Natural Awakenings – Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess NY Edition, July 2023

The Soil-to-Gut Connection

Regenerative

Gardening Tips

Exercising in Nature

Non-Toxic

Ant Control

Get Juiced

Local Nutritious and Plant-Based Beverages

FOOD & FARMS

“Highly

CBD BENEFITS

Anxiety Studies and clinical trials are exploring the common report that CBD can reduce anxiety.

Chronic pain- Further human studies are needed to substantiate claims that CBD helps control pain. CBD could help lower pain and inflammation due to arthritis when applied to the skin.

Addiction- CBD can help lower cravings for tobacco and heroin under certain conditions, according to some research on humans. Animal models of addiction suggest it may also help lessen cravings for alcohol, cannabis, opiates, and stimulants.

100%

WESTCHESTER/ PUTNAM/ DUTCHESS EDITION

Publisher Dana Boulanger

Assistant to Publisher Carolyn Coogan

Editorial Team

Sara Gurgen

Randy Kambic

Erin Lehn

Design & Production Courtney Ayers

Kathleen Fellows

Patrick Floresca

Layout Patrick Floresca

Website CC Innovations

Sales & Marketing

Dana Boulanger

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Ilove to cook, and nothing says summer to me more than an epicurean explosion of flavor. I feel fortunate to be able to curate meals from Hudson Valley farms—offering everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to wholesome meats, dairy and eggs—as well as use my homegrown herbs for seasoning and just the right finishing touch. I enjoy shopping at roadside stands, local farm stores and weekly farmers markets. It’s satisfying to personally connect and learn about those who produce the foods I prepare, then share that connection with friends and family. That being said, on hectic days or weekends, dining out is always a welcome pleasure. Whether I’m in the mood for a refreshing afternoon smoothie, buffalo burger, vegetarian platter or glutenfree treat, there are a plethora of choices in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties. Be sure to turn to pages 31-44 for this month’s special Local Food and Farms section!

Summer is also a good time to tend to the garden. Did you know there is a direct connection between soil health and gut health? Learn more in our feature article, “The Microbiome Connection, How Soil and Human Health are Related” on page 28. Organic, healthy soil really does matter. And, of course, summer is also the perfect season to enjoy the great outdoors and connect with nature. There is a growing fitness trend called green exercise that speaks to me. Learn more about it in our Fit Body article on page 24. If you like the idea of combining exercise with nature, then maybe goat yoga might interest you. Find out where to take a class on page 39.

My team and I had so much fun discovering and interviewing local eateries and farms for this issue! We hope you will try your hand at a new recipe, find unique ways to shop locally and dine at a new-to-you eatery. We also found a bunch of upcoming happenings like the The Putnam County Country Fest and 4-H Showcase, Hug a Horse fundraiser and a restorative retreat for women in Mexico coming up this fall (good idea to reserve your spot now!). As always, don’t forget to visit our website, WakeUpNaturally.com, for even more articles, events and recipes.

Happy Fourth!

Dana Boulanger, Publisher

Dana Boulanger

Old Quaker Hill Road, Pawling, NY

Natural Awakenings is a network of natural lifestyle magazine publishers empowering local communities with knowledge, resources and connections to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Enjoy The Putnam County Country Fest and 4-H Showcase in Kent

Putnam County and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County have partnered to present—The Putnam County Country Fest and 4-H Showcase—July 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and July 30 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park, in Kent. The event will feature a variety of exciting activities for the whole family including artisan vendors, food trucks, games and inflatables for the kids and even a car show.

Crowds will also enjoy traditional 4-H fair favorites including animal demonstrations, hands-on activities, magic and creepy critters, horse and dog shows, master gardener demos and exhibits, homemade milkshakes and lemonade, face painting and more. Join in for some old-fashioned fun at their first annual Apple Pie Contest for amateurs as well as the second annual Duck Derby on Sunday. A lucky winner will receive a Samsung 50-inch HD 4K Smart TV.

“Over the course of 50 years, attendance at the newly named Putnam County Country Fest and 4-H Showcase has grown,” notes the extension’s executive director Stefanie Hubert who adds that last year’s attendance reached 50,000. “Come have some fun in the sun,” she suggests. All proceeds go to support the extension’s Capital Campaign for The Cornell Barn at Tilly Foster Farm.

Admission and parking are free. Location: Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park, 201 Gipsy Trail Rd., Kent, NY. For more information, visit CCEPutnamCounty.org/events.

Exciting Updates from Balancing 4 Life

AnneBentzen, Jikiden

Reiki teacher, practitioner and

owner

Balancing 4 Life, in Pleasantville, is pleased to announce two

of

new practitioners that will be bringing new programs to the center this summer: Jessica Lawrence, a psychic medium, and Scott Nelson, a drumming circle leader and Anishinaabe medicine wheel teacher. With more than 20 years of experience, Lawrence will be offering clients intuitive guidance through tarot card readings, chordcutting services and past-life regression sessions. Nelson will be providing monthly community drumming circles, which are open to families. Children 12 and under are free.

From July 8 through 9, Bentzen will be teaching Jikiden Reiki. Participants will learn the physical hands-on treatment of this form of energy healing for themselves. This will be followed by the advanced Okuden seminar on July 30 with Shihan Jan Mizushima. “Everyone can learn reiki for themselves, their families and share with friends,” notes Bentzen.

In addition, Bentzen is now a Stargate Circle host for the Stargate Experience Academy of Mt. Shasta. “I am excited to provide free meditations of live-streamed global Stargate events,” she says. “Connect with a global family of 10,000-plus Stargate family members in over 70 countries. The exponential power of community is amazing.” Stargate Circles are designed to build community as members gather in person. Anyone can join. Easy signups are available online through the website.

Location: Balancing 4 Life, 25 Broadway, Ste. 101, Pleasantville, NY. For more information, call 914.588.4079 or visit Balancing4Life.com. See ad, page 23.

Anne Bentzen

Master Gardeners at the Ask a Master Gardener booth. (L-R) CCEPC Board President Ginger Lefurgy, Karen Ertl, and Meredith Laubin

photo by D. Altavilla

Creativity Abounds at Mariandale This July

July will be a busy month at The Center at Mariandale—an interfaith, spiritual retreat center in Ossining, located on 61 acres with spectacular views of the Hudson River and Valley. Among the myriad events planned include a number of arts and writing programs.

The Open Studio for Quilters and Artists—a weekend retreat starting July 7—offers a generous workspace and the creative support of a community to quilters, crafters and artists in the center’s large Evergreen Room. A private guestroom, meals and time for oneself are built into the retreat.

A Summer Writing Workshop with presenter Karen Rippstein will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on July 12. Attendees will have a chance to release the story they are carrying within. All levels of writing experience are welcome.

Celebrated Hudson Valley artist Gayle Clarke Fedigan brings the weekend retreat Sacred Artscape: Painting With Pastels to Mariandale starting July 21. There will be opportunities to create indoors as well as the center’s beautiful outdoors.

And, finally, award-winning author, editor and writing coach Lorraine Ash brings the popular Writing a Memoir

Portrait weekend retreat to Mariandale starting July 28. Ash is the editor of the award-winning book Corona City: Voices From an Epicenter, an anthology of essays that began at a writing retreat at Mariandale in the early days of the pandemic.

Location: The Center at Mariandale, 299 N. Highland Ave., Ossining, NY. For more information, call 914.941.4455 or visit Mariandale.org. See ad, back cover.

Celebrate with Body Be Well Pilates Join

Body Be Well Pilates, for a 14th birthday party and athleisurewear’ clothing swap on July 1 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. “Staying in business for 14 years is a milestone to be celebrated at any time, but surviving as a woman-owned and operated business for 14 years, in a rural area through COVID-19—plus subsequently expanding operations— is a feat indeed!” owner Chelsea Streifeneder cheers.

Stop in for mimosas and healthy-ish food and fun. There’ll be Body Be Well-branded merchandise giveaways and special surprises. Partygoers are encouraged to sip and browse the racks of Body Be Well’s new retail and clothing swap items while they celebrate.

Location: Body Be Well Pilates, 7393 S. Broadway, Red Hook, NY. Learn more at BodyBeWellPilates.com.

OPEN FOR GUIDED TOURS

Wright Over Water, Petra Island

Where nature and architecture unite.

Love a Horse—Hug a Horse Day Lucky

Orphans Horse Rescue Inc., a nonprofit horse sanctuary providing equine-assisted development programs in Dover Plains, invites everyone to join them from noon to 4 p.m. on July 15 for their free annual community outreach event, Love a Horse – Hug a Horse Day. Attendees will have a chance to meet the minis and draft horses; spend time with a retired racehorse; and experience how these magnificent creatures relate to humans and how they can help us heal from post-traumatic stress disorder, develop strength to become resilient and remind us to live more mindfully and calmly.

“I love how this event brings the entire community in to meet our horses and learn about our programs,” shares Deanna Mancuso, executive director of the organization, whose tagline reads “People helping horses heal people.” This event is completely free, except for food and items people purchase, so attendees can enjoy a day on the farm with their family without worrying about the cost.

“We invite you to learn how our 49 rescued horses work with people to educate, support and heal,” Mancuso adds. “We’re excited to show you what makes us so special. By attending, you’ll also be supporting local vendors and making memories.”

Location: Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, 2699 Rte. 22, Dover Plains, NY. For more information, call 845.416.8583, email luckyorphans@gmail.com or visit LuckyOrphans.org.

Apply Now for Progressive Blue Rock School Enrollment

CORRECTIONS

Please note the following updates to misprinted information from our June 2023 issue. We apologize for these errors. Rise Above Floatation’s website is RiseAboveFloatation.com. Michelle B. Whitney is a reiki practitioner, psychic and owner at Purple Lotus Zen.

Thediverse and inclusive K-8 Blue Rock School, in Rockland County—where children play and imagine as hard as they study—is currently accepting applications for the 2023 to 2024 school year. This West Nyack-based private school has been fostering confident critical thinkers for more than three decades and invites those interested in enrolling a student to inquire and come take a tour of the beautiful fiveacre wooded campus.

The school was founded in 1982 with the purpose of providing a rich educational experience based on a child-centered, handson approach that nurtures children’s innate love of learning and natural curiosity. Blue Rock class sizes are small and students engage in a challenging academic curriculum that is balanced and fully integrated with the arts, nature and play.

In keeping with the best practices in education that prioritize real world problem solving and hands-on experiences, Blue Rock students can be found exploring outside year-round, developing interpersonal skills and learning with wonder as they dive into a dynamic curriculum preparing them for a changing world.

Location: Blue Rock School, 110 Demarest Mill Rd., West Nyack, NY. For more information or to inquire about an application or to take a tour, call 845.535.3353, email admissions@bluerockschool.org or visit BlueRockSchool.org. See ad, page 37.

by Joelle

reader spotlight

Meet Sheree Carara Larchmont Resident

Work: I am a plant medicine healer, Kemetic yoga instructor, author and a spiritual warrior.

Proudest achievement: I’ve done a lot of things to be proud of and I’m not shy of accolades that demonstrate my focus and determination. But nothing makes me feel prouder than gratitude every day that I wake up to the sun knowing that my divine purpose continues to unfold. I enjoy walking this Earth with many like-minded souls in the community.

BarreBelle by Joelle, a newly opened barre studio nestled in the heart of Chappaqua, is now the go-to place for amazing barre and exercise classes. Take advantage of the studio’s summer special through the end of August and receive 20 percent off of their class 10 pack.

“Be a ‘belle’ and experience the ultimate fusion of power and grace in our premier barre fitness studio. Our classes will push your physical boundaries, sculpt your muscles and leave you breathless. You’ll leave feeling invigorated and alive,” says owner Joelle Letta. “The studio also caters to all fitness levels and ages, so there's no excuse not to join in on the excitement!”

Barre fitness classes offer myriad benefits for both the mind and body. By combining elements of ballet, Pilates and strength training, these classes help improve flexibility, posture and overall muscle tone. Additionally, barre workouts target deep stabilizing muscles, enhancing core strength and promoting a lean, sculpted physique. Finally, the focus on mindful movement and alignment cultivates a sense of body awareness and mental clarity, making it a holistic approach to fitness.

Location: BarreBelle by Joelle, 83 N. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua, NY. For more information, email barrebellebyjoelle@ gmail.com or call 646.734.6964. Visit BarreBelleByJoelle.com for full details on the summer special plus a complete listing of class times and options.

Expectations for the future: My wish for the future is that we will all have our own rebirth by nourishing our minds with meditation and our hearts by drinking plenty of pure water, allowing our emotions to be rooted in strength not weakness.

Local or global causes supported: Jamaica College (JC) Old Boys Association of New York: supporting the academic and extracurricular programs of students at JC in Kingston; Jamaica; Second Line Arts Collective igniting music education and entrepreneurship for students in New Orleans.

Favorite thing about Natural Awakenings: My first favorite thing is the thoughtfulness behind each topic and the awakening from the information presented. I get to enjoy the fruits of labor and I am grateful for the work done behind the scenes. Secondly, I love the fact that holistic practitioners can be easily found in one place.

Where I pick up my Natural Awakenings: Savannah Health Source, in Mt. Vernon. If I’m visiting my home in Jamaica, where I spend some of the year, a friend mails me a copy each month during that time. I never want to miss an issue!

Favorite inspirational quotes: I’ve been thrown many curve balls and these quotes helped me adjust my crown: “Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives,” (Mfundishi Jhutyms Hassan Salim). And my own personal mantra, “One thing I know is that I’m never ever going to forget so I am trying to make peace with remembering.” (Sheree Carara)

What I am doing to be the change I want to see in the world: I am mastering the art of breathing properly so my thoughts and actions grow in a loving, peaceful warrior way through my company Rebirth Therapy.

Do you love reading Natural Awakenings? Let us know! We welcome you to email our publisher Dana Boulanger at dana-na@wakeupnaturally.com and introduce yourself. Maybe you will be our next featured reader!

Joelle Letta with her dog Pico

Mexico Retreat Empowers Women to Surrender and Soar in True Sisterhood

Divine

Lifestyles presents Transcendence—Remembering Your True Essence—a five-night, six-day retreat from November 8 through 13. Discover the healing lands of Tulum, Mexico, to awaken the spirit, transcend trauma and reach a state of expansive freedom.

“Join us at an amazing, tranquil oasis where you’ll nourish your body, clarify your highest vision and empower your most centered and aligned life,” enthuses Tara Magalski, CEO and founder of Divine Lifestyles. “We invite you to surrender and soar in a safe sisterhood of like-minded women and emerge as your most transcendent, vibrant self. The source of all healing lies within, and it is our honor to guide you back to your true essence.”

Magalski shares her vision of the retreat by saying, “Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and tranquil sounds of nature so

you can rest peacefully; dive inward to quiet your mind and restore natural balance to your nervous system; release stress, fear, anxiety and past trauma so you can confidently step into your greatness; transcend ancestral trauma so you can move through emotions with self-love and compassion; learn how to live in alignment; celebrate your uniqueness and unlock your gifts; rediscover your soul’s blueprint to live a life of passion and purpose; and remember and embody the divine expression of who you truly are.”

The retreat will be held at Casa Maya Kaan, a luxurious sanctuary in Tulum nestled in the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an. A spectacular, private, white-sand beach is on its doorstep, which has access to one of the reserve’s most beautiful lagoons. Attendees will experience a blend of yoga, breathwork, meditation, somatic practices, sound alchemy, voice activation, self-care rituals, cacao ceremonies, a plant medicine journey, Temazcal ceremony and hormonebalancing nourishment. There will be daily fresh local cuisine and juices.

“

The healing lands of Mexico will open a sacred space for you to reconnect to your core, authentic self,” adds Magalski. “Get ready to plant your feet on the earth, let go of what is no longer serving you, dance under the stars and raise your vibration!”

Cost: $2,700-$3,750, based on room category (airfare is not included). For more information, email taramagalski@ divinelifestyles.com or visit DivineLifestyles. com/transcendence. See ad, page 19.

The OM Festival–Yoga, Dance, Flow, Play

Atransformational five-day retreat experience— The OM Festival—is coming to Arlington, Vermont, from July 26 through 30. This magical gathering will be held at the West Mountain Inn which is located within 150-plus mountainside acres on a mountain overlooking the Battenkill River. Experience more than 40 classes/workshops, a vendor village, guided hikes, musical performances, sound healing, kirtan concerts, tubing down the river, farm-to-table dinner experiences and more.

“ This is a time for you to unplug and unwind in the Green Mountains,” says Samantha Grout, co-founder of the festival. “And we’ve hand-picked world-class teachers, chefs, experts and musicians to bring you amazing classes and presentations, delicious cuisine and unforgettable performances.”

Festival-goers will have access to a 200-year-old historic barn and lush grounds, including a meditation garden. There will also be nightly entertainment from kirtan, bhakti and ecstatic dance DJs. For those looking to shop, the retreat’s OM Market will offer a curated array of holistic items, clothing and unique creations plus area food trucks. Access will be only for retreat ticket holders, with the exception of July 30, when entrance to the market will be free and open to the public.

“Grab your mat, bring your bathing suit and round up your girlfriends for this dreamy Vermont yoga retreat and vacation!” encourages Grout. “This is all about connection, inspiration and fun!”

Cost: $149-$399. Tickets are required and include day passes or full-access festival options. Location: West Mountain Inn, 144 W. Mountain Inn Rd., Arlington, VT. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit TheOmFestival.com.

Ascending Consciousness Tour Coming to

New York

Mnounced upcoming dates for their Ascending Consciousness Tour: Lagrangeville, from July 7 through 11; Clifton Park, from July 14 through 16; Syracuse, from July 18 through 20; Lily Dale, from July 21 through 24; and Arlington, Vermont, from July 25 through 30.

Angelic Messages; Spirit Circles; Angels Speak, What’s Your Ques tion?; Divine Love Activation; Meet Your ESP—Extraordinary Spiritual Partners; Sound Healing Meditation and Purification; Angelic Circle; Pachamama Shamanic Journey; and private ses sions. The spiritual guidance and healing programs are varied as well as availability of personal sessions.

New Jersey Metaphysical Center; Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique; Spirit Fest Florida; Holistic House, in Holly Hill, Florida; Lily Dale Spiritual Camp, in Lily Dale, New York; and Crow Haven Corner, in Salem, Massachusetts.

healer and shamanic practitioner since the early 1990s. She is the founder of Heart 4 Souls Inc., a 501c3 dedicated to spiritual development and healing modalities, and author of Guided by Your Light and Truth Beyond. She has been the designated grandmother in the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp, Florida, since 2013; offers healing and spiritual trance channel services in Lily Dale, New York, and Spirit Fest Florida; and coordinates Spiritual Journeys to Peru for personal development and expansion of the soul.

“We all have extraordinary spiritual helpers here to enhance our experiences by providing guidance, support and assistance along our path to happiness, abundance and love,” adds Weaver. “We invite you to join one or several of these exceptional programs that are designed to awaken, enhance and align you into your soul purpose and guidance from the divine. This is an amazing gift to self. This profound experience will change your life.”

