natural habitat into farm fields, so it’s also a waste of natural resources. “Once you start cooking, you realize the impact on the planet,” says chef and caterer Steven Laurence, owner of Vegan Commissary, in Philadelphia. “My grandmother was the kind of person who, if there was one pea left over, she put it in a container and someone ate it the next day. That kind of informs my cooking. The way I was trained, you didn’t waste anything. You used everything.” In individual households, small changes can have a big impact, especially 10
Pittsburgh, PA
during the holidays; all it takes is awareness and a plan. Frugal cooks can make room for a holiday waste reduction strategy by taking inventory of the pantry and boxing up a load for the local soup kitchen or food bank. Then, design a menu with the environment in mind, using portion control to avoid food waste and whipping up dishes that can easily be upcycled into new creations that can be used as appetizers in the coming days or tucked in the freezer for future enjoyment. Start with the Guest-imator at SaveTheFood.com, a great way to determine portions for a holiday party, says Cheryl Coleman, director of the EPA Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division in the Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery. The Guest-imator and Save the Food, a program of the Natural Resources Defense Council in conjunction with the Ad Council, tells cooks how much to make to keep guests happy and includes recipes for leftovers, such as Crispy Sheet Pan Hash, made with leftover roasted vegetables, and Ugly Vegetable Pasta, made with zucchini, tomatoes and eggplant. Spoilage is another way food finds its way into the garbage can, and that too, can be avoided, Laurence says, pointing out that
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most food goes bad because it’s not cooked properly or is mishandled in storage. “Mix animal protein with starches and grains in a container and it goes bad because of two different sorts of enzymes. It is a fuel for bacteria.” He also recommends using as many organic ingredients as possible for longer-lasting leftovers. “We guarantee all of our dishes for two weeks,” he says. Encouraging visitors to take home leftovers is another effective food-saving strategy, says McBride. “Have Tupperware or to-go boxes you could provide to your guests.” Reilly Brock, content manager at Imperfect Produce, in New York City, agrees. “Just like repurposing excess product requires creative thinking, food waste around the holidays requires outof-the-box ideas to keep impact low,” says Brock, whose company delivers imperfect produce to customers’ doors for a cost savings. “Why end the fun when the meal ends? The best part about leftovers—and the holidays—is keeping the celebration going.” “Also, make sure you keep food safe,” McBride says. “The CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] has a really great overview of how to do that for parties. Standard guidance is not to leave food out for more than two hours. So, as a party planner, make sure you mentally note when you put food out.” Coleman recommends taking it a step beyond the holidays by joining a movement to cut food waste year-round. She suggests visiting FurtherWithFood.org to learn more. “Through that and additional outreach, we might be able to start to change,” says McBride. Yvette C. Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, Florida. Connect at YvetteHammett28@hotmail.com.
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com
In individual households, small changes can have a big impact, especially during the holidays; all it takes is awareness and a plan.
green living
nonprofit spotlight
412 Food Rescue
Decreasing Food Waste is Just the Beginning by Martin Miron
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12 Food Rescue was created to address the disconnect between food waste, food insecurity and environmental sustainability. They believe that good food belongs to people, not landfills, and their mission is to prevent perfectly good food from entering the waste stream and redirect it to nonprofits that serve those that are food insecure. Leah Lizarondo co-founded 412 Food Rescue in 2015 with Gisele Fetterman. She says, “We are both immigrants who grew up with very little; I’m from the Philippines and Gisele is from Brazil. We had the common experience of moving to this country where there’s a surplus of everything, but there’s still hunger and poverty. In fact, Americans waste 40 percent of food while one in seven people goes hungry. We saw a disconnect and realized that traditional logistics models just weren’t working to redirect surplus food in the retail sector, where 40 percent of food waste occurs. Nearly five years later, our network of volunteers has completed over 30,000 rescues and saved more than 7 million pounds of perfectly good food.” She notes, “The Food Rescue Hero model now measurably reduces food insecurity in Cleveland, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Northern Virginia and soon Los Angeles. In support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2, 12 and 13, our goal is to scale food recovery in 100 cities by 2030.” 412 Food Rescue is growing quickly. Lizarondo shares, “We now have a team of over 20 full-time staff, plus the incredible people on our board and advisory boards. 412 Food Rescue’s foundation is fully built on the belief that people will step up, and we’ve seen that firsthand. This model only works because over 1,600 food donors, 650 nonprofit partners and 8,000 volunteers have joined us in the fight against food waste and hunger.” A list of supporters is available online at Tinyurl.com/412FoodSupporters. The organization welcomes new volunteers to join the largest volunteer driver network in the world by registering on Food Rescue Hero app (iOS and Android). The UglyCSA program, a holistic
approach to food waste, saves previously unsellable produce from local farmers, and is now the fifth-largest community supported agriculture (CSA) program in the region. They have trained more than 600 people how to cook healthy meals on a budget with the Cooking Matters program in the Millvale Kitchen and collaborated with local food businesses to create new products from surplus food. 412 City Cider, made from 3,500 pounds of foraged fruit, is now available at Threadbare Cider House & Meadery. Different ways for people to volunteer with 412 Food Rescue include pop-up food rescues (receive pop-up notifications and specific instruction on the app for available real-time rescue opportunities); commit to scheduled rescues each week between designated food donors and nonprofit partners; assist with hands-on event support at fundraisers, happy hours, etc.; or external volunteer initiatives as an ambassador or staffing a table at community events. Heroes also glean fruit and crops from city trees, backyards and farms that would have gone to waste or are no longer sellable. The Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters program is a nationally recognized food education curriculum for adults. Volunteers can train to become cooking and/or nutrition instructors and lead classes at nonprofit partner sites. As a growing nonprofit, 412 Food Rescue welcomes assistance in the office. Tasks vary from working with data to stuffing swag bags. “Our incredible network of volunteer drivers has a 99 percent service level, missing only 1 percent of all available rescues in Pittsburgh. Through a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University and funding by the [U.S.] Department of Energy, this highly effective, community-powered model can be adapted to meet even more challenges, particularly in regions with high poverty rates,” says Lizarondo. “To start, we’ll apply the Food Rescue Hero model to the pressing need for better and more equitable transportation access; first in rural areas, where mobility services are severely lacking, unaffordable and inaccessible, and driving trips tend to be long and energy-inefficient, and eventually in urban regions.” She adds, “It’s about time we realize true ridesharing. This project will have enormous implications not only in mobility equity, but in understanding what movements can do to drive significant change.” For more information, email Leah@412FoodRescue.org or visit 412FoodRescue.org. December 2019
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Stick with your favorite recipes that you know are going to be a success and are going to leave everyone’s taste buds happy.
If You Are Reading This, So Are Your Potential Customers.
~Pamela Reed
THE MERRY VEGAN
People-Pleasing Holiday Sweets
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Contact us today for special ad rates.
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by Julie Peterson
he holidays may send too many sugar plums and frosted gingerbread figures dancing in the heads of people with dietary restrictions. Anyone that chooses to avoid highly processed flours or sugars, artificial ingredients and loads of butter will typically be presented with all of this and more at social gatherings this time of year. They arrive on visually appealing cookie platters that tempt with their cute shapes, vibrant colors and sparkle. Some, like the gingerbread and reindeer cutouts, will beckon with glazed eyes: “Just one,” they whisper. But one can turn into nine and make someone that may normally avoid sugar or gluten feel bodily regrets. Someone that is vegan or allergic may feel they can’t have treats. Making healthier choices about food is difficult for reasons many don’t understand. “People have relationships with food—involving family, comfort and traditions—and they don’t want to give that up,” says James Brandon, of Tampa, founder of Facebook’s Vegan and PlantBased Beginner’s Community. Brandon says that holiday treats are tough to resist, but staying true to health goals is most important in the long run. The best defense to avoid frustration at social food events is to bring a dish to
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share that meets your dietary needs, says Megan Gilmore, the author of No Excuses Detox: 100 Recipes to Help You Eat Healthy Every Day and a blogger at Detoxinista. com. “That way, you can introduce something delicious to your friends, family or co-workers and be sure you’ll have something to eat!” A batch of simple, delectable, visually appealing and healthful cookies can be that plate to share, a gift to give or something to keep on hand for guests. Keep the focus on simple, advises Pamela Reed, who blogs at BrooklynFarmGirl.com. There are plenty of recipes that will satisfy the sweet tooth and decorate the holiday buffet (until they’re all eaten, that is). Don’t increase holiday stress by trying a new recipe at the last minute. “Stick with your favorite recipes that you know are going to be a success and are going to leave everyone’s taste buds happy,” she says. Transitioning to a more conscious way of eating isn’t about deprivation or leaving tradition behind. Bring on the new and healthful cookie recipes and name one after your grandma. Julie Peterson writes from her home in rural Wisconsin. Contact her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.
