Natural Nutmeg October 2010

October 2010

Free

3rd Anniversary Issue

Natural

Nutmeg

Connecticut's Resource For a Healthy, Active, Sustainable Lifestyle...Naturally

Find Your Chocolate Ice Cream Bernie Siegel, MD

Homeopathy 101 Jill Moorcroft, DO

Menopause: A Hormone Balancing Act Deanna M. Cherrone, MD

Breast Cancer Prevention: Myth or Reality Desmond Ebanks, MD

Bioidentical Hormones: The Basics with Christiane Northrup, MD www.naturalnutmeg.com

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Natural Support for Environmental Allergies HistaEze™ is designed to help support and counteract some of the main symptoms and immune reactions associated with environmental allergies.

Featuring Tinofend®, a patented and clinically researched extract derived from the plant tinospora cordifolia, that has been used since the early 1900’s in Ayurvedic medicine for its immunomodulating action. Tinofend® contains a proprietary complex of polysaccharides and polyphenols.

Human clinical research on Tinofend® has shown it to be helpful for maintaining healthy immune response by addressing issues related to allergen resistance.1

How does Tinofend work?

Tinofend® addresses the cause of allergies by increasing the number of phagocytic white blood cells, including macrophages, which help consume and rid the body of allergens, and by reducing the number of eosinophils (cells that contain histamine).

Additional important ingredients include: • Quercetin, nettle leaf and vitamin C, which have been historically used throughout the years to help with the support and management of seasonal allergies.

• Bicarbonate salts, which were added due to their role as immediate antihistamines, and their ability to mitigate the potential drowsiness experienced by those who may also be taking antihistamine medications.

Reference: 1. Efficacy of Tinospora Cordifolia in Allergic Rhinitis. V.A. Badar,V.R. Thawani,P.T. Wakode,M.P. Shrivastava,K.J. Gharpure,L.L. Hingorani,R.M. Khiyani.. J. of Ethno-1. pharmacology. Nov. 2004 Vol.96 No.445-449 These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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HistaEze™ and other DFH Products are available exclusively through health care professionals. For more information, you can contact the following HCPs in Connecticut: • Dr. Frank Aieta ND, West Hartford 860-232-9662 • Alternity Healthcare, LLC, West Hartford 860-561-2294 • Caskey Wellness Center, Middlebury 203-758-1765 • Center IMT, Bloomfield • 866-410-3540 • Desert Light Health Associates, Bloomfield 860-761-2489 • Eclectic Naturopathic Medical Center, LLC, Newington • 860-665-1254 • Glastonbury Naturopathic Center, Glastonbury • 860-657-4105 • Kensington Naturopathic Medical Center, Kensington • 860-829-0707 • Dr. Robban Sica, Orange 203-799-7773 • Natural Health and Healing, LLC, Avon 860-677-4600 • Porzio-Hawley Chiropractic, Southington 860-384-0374 • Tamara Sachs, MD, New Milford 860-868-9565 • Thiele Chiropractic Life Center, Manchester 860-864-8003 • Alison Birks MS, RH, Woodbury 203-263-4868

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Contents

In this Issue

Menopause: A Hormone Balancing Act Deanna M. Cherrone 10

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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.

Homeopathy 101 Jill Moorcroft, DO 16 Breast Cancer Prevention Myth or Reality Desmond Ebanks, MD 24 Bioidendtical Hormones: The Basics with Christiane Northrup, MD 28

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PUBLISHERS Dr. Diane Hindman Chris Hindman Publisher@naturalnutmeg.com ADVERTISING SALES Dr. Diane Hindman Chris Hindman advertising@naturalnutmeg.com

Departments Newsbriefs 6 Prescription for Living Bernie Siegel, MD 9 Healthy Family Lauren Gouin, ND 15

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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.

Movement as Medicine 22 Healthy Cooking 33

Natural Nutmeg Magazine P.O. Box 447, Avon, CT 06001 Ph. (860) 217-1239 Fax (860) 217-1721

KnowyourHerbs Lisl Meredith Huebner 34 Supplements101 Michael Dworkin, P.D.,MS Erika Dworkin, Dip. C.N. (Pend.)

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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.

NaturalPlanet Deb Percival 54 October 2010

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.)

© 2007-10 by Natural Nutmeg, LLC. All rights

Community Calendar 46

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In keeping with our concern for the environment, Natural Nutmeg is proudly printed on recycled paper with soy based inks.

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PUBLISHER'Sletter

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hree years ago we started Natural Nutmeg Magazine in Hartford because we believed central Connecticut needed a resource for a healthy, active, sustainable lifestyle and we wanted to bring together the natural medicine practitioners and green and holistic business owners with the residents of this area who were searching for alternative and holistic types of treatments, therapies and products. We hoped it would be a success, but we had no idea how quickly the magazine would grow and that now not only would we be celebrating our 3rd anniversary, but we would be expanding to start a Fairfield County edition with local content and advertising from practitioners and business owners in the Fairfield County area. Our first Fairfield County edition launches this month under the editorial direction of Nicole Miale.

So, now if you live or work close to Fairfield County you will be able to pick up two editions of Natural Nutmeg each month!

What we have learned is that our current readers have found us and are loyal to us because you believe in our mission. You believe in a holistic way of living. You believe in a different model of healthcare and medicine. You believe that there’s more out there than what the eye can see and that energy medicine is the medicine of the future. You believe that a shift in consciousness on a global level is happening. You believe that it’s up to us to take better care of the planet. You believe that the body truly can heal itself. And we believe you pick up Natural Nutmeg each month to learn exactly how to do that. So, as we reach this milestone of three years in print and a brand new edition, we’d like to thank all of our readers, advertisers, contributing writers and editorial advisory board who have helped to make this a reality. We couldn’t have done it without all of you!

This month, Bernie Siegel, MD asks the question, “What would you do if you knew you only had 15 minutes to live?” He teaches us to find out what we love in life, otherwise known as our chocolate ice cream. In honor of breast cancer awareness month, Dr. Desmond Ebanks exposes the myths of breast cancer prevention. And Dr. Anne Kenny writes an informative article on the potential benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids on the protective effect against breast cancer.

Dr. Deanna Cherrone educates us on the natural transition of menopause and what to expect. She explains the often-misunderstood connection between estrogen and progesterone and what women should be considering for treatment. And in our Wisdom for the Journey column, Karen Rider interviews Dr. Christiane Northrup on the differences between synthetic and bioidentical hormones.

Jill Moorcroft, DO informs us on homeopathy and how it is a system of medicine based on the idea that like cures like. And Mark Bannon writes a fascinating article on Ayurveda, a 5,000 year old healing system.

Remember, you can also find Natural Nutmeg and Natural Nutmeg Fairfield County both in digital and pdf versions online at www.naturalnutmeg.com Wishing you health and happiness,

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Newsbriefs

New at Over the Moon: Wellness Classes, Parenting Resources and Sensory Products

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n addition to offering the “cutest styles for kids,” Over the Moon in Avon is excited to introduce new kids and parenting products and classes this fall, in a continued effort to support family health and wellness. “Last winter we brought the nationally recognized parenting program, Parenting with Love and Logic® to Over the Moon,” says Karin Lefranc, owner of Over the Moon, and mother to four children. “Jane Costello, of Blueprint Parenting, facilitates these classes, and they have been a wonderful addition to our class offerings.” Visit www.blueprintparenting.com.

New this fall, Wee Be Fit founder, Aimee Chandler, MS, will be offering Prenatal Exercise for expectant moms, plus Stretch and Tone and Stroller Classes for moms and their babies. “These new classes are wonderful ways for moms to get back into shape, meet new moms and to bond with their babies,” says Karin. Visit www.weebefit.com. Over the Moon will continue to offer Infant & Child CPR, and their popular manners and etiquette classes for children.

Over the Moon has also designated a parenting resource area to compliment class offerings with products that support parenting efforts and that promote healthy childhood development. Classes Starting Soon at Over the Moon, 38 West Main St., Avon, CT. For information, go to www.overthemoonkidz.com or call 860-767-9599.

2nd Annual Blue Waters New Age/Wellness Fair

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he 2nd Annual Blue Waters New Age/Wellness Fair will be held on Sunday, November 7th, from 10am – 4:30pm at Marinelli’s Supper Club in Burlington, CT. Explore the many complementary and alternative possibilities for your body, mind and spirit.

Vendors will include jewelry, music, books, crystals, readings, massage, Reiki, Reflexology and more. Admission is $5. Marinelli’s award winning brunch will be available from 11 am – 3:30pm. Located on 175 Monce Rd. in Burlington, Marinelli’s offers a beautiful lakeside setting just 5 minutes from Unionville center and Rt. 4 and 3 miles from Rt. 6 in Bristol. ontact John Marinelli at jmarinelli0414@charter.net or call 860-673-0406 for more information.

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Eliminate Debt and Get Back on the Road to Financial Stability

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atty Carretta, Financial Renewal Specialist, provides holistic, practical and custom plans for individuals and families whose lives have been devastated by job loss, divorce, chronic illness, disability or death of a loved one. Patty led a 25-year career in corporate finance before cancer devastated her physical, emotional and financial health. “By the time I recovered, I had depleted my savings, lost my job and disability income barely covered my expenses.” Rising up from the ashes of tragedy, Patty found a new calling: She offers financial renewal solutions to help clients eliminate debt and get back on the road to financial stability.

In addition to private clients, Patty works with non-profit agencies, attorneys, accountants, social service and behavioral health providers.

Connect with Patty Carretta: (860) 877-6009 pcarretta7@cox. net. Office located in Southington CT.

A Hand in Healing Grand Opening on October 2nd in Farmington, CT

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Hand in Healing, a metaphysical store and treatment center, on the outskirts of historical Farmington center will hold its Grand Opening on October 2nd, from 10am-4pm. Come peruse the many books, cd’s, candles, scented oils and incense, crystals, gemstones, and much more. Explore the calming, private treatment room where Reiki, Reflexology and Metamorphosis is performed in a relaxed, judgment-free setting. Located at 244 Main Street, Route 10, Farmington. Please stop by to say hello, visit the store and enter your name in a raffle.

Lou Bernstein, owner of the store, was on a journey for a holistic approach to healing, and found many modalities of alternate therapies that bring balance and well-being to her life. "This journey began in 2000, when I took a class in Usui Reiki and another in Shamballa Reiki in 2004. After becoming a certified Reiki II practitioner, I traveled to Sedona, Arizona, to attend the School of Advanced Energy Healing and Enlightenment where I received certification as an Intuitive Counselor and Spiritual Healer," says Lou. As she became more aware of the benefits of these treatments for wellness and self-healing, she pursued training at the Connecticut Center for Universal Reflexology and received certification for Reflexology. There she also learned of another simple method of hands-on healing called Metamorphosis which was founded by Dr. Robert St. John. "I am offering a place for people to find balance and harmony by encouraging a natural state of well-being, which in turn brings healing physically, emotionally and spiritually without any harmful side-effects," says Lou. For more information, call 860-676-8500 or email handheal@att.net. www.naturalnutmeg.com

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Prescription for Living

by Bernie Siegel, MD

Find Your Chocolate Ice Cream

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ur dogs and cats never stand before the mirror complaining about their need to be groomed. And despite the loss of body parts they do not hide or complain about their loss and limitations. I think that is why dog is God spelled backwards and feline is three quarters of a lifeline.

Besides being teachers, our relationships with animals and people, affects our health. A study in Australia showed that, 12 months after a heart attack, those who went home to a house with a dog had a 5% mortality rate; whereas those in a home with no dog had a 26% mortality rate. 30% of single women with a dog reported that the guy they married they met because of their dog. When you pet a dog your oxytocin and serotonin levels rise and they are the same bonding hormones, which rise after giving birth to a child.

Relationships keep us alive and why women outlive men with the same cancers and married men outlive single men with the same cancers and can smoke as much and have a lower incidence of lung cancer. For the scientists reading this believe me it is the connections which improve survival and not just female hormones or sleeping with female hormones.

Now let me move on to the topic of what you would do if you knew you had fifteen minutes to live. I had a variety of answers one day from a group and I thought some of them were poor choices.

When our son Jeff said, “I’d buy a quart of chocolate ice cream and eat it.” I said, “You are enlightened and the others are not.”

Then someone said, “But what if they are telling you what is their chocolate ice cream.” I thanked them for enlightening me. And my advice to you all is to find your chocolate ice cream and go live it.

Don’t wait for a disaster to give you permission to start living and save your life.

If any of you have teenagers ask them this question: Your class is asked to write, as a homework assignment, two papers. One is why you should commit suicide and the other why you are worth loving and then put them on the teacher’s desk. Which pile do you think will be higher the suicide or the love notes? I am sure they will tell you the suicide notes. What our children need to know is how to eliminate what is killing them rather than end their lives. One study of Harvard students showed that those who felt loved by their parents had by midlife a serious illness rate of about 25% while those who felt unloved had a 98% incidence of serious illness.

Too many children save their lives by becoming what other people want them to be. So we actually lose our lives and when and how do we save them? When we are told we have a short time to live and accept our mortality. The sweet young lady who pleases her parents, and has a devil of a twin sister, is more likely to develop breast cancer than her sister. Please remember the opposite of love is indifference. So the kid who feels unloved drives you nuts to get your attention. What we see in the headlines is related to children feeling rejected and responding with anger, violence and guilt.

So love yourselves and your children even when you do not like what they are doing. Don’t say, “What’s wrong with you?” when you do not like what they are doing. Talk about what you do not like. I have letters from children saying, “My mother’s words were

eating away at me and maybe gave me cancer.” Let your kids know that love and anger can exist together. Anger is appropriate when you are not treated with respect. Also learn from criticism and let it polish your mirror. The people you live with, work with and for can be your greatest teachers and coaches if you are willing to listen to their feedback, apologize and become a better human being.

And never forget to maintain a sense of humor. One thing I will say now is to not do things to not die because it doesn’t work. Living your chocolate ice cream can prolong your life as a secondary effect but in heaven the bitterest people are the vegetarian, meditating, joggers. One guy said, “I got up at 5AM to go jogging, ate veggies for 15 years and meditated and prayed every day and died.

If I’d known I was going to die I would have slept late and had a steak once in a while.”

So don’t try to not die; it doesn’t work. Over God’s desk are these three plaques: #1 Do not feel totally, personally, irrevocably, eternally responsible for everything. That’s my job. #2 If you go around saying I’ve got a miserable life I’ll show you what miserable really is. If you go around saying I have a wonderful life I’ll show you what wonderful really is. #3 Everything you remember, I forget. Everything you forget I remember.

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 29.

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 203-288-2839 or email her at lranciato@yahoo.com.

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Menopause:

A Hormone Balancing Act

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enopause is not a dis-ease. It is a natural transition that occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs.

Women are not meant to be fertile for their entire lives so when a woman reaches her late forties or early fifties her body produces less estrogen and progesterone. When she has had no period for one year she is considered post-menopausal and no longer able to bear children. Surgical menopause occurs when a woman has had both of her ovaries removed.

Estrogen and Progesterone Let’s examine the menstrual cycle and the role of estrogen and progesterone in this monthly event. Estrogen and progesterone are hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers released from the glands of the endocrine system that affect the functioning of every cell in the body. The ovaries, testes, adrenals, thyroid, pituitary and hypothalamus are all part of this intricate, interconnected system. Because of the complex interrelationship between these glands when one gland is out of balance it can upset the balance of other glands.

Progesterone and estrogen, like all of the steroid hormones, are made from cholesterol. As a building block for our hormones, cholesterol is essential to our well being. It is not the enemy.

When a patient has high cholesterol it is important to determine the cause of that high cholesterol. Hormone imbalance, toxicity, nutritional deficiencies and an underactive thyroid are some of the contributing factors to high cholesterol. Arbitrarily lowering cholesterol with statin drugs without examining these causes could be harmful.

The body produces three different estrogens: estradiol, estriol and estrone. In a woman’s body estrogen is produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands and fat cells. The more fat cells a woman has the more estrogen she will produce. Estrogen is responsible for the growth and development of the female sex organs (breasts, uterus and ovaries) as she goes through puberty. Once she has reached menarche and has begun menstruating, estrogen causes the uterine lining, also known as the endometrium, to grow and thicken each month so that it is ready to receive a fertilized egg.

To assist in the success of fertilization, estrogen promotes water retention and fat storage.

Once a month an egg is released from a follicle of either ovary and travels down the Fallopian tube hoping to be fertilized.

The ruptured follicle has an important job in that it is needed to produce progesterone for the next two weeks in preparation for pregnancy. The progesterone from the follicle functions to maintain the uterine lining until implantation occurs. If the egg implants and pregnancy occurs the uterine lining takes over continued production of progesterone. If there is no implantation, the follicle stops producing progesterone and the uterine lining is shed during menstruation.

Progesterone has some other essential functions besides its role in pregnancy. It is important in new bone formation, increas-

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ing libido, normalizing blood clotting and regulating blood pressure as it is able to function as a natural diuretic. It maintains the myelin sheath which insulates nerves, is involved in blood sugar regulation and it utilizes fat for energy. It is a natural antidepressant. It can protect against breast cysts. It can help restore cell oxygen levels and proper zinc copper balance in the body and prevent breast and endometrial cancer. Progesterone helps counteract the negative effects of estrogen; therefore, the body needs adequate tissue levels of this hormone for optimal health.

Progesterone is also produced by the ovaries. It is often referred to as an upstream hormone. This means that it is required to make all of the other downstream hormones including cortisol, aldosterone, the three estrogens and testosterone. Because of its place in the hormone cascade, progesterone can often get “used up” to make these downstream hormones and then it is not around to balance the effects of estrogen. This state of excessive or unopposed estrogen in the body is called estrogen dominance.

Estrogen Dominance Estrogen dominant symptoms include: PMS, depression, mood swings, headaches (including migraines), blood clotting, increased risk of stroke and heart attack, decreased libido, impaired blood sugar regulation, imbalance of zinc and copper, namely, too much copper and too little zinc, reduced oxygen levels in all cells, and thyroid dysfunction.

Normal levels of estrogen and progesterone in a woman’s body help prevent excess or abnormal growth in tissues sensitive to the effects of estrogen. For example, without proper estrogen/ progesterone balance (estrogen dominance) fibroids may grow in the uterus, cysts may grow in the breasts or ovaries and cancer of the uterus, breast or ovary may develop.

Having too much estrogen in the body is the result of many

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factors. These include consumption of processed foods such as white sugar and white flour as well as unhealthy fats, lack of exercise and exposure to environmental toxins. Many of these toxins are referred to as xeno-estrogens. Xeno = foreign or outside the body. These foreign substances bind very strongly to estrogen receptors in the body and therefore strongly mimic the effects of estrogen in the body.

We are exposed to numerous xeno-estrogens in our environment today which increase total body load of estrogen. Xenoestrogens are found in plastics, phthalates (also known as plasticizers, substances added to plastics to make them more flexible, transparent and durable), bisphenol A which lines beverage and food containers, BHA - butylated hydroxyanisole–a food preservative also used in certain medications, hormone injected meats, weed killer, pesticides, DDT and PCB’s – both of which have been banned from use in the USA, foaming agents in soaps and detergents, personal care products such as cosmetics, sunscreens, parabens in lotions, spermicides in condoms, birth control pills containing ethinyl estradiol, Teflon cookware, clothes, computer chips and PVC piping. Studies of the effects of xeno-estrogens in animals have revealed high levels of estrogen in females, low testosterone, low sperm counts and feminization in males and overall, decreased numbers of offspring.

The S.A.D. – Standard American Diet - laden with unhealthy fats and carbohydrates can literally double estrogen levels above normal. These processed foods are calorie rich and nutrient poor.

They do not come from nature. They are manufactured. Whole grain bread and whole wheat pasta are processed foods. Most of what we eat is processed elevating estrogen levels and increasing fat storage. This means more fat cells to store the fat and then these fat cells produce more estrogen perpetuating a high estrogen- high fat cycle.

Estrogen levels have been found to be much lower in women who perform strenuous physical activity. Exercise plays an important role in how estrogen is metabolized in the body. Studies have shown that women with an increased risk for breast cancer had great improvement in their estrogen metabolism when they were placed on a moderate exercise regimen and calorie restriction.

Ultimately, lean body mass means less body fat which means less estrogen is being produced from fat cells. Fewer fat cells mean less fat storage so the high estrogen high fat cycle is broken.

Menopausal Symptoms and Hormone Imbalance Excessive levels of estrogen can also impact how a woman goes through menopause. If a woman approaches menopause with twice as much estrogen in her body and inadequate progesterone to balance that estrogen not only is she likely to experience estrogen dominant symptoms she will also be more likely to experience the “traditional” symptoms of menopause namely, hot flashes, night sweats, flushing, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, palpitations, mood swings, memory issues and joint and muscle aches. Some menopausal women also develop frequent urinary or vaginal infections as a result of this hormonal imbalance.

Interestingly, women are often told that they need more estrogen when they go through menopause. When a woman in an

Effects of Early Menarche At the turn of the twentieth century the average age of menarche was fourteen years of age. Today some females are starting to have their periods as early as eight years of age in large part due to diets of highly refined foods and exposure to foreign estrogens.

