Natural Awakenings - Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess NY Edition December 2020

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HEALTHY

LIVING

GIVE THE GIFT

OF FESTIVE EDIBLES

HEALTHY

PLANET

FRESH RITUALS

FOR THE NEW YEAR THE HEALING POWER OF

SINGING Plus

LOCAL SHOPPING

GUIDE

MATT KAHN

on Transforming the Planet with Love

THE BENEFITS OF

MIND-BODY EXCERCISE

WRITING A NEW

WORLD STORY

THAT HEALS US AND THE PLANET

December 2020 | Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess Edition | WakeUpNaturally.com December 2020

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HURRY! DEADLINE DEC. 10

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December 2020

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

WESTCHESTER/ PUTNAM/ DUTCHESS EDITION Publishers Dana Boulanger Marilee Burrell Editors Allison Gorman Jacqueline Wright Dawne Clark Marilee Burrell Design & Production Kathleen Fellows Patrick Floresca Marilee Burrell Sales & Marketing Dana Boulanger

CONTACT US PO Box 313 Lincolndale, NY 10540-0313 Ph: 845.593.0065 WakeUpNaturally.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $30 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

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© 2020 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

letter from publishers Lessons from 2020 Breathe, exhale, pivot, proceed.

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hat’s been my personal motto for the year 2020. These past nine months have been life changing for me, my family and so many of us, as if we’ve all been challenged to shift into our highest and best selves. I have learned so Dana Boulanger Marilee Burrell many lessons—especially how to navigate my way back to peace and balance daily, no matter what. I’ve had more time alone, a gift that’s allowed me to strengthen my selfcare practices of daily gratitude, meditation, prayer, mindful walking in nature, reading, gardening and cooking, and that’s reminded me to cherish my in-person time with family and friends. This year has shifted me. My life has become simpler, which has been a plus. I am grateful for my health, my family, my friends and my inner circle. Time with them has become a precious gift, although I do look forward to group gatherings in 2021. We have all had to step up our ability to communicate and connect differently, both in business and individually. I learned to Zoom—how about you? It seems that technology has been the connecting force for us all, and it will be critical to helping us support our local communities and economy, which need us now more than ever. A great place to begin is our Shop Local guide, starting on page 20. Read more about the value of investing our dollars close to home in our Green Living article, “Pay Where We Play,” on page 24. December is a time to reflect on all that we have accomplished and begin setting intentions for January and beyond. This month’s Inspiration article, “Fresh Rituals for a New Year,” on page 38, will prompt you to prepare with a fresh approach for 2021. I plan to keep the new healthy habits I developed in 2020 and let go of patterns and things that no longer serve me, so I’ll be ready for whatever comes next. My faith in living in the present—trusting that everything is always working out for me, and sharing compassion for others daily—keeps me happy, peaceful and grounded. If you haven’t already, make sure to sign up for your free membership on KnoWEwell, an online community and marketplace designed to transform health care. KnoWEwell is a new platform that provides valuable information, healing success stories and evidencebased resources, and fosters meaningful connections that can help wellness providers, mission-aligned nonprofits and businesses prosper. Read the news brief on page 9 for more info, and see the ad on the back cover for promotional codes. As always, we encourage you to visit our website, WakeupNaturally.com, to find even more local resources, deals and happenings. In this season of giving, please support our advertising partners, whose goal all year round is to keep you and your community healthy and vibrant. I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

Natural Awakenings is printed on partially recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

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Natural Awakenings is a family of 50-plus healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Contents 18 DR. LYNN PARODNECK Compassionate Care with Medical Marijuana

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20 SHOPPING GUIDE Why Now Is the Time for Local Holiday Shopping

24 PAY WHERE WE PLAY Boosting the Hometown Economy

26 THE GIFT OF YUM

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Homemade Treats Spark Holiday Cheer

30 THE NEW STORY FOR THE WORLD

Re-Visioning the Script for a Healthier Society and Planet

34 SING TO HEAL Using the Voice to Uplift Mind and Body

36 HOLIDAY TREATS

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FOR PETS

Homemade Recipes They Will Love

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 845.593.0065 or email Dana-NA@WakeUpNaturally.com. Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Marilee@ WakeUpNaturally.com. Deadline for editorial: the 12th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: WPCcalendar@Natural AwakeningsMag.com. Deadline for calendar: the 12th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239.434.9392. For franchising opportunities call 239.530.1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

38 FRESH RITUALS FOR A NEW YEAR

40 MATT KAHN

on Transforming the Planet With Love

DEPARTMENTS 8 news briefs 16 health briefs 17 global briefs 18 therapy

spotlight 20 shopping guide 26 conscious eating

34 healing ways 36 natural pet 38 inspiration 40 wise words 42 fit body 44 calendar 46 planet watch 49 classifieds 50 resource guide December 2020

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news briefs

Your CBD Store Opens in Mount Kisco

Emsella Chair Treats Pelvic Floor Issues

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ver the past two years, Florida-based Your CBD Store has grown into the world’s largest brick-andmortar retailer of hemp-derived products, helping dismiss misconceptions about them through Your CBD Store an emphasis on education and community. Now Cathy Parlitsis has opened the first Your CBD Store in Westchester. “Everything we do is focused on improving the lives of our customers,” she says. “It’s a high-quality learning environment. . . . We’re not just another retail chain. We truly care about educating consumers.” The products sold at Your CBD Store are USDA-certified organic and non-psychoactive. They don’t require a prescription or medical card. “All our products are manufactured by SunMed, which uses a special CO2 extraction process to eliminate chemical solvents and produce a high-quality, full-spectrum CBD,” Parlitsis says. “For our zero-THC products, the CBD is then processed again to remove all traces of THC.” With its focus on quality, Your CBD Store has helped drive legislation toward transparency and testing, she says. Every product it sells offers a third-party lab report corresponding to lot and batch numbers.

hen Advanced Rejuvenation Centers, in Purchase, call themselves “a full-service medical spa,” they mean it literally. They treat conditions from the hair to the toes, restoring the face and body under the guidance of their board-certified medical director, Dr. Liviu B. Saimovici. Their latest restorative therapy is treatment of incontinence and erectile dysfunction with the Emsella Chair, which stimulates the muscles of the Dr. Liviu B. Saimovici pelvic floor. “Our muscle devices induce contractions that our brains are unable to do,” Saimovici says. Advanced Rejuvenation Centers are introducing this new therapy to the public with 40 percent off the cost of Emsella treatment. Among the many other therapies they offer are platelet-rich plasma (PRP) hair restoration treatments, using the patient’s own blood; MRI-type technology to strengthen, tone and reshape the muscles of the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and arms; and laser treatment to rejuvenate the skin, remove unwanted hair and treat broken capillaries. Treatment plans are highly customized to include the most effective devices and therapies. Saimovici is involved in all consultations. “My goal is to do everything possible to make people look the way they did five to ten years ago, without looking fake or unnatural,” he says. When he treats patients with injectables or one of his many devices (such as Secret RF microneedling, using radio frequency), his goal is to make them look refreshed, as if they’ve had a good night’s sleep. The Centers follow all CDC guidelines and recommendations for safety. Their new, very large office allows them to limit the number of patients in the waiting room at any given time. Consultations are free, and patients are welcome to ask for a free trial of any muscle device.

Location: Your CBD Store, 222 E. Main St., Mt. Kisco, NY. Store hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more info, contact the store at 914.276.5409 or cbd@yourcbdstoremtkisco.com. See ad, page 23.

Location: Advanced Rejuvenation Centers, 3020 Westchester Ave., Ste. 306, Purchase, NY. For more info, call 914.500.9594, email info@advancedrejuvenationcenters.com or visit AdvancedRejuvenationCenters. com. See ad, page 15.

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KnoWEwell Platform Offers One-Year Free Memberships in December

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noWEwell, a collaborative partner with the Natural Awakenings family of publishers, is offering individuals and providers the opportunity to receive a complimentary one-year membership to its global community and marketplace. The KnoWEwell platform is a comprehensive online destination for today’s trusted Regenerative Whole Health knowledge, resources and community. Through its use, subscribers can find access to vetted, evidence-based resources for health, wellness and sustainability. Individuals, providers and experts can communicate and work together in an interactive, vibrant online community. “We are an ecosystem collaborating to inspire and empower individuals to achieve WELLthier Living. Join the movement as we share knowledge and healing success stories, provide access to evidence-based resources, create meaningful connections and help today’s providers, mission-aligned nonprofits and businesses opportunities prosper. We are transforming the health care we know,” says Kimberly Whittle, founder and CEO. “Natural Awakenings is honored to give our dedicated readers the opportunity to be among the first members welcomed into the KnoWEwell community. With gratitude for our 26 years of readership and support, through our mission-aligned collaborative partnership with KnoWEwell, for a limited time we are pleased to gift both individuals and providers with free annual memberships,” says Sharon Bruckman, Founder and CEO. For more info, visit KnoWEwell.com and see the ad on the back cover, which includes the free membership codes.

Be featured in

Natural Awakenings Wellness Profiles for 2021 The Who’s Who of the Holistic Wellness Community! Ideal for Wellness Practitioners and Healing Centers Profiles will appear in a special section of Natural Awakenings Annual 2021 Natural Living Directory and on our website, providing you with maximum exposure all year long. Be featured in the only healthy lifestyle Directory in the region. The Directories will be distributed throughout Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties.

PROFILE EXAMPLE Dr. David L. Lerner, DDS The Center for Holistic Dentistry

 2649 Strang Blvd. Ste. 201, Yorktown Heights, NY 914.214.9678 • HolisticDentist.com

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rom offering mercury-free fillings to tackling the most complex dental problems, the team at The Center for Holistic Dentistry provides an innovative approach to the healthcare of the mouth, integrating the knowledge of natural healing with that of contemporary dental science and technology. The practice’s soothing amenities complement its approach to dentistry. “We practice in a beautiful and spacious office environment designed to be relaxing and tranquil,” notes Dr. David Lerner. Wellness services offered: Holistic/Biological Dentistry, Cosmetic/Bio-Esthetic Dentistry, Dental Implants and Restoration, Integrative Orthodontic Care. Areas of specialty: Complex dental problems, advanced TMJ care, Sleep Apnea, safe mercury removal, periodontal wellness.

Last Year’s Edition

Philosophy of healing: “Our philosophy is based on the natural laws that govern health and healing,” Lerner says. “When disease is present, it may be viewed as evidence of a disruption in our life force.” The Center for Holistic Dentistry seeks to bridge the gap between modern dental technology and the ageless traditions of natural healing, he says. “This innovative approach to holistic dental care tends to the health of the mouth in relation to the whole person.”

HURRY! DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 10 845-593-0065 • Dana-NA@WakeUpNaturally.com • WakeUpNaturally.com

Tell them you saw it in Natural Awakenings! December 2020

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news briefs

Sarah Montgomery

De-Stress at Sarah’s House of Health

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s there anyone out there who hasn’t experienced feelings of anxiousness, stress or boredom since Covid-19 ravaged the world? It seems that everyone has either gained weight or lost sleep, not to mention worried about catching the virus. Sarah Montgomery, founder of Sarah’s House of Health, in Mahopac, has made it her mission to help relieve many of these issues, by offering services and products that can guide people to a more comfortable, relaxed frame of mind. “Our spa services, including massage and facials, will continue as long as possible in our lovely lakeside location,” she says. “We’re sanitizing regularly and in between clients to ensure the highest level of protection and safety. We’re also offering gift certificates, which can be used towards any of our services or products.” In addition to spa services, Sarah’s House of Health offers nutritional counseling by Linda Lonergan of Nutrition Kaye. “Linda will help you take off a few pounds and prepare for the coming holiday with tips to improve immunity and keep your weight down,” Montgomery says. “We also have a large selection of high-quality CBD and hemp products available. Many are great for holiday gifting, including our skin-care and hair-care products.” Location: Sarah’s House of Health, 900 South Lake Blvd., Mahopac, NY. All services are by appointment: Call or text 845.661.7490. To learn more or to place an order, visit SarahsHealthSolutions. com and SarahsHouseOfHealth.com. 10

The Peak Wellness Immunity Protocol

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old weather can bring achy joints, colds, flus and seasonal depression, all of which are worsened by being stuck indoors. The Peak Wellness Center + Spa, in Somers, offers a unique therapeutic approach that emulates nature’s elements and boosts overall health and immunity, says founder Greg Ribaudo. To help people brave this difficult season, Peak Wellness is offering a Winter Immunity Package for new clients. All appointments are private, with Covid-safe protocols. “We stay ahead of winter’s dark days with a combination of the world’s most effective wellness Peak Wellness Center + Spa devices and a holistic healthy lifestyle,” Ribaudo says. “Our Wellness Circuit protocol is the ultimate immune booster, stacking several modalities in a 60-to-90-minute session. They may include pulsed electromagnetic frequency to energize cells; red light therapy to bathe you in warm, healing light; oxygen training to oxygenate the lungs, blood and brain; and infrared sauna or ionic footbath therapies for detoxing the body.” Peak Wellness combines these advanced technologies with holistic wellness coaching, emotional healing, meditation and breathwork, to help clients navigate health challenges and goals synergistically, he says. The staff ’s expertise covers a wide array of topics, including nutrition, hydration, gut health, minerals, toxin exposure, proper breathing, biohacking techniques and trapped emotional issues. The Winter Immunity Special runs December through March: New customers who buy two Wellness Circuits or holistic coaching sessions will get one free. Location: Peak Wellness Center + Spa, 13 Edgewood Dr., Somers, NY. For more info, call 914.301.3393, email PeakWellnessNY@gmail.com or visit PeakWellnessNY.com. See ad page 11.

Shira Adler Launches Westchester Agri-Tech Company

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hira Adler made her mark in the CBD space with Synergy by Shira Adler, the company she founded in 2011, and her book The ABCs of CBD: The Essential Guide, coming out in 2021 with new edits. But now she’s moved on to “something even bigger”—as founder, executive vice president, and chief marketing, communications and culture officer of LeHaGen Bio, a new company that will be headquartered in Westchester. “LeHaGen Bio is passionately focused on agri-tech innovation and bio-infrastructure—advancing eco-hemp sustainability and plant-based therapeutics, programs and products,” Adler says. Its goal is to create “significant impact across three pillars: medicine, technology and Shira Adler sustainability.” Her partners include contract research organization Icaria Life Sciences, in Syracuse, led by Adler’s chief science officer, Adam Stein, Ph.D., a Yale-trained Xray crystallographer and biochemist; and their incoming chief medical officer, Dr. Karymaître Aliffe, a Harvard- and Stanford-trained physician executive now based in Seattle. The name LeHaGen means “to protect” in Hebrew, Adler says. “To protect bio—that’s our mission,” she says. “Protecting people and our planet for present and future generations through activity, ability and efficacy. So if people think CBD is the end all and be all, just wait until you see what we bring to the world through our cutting-edge cannabis and hemp research and plant-based medicine protocols. We are taking pharma holistic and healing the world through hemp-derived sustainability technologies.” For more info, call 914.861.5186, email shira@shiraadler.com or visit LeHaGenBio.co. See ad pg. 22.

