natural awakenings fairfield county april 2015

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Nature’s Wisdom Practice of Natural Medicine Evolves in CT

Spring Greening: Detox Your HouseChildren Confront Climate Change Living Pools Transform Backyards

April 2015 | Fairfield County Edition | eNaturalAwakenings.com

2 Fairfield County Edition natural awakenings

The Natural Choice – The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center

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Our integrative approach treats a widerange of conditions including:

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proven treatments and therapies:

From left to right: Dr. Adam Breiner, ND, Director Dr. Elena Sokolova, MD, ND &

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ADD/ADHD Allergies Anxiety & Depression Autism Brain Injuries Candidiasis Chronic Fatigue (or Fatigue Concerns) Difficulty Concentrating Female Concerns Fibromaylgia

Gastrointestinal Concerns Healthy Aging Hormonal Issues Immune Disorders Lyme Disease RSD Sports Injuries Stress-related Symptoms Thyroid & Adrenal Issues Toxicities Weight Gain

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) EEG Neurofeedback Acupuncture Chinese Medicine Homeopathy Energy Medicine Electrodermal Screening Metabolic Typing

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Natural Awakenings Fairfield County 54 Danbury Rd, Ste 323

Ridgefield, CT 06877

Phone: 203-885-4674 Fax: 203-516-2392

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Publisher/Executive Editor Nicole Miale

Editor Ariana Rawls Fine

Design & Production Kathleen Fellows

Erica Mills

Contributing Writers Natasha Michaels

Mary Oquendo Angela Pascopella

Sales & Marketing Leslie McLean Nicole Miale

Francesca Moscatelli Virginia Trinque

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See our advertiser index on page 78. Making it easier to find the resources you need.

The snow melts, mud proliferates, flowers pop up, the weekend activity schedule fills…spring must be here!

All around it seems like people, creatures and flora are coming out of hibernation. I have been contemplating the change of season as I experience it. It seems to me human-ity too frequently sets itself apart from nature – as if we are mostly observing rather than actively involved in its pro-cesses. The truth is, as inhabitants of this earth, we humans are no more or less significant to Mother Nature than any other creature walking, crawling or flying. Nature is a po-tent force man has so far been unable to tame, predict (with real accuracy anyway!) or control, though our actions cer-tainly have influence on its behavior (accelerating climate

change being a biggie!). I have new appreciation for the awesome ability of nature to do whatever it will. Man will not outlast the power it seeks to harness; perhaps trying to work with it would be a better strategy?

The power of nature is on my mind not only as seasons change but in putting together this special Nature’s Wisdom edition in tribute to Earth Day. It is a fitting time to discuss the future of natural medicine—naturopathy - in Connecticut—as the many skilled naturopathic physicians in our state fight for their right to prac-tice fully as they were trained to do in service to their patients. It is a good time to examine the many ways you can use natural products and items found in nature to detoxify your home and backyard environment. And it is always an important time to talk about children and their relationship to nature; how the next genera-tion will deal with the situation we are leaving to them is critically important to shaping the future of this planet. As always, you’ll find perspectives from a variety of local and national experts on these and other topics, as well as detailed profiles of professionals and businesses in the area that can support your efforts to live a happier healthier life on Earth.

There is a lot going on in our area this month, as evidenced by the robust news brief and calendar sections. Natural Awakenings will be at many of these events; we look forward to meeting with you there!

Please consider patronizing our advertisers and distributors! It is through their generosity that this community service is made possible and we are very grateful for their support.

Enjoy your spring allergies and be grateful for the mud that is no longer snow!

Nicole Miale


6 newsbriefs 19 eventspotlight 20 globalbriefs 22 ecotip 24 communityspotlight 40 inspiredtable 42 consciouseating 44 healthykids 49 wisewords 62 naturallyhealthypet 64 petresourceguide

66 calendar 72 classifieds 73 resourceguide 78 cosmicrhythms 78 displayadindex 79 productmarketplace

advertising & submissions

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

24 AQUA-SCAPES Living Pools Transform Backyards by Nicole Miale

26 NATURE’S WISDOM Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us

by Christine MacDonald

30 PRACTICE OF NATURAL MEDICINE EVOLVES IN CT NDs Seek Expanded Practice Scope by Angela Pascopella

34 ACCESS THE INNER HEALER WITHIN Recall Your Place in the Natural World by Debra Gibson

35 NATURAL MEDICINE PROFILES

44 EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change by Avery Mack

45 NATURE SCHOOL & CAMP PROFILES

54 BREATHE EASIER Strategies to Purify the Air in Your Home by Slyms Bazile

55 HEALTHY HOME PROFILES

59 THE TAO OF MARKETING The Spiritual Aspect of Putting Your Work Out There

A Conversation With Andrea Adler

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26

34

22

20

54

44

HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 203-885-4674 or email [email protected]. Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month.

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newsbriefs

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Medicinal Skin Opens in Ridgefield

Ridgefield resident Holly Grunsell Arrindell has opened Medicinal

Skin, a facial business offering holistic wellness and beauty, on the town’s historic Main Street. Arrindell has more than 20 years of experience as a holistic skin care therapist and licensed massage thera-pist. She began at Ridgefield’s Skin Spa and Nail Boutique and continued her education at Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in Westport. Arrindell pursued a career in New York City where she honed her skills as an

esthetician and managed several high-end spas. Native Ridgefielder Valerie Albanesi Swenson is joining Arrindell at Medicinal Skin. Educated at Marinello Beauty School in Fairfield, Swenson specializes in all aspects of skin care. Pippa Martin will bring her skills as a licensed clinical reflexologist, aromatherapist, massage therapist and Reiki master practitioner to the new business. She specializes in aromatherapy and clinical reflexology to ease symptoms of health problems and as preventive therapy. Martin studied in her native England, as well as Australia and America. To celebrate the opening, Medicinal Skin is offering 20 percent off a single service. This offer is limited to one per person and expires May 31, 2015.

For more information, visit MedicinalSkin.com or call 203-244-5771. Medicinal Skin is located at 412 Main St, Ste 5, Ridgefield.

Tick-Borne Diseases Organizations Combine Forces; Hold Walk & Run Event

The Lyme Research Alliance (LRA) and the

Tick-Borne Disease Alliance (TBDA) are set to merge. By joining forces. The organiza-tions will combine resources to be applied to research on urgently needed improve-ments in diagnostics and treatments, while expanding educational programs for the general public and physicians. In previous years, LRA and TBDA have held separate Walk & Run Events in Fairfield County. This year, they are working together to hold the first combined LRA & TBDA Walk & Run on April 26 at Stam-ford’s Cove Island Park. Timed to help kick off Connecticut’s Lyme Disease Awareness Month, the event will include a 5K and 10K run, as well as a 1-mile and a 3-mile walk and a fun run for kids under 12. Information stations, music, food and more will be available. Early registration fees are $25 per person and $85 per family. Onsite registration fees are $35 per person and $90 per family. Registration and check in is at 9am with the event starting at 10am.

For more information, to volunteer and to register, visit LymeWalkRun.org, email [email protected] or call 203-969-1333. Cove Island Park is located at Cove Rd, Stamford.

Holly Grunsell Arrindell


April Events at The Graduate Institute

The Graduate Insti-tute (TGI) will offer

Open House events about personal enrich-ment and professional development programs at its Bethany campus and other locations throughout April.

April 8, 7-8:30pm: The Opening to Our Soul’s Potential webinar will be offered with Nicole Miale, integrative health and healing graduate and publisher of Natural Awakenings Fairfield County. April 9, 6:30-8:30pm: The New Haven Chapter of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly meet-ing at TGI. Email [email protected] for more information. April 9, 7-9pm: Offered onsite at TGI and as a webinar, Secrets for Aligning Mind, Body to Sustain Lifelong Success will be presented by Ann Wilkinson, an osteopathic physical therapist and an integrative health and healing TGI faculty member. April 21, 7-9pm: The Science of Spiritual Marketing with Andrea Adler, a marketing, communications, and public relations expert, will be held onsite at TGI and offered as a webinar. April 29, 7pm: Held at The Jewish Community Center Auditorium at 360 Amity Road, Woodbridge, The Art of Healing and the Psychology of Illness event will be given by Dr. Bernie Siegel, an integrative health and healing TGI faculty member. Reserve a spot by contacting Anne Grant at [email protected] or 203-387-2522, ext. 300. Enrollment is now open for the master’s and certificate programs in integrative health and healing, ecotherapy and transformative mental health. Visit Learn.edu to learn more about the accredited graduate programs in holistic studies. Classes are scheduled in locations throughout Connecticut for adult learners as well as online. For event information and descriptions, visit Learn.edu/Events or call 203-874-4252. The Graduate Institute is located at 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. See ad, page 29.

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newsbriefs

Edible Plants Workshop Offered at Audubon Greenwich

On April 26 from 10:30am to

3:30pm, Audubon Greenwich will offer the Edible Native & Invasive Plants of

New England workshop with special guest, Arthur Haines, a research botanist from the New England Wild Flower Society. The two-part event will include an indoor Preserving Native Plant Knowledge lecture from 10:30am to noon. This lecture is designed to expose the audience to a wide range of useful plants that grow in New England landscape. Through images, stories of indigenous use and contemporary scientific study, Haines will discuss favorite species while also propos-ing that waning use of wild plants —for food, medicine and fiber— is correlated with the declining health of both our bodies and local landscapes. An ID & Use of Edible Native Plants field walk will take place from 1 to 3:30pm to discover southern New England’s edible native plants. Haines will lead a walk through Audu-bon Greenwich’s 285-acre sanctuary looking for plants that can be used to nourish, heal and craft. Discussions will cover the value of native plants in diets, their uses in herbal therapy, and how to prepare them for human consumption. The lecture cost is $12 for Audubon Greenwich mem-bers and $15 for non-members. The follow-up walk is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Space is limited. All ages are welcome, including children if parents feel they are suitably interested.

For more information on the event, visit Greenwich. Audubon.org/Events/April-26-Edible-Native-Invasive-Plants- New-England. To make the required reservation for each ses-sion, email Jeff Cordulack at [email protected] or call 203-930-1349. Audubon Greenwich is located at 613 Riversville Rd, Greenwich. See ad, page 25.

Lyme Connection Patient Seminar and Health Fair

Lyme Disease: Why Can’t We Get Better?

is the theme of this year’s Ridgefield Lyme Con-nection conference and health fair on May 12. This is the ninth year Lyme Connection has held its May Lyme Awareness month event at Western Connecticut State Univer-sity (WCSU). All activities will be held in the West-side Student Center ballroom. Free and open to the public, the event includes an after-noon integrative medicine workshop from 1 to 4pm with Dr. William Lee Cowden and Eva Sapi, Ph.D. A Lyme-focused health fair begins at 6pm and an evening presentation spot-lighting the work of Lyme-treating physician and author Dr. Richard Horowitz at 7pm. Lyme Disease Association Presi-dent Patricia V. Smith will also receive the first Courage in Advocacy Award. The program concludes at 9:30pm with a question and answer session. The Lyme-focused health fair features exhibitors offering tick-control products and services, Lyme-literate providers, laboratories and other ancillary professionals who support the Lyme-patient community. No registration is required. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis. Over 400 people from 10 states attended in 2014. Lyme Connection, which began as the Ridgefield Lyme Disease Task Force, has served as a tick-borne disease resource in the greater Danbury area for the past 12 years. The group’s annual event sponsors include BugBeWear.com, IGeneX, Inc., Master Supplements, My Health 1st Urgent Care, NutraMedix and Select TCS Tick Control System.

For additional information, visit LymeConnection.org or Facebook.com/RidgefieldLymeResource or email [email protected]. Western CT State University is located at 43 Lake Ave, Danbury.

Our mission is to continually discover, demonstrate and educate that our source of Good is God within.

Ongoing Events

Celebration ServiceSundays at 10:30 am

Celebration Service, Sun at 10:30 amOpen Mic Night, 3rd Sat at 7 pm

Rev. Shawn Moninger, Minister3 Main St, 2nd Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851

(203) 855-7922, www.unitycenternorwalk.org "Swingin’ in a Winter Wonderland" with Chuck Sweeney as Miss Peggy Lee

Reiki Healing Circle, 1st Thu at 7 pmPurls of Wisdom, 2nd Sat at 6:30 pm

Saturday, December 6th at 7:00 pm - $20 Tickets

Special Events

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

Wednesday, December 24th at 6:00 pm

For a listing of our events see the calendar in the back of this issue

Discover the Power Within You at Unity Center

Discover the Power Within You at Unity Center

Discover the Power Within You at Unity CenterWe are a New Thought movement for people who are seeking a positive alternative to traditional religion. We believe that God is good and so are we. We practice practical spirituality to make everday living better.

We laugh, we sing, we pray, we have fun and we like to make new friends. Won’t you become one of them?


Pure House Opens in Westport

The Pure House President and Founder Douglas Mcdonald’s newest high per-

formance, comfort-driven luxury house is currently being finished in Westport and was opened for tours on March 10. The Pure House implements Passive House performance construction criteria, which was established in Germany in 1990. Passive House is a global energy performance standard that uses energy calculation and high material standards for high performance dwellings. The Pure House is made of 100 per-cent pure construction and is estimated to utilize 90 percent less energy than a traditional home. Homes are built with toxin-free building materials – such as flooring, paints, sealants, kitchen cabinets and structural necessities – that are not designated as harmful. Space heating and cooling demand, primary energy demand, airtightness and ther-mal demand are regulated through a se-ries of applications that include thermal window and door insulation, a fresh air exchange system, whole house water filtration and chemical-free practices. “The Pure House is born from the same concept that supports the farm-to-table movement, and the reason why people shop at local farmers’ markets,” states Mcdonald. “The mindset is ap-plied to the construction of new homes; the benefits are the same that one has when choosing organic foods.” The house under construction in Westport is currently on the market for sale. For more information, visit ThePureHouse.com. Follow The Pure House project online at MyCodePlus.com.

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Saturday, April 25, 2015 10AM – 4 PM Fairfield Warde High School, 755 Melville Avenue

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newsbriefs Two Coyotes’ Family Fun Day at Sticks and Stones Farm

Two Coyotes Wilderness School’s 3rd Annual Family Fun Day at Sticks and

Stones Farm in Newtown will be held on April 26 from 1 to 4pm. Fun “Wild Nature” activities will provide whole families with the opportunity to get in-volved in the Two Coyotes experience. There will be live music, food and beverages at the event. The day’s activities will include making fire without matches, wildlife tracking, wild theater, gratitude circles, nature games, natural art, drumming and wild edible plant hikes. All participants who attend will be eligible to win a free one-week camp session. Parents must remain with chil-dren during the family Nature Stations. Two Coyotes Wilderness School location in Newtown offers kids aged 5-16 ongoing, year-round outdoor programs as well as summer camps. Their programs are based on the enduring wisdom of the ages and ancient wilderness skills. The school’s nature education philosophy is derived from the book Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature. This wilder-ness awareness experience and teaching method has been called “mysterious, timeless, hopeful, evocative and playful.”

For more information, visit SticksandStonesFarm.com. For reservations, go to TwoCoyotesFunDay.eventbrite.com. Sticks and Stones Farm is located at 201 Huntingtown Rd, Newtown.

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Stamford Symphony Benefit Concert Supports Wolves

The Spring Concert Benefit with Wolf Conservation Center Founder (WCC)

and pianist Hélène Grimaud and the Stamford Symphony Orchestra will take place on April 25 at 8pm and on April 26 at 3pm. The special benefit performance at the Palace Theater in Stamford will also provide environmental education about wolves.

A pre-concert dinner will be held on April 25 at Cask Republic Restaurant as well as an intimate post-concert din-ner at a private home in Pound Ridge, New York, on April 26 to benefit the center. Full proceeds from all tickets purchased through WCC’s website will directly benefit WCC. The Wolf Conservation Center was founded in 1996 in South Salem, New York. The center has educated more than 35,000 people annually about wolves, their crucial relation-ship to the environment, and how we can all work together to protect them against the possibility of extinction.

For more information on the event, visit Bit.ly/1C4RXb9. To learn more about the Wolf Conservation Center, visit NYWolf.org and Facebook.com/NYWolfOrg, email [email protected] or call 914-763-2373.


The Clean Bedroom Supports Greening Our Children Event

The Clean Bedroom will be exhibit-ing at the Green Expo as part of the

Eighth Annual Greening Our Children Benefit: Science Supporting Safe and Healthy Families. The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Green-wich on May 1 from 6:30 to 10:30pm. Organic cocktails, a seasonal family-style dinner, live music and the Green Expo will be featured during the event. Gary Hirshberg, Stonyfield Farm’s chairman and co-founder and Just Label It’s chairman and founder, will be the featured special guest. A “Green Your Life” package will be auctioned off and part of that pack-age will include a twin-size Obasan Fundy Organic Kid’s Mattress (valued at $999), donated on behalf of both The Clean Bedroom and Obasan. Individual tickets are $500 with group donation prices also available. Proceeds from the Greening our Chil-dren benefit dinner will support the work of the Children’s Environmental Health Center (CEHC) at Mount Sinai. Founded in 2007 and under the leader-ship of pediatrician Dr. Phil Landrigan, the CEHC conducts research to identify the environmental causes of childhood disease and translates these findings into solutions that protect children’s health.

For more information and to register for the event, visit 501Auctions.com/goc/?Mobile=0. For information on The Clean Bedroom, visit TheCleanBedroom.com or call the local showroom at 203-292-9275. The Clean Bedroom’s Green-wich showroom is located at 79 East Put-nam Ave, Greenwich. See ad, page 14.

There’s More To Healthy Vision Than 20/20 Eyesight Eyes Are Important Indicators Of Overall Health

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� e Cleanest Touch LLCBringing nature to your home

Your home is an extension of your body and spirit. Shouldn’t it be a healthy, stress-free environment? We are proud to introduce our new HOUSE GREEN CLEANING SERVICES in Fairfi eld County, CT. We use only “clean” products, including our signature

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newsbriefs

Natural Awakenings Earns Top Franchise Business Award

Natural Awaken-

ings has been ranked in the best 50 in

its size class among 200 companies named in the Franchise Business Review’s 2015 Top Franchises Report. The healthy living magazine was one of five franchise companies cited as best-in-class in the advertising and sales category. To select the top franchises across industries and performance catego-ries, the organization surveyed more than 28,500 franchisees. “We feel privileged that it was our franchisees’ expres-sion of high satisfaction that earned us this award,” says Sharon Bruckman, CEO of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. “Gaining this recognition proves that our process of providing franchisees with editorial, promotional and opera-tional support, partnered with their enthusiastic dedication in individual markets, serves communities well. Together, we are nourishing and growing a healthy living consciousness in America.” The network now encompasses nearly 100 franchi-sees nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Franchise Business Review, headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences. 2015 marked its 10th an-nual Top Franchises Report.

For more information, call Anna Romano at 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com and FranchiseBusinessReview.com. See ad, page 47.

Yoga Culture Presents Yoga Teaching Program

Yoga Culture is offering a 200-hour Yoga Alliance regis-

tered program for aspiring yoga teachers or students who wish to deepen their practice. The yoga teacher training will be held two weekends a month from May 16 through September 19. In Teacher Training, you will learn the basics of yoga: asana (physical practice), philoso-phy, anatomy, Sanskrit, history, class sequencing and more. You will discover tools to grow, create a home practice, lead a class, and learn proper alignment of the asanas (poses) while being supported by new friends and experienced teachers. This training is led by Jenny Schuck, owner of Yoga Culture, and Wendy Hagen – both 500-hour certified yoga teachers with backgrounds in vinyasa yoga. Both continue to study with nationally-recognized teachers Rodney Yee and Natasha Rizopoulis, among others. Yoga Culture is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS). Completion of this training will allow you to receive a 200-hour RYT certification with Yoga Alliance. Natural Awakenings readers will receive $100 off the cost of teacher training if registered by April 30. The May 16-17, May 30-31, June 13-14, June 27-28, July 18-19 and August 1-2 classes occur Saturdays 10am-5pm and Sundays 9:30am-4:30pm. For the August 14-16, August 28-30, September 11-13 and September 18-19 classes, the workshop will also include Fridays, 6-9pm. For more information and to register, visit WeAreYogaCulture.com, email [email protected] or call 203-730-0250. Yoga Culture is located at 105 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury. See ad, page 30.

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Naturopathic Family Medicine

Debra Gibson, ND100 Danbury Road, Suite 102, Ridgefield, CT Ph. 203.431.4443

For over 25 years, Dr. Debra Gibson has provided caring, personal treatment in a friendly, comfortable environment to support healing transformation of body, mind and spirit. Her thorough, wellness-oriented approach investigates the root cause of chronic health concerns, and uses effective natural therapies to heal imbalances underlying conditions such as fatigue, overweight, allergy and autoimmunity, hormonal imbalance (thy(thyroid, PMS, menopause), gastrointestinal disorders, and children’s health issues.


Stress Management and Self Care Class Offered

Creating Calm in the Chaos, a stress management and self care work-

shop, will take place on April 23 from 7 to 8:30pm at Ridgefield’s Turning Point Healing Arts & Education Center. The workshop will address the multidimensional, holistic and integra-tive approach to health and healing to help restore your balance and strength-en the mind-body connection to create calm in the chaos. The Metta Medita-tion of Loving Kindness, breath work, guided imagery and gentle yoga poses will be included in this 90-minute workshop. The fee is $35 per person. The instructor, Christel Autuori, RDH, RYT, MA, CIHC, is a certified AcuYoga instructor and Reiki master and maintains a private health coaching and stress management practice in Ridgefield. She is the founder and owner of Integrative Health of Connecticut (IntegrativeHealthCT.com) and is an adjunct faculty member at Western Connecticut State University. In addition to a master’s degree in integrative health and heal-ing, Autuori is a certified integrative health coach, trained at Duke Integrative Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. For additional information and to register, email [email protected] or call 203-788-0647. Space is limited. Turning Point Healing Arts & Education Center is located at 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield.

The Common Bond Market

40 Huntington St. Shelton, CT

203.513.8200

• Saturday April 18th 12pm to 4pm.

• Featuring local vendors.

• Free reusable bag with $50 purchase.

• Product demos and samples.

• Earth-wise cleaning products.

• Vegetarian and vegan samples from our kitchen..

Earth Day Event at

203-438-7146452 Main Street, Ridgefi eld

touchofsedonaridgefield.com

203-438-7146

Touch of Sedona

A unique boutique with a heartfelt purpose

~ equestrian gifts~ pottery ~ buddas~ crystals of all sizes~ books ~ angels~ crystals of all sizes

OpenEvery DayUntil 5:30

Christel Autuori

Spiritist Event in Stamford

The United States Spiritist Council will host the 9th U.S. Spiritist Symposium on May 2 from 10am to 7pm at the

Marriot Hotel and Spa in Stamford. The event will feature national and international speakers, presentations and work-shops such as Art through Mediumship, Spirit Communica-tions and Manifestations and Instructions from the Beyond, among others. Ongoing workshops include Spiritist Youth Education, English Translation of Spiritist Works and Fraternal Counseling. Participants will benefit from insights of scientific re-search and spirituality and will have the opportunity to learn about self-inquiry techniques. All-day youth activities, facili-tated by spiritist educators, are offered for children in second through 12th grade. Spiritism is a science which deals with the nature, origin and destiny of spirits, as well as their relationship with the corporeal world.

For more information and registration, visit SpiritualityNow.net. The Marriot Hotel and Spa is located at 243 Tresser Blvd, Stamford.

C O N N E C T I C U T 2 0 1 59th US SPIRITIST SYMPOSIUM

LABORATORY OF THE

Based on the Ar t ic les of Al lan Kardec’s “Spir i t ist Review”

Saturday - May 2, 2015 10 am - 7 pm Stamford Marriot Hotel

Presentations include:

The Core of Spiritism Poetry by the Spirits Mozart’s New Piano Sonata Publishing the Word of the Spirits Mysterious Drawings Through Mediums Photography of Thought & Rare Phenomena Communications of the Spirit Allan Kardec

Register at SpiritualityNow.net$20 registration fee. FREE Parking at the hotel w/ validation.

(Youth activities available 2nd-12th grades. Registration required.)

Event organized by

the US Spiritist Council


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Outpatient Hardship Funding Available at Wellspring

Wellspring Counseling

Services, a multi-service mental health agency and educational center, is offering no-fee and sliding-scale counseling services to residents from the Danbury Sav-ings Bank service area who are unin-sured or underin-sured. Wellspring’s group of clinicians includes board certified psychia-trists and licensed marriage and family therapists, professional counselors and social workers. They help individuals facing emotional and psychological issues such as anxiety, depression and mood disorders, stress and adjustment issues, interpersonal rela-tionship issues, school problems of adjustment and perfor-mance, attachment difficulties, and working through trauma and loss. This grant from the Savings Bank of Danbury Founda-tion makes it possible for Wellspring Counseling Services to offer services at a reduced rate or for no cost to residents of Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Southbury and Waterbury. Wellspring Counseling Services operates two outpatient counseling offices, located in Middlebury and Bethlehem. Since its beginning in 1977, Wellspring has expanded its services to provide residential treatment in a private school environment for children and adolescent girls on the main campus, and residential treatment for adults on its own private campus. In addition, extensive outpatient services are offered at two locations and therapeutic special education services for residential and day students on the main campus at the NEASC-accredited Arch Bridge School.

For more information, visit Wellspring.org or call 203-758-2296. For more information about the Savings Bank of Danbury Foundation, email Community Development Officer/AVP Beth Ann Fetzer at [email protected]. Wellspring Counseling Services, two outpatient counseling offices are located at 850 Straits Tpke, Middlebury, and at 21 Arch Bridge Rd, Bethlehem.

newsbriefs

Gil Da Rocha, Assistant Vice President, Southbury Branch Manager;

Mark Johnson, LMFT, Assistant Clinical Director and Director

of Outpatient Services; Kathy Romagnano, President and CEO - Savings Bank of Danbury


Family and Child Psychotherapy

Located on the Old Greenwich/Stamford Border

Robin Ordan, LCSW203-561-8535

www.robinordanlcsw.com

Support and Guidance • DivorceAnxiety • Parent/Child Confl ict

Attachment and Bonding • Trauma • GriefProfessional/Executive Coaching

www.embodythesacred.netridgefield & new milford ct [email protected]

Ph. 203.994.5045

Deana Paqua, MA, LMTshamanic healer, reiki master, spiritual teacher & holistic health educator

Fairfield Students Go “Green” – and Artistic

The Fair-field Earth

Day Celebration 2015, to be held on, April 25, will feature over 100 exhibitors, sus-tainable lifestyle exhibits, cooking demos, garden-ing experts, entertainment and music. A student Art Contest challeng-es elementary, middle school and high school students to get artistic about their hopes and thoughts on the environment. All drawings, paintings, photos and videos will be shown during the celebration at Fairfield Warde High School, the Fairfield’s Earth Day Celebration venue. Emma Gleysteen, a junior at Fairfield Warde High School and chair of this year’s Art Contest, adds, “This is the perfect way to illustrate how ‘every day is Earth Day’ in Fairfield – and how we can make our town a healthier, safer place.” Further highlights of the day-long event include Kristen Graves, a state troubadour, and a life-size replica of the Gus-tave Whitehead aircraft. In addition, the event offers exhibits on clean and renewable alternative energy choices, envi-ronmental conservation, finding healthy, organic foods and products and recycling. Admission to the Fairfield Earth Day Celebration 2015 is free and hours are 10am-4pm. For more information, visit FairfieldEarthDay.wordpress.com. Fairfield Warde High School is located at 755 Melville Ave, Fairfield. See ad, page 9.

Emma Gleysteen, a junior at Fairfield Warde High School and head of the

Art Contest, looks at contest entries from Fairfield students

Health Sciences Center, 60 Lafayette Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604

The UB Clinics, located on the campus of the University of Bridgeport, are staffed by some of the brightest and most talented healthcare professionals of the future. Open to the public, the UB Clinics offer affordable, high quality care at a fraction of the cost of comparable treatments elsewhere.

