natural awakenings magazine january 2014

1natural awakenings January 2014

January 2014 | West Michigan Edition | NaturalWestMichigan.com

H E A L T H Y L I V I N G H E A L T H Y P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh moreFREE

Build Your Health DREAM TEAM

EASY WAYS

TO GO GREEN RIGHT NOW

FITNESS À LA CARTE

The Latest, Hottest Trends

Getting the Whole Back in Whole Foods

2 West Michigan Edition NaturalWestMichigan.com

Holistic Doula Practitioner ProgramHolistic Doula PractitionerDoula....... 6 Months

Naturopathy(each year 600 hours)

4th Year Graduates are Eligible forDoctor of Naturopathy National Test & Title

Natural Health Educator............. 1st YearNatural Health Therapist............ 2nd YearNatural Health Practitioner........ 3rd YearCertified Naturopath.................. 4th Year

Therapeutic Bodywork Practitioner...1 YearMassage Therapy

All Classes Meet on WeekendsFri: 5-9pm and Sat & Sun: 9am-6pm

Naturopaths: 1 per month - Massage: 2 per month

Individual Classes:Herbology - Aromatherapy - Nutrition

Live Food Preparaton - Light Healing TouchReflexology - Homeopathy and More!

www.NaturopathicInstitute.info [email protected]

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Holistic Doula Practitioner ProgramHolistic Doula PractitionerDoula....... 6 Months

Naturopathy(each year 600 hours)

4th Year Graduates are Eligible forDoctor of Naturopathy National Test & Title

Natural Health Educator............. 1st YearNatural Health Therapist............ 2nd YearNatural Health Practitioner........ 3rd YearCertified Naturopath.................. 4th Year

Therapeutic Bodywork Practitioner...1 YearMassage Therapy

All Classes Meet on WeekendsFri: 5-9pm and Sat & Sun: 9am-6pm

Naturopaths: 1 per month - Massage: 2 per month

Individual Classes:Herbology - Aromatherapy - Nutrition

Live Food Preparaton - Light Healing TouchReflexology - Homeopathy and More!

www.NaturopathicInstitute.info [email protected]

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http://naturopathicinstitute.info/


I love how the beginning of a new year brings hope and excitement over its

promising possibilities. Even winter’s shivery cold and slush won’t dampen my spirits. I smile at icy roads because they cause me to slow up when driving and take in Michigan’s beautiful snowy scenes. The cold air is a nice reprieve from summer scorchers and all year I eagerly await the right conditions to get in some skiing, snowshoeing and ice-skating. Imagine all the things we would miss if we lived nearer the equator. We enjoy the best of everything, warm weather in summer, a lovely spring and fall and the invigorating briskness of winter.

Kyle and I hope you will join us at the Living Well Grand Rapids Health and Fitness show on January 10 & 11. We’ll have free copies of our current issue, past issues you may have missed and are set to give away lots of prizes. Just stop by our booth and “Spin to Win.” You can even find out how to win free tickets to the event as well as BOGO tickets (Buy One Get One Free) on our Facebook and Twitter pages. To celebrate Natural Awakenings’ 20 Years of publishing, this month we’ll also be giving away Natural Awakening Network (NAN) discount cards. It provides discounts at natural health and sustainable businesses throughout the year. Simply email your New Year’s resolution or intention to [email protected], Tweet it to us or post the message on our Facebook page; we’ll randomly draw winners from the entries throughout January. We want to help you achieve your New Year’s goals by helping you give yourself a new gift of health. That’s what this special Health & Wellness issue is all about. We have some good ideas on ways to improve your 2014 in the pages ahead. Be sure to check out the Living Well GR program attached to this issue before heading to the expo; it has the scoop on the classes, seminars and vendors revving up to be with you at this year’s expo.

To a happy and healthy 2014!

Amy & Kyle HassPublishers

PublishersKyle & Amy Hass

EditorsS. Alison Chabonais

Linda Sechrist

Design & ProductionInteractive Media Design

Scott Carvey

PrinterStafford Media Solutions

Natural Awakenings484 Sunmeadow Dr. SEGrand Rapids, MI 49508

Phone: 616-656-9232

[email protected]

© 2014 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

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This choice avoids the toxic chemicals and high energy costs of producing shiny, coated paper that is hard to recycle.

COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY

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HOW TO ADVERTISETo advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 616-656-9232 or email: [email protected]. Deadline for space reservation is the 12th of each month prior to publication.

NEWS BRIEFS & ARTICLE SUBMISSIONSEmail articles to: [email protected]. Dead-line for articles is the 5th of the month prior to publication. Sub-mit News Briefs online at NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for news briefs is the 12th of the month prior to publication.

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18 FITNESS à la CARTE The Latest, Hottest Trends by Christine MacDonald

22 LABEL LITERACY Five Tips Help Kids Choose Healthy Foods by Elisa Bosley

24 BUILD YOUR OWN WELLNESS DREAM TEAM Take Your Health to the Next Level by Kathleen Barnes

28 WHOLE FOOD Greater than the Sum of its Parts by Margie King

32 EVER-MORE-GREEN IN 2014 Easy Ways to Go Eco Right Now by Avery Mack

34 CARING, STEERING, CHEERING A Health Coach Helps Us Change for Good by Lauressa Nelson

36 SOUL-FULL GOALS Feeling Our Way to Happiness by Susie Ruth

38 CATALYST FOR CHANGE Natural Awakenings Celebrates 20 Years by Sharon Bruckman

39 MIRACLE OF MIDLIFE Being Exactly Who We Need to Be by Marianne Williamson

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

6 newsbriefs

1 1 healthbriefs

13 globalbriefs

15 ecotip

18 fitbody

22 healthykids

28 consciouseating

32 greenliving

34 healingways

36 inspiration

39 wisewords

4 1 calendar

44 classifieds

45 naturaldirectory

11

contents

38

24

36

32

13

22

34


Celebrate New Year’s Day at CYS

This year Cascade

Yoga Studio (CYS) will offer several distinctive workshops

throughout New Years’ Day. It is great way to learn more about yoga, healing and all that Cascade Yoga Studio has to offer. Sessions begin at 10:00am and include: Sanklapa: The Power of Resolution with Kat Heaberg, Sound Journey Workshop with Jeremy Arndt, Healing Dance with Laura Burkett, and others. Each session is 2 hours and cost is only $25.

For more information, and to register for sessions, call Cascade Yoga Studio at 616-464-1610, check their Facebook page for updates or email [email protected]. See ad page 16.

From the Garden to the Jar™

Diane Devereaux, The Canning Diva™, will

be at The Living Well Expo at the DeVos Place January 10th & 11th, 2014. Do you have canning and cooking

questions? Visit her at booth #2111, for answers. She will also have a variety of canning and cooking supplies available for purchase at discounted prices, including her coveted Non-GMO & Gluten Free Canning Gel. Don’t miss out! Several giveaways are planned along with a drawing at the end of the last day for a basket full of canning goodies valued at $115. Devereaux is gearing up for a fun 2014 and has many canning classes scheduled. If you register for one of her canning classes during the expo, she has a special gift you may take home that very day! Get a head start on

your 2014 Gardening and Home Canning plans with The Canning Diva™. From the Garden to the Jar™ everyone!

For more information visit www.CanningDiva.com. See ad in expo program.

Amanda Beard to Speak at Living Well

If balance doesn’t top your list of things a world-class

swimmer needs for success, then four-time Olympian Amanda Beard disagrees with you. Over the past few years, Beard has discovered the importance of a balanced life and she will share her experiences during the Living Well - Grand Rapids Show in January.

Many remember Beard’s debut on the national stage. It was during the 1996 Olympic in Atlanta and the country fell in love with an unknown swimmer, a 14-year-old who had a big smile and a small teddy bear. Beard went on to swim in three more Olympics, the last in 2008, and twice broke the world record in the 200-meter breaststroke.That was the story we all knew. At the same time, Beard was also struggling with significant personal problems including depression, bulimia, self-injury (cutting) and substance abuse, as well as a series of what she calls unhealthy relationships with men. Her 2012 memoir, In the Water They Can’t See You Cry, was the first time Beard publicly revealed the darker side of her life. Beard will speak at the show both days, Friday and Saturday, and will give three different talks. “The seminar on Saturday at 1pm will detail her Olympic experiences and is perfect for all ages. The other Saturday seminar focuses more on her struggles, and parents will want to decide at what age their children could benefit from that topic.” A full schedule of seminars will be available before the show at LivingWellGR.com.

Living Well-Grand Rapids Dates & Times January 10th, 12-8pm & January 11th, 10am - 8pm. Adults: $8.00, Children (6–14): $4.00, 5 & Under: Free. See expo program.

newsbriefs

Mary A. DeLange C.C.T. C.M.T.

616-456-5033

[email protected] www.HarmonynHealth.net

Harmony ‘n Health Colon Hydrotherapy

Some Benefits of Colon Hydrotherapy:~ Remove Toxic Waste from ones body

~ Eradicate Constipation ~ Removes Stomach Bloat

~ Increase ones EnergyTherapeutic Massage also available

Amanda Beard


Self Study – the Actor’s Way

The Yoga Studio is pleased to offer a fun and illuminating

workshop, “Self Study –the Actors Way” facilitated by Jean Reed Bahle on Saturday, January 25 from 1:00-3:00pm. Using theatre games, warm-ups and techniques, this 2-hour class will focus on the physical and mental preparation an actor uses in creating character. But you don’t have to be an actor

to benefit from the focus, relaxation, heightened awareness and presentation skills that can result from this study. We’ll explore the body-mind connection, shared energy, directed intention, among other things. No theatrical (or yoga) experience necessary, but do wear clothing you can move comfortably in. Bahle has been involved with the arts in West Michigan for over 40 years as an actor, director and teacher. She has also facilitated numerous workshops in performance and has worked with Hope Summer Repertory, Grand Rapids Civic, Circle, and most prominently with Actors’ Theatre. Bahle has been part of the theatre faculty at Hope College since 1994, and a student at The Yoga Studio for almost 15 years.

The fee for the workshop is $25. To reserve a place, please send a check to the Yoga Studio, 955 Cherry SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506. For more information, visit www.gryoga.com or call 616-776-0836. See ad page 17.

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Workshop

For many years self-esteem was seen to be the key to psychological health. However, research psychologists

have identified several downsides to the pursuit of

self-esteem such as ego-defensiveness, constant social comparisons and instability of self-worth. Research suggests that self-compassion is a healthier way of relating to oneself, offering all the benefits of self-esteem without its downsides. The Self Compassion and Emotional Resilience

workshop with Kristen Neff, PhD takes place on January 31st from 9:00am-4:00pm at Stonewater Country Club located at Kalamazoo Ave SE in Caledonia. The workshop will provide simple tools for responding in a kind, compassionate way whenever you are experiencing painful emotions. We all want to avoid pain, but letting it in and responding compassionately to our own imperfections without harsh self-condemnation are essential steps toward living happier, more fulfilling lives. Through discussion, meditation, and experiential exercises, you will gain practical skills to help bring self-compassion into daily life. Key objectives include learning to identify the three key components of self-compassion, understand the difference between self-compassion and self-esteem, practice techniques to increase self-compassion in everyday life, and motivate yourself with kindness rather than self-criticism. This course is relevant for the general public as well as professional care givers. Six CE Credits available for nursing and social work.

Presented by Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness. For more information and to register visit www.GrandRapidsCenterofMindfulness.com. See ad in expo program.

Treatment of Therapies

Spa Services

back pain neck pain headaches

stress

chiropractic massage therapy

spinal rehab traction

massage therapy steam therapy

ayurvedic bodywork reiki, meditation

(616) 301-3000

1801 Breton SE Grand Rapids (across the street from the Breton

Village Mall)

www.grchirospa.com

Jean Reed Bahle

Kristen Neff, PhD


Addiction Support

Struggling with sexual addiction? Centennial Park Counseling (CPC)

often hears about the devastation men with sexual addictions experience. They listen to the heart wrenching stories of relationships and families affected by this addiction; they see a great need in

our community. The counseling staff at CPC is honored to provide help and hope to the men and families affected by sexual addiction. The Sexual Integrity Group is a highly confidential, gut-wrenchingly honest support group for men struggling with sexual addictions. The Spousal Support Group meets the emotional, spiritual and personal needs of the wives and fiancées of men who struggle with sexual addiction. Therapists Cindy Hagerup, LMSW, Al Hoogewind, MA, LPC, and David UitdeFlesch MA, LPC are available to assist you with registration.

Call Centennial Park Counseling at 616- 949-9550 for more information about these confidential groups. See ad page 23.

Caring Begins at a Local Pharmacy

Everyone is thinking about health care. As you consider your health, take time to look at your pharmacy needs.

Do you know your pharmacist? Does he or she know you? Does your pharmacist really care? The pharmacy you choose can make a

tremendous difference in your health and your budget. Ask to meet the pharmacist. Is he willing to take time to get to know you? Does she seem knowledgeable and friendly? Is this pharmacist going to have time to answer questions and look out for your needs? Recently a gentleman came to Woodpointe Pharmacy with a new prescription. It was covered by his insurance, but would cost him over $100. Our pharmacist offered to call the physician for approval of a similar, but less expensive product. The doctor agreed and the patient received his prescription for $5. “When I come here, I feel like family,” is a statement frequently heard by Beryl Bartkus, RPh-Compounding Pharmacist at Woodpointe Pharmacy. You too should feel this way about your pharmacy and if you don’t, it may be time to find the pharmacy that you deserve. Small or independent pharmacies are often owned and operated by local people that truly care. You may find an advocate for your health AND save money.

For more information please contact Woodpointe Compounding Pharmacy at 2500 E. Beltline Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-949-4499 or visit www.WoodpointeRx.com. See ad in expo program.

SLEEP GREAT EVERY NIGHT

Now you can end Sleep Apnea , Restless Legs and Leg Cramps and get a good Night’s sleep – night after night.

You owe it to yourself & your spouse to try these great products!

“I’ve been using Sleep Apnea Relief for the past three months and now my pulminologist wants to pass it on to his patients who wear CPAP.” - Florence, NY, NY

“For 42 years we searched for something to take care of Restless Leg Syndrome. Not only does this product work but it works instantly! It’s Terrific. I recommend it to anyone who has this problem.” - Robert- Nebraska

50% OFF Leg Relaxerwith coupon code LR50

30% OFF Sleep Apnea Relief with coupon code SAR30

Hi, I’m Steve Frank and I suffered from sleep apnea for years, so I know exactly what you’re going through. I even tried the CPAP machine but I could not sleep with anything strapped to my face. It was a serious problem and I was determined to find an answer. As an herbalist, I diligently pursued a group of herbs that would correct this problem and thank goodness, my persistence paid off! My patent-pending formulation has helped thousands and I use it every night. Now you can try it too!

My Mom asked me what to do about persistent leg cramps. She had tried all the suggested supplements but still had problems. I put together a group of herbs to relax nerves, reduce tension and increase circulation. It worked great for her! Later, I found that it works for Restless Legs as well. Now you can use it too.

