Natural Nutmeg March 2011

March 2011

Natural

Free

Nutmeg Connecticut's Resource For Living Naturally

Don't Hide Because You're Different

Chronic Toxin Overload: The Real Cause of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Tom Moorcroft, DO

Bernie Siegel, MD

Toxic World Part 1: The Scary Statistics Jared Skowron, ND

The Power of Tea for Health and Spirit

Overmedicating Our Society Desmond Ebanks, MD

Laura Mignosa, NCCH, AADP www.naturalnutmeg.com

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March 2011

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In this Issue Chronic Toxin Overload: The Real Cause of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Tom Moorcroft, DO 10

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Toxic World Part 1: The Scary Statistics Jared Skowron, ND 18 The Power of Tea For Health and Spirit Laura Mignosa, NCCH, AADP 36

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PUBLISHERS Dr. Diane Hindman Chris Hindman Publisher@naturalnutmeg.com

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Editor-in-Chief Deb Percival Deb@naturalnutmeg.com

Overmedicating Our Society Desmond Ebanks, MD 40

Departments

ADVERTISING SALES Dr. Diane Hindman advertising@naturalnutmeg.com

Newsbriefs 6

Aimee Chandler aimee@naturalnutmeg.com

Prescription for Living 9

HARTFORD COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD Deanna M. Cherrone, M.D. Desmond Ebanks, M.D. Ann Aresco, N.D. Richard Duenas, D.C. Tom Moorcroft, D.O.

Herbs To Know 22 Movement as Medicine 24 Supplements 101 32 Healthy Family 35

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Healthy Pet 44 Community Resources 46 Community Calendar 50 Natural Planet 54 March 2011

Natural Nutmeg Magazine P.O. Box 447, Avon, CT 06001 Ph. (860) 217-1239 Fax (860) 217-1721 In keeping with our concern for the environment, Natural Nutmeg is proudly printed on recycled paper with soy based inks.

Natural Nutmeg is a free publication supported solely by our advertisers.With wide distribution throughout central Connecticut, the Litchfield Hills, and the shoreline. Please call for a location near you.

Call us at (860) 217-1239 if you would like copies for your place of business. (25 copies min. req.)

Healthy Cooking 43

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ur mission is to provide valuable insight, information and resources that will allow our readers to maintain a h e a l t h y, a c t i v e , s u s t a i n a b l e l i f e style. Natural Nutmeg contains timely information on natural health, complementary and alternative medicine, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, and the products and ser vices that support good health.

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© 2007-11 by Natural Nutmeg, LLC. All rights reserved. Parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that permission be obtained in writing. 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 feedback.

PUBLISHER'Sletter

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Biofeedback • Birth Services • Psychotherapy • Cancer Screening • Hydrocolon Therapy • Alexander Technique

In health and happiness,

• Yoga • Tai Chi • Pilates • Health Spas • Chiropractic • Energy Work •

860-916-2775

Greater Vernon Holistic Healthfest Natural Options for Body, Mind and Spirit

Saturday & Sunday, March 26 & 27 10 am – 4 pm Vernon Center Middle School 777 Hartford Turnpike (Route 30), Vernon

For events schedule and more info: www.vernonhealthfest.com Admission: $5 for adults Free for children under 16 with a parent Over 75 tables of practitioners, vendors and artists plus 35 hourly workshops and demonstrations Produced by The Vernon Youth Services Bureau and Conscious CT. Proceeds go to Vernon Youth Services to support programs.

Hypnotherapy • Sound Healing • Gems & Minerals • Hyperbaric Oxygen • Meditation • Nutritional Counseling

ver the last year, a trusted friend and spiritual mentor has been teaching me about the power of co-creation. For a control freak, like myself, this has been a lesson that’s taking a long time to master! Oh, I’m good at asking for what I want and visualizing it and doing what I need to do to reach my goals. But what rarely enters my mind, is that I have the ability to ask for help from “the powers that be,” and that there is an entire army just waiting for me to say the word so they can jump into action.

In fact, I remember clearly one day when my friend was practically yelling at me that I needed to step out of the way and allow these powers to work with me, instead of trying to do everything myself. I think her exact words were, “you are going to have to learn how to co-create or life is going to be very difficult for you.”

I hate to admit that it took so long for me to figure this out, but maybe I needed to reach a breaking point in order to truly believe that this could be possible. Many of you know we are making some big changes with the magazine, and it has been a leap of faith. After having countless appointments cancelled due to weather last month, I was at a point where I was seriously wondering if and when we were going to be able to pull this off.

One night it finally dawned on me what I needed to do.

I remembered my friend saying to me, “you have to literally ask for help.” So, that’s exactly what I did. I said, “I know You want us to make this happen, so You need to help me. I’m about to jump and You need to catch me.” The very next day, I went on three appointments with fantastic results, all advertisers increased the size of their ads! The day after that…a couple of more meetings with advertisers who resigned contracts and then signed up to be exhibitors at our conference. And I kid you not, the same thing has been happening at every meeting I’ve gone to over the last three weeks! Who knew it could be so simple? So, sure some of you might say that I’m just a very good sales person, but I know in my heart that this has nothing to do with me. I’ve finally realized that I am just the conduit for spirit to work through me. And everyday, I give thanks to this force; because I know it’s not me doing it. It’s happening because I surrendered and asked for help and now I’m being shown the power of that which is called co-creation.

One of the hardest things to do for many people is to ask for help. I believe it’s because we think it’s a sign of weakness.

We’re so proud and we don’t want others to think that we can’t handle everything on our own. How crazy is it that we feel we can’t even ask the Universe for help because we’re supposed to be so self-sufficient! My wish for you is that you don’t have to reach a breaking point to ask for help. Put aside the pride and try it. I’m sure you’ll find that co-creation is the best way of all to create.

• Ayurveda • Past Life • Bodywork • Naturopathy • Homeopathy • Acupuncture •

www.naturalnutmeg.com

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Newsbriefs Connecticut Master Gardener Association Symposium

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elcome back spring and get out your garden gloves! The Connecticut Master Gardener Association will be hosting a gardening and landscape design symposium at Manchester Community College, Manchester CT, on March 26, 2011 (snow date March 27, 2011). This year’s theme, “Garden Designs for Properties Large and Small,” is sure to have something for any gardening enthusiast. The daylong conference, which is open to the public, offers lectures, workshops, and an opportunity to get together with fellow gardeners. Keynote speakers include Janet Marinelli discussing the future of garden design and its impact on the environment, and native son William Cullina presenting unique solutions to design dilemmas. Workshop topics include design and garden techniques from leading experts such as Nancy DuBrule- Clemente and Sal Gilibertie. Fee: $65 for CMGA members, $85 for general public. CMGA members may purchase additional tickets at the membership price. Admission includes lunch and access to speakers, vendors and breakout workshops.

For more information please go to www.ctmga.org or Diane Ostheimer, (860) 997-2529 osthedia@comcast.net. Register at www.ctmga.org.

Fairfield County Women's Expo April 30th - May 1st in Stamford

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he Fairfield County Women’s Expo will take place on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1 from 11:00 to 5:00 at the Stamford Plaza Hotel (formerly the Sheraton) in Stamford, Connecticut. Attendees will experience free health screenings, free samples, shopping with hundreds of unique vendors, giveaways, celebrity appearances, free inspirational seminars, beauty makeovers, psychic readings and entertainment. Experience the best in holistic and sustainable living with exhibitors in categories that include: natural cleaning products, organic foods, natural healing, relaxation, holistic healthcare and green products.

Stamford Hospital will be providing free health screenings including: mammogram, bone density, cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, health risk assessment, vascular screening and cardiovascular ultrasound. All of these health screenings will be preformed during show hours at the Stamford Hospital booth (#621) near the main entrance. There is an exciting line up of inspirational seminars scheduled with topics including: Lifecycle of a woman, Diet & Nutrition, Your Healthy Heart, Love Life Tips, Dating, Divorce, Dance Instruction, Life Coaching and Healthy Living.

The Stamford Plaza Hotel is located at 2701 Summer St, Stamford, CT. There are over 600 free indoor parking spaces available for attendees. Admission is $10.00 at the door (Kids 12 and under, free). Visit www.ctexpos.com for event details and to download a $5.00 off Admission Coupon.

Winter Skin Care Tips: The Battle Is On

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inter is here, and with it comes severe cold air and harsh dry heat. This combination of elements creates a hostile environment for our skin. These conditions require re-evaluating the everyday care of our skin in order to create a specific treatment or battle plan.

1. Moisturize from the inside out. How we choose to nourish ourselves affects our skin as well as other body functions. Some suggestions to assist in proper nourishment of the skin include: • Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries for antioxidants.

• Salmon, walnuts, flaxseed or canola oil for essential fatty acids.

• Green tea for its anti-inflammatory properties.

• Avocado which is rich in B-complex vitamins and essential oils.

• Almonds which provide vitamin E to assist in moisturizing the skin from within and protect from the elements.

• Mangoes which are rich in vitamin A to help repair cells and diminish flakiness of the skin.

• Cottage cheese provides calcium and selenium, both of which are essential for glowing skin.

2. Keep indoor heat low and use a humidifier.

3. Before adding moisturizer and/or foundations to your skin, added a base layer of a serum to the skin first for an additional layer of protection (a suggestion is Om Aroma Red Raspberry Day Serum).

4. Use sunscreen whenever outdoors in the daytime: the winter sun, with its glare off snow and ice can be very damaging, equal or more so than the summer sun.

5. Exfoliate. Skin should be exfoliated 2 times per week. Consult with a skin care professional for the method which best suits your skin type. Don’t forget to exfoliate your body as well as your face!

6. Protect your lips with a natural lip balm and reapply frequently throughout the day.

By focusing on increasing the available moisture to your skin from both internal and external sources you will help diminish the risk of excessive damage during this winter season.

Tina O'Dannel is a Nurse Aesthetician at Apple Rehab Sport & Spa located at 91 East Main Street (Route 44) in Avon, CT. For more information, contact Apple Rehab Sport & Spa at 860-404-2461 or visit www.applerehabsportspa.com.

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March 2011

Save the Date!

Natural Nutmeg Magazine’s

“Empowering Me...Naturally” Wellness Conference November 11th & 12th, 2011

Connecticut Convention Center • Hartford, CT Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Joan Borysenko

Presented by

Natural Nutmeg Magazine Sponsored by

Workshops on Natural Medicine, Spirituality, Green Living and Personal Development Exhibit Hall • Fitness and Cooking Demos • A distinguished pioneer in integrative medicine and world renowed expert in mind/body connection •New York Times best seller, Minding the Body, Mending the Mind •Coauthor of the Public Television special Inner Peace for Busy People

For more information go to www.naturalnutmeg.com

Call Today for information regarding sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, (860) 217-1239 or visit www.naturalnutmeg.com www.naturalnutmeg.com

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March 2011

Prescription for Living

by Bernie Siegel, MD

Don’t Hide Because You’re Different

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hat would you hang in the lobby of schools and public buildings with a sign over it which reads; “Look at how beautiful and meaningful life is.” If you have been through a major loss or life threatening illness you are far more likely to say a mirror than if you haven’t had that experience. We are all so involved with our imperfections that we lose track of our divine nature and origin.

When I spoke before several hundred personal health trainers who were the most attractive and fit group I have ever seen, their responses were: rainbows, baby pictures, or flowers. After several minutes I realized they have a problem with their self image too and that’s probably why they are doing what they are doing. Trying to be perfect...which will never happen. We are all perfectly imperfect to begin with. I finally stopped them and said the answer is a mirror. That created a silent thoughtful moment.

I recall a young woman admitted to the hospital to be force fed. She was anorexic and starving herself to death. I asked her to draw a picture of herself. When I show people a slide of her drawing and ask why was she admitted to the hospital most yell out, “She’s pregnant.” A few wise health care professionals say, “Anorexic.” Think of what we do to ourselves by being critical of who we are, what we look like and more.

Learn from Lassie again. Our pets never request a shampoo or grooming because they just don’t look well or because guests are coming over. So relax and accept your body for the gift it is. The problem is we don’t love our bodies and create much disease and disability because of our dislike of ourselves. The body knows how to heal and tries to protect you and keep you well as best it can. But do you nourish it properly and exercise it and love and respect it as the gift that it is? I doubt most of you do until some disaster strikes. You never hear about Helen Keller complaining. Learn from her, the children and the animals.

They know who they are and what makes

them complete and it is not the number of parts they have.

I just learned of a premature infant born with a malignancy in her foot. Arielle had her foot amputated and home she went after months in the hospital, proud of herself and her body and not fearful of showing off her stump. Her mom has written a book, “Arielle’s Footprint”, because of what she has learned from her. The following is my foreword to her book.

Footprints have always fascinated me.

Every winter as I walk through the snow, many times I benefit from the footprints of others who have walked before me. At other times their footprints are frozen and difficult to step in as I struggle in my attempt to follow them. I learned from my experience that there are times in life where I need to create my own path, let some one assist me when the going was tough, or crawl. When you are willing to face life’s adversities and the obstacles they create you can choose to learn how to climb or stop living. We are all unique and need to find our way through life rather than hide because we are different.

I think that Arielle’s footprints are a guide to all of us as we make our journey through life. I can recall a child with a congenital problem, who was my patient; ask me, “Why am I different?” I answered, “Because it makes you beautiful.” He responded with a knowing smile. Children

and animals understand that being complete is not about having the correct number of body parts, but about how we live.

A veterinarian I know said she was able to get through body changing surgery by thinking about the dogs she operated on.

She said, “I can amputate a leg or jaw and they wake up and lick their owner’s faces.

They know they are here to love and be loved and teach us a few things.” We are here to live and learn and see that what is evil is not the difficulty someone must live with, but to not respond with compassion to the person experiencing it.

Bernie holds a support group in Simsbury at Wisdom of the Ages the first Wednesday of each month from 7-9pm. Wisdom of the Ages, a special place to nuture your spiritual side.

It's filled with items to calm the mind, heal the body & empower your spirit. They also provide massages & monthly meditation classes.

Wisdom of the Ages is owned by Bernie's son & daughter- in-law, Keith & Jane Siegel. Located at 1408 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury. Please call for info or to register for Bernie's group.

(860) 651-1172, www.wisdomoftheages.biz, berniesiegelmd.com. See ad on page 34.

Bernie also runs a Woodbridge Support Group which meets the Second and Fourth Tuesday evenings of each month at Coachman's Square, Bradley Road, Woodbridge, CT. Contact: Lucille Ranciato at 203-2882839 or email her at lranciato@yahoo.com.

Your Healing Retreat, an integrative approach for parents and physicians (MDs and DOs) living and working with children affected by autism, ADHD and other learning disorders.

CMEs available for physicians.

www.YourHealingRetreat.com www.ihealthnow.org www.naturalnutmeg.com

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Chronic Toxin Overload: The Real Cause of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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atients who suffer from unrelenting fatigue, persistent pain and brain fog are often diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and/or fibromyalgia. Interestingly, neither of these diagnoses actually points to a cause of illness; they both are merely labels for a group of symptoms. Unfortunately, this leaves patients with little more than another name for their condition. Without finding a cause of their illness, they have little hope of regaining their previous state of health. This article covers the signs and symptoms that lead to a “diagnosis” of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia; reviews the clues these symptoms offer us; and provides a deeper understanding of the possible causes of these syndromes. A better understanding of actual causes can help chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia sufferers regain their health and live the life they want.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome in which people experience long-term, body-wide pain and tender points in muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Fibromyalgia is seen in men and women of all ages, but is most common in women between the ages of 20 and 55. Pain is generally located on both sides of the body as well as above and below the waist. The pain is predominantly located in the muscles, sparing the joints. The pains are easily aggravated by mild physical activity. More than 50% of patients also report having regular headaches.

While pain and tenderness are hallmarks of this syndrome, those who suffer with fibromyalgia experience many other symptoms including fatigue, cognitive changes (often called fibrofog or brain fog), and mood disturbances. Patients often report numbness and tingling in the extremities. Many patients also experience non-restorative sleep, and wake up feeling stiff and unrefreshed in the morning. Profound afternoon fatigue is common. As with the muscle pain, fatigue is easily aggravated by minimal activity.

At times, the brain fog is so significant that it leads to problems with attention and performance. Patients report they have diffi10

March 2011

culty multitasking or dealing with tasks that involve rapid thought changes. Patients also report several other concerning symptoms including eye dryness, multiple chemical sensitivity, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, sexual dysfunction, weight fluctuations, night sweats, difficulty swallowing, dizziness when getting up from a seated or lying position, and menstrual irregularities.

People diagnosed with fibromyalgia often have coexisting depression and/or anxiety disorders, however neuropsychiatric testing reveals that these patients are in fact different than patients with typical depression or anxiety. To compound matters, patients often appear to be well, lab tests are usually normal, and the patient’s physical exam is typically normal with the exception of tender points. Physicians often feel fibromyalgia is psychosomatic. Psychosomatic problems are essentially caused within the brain and psyche. In other words, it’s all in your head. This is very distressing to hear for someone who is experiencing real symptoms that prevent them from enjoying life.

Since many practitioners believe fibromyalgia is psychosomatic, conventional treatment focuses on patient education and medications that affect the brain. Education is commonly used to help patients gain an increased sense of control over pain and let them know that their pain is not a sign of physical damage.

Patients are often referred for cognitive behavioral therapy with a psychotherapist. Medications commonly used include antidepressants, pain relievers, and, at times, anti-seizure medications.

As you may have noticed, there are relatively few treatment options for fibromyalgia syndrome. This is probably due to the fact that fibromyalgia is a term that is used to describe a group of symptoms for which there is no known cause. Fibromyalgia sufferers often feel hopeless as no one can truly tell them what's wrong. Later in this article we will discuss a structured approach for determining the likely cause or causes of fibromyalgia. This opens up vast possibilities for effective treatment options and renewed hope of regaining health.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is likely the most common "cause" of persistent fatigue in our society today. Since the mid-1700s, patients have been complaining about new onset, profound fatigue that never seems to go away. Since this time, physicians and researchers have struggled to find the cause. Interestingly, persistent infection has often been looked at as a possible cause, however, until recently, there has been little convincing evidence of this.

Patients with CFS report that they have persistent overwhelming fatigue that started abruptly more than six months ago. This fatigue is severe enough to decrease their normal activity level by more than 50%, with some patients being almost completely bedridden. Many patients also experience post-exertion fatigue that lasts more than 24 hours. Prior to the onset of fatigue, patients are usually high functioning and many are physically active. Other common symptoms include achy joints, feeling feverish, muscle pain and muscle fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.

Patients also report generalized headaches, migratory joint pains, brain fog, sensitivity to light, and sleep disturbances, including non-restorative sleep.

Does this sound familiar? One of the most interesting things to me when looking at these two syndromes is that essentially all of the symptoms of fibromyalgia are also seen in CFS. It is almost as if fibromyalgia is a subset of CFS. This leads me to believe that there must be significant similarities in the agents that are causing these two syndromes…another clue, but more on that later.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has set forth diagnostic criteria for CFS. These criteria require that fatigue be unexplained, persistent or relapsing as well as have a definite time of onset. Additionally fatigue must not be relieved by rest and must result in a substantial reduction in the person's previous personal or professional activities. If these criteria are met then patients must also have four or more of a list of symptoms that are similar to those I described above. Interestingly there is again no mention of abnormal lab tests as part of the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, however physicians typically order lab tests to rule out other causes of fatigue. In CFS patients there are often many lab abnormalities, but they do not seem to point directly at a cause of the patient’s fatigue. After conventionally understood medical causes have been ruled out, these unexplained lab abnormalities are commonly discarded.

Some of these lab abnormalities include alterations in cortisol (one of our main stress hormones) function, lower levels of im-

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mune system function and elevated levels of antibodies to viruses and bacteria…more clues.

Until recently there have been very few conventional treatment options for patients diagnosed with CFS. Over the last several years many researchers have started to look at the role of persistent viral infections as possible causes for CFS. Current research has identified 3 viruses as possible causes: Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and human herpes virus 6 (which causes roseola in children). Several researchers are now looking at treatment with long term use of antiviral medications and are having good success.

Despite the recent progress in looking outside of the box for the true underlying cause of CFS, physicians and researchers continue to look at patients who have it with skepticism. Patients are often treated similarly to fibromyalgia patients…it’s all in your head.

Searching for the Cause

he or she must exert an equal and opposite force on in order to maintain balance. For example, if it’s cold outside, the body must maintain its core temperature. This is commonly done through shivering. In this example, cold is a toxin. Cold is not typically thought of as a toxic substance, but it does exert a force on the person that must be balanced and is therefore a toxin. The relevance of this example will become clearer as we look at the impact of multiple toxins on health.

Health vs. Dis-ease When our bodies are in balance with all the things that are pushing in on us, we are able to maintain a state of health. When the force applied on us is too great, a state of imbalance results. It is not that there is something innately wrong, rather there is a lack of ease in the system that maintains health. Over time, if toxins are not addressed and they build up, this state of imbalance leads to a pathological condition or dis-ease.

As someone who was previously diagnosed with CFS and fibromyalgia syndrome, I can attest that it is possible to regain your health and live the life you want. I can also tell you that it is Chronic Toxin Overload unlikely you will find one cause of all your symptoms. ThroughIn my experience, almost all dis-eases are a result of Chronic out my years as a patient and physician, I've come to learn that we are complex organisms that live in a complex world. The ill- Toxin Overload (CTO). I created the concept of CTO to allow nesses, symptoms, diagnoses and dis-eases we suffer from are us to look at each person as an individual and fully evaluate the also very complex. In order to heal, it is my opinion that we must variety of different toxins impacting him or her on a daily basis. It allows us to identify imbalances in a person's health and address view each individual patient in light of this complexity.