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Natural Awakenings Westchester Hosts Book Party April 9

Natural Awakenings kicks off its first-ever Book Publishing Party April 9 from 7 to 10pm. at Recologie in New Rochelle, New York. All are invited for a night of meeting and mingling with interesting people. Light refreshments will be served and a cash bar will be available. The event, which celebrates Westches-ter authors Dr. Michael Finkelstein, Cathleen O’Connor and Elizabeth

Harper, will include short talks, opportunities to speak with the authors, book sales and soft music. Finkelstein’s book, Slow Medicine: Hope and Healing for Chronic Illness (SlowMedicineDoctor.com), helps read-ers identify the root cause of their health challenges and presents a step-by-step plan to bring them back into balance. O’Connor and Harper’s book, 365 Days of Angel Prayers (SpiritualLiving.com), is a multi-author anthology of daily spiritual readings written to inspire and guide readers to experience a rich communion with the angelic realm. “While our magazine’s articles are snippets of wisdom, books allow us to dive deeply into a subject,” says Dana Boulanger, co-publisher of Natural Awakenings, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess edition. “In these publishing parties, we’ll be bringing together our Natural Awakenings community of readers and advertisers for a night of socializing, healthy foods and fun. So please come and join the celebration!”

To register, visit WakeUpNaturally.com. Space is limited. $20 entrance fee. For more information, call 914-617-8750. Recologie is located at 49 Lawton St, New Rochelle, NY. For directions, visit Recologie.com.

New Westport Location & Open House for Shalva Clinic

The team at Shalva Clinic will be hosting a fun and educational open

house for the community on May 8 from 4 to 9pm and from 10am to 4pm on May 9. Attendees can mingle with the Shalva Clinic practitioners and check out the new healing center while enjoying refreshments, seminars, herbal medicine workshops and massage thera-py services. There will also be a chance to win one of several raffle items.

Shalva Clinic, LLC, is a full service, privately-owned naturopathic clinic that helps men, women and children. The new location’s larger space broadens the services and work-shops that are offered at Shalva Clinic. Dr. Ellen Lewis, medical director at Shalva Clinic, established the clinic in Westport in 2012. “We are so excited to open our doors in our new location on Lincoln Street in Westport, which will serve as a healing center for the community. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the process of creat-ing a space that is uplifting for both patients and practitioners and I can’t wait to welcome everyone at our upcoming open house,” says Lewis. To RSVP and view the schedule of events at the open house, visit ShalvaClinic.org/OpenHouse. To learn more about naturopathic medicine or schedule an appointment, email Info@ ShalvaClinic.org or call 203-916-4600. Shalva Clinic is located at 8 Lincoln St, Westport. See ad, page 21.

Ellen Lewis


Family Health and Wellness Open House in Ridgefield

On April 25 from 1-4pm, nine Ridgefield health-

care practitioners will open the doors to welcome the commu-nity into their healing spaces at 100 B Danbury Road. The Open House activities will include tours, demonstrations, refreshments, and drawings for door prizes that include free consultations and treatment sessions. All ages are welcome to attend. Attendees can meet the practitioners personally and tour the various facilities. Practitioners participating in the day’s activities include Deb Bossio, a licensed naturo-pathic physician; Kelly Hop-kins-Alvarez, MS, a licensed professional counselor; Jim Tarsi, Jr., MSPT, of Individual Physical Therapy Solutions; and Yudit Maros, LMFT, of Center for Authentic Living. Also joining in the events are the practitioners of the recently established Turning Point Healing Arts and Educa-tion Center.

• JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT, of Turning Point Reiki, LLC, a Reiki master teacher• Stacy Raymond, PsyD, a clinical psychologist• Mary Beth Johnston, LMT, RMT, a licensed massage therapist• Brenda Story, RMT, an energy healing practitioner• Valerie Rich (AmSAT), RM, THRIVE Yoga CT, Alexander Technique To learn more, visit at Turning Point Healing Arts, LLC’s Facebook page for contact information and practitioner descriptions. Through their various areas of expertise, these health and wellness professionals offer services to create balance and enhance ease of body, mind and spirit. For more information, email [email protected], call JoAnn at 203-438-3050, or contact any of the individuals listed above. The Open House will be held at 100B Danbury Rd, Ridgefield.

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WALDORF EDUCATION: An Uncommon Core

In this talk, veteran Waldorf educator,national speaker and education advocatePatrice Maynard will address CommonCore standards and testing vs. the core

of Waldorf Education whichis based on a profound

understanding ofhuman developmentand the human spirit.

WHEN:Tuesday, April 21 at 7:00 pm

WHERE:Housatonic Valley Waldorf SchoolSouth Campus

1 Jacklin RoadNewtown CT 06470Compass Hall, Atrium

AN EVENINGLECTURE with

Patrice Maynard

RSVP: www.waldorfct.org/events, or call: 203.364.1113

HVWS_PatriceMaynard_NatAwake_4.75x4.5_Apr2015_HVS PM K_CT par 2007 3/16/15 11:53 AM Page 1

coverartist

The GardenRobin Mead

Robin Mead sees her whimsical, color-ful art as an “expression of joy,” trans-lated onto paper, canvas and the digital screen. “My creations are highly stylized, and working with subjects like birds and flowers gives me artistic freedom. I can go wherever I want with them and still have them seem believable,” she says. The Garden was created adapt-ing a coloring book technique; Mead outlines her piece in black ink, wets the paper and then drops different colors into the outlined sections to create an organic, dappled effect. Mead’s work spans media and subject matter from acrylic and mixed media paintings of birds and flowers to watercolor landscapes and gardens. She also likes to hand-make multicolored crocheted afghans and art journals as joyful creations for everyday use. Mead was a full-time social work-er before attending art school on Long Island, New York, turning her lifelong passion into a career. Her work can be found in homes around the world, as well as album covers, books and art tutorials. Mead and her husband recently relocated from New York to a small farm in Elberton, Georgia, where the family will raise cows, chickens, bees, vegetables and flowers.

View the artist’s portfolio at Robin- Mead.ArtistWebsites.com or her blog at InsightsAndBellyLaughs.com.


eventspotlight

Awaken To Spring at the Body-Mind-

Spirit Expo

The Awaken Wellness Fair, the area’s oldest body-mind-spirit-green expo, returns to Stamford on April 25 from 10am to 5pm at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel.

The fair includes speakers with a continuous program of talks lasting 45 minutes each at no additional charge. Topics cover a wide range of current wellness subjects intended to help people live a healthier and happier life, including Music for Healing with Dr. Peter Muir and Awaken Your Power: Stepping into the Fullest Expression of Your Possibility with Ozioma. For 13 years, this wellness-focused, educational and experiential event has attracted over 100 exhibitors and more than 1,000 people in recent years to locations throughout the tristate area. Over the years, the fair has expanded from one annual event to seven events this year in New York City, Tar-rytown and Brooklyn, New York and Fort Lee, New Jersey. An assortment of vendors will fill the main ballroom, offering products and services to support a healthy life-style, including essential oils, Ayurvedic doctors, nutritional supplements, organic cleaning products and healing crystals and jewelry. Intuitive readers will offer insight through tarot reading, mediumship, angel reading, numerology, pet readings and more (for entertainment purposes only). There will be healers practicing Reiki, reflexology and energy healing. Discounted rate appointments can be made with readers and healers online in advance after purchasing a fair ticket online. For more information or to purchase an online ticket at a dis-count price, visit AwakenFair.com and click on the Stamford 4-25-15 link. Sheraton Stamford Hotel is located at 700 East Main St, Stamford. See ad, back cover.

Step Into the Quiet of the Woods

• Cabin & Houseboat Rentals

• Food Vendors: Newly Licensed Commercial Kitchen for Rent

• Nature Summer Camps, Educational Workshops, Day Retreats Yoga, Drum Circles, Ukulele Club, Foraging & more

• Organic Farm Stand

• Moss, Stone, Native Plants, Garden Benches, Sculptures

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• Holistic Health Coach, CIA Trained Chef Wellness Cooking Classes, Transformational Weight Loss

• Farm Available for Benefits, Special Events, Weddings

at Sticks & Stones to experience this working Farm, Educational and

Retreat Center

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Seasonal, food, and environmental allergies can be eliminated with a revolutionary, noninvasive, child-friendly technique!Enhance immune and digestive system function to assist

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

Vanishing Wildlife50 Percent Gone in Under 50 yearsThe latest World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Living Planet Report shows that the Living Planet Index (LPI), which measures more than 10,000 representative populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, has declined by 52 percent since 1970. The report is widely

considered the leading science-based analysis on the health of our planet and the impact of human activity (Tinyurl.com/WWF-Living-Planet-Report). In fewer than two human generations, populations of vertebrate species—the life forms that constitute the fabric of life-sustaining ecosystems and serve as a barometer of how humans are impacting nature—have dropped by half. Nature con-servation and sustainable development go hand-in-hand; it’s not only about preserv-ing biodiversity and wild places, but about safeguarding the future of humanity. Living Planet Report partners include the Zoological Society of London, Global Footprint Network and Water Footprint Network. Marco Lambertini, direc-tor general of WWF International, states, “We need leadership for change. Sit-ting on the bench waiting for someone else to make the first move, doesn’t work. Heads of state need to start thinking globally; businesses and consumers need to stop behaving as if we live in a limitless world.”

Corporate Do-GoodersU.S. Recognizes Companies for Earth-Sound PoliciesEach year, the U.S. Department of State presents Awards for Corporate Excellence recognizing U.S.-owned businesses that play vital roles worldwide as good cor-porate citizens. Parameters include sup-porting sustainable development, respect for human and labor rights, environmen-tal protection, open markets, transpar-ency and other democratic values. The 2014 winners, announced last December, include the EcoPlanet Bam-boo Group, in Nicaragua, for fostering sustainable development by regenerat-ing degraded pasturelands. The company dedicates 20 percent of its plantations as natural habitat that protects biodiversity by prohibiting ille-gal hunting. EcoPlanet also focuses on employing persons with disabilities and empowering women through recruit-ment to managerial positions. Wagner Asia Equipment, LLC, in Mongolia, a heavy equipment dealership, is recognized for its commitment to pub-lic/private partnerships with Mongolia’s local and national governments designed to protect the environment. Initiatives include planting more than 900 trees, conducting workshops for students on en-vironment and ecology, implementing a project to build a community garden and rehabilitating a toxic waste site. Other finalists include the Coca-Cola Company, in the Philippines; Chevron Corporation, in Burma; ContourGlobal, in Togo; General Electric, in South Africa; General Electric International, in Tunisia; GlassPoint Solar, in Oman; and the Linden Centre, in China.

For more information on finalists, visit Tinyurl.com/ACE2014Finalists.

Thriving Eco-TownsMalaysian Villages Model SustainabilityInnovations being successfully pioneered in Malaysia offer ideas for improving the world, according to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), including the construction of high-tech, self-sustaining ecological “smart” villages. These villages are lifting incomes for scores of rural families while promoting environmental sustainability. Each 50-acre community consists of about 100 affordable homes, advanced educational, training and recreational facilities and an integrated, sustainable farm system that provides villagers with food and employment that on average, triples their monthly income. Low-cost, 1,000-square-foot homes are built in 10 days and the commu-nal farming operations include a cascading series of fish tanks, or “aquafarms”. Filtered fish tank wastewater irrigates trees, grain fields and high-value plants grown in “autopots”, a three-piece container with a valve that detects soil mois-ture levels and releases water as required, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Free-range chickens feed on the fast-reproducing worms that process the plant compost. This system optimizes nutrient absorption, minimizes waste and enables crops to be grown on previously non-arable land. The village’s solar-generated power is complemented by biomass energy and mini-hydro electricity. A commu-nity hall, resource center, places of worship, playgrounds and educational facili-ties equipped with 4G Internet service support e-learning and e-health services.

phot

o by

MIG

HT


The Center For Natural Medicine

Experts in Science-Based Natural MedicineRevoluti onizing Pati ent Care

• Pediatrics• ADD/ADHD• Eczema• Allergies• Asthma• Food Sensiti viti es• Chronic Fati gue

• Women’s Health• Hormonal Imbalance• Abnormal Paps• Thyroid Disorders• Inferti lity• Insomnia• Weight Loss

• Men’s Health• Erecti le Dysfuncti on• Prostate Disorders• Anxiety and Depression• Autoimmune Disease• Ankylosing Spondyliti s• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Our Specialti es Include and are Not Limited ToDr. Ellen LewisDr. Kulveen Virdee

Dr. Andrew CumminsCindy Weschler, APRN

Shannon Reynolds, LMTTracy Pardo

Beverly LewisAmanda Placeres

Westport’s PremierNaturopathic Clinic

Naturopathic ServicesNaturopathic Primary Care

Acute CareLab & Diagnosti c Services

Specialty ServicesFoundati on Training Exercise Program

Pelvic Floor TherapyAbnormal Pap & Escharoti c Treatment

Community WellnessClasses and WorkshopsCommunity Meditati on

Vitality Enhancement TherapiesHydrotherapy

Craniosacral TherapyReiki

AcupunctureThai Massage

Mayan Uterine Massage

Come Visit Us at Our New Locati onSave the Date for Shalva Clinic’s Open House Celebrati on!

Mother’s Day Weekend - Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9thYou and your family and friends will enjoy:

Healthy bites and beverages • Innovati ve talks and ti ps • Free massages • Herbal medicine demosFun and delicious recipes • Raffl es and prizes!!!!

Visit www.shalvaclinic.org/openhouse to RSVP and view the schedule of events.

Call (203) 916-4600 to receive your complimentary 15 minute consultati on with one of our providers.

8 Lincoln Street, Westport, CT 06880 • P 203.916.4600 F 203.916.4601 • [email protected] • Shalva Clinic, LLC

We’ll see you there… don’t forget to RSVP!


Sustainable Shopping TipsSmart Choices Help Our Home PlanetThe buy local movement and popularity of local farmers’ markets continue to grow, but we can do even better when it comes to sustainable shopping. A recent Greendex.com survey on environmental impacts of consumer behaviors in 18 countries reports that more Americans are eating local and organic foods and say they’re going to consume less meat and bottled water. Nevertheless, we continue to eat the most processed and packaged foods and the fewest fruits and vegetables of all the countries surveyed. Evidently, we need to literally put our money where our mouths are. The Greendex survey cites several basic ways to make our diets more sustainable. These include eating more vegetables and less beef and lamb (recognizing the greater environmental impact of raising animals); participating and supporting community supported agriculture and fishery initiatives; economizing meal planning; and storing food properly in the refrigerator to maximize space and freshness periods. When grocery shopping, peruse the perimeter aisles first, where whole foods are stocked, instead of the interior shelves, which typically comprise processed foods according to MotherEarthLiving.com.

ecotip

More cooperation between the public and private sec-tors and individual involvement can also increase sustain-ability in communities around the world. Rachael Durrant, Ph.D., a research fellow with the UK-based Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group, cites in a re-cent paper the need for improved understanding of the key roles that civil society organizations play within processes of large-scale social change and warned that many com-munities are vulnerable to grave environmental and social risks. Durrant lauds “greener, fairer and healthier practices, such as community garden-ing or cookery classes,” plus “those that change the rules of the game through campaigns or lobbying to coordinate and facilitate activities of other groups.” Supporting food and farming management that’s independent, cooperative and welcomes volunteers, for example, is highly beneficial.

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of

MEET ANDREA PRIOR TO THE WORKSHOP AT:

Catch A Healthy HabitThursday, March, 26th6:30 pm to 8:00 pm39 Unquowa RoadFairfield, CT

at the

Unity Center of NorwalkThursday, March, 19th7:30 pm to 8:30 pm3 Main StreetNorwalk, CT

Sponsored by:

naturalawakenings

Finding FeathersTuesday, March 247:00 pm to 8:30 pm395 Commerce DriveFairfield, CT

9 Picketts Ridge Road, Redding, CT

Friday, April 17th10 am - 6 pm

Fee: $225 $250.00(before April 10th), (after)

Click here for more info. & to register:

This ONE-DAY workshop introduces Andrea's unique approach to marketing and how it

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This ONE-DAY workshop introduces Andrea's unique approach to marketing and how it integrates spiritual/ holistic practice with psychological self-inquiry.Andrea explains the journey, rather the initiation, into the Science of Spiritual Marketing, the “29 steps”, which includes: how to breakthrough old patterns, create quantum leaps and “connect the dots” faster in monetizing your business.This workshop de-mystifies marketing, empowering business owners to transform old beliefs and step into the future their soul is yearning to experience.

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Childhood Vaccinations in Connecticut

An amendment to Connecticut’s religious exemption for vaccination

was proposed in the beginning of March and at press time, the HB 6949 bill was under consideration by the Connecticut General Assembly’s Joint Committee of Public Health. Under the proposed changes, the parents or guardian of a child seeking a religious exemption from a required immunization will be required to have a statement notarized that includes language attesting that the parents or guardian have reviewed and understand evidence-based instructional material provided by the Department of Public Health regarding the risks to such child and to others of such child failing to receive adequate immunizations. If the parent does not agree with the provided material and chooses to not sign the notarized letter of agreement, a religious exemption will not be granted. Parents or guardians are currently required to only state such immuniza-tions would be contrary to their religious beliefs. Connecticut does not have a philosophical exemption for vaccina-tions at this time. This raises questions about what purpose the notarized statement about perceived medical risks serves since it pertains to individual religious beliefs and whether it will potentially be used against parents during later legal pro-ceedings. In addition, there is a legal question about whether the proposed bill conflicts with parents’, guardians’ and their children’s First Amendment rights.

If you want to express your opinion for or against this bill, you can make your views heard in Hartford the following ways:• Call, send an email, or write a letter or fax to all public health committee members about your concerns. A full list can be found at CGA.CT.gov/PH under Committee Membership.• Schedule an in-person meeting, call or email your state representative and state senator in case the bill is approved and is sent to the House and/or the Senate.


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Aqua-Scapes

Living Pools Transform Backyards

by Nicole Miale

While the words “swimming pool” may evoke an inviting image of glistening, crystal-

line blue water shining in the sun, the toxicity of that clear blue water has been a concern for years. There is a growing movement away from chemi-cal-laden sparkling waters to healthier water that, although a bit murkier, is inhabited by nature’s own clean-ers: plants, soils, animals and friendly bacteria. Vincenzo Torcasio has been in the pool business for 30 years, 18 of those as owner of his own Bethel-based Aqua-Scapes business, formerly located in Danbury. As one of only six Biotop natural pool partners in the United States, his company is at the forefront of a new movement that is changing the pool industry. Anticipating that more people would want a pool with fewer chemicals and a more natural environ-ment, Torcasio asked Biotop five years ago if they would partner with him. The Austria-based company turned him down then, saying the demand for their innovative pools in the U.S. wasn’t there yet – even though in Europe the natural pool has been available for 30 years. A year ago, Biotop relented. “The market in the U.S. has totally flipped, overtaking the European market,” Tor-casio explains. “There was no demand for these pools until fairly recently, but I

can already see that in a year or two I’ll be doing mostly these pools and a lot less of the conventional style pool.” Peter Petrich, founder of Biotop, is credited with inventing the concept of the natural pool, which began as his graduate school thesis. Natural swim-ming pools are self-cleaning pools which combine swimming areas and water gardens or plant zones. The pools have skimmers and pumps that circulate the water through the plant or “regeneration” zones,” where the living plants act as organic cleansers, much as they do in a naturally occurring lake or pond. Friendly bacteria attach to rocks, gravel or tile, creating another biologi-cal filter to keep the water clean. Torcasio says the 100 percent chemical-free aspect of the Biotop approach was what attracted him in the beginning. “There is a whole phi-losophy and science behind this that is proven and works. Chlorine has been

a necessary evil for years,” he explains. “But it’s not a healthy chemical and it does a lot of nasty things. People are becoming more aware of this. They don’t want to be exposed to it and don’t want their kids swimming in it.” “A traditional pool is sterile and dead,” Torcasio continues. “The chlo-rine has killed off everything. The water in our pools is literally alive, just like a lake or a pond. It’s very refreshing and clean, without any of the negative ef-fects of chlorine.” The natural pool supports flora and fauna and, over time, becomes the basis for a new ecosystem in the yard. “Since these pools are natural water, you will have frogs, dragonflies, maybe turtles, swimming in the water with you,” Torcasio says. “That’s part of what makes these pools healthier, the natural environment works together.” Since the health of the water itself is critically important to the success of


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the natural pool, sometimes the water is trucked in from a mineral spring in upstate New York. Once the main pool has been filled, the homeowner’s well can be used for simple refills. Torcasio works with architects to design and plan the pools, which can be many shapes, sizes and styles. There are three primary options for the pool setup. 1. The appearance is similar to a regular pool with the filtration plant zone out of sight and not part of the landscape 2. A setup similar to a regular pool but with the filtration plant zone built as a water garden/feature near but not part of the actual pool. 3. The pool and the plant zone are one and the same, with the plants grow-ing in the pool where people swim. Torcasio was surprised most of his customers have chosen the third option, which is the most natural and least traditional pool of the three. “The people who want this have usually done their homework and they know what they want, which is to have a pool as natural as possible,” he says. “If someone wants crystal clear, blue water, this isn’t the pool for them. It ap-peals to a different customer.” The design and size will determine the cost but per square foot the cost is the same as a traditional gunite pool. The difference is that the regeneration zone also has to be factored in – the whole area needed will be somewhat larger. The typical installation time-frame is 2-3 months. Conversion of an existing gunite pool to a natural pool is not a complicated process but Torcasio says sometimes there can be issues of space since the additional regeneration zone must be incorporated into the original layout.

Aqua-Scapes services the tri-state area and Northeast with Biotop Natural pools. Their showroom is located at 23 Francis J. Clarke Cir, Bethel. For more information, call 203-743-7665, email [email protected] or visit AquascapesPool.com. See ad, page 30.

Nicole Miale is publisher/executive editor of Natural Awakenings Fairfield County. Connect with her at [email protected].

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While the idea that we humans stand apart from—or even above—nature is a prevail-

ing theme in much of modern civiliza-tion, naturalists and other clever souls throughout the ages have observed that the opposite is true: We are part of, depend on and evolve with nature—and we ignore this vital connection at our peril. “If one way is better than another, that you may be sure is nature’s way,” admonished the Greek philosopher Aristotle, in the third century B.C.E. “Time destroys the speculation of men, but it confirms the judgment of na-ture,” Roman politician and philosopher Cicero ruminated two centuries later. Nobel Prize-winning physicist and philosopher Albert Einstein remarked, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Today, more of us are looking to nature for ways to improve physical, mental and emotional health, develop

intelligence, innovate, overhaul how we build homes and neighborhoods, and raise our children.

Healthful Nature As Henry David Thoreau wrote in his classic 1854 book Walden, “We need the tonic of wildness.” While we know firsthand how walking in the woods can elevate mood, scientists have documented that a regular dose of nature has other far-reaching benefits. It can lower stress hormone levels, blood pressure and undesirable cholesterol; help heal neurological problems; hasten fuller recovery from surgery and heart at-tacks; increase cancer-fighting white blood cells; and generally aid overall health (Health Promotion International research report; also Nippon Medical School study, Tokyo). Regular playtime outdoors helps children cope with hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders, accord-

ing to research published in Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care. Exposure to nature can help adults escape from today’s wired lives; reinvigorate, be fitter and less likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes and heart disease, as reported in studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and a University of Washington research summary. It can also unlock understanding of the spiri-tual essence of life. Hours regularly spent by youth outdoors stimulate imagination and creativity and enhance cognitive development, helping them learn. Nature also helps youngsters develop social awareness, helping them better

navigate human relations (Tinyurl.com/Outdoor-HealthBenefitsResearch). “It’s strange and

kind of sad that we are so removed from nature that we

actually have to ask why nature is good for us,” says Dr. Eva Selhub, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, author of the new book Your Health Destiny, and co-author of Your Brain on Nature. “The fact is our brains and bodies are wired in concert with nature.” Recognition of nature’s positive effects has grown so much in recent years that physicians increasingly write their patients “prescriptions” to go hiking in the woods, counting on the healthy exercise and exposure to sunlight, nature and soothing views to address health problems stemming from poor diets and sedentary life-styles. Healthcare clinics and hospitals in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Indianapolis, Albuquerque, New Mexico, California’s Bay Area and elsewhere have launched Prescription Trails programs aimed at objectives from preventing obesity in children to healthful activities for retirees (Tinyurl.com/AmericanHealthTrails). Bestselling author Richard Louv calls the positive nature effect “vitamin N” in The Nature Principle. He con-tends: “Many of us, without having a name for it, are using the nature tonic. We are, in essence, self-medicating with an inexpensive and unusually convenient drug substitute.”

Nature’s WisdomIts Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Usby Christine MacDonald

The environment is not separate from ourselves; we are inside it and it is inside us; we make it and it makes us.

~ Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, Amazon shaman


Such ideas are commonly ac-cepted in many cultures. The Japanese believe in the restorative power of shinrin-yoku, which could be trans-lated as “forest medicine” or “forest bathing”. Indigenous peoples like the Brazilian tribe led by Shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, fighting to pre-serve their land and way of life in the Amazon, profess to be at one with the innate riches of sustainable rainforests (SurvivalInternational.org/parks).

Innovative NatureScientists, inventors and other innova-tors are increasingly inspired by nature. Biomimicry, part social movement and part burgeoning industry, looks to how Earth’s natural systems work and solve problems. University of Utah research-ers, inspired by the durable homes built by sandcastle worms, are creating a synthetic glue that one day could help repair fractured bones. Architectural components manufacturer Panelite makes energy-efficient insulated glass by mimicking the hexagonal structure that bees use in honeycombs. (Find other precedents at Tinyurl.com/ BiomimicryCaseExamples).

The inspiration for biomimicry comes from many places, says Dayna Baumeister, Ph.D. co-founder of Bio-mimicry 3.8, a Missoula, Montana, company working with other companies and universities to propel biomimicry into the mainstream. “People are recognizing that they’ve been disconnected to the natu-ral world,” she says. “We also realize that [as a species] we are in trouble. We don’t have all the answers, but we can look to other species for inspira-tion” for clearing pollutants from our bodies and environments. Plants and fungi are now com-monly used to clean up old industrial sites that resemble nature’s way of removing pollutants from water and

soil. A University of California, Berkeley, meta-study confirms that farmers cur-rently using organic farming methods and solar power achieve roughly the same crop yields as conventional techniques with far less dependence on fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gases and petrochemical pesticide and fertilizer pollution.

Cyclical NatureThese breakthrough technologies emu-late the way nature uses the building blocks of life in an endless cycle of birth, reproduction, decay and rebirth. It’s part of a broad rethinking of the principles behind sustainability—build-ing, manufacturing and living in greater harmony with natural systems, perhaps eventually eliminating landfills, air and water pollution, and toxic site cleanups. “A toxin is a material in the wrong place,” says architect William Mc-Donough, of Charlottesville, Virginia. The only individual recipient of the Presidential Award for Sustainable De-velopment, he is co-author of Cradle-to-Cradle, a groundbreaking book that calls for re-envisioning even the nastiest waste, and The Upcycle: Beyond Sus-

Scientific studies show that a regular dose of nature has far-reaching health benefits. More doctors now write “nature” prescriptions for their patients.


tainability—Designing for Abundance. McDonough imagines a world where waste becomes raw material for new buildings, furniture and other goods—akin to how a forest reuses every de-ceased tree and animal to nourish the ecosystem and spawn new life. With 80 percent of U.S. residents currently living in urban areas, archi-tects, builders and municipal planners are likewise pivoting toward nature, prompted by the scientific evidence of the many ways that human health and general well-being rely upon it. While this contact is preferably the kind of “stopping by woods” that inspired New England poet Robert Frost, even a walk in a city park will work. “Urban nature, when provided as parks and walkways and incorporated into building design, provides calm-ing and inspiring environments and encourages learning, inquisitiveness and alertness,” reports the University of Washington’s College of the Environ-ment, in Green Cities: Good Health. The American Planning Associa-tion stresses the importance of inte-grating green space into urban neigh-borhoods. Not only does so-called “metro nature” improve air and water quality and reduce urban heat island effects, urban wilds such as Pittsburgh’s Nine Mile Run and Charlotte, North Carolina’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway also restore natural connections in densely populated city centers.