Cost: Fees vary per location. For more information, contact Rivera (riveradiane13@gmail.com or 845.406.7021) or Weaver (rev.judi.weaver@gmail.com or 386.503.4930) and visit AngelAuraBoutique.com or JudiWeaver.com.

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Pilot Program Reveals Benefits of Four-Day Work Week

Seniors Want Fewer Prescriptions

The nonprofit 4 Day Week Global conducted a six-month pilot of more than 2,900 workers from 61 companies in the United Kingdom from June to December 2022 in which the work week was reduced from a standard 40 hours to 32 hours for the same pay and benefits. At the end of the sixmonth trial, 39 percent of employees reported less stress and 71 percent expressed lower levels of burnout. Anxiety, fatigue and sleep issues also decreased, while mental and physical health improved. Sixty percent found a greater ability to balance work with home-based responsibilities, and 62 percent found it easier to balance work with social life. Employees were also more satisfied with their finances, relationships and time management.

Company revenue stayed broadly the same over the trial period, rising by 1.4 percent on average. Companies also saw improvements in hiring, absenteeism and resignations, with staff turnover dropping by 57 percent over the trial period. Additionally, 63 percent of businesses offering a four-day week found it easier to attract and retain new talent.

Sound Healing Workshops in NY/NJ

Debbie Hawker-Misra, a certified teacher with The Sound Healing Academy International, is offering a 3 day Level 1 Foundation Certificate workshop

August 25th-27th

Tenafly, Northern NJ

Learn more and sign up at sign up www.academyofsoundhealing.com/ workshop-courses-usa Spaces are limited.

In a new National Poll on Healthy Aging by the University of Michigan involving adults aged 50 to 80, the vast majority of respondents expressed an interest in cutting back on prescription medications. Eighty percent would be willing to stop taking one or more drugs if their healthcare provider said it was possible, and 26 percent had already stopped taking at least one drug they had been taking for more than a year. When asked which meds they would be most interested in stopping, 43 percent named their heart disease pills for high blood pressure or high cholesterol, 13 percent mentioned diabetes medicines and 10 percent included pain management prescriptions.

These results reflect a growing trend dubbed “deprescribing”. According to Deprescribing.org, a researcher-led online resource, it is the planned process of reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be of benefit or could be causing harm. The goal is to reduce medication burden or harm while improving quality of life. Seniors interested in cutting down on the drugs they are taking should consult their healthcare provider to ensure it is safe and helpful to do so.

Flamingo ImagesAdobeStock.com

Repairing the Planet’s Lungs

New Environmental Justice Initiative

In April, Executive Order 12898 established the White House Office of Environmental Justice to address persistent environmental injustices involving toxic pollution, underinvestment in infrastructure and services, and other harms due to a legacy of racial and economic discrimination. The new office is tasked with coordinating efforts among federal agencies to help implement innovative directives. It requires federal agencies to notify communities in the event of a release of toxic substances; directs agencies to facilitate meaningful public participation and just treatment in agency decision-making; directs agencies to identify and address information gaps related to environmental justice and make information on environmental and health concerns more publicly accessible; and implements a scorecard to evaluate federal agencies’ environmental justice efforts.

sulit.photos/iShutterStock.com

The oceans, sometimes called the lungs of the Earth, have absorbed 30 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions since the Industrial Revolution and captured 90 percent of the related excess heat. Seawater stores about 150 times more CO2 than air. Unfortunately, absorbing all that greenhouse gas has damaged sea life.

Engineers from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) have developed a process to cleanse the seawater of CO2 so it can store greater amounts of greenhouse gases. The process sends an electric charge into seawater flowing through tanks on a barge. The charge sets off chemical reactions to trap the greenhouse gas into a solid mineral, which is then deposited on the ocean floor, completing the cleansing process.

The engineers expect to design larger facilities based on the data obtained from their test sites in Los Angeles and Singapore and have commercial sites removing millions of tons of CO2 per year by 2025. The UCLA scientists estimate that 1,800 facilities would be needed to capture 10 billion tons of atmospheric CO2 annually beginning in 2050, thereby limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Colombia Protects Its Birds

Colombia has the most bird species in the world—1,966 registered species, or 20 percent of all birds worldwide—and has updated its strategy for protecting this rich avian life, affecting all birds that inhabit the country at some point in their annual life cycle. The goal is to conserve and sustainably manage bird diversity, habitats and ecosystems by the generation of knowledge, scientific research and its application, the active participation of different sectors, policy and planning. The strategy focuses on 11 different Colombian ecosystems from the high Andean forests to savannas, grasslands and coastal areas.

This exhaustive process in the renewal of Colombia’s avian protection strategy involved more than 30 workshops and 2,000 people from every region of the country. Input from indigenous peoples and others generated practical conservation actions in their territories, as well as ancestral knowledge and an appreciation for the special connections these communities have with birds in their daily lives, resulting in a strategy that prioritizes the relationships between people and birds.

JAndresCastillo/ShutterStock.com

the human population dies of old age?

Everyone else dies of disease.

It’s NuSpecies’ mission to change this. The “Nu” stands for “Nutrition." We seek to empower the human species to become “nutritioned” again by providing the highest quality supplements possible. We want you, your children and your grandchildren to live better and longer lives than previous generations.

"In 2019, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. I was exhausted and couldn't get out of bed. One of the side effects of the medication I was put on was blurry vision, so I stopped taking it. I came to NuSpecies, and after taking my formulas for some time, I got my energy back and I did blood testing. My doctor was shocked at how good my blood test results looked." –

Darnette Archer, NuSpecies Client

We know that NuSpecies' nutritional supplements are uncommon ... which is good news because our approach is uncommonly effective. No fads or fancy trends here. Simplicity isn’t flashy, but when achieved; it's better than magic. We stick with herbal ingredients that have effectively

supported human health for thousands of years and whose benefits have been confirmed by science.

NuSpecies makes nutritional supplements that you can feel working. You shouldn’t have to cross your fingers and hope you’re getting the nutrients you need.

We never get tired of the joyful shock that our clients experience when they realize they’re actually getting healthier… from a supplement! The proof is in their lab results.

NuSpecies' supplements are designed to be the right tools for your body to maintain and rebuild itself. We believe that:

• Your body is a part of Nature, and it requires the tools of Nature to be strong.

• Your supplements should work with your body, not for it.

• It took years for your body to break down … so it’s going to take time and effort to build it back up!

• Remedies are for symptoms. You don’t want to manage your disease; you want to build your health.

• You cannot force your body to prioritize what you want to fix—you trust that your body knows what's wrong and when given the right tools, it will fix it.

B-VITAMINS COMPLEX WITH VITAMIN C

Raw (Cold Processed) – living nutrients that your body can use.

Liquid – you’ll absorb all the vitamins quickly and with ease.

High Potency Vitamins – more than 100% DV provided in each dose. LEARN MORE

You’re invited to join our live Q&A every Saturday at 10 am. Go to NuSpecies.com and click on “Livestream.”

Aston Farquharson, President and CEO

I’ve been granted 7 patents in the U.S. and globally, all in physics and technologies. I then invented NuSpecies’ nutritional formulas after my father’s death from prostate cancer and my mother’s death from the complications of diabetes. NuSpecies’ formulas have since helped thousands of our clients to live better and longer lives. We look forward to helping you, too.

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Did you know that only 0.08 percent of

Natural Ant Control for the Home

The warmer weather can bring unwanted pests, including ants, into homes and apartments. Conventional pesticides and ant traps can be toxic to humans, pets and the environment. This season, consider using one of these safer ant-control alternatives.

KEEP COUNTERS CLEAN

First and foremost, maintain kitchen counters and floors free of food particles. Tightly seal food containers, wipe countertops with soapy water, sweep the floors and avoid leaving standing water overnight. If there are no food sources around, the ants will lose interest.

STOP ENTRY INTO THE HOME

After cleaning, the next line of defense is to keep ants from entering the home in the first place. One of the most effective, toxin-free methods is to spray cedar oil outside, around the perimeter of the house. Mix one ounce of cedar oil in one quart of water (or four ounces per gallon) and

spray the solution three feet up the outside walls and on the ground, six feet out from the edges of the house.

USE NATURAL REPELLENTS

Numerous natural repellents work well inside the home. Place one or more of these in the kitchen or wherever the ants are entering: cucumber peels or slices; tea bags of mint tea or dry, crushed mint leaves; cloves; cayenne pepper; citrus oil soaked into a piece of string; lemon juice; cinnamon; or coffee grounds.

CONFUSE ANTS TRAVELING BACK TO THE NEST

As worker ants travel from their nest to forage for food, they leave a sex hormone (pheromone) scent in order to find their way back to the nest. These invisible trails can be washed away with a mixture of one-quarter cup of white vinegar, two cups of water, and 10 to 15 drops of peppermint, clove, eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil.

USE NATURAL ANT KILLERS AS LAST RESORT

A serious ant problem might require more drastic measures that kill the invading ants. These two options employ non-toxic ingredients.

n Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic, talc-like powder made from the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. When sprinkled on ants, the powder causes them to dehydrate.

n Cornmeal left out in small piles where ants are visible is another option that poses no threat to pets or little kids. The ants will eat the cornmeal, but because they can’t digest it, they will perish.

Immune Formulation 200

Naturally Promoting a Stronger Immune System and Mitigating Toxins

Immune Formulation 200 is a patentpending nutrition booster and glutathione precursor that helps protect a person’s health by reducing oxidative stress, toxins and free radicals. “Immune Formulation 200 is a revolution of science and prompts cells to create glutathione, the body’s most powerful antioxidant inside the cells,” explains Joseph V. Cassarino, founder of Best Immune Support, Rhinebeck, New York.

According to Cassarino, and his research, one of the best ways to strengthen the immune system safely—and as nature intended—is to maintain ample glutathione levels.

“With many forces working against you, it’s most important to take care of your immune system,” he says. “Glutathione is considered the master antioxidant and helps reduce oxidative

stress in the cell to keep cells their healthiest. Its role in vital bodily processes can’t be understated.”

Cassarino shares that he met the inventor of Immune Formulation 200, Dr. Albert Crum, M.D., MS, D.Sci-Hon, four years ago. “I was intrigued by his professional work. Dr. Crum was intrigued by my background and accomplishments.

That’s how our professional relationship and friendship formed.”

Dr. Crum, funded in part by $88 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has been on the cutting edge of glutathione research for years. “He discovered that adding a crucial set of natural nutrients could help the body manufacture optimum amounts of glutathione at the cellular level. By making glutathione inside the cell—and only as much glutathione as the cell needs to reduce the toxins and the oxidative stress, discharging what it doesn’t need—Immune Formulation 200 is a most efficient and effective glutathione supplementation.”

Cassarino notes that there are other products on the market that support glutathione production, such as NAC (NAcetyl-Cysteine). “However, according to the research, they don’t allow for optimum natural glutathione levels and Immune Formulation 200 has been shown to be more effective and efficient than NAC,” he asserts.

In addition to boosting the immune system, healthy levels of glutathione possess other potent health benefits including healthier skin; better brain function; increased heart, tissue, lung, kidney and joint health; enhanced athletic performance; and improved digestion, to name a few.

For more information, email info@thebestimmunesupport.com. To purchase Immune Formulation 200, visit TheBestImmuneSupport.com. See ad, page 21.

Joseph V. Cassarino

Flower Essence Remedies for Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Balance

by Christine Tucker

Certified Flower Essence Therapist Jacqueline Cagnon, owner of Jacqui’s Flower Essences, in Fleetwood, New York, whole-heartedly believes in the power of flower essences and their healing potential. In fact, she credits them for dramatically improving the quality of her own life. “Flower essences can be thought of as natural emotional vitamins,” she says. “Each flower essence carries a specific positive emotion which can balance the negative emotions we all carry. Using them can actually unite our physical, emotional and spiritual selves.”

Flower essences can be used externally or ingested and have no known contraindications. According to Cagnon, “Essences are taken daily until the need for taking them has shifted. A typical dosing recommendation is four drops, four times daily. A noticeable shift is usually felt within three weeks, although some people can feel a difference within three days.”

Flower essences are made by soaking flowers in spring water set in sunlight, which is then filtered and bottled. “It’s the flowers’ energetic imprint in the water, which is used as drops, where the healing properties reside,” explains Cagnon. “Flowers are one of the purest natural remedies on earth, with one of the highest energetic vibrations. It’s the perfect union of herbal medicine and energy medicine in one potent form.”

Cagnon has over 400 flower essences at her disposal which come from the most pristine environments around the world. She adds that they do not conflict with any medications and are extremely well tolerated. It is also recommended that individuals always work with a certified flower essence therapist to be sure that a selection of essences and personalized blends are tailored to their unique needs.

Read an extended version of this Therapy Spotlight at WakeUpNaturally.com.

Cagnon often offers free, informational classes about the benefits of flower essences, so stay tuned to the Natural Awakenings Community Calendar. To learn more or to set up an in-person, virtual or phone consultation with Cagnon, call 917.816.5803 or email jtcagnon123@gmail.com.

Dr. Lynn Parodneck

A Passionate Advocate for the Healing Benefits of Medical Marijuana

by Erin Lehn

In 2010, former ob-gyn Lynn Parodneck lost her medical career due to the closing of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. In the three years that followed, she traversed multiple challenging life circumstances— including a Parkinson’s diagnosis given to her husband, a military veteran exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. “I became his caregiver. That experience led me to research different ways to care for him and alleviate some of his symptoms,” she recalls. “When medical marijuana became legal in New York in 2014, we decided to see if it would be beneficial for him.”

Parodneck, now one of the leading medical marijuana clinicians in New York, affirms that cannabis had an immensely positive impact on her husband’s quality of life—so much so, that witnessing firsthand the benefits of this potent plant medicine inspired her to make a pivotal, life-changing career shift into the field of cannabis medicine. “Cannabis has the possibility of making such a difference in a person’s life. I’ve seen so many miraculous healing stories,” shares Parodneck.

Since becoming a medical marijuana practitioner, Parodneck has helped more than 1,000 people discover the healing potential of cannabis use for their maladies. She’s become so impassioned about this medicine that she is now a regular speaker at local and national industry events, in addition to being involved in advocacy work for the safe use of plant medicines.

As a Westchester-based physician working in compliance with the New York State Compassionate Care Act, Parodneck is especially interested in harm reduction for those using cannabis. “I’m really passionate about ensuring consumers are purchasing safe products,” she says. “Laboratory testing has shown products found in many New York City pop-up dispensaries are contaminated with mold, heavy metals and bacteria.”

Additionally, education, comfort and transparency with her patients is paramount. Parodneck’s office is a dedicated space in her home in Westchester where she serves her patients with the utmost care. “During our first visit together, our appointment will last for an hour,” she says. “I want to get to know about you, learn what is happening in your day-to-day life. And most importantly, I want you to feel seen and heard.”

Dr. Lynn Parodneck

Parodneck feels that, like in all relationships, communication with her patients is key. “It can be confusing, navigating this whole new world of cannabis medicine—especially if you are dealing with a chronic illness or painful injury,” she affirms. “Knowing which strains to choose for your particular ailment can be overwhelming. While there are some that are often wellpaired with certain conditions, you’re the only person who truly knows what works best for you. And if something isn’t working, we’ll continue to investigate better options; perhaps trying a new strain, or a new dosing schedule. There are plenty of choices, and I’m here to guide you on that journey.”

Lynn Parodneck, M.D., Certified Medical Marijuana Practitioner, can be reached at 914.525.6536, drparodneck@gmail.com or visit DrLynnParodneck.com for more information. See ad, page 10.

New York Home-Grow Medical Cannabis Rules

On October 5, 2022, New York medical cannabis patients and patient caregivers over the age of 21 were granted rights to legally grow medical cannabis at their private residence. The New York State Office of Cannabis Management notes that medical marijuana patients can legally cultivate up to six plants. If there are two medical marijuana card holders in a household, the limit is 12 plants. This law does not apply to recreational cannabis users and certain stipulations apply regarding the height, weight and maturity of the plants.

“Growing your own cannabis medicine cuts down on costs and guarantees you get the strain that best aligns with your body chemistry,” assures Lynn Parodneck, one of the leading medical marijuana clinicians in New York State. “Not only that, but growing your own medicine tends to foster a deeper relationship with and reverence for the plant.”

For more information, visit DrLynnParodneck.com, Cannabis.NY.gov or TheCannabisCommunity.org.

Helps

Helps

Shifting From Stress to Calm Within Seconds

by Christine Tucker

Transformational hypnotherapist and spiritual development coach, Michael Rosenbaum, ACHT, MP, attests that we can live fully stress-free. “It might seem funny to say, but there is nothing in life that is stressful. Nothing!” he exclaims. “Stress is just a person’s ‘reaction’ to a situation. For sure there are many

challenging situations in life, yet being stressed about anything is a choice that we make.”

Rosenbaum, who has over 20 years in the field helping clients struggling with anxiety, persistent worry and negative self-talk, explains that, while this choice is often an unconscious one, with practice,

we can actually make alternative choices that have lasting positive impact.

Psychologists agree that many manifestations of stress come down to the same thing: people get triggered by a certain situation or person and their response is anxiety and high alert. According to Rosenbaum, when people get triggered, the trigger usually comes from a stored impression in the subconscious or unconscious mind. “We create both positive and negative impressions in our mind as we go through life and then often default to the strongest impression of an experience— whether it’s good or bad—and subsequently react in turn,” he explains. “So, what can we do with a strong negative impression? Since whatever we focus on gets stronger and repetition creates strength, we just need to switch the focus.”

Rosenbaum uses hypnotherapy and regression therapy to empower clients to do just this by first helping them discover the root cause of their triggers and then collaborating with them to create a permanent shift. “According to many regression therapists, evidence shows that our initial impressions can start even as early as in the womb, so exploring a trigger’s origin is an important part of healing and rewiring the stress response,” he says. “Doing so can help you to feel calm, optimistic and equipped to face issues head on and build a life that you can freely enjoy, no longer paralyzed or tormented by stress and anxiety responses.”

believe there is a better way to deliver health care to my patients by blending the best of Eastern and Western philosophies. We work with you so you can finally heal and feel better than you have in a long time.”

R. Mallis, MD LAc

With all of this in mind, Rosenbaum routinely teaches his clients a meditation and visualization process to create a safe and relaxing place in their mind, using all of their senses. He even teaches them how to get back to that place in a few seconds by a simple hand signal. “Now if a trigger or stress arises, instead of ruminating on a problem and making it more intense, you can shift your focus and instantly begin to calm down,” he assures. “The more real it feels, the stronger the calming results.” Rosenbaum has helped hundreds of clients manage their anxiety with this simple tool and makes this process available to those who request it.

For a free copy of this relaxation tool, email Rosenbaum at michaelr@alternativechoices. org. Put “Natural Awakenings Relaxation Tool” in the subject line. For more information or for a free 20-minute phone consult, call 914.589.3601 or visit AlternativeChoices.org.