The difficulty with looking at a complex picture through the them utilizing the very best of conventional and alternative medieyes of an overly complex conventional medical system is that cine. Looking at a patient’s life situation from a perspective of the complexity mounts and finding the true cause of dis-ease be- CTO allows us to compassionately address imbalances in the percomes increasingly difficult. The beauty of looking at a complex son's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual being. It allows picture and appreciating its complexity without any preconceived for a more structured and comprehensive approach to treatment. notion of how healing should or must occur is that everything This comprehensive view of diagnosis and treatment consistently becomes much more simple and the answer obvious. This does results in patients regaining their health. not mean that healing will miraculously occur within one week of seeing your symptoms in this new light.

What it does mean is that you and your health Chronic Toxin Overload care provider will be able to come up with a straightforward, logical approach to getting Bacteria Viruses you back on the road to health.

Parasites

The Role of Toxins In my search for health I constantly ran into roadblocks. These roadblocks were often called Herxheimer reactions, die-off reactions, healing crises, or even vital reactions. I was told these reactions were part of the healing process and that I would need to go through them. Some providers suggested I take supplements to increase the removal of toxins, but their recommendations were generic and I never felt I was given a good explanation of what the actual toxins were. I learned that each person and their illness are unique and that I needed to learn more about toxins.

So what is a toxin? Technically speaking a toxin is a poisonous substance created by living cells or organisms. In today's world this term also applies to human-made substances that are poisonous. In my experience, a toxin is anything that exerts a force on a person that 12

March 2011

Yeast

Worms

Mold

Dysbiosis

Heavy metals

Lack of Exercise Medications Stress

Health

Food allergies

Detoxify

EMFs

Pollution Emotions

Biotoxins Genetics

Hormones ©

2011 Thomas A. Moorcroft, DO

Chronic Toxin Overload: Health is a balance between all the toxins exerting forces on the body and the body’s ability to deal with them. If the amount of toxins overwhelm the body, dis-ease results. Detoxifying, Purifying, and Amplifying allow the system to come back into balance and health is restored. The toxins listed are but a small number of the multitude of things your body deals with each day.

CTO provides us with a framework that allows us to understand that one toxin is rarely the problem. As an Osteopathic physician, I was trained that each person has self-healing mechanisms that maintain health. I often wondered, “then why do people get sick?” These self-healing mechanisms were designed to deal with a few discrete toxins at a time. When the body is exposed to only a few toxins self-healing can take place and the experience of symptoms is very minimal. Today, people are bombarded with multiple toxins at all times. If you walk down the hallway at work you’ll likely be exposed to numerous bacteria, many viruses, several molds, some fungus, irritable co-workers, fluorescent lights, cell phones, computer screens, and a sense of urgency to get to the meeting you’re late for. And, realistically, this list is much, much longer.

The point is that we all experience a tremendous amount of pressure from the outside world that our systems need to push back against in order to maintain balance and health. There is only so much toxic stress our bodies can deal with before this balance is lost and they begin to breakdown. Because people are no longer getting sick from one or two toxins, rather 20% Off Ebut vEry Daaymyriad of toxins, doctors often are unable to isolate a single cause of illness hEsE viTamin BranDs and erroneously believe it isTall in their patient's head. By looking at all of the possible chronic toxin exposures a patient may Nature’s Way have, the physician is more easily able to make sense out of their symptoms and create a roadmapEnzymatic towards health.

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Detoxify Detoxify the body, mind and spirit. We live in a world where we’re inundated by various toxins. In addition to the external toxins that bombard us on a daily basis, there are a variety of microorganisms that attack us internally. Many of the causes of chronic fatigue and chronic pain are actually these undiagnosed microorganisms. The interesting thing about these microorganisms is that they have the ability to alter the internal environment of our bodies specifically by releasing biotoxins as well as altering messenger molecules. This results in a block of your body’s selfhealing mechanisms and detoxification pathways. When these microorganisms are eventually killed by your body or by the use of herbs or medications, many of them also release internal toxins as they die. This in addition to all the other physical, mental and emotional toxins that our bodies need to deal with leads to a significant buildup of Parkade toxic materials.

Manchester Health Shoppe TheMiddle foundation of Manchester any truly effective approach is to 378 W. Tpke, CT • healing 860.646.8178 promote detoxification. be 9am done -in6pm a variety of ways, Mon - Sat 8am -This 9pmcan • Sun including improving our diets, appropriate exercise, and appropriate use of detoxifying nutritional supplements and herbs. It is also a key to address mental and emotional stressors through an

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In order to truly start down the road to regaining your health, Country Lifeand your physiit is important to be brutally honest with yourself cian. Many of the chronic toxins we are exposed Nature’s Plusto are obvious to a well-trained professional, however others may be as simple Parkadethought Healthor Brand as a deep-seated, reoccurring negative emotion in our head. These more subtle mental and emotional toxins are critical to address if you are to truly get well again.

I would suggest that all illnesses in one way or another are significantly impacted by Chronic Toxin Overload (CTO) and the key to healing from any dis-ease is to: 1. Detoxify

appropriate avenue such as counseling, meditation, journaling, qi gong, tai chi, or yoga.

Another critical element is balancing our energetic systems and protecting ourselves from the deleterious effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF). Since most of us are unable to get away from cell phone towers, cordless phones, computer screens and the like, the best way to do this is by supporting our energetic systems by wearing a pendant or other type of jewelry that has a tuning and balancing effect on our energetics. It is also possible to utilize EMF blocking technology in our homes and places of work. Protecting ourselves from EMFs and balancing our energetic systems helps maintain balance and optimize natural detoxification.

By starting our healing work with a focus on detoxification we can ensure that we are safely and effectively mobilizing toxins

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Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia are distinct syndromes that present very real, overlapping physical and psychological challenges. A 5-pronged natural approach to their symptoms includes proper therapeutic doses of: Pain & Inflammation Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, curcumin (BCM95), and magnesium malate Adrenal Fatigue B-Complex, Vitamin B5, adrenal/ spleen glandulars, NADH, L-carnitine, and CoQ10

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Immunity Vitamins A & D, AHCC (a mushroom extract), zinc, astragalus, thymus extract, L-lysine, and probiotics Depression 5HTP and SAMe

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South Glastonbury most common persistent140 bacterial infectionsBlvd include 90The Buckland Rd. Glastonbury Purify the body, mind and spirit by decreasing the buildup Lyme disease, Babesiosis and Bartonella.

Persistent viral inEvergreen Run by Verizon The Shoppes at Somerset Sq. of toxins. Once we have reestablished the flow of toxins out of fections leading to chronic toxin overload include Epstein(860) 644-5800 (860) 633-1111 the body, it is time to focus on removing the causes of the toxin Barr virus, cytomegalovirus and human herpes virus six (the buildup in the first place. Many of the common sources of toxin causative agent of roseola in children). Yeast often becomes a buildup are summarized in the illustration that accompanies this problem the10high of processed foods and sugar convenient hours, open 7 days a week: m-f 9am-10pm, sat 8am-6due pm, to sun am-6levels pm I franchises available text. Some of the most common causes of toxin buildup in CFS in the standard American diet. The use of antibiotics without appropriate probiotics is another cause of yeast overgrowth.

Molds are hidden everywhere. Many people are exposed to molds at home, work or school and do not even know it.

Sources of heavy metal toxicity include contaminated drinking water, dental amalgams and air pollution. Almost everyone who lives in Connecticut is toxic from lack of sunshine which leads to vitamin D deficiency. Many people develop subclinical or full-blown hypothyroidism due to chronic exposure to fluoride in toothpaste, bromine in breads and chlorine in water, which all displace iodine from the thyroid gland.

Most of us lead lives that are filled with stress, both physical and emotional. If we do not develop systems to help us stay in balance these stressors become toxic.

It is common for many people to eat the same types of food every day. How many people do you know who have a bread product at least once a day? While some people have food allergies, it is more common to become hypersensitive to a certain food because it is eaten too frequently. Food hypersensitivities lead to allergy-like symptoms, gastrointestional problems and even pain and fatigue. As the colon is one of Take the largest organs of detoxification in the body, creating food $5 off hypersensitivities through incorrect eating habits leads to deMassage Envy - Glastonbury creased ability to detoxify and Chronic Toxin Overload. The with 140 Glastonbury Blvd colon is also a major part of the immune system. Disruption Ad The Shoppes at Somerset Sq. of colon function through CTO can lead to suppression of the (860) 633-1111 immune system and decreased ability to deal with toxins, especially infections. convenient hours , open 7 days a week : Each of these chronic toxins needs to be addressed unm - f 9 am -10 pm , sat 8 am -6 pm , sun 10 am -6 pm til the toxin load has been decreased to the point where franchises available

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the self-healing mechanism is able to regain control and maintain balance.

Amplify Amplify the function of the immune system so it can rebalance the systems that have been thrown out of balance by Chronic Toxic Overload. The immune system is the driving force behind maintaining optimal detoxification in the body. It identifies foreign invaders and eliminates them. When the body is overwhelmed by toxins, the immune system becomes suppressed. When it is functioning at the highest level, identification and elimination occur freely and easily, for the body only needs to deal with small amounts of toxins at a given time. Amplification makes the immune system more powerful. It regains control over the balance of health and dis-ease. There are many approaches to amplifying the immune system. Each patient must have an individualized immune system support plan created for them. The key is to slowly amplify immune system function after detoxification and purification are well established. If we move too quickly in this step, enhanced immune function may lead to increased toxin burden that the body is unable to eliminate; in other words, if we go too fast we can actually make our patients worse.

Applying CTO to Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia As a physician who specializes in the treatment of chronic fatigue, pain and

brain fog, I commonly see patients who have been diagnosed with one of these syndromes. They have often seen 5, 10, 15 or more doctors and have truly lost hope that they will ever get better. These are the patients who benefit the most from the concept of Chronic Toxin Overload. This model allows us to look at them as unique individuals and see where their symptoms are actually coming from. Not everyone has the same fatigue. No one’s pain is the same as someone else’s. We start by identifying where the most likely blockages to detoxification are and then work to open them. Next we look at all the possible causes of toxin build up. Once they are identified, we are able to create a treatment plan to purify the body of these toxins. Once we have unloaded some of the toxic burden, we focus on rebuilding and amplifying the immune system so it can maintain health.

The take home message for suffers of CFS and fibromyalgia is that there is hope.

By bringing CFS and fibromyalgia out into the open and exposing them for what they are – descriptions – we can apply the concept of Chronic Toxin Overload to help them regain their health and live the life they want.

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15

HeartMath: Stress Relief from the Inside-Out

W

hile many of us are over-stressed these days, the things we do to relieve stress don't seem to work as well as they used to. That's because today's stress is different.

It's obvious, after nearly twenty years of researching the physiology of stress and wellness, and watching stress levels increase each year, that most of us are resigned to stress as an unwanted but inescapable way of life. So why is today's stress different than the stress of just a few years ago?

Until recently, stress was considered a problem only after a major life crisis. The stress of today's times is not just the singleincident type of stress that naturally follows trauma, illness, job change, or some other major life event. Today’s stress is chronic, and it eats into the fabric of our peace and joy. In addition to ongoing stressors, the recession has generated significant anguish for many people. This combination has created a cumulative effect, pushing some people to the brink of unraveling.

In a nationwide survey from the American Psychological Association, 32% of Americans reported experiencing extreme levels of stress. Nearly half of all Americans believe that their stress has increased over the past five years. One in five reported that they experience their highest level of stress 15 or more days per month - and this was before the economic crash.

The Stress Effect With all the debate on health-care reform, very little attention has been given to the cost of stress, financially or to our health. We gloss over stress when we think there isn't much we can do about it. Consequently, we focus on paying for and managing all the ailments and chronic diseases that stress has caused or aggravated. It's no wonder that 70-90% of visits to primary care physicians are due to stress-related complaints. Much of this stress is related to finances, relationships or the workplace.

Two years ago the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that "Workplace stress is as bad for your heart as 16

March 2011

smoking and high cholesterol," but we don't see TV ads talking about it. Furthermore, data from a study involving 47,500 employees representing 22 companies and governments, who were followed for three years, showed depression and stress as the most costly contributors to adjusted annual health-care expenditures.

It's astounding that with all these statistics many executives and managers still believe that ongoing stress is essential for job productivity, while studies show that workers under stress produce less. The federal Centers for Disease Control reports that stress is the single highest cause of worker absenteeism, double that of all other illnesses and injuries. It's also well established that stress interferes with memory, concentration, judgments, and decision making.

We need to wake up to the fact that chronic stress is a serious health and productivity crisis affecting millions of us as well as the companies we work for. People confuse stress with challenge.

Approaching a challenging situation with a positive attitude and energy is not necessarily stressful. We all know that one person's distress can be another person's exciting challenge. But let's not fool ourselves. When most of us talk about our stress overload around the water cooler, we are referring to a stealthy momentum of emotional distress that's draining personal energy as it progressively establishes itself as our new norm. So what do we do? We can't change the economy, our relatives, or (for most of us) our job.

Tips to Relieve Stress from the Inside-Out There are many helpful interventions for stress, but most provide only temporary relief. A massage and aromatherapy can feel wonderful tonight, yet tomorrow we're back in the stress bath. In today's changing times, we need to learn how to take charge and relieve stress from the inside-out. Fortunately there are simple and proven ways to do this. Here are a few suggestions that can help.

Connect with Others Many people connect with others to relieve stress, but often connect only from the mind without an open heart. This is not as effective in releasing stress as when your genuine heart feelings are engaged. When people get together and mentally reinforce the downside of situations by amping up judgment and blame, it causes the heart to close off while intensifying the various stresses that you're trying to get relief from. It's human nature for the mind to judge, blame or react with bitterness at times. However, it's intelligent not to stay there, as this invites a flood of stress hormones that block discernment, hope and creative solutions. We all know that this eventually diminishes our health baseline.

When you open your heart as you work through your challenges with others, you can create a turnaround and increase your ability to take charge and maintain your balance through stressful situations. One of the most important ways to open the heart is to communicate your feelings. When people respond from their compassionate hearts, and not just their minds, then the collective support helps to lift their spirits and relieves stress buildup.

As the heart re-opens, different biochemicals are released that open the mind to new possibilities and perspectives. Research has shown that care and compassion also release beneficial hormones that help to balance and renew your system.

Stop Personal Energy Drains Another effective way to help stop personal energy drain from stress and reduce the anxiety is to practice not feeding "drama" in our thoughts and conversations. When we constantly spin thoughts of blame, anger and "doom and gloom" projections about the future, it increases drama, which always makes things worse. Adding drama to a situation blinds intuitive discernment, which is needed to find the most effective ways to navigate through challenges.

Start by reducing drama when sharing with others. When we genuinely share feelings from the heart with others, this reduces the tendency to keep amplifying and repeating the downside of situations - and increases the tendency to strengthen and encourage sober support and solutions.

Manage your reactions to the news. Continuously amping-up anger, anxiety or fear releases excessive levels of stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenalin, throughout the body. The long-play version of this can cause a cascade of physical health symptoms, along with potential mental and emotional imbalances. As you practice reducing drama, the energy you save helps to restore balance, clarity and positive initiative.

Managing Your Stress: The HeartMath Stress Reduction Technique Research from the Institute of HeartMath has shown that heart-focused practices can help to quickly reduce stress, anxiety and emotional overload. They help you shift stress-producing attitudes more easily and reset your stress tolerance baseline. Moreover, you can do them anytime and anywhere.

The Power of Neutral By learning how to activate the Power of Neutral you can prepare for a potentially stressful situation or stop a reaction in the middle of a stressful experience. Think of all the times you're

listening to the news, surfing the web or in a meeting and you hear something that makes you angry or worried. Instead of letting the anger run or projecting fear into the future, you can use the Power of Neutral before and as you watch the news, surf the web or attend a meeting to build your resilience capacity and save all that emotional energy.

Here's how to shift into Neutral to build your resilience capacity. It's a lot like shifting into neutral in a car. Your engine is still running but you get to decide which way to go before you engage the gear again. Shifting into Neutral inside yourself gives you more vision and stops the emotional surge and energy drain so you can maintain resilience as you sort your options and choose how to respond.

1. Take a time-out, breathing slowly and deeply. Imagine the air entering and leaving through the heart area or the center of your chest.

2. Focus on your heart and breathing instead of focusing on your stressful thoughts and worried feelings.

3. Continue until you have neutralized the emotional charge and you feel calmness throughout.

• Use Step One as soon as you feel your emotions start to react.

First, take a time-out by choosing to step back from your emotions. Heart breathing in Step One helps draw the energy out of your head, where negative thoughts and feelings get amped up.

Breathe slowly and deeply in a casual way. Imagine the air entering and leaving through the center of your chest and heart area.

• In Step Two, disengage from your stressful thoughts and feelings as you continue to breathe. Just having the intent to disengage can help you neutralize a lot of your emotional energy.

• In Step Three, continue the process until you have neutralized the emotional charge. This doesn't mean your anger or anxiety will have totally evaporated. It just means that the charged energy has been taken out and you have stopped the stress reaction in your body.

Practicing the Power of Neutral often brings a sense of empowerment, confidence, appreciation, and other positive emotions. When you're experiencing positive emotions more possibilities come into your view.

Resilience should be at the top of all of our "must-have" lists if we are to effectively deal with today's time constraints, overload, financial worries, and the unexpected challenges to come.

There are many ways to build mental, emotional and physical resilience. This is just one tool to get you started. Practice this resilience tool daily before sleep, first thing in the morning as you get out of bed, and while you're getting ready for work. The HeartMath Stress Reduction technique helps to set up your day and increases your flow, resilience and balance through whatever comes your way.

Thousands of health professionals are using the Heartmath Stress Reduction technique with their patients. With consistent practice you can reduce stress, manage the emotions associated with stress, expand your coping skills, and create a greater sense of well-being.

Dr. Helene Pulnik is a board certified, licensed Naturopathic Physician and a licensed Acupuncturist. Dr. Pulnik has more than 25 years experience as a healthcare professional. She is a Licensed HeartMath Provider, teaching HeartMath Stress Reduction Techniques to patients for more than 10 years. Dr. Pulnik’s practice is located at Glastonbury Naturopathic Center, 18 School Street, Glastonbury, CT 860-657-4105 -www.naturopathicwellness. com. See ad on page 21. www.naturalnutmeg.com

17

Toxic World Part 1: The Scary Statistics

L

ast year, I wrote an article on toxins in our world. I discussed how dirty the world is and ways to test yourself and detoxify yourself. If that wasn’t enough, the CDC (Center of Disease Control) has recently published some new information to update our knowledge on toxicity. Take a look through the following tables so you know where toxins are coming from and how to avoid them.

The most extensive study on the US population for toxin analysis was performed on 210 people. These people were gathered as a group, who were ‘not-exposed’ to any abnormal toxins. In those 210 people, the scientists found 167 different toxins. These toxins include dioxins, DDT, PCBs (from industry), phthalates (plastics), solvents, chlordanes (pesticides), and heavy metals. Each person had an average of 91 different toxins!

How are we getting all of these toxins? If an average person in a study has 91 different toxins, how many do you have? How many does your child have? The people in this study are just like you and me, working, raising families, and not exposed to any extra toxins in a factory or chemical plant.

The danger is that these toxins are associated with increases in cancers, childhood brain cancers, asthma, autism, ADHD, and diabetes. Toxins affect the immune system, nervous system, hormones, and heart function.

How do you know if you’re toxic? Are you chemically sensitive? Then you are toxic. People who cannot handle the exposure of day-to-day chemicals can’t process those substances and their toxins. People who are chemically sensitive get symptoms like headaches, brain fog, confusion, fatigue, shortness of breath, and muscle weakness.

Are you caffeine sensitive? If you drink coffee after lunch is it difficult to fall asleep? Then you’re toxic. Your body can’t process the caffeine and the toxins. Can you only handle small doses of medications? Do you need to cut your medication in half or more than half? Then you’re toxic. Your body can’t handle toxins and medications.

Have you been treated by multiple doctors and natural practitioners and nothing has worked? You’re toxic. Are you trying to lose weight but can’t? You’re toxic. Are you infertile (male or female)? You’re toxic. Do you have cancers or autoimmune disease?

You’re toxic.

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March 2011

Symptoms Of Toxicity Chemically sensitive • Caffeine sensitive Need to decrease normal medication dosages Treated by many doctors unsuccessfully Unable to lose weight with diet and exercise: Infertility

Cancer/Autoimmune disease Pesticides are a common source of toxicity. Not only are vegetables and fruits sprayed with pesticides, but some genetically modified foods are implanted with DNA that makes the cells of the vegetables secrete their own pesticide. You are eating these!

Buying organic vegetables and fruits helps avoid pesticides, but can get expensive. Focus on buying organic foods in the Dirty Dozen, while non-organic foods in the Clean Fifteen are relatively free of pesticides.

Dirtiest and Cleanest Fruits & Vegetables From www.FoodNews.org “Dirty Dozen”

“Clean Fifteen”

Celery Onions Peaches Avocado Strawberries Sweet corn Apples Pineapple Blueberries Mangoes Nectarines Sweet Peas Bell Peppers Asparagus Spinach Kiwi Cherries Cabbage Kale/Collard Eggplant Potatoes Cantaloupe Grapes (imported) Watermelon

Grapefruit

Sweet Potato

Honeydew Melon

Mercury in fish is a common source of toxicity. Many of us are familiar with mercury in tuna, however many fish contain mercury. Below is a list of the most and least mercury loads of different fish. Keep high mercury fish intake to a minimum.

List of Mercury Load in Fish EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Most Mercury in fish Least Mercury in fish Tilefish Clam Shark Ocean Perch Swordfish Canned Salmon King Mackerel Shrimp Tuna (bigeye) Whiting Orange Roughy Tilapia Marlin Oyster Grouper Salmon (fresh, not farmed) Mackerel Spanish Hake Tuna Sardine Chilean Bass Haddock Bluefish Crawfish

Farmed salmon vs. Fresh salmon I was eating at a seafood restaurant last night and my wife had salmon. I asked the manager if this was fresh caught or farmed salmon. He vehemently defended the farmed salmon that his restaurant purchased and claimed that propaganda against salmon farms was falsely created by salmon fisherman.