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conscious eating
Oh-So-Healthy Holiday Treats Peanut Butter Cookies (Vegan, Gluten Free) Yields: About 18 cookies
photo by Pamela Reed
1 cup creamy peanut butter ½ cup coconut sugar ½ cup brown sugar 2 tsp vanilla ⅔ cup oat flour 1 tsp baking soda Ÿ tsp salt Ÿ cup almond milk Additional sugar to roll cookies in Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter and sugars with a hand mixer. Once combined, add vanilla and continue mixing.
Add flour, baking soda, salt and almond milk into the bowl and mix for a few seconds, until combined. The cookie dough will be a little crumbly. Prepare 2 cookie sheets with silicone baking sheets or spray with nonstick spray. Roll the dough into large balls, and then gently roll in sugar to cover them. Use a fork to gently press down on each cookie a little bit—not too much, or they will crumble. Bake cookies for 12 minutes. Once out of the oven, allow to cool for 15 minutes. This is important, as the cookies will be very soft when they come out of the oven, but they will harden up as they cool. Store in an airtight container or freeze. Recipe courtesy of BrooklynFarmGirl.com.
Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible.
DEBORAH BELLA INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO Debbie has been practicing Interior Design since 200 with clients in hospitality, residential and commercial real estate, and set design.
She is a
self declared Disney Geek!
Allied ASID ASID ro essional Develo ment Dire tor Asso iate IIDA
Is !our ome olida! read!
GBA Member International Living Future Institute Member
Now offering new clients $50 off residential and commercial consultations through December 31, 2019. Offer Code N 1119
info@deborahbella.com
412.216.5487
www.deborahbella.com December 2019
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No-Bake Pecan Snowballs (Grain-Free, Vegan)
Store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to two weeks for best texture.
Yields: 12 balls
Source: Detoxinista.com/no-bake-pecansnowballs-paleo-vegan
1 cup pecan halves ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut 1 cup soft Medjool dates, pitted (about 10 dates) 1 Tbsp coconut oil ½ tsp sea salt ½ tsp vanilla extract ½ cup arrowroot or tapioca starch Extra arrowroot for dusting, or coconut sugar
Chocolate Crust: ¾ cup ground almond meal 2 Tbsp cocoa powder 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup 1 Tbsp melted coconut oil Pinch of sea salt Peanut Butter Filling: ½ cup creamy natural peanut butter 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup 1 Tbsp melted coconut oil Pinch of sea salt
photo by Megan Gilmore photo by Megan Gilmore
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Bars (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Chocolate Topping: ¼ cup cocoa powder ¼ cup melted coconut oil 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
Note: If you’d prefer to roll the balls in coconut sugar or shredded coconut, roll them in one of those options before freezing, so the coating will stick better.
To prepare the filling, you can use the same bowl to stir the peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil and salt. Depending on whether you’re using salted or unsalted peanut butter, consider adding more salt to taste. Storebought peanut butter cups are quite salty, so I like to add a generous pinch of salt to mimic that flavor. Remove the crust from the freezer and pour the peanut butter filling over the top, using a spatula to spread it out evenly. Return the pan to the freezer to set. Rinse the mixing bowl and use it again to make the final layer. Combine the cocoa powder, melted coconut oil and maple syrup, whisking well to break up any clumps. Once the mixture has become a smooth chocolate sauce, pour it over the peanut butter layer, and return the pan to the freezer to set until firm, about an hour or two. Once the bars are firm, grab the edges of parchment paper to easily lift the solid bar from the pan, and use a sharp knife to slice the bars into your desired size. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to a month. (The bars become very firm if frozen for too long, so I prefer serving them from the fridge after the initial firming-up time.)
Place the pecans and shredded coconut in a large food processor fitted with an “S” blade, and process until the pecans are broken down and crumbly. Add in the rest of the ingredients and process again, until a sticky dough is formed. (It should stick together when pressed between two fingers.) Scoop the dough by rounded tablespoons and roll the dough between your hands, forming balls. Arrange the balls on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then place them in the freezer to set, about 1 to 2 hours. For a “snowball” look, roll the balls in additional arrowroot or tapioca starch—just a light coating will do—since the starch will not enhance the flavor. It’s just for looks!
Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper and set it aside. In a medium bowl, stir together the chocolate crust ingredients until a moist dough is formed. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the lined loaf pan and place it in the freezer to set.
Source: Detoxinista.com/no-bake-peanutbutter-cup-bars-vegan
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Awakening to the Evolution of Community by Linda Sechrist
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en master Thich Nhat Hanh’s suggestion that the next Buddha would likely not take form as an individual but rather as a sangha, a community practicing mindful living, led many people to ask, “Why a community?” The author of more than 100 books that explore the Buddha’s core teachings on mindfulness, kindness and compassion, Hanh clarified the meaning of sangha as a good community necessary for helping individuals learn how to encounter life in the present moment, resist the unwholesome ways of our time, go in the direction of peace and nourish seeds of enlightenment. Even the best intentions, he noted, can falter without such a group of trusted family, friends and co-practitioners experiencing mindfulness together.
A Migration to Forming Community
Today’s trend toward collaborative processes and opportunities for transformation through online communities is made easier by the availability of affordable video conferencing providers such as Zoom, Skype and Mighty Networks, as well as online platforms like Facebook and MeetUp. 16
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Although many groups form for marketing, political, civic or social purposes—allowing participants to share values and common interests—thousands more gather as online intentional communities associated with personal growth and spiritual awakening. Myriad individuals have been able to experience some aspect of community through international organizations such as MindValley, Hay House, the Shift Network and Dr. Deepak Chopra’s Jiyo, a wellness-focused mobile app intended to extend the reach of his ideas on health and social transformation from millions of people to more than 1 billion. In MeetUp, spiritual awakening groups recently comprised 1,113,972 members in 3,631 groups worldwide. Additionally, co-housing communities, spiritual residential communities and eco-villages continue to form around the intention of designing and implementing pathways to a regenerative future.
The Old Story Versus the New Story
The increased interest in intentional communities may hint at a possibility that the
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human desire for community might be nature’s evolutionary nudge toward a collective leap that helps us to survive a changing climate and Earth’s potential sixth mass extinction. If so, this possibility needs a new supportive story that includes humans as part of nature, with its evolutionary impulse as a guide for body, mind and soul. With our modern scientific worldview, when people talk about nature, they typically mean animals, plants, geological features and natural processes, all happening independently of humans. A more suitable new story is cultural historian Thomas Berry’s moving and meaningful narrative in The Great Work: Our Way Into the Future, in which humans aren’t above nature by virtue of superior intellect, but instead are equal partners with all that exists in a materially and spiritually evolving universe. From Berry’s perspective, humans are the eyes, minds and hearts through which the cosmos is evolving so that it can come to know itself ever more perfectly through us. Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell shared Berry’s perspective. Traveling back to Earth after walking upon the lunar surface, Mitchell gazed out of the spacecraft
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THE EMERGING POWER OF ‘WE’
window, whereupon he was flooded with an ecstatic awareness. “I was a part of the universe I was observing, and I became aware that everything that exists is part of one intricately interconnected whole,” recounts Mitchell, who founded the groundbreaking Institute of Noetic Sciences to explore the nature of human consciousness.
A Guiding Light
Seijaku Roshi, the abbot and founder of the Pine Wind Zen Community, aptly named for its location in a pine forest in Shamong, New Jersey, advises, “People are searching and hungering for community, which is number one on my agenda. If we aren’t talking about community, we’re squandering the moment. Whether it’s an evolutionary nudge or not, it appears that our tragic world situation is pushing us towards an alternative vision for living a meaningful life that meets the needs of people, society and the environment. We are awakening to the fact we’re interconnected, interdependent and need community, which is the spirit and guiding light whereby people come together to fulfill a purpose, to help others fulfill their purpose and to take care of one another.”
Conscious Evolution
Craig Hamilton, the guiding force behind the movement known as Integral Enlightenment, is the founder of the telecourse training program Academy for Evolutionaries. His spiritual guidance and teachings reach a growing international online community spanning 50 countries. “Transforming ourselves in the deepest possible way is, in fact, an evolutionary imperative, and we need to be able to identify the indicators of emergent shifts and participate creatively with change as an evolutionary force. Evolution up to this point has been playing out unconsciously. We’re now waking up and realizing that we can collaborate and participate in an emerging future.” Hamilton’s experience is that where humans awake to the one that is expressed through the many, they also begin to engage together. “Practicing community isn’t as simple as it seems. In online communities, a lot less can go wrong. The stakes aren’t as high. People come and go, share and engage as they like.”