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news briefs

Arboretum Opens at Pound Ridge Nature Preserve

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Holiday Shopping at Artisan Market in Katonah

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ajestic Hudson Lifestyle, in collaboration with the River Valley Guild, is hosting a Festive Artisan Market in its Katonah courtyard from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on December 5 (rain date December 6). Artisans from throughout the Hudson Valley will be displaying their creations. “This is the perfect day to shop local and support the arts this holiday season,” says Jennifer Llewellyn of Majestic Hudson Lifestyle. “If you can’t make it to the market, you can use our Natural Awakenings coupon (page 22) for online shopping at our website, MajesticHudson.com. Gifts include crystals, yoga and meditation tools, incense and candles, singing bowls and chimes, jewelry, home decor, and clothing and accessories.” Majestic Hudson creates events and workshops throughout the Hudson Valley. It also operates a spiritual boutique at its Katonah location, where guests can shop for crystals, apothecary potions, fine art, vintage items, fair-trade imports, and creations from Hudson Valley makers. “We have the only crystal healing room in Westchester County—sure to charge you to the highest vibration,” Llewellyn says. Location: Majestic Hudson, 223 Katonah Ave., Katonah, NY. For more info, call 845.581.0955, email majestichudson@ gmail.com or visit MajesticHudson.com and RiverValleyGuild.com.

estchester Land Trust (WLT) has opened a three-acre arboretum adjacent to its 125-acre Westchester Wilderness Walk / Zofnass Family Preserve in Pound Ridge. The arboretum was donated to WLT by the Preserve’s founding family, Paul Zofnass and Renee Ring. Established by Paul Zofnass over the past 10 years, the arboretum includes more than 250 plant species, all identified with name tags and educational signage along Paul Zofnass and Renee Ring plant a blueberry bush at the entrance to the arboretum. a third of a mile of meandering footpaths. “Looking beyond its clear educational value, the arboretum’s highly diverse species array will inform the management of the other 31 preserves that Westchester Land Trust protects,” says Brendan Murphy, WLT’s director of stewardship. “The arboretum will also further our understanding of local climate change impacts. It just gives back to our group and to the community in so many ways.” The Westchester Wilderness Walk / Zofnass Family Preserve is WLT’s most visited property and has been the site of numerous community programs and research initiatives, including a preserve-wide inventory led by the New York Botanical Garden. WLT works with public and private partners to preserve land in perpetuity, and to enhance the natural resources in Westchester and eastern Putnam counties. Its conservation efforts impact the long-term health of these communities through the protection of watershed areas, air quality and food supply. In total, WLT has preserved nearly 9,000 acres of open space, including 900 acres of preserves owned and managed by the organization. For more info, visit WestchesterLandTrust.org.

Crystal Reiki Healing Available for People, Animals

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specially because it can be done at a distance, energy healing can be a particularly useful wellness modality in this uniquely challenging year, says Deborah L. Ruxton, owner of Blissful Earth Healing, in Poughkeepsie. In addition to helping ease stress, anxiety and depression, she says, it also provides pain relief, aids healing when used before and after surgery, and heals long-term energy blockages. “I am very intuitive when working with people and their energetic bodies,” Ruxton says. Energy healing works on animals too, she notes. She is available seven days a week by appointment for Crystal Reiki Healing sessions for people and animals, Deborah L. Ruxton both remotely or in the client’s home or barn. “I am an animal communicator,” she says. “This helps me to better assess health problems with pets.” Location: Blissful Earth Healing, 621 Sheafe Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY. For more info, call 845.238.7465, email blissfulearth1031@gmail.com or visit BlissfulEarthHealing.com.

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‘Green’ Indoor Air Sanitizing Company Busy in 2020

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hen Tom Schasller and Valerie Maziarz teamed up in late 2014 to create a new business, Oxygen Sanitizing Systems, they shared a commitment to giving people a cost-effective way to have the healthiest indoor air possible, using innovative ecofriendly and FDA-approved products and services. While “green cleaning” was clearly the way of the future, they likely never anticipated how critical their services would become just a few years later. With cold weather driving more people inside, Schasller and Maziarz have been busy treating homes, rental properties, offices, restaurants, gyms and even vehicles, boats and RVs, with a specially priced disinfection and antimicrobial protocol. They say their clinically proven methods eradicate 99.9 percent of viruses (including Covid-19, MRSA, H1N1 and norovirus), as well as harmful bacteria, odors and mold spores, without the use of dangerous and irritating chemicals. “This is the same technology used by the White House and commercial airlines,” Schassler says. He has multiple licenses and certifications as a mold contractor, ozone technician and safety pandemic officer; she is a certified mold inspector. Both stress the importance of staying current with rapidly changing technology, and continuous education through seminars and certifications. Indoor air quality is now more important than ever due to the shuttering of homes because of the colder temperatures, Maziarz says. She calls the effect “tight house”—especially in homes with foam insulation, the structure can’t properly breathe, so indoor contaminants tend to accumulate and thrive. “Germs, bacteria and harmful mold spores enjoy the comfort of home too,” she says. “Risk increases with families spending more time indoors. Wherever you live and work, one thing must be certain: The quality of the air your family, customers and pets breathe is contaminant free and healthy. We fully understand family comes first, and quite frankly we wouldn’t have it any other way.” Location: Oxygen and Sanitizing Systems, 2222 Purchase St., Ste. 185, Rye, NY. Estimates are free. Covid-19 Disinfection and Antimicrobial Special is $599. For appointments or more info, call 877.244.3080, email tom@newindoorair.com or visit NewIndoorAir.com. See ad, page 8. December 2020

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news briefs

Crisis Can Bring Opportunity with PULSE

Photo: Vadym Lavra-shutterstock.com

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Chapel at Croton Falls Hosts Interfaith Celebration on Zoom

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he Chapel at Croton Falls is welcoming the public to its 2020 winter solstice interfaith gathering, Bringing the Light, which will be held on Zoom at 6 p.m. December 20. Rev. Melanie Gambino says it is intended as a contemplative reflection on and celebration of the solstice, the holidays and the new year. She will lead the event along with Rev. Gary Deinstadt, Pastor June Tompkins and the Chapel’s interfaith team. “Many of you have attended the Chapel’s interfaith services and remember the joyful, uplifting and light-filled winter solstice celebrations of the past,” she says. “Please join us again and spread the word—and the light—for this unique Zoom celebration filled with prayers, music, meditations, readings and practices. Let’s take some time to gather together to share experiences, set new intentions and usher in a renewed sense of light, love, joy, peace, prosperity and healing for the new year.” To join, click on the Zoom link at Tinyurl.com/2020ChapelWinterSolstice. The meeting ID is 777 3320 9159, and the passcode is Ybbe41. In addition to the Zoom celebration, there will be an in-person service at the Chapel at 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Tompkins says. She typically conducts the Chapel’s services, which are held in person. Location: 609 Rte. 22, Croton Falls, NY. For more info and updates, visit ChapelAtCrotonFalls.org and Facebook.com/chapelatcrotonfalls.

uring this pandemic, many people have had to rethink what they want to do with the rest of their lives. But what seems like a time of crisis can also be a time of opportunity, says Janet Alona Janet Alona Catalina Catalina, who is an empowerment coach, a therapist and the codeveloper of PULSE Manifestation. “This is a perfect time for people to learn to become a master manifestor,” Catalina says. “PULSE is a manifestation tool. It guides people through a step-by-step process to help them clarify their dreams and what they want in life. It helps them figure out what has blocked them up to now, and shows them how to break through those blockages to create what they desire—be it a new career, a more fulfilling job, a life partner or whatever they choose.” PULSE is an acronym for Perception Uniting Life Spiritual Energy. Catalina has been teaching PULSE since 2005, in workshop settings and on retreats. Now she’s teaching people individually on Zoom. In addition, she’s offering a free weekly PULSE Call of Hope, “to guide people in the PULSE process to help them let go of their fears around COVID, and to envision a positive, even better future for themselves and the world.” For more information about PULSE and the PULSE calls, visit PulseManifestation.com or call Janet Catalina at 914.548.8372.

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Health & Wellness on a Budget Plus: Holistic Hospital Care

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Advertorial

Arbonne’s Ingredient Policy

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ill Kay is an Arbonne Independent Consultant and Executive Reginal Vice President with Arbonne International, a 40-year-old health and wellJill Kay ness company. “It’s not just about what goes in our products, but what doesn’t go in them —Arbonne’s Not Allowed List™ includes more than 2,000 ingredients – nearly 1,400 from the European Union, plus several hundred more that the company does not use in their new or updated formulas across product categories including, skincare, personal care, hair care, nutrition, and makeup. ” Because of Arbonne, Jill says that she has learned to read labels and educate others about the importance of using products with clean ingredient lists. “We take a holistic approach to beauty, health, and well-being, offering nutrition, skincare, body care, hair care, personal care, and makeup products,” she says. “Arbonne products are smarter ingredients and effective results. The products are vegan, cruelty-free and formulated with non-GMO ingredients, and without animal products or by-products, artificial flavors and sweeteners, and gluten.” Arbonne products are sold through Independent Consultants like Kay. Preferred Clients receive 20 to 40 percent off all orders, free shipping and complimentary products on qualifying orders, and a 45-day money-back guarantee. “Whether you’d like to join me in building an Arbonne business of your own or you’d like to be a Preferred Client, I would love to help you,” she says. For more info, contact Jill Kay at 914.602.6562 or envpjillkay@gmail.com, or visit JillKay.Arbonne.com. See ad, page 23. Less than 2% of AICs achieve this title. The annual typical earnings of AICs can be found at earnings.arbonne.com. This Independent Consultant-created advertisement has been produced by Jill Kay, an Arbonne Independent Consultant, and has not been prepared or provided by Arbonne.

December 2020

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health briefs

“Bulking up” evokes images of bodybuilders and possible steroid use, but new research shows that older people that simply eat lots of vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables have greater skeletal muscle mass than those that don’t eat these foods. Researchers from the UK’s University of East Anglia collected data from more than 13,000 people between 42 and 82 years old and reported in The Journal of Nutrition that the highest amounts of vitamin C correlated with the greatest estimated skeletal muscle mass—an important finding, as people older than 50 typically lose half a percent of muscle fat each year, leading to frailty and a lower quality of life. Sixty percent of men in the study and 50 percent of women were not getting enough vitamin C from food or supplements. “We’re not talking about people needing megadoses. Eating a citrus fruit such as an orange each day and having a vegetable side to a meal will be sufficient for most people,” says study co-author Richard Hayhoe.

Pile on the broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. In a study of 684 older Australian women published in the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers found those that ate more than 45 grams of cruciferous vegetables a day—about one-quarter cup of steamed broccoli or one-half cup of raw cabbage—were 46 percent less likely to have calcium buildup in the aorta, the main vessel carrying blood from the heart into the body. Fatty calcium deposits in the aorta are a key marker of vascular disease linked to heart attacks and strokes. “One particular constituent found abundantly in cruciferous vegetables is vitamin K, which may be involved in inhibiting the calcification process that occurs in our blood vessels,” says lead author Lauren Blekkenhorst, of Edith Cowan University, in Perth. southstore design/Pexels.com

Eat Cruciferous Veggies for Cleaner Blood Vessels

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Retain Muscle Mass with Vitamin C

Yoga postures and breathing may significantly reduce episodes of atrial fibrillation, suggests a new study—good news for the one in 11 Americans that suffer from its anxiety-producing palpitations, racing pulses, dizziness and shortness of breath. In the study, which was presented to the European Society of Cardiology, 538 patients underwent 12 weeks without yoga and then 16 weeks of attending 30-minute yoga classes every other day. During the yoga period, their fibrillation episodes were halved, dropping on average to eight as compared to 15 in the non-yoga period. Average blood pressure was 11/6 millimeters of mercury lower after yoga training. The patients also reported improved moods and energy. “Our study suggests that yoga has wide-ranging physical and mental health benefits for patients with atrial fibrillation, and could be added on top of usual therapies,” says study author Naresh Sen, M.D., of Sunil Memorial Superspecialty Hospital, in Jaipur, India. 16

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Practice Yoga to Improve Atrial Fibrillation

Weather Wanderers

global briefs

The U.S. Geological Survey predicts that global sea levels would rise by about 230 feet if all the glaciers and ice caps on Earth melted, flooding almost every coastal city in the world. This disastrous possibility forces us to confront where current coastal dwellers would go if their cities become uninhabitable. In 2017, of the 68.5 million people that were displaced by sudden weather events that included floods, forest fires and intense storms, more than one-third of them were forced to leave their homes behind. A 2018 World Bank report found that without tangible climate action, more than 143 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America will be forced to move to escape the impacts of climate change by 2050. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, more than 1 billion people worldwide will live in countries with insufficient infrastructure to withstand climate change by 2050 (see Tinyurl.com/EcologicalThreatMap). The Pacific Islands are expected to be impacted especially hard because sea levels there are already rising at almost half an inch each year.

Tainted Taps

Skin Relief

The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has created WellExplorer, a new, interactive tool that allows residents and scientists to find out what toxins have been deposited in their drinking water as a result of hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Exposure to fracking fluid in drinking water has been shown to increase the risk of respiratory problems, premature births, congenital heart defects and other health problems. Different fracking sites use a diverse mix of chemical ingredients, and individuals and researchers are often uninformed about the exact health consequences of living near a particular well. People can view the closest fracking sites in their state, learn which chemicals are used at those sites and view their levels of toxicity by entering their zip code. WellExplorer can be obtained for free at WellExplorer.org or downloaded on Apple’s App store. A recent study published in the journal Database found that operators of wells in Alabama use a disproportionately high number of chemicals that target estrogen pathways, as do those in Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania in impacting testosterone pathways. The information found through WellExplorer might be particularly relevant for those that use private water wells.

California governor Gavin Newsom has signed the ToxicFree Cosmetics Act into law, which bans 24 ingredients from cosmetics and personal care products sold within the state. The list includes mercury, formaldehyde, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, endocrine-disrupting phthalates and long-chain parabens used as preservatives, among other chemicals. Many have been linked to breast cancer, reproductive and neurological damage, birth defects, organ system toxicity and developmental delays. National standards lag behind the rest of the world and have not been updated since being created in 1938. Despite the industry’s immense size, only two pages of the 829-page Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act govern cosmetics. The new California law will make products safer for everyone, but Black women stand to benefit more because they represent the biggest U.S. market for cosmetics. Environmental watchdog Treehugger notes that Black women account for an estimated 22 percent of the country’s $42-billion per year personal care products market, despite comprising less than 7 percent of the national population.

California Passes Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act

laura chouette/Unsplash.com

WellExplorer App Can Warn of Toxic Drinking Water

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pixabay/Pexels.com

Climate Refugees Could Reach One Billion by 2050

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therapy spotlight

Lynn Parodneck, M.D. Compassionate Care with Medical Marijuana by Marilee Burrell

More Help on the Horizon

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r. Lynn Parodneck’s medical marijuana practice was born of personal experience. “In 2012 I had breast cancer, and marijuana wasn’t available to me. When I was getting radiation therapy, I remember looking up at the ceiling, wishing I had some pot. For me that was the ‘aha’ moment. I thought, There’s got to be a better way.” Now Parodneck is a state-certified medical marijuana practitioner, supplying her patients with information and resources to ease their physical and psychological discomfort. She sees them in her tranquil 200-year-old, light-filled carriage house in Pound Ridge, and also by Zoom or phone. Patients come to her for consultation, symptom management and certification to use medical marijuana in New York State. A big part of her mission is teaching patients how to work with it. “The educational component of the consult is as important as the actual patient’s disease,” she says. “When patients understand what cannabis is about and how it works, it’s much easier for them to reach what we call their sweet spot. The sweet spot is the proper dose.” Medical marijuana, which contains THC as well as CBD and more than 100 other cannabinoids, is supplied by statelicensed dispensaries. In New York State, medical marijuana comes in several forms: pill; vaporizer; sublingual oil; mint or berry oral spray; lemon, orange and cherry chewies; and mint and cherry lozenges. According to Parodneck, medical marijuana is helpful for combating a variety of physical problems, including nausea, muscle spasms, anorexia, opioid use disorder and chronic pain. 18

Dr. Lynn Parodneck

When patients understand what cannabis is about and how it works, it’s much easier for them to reach what we call their sweet spot. The sweet spot is the proper dose. — Dr . Lynn Parodneck “More than half my practice is chronic pain patients,” she says. “If you can get pain relief without opioids, that’s a big present.” She will also work with a patient’s psychiatrist with the mutual goal of decreasing drug dependence. She says those physical problems are often underlaid by psychological ones, especially anxiety, depression, insomnia and loss of appetite.

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

“Those are the big complaints,” she says. “But if you open up the can of worms of chronic pain, they are complaining that they haven’t slept a whole night in three years, that the last thing they really want to do is sit down and eat. Especially during Covid. The level of anxiety is through the roof.”

