September 2017 Seattle Natural Awakenings

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

Creative AGING Gloriously Enriching

FREE

Our Later Years

BEING BEAUTY

What Makes Us Glow

HEALTHY TAILGATING RECIPES

SOLAR HEATS UP Demand Surges as Prices Fall

September 2017 | Seattle Edition | SeattleAwakenings.com

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letterfrompublisher

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elcome to the September issue of Seattle Natural Awakenings magazine! I keep returning to the word “zeitgeist,” defined as the spirit of the times. With civil unrest on the rise and difficult economic conditions for the ordinary person, it’s my belief that we live in a world on the cusp of great change.

Will the better angels of humanity’s nature sway us toward health, community, healing and wholeness, and in time to halt the increasing devastation caused by climate change? Or will too many of us turn toward false solutions like blaming minorities, immigration or displays of nationalism in an effort to address our fear and struggles? The irony is that lashing out against people who are different than us won’t work, because it has nothing to do with the actual source of our problems. I stand for a world that is growing toward peace and community, a world in which everyone is free to learn, grow and thrive. Now is not the time to look the other way, or to throw up our hands and shrug “free speech” when we see our brothers and sisters under fire from those who would hurt them with words or actions for the color of their skin, their gender, or who they love. It’s time for us to understand that true compassion provides a voice for the voiceless, a haven of protection for those under attack, and real support and aid when needed.

There are so many ways we can take steps to create this world, and this issue is full of ideas and ways to build community. EvergreenHealth Hospice is calling for volunteers (page 5); Deep Roots Dance Studio is opening their doors to a diverse array of artists in the Greenwood neighborhood (page 10), and there’s a wealth of information in “Aging With Passion and Purpose” (page 12) that touches on how we can individually set goals as we grow and age–all ways we can influence and contribute to the “spirit of the times” and making this world a better place.

There’s lots more in this issue–enjoy!

To your health and happiness,

contact us Publisher Ann Dorn Publisher@SeattleAwakenings.com National Editor S. Alison Chabonais Franchise Sales 239-530-1377 To Advertise: 206-788-7313

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Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

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We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

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contents

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5 newsbriefs 7 healthbriefs 8 globalbriefs 10 communityspotlight 11 traveladventure 16 wisewords 18 consciouseating 21 inspiration 22 greenliving 24 wisewords 26 calendar 30 resourceguide

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

10 DANCE DREAMS

COME TRUE

Deep Roots Dance Studio Springs to Life in Greenwood

by Sherry Lankston

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12 AGING WITH PASSION

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Finding Fulfillment, Creativity and Meaning

16

AND PURPOSE

by Deborah Shouse

16 RODNEY YEE ON YOGA AS A WAY OF LIFE

advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact Publisher@SeattleAwakenings.com.

Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month.

Simple Strategies for Staying on Track

by Marlaina Donato

18 FABULOUS FAN FARE Healthy Tailgating Foods to Cheer For

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Submissions@SeattleAwakenings.com Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.

by Judith Fertig

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Calendar@SeattleAwakenings.com or submit online at SeattleAwakenings.com. Deadline for calendar: the 12th of the month.

What Makes Us Glow

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locallyowned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

21 BEING BEAUTY

by Glennon Doyle Melton

22 SOLAR HEATS UP

Demand Surges as Prices Fall

by Jim Motavalli

24 ZAYA AND

MAURIZIO BENAZZO

Joining Science to Spirituality

by Linda Sechrist

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newsbriefs

Community Volunteers Needed at EvergreenHealth Hospice

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Bastyr University Announces Yin Yoga Teacher Training

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Yin Yoga Teacher Training course will take place at Bastyr University’s Kenmore campus starting on Sept. 30, with a commitment of weekends plus Wednesday evenings for eight weeks. Each trainee will complete 200 hours of training and will receive a certificate of completion allowing them to register with Yoga Alliance as instructors. The course is open to the public; however, participants should have a minimum of six months of any style yoga practice.

“We are often moving so it’s hard to be still and let thoughts come and go,” says Pam Granston, instructor of the new Yin Yoga Teacher Training course at Bastyr University.

She explains that the yin style of yoga can help people find balance in today’s yang-focused society.

“In the yoga world, most athletic-based classes are rooted in yang with a focus on building muscles and strength,” Granston says. “Meanwhile, yin yoga focuses on the connective tissues–joints and ligaments–and works to help you release energy and blockages that can disrupt our qi.”

Qi, pronounced “chee,” is the underlying life force that runs through the body along what are known as meridians.

“There are highways of energy that move up and down and across our body,” says Granston. “Yin yoga’s focus on opening connective tissues and joints allows qi to continue to flow.”

The new teacher training course is offered through Bastyr’s Department of Certificate, Community and Continuing Education, and upon completion of the 200 training hours, students are eligible for certification through the Yoga Alliance to teach their own yin yoga class.

However, Granston says the class can also be beneficial for individuals who simply want to expand upon their own practice and cultivate a depth of awareness.

“This course will provide you with a deeper knowledge of yin and yang,” she says. “It will give you what you need to find balance in your life.”

The Yin Yoga Teacher Training course begins Sept. 30. $2800/before Sept. 10; $3000/after. For more information: ContinuingEd@Bastyr.edu or 425-602-3152.

vergreenHealth Hospice volunteer coordinator Criss East says the organization is in need of additional volunteer support and is currently accepting applications for September and October trainings.

“We are seeking kind and caring individuals to share their time and talents with our hospice patients and their families,” East says. “This assistance can include running errands, playing card games, listening to a person’s life story, reading or singing, playing or listening to music, or watching TV with a patient.”

EvergreenHealth Hospice serves patients in King and Snohomish Counties and volunteers are free to choose where their assignments will be. “We especially need people who can volunteer in the community – in patient’s homes, adult family homes, and nursing homes,” East says.

East notes that a volunteer’s presence can help lessen a patient’s loneliness by providing them with companionship, and caregivers find relief when a volunteer comes to stay with a patient so the caregiver can get some time off.

“Spending time with someone who is dying makes me realize what is truly important in my own life,” says volunteer Julia Guderian. “The comprehensive training you receive will

help you to open your heart to understanding the circumstances a hospice patient and their loved ones are facing, and give you the practical and emotional tools to feel confident about offering them the assistance you have been trained to provide,” she continues.

“Volunteers are integral members of the hospice team and receive support from their team including the social worker and nurse assigned to the family they are working with,” East says, and adds that ongoing hospice education and friendly volunteer gatherings are offered throughout the year.

For more information: HospiceVolunteerCoord@Evergreen Healthcare.org. natural awakenings

September 2017

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Souldust to Offer Manzanita Retreat

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ouldust is offering a three-night intuitive exploration, at a gorgeous beach house in Manzanita, Oregon, September 21 through 24. Guided by Souldust founder Rachel Ford, participants at the retreat flow at a mellow pace, gathering to explore and play with intuitive messages through creativity, dreamwork, signs and synchronicity, physical senses and more.

“Intuition is a source of truth, clarity and ease,” Ford says. “It helps us see decision paths, navigate the flow of life, and operate in more integrity with who we are. We see that magic is a foot, everywhere we look.”

Ford notes she loves witnessing people waking up to the messages and waking up to remembering who they are and all their magical superpowers. Participants take the messages received and create a personal soul language dictionary, one’s unique toolkit for tapping into clarity, flow and transformation. Ford has used the processes she shares daily in both personal and professional settings, leveraging mindfulness, clarity-seeking and intuitive practices in her decades as a software executive and as a solo mom. She believes that following the signs has led her to amazing experiences, opportunities and relationships, as well as clearing space for growth and healing.

Cost: $650-800 includes private or shared lodging, all meals, curated gifts and art supplies. Payment plans available. Register at Souldust.com/offerings/everydayalchemy. Reach Rachel at 888-963-9425 or Hello@Souldust.com.