MyNaturesRite.com 1-800-991-7088


HCA Announces Newest Service

Mammograms not only send harmful rays of ionizing radiation

through the most sensitive area on a women’s body, the com-pression can

actually cause a malignant spread in the bloodstream for those who, unknowingly, have cancer. Thankfully, Holistic Care Approach (HCA) now offers Thermography, a safe alternative to mammograms for women who refuse them. Thermography is a functional test (as opposed to structural) so there is no necessity for 40lbs of pressure, or touch of any kind. Thermography is not inhibited by small breasts, large breasts, dense breasts, young breasts, implants and women who have fibrocystic breasts. It is able to pick up inflammation in the body produced by disease. Inflammation is the BEGINNING stage of ANY disease, so catching inflammation in its earliest stages leads to earlier detection, which leads to prevention. Current methods used to detect suspicious signs of breast cancer depend primarily on the combination of both physical examination and mammography. While this approach has become the mainstay of early breast cancer detection, more is needed. Since the absolute prevention of breast cancer has not become a reality, as of yet, efforts must be directed at detecting breast cancer at its earliest stage. As such, the addition of Thermography to the front line of early breast cancer detection brings a great deal of good news for women.

For more information contact Holistic Care Approach, 3368 E. Beltline Ct. NE in Grand Rapids at 616-361-9221or visit www.HolisticCareApproach.com. See ad page 19.

We o�er a 100% Money Back Guarantee.No tricks, No Gimmicks - Just Results!

Call 616-541-5438 Today to Schedule a FREE Evaluation.

Email us at [email protected] for a FREE Report with 16 Tips

www.iTrain4it.com

Treat Yourself or a Loved One to a Fitness Package this New Year.

50% off 1st Months Training & a FREE Meal Plan

What do you have to lose except fat?

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NA Blog

Natural Awakenings Magazine is happy to

announce that we have become part of the blogosphere. You can read and follow our blog at NaturalWestMichigan.com/blog-articles.

Happy reading!!

Annual Natural Living Directory

We invite you to be a part of Natural Awakenings Annual Natural Living Directory for West Michigan,

coming March 2014. This special annual directory of Natural Awakenings magazine will serve as a handy reference guide for consumers to keep at their fingertips all year long when searching for the products and services they want to live a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. This A to Z directory will feature a glossary to educate our health conscious readers about the

benefits of various natural health modalities, sustainable practices and more. Consumers trust Natural Awakenings information and its featured advertisers because we offer refreshing and educational editorial on natural health and green living. Natural Awakenings also provides the resources that support Health, Fitness, Sustainable Living, Personal Growth and Creative Expression. This Directory is a must for businesses that offer healthy

products and/or sustainable services. Don’t miss out on this important issue!

Natural Living Directory prices:$119.00 per category, listing includes:• 5 contact lines• 35-word description• and a photo or logo.

A second category is 50% off and a third category is FREE.

Early Registration Rates: $99 for the first listing.Special pricing ends January 31st, 2014. ½ page and Full Page Ads are also available.

Call 616-656-9232 for details, examples and to reserve your space in the Natural Living Directory. Deadline to register is February 14th. See ad page 36.

KudosGaslight Family Chiropractic has added an addition to their family. Dr. Lindsay Rademacher and her husband Jason Fry welcomed a beautiful baby boy on October 6th. Jayden William Fry came into this world weighing 7lbs 12 oz and measured 22”. This is Lindsay and Jason’s second child, they have a 2-1/2 year old daughter named Hailey.

Mom and baby are doing great. Congratulations and we wish you all the blessing a new little one brings. See ad page 20.


healthbriefs

Art Heartens Seniors Just looking at a painting by Picasso, Dali or War-

hol can brighten the world for seniors, according to researchers at Britain’s Newcastle University. After just three visits to a gallery, the researchers found positive changes in the participating seniors’ opinions about their life experiences and abilities in light of their ages. The gallery visits further inspired participants to become more involved with others and their communities.

Produce Banishes the BluesNew research from New Zealand’s University of

Otago shows that consuming more whole fruits and vegetables increases peacefulness, happiness and energy in one’s daily life. Scientists discovered the strong relationship to be particularly apparent in coun-tering winter blues. A total of 281 college-age students filled out an online food diary and mood survey for 21 consecutive days. Results showed that eating fruits and vegetables one day led to improvements in positive mood the next day, regardless of other key factors, such as body mass index. Other types of food did not produce the same uplifting effect.

“After further analysis, we demonstrated that young people would need to consume approximately seven to eight total servings of fruits and vegetables per day to notice a meaningful positive change,” says Tamlin Conner, Ph.D., with the university’s department of psychology. “One serving of fruit or vegetables is approximately the size that could fit in our palm, or half a cup.” Study co-author Bonnie White suggests that this can be accomplished by having vegetables com-prise half of the plate at each meal and snacking on whole fruit like apples. The American Psychiatric Association acknowledges that seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects, at least mildly, as many as 20 percent of Americans.

Sweets Sour Brain Power Binging on sweets and soda in an effort to bone up for

exams or presentations probably has the opposite effect, according to a new animal study from the University of Cali-fornia, Los Angeles. Researchers found that eating or quaffing too much fructose, like that found in cane sugar and the high-fructose corn syrups permeating many processed foods, can cause unclear thinking, poor learning and impaired memory. Scientists have long known that high-fructose diets increase the risk for diabetes, obesity and fatty liver. Now the UCLA team has discovered that only six weeks of a high-fructose diet slowed the animals’ brains. The good news is that eating omega-3 fatty acids like those found in cold water fish appear to counteract the negative effects of fructose, enabling the animals to think more clearly.

THE TOXIC SIDE OF TYLENOLAs the evidence of the harmful

effects of Tylenol increases, there is a growing call for it to be removed from the market. Its active ingredient, acetaminophen, once thought to be an effective and safe pain reliever for adults and children, turns out to have dangerous effects. A related study by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center researchers leads with the fact that each year, acetaminophen causes more than 100,000 calls to poison control centers, 50,000 emergency room visits, 26,000 hospitalizations and more than 450 deaths from liver failure. The U.S. Acute Liver Failure Study implicates acetaminophen poisoning in nearly half of all cases of acute liver failure in this country. When taken with alcohol or with-out food, the effects on the liver are multiplied. Doctor of Naturopathy Michael Murray, of Phoenix, Arizona, reports in GreenMedInfo.com that regular use of acetaminophen is linked to a higher likelihood of asthma, infertil-ity and hearing loss, especially in men under 50. Last summer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning linking acetaminophen use to three rare and sometimes fatal skin conditions. “Can you imagine if the side effects and risks associated with ac-etaminophen were associated with a dietary supplement?” opines Murray. “It would be yanked from the market immediately.”


healthbriefs

Never Too Old to QuitEven smokers 60 and over can live longer if they quit,

according to a 2012 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Three experts from the German Cancer Re-search Center, in Heidelberg, analyzed 17 studies from the United States, Australia, China, England, France, Japan and Spain that followed groups of between 863 and 877,243 people for periods ranging from three to 50 years. Findings showed that the longer a person had been classified as a former, rather than current, smoker, the more their risk of premature death decreased. The researchers also observed that current smokers showed the highest absolute mortality rates in all the studies. Dr. Tai Hing Lam, of the University of Hong Kong, observes that for people in their 60s, quitting was linked to a 21 percent decrease in the risk of premature death. The risk was reduced by 27 percent for those in their 70s and by 24 percent for individuals in their 80s. Lam added that the World Health Organization’s statistic that one out of every two smokers will die from their habit should be printed on all cigarette packages, “…so that all smokers know they are betting their lives on the toss of a coin.”

More Bok Choy, Less Ice Cream Boosts Breast Health

Chowing down on cruciferous veggies reduces the risk of recur-ring breast cancer, say Vanderbilt University researchers, while

consuming too many high-fat dairy products produces an oppo-site effect, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The paper on veggies presented at the American Association for Cancer Research showed that the more cruciferous vegetables a woman ate in the first two years after her breast cancer diagno-sis, the lower was her risk of the cancer returning or death from

the original cancer. Eating broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy and cab-bage worked to reduce the rate of recurring breast cancer by 35 per-cent and the risk of death in the following nine years by 62 percent. On the other side of the coin, the NCI study showed that wom-

en treated for early stage breast cancer that regularly ate one or more servings of high-fat milk, cheese, yogurt or ice cream increased their risk of dying of breast cancer by 44 percent and of earlier death from all causes by 64 percent.

VITAMIN C HALVES COLDS IN ATHLETESTaking vitamin C before engaging in physically demanding

activities helps keep colds away for people that are heavy exercisers, say Finnish researchers at the University of Helsinki. While their meta-study showed that non-exercisers that took vitamin C daily gained little or no protection from colds, the story for marathoners, competitive skiers and soldiers on subarctic assign-ments was much different. The study, published in the Cochrane Review, found that the 598 heavy exercisers cut their risk of colds in half.

Heal Soft Tissue Injuries NaturallyAge and certain injuries can hinder

efficient repair of damage to soft tissues including tendons that attach muscles to bones, ligaments that hold bones and tendons in place and fascia that help guide muscle groups and allow them to slide over other structures. What they all have in common is they predominantly comprise collagen and several herbs can eliminate inflammation and pain and help speed the healing process. Arnica montana is an herb that may assist the healing process by breaking up micro clots in damaged tissues through enzymatic action. Arnica also contains prostaglandin-blockers that relieve pain. According to Terry Willard, Ph.D., a leading clinical herbalist and author of Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rocky Mountains and Neighbouring Territories, when arnica is combined with the natural salix of white willow bark, the pain relief is great. Applying comfrey and plantain for four to six weeks should generate complete repair to soft tissues. This is because they contain allantoin, which stimulates collagen-producing cells called fibroblasts, notes Andrew Chevallier, a fellow of the National Institute of Medicinal Herbalists, in the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. In The Complete Medicinal Herbal: A Practical Guide to the Healing Properties of Herbs, with More Than 250 Remedies for Common Ailments, medical herbalist Penelope Ody writes that when applied to tissues, rosemary and thyme increase circulation and witch hazel increases flexibility. Increased circulation delivers more nutrients needed by the cells that are rebuilding. Combining these herbs—arnica, comfrey, plantain, rosemary, thyme and witch hazel—with a little peppermint leaf for soothing makes a powerful blend to reduce recovery time and heal damaged tendons, ligaments and fascia. The herbs can be decocted in water or blended into a gel for easy application.

Primary source: Steve Frank, founder and managing partner, Nature’s Rite LLC. For more information, email [email protected] or visit MyNaturesRite.com/blog. See ad, page 8.


globalbriefsNews and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a

healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Eco-SkiingWhite Resorts Go Even GreenerAs skiers flock to snow-covered trails this winter, more ski resorts are going greener to save energy and support the en-vironment. Arapahoe Basin, in Colorado, recently received a National Ski Areas Association Sustainable Slopes grant for retrofitting its base area lighting that will annually slice off an estimated 53,000-plus kilowatt hours of usage. A-Basin, Vail Resorts and others in the area provide their restaurants’ used vegetable oil to outside companies for recycling into biofuels. Aspen, Vail, Copper Mountain and other Colorado resorts installed more photovoltaic solar arrays on buildings prior to the current season. Stratton Mountain Ski Resort, in Vermont, installed a 1,500-horsepower elec-tric snowmaking air compressor last summer, replacing a diesel model. Purchased in consultation with the statewide energy utility Efficiency Vermont, it delivers more cubic feet of air per minute using less, and cleaner, energy. Since 2009, the state’s Bolton Valley ski area, plus Jiminy Peak and Berkshire East, both in Massa-chusetts, have all installed wind turbines to generate energy. Sarah Wojcik, direc-tor of public affairs at the Vermont Ski Areas Association, attests that resorts are doing their part to keep mountains green.

Sources: nsaa.org, SkiVermont.com

Grassroots GumptionCitizen Action Wins Against Monsanto and MoreThe Center for Food Safety (CFS), a national nonprofit advocating in the public interest, works to protect human health and the environment by curbing the use of harmful food production technologies and promoting organic and other forms of sustainable agriculture. It confirms that actions such as signing petitions really do make a difference. For instance, the CFS cites a hard-fought campaign that pushed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to respond to a lawsuit and remove arsenic from chicken feed. They credit the thousands of consumers that joined the effort, saying,

“Together, we forced the FDA to remove arsenic ingredients in animal feed used for our nation’s chickens, turkeys and hogs, and 98 of the 101

drug approvals for arsenic-based animal drugs will be withdrawn.”

More recently, CFS reports that half a million citizen phone calls and emails had a significant ef-

fect in killing an extension of the so-called “Monsanto protection act” in the Senate. Formally named the Farmer Assurance Provision, the measure undermined the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s authority to ban genetically modified crops, even if court rulings found they posed risks to human and environmental health.

Source: CenterForFoodSafety.org

http://expressionsofhealth.com/


globalbriefs

Whale WarsMilitary Exercises Threaten Sea LifeDuring the next five years, the U.S. Navy’s war games, using live muni-tions in our coastal waters, will poten-tially kill 186 whales and dolphins off the East Coast and 155 more off Hawaii and Southern California, according to computer models. Rear Admiral Kevin Slates rationalizes the casualties by stating, “Without this realistic testing and training, our sailors can’t develop

or maintain the critical skills they need or ensure the new technologies can be operated effectively.” On the upside, marine scientists are currently using mobile devices to reduce the number of whales struck and killed off California’s coast by large commercial ships. An app called Whale Spotter employs crowd-sourcing to gather data, allow-ing sailors, fishermen and marine scientists that spot whales to plot their locations on an interactive map. Such a network can track marine mammals in real time as they migrate. These maps are useful to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Coast Guard officials responsible for recommending changes in vessel routes.

Source: Tinyurl.com/NavyWhaleWars

Life ThreatEvidence Mounts of GMO DangersThe nonprofit Non-GMO Project, committed to preserving and building sources of non-GMO (genetically modified organism) products and educating consumers on such verified choices, is focusing on Bt corn and Bt soy, which make up 90 percent of America’s total crop. Its scientists explain, “These crops have genes from a bacteria called bacillus thuringiensis spliced into their natural genetic code. This causes the plant to produce Bt-toxin—a pesticide that bursts the stomach of insects that eat it, killing them.” Monsanto and Syngenta, which manufacture genetically engineered seeds, claim that genetically modified (GE, GM or GMO) crops are safe for humans because the Bt-toxin is completely destroyed in the human digestive system and doesn’t have any impact on animals and humans. But Norwegian scientists’ decade-long study of rats, mice, pigs and salmon raised on GE feed published in 2012 found that due to alterations in their digestive tracts, the animals ate more, got fatter and were less able to digest proteins; they also suffered from diminished immune systems. There is also mounting evidence that the spread of such crops is responsible for the dramatic decline of the monarch butterfly, the near annihilation of bats and the spread of honeybee colony collapse syndrome.

To get involved, visit NonGMOProject.com.