A Community of Sisterhood
Laurie McCammon, author of Enough! How to Liberate Yourself and Remake the World with Just One Word, feels certain that humans are evolving. “We were last to the party with our big brains, and now we’re trying to intellectualize our way to an uncertain future without important feminine values such as feeling, intuiting, nurturing, interdependency and vulnerability,” says McCammon, who is deeply involved in the circle movement, in which women gather in small groups to empower each other. A regular participant in Gather the Women Global Matrix, a worldwide sisterhood that connects thousands of women sharing meaningful conversations and celebrating the divine feminine with the intention of bringing about personal and planetary transformation through cooperation and collaboration, McCammon says, “No one of us can bring about large-scale transformation alone. It’s time to tell the new story wherein our lives and actions demonstrate that together we are enough. Non-hierarchical circles that encourage authentic communication are part of this new story.” Citing other important circle communities such as Tree Sisters and The Millionth Circle, McCammon suggests that women tap into The Divine Feminine app, which allows them to find circle communities and events anywhere in the world.
Co-Creating With the Intelligence of Nature
Teacher and futurist Peter Russell writes books that are focused on consciousness and contemporary spirituality. His lectures help humans free themselves of limited beliefs and attitudes that belie many of humanity’s personal, social and global problems. The author of The Global Brain: The Awakening Earth in a New Century, Russell posits that the evolutionary process naturally draws humans together. “Humans are social creatures that need community, which I find very energizing,” says Russell, who cites the Findhorn Foundation eco-village, in Scotland, as a dynamic experiment in community. “Although residents went through hard times, they recognized the need for
honest communication so they could attune to one another in loving ways that would allow everyone to work through their difficulties. Today, life at Findhorn is guided by the inner voice of spirit, and residents work in co-creation with the intelligence of nature,” he says.
The Collective Wisdom of Community
An uncertain future is emerging, making it necessary for new and more intuitive methods and spiritual practices for developing collective wisdom, human potential and the skills for practicing community. “I’m in the process of finalizing 118 chapters from 90 different authors for a Collaborative Change Library: Transforming Organizations, Revitalizing Communities, Developing Human Potential,” says associate editor Carole Gorelick, who clarifies that spiritual practices are now playing a part in bringing about collaborative change. She notes that several chapters are updated versions of The Change Handbook: The Definitive Resource on Today’s Best Methods for Engaging Whole Systems (2007 second edition), which included modalities such as World Café, Open Space Technology, Art of Hosting, Appreciative Inquiry and many others. A living handbook for developing human potential and the skills to practice community, Fred Eppsteiner has been teaching Buddhism for 23 years. A student of Hanh’s since the 1960s, he is the founder of the Florida Community of Mindfulness, in Tampa. Eppsteiner sums up why the next Buddha could be a community: “A better future will be created by people who are living the values they want for the world, not just abstractly using only the intellect. In community, we ask ourselves, ‘Can I be what I want to see in the world? Can I practice these things mindfully in community with love, acceptance, deep listening, compassion and kindness?’ These are values that every Buddha has lived for centuries, and certainly ones we need to evolve from a culture of, ‘It’s all about me’ to a culture of, ‘It’s all about we’.” Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at LindaSechrist.com. December 2019
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Being the Light of the World by Lesa Vivio
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wo quotes that many people frequently use for inspiration are, “Be the change that you want to see in the world,” and, “Be the light.” When we imagine what this looks like, we may be inundated with images of people that have accomplished great
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deeds, but we might not imagine the small acts that really make this true. The moment of restraint that a person experiences before saying something regrettable—the smile we share with a stranger that walks by on the street—just asking someone if they are okay—practicing forgiveness for ourselves and others—embracing our humanity; these are all examples of embodying those sentiments. We are human, and that comes with errors and flaws, but also inevitable growth. Too often we are unforgiving of the mistakes that come with our humanity, and in this we dim that light inside us. We must remind ourselves that this growth is necessary to allow a deeper sense of trust to arise. As we trust ourselves, we know ourselves more intimately, and hopefully learn to fall in love with all that we truly are. Here we come to grace, knowing that anything that has ever been done is forgivable, and that we are loved in spite of that. This is the divine love that was intended in our creation. We must allow ourselves to bring this feeling into the heart and mind, awakening the potential for change and brightening the inner light. Lesa Vivio, the founder of Sacred. Centered. You., is a licensed counselor practicing in California, PA. For more information, call 412-258-0766 or visit SacredCenteredYou.com. See ad, page 5.
December 2019
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Many people have found that a regular breathing practice has helped them increase energy and decrease anxiety.
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INHALING THE JOY OF LIFE
Conscious Breathwork
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by Marlaina Donato
ur first breath is instinctual and belly-deep, but as we grow into life, everyday stress and trauma can bring us into the shallows. Mindful breathing can help guide our breath back to its original, healthy rhythm. Both the brain and organs benefit from increased oxygen, and the vagus nerve that connects the two—prompted by changes in the body’s pH levels—releases acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for lowering heart rate. Breathwork can improve vagal tone, a major component in a wide range of conditions like depression, pain syndromes, sleep disturbances, anxiety disorders and chronic inflammation. A 2016 study by the Medical University of South Carolina published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine shows a lower number of proteins associated with inflammation in the saliva of participants that employed breathing exercises. A study that appeared in the journal Psychophysiology in 2015 found that 20 minutes of mindful breathing at bedtime fostered a good night’s rest for people with insomnia.
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Breathing Breaks
From traditional rebirthing techniques using circular breathing to Middendorf Breath Work for somatic awareness, there are many styles of conscious breathing. The gentler approaches best suit everyday needs and taking a breathing break can actually provide more refreshment than one featuring coffee. “Many people have found that a regular breathing practice has helped them increase energy and decrease anxiety. It is a powerful tool to reset the nervous system when we’re overwhelmed and stressed,” says Somatic Breath Therapy (SBT) practitioner Rachael Walter, owner of Breathe-HereNow, in Keene, New Hampshire. Like many forms of breathwork, SBT bridges the chasm between mind and body. “Conscious breathing can also help people access and understand their emotions,” notes Walter. Pranayama, an ancient technique of yoga that focuses on breath control and employs alternate nostril breathing, can be performed while lying down, seated or on the yoga mat. Kundalini yoga teacher Melissa Crowder, owner of 4 States Yoga, in
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fit body
Joplin, Missouri, advises students to start out slowly, three to six minutes a day, and then work up to a longer practice. “Alternate nostril breathing is a great practice for everyone. As little as six minutes of yogic breathing, as needed, can make a profound difference in decreasing pain and stress,” she says.
and in turn, presses upon the stomach and helps to churn the gastric juices. For this reason, it can aid earlier stages of digestion.” When used in conjunction with other modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, diaphragmatic breathing might be beneficial for irritable bowel syndrome.
Belly Benefits
Breathing Into Feelings
The American Lung Association recommends a variety of exercises, including diaphragmatic (belly) breathing, for conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Engaging the diaphragm is key in breathing to fullest capacity. Walter explains, “An open, healthy breath is one in which we use the diaphragm to initiate the breath, followed by the belly expanding and the breath moving into the chest.” Most of us unconsciously fall into shallow and sometimes self-conscious breathing patterns at an early age. “During my training, I read that by age 6, we pick up on cues telling us to tuck in our tummies. This simple, bad habit begins a cascade of physiological responses. Upper chest breathing can create anxiety symptoms and poor digestion,” explains Colleen Breeckner, owner of Colleen Lila Yoga, in New York City. “Diaphragmatic breathing causes the diaphragm to become flat and wide,
The depth and quality of the breath can help us to become aware of emotional states that include “holding patterns”. “Conscious breathing is a doorway into deep meditation, which can help alleviate anger and insecurities. It can also be helpful in dropping addictions,” says Crowder. “Linking pranayama with physical movement [asanas] helps to release tension and emotions that can be held in the body’s soft tissues.” Breeckner agrees, “Developing this awareness can help us to move unpleasant and stuck emotions through the body.” Well-being can be just a breath away, says Walter. “When we open up our breath, we open ourselves to a fuller experience of being human. It has the capacity to bring us into the present moment to access our joy and our life’s purpose.” Marlaina Donato is an author and a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
Noteworthy Breathwork Styles Clarity Breathwork: Developed from the groundwork of Leonard Orr, with a focus on accessing the subconscious mind for self-awareness Holotropic Breathwork: Developed by psychiatrist Stanislav Grof, M.D., and his wife Christina and employs deep, rapid breathing to initiate an altered state of consciousness; training in the Grof method is required Integral Breath Therapy: Gentle technique for an altered state of consciousness that works with the body’s natural healing capacity Middendorf Breath Work: Named after German-born Ilse Middendorf, a gentle technique that does not include forcing the breath to promote healing Rebirthing Breathwork: Pioneering and well-known form of breathwork that was also developed by Orr with a focus on releasing unconscious energy blocks imprinted during the birth process Shamanic Breathwork: Uses specific breathing methods, chakras or energy centers, music and movement to overcome emotional blocks for deep-level healing Transformational Breath: Developed by Dr. Judith Kravitz using uninterrupted breathing, Kundalini yoga and other elements of physical and energetic healing; recommended by Dr. Christine Northrup and Dr. Deepak Chopra
Go-to Breathing Exercises From Rachael Walter: The Three-Breath Sigh Place one hand on your lower belly and the other on your chest. Breathing in through your nose, let your breath start in the belly and move up to the chest. Then exhale through your mouth while making an audible sighing sound. Repeat two more times. The Four-Eight Relaxing Breath Place one hand on your lower belly and the other on your chest. Using a belly breath, inhale to the count of four and exhale to the count of eight, making your exhale twice as long as your inhale to facilitate relaxation. Feel free to play with how fast or slow you count to find a comfortable breathing pace. Repeat for six to 10 times as needed. Breath Walk This is an excellent exercise to do while at work, school or a public place to give your nervous system a break, even when the world is crazy-busy around you. Walk at a slightly slower pace than normal and breathe in for one step; breathe out for the next step, counting three or four for each breath/step. Continue as you walk, being mindful of your breath, counting and surroundings.