Life Coach Sarah Saint-Laurent Hosts Rejuvenation Workshop

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oin certified life coach, author and Reiki master Sarah Saint-Laurent will offer an interactive and hands-on workshop covering techniques to de-stress, turn thoughts around and get on with creating an amazing life.

“It’s been a busy summer and the holidays are right around the corner,” Saint-Laurent notes. “Learn to reclaim your inner peace and discover ways to let go of stress and overwhelm not just today but everyday. It’s finally your 6

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turn,” she continues.

Saint-Laurent says that incorporating mindfulness based stress reduction principles, guided visualization, thought dissolving (with ideas from The Work by Byron Katie) and energetic clearing and healing will bring a new level of relaxation and empowerment to participants.

Saint-Laurent is an experienced workshop facilitator who has brought her work from the East Coast and is

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Silence Meets Soma Retreat to Take Place at Skalitude

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ellbelly Healing owner Jamie Renee Lashbrook will cohost a retreat, Silence Meets Soma, along with Grace Bryant at Skalitude Retreat Center Sept. 28-Oct. 1.

“This will be a four day exploration of silencing your system on all levels in order to re-awaken to your dream and your heart,” Lashbrook says. “We invite you and your stories to be unraveled, witnessed and released on the sacred land at Skalitude Retreat Center.”

Lashbrook says she and her cohost will “weave together” practices to release the body’s contractions and traumas through focused group sessions incorporating healing breath work, tantric yoga, movement, voice, dance, plants and prayers, the written word and more.

“Together we will build the blueprint of your daily practice–the foundation to rebuild your altar of self-love, medicine and magic,” Lashbrook says.

“Our physical system will take pause as we spend a day fasting to reflect on the disease and distractions that keep you from your dream.”

Lashbrook and Bryant have been working with individuals in group and private sessions for a combined 35 years.

Silence Meets Soma takes place Sept.

28- Oct. 1 at Skalitude Retreat Center, 302 Smith Canyon Road, Carlton. $675. For more information: Jamie@ WellBellyHealing.com or 206-850-

now available on Whidbey Island and other Northwest locations. She is partnering with The Seaside Spa & Salon and will offer Reiki, energy healing and guided visualization sessions and workshops.

The Rejuvenation Workshop takes place Sunday, Sept. 10 from 2-4pm at The Seaside Spa & Salon, 5 Front Street NW, Coupeville. $25. For more information: (360) 678-0508 or Sarah@ SaintLaurentCoaching.com.

healthbriefs

Yoga Eases Eating Disorders

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esearchers from Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island, have found that regular yoga practice can help reduce anxiety and depression in young women with eating disorders. The scientists followed 20 girls between the ages of 14 and 18 that were enrolled in an outpatient eating disorder clinic that comprised the larger control group.

Those selected agreed to participate in a weekly yoga class and complete questionnaires after six and 12 weeks, assessing their anxiety, depression and mood. Of those that started the study, five attended all 12 yoga classes and six completed between seven and 11 classes. Researchers found decreases in anxiety, depression and negative thoughts among those that participated in the yoga classes, with no negative side effects.

Another study from the University of Delaware, in Newark, supports these results. Half of the 38 residential eating disorder treatment program participants did one hour of yoga prior to dinner for five days and the other half did not. The yoga group showed significant reductions in pre-meal anxiety compared to the control group.

Meditation and Music Aid Memory in Early Stages of Alzheimer’s

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new study from West Virginia University, in Morgantown, reveals that listening to music and practicing meditation may help improve memory function for those in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers asked 60 adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD), a common predictor of Alzheimer’s, to engage in kirtan kriya musical meditation or listen to other music for 12 minutes a day for three months, and then consider continuing for an additional three months. Scientists measured the memory and cognitive function of the 53 participants that completed the six-month study and found significant improvements in both measurements at the three-month mark.

At six months, the subjects in both groups had maintained or improved upon their initial results.

Tonsillectomies Help Only Temporarily

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esearchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in Nashville, Tennessee, examined the effectiveness of tonsillectomies in children with recurring throat infections.

Using data from nearly 10,000 studies of tonsillectomies, the scientists analyzed illness rates and quality of life for young patients following the surgery.

The analysis found that children experienced a notable drop in school absences and infections in the first year after the surgery, but that these benefits did not persist over time. Dr. Siva Chinnadurai, an associate professor of otolaryngology and co-author of the report, believes, “For any child being considered a candidate for surgery, the family must have a personalized discussion with their healthcare provider about all of the factors that may be in play and how tonsils fit in as one overall factor of that child’s health.”

We can help you be a star...

Call Erik at 425-653-1150

EARLY BIRDS EAT BETTER AND EXERCISE MORE

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esearchers from Helsinki, Finland, analyzed data from 2,000 people to find out how sleeping patterns affected their food choices. They discovered individuals that wake up early make healthier food choices throughout the day and are more physically active.

“Linking what and when people eat to their biological clock type provides a fresh perspective on why certain people are more likely to make unhealthy food decisions,” explains lead author Mirkka Maukonen, from the National Institute for Health and Welfare, in Helsinki.

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

Bat Banter

Rosa Jay/Shutterstock.com

Computers Decipher Animal Language The Egyptian fruit bat is a highly social mammal that roosts in crowded colonies. A machine learning algorithm helped decode their squeaks, revealing that they speak to one another as individuals. The research appears in the journal Scientific Reports.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University, in Israel, discovered that the bats exchange information about specific problems in four categories. Ramin Skibba, at Nature, notes that besides humans, only dolphins and a handful of other species are known to address individuals, rather than making broad, general communication sounds. Studies allow that it may eventually be possible to understand nuanced communications in other species.

Milkweed Mittens

Common Weed Is Lightweight Insulator The Canadian Coast Guard is testing milkweed pods as a source of potential environmentally friendly insulation in partnership with Encore3, a manufacturing company in Québec, Canada, in prototype parkas, gloves and mittens. The plant is roughly five times lighter than synthetic insulation and hypoallergenic.

The Farm Between, in Cambridge, Vermont, harvests the plants and sends the material to Encore3.

Co-owner John Hayden says, “Milkweed is grown as an intercrop between the rows in our apple orchard to increase biodiversity and provide a host plant for monarch caterpillars. Monarch populations are in serious decline, and the two things we can do to help on the land we steward are to not use pesticides and provide milkweed habitat.”

Rolling Internet Winnebago Assists Computer Literacy

Librarian Shannon Morrison drives the Digibus, a new, 40-foot-long Winnebago computer classroom that hit the road in January bound for Fresno County, California, communities with the goal of bringing free computer literacy and job searching skills to the public. It employs 12 computer tablets with keyboards and staff that include bilingual interpreters.

The library bus was scheduled to spend one week at each of two different communities each month.

Easy Mark

Lasers Stamp Prices on European Produce Food retailers are aiming to cut plastic and cardboard packaging by ditching stickers on fruits and vegetables, instead using high-tech laser “natural branding” and creating huge savings in materials, energy and CO2 emissions. Pilot projects are underway in Europe with organic avocados, sweet potatoes and coconuts.

The technique uses a strong light to remove pigment from the skin of produce. The mark is invisible once the skin is removed and doesn’t affect shelf life or produce quality.

The laser technology also creates less than 1 percent of the carbon emissions needed to produce a similar-sized sticker.

Source: The Guardian

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ecotip Elder Force

Retired Volunteers Keep National Parks Humming Retirees are volunteering at hundreds of nationally protected lands. They staff visitor centers, do maintenance, clean up debris and remind visitors to keep food items secure from wildlife.

Last year, volunteers outnumbered National Park Service staff about 20 to one, expanding the financially strapped agency’s ability to serve hundreds of millions of visitors.