It sounded like there was a lot of conviction to one side of the argument or the other regarding fresh or farmed salmon. So I went to the EPA, and they told me that farmed salmon has 40 times more PCBs than fresh salmon, beef, pork, poultry, or milk. farmed salmon has high levels of PCBs, Dioxins, Dieldrin, cis-nonachloe, DDT, and Mirex. In fact, the EPA recommends no more than 1 meal of farmed salmon per month! This is because your risk of cancer will increase. If the salmon is from Scotland (North Sea) you should have only ½ meal per month. Even Whole Foods that offers farmed salmon is from the fresh waters of the North Sea. This is the most toxic type. Don’t be fooled by slick marketing.

Stick to the wild caught! He may be slightly more expensive, but cancer is not something you want.

Symptoms of Heavy Metals Aluminum: abnormal speech, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Arsenic: Garlic breath odor, mouth rashes Cadmium: Low back pain, high blood pressure, vasculitis Lead: High blood pressure, lack of appetite, constipation, low IQ Mercury: Poor memory, mouth rashes, stomach problems, low immunity

Sources of Heavy Metals Aluminum: Aluminum cookware, antacids, tobacco Arsenic: Drinking water, seafood, glue, treated wood, tobacco smoke Cadmium: Spray paint, tobacco smoke, car emissions Lead: Paint, plumbing Mercury: Dental fillings, fish, flu vaccine preservatives (older vaccines) After reading all of these scary statistics, one thing should be clear. You and your children need to be tested soon. My next article will review how you can be tested, along with treatments for detoxification, and changes you can make to your home to be less toxic, and more importantly, live a longer, healthier life.

Submitted by Dr. Jared Skowron of Harvest Park Naturopathic Medicine. For more information, call 203-500-5532 or visit www. naturopathicanswer.com.

See ad on page 33.

Top foods with PCB contamination (in addition to farmed salmon)

Given in Parts per Billion (ppb) Butter, salted Canned tuna Chicken breast Brown gravy Fresh salmon Pancake mix Meatloaf

70 45 32 30 26 24 23

You may not know you’re toxic from heavy metals. You may think you’ve never been exposed, but take a look at the following tables that associate certain toxic metals with certain symptoms, as well as a list of where you contract these toxins. Think you’re not toxic? Think again. www.naturalnutmeg.com

19

Life-Enhancing Responses to

Stress

I

"

feel exhausted all the time,” Eleanor stated in a weary voice as she dropped into the chair. “I don’t have energy to do all the things I need to get done for work or home. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

When she finished listing the expectations she, her employer and her family had for her, the palpable pressure she experienced hung in the room. As we discussed the situation it became clear she’d been living with chronic stress for several years.

It was a common scenario for the people she knew, so Eleanor didn’t recognize her plight until her body protested loudly with exhaustion.

“It’s like someone pulled the plug on my energy source,” she said. “Drained the battery.”

She didn’t know the degree to which those statements were literally true. Chronic stress is a constant draw on our vital life energy– mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Let’s consider an analogy from our experience with personal computers. When the computer processor is moving at a snail’s pace, we attend to what’s running in the background. Very often an accumulation of unwanted information and/or programs we opened, and probably forgot about, are consuming a significant amount of the computer’s resources.

In a similar manner, over time, significant amounts of our life-energy resources

20

March 2011

can be unknowingly siphoned into physiological reactions to stress. As a result, the body’s systems are in a constant state of alert, poised to take action in the face of perceived threats. The long-term effects from the continual release of body chemicals designed for emergency use have wide-ranging impacts on health.

Stress triggers physical, mental, emotional and behavioral reactions. Basic functions such as blood flow and breathing are altered. Stress can affect blood sugar, heart rate, blood pressure, metabolic rate, short-term memory, sleep, sexual response, susceptibility to colds and flu, muscle tension, mood, and digestion. The impact of stress is felt in relationships, job performance, creativity, cognitive capacity, and the will-to-live.

Many life circumstances are commonly labeled stressors, such as retirement, divorce, death, marriage, a new job, the birth of a child. The challenges involved with stressors lie not as much with the event or experience itself, as with our responses to it. We all may know people who go through the same event with vastly different responses.

For Eleanor, the main concern was getting relief in the face of stress that is largely unavoidable in twenty-first century life in America. Compounding the effects of the stress itself was the meaning she gave to her response to the stressors.

“What’s wrong with me that I can’t

keep up the pace? Others are doing it.”

Using a common error in assessment, she compared her inner experience of distress with other people’s apparent ease in handling similar events. Thus, she revealed a habit of judging herself harshly.

Judgment is a draining energy. Just feel the difference in your body between the experience of acceptance (“Well done!”) and judgment (“You’re wrong!”). Judgment from others is damaging to our spirits, and our own thoughts of “I’m bad, wrong, no good, stupid…” are just as damaging.

It’s remarkable how often we – particularly women – judge ourselves as not measuring up. By doing this in times of stress we not only have the pressure we feel from circumstances, but our expectations and judgments of ourselves create more stress on our systems.

Events or experiences often become stressors when we react with resistance. By nature we prefer to stay with what’s comfortable for us. Whenever we venture from the familiar into uncertainty, a significant part of ourselves resists. This resistance can present in varying intensities from “Oh no, I don’t want this,” to “This is hard/I can’t do this,” to “It’s not fair; why me,” to “What the bleep.” Resistance can take different forms, such as ignoring, denial, repression, struggle, worry, or excessive control.

Carl Jung and others have stated: “Whatever we resist, persists.” Both active and passive resistance create life-draining energy that increases stress and expands its impact on the whole self. A willingness to acknowledge what is, without seeing it as wrong, contributes immensely to reducing stress.

As we worked together Eleanor discovered the counter-intuitive effect her worry reaction had on the stress in her life. Her thoughts were riveted to fear and looped on each other so that she constantly felt under siege. Her attempts to orchestrate circumstances in her favor by trying to control situations and people usually resulted in frustration and “made her crazy.”

Eleanor became aware that thoughts are powerful energy. She noticed ingrained

thoughts (that she’d always believed) ran her reactions. When she checked these thoughts against her overall experience she realized they weren’t true.

She discovered that thoughts based in fear drained her vital energy. Eleanor underwent a power shift that increased her sense of value and aliveness as she experienced what she described as a “sense of knowing” her connection with Life.

Gradually, Eleanor developed a new way of being with the situations of her life. She became able to recognize the experience of stress energy and the onset of old responses to it. As she “stayed with herself” in the present moment, she could access her inner strengths and the awareness that she had freedom to create new life-enhancing responses.

She experimented with taking different actions and found several that released draining stress energy and expanded vital Life energy. Physical activities such as exercising, dancing, swimming, and walking outdoors provided release through the expenditure of energy. Meditation, listening to music, and deep conversations with loved ones afforded release and renewal of mental and spiritual energy. Yoga, Tai Chi, Emotional Freedom Techniques, and focusing attended to physical, mental, and emotional aspects.

After several meetings we reviewed the process that brought about a shift in Eleanor’s way of being in the face of stress.

1. Acknowledge rather than resist the circumstance or event.

It’s what’s here, what’s happened/happening. “I am here now in this.”

2. Practice noticing what you’re experiencing, without judgment about yourself or others. “I can choose to accept myself as I am right now.”

3. Let go of worry and upset which take you out of the present moment into the future and the past. “When I’m right here

right now I can access the power of my Whole Self.”

4. Notice the thought(s) running in the background and question it. “Can I be 100% sure this thought is absolutely true?”

5. Move out of any habitual reactions powered by “autopilot” thinking. “This is a thought that I’ve believed that may not even be true.”

6. Let go of judgmental thoughts and bring a loving attitude towards yourself. “I’ve been doing the best I could, given my level of awareness, my past experience and my history.”

7. Open a space within yourself to recognize and unhook the thought that you have no choice in how you respond to stress. “I have choice in this moment.”

8. Notice room inside you to create and explore different responses to stress. “In this moment I am free and all is possible.”

9. Be aware of what you need, what calls to you of life (expansion, growth, love) and take action that increases life energy.

“My body welcomes calm, my mind recognizes joy, and my spirit resonates in love.”

10. Be gentle with yourself as you learn a new practice.

“Thank you for being with myself in gentle, loving ways.”

Nancy Brockett, PhD of Soul Support Counseling, 801 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, teaches holistic mental hygiene to clients and members of the community, helping them build on their inner strengths to find more peace, purpose and joy. Her next class, an introduction to Emotional Freedom Techniques, is offered on March 23 through *West Hartford LifeLearn. *You can register for the course either on her website (www.soul-support.org) or by calling LifeLearn (860) 561-6900. Call 860-223-2232 for information about counseling services. See ad on page 26.

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21

Know your Herbs

Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH(AHG)

Cinnamon

(Cinnamomum cassia, C. zeylandicum)

T

he fragrance of hot mulled cider, the spicy comfort of warm apple pie, the soft texture of a freshly baked cinnamon bun and the alluring coziness in a cup of chai tea all share the luxurious wealth of our beloved ancient herb Cinnamon. Although everyone is familiar with the long curled sticks that look so pretty in a potpourri, many people are unaware of the many grades of cinnamon or prevalence of the closely related spice, Cassia(C. cassia) that is commonly sold as Cinnamon.

Over 90% of the world’s true Cinnamon (C. zeylandicum) is grown in Sri Lanka, and is mostly prized as a culinary ingredient; its smooth flavor is much milder than Cassia, and costs a bit more. The cultivation of this cherished spice requires that young saplings –about two or three years old- be coppiced, that is, cut to the ground and harvested, subsequently, young shoots will spring up the following year, and the cycle is renewed.

The inner layer of the coppiced shoot is separated from the outer bark after a fermentation period of 24 hours. This thin, moist cambium layer naturally curls as it is dried, first in the shade, then in the sun, overall for about 3 or four days. These “quills” are about ½ inch in diameter may be inserted into larger rolls and bundled into “pipes” for export. The processed quills of Cinnamon are evaluated and sorted; the thinnest, finest textured quills are graded “00000”, while the coarsest quills get a “0” designation. The “quillings” are broken bits of cinnamon that chip off during drying and sorting, and these are sold for considerably less.

It doesn’t take long for powdered cinnamon to lose its flavor, as the volatile oils evaporate quickly, therefore Cinnamon should

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be purchased whole to be ground at home in a spice mill or in a coffee grinder used only for spices. Poor quality Cinnamon and the rough bark of Cassia may damage home grinders if they are too coarse; the finer the quality of Cinnamon, the more easily it crumbles. Ceylon Cinnamon is considered to be of the highest quality obtainable.

C. Cassia is a very close cousin Photo by Lisl Huebner to Cinnamon, and is legally allowed to be sold as such in both the US and France; in other parts of Europe and in Australia, it is illegal to misrepresent Cassia as Cinnamon. Cassia often includes both the inner and outer bark and is harvested from trees at least seven years old; it has a much sharper and bold flavor and is valued as an herbal remedy more so than true Cinnamon.

Native to China, Cassia has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), primarily for the treatment of “Cold Central Qi.” Rou gui, as it is called in Pinyin, is a wonderfully warming herb that can help restore libido, bring strength to a weak lower back, relieve certain types of asthma, increase the appetite and stop watery diarrhea. When symptoms are associated with chilliness and lassitude, Cassia is the go-to herbal pick-me-up.

As for a medicinal diet, Cinnamon/Cassia is the perfect accoutrement for our damp, cold winters. Flavoring meats, soups, squash, teas and baked goods with this sweet and spicy seasoning not only helps improve digestion, but it brings our core temperature up while allowing the surface of our body to acclimate to blustery weather conditions.

Current medical studies are researching the use of Cassia for the treatment of a variety of conditions including insulin-dependent Type II Diabetes. One study found compelling evidence to support the use of cinnamon/cassia, but subsequent studies have not been able to duplicate the positive results. So, although it appears that Cinnamon/Cassia may lower blood sugar, the jury is still out on its effects on Type II Diabetes. In any case, modest amounts of the spice can improve digestion and may even lower cholesterol, just be cautious if you are taking blood thinning drugs or are pregnant.

The twig of C. cassia is known as GuiZhi in TCM and is used in a slightly different way; when taken at the onset of a cold exhibiting such symptoms as an excessively runny nose with clear mucous, chills, and aversion to draughts, Cinnamon Twig will help push the illness back out of the body. If the normal attempts

at getting up a good sweat don’t begin to resolve this pathogenic invasion, Cinnamon Twig is generally very helpful, particularly in combination with fresh ginger.

Cinnamon Twig is also great in a formula when it comes Reflexology • Reiki to some cases of Renaud’s Syndrome because it can help lead warmth out to the extremities and assist poor circulation. I use it Metamorphosis with many clients in a custom built formula that also addresses

By Appointment only the underlying issues, often with herbs that nourish the blood and move stagnant Qi. When I add ear reflexology to the treatment, (860) 676-8500 my clients and I literally watch their fingers turn from white or 244A Main St., Farmington, CT purple to a healthy pink color. www.ahandinhealingct.net I also have available in my pharmacopeia the essential oils of Metaphysical Store Hrs: Tues-Fri 12-5 • Sat- 12-4 Cinnamon Bark and Cinnamon Leaf; both are energetically very hot in nature and must be applied with a carrier oil, or sandwiched between milder oils. I use either of them for skin parasites like lice or scabies, or for intestinal parasites by applying the oil an you add by appointment only and Metaphysical store hours Tuesday–diluted or specifically layered- to the belly and putting a couple 5:00, Sat 12:00 - 4:00. of drops in rice to be eaten. For achy muscles and 12:00 joints, -I use different layers of healing oils, including Cinnamon,www.ahandinhealingct.net to create a natural icy/hot combination that brings fast relief.

Cinnamon Bark essential oil can eradicate a plantars wart in about two weeks; use it undiluted directly on the wart after showering and immediately put on a sock. It helps to open up the wart and to pull out the roots with tweezers. Cinnamon Leaf essential oil is a great natural way to get rid of the spider mites that seem to thrive in the dry indoor environment while our houseplants are overwintering. Simply add 40 drops of Cinnamon Leaf essential oil to 4 oz of water in an atomizer and mist the plants daily.

Please remember that the medicinal-grade essential oils that are used safely in therapy are NOT the ones you can readily buy at a retail establishment. Also, a word of caution about the Cinnamon essential oil: it is VERY hot!! Do not put it anywhere else on your skin because it will burn like the dickens (although so long as it’s medicinal-grade, it should do no permanent damage).

If, despite caution, the oil still manages to burn you, DO NOT wash the area with water!! The nature of essential oils is to be absorbed by oil/fat (your skin cells) and repelled by water, so washing with water will only serve to intensify the burn by thrusting the oil faster into your fat cells. The best thing to do if you feel the burn is to apply a heavy amount of any type of oil you have on hand, (olive, sesame, canola, vegetable) and the heat will diminish in a few moments.

Cinnamon is a well-known aphrodisiac, and certainly the smell of it cooking is no deterrent to cozy feelings of intimacy.

The oil, when used intentionally, can help individuals and couples get to the core of their issues, bring more closeness to a relationship and help open up communication. Once valued more than its weight in silver, Cinnamon is a treasure we could all take a new look at.

A Hand In Healing

”HerbaLisl” Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG) is a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a Reiki Master an Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer who has enjoyed a successful private practice for fifteen years. Please call 860-4800115 or 860-673-6863 email lislmeredith@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment or are interested in participating in classes or retreats.

www.naturalnutmeg.com

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Frida

Movement as Medicine

Brian St. Pierre, CSCS, CISSN

Train for Health, Body Composition and Performance

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f there is one piece of training advice that would benefit everyone who steps foot in a gym (or trains at home) it is this: proper training achieves health, body composition, and performance goals. While this is something that I try to hammer home to my personal clients, it is a sage piece of advice that all trainees need to take to heart.

People often train (and eat for that matter) with mainly their aesthetics and body composition in mind. They want to look good physically, and often need to lose a bit of fat, so they tend to do excessive amounts of cardio and high-rep/poorly executed weight training in conjunction with highly restrictive crash diets.

These strategies can definitely work, and there can certainly be a time and a place for rapid fat loss, but in the long run these strategies will negatively impact your health and well-being (and often lead to binging and aggressive regaining of lost weight).

This problem is not just related to those who exercise simply for aesthetic improvements. Exercising solely for perceived health benefits can often be misguided as well. Many well-meaning trainees often forego resistance exercise, believing that yoga and cardiovascular exercise are the best ways to improve health. This could not be further from the truth. In reality, it is a combination of intelligent resistance training, mobility and flexibility training as well as cardiovascular work that promotes the greatest benefits.

Instead of focusing on one aspect of training, people should look to create long-term training habits and practices based on the intersection of three goals: improving body composition, health and performance. While this may seem like common sense, unfortunately it is all too uncommon. While not everyone is crash dieting or doing anything drastic, they may train in a manner that is not conducive to improving their performance or longterm health. Without any focus on soft-tissue quality (i.e. – foam rolling), proper warm-ups, correct exercise selection or balanced training programs, they will run into problems in the long term.

Unfortunately problems like these take a long time to reveal themselves, so often people will justify their current methods because it does not hurt at this moment in time. While pain is a great indicator of acute problems, most injuries are actually of a chronic and degenerative nature. These types of injuries could have been prevented with proper exercise methodology and execution. While this may not seem like such an issue to some of you now, it becomes more and more important as we age. Training appropriately can decrease and even prevent back pain, work 24

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around and/or improve knee, hip, and shoulder problems while strengthening the correct musculature and movement patterns to greatly improve your activities of daily living. Imagine doing all of that while also drastically improving your body composition!

Putting the Plan in Action So we know that we should exercise appropriately, but what does that actually mean? It means many things, and is somewhat dependent on your age, training age, injury and health history as well as equipment availability and more. However, there are some universal truths that apply to all of us, and implementing these techniques will make a world of difference.

Soft-Tissue Quality While many people exercise to improve the strength, size and density of their muscle tissue, they often overlook the quality of that tissue. This can be a problem as overused tissues can develop knots, scar tissue, adhesions and other soft-tissue limitations that prevent full range of motion and proper length-tension relationships. While nothing can replace having a qualified practitioner put their hands on you and work out those problems, a foam roller is a much cheaper alternative that can be used on a daily basis. Get one. Use it daily.

Out With the Old, In With the New: Warm-Ups When you ask people what they do to warm up before they exercise, they usually tell you they do a few static stretches, maybe hop on the treadmill for a few minutes, and they are on their way. This is not ideal. New research has looked at the most effective and beneficial methods to warm-up, and unfortunately static stretching is not it.

Instead, replace that outdated warm up with a Dynamic Mobility warm-up, that is designed to raise your heart rate, increase the temperature and blood flow to appropriate musculature and joints, as well as increase range of motion and prepare your body for the upcoming training session with active and dynamic movements. While there are literally hundreds of options, a good warm up starts from the ground with static movements (like supine bridges) and progresses to standing and dynamic movements (like walking spidermans).

Appropriate Exercise Selections While there are not many exercises that are inherently bad (though there are a few!), there are some methods of exercise that should be emphasized over others.

First off is decreasing the use of machines, and increasing the use of free weights. Machines stabilize the weight for you, as well as choosing the movement path of the apparatus. Biomechanically we are all different, so it is much more beneficial if we are forced to stabilize the load ourselves, as well as moving through our own uniquely individual movement patterns, not some arbitrary pattern forced upon us by the machine.

Secondly there are a few things every trainee should implement in their training: more pulling exercises than pushing, single leg work and appropriate core training (little to no flexion!). In addition, training through a full range of motion is imperative for joint integrity, and has been shown to increase flexibility as much or more than static stretching!

Since many of us spend the majority of our waking hours sitting, usually with poor posture - hunched over with our shoulders internally rotated - we need to offset this while we exercise by doing extra pulling exercises such as rowing and chinup variations. Aim for at least a 3:2 ratio of pulling to pushing exercises for maximal benefit.

Single leg work is important because we spend so much of our time on one leg (walking, running, etc). While things like squats and deadlifts are incredibly beneficial, only using them and similar exercises are missing a few important components.

Instead incorporate things like reverse lunges, walking lunges, step ups and more to create a more comprehensive and complete training plan.

Finally we come to the abs. Who doesn’t like to train their abs? The problem is most people spend far too much of their time doing a hundred different variations of crunches, sit-ups and other spinal flexion exercises. These exercises work, but they also put a tremendous strain on your lower back. Instead focus on exercises that strengthen and stabilize your core, without flexing it. In fact there was an entire article dedicated to this subject in Natural Nutmeg, October, 2010 issue. (Back issues are available on-line at naturalnutmeg.com) When the focus is on a blend of performance, health and body composition the aforementioned issues do not arise. While this method may not produce results as

rapidly as a single focus on any of the one areas, they lead to a balanced and healthy long-term approach that will increase (or retain) muscle, bone density, strength and athleticism. It will also improve movement patterns, flexibility and tissue quality and other health markers (good cholesterol, insulin sensitivity, etc), while simultaneously decreasing body fat. Sounds like a plan to me!

To wrap this up, focus your training on improving your health, body composition and performance and you will get the best of it all. You get to look good, improve your quality of life and perform at your peak!

Brian St. Pierre is a Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN) and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). He received his degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition with Holiday a focus inGifts Human Uncommon Nutrition and to Dietetics from the University fit every budget of Maine, and he is currently pursuing his Letinus help you Master's degree Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the sameainstitution. customize gift for With his passion that for seeing his someone clients succeed, special Brian is able to use his knowledge, experiFree to Gift Wrapping ence, and energy create highly effective training and nutrition programs for clients of any age and background. For more information you can check out his website www.brianstpierretraining.com.

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Facials Can Be Both Rejuvenating And Restoring

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reating the progressive signs of aging with pampering treatments and premium products can curb the ticking clock of time in many ways.

A good facial will address two main factors; relaxation and beautification. The relaxing benefits of massaging the face, neck, shoulders, and arms help balance the damaging effects of stress. A facial massage leads to deep relaxation of all muscles, giving our bodies the time to restore and heal, much like sleep does.