For further inquiry, Melissa Crowder recommends these Kundalini yoga breaths: Shabad Kriya for promoting deep restful sleep Sitali Pranayama for lowering a fever or cooling off a hot temper Breath of Fire for improved brain circulation, stimulating digestion and weight control Right nostril breathing for afternoon slumps Left nostril breathing to quiet mind chatter at bedtime December 2019
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Refresh Holiday Traditions Making the Old New and Green
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by Ronica A. O’Hara
elebrating classic holiday traditions the same way we always have—and maybe the way our parents and grandparents did—is part of the rich family heritage we pass on to our children. These family rituals are binding, grounding, memorable and much more, says Saul Levine, M.D., professor emeritus in psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. A survey of 50 years of family research published in the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Family Psychology found that family holiday rituals, as well as everyday routines like family dinners and bedtime stories, build stronger family relationships, enhance children’s health and academic achievement, help teenagers’ sense of personal identity and even boost marital satisfaction. It’s also natural and perhaps inevitable that these traditions undergo changes over the years. “If people from only five or six generations ago could see our modern Christmas, they’d barely recognize it,” says Brian Earl, host of the popular Christmas Past podcast that chronicles holiday traditions. “New trends and customs become traditions in time; every generation has its opportunity to add new chapters to the narrative and continue the story.”
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For Elizabeth Newcamp, Christmas festivities took an eco-turn for her military family of five when they were living for a few years in the Netherlands, where “Sinterklaas” traditionally delivers gifts in reusable burlap bags. “In an effort to reduce wrapping paper, we now use the sacks on Christmas,” says Newcamp, who blogs about family travel at DutchDutchGoose.com. She and her husband Jeff also ask for and give experiences as gifts whenever possible; their 7-year-old son asked if he could organize a little library for their Navarre, Florida, neighborhood. Anyone that wants to send gifts to their sons is asked to find them used. “I don’t think we’ve lessened any of the fun of the holidays, but hopefully we are eliminating some of the waste,” she says. For many years, Ginny Underwood’s family in Bluffton, South Carolina, would dress up and go to a restaurant on Christmas Eve, exchange gifts and then return home to watch a movie or play board games. Last year, they tried something new: staying home, putting on pajamas, eating cottage pie and playing handmade “Minute to Win It” games that Underwood, a professional organizer who blogs at VirginiasEasyLivingSolutions.com, created. “We had a blast; we didn’t stop
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New trends and customs become traditions in time; every generation has its opportunity to add new chapters to the narrative and continue the story. ~Brian Earl laughing all night,” she says. “We saved hundreds of dollars and we had a lovely time.” Lighting red, green and black candles while focusing on principles like unity, self-determination or purpose are key in the seven-day Kwanzaa celebrations; but, “Instead of just lighting the candle amongst friends and family and discussing, I want my family to spend that day exemplifying the principle,” says Vanessa Davis, executive director of the nonprofit African Village International, in Jacksonville, Florida. Now her children meditate, journal and practice mindfulness to learn about self-determination; volunteer or pick up trash outdoors to learn about collective work and responsibilities; and buy something at a locally-owned store and discuss future finances for cooperative economics. “I was inspired to change because Kwanzaa isn’t really a religious holiday, but it is a darn good way to reflect on the past year and goal-set for the future,” she says. “Giving children more hands-on experiences for Hanukkah and taking the emphasis off of ‘What am I going to get?’ makes the holiday more meaningful for the kids,” concurs Pamela Morris, early childhood education director at the East Valley Jewish Community Center, in Chandler, Arizona. Each Hanukkah evening, her family of five lights a menorah and says traditional prayers while also volunteering to wrap food packages at a local Feed My Starving Children event, crafting personal menorahs at a pottery studio, going to see Phoenix ZooLights and gathering to make the traditional potato latkes or jelly donuts. “Each night is a focus on family time and welcoming friends to join us,” she says. By observing and evolving traditions, family bonds can strengthen through time, relates Earl: “By participating in holiday rituals, children are learning about who they are. And by passing them down, parents reaffirm what’s important to them and keep the connection to the past intact.” Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based natural-health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.
Updating Favorite Traditions Instead of buying a Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush in a store lot, get one in a pot that can be replanted later. Take a family holiday photo, either serious or wacky, and recreate it every year with members in the same poses and expressions. Invite someone to a holiday dinner that’s not part of the family, such as an international student or newcomer in town. Cook up a batch of healthy, vegan cookies with the kids and organize a neighborhood cookie swap. Have a $10 or $20 gift exchange challenge in which everyone competes to come up with the most useful, creative or ecoclever use of the money. String together popcorn and cranberries to make a tree garland or door decoration, and later drape it on outdoor trees to feed birds and wildlife. Give kids $10 to donate to a carefully selected charity of their choice. Take a favorite holiday story, parable or song and have the kids (and adults) act it out with costumes and all.
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Perfect Pet Presents Safe and Eco-Smart Toys by Julie Peterson
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he pet aisles are so full of squeaking, plush and colorful toys it can make a dog or cat parent’s head spin like a Frisbee. Add blinking lights, flavors, promises of higher intelligence or cleaner teeth; then toss in concerns about sustainably sourced materials, potentially toxic ingredients and varying degrees of quality. The choices are complex. It would be nice to look for that gold seal of approval from the Pet Toy Regulatory Agency. But don’t bother: There is no such thing. It’s all up to the consumer to figure it out.
The Problem Is Real
Concern regarding toxicants in children’s toys and the realization that they posed a
risk of chemical exposure led to regulatory protections. “Similar safeguards do not exist for pets, even though they exhibit similar chewing and mouthing behaviors,” says Philip N. Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of terrestrial ecotoxicology at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. “Owner education is key to limiting unintentional chemical exposure.” According to a 2013 study coauthored by Smith and published in the journal Chemosphere, common endocrinedisrupting chemical toxins in plastics can enter a dog’s body through saliva. Concentrations of leachable chemicals can increase in older, degraded toys, according to the National Institutes of Health. For anyone that has ever had a pet
destroy a toy faster than it takes to calculate the cost per second, durable construction may be the highest concern. After all, if the toy is vigorously ripped to shreds, pieces may be swallowed. The most immediate issue becomes intestinal blockage. This is a common problem for cats and dogs with a propensity to eat garbage, plants and holiday decorations. But when we spend good money on actual toys, we would like to think that it won’t lead to surgery. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee. Poorly constructed toys have required many pet owners to watch for the parts to pass through the animal or, worse yet, make a trip to the vet. Even if a toy seems sturdy, it’s best to observe the animal with the toy. Charlotte Easterling, a graphic designer in Madison, Wisconsin, learned this from her cat, Hazel, who choked on a common cat toy. “She was playing with a glitter ball and then started meowing kind of frantically, scrambling around and pawing at her face. I jumped up and pulled the ball out of her mouth,” recalls Easterling. Hazel only gets big glitter balls these days.
A New Generation Spurs Change The American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Pet Owners Survey provides insight into the demographics, buying habits and other traits of dog, cat, bird, small animal, reptile, fish and horse owners. The 2019-2020 survey shows that about 85 million U.S. homes, or 67 percent, include a pet. This leads to a lot of money flowing
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into the pet toy and care community. Annually, dog owners spend about $124 and cat owners spend about $89 on treats and toys. The survey also indicates that Millennials are the largest pet-owning demographic. “The pet care community is doing a great job of meeting the demands of a new generation by offering a range of products made from sustainable, recycled and upcycled materials,” says Steve King, CEO of APPA, in Stamford, Connecticut. King notes it’s expected that as Gen Z pet owners begin to assert themselves in the marketplace, we will see more products based on sustainability and transparency.
Shopping for Safety Experts offer some guidelines for ways consumers can choose harmless toys: Be suspicious of toys manufactured overseas or cheap ones made in the U.S. Contact the manufacturer and ask if toys contain phthalates, BPA, arsenic, bromine, chemical dyes, chromium or formaldehyde. Look for toys made with ingredients from nature (hemp, leather or wool). Find a pet supply store that has natural, safe and sustainably sourced products. Inspect toys periodically for loose parts and watch the pet with new toys. If a pet plays with a toy and then acts oddly, contact the vet.