It is also no coincidence that industrialized nations with much higher rates of exposure to xeno-estrogens and processed foods have higher rates of breast and endometrial cancer. If women are menstruating earlier and waiting longer to have children and then having fewer children and breast feeding them for much shorter periods of time their exposure to estrogen is much greater. This increased exposure is then compounded by the toxic soup of estrogen mimickers we live in and the food we are ingesting.

A woman has on average five hundred periods throughout her lifetime. The hormonal fluctuations that occur monthly ultimately allow for the survival of our species. It is clear that we need to clean up our diets and our environment to reduce the estrogen onslaught that is occurring and that may in the long run threaten our survival as human beings on earth. Excess estrogen is definitely adversely impacting our health.

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industrialized nation goes through menopause ovarian production of estrogen falls by an estimated forty percent. With estrogen levels double normal in these women, despite this fall, there is still a lot of estrogen around to promote tissue growth, water retention and fat storage. Estrogen continues to be produced by the adrenal glands and fat cells to maintain those functions of estrogen not related to reproduction, namely bone formation, insulin balance, and fat and protein metabolism.

Progesterone is not produced when a woman stops ovulating as occurs in menopause. Some progesterone is produced by the adrenal glands but levels can actu-

ally fall much greater than estrogen levels when a woman goes through menopause.

Clearly this scenario can greatly upset the delicate balance that needs to exist between progesterone and estrogen for optimal hormonal health. Hormone imbalance is responsible for poor sleep, low energy, diminished sexual desire and problems managing stress appropriately.

Stress, itself, is a major contributor to hormone imbalance. We place tremendous demands on our bodies - more than we were designed to handle without support. When the body is under physical or emotional stress its response is to produce stress hormones, one of which is cortisol.

Over time this repeated stress taxes the adrenal glands and they fatigue. Because cortisol requires progesterone for its production, progesterone may be shunted toward production of cortisol resulting in less progesterone available to counteract the negative effects of estrogen. Estrogen dominance again results.

Treatment for Menopause Over the years attempts have been made to address and treat the symptoms associated with menopause. In the early 1900’s aging female nobility in China were given dried young female’s urine to eat.

Containing the metabolites of progesterone, estrogen and testosterone, the dried urine was found to help with menopausal symptoms. In the 1940’s the pharmaceutical company Wyeth decided to produce a drug called Premarin, a conjugated estrogen made from pregnant mare’s urine to help with menopausal symptoms. This drug was an effective therapy for many

women; however, in the 1970’s a causal relationship was found between estrogen and endometrial cancer. In response, Wyeth developed Provera - a synthetic progestin, not equal to progesterone in many of its effects except its ability to protect the uterus from unopposed estrogen. For thirty years these synthetic hormones were peddled to unsuspecting menopausal women as the only way to eliminate menopausal symptoms and prevent cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.

In the 1990’s Wyeth partnered with the National Institute of Health, a government agency, to conduct a long term study of the effects of Premarin and Provera in postmenopausal women. The aim of the study was to prove that women needed hormone replacement therapy to protect them from cancer, heart attack, stroke and bone loss. This study was called the Women’s Health Initiative and was conducted across the United States in multiple academic centers.

In 2002 the study was halted because data actually showed an increased incidence of heart attack, stroke and breast cancer in patients taking these hormones.

Millions of women stopped taking these hormones after the NIH came out with a public statement declaring that hormones were harmful. Although Wyeth was not required to take Premarin and Provera off the market, low dose variations of the drugs continued to be prescribed for shorter duration to women experiencing menopausal symptoms. Were there any other available options to address these symptoms?

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Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has been a treatment option for women since the 1930’s. The hormones were initially delivered through intramuscular injection. BHRT was not supported by the drug industry because these hormones were derived from plants and as such could not be patented. Unfortunately, doctors get most of their information about drug therapies from drug companies so most practitioners have not learned about BHRT. Because BHRT is hormone therapy, much of the medical community assumes that bio-identical hormones, like synthetic hormones, are harmful. In 2004 Suzanne Somers introduced BHRT to the masses in her book “The Sexy Years.” BHRT use has increased significantly in the US since then, though it has been used successfully for decades in Europe.

The term bio-identical is not a marketing scheme. These hormones have the exact chemical structure as the hormones which our bodies produce so they function well in the body. They are manufactured in laboratories from soy and yam oils but because they do not come directly from nature some might say they are not natural.

Bio-identical estradiol, progesterone and testosterone are FDA approved. Estriol, the weaker estrogen which is produced during pregnancy is not FDA approved.

Because it is the estrogen which the body produces during pregnancy, a time when the fetus is most vulnerable to the effects of any exposures, it is felt by many to be a safer alternative to using estradiol, the most potent estrogen the body produces.

Progesterone is the only one of these hormones which is available over the counter.

There are commercially available bioidentical hormones including the Vivelle patch, Climera and Estraderm delivered via the skin and oral Estrace. These hormones contain only estradiol, the most potent estrogen. Prometrium is oral progesterone and Androgel is testosterone applied topically.

The downside to these hormone products is the higher dosing. With compounded BHRT, the dosing is often ten to twenty times lower and is individualized based on each patient’s salivary hormone levels and symptoms. There is no one size fits all approach. However, it is recommended to all hormone patients that they eat whole foods, move daily, eat every 2-3 hours and reduce stress and exposure to environmental toxins. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol can also help achieve healthier hormone balance in the body.

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is often the answer to many peo-

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ple’s prayers when it comes to improving health and reducing or eliminating symptoms. If we know that it is our lifestyle choices that create hormone imbalance in the first place why can’t we just start there?

For some people this is a viable option but for many it is not. They are too tired, overwhelmed and stressed to do what is necessary. They know that they need to do. They just cannot do it. BHRT very often gives patients the energy, motivation and desire to take the steps required to improve their health. Balancing hormones can bring balance into our lives just as balancing our lives can bring our bodies into greater hormonal balance.

Dr. Deanna M. Cherrone is a board certified Internist who practices Functional Medicine at Natural Health & Healing, LLC located at 12 W. Main St. in Avon, CT. She can be reached at 860-677-4600 or via email at drcherrone@naturalhealthandhealing.net.

See ad on page 55.

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Healthy Family

Dr. Lauren Gouin, N.D.

Quiet Kids: Unlocking Language

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anguage is one of the major barometers of development in children. First words and cute phrases can light up a parent’s heart. For some parents and children however, language can become a stressful and frustrating milestone. Researchers estimate between six and ten percent of children struggle with language development and verbal communication.

So how much fish oil or flaxseed oil is enough? There are now blood test (just a pin prick) that can tell levels of the essential fatty acids in the body. Every individual’s absorption of nutrients and amount of healthy fats in the diet vary, so testing levels in the body is the most accurate way to assess need for supplementation.

What is Apraxia?

Vitamins and Other Nutrients

Apraxia is a term to describe a neurological disorder in children who are experiencing a severe developmental speech delay.

Beyond just a later talker, children with verbal apraxia may also have subtle symptoms such as poor muscle tone and coordination, history of seizures and other syndromes present.

Vitamin E has been reported by developmental pediatricians to support language development and help resolve apraxia, with a theorized mechanism of supporting cellular membranes. Vitamin B12 also helps support neurotransmitter production, building up myelin sheath and improve language. Speech and behavior have been reported to improve with supporting children with these nutrients.

Specific proteins can be important for speech and language development as well as vitamins. Carnosine is a partial protein that has been shown to help reduce seizures, improve muscle mass and most frequently reported to improve speech. Creatine is an amino acid often low in autistic spectrum children who struggle with language development. Low creatine is also associated with poor muscle development, a common symptom of children with apraxia. Levels of creatine can be tested in a simple urine or blood test to assess if supplementation should be considered.

A multi-disciplinary approach offers quiet children struggling with verbal apraxia a better opportunity to improve. Nutrition plays an important role along with specific behavioral and physical therapy in unlocking speech in these children.

Assessment and Creating a Team If a child is suspected to have delayed speech or difficulty with communication, the first evaluation should be with a developmental pediatrician, who has extensive training in behavior and development beyond a general pediatrician. A pediatric neurologist has several years training beyond basic pediatrics to evaluate the nervous system. A pediatric psychiatrist has training both in pediatrics as well as physical medicine and rehabilitation. Naturopathic physicians can help with nutrition, supplementation and assessment of functional biochemistry. Connecting with these specialists can help parents access resources including occupational, speech and physical therapy. This along with nutritional support and supplementation will aid in speech development.

Supporting The Biochemistry and Nervous System Specific nutrients have been show to help with children’s development of language. Researchers have focused on children with autistic spectrum and delayed language development and found many nutrients to improve responses to other therapies as well as spark language all on their own.

Dr. Lauren Gouin is a board certified naturopathic physician with a family practice in Manchester, CT. She is currently accepting new patients and is in network with most insurance companies.

To make an appointment, call (860)533-0179 or visit www.ctnaturalhealth.com. Dr. Gouin will be lecturing at "Unlocking Voices" Apraxia Conference this October in Connecticut. See ad on page 5.

Essential Fatty Acids Healthy fats, that the body cannot make but are derived from foods, have been shown to improve language delays and apraxia dramatically. Omega-3 essential fatty acids support the nervous system in several ways. The receptors for certain neurons are made up mostly of these fats. Also, every nerve cell in the body encased with insulation called a myelin sheath. One of the main constituents of this sheath is omega-3 essential fatty acids. Improved insulation of nerve cells has been shown to improve nervous system function.

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Homeopathy 101 in the United States, and the common use is by people seeking these medications on their own without professional guidance.

There are many different styles of homeopathic practice ranging from the specialty of classical homeopathy to acute prescribing for specific medical conditions.

What Is Homeopathy?

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omeopathy has a long and controversial history in the United States but is widely practiced in many parts of the world such as Central and South America, Southeast Asia and Europe. India is particularly interesting in that medical care is divided between homeopathy, Ayurvedic medicine, and conventional Western medicine. In some countries, homeopathic therapy is covered by health insurance (e.g. in Germany, France, Netherlands and Switzerland). Practitioners may have qualifications solely in homeopathy, or they may have training in homeopathy following professional degrees as a doctor, dentist or veterinarian. Homeopathic remedies are available without a prescription

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Homeopathy has a rich 200-year history as a system of medicine based on the idea that like cures like. It uses medicines whose effects correspond to the manifestations of the disorder in the individual patient to stimulate a healing response. Despite uncertainty regarding the mechanism of action and opposition from the medical establishment, homeopathy is still a popular alternative or complement to conventional care and has been shown to be effective in many studies published in major medical journals.

Homeopaths use very dilute doses of medicines called remedies. Homeopathic medicines are diluted according to a production process unique to homeopathy and are derived from substances with a botanical, chemical, mineral, zoological or biological origin. Remedies are made by licensed, accredited homeopathic pharmacies that are governed by the United States Pharmacopeia. The remedies are not regulated by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration), but the FDA does regulate the process of making the remedies.

Homeopathic remedies are given to help stimulate the patient to come back into a state of balance. Homeopaths see symptoms as the body’s expression of an underlying imbalance. Different stressors in people’s lives tend to push them toward imbalance and the development of symptoms. We are all out of balance to varying degrees depending on our life circumstances. A remedy stimulates the person to work through this imbalance to reach equilibrium of better health. It stimulates our body’s innate ability to heal itself. This theory is somewhat how allergy shots work--a small amount of what irritates the patient is given and the problem eventually resolves.

However, homeopathic treatments must be individualized.

The homeopath must understand how the patient experiences their problem from every aspect. The homeopath needs to know not only the specifics of the problem, but how it impacts the patient’s life.

Homeopathy is based on three main principles, all of which

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have some similarities to principles in conventional medicine: 1. The Principle of Similarity or Law of Similars states that substances capable of causing disorders and symptoms in healthy people can be used as medicines to treat similar patterns of disorder experienced by people when they are ill. In other words, the patient should be treated with a medicine that provokes similar symptoms and signs when given to healthy subjects. Although Hippocrates wrote about the idea of curing 'like with like' more than 2,000 years ago, it was formally systemized by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1796. According to the Law of Similars, successful treatment will result when the symptom picture of the drug matches that of the patient.

2. The Principle of Individualization is the process of individualizing the treatment for the patient. Prescribing is based on a holistic assessment. Skilled homeopathic prescribing as commonly done by a well trained homeopathic specialist (commonly a classical homeopath) requires that the characteristics of the homeopathic medicine should be as similar as possible to the characteristics of the illness in the patient.

Thus the more detailed the understanding of the symptom nuances of the patient, the more accurate the prescription.

In conventional medicine, most patients are treated with the same drug for the same condition. In homeopathy, the most useful symptoms are the ones experienced by and unique to the individual patient rather than those common to the disease. Each patient, despite having the same diagnosis, may receive a different remedy matched to their individual symptom picture.

The homeopath aims to develop a more detailed and individualized understanding of the patient’s illness based on the way in which each patient experiences a particular disease. The symptoms and signs, the emotional and physical reactions to the illness, the patient’s personality, temperament, genetic predispositions and any strong family history of particular diseases may play an important part in remedy selection. A patient’s individual, uncommon, and striking symptoms are important. A complete homeopathic evaluation also includes information about general symptoms such as sleep, appetite, level of thirst, effects of weather and climate, effects of different times of day, and other personal areas such as mental well-being and sexuality. It is often in these seemingly unrelated areas of a patient’s life that the homeopath

finds clues that are helpful in selecting the correct homeopathic medicine according to the Law of Similars. These elements put together make up what is called a patient’s constitution.

3. The Principle of Minimal Dose is to use the lowest dose necessary when treating patients. The doses used in homeopathy range from those that are similar in concentration to some conventional medicines to those that are highly diluted and contain no material trace of the starting substance. This latter highly dilute category is the source of most of the scientific skepticism about homeopathy. Classically trained homeopathic specialists routinely use homeopathic medicines that have been diluted to the point where there is "nothing there." The strength of the homeopathic remedy actually increases as the remedy is diluted more; this principle is supported by researchers who accidentally overdiluted a substance for allergy shots and found that it was more powerful than the desired dilution. There are also many scientific studies published in major journals showing homeopathy to be effective.

There is a fourth principle that emerged after Hahnemann known as Hering’s Law or regressive vicariation. In this principle it is believed that patients may regress through previously experienced illnesses and also move from deep-seated illnesses such as mental illness or cancer to more superficial ones such as skin disorders while undergoing homeopathic treatment.

Homeopathy treatment can be categorized into first aid, acute, and chronic.

When someone has a first aid problem such as a cut on the finger or stubbed toe, there are only so many ways a person can react. So, there are only a few remedies that would apply to the first aid problem, and the selection process is easy. There are many books, recordings, and classes available for people who want to prescribe this way.

With acute illnesses like sore throats, colds, urinary infections, stomachaches, etc. the number of ways that different people can experience the problem is greater.

So, there are more possible remedies for each acute problem and the process of remedy selection is a little more difficult.

These problems generally go away on their own but homeopathy helps to expedite the process and helps to avoid overuse of medications like antibiotics. Many families will use a lot of homeopathic remedies for first aid and acute situations. However, these remedies do impact the person beyond the acute problem and affect their overall www.naturalnutmeg.com

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Dr. Richard Duenas Dr. Christina Bjorklund

Westside Chiropractic, LLC 557 Prospect Avenue, West Hartford

(860) 523-5833

www.westsidechiropractors.com Most Insurance plans Accepted

health, so I do not typically recommend using homeopathic remedies in this way.

The homeopathic treatment of chronic disease is both challenging and rewarding.

Chronic diseases can manifest in many more ways than an acute illness, which is what makes the treatment more difficult.

A constitutional remedy is geared at the person’s constitution that may involve several different chronic illnesses and shifts the patient’s tendency for those types of illnesses. A lot of chronic diseases are not helped by conventional medicine. A person may be on medications that “treat” the problem, but, in reality, these medications merely cover up and do not cure the underlying problem. The goal of homeopathy is to cure these problems and not just palliate the symptoms. The remedy helps to shift the patient away from the imbalance and toward better vitality and health.

Why Do People Use Homeopathy?

Some people seek homeopathy as a last resort. Nothing else has helped them.

Other people live a healthy lifestyle and want their medicine to be gentle and natural. Still others have a problem that no one has been able to diagnose and homeopathy does not rely on a diagnosis for treatment. They may have normal laboratory tests and physical findings but still do not feel well.

Some people are referred by their friends who may have had similar problems helped by homeopathy. People suffering from mental and emotional problems may look to homeopathy as a substitute for prescription medications they are unable to tolerate. A lot of people want homeopathic treatment for recurrent infections.

Conventional medicine may help their infection every time it comes up, but the patient seeks homeopathy to get rid of the problem for good.

What Should I Expect When I Go To See A Homeopath?

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Initial visits typically last approximately 90 minutes. Homeopaths need this time to understand you as an individual and the way you experience the problem for which treatment is sought. The homeopath will want to understand everything about your current complaint including how it makes you feel and how it has affected the rest of your life. If the patient is a child, the homeopath will want to know what the child’s temperament is, how things are going at school, how the child shows (or October 2010

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doesn’t show) emotions. The homeopath may want to speak with the child alone, the parent alone, and the child and parent together.

During a visit with a homeopath, you will be asked many questions. Many of the questions are very personal. A visit with a homeopath should be a positive experience where you feel respected, heard, and understood. It may also be intense because you will be sharing elements of your history that may be personal and, sometimes, painful. It is in these moments that the homeopath may see very clearly the remedy that is needed.

Once the patient has answered the homeopath’s questions and a physical examination is completed, there are frequently a large number of findings. Different homeopaths use a variety of methods to arrange these findings and match a homeopathic medicine that comes closest to the patient’s symptom profile. There are thousands of homeopathic remedies and many homeopaths know a lot of these remedies very well. There are some remedies that are used less commonly and there are tools that help homeopaths determine the correct remedy. There are books called Materia Medica that list the remedies and all aspects of each remedy. A Repertory lists all symptoms and lists which remedies have been known to help each symptom.

There are also computer programs that help homeopaths. So, during your visit with the homeopath, they may be consulting these materials.

The homeopath may give a remedy immediately after the visit if they have decided to give a remedy that they know very well. Other times, they may study the symptoms after you leave and send you a remedy once they have decided which remedy would be best.

Homeopaths dose remedies in a variety of ways depending on their training, experience, and philosophical back-

ground. In homeopathy, the remedy itself is not creating the change that the patient sees. The thing that is making the change is the body’s reaction to the remedy—the self healing process that person is going through. It is not uncommon to give one dose of a remedy and wait several weeks to see its effects. When a remedy is repeated too soon or a new remedy is given too soon, it can be very uncomfortable and irritating for the patient. This discomfort does pass with time, but it is better not to dose too soon. Taking a remedy too frequently may cause you to feel worse and take you farther away from health. The number of remedies one needs before getting better is highly variable. It may be one once to several over many years to help you attain your optimal health.

Is Homeopathy Safe?

Homeopathic remedies are gentle and safe and do not cause side effects. Homeopathic remedies are safe for women while they are pregnant or nursing. Remedies are also safe for babies. Children tend to respond very well to homeopathy.

If an incorrect remedy is given, the patient’s symptoms continue to get worse along the natural progression of the problem. However, if the correct remedy is given many patients report a life changing result. I was lucky enough to have discovered homeopathy many years ago initially through my veterinarian. After seeing my suffering dog regain his life, I began to use homeopathy in all of my pets, family members, and myself. I used homeopathy through my pregnancy, delivery, and in my baby with joyous results.

Jill Moorcroft, D. O., practices Integrative Medicine at Origins Of Health in Glastonbury. Dr. Moorcroft completed her homeopathic education at the New England School of Homeopathy. See ad on page 23.

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October 2010

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Vitamin D and Cancer

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he topic of cancer stirs many thoughts and emotions in people's minds.

Fear, panic, resignation, wasting, pain, and death are a few of them. It seems like a predator lurking that will strike at any time. As a country, we spend billions on research and treatment to try to win the “war on cancer”. What are you doing to win your battle? At its essence, cancer is a disease of the immune system. Our bodies have innate mechanisms to eliminate cancerous cells. Is that process working properly? This article will address the benefits of vitamin D and examine some of the evidence that shows its beneficial and preventative effects in regard to cancer.

What are you doing to prevent cancer in your body? Your first thought may be that you regularly get screened (mammogram, PAP smear, prostate exam). These are not primary prevention but rather secondary, meaning the tests detect the cancer, hopefully early, but do nothing to prevent cancer. Perhaps you eat healthy food, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. These are excellent habits and part of primary prevention. What about the sun? You may respond “I always use sunscreen on myself and my children”. But did you know that sunshine and vitamin D have very beneficial effects at reducing cancer.

Let's look at some of the evidence.

“People living at high latitudes are at increased risk for Hodgkin's lymphoma as well as colon, pancreatic, prostate, ovar-

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ian, breast, and other cancers and are more likely to die from these cancers, as compared with people living at lower latitudes,” stated Michael Holick, MD in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2007. Though this evidence has been known for over 60 years the reason was not understood because random facts that don't fit with a theory remain as random facts. Thankfully, knowledge and theory have developed enough to make sense of this. The theory is that increased sunlight has a preventative effect at decreasing the risk of many cancers. “But what about skin cancer?” you may ask.