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While Parodneck has been a witness to the dark psychological effects of Covid, she sees a brighter horizon since the election. She believes the incoming administration may be open to refining marijuana laws with the goal of further improving safety while broadening access to treatment. “I think there’s going to be change in our country with the Democratic administration,” she says, “and a country to look at is Canada. In Canada it is recreationally legal, meaning patients can get a box in the mail every month with what they need and they don’t even have to call in for a refill.” Legalizing recreational marijuana in New York State would cut down on the black market and potential contaminants, she says. “That’s important because the legal market is required to do testing for pesticides, molds and heavy metals,” she says. “Contents are as stated. You know what you’re purchasing. And you’re not going to get sick from it.” In the meantime, Parodneck wants to see new state legislation that will allow more chronic conditions, like anxiety and depression, to be treated with medical marijuana. Currently, the qualifying conditions in New York State include cancer, HIV/AIDS, ALS, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury with spasticity, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, neuropathy, Huntingdon’s disease, chronic pain and PTSD.

A Personalized Approach

A consult with Parodneck is relaxed and thorough, reflecting both her empathetic approach to patient care and her classic medical training. A graduate of New York Medical College, Parodneck interned at

Dr. Lynn Parodneck’s medical marijuana practice is based in her Pound Ridge carriage house, where her sociable chocolate lab adds to the relaxed atmosphere. St. Vincent’s Hospital in Greenwich Village and completed her residency at New York University Bellevue. She has 20 years’ experience as a physician, having opened a private practice on Manhattan’s Upper East Side before transitioning to a practice in Westchester County. “I pride myself in putting a lot of attention and care into each patient experience,” she says. “I spend about an hour with each new patient. When they understand what I’m talking about, they can do a much better job getting there, and it’s much more straightforward.” Unlike many physicians, Parodneck does not make her patients fill out a pile of paperwork. She does that herself and encourages her patients to do the talking. “When people come in, I go through their whole day,” she says. “I come up with a day program and a night program. Each person is different. My job is not to send people to Mars. My job is to find that point where they’re comfortable but they’re not walking around stoned. The correct amount is relieving symptoms and allowing you to have the best quality of life as possible.” Location: 25 Black Brook Rd., Pound Ridge, NY. For appointments or more info, call 914.525.6536, email DrParodneck@gmail. com or visit DrLynnParodneck.com. See ad, page 15. December 2020

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shopping guide

Holiday Musical Three-Wick Candle ($32.99)

Custom Crystal Creations at 16 Cedar Stree in Dobbs Ferry

Why Now Is the Time for Local Holiday Shopping

Custom Candle Co. just unveiled its new Holiday Musical Candle, made with allnatural soy wax and three cotton wicks. It comes in three scents—Balsam Fir, Slate and Pine Needle—and has a unique feature, says store owner Marcie Manfredonia. “On the back of each candle there’s a QR code,” she says. “When you scan it with your smart phone, it takes you to a website where you can listen to holiday songs for free. You can also save our playlist on Spotify for free.” Right now Custom Candle is running an in-store holiday sale: Buy one candle or piece of jewelry and get a second half off. Customers receive a free wick cutter and cloth mask with every purchase over $75. Some exclusions apply. Shop in person at Custom Candle Co, 25 Depot Plaza, Bedford Hills, NY. Order by phone at 914.218.8357. Shop online at CustomCandleCo.com. See ad, page 3.

by Allison Gorman

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mall businesses have to weather all kinds of storms, but staying afloat during Covid-19 has been an epic challenge. We talked to several local business owners about how we can support them this holiday season. “Pandemics are possibly the worst thing that can happen to small businesses,” says Shira Adler, founder of Synergy by Shira Adler. Her advice? Use this unique opportunity to throw them a lifeline. “Offer hope and healing,” she says. “Shopping at local businesses allows us not just to stay open, but to continue to serve our beloved customers and communities.” By navigating the pandemic and finding ways to stay open, small businesses have already stepped up for their customers, notes Shima Chayvet, owner of Universal Healing Arts Connection. “Many of us have invested not only money, but our soul, into providing items to our communities to help raise awareness and create a safe place for you to go, with business owners and staff who care about you and your loved ones. Now we need your help,” she says. Ann LaGoy, owner of Sound Earth, says it’s important to recognize small businesses for what they are—our neighbors and friends—and to understand the outsized impact we can make by spending our holiday dollars with them. “It’s well known that each dollar spent locally circulates many more times within the local economy than big-box stores,” she says. “Shopping locally is an investment in our community.” With that advice in mind, here are some great local gifts we found. Remember: Each one of these gifts will make two people happy. 20

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Find and post sales, deals, coupons and offers on Natural Awakenings website: WakeUpNaturally.com

Amethyst Crystals (Prices vary)

The most unique and interesting gifts Universal Healing Arts Connection is selling this year are its amethyst crystals, says Shima Chayvet. “Not only do they relieve stress, soothe irritability and balance mood swings, but they also dispel anxiety,” she says. “Amethyst also activates spiritual awareness, opens intuition and enhances psychic abilities.” She notes that comparison shopping will verify that her store’s amethysts are priced below the competitive market price of other retail stores. Shop in person at Universal Healing Arts Connection, 4 Crestview Ave., Cortlandt Manor, NY. Order by phone at 914.737.HEAL. Shop online at UniversalHealingArts.com or SoulConnectionShop.com. See ad, page 23. Custom Crystal Creations

Nurture Synergy Spray ($39.95) Shira Adler sells five proprietary CBD-infused aromatherapy sprays: Clear, Center, Nurture, Inspire and Smile. But for this season’s gift-giving, she recommends Nurture as the antidote to an overwhelmingly challenging 2020. “If you or someone you love struggled emotionally this year—if your heart ached, became drained or depleted—just spray it two to three times around your face, morning and evening or whenever you need it,” she says. Use the coupon code NaturalHoliday to receive a discount on the regular single-spray price of $39.95, or save even more on the full five-spray series for optimal benefits. Shop online at ShiraSynergy.com, using coupon code NaturalHoliday. To stay on top of deals, subscribe to the newsletter at ShiraAdler.com and follow Shira Adler on social media @The1ShiraAdler and @ShiraSynergy. See ad, page 22.

Holiday Aroma Mini-Basket ($20)

Ann LaGoy’s favorite offering from Sound Earth this year is the Holiday Aroma Mini-Basket, which she calls “a thoughtful, feel-good gift.” “Each of the scent options, made with therapeuticgrade essential oils, has a specific positive purpose: relaxing, soothing, invigorating,” she says. “Pick your pleasure!” She also loves it for its reasonable price. “The giver doesn’t have to break the bank to express their care for the receiver,” she says. Shop online at SoundEarth.com. See ad, page 22.

Holiday Hours at Custom Crystal Creations

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ustom Crystal Creations, a metaphysical gift shop in Dobbs Ferry, will hold special holiday hours in December, with complimentary gift wrapping, shopping help and a free stone at checkout, says owner Stefanie McCauley. “We have lots of great gift ideas, and we can help you pick out the perfect gift for that special someone,” she says. Gift certificates are available too. When McCauley opened Custom Crystal Creations in September 2018, her intention was to create “a center for healing with crystals and everything spiritual,” she says. “I have a wonderful team of practitioners that offer Reiki healing, tarot card readings, psychic mediumship and past-life readings. It’s a quiet place to come and relax and rejuvenate the heart and soul.” Holiday hours are December 16-19, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; December 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; December 22-23, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; and December 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The shop will be closed December 25. Location: Custom Crystal Creations, 16 Cedar St., Dobbs Ferry, NY. For more info, follow the store on Instagram @custom crystal16, or visit it on Facebook at custom crystal creations. See ad, page 22. December 2020

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Support Your Local Businesses

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December 2020

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green living

PAY WHERE WE PLAY

Boosting the Hometown Economy

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by Sandra Yeyati message we hear throughout the year, but especially during the holidays, is, “Buy local.” The idea is to purchase from locally owned and operated businesses. Facing competition from big chains like Walmart or internet companies like Amazon, they need our support. But it’s not just a nice thing to do; consumers that buy local help build robust hometown economies with a long list of impressive benefits. “About three dozen studies have found that two to four times more money stays in the economy for every dollar spent in a locally owned business rather than a nonlocal one,” says economist Michael Shuman, author of The Small-Mart Revolution, Put Your Money Where Your Life Is and The Local Economy Solution. “What’s more, the community enjoys a multiplier effect, generating two to four times more job opportunities, two to four times more income and two to four times greater tax collections. If your interest is in reducing poverty and raising social equality, locally owned businesses are your ticket to doing so.” According to Shuman, cities that rely on just one or two large companies to drive their economies are far less self-reliant and less resilient than towns that support a diversified base of smaller, locally owned businesses. “The more you have control over your economy, the less likely you’re going to be hurt if one big company splits for Mexico,” he explains. Cities that have many thriving local businesses enjoy other benefits, too. “We know from political science studies that they have higher rates of voting participation and volunteering,” Shuman says. “Sociology studies show lower crime and greater degrees of social organization and civil society. Health studies reveal that local business communities replace a lot of unhealthy, imported food with healthier, fresher, less-packaged food that lowers rates of diabetes and obesity. Unique local businesses attract tourists. And because they shorten the lines of distribution and supply, we know they bring down carbon footprint.” Phoenix business leader Kimber Lanning, who opened a record store in 1987 and an art gallery in 1999, has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of local commerce. “Doing business with people we know heightens our connection to place, and when we care about place, we’re more likely to vote, volunteer and give charitably.” In 2003, Lanning founded the nonprofit Local First Arizona (LFA) to help local businesses thrive and eventually eliminate city, state and federal subsidies that multinational 24

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companies were receiving. “Big chains move in, claiming they’re going to drive so much sales tax revenue that the city should pay them to be there,” she explains. “Cabela’s [the outfitter chain] got a $68 million subsidy from Glendale to open one retail location. These sweetheart deals extract money out of the community that could have been spent on parks, libraries and fire departments, but instead goes to shareholders living elsewhere.” Responding to political pressure by LFA and others, Arizona passed a law banning these subsidies five years ago—a major victory—leveling the playing field for smaller businesses, according to Lanning. As the author of 13 destination guidebooks, Florida-based travel journalist Karen T. Bartlett helps people discover the often-hidden flavors and experiences unique to their own region, meeting neighbors and supporting the local economy along the way. “From kayak adventures and foodie tours to community theater productions and galleries featuring local artists, fun and meaningful ways to enjoy the distinctive offerings of home abound,” she says. “Think local first,” Lanning says. “Spend your money with people you know in your community—from haircuts to oil changes. Use a local pharmacy. Go to the farmers’ market and move your money to community banks and credit unions.” “For people to get excited about the purchase of a five-dollar hammer and not pay attention to where they have their mortgage is utterly irrational. Rank [in] order your business expenditures, which starts with your home, then probably goes to your car and then health care, and think about ways of localizing those things, rather than every grocery item,” Shuman advises. “Usually, you find cheaper, better-quality goods and services, or at the very least, comparable options,” he says, adding that even if a purchase is slightly more expensive or a bit less convenient, favoring the neighborhood vendor is always going to benefit the local economy. Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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conscious eating

The Gift of Yum Homemade Treats Spark Holiday Cheer by April Thompson

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ift-givers seeking memorable presents while avoiding holiday shopping stress need look no further than the kitchen. Edible homemade gifts make special, welcome treats, help slow down the shopping frenzy of the season and increase creativity in the kitchen. While 79 percent of recipients return some holiday gifts every year, food and handmade items rank in the top 10 treasured gifts, according to Survey Monkey research. Mackenzie Burgess, a Fort Collins, Colorado, dietitian and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices, encourages holiday gift-givers to think beyond the Christmas cookie. One of her go-to holiday gifts, a lentil and brown rice dry soup mix, features colorful dry ingredients layered in a Mason jar and the recipe attached with a pretty ribbon. “This shelf-stable dry soup mix is the perfect, plant-based meal to make on a chilly night, and makes for a unique, affordable and thoughtful gift,” says Burgess, adding that the Mason jars can be repurposed. For a sweet but healthy treat, Burgess offers freezer-friendly energy bites, which can be made in large quantities in advance and frozen or refrigerated, then popped into jars at gift time. These gluten-free, vegan treats can be made with common pantry items, including a base of oats, nut butter and a sweetener like honey or agave, as well as “fixings” such as shredded coconut, dried cranberries or goji berries, chopped nuts, or chia or flax seeds to boost the flavor and nutrition. Natural food coloring can also be added to foster a more festive look. 26

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To give a gift a “wow” factor, blogger Shelley Fulton, in Hudson, Ohio, recommends making a themed basket that may include a mix of homemade and purchased items. “You can take your signature spice rub or that homemade soup mix everyone raves about and expand into a gift basket with other products that support the theme, like barbecue tools for the spice rub or a kettle with cute soup bowls and a new ladle for the soup mix,” says Fulton, the creator of Two Healthy Kitchens. For the dog lovers on a holiday list, Fulton suggests making homemade sweet potato dog biscuits, which can be bundled in a dog bed with other canine comforts. Stephanie Hafferty, author of The Creative Kitchen: Seasonal Plant Based Recipes for Meals, Drinks, Garden and Self Care, suggests handcrafted items like infused vinegars, herb salts, herbal tea blends or spice mixes for foodies on the holiday gift list. Infused concoctions can be easily made by steeping a light vinegar like champagne or cider with rosemary, thyme or other perennial herbs, along with a spiraled citrus peel, for two weeks before gifting. “Infused vinegars look so lovely and go with so many winter dishes. They also have the advantage of being antiviral and having the shelf life of a few years,” says Hafferty. Herb-infused olive oils make another gorgeous foodie gift, but Hafferty warns of botulism risk if the herbs are not completely dried beforehand and fully submerged in the oil. “Make this one closer to the time you plan to give it and include instructions to use within a few weeks,” recommends the Somerset, England, author. Unusual spice mixes are another favorite gift of Hafferty’s, which can encourage home cooks to get creative. “Ras el Hanout is a versatile Moroccan spice blend that elevates dishes to another dimension. You can upcycle an old tin and decorate it with images of Moroccan tiles and add a homemade booklet with recipe ideas,” she says.

For a hostess gift that will be eaten immediately, Fulton loves making fruit kabob bouquets, made festive by using red and green fruits like strawberries and kiwi cut into holiday-themed shapes like stars and bells. “This is a fun one to make with kiddos,” adds the blogger. If concerned about preparing food items for someone due to COVID-19, Fulton suggests assembling a countertop herb garden or a handmade book of favorite recipes, with a promise to cook together soon. The spirit that goes into holiday gift-making matters as much as the end product. Making thoughtful presents for loved ones is a great time to reflect upon our blessings, especially those that have blessed our lives this year. Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

Holiday Gift-Giving Recipes Lentil Brown Rice Soup

bread and parmesan cheese, if desired.

yield: 6 servings

Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 4 months.

If presenting the soup mix as a gift, layer dry ingredients in a Mason jar and print recipe to attach to the jar. 1 cup green or brown lentils ½ cup uncooked brown rice ½ cup green split peas 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning 1 Tbsp dried parsley 1 Tbsp garlic powder ½ tsp ground black pepper 2 large vegetable bouillon cubes (1 cube should be equivalent to 1 Tbsp of granulated bouillon) 8 cups water

Recipe from Mackenzie Burgess, Cheerful Choices.

Optional: 1 medium yellow onion, diced 1 Tbsp oil 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, no salt added Optional: Sauté onion in oil in a large stock pot over high heat for 3 minutes. Add can of diced tomatoes. Add dry soup ingredients and 8 cups of water to the same large stock pot (unless starting with this step). Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat and simmer for 40 minutes, covered with a lid. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve with crusty December 2020

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Christmas Cocoa Crunch Bark yield: 30 pieces ½ cup 100% cocoa powder, unsweetened ½ cup coconut oil, melted 2 Tbsp raw quinoa 2 Tbsp maple syrup ¼ tsp stevia ¼ cup dried cranberries ¼ cup pistachios, roughly chopped 2 Tbsp candied orange, diced in small pieces ½ tsp pink Himalayan salt 2 Tbsp white chocolate, melted (optional) Toast raw quinoa over medium-high heat until slightly browned and nutty aroma. In a small bowl, mix together cocoa powder and melted coconut oil. Stir in toasted quinoa, maple syrup and stevia. photo by Mackenzie Burgess, RDN

Pour mixture onto a plate or sheet pan lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Sprinkle pistachios, dried cranberries, candied oranges and salt over the melted chocolate mixture. Drizzle white chocolate over the top and use a toothpick to create swirl effect if desired. Freeze for 1 hour. Break into pieces and enjoy. Store leftovers in freezer for up to 3 months. Recipe from Mackenzie Burgess, Cheerful Choices.