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Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin. Connect at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.
inspiration
The Generous Heart How Giving Transforms Us
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by Cindy Ricardo
ne of the ways we come into balance and connection with each other and with life is by giving from the heart. When we give to others, whether it’s an act of kindness, generosity or compassion, it helps us live from the heart instead of the ego. Living from the ego is painful and exhausting. It’s like feeding a hungry monster that’s never satisfied. Ego craves, pursues and clings to status, approval, material wealth and control. It views the world through the eyes of fear—constantly evaluating, judging and acting in ways that are self-centered, defensive and protective. Like with Scrooge, ego closes our heart and makes us small, fearful and contracted. By contrast, generosity requires that we open our hearts to the world and each other. We allow ourselves to be vulnerable. In doing this, we open ourselves fully to life, love and relationships. We let go of striving and pursuing things. When we stop striving, we begin to see, value and respond to what’s happening in the present moment in ways that are healthy and healing. Our priority shifts from acquiring things to appreciating what we have and being open to sharing with others. Generosity is a quality of kindness, of living from a place of abundance. We see the world through a clear lens that isn’t clouded by fear, wanting or clinging. When we interact with others, our connection is
genuine. We see people instead of judgments or labels. Being generous arises from the heart, not the wallet. We don’t need to have material wealth in order to be generous. The only requirement is a willingness to open our hearts, to see life as it is and to interact with others from a place of compassion and love. Some examples of generous acts are: Doing a household chore without being asked. Setting aside what we’re doing and listening to someone in need of emotional support. Telling loved ones what we appreciate about them. Listening to children and trying to see the world through their eyes before offering advice. Smiling at a stranger. When asking, “How are you?” looking into the person’s eyes and taking time to truly listen with an attitude of curiosity and compassion. Generosity awakens goodness in the heart, and this helps us open to life, love and relationships. Cindy Ricardo is a Coral Springs, Floridabased psychotherapist who blogs at ACaringCounselor.com. December 2019
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Seven years without a cold?
had colds going round and round, but not me.” Some users say it also helps with sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a 2-day sinus headache. When her CopperZap arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” she said. “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” Some users say copper stops By Doug Cornell nighttime stuffiness if used just before cientists recently discovered time. He hasn’t had a single cold for 7 bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had a way to kill viruses and years since. in years.” bacteria. He asked relatives and friends to try Copper can also stop flu if used early Now thousands of people are using it it. They said it worked for them, too, so and for several days. Lab technicians to stop colds and flu. he patented CopperZap™ and put it on placed 25 million live flu viruses on a Colds start the market. CopperZap. No viruses were found alive when cold viruses Soon hundreds soon after. get in your nose. of people had Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams Viruses multiply tried it and given confirming the discovery. He placed fast. If you don’t feedback. Nearly millions of disease germs on copper. stop them early, 100% said the “They started to die literally as soon as they spread and copper stops colds they touched the surface,” he said. cause misery. if used within 3 People have even used copper on In hundreds hours after the first cold sores and say it can completely of studies, EPA sign. Even up to prevent outbreaks. New research: Copper stops colds if used early. and university 2 days, if they The handle is researchers have confirmed that viruses still get the cold it is milder than usual curved and finely and bacteria die almost instantly when and they feel better. textured to improve touched by copper. Users wrote things like, “It stopped contact. It kills germs That’s why ancient Greeks and my cold right away,” and “Is it picked up on fingers Egyptians used copper to purify water supposed to work that fast?” and hands to protect and heal wounds. They didn’t know “What a wonderful thing,” wrote you and your family. about microbes, but now we do. Physician’s Assistant Julie. “No more Copper even kills Dr. Bill Keevil: Copper quickly kills deadly germs that Scientists say the high conductance colds for me!” cold viruses. of copper disrupts the electrical balance Pat McAllister, 70, received one have become resistant in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in for Christmas and called it “one of the to antibiotics. If you are near sick seconds. best presents ever. This little jewel really people, a moment of handling it may Tests by the EPA (Environmental works.” keep serious infection away. It may even Protection Agency) show germs die Now thousands of users have simply save a life. fast on copper. So some hospitals tried stopped getting colds. The EPA says copper still works copper for touch surfaces like faucets People often use CopperZap even when tarnished. It kills hundreds of and doorknobs. This cut the spread of preventively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci different disease germs so it can prevent MRSA and other illnesses by over half, used to get colds after crowded flights. serious or even fatal illness. and saved lives. Though skeptical, she tried it several CopperZap is made in America of The strong scientific evidence gave times a day on travel days for 2 months. pure copper. It has a 90-day full money inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When “Sixteen flights and not a sniffle!” she back guarantee. It is $69.95. he felt a cold about to start he fashioned exclaimed. Get $10 off each CopperZap with a smooth copper probe and rubbed it Businesswoman Rosaleen says when code NATA15. Go to www.CopperZap.com or call gently in his nose for 60 seconds. people are sick around her she uses “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold CopperZap morning and night. “It saved toll-free 1-888-411-6114. Buy once, use forever. never got going.” It worked again every me last holidays,” she said. “The kids ADVERTORIAL
Copper in new device stops cold and flu
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NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com
calendar of events NOTE: 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.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 Pranayama 101 – Noon-2pm. Pranayama is the practice of controlling the breath which is the life force, or prana, running through the body. Learn to control inhales, exhales and retentions, and explore techniques that have a multitude of effects on body and mind. $20. One Point Two Yoga, 5019 Penn Ave. OnePointOneYoga.com. 412-256-8072. Tickets: Clients.MindBodyOnline.com. Sound Immersion and Meditation – 3-4:30pm. Hosted by Sacred Centered You and Natural Solutions for Health and Wellness. Gentle, powerful meditative experience. Relax deeply while the tones of instruments such as the gong, Himalayan and crystal bowls, and chimes are played. Sound waves have a range of therapeutic effects, promote deep rest and relaxation, and promote healing and balance. $20. 434 Main St, Irwin. 724-515-7518. Tickets: SacredCenteredYou.com. Calm Mind: Herbs, Oils and Techniques – 7-8:30pm. Journey through meditation techniques, self-care exercises, herbal supplements, and essential oils to promote inner peace. $10. 304 Third St, California, PA. 412-258-0766. Register: SacredCenteredYou.com.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2 Harvesting Your Social Capital – 5-7:30pm. Hosted by CKV Suites and Vernard Alexander. Social Capital is a form of economic and cultural capital where social networks are central, transactions are marked by reciprocity, trust and cooperation, and market agents produce goods and services not mainly for themselves, but for a common good. Learn to use the power of Social Capital and the value of strategic alliances make a difference in your community. $24.99. CKV Suites, 528 N Homewood Ave. Info: 412-303-0808. Admin@minnetexch. com. Tickets: Paypal.me/ConnectingKing.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3 Curiosity Series: Twelfth Night by Shakespeare – Dec 3-8. 7:30pm. Hosted by WVU College of Creative Arts, WVU Creative Arts Center and WVU School of Theatre and Dance. Shakespeare’s classic gender-bending comedy plays on the humor of disguise and deception in a complicated love triangle. $20. WVU College of Creative Arts, WVU Creative Arts Center, 1 Fine Arts Dr, Morgantown, WV. 304-293-4841. TheaterAndDance@mail.wvu. edu. Tickets: Ticketmaster.com.
Chatham Baroque – Capriccio Stravagante: Imaginative String Music from the 16th and 17th Centuries – 7:30-9:30pm. Celebrate the season with Chatham Baroque. Indulge in Arcadian sonic delights with a rollicking, pastoral program including Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, Carlo Farina’s (1600–1639) illustrative and faunal Capriccio Stravagante, and 16th-century dance music of Anthony Holborne (c.1545–1602) and Michael Praetorius (1571–1621). $10-$30. Westminster Presbyterian Church, Upper St. Clair, 2040 Washington Rd. 412835-6630. Tickets: Bit.ly/2MspKEN.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 Curiosity Series: Twelfth Night by Shakespeare – Thru Dec 8. 7:30pm. Hosted by WVU College of Creative Arts, WVU Creative Arts Center and WVU School of Theatre and Dance. See Dec 3 listing. 1 Fine Arts Dr, Morgantown, WV. 304-2934841. TheaterAndDance@mail.wvu.edu. Tickets: Ticketmaster.com.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5 Curiosity Series: Twelfth Night by Shakespeare – Thru Dec 8. 7:30pm. Hosted by WVU College of Creative Arts, WVU Creative Arts Center and WVU School of Theatre and Dance. See Dec 3 listing. 1 Fine Arts Dr, Morgantown, WV. 304-2934841. TheaterAndDance@mail.wvu.edu. Tickets: Ticketmaster.com. Chatham Baroque – Capriccio Stravagante: Imaginative String Music from the 16th and 17th Centuries – 7:30-9:30pm. Hosted by the Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka. Celebrate the season with Chatham Baroque and indulge in Arcadian sonic delights with a rollicking, pastoral program including Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, Carlo Farina’s (1600–1639) illustrative and faunal Capriccio Stravagante, and 16th-century dance music of Anthony Holborne (c.1545–1602) and Michael Praetorius (1571–1621). Docent-led tour at 6:30pm. St. $10-$30. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church. 24 Maryland Ave, Millevale. 412821-3438. Tickets: Bit.ly/2MspKEN.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 Curiosity Series: Twelfth Night by Shakespeare – Thru Dec 8. 7:30pm. Hosted by WVU College of Creative Arts, WVU Creative Arts Center and WVU School of Theatre and Dance. See Dec 3 listing. 1 Fine Arts Dr, Morgantown, WV. 304-2934841. TheaterAndDance@mail.wvu.edu. Tickets: Ticketmaster.com.