Nearly a third of them are 54 and up, contributing to the 7.9 million service hours worked in 2015 by all 400,000 volunteers. Volunteer opportunities also exist at National Wildlife Refuge sites, fish hatcheries and endangered species field offices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Sallie Gentry, volunteer coordinator for the Southeast Region, based in Atlanta, notes that Georgia’s Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has a dozen designated spots for motor homes in its Volunteer Village. She says most volunteers are local retired residents whose working hours vary while RV volunteers commit to 20 hours a week for at least three months. In return, they get free hookups for electricity, sewage, propane and water. “They have skills they want to contribute, but are also looking for a social outlet,” notes Gentry. Cookouts and potlucks are common.

She also cites the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, an important migratory stop especially for songbirds, as a place with great appeal. “We supply uniforms, training, tools and orientations,” says Gentry. “It’s a mutually beneficial investment.” She suggests that individuals apply for specific sites at least a year in advance.

Megan Wandag, volunteer coordinator for the USFWS Midwest Region, based in Minneapolis, cites the popular Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, in Bloomington, and the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, near Des Moines, as “oases near urban areas.”

USFWS Southwest Region volunteer coordinator Juli Niemann highlights the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, in central New Mexico, that has 18 recreation vehicle spots and an average occupancy duration of five months. “It’s a prime wintering place for sandhill cranes.”

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Volunteer.gov updates site details and contact information at federal facilities nationwide. natural awakenings

September 2017

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communityspotlight

Deep Roots Dance Director Shay Moore, center, dances at a recent event.

Dance Dreams Coming True New Dance Studio to Open in Greenwood

by Sherry Lankston

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eep Roots Dance Director Shay Moore has been working on something big for the North Seattle area over the last 10 years. Having devoted her life’s work to building community

Cranio Sacral School of the Masters Etienne Peirsman Master Therapist and Teacher

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All classes 29 CEUs, PDAs, CMEs Bastyr University 14500 Juanita Dr. NE , Kenmore, WA 98028-4966

For More Info and to Register: 425-602-3053

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through dance and the arts, she has been teaching and performing belly dance in Seattle and around the nation since 1999. After building a base of contacts and connections to make her dream a reality, Studio Deep Roots will open its doors and hearts to Greenwood in September 2017.

“I’ve had this idea bouncing around in the back of my mind for over ten years now, and it’s really exciting to finally have the opportunity to realize it,” Moore says. “Bringing together dance, healing arts, and music in one collaborative space seems like such a natural fit, since each discipline has curative and creative elements to them.

My hope is to see inventive cooperation and support between the different practitioners as we grow.”

The building on Greenwood Ave, formerly occupied by Monkey Business Preschool, is being renovated into a hybrid facility that will include: two multi-purpose studios for dance, music, and special events; multiple spaces for

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massage therapy and healings arts; performance space and local artist pop-up shops.

Renovating a building and raising the funds to open a dance studio takes a lot of work. Thankfully, Moore is not alone in her vision to bring a diverse communal space to Greenwood.

Her past and present students, fellow dancers, and associates have all come together to make this a reality. From supporting a crowdfunding campaign and spreading the word, to pitching in on weekend work parties and sweating together, this is truly a effort of love for the good of the community.

“The beautiful thing about dancers and this community in particular is the way everyone supports one another,” student and class assistant Eugenia Stull explains. “As soon as the news about the new space was shared with our dancers, the immediate response was to contribute and help. That’s the great thing about working with artists. Each one is creative, but knows that hard work is needed to reach goals.”

Once open, Studio Deep Roots plans to work in tandem with dancers, artists, and musicians in diverse disciplines to attract unique talents to the local scene. Moore envisions offering a variety of classes to include tribal style bellydance, yoga, hula, drumming, ukulele lessons, costuming workshops and more.

The studio is being designed to bring together ‘brand new baby dancers with two left feet’ and the supportive tribe of those that have danced before.

“There is going to be a lot going on this fall in Greenwood,” Moore says.

“Studio Deep Roots would like to invite you to come out and join us and see where your heart takes you.”

Founded in 2001, Deep Roots Dance offers classes and workshops for dancers of all levels, from bare beginners to ongoing students wishing to hone their technique. For over 17 years Deep Roots has been renowned for their excellent instruction and welcoming and supportive environment, which nurtures the whole student as a valued member of the creative community. For more information: DeepRootsDance. com.

traveladventure

Reflections in Stillness

by Gayle Picken

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addling a kayak is one of my favorite ways to experience nature: you get the chance to see things from a different perspective, at water level, like a duck, gliding with the current and bobbing with the waves. And when the air is still, the glassy surface of the water pulls you even closer to nature’s mesmerizing beauty.

On a recent trip over the North Cascades to the Methow Valley, we decided to take our kayaks to Davis Lake and look for turtles. It was a warm afternoon and the air was clear … smoke from the wildfires was visible in the distance, but we enjoyed blue skies in the hills above the Old West town of Winthrop.

The water level was high and we launched with ease. A slight wind cooled the air as we paddled to the end of the lake and came back along the western edge. Then, the wind stopped completely, and I became aware of the stillness of the lake and the silence of the vast hills.

I stopped paddling and let myself sink into a meditation, soaking in the rich beauty of the reflections in the water, allowing the blue dragonflies to land on my arm and listening to the sound of the bees buzzing around the flowering lake weeds. I became fascinated watching the underwater grasses and plants swaying below the surface.

The clarity of the water was magnified by the calmness in the air.

Carried slowly by the current, my kayak and I had become part of the scenery reflected on the water. The serenity was blissful and I absorbed every ounce of quietude.

“Turtle!” my husband shouted, breaking the silence and bringing me back into reality.

When I spotted the small dot about 50 yards ahead of his kayak, it quickly disappeared below, and then the search was on! One by one, turtles stuck their heads up and disappeared when I got too close (or took out my camera). It was like playing a game of hide and seek, such excitement spotting a turtle-and then with the blink of an eye, it was gone.

At the end of our paddle, the turtles seemed to have accepted us as part of the landscape. I glided past one sunning himself on a log. And I kayaked around a group of them floating together, barely visible among the grasses and reeds at the shallow end of the pond.

Rejuvenated and refreshed, I felt a deep gratitude for my time on the lake, and being one with nature. On this trip, the exercise of being still gave me as much physical and mental benefit as the exercise of paddling. Wishing you many adventures in stillness!

Gayle Picken is an arts promoter, video blogger and travel writer. Connect with her at ArtYogaTravel. com or reach her by email at gayle@66events.com.

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Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com

Aging with Passion and Purpose Finding Fulfillment, Creativity and Meaning

by Deborah Shouse

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ant to age well? The answer isn’t in your 401k. Selfacceptance, a positive attitude, creative expression, purposeful living and spiritual connections all anchor successful and meaningful aging. In fact, these kinds of preparations are just as important as saving money for retirement, according to Ron Pevny, director of the Center for Conscious Eldering, in Durango, Colorado, and author of Conscious Living, Conscious Aging.

Savor Self-Acceptance

While most people believe adulthood is the final stage of life, Dr. Bill Thomas is among the creative aging experts that identify another life chapter: elderhood. “Elders possess novel ways of approaching time, money, faith and relationships,” says Thomas, an Ithaca, New York geriatrician and fierce advocate for the value of aging.

“The best chapters may be near the end of the book,” Thomas continues. “Once you appreciate yourself and your years, you can relinquish outdated expectations and seek to discover your true self. Then the world can open up to you,” says Thomas. “Living a rewarding life means we are willing to say, ‘These chapters now are the most interesting.’” During this time, rather than feeling consumed by what we have to do, we can focus on what we want to do.

Fill the Funnel of Friends 12

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For older people, relationships offer foundational connections; but as we age, friends may drift away, relocate or die.