Natural Intelligence A growing number of scientists say that research about our place in nature has sparked fresh thinking about our role and devastated quaint notions about our species’ superiority. “Single-celled slime

True-Life ‘Aha!’ Reads10 Lessons from Nature to Inspire Our Everyday Lives by David Miller, Tinyurl.com/10InspiringLessons FromNature

9 Amazing Lessons from Nature to Inspire Your Everyday Life by Annie Hauser, Tinyurl.com/9InspiringLessons FromNature

Intelligence in Nature by Jeremy Narby

Life Lessons from Nature by Elvis Newman

Cathedrals of the Spirit by T. C. McLuhan

Your Brain on Nature by Eva Selhub

Man is everywhere a disturbing agent. Wherever he plants his foot, the harmonies of nature are turned to discord. The proportions and accommodations that ensured the stability of existing arrangements are overthrown. Of all organic beings, man alone is to be regarded as essentially a destructive power.

~George Perkins Marsh, Man and Nature (1864)

molds solve mazes. Brainless plants make correct decisions and bees with brains the size of pinheads handle ab-stract concepts,” points out Anthropolo-gist Jeremy Narby, author of the ground-breaking book Intelligence in Nature. At a national conference of Bi-oneers, an organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Francisco that gathers nature-minded social and scientific innovators, Narby said: “We are nearly identical to many animals. Many behaviors once thought to be exclusively human are shared by other species. The zone of the specifically human, as determined by science, has been shrinking.” We haven’t lost the ability to tap that primal animal inside, even if most of us are more likely to “venture into the forest” by watching a movie or playing video games. We may feel cut off from our instincts, but studies show time in the woods can do wonders to restore the keenness of our senses to connect with the subtle changes in natural habitat, the movements of other species and the changing seasons. The rise of human civilizations may have taken “survival of the fittest” in new directions, often decidedly tamer ones, but experts ranging from scientific researchers to lifestyle ana-lysts say humankind is still hardwired by our more primitive past. Despite the ingenious ways we’ve devised to exploit other life forms, capitalize on Earth’s resources and protect ourselves from nature’s sometimes terrifying power, our fate remains linked to natural laws and limits, from nurturing our body’s im-mune system to resolving planet-sized problems like climate change. “‘Nature’ is our natural environ-

ment,” according to Selhub. We don’t have to move to the country to recon-nect, she says. “Even spending 20 minutes a day outside has an effect.” Houseplants, nature photos and aro-matherapy Earth scents can also help indoor environments better reflect our own nature. The wealth of research and com-mon sense wisdom is aptly summed up by celebrated author Wendell Berry in The Long-Legged House. “We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it’ll be possible to live by the contrary assump-tion, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.”

Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., whose specialties include health and science. Visit ChristineMacDonald.info.


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Dr. Ellen Lewis of the Shalva Clin-ic in Westport has many patients – some with children – who

want her as their primary care doctor. But at least for now, she can’t fulfill that role for them in the state of Connecticut. As a naturopathic doctor (ND), Lewis focuses on holistic, proactive preven-tion and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, using natural healing agents such as herbs, vitamins, nutrient supple-ments and other techniques. The most common ailments NDs treat include allergies, chronic pain, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, obesity, heart disease, fibromyalgia and menopause. NDs have full diagnostic capabilities. They can diagnose and treat patients, refer patients to get X-rays or cat scans, and order medical devices such as an e-glucose monitor or an insulin pump for diabetes. However, at this time, Lewis and other NDs in Connecticut cannot prescribe medications – including B12 nutrient therapy, which is easily admin-istered in an office – because they have no prescriptive authority. That might change this year as the Connecticut Naturopathic Physicians Association (CNPA) and the University of Bridgeport’s College of Naturopathic

Practice of Natural Medicine Evolves in CT NDs Seek Expanded Practice Scope

by Angela Pascopella

Medicine (UBCNM) are urging the state legislature to update a nearly century-old law. On March 16, the state legis-lature’s public health committee held a public hearing to hear HB 6797. The CNPA and UBCNM are urging support-ers to contact their legislators and push this bill along. The bill appears to have significant support in the public. As of 2012, the National Institutes of Health stated that 33 percent of American adults use some complementary or integrative approach-es to health. “It’s a good chunk of the public that uses integrative medicine,” says Michael Jawer, director of govern-ment and public affairs for the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Approximately 4,400 naturopathic doctors are now licensed nationwide. Twenty states and territories license NDs, and 11 of those currently allow NDs to have prescriptive authority.

The HistoryConnecticut’s law giving NDs licenses to practice in the state dates back to the early 1920s. Until the 1980s, NDs could only prescribe foods. In 1985, Dr. Rick Liva, president and chairman of the legislative committee for the state asso-


ciation, and a colleague from Guilford pushed to have the law allow NDs to prescribe anything delivered orally, in-cluding herb and vitamins. Prescriptions were excluded. In 2014, the state law was updated to include more modern language about how NDs can diagnose illness, prevent it with natural remedies and treat patients. However, without prescriptive au-thority, the law still does not accurately reflect the dramatic advances in the edu-cation, training, experience and compe-tence of NDs in the past few decades. Pharmacology and anatomy are among the subjects NDs study in naturopathic medical school; in fact, the first two years of their education is similar to a medical doctor’s cur-riculum. The second two years diverge when NDs learn more about botanical and nutritional medicine, Jawer says. UBCNM requires more hours of basic and clinical science than many top medical schools, adds Liva, who is also chief medical director of Middle-town-based Vital Nutrients. UBCNM is only one of five accredited naturopathic four-year graduate programs in the U.S.

and the only one in the eastern region of the U.S.

The Push for PrescriptionsThe movement to shift the law has been ramping up for the past several years. For the past two years, changes have been proposed to the Connecticut De-partment of Public Health, which is the first step in the lengthy process to get approval. The department reviews any proposed written changes of the law before it can be sent to the legislature’s Public Health Committee. Connecticut is not alone in this effort; naturopathic doctors in several states are seeking expanded prescrip-tive authority. In California, naturopathic doctors can prescribe medications, but they must be overseen by a medical doctor, explains Jawer. The current law in Connecticut means UBCNM’s program cannot efficiently meet its educational mission in training doctors for prepara-tion to work in all states, including those with more expansive scopes of practice and prescriptive authority, says Dr. David M. Brady, vice provost of the health science division and director of human

nutrition institute at the university. It is often necessary to bring in medical doctors to supervise proce-dures and oversee treatment within the competency and practice authority of the ND in other states, Brady expands. The UBCNM program occasionally has to send their students and interns out of state to receive certain types of ad-vanced clinical training that the students wish to pursue, he says. Liva adds that students sometimes “beeline out of the state because they don’t want to prac-tice in a state that has a 90-year-old law. Connecticut loses a sort of brain drain.” “We need to have the ability to de-liver more comprehensive types of care and services in the UB clinics, where we now see over 20,000 patients – mainly those from the greater Bridgeport area who often have little or no insurance and who are unable to obtain such proac-tive care on the private market,” says Dr. Brady, who is also a naturopathic physi-cian at Whole Body Medicine in Trum-bull and Fairfield. A new law is needed to reflect modern life, he continues. Under the current situation, many patients go to two doctors, their medi-

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cal doctor and ND, which means they spend more time and money going to redundant appointments. The patients often give up when they can’t get an appointment for weeks and do not get follow-up care, Dr. Brady states. An ND can examine and diagnose a client with a urinary tract infection now, for example, but can’t treat her with anti-biotics. “It’s really silly at this point,” Brady declares. “And the state has primary care work shortage issues and here are the other primary care workers who are ready and willing.” In the latest round to get the bill considered in the state legislature, Liva says he submitted documents that included NDs’ adequate education requirements and the adequate knowledge to prescribe medication. His documents include the safety record of NDs in other states such as Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Montana, New Hampshire and Ver-mont. “Their safety record is extremely good,” pronounces Liva. He adds that no evidence has been found of an ND being disciplined for inadvertently hurting someone or worse when they prescribed medication.

What the New Law Would EncompassThe new law would include a five-month long refresher pharmacology online training course and a post-course exam to ensure NDs have the proper knowledge of pharmaceuti-cals. If NDs do not pass the test, they won’t receive prescrip-tive authority. Right now, NDs do learn about biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and pathology, among many other courses. “This provides the background knowl-edge to properly prescribe pharmaceuticals,” Liva says.

“Our training is just as robust as MDs in regard to all of that background education.” NDs only want to use prescriptions conservatively and appropriately where people need them, Liva continues. NDs would be able to help clients, if they so chose, to reduce medication whenever and wherever pos-sible in a safe, slow matter. Under the proposed law, NDs would not be able to prescribe any cancer drugs, general anesthetics, some narcotics (such as ketamine), certain injec-tions, abortion drugs or anti-psychotic drugs. “I am an expert in natural medicine, drugs and conven-tional medicine,” says Liva, who has been practicing for 30 years. “My most passionate goal is to teach people about effective natural medicine therapies and how to incorporate them into their lives to increase health and well-being, and to alleviate disease.” Brady says the issue won’t just disappear. “They [state legislators] know we’re serious and that we’re not going away,” he adds. “And we’ll keep banging on the door until it opens and we are given the ability to serve our patients to the level of our training and competency. And every year that it’s delayed, more doctors are leaving Connecticut and fewer patients are served.” “It’s not about one profession versus the other,” Shalva Clinic’s Lewis sums up. “We work well in preventive medi-cine and we reduce the overall health care costs and burdens for people.”

Angela Pascopella is a 26-year veteran of journalism. She is also an editor for a national, monthly trade publication.

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When Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo wrote and published Eat Right 4 Your Type in 1996 about how certain foods may harm or heal the body depending on individual

blood type, he was scratching the surface of what has now become a wider area of inquiry. In 2012, D’Adamo, a world-renowned naturopathic physician (ND) and researcher, started operating with the University of Bridgeport’s Center of Excel-lence in Generative Medicine. Generative medicine is a natu-ropathic specialty that strives to identify the body’s self-healing processes and allows the physician to partner with the patient. The center blends natural healing techniques with state-of-the-art diagnostics and proprietary software – written by D’Adamo – to develop a genetically-tailored diet specific for each patient. “The computer is a wonderful assistant to good bedside medicine and clinical experience,” he says. D’Adamo can map patients’ genetic makeup to discover

which of the six GenoType plans is right for them using fam-ily history, blood type and simple diagnostic tools—such as fingerprint analysis and jaw angle measurements. D’Adamo is hopeful the proposed state legislature bill to give naturopathic physicians in Connecticut prescriptive authority will pass. “There is an underserved population out there who can be served and be more comfortable with natu-ropathic physicians,” he says. “The bottom line is that it’s just good medicine.” D’Adamo uses these four ‘p’ words as the basis for his center’s approach: Prediction: All forms of information – molecular, genomic and traditional – are integrated into a program of appropriate treatment. This can help avoid drug reactions and optimizes exceptional clinical responses. Prevention: The physician anticipates health problems and focuses on wellness, not disease. Personalization: Taking a careful patient history, performing a thorough physical exam, and using innovative diagnostic testing allows an ND to hone in on treatments and recommendations specific to each patient. Participation: The patient is placed at the center of the medical team and is empowered to take more responsibility for their health and care than in the conventional model.

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If you want to express your opinion for or against this bill, you can make your views heard in Hartford the following ways:• Call, send an email, or write a letter or fax to all public health committee members about your concerns. A full list can be found at CGA.CT.gov/PH under Committee Membership.• Schedule an in-person meeting, call or email your state representative and state senator in case the bill is approved and is sent to the House and/or the Senate.

Naturopathic Specialty Blends State-Of-The-Art With

Ancient Healing Wisdomby Angela Pascopella


Vis medicatrix naturae, the defin-ing principle of naturopathic medicine, translates from Latin

as “the healing power of nature.” Im-

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plicit in this guiding precept of natural healthcare are two assumptions: that human beings are part of nature, and that each of you holds within you the

ability to heal. In this age of heroic medicine and an increasingly complex “disease-care” system, these are radical and provocative notions. They ask you to recall your place in the natural world and place you front and center in your own healing journey. The healer within invites and empowers you to align with the wisdom of nature for your good and to each become the author of your unique healing story. It enables you to choose to partner with healing profes-sionals as guides and facilitators to help activate and strengthen your connection with this powerful healing energy – the “inner healer” inside us all. How can you best answer this invi-tation? Healing traditions through time have recognized paths to access this power and strengthen your connection to it.

Cultivate TrustMedia and advertising can foster a state of existential alarm for health risks large and small. Yet anxieties about bodily decline, suffering and death become real and immediate in the face of seri-ous illness. Your default setting for both free-floating threats and those close to home is fear; acknowledging fear and learning how to respond to it can be important elements of healing. But you can also choose to strengthen your capacity for trust in an inner healing power that is intelligent and, working

Access the Inner Healer Within

Recall Your Place in the Natural World

by Debra Gibson


in its own orderly fashion, knows just what it’s doing to make you whole. In his book Quantum Healing, Deepak Chopra, M.D., writes: “When a blood cell rushes to a wound site and begins to form a clot, it has not traveled there at random. It actu-ally knows where to go and what to do when it gets there…Even if we break down its knowledge into finer and finer bits, looking for the secret in some minute hormone or messenger enzyme, we will not find a protein strand labeled ‘intelli-gence’, and yet there is no doubt that intelligence is at work.” When you move into a place of trust in the process of your healing, you open up a dialogue with this intelligence that, with practice, grows and deepens. One that you can rely on for clarity in the midst of confusion, for greater peace in the face of discomfort or pain, and which becomes a source of healing in itself.

Support HealthIt is commonly accepted that a primary role of medicine is to “fight disease.” This perspective has contributed to the emer-gence of pharmaceutical and medical technology industries to provide weapons for this fight (although natural medicine can use agents from nature in this adversarial way as well). If instead you shift the primary emphasis to strengthening and supporting health, the force for healing flows more freely. The body has its own very effective means to defend itself, whether from attack by harmful microorganisms or from silent invasion by cancer cells. It only loses its ability to defend itself when its strength and balance have been signifi-cantly disrupted. If that were not the case, none of us would be here, as we are all descendants of survivors of health crises predating the advances of modern medicine. In fact, the assists of modern medicine, when they are necessary, are made more effective when the body’s response to them is bolstered in natural ways. You build a solid foundation for healing and supporting health by clearing obstacles to normal function (such as inflammation and toxicity) and moving into alignment with nature’s own precepts for creat-ing balance and wellness.

Honor the HeartHealing is a holistic and evolutionary process of discovery – what begins as a physical ailment may cause us to inves-tigate our thoughts and beliefs. This may, in turn, lead you to acknowledge the bleak landscape of the heart’s wounds and seek resolution for them. Conversely, as the heart finds peace, so may the body and mind become whole. Central to authentic healing is the opening of the heart to compassion for self and others. In the movement towards wholeness that is at the core of the mystery of healing, the most profound transformation of body, mind and spirit often lies in the mending and blossoming of the heart’s connections to self, to loved ones, to the world and to life.

Debra Gibson, ND, provides strategies for lifestyle change as a naturopathic physician in Ridgefield. She can be reached at 203-431-4443 or at [email protected]. See ad, page 12.

naturalmedicineprofiles

Ingri Boe-Wiegaard, LAc CT Acupuncture Center Three offices: • 1 Danbury Rd, Wilton • 400 Post Rd, Fairfield • 236 Greenwood Ave, Bethel203-259-1660 [email protected] CTAcupuncture.com Facebook.com/Pages/CT-Acupuncture-Center/ 110078025713123 Twitter.com/AcupunctureCT

Practice Summary: area(s) of specialty: I am a licensed and fully insured acupuncturist.

How long in practice? Always focused on Natural Medicine?I have been in practice for 30 years, and have always been fo-cused on Natural Medicine.

Areas of specialty/special certifications: I am a member of several acu-puncture associations including

Connecticut Society of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and National Guild of Acupuncturists and Oriental Medi-cine. I am also a member of Mensa. I conduct three weekly meditation classes, and am available for lectures. I hold degrees from the International College of Orien-tal Medicine (UK) and the Norwegian Academy for Natural Medicine (Naturopathic-Homeopathic). I also have done post-graduate work at The Norwegian Art School, University of Oslo (concentration on science), University of Massachu-setts at Amherst, Hollins College and Trinity College in Con-necticut.

How has your practice evolved? I have treated thousands of patients, and have listened very carefully. I believe in having open ears, open eyes and an open mind when it comes to helping patients heal.

What new will be offered or is planned in 2015? More insurance coverage for patients.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your approach to healing? My practice is gentle, painless and effective. All conditions are welcome.

Ingri Boe-Wiegaard



Natural Health and Wellness Center Lisa Singley, ND, MS, and Jennifer Johnson, ND 2103 Main St, #2, Stratford 203-874-4333 [email protected] • NHAWC.com

Practice Summary/Wellness services offered: We use advanced diagnostic test-ing with safe, effective, all-natural healing modalities and treatment options to treat acute and chronic conditions, restore balance, and treat the mind, body and spirit. We specialize in endocrine disorders, digestive issues, pain management and chronic fatigue.

What drew you to health and wellness as a profession? A strong interest in science and

10 years of experience in the field of medical research, combined with some personal health challenges, led me to explore many questions about health, healing and wellness.

Areas of specialty: Acute and chronic illnesses; preventive health and healthy lifestyle practices to support optimal health; endocrinol-ogy: adrenal, thyroid, women’s health, diabetes, insomnia, stress-related illnesses, infertility and weight loss difficulties; digestive disorders, pain management, chronic fatigue, aller-gies, asthma and eczema acupuncture; facial rejuvenating acupuncture.

How has your practice evolved and/or what changes do you have planned for 2015? People are busy and stressed. We try to understand what is really going on in their lives and provide solutions that ad-dress their health concerns and fit in with the other aspects of their life, schedule, work and family.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your work? We provide a caring, compassionate environment where we take the time to really listen to our patients concerns and offer safe, effective solutions and comprehensive healthcare to prevent illness and maintain optimal health for the body, mind and spirit.

Lisa Singley

Hunter Healing Hands 215 Harbor Ave, Bridgeport 203-916-8381 [email protected] HunterHealingHands.com

Practice summary; areas(s) of specialty My practice focuses on Shamanic Healing, Shamanic Mediumship, Melody Crystal Healing, Reiki and Acupressure. I facilitate pri-vate healing sessions, workshops, classes, drum circles, intuitive readings and training programs in Reiki, Shamanic Healing and Crystal Healing.

How long in practice? Always focused on natural medicine or interest developed over time?

My interest in holistic healing work began in my teenage years, initially for my own healing. It led me to formal studies in psychic development, shamanism, energy healing and crystal healing over the last 25 years. The calling finally came to begin my professional practice five years ago.

Areas of specialty, and/or any special certifications: I have formal training and certifications with multiple men-tors in Shamanic Healing, Melody Crystal Healing, Medi-umship, Reiki and Acupressure. I participate in additional training programs and workshops on a regular basis.

How has your practice evolved? My practice has really evolved with a shamanic healing and mediumship focus—although all of my practices are incorpo-rated into my healing work as needed.

What new will be offered or is planned in 2015? I have recently launched my Crystal Healing Certification program for individuals called to crystals. My program has a variety of courses that encompass crystal work from many mentors and traditions.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your work? I believe that we all know when we need healing work; our bodies, minds and spirit have ways to communicate that. My approach is when the client is ready to receive, the spirits and energy are ready to help; I am happy to be a part of that, and always amazed at the gifts spirits present!

Jessica Hunter


ArthroWell Naturopathic, LLC 57 Plains Rd, Ste 3C, Milford • 203-806-5138 [email protected] ArthroWellNaturopathic.com Facebook.com/DrKimSandersND Twitter.com/_DrKimSanders

Practice summary; areas(s) of specialty: We are the Natu-ropathic Rheuma-tology specialists of Milford, using non-toxic, drug-free therapies to treat arthritis and autoimmune

diseases. Our mission is to identify the underlying cause of disease, while improving your quality of life naturally.

How long in practice? ArthroWell Naturopathic was founded in 2013. Our two specialist NDs have been in practice for 2 years and 5 years, respectively.

Always focused on natural medicine or interest developed over time? Both Dr. Sanders and Dr. LaRosa have had a passion for natural health since childhood. Now, we carry this passion into the office each day to help our patients on the path to pain-free health.

Areas of specialty, and/or any special certifications: We specialize in all autoimmune diseases, including RA and arthritis, Hashimoto’s, PANDAS, JIA and chronic Lyme. Dr. Sanders is certified in neuroendoimmunology, and Dr. LaRosa is a licensed acupuncturist.

How has your practice evolved? We have been autoimmune specialists since opening, focus-ing on functional and naturopathic medicine for balancing the immune system. The testing and treatments evolve daily as we come across the latest research and evidence in our specialty.

What new will be offered or is planned in 2015? Dr. Sanders has starting using her neuroendoimmunology background to address the neurotransmitter-cytokine rela-tionship in autoimmune disease.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your approach to healing? ArthroWell Naturopathic is the autoimmune specialty clinic of southern Connecticut. We are specialists in functional medicine and naturopathic modalities to restore balance to the immune system, while addressing you as a whole person to identify underlying causes.

Kimberly Sanders and Frank LaRosa

Twin Star Herbal Education Lupo Passero, Herbalist 65 Bank St, New Milford 203-313-7883 [email protected] TwinStarHerbal.com Facebook.com/TwinStarHerbal

Practice summary; areas(s) of specialtyLupo Passero is a Community Herbalist and a Flower Essence Practitioner. She is the founder and director of Twin Star Herbal Education, which offers com-munity classes and workshops on herbal medicine, holistic health and natural healing.

How long in practice? Always focused on natural medicine or interest developed over time?She has spent nearly two decades

studying and teaching about botanical medicine, flower es-sence therapy, energy healing and traditional healing ways. Passero also recently retired as a two-term secretary and board member of the American Herbalist Guild.

Areas of specialty, and/or any special certifications:Trained as a Traditional and a Clinical Herbalist, she offers several levels of Herbal Certification training programs at Twin Star. Additionally, Passero has worked closely within the Natural Products Industry for over 15 years specializing in both education and customer care.

How has your practice evolved? As an herbalist and as a natural products specialist, she edu-cates students, consumers and retailers about the proper uses of herbs, food and vitamin supplements. Twin Star Herbal Education offers classes ranging from half-day workshops to 14-month herbal intensives. Her teachings cover herbal medicine, flower essence therapy, energy healing, yoga and holistic health.

What new will be offered or is planned in 2015?This year, Twin Star will be offering a Flower Essence Prac-titioner training program in April. Twin Star will be offering Aromatherapy trainings and Reiki certification programs as well as a Clinical Herbalist Training program in 2016.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your approach to healing?Twin Star draws upon traditional, holistic modalities that em-power individuals to live a healthy and sustainable modern life. Passero believes that for each ailment there are plants to cure. She takes pride in helping individuals remember the ancient art and science of herbalism.

Lupo Passero



Debra Gibson, ND 100 Danbury Rd, Ste 102, Ridgefield 203-431-4443 [email protected] DebraGibsonND.com

Practice Summary/Wellness services offered: A naturopathic physician for over 25 years, I educate and motivate people to transform unhealthy be-haviors and limiting attitudes and move from illness and imbalance to well-being and vitality. I have a “functional” perspective – how does a very healthy person func-tion and how can that higher level of wellness be created? I combine thorough and insightful assessment with nutrition, herbal medicines, homeopathy and lifestyle change to safely promote healing.

What drew you to health and wellness as a profession? I have always enjoyed participating with people in redis-covering the “joy of life,” well-being and wholeness that I believe is our most natural state.

Areas of specialty: Allergy and food intolerance, overweight/unhealthy body composition, healthy and positive aging, gastrointestinal disorders, fatigue, sleep issues, autoimmunity and chronic inflammation.

How has your practice evolved and/or what changes do you have planned for 2015? As an experienced provider of Therapeutic Lifestyle Change, in the coming year I look forward to coaching more people toward health, well-being and real prevention of chronic degenerative disease using this effective program.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your work? Finding the causes for illness, rather than merely treating symptoms, using natural methods that work in harmony with the body and encouraging the powerful wisdom of the body, mind and spirit—these principles guide my approach to heal-ing and empower people to take charge of their health and live their best lives.

Debra Gibson

Jody Eisemann, LAc Licensed Acupuncturist Main Office: 152 East Ave, Norwalk Satellite offices in Trumbull and Southport 203-216-2548 [email protected] AcupunctureHealingCT.com

Practice/Business Summary or services offered: I am a Licensed Acupuncturist and make extensive use of the many tools of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): herbs, cupping, moxa and more.

What first drew you to this pro-fession?As a very satisfied acupuncture patient, finally freed from the pain of whiplash, I wanted to help others who suffered as I did with long-term healthcare conditions with little or no relief.

Credentials/certifications? I am the former president and secretary of Connecticut’s acupuncture society, nationally accredited by the NCCAOM, licensed in acupuncture in Connecticut, in private practice at several locations and at Norwalk Hospital’s Integrated Medicine Program.

What should a client or patient expect from working with you?My enthusiasm for acupuncture has not waned in 22 years of practice and my patients continue to be very satisfied by what the ancient art of acupuncture can do for them today.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your work? While I have successfully treated many health conditions, I have also developed several acupuncture protocols that deliver quick results, especially when treating all kinds of pain.

Jody Eisemann


SOPHIA Natural Health Center Ken Hoffman, DAc, LAc 31 Old Rte 7, Brookfield 203-740-9300 [email protected] SophiaNaturalHealth.com Facebook.com/SophiaNaturalHealthCenter

Practice summary; areas(s) of specialtyUsing our system of Integra-tive Chinese Medicine we have treated over 6,000 patients and are one of the largest acupunc-ture clinics in the state. Treatment includes all disciplines of Chinese medicine including diagnostic techniques, acupuncture, herbal / supplement therapy, tui na massage and lifestyle counsel-ing. Combined with cutting edge functional medicine technologies we get to the root cause of a per-son’s health concerns. Most major insurance accepted.

How long in practice? Always focused on natural medicine or interest developed over time?It was established in 2004 by Ken Hoffman DAc, LAc who, besides Chinese Medical College, was also trained by a Tao-ist monk in all aspects of Chinese medicine and health. He is the co-author of the book “Essential Remedies for Women’s Health” and host of the radio show “The Natural Medicine Connection” on 800 WLAD.

Areas of specialty, and/or any special certifications:• Women’ Health and Hormonal Imbalances• Various Pain conditions from arthritis to fibromyalgia

How has your practice evolved? We incorporate functional medical testing and sciences such as blood chemistry analysis, hormone evaluation, toxicity testing, Medical Infrared Thermography and more. At our cen-ter you will experience a wellness approach that focuses on the root cause of health problems using state of the art tech-nologies to thoroughly assess any conditions you may have.

What new will be offered or is planned in 2015?Our goal for 2015 is to help as many people as we can, natu-rally. This means our focus is to continue our outreach and education as well as expand into other areas of the state.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your approach to healing?At our center you will discover the TRUE cause of your health problems and receive care that will help you live a happy, healthy life.

Deana Paqua, MA, LMT Embody the Sacred CT Center for Change 38-B Grove St, Ridgefield 203-994-5045 [email protected] EmbodytheSacred.net

Practice/Business Summary or services offered: Healing sessions, classes and training that integrate shamanic healing, Reiki, Andean energy medicine, intuitive and spiritual guidance and holistic health edu-cation.

What first drew you to this profession? My own healing journey from cancer, an anxiety disorder and a near-fatal car accident. I found that a spiritually based, holis-

tic approach allowed me to heal in miraculous ways. I felt drawn to Reiki, energy medicine and shamanic healing.

Credentials/Certifications? I am a certified Reiki Master, Integrated Energy Therapy Master Instructor, Licensed Massage Therapist, have an M.A. in integrative health studies, training with contemporary and indigenous shamans for several years, teaching for the public and undergraduate/graduate levels, and in practice over 15 years.

What should a client or patient expect from working with you? My sessions and classes are very practical, supportive, fun, sacred and focused on you. I have a deep sensitivity, a down-to-earth sense of humor, excellent listening skills and a gentle healing touch.