When we relax, we sleep better too, which gives our bodies even more time to rejuvenate and heal. This, combined with the latest skincare products, can bring relief from the challenges of daily living.

The two basic factors that damage our skin are intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Intrinsic aging can’t be helped; it is programmed by our genes. It is part of the normal metabolism of the skin cells.

Extrinsic aging involves environmental assaults by the sun, pollution, poor nutrition, and smoking. When these two factors combine with stress, changes in the skin take place. Fortunately we do have control over extrinsic aging by making healthy food choices, using sunscreen, and finding times to relax and enjoy life.

Oxidation is another cause of changes in the skin. Both extrinsic and intrinsic sources are involved. Oxygen gives us

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life, but some of it (two to five percent) becomes free radicals. These are the result of normal metabolism. Smoking has the greatest effect on cells. Studies have found that even one puff of tobacco is estimated to contain one trillion free radicals.

Oxidation is responsible for changes in the activity of enzymes and can alter DNA. Our bodies generate antioxidants naturally, but less and less as we get older.

Oxidation affects the synthesis of collagen which results in deepening wrinkles and thinning skin. Supplementing with

dietary and topical products can inhibit the breakdown of collagen and elastin.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients reduce the effects of chronic inflammation and protect against free radicals. Using gentle products that deliver vital nutrients to skin cells, restoring the skin’s barrier and returning the skin to a state of homeostasis (balance), is my goal as an esthetician and professional skin care provider. Using natural products that are gentle, nonirritating and beneficial, along with relaxing massage, allows clients to experience relaxation and rejuvenation.

Peptides can minimize deep wrinkles; fine lines, dark spots, and other signs of aging. Found in nature and enhanced in the lab, peptides are small protein fragments formed by joining two or more amino acids. The shorter the chain, the more effectively these molecules penetrate the dermis and the epidermis junction, thus going to work on the restoration of collagen and elastin, and repairing damaged DNA. Acting as healthy skin liaisons they transport signals to the cells to stimulate proper nourishment and repair of collagen and elastin.

Peptides have both instant and cumulative effects and are gentle enough for sensitive skin types. Peptide Infusion Therapy, which is also referred to as the non-surgical face lift, uses the newest, most potent ingredients, which are applied with galvanic, microcurrent and infrared technology.

The peptide “Argireline” made news for its ability to inhibit signals that tell facial muscles to contract. The beauty of peptide technology is that it makes it possible to unlock the natural biochemical pathways to heal and repair skin. Our bodies can’t distinguish between a plantderived peptide and one that’s man-made and designed exactly like those found in nature.

Matrixyl, which is capable of synthesizing collagen production, came on the scene in the late 1990s. Collagen Infu-

sions use pure, natural collagen elastin - a solution of water, marine collagen, and marine elastin. The results are both instant and cumulative. In some instances, this treatment is followed by collagen sheet masks, imported from Germany, that firm, tone, plump, and stimulate collagen production.

Another innovative treatment is a Gold Collagen Mask. For thousands of years gold has been used in wellness treatments around the globe, from Hindu Ayurveda to Egypt to Chinese Dynasties.

Scientists now back up what the ancients knew - gold heals. Gold collagen masks are repairing, anti-aging, truly green, luxurious, and non-irritating.

The most beneficial facials are organic or all-natural, and should be based on your skin type, so the first step in any facial should be an analysis of the skin. Typically, the next step is to remove dead cells and impurities that accumulate on the surface of the skin, using a mask, steam, or both. A good mask will be based on what your skin needs – anti-aging, brightening, or calming, for example, and will activate cellular function, increase circulation and leave the skin feeling and looking fresh, smooth and healthy. Next comes a massage of the face, neck, decollate, shoulders, and arms, leaving the client relaxed and refreshed. There is scientific proof that massage significantly decreases stress hormones, including a Cedars-Sinai study that found that massage reduces the hormone corticotrophin and helps the body restore itself to a state of balance.

Everyone needs some pampering and relaxation and the bonus is you leave not only feeling better but looking better as well.

Patricia Miller, formerly of "For the Seasons of Your Life Skin Care," recently opened a spa room at Paul Michael's Hair Design and Spa at 2139 Silas Deane Hwy, in Rocky Hill. Patricia’s philosophy is consistent: Our skin reacts differently to every season of the year, and every season of our lives, and should be treated accordingly.

Skin treatments are designed for just you.

For more information about her products and practice please call (860)995-4291 or visit her website trishamarie7@yahoo. com. See ad on page 33.

Dr. Richard Duenas Dr. Christina Bjorklund

Westside Chiropractic, LLC 557 Prospect Avenue, West Hartford

(860) 523-5833

www.westsidechiropractors.com Most Insurance plans Accepted

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Why We Do What We Do

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o often I'm asked how professional caregivers manage the emotional side of working with dementia and end-of-life patients. How do you do it . . . how do you help people journey through their own critical times without losing yourself, without falling into frustration and depression? How, they wonder, can a person do what we do with the specter of death lurking in the background?

I always answer honestly: It’s hard work. There’s no doubt about it — it’s physically demanding and, very often, emotionally draining. It requires dedication and a high degree of personal integrity, yet it doesn’t pay well and there are not a lot of perks.

The people we care for have little hope of significant recovery.

Communicating with them can be difficult, sometimes close to impossible. Helping with their basic needs is the foundation of our work, invisible tasks woven into the fabric of a patient’s daily life. Bathing. Dressing. Meal Preparation. Tasks that are as thankless as they are essential. And yet we choose this work.

We do it because there’s an essential joy in knowing we’re helping others; that our work and our days count for something beyond ourselves.

So, when asked, I always answer honestly. Yes, it’s hard.

But there’s another, equally important truth, another part to that answer: even on the hardest days, our work is rewarding. It’s

essential, compassionate service that elevates the quality of a person’s life. We bring comfort, both physical and emotional, helping with activities of daily living — from household chores and cleaning, to assistance with dressing, eating and monitoring meds; we offer quiet companionship, playing games, honoring fears and worries and listening to old stories. We turn a patient’s irritation to relief, anxiety to relaxation, disorientation to clarity, and agitation to calmness, if only for a short time. Our reward comes from these small successes. It comes in waves of connection and satisfaction, and it overshadows any sadness and frustration we might experience.

The satisfaction we receive also comes from knowing we’re part of the solution to a growing problem: Social Isolation. It stretches across all boundaries and is an enormous issue for the elderly, especially those struggling with the effects of stroke, dementia and end-of-life illness. Living alone, whether in their original family home or a smaller apartment, these patients are prone to a variety of mental illnesses, including alcohol abuse and suicide. Safety is always an issue. So is basic nutrition.

On their own for hours, or even days at a time, elderly people, especially those with illness or dementia, lose the desire to eat or care for themselves. Why bother? Who’s there to care about what they do and don’t do? Once they have trusted companionship — once they can count on someone showing up regularly and being there just for them — their spirits are lifted and their quality of life improves. Professional caregivers help families fill the void between their own visits. We perform all the basic chores associated with daily living and then we offer something more. We offer the simple act of companionship, serving as a solid back-up plan for families in whatever way that makes sense for them.

We know that choosing outside care is a hard choice for most families. They try to provide care on their own for a while, piecing together solutions that involve various family members and lots of scheduling. It’s a decision that evolves over time, in light of increasing decline, geography, living situations, stress, and even crisis. However, our experience tells us that ultimately it’s the most loving and effective way for families to achieve balance in the midst of a storm that can last months, or even years.

•Osteopathic Medicine •Integrative Medicine •Pediatrics & Adults

Regain Your Health Live the Life You Want 28

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Jill Moorcroft, DO Tom Moorcroft, DO 860-430-9790 844 Hebron Avenue Glastonbury, CT 06033 www.OriginsOfHealth.com

This is especially true as our population ages and many primary caregivers are now themselves in need of assistance.

For us, the caregivers you invite into your life, each patient represents just the beginning of the people we assist. By extension, once we begin working with an individual, our assistance has the potential to influence an entire family’s wellbeing. And that’s a potent reward for what we do. Being an integral part of a family’s circle of care, knowing that in small ways, our dedication makes a difference, is why we do what we do; that’s our reward at the end of every day.

Submitted by Cynthia Ebanks. As a registered nurse, with specialized training in dementia and Alzheimer’s, Cynthia founded and operates New England Nightingales.

Her value-added service is dedicated to helping families in the Farmington Valley area provide for loved ones in their home environment. Call or click for more information, or to arrange for a free home assessment. See ad on page 23.

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Midlife or Menopause: Time for Empowerment

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ore of us are experiencing the midlife passage than at any other time in history. There are now 81 million baby boomers (those born between 1945-1965) in America today. It is time to look creatively at our perspective about the second half of our lives. We need to find the inspiration for this rite of passage that will help us live our best second-half of life and will help us find meaning on this quest.

This is a time of opportunity, great change, learning, selfdiscovery, and growth. Our values and goals are questioned. It’s time to reassess, to be radically authentic, to pay attention to our body-mind-spirit, and to channel our energies creatively. We look for new meaning. We must let go of who we are so we can become who we are supposed to be. Kathleen Brehony, author of Awakening at Midlife, writes: “At midlife we are being asked to decide how we will live. We can continue to go about our business as if nothing has changed or will change or we can grab hold and truly live as we have never lived before.”

The Divine Comedy opens with Dante saying “Midway upon the journey of my life I found myself in a dark wood where the right way was lost. ” This sums up the way many of us feel at midlife. Midlife and menopause changes are unique because they are often so unexpected, disruptive, deep, and profound. You are not alone! This article will explore the underlying currents of change, challenges and guidelines for meeting our emotional, psychological, spiritual, and physical needs. It’s time to look at creating an empowerment plan with strategies for navigating the journey with awareness. The gifts along the way will be wisdom, creativity, renewal, and discovery if we move through this passage consciously.

Dissatisfaction, restlessness, and emotional and physical symptoms are emerging in this life cycle. These signal the completion of important things in our lives so we can passionately realign with something new. There is an emergence of unconscious material as we are coming to terms with loss, possible crisis and our mortality. This is a time for reevaluation and individuation.

Midlife/Menopause is a threshold for growth and change. ngelis Arrien in her book The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom, describes the symbolic passageways of midlife as many different gates we pass through. We need to understand what has been most meaningful and significant in our lives.

Each gate challenges us to let go before we move through to ultimately integrate more of our essential being and find wholeness.

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Watch your mind In Midlife/Menopause, it is important to evaluate our cultural, social, personal, and relational beliefs and attitudes. If we recognize old thought patterns that are no longer useful, we may be more open to new information, new thoughts and beliefs that are more beneficial for our own fulfillment and satisfaction.

Empowerment strategies for your mind: What are you thinking???

1.Dysfunctional, obsolete patterns of thought that blocked the pathway of your higher destiny are being interrupted at last, according to Marianne Williamson in The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife.

2.De-clutter your thoughts, find clarity and make room for a new self to emerge, be born or re-born. We are not bound by our thoughts.

3.Re-evaluate your relationships; explore what to nurture and what to let go of.

4.Review, understand and honor the past and what has been most significant and meaningful in your life.

5.Examine your roles as they may be changing, as children leave home, or we leave our careers. New roles need to be created so we can move forward with enthusiasm.

6.Find support from family and friends as well as those outside your usual circle and talk about what’s on your mind.

Don’t get caught in your emotions Discontent, lethargy and negative emotions in midlife can be signs of a call to a new way of life. We no longer can control what seemingly “erupts” sometimes shockingly. Women and men often wonder: Am I going crazy?? What is happening to me?

Emotions are not who you are, but they do have messages when we pay attention!

Empowerment strategies for your emotions: How to not get stuck 1. Listen to, identify, understand, accept, and regulate your emotions in a healthy way.

2. Follow your emotions to their root cause and bring understanding, compassion and awareness to them. We can choose our reactions.

3. Pay attention to our neglected, unconscious (shadow) or exiled parts of self, then listen to them, love, heal and let go or integrate them as needed.

4. Find a psychotherapist who can assist you with your inner transformation, new goals, unresolved issues, repressed feelings, anxiety, depression, anger, or fear.

5. Use the attitude of gratitude, acknowledge what you are grateful for each day.

6. Forgive yourself and others whenever possible.

Empowerment strategies: Be curious and explore your spirituality 1. Meditate and develop a spiritual practice.

2. Strengthen your connection to your intuition, guidance and inner wisdom.

3. Look within to see what is emerging in your inner world and find a new identity from the inside out.

4. Kindle your creativity with something you are passionate about.

5. Be open to new sources of inspiration.

6. Look for an existing spiritual path or teacher who reflects your temperament.

Lila Taylor, LMFT, is a Holistic Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist and an Ordained Interfaith Minister whose work facilitates your journey of personal healing and growth, encouraging you to change your life from within so you can live it fully. Areas of expertise are: relationships, midlife/menopause transitions, grief and loss, creativity, trauma and unresolved issues from childhood.

She has a private practice in Westport CTt. Caring for your psychological, emotional and spiritual needs, Lila integrates Western Psychology and Eastern Spiritual Traditions. See listing in Community Resource Guide, or visit www.lilataylor.com.

Listen to your body The challenge is to understand and normalize the symptoms, and get the help you need. It is important to remember that this is not just happening to you, while it may seem like it is. Many of these symptoms are evident if we look at the life cycle expectations.

Empowerment Strategies for your body: Believe it or not, your body is intelligent!

1. Educate yourself as to the physical symptoms and possible treatment approaches for menopause or andropause.

2. See your medical doctor for a physical.

3. Consider holistic practitioners for remedies with sleep issues, mental clarity, diet, supplements, herbals, acupuncture, and natural bio-identical hormones.

4. Include exercise as well as yoga or stretching - stay flexible!

5. Re-evaluate your diet and supplements to include new physical needs.

6. Learn to listen to and honor your body, trust your instincts and honor limitations.

7. Become aware of gender differences in midlife, for yourself and others.

Feed your spirit The metaphor of the chrysalis and the butterfly is appropriate for this time of transformation as we enter into an unknown dark cocoon and emerge differently configured!! It is important to understand that upheaval causes us to move from an ego-centered personality to a more Self oriented way of being. Our psyche shifts to a new center, that of the True Self, which is a spiritual awakening.

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Supplements 101

Michael Dworkin, P.D., M.S. Erika Dworkin, Dip. C.N. (Pend.)

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndromes: Natural Ways to Address Their Overlapping Complexities I was diagnosed [with chronic fatigue] . . . by the head of infectious disease at Johns Hopkins. It was the most hellish year of my life. I went from doctor to doctor. I got very thin and lost 22 pounds in a month. One doctor thought I was anorexic and lectured me about it. . . . When my doctor at Johns Hopkins finally said, “You have a real disease,” that was an important moment for me. ~ Laura Hillenbrand, Author of Seabiscuit & Unbroken, well.blogs.nytimes.com.

D

o you suffer from chronic exhaustion or severe pain throughout your body? Have your traditional doctors advised you that your symptoms are psychosomatic after tests have enabled them to rule out hormonal imbalance, anemia, and cardiovascular, thyroid, Lyme, and other diseases? You may have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), two distinct but related conditions with overlapping symptoms. Rest assured that the physical and psychological challenges of these disorders are very real. Though you should not attempt to diagnose or treat yourself, you can begin to heal by examining your condition’s symptoms, potential causes, and available natural treatments.

What Are CFS & FMS?

Understanding the concept of “syndrome” is the first challenge in combatting CFS or FMS. A syndrome is a complex array of symptoms that frequently occur together and may mimic other illnesses. With CFS and FMS (which especially affect women ages 20-50), medical tests often do not detect any problems. Traditional doctors thus often dismissively diagnose the condition as hypochondria, psychosomatic illness, or depression. While theories

Dr. William D. Nager Naturopathic Physician

(860) 242-8200 11 Mountain Ave., Suite 201 Bloomfield, CT 06002 32

March 2011

abound, experts do not agree on what causes the disorders, there are no known cures, and the conditions are thought to seriously damage the immune system long-term.

CFS The current definition of CFS is unexplained disabling fatigue lasting more than 6 months that reduces activity by more than 50%. CFS resembles the flu and other viral infections. Its symptoms may include sleep disturbances, mild fever, anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating and poor memory, muscle aches and pains, headaches, intestinal problems, extreme menstrual discomfort, chemical, environmental, light, heat and food (especially gluten and dairy) sensitivities, mood swings, low blood pressure, and upper respiratory tract infections (including those of the sinuses).

The potential causes of CFS include: (1) viral infection [including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV), members of the herpes virus family that also cause mononucleosis]; (2) intestinal and systemic overgrowth of candida albicans, a fungus; (3) a generally suppressed immune system; (4) hypoglycemia; (5) hypothyroidism; (6) mercury poisoning, especially from dental fillings; (7) intestinal parasites; (8) food allergies; and (9) extreme stress/exhausted adrenal glands.

FMS FMS is a rheumatic disorder similar to CFS but more greatly characterized by non-inflammatory chronic pain (vs. fatigue) with no obvious physical cause. However, research has shown that the axis connecting the three glands primarily responsible for the stress response (hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals) may be dysfunctional in FMS patients.

The pain tends to affect the fibrous tissues, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and there are 18 “trigger points” throughout the body that are abnormally sensitive to the touch. These points tend to cluster around the neck, shoulders, chest, knees, elbows, and hips. FMS also shares with CFS the other symptoms noted above.

Dr. William D. Nager

Naturopathic Physician The Conventional Approach 860-Conventional 242-8200 medical treatments for both CFS and FMS fo-

cus on alleviating symptoms, and many of the suggested treatments and lifestyle changes are the same or similar. For CFS, anti11 Mountain Avenue. #201antidepressants, hydrocortisone anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines), (for inflammation), and pain relievers (aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen) may be beneficial.

Although other drugs are prescribed off label, the FDA has approved only three to treat FMS. Lyrica is an anti-epileptic drug. Cymbalta and Savella are antidepressants in the category of drugs known as selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Antidepressants are prescribed to diminish pain and improve sleep. Numbing medicine can be sprayed onto or injected into trigger points to assist muscle stretching. While oral pain relievers may also be recommended, one double-blind trial found no difference between ibuprofen and placebo with respect to treating FMS symptoms. Traditional practitioners also tend to recommend the lifestyle modifications noted below.

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A 5-Pronged Natural Approach Notwithstanding the lacking consensus among practitioners regarding CFS and FMS treatment, this writer has relieved their symptoms in clinical practice. The proper nutritional regimen for both disorders should address: (1) reduction of pain and inflammation; (2) adrenal fatigue; (3) immunity; (4) depression; and (5) lifestyle modification. An experienced practitioner should be able to recommend efficacious doses. Lifestyle changes and certain complementary bodywork remedies can also provide relief.

Pain & Inflammation Omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) are well-established natural anti-inflammatories. The correct doses of EPA and DHA, ideally from fish oil, produce anti-inflammatory, immune-supporting, hormone-like prostaglandins (PGE1 and PGE3). GLA, found in evening primrose, borage, and black currant seed oils, is an omega-6 fatty acid that converts to PGE1.

Curcumin is a polyphenol in the spice turmeric. Studies indicate that this herb (especially in the highly bioavailable form of patent-pending BCM95) safely combats inflammation and pain principally by inhibiting the cytokine NF-kappaB, which acts like a switch to turn on the genes that produce the body’s inflammatory responses. Curcumin also reduces inflammation by inhibiting other cytokines and COX-2 and 5-LOX activity. In both CFS and FMS, magnesium malate can relieve muscle spasms by acting as a drug.

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Adrenal Fatigue

Lifestyle Modifications

The adrenal glands are responsible for producing adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, cortisone and hydrocortisone, testosterone, estrogen, cholesterol, progesterone, and a number of other hormones.

Adrenaline and cortisol are among the hormones responsible for the balance of body fluids, blood sugar, blood pressure, and many other key metabolic functions of the body. According to James L. Wilson, D.C., N.D., Ph.D., author of Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome, adrenal fatigue may predispose a person to the onset of CFS or may exacerbate its symptoms. He also maintains that those with FMS likely experience some degree of adrenal fatigue either as a cause or result of the disorder.

B-Complex, especially in the coenzyme form, high-dosage pantothenic acid (B5), adrenal and spleen glandulars, NADH, L-carnitine, and co-enzyme Q10 (ubiquinol), all produce cellular energy and boost the adrenal glands.

Recommended CFS/FMS lifestyle regimens generally focus on exercise, diet, sleep, environment, and psychological support. Daily, moderate, low-impact, aerobic exercise and stretching techniques are critical.

Maintaining a healthy diet is likewise imperative. A “healthy diet” in this context: (1) excludes saturated, hydrogenated, or trans fats (beef, pork, lamb, or duck), gluten, dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and MSG; (2) minimizes simple carbohydrates; and (3) includes fish, chicken, turkey, and as many raw foods as possible, such as low-sugar fruits (berries and apples), nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds), legumes, and a large variety of dark green and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts).

Reducing stress through psychological counseling, meditation, and proper sleep management (6-9 hours/night; catnaps when needed and only if they don’t interfere with night rest), will likely provide relief. Proper chiropractic care, acupuncture, deep pressure massage, light therapy, and avoiding cigarette smoke and extreme temperatures, can also be helpful.

Immunity Helping the body to combat immunity challenges, including viruses and candidiasis, is a critical component of CFS and FMS treatment. The proper doses of Vitamin A, Vitamin D (with calcium and magnesium), AHCC (a compound extracted from medicinal mushrooms that boosts white blood cell activity), zinc picolinate, astragalus, thymus extract, and L-lysine, are indicated.

It is important to restore the proper balance of good and bad bacteria in the intestines with a special candida-eliminating diet and a high-quality, enteric coated probiotic with a high bacteria count and at least 8 bacteria strains. Grapefruit seed extract, caprylic acid, odorless garlic, and pau d’arco also help reduce candida overgrowth.