Christine Tucker is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine.

Intuitive & Healing Arts natural awakenings

ASTROLOGY

Pam Cucinell Phone, online & in person 917.796.6026; InsightOasis.com

ENERGY MEDICINE

Bernadette Bloom, MI Energy Healing & Teacher 239.289.3744

TheEsotericBloom.com

One Light Healing Touch

Penny and Ron Lavin, MA Sessions and Schools

OLHT1.com/845.878.5165

INTUITIVE CARD READINGS

Purple Lotus Zen Psychic Card Readings, Medium & Energy Healing 914.513.8398; PurpleLotusZen.com

INTUITIVE HEALING

White Lotus Grace Healing/Dance/Readings 845.677.3517

Millbrook & Remote WhiteLotusGrace.com

NEW AGE STORES

Persephone’s Pearl 1014 B Main St., Peekskill 914.737.3460 PersephonesPearl.com

Universal Healing Arts

Metaphysical, Crystals, More! Cortlandt Manor, NY 914.737.HEAL SoulConnectionShop.com

PSYCHIC MEDIUM

Celestial Touch

Laura Schek, Psychic Medium, Reiki Master

7 Arch St., Pawling, NY 845.244.1767

CelestialTouchllc.com

REIKI

Balancing 4 Life

Anne Bentzen, Jikiden Reiki Certified Teacher/Practitioner 25 Broadway, Pleasantville, NY 914.588.4079

Balancing4Life.com

Edit Babboni, CHC, RYT-200 Reiki Healing, Health Coaching, Yoga

61 Lakeview Dr., Yorktown Heights, NY 917.721.2529

yoga.zengarden@gmail.com

Natalie Rapini, LMT Reiki Practitioner

175 King St., Chappaqua, NY By appt. 914.275.1865

TAROT

Martha's Tarot

Angel Tarot Readings

Reading, Classes, Meditations 845.288.1890; MarthasTarot.com

845.593.0065

Green Exercise RECONNECTING

WITH NATURE

by Cristina Parker

For some fitness buffs, it doesn’t feel like exercise unless they’re at the gym lifting weights, pedaling the stationary bike or hearing the grunts of others giving it their all. But there’s an emerging trend taking hold: green exercise. Prompted by a growing focus on reconnecting with nature, combined with the well-known benefits of physical exertion, outdoor workouts in natural settings and urban parks are all the rage. From daily walks around the neighborhood to calisthenics with the aid of a tree or yoga on the beach, the possibilities are delightfully endless for all ages and fitness levels. Medical pros are prescribing it for science-based reasons.

Green exercise is not exactly a new concept. In a 2013 review of studies published in Extreme Physiology & Medicine, researchers concluded that physical activity in a natural setting as opposed to an indoor gym is perceived as easier and more fun, thereby boosting motivation. They wrote, “The nature element may help achieve a greater intensity of exercise without perception of effort changing.” In other words, people walk faster outdoors yet paradoxically feel as though they’re kicking back.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture found a positive correlation between green space and health. People that spend time in nature often experience a reduction in stress, cortisol levels, muscle tension and heart rate—all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. A 2021 study published in Frontiers in Psychology involving obese young people confirmed that exercising in nature led to improved stress recovery, enhanced attentional restoration and a reduction in negative emotions.

Exposure to sunlight is another benefit. According to Dr. Natty Bandasak, a physical therapist and founder of The Myokinetix Clinic, in New Jersey, “Getting vitamin D from the sun is much more impactful than the vitamin D absorbed from ingestible supplements. Just 10 minutes spent outside first thing in the morning can really set the day in a good direction.”

To maximize the benefits of green exercise, Rajeshwari Reddy, a physical therapist in Maryland, suggests a few precautions. “If you have any kind of vision issues, you should exercise midday when there is enough light to keep yourself safe, and if you suffer from seasonal allergies, try to avoid areas with flowering plants or trees,” she explains. “Standard walking shoes are different from running shoes, and the body mechanics of different activities require different levels of shock absorption. These often-overlooked components of an outdoor exercise routine can go a long way to keep you safe, avoid unnecessary injuries and ensure you are having fun with your new program.”

After choosing a suitable time and location, the next step is deciding what exercises to do.

Dr. Christine Masterson, a physical therapist at Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group, in New York, says, “For those who desire supervision, joining a local walking or running group is an

excellent option. Alternatively, for those who prefer independence, a self-paced exercise routine is recommended.”

Both Masterson and Bandasak describe bodyweight-supported exercises as a perfect outdoor-friendly, equipment-free workout. Moving against gravity uses the person’s weight as a natural form of resistance. As a result, no dumbbells or resistance bands are required. Pick a nice spot in the grass, on the sand or under a shaded treat and do sit-ups, heel raises, push-ups and squats.

Masterson suggests pairing calisthenics with walking. A sample routine could include a brisk walk to the park, followed by squats sitting and standing from a bench, then another brisk walk to a wooded area, followed by heel raises holding onto a tree trunk for balance. “In a bodyweight program, you can focus more on your form and movement pattern, then you can progress these exercises by increasing repetitions, rather than adding weights,” she notes.

Bandasak asserts that aerobic exercises like walking, jogging or hiking can be optimized by adding a grip challenge. “One factor strongly correlated with increased longevity is grip strength,” he explains. “Grip can be strengthened through your ability to hold onto objects like a pull-up bar at a playground or stable tree branch in nature. If those items are not available, just holding any heavy objects by your sides as you walk can be beneficial.”

A key, take-home message when beginning any green-exercise program is to keep an open mind. There are so many activities we can enjoy outdoors. Reddy considers green exercise anything that gets the heart rate going, which can include diverse activities like golf, gardening in the backyard or swimming in a lake.

While getting the blood pumping, remember to breathe in the fresh air, listen to the songbirds and soak up the summer sunshine. Masterson is a proponent of outside yoga to refocus the mind and deeply reconnect with our surroundings.

Cristina Parker, a researcher, health content writer, educator and clinician specializing in neurologic disorders, limb-loss rehabilitation and adaptive sports techniques, holds a doctorate in physical therapy.

Yoga, Pilates & Fitness

• DANCE MILLBROOK

White Lotus Ballet

Heal, Dance, Stretch South Road

845.677.3517; WhiteLotusBallet.com

• FITNESS STUDIOS

MAHOPAC

Health-Balanced Fitness Fitness for Active Aging 900 South Lake Blvd., Ste.6 845.216.6810; HealthBalanced.com

• QIGONG STUDIOS

CHAPPAQUA

Power Chi Fusion

In-person/Virtual

83 North Greeley Ave. 914.433.7135; PowerChiFusion.com

• ONLINE STUDIOS

Encourage Yoga OnDemand/Livestream/ Deep Dive 413.679.7766; EncourageYoga.com

YogaShine

For the Over-50 Crowd Mat, Chair, Therapy – Zoom Groups and Individuals

914.769.8745; YogaShine.com

• YOGA ASSOCIATIONS

Yoga Teachers Association Workshops 2nd Sat. 1:30pm Club Fit, Briarcliff Manor, NY and via Zoom; ytayoga.com yta_president@ytayoga.com

• YOGA RETREATS

Yoga in the Adirondacks, LLC 2 Coulter Rd., Bakers Mills, NY 518.251.3015; 914-494-2266 YogaInTheAdirondacks.com

• YOGA STUDIOS AMENIA

Amenia Yoga

A Place for Wellness

18 Old North Rd. info@ameniayoga.com; AmeniaYoga.com

BREWSTER

Tula Yoga For Wellness Group, Privates, Specialties 22 Sutton Place; 914.806.3286 TulaYogaForWellness.com

DOBBS FERRY

Sacred Spirit Yoga & Healing Arts Center

343 Broadway (on campus of South Presbyterian Church) SacredSpiritYogaCenter.org

DOVER PLAINS

Blue Lotus Yoga & Healing

Yoga, Reiki, Meditation

5 Dover Village Plaza, Ste 3 845.242.3625; BlueLotusYogaHealing.com

HOPEWELL JUNCTION

Redtail Power Yoga

810 Rte. 82 845.605.2257; RedTailPowerYoga.com

LAGRANGEVILLE

Lilac Soul Yoga

Billings Plza., above Adelina's 2419 Rt. 82, 2nd Fl., Ste. 6 845.234.8886; LilacSoul.com

MAHOPAC

Luna Power Yoga

Move, Sweat & Breathe 54 Miller Rd., Ste. 4 845.276.4619; LunaPowerYoga.com

Putnam Yoga

30 Tomahawk St., Baldwin Place 845.494.8118; PutnamYoga.com

PAWLING

Pawling Yoga & Wellness

26 East Main St., Ste. 2 845.661.8664; PawlingYogaWellness.org

PEEKSKILL

PranaMoon Yoga

In Studio + Zoom 1000 N. Division St., 2H 845.528.0318; PranaMoonYoga.com

SOMERS

Zen Garden Health

Coaching & Yoga

Edit Babboni; CHC, RYT 200 61 Lakeview Dr., Yorktown Heights 917.721.2529; Yoga.ZenGarden@gmail.com

WAPPINGERS FALLS

Back2Health Yoga

Yoga for Back Care+Scoliosis

6 Broadway Ave. 845.202.2228 Back2HealthYoga.com

Fighting Climate Change in the Garden

REGENERATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR A HEALTHY ECOSYSTEM

by Julie Peterson

Reversing global warming may feel like a challenge that is out of reach, but anyone can make a difference by planting an ecologically supportive garden. Regenerative techniques employed in the backyard, a community garden or even an apartment patio can significantly improve local ecosystems. And because living systems are interconnected, a healthier ecosystem boosts the well-being of all life forms, as well as the environment.

“Growing a garden is one of the most powerful things we can do as individuals to enact positive change and make a difference,” says Emily Murphy, the California author of Grow Now: How We Can Save Our Health, Communities, and Planet—One Garden at a Time. “If you’re looking for practical solutions to the climate crisis and the resulting loss of biodiversity, the answer is right out your door and in the earth beneath your feet. It’s possible to sequester enough carbon to offset your carbon footprint while supporting wildlife.”

According to Jessica Walliser, the Pennsylvania author of Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden and co-founder of Savvy Gardening.com, “Regenerative practices are simple, proactive steps that millions of gardeners should be adopting. They not only simplify your gardening practices and reduce time and budget in the long term, they are also the right thing to do in this modern age of human disturbance.”

LAYER SOIL

A key principle of regenerative gardening is to add layers to the soil instead of digging downward or tilling. “Layering up increases the water-holding capacity of the soil and the ability of the soil to sequester carbon,” Murphy explains.

“Addition of organic matter, such as compost, leaf mold or wellaged manure, helps build good soil structure and feeds beneficial soil microbes,” says Walliser, who recommends adding one to two inches per year to gardens.

Making compost onsite is valuable, but not always possible. In some cities, free compost is available through community compost hubs where residents drop off bins of yard and food waste. “Purchasing commercially produced compost may be a worthwhile investment, particularly when growers are just getting started and soil quality is poor,” suggests Bryan O’Hara, the Connecticut author of No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture: Pesticide-Free Methods for Restoring Soil and Growing NutrientRich, High-Yielding Crops.

PLANT PERENNIALS

Perennials come back every year and can provide food for people and wildlife. Many varieties of fruiting shrubs, trees, vegetables and nuts can form the backbone of a garden with annual plants interspersed throughout. Adding beauty to the mix, perennial flowers—some of which are edible—are essential food for bees, butterflies and birds.

“Choose plants with different flower shapes, sizes and colors, as well as plants with a diversity of bloom times,” Walliser advises. “Opt for plants native to your region, as they have co-evolved with native insects and may provide better resources for them.”

EMBRACE BIODIVERSITY

“When you’re fostering biodiversity, you’re supporting the mutualism that naturally exists in wildlife. You’re increasing and improving ecological relationships,” says Murphy. Instead of planting monoculture rows in a vegetable garden, mix up the plants the way Mother Nature does, Walliser recommends. And if abandoning tidy rows of the same type of plant seems too unruly, interplant the rows: a few beans, a tomato, flowers, then more beans and peppers, for example.

Another suggestion is to plant a variety of salad greens, carrots and radishes in a raised bed and interplant edible nasturtiums, chives and violets. “Interplanting makes it harder for pests to find their favorite host plant. It also makes it harder for diseases to spread from one plant to the next,” Walliser explains.

AVOID CHEMICALS

Skip the pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers. “Even organic pesticides can be harmful to pollinators and pesteating beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings and others,” says Walliser. A chemical-free, biodiverse garden is a safe place for beneficial bugs. Trust that the good bugs will find the bad bugs and there will be balance.

A sun-kissed organic tomato from the garden will forever ruin us for grocery store produce. And when we sink our hands in healthy soil to retrieve a beet or

plant seeds, we may feel a wave of positive energy because soil microbes have been found to work like natural antidepressants, making us happier and healthier.

“When we begin to understand the inner workings of our greater ecosystem through the ecosystems closest to home, such as our gardens and communities, we come to see that we each have the power to grow positive change beginning at home,” says Murphy.

Julie Peterson writes on health, wellness and environmental topics. Reach out at juliepeterson2222@gmail.com.

The Nutrition Link

While a direct link between the soil microbiome and the gut microbiome has yet to be proven, soil certainly impacts our health through our diet. A diverse and active soil microbiome is responsible for supporting plant growth. Plants then provide us with the nutrients that our gut microbiome needs to thrive, including calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, E, K and the B complex.

THE MICROBIOME CONNECTION

HOW SOIL AND HUMAN HEALTH ARE RELATED

by Kelcie Ottoes

The human gut microbiome, which is critical to fighting off disease, and soil microbiome, which enables plant growth, are vitally important to maintaining all life on our planet. These two communities of microorganisms are indirectly connected in important ways, and researchers are trying to find out more about their interplay.

Human Microbiome

The human gut microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms of different species. These microbes help to digest food, synthesize vitamins and other important compounds, regulate our immune system and even influence behavior and mood.

The gut microbiome includes both helpful and potentially harmful microbiota that coexist peacefully in a healthy person. But certain diets, or the use of antibiotics or other bacteria-destroying

medications, can upset the balance, a state known as dysbiosis, which can impair the microbiome’s functions, leaving the body susceptible to disease.

Soil Microbiome

The soil microbiome has many parallels to the human gut scenario. It consists of bacteria, fungi, archaea and viruses—microorganisms that play an important role in maintaining the health of the soil. They do this by breaking down organic matter, cycling nutrients and protecting crops against harmful pathogens.

Regenerative organic farming practices that promote biodiversity and disdain the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers develop robust soil that is rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes. In such settings, farmers don’t need to use chemicals, because the microbiome creates diseaseresistant soil to fight off threats.

Dan Kittredge, founder of The Bionutrient Institute, explains, “The sophistication of the soil microbiome is connected to the nutritional value of the food that’s produced. The healthier the [soil] microbiome, the healthier the food.” The use of fertilizers and pesticides does not directly produce less nutritious food, but rather their impact on the health of the soil microbiome can impact the crops’ nutritional value.

There is a hypothesis that food has become less nutritious since the mid-1900s. In a 2004 study, University of Texas scientists examined the nutritional value of 43 garden crops from 1950 to 1999 and found that while all 43 foods showed a statistically reliable decline in nutrition, it was likely due to cultivating plants with desired traits, such as larger sizes, faster growing rates and increased pest resistance. It wasn’t the soil that was the problem, but that growers had not prioritized breeding crops for higher nutritional value.

According to Jack Gilbert, a pediatrics professor at the University of California San Diego and co-founder of the Earth Microbiome Project and the American Gut Project, “There is an indirect relationship between a healthy soil microbiome and healthy gut microbiome. While we need healthy soils to grow plants, a healthy soil microbiome does not equal a healthy gut microbiome.”

He explains, “The link is really about diet in the gut microbiome. Precision nutrition is the idea that how we all respond to food is unique, and that we can predict those responses if we understand what kinds of bacteria are in the gut. This is because the gut microbiome varies between people, and those same gut microbes can mediate how food influences our physiol-

Photo by Rodale Institute

ogy. Eating a healthy diet can have a profound impact on reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases.”

The nutritional value of food is more complicated than the quality of the soil in which the crops grow. It is also impacted by the processing of the food. As Kittredge notes, when the bran in wheat is removed—a common process that turns flour white— wheat loses much of its nutritional value. Unprocessed foods allow us to access more of the nutrients within them.

Digging in the Soil

There is another way that soil microbes can benefit human health: spending time in nature. Exposure to the soil microbiome has been shown to stimulate the immune system. When outside, we are exposed to a diverse array of microorganisms that increase disease resistance and provide neurological benefits.

Gilbert has largely built a career on the benefits of getting his hands dirty. He is currently conducting a study to find out how giving children two hours of outdoor learning a day can impact their metabolic health and help them avoid diseases. According

The Promise of Regenerative Organic Agriculture

Led by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, which includes organizations and brands like Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner’s and Patagonia, the Regenerative Organic Certified farms and products meet the highest standards in the world for soil health, animal welfare, and farmworker fairness. The idea is to create farm systems that work in harmony with nature to improve quality of life for every creature involved. The Regenerative Organic Certified framework is designed to go above and beyond the USDA Certified Organic seal. To date, 134 farms and more than 47,000 smallholder farmers totaling almost 880,000 acres are Regenerative Organic Certified. Nearly 100 brands offer Regenerative Organic Certified products on the market.

Under Regenerative Organic Certified standards, soil health is promoted by including a variety of rotating crops, cover crops, no tillage, no synthetic inputs, no genetically modified seeds and rotationally grazed animals. Farms that follow these protocols become biodiverse ecosystems with organically rich soil that absorbs water, does not erode over time and produces safe, nutritious food. Learn more at RegenOrganic.org.

We have something for every budget: Monthly calendar and classified listings to 12-month marketing packages. We

help

to Kittredge, playing in the dirt isn’t just for kids. “It is beneficial to expose ourselves to soil microbes,” he says. “Everyone should nature bathe.”

“Exposure to soil microbes, like Mycobacterium vaccae, can positively impact our physical and mental health,” says Kathleen DiChiara, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition practitioner and digestive wellness educator. “We are losing diversity and not getting the exposure we used to.” She points out that the gut microbiomes of urban citizens in the U.S. have lower bacterial diversity than those in rural societies, including hunter-gatherers from Tanzania and the Amazon.

While diet, lifestyle and genetics play a role in the host-specific differences, the microbiome composition in adults is also based on exposure to microbes in the environment. According to DiChiara, there is no perfect profile for the gut microbiome, and our gut microbial communities ebb and flow. “If a specific strain of bacteria suddenly disappears, perhaps due to an illness, another species can take on its task,” she explains. “Like nature, it’s about working together on our behalf.”