Are you planning any practice enhancements or changes in 2015? I am looking to create a shamanic training program that focuses on self-healing and self-empowerment incorporating core shamanism and Andean energy medicine, more classes and retreats, and add to my product line of clearing and blessing sprays.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your work? My approach is practical and spiritual for those who are open-minded to other possibilities. I have direct, first-hand experience with healing deep pain, trauma and loss and coming out the other side. I can show you how to do it too.

Deana Paqua Ken Hoffman


INSPIREDTABLE

To advertise or

participate in our

next issue, call

203-885-4674 The Garden Of Ideas Launches Fruits of the

Garden Class Series

Encompassing eight acres of marsh, woodland, meadow and vegetable plots on the border of Ridgefield and North Salem, New York, the Garden of Ideas was conceived as a place to create beautiful garden spaces, grow interesting plants

well, and produce an abundance of nutrient-dense food crops. Program Director Suzanne Ryan describes it as a “unique gathering place for community collabora-tion where participants explore and experiment at the crossroads of food, nature, art and science.” In the coming months, Chef Susie Buckley will be demonstrating how to make the most of the garden bounty at the Garden of Ideas through monthly dem-onstration classes which feature food that has been harvested at the farm. “I grew up in a small town in Southwest Virginia. At the time, it was a one- stoplight town. Most people either had a garden themselves or visited the local farm stand for all their fruit and vegetable needs. My family always had a vegeta-ble garden and, for a few years, a smokehouse. Having fresh vegetables available just steps away from the table fostered my love of seasonal, fresh and organic food. There is nothing greater than walking out into the garden, picking a tomato from the vine, rinsing it off and eating it… still warm from the sun,” Buckley says. “After attending college at Virginia Tech, I moved to Brooklyn. Of course, New York City was an entirely different food scene as compared to the mountains of Virginia. I suddenly had the opportunity to taste food from all over the world. I decided to go to culinary school and attended Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School (now renamed the Institute of Culinary Education). My focus was on French cooking but, more importantly, on cooking technique. At Peter Kump’s, it was mentioned many times not to be a slave to recipes. Of course recipes are impor-

Chef Susie Buckley


From Vermont farms and our country kitchen…straight to your fridge or table.

Helping you bring your family back to the dinner table without the hassle!

Visit us online or contact us!www.simplescallion.com

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Nature’s TemptationsYour HealTHY FooD MarKeT

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tant, but knowing a cooking technique can let anyone cook a good meal. Learning the basics of preparing foods in a simple, easy way that lets ingredients speak for themselves is my goal in both cooking and teaching about food. I believe that we should let the food shine. As Alice Waters, my per-sonal food idol, has said ‘let things taste of what they are’.

A Spring Delicacy: Ostrich Ferns Shoots (Fiddleheads) Ostrich Ferns Shoots, known as Fiddleheads, are a spring delicacy. Buckley describes the taste as green, like spring. You can find fiddleheads April through early May at your local farmers, market. Look for the smallest, dark green, tightly wrapped fiddlehead spirals available. Make sure the ferns are dry, not wet or mildewed. They will last in the re-frigerator for only a couple of days, so buy them right before you want to prepare them. To prepare fiddleheads, cut off the thick ends and rinse to remove any brown fuzzy bits clinging to the ferns. Fiddleheads can be boiled, steamed or sautéed but MUST be thoroughly cooked. Buckley likes fiddle-heads sautéed in butter or olive oil with a tiny bit of garlic, salt and pepper and shares her recipe.

1084 Post Road, Darien • 24 Railroad Place, Westportwww.olivettect.com • (203) 621-0643

SAUTÉED FIDDLEHEADS

Serves 41 lb fiddlehead ferns1 tsp unsalted butter1 tsp virgin olive oil1 small, thinly sliced clove of garlicSalt and pepper to taste Preparation:• Rinse and remove any brown ends or bits of the ferns.• Bring 2 quarts salted water to a boil.• Add the ferns and cook for 2 minutes (blanching the ferns removes any bitterness). Drain and rinse with cold water.• In a large sauté pan, heat the oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the fiddleheads. Stirring the ingredients, cook until they are thoroughly cooked and start to brown (about 5-8 minutes).• Add the garlic, salt and pepper and cook until you just start to get the aroma of the garlic cooking—no more than a minute.• Serve immediately.

For more information about The Garden of Ideas’ monthly demonstration classes, visit GardenOfIdeas.com/ GardenOfIdeas/Programs_Cooking.html. or call 203-431-9914. The Garden of Ideas is located at 653 North Salem Rd, Ridgefield, and is open year-round to the public 8am to dusk. Admission is free, donations are accepted.


For seasonal eat-ers, farm market shoppers and mem-

bers of community support-ed agriculture, vegetable greens have become a normal part of everyday diets. Recognized as the most nutrient-rich group of veggies, they deliver multiple benefits. Greens are a top source of vitamin K, essential to bone health, and are abundant in vitamins A, B (especially folic acid) and C. They deliver consid-erable antioxidants and chlorophyll, widely known to protect against cancer, and are anti-inflammatory, according to Dr. Joel Fuhrman, a family physician in Flemington, New Jersey, who special-izes in nutritional medicine. Fuhrman notes, “The majority of calories in green vegetables, including leafy greens, come from protein, and this plant protein is packaged with ben-eficial phytochemicals. They’re rich in folate and calcium, and contain small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.” Hardy greens, like kale, chard and collards, are good sources of accessible calcium. Only about 30 percent of cal-cium from dairy products is absorbed, but according to Registered Dietitian Ginny Messina, “For certain leafy green vegetables, rates are considerably higher. We absorb between 50 and 60 percent of the calcium in cruciferous

leafy green veg-etables like kale and

turnip greens.” Tasty and versatile, greens

can add interest and value to every meal. Here’s how.

Smoothies and juices. Spinach tastes so mild in smoothies and juices that we barely know it’s there. Kale and collards add a mild greens flavor. A big handful or two of spinach or one or two good-size kale or col-lard leaves per serving is about right. Greens blend well with bananas, ap-ples, berries and pears. A high-speed blender is needed to break down kale and collards; a regular blender is suf-ficient for spinach. An online search for “green smoothies” will turn up many recipes. Use “massaged” raw kale in salads. Rinse and spin-dry curly kale leaves stripped from their stems, and then chop into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the stems to add to another salad or lightly cooked vegetable dishes or simply discard. Place the cut kale in a serving bowl. Rub a little olive oil onto both palms and massage the kale for 45 to 60 seconds; it’ll soften up and turn bright green. Add other desired veggies and fruits and dress the mixture. A favorite recipe entails tossing massaged kale with dried cranberries,

toasted or raw cashew pieces, vegan mayonnaise and a little lemon juice. Massaged kale also goes well with avocados, apples, pears, Napa or red cabbage, carrots, pumpkin seeds and walnuts. It can alternatively be dressed in ordinary vinaigrette, sesame-ginger or tahini dressing. Add hardy greens to stir-fries. The best stir-fry greens are lacinato kale, collards or chard. Rinse and dry the leaves, and then strip them from the stems. Stack a few leaves and roll them up snugly from the narrow end. Slice thinly to make long, thin ribbons and then cut them once or twice across to shorten; adding thinly sliced stems is optional. Add the strips to the stir-fry toward the end of cooking. They blend well with broccoli, cauliflower, car-rots, celery, bok choy, asparagus and green beans. Soy sauce, tamari and ginger add flavor. Use leafy spring greens in salads. Look beyond lettuce to create invigorat-ing warm-weather salads. Use lots of peppery watercress (a nutritional super-star), baby bok choy, tender dandelion greens, tatsoi and mizuna (Japanese greens are increasingly available from farm markets). Combine with baby greens and sprouts, plus favorite salad veggies and fruits for a clean-tasting and cleansing repast. Learn to love bitter greens. Add variety to the meal repertoire with escarole, broccoli rabe and mustard greens. These mellow considerably with gentle braising or incorporation into soups and stews. Heat a little olive oil in a large, deep skillet or stir-fry pan; sauté chopped garlic and/or shal-lots to taste. Add washed and chopped greens, stir quickly to coat with the oil, and then add about a quarter cup of water or vegetable stock. Cover and cook until tender and wilted, about five minutes. Traditional additions include raisins and toasted pine nuts, salt and pepper and a little apple cider vinegar.

Nava Atlas is the author of the recent book, Plant Power: Transform Your Kitchen, Plate, and Life with More Than 150 Fresh and Flavorful Vegan Recipes, from which this was adapted. Visit VegKitchen.com.

LOVE YOUR GREENS!New Ways to Prepare

these Nutritional Powerhouses

by Nava Atlas

consciouseating


Total Life Care Center

SOUL CENTERED HEALINGINTEGRATED HEALING SESSIONS FOR YOUR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT

Each session utilizes Danielle’s profound skills and 20+ years of practice in Intuitive Counseling, Energy Medicine, Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine to address the root cause of your issue.

Formerly one of the leading healing practitioners at Canyon Ranch. Sessions are in-person or via phone.

♥ Experience more love, health, & peace in all areas of your life.

[email protected] 203-292-9869 soul-centered-healing.com

DANIELLE JOFFE HAMPTON M.A., L.AC.

♥ Eliminate Pain, Clear Anxiety, Balance Hormones, Relieve Stress

♥ Create a life of deep meaning and purpose.

SOUL CENTERED HEALINGINTEGRATED HEALING SESSIONS FOR YOUR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT

Each session utilizes Danielle’s profound skills and 20+ years of practice in Intuitive Counseling, Energy Medicine, Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine to address the root cause of your issue.

Formerly one of the leading healing practitioners at Canyon Ranch. Sessions are in-person or via phone.

♥ Experience more love, health, & peace in all areas of your life.

[email protected] 203-292-9869 soul-centered-healing.com

DANIELLE JOFFE HAMPTON M.A., L.AC.

♥ Eliminate Pain, Clear Anxiety, Balance Hormones, Relieve Stress ♥ Create a life of deep meaning and purpose.

Shift happens...are you ready?Transformative HealingBeth Prins LeasReiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot

Balance your body, find peace of mind, reconnect to spirit... • reduce stress • induce relaxation • relieve chronic and acute pain • speed wound healing • boost immune function • improve memory and concentration • ease anxiety/depression • recover from injury, illness or trauma • raise your energetic frequency to stimulate health and healing

private sessions, workshops, events, in-person or by phoneNorwalk and Ridgefield locations www.bethleas.com 203.856.9566

Total Life Care Center is dedicated to holistic health by providing you with highly trained and experi-enced integrated health care practitioners. TLC Center is Fairfield County’s largest holis-tic health center—with more than 90 independent members —and was founded by Beth Prins Leas in 1997 on the premise that a single candle burns brighter in a gathering.

Beth has created a vibrant holistic health and resource center and growing community of people who are committed to living consciously and to of-fering healthy lifestyle options in the form of private sessions, classes, workshops and special events. Please visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to learn more about how TLC Center can support you on your journey to living well.

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This month, Home Box Office (HBO), in collaboration with

New York City’s American Museum of Natural History, will air the new documen-tary, Saving My Tomorrow. Scientists representing the museum discuss how temperature change affects life on Planet Earth, but the majority of voices are those of children. Their words cry out for universal action to prevent them from inheriting what they believe is a dying planet in desperate need of healing.

In the Atmosphere“We need to know the truth, because adults clearly aren’t doing enough to stop this.” ~Zoe, age 12

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA recently an-nounced that last year was the hottest in 135 years of recordkeeping, with rising ocean temperatures driving the global heat index. Nine of the 10 hottest years have oc-curred since 2000. The odds of this taking place randomly are about 650 million to 1, especially without an El Nino influ-ence, according to University of South Carolina statistician John Grego. “The globe is warmer than it has been in the last 100 years,” says climate

EARTH IN PERILChildren Confront Climate Change

by Avery Mack

healthykids

scientist Jennifer Francis, Ph.D., of Rutgers Univer-sity, in New Jersey. “Any wisps of doubt that human activities are at fault are now gone with the wind.”

At Sea“We do more damage to the planet than we think.”~Peri, age 9

In the same 100 years, sea levels have risen seven inches, mostly due to ex-pansion as the water warms. “We have over 2 million preserved fish in our col-lection. We study them to see the effect of temperature change,” says Melanie Stiassny, Ph.D., curator of ichthyology at the museum. “The mummichog fish is less than an inch long. It’s a bottom feeder and that’s where pollution like mercury lies. When the water is warm, fish eat more and mercury is stored in their bodies.” The contaminants move up the food chain, bringing the effects of pollution to our dinner table. A 2006 study by Nicola Beaumont, Ph.D., with the Plymouth Marine Labo-ratory UK, found that 29 percent of the oceans’ edible fish and seafood species have declined by 90 percent in the past 100 years. The international team of ecologists and economists led by Boris Worm, Ph.D., of Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, predict total

saltwater fish extinction by 2048 due to overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and climate change. Rising ocean acidity due to absorption of increasing carbon dioxide and other emissions from burn-ing fossil fuels impacts creatures large and small, like dissolving the shell of the tiny sea butterfly, a vital link in the ocean’s food chain. Americans currently consume 4.5 billion pounds of seafood each year.

On Land“Each species was put here for a reason. We are the caretakers.” ~a youth at a climate rally

Scientists look back to look ahead. Henry David Thoreau fell in love with the wilderness around Concord, Mas-sachusetts, 160 years ago. From his renowned journals, scientists know when flowers like the pink lady slip-per (Cypripedium acaule), bird’s-foot violets (Viola pedata) or golden rag-worts (Packera aurea) used to bloom. Today, with temperatures six degrees Fahrenheit warmer than in Thoreau’s time, these species now bloom two weeks earlier. The Canada lily (Lilium canadense), plentiful before, is now rare, unable to adapt to the new reality. Paul Sweet, collections manager of the museum’s ornithology department, studies “skins” (stuffed birds). He says, “The skins show us how birds lived years ago.” In just the past 100 years, bird species that have gone extinct range from the ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) to the once-abundant passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) and Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis). In Colorado, 70 percent of the lodgepole pines have been lost, with pines in other states also in trouble. Pine beetles feed on the pines. Histori-cally, winter brings death to both the beetles and weakened trees, which fall to feed a renewed forest. Due to warmer temperatures, the beetles are living longer and migrating to higher altitudes to kill more trees. Forest fires follow the dry timber line.

All Are Needed“I don’t have time to grow up before be-coming an activist.” ~Ta’Kaiya, age 12 “Get your parents involved.”~Teakahla, age 11

Children are more informed now than

We only have one home. If we mess this one up, where do we go next?

~Hippocrates, age 8


ever before. Schools offer classes on ecology, the environment, global warming and climate change. Disasters are instant news, constantly streaming through digital media. Kids are aware that they need adults to work with them to keep Earth habitable.

HBO will air all four parts of Saving My Tomorrow starting April 22. Check local listings—and watch as a family. See Tinyurl.com/SavingMyTomorrow.

Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at [email protected].

Forward Good Change Today

4 Reuse more, buy less. Less trash equals less pollution.

4 Bike or walk, instead of driving. Don’t use the car at least one day a week. Less use of fossil fuels equals less drilling, fracking and oil spills.

4 Substitute a planet-healing activity for the usual after school program. Re-place lawns with native plants, which need less water and no mowing. Email manufacturers to urge them to use less packaging and plastic, auto makers to produce more fuel-efficient cars, grocery stores to carry more locally sourced foods and ban plastic bags, and government agencies to improve pollution control measures.

4 When eating meat, make sure the animals were humanely and locally raised, not factory farmed.

4 For fish, factory farmed is preferred when farmers are vetted by watchdog agencies for being devoid of disease, pollution and heavy metals; clean fish are especially rare among international providers. Learn more at Tinyurl.com/SustainableFishFarming.

4 Support wildlife. Help hatchling sea turtles make their way to the sea. Predators and man are the biggest threats—only one in 1,000 hatchlings reach adulthood. Plant milkweed to feed monarch butterflies. Use natural insect repellants like basil or marigolds instead of killer sprays.

4 Speak out and speak up. Search c2es.org/science-impacts/basics/kids for event ideas and resources.

natureschool&campprofiles

The Clover Hill School 2 Emerson St, Norwalk 203-661-6484 [email protected] • [email protected] TheCloverHillSchool.org

School/Organization: Philosophy of education and summary of camp-style offeringsThe Clover Hill School is a Waldorf Education-inspired early childhood program offering parent and infant programs, parent and child programs and a multi-age, full-day kindergarten. Find out more about Waldorf education at WhyWaldorfWorks.org.

How long in business? The school has been bringing Waldorf-inspired education to lower Fairfield County since 2004.

Always focused on development and provision of nature programs or has that developed over time? Our environment provides young children with a sense of security through healthy daily and weekly rhythms. Seasonal celebrations offer a living connection to the cycles of nature.

Areas of specialty, and/or any special certifications: Our teachers are Waldorf-certified early childhood teachers for the early childhood programs and the summer camp.

What summer programs are you offering in 2015 and for what age children?Water, Water Everywhere is an early childhood program (for ages 3-6) taking place Monday through Thursday mornings during the weeks of June 15-18, June 22-25 and June 29-July 2. The parent and child camp (for ages 2 months-3 years) is offered on Friday mornings June 19, June 26 and July 3. The summer programs include extra outside play time with water sprinklers and tables, gardening, nature observa-tion and more in addition to inside crafts. Lunch is provided by parents.

Will Fall and Winter program opportunities be offered later in 2015? We will offer Mixed-Age Kindergarten for 3-6 year olds, focusing on freedom to play and healthy movement balanced with daily and weekly rhythms. Growing Together parent and child classes are designed for moms, dads and caregivers to meet the developmental needs of children 2 months to 3 years old. Mothers-to-be are also welcome.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about your organization’s approach to educating children about nature?Preschool and kindergarten children learn primarily through imitation and imagi-nation. The goal of the kindergarten is to develop a sense of wonder in the young child and reverence for all living things. This creates an eagerness for the academ-ics that follow in the grades.



Audubon Center in Greenwich 613 Riversville Rd, Greenwich 203-869-5272 [email protected] Greenwich.Audubon.org

School/Organization: Philoso-phy of education and summary of camp-style offerings Audubon Greenwich Summer Nature Day Camp is a great opportunity for your child to discovery nature and learn in the great outdoors.

How long in business? Always focused on development and provision of nature programs or has that developed over time? Audubon has decades of experience with connecting people with nature. At Audubon Greenwich - the birthplace of the environmental education movement – generations of people have learned how to learn from nature and how to care for its natural resources and wonders.

What summer programs are you offering in 2015 and for what age children? The 285-acre sanctuary is the ideal place for children to develop a better appreciation for and understanding of the environment. Join us for fun-filled weeks of hands-on, educational hikes, games, activities and crafts! The day camp is designed for children entering kindergarten through ninth grade and runs from 9:30am to 3:30pm.

Will Fall and Winter program opportunities be offered later in 2015? Audubon Greenwich hosts a February Vacation Adventure Program and hosts nature-themed events throughout the year including: hikes, bird walks, science programs, guest speak-ers, documentary film screenings, and the annual Hawk Watch Weekend Festival in the fall – which celebrate birds, wildlife and the wonders of nature. What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about your organization’s approach to educating chil-dren about nature? Generations of happy customers can testify to the fact that the Audubon Greenwich camp memories do last a lifetime – guaranteed!

Two Coyotes Wilderness School197 Huntington Dr, Newtown203-843-3112 • [email protected] • TwoCoyotes.orgFacebook.com/Pages/Two-Coyotes-WIlderness- School/77631641850Twitter.com/TwoCoyotes

School/Organization: Philosophy of education and summary of camp-style offeringsTwo Coyotes is a nonprofit organiza-tion dedicated to nurturing healthy, whole human beings through build-ing self-awareness, community, and connecting people to nature.

How long in business? Always focused on development and provision of nature programs or has that developed over time? Founded in 2000, Two Coyotes has always used wilderness survival, wildlife tracking and naturalist skills as tools that help us to better understand ourselves and our place in the world.

Areas of specialty, and/or any special certifications: Our staff teaches the following: Wild edible food identifica-tion, Scout Tracking, Wilderness Survival, Nature Games, Making Forts, Theater Arts, Building fire without matches, Nature Art, gratitude, storytelling and much more!

What summer programs are you offering in 2015 and for what age children?We offer: Wild Plant Medicine and Food (5-13 year olds), Woodland Arts (5-13 year olds), Forts & Shelters (5-13 year olds); Feather, Fur & Fin (5-13 year olds); Advanced Survival (9-14 year olds); Magical Forest Theater (5-7 year olds); Wild Theater (8-14 year olds); Scout Tracker (10-14 year olds); Wildwood Adventurers (5-8 year olds); Wildwood Rangers (5-14 year olds); and Fire, Wood & Stone (5-13 year olds).

Will Fall and Winter program opportunities be offered later in 2015? The fall/winter programs are quite similar to the summer camp offerings. We offer children and teens homeshool, afterschool and weekend fall and winter programs. We also offer family and adult programs all year long.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about your organization’s approach to educating chil-dren about nature? Two Coyotes has a vision of creating a healthier and more connected future for children. We inspire enthusiasm for learning in creative and invisible ways by utilizing the abundance of child passions as teaching tools. Our programs nurture values such as service, thanksgiving, leadership, self-trust, respect, teamwork, fun and discovery!


Westbrook Nature School7 Long Ridge Rd, West Redding •203-664-1554Info@WestbrookNatureSchool.orgWestbrookNatureSchool.orgFacebook.com/WestbrookNature

School/Organization: Philosophy of education Westbrook’s curriculum aims to foster a child’s intimate rela-tionship with nature to inspire wonder and support the child’s expanding sense of self. Our

pedagogy is based upon phenomenology, which provides a perspective for education that prohibits devaluation of the body in the learning process. Phenomenology effectively informs our teaching, from the mindfulness of our practice to the quality of teacher-child and teacher-parent relationships to the kinds of educational experiences that are offered. How long in business? Always focused on development and provision of nature programs or has that developed over time?Westbrook opened in January 2014. Westbrook provides oppor-tunities for meaningful work and play with organic gardening, outdoor play, creating nature books and much more. By inte-grating the living experiences of nature with a living curriculum, we strive to offer a well-rounded education for the young child while allowing authentic social, emotional and cultural develop-ment to occur through problem solving, coping and sharing.

Areas of specialty, and/or any special certifications:We are an outdoor nature school.

Will Fall and Winter program opportunities be offered later in 2015? We have fall and winter Parent-Child Classes, which do not run during the summer months. Parents may join at any point throughout the year. Our Mixed-Age Kindergarten runs from September through June. We are currently enrolling for the 2015-16 school year. Each year, Westbrook hosts the Wood-land Halloween in late October and The Illuminated Forest winter festival in late December. Adult Workshops are offered throughout the year.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about your organization’s approach to educating chil-dren about nature? The mission of Westbrook Nature School is to return vital-ity and joy to the young child’s educational experience by providing a dynamic natural environment for children to explore and discover. We also seek to support the health and well-being of our families, to play a supportive role in the local community, and to be a vital component in the growing global effort to ensure every child’s right to experience the natural world as part of their education. We are committed to supporting the growing global effort to sustain, heal and become stewards of the earth.

Natural Awakenings publishes in over 95 markets across the U.S. and Puerto Rico• Huntsville,AL• Mobile/Baldwin,AL*• LittleRock/HotSpg.,AR*• Phoenix,AZ*• Tucson,AZ• EastBayArea,CA• SanDiego,CA• Denver/Boulder,CO• FairfieldCounty,CT• Hartford,CT• NewHaven/Middlesex,CT• Washington,DC• Daytona/Volusia/Flagler,FL• NWFLEmeraldCoast• Ft.Lauderdale,FL• Jacksonville/St.Aug.,FL• Melbourne/Vero,FL• Miami&FloridaKeys*• Naples/Ft.Myers,FL• NorthCentralFL*• Orlando,FL*• PalmBeach,FL• PeaceRiver,FL• Sarasota,FL• Tampa/St.Pete.,FL• FL’sTreasureCoast• Atlanta,GA• HawaiianIslands• Chicago,IL• ChicagoWesternSuburbs• Indianapolis,IN• BatonRouge,LA• Lafayette,LA• NewOrleans,LA• Portland,ME• Boston,MA• AnnArbor,MI• EastMichigan• WayneCounty,MI• WesternMI• Minneapolis/St.Paul,MN• Charlotte,NC• LakeNorman,NC• TriangleNC• CentralNJ• HudsonCounty,NJ*• MercerCounty,NJ

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Housatonic Valley Waldorf School40 Dodgingtown Rd, Newtown203-364-1113, ext. [email protected] • WaldorfCT.orgFacebook.com/Pages/Housatonic-Valley-Waldorf- School/105329826199351 Twitter.com/HVWS1

School/Organization: Philoso-phy of education and summary of camp-style offeringsAt the core of the Waldorf philosophy is the belief that knowledge is best learned ex-perientially and that the spe-cific developmental phases of childhood should be respected. Education is an artistic process.

How long in business? Always focused on development and provision of nature programs or has that developed over time?The Housatonic Valley Waldorf School is celebrating 25 years of Waldorf education this year. The summer camp combines just the right balance of activities and relaxation; children also enjoy the occasional field trip and are always inspired by the week’s activities, which feature wholesome, natural themes.

Areas of specialty, and/or any special certifications:2 weeks of archery, primitive skills and shelter building as well as a circus arts week

What summer programs are you offering in 2015 and for what age children?For ages 3-7: Week 1 (July 6-10) - Puppet Play and Circus Fun (this week only for ages 3-8) • Week 2 (July 13-17) - Butterflies and Bugs • Week 3 (July 20-24) - Fairies, Knights and Dragons • Week 4 (July 27-31) - Farm Fun • Week 5 (August 3-7) - Kritter Keepers • Week 6 (Aug 10-14) - Hoes, Hands and Harvest

For ages 8-12: Week 1 (July 6-10) - Circus Arts (due to the nature of this program, child must be entering third grade to participate) • Week 2 (July 13-17) - Archery • Week 3 (July 20-24) - Advanced Archery (must have completed Archery course at HVWS prior to this week) • Week 4 (July 27-31) - Primitive Skills/Shelter Week: Surviving the Storm • Week 5 (August 3-7) - Primitive Skills/Water Week: Tapping into Nature’s Life Force • Week 6 (Aug 10-14) - Primitive Skills: Out of the Ashes--Reflecting on Where We Come From

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about your organization’s approach to educating chil-dren about nature?A reverence for the natural world is cultivated in all students beginning with from youngest to oldest. Nature is to be re-spected and nurtured. Care is taken to model sustainable, eco-logical practices in all aspects of camp and school operations.

Garden of Ideas653 North Salem Rd, Ridgefield203-431-9914 • [email protected] Enser-Ryan, director of programs 203-464-4634 • [email protected]/Pages/Garden-of-Ideas/ 155393671164582Twitter.com/GardenofIdeas1

School/Organization: Philosophy of education and summary of camp-style offeringsThe Garden of Ideas is a unique gathering place for community collaboration where participants explore and experiment at the cross-roads of food, nature, art and sci-ence. In support of our educational

mission of environmental stewardship and social responsibil-ity, we use our inspiring habitat as a backdrop for cross-gener-ational, place-based learning with innovative programs led by a host of creators, makers, growers, scientists and naturalists to create a transformational experience for visitors.

How long in business? Always focused on development and provision of nature programs or has that developed over time?Since 1995, we have always focused on development and provision of nature programs. 2015 is the first camp year!

What summer programs are you offering in 2015 and for what age children?Play at the Garden Table: The Garden of Ideas’ new half-day camp for 5 to 8 year olds calls all young explorers to play this summer. Campers will play in the garden’s micro-environments – marsh, meadow and woodlands – and focus on what they see, taste, smell, feel and hear. Activities will include gardening, cooking, arts-and-crafts, and visits from community members. The program will culminate in a family luncheon, a feast prepared by the campers that features all the discoveries the campers have made. Space is limited to 12 campers. The camp starts with a parent orientation and concludes with the family feast. Other summer programs include Garden Fun for Tod-dlers (ages 2-4) and Garden Explorers (any age).