Depression The fourth treatment prong should address the depression that frequently results from chronic pain, adrenal fatigue, and immune suppression. 5HTP helps increase common serotonin deficiencies, while two double-blind studies demonstrated the ability of SAMe to reduce both depression and pain.

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Conclusion Many disorders, including Lyme disease, depression, and hepatitis, can cause the symptoms of FMS and CFS. If you suffer chronic muscular pain and/or fatigue for more than a week or so, seek the guidance of a health care professional with expertise in alternative medicine.

Submitted by Michael Dworkin, P.D., M.S., a Registered Pharmacist and State Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CT Certification No. 232), with Erika Dworkin, Dip.C.N./Board Cert. Holistic Nutrition (pending). Owner of the Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe (860.646.8178, cthealthshop.com, 378 West Middle Turnpike, Manchester), Pharmacist Dworkin has been guiding patients since 1956 and is available for consultation by appointment. Erika is available to speak to groups. References are available upon request. The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. None of the natural remedies discussed herein are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. See our ad on page 13.

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Dr. Lauren Gouin, N.D.

Checklist for Heart Health Naturally

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eart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. The more researchers learn about this disease, the more we realize the risk factors involved with it are very preventable. Simple lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise and stress reduction, will ensure a happier and much healthier heart and circulatory system.

The ABCs Blood Sugar “A” stands for Hemoglobin A1C, which is a blood test look at blood sugar over a three month period. It is one of the best ways to assess risk of diabetes. Persistent elevated blood sugar puts a strain on the heart and blood vessels. Sixty five percent of people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Controlled blood sugar can help prevent both of these.

Blood Pressure “B” is for blood pressure. Within our vessels it is important to promote proper distribution of nutrients throughout the body and remove waste from our system.

However, elevated blood pressure can put unwanted stress on the heart and blood vessels. Symptoms of elevated blood pressure can be headaches or dizziness, however often times this condition is silent, with no sign at all of elevated levels.

Blood pressure consistently over 140/90 should be discussed with a physician to explore potential underlying causes such as stress, nutrient deficiencies or diet.

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tivity. Increasing exercise and improving body composition is an excellent way to improve heart health, as well as improve many of the other risk factors listed previously.

Vitamin D

Homocysteine This risk factor for cardiovascular disease is often silent. It is associated with stroke, increased risk of miscarriage and depression, though most people are unaware of elevated levels. Folic acid, B12 and B6 can reduce levels; all of these nutrients can be tested with a simple blood test. Often times elevated levels can be genetic and may require specific types of folate to reduce levels.

Cardiac CRP This marker can be tested in a blood test as well and is a sign of inflammation, often times specific to the cardiovascular system. There are many methods to improve this marker, including dietary changes and increasing omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants.

Increase Activity & Sunshine Exercise According to the NIH, the biggest risk factor for cardiovascular disease is inac-

Recent research has found that low Vitamin D is associated with cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D is best sourced from supplementation or sunshine, as food is not an excellent source. The best way to know the amount of supplementation to take during the winter is to have your blood levels taken, as this vitamin can be toxic.

This checklist is an excellent start to a discussion with your physician about your risk of cardiovascular disease. It also offers a great reminder of how simple lifestyle changes, screening and prevention can ensure better cardiovascular health.

Diet, exercise and supporting the body with proper nutrients can help maintain healthy blood vessels and heart.

Dr. Lauren Gouin is a board certified naturopathic physician, accepting new patients for her family practice in Manchester, CT. Dr. Gouin is in network with most insurance companies. For an appointment or more information, please call (860)5330179 or visit www.ctnaturalhealth.com.

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The Power of Tea for Health & Spirit

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ea is one of the most wonderful beverages your body can use. It has properties that no other drink offers and comes in a variety of tastes to stimulate the senses. Some will say that enjoying tea is a ritual. In China that is absolutely true and today we find more and more evidence that the tea ceremony is becoming part of our lives here as well with many tea bars opening.

Over my many years of traveling throughout China, I have observed and spoken with many Buddhists and tea shop owners who have a very strong connection to tea. It is said that when you consume tea in a meditative mode, you keep yourself free of desires of any kind and welcome the highest realm of tea art called Zen Spirit. Tea therefore has no spirit or

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taste without Zen. Tea is said to purify the mind, while Zen can cultivate the spirit.

Together they both pursue simplicity and purification which are the principles of a Buddhist’s daily life and one most of us seek as well.

I was told of an old Chinese couplet that translates, “You cannot keep the noise of the world away; however you can keep in a quiet mood. With an ordinary mind and a kind heart, you feel the spirit of the tea while enjoying it. Tea can completely relax you so that you may occupy your mind on all things natural, like the blossoming and withering of flowers, the gathering and dispersing of clouds and all forms of life in general. “ Tea has a long history being first discovered in 2700BC by the emperor Shen

Nung, who is also acclaimed as one of the first Chinese herbalists. Folklore says that the tea plant was cultivated by various Buddhists as early as 500 BCE. Boddhadharma, the first patriarch of Zen, sailed from India to China and sat meditating for nine years in front of the Shaolin temple.

During this long mediation, he drowsed off. Without hesitation, he sliced off his eyelids to make sure they would never again close and interrupt his wakefulness.

Where they fell, the compassionate deity, Quan Yin caused the tea plant to grow out of his tears.

There are many types of teas and most have been cultivated by the Buddhist monks much in the same way that the Catholic Monasteries cultivated grapes in the use of wine in their rituals. There are also raw herb teas (nuts, bark, berries and roots) that are decocted and used to maintain health and are different from the plant tea.

White, Green, Black, Scented and Oolong Tea come from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis and it is the processing of the leaves that differentiates the flavor and intensity of the brew. Black tea is fermented and according to Chinese medicine, more easily absorbed by those with digestion issues. It should be noted that Black tea does contain more caffeine than Green tea, and all tea has strong medicinal importance.

Silver Needle White tea is the least processed tea and contains the smallest amount of caffeine and the most antioxidants. It is processed by using the first two leaves and the bud that is harvested once a year during April. It is perhaps the most rare of all teas and grown in the Yunnan Province of China.

The benefits of tea have been studied not only from the spiritual side but also from the Western medicine side. These studies show the importance of drinking tea over other beverages. The Archives of Internal Medicine (May 2002) published a study of 500 Chinese men and women who regularly drank Black, Green, or Oolong tea for more than 10 years. Compared with non-habitual drinkers, tea drinkers had 6.2% higher bone mineral densities even when other factors such as exercise and calcium were taken into account. It is believed that drinking just 2 cups of tea per day provides the same bone health benefits as 2-3 servings of dairy.

In 2001, the Boston University School of Medicine’s study showed that 4 cups of Black tea daily, visibly improved impaired blood vessel functioning by 50% with only

one month’s use. It further indicated even 1 cup a day, could reduce your chance of heart attack by 44%. The study further showed that tea drinkers had a significantly lower mortality rate than non- tea drinkers over all.

In the October, 2008 issue of the Harvard Women’s Health Watch, it was reported that Green tea was the best food source for catechins, which are more powerful than Vitamins C & E in halting oxidative damage to cells. It showed an association of lowering risks of several cancers, including skin, breast, lung, colon, esophageal and bladder cancers.

With all this knowledge, it’s obvious that tea is beneficial for not only the body, but the mind and spirit as well. Enjoy a cup today!

Laura Mignosa, NCCH, AADP is a Nationally Certified Chinese Herbologist who is both Western and China trained. She is the director of CIHS since 1992 and travels yearly to China for study and to expose her students to the culture and clinical training of Beijing Hospitals. For more information, visit www.ctherbschool.com or call 860666-5064. See ad on page 27.

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Doctor's Notes

Debra Gibson, ND

Detoxification Support

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his month Spring arrives, and just as the world outside renews itself with greening rains and cleansing breezes that carry juicy smells of thawing earth and growing things, this time of year gives us an opportunity for self-renewal: to clear the stale and stuffy air of winter from our lungs, to take in the sights, sounds and scents of new life all around, to move with Nature’s own rhythm of renewal and rejuvenate our bodies, minds and spirits. A springtime detoxification program is a great way to “go with Nature’s flow,” by letting go of accumulated toxins to awaken the vibrant energy and life force lying dormant within every cell of our bodies.

Why don’t more of us do a detox? One of the reasons people put off such a program is the association of detoxification with unpleasant “detox symptoms,” such as fatigue, rashes, aches and pains, headaches, and changes in digestive function. It can be discouraging and inhibiting to contemplate undertaking a program that might cause us to feel lousy for an indefinite period of time. What many people don’t realize is that these unpleasant manifestations of toxin release can be reduced or eliminated simply by using nutrient and herbal support to help your body more easily clear toxic compounds.

Pathways of toxin clearance In order to understand how this support works, it helps to know a little about how the body deals with toxins. The liver, kidneys, intestines, lymph system, lungs and skin all participate in toxin elimination, and have very individual and specific ways of interacting with, neutralizing and clearing the various toxins we encounter. When the body is healthy, our detox systems run smoothly, and toxins are transformed into neutral compounds and completely eliminated through appropriate channels. Together these systems represent a sophisticated series of interlocking parts that work interdependently to maintain metabolic equilibrium by neutralizing external toxins from our increasingly toxic food supply, environment, and from medications; and neutralizing internal toxins produced as a consequence of both natural bodily processes and unhealthy functional imbalances. When we store toxins instead of clearing them, it may mean that one or more of the factors necessary to keep this complex machinery running well are not available. When we embark on a program of detoxification the idea is to release stored toxins from cells and tissues, so it becomes crucial to compensate for any inadequacies in the clearance pathways; otherwise not only will the process be more uncomfortable, but some toxins may re-circulate, exerting toxic effects as they do so, and then be stored again.

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Move ‘em out A simple way to help out the body with toxin removal is to promote a 1-3X daily bowel movement. Increasing fluid intake may help, but adding a high-quality fiber supplement normalizes the bowel habit and in addition binds toxins released into the intestines and promotes the growth of healthy intestinal microbes. Detoxification can disrupt bowel movements in either direction (diarrhea and constipation are both common detox symptoms) and different kinds of fiber absorb fluid to reduce diarrhea and provide roughage to improve constipation. A supplement which contains more than one source of fiber is beneficial – arabinogalactans, ground flax seed, apple pectin, carrot or beet fiber, psyllium husk, oat or rice bran – these are fiber sources which may be included in better-quality formulas. If you are unused to taking a fiber supplement, start with a small amount (perhaps 1 tsp. daily in water) and increase gradually to 1 Tbs. 2X daily over the course of several days.

Raise your pH The acidity or alkalinity of the blood influences whether the products of detoxification are cleared from the body through proper channels. An acidic systemic pH (pH is the scale for measuring acidity and alkalinity; for healthy detoxification, urine pH should be above 6.6) will obstruct healthy routes of elimination, leading to build-up of toxins in the blood and creating unpleasant “detox symptoms”. Just as fresh vegetables, berries and fruits in the diet or in juiced form have an alkalinizing effect on internal body systems, concentrated greens formulas (which often contain a carefully chosen mix of veggies, berries and fruits) can be used during detoxification to improve systemic pH and encourage elimination of toxins. Choose a greens formula that has organic ingredients (the last thing you want is pesticide residues in your detox program!), avoids bulking agents such as alfalfa and grain components, and uses primarily freeze-drying rather than spraydrying in the manufacturing process. A greens product should be packaged to provide protection from the damaging effects of heat, light and moisture. For purposes of detox support, I often recommend 1 Tbs. of the powder twice or three times daily mixed with water.

Balance phase 1 & 2 Another reason for impaired detoxification and its negative effects is a mismatch between the two phases of liver detoxification. The liver processes toxins in two steps, which are designated

Phase 1 and Phase 2. Toxins are first worked on by Phase 1 (cytochrome P450 enzyme systems) and then passed to Phase 2 to complete the detox process. But what if Phase 2 can’t “catch” all that is passed to it? When this happens, the partially metabolized toxins can’t be eliminated and they continue to circulate through the body; they are eventually stored in cells and tissues if Phase 2 just can’t finish the job. Unfortunately, many of these intermediary metabolites are even more harmful than the original toxin.

It makes sense that many people who have symptoms and health issues that lead them to detoxification programs may already have impaired clearance pathways – so when they begin the work of releasing quantities of stored toxins, it is not surprising that the detox pathways become overwhelmed. These “pathologic detoxifiers” often experience the most severe detox symptoms, but almost everyone who takes on a serious detox would benefit by addressing the nutrient requirements of the liver’s Phase 2 clearance pathways. In this way, Phase 1 and Phase 2 work with greater synergy and toxins are more effectively neutralized.

Hope for “Pathologic Detoxifiers” A number of supplement formulations are specifically designed to provide broad support for Phase 2 reactions. Phase 2 co-factors include amino acids such as N-Acetyl L-Cysteine, Glutathione, Glycine, Glutamine, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), Taurine, Ornithine and Methionine; B-vitamins, including folic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine/ pyridoxine 5-phosphate and vitamin B12; vitamin C; and minerals such as magnesium, manganese, zinc, molybdenum and selenium. No single formulation will provide all these nutrients, so it may be appropriate to augment a Phase 2 support formula with an additional B-

Complex or a high-potency multiple vitamin & mineral complex to fill in gaps. Depending on the degree of co-factor deficiency or toxin overload, multiple doses through the day may be appropriate. Essential fatty acids such as those from fish oil and borage oil are used in Phase 2 reactions, so doubling or even tripling your usual daily dose may be helpful; dry skin is often a sign of EFA deficiency, so increase intake if this appears during a detox.

The herbal flavonoids silymarin (derived from Milk Thistle) and curcumin (a component of the spice turmeric) have been found to increase levels of the Phase 2 enzyme glutathione S-transferase, and are excellent additions to a detox supplement program. I recommend phytosomal preparations, which enhance absorbtion, up to two or three times daily of Milk Thistle (standardized to 80% silymarin) 100 mg. and/ or Curcumin 250mg.

Easy = Effective Years ago, detoxification programs seemed to align themselves with the “No pain, no gain” philosophy – if you weren’t miserable for at least some of your detox, you weren’t doing it right. Time, experience and research have shown, however, that a gentler, well-supported approach to toxin clearance is not only more pleasant, it’s more effective. The most successful detox processes are those which honor the needs of the body, mind and spirit.

Debra Gibson, N.D. practices naturopathic family medicine in her Ridgefield, CT office. She can be reached at 203-431-4443 or at drgibsonsoffice@sbcglobal.net.

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Overmedicating our Society

T

here is no country on the face of the Earth with a greater tract infections, and 75% of children with bronchitis were given fondness for drug remedies than the United States. Ameri- antibiotics. Fully 20% of all antibiotic prescriptions written for cans spend $234.1 billion a year for prescription drugs children were found to be for viral infections. Every year, miland even more for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. That’s more lions of Americans enter doctors’ offices for these diseases and than the rest of the world combined. In 2003, an average of leave with prescriptions that are essentially useless.

11.7 prescriptions were filled for each man, woman, or child Why prescribe these drugs, then? Most doctors do not rouin this country. Unquestionably, much of this is absolutely nec- tinely culture infections to determine the responsible microoressary and helps us to combat diseases that might otherwise ganism, and usually it is not necessary. But it can be difficult to foreshorten our lives. It is equally certain, however, that many determine clinically whether an infection is viral or bacterial. drugs are prescribed or taken for Many patients report improvement Every year, millions of Americans somewhat dubious reasons that after taking antibiotics for similar have little to do with living longer, symptoms in the past. So when the enter doctors’ offices and leave with healthier lives. prescriptions that are essentially useless infection is over, the doctor does Overmedication may seem not know for certain if it was belike a relatively minor issue. Afcause the antibiotics worked or ter all, we usually want our doctors to aggressively deal with because a viral infection simply ran its course. This creates a what ails us but the consequences of that aggressiveness are reliance treating any infectious disease with antibiotics “just in not innocuous. Many state attorneys general are concerned that case.” overmedication is fueling prescription drug abuse, for example.

An equally-important reason that antibiotics are prescribed Every drug also has risks that need to be considered, including for unknown infections is the pressures from the family or paside-effects, accidental overdoses, and drug interactions. tient to “do something.” Any parent taking a sick child to a Our collective fascination with medication is probably best doctor wants to come away reassured that there is something to illustrated by the stupendous overuse of antibiotics. We resort do other than wait. They expect to leave with a prescription and to antibiotics for almost every infectious disease, whether they often ask for antibiotics. As many doctors are conflict-averse are appropriate or even work. Antibiotics are effective against and want to please their patients they will comply with the rebacteria and some related microbes; they don’t kill viruses. quest, justifying their actions by thinking there is little harm in Common colds, the flu, and many childhood illnesses like sore taking the antibiotic. throats and upper respiratory-tract infections are mostly caused Unfortunately, antibiotic overuse is hardly as benign as that by viruses. perception. It exposes patients, especially children, to medications with little to no benefit. If the reward of a treatment is zero, then the risk should be the same but there is risk to using Patients expect prescriptions antibiotics. Beyond the “normal” risks of side effects and drug One study examined the antibiotic prescribing practices for interactions there is the risk of collateral damage to other, nonchildren at a number of doctor’s offices. They found that 44% harmful, bacteria. Bacteria and related microorganisms live on of children with common colds, 46% with upper respiratory- your skin, in your mucous membranes, and in your digestive

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system. Most of these are harmless when in proper balance.

Many are actually beneficial like the ones in our intestines that help digest foods and produce vitamins for us.

Antibiotic resistance a major problem Taking an unnecessary antibiotic prescription may seem like an individual decision, but the possible ill effects are not confined to the person taking them. They also expose other people to the risk of antibiotic resistant microorganisms. Even when you successfully treat a bacterial infection with antibiotics, not every single bacterium dies. There will be some small portion of the bacteria that have natural variations that resist the action of the antibiotic. Eventually, new strains of bacteria emerge that are untouched by that antibiotic.

Overmedication of viral infections with antibiotics has forced certain bacteria to evolve from being minor problems to being deadly threats. One such bacterium lives on the skin and is called Staphylococcus aureus. Normal S. aureus can live on many people without ill effects or it can cause infections that range from mild to serious. There is a new version of this bacteria first diagnosed in the U.S. in 1981 called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. Methicillin, a chemical cousin of penicillin, used to be very effective at treating these bacteria but is almost useless today. Almost 100,000 people a year acquire MRSA infections, causing approximately 20,000 deaths a year. The problem is only growing worse because there are now some MRSA strains that are resistant to multiple antibiotics and MRSA is only one of a number of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.

Overmedication extends beyond just the overuse of antibiotics. Just as parental concerns often lead to antibiotic overuse, they can also lead to overuse of other drugs. Behavioral problems and inattention often lead to diagnoses like ADD or ADHD and subsequent medication. Some of the drugs used to treat children are only approved by the FDA for use on adults and some of them are very dangerous. Massachusetts recently started tracking psychiatric drugs prescribed to children after a four-year-old girl accidentally overdosed on the drug she had been prescribed for hyperactivity.

This drug, clonidine, is only approved by the FDA for use to reduce blood pressure in adults. Its use in treating ADD in a child that young is still under study and those studies have only enrolled children over the age of 6. Despite that, Massachusetts officials found almost 1,000 children under the age of 7 that had been given clonidine. Even more disturbing, they found more than 500 children in the same age group who were taking antipsychotic medications, which can have very serious risks and even cause permanent disability.

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The use of psychiatric medicines in children has many risks and little evidence of effectiveness. For example, clonidine has been reported to cause sedation, sleepiness, sleep difficulty, fatigue, nervousness, irritability, apathy, and (not surprisingly) lowered blood pressure and lowered heart rates. Despite this range of negative effects and their prevalence (42% of children in one study had sleeping problems), study authors called clonidine “well-tolerated.” Maybe the reason these kids “tolerated” their medication is that they were too sleepy to object!

Like the antibiotics, we lack evidence that there is a benefit that outweighs these costs. A recent review of studies on ADHD and clonidine showed either no or very small benefit compared to placebos. This isn’t the only drug of dubious usage, but there is an even larger issue: the criteria for diagnosing and treating children with psychiatric medications have become very loose. Non-medical professionals are encouraged to label “difficult” children and have become deeply involved in the diagnosis process of psychiatric and developmental disorders. Teachers complain of being forced into the roles of disease-spotters and medication minders.

Even common childhood worries such as fear of the dark or monsters are now considered medical disorders requiring treatment.

Statins are King Of course, children aren’t the only ones exposed to overmedication. The most frequently-prescribed drug in the United States is atorvastatin, while simvastatin is fifth. These drugs are also known as Lipitor and Zocor, two “blockbuster” anti-cholesterol drugs that have racked up billions of dollars in sales for

their makers. After all, everyone knows most Americans have high cholesterol, and high cholesterol causes heart attacks, right?

Not so fast. Actually, there is very little evidence tying blood cholesterol levels to heart disease. Perhaps even worse, there is even less evidence that broad-scale use of cholesterol-lowering drugs lowers heart attack risk. The biggest study of these drugs, and the one that has been relied on by those advocating widespread satin use, was funded entirely by the makers of Zocor. That study only examined people who already had cardiovascular disease at the time of the treatment. That is, those who were helped by these drugs were people who were already well on their way to heart disease.

Does that mean everybody needs to be on a statin to lower their cholesterol? The truth is, we really don’t know. Despite that, drug companies have spent millions “educating” the public and doctors about the use of statins in the general public.

The number of people taking statins has skyrocketed from 4.4 million people in 1997 to 11.1 million in 2002, in large measure because of these education campaigns. The fact is that cholesterol is not just a chemical that causes blocked arteries. In fact, cholesterol is the foundation for all sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen. Men taking statins have decreased libidos, increased depression, and other sex-hormone-related mood side effects. Though statins have a place in the doctor’s toolbox, they are being used indiscriminately as if there is no downside.

It’s probably not surprising, then, that pharmaceutical companies are now stepping up efforts to convince men to see their doctors to find out if they have what the ads slyly call “Low T.” So if you are tak-

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March 2011

ing a statin and it may be depressing your testosterone levels, they are ready with more drugs to boost testosterone levels.