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Wear It WellFirst Eat Local, Then Dress Local

Buying local isn’t just about food choices. In supporting community businesses and reducing our ecologi-cal footprint, fiber is another important consideration, encompassing farmers that grow cotton and hemp or raise sheep for wool, fiber artisans and tex-tile designers. The U.S. presently imports about 95 percent of Americans’ clothing, reports the Ecology Global Network (Ecology.com), with most manufactured in coun-tries where sweatshops and human rights abuses are common. Polyester

and nylon, the most commonly used synthetic fibers, are derived from petroleum and processed and dyed using synthetic, often toxic substances. According to a 2010 report by China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection, the textile industry is that country’s third-worst polluter. The nonprofit Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture’s (cuesa.org) Fibershed program raises public awareness of the issue in Central Cali-fornia. Robin Lynde, a shepherd, weaver and teacher at Meridian Jacobs Farm, in Vacaville, also sells yarn, fleece, felt, lambskin, hand-woven garments and blan-kets. “Fiber producers, users and designers may not know that there are sheep 10 miles away from them and they can get that fiber,” she says. Fibershed also promotes a Grow Your Jeans program, comprising area sourc-ing, dyeing and sewing of a limited run of jeans. While textile sustainability in any given region is developing, the organization recommends that residents mend, instead of discard, old clothes, swap clothing or buy used, while resisting market-ing pressure to augment wardrobes every season to keep up with trends. Someday, we might be able to visit a nearby field where our clothing is grown. The Sustainable Cotton Project (SustainableCotton.org), based in Winters, California, conducts a Cleaner Cotton program that helps conventional growers transition to more sustainable practices using non-GMO varieties and integrated pest management practices to more gently solve ecological challenges. A big part of the challenge is to get the word out. “To get cleaner cotton to a spinner, some-one has to request it,” says Executive Director Marcia Gibbs.

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Yogic Milestone Smithsonian Exhibit Highlights Storied HistoryThis month’s exhibition at the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Yoga: The Art of Transformation, com-prises the museum’s first presentation of yogic art. Temple sculptures, devotional icons, vibrant manuscripts and court paintings created in India more than 2,000 years ago will be on view, as well as early modern photo-graphs, books and films. The Washington, D.C., exhibition borrows from 25 museums and private collections in India, Europe and the United States. More than 120 works, from the third to the early 20th century, illuminate yoga’s central tenets, as well as its obscured histories. Through masterpieces of Indian sculpture and paintings, the exhibition explores yoga’s goals; its Hindu, Jain and Sufi manifestations; its means of transforming body and consciousness; and its philosophical foundations.

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BRIEF BOUTS OF YOGA BOLSTER THE BRAINJust 20 minutes of yoga postures,

breathing and meditation are valuable tools for bolstering men-tal functioning. A study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reports that a single,

20-minute hatha yoga session significantly improved participants’ speed and accuracy on tests of working memory, focus, retention and ability to absorb and use new information. Study participants didn’t get the same positive brain buzz from 20 minutes of aerobics. The study appeared in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health.


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Fitness à la Carte The Latest, Hottest Trends

by Christine MacDonald

Chart ToppersActivities high on people’s lists these days reflect a perceived scarcity of time and money. The top picks, according to the Indianapolis-based American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2014, will be high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and body weight training. Both pursuits have been contend-ers in recent years, but are cresting the survey for the first time. A HIIT session, typically involving rapid bursts of activ-ity interspersed with brief rest periods, usually takes less than 30 minutes. Body weight training’s appeal stems from its effectiveness and minimal need for fancy equipment or special gear. The survey—involving hundreds of personal trainers, gym owners and other fitness insiders—further notes an increasing diversity in fitness offerings, plus some contradictory trends. Not ev-eryone, for instance, is cost-conscious;

fitness professionals anticipate the continued rise of boutiques specializing in niche activities. Those with momen-tum range from ballet-inspired barre workouts to Pound and Drums Alive sessions, in which people “rock out” while they work out. Grace DeSimone, an ACSM spokesperson, equates specialized offerings to an à la carte menu, with individuals choosing tasty workout modes. “It’s like a buffet,” she says. While a single class can cost up to $25, there seldom are membership fees. Muscles are treated to varied workouts, even if only once a week in a “boutique” treatment. “It’s good for your body to cross-train; if you do the same thing over and over again, your body adapts,” DeSim-one advises. Unless a competitive ath-lete is looking to improve performances in a given sport, repeating the same exercise daily can lead to injury and

This year, many Americans are set to rock the charts by turning over

a new leaf and morphing from more conventional workout modes to

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lessen the desired positive impact, she says. “Your body likes change.” Spinning spin-offs like Soulcycle, Flywheel and Kinetic Cycling represent an evolution of indoor classes and old-school outdoor cycling. Meanwhile, fitness instructors and wellness consul-tants note that Zumba has set the stage for dance-oriented workouts, diverging from Latin rhythms into hip-hop and other music genres. If workouts are increasingly encroaching on “social” activities like dancing, it’s because the nation—or at least the expanding population trying to live healthier lifestyles—is undergo-ing a broader lifestyle transformation, says Jim White, of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The registered dietitian, award-winning fitness pro and national spokesman for the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics observes, “There’s a shift in culture.” He says, “People are sick of ‘yo-yo-ing’ with fad diets and exercise rou-tines, and they are looking for effective new approaches, whether for dieting, social life, accountability or competi-tion.” He sees this new mindset fueling the proliferation of websites and phone

apps that facilitate everything from counting calories and steps walked daily to on-the-go workouts.

What’s PlayingInterval Training: Both high- and low-intensity variations can resemble a fountain of youth for older adults, says DeSimone. These can range from integrating a few five-minute sprints to enhance a half-hour walk to engaging in formalized Asian-influenced Tabata classes and boot camps. High-intensity workouts aren’t for everyone. “HIIT is best delivered when it does not use the one-size-fits-all ap-proach,” says Tony Ordas, a kinesiology lecturer at California State University, San Marcos. “Participants need to have an established level of cardiovascular endurance before increasing intensity.” Body Weight Training: The natural, timeless exercise approach of using our own body weight instead of equip-ment can, if done right, hone muscles and build core strength, often in cre-ative ways. Personal Training, Small-Group Training and Wellness Coaching: Ris-ing demand by individuals for support

in achieving their desired results is propelling growing numbers of trainers and coaches to obtain health and fit-ness college degrees and postgraduate certifications. Specialized Fitness Programs: Pro-grams geared to the needs of particular groups such as pregnant women, older adults, dog owners and those inter-ested in losing weight remain popular. Activities vary in approach and inten-sity, but often emphasize “functional fitness”, focusing on building strength and balance useful in everyday life, rather than more athletic or competi-tive training. Yoga: This ancient mind-body workout continues to extend from East to West, building on a host of classical forms such as hatha, ashtanga, kripalu, kundalini and Vinyasa. Relatively new forms also are extensive, from power yoga, Bikram and Yogalates to emerging hybrids like the yoga/surfing combina-tion of Yoga Board.

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

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GREEN-UPYour Winter Workout

As the population becomes more environmentally conscious, they

are seeking ways to make their exercise routine more eco-friendly without dependency on massive amounts of energy or shiny manufactured equipment. If you’re a gym-lover, be sure to look for one with eco-friendly qualities, bring a reusable water bottle, and set the treadmill to a higher incline so it uses less energy. But what if you’re looking to reduce your personal carbon footprint a bit more? It won’t get any easier than bringing your workout outdoors, especially in winter! Some exercises like bicycling or running, just feel better outside particularly when the alternative is a cold and lonely cardio machine. Exchange your treadmill TV watching for a 45-minute brisk walk around your neighborhood and you’ll love the feeling of that fresh air circulating through your body. Walking can increase your heart rate while staying low-impact and it’s a great way to keep in touch with friends without consuming extra calories during a happy hour stint. Add a daily walk to your lunch hour, carpool to the grocery store, shovel your sidewalk instead of using the snowblower or take up snowshoeing. Any of these activities can have you feeling fit and toned without the investment of a gym. What clothing is best for these green winter workouts? You want pieces that won’t leave you soaking in sweat. This means moisture-wicking fabrics that help moisture evaporate quickly.

You also don’t want tops or pants that are too baggy or loose; they let sweat collect on your skin. Organic cotton isn’t as good at moisture wicking as bamboo, but the processing is more environmentally friendly. The best-performing fabrics are often man-made and have synthetic qualities. Great base layers from brands like SmartWool® and Patagonia® are available locally or online. In Michigan, outdoor exercise can sometimes be a challenge, but it’s easy to find your groove outside the gym with a little effort. Working out with other

people is one of the most effective ways to stick with your workout plan. Accountability helps you get fit faster. The best part is you can do it right in your own backyard!

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healthykids

According to the National Cen-ter for Health Statistics, obesity more than doubled in children

ages 6 to 11 and tripled in adolescents ages 12 to 19 between 1980 and 2010. Nearly one in five youths in both age groups, plus one in eight preschool-ers, are now considered obese and at increased risk for consequent health problems. By 2013, the Centers for Disease Control finally showed signs of hope, with some states reporting small reversals in the trend. Positive developments might continue if parents and teachers gently coach kids to better evaluate what’s going into their mouths and bodies by understanding food labels. Despite the intimidation factor (even for adults), “Once children know how to read, they are ready to start learning how to read food labels,” advises Jolly Backer, CEO of Fresh Healthy Vending, a forward-thinking company actively in-creasing the presence of healthy-food vending machines in schools nation-wide. He says, “The more kids know about what they’re eating, the more empowered they’ll be about making healthier food choices.” Here are five basic tips to increase

Label LiteracyFive Tips Help Kids Choose Healthy Foodsby Elisa Bosley

knowing what food labels really say that will benefit a youngster’s health for a lifetime. Visualize serving sizes. Assemble two or three packaged food items—preferably those that the child regularly eats, like cereal, oatmeal and apple-sauce—plus a measuring cup. Point out the serving-size number on the package label, and let the child measure out a single serving. This visually reinforces serving sizes, the first number anyone needs to consider on a food label. Try it with a single soda or juice bottle, too, which often says, “two servings.” Important note: Most nutrition label serving sizes are based on a 2,000-calorie adult diet. For kids ages 4 to 8, portion sizes are about two-thirds of an adult portion; for preteens, por-tions run 80 to 90 percent of the adult amount, says Registered Dietitian Tara Dellolacono-Thies, food coach for CLIF Kid nutrient-rich organic energy snacks. Evaluate numbers. Next, discuss the numbers noted for calories, fat, sugar, fiber and cholesterol. When evaluating a packaged food for an elementary school child, Dellolacono-Thies suggests aiming for 175 calories or less per serving; one gram or less

Families have three key weapons in combating America’s childhood

obesity epidemic: keeping them active, reducing their soda and junk

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saturated fat; no trans fats; no more than 13 grams of added sugars; no more than 210 milligrams sodium content; and at least two grams of fiber. She notes that cholesterol alone is less of a health risk factor for kids than saturated fats and sugars unless a child is on a specialized diet. Added bonus-es: Look for high-percent daily values (shown as DV percentage) for nutrients such as calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin D, which experts generally agree most kids’ diets lack in sufficient quantities. Compare and contrast. Armed with these basic guidelines, compare, for example, the grams of sugar in a can of soda with a serving of cooked rolled oats, or the amount of calcium in a carton of milk versus a juice box. One-to-one evaluations will begin to give a child a sense of what numbers constitute “high” or “low” amounts. Check the fine print. “Artificial colors and flavors, artificial sweeteners, high-fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated anything signal that the food is likely of lower nutritional qual-ity,” counsels Dellolacono-Thies. Make a game of sounding out items in the ingredient list. “It’s a classic teaching moment: Unpronounceable ingredients often mean it’s a lab-cre-ated, fake, food-like item,” she says. Next, ask the youngster to read the label on an apple. Surprise! No food label means it’s a whole, real food—the best, most nutritious kind. Translate knowledge into choices. Once a child has gotten the hang of it, let him or her compare different food labels and choose which one is the healthier option. Plan a little extra time to also do it during grocery shopping. With time and practice, an educated youngster will begin to incorporate the power of reading food labels before choosing foods. “Even when children walk up to a vending machine, where they can’t read labels, you want them to know which is the healthier option,” says Backer. “With label-reading practice, they’ll become savvy shoppers who’ll readily recognize healthy food options when they see them.”

Elisa Bosley is senior food editor at Delicious Living magazine.

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Build Your Own Wellness Dream TeamTake Your Health to the Next Level

by Kathleen Barnes

a form of psychotherapy. Ideally, he says, conventional and integrative medicine, plus complementary practitioners, work together to provide the total care an in-dividual patient needs. “Any problem on one level affects all levels, so we assess patients on all three with whatever tools we have,” he says. While conventional medicine may be able to treat structural problems well and biochemical problems to a certain extent, it falls short on the energetic level. That’s when it’s time to expand the team, counsels Yang. “‘Know your-self’ is the watchword. Get to know what to use and when to use it. It’s the practitioner’s job to educate patients in this way.” Dr. Andrew Weil, renowned as the father of the integrative medicine move-ment in the U.S., has remarked, “If I’m in a car accident, don’t take me to an herbalist. If I have bacterial pneumonia, give me antibiotics. But when it comes to maximizing the body’s natural heal-ing potential, a mix of conventional and alternative procedures seems like the only answer.” Dr. Shekhar Annambhotla, found-ing director and president of the As-sociation of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America, turns to the integrative realm of ayurvedic medicine for heal-ing and wellness. The 5,000-year-old Indian healing tradition incorporates lifestyle changes, yoga and medita-tion, detoxification, herbs, massage and various other individually targeted healing modalities, depending on the patient’s diagnosis and recommended treatment plan.

Customized Team “Wellness is a team effort,” advises integrative medicine specialist Dr. Vijay Jain, medical director at Amrit Ayurveda for Total Wellbeing, in Salt Springs, Florida. It’s not only a matter of knowing what needs the practitioners will address at specific times, it’s also knowing who can help when the going gets tough. “Modern medicine has the edge for early detection of disease,” Jain notes. “However, Ayurveda is excellent in determining the earliest imbalances in the mind and body that eventually lead to disease.” Most experts consulted agree that

Conventional doctors too often dispense vague, boilerplate health advice, urging their patients to eat

a healthy diet, exercise and take helpful supplements. Some are lucky enough to also be directed to detoxify their body and manage stress. That’s typically the best most people can expect in terms of practical advice. It is rare to receive specific, individualized answers to such burning questions as:

What is the best diet for this specific problem or my body type?

Which exercise will work best for me—yoga, running, tennis or some-thing else?

Why do I feel stressed so much of the time, and what can I do about it?

What supplements are best for me, and which high-quality products can I trust?

Complementary natural healing modalities can address all of these

queries and more. Finding the right mix of treatment and preventive measures requires some creativity and self-knowledge. The experts Natural Awakenings consulted maintain that it is both desirable and possible to assemble an affordable and effective personal health care team that focuses on optimum wellness.