Will Fall and Winter program opportunities be offered later in 2015? Yes

Approach to educating children about nature: Multi-sensory and place-based learning—children learn through close looking and open-ended exploration in an outdoor classroom.



wisewords

Healing JourneysPaul Stutzman Finds Universal

Truths on His Treksby Randy Kambic

Paul Stutzman was a successful executive with a family restaurant chain and a happy father and hus-

band married for more than 30 years when his wife, Mary, passed away from breast cancer in 2006. Ques-tioning his faith as to why this hap-pened, Stutzman quit his job to hike the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail (AT), advising everyone he encountered, “Don’t take spouses and families for granted.” His book, Hiking Through, recounts this extreme adventure and relates his subsequent thoughts about grief, healing and life. Stutzman chronicled his sec-ond journey, a 5,000-mile-plus cross-country trek, in Biking Across America. This time, he perceived a “noble, yet humble America that still exists and inspires.” More recently, the author has turned to fiction with The Wanderers and Wandering Home, both enriched with reflections upon the values of his Amish Mennonite upbringing and marriage.

What kept you going?Early on, I realized how soothing nature was to my grieving soul. Still, there

were times it would have been easy to abandon my journeys and head for the safety of home. The desire to discover if my life held any meaning after such a great loss kept me moving forward. I kept telling myself on both journeys, “If my wife can fight cancer for four years, I can overcome any obstacle I encounter.” I was determined to write about what I was being taught by nature. I also believed books written by and about someone seeking solace via an incomplete pilgrimage would be cheating the reader.

What do such journeys teach about nature and our response to experiencing it?I find comfort in nature. I believe the beautiful streams and waterfalls, the grand views from mountaintops and the wildlife were all created for our enjoy-ment. When we absorb this beauty and wonderment, the stresses in life slowly melt away. Granted, not everyone will be able to do what I did; however, a stroll through a local park, along a beach or in a flower garden can have similar effects.

Did these extended physical endeavors make mental demands that catalyzed unexpected self-growth?Treks like these into the unknown are physically demanding. With time and effort, one’s body gets into shape for extended hiking and biking. The men-tal hurdle must be crossed next. You’ll miss home and loved ones. Loneliness will set in. This is where you discover who the real you is. Are you tenacious enough to push through the desire to abandon the pilgrimage or will you suc-cumb to the allure of comfort and safety? On my journeys, I had to make difficult choices. There is a saying that applies to folks planning to hike the AT end-to-end through 14 states: “If hiking the entire Appalachian Trail isn’t the most important thing in your life, you won’t accomplish it.” My daughter gave birth to my grandson while I was hiking. Although she asked that I come home for the event, I declined. I kept on hiking because I knew I wouldn’t return to the trail if I went home. I’d spent my life-time trying to do the right things for my three children, but now had to do what was right for me.

What did you learn about Americans along the way?I discovered that most Americans are kind, law-abiding citizens. Most are still willing to help a stranger in need. Unfortunately, I feel we focus too much time and energy on the minority of malcontents.

How have these experiences informed your creative process?America is a great country. The beauty I’ve witnessed from a bicycle seat and on two feet hiking the mountains is a con-tinual source of inspiration. Many folks are unable to do what I do. My ongoing desire is to describe the images imprinted in my mind in such a way that others can feel as if they are there walking with me.

For more information, visit PaulStutzman.com.

Randy Kambic is an Estero, FL, free-lance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings.


Crystals are wonderful natural re-sources and healing tools; they have been used for thousands of

years in various cultures and healing traditions in different forms. Shamans have used them as tools in healing and spiritual work for cleansing, protec-

Crystals & Crystal Healing

Tap Inner Wisdom & Energy Through Earth’s Perfect Resource

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tion, healing, abundance, intentions, divination, sacred talismans, and con-necting to the spirit realm. Shamanic and Native American cultures refer to them as the “Stone People,” honor-ing them for their healing energies and spirits. Today, crystal healing and

crystals are still used in many forms of holistic healing work and connecting to energy for balancing and transform-ing body, mind and soul. These natural tools are born from the earth in many forms and shapes – points, clusters, wands and interesting geometric formations. Each crystal has its own energies and healing proper-ties that work to balance a variety of imbalances on the physical, spiritual, mental and emotional level through energetic healing. Crystals also contain many forms of ancient Earth energy, healings and teachings from our sacred planet and ancestors. They are considered “perfect” compared to other rock or stone formations due to their atomic structure. Crystals have a perfect repeating atomic pattern that forms in perfect geometric formations from within. This structure results in a very stable, clean form of energy and vibration – which also connects to an-cient teachings and healing of sacred geometry. Crystals may be worn as jewelry, placed in a room or home, or car-ried or placed on the body to receive healing benefits. They may also be incorporated into sacred healing tools, healing intentions and prayers and for manifestation. They are great tools to access the natural connection we all have to energy and spirit and a resource to connect to our own inner wisdom and gifts. With so many types of crystals so widely available, there are thousands of options to choose from. Although there are a variety of references available to research them and their properties, the best source

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A Community-Wide Celebration of Green Living!

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Sunday, May 3, 201511am – 4pm

Wilton Library & Town Center

With dozens of educational displays that fosterstewardship of our air, land, water, wildlife and othernatural resources, the Wilton Go Green Festival is allabout the small, thoughtful things we can do every dayto make a difference. Don't miss this wonderful familyday filled with fun and discovery.

Cyril the SorcererWestport Electric Car Club RallyDog ParadeLive entertainment: by Wilton musiciansDelicious local and organic fare

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VictoriaShawPsychotherapy.com • VictoriaShawIntuitive.com203-254-3403 • [email protected]

is really you; the right stone finds the right person for the right reason. Using your inner wisdom and paying at-tention to your inner voice, you can connect with the right healing crystal. That is the natural flow of energy con-necting to inner wisdom at work. And if you are still unsure which stone is for you, Mother Nature has created a safety net – quartz crystal. Quartz, known as the Mother of All Stones and as Rock Crystal, appears in a variety of formations. Quartz crystal is found in over 80 per-cent of the Earth’s crust. It is one of the most practical crystals to use, working on mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical levels towards manifestation and creation. It can also be used as a tool for cleansing and protection from toxic energies, and to amplify energy to a higher level, including energies from other crystals. Quartz can be used as a divination tool by look-ing into it physically, or placing it on the third eye chakra; simply hold the quartz in your left hand and connect with the energy to receive information – whether by vision, feeling, hearing or knowing. It can also be used in meditation practices and shamanic journey work to enhance those prac-tices. Worn as jewelry, quartz can be a very protective talisman, both cleans-ing and healing at the same time. Crystals are wonderful and avail-able natural resources that connect us to our innate inner wisdom and to the Earth. They are beautiful natural tools that can easily and practically be incorporated into daily living and healing practices. Crystals have much knowledge, healing and teaching for all – if you are willing to listen to your inner wisdom and welcome them as your teachers and healers.

Jessica Hunter is a shamanic practitio-ner and medium, OM with Circle of the Sacred Earth, certified Reiki master teacher and Melody-certified crystal healing practitioner. She teaches indi-vidual crystal classes and also provides a complete crystal healing practitioner certification program, which is accredited by the World Metaphysical Association. See ad, page 7.


Having a healthy home – and, as a result, a healthier body – in-cludes establishing and main-

taining earth-friendly standards in every room. Since the average adult spends one-third of each day in bed, the bed-room is the most frequently inhabited room of the house and a good place to start when it comes to creating a less toxic home environment. To create a healthy bedroom, the focus should be on removing airborne allergens like dust mites, pollen, mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These unwanted visitors disrupt sleep and can pose a range of long-term health prob-lems from asthma to cancer. To reduce indoor air pollution, the American Lung Association and the Environmen-tal Protection Agency recommend three strategies: control sources of pollution, ensure the home is vented adequately, and keep indoor air as clean as possible.

Here are twelve steps to creating a healthy bedroom in your home.

Step 1 Replace your existing conventional mattress

because flame-retardant and stain-resis-tant chemicals were sprayed on it at the factory. Its foam cushioning could con-tain PBDEs or petrochemicals. Oil might be one of its main ingredients. Sleeping

in such close contact with these off-gassing toxins can be unhealthy. Instead, choose a natural latex mattress, which is antimicrobial, an-tibacterial and dust mite resistant and relieves pressure points. Check that the latex is at least 97-percent natural and not a 60/40 blend of natural- and petrochemical-based materials. A natu-ral latex mattress provides the neck, shoulders, hips and knees with pressure relief as sleep occurs in the mattress rather than on top of it. Those who are chemically sensi-tive – particularly to latex odors – may prefer a natural cotton mattress or organic cotton mattress. While cotton mattresses tend to be extremely firm, a wool topper can be added to soften the top and relieve pressure points. A top-per will also reduce body indentations that occur over time.

Step 2 If getting a new organic mattress isn’t an op-

tion, add a pure wool or natural rubber mattress topper to the existing mattress. Although the topper won’t stop the old mattress materials from off-gassing, it will put some much-needed distance between the sleeper and the toxins. In addition, encase the mattress and pil-lows in organic cotton barrier cloths or zippered encasings to protect the lungs from dust mite allergens and protect the skin from any eczema suffering.

Step 3 Replace conventional bedding with sheets,

pillowcases, blankets and duvet covers made with all-natural or organic fibers. All fabrics, unless specified, are treated with a chemical flame retardant or stain protection. Instead, choose items made with untreated or organic cotton or wool – organic cotton now comes in many colors and patterns.

Step 4 Replace conventional pillows with those

crafted of untreated cotton, organic cot-ton, buckwheat hulls, wool or natural rubber (97 percent natural latex). Avoid down pillows, which attract mites and can produce mold as they draw moisture in and don’t dry out quickly. The same holds true for down comfort-ers; instead, select a wool comforter for lightweight warmth and superior moisture-wicking properties.

Step 5 Replace conventional furniture with items like

a headboard, side table and dresser crafted of renewable wood with a non-toxic finish.

Step 6 Get an air purifier that uses filtration known

as HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air). A good HEPA filter will eliminate 99.97 percent of all particles the size of three microns or larger. In choosing an air purifier, consider yearly costs for filter replacement. Some units require ongoing filter replacement and prove to be very expensive in the long run.

Step 7 Remove old carpeting – a breeding ground for dust

mites – and replace it with hypoallergenic cork, ceramic tile or wood flooring that is not treated with a toxic finish or recycled linoleum called Marmoleum. Include scatter rugs that can be easily washed.

Step 8 Get rid of conventional draperies or shades. In-

vest in untreated wood blinds or fabric shades made with organic fibers.

Step 9 Repaint with non-VOC paints or try hemp wall

upholstery that can be stapled into place without using adhesives.

12 STEPS TO A HEALTHY BEDROOM

by Christine Chamberlin


Step 10 Air out bedrooms and bedding. The Environmental Protection Agency and the

National Lung Association recommend opening windows to regularly recycle the air. Those with seasonal allergies should use a window guard to stop pollen, dust and dirt particles from entering the room. And don’t be so quick to make the bed – upon rising, let bedding air out.

Step 11 Maintain a clean sleeping environment. According to the Mayo Clinic, bedding

should be washed often in hot water at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit to kill dust mites. Cold water washing can be done with detergents specifically designed to kill dust mites.

Step 12 Conventional pet beds are as unhealthy for pets as conventional beds are for pet

owners. Choose instead those made of all-natural or organic cotton, with removable covers that can be easily laundered in hot water.

Most of these steps do include a financial component, yet each one is an investment in good health – surely the most important investment that can be made.

Chris Chamberlin is co-founder of The Clean Bedroom, which has allergy-free, eco-friendly mattresses, bedding and accesso-ries. Sleep showrooms are located in Portland, ME; Kittery, ME; Wellesley, MA; Greenwich, CT; New York, NY; Brooklyn, NY; and Santa Monica, CA. For more information, visit TheClean Bedroom.com or your local showroom. See ad, page 14.

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A home in harmony with nature is a home you can breathe easy in. Breathing is the measure

by which you know you are “alive;” oxygen is the most important element to your existence. You breathe in O2 – two molecules of oxygen united as one – and exhale carbon dioxide. It is a beautiful invisible dance that occurs every moment of your lives, fueling you with life force energy. Each cell in your body needs oxygen to function optimally. Dis-ease cannot flourish as easily in a fully oxygenated body. Breathing clean, fresh air rich in O2 in these modern times has become a chal-lenge – there is 30 percent less oxygen in the air. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) researchers have found

BREATHE EASIERStrategies to Purify

the Air in Your Home by Slyms Bazile

that people spend 93 percent of their time indoors, while another survey concluded indoor air is 70 times more polluted than outdoor air. The pollution in your internal environments impedes precious oxygen, thus decreasing the quality of your air. An astonishing 70 percent of your body’s detoxification process occurs through breathing. Most of the work is done at night when you sleep, as your cells repair themselves. Understand-ing this mechanism, it is imperative to detoxify your home air to ensure adequate oxygen intake for yourselves, your children and your pets.

GETTING RID OF TOXINSSince 1946, it has been documented

that there are 70,000 known new toxic chemicals all around you. Some are found in common household products; others are off-gassed from furnishings, carpets, building materials, and all things synthetic in your homes. Simple things you can do to purify your home are raise awareness and eliminate easy culprits. Leaving shoes at the door has been found to reduce toxins by 40 per-cent according to the EPA. Avoid paraf-fin candles - which release petroleum byproducts into the air - by switchingto beeswax candles. They have the ability to neutralize toxic compounds and contaminants while also provid-ing a sweet light honey fragrance. Himalayan salt lamps are also known to be effective at neutralizing toxins by producing negative ions. Negative ions are known to help alleviate symptoms caused by allergies, sleep disorders, migraine, headaches and depression. Anna Husted of Saltana Cave in Ridgfield, where salt lamps may be purchased, says negative ions may also alleviate common indoor air pol-lutants such as dust, mildew, humidity and electromagnetic fields from televi-sions, computers and other electronic devices.

FRESH PLANTSA NASA Clean Air Study conducted by Dr. B.C Wolverton concluded that plants purify the air and provide ample oxygen. The purpose of the study was to find a source of oxygen for astronauts while in spacecrafts. Plants were found to remove harmful toxins such as ben-zene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and carcinogens from cigarette smoke. All plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, but specific plants performed more efficiently, are low maintenance, and don’t need much sunlight to thrive. According to Wolverton, having any combination of these plants in your home will increase indoor home air

For breath is life, and if you breathe well you will live long on earth.

~ Sanskrit Proverb


quality. Garden mum, mother-in-law’s tongue, peace lily, golden queen, areca palm and ivy are all effective for purify-ing air and supplying oxygen. In order to achieve the desired levels of clean air, you need six to eight of these plants per person knee to shoulder height. Mother-in-law’s tongue has been called the “bedroom plant” because it converts carbon dioxide into oxygen at night when your cells need it most.

ESSENTIAL OILSThe Natural Resources Defense Council conducted a test on commonly used conven-tional air freshen-ers and found that they contained many disease-causing toxins such as phthalates, benzene and formaldehyde. In contrast, essential oils—also known as essential essences— are a simple way to rid your home of unwanted guests such as mold, bacteria, allergens, odors and other volatile toxins. Essential essences such as ylang ylang, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, sage and grapefruit are excellent for purifying home air. Essential essences can clean your air, enliven your senses, rejuvenate your spirit, and bring you more into balance.

NATURALLY CLEANCleaning your home should not have to mean compromising your health. Use natural cleaning supplies such as baking soda, white vinegar, borax and hydrogen peroxide. With a little dish soap and these four natural cleaning agents, you can clean your homes safely and preserve the integrity of your home air. When cleaning, it is best to use a cellulose sponge since other sponges are treated with triclosan – a chemical that, when interacting with chlorine in tap water, produces chloroform, a possible carcinogen. Sweeping can be done with a 100 percent corn broom.

BRING FRESH AIR INOpening the windows and doors in your homes on a regular basis is a simple yet highly effective method of ventilation, circulation and air purification. Airtight homes for the sake of energy efficiency are great for saving money but may become detrimental to your health over time. Oxygen increases blood flow, eliminates toxins, releases endorphins, strengthens the immune system and speeds up healing. Ed McCabe, author of Flood your Body with Oxygen, stated that “we derive more than 90 percent of our energy from breathing.” If you want more energy and vitality, take steps to increase your oxygen intake, beginning with purifying the air in your home.

Slyms Bazile is a certified medicinal aromatherapist, certi-fied Reiki practitioner and healing artist. She is located in the Danbury area. To book a session, she can be reached at 203-479-0417 or [email protected]. See Community Resource Guide Listing, page 77.

healthyhomeprofiles

Healthy Choice Organic Mattress141 Post Rd East, Westport 203-557-3900 [email protected] HCMattress.com

Business summary:Made in Connecticut using only natural and organic mate-rials like wool, cotton and natural latex, our products are biodegradable and chemical-free. They are made without polyurethane or chemical flame retardants.

Number of stores/showrooms and products/ services offered: We have four stores: one in Connecticut, one in New York (Mount Kisco), and two in New Jersey. We offer organic mattresses, adjustable beds, organic sheets, pillows, toppers and comforters, and wood bed frames made from reclaimed barn wood.

When/how did business begin?Healthy Choice Mattress began in 2008 with the idea of of-fering locally made, long-lasting and comfortable mattresses using only natural/organic materials. We are the only such company in the northeast. We have always been a leader and strive to be the most environmentally-friendly mattress company in the country.

Areas of product specialty, and/or any special certifications: Everything we sell is made in the USA and made with certi-fied organic and/or natural materials.

What new will be offered or is planned heading into 2015? We continue to expand our product offerings. We have had a great response to our line of reclaimed wood bed frames and our organic pillows and accessories so we plan to add more of these.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about your business and products? As a business, we live the change we seek. Social responsi-bility is a top priority and considered with every decision we make. Besides being healthy and environmentally-friendly, our mattresses are the most comfortable and long-lasting to be found anywhere.


For most individuals, odorous chemi-cals are simply unpleasant. For those that are sensitive and susceptible,

however, even common chemical expo-sures may evoke a toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT) marked by multiple-system symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, autoimmune disease, asthma, depression and food intolerance. Since the post-World War II expansion of petrochemicals, the incidence of TILT has increased dramatically, says Claudia Miller, a medical doctor, researcher and professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and co-author of Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes. “Fortunately, public awareness has also grown significantly in the last few years,” says Rick Smith, Ph.D., a Cana-dian environmentalist who co-authored Toxin Toxout. “Now companies and governments worldwide are moving toward making safer products.” We can support progress by lever-aging some practical tips in greening our home.

Start somewhere. Many volatile organic compounds (VOC) that in-clude formaldehyde and benzene are concealed in household items such as couches, chairs, particleboard furniture, mattresses, box springs, carpeting, rugs, synthetic flooring, wallpaper and paint. Green TV host and Fresh Living author Sara Snow implores us not to become overwhelmed, disheartened or fearful. “Creating a healthy home is a gradual process that doesn’t require throwing all the furniture out,” she advises. Start by scrutinizing labels and choosing not to bring new toxins in. For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely found to be associated with reproductive toxicity and is found in many waterproofed and flexible plastics. Select PVC-free toys, shower curtain liners and mattress covers. In the kitchen, avoid potentially carcinogenic perfluorinated chemicals (PFC) found in nonstick coatings of pots and pans. Toss the Teflon when it scratches, says Snow, and upgrade to stainless steel or cast iron. Weed out bi-

sphenols, the DNA-disrupting chemicals found in plastics and epoxy resin can liners. Even “BPA-free” products likely contain alternative and equally harmful substances, according to a recent study published in Chemosphere. Choose clear glass instead of plastic containers. When remodeling, look for zero-VOC items, Miller says, plus materials free of stain-resistant sprays and flame retardants whose efficacy is question-able. Consider natural fiber rugs like jute or wool. Forest Stewardship Council-cer-tified hardwoods or alternative flooring like cork or glass tile are safer invest-ments in long-term well-being. Clean green. Conventional clean-ers are among the worst offenders, and even some “eco-cleaners” can be deceptively unsafe, says Smith. He recommends avoiding antibacterial products containing triclosan, which proliferates antibiotic-resistant bacteria that prolong and exacerbate illnesses, as well as phthalates, a chemical oil that carries artificial aromas and has been repeatedly linked to cancer and abnormal fetal development. “Even so-called natural fragrances are often complex petrochemicals that outgas and contaminate the air,” notes Miller. Snow advises formulating prod-ucts at home using staple pantry ingredients, including distilled white vinegar for disinfecting, baking soda for scouring, liquid castile soap for sudsing, lemon juice for degreasing and olive oil for polishing. Freshen with fresh air. Americans spend about 90 percent of their time amid indoor air pollutants that are significantly more concentrated than outdoor pollutants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports. “Most energy-efficient homes are well sealed with ventilation systems that recirculate indoor air, so opening the windows helps dilute accumulated airborne toxins,” says Miller. Snow further rec-ommends bringing air-purifying plants into the home such as Gerbera daisies, bamboo palms and English ivy. Vacuum and dust. Vacuuming with a high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter and dusting with a moist cloth eliminates allergens such as pet dander, mites, pollen and mold, and helps remove phthalates, flame retar-

Spring GreeningEasy Ways to Detox a House

by Lane Vail


dants, lead and pesticides that “latch onto house dust and accumulate in dust bunnies,” says Smith. Weed out lawn chemicals. “Organophosphate pesticides are profoundly neurotoxic,” says Miller, especially to the developing brains of children. Instead try integrated pest management, which involves control-ling pests’ food sources and applying non-toxic deterrents. Eliminating po-tentially carcinogenic herbicides might mean managing more weeds, says Snow, but it’s worth it. Eat green. “Buying produce as close to its source as possible, from a farmer or farmers’ market, provides threefold benefits,” says Snow—less wasteful packaging, reduced exposure to chemical plastics and greater concentra-tion of health-promoting nutrients. Buy in bulk and favor glass containers or rectangular cardboard cartons. Take tests. Radon, an invisible, odorless gas that can emanate from the ground and accumulate in homes, annually causes 21,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths, according to the U.S. EPA. Lead, a neurotoxin that may occa-sionally leach from home water pipes, can also hide in pre-1978 paint. Testing for both and implementing reduction or precautionary measures is simple, advises Smith. Most hardware stores stock test kits. Take action. Join with other con-cerned citizens by launching a perti-nent petition at Change.org; campaign-ing with organizations like the Envi-ronmental Working Group (ewg.org) or Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SaferChemicals.org); and supporting cleaner, greener companies with fam-ily purchases.

Lane Vail is a freelance writer and blog-ger at DiscoveringHomemaking.com.

Even small changes can measurably reduce

your family’s daily exposure to health-

damaging chemicals.

~Rick Smith

healthyhomeprofiles

The Clean Bedroom Greenwich Showroom: 79 East Putnam Ave, Greenwich • 203-292-9275 [email protected] • TheCleanBedroom.com

Practice/Business Summary or services offered: We offer toxin-free mattresses and bedding so your whole

family can sleep healthy. We like to say, “Sleep healthy. Sleep better. Stay well.”

What first drew you to this profession? “When we found out what was in our mattress, my husband said: ‘Every mother in the world should know what they are putting their child on at night.’ That was 2004, and The Clean Bedroom was born.” Chris Chamberlin, company owner and founder.

Credentials/Certifications? We can offer certifications of our products to customers.

What should a client or patient expect from working with you? Healthy sleep!

Are you planning any company enhancements or changes in 2015? We want to continue to focus on ways in which we can spread the word about healthy sleep – more tradeshows and events; expanding our social media pres-ence; and reaching people in our markets who have allergies, chemical sensitivi-ties and who want to remove toxins from their sleeping environments.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your work? We are 100 percent committed to helping people sleep healthy! After all, you sleep about a third of your life – why sleep on toxic chemicals?

TheCleanBedroomThe finest Organic Mattresses & Bedding in the World, all in one place

TM

The Cleanest Touch LLC 7 Grandview Rd, Fairfield • 203-260-3087 [email protected] • TheCleanestTouch.com

Business summary: The Cleanest Touch, LLC provides out-standing, environmentally-friendly cleaning options to its clients in lower Fairfield county.

When/how did business begin? Always environmentally-friendly or newly offering green living products for healthier homes? Since 2001, our family business has been special-izing in house cleaning services. In 2013, we expanded to The Cleanest Touch, LLC, an all-natural cleaning service, and created our own all natural cleaning product line.

Areas of product specialty, and/or any special certifications: We have years of un-derstanding and experience in residential lifestyle, which brings the most custom-ized service to your needs. We work with each client to develop cleaning plans to specifically meet objectives in the most efficient, thorough manner possible.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about your business and products? Our goal is to make people understand that we need to change the way we clean our homes. We need to use safe and “clean products” for the entire family and the environment. Our home is an extension of our body and should be healthier in every possible way.

Erika Bellido


healthyhomeprofiles

Organic Sleep by Sleep etc508 Main Ave, Norwalk 55 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 800-417-5337 [email protected] OrganicSleep.com Facebook.com/SleepOrganic

Business summary:Family-owned organic mattress company specializing in chemical-free natural mattresses and adjustable beds

Number of stores/showrooms or products/services offered:Two stores in Norwalk and Stamford

When/how did business begin? Always environmentally-friendly or newly offering green living products for healthi-er homes? My grandparents were in the mattress business in 1949. My parents opened KleinSleep in 1971. I changed the focus of the business to chemical free, thus the name changed to Organic Sleep by Sleep etc.

Areas of product specialty, and/or any special certifications: Certified organic mattresses, natural mattresses, chemical-free mattresses as well as specializing in adjustable beds

How has the business evolved? What new will be offered or is planned in 2015? Our line is constantly improving. We don’t make changes very often, but when we learn how to make something even better, we implement the change.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about your business and products?The main reason people buy from us is because of our out-standing service. We work very hard to match people with the correct bed and to make sure that they are happy after the sale. This is evident by all the very kind reviews that our customers have left for us online for years. We really do bend over backwards for our customers.

Aqua-Scapes LLC.23 Francis J. Clarke Cir, Bethel 203-743-7665 [email protected] AquaScapesPool.com

Business summary: Aqua-Scapes LLC. is owned by Vincenzo Tor-casio, a second-genera-tion gunite pool builder

and mason with over 30 years experience. Aqua-Scapes LLC. recently partnered with Biotop Natural Pools to offer area residents the opportunity to have a natural ecosystem pool.

Number of stores/showrooms or products/services offered: One office with a small showroom.

Always environmentally-friendly or newly offering green living products for healthier homes? Partnering with with Biotop just felt like the right thing to do. I wanted to offer my clients a healthier, greener alternative to the traditional chemical treated pools. We are experiencing a revolution in the pool industry in the United States – some-thing that Europeans realized over 30 years ago. The request in the U.S. for information on Biotop pools has outgrown the entire European market.

Areas of product specialty, and/or any special certifications: Aqua-Scapes LLC is a certified Biotop partner.

What new will be offered or is planned in 2015? We continue to see interest in the product and are seeing that interest turn into reality. I have started to see my busi-ness trend out of the traditional chemically treated pools and more toward the natural, 100 percent chemical-free Biotop pool.

What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about your business and products? There are lots of swimming pool “gadgets” on the market say-ing they will make your pool chemical free. Unfortunately, this is not true. At some point, they will all need to be chemi-cally treated. What Biotop has created is a balanced, natural eco-system much like a pond or lake and that is why Biotop swimming pools are 100 percent chemical free. Our pools are literally “alive” with life. Biotop pools will not burn your eyes, bleach your hair or dry your skin.


Andrea Adler, the founder of Holis-ticPR.com, is an

international speaker, author, workshop presenter and consultant. Author of two authoritative books on spiritual marketing, she demonstrates how to integrate spiritual practice and psychological self-inquiry into a fundamental transformation of people’s lives and their marketing approaches. Recently relocated to Fairfield County, she will hold her first area workshop, The Tao of Marketing, on April 17 at Redding Center for Meditation. She re-cently spoke with Natural Awakenings about her work and how it differs from other marketing techniques.