Who is to blame?

So where is the government in preventing these kinds of over usages and inflated claims? The Food and Drug Administration is supposed to make sure that drug companies only promote drugs for their approved uses, and only safe and effective medications reach the market. The FDA has a serious problem though: the money that Congress appropriates has not been able to keep up with the jobs that Congress keeps adding to the agency. In 2010, Congress gave the FDA a bit more than $2 billion to regulate the entire food source chain and drug markets.

Starting in 1992, therefore, Congress allowed pharmaceutical makers to pay for the review of their drug applications in order to speed up the process. In 2010, this paid for $922 million, or just short of one-third of the FDA’s total budget.

Faster approvals are not necessarily better approvals, though. Since 1993 there were 22 recalls of drugs on the market, while only 7 were withdrawn in the years 1974-1992. Other post-approval measures since the start of user fees include 14 drugs with “black box” warnings and 36 drugs where at least one dosage form was removed from the market. If a drug is approved just short of the deadline imposed by the user fee, it is much more likely to demonstrate a safety problem after approval. User fees and the pressure to approve drugs quickly have led to mistakes.

Despite all that, neither drug companies nor the FDA are the villains in the story of overmedication. As a society we want these drugs. Just look at the ads in the media or the products available on supermarket shelves to see how much we crave a germ-free, pain-free, worry free world.

Unfortunately, no drug on the planet can deliver all that.

Desmond Ebanks, MD is a board certified internal medicine physician specializing in age management medicine; a science-based approach to preventive wellness, bioidentical hormone modulation and optimizing health at Alternity Healthcare, LLC in West Hartford, CT. He can be reached at 860-561-2294 or online at www.alternityhealthcare.com.

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Healthy Cooking

By Margaret Sylvester

Beet Greens and Pasta Add oil to a large sauté pan on medium heat and add chopped onion; cook until onions are transparent. Add garlic, fennel seeds and red pepper flakes and sauté for a minute or so.

Add drained beet greens and stir-fry for approximately 5 minutes. Set aside.

Boil spaghetti according to box directions in boiling, salted water. Drain spaghetti and save 2 cups of pasta water. Put the pasta into a large bowl. Add the pasta water to the beet greens mixture and mix all into the pasta. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and red pepper flakes.

S

mack in the middle of winter is when I get a craving for pasta! Not plain pasta, but pasta loaded with veggies and spices and finished with extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs. Almost all vegetable side dishes can be turned into a meal when added to pasta. This meal in one bowl seems right while curled up on the sofa, wrapped in a throw.

Now, I can think of more than a hundred ways to enjoy pasta, but they're not all healthy! Switching from regular pasta to pasta made of whole wheat, brown rice, or quinoa is healthier. It helps lower the glycemic load and adds fiber to your diet.

Margaret Sylvester has spent years traveling and experimenting with foods, flavors, and learning about living healthy. This experience has culminated in the hosting one-of-a-kind vacations that include freshly-prepared meals. Our small groups explore the stunning southwestern U.S., tour local sites and partake in yoga classes and massages. Each day starts and ends with my recipes that include seasonal, local and organic ingredients. For more information go to www.blissfultravelswithmargaret.com.

Tips for Success: 1) Steam vegetables that take a longer time to cook (e.g., butternut squash, cauliflower, broccoli rabe) before adding to the onion/garlic mixture.

2) Season the water with salt before you add the pasta, being careful not to overcook the pasta.

3) Save two cups of the starchy water left over after straining the pasta and add as needed to the vegetable/pasta mixture.

Recipe: 2 large bunches of beets 2 medium yellow onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp. fennel seed ½ tsp. red pepper flakes 2 T. grape seed or olive oil Salt 13.25 oz. box of whole grain spaghetti 2 cups pasta water (left over after boiling spaghetti) Additional red pepper flakes Cut beets from beet greens. Slice beet greens into ½ inch ribbons, wash, rinse and drain. (You can cook the beets and save them for another meal.) www.naturalnutmeg.com

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Healthy Pet

Pavel Mihok, DVM

Healthy nutrition for pets: What it is, how to achieve it

W

hat is nutrition? Webster’s Dictionary describes it as “the sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and utilizes food substances.” It is the phrase “utilizes food substances” that gives the clue to the most important aspect of this process. How our pets utilize the food they take in is critical to their overall health.

Choosing the right food and determining the correct proportions and servings per day are only part of this process, although these are usually pet owners’ first questions. What’s more crucial to understand is whether or not the pet is assimilating the food efficiently and sufficiently to benefit his or her well-being. Keep in mind that each individual animal may assimilate food differently and what works for one may not work for another.

In classical Chinese medical thinking the digestive system – the stomach and intestines – represent a very significant part of the body’s health in providing the nu-

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trients necessary for the body to function.

In this thinking there is a diagram where the kidney energy is shown as the fire that supports the digestive system which is the pot of stew on top of the fire. If the fire is just right, the digestive system extracts the essence of the food (i.e. amino acids, vitamins, minerals) which will get absorbed and utilized by the body. But if the fire is weak, then the stew will form a crust that will not allow the essence of the food to be absorbed. This will result in mal-digestion and mal-absorption.

When the digestive system is functioning well, the nutrients in the food will be extracted and their essence will become the source of energy for all organs in the body. A naturopathic view believes that 70-80% of the immune system resides in the intestines. Intestinal and digestive health, therefore, ensure a strong immune system.

If the digestive system is functioning poorly, two conditions can result.

First, the body will not get the right nutrients and will become deficient in these nutrients and this will lead to metabolic imbalances and eventually diseases.

Second, mal-absorption and mal-digestion will create toxic components that will enter the body and become a burden and also trigger diseases. These toxins will exacerbate existing conditions such as arthritis and allergies, and contribute to the development of future health issues.

Some symptoms of a mal-functioning digestive system are: dull coat, excessive shedding, soft stool or diarrhea (with a particularly offensive odor), irritated areas with redness or brown color around parts of the body (mouth, eyes, anus, or bottom of paws), poor muscle tone, bad breath, burping, gas, excess weight, or excessive licking or smacking of lips not related to a meal (this could be a sign of nausea resulting from not enough mucous available to coat the stomach lining).

The digestive function is similar to the

process of marinating where the digestive juices (saliva, pancreatic enzymes, bile, etc.) break down the food to essential components that the body is able to absorb and utilize. There is an optimal proportion between these digestive juices and the amount of food intake. This proportion can easily be thrown out of balance with too much food, or too much water at the time of the meal. To ensure an abundant production of digestive juices at the time of the meal the body should be well hydrated previously. So, the best thing to do is to promote water consumption an hour or two before the meal. If there is too much water intake during the meal or after the meal, the juices are diluted and the food will not be completely digested.

To judge the correct amount of food intake per meal (per day) there are different factors to consider. First, make sure the pet is at its optimal weight – one tip is that you want to be able to feel the pet’s ribs (check with your vet for guidelines on optimal weight for your pet). If the weight is not optimal it is usually a result of too much food or not enough food over a period of time. Another aspect is appetite.

Make sure the pet has a good appetite, is excited about the meal, and will consume the whole amount at one sitting.

You might want to create a ritual around feeding time so that the production of the digestive juices is stimulated before the

meal. Finally, if the pet walks away from the food it could mean that they’ve already had too much food and don’t need anymore. This depends on the breed of the pet, of course. In this case you might want to reduce the amount of food by ¼ and see if over a week’s period of time their interest in food improves and they are finish the meal and even ask for more.

You might also consider fasting your pet once a week to give the system time to rest and regenerate. In fasting, you could feed vegetable broth instead of the regular meals. With young or senior animals, discuss fasting with your vet to see if it is appropriate.

In general, for a middle-aged dog there should be only two meals a day, with dinner not too late at night. This will allow the digestive process – which takes several hours – to be completed by midnight. In addition, it will allow the liver to complete its role in digestion and be freed up to concentrate on cleaning and repairing during sleep. With a late night meal, the liver will be busy with the processing of food and will not have time for cleaning and repairing. And this, then, will result in a back-log of repairs and eventually disease (i.e. early onset of arthritis and faster aging of the body).

Sometimes young pets have a weaker digestive system and seniors might have an inefficient system that has trouble breaking down and assimilating food. A sign of poor assimilation might be incomplete muscle development (in younger animals) or accelerated muscle loss in the back end (in seniors).

We can overcome these issues by feeding less and giving food that is more easily digested (such as soft-boiled eggs and cottage cheese or pre-digested protein powders). The way to do this would be to slowly incorporate the new food into their regular routine. For instance, start giving a little less food for a few days and then introduce the new food – such as eggs. Make sure the pet has no adverse reactions such as diarrhea or any other symptoms such as gas, burping, etc. Once it looks like this food has been tolerated well, you could introduce a second food – such as cottage cheese. The goal is not to completely replace the regular food but to supplement the protein in a more digestible form.

To aid the digestive process it is helpful to add digestive enzymes (especially those that incorporate betaine hydrochloric, pepsin, bile, and pancreatic enzymes), and a pro-biotic and pre-biotic.

If there are any digestive disturbanc-

es, an easy home remedy, is to skip a meal and feed cooked sweet potatoes, yams, or pumpkin (no sugar added) for a few days.

They are very soothing and healing for the digestive tract. Then slowly reintroduce the normal diet.

Keeping the digestive system working optimally will vary according to the individual animal. But these are some general guidelines that all pet owners can follow to ensure that their pets are utilizing the nutrients in their food to the utmost: Dr. Pavel Mihok provides mobile integrative veterinary services in the entire metro area, Westchester, and Hudson Valley. By combining both holistic and traditional veterinary care, he can offer several different modalities such as: nutritional and neutraceutical counseling, homeopathy, essential oils, stone and crystal therapy, acupuncture, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. He can be reached by phone 203-770-7875 or via his website www. paulmihokdvm.com.

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CommunityResources Acupuncture Stan Baker, L. Ac., Dipl. Ac.

35 Nod Road, Suite 106, Menla Holistic Health, Avon, CT. • (860) 836-1068 Stan Baker is a fully licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine practitioner with offices in Avon, CT and Springfield, MA. He has been a practitioner in the Oriental healing arts for 25 years. He specializes in difficult cases including back pain/sciatica, headache/migraine, allergies, and arthritis. He is also a teacher of advanced Chen Tai Chi, Aikido and Sun Do Mt. Yoga.

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Glastonbury Naturopathic Center

Dr.Helene Pulnik, ND LAc. 18 School St., Glastonbury,Ct 6033 (860) 657- 4105, naturopathicwellness.com Dr. Pulnik is a licensed, board certified Acupuncturist and Naturopathic Physician with over 25 years experience as a healthcare professional. She specializes in acupuncture for infertility, womens' health, migraines, anxiety/ stress/insomnia, arthritis, back & neck pain, sciatica, allergies, chronic sinusitis, and more.

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Chiropractic Phys.

Westside Chiropractic

557 Prospect Avenue, West Hartford,CT (860) 523-5833, westsidechiropractors.com Our mission is to provide chiropractic care, naturally based generalist, primary or specialty health care, for persons of all ages. We are committed to educating our patients about their health and wellness and providing them with tools for self improvement.

We seek to work in partnership with you to achieve good health and well being in a way consistent with your way of life. Visit our location in West Hartford See ad on page 27.

Dr. Charles B. Lerner DC,LAc.

Glastonbury Naturopathic & Acupuncture Center 18 School Street, Glastonbury, Ct. 860-657-4105 • naturopathicwellness.com Dr. Charles Lerner offers expert Chiropractic and Acupuncture care for acute and chronic problems, both internal medical concerns and pain management. He's gentle, compassionate and treats his patients as whole beings, not symptoms or diseases. Dr. Lerner's approach to health and wellness is simple: he offers a complete method of care specifically designed around the patient’s needs and requirements. In addition to the variety of Chiropractic adjustment techniques, Dr. Lerner offers a wide variety of modalities including hot packs, electrical muscle stimulation, ultra sound therapy, low dose ultra sound therapy and vibration therapy. See ad on page 21.

Colon Hydrotherapy Glastonbury Naturopathic Center

Constance Jones is New England’s senior Colon Hydrotherapist. During her 30 years of practice, she has performed nearly 50,000 colonics. Connie is certified through both the International Association of Colon Hydrotherapists (I-ACT) and The National Board for Colon Hydrotherapy. She creates a nurturing, serene, and safe environment, and maintains your utmost privacy and comfort. www. cleanmycolon.com. See our ad on page 21.

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Glastonbury Naturopathic Center

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Dr. Helene Pulnik, ND is a certified Advanced Allergy Therapeutics Practitioner. Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT) is a clinically proven treatment that is highly effective in relieving the many symptoms associated with allergies, food sensitivities, environmental sensitivies, IBS, headaches, skin problems and more. The AAT treatment does not rely on the use of medications, herbal remedies or supplements. The treatment is safe, painless and available to all ages including infants. See ad on page 21.

Dr. Kevin Norige has been in practice for almost 30 years in South Windsor, CT. His services include Invisalign, Perio Protect, Lumineers, Snapon Smiles and Snap-it, Global Mini Implants, and non-surgical periodontal treatments. He is a member of the ADA, CSDA, and the Hartford Dental Society. He is a clinician with the CT Mission of Mercy Dental Clinic and also serves as a facilitator to dental students at the Univ. of CT. See ad on page 14.

March 2011

The Canaan Gentle Dentle & Implant Center

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Fitness / Nutrition Cassandra Forsythe, PhD, RD 860-933-8255 www.cassandraforsythe.com

Cassandra Forsythe is a certified Registered Dietitian and holds her PhD in exercise science and nutrition from the University of Connecticut. She specializes in weight loss, heart health, high blood pressure, sports nutrition, low carb diets, detox and healthy eating. Contact her today to get your nutrition and health on track.

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Dr. Steven Hinchey

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Dentist

Health Food Stores Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe

The Manchester Parkade, 378 West Middle Tpke, Manchester, CT • 860.646.8178 M-SAT 8am-9pm • SUN 9am-6pm The Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe is an information- and service-oriented health food store that has served its community since 1956. We are a true oasis for learning and achieving optimal wellness. The owner, Michael Dworkin, P.D., M.S., a Registered Pharmacist and State Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CT Cert. #00203), is available for consultation by appointment. Our other staff nutrition consultants provide customers with in-store guidance in choosing vitamins, herbs, sports nutrition products, natural body care, natural and allergen-free foods, and life style changes. Many of our products are discounted every day. Ask us about our gym and other special discounts. See ad on page 13.

Holistic Health

Life Coaching

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Life Coaching for Women

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As a certified holistic health practitioner, Monika specializes in providing holistic solutions for women, children & families. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about her fully customized therapeutic programs, including stress-management for parents, specialized support for childbirth, relief from prenatal discomfort, post-partum healing, help with PMS and relief from menopausal discomfort. Schedule a free consultation on-line at www.healingwithmonika.com & download a free gift!

Linda is a Certified Professional Coach, and her passion is helping women find their voice and live life to its fullest. If you are one of the 43 million midlife American women between the ages of 40 and 60, you are probably thinking about changing your life or reinventing yourself professionally or personally. I would be honored to help you make this incredible transformation. Call/email for a free 30-minute consultation.

Martial Arts

Copper Mountain Aikido

Holistic Health Centers Enlightened Way Wellness Center 2 Tunxis Road Suite 208, Tarrifville, CT 06081. 860.217.0340 www.enlightenedway.com wisdom@enlightenedway.com

Enlightened Way is a tranquil wellness center dedicated to inspiring transformation, providing knowledge, restoring balance, and creating joy and fulfillment in peoples’ lives. We’ve developed an array of programs and services designed to foster and support a life of vitality and balance for everyone. Our services include daily yoga classes, therapeutic and Ayurvedic massages, free group meditations, and Kids’ yoga. We also offer programs such as Children’s Relaxation, Perfect Health/Ayurvedic Lifestyle and Primordial Sound Meditation.

In-Home Health Care New England Nightingales, LLC Assisted Living in the Home 406 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06032 PH. 860.676.7786, Fax 860.676.7704 New England Nightingales, LLC was founded by Cynthia Ebanks, a registered nurse with more than twenty-five years experience in patient care. We make living at home the right choice for you and your loved ones by helping with the activities of daily living. From our coaching and mentoring services for family caregivers to hourly assistance or 24/7 care, we provide the services you need to manage the various stages of illness, trauma, or dementia. Whatever you need . . .whenever you need it. . we’ll be there. See ad on page 23.

21 Copper Hill Road, Granby, CT 06035 (860)986-3617, cpprmtnaikido@gmail.com Copper Mountain Aikido is a member of Birankai International (North America) under the direction of T. K. Chiba, Shihan. Birankai International is recognized by the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Japan.

Copper Mountain Aikido is a traditional Japanese “country-style” dojo offering Aikido, Aikido Weapons, Internal Aiki Training, Iaido (Japanese Sword Art), and Zazen (Zen Meditation). All instruction is conducted by the Certified Chief Instructor licensed under Birankai International (North America). All are welcome!

Massage Wholistic Spa

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Dr. Helene Pulnik ND, LAc, Med. Director Wholistic Spa™ is a haven of total wellness. From the moment you step into our quiet space, we are focused on your complete wellness. Our treatments at Wholistic Spa™ use the purest natural and organic ingredients, with no toxic synthetic ingredients.

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Naturopathic Phys.

Connecticut Natural Health Specialists Lauren Gouin, ND 135 Center St., Manchester, CT (860) 533-0179 • www.ctnaturalhhealth.com Dr. Lauren Gouin is a naturopathic physician with a family practice in Manchester and South Windsor. Dr. Gouin is accepting new patients and is in network with most insurance companies.

For more information, contact her at (860)644-2437 or visit www.ctnhs.com. See ad on page 41.

Glastonbury Naturopathic Center 18 School Street, Glastonbury Dr. Helene Pulnik. (860) 657-4105 www.naturopathicwellness.com

Glastonbury Naturopathic Ctr. is a multi-disciplinary healthcare center focusing on natural alternatives for individuals to achieve and maintain optimal health.

Dr. Helene Pulnik, ND, LAc. is a board-certified licensed Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncturist with over 25 years experience as a healthcare professional. Offering Naturopathic Medicine, Colon Hydrotherapy, Acupuncture, Cleansing & Detoxification Programs, Weight Management Programs. See ad on page 21.

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Centrally located in Connecticut, Kensington Naturopathic Medical Center provides comprehensive family healthcare. Our team of specialized health professionals is dedicated to facilitating our patients’ optimal health, and offers a wide range of services, including supplementation, homeopathy, acupuncture and Chinese herbs as well as nutrition, holistic health counseling and weight loss/life style changes.

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William Nager, ND, DC

11 Mountain Ave., Ste. 201, Bloomfield, CT (860) 242-8277 William Nager is a 1985 Graduate of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, in Portland Oregon. He also earned a second degree in chiropratic medicine from Western State Chiropractic College. For the past 25 years Dr. Nager has practiced family medicine using non-toxic therapies for digestive disorders, anxiety, and depression, fatigue, back pain, eczema, allergies, hypertension, high cholesterol and pain management as well as other conditions within the scope of a general family medicine practice.

See ad on page 32. www.naturalnutmeg.com

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CommunityResources West Hartford Naturopathic Medicine 301 N. Main St., West Hartford, CT (860) 232-9662 • www.DRAIETA.com

Dr. Frank Aieta, founder of West Hartford Naturopathic Medicine, is a board certified licensed Naturopathic Physician who specializes in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease utilizing the most advanced natural therapeutics. He offers a wide range of natural, non-toxic treatments which include: Acupuncture, Spinal Manipulation, Clinical Nutrition, Detoxification, Pain Management, Herbal Medicine and Natural Hormone Balancing. See ad on page 27.

Physicians, M.D. Center for Integrative Healthcare & Healing

533 Cottage Grove Rd, Bloomfield, CT (860) 243-2224 • www.cmgmds.com/cihh.html The first of its kind in the country, Connecticut Multispecialty Group (CMG) is a large multispecialty group with its own Integrative Medicine Department. The physician-directed model uniquely blends conventional medicine with complementary therapies. Over 70 physicians work collaboratively with licensed massage therapists, licensed acupuncturists, certified energy workers, and registered dieticians. The end result is comprehensive model of healthcare delivery that focuses on whole person wellness and optimal health. CMG also features an electronic health record that interconnects all providers and offers portable flash drives with personal health information to all its clients. See ad on page 8.

Whole Health Associates, LLC is an integrative family practice offering naturopathic, chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy services.

Every person is addressed on an individualized level, tailoring treatment plans to meet the specific needs of each patient. Consideration of all aspects of the patient’s life is taken into account. Unique services include comprehensive food allergy and neurotransmitter testing, stomach acid analysis, body composition testing and gentle chiropractic techniques. See ad on page 20.

639 Park Rd, 2nd Floor, West Hartford, CT (860)748-4064 • (860)561-2294 Alternityhealthcare.com Dr. Desmond Ebanks, founder of Alternity Healthcare, is a board certified Internal Medicine specialist with more than 22 years of experience treating patients. Dr. Ebanks uses a comprehensive evaluation and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to expose a patient’s total health picture and develop a customized program incorporating bioidentical hormone balancing, clinical nutrition and exercise counseling and lifestyle modifications. He is the first physician in CT to offer the HeartSmartIMTplus; a non-invasive diagnostic scan endorsed by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. See ad on page 2.

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17 S Highland St., West Hartford, CT 06119 860.258.4113 Dori Gatter,Psy.D., LPC is trained in a broad palette of therapies, which include: Body Centered Psychotherapy, Reiki, and Mindfulness. She has co-written two books and runs training programs and workshops nationally on Bonding and Attachment. Also an Image Consultant, she started her image consulting business knowing that in addition to needing support for our inner process, we need support to integrate our image with our growth. She has created an entire program for developing the self from the inside out. For more information please check out her website at www.drdorigatter.com or contact her directly either by phone at 860.258.4113 or email dori@drdorigatter.com. See ad on pg. 22.