savethedate
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 Winer Wellness Week: Winter Wonderland – Dec 7-14.8:30am-4pm. Free workshops, free supplement advice, free samples, free testing, free vegan buffet all day long. Winer Wellness Center, 2419 Baldwick Rd. 412-922-9355. Learn to Mosaic Class – 9am-noon. With Stevo Sadvary, Master of Mosaic Finery and Textile Art. Hosted by The Artsmiths of Pittsburgh. For beginner or intermediate skill level, learn the process and techniques and apply them to an object of your choice. Select one project during registration for class. Other projects will be available for purchase to be made in class or at home. $40, $4.28 Eventbrite fee, plus $15 material fee (payable to the instructor in class). The Artsmiths of Pittsburgh. 1635 McFarland Rd. 412-341-2299. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. artsmithspgh@gmail.com. Youghiogheny Holistic Living Christmas Open House – 11am-3pm. Hosted by Richter Massage and Wellness and Youghiogheny Holistic Living. Stop by during Connellsville’s Christmas in the City event! Check out their holiday goodies, winter teas, new winter crystals, seasonal soaps, Rare Soul’s beautiful jewelry and more! Free chair massage and yummy snacks. 144 N 3rd St, Connellsville. 724707-4338. yhlriverwellness@gmail.com. Crystal Bowl Sound Bath Meditation and Aromatherapy – 1pm. Hosted by Chakra Yoga Healing, Vox Lumina and I Am Yoga Squirrel Hill. Sound healer and chakra educator Brook Smokelin creates a musical medicine journey into pure vibration with meditation and guided visualization using quartz crystal singing bowls and the spirit drum. $20/online, $25/door. I Am Yoga Pittsburgh, 1701 Murray Ave, 2nd Flr. IAmYoga.com.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4 Emotional Empowerment – 6:30-7:30pm. Hosted by East End Food Co-op. Certified Emotional Empowerment Coach Pamela Biasca Losada is an industry leader in emotional empowerment. She provides tools, support, and guidance to eliminate destructive behaviors and create a healthier life. Turn your negative feelings into your greatest ally. Learn several key components of the empowered language of our negative emotions. See emotions and feelings in a new light and use them to improve overall quality of life. Free. Tickets: Eventbrite. 7516 Meade St. 412-242-3598.
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and more. Bring comfy measures like blankets, eye masks, pillows. $35. 304 Third St, California, PA. 412-258-0766. Tickets: SacredCenteredYou.com.
Curiosity Series: Twelfth Night by Shakespeare – Thru Dec 8. 7:30pm. Hosted by WVU College of Creative Arts, WVU Creative Arts Center and WVU School of Theatre and Dance. See Dec 3 listing. 1 Fine Arts Dr, Morgantown, WV. 304-2934841. TheaterAndDance@mail.wvu.edu. Tickets: Ticketmaster.com. Chatham Baroque – Capriccio Stravagante: Imaginative String Music from the 16th and 17th Centuries – 8pm. Celebrate the season with Chatham Baroque. Indulge in Arcadian sonic delights with a rollicking, pastoral program including Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, Carlo Farina’s (1600–1639) illustrative and faunal Capriccio Stravagante, and 16th-century dance music of Anthony Holborne (c.1545–1602) and Michael Praetorius (1571–1621). $10-$30. Hicks Memorial Chapel, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, East Liberty, 616 N Highland Ave. 412-362-5610. Tickets: Bit.ly/2MspKEN.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 10th Annual Artiste Market – 2-7pm. Come out in support of local small businesses, crafters and vendors while enjoying free sessions in the Crystalline Cave and discounted sessions with holistic practitioners of massage, reiki and reflexology. Sterling Yoga, 393 Vanadium Rd, Ste 201. 412-260-0533. SterlingYoga@verizon.net. Chatham Baroque – Capriccio Stravagante: Imaginative String Music from the 16th and 17th Centuries – 2:30pm. Celebrate the season with Chatham Baroque. Indulge in Arcadian sonic delights with a rollicking, pastoral program including Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, Carlo Farina’s (1600–1639) illustrative and faunal Capriccio Stravagante, and 16th-century dance music of Anthony Holborne (c.1545–1602) and Michael Praetorius (1571–1621). $10-$30. Campbell Memorial Chapel, Chapel Hill Rd, Chatham University, Shadyside. 800-837-1290. Tickets: Bit.ly/2MspKEN. Brain Balancing for Healing Trauma – 7-8:30pm. With Rita Lampe, LCSW, MSW. Hosted by Village Center for Holistic Therapy. Learn to clear negativity from chronic stress or trauma and obtain a sense of peace. Explore breathing techniques, sound vibration, and body tapping to heal, balance and detox. $35. 1407 Mt. Royal Blvd, Glenshaw, PA. 412-455-6890. Register: VillageTherapy.org/workshops. Curiosity Series: Twelfth Night by Shakespeare – Thru Dec 8. 7:30pm. Hosted by WVU College of Creative Arts, WVU Creative Arts Center and WVU School of Theatre and Dance. See Dec 3 listing. 1 Fine Arts Dr, Morgantown, WV. 304-2934841. TheaterAndDance@mail.wvu.edu. Tickets: Ticketmaster.com.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 ReImagine the Turtle Creek Watershed Visioning Session – 2:30-8pm. Hosted by ReImageTCWAC, Sustainable Monroeville, and Braddock Carnegie Library. The League of Women Voters, local community partners and residents, including District 8 of Allegheny County and Congressional District 18, invite you to participate in creating a vision for sustainable economic and community development projects. Begin with yoga with Moni Wesner at 2:30pm, a screening of the documentary Need to Grow. From 5-6pm enjoy a plant-based meal courtesy of the League of Women voters. Free. Braddock Carnegie Library, 419 Library St, Braddock. 412-351-5356. BraddockCarnegieLibrary.org. Register: Eventbrite.com.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 Seventh Annual Highland Park Pottery Tour – 11am-5pm. See Dec 14 listing. WVU College of Creative Arts, WVU Creative Arts Center, 1 Fine Arts Dr, Morgantown, WV. 304-293-4841. TheaterAndDance@mail.wvu.edu.