Diversity, richness and symbiotic behavior of the gut microbes are central to our well-being. DiChiara notes that many variables can negatively impact the gut microbiome. Some result from the choices we make voluntarily, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, eating ultra-processed foods, being chronically stressed and leading a sedentary lifestyle. Other factors are beyond our control, such as neurological injuries, illnesses and hormonal shifts due to puberty or menopause.

Human Impact on Soil Health

The soil microbiome and the gut microbiome both need our support to maintain proper health. Although our gut microbiome may not be directly impacted by the health of soil microbes, it can be impacted by the pesticides, herbicides and fungicides in our food. Degradation of the soil microbiome occurs in many ways. Tillage, bare soil, dry soil, fertilizer, chemical sprays and fungicides all harm the soil microbiome. These non-regenerative agricultural practices can have negative impacts on the health of individuals that eat the plants and on the health of the broader ecosystems. Chemicals like glyphosate can damage the gut microbiome by creating oxidative stress, which agitates the microbiome and impedes its ability to function properly. Pesticides can also have a detrimental impact on the gut microbiome. Each year the United States uses 1 billion pounds of pesticides that may be damaging our bodies when we eat our veggies. “What we are not doing is prioritizing protecting the microbiome—for us and the soil. It’s time we recognize the interconnections between climate, soil and the gut,” DiChiara says. There are multiple ways we can cultivate a closer, healthier relationship between our soil and our gut, such as supporting sustainable agriculture, avoiding processed foods, frequenting farmers markets for organic produce or spending time in nature. Better yet, Kittredge suggests planting a pesticide-free garden at home and eating carrots straight from the soil.

Kelcie Ottoes is a copywriter and content creator specializing in sustainability and environmental topics.

Photo by Rodale Institute

Photo by Rodale Institute

healing space to be present, stay in the moment and simply be you.

Local Food and Farms

Hydroponics Workshops Teach Sustainable Gardening Techniques

Beginning in August, Mi Oh My Hydroponic Farms, a worker-owned cooperative with locations in Kingston and the Bronx, will offer innovative hydroponic workshops to the public. Held both in person and virtually, the workshops aim to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to grow fresh, healthy food at home using hydroponic systems. Attendees will learn various hydroponic methods—including nutrient film technique and deep water culture—and gain practical experience in setting up and maintaining their own systems.

The workshops cater to all skill levels and promote sustainable practices by minimizing water usage and eliminating the need for harmful chemicals. “We’re excited to inspire a community of home growers and promote healthier eating habits,” says Joél Mejia, a worker-owner of the cooperative. “Join us in cultivating a greener future through hydroponics.”

Mi Oh My Hydroponic Farms is committed to sustainable food production. Through hydroponics, they empower individuals to grow their own fresh and nutritious food while fostering community and self-sufficiency. In addition, they sell fresh microgreens and mushrooms, run a year-round community-supported agriculture (CSA) and train individuals to become owners of the cooperative.

Cost: $15-$30. For more information, call 646.973.9796, email miohmyfarms@gmail.com or visit MiOhMyFarms.com. See ad, page 38.

Local Farm Gleaning Helps Community Food Justice Initiative

Second Chance Foods, a food justice nonprofit that connects healthy food to hungry people in need throughout the Hudson Valley, is looking for volunteers to glean on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hilltop Hanover Farm through late October. If outdoor volunteering isn’t for you, the nonprofit also has year-round opportunities to cook, wash dishes, pack boxes or transport food.

Gleaning is the act of picking leftover food that farms are unable to harvest due to cosmetic standards, labor costs or shortage and market demand. Last year, gleaning at Hilltop alone produced almost 2,650 pounds of fresh food for Second Chance Foods’ recipients.

“By gleaning with Second Chance Foods, you’ll reduce waste in the fields and feed our neighbors in need,” explains Martha Elder, executive director. “Like all the food we recover, the freshest items stay whole so our recipients can enjoy them as they are. Less-thanperfect items or foods that can be harder to cook with are transformed in our kitchen to make healthy eating easy.”

“We’re always looking to expand our gleaning efforts and partners in food justice,” adds Elder. “If you know of a local farm or private orchard that might be interested in becoming a partner with us, please contact us to see how we can work together.”

For more information about volunteering and links to sign up, as well as to make a donation, visit SecondChanceFoods.org. Contact Heather Marinelli, volunteer coordinator, at volunteer@ secondchancefoods.org with questions or Elder at martha@ secondchancefoods.org for farm collaborations.

Gleaning volunteer

Joél Mejia

Enjoy a Farm-Fresh Lunch at Homestead Marketplace

New Rochelle's Downtown Farmers Market is Back

Homestead

Marketplace, in Stormville, is open for the season and serving lunch Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Delicious offerings include buffalo burgers and specialty sandwiches. They also carry local cheeses, honey, maple syrup, jams, eggs, meats, local produce and more.

“Everything is prepared on the premises using meats and veggies available that day for sale. We even have gluten-free rolls and gluten-free baked goods,” notes owner Maggie Tucker, who is part of the 13th generation family that owns Homestead Farm. “Locals are loving our freshly made lunches and weekly specials; buffalo burgers are a regular favorite.”

Tucker shares that they have increased their seating inside and out and an exciting, new development is that they will soon be clearing a path that will connect them directly to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. She advises calling ahead to place an order for pickup, especially for those on the Rail Trail or anyone stopping in from a local business.

Location: Homestead Marketplace, 99 Rte. 216, Stormville, NY. For more information, call 845.592.1445, email homesteadmktp@gmail.com or visit them on Facebook.

TheNew Rochelle Downtown Farmers Market is now open for business on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October 29 at the newly revived Anderson Plaza. In addition to shopping for fresh and local goods, marketgoers can look forward to community events and gatherings throughout the market season. At press time, plans for weekly live entertainment, kids’ activities and biweekly cooking demos were in the making.

“ The presence of a farmers market in the community is an opportunity for people to complete their shopping, support local businesses/vendors and have the chance to explore New Rochelle downtown’s amazing transformation at the same time,” says Karel Littman, executive director of the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District, a nonprofit association established in 2000 of more than 800 business and property owners with an aim of economic development, new business and new investment.

Restaurants including RocNRamen; Splendid Diner; SmokenSpice; Town Pizza; Yum Ice Cream on Anderson Street; Joe Coffee at the Stella; and Applebee’s, Pinkberry and Buffalo Wild Wings at nearby New Roc City are an easy stroll away for marketgoers to grab a bite to eat before or after the market. The newly renovated plaza also offers inviting outdoor seating.

Location: Anderson Plaza, between North Ave. and LeCount Pl., in New Rochelle, NY. For more information, call 914.218.3968, email info@newrochellefarmersmarket.com or visit NewRochelleFarmersMarket.com.

EGGLESS QUESADILLA

This one-pan eggless quesadilla is simple to make and perfect for breakfast on the go. Our own plant-based eggless ready mix creates the vegan foundation and if plant-based cheeses are chosen, a purely vegan meal can start the day well.

½ cup Pureganic’s Plant-Based Eggless Ready Mix

½ cup water

1 Tbsp oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Thinly sliced tomato and fresh basil

½ cup shredded cheese of choice

1 large tortilla

(optional) 2 Tbsp each of diced onion and bell pepper or additional veggies of choice

Mix the eggless ready mix, water and oil in a mixing bowl until smooth and set aside

Sauté the 2 Tbsp of chopped veggies in a hot, 10-inch frying pan with oil of choice and once done spread the veggies evenly in the pan.

Add the eggless mixture to the pan and let cook until the bottom is golden brown and the top is dry.

Add a layer of sliced tomatoes and basil on top of the eggless mixture.

Add cheese on top of omelet. Place tortilla on top of the omelet and using a plate over the pan, flip the omelet onto the tortilla. Put the tortilla with the omelet on top back into the pan with the tortilla on the bottom.

Let tortilla heat until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is hot but not overcooked or crisp.

Move the tortilla with the omelet to a plate. Fold or cut and enjoy.

Toping ideas: sliced avocado, fresh-cut cilantro or vegan sour cream.

Recipe courtesy of The Pureganic Cafe, a popular vegan and kosher restaurant, located at 305 Halstead Ave., Harrison, NY. For more information or to purchase their plantbased eggless ready mix, visit Pureganic-Cafe.com. See this and other recipes being made at Pureganic-Kitchen.com/recipes.

PEA SHOOTS MICROGREENS STIR FRY WITH GARLIC

4 to 5 cups Mi Oh My Farms

Pea Shoots

Olive oil

No Chicken Bouillon (vegan) powder

Nutritional yeast, garlic powder, sugar, salt, onion powder, poultry seasoning (most are “accidentally vegan”), black pepper, oregano, basil, turmeric and nutmeg

Add the oil into the wok using high heat. Turn the heat down to a medium and throw in the garlic to avoid burning. Bring the heat back up to high and throw in the pea shoots, no chicken bouillon powder and a pinch of remaining ingredients. Stir for 1 to 2 minutes (or until slightly wilted) then move to plate immediately.

Use additional salt and garlic to taste. Serve with a bowl of rice and enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Mi Oh My Hydroponic Farms Cooperative, LLC. Level up with their delicious and nutritious microgreens and mushrooms grown in Kingston and the Bronx. For more information, call 646.973.9796, email miohmyfarms@gmail.com or visit MiOhMyFarms.com. See ad, page 38.

Photo by The Pureganic Cafe

Photo by Mi Oh My Hydroponic Farms Cooperative

MONTHLY PLANNER

Boni-Bel Farm and Country Store

by Sara Gurgen

Boni-Bel Farm is a two-acre organic farm in Brewster that provides learning opportunities in agriculture and retail operation to students at Green Chimneys School. A beautiful farm setting and charming Country Store offer fresh-grown produce and flowers, local syrup and honey, natural products, handmade crafts, home goods and custom gift baskets. And each November, Boni-Bel lights up with holiday spirit, offering fresh-cut sustainably grown Christmas trees, holiday wreaths and greens and gift baskets made to order.

The Country Store is a great way to “shop local” and also to support youth with special needs. All proceeds from store purchases go to Green Chimneys’ educational and skillbuilding programs for the students.

“What makes the store so special is that almost all merchandise sold is produced by local artisans, regional entrepreneurs and our own Green Chimneys staff,” says George DeLaVergne, who oversees store operations and the vocational activities of the participating students. “Our roadside farmstand is a great place to grab fresh produce and flowers. We do our best to keep it well stocked, but in peak season it’s a popular stop, so shoppers should come early in the day.”

As part of Green Chimneys’ nature-based approach to education and therapeutic support, Boni-Bel offers Green Chimneys students genuine experience in farm operation and maintenance including plant care, harvesting and upkeep of the fields. Training extends to the Country Store where students learn about store operations and customer service in a real retail environment. The program gives students the opportunity to develop and practice employable skills, learn to manage responsibilities, gain confidence and, ultimately, feel successful.

“Younger students visit and are exposed to different aspects of the program such as retail operation and customer service,” explains DeLaVergne. “Older students get involved at a higher level with tasks in the Country Store or learning to work the farm using various equipment ranging from weed whackers to lawnmowers to farming/agricultural tools.”

Boni-Bel Farm and Country Store, 301 Doansburg Rd., Brewster, NY. For more information, call 845.278.2060, email info@greenchimneys.org or visit GreenChimneys.org/countrystore. See ad, page 33.

ASPARAGUS SALAD

This delicious summer vegetable melody makes a refreshing topping for your favorite protein or noodles.

YIELD: 2 SERVINGS

FOR LEMON DRESSING:

¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil

½ cup fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

½ tsp pink Himalayan sea salt

Pinch of black pepper

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend for 1 minute.

FOR VEGETABLES:

2 cups fresh arugula

¼ cup sliced red onions

¼ cup cherry tomatoes

2 Tbsp Mediterranean olives

½ cup of hearts of palm

6 large asparagus spears Half of an avocado, sliced

Boil water and blanch asparagus spears for 4 to 5 minutes, place in a bowl of iced water to cool quickly. Dry and cut in to oneinch pieces.

Toss arugula, red onions, cherry tomatoes, hearts of palm, olives and asparagus together and drizzle with lemon dressing

Top with sliced avocado and black pepper to taste.

Recipe courtesy of Sandra Marinelli owner and head chef at Brooklyn Organic Kitchen, in Mahopac, NY. BOKMahopac.com.

Photo by Sandra Marinelli

Get Juiced!

Local Eateries Serve Up Nutritious and Delicious Plant-Based Beverages

Contemporary living often equates to busy living, which frequently results in less time to prepare and enjoy wholesome, nutritious meals. However, we all know that getting our daily dose of fruits and vegetables can do wonders for our health by boosting our immune system which can help prevent illness such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

That’s where juicing and smoothies come in handy. These healthful elixirs can really pack a nutrient-dense, delicious punch. Not only do they flood the body with anticancer and anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals, but they also increase energy and vitality. Plus, they’re ideal for those of us who find ourselves struggling to find

time to make nutritious meals.

Thankfully, there’s no shortage of local cafes offering healthy juice and smoothie options to help ensure our community is getting their daily dose of plant-powered nutrition.

The always gluten-free and mostly vegan Sweet Harvest Café, in Cold Spring, is a smoothie shop specializing in healthy and delicious smoothies and juices.

Customer favorites include the Beach Daze, Green Machine, Zesty and Chocolate

Peanut Butter Banana smoothies. In addition to smoothies and juices, the café offers specialty hot and cold drinks, including the ever popular Nutella Iced Coffee.

Owner Tara SweetFlagler shares that she has spent the last three decades helping others on their path to better health. “This café is more than a business,” she explains. “It’s a lifestyle, and one that I want to share with as many people as I can. This brings me great joy.”

Photo courtesy of Sweet Harvest Café

, in Mahopac, which serves up an all-day delectable smoothie and farm-to-juicing menu made with fresh and local vegetables, owner Donna Massaro affirms, “We love what we do, and you can taste it!” Freight House offerings include all different kinds of fresh juices, from sweet and fruity to earthy, and everything in between. The option to mix and match any of their produce allows customers to enjoy exactly what the body is craving.

“We really have something for everyone,” assures Massaro who loves nothing more than working in the 151-year-old historic building that has housed the café for the past 13 years. “And we can accommodate anyone with food intolerances. It’s one of our specialties.”

Massaro says she enjoys offering healthy food because it speaks her love language. “I’m living the dream! I want to thank my customers and employees for everything. I am forever grateful,” she adds.

In Harrison, all of the delicious food and drink at The Pureganic Cafe is made fresh daily in the restaurant’s gluten-free, vegan, kosher and organic kitchen. They offer a wide variety of freshly cold pressed organic juices and smoothies sourced from organic farms and purveyors. In addition, Pureganic Cafe offers customized juice cleanses to cleanse and detoxify the body and mind.

“We are passionate about serving delicious, clean and healthy things to our customers to help support their well-being,” says owner Moshira Soliman. The cafe specializes in custom menus and foods that are allergen-free so all of their customers have options when choosing a meal or beverage.

Locations:

Sweet Harvest Café, 82 Main St., Cold Spring, NY. For more information, call 845.666.7390, email sweetharvestshoppe@gmail. com or visit SweetHarvestShoppe.com.

The Freight House Café, 609 Rte. 6 Mahopac, NY. For more information, call 845.628.1872 or visit TheFreightHouseCafe.com.

The Pureganic Cafe, 305 Halstead Ave., Harrison, NY. For more information, call 914.502.2050 or visit Pureganic-Cafe.com.

TRIBELLA,

Call: 914.610.6723

European Manicure/Pedicure

100% Vegan & Cruelty Free Colors

Call: 914.494.7311

Hairstyling

Call: 845.743.3488

Photo courtesy of Pureganic Cafe

Photo courtesy of The Freight House Café

JAPANESE WATERMELON ‘TUNA’ SASHIMI BOWL

YIELD: 2 SERVINGS

Fresh and vibrant vegan watermelon “tuna” sashimi bowls feature marinated watermelon that mimic the flavors of traditional tuna sashimi. It’s a perfect choice for something light and satisfying this season.

1 cup sushi rice

2 cups water

2 Tbsp rice vinegar

2 Tbsp turbinado sugar

½ tsp salt

1 cup diced watermelon

2 Tbsp tamari sauce

1 Tbsp rice vinegar

1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil

1 tsp maple or agave nectar

½ tsp grated fresh ginger

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp red chili pepper flakes

2 tsp crushed nori or sea kelp

1 ripe avocado, sliced

½ cup sliced carrots

½ cup cucumber, sliced and quartered

½ cup cooked edamame

¼ cup vegan mayonnaise

1 Tbsp sriracha sauce

1 Tbsp lime juice

Black sesame seeds, wasabi and sushi ginger for garnish (optional)

Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.

In a medium saucepan, combine the sushi rice and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the rice is cooked and the water is absorbed.

In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, sugar and salt until the sugar and salt dissolve. Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and pour the vinegar mixture over the rice. Mix gently with a spatula to coat the rice evenly. Let the rice cool to room temperature.

In a separate bowl, combine tamari sauce, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, sesame oil, maple or agave, grated ginger, minced garlic, red chili pepper flakes, and crushed nori to make the marinade for the watermelon.

Place the diced watermelon in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse.

Assemble the bowl by arranging the sushi rice at the bottom. Top it with the marinated watermelon, sliced avocado, sliced carrots, julienned cucumber and cooked edamame.

Mix together the vegan mayonnaise and sriracha.

Drizzle the lime juice and spicy mayo over the bowl. Garnish the bowl with black sesame seeds, wasabi and sushi ginger if desired. Serve the watermelon “tuna” sashimi bowl immediately and enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Christina Gdisis, a vegan lifestyle coach, chef, speaker and owner of Compassionate Filled Life. For more information including additional recipes, upcoming classes and tips for living a conscious, vegan lifestyle, visit CompassionateFilledLife.com.

Photo by Christina Gdisis

July Flower-Themed Farm Dinner

Glynwood

Center for Regional Food and Farming, a nonprofit located in Cold Spring, will host its July Glynwood Farm Dinner, titled Midsummer Flower Fete, on July 13 at 5:30 p.m. This dinner series features a different theme each month, and the focus is on seasonal produce and ethically raised proteins, particularly those local to the area.

“Join in on this opportunity to gather with friends and meet new ones,” encourages Suzy Konecky, Glynwood’s director of development. “Our dinners are intimate, communal and showcase the beautiful bounty of our farm and the Hudson Valley.”

Since the July dinner is flower themed, diners are encouraged to come in their favorite floral attire and will enjoy edible flowers throughout the meal. Konecky notes that those that want the full farm experience can take advantage of a unique opportunity to book an overnight stay in one of their limited number of rooms on-site.

Farm dinners are designed to further Glynwood’s work in building an equitable and just regional food system in the Hudson Valley and beyond.

Location: Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming, 362 Glynwood Rd., Cold Spring, NY. For more information, call 845.265.3338, email skonecky@glynwood.org or visit Glynwood.org/support/farm-dinners-2023.html.

