April 2015 - Natural Awakenings Dallas Fort Worth Metro North

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SPECIAL ISSUE:

NATURE’S WISDOM

Celebrate Earth Day

Spring House Greening Local Cottage Food Organic Gardening Kids Confront Climate Change Dogs in Libraries

April 2015 | North Texas Edition | NA-NTX.com


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newsbriefs eventspotlight healthbriefs globalbriefs community spotlight consciouseating ecotip businessprofile greenbusiness spotlight wisewords healingways naturalpet calendar naturaldirectory

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advertising & submissions

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

10 EARTH DAY 2015 Hope for Our Future

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by Julianne Hale

18 THE FooD ARTisAns nExT DooR

Homemade Delicacies, Direct from Our Neighbors

by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

23 HoME-gRown

oRgAniC MADE EAsY 10 Time-Saving Tips for a Healthy Garden

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by Barbara Pleasant

24 nATuRE’s wisDoM Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us

by Christine MacDonald

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28 HEAling JouRnEYs

Paul Stutzman Finds Universal Truths on His Treks

by Randy Kambic

EDiToRiAl suBMissions Email articles, news items and ideas to: publisher@NA-NTX.com. Deadline for editorial: news briefs and feature articles are due by the last Monday of the month, two months prior to publication date.

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CAlEnDAR suBMissions Submit calendar events online at NA-NTX.com/Calendar. Deadline for calendar: first of the month, one month prior to publication date.

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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 469-633-9549. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

Easy Ways to Detox a House

by Lane Vail

Children Confront Climate Change

by Avery Mack

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34 Dogs wiTH

liBRARY CARDs

Kids Love Reading to Animals by Sandra Murphy

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letterfrompublisher It’s no surprise to most who read this publication that our

contact us publisher Marteé Davis Editor Martin Miron Editorial Theresa Archer Robert Dean Julie Reynolds Design & production C. Michele Rose Stephen Blancett Distribution Preston Davis printer Digital Graphics, OKC, OK Multi-Market Advertising 469-633-9549 Franchise sales 239-530-1377 3245 Main St., Ste. 235-134 Frisco, TX 75034 Phone: 469-633-9549 Fax: 888-442-6501 Publisher@NA-NTX.com NA-NTX.com © 2015 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

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Earth and ourselves are interdependent, and that without a healthy planet, we cannot expect to have our own physical health. However, each day, the thousands of little decisions we make are impacting the planet and influencing those around you and oftentimes we miss opportunities to make better choices simply because we’re in a hurry. Balancing a modern, city life with being green can be a challenge. So much of the structure of our world is inherently un-eco-friendly. From the vastness and layout of our cities and streets, how disconnected we live from our neighbors and extended family to the technology we require to keep up with life and work, and the fact that most of us work at something outside the realm of just sustaining life, the bottom line is that nothing and no one is perfect. Sometimes something I find to be a simple option that fits into my life is not practical or agreeable to someone else, and let’s face it, some green options have aesthetic components or extra costs associated with them that may or may not be doable, depending on finances, where you live or with whom you share your life. Other times, however, it’s just the opposite. Sometimes making a green choice may be mistaken for being cheap. Letting go of the worry about what someone else will think and taking pride that you are making a conscious choice to do something positive in the world and being part of the solution is critical to staying motivated. Teaching the younger generation and helping people understand your choices and the satisfaction you get from making meaningful choices while graciously inviting and encouraging them to join the effort, is paramount to making the positive impact on our planet that we all want to see. Whatever the case, the ultimate goal in my opinion is for everyone to live consciously, do their best and challenge themselves to do a little better from time to time. As for me, I often watch a television show about homesteading in Alaska. Although Alaska would be too cold for me, with way too many mosquitos, I admire that lifestyle—the self-reliance, the interdependence of the community, the respect for nature and preserving resources and the peace of mind that goes along with living simply. I “get” those people, I admire them, and had I been exposed to that earlier in life, who knows where I’d be! But my life’s path brought me to Dallas, so I do what I can in the circumstance I am in. We all can’t live off the grid, and there’s always someone who is greener than we are, but where ever you are in your efforts to lessen negative impacts on the planet, whether it’s all new to you or you’re a lifer, I hope you will take this month to put a special emphasis on incorporating some new Earth-friendly efforts into your lifestyle. Whether it’s adopting eco-friendly cleaning products or cleaning crew, switching over to a chemical-free exterminators or lawn service, participating in a clean-up event, supporting local farms and farmers’ markets or just unplugging anything that doesn’t have to be plugged in all the time, I’m hopeful that this issue will be part of encouraging you to do a little more and find joy in knowing you are making a difference with every green choice you make.

Marteé Davis, Publisher NA-NTX.com


newsbriefs Farm Tours at Circle N Family Dairy

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ircle N Dairy, a family owned and operated dairy farm in Gainesville, offers tours of their farm that include learning about the crops they raise; how the cows are fed and what their diets consist of to produce top-quality milk; how the cows are taken care of; and the opportunity to observe the milking parlor to see how milking is done. Bottle-feeding the baby calves is a great experience for both children and adults, and those participating in the tour get to try it firsthand. Conservation methods such as recycling water and composting are an important consideration at Circle N Dairy. Owner and farmer Michlle Neu says, “Our tours give consumers the opportunity to learn how dairy farms operate, and the differences between raw and store-bought, pasteurized milk. We think it’s a great benefit for consumers to get this information straight from the source, not a marketing agency.� Cost is $5 (age 2 and up), including samples and goodie bags. Location: 2074 County Road 446, Gainesville. A picnic area is available. To arrange a tour, call 940-372-0343 or visit CircleNDairy.com. See ad, page 38.

Find Rare Plant Specimens and Help Monarch Butterflies at Heard Spring Plant Sale

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or more than 20 years, veteran and novice gardeners alike have anticipated this rare opportunity to purchase plants from a huge selection of native plants, hard-to-find herbs and well-adapted plants at Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary annual Spring Plant Sale. A Heard Museum member pre-sale will be offered 4 to 7 p.m., April 17, and memberships will be available for purchase. Regular sale hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 18 and from 1 to 5 p.m., April 19. There will a limited number of native milkweed plants, the only larval food source for the monarch butterfly, available for purchase. Their population has plummeted by 90 percent over the last 20 years. Planting milkweed to help feed monarch butterfly caterpillars and planting native flowering plants are two ways in which individuals can help to restore the species. All sales are tax-free, and proceeds from this fundraising event benefit the nonprofit Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. Location: 1 Nature Pl., McKinney. For more information, call 972-562-5566 or visit HeardMuseum.org.

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newsbriefs Free Car Care Clinics in April

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he North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) has partnered with local automotive repair shops to sponsor free Car Care Clinics throughout the month of April to help drivers understand the basics of vehicle care and maintenance during National Car Care Month. Attendees will receive a complimentary vehicle emergency kit, while supplies last, and many clinics provide free vehicle checkups. This nationwide effort aims to provide information about ways to prolong vehicle life, obtain better gas mileage and minimize emissions. This is especially important as the region heads into the peak ozone season. North Texas does not currently meet federal standards for ozone and vehicle emissions that are a leading contributor to ozone formation. To find a nearby car clinic, visit NTXCarCare.org. For more information, call 817704-5605 or email NTXCarCare@nctcog.org. See ad, back cover.

Kids Mud Run for Charity Needs Sponsors

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he fourth annual M-o-o-ving Thru’ The Mud with Landon (MTM) mud run for children, hosted by Circle N Dairy, in Gainesville, to raise funds for nonprofit Hope for Hypothalamic Hamartomas (HH), has sponsorship spots from $100 to $1,000 available through April 20 for the event on May 16. M-o-o-ving Thru’ The Mud with Landon began in 2012 when Landon Tipps became the first child at Cook Children’s Hospital, in Fort Worth, diagnosed with HH, a rare neurological disorder and benign, tumor-like malformation that causes rare types of seizures and other medical challenges. In 2014, 660 kids ran. Interested businesses should contact Michelle Neu at 940-372-034, or Kim Weiss at 940-372-3135 by Apr. 20. See ad, page 35.

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Learn About the Toxins We Feed Our Children

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eann Forst, MBA, a board-certified holistic health practitioner, will be giving a parent talk, The Food Connection to Your Child's Behavior – Food Triggers Linked to ADHD, Asthma, Allergies & Leann Forst Autism, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., April 22, at Grove School in Plano; and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., April 28, at LearningRx, in Frisco. A parent, toxin specialist and longtime advocate of clean eating, Forst educates families about the everyday food toxins— what they are, why they matter and how they relate to childhood illness. Food toxins are the missing puzzle piece of the health and wellness discussion. Many times, unsuspecting parents aren’t aware that the very food that they are serving is wreaking havoc on young immune systems. This presentation identifies toxins so parents can make informed decisions about diet and reduce the risk of asthma, allergies, ADHD, learning disabilities and other serious illnesses linked to food toxins. Admission is free. For more information, call Forst at 214-673-4788 or visit GroovyBeets.com. See ads, pages 18 and 39.


Celebrate the Age of Enlightenment

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he 35th annual Renaissance in North Texas! Scarborough Renaissance Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., from April 4 to May 25, in Waxahachie , Texas. The 16th-century style of King Henry VIII will come alive with interactive fun for everyone, including full combat jousting, birds of prey exhibitions, the enchantments of Mermaid Lagoon and 21 stages of nonstop Renaissance entertainment. More than 200 shoppes offer crafts and artisan demonstrations, along with rides, games of skill, food and wine and beer tastings fit for a king. Special dates include: n April 4 and 5: opening weekend/kid’s free/half price for seniors/Easter n April 11 and 12: royal ale festival n April 18 and 19: Celtic weekend n April 25 and 26: artisan’s showcase weekend n May 2 and 3: Live the Fantasy Weekend/deaf awareness day n May 9 and 10, Mother’s Day weekend: Mother’s Day brunch daily/Renaissance Romance n May 16 and 17: Legends of the Seas weekend n May 23, 24 and 25: final knights/veterans tribute Admission starts at $25 for adults, less for children and military. Discount tickets are available at Kroger starting Mar. 23 and Waxahachie Autoplex. For more information, visit SRFestival.com.

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newsbriefs Aveda Products Available at Hair Color Studios

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fter meeting with Aveda founder Horst Rechelbacher, Hair Color Studios salon owner KP Peterson was convinced that Aveda products were a great match for her salon, which is built upon giving women and men a place to get the beauty services they need, in a way that is low on the harmful and unpleasant-smelling chemicals and toxins that are so pervasive in the beauty industry. “I’ve been at this for a long time,” says Peterson. I’ve seen how harmful the chemicals used in so many hair and skin products can be. The stylists are in it every day, all day, and often one can make a direct connection between the stylist’s disease and the chemicals they’ve been using, touching and breathing in for years.” She explains that Aveda is a great line with aromatherapy benefits, but also one of the first beauty companies to endorse a set of principles designed to encourage greater environmental responsibility in business, known as The Ceres Principles. Location: 9200 E. Lebanon Rd., Ste. 32, in the Sprouts Shopping Center, Frisco. To book an appointment, call 214-4364955. For more information, visit HairColorStudios.com. See ad, page 30.

Pioneer Pace 5K Fun Run/Walk Benefits Food Banks

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he Nutrition Student Association of Texas Woman’s University is hosting a 5K Fun Run/Walk fundraiser on April 18 to benefit the Tarrant Area Food Bank and the North Texas Food Bank. Checkin begins at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m. This 21st annual event will enable the student nutrition association of Texas Woman’s University in the effort to gain resources toward fighting hunger in our communities. This family-oriented event is filled with free participant T-shirts, goodie bags, raffle prizes and chances to win dozens of great gift cards, a showcase of great small Denton businesses, fun games, great food and more. Registration closes Apr. 8. Location: Texas Woman’s University, Old Main Circle, Denton. Buy tickets online at PioneerPace5k2015.myevent.com.

Give Kids a Head Start Toward a Science Career

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amp Invention, for students entering grades one through six, features lessons exploring connections between science, technology, engineering and innovation. Children work together to seek solutions to real-world problems, turn ordinary into extraordinary and sharpen critical 21st-century learning skills in several fascinating modules. Brand-new this year is the Illuminate Program. In the KartWheel module, children let their engineering skills glide them across the finish line as they build, enhance and upgrade their very own freestyle racing cart. Boys and girls will explore what it means to prototype a product from scratch as they become an entrepreneur during the Design Studio: Illuminate module. In the I Can Invent: Next Level Gamers module, participants will take apart broken or unused appliances using real tools to create a physical video game model in three dimensions. In the Inducted module, personalized video challenges from National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees are introduced, along with hands-on activities like constructing super-structure mega-towers, assembling out-of-this-world space rockets and more. Instructors and staff
are local educators that will facilitate program modules, and enthusiastic high school and college students will serve as leadership interns, ensuring that one staff member is in place for every eight children. Call 800-968-4332 to find a nearby location and visit CampInvention.org to register. See ad, page 31.

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Become a Super Hero for a Day

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he theme this year for this year’s Step Forward to Cure TSC (tuberous sclerosis complex) walk is “Super Heroes.” Individuals, families, friends, neighbors, co-workers and supporters are all encouraged to participate dressed like their favorite hero beginning at 11 a.m., May 9, at the Frisco Commons Park Pavilion. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Participants will enjoy refreshments, kid’s activities, entertainment and a great walk route, as well as updates and information from the TS Alliance. They will meet lots of local families, friends and partners living with and supporting families with TSC. Registration is free and donations are welcome. Location: 8000 McKinney Rd. Frisco, Texas. For more information about raising funds and to register, visit tsalliance.org.

Dallas Sierra Club Hosts Bat Talk

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ate Rugroden, director of special projects for Bat World Sanctuary, in Arlington, will present a program, The Essential Bat, to the Dallas Sierra Club Lone Star chapter at their April 14 meeting at 7 p.m., preceded by refreshments and socializing at 6:30 p.m. This family-friendly program features live, native species bats, and is an opportunity for people to see these tiny creatures up close. The program, based on her book, The Essential Bat, introduces the audience to these extraordinary creatures and the many ways in which they affect human life through lecture/discussion, artifacts and live native-species bats. During the program, attendees are introduced to bats in the media, bats as cultural icons and ways to help protect bat species. Special attention is given to white nose syndrome, a fungal disease that is devastating bat populations throughout the U.S. Admission is free and the public is invited. Location: Brookhaven College, 3939 Valley View Lane. For more information, visit DallasSierraClub.org.

New Sierra Club Chapter Opens for Collin and Denton Counties

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new Sierra Club Cross Timbers chapter has opened for Collin and Denton Counties, and the next meeting is from 6 to 8 p.m., April 13, at the Denton Public Library North Branch to discuss cleanup events at local lakes in May and upcoming events for the entire family. Meetings are held on an alternating basis in Denton and Collin counties. For more information, call Brandi Price at 469-247-6391. natural awakenings

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earthdayevents

EARTH

Allen

EarthFest 2015 April 4 Dayspring Nature Preserve Nature walks, photo opportunities, kayaking, wildlife demonstrations, kite flying, food and more. 214-509-5555. Great American Clean-Up April 18 Two locations: Allen City Hall and Chelsea Blvd at Allen Commerce Pkwy Allen residents can clear out closets, clean up yards and participate in the biggest cleanup day of the year. 214-509-4555.

DAY 2015

Hope for Our Future

Canton

Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off April 13-17 Keep Canton Beautiful, 119 N Buffalo. 903-567-1849.

by Julianne Hale

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hen we learn about the condition of our most valuable resource—this spinning planet we call home—we may feel a sense of urgency, desperation or even defeat. Global climate change is a powerful foe, and current efforts may seem like a losing race against time. Yet, mounting evidence suggests that the global community is making progress, giving rise to the possibility that climate change may not be the insurmountable obstacle we once thought. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) article, “We Can Do This: 10 Reasons There’s Hope for our Climate,” by Dan Upham, summarizes a speech given by EDF President Fred Krupp at the 2014 Aspen Ideas Festival (Tinyurl. com/HopeForTheClimate). Here are some encouraging highlights. The price of solar energy panels has dropped by 75 percent in the U.S. since 2008, and affordable wind energy is increasingly available. According to a study published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, carbon dioxide emissions from energy in this country dropped by 10 percent between 2005 and 2012. In addition, China, the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases, is actively

seeking ways to reduce emissions. Proof of progress is also found in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan to cut billions of tons of pollution, a goal supported by two-thirds of Americans, according to a survey conducted by Harstad Strategic Research. Aligned with this, the government is requiring that manufacturers double automobile fuel mileage by 2025. Perhaps the best argument for hope reflects the priorities of America’s younger generations. A recent bipartisan poll of young voters conducted by Benenson Strategy Group and GS Strategy Group suggests that 80 percent of voters under the age of 35 support the president taking action to address climate change, making it an issue that both major political parties must take seriously. It’s time to realize that mankind is making decided progress, that the majority of us do care, that what local communities accomplish has a positive effect and that the global community can take the steps needed to avert catastrophic climate change. Become a part of the solution by attending one or more of the community events listed here.

Carrollton

Shred-A-Thon and Electronic Recycling April 11, 10am-12pm Newman Smith High School The Rotary Club of Carrollton-Farmers Branch will host a Drive-Up Shred-A-Thon fundraiser. Proceeds support community service projects and grants of the CFB Rotary Club. cfbrotary5810.org.

Collinsville

Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off April 11, 8am-12pm Collinsville Community Building Special city-wide clean up day. All the civic organizations, churches and school organizations as well as groups such as 4-H Club and Boy Scouts will be participating in an effort to clean up any unsightly areas in town during this special effort. 903-267-3806.

Dallas

Earth Day Texas April 24-26, 10am-6pm Fair Park Exhibits, entertainment and education for all ages. Free. EarthdayTexas.org.