“Successful aging requires refilling our funnel of friends,” says Thomas, who considers socially engaged elders with friends wealthier than a socially isolated millionaire.

“Notice opportunities for interacting and connecting,” advises Shae Hadden, co-founder of The Eldering Institute in Vancouver, Canada. Talk with the checkout person at the grocery store or smile at a stranger walking her dog.

Cultivate a Positive Attitude

Our beliefs about aging shape our experiences. A Yale University study found that older individuals with more positive self-perceptions of aging lived 7.5 years longer than those less so inclined.

Connecting with positive role models helps us release limiting beliefs and embrace an attitude of gratitude instead.

Other life lessons can be gleaned from observing how negativity affects people physically, emotionally, and socially.

Holding onto regrets traps us in the past zapping energy and self-worth; it also keeps the best in us from shining out says Pevny. He suggests a simple letting-go ceremony, with friends as witnesses. If possible, hold it in a natural outdoor setting.

At one of his conscious aging retreats, Pevny created a fire circle. Mike, 70, had been a dedicated long-distance run-

settings, including local community centers and places of worship. Many universities have extension classes for lifelong learners. State arts councils support programs, and museums and libraries host helpful activities. Shepherd Centers encourage community learning and Road Scholar caters to elders that prefer to travel and study.

ner for most of his life. Now plagued with mobility issues, Mike decided to let go of regrets. He brought a pair of running shorts into the circle and talked about what the sport had meant to him—its joys, challenges and camaraderie. Then he tossed the shorts into the fire, telling his friends, “I am letting go so I can find a new purpose and passion.”

Understand Our Life Stories

Creating our own life review helps us acknowledge and understand our most significant experiences and reminds us of all we’re bringing to our elder journey. Pevny offers these approaches: • Develop a timeline, dividing life into seven-year sections. For each, write about the strongest memories and most influential people.

• Consider what matters most, from people and values to challenges and dreams.

• Write to children and grandchildren, sharing tales of our life’s most significant events and lessons.

• Record key stories on audio or video.

Explore the Arts

The changes that aging brings can mire elders in depression and isolation. “Older people need to be brave and resilient,” says Susan Perlstein, of Brooklyn, New York, founder emeritus of the National Center for Creative Aging, in Washington, D.C., and founder of Elders Share the Arts, in New York City. “To age creatively, we need a flow of varied experiences, exploring new activities or reframing longtime interests from a fresh perspective.”

Expressive arts can engage people’s minds, bodies and spirits. A George Washington University study shows that people engaged in the arts are happier and healthier. Perlstein understands this firsthand, having begun taking guitar lessons in her 70s. Motivated to play simple songs for her new granddaughter, she subsequently learned to play jazz and blues tunes and joined a band.

“I’m doing something I love,” says Perlstein. “I’m meeting diverse people, learning new things and enjoying a rich life.”

Musician John Blegen, of Kansas

Older people are our greatest resource. We need to nurture them and give them a chance to share what they know. ~Susan Perlstein, founder, National Center for Creative Aging and Elders Share the Arts City, Missouri, was 73 when he realized his lifelong secret desire to tap dance.

When Blegen met the then 87-year-old Billie Mahoney, Kansas City’s “Queen of Tap,” he blurted out his wish and fear of being “too old.” She just laughed and urged him to sign up for her adult beginner class. He asked for tap shoes for Christmas and happily shuffle-stepped his way through three class sessions.

“Tap class inspired me, encouraged me and gave me hope,” he says.

“Now I can shim sham and soft shoe.

It’s a dream come true.”

To unearth the inner artist, ask: n Which senses do I most like to engage? n Do I enjoy looking at art or listening to music? Do I like sharing feelings and experiences? If so, a thrill may come from writing stories or plays, acting or storytelling. n As a child, what did I yearn to do; maybe play the piano, paint or engineer a train set? Now is the time to turn those dreams into reality. n How can I reframe my life in a positive way when I can no longer do activities I love? If dancing was my focus before, how do I rechannel that energy and passion? If puttering in the garden is too strenuous, what other outdoor interests can I pursue?

The answers can lead to fresh

Discover a Purpose

Upon retirement some people feel purposeless and lost. They yearn for something that offers up excitement, energy and joy. Hadden invites people to be curious and explore options.

“We’re designing our future around who we are and what we care about now,” she says.

Try keeping a journal for several weeks. Jot down issues and ideas that intrigue, aggravate and haunt. After several weeks, reflect on the links between concerns that compel and those that irritate. Perhaps we’re intrigued by a certain group of people or a compelling issue.

“A concern points to problems and people you want to help,” Hadden observes. This can range from lending a hand to struggling family members, maintaining our own health, volunteering for a literacy project or working to reduce world hunger. “Choose what inspires you to get out of bed each day, eager to move into action.”

Develop Inner Frontiers

People in their elder years may still be measured by midlife standards, which include physical power, productivity and achievement. “They come up short in the eyes of younger people,” dharma practitioner Kathleen Dowling Singh remarks. “But those standards do not define a human life.”

Rather, aging allows us to disengage from the pressures of appearances and accomplishments. As we release judgments and unwanted habits, we can increase our feelings of spirituality and peace. “When doors in the outer world seem to be closing, it’s time to cultivate inner resources that offer us joy and meaning. We have the beautiful privilege of slowing down and hearing what our heart is saying,” says Singh, of Sarasota, Florida.

natural awakenings

September 2017

13

leaving home.

Today, Richard has hosted more than a dozen female students and each relationship has expanded and enriched her life. “We talk about politics, food, religion and cultures; we even pray together,” Richard says. She points to memorable moments of bonding and respect, appreciation and celebration, and says, “As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned how vital it is to nurture the world I am in.”

Deborah Shouse is a writer, speaker, editor and dementia advocate. Her newest book is Connecting in the Land of Dementia: Creative Activities to Explore Together. Connect at DementiaJourney.org.

Meditation is one way to deepen spiritually as we age. “Sit in solitude, gather your scattered thoughts and set an intention,” Singh suggests. “A daily practice shows what peace, silence and contentment feel like. As you become more comfortable, add time until you’re sitting for 20 to 40 minutes.”

Acknowledge Our Shelf Life

“We cannot speak about aging and awakening without speaking about death and dying,” Singh believes. “We need to confront our mortality.”

Meditating on the coming transition opens us up to the blessings of life.

We can ask ourselves deep questions such as, “What am I doing? What do I want? What does this all mean? What is spirit?” Singh believes such search-

ing questions are vital. None of us knows how much Earth time we have to awaken to a deeper, fuller experience of the sacred.

Help the World In today’s world of chaos and crisis, the wisdom of elders is more important than ever. “Older people need to be engaged, using their insights to help the Earth, community and world,” Pevny says. Creative aging is about improving the future for subsequent generations.

In 2008, longtime educator Nora Ellen Richard, 70, of Overland Park, Kansas, wanted to be of greater service.

She asked herself, “What if I housed a foreign student?” and found the International Student Homestay Program.

She embarked upon an exploration of cultures from around the world without

Creative Aging Resources Center for Conscious Eldering CenterForConsciousEldering.com Changing Aging ChangingAging.org Dr. Bill Thomas DrBillThomas.org The Eldering Institute Eldering.org Elders Share the Arts Estanyc.org From Aging to Sageing Sage-ing.org Kathleen Dowling Singh KathleenDowlingSingh.com National Center for Creative Aging CreativeAging.org

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Rodney Yee on Yoga as a Way of Life Simple Strategies for Staying on Track

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enowned yogi and international teacher Rodney Yee, of New York City, has maintained an inspired yoga practice for 37 years while juggling career obligations, fame and family life.

While the benefits of yoga are increasingly well known—from stress reduction and pain management to a more limber body and inner peace—Lee is also aware of the challenges to maintaining a consistent practice. Here he shares insights on the pitfalls encountered by both beginning and advanced students.