APPLE WALNUT RICE SALAD

Goat Yoga at Ridge Ranch

SALAD:

6 cups cooked brown rice or other rice/grain of choice, about 1.5 cups dry

4 radishes, quartered and sliced

2 apples (granny smith or other preference), chopped into ½-inch pieces

½ cup walnuts, chopped

Small bunch of parsley (1 oz), leaves chopped

DRESSING:

⅔ cup brown rice vinegar

2 Tbsp lime juice

2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp salt

¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil

In a large bowl, combine rice, radishes, apples, walnuts and parsley. In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, lime juice, Dijon mustard and salt.

Add olive oil in a slow stream while whisking or combine all ingredients in a blender.

Add dressing to salad mixture and toss together. Finish with fresh ground black pepper and additional parsley if desired.

Recipe courtesy of chef and wellness coach Marie O’Brien, NBCHWC, of Real Food FiXx. For appointments and more information, call 914.450.8508, email marie@realfoodfixx.com or visit RealFoodFixx.com.

Ridge Ranch, a family-owned and -operated farm, in Patterson, is now offering Goat Yoga on select Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. and select Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. through the season. Enjoy a simple yoga practice with certified instructor Rona Levine and the gentle, playful energy of the ranch’s baby and dwarf goats, mini-donkeys and even miniand micro-cows. Classes are open to all ages and no prior experience with yoga or goats is necessary.

“Participants take short breaks to pet and nuzzle up to the animals, and it’s obvious that they enjoy the interaction and affection,” shares Levine who attests to the healing presence of the human-animal connection, adding that she’s witnessed the goats becoming calm right along with the participants during certain poses.

Farmers Dan and Arielle Honovich, along with one original goat, have grown Ridge Ranch and the herd to over 30 animals at present. In addition to goat yoga, they offer parties and will soon be opening an Airbnb onsite for those that would like to immerse themselves in farm life with a stayover.

Cost: $35. BYO yoga mat or rent one for $5. Location: 276 Quaker Rd., Patterson, NY. For more information, call 914.907.9082, email ridgeranchny@gmail.com and visit RidgeRanchNY.com for a complete schedule of dates and times.

Photo by Marie O'Brien

Rona Levine with two of the ranch’s goats.

kudos

Kacey Morabito Grean, founder of Let It Shine, Inc.—the nonprofit that “gathers love and gives it away”—was honored as Volunteer of the Year on June 11 at the Stars Along the Hudson Brunch Gala presented by the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber and held at the Abbey Inn and Spa, in Peekskill.

Let It Shine’s team provides weekly groceries to more than 100 families throughout the greater Cortlandt area from its food pantry in Verplanck. The L.I.S.A “Let It Shine Again” Thrift Store works to make repurposed home goods accessible to families in need.

From July through October, Let It Shine presents two outdoor markets: Cortland Fresh Market, in Croton, and Market on the River, in Verplanck. Both the thrift store and markets support the food pantry. The nonprofit also aims to connect women in the Hudson Valley with vital services and support.

At the heart of Let It Shine is a group of women that strive to live well and help others to do the same. Grean, also a radio host at 100.7 WHUD, is at the helm and also hosts inspirational Shine On retreats for women semi-annually. Congratulations to Grean and the other honorees.

For more information about the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber and its Stars Along the Hudson, visit HVGatewayChamber.com. To connect with Grean or learn more about Let It Shine, Inc, visit LetItShineOnline.com.

ZUCCHINI LASAGNA

This recipe contains a powerhouse of nutrients: Vitamin B6-rich zucchini is subbed for traditional lasagna noodles; Portabella mushrooms add antioxidants, nutrients, vitamins and minerals (they also help decrease the risk of cancer and can protect brain health); and sheep’s milk feta is easy on our digestive system, supports gut health and is a good source of calcium. This recipe is hearty yet light.

YIELD: 6 SERVINGS

2 lb grass-fed ground beef

⅓ to ½ cup red wine (any type is suitable; Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir work well with beef)

24 oz baby Portabella mushrooms, minced

1 medium-sized yellow onion, finely chopped

2 cans of 28 oz tomatoes (I prefer San Marzano)

5 cloves garlic, minced

3 to 4 medium-sized zucchinis

Sheep’s milk feta cheese or fresh mozzarella

Grated parmesan cheese

Gluten-free panko

Avocado oil

Crushed red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper

BEEF RAGU/SAUCE:

Prepare and assemble all ingredients. Begin to cook the onions and the garlic in a pan with a bit of avocado oil. Once the onions are partially cooked, add the beef and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

Once cooked, add the red wine to the beef, turn on the heat up for a couple of minutes and let the alcohol cook out, take the beef out of the pan and place in a big pot. Add the mushrooms to the pan. Let the mushrooms cook, undisturbed, for 3 to 4 minutes. Just when fragrant, shake up the mushrooms, add salt, and let them cook for 7 to 8 minutes (or until cooked).

Add the contents of the pan to the pot. Crush the tomatoes and add them to the pot. Cook and season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil and then let simmer for an hour.

LASAGNA:

Slice the zucchinis thin and lengthwise. (Can use a mandolin to prepare the zucchini.) In a big lasagna pan, lay down a layer of the sauce. Lay down the strips of zucchini to cover the sauce. Add another layer of sauce. Add dots of feta or mozzarella over the sauce. Distribute evenly but not excessively.

Continue layering until the pan is full— zucchini, sauce, cheese, zucchini, sauce, cheese, and so on. Add the gluten-free panko on top, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and drizzle with avocado oil. Cover the top with aluminum foil and bake at 400° F for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and let it bake for another 40 minutes.

Take out, serve and enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Debbie Justs, CHC, AADP, an author and Certified Health and Wellness Coach at Pellegrino Healing Center, Bldg. A, 4307 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park, NY. For more information or to make an appointment, visit PellegrinoHealingCenter.com. See ad, page 12.

Photo by Debbie Justs

CAFES

HOMESTEAD MARKETPLACE

Lunch. Farm Store. Local 99 Rte. 216, Stormville, NY 845.592.1445; FB/ IG

SWEET HARVEST SHOPPE

Smoothies, Salads, Wraps 82 Main St., Cold Spring, NY 845.666.7390

SweetHarvestShoppe.com

THE FREIGHT HOUSE CAFÉ

609 Rte. 6, Mahopac, NY 845.628.1872

TheFreightHouseCafe.com

THE PUREGANIC CAFE

Organic, Vegan, GF, Kosher 305 Halstead Ave., Harrison, NY 914.967.2332

Pureganic-Cafe.com

FARMERS MARKETS

HUDSON VALLEY REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET

Sundays, 10am-2pm 15 Mount Ebo Rd. South, Brewster, NY

HudsonValleyFarmersMarket.org

FARM STAND

NEW HILLTOP HANOVER FARM

1271 Hanover St., Yorktown Heights, NY

Thurs – Sun, 10am-4pm HilltopHanoverFarm.org

FARM STORE

BONI-BEL FARM & COUNTRY STORE

Natural Market & Vocational Training Program

301 Doansburg Rd, Brewster, NY 845.278.2060

GreenChimneys.org/countrystore

ZFARMS ORGANICS

355 Poplar Hill Rd., Dover Plains, NY Store: 845.877.0024

Text: 718.200.4120

ZFarmsOrganic.com

KOMBUCHA

LAUGHING GUT TAPROOM & TEA

289 Main St, Ste. 103, Poughkeepsie, NY

Thurs – Sun 1-5pm 845.541.2722

LaughingGut.com

MARKETS

GREENS NATURAL FOODS

Briarcliff Manor

97 North State Rd., Briarcliff Manor, NY 914.800.9146

Eastchester

780 White Plains Rd., Scarsdale, NY 914.874.5481

Mount Kisco

666 Lexington Ave., Mount Kisco, NY 914.864.1274

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

GreensNaturalFoods.com

GREEN ORGANIC MARKET

275 S. Central Park Ave., Hartsdale, NY 914.437.5802

FB: GreenOrganicMarket

MOTHER EARTH’S STOREHOUSE

300 Kings Mall Ct., Kingston, NY 845.336.5541

MotherEarthStorehouse.com

NATURE’S PANTRY HV 1545 NY-52, Fishkill, NY 845.765.2023

NaturesPantryhv.com

NATURE’S HARVEST MARKET HV 1955 South Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY 845.296.1069

NaturesHarvesthv.com

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

1 Ridge Hill Rd., Yonkers, NY 914.378.8090

WholeFoodsMarket.com

MICROGREENS

TINY GREENS FARM

retail, wholesale, workshops, local pick up or delivery TinyGreensFarm.com

PERSONAL CHEF

REAL FOOD FIXX Gluten-Dairy Free/Plant Based 914.450.8508

MarieObrien.com/chefmarie

RESTAURANT

BROOKLYN ORGANIC KITCHEN

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 890 South Lake Blvd., Mahopac, NY 845.621.2655

BOKMahopac.com July

Sandra Marinelli at Brooklyn Organic Kitchen

Cooking Up Delicious and Nutritious Fare for All

by Erin Lehn

Brooklyn Organic Kitchen in Mahopac, New York, is a full-service organic restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. Three years ago in July of 2020, owner and head chef Sandra Marinelli opened the restaurant with a strong passion for serving others healthy, delicious meals. She has been delighting

customers with her uniquely healthy and customized cuisine ever since.

What did your education and hands-on training entail? I earned a culinary degree from the Natural Gourmet Institute, in New York City, which focused on health supportive cooking for people with all dietary needs.

Where do you get inspiration for your menu creations? Traveling, experimenting with new food products and recreating classic dishes.

Where are your ingredients sourced from? Local food suppliers and farms when available. We always source our fresh fish from a small, Connecticut based fish supplier.

What are your favorite summer in-season ingredients to cook with currently? Asparagus is big on the menu right now. I love zucchini and all fresh summer veggies. We use them in omelets, salads and soups. For those looking to purchase or pick fresh summer vegetables, what advice do you have as they’re making selections? Colors should be vibrant and bright, not brown or dull and covered with film. Vegetables should be firm, but not rock hard and smell fresh. Plus, always buy organic when possible.

What are customers requesting most often lately? Our customers are used to fresh vegetables and are excited for fresh summer dishes.

What options are on your menu for customers with food allergies, sensitivities or other limitations? My menu was created specifically to serve those with food allergies/sensitivities and limitations, so every dish is made with that in mind. My greatest feeling of accomplishment as a chef is cooking for a customer with strict dietary preferences. I love to be able to surprise them with something delicious that they can actually eat!

What brings you the most joy about being a restaurant owner? I am passionate about feeding and serving people; it has always given me great pleasure to see people sitting down, relaxing and enjoying themselves. I especially love to make something different based on a customer’s food preferences. As long as they are willing to wait and pay for it, I will customize anything!

Brooklyn Organic Kitchen is located at 890 South Lake Blvd., in Mahopac, NY. Outdoor dining is open, so call ahead to reserve your favorite table. The restaurant can be reached at 845.621.2655 or visit BOKMahopac.com.

Sandra Marinelli and her daughter Julia

Gut Health for Kids

CLEVER STRATEGIES FOR PICKY EATERS

by Sheila Julson

Most kids look forward to summer vacation, but the dog days can eventually lead to boredom and over-snacking. By creatively offering children healthy, diverse foods, presented in ways to please even finicky palates, parents can support microbiome health while establishing a lifetime of good eating habits.

Tickle Their Palate

“Foods with probiotic-containing living cultures or fermented foods can add beneficial bacteria to the gut,” says Jill Castle, a Massachusetts-based pediatric dietitian and founding CEO of The Nourished Child, an online nutrition resource for parents. She recommends incorporating treats that are alive, tart and bubbling with healthful microbes.

“Parents can make sure they offer a

variety of prebiotic and probiotic foods routinely at mealtimes as options to taste and try. The good news is there are many healthy, gut-supporting foods for children to eat,” she advises.

Yogurt with live or active cultures and kefir, a fermented milk drink, both contain these beneficial probiotics. “Although kefir tends to be sour, some brands have flavored kefir, such as strawberry, mango or peach,” Castle explains. “I’ve had great luck

introducing this to children who are picky, because it’s smooth and creamy and tastes like a smoothie.”

She also notes that kombucha, a fizzy, fermented tea with live and active cultures, is available in fruity flavors that appeal to children. Pickles fermented over time with salt and water are a source of healthy bacteria for the gut. And although cheeses are fermented, only a few have live, active cultures. Castle recommends gouda, mozzarella or cheddar.

Sneak in the Fiber

According to Dr. Joanne Aponte, a naturopathic doctor at Lakeside Natural Medicine, in Milwaukee, a diverse diet high in fiber is key to supporting a healthy gut microbiome. “All veggies are beneficial, but ones high in galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) prebiotics help grow and support healthy gut bacteria,” she explains. GOS-rich foods include beans, lentils and peas, along with broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, while FOS-predominant choices are garlic, onions, asparagus, artichokes and leeks.

Aponte also recommends chia, flax, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, which can be ground up in an inexpensive coffee grinder and added to smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt or home-baked goods such as cookies, pancakes or waffles. “Sunflower butter can be used to make cookies,” Aponte notes. “I make oatmeal-sunflower butter cookies that are packed with microbiomesupporting oatmeal, pumpkin, ground chia seeds and, of course, chocolate chips.”

For children that are choosy about vegetables, Aponte suggests making zucchini or carrot muffins with ground chia seeds or walnuts. Entice children to eat raw veggies by offering dipping sauces, such as teriyaki, ranch dressing or salsa. Aponte notes that skins should be left on vegetables whenever possible because they contain fiber, which helps feed the gut microbiome.

“It takes some experimentation, but encourage your child to try lots of different foods,” Aponte says. “Some kids might prefer a black bean spread or dip, or refried beans, versus eating whole beans. There are also pastas made with chickpeas or lentils. Veg-

Vladislav Noseek/AdobeStock.com

JULY 2023

Astrology with Pamela Cucinell

No Backwards Steps

Be in nature July 1 when imagination expands. Minimal plans complement the morning of July 2; focus increases mid-afternoon. The July 3 Capricorn full moon supports transformation to release what needs to go. July 4 suggests that pyrotechnics are not just in the sky. Resistance to compromise July 5 creates rifts, some justified. Possibilities for creative problemsolving arrives July 6.

Fortuitous Moments

July 7 invites creative and spiritual expansion—dance with it! Continue the joy July 8 until mid-afternoon when duties call. Pace yourself July 9, especially if you tend to run fast. High energy burns bright July 10, but by late afternoon slow down after the sprint. Luck and opportunity spring forth July 11. Surprises July 12 work out for those not attached to the script, then lead to a productive evening.

Consider the Outcome

Playfulness July 13 needs to be tempered with fulfillment of responsibilities; don’t let duties slip. Distractions and tangents July 14 can derail goals, both short-term and long. On July 15, prioritize activities that nourish: food, rest and hydration. Calculate the cost (whether financial, time or a concession) of opportunities July 16. The Cancer new moon July 17 presents a lovely start for any endeavor as of mid-afternoon.

Venus Retrograde

Emphasize fun and perhaps glamour

July 18. Creative conversations July 19 hatch new ideas. Aim high early morning of July 20, then revisit options midafternoon. An ambitious proposal July 21 goes further than its initial launch. Venus retrograde July 22 begins several weeks of reevaluation and temperance. To weigh relationship wounds on July 23 reveals fresh outlooks. Revive through a museum or park July 24. Discover and research July 25.

Joyous Sprints

Healing energy is available July 26 through therapy, massage or a heart-toheart talk. Difficult situations July 27 only stick to those that can’t get past them. Exuberance shines the weekend of July 28; enjoy the outdoors. A glow pervades July 29 to use for romance, affection, compassion and appreciation. Productivity is high July 30 and offers a perfect time for the right leader. Push toward obtainable goals July 31.

Pamela Cucinell offers a spiritual astrological perspective for the massive changes of our time, as well as “spot on” guidance through private sessions and podcasts. For more information, contact her at 917.796.6026 or pamela@ insightoasis.com or visit InsightOasis.com or ActiveSpirituality.Life. See ad, page 23.

gies like onion or zucchini can be chopped small and hidden in spaghetti sauce.”

Add a Pinch of Fun

Katrina Lien, the program development specialist for Sanford fit, a children's fitness program in rural South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota, suggests that parents find ways to engage and empower kids to make healthy lifestyle choices.

“Try offering new foods with foods that you know your kids already like,” she says. “When you introduce something new or unfamiliar alongside foods that are a well-known favorite, kids are more open to trying the unfamiliar food.”

Attempt to make foods more interesting and fun, Lien advises. “This can be done by how you arrange the food items on the plate or cutting foods into different shapes. For example, use a cookie cutter to turn simple cucumber slices into a heart or a star.”

According to Lien, when parents involve their children in snack and meal preparation, kids feel included and excited to try the foods they helped create. Although getting kids interested in unfamiliar foods can be laborious and time-consuming, parents should remind themselves to be patient and remain consistent.

Sanford fit offers free, online resources through printable literature, videos, lessons and games at Fit.SanfordHealth.org.

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine.

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 July 8 (for the August issue) and adhere to our guidelines. Email admin@naturalawakenings.com for guidelines on how to submit listings.

SATURDAY, JULY 1

14th Birthday Party – 10am-2pm. Join Body Be Well Pilates to celebrate 14 years in business. Stop in for mimosas and healthy-ish food and fun. Expect merchandise giveaways, an athleisurewear clothing swap and special surprises. Free to attend. Body Be Well Pilates, 7393 S. Broadway, Red Hook, NY. Info: BodyBeWellPilates.com.

MONDAY, JULY 3

Sunrise Bootcamp – 6:30am through July 14th. A combination of high-intensity intervals woven together with vinyasa sequences. Each interval targets particular areas of the body to call on our power, build strength, stamina and vitality. Reboot your body and your spirit. You'll feel the difference! Prana Moon Yoga, Peekskill. Info/pricing: 845.528.0318; PranaMoonYoga.com.

The Divine Masculine Brotherhood – 6-7pm. Join us at the Pearl as we share meaningful conversations focused on navigating being a man in goddess centered spiritual practices. Free. Persephone’s Pearl, 1014B Main St., Peekskill. Info: 914.737.3460; PersephonesPearl.com.

Full Moon Ritual – 6-7pm. Join us at the Pearl as we take part in a full moon ritual using the releasing energy of the full Buck Moon in Capricorn. $20. Persephone’s Pearl, 1014B Main St., Peekskill. Info: 914.737.3460; PersephonesPearl.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 4

mark your calendar

ASCENDING CONCIOUNESS TOUR

JULY 8

Paint & Sip – 6-7pm. Enjoy house-made spirits at our self-guided and self-paced event! Drinks included in cover charge. Must be 21 or older to attend. $20. Persephone’s Pearl, 1014B Main St., Peekskill. Info: 914.737.3460; PersephonesPearl.com.