DENTON

Earth Week at the University of North Texas Apr 21-25 EarthFest held Apr 22, 4-7pm at Willis Library Mall with expo booths, free food, giveaways and live music group. Earth Week includes art exhibitions, educational forums and more. unt.edu. See event spotlight, page 11.

Flower Mound

Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off April 18, 8:30am-12pm Flower Mound Home Depot Parking Lot A community trash clean-up of parks, trails, roadways and waterways and an Environmental/ Health Fair. 469-828-9074.

grapevine

Keep Grapevine Beautiful: EPIC Earth Day – April 18 Grapevine Botanical Gardens Features eco-friendly exhibits, speakers, vendors, entertainment, games and activities. 817-4103490. KGVB.org.

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Frisco

Clean It and Green It April 18, 9am-12pm 7171 Ikea Dr. Celebrate Earth Month with a community litter cleanup and then an after party at IKEA. Preregister: Mkinson@FriscoTexas.gov.

eventspotlight

Irving

Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off April 11, 9am-12pm Trinity View Park The Trinity River watershed drains an area of 11.5 million acres and supports the water needs of 40 percent of the Texas population, nearly 9 million people, so help keep its number pollutant—litter—out of this important waterway. 972-721-2175.

Lake Dallas

Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off April 11, 9-11am. Willow Grove Park The largest one-day cleanup event in the state of Texas. Volunteers will help beautify the community by clearing designated areas of litter and debris. 940-497-2226 x 132.

Murphy

Keep Murphy Beautiful April 18, 9am-12pm Murphy City Hall parking lot Discard your large, small, and electronic household recyclables. All materials collected will be 100% recycled. Paper document shredding is included. 972-468-4100. MurphyTX.org.

Plano

Great American Cleanup April 18, 9am-2pm Plano Centre 972-769-4176.

Richardson

Great American Cleanup Trash Bash April 18, 9am-1pm Richardson Civic Center/City Hall Join Keep Richardson Beautiful and the City of Richardson for our annual clean-up event and expo. 972-744-4077.

Sachse

Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off/ Great American Cleanup/Arbor Day Event April 11, 9am-1pm 3815 B Sachse Rd. Join other volunteers throughout Sachse to help clean, and beautify our community. 469-4290275.

Tyler

Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off April 11, 8am-1pm Southside Park Volunteers will gather at the picnic pavilion and clean up Rose Rudman and South Trails as well as the banks of Mud Creek. There will be food, fun and prizes after the cleanup. 903-531-1348. More events may be found in the calendar section, see pages 36-38.

Earth Week at the University of North Texas

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he University of North Texas (UNT) Earth Day Awards will be presented during EarthFest on April 22 at Eagle Point Duck Pond. A tree dedication ceremony will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Campus organizations and individuals are awarded for their efforts in sustainability initiatives, and a tree is planted in honor of someone that has retired and left a long-standing green legacy. The 2014 honoree was Charlie Jackson, former UNT associate vice president of facilities. EarthFest is a large carnival event with expo booths, free food, giveaways and live music group in the Willis Library Mall from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Earth Week events from April 21 through 25 also include art exhibitions, educational forums, and more. “Earth Week is an opportunity for UNT to engage students and the local community in conversations about sustainability,” says Todd Spinks, Ph.D., director of UNT Sustainability. UNT Sustainability started a 5 for 5 Program in September for the first time. Comprising two aspects: the building campaign—five buildings focus on five themes at a time; and a campus-wide request to students and staff to focus for five minutes every Friday on some area of sustainability. The focus changes and may be selected by the participant. The idea is to plan ahead and be more deliberate in choices for environmental, economic and social sustainability. UNT Sustainability will have two booths at Earth Day Texas (earthdaytx.org), held from 9:30 to 6 p.m., April 24 through

26, at Fair Park, in Dallas. One table will feature general information about UNT Sustainability, UNT degrees that focus on sustainability, careers in sustainability and the economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainability in our community, state, country and around the world. UNT houses the first Ph.D. in environmental ethics in the country. UNT has partnered with Schneider Electric to develop an energy savings plan that will reduce energy consumption by 17 percent and water consumption by 15 percent. In 2010, the study body voted to approve a campus We Mean Green Fund, which accepts proposals for projects from students, faculty and staff. The Green Fund has funded projects such as a natural dye garden and rain harvesting system, a pilot bike share program and the installation of Dyson hand dryers on campus. The university has also recycled nearly 1,000 tons of waste materials. UNT has been committed to protecting the natural environment through research and academics since 1935. In 2009, it created a sustainability office to oversee initiatives related to energy, water and resource conservation. In addition to operational projects, the office also oversees educational and outreach programs to encourage sustainable behaviors. This year marks the university’s seventh year of Earth Week celebrations. For more information, visit unt.edu.

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healthbriefs

Acupuncture Increases Quality of Life for Allergy Sufferers

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esearch from Berlin’s Charité University Medical Center suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, in 2013, the study analyzed data on the costs and quality of life of 364 allergy patients that had been randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: rescue medication alone (taken when symptoms are greatest); acupuncture treatment plus rescue medication; or sham (nontherapeutic) acupuncture plus rescue medication. Patients receiving acupuncture incurred higher total treatment costs, but also gained significantly more quality of life compared with the rescue medication-only groups.

Strawberries Reduce Blood Pressure

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study published in the World Journal of Diabetes concluded that the regular consumption of a flavonoidrich strawberry beverage reduces blood pressure in people with Type 2 diabetes. The study divided 36 subjects, all with moderately high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, into two groups—the first drank the equivalent of one serving of fresh strawberries per day made from freeze-dried berries, and the other group drank the same amount of an imitation strawberry-flavored drink over a six-week period. Blood pressure was tested at the beginning and end of the study for all participants. At the end, the group drinking the real strawberry beverage registered significantly lower diastolic blood pressure than at the outset; it was also lower than the imitation strawberry group. The average diastolic blood pressure of the group drinking real strawberries went down by 6.5 percent and the systolic dropped by 12 percent. The strawberry-flavored group’s systolic blood pressure was also reduced, but only by 3.7 percent.

The Color Green Makes Exercise Feel Easier

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esearch from the University of Essex, in England, suggests that viewing natural green images while exercising may be better than being exposed to other colors. The researchers tested 14 people doing moderate-intensity cycling while watching video footage of predominantly gray, red or green imagery. Each of the participants underwent three cycling tests—one with each of the videos— along with a battery of physiological and mood testing. The researchers found that when the subjects watched the green-colored video, they had better moods, with a lower relative perception of exertion than when they exercised while watching the red and grey videos. They also found those that exercised while watching the red video experienced greater feelings of anger during their exercise. 12

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Memory Works Better Reading Real Books

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esearchers from Norway’s Stavanger University and France’s AixMarseille Université found that readers remember a story better if it’s on paper. The study tested 50 people that read the same 28-page short story. Half of the group read the paper version and the other half read the story on a Kindle e-reader. The researchers discovered that readers of the digital version could not remember details from the story or reconstruct the plot as well as the group that read the paper copy. The researchers found that the feedback of a Kindle doesn’t provide the same support for mental reconstruction of a story as a print pocket book does. “When you read on paper, you can sense with your fingers a pile of pages on the left growing, and shrinking on the right,” explains Stavanger University’s Anne Mangen, Ph.D. These findings confirm a study performed a year earlier, also led by Mangen. Seventy-two 10th-graders were given text to read either on paper or on a computer screen. The students that read the paper text versions scored significantly higher in reading comprehension testing than those reading digital versions. natural awakenings

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globalbriefs

Curbside Composting

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

Thriving Eco-Towns

Malaysian Villages Model Sustainability

photo by MIGHT

Innovations being successfully pioneered in Malaysia offer ideas for improving the world, according to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), including the construction of high-tech, self-sustaining ecological “smart” villages. These villages are lifting incomes for scores of rural families while promoting environmental sustainability. Each 50acre community consists of about 100 affordable homes, advanced educational, training and recreational facilities and an integrated, sustainable farm system that provides villagers with food and employment that on average, triples their monthly income. Low-cost, 1,000-square-foot homes are built in 10 days and the communal farming operations include a cascading series of fish tanks, or “aquafarms”. Filtered fish tank wastewater irrigates trees, grain fields and high-value plants grown in “autopots”, a three-piece container with a valve that detects soil moisture levels and releases water as required, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Free-range chickens feed on the fast-reproducing worms that process the plant compost. This system optimizes nutrient absorption, minimizes waste and enables crops to be grown on previously non-arable land. The village’s solar-generated power is complemented by biomass energy and mini-hydro electricity. A community hall, resource center, places of worship, playgrounds and educational facilities equipped with 4G Internet service support e-learning and e-health services.

No Food Scraps Need Go to Waste

People in the United States waste more than a third of all of the food they produce, but more than 180 cities and towns are beginning to realize that wasted food can be valuable; they are asking residents to separate unwanted food from the rest of their trash and put it in a curbside compost bin. The idea is to stop sending food waste to the landfill, where it generates harmful methane gas pollution, and start turning it into something useful, like compost. In 2011, Portland, Oregon, launched a curbside compost program in which residents are encouraged to put food scraps into the city’s green yard waste bin. Since then, the amount of garbage sent to the landfill has decreased by 37 percent. According to Bruce Walker, the city’s solid waste and recycling program manager, the program also reduces the environmental footprint of the trash heap. Getting people to separate their food waste, however, can be difficult. To motivate its residents to put more food waste in the compost bin, the city of Seattle, Washington, has proposed both making curbside composting mandatory and fining residents a dollar every time they put a disproportionate volume of food waste in their trash. Source: NetNebraska.org

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Buzzing Buddies

‘Flying Doctor’ Bees Prevent Cherry Disease University of Adelaide researchers are introducing a “flying doctor” method of employing bees as preventive medicine. Project leader and bee researcher Katja Hogendoorn, Ph.D., says, “All commercial cherry growers spray during flowering to control the later development of cherry brown rot. Instead of spraying fungicide, we’re using bees to deliver a biological control agent right to the flowers, where it’s needed.” The innovative delivery works via entomovectoring. This is a new technique for Australia, with potential application in many horticultural industries. The biological control agent contains spores of a parasitic fungus that prevents another fungus that causes the brown rot from colonizing the flower. Future applications of the small, winged medics are expected to become available for disease control in almonds, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears and stone fruit. Source: Adelaide.edu.au

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communityspotlight

Darlene Owen has a Talent for Transplanting by Julie Reynolds

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arlene Owen, a Realing and energy techniques tor at RE/MAX Town that really set her apart. The & Country, in Allen, techniques she employs has been called an “intuiduring her transactions help tive Realtor.” She knows make it as smooth and lowwhat needs to be done, stress as possible. knows how to effectively Though a client may communicate with clinot “see” her doing anyents and has special skills thing out of the ordinary, which help her minimize Reiki, crystal therapy and the stress of moving. Access Consciousness are Owen states, “Shelter some of the techniques that Darlene Owen is one of life’s most basic Owen knows and practices, needs, where we raise our families, make and are a key part of why she has such memories and retreat to relax and renew. a knack for calming the innate energy It is where we eat, sleep and sometimes of a real estate transaction. If clients are work. This is where life’s stories are creinterested, she can utilize other resourcated. So much time is spent here that a es such as feng shui consultants and home is one of the most important and professional stagers. Her husband works expensive purchases we will ever make.” in construction and does home renova Buying a home can be exciting for tions, which is another trusted resource many buyers, but included in that proavailable to Owen. cess are many unknowns and questions There is much more to the process about how to begin. For a seller, it can of buying and selling property than just also be a stressful time. Some are leaving paperwork. In a perfect transaction, the a memorable place, closing an estate, seller sells for a reasonable price and is getting divorced or going through other happy, and the buyer buys at a reasonemotional life changes. Other sellers feel able price and is just as happy. Although relief or happiness, with a sale providthis is the ideal situation, the reality is ing the ability to move on. A home sale that sellers and buyers sometimes need is a big deal, and having an expert like to compromise to make a deal come Owen who can guide the way throughto fruition, which can get emotional. out the transaction and has the needed Owen’s ability to smooth the emotional local resources is very important; but it is waters and help each party transition Owen’s studies and practice using calm- with emotional peace, in addition to

performing the practical and legal steps of the process, is very valuable. Working with Owen means working as a team, so it is a win-win situation. “After they purchase their homes, I set my clients up with services and lifestyle needs to help make the transition as seamless as possible,” Owen explains. For her, it is all part of understanding the needs of each family. Many people move to Texas from other towns, states and countries, and often have pre-conceived ideas about Texas based on movies or stereotypes. “The Dallas—Fort Worth Metroplex is over 9,000 square miles, and there are people from everywhere here. Subsequently, there are all kinds of opportunities in almost every kind of way,” says Owen. She has helped people relocate from as far away as California and Europe, and is especially skilled at transitioning them to the Dallas—Fort Worth area. Owen has much to offer transplants, and loves helping them get acquainted with the area and connect with things that make them feel comfortable and familiar in their new setting. Owen loves to guiding the transaction of buying or selling a home, and getting a great deal for her clients is paramount. But it is helping in the human, emotional transition where her uniqueness really shines. She says, “Helping my clients feel grounded, cared for, calm and at ease, is key to making all the rest of the deal go really well.” Darlene Owen specializes in Dallas, Plano, Frisco, McKinney and Garland areas. Call Owen at 972-979-7640 or visit DarleneOwen.com. See ad, page 29.

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The Food Artisans Next Door Homemade Delicacies, Direct from Our Neighbors by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

Neighbors in most states can now legally buy fresh breads, cookies and preserves from local food artisans.

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he locavore movement of eating locally produced foods continues to expand, thanks to 42 states passing cottage food laws that permit community members to make certain foods at home to sell to neighbors. Some enterprises use a contract packer to deliver on a scale not possible domestically, or even operate from a com-

mercially licensed production facility. From sauerkraut and distinctive jams and organic jellies to gluten- or peanut-free cakes and regional artisanal breads, some of the most flavorful products are being produced with no chemical preservatives, artificial colors or other laboratory ingredients. Nearly all are made in small batches, and usu-

photo courtesy of Epiphany Gluten Free Bakery, Naples, FL

consciouseating

ally by the owner. Many source local ingredients or serve special dietary needs largely underserved or ignored by larger food businesses. “In a sharing economy, individuals look less to big chain stores for their food needs and more to each other, making fresher, tastier and often healthier foods more accessible,” explains Janelle Orsi, co-founder of the Oakland, California, Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC), citing its Policies for Shareable Cities report partnered with the nonprofit Shareable. The Specialty Food Association reports that sales of specialty foods— primarily at grocery retailers, but also cottage operators via farmers’ markets and direct orders when allowed by their state—grew 22 percent from 2010 to 2012, topping $85 billion.

Healthy as it Comes

“All of our products are made by hand and in small batches daily,” says Ruth Wardein, co-owner, with Andrew Amick, of Epiphany Gluten Free Bakery, in Naples, Florida, which she launched from her home kitchen. Besides glutenfree cookies, cakes and breads, she’s always “perfecting” her Paleo cookies, brownies and pancake mix. Paleo recipes contain no grains, dairy, yeast or refined sugars, explains Wardein. “They require nut and seed flours, coconut oil and natural sugars like honey or maple syrup. So they are naturally higher in protein and fiber and lower in carbs than the average glutenfree recipe.” “We’re experimenting with the community supported agriculture model with local fruit,” says Erin Schneider. She and her husband, Rob McClure, operate Hilltop Community Farm, in LaValle, Wisconsin, which produces value-added products with organically grown crops. “We have salsas, pickles and jams. Our black currant and honey jam is sold before it’s made. Rob’s garlic dills have their own following.” Wisconsin’s cottage food law restricts sales to only high-acid foods.

Quality over Quantity

In Royal Oaks, California, Garden Variety Cheese owner, cheesemaker and shepherd Rebecca King feeds her 100 milking ewes organically raised, 18

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irrigated pasture grass and brewer’s grain to yield award-winning farmstead easier-to-digest sheep cheeses from her Monkeyflower Ranch. “Many first-time customers like my story as a small producer and want to buy direct from the farm. They keep buying because of the taste,” says King. “My marinara and pizza sauces are made in small batches by hand in a home kitchen, enabling us to hot pack them to retain the ingredients’ natural favors,” says Liz James, owner of The Happy Tomato, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her sauces are also low in sodium and contain no sugar, saturated fat or gluten. James’ production is facilitated by Virginia’s home food processor license, which lets her work from home and sell wholesale. Whole Foods Market is among her major retail accounts. When home-based cottage food businesses are spurred into expansion to keep up with demand, a situation sometimes complicated by state limits on sales volume, many opt for renting space in the growing number of incubator, or community, kitchens nationwide. “We did farmers’ markets for three years and went from seven customers to thousands,” says Wardein, who now rents a commercial kitchen space. “Returning customers are the momentum that has pushed us forward.” “By growing food in and around our own neighborhoods and cities, we decrease our dependence on an oftentimes unjust and ecologically destructive global food system and build stronger, more connected and resilient communities,” affirms Yassi Eskandari-Qajar, director of SELC’s City Policies program. “We think it’s important to produce what grows well on our soil and then sell it, so that ecology drives economics, rather than vice versa,” says Schneider. “Random things prosper in our area, like paprika peppers, elderberries, hardy kiwi, garlic, pears and currants. It’s our job as ecologically-minded farmers to show how delicious these foods can be.” Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko are coauthors of the new book Homemade for Sale, a guide for launching a food business from a home kitchen, plus ECOpreneuring, Farmstead Chef and Rural Renaissance. Learn more at HomemadeForSale.com. natural awakenings

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ecotip Sustainable Shopping Tips Smart Choices Help Our Home Planet

The buy local movement and popularity of local farmers’ markets continue to grow, but we can do even better when it comes to sustainable shopping. A recent Greendex.com survey on environmental impacts of consumer behaviors in 18 countries reports that more Americans are eating local and organic foods and say they’re going to consume less meat and bottled water. Nevertheless, we continue to eat the most processed and packaged foods and the fewest fruits and vegetables of all the countries surveyed. Evidently, we need to literally put our money where our mouths are. The Greendex survey cites several basic ways to make our diets more sustainable. These include eating more vegetables and less beef and lamb (recognizing the greater environmental impact of raising animals); participating and supporting community supported agriculture and fishery initiatives; economizing meal planning; and storing food properly in the refrigerator to maximize space and freshness periods. When grocery shopping, peruse the perimeter aisles first, where whole foods are stocked, instead of the interior shelves, which typically comprise processed foods according to MotherEarthLiving.com. More cooperation between the public and private sectors and individual involvement can also increase sustainability in communities around the world. Rachael Durrant, Ph.D., a research fellow with the UK-based Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group, cites in a recent paper the need for improved understanding of the key roles that civil society organizations play within processes of large-scale social change and warned that many communities are vulnerable to grave environmental and social risks. Durrant lauds “greener, fairer and healthier practices, such as community gardening or cookery classes,” plus “those that change the rules of the game through campaigns or lobbying to coordinate and facilitate activities of other groups.” Supporting food and farming management that’s independent, cooperative and welcomes volunteers, for example, is highly beneficial.