566 Prospect Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105 www.3PrinciplesTherapy.com • 860-561-1919

Health & Healing, LLC Deanna M. Cherrone, MD

12 West Main Street, Avon, CT. (860) 677-4600 • naturalhealthandhealing.net D r. D e a n n a C h e r r o n e , founder of Natural Health & Healing, is a board certified Internal Medicine physician who has changed the focus of her practice from traditional Internal Medicine to Functional Medicine. Functional Medicine is a science based approach to health care that involves looking at each patient as a whole being with interconnected systems that function best when they are all in balance.

See ad on page 55.

Physicians, M.D. Alternity Healthcare, LLC Desmond Ebanks, MD

Dori L. Gatter, Psy.D., LPC

Lori Carpenos & Associates

Whole Health Associates, LLC

Dr. Jennifer J. Stagg, Dr. Mark S. Stagg 100 Simsbury Rd., Suite 209, Avon, CT. (860) 674-0111, www.wholehealthllc.com frontdesk@wholehealthllc.com

Psychotherapist

Osteopathic Phys.

Origins Of Health, LLC

Jill Moorcroft, DO, Tom Moorcroft, DO 844 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury, CT 860-430-9790 • www.OriginsOfHealth.com Origins Of Health is a holistic medical center that specializes in Osteopathic Manipulation,including Cranial Osteopathy, Integrative Medicine and Nutrition. Founders Drs. Tom and Jill Moorcroft integrate their personal passion and extensive training as Family Medicine Physicians while working with you to develop a personalized approach to health that stimulates the self-healing forces within. Our goal is to assist you in realizing optimum health while being free to enjoy life and all it has to offer. See ad on page 28.

We provide retreats, seminars, and trainings for Executives, Leaders, Couples, and Individuals who are interested in moving beyond their current level of consciousness in work and life, with less stress, and more enjoyment. If you would like to enjoy more creativity, productivity, satisfaction and less stress in life, whether alone or with others, please call to discuss a program that will meet your needs. People who invest time and energy in learning how to use their minds, thoughts and consciousness in the healthiest manner have found the return on their efforts well worth their investment. See ad on page 15.

Soul Support Counseling Nancy M Brockett, PhD, LPC West Hartford, CT 860.223.2232 soul-support.org

Feeling stressed, confused, anxious or depressed? Imagine yourself breaking free from worries and fear and then confidently doing what you haven't been able to before! We work together from the perspective of the whole self to get to the heart of what’s troubling you. Using painless, drug-free treatments, Dr Brockett helps you uncover and build on your own inner strengths so you can free yourself from negativity and live with more joy in your life. See ad on page 26.

Schools Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies

LauraMignosa, NCCH Nationally certified Chinese Herbologist 900 Wells Road (RT. 175) Wethersfield, (860) 6665064, www.ctherbschool.com.

Founded in 1992, the CT Institute of Herbal Studies focuses on Traditional Chinese Medicine and offers a Certified Herbology Program with a foundation in both theory and clinical diagnosis as practiced in China today. See ad on page 27.

Schools The Graduate Institute

Leslie Cahill, Director of Admissions, Recruitment (203) 874-4252 • www.learn.edu.

The Graduate Institute is an accredited institution of higher education that offers Master of Arts degrees in emerging fields of inquiry. Degree programs include: Experiential Health and Healing, Peace Studies, Oral Traditions, Holistic Thinking, and Conscious Evolution. Classes meet one weekend per month and programs are offered in Hartford, Bethany, New Milford, and Stamford, CT. For more information or to find an Information Session near you, call (203) 874-4252 or visit www.learn. edu. See ad on page 11.

Skincare Anew You Skincare & Wellness Center Melissa Martin, 16A Ensign Drive, Avon.

(860)284-9730, www.anewyouskincare.net Melissa@anewyouskincare.net

We are committed to strengthening your overall wellbeing and skin health through the use of excellent quality products and extraordinary services that produce amazing results. Only natural ingredients are used, including plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential oils! We want you to be "WOWED"! See ad on page 5.

Spas / Day Spas Wholistic Spa

18 School St., Glastonbury, CT (860) 657-4105, www.wholisticspa.com.

Dr. Helene Pulnik ND, LAc, Med. Director Wholistic Spa™ is a haven of total wellness.

From the moment you step into our quiet space, we are focused on your complete wellness. Our treatments use the purest natural and organic ingredients, with no toxic synthetic ingredients. We offer organic facials, hand & foot treatments and signature massage services for women, men and couples, featuring EMINENCE Organic Skin Care from Hungary. We also offer an array of deeply therapeutic and purifying services to help you achieve optimal health from the inside out! Inner Health. Outer Beauty™. See ad on page 21.

Thermography, Breast X to Rays, LLC

Suzanne Pyle, MS, CCT 35 Boston Street, Guilford, CT 06437 866 xtorays(986-7297) or 203 331-2878 www.xtorays.com Suzanne is a board certified clinical thermographer. She offers totally safe (no radiation), painless (no compression), 97% accurate FDA approved breast cancer screening. With a masters in Nutrition, Suzanne also advises on breast and body health. Scans for thyroid, lung, liver, gall bladder, pancreas and ovaries are also available. Call for locations throughout CT.

Vibrational/Energy Healing Simply Fitness for the spirit, mind and body Priscilla Bengtson, ATP® 122A Naubuc Avenue, Ste 210, Glastonbury, CT (860)632-8434 • simplyfitnessonline.com

Simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body offers programs and services that help spiritual beings get unstuck in their human experience. Owner Priscilla Bengtson is dedicated to helping people live a joyous and fulfilled life and offers classes and workshops that help people achieve this. Private sessions are offered for intuitive and angel readings, hypnosis, reiki, mandala healing, and health coaching. Psychic parties are also offered in your home or at the center. See ad on page 19.

Vibrational/Energy Healing Reconnection Practitioners of CT Wendy Tanzer Gelven • 860-989-1997 Wendytg123@gmail.com Ken Lara • 914-255-8804 Kenreconnects@gmail.com Jennifer Jensen • 860-297-1543 Jenjensen10@gmail.com Kevin Jensen • 860-297-1543 Kevinbjensen@gmail.com

Wendy, Kevin and Jennifer are all trained facilitators of Reconnective Healing and The Reconnection. Reconnective Healing connects us to the fullness of the universe as it reconnects us to the fullness of our beings and who we really are. Reconnecting us to the universe and to our very essence through an entirely new bandwidth healing frequencies. Call today and experience this new hands-off healing for yourself. See ad on page 33.

Dr. Helene Pulnik, ND, LAc. Level II Usui Reiki Practitioner

Glastonbury Naturopathic Center 18 School Street, Glastonbury, Ct. 06033 860-657-4105 • naturopathicwellness.com Reiki Energy Medicine is a soft and gentle handson technique supports and connects all the major and minor Energy Chakra Centers of the body, leaving you feeling relaxed, balanced and refreshed!

Reiki Energy Medicine works to assist in relieving or reducing pain and discomfort by balancing the body’s energy system. When the energy flow in your body is restored and/or balanced, you are more likely to feel relaxed and your body’s natural healing abilities are utilized. Dr. Helene Pulnik ND, LAc. is a Certified Level II Usui Reiki Practitioner. She provides Reiki Energy Medicine to men, women and children of all ages and is now accepting new Reiki patients. See ad on page 21.

Veterinary Care Mobile Pet Vet Kim Rio, DVM (203)584-1210

Mobile Pet Vet is a veterinary housecall practice providing wellness care for dogs and cats. By treating pets at home we reduce their stress and their exposure to infection. Pets with chronic health problems such as diabetes, kidney disease and other endocrine disorders often benefit from home-based care. We spend time developing an individualized treatment plan for each animal and we offer a full range of laboratory services. Our flexible scheduling accommodates busy pet owners. See ad on page 15

L.O.V.E. Lightworker of Vibrational Energy LLC Gayle Franceschetti Med,CHt. 36 Cheshire Rd., Wallingford,CT 203-265-2927 • www.return2love.net

Gayle Franceschetti is the founder of the L.O.V.E. Institute and is an acclaimed intuitive counselor and healer, Reiki Master, certified Hypnotherapist and past life regressionist. As an open channel for Divine Energy, Gayle integrates the power of universal love, compassion and understanding in all her workshops and healing sessions. Gayle conducts healing and mentoring sessions in person, by phone and hosts a variety of workshops and power journeys throughout the U.S. and around the world. See ad on page 44.

Robin Clare

Inner Wisdom Guide 10 Crossroads Plaza, West Hartford, CT. • 860-232-3331 info@clare-ity.com The Clare-ity Method is a comprehensive tool for discovering what’s next in your personal and business life. An Akashic Record reading provides your soul’s perspective on all aspects of your life. Combine this with Robin’s 30 + years in business and you have an evolutionary business service! See ad on page 29.

Yoga Centers Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage 860-951-9642 • info@fulleryoga.com www.fulleryoga.com

Hartford’s largest yoga/pilates/ massage studio provides a serene and vibrant space to experience personal growth and awareness.

We promote a non-competitive, friendly environment for every individual to journey physically and mentally towards their true self. Give yourself the gift of complete presence. We have classes for everyone at all levels. All modalities of massage available. Private yoga/pilates sessions are also available. See ad on page 45.

Sacred Rivers Yoga

Paula Scopino LMT, E-RYT 500 IAYT Owner / Director 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033 PH. 860.657.9545 • FAX. 860.657.3161 www.sacredriversyoga.com. See ad on page 19. www.naturalnutmeg.com

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CommunityCalendar Wednesday, March 2nd Core Stabilization & Strengthening Class. No Cost. 1:15pm-1:45pm. Instructor: Carol Gordon, PT, IMTC. This one hour class offers the student basic core stabilization and strengthening techniques that can be performed easily at home or hotel room. Perfect for the busy individual with little time to hit the gym. CenterIMT, 800 Cottage Grove Road, Building 2, Blomfield, CT 06002. To obtain additional information or to sign up for this class, please contact Matt Connell-Giammatteo at mattconnell@centerimt.com or by calling (860) 243-5220 x 128.

Thursday, March 3rd Archetypal Cosmology. The study of astrology and psychology. Dr. Glenn Perry presents a free online information session. 7 pm. Visit www.learn.edu/ events to register.

Life Coaching 101. 6pm. - 7:30pm. $20.00 registration required. 20% off coupon for a pre-paid monthly coaching contract. Discover your Authentic Self! Identify, clarify, and prioritize your goals and dreams with life coaching. Are you ready to make an investment in yourself? If so, I am ready to guide you in your journey. Tours Bloom, LLC - 248 Farmington Ave., Suite 202, Hartford, CT 06105.

860-724-1230 or TorusBloom@gmail.com. www.

TorusBloom.com.

Friday, March 4th Private Channeling with Sheryl Blumenthal.

Through Mar 6th. $125 per hr/$85 per ½ hr. Sheryl has remained an avid love of light and is passionate about helping people to journey towards achieving their soul's quest and realizing their true gifts. A recorded tape of your session will be provided. Crossroads Wellness Ctr - 10 Crossroads Plaza, W. Htfd.

To register call 860-232-3331 or www.epllc.org.

Crystal Bowls Sound Healing. 7 - 8:30 pm. $15.

Edie Jemiola, RMT, facilitates. Sound used with intention can shift the energy in and around the body to help reestablish physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Experience the purity and passion of Edie's voice and quartz crystal bowls. Bring a mat, pillow and blanket. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Register with Edie: (860) 933-8145.

New Moon Dance. 7:30-9:30pm. $15.00 Come shake out the winter doldrums!! With joy, laughter and movement, together let’s toss away lethargy and welcome the return of the light! With medicinalgrade essential oils, funky music and percussion (bring your drums!!) Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.

CH, AHG; The Essence at Johnnycake; 184 Johnnycake Mountain Road; Burlington, CT www.HerbaLisl.com RSVP REQUIRED: 860-673-6863/860480-0115 Email: HerbaLisl@hotmail.com.

Saturday, March 5th Yoga Dance! 4 – 6:00 pm. $10 pre-paid, $15 at the door. Come get your groove on with Jean Skeels!

Yoga Dance, the most fun you will ever have doing

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yoga. A liberating and joy filled practice that combines the energy of yoga with the freeing experience of dance. No dance knowledge or experience necessary. Yoga Dance is a practice for anybody and all ages. Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information. Space is limited, pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545.

An Evening of Guided Messages. 7:30-9:00pm. $20 per person. Imagine an evening where likeminded friends gather in community, where each person can receive a personal message from a spiritual guide and then be supportive of others as they receive their personal message. WHSC – 15 Starkel Rd. W. Htfd. , CT. To register call 860-2323331 or www.epllc.org.

Tuesday, March 8th The Graduate Institute Presents Find Your Right Work. An Interactive Workshop in Four Evenings.

7 pm. 171 Amity Road, Bethany, CT. Tuition is $195, some scholarships available. Visit www. learn.edu/rightwork to register.

Wednesday, March 9th Astral Travel. 6:30-8:30 Gayle Franceschetti. Learn to safely travel the mental and ethereal realms to free yourself from the limitations of the earth's plane and the laws of time and space. Cost $25 36 Cheshire Road Wallingford. No previous experience necessary. To register or for more information please contact Gayle @203-265-2927, email sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.return2love.net.

Janet Hulme – Improving Bladder/Bowel Strength. No Cost. 1:15pm-1:45pm. Instructor: Marilyn Gross, PT, IMTC. Based on the work of Janet Hulme. Focus on pelvic strength and stability. This one hour class is structured to provide individuals, suffering from any type of pelvic pain, with easy sets of functional exercises to improve strength and mobility. CenterIMT, 800 Cottage Grove Road, Building 2, Blomfield, CT 06002. To obtain additional information or to sign up for this class, please contact Matt Connell-Giammatteo at mattconnell@centerimt.com or by calling (860) 243-5220 x 128.

Pendulum Power. 6:30– 8:00pm. $35.00. Using a pendulum is easier than you think! Explore the many ways to use a pendulum for everyday questions, guidance, finding lost objects, healing, and connecting with angels and guides. Pendulums will be available for use from the instructor or bring your own. Simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. For information, contact Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit simplyfitnessonline.com.

Gentle Yoga. 6:30pm. Please join us in this Yoga class which includes gentle movements, breath awareness, and meditation. See how yoga builds strength, flexibility, focus, and stamina. Please bring yoga mat(if you have one), water, and blanket. Space is limited sign up at (860)372-4848. Balanced Essence, LLC 28 Church Street Rocky Hill, CT.

Thursday, March 10th Detoxification Groups. With Connie Jones and Dr. Helene Pulnik ND, LAc. Meets 3 consecutive Thursdays: 3/10,17 and 3/24. 6pm-7pm $555.

Purge toxins and lose weight with our safe, supervised 21 day cleansing and detoxification program. Includes our complete Purification Kit. Program Guide with program instructions and foods allowed, and 3 Colon Hydrotherapy sessions. This program is packed with information on diet, healthy living, maintaining a healthy weight and continuing down the road to Optimal Wellness! Call Glastonbury Naturopathic Center 860-657-4105 or visit our website naturopathicwellness.com to sign up!

Simplify the Law of Attraction. 7-9 pm. $25. Catherine Ewing, LCSW, MDiv facilitates. Many people are confused about the Law of Attraction and how to apply it effectively. This class will explain the LOA in simple terms and give participants clear tools for using the LOA and beginning to create more of what they want and less of what they don't want in their lives. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Register by March 7: 860-871-9295 x1.

The Wish® Game. 6 - 8:30p.m. $35.00/per person, registration required. 20% off coupon if you schedule an individual session at this event. The game helps shift you energetically, by raising your awareness and then clearing away any blocks or negative beliefs standing in the way of your wish becoming a reality. Powerful messages and insights from the energetically attuned Wish cards help you to create positive new thoughts and energy patterns aligned with your wish. From this new energetic space, you find yourself empowered to action your wish, which means your wishes can and do start coming true! Torus Bloom, LLC, 248 Farmington Ave., Suite 202, Hartford, CT. 860-724-1234 or TorusBloom@gmail.com www.TorusBloom.com.

Aroma-Bar!! 7-9pm. $15.00 Experience exotic fragrances from around the world! Ask questions, sample what you like, bring a friend and make new ones!

This social and educational event offers delicious refreshments made with pure essential oils such as non-alcoholic “Aroma-tinis” and tasty snacks –recipes available!! Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl. CH, AHG The Essence at Johnnycake; 184 Johnnycake Mountain Road: Burlington, CT www.HerbaLisl. com RSVP REQUIRED call: 860-673-6863/860480-0115.

Email: HerbaLisl@hotmail.com.

Friday, March 11th Focus Your Tai Chi Form Workshop. 6-8:30pm.

Work with more than 30 tips to guide your body to optimal position in Tai Chi forms to enhance energy movement and connection with Tai Chi fundamentals. Gathered by the instructor over 18 years of study, here they all are for you to use in your daily practice. Breathe…more, 68 Hartford Tpke (Rte 30) Tolland, CT – Presented by George Hoffman, Silver Dragon Tai Chi & Qi Gong. Fee: $35. Call 860-875-9642 by Mar 9 to register.

Saturday, March 12th Laughter Playshop. 10-11 am. Free will donation.

Mylene Poitras, certified Laughter Yoga Instructor facilitates. Release stress and feel "Joie de vivre."

Laughter produces endorphins which counteract

the production of stress hormones, appears to optimize the immune system, boosts self-confidence, relaxes muscles, and helps fight chronic pain associated with muscle tensions. Includes deep breathing, stretching, laughtercises and relaxation.

Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Register with Mylene: 860-538-4724 by March 9.

Live the Life You Came Here to Be! The Cranial Temple Activation with Colleen Behan. 10 to 5 $135. It is your Cranial Temple’s job to re-awaken the Thymus Gland so it can do its job, which is to continuously remind your body of its idealized blueprint; holding the keys to live the life you came here to be. Crossroads Wellness Ctr 10 Crossroads Plaza, W. Hartford. To register call 860-232-3331 or www.epllc.org.

Private Appts with Kerri Mitchell. Master Intuitive.

10-5 PM - $125 for 1 hr / $85 for ½ hr. The messages that come through during a reading are timely in that they serve as the keys to your next steps needed to clear obstacles and challenging situations in your life. Sessions with Kerri facilitate personal empowerment within the client by focusing on the potential and core gifts of the individual. Crossroads Wellness Ctr - 10 Crossroads Plaza, W. Hartford.

To register call at 860-232-3331 or www.epllc.org.

Soul Connections. 7-9pm., $35 per person. Guaranteed Reading – Limit of 20 attendees – Advanced registration required. In a gallery setting Kerri Mitchell will invite guests to receive a personal reading as she translates guidance and messages from a Soul perspective. WHSC – 15 Starkel Rd. W. Hartford, CT. To register call at 860-232-3331 or www.epllc.org.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory & Terminology Course. Laura Mignosa, NCCH. 9:30 - 4:30 PM (28 CEU). Also, 3/13 & 3/19, 3/20. $469.00. *Pre-requisite for Chinese Herbology Program.

This is a powerful course for anyone interested in the Differential Diagnosis of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Aroma therapists, Body workers, Massage therapists, and other wellness practitioners benefit from incorporating this holistic perspective of the human energetic systems. This course serves as the foundation for our Chinese Herbology Intensive. All our courses are taught with an emphasis on clinical diagnosis as practiced in China today. CT Institute for Herbal Studies. 900 Wells Road (RT 175), Wethersfield, CT 06109. 860-6665064. CtHerbschool.com.

Cranial Temple ActivationTM:The Key to Human Evolution. 7-9 pm. $35 in advance,$45 at the door. Learn more about the activation which revolves around the Pineal Gland and the Endocrine system that is changing people’s lives.This slide show seminar is for those who wish to learn about this pivotal information regarding our energetic and physical evolution. You will be introduced to the 5 Principles of LIGHT, The New Human, Healing Through the Brain and Cellular Changes. West Hartford Senior Center, 15 Starkel Rd. W. Hartford, CT. 860-232-3331. info@epllc.org.

Yin Yoga Workshop w/Liza. 2-5pm, Fee $65 ($55 when paid by March 10th), Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-951-9642, www.fulleryoga.com. Poses are held passively for long periods (3-5 minutes minimally) in order to safely enable opening of

the body and mind. Yin Yoga wonderfully complements any strong physical regimen or can be the jump start you need towards health and wellness.

Sunday, March 13th Family Yoga. 1:00pm -2:00pm. $5 per person. Looking for something different to do with your family?

Join Jennifer Errickson and Beth Griffin for Family Yoga. This is a unique class inviting family members to practice yoga together in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere. We incorporate story telling, imagination, and music. Class is geared for children age 3-10 with any or all of their family members. Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information.

Pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT. 860.657.9545.

Monday, March 14th Intro to Natural Birthing. 6-8pm. The "Early Bird" Natural Birthing Class Early preparation is vital to ensure that you and your family will have many choices available to you for your labor and birth.

"Early Bird" classes will allow you to explore your options for childbirth and get you started on your path to being your own best advocate when it comes to your health and the health of your child.

We will cover ways to stay healthy and low-risk during the early portion of your pregnancy, and discuss your many options including childbirth education, the role of the partner, choosing a doula, and choosing a healthcare provider and birth location. Space is limited sign up at (860)3724848. 10 Commerce Street Glastonbury,CT.

Tuesday, March 15th What is the Cranial Temple Activation? Join us for a 2-hour seminar. Cranial Temple™: The Hidden Key to Human Evolution. 7:30 PM $35 Early Bird, $45 at Door. Colleen Behan, Certified Instructor, has expanded the work beyond the Pineal Gland. She has learned that the Pituitary, Hypothalamus and Thymus glands all work in tandem together with the Pineal Gland to produce a L.I.G.H.T.body TM consciousness. WHSC, 15 Starkel Rd. W. Hartford, CT. To register call at 860-232-3331 or www.epllc.org.