Community Acupuncture Clinic for PTSD & Stress Relief – 6-7pm. Acupuncturist Christine Pellegrino, M.S., L.Ac, will be treating participants with the NADA Acupuncture Protocol. This effective protocol helps reduce and release symptoms associated with PTSD as well as anxiety and more. Sliding scale $15-$45. Pellegrino Healing Center, 4307 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park. Register: PellegrinoHealingCenter.com/events.

Quit with Quinn, Addiction-Free Naturally – 6:30pm, lasts 30-45min. 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, JULY 8

Two Day Jikiden Reiki Shoden Seminar –9:30am-5pm July 8th & 9th. Learn original Japanese Reiki physical hands-on treatments, true history. Receive 3 Reiju, 1 shirushi, excellent supervised practice. $350. Balancing 4 Life, 25 Broadway, Ste. 101, Pleasantville. Preregister: 914.588.4079; Balancing4Life.com/upcoming-events.

Fire Element Workshop – 1-3:30pm. With Lorraine Hughes of Empowered by Nature. Explore the Fire phase of the Five Phases (Wu Xing) through breath, movement and interactive lecture. This is the time of transformation of what had started to grow in the spring will now grow to maturation in this season of the heart. $40. Held at Dutchess Yoga Studio, 1820 Rte. 376, Poughkeepsie. Info/register: 845.416.4598; EmpoweredByNature.net.

MONDAY, JULY 10

Children’s Program: Kirtan & Yoga – 12:302pm. With Jane Slotnick and Lisa Cito. Helps to improve emotional regulation, boost self-esteem, and increase body awareness and mindfulness. $20. Universal Healing Arts, 4 Crestview Ave., Cortlandt Manor. Register: UniversalHealingArts.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 7

Individual Retreat Weekend – 3pm July 7th – 1pm July 9th. Spend the weekend at Mariandale on a private retreat. This is your time to catch up on rest and relaxation, write, read or finish that memoir or book you started. Enjoy the pool and 61-acre grounds overlooking the Hudson River. $200 per night, includes meals. The Center at Mariandale, 299 North Highland Ave., Ossining. Preregister: 914.941.4455; Mariandale.org.

Embody Inner Trust – 5:30pm. This experiential healing workshop for women and men of any faith will support you to release doubt and grow Godconscious self-confidence with spiritual wisdom and transformative practices. $25. White Lotus Grace. Info/register: 845.677.3517; WhiteLotusGrace.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 11

Children’s Program: Arts & Crafts – 3-4:30pm. With Brenda and Gianna. Let’s get crafty! Have fun with creative exploration, express yourself,

Hudson Valley/Lagrangeville NY

July 7th, 6:30pm – Spirit Circle

July 8th, 1-4pm – Angelic Attunement & Ascension Workshop

July 8-11th – Private Sessions

Clifton Park, NY

July 14th, 7pm - Spirit Circle

July 15th, 10am-2pm – Angelic

Attunement & Ascension Workshop

July 16th, 11am-1pm –Angelic Healing Circle

Syracuse, NY

July 19th, 6:30pm – Angelic Messages

July 18-20th – Private Sessions

Lily Dale, NY

July 21st, 2-5pm – Shamanic

Pachamama Journey

July 22nd, 9:30am-12:30pm – Angels

Speak, What’s Your ?

July 23rd, 2-5pm – Divine Love

Arlington, VT

July 26th to 30th — The OM Festival Daily passes available; Discounts on our websites.

For information or to sign up for an event, contact: Diane Rivera: 845.406.7021

AngelAuraBoutique.com

Rev. Judi Weaver: 386.503.4930

JudiWeaver.com

and gain confidence. $20. Universal Healing Arts, 4 Crestview Ave., Cortlandt Manor. Register: UniversalHealingArts.com.

Healing Self-Doubt – 5:30pm July 11th, 18th & 25th. This 3-part experiential healing workshop for God-conscious women and men supports you to overcome self-doubt and develop inner trust in steps with spiritual wisdom and transformative practices. $75. White Lotus Grace. Info/register: 845.677.3517; WhiteLotusGrace.com.

Free Online Lecture: Allergies/Asthma – 7-8 pm. Dr. Somesh N. Kaushik, an Ayurvedic and Naturopathic physician, will hold a free online lecture, “Ayurveda’s Approach to Common Disorders: Allergies/Asthma” through the Pawling Free Library. Held via Zoom. Registration required through the library: 845.855.3444 or PawlingFreeLibrary.org.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12

Children’s Program: Mommy and Me Sound Bath & Signing – 10-11:30am. With Marissa Dinki. Release endorphins and lower stress, develop mindfulness and explore imagination. $20. Universal Healing Arts, 4 Crestview Ave., Cortlandt Manor. Register: UniversalHealingArts.com.

Summer Writing Workshop – 1-4pm. With Karen Rippstein. In this workshop, you'll write about creating a nurturing space of your own where you can relax and retreat to leaving distractions behind. Dress comfortably and bring a swimsuit if you'd like to take a dip in Mariandale's on-site pool following workshop. $40. The Center at Mariandale, 299 North Highland Ave., Ossining. $375, includes private room, all workshops and all meals. Preregister: 914.941.4455; Mariandale.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 13

Marconics Training – 10:30am - 5:30pm. With Master Teacher, Robin Landau. Ascension Energy Practitioner Training. Several Levels Available. ($333 - $1,260). Universal Healing Arts, 4 Crestview Ave., Cortlandt Manor. Register: UniversalHealingArts.com.

July Flower-Themed Farm Dinner – 5:30pm. Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming hosts “Midsummer Flower Fete,” its July Farm Dinner. Gather with friends and meet new ones. Come in your favorite floral attire and enjoy edible flowers throughout the meal. Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming, 362 Glynwood Rd., Cold Spring. Info/RSVP: 845.265.3338; skonecky@glynwood.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 14

Quit with Quinn, Addiction-Free Naturally –6:30pm, lasts 30-45min. Quit with Quinn addictioncessation 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, JULY 15

Love a Horse—Hug a Horse Day – 12-4pm. Join Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue Inc, a nonprofit horse sanctuary providing equine-assisted developmentprograms invites you to this free annual community outreach event. Meet the horses and find out people helping horses heal people. Free to attend. Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, 2699 Rte. 22, Dover Plains. Info: 845.416.8583; LuckyOrphans.org.

Wicca 101 – 5-6pm. Develop an understanding of Wiccan practices. $15. Persephone’s Pearl,1014B Main St., Peekskill. Info: 914.737.3460; PersephonesPearl.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 16

mark your calendar

WISDOM WALK

Ask nature a question and learn to read the signs.

Sunday, July 16th • 1 to 4pm Inner Circle Farm, Patterson NY Contact Michael at 845-489-7250 or walkingthetrail16@gmail.com to secure your spot.

MeditativeWalks.com

CreatingSacredPlaces.com

MONDAY, JULY 17

LGBTQ+ Spirituality Group – 6-7pm. Have deep conversations with other people within the community about being queer and how that plays into managing spirituality. Free. Persephone’s Pearl, 1014B Main St., Peekskill. Info: 914.737.3460; PersephonesPearl.com.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19

Illuminate Virtual Retreat – 6-8pm. Join Tara Magalski from Divine Lifestyles and Stephanie Thoma from Holistic Ambition for an immersive virtual workshop; an evening of heart opening, breathwork, hypnotherapy and connection. $111. Register on Eventbrite or find the ticket link in the WakeUpNaturally.com online calendar.

ADD Just Doesn’t Add Up! – 7-9pm. Is it really a short attention span? Learn current facts and how to distinguish visual problems that mimic or complicate ad(h)d. Free. Dr. Samantha Slotnick, 495 Central Park Ave., Ste. 301, Scarsdale. RSVP: 914.874.1177; DrSlotnick.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 21

Quit with Quinn, Addiction-Free Naturally – 6:30pm, lasts 30-45min. 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, JULY 22

Yoga Teachers Association Meet-and-Greet – 10am-12:30pm. Connect with YTA board members, members, and friends for a yoga book swap and optional walk/hike. Let go of the yoga and related books that no longer serve you and perhaps take some new ones home. Free. Rockwood Hall, Phelps Way, Sleepy Hollow. Info: Gina Callender: 914.374.9749; ytayoga.com.

Afro-Caribbean Spirituality – 1-2pm. Develop and understanding of different Afro Caribbean spiritual practices and their origins. $15. Persephone’s Pearl, 1014B Main St., Peekskill. Info: 914.737.3460; PersephonesPearl.com.

How To Read Auras – 1 - 4 pm. With Renowned Psychic/Medium, Michelle Lorenzo. Learn about the energetic system and how to see, feel and read the aura. $45. Universal Healing Arts, 4 Crestview Ave., Cortlandt Manor. Register: UniversalHealingArts.com.

Energetic Boundaries and Grounding – 1-5pm. Anne Bentzen leads this informative energy management class to help participants learn to create healthy boundaries and learn how to ground their energy for balanced flow. Gain freedom thru awareness for more authentic lifestyle. $55. Balancing 4 Life, 25 Broadway, Ste. 101, Pleasantville. Preregister: 914.588.4079; Balancing4Life.com/upcoming-events.

Monthly Seance – 7-9pm. Receive guidance and advice from the other side, now holding limited spacing! $15. Persephone’s Pearl, 1014B Main St., Peekskill. Info: 914.737.3460; PersephonesPearl.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 23

Silent Guided Retreat – 5pm July 23rd – 1pm July 28th. Join the Biblical Women in Conversation: Heart Speaks to Heart retreat which invites us into heartfelt conversations with Biblical women across the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. Each day offers ample time to be with these historical women through drama, reflection and rituals. A silent guided retreat is a great way to reconnect with God. $525, all-inclusive. The Center at Mariandale, 299 North Highland Ave., Ossining. $375, includes private room, all workshops and all meals. Preregister: 914.941.4455; Mariandale.org.

Native American-style Drumming Circle –4-6pm. Scott Nelson leads to help you raise your vibration and release low residue following Native American traditions. Extra drums and shakers available. Families welcome. Children 12 & under free. $25. Balancing 4 Life, 25 Broadway, Ste. 101, Pleasantville. Preregister: 914.588.4079; Balancing4Life.com/upcoming-events.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26

mark your calendar

The Premiere Yoga and Wellness Festival in Vermont

Wednesday, July 26th to Sunday, July 30th Arlington, VT

Don't miss this transformational festival retreat experience.

40+ Classes/Workshops, Healers, Kirtan, Vendors, Sound Healing, Guided Daily Hikes and Ecstatic Dance. Nightly live performances from 7-11 PM. Vendor Booths Available.

TheOmFestival.com

Community Sound Bath – 7:30-8:30pm. With Sound Healer Marissa Dinki, Sekhem. Join us for this meditative experience where participants are "bathed" in sound waves. These waves are produced by various sources, including healing instruments such as gongs, singing bowls, chimes, drone instruments, tuning forks, and the human voice itself. $44. Luna Power Yoga, 54 Miller Rd.,Mahopac. Info: 845.276.4619; LunaPowerYoga.com/upcoming-events.

FRIDAY, JULY 28

Paint & Sip – 6-7pm. Enjoy house-made spirits at our self-guided and self-paced event! Drinks included in cover charge. Must be 21 or older to attend. $20. Persephone’s Pearl, 1014B Main St., Peekskill. Info: 914.737.3460; PersephonesPearl.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 29

The Putnam County Country Fest and 4-H Showcase – 10am-6pm July 29th &10am-3pm July 30th. Putnam County and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County have partnered to present this event which supports the extension’s Capital Campaign for The Cornell Barn at Tilly Foster Farm. Free admission and parking. Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park, 201 Gipsy Trail Rd., Kent. Info: PutnamCounty.org/events.

SUNDAY, JULY 30

One Day Jikiden Reiki Okuden Seminar – 10am5pm. Shihan Jan Mizushima leads seminar for advanced Jikiden Reiki mental/emotional healing and distant healing techniques. Includes 2 Reiju, 1 shirushi, 1 jumon with partner practice time. Prerequisite: Shoden.. New students ($400). Reviewing students ($100). Balancing 4 Life, 25 Broadway, Ste. 101, Pleasantville. Preregister: 914.588.4079; Balancing4Life.com/upcoming-events.

MONDAY, JULY 31

The Sisterhood – 6-7pm. Sit with other Women and discuss all the beautiful mysteries that are a part of Womanhood. Free. Persephone’s Pearl, 1014B Main St., Peekskill. Info: 914.737.3460; PersephonesPearl.com.

TRANSCENDENCE Women’s Retreat

Remembering Your True Essence

Awaken Your Spirit & Transcend Your Trauma. A 5-night, 6-day retreat to discover the healing lands of Tulum, Mexico, to reach a state of expansive freedom. Nourish Your Body, Clarify Your Highest Vision, Empower Your Most Centered & Aligned Life

November 8th – 13th

Casa Maya Kaan, Mexico

DivineLifestyles.com/transcendence

classifieds

FOR RENT

BRIARCLIFF MANOR-SUBLET AVAILABLE JULY 1 – Beautiful, peaceful studio with private bath. Available evenings & weekends. Has been used by estheticians and currently by LMTs. Reasonable Rent, with plenty of free parking. Ground level - handicap appropriate. Contact: Amy Balter, 914.923.1973; ajbalter@gmail.com.

DONATIONS

LET IT SHINE AGAIN THRIFT STORE IN VERPLANCK – Donations needed of housewares and home decor in excellent condition. Vases, platters, dishes, pots - beautiful and useful things for the home. Items sold to support Let It Shine Food Pantry. Set up a donation appointment: email info@letitshineononline.com.

VOLUNTEERS

JOIN STRAY HELP’S TEAM OF PASSIONATE, DEDICATED CAT RESCUERS – Work directly with cats or help “behind the scenes”. Let’s save lives together. Visit https://strayhelp. org/volunteer.

GARDENING VOLUNTEERS AT D.I.G. FARM IN NORTH SALEM – Help needed in all aspects of the growing season, while learning regenerative agriculture practices. Please visit; DIGFarm.org to sign up for shifts.

CALLING ALL HORSE LOVERS – We are looking for volunteers to help care for horses or become ambassadors. Sign up today: LuckyOrphans.org. LIST

Gardens at The Center at Mariandale, Ossining, NY

Change before you have to.

~Jack Welch

ongoing events

Ongoing Calendar listings must be resent quarterly for our January, April, July & October editions. Email listings to admin@wakeupnaturally.com

sunday

Market on the River – 9am-1pm. Yoga at 10am. June 4 - Oct. 29. 45 Riverview Ave., Verplanck. Info: LetItShineOnline.com.

New Rochelle Downtown Farmers Market – 9am-2pm. June 25 - Oct. 29. Held in Anderson Plaza. Anderson St. between North Ave. and Lecount Place, New Rochelle. Info: NewRochelleFarmersMarket.com.

Town of Carmel Farmers Market at Lake Mahopac – 9am-2pm. May 7 - Oct 22. Mahopac Chamber Park, 953 South Lake Blvd., Mahopac. Luna Power Flow – 9:30-10:30am. This all-levels Vinyasa-based class provides the opportunity to ground through mindful movement and build strength and endurance through power-driven flows. Modifications offered. $25 drop-in. 54 Miller Rd., Ste. 4, Mahopac. Info: 45.276.4619; LunaPowerYoga.com.

Journey into Power Yoga Class – 9:30-11am. This 90-min signature class is a journey to vitality, power and freedom. All levels. $25 drop-in; class cards and memberships available. RedTail Power Yoga, 810 Rte. 82, Hopewell Junction. Info: RedTailPowerYoga.com; 845.605.2257.

Muscoot Farm Farmers Market – 9:30am2:30pm. April 2 - Nov 19. 51 Rte. 100, Katonah. Info: MuscootFarm.org.

Hatha Sun Yoga – 9:30am. All movement and breath is hatha yoga. This class will be based on the energy and level of attendees. The teacher will teach an intuitive class to those who come that day. All levels welcome. $15 drop-in; class cards available. Lilac Soul Yoga, Billings Plaza, 2419 Rte. 82, Flr. 2, Ste. 6, LaGrangeville. Register: LilacSoul.com/schedule.

Mount Kisco Farmers Market – 10am-2pm. May 21 - Oct 29. 1 Kirby Plaza, Mt. Kisco. Info: MkFarmersMarket.com.

Qigong Intro Class – 10am. Join us for an introductory class in qigong practice that will empower you to live with more focus, flow and radiance in all that you do. Power Chi Fusion, 83 North Greeley Ave., Flr. 2, Chappaqua or online. Call Phil at 914.433.7135 with date you intend to join; Register under qigong at PowerChiFusion.com.

Hudson Valley Regional Farmers Market –10am-2pm. Year-round. 15 Mt. Ebo Rd. South, Brewster. Info: HudsonvalleyFarmersMarket.org.

monday

Barre Sculpt – 9am. A challenging total body workout utilizing low-impact and high-intensity movements to improve strength and flexibility. BYO mat. Grip socks recommended. $35 per class or monthly packages available. Barrebelle

by Joelle, 83 N. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua. Info/ register: 646.734.6964; BarreBelleByJoelle.com.

1-hour L1 Alignment Vinyasa – 9:30am. All classes include movement, breathwork and meditation. Beginners welcome. $20 drop-in; call for packages. Tula Yoga for Wellness, 22 Sutton Place, Brewster. Info: 914.806.3286; TulaYogaForWellness.com.

Yoga for Back Care – 9:30-10:45am. Class designed specifically for back care includes restorative and supported active poses. This slower paced class is a good class if you have back pain, injuries, or specific individual needs. $22. Back2Health Yoga, 6 Broadway Ave., Wappingers Falls. Register: 845.202.2228; Back2HealthYoga.com.

Putnam Yoga Level 1 to Level 2 Class with Modifications – 9:30-10:30am. For those who are more familiar with yoga, we incorporate yoga poses and techniques that are designed for in-depth strength training, as well as improvements in breathing, posture and mobility. 30 Tomahawk St., Baldwin Place. Pricing/register: Christine Dodge, 845.494.8118; PutnamYoga.com.

Meditation – 10-11am. Soul soothing, spiritually lifting and devotionally enriching. Guided, mantra or moving. $25. Millbrook & Virtual. Info: 845.677.3517; WhiteLotusGrace.com.

Yoga Lab – 4:30-6pm. With Francesca Genco. Explore how freeing the spine releases tension throughout your whole body. Learn to listen and respond to your body's intelligence. Open to all, including beginners. Labs max - 5 students. $80/4 labs. Song of the Body, Sleepy Hollow. Info/ register: 510.524.2924; SongOfTheBody.com.

Align & Restore – 6-7:15pm. With Kellen Knight. An uplifting vinyasa flow followed by restorative poses. Practice also includes pranayama and meditation. This full-spectrum practice awakens your spirit, restores the nervous system and aligns you with your true self. Great for beginners as well as seasoned yogis. All-levels welcome. PranaMoon Yoga, 1000 North Division St., Peekskill. 845.528.0318; PranaMoonYoga.com.