“My advice is to first get rid of self-berating behavior, including judgmental inner dialogue. In many aspects of life, we are constantly measuring ourselves against a standard, which is a waste of time and energy,” says Yee.

With a professional background in classical dance and gymnastics, Yee decided to give yoga a try at a nearby studio when he craved more physical flexibility. “As many people do, I came to yoga for a reason. I was a dancer with tight joints. After the first class, I couldn’t believe how I felt. It was

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not at all like an athletic high; I had a sense of well-being and knew what it means to feel peaceful and clear.”

For people with jam-packed lives, finding time for exercise can be daunting. Yee suggests a relaxed approach to scheduling yoga into a busy day. “As the rishis [Hindu sages] say, we shouldn’t ‘try’ to meditate, not try to force a natural state. To say, ‘I have to do yoga,’ just puts another thing on our todo list. Sometimes discipline is needed, but another part of discipline is not about force.”

Different approaches to yoga abound, and part of staying motivated may include exploration of a variety of traditions as individual needs change due to lifestyle, health, interests or simple curiosity. Yee reminds us to go with the flow and follow how we feel in the moment. “Different schools of yoga exist because each offers something different. There is a form for all of our moods and a practice for how you feel at any given time.”

Reflecting on how his own practice has evolved through the years, Yee recollects, “In my 20s and 30s, my yoga practice was arduous, including three to four hours of strong, physical work and a half hour of pranayama [breath work]. Then for 20 years, it involved a lot of teaching. Over the past 17 years, my practice has become more subtle, with a focus on sequencing and meditation; it’s about how to do this all day long in the context of my body and my life; about being both centered and in the world. In some way, we’re always doing yoga, as we already take 20,000 breaths a day. From a philosophical and ethical point of view, yogis have no choice but to practice.”

Because many American women have found their way to a yogic path, men often assume it’s primarily a women’s niche. But yoga has been a male practice for nearly 2,500 years in other countries. Yee encourages men to not feel intimidated. “Why not try something that can help you improve your business, family life and even your golf game?” he queries.

While Yee believes in a no-pressure approach, he also suggests inviting ways to foster consistency. “If you are just beginning, set aside a half-hour before going to bed or get up a half-hour earlier. Also note that pain is less to be avoided than learned from.”

Wisdom can come from dedication to a yoga practice. Yee’s philosophy is, “You can blink and half your life is gone. You can’t always be busy, busy, busy; you have to decide how to fill your life. As spiritual teacher Ram Dass counsels, ‘Be here now.’ Train yourself to bring body, mind and heart together and fully drink from that.”

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September 2017

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at, play, party… and repeat. We may call it tailgating, fangating, homegating, a watch party or simply eating with friends before a big game. According to the American Tailgaters Association, in St. Paul, Minnesota, an estimated 50 million Americans tailgate annually.

Whether we’re on the road or at home, making the menu healthy is a winning strategy for hosts and guests. Here, two experts divulge their winning ways.

Says Debbie Moose, author of Fan Fare: A Playbook of Great Recipes for Tailgating or Watching the Game at Home, Ivy League schools like Princeton and Yale claim credit for pregame picnics that 19th-century sports fans packed into their horse and buggy for local road trips. Moose lives in the tailgate trifecta of the North Carolina triangle, home to Duke, North Carolina and Wake Forest universities.

She enjoyed discovering that University of Washington sports fans from the Seattle area like to sail to their chosen picnic spots, while University of Hawaii folks grill fish on hibachis in Honolulu.

Moose naturally prefers healthy, Southern-style fare such as deviled eggs and marinated green bean salad, which can be served hot, cold or at room temperature. “At the game or at home, your guests will be moving around, so go for foods that can be eaten with one hand,” she suggests.

She also plans her menu around color, universal appeal and variety because it’s healthier than just serving a mound of barbecued chicken wings and a big bowl of potato chips. She likes recipes that can do double duty; her black bean summer salad with cherry tomatoes and corn can function as a colorful side dish or as a salsa for non-GMO blue corn chips.

“Recipes that you can do ahead of time make things easier on game day; just pull them from the fridge and go,” says Moose.

Daina Falk, of New York City, grew up around professional athletes because her father, David Falk, is a well-known sports agent. Excitementgenerating sports are in her blood and inspired her to write The Hungry Fan’s Game Day Cookbook. She knows that most of the tailgating in her area takes place for football and baseball games and NASCAR races. On HungryFan. com, Falk serves up tips for every fangating/homegating occasion, from the Kentucky Derby to the Super Bowl.

“Keep your menu interesting,” says Falk. “I always like to feature a dish for each team. For instance, if you’re hosting an Alabama versus Washington watch party, you could feature an Alabama barbecue dish with white sauce and oysters or other fresh seafood. Both dishes are characteristic of the local foods in the universities’ respective hometowns.” Falk recommends buying more local beer than needed to make sure not to run out. Game day guests can get hot and thirsty, indoors or out.

Supply lots of filtered water in nonbreakable containers.

For easy entertaining, Falk recommends biodegradable dishes and cups.

“Whenever there are a lot of people in one room, especially when they’re drinking, a glass will likely be broken,” she says. “Save yourself cleanup and the risk of glass shards by committing to temporary cups and plates that are Earth-friendly and compostable.”

Judith Fertig writes cookbooks and foodie fiction from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).

O C T

Healthy Tailgating Recipes Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Place the sliced onions in a colander over the sink.

In a small bowl, stir together the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper until combined. Stir in the garlic. Set aside.

When the water comes to a boil, add the green beans. Cover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes or just until the beans are bright green; do not overcook.

Pour the beans and hot water over the onions in the colander. Rinse under cold running water to cool down. Drain well for a few minutes.

Crowd-Pleasing Marinated Green Beans Yields: 8 servings This simple salad is easy to double or triple. Make it the day before the game and refrigerate. /2 large red onion, thinly sliced /3 cup extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup herb-flavored white wine vinegar or regular white wine vinegar Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 lb fresh green beans, ends trimmed, but left long 1 1

Place the beans and onions in a large bowl or large re-sealable plastic bag.

Pour the dressing in and mix with the vegetables.

Refrigerate four hours or overnight, stirring or shaking occasionally.

Let come to room temperature before serving.

Courtesy of Debbie Moose, Fan Fare: A Playbook of Great Recipes for Tailgating or Watching the Game at Home.

Turn the page for more healthy tailgating recipes!

Coming Next Month Transformative Travel October articles include: Life-Changing Travel, Selecting a Chiropractor, Bone-Density Exercises and more!

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September 2017

19

Chilled Red Bell Pepper Soup Yields: 4 small servings Quadruple this recipe to make soup for a larger gathering. Serve in small sipping cups—cold for games in hot weather or hot for games in cold weather.

Black Bean Summer Salad Yields: 8 side dishes or 4 light meals This salad is easily doubled to feed a crowd.

2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and well drained 5 or 6 green onions, white and green parts, chopped 1 large sweet banana pepper, seeded and chopped 1½ cups halved cherry tomatoes 6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp lime juice 2½ Tbsp red wine vinegar 1 tsp chili powder Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1 /3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves In a large bowl, toss together the corn, black beans, green onions, banana pepper and tomatoes.

1 red bell pepper, stemmed ½ cup low-fat Greek or dairy-free yogurt ¼ yellow onion 2 Tbsp tomato paste 1 small/mini-cucumber ¼ cup rice vinegar 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard 4 large garlic cloves 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Vegetarian-Friendly Barbecue Cauliflower Nuggets Yields: 8 appetizer servings Plant-based barbecue is a home run or touchdown.