Q: You speak in your books, The Science of Spiritual Marketing and Creating an

The Tao of MarketingThe Spiritual Aspect of

Putting Your Work Out There A Conversation with Andrea Adler

some product or service. Our senses are flooded by blaring hype, propaganda, political spin and advertising that scream at us from the radio, TV, newspapers, billboards, telemarketers –– and now from the Internet. After trying to tune out the noise, our brains have become so saturated that the thought of using any of these venues to promote ourselves has be-come, to say the least, unattractive. It’s a shame to think we must turn away from the channels of communication that bring us pleasure in our leisure and benefit to our work in order to escape this overkill. These issues have been the catalyst for me to initiate my search for a holistic/spiritual approach. It seems to take the sting and confusion out of marketing and gets to the core of their blocks, providing them with a road map and ongoing sup-port to make sure they stay on track.

Q: How does spiritual market-ing differ from the convention-al marketing practiced regular-ly by millions? What are some distinguishing characteristics and how do these manifest into different results?A: When I use the word spiritual, I don’t mean “religious” or religion in any way. Spiritual, in the context of my work, has to do with an internal awareness and a sacred connection to oneself and one’s work. It is a bond with the soul and the spirit that includes our relationship to ourselves and to the world. In the truest sense, spirituality is not “for” anything –– not for marketing success, prosperity, good health or fulfilling relationships. It is its own reward as a consequence of connecting with source – wherever that source, or that place of truth, exists within us. It also includes a conscious awareness; our moral compass regarding the products and services we offer. By holistic marketing, I mean taking an integrated, multidimensional approach that doesn’t focus solely on the bottom line, but rather operates by synthesizing the whole picture. It includes the wholeness of our inten-tion, our message, our story, how we share our story, how other people share our story and their feelings behind it.

Abundant Practice, about the need to restore the integrity of marketing and public relations. A: For years, the words “public relations” and “marketing” have had negative connotations. Owners of businesses of

all sizes have been apprehensive to embark on promotional campaigns that could bring them the abundance and recognition they are yearning for. Why? I have come to the conclusion that there are two reasons for this confirmed reputation. One: Because many marketing companies charge enormous fees for their services and make many promises they cannot keep. Two: Because from the moment we are born and alert enough to perceive information on any level, we are inun-dated with advertisements that promote


These concepts are very different from traditional market-ing, particularly for the culturally creative who may need to experience information viscerally. In experiencing this holistic approach, people connect with their true destiny in this lifetime – they feel it, see it and begin to manifest it. As long as they follow the mind map – the yellow brick road laid out for them – success is assured.

Q: You discuss the relationship between and relative importance of the macro and the micro factors when it comes to integrated marketing and PR. What is a habit (or pattern) you commonly observe in businesses that are out of balance?A: There is the need to quantum think these days. A tre-mendous amount of information is coming at us so quickly we can hardly digest it. To survive and thrive, we must be cognizant of the micro and macro aspects of our lives. We need to be clear about the big picture, as well as the everyday details without spinning or getting side-tracked into minutia. When we swing from one intention to another, we make poor choices and feel depressed by the consequences. In order to prevent this scenario, our minds must be clear and unclut-tered; this is why meditation is part of the program. Another pattern I have observed is that even though people know intellectually what they want to achieve, they only have a portion of the truth. I have found that by diving deep into the unconscious, I am able to bring more of their truth to the surface. Once we know the scope of their desire, I lay out the strategy for the next five years. Most of the time, clients learn they have to step into playing a bigger game. That’s when the real work begins.

Q: What do you most want Natural Awakenings’ readers to know about you and your work?A: There has never been a time in our history when an in-novative, inspired approach to marketing has been more im-portant. Understanding that intention and energy are behind every word and image we use in our materials and in our outreach makes a huge impact as to how we are perceived and whom we attract. We step into the vision of our future with clarity and al-low our intention to pour into every action of our livelihood.• We begin to walk with a different rhythm• Vibrate at a new frequency• Speak from a place of conviction• Move from fear to fearlessness• From apprehension to one-pointedness• From rigidity to fluidity• From ignorance to higher wisdom And, along the way, we are reminded of the poet saint Rumi’s words: “There’s a push and another push, the necessary dyings, the ground crumbling that lets wildflowers come up.”

To connect with Andrea Adler to register for the upcoming workshop on April 17, visit HolisticPR.com or email [email protected]. See ad, page 23.

Whole Foods Market is bringing you natural & organic foods at premium quality, not premium prices.

Darien 150 Ledge Road, CT 203.662.0577

Westport 399 Post Road West, CT 203.227.6858Greenwich 90 E. Putnam Avenue, CT 203.661.0631

GLUTEN-FREE MORNING GLORY MUFFINS

(Makes 18 muffins)

Gluten-free flours combine with apples, carrots, zucchini, raisins and walnuts in these satisfying and nutritious muffins.

2/3 cup canola oil, 1/2 cup evaporated cane sugar1/4 cup natural brown sugar1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract3 eggs1 cup quinoa flour1/2 cup potato starch1/2 cup tapioca starch2 teaspoons baking soda1 tart red apple, unpeeled, cored, and finely chopped2 teaspoons ground cinnamon2 teaspoons xanthan gum1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup grated carrots1 cup grated zucchini1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts1/2 cup seedless raisins1/4 cup toasted coconut flakes1 teaspoon grated orange zest

• Preheat oven to 350°F. • Put oil, cane sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and eggs into a large bowl and whisk by hand for about 1 minute to incorporate air into the mixture. Set aside. • Put flour, potato starch, tapioca starch, baking soda, cinnamon, xanthan gum, and salt into a second large bowl and stir well. Add flour mixture, carrots, zucchini, walnuts, raisins, coconut, orange zest, and apples to the reserved sugar mixture and stir well to form a batter. Scoop batter into 12 paper-lined muffin tins and bake until cooked through, about 25 minutes.


Did you know that pet shampoo and conditioner product label-ing is not regulated? Manufac-

turers are not legally required to list ingredients. Some do, but others list by category, list partially, or refer to their MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). Be-ing an educated consumer is your best bet in deciding on which products to use on your beloved pet.

Is it really safe for dogs, cats or other pets? As of now, the manufacturer determines

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all dedicated exclusively

to happy, naturally

healthy living for our

furred, feathered and

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The Monthly Naturally Healthy Pet Section Starts Here!

For information on how you can be a part of a future issue, call

203-885-4674 or email

[email protected]

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The Last Resort is a 501(c) non-profi t, volunteer-run organization.

We are a foster-based, no-kill rescue dedicated to saving the lives of homeless, neglected, and abused animals by providing

a safe refuge, rehabilitation, and permanent homes.

The Last Resort is a 501(c) non-profi t, volunteer-run organization.

www.TheLastResortRescue.com • [email protected] • FOSTER • DONATE • VOLUNTEERPlease

Since 2008, we have rescued more th an 1000pure and mixed breed dogs and cats from death row and placed them in foster and forever homes!

Decoding Labels on Pet Grooming Products

by Mary Oquendo

this because there is no federal or state agency that oversees safety for animals. Does the manufacturer use third-party or independent testing to come to the conclusion? This is particularly im-portant for cats. Cats have an altered gluconidation pathway, which means they lack many of the enzymes needed to process normally safe substances for people and dogs. Instead of eliminating these compounds out of the body, they are stored in the cat’s liver and kidneys. Over time, this storage may cause organ damage and even premature death.


points for selling a product, are no more than an appeasement gesture to wave off our call for ingredient disclosure. The time for excuses has run out, now is the time for transparency and integrity in the pet product industry.”

Another category of labeling is what pet professionals refer to as dodge balling.The label looks complete, but the manufacturer lists by cat-egory or deceptive terms. As an example, blackberry is listed on the label. This is the name of the fragrance or dye. If it were the fruit, the label would read rubus fructicosis, blackberry seed oil or blackberries. Categories might include fragrance, preservative, earth-based coconut derivatives, amphoteric sur-factant, anionic surfactant, cationic conditioner, mild coconut cleansers, propriety ingredients, emollient and so forth.

If the chocolate chip cookie industry followed these standards, their labels would read as follows:• Full ingredient list: Flour, baking soda, salt, butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and chocolate chips• “Dogdeball” list: Thickening agents, salt, oil, sweeteners, protein agents, flavoring and propriety ingredients• Green-wash list: Contains flour, baking soda and vanilla extract. WITH chocolate chips! To learn more about specific ingredients and what they reallymean, Bird’s book Beyond Suds and Scents is a must read. Thanks to Kirstine Reynolds, of Draper, Utah, there is a growing voice within the pet grooming industry calling for

Some manufacturers will pass off the MSDS as an ingredient list.Federal law requires manufacturers to include an MSDS, which needs to have the following in whatever order the manufacturer decides:• Identification containing the product name, company name and contact info, including an emergency number• Hazardous ingredients as categorized by flammability, health (to people, not animals) and reactivity• Physical and chemical characteristics such as boiling points, vapor pressure, vapor density, evaporation rate and solubility in water• Fire and explosion data flash points, extinguishing media, as well as any special firefighting apparatus• Reactivity data including the stability of the product, incompatible products, hazardous decomposition and other conditions to avoid• Health hazards defining if the product is a hazard through skin contact, inhalation, ingestion, eye splashes or carcino-gens. Lists the chronic side effects, signs and symptoms of exposure, as well as emergency and first aid treatment for people – not pets• Spill protocols outline the necessary steps to clean up spills and dispose of unused products or empty containers• Precautions for safe handling and use with protective gear, as well as any other precautions such as proper storage or use around food• Personal protection shows details about any required protective gear The purpose of the MSDS is to protect people, not ani-mals. What it is not is a complete ingredient list; it only lists ingredients that fall under the guidelines of the MSDS.

So how do you decode labels to determine if a product is safe for your pet?First determine if the product’s MSDS lists all the ingredi-ents. Look for chemical and/or Latin names. The ingredients that are usually left off are the ingredients that sound like they may be unhealthy – which may or may not be true. The power of the consumer comes from understanding what the ingredients are. Barbara J. Bird, a respected leader in the pet industry and author of Beyond Suds and Scents, says: “It is my rea-soned opinion the single factor holding back the pet products industry from gaining an equal footing of respect with the human beauty industry is NOT the products themselves, but the steadfast refusal of most pet product manufacturers to completely disclose ingredient information to consumers. This cloak of secrecy leaves pet owners and pet professionals in the dark about what is in the products we use on our precious pets. Failure to be transparent about ingredients leaves the consumer dependent upon marketing information – sales pitch talking points – in evaluating or comparing products. Recently we have seen some companies provide quasi-ingredient lists that do no more than describe the contents of a product. ‘Mild coconut cleaners,’ reveals nothing about the surfactants used; it simply dodges the issue of ingredient identification. Descrip-tive lists that name only the additives, which form the talking

Final Journey, LLC

( Pet Euthanasia Service )

Kristen Klie, D.V. M.and Associates

( 203 ) 645-5570www.finaljourneyllc.com

IS YOUR DESTINATION WELLNESS?

203-994-5308 • 203-994-1815HandsAndPawsReiki.com • [email protected]

Do you want to maintain or achieve wellness for you, your family and your pets easily and affordably?

Call now for a free no-obligation consultation

($45 value)


petresourceguideADOPTION/RESCUE

ANIMALS IN DISTRESS INC. 238 Danbury Rd, Wilton 203-762-2006 • Animals-In-Distress.com

BRIDGEPORT ANIMAL CONTROL 236 Evergreen St, Bridgeport 203-576-7727

BULLY BREED RESCUE PO Box 953, New Canaan [email protected] • BullyBreedRescueInc.org

COMMUNITY CATS PO Box 4380, Stamford [email protected] CommunityCatsCT.org

DANBURY ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY (DAWS) 147 Grassy Plain St, Bethel • 203-744-3297

FRIENDS OF FELINES, INC. PO Box 8147, Stamford • 203-363-0220 [email protected] • AdoptAPet.org

NFSAW 223 State Rt 37, New Fairfield 203-746-2925 • NFSAW.org

PET ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY INC. (PAWS) 504 Main Ave, Norwalk 203-750-9572 • PAWSCT.org

PET PROTECTORS 2490 Black Rock Tpke, #453, Fairfield 203-330-0255 • PetProtectorsRescue.org

transparency from pet product manu-facturers. More and more groomers are becoming aware of the importance of understanding the content of shampoos and the products that we are using on our pet clients. Not only are the pets being exposed to those ingredients, but so are their owners and, most especial-ly, the groomers. These groomers are the driving force behind the demand for change from the shampoo manufactur-ers. Groomers want the manufacturers to stop hiding by completely disclosing what is in their products. It is standard in the beauty industry to list all ingredients. Real change in this area will change when manufactur-ers realize that 70 percent of the entire market has pets and they want full disclosure.

Mary Oquendo is a Reiki master, advanced crystal master and certified master pet tech pet first aid instruc-tor. She is the co-owner of Hands and Paws-Reiki for All in New Milford. She can be reached at HandsandPawsReiki.com. See ad, page 63.

RIDGEFIELD OPERATION FOR ANIMAL RESCUE (ROAR) 45 South St, Ridgefield 203-438-0158 • ROAR-Ridgefield.org

STRAYS AND OTHERS PO Box 473, New Canaan 203-966-6556 • [email protected]

TAILS OF COURAGE 1 Pembroke Rd, Danbury 877-63-TAILS • TailsOfCourage.org

WESTPORT ANIMAL SHELTER ADVOCATES (WASA) 1 Tower Ridge, Westport 203-557-0361 • WestportWASA.org

VETERINARY SERVICES

NUTMEG SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC 25 Charles St, Stratford 203-690-1550 • NutmegClinic.org

The Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic is a low-cost, high-volume facility for cats and dogs, the first such professional clinic in Fairfield County. The clinic offers other low-cost services only during the

spay/neuter appointment. Nutmeg honors state spay/neuter vouchers at face value from adopted shelter pets and qualified low-income families and offers further low-cost incentives to nonprofit rescue groups. Pit bulls and mixes are welcome at an an even more reduced rate, and the clinic offers spay/neuter and vaccine discounts for feral cats. See ad, page 64.


Magazine calendar events must be received by April 12th (for May issue) and adhere to our guidelines. All calendar submissions must be entered online at eNaturalAwakenings.com: click on “submit calendar” at the very top of the page.

calendarofevents markyourcalendarExperiencing Your Past Lives

and Soulmates with Ashod Kassabian

Introductory ($20) and all-day Workshops ($50) with early confirmation.

for professionals and non-professionals

Held at Albertson Spiritualist Church, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich

For more information: 917-733-5732 or ExperiencingYourPastLives.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1

TLC Networking Lunch – Noon-2pm. Are you a holistic practitioner or healthy living professional? Bring a bag lunch. If you are interested in hosting a TLC Networking event at your office, please con-tact Beth at TLC Center. Free. Redding Meditation Center, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-856-9566. [email protected]. TLCCenter.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Threads of Freedom – 7:15-8:45pm. With Kathy Jamison and Greg Barringer. Introduction and overview of the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali. Include chanting of key sutras, discussion and guided reflection. Course eligible for CE Credits – certificate provided if requested. Drop-ins $32/class. $100/4-class. Yoga for Every-body, 27 Unquowa Rd, Fairfield. 203-254-YOGA. [email protected]. Yoga4Everybody.net.

Metaphysical Movie Night: Defending Your Life – 7:30pm. A man visits Judgment City, where the recently dead are put on a sort of trial to decide their fate. $10 suggested offering. Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, 2nd Fl, Norwalk. 203-855-7922. [email protected]. UnityCen-terNorwalk.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 41-Day Meditation Retreat – 9:30am-4pm. Silent session designed to be more intensive than weekly classes. Allows the mind more time to drop daily thoughts and develop deeper levels of awareness of our body, mind, thoughts and feeling. Bring a bag lunch. Must register. By donation. Redding Center for Mindfulness & Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. [email protected]. ReddingMeditation.org.

Reiki II Certification – 9:30am-5pm. Gain a deeper level of understanding of the energies of the body and enhance the Reiki channels to provide the

individual a greater ability to perform Reiki heal-ing sessions on others. Manual and professional certificate included. $250. Muktinath Holistic Cen-ter, 755 Main St (Rt. 25), Monroe. 203-518-5808. [email protected]. MuktinathHolistic-Center.com.

Reiki Level 1 Workshop – 9:30am-5:30pm. With Gigi Benanti, Reiki master/teacher. Learn Western style from an experienced Reiki master (19 years). Includes latest info. Learn Reiki for self-healing and healing others. 4 powerful energy connections, from short (Japanese/Usa) linage, 2 manuals and certificate. $115 + $10/materials. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave (enter office downstairs in back), Norwalk. 203-852-1150. [email protected]. AngelHealReiki.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 6Massage Therapy Program – Seven-month massage therapy program starts at Finger Lakes School of Massage. For info about the program or financial aid opportunities, contact Admissions. 272 N. Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco, NY. 914-241-7363. FLSM.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7Past Life Regression – 6:30-9pm. With Ashod Kassabian. Discover repressed memories and trau-mas from past lives to help clear present life issues. Workshop begins with a brief discussion about the nature of our soul, followed by a guided meditation, then sharing of the inner experiences and concludes with attempting to release blocking energies. $25. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 917-733-5732. [email protected]. AlbertsonChurch.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8Introduction to Reiki – 7-8:30pm. With Beth Prins Leas. This is a great place to start if you’re curious about Reiki or interested in learning more about how

to heal yourself and others. Beth will share wisdom from her 20+ years using Reiki in this fun, explor-ative and interesting evening. Free. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. [email protected]. BethLeas.com.

Opening to Our Soul’s Potential – 7-8:30pm. With Nicole Miale, Integrative Health and Healing Graduate and Publisher, Natural Awakenings - Fair-field County. Webinar. The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. 203-874-4252. [email protected]. Learn.edu/Events.

Angel Cards Workshop – 7-9pm. Come learn how to do Angel Card Readings during this hands-on workshop. Learn how to clear, bless and add intentions to your cards in order to receive pure messages. $40. Trumbull High School, 72 Strobel Rd, Trumbull. 203-452-4554. AngelHappiness.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9New Haven Chapter of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting – 6:30-8:30pm. Free. The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. [email protected]. Learn.edu/Events.

Picture Tapping Meetup – 7-8:30pm. Picture Tapping Technique (PTT) is a technique that uses Meridian Tapping along with the power of meta-phor and the imagination, to release problems in a painless and indirect way. $10. Location given with RSVP, near Merritt. [email protected]. EnergyToolsForDailyLiving.com.

Secrets for Aligning Mind, Body to Sustain Lifelong Success – 7-9pm. With Ann Wilkinson, Osteopathic Physical Therapist and Integrative Health and Healing faculty. Webinar and on site. The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. 203-874-4242. [email protected]. Learn.edu/Events.

Screening of Look Up – 7:30-9:30pm. Telly Award-winning director makes a terrifying discovery while testing time lapse camera equipment then accidental-ly playing the footage backwards. The film addresses the world’s most dangerous environmental program ever – GeoEngineering and SRM. $10.75. Fairfield Cinema’s at Bullard Square, 41 Black Rock Tnpk, Fairfield. 203-292-8190. [email protected]. Gathr.us/Screening/10781.

Kindred SpiritsA Center for the

Mind, Body, & Soul

Relax, Enjoy, Let Your Spirit Shine Through

203-938-3690

Interfaith Ministry Services Energy Sessions (Reiki, Rising Star)

Certification Classes (Reiki, Rising Star) Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)

Ear Coning • Meditation Classes Intuitive/Clarity Sessions

Group Workshops • Buddhist Chanting

www.kindredspiritscenter.com59 Ledgewood Road, Redding, CT 06896


markyourcalendarCreating Calm in the Chaos a workshop on Stress Management

and Self Care, presented by Christel Autuori, RDH RYT MA CIHC,

Integrative Health of Connecticut

Thursday, April 23 • 7-8:30pmTurning Point Healing

Arts and Education Center, 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield Questions? Please call 203-788-0647

Space is limited –Register early! Send check for $35 to Christel Autuori

PO Box 269, Ridgefield

SATURDAY, APRIL 11Reiki 1 Certification Training – 9am-2pm. With Beth Leas. Learn this ancient healing modality using gentle touch to accelerate and support the body’s natural healing process on all levels. Facilitate heal-ing in yourself and others. Beth is a Reiki Master and teacher for over 20 years. $245. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. [email protected]. BethLeas.com.

Past Life Regression – 9am-5pm. With Ashod Kassabian. Discover repressed memories and trau-mas from past lives to help clear present life issues. Workshop begins with a brief discussion about the nature of our soul, followed by a guided meditation, then sharing of the inner experiences and concludes with attempting to release blocking energies. $25. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 917-733-5732. [email protected]. AlbertsonChurch.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12Spiritual Psychic Fair – 1-5pm. Many modalities available; tarot, pendulum, mediumship, psychic readings, palmistry, past life readings. Sessions ap-prox. 25 mins. Also Pranic Healing sessions and Reiki healing for people and animals. Readings $40 and up. Healings $20 and up. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. [email protected]. AlbertsonChurch.org.

Spring Fling! Women’s Half-Day Retreat – 1-5pm. It’s time to awaken from the winter doldrums and step into spring as we celebrate your Inner Goddess. Fun afternoon will include movement and

dance, creative expression, guided meditation, story-telling and more. $75. Redding Meditation Center, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-856-9566. [email protected]. BethLeas.com.

Guided Relaxation With Healing Gong – 3-5pm. Guided relaxation will help you melt, release, and rejuvenate away pain, tension and stress. Your mind and body enter into a deep state of meditation where healing on a subatomic level is possible. $20. Be Shri Yoga, 1345 E Putnam Ave, 2nd Floor, Old Greenwich. 203-856-5299. [email protected]. BeShriYoga.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14Essential Oils For Beginners – 7-8:30pm. With Jennifer Gailey. Informative classes to enhance your health and wellness through the use of essential oils. Free. Transformation For Life, 80 North St, Danbury. 203-617-8228. [email protected]. TransformationForLifeYoga.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15TLC Healing Circle with Beth Prins Leas – 7-9pm. Fun, experiential evening for both curious first-timers and practitioners of all modalities and levels. Healing circle meditation and then everyone will have the opportunity to give/receive mini-sessions. Open to all. $20 donation. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. [email protected]. BethLeas.com.

Reiki Refresher For All Levels – 7:30-9:30pm. With Gigi Benanti, Reiki Master. Reiki Practitio-ners only. Group review class. Please bring, Reiki Certificates from in person classes. $40/material fee.

Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, (enter office downstairs in back), Norwalk. 203-852-1150. [email protected]. AngelHealReiki.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 16Discover the Secrets of Your Destiny – 7-9pm. Who are you? Discover how Numerology and Tarot can teach you about your path, add to your self-knowledge and your understanding of your world at large. Gain clarity about the purpose of your life so you can move forward, upward and onward. $50. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. [email protected]. TLCTarot.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18Aromatherapy Essentials – Noon-2pm. Learn how therapeutic grade essential oils have the ability to support your needs on a daily basis—body, mind and spirit—and practical ways to use them for personal body care, around the house as safe alternatives for toxic cleaning products, home remedies and first aid helpers. $40. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. [email protected]. BethLeas.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 19Restorative Yoga with Healing Gong – 4-6pm. Guided relaxation will help melt, release, and re-juvenate away pain, tension and stress. Mind and body enter into a deep state of meditation where healing on a subatomic level is possible. Free, sug-gested donation $30. Harmony Yoga, 175 Atlantic St, Stamford. 203-856-5299. [email protected]. HarmonYogaStudio.com.


Robin Ordan, LMT203-561-8535

www.robinordanlmt.com

Massage Therapy

Specializing in:Swedish • Pregnancy • Injury • InfantTrigger Point • CranioSacral Therapy

The Gift of Relaxation


Swedish

markyourcalendarRidgefield Health and Wellness Open House

Saturday, April 25 • 1pm-4pm 100B Danbury Rd (Rt 35), Ridgefield Come meet nine Health and Wellness professionals who

share a common building address, concur in their philosophies on promoting body, mind and spirit

wholeness, and represent various healing arts and therapies. A free, all ages, family-oriented event. Includes

tours, demonstrations, and a drawing for prizes such as free consultations and treatment sessions.

Free refreshments will be available.

Questions? Call 203-438-3050 or 203-948-0841

• Integrated Swedish• Sports• Deep Tissue

122 River Road Ext.Cos Cob, CT 06807

203.869.1764Pangaeamassage.com

Selected as Best of 2014 by Serendipity Magazine

markyourcalendarJOIN THE PARTY!

Westchester Natural Awakenings’ Book Publishing Party

Thursday, April 9 7-10pm At Recologie

49 Lawton St, New Rochelle, NY Meet Authors: Dr. Michael Finkelstein, Cathleen O’Connor & Elizabeth Harper

$20. Refreshments & cash bar.Tickets/Info: WakeUpNaturally.com

914-617-8750


markyourcalendarThe Tao of MarketingFriday, April 17 • 10am-6pm

Andrea Adler, internationally renowned author/speaker, shares insights on how to market your business to be more in

alignment with your true self.

Redding Center for Meditation 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, Redding $225 before 4/10, $250 after HolisticPR.com to register

TUESDAY, APRIL 21Past Life Regression – 6:30-9pm. With Ashod Kassabian. Discover repressed memories and trau-mas from past lives to help clear present life issues. Workshop begins with a brief discussion about the nature of our soul, followed by a guided meditation, then sharing of the inner experiences and concludes with attempting to release blocking energies. $25. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 917-733-5732. [email protected]. AlbertsonChurch.org.

The Science of Spiritual Marketing with Andrea Adler, Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations Expert – 7-9pm. Webinar and on site. The Graduate Institute, 171 Amity Rd, Bethany. 203-874-4242. [email protected]. Learn.edu/Events.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22Celebrate Earth Day with Green & Tonic – 3:30-4:30pm. With the Garden Education Center & Mike’s Organic Delivery. Earth Day kid-friendly activities and delicious and healthy after school treats for your little ones. Free. Green & Tonic, 7 Strickland Rd, Cos Cob. 888-GOGANDT. [email protected]. GreenAndTonic.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23Jin Shin Jyutsu for Harmony and Transforma-tion – 7-8:30pm. Would you like more energy and vitality? Are you tired of being tired? Learn and experience simple and profound hands-on energy revitalizing exercises. With Beth Leas. $15. Loca-tion given with RSVP, near Merritt. [email protected]. EnergyToolsForDailyLiving.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25Reiki 2 Certification Training – 9am-2pm. With Beth Prins Leas. Learn long distance healing and 3 symbols to deepen your understanding of Reiki. Beth’s unique teaching style and 20+ years experience offers a balanced and grounded approach to incorporating the necessary skills into your prac-tice. Small, personalized and experiential class. $345. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. [email protected]. BethLeas.com.

Reiki Second Degree Workshop – 9:30am-5:30pm. With Gigi Benanti, Reiki master/teacher (19 years). Learn Reiki 2nd Degree in the Western style. Learn to send distance Reiki healing, deepen use of Reiki for others and yourself. 2 powerful energy con-

nections from my short Japanese/Usa Linage. Two manuals and certificate. $215. Angelic Healing Cen-ter, 7 Morgan Ave (enter office downstairs in back), Norwalk. 203-852-1150. [email protected]. AngelHealReiki.com.

Ridgefield Family Health and Wellness Open House – 1-4pm. Nine Health and Wellness profes-sionals share a common building address, concur in their philosophies on promoting body, mind and spirit wholeness, and represent various healing arts and therapies. Include tours, demonstrations, and a draw-ing for prizes that include free consultations and treat-ment sessions.Free. All welcome. 100B Danbury Rd (Rt 35), Ridgefield. 203-438-3050 or 203-948-0841.

SUNDAY, APRIL 26The Lyme Walk & Run – 8am-noon. 5K and 10K run, as well as a 1 Mile and 3 Mile walk. Informa-tion stations, music, food and more will be avail-able. Register by April 17 to guarantee a t-shirt. Pre-registration: $25/person, $85/family. On site registration: $35/person, $90/family. Cove Island Park, Cove Rd, Stamford. 203-969-1333. [email protected]. LymeWalkRun.org.

Putnam Heart Walk – 9am. Putnam Heart Walk is a solution to getting people to increase their physical activity and to raise funds to support lifesaving re-search for cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Free. Brewster High School, 50 Foggintown Rd, Brewster, NY. 914-640-3274. [email protected].