There is good epidemiological evidence that sunshine and vitamin D are helpful at reducing cancer incidence and severity. Approximately 3,000 research studies have been published in medical journals investigating the inverse association between vitamin D and cancer, including 275 epidemiological studies. Most epidemiological studies have reported that higher 25(OH) D levels are associated with lower incidence of various cancers and lower incidence rates of aggressive prostate cancer.

For instance, The American Journal of Public Health reported a study of 980 women showing that the highest vitamin D intake, as compared to the lowest, correlated with a 50% lower risk of breast cancer. The Journal of Clinical Oncology reported a study of breast cancer patients

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with serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels higher than 29 ng/ml at diagnosis had a 42% lower 15-year death rate than those with less than 20 ng/ml. Incidence of metastases was only half as high in women with 25(OH)D greater than 29 ng/ml than in those with less than 20 ng/ml. It also reported that colorectal cancer patients at Dana Farber with serum 25(OH)D greater than 32 ng/ml at diagnosis had only half the overall age-adjusted 6.5-year death rate as those with less than 20 ng/ml. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported that children and young adults who are exposed to the most sunlight have a 40% reduced risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and a reduced risk of death from malignant melanoma once it develops, as compared with those who have the lowest exposure to sunlight.

The human body makes vitamin D when skin is exposed to sunshine that is of sufficient intensity. In Connecticut, the sun's UV-B rays are not strong enough during the winter to make vitamin D. The body stores it, but without supplementation many individuals are at a low level by February or March (which may be related to flu season). Supplementing with vitamin D, especially in the winter, is recommended by many experts. See your health care provider to have your vitamin D level tested and monitored annually.

So what about the statement that “There’s no such thing as a healthy tan”?

Unfortunately, this is oversimplified and not completely accurate. It is true that there is a linear relationship between the degree of sun exposure and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. However, the risk of melanoma, the most aggressive type of skin cancer, is more strongly associated with sunburn rather than a tan. Excessive intermittent sunburn is the most important exogenous risk factor and a certain degree of chronic exposure and occupational exposure may have a preventative effect. Getting 15 minutes of sunshine is adequate to produce vitamin D and will rarely cause a sunburn.

To give some perspective, in the Netherlands in 2006 approximately 35,000 new non-melanoma skin cancer patients were diagnosed. In the same year about 100 people died of a non-melanoma skin cancer. The number of new patients with colon, breast, prostate cancer and nonHodgkin’s lymphoma was comparable to the 35,000. However, the morbidity of these malignancies is much more serious and the deaths were 11,500 in 2006. Adequate vitamin D could eliminate 25% or more of the cancer cases. So there is no perfect solution but the numbers greatly support that the benefits of vitamin D and sunshine far outweigh the risks, and helps the population as a whole.

The full story of vitamin D, sunshine, and cancer is not known. But the evidence seems very consistent in supporting the benefit of sunshine and vitamin D to reduce cancer risk. Many prominent researchers and clinicians recommend a dosage of vitamin D up to 2000 IU daily.

I strongly recommend that you have your vitamin D level checked, supplement with vitamin D if necessary, enjoy some sunshine, and make other lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of cancer.

Dr. Steven Oberle is a chiropractor and clinical nutritionist, practicing in West Hartford.

He treats musculoskeletal problems as well as diabetes, heart disease, GI problems, thyroid problems, among others. He participates with most insurance companies. See ad on page 15.

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October 2010

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Movement as Medicine

Core Values: The Whys And Hows Of A Strong Midsection

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hen most people think of fitness and being lean, they picture a slim midsection speckled with just the right amount of abdominal muscle. In fact, being able to see your abs is something some people only dream of, but hardly never achieve. However, keeping your core strong and stable is not just about esthetics, it’s about functionality.

Sure, maybe it’d be nice to pull up your shirt and show people the muscles rippling over your stomach, but sometimes looking strong, doesn’t necessarily mean you really are. In fact, genetics often plays a bigger role in the visibility of your abs than the actual amount of curl-ups or planks you can perform. Really. So, even if you never see that “six pack” across your belly, you can still achieve the strength in your core that prevents injuries and keeps you feeling fit for life.

Why We Need a Strong & Stable Core Having a strong core doesn’t just make you popular at the beach, it actually helps protect you against injury; by stabi22

October 2010

Cassandra Forsythe, PhD, Brian St. Pierre, CSCS

lizing your core during any lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, turning or twisting exercise you prevent the spinal bones from buckling and/or breaking after perturbation. Although the bones and soft tissues of the spine contribute to some degree to the strength of your back, the dynamic function of the core musculature is the primary factor for preventing and reducing injury.

Core strengthening programs are also prescribed to reduce pain, particularly pain of the lower back. The lower area of the spine is known as the lumbar spine and it’s the most common area for aches and soreness. In fact, between 80 to 90% of the health care and social costs of back pain are incurred by the 10% of individuals who develop chronic low back pain. Our tendency for discomfort in this area has a lot to do with our modern, sedentary lifestyles: a society that sits too much, moves too little and has forgotten how to stand upright like our mothers told us to.

In a recent Korean study, researchers at the Spinal Center of the Seoul National University Hospital assessed the effects of consistent core strengthening exercises coupled with corrective stretching on the management and treatment of chronic low back pain. Participants learned how to maintain a neutral posture (which is correct posture) and how to fix improper postures during work and activities of daily living.

Stretching exercises improved flexibility of the hamstrings, rectus femoris, hip flexors, back muscles and surrounding ligaments – all areas that when too tight increase pain in the lower back. Strengthening exercises increased lumbar spinal stability and upper spine mobility.

After just four weeks, participants reported significantly less pain and interference with all physical activities. There were also significant improvements in mental health, vitality and social functioning due to using wellness-focused pain coping strategies such as stretching, relaxation, and correcting poor postural stance. Trunk muscle strength and lateral core strength also were improved demonstrating that the core strengthening exercises actually were effective (even if they never saw their abs in action).

Which Muscles Make Up the Core Think of your core musculature like rigging holding up a mast on a ship, the www.naturalnutmeg.com

mast being your spine. The rigging, just like your core, is not meant to move the mast so much as hold it steady, stable and strong.

The core, while often thought of as simply your rectus abdominis and external obliques, is actually made up of about 30 different muscles, including your gluteals, erector spinae, internal obliques, multifidus, transverse abdominis, hip flexors, diaghram, pelvic floor and more.

Focusing your core training on just your rectus abdominis and obliques with abdominal crunches is unfortunately missing just a few important muscles.

What Neutral Spine and Good Posture Looks Like As was stated, everyone needs to learn how to maintain a neutral spine position and what good posture looks like.

Poor Posture vs. Ideal Posture Good posture is important at all stages of our lives. If you have children, you should help them learn how to stand with a straight back and a tight core so they learn how to stand properly from a young age – so many youngsters have terrible posture. Also, it’s not too late to correct bad posture, so start now.

How to Safely Strengthen Your Core Anytime and Anywhere The problem with most “traditional” core strengthening exercises is that they were never meant to actually improve the function and control of your abdominal muscles. It’s true, if you’re still doing 100 crunches every morning, you’re in for a real wake-up call: crunches or any movement where you bend your spine forward in an attempt to “bulk-up” your ab muscles are not only ineffective, they’re dangerous.

Think of your spine like it’s a credit card: if

you continually bend that credit card forward and backward over and over again, what happens? It cracks, and then it breaks; that’s exactly what happens to your spine with continuous crunches.

Plus, your traditional crunching exercises over-emphasize what we do wrong with our posture everyday which is slumping forward instead of sitting upright and tall. Remember: it’s not what you do in the 20 minutes or more of exercise you engage in everyday that makes the biggest difference in your muscular health, it’s what you do in all the other hours of the day. If you sit at your chair slouched forward, you’re never going to attain a happy and healthy back.

So, what should you do to safely and effectively strengthen your core so that you not only feel strong, but potentially look strong? According to one of the most prolific and intelligent core strengthening and stabilizing researchers in the world, Dr Stuart McGill, you need to start focusing on THE BIG THREE:

The BIG THREE by McGill The Curl-Up: Start by lying on your back with one leg bent to 90 degrees while the other leg stays straight out and flat on the floor. Place your hands under your lower back. Contract your abs, as you slowly lift your head and shoulders off the floor a small distance, making sure to only get movement from your upper back and not from your neck or your lower back. Repeat for 3 sets of 10+ repetitions.

Wrapping Things Up In summary, start training your core for proper function and better health by focusing on exercises that promote improved posture as well as a more stable and secure spine. Train your core for stability rather than for movement and you not only will have some strong abs, you will have a more resilient spine, better posture and markedly less low back pain. Plus, you may actually see your abs ripple under your shirt.

Cassandra Forsythe holds her PhD in Exercise Science and Nutrition from the University of Connecticut and is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). She works at Alternity Healthcare in West Hartford and also runs her own fitness bootcamps in Manchester, CT. You can learn more about her and her bootcamp classes at www.cassandraforsythe.com.

Brian St. Pierre is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) who received his degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Maine, and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the same institution. For more information, you can check out www.brianstpierretraining.com.

The Side Bridge: Start by lying on your side with your forearm on the floor directly below your shoulder and with your feet stacked together. Raise your hips up off the floor, squeeze your glutes and keep your chest out, creating a straight and rigid line from head to feet. Hold for 3 sets of 10-30 seconds on each side.

The Bird Dog: Start by kneeling on the floor with hands placed directly below your shoulders and knees directly below your hips, each about shoulder width apart. Brace your core and lift one hand and the opposite leg off the floor, bringing each straight out. Slowly return arm and knee to the floor, making sure to keep your core braced tight and not allowing your lower back to move. Repeat for 3 sets of 5 repetitions on each side.

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October 2010

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Breast Cancer Prevention: Myth or Reality?

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he statistics have become familiar enough to most of us: Breast cancer accounts for almost 200,000 new cases and 40,000 deaths every year. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 12.7 percent of women alive today will be diagnosed with some form of breast cancer during their lifetime. This makes breast cancer by far the leading cancer in women, accounting for almost 40% of all cancers diagnosed in women.

These statistics have become very fear-inducing to many women.

Breast cancer charities and research foundations want to stress the impact of the disease on society. This means that they can increase their funding but it has also made breast cancer seem inevitable to many women.

It is not, of course. That same estimate of lifetime risk means almost 9 out of every 10 women will never personally experience breast cancer. There are certain things, however, that increase the risk of breast cancer, some greatly.

What are these risk factors? The three most common risks are age, gender and family history. Being female is the greatest risk, although men are not immune and in fact almost 2,000 men are diagnosed every year with breast cancer. Breast cancer risk also increases with age. The vast majority, 95% of newly-diagnosed cancers and 97% of cancer deaths, occur in women over 40.

Last year, there were 1.4 cases for every 100,000 women age 20-24, rising to 442 cases for every 100,000 age 75-79. Hav-

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ing a close family member (mother, sister, etc.) that had breast cancer also increases risk. If one family member had cancer, the risk is approximately double. If two family members had cancer, the risk is approximately four times as high.

Other risk factors include previous breast cancer, benign breast disease, early first menstrual period, late menopause, late first full-term pregnancy, obesity, low physical activity, use of synthetic postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy, use of oral contraceptives, and exposure to ionizing radiation.

Recent scientific advances have identified specific genetic mutations that also are linked to a higher risk of developing breast cancer. These genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 help suppress tumor development by repairing DNA strands that get damaged through aging or other factors. Mutations

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to these genes allow chromosomes to degrade more easily, allowing aging cells to develop into cancer cells. The lifetime risk of women who have these mutations developing cancer may increase to approximately 50-60%.

This sounds especially scary, and fear is causing some people to take steps that are not supported by good data. Some organizations recommend women with the BRCA mutations have annual MRIs plus mammograms to catch possible cancer as early as possible. This is despite research showing the mammograms have no added benefit over the already-costly MRI alone, but do increase exposure to ionizing radiation (which is also a risk factor).

There are women that have gone even farther, to removing the breasts before there is any sign of cancer (prophylactic mastectomy) plus removing the ovaries.

Think about that for a minute. Based on a genetic test that’s little better than flipping a coin, some women are choosing to undergo major surgery, with all the risks that entails, plus ripping out one of the key endocrine glands. Even in a woman nearing menopause this is a difficult decision, but what about a young teenager that tests positive for these mutations. Are her parents supposed to approve such a drastic solution to a problem she might never face? Needless to say, this is a preposterous remedy.

The problem with any discussion of risk factors is that they only tell half the statistical story. For example, BRCA mutations increase the risk by a factor of 5 at the outside (12% to 60%), which sounds incredibly dangerous. At the same time, only a very, very small number of breast cancer cases diagnosed are in women with this mutation, on the order of about 5%. The seeming discrepancy is, in part, because these relative risk factors were established in large families with many breast cancer cases among particular ethnic subgroups.

Generalizing to the population at large is still inexact.

Some risk factors are controllable, but many are not. How can you change your family history? Clearly that’s impossible.

And, the most important risk factor for breast or any cancer is aging, which is in-

evitable. The inability to control these factors pushes fear to even greater heights.

All this talk of risk factors and genetic mutations and cancer genes is missing a very vital piece of the story about aging on a cellular and DNA level. That is that DNA has a built-in aging protection mechanism related to something called telomeres.

“Teleo-“ means the end or last and “mer” means piece, and telomeres are sequences of repeating DNA at the end of each chromosome.

When DNA replicates during the life of a cell, enzymes open each chromosome in the nucleus like a zipper. Each half of a chromosome is the template to build the other half, resulting in 2 new DNA strands.

As the new chromosome is built from the old, enzymes work along the DNA strand, attaching new DNA “letters” one at a time.

When they get to the end of the chromosome, the way that this process has to work means that the last few letters get left off, and are not copied for the new chromosome. Effectively, each time a cell divides, the chromosomes shorten.

Telomeres evolved as DNA that is expendable on the end of the chromosome.

It doesn’t encode for any function or protein or anything else. Until recently, it was thought to be a sort of “junk” DNA. Each time the chromosome is replicated it is the telomere that shortens, preserving and protecting all of the functional DNA. Telomeres have a function besides just withering away, though. Imagine that each time a chromosome replicates a section is lost that was, say, 10% of the original length of the whole telomere. That means the telomere can only protect the rest of the DNA 10 times. What would happen on the eleventh time the DNA replicated? Off comes something that might be functional.

After replication, the new cell would be missing the instructions to create certain enzymes or some structure, and would be a mutant cell.

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As the cell ages and the telomeres get shorter, then, there is a mechanism that has to ensure they don’t get too short. In fact, there is just such a thing in your cells, and when the telomere gets too short, a series of processes are started that cause the death of the cell. In 1965 a geneticist named Leonard Hayflick determined that each cell divides about 80 times before reaching this limit. It has come to be known as the “Hayflick limit”.

Something goes wrong with this process in cancer cells, however. Instead of dying when they should, cancer cells evade this cellular cop and go on reproducing without controls. When a cell divides and grows without control, it becomes cancer.

Cancer genes like the BRCA mutations would be logical culprits for this change.

But when researchers have looked at cancer cells, the presence of a single mutation is not the only thing that turns a normal cell into a cancer cell. That is to say, it is not just the presence of a mutated cancer gene like BRCA that determines if a cell becomes cancerous.

It turns out that the length of the telomeres is closely linked to developing cancer. Telomeres provide stability to the genetic material preventing the types of mutations that can lead to cancer. This can be seen by looking at the statistics for all cancers by age group, which steadily rises after early childhood. In the cells of children and young adults with long telomeres, cancer has a hard time getting started. In the cells of elderly people with little stub telomeres, a cancer gene mutation is much more likely to cause runaway growth.

Similarly, other lifestyle-related factors, such as obesity, stress and physical inactivity are associated with both shortened telomeres and an increased breast cancer risk. Of course, there’s also a lifetime of environmental exposures to consider, but long telomeres are definitely a factor. In fact, several studies have directly linked telomere length to cancer risk – the longer the telomeres are, the lower the risk of cancer.

The bottom line is that there are so many cellular-level processes operating that there are no absolutes. There is no way, even with the most sophisticated genetic testing, to accurately predict who will develop breast cancer. If we can’t accurately predict breast cancer in an individual, we can’t meaningfully say that it can be or can’t be prevented.

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instead about relative risks. Some factors that raise risks of breast cancer are absolutely controllable. These include things like diet, obesity, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and sleep disruption. It is not incorrect to say that, generally, healthy living lowers breast cancer risk and improves telomere maintenance. Whether these lifestyle changes affect cancer risk by altering the telomeres directly or through other mechanisms is still being debated, but their efficacy is clear.

There are other exciting new developments about ways to reduce breast cancer risk. We’ve known for quite some time that many phytochemicals in food such as fruits, nuts, and vegetables have properties that reduce cancer risk or help slow down cancers that get established. Although there have been some misleading reports in the popular press saying antioxidants and other plant compounds are ineffective at modifying cancer risk, a healthy, plant-based diet is still a good way to lower risk, and is a good idea anyway.

Even more exciting is the possibility of directly affecting telomere length. Telomere length can be restored by an enzyme in our cells. Telomerase is a naturally-occurring enzyme that is inactive in most adult human cells, except immune cells and stem cells.

Telomerase is attached to a short piece of RNA. RNA is a molecule that can encode genetic information, like DNA. The major difference is that RNA is single-sided instead of double-sided. One way to think of it is to picture DNA as a ladder that has been twisted. If some person came and cut each rung in half while leaving the rails alone, then that would be a molecule of RNA. The enzyme uses this short piece of RNA to form the letters of the telomere.

A recent study found a startling association between short telomeres and both a significantly increased incidence of and risk of dying from breast cancer. Another study using the same population in which the BRCA genes were isolated found that those members of the group that live the longest had not only long telomeres, but also a version of telomerase that is activated. This is exciting because the implication is if we can transiently stimulate the telomerase enzyme, we would be able to lengthen telomeres. This is not a cancer treatment, but it would be a way of directly reducing cancer risk at the cellular level.

As much as we’d like to be able to, we can’t directly give people such hyperactive telomerase. Instead, researchers are looking into substances that can stimulate the activity of the telomerase we already have. One such compound has been isolated from a Chinese herb, Astragalus, and is in testing phases right now.

There have been some scientists that worry active telomerase in cells might itself be a cancer risk. This has not been shown to be the case so far, however. Although tumor cells also have active telomerase enzymes, those same cells have critically shortened telomeres that make genetic mutations possible. Short-term activation of telomerase does not appear to turn normal cells into cancer cells.

Using exciting cutting-edge science and good nutrition and lifestyle choices, women can take back some measure of control over their risk of developing breast cancer. Instead of living in fear of the possibility, women can make a positive change in their lives.

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 for men and women at Alternity Healthcare, LLC in West Hartford, CT. He can be reached at 860-561-2294 or www.alternityhealthcare.com. See ad on page 2. www.naturalnutmeg.com

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Wisdom for the Journey

by Karen Rider, MA

Bioidentical Hormones: The Basics with

Christiane Northrup, MD

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full year before menopause, Susan Wells* experienced hot flashes and night sweats accompanied by severe gastrointestinal symptoms. “My face and upper chest would get covered in what looked like heat rash.”

Both Susan’s mother and grandmother entered menopause in their forties. She wasn’t surprised when, as she approached her 40th birthday, the change began for her. “They’ve both passed on, so I don’t even know what they experienced,” the 44-year old mother of two admits she would have liked to talk it over with her mom. None of her friends were even close to “the change,” and she wanted to get advice from someone she could trust.

Alone in her Struggle with ‘The Change’ She felt alone in her struggle with symptoms that never seemed to cease. Susan explained that things were manageable until the mood swings and headaches hit, “At first, I was managing fine with exercise, a healthy diet, and vitamin supplements.”

She continued, “But by the end of that first year my diet was a mess; I was exhausted and my body felt foreign to me. If it were possible to jump out of my body, I’d have done so.”

Susan tried a variety of approaches to ease the symptoms she was experiencing. Despite feeling exhausted, she persisted exercising three to four times a week, including yoga and aerobics.

She also took time for a monthly hot stone massage. After watching a local news program on menopause, and checking with her own doctor, Susan added various herbal supplements to her regimen, “I took black cohosh, wild yam, and evening primrose. I started drinking soy milk, which I absolutely hated, and replaced coffee and black tea with green tea.”

It wasn’t easy, though. Her two school-age children had busy schedules, which Susan had to keep up with on top of her own part-time job selling educational products to libraries and schools throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.

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“The cravings were maddening. Even when I ate really well, the weight crept up. A lot of the time, though, I had no real sense of what my body needed.”

After a year of “dealing” with lost time at work, at kids’ activities, and the deterioration of usually fulfilling relationships, including her marriage, Susan felt angry, sad and frustrated.

“Menopause infiltrated all areas of my life. I was too tired or irritable to be out with friends, to go to a movie with my husband.

No one liked being around me. Heck, I didn’t even like being around me. No one blamed me. They just kept their distance.