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businessprofile displaying a passion for what we do with a big smile. “We believe that helping to improve the industry as a whole by sharing our practices is the fundamental goal of a company like ours. We are that third-party candidate trying to raise attention to the issues,” says Arnold. He professes that his prices are competitive with industry standards. “We have several programs with price ranges to fit the size and scope of the job. All prices are given at the end of a free inspection. We gladly tell clients how to do what we do for free—because it’s the right thing to do to share with people what you are doing in their home,” he declares. Arnold says, “We aim to provide a professional alternative for those seeking natural pest solutions. We also aim to raise the industry standard by providing an example of how we feel pest control should be done.”

Eliminating Insect Pests the Natural Way by Charles Lewis

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we utilize pesticides atural Pest Solutions that contain naturally was founded seven occurring ingredients, years ago in reaction such as botanical oils, to a pesticide-related family minerals, diatomaceous tragedy involving the family earth and poison-free dog. When the Arnolds pest control devices. We lost their beloved Scottish also try to do our part by terrier to bladder cancer, utilizing paperless billing they wondered if there and scheduling programs, was anything he could have done to prevent the as well as utilizing hybrid Jarrod Arnold vehicles,” says Arnold. disease. They researched the chemicals to which his dog may Natural Pest Solutions specializes have been exposed and discovered that in problem solving. “Our main focus an herbicide, 2-4D, commonly found in is in residential prevention and remeresidential weed-and-seed treatments, diation of general pest, termites and had been implicated in studies of dogs mosquito management,” says Arnold. with bladder cancer. This sparked a “Anyone that would like to live withfamily interest in finding a better way to out the pests that can hurt their home, manage pests in general. health or mental well-being without Today, Jarrod Arnold runs the having to worry about poisons being family business. “We employ a used in their environment needs our specialized form of integrated pest services. My father taught me that management [IPM] that boils down attitudes are contagious, so why not to a strategy of using pesticides as the give the world a smile? We do our last step in a process of understanding best to improve the quality of life for and solving pest problems. What is our customers by finding the program special about our form of IPM is that that fits their personal needs best and

Natural Pest Solutions is located in Plano. For more information, call 469-585-0234 or visit GuysInGreen.com. See ad, page 14.

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greenliving

Home-Grown Organic Made Easy 10 Time-Saving Tips for a Healthy Garden by Barbara pleasant

Organic gardening experts share strategies for growing a great garden and having a life, too.

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he arrival of planting season has a stunning effect on veggie gardeners. We talk to our seedlings as if they were children, and don’t mind working until dark if that’s what it takes to get the fingerling potatoes in the ground. Then, complications like crabgrass and cabbageworms appear, and keeping up with all the details feels impossible. We can lighten looming chores by using these timesaving tips, which will reduce later workloads when storms and the hot summer sun threaten to squelch the magic. Mulch to reduce watering and prevent weeds. “You can cut your watering time in half by mulching crops with a three-to-four-inch layer of straw or shredded leaves,” says Niki Jabbour, award-winning author of The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener and Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden. “Crops like tomatoes, potatoes, kale, broccoli, cucumbers and squash all benefit from a deep mulch, which reduces the need to water and also prevents weeds, saving even more time.” Grow herbs in convenient containers. Family cooks will harvest kitchen herbs every day, in all kinds of weather, so don’t waste footsteps. Grow some parsley, basil and other herbs in large containers near the kitchen door. Try promising perennials. Plant them once, and vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb come back year after year in cold winter climates like the Midwest and Northeast. Where winters are mild, artichokes or chayote (pear squash) are longlived and productive. Many resilient herbs will return each spring, too, including sage, mints, thyme and oregano. Tarragon and marjoram make trusty perennial herbs in the Sun Belt.

Stock up on organic seeds. “As a year-round vegetable gardener, I try to come up with a list of all the seeds I’ll need for every season when I place annual seed orders,” Jabbour says. “That way, I will place fewer orders and have everything on hand at the proper planting time, saving both time and money.” Organic seeds in consumer seed catalogs and retail racks won’t be genetically modified or treated with pesticides. Be generous with organic compost. With each planting, mix in organic compost along with a balanced organic fertilizer. Food crops grown in organically enriched soil are better able to resist challenges from pests and diseases, which simplifies summer tasks. Grow flowers to attract beneficial insects. Reducing or eliminating pesticides and increasing plantings of flowers can radically improve the balance between helpful and harmful insects in a garden. Horticulturist Jessica Walliser, cohost of Pittsburgh’s The Organic Gardeners KDKA radio show and author of Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, recommends starting with sweet alyssum, an easy-to-grow annual that can be tucked into the edges of beds or added to mixed containers. “The tiny blossoms of sweet alyssum are adept at supporting several species of the non-stinging parasitic wasps that help keep aphids and other common pests in check,” Walliser says. In warm climates where they are widely grown, crape myrtles have been found to serve as nurseries for lady beetles, lacewings and other beneficial insects. Protect plants with fabric barriers. Pest insects seeking host plants won’t find cabbage or kale if they’re hidden beneath hoops covered with fine-mesh fabric like wedding net (tulle) or garden fabric row cover. “Cover the plants the day they are transplanted into the garden,” advises Walliser. As long as the edges are securely tucked in, row covers will also protect plants from wind, hail, rabbits and deer. Hoe briefly each day. Commit 10 minutes a day to hoeing. While slicing down young weeds, hill up soil over potatoes or clean up beds ready to be replanted. Look out for small problems to correct before they become big ones. No more misplaced tools. Time is often wasted searching for lost weeders, pruning shears and other hand tools, which are easier to keep track of when painted in bright colors or marked with colored tape. Jabbour uses a tool stash basket placed at the garden entrance. Stop to smell the flowers. Use moments saved to sit quietly, relax and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the garden. Pausing to listen to the birds or watch a honeybee work a flower is part of the earned reward of any healthy garden that can’t be measured by the pound. Barbara Pleasant, the author of numerous green thumb books, including Starter Vegetable Gardens: 24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic Gardens, grows vegetables, herbs and fruits in Floyd, Virginia. Connect at BarbaraPleasant.com. natural awakenings

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Nature’s Wisdom Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us by Christine MacDonald

The environment is not separate from ourselves; we are inside it and it is inside us; we make it and it makes us. ~ Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, Amazon shaman

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hile the idea that we humans stand apart from—or even above—nature is a prevailing theme in much of modern civilization, naturalists and other clever souls throughout the ages have observed that the opposite is true: We are part of, depend on and evolve with nature— and we ignore this vital connection at our peril. “If one way is better than another, that you may be sure is nature’s way,” admonished the Greek philosopher Aristotle, in the third century B.C.E. “Time destroys the speculation of men, but it confirms the judgment of nature,” Roman politician and philosopher Cicero ruminated two centuries later. Nobel Prize-winning physicist and philosopher Albert Einstein remarked, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Today, more of us are looking to nature for ways to improve physical, mental and emotional health, develop 24

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intelligence, innovate, overhaul how we build homes and neighborhoods, and raise our children.

Healthful Nature

As Henry David Thoreau wrote in his classic 1854 book Walden, “We need the tonic of wildness.” While we know firsthand how walking in the woods can elevate mood, scientists have documented that a regular dose of nature has other far-reaching benefits. It can lower stress hormone levels, blood pressure and undesirable cholesterol; help heal neurological problems; hasten fuller recovery from surgery and heart attacks; increase cancer-fighting white blood cells; and generally aid overall health (Health Promotion International research report; also Nippon Medical School study, Tokyo). Regular playtime outdoors helps children cope with hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders, accord-

ing to research published in Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care. Exposure to nature can help adults escape from today’s wired lives; reinvigorate, be fitter and less likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes and heart disease, as reported in studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and a University of Washington research summary. It can also unlock understanding of the spiritual essence of life. Hours regularly spent by youth outdoors stimulate imagination and creativity and enhance cognitive development, helping them learn. Nature also helps youngsters develop social awareness, helping them better navigate human relations (Tinyurl.com/ OutdoorHealthBenefits Research). “It’s strange and kind of sad that we are so removed from nature that we actually have to ask why nature is good for us,” says Dr. Eva Selhub, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, author of the new book Your Health Destiny, and co-author of Your Brain on Nature. “The fact is our brains and bodies are wired in concert with nature.” Recognition of nature’s positive effects has grown so much in recent years that physicians increasingly write their patients “prescriptions” to go hiking in the woods, counting on the healthy exercise and exposure to sunlight, nature and soothing views to address health problems stemming from poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. Healthcare clinics and hospitals in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Indianapolis, Albuquerque, New Mexico, California’s Bay Area and elsewhere have launched Prescription Trails programs aimed at objectives from preventing obesity in children to healthful activities for retirees (Tinyurl. com/AmericanHealthTrails). Bestselling author Richard Louv calls the positive nature effect “vitamin N” in The Nature Principle. He contends: “Many of us, without having a name for it, are using the nature tonic. We are, in essence, self-medicating with an inexpensive and unusually convenient drug substitute.”


Scientific studies show that a regular dose of nature has far-reaching health benefits. More doctors now write “nature” prescriptions for their patients. Such ideas are commonly accepted in many cultures. The Japanese believe in the restorative power of shinrinyoku, which could be translated as “forest medicine” or “forest bathing”. Indigenous peoples like the Brazilian tribe led by Shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, fighting to preserve their land and way of life in the Amazon, profess to be at one with the innate riches of sustainable rainforests (SurvivalInternational.org/parks).

Innovative Nature

Scientists, inventors and other innovators are increasingly inspired by nature. Biomimicry, part social movement and part burgeoning industry, looks to how Earth’s natural systems work and solve problems. University of Utah researchers, inspired by the durable homes built by sandcastle worms, are creating a synthetic glue that one day could help repair fractured bones. Architectural components manufacturer Panelite makes energy-efficient insulated glass by mimicking the hexagonal structure that bees use in honeycombs. (Find other precedents at Tinyurl.com/BiomimicryCaseExamples). The inspiration for biomimicry comes from many places, says Dayna Baumeister, Ph.D. co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8, a Missoula, Montana, company working with other companies and universities to propel biomimicry into the mainstream. “People are recognizing that they’ve been disconnected to the natural world,” she says. “We also realize that [as a species] we are in trouble. We don’t have all the answers, but we can look to other species for inspiration” for clearing pollutants from our bodies and environments. Plants and fungi are now commonly used to clean up old industrial sites that resemble nature’s way of removing pollutants from water and soil. A University of California, Berkeley, meta-study confirms that farmers currently using organic farming methods and solar power achieve roughly the same crop yields as conventional techniques with far less dependence on fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gases and petrochemical pesticide and fertilizer pollution.

Cyclical Nature

These breakthrough technologies emulate the way nature uses the building blocks of life in an endless cycle of birth, reproduction, decay and rebirth. It’s part of a broad rethinking of the principles behind sustainability—building, manufacturing and living in greater harmony with natural systems, perhaps eventually eliminating landfills, air and water pollution, and toxic site cleanups. “A toxin is a material in the wrong place,” says architect William McDonough, of Charlottesville, Virginia. The only individual recipient of the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development, he is co-author of Cradle-to-Cradle, a groundbreaking book that calls for re-envisioning even the nastiest

Wild Nature Nurtures Children’s Imagination by Vicki Johnston

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magine wild spaces of tangled greenery adjacent to grassy clearings that irresistibly beckon children and inspire imaginative play. An area of tall trees, shrubs and cedars is ideal for designing households and headquarters in secluded alcoves. A creepy path with thorny vines hanging down invites sneaking through and hiding from pursuers. Trees invite climbing and strong limbs embrace wounded souls and help dry their tears. To the casual observer, their first impression is likely a simple one: a group of children having a glorious time, sharing imaginative adventures. But if one considers the situation more deeply, they might discover that much more is occurring than simply fun in wild spaces. Nature is stimulating interior wild spaces—the realms of the child’s mind—and activating the genius within. Edith Cobb, author of Ecology of Imagination in Childhood, collected 300 volumes of biographical recollections of childhood by creative thinkers. Her conclusion was that the inventiveness and imagination of nearly all of the people she studied were rooted in early experiences in nature. According to Cobb, “Memories of awakening to the existence of some potential,” are scattered throughout the literature of scientific and aesthetic invention. Most will agree that nature inspires painters and poets, but scientists are seen as another sort of duck. One afternoon, Nikola Tesla, a genius of rare stature, was enjoying the scents and sounds of nature as he walked among tall pines in a city park. Marveling at the golden glow of the setting sun, he was moved to recite poetry by Goethe. As he spoke the words “See my motor here; watch me reverse it,” Tesla claims in his autobiography that that a flash of inspiration hit him, and the idea of an alternating current motor was born. Not a manmade technical laboratory, but nature’s own lab revealed this secret that changed the world. Observing children in wild spaces, we may sense this triggering of genius. Louise Chawla, author of Growing up in an Urbanising World, describes ecstatic sensorial moments in nature as “radioactive jewels… across the years of our lives.” Vicki Johnston MEd, AMS, is the founding director of the Robert Muller School and Center for Living Ethics. See ad, page 5.

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Man is everywhere a disturbing agent. Wherever he plants his foot, the harmonies of nature are turned to discord. The proportions and accommodations that ensured the stability of existing arrangements are overthrown. Of all organic beings, man alone is to be regarded as essentially a destructive power. ~George Perkins Marsh, Man and Nature (1864) waste, and The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability—Designing for Abundance. McDonough imagines a world where waste becomes raw material for new buildings, furniture and other goods— akin to how a forest reuses every deceased tree and animal to nourish the ecosystem and spawn new life. With 80 percent of U.S. residents currently living in urban areas, architects, builders and municipal planners are likewise pivoting toward nature, prompted by the scientific evidence of the many ways that human health and general well-being rely upon it. While this contact is preferably the kind of “stopping by woods” that inspired New England poet Robert Frost, even a walk in a city park will work. “Urban nature, when provided as parks and walkways and incorporated into building design, provides calming and inspiring environments and encourages learning, inquisitiveness and alertness,” reports the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, in Green Cities: Good Health. The American Planning Association stresses the importance of integrating green space into urban neighborhoods. Not only does so-called “metro nature” improve air and water quality and reduce urban heat island effects, urban wilds such as Pittsburgh’s Nine Mile Run and Charlotte, North Carolina’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway also restore natural connections in densely populated city centers.