Garnish: Flat leaf (Italian) parsley (minced optional) Roasted and salted pumpkin seeds

1 head of cauliflower 1 cup all-purpose or gluten-free flour 1 Tbsp barbecue spice blend 1 cup nut milk of choice 1 cup tomato-based barbecue sauce

Blend all main ingredients, except garnish, in a high-speed blender into purée.

Accompaniment: Dipping sauce of choice

Serve topped with the parsley and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds.

Adapted from Daina Falk’s HungryFan.com.

Preheat the oven to 450° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Rinse and separate cauliflower florets into small- to medium-sized pieces.

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, vinegar, chili powder, salt and pepper.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the barbecue spice, flour and nut milk until smooth.

Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat them all. Then stir in the cilantro.

Dredge each piece of cauliflower in the batter before placing it on the baking sheet.

Refrigerate from 1 to 3 hours to let the flavors come together.

Bake for 18 minutes or until golden brown. Brush the cauliflower with barbecue sauce and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes.

Note: If using frozen corn, drain it well and lightly sauté in a couple of teaspoons of olive oil before adding it to the salad. This removes moisture that may make the salad watery.

Courtesy of Debbie Moose, Southern Holidays: A Savor the South Cookbook.

20

Seattle

SeattleAwakenings.com

Remove the cauliflower from the baking sheet and plate alongside a dipping sauce of your choice.

Adapted from Daina Falk’s HungryFan. com.

inspiration

ering what their idea of beauty is on this Earth. They know themselves well enough to know what they love, and they love themselves enough to fill up with a little of their particular kind of beauty each day.

When we are with a beautiful woman, we might not notice her hair, skin, body or clothes, because we’ll be distracted by the way she makes us feel. She is so full of beauty that some of it overflows onto us. We feel warm and safe and curious around her. Her eyes typically twinkle a little and she’ll look at us closely—because a beautiful, wise woman knows that the quickest way to fill up with beauty is to soak in another’s beauty. The most beautiful women take their time with other people; they are filling up.

Women concerned with being pretty think about what they look like, but women concerned with being beautiful think about what they are looking at, taking in the loveliness around them. They are absorbing the whole beautiful world and making all that beauty theirs to give to others.

Source: Adapted excerpt from Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton (Flatiron Books). She’s the founder and president of the nonprofit Together Rising. Read more at Momastery.com/blog.

BEING BEAUTY What Makes Us Glow

by Glennon Doyle Melton

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lenty of people are pretty, but haven’t yet learned how to be beautiful. They have the right look for the times, but they don’t glow. Beautiful women glow.

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SOLAR HEATS UP Demand Surges as Prices Fall

by Jim Motavalli

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ow is a good time to buy a solar system and get off the grid. Solar photovoltaic prices have fallen 67 percent in the last five years, reports Alexandra Hobson with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

It’s a boom period for solar—a record 14.8 gigawatts were installed last year in the U.S. Solar represented 39 percent of all new electric capacity added to the grid in 2016, surpassing natural gas (29 percent) and wind (26 percent). In the first quarter of this year, solar and wind together comprised more than half of all new U.S. power generation.

The Solar Investment Tax Credit was extended for five years at the end of 2015, so homeowners and businesses can qualify to deduct 30 percent of the installed cost from their federal taxes. Also, there’s no upper limit on the prices for the qualifying panels.

There are 1.3 million solar

SeattleAwakenings.com

systems in the U.S. now, with a new one added every 84 seconds. Some 260,000 people currently work in the industry, double the figure of 2012.

California is the leader in installed capacity, followed by North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Utah.

Technical Breakthroughs

In 2016, the average residential solar system produced seven kilowatts, at an average installed cost of $3.06 per watt, according to Hobson. A system costing just over $21,000 before taking the income tax credit yields a final net cost of $15,000. “It’s a perfect marriage for residential customers,” says Bill Ellard, an energy economist with the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). “The systems will produce electricity for about five cents per kilowatt-hour year-round compared to the average electric price of 10.34 cents per kilowatt hour tracked

in March 2017.”

New solar panel designs coming online mean even greater savings.

Panels with built-in micro-inverters are cutting home installation costs for large central units (although their long-term, all-weather durability isn’t clear yet). A breakthrough at Japan’s Kobe University means single solar cells could achieve 50 percent efficiency, up from the 30 percent formerly accepted as the upper limit.

Ugly panel frames may also be a thing of the past. More aesthetically pleasing frameless panels are expected this year from big players like SolarWorld, Canadian Solar and Trina Solar, with adapted mounting hardware. Producers like Prism Solar and DSM Advanced Surfaces are also working on frameless clear panels, with cells bound between panes of glass. These attractive clear panels are highly resistant to fire and corrosion.

Tesla, which recently acquired SolarCity, is marketing tempered glass photovoltaic shingles that integrate with tile roofing materials to make the installation nearly undetectable. Tesla

claims they’re three times as strong as standard roof shingles and guarantees them for the life of the house.

Solar Works for Many Now

For an average household electric load of 600 kilowatt-hours per month, for example, a daily dose of five hours of direct sunlight and four-kilowatt system will likely meet demand. For households with higher usage, especially in the South and West, bigger installations are the norm. “Solar system sizes have been growing fairly steadily as the price has come down,” Hobson notes.

Thanks to Google Earth, solar installers usually know if a property has the right conditions; avoiding the fee for an onsite inspection. Houses with a southern orientation within 40 degrees of direct southern exposure are golden.

Those with flat roofs work well because the panels can be tilted for maximum effect. Adjustable panels can also be adapted to the best angle per season.

Panels can’t be in shade for a significant part of the day.

Rooftop installers can work around vent pipes, skylights and chimneys. If

major obstructions are a problem, ASES suggests a ground-mounted array or solar pergola, a freestanding wooden frame to mount panels.

Solar systems heat swimming pools, too, offering huge operational savings over conventional heaters.

They start at around $3,500 and average $5,500, compared to an average $2,664 for a fossil-fuel heater, reports HomeAdvisor.com.

Determine if a state has net metering laws, which make it easy to sell excess power from a whole-home system back to the grid. Check for local tax subsidies on top of the federal 30 percent. The beauty of solar is that once the system is in place, operating costs are negligible. The lifespan of today’s panels is two decades and the payback is just two to three years.

Jim Motavalli is an author, freelance journalist and speaker specializing in clean automotive and other environmental topics. He lives in Fairfield, CT. Connect at JimMotavalli.com.

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wisewords Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo

JOINING SCIENCE TO SPIRITUALITY

by Linda Sechrist

I

n 2008, the Sebastopol, California, filmmaking team of Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo created Science and Nonduality (SAND), which later became a nonprofit organization aimed at fostering a new relationship with spirituality that is free from religious dogma, based on timeless wisdom traditions, informed by cutting-edge science and grounded in direct experience.

The next year, they organized the first SAND conference, exploring nonduality and the nature of consciousness. Since then, the duo has been producing short films that contribute to the expansion of human awareness, and hosting annual conferences in the U.S. and Europe involving leading scientists, academics and other pioneering thinkers.

Thousands of participants from around the world interact in forums and respectful dialogues with luminaries such as Menas Kafatos, Ph.D., a professor of computational physics at Chapman University, in Orange, California; Peter Russell, a theoretical physicist and author of From Science to God: A Physicist’s Journey into the Mystery of Consciousness; Robert Thurman, Ph.D., professor of Tibetan Buddhist studies at Columbia University, in New York City; evolutionary biologist Elisabet Sahtouris, 24

Seattle

author of EarthDance: Living Systems in Evolution; and Robert Lanza, physician, scientist and co-author of Biocentrism: How Life and Consciousness are the Keys to Understanding the True Nature of the Universe.

Where do revelations about a deeper reality begin?

MB: Individual and communal explorations often occur around life’s big questions, such as what it means to be conscious and to seek meaning and purpose; the possible place of intuition as the edge where knowledge meets the unknown and unknowable; and how crucial individual awakening is to social transformation.