Integrative Approach“We need to understand the value of an integrative approach because no single modality treats everything,” says Dr. Jingduan Yang, the Philadelphia-based founder and medical director of the Tao Integrative Medicine. By way of example, he maintains credentials as a physician, a board-certified psychiatrist and an internationally recognized ex-pert on classic forms of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. Integrative practitioners see the hu-man body on three levels, Yang explains: structural; biochemical; and bioenergetic,


a personal wellness program should include a practitioner that acts as a gate-keeper and coordinates a care plan to meet individual needs. Jain recommends that the foundation of the team be a licensed medical professional such as an integrative physician (MD), osteopathic doctor (DO) or chiropractor (DC). In most states, any of these professionals can function as a primary care doctor, authorized to order and read laboratory tests, prescribe drugs and access hospital services. In some states, a naturopathic physician (ND) can perform the func-tions of a primary care doctor in order-ing and reading laboratory tests. As part of a personal wellness team, consider a functional medicine or integrative physician, chiroprac-tor, osteopath, doctor of naturopathy, ayurvedic practitioner, nutritionist, Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor/acupuncturist, herbalist, craniosacral therapist, massage therapist and energy practitioner (such as in Reiki, medical qigong or polarity therapy). It’s not necessary to see all of them, sources say. Sometimes, one practitio-ner will be skilled in practicing several modalities, a bonus for patients. Other complementary practitioners may form a supporting team that works with the primary care team, depending on the challenges a patient faces. They will be

identified as treatment unfolds and the team evolves over time.

Contributing Specialists An ayurvedic practitioner likely will begin by helping to define healthful life-style changes, depending on one’s do-sha, or energetic temperament. Yoga and meditation would be a likely recommen-dation, plus specific herbs and perhaps detoxification, says Annambhotla. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture often go hand-in hand with Ayurveda in accordance with the view that illness and disease are caused by imbalances in the body’s energetic flow. Diagnostic techniques employ intuition and pulses to assess and smooth blocks in energy circulation. Craniosacral therapy is another way to unlock energetic blockages caused by lifestyle stress and other fac-tors that restrict and congest the body’s innate ability to self-correct and remain healthy, says Joyce Harader, a registered craniosacral therapist in Cave Creek, Arizona, and secretary of the board of the Biodynamic Cranial Sacral Therapy Association of North America. She relied on a whole team to real-ize a natural way back to health after being diagnosed with lupus in 1992. “Members of my health team fluctuate, depending on what is going on in my

Health insurance may not cover the services we want, and high deductibles may pose a finan-

cial challenge in maintaining comprehensive health care, so we need a personal wellness plan.

life and where I am focusing,” comments Harader. She points out, for example, that nutrition education and general deep-tissue massage can both be helpful as part of a foundational plan toward ob-taining and maintaining optimal health. In fact, many of our experts recom-mend both a monthly chiropractic adjust-ment and/or massage, as well as daily yoga and an ongoing meditation practice for wellness and total well-being. Naturopathic practitioners operat-ing in states where they are licensed can be good sources of nutrition coun-sel and often recommend herbal rem-edies for relief. “For chronic illness, you need a chiropractor or drug-free physi-cian like a naturopath on your team. Conventional medicine is generally poor at dealing with chronic illness,” observes Naturopath and Chiropractor Michael Loquasto, Ph.D., who practices in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Loquasto should know. He has practiced integrated modalities for 50 years, employing the knowledge gained through his practice and triple doctor-ates, which include one in nutrition. Also a master herbalist, he strongly advocates that people start by working with a good integrative or functional medicine medical doctor. “In some states, like Pennsylvania, chiropractors and osteopaths can perform

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A personal wellness program should include a lead practitioner that acts as a gatekeeper and coordinates

a plan of care that meets the individual’s needs.

Finding the Right Practitioner

Word-of-mouth is the most common way to find a natural health practi-tioner, plus many national organiza-tions will help identify practitioners by location. Schedule an initial conversation to ask a practitioner key questions.

What is your degree, certification or license?

Who trained you and how did you train, specifically?

Do you practice full time?

How long have you been in practice?

Will you provide patient references I can speak with?

Trust in intuitive responses to the individual during the conversation or interview. His or her passion for the work of healing should be noticeable.

routine diagnostic work, but in many states they cannot,” he notes. “I recom-mend undergoing a physical every six months and regular bone density tests, plus colonoscopies.” Loquasto is not in favor of mammograms because of the radiation exposure associated with them, but supports routine breast screening us-ing ultrasound or thermography.

Self-DiagnosisIntuitive listening and observant self-knowledge are crucial parts of any well-ness plan. Most people are aware when something doesn’t feel right in their body. “Libido is a great barometer of health,” suggests Dr. Diana Hoppe, an obstetrician, gynecologist and hormone specialist in San Diego, California. “If you’re not interested in sex, it’s prob-ably a sign that you need to do some investigating.” Reasons for such a decline of interest are wide-ranging says Hoppe. “For men and women, it might be due to hormonal changes, lack of self-esteem, medications, stress, relationship issues, job, family life or lack of sleep. It means that somewhere, things are out of balance,” she says.

Funding a PlanA personal multifaceted wellness pro-gram can be expensive, but there are ways to minimize the cost. “In the new world of high insurance deductibles, people get more for their money from an alternative doctor, especially one knowl-edgeable in a variety of healing therapies, than a conventional one,” Loquasto advises. Costs for tests may also be lower; plus patients are not expected to pay $150 or more just to walk in the door. A current trend has medical doc-tors and chiropractors participating in “umbrella” practices and wellness centers, where several types of practi-tioners collaborate in one facility. They find that sometimes insurance will pay for certain complementary services, including massage and nutrition educa-tion, when doctors or chiropractors prescribe them. Maintaining wellness in an envi-

ronment filled with chemical, biological and mental toxins is a substantial, yet worthy, investment. It’s far better than the costly alternative of dealing with regular bouts of sickness or escalating disease. In that light, maintenance looks afford-able: an ayurvedic diagnostic session starts at around $100, a consultation with a licensed naturopath at $75 and acupuncture at $100; a massage typi-cally costs about $80 an hour. While insurance is unlikely to pay for treatments outside the realm of conventional medicine and sometimes, chiropractic, “The cost of these preven-tive therapies will be much less than the cost of treatment for a serious disease,” advises Loquasto. “You’re worth it.”

Kathleen Barnes is author of more than a dozen natural health books. Her latest is The Calcium Lie II: What Your Doctor Still Doesn’t Know with Dr. Robert Thompson. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.

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Gaslight Family Chiropractic

Community Spotlight

by Julie Hurley

It is more than a century old, but the theory behind Thomas Edison’s quote regarding the prevention of dis-ease versus the

reaction to and treatment of dis-ease is the core foundation behind chiropractor Dr. Lindsay Rademacher’s practice.

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” ~Thomas Edison

Though quite simple and very straightforward on its face, actually putting care into the human frame and into the diet is much easier said than done, especially in today’s world. However, Dr. Lindsay, of Gaslight Family Chiropractic, says that righting the wrongs in people’s diets can lead to massive changes in health and general well being. Because of this, part of her practice focuses on a treatment plan called Clinical Nutrition. “I’m passionate about overall health,” said Dr. Lindsay. “Getting people on the right road so that they can ultimately take care of themselves is my ultimate goal for each client. Media and fad diets confuse people and are all overshadowed by pharmaceuticals – they have so much money for advertising that patients ask their doctors for medication and view that as a way to get healthy. Drugs are helpful for relieving symptoms and beneficial for short-term relief, but they do not make a person healthy. Being healthy requires effort on behalf of the individual and so many times I see simple lifestyle changes make all the difference!” Clinical Nutrition is a personally designed, whole food, clinically-based program that is a form of muscle testing, which provides information about nutritional deficiencies and toxicities within one’s body. Once corrected, the body can restore healing itself. Upon completion of the testing, Dr. Lindsay makes diet and lifestyle recommendations for her patients, and oftentimes recommends a regime of supplements for the short-term. “For some, the changes can be overwhelming. I meet people where they are at,” she said. “I really recommend yoga and walking for just about anyone. I had one client eliminate Diet Coke, which eliminated her chronic neck and back pain. It’s helpful for people to remember to start small.” Formerly ChiroFit, Gaslight Family Chiropractic is the only chiropractor located within the city limits of East

Grand Rapids, right in the heart of Gaslight Village. A recent business name change helped to specify the location and re-focus of her practice to include the entire family. “When I first began my practice, I focused more on chiropractic care and fitness, hence the name ChiroFit,” said Dr. Lindsay. “However, as I learned more about nutrition and how it greatly impacts health and well being, I wanted my practice to be more inclusive, incorporating those aspects into my practice, and changed the name to reflect this. Now I treat more families using chiropractic care with an emphasis on nutrition.” Dr. Lindsay started out in dentistry with aspirations to be an orthodontist, and because the pre-requirements are the same for chiropractic, a major career change halfway through college wasn’t too big of a deal. Though seemingly unrelated fields, she likened the two careers in one simple phrase: “Orthodontists straighten the teeth, chiropractors straighten the body with a focus on the spine and nervous system.” A mother of two young children, Dr. Lindsay was a three-sport high school athlete, loves volleyball and used to coach the JV team at her former high school. She also coached a club volleyball team to the Junior Olympics in 2007. On the wall of her trendy and tranquil office space on the second floor of a building overlooking Wealthy Street, hangs a quote that is a constant reinforcement of the importance of what she does for people every day:

“You never know how far reaching something you may think, say or do today will affect the lives of millions tomorrow.” ~ Dr. BJ Palmer, Developer of Chiropractic

“Given the right tools the body can heal itself,” Dr. Lindsay said. Gaslight Family Chiropractic offers therapeutic massage, clinical nutrition (nutrition consulting), muscle testing, chiropractic, homeopathics and Standard Process® whole food supplements.

Gaslight Family Chiropractic, 2249 Wealthy St SE #240, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506. 616-458-2348. See ad page 20.

Julie Hurley has a passion for reading and fitness. As such, she is the Director of Public Relations for Principia Media, a publisher in Grand Rapids, MI, and a Team Beachbody Coach. Visit her website at www.teambeachbody.com/coachhurley.


consciouseating

Western science is obsessed with deconstructing food, researching and analyzing its

component parts, isolating the active ingredients, repackaging them in pills or powders and prescribing them in daily doses. But according to Annemarie Colbin, Ph.D., author of Food and Healing, this chemistry-based theory of nutrition is upside-down. Colbin, founder and CEO of the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts, in New York City, has crafted her own nutrition theory based on more than 30 years of nutrition prac-tice, teaching from a foundation that a whole food, like the complex human being consuming it, is greater than the sum of its parts. She defines whole foods as “those that nature provides and all the edible parts.” She limits them to those com-prising one ingredient, such as plants, whole grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Animal foods are more challenging to categorize. Eggs are a whole food, but steaks are not, because they are one

WHOLE FOODGreater than the Sum of its Parts

by Margie King

part of the entire animal. She includes small fish if we eat the head and bones, and small birds like quail. Whole milk is included, but not low-fat dairy. Colbin maintains that our bodies know the difference between a whole food and an aggregation of isolated nutrients. We have evolved over thousands of years to eat the food that nature presents to us, and if that food has been fragmented, the body realizes it and seeks what’s missing. For example, if we eat fragment-ed wheat like white bread, in which the bran and germ of the whole grain have been removed, the body will still be hungry and seek the missing part of the food, something with fiber or crunch. Likewise, health enthusiasts that devour wheat germ or wheat bran in isolation will also feel something is missing and may find themselves crav-ing refined flour in the form of cake or other baked goods. Table sugar is another example, a fragment of sugar cane. Colbin calcu-lates that it takes 17 feet of sugar cane to make one cup of sugar. What’s miss-

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ing is mostly the cane’s water content and the result, she says, is that sugar makes you thirsty. It’s a big reason why when we drink a soda, ingesting an average equivalent of 12 teaspoons of sugar, we’re thirsty afterward and drink even more, creating a vicious cycle. Fruit juices are, by definition, a fragmented food. When we drink orange or grapefruit juice, all or most of the fiber from the raw fruit is obvi-ously missing. Craving something to chew, we may reach for chips or something crunchy. Veg-etable juices may yield the same result. Colbin cautions that while vitamin and mineral supplements can be helpful in treating specific conditions or deficiencies, they never-theless comprise fragments of food at best. She notes that the body may have difficulty pro-cessing these isolated nutrients outside of the whole food. Supportive studies include Kentucky’s Univer-sity of Louisville School of Medicine comparison of the effects of the spice turmeric with those of its active ingredient, curcumin. Adding the whole food turmeric to the diet of rats reduced inflam-mation significantly, while curcumin alone was ineffective. Results suggested the difference may be explained by turmeric’s higher bioavailability. A Pennsylvania State University research review determined that although population studies consistently report that a diet rich in

fruits and vegetables protects against cardio-vascular and other chronic diseases, studies of antioxidant supplements did not show the same benefits. The difference may be that a whole foods diet naturally contains not only antioxidants, but a wide range of nutrients and compounds that may act synergistically to protect against diseases. Colbin goes further, suggesting that supplements may even make us less likely to want to eat vegetables and set us up for junk food cravings to balance out too many vita-mins or minerals. Her advice is to use vitamins and supplements if medically required, but not every day and not for a lifetime. Her views are all about maintaining the natural balance in the foods that nature provides without worrying about striving for perfection or radical changes in diet. Colbin recommends aiming for 70 percent whole foods overall to keep everything in balance. Start by taking a few small changes, listen to the body to see if there’s a noticeable differ-ence and adjust accordingly.

Margie King is a former corporate attorney now working as a holistic health and nutrition coach and natural health copywriter from Philadelphia, PA. Connect via Nourishing-Menopause.com.

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New Year resolutions can be a distant memory by mid-January, due to unrealistic expectations,

slow results and distractions that side-line good intentions. Yet we may still reap the rewards of a greener, healthier lifestyle by progressively adopting small, doable changes.

Nifty SwitchesJanuary white sales present a prime opportunity to change to organic cotton sheets and dry-fast towels to reduce energy usage. Local animal shelters welcome old towels and blankets. Homeless shelters also accept gently used clean linens and outgrown cold-weather gear. Replace family toothbrushes with eco-friendly models made from renewable castor oil plants instead of petroleum. The Naturally Clean Toothbrush is BPA-free and recyclable (TomsOfMaine.com). Each day, Americans use 500 mil-lion disposable straws, reports Milo Cress, founder of the Be Straw Free Cam-paign (Ecocycle.org). Discarded plastic straws and stirrers are on the Ocean Conservancy’s top 10 list of debris lit-tering beaches. Cindy Schiff Slansky, CEO of GreenPaxx, in New York City, suggests using a reusable silicone straw. “The bright colors help keep track of each person’s drink. They’re in my purse for when I eat out with my kids,” she says. “We always say no to disposable

straws.” Also consider paper straws that compost within 45 to 60 days. Plug electronics into power-saving energy strips that can be turned off when machines aren’t in use. Com-pletely shutting down computers saves more energy than using sleep mode. When it’s time for a more energy-efficient fridge or freezer, call the elec-tric company. The Appliance Recycling Centers of America work with utilities to pick up and recycle working appli-ances. Air conditioners and dehumidi-fiers are accepted with a qualifying fridge or freezer. Alternatively, call a local recycling company for a curb pickup of broken appliances; even easier, confirm that the company deliv-ering a new appliance will take away and recycle the old one. Upgrade to a greener model when the need arises to change cars. Cali-fornia, Connecticut, Maryland, Mas-sachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont have pledged to speed the construction of charging stations in their states and project collectively having 3.3 million battery-powered cars, plug-in hybrids and other clean-burning vehicles on their roads by 2025. To make clean and renewable home energy affordable and increase property values, Sunrun installs and maintains home solar power panels in 1,000 cities in 11 states for low and predictable monthly rates (Sunrun.com).