Energy Bites yield: 12 large bites or 24 small bites These energy bites are the perfect snack to grab and go. They’re completely customizable and take 5 minutes or less to make. It’s easy to create festive, colored bites for the holidays. Simply add one-quarter cup of oats into a bowl with 15-30 drops of food coloring and give it a stir. Then, simply roll your finished balls in the food-colored oats.

Add oats, add-ins, nut or seed butter, and liquid to a large bowl. Stir to combine. Mixture should be slightly sticky, but still crumbly. Add in honey or maple syrup, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach desired sweetness. Stir until mixture starts to come together in a sticky ball. If the mixture is still too dry, add in 1-2 more tablespoons of liquid. Place bowl in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to chill, then roll mixture into balls using hands. Store in the fridge until ready to eat or pack into a jar for a gift. Store any leftovers in fridge for up to 1 week or the freezer for up to 3 months. Recipe courtesy of Stephanie Hafferty. 28

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photo by Stephanie Hafferty

1 cup rolled oats or quick oats ½ cup add-ins (dried fruit, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, chopped nuts or a mixture) ½ cup nut or seed butter (peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sun butter) 1 Tbsp liquid (plant-based milk, dairy milk, water, coconut oil) 2-3 Tbsp honey or maple syrup

Eat Well and Be Well

CAFES BREAD ALONE BAKERY

45 Market St., Rhinebeck, NY 845.876.3108 BreadAlone.com/Rhinebeck-cafe

CHAKRA BOWLS CAFÉ 33 Arlington Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 845.849.0399 chakraBowlsCafe.com

GOOD CHOICE KITCHEN 147 Main St., Ossining NY 914.266.3003 goodchoicekitchen.com

NELLA’S NUTRI-BAR

2 Maple St., Croton-on-Hudson 914.259.2296 NellasNutriBar.com

THE FREIGHT HOUSE CAFÉ

609 Route 6, Mahopac NY 845.628.1872 thefreighthousecafe.com

COFFEE COFFEE LABS ROASTERS

Order beans online/ship home 7 Main St., Tarrytown, NY 914.332.1479; coffeelabs.com

FARMERS’ MARKETS GOSSETT’S FARM MARKET

& Gossett Brothers Nursery 1202 Rt.35, South Salem, NY 914.763.3001; Gossettnursery.com

HUDSON VALLEY FARMERS MARKET

Greig Farm, 223 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook, NY 914.474.2404 Facebook.com/ HudsonValleyFarmersMarket.

Natural FOOD

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Foodie Guide

with

THE MARKET AT MT. CARMEL

fresh food, art & yoga Sundays through 11/1 8th St. at Highland Ave., Verplanck, NY

FARM STORE

JUICE DRINK LIVING JUICE

7(1/2) servings in one serving of green juice to go. 914.763.6320; DrinkLivingJuice.com

Z FARMS ORGANIC Open Every Day. 355 Poplar Hill Rd. Dover Plains, NY 917.319.6414 ZFarmsOrganic.com

FARMS FABLE: FROM FARM TO TABLE

1311 Kitchawan Rd, Ossining, NY Sat & Sun 9am-4pm FableFoods.com

HARVEST MOON FARM & ORCHARD

Briarcliff Manor 97 North State Road Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510 914.800.9146 Eastchester 780 White Plains Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 914.874.5481 Mt. Kisco 666 Lexington Ave. Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 914.864.1274

HILLTOP HANOVER FARM & ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER

GreensNaturalFoods.com

GREEN ORGANIC MARKET 275 S. Central Park Ave. Hartsdale, NY 914.437.5802 FB: GreenOrganicMarket

THREE FEATHERS FARM

WHOLE FOODS MARKET 575 Boston Post Rd, Port Chester, NY 914.708.1985

1 Ridge Hill Rd, Yonkers, NY 914.378.8090

Gift certificates available!

Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil 914.217.5689 Kontoulisfamily.com

GREENS NATURAL FOODS

Somers 57 Rte. 6. (in Baldwin Place) Somers, NY 10505 914.485.8093

Grass-fed beef & eggs 371 Smith Ridge Rd, S. Salem 914.533.6529; threefeathers.farm

KONTOULIS FAMILY GROVES

MARKETS

130 Hardscrabble Rd North Salem, NY 914.485.1210 HarvestMoonFarmAndOrchard.com

1271 Hanover St, Yorktown Heights, NY 914.962.2368 HilltopHanoverFarm.org

SPECIALTY FOODS

110 Bloomingdale Rd, White Plains, NY 914.288.1300 WholeFoodsMarket.com

Cucumber Rounds w/ Herb Cashew Cream Cheese and “Lox” Appetizers at Skinny Buddha

VEGAN SKINNY BUDDHA ORGANIC KITCHEN

159 Lexington Ave., Mt. Kisco 914.358.1666 MySkinnyBuddha.com

To place your business listing on this page: call 845-593-0065 WakeUpNaturally.com December 2020

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A New Story for the World

Re-Visioning the Script for a Healthier Society and Planet by Linda Sechrist

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lightscience/AdobeStock.com

he most familiar form of human activity and the most natural way to describe what happens in our lives is through telling stories. Toddlers listen to stories that have contained the same archetypal characters acting out similar plots for millennia. In literature, folktales and myths all over the world, stories serve the purpose of providing life instructions and answering humanity’s fundamental questions about the nature of existence, such as who we are, where we came from, the definition of our purpose and the nature of our reality.

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In the 1980s, author and cultural historian Thomas Berry declared that humanity needed a new story that is less destructive and dysfunctional. Berry filled lecture halls, telling attendees, “We are in trouble now because we don’t have a good story. The old story, the account of how the world came to be and how we fit into it, isn’t functioning properly. What once sustained us, shaped our emotional attitude, provided us with life purpose, energized action, consecrated suffering, integrated knowledge and guided education is no longer serving humanity.” As we are discovering globally through hard experience, the old stories of rugged individualism and conquering and dominating the natural world have run their course with grim results. In the last four decades, fragments of a new story have been slowly emerging. Because it isn’t deemed worthy of mainstream media, the public is left in the dark about new, life-instructing stories capable of altering human civilization in positive ways. Were these story fragments woven together in an anthology, chapters on climate, economy, religion, environment, science, politics, medicine, education, conscious evolution and community would constitute a useful account of ideas and concepts capable of bringing about a brighter future for humanity and the planet. These possibilities would surely capture readers’ imaginations.

New Climate Story In Climate: A New Story, writer and activist Charles Eisenstein suggests that we need a new story that makes possible the

New Science Story Evolution biologist Elisabet Sahtouris’ stories about science shine a light on the broader perspective of life and science gained from studying multiple worldviews. A scholar of ancient sciences, Sahtouris reminds us that the original purpose of science was to find guidance for human affairs by studying nature. During a recent conversation with Ubiquity University founder Jim Garrison in the online Humanity Rising’s Global Solutions Summit, she says, “We have acted in opposition and made ecology subservient to our economy, using ecology as a set of resources for human economics. When we make our economy fit into nature’s economy, which we call ecology, we’ll have ecosophy, the ‘wisdom of the Earth itself ’ that occurs when a man knows how to listen with love.” Sahtouris teaches corporations about ecosophy’s new view of a conscious universe and a living Earth in which we are co-creators. This, she believes, takes humans out of fatalistic victimhood so that we can become consciously active agents of our destiny. Lifting the fog of our

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more beautiful world our hearts know is achievable. The story, which he believes is attainable, calls for people, governments and organizations to embrace a partnership paradigm to protect, restore, regenerate and repair damages to our planet’s natural world, which we call the environment. Using indigenous wisdom, organizations such as the Pachamama Alliance and Bioneers are helping individuals worldwide to recognize that humanity is here to be in service to life. Creating the right conditions for revitalizing life is the opposite of our collective story that views the natural world only as a resource. Eisenstein’s ideas for regenerative agriculture match those described in environmentalist Paul Hawken’s Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. In October, Drawdown Georgia became the first state-centered effort to crowd-solve for climate change, with solutions tailored to Georgia’s unique natural, economic and social resources.

self-image as consumers of stuff gives humans the rights and responsibilities to live out our full co-creative humanity.

A Global Commons Sharing Solutions Through the daily sharing of stories with keynote speakers and panel discussions, Garrison increases the momentum of the Humanity Rising movement, which includes Ubiquity University students, program participants and more than 400 organizations that come together as a “global commons” to take counsel and share what they are developing for their own networks. Humanity Rising was launched to try to leverage the crisis of the coronavirus pandemic into an opportunity for human renewal and increase our resilience to future challenges. This new form of real-life competency education delivered in TED Talk-style presentations, moderated dialogues, working groups, blogs, ongoing conversations, group discussions and other interactions provides participants a wide scope of possibilities and activities for working together for global solutions.

Economics Story If British economist Kate Raworth writes a follow-up to her bestselling book Donut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist, she’ll certainly add a case study of her consulting work in Amsterdam, where her donut model is now embraced as the starting point for public policy decisions. Amsterdam is the world’s first city to make a commitment to Raworth’s concepts: “Out with the global attachment to economic growth and laws of supply and demand, and in with … what it means for countries, cities and people to thrive in balance with the planet,” as reported in The Guardian. The simple central premise of Raworth’s alternative to growth economics is that the goal of economic activity should be to meet the core needs of all within the means of the planet.

Interconnectedness Author Robert Atkinson’s contribution to the new story is his understanding of the underlying unity in all religions and all humanity, expressed throughout his book The December 2020

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Story of Our Time: From Duality to Interconnectedness to Oneness. “Nature is an embodiment of the divine, and the whole Earth is sacred. Its vast resources are our common heritage entrusted to us,” he says. “Humanity is one family. Having passed through the stage of childhood, humanity is now struggling to leave behind its adolescent ways while taking on new patterns of thought and action in approaching its maturity. Accepting the oneness of humanity as a biological fact, a social necessity and a spiritual reality will lead us further along our journey toward lasting peace.” Atkinson believes global harmony is inevitable when we exercise our obligation to independently investigate reality and stop blindly and uncritically following various traditions, movements and opinions. He says, “I consider this as one of the main sources of world conflict.”

Undivided Wholeness In a world engulfed by fragmentation, the film Infinite Potential: The Life & Ideas of David Bohm is a healing balm with the potential to overturn our ideas about the world and ourselves. “The core work of David Bohm, considered one of the most significant theoretical physicists of the 20th century, is our essential interconnectedness and undivided wholeness from which we get a sense of our own interconnectivity,” says producer and director Paul Howard. “This realization makes it logical to start taking better care of ourselves, each other and planet Earth.”

Howard notes, “David was interested in the nature of thought and consciousness. Realizing that he wanted to develop full expression of his interests, he explored wider domains and investigated different worldviews with sages, philosophers and spiritual leaders such as the Dalai Lama, who called David his ‘science guru’. A lifelong concern with social and political change led him to develop the Bohm Dialogue, a form of communication aiming to break through our collective modes of habitual thought. He also spent time with indigenous people, searching for a new form of language in which to express his ideas in a more process-oriented way.”

Indigenous Wisdom While the early church developed and grew in numbers by assimilating the wisdom of the world about it, including paganism, it neglected to assimilate the intuitive ways in that indigenous people knew the natural world, how it functioned and how intimately they were integrated with it. Tribes around the globe have ancient extinction stories that foretold the crises we are collectively experiencing, as well as potential outcomes and possible solutions. In Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change, Sherri Mitchell (Weh’na Ha’mu Kwasset) tells the story of the Mohawk Seventh Generation Prophecy. “The Onkwehonwe, or real people, rise up and demand their wisdom and way of life be respected and that the natural way of the Earth and way of life be fully restored. Teachings on the indigenous way of life are being sought after, and all that remains is that we work together to restore the Earth to a state of balance and good health,” she says.

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Medicine and Community

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Thousands of people are gathering in online intentional communities associated with personal growth, healing and spiritual awakening. Jennifer Phelps, M.D., owner and director of Phelps MD Integrative Medicine, in Redding, Connecticut, practices mind-body medicine and is a faculty member of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, in Washington, D.C. A trained facilitator of small groups, she has been teaching trauma and stress healing via Zoom calls during the pandemic. Initially, Phelps was concerned about how the levels of intimacy, trust and vulnerability necessary for individuals to develop a sense of cohesiveness and bonding could be formed via computer screens. By using the center’s model of self-care, selfawareness and mutual support that has its roots in indigenous culture, she felt her concern dissipate as group members began to bond quickly. “Our guidelines call for no cross-talking and no interrupting. Confidentiality is sacred. I’m a facilitator and a participant, which most models don’t allow,” says Phelps. She speculates that the success of online bonding might be due to participants feeling safer in their homes with a little extra anonymity, noting, “Not being face-to-face seems to allow people to share more freely. These weird times are creating a commonality and a sense of community connection.”

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Conscious Choice Leah Lamb, a sacred storyteller in Topanga, California, defines her role as a seer far beyond the present moment. In Lamb’s online classes with her storytelling community, she loves sharing quotes by other storytellers such as Rebecca Solnit, “We think we tell stories; but stories often tell us … Too often stories saddle us, and they ride us and whip us onward and tell us what to do and we do it without questioning. The task of learning to be free is to learn to hear them; to question them, to pause and hear silence, to name them and then become a storyteller of your own story.” “In our role of storyteller, we can’t be without understanding that we tell stories about how we are in the world as much as stories tell us how to be in world. Identify and notice your stories, then understand how they are running you, so you can consciously choose your place in them,” advises Lamb, who encourages her students to discover the genius of their own calling. These are only some chapters in the new story that calls for each of us to be aware of the stories we live by, as well as those we tell ourselves and others. It also begs us to ask what is our role in the new story. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at LindaSechrist.com. December 2020

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Breathing into Self-Expression

SING TO HEAL

Using the Voice to Uplift Mind and Body by Marlaina Donato

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ccording to growing research, singing along to a favorite musical or joining a local choir can be good for our health. From college students to patients with Parkinson’s disease, everyone can benefit, regardless of talent. Singing naturally fosters endorphins, amps up immunity levels and lowers the stress hormone cortisol. A study by the UK University of East Anglia published in 2017 in The BMJ’s Medical Humanities shows that group singing—along with the positivity of social interaction— supports and improves mental health in people with depression and anxiety. Singing for the Brain, a program created by The Alzheimer’s Society, has been shown to improve memory, mood and the ability to socialize for people with dementia. “I feel singing can be significant to mental well-being and healing from an injury or cancer, while in recovery from substance abuse, or to help cope with trauma. Additional benefits may include pain management,” says Tamera Anderson-Hanna, a licensed mental health counselor and the owner of Wellness, Therapy & Yoga, in Miami. 34

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“When we sing, we dive straight into a conscious bodily experience that brings us into immediate connection with our bodies. Singing, especially repetitive singing where we can start to regulate a breath cycle and elongate it, gets us deeply oxygenated,” says Daisy Press, a professional singer and vocal teacher in New York City. There’s no right or wrong way to reap the benefits of music. A few years into her professional career, Press took a group lesson with a North Indian raga teacher and experienced a deep inner shift. “I was allowed to enjoy the feeling of singing that one note and my mind turned off. I felt the intonation itself in my body—in waves, shapes and colors. Intonation itself became a real living energy that felt essentially good, restorative and healing.” Lea Longo, a Montreal-based meditation mindfulness coach and musician, concurs. “Singing has been my way to relax, not only my mind, but my body, as well. It uses the breath, a vital tool for health. It’s my go-to place to feel better. I just sing when I need a boost, and it works for me.”