Reiki-Infused Restorative Yoga – 7pm. A restful practice that holds yoga poses (asanas) for a longer duration using props like yoga blocks, blankets, and bolsters. It is a practice of deep relaxation that emphasizes the meditative aspect of yoga—the union of body and mind. $20. Blue Lotus Yoga & Healing, 5 Dover Village Plaza, Ste. 3, Dover Plains. Register: 845.242.3625; BlueLotusYogaHealing.com.

tuesday

Master Class: Learning to Read Tarot and Develop Your Psychic Abilities – 7-9pm. (May 9-June 6). Develop your psychic/intuitive abilities while learning to read tarot cards. Practical step by step approach for safe spiritual practices for connecting. No experience required! $300 for 5 weekly 2-hour classes Martha’s Tarot: Online with Zoom Class. Register: 845.288.1890; MarthasTarot.com.

Qigong Zoom Class – 9am. With Master David Cunniff. Zoom class. First class is free. In Balance Tai Chi Studio, 2505 Carmel Ave., Ste. 108, Brewster. Info: 845.803.1992; InBalanceTaiChi.com.

Putnam Yoga Level 1 to Level 2 Class with Meditation – 9:30-10:30am. The yoga flow will have modifications shown. This class starts and ends with special meditation segments; designed for people new to meditation. 30 Tomahawk St., Baldwin Place. Pricing/register: Christine Dodge, 845.494.8118; PutnamYoga.com.

Moderate Kripalu-Based Yoga – 9:30-11am. With Chris Glover. For more experienced practitioners. Nurturing, yet strengthening. Develops a calm nervous system and embodied awareness thru compassionate self-observation. In-person or virtual. Info/ register: SacredSpiritYogacenter.org.

Green Street Radio – 10am. With Patti and Doug Wood. Environmental news, analysis and sciencebased information. Info: GreenStreetRadio.com. 99.5 FM and WBAI.org.

Mama/Papa and Me Yoga – 10:30-11:30am. Strengthen, stretch, breathe, relax and connect! New mothers and pre-walking babies are invited to join us for class in a warm and welcoming community. We’ll focus on supportive practices for physical and emotional wellbeing during this time of growth and transition. $20. Ascend Center and Collective, 75 Main St., Cold Spring. Info/register: AscendCenter.com.

Power Flow – 4:30-5:30pm. Fun and energetic class with a strong emphasis on breath, alignment and flow. $25 drop-in; class cards and memberships available. RedTail Power Yoga, 810 Rte. 82, Hopewell Junction. Info: 845.605.2257; RedTailPowerYoga.com.

Qigong Class – 5:30pm. With Master David Cunniff. In-studio class for those fully vaccinated. First class free. In Balance Tai Chi Studio, 2505 Carmel Ave., Ste. 108, Brewster. Info: 845.803.1992; InBalanceTaiChi.com.

Smooth and Steady – 5:30pm. Taking it slow and steady, we flow through slow movements and dynamic stretching, integrating breath to improve posture, balance and stability, core strength, and range of motion. $20. Amenia Yoga – A Place for Wellness, 18 Old North Rd., Amenia. Info/register: 646.401.4188; AmeniaYoga.com.

Slow Flow Deep Stretch – 5:30-6:45pm. With Sabrina Eyster. This practice is designed to melt stress, ease tension, and create space within. Moving mindfully at a slower pace, we use our breath to guide our flow, finding the time to sink in and open-up. All-levels welcome. PranaMoon Yoga, 1000 North Division St., Peekskill. 845.528.0318; PranaMoonYoga.com.

Yoga Flow with Elena – 6-7pm. Breath-based flow of yoga postures to reduce stress, improve strength and flexibility. All levels are welcome. In-person or via Zoom. Health Balanced Fitness Studio, 900 South Lake Blvd, Ste. 6, Mahopac. $25 drop-in; $22 online. For reservations: call/text 845.216.68.10 or HealthBalanced.com.

Vinyasa Flow – 6-7pm. Fast-paced, energetic and fun weekly class. $22 drop-in; class package. Rhinebeck Yoga Center, 6400 Montgomery St., Flr. 3, Rhinebeck. 845.876.2528; RhinebeckYogaCenter.com.

Slow Burn – 6-7pm. Gain strength, stamina and focus through slow, isolated movements targeted to tone and sculpt. All levels. $25 drop-in; class cards and memberships available. RedTail Power Yoga, 810 Rte. 82, Hopewell Junction. Info: 845.605.2257; RedTailPowerYoga.com.

Yin Yoga & Restorative – 6:15pm. We incorporate warmups, then get into poses and explore them mindfully with breath as we release tension in the fascia, ligaments and connective tissue of the body. Transitions are slow and we use props. $15 dropin; class cards available. Lilac Soul Yoga, Billings Plaza, 2419 Rte. 82, Flr. 2, Ste. 6, LaGrangeville. Register: LilacSoul.com/schedule.

Yoga & Sound Bath Infusion – 6:30-7:30pm. This all-levels, Vinyasa-based class is set to the sound of beautiful singing bowls played in-person by a sound healer with an extended Savasana. $25 drop-in. 54 Miller Rd., Ste. 4, Mahopac. Info: 845.276.4619; LunaPowerYoga.com.

Strong Vinyasa – 7pm. A vinyasa-style class inspired by the Ashtanga lineage. This class integrates strength, flexibility, concentration, and contemplation through a series of traditional postures linked together through breath and movement. $20. Blue Lotus Yoga & Healing, 5 Dover Village Plaza, Ste. 3, Dover Plains. Register: 845.242.3625; BlueLotusYogaHealing.com.

wednesday

Virtual YogaShine for Adults – 8:30-10am. 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.

914 TLC’s Monthly Networking Breakfast – 8:3010am. 3rd Wednesday. Are you a holistic health and wellness practitioner? A healthy living entrepreneur offering services, products, classes and workshops? Join us for breakfast! We are a vibrant and growing community committed to living consciously and offering healthy lifestyle opportunities through our businesses and passions. Come the first time as Beth’s guest, and later become a TLC member. RSVP to Beth at 203.856.9566 (call/text).

Barre Sculpt – 9am. A challenging total body workout utilizing low-impact and high-intensity movements to improve strength and flexibility. BYO mat. Grip socks recommended. $35 per class or monthly packages available. Barrebelle by Joelle, 83 N. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua. Info/ register: 646.734.6964; BarreBelleByJoelle.com.

Luna Power Flow – 9:30-10:30am. This all-levels Vinyasa-based class provides the opportunity to ground through mindful movement and build strength and endurance through power-driven flows. Modifications offered. $25 drop-in. 54 Miller Rd., Ste. 4, Mahopac. Info: 845.276.4619; LunaPowerYoga.com.

Putnam Yoga Level 1 to Level 2 Class with Modifications – 9:30-10:30am. For those who are more familiar with yoga, we incorporate yoga

poses and techniques that are designed for indepth strength training, as well as improvements in breathing, posture, and mobility. 30 Tomahawk St., Baldwin Place. Pricing/register: Christine Dodge, 845.494.8118; PutnamYoga.com.

Chair Yoga for Healthy Aging – 11am. Participants practice poses seated in a chair or standing with assistance of a chair. Great for active older adults who want to build strength and improve balance, coordination, and posture.$20. Back2Health Yoga, 6 Broadway Ave., Wappingers Falls. Register: 845.202.2228; Back2HealthYoga.com.

Healing Dance – 11:30am-1pm. Easy flowing energy, lifting movement. Supports spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness. Meditative and creative. $25. Millbrook & Virtual. Info: 845.677.3517; WhiteLotusGrace.com.

Strength & Balance with Ag i – 2-2:45pm. A 45-minute small group training, using free weights and weighted rings, to improve strength and balance. All levels are welcome. In-person or via Zoom. Health Balanced Fitness Studio, 900 South Lake Blvd., Ste. 6, Mahopac. $25 drop-in; $22 online. For reservations: call/text 845.216.68.10 or HealthBalanced.com.

Gentle Alignment Vinyasa – 4:05pm. 1-hour class includes movement, breath work and meditation. Beginners welcome. $20 drop-in; call for packages. Tula Yoga for Wellness, 22 Sutton Place, Brewster. Info/register: 914.806.3286; TulaYogaForWellness.com.

Peaceful Warriors: Yoga as Activism – 5:306:45pm. With Ellen Forman. A practice dedicated to reclaiming our strength, vibrance, clarity and inner quiet. Rest the nervous system and enhance immunity with pranayama, asana, meditation, mudras, Myofascial release and restorative poses. Supporting causes that matter: a portion of the proceeds are donated to different causes each quarter. All levels welcome. PranaMoon Yoga 1000 North Division St., Peekskill. 845.528.0318, PranaMoonYoga.com.

Gentle Joints Stretch and Tone – 6:15pm. This class will focus lubricating the joints, gentle poses using gravity to tone, stretch and strengthen the muscles. $15 drop-in; class cards available. Lilac Soul Yoga, Billings Plaza, 2419 Rte. 82, Flr. 2, Ste. 6, LaGrangeville. Register: LilacSoul.com/schedule.

1-Hour Level 2 Vinyasa – 6:45pm. Class includes movement, breath work and meditation. $20 drop-in; call for packages. Tula Yoga for Wellness, 22 Sutton Place, Brewster. Info/register: 914.806.3286; TulaYogaForWellness.com.

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.

thursday

Cat Spay And Neutering Day – 3rd Thursday. Low-cost services provided by the T.A.R.A. Mobile Clinic. Appointments required. Other services available. Early morning drop off and late afternoon pick up. Trinity Episcopal Church Parish House, 5 Elm St., Fishkill. Pricing/info: 845.206.9021.

Barre Sculpt – 9am. A challenging total body workout utilizing low-impact and high-intensity movements to improve strength and flexibility. BYO mat. Grip socks recommended. $35 per class or monthly packages available. Barrebelle by Joelle, 83 N. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua. Info/register: 646.734.6964; BarreBelleByJoelle.com.

Putnam Yoga Level 1 to Level 2 Class with Modifications – 9:30-10:30am. For those who are more familiar with yoga, we incorporate yoga poses and techniques that are designed for in-depth strength training, as well as improvements in breathing, posture, and mobility. 30 Tomahawk St., Baldwin Place. Pricing/register: Christine Dodge, 845.494.8118; PutnamYoga.com.

1 Hour Gentle Alignment Yoga – 9:30am. Class includes movement, breath work and meditation. $20 drop-in; call for packages. Tula Yoga for Wellness, 22 Sutton Place, Brewster. Info/register: 914.806.3286; TulaYogaForWellness.com.

The NuSpecian Live – 9:30am. Aston and Jillian talk about health-related topics and NuSpecies products. Viewers can chat during the live show to comment on the topic and ask questions. Info: NuSpecies.com/pages/the-nuspecian.

All Levels Iyengar Yoga – 9:30am. Yoga that emphasizes safety, optimal body alignment, and attention to detail. Modifications will be given as necessary for those new to yoga, injuries, or certain medical conditions. $22. Back2Health Yoga, 6 Broadway Ave., Wappingers Falls. Register: 845.202.2228; Back2HealthYoga.com.

Chair Yoga/Balance with Elena – 12:30-1:30pm. Gentle, breath-based flow. Increases flexibility and joint mobility, reduces stress, and improves balance. Standing and seated exercises. No experience necessary. In-person on via Zoom. $25 drop-in; $22 online. Health Balanced Fitness Studio, 900 South Lake Blvd., Ste. 6, Mahopac. For reservations: call/text 845.216.68.10 or HealthBalanced.com.

Fresh Food Market – 4-7:30pm. June 8 - Aug. 31. 3 Memorial Dr., Croton. Info: LetItShineOnline.com. Yoga Lab – 4:30-6pm. With Francesca Genco. Explore how freeing the spine releases tension throughout your whole body. Learn to listen and respond to your body’s intelligence. Open to all, including beginners. Labs max - 5 students. $80/4 labs. Song of the Body, Sleepy Hollow. Info/register: 510.524.2924; SongOfTheBody.com.

Mat Pilates with Elena – 6-6:50pm. Core-based exercises to work on strength, stability, functional movements, and balance. (You must be able to get down and up from the floor). In-person on via Zoom. $25 drop-in; $22 online. Health Balanced Fitness Studio, 900 South Lake Blvd., Ste. 6, Mahopac. Reservations: call/text 845.216.6810 or HealthBalanced.com.

Yogic Soul Dance – 6:15pm. Fun, invigorating, relaxing, joyous and different every time. We use all types of music to entice free movement and healing. Dance as softly or wildly as you want. Dance while seated, while lying down, or all around the room. Let your Asanas dance. Glorious Yoga Nidra rest afterwards. $15 drop-in; class cards available. Lilac Soul Yoga, Billings Plaza, 2419 Rte. 82, Flr. 2, Ste. 6, LaGrangeville. Register: LilacSoul.com/schedule.

Mindful Vinyasa – 7pm. A practice that utilizes the components of a Vinyasa yoga class while flowing with more awareness. In Mindful Vinyasa there is still time to slow down, tune inward, and meditate prior to completing a particular series of postures. $20. Blue Lotus Yoga & Healing, 5 Dover Village Plaza, Ste. 3, Dover Plains. Register: 845.242.3625; BlueLotusYogaHealing.com.

Power Ease – 7:30-8:30pm. Vinyasa sequence to build heat and prep the body for deep stretching and then hip-opening Yin poses that increase flexibility and create ease. $25 drop-in. RedTail Power Yoga, 810 Rte. 82, Hopewell Junction. Info: 845.605.2257; RedTailPowerYoga.com.

friday

The NuSpecian Live – 9:30am. Aston and Jillian talk about health-related topics and NuSpecies products. Viewers can chat during the live show to comment on the topic and ask questions. Info: NuSpecies.com/pages/the-nuspecian.

Wise & Strong – 9:30am. Post-menopausal women build back muscle mass in a safe ways to protect joints, muscles and ligaments. In these classes we fight age-related loss of strength and muscle mass using body weight and resistance bands. $20. Amenia Yoga – A Place for Wellness, 18 Old North Rd., Amenia. Info/register: 646.401.4188; AmeniaYoga.com.

Gentle/Moderate Kripalu-based Yoga – 9:3011am. With Chris Glover. Gentle, nurturing, yet strengthening. Develops a calm nervous system and embodied awareness thru compassionate selfobservation. In-person or virtual. Info/register: SacredSpiritYogaCenter.org.

Virtual Chair YogaShine – 10:30-11:30am. Super gentle, for senior adults and adults with special needs/health and recovery concerns.Gentle and strengthening, calming the nervous system, heartcentered, Kripalu-based, developing curiosity, flexibility, and compassion. Vitalah Simon. Zoom invitation: 914.769.8745; YogaShine.com.

Fresh Air Fridays – 10:30am-5:30pm. First Fridays through Aug. Join ISHTA yoga masters Wendy Newton and Peter Ferko for a breath of fresh air in the Hudson Valley. This day-long retreat focuses on opening the mind and senses through asana and meditation, a dharma talk, walk in nature and time to process and journal. Reset and reframe your world view. $125. Ascend Center + Collective, 75 Main St., Cold Spring. Info/register: Events at AscendCenter.com.

Healing Dance – 11:30am-1pm. Easy flowing energy lifting movement. Supports spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness. Meditative and creative. $25. Millbrook and virtual. Info: 845.677.3517; WhiteLotusGrace.com.

Sound Meditation Fridays – 5pm. We invite you to go on an intimate excursion with your breathe, your body and your whole being. All it takes is an open mind and a willingness to engage with yourself and a symphony of sonic vibrations. $20. Viale Yoga, 39 Main St., Bedford Hills. Preregister: VialeYoga.com.

Luna Gentle Flow – 5:30pm. This all-levels gentle class is geared towards those looking to ease into their practice, while still developing awareness of their body through stretching, strength building, and breathwork. Modifications offered. $25. Drop-in. 54 Miller Rd., Ste. 4, Mahopac. Info: 845.276.4619; LunaPowerYoga.com.

saturday

Peekskill Farmers Market – 8am-2pm. June 3-Nov. 18. 1 Bank St., Peekskill. Rain or shine. Info: DiscoverPeekskill.com.

Cold Spring Farmers Market – 8:30am-1pm. May-Oct. Boscobel House and Gardens, 1601 Rte. 9-D, Garrison. Info: CSFarmMarket.org.

Barre Sculpt – 8:45am. A challenging total body workout utilizing low-impact and high-intensity movements to improve strength and flexibility. BYO mat. Grip socks recommended. $35 per class or monthly packages available. Barrebelle by Joelle, 83 N. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua. Info/register: 646.734.6964; BarreBelleByJoelle.com.

1 hour L1 Alignment Vinyasa – 9am. With Kathy. All classes include movement, breath work and meditation. Beginners welcome. $20 dropin; call for packages. Tula Yoga for Wellness, 22 Sutton Place, Brewster. Info: 914.806.3286; TulaYogaForWellness.com.

All-Levels Iyengar Yoga – 9am. Yoga that emphasizes safety, optimal body alignment, and attention to detail. Modifications will be given as necessary for those new to yoga, injuries, or certain medical conditions. $22. Back2Health Yoga, 6 Broadway Ave., Wappingers Falls. Register: 845.202.2228; Back2HealthYoga.com.

Pawling Farmers Market – 9am-1pm. Opens June 17. The Green, Village of Pawling. 85 Charles Coleman Blvd., Pawling. Info: PawlingFarmersMarkets.org.

Luna Power Flow – 9am. This all-levels Vinyasabased class provides the opportunity to ground through mindful movement and build strength and endurance through power-driven flows. Modifications offered. $25 drop-in. 54 Miller Rd., Ste. 4, Mahopac. Info: 845.276.4619; LunaPowerYoga.com.

Kripalu-based Yoga – 9:15-10:30am. With Kathleen Hinge. For more experienced practitioners who desire more of a challenge. Be guided through more advanced postures, and invited to hold poses longer and explore personal variations. In-person or virtual. Info/register: SacredSpiritYogaCenter.org.

Soul Flow Yoga – 9:30am. Vinyasa in slow, easyflowing movements with sun salutations and standing asanas, followed by sweet seated stretches and a blissful yoga nidra. $15. Lilac Soul Yoga, Billings Plaza, 2419 Rte. 82, 2nd Flr., Ste. 6, LaGrangeville. Register: 845.234.8886; LilacSoul.com/schedule.

Yoga Flow with Elena – 10-11am. 60-minute breath-based flow of yoga postures to reduce stress, and improve strength and flexibility. In-person or via Zoom. All levels welcome. $25 drop-in; $22 online. Health Balanced Fitness Studio, 900 South Lake Blvd., Ste. 6, Mahopac. For reservations: call/text 845.216.68.10 or HealthBalanced.com.

Beginner Kripalu-based Yoga – 10:45am-12pm. With Kathleen Hinge. In-person and virtual. Learn gentle pose sequences and embodied awareness. Suitable for new students and those with physical limitations or recovering from injury. In-person or virtual. Info/register: SacredSpiritYogaCenter.org.