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Easy Ways to Go Eco Right Nowby Avery Mack

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Table Tips One-pot, slow-cooked hearty stews and soups—especially made with seasonal, locally grown vegetables—use less en-ergy and need less water to wash. A slow cooker can also steam rice, make yogurt or bake simple, whole-grain breads (Vita-ClayChef.com). Dave Feller, CEO of Yummly.com, in Redwood City, California, adds, “Slow cooking tenderizes meats and brings out flavor, even in less expensive cuts. It’s also a timesaver.” Yummly recipes detail ingredi-ents, cooking times and nutritional values. For family snacks, Terry Walters, the Avon, Connecticut, author of Clean Food and Clean Start, advocates going untraditional. “Get closer to the green plant than the processing plant,” she advises. At least once a week, she likes to try a new food. “Roasted chick peas, kale chips or a ‘pizza’ made from a rice tortilla, pasta sauce or pesto, and veggies all make ‘clean-food’ snacks.” (Recipes at TerryWalters.net.) Keeping produce fresh can be a challenge, especially when the aver-age fridge can harbor millions of bac-teria, according to testing by Microban Europe, UK. The BerryBreeze in-fridge automated device periodically circulates activated oxygen to prevent mold, keep-ing produce fresh longer and reducing spoiling to save grocery dollars (BerryBreeze.com). Hannah Helsabeck, president of eco-friendly WildMintShop.com, shares can-free meal tips online. “It takes a little planning, but we can now avoid all the toxic chemicals used in processing foods and making cans. Let’s kick the can!” Also, check out local food Meetup groups. Penny Miller, of Wichita Falls, Texas, says, “At our first meeting, we saw examples of raised-bed gardens, rainwater harvesting, composting, native landscap-ing and container plants.” Avery Mack is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect via [email protected].

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Caring, Steering, Cheering

A Health Coach Helps Us Change for Good

by Lauressa Nelson

“What we’ve discovered is that people don’t routinely change behavior due to

education alone or out of fear. They change through partnership,” explains Linda Smith, a physician’s assistant and director of professional and public programs at Duke Integrative Medicine, in Durham, North Carolina. Coaching partnerships supply a supportive bridge between provider recommendations and patient implementations, she says, “sig-nificantly increasing the client’s ability to make changes successfully.” “Health coaching was absolutely essential to my health,” says Roberta Cutbill, a 72-year-old retired registered nurse in Greensboro, North Carolina, who considered her lifestyle relatively healthy when in her late 60s she experienced autoimmune and cardiac problems. “I have an excellent primary care doctor who, when these issues came up, told me that I needed to change my diet, thought-fully downloaded a list of recommen-dations and sent me on my way. I still needed help with many things in order

to make the changes,” recalls Cutbill, which is why she turned to a health coach at Duke Integrative Medicine. Margaret Moore, founder and CEO of Wellcoaches Corporation and co-director of the Institute of Coach-ing at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, in Belmont, Massachusetts, identifies two primary forces that enable behavioral change: autonomous motivation (people want to do something for their own reasons, not because someone tells them to) and confidence (they believe they can do it). “The most powerful motivating forces

of all are what you treasure most in life, your life purpose and contribu-tion,” she remarks. Both Smith and Moore emphasize that the priorities

in any health coaching relationship are cli-ent driven, based on the client’s chosen goals and personal

intrinsic motivators. Confidence in attaining ultimate success is built through positively framed experiments and experiences. “A health coach is trained to help clients break up their goals into manageable steps,

focus on strengths, track progress and identify and overcome personal road-blocks,” explains Dr. Karen Lawson, an integrative physician and director of integrative health coaching at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing, in Minneapo-lis. A helpful approach sets goals that can be met and exceeded, not insur-mountable ones. “The key is always keeping a positive lens, helping clients see the progress they achieve,” continues Law-son. This involves speaking in terms of growth through trial and error, in which outcomes are explored without judgment and clients feel empowered to modify. This is vital, explains Moore, because experiencing at least a three-to-one ratio of positive to negative emotions creates the conditions for the brain to learn, change and thrive, mak-ing people feel more capable of taking care of their health. Mindful awareness is another essential tool; being self-aware and reflecting on what we are doing while it is happening. Unlike thinking, analyz-ing and planning, mindfulness involves observing while experiencing. During sessions, coaches use it to give their full attention in a non-judgmental way, modeling how clients can bring such compassion to themselves. A mindful state calms mental noise and puts reflective distance between individuals and their beliefs, emotions and behaviors. It improves their abil-ity to handle negative emotions and to make a conscious choice to respond with a different attitude or new behav-ior, according to Moore. For Cutbill, maintaining a personal relationship with her coach over time has been the most significant factor in the improvement of her health. “The relationship was healing, because my coach regularly pointed out my prog-ress with profound encouragement and validation. I wish all primary care doctors had health coaches on staff to help them and their patients attain the success they both are aiming for.”

Lauressa Nelson is an editor and con-tributing writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at [email protected].

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A health or wellness coach integrated into a personal healthcare team

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Hallmarks of a Good Health Coach

by Margaret Moore

In the past 10 years, approximately 10,000 health professionals have be-come coaches through dedicated train-ing schools and university programs focused on life, corporate or health and wellness coaching. The selection of the right partner to help in the quest for lifelong wellness entails assessing the following qualifications. Credentials and training: A reputa-ble health and wellness coach training program typically requires six months to two years of education, skills train-ing and practice with clients, followed by a certification process that tests for knowledge and core competencies. Employment background: Addi-tional desirable credentials in the medi-cal, physical or mental health fields will likely include exercise physiology, physical therapy, psychotherapy, nutri-tion counseling, nursing or medicine. Structured relationship: A coach should be able to explain how coach-ing works and why successful results are more likely with a coach. Coach-ing sessions are typically conducted by phone and last between 30 and 60 minutes. Coaching services are gener-ally not covered by insurance. Personal character: Effective health coaches are good listeners, interested in clients’ unique stories. They foster self-acceptance and self-respect, point-ing out personal strengths, values and desires. Coaches engage, energize and challenge clients through a positive, non-judgmental focus, while at the same time asking courageous questions. As skilled partners, they help clients become clear about personal motiva-tions and an overall vision for life, so that they can help design a detailed, attainable plan that successfully moves them toward fulfilling their goals.

Margaret Moore is CEO of Wellcoaches Corporation and holds a master’s degree in business administration. Email her at [email protected] or visit CoachMeg.com or Wellcoaches.com.

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Many of us have our relation-ship to success inside-out. We busy ourselves so much with

do-or-die goals we “should” achieve that we drown out the crucial signals life is sending our way—both from our own instincts and from others that can objectively see what we truly need. According to Danielle LaPorte, author of The Desire Map: A Guide to Creating Goals with Soul, knowing how we want to feel inside yields the most potent clarity in identifying what’s critical to us. “We need to have soul-centered goals, and if we get clear on defining our core desired feelings—the way we most want to feel—then all of our goals are a means to create those feelings,” she says. “It’s that simple.” The external things we want to have and experience are secondary goals, provided they contribute to the first. LaPorte’s Desire Map process is a holistic life planning tool that helps spur our thinking about our core desired feelings and how to use them to start creating some goals with soul. At heart, it involves the following four highly personalized steps. How do you want to feel? Engage in a stream of consciousness, allowing each query to lead to the next and let-ting your desired feelings flow. Do you want to, for example, feel continuously energized, connected or prosperous? Consider areas such as livelihood and lifestyle (career, money, home, travel), health and wellness (healing, fitness, leisure, mental health) and relation-ships and community (romance, friendship, family).

Recognize patterns. Look for pat-terns in the desired feelings in order to distill your list to determine key, repeat-ing words. Individuals tend to reach for the same feeling states across all areas of their lives. If you want to feel “vitality” within livelihood, then you likely wish to feel the same way in the context of wellness and relationships. Declare your core desired feelings. Now zero in on three to five core feel-ings that resonate most strongly inside. Ask yourself what’s beneath each feel-ing. For you, perhaps “success” is really about freedom, creativity or excellence. Look up the definitions of words—every word is its own world. Which feelings do you find to be the most uplifting, positive, satisfying and compelling? Ask yourself: “What do I want to do, have or experience to create my core desired feelings?” Thus, you begin setting goals with soul. You see and make connections between how you want to feel and what will actually help you feel that way. This is where you turn your ambitions truly inside-out and right-side-up to hitch your intentions to deeper and more nurturing meaning. This is the revolutionary beginning of re-alizing the ongoing success of a lifetime.

Source: Danielle LaPorte is an entre-preneur, inspirational speaker, social media presence and bestselling author of The Fire Starter Sessions; her latest release is The Desire Map. She is a for-mer news commentator for the Cana-dian Broadcasting Corp. and director of a Washington, D.C., think tank. Visit DanielleLaPorte.com.

Soul-Full GOALSFeeling Our Way to Happinessby Susie Ruth

inspiration


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RethinkingHEART HEALTH

National and Local ExpertsHelp Us Find Real Solutions

Coming Next Month

You may have heard the name before, and even attended one of her events, but this year facilitator Katrina Ryan is bringing

a new team building option to West Michigan that will spruce up homes and businesses in a distinctive and fun way with Canvas Creek Team Building. Like so many others, Ryan found deep within herself the desire to help people, but her desire was uniquely specific in that she wanted to bring people together and to be able to support them and help them in the right direction. This desire lead Ryan to the facilitator role she now finds herself in, setting up classes, groups and events for people of all kinds. Having been a facilitator for many years and an attendee of QC Event School, Ryan said, “I love being the one who’s able to hold a space for people to come together. It’s wonderful to watch what happens. You’ll see people light up and have fun.” To kick off the New Year, Ryan is adding Canvas Creek Team Building to her repertoire of events she’ll be facilitating. Canvas Creek, based out of Billings, Montana, is not your average team building concept. It is essentially a mobile art studio that emphasizes collaboration and communication, necessities to the wellness of any team. Canvas Creek finds the artist in everyone, bringing all different types of people together to create a piece of art for a special occasion. It offers corporate team building events, fundraising events for non-profits and even team building for the most important team in your life, your family. Many families have come together to create a piece that welcomes a new member to the family, a piece that celebrates a milestone within the family, a piece that says goodbye to a family

member, a piece just for fun and many other occasions as well. While Canvas Creek is certainly not about learning how to become an artist, it is about coming together as a team and learning how to bring out your creativity. Of the pieces families have created, Ryan said, “It’s a gift for people from themselves, a very personalized gift to be able to give.” The paintings hang in dining rooms, in bedrooms, in family rooms and so on as a constant reminder of what you went through at a certain time. The actual creating part of the event helps teams and families to practice collaboration and communication by disconnecting them from distractions and preconceived notions about each other and the role each individual may play on the team. It allows each individual’s true colors to come through in his/her contribution to the end product. “Begin as a group, end as a team” is the mantra of Canvas Creek Team Building, and Ryan is excited to hit the road running this year, or rather to hit the canvas painting, bringing all that Canvas Creek has to offer right here to West Michigan. Ryan will be holding a wine and cheese Canvas Creek event on January 30th from 5:30 to 8:00 pm in Wyoming, Michigan. Visit her website or call to purchase your $70, all-inclusive ticket.

For more information or to schedule a session, call 269-214-4432 or visit CanvasCreekTeamBuilding.com/Katrina.

Amanda Merritt is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings Magazine. You can contact her at [email protected].

Canvas Creek Team Building

by Amanda MerrittCommunity Spotlight


editorial calendar2014JANUARY

health & wellness plus: health coaches

FEBRUARYrethinking heart health

plus: stress relief

MARCHfood & garden

plus: gluten-free foods

APRILgreen living

plus: healthy home

MAYwomen’s wellness

plus: bodywork

JUNEinspired living

plus: men’s wellness

JULYfood watch

plus: natural medicine cabinet

AUGUSTtransformative education

plus: children’s health

SEPTEMBERconscious caretaking

plus: yoga

OCTOBERsustainable communities

plus: chiropractic and acupuncture

NOVEMBERpersonal empowerment

plus: beauty

DECEMBERawakening humanityplus: holiday themes

A heartfelt shout out goes to the 90 U.S. cities

and metro areas across the country, plus Puerto Rico, where Natural Awakenings is effect-ing positive change in people’s lives. For 20 years, this free com-munity magazine has been loyal readers’ go-to resource for awakening America to the benefits of naturally healthy living. We thank our 3.8 million readers that devour these pages every month, typically from cover-to-cover. We voice gratitude to the thousands of committed advertisers that report multiplied busi-ness success as a result of our partner-ship. We extend kudos to the hundreds of editorial contributors that have gener-ously shared their pioneering expertise with us via cutting-edge information and practical tips. Interviews and bylines of internationally recognized healers, teachers and leaders underscore the magazine’s primacy in its field. Collectively, we comprise a great movement embodying ways of living that are healthy for people and the planet. Together, we are producing a pay-it-forward chain reaction of posi-tive energy and conscious living that benefits everyone. Each large and small choice in favor of natural health and environmental sustainability counts toward enhancing our own standard of living and supporting a higher quality of life on Earth. It all starts with individuals waking up to conscious living and connecting locally to make measurable differences

in their own homes and communities. They are role models of wellness. They are eco-stars. They are visionaries that daily act on their passion for helping others live happier, healthier, more thriving lives. What started as a single print publication in Naples, Florida, in 1994, is now a growing network spearheaded by 90 local magazine publishers reach-ing out to share the message. Supportive media range from digital magazine editions, e-newsletters, community websites and social media releases to an iPhone app, webstore and dating website, topped by a nationwide net-work of local natural health practitio-ners. All embrace the original vision of bringing like-minded people together to help make life better. We are glad that you are joining us in celebrating 20 years together. We look forward to all the good that 2014 and beyond will bring to us all.