Resonance, Mantra and Humming “The voice can be considered a healing tool for the fact that it is directly related to resonance in the body,” explains Longo. “We can think of our voice as a tuning fork to ‘tune’ ourselves and use it as a way to heal internally through the vibrations and sounds we produce.” Using sound is a subtle energy therapy that can help heal emotional or physical distress, he says. Mantra, the recitation of specific words or traditionally sacred chants, is not a religion, but simply a method to quell mental chatter. “Mantras are vibrational tools that can be practiced by any faith or spiritual practice.”

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There’s no right or wrong way to reap the benefits of music. In her work, Anderson-Hanna makes the mantra personal. “I often teach individuals how to create their own mantra and how to challenge their thinking using positive affirmations. The mantra I teach is most often a personal reflection of ‘I am’ statements they can aspire to, versus negative or defeating thoughts.” Humming, another way to open the voice for healing, is the least intimidating for many people, but packs a powerful punch. “Out of all the many healing sounds I’ve worked with, I find that humming is the most effective because it is so inclusive—everyone can hum. Physiologically, humming reduces heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. Many different beneficial hormones and chemicals are released, including endorphins, oxytocin, melatonin and nitric oxide,” says Jonathan Goldman, co-author of The Humming Effect and director of the Sound Healers Association, in Boulder, Colorado. “The importance of nitric oxide is coming more into light since it is a vasodilator and has anti-viral qualities.” In addition, humming stimulates the vagus nerve, which reduces inflammation and enhances immunity. Whether we sing children to sleep at night or learn to sing jazz, using our voices can be good medicine. Goldman reminds us, “There are so many different ways that sound can positively shift and change us.”

Marlaina Donato is a recording artist and author. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

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HOLIDAY TREATS FOR PETS

Beware of These Troublemakers n Caffeinated products. Gary Richter, a holistic veterinarian in Oakland, California, and author of The Ultimate Pet Health Guide, suggests keeping caffeinated drinks and food away from pets. Caffeine contains stimulants called methylxanthines, and pets are much more sensitive to the effects of these substances than humans are. Ingesting even a small amount can make dogs vulnerable to caffeine poisoning, which can cause hyperactivity, panting, elevated heart rate, tremors, seizures and collapse. Seek immediate veterinary care for treatment if these symptoms develop in a dog.

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by Tonya Wilhelm

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ooking for our pets is a great way to ensure they are eating wholesome, nutritional foods. It’s also a fun way to customize a pet treat recipe to meet specific dietary needs. These three festive holiday treats will have a dog woofing for more and a cat purring for seconds. Choose organic, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Pumpkins and apples are always at the top of the culinary list for holiday treats. Not only are these two foods safe for pets, they offer health benefits. Both are packed with fiber, which helps dogs feel fuller. It’s also good for digestive and colon health and can yield firmer stool. For the kitty friends, that fiber also helps move hairballs along. In addition, apples contain phytonutrients and flavonoids like quercetin, which are helpful in treating allergies. The chia seeds in this pet pie not only help firm up the pie, but are packed with nutrients that naturally boost energy. Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids and are a great source of antioxidants. They also contain minerals, fiber, calcium, protein and vitamins A, B, D and E. Cinnamon and ginger are wonderful spices to use in pet holiday treats. Both of these warming spices improve digestion and soothe the stomach lining. Select Ceylon cinnamon, not cassia cinnamon, because the latter contains higher amounts of coumarin, which can harm the liver and increase the risk of cancer. Ginger may act as a blood thinner, so don’t use it if a dog is going to have surgery or is pregnant. It may also lower blood pressure and blood sugar, so if a dog has heart issues or diabetes, talk to a vet. When in doubt, leave it out. 36

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n Artificial sweeteners. San Diego veterinarian Madison Rose says artificial sweeteners such as xylitol can cause a massive insulin release, leading to acute and profound hypoglycemia, or low-blood sugar, and hypokalemia, or low potassium levels. Marked by lethargy, ataxia, collapse, twitching or seizures, ingestion requires immediate veterinary care. n Raw, yeasty bread dough. This will expand when ingested, potentially causing a deadly twisting of the stomach. n Raisins and grapes. Common in holiday recipes, in large quantities, these can cause kidney failure in dogs. n Nutmeg. A toxin for pets. n Cooked bones. Not only are these choking hazards, they can pose a serious threat to the digestive tract.

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Homemade Recipes They Will Love

Pumpkin Apple Pie yield: depends on size of molds

1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin 2 apples 5 eggs 1 cup goat’s milk 2 Tbsp chia seeds 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon 1 tsp ginger Remove and discard the apple core and seeds. Place all ingredients in a mixer and blend. Then set it aside for 10 minutes to allow the chia seeds to begin to expand. Preheat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into preferred baking dishes, either for a large pie or small, bite-sized muffins. Bake approximately 15 minutes for small muffins or 40-60 minutes for a full-sized pie. Allow the pie to fully cool and set up before slicing and serving. Serve as a special treat to pets. Portion the remaining pie into serving sizes and freeze for later.

Eggnog for Pets Raw eggs can be a healthy addition to any fresh pet diet, assuming the animal doesn’t have an egg allergy. Cow’s milk isn’t the healthiest option for dogs and cats because they don’t tolerate its high level of alpha-s1-casein protein. Goat’s milk is a healthier option because it contains extremely low to no amounts of this protein, allowing better absorption of the nutrients. 4 eggs 2 cups goat’s milk 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon Blend all the ingredients. Either place a few tablespoons in the pet’s dish as a special treat or drizzle over the food. Alternatively, place a silicone ice cube mold on a cookie sheet for support. The smaller the cavities, the better. Take the remaining eggnog, pour into the molds and place in the freezer. Once frozen, pop out the treats and store them in a glass container in the freezer. Try serving one frozen treat to each pet every few days.

Turkey Meatballs Making treats for cats can be tricky. The best bet is to head to the meat department. Even the most finicky of kitties will gobble up this healthy treat. 1 lb ground turkey 2 eggs ½ Tbsp dried peppermint Preheat oven to 350° F. Mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well-blended. Form into tablespoon balls using your hand or scooper and place on a lined or ceramic cookie sheet.

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BODY WORK GUIDE CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY Joy Matalon LMT, CST 914.519.8138 Joymatalon.com Ossining & Garrison

MASSAGE THERAPY Donna Costa, LMT Yonkers 914.907.4485 coyoteqn@gmail.com dcostamassage.amtamembers.com Facebook.com/Donna.Costa.LMT

Bake for 20 minutes until meatballs are set (they will be extra eggy). Carefully remove and place on a cooling rack. Serve as a special treat. Place treats in a glass container and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze until ready to serve. Thaw completely before serving. Tonya Wilhelm is a professional dog trainer, spreading the word about positive methods of preventing and managing behavioral issues with a holistic approach. For more information, visit RaisingYourPetsNaturally.com.

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Fresh Rituals for a New Year

he end of one year and the beginning of another marks a hopeful transition that many of us choose to celebrate with fireworks and glitzy parties. Here are several New Year’s rituals to help us connect more deeply to our loved ones, to ourselves and to a richer sense of purpose as we embrace the promise of 2021. Reevaluate the past year. While many people focus only on what lies ahead on New Year’s Day, consider taking a therapeutic and spiritual look at the past 12 months, evaluating personal accomplishments and deviations from goals and aspirations. Take note of lessons learned and challenges faced, as well as the top 10 highlights of the year. Declutter. In Italy, people throw things out of their windows on New Year’s Eve; getting rid of items that are no longer of service is just as important as welcoming the new. In that spirit, this is a good time to gather clothing, books and other items collecting dust and donate them to a local charity where they may be useful to someone else. Formally invite prosperity. Many cultures around the world celebrate New Year’s Day with rituals that are meant to ward off bad luck and attract good fortune. Some of them espouse throwing money over the threshold the first time someone enters their home after the new year has begun. Here’s a modern twist: Gather the family together and bless a few coins or paper bills, either through prayer or as a statement of hope and anticipation. Then, donate the money to charity as a way to spiritually pay it forward. Spend New Year’s Eve in meditation. Quiet meditation or prayer is a great way to usher in a sense of peace and harmony. Make sure the session begins before midnight and extends into the new year. This can be done at home alone, with friends or at a local meet-up group, yoga center or spiritual organization. Place special emphasis on the first 12 days. For many people, the first 12 days of a new year represent each of the 12 months to come. To set a positive course for 2021, spend each of those days exhibiting aspirations for the coming year, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen to manifest an interest in being more charitable, or reading a book about immigrants to become more culturally sensitive. Adapted from an Arcadia Publishing contribution.

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wise words

Matt Kahn on Transforming the Planet With Love by Sandra Yeyati

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uthor of bestsellers Whatever Arises, Love That and The Universe Always Has a Plan, as well as The Healing Mantra Card Deck, Matt Kahn is a spiritual teacher and empathic healer with a global audience, guiding seekers through in-person events and popular YouTube videos.

What are mantras and how do we use them? They’re a declaration of our deepest wisdom, highest ideals and most authentic aspirations that we sound into existence as a way of asking the universe for help to embody our next highest level of consciousness. It’s an intention of the person I’m going to become and a request of healing energy from the universe, saying, “Please help me become more of what I declare through my words.” A mantra uses the sound of our voice as vibrational medicine to bring what’s within us out into the open for the purpose of not only transforming our personal circumstances, but improving the quality of the world. When you say a mantra, it’s embedded in your subconscious mind, which is like a new piece of clothing in your closet. A bunch of other clothes may push it to the background, but the moment you need to wear that article of clothing, it’s going to stick out of the closet and get your attention.

What mantra is resonating for 2021? No matter what, love always makes it right in the end. If you know that everything is made right by an infinitely wise, loving source, it relaxes you into being open to the journey and allowing yourself to be as aligned as possible to whatever life brings. 40

What lessons can we learn from turbulent times? A big lesson is that desire is not a requirement for happiness. The things that most people desire for comfort or stability have been displaced, whether we’re talking about COVID-19 or the wildfires, for example. But happiness is how content and whole we are with ourselves; the constant needing of things pulls us out of happiness. Perhaps we can discover that just being who we were born to be is what we’ve always desired. No matter how dark the world seems or how insurmountable the odds appear, this is part of a grand transformation of the planet. We love ourselves to remain safe throughout each step along the way, and we offer kindness, compassion and forgiveness to anyone around us, knowing that anyone acting out of character is just acting from a level of unprocessed pain. We love ourselves as a way of uplifting the planet, and we bless others as a way of helping to further the evolution of humanity. As we learn to be inner light workers and

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healers, we learn to find complete alignment with spirit no matter how the world ebbs and flows.

What’s the difference between our personal spiritual journeys and what you call ascension? Ascension is when a certain percentage of the world starts to awaken in consciousness. It’s not just a few awake beings scattered across the globe in a fast-driven, goal-oriented society. It’s a world waking up to its true nature on a collective level. On an individual journey, we’re healing our wounds, seeing through limiting beliefs, forgiving those who mistreated us and daring to treat ourselves better so that we can become active participants in the community of evolving beings we are creating. Giving brings us together. Each of us has something unique to contribute through the gift of diversity; together, we accomplish more than we ever could individually. The individual spiritual path helps clear distractions and awaken your most infinite power, and then you bring that together in community for this potluck of generosity we each get to experience and share.

What is your advice for political protestors in today’s America? Gandhi would say, “Be about what you’re for, not what you’re against.” When we protest, we’re saying that something isn’t fair and relying on publicly elected officials to do something about it. I think the gathering together of beings can transform from what isn’t fair to what all of our talents and efforts can do together to create solutions. How can we solve this on a communal level? What can we do to peacefully and consciously use all the power within us to create positive, tangible change so we can start living in the world that we envision? It’s an invitation to quantum-leap out of the identification of problems and into the cultivation of solutions. Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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December Happenings at Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique

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tarting in December, Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique will be offering all their workshops and psychic readings via Zoom. It will also offer phone readings, as well as distance Reiki and shamanic healing. All signups will be available online, via the store’s website and Facebook page. Zoom events will include a Thursday Evidential Psychic Mediumship Class, with Star, a psychic and evidential medium. “Star is clairvoyant, clairaudient and clairsentient—meaning she sees, hears and feels—providing insight and guidance on the past, present and future,” says store owner Diane Rivera. “We’re also working on the details of several workshops, including an archangel and crystal skull workshop with John DiBlasi.” The store will host two in-person events, a Sunday Tea and Meditation with Diane, at 1 p.m. December 6 and 13. “Join us as we unwind and release our stress from the week,” Rivera says. “We’ll share some tea, small conversation and meditation and receive some inspirational messages.” Walk-ins are welcome. The cost is $20. The store will close for public events and shopping sometime in the middle of December. Until then the shop hours are Wednesday by appointment and open Thursday through Sunday. Location: Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique, 12 W. Main St., Pawling (Village), NY. For more info, call 845.493.0432 or visit the store at AngelAuraBoutique.com or on Facebook. See ad, page 38.

Living Beyond Surviving Workshop leader; Marcia Miller Contact: marcia@ livingbeyondsurviving.com LivingBeyondSurviving.com

ENERGY HEALING Healing with Nature’s Songs Destress with sounds from nature blended with reiki & feather healing. By appointment: 845.489.7250 One Heart Healing Laura Malfa Katonah & Skype: 914.441.2381 LauraMalfaHealing.com

PSYCHIC MEDIUM Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique 12 West Main St, Pawling, NY 845.493.0432 AngelAuraBoutique.com Celestial Touch Laura Schek, Psychic Medium, Reiki Master 7 Arch St, Pawling, NY 845.244.1767; celestialtouchllc.com

QIGONG In Balance Concepts Qigong. Tai Chi. Meditation 2505 Rt. 6, St. 108, Brewster 845.803.1992 Inbalancetaichi.com

REIKI ENERGY MEDICINE Bernadette Bloom, MI Energy Healing & Teacher 239.289.3744 theesotericbloom.com

Anne H. Bentzen, RMT, JRP Reiki Master Teacher & Energetic Counseling 914.588.4079; balancing4life.com

SHAMANISM INTUITIVE HEALING CENTER Purple Lotus Zen Michelle B. Whitney Psychic Card Reader, Reiki Dream Interpreter By Appt. Only; Yonkers, NY 914.513.8398; purplelotuszen@ yahoo.com

Sheryl Johnson Shaman, Intuitive Guidance, Teacher Scarsdale & Briarcliff 914.715.5048 soulhealinghudsonvalley.com

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Mind-Body Fitness

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Tapping into Contentment

How Mindfulness Benefits Workouts by Marlaina Donato

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hen mindfulness approaches are applied to fitness training—which can be as simple as breathing consciously and tuning into subtle body sensations— the results can be fewer injuries, improved immunity, a lowered stress response, a brighter mood and a deeper commitment to staying fit. Being in the present moment can also spark enjoyment. Research shows that mindfulness training can also significantly raise self-esteem, and women that cultivate meditative self-compassion experience a boost in acceptance of and satisfaction with their bodies. “In nature, the bigger the eye of the storm, the more powerful the winds, suggesting that our workout potential and enjoyment is dependent not on how hard we push, but how calm and self-aware we can be,” says John Douillard, DC, author of Body, Mind, and Sport and the founder of LifeSpa, in Boulder, Colorado. “Slowing down and being aware of the body allows the mind to attend to muscles, which can increase blood supply, lymph drainage and replace a potentially damaging fight-or-flight response during a workout with a rejuvenating parasympathetic response.” 42

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Mindful fitness instructor Ellen Barrett, in Washington Depot, Connecticut, offers clients a full-body experience with a fusion of movement forms and weight training. “We think mindfulness is some sort of yoga thing, but everything can become mindful. Jumping jacks and biceps curls can be mindful. It’s not the movement, but the awareness behind the movement. Mindfulness is about being present.” Adding in balance training, tai chi and Pilates, and swapping a bit less time on the treadmill for a few moments of meditation or visualizing positive results can go a long way, say fitness experts. Debbie Rosas, founder and co-creator of Nia—a bodymind conditioning program anchored in martial arts and modern dance—underscores the importance of listening to cues. “Notice any areas that feel tight, blocked, rigid and bound. This wisdom through felt sense and awareness will immediately alert you to stop, adjust and slow down.” The Portland-based co-author of The Nia Technique points to the fun factor. “I believe that when you stop exercising and start moving, anything you do can bring you enjoyment. Do things that leave you feeling successful and motivated to do them again.”