How do you explain this to an eight-year-old when your husband and adult friends are unable to truly understand?”

‘Natural’ Solutions—Maybe Not Susan was faced with what she viewed as the last resort: traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

“The few women I had known who had already gone through this life stage all had negative experiences and advised me against starting [HRT],” she says, “One of them told me about a Public Television program on bioidentical hormones.”

Not one of Susan’s medical practitioners, ever mentioned hormone therapy with bioidentical hormones. Respected physician, Christiane Northrup, M.D., has devoted her life’s work to women’s health and well-being. Her experience and research offer some reasons why Susan Wells struggled so much when seeking menopausal solutions that were right for her.

According to Dr. Northrup, there is a lot of confusion around the definition of ‘natural’ versus ‘bioidentical’ versus ‘synthetic’ hormones. “In fact, many healthcare providers and researchers

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don’t appreciate the difference between a progestin, which is a synthetic hormone, and progesterone, which is a bioidentical hormone.”

‘Bioidentical’ refers to the shape of the molecule itself rather than the source of the hormone. “ A bioidentical hormone is identical to what is found in the human female body. Progesterone, as opposed to progestin, matches a woman’s body exactly. Supplementing with it may ease mood, sleep and cycle-related issues.

Synthetic progestin is actually known to exacerbate perimenopausal symptoms and post-menopausal symptoms,” Northrup continued. In addition, synthetic progestin can increase the risk of breast cancer, heart disease and stroke.

“Hormones can be marketed as ‘natural’ or ‘plant-based,’ yet not come near to being ‘bioidentical’ to native human female hormones or performing as such in the body,” Dr. Northrup explained. Products that fall into the ‘natural’ category include the numerous proprietary HRT options marketed as ‘plant-based’ and ‘natural,’ as well as purely yam-based creams. Just because proprietary hormone formulas use molecules that have been derived from a plant does not necessarily mean the molecules match those found in a woman’s body.

“These other sources are not effectively converted or used in the body and may have actions that are more deleterious than the symptoms they purport to quell or stave off,” Dr. Northrup emphasized.

Mother Nature Knows Best The body is swimming in hormones that act somewhat analogous to keys in a lock. Though this analogy is quite simplistic, it can be helpful toward a basic understanding of hormonal action.

Basically, hormones are comprised of a solid steroid base (yes— cholesterol!), decorated with “arms,” “legs,” and “tails” pinned on here and there. These attachments are what turn hormones into specialized molecules (the keys), allowing them to plug in to receptor molecules (the locks) throughout the body, triggering other biochemical reactions in the body.

“When we take hormonal replacement therapy that doesn’t fit the original design that our cells have evolved to recognize, the end result simply may not feel or act quite right. Hence, all

those side effects, ranging from annoying and uncomfortable to downright dangerous.

“Bioidentical hormones are those whose biochemical structure exactly duplicates those found “naturally” in the human body—that is, the ones whose structure has evolved for millenia.

Why mess with a good thing?”

Why Synthetic Hormones are Prescribed The molecules naturally produced in the human female body for which we most often seek replacement include the three basic types of estrogen (estrone, estradiol, and estriol); progesterone; testosterone and DHEA, an adrenal precursor to testosterone. These truly “natural” hormones are available by prescription (or, in the case of progesterone and DHEA, over-the-counter in low doses), and can also be readily adjusted (titrated) to a woman’s individual needs.

What about research? Most of the mainstream studies have been performed on conventional HRT. In addition, pharmaceutical companies cannot take out a patent on what the majority of human women make effortlessly on a daily basis and, therefore, cannot generate large sums of money by packaging and selling such a product. This may explain why women are commonly offered prescriptions for non-bioidentical forms of HRT, while their efforts to obtain a prescription for bioidentical HRT can be met with varying degrees of skepticism.

“On the other hand,” Northrup points out, “[a company] can patent a unique delivery system for HRT and for this reason options for HRT delivered via transdermal skin patches abound, some of which are bioidentical. Examples include many of the estrogen patches, including Vivelle, Estraderm, and Climara. These are widely available at your local pharmacy. Often, these are even covered by health insurance.”

Hopefully, this clears up the misconception that the only way a woman can get bioidentical hormones is from a formulary pharmacy. These kinds of pharmacies create a compound that’s unique to each individual using bioidentical hormones, typically in cream that you rub into your skin. While this is a truly custom option, it isn’t always covered by insurance. Women can still get great results without a custom formulation, using products like those listed above.

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What Kind of Hormone are You Taking?

“If you are in doubt as to whether a particular product offered to you by prescription is natural, check the label—if it includes “esterified estrogens,” “progestins,” or “progestogens,” the product is essentially not bioidentical,” advised Dr. Northrup.

Many people are also confused about the use of progesterone creams, particularly yam or other plant-based creams.

Unlike soy and flax, which contain plantbased estrogens (phytoestrogens) that are converted into utilizable forms in the body, wild yam (Dioscorea barbasco) cannot be converted into progesterone in the body.

Talk to Your Healthcare Provider In today’s healthcare climate, it really is the patient’s responsibility to initiate a discussion with her physician about any treatment plan. Susan Wells learned the hard way. “You can get so stuck in your experience that you can’t even think of options. But you have to if you want any quality of life.”

Dr. Northrup agrees with this attitude.

“It’s your body, and therefore it’s worth a try to bring questions and any information you discover on your own to your practitioner.”

There are many health resources available to consumers. “The information out there is overwhelming,” says Susan, “you can learn a lot about all kinds of prod-

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ucts but really have to pay attention to the source of the information.”

Medical product information can be found in the Physician’s Desk Reference, available at libraries and bookstores. Many college libraries, including medical school libraries, are open to the public. Susan Wells relied on the librarians at UConn Medical School to guide her search. Also, like Susan did, check if your insurance company offers a nurse hotline or health coach service. When in doubt, consult with a qualified health professional.

After the Change Now in her third year of menopause, Susan Wells sleeps through the night, has only mild hot flashes and no mood swings.

“I spoke with several different physicians until I found one I felt I could trust and who was willing to experiment with what my body required during the transition. It was a process of getting to know my body all over again . . . and learning how to be my own best advocate.”

Dr. Northrup recommends the following points to share with your practitioner: • Our native human hormones can be synthesized in laboratories to exactly duplicate those found in our bodies.

• Bioidentical HRT has been prescribed by doctors for many years and is readily available through formulary pharmacies.

• Bioidentical HRT is easily titrated to suit women’s individual needs, is readily absorbed and utilized, and is safe and effective.

• Bioidentical hormones are the ones we want to use as replacement therapy, if and when we decide they are necessary. *Not her real name. Susan Wells is not a patient of, nor has she met Dr. Northrup.,

Christiane Northrup, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn, is a visionary pioneer in women’s health and wellness. She is the author of the ground breaking New York Times bestsellers Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause.

Her latest books, The Secret Pleasures of Menopause and The Secret Pleasures of Menopause Playbook, teach how to experience joy, pleasure, prosperity, fulfillment, and vibrant health. www.drnorthrup.com.

RESOURCES Many physicians and formulary pharmacists work in partnership with their patients to provide individualized hormonereplacement solutions. Your physician can call a local formulary pharmacy to consult with a knowledgeable pharmacist.

• International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP), IACP is a nonprofit organization made up of more than 1,300 compounding pharmacists nationwide. Website has a compounding pharmacy locator feature.

• The Wisdom of Menopause, by Christiane Northrup, M.D. • Natural Woman Institute. Maintains a database of physicians and health practitioners nationwide who prescribe natural, bioidentical hormones.

• Dr. Northrup’s Women’s Wisdom Circle http://www.drnorthrup.com/wisdomcircle/index.php].

This information is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. All material in this article is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding a health condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.

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Eco-Travel Can you say wine? Well, the Bonaventure picked up an award of excellence in 2009 from Wine Spectator magazine for their outstanding wine list. Three to four times a year, the hotel offers a winemaker • Recycling Program reception and dinner, in which attendees • Composting of Food Waste are provided a specially-prepared dinner • Purchasing in Bulk • Environmentally and Socially Sensitive and the opportunity to taste wines that highlight a local winery.

Purchasing Policy Additionally, the hotel offers a culi• Waste Minimization Disposable Food nary series with Chef Nieto once a month.

Item Reduction Participants are guided by Chef Nieto as • Energy Efficient Equipment they prepare the meal, and afterwards dine • Conserving Electricity and Natural at the Chef’s table and sample some paired Gas • Lighting Retrofit (energy savings): The wines chosen to accompany the meal. The culinary classes include guided instruction hotel replaced light fixtures with Com in the kitchen with Chef Nieto, hands-on pact Fluorescent Light bulbs. meal preparation, and enjoying the meal • Equipment Preventative Maintenance at the Chef’s table.

• Light Sensors Award-winning Chef Andreas Ni• Water Conserving Fixtures: The hotel eto oversees the culinary operations for reduced every guest bathroom from the hotel as executive chef. He was rectwo Heavenly Showerheads to one, ognized as Chef of the Year by Le Toque reducing water usage by 10 million Blanches International in 2001 and again gallons per year. in 2002 by the American Academy of Hos• Towel and Linen Reuse Program pitality Sciences. Esquire magazine noted • Biodegradable washing detergent, Nieto’s talents by naming ‘Breeze’ Best laundry detergent New Restaurant while he was at the helm.

• Non –Phosphate, non-toxic cleaning Wine Spectator profiled Nieto in a threeproducts page spread in 2002. Additionally, Nieto • Minimize the use of VOC off-gassing was awarded the James Beard Dinner and products Award, as well as the Best New Chef by • Use of Environmentally Responsible Food & Wine Magazine in 2001.

Service and Goods Providers

Through its green initiative, the Bonaventure has implemented many ecofriendly successes, including:

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles, CA

T

he Westin Bonaventure, locally known as simply ‘The Bonaventure’, is a Starwood property located in the heart of Los Angeles’ financial district and is where comfort and environmental awareness meet. The weather is nearly perfect, with the California sun shining bright all year long. This famous hotel is one of the most photographed destinations in the world, featured in numerous films, including Hancock, Rain Man, and True Lies, as well as TV, including a couple of episodes of Chuck.

Centrally located, the Bonaventure is a mere 2-hour drive from Palm Springs and Joshua Tree State Park, a 1 ½-hour drive from Mountain Park, in case you’re in pursuit of some winter skiing, and thirteen miles from the beach, with the train, bus, and metro all close by.

Green Seal Silver Certification The Bonaventure is a Green Seal Silver Certified hotel and was LA's first hotel to reach the environmental standards set by Green Seal. After being approached by LA INC., a private, nonprofit business association contracted by the City of Los Angeles, Green Seal, and their own employees, the Bonaventure made a decision to support a program to improve LA’s image and give our environment a little help in the meantime. With 1354 guest rooms and numerous suites, this was no small feat. The hotel made an initial investment of around $25,000 to initiate the path to Green Seal Silver certification.

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The Bonaventure has a team dedicated to developing ideas for improvement specific to this effort. Although the Green Seal Silver Certification is great for the existing property, Michael Czarcinski (Managing Director and former Northeast dweller) mentioned that the hotel is going for the Gold.

Dining and Entertainment The Bonaventure boasts numerous eating locales in what is called by many a “Citywithin-a City.” Look no further than inside the walls of the hotel to find great cuisine.

Fitness and Relaxation If it’s a health-focused vacation you’re seeking, then look no further than the WestinWORKOUT® Powered by Reebok Gym, with strength-training equipment, aerobics, squash, racquetball, indoor track, and more. The indoor track also features recycled weight machines, which is yet another action to keep green. If spa services are essential to your escape to LA, then the Bonaventure brings it! Not only does the hotel sport the Bonaventure Club Day Spa (http://bonaventureclub.com/), but you can indulge in spa services in the comfort of your own guest room.

• LA Prime is located on the 35th Submitted By Lisa Cammuso. For more inforfloor and features spectacular views and USDA-certified prime beef, Maine mation, visit the hotel’s Web site www.thebonaventure.com or call (213) 624.1000. lobster, and fresh seafood.

• BonaVista Lounge is the only revolv- ing cocktail lounge in LA, located on the 34th floor.

• Lakeview Bistro serves classic Ameri- can food. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Healthy Cooking

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Know your Herbs

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

Mugwort

(Artemesia vulgaris)

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powerful herbal ally, Mugwort is just one of approximately 300 species in the genus Artemesia, named for the goddess Artemis.

As the goddess of fertility and childbirth, she was frequently called upon by midwives and new mothers to ease labor; Artemis even delivered her twin brother Apollo. Artemis is the goddess of the wilderness, of the hunt; she is often depicted with her golden bow and quiver accompanied by the Stag.

The goddess is a hunter, a bringer of death, yet a friend to all wild animals; she is the goddess of fertility, yet she herself has remained always a virgin; she is a divine midwife that can ease birthing though she may extinguish the flame of life on occasion. She represents what appears to be opposition in our modern world, but just as Artemis herself presents many seeming contradictions, Mugwort also embodies apparent incongruities when it comes to her medicine.

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Like the goddess she was named for Artemesia is associated with the moon and with women’s moon cycles. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this warming, bitter herb is used to stop prolonged menstrual bleeding when the patient is weak, cold and fatigued. “Ai Yi” is also used to calm a “restless fetus” and to prevent miscarriage -again the woman would present with pronounced signs of deficiency, cold and bleeding. Herein lies the apparent contradiction: since the herb has been shown in many studies to stimulate uterine contractions, if you are pregnant, it is un-

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advisable to use Mugwort in this capacity without a strong understanding of TCM diagnostics.

Here in the West, the herb is used to hasten and promote menses in instances of energetic Cold; the warming qualities of Mugwort will stimulate menstrual blood when it is congealed, slow to start, or if there are cramps that are soothed by warmth and massage. In this case the herb may be taken internally as a tincture or an infusion, or externally a strong tea or its essential oil could be added to a hot bath for a relaxing soak. Although I am a sucker for a comforting bath, when it comes to quick relief of cramps, I sometimes prefer to burn a preparation of dried leaves referred to as moxa in TCM. Moxa has a strong tradition in TCM, and some resources suggest that burning moxa along the meridians of the body actually predate acupuncture. Moxibustion is the practice of burning Mugwort in order to deliver its deep penetrating heat to vari-

ous areas of concern, thereby invigorating circulation, easing pain, and releasing constraint. It can loosen cold, stiff, arthritic joints, relieve achy knees, bring comfort to a tired and sore back, is a true blessing for monthly cramps, and is extraordinarily effective for turning a breech baby! It’s no small wonder that Artemesia earned her name and admiration from hunters and midwives alike!

Moxa is prepared by grinding dried Mugwort leaves or by scraping the soft downy fuzz from the underside of them.

This fluff can then be compacted into a cigar-like roll and its warming ember may be hovered over the skin, or it may be rolled into small balls to be burned on the end of an acupuncture needle. Stick-on moxa is placed on acupuncture points with an adhesive and a slightly insulating bit of material that keeps the ember from burning the patient, while allowing the therapeutic heat to reach the site. Some practitioners prefer to compress the loose herb and place it into a specially devised container that can be laid upon the body, or held in skilled hands for more precise work.

When ingested, Mugwort is an effective digestive bitter that was once widely used as a culinary herb to flavor meats and to protect against food-born illnesses and parasites. The entire genus is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the “wormwoods,” and as the name suggests, members of this tribe are effective vermifuges. Mugwort is a powerful anthelmintic, but unlike her brother Wormwood (A. absinthium), she is gentle enough to use with children.

Mugwort has been shown to be effective against roundworm and threadworms and has been used for centuries with all parasitic infections.

It seems that the Artemesias are notorious for keeping all undesirable bugs at bay; this genus of herbs is repellant to insects, parasites, as well as a large variety of infectious pathogens. Research has shown A.vulgaris to be antibiotic against Staph, Typhoid, dysentery, Strep, E.coli, and even Pseudomonas-the second most resistant infection in hospitals. The list goes on: pneumonia, salmonella, shigella and even malaria have all been treated successfully with decoctions of Mugwort. Perhaps less impressive than curing malaria, but several changes of fresh, crushed leaves per day for about a week could even cure your warts.

Laboratory studies have isolated the compound Artemisinin as the active component that is antimalarial and can prevent certain types of cancers. Unfortu-

nately, myopic thinking has focused solely on this single ingredient rather than testing the plant as a whole. The results of these limited studies have been less impressive than the clinical work done with the whole plant, but studies are only funded for solitary elements of a plant that could one day be synthesized into drugs and patented. Nature herself is far more adept at creating balanced and effective medicine than even the most learned human could ever hope to create artificially.

Mugwort is close kin to other wellknown medicinals like Sweet Annie and Wormwood. Sweet Annie (A. annua) has received much notoriety these days for her ability to treat Lyme Disease. This tall, fragrant garden plant is strongly antispirochetal and has been shown clinically to inhibit Borrelia burgdorferi –the gram negative spirochete that causes the dreaded disease. In Africa A.annua is currently in high demand due to its effectiveness against malaria; it has come to replace quinine as the preferred treatment.

As mentioned above, Wormwood is strong medicine for intestinal parasites; however, this energetically male herb is also the notoriously famed ingredient in the elixir favored by bohemians and artists, Absinthe. Also known as “The Green Fairy,” absinthe became enormously popular with the French after troops were rationed the spirit as a preventative measure against malaria in the 1840’s. Due to its overblown reputation as a hallucinogen, the drink was banned in 1914, and the whole culture that had grown up around the ritualized drinking of this green spirit dissolved like so many sugar cubes.

Perhaps it is not as potent a hallucinogen as the hysteria proclaimed it to be, but there is some truth to Artemisia’s ability to promote a dreamy perspective. Mugwort is commonly used by herbalists and spiritualists to promote lucid dreaming.

It is said that if you have trouble remembering your dreams, Mugwort will inspire more vivid and memorable images during sleep. If you have vivid dreams, but would like to have more conscious participation, she will encourage lucidity during dreamtime. For the purpose of inviting visions and dreams during meditation or sleep, Mugwort may be smoked, taken as a tea or tincture, or applied as an essential oil.

Some resources even suggest that placing a bundle in your pillowcase will infuse your nights with colorful dreams.

The genus Artemesia is home to many other well-known herbs and shrubs; garden ornamentals such as southernwood www.naturalnutmeg.com

and silver mound and the culinary herb French tarragon are her polite domesticated cousins. Even the high desert is home to vast landscapes of Sagebrush (A. tridentada), another well-known and ceremonial member of the Artemesias. Whether utilized as a smudging tool to clear negative energy, used as an insect repellant, taken as a medicine for infectious disease or ingested to promote visions, without contradiction Artemesia is our ally and a powerful gatekeeper for the thin spaces between worlds.

Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH, RH -Diplomate Chinese Herbology (NCCAOM), Registered Herbalist (AHG) “Herbalisl” is a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist with the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. She is available by appointment at The Essence of Being at Johnnycake Mountain, Burlington, CT. www.theessenceofbeingat.com Visit her blog: http://HERBALISL.Blogspot.com Please call 860-6736863 or email at essenceofbeing@hotmail. com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.

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Breast Cancer Survivors, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Bone Health

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reast cancer is a major health problem for women in the United States.

What is known however is that survival rates for those affected by breast cancer are, overall, good so those treated for breast cancer must continue to think about overall health.

Maintaining healthy bones throughout your life is essential, but if you are a woman who’s had breast cancer, bone health is especially important for you. Most women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are close to or already past the age of menopause. Chemotherapy can also result in women experiencing premature, treatment-induced menopause. Early menopause can lead to increased risk of developing osteoporosis, a bone thinning disease that increases the risk of suffering a fracture of the hip, wrist, spine or back. Research has shown that some breast cancer treatments can lead to bone loss and even speed up loss or cause you to lose more bone than you normally would. Some of the common effective treatments for breast cancer, aromatase inhibitors such as Arimidex or Femara, may accelerate the loss of bone.

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There has been promising research to show potential benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids on both the protective effect against breast cancer and suggestions that it may also play a role in protecting bone health.

What is Omega-3?

Omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that play an important role in health and disease, including cardiovascular disease, obesity and the immune system.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are necessary in the human diet. The word “essential” means that the body cannot produce them on their own; human cells lack the enzymes required to generate them internally, and they must be consumed in the diet. One of the primary functions of EFAs is to provide major structural components of the cell membranes of tissues throughout the body, especially those concentrated in the retina, brain and reproductive cells. They are also extensively involved in metabolic processes, such as helping convert consumed foods into usable forms of energy, assisting in transport, serving as building blocks for blood cells, and more.

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There are many types of EFAs, but all fall into two main categories: omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. In the omega-3 fatty acids, a-linolenic acid (ALA) is the principal element; in the omega-6 fatty acids, linoleic acid (LA) is the principal element.

Research shows flaxseed to be one of the leading sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in fish, (particularly cold-water fish), nuts and a variety of oils. Foods rich in omega-6 fatty acids include nuts, seeds, and oils, as well as grains and leafy vegetables. The typical American diet has a high omega-6 and lower omega-3 fatty acid intake. Unfortunately, excess omega-6 fatty acid intake has negative effects on health. Modern Western diets typically have ratios of omega−6 to omega−3 fatty acid intake in excess of 10 to 1, some as high as 30 to 1.