For more information and to connect,visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

Catalyst for ChangeNatural Awakenings Celebrates 20 Years

by Sharon Bruckman, CEO/Founder


wisewords

How would we live, were we not afraid of death? How would we live if we gave ourselves permis-

sion to give to life everything we’ve got? In The Longevity Factor, Lydia Brontë, Ph.D., observes that we’ve added 15 years to our lives… but in the middle, not at the end. No longer identifying ourselves as “over the hill” at whatever age, we are simply removing the hill. We are forging a different conversation and a new vision to take us beyond the limited thought forms that have defined the parameters of age for generations. For the first time in history, we can realistically view the first half of life as a kind of gestation period, preparing us for an even more productive second half. Midlife is like a second puberty, a point at which one persona falls away and another comes to take its place. What happens then is up to us. Some begin a long, slow cruise toward death at that point, allowing memories to become more meaningful than the present. Others, remembering that the spirit within us never ages, see the moment of midlife as a rebirth—the time to put our engines into high gear. Whomever it is we were born to be, whatever our soul was coded to ac-complish, whatever lessons we are here to learn; now is the time to seriously get going. We may regret that we’re no longer young, but we’re ecstatic that we’re no longer clueless. We must be disciplined, though. We want to become precision instru-ments now, focused on exactly what we want to do and being exactly who we need to be. This requires separat-ing from the person we were before to whatever extent that person was not

The Miracle of MidlifeBeing Exactly Who We Need to Be

by Marianne Williamson

who we know in our hearts we were created to be. There’s no more time for five-year detours. No more time for relation-ships that don’t serve us or for staying in situations that aren’t true to who we are. No more time for pettiness, false pride or whatever other dysfunctional roadblocks obstruct our higher destiny and the joy that’s meant to be ours. Our life might not be as fabulous as it used to be in some ways, but in other ways it’s even more fabulous. The Universe is constantly and infinitely elastic, responding not to our past, but to our present state of mind. As we learn to reprogram thoughts—atoning for our mistakes of the past and em-bracing the endless miraculous pos-sibilities of the present—we step into a time when we have every reason to look forward with genuine excitement to what happens next. Individually and collectively, we are now fitted to fearlessly forge new ground, wielding the power of what life has taught us so far and laying claim to the possibility of redemption, not only for ourselves, but also for the entire world. The planet needs a new story, aligned with a larger consciousness, and so do we. What we need now are imagina-tion and courage. Many of us feel we’ve forever carried around a secret dream, rarely validating it even to ourselves and often denying its reality. Yet it has refused to go away and is ready to be born at last. Individuals that have spent decades achieving one thing or moving in one direction often take up something else entirely that gives them far more psychic satisfaction. They see achievements that

were the height of their material success as preparation for an even greater one; the means by which they learned the skills ultimately needed to make their biggest contribution to the world. Divine law guarantees that the power of “now” presents an endless fount of miraculous opportunities. In God, there are no limits to how high we can go, ever. In God, there is no time… only the call of the soul. It is not too late; we are right on time and we are better than we know. Now, having visited so many other places in our journey of life, we seek our place within the collective heartbeat of holiness. When enough of us stand in the light of our higher purpose, seek-ing to be ever-greater servants of love, each consciously dedicated to creating a more loving world, then a new field of collective possibility will emerge among us. All that is not love will begin to fall away of its own dead weight. A pro-found moment of planetary renewal will occur then, after our having allowed it first to occur within us.

Marianne Williamson is an internation-ally acclaimed inspirational author and lecturer. Six of her 10 books have been New York Times bestsellers, including The Age of Miracles: Em-bracing the New Midlife, the basis for this article.


We all need iodine, yet most of us don’t get enough of it through our diet. A study in

the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that iodine deficiency in the developed world has increased fourfold in the past 40 years and now affects nearly three-quarters of all adults. Numerous U.S. practicing physicians quoted widely in the media estimate that the incidence of hypothyroidism in our adult population may be between 30 and 70 percent.

Thus, we can’t efficiently produce the thyroid hormones that serve as chemical messengers triggering nearly every bodily function. The pres-ence or absence of iodine affects our every cell.Be Aware of Hypothyroidism Symptoms

Low thyroid function, or hypothyroidism, is the most recognized and obvious indicator of low iodine intake because the thyroid gland contains more concentrated iodine than other organs.

Symptoms can range from extreme fatigue and weight gain to depression, carpal tunnel syn-drome, high blood pressure, fibrocystic breasts and a variety of skin and hair problems.

Hypothyroidism can further cause infertility, joint pain, heart disease and stroke. Low iodine levels also have been associated with breast and thyroid cancers. In children, insufficient iodine has been strongly linked with mental retardation, deafness, attention deficient and hyperactivity disorder and impaired growth, according to studies by Boston University, China’s Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and France’s National Academy of Medicine. The answer is simple: Taking the right kind of iodine in the right dosage can rebalance thyroid function and restore health to the thyroid and the whole body.

Reasons Behind Iodine DeficiencyRadiation: Almost everyone is routinely exposed to iodine-depleting radiation emitted by cell phones, Wi-Fi, microwave ovens and other electronic devices. Iodized table salt: The human body cannot utilize the iodine added to this product. Low-sodium diets: Failure to use healthy salts to fulfill sodium requirements, plus over-use of zero-nutrient table salt in foods, leads to iodine depletion.Bromine: This toxic chemical overrides iodine’s abilities to nourish the thyroid, adrenal and other hormone-producing glands. A known carcinogen, it is used as an anti-caking ingredient found in almost all baked goods, unless the ingredients specifically cite unbromated flour. Iodine-depleted soils: Due to poor farming techniques, iodine and other minerals in soil have declined, so most foods today are devoid of naturally occurring iodine. Proper iodine supplementation with a high-quality product like Natural Awakenings Detoxified Iodine can prevent harm by protecting the thyroid and other endocrine glands and restoring proper hormone production.

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Natural Awakenings Detoxifed Iodine is 100 percent natural, raw iodine in an ethyl alcohol solution. We thank all those that are benefiting from this product and enthusiastically telling us their great results. Available only at NAWebstore.com My wife, who suffered from extreme fatigue and other symptoms, saw a dramatic increase in energy after just a few days of taking the natural iodine drops. Now if she misses a day, she’ll end up falling asleep in the middle of the afternoon, like she used to do before taking the iodine. It works! ~ AaronMy doctor told me that I had a hypothyroid condition, prescribed medication and was happy with the follow-up test results, yet I noticed no positive effects on my overall well-being. Within two weeks of using the Natural Awakenings Detoxified Iodine, I had more energy, felt more awake and enjoyed clearer thinking and greater peace of mind. People even comment that I look younger. I am a fan!

~ Larry

Shop Natural Awakenings’ Online Webstore for More Special, Natural Products


series. Register online at OnThePathYoga.com or call On The Path Yoga at 616-935-7028 for info. 701 E. Savidge #3 Spring Lake.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8Weight Loss School- 2:00 or 5:30pm. 4-week program looks at weight from a contemporary perspective. Underlying problems are identified so you can do something about them. Customize your eating plan so it’s healthy, safe, practical, and sustainable, with meals that are appropriate for your entire household. Practical cooking demos and recipes are included. $150. Holistic Nutrition Center, 90 West 8th Street, Holland.Taizé Sung Prayer Service- 6:00pm. Simple cho-ruses repeated many times and are often accompanied by instruments and vocal solos. Interspersed between the music are prayers, scripture and periods of silence. Communion, prayers for healing, and the lighting of candles are also offered. Free. First United Methodist Church, 227 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids. Achieving Balanced Health through Naturopa-thy- 6:30pm. Geoff Lamden of Continuum Healing will discuss the 7 principles of Naturopathy look at a balanced health of a whole person. Including diet, stressors and techniques for more energy. Free. RSVP 616-975-7555. Harvest Health Foods, 6807 Cascade Road, Grand Rapids.Connecting to Creation for Balance in Life- 7:00pm. Each month we explore connecting to Spirit, creation and self to increase the balance in our life through teachings, ceremony and exploration of possibilities. $10. Owl Hawk, 1610 Timberlane Ln NE, Grand Rapids. 616-856-4957Guided Meditation and Healing Circle- 7:00-8:00pm. Escape from stress and discover an in-ner world of calm, peace & joy through guided meditation, and energy healing from Healing in America-trained healers. $5 donation. Holistic Care Approach, 3368 Beltline Ct., NE, Grand Rapids.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9Chair Yoga, Yoga - Basics, Yoga - Beyond Basics- 4:00-8:15pm. 1/9-2/27. Come cultivate flexibility, strength, and balance in your body, calm and quiet in your mind, and peace and joy in your spirit. $80.00 per series of 8 sessions or $12.00 for walk-ins. Do-minican Center at Marywood, 2025 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids. 616-514-3361.Pressure Canning Basics- 6:00pm. Visit can-ningdiva.com/event/pressure-canning-basics-kraft-middle-school-caledonia-6pm/ for details. Kraft Middle School, Caledonia. Achieving Balanced Health through Naturopa-thy- 6:30pm. Geoff Lamden of Continuum Healing will discuss the 7 principles of Naturopathy look at a balanced health of a whole person. Including diet, stressors and techniques for more energy. Free. RSVP to 616-896-6630. Harvest Health Foods, 4150 32nd Ave., Hudsonville.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1e-Book Release- Canning with The Diva, A Sea-sonal Guide to Home Canning and Preserving. Visit canningdiva.com/shop/canning-with-the-diva-e-book-pre-order-release-date-january-1-2014/ Ring In The New Year with Yoga- 10am, 3pm, or 7pm. Bring in your intentions and resolutions. Integrate them with a basic yoga class (suitable for all levels) and featuring Tibetan Singing Bowl and sound meditations. Free. Call On The Path Yoga at 616-935-7028 for info. 701 E. Savidge #3 Spring Lake.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3Early Bird Yoga- 6:30am. New early bird yoga class taught by Denise Baker is being offered in January and February. Free trial class. Yoga Studio, 955 Cherry SE, Grand Rapids. 616-776-0836.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4Bija Yoga Prenatal Program- 12:00-1:15pm. En-joy the many benefits of yoga during and after your pregnancy including better alignment, strength, and breathwork. Learn to modify for other yoga classes as your baby grows and be sure to bring your new-born to class. Free to members, $10 drop in. Call On The Path Yoga at 616-935-7028 for details. 701 E. Savidge #3 Spring Lake.

MONDAY, JANUARY 6Spiritual Expression- 7:00-8:30pm. This class is designed to awaken the writer/storyteller in you; assist with writer’s block; provide companion-ship on your journey of personal growth/spiritual wandering. Facilitator Nessa McCasey is a Poetry Therapist. Class meets first & third Mondays - to reserve your spot call the church at 616-459-8386. $5-$10 donation. Fountain St Church, 24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7Healthy Family Diet Program- The right diet = sharp mind, abundance of energy, stable mood, and a feeling of wellbeing. Cut through misinformation to learn how to use food to make improvements. 4-week nutrition/cooking program. Register at 616-355-5333. Holistic Nutrition Center, 90 West 8th Street, Holland. 616-355-5333Midwinter Meditation Series: Journey Through the Chakras- 12:00-1:00pm. Each week we will journey up the spine to the next energy wheel (chakra) for a total of 7 weeks. Come for all or drop in when you can. $10 drop in, $60 for the 7 week

Denotes an event sponsored by Natural Awakenings Magazine West Michigan.

$ave Time& Energy!Please call in advance to ensure that the event you’re interested in is still available.

Visit www.NaturalWestMichigan.com for guidelines and to submit entries. All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication.

How Stress Affects Our Bodies and Minds- 7:00pm. Performance Coach Elle Ingalls shares how stress affects our bodies and our minds. From test anxiety to heart disease, cancer to depression, why stress hor-mones cause so much damage, and gives hope with her 10-second solution. Free. Call 269-832-3573 or email [email protected] to register.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 Energy Balancing Weekend Retreat- 1/10-1/12. Located on the beautiful shoreline of Lake Huron. Each guest enjoys Yoga, Massage, Reiki, Reflex-ology, 2 brunches, free lodging and entire use of our lake house (including kitchen). $250/person. Call 989-739-5498 or visit expressionsofhealth.com for more info. Expressions of Health, 6170 Ridge Rd., Oscoda.

Living Well – Grand Rapids Show - 1/10 & 1/11. Mark your calendars

for West Michigan’s only health and wellness show is coming back to DeVos Place for its second year. If your business

focuses on health, fitness, or wellness, don’t miss being part of West Michigan’s only show that’s completely devoted to improving all aspects of health. Exhibitor brochures are available at www.showspan.com/lwg/brochurerequest.aspx

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11Healthseekers Class- 10:30-11:15am. There is a high level of vibrant health available to you beyond merely the absence of pain. Find out how home-opathy and chiropractic complement each other perfectly in your healing process. Free. RSVP to 231-670-0179. www.AngelTouchFamilyChiroprac-tic.com. Angel Touch Family Chiropractic, 4265 Grand Haven Road, Suite 203, Muskegon.Chakra Tuning and Art, Energetics of Asana Assists- 1:00-5:00pm. 1/11 & 1/12. Jessica Pat-terson is a Certified Jivamukti Teacher in Colorado Springs and a 500-hour E-RYT with Yoga Alliance (2000+ hours of teaching). She has taught nationally and internationally, including Taiwan and Mexico. Heart’s Journey Wellness Center, 6189 Lake Michi-gan Drive, Allendale.

MONDAY, JANUARY 13Wellness Moms Gathering Group- 6:00-7:00pm. Discussion Topics Include: Healthy Food Choices, Natural Home Remedies, Maximizing the Breast-feeding Experience, Pregnancy and Natural Birth, Parenting from a Wellness Consciousness. Free. O’Brien Family Chiropractic Center, 1519 E. River Rd. Ste. B, Muskegon. 231-744-6400 Jump Start Your Weight Loss- 6:30pm. We want to help you jump start your 2014 health goals. Gar-den of Life Educator, Wendy Hilliard will share her most effective strategies for losing weight. RSVP to 616-896-6630. Harvest Health Foods, 4150 32nd Ave., Hudsonville.