Natural Intelligence

A growing number of scientists say that research about our place in nature has sparked fresh thinking about our role and devastated quaint notions about our species’ superiority. “Single-celled slime 26

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molds solve mazes. Brainless plants make correct decisions and bees with brains the size of pinheads handle abstract concepts,” points out Anthropologist Jeremy Narby, author of the groundbreaking book Intelligence in Nature. At a national conference of Bioneers, an organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Francisco that gathers nature-minded social and scientific innovators, Narby said: “We are nearly identical to many animals. Many behaviors once thought to be exclusively human are shared by other species. The zone of the specifically human, as determined by science, has been shrinking.” We haven’t lost the ability to tap that primal animal inside, even if most of us are more likely to “venture into the forest” by watching a movie or playing video games. We may feel cut off from our instincts, but studies show time in the woods can do wonders to restore the keenness of our senses to connect with the subtle changes in natural habitat, the movements of other species and the changing seasons. The rise of human civilizations may have taken “survival of the fittest” in new directions, often decidedly tamer ones, but experts ranging from scientific researchers to lifestyle analysts say humankind is still hardwired by our more primitive past. Despite the ingenious ways we’ve devised to exploit other life forms, capitalize on Earth’s resources and protect ourselves from nature’s sometimes terrifying power, our fate remains linked to natural laws and limits, from nurturing our body’s immune system to resolving planet-sized problems like climate change. “‘Nature’ is our natural environ-

True-Life ‘Aha!’ Reads 10 Lessons from Nature to Inspire Our Everyday Lives by David Miller, Tinyurl.com/10InspiringLessons FromNature 9 Amazing Lessons from Nature to Inspire Your Everyday Life by Annie Hauser, Tinyurl.com/9InspiringLessons FromNature Intelligence in Nature by Jeremy Narby Life Lessons from Nature by Elvis Newman Cathedrals of the Spirit by T. C. McLuhan Your Brain on Nature by Eva Selhub

ment,” according to Selhub. We don’t have to move to the country to reconnect, she says. “Even spending 20 minutes a day outside has an effect.” Houseplants, nature photos and aromatherapy Earth scents can also help indoor environments better reflect our own nature. The wealth of research and common sense wisdom is aptly summed up by celebrated author Wendell Berry in The Long-Legged House. “We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it’ll be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.” Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., whose specialties include health and science. Visit ChristineMacDonald.info.


greenbusinessspotlight

Earth Kind Services

Lush Green Lawns the Organic Way by Julie Reynolds

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eau Propes is an their home landscapes. We easygoing kind of guy have drought and extreme who owns and opersoil conditions ranging from ates Earth Kind Services, in heavy clay to sand. The orDenton. He thinks that bigganic composting helps with ger isn’t always better—even these soil challenges.” in Texas. To him, success is Compost lawn treatment not about sitting in an office and top dressing are terms telling other people what to used to describe the techdo and losing touch with the nique Propes uses to spread Beau Propes people that make his business the compost on the lawns. great; it’s about connecting His compost feeds the soil. with nature, being outdoors, educatIt is a blend of recycled green waste ing about environmentally sound lawn containing grass clippings, branches practices and doing physical work that and many types of nutrients composted makes the business feel worthwhile. for six to 12 months. “It is composed Propes owned a traditional lawn of earthy materials being put back on care company for years, but over time, the soil to make it rich, and it works!” his attitude about business and methods he explains. Another option he offers is changed. He started Earth Kind Services a compost that contains some animal to be Earth-friendly and family-friendly, manure. It’s very nutritious for the soil, using his 25 years of experience, adand because it’s completely composted, ditional research and business expertise it’s odor-free. to get back to nature. Propes notes, “I The simple, back-to-basics philoswant to do something that I can feel ophy also applies to Propes’ family. His good about, and know that it’s safe for wife teaches two of their three children people and pets, as well.” from their home, and the kids help Propes understands the benefits with different aspects of the business. of composting and offers homeownPropes says, “It helps teach my kids to ers an organic option for a green do hard work and earn money, and it and healthy lawn. Composting feeds is good for them.” The business allows microorganisms, beneficial bacteria him flexibility with his schedule, which and earthworms, creating a healthy is great for customers and his family soil ecology. He relates, “A lot of life. Propes is an outdoorsman who enhomeowners are challenged with joys fishing and camping, and this job

Before treatment

After three weeks

allows him to enjoy what nature has to offer in terms of work and play. Propes’ favorite part of the job is educating people. He has a wealth of information about healthy, environmentally sound lawn practices, and he loves to share those tips with homeowners. People may not realize, for instance, that using organic matter compost on a lawn can cut water usage from 30 percent to 50 percent because it holds 20 times its own weight in fluid. Earth Kind Services also offers mulching, which can save as much as 70 percent of the water compared to plants with no mulch. This adds up to big savings for homeowners. Propes says, “People want lush green lawns, and while traditional chemical methods may green up the lawn, overuse of them can deplete the soil, contaminate the water supply and kill off important and beneficial microbes and other organisms. Earth Kind compost contributes to a lush green lawn because it actually improves the soil and being organic, it’s safe to walk on in bare feet—even right after application.” Earth Kind Services is located in Denton and services Denton, Collin and Dallas counties. For more information, call 469744-0281 or visit EarthKindServices.com. See ad, page 15.

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demands that catalyzed unexpected self-growth?

wisewords

Healing Journeys

Paul Stutzman Finds Universal Truths on His Treks by Randy Kambic

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aul Stutzman was a successful executive with a family restaurant chain and a happy father and husband married for more than 30 years when his wife, Mary, passed away from breast cancer in 2006. Questioning his faith as to why this happened, Stutzman quit his job to hike the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail (AT), advising everyone he encountered, “Don’t take spouses and families for granted.” His book, Hiking Through, recounts this exreme adventure and relates his subsequent thoughts about grief, healing and life. Stutzman chronicled his second journey, a 5,000-mile-plus cross-country trek, in Biking Across America. This time, he perceived a “noble, yet humble America that still exists and inspires.” More recently, the author has turned to fiction with The Wanderers and Wandering Home, both enriched with reflections upon the values of his Amish Mennonite upbringing and marriage.

What kept you going? Early on, I realized how soothing nature was to my grieving soul. Still, there were times it would have been easy to abandon my journeys and head 28

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for the safety of home. The desire to discover if my life held any meaning after such a great loss kept me moving forward. I kept telling myself on both journeys, “If my wife can fight cancer for four years, I can overcome any obstacle I encounter.” I was determined to write about what I was being taught by nature. I also believed books written by and about someone seeking solace via an incomplete pilgrimage would be cheating the reader.

What do such journeys teach about nature and our response to experiencing it? I find comfort in nature. I believe the beautiful streams and waterfalls, the grand views from mountaintops and the wildlife were all created for our enjoyment. When we absorb this beauty and wonderment, the stresses in life slowly melt away. Granted, not everyone will be able to do what I did; however, a stroll through a local park, along a beach or in a flower garden can have similar effects.

Did these extended physical endeavors make mental

Treks like these into the unknown are physically demanding. With time and effort, one’s body gets into shape for extended hiking and biking. The mental hurdle must be crossed next. You’ll miss home and loved ones. Loneliness will set in. This is where you discover who the real you is. Are you tenacious enough to push through the desire to abandon the pilgrimage or will you succumb to the allure of comfort and safety? On my journeys, I had to make difficult choices. There is a saying that applies to folks planning to hike the AT end-to-end through 14 states: “If hiking the entire Appalachian Trail isn’t the most important thing in your life, you won’t accomplish it.” My daughter gave birth to my grandson while I was hiking. Although she asked that I come home for the event, I declined. I kept on hiking because I knew I wouldn’t return to the trail if I went home. I’d spent my lifetime trying to do the right things for my three children, but now had to do what was right for me.

What did you learn about Americans along the way? I discovered that most Americans are kind, law-abiding citizens. Most are still willing to help a stranger in need. Unfortunately, I feel we focus too much time and energy on the minority of malcontents.

How have these experiences informed your creative process? America is a great country. The beauty I’ve witnessed from a bicycle seat and on two feet hiking the mountains is a continual source of inspiration. Many folks are unable to do what I do. My ongoing desire is to describe the images imprinted in my mind in such a way that others can feel as if they are there walking with me. For more information, visit PaulStutzman.com. Randy Kambic is an Estero, FL, freelance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings.


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healingways

spring greening Easy Ways to Detox a House by lane vail

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or most individuals, odorous chemicals are simply unpleasant. For those that are sensitive and susceptible, however, even common chemical exposures may evoke a toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT) marked by multiplesystem symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, autoimmune disease, asthma, depression and food intolerance. Since the post-World War II expansion of petrochemicals, the incidence of TILT has increased dramatically, says Claudia Miller, a medical doctor, researcher and professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and co-author of Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes. “Fortunately, public awareness has also grown significantly in the last few years,” says Rick Smith, Ph.D., a Canadian environmentalist who co-authored Toxin Toxout. “Now companies and governments worldwide are moving toward making safer products.” We can support progress by leveraging some practical tips in greening our home. Start somewhere. Many volatile organic compounds (VOC) that in-

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clude formaldehyde and benzene are concealed in household items such as couches, chairs, particleboard furniture, mattresses, box springs, carpeting, rugs, synthetic flooring, wallpaper and paint. Green TV host and Fresh Living author Sara Snow implores us not to become overwhelmed, disheartened or fearful. “Creating a healthy home is a gradual process that doesn’t require throwing all the furniture out,” she advises. Start by scrutinizing labels and choosing not to bring new toxins in. For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely found to be associated with reproductive toxicity and is found in many waterproofed and flexible plastics. Select PVC-free toys, shower curtain liners and mattress covers. In the kitchen, avoid potentially carcinogenic perfluorinated chemicals (PFC) found in nonstick coatings of pots and pans. Toss the Teflon when it scratches, says Snow, and upgrade to stainless steel or cast iron. Weed out bisphenols, the DNA-disrupting chemicals found in plastics and epoxy resin can liners. Even “BPA-free” products likely contain alternative and equally harmful


substances, according to a recent study published in Chemosphere. Choose clear glass instead of plastic containers. When remodeling, look for zeroVOC items, Miller says, plus materials free of stain-resistant sprays and flame retardants whose efficacy is questionable. Consider natural fiber rugs like jute or wool. Forest Stewardship Council-certified hardwoods or alternative flooring like cork or glass tile are safer investments in long-term well-being. Clean green. Conventional cleaners are among the worst offenders, and even some “eco-cleaners” can be deceptively unsafe, says Smith. He recommends avoiding antibacterial products containing triclosan, which proliferates antibiotic-resistant bacteria that prolong and exacerbate illnesses, as well as phthalates, a chemical oil that carries artificial aromas and has been repeatedly linked to cancer and abnormal fetal development. “Even so-called natural fragrances are often complex petrochemicals that outgas and contaminate the air,” notes Miller. Snow advises formulating products at home using staple pantry ingredients, including distilled white vinegar for disinfecting, baking soda for scouring, liquid castile soap for sudsing, lemon juice for degreasing and olive oil for polishing. Freshen with fresh air. Americans spend about 90 percent of their time amid indoor air pollutants that are

Even small changes can measurably reduce your family’s daily exposure to healthdamaging chemicals. ~Rick Smith significantly more concentrated than outdoor pollutants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports. “Most energy-efficient homes are well sealed with ventilation systems that recirculate indoor air, so opening the windows helps dilute accumulated airborne toxins,” says Miller. Snow further recommends bringing air-purifying plants into the home such as Gerbera daisies, bamboo palms and English ivy. Vacuum and dust. Vacuuming with a high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter and dusting with a moist cloth eliminates allergens such as pet dander, mites, pollen and mold, and helps remove phthalates, flame retardants, lead and pesticides that “latch onto house dust and accumulate in dust bunnies,” says Smith. Weed out lawn chemicals. “Organophosphate pesticides are profoundly neurotoxic,” says Miller, especially to the developing brains of children. Instead try integrated pest management, which involves controlling pests’ food

sources and applying non-toxic deterrents. Eliminating potentially carcinogenic herbicides might mean managing more weeds, says Snow, but it’s worth it. Eat green. “Buying produce as close to its source as possible, from a farmer or farmers’ market, provides threefold benefits,” says Snow—less wasteful packaging, reduced exposure to chemical plastics and greater concentration of health-promoting nutrients. Buy in bulk and favor glass containers or rectangular cardboard cartons. Take tests. Radon, an invisible, odorless gas that can emanate from the ground and accumulate in homes, annually causes 21,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths, according to the U.S. EPA. Lead, a neurotoxin that may occasionally leach from home water pipes, can also hide in pre-1978 paint. Testing for both and implementing reduction or precautionary measures is simple, advises Smith. Most hardware stores stock test kits. Take action. Join with other concerned citizens by launching a pertinent petition at Change.org; campaigning with organizations like the Environmental Working Group (ewg. org) or Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SaferChemicals.org); and supporting cleaner, greener companies with family purchases. Lane Vail is a freelance writer and blogger at DiscoveringHomemaking.com.

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healthykids

EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change by Avery Mack

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his month, Home influence, according to We only have Nino Box Office (HBO), University of South Carolina in collaboration with one home. If we statistician John Grego. New York City’s American “The globe is warmer Museum of Natural History, mess this one up, than it has been in the last will air the new documenwhere do we 100 years,” says climate tary, Saving My Tomorrow. scientist Jennifer Francis, go next? Scientists representing Ph.D., of Rutgers Univerthe museum discuss how ~Hippocrates, age 8 sity, in New Jersey. “Any temperature change affects wisps of doubt that human life on Planet Earth, but the activities are at fault are majority of voices are those of children. now gone with the wind.” Their words cry out for universal action to prevent them from inheriting what At Sea they believe is a dying planet in desper“We do more damage to the planet ate need of healing. than we think.” ~Peri, age 9

In the Atmosphere

“We need to know the truth, because adults clearly aren’t doing enough to stop this.” ~Zoe, age 12 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA recently announced that last year was the hottest in 135 years of recordkeeping, with rising ocean temperatures driving the global heat index. Nine of the 10 hottest years have occurred since 2000. The odds of this taking place randomly are about 650 million to 1, especially without an El 32

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In the same 100 years, sea levels have risen seven inches, mostly due to expansion as the water warms. “We have over 2 million preserved fish in our collection. We study them to see the effect of temperature change,” says Melanie Stiassny, Ph.D., curator of ichthyology at the museum. “The mummichog fish is less than an inch long. It’s a bottom feeder and that’s where pollution like mercury lies. When the water is warm, fish eat more and mercury is stored in their bodies.” The contaminants move up the food chain, bringing the effects of pollution to our dinner table.


A 2006 study by Nicola Beaumont, Ph.D., with the Plymouth Marine Laboratory UK, found that 29 percent of the oceans’ edible fish and seafood species have declined by 90 percent in the past 100 years. The international team of ecologists and economists led by Boris Worm, Ph.D., of Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, predict total saltwater fish extinction by 2048 due to overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and climate change. Rising ocean acidity due to absorption of increasing carbon dioxide and other emissions from burning fossil fuels impacts creatures large and small, like dissolving the shell of the tiny sea butterfly, a vital link in the ocean’s food chain. Americans currently consume 4.5 billion pounds of seafood each year.

On Land

“Each species was put here for a reason. We are the caretakers.” ~a youth at a climate rally Scientists look back to look ahead. Henry David Thoreau fell in love with the wilderness around Concord, Massachusetts, 160 years ago. From his renowned journals, scientists know when flowers like the pink lady slipper (Cypripedium acaule), bird’s-foot violets (Viola pedata) or golden ragworts (Packera aurea) used to bloom. Today, with temperatures six degrees Fahrenheit warmer than in Thoreau’s time, these species now bloom two weeks earlier. The Canada lily (Lilium canadense), plentiful before, is now rare, unable to adapt to the new reality. Paul Sweet, collections manager of the museum’s ornithology department, studies “skins” (stuffed birds). He says,

“The skins show us how birds lived years ago.” In just the past 100 years, bird species that have gone extinct range from the ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) to the onceabundant passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) and Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis). In Colorado, 70 percent of the lodgepole pines have been lost, with pines in other states also in trouble. Pine beetles feed on the pines. Historically, winter brings death to both the beetles and weakened trees, which fall to feed a renewed forest. Due to warmer temperatures, the beetles are living longer and migrating to higher altitudes to kill more trees. Forest fires follow the dry timber line.

All Are Needed

“I don’t have time to grow up before becoming an activist.” ~Ta’Kaiya, age 12

Forward Good Change Today 4 Reuse more, buy less. Less trash equals less pollution. 4 Bike or walk, instead of driving. Don’t use the car at least one day a week. Less use of fossil fuels equals less drilling, fracking and oil spills. 4 Substitute a planet-healing activity for the usual after school program. Replace lawns with native plants, which need less water and no mowing. Email manufacturers to urge them to use less packaging and plastic, auto makers to produce more fuel-efficient cars, grocery stores to carry more locally sourced foods and ban plastic bags, and government agencies to improve pollution control measures. 4 When eating meat, make sure the animals were humanely and locally raised, not factory farmed.

“Get your parents involved.” ~Teakahla, age 11 Children are more informed now than ever before. Schools offer classes on ecology, the environment, global warming and climate change. Disasters are instant news, constantly streaming through digital media. Kids are aware that they need adults to work with them to keep Earth habitable. HBO will air all four parts of Saving My Tomorrow starting Apr. 22. Check local listings—and watch as a family. See Tinyurl.com/SavingMyTomorrow. Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at AveryMack@mindspring.com.

4 For fish, factory farmed is preferred when farmers are vetted by watchdog agencies for being devoid of disease, pollution and heavy metals; clean fish are especially rare among international providers. Learn more at Tinyurl.com/ SustainableFishFarming. 4 Support wildlife. Help hatchling sea turtles make their way to the sea. Predators and man are the biggest threats—only one in 1,000 hatchlings reach adulthood. Plant milkweed to feed monarch butterflies. Use natural insect repellants like basil or marigolds instead of killer sprays. 4 Speak out and speak up. Search c2es.org/science-impacts/basics/kids for event ideas and resources.

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National Library Week, April 12 to 18, celebrates the program Unlimited Possiblities @ Your Library

photo courtesy of Jean Maclean

naturalpet

Dogs with Library Cards kids love Reading to Animals by sandra Murphy

The goal of Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ), launched in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1999 as part of Intermountain Therapy Animals, is to improve children’s literacy skills with the mentoring help of certified therapy teams. Its reach has spread through library programs across the U.S. and Canada and internationally, with other therapy groups following suit.

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octors told the parents of an 11-year-old autistic son that he would never read… so quit trying to teach him,” says Suzanne Vening, an organic farmer in Jackson, Mississippi. “The doctor didn’t count on Adam, my Australian shepherd.” Abused and abandoned before being adopted by Vening, she had trained him for therapy work. Vening knew nothing about autistic or learning-disabled children, but she knew Adam could work miracles. The boy made eye contact with Adam during his library visit and read a few words. His parents were overjoyed as his reading continued to improve. “It’s hard to include children with special needs in many family activities,” Vening says. “A library is a place the whole family can enjoy.” She advises, “Designate a safe corner where a child can escape if feeling overwhelmed. After entering the room, handlers should sit on the floor with the dog lying beside them. A standing dog can cause too much excitement. It’s important to trust that your therapy dog will know how to approach a child that’s afraid, has tremors or can’t sit up or sit still.”