The optimal ratio is thought to be 4 to 1 or lower. Many studies have found that the balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty intake in the optimal ratio is important. The way to obtain the lower ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio is to add more fish to our diet or take dietary supplements.

What effects does Omega-3 have on Breast Cancer?

Studies have assessed the effects of omega-3 fatty acid intake on breast cancer. From large population studies, there appears to be an association between omega-3 fatty acid intake, especially EPA and DHA, and a protective effect against breast cancer. These studies suggest an association, but do not prove cause and effect and must be followed up with further studies.

To assess the association further, investigators have moved to the laboratory to test the effects of omega-3 fatty acid on breast cells. Laboratory studies of breast cancer cells show that omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA [the active metabolites of omega-3 fatty acids], have anticarcinogenic actions; they slow down breast cancer cell growth, migration and stimulate breast cancer cell death. Some studies have shown that omega-3 enriched diets have tumor suppressive effects, and also enhance the efficiency effects of antitumor drugs. These studies suggest that there is a potential value for omega-3 fatty acids to be added to standard cancer chemotherapy to help enhance its effectiveness, used in combination to anti-cancer drugs, although this must be studied further in trials in humans. These clinical trials are beginning and thus far, have focused on the use of O3FA in the prevention and treatment of cancer as well as a nutrition support to prevent some of the ill effects of losing your appetite with cancer or cancer treatment and to help boost the immune system so that the body can fight off the cancer. These studies are small and have not found conclusive results, so that the effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in breast cancer are not known and more clinical trials are needed.

trolled study. We are currently conducting a trial, funded by the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, Inc and the University of Connecticut Health Center General Clinical Research Center, to determine the effect of a fish oil supplement on bone health in women with a history of breast cancer who have been through menopause and are taking a medication class called aromatase inhibitors and includes medication such as Femara and Arimidex. To learn more on this study and help us find alternative, safe and effective therapies for the prevention of osteoporosis, call the UConn Health Center at (860) 679-1658.

Anne Kenny, is a medical doctor and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Connecticut Center of Aging in Farmington, CT. Hongli Dong is a physician-scientist working at the Neag Cancer Center. Lisa Pesce is Research Assistant at the center, and has a Master Degree in Public Health. To learn more about the study please call 860679-1658. See ad on page 36.

What Role does Omega-3 have on Bone Health?

As with studies on the effects of omega-3 fatty acid intake and breast cancer, there is promising epidemiologic and laboratory data to suggest that omega-3 fatty acid intake plays an important part in bone health and osteoporosis, but clinical trials are limited.

Although our work suggests that supplemental omega-3 fatty acids may be helpful in preventing bone loss in women being treated for breast cancer, the only way to prove this is to do a scientific conwww.naturalnutmeg.com

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Supplements 101

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

“The Great Protector” Natural Progesterone Cream Guarding Against PMS & Menopausal Symptoms, Osteoporosis & Breast Cancer

D

o you suffer from premenstrual (PMS) or pre/menopausal symptoms and prefer to avoid synthetic hormone treatments? Are you seeking a natural way to combat osteopenia or osteoporosis, or to prevent breast cancer? While these are serious conditions generally calling for professional guidance, you can empower yourself with an understanding of the hormone progesterone and natural progesterone cream.

The Conventional Approaches

gain, and/or menstruation irregularities) or menopausal, uses various high-dose natural and synthetic estrogens and progestin.

The 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study showed that synthetic PremPro (a combination of Premarin, conjugated estrogen made from pregnant mares’ urine, and progestin) increased the risk of breast cancer, strokes, and gallbladder disease. Dr. Lee has also maintained that there are “reams of evidence that synthetic estrogens are highly toxic and carcinogenic,” particularly when unopposed (i.e., taken without any progesterone).

PMS

Osteopenia/Osteoporosis

According to John R. Lee, M.D., the pioneering researcher and proponent of natural progesterone cream, PMS is the single most common complaint of premenopausal women. Its symptoms, the result of hormonal dysfunction, can affect everything from the psyche to the nervous and respiratory systems. PMS treatments aim to balance estrogen and progesterone, but this should be done with minimal interference from any synthetic medications or hormones, especially synthetic progestins (e.g., Provera). Progestins, widely used in contraceptives and traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT), mimic some of progesterone’s actions but are not progesterone and can increase the risk of breast cancer and heart attack.

Pharmaceutical companies have patented various drugs to treat low bone density on the premise that estrogen loss is the key hormonal factor in female osteoporosis. (According to Dr. Lee, age-related osteoporosis is actually in large part due to low levels of progesterone and thus decreased new bone formation.) These commonly prescribed drugs are effective only to a limited degree and have undesirable potential side effects: (1) Phosphonates (e.g., Fosamax, Actonel, Didronel): increase bone fracture rate by slowing bone loss, thus causing old bone retention and preventing critical new bone formation (may permanently damage the esophagus and stomach and harm the kidneys); (2) Evista/Raloxifene: a synthetic selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that greatly increases the risk of lung and brain blood clots.

Pre/Menopause & HRT Synthetic Estrogens & Progestins

Breast Cancer

Conventional HRT, often recommended to balance the hormones of women who are premenopausal (those aged 30-50 who may suffer from fibroids, difficulty conceiving, sudden weight

To prevent and treat breast cancer, traditional medicine favors mammograms, Tamoxifen, radiation and chemotherapy. As noted in Dr. Lee’s What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer: How Hormone Balance Can Help Save Your Life (“Breast Cancer”), however, “major studies published in prestigious peerreviewed journals meeting all the conventional medical criteria for . . . evidence-based medicine have shown” that none of these treatments actually save lives. Thus, surgical removal of the cancer (a 50-year-old solution) is left as the primary conventional breast cancer treatment. Alternative, natural approaches may provide a brighter future for those with this devastating disease.

What Is Progesterone?

Progesterone is a sex hormone, produced primarily in the female ovaries and male testes, which is a key factor in the biosynthesis of other hormones and thus has many functions. It is synthesized from the sterol pregnenolone, which is made from cholesterol, derived from the breakdown of sugar and fat. During the menopausal years, women’s progesterone levels can plummet to almost zero by age 50 while estrogen levels decrease relatively slowly.

In balancing the otherwise potential negative effects of “estrogen dominance” (the existence of excess estrogen relative to pro38

October 2010

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gesterone), progesterone’s effects include: (1) helping the body use fat for energy and acting as a natural diuretic; (2) promoting normal sleep patterns; (3) facilitating normal thyroid function; (4) restoring normal libido; (5) acting as a natural antidepressant and anxiolytic; (6) stimulating new bone formation; (7) helping prevent breast and uterine (endometrial) cancer, and (8) protecting against breast fibrocysts. Also, since progesterone restores the sensitivity of estrogen receptors in cell membranes, administering natural progesterone may allow physicians to prescribe lower doses of supplemental estrogen.

The Alternative Approach: Natural Transdermal Progesterone Cream Just as there are multiple factors that can exacerbate PMS and pre/menopausal symptoms, or increase the risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis and breast cancer, a variety of lifestyle choices and nutritional supplements can help prevent and treat these conditions. Natural progesterone cream, applied alternately to various areas of the body, is but one important means of addressing these conditions.

Not to be confused with synthetic progestins or Mexican wild yam/diosgenin/dioscorea (which the body cannot use to make progesterone), natural progesterone cream is synthesized in a lab to have the identical molecular configuration of the progesterone that your body makes. According to Dr. Lee, “The goal of progesterone supplementation is to restore normal physiologic levels of bioavailable progesterone,” ideally based on a saliva, urine, or blood test. A physiologic dose is “an amount approximating what your body would make itself under normal circumstances,” which should be monitored on a regular basis. Select a product that contains a total of 900-1,000mg of progesterone in two ounces, or approximately 20 mg in ¼ teaspoon, ideally from one of the companies that Dr. Lee recommends, such as Products of Nature or Emerita.

To begin understanding the benefits of this remedy, note that: (1) PMS usually involves high levels of stress and resulting cortisol production, which impairs progesterone activity and thus sets the stage for estrogen dominance; (2) estrogen dominance, and the need for supplemental natural progesterone, may be the cause of your pre/menopausal symptoms, especially fat deposited at the stomach, hips or thighs; and (3) in women with low bone density, Dr. Lee has maintained that “adding progesterone can actively increase bone mass and density and may reverse osteoporosis.”

Finally, in Breast Cancer, Dr. Lee notes that “almost all risk factors associated with breast cancer are directly or indirectly related to excess estrogen or estrogen that isn’t balanced with progester-

one” and that “correcting this imbalance . . . is the essence of preventing and treating breast cancer.” Progesterone counteracts estrogen stimulation, thus encouraging the cells to multiply (proliferate) at a normal pace, mature (differentiate into the special type of tissue they were meant to be), and die on time (apoptosis), to be replaced by the new cells that are continually developing.

If you have breast cancer, or wish to prevent it, consider reading this book and sharing it with your oncologist.

Also keep in mind that, while some breast cancer risk factors are beyond your control (i.e., race, age, and family history), there are some things you can do to minimize your risk: (1) eat a healthy diet low in saturated fat and trans-fats, and high in mono/ polyunsaturated fats, antioxidants, vegetables and low-sugar fruits; (2) exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight; (3) avoid excess estrogen [e.g., from oral contraceptives, pesticides, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT)], milk from cows given recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), excessive alcohol, underwire bras, and antiperspirants; and (5) avoid X-rays, especially of the chest, as much as possible.

Conclusion When seeking to balance your hormones, especially if you have breast cancer, it is important to work with a professional experienced in alternative modalities that can diagnose and treat you. Although using a bit more than the optimal dose is not harmful, chronically high doses of progesterone over many months can cause a variety of side effects, including its reduced effectiveness (i.e., by causing progesterone receptors to turn off) and candida (“bad” bacteria, produced by the inhibition of anti-candida white blood cells). Also, if natural HRT isn’t working, it may be due to adrenal or thyroid dysfunction, chronic stress, or prescription drugs. Whether or not you seek a practitioner’s guidance, it may help to keep a daily health journal during at least the first few months of your new hormone regimen to track your diet, supplements, and how you feel each day.

Submitted by Michael Dworkin, P.D., M.S., a Registered Pharmacist and State Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CT Certification #00203), with J. Erika Dworkin, Dip.C.N./Board Cert. Holistic Nutrition (pending). Owner of the Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe (860.646.8178, 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 Food and Drug Administration. None of the natural remedies discussed herein are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

See ad on page 11.

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W

– Ayurveda – An Introduction to a 5000-Year-Old Healing System

hat is Ayurveda and how can this 5000-year-old healing system be practically applied in today’s world?

The understanding of Ayurveda can be as simple as it is complex. On one hand, we could spend a lifetime or two studying this profound ancient wisdom and just reveal the tip of the iceberg. On the other hand, at its core, Ayurveda is a basic underlying realm of natural, inborn wisdom, knowledge and consciousness that we all share at our deepest levels. In its most simple and practical form, Ayurveda is about restoring a natural balance that exists within all of us. It’s about experiencing and revealing our true selves. It’s not so much what we need to learn as much as it is what we could remember. It’s an understanding and inner-wisdom that is our collective and natural birthright and already exists within all of us.

The origins of Ayurveda date back more than 5000 years, and the name comes from the Sanskrit root word “ayus” meaning “life”, and “veda” meaning “wisdom” or “science”. Ayurveda, the wisdom of life, the knowledge of life or the science of life, offers a proven guide for a more vibrant life full of happiness, purpose and vitality.

As we begin to explore Ayurveda and learn more about the principles of our mind-body constitution known as our dosha, there are numerous “ah-ha” moments of understanding. We start to view ourselves (and others) in terms of our natural and original mind-body make-up, and we become more understanding and compassionate as to why we respond and react the way we do to certain circumstances and situations. Through this understanding, and with a little knowledge of some simple and practical techniques and routines, we learn to become more active participants in balancing ourselves on a physical, mental and emotional level and, thus, create more health, happiness and vitality in our lives.

The ancient healing and wisdom traditions of Ayurveda recognize the multidimensional aspects of human beings as the integration of body, mind and spirit.

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From an Ayurvedic perspective, health is more than the absence of disease; health is a vibrant balance in which all the layers of one’s life are integrated, and human beings are viewed as more than our bodies and our thoughts. There is recognition of an underlying realm of intelligence and consciousness that extends beyond space and time, and beyond our physical bodies. Not only is there an underlying energy, consciousness and intelligence that operates within us, but this same intelligence exists in nature, the world, and the entire universe. We are inextricably interwoven and in constant and dynamic exchange with it at all times.

We have over 50 trillion cells in our bodies that function in amazing synchronicity. These trillions of cells are constantly exchanging energy and information with each other. There is an underlying intelligence that orchestrates this magnificent, perfectly choreographed exchange. We don’t have to think or tell our cells what to do; they know their function and do it automatically and intelligently. We see this mirrored in nature all around us. Birds and animals migrate naturally, salmon swim upstream to spawn, fish swim in magically synchronized schools, bears hibernate and so forth. We see this again in the function of the rhythms of nature, the daily cycles, the lunar rhythms, the changing of the seasons, as well as the movement of the planets and stars. We see it in the miracle of the natural botanical wonders of plant life on earth that capture the energy of the sun 93 million miles away and provide food, oxygen and life to all living beings on earth.

The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda reminds us of that which we are often not conscious of in our daily lives. We are connected to our environment; we are in constant exchange with our environment.

At a molecular level, we are what we ingest. Although we quite literally are what we eat, when we use the term “ingest” in this context, we mean more than just what we eat. We ingest anything and everything that we encounter with our five senses; the food we eat, the sights we see, the noises we hear, the smells we smell, as well as the sensations we absorb through touch. www.naturalnutmeg.com

It’s estimated that the average person has between 60,000 and 80,000 thoughts a day. Just like our food and other things that we ingest from our environment, we need to digest these thoughts as well. We are constantly bombarded with noise, information and substances in our daily lives, and all of this needs to be processed and metabolized by us.

Ayurveda puts great emphasis on our agni or digestive fire. When our digestive fire is burning bright, we have the ability to metabolize and digest what we ingest. With strong agni, we can extract all the beneficial ojas or nourishment from what we ingest, and we can eliminate that which is not beneficial or does not serve us. However, if our digestive fire is weak and we cannot properly digest and metabolize that which we ingest, we do not get the maximum benefit from the nourishment and instead we leave behind “undigested” food, thoughts or emotions known as ama or toxic residue. This ama or toxic residue creates blockages in our physiology preventing the free-flow of beneficial energy and information. These blockages throw us off balance and create disruptions in our physical, mental and emotional states causing insomnia, anxiety, irritability, stress, skin rashes, digestive problems, and health issues. If these imbalances go unaddressed, they can be seeds of illness and can eventually lead to more serious disruptions or disease.

Naturally, if we want to be healthy and happy, then we want to live more consciously and realize that we really do have choices in what we ingest on all levels, and we should strive to make better choices. However, as long as we are human beings living in this world, we are continuously bombarded from our environment and we will be exposed to many unhealthy substances, situations and circumstances that may be unavoidable. So the key to happiness, health and balance is two-fold; first, try to live more consciously making healthy choices and, second, be sure to keep the agni or fire burning bright within us so we can metabolize and process everything that comes at us, keeping that which nourishes us and eliminating

that which does not serve us. There is an ancient Vedic expression that in essence says: When our agni or fire is burning bright, even poison can be like nectar; but when our agni or fire is weak, even nectar can be like poison.

So how do we keep this agni burning bright? We can keep our metabolizing fire burning bright by taking measures to stay “balanced”. Remember, when we talk about balance, we are referring to the natural balance that already exists within us.

We are referring to the underlying intelligence and consciousness that orchestrates those 50 trillion cells of our body as well as the dance of nature and the entire universe outside of our body. We don’t have to go to extremes and blow up our world.

We don’t necessarily have to “eliminate” things from our lives as much as we need to moderate and balance ourselves.

Our bodies, minds and emotions are tremendously nurtured, healed and balanced when we tap into our higher states of consciousness. We access our higher states of consciousness through meditation. Doctors have long cited stress as a leading cause of many illnesses in our society. Numerous studies and medical research show that meditation reverses the effects of stress. But aside from the tremendous stress-reduction and health enhancing benefits of meditation, it is also an underlying foundation to Ayurveda. Through a regular practice of meditation, we take an inward journey and connect with our higher states of consciousness. As we bring this consciousness back out into our daily lives, we find ourselves naturally and effortlessly gravitating to more conscious choices in our lives and how we respond to circumstances in our lives.

There are numerous simple and practical daily routines that we can effortlessly weave into our lives to restore balance.

By learning more about our dosha, or our original and natural mind-body personality, we can introduce different foods, aromas, tastes, sights and sounds into our lives that are naturally harmonizing and appealing to our unique constitution. By meditating we reduce stress and connect with the intelligence of our inner-self and remember who we really are. By consciously becoming aware of the rhythms of nature and modifying or adjusting our daily schedules to better entrain our lives to these natural rhythms, we can restore a natural balance and enhance our immune system. By taking time out to bond and connect with nature, we restore that inner connection to our extended body of the

environment. By incorporating massage, yoga and exercise into our lives we break up the ama, or toxic residue, in our bodies and help eliminate it from our physiology.

By eating a balanced diet incorporating the six rasas or tastes, we satisfy our appetites with a nutritionally balanced diet that pacifies our specific dosha.

All of these practices, and learning more about the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, will help us discover and restore our natural balance and, as a result, this will help keep our agni burning bright.

We find that we start effortlessly and automatically become more conscious in the choices we make. We find that we start shifting in how we view and respond to

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circumstances, people and relationships in our life. Through a regular practice of some simple techniques and routines, we transform and enjoy more creativity, enthusiasm, health, happiness and vitality.

Mark Bannon and his wife, Amy, are the CoFounders of Enlightened Way Wellness Center located in the Mill Building at 2 Tunxis Road in Tariffville (Simsbury), CT. They both studied under Deepak Chopra and Dr. David Simon and are Certified Chopra Center Instructor in Perfect Health / Ayurvedic Lifestyle Program and Primordial Sound Meditation instruction. For more information please call 860-217-0340, email wisdom@enlightenedway.com or visit www.enlightenedway.com.

See ad on back cover.

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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. His treatments are holistic incorporating body, mind and spirit. Most people say "I wish I came to you first" after trying years of other unsuccessful therapies. He is also a teacher of advanced Chen Tai Chi, Aikido and Sun Do Mt. Yoga.

See ad on pg 21.

Chiropractic Physicians Center Chiropractic Nutrition & Wellness Ctr.

Dr. Steven Hinchey

Dr. Oberle is a chiropractor and clinical nutritionist, who combines these two areas of expertise to help patients attain maximum health. Chiropractic treatment helps with back and neck pain, disk and shoulder problems, whiplash, and headaches. Nutritional counseling helps acheive weight loss, increased energy, detoxification, diabetes management, and healthy cholesterol levels.

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Dr. Kevin Norige, D.M.D.

Dr. Steve Oberle, D.C., M.S. 29 N.Main St. W. Hartford. • (860) 521-2929 centerchiropractic.com.

Westside Chiropractic

557 Prospect Avenue, West Hartford,CT (860) 523-5833, westsidechiropractors.com

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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Allergy Treatment

Glastonbury Naturopathic Center

18 School St., Glastonbury, Ct. 06033 (860) 657- 4105, naturopathicwellness.com 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. It is a therapeutic approach that was developed from over 15 years of clinical research, reconditioning the body to respond more appropriately to harmless substances. 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 27.

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Dentist

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 18.

Colon Hydrotherapy Glastonbury Naturopathic Center

18 School St., Glastonbury, Ct. 06033 (860) 657- 4105, naturopathicwellness.com 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 27.

Creative Copywriting Karen M. Rider, M.A.

860-638-8140 Karenmrider@comcast.net.

Does your promotional copy align who you are and what you do with the needs of potential clients? Professionally written copy makes all the difference in getting a response from your target audience. Karen Rider, crafts custom copy for print ads, websites, brochures, e-newsletters, press releases and book jackets. Ghostwriting and co-writing services available for articles, interviews and books. Her work appears in local, regional and national publications. View Portfolio at: http:// KarenMRider.writersresidence.com. www.naturalnutmeg.com

2249 New London Turnpike South Glastonbury, CT. (860) 633-6518 www.dentistryfordiabetics.com/drhinchey See ad on page 17.

112 Deming St., South Windsor, CT. (860) 644-0113 See ad on page 34.

The Canaan Gentle Dentle & Implant Center

Dr. Thomas Livingstone 3-5 Railroad St. North Canaan, CT (860) 824-0751 livingstonedentalexcellence.com See ad on page 26.

Hair Replacement Donyelle McBride, Trichologist

674 Prospect St, Hartford CT 06105, 3rd FL 860.985.2081 • www.mcbridehair.com Donyelle McBride is a licensed Cosmetologist, Trichologist, and Hair Replacement Specialist treating male and female hair loss. We use follicle stimulation and DHT blockers to promote hair growth along with a health and wellness approach using nature’s remedies such as vitamin supplements and herbs. Ask about our “Risk Free” 30 day trial for non-surgical hair replacement. Call for consultation! See ad on page 13.