The Sound of Your Dreams – 1:30-3:30pm. With Denise DeSimone. Sound + Visualization = Mani-festation. Using this principle, Denise assists each participant in identifying their dreams at a cellular level to help them manifest what they want to create. $25. Albertson Memorial Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. Info@ AlbertsonChurch.org. AlbertsonChurch.org.Create a Vision Board – 2-4pm. Do you have a vi-sion board? Jack Canfield says they are one of the most valuable visualization tools because they repre-sent your dreams, your goals, your ideal life. Your vi-sion board will lead to you to the hidden side of your authentic self. Join us for a creative, fun afternoon. $50. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. [email protected]. BethLeas.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 288th Annual Spirit of Hope 2015 Benefit Dinner – 6-11:30pm. Benefit to support Liberation Programs,

which provides important resources such as housing, mental health services, effective treatment alternatives and other support services that enable individuals and families to begin new lives and sustain lifelong recovery. $150. Hyatt Regency Greenwich, 1800 East Putnam Ave, Greenwich. 203-604-1144. Dinner@Liberation Programs.org. LiberationPrograms.org/home.

Essential Oils For Beginners – 7-8:30pm. With Jennifer Gailey. Informative classes to enhance your health and wellness through the use of essential oils. Free. Transformation For Life Wellness Center, 80 North St, Danbury. 203-617-8228. [email protected]. TransformationForLifeYoga.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29The Art of Healing and the Psychology of Illness – 7pm. With Dr. Bernie Siegel, IHH faculty. RSVP to Anne Grant. The Jewish Community Center Audi-torium, 360 Amity Rd, Woodbridge. 203-387-2522 x300. Anneg@[email protected].

FRIDAY, MAY 1Spring Weekend Retreat – 5/1 at 7pm to 5/3 at 5pm. Deepen your meditation practice by allowing you to cultivate self-awareness for an extended period of time without distraction. Register by 4/24. $30/one day, $60/weekend. Redding Center for Meditation, 9 Pick-etts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. [email protected]. ReddingMeditation.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 7Go Red For Women Health and Wellness Exhi-bition and Learning Sessions – 9:30am-noon. In-formative and fun day of activities. Explore options that are available locally for you to eat better, move more, stress less and look your best. Don’t forget to wear red. Free. Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa, 243 Tresser Blvd, Stamford. 914-640-3268. [email protected]. WestfairGoRedLuncheon.AHAEvents.org.

Go Red For Women Luncheon – 9:30am-2pm. At the Health & Wellness Exhibition, you will have an opportunity to explore options that are available locally for you to eat better, move more, stress less and look your best. The Learning Sessions provide information about risk factors and effec-tive techniques for reducing them. $250. Stamford Marriott Hotel and Spa, 243 Tresser Blvd, Stam-ford. 914-640-3268 . [email protected]. WestfairGoRedLuncheon.AHAEvents.org.

markyourcalendar9th US Spiritist

Symposium Laboratory of the Invisible World

Saturday, May 2, 10am – 7pmMarriott Hotel & Spa

243 Tresser Blvd, StamfordSpeakers, workshops and youth activities

Topics: Spirit Communications and Manifestations, Art through

Mediumship and more... Go to SpiritualityNow.net for more

information and registration.

markyourcalendarAwaken Wellness Fair …Awaken to Your Best Self…

Saturday, April 25 10am to 5pm

Sheraton Stamford Hotel 700 East Main St

StamfordSpeakers, Healers, Vendors and Readers

Over 100 exhibitors, 1000 guests!AwakenFair.com

click on “Stamford 4-25” Exhibitor spots available


Angelic Reiki Meditation with Essential Oils – 8-9am. Receive short, hands-on Angelic Reiki, experience powerful techniques to reduce stress and relax. $10. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave (in the back, downstairs), Norwalk. Pre-register: 203-852-1150.New Beginnings in Community Sunday Service – 10am. Join this group of spiritually-minded people embracing and honoring all world religions, belief systems, cultures and traditions. We come together to share thoughts, experiences and wisdom in a sup-portive, community environment. Free. Mystics By The Sea, 394 New Haven Ave, Milford. 203-980-6272. NewBeginningsInCommunity.Weebly.com. Mahasati Insight Meditation – 10-11:30am. Mahasati is a form of Insight Meditation. The Redding Center for Meditation’s mission is to help people of all faiths develop the self-awareness and inner peace necessary to live life in a skillful way. 203-244-3130. ReddingMeditation.org.Reiki Volunteers – 10am-noon. Pledge time to vol-unteer Sundays at various homes for the elderly and nursing homes in Fairfield and Southbury. Receive credits towards Reiki training. Reiki Overtones, 95 Harris St, Fairfield. Reservations, Jim or Jeannette: 203-254-3958.Celebration Service – 10:30am-noon. With Rev. Shawn Moninger Inspiring message supports your spiritual unfoldment with thought provoking, soul healing topics and uplifting music. Love offering. Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, 2nd Fl (above Ford dealership), Norwalk. 203-855-7922. [email protected]. UnityCenterPS.org.Albertson Church Service – 11am-12:30pm. In-cludes an inspirational talk from caring ministers, guided meditation, time to receive healing energy and spirit messages from those we continue to love. Free. Albertson Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 203-637-4615.Family Program (Kids and Teens) – First and third Sunday. Family Program introducing kids to meditation, metta (loving-kindness affirmations), yoga, art practice, a discussion of mindfulness in everyday life, generosity, compassion, let-ting go of negative mind states and other basic Buddhist ideas that are common to all spiritual paths. Parents can meditate in the main building. Contact Matt Keeler at [email protected]. ReddingMeditation.org.

Fundraiser for Animals in Distress Shelter – Noon. Through 4/4. Benefit Fundraiser. Animals In Distress Shelter AID is a free-roaming no-kill cat animal shelter located in Wilton. 55-minute, semi-private PT Sessions (2-5 people/session). RSVP required. $35 (100 percent donated to Shelter). Body Smart, Crescent Village, 115 Main St, Unit 11, Monroe. 203-767-0623. [email protected]. BodySmart.cc.

sunday

monday

ongoingeventsMahasati Insight Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Mahasati is a form of Insight Meditation. The Redding Center for Meditation’s mission is to help people of all faiths develop the self-awareness and inner peace necessary to live life in a skillful way. 203-244-3130. ReddingMeditation.org.Eckhart Tolle Study Group: A New Earth - Awak-ening to Your Life’s Purpose – 7-9pm. Take part in this open hearted, supportive group as we dismantle EGO (that anxious, negative, limiting part of your mind) and learn to locate and experience your True Self. Free or by donation. 154 Head of Meadow Rd, Newtown. 203-809-4409. VeronicaMarr4@ gmail.com. NewtownLove.org.Women’s Holistic Self-Defense – 7-9pm. Weekly program combines martial arts and self-awareness techniques, to build confidence, remain calm and empower yourself in any life situation. Meets in Norwalk. Limitless-Potential.net.Guided Meditat ion at Sabita Hol is t ic Center –7:30-8:30pm. Give yourself the gift of meditation at Sabita Holistic Center. Internation-ally known Dr. Levy has worked for over the past 35 years in stress reduction, deep relaxation and meditation. Free. Sabita Holistic Center, 3519 Post Rd, Southport. 203-254-2633.Monday Meditation for Everyone – 7:30-9pm. This is Meditation Guided Imagery for relaxation and stress reduction. It also helps you move forward on your spiritual path. No experience necessary. $20. Soul Focus, 145 Grassy Plain St, Bethel. 203-570-3868. Reiki Share – 7:30-9:30pm. Fourth Monday. With JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT. Practice Reiki in a small group setting. Share experiences and help each other develop in a safe, fun environment while providing a wonderful, relaxing, rejuvenating experience. $20. Registration required. Turning Point Healing Arts and Education Center 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield. 203-438-3050. TurningPointReiki.com.

TLC Monthly Networking Breakfast – 8:30-10am. Looking for a community of healthy living professionals? At TLC Center, we understand the power of networking. Relaxed supportive group of professionals. Grab a friend, your biz cards and join us for a fun morning of connecting. Free. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. [email protected]. TLCCenter.com.Pranotthan Yoga Classes – 9-10:15am. For all levels of fitness. Begin from where you are and move towards improvement. A simple, powerful way to support your healthy lifestyle. $120/8-classes, $20/drop-in. Transformation for Life, 80 North St, Danbury. 203-617-8228. [email protected]. LiveYourTransformation.com.Yoga Therapeutics – 9-10:15am. With Dr. Kathy Sward. Designed for those with chronic pain, health conditions, rehabbing injuries, prevention and other health concerns. Traditional poses are expertly modified to allow the mind to calm, joints to align and muscles lengthen and strengthen. No experience necessary. $15. Redding Center for Meditation, 9

tuesday

Coming to Natural Awakenings

Fairfield County

Masters of Yoga & Fitness

The yoga and fitness community in Fairfield County has never been more vibrant! To provide studios with new ways to connect with our loyal and engaged readers, we’re launching a NEW monthly advertising page devoted to the amazing yoga and fitness studios in Fairfield County!

Special ad sizes, rates, and packages will be available for 6 and 12 month contract terms. These will include unique editorial marketing opportunities to showcase each studio’s business and approach.

If you own a yoga or fitness studio in Fairfield County, contact your

sales representative or the main office TODAY to find out how you can

be featured on the new Masters of Yoga & Fitness page!

FFCAdvertising@ NaturalAwakeningsmag.com

203-885-4674


wednesday

tuesdayPicketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-207-1613. [email protected]. DrKathySWard.com.Tots Yoga for Crawler-17months – 10:15-11am. Partner with your little one for animated yoga poses, games, music and breathing exercises to strengthen coordination and build body awareness. Please pre-register for your free trial class. First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Bedford St, Stamford. 203-253-0764. [email protected]. FamilyTreeYoga.net.Mommy & Me Yoga for Babies 6 Weeks Old - Pre-Crawling – 11:15am-noon. Moms will restore and rejuvenate through stretching and strengthen-ing poses. Babies will enjoy yoga poses to aid in digestion and sleep. Great opportunity to bond with your baby and connect with other moms. Please pre-register for free trial at FamilyTreeYoga.net. First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Bedford St, Stamford. 203-253-0764. [email protected] – Noon. Interested in public speak-ing? Trumbull Toastmasters is a chartered club of Toastmasters International dedicated to improving members’ communication and leadership skills. Meets alternate Tuesdays. Call or email for more informa-tion. Body Smart, Crescent Village, 115 Main St, Unit 11, Monroe. 203-459-6773. [email protected]. Trumbull. ToastMastersClubs.org.Mahasati Insight Meditation – 12:30-2pm. Mahasati is a form of Insight Meditation. The Redding Center for Meditation’s mission is to help people of all faiths develop the self-awareness and inner peace necessary to live life in a skillful way. 203-244-3130. ReddingMeditation.org.BodySmart – 6:15-7:30pm. Semi-private sessions for 2-4 participants. Complete core/body condition-ing exercises and stretching utilizing a 9-foot floor to ceiling X-Pole. $45/class-discount with 6+ classes (pre-reg required). BodySmart, 115 Main St, Unit 11, Monroe. Call Lisa for details, additional schedule information and to register: 203-209-7359.Meditating Holistically – 6:30-8pm. Starts with free information session on 2/10. With Urgyan Zangpo, a Western Buddhist lama sharing a rich practice of traditional meditation guidance directed toward holistic integration. Group meditation and discussion, devoted to our mutual innermost truths. $15. Location: ah Yoga, 168 New Milford Tpke (Rt 202), New Preston. 860-868-6707 or Danbury Area Vajrayana Buddhist Meditation on Meetup.com.Energy Tools Tuesdays: Understanding the Power of Your Energy Body and Subconscious Mind – 7pm. 4-week workshop. Learn simple tech-niques to feel better. Energy body; EFT, the power of the subconscious, visualization and intuition. $40/week, $120 for all. Westport residence, given with RSVP. [email protected]. EnergyTools-ForDailyLiving.com.The Science of Getting Rich – 7pm. 8-week series. Becoming rich is a science that can be proven only by applying the principles of getting rich. Most significantly, thought. Acquire the ability to think the way we want to think. Love offering. Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, 2nd Flr (above Ford

dealership), Norwalk. 203-855-7922. [email protected]. UnityCenterNorwalk.org.Angelic Healing Group—7-9pm. First Tuesday. Experience the healing energy of the Angelic Realm. Your energy body will be infused with the love and light of the Divine through meditation and hands-on touch. $20. Stevens Memorial Church, 8 Shady Ln, South Salem, NY. 203-438-4893.Reiki Shares – 7:30-10:15pm. First and third Tuesdays. Gigi Benanti Usui/Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher. For Reiki practitioners only. Exchange ongoing since 1996. Instructions included. $20. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk. Pre-register: 203-852-1150.

Pranotthan Yoga Classes – 9-10:15am. For all levels of fitness. Begin from where you are and move towards improvement. A simple, powerful way to support your healthy lifestyle. $17/drop in, $75/5-class pass, $130/10-class pass. Trans-formation For Life Wellness Center, 80 North St, Danbury. 203-617-8228. [email protected]. TransformationForLifeYoga.com.Core Yoga – 9:30-10:30am. A class designed to strengthen your core and deepen your practice. With emphasis on proper alignment this class moves slowly through basic postures in challeng-ing ways. Great for beginners or experienced yogis looking to build strength and reduce stress. $17/drop-in, $150/10-class card. The Graceful Planet, 7 Berkshire Rd, Sandy Hook. 203-426-8215. [email protected]. GracefulPlanet.com.Mommy Healing Meditation – 10:30am-noon. Wednes-days through 4/29. Discuss the challenges, blockages and limitations we feel about parenting and release them through transformative meditation. $25 suggested donation. Muktinath Holistic Center, 755 Main St (Rt. 25), Monroe. 203-518-5808. [email protected]. MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.Fundraiser for Animals in Distress Shelter – Noon. Through 4/4. Benefit Fundraiser. Animals In Distress Shelter AID is a free-roaming no-kill cat animal shelter located in Wilton. 55-minute, semi-private PT Sessions (2-5 people/session). RSVP required. $35 (100 percent donated to Shelter). Body Smart, Crescent Village, 115 Main St, Unit 11, Monroe. 203-767-0623. [email protected]. BodySmart.cc.Kundalini Yoga – 6:15pm. With Gina and Alisa. Classes incorporate exercises, chanting, breathwork, meditation, and a deep relaxation & integration with the gong to provide you with tools to help manage the stress in your life and live more gracefully in the world. $15/class. $120/10 classes. Unitarian Univer-salist Congregation of Danbury, 24 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury. 203-312-0132. [email protected] for Weight & Energy Transformation – 7pm. EFT is a simple but powerful technique. Stress decreases, cortisol levels drop. EFT research shows that participants in EFT programs continue to lose weight after learning tapping. New tools taught every month. $30. Total Life Care Center, 152

East Ave, Norwalk. [email protected]. EnergyToolsForDailyLiving.com.Albertson Church Healing Service – 7-8pm. Third Wednesday. Guided meditation, receive healing energy from church-sanctioned healers and the gift of saging. All are welcome. Free. Albertson Church of Spiritualism, 293 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. 203-637-4615.Meditation – 7-8pm. Experience bliss, peace, joy and deep healing. Not your traditional silent or guided meditation class. It is meant to transform you, healing the chakras through the release of long-held negative thoughts and beliefs, stagnant emotions, and discordant vibrations. By donation. Muktinath Holistic Center, 755 Main St (Rt. 25), Monroe. 203-518-5808. [email protected]. MuktinathHolisticCenter.com.Psychic Development Class – 7-8:30pm. 4-week Class. Starts 4/1, ends 4/29. Class is designed for you to grow and develop within your own skills, abilities and gifts through practical and interactive exercises. Please bring a pen and journal. Pre-registration is required. Call for information and/or registration. $225. 203-570-3868. Soul-Focus.me.Mahasati Insight Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Mahasati is a form of Insight Meditation. The Redding Center for Meditation’s mission is to help people of all faith s develop the self-awareness and inner peace necessary to live life in a skillful way. 203-244-3130. ReddingMeditation.org.Meditating Holistically – 7-8:30pm. With Urgyan Zangpo, a Western Buddhist lama sharing a rich practice of traditional meditation guidance directed toward holistic integration. Group meditation and discussion, devoted to our mutual innermost truths. $15. WCSU, Danbury Midtown Campus, Warner Hall, Rm 103S or Danbury Area Vajrayana Buddhist Meditation on Meetup.com.The Pathwork Lectures - 4 Week Class – 7-8:30pm.With Maria Corsaro, certified 50/50 Pathwork helper and teacher. Each week we will read one lecture and work with exercises which were created to help bring key lecture concepts to the participant’s life. Love Offering. Unity Center of Norwalk, 3 Main St, 2nd Fl, Norwalk. 203-855-7922. [email protected]. UnityCenterPS.org.Journey Within: Do You Feel Stuck? – 7-9pm. First Wednesday. Need support trying to begin something new? Support, intuitive insight, wis-dom. Facilitator: Cindy Miller, intuitive. $20. Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown. Call: 203-426-9448. SacredGrounds.bz. TrinityProduction.org.Holistic Moms Network Fairfield County, CT Chapter – 7:30pm. Second Wednesday. Associ-ates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care, 156 East Ave, Norwalk. Home.Homewebs.com/HMNFairfieldCtyCT.Turning Point S.H.A.R.E. Divorce Group – 7:30-9:30pm. Third Wednesdays. Offering support, healing, advocacy, resources and education for women in the process of, or recently divorced. Redding Center for Meditation, $20, $150/10-session card. Registration required. 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, Redding. 203-438-3050. TurningPointShare.com.

ongoingevents


The Offices of Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, 898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ste #6, Ridgefield. 203-438-4848. [email protected]. DrRoseann.com.Energy Tools Study Group MeetUp – 7-8:30pm. Come learn about your energy body - every month will be a different topic or exercise. No experience needed, all are welcome. $15. Location given with RSVP, near Merritt, Weston. 203-247-1318. [email protected]. Meetup.com/Energy-Tools-Study-Group.Meditating Holistically – 7-8:30pm. With Urgyan Zangpo, a Western Buddhist lama sharing a rich practice of traditional meditation guidance directed toward holistic integration. Group meditation and discussion, devoted to our mutual innermost truths. $15. YogaSpace, 78 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel. 203-730-YOGA or Danbury Area Vajrayana Buddhist Meditation on Meetup.com.Reiki Healing Circle – 7-9pm. Second Thursday. All welcome. Non-Reiki & Reiki practitioners share and experience Reiki. See details on Unity website. Hosted by Gigi Benanti Reiki master/teacher. $20. Unity Center for Practical Spirituality, 3 Main St, Norwalk. 203-852-1150. [email protected]. AngelHealReiki.com, UnityCenterPS.org.Pre-Natal Yoga – 7:30-8:45pm. For all stages of pregnancy. This class will combine yoga postures, breath work and relaxation techniques to help release tension and fatigue and prepare for labor, delivery and the post-partum period. Please pre-register for your free trial class. The United Church of Roway-ton, 210 Rowayton Ave, Norwalk. 203-253-0764. [email protected]. FamilyTreeYoga.net.

thursdayKripalu Yoga – 9:30-10:30am. With Kat Barton, 500-hour professional Kripalu teacher. Focus on breath and be present. Class is suitable for all levels and will start whereever you are. This class will help center you and relax. $17/drop-in, $150/10-Class card. The Graceful Planet, 7 Berkshire Rd, Sandy Hook. 203-426-8215. [email protected]. GracefulPlanet.com.Thursday Morning Meditation for Moms – 9:30-11am. Come and unwind with a Guided Meditative Journey geared to release stress and a healthful more positive understanding of self. $20. Soul Focus, 145 Grassy Plain St, Bethel. 203-570-3868.Tea and Meditation – 9:30-11am. Mahasati is a form of Insight Meditation. The Redding Center for Medita-tion’s mission is to help people of all faiths develop the self-awareness and inner peace necessary to live life in a skillful way. By donation. Redding Center for Medita-tion, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 203-244-3130. [email protected]. ReddingMeditation.org.Empowered Kids Energy Tools Class – 4pm. Give your kids a gift they will use for the rest of their lives – the ability to shift their own energy. EFT (or meridian tapping), visualization and meditation, affirmations, energy exercises, the power of their thoughts and words and more. $20/class. Personal residence, given with RSVP. Norwalk. [email protected]. IntuitiveChangeAgent.com.ADHD Parent Support Group – 7-8:30pm. Join both parents and caregivers to learn more about how to support children and teens with attentional and executive functioning issues. Emphasis will not only be on connecting with others, but about gaining valuable strategies and techniques. Free.

Channeled Messages and Meditations – 7:30-9:30pm. Fourth Thursday. Through meditation and channeling receive information, energetic atonements and initiations from Spirit. This group is for those who want to develop and expand their energetic vibration. $20. Space is limited. Ridgefield. 203-438-4893.

Psychic Tarot Readings – Sunshine Estar Intuitive, Psychic Tarot, Medium Pranic Healer, Reiki II Healer. Free. Black Cat Mystic Shoppe, 143 Bennett St, Bridgeport. 203-414-9786. [email protected]. BlackCatShopInBlackRock.com.Pranotthan Yoga Classes – 9-10:15am. For all levels of fitness. Begin from where you are and move towards improvement. A simple, powerful way to support your healthy lifestyle. $17/drop in, $75/5-class pass, $130/10-class pass. Trans-formation For Life Wellness Center, 80 North St, Danbury. 203-617-8228. [email protected]. TransformationForLifeYoga.com.A Course in Miracles Study Group – 9:15am. Meets bi-weekly in Westport. Facilitator: Henry Grayson, PhD. Free. To reserve seat and for dates/location: 203-454-1745.Reiki Share – 9:30-11:30am. First Friday. With JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT. Practice Reiki in a small group setting. Share experiences and help each other develop in a safe, fun environment while providing a wonderful, relaxing, rejuvenating experience. $20. Registration required. Turning Point Healing Arts and Education Center 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield. 203-438-3050. TurningPointReiki.com.

friday


SPACE AVAILABLE - PT OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE in a holistic educational & healing arts center in a renovated chapel in Newtown, CT. Unique opportunity to rent office space and also be supported by the center. Also seeking local artisans to sell art and teach classes. Workshop/programs considered for spring 2015. Openings in Jan/Feb. Want team players with great energy. [email protected].

DISTRIBUTORS WANTED: for monthly deliveries of Natural Awakenings and other local publications. Perfect for a retired person or stay-at-home mom looking to earn some extra income and connect with their local community. Honesty and dependability are the most important characteristics of our distributors - if you don’t have it in spades, please do not apply! [email protected].

DISTRIBUTORS NEEDED TO OPEN MAR-KETS with our all natural neutraceuticals. Oppor-tunity to be your own boss and make BIG $$$. Car Bonus. Call 203-581-3751.

To place a Classified Listing: $1 per word. $25 minimum. Magazine deadline: 12th of month prior to publication. Email copy to NicoleM @NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

saturdayStudent Massage Clinic – 11am-1pm. Relax and enjoy a full-body massage at the Danbury Campus public Student Massage Therapy Clinic. Wednesday evenings or Friday mornings available. $30/50 minutes. Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute, 24 Shelter Rock Rd, Danbury. Call for appt: 203-748-0052.Mommy & Me Yoga for Babies 6-Weeks Old- Pre-Crawling – 11:15am-noon. Mom and baby will practice yoga together! This class is a great opportunity to bond with your baby and to connect with other moms. Pre-register for free trial class. First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Bedford St, Stam-ford. 203-253-0764. [email protected]. FamilyTreeYoga.net.Teen Meditation – 5-6pm. This is an enjoyable approach to the understanding of self and how you fit into the world in which you can grow with confidence. Come and explore a guided meditative journey that helps to melt away stress and anxiety. For teens and up. $15. Soul Focus, 145 Grassy Plains St, Bethel. 203-570-3868.TLC Tarot Fun & Fabulous Friday – 7-9pm. What’s in the cards for you? Find out during this playful event designed for everyone from novices to longtime tarot friends. Explore the tarot or develop a deeper relationship with the cards. Everyone will receive a reading from Beth Prins Leas. $40. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203-856-9566. [email protected]. BethLeas.com.Discussion with Spirit – 7:30pm. Last Friday. Bring questions, receive channeled information to help understand who you are, why you’ve come to the earth plane and empower yourself with messages from Spirit and loved ones. $35. Private residence, Monroe. Information/RSVP: 203-268-3262.Circle of Life – 7:30-9:30pm. Third Friday. Explore topics such as love, trust, permission and forgiveness as tools in navigating through life’s opportunities, losses and changes. Learn how to bring love, life and happiness. Notetaking welcome and encouraged. $40. Bridgeport location given with registration: 203-268-3262. TrinityProduction.org.

classifieds

FOR RENT

HELP WANTED

Angelic Reiki Meditation with Essential Oils – 8-9am. Receive short, hands-on Angelic Reiki, experi-ence powerful techniques to reduce stress and relax. $10. Angelic Healing Center, 7 Morgan Ave (in the back, downstairs), Norwalk. Pre-register: 203-852-1150.Yoga & Pilates – 8:30-10am. Fun class combining yoga and pilates. In this class we play with all the toys - using bands, blocks, balls and light weights for a complete workout. Lengthen and tone and end with a restorative relaxation. $17/drop-in, $150/10-Class card. The Graceful Planet, 7 Berkshire Rd, Sandy Hook. 203-426-8215. [email protected]. GracefulPlanet.com.Fundraiser for Animals in Distress Shelter – 9am, 11am, noon. Through 4/4. Benefit Fundraiser. Animals In Distress Shelter AID is a free-roaming no-kill cat animal shelter located in Wilton. 55-min-ute, semi-private PT Sessions (2-5 people/session). RSVP required. $35 (100 percent donated to Shelter). Body Smart, Crescent Village, 115 Main St, Unit 11, Monroe. 203-767-0623. [email protected]. BodySmart.cc.Community Yoga by Donation – 9-10:15am. Enjoy a 75-minute vinyasa flow yoga practice suitable for all levels with 200RYT Jennifer Cranna. This community class is on a monetary donation basis, so all may reap the benefits of yoga. Bring your mat or use ours. By donation. Zen Do Ju-Jitsu, 80 Park Ln, New Milford.Pranotthan Yoga Classes – 9-10:15am. For all levels of fitness. Begin from where you are and move towards improvement. A simple, powerful way to support your healthy lifestyle. $17/drop in, $75/5-class pass, $130/10-class pass. Transforma-tion For Life Wellness Center, 80 North St, Danbury. 203-617-8228. [email protected]. Transfor-mationForLifeYoga.com.Mahasati Insight Meditation – 10-11:30am. Mahasati is a form of Insight Meditation. The Redding Center for Meditation’s mission is to help people of all faiths develop the self-awareness and inner peace necessary to live life in a skillful way. 203-244-3130. ReddingMeditation.org.The Universal Reiki Plan – 11am-1pm. Third Sat-urday. Reiki Practitioners. Register for a free Reiki session. Free. Love offerings appreciated. Bloodroot Vegetarian Restaurant, 85 Ferris St, Bridgeport. Reservations, Jim or Jeannette: 203-254-3958, [email protected]. ReikiOvertones.com.Buddhist Teachings & Practice Discussion Group – 11:45am-1:30pm. Second and fourth Saturday. Join a relaxed group, in a tranquil environment, and explore some of the core principles of Buddhist practice. By donation. Redding Center for Meditation, 9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding. 914-763-4639. [email protected]. ReddingMeditation.org.The Universal Reiki Plan – 1:30-4:30pm. Third Sat-urday. Reiki practitioners only. Workshop and Reiki Share. Free. Love offerings appreciated. Bloodroot Vegetarian Restaurant, 85 Ferris St, Bridgeport. Reservations, Jim or Jeannette: 203-254-3958, [email protected]. ReikiOvertones.com.

ongoingevents

fridayIn-Depth Exploration of the Tarot – 2-5pm. Deepen your understanding of the tarot as keys to self-under-standing and spiritual revelation. Unique 8-week series includes guided meditation, journaling, artwork, inter-pretation and discussion to awaken your intuition. $800. TLC Center, 152 East Ave, Norwalk. 203.856.9566. [email protected]. BethLeas.com.Reiki Session – 5-6pm. Offering free Reiki sessions during classes. Students participate as part of class syllabus. First reserved. ReikiOvertones, 95 Harris St, Fairfield. Reservations, Jim or Jeannette: 203-254-3958, [email protected]. ReikiOvertones.com.Knitting Group - Purls of Wisdom – 6-8pm. With Diane Bustamante. Make prayer shawls. Completed shawls will be blessed by the Unity community and de-livered to those in need of comfort. All welcome. Bring yarn and needles/hook, if you have them. Supplies available for purchase. Love offering. Unity Center, 3 Main St, 2nd Fl (above Ford dealership), Norwalk. 203-855-7922. [email protected]. UnityCenterPS.org/PurlsOfWisdom.Planetary Peace Meditation – 7-8pm. With Mini-Pranic Healing every Saturday. Please call to reserve a space. Free. Black Cat Mystic Shoppe, 143 Bennett St, Bridgeport. 203-414-9786. [email protected]. BlackCatShopInBlackRock.com..