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“An animal’s heartbeat seems to call to kids,” observes Rachael Barrera, a children’s librarian at Brook Hollow Public Library, in San Antonio, Texas. “Dogs have come here once a week for more than a year. Now older kids that are comfortable with the reading program are showing younger ones how to choose a book.” At California’s Benicia Public Library, kids read to Honey, a friendly brown dog, on Wednesday afternoons. Sheila Jordan, managing editor and owner of Booklandia, founded in Bend, Oregon, says her 8-year-old, Chase, found it difficult to concentrate because of ADHD (attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder). “The Tales and Tails program was a big help. All summer, we went every week and chose books he said the dog would love.” Jordan’s reward was a more focused child; Chase’s reward was a dog of his own last fall. North Carolina’s Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers 14,000 free programs a year throughout its 20 locations, including Paws to Read. Librarian Cathy Cartledge, reading program coordinator for the Morrison Regional branch, shares this story from Jaylee’s mom, Jill. “Jaylee was tutored in reading for a year. After she also began reading to Zoey, a great Pyrenees, or Hunter, a golden retriever, I saw improvement in fluency, confidence and enjoyment. It worked miracles compared with the hours and money spent for tutoring,” her mom remarks. The Mount Prospect Library, near Chicago, has an age requirement for its Tales to Tails program. “Rachael, 8, will hardly put a book down now,” says her mom, Nicole Sasanuma, a senior associate with Business Communications & Advocacy, in Northbrook, Illinois. “Her sister, Emi, 6, is anxious for her next birthday so she ‘can read to doggies,’ too.” Reading programs aren’t limited to libraries or schools. Jean Maclean, of Lompoc, California, trains her two dogs in agility and rally skills. For a change of pace, they visit the Chumash Learning Center, in Santa Ynez, once a month. The Chumash people value education from both its elders and teachers outside the tribe. Maclean relates that Donny, age 11, was afraid of dogs until he met hers, after which his teachers saw his reading improve three levels in one semester. Animals help kids relax and become teachers to the dogs. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have found that reading skills for kids that read to dogs during a 10-week literacy program improved by 12 percent. Children in the same program that didn’t do the same showed no improvement. Dogs and other pets prove that reading out loud doesn’t have to be scary. All it takes is a good book and a good listener. Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.


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calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received by the first of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review guidelines and submit entries online at NA-NTX.com (within advertising section). Changes to events may occur after print date of this magazine. Always call ahead to confirm all details.

Dallas Vegan Drinks – 6:30-8:30pm. Meet fellow vegan and veg-curious folks for a great evening of drinks, fun and discussion on vegan goings-on in the Metroplex. Location varies. For more info: Drinks. DallasVegan.com.

APRIL Car Care Clinics – Clinics help motorists understand the basics about caring for a vehicle. Many clinics will offer free vehicle checkups. Receive a complimentary vehicle emergency kit, while supplies last. Various locations in DFW. More info: nctcog.org/TRANS/AIR/hevp/ccc/index.asp

FRIDAY, APRIL 10

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 Herbology Day Camp – Apr 1, May 6, June 3. 10am-2pm. Investigate culinary, essential oils, and medicinal values of different plants each session. Includes wild edibles, poisonous plants and gardening tips. $105/series. Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center, Inc, 1036 CR 203, Collinsville. Details: 940440-8382 or CampTonkawaTexas.com. Green Seminar: Irrigation 101 – 6:30-8:30pm. Learn how to conserve water with your current sprinkler system, learn about the latest irrigation technology including converting to drip and improve your overall sprinkler efficiency and enhance your landscape. John & Judy Gay Library, 6861 W Eldorado, McKinney. Info: 972-547-7335, Green@ McKinneyTexas.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2 Dallas County Community College District Sustainability Summit – 8:25am-3pm. Workshops, breakout sessions and keynote speaker Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., president and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, will focus on key areas that support sustainability in the community. Admission free; lunch provided. Brookhaven College, 3939 Valley View Ln, Farmers Branch. Registration requested: dcccd.edu/sustainabilitysummit.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3 First Friday Dance – 7-9:30pm. Refreshment served. Free dance lessons at 6:15pm with paid admission of $5/person. Lewisville Senior Activity Center, 1950A S Valley Pkwy, Lewisville. 972-219-5050.

Camp Invention – register now.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4 Earthfest – 9am-2pm. Connemara Meadow Preserve, 300 Tatum Rd, Allen. For more info: ConnemaraConservancy.org. Snakes – 10-11:30am. Programs for ages 4-7 & 8-12. Let’s learn more about snakes. Free. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. Register: 903-786-2826. For more info: FriendsOfHagerman.com. Horsemanship Day Camp – 10am-2:30pm. Ages 7 & up. Adults welcome. Get a general overview of the responsibilities of having a pet of this size, and get a chance to do some basic riding. Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center, Inc, 1036 CR 203, Collinsville. Details: 940-440-8382 or CampTonkawaTexas.com. Perennials: Best Picks for Texas – 10:15am. Explore the wonderful world of perennials and learn to create a garden that has interesting, beautiful plants blooming in every season. Free. All Calloway’s Nursery locations. 817-222-1122. Calloways.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 5 Bird Walk – 8-11am. Bring binoculars and field guides if have them, and learn what to watch for in habits, characteristics and calls from Gailon and Rodney, both with Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society. Can expect about 30+ species. All ages welcome. Connemara Meadow Preserve, 300 Tatum Rd, Allen. ConnemaraConservancy.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 Sports Sampler – 10am. Want to enroll your child in sports, but don’t know the right one? The Parks and Recreation Department will provide a come-and-go, hands-on preview of this season’s sports including Blastball, Bitty Basketball, and Start Smart Sports Programs. Ages 3-6. Denton Public Library, South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8752.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9 Do Well Be Well with Diabetes: A 4-Part Class for Managing Type 2 Diabetes – Apr 9, 16, 23, 30. 9:15-11:30am. Sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife

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Extension Service. Features speakers from area hospitals. Registration ends March 27. For 4 classes: $15/person, $25/couple. Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 17360 Coit Rd. For info, Carrie Brazeal: 972-424-1460 x 4233.

Drum Lodge – 7-9pm. With Edward Henderson. A fun sound-healing event designed to enter a new place of vibrancy and health. Using the drum ceremony we open the door for relaxation, re-energizing and musical community fun. $25. Star Coyote Sound Temple, private residence near Coit & Parker, Plano. RSVP for address: 512-788-1236 or JodiSacredSound@gmail.com. StarCoyoteSoundTemple.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 DORBA Beginner Clinic – Consists of basic instruction including bike setup, safety, trail etiquette and basic bike handling skills. After the instructional portion, there will be a group ride of the trail. More info & to RSVP: dorba.org. McKinney Texas Trash Off – 8am-12pm. Residents are invited to help pick up litter in designated spots along roadways and creeks within the city. Bonnie Wenk Park, 2996 Virginia Pkwy, McKinney. Info & to register: 972-547-7335, Green@ McKinneyTexas.org. EcoCoppell Earthfest – 9am-1pm. Features handson environmental demonstrations, environmental education booths, kid’s crafts and entertainment, a band, organic plant sale, food trucks and Professor Brainius. Coppell Town Center Plaza, 255 Parkway Blvd, Coppell. CoppellTX.gov. Collin County Master Gardeners Plant Sale – 9am-3pm. Features Earth-Kind® Roses, Texas tough annuals, Texas Superstar® perennials, drought tolerant, insect and disease resistant varieties; trees, shrubs, vines and ornamental grasses; wildflowers and more. Also kids’ activities and free plant advice from Master Gardeners. Stall Barn, Myers Park and Event Center, 7117 CR 166, McKinney. ccmgatx.org. The Coyote – 10-11:30am. Presented by Dr. Jessica Healy, Assistant Professor of Biology at Austin College. The coyote is one of the most adaptable animals in the world. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. 903-786-2826. FriendsOfHagerman.com. Renewable Energy from Depleted Oil Fields using Geothermal Energy – 10am-12pm. Ramsey Kweik of the Southern Methodist University Geothermal Labs will share his studies of Fairway Field in East Texas. Free. Midway Hills Christian Church, 11001 Midway Rd, Dallas. ntreg.org. Plant for Butterfly and Hummingbird Gardens – 10:15am. Choose the right plants to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Plus create the perfect conditions to turn your garden into a haven for these flying beauties. Free. All Calloway’s Nursery locations. 817-222-1122. Calloways.com.


savethedate SATURDAY, APRIL 11 Aromatherapy for Emotional Support – 124pm. Experiential class emphasizing safety and blending. $75. Class size limited. Pre-registration, payment required by Apr 8. Integrated Center for Oriental Medicine, 5924 W Parker Rd, Ste 100, Plano. DoreyAromatherapy.com/Education.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12

savethedate SUNDAY, APRIL 12 Oneness With Nature Through the Way of the Horse – 12-4pm. Jodi Roberts and Sara Willerson guide you in shamanic journey, deep listening and sacred ceremony with nature and 6 therapy horses. Celebrate your true self beyond the busy actions of your life and learn to bring that truth into your daily life. $195. Star Coyote Sound Temple at WolfTree Ranch, Pilot Point. RSVP for address: 214-596-8300, 512-788-1236 or JodiSacredSound@gmail.com. StarCoyoteSoundTemple.com. Oak Cliff Park Earth Day – 12-5pm. Includes vendors, artists and entertainers. Tell your friends, bring the family, bring your pets, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Lake Cliff Park, 1200 N Zang Blvd, Dallas. More info: OakCliffEarthDay.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 13

Rugroden, Director of Bat World Sanctuary. Free. Brookhaven College, 3939 Valley View Ln, Farmers Branch. Kirk Miller: 972-699-1687.

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MONDAY, APRIL 13 Sierra Club Cross Timbers Group Meeting – 6-8pm. Will discuss planning clean up events at area lakes in May and upcoming events for the entire family. Learn how can help protect and explore natural areas, conserve natural resources and how can lessen ecological footprint in the community. Denton Public Library North Branch, 3020 N Locust St. More info, Brandi Price: 469247-6391. Texas.SierraClub.org/CrossTimbers.

Nature Awareness Day Camp: Texas Symbols – 9:30am-2pm. Learn about the plants and animals in your own backyard in the North Texas area. Become comfortable and knowledgeable in your own environment. Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center, Inc., 1036 CR 203, Collinsville. Details: 940-4408382 or CampTonkawaTexas.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 16

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TUESDAY, APRIL 14 Wind Energy Operations & Maintenance Summit 2015 – Apr 14-15. North America’s largest and best-attended meeting point dedicated to the wind O&M industry has grown to be more than just a conference, this is a business development experience that will guide, improve and complete your O&M Strategy. Dallas. More info: treia.org. Healing Oasis – Apr 14 & 28. 11:30am-12:30pm. Kris Sands and Jodi Roberts co-lead your every other Tuesday inner peace reset with sound healing, relaxation and energy balancing. $20. Star Coyote Sound Temple, private residence near Coit & Parker, Plano. RSVP for address: 512-788-1236 or JodiSacredSound@gmail.com. StarCoyoteSoundTemple.com. Dallas Sierra Club Meeting – 7-8:30pm. Batwoman! Learn about bats and see live bats up close at this family friendly presentation by Kate

THURSDAY, APRIL 16 Natural Networking – 11:30am-1pm. Business owners and professionals who help people live better by promoting health, wellness, sustainability, personal growth, integrative medicine, healthy kids and pets, financial well-being and peace of mind, please join us as we connect our community. Meets 3rd Thurs each month. Open group. Menu includes salads and gluten-free pizza. Hosted by Natural Awakenings North Texas Magazine. Networking is $10 (cash only) or support our host restaurant by purchasing your own lunch and there is no charge for meeting. Held at Palio’s Pizza Café, 1941 Preston Rd, Ste 1004, Plano. RSVP important; space limited. Email your details to NAMS@NA-NTX.com.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 17 Book Extravaganza – 4:30pm. Love books? Denton Public Library will be partnering with students from UNT to share some of their favorite children’s books and book-related activities. For ages 3-10. Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. 940-349-8752.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18 Keep Grapevine Beautiful: EPIC Earth Day – Features eco-friendly exhibits, speakers, vendors, entertainment, games and activities. Grapevine Botanical Gardens, 411 Ball St, Grapevine. More info: kgvb.org. Native American Indian Camp – Apr 18-19. Camp explores, through lots of fun activities, the Tonkawas tribe along with other plains Indians. Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center, Inc, 1036 CR 203, Collinsville. Details: 940-440-8382 or CampTonkawaTexas.com. 2015 Spring Trash Off and Environmental/Health Fair – 8:30-11am, clean up; 10am-1pm, fair. All supplies provided by KFMB, and volunteers assisting in the cleanup will be fed lunch and provided an opportunity to win door prizes once finished. Includes activities for children, gardening and composting tips, a shredding service for Town residents, a plant sale, blood drive and more. Free. Intersection of FM 2499 and Lakeside Pkwy, Home Depot parking lot. Register: 469-828-9074 or kfmb.org. Murphy Community Clean & Green Event – 9am12pm. Recycle: Clothing, shoes, clothing accessories, backpacks, hard toys, document shredding, batteries, pots pans, stuffed animals, wood & compost, carpet, light bulbs, Styrofoam, plastic bags, electronic waste, tires. Curbside pick-up for Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) & Electronic Waste Collection by appt only. Murphy City Hall, 206 N Murphy Rd, Murphy. 972-468-4100. MurphyTX.org. McKinney Shred Day – 9am-1pm. Data Shredding Services will provide several trucks for onsite shredding for City of McKinney residents and employees. Free. McKinney High School, 1400 Wilson Creek Pkwy, McKinney. 972-547-2684. Heard Spring Plant Sale – Apr 18-19. 9am-5pm, Sat; 1-5pm, Sun. Member only pre-sale held on Apr 17, 4-7pm. Purchase plants from a huge selection of native plants, hard-to-find herbs and well-adapted plants. Also features a limited number of native milkweed plants for purchase. All sales tax free; proceeds benefit Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972562-5566. HeardMuseum.org.

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Aquatic Plant Species Lecture – 9:30am. Learn about aquatic plants are in this area, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to identify them. Included in general admission. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972-562-5566. HeardMuseum.org. Keep Denton Beautiful: Redbud Festival – 10am4pm. Arbor Day event, Earth Day celebration and a home and garden show featuring more than 70 booths with tree and plant sales, gardening products, landscaping services and home improvement items. Free. Denton Civic Center, 321 E McKinney St, Denton. kdb.org. Colorful Sun and Shade Plants – 10:15am. Plants from Burpee are grown to the highest standards to ensure beautiful results in your garden. Free. All Calloway’s Nursery locations. 817-222-1122. Calloways.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 19 Feather Fan Making Class – 2-4:30pm. Learn to make a smudge fan, its uses, and practice with it. Goose feathers provided or bring own. All other supplies provided. $40. Star Coyote Sound Temple, private residence near Coit & Parker, Plano. RSVP for address: 512-788-1236 or JodiSacredSound@ gmail.com. StarCoyoteSoundTemple.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 20 Literacy Night: Early Literacy – 6:30pm. Class shares with parents different ways that children learn to read, how to follow their progress, and who to talk to if they suspect difficulty. Denton Public Library, South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8752.

TUESDAY, APRIL 21 Primitive Survival Skills Day Camp: Edible Plants – Empower yourself and your family with the skills to survive. It should not be a struggle if you know your skills and have the right mind set. $30/class. Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center, Inc, 1036 CR 203, Collinsville. Details: 940-440-8382 or CampTonkawaTexas.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 Recycled Crafts – 3-5pm. Celebrate Earth Day by making crafts from items you might normally throw away or recycle at this come-and-go program. All ages. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. 940-349-8752. Earth Day! Art Adventures – 4:30pm. Learn about recycling and conservation from local experts

and create recycled art. Ages 6-11. Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. Registration required: 940-349-8752. The Food Connection to Your Child’s Behavior – 5:30-6:30pm. With Leann Forst, MBA and boardcertified holistic health practitioner. Learn about everyday food toxins and what they are, why they matter, and how they relate to childhood illness. Be able to make informed decisions about our diet. Free. Grove School, 6800 Independence Pkwy, Plano. GroovyBeets.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23 Container Gardening – 6:30-8:30pm. Learn how to prepare the container and soil and install a well-planned mix of annuals, perennials and other colorful foliage plants. Free. Biodiversity Ed Center, 367 Freeport Pkwy, Coppell. Info: CoppellCommunityGarden.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24 Literacy Talk: Shared Reading – 10am. Parents will learn the importance of shared reading and discover some reading techniques to use while reading with their child during this interactive program. Denton Public Library, South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8752. Earth Day Texas – Apr 24-26. 10am-6pm. Familyfriendly, free outdoor festival that allows leaders in the corporate, academic and non-profit worlds to show North Texans how green lifestyle choices can lower their cost of living, improve their health and help save the environment. Fair Park, Dallas. EarthDayTX.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25 Native American Indian Camp – Apr 25-26. Camp explores, through lots of fun activities, the Tonkawas tribe along with other plains Indians. Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center, Inc, 1036 CR 203, Collinsville. Details: 940-440-8382 or CampTonkawaTexas.com. Texoma Earth Day Festival – 8:30am-5pm. Keynote, 11am-12pm by Dr. Keith Kisselle, “Climate Change: A Challenge for Our Time.” Includes entertainment, activities, workshops and demonstrations for adults and kids. Also a community-wide recycling opportunity. Sherman Municipal Grounds, 405 N Rusk, Sherman. For more info: EarthDayTexoma.org. Easy Care Flowers – 10:15am. Discover gorgeous plants and flowers that are not only beautiful, but Texas-tough, too. Free. All Calloway’s Nursery locations. 817-222-1122. Calloways.com.