Breath as a Compass Practicing conscious breathing fortifies the positive impact of exercise and can prevent injuries like hernias that can arise when the breath is held during heavy lifting. “One of the most powerful tools for mindfulness during a workout is following your breath. Mindfulness is the key, but it’s hard to be mindful when you’re breathing 26,000 times a day into the upper chest, activating a fight-or-flight response,” says Douillard. Breathing through the nose instead of the mouth during exercise bolsters mindfulness, and as Do illard has demonstrated in studies, causes brain waves to shift from stressed beta waves to a meditative alpha state. “It takes longer to fully inhale and

One of the most powerful tools for mindfulness during a workout is following your breath. exhale during nose breathing, which creates a baseline of calm,” she says. “Don’t rush. Be aware of the body breathing and feel each muscle contracting and relaxing with each rep and stretch.” Chicago-based fitness expert Stephanie Mansour, host of the PBS weekly Step it Up with Steph show, concurs. “Sync your breath with your movement. Mindfully transition from exercise to exercise.” Mansour also suggests working out next to a mirror to improve alignment and avoiding the distraction that can come with having a workout buddy. “Another trick to improve form is to put on headphones and zone out by listening to white noise so that you have no distraction,” she says. Exercising with deep body-presence is something we do for ourselves. “If you’re really paying attention, you can steer yourself towards invigoration and away from irritation. The body is always providing feedback, but we’re often too ‘out of body’ to notice. Giving full attention to your body is a big gift of self-love,” says Barrett. “Breathe. Move. Be free,” adds Mansour. “This is your dedicated ‘me’ time and you can use it to feel good about yourself.”

More Helpful Tips Body scan from Ellen Barrett: Establish a body scan ritual before working out. Either sitting or standing, close your eyes and take a second or two to focus on each part of the body with your mind’s eye. Start with the feet and then move up to the ankles, legs, spine, etc. Nasal breathing from John Douillard: Establish a comfortable, slow, nasal breathing rhythm in the beginning of your workout and try to maintain that throughout your practice. Give it time. It will take about three weeks of nose breathing practice to begin to run at the same pace or lift the same weight as you did before as a fight-or-flight mouth breather. To begin: Breathe deeply in and out through the nose with each rep on the weight machine and lengthen your nasal breathing during cardio [workouts]. As soon as your nasal breath rhythm begins to speed up or you have to open your mouth to breathe, slow down and reestablish a comfortable rhythm of nasal breathing again. Once the mindful calm has been reset, begin to increase your intensity, letting the nose breathing set the pace. Breathing tip from Stephanie Mansour: Inhale on the easier movement and exhale on the more challenging movement. For example, inhale as you bend down into a squat and exhale as you press up to standing. Pull your belly button in toward your spine in all workouts. Engage your core whether you’re working your legs, arms, back or chest. Workout advice from Debbie Rosas: Do some research if you are new to working out. Go online and look for a teacher you feel aligned with in philosophy and workout approach. Build slowly. Exercise teachers are trained to inspire you. Their inspiration can push you. Always do less than what you see and build when your body says, “I am ready for more. Let’s move faster and in a larger range of motion.”

Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

December 2020

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calendar of events Please call ahead to confirm times and dates. Pre-register early to insure events will have a minimum number to take place. To place a calendar listing, email us before December 10 (for the January issue) and adhere to our guidelines. Email WPCcalendar@naturalawakeningsmag.com for guidelines on how to submit listings. No phone calls or faxes, please. Yoga of Food – 4-6pm. Zoom. Love food? Hate it? Stress eat or starve? One’s relationship to food is revelatory. Understand with compassion, then change can happen. Class involves some yoga practice and some discussion. $20. Westchester Yoga Arts. Info: WestchesterYogAarts.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6

SeventyFour-shutterstock.com

Family Hike – 11am-12:30pm. Teatown Hill hike with environmental educator, Elissa Schilmeister. A moderate hike to the top for some late fall views. Appropriate for families with children 8+. Non-members: $8 per hike. Ossining. Register: teatown.ticketleap.com.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3

2020 Holiday Market – Through Dec 24. Outside holiday market on the east side of the Cross County Shopping Center, in the parking lot between Red Lobster and Olive Garden. Yonkers. Vendor booths, food trucks, decorations and festivities. Info: CrossCountyCenter.com.

Waldorf Education Info Session – 1pm. 12/3, 12/10 & 12/17. Green Meadow and Waldorf Education online info session for prospective parents with admissions team who answer questions and provide information. Free. Register: Averi Lohss, 845.356.2514 x 302.

Ayurveda and Heart Health: The Power of Mind and Spirit – 7-8pm. Free online lecture with Dr. Somesh N. Kaushik, an Ayurvedic and Naturopathic physician. Offered by Pawling Free Public Library. Register: 845.855.3444 or pawlingfreelibrary.org.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Women Take to the Trails – 10-11:30am. 12/2, 12/9, 12/16. With Maggie Pichura, Teatown educator and NYS Guide. Novice thru experienced. Will hike a different Teatown trail Each week. Non-members: $5 per hike. Register: teatown.ticketleap.com. Virtual Mother-to-Mother Support Group – 12noon-1pm. 12/2 & 12/16. For mothers with babies under a year old. A safe and confidential place to share experiences, ask questions, socialize and find resources. Northern Dutchess Hospital. Register, Nikki Weisman: 845.871.4377. Ecuador: A Virtual Audubon Program – 7:30pm. Carole Griffiths, ornithologist at the Museum of Natural History, presents her experience in Ecuador discussing its biodiversity, and showing beautiful and unusual birds (and other wildlife). Free. Hudson River Audubon Society of Westchester. Info: hras.org. Women’s Wednesdays – 7pm via zoom. $20. Mindfulness box for $15 optional. Universal Healing Arts, 914.737.HEAL or register at universalhealingarts.com.

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Quit with Quinn, Addiction-Free Naturally – 6pm, lasts 30-45 minutes. Quit with Quinn addiction cessation treatments bring remarkable, fast and sustainable results for overcoming all sorts of addictions. Q & A regarding smoking, alcohol, sugar, overeating, weight loss. Free. Details: 914.473.2015; quitwithquinn.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 Virtual Death Café – 10-11:30am. A Death Café (DeathCafe.com) is a group-directed conversation about the topic of death with no agenda, objectives, or themes, designed to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives. Free. Register: cfdhv.org/events/.

Yoga Nidra – 1:30. Zoom. Somewhere between waking and sleeping is Yoga Nidra. It is yoga meditation. It has helped students to sleep, release stress and just feel good. $20. Westchester Yoga Arts. Info: WestchesterYogAarts.com. What the Heck are Chakras Anyway? – 2-3:30pm. In depth explanation of the chakra system, what they are and what they mean to participants. Printed material sent. $15. Event on Zoom. Universal Healing Arts, 914.737.Heal or register at universalhealingarts.com. Yoga and Mandalas – 4pm. Zoom. Practice yoga vinyasa, flow, moving in a circle around the mat then with guidance create a mandala from the soul onto the paper. $20. Westchester Yoga Arts. Info: WestchesterYogAarts.com.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 PULSE Call of Hope – 8-8:30pm. With Janet Catalina. Monday evenings PULSE Call of Hope to help participants through the Covid Pandemic and envision an even better future for self and the world. Free. Email Janet catalina.janet@gmail.com for the call-in number.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 Learn the Ancient Art of Hands on Healing – Via Zoom. With Master of Reiki Masters Shima Chayvet. Attendance needed for attunements only. Afternoon or evening classes available to be certified in Reiki 1 and 2. $375. Universal Healing Arts. Info: 914.737.HEAL.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

Zoom In-Spirit Support Group – 1pm. Bimonthly. With Cynthia Chase. Uplifting integrative experience which includes energy healing, movement, breathwork, and meditation as part of an enlightenment practice. All levels welcome. $25. Info: CynthiamChase.com.

Women’s Wednesdays – 7pm via zoom. $20. Mindfulness box for $15 optional. Universal Healing Arts, 914.737.HEAL or register at universalhealingarts.com.

Yoga for a Healthy Back Zoom Workshop – 1:303:30pm. Most people have back pain at one point in time... this workshop has practical yoga with specific cues to keep the back safe. $20. Westchester Yoga Arts. Info: WestchesterYogAarts.com.

Quit with Quinn, Addiction-Free Naturally – 6pm, lasts 30-45 minutes. Quit with Quinn addiction cessation treatments bring remarkable, fast and sustainable results for overcoming all sorts of addictions. Q & A regarding smoking, alcohol, sugar, overeating, weight loss. Free. Details: 914.473.2015; quitwithquinn.com.

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

WakeUpNaturally.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10

natural awakenings

NETWORK

Zoom Yoga Workshop Serves as Winter Retreat

T

he Yoga Teachers Association of the Hudson Valley will host a Zoom workshop, “Expanding into the Heart of Winter,” from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on December 12. According to YTA president Audrey Brooks, the workshop will serve as a restorative mini-retreat. “This will be a deep dive into the sacred pause, where we will weave together practices to harmonize our bodies, minds and spirits in order return to our Jillian Pransky innate warmth, connectedness and spaciousness,” Brooks says. “Taking time to prepare for the winter solstice and holiday season in this way can deepen your sense of wholeness and wellness throughout the season.” She says the Latin meaning of winter solstice is “sun set still in winter.” “Historically, many cultures honor the solstice as a time to acknowledge the passage of life and death, death and rebirth— our greatest contraction and expansion,” she says. “For after the long, dark evening of the solstice, the sun experiences a rebirth; it waxes in power, and daylight hours begin to grow longer again. It is a very powerful time to pause and reconnect with your own innate luminosity and spaciousness.” Jillian Pransky will lead the workshop, which will incorporate slow flow yoga, meditation and restoratives, as well as essential teachings from her book, Deep Listening. “Jillian will guide you to release blocked energy, surrender layers of deeply held stress and tension, and nurture your capacity for greater joy, compassion and intuition,” Brooks says. For more info, call Audrey Brooks at 914.582.7816 or visit ytayoga.com.

PILATES STUDIOS MOUNT KISCO Elite Performance PT Of Westchester, PC 175 E. Main St. Suite 204 ElitePTandPilates.com 917.476.2164

TAI CHI StepWISEnow Strength.Flexibility.Balance 325 S. Highland Ave., Ste. 109 Briarcliff Manor/ Ossining 914.292.0602; Stepwisenow.com

BRIARCLIFF OudiYoga 325 S. Highland Ave Suite 109 Ossining/Briarcliff. All levels 914.236.9208; oudiyoga.com

CROSS RIVER O2 Living Sanctuary 792 Rt. 35 O2 Living Village 914.763.6320; drinklivingjuice.com DOBBS FERRY Sacred Spirit Yoga & Healing Arts Center 343 Broadway (on campus of South Presbyterian Church) sacredspirityogacenter.org

TRAUMA-INFORMED YOGA

KATONAH

Crossover Yoga Project 420 S. Riverside Ave Box #223 914.319.4010 crossoveryogaproject.org

Golden Prana Yoga 223 Katonah Avenue 914.984.3408 goldenprana.yoga

YOGA ASSOCIATIONS

MAHOPAC

Yoga Society of New York Ananda Ashram Monroe, NY 845.782.5575 anandaashram.org

Putnam Yoga 30 Tomahawk Street Baldwin Place 845.494.8118 PutnamYoga.com

Yoga Teachers Association Workshops 2nd Sat. 1:30 pm Via Zoom until further notice ytacommunications@gmail.com ytayoga.com

SOMERS Zen Garden Health Coaching & Yoga Edit Babboni; CHC, RYT 200 61 Lakeview Dr., Yorktown Heights, NY 917.721.2529 yoga.zengarden@gmail.com

YOGA INSTRUCTOR YOGA FORAGER Online Classes Essential Yoga Wear Info@yogaforager.com Instagram @yogaforager Yogaforager.com

VALHALLA YogaShine Kripalu/Meditate/Yoga Therapy 7-11 Legion Drive, 914.769.8745 yogashine.com

BALANCE FITNESS

QIGONG

YOGA STUDIOS

StepWISEnow Strength.Flexibility.Balance 325 S. Highland Ave., Ste. 109 Briarcliff Manor/ Ossining 914.292.0602; Stepwisenow.com

In Balance Concepts Qigong. Tai Chi. Meditation 2505 Rt. 6, St. 108, Brewster 845.803.1992 Inbalancetaichi.com

BEACON

YOGA RETREATS

Beacon Yoga Center 464 Main St., Beacon NY 845.440.6452 BeaconYogaCenter.org

Yoga in the Adirondacks, LLC 2 Coulter Rd, Bakers Mills, NY 518.251.3015;914.556.8258 yogaintheadirondacks.com December 2020

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planetwatch

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 Expanding into the Heart of Winter – 1:30–4:30 p.m. Online yoga workshop with Jillian Pransky. Take a deep dive into the Sacred Pause and experience practices that harmonize body, mind, and spirit to prepare for the winter solstice and holiday season. Via Zoom. Info: Audrey Brooks: 914.582.7816. ytayoga.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 Adult Hike Cliffdale Loop -10-12noon. With environmental educator Elissa Schilmeister. Hike through a variety of habitats at Cliffdale. This moderate hike will feature meadows, forest, wetland, and rocky hills. Non-members: $8. Ossining. Register: teatown.ticketleap.com.

December 2020 Astrology with Pamela Cucinell

Electric Currents

Chatter and ideas fly on December 1, but nothing sticks. Cook a new recipe or paint a wall on December 2. Short tempers spark confusion and possible confrontations on December 3. Creativity crackles with fresh perspective on December 4. A generous heart mends fences December 5. Play on December 6 leads to increased concentration.

Strategic Responses

The value of service magnifies on December 7; even a small act produces exponential results. Productivity flows on December 8. Nothing seems clear on December 9, so the best course is methodical. If a situation stymies you on December 10, pause to reevaluate. An out-of-the-blue offering requires a cool head December 11. Rewards come to the patient on December 12.

Focus

Attention to detail cannot be overemphasized when desire to initiate intensifies on December 13. The December 14 Sagittarius new moon solar eclipse stimulates bold enterprise. On December 15, connect to those who honor commitment. Work to secure foundations on December 16. This holiday season’s astrology reflects the value of family and nature. The final days of Hanukkah sparkle with community connection, no matter how intimate the gathering. Stay alert midday December 17. Powerful alliances forge December 18. 46

Rebirth

Outworn attachments wash away on December 19 for those ready to make the shift. Meditation, music and good works on December 20 heal and transform. This winter solstice, December 21, launches the next 200 years of economic innovation; it’s a perfect time to light candles and welcome collaborative visions. The tempo increases on December 22. Avoid disagreements on December 23; channel passion into constructive action. Comfort and coziness soften the harshest Scrooge on December 24.

Amen and Goodbye 2020!

Regardless of faith, the spiritual component this Christmas transcends any lack of traditional trappings. Home, ancestors and gratitude light up at Kwanzaa on December 26. The volume turns up on December 27; people connect and ideas pop. Momentum builds on December 28. The December 29 Cancer full moon encourages action, but care is advised. Slow and measured movements sidestep barriers on December 30; listen well. New Year’s Eve calls for a celebratory send-off to 2020 and a childlike wonder for the promise of 2021. Pamela Cucinell offers a spiritual astrological perspective for the massive changes of our time, as well as guidance through private sessions and podcasts. For more information, contact her at 917.796.6026 or pamela@ insightoasis.com, or visit InsightOasis.com and ActiveSpirituality.Life. See ad page 38.