Props & Flow – 11am. With Francesca Bove. This class combines the elements of Vinyasa with the use of props, including blocks, straps, chairs and ropes. By having boundaries, this practice plays with the dance between being held and moving. All levels welcome. $25. Viale Yoga, 39 Main St., Bedford Hills. Preregister: VialeYoga.com.

Beginner Yoga – 11am. Class consists of standing poses to build strength, balance and improved flexibility. Detailed instruction with focus on proper form and function will help you build a safe, fun and nurturing practice.$22. Back2Health Yoga, 6 Broadway Ave., Wappingers Falls. Register: 845.202.2228; Back2HealthYoga.com.

Bhakti Healing Arts – 11:30am-12:30pm. Ancient spiritual healing practices from devotional wisdom of the Vedas. Gentle, intuitive, timeless, and transformative. $25. Millbrook & Virtual. Info: 845.677.3517; WhiteLotusGrace.com.

Gentle Hatha Yoga – 12:30pm. A yoga style based in Kripalu tradition, focusing on yoga postures, mindful awareness and self-care. Breathing techniques and meditation will be explored as well. Suitable for all levels. 30 Tomahawk St., Baldwin Place. Pricing/register: Christine Dodge, 845.494.8118; PutnamYoga.com.

Aston’s Virtual Office Hours – 4-5pm. Every other Saturday. An open forum for those that are new to NuSpecies or currently on the products to ask any questions they have. Info: NuSpecies.com/pages/ webinar-registration.

community resource directory

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., Ste. 100 Valhalla, NY 914.940.4449; sandrcpa.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

PELLEGRINO HEALING CENTER

4307 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park, NY PellegrinoHealingCenter.com

Pellegrino Healing Center differs from your average acupuncture and wellness facility because we offer our patients access to a collective, diverse team of healing practitioners and cutting-edge healing modalities. Top-tier acupuncture, massage therapy, salt cave sessions, energy healing, meditation, esthetics, and more. See ad, page 12.

SEARCHLIGHT MEDICAL

Laurie R. Mallis, MD, LAC 2424 Rte. 52, Hopewell Junction, NY 845.592.4310; SearchLightMedical.com

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, page 22.

ADDICTION CESSATION

QUIT WITH QUINN

Midtown Manhattan and Garrison 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. 90% success rate. See ad, page 27.

ALTERNATIVE HEALING

FRANCESCA GENCO, MA, NCMT

Sound Therapy & Yoga

Sleepy Hollow, NY 510.524.2924; SongOfTheBody.com

Be at home in your body. Experience freedom and ease. We will engage movement, bodywork and voice to release patterns that no longer serve you, allowing you to connect with your body’s intelligence. Private and group sessions. See ad, page 31.

QUANTUM HEALING & WELLNESS

175 E. Main St., Ste. 202, Mt. Kisco, NY 914.218.3428

QuantumHealingAndWellnessspma.com

Give your body the energy to heal itself! The Energy Enhancement SystemTM is BioScalar Photonic Fusion technology [aka, Tesla Waves] that generates multiple bio-active life enhancing energy fields, including scalar waves, which can allow cell regeneration, and enhance your energy levels for optimum function. See ad, page 8.

ASTROLOGY

ASTROLOGY INSIGHT

Pamela Cucinell NCGR PAA 917.796.6026; InsightOasis.com

Astrology and 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, page 23.

AYURVEDA

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, ozone therapy, Panchakarma. Clinic days: M-F. See ad, page 29.

BEHAVIORAL OPTOMETRY

SAMANTHA SLOTNICK, OD, FAAO, FCOVD

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

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.

CBD

CBD LIVE NATURAL

720 N Bedford Rd., Bedford Hills NY 914.705.1111; CBDLiveNatural.com

Open 7 days a week. We want our customers to feel their best and know that there is a solution to change their quality of life so that they can live naturally without prescription drugs. Products for People and Pets. Please call for more information. See ad, page 3.

YOUR CBD OF MT. KISCO

222 E. Main St., Mt. Kisco, NY 914.276.5409; YourCBDstoreMtKisco.com

YOUR CBD OF RYE

131 Purchase St., Store #3, Rye, NY 914.921.1073; cbd@yourcbdstorerye.com

Your CBD Store® is the largest hemp retailer in the US. All of our products are USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO and Third-Party Lab Tested. We offer the highest quality hemp products including CBD Tinctures, Topicals and Water Solubles for people and pets. See ad, page 32.

CHIROPRACTIC

DR. LEIGH DAMKOHLER, CCSP, LMT

8 Bacon PL, Yonkers, NY 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!

UPPER CERVICAL

CHIROPRACTIC OF NY

311 North St., Ste. 410, White Plains, NY 914.686.6200: ucc-ny.com

Dr. Gertner himself suffered with back pain due to an injury. With upper cervical chiropractic treatments, his body began to “heal itself” and the relentless pain that had plagued him quickly left his body. This inspired him to become one of only 5 NUCCA chiropractors in New York, and less than 200 worldwide, currently. He experienced amazing results and he knows you will too. See ad, page 55.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

JOY MATALON LMT, CST

Locations: Ossining, Garrison, NY 914.519.8138; JoyMatalon.com

CranioSacral Therapy with Somato Emotional Release allows physical, emotional, and spiritual issues to be intimately explored bringing relief from pain and activating a healing process which continues beyond the session. Experience CST alone or integrated in therapeutic massage.

ENERGY HEALING

ANNE H. BENTZEN

25 Broadway, Ste. 101, 2nd Fl., Pleasantville, NY 914.588.4079; Balancing4Life.com

Relieve stress and restore energetic balance for health with Jikiden Reiki treatments, classes, Bemer therapy, Bach Flower remedies, plus cranialsacral therapy, reflexology, intuitive readings, sound baths, meditation programs and energy mastery training. See ad, page 23.

ESSENTIAL OILS

ALINA RINATO

Young Living Essential Oils

845.208.9771

alina@rinatofamilyessentials.com

Local group of women spec ializing in a romatherapy uses and benefits. We are here to help you select, purchase, and safely use the best oils for you and your family! Monthly hands-on classes, personalized recommendations and supportive online community.

FLOATATION THERAPY

RISE ABOVE FLOATATION

111 East Main St., Mount Kisco, NY 914.241.1900; RiseAboveFloatation.com

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.

FLOWER ESSENCE THERAPY

JACQUELINE CAGNON

By appointment: in person/phone

Fleetwood, NY 917.816.5803;jtcagnon123@gmail.com

Live Your Life in Full Bloom! Custom treatments using Flower Essences, assisting in healing Anxiety, Addictions, Abuse, Depression, Loneliness, Focusing Problems, Procrastination, Spirituality, and numerous other issues. Pure Organic Wildflower Essences from all over the world addressing your specific needs.

HAIR SALON

FRESH ORGANIC SALON SOLUTIONS

Hair care, Skincare & Make up 190 Rte. 117 Bypass Rd., Bedford, NY 914.242.1928; FreshOrganicSalon.com

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, page 21.

HERBAL MEDICINE

LORRAINE HUGHES

Registered Herbalist (AHG)

263 New Hackensack Rd., 2nd Fl., Wappingers Falls, NY lorrainehughes54@gmail.com

845.416.4598; EmpoweredByNature.net

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.

HOLISTIC DENTIST

DAVID L LERNER, DDS, CAC, FIND

Yorktown Heights, NY 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 website to learn how we can serve your needs. See ad, page 5.

HYDROPONIC FARMING

MI OH MY FARMS HYDROPONIC FARMS, LLC

Worker-Owned Cooperative

Locations: Kingston, Bronx, NY 646.973.9796; MiOhMyFarms.com

Mi Oh My Farms provides simple solutions for growing mushrooms and microgreens at home. Their worker-owned cooperative offers workshops on how to master hydroponic automatic-watering systems and additional training to help you cultivate fresh microgreens and mushrooms in any space. Join their community and start your hydroponic gardening journey today! See ad, page 38.

HYPNOTHERAPY

LISA BLEASDALE, C.Ht.

Certified Hypnotherapist

Certified Intimacy Coach 914.400.9508; LisaBleasdale.com

Transform and re-ignite your life, in and out of the bedroom using the power of the subconscious mind and the Erotic Blueprint™ course, as seen on Netfix series "Goop." Hypnotherapy can help individuals with stress reduction, weight loss, addictions, overcoming fears, phobias, grief, anxiety and relationships.

MICHAEL ROSENBAUM, ACHT,MP

Alternative Choices Natural Healing

Danbury, CT, Mt. Kisco, NY, Remotely 914.589.3601; AlternativeChoices.org

It’s easy to be stressed in today’s world. Worry and anxiety are the norm these days. “Why am I so easily triggered?” There’s another way. The power to make lasting positive change is inside you. Let’s tap into it. Call for free consult.

KITCHEN GARDENS

KITCHEN GARDENS OF WESTCHESTER

Design & Build. Call: 914.400.3742

Bruce@KitchenGardensOfWestchester.com KitchenGardensOfWestchester.com

We help beginner, intermediate and expert gardeners with their projects. Our focus is on design and construction of raised beds and installing vegetables, herbs and salad gardens. Expect beautiful, productive and long-lasting gardens with assistance available to maintain, too!

LASER SKIN CARE

HILDA DEMIRJIAN LASER AND SKIN CARE CENTER

34 S. Broadway, Ste. 607, White Plains, NY 914.374.1756; HildaDemirjianLaser.com

Since 1974, Hilda Demirjian has been a leader in the use of laser collagen treatments for better, younger looking skin. Effective on the face, neck and body. Non-invasive, with no downtime. Call today for your confidential free consultation. See ad, page 2.

MASSAGE

NATALIE RAPINI, LMT

175 King St., Chappaqua, NY 914.275.1865

Natalie has been practicing for 10 years now specializing in Prenatal Massage and Reiki Massage. Her hands on holistic healing approach helps to aid with any discomfort of the body and mind.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

LYNN PARODNECK, M.D.

Certified Medical Marijuana Practitioner

914.525.6536; drparodneck@gmail.com

DrLynnParodneck.com

Evaluations and Consultations; Dr. Parodneck works in 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, page 10.

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, ozone therapy, Panchakarma. Clinic days: Monday-Friday. See ad, page 29.

NUTRITION

NUSPECIES

Pawling. Bronxville. Elmont. Brooklyn. Jamica, Caribbean 866.261.8886; Nuspecies.com

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, page 17.

OFFICE OF DR. MICHAEL WALD

Dr. Michael Wald, DC, Board Certified Nutritionist 29 King St., 2nd Fl., Chappaqua, NY 914.552.1442; info@blooddetective.com

DrMichaelWald.com; #BloodDetective

Dr. Wald is a holistic DC, Nutritionist, and Dietician whose Blood Detective software, labs and detailed consults help get to the cause(s) of persistent health issues. Conditions include autoimmune, weight loss, anti-aging, cancer, GI issues, depression, and more. See ad, page 35.

QIGONG

POWER CHI FUSION

Phillip J. Coyle

Associate in Daoist Healing

914.433.7135; PowerChiFusion.com

Qigong healing builds and balances the life force energy within. Increases physical energy, releases blocked energy, enhances vitality and outlook on life, bringing forth all that is desired in life. Exercises focus on concentration, deep breathing and movement. Online and inperson classes. See ad, page 30.

REFLEXOLOGY

LORRAINE HUGHES

ARCB Certified Reflexologist

263 New Hackensack Road, 2nd Fl., Wappingers Falls, NY 845.416.4598

lorrainehughes54@gmail.com

EmpoweredByNature.net

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.

REIKI

REIKI CLASSES

Cynthia M. Chase, LCSW, Reiki Master 860.395.0284; cynthiamchase@gmail.com

CynthiaMChase.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.

RETREATS

YOGA IN THE ADIRONDACKS

(YitA) at The Divine Acres

“Where Yoga Embraces Nature”

2 Coulter Rd., Bakers Mills, NY 518.251.3015; YogaInTheAdirondacks.com

YitA at the Divine Acres is a yoga shala – a safe place for healing and becoming healthy within our authentic selves. Eliminate distractions and illuminate positivity to focus on our true intentions. YitA is a place of education and joy, with miniature donkeys and sheep that add love to this divine space.

SLEEP DISORDER

DAVID L LERNER, DDS, CAC, FIND

Yorktown Heights, NY 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 website to learn how we can serve your needs. See ad, page 5.

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: One-on-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, page 24.

TMJ DISORDER

DAVID L LERNER, DDS, CAC, FIND

Yorktown Heights, NY

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 website to learn how we can serve your needs. See ad, page 5.

TRAUMA RECOVERY COACH

STRESS IS GONE COACHING

Brett Cotter, Author/Coach New York, NY 833.867.3529; brett@stressisgone.com

Expert remote coaching to quickly release anxiety and heal the inner trauma, pain and fear that fuels your stress. Brett has 20 years’ experience, guides you step-bystep and facilitates lasting relief in the first session. Visit StressIsGone.com.

VETERINARY HOSPITAL

EARTH ANGELS

VETERINARY HOSPITAL

44 Saint Nicholas Rd., Wappingers Falls, NY

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.

COMING IN THE AUGUST ISSUE

Back to School

“Local Chiropractor offers Advanced Treatment for Chronic Pain”

Dear Friend,

Let me start by explaining the photo in this letter. You know, when I meet people in townthey usually say, “oh yeah, I know you, you’re Dr. Gertner. I’ve seen stories for years…” Well, that’s me.

“When I was in college I was injured playing football. I began developing severe and constant pain in my neck and lower back. After chiropractic, and PT were not effective in relieving my symtoms…I had surgery. Over the next 20 years I had surgery 3 more times, but I still suffered with horrible pain. I was referred to Dr. Gertner by a friend. On the first visit he performed a computerized diagnostic scan that located my problem. I had a pinched nerve. After only a few visits most of the pain in my neck and back was gone for the first time in decades. I fell like I have my life back!” – Rob C

Now let me tell my story. When I was in chiropractic school in Atlanta, Georgia, I had a severe injury to my lower back. For over a year I suffered with horrible pain. I was getting adjusted three times a week by traditional chiropractors without any results. I was less than a month away from graduation and I became very frustrated. Forthe last 8 years I had studied to become a chiropractor, and now my life was put on hold by a condition that chiropractic is supposed to treat.

A colleague of mine introduced me to a doctor who specializes in an uniquetype of chiropractic called NUCCA. In the entire world there are less than 200 NUCCA doctors. NUCCA can be considered to be like “engineering of the spine”, specializing in spinal correction without surgery. The NUCCA correction gently restores the skull, spine, and pelvis back to its proper position. This takes pressure off the nerves and allows the body to return to its natural, healthy state. Patients are typically seen 1/3 as often as traditional chiropractic and most patients receive permanent relief.

Immediately after the first visit I felt relief, and in one week I was completely out of pain. I spent the next two years working as an intern inthat Atlanta office.

In 2002 I returned home to NY. In the last 20 years we have quickly become one of the busiest NUCCA office worldwide. It is common for patients to travel well over an hour each way for care. We have seen patients that travel from all over the world, as well as 48 of the 50 United States. Because of our passion for helping people and our commitment to excellence, we quickly became one of the busiest Upper Cervical Chiropractic offices worldwide.

It’s strange how life is, because people now come to see me with all types of problems. With this NUCCA procedure I have tremendous results with the type of patients that visit traditional chiropractors like neck pain, back pain, and headaches, but the majority of my patients have more severe neurological conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia, MS, Parkinson’s, and Seizures, just to name a few. I explain to my patients that I am not curing them of anything, but the NUCCA procedure is able to help alleviate many of the symptoms associated with the disease.

Here’s what some of my patients had to say:

“I used to suffer with severe facial pain called trigeminal neuralgia I’ve seen my MD, Neurologist, and Acupuncturist with limited results. I travel from East Hampton, LI because this is the only treatment that has helped me” – Pat G

“For the last few years I have suffered with MS. I’ve been suffering with tremors, poor circulation, neck and back pain, loss of coordination, fatigue, asthma and insomnia. I have been under care for six months and without medication, Dr. Gertner has helped me control my MS. My tremors are gone and I am able to keep my hands steady. I am also seen great improvements in all my original symptoms including asthma—all without drugs!

Several times a day patients thank me for helping them with their health problems. But I can’t really take the credit. I’ve never healed anyone of anything. What I do is make a specific spinal adjustment to remove nerve pressure, and the body responds by healing itself. The power that made the body, heals the body! We get tremendous results. It’s as simple as that!

Make A Believer Out Of Me Offer – You shouldn’t go bankrupt to find out the solution to your health problems. If you bring in this article, you can receive my computerized diagnostic test and new patient exam with x-rays if needed for $27. This exam could cost you $300 just for the computerized test alone. But, please call right away because this offer expires on July 31, 2023, and I don’t want you to miss out.

Why am I doing this? My purpose is to get as many people well through NUCCA chiropractic care as I possibly can. I want to become your chiropractor if you need me. If after the exam I think I can help you I’ll tell you, If not I’ll personally refer you to the appropriate healthcare professional.

Satisfaction…Please, I hope that there’s no misunderstanding about quality of care. You’ll get professional care that’s affordable. My qualifications…I graduated from Hofstra University before finishing my Doctorate at Life College in Marietta, GA. I’m Board certified in the state of New York, and by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. I’ve been entrusted to take care of more than 12,000 patients…newborns, pro athletes, and celebrities that you may know, and I have delivered over 500,000 spinal corrections. My assistants are Daniela and Vanessa and they are great people. Our office is both friendly and warm and we try our best to make you feel at home. Our office is called Upper Cervical Chiropractic of New York and is conveniently located at 311 North St in White Plains. Our phone number is 914-686.6200 or you can visit our website at www.nuccadoctor.com. Call today for an appointment to start getting well!

You. George Gertner, DC

Thank

Open Studio for Quilters & Artists

Fri. July 7, 3pm to Sun. July 9, 3pm

Individual Retreat Weekend in July

Fri. July 7, 3pm to Sun. July 9, 1pm

Outdoor Mass & Picnic at Mariandale

Swim at 2pm, Mass at 4pm, and Barbecue at 5pm!

July 8, August 12

Summer Writing Workshop

Wed. July 12, 1 to 4pm

Wisdom of the Hudson Valley (online program)

Wed. July 19, 7 to 8:30pm

Sacred Artscape: Painting with Pastels Retreat, with Gayle Clark Fedigan

Fri. July 21,3pm to Sun. July 23, 3pm

Biblical Women in Conversation: Heart Speaks to Heart. A Silent Directed Retreat

Sun. July 23, 5pm to Fri. July 28, 1pm

Poolside Meditation: Sending Love to the World Thurs. July 27, 5 to 6pm

Writing a Memoir Portrait: A Weekend Retreat with Lorraine Ash

Fri. July 28, 5pm to Sun. July 30, 1pm

Coming in August: Shine On! A Weekend Retreat with Kacey Morabito & Co.

Fri. Aug. 18, 5 pm to Sun. Aug. 20, 1pm