Nature always wears the colors

of the spirit.~Ralph Waldo Emerson


ACUPUNCTURE

INGRI BOE-WIEGAARD, LAc Fairfield, Wilton, Bethel203-259-1660 • CTAcupuncture.com25-year full-time practice

Ingri treatments help alleviate Pain, Depression, Neck & Back, Anxiety, Headaches, Stress, Allergies, Asthma, Arthritis, Digestive, Menstrual, Infertility and Smoking & Weight Loss Issues. See ad, page 11.

JODY EISEMANN, LAc Offices in Norwalk and Fairfield203-216-2548 • AcupunctureHealingCT.com

High-quality acupuncture at the most affordable prices in Fairfield County. 20+ years experience, specializing in treating all kinds of pain and general health issues.

AURA PHOTOGRAPHY

AURA PHOTOS UNLIMITEDJan & Jay203-266-0317 • [email protected]

Specializing in aura photos, chakra images and personalized bio data reports. Prices range from $25-$70. Various options available. See website for event schedule. Available for private parties and corporate affairs. Interesting, educational and fun!

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY

ALBA THERMAL IMAGING LLCSafe, painless early detection71 East Ave, Ste D, Norwalk203-856-1421 • AlbaThermalImaging.com

T h e r m o g r a p h y c a n detect breast disease at its earliest stages and monitor and assess pain in any part of the body. Safe, painless, non-invasive, FDA registered.

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY

SOPHIA NATURAL HEALTH CENTER31 Old Rt 7, Brookfield203-740-9300 • SophiaNaturalHealth.com

As the hormone ex-perts, we specialize in women’s health, natural hormone balancing, breast cancer prevention

and thermography utilizing the highest definition camera in the area with interpretations from MD specialists in the field.

XTORAYS.COMDigital Infrared Thermal ImagingSuzanne Pyle, MS, CCT866-XtoRAYS • [email protected]

Get peace of mind with safe (no radiation), FDA-approved breast cancer screening. 8 years earlier detection vs. mammography. Certified DITI thermographer. Conveniently located throughout Fairfield.

CANCER TREATMENT

ADVANCED MEDICINE OF MT. KISCO, PCNeil Raff, M.D., CNS37 Moore Ave, Mt. Kisco, NY914-241-7030 • NeilRaffMD.com

The most advanced natural nutritional treatment and support for all stages of cancer – high-dose vitamin C, European herbals, Iscador (mistletoe), ozone, immune boosters. Specializing in removal of cancer causing toxins. Call for free consultation.

CHIROPRACTIC

RISA SLOVES, DCAssociates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care 156 East Ave, Norwalk 203-838-1555 • CTChiropractic.com

Dr. Risa Sloves is 1 of 10 Chiro-practic Physicians in Connecticut with Board Certification in Maternity and Pediatric Care including Webster and Bagnell Turn ing Techn iques . Also provided: acupuncture, BioSET

Allergy Elimination Technique and the DRX9000 Spinal Decompression. See ad, page 19.

COLONICS

COLONICS914-921-LIFE (5433) LifelineHygienics.com

Experience and personalized service you can trust. The finest in colonic irrigation and personal care. Serving the tri-state area since 1993.

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLC 501 Kings Highway East, Ste 108, Fairfield 203-371-8258 • WholeBodyMed.com

Ready to s tar t feel ing healthier? Take your first step with this gentle cleansing procedure. Watch our colonic and detoxification videos on our new video website

located at WholeBodyMed.com. Call for Free CD on detoxification. See ad, page 2.

DETOXIFICATION

ADVANCED MEDICINE OF MT. KISCO, PCNeil Raff, M.D., CNS37 Moore Ave, Mt. Kisco, NY914-241-7030 • NeilRaffMD.com

Westchester’s most experienced office for the detection and treatment of toxic metals (lead, mercury, aluminum, etc.), the underlying cause of many inflammatory, immune and digestive conditions. Years of experience with chelation, IV or oral. Call for free consultation.

LIVER MEDIC800-387-2278 • LiverMedic.com

Liver Medic manufactures s p e c i a l i z e d

proprietary liver detox supplements. Products are safe and endorsed by physicians. We source only premium raw materials to maximize effectiveness of our unique formulations. All products adhere to strict cGMP guidelines, contain no artificial anything and are non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan when possible. The liver is complex, we make it simple. See ad, page 79.

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 (CRG) in print and online email FFCadvertising@ NaturalAwakeningsMag.com to request our advertising rates.

communityresourceguide


EDUCATION

HOUSATONIC VALLEY WALDORF SCHOOL40 Dodgingtown Rd, Newtown 203-364-1113 • WaldorfCT.org

We develop each child’s unique capacity to engage meaningfully in the world by integrating experiential and artistic learning, academic excellence, respect for diversity and reverence for nature. See ad, page 18.

WESTBROOK NATURE SCHOOL7 Long Ridge Rd, West Redding 203-664-1554 [email protected] WestbrookNatureSchool.org

A nature-based educ-ation on six acres of trails, streams, and meadows, with an organic garden and

natural playscapes. Our curriculum builds physical and emotional resilience, moral awareness and the foundation required for intellectual growth. See ad, page 11.

GREEN LIVING

BIOTOP NATURAL POOLS BY AQUA-SCAPES LLC.203-743-7665 • [email protected]

Imagine swimming in cool, pure, healthy, “living” water created by plants, bacterias and 30 years of experience. No more red eye, bleached hair, itchy skin and the many nega-tive effects of chlorine. See ad, page 30.

HEALTH COACH

MARY GILBERTSON MS, BSN,CHHCLicensed RN, Nutritionist & Certified Health Coach500 Monroe Tpke, Monroe • 203-521-4733 [email protected] Prescription4Wellness.com

Working 1:1 in groups and cor-porations to develop custom-ized healthy lifestyle plans. You receive tools to optimize your health through nutrition, disease management, exercise, weight loss & stress reduction. 28 years

of experience supporting teens & adults in healthy lifestyle. Available for speaking engagements and health events. See ad, page 23.

HOLISTIC DENTIST

MARK A. BREINER, DDS, FIAOMT501 Kings Highway East, Ste 108, Fairfield203-371-0300 • WholeBodyDentistry.com

Dr. Mark A. Breiner is a pioneer and recognized authority in the field of holistic dentistry. With over 30 years of experience, he is a sought after speaker and lecturer. His popular consumer book, Whole-Body Dentistry, has been sold world-wide. See ad, page 2.

CONNECTICUT HEADACHE & MIGRAINE RELIEF CENTER/ TOM ANZALONE, DDS235 Glenville Rd, Ste 2B, Greenwich 203-531-5688 • CTHeadacheRelief.com

C o n n e c t i c u t H e a d a c h e and Migra ine Relief Center’s ( C H M R C )

approach to headache pain relief actually addresses and treats the sources of the problem. Using techniques that have been proven effective in sports medicine, the CHMRC system targets improper muscle forces in the head, neck, and jaw area that cause painful conditions. See ad, page 34.

HYPNOSIS

MIND-BODY TRANSFORMATION HYPNOSISDiane Bahr-Groth, CHy, TFTdx 1177 High Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-595-0110 • MindBodyTransformation.com

Fast , effective methods for weight, stress, fear, pain, smok-ing, etc. Certified Hypnotherapist, Thought Field Therapy, Time Line Therapy, NLP and Complementary Medical Hypnosis, since 1989. See ad, pages 9 & 32.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

HENRY C. SOBO, M.D.Optimal Health Medical, LLC 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamfod 203-348-8805 • DrSobo.com

Dr Sobo provides Natural Hormone therapy, Weight Reduct ion programs, IV Vitamin/Minerals treatments, Allergy evaluation and treatment, Fibromyalgia care, and treatment for a wide variety of problems utilizing an Integrative Medicine approach.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

STAMFORD INTEGRATIVE MEDICINEMichael E. Doyle, M.D. Conventional & Alternative Medicine22 5th St, Ste 201, Stamford 203-324-4747 StamfordIntegrativeMedicine.com

Specializing in Natural and Alternative approaches to restoring health. Focusing on underlying causes of illness. Hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalances, nutrition and much more. See ad, page 10.

INTEGRATIVE OPTOMETRY

EYECARE ASSOCIATES, PC Drs. Randy Schulman, Steve Carr, Narvan Bakhtiari, Carl Gruning and C. Lee Mellinger Locations: 6515 Main St, Trumbull • 203-374-2020 139 Main St, Norwalk • 203-840-1991 2600 Post Rd, Southport • 203-255-4005 CTEyeCareAssociates.com

We offer behavioral optometry, comprehensive vision exams, contact lenses and vision therapy. See ad, page 11.

INTUITIVE CONSULTANT

JOAN CARRA Psychic Medium 203-531-6387 • PsychicJoanCarra.com Facebook.com/PsychicJoan.Carra

Joan is recommended by six books and has 20 years experience. Find solutions, comfort and closure. Specializing in contacting passed loved ones. Available for private sessions, parties and corporate events.

JOINT PAIN

DONNA MILANA914-882-9758 [email protected] HealthyLegs123.com

Ache joints? Considering a replacement, try “JUSURU LIQUID BIO CELL” The Best Bone, Joint and Skin Product in the world with 7 Patents. Natural cartilage regeneration and lubrication, liquid. Helps to protect, repair, rebuild & prevent deterioration.


MASSAGE & BODYWORK

LAURA CARLSON, LMTRedding/Monroe/Easton 203-885-7353 (SELF) Facebook.com/LauraCarlsonMassageLLC

You deserve to be nurtured and time to be still, to breathe and to restore balance.

Relaxing and nourishing massage will encourage positive changes in your mind and body. Individual sessions and massage parties available.

ROBIN ORDAN, LMT, LCSW, CICMILicensed Massage Therapist & Reiki PractitionerOld Greenwich/Stamford203-561-8535 • RobinOrdanLMT.com

Robin has been providing massage and Reiki for over 15 years. Special izing in Swedish, Pregnancy, Trigger Point, Injuries and Infant/ C h i l d M a s s a g e I n s t -

ruction. Sessions are individualized to meet your needs. See ad, page 67.

ZAK WALKER, LMTWellness Institute One Westport Ave, Norwalk 203-443-6679 • [email protected]

I combine elements of Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage, Acupressure and Myofascial Release, according to the goals and preferences of each client. I’m here to help you feel your best!

MASSAGE SCHOOL

FINGER LAKES SCHOOL OF MASSAGE272 N. Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco, NY 914-241-7363 • FLSM.com

Join us for a transformative experience as you develop your intuitive and scientific abilities to heal through therapeutic touch. Classes taught to auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners. Financial aid available for full and part-time programs.

MEDITATION

REDDING CENTER FOR MEDITATION9 Picketts Ridge Rd, West Redding 203-244-3130 ReddingMeditation.org

We teach and practice Mahasati meditation. Mahasati meditation cultivates self-awareness through attention to the movement of the body and, at more advanced levels, to the movement of the mind. No prior meditating experience is necessary. Ongoing weekly

meditation classes, retreats and events. Please check monthly event calendar or visit ReddingMeditation.org for updated information.

NATURAL FOOD MARKET

THE COMMON BOND MARKET 40 Huntington St, Shelton TheCommonBondMarket.com 203-513-8200

The Common Bond Market is a natural food market that provides The Valley with more healthful alternatives than the usual grocery fare. You’ll also find hot food, supplements, and much more. Find us on Facebook! See ad, page 13.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN

NATURAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER Lisa Singley, ND, MS 2103 Main St, Ste #2, Stratford 203-874-4333 [email protected] • NHAWC.com

We use advanced diagnostic testing with safe, effective, all-natural healing modalities and treatment options to treat acute and chronic conditions, restore balance and treat the mind, body and spirit. Specialists in endocrine

disorders, digestive issues, pain management and chronic fatigue. We offer comprehensive solutions to prevent illness and maintain optimal health for body, mind and spirit.

MARVIN P. SCHWEITZER, NDWellness Institute1 Westport Ave, Norwalk203-847-2788 • DrMarvinSchweitzer.com

Family Health Care using all natural therapies for 25 years. Acupuncture, Bio-Identical Hormones, Home-opathy, Chinese/Western Herbs, Allergy/Toxin Testing, Oxygen T h e r a p y, M e r i d i a n S t r e s s Assessment, Nutrition/Enzyme Therapies. See ad, page 31.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN

SHALVA CLINIC, LLCEllen M. Lewis, ND, Director 8 Lincoln St, Westport 203-916-4600 • ShalvaClinic.org

Dr. Lewis offers comprehensive holistic care for women including well-women exams, fertility, thyroid and menopause support. She also has a special interest in pediatrics and utilizes a variety of natural modalities when working

with patients with ADD/ADHD, autism, allergies, eczema and asthma. Treatments include herbal medicine, functional medicine, biotherapeutic drainage, homeopathy and more. See ad, page 21.

DR. MARINA YANOVER, ND, LAC 1720 Post Rd East, Ste 213, Westport 203-255-5005 • BigAppleHealth.com

Naturopathic Medicine, Acup-uncture, Craniosacral Therapy, Natural Face Lift using microcurrent therapy. Specialties include Family Medicine, Women’s Health, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Pain Man-agement, Skin Care. Insurance accepted.

WHOLE-BODY MEDICINE, LLCAdam Breiner, ND, Director Elena Sokolova, M.D., ND David Brady, ND, CCN, DACBN 501 Kings Highway East, Ste 108, Fairfield 203-371-8258 • WholeBodyMed.com

Using state-of-the-art science combined with centuries-old healing modalities, our caring naturopathic doctors correct underlying imbalances and address issues which may interfere with the body’s ability to heal itself. Treatment protocols or therapies include: Abdominal Manual Therapy, Acupuncture, Allergy Desensitization, Chinese Medicine, Colonics and other Detoxification Pro toco l s , E lec t ro -Dermal Screening, Energy Medicine, FDA-cleared Phototherapy, Functional Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Hormonal Balancing, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Metabolic Typing, Nutritional Assessment, Real-Time EEG Neurofeedback and other therapies. See ad, page 2.


ORGANIC MATTRESSES & BEDDING

THE CLEAN BEDROOM79 West Putnam Ave, Greenwich203-292-9275 • 866-380-5892TheCleanBedroom.com

T h e C l e a n Bedroom is

an organic and all-natural mattress and bedding resource with seven showrooms, including its new location in Greenwich. Through its showrooms and web site, eco-minded shoppers gain insight to create a healthier sleep environment. See ad, page 14.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

PHYSICAL THERAPY OF SOUTHERN CT Linda Maude, PT 917 Bridgeport Ave, Shelton203-926-6997 • PhysicalTherapySoCT.com

Specializing in evaluation & treatment of musculoskeletal imbalance & injuries. Results achieved that traditional physical therapy may not. Therapeutic approaches such as manual therapy, cranialsacral, visceral

manipulation and vestibular rehab. State of the art facility for strengthening & overall rehabilitation.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

MARIA C. CASTILLO, MSW, LCSW238 Monroe Tpke, Ste B, Monroe203-445-8966 • [email protected] LifeBetweenLivesTherapy.com

Past Life Regression, trained by Brian Weiss, MD. Life Between Lives Hypnotherapy, trained by TNI and Michael Newton, PhD. Traditional psychotherapy with a spiritual approach; Reiki. Connect with your soul self and let your inner wisdom guide you.

YUDIT MAROS, LMFT, CHt100 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield 860-933-7370 • Center4AuthenticLiving.com

Author of Apple of My I: The Four Practices of Self-Love. There is hope! Even life-long unhappiness can be helped. State-of-the art psychotherapy for individuals of all ages, couples and families. Trauma resolution, Relationship

Clinics, six-week Authenticity Clinics for inner connection.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

ROBIN ORDAN, LCSWFamily, Child, Individual & Couples TherapyOld Greenwich/Stamford203-561-8535 • RobinOrdanLCSW.com

Robin has more than 18 years of experience working with families and children. Specializing in Divorce, Parent/Child Conflict, Grief, Attachment/Bonding, Child Development and Parenting. See ad, page 15.

DENI WEBER, MA, LPC, D-CEP Holistic Psychotherapist Comprehensive Energy Psychology Fairfield County 203-544-6094 • DeniWeber.com

Within a supportive, empathic relationship Deni guides indiv-iduals on their journey of self-discovery integrating psychology, Eastern medicine and spirituality to heal suffering from traumatic stress related to chronic illness, disabilities, abuse & PTSD.

REIKI

GIGI BENANTI, USUI REIKI MASTERAngelic Healing Center7 Morgan Ave, Norwalk203-852-1150 • AngelHealReiki.com

Gigi is an experienced Reiki Master/Teacher. She offers all levels of Reiki training monthly. All classes and Reiki sessions include the latest techniques including Karuna, Angelic and Jikiden Reiki.

DEBORAH GAYLORD, RMT, IARPRidgefield/Danbury203-733-4535 • [email protected]

A Reiki Master since 2001, Deborah has worked with clients from infants to the elderly, specializing in children/teens/young adults with ADHD, anxiety, and depression..

REIKI

THE LIGHT OF HAPPINESS REIKI AND WELLNESSDeborah Arconti, LPN, RMT, IARP Reiki Master/Teacher Advance Practice IET Danbury • 203-470-0635 TheLightOfHappiness.com

Specializing in Reiki and IET sessions for mind, body and spir-it connections. IET “Integrated Energy Therapy” uses angelic connections for soothing results. Teaching all levels of small Usui Reiki classes, experienced in training healthcare professionals.

RIVER’S EDGE REIKI Lori Haggerty • Usui Reiki Master Bethel • 203-994-8978 RiversEdgeReiki.com

Feeling the negative effects of a high stress life? Illness, unhappiness, exhaustion? Experience the power of Reiki and how it can restore you physically, emotionally and spiritually. Sessions for adults, children and senior citizens

(geriatrics is my specialty!). Reiki training classes offered for all levels.

VIRGINIA TRINQUE, USUI REIKI MASTERDanbury 203-733-1330 [email protected] VirginiasHealthyLiving.com

Virginia is a Reiki Master/Teacher with years of experience healing children and adults. Specializing in physical and spiritual pain relief and “body and soul integration” for easier living in this world. Usui Reiki classes offered for Master

level, Levels I and II and Teacher Training. Sessions and classes held in a private, serene setting.

TURNING POINT HEALING ARTS AND EDUCATION CENTER JoAnn Inserra Duncan, MS, RMT – Turning Point Reiki, LLC 100B Danbury Rd, Ste 101, Ridgefield 203-438-3050TurningPointReiki.com

TurningPointShare.com

JoAnn uses intuition, experience and a deep spiritual connection in her Reiki, IET and Reconnective Healing sessions. Specializing in care for individuals with Cancer, Lyme disease and Back Pain. All

Reiki levels taught.


SOLAR

RICHARD LOVESolarcity (field energy consultant) 914-262-9636 [email protected] • Solarcity.com

NO money down! An alternative to the dirty and increasing energy rates, while helping the environ-ment and saving you money all at the same time. Every 4 minutes a household switches to solar. Free; Consultation and installation. Call for information.

TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING

BETH PRINS LEASTransformative Healing • Tarot Offices in Norwalk & Ridgefield 203-856-9566 BethLeas.com • TLCTarot.com

If not now, when? Inspire change on all levels - greater physical ease, emotional freedom, peace of mind and spiritual connection. 20 years intuitive healing experience with adults and children of all ages. Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Tarot. See ad, page 43.

ORGANIC REMEMBRANCESlyms Bazile 203-479-0417 • [email protected]

Slyms Bazile is a certified Reiki Practitioner and certified Medicinal Aromatherapist. She created Organic Remembrance Therapy, a fusion of healing modalities gathered in rem-embrance of our organic roots. Call now for a free consultation.

TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING

HEART’S DESIRE [email protected] TheHDMethod.com

The Heart’s Desire Method – 7 Steps to making your dreams come true. Bring high- definition focus on what you want in all areas – work, family, relationships and money. By

energizing the healing power of the authentic self, you will lead a happier, more peaceful and fulfilling life.

WEIGHT LOSS

NUWEIGH NUTRITION & WEIGHT LOSS SERVICES, LLC/ IDEAL PROTEIN CLINIC90 Grove St, Ste #03, Ridgefield 203-403-4187 [email protected] NuWeighWellness.com

T h e I d e a l P r o t e i n Protocol is a medically derived weight loss method refined over 20

years. The fundamental philosophy is to increase overall well being through sensible weight loss and empower clients through coaching to make sustainable, smarter lifestyle choices after they have lost excess weight.

WELLNESS CENTER

iFLOAT163 Main St, Westport 203-226-7378 • iFloatSpa.net

Experience this superior form of body/mind relaxation as you float effortlessly in warm water with high concentrations

of Epsom salt. Relieve stress, chronic pain and more. See ad, page 43.

WELLNESS CENTER

KURE SPA430 Main Ave, 2nd Flr, Norwalk (Wilton Line) 203-857-1500 • Kure-Spa.com

Opening in Nov-ember to provide a place for people to

rely on as part of their weekly routine to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Experience our 4-Pillars of Health for 30-days and we’ll transform your life to one of Health, Healing & Vitality! Offering Vibrosaun, yoga, massage, and an organic juice bar. See ad, page 16.

SALTANA CAVE590 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield203-969-4327 SaltanaCave.com

Fairfield County’s first and only therapeutic Himalayan salt cave provides relief from respiratory issues such as allergies, asthma, and side effects of smok-

ing and pollution. Salt is naturally antiinflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal.

TRANSFORMATION FOR LIFEJill Myruski LMT Danbury • 203-617-8228LiveYourTransformation.com

A beautiful studio in a convenient Danbury location. Offering daily yoga classes, therapeutic massage and essential oil body and face treat-ments. Owner Jill Myruski has over 18 years experience in therapeutic massage and healing. Free classes

on essential oil applications for everyday use. Check website for details. See ad, page 7.

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call 203-885-4674

WOMEN LEADTHE WAYAdvertise in

Natural Awakenings’ May Women’s Health IssueFocusing on Breast Health & Natural Birth


displayadvertiserindexAqua-Scapes LLC. 30

Acupuncture Center/ Ingri Boe-Wiegaard 11

Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care 19

Audubon Greenwich 25

Avacen Medical 79

Awaken Wellness Fairs 80

Judith Barr 17

Big Brothers Big Sisters 53

The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center: Medical 2

The Breiner Whole-Body Health Center: Dental 2

Chamomille Natural Foods 17

The Clean Bedroom 14

The Cleanest Touch 11

CLH Counseling/Cynthia Haupt 18

The Common Bond Market 13

CT Headache & Migraine Center 34

DermaClear 79

Michael E. Doyle, MD/Stamford Integrative Medicine 10

Embody the Sacred 15

Eyecare Associates 11

Fairfield’s Earth Day Celebration 9

Final Journey LLC 63

Fine-Light/Westport Chiropractic 25

Five Star Printing 9

Debra Gibson, ND 12

The Graduate Institute 29

Eliana Grubel 41

Hands & Paws Reiki for All 63

Healthy Choice Mattress 22

Higher Brain Living Westport 71

Housatonic Valley Waldorf School 18

Hunter Healing Hands 7

Ifloat 43

Insight Counseling 27

The Institute of Sustainable Nutrition 33

Izzi B’s 40

Kindred Spirits 66

Kure Spa 16

The Last Resort 62

Beth Prins Leas 43

Lipo-Light/Westport Chiropractic 51

Liver Medic 79

Mind-Body Transformation/ Lipo-Light 9

Mind-Body Transformation 32

Mrs. Greens Natural Markets 53

Natural Awakenings’ Franchise Sales 47

Nature’s Temptations Healthy Food Market 41

Nature’s Way Natural Foods 15

Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic 64

Olivette 41

Robin Ordan, LMT 67

Robin Ordan, LCSW 15

Organic Sleep at Sleep Etc 6

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Patricia’s Presents 79

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Personal Wellness Center/ Sage Osa 7

Prescription4Wellness/ Mary Gilbertson 23

Salon Aponte 25

SAVOR Healthy Pizza 3

Shalva Clinic/Ellen Lewis, ND 21

Simple Scallion 41

Victoria Shaw, PhD 51

Soul Centered Healing/ Danielle Joffe Hampton 43

Soul Focus/Mela Rispoli 17

Sticks & Stones Farm 19

Synergy Salon 7

The Tao of Marketing/ Andrea Adler 23

Total Life Care Center 43

Touch of Sedona 13

Transformation for Life 7

Twin Star Herbals/Lupo Passero 7

Unity Center for Practical Spirituality 8

University of Bridgeport Clinics 15

Wellness Institute/ Marvin Schweitzer, ND 31

Westbrook Nature School 11

Whole Foods 60

Wilton Go Green Festival 51

Worden Wellness Center 50

Xlear 65

Yoga Culture 30

You’re on the other side of 2015’s most astrologically active month and are finally concluding the Pluto-Uranus square that’s been around for the last three years. While you may

still be a little bit shaky at the outset of April, supportive help from Jupiter suggests that any disruptions you might encounter may actually work out to your benefit and can ultimately turn into something favorable. Let’s dive right into April 4’s Lunar Eclipse. This Libra Full Moon could have an aftershock-esque feel to it for relationships since Libra signifies unions; this lunation falls on an area of the zodiac affected by the departing Pluto-Uranus influence. How-ever, with Venus sitting strong on her Taurus throne, underneath it all you might focus on the role your sense of self-worth has played in any arising (or recently arisen) relationship events. Pluto’s hand in the mix compels you to deconstruct the fundamental frame-work unions have been built upon to examine the foundational underpinnings; this is a time to take a look at what and whom you place value in, especially as this relates back to self-love. Between April 3 and 10, extra consideration with your words is favored as Mercury encounters some challenging vibes from Uranus and Pluto. A tendency to perhaps be a bit too straightforward or to speak in haste can exacerbate the situation; remember to maintain control of all communication vehicles and keep cool so a collision doesn’t ensue. Your virtual and real-life social networks are particularly affected. Try not to become involved in situations where emotions run high and detach from those looking to give someone a piece of their mind. Steer clear of angry drivers; the static generated could make for accidents. Differences in partnerships may show up around April15 – some may want to keep it light while others may be seeking a bigger commitment. This kind of divide could dissolve unions that may have already had an inherent growth cap on them due to differences in relationship goals. Talk things out and be real with each other – at least then you can respect each other’s honesty and show you value one another’s time. If a union does end around this time, consider socializing around April 26 to possibly meet someone new. In other areas, an Aries New Moon on April 18 is perfect for getting things off the ground, especially with moneymaking ideas. In fact, it could be multiple moneymaking ideas due to an energy exchange happening April 14-30 between Mercury and Venus. Challenges may lie in figuring out where to start and not diversifying so much that you scatter your energies. Although it can be smart not to put “all your eggs in one basket,” pick one or two ideas at the most and see them through to completion rather than wasting resources trying to juggle too many balls at once.

A practitioner of Western Tropical astrology, Alethea Hunt has been practicing for more than 17 years. Connect with her at 203-917-6312, [email protected] or EmpoweredDestiny.com.

COSMIC RHYTHMS

by Alethea Hunt


Natural Awakenings Product MarketplaceNatural Awakenings has created a forum for meaningful and practical products to be displayed in the magazine. Look to the Product Marketplace each month for gift ideas as well as everyday products which will make you feel and look better!

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