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

WakeUpNaturally.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15 Coping with Stress and Anxiety: An Open Discussion – 1-2pm. Zoom. For women living with breast and ovarian cancer, a discussion to share strategies and experiences. Free. To register call Support Connection: 800.532.4290.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 Virtual Mother-to-Mother Support Group – 12noon-1pm. 12/2 & 12/16. For mothers with babies under a year old. A safe and confidential place to share experiences, ask questions, socialize and find resources. Northern Dutchess Hospital. Register, Nikki Weisman: 845.871.4377. Women’s Wednesdays – 7pm via zoom. $20. Mindfulness box for $15 optional. Universal Healing Arts, 914.737.HEAL or register at universalhealingarts.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 Quit with Quinn, Addiction-Free Naturally – 6pm, lasts 30-45 minutes. Quit with Quinn addiction cessation treatments bring remarkable, fast and sustainable results for overcoming all sorts of addictions. Q & A regarding smoking, alcohol, sugar, overeating, weight loss. Free. Details: 914.473.2015; quitwithquinn.com. Mediumship Circle – 8:30-9:30pm. Mediumship Circle via zoom. Cost $10. Info: 914.737.HEAL or register: universalhealingarts.com.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21 PULSE Call of Hope – 8-8:30pm. With Janet Catalina. Monday evenings. PULSE Call of Hope to help participants through the Covid Pandemic and envision an even better future for self and the world. Free. Email Janet catalina.janet@gmail.com for the call-in number.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29 Full Moon Ceremony via Zoom – 8pm. Join Shima Chayvet, Eileen McCann, Grisella Satiago and Lissette Barragan for an unforgettable evening of wisdom, knowledge and tools needed to take action in life. Call 914.737.HEAL or register at universalhealingarts.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30 Audubon Virtual Winter Wonder Party – 7:30pm. Say goodbye to 2020 and enjoy the wonders of nature in winter. There will be fun, games, and bird trivia with prizes. Free. Hudson River Audubon Society of Westchester. Info: hras.org.

December 2020

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on going events

Virtual YogaShine for Pre-Teens and Teens – 5-6pm. Gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, Kripalubased, developing consciousness, curiosity, strength, and compassion. Individual attention. First class free. Vitalah Simon. Zoom invitation: 914.769.8745, yogashine.com.

NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 12th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email WPCcalendar@naturalawakeningsmag.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please. Ongoing Calendar listings must be resent quarterly for our January, April, July & October editions.

Virtual Basic Flow Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. With Cara. A vinyasa class focusing on the alignment of the basic poses, nothing fancy. $10 drop-in. Email elevateyogastudios.com for the link. PULSE Call of Hope – 8-8:30pm. With Janet Catalina. Monday evening from PULSE Call of Hope to help participants through the Covid Pandemic and envision an even better future for self and the world. Free. Email Janet catalina.janet@gmail.com for the call-in number.

tuesday

Mimka-shutterstock.com

Hatha Yoga and Meditation – 9-10am. A live and virtual class on Zoom. Register at beaconyogacenter.org to receive link.

sunday The Market at Mt. Carmel – 8:30am-12:30noon. A farmers and makers market every Sunday morning at Mt. Carmel Field, 8th Street at Highland Avenue in Verplanck. Hot donuts and cider, fresh produce, live music and a yoga class on the lawn at 10am. Info: gatheringlove.org. Deep Flow Vinyasa – 9am. Deep Flow is a challenging yet blissful Vinyasa practice. Intermediateadvanced class. $25. O2 Living Sanctuary, 792 Rt. 35 O2 Living Village, Cross River. Info: 914.763.6320. Virtual Flow with Cara – 9:30-10:45am. A vinyasa style yoga class to suit the needs of the individual. Modifications will be offered. $10 Drop in. Email elevateyogastudios.com for the link. Intro To Hatha Yoga and Meditation – 9:30-11am. A live and virtual class on Zoom.������������������ ���������������� Easeful stretching, breathwork, inquiry, deep relaxation, meditation. All levels and prenatal welcome. Register at beaconyogacenter.org to receive link. Irvington Farmers Market – 10am-1:30pm. Main Street School parking lot (101 Main St, Irvington. Info: irvmkt.org. Beacon Farmers Market – 9am-2pm. Veteran’s Place, Beacon. Info: beaconfarmersmarket.org.

Hudson Valley Regional Farmers Market – 10am-2pm. Year-round indoor-outdoor Farmer’s Market. Pet-friendly. Organic produce, Kombucha, plants, wine, organic coffee and more. Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association, 15 Mt. Ebo Rd. South, Brewster. hudsonvalleyfarmersmarket.org. Afternoon Tea & Meditation – 1pm. With Diane. Tea, conversation, guided Meditation anfollowed by shares messages from tarot or oracle decks. good conversation and fun. Walk-ins welcome. $20. Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique, 12 W Main St, Pawling. 845.493.0432. AngelAuraBoutique.com.

monday Virtual YogaShine for Adults – 9:15-10:45am. Kripalu-based, gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, developing consciousness, curiosity, and compassion. Individual attention. First class free. Vitalah Simon. Zoom invitation: 914.769.8745, yogashine.com. Deep Flow Vinyasa – 9:30am. Deep Flow is a challenging yet blissful Vinyasa practice. Intermediate-advanced class. $25. O2 Living Sanctuary, 792 Rt. 35 O2 Living Village, Cross River. Info: 914.763.6320.

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

Tea & Stones – 6:30pm. Join Rhianna Mirabello for a half hour lecture on Crystals. The study will change for each week. Free. Facebook Live @ dreaminggoddess. Info: 845.473.2206; DreamingGoddess.com. Vinyasa Restorative Flow – 7:30-8:45pm. With JoAnne Salomone, CYT. A great vinyasa flow class that incorporates restorative yoga. Open level Class. Via zoom. $10. Contact: Jo-Anne 917.364.1871. Eastchester. thetemperancecenter.com.

wednesday Rise + Shine Yoga (Online) – 7:15-8:15am. Start the day with easy stretching and Sun Salutations with Stephanie Scavelli. All level flow to promote better posture and calm mind to be grounded into the body. $10. Register: pranamoonyoga.com or karmaroadyoga.com. Virtual YogaShine for Adults, – 9-10:30am. Kripalu-based, gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, developing consciousness, curiosity, and compassion. Individual attention. First class free. Vitalah Simon. Zoom invitation: 914.769.8745, yogashine.com. White Plains Farmers Market – 9am-2pm. Through November 25. Location: Court St. Between Martine Ave and Main Street, White Plains. Info: whiteplainsfarmersmarket.com/op. Virtual All Level Flow – 9am. With Cara. A vinyasa style class to suit the needs of the individual. Modifications are offered to accommodate beginners, intermediate, or more advanced practitioners. $10 drop-in. Email elevateyogastudios.com for the link.

Rhinebeck Farmers Market – 10am-2pm. Located in the village of Rhinebeck municipal parking lot. Info: Rhinebeckfarmersmarket.com.

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Green Street Radio Conversations on Healthy & Sustainable Living – 10am. With Patti and Doug Wood, produced by Grassroots Environmental Education on WBAI-FM in New York and streaming live around the world at WBAI.org. GreenStreetRadio.com.

WakeUpNaturally.com

The Angel Aura Show: The Round Table Live Q&A – 6:30pm. Live Facebook and Instagram stream (and recording later on YouTube) from the spiritual shop in Pawling. Ask mediums questions about the Spirit World. Free. Info: 845.493.0432; AngelAuraBoutique.com.

thursday

markyourcalendar Reiki Certificates Classes

Zoom classes leading to certificates in Reiki I, II and Master level tailored to your schedule and pace. Be the healer you were meant to be! Three classes each for levels I and II and four classes for Master level. $120 per class.

Build Your Foundation – 9am. Learn basic yoga poses. Expect to feel warmly welcome and comfortable stepping into this class, leaving with a greater connection to physical body. $25. O2 Living Sanctuary, 792 Rt. 35 O2 Living Village, Cross River. Info: 914.763.6320.

Contact Cynthia Chase, Reiki Master at cynthiamchase@gmail.com cynthiamchase.com

#DGLIVE Crystal Sales – 6:30pm with Rhianna Mirabello. a curated variety of skillfully polished crystals showcased along with stones and minerals in their natural, raw state. raffles and giveaways every week. Free. Facebook Live @dreaminggoddess Info: 845.473.2206; DreamingGoddess.com/ dglive-sales.

Hastings Farmer’s Market – 8:30am-1:30pm. Commuter Parking Lot across from Hastingson-Hudson Metro-North Station. Information: hastingsfarmersmarket.org.

Virtual YogaShine for Adults – 7-8:30pm. Kripalu-based, gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, developing consciousness, curiosity, and compassion. Lots of individual attention. First class free. Vitalah Simon. Zoom invitation: 914.769.8745, yogashine.com.

friday New Rochelle Farmers Market – 9am-2pm. Through Nov. 20. Located at Thomas Paine Cottage Museum in New Rochelle. Information: downtoearthmarkets.com. Yin Yoga – 10am. A slow-paced class with the goals of increasing flexibility, improving circulation around the joints, and cultivating a more meditative practice. Beginner to advanced. $25. O2 Living Village, Cross River. Info: 914.763.6320. Virtual Chair YogaShine, Super Gentle, for Senior Adults and Adults with Special Needs/ Health and Recovery concerns – 10-11am. Gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heart-centered, Kripalu-based, developing curiosity, flexibility, and compassion. Individual attention. First class free. Vitalah Simon. Zoom invitation: 914.769.8745, yogashine.com. Yoga in the Park - 11am. Fridays in Oct. With Mia Tomic. Bring a yoga mat, towel and water. Social distancing and mask are required. Masks will not be worn during class. All levels welcome. Stanford Rec Park Stanfordville. Pre-register: miayoga7@gmail.com.

saturday Cold Spring Farmers’ Market – 8:30-1pm. Boscobel, 1601 NY-9D, Garrison. The indoor market. Info: csfarmmarket.org.

Larchmont Farmers Market – 8:30am-1pm. At the front of the Metro-North parking deck Off Chatsworth Avenue. Larchmont. Info/updates: downtoearthmarkets.com. Ossining Farmers Market – Year-Round. 8:30am1pm. Near the corner of Spring & Main Streets. Info/ updates: downtoearthmarkets.com. Pleasantville Farmers Market – 8:30am-1pm. Metro-North. Pleasantville. Moves indoors in Dec. Info: pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is $1 per word per month, $25 minimum. To place a listing, email content to Dana-NA@ WakeUpNaturally.com. Deadline is the 12th of the month.

HELP WANTED ONLINE SALES: DIGITAL CONNECTION NY: We are seeking ad sales people who are tech savvy who want to help businesses grow online through our new targeted marketing program on big brand sites. Supplemental income, commissionbased. Outside sales experience preferred. Digital Connection NY a division of Natural Awakenings. Please call: 845.593.0065 or email: dana-na@ wakeupnaturally.com

VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Stray HELP, a 501c3 cat rescue, needs your skillset: humane trapping, adoption events and marketing among others. Contact ann@strayhelp.org or call 845.488.5211 for more information.

Deep Flow Vinyasa – 9am. Deep Flow is a challenging yet blissful Vinyasa practice. Intermediateadvanced class. $25. O2 Living Sanctuary, 792 Rt. 35 O2 Living Village, Cross River. Info: 914.763.6320. Zazen & Dharma Talk with Rev. Tenku Ruff – 9-11am. Live and virtual on Zoom. Instruction for beginners, meditation, walking meditation, metta practice, well-being service, dharma talk and Q&A/ discussion. By donation. Beaconzen.org for link and to donate. Beacon Yoga Center. Gossett Brothers Farmer’s Market – 9am–1pm. 1202 Rte. 35, South Salem. Info: Gossett Brothers Nursery on Facebook.

List Your CLASSIFIED HERE Regional exposure in Westchester, Putnam & Dutchess

Virtual All Level Flow – 9:30am. With Cara. A vinyasa style class to suit the needs of the individual. Modifications are offered to accommodate beginners, intermediate or more advanced practitioners. $10 drop-in. Email elevateyogastudios. com for the link. John Jay Homestead Farmers Market – 10am2pm. Through Oct. Location: 400 Jay St, Katonah. Info: johnjayhomestead.org. Millerton Farmers Market – 10am-2pm. Through Oct 31. Located at Millerton Methodist Church, at the corner of Dutchess Ave and Main Street. Info: neccmillerton.org/farmers-market. Yoga Teachers Association Workshops – 2nd Sat. Open to teachers and students, members and nonmembers. Via Zoom until further notice. Info: ytayoga.com. 914.582.7816.

CALENDAR Find and post last minute events at WakeUpNaturally.com

December 2020

49

community resource directory

BEHAVIORAL OPTOMETRY

Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email Dana-NA@WakeUpNaturally.com to request our media kit.

ACCOUNTING/TAX SERVICES STERNBACH & ROSE, CPAS 115 E. Stevens Ave, Suite 100 Valhalla, NY 10595 914.940.4449; sandrcpa.com

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE KARLA BOOTH DIAMOND, MAMSAT

LAURIE R. MALLIS, MD, LAC

SearchLight Medical 2424 Route 52, Hopewell Junction, NY 845.592.4310; SearchLightMedical.com

Move with ease! The Alexander Technique is an educational method for learning to release patterns of tension that may be causing stress, pain, or poor body usage. Feel lighter and learn to undo compression of the spine and joints.

ASTROLOGY ASTROLOGY INSIGHT

Pamela Cucinell NCGR PAA 917.796.6026; InsightOasis.com Astrology & Tarot with spiritual perspective and a practical twist. Find your way to flow instead of fight; economy of action leads to a beautiful life. Skype, Zoom and phone. See ad pg 38.

Frustrated with not feeling or looking your best? Let me guide you on your path to better health and well-being. Utilizing: Medical Acupuncture, ONDAMED Biofeedback Therapy, Reiki, Mei Zen Acupuncture for facial rejuvenation, weight loss and fertility. See ad pg 6.

QUIT WITH QUINN

Briarcliff Manor and Midtown Manhattan Steve.healingny@gmail.com 914.473.2015; QuitWithQuinn.com Quit with Quinn helps people overcome daily addictions and unwanted habits ranging from sugar, smoking, alcohol, weight loss, to overeating and other compulsive habits. All natural, painless, no medications, needles, or hypnosis. 85% success rate. See ad pg 15.

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A whole-person, holistic approach to vision care, for all ages. Specializing in vision therapy and rehabilitation for vision problems which interfere with reading, learning, attention, performance and efficiency. Please visit website for details.

CHIROPRACTIC DR. LEIGH DAMKOHLER, CCSP, LMT 8 Bacon Place, Yonkers, NY 10710 914.523.7947 Chiropractor-WestchesterNY.com

PERSONALIZED treatments designed for YOU by Westchester’s only dually licensed practicing Sports Chiropractor and Massage Therapist. Receive a unique combination of muscle work and adjustments not provided elsewhere. Dr. Leigh can help you move and feel better. Get back to the life you love!

COACHING – EMPOWERMENT JANET CATALINA, MSW,

Certified life coach Member WHN 914.548.8372: pulsemanifestation.com

AYURVEDA ADDICTION CESSATION

495 Central Park Ave, Suite 301, Scarsdale 914.874.1177; DrSlotnick.com

Member: Westchester Holistic Network 153 Main St, Suite J, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 914.649.9565; Awareness-in-Action.com

Our goal is to help people have less anxiety about managing their finances, to maximize their income and run their businesses better. Giving people a stronger financial foundation can absolutely contribute to a better quality of life.

ACUPUNCTURE

SAMANTHA SLOTNICK, OD, FAAO, FCOVD

DR. KAUSHIK’S AYURVEDIC AND NATUROPATHIC CLINIC

Yellow Monkey Village 792 Rte 35 Cross River, NY, and NYC Office: 914.875.9088; Cell: 646.670.6725 Drkaushik.com; drkaushik@drkaushik.com Combination of Ayurveda and Naturopathy is used to create a unique treatment plan to regain and maintain health. Based on one’s particular body constitution (dosha), a plan may includesupplements, diet/ nutrition suggestions, lifestyle management, detoxification, hydrotherapy, 0zone therapy, Panchakarma. Clinic days: M-F. See ad pg 33.