Prairie Fest – 11am-sunset. Join us on the wildflower-covered hills of your local prairie to celebrate the natural world, local creators, music and more. More info: TandyHills.org/Fest. Gong & Crystal Bowl Sound Journey – 6-8pm. The monthly sound massage for deep relaxation with gongs and crystal bowls. Please RSVP and bring a mat/blanket. $30. Star Coyote Sound Temple, private residence near Coit & Parker, Plano. RSVP for address: 512-788-1236 or JodiSacredSound@ gmail.com. StarCoyoteSoundTemple.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 26 Connemara Meadow Preserve Open House – 1-5pm. Experience what makes this natural oasis in the middle of suburbia so special, and always surprising. Free. Connemara Meadow Preserve, 300 Tatum Rd, Allen. ConnemaraConservancy.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 Healing Oasis – 11:30am-12:30pm. See Apr 14 listing. $20. Star Coyote Sound Temple, private residence near Coit & Parker, Plano. RSVP for address: 512-788-1236 or JodiSacredSound@gmail. com. StarCoyoteSoundTemple.com. The Food Connection to Your Child’s Behavior – 6:30-7:30pm. With Leann Forst, MBA and boardcertified holistic health practitioner. Learn about everyday food toxins and what they are, why they matter, and how they relate to childhood illness. Be able to make informed decisions about our diet. Free. Learning RX, 2720 Virginia Pkwy, Ste 200, McKinney. GroovyBeets.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30 Mayfest – Apr 30-May 3. Enjoy entertainment, food, arts and crafts and much more. More info: Mayfest.org. Green Seminar: Irrigation 101 – 6:30-8:30pm. Learn how to conserve water with your current sprinkler system, learn about the latest irrigation technology including converting to drip and improve your overall sprinkler efficiency and enhance your landscape. John & Judy Gay Library, 6861 W Eldorado, McKinney. Info: 972-547-7335, Green@ McKinneyTexas.org.

plan ahead SATURDAY, MAY 2 Native American Indian Camp – May 2-3. Camp explores, through lots of fun activities, the Tonkawas tribe along with other plains Indians. Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center, Inc, 1036 CR 203, Collinsville. Details: 940-440-8382 or CampTonkawaTexas.com. Bird Walk – 8-11am. Bring binoculars and field guides if have them, and learn what to watch for in habits, characteristics and calls from Gailon and Rodney, both with Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society. Can expect about 30+ species. All ages welcome. Connemara Meadow Preserve, 300 Tatum Rd, Allen. ConnemaraConservancy.org. Sprinkler Spruce Up – 9-10:30am. Also held May 6, 10-11:30am. Learn how and when to water your plants, how to make simple sprinkler repairs, and

where to go for help. Free. Environmental Education Center, 4116 W Plano Pkwy, Plano. Register: LiveGreenInPlano.obsres.com. Native Plants for Texas Gardens – 10:15am. Find a whole host of beauties that can make gardening easy, fun and naturally beautiful. Free. All Calloway’s Nursery locations. 817-222-1122. Calloways.com.

savethedate SATURDAY, MAY 2 Step Forward to Cure TSC – 11am. Theme: Super Heroes. Participate dressed like their favorite hero. Enjoy refreshments, kid’s activities, entertainment and a great walk route, as well as updates and information from the TS Alliance. Free; donations welcome. Frisco Commons Park Pavilion, 8000 McKinney Rd, Frisco. More info & to register: TSAlliance.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 16 McKinney Chunk Your Junk – 8am-12pm. Got junk? McKinney residents can bring it to our dumpsters at the vacant lot next to the cotton mill. Household hazardous waste and electronic items can be picked up at your home curbside by appointment on your trash day. More info: 972-547-7385.

SATURDAY, MAY 16

savethedate SATURDAY, MAY 16 M-o-o-ving Thru’ the Mud with Landon – 9am, gates open; 10am, Mud Run. Kid-friendly mud run with obstacles for children 4-15. 1-mile course of 10 farm-themed obstacles including a tunnel crawl, rope swing, pig pen, great calf escape and tractor tire dive. Other activities: hay rides, food/ beverage vendors, barrel train rides, face painting and more fun for the family. Fundraiser for Hope for Hypothalamic Hamartomas. $20 by Apr 30; $25 thereafter. Held at Circle N Dairy, 2074 CR 446, Lindsay. 940-372-0343. MudWithLandon.com.

JUNE Camp Invention – Camp Invention inspires creativity and inventive thinking during its weeklong summer STEM program. Led by local educators, elementary school children are immersed in exciting, hands-on activities that reinvent summer fun. Throughout the week, children will use real tools, circuits and materials from the Inventor Supply Room to build original prototypes and work in teams to solve real-world challenges. One week only. Various dates in cities of Allen, Coppell, Dallas, Fairview, Flower Mound, Frisco, Lewisville, McKinney, Prosper, The Colony, Richardson, Southlake, Trophy Club, Wylie and more. For details: 800-968-4332. CampInvention.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6 North Texas Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Conference – Hear from experts about alternative ideas in treating fibromomyalgia and fibromyalgia symptoms. Doubletree by Hilton, Richardson. More info & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings, Devyn Pontzer: 214-575-2820.

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ongoingcalendar NOTE: All calendar events must be received by the first of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review guidelines and submit entries online at NA-NTX.com (within advertising section).

sunday Sunday Morning Rides – Various start times and lengths. Richardson Bikemart, Southeast corner of Campbell Rd & Coit Rd, in the front parking lot. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-231-3993. Sunday Worship: New Life Community – 8am & 11am. Sunday school in between worship services at 9:30am. 25631 Smotherman Rd, Frisco. 214-8724205. NewLifeFrisco.org. Sunday Worship: Stonebriar Community Church Service – 9am & 10:45am. 4801 Legendary Dr, Frisco. 469-252-5200. Stonebriar.org. Sunday Worship: St. Philip’s Episcopal Church Service – 9:30am & 11am. The services are the same, with music at both. Also have a service on the 1st Wed at 7pm. 6400 Stonebrook Pkwy, Frisco. 214-387-4700. StPhilipsFrisco.org. Sunday Worship: River of Glory Service – 10am. Also Wed, 7pm. 501 Accent Dr, Plano. 972-5646316. RiverOfGlory.org. Sunday Worship: Unity Spiritual Center of Denton Service – 10am, coffee; 11am, service. Unity takes spiritual principles and makes them practical in your life. 6071 New Hope Rd, Krugerville. 214453-0218. UnityOfNewHope.org.

savethedate sUNday Scarborough Renaissance Festival – Sun & Sat, Apr 4-May 25 and Memorial Day. 10am7pm. A 35-acre recreated English village; enjoy full combat jousts and falconry demonstrations, games of skill, magicians, a Grande Parade, non-stop Renaissance entertainment on 21 stages and hundreds of costumed performers, and artist demos. $25/adults, $10/ages 5-12, free/age 4 & under. 2511 FM 66. Info & tickets: 972-938-3247 or SRFestival.com. Adult/Teen Horse Club – 11am-5pm. 1st Sun. Do you have horse experience, but wish to ride and

learn more? Join the Camp Tonkawa Horse club. This Sunday club is for adults, children come on Saturdays, Homeschoolers on Mondays. Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center, Inc, 1036 CR 203, Collinsville. For restrictions & details: 940440-8382 or CampTonkawaTexas.com. Visit the Cats – 11am-6pm, Sun & Sat. A selfguided tour to learn about the animals that call InSync home. Helpful volunteers available to answer any questions. $10/adult, $7/senior (65+), $7/child (4-12), free/under 4. In-Sync Exotics, 3430 Skyview Dr, Wylie. 972-442-6888. InSyncExotics.com.

Overeaters Anonymous – 12pm. Weekly Mon-Fri. A 12-step recovery program for compulsive eating. Prairie Creek Baptist Church, 3201 W 15th St, Plano. 972-238-0333. Angela’s Open Mic Night – 6pm. Grab your guitar, keyboard, banjo, etc and come show us what you got. Also offer live music every Thurs, Fri & Sat in a warm, family-friendly atmosphere where we feature comfort food and great spirits. Free. Angela’s at the Crosswalk, 1010 E 15th, Plano. 972-633-9500. AngelasCrosswalk.com. Chess Night – 6-8:45pm. Players of all ages and skill levels welcome. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. 940-349-8752.

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Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group – 2-3pm. 3rd Sun. Get info on local resources, education and support. Open to anyone whose loved one may be affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Autumn Leaves of McKinney, 175 Plateau Dr, McKinney. 972-542-0606. ZSmith@AutumnLeavesLiving.com.

Beekeeping Meeting – 6:30pm. 2nd Mon. Beginner to experienced keepers welcome, ages 8-80. Free. Collin County Hobby Beekeepers Association. Collin College Conference Center (Central Park Campus), 2200 W University Dr, McKinney. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-843-8084. CCHBA.org.

Nature Explore Family Club – 3-4pm. 1st Sun. Also 1st Mon, 9-10am. Event aims to connect children and families with nature through fun, ageappropriate activities. Free. Environmental Education Center, 4116 W Plano Pkwy, Plano. Register: LiveGreenInPlano.obsres.com.

Monday Night Ride at Arbor Hills – 6:30pm. Bring bike, helmet and light. Meet at the trail head at Arbor Hills. More info: DORBA.org.

Greater Dallas Organic Garden Club – 3-5pm. 4th Sun except Nov & Dec. Hear local speakers presenting a variety of topics. North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd, Dallas. gdogc.org.

monday savethedate MONday Robert Muller School and Center for Living Ethics: Tea, Talk, Tour – 9:30am. 1st Mon. We invite you to come learn more about our heart-centered, scientific, loving, intuitive and co-creative approach to learning. Robert Muller School, 340 Country Club Rd, Fairview. RSVP requested: 214544-8338. CenterFor-LivingEthics.org.

Native Plant Society Meeting – 7pm. 3rd Mon. Guest speakers on topics related to native plants and habitats. Free. Dallas Chapter Native Plant Society. REI Outdoor Equipment Store, 4515 LBJ Frwy, Dallas. 866-527-4918. Open Stage – 7pm-12am. An opportunity to practice performance on a stage with an engaged and supportive audience. Performers sign up to show off their skills in a 5-min time slot, which we film and share with the performer to help hone their craft. After variety show, practice any and all types of performing art. $5 cover, 21+. House of Poets, 580 W Arapaho Rd, Ste 199, Richardson. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-494-0952.

tuesday savethedate Tuesday Healthy Eating Tours – 10am & 4pm. Learn how to make healthier choices, using our ANDI scoring system. Learn how to read labels; build menus around plant-based foods low in fat to ensure highly nutrient dense meals. Whole Foods Market, 2201 Preston Rd, Plano. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-612-6729. Dallas Museum of Art – 11am-3pm. 1st Tues. Programming designed specifically for children age 5 and under and their families, but all ages welcome. Art-making activities, story times, performances, and gallery activities. Free. Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Harwood St, Dallas. 214-922-1200. Yoga for Runners – 6:45-7:45pm. 20-wk program, less than $8/session. Luke’s Locker, 959 Garden

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McKinney Farmers’ Market at Adriatica – 3-6pm or sellout. Local and organic meat, dairy and produce vendors. 6851 Virginia Pkwy, W McKinney. 972562-8790. McKinneyFarmersMarket.com.

Park Dr, Allen. For details & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 469-854-6244. Collin County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas Meeting – 7pm. 2nd Tues. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. More info: 972-380-4030. HeardMuseum.org. PTAS Chapter Meetings – 7pm, refreshments; 7:30pm, meeting & program. 4th Tues, Sept-Nov & Jan-May. All meetings and other activities open to everyone. PTAS offers interesting programs and wonderful guest speakers at our meetings that bring a great variety of expertise and excitement to the membership. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. Program details: PrairieAndTimbers.org. Public Knowledge – 7pm. 1st Tues. Adults celebrating brains and brews through conversation and presenters from diverse fields in science and history. Different bar or restaurant location each month. For location details: FWMuseum.org/PublicKnowledge. Plano Multicultural Outreach Roundtable – 7-9pm. 2nd Tues. Membership (free) open to anyone with interest and energy. Help advance the cause of inclusivity in the City of Plano. Plano City Hall, Training Room A, 1520 Ave K, Plano. More info: 972-941-7747, Planomcor.org. Torah and Tea – May 6, 13, 20. 7:30pm. Series of 3 classes. We will attempt to go beyond the surface of the weekly Torah portion and find the message for inspired living contained in its eternal wisdom. Refreshments and tea served. Led by Rivkie Block. No RSVP; free. Chabad of Plano, 3904 W Park Blvd, Plano. 972-596-8270. ChabadPlano.org.

wednesday Learn About LegalShield – 11:45am-1pm. Learn how to generate extra daily cash or full-time income sharing very affordable legal and identity theft plans by LegalShield. Work at your own pace and style; promote the casual referral to friends and family, or work business accounts, HR benefit plans or broad consumer markets. $15 includes entree, drink and gratuity. Razzoos, 3904 Dallas Pkwy, N of Parker Rd, Plano. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings, Pam: PamelaWidom@yahoo.com. Bible Study: New Life Community – 12pm & 7pm. 25631 Smotherman Rd, Frisco. 214-872-4205. NewLifeFrisco.org. Breastfeeding Cafe – 12-1pm. Designed to offer support to all nursing mothers from newborn challenges to toddler strikes, all breastfeeding moms welcome to join us to chat about breastfeeding at all ages and stages of nursing. Cafe is attended by a Certified Lactation Counselor and/or Le Leche League Leader. Baby scale available to do before and after weights. You may turn up at any time during the cafe to ask your questions. Free. 3253 Independence Pkwy, Plano. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 469-371-5448. Frisco Noon Lions Club – 12-1pm. 2nd & 4th Wed. Friendships, fun and fulfilling. Come share the joy of community involvement and fellowship while helping make the world a better place. Designed for busy small business owners and professional and works well for the time conscious individual (stay at home mom, student, retiree). All welcome, ages 18 & up. Free. Buy own lunch if wish to eat.

CPR Training – 6-8pm. American Heart Training Center with 125 trained instructors. Texas CPR Training, 4013 Carrizo, Plano. 214-770-6872. TexasCPR.com.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival – weekends, April 4 through May 25. For details, Brandy Miles & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-335-2487 or Brandy@ MarilynKuhlman.com. Art History Brown Bag Series – 12:30-1:30pm. 1st Wed. Presented by Annie Royer. A look at the “isms” including cubism, romanticism, modernism and impressionism. How did one “ism” influence the next? How did artists influence and challenge each other? Series will heighten one’s appreciation of art and provide insight into the mind of the artist. Free. Heard-Craig Carriage House located, 205 1/2 W Hunt St, McKinney. 972-569-6909. Adults with Special Needs Cooking Classes – 6-8pm. 1st & 3rd Wed. Call for details. Space limited. $10. Market Street Culinary School, 6100 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney. Reserve spot now & mention Natural Awakenings North Texas: 972-548-5167. Evening Social Runs/Walks – 6:30pm. Post party new restaurant each 6 weeks. All levels welcome. Luke’s Locker, 959 Garden Park Dr, Allen. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 469-854-6244. Organic Society Meeting – 6:30pm, seed & info exchange; 7pm, meeting. 3rd Wed. Denton Organic Society. Denton Senior Center, 509 N Bell Ave, Denton. 940-382-8551. Sport Watch Tech Clinics – 6:30pm. 2nd Wed. Garmin, Polar, Nike, Times, Moto, Soleus. Luke’s Locker, 959 Garden Park Dr, Allen. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 469-854-6244. River of Glory Service – 7pm. Also Sun, 10am. 501 Accent Dr, Plano. 972-564-6316. RiverOfGlory.org. St. Philip’s Episcopal Church Service – 7pm. 1st Wed. 6400 Stonebrook Pkwy, Frisco. 214-387-4700. StPhilipsFrisco.org.

thursday Grapevine Farmers’ Market – Thru mid-Oct. 8am4pm, Thurs-Sat. Eat healthy with locally-grown produce and products. Town Square Gazebo, 325 S Main St, Grapevine. 817-793-8634. FarmersMarket OfGrapevine.com. Free Admission & Wildlife Program – 9am-9pm. 3rd Thurs. Admission and parking free. 7:15pm, Special Program: Saving Our Birds, The work of the Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas. 214-309-5801. Lunch Hour Yoga – 11:30am-12:20pm. Class utilizes the Franklin Method and Smart Spine along with various types of yoga for relaxation and rejuvenation. $15. Pilates for Life, 103 W Belmont Dr, Allen. 214-704-3070.

Fitness in the Square (FITS): Part of Be Fit Frisco – 6:30-7:30pm. A free one-hour exercise class in the courtyard in front of Frisco City Hall. For kids 10+ to adults. Bring water, towel, and appropriate clothing and shoes. The type of workout changes each month. Bring your family and move together. Be Fit Frisco, Frisco City Hall Square, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd. 972-292-6501. Power Yoga – 6:45-7:45pm. In conjunction with Luke’s Locker Allen, class meets at Allen Yoga Center, 915 Market St, Allen. Details & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 469-854-6244. Dallas Down-River Club Meeting – 7pm. 3rd Thurs. Canoeing, kayaking and rafting club. Roma’s, 7402 Greenville Ave, Dallas. 214-373-0500. More info, Dale Harris: 972-680-2727 or Dale_Harris@ sbcglobal.net. Men’s Only Pilates – 8pm. Class utilizes all the Pilates equipment. $15. Pilates for Life, 103 W Belmont Dr, Allen. 214-704-3070.

friday Free Mom & Kids Yoga – 5:30-6pm. 1st Fri. Find out how our Multisensory Kids Yoga can help improve your child’s focus and grades while keeping you both fit at the same time. SMARTS Club, 8780 Preston Trace Blvd, Frisco. Registration required & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214872-8592. Free Community Yoga – 6-7pm. 1st Fri. Suitable for all levels. Learn to breathe, relax and renew. Space limited. Free. Transform U Fitness, 1565 W Main St, Lewisville. Pre-registration required: 972-849-9666. Acoustic Jam Session – 7pm. Weekly open jam and song circle. All acoustic instruments and levels welcome. All music genres welcome. Sponsored by the Visual Art League of Lewisville. Free. MCL Grand, 100 N Charles, Lewisville. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 469444-0825. Friday Evening Shabbat Service – 7pm. Join Shir Tikvah, the Reform synagogue of Frisco as we inspire a love for lifelong learning, the celebration of living a Jewish life, and a commitment to honoring the beautiful traditions of our heritage. Held at 7700 Main St, Frisco. 469-269-0718. For specific schedule: ShirTikvahFrisco.org. Community Dance – 7-9:30pm. 2nd & 4th Fri. Live Music, varied styles. Fun for all ages 21 and up. $5/ person Denton Senior Center, 509 North Bell Ave, Denton. For details & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 940-349-8720. Square and Round Dance for Fitness and Fun – 7:30pm. 1st & 3rd Fri. Individuals and couples of all ages welcome. Texas Reelers, 820 W Arapaho, Richardson. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-235-1400.