Health Food Stores Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe The Manchester Parkade 378 West Middle Tpke, Manchester, CT M-SAT 8am-9pm • SUN 9am-6pm 860.646.8178

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 11.

Holistic Health Monika Benoit BA Psy, CH, HHP, EFT-ADV CT Wellness Connection LLC 82 Salem Turnpike, 2nd Floor Norwich, CT 06360. 1-888-446-2338 healingwithmonika@live.com www.healingwithmonika.com

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! See ad on page 37.

Martial Arts Copper Mountain Aikido

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

Holistic Health Centers Wholistic Spa

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. See ad on back cover.

Life Coaching Lori Carpenos & Associates

566 Prospect Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105 www.3PrinciplesTherapy.com • 860-561-1919 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, more productivity, more satisfaction and less stress in life, whether alone or with others, then please call to discuss a program that will meet your needs and your schedule. People who have invested time and energy in learning how to use their minds, thoughts and consciousness in the healthiest manner have found the return on their efforts to be well worth their investment. See ad on page 18.

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(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 at Wholistic Spa™ 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. Inner Health. Outer Beauty™.

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Natural Products Designs For Health

2 North Road, East Windsor, CT 06088 1-800-367-4325 • www.designsforhealth.com info@designsforhealth.com For 20 years, Designs for Health has been the health care professional's trusted source for research-backed nutritional products of superior quality. Driven by our "Science First" philosophy, our team of nutritionists and clinical experts utilize both clinical feedback from leading industry pioneers, and sound, scientifically researched literature as the basis for designing our products; all Designs for Health nutritional therapies are designed by health care professionals for health care professionals. See ad on page 3.

Natural Products Earth Turns

All Natural Health & Beauty Products www.EarthTurns.com. 1-800-507-3604 EarthTurns.com prides itself on exceptional customer service. All natural, chemical free health and beauty products at great prices. All of our products are made in America to assure quality. Ships SAME DAY, Monday-Saturday. See ad on page 17. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Naturopathic Physicians Advanced Allergy Relief CT Anne Mitchell, ND (203) 265-3546 • www.aarct.com North Haven & W. Hartford Eliminate your allergic reactions using a technologically advanced treatment that corrects the body’s response to the offending food, pollen, mold, perfume, pets, etc. No medications. Non-invasive. Childfriendly. See ad on page 21.

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 5.

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 27.

Kensington Naturopathic Medical Ctr. Dr. Ann Aresco 355 New Britain Rd, Kensington, CT (860) 829-0707 drannaresco@comcast.net kensingtonnaturopathic.com

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.

See ad on page 9.

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CommunityResources Naturopathic Physicians

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

West Hartford Naturopathic Medicine

639 Park Rd, 2nd Floor, West Hartford, CT (860)748-4064 or (860)561-2294 Alternityhealthcare.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 31.

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.

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

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

The approach to patient care at Whole Health Associates differs from most other provider’s offices.

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. The doctors are providers for many insurance companies. See ad on page 37.

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Natural Nutmeg Organic / Gluten free Divine Treasures

404 Middle Tpk. West, Manchester, CT. (860) 643-2552 Specializing in artisan organic chocolate made with luxuriously healthful ingredients. Explore vegan, sugar-free and gluten-free selections along with Greater Hartford’s only dairy-free holiday ice cream cakes. See ad on page 37.

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Physicians, Osteopathic 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 23.

Psychotherapist Center for Integrative Healthcare & Healing

533 Cottage Grove Rd, Bloomfield, CT (860) 243-2224 • www.cmgmds.com/cihh.html

Dori L. Gatter, Psy.D., LPC

17 S Highland St., West Hartford, CT 06119 203.258.4113

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.

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. 23.

Health & Healing, LLC Deanna M. Cherrone, MD

Soul Support Counseling

Dr. Deanna Cherrone, 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.

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 19.

12 West Main Street, Avon, CT. (860) 677-4600 • naturalhealthandhealing.net

www.naturalnutmeg.com

Nancy M Brockett, PhD, LPC West Hartford, CT 860.223.2232 www.soul-support.org

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 20.

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 29.

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 30.

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 7.

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 12.

Robin Clare

Inner Wisdom Guide 10 Crossroads Plaza, West Hartford, CT. 860-232-3331, info@clare-ity.com Clare-ity Brings Peace of Mind! We all want a more balanced and centered life. We want to know what is in our best interest regarding our relationships, our health or the focus of our work. Robin Clare teaches people from all walks of life how to find balance in their lives. With offerings that include The Clare-ity Method, Akashic Record Reading, Energy Healing and Pineal Gland Activation, Robin will help you to reach “clare-ity” in your life based on where you are currently in your life and where you aspire to be. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact Robin at 860-232-3331 or Robin@clare-ity.com. See ad on page 35.

Weave Your Life LLC Audrey Bennett, LCSW, LADC 100 Queen Street Southington, CT 06489 Integrative Psychotherapy, Shamanic Arts, Flower Essences, Ceremonial Supplies, Special Events. http://audreybennett.vpweb.com.

(860) 819-8570. See ad page 6,16.

Yoga Centers Merriman Woods Yoga & Life Coaching, LLC Migdalia Merriman Burlington, CT 06013 (860) 675-3684

Spas / Day Spas

Wholistic Spa

Vibrational/Energy Healing

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 21. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Offers on going Yoga & Wellness classes, workshops & retreats in Art, Chinese Medicine, Aruveda, Yoga, Meditation and Chakra Balancing with Migdalia Merriman and guest teachers. Visit merrimanwoodsyoga.com for a complete listing of offerings. See ad on page 27.

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 16.

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CommunityCalendar Friday, October 1st Oneness Awakening Course. Fri. 6 - 9, Sat. 9 - 6, Sun. 9 - 6. $195. Oneness is the natural state in which human beings are supposed to be living. Using beautiful oneness teachings, transformative meditations, inner child healing and sacred rituals, we will prepare ourselves for Awakening. During this special weekend, we will convert our classroom into a sacred space that will enable us to receive the powerful energy called Mukthi Deeksha. The Mukthi Deeksha Process offers liberation from the mind so that you begin to experience reality as it is, free from the mind's habitual interference. Each attendee will also be initiated as an Oneness Deeksha Giver. Location: WHSC – 15 Starkel Road, W. Hartford. To register, please email marieken@ onenessvermont.com or call 802 353 8104.

Holographic Sound and Quartz Crystal Bowl Healing Concert with Randeane Tetu. 7:308:30pm. $10 donation. Experience the benefits of voice and quartz crystal bowl holographic sound healing to stimulate healing at a very deep level. Simply by listening, you’ll experience the benefits for clearing, balancing, and uplifting your entire system. Shoreline Center for Wholistic Health, 35 Boston Street, Guilford, CT 203-453-5520. www.shorelinewholistic.com. For information or in case of inclement weather, call 860-345-4226.

Primordial (Hunyuan) Taoist Taiji Ruler Qigong.

6-8:30PM. Taiji Ruler is an 1100 year-old rarely taught qigong exercise that helps us gather and transform qi (life force energy) and merge it with the original energy of the universe to achieve vitality, longevity and improved healing power.

This exercise will enhance awareness of center and balance and encourage the movement and transformation of jing, blood and qi to improve your health and quality of life. 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 Sept 29 to register.

Working with Quartz Crystals. Lynn Merritt.

We will discuss the different types of Quartz Crystals, what they are used for, how to choose, cleanse and program them. Learn how to use these crystals for meditation, divination, healing and attracting what we desire. 7:30pm Cost $20 Held at Mystical Horizons 46 Main St Old Mystic,CT. 06372 Call 860 5729191 to register.

Saturday, October 2nd Yoga Basics Series. Also, 10/09. 10:30am12 noon. Enlightened Way Wellness Center w/ Wendy Gorfain. $30.00 for both sessions.

Space limited, so please call to register. In this short series, you will learn how yoga benefits the body, mind and spirit and will begin an exploration of yoga asana (postures) and modifi-

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cations for specific conditions. You will be introduced to meditation and short practices that will enable you to feel comfortable participating in the classes on our current yoga schedule.

Visit www.enlightenedway.com to learn more about this program or call (860) 217-0304. Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081 (junction of RTE 315 and RTE 189).

Medicinal Aromatherapy Certification Program. 9:30-4:30. Tonya Lemos. $329.00 (22 NCBTMB CEU’s Provided). Oct. 2-3. Also, 11/6 & 11/13 (2-Sat). This is a 4 day clinical approach to Aromatherapy and should not be confused with a course in smell. Massage Therapists, estheticians, psychotherapists, energy healers, nurses and herbologists will find this class to be a strong adjunct for improving the health of their patients. Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies, 900 Wells Road (RT 175) Wethersfield, CT. 860-666-5064. www.CTHerbschool.com.

Praying in Color. 9am–10:15am. $25.00 (register for both workshops this day and pay only $55.00) This workshop will teach you a new prayer form that will open your creative channels. Using simple drawing shapes and writing, you will learn how to tap into your inner child and make a deeper connection with Spirit. No drawing ability required…just an open heart and mind. 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.

Introduction to Mandalas. 10:30am – 12:30 pm. $45.00 (register for both workshops this day and pay only $55.00) Explore and experience the dynamics and power of the mandala. Learn the symbolism that is encoded in the mandala on the intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual levels. Gain an understanding of the meanings of the colors, shapes and placement of objects you use to create your mandala. 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.

Sunday, October 3rd Ayurvedic Weight Loss Workshop. 4– 6 pm. $30 Learn the answers to questions you may have had for years about how to lose weight.

Stop riding the "yo-yo" diet roller coaster and tune into yourself and the seasons to find your best body ever. Feel better, look better, and be better as you heal and grow through an Ayurvedic approach to weight loss and weight maintenance you can keep up with for the rest of your healthy life. With Sarajean Walsh. Visit for more information. Pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street , Glastonbury , CT. 860.657.9545.

www.naturalnutmeg.com

Tuesday, October 5th Meditating with the Masters. 6:30pm-8:30pm. $20 Meditate in the vibration of the Archangels and Ascended Masters. These Divine beings will be guiding and supporting you on your quest in discovering you true authentic self. By allowing yourself to be in the presence of these Divine beings, you open yourself to higher vibrational changes and heightened clarity. 36 Cheshire Road Wallingford. No previous experience necessary. To register or more information contact Gayle @203-265-2927, email sunnispirit@ sbcglobal.net.

Meet, Move and Pray. 6:30pm–8:30pm. $100.00. Four Tuesdays, October 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th. Reconnect with yourself and release limiting beliefs, emotional blocks and physical responses to life. Each class, we will discuss those life issues that are holding you back then we’ll move into a body awareness workout that allows you to get in touch with your physical self. The class ends with prayer, meditation and intentions for the week. 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.

Wednesday, October 6th Healing in Harmony Night. 5 pm. – 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.

Shamanic Journeying. 7- 8:45 pm. $12/class;( 3 for $30: Oct 6, Nov 3, Dec 1). Dr. Marian Vitali, DC facilitates (www.wholelifewellnessshaman. com). Call your spirit teachers, angels, power animals or helping guides to join your journeying experience. These sessions help you access spiritual wisdom for your own transformational growth and health. This is for those with some journeying experience. Please bring a drum or rattle, eye cover, and notebook. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Call Marian at 860-918-8703 to register by October 1.

Thursday, October 7th Thyme & Season Wellness Talk, “Let’s Make A Baby”. 7pm. Free, no reservation. Dr. Aviva Wertkin of Natural Health Associates. One in ten couples has difficulty achieving a pregnancy. In most cases there are specific causes that can be treated naturally. Whether it’s a hormone imbalance or an “unexplained” infertility, Dr.

Wertkin has successfully helped many couples conceive. No Demonstration. Thyme & Season Natural Market, 3040 Whitney Ave., Hamden.

203-407-8128 Questions? Ask Linda, Certified Nutrition Counselor (M-F 9-5). Our 21st lecture series. 20% Supplement Coupon to all attendees. www.ThymeAndSeasonNaturalMarket.com.

Shamans from Peru. Don Martin, Marco nunez & the Twins. Workshops & private sessions.

Also, Oct. 8&9. 3 Barnard Lane top floor, Bloomfield, CT 06002. to register go to: http:// www.quietharborevents.ning.com.

Benefits of Healthy Skin with Grace Petrarca, founder of Good for you Girls Skin Care. Please join Grace for an educational night about healthy facial care, body care, hair care, and sun care. She will be discussing the toxins that young women put on their bodies and how to avoid them. Good for you Girls was founded by good friends, Kim and Grace, who, between the two of them, have six daughters. They designed a pure, effective natural beauty product not just for their girls, but for all girls. Come with a friend, mother, daughter or your neighbor’s young “tween” and your face will never be happier! You will have a chance to sample their amazing products. Passiflora Café, Tea Room & Herbal Shoppe, 526 Main Street, New Hartford, CT. 860-379-TEAS, www.passiflorateas.com.

Friday, October 8th Tag Sale! 10/8-10/10. 10am-5pm. Free. I will be traveling extensively in the near future, and can't be weighed down with possessions. I'm clearing a lifetime of furniture, artwork, and beautiful things that I would love to see you enjoy. Inherit treasured items, and support a friend on her journey of transformation and (hopefully) enlightenment! Lisl Meredith Huebner. The Essence of Being; 184 Johnnycake Mountain Road: Burlington, CT www.theessenceofbeingat.com 860-673-6863 Email: essenceofbeing@hotmail.com.

Qi Gong Intensive I, Part 1 - Qi Gong Fundamentals and Balancing the Body's Energy.

6-8:30 PM. This workshop includes Qi Gong fundamentals, an overview of the body's energy system and uses this framework to understand how energy balancing works. Learn simple stance, movement and breathing techniques to help balance your body's energy for improved health and emotional balance and a sense of how Qi Gong can play a role in your long term health. The Lodge at Patriot’s Park, 174 Lake St Coventry, CT. Presented by George Hoffman, Silver Dragon Tai Chi & Qi Gong. Fee: $45. Call Coventry Park & Recreation at 860-742-4068

by October 5 to register.

Drumming. Honoring the Ancestors. 7:30pm.

Come and honor your ancestors as we call them forth to bring energy, vision, direction for life and healing. Bring your drums, rattles, and pictures of loved ones. In honor of all that was all that is and for all that will be. Bring a blanket, we hope to drum under the stars.

Mystical Horizons 46 Main St Old Mystic,CT 06372 Call 860 5729191 for information.

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

Edie Jemiola, RMT, facilitates. Everything in and about our bodies resonates to sound. 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 by Wednesday, October 6. Walk-ins as space allows.

Saturday, October 9th Psychic Saturday. 10am-4pm. $20.00 for a 20-minute reading. Stop by or schedule a private reading and receive guidance from your angels, spirit guides and loved ones. Intuitive and Angel Therapy Practitioner® Priscilla Bengtson will connect with her guides and angels to provide you with the information you need. Pre-schedule or try your luck by walking in. Held at simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. To pre-schedule an appointment, please call Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www.simplyfitnessonline.com.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory Terminology Course. (May be a Stand Alone Class) *prerequisite for Chinese Herbology Program* Also 10/10 & 10/16,17 (Two Sat & Sun). Laura Mignosa, NCCH. 9:30 – 4pm. $459.00 (28 Ceu).

This is a powerful course for anyone interested in the Differential Diagnosis of Traditional Chinese Medicine and it's uses today. Aroma therapists, Body workers, Massage therapists, and other wellness practitioners benefit from incorporating this holistic perspective of the human energetic systems. Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies, 900 Wells Road (Rt 175), Wethersfield, CT. 860-666-5064. www.CTHerbschool.com.

Conscious Communication. 11am -1pm. $30/$20 if paid by 10/2. Coach/author Cary Bayer, facilitates (www.carybayer.com). This class teaches vital techniques to speak and listen effectively. In a relaxed and playful manner, Cary demonstrates how to speak in an empowering manner. He also shows how to safely tell the truth quickly and kindly, and stop withholding communications that you really need to make.

Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/ Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct. com. Register by credit card at 845-679-5526. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Zen Teachings of Cats & Dogs. 2-4 pm. $30/$20 if paid by 10/2. Coach/author Cary Bayer (www. carybayer.com) facilitates. There are more than 171 million pet cats and dogs in America. These little buddhas, who demonstrate many qualities about the nature of Enlightenment, have taken us under their wings…um, make that paws.

Cary provides tools that we can practice daily-call it Pet Yoga--to master five important qualities of Enlightenment. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www. spiritmattersct.com. To register by credit card, call 845-679-5526.

The Mathematics Of The Universe: Changing The Future Now! 10am-4:30 pm. Mary Miller MSW. It is possible to live without struggling & break free of life-long repeated patterns.The answers based on mathematics & particle physics lie in one of the oldest text known to man.

Using this knowledge, you can change your future. Join us & you will never see the world the same way again. You'll have the opportunity to use I Ching Systems latest technology: possible electromagnetic solutions to personal balance.

Pre-Registration recommended. 1-508-9444250 or ichingsystems@yahoo.com. Tarrytown, NY, Marriott Hotel.

Discover the Alexander Technique. 1pm-2pm.

Free. In this class we give a brief background about the Alexander Technique and then guide you through a series of simple activities (sitting and standing) where you begin to investigate how you use your body, and explore ways of moving with less tension. We give personal demonstrations to as many people as time allows and close with questions and open conversation. This class will be taught by Eric Miller and held in Farmington, CT. Call 860-656-6177 or email info@millerAT.com to reserve your spot.

Outdoor Psychic Fair. 10am-6pm at Mystical Horizons 46 Main st (Rt 27) Old Mystic! Also Sun Oct 10th. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the fair! This is our last Psychic Fair of the year! For more information call 860 572-9191 Readings $25/ 20 mins!!!!

Sunday, October 10th Women’s Empowerment Gatherings. 6:30pm8:30pm. $20. Ready to transform to the next level of empowerment? Learn techniques and strategies, to uplift , mind, body and spirit and encourage you to live your dreams. Release old fears and replace them with a new confidence. Learn how to tap into new levels of your innate powers to assist you in living your life to your fullest potential. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. Contact Gayle @203-2652927. email: sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net.

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CommunityCalendar Sunday, October 10th Presence Healing sessions, with Gene Ang, Ph.D. Also, 10/11. Each session entails a balancing and integration of one’s energy field to bring back wholeness and healing to the mind and body. Gene has trained in a number of different healing disciplines including Pranic Healing, Reconnective Healing/the Reconnection, Shamanic Healing, and Vortex Healing.

You can have a custom healing or choose one of the above. The goal of each session is to move a person forward on their healing path in an efficient and smooth manner. Presence Healing sessions: $150, The Reconnection: $333. Location: Private Office – 10 Crossroads Plaza, W. Hartford. To book an appointment, please call Enlightened Professionals at 860-232-3331 or www.epllc.org.

Jumpstart Your Evolution on 10.10.10 at 10.10 am. 9:30am - 2pm. Suggested Donation, $25.

Humanity is evolving from our Homo-Sapien to our Homo-Luminous bodies. The Harmonic Convergence that began in 1987 is rapidly approaching the final three stages that will take us into the higher dimensions. The first of these three stages will occur on 10-10-10, the remaining two on 11.11.11 and 12.12.12. Join Robin Clare, Founder of Enlightened Professionals and Dr. Gene Ang, Energy Healer, for a morning of discussion and a group activation for Divine Consciousness that will assist with our higher self connection. The activation is meant to link us more strongly with the energy centers above our head that will allow us to bring more light into our everyday lives. This moment is pivotal to our evolution & spiritual emergence.

Please bring a yoga mat, blanket, and/or pillow if you would like to lie down for the activation.

WHSC, 15 Starkel Road, W. Hartford. To register call Enlightened Professionals at 860-2323331 or www.epllc.org.

ECKANKAR Worship Service. For all who love God. 10am-11:15am, Eckankar Temple of Connecticut, Corner of Rt. 66 and Harvestwood Road, Middlefield, CT. Contact: eckinfo@cteckankar.org. The service consists of uplifting music and inspirational talks to awaken spiritual understanding in everyday life. The topic for this Sunday is "The Power and Grace of Unconditional Love."

Tuesday, October 12th Crystal Toning. 6:30pm-8:30pm. $20. The healing power of crystals, like sound, have particular vibrations that affect us on many levels.

Experience a unique method of healing with the combined energies of crystals with toning, which create an individualized healing session.

36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. To register or for more information contact Gayle @203-2652927, email sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.return2love.net.

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Wednesday, October 13th Breast Cancer: Survive and Thrive During and After Treatment: 6:30pm-8:30 pm. FREE. Join us at Hartford Hospital’s Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center of Avon for an introduction to some of our Integrative Medicine Services.