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

WakeUpNaturally.com

Empower yourself and create what you want in your life. Janet will coach you through this process as well as teach you a powerful technique to help you become a Master Manifester. Please call her to learn more.

COACHING – LIFE MILOR COACHING INC Mili Ristic: 925.705.0789 milorcoaching.com Mila Radak: 914.562.6467 milavita.guru

Change your thoughts, change your results. Are you ready to shift from where you are now to where you want to be? We teach you to create your own movie, to eliminate fear, doubt and worry and help you bring certainty and balance into your life. Your thoughts are powerful.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY JOY MATALON LMT, CST Joymatalon.com 914.519.8138 Ossining & Garrison

CranioSacral Therapy with a specialty in Somato Emotional Release and Process Acupressure allows chronic physical, emotional, and spiritual issues to be intimately explored bringing relief from pain and activating a healing process which continues after the session is over.

ENERGY HEALING ANNE H. BENTZEN, MSOT, RMT, JRP

Usui/Karuna® Reiki Master Teacher, Jikiden Reiki, Energetic Counseling, OT Locations Armonk and Eastchester 914.588.4079; balancing4life.com Energetic balance is essential to your health. Restore energetic flow, balance your chakras, clear stress symptoms, pain, inflammation, depression, anxiety, insomnia and more. Improve natural immunity, mental clarity and peace. Reiki classes all levels. Private sessions. Weekend retreats.

DOWSER JEANIE PASQUALE PROFESSIONAL DOWSER

MEMBER: Westchester Holistic Network 845.709.5245 dowsing@househarmony.org HouseHarmony.org Protect yourself from EMFs and other negative energies! A professional dowser can block the negative effects of cell phones, satellite dishes, high-tension wires and more. Moved into a new home? Want to sell? Have unexplained health issues? Call now!

EDUCATIONAL THERAPY LEARNING TO LEARN

Ossining, NY 914.923-7270; 914.357.1884 learningtolearn.biz We p r o v i d e academic support, educational therapy, executive function coaching, cognitive remediation for all struggling learners. Individualized, multisensory sessions are crafted for each learner to foster a love for learning and optimize success. Visit our website or call for more information.

BE SEEN IN 2021 Coming in January

DEADLINE

DEC 10

Annual Natural

Living Directory

BERNADETTE BLOOM

Energy Medicine Practitioner, Teacher, Medical Intuitive, Physical Therapist 239.289.3744; theesotericbloom.com Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Are you exhausted from pain, stress or PTSD? Balance your body’s energies for optimal physical health and emotional well-being with Esoteric Healing, a high vibrational technique from Tibet. See ad pg 19.

FACIALS

Last Year’s Edition

In Print and Online for 2021

ROSEMARY VOLPE CARINCI

• Affordable marketing in 2021 for your business.

Feel pampered with the purest organic products combining powerful botanicals and vitamins which deliver remarkable results and younger looking skin. Rosemary is a licensed cosmetologist with three decades of experience and offers a total sensory experience. Her passion is to make every woman feel indulged and beautiful.

• Something for every marketing budget from $25 Classifieds to Full Page Display Ads.

914.469.4298 By appointment only Mahopac, NY 10541

FLOATATION THERAPY RISE ABOVE FLOATATION 111 East Main Street Mount Kisco, NY 10549 914.241.1900

A Center For Awareness and Relaxation through Floatation Therapy. Create the ultimate Relaxation Response by removing all stimulation from light, sound, and gravity. Choose from three different float environments to find your perfect experience. Appointments available from 10am to 10pm daily. Free Parking.

• Magazine distribution throughout Westchester, Putnam & Dutchess Call Dana today to learn about the many advertising options with Natural Awakenings. Dana Boulanger, Marketing Director

Office: 845-593-0065 WakeUpNaturally.com December 2020

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HOMEOPATHY

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE SUSANNE SALTZMAN, MD

SUSANNE SALTZMAN, MD

Looking for a physician with 25 years of clinical practice using natural remedies? Expertise in treating acute and chronic illness in children and adults. Emphasis on homeopathic and functional medicine to decrease dependency on pharmaceutical drugs. If you want experienced, competent, compassionate, and exceptional care. See ad pg 19.

Looking for a physician with 25 years of clinical practice using natural remedies? Expertise in treating acute and chronic illness in children and adults. Emphasis on homeopathic and functional medicine to decrease dependency on pharmaceutical drugs. If you want experienced, competent, compassionate, and exceptional care. See ad pg 19.

HAIR SALON

MASSAGE & BODYWORK

250 E. Hartsdale Ave. St. 22, Hartsdale, NY 400 Rella Blvd. St. 165, Montebello, NY 914.472.0666; HartsdaleHomeopathy.com

FRESH ORGANIC SALON SOLUTIONS Hair care, Skincare & Make up 190 Rt 117 By Pass, Bedford, NY 914.242.1928; FreshOrganicSalon.com

250 E. Hartsdale Ave. St. 22, Hartsdale, NY 400 Rella Blvd. St. 165, Montebello, NY 914.472.0666; HartsdaleHomeopathy.com

SOULAURAS WELLNESS CENTER

Laura Giacovas,LMT, MS Ed., 4th Dan Master Instructor Taekwondo Briarcliff NY 914.941.2400, soulauras.com Our mission is to enhance wellness and quality of life through Therapeutic Massage and Integrated Holistic Healing. We are committed to providing an inspired, nurturing environment from which wellness and harmony can be realized.

A healthy approach to beauty and wellness led by Maureen Toohey, Regional Educator for Organic Salon Systems. The fresh team is committed to making your experience fully complete and satisfying, organically. Receive a gift valued at $75 with your 1st color appointment, when you mention Natural Awakenings. See ad pg 35.

HERBAL MEDICINE LORRAINE HUGHES

Registered Herbalist (AHG) 263 New Hackensack Road, 2nd Floor Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 lorrainehughes54@gmail.com EmpoweredbyNature.net; 845.416.4598 Lorraine offers Individual Wellness Consultations based on the Chinese Herbal Medicine Paradigm which provides a preventative and individual approach to balanced health. Each “unique” individual protocol will include Chinese, Western, Ayurvedic Herbal remedies and Nutritional planning.

LYNN PARODNECK M.D.

Certified Medical Marijuana Practitioner 914.525.6536; DrParodneck@gmail.com DrLynnParodneck.com Evaluations and Consultations; D r. P a r o d n e c k w o r k s i n compliance with the New York State Compassionate Care Act. She is one of the leading medical marijuana clinicians in New York, with numerous referring specialists and an extensive professional network in the cannabis industry. See ad pg 15.

NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR DR. KAUSHIK’S AYURVEDIC AND NATUROPATHIC CLINIC

Yellow Monkey Village 792 Rte 35 Cross River, NY, and NYC Office: 914.875.9088; Cell: 646.670.6725 Drkaushik.com; drkaushik@drkaushik.com Combination of Ayurveda and Naturopathy is used to create a unique treatment plan to regain and maintain health. Based on one’s particular body constitution (dosha), a plan may include supplements, diet/nutrition suggestions, lifestyle management, detoxification, hydrotherapy, 0zone therapy, Panchakarma. Clinic days: Monday-Friday. See ad pg 33.

MATTRESSES DAVIS FURNITURE

Open Mon-Sat. 10-6 2264 South Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY 845.204.9090; DavisFurnitureOnline.com Do you want a healthier night’s sleep? Visit locally owned Davis Furniture and see their full line of all natural American-made mattresses. For over 90 years they have been giving their customers more, and charging them less. And they’ve once again been voted the best furniture store in the Hudson Valley. See ad pg 6.

HOLISTIC DENTIST DAVID L LERNER, DDS, CAC, FIND Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914.214.9678; holisticdentist.com

We offer a unique approach to the health care of the mouth based on a holistic understanding of the whole body. I invite you to explore our web site to learn how we can serve your needs. See ad pg 5.

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MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

DIRECTORY Find local businesses with ease at WakeUpNaturally.com WakeUpNaturally.com

NUTRITION NUSPECIES

Nuspecies.com 866.624.4117 HQ: 427 Main St. Beacon, NY 12508 NuSpecies Health Centers provide free health consultations with certified nutritionists/life coaches. We make custom recommendations of our Raw, Organic, Liquid, Natural nutritional formulas and then work with our clients until they achieve their health goals. See ad pg 55.

PHARMACY-COMPOUNDING LAKE MAHOPAC PHARMACY/ SURGICAL Nagi Wissa, R.Ph., IP, CEO 559 Rt, 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 lakemahopacpharmacy.com T: 845.208.0424; F: 845.208.0425

We are your neighborhood holistic compounding pharmacy, ready to support your health. We offer compounding prescriptions, on-line prescription renewals, supplements, homeopathic remedies, personal care products, fair trade gifts and more. We deliver and we are happy to answer your questions. See ad pg 33.

REIKI Reiki Master Teacher, Aquatic Instructor Financial Flow Specialist 917.593 .5707, reginawoodsdecarlo@gmail.com TheFlowSpecialist.com Tap into your Natural Intuition and Find the Flow in your life. Become attuned to the Reiki energy in the Usui Shiki Ryoho Lineage. Reiki classes include attunement, meditation, grounding techniques and Reiki self-care. Private sessions available in all above specialties.

REIKI CLASSES

PODIATRY KATONAH PODIATRY, PC

Pamela Hoffman, DPM Glenn B. Weiss, DPM 200 Katonah Ave., Katonah, NY 914.232.8880; Katonahpodiatry.com Foot care for people of all ages. Board certified holistic podiatrists who use a comprehensive, integrative approach. Customized treatments utilizing the best of today’s technology combined with nutrition and 30 years of experience.

REFLEXOLOGY LORRAINE HUGHES

ARCB Certified Reflexologist 263 New Hackensack Road, 2nd Floor Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 lorrainehughes54@gmail.com EmpoweredbyNature.net; 845.416.4598 Foot and/or Hand Reflexology sessions are offered with the use of Essential Oils applied to acupuncture points based upon each individual’s presenting pattern. Please refer to Services page on web site for the many benefits of this ancient modality.

JANUARY

REGINA WOODS DECARLO

Cynthia M Chase, LCSW, Reiki Master 860.395.0284 cynthiamchase@gmail.com Manifest yourself as a healer; fulfill your life’s purpose! Cynthia offers personalized classes leading to Reiki levels I, II and Master level. Go to cynthiamchase.com for details.

Coming Next Month

Holistic Hospital Care Plus: Health & Wellness on a Budget in the

2021 Natural Living Directory

RETREATS YOGA IN THE ADIRONDACKS

2 Coulter Road, Bakers Mills, NY 12811 518.251.3015; 914.556.8258 yogaintheadirondacks.com Yoga in the Adirondacks is nestled in the valley of the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, where yoga embraces nature. Connect your mind, body and spirit and explore your retreat with likeminded people to build a happier and healthier life. Studio available for your yoga/wellness private group as well.

SLEEP DISORDER DAVID L LERNER, DDS, CAC, FIND Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914.214.9678 holisticdentist.com

We offer a unique approach to the health care of the mouth based on a holistic understanding of the whole body. I invite you to explore our web site to learn how we can serve your needs. See ad pg 5.

To advertise call

845-593-0065 Deadline is December 10 December 2020

53

SPA BALANCE DAY SPA

Westchester’s ONLY Certified Green Spa 280 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 310, White Plains, NY 914.358.9898; balance-dayspa.com

TMJ DISORDER DAVID L LERNER, DDS, CAC, FIND Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914.214.9678 holisticdentist.com

We offer a unique approach to the health care of the mouth based on a holistic understanding of the whole body. I invite you to explore our web site to learn how we can serve your needs. See ad pg 5.

As Westchester County’s ONLY certified green spa, Balance Day Spa has been in business since 2010. We specialize in all aspects of esthetics, including: facials, peels, waxing, tinting, bronzing, aromatherapy, energy healing and make-up. All organic, all the time.

VETERINARY HOSPITAL SPIRITUAL CENTER CHAPEL AT CROTON FALLS Rev. June Tompkins, Pastor 609 Rt. 22, Croton Falls, NY chapelatcrotonfalls.org

Join a unique monthly Interfaith Sunday at the Chapel at Croton Falls at 10:30am – Enjoy prayer, music, movement and dialogue. Check our FB page for information on upcoming programs or e-mail Rev. June Tompkins at jtgleneidashore1@ verizon.net.

EARTH ANGELS VETERINARY HOSPITAL 44 Saint Nicholas Rd., Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 845.227.P-A-W-S (7297) Earthangelsvet.com

Where East meets West with compassionate care for a holistic approach to your pet’s health. Offering a wide range of services/ products including wellness exams, nutritional support, alternative cancer therapies, surgery, dentals, acupuncture, CBD products, pet boarding and more on our beautiful 9-acre facility.

WELLNESS CENTER SOULAURAS HOLISTIC WISDOM & WELLNESS CENTER 510 N. State Rd., Briarcliff, NY Soulauras.com

The practitioners of Soulauras are committed to providing an inspired, nurturing environment from which wellness and harmony can be realized. Services: Therapeutic Massage, Bodywork, Auricular Acupressure and Integrated Holistic Healing Services, Yoga, Reiki, Reflexology and Chakra Balancing.

WELLNESS SPA PEAK WELLNESS

13 Edgewood Drive, Somers NY 914.301.3393, PeakwellnessNY.com PeakwellnessNY@gmail.com Cutting-edge Technologies, Holistic Health Practices, and Energy Medicine are utilized to Supercharge your Immunity, Vitality & Wellbeing with minimal effort and maximum results. Appropriate for all ages and lifestyles. Look, Feel and Be your Best from the inside out! See ad pg 11.

THE BOVÉ SPA & WELLNESS

WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP SUPPORT CONNECTION

Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Services 914.962.6402; 800.532.4290 Supportconnection.org Support Connection provides free support services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Services include: Oneon-one counseling (counselors are also cancer survivors); Support groups; Educational and wellness programs; Webinars; Social gatherings; Referrals; A national toll-free information and support hotline. See ad pg 43.

QUIT WITH QUINN

Addiction-Free Naturally Briarcliff Manor and Midtown Manhattan Steve.healingny@gmail.com 914.473.2015; QuitWithQuinn.com Quit with Quinn helps people lose weight by overcoming addiction to sugar and white flour, and compulsive overeating. After treatment, most people experience indifference towards refined sugar, sweets and treats, leading to easy weight loss. 30 years experience. 85% success rate. See ad pg 15.

The Bové Spa and Wellness offers a combination of medical, aesthetic, and holistic treatments. With hormone optimization, facials, cryotherapy, weight loss, CBD therapy, nutritional health coaching and red light therapy, your customized treatment plan awaits to support your health and happiness. See ad pg 25.

WORKSHOPS REIKI FUSION: ENERGY HEALING,

TOBY TOTALLY LLC White Plains, NY 914.328.7777 Tobytotally.com

Weight-loss and wellness using acupressure points and clean food. No special surgery. No pills. Toby utilizes acupressure points to control hunger and strengthen the digestive system. Most clients lose 5%-10% of their weight in the first ten days. See ad pg 13.

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366 Route 202, Somers, NY 10589 914.276.2200 TheBoveSpa.com

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

WakeUpNaturally.com

Dance, Movement and Breath Work Retreat Cynthia M Chase, Reiki Master/Teacher 860.395.0284 cynthiamchase@gmail.com MEMBER: Westchester Holistic Network Learn the art of meditation through movement, transcend limiting beliefs to embrace your greater potential. Become a more powerful healer for yourself, loved ones and others. Learn how to access the wisdom within. One to one long distance healing sessions and workshops. Please visit cynthiamchase.com for information.

December 2020

55

IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR PARTNER HAS LAUNCHED ®

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Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition

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The KnoWEwell Collaborative with benefits for all in the RWH and well-being ecosystem.