calendarofevents


Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program - 6:30pm. Free info session with Carol Hendershot. Learn to live your life more fully and effectively – one moment at a time. Manage your stress and take charge of your own health and well-being. 8-Week Program starts on 1/27. Visit www.grandrapidscen-terformindfulness.com or 616-361-3660 for details or to register. Holistic Care Approach, 3368 E. Beltline Ct. Grand Rapids. 30 Day GMO Free Challenge Meeting- 6:30pm. Please join NoGMO4Michigan at our monthly meet-ing where we will discuss our 30 Day GMO Free Challenge and provide free literature and education on the topic. Fountain St Church, 24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14Wellness Moms Gathering Group- 9:30-10:30am. Discussion Topics Include: Healthy Food Choices, Natural Home Remedies, Maximizing the Breast-feeding Experience, Pregnancy and Natural Birth, Parenting from a Wellness Consciousness. Free. O’Brien Family Chiropractic Center, 1519 E. River Rd. Ste. B, Muskegon. 231-744-6400 Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program- 6:30pm. Free info session with Carol Hendershot. Learn to live your life more fully and effectively – one moment at a time. Manage your stress and take charge of your own health and well-being - 8-Week Program starts on 1/28. Call 616-361-3660 or www.grandrapidscenterformindfulness.com for more info and to register. FreeEnergy Touch Center, 1331 Lake Dr. SE, Suite 100, Grand Rapids.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program- 9:30am. Free info session with April Hadley, MSW. Learn to live your life more fully and effectively one moment at a time. Manage your stress and take charge of your own health and well-being. - 8-Week Program starts 1/29. Visit www.grandrapidscenter-formindfulness.com or 616-361-3660 for info and to register. Holistic Care Approach, 3368 E. Beltline Ct, Grand Rapids. Ayurvedic Herbs and Spices for Cold and Flu- 5:30pm. Angel Hayden, owner of True Form, discusses how to use specific Ayurvedic herbs and spices to help get through cold and flu season. Event day discounts at Serendipite Organiques and True Form. Free. 12 Person limit. RSVP by 1/10/14 [email protected] or 616-889-9825. Serendipite Organiques, 959 Lake Dr. SE Grand Rapids. Canning 101- 6:00pm. Visit canningdiva.com/event/canning-101-bekins-cooking-school-grand-rapids-6pm/ for details. Bekins Cooking School, Grand Rapids.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16GAPS Webinar Lesson 1 - Intro to GAPS- 12:00pm. Intro to the Gut & Psychology Syndrome as described by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. Register before January 16 to have access to the live webinar and/or the recording. $41.50 per Lesson. Space is limited, register now through our events page at www.elderandsage.com.Personal Production Canning- 5:45pm. Visit can-ningdiva.com/event/personal-production-canning-facility-kitchens-lowell-545pm/ for details. Facility Kitchens, Lowell.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program- 6:30pm. Free info session with April Hadley, MSW. Learn to live your life more fully and effectively one moment at a time. Manage your stress and take charge of your own health and well-being. 8-Week Program starts on 1/20. Visit www.grandrapidscen-terformindfulness.com or 616-361-3660 more details or to register. Classes held at Women’s Health Center, 555 Mid Town St. NE, Grand Rapids.Seasons of my Soul: Winter Rhythms- 6:30-9:00pm. An Experiential Evening Workshop for Women. Reconnect with your spirit and the Sacred through interactive exercises, reflection, prayer/meditation. Dress in outdoor appropriate clothing for a brief walk, weather permitting. This is part 3 in a series. $25. Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids. 616-514-3361. Pressure-Free Body- 7:00pm. Elle Ingalls shows you simple ways to stop the release of stress hor-mones and improve your body’s health and physical performance. $75/single session or $199 for three Thursday nights. FREE intro session from 6-6:40pm. Call 269-832-3573 or email [email protected] to register. Greencrest Manor, 1674 Halbert Rd, Battle Creek.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18Reinvent Your Medicine Cabinet- 9:00am-12:00pm. Join Angela McElroy, Naturopathic Prac-titioner in a workshop designed to teach the art of making natural remedies at home. Remedies taught in class are designed to boost immune systems, treat acute illness and maintain vibrant health during winter months. $45. Continuum Healing, 1324 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids.Home Canning Chicken Soup LIVE Demo- 12:00pm. Visit canningdiva.com/event/pressure-canning-chicken-soup-rylees-ace-hardware-12pm/ for details. Rylee’s Ace Hardware on Michigan St, Grand Rapids. Exploring the Chakras- 1:00-4:00pm. This work-shop will help you discover how the chakra system can clear and heal obstacles, freeing you to move closer toward balance, gratitude, and grace. Session includes an asana practice, deep relaxation exercise, and meditation. For info visit www.heartsjourney-wellness.com. $40/person. Heart’s Journey Wellness Center, 6189 Lake Michigan Drive, Allendale.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19The Art of Assisting- 12:00-3:00pm. A workshop designed to learn assisting techniques for foun-dational yoga postures. See our website for more details. $40 per person. Heart’s Journey Wellness Center, 6189 Lake Michigan Drive, Allendale.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21Demystifying Weight Loss Supplements- 6:30pm. Every week there seems to be a new supplement to help you loose weight. Do they really work? Which one should you be taking? Kimberly Olsen (Fit-Kim) and trainer from Genesis Today will demystify these supplements and show how they may help us loose those stubborn pounds. Free. RSVP to 616-896-6630. Harvest Health Foods, 4150 32nd Ave Hudsonville.Keep your Immune System Healthy Naturally- 7:00-8:00pm. This conversation will discuss short and long term immune support to help you through a long winter. It will include essential immune system

protocols. $5 donation. Holistic Care Approach, 3368 Beltline Ct NE, Grand Rapids. Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 7:00pm. New Year, New You with Real Food presented by Melissa Malinowski of www.IntegrativeNutritionalThera-pies.com. For info visit www.nourishingways.org. Free. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 134 N. Division Ave. Grand Rapids.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23Free Information Session- 6:30pm. New Inter-personal Mindfulness for Graduates of MBSR or Regular Meditators. With Carol Hendershot. Build a foundation of clarity and calm in the midst of life’s rockiest times. 8-Week Program starts on 2/6. Visit www.grandrapidscenterformindfulness.com or 616-361-3660 for details or to register. Holistic Care Approach, 3368 E. Beltline Ct. Grand Rapids. Pressure-Free Mind- 7:00pm. Elle Ingalls shows you simple ways to stop the release of stress hormones to improve your cognitive function and mindset. $75/single session or $199 for three Thursday nights. FREE intro session from 6-6:40pm. Call 269-832-3573 or email [email protected] to register. Greencrest Manor, 1674 Halbert Rd, Battle Creek.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24Energy Balancing Weekend Retreat- 1/24-1/26. Located on the beautiful shoreline of Lake Huron. Each guest enjoys Yoga, Massage, Reiki, Reflexology, 2 brunches, free lodging and entire use of our lake house (including kitchen). $250/person. Call 989-739-5498 or visit expressionsofhealth.com for more info. Expressions of Health, 6170 Ridge Rd., Oscoda.Reiki I/II Class- 9:00am-5:00pm. Learn this relax-ing, healing technique to use on self and others to open & balance energy. Lunch & textbook included. Jan Atwood, Reiki Master/Teacher. $225. 801 Broadway Ave NW, Ste 436, Grand Rapids

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25Ladies Winter Break Away- 8:45am-2:15pm. Theme - Reflections of A Lovely Lady. Revolves around taking a deep look at ourselves and seeing how much we reflect Christ. Theme Verse: Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that fearth the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30. $12. Ensley Center Baptist Church, 7077 120th Street, Sand Lake. Healthseekers Class- 10:30-11:15am. There is a high level of vibrant health available to you beyond merely the absence of pain. Find out how home-opathy and chiropractic complement each other perfectly in your healing process. Free. RSVP to 231-670-0179. www.AngelTouchFamilyChiroprac-tic.com. . Angel Touch Family Chiropractic, 4265 Grand Haven Road, Suite 203, Muskegon.Winter Mathmagic at North Muskegon Library- 10:30am. Free Mathmagic Workshop for kids age 6 to 12 featuring: ipad station with math websites and games, board game station, worksheet /prize station, building station with a focus on spatial skills, interac-tive games and healthy snack. Call Lisa Morgan at Sylvan Learning of Muskegon to RSVP 231-799-0613. 1522 Ruddiman Drive, North Muskegon. Self Study the Actor’s Way- 1:00-3:00pm. Explore the body mind connection in a light hearted way as Jean Reed Bahle leads you through theatre games and techniques to create focus, relaxation and


savethedateMarch 7-8, 2014

Standing Firm- 3/7: 6:00-9:30pm. Sexual Addiction: Epidemic Within the Church Today. Co-Workshop Leaders: Al Hoogewind, LPC, Cindy Hagerup, LMSW, David UitdeFlesch, LLP. 3/8: 8:30am-4:00pm. The Cry Of A Women’s Heart: Preparing Myself To Lead Others - Workshop leader; Dr. Jan Bentley, PsyD, LMSW. $25 before 2/24, $35 at the Door. 1200 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids. 616-949-9550

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heightened awareness. No theatre or yoga experience necessary. $25. Yoga Studio, 955 Cherry SE, Grand Rapids. 616-776-0836

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29Winter Mathmagic at Norton Shores Library- 4:30pm. Free Mathmagic Workshop for kids age 6 to 12 featuring: ipad station with math websites and games, board game station, worksheet /prize station, building station with a focus on spatial skills, interactive games and healthy snack. Call Lisa Morgan at Sylvan Learning of Muskegon to RSVP 231-799-0613. 705 Seminole Rd, Norton Shores.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30GAPS Webinar Lesson 2 - The Gut & Brain Connection- 12:00pm. Certified GAPS Practitioner, Kathryn Doran-Fisher talks about the gut/brain connection and how a variety of digestive disorders often occur simultaneously with psychological disorders. Learn how gut dysbiosis contributes to various learning, behavioral, and social problems as well as substance abuse, eating disorders, depres-sion, anxiety and other psychological conditions. $41.50. Space is limited, register at events page www.elderandsage.com. Canvas Creek Team Building- 5:30-8:00pm. Now available in West Michigan. For more information or to schedule a session, call 269-214-4432 or visit CanvasvCreekTeamBuilding.com/Katrina. To join Ryan for her debuting, wine and cheese Canvas Creek event in Wyoming, Michigan, go to www.canvas-creekteambuilding.com/katrina or call 269-214-4432 and purchase your $70, all-inclusive ticket.

Pressure-Free Life Design- 7:00pm. Elle Ingalls shows you simple tools for time management and life design with her Pressure-Free method. $75/single session or $199 for three Thursday nights. FREE intro session from 6-6:40pm. Call 269-832-3573 or email [email protected] to register. Greencrest Manor, 1674 Halbert Rd, Battle Creek.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31Self-Compassion and Emotional Resilience- 9:00am-4:00pm. With Kristen Neff, PhD. Learn to stop being so hard on yourself; handle difficult emotions with greater ease; and motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism. 6 CE credits available for nursing and social work. Visit www.grandrapidscenterformindfulness.com or 616-361-3660 for details or to register. $95. Stonewater Country Club, 7177 Kalamazoo Ave. Caledonia.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1Open Mind Fair- 10:00am-6:00pm. Relax with Chair Massage $1 a minute. Angel Communication, Astrology, Aura Photos, Palmistry, Intuitive Read-ings, Spiritual Readings. (Readings are 30min./$35 20min./$25). Treat yourself to that Special Book, Crystal, Incense or other well-deserved gift to help you grow. Call 616-863-8868 with questions. Open Mind, 39 Courtland St., Rockford.

savethedateMarch 15-16, 2014

Reading The Body- 9:30am-4:00pm. Join Margi Flint, author and herbalist in a two day seminar that will focus on various non-invasive diagnostic techniques. By knowing what the body has to say we can learn how to prevent illness. Check out more of Margi’s work at www.earthsongherbals.com. Wealthy Theatre Annex, 1110 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids.

savethedateFebruary 22, 2014

Herbs to Calm the Mind, Body & Spirit- 10:00am-5:00pm. Stress is likely the single largest contributor to illness. Join herbalist Jim McDonald in a discussion of the herbs and behaviors that will help support us in times of stress and strain. Continuum Healing, 1324 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids.


classifiedsTo place a Classified Listing: Email listing to [email protected]. Must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publication. $1.00 per word; must be pre-paid.

CLASSES

Energy Healings and Training, Reiki & Urevia Healings/Classes - held near Hastings at Subtle Energies w/ Ken & Dana Gray. Learn a variety of techniques that can heal your life. Reiki I & Urevia Practitioner classes are eligible for NAN 20% discount. Visit www.reikiconnect.com for more information.

FOR SALE

Hardy Dam/Muskegon River near - 80 acres, 6 bedroom home, outbuildings; garage, barn. Fishing and hunting area. Robb Breen: 1-231-327-1147. [email protected]

Northwest Grand Rapids Commercial Building- 1058 Richmond NW, Grand Rapids, MI. Current use is a full service salon on the main floor and a spacious 3 bedroom apartment on the 2nd floor. Great location on Richmond with steady traffic and across from the popular Richmond Park. Only $125,000! Call Jeff Blahnik at Five Star Real Estate 616-791-1500 or visit JeffBlahnik.com for more information.

HELP WANTED

Inside Sales Associates Wanted to set up ap-pointments for Natural Awakenings Sales staff. Must have professional phone voice and good communication skills. Computer knowledge a plus. All leads provided. Work from home, part-time on your own schedule. Fixed fees paid for appointments scheduled, meetings completed plus bonus paid on final sale. Email resume to [email protected].

ongoingevents

SundaySpirit Space Sunday Worship- 10:30am. Join us for inspiring messages called Reasonings. Spirit Space is an inner-faith spiritual enrichment center. Take a virtual tour at www.spirit-space.org. Free. 3493 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck. Sunday Worship and Youth Services- 10:30am. Variety of classes held weekly. Warm, welcom-ing, New Thought, spiritual community, inclusive and accepting of all, honoring diversity, for those seeking spiritual truth. Unity of Grand Rapids, 1711 Walker Avenue NW, Grand Rapids. www.unityofgrandrapids.org

MondayMen’s Sexual Integrity Group- This is a highly confidential, gut-wrenchingly honest support group for men who struggle with sexual addictions. Also on Thursday Evenings and Friday Mornings. $20. Please call Centennial Park Counseling at 616-949-9550 for specific dates and times.

Feldenkrais Method - Awareness Through Move-ment- 1:00-2:00pm. 1/6-5/19. Active learning exercises relating to aspects of human movement. Mats & small pillows provided. Wear comfortable clothing. Registration required, call 616-514-3325. $10/class. Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 E. Fulton St. Grand Rapids. Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 6:15-7:30pm. All levels. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662.

A Course In Miracles Healing Circle - 7:00-8:30pm. Space to feel; space to heal. An ACIM-based support/study group. All are welcome. Prior experience with the course unnecessary. Free. Foun-tain Street Church, Grand Rapids. 616-458-5095.

TuesdayAt The Wall- 10:30am. Yoga provides support and assists with balance, stability and alignment for a deeper yoga asana practice. All levels. Beginner-friendly. Drop-ins welcome $12. www.thestudioyoga.com. The Studio Yoga, 933 52nd Street SE, Kentwood.

Wednesday$20 off BioMeridian Assessments- Food allergies, environmental allergies, organ function and real food menus and shopping lists for families that are healthy and kid-approved. Visit www.integrativenutrition-altherapies.com or 616-365-9176. Grand Rapids.

Spousal Support Group- Meets every other Wednesday. This group meets the emotional, spiritual and personal needs of the wives and/or significant other, and their families of men who struggle with sexual addictions. $20. Please call Centennial Park Counseling at 616-949-9550 for specific dates and times.