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saturday Denton Rugby – We are always looking for new recruits in Dallas Fort Worth Area. Email for more info about how to join. Currently we have players that live in Lewisville, Flower Mound, Keller, Southlake, Frisco and many others. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings to Jason Millerd: JMillerd@TWU.edu. Operation Kindness – 3rd Sat. No Kill animal shelter brings animals for adoption. Weather permitting. Whole Foods Market, outside store, 2201 Preston Rd, Plano. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-612-6729. Pathfinders Fun Cycling – A free, non-competitive riding group for all cycling skill levels. Short, weekly bicycle rides for the purpose of fun and exercise. All rides held on the weekend, less than 20 miles and include a food destination and a “no rider left behind” policy. Routes and destinations change each week. For more info: Facebook.com/ CycleHighlandVillage. Saturday Morning Rides – Various start times and lengths. Richardson Bikemart, Southeast corner of Campbell Rd & Coit Rd, in the front parking lot. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-231-3993. Small Fry Sports Classes – A skills and developmental sports class for boys and girls ages 3 & 4. Each month offers a different sport which allows children to develop new skills and gain exposure to all sports offered at the Y. Parents participate alongside their child during this fun and active class. $20/YMCA Family Member, $40/everyone else. Frisco Family YMCA, 3415 Main St, Frisco. Trey Gilmore: 214-297-9622. 2nd Saturday Bird Walk – Thru May. 8-9:30am. Heard Museum and Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society (PTAS) offer guided bird walks on the Heard Sanctuary on the 2nd Sat from Sept to May. General admission. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972562-5566. HeardMuseum.org. Coppell Farmers’ Market – 8am-12pm. Seasonal produce for the North Texas area, natural meats and eggs, seafood, organic dairy products, honey, teas, breads, mixes, flowers, plants, and more. Coppell Farmers’ Market, Corner of Bethel & S Coppell Rds, Coppell. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: CFM@CoppellCommunityGarden.org. CoppellCommunityGarden.org. McKinney Farmers’ Market at Chestnut Square – Thru mid-Nov. 8am-12pm. Local and organic meat, dairy and produce vendors. Locally grown and produced food and craft items. Live music. 315 S Chestnut St, McKinney. 972-562-8790. McKinneyFarmersMarket.com. Roanoke Farmers’ Market – Apr 25-Sept. 8am12pm. Fresh produce from area farmers in historic, downtown Roanoke. Austin Street Plaza, 221 N Oak St. For more info, Kraig Copp: 940-391-3360. Saint Michael’s Farmers’ Market – Apr 11-early Nov. 8am-12pm. Shop local and fresh, with farmers/ growers who practice natural, sustainable, organic farming and are within a 150-mile radius of Dallas County. Baked goods, tamales, cheeses, eggs, local honey, meats, and pastas also available. Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 8011 Douglas Ave at Colgate Rd, Dallas. SaintMichaelsMarket.com.

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Frisco Rotary Farmers’ Market – May 2-Oct 17. 8am-1pm. Local growers offer fruits and vegetables. Also offered are baked breads, meat from local ranchers, honey, arts and crafts and various other products. 6048 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco. FriscoRotaryFarmersMarket.com. Recycling: Electronics – 9-11am. The city of Plano encourages residents to bring all old electronic devices (not being used) to this site for proper disposal. For details, location & mention North Texas edition of Natural Awakenings: 972-769-4150. Greenville Farmers’ Market – Apr 1-Dec 15. 9am12pm. 2400 Lee St on Bois d’Arc, Greenville. 972 251-1532. GreenvilleFarmersMarket.com. Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Waste Collection Program – 9am-12pm. 2nd Sat. For Lewisville residents; must bring driver’s license for proof of residency. A convenient, safe and environmentally sound way to get rid of waste materials that should not be put into the landfill. City of Lewisville Residential Convenience Center, 330 W Jones St. CityOfLewisville.com. Collin County Farmers’ Market – Apr 18-Oct. 9am-1pm. Features Texas-grown produce and meats, locally made products and a community center to learn about green and healthy living. Murphy City Hall South Parking lot, 206 N Murphy Rd. CollinCountyFarmersMarket.org. Free One-Hour Seminars – 10am. Topics: gardening, beekeeping, rainwater collection, goat milking, poultry. Ploughshare Institute for Sustainable Living, 7781 Gholson Rd, Waco. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 254-754-9663. Power Yoga Flow – 10-11:15am. With Crystal. Designed for proficient to advanced yoga students. Build strength and flexibility in this challenging and invigorating class. Meet and practice outdoors on our beautiful deck. $15 or class pass. Pilates for Life, 200 S Austin Dr, Allen. 214-704-3070. Pilates-ForLife.com. Second Saturday for Youth – 10-11:30am. For youngsters aged 4-10; children 6 & under must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, A/V Classroom, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. Reservations necessary: 903-786-2826. Scarborough Renaissance Festival – Apr 4-May 25 and Memorial Day. 10am-7pm. See Sun listing. $25/ adults, $10/ages 5-12, free/age 4 & under. 2511 FM 66. Info & tickets: 972-938-3247 or SRFestival.com. Kid’s Fish – 11am-1pm. Ages 4-11. The opportunity to go outside to our pond and do some live fishing (weather permitting). If bad weather will have a scavenger hunt. Free. Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, 2501 Bass Pro Dr, Grapevine. 972-724-2018. Visit the Cats – 11am-6pm. See Sun listing. In-Sync Exotics, 3430 Skyview Dr, Wylie. 972-442-6888. InSyncExotics.com. Homestead Open House – 12-3pm. 3rd Sat. Time subject to change during heat of summer. The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area is home to several historic structures, most notably the Minor-Porter Log House, which dates to about 1869. Volunteers on hand to guide visitors through the structures and answer questions in this informal tour. Visitors welcome to arrive at any time during the open hours and tour at their own pace. Regular admission to LLELA: $5/person; free/age 5 &

under. No additional charge for tour. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. 972-219-7980. Kayak down the Elm Fork – 12-3pm. 3rd Sat. Whether have lots of river time under your belt or have never set foot in a kayak, you’re welcome here. Kayak Power provides equipment and instruction followed by a 6-mile trip down the Elm Fork to a shuttle vehicle. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. Reservation required: 214-669-1663. Frisco Humane Society Adoption – 12-4pm. 1st, 3rd & 5th Sat. We invite you to meet and greet some of the wonderful dogs and cats available for adoption from Frisco Humane Society. PetSmart in Frisco, 3333 Preston Rd. 972-498-8980. Heard Nature Photographers Club – 1:30pm. 2nd Sat. Speakers and discussions. Topics include how-to and technique discussions and travelogue presentations. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. More info: 972-462-7314. Sunday Mountain Bike Group Ride – 6pm. Open to all levels. Informal and leaderless. Food, fun and riding. Food served after the riding. Location changes weekly. For details & location: BBishop@Bikemart.com. Stargeezer Star Party – 6:30-9:30pm. 1st Sat. Bring the whole family. Star parties begin at sunset, weather permitting. Free. Spring Park, Jonandrea Ln, Garland. TASObserving.org. Downtown McKinney’s Second Saturday – 7-10pm. 2nd Sat. Explore local art galleries, listen to great local and regional talent and taste specialties in some of the area’s best eateries. Historic Downtown McKinney, 111 N Tennessee St, McKinney. 972-547-2660. McKinneyTexas.org. Frisco StarFest – Sunset-10:30pm. 2nd Sat. Approximately a dozen telescopes will be set up for your viewing pleasure. Weather permitting. Free. Frisco Commons Park. TASObserving.org.

daily savethedate DAILY Dairy Farm Tours – By appt only. Experience life on a dairy farm with an educational tour including how and what cows are fed, the benefits of grass-crop based feed (silage), the milking parlor, bottle feeding baby calves along with the learning the benefits of drinking raw milk vs pasteurized milk. Everyone gets samples of milk and treat bags for the children. $5/person age 2 & up. Circle N Dairy, 2074 CR 446 Gainesville. 940-372-0343. CircleNDairy.com. First Aid Classes, CPR & Babysitter Training – Various days. Monthly at various branches. For specific info on cost, space availability, times: YMCADallas.org. Dallas Farmers’ Market – 8am-6pm. Year round. One-stop shop for all your produce, meat, floral and specialty-food needs. Farmers from 150 miles around come to give you the chance to “buy locally.” 1010 S Pearl Expwy, Dallas. DallasFarmersMarket.org.


naturaldirectory

sYnERgY BAlAnCE nuCCA CHiRopRACTiC HEAling CEnTER

A community resource guide connecting you with local businesses and experts. To find out how you can be included in the Natural Directory, email Publisher@NA-NTX. c o m . ( Leaf symbol indicates green business. Dollar symbol represents businesses offering coupons through NA-NTX.com/DFWDeals.)

ACupunCTuRE ACupunCTuRE & HERBs

Xie Yin, L.Ac., M.D. (China) 9555 Lebanon Rd, Bldg 10, Ste 1003 Frisco 75035 972-335-2626 • YinsClinic.com Our goal is to provide effective, all-natural ad drug free solutions to infertility, stress, pain relief, allergies, migraine, and more. Whether you are dealing with health issues that are affecting your life quality or seeking to enhance your wellness, acupuncture can help you. Trained in China with more than 24 years of experience in acupuncture and herbal medicine. See ad, page 30.

DApHnE ACupunCTuRE CEnTER

Daphne Su, L.Ac., M.D. (China) 4101 Spring Creek Pkwy, Ste 200, Plano 75024 972-665-8618 • DaphneAcupunctureCenter.com I'm a third generation Chinese Medicine doctor (China) and dedicated to helping people live a physically healthy and emotionally balanced life. Through acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, I help my patients with pain management as well as relief from allergies, arthritis, asthma, Bell's palsy, fibromyalgia, insomnia, infertility, high blood pressure, headaches and more. See ad, page 29.

ADHD/ADD THE sAMs CEnTER

Dr. Marvin Sams 972-612-0160 • GreatBrain.com Evidence based, non-drug therapy for ADD/ADHD, learning issues, chronic Depression and Anxiety, Asperger’s and Autism, epilepsy, Bipolar, and OCD. See ad, page 13.

AYuRvEDA THE BAlAnCED Yogi

Peggy Breeze 972-658-1600 • TheBalancedYogi.com Achieve optimal health with Ayurveda, the ancient healing practice that balances body, mind, and spirit. I provide comprehensive assessments that uncover your imbalances, create customized diet and lifestyle plans to help you achieve your wellness goals, offer Ayurvedic therapies and online consultations. Let me help you harmonize and energize your life.

BEAuTY pink MAHogHAnY FRAgRAnCEs Etsy.com/shop/PinkMahoghany

Phthalate-free. Locally owned and hand-crafted; available exclusively online. See ad, page 39.

Dr. Cecilia Yu, D.C., NUCCA practitioner 12740 Hillcrest Rd, Ste 138, Dallas 75230 972-387-4700 • MySynergyBalance.com

By aligning the first vertebrae through a precise NUCCA adjustment, Dr. Yu eliminates nerve interference from the brain stem. Such interference can manifest itself in any manner including Scoliosis, skin conditions, behavioral disorders, herniated discs or joint problems. Unlike traditional chiropractic, even traditional upper-cervical chiropractic, there is no popping, cracking or twisting and a NUCCA adjustment holds longer which means you return far less often. See ad, page 19.

ClEAning THE puRE living CoMpAnY 972-975-7873 ThePureLivingCo.com

HAiR ColoR sTuDios

9200 E Lebanon Rd, Ste 32, Frisco 75035 214-436-4955 • HairColorStudios.com Organic color for your hair and health. Open seven days a week. “No-Neck-Pain” wash basins have built-in headrest for your comfort and to protect your neck. See ad, page 30.

MAssAgE spACE

7000 Independence Pkwy, Ste 180 Plano 75025 972-612-5363 • Massage-Space.com

The Pure Living Company specializes in keeping your precious living environment clean and green. Did you know most of cleaning agents on the market today are toxic & there are no regulatory agencies that monitor those products in your home? If your home is toxic, it makes you toxic too leading to bad health problems such as asthma, headaches, and even cancer. We pride ourselves in using only natural ingredients in order to protect you, your family, and your furry friends. See ad, page 20.

CRYoTHERApY

In addition to our massage services, we offer facials, hair removal, sugaring, waxing and make up services too. Our estheticians specialize in anti-aging, skin clarifying and complexion rejuvenating facial treatments. See ad, page 5.

CHiRopRACTiC nEw sTAR CHiRopRACTiC & ACupunCTuRE

Zhangping Lu, D.C., L.Ac., M.D. (China) 425 Maplelawn Dr. Ste 101, Plano 75075 972-519-8488 DFWAcupunctureChiropractic.com Whole body wellness center providing chiropractic care, spinal decompression, allergy testing, NAET, IMAET, detoxification, weight loss, hormone balancing, wellness programs and more. All natural healing, no medication, no surgery. See ad, page 8.

BElow ZERo CRYo sAunA

Justin Miller, Owner 8715 Lebanon Rd, Frisco 75034 469-362-8191 • BelowZeroCryo.com Initially used exclusively by pro athletes, the cryosauna is a high-tech machine that helps reduce inflammation, improve sleep, boost immune system, burn calories, aids in detoxing and de-stressing, improves skin conditions, reverses signs of aging and aids in muscle recovery. Safe and natural therapy, cryotherapy is perfect for those that have grown tired of other therapeutic methods that may only mask symptoms. See ad, page 9.

DAiRY CiRClE n FAMilY DAiRY

Michelle and Tommy Neu 4 Miles West of I-35; on US 82, County Rd 446, Lindsay 76240 940-372-0343 • CircleNDairy.com State-permitted dairy licensed to sell fresh, all natural unprocessed grade A raw milk. See full listing under Farms & Farmers' Markets. See ad, page 29.

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DECluTTERing / oRgAniZing sERviCEs THE DECluTTERBug

Anita Sisler 339-832-1220 • TheDeclutterbug.biz Now is a perfect time to declutter. Let me help you turn cluttered areas of your home into perfect, peaceful spaces. Moving? I can help you with the process of decluttering while packing up your home and/or unpacking and making your new home cozy. Serving the North Texas area. See ad, page 31.

DEnTisTRY DEnTAl sTuDio oF CARRollTon Drs. Robert and Sandhya 2005 W Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton 75010 972-395-0150 • DSofCarrollton.com And 331 W Harwood Rd, Hurst 76054 817-282-4539

Approaching dentistry from a natural, whole body health perspective, we make teeth beautiful, keep them healthy and offer honest education on how balanced structures in the face/mouth can affect your overall health. Serving adults, children and apprehensive clients, at our state-of-the-art facility we offer the cutting-edge "DNA Appliance"; a small device which addresses snoring and sleep apnea, mercury free fillings and crowns, teeth whitening, Clear Braces, TMJ pain and much more. See ad, page 6.

Dining sHAnDiZ MEDiTERRAnEAn gRill & MARkET 4013 W Parker Rd, Plano 75093 972-943-8885

Halal meats, fresh produce, groceries and flat bread baked on-site.

EDuCATion

willow BEnD ACADEMY

2220 Coit Rd, Ste 500, Plano 75075 972-599-7882 • WillowBendAcademy.com And 101 E Southwest Pkwy, Ste 101 Lewisville 75067 972-436-3839 • WillowBendAcademy.com SACS-accredited educational alternative that offers individualized, mastery-based instruction for grades 4-12. On-campus and home-study options. Middle and high school international students are welcome. We provide Form I-20.

EnERgY HEAling HolisTiC EnERgY pRACTiCE, llC

Kris Sands, Healing Touch Certified Practitioner Star Coyote Sound Temple, Plano 75023 214-236-4037 • HolisticEnergyPractice.com Experience healing from posttraumatic stress, allergies, chronic conditions to emotional/physical trauma. Benefits of this non-invasive energy healing include: relief of anxiety and pain, increased relaxation, improved immune system, wound healing and increased health and sense of well-being. Works for animals too. See ad, page 19.

FARMs & FARMERs' MARkETs CiRClE n FAMilY DAiRY

Michelle and Tommy Neu 4 Miles West of I-35; on US 82, County Rd 446, Lindsay 76240 940-372-0343 • CircleNDairy.com State-permitted dairy licensed to sell fresh, all natural unprocessed grade A raw milk. Visit us at the farm to learn why our great-tasting, fresh, raw milk is a safe and naturally healthier choice for your family. Call us to schedule a tour to see a working family farm and be sure to visit our on-site store for fresh raw white and chocolate milk, cream, free-range eggs and more. See ad, page 29.

HonEY poT FARM

Are you seeking a learning environment that nurtures the whole child? Children thrive in heartcentered relationships that cultivate whole-being intelligence through nature, creativity, discovery, storytelling, meaningful learning and individual projects. Full and part-time programs available. We welcome you to our monthly Tea, Talk and a Tour. See ad, page 5.

Honey as raw, local, organic, yummy and healthy as it gets. Our hives are in Collin and surrounding counties, and because our honey is straight from the hive, nothing added and never heat pasteurized, you get all the vitamins, minerals, live-enzymes, and pollens which are the allergyfighting benefits that are heat filtered out of most other store-bought honeys. Available at Frisco Farmers Market, McKinney Trade Days, Sprouts, Market Street or pick up at our home office. Look for the bee in cowboy boots! See ad, page 38.