How to Naturally Survive the Flu Season – 5-6:30pm. Hosted by Appalachia Chiropractic & Wellness. Always getting a cold or the flu? Learn how to naturally treat or prevent the common cold or the flu. $5. 20120 Rt 19, Ste 202, Cranberry Twp. RSVP: 724-553-5312. AppalachiaChiropractic.com.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 Curiosity Series: Pottery Sale – 9am-6pm. Hosted by WVU College of Creative Arts Ceramics Program. End of semester sale of student-made plates, bowls, mugs, vases, pie dishes and more. Proceeds directly support field trips, visiting artists, materials and supplies, and scholarships. WVU College of Creative Arts, WVU Creative Arts Center, 1 Fine Arts Dr, Morgantown, WV. 304-293-4841. TheaterAndDance@mail.wvu.edu.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 Curiosity Series: Pottery Sale – 9am-6pm. Hosted by WVU College of Creative Arts Ceramics Program. See Dec 13 listing. WVU College of Creative Arts, WVU Creative Arts Center, 1 Fine Arts Dr, Morgantown, WV. 304-293-4841. TheaterAndDance@mail.wvu.edu. Seventh Annual Highland Park Pottery Tour – Dec 14-15. 11am-5pm. Hosted by Union Project. Visit the homes and studios of five Highland Park potters and the Union Project Ceramics Co-op for an intimate experience right in the artists’ homes as you walk from cozy stop to cozy stop. Meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, buy local artwork for the holidays! Union Project, 801 N Negley. Pittsburgh Opera – Brownbag Concert – Noon. Doors open at 11:30am. Hosted by Pittsburgh Opera. You bring the snacks; they bring the entertainment at Pittsburgh Opera HQ. Pittsburghers and visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy free, intimate noontime concerts. Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists perform some of Opera’s most popular arias, as well as a mix of Broadway, musical theater, and other surprises. Free. 2425 Liberty Ave. 412-2810912. See ongoing calendar section for schedule. Holiday Ornaments from Nature – 1-3pm. Hosted by West Virginia Botanic Garden. Perfect for holiday decorating and gift-giving. Craft unique ornaments from natural materials. Most appropriate for children five and older. $5/members $15/ non-members. West Virginia Botanic Gardens, 1061 Tyrone Rd, Morgantown ,WV. 304-322-2093. Info@wvbg.org. Tickets: Forms.Donorsnap.com. Light You Up – Holiday Healing Mini Retreat – 1-3pm. Hosted by Sacred Centered You. Holidays are fast approaching. Time for an adventure in selfcare to get you grounded for the season. Several layers of healing arts including amplified Sacred Sound Meditation with reiki practitioners providing personal healing, aromatherapy, self-care techniques
NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com
Sonic Meditation and Sound Immersion – 2:304pm. With Lesa. Hosted by Sterling Yoga and Sacred Centered You. Gentle, powerful meditative experience. Relax deeply while the tones of a combination of instruments such as the gong, Himalayan and crystal bowls, and chimes are played. Sound waves have a range of therapeutic effects and promote deep rest and relaxation. $35. Sterling Yoga, 393 Vanadium Rd, Ste 201. 412-260-0533. SterlingYoga@verizon.net. Tickets: SterlingYoga.com.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 Field Trip with Pittsburgh Vegan Dining Meetup – 7-9pm. A collaboration with the Pittsburgh Vegan Society. Two appetizers will be provided by the groups Meet at the Double Wide Grill, 2339 E Carson St. 412-390-1111. Info/RSVP: Meetup.com/Pittsburgh-Vegan-Dining-Meetup/ events/263722312. Meditate with the Digeridoo – Village Center for Holistic Therapy – 7:30-8:30pm. Hosted by Didge Therapy. Experience an unguided meditation with the ancient sounds of the digeridoo. It produces sound waves in the same frequency range as human brain waves for deep relaxation and personal consciousness. $25. Village Center for Holistic Therapy, 68 Wabash St, Ste 100. 412-455-6890. Registration: Sarah@VillageTherapy.org.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 Agni Namaskar – Fire Salutation – 3-5pm. Hosted by One Point One Yoga. Winter Solstice promises restoration of light and life on the shortest day of the year, giving power, strength, and hope to move forward. Join Alexandra D’Amico Williams in a 90-minute Agni Namaskar (fire salutation) complete with 108 prostrations to the earth. A classic afternoon of joy, movement, and music! $35. One Point One Yoga, 4929 Penn Ave. OnePointOneYoga.com. 412256-8072. Tickets: Clients.MindBodyOnline.com. Winter Solstice Celebration – 7-9pm. Hosted by Sacred Centered You. Come together to celebrate the longest night of the year and subsequent return of the sun. Enjoy a sacred sound meditation, a solstice ceremony, and time to commune together. Light refreshments served. $20. 304 Third St, California, PA. 412-258-0766. Register: SacredCenteredYou.com.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 Hoʻoponopono Cleansing Meditation at Salt of the Earth – Hosted by Sacred Centered You. Ancient Hawaiian Mantra Prayer defined as a forgiveness and reconciliation practice used to cleanse “errors of thought” considered to be the origin of ills in the physical world. A rough translation is “to bring about rightness.” We combine this with the salt cave experience for a deeply moving, cleansing and healing experience. Himalayan salt is an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and natural antiseptic. $45. Info: 412-258-0766. Salt of the Earth. Salt of the Earth. 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray. 724-2600472. Tickets: SacredCenteredYou.com.
ongoing events
artists. Vendors wanted. 412-765-1820. HillDistrict. org/SOKOmarket.
NOTE: 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.
Pittsburgh Opera – Free Brownbag Concert. Noon. Dec 14, Jan 4, Feb 8, Mar 7, Apr 4. Doors open at 11:30am. Hosted by Pittsburgh Opera. You bring the snacks; they bring the entertainment at Pittsburgh Opera HQ. Pittsburghers and visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy free, intimate noontime concerts. Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists perform some of Opera’s most popular arias, as well as a mix of Broadway, musical theater, and other surprises. 2425 Liberty Ave. 412-281-0912.
sunday Metaphysical Monthly Meet and Greet Potluck – 4-6pm. Hosted by Well Oiled. A monthly casual, friendly and welcoming opportunity to surround yourself with like-minded friends. The shop is closed and that is when the fun begins. Bring something to eat or drink. Free. Well Oiled, 1414 Potomac Ave. 412-531-6457. WellOiledMom@yahoo.com.
monday All Levels Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Hosted by YOGAMOTIF. Breathe, pause and make space during this energizing yoga session aimed to start your week off well. Weekly rotation of YOGAMOTIF teachers. Steep your practice in the movement and meditation of raja yoga. $12. 124 S Highland Ave. Tickets: YogaMotif.com.
tuesday Morning Slow Flow – 9-10am. Join Faith for this lovely morning yoga session filled with slow intentional movement, meditation and journaling. All levels. Youghiogheny Holistic Living, 144 N 3rd St, Connellsville. 724-707-4338. RSVP: SquareUp. com/store/youghiogheny-holistic-living. Let’s Get Cooking! – 3:30-4:30pm. Hosted by ConnectedHealth LLC. Join each week for a fun, free, interactive cooking demonstration. Dietitian Lauri Lang crafts healthy and delicious recipes with a holistic philosophy and personalized custom focus. 12620 Perry Hwy, Wexford. 724-933-4300. Volunteer and Potluck Night – 5:30-7pm. Hosted by Grow Pittsburgh. Come lend a hand and bring a dish to share at Braddock Farms for an open-toall weekly volunteer night and potluck. Braddock Family Farms, 1000 Braddock Ave, Braddock. 412-362-4769.
wednesday Wellness Wednesday – East End Coop – 8-9am. 1st Wed. Receive 10% off regularly-priced vitamins, supplements, essential oils, and health and beauty products. Free samples and free wellness class. 412-242-3598. EastEndFood.coop Co-op Volunteer Opportunity – 4:30-6:30pm. Black Urban Gardeners and Farmers of Pittsburgh, 7013 Monticello St. Info: 413-639-8380 or Taylor. Celeste@gmail.com. Women of Color (WOC) Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Hosted by YOGAMOTIF. WOC Yoga is a safe space for self-identified women, femmes and girls of color. Children welcome. Take up space during this joy-filled yoga practice centered in breath, movement and meditation. Surround yourself with a healing spirit to reenergize your week. $12. 124 S Highland Ave. Tickets: YogaMotif.com.
thursday Monthly Volunteer Opportunity – 6-7:30pm. 3rd Thur. Come lend a hand and bring a dish to share for an open-to-all monthly volunteer night and potluck! Shiloh Farm, 7211 Thomas Blvd. 412-362-4769. Belly Dance: Magical Motion – 7-8pm. With Dréa Kremposky. Low-impact, natural, body mechanics. Strengthen and tone your core. All ages and abilities welcome. Dress comfortably for movement. $10/ class or $35/four sessions. The Phoenix Arts Center, 13 Pittsburgh St, Uniontown. RSVP: 724-984-3926. DremariHolisticWellness.net.
Saturday Self-Care PEMF– 2-5pm. Hosted by Well Oiled and The Wave PEMF, LLC. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) sessions are a safe, nonsurgical way to manage pain and speed healing without drugs or side effects for humans, dogs, small animals, and horses. Used to treat inflammation, arthritis, wounds, and some types of pain and discomfort. 25-minute sessions. $65/session, $150/three sessions. Facility is handicap friendly, willing to work with reactive dogs. Well Oiled, 1414 Potomac Ave. Appt: 724-318-2882.
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 ADVERTISE HERE – Are you: hiring, renting
friday
property/office space, selling products, offering
Morning Yoga in the Garden – 9-10am. Join yoga instructor Heidi Sherwin to connect with nature. All skill levels and ages are welcome. Bring a yoga mat, water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a small towel. $15/ class, $50/series for members, $65/nonmembers. West Virginia Botanic Garden, 1061 Tyrone Rd, Morgantown, WV. 304-322-2093. Register: wvbg. org/programs/events/.
your personal/business needs in Natural Awaken-
saturday
Pittsburgh area, SW Pennsylvania and Mor-
Farmers’ Market Cooperative of East Liberty – 5am-noon. Permanent, year-round. The oldest continuously operating market in western PA, since 1941. Owned by a group of farmers plus vendors selling bedding plants, produce, baked goods etc. 344 N Sheridan Ave. 412-661-4414.
health & wellness and sustainable living or
Morgantown Indoor Farmers’ Market – 8:30amnoon. Dec 14, 21; Jan 4, 18; Feb 1, 15, 29; Mar 14, 28; Apr 11, 25. Featuring most of the same vendors as the summer market. Wesley United Methodist Church, 503 N High St, Morgantown, WV.
services, or in need of volunteers? Advertise ings classified ad section. To place an ad, email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com. ADVERTISING SALES – Natural Awakenings magazine is looking for experienced advertising salespeople covering the Greater gantown WV to help others grow their natural 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. START A CAREER YOU CAN BE PASSIONATE ABOUT – Publish your own Natural Awak-
Co-op Volunteer Opportunity – 9:30-11:30am. Black Urban Gardeners and Farmers of Pittsburgh, 7013 Monticello St. Info: 413-639-8380 or Taylor.Celeste@gmail.com.
enings magazine. Home-based business, complete
SOKO Community Market – 11am-3pm. 3rd Sat. Sponsored by the Hill District Community Development Corp. The Swahili word for market is Soko. Find locally grown fresh produce, organic products, local small business vendors and local
zine that is currently publishing. Call 239-530-1377
with comprehensive training and support system. New franchises are available or purchase a magaor visit NaturalAwakeningsmag.com/MyMagazine.