Come and check out the new Introductory Restorative Yoga class with Cheryl Guertin LMT, RYT. Designed to relieve stress and fatigue while allowing your body to access its’ natural healing abilities. Also meet Heather Finn L.Ac who will discuss and demonstrate how acupuncture can help to relieve a wide variety of symptoms and increase function and quality of life for both survivors and their caregivers. Learn about all the Integrative Medicine programs at Hartford Hospital. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat. Registration requested but not required. Any questions, please call Terry Corbo at 860-696-1026.

Releasing Stress, Tension and Fear. 6:30pm. – 8:30pm. $50.00. This workshop will provide you with the tools to live a life with less stress, tension and fear. Priscilla Bengtson will work with you on exploring the thoughts, beliefs and actions that hold you from obtaining what you want in life. Ganesh Iyer will teach you the basics of Yoga philosophy, breathing, yoga postures and sequencing and how Yoga can help you reduce stress, tension, and manage negative emotions. Please dress to move. Held at simply fitness for the spirit, mind and body, 122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury. For information, please contact Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www.simplyfitnessonline.com.

Free Discussion on “Past Lives, Dreams, and Soul Travel”. 7pm – 8pm. Welles-Turner Library, 2407 Main St., Glastonbury, CT (860)6527720. Learn how to recall and resolve past-life lessons to help you today, interpret your dreams with the help of the Dream Master, Soul Travel and move closer to the heart of God! Presented by students of Eckankar.

How To Tap Into Your Intuition. 7-9 pm. $25.

Gloria Amendola, spiritual intuitive, shamanic practitioner, researcher and author of the Mary Magdalene mysteries facilitates this first of 3 monthly meetings. See www.gloriaamendola. com. Learn the basics of the Tarot deck and how to do a Celtic Cross Spread. Learn how to clarify questions and pull cards accordingly. Learn to use a pendulum to scan 7 major chakras for answers. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com. Register with Gloria at chalice4444@ yahoo.com, or 203-876-9936.

Consciousness Explained Better: A Lecture and Book Signing with Dr. Allan Combs. 7 - 9pm at The Graduate Institute. 171 Amity Road, Bethany, CT. $20 per person, free for TGI colleagues.

Learn about a groundbreaking new book that is changing our understanding of the multi-faceted nature of consciousness. Call (203) 8744252 or visit www.learn.edu for more info. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Thursday, October 14th “Next Generation Yoga” Kids Teacher Training.

10/14-10/19. Taught by Jodi Komitor, a pioneer in kids yoga! Are you a parent who would like to turn your yoga practice into a family affair? Are you an educator in need of fresh ideas that will support your students learning? Are you a child psychologist, therapist or pediatric professional wishing to enrich your treatment with the positive effects of yoga? Then this Yoga Teacher Training is for YOU! NGY offers two certification programs: Yoga Teacher Training™ for 2-7 yr. olds (10/14, 10/15 & 10/16) and Yoga Teacher Training™ for 8-13 yr. olds (10/17, 10/18 & 10/19).

Each age group training individually, $795.00 plus $50 reg. Fee. BOTH trainings, $1095 plus $100 reg. fee. Enlightened Way Wellness Center. Space limited. Pre-registration required.

Visit www.enlightenedway.com or call (860) 217-0304. Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081 (junction of Rte. 315 and Rte 189).

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 “Aromatinis” and tasty snacks –recipes available!! John Odlum & Lisl Meredith Huebner. The Essence of Being at Johnnycake Mountain, 184 Johnnycake Mountain Road: Burlington, CT. www. theessenceofbeingat.com To register call: 860673-6863 Email: essenceofbeing@hotmail.com.

Tibetan Singing Bowls with Laura Dunfield.

Tibetan Singing Bowls represent the sound of energy. The sound is deep and allows you to go deep within yourself to a place of peace and healing. The sounds break up any blocks in a person's energy field, which enables the release of stress and tension. Blocks, which are felt in the body as discomfort or pain, are released.

Blood pressure is lowered. Stress and tension disappear and you begin to relax. When a bowl is played near or touching you, you receive energy, especially when your energy level is low or depleted. You feel more whole, safe, grounded. Passiflora Café, Tea Room & Herbal Shoppe, 526 Main Street, New Hartford, CT. 860-379TEAS, www.passiflorateas.com.

Core Stabilization & Strengthening Class. Instructor: Carol Gordon, PT, IMTC. 1:15pm2:00pm . This free 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. No Cost. CenterIMT, 800 Cottage Grove Road. Building 2, Bloomfield, 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.

Friday, October 15th Focus Your Tai Chi Form Practice (any style).

6-8:30pm. This workshop consolidates more than 25 tips gathered from class and workshop notes from more than 18 years of study to guide our bodies to enhance our martial and energetic skills. You may have heard some of them before - but here they all are in one place, at one time, in a form you can use in your daily practice to profoundly improve your Tai Chi. Karate Spirit, 1159 Main St (Rte 31) Coventry, CT – Presented

by George Hoffman, Silver Dragon Tai Chi & Qi Gong. Fee: $35. Call 860-742-5892 by Oct 13 to register.

Healing Gong Concert. 8:00pm $25.00, Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-951-9642, www.FullerYoga.com Come get swept away by the healing power of Gongs. This is a unique concert as you lie down and soak up the vibration of the Gongs.

Bring a blanket and get ready to unwind.

The Power of the Pendulum. Lynn Merritt.

Learn how to use the pendulum. A pendulum can be used for decision making, locating lost or hidden objects, divining the future and healing. 7:30pm Cost $20 Held at Mystical Horizons 46 Main St Old Mystic,CT 06372 Call 860 5729191 to register.

Coyote Talking Circle. 7-9 pm. Free will donation. Ray Hardy, artist/Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran/Reiki Master is offering a talking/sharing/healing circle based on the work of Lewis Mehl-Madrona, MD, PhD of Cherokee and Lakota Heritage (www.mehl-madrona. com) utilizing deep listening, active imagination, dream work, art, storytelling, music and ceremony as well as other traditional practices.

Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT. www.spiritmattersct.com.

Contact Ray Hardy at rayhardy0109@sbcglobal.net, 860-643-8168 to register by Tuesday, October 12.

Saturday, October 16th Yoga and Hiking Experience. w/ Steve Grant and Leslie Gordon. Enlightened Way Wellness Center. 8:00am-12 noon. $45.00. Space is limited, please pre-register. (Due to the trail conditions on a wet day, rain will cancel). Enjoy our beautiful New England foliage with a hike on the Metacomet Trail with Hartford Courant writer and naturalist, Steve Grant. We’ll gather at Enlightened Way Wellness center at 8:00am for a short warm up, and then head out to the trail for what is sure to be a wonderful adventure. Once our hike is over, we will return to the Yoga Studio for a practice to sooth and relax our bodies and share a cup of tea. Visit www. enlightenedway.com to learn more about this program or call (860) 217-0304. Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081

Yoga Therapy Training. 9 – 5 pm. Partial and Full Day prices available. Stroke, Parkinson’s, MS, and Headaches with David Tinkelpaugh, Healing with Sound with Kai Lani, Yoga for Autism with Dori Sargent Open to Health Care Professionals (OT’s, PT’s, RYT’s, LMT’s, Naturopaths,Acupuncturists, etc.).Visit www. sacredriversyoga.com for more information.

Pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street , Glastonbury , CT 06033 , 860.657.9545.

The Passion Test. 9am – 1pm. $45. Cathy Ewing-Rinker, LCSW, MDiv facilitates. See www. spiritmattersct.com. The Passion Test is a simple yet powerful tool for discovering your passions and living your destiny. It will help you uncover layer by layer the things that are most important to you in your life so that they will begin to become alive inside of you. Held at Manchester Community College. To register: 860-5123232 or http://my.commnet.edu or in person at the Lowe Building, CRN#31835.

Sunday, October 17th Jamaican And Caribbean Vegan Food Demo & Caribbean Band. 5pm. Northern Connecticut Vegetarian Society potluck will feature Chef Chris from Fire-N-Spice Restaurant and music from a Caribbean Band (Reggae, Calypso, and others). Chris will demo Jamaican and Caribbean recipes. Anyone interested in improving his or her health is invited. Bring a healthy vegan dish to share along with your recipe. Also, please bring your place setting. A donation of $12 per adult is requested. Children are free. The Carniglia Senior Center, 41 Oak Street, Windsor Locks, CT, is the location for this event For more information, telephone Harry at (860) 6238082 or email Harry at veggyharry@aol.com.

Weed Walk. Weather Permitting. 10am –12. $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! Tour forest and field to identify all manner of useful plants for food, healing and crafts. Get healthy ideas for delicious, nutritious and free meals! The Essence of Being184 Johnnycake Mountain Road: Burlington, CT www.theessenceofbeingat.com To register call: 860-6736863 Email: essenceofbeing@hotmail.com.

Essence Meditation. 1-3pm. $15.00 Join us for a wonderful guided meditation/journey aided by pure essential oils. Accessing profound Inner Wisdom and integrating that knowledge creates a more fulfilling life. Reclaiming your relationship with Nature is the most direct route back to yourself and the manifestation of your Personal Destiny. John Odlum & Lisl Meredith Huebner; The Essence of Being; 184 Johnnycake Mountain Road; Burlington, CT www.theessenceofbeingat.com Call: 860-673-6863 Email: essenceofbeing@hotmail.com. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Tuesday, October 18th Astral Travel. 6:30pm-8:30pm. $20. 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.

36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. To register or for more information contact Gayle @203-2652927, email sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.return2love.net.

Wednesday, October 20th Janet Hulme. Bowel/Bladder. Instructor: Marilyn Gross, PT, IMTC. 1:15pm-1:45pm. Based on the work of Janet Hulme – focus on bladder strength and stability. This class is structured to provide individuals suffering from bladder/ pelvic pain with an easy set of functional exercises. No Cost. CenterIMT, 800 Cottage Grove Road, Building 2, Bloomfield, 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.

Open House at The Graduate Institute. 5 pm.

Free. Discover unique M.A. and Certificate programs empowering visionary thinkers to create a better future. 171 Amity Road, Bethany, CT. Call (203) 874-4252 or visit www.learn.edu for more info.

Thursday, October 21st Thyme & Season Wellness Talk, “Conquer Chronic Disease with a Therapeutic Lifestyle Change!”. 7pm, free, no reservation. Dr. Jason Belejack of New England Naturopathic Center.

The first line of defense against chronic disease and promoting healthy aging is a therapeutic lifestyle. Come see how changing your diet, lowering stress, exercising and enhancing your sleep can improve your body and your health.

Incorporate changes that last a lifetime. Thyme & Season Natural Market, 3040 Whitney Ave., Hamden. 203-407-8128 Questions? Ask Linda, Certified Nutrition Counselor (M-F 9-5). Our 21st lecture series. 20% Supplement Coupon to all attendees. www.ThymeAndSeasonNaturalMarket.com.

YogaKids. Boys/Girls, ages 6-12. 4:30pm5:30pm. 3rd Thursday of every month: 10/21, 11/18, and 12/16. Drop-in $14.00 or $36.00 for 3-class card. Enlightened Way Wellness Center w/ Julie Esrasmus. Yoga for children teaches techniques for self-awareness, relaxation, and inner and outer strength. The activities are fun and allow kids to explore their own sense of power, balance and peace. YogaKids® is adjusted to accommodate the age of the children.

Visit www.enlightenedway.com or call (860) 217-0304. Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081 (junction of RTE 315 and RTE 189).

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CommunityCalendar Thursday, October 21st Introduction to Shamanic Journeying. 7-8:30 pm. Free. Experience a guided journey to connect to your power animal to access spiritual wisdom for your own personal growth and health. Marian Vitali, DC, shamanic practitioner, WholeLife Wellness & Shamanic Services, 860918-8703, www.wholelifewellnessshaman. com, Sponsored by Alliance For Holistic Living, part of a monthly series East of the Connecticut River to introduce holistic modalities, centers and practitioners in the region. Hosted at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com, 860-871-9295. No advance registration. www.afhlnow.org.

Friday, October 22nd Chakras: The 7 Major Energy Centers of the Body. Lynn Merritt. An overview on how to heal, balance and activate the chakras. We will do a chakra meditation, learn how to look for blocks, then discuss how to heal and balance your chakra energy. 7:30pm Cost $20 Held at Mystical Horizons 46 Main St Old Mystic,CT...

06372 Call 860 572-9191 to register.

Yoga Nidra. 7pm-8:30pm. Enlightened Way Wellness Center (with Leslie Gordon). Also, 11/12 & 12/10, Drop-In $18.00 or use your yoga card. Space limited, so please call to register! Yoga Nidra or “Yogic Sleep” is an ancient practice combining relaxation, breathing, visualization and affirmation to relax and integrate the body, mind and spirit profoundly. Sessions will begin with a gentle asana (posture) practice, and continue w/ deep relaxation. No experience is necessary! Visit www.enlightenedway. com to learn more about these special offerings. Call (860) 217-0340. Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081 (junction of RTE 315 and RTE 189.

Teen Yoga (Boys/Girls, ages 13+). 5:00pm6:00pm. Drop-in $14.00 or $36.00 for 3-class card. Enlightened Way Wellness Center w/ Julie Esrasmus. Enhance your posture, strength, flexibility, balance & coordination through yoga poses, posture sequencing & breath awareness. Yoga balances out the stresses of sports and helps correct tightness and weaknesses.

Visit www.enlightenedway.com or call (860) 217-0304. Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081 (junction of Rte. 315 and Rte. 189).

Gallery Night. 6:30pm-8:30pm. $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,

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122A Naubuc Avenue, Suite 210, Glastonbury.

To register, please call Priscilla at 860.301.1468 or visit www.simplyfitnessonline.com.

Medicinal Aromatherapy Certification. Friday 7-9:30 pm; Sat.–Sun. 8:45 am-6:30 pm. $475.00 (includes texts). Connect with the consciousness of plants and trees with the assistance of over 200 essential oils and shamanic journeying. Unlearn “toxicity myths,” correct common conditions. 18 class “A” CE’s for Massage Therapists! John Odlum & Lisl Meredith Huebner. The Essence of Being 184 Johnnycake Mountain Road: Burlington, CT www.theessenceofbeingat.com To register call: 860-673-6863 Email:essenceofbeing@hotmail.com.

Quarterly Abraham Study Group and Dinner.

6:00pm. $20 per person. Join us for our 9h gathering! Meet like minded people to study the teachings of Abraham (Esther and Jerry Hicks). Discover how to attract the elements of a wonderful life. Enjoy a great buffet (not too spicy) with old and new friends. Location: Taste of India. 139 South Main Street. W. Hartford.

Reservations required – call 860) 561-2221.

Saturday, October 23rd Shamanic Journeying: Beginners’ Intensive.

1–5pm. $40. Dr. Marian Vitali, DC facilitates (www.wholelifewellnessshaman.com).

Welcome newcomers to the journeying experience where we will explore the beginning yet essential practices to access the world of spirit. Shamanic journeying helps you connect to spiritual wisdom for your own transformational growth and health. This class provides an introduction to the journeying process. Please bring a drum or rattle, eye cover, and notebook. Contact Marian to register: 860-918-8703. Offered at Spirit Matters, 19 Pinney Street/Rt. 286, Ellington, CT, www.spiritmattersct.com.

Qi Gong for Practitioners. 9:30am-3:30pm.

Also 10/24, days. Pre-registration & deposit required. Not just for practitioners, this course introduces Chinese Qi Gong (Energy Work) fundamentals and a series of exercises for immune system strengthening, marrow and organ washing and cleansing, energy balancing and Qi cultivation. Come away with an exercise program you can do on a daily basis to help maintain your long term health and energetic balance. CE Hours awarded. CT Institute for Herbal Studies, 900 Wells Rd Wethersfield. Presented by George Hoffman, Silver Dragon Tai Chi & Qi Gong. Fee: $159. Call 860-742-5892

by Oct 18 to register.

Transformative Meditation Concert. 7 - 8 pm $20. Join The Conduit for an hour of mental liberation. Let us take you on a sound journey with planetary gongs and Tibetan singing bowls.

Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information. Pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street , Glastonbury , CT 06033 , 860.657.9545. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Full Moon “Partner” Yoga. 6-7:30pm. Part of full moon celebration each month at Enlightened Way Wellness Center (with Julie Erasmus and Leslie Gordon). Drop-in $18.00 or use your class card! Space limited, please call to register. A fun class with a partner! Bring a spouse, friend, relative, or come alone (we’ll find one for you), and experience yoga with a friend.

Visit www.enlightenedway.com to learn more about this program or call (860) 217-0304. Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081 (jct of RT 315 and RT 189).

The Ancient Wisdoms: A Day of Knowledge, Healing and Transformation. 9-5pm. A unique, experiential workshop to explore the meaning of energy awareness, destiny cards, and Feng Shui. Learn how to utilize and apply this knowledge in your life for manifestation, health and healing. Join Dorinda Gay: “It’s 2010: Do You Know Where Your Energy Body Is?”, Mary Anne Costerella, MA: “Your Destiny and the Sacred Science of the 52 Cards”, Karen Rowan, CST: “Creating Sacred Space: The Ancient Principles of Feng Shui”, and Diane Hindman, PhD: “Practical Applications of the Ancient Wisdoms in Your Life: How I created a six-figure business using the ancient wisdoms” in this fascinating journey! Plus, spiritual jewelry vendors, chair massage, Reiki and more. Registration: $99.

Hilton Garden Inn, Glastonbury, CT. To learn more and register, visit www.drdianespeaks. com or email drhindmanphd@yahoo.com.

Sunday, October 24th Lunar Flow & Live Sound Healing with Erika Halford & The Conduit. 6–8pm. $25. Pre-pay with registration and save $5. Celebrate the full moon with a candle-lit, restorative practice that includes gentle backbends and hipopening, forward bends and twists, inversions and special lunar meditation and ritual offering. Visit www.sacredriversyoga.com for more information. Pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860.657.9545 Let’s Meet-Up on the Path to Oneness. 9:3011:30am. $20 suggested donation. Are you on a path to becoming an enlightened human being or do you desire to find your way? Gather with other like-minded friends to share experiences and teachings from their journeys. Each community meet-up will include a centering activity, sharing of the Oneness Deeksha energy, lively conversation and the opportunity to build a mutual support group of spiritual friends. We are all One with All That Is and it is now time to consciously take action to create a world based on our spiritual connections rather than on cultural isolation. Please come and share your insights, your dreams and your plans to live your most authentic life in harmony with all beings and the Earth. Together, we can create a healing presence and a conscious universe. WHSC, 15 Starkel Road, W. Hartford. To register call Enlightened Professionals at 860-232-3331 or www.epllc.org.

Wednesday, October 27th Money and the Law of Attraction. 6:30 pm– 8:30pm. $45.00. Learn how to apply the principles of the Law of Attraction to your financial life. Gain an understanding of the limiting beliefs that may be blocking you from attaining abundance. Take home practical tools to use every day to increase the flow of energy for financial success. 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, October 28th Thyme & Season Wellness Talk. “Get the Monkey Off Your Back”. 7pm. Free, no reservation.

Dr. Lilly-Marie Blecher, ND of Natural Health Associates in Hamden. Addiction takes many forms- from sugar to television to work to drugs and alcohol. Dr. Blecher will discuss the roots of escapism and the many ways you can use Natural Medicine to bring your life back into balance. Thyme & Season Natural Market, 3040 Whitney Ave., Hamden. 203-407-8128 Questions? Ask Linda, Certified Nutrition Counselor (M-F 9-5). Our 21st lecture series. 20% Supplement Coupon to all attendees. www.ThymeAndSeasonNaturalMarket.com.

Friday, October 29th Henna Social. 6–8pm. $35. Please join Michelle Dawson and Nikolai Ruskin for an ambient evening of Henna Painting, live Middle Eastern music, refreshments, and of course, stimulating conversations. Leave your Yoga gear at home and come prepared to be adorned with the mystical shrub plant called Henna.

Pre-register by contacting Sacred Rivers Yoga, 2934 Main Street , Glastonbury , CT 06033 , 860.657.9545 . Visit www.sacredriversyoga. com for more information.

Primordial Sound Meditation Program. Taught

by Chopra Center Certified Instructors, Mark and Amy Bannon of the Enlightened Way Wellness Center. (4 sesssion Course). 10/29, 10/30, 10/31. Fri. 6pm-8pm Sat. will be 45-minute individual private mantra sessions held between 9:30am-5pm per individual appointment. Sun., 11am-3:45pm. Lunch included on Sunday. $295.00. Primordial Sound Meditation is a meditation technique originating in the ancient wisdom of India. Primordial Sounds: the basic, most essential sounds of nature, are used to disconnect us from the activity of life.

These individually selected sounds, known as mantras, are based on the vibration the universe was making at the moment of your birth. Visit www.enlightenedway.com to learn more about this program. Space limited, Pre-registration required. Call (860) 217-0340. Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081 (junction of RTE 315 and RTE 189).

Beginner’s Guide to Cultivating Qi (Life Force Energy). 6-8:30pm. Standing, walking and seated Qi Gong exercises are simple techniques for building and cultivating Qi (life force energy) which can produce profound benefits in our overall health and well being. These easy to learn exercises can have a significant impact on our health and enhance benefits we receive from Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yoga and other practices.

Center for Progressive Therapies, 192 Hartford Rd in Manchester – Presented by George Hoffman, Silver Dragon Tai Chi & Qi Gong. Fee: $35. Call (860) 742-5892 by Oct 27 to register.