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LittleOrchardPecans.com 469-500-3099

Grown on family farms, our hard shell “native” pecans are smaller and sweeter than the “paper shell” hybrids found in most store. Typically pesticidefree, they’re low-carb, no sodium, almost no natural sugars and can help lower “bad” cholesterol. Order online or at select local retailers. See ad, page 9.

FinAnCiAl ADvisoR wEnDEll BRoCk, MBA, CHFC

RoBERT MullER sCHool & CEnTER FoR living ETHiCs

Vicki Johnston, Founding Director 340 Country Club Rd, Fairview 75069 214-544-8338 • CenterForLivingEthics.org

liTTlE oRCHARD pECAns

Money Family / Guy Money, Beekeeper McKinney 75070 • 972-829-3216

Outside Investment Advisors 214-937-9905 • OutsideIA.com Blog: OutsideEconomics.com

Improve your fiscal health and reduce your physical stress by learning strategies to keep more of what you earn. Reducing financial stress will greatly improve the quality of your life. It is through preparation that we obtain peace of mind. Sign up to receive our blog posts.

gREEn pEsT ConTRol nATuRAl pEsT soluTions

Jarrod Arnold, Owner 469-585-0234 • GuysInGreen.com Eco-friendly residential and commercial pest control using botanical products. We control all types of insect pests including termites, mosquitoes, ants, roaches and fleas without the use of harsh, dangerous chemicals. We offer programs from a single pest one time treatment to a comprehensive total protection plan. Call to schedule your Free inspection. See ad, page 14.

HAiR sAlon HAiR ColoR sTuDios

9200 E Lebanon Rd, Ste 32, Frisco 75035 214-436-4955 • HairColorStudios.com Open seven days a week, we offer organic color for your hair and health. “No-Neck-Pain” wash basins have built in headrest for your comfort and to protect your neck. Whether you're simply sensitive to some of those harsher chemical lines or just want vibrant, beautiful, healthy hair you'll love our natural approach to how we treat your hair and overall beauty. Ask about free color consultation. See ad, page 30.


HEAlTH CoACH gRoovY BEETs

Leann Forst, Board Certified Health Coach and Food Toxin Specialist 214-673-4788 • GroovyBeets.com

Improve your health and vigor. Lose weight. Feel better. Get out of pain. Take the toxins out of the food you're eating and eliminate or improve symptoms such as asthma, ADHD, allergies and more. Convenient, personal phone consultations and coaching with Board Certified Health Coach. Get guides, recipes, ideas, tips, encouragement, support, and accountability. Daily, weekly, monthly programs available. See ads, pages 18 and 39.

HEAlTHY kiDs HEAlTHY kiDs pEDiATRiCs

4851 Legacy Dr, Ste 301, Frisco 75034 972-294-0808 • HealthyKidsPediatrics.com See full listing under Pediatrics. See ad, page 7.

HolisTiC vETERinARiAn

MAssAgE DoREY ARoMATHERApY & REFlExologY

pAws & ClAws pET HospiTAl

Shawn Messonnier 2145 W Park Blvd, Plano 75075 972-867-8800 • PetCareNaturally.com Offering drug-free treatments, antiaging medicine, holistic anesthesia, and blood testing for early diagnosis of cancer in healthy pets. See ad, page 37.

HYpnosis REAsons 2 REsulTs 800-323-8965 Reasons2Results.com

Guided journey hypnosis cd’s to help you stop smoking or lose weight. See ad, page 15.

inTEgRATivE pHYsiCiAns 972-479-9139 KarenAsburyMD.com

DEnTAl ARTs oF plAno

Drs. Han and Buttyan, DDS 4701 W Park Blvd, Ste 201, Plano 75093 972-985-4450 • DentalArtsOfPlano.com Dental Arts of Plano specializes in routine, restorative and cosmetic dentistry with a holistic approach. Mercury-free crowns and fillings, safe amalgam removal, clear orthodontics and jaw stabilizing devices are a few reasons these professionals are sought after. Prioritized treatment, fair and straightforward financial terms, and a real knack for patient care and compassion are reasons their client loyalty is admired by all. See ad, page 13.

HolisTiC HEAling HousE oF gilEAD REnEwAl CEnTER Dr. Stephen Duncan 2200 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Ste A, Plano 75023 972-596-5055 • HouseOfGilead.com

Scientific, complementary, homeopathic and holistic healing options that pharmaceutical-led practices cannot offer. Our lab work can show what traditional tests cannot. Cellular screening for fungus, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals and parasites, Hair Analysis, Ionic Cleanse, LED, Oxygen and RIFE therapy, nutritional assessments, herbal medicine, saliva and urine testing and well visits available. Read client testimonials on our website. See ad, page 15.

European and Ayurvedic Reflexology and aromatherapy sessions, plus a full line of products for well care, body care and natural perfumes. Reflexology works with the feet and helps to balance the subtle energy systems of the entire body leaving you feeling refreshed and energized. See ad, page 33.

MAssAgE spACE

kAREn AsBuRY, MD

HolisTiC DEnTisTRY

Mary Ellen Dorey, Reflexologist/Clinical Aromatherapist 5924 W Parker Rd, Ste 100, Plano 75093 972-567-3962 • DoreyAromatherapy.com

Our practice is dedicated to healing using a combination of holistic medicine and conventional medicine where needed. See ad, page 20.

JuiCing

7000 Independence Pkwy, Ste 180 Plano 75025 972-612-5363 • Massage-Space.com The health benefits of massage are well documented and our goal is to help people have affordable access to regular massages. Ask about our free-to-join Personal Wellness Program where you can get regular massages at discounted rates. See ad, page 5.

THE C-sECTion RECovERY CEnTER 3400 Silverstone, Ste 119, Plano 75023 972-332-5265 CSectionRecoveryCenter.com

Specializing in proprietary therapeutic massage system (CSRT). See full listing under Women’s Health. See ad, inside front cover.

JuiCER HERoEs

Bryan and Kristi Wright, Owners Frisco: 6975 Lebanon Rd, #306, 75034 Plano: 2100 Dallas Pkwy, #150, 75093 469-803-5919 • JuicerHeroes.com/Frisco Raw fruit and vegetable juices, made daily from farm-fresh, local and organic produce. Delicious, healthy, no-sugar or other additives, and served in glass bottles so you can stay and sip, or grab and go, there is a variety of seasonal flavors to suit every taste and desired health benefit. See ad, page 7.

kiD FiT – kiD Fun spoRTs TRAining

MATERniTY A posTpARTuM DoulA on THE go Valerie Ybarra • 972-665-8765 ADoulaOnTheGo.com

Lack of sleep? Anxiety? Postpartum depression? Need an extra pair of helping hands? I have more than 30 years experience. Newborn care specialist, infant / mommy massage, breast feeding education and night care. Here to meet your needs! See ad, page 9.

JuMpsTREET inDooR TRAMpolinE pARk

6505 W Park Blvd, Ste 200, Plano 75093 972-378-5867 • GotJump.com Burn up to 1000 calories an hour, strengthen your whole body and have a blast doing it. Try trampoline dodge ball, a life-size maze, or rope-swing, slide or bounce into a huge foam pit. Special bounce and play area for kids under 7. Open jumps, birthday parties, corporate team building and aerobics classes. See ad, page 40.

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nATuRopATHiC pHYsiCiAns

oRgAniC lAwn CARE

innovATions wEllnEss CEnTER

EARTH kinD sERviCEs

Your family's health is "naturally" our passion. Using naturopathic medicine, our approach is holistic and non-toxic, helping those with cancer, hormone imbalances, fatigue, chronic illness, depression and much more. Let us be a partner in your wellness and show you naturopathic solutions to your health concerns.

Organic lawn treatment that gets amazing results. We do all the work – spreading an even layer of composted top dressing onto your lawn with our specialized spreader. Bare spots fill in, better drought tolerance and disease resistance. Safe for kids and pets. See ad, page 15.

Dr. Kimberly Wilson, NMD 6545 Preston Rd, #200, Plano 75024 972-608-0100 • InnovationsWellness.com

nEuRoFEEDBACk THE sAMs CEnTER

Dr. Marvin Sams 972-612-0160 • GreatBrain.com The Sams Center specializes in evidence based, non-drug therapy for ADD/ADHD, learning issues, chronic Depression and Anxiety, Asperger’s and Autism, epilepsy, Bipolar, and OCD. Quantitative EEG (computerized brain wave analysis) detects and defines the neurological issues; NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency TrainingTM safely remediates and optimizes brain function. Find out more today. See ad, page 13.

nuTRiTion guiDED pATH To HEAlTH

Jill Baumann, NC 114 S Jackson Ave, Ste 200, Wylie 75098 214-675-5607 • GuidedPathToHealth.com ThinkingOfBaby.com Providing holistic support and guidance to create amazing health breakthroughs. From functional lab tests to meal plans to supplements to mind-body techniques, we’ll work together to create and work through a customized health breakthrough plan based on your bioindividuality. Offering convenient 1:1 in-office or phone sessions as well as online group programs. See ad, page 33.

Organic Compost Lawn Treatment Beau Propes, Owner 469-744-0281 • EarthKindServices.com

pEDiATRiCs HEAlTHY kiDs pEDiATRiCs

4851 Legacy Dr, Ste 301, Frisco 75034 972-294-0808 • HealthyKidsPediatrics.com Where your child’s health is our passion! Offering a full range of pediatric services integrating conventional and natural medicine for your child’s optimal health. See ad, page 7.

I specialize in helping with all the technical aspects of home- selling or buying, like getting a great deal and a perfect location, but my clients also love that I have a knack for helping with some of the more intangible, stress-inducing things that go along with the process as well. If you're looking for an agent who can help and support you beyond just the paperwork, call me today! See ad, page 29.

REFlExologY DoREY ARoMATHERApY & REFlExologY

Mary Ellen Dorey, Reflexologist/Clinical Aromatherapist 5924 W Parker Rd, Ste 100, Plano 75093 972-567-3962 • DoreyAromatherapy.com See full listing under Massage. See ad, page 33.

Kathryn Kutzer 469-955-5123 • DreamBuilderLifeCoach.com Many people cannot identify their dream; they just know they are discontent with their current life and have a longing for something different. It is my privilege to help people discover the dream that is in harmony with their purpose, and then coach them through a specific process to help them achieve that dream.

sounD HEAling sTAR CoYoTE sounD TEMplE

Jodi Roberts, Founder Coit Rd and Parker, Plano 75075 512-788-1236 • StarCoyoteSoundTemple.com See full listing under Wellness Centers. See ads, pages 19 and 39.

pREgnAnCY suppoRT guiDED pATH To HEAlTH

Jill Baumann, NC 114 S Jackson Ave, Ste 200, Wylie 75098 214-675-5607 • GuidedPathToHealth.com ThinkingOfBaby.com Specializing in reducing the risks of and reversing the symptoms of the 4A’s: Autism, ADHD, Asthma and Allergies, from preconception through symptomatic child. See ad, page 33.

Martie Whittekin; Certified Clinical Nutritionist Saturday 8am • KWRD 100.7 FM Interviews with authors, doctors and other experts about natural approaches to health and happiness. Listener calls are always welcome. Archives of past shows available on HBNShow.com.

NA-NTX.com

Remax Town & Country 301 S Watters Rd, Allen 75013 972-979-7640 • DarleneOwen.com

livE YouR DREAM

HEAlTHY BY nATuRE RADio sHow

North Texas

DARlEnE owEn, REAlToR

pERsonAl DEvElopMEnT

RADio sHow

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REAl EsTATE

spiRiTuAl DEvElopMEnT nEw liFE CoMMuniTY CHuRCH 25631 Smotherman Rd, Frisco 75033 214-872-4205 NewLifeFrisco.org

sHiR TikvAH REFoRM sYnAgoguE Rabbi Heidi Coretz 7700 Main St, Frisco 75034 214-500-8304, • ShirTikvahFrisco.org

Services are held on Friday evenings at 7 p.m. Every service welcomes children of all ages. Religious school classes take place on Sunday mornings during school year. Visit website for service schedule.

sT. pHilip’s EpisCopAl

6400 Stonebrook Pkwy, Frisco 75034 214-387-4700 • StPhilipsFrisco.org Sunday services, community programs, job ministry, preschool, and St. Philip’s Academy “K” class.


THERMogRApHY THERMogRApHY CEnTER oF DAllAs Addison and Rockwall 214-352-8758 • ThermographyCenter.com

Don’t wait for an alarming symptom to tell you there’s an abnormality. Regular screening with thermography can detect abnormalities, many times 8-10 years before other screening methods and give you the practical information you need to monitor and improve your health. No pain. No compression. No radiation. See ad, page 35.

wEigHT loss BElow ZERo CRYo sAunA

Justin Miller, Owner 8715 Lebanon Rd, Frisco 75034 469-362-8191 • BelowZeroCryo.com See full listing under Cryotherapy. See ad, page 9.

gRoovY BEETs

Leann Forst, Board Certified Health Coach and Food Toxin Specialist 214-673-4788 • GroovyBeets.com See full listing under Health Coach and see ads on pages 18 and 39.

sTAR CoYoTE sounD TEMplE

Jodi Roberts, Founder Coit Rd and Parker, Plano 75075 512-788-1236 • StarCoyoteSoundTemple.com Founded by anthropologist Jodi Roberts, Star Coyote Sound Temple is a place where you can get to know yourself in a deeper way. We offer a safe space of peace, mindful communication, creativity, relaxation, fun, joy and health. Music includes drums, Tibetan bowls, and gongs. Private and group healing sessions are available. Workshops, classes, massage, mindfulness meditation and yoga are offered for all ages. See ads, pages 19 and 39.

woMEn's HEAlTH THE C-sECTion RECovERY CEnTER John James, LMT, CSRT Founder Lauren Cato Robertson, LMT, NCTMB 3400 Silverstone, Ste 119, Plano 75023 972-332-5265 CSectionRecoveryCenter.com

C-Sections sever muscle, fascia, lymph vessels and nerve pathways. Often seemingly unrelated symptoms including TMJ, headache, low back pain, plantar fasciitis, and more are ‘referred pain’ from C-Sections performed months or even decades earlier. Our proprietary therapeutic massage system (CSRT) can free you from the negative effects of C-Section surgery. See ad, inside front cover.

Addison and Rockwall 214-352-8758 • ThermographyCenter.com Bryan and Kristi Wright, Owners Frisco: 6975 Lebanon Rd, #306, 75034 Plano: 2100 Dallas Pkwy, #150, 75093 469-803-5919 • JuicerHeroes.com/Frisco Raw fruit and vegetable juices, made daily from farm-fresh, local and organic produce. Delicious, healthy, no-sugar or other additives, and served in glass bottles so you can stay and sip, or grab and go, there is a variety of seasonal flavors to suit every taste and desired health benefit. See ad, page 7.

wEllnEss CEnTERs nEw sTAR CHiRopRACTiC & ACupunCTuRE wEllnEss CEnTER Zhangping Lu, D.C., L.Ac., M.D. (China) 425 Maplelawn Dr, Ste 101, Plano 75075 972-519-8488 DFWAcupunctureChiropractic.com

Whole body wellness center providing chiropractic care, spinal decompression, allergy testing, NAET, IMAET, detoxification, weight loss, hormone balancing, wellness programs and more. All natural healing, no medication, no surgery. See ad, page 8.

Don’t wait for an alarming symptom to tell you there’s an abnormality. Regular screening with thermography can detect abnormalities, many times 8-10 years before other screening methods and give you the practical information you need to monitor and improve your health. No pain. No compression. No radiation. See ad, page 35.

YogA YogA wiTH pEggY BREEZE 972-658-1600 TheBalancedYogi.com

See full listing under Ayurveda.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY BECOME A DENTAL ASSISTANT – This unique 10-week course is designed to provide you the core concepts you will need to get started. In this unique program, practicing dentists and experienced dental assistants give you maximum hands-on training and experience in an actual dental office setting. Reasonable cost. Short timeframe. Saturdays only. For more info, call 214-789-2011 or visit CDofCarrollton.com.

HELP WANTED

THERMogRApHY CEnTER oF DAllAs JuiCER HERoEs

classifieds For fees and info on placing classifieds, email publisher@NA-NTX.com. Deadline is noon on the 1st of the month.

HELP WANTED – Juicer Heroes is expanding and hiring for the Frisco and Plano locations. Full- and part-time positions available. Excellent customer service, ability to work in fast-paced environment and an interest in healthy living required. To apply, visit either store: Frisco – 6975 Lebanon Rd., #306; Plano – 2100 Dallas Parkway, #150; or call 469-803-5919. NOW HIRING – Professional housekeepers who want to work in a chemical-free environment. Advancement opportunities available. For more information, call 972-975-PURE (7873). SALESPEOPLE WANTED – If you’re not afraid of straight commissioned sales and feel confident of your abilities, Natural Awakenings North Texas magazine may be right for you. Earn a generous commission and unlimited income selling advertising packages. Relationship-oriented sales; must like talking to people. Open territories in Denton and Collin counties. Will train and coach. Full and part-time sales positions available. Send resume to Publisher@NA-NTX.com.

OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE O F F I C E A N D C L A S S R O O M S PA C E – Available for rent. Large classroom can hold up to 20 people or could also be used as a treatment or massage room. Office has been used as consultation room for different practitioners. Located just off a retail storefront. Call Andy Hopkins with questions. 972-516-1740 (Parker Rd & Independence Pkwy) 3221 Independence Pkwy, Plano, 75075. UPSCALE OFFICE PROPERTY – Customize this 1,600 sq ft space to suit your professional or medical office needs. Free standing building with one side currently occupied by a dental office. Great location. Excellent visibility. In Carrollton just minutes from highways 121 and 35. Call Ms. Krishan: 832-545-1243.

natural awakenings

April 2015

47



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