What is meant by nonduality?

ZB: Nonduality is the philosophical, spiritual and scientific understanding of fundamental oneness in which there is no separation. Through quantum mechanics, Western science has reached an understanding of what Eastern mystics have long understood.

SeattleAwakenings.com

Duality, generally determined in terms of opposites such as self and other, conscious and unconscious, illusion and reality, as well as separation between the observer and the observed, is an illusion. Nonduality is the understanding that our identifying with common dualisms avoids recognition of a deeper reality.

Until recently, human sciences have ignored the problem of consciousness by calling it the “hard problem”.

This has led to our present fragmented worldview rife with chaos, conflict and crises. It may be time for scientists to accept the discoveries of the mystics and consider consciousness intrinsic to every observed scientific phenomenon.

Understanding that consciousness is the key to the universe, reality and ourselves may be the missing link in bridging science and spiritualty.

What difference can exploring the nature of consciousness make?

ZB: Understanding the new science that points to consciousness as allpervasive and the fundamental building block of reality—that we are all made of the same essence, like drops in the ocean—can change how we approach and harmonize day-to-day living. We can be far more open, peaceful and accepting of others.

Absurd violence, as well as economic, social and political crises, could all be things of the past, based on a new quantum understanding of our interconnectedness and oneness.

How has the nonduality movement evolved?

MB: SAND has evolved into something we never imagined when we began discussing the ideas that the true spirit of science and spiritually is best supported by an open mind and a non-dogmatic inquiry; while science seeks to understand our external reality and spiritual thinkers seek to understand our inner, personal experience of consciousness, these seemingly different disciplines rarely come together in open dialogue.

It became more evident that we weren’t looking for scientific answers or proof of what spiritual wisdom

traditions teach, but rather to expand the questions asked of both science and spirituality. Open-ended questions arise such as: What if space and time are just useful maps and quantum mechanics is pointing us to a deeper reality more mysterious than we can ever imagine? What if science and spirituality, while responding to our collective aspiration to grow and progress, would no longer need to carry the burden of having all the answers? What if we considered our search open-ended, rather then having to arrive at a grand theory of life or final state of enlightenment? What if, while we probe deeper into reality and who we are, we realize that knowledge gathered will always be just a stepping-stone?

For information about the 2017 conference in San Jose from Oct. 18 to 22, visit ScienceAndNonduality.com.

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

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Alternatively, visit SeattleAwakenings.com to submit online.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Stepping Into Delight EcoHike – 8:30am-6pm.

Are you ready to tune into your truest inner voice?

Join teacher Michelle Allen, MACP, in a playful, beginner-friendly guided 4-hour workshop, hiking through the stunning Olympic National Park as you open your ears to your heart. $65. Registration required. Staircase Loop Trail, Olympic National Forest, Hoodsport. 888-963-9425 or Souldust.com.

Exploring Creativity In Art & Life – 9am-4pm.

Find more ease with art and in life. How can we meet unknowns –a blank canvas, or in life? Learn how to shift uncertainty to curiosity. This exploration takes place in a retreat-like setting with noted Anacortes artist Anne Schreivogl and will open doors to greater creativity in your life. $125. Registration required. Anacortes address given upon registration.

ScreechingBird.com.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30 Yoga On The Dock – 6:30-7:15pm. Free 45-minute yoga on the dock. Yoga is not only great for increasing flexibility, building muscle strength and relieving physical pain, but it can also lower blood pressure, relieve depression and make you a happier person. Offered by Seattle-based yogi and marina tenant, Elizabeth Krenke. Elliott Bay Marina Observation Deck, Elliott Bay Marina, 2601 W. Marina Place, Seattle.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Advanced Craniosacral: Death & Dying – 8am6pm, Sept. 1-4. Cranio Master therapist Etienne Peirsman, will explore the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of Dying. The fear of Dying will be individually explored and how we can prepare for Dying and how CS can help. How can we use Craniosacral while preparing for Death, during the process of Dying? $695 thru 8/13, $795 thereafter. Registration required: http://bit.ly/2rNmzgs.

425-602-3053 or Commedu@bastyr.edu. Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Dr. NE, Kenmore.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 Humanity’s Awakening: We Are Never Alone – 9:30am-6:30pm. Universal Oneness Alliance is hosting this event featuring the Reality Whisperer Brad Johnson, Tina L. Spalding and Joanna L. Ross.

The Gardens at HCP in Victoria BC Canada 505 Quayle Road, Victoria, BC. Registration required.

Tickets starting at $136/live, $36/live streaming.

OnenessAlliance.org/events.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Meditation Monday – 7-8:30pm. Learn a style of meditation based on a fusion of ancient techniques of toga and mind acrobatics, mixed with modern techniques of psychology and Nuero Linguistic Programming. It is great for beginners and those who have a difficult time quieting the mind and also very effective for the seasoned spiritualist. $10-20. Union 512 at Pier View Chiropractic, 19987 1st Ave S., Suite 102, Normandy Park.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Animal Insights: Bach Flower Remedies – 7:308:30pm. Get to know the simple and safe healing system known as the Bach Flower Remedies, how they work and how they can be used on animals. $10 suggested donation. Center for Spiritual Living, Oak Room, 5801 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle.

206-715-4865.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Cultivating Mindful Compassion – 9am-4pm on Sept. 16 and 17. Cultivating Mindful Compassion blends Taoist and Buddhist philosophies, psychology, and research. Workshop includes meditation, lecture, discussion, partner listening and communication exercises. Amy Colvin has 20+ years of Taoist meditation experience, and has facilitated meditation since 2011. $300-325. Registration required. 10641 Samish Island Rd, Bow. CompassionateBalance.com.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Rock Your Intuition: A Clear Path to Empowerment, Confidence and Alignment With Your Life Purpose – 1-3pm. Come join Claudia Chika at East West Bookshop as we explore the topic of intuition in this interactive workshop. You’ll learn the secrets of how to tune in and trust yourself when making important life decisions. We’ll explore the value and role that challenging circumstances and loss provide to examine your life, discard what no longer serves you, and live up to your true potential. You’ll leave this workshop with practical ways to connect to and develop your intuition, and a confidence that your inner wisdom and divine power are ever present and accessible to you whenever you need guidance. $25.

Registration required. East West Bookshop, 6407 12th Ave NE, Seattle. 206-523-3726 or EastWestBookshop.com.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Vegetarian Dining Event – 7-8:30pm. Come join us at The Upper Crust in Seattle to enjoy a delicious, vegetarian, multi-course meal, hear an insightful speech by our president Amanda on a key vegetarian topic, enjoy live guitar music, and meet lots of

interesting people. Registration Required. $12.95 + tax for members, $16.95 + tax for guests. Children 6-12 are half price, and children 5 and under are free.

The Upper Crust Catering Co., 8420 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle. 206-706-2635.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Get Squashed – 10am-4pm. Visit 21 Acres for a day of fun activities for the whole family! Eat local, seasonal food from the 21 Acres Kitchen and Farm Market, enjoy tunes by area musicians, shop our Local Made Artists Market & talk with community partners who will share easy ways you can squash your carbon footprint. Free. 21 Acres Center for Local Food and Sustainable Living, 13701 NE 171st St, Woodinville. 425-481-1500 or 21Acres.org.

Friends of Lake Kapowsin Shore Clean-Up Party -- are hosting a cleanup work party, and sprucing up the shoreline at Lake Kapowsin. Refreshments provided and bring a potluck dish if you want. Contact Birdie Davenport for more information:Roberta. davenport@dnr.wa.gov or 360-902-1073

FRIDAY, SEPTMEBER 29 Sleep: An Ayurvedic Perspective – 7-8:30pm. Join our discussion about individualized approaches to treating sleep disorders, including various causes, effects, and ways to counteract these issues using home remedies, herbs, and Ayurvedic medicine. $20.