Saturday, October 30th Prenatal Yoga (series). Saturdays, 10/30-12/11.

10:30am-11:45am. $85.00 for series. Enlightened Way Wellness Center w/ Kristin ClarkCork. Space is limited, so please call to register!

For pregnant practitioners, the gentle class will guide you throughout your pregnancy to connect your body and breath. You will practice postures to gently prepare your body for the birth of your baby. Guided imagery and relaxation techniques will also be incorporated. Visit www.enlightenedway.com to learn more about this program or call (860) 217-0304. Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081 (junction of RTE 315 and RTE 189).

Reiki I. 9am–5pm. $125.00. Attune to the universal energy in this Level I Usui Reiki class.

Participants will learn traditional hand positions, how to give a full body session and receive attunements to the universal Reiki energy for self-healing and healing others. 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.

Reiki II. 9am-1pm. $150. Reiki is the science and art of activating, directing and applying natural, universal life energy, to promote energy balancing, healing and wholeness. Reiki II attunes higher frequencies of energy enhancing your healing work. Gain the ability to heal from a distance, as well as heal mental, emotional and past life issues. (creative financing available) Materials/Certification included . 36 Cheshire Rd Wallingford. Contact Gayle @203265-2927, email sunnispirit@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.return2love.net.

Sunday, October 31st Acupressure to Enhance Your Practice. Also 11/7, 14, 28 (4 Sundays). Marybeth Keener.

9:00 - 4:30 PM. $329.00 (28 NCBTMB CEU’s).

Students will learn the Traditional Asian Medicine approach to treating and preventing health imbalances through the healing philosophies of the Five Elements and Organ Systems and mapping the meridians in the human body. Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies. 900 Wells Road (Rt 175). Wethersfield, CT 06109. 860666-5064. www.CTHerbschool.com. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Saturday, November 6th Explore the Body as Energy Yoga Workshop.

Tao Porchon-Lynch, a 92 years-young yoga instructor, is coming to Enlightened Way Wellness Center to offer two workshops. She grew up in India and studied with many of India's Yoga masters. Tao has been a yoga instructor for 30 years. To learn more about Tao, see her website at www.taoporchonlynch.com. The Rhythm of Stillness (Gentle workshop): 12-1:30 p.m.-$30 in advance or $40 at the door; Explore the Body as Energy (Intermediate workshop): 2:00-4:30 p.m.-$45 in advance or $55 at the door. Both workshops-$65 in advance or $85 at the door.

Space Limited! So please call to register! Visit www.enlightenedway.com to learn more about amazing workshop or call (860) 217-0340.

Course held at the Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081 (junction of RTE 315 and RTE 189.

The 2nd Annual Blue Waters New Age/Wellness Fair. 10am – 4:30pm. Marinelli’s Supper Club in Burlington, CT. Explore the many complementary and alternative possibilities for your body, mind and spirit. Vendors will include jewelry, music, books, crystals, readings, massage, Reiki, Reflexology and more. Admission is $5. Marinelli’s award winning brunch will be available from 11am – 3:30pm. Located on 175 Monce Rd. in Burlington. Contact John Marinelli at jmarinelli0414@charter.net or call 860-673-0406 for more information.

Friday, November 19th Perfect Health/ Ayurvedic Lifestyle Program.

Taught by Chopra Center Certified Instructors, Amy and Mark Bannon of the Enlightened Way Wellness Center. (Five-Session Course).

11/19-11/21. Friday 6pm-8pm, Saturday 11am3:45pm, and Sunday 11am-3:45pm. Lunch is provided Sat. & Sun. Special reduced price $295.00. Ayurveda, the wisdom of life, offers a proven guide for a life of happiness, vitality, love and purpose. The Perfect Health Program provides the tools to enhance your physical and emotional well-being through your conscious choices, enlivening the nourishing connection between mind, body and spirit. Visit www.enlightenedway.com to learn more about this program. Space limited, Pre-registration Required.

Call (860) 217-0304. Course held at the Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081 (junction of Rte. 315 and Rte 189).

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Ongoing Events monday THE SECRET Book Study Group. 7-8:30 pm.

West Hartford, CT. Free. Forming a women's group interested in studying and discussing the book, The Secret, and the laws of attraction.

Would like to meet for 4-5 weeks this Fall (other days considered). If interested, please contact: Jodi Kelly 860-944-4642.

Fitness Bootcamp.5:15am-6:05pm, 5:30pm625pm. #11, 130 Utopia Road, Manchester, CT (Beside Cox Communications). Taught by Cassandra Forsythe, PhD, RD, CSCS. www.cassandraforsythe.com. Call 860-933-8255 for a FREE trial 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 860-951-9642, 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.

Morning Yoga. 9:30 class cards and drop in rates apply. Fuller Yoga Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park St. 2nd Flr., Hartford, 860-951-9642, www. fulleryoga.com, Class will begin with a warm up utilizing variations on the Sun Salutations, or namaskars. We will then cultivate strength and awareness in the core, and later apply that awareness to standing poses and balancing.

Intro to Fuller Yoga. 7:30pm class cards and drop in rates apply. Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860951-9642, 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 a warm-up that emphasizes spinal flexibility and core strength.

Therapeutic Massage and Acupuncture at Hartford Hospital’s Helen and Harry Grey Cancer Center in Avon. Integrative Medicine in Avon is now offering Therapeutic Massage and Acupuncture for patients, caregivers, and the community. Heather Finn L.Ac. is available on Mondays from 9:30 to 4:30. Please join us for a session of a healing modalities that support clients who are going through or supporting the Cancer Process. The general public is welcome as well. Benefits of these services include: reduced anxiety, improved immune system response, pain relief, and relaxation. Reduced rates are available for Cancer patients, Seniors, and Students. Please contact Integrative Medicine for an appointment at 860-545-4444 or call the Gray Cancer Center at 860-696-1000 .

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October 2010

tuesday

tuesday

Mind, Thought, and Consciousness Training. $25 per session or $120 for a series of 6 group sessions. An opportunity to learn how to access your innate health and maximize your potential while you learn how to bring out the best in others. All sessions facilitated by Lori Carpenos, LMFT using the three principles of Mind, Thought, and Consciousness to guide us. We meet on alternating weeks and you can join at any time. An individual session is a prerequisite. You may also schedule private group sessions for you and your family members or for your work group. Please inquire: email from www. 3PrinciplesTherapy.com or call: 860-

Yoga for Tight People. 7:30pm and Saturdays @ 9:30am, class cards and drop in rates apply. Fuller Yoga Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park St. 2nd Flr., Hartford, 860-951-9642, www. fulleryoga.com, Increase your energy with this all levels yoga class that incorporates moderate postures and lots of pranayama (breath work).

Feel invigorated well into the next day. Great for beginners.

Morning Yoga. 9:30 class cards and drop in rates apply. Fuller Yoga Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park St. 2nd Flr., Hartford, 860-951-9642, www. fulleryoga.com, Class will begin with a warm up utilizing variations on the Sun Salutations, or namaskars. We will then cultivate strength and awareness in the core, and later apply that awareness to standing poses and balancing.

FREE Group Meditation! Enlightened Way Wellness Center is offering free on-going meditation sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30am and 5:30pm. Each session is 30 minutes and it is great if you are new to meditation or just want a tranquil place to practice. Visit www.enlightenedway.com for more information or call (860) 217-0340. Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081 (junction of RTE 315 and RTE 189.

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 has many unique qualities that make it beneficial for anybody, from athlete to senior citizen. 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 and is especially well suited to prevent falls. 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 1-800-545-7664.

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 1-800-545-7664. 1 month $80/twice a week or $45/once a week.

See description on previous listing. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Therapeutic Massage and Acupuncture at Hartford Hospital’s Helen and Harry Grey Cancer Center in Avon. Integrative Medicine in Avon is now offering Therapeutic Massage and Acupuncture for patients, caregivers, and the community. Cheryl L. Guertin LMT is available Tuesdays from 11-3. Pease join us for a session of a healing modalities that support clients who are going through or supporting the Cancer Process. The general public is welcome as well.

Benefits of these services include: reduced anxiety, improved immune system response, pain relief, and relaxation. Reduced rates are available for Cancer patients, Seniors, and Students. Please contact Integrative Medicine for an appointment at 860-545-4444 or call the Gray Cancer Center at 860-696-1000.

wednesday Fitness Bootcamp. 5:15am-6:05pm, 5:30pm625pm. #11, 130 Utopia Road, Manchester, CT (Beside Cox Communications). Taught by Cassandra Forsythe, PhD, RD, CSCS. www.cassandraforsythe.com. Call 860-933-8255 for a FREE trial class.

Stress relief! Free sessions of Reflexology, TT, CST, Reiki, Guided Imagery, and 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.

Holistic Moms Network. Hartford County, CT chapter of a non-profit organization. Meetings held the last Wednesday of each month from 7-9pm at The Jewish Community Center, 335 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford. Email hartfordhmn@yahoo.com or visit www.holisticmoms.

Yin Yoga by Candlelight. 7:30pm class cards and drop in rates apply. Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-951-9642, www.FullerYoga.com Uses long-held floor postures to stretch and stimulate deep connective tissue of the body practitioners of any tradition and any experience level, find that this practice strengthens chi flow, detoxifies the organs, and releases long held tensions.

Homeopathy Study Group. Practitioners and students welcome. Group meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month 7-9 pm. Greater Hartford area. Call Diana at 860-550-5801 for more information.

wednesday

thursday

Therapeutic Massage and Acupuncture at Hartford Hospital’s Helen and Harry Grey Cancer Center in Avon. Integrative Medicine in Avon is now offering Therapeutic Massage and Acupuncture for patients, caregivers, and the community. Heather Finn L.Ac. is available on Wednesdays from 1 to 4:30. Please join us for a session of a healing modalities that support clients who are going through or supporting the Cancer Process. The general public is welcome as well. Benefits of these services include: reduced anxiety, improved immune system response, pain relief, and relaxation. Reduced rates are available for Cancer patients, Seniors, and Students. Please contact Integrative Medicine for an appointment at 860-545-4444 or call the Gray Cancer Center at 860-696-1000 .

Therapeutic Yoga. 11-12. Hartford Hospital Integrative Medicine at the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center in Avon is now offering Therapeutic Yoga for patients, care givers, and the community in Avon with Cheryl Guertin RYT. Therapeutic Yoga is a gentle practice that uses bolsters, blankets and props during gently held poses that facilitate healing and deep relaxation. It is appropriate for yogis of all levels and especially those that are compromised due to illness, injury, or pregnancy. Please join us and allow your body to unfold in a safe supportive class. The next series of 5 sessions begin 10/711/4 and is $75 for the entire session. Drop Ins are welcome. Please call 860-545-1888 to reg-

Hot Power Yoga. 6:15-7:30pm class cards and drop in rates apply. Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-951-9642, 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.

thursday FREE Group Meditation! Enlightened Way Wellness Center is offering free on-going meditation sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30am and 5:30pm. Each session is 30 minutes and it is great if you are new to meditation or just want a tranquil place to practice. Visit www.enlightenedway.com for more information or call (860) 217-0340. Enlightened Way Wellness Center, 2 Tunxis Road, Suite 208, Tariffville (Simsbury), CT 06081 (junction of RTE 315 and RTE 189.

Therapeutic Massage and Acupuncture at Hartford Hospital’s Helen and Harry Grey Cancer Center in Avon. Integrative Medicine in Avon is now offering Therapeutic Massage and Acupuncture for patients, caregivers, and the community. Cheryl L. Guertin LMT is available Thursdays form 2:30-4. Please join us for a session of a healing modalities that support clients who are going through or supporting the Cancer Process. The general public is welcome as well. Benefits of these services include: reduced anxiety, improved immune system response, pain relief, and relaxation. Reduced rates are available for Cancer patients, Seniors, and Students. Please contact Integrative Medicine for an appointment at 860-545-4444 or call the Gray Cancer Center at 860-696-1000.

Fitness Bootcamp. 6:15pm-7:10pm. #11, 130 Utopia Road, Manchester, CT (Beside Cox Communications). Taught by Cassandra Forsythe, PhD, RD, CSCS. www.cassandraforsythe.com. Call 860-933-8255 for a FREE trial class.

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 has many unique qualities that make it beneficial for anybody, from athlete to senior citizen. 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 and is especially well suited to prevent falls.

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 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.

Qi Gong/Tai Chi. 9:30 a.m. 9/30-11/18 (excluding 10/7)... Learn the asian secrets and tools you can use the rest of your life for your well being. Well being is your birthright! One hour class. First class free to try. First Church of Christ, Congregational 81 High Street SuffieldSuffield, CT area.

860-844-8535.

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 has many unique qualities that make it beneficial for anybody, from athlete to senior citizen. 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 and is especially well suited to prevent falls. 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. www.naturalnutmeg.com

Friday Fitness Bootcamp. 5:15am-6:05pm. #11, 130 Utopia Road, Manchester, CT. (Beside Cox Communications). Taught by Cassandra Forsythe, PhD, RD, CSCS. www.cassandraforsythe. com. Call 860-933-8255 for a FREE trial class.

saturday Hartford shambhala meditation group offers mindfulness/awareness meditation instruction at no charge Morning Meditation from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. All Day Silent Meditation Retreats from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Once per month we have a longer practice session, including sitting meditation, walking meditation, and a dharma talk or reading. Once per quarter we have an all-day silent meditation retreat. Come for all or part of the day. The location is at the Quaker Meeting House (see address, above). Check our website for dates: http://www.shambhala.org/centers/hartford.

Yoga for Kids 5 and up. 9:00am Drop in Rates apply Fuller Yoga Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park St. 2nd Flr., Hartford, 860-951-9642, www.fulleryoga.com, Expose your child to the lifelong benefits of yoga. This class encourages strength, breath and deep relaxation. Stress lives in all of us teach them tools they can use for a lifetime. *Adult yoga class happens simultaneously in opposite room!

sunday Women's Temple In Her Name. 10:30-11:45, Collinsville, CT. Suggested Donation $5-10.

(860) 693-9540. www.womenstemple.net.

MELT Method. 3rd Sunday. 9:00am-10:00am $30.00. Fuller Yoga, Pilates & Massage, 1477 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford 860-951-9642, www.FullerYoga.com Learn how to self-treat your body with MELT and gain immediate results and lasting changes that will help you maintain a pain-free, active lifestyle...longer.

MELT can help improve your yoga practice, sports performance and alleviate common body aches and pains caused by everyday living, habitual postures, and fitness activities.

Spiritist Group of CT Book Club. 10:30-12:30.

More information available at: http://spiritistgroupct.org. The Spiritist Group of Connecticut (SGCT) is an educational non-profit group committed to the studying of Spiritism. There is never a charge to attend our meetings. Shoreline Center for Wholistic Health, 35 Boston Street, Guilford CT 203-453-5520 www.shorelinewholistic.com.

October 2010

53

Natural Planet

by Deb Percival

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

This Man Worked For You

I “

This Man Worked for You

told them that if we’re using the atmosphere as a free sewer stronger hurricanes, the IPCC declared anthropogenic global

by Deb Percival to dump our tailpipe wastes, and it’s going to cause change warming (AGW) as ‘very likely’ over the past 40 or so years. ‘Very that could harm agriculture, ecosystems, ice sheets, and sea likely’ in IPCC parlance means more than a 90 percent chance “I told them if we’re using thewould atmosphere a free to dump our were tailpipe level, that then maybe a smart move be to slowas down the sewer rate human activities a prime cause of the record warming since wastes, and it’s going to cause change that could harm agriculture, ecosystems, ice at which we pollute. That’s a value judgment, and I’ve been mak- the 1970s.” ing them from the beginning. a very risk-averse personbeand sheets, and sea level, then maybeI’m a smart move would to Islow down the rate at worry muchThat’s more about the planetary life support system “Science not about which we pollute. a value judgment, and I’ve beenthan making themisfrom the belief, science is about evidence.” the bottom line of the coal industry.” beginning. I’m a very risk-averse person and I worry much more about the -Dr. Stephen H. Schneider, one of the world’s leading climaDr. Stephen Schneider passed away on July 19th at the age planetary life support than the bottom of theto coal tologists, referringsystem to a climate change statementline he made the industry.” of 65. His credentials would fill much more than this column. To Dr. Stephen H. Schneider, to anumerous books on the effects of cliCouncil on Foreign Relations. one of the world’s leading climatologists, name just a referring few, he wrote Dr. Stephen Schneider spent studying forces Relations. in- mate change. He advised the Nixon, Carter, Reagan, George H. climate change statement he made to decades the Council on the Foreign fluencing climate, weighing the odds, and fighting for change. W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama administrations.

Whether you agreed with him or not, you He received a MacArthur "genius" award. had to acknowledge his balanced apHe was on the team with Al Gore that won Dr. Stephen Schneider spent that decades proach, and appreciate his motive was the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. He was studyingtothedoforces climate, every influencing single thing he could do to Professor of Interdisciplinary Environmena brighter weighingshape the odds, andtomorrow. fighting for tal Biology and Global Change at Stanford Schneider was both an accomplished University. And he was heavily involved in change. Whether you agreed with him scientist and an inspired communicator.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate or not, you had to acknowledge his He spoke at meetings around the world, Change (IPCC), a scientific body charged balancedadvocating approach,a and appreciate rational approachthat to climate with assessing the climate risks facing the his motive was to do every single thing change policy – an approach that takes planet, from its beginning. account profound implications of he could into do to shapethe a brighter scientific studies. He strove to convince us The Best And The Most Thoughtful pretomorrow. that, while we don’t have all the answers on sentation on climate change I have seen climate change, we have enough answers Stephen Schneider. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) is Schneider's "Waking up to climate Schneider was both action an accomplished that indicate is more than prudent. change" video http://www.youtube.com/ scientist and an inspired communicator. Stephen Schneider. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) watch?v=ZDSWpJeQ6Ns.

In meetings 2001, Dr.around Schneider found to have mantle cellapproach to climate change He spoke at the was world, advocating a rational said of account climate change and cancer: WATCH AND WIN: the first person who tells me which image policy – lymphoma, an approachand thatlater takes into the profound implications of scientific “In both cases, there is no room to be wrong.” or thought from this video meant the most to them gets a funky studies. He strove to convince us that, while we don’t have all the answers on climate Trader Joe’s reusable bag. Send me an email at the address below! change, we have enough answers indicate action more than Regardless prudent. of your view on climate change I think you will apSchneider exhorted us to that rely on evidence ratheristhan rheto-

ric. He provided evidence – from scores of studies conducted by preciate this video. a myriad of scientists – taking thousands of years of global In 2001, Dr. Schneider was foundhistory to have into account – that mantle the climate is changing, and that it is highly cell lymphoma, and later said On a brighter note - We have a winner! Cortney Kargusang is likely that much of the change is due to human activity. He never making a difference - she responded to my offer to send a reusof climate change and cancer: shied from controversy, and embraced skeptics, saying, “There’s able Whole Foods bag to readers who took action after the Gulf noaroom to be no such thing“In as aboth good cases, scientistthere who isisnot skeptic.”

He wrong.” ac- Oil Spill. Thank you Cortney. Keep up the good work! When I knowledged the complexity of the evidence, but still believed asked Cortney if I could mention her in this column she replied, that, with such stakes, it is criticalrather that we recognize theHe “Yes – and hopefully Schneider exhorted us high to rely on evidence than rhetoric. provided evidenceit–will inspire more people to help!!” Gotta odds and change our behavior. love that. from scores of studies conducted by a myriad of scientists – taking thousands of years of Colleague Benjamin Santer of the Lawrence Livermore NaDon’t forget to go to the Natural Nutmeg e-zine – www.natuglobal history into account – that climate changing, and that ralnutmeg.com it is highly likely that tional Laboratory noted that, the “Through hisisbooks, his extensive - for more articles! See my eco-tips column in much of public the change is due to human activity.

He never shied from controversy, and speaking, and his many interactions with the media, Steve Dr. Diane’s Corner. This month’s topic is Saving Hot Water. If you for climate science“There’s what Carlno Sagan didthing for astronomy.” embraceddidskeptics, saying, such as a good scientist is not a water when you get in the shower, here’s an havewho to wait for hot speaking with The Republic, of Schneider reported but that still easy and affordable fix with a quick Return on Investment. skeptic.” HeInacknowledged theNew complexity the evidence, believed that, with the IPCC says, “with very high confidence that we’re going to such high stakes, it is critical that we recognize the odds and change our behavior. warm up a lot, and that warming will create fires and rising sea Author Deb Percival is a freelance writer in Connecticut. E-mail levels…There’s an overwhelming preponderance of evidence deb@naturalnutmeg.com.

Colleague Benjamin of the Livermore National Laboratory noted that that the earth isSanter warming.

AfterLawrence record melting of high-mountain “Throughand hispolar books, his extensive public speaking, andand his some many interactions with the ice, killer heat waves, intensifying wildfires, 54 October 2010 media, Steve did for climate science what Carl Sagan www.naturalnutmeg.com did for astronomy.”

www.naturalnutmeg.com

October 2010

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October 2010

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