Parenting Classes. Parenting with Love and Logic® Classes begin on March 15th and 17th in Avon, CT at Over the Moon. Learn proven parenting strategies and improve your family life! Sponsored by Blueprint Parenting. For details, go to: www.blueprintparenting.com or call Jane at 860.748.3814.

Wednesday, March 16th Vibrational Healing Meditation. 7-8:30 pm. $15.

Lisa Burch, LCSW, RMT & Marna Walter, RN, RMT, facilitate. Relax with this blend of guided imagery and sound healing with the Tibetan singing bowls, drum and tingshas. Reiki may be offered as time allows and Spirit guides. Bring a mat, pillow and blanket if you wish to lie down. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Register with Lisa: 860871-9295 x2.

Healing in Harmony Night. 5–7pm. FREE. This is a drop-in healing service. Participants will sit individually with Priscilla Bengtson and receive a healing. Each healing will be approximately 8 – 10 minutes. You will be served in the order in which you enter the center. Held at simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. For more information, please contact Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www. simplyfitnessonline.com.

Open House at The Graduate Institute. Discover graduate programs that enrich the spirit and inspire life-long transformation. 6:30 pm. 171 Amity Road, Bethany, CT. (203) 874-4252 or www.learn. edu to RSVP.

Thursday, March 17th Group Past Life Regression. 6:30pm-8:30pm $20 An effective way to discover reasons for current fears, recurring dreams and personality tendencies.

Through exploration of your past lives, learn some of the reasons you are repeating patterns, why you were born into your particular family or why you have certain behaviors. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. No previous experience necessary. To register or for more information please contact Gayle Franceschetti @203-265-2927, email sunnispirit@ sbcglobal.net, or visit www.return2love.net

Friday, March 18th Cranial Temple Activation Certification Course.

Also 3/20. $475 early bird $399. Cranial Temple ActivationTM is a powerful energy modality that is grounded in the body using the brain to engage the spirit. CTA works on the entire endocrine system and the brain, however it specifically focuses on activating the pineal gland. This modality is the perfect way to enhance your practice or to begin a practice as an Energy Healing Practitioner. This 3 day all weekend class will give you the tools and practicum you need to gain certification in becoming a Certified Cranial Temple Activation Practitioner. Spirit of Light Studio, 1161 S. Broad St., Wallingford,CT 06492. (203)641-3371. colleen@ thespiritoflight.org.

Gallery Night. 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. $45.00. Enjoy an intimate evening of learning about angels and guides and experiencing intuitive readings with medium and certified Angel Therapy Practitioner®, Priscilla Bengtson. Everyone in attendance will receive a message. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Held at simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. To register, please call Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www.simplyfitnessonline.com.

Saturday, March 19th Back Bend Basics w/ Justine Fuller. 4-6:30pm, Fee $50, Fuller Yoga Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park St. 2nd Flr., Hartford, 860-951-9642, www.fulleryoga. com, Energize and invigorate your spine with basics postures to help open your body for deep back bends. Improve your posture and strengthen your back. Find the one essential muscle you need to release that will open your body and free your spine.

www.naturalnutmeg.com

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CommunityCalendar Saturday, March 19th Reiki II. 9–5pm. $150.00. Receive attunements to higher frequencies of universal energy and enhance your healing work. Learn how to do distance healing, as well as heal mental, emotional and past life issues. Participants receive a manual and certificate. Held at simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. To register, please call Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit simplyfitnessonline.com.

Planning Your Herb Garden. 1-3:00pm. $25.00 Join this FUN hands-on class and learn to prepare and tend your organic herb garden. Time-saving tips, composting, hints for a variety of different herbs and much more. "Herbalisl" is a nationally board certified herbalist with a lifetime of organic gardening experience. Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl. CH, AHG The Essence at Johnnycake; 184 Johnnycake Mountain Road: Burlington, CT www.HerbaLisl. com RSVP REQUIRED call: 860-673-6863/860480-0115 Email: HerbaLisl@hotmail.com.

Usui Reiki One Certification. 10am – 4:30pm. $ 150. Lauren Mas, RMT, teaches. Reiki is a simple, yet profound healing technique. Learn the history, theory and practice of Reiki and receive your attunement as a Level I Practitioner, allowing you to give healing to yourself and others. Includes materials for follow-up practice. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Register with Lauren: www.morningsunreiki.com, 860-202-9981.

Yoga for Osteoporosis, Osteopenia and Arthritis.

9am – 5pm. $175. With Kate Keefe. This is part of an ongoing Yoga Therapy Teacher Training. Open to all Health Care Professionals (OT’s, PT’s, RYT’s, LMT’s, Naturopaths, Acupuncturists, etc). Continuing Education Units can be given to RYTs. Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information. Pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545.

Reconnective Healing Informational Seminar.

1pm - 4pm. Learn about a more comprehensive spectrum of healing that includes and expands beyond any and all known forms of "energy" healing.

Comprised of energy, light and information, the Reconnective Healing continuum allows the practitioners to facilitate healing and evolution on all levels: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and more. Join us for an afternoon of demonstrations, movie clips, and lively discussions of testimonials.

3 Barnard Lane, Top Floor (enter through rear of building), Bloomfield, CT. Refreshments available, donations accepted.

Training. Open to all Health Care Professionals (OT’s, PT’s, RYT’s, LMT’s, Naturopaths, Acupuncturists, etc). Continuing Education Units can be given to RYT’s. Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information. Pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033. 860.657.9545.

Lunar Flow Yoga with Erika Halford. 6 – 8 pm.

Pre-register/pre-pay for $20 or $25 at the door.

Celebrate the full moon with a candle-lit, restorative practice that includes gentle backbends and hip-opening, forward bends and twists, inversions and special lunar meditation and ritual offering.

Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information. Space is limited so please pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545.

Women’s Empowerment Meditation. 10–12pm. $25.00. This guided meditation is specifically designed to the energy of the group. The energy of the group helps us to release those things that no longer serve our highest good and allow us to live an empowered life. Held at simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. For more information, please contact Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www. simplyfitnessonline.com.

Monday, March 21st Spring Equinox Meditation. 6:30pm-8:30pm. $20.

Combine the opening of Spring with the powerful energies of the full moon. Access the new Spring energies that facilitate manifesting opportunities and initiating new endeavors. These energies also facilitate change and the beginning of the balance of the masculine and feminine within each of us. To register or for more information please contact Gayle Franceschetti @203-265-2927, email sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net or visit www.return2love.net.

Wednesday, March 23rd Dr. Steven Horowitz Presents “Key Topics in Experiential Health and Healing.” Stamford Hospital’s Tully Health Center, Conference Room C. 5 pm. 32 Strawberry Hill Court, Stamford, CT. (203) 874-4252 or www.learn.edu for more info.

Saturday, March 26th

Sunday, March 20th

Private Appointments with Pat Caffrey, Master Channel. 9-5pm. $125 for 1 hr / $85 for ½ hr. The Healers of Light (channeled through Pat) are able to clear blocks and assist with healing in many ways.

You can choose either a channeled reading or the Spectral Light Healing. Come discover the energy healing of the future being presented to us today.

Location: Crossroads Wellness Ctr - 10 Crossroads Plaza, W. Hartford. To register call 860-232-3331 or www.epllc.org

An Introduction to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. 9am – 12pm. $75. With Peter Oliver, Ph.D., L.P.C., N.C.C. This course is an introduction to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), based on the acclaimed program at the UMass Stress Reduction Clinic. Participants will have an opportunity to experience elements of the training program and discuss how MBSR may be relevant for yoga instructors as a means to deepen their work. It's part of an ongoing Yoga Therapy Teacher

Group Healing Session with Pat Caffrey, Master Channel. 7pm. Donations Only. Join Pat Caffrey: Channel for the Angelic Council of LIGHT for an experience of your life. The group holds an energy that you cannot hold individually and your vibration is raised to a level beyond what you know in everyday living. This touches and opens your heart in a way you never thought possible. WHSC – 15 Starkel Rd. W. Hartford, CT. To register call 860232-3331 or www.epllc.org.

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Sunday, March 27th Spring’s First Weed Walk! Weather Permitting.

10:00AM -Noon $15.00 Join nationally board certified herbalist, Lisl Meredith Huebner for an informative and entertaining morning of meeting the leafy green neighbors you never knew! Learn to identify useful plants for food, healing and crafts.

The Essence of Being184 Johnnycake Mountain Road: Burlington, CT www.theessenceofbeingat. com RSVP REQUIRED: 860-673-6863 Email: essenceofbeing@hotmail.com.

Ascension Meditation. 1-3pm. $15.00. Feeling Lost? Liberate yourself from layers of lead. Launch yourself into Love and Languish in deliciousness as medicinal-grade essential oils, the beat of the Mother Drum and enchanting music illuminates a lightening-like link up to your limbic system. Fling yourself into a brighter state of consciousness and levity. Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl. CH, AHG; The Essence at Johnnycake; 184 Johnnycake Mountain Road; Burlington, CT www.HerbaLisl.com RSVP REQUIRED: 860-673-6863/860-480-0115 Email: HerbaLisl@hotmail.com.

Tuesday, March 29th Prema Meditation: Exploring Human Consciousness. 7-9 pm. $95. for series of 8 Tuesdays through May 17. Prema means “Divine Love”. Soul Consciousness™ is the most distinctive feature of Prema Meditation. One learns to converse with one’s soul, the God part within us. Includes levels of meditation, spirituality, and relaxation. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Contact Norman Green to register: (860) 875-6303, norman. green@snet.net by March 22.

Wednesday, March 30th The Body Electric. 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. $45.00.

Explore the chakra energy system and gain an better understanding of how and why we create physical illness, emotional issues and self-defeating attitudes. A guided meditation will help participants determine what areas may be blocked for them.

Held at simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. To register, please call Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www.simplyfitnessonline.com.

Thursday, March 31st Relaxation Therapy Class. No Cost. 1:15pm1:45pm. Instructor: Sharon Giammatteo,Ph.D. PT, IMTC. This class will walk the students through a series of techniques to aide in relaxation and letting go of stress. CenterIMT, 800 Cottage Grove Road, Building 2, Blomfield, CT 06002. To obtain additional information or to sign up for this class, please contact Matt Connell-Giammatteo at mattconnell@centerimt.com or by calling (860) 2435220 x 128.

Ongoing Events Sunday Women's Temple In Her Name. 10:30-11:45, Collinsville, CT. Suggested Donation $5-10. (860) 693-9540. www.womenstemple.net.

Monday Hot Power Yoga. 6:15-7:30pm class cards and drop in rates apply. Heating the body up is one of the best ways to increase flexibility and blood flow.

Our room is heated warmer than our other rooms but does not exceed 90 degrees. Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-951-9642, www.fulleryoga.com Intro to Fuller Yoga. 7:30pm class cards and drop in rates apply. Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-9519642, www.FullerYoga.com. This class is ideal for those who are new to yoga and who want to learn how to combine movement and breath to maximize flexibility. Students are led in postures that emphasize spinal flexibility and core strength.

Intro to Yoga. 6:30pm Jan. 17th- Feb. 28th Fee $77 Drop In $17, Fuller Yoga Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park St. 2nd Flr., Hartford, 860-9519642, www.fulleryoga.com, You will learn the names and proper alignment of the basic postures used in your weekly yoga classes. You will also learn basic breathing exercises and their benefits that are practiced in regular class.

Hot Power Yoga. 6:15-7:30pm class cards and drop in rates apply. Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-9519642, www.FullerYoga.com Heating the body up is one of the best ways to increase flexibility and blood flow. Our room is heated warmer than our other rooms but does not exceed 90 degrees as we do not want students to overexert themselves as their bodies open up with the heat.

Fitness Bootcamp. 5:15am, 6:15am and 5:30pm.

Come burn fat, build lean muscle and get the body of your dreams in Manchester CT at Your Perfect Body Bootcamp. First class is free. Call 860-9338255 to RSVP or go to www.cassandraforsythe.com.

Tuesday Yoga Power w/Sushil. 6:00-7:15pm, class cards and drop in rates apply, An invigorating practice that incorporates the essence of pranayama (breathwork) as a way to increase energy, eliminate stagnation and give you a positive outlook on life in general. Postures are basic yet challenging.

Good for all fitness levels and anyone committed to making changes in their life. Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-951-9642, www.fulleryoga.com.

LaughterYoga. 7-8pm, w/Kristin Barber. There are no contortions, no need for any paticular items of clothing or equipment. It is a bodymind approach of complimentary medicine. $10 suggested donation. Community Arts @ Christ Church(CACC) 84 Broadway, New Haven. Go through the rod iron gate on Elm St. Free onstreet parking. Questions? kbarberhaha@att.net.

Tai Chi for health. Glastonbury. 12pm - 1:00.

Information call the Hartford Hospital Referral Service at 860-545-1888 or 1-800-545-7664. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese holistic exercise system with its roots in the martial arts. It consists of slow, relaxed movements for the improvement of body and mind. It's unique qualities make it beneficial for all. The Tai Chi for Health program was designed by Health care professionals and Tai Chi experts to improve the health of those with Arthritis and Osteoporosis. The exercises can be adjusted to fit the needs of the individual; most can even be done while sitting down. 1 month $80/twice a week or $45/once a week.

Tai Chi for health. Wethersfield. 3:30pm - 4:30.

Information call the Hartford Hospital Referral Service at 860-545-1888 or 1-800-5457664. See description on previous listing. 1 month $80/twice a week or $45/once a week.

Tai Chi for health. Windsor. 7:30 pm - 8:30.

Information call the Hartford Hospital Referral Service at 860-545-1888 or 1-800-5457664. 1 month $80/twice a week or $45/once a week. See description on previous listing.

Tai Chi for health. Windsor. 7:30 pm - 8:30.

Information call the Hartford Hospital Referral Service at 860-545-1888 or 1-800-5457664. 1 month $80/twice a week or $45/once a week. See description on previous listing.

Friday Tai Chi for health. Glastonbury. 12pm - 1:00.

Information call the Hartford Hospital Referral Service at 860-545-1888 or 1-800-545-7664. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese holistic exercise system with its roots in the martial arts. It consists of slow, relaxed movements for the improvement of body and mind. It's unique qualities make it beneficial for all. The Tai Chi for Health program was designed by Health care professionals and Tai Chi experts to improve the health of those with Arthritis and Osteoporosis. The exercises can be adjusted to fit the needs of the individual; most can even be done while sitting down. 1 month $80/twice a week or $45/once a week.

Wednesday

Fitness Bootcamp. 5:15am. Come burn fat, build lean muscle and get the body of your dreams in Manchester CT at Your Perfect Body Bootcamp.

First class is free. Call 860-933-8255 to RSVP or go to www.cassandraforsythe.com.

Hot Power Yoga. 6:15-7:30pm class cards and drop in rates apply. Heating the body up is one of the best ways to increase flexibility and blood flow.

Our room is heated warmer than our other rooms but does not exceed 90 degrees. Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-951-9642, www.fulleryoga.com

Deep Restorative Yoga. Restorative postures offer benefits to both the body and mind, for a variety of conditions ranging from insomnia to asthma, chronic pain to migraines and can alleviate depression. Fridays 6:00pm-7:15pm $10-$15 Fuller Yoga Pilates and Massage, 1477 Park St., Hartford, www.fulleryoga.com, 860-951-9642.

Fitness Bootcamp. 515am, 615am and 530pm.

Come burn fat, build lean muscle and get the body of your dreams in Manchester CT at Your Perfect Body Bootcamp. First class is free. Call 860-9338255 to RSVP or go to www.cassandraforsythe.com.

Saturday

Stress relief! Free sessions of Reflexology, TT, CST, Reiki, Guided Imagery, & more during EPIPHANY. Ist Wednesday of the month except January and July. 6-8:30pm. 225 Commerce Drive in Canton. Also in Southington from 1-3pm at 232 Bristol Street. 2/3, 3/3, 4/7. Children welcome. Sessions may enhance learning skills.

Thursday Fitness Bootcamp. 6:15pm. Come burn fat, build lean muscle and get the body of your dreams in Manchester CT at Your Perfect Body Bootcamp.

First class is free. Call 860-933-8255 to RSVP or go to www.cassandraforsythe.com.

Tai Chi for health. Wethersfield. 3:30pm - 4:30.

Information call the Hartford Hospital Referral Service at 860-545-1888 or 1-800-545-7664. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese holistic exercise system with its roots in the martial arts. It consists of slow, relaxed movements for the improvement of body and mind. It's unique qualities make it beneficial for all. The Tai Chi for Health program was designed

by Health care professionals and Tai Chi experts to improve the health of those with Arthritis and Osteoporosis. The exercises can be adjusted to fit the needs of the individual; most can even be done while sitting down.1 month $80/twice a week or $45/once a week. week or $45/once a week.

Fitness Bootcamp. 11am. Come burn fat, build lean muscle and get the body of your dreams in Manchester CT at Your Perfect Body Bootcamp.

First class is free. Call 860-933-8255 to RSVP or go to www.cassandraforsythe.com.

Gentle Yoga. 9a.m. - 10a.m. $10 advance/$15 at door. The gentle yoga class will focus on increasing flexibility, reducing stress, strengthening muscles and improving alignment. Torus Bloom, LLC - 248 Farmington Ave., Suite 202, Hartford, CT 06105. 860-724-1230 or TorusBloom@gmail.com.

LK Chair Yoga. By appointment. $40 - 4 week series. LK Chair Yoga is Hatha yoga on a chair. It is an ideal option for those for whom practice on a mat is not readily accessible. Torus Bloom, LLC - 248 Farmington Ave., Suite 202, Hartford, CT 06105. 860-724-1230 or TorusBloom@gmail.com www.TorusBloom.com/ Therapeutic Yoga. By appointment. $100 for a 4 week series. Therapeutic Yoga integrates restorative yoga, gentle yoga, healing touch, breathwork, and guided meditation to create an environment that supports the body, mind and spirit in the process of healing. It is an ideal option for those recovery from physical or emotional injury/trauma.

Torus Bloom, LLC - 248 Farmington Ave., Suite 202, Hartford, CT 06105. 860-724-1230 or TorusBloom@gmail.com www.TorusBloom.com.

www.naturalnutmeg.com

53

Natural Planet

by Deb Percival

A monthly compendium of tips, thoughts, and updates about our shared home.

Celebrate Spring "Springtime is the land awakening.

The March winds are the morning yawn."

- Lewis Grizzard

M

arch 20 marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere, when life awakens from the winter slumber. The vernal equinox, when day and night are equal, is a time rife with potential, renewal, rebirth, and celebration.

In addition to some of our traditional spring gatherings and festivals, many environmentally-minded organizations hold events in spring, for obvious reasons. Some spring-worshipers add personal celebrations as well. How will you kick off the season?

Earth Hour, Saturday, March 26, 8:30 p.m. earthhour.org This year marks the 4th Earth Hour; when individuals, families, businesses, and cities turn off their lights for one hour. Created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Earth Hour began as a single-city initiative in Sydney, Australia, and has evolved into a global sustainability movement.

On Saturday, March 26, 2011 hundreds of millions of people, organizations, and businesses in 128 countries will pause at 8:30 p.m. (local time) to make a visual statement about their commitment to our planet.

This year’s theme is “go beyond the hour,” encouraging people to continue making a difference on an on-going basis. WWF’s stated mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature. Perhaps we can use our dark hour to think of ways to tie-in with that mission, and create plans for brighter tomorrows.

Go to earthhour.org to add your voice, find suggested ways to take action, find or plan local events, link to social media and websites, and encourage others.

You can also watch the very cool Earth Hour 2011 video, and add that to your blog or website, and check-out their new endeavor to help everyone make better brand choices and influence brand behavior for good – brandkarma.com.

World Water Day, March 22, worldwaterday2011.org International World Water Day is held every March 22 to emphasize the importance of freshwater and to advocate for sustainable management of freshwater resources.

Each year, a specific aspect of freshwater is highlighted. This year’s theme, “Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge,” aims to encourage everyone, from governments to individuals, to address the issue of urban water management. For the first time in history, most of the world's population lives in cities, and populations are increasing faster than infrastructure can adapt.

Go to the WWD 2011 website for the WWD logo, t-shirt templates, mobile content, desktop backgrounds, banners and 54

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buttons for websites and blogs, and more. You can also join the WWD social network on facebook, twitter, and flickr.

World Water Day is coordinated by The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), with the assistance of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The Great American Meatout On the first day of spring people in more than 30 countries host educational events for “Meatout” – the “world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign.” Meatout supporters distribute free food and educational materials, and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to "kick the meat habit,” at least for a day, and explore a wholesome, compassionate diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. “Meatout Mondays” are an offshoot of the annual Meetout.

Go to meatout.org to sign up for Meatout Mondays, a weekly e-mail newsletter that delivers a vegetarian recipe, health news, and more, and to request a free “Veg Starter Kit.” The objectives?

To improve health, protect the environment, reduce global hunger, and protect animals.

National Nutrition Month March is National Nutrition Month, sponsored by the American Dietetic Association. This year’s theme is “Eating the Rainbow,” and materials on eatright.org/nnm include details on “MyPyramid” – an overall food guidance system. Each color of the MyPyramid symbol represents the recommended proportion of grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, milk, meat, and beans.

The website also includes recipes, games, promotional tools and nutrition education resources, designed to spread the message of good nutrition.

Your Own Custom Celebration Get outside! Plan an outing to a local park, beach, or game refuge. Good for your muscles, your lungs, and your soul. Consider taking a bag with you, and leave the place a little better than you found it.

Clean out your birdhouses before the equinox, to get them ready for new tenants, and then go to your closest Audubon refuge for a tour. There are 3 Centers and 4 Sanctuaries in Connecticut. http://ct.audubon.org/Centers_Sanctuaries.html.

Spring is the season to honor moms. Why wait for mother’s day! Surprise your mom with an eco-friendly springtime gift – perhaps a bouquet of daffodils from your garden.

Author Deb Percival is a freelance writer in Connecticut. E-mail deb@naturalnutmeg.com.

www.naturalnutmeg.com

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