Eka Yoga Studio, 621 5th Ave N, Seattle. 206-257-4022 or NrimSeattle.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 Plant Whispering 101 – 1-4pm. Take a connective journey through Discovery Park as Suzanne Lentz, founder of Botany of the Soul, shares her secrets to communing with plant life. Learn to build a relationship with the forest, including medicinal and practical uses of local plants. And, taste wildcrafted herbal beverages. $55. Registration required. Discovery Park, West Point Lighthouse, Seattle. 888-963-9425 or Souldust.com.

Multi-Farm Restoration Party – 9am-12pm. Join volunteers at Zestful Gardens, Inch Acres Farm, Early Bird Farm and neighboring properties in the Clear Creek area of the Puyallup Watershed. Organized by the PCC Farmland Trust and the Pierce Conservation District. Registration and addresses at http://bit.ly/2xrovLQ.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3 Finding Your Inner Master with Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche – 7:30-9pm. We look outside ourselves for teachers and for answers, but what we really need is to find our inner master. How do we find our inner master? Through asking the right question. In this public talk, Tulku Lobsang introduces the 108 secret questions of Tibet, a traditional method for discovering great truths. Seattle Unity, 200 8th Ave. N. $20. TulkuLobsangna.org.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4 Mind Training: How to Use the 8 Verses of

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Thought Transformation with Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche – 10am1pm. In this workshop, Tulku Lobsang will explore the practice of compassion using the book The Eight Verses of Thought Transformation. This small book contains massive insights into practical ways we can expand our compassion, open our hearts, and awaken our minds. Seattle Unity, 200 8th Ave. N. $45. TulkuLobsangna.org.

Pulse Diagnosis in Tibetan Medicine with Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche – 5:30-8:30pm. Reading the information conveyed in the pulse is a key element of Tibetan Medicine. The pulse is considered to be an ambassador, carrying information transmitted from the interior of the body outward. $55. Bastyr University, Kenmore Campus, 14500 Juanita Dr NE, Kenmore. TulkuLobsangna.org.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 Inner Fire Retreat with Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche – 5pm Oct. 6 - 1pm Oct. 9. With a special combination of physical movements, breath exercises and visualization we awaken our inner fire, which burns the blockages of karmic imprints. Loon Lake Retreat, Maple Ridge, BC. $520 - $850 (all-inclusive). Registration required.

TulkuLobsangna.org.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 Salmon Homecoming Celebration — 11am-3pm. Attendees and volunteers are invited to save the date for the annual event held at the historic Puyallup Fish Hatchery. Enjoy guided tours, crafts, educational and vendor booths, and more. Free. 1416 14th St SW, Puyallup. Facebook.com/events/1344064715630776.

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Seattle

SeattleAwakenings.com

ongoing THURSDAYS Free Meditation Happy Hour – 3-4pm. Learn more about the Happiness Program and how Sudarshan Kriya can have a lasting impact in your life. During our Free Meditation Happy Hour we’ll explore the ancient science of the mind, learn powerful breathing-techniques that infuse the body with energy, and experience a deep, guided meditation. Free. BeHappyWA..org.

FRIDAYS Lift Your Spirits with Dena Marie – 8-9am. Discover fascinating people, inspiring activities and places that will lift one’s spirits in this radio show. Tune in to 1150 AM KKNW Alternative Talk Radio every Friday at 8am. 425-350-5448. Dena-Marie.com.

SATURDAYS Sew Up Seattle – 11am-1pm the fourth Saturday of the month. Bring your own project and sewing machine or create with our donated fabrics and machines. Men, women and children of all ages are welcome. Beginners too! Please use 8th Ave. doors. To help those with sensitivities, please come fragrance-free. Free. Sewing Room in Denny Park Lutheran Church, 766 John St.,Seattle. For more information: NWSewingEfforts.org.

SUNDAYS Hillman City Meditation at Kanjin Yoga Center – 4-5:30pm. Silent meditation 45 minutes followed by group discussion 45 minutes. Comfortable seating, calm setting, discussion topic changes weekly. $10/suggested donation. Kanjin Yoga, 5701 Rainier Ave S. Suite B, Seattle. KanjinYoga.com.

greencleaningseattle.com

206.307.2270

4615 Aurora Ave N 98103 Licensed, bonded, insured & 100% local.

Servicing the Seattle metro area. natural awakenings

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Natural Directory Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. More listings online at SeattleAwakenings.com/directory!

EVENTS

BEDDING THE SLEEP STORE

10623 NE 8th St Bellevue, WA 98004 425-454-8727 TheSleepStoreUSA.com

66EVENTS - CONNECT. ENGAGE. INSPIRE. Gayle Picken 425-359-7974

The Eastside’s largest selection of nontoxic and organic mattresses. Find the one that fits your lifestyle and budget! Featuring adult and child natural and organic mattresses, adjustable beds, organic and natural pillows, comforters, toppers and more.

SOARING HEART NATURAL BED COMPANY

101 Nickerson St #400, Seattle 206-282-1717 SoaringHeart.com

LIFT YOUR SPIRITS WITH DENA MARIE!

425-350-5448 Dena@Dena-Marie.com LiftYourSpiritswithDenaMarie.com

For over 30 years we’ve been handcrafting all-organic mattresses and bedding in our Seattle workshop using the very finest organic cotton, wool, and latex.

DENTISTS

ified ECOLOGIC DENTISTRY 8412 Myers e for gum recession surgery Rd E, Ste 301 Bonney Lake, WA 98391 onneylake.com 253-863-7005 and Holistic Dentist EcologicDentistry.com

Our dental practice integrates ancient wisdom with leading edge science. We use advanced technology and materials that are least toxic to your body and to the environment. Dr. Yamashiro values patient connection and gicdentistry.com strives to make you feel comfortable with 1, Bonney trust Lake, and WA 98391 your dental care options.

west, LLC

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Seattle

SeattleAwakenings.com

gayle@66events.com Event promotion and marketing services including web sites, social media management, event planning, press releases and strategic marketing plans.

Dena Marie is a speaker, author of Our Energy Matters and host of Lift Your Spirits With Dena Marie, a radio show airing Fridays from 8–9 a.m. on 1150 AM KKNW.For upcoming classes and events: LiftYourSpiritswithDenaMarie. com.

HEALTH BRAS THERMOGRAPHY

Gilman Village, 317 NW Gilman Blvd, Issaquah, WA 98027 425-677-8430

Radiation and compression free breast and body screening.Thermography or Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) is a non-invasive test of physiologic changes that accompany breast pathology, whether it is cancer, fibrocystic disease, an infection, or a vascular disease.

RISA SUZUKI HEALTHY HOME AND DIGITAL DETOX EXPERT Risa@RisaSuzuki.com 206-799-5363 RisaSuzuki.com

Suzuki Environmental provides consulting services and training to measure and remove toxins and minimize EMFs from the home

FLUTTERBY HEALING SERVICES Tanya Antonelli, LMP MA00025204 425-446-1771 Arlington, WA FlutterbyHealingServices.com

Helping you get in touch with your highest self through massage, Reiki, rainbow therapy, intuitive life coaching and chakra alignments. Therapies customized to fit your personal needs.

YOGA KANJIN YOGA

206-722-2665 Info@TheKanjinYogaCenter.com KanjinYoga.com Kanjin Yoga is a path to abundant health and wellness helping people live better inside their bodies. Specializing in Yoga Nidra, Gentle Hatha Yoga, we offer classes and workshops for groups and organizations.

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Safe removal of amalgam/mercury fillings TMJ and headache pain treatment Orthodontics with a focus on jaw and cranial balance Non-surgical periodontal care to reduce inflammation Snoring and sleep apnea Ozone therapy Non-metal dental implants Myobrace jaw growth for kids