A Course in Miracles Study Group- 10:30am-12:00pm. The Course explores all the miracles that occur naturally in our lives. It guides us to forgive, and let go of fear, anger, judgments, unhappiness and see differently. Facilitated by Lin Anderson. Free. Foun-tain St Church, 24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids.Ageless Chair Yoga (For EVERYbody)- 11:00am. For anyone challenged by movement or physical limitations, Instructor adapts traditional yoga poses to meet the needs of each individual. Wheelchairs welcome. $12 drop-in. Call 616-209-8395 or www.thestudioyoga.com. The Studio Yoga, 933 52nd Street SE, Kentwood.Anxiety Support Group- 4:30-7:00pm. Support groups for adults that are dealing with anxiety prob-lems, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Free. Anxiety Resource Center, 312 Grandville Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-356-1416

Anxiety Support Group- 5:30pm. 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesdays. A support group open to teens, ages 14-18, who have an anxiety problem, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Free. Anxiety Resource Center, 312 Grandville Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-356-1416

Discussion and Meditation- 6:00pm. Come, Let Us Reason Together every at Spirit Space. The evening starts with light refreshments, followed by a discussion from 6:30-7:15pm, ending with silent meditation till 8 pm. Spirit Space is an inner-faith spiritual enrichment center. Visit www.spirit-space.org. Free. 3493 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck.Creation’s Lessons for Living- 7:00pm. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Creation desires to help us grow, mature, evolve. Connect with Creation’s wisdom through the teachings and ceremonies of the shamanic Sweet Medicine SunDance Path. Donation. Call 616-856-4957 for more information. NE Grand Rapids.Restore- 7:30pm. A blend of restorative and yin yoga, pranayama and meditation to soothe the soul and heal the effects of stress. An excellent comple-ment to your daily routine. $12 drop-in. All Levels. www.thestudioyoga.com. The Studio Yoga, 933 52nd Street SE, Kentwood.

ThursdayAdvanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 6:15-7:30pm. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662.

Holy Yoga- 7:00pm. Incorporates Christ-centered spirituality with a level 1 flow to create a yoga experience that aligns mind, body and spirit. $12 Drop-in. www.thestudioyoga.com. The Studio Yoga, 933 52nd Street SE, Kentwood.

Note: Visit www.NaturalWestMichigan.com for guidelines and to submit entries. Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month. Events sub-ject to change, please call ahead.

SaturdaySweetwater Local Foods Market- 9:00am-1:00pm. Hackley Health at the Lakes building on Harvey Street. We are indoor if the weather is bad. We are a double up bucks and bridge card market. Hesperia. 231-861-2234


BUILDING / CONSTRUCTION

DLH CONCEPTSKyle HassLicensed Residential Home Builder [email protected]

Locally owned and operated. Specializing in building q u a l i t y l i v a b l e a n d affordable new homes that are Energy Efficient and utilize Green Building prac t ices . Unmatched e f f i c i e n c i e s a n d

uncompromising quality. Call today for a free quote. See ad page 33.

CHIROPRACTIC CAREDYNAMIC FAMILY CHIROPRACTICDr. Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville616-531-6050www.DynamicChiro.com

Family owned and operated in the heart of downtown Grandville, Dynamic Family Chiropractic focuses on lifestyle improvements through living a maximized life. A safe and natural approach to health through the combination of exercise, nutrition, detoxification and chiropractic care.

SCHAFER CHIROPRACTIC AND HEALING SPADr. Andrew Schafer 1801 Breton SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 616-301-3000www.GRChiroSpa.com

Tr e a t i n g m u s c u l o s k e l e t a l conditions, but specializing in back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Also offering physical therapy, massage therapy, and pos tu ra l awareness . Mos t insurance accepted. Breton Village area. See ad pages 7 & 30.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

HARMONY ’N HEALTH Mary De Lange, CCT. CMT.1003 Maryland Ave, N.E., Grand Rapids616-456-5033www.HarmonyNHealth.net

Certified therapist since 1991 offering colon therapy in a sterile and professional environment. Using a holist ic approach, colonics relieves constipation, d ia r rhea , gas , b loa t , poor digestion, back pain, body odor and more. See ad page 6.

TRICIA E. GOSLING Natural Health & Healing Center723 Kenmoor SE Grand Rapids 49546616-481-9074 www.holisticenergytherapies.net

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics: gentle , safe and effect ive. Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being. 16 years of experience. A l s o o f f e r i n g Q u a n t u m Biofeedback sessions. I-ACT certified Instructor.

DENTISTRY / HOLISTIC

DENTAL HEALTH& WELLNESS CENTERDr. Kevin P. Flood DDS616-974-4990www.FloodTheDentist.com

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services – Amalgam Removal & Replacement. Bio-Compatible, metal-free materials, Low-Dose Digital X-Rays, Gentle Anesthesia, Dentistry for Diabetes, TMJ, Chronic Head & Neck pain

and Non Surgical Perio. See ad page 2.

ENERGY HEALING

AMA~DEUS®Elizabeth Cosmos Grand Rapids: 616-648-3354 [email protected]

AMA-DEUS energy healing method is a hand mediated technique. Love is the basis for this healing technique, which helps to enhance our spiritual growth, expand our awareness, and promotes physical & emotional healing. See ad page 23.

MATRIX ENERGETICS Barbara Zvirzdinis, WK, CMT616-581-3885www.WKHealthServices.com

Matrix Energetics is a system used to heal, transform and create new possibilities in your life. Using the principles of quantum physics and subtle energy dur ing a Matr ix Energetics session we are able to enter into different realties and download new possibilities

for your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual selves. See ad page 33.

BODY APPLICATIONS

SALLY DERSCH Frequency Apps Wellness Center616-755-8446 www.FrequencyApps.com

We are the leader in new generation homeopathic body applications known as the Frequency App! 50+ varieties of Apps including hCG, Weight Loss, Hormone, Sleep, Detox, Supplements, MSA Testing, Food/Environmental Allergy

Analysis, Ionic Foot Baths.

BODY CARE PRODUCTS

SÉRENDIPITÉ ORGANIQUES, LLC 959 Lake Dr SE, Suite 2,Grand Rapids, MI 49506616-419-8115www.SerendipiteOrganiques.comfacebook.com/SerendipiteOrganiques

*NEW LOCATION! A retail store exclusively offering organic non-toxic makeup, skincare & other products for your body, home, & pets! Products must score ‘Low

Hazard 0-2’ on ewg.org/skindeep, or they simply won’t be considered! See ad page 26.

BODYWORK

WHOLISTIC KINESIOLOGY HEALTH SERVICES, LLC Barbara Zvirzdinis, WK, CMT616-581-3885www.WKHealthServices.com

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic, Hot Stone & Matrix Massage. Certified W h o l i s t i c K i n e s i o l o g i s t , Certified Matrix Energetics Pract i t ioner, Reconnect ion Healing Practitioner, Certified Herbalist, Certified Acutonics Practitioner, and a Certified Reflexologist. See ad page 33.

thenaturaldirectory...connecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michi-gan. To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to www.NaturalWestMichigan.com/advertising.


HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTERSTHE HEALING CENTERBob Huttinga PA-C& Rev. Barbara Huttinga332 S. Lincoln Ave, Lakeview989-352-6500 www.TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com

Affordable, natural approach to better health. Certified nutritional consultant with 22 years experience. Offering select, high quality vitamins, minerals, herbs, children’s products, essential oils,

homeopathics, weight loss and more. Professional discounts and senior pricing. www.affordable-nutrition.com. See ad in page 21.

HOMEOPATHY

BOB HUTTINGA PA-C332 S. Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500 www.TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com

A C e r t i f i e d P h y s i c i a n A s s i s t a n t s i n c e 1 9 7 6 , specializing in naturopathic a n d h o m e o p a t h i c c a r e . Family care. Also, certified Silva Method instructor. We use Clinical Homeopathy to assist traditional medications. We take most insurances. See ad page 21.

INSTRUCTION / CLASSESHEAL YOUR LIFEKatrina Ryan [email protected] www.IDeserveGood.com

Based on the philosophy of bestselling Author Louise L. Hay’s 9 points of Philosophy. Led by Licensed Heal Your Life Facilitator Katrina Ryan. Call Katrina today to host your very own Heal Your Life workshop!

INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICESALIGN DESIGN, LLCShawn Merkel, ASID, [email protected]

Align your space to be a true reflection of who you are. Specializing in Wholistic design, repurposing and Feng Shui. Full service Residential and commercial Interior design. See ad page 32.

KINESIOLOGY

WHOLISTIC KINESIOLOGYHEALTH SERVICES, LLCBarbara Zvirzdinis, WK, CMT616-581-3885www.WKHealthServices.com

C e r t i f i e d W h o l i s t i c Kinesiologist, Certified Matrix Energet ics Pract i t ioner, Certified Massage Therapist, R e c o n n e c t i o n H e a l i n g P r a c t i t i o n e r, C e r t i f i e d Herbalist, Certified Acutonics Practitioner and Certified Reflexologist. Specializing in

muscle testing, massage, energy medicine, nutritional counseling, lectures and classes. See ad page 33.

MASSAGE THERAPY

DYNAMIC FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC& MASSAGE THERAPYJaci Timmermans, MT 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville, MI 49418616-531-6050 www.DynamicChiro.com.

I offer Swedish massage w i t h I n t e g r a t e d Te c h n i q u e s , c h o s e n specifically to your unique body. Relieve those tired and sore muscles and rejuvenate! Call for on-

going monthly specials and discounts.

HANDS ON HEALING PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE THERAPY LLCPattie Kooy, CMMT, CMT, HTP5286 Plainfield NEPlainfield Twp, MI 49525616-648-7217

Professional massage therapist offering Medical Massage, Manual Therapy, Hot Stone, Healing Touch Therapy, Essential Oils, Infrared heat lamp, Bio-energetic Therapy, Hot castor oil packs, Chinese herbal liniments & Detox Massage. Mention ad for $10 off hour massage.

HARMONY ‘N HEALTHMary De Lange, CCT., CMT.1003 Maryland Ave NE, Grand Rapids616-456-5033www.harmonynhealth.net

Over 21 years of professional experience and trained in a complete range of modalities. Whether you are seeking re laxat ion, renewal , or treatment for a specific condition, Mary will help find an approach that is helpful for you. See ad page 6.

ESSENTIAL OILS

BE YOUNG ESSENTIAL OILSClara VanderZouwen [email protected]

”What you put on your skin, goes within!” Choose safe, effective essential oils for relief from pain, hormonal

issues, diabetes, digestive issues and allergies. Also offering “clean” skin care products, GMO-free Meal Replacement Shakes, Masaji, NutriSmart, Liver Detox, Bio-feedback and Ionic detoxing Foot Baths. FREE monthly classes. See ad page 25.

BONNIE HEALEYdoTERRA Essential Oils IPC #[email protected]/bonniehealey

Our oils effectively reduce or e l imina te many c h e m i c a l s , pharmaceuticals and general medicines in your environment. I offer Zyto

Compass biofeedback scans, AromaTouch Technique application and free educational oils classes. Call to schedule an appointment today. See ad page 28.

HAKOMI THERAPY

KEN PORTER CST, CHT534 Fountain NE, Grand Rapids MI 49503616-262-3848www.BodyandSoulGR.com

Hakomi Therapy can truly change your life. It’s a mindfulness-based, experiential therapy for transforming the unconscious patterns that keep you from the love, joy, and fulfillment you de-serve. Offered with exquisite care and attentiveness.

HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER

THE WELLNESS FORUM616-430-2291www.WellnessForum.com

Educational programs for personal health improvement - Workplace wellness programs - Wellness Forum Foundation focused on school nutrition and children’s health - National conferences.


SCHOOL / EDUCATIONINSTITUTE OFSANATIVE ARTS0-11279 Tallmadge Woods Dr. Grand Rapids, MI 49534616-791-0472www.SanativeTranquility.com

State licensed school for massage and bodywork. Offering high quality, a f fo rdab l e mas sage certification courses as well as NCBTMB continuing education courses for the

experienced therapist. Located conveniently to Grand Rapids, Standale, Walker and Allendale.

NATUROPATHIC INSTITUTE OF THERAPIES & EDUCATION503 East Broadway St. Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858989-773-1714www.NaturopathicInstitute.info

Educational Programs Offe red : Na tu ra l Health Program - Four Years (one weekend a m o n t h ) ; M a s s a g e

Therapy Program - One Year (two weekends a month); Holistic Doula Practitioner Program - Six Months (one weekend a month). Individual classes available. See ad page 3.

WEIGHT REDUCTION

SALLY DERSCHFrequency Apps Wellness Center 616-755-8446 www.FrequencyApps.com

A variety of natural items for your weight loss goals! Frequency Apps patches including hCG, Weight Loss/Power Workout, Appetite Suppressant. Also Supplements including Diatrix (for Diabetics), Green Coffee Bean, and African Mango, MSA Testing, Food/Environmental Allergy Analysis.

SANATIVE TRANQUILITY WELLNESS SPA0-11279 Tallmadge Woods Dr. Grand Rapids, MI 49534616-791-0472www.SanativeTranquility.com

Wellness spa for massage, bodywork and skincare therapy. Offering a wide diversi ty of s tyle to encompass the mind, body and spirit of today’s lifestyle. Come in and enjoy our stress free spa environment today.

SCHAFER CHIROPRACTICAND HEALING SPASheri Beth Schafer, CMT,Ayurvedic Bodyworker, Reiki Master1801 Breton SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506616-301-3000

We have multiple certified massage therapists offering relaxation, prenatal, deep tissue massage, and medical massage. We also offer Reiki, chak ra ba l anc ing , and Ayurvedic bodywork. Breton V i l l a g e a r e a . w w w .GRChiroSpa.com. See ad pages 7 & 30.

MIDWIFERY

FULL CIRCLE MIDWIFERYSERVICE, INC.Patrice Bobier CPMHesperia: 231-861-2234 www.FullCircleMidwifery.com

In private practice s i n c e 1 9 8 2 - s p e c i a l i z i n g i n homebir th. Over 1450 births attended. Offering midwifery

care that maintains a family-centered safe birth experience. Empowering women to stay healthy during pregnancy, give birth naturally and parent in the best ways. Free initial consultations including Prenatal check up.

PERSONAL TRAINING

iTRAIN CONSULTING LLCAaron & Heather [email protected]

The only personal trainers in Grand Rapids offering a 100% Money Back Guarantee, no tricks, no gimmicks, just results. See ad page 9.

RETREAT CENTER

EXPRESSIONS OF HEALTHMartha and Jeff Gottlieb6170 Ridge RoadOscoda, MI 48750989-739-5498www.ExpressionsOfHealth.com

Lake Huron Retreats! Great energy, sunrises, and miles of beach. Free lodging and entire use of our lake house (maximum six guests). Pay on ly fo r s e rv i ce s and classes. Call or visit our website for details. See ad page 13.

SALON SERVICESCJ’S STUDIO SALON5286 Plainfield Ave., NEGrand Rapids 49525616-364-9191www.CjsStudioSalon.com

An award winning Hair Stylist wi th 30 years Advanced Education, that uses and sells Organic Hair Care Products as well as uses a professional line of Organic Hair Color. Ionic Detox Foot Baths also available.

LONDON STUDIOS SALONAshley Woods: 616-443-9583Jessica Willis: 616-460-0902Sherry Minott: 616-633-5251Sally Loew: 616-299-1796

S p e c i a l i z i n g i n O r g a n i c C o l o u r Systems. Ammonia-free, professional-o n l y, p e r m a n e n t ,

salon exclusive hair color with 100% certified organic ingredients, natural plant extracts, amino acids, natural anti-oxidants and nutrients that produce the healthiest, richest, colors. www.LondonStudiosSalon.com or Facebook.com/LondonStudiosSalon.

Look for this symbol throughout Natural Awakenings for Natural Awakenings Network (NAN) providers offering savings to NAN members.


http://burconchiropractic.com/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5genie=53

natural awakenings magazine january 2014

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