December 2019
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community resource guide
COACHING
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.
AROMATHERAPY WELL OILED
Melissa Robb, BSW, JD, CA, RPII Certified Aromatherapist, Reiki II Practitioner 1414 Potomac Ave, Dormont 412-531-6457 • GetWellOiled.com Be your own best wellness advocate. Melissa can help you learn about essential oils, answer questions about CBD or help you along your spiritual path. Holistic We l l n e s s S h o p p r o v i d i n g accessible, affordable, and safe products plus workshops for optimal health and wellness: mind-body-spirit. High-quality aromatherapy oils and accessories, CBD and spiritual workshops. See calendar for classes.
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
D r. L a z a r u s p r a c t i c e s 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 5.
CHIROPRACTIC APPALACHIA CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS, PC Travis D Horne, DC • Gi Ming ‘‘Lili’’ Chan, ND 20120 Route 19, Ste 202, Cranberry Twp 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. See ad, page 9.
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.
PITTSBURGH UPPER CERVICAL CHIROPRACTIC
David Radziercz, DC, Co-Director 8110 Ohio River Blvd, Pittsburgh 412-766-0321 Info@PittsburghUpperCervical.com PittsburghUpperCervical.com
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Upper cervical chiropractic focuses on restoring balance and function to the spine and nervous system to bring about positive health changes. We help people just like you get out of pain and get back to actually living. Ask about our new patient starter package.
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POINT A COACHING AND CONSULTING Kieran M. Diorio 226 Donohoe Rd, Ste 201, Greensburg 724-331-9263 PointACoachingAndConsulting.com
Assisting high-performers to accelerate happiness without sacrificing business success; gain the clarity you need to truly align your efforts with your results. You deserve balance in your success!
FAMILY AND LIFESTYLE MEDICINE GENTILE FAMILY DIRECT PRIMARY CARE Natalie Gentile, MD 5655 Bryant St, Pittsburgh GentileFamilyDPC@gmail.com GentileFamilyDPC.com
Affordable, high-quality, evidencebased direct primary care for patients of all ages, regardless of insurance status. Become a member for a low monthly fee and get unlimited office visits, quality healthcare, wholesale prices on prescription medication and at-cost labs. They support a plant-based lifestyle and specialize in intensive therapeutic lifestyle counseling.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE YOUR HEALTH INVESTIGATOR
Dr William Howrilla, DC, CFMP Pittsburgh • SW Pennsylvania • Telehealth 412-445-3168 • YourHealthInvestigator.com Dr. William Howrilla, DC, CFMP is a unique chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner who utilizes Contact Reflex Analysis or CRA, which assesses the energy connections within the body for health analysis, detailed health history and other testing modalities to help you restore your health and regain your vitality and quality of life. See ad, page 19.
HEALTH FOOD SUNNY BRIDGE NATURAL FOODS & CAFÉ
Peters Town Center, 130 Gallery Dr McMurray • 724-942-5800 SunnyBridgeNaturalFoods.com Locally owned and operated grocery, health and wellness store since 2002. We offer natural, organic and local foods and products; special diet including GF and Keto; quality supplements; dedicated peanut and GF bakery featuring beautiful custom cakes. Our café offers delicious house-made meals. We provide exceptional customer service and knowledgeable staff.
Vision is the true creative rhythm. ~Robert Delaunay NaturalAwakeningsSWPA.com
HOLISTIC CENTER DREMARI HOLISTIC WELLNESS
Andréa Kremposky: Holistic Health Practitioner, Energy Healer (Cert.) Smithfield • 724-984-3926 DremariHolisticWellness.net Assessments, coaching collaboration for whole individual wellness: body, mind and energy. Nutrition, herbs, complementary modalities and energy work. Specializing in distance/remote work. Workshops available.
INTERIOR DESIGN DEBORAH BELLA INTERIOR DESIGN
Debbie S Bielawski, Allied ASID, Associate IIDA 412-216-5487 • DeborahBella.com Info@DeborahBella.com Redesigning your home or office beautifully by utilizing natural, eco-friendly, sustainable and biophilic solutions that are healthier for your mind, body and soul. See ad, page 13.
NATURE EDUCATION BLUE HERON NATURE SKILLS Jen Dalke BlueHeronNatureSkills.com
Naturalist and herbalist Jen Dalke teaches classes to inspire others to love nature more. Jen leads a multitude of workshops, plant walks and classes. Topics range from plant identification, foraging, camping, herbal first aid, nutrition, survival, to anatomy and physiology for herbalists and more. Class locations include many parks and hiking trails in the Pittsburgh area and free weekly classes at the Bridgeville Public Library.
NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE APPALACHIA CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS, PC Travis D Horne, DC • Gi Ming ‘‘Lili’’ Chan, ND 20120 Route 19, Ste 202, Cranberry Twp 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. See ad, page 9.
PETS/ANIMALS SOULSHINE HOLISTIC PET SITTING & MORE Jen Dalke SoulShinePets.com
Pet sitting for body, mind and soul. Pittsburgh area pet sitting in your home – farms included! Jen uses all-natural body care/cleaning products. Skilled garden upkeep. House cleaning upon request. Open to watching any type of animal. 15 years’ experience caring for others’ animals, a lifetime experience of caring for her own! Visit website for more details and offerings.
SPIRITUAL
VIBRATIONAL MEDICINE SACRED, CENTERED, YOU, LLC 304 Third St, California, PA 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. See ad, page 5.
WELLNESS LEARN AND GROW WITH SARA JO
THE PRAYER WARRIOR AND HEALER
144 Third St, Connellsville 724-208-4977 LearnAndGrowSJR.wixsite.com/website
Healing children, adults and pets through Divine Intervention practices. Specializing In: customized written prayer requests and crystal grids; assisting empathic and sensitive children; Akashic (past-life record) readings; energy clearing for self, home, property and workplace. See ad, page 8.
Nutrition and wellness coaching through mindfulness, holisticbased approaches, SOUL (seasonal, organic, unprocessed and local) and intuitive eating. By appointment only. Schedule a free, 30-minute consultation. Empowering others to listen to their bodies and to create health in their lives according to their needs and lifestyle. See calendar for classes.
ThePrayerWarriorAndHealer.com ThePrayerWarriorAndHealer@gmail.com
THERMOGRAPHY ALL ABOUT THERMOGRAPHY, LLC
Barbara Calcagni, CCTII Serving Western PA and beyond 412-378-7506 • AllAboutThermography.com AllAboutThermography@gmail.com Facebook: All About Thermography Thermography is non-invasive medical testing that is radiation free. Barbara Calcagni is a Certified Clinical Level II Thermographer (CCT II) who provides overall health screenings, finding inflammation/infection or disease. Choose to be proactive with your health. See ad, page 7.
URBAN FARMING GROW PITTSBURGH
Raqueeb Bey, Garden Resource Coordinator 6587 Hamilton Ave, Ste 2W, Pittsburgh 412-362-4769 ext 215 Raqueeb@GrowPittsburgh.org 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. See calendar for workdays.
SALT OF THE EARTH
Himalayan Salt Cave and Chakra Boutique 504 Valley Brook Rd, McMurray 724-260-0472 • SaltOfTheEarthpgh.com Salt of the Earth offers the ancient healing benefits of salt; serene, therapeutic, and exquisitely built with 16 tons of authentic Himalayan salt. Sessions are 45 minutes. Group events: guided meditation, yoga, sound healing, and pilates. Personal services in the cave: reiki, massage, cellular healing, Akashic Records, mediumship and spirit guide channeling. Known to heal respiratory and skin issues, the organically dispersed salt is naturally detoxifying, reduces inflammation, cleanses the respiratory system and improves sleep. See ad, page 23.
WINER WELLNESS CENTER 2419 Baldwick Rd, Pittsburgh 412-922-9355 • DrWiner.com
Holistic Wellness Center with practitioners for chiropractic, nutritional consultation, allergy elimination and muscle therapy. Workers’ compensation and accident insurance claims. Fully stocked all-natural supplement store.
For it is in giving that we receive. ~Francis of Assisi December 2019
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